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

7. Surely when God hath done so much for us, it must be §7acknowledged to be our duty, to study what sacrifice would be best pleasing to him; some sacrifice we must offer: If there be any more acceptable to him then other, surely he deserves it no. If a friend had done some real kindness for you, you would be glad to know what might be most grateful to him, wherein you might testify your thankfulness: Is this in your hearts? Do you now say, Oh that we did but know what is the thing that would be most plea•ing to God; what sacrifice would smell sweetest in his nostrils! The Lord knows we would fain offer it, whatsoever it be. I will tell you, That we would lay aside our divisions, our frowardness, that we would abandon our contentions and strife, that we would put on the bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another, forgiving one another; If any man hath a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye, Col. 3. 12. And 1. Pet. 3. 4. A mee•e and a quiet spirit is in the •ight of God of great price, it is much set by, [Greek or Hebrew]. Psal. 15. 17. The sacrifice of God, that which is in stead of all sacrifices, is a broken spirit. Our hearts have been broken one from another in our unhappy divisions, oh that now they ⟨p. 132⟩could break one towards another in love and tenderness! Here would be a sacrifice more esteemed of God, then thousands of Rams, and ten thousand Rivers of Oil: Loving mercy, and walking humbly is preferred above such sacrifices, Micah 6. 8.

7. Surely when God hath done so much for us, it must be §7acknowledged to be our duty, to study what sacrifice would be best pleasing to him; some sacrifice we must offer: If there be any more acceptable to him then other, surely he deserves it no. If a friend had done some reall kindness for you, you would be glad to know what might be most gratefull to him, wherein you might testifie your thankfulness: Is this in your hearts? Do you now say, Oh that we did but know what is the thing that would be most pleaing to God; what sacrifice would smell sweetest in his nostrils! The Lord knowes we would fain offer it, whatsoever it be. I will tell you, That we would lay aside our divisions, our frowardnesse, that we would abandon our contentions and strife, that we would put on the bowels of mercies, kindnesse, humblenesse of minde, meekenesse, long-suffering, forbearing one another, forgiving one another; If any man hath a quarrell against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye,