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

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.

Fifthly, Divisions are sinfull 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 doe any thing to grieve the good spirit of God, it is the Spirit that hath enlightned me, that hath revealed the great mysteries of God, of Christ, of eternall 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 strengthned me, that helpes me against temptations, that carries me through difficulties, that enables me to rejoyce in tribulations; the Spirit that is an earnest, to assure me of Gods electing love; the spirit thet hath sealed me up to the day of Redemption; and now shall I be gily of so great a sinne 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 soule hath enjoyed so much good: I hope should for ever hereafter take heed of that thing, I would rather suffer any griefe in the world, to mine owne 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 followes, ver. 31. Let all bitternesse, wrath, anger, clamour, and evill speaking be put away from you with all malice: And would you doe that which may rejoyce it? Oh! God knowes it would be the greatest joy in the world for me to doe it, then ver. 32. Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you.