The dying man's testament to the Church of Scotland, or, A treatise concerning scandal…

Hence, 2. we say, that the same offences, upon¹ the matter, are not equally nor at all times, nor in all persons, and, it may be, in all places in the same manner, to be pursued and followed; and the reason is clear, because according to circumstances, that manner which is edifying at one time, and in one case, may be destructive in another, and so is not to be followed, because that power which God hath given is for edification and never for destruction, 2 Corinth. 13. 10. And accordingly, we see Paul in some cases censuring corrupt men, as Hymeneus and Phyletus, 1 Tim. 1. 20. Sometimes again, he threateneth and yet spareth, although ⟨p. 64⟩the scandal in it self deserved Censure, as when he saith, Gal. 5. I wish they were cut off that trouble you, and yet doth it not, because he found not the Churches edification so to require. So also, 2 Corinth. 10. 4. and 6. Having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled: which yet he thought not meet for the time to do, lest it should have irritated to more disobedience, and have bred some greater rent or schism, or have made the authority of the Ordinances less weighty, and so have marred his end, which was in all things (and so in this forbearing) their edification, as he expresseth it, chap. 12. 19. Brethren, we do all things (and so this also) for your edifying.

Hence, 2. we say, that the same offences, upon¹ the matter, are not equally nor at all times, nor in all persons, and, it may be, in all places in the same manner, to be pursued and followed; and the reason is clear, because according to circumstances, that manner which is edifying at one time, and in one case, may be destructive in another, and so is not to be followed, because that power which God hath given is for edification and never for destruction,