A04480:152
Seven godly and learned sermons preachedSeuen godly and learned sermons preached
Seven godly and learned sermons preached by the Reverend Father in God John Ivel, late bishop of Salisbury. Never before imprintedSeuen godly and learned sermons preached by the Reuerend Father in God Iohn Iuel, late bishop of Salisburie. Neuer before imprinted
London : Impensis G. Bishop, 1607
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Division is the only cause that great Empires can not stand; ⟨image 108⟩Dissension maketh two kingdoms of one; Dissension maketh of two Cities one, and at length it maketh of two kingdoms, no kingdom, of two Cities, no City. This writeth Petrus Lilius, of Dissension, this is the end of Discord saith he, and in deed experience hath taught that this is most true.
Diuision is the onlie cause that great Empires can not stand; ⟨image 108⟩Dissention maketh two kingdomes of one; Dissention maketh of two Cities one, and at length it maketh of two kingdomes, no kingdome, of two Cities, no Citie. This writeth Petrus Lilius, of Dissention, this is the end of Discord sayth he, and in déed experience hath taught that this is most true.
But wherefore speak I of these things? wherefore do I here repeat unto you these old and ancient histories? why recount I unto you the overthrow of Rome? the destruction of the Grecians? the desolation of Jerusalem? which all happened thorough Division. I would to God I saw nothing even now before mine eyes, that causeth me thus to say; I would to God, I say, that I saw now nothing present before mine eyes, that causeth me thus to say. But these examples, (my Brethren) God hath placed before our eyes, that we might take heed by them, that we might the better look to our selves, and beware of our own destruction. Christ hath said, Christ that is the author of Trueth, and trueth it self,1 hath said, Civitas divisa, ⟨image 109⟩desolabitur, The City that is divided, be it never so rich, never so strong, never of so great force, yet, shall it be destroyed, it shall be brought to utter desolation. Rome, that sometime was the wealthyest City in the world, & called therefore the Lady of the whole world, fell to division: and therefore was she overthrown, and utterly destroyed. The Grecians, which were a people of greatest force, fell to dissension: and therefore was their whole estate pulled down, and cast flat to the ground. Jerusalem, that holy City, that City that was so strong, fell a sunder, fell at discord within it self: and therefore was she spoiled of her enemies, and brought to desolation.