CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

1. Divisions and differences they are the fruit of the flesh; Whereas love,¹ peace, and kindness they are the fruits of the Spirit, so that a man cannot more demonstrate himself to be in the flesh, and devoid of Gods Spirit in any thing then by a contentious dividing spirit; There are some men like those old Spaniards the historian speaks of, that cannot live without an enemy, So these Salamanders can only be in the fire, they are unquiet restless men, and these like Marcion with great boldness and delight will cry out, we will cast fire into the Church and divide it, But these demonstrate of what nature they are, and who is their Father, even that envious one, the devil, who delights to sow tares amongst the wheat, Gal. 6.20, 21. &c. you may there see two chief principles of mens actions in the world, whereof the one is immediately opposite to the other, the flesh and the Spirit, now it's good to observe what the works of the one and the other are; of the flesh, he instanceth in hatred, variance, strife, emulations, &c. all tending to break unity, and of the spirit the clean contrary, love, peace, gentleness, &c. all uniting, If then we would know who is a godly man, who hath the Spirit of God; Judge of the Tree by its fruit, he is full of love, gentleness, and meekness; It's impossible that pride, arrogancy, and envyings should be the fruit of Gods Spirit; Hence the Apostle 1 Cor. 3. doth thus argue, If there be envyings and divisions among you, are you not carnal? Thus the Apostle James c. 3.13, 14. speaks notably to this, Who is a wise man? let him show it by a good conversation with meekness, he divides wisdom into that which is earthly and devilish, the mother of envyings and strife, and the wisdom from above, which is first pure and then peaceable, yea, verse 14. Whosoever hath the Name of Religion, yet is haunted with this devil: The Apostle bids him glory not, and lye not against the Truth, So that though a man pretend never such singular gifts, such extraordinary Teachings of Gods Spirit, yet if contentious, he is not to glory▪ yea, he lieth against the Truth;

1. Divisions and differences they are the fruit of the flesh; Whereas love,