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

But here will be not an inconvenience only but a mischief?¹ ⟨p. 94⟩In civil things this indeed must be ventured, for there we are not bound to understand the reason and ground of all things; but if nothing appear to be contrary to the rules of justice and piety, we are to submit; but in the matters of Religion it is otherwise, we must understand the ground of all from the word; therefore those who shall lay down such a position, that we may deal with these men as obstinate, by the Ordinance of Christ, who after two or three admonitions shall not be of the same judgment, and do the same things that learned and godly men determine, do bring the Church into greater bondage then they are aware of.

But here will be not an inconvenience only but a mischief?¹ ⟨p. 94⟩In civil things this indeed must be ventured, for there we are not bound to understand the reason and ground of all things; but if nothing appeare to be contrary to the rules of justice and piety, we are to submit; but in the matters of Religion it is otherwise, we must understand the ground of all from the word; therefore those who shall lay downe such a position, that we may deal with these men as obstinate, by the Ordinance of Christ, who after two or three admonitions shal not be of the same judgment, and do the same things that learned and godly men determine, do bring the Church into greater bondage then they are aware of.

1. 1Answ.

6ly. Learned and godly men yet have flesh as well as spirit, & private engagements do often sway much even with them: Here with us we know how the greater number of learned and godly men go, but in New-England the greater number of learned and godly men go another way. Lately the greater number of learned and godly men in old England did judg submission to Prelatical power in the Church, and practice of Ceremonies, and use of Common-prayer to be lawful, I hope it is not so now.