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

I find also in a Letter that Martin Bucer writes to a godly Minister, a very high expression, of that high esteem he had of, and earnest desires after the curing of divisions: Who would not (says he) purchase with his life the removing that infinite scandal that comes by dissension? Oh that there were such hearts in us! Christ expects it from us all, but especially from his Ministers,¹ for they are his Ambassadors for peace, to beseech men in his stead to be reconciled to God: reconciliation with God will reconcile us one to another. If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another, 1 John 4. 11. The faces of the Cherubims in the Temple looked one towards another, which some think signified the agreement that should be amongst Ministers of the Gospel. So the six branches in the Candlestick joined all in one; those who hold the light of truth before others, should be united in peace in one, amongst themselves. The first thing Christs Ministers were to do when they came to any place ⟨p. 298⟩was to say Peace be to that place; if any sons of peace were there, they were to abide,² otherwise not: Surely then it is expected that themselves should be sons of peace. The contentions of private Christians are offensive, but the contentions of Ministers is a scandal with a witness. Yet in all Ages of the Church, the corrupt Clergy have been the greatest causes of divisions; they have been of the most cruel spirits against any that differed from them. But let not such a spirit be in us; we have enough to do to contend with the wicked of the world, with the malice of Satan, let us not contend one with another.

I finde also in a Letter that Martin Bucer writes to a godly Minister, a very high expression, of that high esteeme he had of, and earnest desires after the curing of divisions: Who would not (sayes he) purchase with his life the removing that infinite scandall that comes by dissention? Oh that there were such hearts in us! Christ expects it from us all, but especially from his Ministers,¹ for they are his Ambassadours for peace, to beseech men in his stead to be reconciled to God: reconciliation with God will reconcile us one to another. If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another,