A37042:389
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.
As to the first▪ There are two extremities to be shunned, which we shall lay down in two Assertions.
Assert. 1. An absolute and unlimited forbearance1 and toleration of all errors, and of the promoters thereof, is not the due remedy that is called-for in such a time, in reference to such evils. This, I suppose is clear, if there were no more in Scripture than what is comprehended in these Epistles, Rev. 2. and 3. For, 1. the Angel of Ephesus is commended, chap. 2. 2. that he could not bear or endure them that were evil, to wit, the false Apostles: This enduring then cannot be the duty, seeing Christ commendeth the contrary. 2. He doth reprove Pergamos, ver. 14. because they had such amongst them that held the doctrine of Balaam, that is, because they suffered them. And, 3. this is clearly expressed in the Epistle to Thyati•a, ver. 20▪ I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel to teach and seduce My servants. There can be nothing more clear than this; and it is the more observable, that this not-forbearing is commended in Ephesus, where ⟨p. 198⟩things in their own particular condition are not altogether right; and the other Churches are reproved for neglect of this, even when their own particular conditions are right. Which showeth, That the Lord loveth zeal against such scandals, and abhorreth forbearance of them. What was formerly said in the Doctrine, What is clear in the practice of Scripture, both in examples and commands that are given therein in reference to this, and what may be further said in the positive part of this direction, will clear this.
Assert. 1. An absolute and unlimitted forbearance1