A30587:285
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.
Hence men by pleading for this principle, may bring themselves and their posterity into greater bondage then they are aware; for although now while they have the power in their own hands, it may be well with them; yet hereafter others may have the power, and then it may prove ill enough; they may then complain of what they now plead for; though now the guides of the Church may be good and holy, yet they may live to see such a change, or at least their posterity, that such a principle acted by such men as they may be under, may wring them; yea, it is the more strange, that men should plead so much for this now, when as the soars of their necks, caused by the bondage under it a while since, are scarce yet healed.
Hence men by pleading for this principle, may bring themselves and their posterity into greater bondage then they are aware; for although now while they have the power in their own hands, it may be well with them; yet hereafter others may have the power, and then it may prove ill enough; they may then complain of what they now plead for; though now the guides of the Church may be good and holy, yet they may live to see such a change, or at least their posterity, that such a principle acted by such men as they may be under, may wring them; yea, it is the more strange, that men should plead so much for this now, when as the soares of their neckes, caused by the bondage under it a while since, are scarce yet healed.
Eighthly, there is yet a further danger in this, not only that §8men will neglect truth, but there will be a strong temptation to resist and reject truth; if God begins to dart in any light into a mans spirit, that appears to cross what hath been determined of for opinion or practice under a penalty; the corruption of a mans heart will entice him to turn his mind from that light, not to let it into conscience or heart, lest it prevailing, should put him upon such ways wherein he is like to suffer. This hath been common in former times; many have hid their eyes from those truths that would have kept them from enformity, because they fore-saw what sad consequences would follow, if their consciences should not suffer them to conform.