A30587:8
Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and…
Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and evils of them : with cautions that we may not be hurt by them, and endeavours to heal them / by Jeremiah Burroughs.Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and evils of them : with cautions that we may not be hurt by them, and endeavours to heal them / by Jeremiah Burroughes.
London: printed for Robert Dawlman, 1653
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
To the Reader.
Whether the fiery trial of contention, or of persecution be greater, is hard to determine; God hath wrought to free us from the one, we have brought upon our selves the other. Every man is angry that others are not of his mind; we have been so divided, that it is the infinite mercy of God that our enemies have not come in at our breaches, and divided all among themselves, before this time. Were our divisions only between the good and bad, they were not so grievous.1 Chrysostom says, It is better to be hated for Christ, then to be beloved for him. How much better then is it to be hated for Christ, then to be beloved for sin? The reason he gives of that strange assertion of his, is, If thou beest loved for God, it is an honour to thee, and thou art a debtor for that honour; If thou beest hated for him, God is a debtor to thee, he owes honour to thee, for so he is pleased to be to his poor servants. But our divisions have been and still are between good men, even Gods Diamonds do cut one another; good men cause afflictions to good men; every man is plotting, working, winding for himself. Every man strives like Apelles and Protogenes who shall draw the subtlest line to attain his own ends, but few strive who shall draw the straightest, who shall in the most direct course work himself and all his ways to God and public Good. Who can meddle ⟨image 3⟩with this fire that is kindled among us, and not burn his fingers? A mans good affections happily may be approved, but his prudence will be questioned. But what I find Luther writes in an Epistle to his friend Nicolas Gerbelius in the like case, shall satisfy me, Cupio ego inveniri Christi & Ecclesiae suae fidelis, si prudens esse non potuerim minister: I desire howsoever to be a faithful Minister of Christ and his Church, if I cannot be a prudent one. The standing in the gap is more dangerous and troublesome then the getting behind the hedge, there you may be more secure, and under the wind, but it is best to be there where God looks for a man.2