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

1. That the Lord hath a Sovereign hand therein, cannot be denied, and that in these two respects, not¹ to insist in all, 1. As it is a trial whereby both mens soundness and unsoundness have occasion to be manifested; This is asserted, 1 Cor. 11. as a reason of the necessity of schisms and divisions, as may be gathered by comparing, ver. 18, with 19. But this we insist not on▪ 2. The Lord hath a judicial hand² in it, that is, as He ordereth divisions for the just chastisement and punishment of some, even as was ⟨p. 296⟩formerly said of heresies and delusions; and to this purpose, we may consider that woe which floweth from offences unto the world, to relate especially unto divisions amongst Church-officers, as the subjoining thereof to the contention amongst the Apostles doth evince; and in the nature of it, and in respect of the consequents that follow thereon, It is indeed a woe, and a very great woe unto the world, and an evidence of the Lords displeasure; when thus in His anger, divisions come amongst Ministers or People, as it is, Lam. 4. 16. Which we will find true in these respects. 1. It looketh angry like against Ministers; for, thereby they become despicable, the Lords countenance and presence seemeth to be withdrawn, and much carnalnesse of frame, and many other evils steal in; which do both eat up much of that inward liveliness which other ways they might have, and also discompose that tranquillity and composedness of mind, which love and unity entertain, and doth propose Ministers unto people, as men destitute of that badge, whereby they may be known to be the Lords Disciples, to wit. love to one another. 2. It is often a³ great snare to many carnal Professors; for, thereby some are hardened in profanity, and become Atheists, as if all that is spoken by Ministers concerning Religion, were not to be believed; Therefore the Lord prayeth for unity, and against differences amongst His Disciples, for this cause, That the world might believe that Christ was sent by God, and that these are loved of him,