We need not insist upon characters of a judicial like division, seeing hardly there is division in a Church, but it is judicial in some part; Yet these things may be considered to this purpose, 1. When1 the division is amongst the more eminent and godly men, as amongst the Disciples. 2. If the matter be light comparatively for which the difference is kept up, as Augustine calleth that with some Donatists, parva dissentio, as to the matter or occasion, which was yet great in its effects, Epist. 203. 3. If it be for dominion, or preeminence, or such things as may look carnal like before men, like that, Matth. 18. 1, &c. Or, 4. if the manner of following it be carnal, or irrational-like without that respective tenderness of edification and offence, which rationally might be expected from such men. 5. When there are many palpable convincing reasons, and that in respect of the particular time and case, which might draw men from such divisions. Or, 6. when sometimes healing is essayed, and beyond probable ⟨p. 398⟩reasons and expectation, it doth break off and turn worse, when it appeared to be near a close. 7. When it spreadeth, and cometh to occupy and take up Professors, it may be, beyond many more concerning things. This especially is discernible, when the division ariseth suddenly upon the back of a great calm, and after such sins as may procure the interrupting thereof, and when it cometh, in an unexpected way, from such persons, and upon such an occasion, as, it may be, none could have looked-for, or thought of; when it is under afflictions, and other cases and reproaches, as the Jews divisions were, even when besieged by the Romans, and when under them, as Josephus writeth. These and such like may evidence somewhat to be judicial therein. Because, 1. It doth so further what is penal the more in all the former respects, and it cannot but have such effects. 2. Because there being no other probable reason how ordinarily such a thing may come to pass, the Lords hand is to be acknowledged therein so much the more, when even His Servants are drunken but not with wine, and He hath poured upon them the spirit of deep sleep, and covered even the Prophets and Seers therewith, as the word is, Isa. 29. 9, 10. and when they are as so many wild bulls caught in a net, full of the fury of the Lord, and of the rebuke of their God, as it is, Isa. 51. ver. 20.
We need not insist upon characters of a judicialllike division, seing hardly there is division in a Church, but it is judiciall in some part; Yet these things may be considered to this purpose, 1. When1 the division is amongst the more eminent and godly men, as amongst the Disciples. 2. If the matter be light comparatively for which the difference is keeped up, as Augustine calleth that with some Donatists, parva dissentio, as to the matter or occasion, which was yet great in its effects, Epist. 203. 3. If it be for dominion, or preheminence, or such things as may look carnall like before men, like that, Matth. 18. 1, &c. Or, 4. if the manner of following it be carnall, or irrationall-like without that respective tendernesse of edification and offence, which rationally might be expected from such men. 5. When there are many palpable convincing reasons, and that in respect of the particular time and case, which might draw men from such divisions. Or, 6. when sometimes healing is essayed, and beyond probable ⟨p. 398⟩reasons and expectation, it doth break off and turn worse, when it appeared to be near a close. 7. When it spreadeth, and cometh to occupy and take up Professors, it may be, beyond many more concerning things. This especially is discernable, when the division ariseth suddenly upon the back of a great calm, and after such sins as may procure the interrupting thereof, and when it cometh, in an unexpected way, from such persons, and upon such an occasion, as, it may be, none could have looked-for, or thought of; when it is under afflictions, and other cases and reproaches, as the Jews divisions were, even when besieged by the Romans, and when under them, as Iosephus writeth. These and such like may evidence somewhat to be judiciall therein. Because, 1. It doth so further what is penall the more in all the former respects, and it cannot but have such effects. 2. Because there being no other probable reason how ordinarily such a thing may come to passe, the Lords hand is to be acknowledged therein so much the more, when even His Servants are drunken but not with wine, and He hath powred upon them the spirit of deep sleep, and covered even the Prophets and Seers therewith, as the word is, Isa. 29. 9, 10. and when they are as so many wild bulls caught in a net, full of the fury of the Lord, and of the rebuke of their God, as it is, Isa. 51. ver. 20.
- 1Characters of judicial division.Characters of judiciall division.
