Eighthly, But for Gods people to divide into parties, or to shut each other from Church communion; though from greater points, and upon higher pretences, then this of Water-baptism; hath heretofore been counted carnal, and the actors herein babish Christians: Paul and Apollo, Cephas, and Christ were doubtless higher things then those about which we contend: yet when they made divisions for them; how sharply are they rebuked? Are ye not Carnal, Carnal, Carnal? For whereas there are among you, envyings, strife, divisions, or factions: are you not carnal. 1 Cor. 1.11, 12. chap. 3.1, 2, 3, 4. While one saith I am of Paul, and another I am of Apollo; are you not carnal? See therefore from whence arise all thy, endeavours, zeal and labour to accomplish divisions, among the Godly; Let Paul or Cephas, or Christ himself be the burden of thy song, ⟨p. 110⟩yet the heart from whence they flow is carnal, and thy actions, discoveries of childishness. But doubtless when these contentions were among the Corinthians? and one man vilified that another might be promoted; a lift with a carnal Brother, was thought great wisdom to widen the breach. But why should he be rebuked, that said he was for Christ? because he was for him in opposition to his holy Apostles. Hence he saith, Is Christ divided; or separate from his servants Note therefore that these divisions are deserted by the persons the divisions, were made about; Neither Paul nor Apollo, nor Cephas, nor Christ is here. Let the cry be never so loud, Christ, order, the rule, the command, or the like; Carnality is but the bottom, and they are but babes that do it; their zeal is but a puff, 1 Cor, 4.6. And observe it, the great division at Corinth, was helped forward by Water-baptism: ⟨p. 111⟩This the Apostle intimates by; Were ye Baptized in the name of Paul? Ah Brethren! Carnal Christians with outward circumstances, will if they be let alone, make sad work in the Churches of Christ, against the spiritual growth of the same. But I thank God, saith Paul, that I Baptized none of you, &c. Not, but that it was then an ordinance of God, but they abused it, in making parties thereby. I Baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius, and the household of Stephanus; men of note among the Brethren, men of good judgement, and reverenced by the rest; they can tell you I intended not to make a party to my self thereby.
Eighthly, But for Gods people to divide into parties, or to shut each other from Church communion; though from greater points, and upon higher pretences, then this of Water-baptism; hath heretofore been counted carnal, and the actors herein babish Christians: Paul and Apollo, Cephas, and Christ were doubtless higher things then those about which we contend: yet when they made divisions for them; how sharply are they rebuked? Are ye not Carnall, Carnall, Carnall? For whereas there are among you, envyings, strife, divisions, or factions: are you not carnall. 1 Cor. 1.11, 12. chap. 3.1, 2, 3, 4. While one saith I am of Paul, and another I am of Apollo; are you not carnall? See therefore from whence arise all thy, indeavours, zeal and labour to accomplish divisions, among the Godly; Let Paul or Cephas, or Christ himself be the burthen of thy song, ⟨p. 110⟩yet the heart from whence they flow is carnall, and thy actions, discoveries of childishness. But doubtless when these contentions were among the Corinthians? and one man vilifyed that another might be promoted; a lift with a carnall Brother, was thought great wisedom to widen the breach. But why should he be rebuked, that said he was for Christ? because he was for him in opposition to his holy Apostles. Hence he saith, Is Christ divided; or separate from his servants Note therefore that these divisions are deserted by the persons the divisions, were made about; Neither Paul nor Apollo, nor Cephas, nor Christ is here. Let the cry be never so loud, Christ, order, the rule, the command, or the like; Carnality is but the bottom, and they are but babes that do it; their zeal is but a puffe, 1 Cor, 4.6. And observe it, the great division at Corinth, was helped forward by Water-baptism: ⟨p. 111⟩This the Apostle intimates by; Were ye Baptized in the name of Paul? Ah Brethren! Carnall Christians with outward circumstances, will if they be let alone, make sad work in the Churches of Christ, against the spiritual growth of the same. But I thank God, saith Paul, that I Baptized none of you, &c. Not, but that it was then an ordinance of God, but they abused it, in making parties thereby. I Baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius, and the houshold of Stephanus; men of note among the Brethren, men of good judgement, and reverenced by the rest; they can tell you I intended not to make a party to my self thereby.
