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

I have read of Robert Holgate, who was Arch-Bishop of York, ⟨p. 250⟩because he could not peaceably enjoy his small living in Lincoln-shire, in regard of the litigiousness of a neighbouring Knight, coming to London to right himself, he came into the favour of King Hen. the 8. and so got by degrees the Archbishopric of York, he thought he got well by the litigiousness of this Knight; but if the strifes of men shall put thee upon those providences and duties which shall be so blessed unto thee, as to further thy getting into the favour of the high God, and the enjoyment of the soul-satisfying sweetness there is in peace with him; what cause shalt thou have of admiring free grace, which hath brought to thee so great a good from so great an evil? and if these strifes have been a means to move thy heart Godward for thy making thy peace with him, let them also put thee on still to further, to confirm, to settle, to maintain thy peace with him. When the wind and storm rises, the Traveller plucks his cloak the closer about him; these dividing times are stormy times, labour to get your souls to the harbour under shelter, labour to make sure of that one thing necessary; the more strangely men look upon you, let your hearts be stirred up to seek with the more strength the face of God, that you may never look upon it but with joy. You hear harsh notes abroad, such things as grieve you at the heart, labour so much the more to keep the bird always singing in your bosom.

I have read of Robert Holgate, who was Arch-Bishop of York, ⟨p. 250⟩because he could not peaceably enjoy his small living in Lincolne-shire, in regard of the litigiousnesse of a neigbouring Knight, comming to London to right himselfe, he came into the favour of King Hen. the 8. and so got by degrees the Archbishoprick of York, he thought he got well by the litigiousnesse of this Knight; but if the strifes of men shall put thee upon those providences and duties which shall be so blessed unto thee, as to further thy getting into the favour of the high God, and the enjoyment of the soule-satisfying sweetnesse there is in peace with him; what cause shalt thou have of admiring free grace, which hath brought to thee so great a good from so great an evil? and if these strifes have been a meanes to move thy heart Godward for thy making thy peace with him, let them also put thee on still to further, to confirme, to settle, to maintaine thy peace with him. VVhen the winde and storme rises, the Traveller plucks his cloak the closer about him; these dividing times are stormy times, labour to get your souls to the harbour under shelter, labour to make sure of that one thing necessary; the more strangely men looke upon you, let your hearts be stirred up to seek with the more strength the face of God, that you may never look upon it but with joy. You hear harsh notes abroad, such things as grieve you at the heart, labour so much the more to keep the bird alwayes singing in your bosome.