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

CHAP. XIV.

The eighth dividing Principle. If others be against what we conceive to be truth,¹ we may judge them going against their own light.

The eighth dividing Principle. If others be against what wee conceive to be truth,¹ wee may judge them going against their owne light.

1. 1The 8. dividing Principle.

This is a worse, a more dividing Principle then the former; it is worse to make our judgments the rule of other mens actions, then other mens judgements the rule of our actions: This makes men who differ, to have exceeding hard thoughts one of another, it causeth a mighty spirit to rise in them one against another. A man cannot judg worse of another, then this, that he goes against his own light. Of all things conscientious men knows not how to bear this; yet how ordinarily will men who are weak, judg those that are strong, because they cannot see into the reasons of their actions? therefore those that do them, must needs do them against their own light: If they see another mans garb, and manner of converse, and way, to be differing from their own, they presently judge him sinning against his own conscience, to be ⟨p. 96⟩acted by by-ends to do what he does merely out of cunning and craftiness; This is from the pride and sourness of mens spirits. This is far enough for you to go in judging your brother, were I in his condition, should I do as he doth, I should go against my light, I should act by by-ends; but therefore to conclude that he goes against his light, and acts by by-ends, is very sinful. Many carnal men think, if they should make such a show of Religion; if they should do such things as such and such men do, it would be hypocrisy in them, and they judge truly, because their Principle would not bear out their practice; but therefore to judge all that do such things to be hypocrites, we account to be a very wicked thing. If thou hadst any spirit of humility or wisdom in thee, thou wouldst rather think, it may be he sees what I do not, I am to look to mine own heart and ways, by what principles I go my self: Men who are weak, and can see but a little way into things, must take heed they censure not others, who know how to manage businesses better then themselves; some may do that acceptable to God, that thou couldst not do without an evil conscience: The same honesty and sincerity may continue in a man, though in true wisdom and discretion he applies himself diversly, according as occasions are divers; as the hand remains the same, whether closed into a fist, or extended abroad, or bended this way or that way as occasion serves. Wherefore for your direction in this, take these five rules.