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

Erasmus tells of one, who collected all the lame defective verses in Homer, and passed over all that were so excellent. When you see a man seeking to rake and gather together all he can of any distempers, disorders, mistakes, miscarriages by hear-says, letters, or any way, so be it he may fill up his dung-cart; and for the good, the graces or gifts of God in men, those are laid aside, or slightly passed over, if at all mentioned, it is with some dirt mingled: Surely this is an envious man fitted for strife and debate, whom God permits to be an affliction to his people, in raising up a spirit of strife and contention, and causing divisions amongst them, like the Kite, who passes over fair Meadows, and pleasant fields, not regarding them, till she meets with a carrion, there she falls and fastens, now she is upon her prey where she would be: How pleasant is it to some men to hear of, or find out evil in others whom they do not love? To say no worse, you know how it hath been an old practise, to seek to get any ⟨p. 125⟩thing by reports, or any other ways that might blast the professors of Religion; and how glad were they? how did it please them at the heart if they could meet with any thing that might serve their turn?

Erasmus tels of one, who collected all the lame defective verses in Homer, and passed over all that were so excellent. When you see a man seeking to rake and gather together all he can of any distempers, disorders, mistakes, miscarriages by hear-sayes, letters, or any way, so be it he may fill up his dung-cart; and for the good, the graces or gifts of God in men, those are laid aside, or slightly passed over, if at all mentioned, it is with some dirt mingled: Surely this is an envious man fitted for strife and debate, whom God permits to be an affliction to his people, in raising up a spirit of strife and contention, and causing divisions amongst them, like the Kite, who passes over faire Medowes, and pleasant fields, not regarding them, till she meets with a carrion, there she fals and fastens, now she is upon her prey where she would be: How pleasant is it to some men to hear of, or find out evil in others whom they doe not love? To say no worse, you know how it hath been an old practise, to seek to get any ⟨p. 125⟩thing by reports, or any other wayes that might blast the professors of Religion; and how glad were they? how did it please them at the heart if they could meet with any thing that might serve their turne?