A37042:223
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.
7. It may appear thus, That which may remove reproach from the Ordinances, and offence in reference to these that are without, is to be accounted satisfying, because that is one of the ends of Discipline to stop the mouths of such as are without: Now as it is not any thing within, or the want of sincerity which doth offend them, and open their mouths, So this morally sincere and real change, (to speak so) is sufficient to satisfy them, at least, it cannot be said that they can reach further. This argument alone we acknowledge might not seem to be cogent, yet considering, that what is offensive, is some external thing having a proportionable offensiveness, both to those that are within, and also to those that are without, and a thing is offensive, because it is apt to offend such, There ought therefore also a proportionableness to be between what removeth an offence in reference to both.
7. It may appear thus, That which may remove reproach from the Ordinances, and offence in reference to these that are without, is to be accounted satisfying, because that is one of the ends of Discipline to stop the mouths of such as are without: Now as it is not any thing within, or the want of sincerity which doth offend them, and open their mouths, So this morally sincere and reall change, (to speak so) is sufficient to satisfie them, at least, it cannot be said that they can reach further. This argument alone we acknowledge might not seem to be cogent, yet considering, that what is offensive, is some externall •hing having a proportionable offensivenesse, both to those that are within, and also to those that are without, and a thing is offensive, because it is apt to offend such, There ought therefore also a proportionablnesse to be between what removeth an offence in reference to both.
8. If we consider the proper object, nature and1 end of the key of Discipline, as it is abstractly considered, as contra-distinct from the key of Doctrine, we will find that no more by it can be expected. For, 1. its proper object is somewhat, that is scandalous, and so it reacheth only to restrain, regulate, and judge the outward man, or somewhat in the outward conversation firstly, though the fruit of that hath a further look mediately. The key of Doctrine again, or the Word reacheth in, and becometh a judge of the thoughts and intents of the heart; and to make Discipline judge the inner-man, in this respect, were to confound these two keys which the Lord hath made distinct: and therefore, if Discipline have any influence upon the inner-man savingly, it is but mediately by condemning his outward practices, and him as such, or making of directions, reproofs, &c. in the Word more weighty. 2. The key of Discipline doth