A37042:135
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.
7. At such a time great care would be had to entertain peace, even public Church-peace, and respect to the Ordinances, particularly to that of Discipline, because that is the proper remedy for removing offences, Matth. 18. 17. and without unity this hath no weight. Also offences of their own nature tend to make rents, and where unity is preserved many are kept on their feet which otherwayes would have fallen. Therefore, Rom. 14. 19. that direction is given▪ Let us follow those things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. And often union and edification are joined together, which showeth, that it must be a great restraint to offences, which are so opposite to edification.
7. At such a time great care would be had to entertain peace, even publick Church-peace, and respect to the Ordinances, particularly to that of Discipline, because that is the proper remedy for removing offences, Matth. 18. 17. and without unity this hath no weight. Also offences of their own nature tend to make rents, and where unity is preserved many are keeped on their feet which otherwayes would have fallen. Therefore, Rom. 14. 19. that direction is given▪ Let us follow those things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edifie another. And often union and edification are joyned together, which sheweth, that it must be a great restraint to offences, which are so opposit to edification.
8. When offences abound, it is often most safe to be least appearing, except a mans call be the more clear and convincing: For, as in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin, So in much meddling there wanteth not offence. This is also clear in experience, because offences come more ordinarily, and are more observed when something is done, than when something is forborne. Yet this is not to be extended to the omission of any necessary duty, but is to have great weight in indifferent things, that are not necessary,