Such examples, therefore, brethren, it is right that we should follow; [4244] since it is written, "Cleave to the holy, for those that cleave to them shall [themselves] be made holy." [4245] And again, in another place, [the Scripture] saith, "With a harmless man thou shalt prove [4246] thyself harmless, and with an elect man thou shalt be elect, and with a perverse man thou shalt show [4247] thyself perverse." [4248] Let us cleave, therefore, to the innocent and righteous, since these are the elect of God. Why are there strifes, and tumults, and divisions, and schisms, and wars [4249] among you? Have we not [all] one God and one Christ? Is there not one Spirit of grace poured out upon us? And have we not one calling in Christ? [4250] Why do we divide and tear in pieces the members of Christ, and raise up strife against our own body, and have reached such a height of madness as to forget that "we are members one of another?" [4251] Remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, how [4252] He said, "Woe to that man [by whom [4253] offences come]! It were better for him that he had never been born, than that he should cast a stumbling-block before one of my elect. Yea, it were better for him that a millstone should be hung about [his neck], and he should be sunk in the depths of the sea, than that he should cast a stumbling-block before one of my little ones." [4254] Your schism has subverted [the faith of] many, has discouraged many, has given rise to doubt in many, and has caused grief to us all. And still your sedition continueth.

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Footnotes:

[4244] Literally, "to such examples it is right that we should cleave."

[4245] Not found in Scripture.

[4246] Literally, "be."

[4247] Or, "thou wilt overthrow."

[4248] Psalm 18:25, 26.

[4249] Or, "war." Comp. James 4:1.

[4250] Comp. Ephesians 4:4-6.

[4251] Romans 12:5.

[4252] This clause is wanting in the text.

[4253] This clause is wanting in the text.

[4254] Comp. Matthew 18:6, xxvi. 24; Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2.