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

But especially when besides this acrimony of mind, there shall other more pernicious diseases be contracted, and foment these censures & reproaches of their brethren; the malignity of the disease is a sad prognostic. Two such causes of it Paul layeth open, one Act. 20. 30. the other Rom. 16. 17, 18. One is the devilish sin of pride; and a desire to have many disciples to be our applauders [They shall speak perverse things to draw away disciples after them] The other selfishness, carnality and covetousness [They serve not the Lord Jesus, but their own bellies.] And so 2 Pet. 2. 3. Through Covetousness they shall with feigned words make Merchandise of you: They buy and sell mens souls for gain: These are Gainsayers in a double sense: Their craft bringeth them ⟨p. 392⟩in no small gain, and lest it should be set at nought, for gain they do gain-say the truth, and raise up tumults against the best of the servants of Christ; as Act. 19. 24, 27. It is for gain and worldly glory, that they say what they say against those that are wiser and sincerer than themselves.

But especially when besides this acrimony of mind, there shall other more pernicious diseases be contracted, and foment these censures & reproaches of their brethren; the malignity of the disease is a sad prognostick. Two such causes of it Paul layeth open, one Act. 20. 30. the other Rom. 16. 17, 18. One is the devilish sin of pride; and a desire to have many disciples to be our applauders [They shal speak perverse things to draw awaydisciples after them] The other selfishness, carnality and coveteousness [They serve not the Lord Iesus, but their own bellies.] And so 2 Pet. 2. 3. Through Coveteousness they shall with feigned words make Merchandise of you: They buy and sell mens souls for gain: These are Gainsayers in a double sense: Their craft bringeth them