Such examples, therefore, brethren, it is right that we should follow;[199] since it is written, “Cleave to the holy, for those that cleave to them shall [themselves] be made holy.”[200] And again, in another place, [the Scripture] saith, “With a harmless man thou shalt prove[201] thyself harmless, and with an elect man thou shalt be elect, and with a perverse man thou shalt show[202] thyself perverse.”[203] 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[204] 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?[205] 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?”[206] Remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, how[207] He said, “Woe to that man [by whom[208] 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.”[209] 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. CHAP. XLVII.—_Your recent discord is worse than the former which took place in the times of Paul._ Take up the epistle of the blessed Apostle Paul. What did he write to you at the time when the gospel first began to be preached?[210] Truly, under the inspiration[211] of the Spirit, he wrote to you concerning himself, and Cephas, and Apollos,[212] because even then parties[213] had been formed among you. But that inclination for one above another entailed less guilt upon you, inasmuch as your partialities were then shown towards apostles, already of high reputation, and towards a man whom they had approved. But now reflect who those are that have perverted you, and lessened the renown of your far-famed brotherly love. It is disgraceful, beloved, yea, highly disgraceful, and unworthy of your Christian profession,[214] that such a thing should be heard of as that the most stedfast and ancient church of the Corinthians should, on account of one or two persons, engage in sedition against its presbyters. And this rumour has reached not only us, but those also who are unconnected[215] with us; so that, through your infatuation, the name of the Lord is blasphemed, while danger is also brought upon yourselves. CHAP. XLVIII.—_Let us return to the practice of brotherly love._