Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and…

3. Whatsoever is differing from others who are godly, is not to be held forth and professed without serious examination: we may venture more suddenly upon those things which are generally received of the Saints; but if they be differing, then we had need examine them over and over again, with a jealous eye over our own hearts, and to take heed to our spirits, & how we behave our selves in such things wherein we are like to go away so much differing from so many of our ⟨p. 83⟩godly, able brethren. We must take heed of publishing any such things rawly, undigestedly, lest we wrong the truth of God, and make the profession of it become ridiculous. If the thing be true to day, it will be true to morrow.

3. Whatsoever is differing from others who are godly, is not to be held forth and professed without serious examination: we may venture more suddenly upon those things which are generally received of the Saints; but if they be differing, then we had need examine them over and over again, with a jealous eye over our own hearts, and to take heed to our spirits, & how we behave our selves in such things wherein we are like to go away so much differing from so many of our ⟨p. 83⟩godly, able brethren. Wee must take heed of publishing any such things rawly, undigestedly, lest we wrong the truth of God, and make the profession of it become ridiculous. If the thing be true to day, it will be true to morrow.

4. We must not think it enough boldly to assert things, but §4according to the rule of the Apostle, 1 Pet. 3. 15. we must give an account, 1. with meekness; we must not do it in a passionate, froward way, not with our affections hurrying and tumultuous; not after a contentious manner, as if we desired victory rather then truth; but with quietness and composedness of spirit. We must not think it much to bear contradiction from others, yea though it should arise to contemptuous carriage against us, and with fear, that is, either in respect of our selves who make the profession, or in respect of those before whom we make it. For our selves, we must not do it in a conceited way, not in a high, arrogant way, with foolish confidence in our selves, in our own apprehensions and abilities, but with fear, manifesting our sensibleness of our own weakness, vanity, and nothingness: 2. In respect of those before whom the profession is made. We must manifest our due, reverent esteem of them; no unbeseeming behaviour, no scornfulness, lightness, contempt, if it before Magistrates, especially then whatsoever they are in regard of their persons, yet reverential respects ought to be given to them in respect of their places; and if they be men of worth, learning, graces, public use in the Church or State, that respect that is due to their worth, is to be manifested also in our carriage towards them. Grace teacheth no man to be unmannerly, rude, scornful, furious, or foolish.