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

2. There are some things wherein particularly he would insist and seek to have born in upon the people. As, 1. to have them sensible of the evil of error, and of the hazard that cometh by it, also of the devils subtlety and craft in carrying on of such a business. 2. To have them instructed and cleared in the truths of the Gospel, especially in such things as are controverted, that the errors and consequents following thereon, may be made as obviously clear and hateful as may be. 3 This would be done so as they be not diverted from practice in the main duties of godliness by any speculation; but, searching, up-stirring and material Doctrines, with powerful and convincing applications of all kinds, would be in a special manner pressed then, as we see in these directions to Timothy and Titus is clear: where, upon the one side, the taking head to fables and vain janglings is dehorted from, and convincing, exhorting▪ ⟨p. 218⟩reproving with all authority, pressing of good works, and exercising to godliness, are, on the other side exhorted unto. 4. People would be pressed by all means, to eschew snares and the company of seducers, which was both our Lords practice, and the practice of His Apostles. There is no duty more frequently pressed than that: It is true, this is sometimes mistaken by people, yet it is the duty of Ministers to press it; yea, they are charged to charge others in reference to this, as in the 1. to Tim. 4. 11. and 6. 13. being compared with the directions that are given in these Epistles. 5. It may be it were not unmeet in such a time, that something were done in writ, for clearing of these things which are especially controverted, and that some in particular might be designed for this part of the work: for, often seducers spread their errors by writ, as we may in see in Jer. 29. 25. And sometimes there will be access to instruct and edify by writ, when it cannot be done by word, yea, so, some persons may have objections moved and answered to them, before they be confirmed in such and such opinions, which possibly they would have thought shame to move till they had settled in them; and so have been in a greater prejudice against the truth, and in a greater incapacity to be gained from them;

2. There are some things wherein particularly he would insist and seek to have born in upon the people. As, 1. to have them sensible of the evil of errour, and of the hazard that cometh by it, also of the devils subtilty and craft in carrying on of such a businesse. 2. To have them instructed and cleared in the truths of the Gospel, especially in such things as are controverted, that the errours and consequents following thereon, may be made as obviously clear and hatefull as may be. 3 This would be done so as they be not diverted from practice in the main duties of godlinesse by any speculation; but, searching, up-stirring and materiall Doctrines, with powerfull and convincing applications of all kinds, would be in a speciall manner pressed then, as we see in these directions to Timothy and Titus is clear: where, upon the one side, the taking head to fables and vain janglings is dehorted from, and convincing, exhorting