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

The next thing considerable in the description of Schism; is the rashness of the separation: though the cause of separating be just, yet the manner of it may be schismatical, if done rashly or violently. Those who are joined in communion with others, when they differ from those with whom they have communion, they are bound to examine, try, to make use of all means they can to satisfy their consciences in things they scruple: and if they cannot, yet before they break off communion they are bound to seek by all means they can for a redress of those things which after most serious examination appear evil to them, they are bound to wait with much forbearance, and longsuffering. And at last if there be a necessity of departing, they must not rend away with violence, but show themselves willing and ready in the spirit of love and meekness to open their cause, to show their reasons to the Church why they cannot continue in ⟨p. 177⟩that communion with them they formerly had, and desire that they may peaceably and lovingly depart, seeing they cannot with peace of their conscience and love to their souls continue with them, and that they may join with some other Church, where they may enjoy peace and further edification.

The next thing considerable in the description of Schisme; is the rashnesse of the separation: though the cause of separating be just, yet the manner of it may be schismaticall, if done rashly or violently. Those who are joyned in communion with others, when they differ from those with whom they have communion, they are bound to examine, try, to make use of all meanes they can to satisfie their consciences in things they scruple: and if they cannot, yet before they breake off communion they are bound to seek by all means they can for a redress of those things which after most serious examination appeare evill to them, they are bound to wait with much forbearance, and longsuffering. And at last if there be a necessity of departing, they must not rend away with violence, but shew themselves willing and ready in the spirit of love and meeknesse to open their cause, to shew their reasons to the Church why they cannot continue in ⟨p. 177⟩that communion with them they formerly had, and desire that they may peaceably and lovingly depart, seeing they cannot with peace of their conscience and love to their soules continue with them, and that they may joyne with some other Church, where they may enjoy peace and further edification.