A37042:205
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.
CHAP. VIII. Holding forth what may be satisfying.
The answering of the third Question, to wit, what is to be accounted satisfying, and what is to be rested on in such a case by Church officers, will clear and confirm this more. Before we answer, we premit, 1. That a difference is to be made between what is satisfying to a Church-judicatory, so as to admit an offending person to all privileges, as if the offence had not been, and what may be satisfying to sist further procedure, and prevent Excommunication. For, I suppose, a persons satisfaction may not be sufficient as to the first, which yet may be sufficient as to the second, as (for instance) it may be thought of Simon Magus, Act. 8. 24. who, after Peter's rebuke, carried so, as he did not proceed to cast him out, yet may he well be esteemed of, notwithstanding of such professed conviction, not to have had the full privilege of a Church-member instantly; and this may proceed either from the grossness of an offence (such as that was) or the unsatisfyingness of a persons satisfaction, or both; in which cases edification requireth some time of trial, before there be a proceeding either to an off-cutting, or to admitting to the former liberty. 2. We would distinguish (which is sib to the former) between that which is not fully satisfying, and that which is altogether dissatisfying; for there may be a mids, as suppose, that a man by silence should accept a reproof; or in words and carriage express something which neither doth speak seriousness, nor mocking, We suppose it is hard instantly to judge that person either to be obstinate, or yet to have full access to all Ordinances.
THe answering of the third Question, to wit, what is to be accounted satisfying, and what is to be rested on in such a case by Churchofficers, will clear and confirm this more. Before we answer, we premit, 1. That a difference is to be made between what is satisfying to a Church-judicatory, so as to admit an offending person to all priviledges, as if the offence had not been, and what may be satisfying to sist further procedor, and prevent Excommunication. For, I suppose, a persons satisfaction may not be sufficient as to the first, which yet may be sufficient as to the second, as (for instance) it may be thought of Simon Magus,