A37042:136
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.
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, ⟨p. 45⟩specially such as for the time are most ordinarily the stone of stumbling. Hence we find, that though in some questions the Apostle is full to dispute down adversaries, as in the case of Justification; Yet there are some other things that he seeketh rather to have restrained than moved, such as he calleth doubtful, Rom. 14. 1. endless, 1 Tim. 1. 4. that gender strife, and are not edifying, but foolish and unlearned questions, 2 Tim. 2. 14, 16, 23. men are to flee, and to shun these, even when occasion is given. For, though every question hath a truth upon one side, and the searching into necessary truths be edifying, yet as to such, considering the contention that waiteth on them, and the difficulties that are about them, the Church gaineth more by silence in them, than by too fervent pursuing of them.
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 medling 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 forborn. 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, ⟨p. 45⟩specially such as for the time are most ordinarily the stone of stumbling. Hence we find, that though in some questions the Apostle is full to dispute down adversaries, as in the case of Justification; Yet there are some other things that he seeketh rather to have restrained than moved, such as he calleth doubtfull,