---

That divisions and factions do quickly creep into the best and purest Churches. This Church of Corinth was a garden planted by Paul, and, notwithstanding all his care, his constant inspection, yet these weeds grow up in it.

1. Divisions or factions may be either —

(1) Civil or ecclesiastical. Civil are all those rents and ruptures that are made by the lusts of men in a commonwealth. Thus Jeroboam made a division, he rent ten tribes from the other two. The other divisions are in the Church, and they are of two sorts, either when different doctrines or opinions are maintained, and these are called heresies. Or when there is a soundness of doctrine, yet men break the bonds of love, and live in malice and uncharitableness, and this is called schism.

(2) Factions or divisions are either personal, between godly men particularly, or more public between societies and societies, Churches and Churches. Between persons. Thus Paul and Barnabas, they were in a bitter dissention one with another (Acts 15:39). So Paul and Peter; Paul reproved Peter, and withstood him to the face (Galatians 1.). Or more public. Thus many Jews that believed raised great dissensions about circumcision, and the retaining of the customs of the law.

2. In the next place, what makes division or faction? And —

(1) That is, when men promote any false or wicked way against truth and godliness.

(2) Faction and division is seen when though the matter be true or good they strive for, yet they do it not in a godly, orderly way. A good intention, even in a good matter without good order, is not warrantable.

(3) A third thing in division is when men do not keep to their proper places, to their offices.

(4) Thus it is division and faction when the affections and passions of men are embittered with any carnal distempers; so that this sin doth affect the heart and spirit of a man, and then it breaks out into actions.

3. In the next place, what are the causes that make these the efficient causes?

(1) The ignorance of men, as long as men know but in part, have not perfection in the understanding; and this breedeth difference of opinions, and difference of opinions difference of affections.

(2) Self-confidence and arrogancy.

(3) The last efficient are worldly hopes and desires of carnal advantages.

(4) Lastly, there is an occasional cause, but not efficient, and that hath been the tyranny and scandalous lives of Church officers. This hath many times made sad rents.

(A. Burgess.)

---

---

KJV: And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

WEB: Brothers, I couldn't speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly, as to babies in Christ.