A37042:387
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 7: What is called-for as duty in such a case.
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 resteth now that we should consider what is duty in such a time, or case, when delusion in less or more doth prevail, or is very like to prevail? It cannot be denied, but that something is called for, and is necessary where the danger is so great; and also it is evident, that something more than ordinary ⟨p. 197⟩is necessary, because the ill is more than ordinary. The remedy therefore must be proportionable and timous; for, a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, Gal. 5. […]. And experience proveth, that such ills do fret and corrupt, as doth a gangrene, 2 Tim. 2. 17. The difficulty is in determining what is to be done, wherein, not only the piety, zeal and conscience of men will have exercise, but also their prudence and parts.
IT resteth now that we should consider what is duty in such a time, or case, when delusion in lesse or more doth prevail, or is very like to prevail? It cannot be denied, but that something is calledfor, and is necessary where the danger is so great; and also it is evident, that something more than ordinary ⟨p. 197⟩is necessary, because the ill is more than ordinary. The remedy therefore must be proportionable and timous; for, a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, Gal. 5. 〈…〉. And experience proveth, that such ills do fret and corrupt, as doth a gangrene, 2 Tim. 2. 17. The difficulty is in determining what is to be done, wherein, not only the piety, zeal and conscience of men will have exercise, but also their prudence and parts.
The loosing of this question will relate to three ranks of men. 1. To Church-officers, especially to Ministers. 2. To Magistrates. 3. To people in private stations. Yet before we positively say any thing, We shall, 1. show what is not the remedy called-for. 2. We shall show what is called-for, but is not sufficient. 3. What seemeth to be called-for as sufficient.