The dying man's testament to the Church of Scotland, or, A treatise concerning scandal…

And, no question, Joabs resisting, and in part neglecting of Davids command for numbering of the People, was more approvable than his obedience, yet was the thing lawful in it self; but considering it as circumstantiate, it tended to foster Davids pride, and to be subservient in that which brought on wrath, Therefore was not to be obeyed to the confirming of him in his sin. The same also may be said, when doing something that is offensive may seem a way to prevent a cross; for, active offence being ever sinful in respect of the complex case, it is not to be allowed whatever peril follow, as we may see in Daniels case who would not stumble others by shutting of his window, although it hazarded his own life, and the welfare of the […]: And in this case Paul saith, that it were better for him to die than that any should make his glorying void, or make him an occasion for others to stumble upon, 1 Cor. 9. 15. &c.

And, no question, Ioabs resisting, and in part neglecting of Davids command for numbering of the People, was more approvable than his obedience, yet was the thing lawfull in it self; but considering it as circumstantiat, it tended to foster Davids pride, and to be subservient in that which brought on wrath, Therefore was not to be obeyed to the confirming of him in his sin. The same also may be said, when doing something that is offensive may seem a way to prevent a crosse; for, active offence being ever sinfull in respect of the complex case, it is not to be allowed whatever perill follow, as we may see in Daniels case who would not stumble others by shutting of his window, although it hazarded his own life, and the welfare of the 〈…〉: And in this case Paul saith, that it were better for him to die than that any should make his glorying void, or make him an occasion for others to stumble upon, 1 Cor. 9. 15. &c.

It may be said, that sometimes the case is so stated,¹