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

You will say, How can that be? For if men be very learned and godly, and take much pains to find out the truth, there is the more reason we should believe their judgements more then our own.

You will say, How can that be? For if men be very learned and godly, and take much pains to finde out the truth, there is the more reason we should believe their judgements more then our owne.

We must indeed honour them,¹ then, the more; but yet the exquisiteness of their learning, the eminency of their godliness, the industry of their labours, for the finding out of truth, may excuse those from obstinacy who cannot see into the ground from the word, of all that they are able to see; for is it not more then probable, that men who are weak and exceedingly beneath them, should through mere weakness be unable to see the rule of Scripture in those things which they have got the sight of, by the help of their great learning, godliness, and indefatigable labours? Can it be, that men who have not attained to that eminency, who are not able to take so much pains in searching, that they (though they have their help added) should be able to attain to what these men so eminent and industrious have attained to? Can they in a few months come to see that which they have been studying, and debating one with another divers years before they could see it, can they be satisfied in their consciences of the mind of Christ, when these eminent men, for a long time could hardly satisfy one another? yea, it may be after all the help of their learning, godliness, and painful labours, they look upon many things but as probable, as more likely to be so then otherwise, they have not a Plerophory in their own hearts; and shall those who do not see ground enough for the foot of Faith to settle upon, be judged, and dealt with as obstinate? Because they yet are not of their mind, (God forbid.)

We must indeed honour them,¹