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

and we see, that the Apostles used this way unto Churches and People, to confute material errors in writ, and so also to confirm the truth against all cavils of adversaries, even as they did it by word of mouth and preaching.

and we see, that the Apostles used this way unto Churches and People, to confute materiall errours in writ, and so also to confirm the truth against all cavils of adversaries, even as they did it by word of mouth and preaching.

3. In all this, the Minister would take good heed to his manner of proceeding, that it be grave, weighty, serious, loving, and in every thing such as may convince the people, 1. Of his own seriousness, and being much affected with such a business, Therefore light and mocking expressions would be shunned, but the Minister would be affectionate and serious, like one travelling in birth, while Christ be ⟨p. 219⟩formed in them again, as Paul speaketh, Gal. 4. 19. 2. To convince them of the evil of the thing, and for that cause would so carry, as he may make error also hateful and loathsome to the people, as any scandalous practice whatsoever; for which cause Ministers would rather endeavour to stir the peoples zeal against such evils, by grave, convincing, affectionate expressions regrates or expostulations, than to move their laughter with trivial mock• or taunts, in reference to such principles or persons; for, (as holy Master Greenham used to say) that doth but make sin ridiculous, when it ought to be made hateful. 3. He would endeavour to convince them of his singleness in seeking of their good, and of love to them, and pity to these that are misled; for which cause any thing that may make him be supposed to resent personal reproaches or indignities, or aim at upholding of his own credit, or to vent bitterness against the persons of others, would be carefully abstained from: for, these things derogate much from the weight of what a Minister can do; and we see the great Apostle Paul, doth not stick to condescend in such cases to vindicate himself from such mistakes, and to use great expressions of love, yea, sometimes to attest God as to the sincerity of his professions, and such like, which are frequent in the Epistles to the Corinthians and Galatians, which may be an example to Ministers in such caes. 4. Their whole carriage would be affectionate, even to the persons of opposers; for, nothing prejudgeth more, than for a Minister to be thought carnal and passionate, whereas tender dealing and usage to persons and to their outward estates, doth prove as coals of fire to soften them, as in experience is found; however its becoming of a Minister; yet it is to be done without marring zeal and indignation against their errors, and without prejudice to his seeking to censure them for these, or his restraining them from venting of the same.