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

The Answer they give, is, Because in former times the people might pretend, they could not tell how to help what they did amiss in the matter of Worship; Indeed they worshipped the Calves, but they were forced to it by the tyranny of their Kings, it should be the loss of all they had if they did not: but (say they) in the days of Hoshea there was more liberty given then before. Now those who would, might go up to Jerusalem to worship, and that they say is the reason of that expression, that Hoshea did not evil as other Kings had done; but when they came to have more liberty, they fell to wrangling amongst themselves, (which is an usual concomitant of liberty) now their division rose high, some would to up to Jerusalem to worship, others would not; those that went up, cried out of those who went not; and those who went not, vilified those who went. Now their hearts are thus divided, now shall they be found guilty. The desolating judgment must now come. This is the time for their captivity. Now he gives them up to the Enemy. God was exceedingly provoked with their contentions one against another at this time. What? (says God) when I was in some way of favour towards them, when I took off (in great ⟨p. 4⟩part) the yoke of bondage that was upon them, that sore oppression that was before, none of them (a while since) dared go to Jerusalem to worship, and now their Governors are more moderate, their oppressing Courts are down, there is more liberty in the Land for my true worship, and do they now fall out, contemn, divide, wrangle one with another? let them go into captivity, let the enemy come in upon them, my soul takes no delight in such a crooked perverse Generation as this is.

The Answer they give, is, Because in former times the people might pretend, they could not tell how to help what they did amisse in the matter of Worship; Indeed they worshipped the Calves, but they were forced to it by the tyranny of their Kings, it should be the losse of all they had if they did not: but (say they) in the days of Hoshea there was more liberty given then before. Now those who would, might goe up to Jerusalem to worship, and that they say is the reason of that expression, that Hoshea did not evill as other Kings had done; but when they came to have more liberty, they fell to wrangling amongst themselves, (which is an usuall concomitant of liberty) now their division rose high, some would to up to Jerusalem to worship, others would not; those that went up, cryed out of those who went not; and those who went not, vilified those who went. Now their hearts are thus divided, now shall they be found guilty. The desolating judgment must now come. This is the time for their captivity. Now he gives them up to the Enemie. God was exceedingly provoked with their contentions one against another at this time. What? (says God) when I was in some way of favour towards them, when I took off (in great