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

CHAP. V. Concerning what is to be done, when offending persons give no satisfaction.

IF it be asked then, what is to be done, supposing persons not to give any satisfaction, even when they are brought to public? This is indeed a difficulty, and will, no question, puzzle any conscientious Church-officer; Yet we suppose, we may class such offences that are brought to public in these three sorts, and then answer. 1. Some offences are in matters that are less horrid and scandalous, and come nearer to sins of infirmity, which yet are scandalous, being continued in suppose officious lying, angry passionate words, and such like, where these are repeated, the persons are to be rebuked in some cases; yet if they be not contemptuous, or the ills otherwise aggreged, we see not how there can be proceeding to Excommunication upon such grounds, because Excommunication ⟨p. 81⟩is a chastisement for some singular offenders, and is not for offences that are so common, as hath been formerly said. Of this sort may be the sparingness of charity in Church-members, in giving little to the poor, or less than proportionally they should, though they do not altogether shut their bowels▪ This may be the object of admonition, but we think hardly of Excommunication, except it have gross contempt with it, and so hazard of making void, by evil example, the course that Christ hath appointed for overseeing the poor in His house, for which He hath appointed Deacons: and if public charity upon any pretext were restrained▪ that were to no purpose: which certainly highly reflecteth on Christ, and is a grievous scandal. We find the Reverend Master Hooker, part 2. chap. 2. pag. 57. lay these two conclusions, 1. That the Church is to stint her Members, and determine the quota of their charity and free will offerings, and that of her self. 2. That if after the Deacons private diligence, this be not given in, he is to follow the action before the Church. Although we think defect of charity, in this respect, a great sin and an offence, and may be justly reproved, and the person admonished that is defective palpably in that which is proportionable to his ability; yet, that such a particular stint should be made by Church-power, and exacted under such certification, we cannot yet find to be warrantable. Although we give the Magistrate that liberty, and where he exerciseth it not, we acknowledge mutual condescension may do much.