Division.

All creatures in their natural estate are severed and divided one from another.*

• 1. They are divided from God the only and chiefest good.
• 2. From the Angels, 1 Cor. 11. 10.
• 3. One from another, Isa. 19. begin.
• 4. From themselves. We are joyned to Satan and comply with the Idols of our own hearts, Ezek. 14. begin.

1. The nature of this division is not only local, as that of Reuben▪ Judg. 5. 15, 16. by the river Iordan, or in externals, but spiritual which is the worst, as spiritual union is the best. This makes the difference in mens mindes, judgements, wils, consciences, Acts 26. 9. Iohn 16. beg. divided in the very ends they propound, and the means that lead to those ends, and the rule.

The causes of it are sad, the lusts and sins of our own hearts, the just indignati∣on of God.

These sins especially,

• 1. Idolatry, Iudg. 5. 8.
• 2. Covenant-breaking, Levit. 26. 25.
• 3. Pride, Ier. 13. 9. compared with 14.
• 4. Hypocrisie, Isa. 10. 6.
• 5. Apostasie.

Arguments against division and falling into parties:

First, Divisions are a judgement of God upon a Nation, Zech. 13. 14.

Secondly, Consider the several sins that falling into parties puts men upon.

• 1. It puts them on great thoughts of heart, Iudg. 5. 15.
• 2. Men break forth into bitter censuring and reviling of those which are not of their own party, Prov. 21. 24. Iames 4. 11. they set up their own will in opposition to God.
• 3. It causeth men to be glad to hear evil one of another, and take up any report for truth, Nehem. 6. 6. and glad of any mischief that shall befall them, Ezek. 25. 6.
• 4. This layes upon men a necessity of joyning with any to oppose that party, though they be never so contrary in religion or affection.*

Thirdly, Falling into parties is a certain way of ruine.

• 1. In the just judgement of God, Hos. 10. 2.
• 2. In the nature of the thing, Iudg. 5. 5.

In cause of religion every subdivision is a strong weapon in the hand of the con∣trary* part, Hist. of Councel of Trent. lib. 1. pag. 49.

Page  355Two earthen pots floting with this Inscription, Si collidimur, frangimur, If we* knock, we crack, were long ago made the embleme of England and the Low coun∣tries; but may now be extended to all Christians.

We shall finde in our English Chronicles, that England was never destroyed but* when divided within it self, our civil divisions brought in the Romans, the Saxons, Danes and Normans.

Though our Civil and Ecclesiastical breaches be very great, Lam. 2. 13. yet God can and will heal all the breaches of his Saints.

• 1. Because he hath promised to do it, Isa. 2. 4. & 11. 6, 7, 8, 9, 13. & 30. 26. & 32. 18. & 33. 20. Ezek. 28. 24. Ier. 32. 39. Zeph. 3. 9. Zech. 14. 9.
• 2. Christ hath prayed for it three times in Iohn 17. viz. 21, 22, 23. verses.
• 3. Christ died to make his people one, Ephes. 2. from 14. to the later end. See 1 Cor. 12. Rom. 8. to the end.

There are some cementing or reconciling graces, faith, repentance, charity, Col. 3. 14. and humility.

There is much talk of peace and unity, peace with truth, or peace and holiness are joyned together in Scripture.*

We should pray to Christ to heal our divisions, that he would make us one, we should put on love which is the bond of perfectnesse, Col. 3. 14, 15. See Phil. 3. 14, 15.