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

3. When this is done, the Minister would be affected with his own guilt, and then his sympathy with the peoples condition will be the more lively; and he would, first, endeavour the recovery of himself, and his restoring to good terms with God through Christ Jesus. 2. As he would confess his own faults, so also the faults of the people; and as he would pray for pardon for himself, so would he do for them, who, it may be, do reproach and curse him, yet would he not cease to pray for them, having that word fresh under such a stroke, As for these sheep, Lord, what have they done? 3. There would be special dealing with God, and dependence on Him for fitness rightly to manage such a case; for, the charge becomes more heavy: God therefore should be acknowledged for obtaining suitable furniture, even in reference to that particular: And Ministers would know, that it is not their abilities, gifts, nor parts that can do this; and if we cannot speak profitably to one that is not in such a distemper, what can we do where the person is so prejudged and distempered, if the Lord do it not? Ministers therefore would […] reference to every word, unto such persons, in a •ly fear and jealousy, lest, lippening to themselves, they mar the Master's work, and stumble a poor soul rather than edify the same. 4. He would aim seriously not only at exoneration, but at edification; and for that cause would ⟨p. 214⟩begin, by dealing with God for success, and that either the Lord would immediately Himself convince or bless His furniture to him for that end; yea, He would be blithe if any mean were provided and blessed, though in another hand than his own.

3. When this is done, the Minister would be affected with his own guilt, and then his sympathy with the peoples condition will be the more lively; and he would, first, endeavour the recovery of himself, and his restoring to good tearms with God through Christ Jesus. 2. As he would confesse his own faults, so also the faults of the people; and as he would pray for pardon for himself, so would he do for them, who, it may be, do reproach and curse him, yet would he not cease to pray for them, having that word fresh under such a stroak, As for these sheep, Lord, what have they done? 3. There would be special dealing with God, and dependence on Him for fitnesse rightly to manage such a case; for, the charge becomes more heavie: God therefore should be acknowledged for obtaining suitable furniture, even in reference to that particular: And Ministers would know, that it is not their abilities, gifts, nor parts that can do this; and if we cannot speak profitably to one that is not in such a distemper, what can we do where the person is so prejudged and distempered, if the Lord do it not? Ministers therefore would reference to every word, unto such persons, in a ly fear and jealousie, lest, lippening to themselves, they mar the Master's work, and stumble a poor soul rather than edifie the same. 4. He would aim seriously not only at exoneration, but at edification; and for that cause would