A37042:108
The dying man's testament to the Church of Scotland, or, A treatise concerning scandal…
The dying man's testament to the Church of Scotland, or, A treatise concerning scandal divided into four parts ... : in each of which there are not a few choice and useful questions, very shortly and satisfyingly discussed and cleared / by ... Mr. James Durham ... who being dead (by this) yet speaketh ; and published by John Carstares ... ; to which is prefixed an excellent preface of famous Mr. Blair ... ; together with a table of the contents of the several chapters of each part.
Edinburgh: printed by Christopher Higgins, 1659
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The greatest difficulty is in reference to practice; (for Scandal cannot but be accounted abominable) We shall therefore answer some Questions for the clearing of this. 1. It may be questioned, How far offence ought to have influence on a Christian in his walk? In answering of it, we would, I. consider the matter in which offence may be given or taken. 2. The persons who may be offended. For, some things in the matter are simply sinful, some things are necessary duties; some things▪ again, are in themselves indifferent: So some persons are gracious and tender, some are profane and malicious, &c. We answer therefore in these Assertions,
THe greatest difficulty is in reference to practice; (for Scandal cannot but be accounted abominable) We shall therefore answer some Questions for the clearing of this. 1. It may be questioned, How far offence ought to have influence on a Christian in his walk? In answering of it, we would, I. consider the matter in which offence may be given or taken. 2. The persons who may be offended. For, some things in the matter are simply sinfull, some things are necessary duties; some things▪ again, are in themselves indifferent: So some persons are gracious and tender, some are prophane and malicious, &c. We answer therefore in these Assertions,
1. For no offence whatsoever should men forbear a necessary duty, or commit any thing which is materially sinful. Christ would need, go up to Jerusalem, although His Disciples were displeased, and would continue in preaching the Gospel, and in doing what was entrusted to Him, although the Pharisees were offended, Matth. 15. This is clear: For no evil should be done that good may come of it. Rom. 3.
1. For no offence whatsoever should men forbear a necessary duty, or commit any thing which is materially sinfull. Christ would need, go up to Ierusalem, although His Disciples were displeased, and would continue in preaching the Gospel, and in doing what was intrusted to Him, although the Pharisees were offended,