Jeremiah Burroughs seems to have possessed singular candour, modesty, and moderation, and probably was the gentlest of the five; perhaps he was not always quite consistent,[421] being no lover of controversy, but a man who felt himself at home in devotional meditations. He died before the Westminster Assembly broke up,[422] and one of the last sermons which he preached was entitled "_Irenicum_, or an Attempt to heal Divisions among Christians." Sydrach Simpson bore a character for learning, piety, and moderation though at one time he was silenced by the Assembly, for differing from them in matters of discipline. [Sidenote: _Toleration._] The discussions in which the Independents engaged with their brethren, turned upon the office of Apostles, the distinction between pastors and teachers, the character of ruling elders, ordination, the election of ministers, and the like; but their main controversy hinged on a deeper question. The Presbyterians were anxious to meet the difficulties felt by the Independents, so far as the establishment of one uniform religion would allow; the former were prepared to permit in their large and carefully ramified scheme of ecclesiastical government some little liberty of action, provided that on the whole there was obedience to the established system. Freedom from synodical censure upon certain points was to be conceded to those who upon others submitted to Presbyterian authority. The Assembly would build a huge cathedral for the nation, with small side chapels here and there for the use of certain crotchety people, who might privately pass in and out if they would but always enter through the great door, and walk up the main aisle. This is not what men, calling themselves 'Independent,' have ever liked. The five dissenting brethren did not object to the cathedral being built for those who wished it--but for their own parts, they desired their own places of worship to be quite outside. [Sidenote: 1643.]