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

There is one case yet to be enquired in▪ viz. how to account of a particular person his complaining or pursuing an offence which carrieth with it a particular injury unto himself? As suppose, that such a person did calumniate him, calling him false, covetous, hypocrite, thief, or such like, or did imprecate curses unto him? Answ. 1 If the way laid down were followed, and a public complaint made the last step, it may be, there would be few of these complaints. Of this we have spoken already. 2. Although ⟨p. 122⟩such injuries have with them a spiritual hurt also, and so indeed are real stumbling-blocks to the spiritual state of the party injured. Yet, 1. it is hard for men injured, singly to abstract the scandal given them from the injury done them, and so to follow the offence with respect to their own and the others edification, as to entertain no thoughts of revenge in the pursuing thereof: for certainly, often it is the reparation of a wrong, and to vindicate folks own name and credit, rather than edification, which in such cases is aimed at: Therefore we find ever the most irreligious, carnal and proud persons, hottest in such a pursuit, and with greatest difficulty to be satisfied; and the satisfaction intended by them, is not any Christian gaining often, but some public shame, or such like: And therefore if that follow, although the person fall over again in many other scandals that are worse, or others shall sin more grossly; yet that stirreth them not, neither are their complaints in such cases heard of. 2. We find, that such a case hath often great difficulties with it, and readily much heat and carnalnesse; yea, in things that are personal between parties, it is more difficult for them to abstain from carnalnesse, or the appearance thereof, and also for Church-judicatories to walk so as not to be thought partial to one of the sides, and so by intending the removal of one offence, more may be given. Therefore we would suppose such a procedure to be suitable to Christs order and ordinance, 1. That as much as may be, these personal things may be waved by private persons themselves who are so […].

THere is one case yet to be enquired in▪ viz. how to account of a particular person his complaining or pursuing an offence which carrieth with it a particular enjury unto himself? As suppose, that such a person did calumniate him, calling him false, covetous, hypocrite, thief, or such like, or did imprecate curses unto him? Answ. 1 If the way laid down were followed, and a publick complaint made the last step, it may be, there would be few of these complaints. Of this we have spoken already. 2. Although