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

Assert. 2. Although we dare not altogether say it's¹ impossible, yet we think that it is more rare for a Believer to fall in gross errors, and for any considerable time to continue therein, so as to be accounted an Heretic, than in other scandalous practices. For, 1. The Scripture doth more rarely mention this, than other sins of Believers, which are more frequently recorded. 2. There are very special promises for preserving of the Elect from being seduced by false christs and false teachers: and though it do not hold universally in all particulars, except in as far as reaches their everlasting state; yet it may be extended in some good measure, even to seduction it self; and we suppose may be more clear from these considerations, 1. Becoming erroneous in such a manner, doth not proceed from some sudden surprising-fit of tentation, as gross practices oftentimes may do; but it implieth a deliberateness therein, which is not so readily incident to a Believer, and it cannot so well be called a sin of infirmity; and therefore the Scripture doth ever set out such teachers of false doctrine as most abominable, to wit, as not serving the Lord Christ, but their own bellies, Rom. 16. 18. as being enemies to the cross of Christ, Phil. 3. 19. as being ministers of Satan, 2 Cor. 11. 15. Other men (as it were) that are unrenewed, are common subjects and servants to the devil; but corrupt teachers they are apostles to him, and prime officers in his kingdom: These titles, and such like, cannot well be applicable to Saints in respect of their infirmities; and therefore, we think, that (at least) it is more rarely incident to them, to be carriers on and promoters ⟨p. 166⟩of corrupt doctrine. 2. It appeareth from this, that an Heretic is said to be self-condemned, Tit. 3. 1•. because ere one can be so denominated, there must be a rejecting of admonitions, which stands not so very well with the nature of a Saint. 3. This consideration will also make it evident, that the Scripture speaketh of repentance of, and recovery from corrupt doctrine, as a very rare and uncertain thing,