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

Be not discouraged ye Saints of the Lord, at these divisions, your Father hath a hand in them, he will bring good out of them. Yea Christ, who is the Prince of peace, hath a •and in them. Matth. 10. 34, 35. he says, Think not that I am come to send peace on the earth, I came to bring a sword. I am come to set a man at variance against his Father, and the Daughter against her Mother. One would think it to be the strangest speech that could be, to come from the mouth of him who is the great peace-maker. Oh blessed Saviour, must we not think that thou art come to send peace? Thou art our peace. Is not thine Embassage from thy Father, an Embassage of peace? True: peace with my Father, but not peace on the earth; not an earthly peace; do not think that I came from heaven to work this for men, that they should live at ease in plenty and pleasure, that they should have no disturbance, no trouble to the flesh: no, the event of my coming you will find to be a sword, divisions, and that between those of the nearest relation. A child who is wicked will despise and break with his godly father, and the daughter with her godly mother. And Luke 12. 53. the carnal father and mother will have their hearts rise against their godly son and daughter. I am come to send fire on the earth, and what will I if it be already kindled? Let it kindle as soon as it will, I am contented, I know much good will come of it. These Scriptures are enough to take away for ever the offence of divisions.

Be not discouraged ye Saints of the Lord, at these divisions, your Father hath a hand in them, he wil bring good out of them. Yea Christ, who is the Prince of peace, hath a •and in them. Matth. 10. 34, 35. he sayes, Thinke not that I am come to send peace on the earth, I came to bring a sword. I am come to set a man at variance against his Father, and the Daughter against her Mother. One would think it to be the strangest speech that could be, to come from the mouth of him who is the great peace-maker. Oh blessed Saviour, must we not think that thou art come to send peace? Thou art our peace. Is not thine Embassage from thy Father, an Embassage of peace? True: peace with my Father, but not peace on the earth; not an earthly peace; do not think that I came from heaven to work this for men, that they should live at ease in plenty and pleasure, that they should have no disturbance, no trouble to the flesh: no, the event of my comming you will finde to be a sword, divisions, and that between those of the nearest relation. A child who is wicked will despise and break with his godly father, and the daughter with her godly mother. And