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

The Apostle would not have us think it strange concerning the fiery trial, he means there of persecution. The fiery contentions amongst us, are another fiery trial. We should not think strange of this neither; as if such a thing had befallen us that never yet befell any. I think for all circumstances it is every hard to parallel, but the Church in all ages hath been sorely afflicted with divisions. Act. 15. 39. Paul and Barnabas, two great Apostles, were so divided, that they could not keep company together, but went one from another in anger. The Text says, The contentions were so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from another. ¹The word signifies such a sharpness as there is in vinegar. It is used by Physicians to signify the sharpness of the feverish humour when it is acting in a fit. Their dissension put them as it were into the fit of a Fever. You will say, Surely it was some very great matter that should cause such eminent and holy men to be in such a passion one against another, to be so hot as not to company together. Truly no: the matter was not great, it was whether Mark should go with them or no; the one would have him, the other would not have him, & about this the contention arose to this height. Read the Epistle to the Romans, to the Corinthians, to the Galatians, you shall find very great dissentions in these Churches: ⟨p. 233⟩