A37042:116
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.
If it be yet said, that they do not stand to offend1 us, therefore they are not to be regarded by us, when the thing we do is lawful. Answ. This were to render evil for evil, whenas we should overcome evil with good; and if it be a sin in them not to care for us in their practices, can it be otherwise in us? and our meeting of them in their untender way, is to harden them in it, and bring their blood on our own head, whereas more tender dealing might edify them, and, as by heaping coals of fire upon their heads, soften them and make them more pliable.
If it be yet said, that they do not stand to offend1 us, therefore they are not to be regarded by us, when the thing we do is lawfull. Answ. This were to render evil for evil, whenas we should overcome evil with good; and if it be a sin in them not to care for us in their practices, can it be otherwise in us? and our meeting of them in their untender way, is to harden them in it, and bring their bloud on our own head, whereas more tender dealing might edifie them, and, as by heaping coals of fire upon their heads, soften them and make them more pliable.
- 1What, when men stand not to offend us?
If it be asked further, what one is to do in such a1 case when the matter is lawful and it be withal doubtful whether it can be offensive or scandalous to any? Answ. 1. Beside the consideration of the thing, we would also consider circumstances of time, person, occasion, &c. 2. We would try what an action, so circumstantiated, hath formerly been thought of in the case of others in former times; Yea, 3. what use to be our own thoughts of such actions in other persons, if we have not counted them offensive in them? for often men more impartially judge, especially of what is offensive, in the persons of others