The cure of church-divisions, or, Directions for weak Christians to keep them from being…

First, When Pastors fall into parties, they always draw the people with them: some will take one part, and some another. If the Officers divide, the soldiers will certainly be divided. And though one of the dividing parties may get the advantage of the sword, and suppress the other, they are nevertheless in the way to increase the schism, while the people will think never the worse of the party which is afflicted and trodden down. Schisms are most commonly begun or at least formed among the Pastors: And among them the cure must be begun; and principally performed. And when the wound is made, it must not be despised; but the threatened issues must be foreseen; and the necessity of a cure apprehended: and scarce any pains or cost must be thought too great to quench the fire. The proud and carnal person, who thinks all is well, if he can but secure his interest, and by spurning at dissenters, make them seem contemptible; doth cast oil upon the flames, and may ⟨p. 398⟩himself feel the greatest heat at last. And he that can stand by as unconcerned, and deny his service to Love and Peace, and to the wounded Church, lest it cost him too dear, may soon find that he hath lost, even that which he hath thought to save. O that the Peace-makers would cry aloud, and sound the retreat to contending Pastors, and O that God would rebuke that pride and carnality, self-conceitedness and love of worldly things, which will not suffer them yet to hear.

FIrst, When Pastors fall into parties, they alwayes draw the people with them: some will take one part, and some another. If the Officers divide, the souldiers will certainly be divided. And though one of the dividing parties may get the advantage of the sword, and suppress the other, they are nevertheless in the way to increase the schism, while the people will think never the worse of the party which is afflicted and trodden down. Schismes are most commonly begun or at least formed among the Pastors: And among them the cure must be begun; and principally performed. And when the wound is made, it must not be despised; but the threatned issues must be foreseen; and the necessity of a cure apprehended: and scarce any pains or cost must be thought too great to quench the fire. The proud and carnal person, who thinks all is well, if he can but secure his interest, and by spurning at dissenters, make them seem contemptible; doth cast oil upon the flames, and may ⟨p. 398⟩