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

The first, is, concerning the spreading and increase of Error, and that of the most unreasonable and absurd Errors, even in the Primitive times. The second is, anent the Lords detesting of it, so that the very suffering of the spreaders of it, is hateful to Him in His Angels and Churches, that otherwise are approvable for their own particular carriages, as in Pergamos; and their not enduring thereof is commendable, even when their own inward condition is not altogether approvable, as may be seen in Ephesus. The third is, how that sometimes there may be ⟨p. 158⟩fainting, as to zealous restraining of Error, even in men that are not the worst.

The first, is, concerning the spreading and increase of Errour, and that of the most unreasonable and absurd Errours, even in the Primitive times. The second is, anent the Lords detesting of it, so that the very suffering of the spreaders of it, is hatefull to Him in His Angels and Churches, that otherwise are approvable for their own particular carriages, as in Pergamos; and their not induring thereof is commendable, even when their own inward condition is not altogether approvable, as may be seen in Ephe•us. The third is, how that sometimes there may be ⟨p. 158⟩fainting, as to zealous restraining of Errour, even in men that are not the worst.

For the first, Can it but be thought strange that delusion¹ should come to this height so soon: and it may make all to tremble at the impetuousness thereof, 1. It is a most foul absurd error, this of the Nicolaitans, even against natures light. 2. It spreadeth and increaseth in several persons and Churches: and Church story doth show that it abounded, and no less is insinuated in these Epistles. 3. That it spreadeth not only among heathens, but in the Church, and among Christs Servants, who are seduced therewith; which showeth, that even some of note were carried away with it. 4. This is in the Churches most pure times, some of the Apostles (at least John) being yet alive when this was vented. 5. It is carried-on by despicable instruments in comparison of others, a woman calling her self a prophetess, some fellows calling themselves Apostles and new lights, that men would think, should rather have been counted distracted, than to have been so reverenced. 6. This is done against the testimony of their own faithful Ministers, and in such Churches where God had witnesses keeping themselves from that evil, yea, where many Professors were in that respect pure, yet others are following that error, receiving and reverencing these seducers more than any faithful Pastors. 7. This is done where there neither wanted light nor authority to convince them; for, no question, both were, as may be gathered from the trial of these in Ephesus; yea, John writeth from the Lords own mouth to confute them; and though there could be no exception against the application of his Doctrine, yet it was adhered to for many years after that. 8. John or some other Apostle was the instrument to convert them from Paganism to Christianity, yet, now can he not recover them from a foul error in Christianity when they are bewitched therewith: and though