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

2. As men would be careful not to give offence, so also not to take offence, or to stumble even when blocks are cast in the way. It is a piece of our folly sometimes to be exclaiming against the frequency of offences and the givers of them, and yet not to be adverting, but to be stumbling at these our selves; ⟨p. 41⟩either by waxing cold in our love to the Godly, or faint in duties, or ready to take liberty to speak and to judge of others, even of their state that we offend at, or passionately to be irritate to some carnal revenge, &c. for, seldom are many offences given actively, but many also are offended passively, as Matth. 24. 10. and at such time, they are blessed who are not offended in Christ, it being both a good thing, and a rare thing in such a case, Matth. 11. 6. for, as it is in carnal contests, often an• ill reply bringeth on more sinful contention; so it is here: And offence taken by one, leadeth him to give another, as the result of that, whereas were it our care not to stumble our selves, we might be kept from giving occasion of that to others, and brook much more peace, as it is, Psal. 119. 165. Great peace have they who love thy Law: and nothing shall offend them. Sometimes, again, the falls of others are matter of mocking and mirth, and we are puffed up because of that, as if there were not such corruptions in us: This was the Corinthians fault, 1 Cor. 5. 2. and many other ways are there of stumbling, and O but watchfulness is necessary when folks walk thus in the midst of snares▪ and are so ready to fall either upon one hand or another!

2. As men would be carefull not to give offence, so also not to take offence, or to stumble even when blocks are cast in the way. It is a piece of our folly sometimes to be exclaiming against the frequencie of offences and the givers of them, and yet not to be adverting, but to be stumbling at these our selves; ⟨p. 41⟩