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

For the first, Certainly much respect is to be given to the learning and godliness of men. There is a great delusion in many mens hearts,¹ that makes them think it to be half Popery, to give any respect to Learning; although the abuse of Learning hath done much evil, against that much hath been and may be said; but I dare avow this, that never since the beginning of the world could a man be found to speak against ⟨p. 89⟩earning but an ignorant man; neither is it like, nay I may aver, it is impossible that any but such will be found to the end of the world: Learning hath so much of God in it, that it never had nor will have any enemy but ignorance.

For the first, Certainly much respect is to be given to the learning and godlinesse of men. There is a great delusion in many mens hearts,¹ that makes them thinke it to be halfe Popery, to give any respect to Learning; although the abuse of Learning hath done much evill, against that much hath been and may be said; but I dare avow this, that never since the beginning of the world could a man be found to speak against ⟨p. 89⟩earning but an ignorant man; neither is it like, nay I may aver, it is impossible that any but such will be found to the end of the world: Learning hath so much of God in it, that it never had nor will have any enemy but ignorance.

1. 1What respect is to be given to the judgement of learned holy men.

1. Tim. 4. 13. Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Ver. 15. Give thy self wholly to them, [Greek or Hebrew], Be in them. And when we see grace added to Learning, it should add much to our esteem of such a man; it is the orient pearl in the gold ring, it is a great testimony to a way, that it is the way of good men,