A30587:312
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.
CHAP. X.
The fourth dividing Principle, Division is the best way to maintain Dominion.
The fourth dividing Principle, Division is the best way to maintaine Dominion.
This is Machiavel's principle,1 Divide & regna. When Division is got into such a Principle as hath not only in the bowels of it, that is something to foment it by what may be drawn from it; but when the principle carries division in the very face of it, not collaterally, or by consequent avowing it, but directly & immediately justifying it, then it grows strong indeed, who can stand before it? When this is brought down to the people, it is expressed by that Proverbial speech, It is good fishing in troubled waters. The divisions of the times are our advantages. Some mens ends are best served, when church and State are most divided. They never had such comings in as now they have. It is true, it may be desired that men in evil things should not agree, that they may be like the witnesses that came against Christ, who could not agree in their testimony. Paul cast a bone of dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees.
THis is Machiavels principle,1 Divide & regna. When Division is got into such a Principle as hath not only in the bowels of it, that is something to foment it by what may be drawn from it; but when the principle carries division in the very face of it, not collaterally, or by consequent avowing it, but directly & immediately justifying it, then it grows strong indeed, who can stand before it? When this is brought down to the people, it is expressed by that Proverbiall speech, It is good fishing in troubled waters. The divisions of the times are our advantages. Some mens ends are best served, when church and State are most divided. They never had such comings in as now they have. It is true, it may be desired that men in evil things should not agree, that they may be like the witnesses that came against Christ, who could not agree in their testimony. Paul cast a bone of dissention between the Pharisees and Sadduces.