6. Divisions: This pulls down Kingdoms without help of foreign enemies. If a Kingdom thrusts swords into each others bellies, this will soon dispatch them. It's the Jesuits plot to subdue by private divisions, whom they cannot conquer by force of Arms: It was most pleasing to Satan to prevail with Christ to cast himself down headlong from the Pinnacle, rather than to fling him down himself. It is the delight of Hell to set & see Churches at variance among themselves, this is the first thing he attempts in the best Churches, and it is commonly prosperous, if the Lord leaves the watchmen to slumber, and not to be watchful, and fearful, and suddenly sensible of the least beginnings herein. It is a wonderful thing to see what a small occasion of offence will do; a word, a gesture, a garment, a matter of indifferency, 'tis strange to see, how such small matters will gore, if Satan's head be in them, and his Horns be set upon them, especially in Churches where men are set at liberty, and enjoy it, one must have liberty to speak one thing, and another, another thing, I am of this mind saith one, I am not of that mind (Brother) saith another: 'Tis wonderful to see what a fire, a secret smother, and smoke of suspicion will do. But oh take heed here, Gal. 5. 15. Love the Truth, receive no opinion differing from the most approved in the Church suddenly, but weep, and pray, and ask counsel, and tremble to entertain a thought of contention; The first sin which brake out in the first Christian Church, was murmuring, Acts 6. 1. What follows? Stephen an earthly Angel, full of the holy Ghost, suffers, and is taken from them, Acts 7. And after this the whole Church scattered, Acts 8. Oh keep the peace of the Church, and rend it not for small matters, love one another sincerely, and you cannot but live together quietly.
6. Divisions: This puls down Kingdoms without help of foreign enemies. If a Kingdom thrusts swords into each others bellies, this will soon dispatch them. It's the Jesuits plot to subdue by private divisions, whom they cannot conquer by force of Armes: It was most pleasing to Satan to prevail with Christ to cast himself down headlong from the Pinacle, rather than to fling him down himself. It is the delight of Hell to set & see Churches at variance among themselves, this is the first thing he attempts in the best Churches, and it is commonly prosperous, if the Lord leaves the watchmen to slumber, and not to be watchful, and fearful, and sudddenly sensible of the least beginnings herein. It is a wonderful thing to see what a small occasion of offence will do; a word, a gesture, a garment, a matter of indifferency, 'tis strange to see, how such small matters will gore, if Satans head be in them, and his Horns be set upon them, especially in Churches where men are set at liberty, and enjoy it, one must have liberty to speak one thing, and another, another thing, I am of this mind saith one, I am not of that mind (Brother) saith another: 'Tis wonderful to see what a fire, a secret smother, and smoak of suspition will do. But oh take heed here, Gal. 5. 15. Love the Truth, receive no opinion differing from the most approved in the Church suddenly, but weep, and pray, and ask councel, and tremble to entertain a thought of contention; The first sin which brake out in the first Christian Church, was •urmuring, Acts 6. 1. What followes? Stephen an earthly Angel, full of the holy Ghost, suffers, and is taken from them, Acts 7. And after this the whole Church scattered, Acts 8. Oh keep the peace of the Church, and rend it not for small matters, love one another sincerely, and you cannot but live together quietly.
