A30587:950
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.
The second joining Principle.
The second joyning Principle.
That shall never be got by strife, that may be had by love and peace.
WE would all fain have our wills: now that which lies uppermost upon many mens hearts, that which is the first thing they do, if their wills be crossed, is presently to strive and contend: but this should be the last thing, after all other means are tried: this should never be made use of but in case of pure necessity. We should first think, Is there any way in the world whereby it is possible we may have our desires satisfied with peace, let us try this, and another way, a third, a fourth, yea a hundred ways, if they lye between us and the way of strife, before we come to meddle with that. This rule you will find of very great use to order all our businesses in Churches & ⟨p. 257⟩Common-wealths, of Townes, Families, yea whatsoever concerns any of your persons in reference to any other. The Apostle, 1 Cor. 12. rebuking the divisions of that Church, of which they are guilty more then any, for they had many among them of raised parts, of eminent gifts, and therefore puffed up more then others. Except God joins eminency of grace, men of eminent gifts join less then others, whose gifts are meaner. Among those means he directs for union, when he speaks of love: I will show you, says he, a more excellent way, ver. last; [Greek or Hebrew], a way of the highest excellency, beyond any expression. The way of love, of the engaging hearts one to another, is the only way to bring men to unity of judgement: yea the only way when all is done, for men to have their wills. I may give you this or the other rule to bring you to think and do the same thing, but that which hath an excellency in it with an Hyperbole, is the way of love. If you could get your minds by other ways, certainly you cannot enjoy it with that sweetness and comfort as you may if you have got it this way.