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

what am I come down from thee, for such glorious ends as indeed those were, ⟨p. 202⟩for which I came into the world, and when I should come to attain those ends, for which I came, shall there be such a carriage in those who do profess my Name, that by it the world shall persuade themselves, that thou didst never send me? O what a sore evil would this be! surely any Christian heart must needs tremble at the least thought of having a hand in so great an evil as this is.

what am I come down from thee, for such glorious ends as indeed those were, ⟨p. 202⟩for which I came into the world, and when I should come to attaine those ends, for which I came, shall there be such a carriage in those who doe professe my Name, that by it the world shall perswade themselves, that thou didst never send me? O what a sore evill would this be! surely any Christian heart must needs tremble at the least thought of having a hand in so great an evill as this is.

Fifthly, Divisions are sinful because they grieve the holy Spirit of God, Ephes. 4. 30, 31. Grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed to the day of redemption. Surely, there is no godly heart, but will say, O God forbid that I should do any thing to grieve the good spirit of God, it is the Spirit that hath enlightened me, that hath revealed the great mysteries of God, of Christ, of eternal life unto me; it is that Spirit that hath drawn my Soul to Jesus Christ, that hath comforted it, with those consolations that are more to me then ten thousand worlds; the Spirit that hath strengthened me, that helps me against temptations, that carries me through difficulties, that enables me to rejoice in tribulations; the Spirit that is an earnest, to assure me of Gods electing love; the spirit that hath sealed me up to the day of Redemption; and now shall I be gaily of so great a sin as to grieve this blessed Spirit of the Lord? If I did but know wherein I have grieved it, it could not but make my soul to bleed within me, that I should have such a wretched heart, to grieve this holy Spirit, by whom my soul hath enjoyed so much good: I hope should for ever hereafter take heed of that thing, I would rather suffer any grief in the world, to mine own spirit, then be any occasion of grief to that blessed Spirit of God. But would you know what it is that hath grieved it, and what it is that is like to grieve it further? mark what follows, ver. 31. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice: And would you do that which may rejoice it? Oh! God knows it would be the greatest joy in the world for me to do it, then ver. 32. Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you.