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

The sum of all this (and most that followeth) is in 1 Tim. 6. 3, 4, 5. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to the wholesome words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ (mark, it is not to the words of any new faith-makers devising, and to the doctrine which is according to Godliness, he is proud (though he may cry down pride) knowing nothing (though he may cry down ignorance) but doting about questions (though he may seem to be wise and of high attainments) and strifes of words while he seemeth to plead for the life of Religion) whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings (while they pretend to no less necessary a work, than the saving of Truth and the peoples souls): Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds (the impatient scratchings of those whose corrupt blood must needs have vent, and therefore causeth this itch of quarrelling) and destitute of the truth (whilst they think they are saving the life of truth) supposing that gain is godliness (being so blinded by the love of gain that they make themselves believe, that is the cause of truth and Godliness which maketh for their gain; and that the raising of them, is the raising of the Church; and that all tendeth to the interest of religion, which tendeth to make them great and rich) From such turn away (that is; own them not in hypocritical wranglings, but turn your ⟨p. 393⟩backs upon them, as men unworthy to be disputed with in their way. Answer not the fool according to his folly, i. e. word it not with him in his foolish way; lest you make him think himself worthy to be disputed with. Talk not with him at his rates; And yet answer him according to his folly; by such conviction and rebukes as is meet for fools, and as may make him understand his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes, and think that none can stand before him.

The sum of all this (and most that followeth) is in 1 Tim. 6. 3, 4, 5. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to the wholesome words, the words of our Lord Iesus Christ (mark, it is not to the words of any new faith-makers dev•sing, and to the doctrine which is according to Godliness, he is proud (though he may cry down pride) knowing nothing (though he may cry down ignorance) but doting about questions (though he may seem to be wise and of high attainments) and strifes of words while he seemeth to plead for the life of Religion) whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings (while they pretend to no less necessary a work, than the saving of Truth and the peoples souls): Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds (the impatient scratchings of those whose corrupt blood must needs have vent, and therefore causeth this itch of quarrelling) and destitute of the truth (whilest they think they are saving the life of truth) supposing that gain is godliness (being so blinded by the love of gain that they make themselves believe, that is the cause of truth and Godliness which maketh for their gain; and that the raising of them, is the raising of the Church; and that all tendeth to the interest of religion, which tendeth to make them great and rich) From such turn away (that is; own them not in hypocritical wranglings, but turn your