A37042:522
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.
2. What we would say, shall be drawn to these1 four heads. 1. To consider what division is, or of what sort it is, which is properly to be spoken of here. 2. What are the causes which do breed and foster the same. 3. What are the evil effects which ordinarily flow from it. 4. What may be thought to be duty in reference to such a time, and what may be looked upon as suitable remedies of such a distemper.
- 1The heads of the ensuing part of the Treatise.
For the first, We take it for granted, that there is such a thing as division in the Church; which is not to be looked upon as any new or strange thing; for, the Scripture maketh it clear, and the History of the Church putteth it out of question: Concerning which we may premit these few things,
1. That the division which is intended here, is not every contest, and alienation of mind, and difference of practice incident to men; but that which is proper to the Church concerning Church affairs, and so is to be distinguished from civil debates and contentions. We would advert also, that there may be Church differences that fall not under the charge of Scandal, as when in some things, men of conscience are of different judgements, yet carry it without any offence or breach of charity; Or, when in some practices there is diversity with forbearance, as was in Policarpus days, and the time of Iraeneus (about Easter matters) These we speak not unto. 2. Although sometimes titles and expressions may be used more generally and promiscuously; yet, in this discourse, we would distinguish between these three, Heresy, Schism and Division, without respect to what otherwayes useth to be done.