A37042:314
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
Part 3 › Chapter 1: Holding out the expediency of handling this matter.
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.
It is true, that these cases are so various and difficult, that there can hardly be any thing particularly spoken to them; also what hath been said, may, for the most part, proportionably be applied to them: yet considering that this place doth look so directly to such Scandals as are in Doctrine; and that the case of these times doth call for some consideration of such, lest what hath been formerly said, be altogether defective as to this, it will not be impertinent to insist a little on it also, although already this Tractate hath drawn to a greater length than was at first intended.
We may in prosecution of this, 1. consider some general Doctrines. 2. Some general Questions. ⟨p. 155⟩3. More particularly speak to the several duties according to particular cases and remedies that are called for. 4. Show the necessity of orderly Judicial procedure here, in reference to such Scandals, as well as in reference to Scandals in practice formerly mentioned.
We may in prosecution of this, 1. consider some generall Doctrines. 2. Some generall Questions. ⟨p. 155⟩3. More particularly speak to the severall duties according to particular cases and remedies that are called for. 4. Shew the necessity of orderly Judicial procedour here, in reference to such Scandals, as well as in reference to Scandals in practice formerly mentioned.
For Doctrines, we find here. 1. That Error, vented by these that are corrupted therewith, is no less scandalous, and no less to be accounted so, than gross practices; for it is as ready to be an occasion of stumbling, and to mar the spiritual edification and well-being of the people of God, as any scandalous practices: Which is confirmed, 1. By the consequents of Error, it destroys the soul,