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

3. People would try in what terms themselves are with God, and if things inwardly be in good case, if there be any guiltiness procuring, or disposing for the same plague, such as little love to the truth, little study of the knowledge of the truth, little zeal against error, or sympathy with infected Churches that are at a distance, laughing, it may be, at such things without any other use making thereof, little prayer for others, or exhorting or admonishing of them, (which is a mean for preventing of unsteadfastness) little endeavour, according to mens places, to have others instructed, or to have faithful▪ able, and godly Ministers for that end; but, it may be, on the contrary, much spiritual pride, self-conceitedness, tenaciousness, and addictedness to our own wills and opinions, prejudice at able and faithful Teachers, and readiness to hear every thing, and every person. These, and such like, may be tried, and when found, ought to be mourned for, as causes of humiliation to them for their accession to such a plague.

3. People would try in what tearms themselves are with God, and if things inwardly be in good case, if there be any guiltinesse procuring, or disposing for the same plague, such as little love to the truth, little study of the knowledge of the truth, little zeal against errour, or simpathy with infected Churches that are at a distance, laughing, it may be, at such things without any other use making thereof, little prayer for others, or exhorting or admonishing of them, (which is a mean for preventing of unstedfastnesse) little indeavour, according to mens places, to have others instructed, or to have faithfull▪ able, and godly Ministers for that end; but, it may be, on the contrary, much spiritual pride, self-conceitednesse, tenaciousnesse, and addictednesse to our own wills and opinions, prejudice at able and faithful Teachers, and readinesse to hear every thing, and every person. These, and such like, may be tried, and when found, ought to be mourned for, as causes of humiliation to them for their accession to such a plague.

4. They would endeavour the strengthening and confirming of themselves in the knowledge of necessary Truths, and would exercise themselves in the practice of uncontroverted Godliness, and, by all means, would eschew jangling debates in unnecessary things, knowing that that is a piece of the enemies subtlety, once to engage, if it were but in the meanest thing; for, thereby he doth not only divert from more necessary things, and weareth away liveliness, but doth dispose for greater things, as was formerly marked in his method of dealing: For, as in corrupt practices, men are not at first brought to an height of profanity, but by degrees; So is it in corrupt doctrines: and therefore there is wariness called-for here in debating or questioning the meanest Truth, if any Truth be mean.