A37042:524
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.
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.
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 dayes, 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, Heresie, Schism and Division, without respect to what otherwayes useth to be done.
And, first, Heresy, is some error in doctrine, and1 that especially in fundamental doctrine, followed with pertinacie, and endeavour to propagate the ⟨p. 273⟩same. Again, Schism may be where no heresy in doctrine is, but is a breaking of the union of the Church, and that communion which ought to be amongst the Members thereof, and is either in Government or Worship. As, first, in Government, when the common Government, whereto all ought to be subject, is rent, and a Government distinct, set up. This may be, either when the Government is altered as, suppose some should set up Episcopacy in opposition