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

6. People would endeavour exceedingly to have good esteem of their Ministers and Guides, and to be diligent and reverent observers of all Ordinances, especially at such a time; for, Ministers are Guides, Heb. 13. 17. And Ordinances are appointed to keep people from being staggered, Eph. 4. 11, 12, 13, 14. and it is to such that the Bride is directed, to wit, to keep near the shepherds tents, for being preserved from wandering, Song 1. 9. And the more that the devil driveth to bear-in prejudice at Ministers, and blast the Ordinances in their repute, the more are people to wrestle against that, and, in some respect, to be more blind and deaf to what may be seen and heard ⟨p. 261⟩concerning Ministers faults, not so much for the Ministers respect, as their own good: Therefore the Apostle giveth this reason for his pressing of obedience and submission to Ministers, Heb. 13. 17. because the want of that, was not only prejudicial to the Minister, but unprofitable to themselves.

7. People would have an eye upon the way that faithful and eminently godly men have gone to Heaven by, before them; This is to follow the foot-steps of the flock, Song. 1. 9. and the faith and patience of those that inherit the promises, Heb. 6. 12. and readily we will find such to be most sober and serious, and farthest at a distance from novelty, curiosity, or absurd opinions. And it's no little part of the boldness and impudency that often accompanieth new delusions, that they generally condemn the generation of Gods People, as if no way were to Heaven but by their vain inventions, this will be no little stick to a tender mind, at once to condemn the Religion and practice of such a cloud of witnesses.