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

bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. And having made him a Religion of his own, he confidently thinketh that it is of God: And next he valueth all men that he hath to do with according as they are nearer or farther off, from this which he accounteth the way of God: He chooseth his Church or party whom he will join with, by the test of this Religion which his pride hath chosen: He zealously declaimeth against the opposers of his way, as against the adversaries of truth and Godliness, and consequently of God himself. He prayeth up his opinions, and preacheth them up, and contendeth for them; and ⟨p. 12⟩prayeth and preacheth and disputeth down all that •s against them. He laboureth to strengthen the party that is for them, and to weaken that which is against them: And thus he divideth the kingdom and family of Christ; He destroyeth first, the Love of his brother and neighbour in himself, and then laboureth to destroy it in all others, by speaking against those that are not of his way, with contempt and obloquy to represent them as an lovely sort of men: And if the interest of his cause and party do require it, perhaps he will next destroy their persons: And yet all this is done in zeal of God, and as an acceptable service to him: And they think all are Neuters and Lukewarm, who prosecute not the Schism as fervently as they, and fight not against Love with as much vehemency: Yea and in all this, they are still confident, that they L•ve the Brethren with a special Love, and make it the mark that they are Christs disciples, and that they are passed from de•th to life, because they love the party and persons, who are of their own opinion and way. And thus PRIDE insensibly, while they perceive it not at all, doth choke their Opinions, their Religions, their Parties, and make their Duties and their sins, and rule their judgments, affections and their actions; which is all but the same thing, which the Scripture in one word calleth HERESY. And all that I have said, you may find said in other words in the third Chapter of James.

bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. And having made him a Religion of his own, he confidently thinketh that it is of God: And next he valueth all men that he hath to do with according as they are nearer or farther off, from this which he accounteth the way of God: He chooseth his Church or party whom he will joyn with, by the test of this Religion which his pride hath chosen: He zealously declaimeth against the opposers of his way, as against the adversaries of truth and Godliness, and consequently of God himself. He prayeth up his opinions, and preacheth them up, and contendeth for them; and