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

I answer, In quoting these Authors I own not such a judgment that possibly you may think to be in some of them for an absolute Toleration. How a Toleration should be limited and granted, I have spoke to before: but I produce the Authors to this end, that the rigidness of the judgments of some amongst us that think all differences in religion that cannot be quelled by argument, must be quelled b• violence, may be mollified. I am sure if any of these men go too far one way, those which I am now reproving go as wide another. Fierce violence in matters of Religion is dangerous; as the Chirurgeons rigorous handling his patients arm, breaks that bone quite, which before was but out of joint.

I answer, In quoting these Authors I own not such a judgment that possibly you may think to be in some of them for an absolute Toleration. How a Toleration should be limited and granted, I have spoke to before: but I produce the Authors to this end, that the rigidnesse of the judgments of some amongst us that think all differences in religion thot cannot be quelled by argument, must be quelled b• violence, may be mollified. I am sure if any of these men go too far one way, those which I am now reproving goe as wide another. Fierce violence in matters of Religion is dangerous; as the Chirurgeons rigorous handling his patients arm, breaks that bone quite, which before was but out of joynt.

6. Some take advantage by them to give themselves to looseness §6in their lives: it is a time of liberty, and they will take their time. If times were quiet and settled, they would be observed more narrowly, there would be means of restraint; but in these times every man takes his own way, and so will they. But know that God takes this very ill at thy hands. The more loose others are, the more conscionable shouldest thou be: the worse the days are, the more circumspectly shouldest thou walk.