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

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.

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 Godlinesse, and, by all means, would eschew jangling debates in unnecessary things, knowing that that is a piece of the enemies subtility, 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 livelinesse, 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 prophanity, but by degrees; So is it in corrupt doctrines: and therefore there is warinesse called-for here in debating or questioning the meanest Truth, if any Truth be mean.

5. If any thing be really doubted of, means would be used in a sober prudent way for attaining information, either by providing and reading of some fit Book, wherein often reasons are more deliberate and full, and may be more deliberately studied and digested than in a transient discourse; but in this, special respect would be had to a right choice, and for that cause the judgments of such as are sound and able to discern, would be followed in this; or, where God giveth occasion, it may be done in sober and christian conference with others of ability and integrity, especially with Ministers, who ought neither to decline, nor rashly misconstrue the same, but affectionately and tenderly to welcome any such sober persons, lest they be provoked to consult with others, who may prove Physicians of no value. In this, people would not express their doubts in all companies at random, nor to, or before, such as may possibly more easily take up the doubt, and with more difficulty be brought off; when therefore such a doubt is to be moved, the party and the time would be deliberately chosen, that men may be serious therein, and no doubt, would be moved for debate, but either such as the mover can himself loose, or in such company where he may expect to have it loosed.