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

Fourthly, others cry out against these men that have been most active in this common Cause, putting forth themselves, venturing their estates and lives, and putting on others; at the first these men were honoured, but men did not then see what would follow, they did not think that such troubles would have attended such undertakings as now they have found; upon this their hearts rise against those who were the most public spirited; Had it not been, say they, for a few hot fiery spirited men who know not what they would have, things had never come to this pass, we might have been quiet; These men are by some, yea many, looked upon as no other then disturbers, men of turbulent unquiet spirits, and yet they have been the means of preserving you and your posterity from slavery, and of continuing the Gospel amongst you. This is an ill requital of all that willingness of theirs to hazard their estates and lives for your good; You have cause to bless God, seeing you were of such low, narrow, timorous spirits your selves, unfit for such a work as God had to do in the beginning of the change of these times, that he raised up others, and gave them enlarged, resolved spirits, fit for such a public work, accompanied with so many difficulties as attended upon this, did they break the ice for you, and do you thus requite them? This is like a froward, ⟨p. 229⟩perverse patient,¹ who flies in the face of his Physician, because his Physic makes him sick.

Fourthly, others cry out against these men that have been most active in this common Cause, putting forth themselves, venturing their estates and lives, and putting on others; at the first these men were honoured, but men did not then see what would follow, they did not think that such troubles would have attended such undertakings as now they have found; upon this their hearts rise against those who were the most publique spirited; Had it not been, say they, for a few hot fiery spirited men who know not what they would have, things had never come to this passe, we might have been quiet; These men are by some, yea many, looked upon as no other then disturbers, men of turbulent unquiet spirits, and yet they have been the means of preserving you and your posterity from slavery, and of continuing the Gospell amongst you. This is an ill requitall of all that willingnesse of theirs to hazard their estates and lives for your good; You have cause to blesse God, seeing you were of such low, narrow, timerous spirits your selves, unfit for such a work as God had to do in the beginning of the change of these times, that he raised up others, and gave them enlarged, resolved spirits, fit for such a publique work, accompanied with so many difficulties as attended upon this, did they break the ice for you, and do you thus requite them? This is like a froward,