A37042:133
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
Part 1 › Chapter 8: Holding forth what is called-for when Offences abound.
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.
5. There would be an abstinence from things that are controverted either in doctrine or practice, if they be not necessary things▪ As we see the Apostle doth in the Epistles to the Romans and Corinthians. The reason is, because it is the strong who are clear to do, and it's the weak who are doubtful. Now, it is more just and safe, that the strong should condescend to the weak, because that is within their reach, than that the weak should be driven up to the strong, which were to overdrive them.
5. There would be an abstinence from things that are controverted either in doctrine or practice, if they be not necessary things▪ As we see the Apostle doth in the Epistles to the Romans and Corinthians. The reason is, because it is the strong who are clear to do, and it's the weak who are doubtfull. Now, it is more just and safe, that the strong should condescend to the weak, because that is within their reach, than that the weak should be driven up to the strong, which were to overdrive them.
6. At such a time folks would be much in the study and practice of the more necessary and material things, which come nearer the life and power of godliness. We see, when offences abounded in the primitive times, the Apostle withdraweth them from too much seriousness in more circumstantial things, to the working-out of their salvation in fear and trembling, Philip. 2. 12. for, experience telleth us, that offences rise most, yea cannot rise, but in things which may be done or forborne, as in eating, and such other things as troubled the primitive Church. We see also, that where there is most heat in these things, there is an overvaluing of them, and an undervaluing of faith, repentance, prayer, communion with God, &c. Hence it is, (Rom. 14. 17.) that the Apostle correcteth this fault, saying, The ⟨p. 44⟩