A30587:1155
Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and…
Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and evils of them : with cautions that we may not be hurt by them, and endeavours to heal them / by Jeremiah Burroughs.Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and evils of them : with cautions that we may not be hurt by them, and endeavours to heal them / by Jeremiah Burroughes.
London: printed for Robert Dawlman, 1653
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Lastly, the Saints enjoyment of the sweetness of love, peace and unity among themselves, what is it but heaven upon earth? Heaven is above all storms, tempests, troubles, the happiness of it is perfect rest. We pray that the will of God might be done on earth as it is done in heaven; why, may not we have a heaven upon earth? this would sweeten all our comforts, yea all our afflictions. But the Devil envies us this happiness. Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.
Lastly, the Saints enjoyment of the sweetnesse of love, peace and unity among themselves, what is it but heaven upon earth? Heaven is above all storms, tempests, troubles, the happinesse of it is perfect rest. We pray that the will of God might bee done on earth as it is done in heaven; why, may not we have a heaven upon earth? this would sweeten all our comforts, yea all our afflictions. But the Devill envies us this happinesse. Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.
If you would have the excellency of love set before you more fully, read over and over again the Epistles of John. Ecclesiastical story reports of this blessed Apostle, whose heart was so full of love, that when he grew very old, not able to preach, yet he would be brought into the congregation in a chair, and there say only these words, Little children flee idolatry, love one another. But the more excellent union and peace is, the more is the pity that it should be abused to be serviceable to mens lusts; the more would our misery be if we should be abused in our treaties about it; if we should have a mock-peace; if we should be gulled in either offers of or conclusions about peace; if peace should be made our ruin, but a preparation of us for slaughter. It hath been by many observed, that what the English gained of the French in battle by valour,1 the French regained of the English by cunning Treaties. The Lord deliver us from such French tricks. Let us all be for peace, yet so as not to be befooled into bondage by the name of peace. Now God hath by his mighty arm helped us, let us not be put off with a babble, and made to believe it is this Pearl. We know with whom we have to deal.