A30587:426
Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and…
Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and evils of them : with cautions that we may not be hurt by them, and endeavours to heal them / by Jeremiah Burroughs.Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and evils of them : with cautions that we may not be hurt by them, and endeavours to heal them / by Jeremiah Burroughes.
London: printed for Robert Dawlman, 1653
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Mans natural and civill good is not so high, but reason and prudence will reach them; but for such things as these are, all the reason & prudence in the world lies too low, they can not without sinful presumption attempt the putting any thing of their own in the place of these: Therefore there can be no other officers in the church, to act by any spiritual power, ⟨p. 99⟩then what we find in the Word; no new Ordinances, no new Courts erected, no kind of authority, no extent of authority any further then we find in Scripture: The proof is evident, all Church Ordinances are for spiritual ends, to work by a spiritual efficacy, beyond what is natural or civill; and the efficacy of the power of government consists much in those who govern; if they have not their Charter to authorize their power and the extent of it, it loses its efficacy, though it be otherwise managed with never so much wisdom and justice; the same act that is an act of Justice in one, is murder in another; yea, the same mans act done within such limits is an act of Justice, and if done beyond those limits, it is murder.
Mans naturall and civill good is not so high, but reason and prudence will reach them; but for such things as these are, all the reason & prudence in the world lies too low, they can not without sinfull presumption attempt the putting any thing of their own in the place of these: Therefore there can be no other officers in the church, to act by any spiritual power, ⟨p. 99⟩then what we find in the Word; no new Ordinances, no new Courts erected, no kind of authority, no extent of authority any further then we find in Scripture: The proof is evident, all Church Ordinances are for spiritual ends, to work by a spirituall efficacy, beyond what is naturall or civill; and the efficacy of the power of government consists much in those who govern; if they have not their Charter to authorize their power and the extent of it, it loses its efficacie, though it be otherwise managed with never so much wisdom and justice; the same act that is an act of Justice in one, is murther in another; yea, the same mans act done within such limits is an act of Justice, and if done beyond those limits, it is murther.