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

The fourth general concerning proceeding in public Scandals, which we would lay down, is, that Christs order, Mat. 18. be indispensably kept. Which we conceive, being compared with other Scriptures, doth imply these things, 1. That offences whether they be in lesser particulars, or in more gross things, yet if they be but known to few, are not instantly to be brought to public, (except some circumstance necessitate the same for greater edification) and this order is to be observed both by Officers and private persons. It were not therefore unfit, when any delation cometh by an Elder, or complaint by a private Professor, to enquire if they had observed this rule with such a party? and if alone, and with some others, friendly and rationally they have endeavoured to convince them? and if not, that they be remitted to follow that way, and if they have done it, It would be enquired, if their so doing have had no weight? Or if the person hath continued in the offence notwithstanding? If none of these can be said, there is yet no ground for public tabling of a scandal: and this we suppose would cut off many needless processes, and prove more edifying. ⟨p. 72⟩2. It is clear from that place, that the offences to be complained of, are not injuries or wrongs to us under that notion as such, but what is offensive in its nature and under that consideration, whether any wrong be intended to us in it or not. It is not suitable to a Church-court to have only persons complaining of wrongs done to themselves, as if they be cursed, defamed, &c. and yet not to take notice of what is offensive, as wronging the honour of God, reflecting upon the profession of the Gospel, and really laying a stumbling-block before themselves and others. This is to neglect scandals, and to take notice of slanders, which, as we said, differ from these. Hence, such persons ordinarily follow their complaints with much bitterness, and never seek to convince the party privately. We conceive therefore, that such direct complaints, so circumstantiate, ought not to be admitted, at least, upon that consideration; lest the Ordinance of Christ be made subservient to mens particular passions and interests. It is therefore more fit when such offences arise, that they be taken notice of abstractly from such complaints, and that in the order that other scandals are to come in, whereof now we are speaking. 3.

THe fourth generall concerning proceeding in publick Scandals, which we would lay down, is, that Christs order,