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

Yea further, if they impose that which is not necessary, (though in it self not sinful) and will not bear with the weaknesses of such as think it to be evil; if upon that they be forced to withdraw; in this the Governors are the Schismatics also; the cause of the rent is in them, they ought in such things to bear the weaknesses of their Brethren, and not imperiously to require of them those things that there is no necessity of. If such things be sin to their Brethren's consciences, if they will stand upon it to enjoin them, they lay a necessity upon them to withdraw from them. God will not lay the Indictment of Schism thus, Such a one departed from the communion of such a Church, because he would not do what was lawful to be done; but thus, You imposed that upon your Brother which there was no necessity of, and would not forbear him in what I would have you forbear him, but caused him by your imperiousness and stiffness, to depart from communion with you. It is true, says God, the thing might have been done, but it was not necessary, it was out of conscience to me that they forbore, the weakness is theirs, but the Schism is yours.¹

Yea further, if they impose that which is not necessary, (though in it selfe not sinful) and will not beare with the weaknesses of such as thinke it to be evill; if upon that they be forced to withdraw; in this the Governours are the Schismaticks also; the cause of the rent is in them, they ought in such things to beare the weaknesses of their Brethren, and not imperiously to require of them those things that there is no necessity of. If such things be sinne to their Brethrens consciences, if they will stand upon it to enjoyne them, they lay a necessity upon them to withdraw from them. God will not lay the Indictment of Schisme thus, Such a one departed from the communion of such a Church, because he would not doe what was lawfull to be done; but thus, You imposed that upon your Brother which there was no necessity of, and would not forbeare him in what I would have you forbeare him, but caused him by your imperiousnesse and stiffenesse, to depart from communion with you. It is true, sayes God, the thing might have been done, but it was not necessary, it was out of conscience to me that they forbore, the weaknesse is theirs, but the Schisme is yours.¹

1. 1Answ.