A30587:551
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.
The seventh Dividing Distemper, Wilfulness.
The seventh Dividing Distemper, Wilfulnesse.
I Think I may say in most men, Will is the axletree, lust and passions are the wheels, whereupon almost all their actions are carried: Where there is much will, though the thing be little about which men contend, yet the opposition may be great; as a little stone thrown with a strong arm, may take deep impression. It is a dangerous thing to have mens wills engaged in matters of difference, it is easier to deal with twenty mens reasons, then with one mans will: A man of a wilful stout spirit, stands as a stake in the midst of a steam, lets all pass by him, but he stands where he was; What hope can there be of union, where there will be no yielding? one mans ⟨p. 137⟩will raiseth another's, set will to will they may dash one against another, but not like to close, to get into one another. A wilful man thinks it is beneath a wise man to alter his way; yea, it may be he thinks it a dishonour to the truth, that both he, his profession, and the honour of God shall suffer by it; when a stubborn self-willednes is taken for a right constancy and settledness, it is very strong in men; but let us take heed of this, it is no matter though we go back from our former assertions, so long as we go forward to the truth. Luther was called an Apostate; I am so, says he, but it is from error to truth. Many times stoutness of spirit comes from weakness rather then strength; there is not always the greatest strength of judgment where there is the greatest strength of will: As a mans judgment that is without prejudice is very strong, so a mans prejudice that is without judgment is as strong: The dullest horses are not always the most easily reigned. I know and am persuaded, says the Apostle,