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

it is better therefore to try these by the common account that the Godly and Learned have ⟨p. 205⟩had in all times of such truths, if there hath been still difference, and yet moderation in these differences; Nor would this be tried only by an age or time (wherein a point may be more agitate than at another time) but more generally, especially when the arguments on either side want that evidence that the reasons brought for other truths have, and are so fully set down in Scripture, That amongst godly and learned men in all ages there hath been a general consent.

it is better therefore to try these by the common account that the Godly and Learned have ⟨p. 205⟩had in all times of such truthes, if there hath been still difference, and yet moderation in these differences; Nor would this be tryed onely by an age or time (wherein a point may be more agitate than at another time) but more generally, especially when the arguments on either side want that evidence that the reasons brought for other truths have, and are so fully set down in Scripture, That amongst godly and learned men in all ages there hath been a generall consent.

Again, 3. We would distinguish betwixt errors and the consequents of them, or practices following thereupon; there may be somethings truly errors that may and should be forborne in themselves, yet their consequents ought not to be forborne, and this also may be at one time, and in one Church more necessary to be adverted to, than in another, because consequents of schism, faction, division, &c. may sometimes follow on the meanest errors. And seeing these are always enemies to edification, even when they arise from the least ground, they are never absolutely to be forborne; for▪ to say, I am of Paul, and I am of Apollos, and for one to think such a man a better Preacher than an other, seemeth to be no great matter; yet when it beginneth to rent them, and to make factions in Corinth, it is not to be forborne, but to be reproved: And in the former difference of meats, the Apostle condemneth always the offence and Schism that followed on it, although he did not peremptorily decide any thing as to mens practices, or censure for the opinion it self: thus one might think the first day of the week not to be Jure Divino, and this might possibly be forborne, But if he were pressing the change of it, and refusing to observe it, or venting it to offend others, that were intolerable; thus the differences and errors concerning Church-government by Bishops, and in the Congregational way, may, we conceive, in themselves be forborne in persons where they are not vented to the