A37042:137
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.
9. Men at such a time would be diligent in the duties of their stations, and keep themselves within these; and, as the Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 7. 20. would abide in the calling wherein they are called: for, by so doing there is no occasion of offence. When a Magistrate holdeth in the duties of a Magistrate, and Ministers, Masters, Servants, Husbands and Wives, and so all sorts contain themselves within the bounds of their respective stations, that is a thing offensive to none; But when they exceed or give occasion to others to think that they exceed, then it becometh offensive, and maketh the Gospel to be evil spoken of. For which cause, the Apostle commendeth to Subjects, Wives, Servants, and all sorts, the doing of the duties of their respective stations▪ as that which doth adorn the Gospel, and stop the mouths of gainsayers.
9. Men at such a time would be diligent in the duties of their stations, and keep themselves within these; and, as the Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 7. 20. would abide in the calling wherein they are called: for, by so doing there is no occasion of offence. When a Magistrate holdeth in the duties of a Magistrate, and Ministers, Masters, Servants, Husbands and Wives, and so all sorts contain themselves within the bounds of their respective stations, that is a thing offensive to none; But when they exceed or give occasion to others to think that they exceed, then it becometh offensive, and maketh the Gospel to be evilspoken of. For which cause, the Apostle commendeth to Subjects, Wives, Servants, and all sorts, the doing of the duties of their respective stations▪ as that which doth adorn the Gospel, and stop the mouthes of gainsayers.
10. There would be mutual faithfulness, and a condescending upon their side who are offended, freely and soberly to admonish those by whom they are offended; and upon the other side, a condescending to satisfy and remove any offence▪ taken by those