Birds — Meditation 6

HOw soon has death endeed the quarrel between these two little Combatants! had they agreed better, they might have lived longer; 'twas their own contention, that gave both the opportunity and provocation of their death; and though living they could not, yet being dead they can lye quietly together in my hand.

Foolish birds, was it not enough that birds of prey watched to devour them, but they must peck and scratch one another? Thus have I seen the birds of Paradise (Saints I mean) tearing and wounding each other, like so many birds of prey, and by their unchristian contests giving the occasion of their common ruine; yea, and that not only when at liberty, as these were, but when incaged also; and yet, as one welll observes, if ever Christian will agree, 'twill either be in a prison, or in heaven; for in a prison their quarrelsome lusts lye low, and in heaven they shall be utterly done away.

But O! what pity is it, that those who shall agree so perfectly in heaven, should bite and devour each other upon earth? that it should be said of them, as one ingeniously observed, who saw their carcases lye together, as if they had lovingly embraced other, who fell together by a Duel, Quanta amicitia se invicem amplectuntur; qui mutna & implacabili inimicitia perierunt?

Imbracing one another, now they lye

who by each others bloudy hands did dye.

Or as he said, who observed how quietly and peaceably the dust and bones, even of enemies did lie together in the grave; Non tanta vivi pace conjuncti effetis; you did not live together so peaceably. If conscience of Christ; command will not, yet the consideration of common safety should powerfully perswade to unity and amity.