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

Here we see what a make-bate Pride is; That which Tertullus said to Felix, Act. 24. 2. is true of Humility, By thee we enjoy great quietness; but the contrary is as true of Pride, By thee are made woeful divisions, by thee we suffer miserable disturbance. Though there be no occasion of quarrel, yet pride will make some; only by pride comes contention, as before, Pro. 13. 10. ⟨p. 116⟩[…] ⟨p. 117⟩[…] ⟨p. 118⟩good; but there being a principle of Self within, like the sap in the board, when they began to feel heat, some difficulties rising, they warped to their own ends, and divided from those they were employed with. Mens private ends are narrow, they cannot drive on them, but they will meet with one another, & jostle one another, quarrel, contend, and fight for the way▪ as Car-men do when they meet in narrow streets, and Boat-men in narrow passages. If we had public ends, our way would be broad enough,¹ we might to on peaceably and comfortably without, without prejudice to one another. If a man lived alone, then he might go on quietly in his way, only God would meet him in it; but seeing men live in the world amongst others, they must consider, that if they will drive on their own designs, & work their own end, other men have designs and ends to drive on and work as well as they: it is therefore impossible but you will cross and be crossed, you will vex and fret at others, and others will vex and fret at you. Whatsoever is such, says Tully, wherein many cannot excel, in that there is for the most part such contention, as society can hardly be kept entire.

Here we see what a make-bate Pride is; That which Tertullus said to Felix, Act. 24. 2. is true of Humility, By thee we enjoy great quietnesse; but the contrary is as true of Pride, By thee are made wofull divisions, by thee we suffer miserable disturbance. Though there be no occasion of quarrel, yet pride wil make some; only by pride comes contention, as before,