A30587:175
Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and…
Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and evils of them : with cautions that we may not be hurt by them, and endeavours to heal them / by Jeremiah Burroughs.Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and evils of them : with cautions that we may not be hurt by them, and endeavours to heal them / by Jeremiah Burroughes.
London: printed for Robert Dawlman, 1653
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I have now gone to the uttermost line I can in showing what is to be done to a man that pleads his conscience in things which we conceive are not right: I would now speak a word or two to men who have to deal with their brethren's consciences, and then to those who plead their consciences for their freedom.
I have now gone to the uttermost line I can in shewing what is to be done to a man that pleads his conscience in things which we conceive are not right: I would now speak a word or two to men who have to deal with their brethrens consciences, and then to those who plead their consciences for their freedome.
To the first.1 Let those who have to deal with mens consciences,§1 first take heed they do not vilify and slight mens consciences, do not scorn at the plea of their consciences. What, this is your conscience? your conscience forsooth will not suffer you. Woe to them who offend one of these little ones; it were better that a mil-stone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the bottom of the Sea, Matth. 18. 6. It is his conscience, and perhaps better informed then thine, and more tender; thou hast it may be a corrupt conscience, thy conscience is broke by thy sinning against it, or otherwise it is loose or benumbed, no quickness in it, thou canst swallow down greater matters, therefore thou wonderest at those who are so nice-conscienced, who stand upon small matters; what if at the great day Christ shall own these to be truly conscientious, and honour them for obeying the voice of their consciences in small things, for not daring to offend them in any thing, where wilt thou appear? what is like to become of thee then? Or if their consciences be weak, not rightly informed, yet Christ expects thou shouldst seek to heal, to strengthen them, not to jeer and scorn them; that fearfulness of theirs to offend Christ, though in the particular they may be mistaken, shall be accepted, when thy boldness and venturousness in taking thy liberty shall appear to be thy folly.