An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

Thirdly, Then we regard Religion after a carnal manner, When we make ¹parties in it, when we promote factions and divisions, and such as do so are filled with much spite and malice against those that are contrary to them. This is a sin the members of the Church are prone to, and nothing inclineth more to oppositions and contentions, then such a frame upon mens spirits. The Apostle speaketh very clearly to this, 1 Cor. 3. 3. Whereas there is among you envying and strife; one is for Paul, another for Apollo, are ye not carnal? And vers. 4. Again, are ye not carnal? So that this doth plainly discover men not to be led by divine and holy principles, who are apt to foment differences, who are ready to set up one Minister against another; to admire the gifts and abilities of one to the contempt of others. This was the great sin of these Corinthians, that as they discovered much pride and ambition in the names which they gave persons, (Capellus Histor. A. M. 3168.) sometimes delighting in words, which signified power and principality, as Hegemon, &c. Or such as denoted victory, as Nicolaus, &c. Or such as declared glory, as Polycletus, &c. Thus such a carnal ambition did still remain in them, though made Christians, setting up and admiring mens persons, looking after gifts which brought applause more than grace and sanctification. Now those that are thus carnally affected, they do continually throw balls of fire into the Church, and make it a Babylon in stead of a Jerusalem. Jude speaketh, vers. 16. Of having mens persons in admiration, because of advantage. It is some carnal advantage or other that maketh them advance this and that man against others. What the issue of such divisions is, appeareth Jam. 3. 14, 15, 16. viz. To bring in all confusion, and every evil work. As also he showeth the nature and cause of this, It is earthly, sensual and devilish, though men may judge it zeal, and think they are active for Gods glory, yet it's sensual, and cometh from the Devil; and it is good to observe how largely the Apostle expatiateth about the sinfulness of the tongue, That a world of evil is in it; and from that exhortation, Be not many Masters; that is, do not take upon you to be Teachers, and so to reprove and censure others in a carnal and sinful way. It is this that maketh not only the tongue, but the pen also to be full of gall and wormwood;