A37042:357
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.
there is dexterity, quickness and nimbleness in starting of doubts, wresting of Scripture, &c. as is said; and there is a sort of patience in enduring, boldness and confidence in attempting, and some success, as in the case of the false Prophets against Micajah, 1 King. 22. and against Jeremiah, Jer▪ 29. When, I say, corrupt instruments are fitted by these and such like means, it is probable, that the Lord intendeth something by them which they themselves do not mind. 6. It is judicial-like, when it trysteth on the back of a peoples having the truth, and being unfruitful under it, because, so it speaketh out the very end of its appearing, especially, if there be in people an itching-new-fanglnesse after novelties, and if there have been needless and affected stirrings and questionings about lesser truths, If then greater delusion come, it doth look judicial-like, as being a stroke for their former unsettledness; this is to give men up to heap up teachers to themselves, that have itching ears, 2 Tim. 4. 3. and this is, to give men teachers according to their own hearts, that there may be like people like priests, which is often threatened by the Lord. And thus of old, when the people began to miscarry in the wilderness, in reference to the second Command, He gave them up to worship the host of heaven, and to miscarry in the first, as is mentioned, Acts 7. 41. 7. It appeareth to be judicial indeed when it doth hurt, either by corrupting of truth, or ma•ing of unity, or wakening of divisions, &c. which a•e consequents of the first four trumpets that bring spiritual plagues, Rev. 8. These and such like characters ⟨p. 180⟩may sufficiently convince that the Lord is angry.
there is dexterity, quicknesse and nimblnesse in starting of doubts, wresting of Scripture, &c. as is said; and there is a sort of patience in enduring, boldnesse and confidence in attempting, and some successe, as in the case of the false Prophets against Micajah,