A37042:118
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 said, that sufficient pains have been taken1 to inform them already, and that therefore their taking offence is inexcusable. Answ. 1. Men would beware of making this an excuse, for many have great ignorance and are not soon capable of instruction, others have prejudice which is hardly rooted-out; Therefore I conceive it will not be easy to be able to assert an exoneration in this case. 2. If the thing continue to be indifferent (which is the matter concerning which the question is) there can be no term ⟨p. 32⟩set to it: It is the Apostle's word, 1 Cor. 8. 13. If meat make my brother to offend▪ I will not eat flesh while the world standeth. I• the case alter and the matter become necessary by some circumstances, as Daniel's opening of his window did, then that which formerly was indifferent, becometh necessary, and it would be offensive to omit it.
If it be said, that sufficient pains have been taken1 to inform them already, and that therefore their taking offence is inexcusable. Answ. 1. Men would beware of making this an excuse, for many have great ignorance and are not soon capable of instruction, others have prejudice which is hardly rooted-out; Therefore I conceive it will not be easie to be able to assert an exoneration in this case. 2. If the thing continue to be indifferent (which is the matter concerning which the question is) there can be no terme ⟨p. 32⟩set to it: It is the Apostle's word, 1 Cor. 8. 13. If meat make my brother to offend▪ I will not eat flesh while the world standeth. I• the case alter and the matter become necessary by some circumstances, as Daniel's opening of his window did, then that which formerly was indifferent, becometh necessary, and it would be offensive to omit it.