A37042:229
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. IX. Concerning what is to be done, when men appear neither serious nor obstinate.
CHAP. IX. Concerning what is to be done, when men appear neither serious nor obstinat.
IT may be now asked, What is to be done in reference to those who, after some grosle offence, can neither be counted thus serious, nor yet obstinate? Ans. Such cases may be frequent; Concerning which we say, 1. That it is neither fit altogether to absolve them, as being fully satisfied, nor yet to proceed to the highest Sentence with them, nor to leave them altogether without a rebuke. But in the second place, we say, That it is fit to proceed to rebuke them according to the direction, 1 Tim. 5. 20. Because, 1. This rebuke may be a mean, through God's blessing, to humble them, and to restrain such an offence. And, 2. it is also useful in reference to others, although the mans own carriage and acknowledgement be not every way satisfying; for, the Apostle's direction to rebuke him openly, doth respect more the offence past and the fruit that may follow to him and others, than any present satisfying frame in the person to be rebuked.
IT may be now asked, What is to be done in reference to those who, after some grosle offence, can neither be counted thus serious, nor yet obstinat? Ans. Such cases may be frequent; Concerning which we say, 1. That it is neither fit altogether to absolve them, as being fully satisfied, nor yet to proceed to the highest Sentence with them, nor to leave them altogether without a rebuke. But in the second place, we say, That it is fit to proceed to rebuke them according to the direction, 1 Tim. 5. 20. Because, 1. This rebuke may be a mean, through God's blessing, to humble them, and to restrain such an offence. And, 2. it is also usefull in reference to others, although the mans own carriage and acknowledgment be not every way satisfying; for, the Apostle's direction to rebuke him openly, doth respect more the offence past and the fruit that may follow to him and others, than any present satisfying frame in the person to be rebuked.