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

This fiery trial of dissentions in the Church then is no new thing; we are to be sensible of it, to account it a great affliction; but not to look upon it as if some strange thing had befallen us, that never befell the Churches before.

This fiery triall of dissentions in the Church then is no new thing; we are to be sensible of it, to account it a great affiction; but not to look upon it as if some strange thing had befalne us, that never befell the Churches before.

But you will say, How can we do less but account it a very strange thing, that those who fear God should be thus divided? that dogs should snarl one at another, is no marvel: but that sheep, that those who are godly should do thus, this we cannot but wonder at: for what reason can there be given for it, yea what show of reason can there be imagined?

But you will say, How can we do lesse but account it a very strange thing, that those who fear God should be thus divided? that dogs should snarle one at another, is no marvaile: but that sheep, that those who are godly should do thus, this we cannot but wonder at: for what reason can there be given for it, yea what shew of reason can there be imagined?

If we consider of things wisely,¹ we have no such cause to wonder that godly men in this their estate of imperfection should differ so much one from another as they do; For

1. 1Answ. Reasons why godly men differ so much one from another.