A37042:162
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
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.
1. All public processing of scandalous persons,1 or judicial taking notice of scandals, would be done with respect to the ends for which Discipline is appointed, and so as may attain the same. This, I suppose, cannot be denied: for, the mids must be suited to its end. Now▪ the ends of public Censuring, are, 1. for vindicating the honour of Jesus Christ, that suffereth in the miscarriage of a member. 2. The ⟨p. 63⟩preserving of the authority of His Ordinances, and the chastening of disobedience thereunto, Therefore it is called, 2 Corinth. 2. 6. The punishment that was inflicted, and chap. 10. 6. This is said to revenge all disobedience, it being appointed as an Ecclesiastic whip to keep up His Authority in His House, and thereby to note those that are unruly therein, 2 Thess. 3. 6, 14. 3. It is for the persons good, as it is said, 1 Corinth. 5. 5. for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved, that by this, admonitions, reproofs, yea, threatenings, may have the more weight, for the persons humiliation and up-stirring: and the constraining of them at least to a more orderly walk in the Church, as the Apostle hath it, 2 Thess. 3. 6, and 14. 4. It is for the good of the Church, that the leaven of profanity spread not, and that others may thereby learn to fear: This reason is given, 1 Cor. 5. 6, 7 &c. and 1 Tim. 5. 20. Now, when we speak of the end of public trial and censure, respect is to be had to all these, but especially to the more public and general ends, so as the persons particular edification be not neglected; and therefore in procedure, particular and special respect would be had to that manner (whether by meekness, or rigidity, by forbearing or proceeding) which may most attain these ends.