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

The less distance men apprehend between themselves and others in regard of power, the more differences there are amongst them, as they say the greatest and sorest storms are about the Equinoctial: Men are kept more at peace in the Commonwealth then in the Church, because there is a greater subjection of one to another there, then may be admitted in the Church.

The lesse distance men apprehend between themselves and others in regard of power, the more differences there are amongst them, as they say the greatest and sorest stormes are about the Equinoctiall: Men are kept more at peace in the Commonwealth then in the Church, because there is a greater subjection of one to another there, then may be admitted in the Church.

Thirdly, godly men give up themselves to the strictest rules of holiness, they walk in the narrow way of Christ, it is broad ⟨p. 239⟩enough to the spiritual part, but in regard of our corruptions, it is a narrow pent way; they dare not give way to themselves to decline a hairs breadth from the rule, to gratify others; they dare not bend to them, that they might suit more with them, but must keep themselves to the straight rule; they must keep just in their path; they cannot go aside to give way to others; hence there is clashing, every one not having the same thoughts of the rule and way that others have; those who walk by loose rules, in ways that are broad, even to their flesh, they can sure themselves one to another easily, they can gratify their friends, yea the corruptions of their friends more then others can do; godly men cannot yield for peace sake to such terms as other men can.

Thirdly, godly men give up themselves to the strictest rules of holinesse, they walk in the narrow way of Christ, it is broad ⟨p. 239⟩enough to the spirituall part, but in regard of our corruptions, it is a narrow pent way; they dare not give way to themselves to decline a haires bredth from the rule, to gratifie others; they dare not bend to them, that they might sute more with them, but must keep themselves to the straight rule; they must keep just in their path; they cannot go aside to give way to others; hence there is clashing, every one not having the same thoughts of the rule and way that others have; those who walke by loose rules, in wayes that are broad, even to their flesh, they can sure themselves one to another easily, they can gratifie their friends, yea the corruptions of their friends more then others can do; godly men cannot yeeld for peace sake to such termes as other men can.