aWhat is better than Peace, Unity, Agreement, and Concord? bWithout which those former also are of no use, of no force. The very cName of Peace is sweet; but the thing it self much sweeter. Behold, saith the Psalmist, ehow goodly and how pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! fIt is for the pleasantness of it, like the precious gOintment that was poured upon Aaron's Head, that wet his Beard, and ran down to the very skirts of his Garments. It ish delightful not to those themselves alone, that are at unity among themselves, but it sendeth forth a pleasing savour to their neighbours round about them: as on the other side, contentious persons are not troublesome to either other only, but to all that dwell near unto them.i Concord in societies, is as Harmony in consorts, which being duly observed, maketh the Music delightful; being not observed, by jarring maketh all harsh and untunable, as well to the hearers, as to the singers themselves. Again, for the profitableness and behovefulnesse of it,k It is like the dew of Hermon, and that that cometh down upon the Hill of Zion. It is as a sweetl dew, that maketh all things grow and thrive; as the contrary spoileth and layeth all things waste, like them blast of some malignant aspect.n Concord and agreement addeth strength even to mean things; discord and disagreement bringeth the strongest to wrack. And no marvel: Foro without the Blessing of God what can prosper; yea or subsist? Butp There, saith the Psalmist, hath God promised his Blessing, (to wit,q where Brethren agree together in one) and life for evermore. Butr the God of Peace will give sno blessing there, where Peace and Unity is not. So that there is nothing more delightful, more behovefull than Peace. In regard whereof, it is that the Apostle Paul so oft, and so instantly inciteth unto it.t I therefore Paul, the Lords Prisoner, beseech you, that you would walk worthy of the Calling whereunto you are called; with all humbleness of mind, and meekness, with long suffering, supporting one another through Love; Endeavouring to retain the unity of the Spirit in the ubond of Peace. There is xone Body, and yone Spirit, one ⟨p. 46⟩*Faith, one Hope, one Baptism, zone Lord, one God and Father of all, above all, through all, and in you all. And again, to pass by many other passages;a
aWhat is better than Peace, Vnitie, Agreement, and Concord? bWithout which those former also are of no use, of no force. The very cName of Peace is sweet; but the thing it selfe much sweeter. Behold, saith the Psalmist, ehow goodly and how pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unitie! fIt is for the pleasantnesse of it, like the pretious gOintment that was powred upon Aarons Head, that wet his Beard, and ran downe to the very skirts of his Garments. It ish delightfull not to those themselves alone, that are at unitie among themselves, but it sendeth forth a pleasing savour to their neighbours round about them: as on the other side, contentious persons are not troublesome to either other onely, but to all that dwell neare unto them.i Concord in societies, is as Harmonie in consorts, which being duly observed, maketh the Musick delightfull; being not observed, by jarring maketh all harsh and untunable, as well to the hearers, as to the singers themselves. Againe, for the profitablenesse and behovefulnesse of it,k It is like the dew of Hermon, and that that commeth downe upon the Hill of Sion. It is as a sweetl dew, that maketh all things grow and thrive; as the contrarie spoileth and layeth all things waste, like them blast of some malignant aspect.n Concord and agreement addeth strength even to meane things; discord and disagreement bringeth the strongest to wrack. And no marvell: Foro without the Blessing of God what can prosper; yea or subsist? But
- a[Greek or Hebrew], Gregor. Naz. in Jul. 1. [Greek or Hebrew]: Idem ad Cledon, 2. Pax optima rerum Quas homini novisse datum. Pax una triumphis Innumeris potior.—Silius bel. Pun. lib. 2.〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Gregor. Naz. in Iul. 1. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉: Idem ad Cledon, 2. Pax optima rerum Quas homini novisse datum. Pax una triumphis Innumeris potior.—Silius bel. Pun. lib. 2.
- bJudicia, legesque esse non possunt pace sublatâ, Cic. Phil. 8.Iudicia, legesque esse non possunt pace sublatâ, Cic. Phil. 8.
- c[Greek or Hebrew], Greg. Nazian. de Pace 3. Dulce nomen est pacis: res verd ipsa tum jucunda, tum salutaris, Cic. Philip. 2. & 13.〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Greg. Nazian. de Pace 3. Dulce nomen est pacis: res verd ipsa tum jucunda, tum salutaris, Cic. Philip. 2. & 13.
- e[Greek or Hebrew], Greg. Naz. de Eutax.〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Greg. Naz. de Eutax.
- fPsal. 133.2.
- gLevit. 8.12.
- hPax serenitas mentis, tranquillitas animi, simplicitas cordis, vinculum amoris, consortium charitatis. Haec est quae simultates tollit, bella compescit, iras comprimit, diseordes sedat, inimicos concordat, cunctis est placita, Aug. de verb. Dom. 57.
- iQuod in cantu harmonia, in civitate concordia, arctissimum atque optimum incolumitatis vinculum, Cic. de Repub. l. 2. Aug. de Civit. lib. 2. cap. 21.
- k
