A37042:514
The dying man's testament to the Church of Scotland, or, A treatise concerning scandal…
The dying man's testament to the Church of Scotland, or, A treatise concerning scandal divided into four parts ... : in each of which there are not a few choice and useful questions, very shortly and satisfyingly discussed and cleared / by ... Mr. James Durham ... who being dead (by this) yet speaketh ; and published by John Carstares ... ; to which is prefixed an excellent preface of famous Mr. Blair ... ; together with a table of the contents of the several chapters of each part.
Edinburgh: printed by Christopher Higgins, 1659
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. The dreadful effects which such ills necessarily bring with them, may be considered; it is not ruin to bodies or estates, but to souls; it is not simply to sin, and to permit that, but its rebellion; and which is more, It is to teach rebellion, and to carry on the same with a high hand against God; and what will stir zeal for God, or what will waken love to, and sympathy with, the souls of others, if this do not?
3. The dreadfull effects which such ills necessarily bring with them, may be considered; it is not ruine to bodies or estates, but to souls; it is not simply to sin, and to permit that, but its rebellion; and which is more, It is to teach rebellion, and to carry on the same with a high hand against God; and what will stir zeal for God, or what will waken love to, and sympathie with, the souls of others, if this do not?
4. It would be considered, how often zeal, diligence and faithfulness of men in their several places (as hath been laid down) have proved exceeding helpful for preventing and restraining the growth of such evils, so that thereby such a •loud hath been dried up, as it is Rev. 12. which otherwayes might have drowned the Woman and her seed; and, Matth. 13. it is marked, that such tares are sown and spring up, not while men are watchful and diligent, but while they sleep and are defective in their duty, ⟨p. 269⟩ver. 25. for, diligence in the use of means, hath the blessing promised which others cannot expect; and if wrath be come to such an height, as the Lord will not be entreated in that matter, yet the person that is diligent may look for his own soul for a prey, and to be kept on his feet in the midst of tentations.
4. It would be considered, how often zeal, diligence and faithfulnesse of men in their several places (as hath been laid down) have proved exceeding helpfull for preventing and restraining the growth of such evils, so that thereby such a loud hath been dryed up, as it is