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

This hath been generally received (though it be very false) ⟨p. 175⟩that if a man departs from a Church because he refuseth to join with it in that which is not in it self evil, that this mans departure is Schismatical: Certainly no; Grant there is a weakness in his conscience, and so a sin, he should inform his conscience better, but cannot; and this inability is not without sin, yet this arises not to that height of sin, as to make that (which (supposing him to be in this condition) is better for him to do then not to do) to become Schism; especially if he be willing to hold communion with that Church still in all acts of worship, wherein he can join without sinning against his conscience, and continues brotherly love to them as Saints in all the expressions thereof, as he is able.

This hath beene generally received (though it be very false) ⟨p. 175⟩that if a man departs from a Church because he refuseth to joyn with it in that which is not in it selfe evill, that this mans departure is Schismaticall: Certainly no; Grant there is a weaknesse in his conscience, and so a sinne, he should informe his conscience better, but cannot; and this inability is not without sinne, yet this arises not to that height of sinne, as to make that (which (supposing him to be in this condition) is better for him to doe then not to doe) to become Schisme; especially if he be willing to hold communion with that Church still in all acts of worship, wherein he can joyne without sinning against his conscience, and continues brotherly love to them as Saints in all the expressions thereof, as he is able.

The first great Schism in the Church, that was caused by the Governors of it, was that which Victor Bishop of Rome, and those who joined with him caused, by that imperious way of enjoining Easter to be kept at such a time which you have mentioned, pag. 15, 16, 17. The story of which you have in Eusebius, lib. 5. cap. 23. Those who denied not the lawfulness of keeping Easter, yet have generally accused Victor, and such who so violently urged this upon the Churches as the cause of the Schism, not such who did not conform to what was enjoined them, because the thing was not necessary, and there should have been a forbearance in it: No Governor ought to urge such unnecessary things which are but under suspicion by tender consciences, if they do, the Schism is justly charged upon them.