A37042:212
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.
for, it is charity here to account the person serious, and to think as he saith, and not be dissembling therein, although it be not impossible for a dissembler to come all that length in outward evidences and prof•ssion. But to believe that he is indeed so, as he saith, or thinketh, is not a thing which charity is bound positively to conclude, but, at the most, by judging nothing to the contrary to forbear any judging of the party till time evidence more afterward. And, I suppose, there are few who have experience, but know that there are many cases wherein they are fully satisfied to judge the person serious, and yet dare not determine of their sincerity and graciousness, yea, even as to the probability thereof, although they dare not deny but it is possible; yet durst they not found a Sentence of absolution ⟨p. 97⟩upon that as such, to their own satisfaction, although upon the former account they can: which evidently showeth that these two considerations may be separated.
for, it is charity here to account the person serious, and to think as he saith, and not be dissembling therein, although it be not impossible for a dissembler to come all that length in outward evidenc•s and prof•ssion. But to believe that he is indeed so, as he saith, or thinketh, is not a thing which charity is bound positively to conclude, but, at the most, by judgeing nothing to the contrary to forbear any judgeing of the partie till time evidence more afterward. And, I suppose, there are few who have experience, but know that there are many cases wherein they are fully satisfied to judge the person serious, and yet dar not determine of their sincerity and graciousnesse, yea, even as to the probability thereof, although they dar not deny but it is possible; yet durst they not found a Sentence of absolution ⟨p. 97⟩upon that as such, to their own satisfaction, although upon the former account they can: which evidently sheweth that these two considerations may be separated.