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

Josephs brethren, Gen. 50. 17. looked upon this, as having very great power in it to make up all breaches, to heal all old grudges. After their Father was dead, their consciences misgave them for what they had done to Joseph, they were afraid old matters would break forth, and that Joseph would turn their enemy; now how do they seek to unite Josephs heart to them? We pray thee, say they, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy Father, and the Text says, Joseph wept when they spake unto him. Oh this was a heart-breaking speech to Joseph, The servants of the God of my Father; Shall my heart ever be ⟨p. 271⟩stranged from the servants of the God of my Father? The Lord forbid. This offence indeed was great, but their God is my God, & he was my Fathers God; this argument had more in it to draw Josephs heart to them, then if they had said, We are your brethren, we came from the same loins you did: True, that is something, but the servants of the God of thy Father is much more. Let us look upon all the godly, though they have many weaknesses, though they have not carried themselves towards us as they ought, yet they are the servants, yea the children of our God, and of our fathers God; let this draw our hearts to them. If they be one with us, in their interest in one God, let them be one with us in the affections of our heart, to love them, delight in them, and rejoice in communion with them.

Josephs brethren, Gen. 50. 17. looked upon this, as having very great power in it to make up all breaches, to heal all old grudges. After their Father was dead, their consciences misgave them for what they had done to Joseph, they were afraid old matters would break forth, and that Joseph would turn their enemy; now how do they seek to unite Josephs heart to them? We pray thee, say they, forgive the trespasse of the servants of the God of thy Father, and the Text sayes, Joseph wept when they spake unto him. Oh this was a heart-breaking speech to Joseph, The servants of the God of my Father; Shall my heart ever be ⟨p. 271⟩stranged from the servants of the God of my Father? The Lord forbid. This offence indeed was great, but their God is my God, & he was my Fathers God; this argument had more in it to draw Josephs heart to them, then if they had said, We are your brethren, we came from the same loynes you did: True, that is something, but the servants of the God of thy Father is much more. Let us look upon all the godly, though they have many weaknesses, though they have not carryed themselves towards us as they ought, yet they are the servants, yea the children of our God, and of our fathers God; let this draw our hearts to them. If they be one with us, in their interest in one God, let them be one with us in the affections of our heart, to love them, delight in them, and rejoyce in communion with them.