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

As these again that were opposite to Chrysostom of the Clergy, did take no little advantage of that discontent, which they knew the Empress had at him. Or on the other side, they are sometimes accessory by weakening Government, and giving men access to do what they will: when Basilius hath regretted the great differences of the Church in Julian, and Valens their times, and setting himself to find out the cause thereof, he settleth on this word in the Book of the Judges, In those days there was no King in Israel, every man did what seemed good in his own eyes: which ⟨p. 304⟩he doth not speak simply, as if there had been no Government; but that by such as was, no course was taken, as the calling of Synods, or such like means, to restrain such things, but rather they were entertained. 4. Sometimes also the peoples engaging¹ and siding in such differences, hath no little influence to heighten and lengthen the same; hence we find that in some debates, wherein Church-men have been alone engaged, there hath been some stop; but when it hath increased, to the stating of parties amongst the people, it hath ever been more difficult; because so Ministers were the more encouraged and engaged to be tenacious; yea sometimes fear of displeasing the people that adhered to them, hath not wanted its weight. Also, so it turned more easily to schism and faction in practice, when one part of the people would only call such a man of their Judgement; another part of the people, such another man of theirs; whereupon followed great dissentions and factiousness in Elections, and opposite ordinations, by Bishops of several judgements: Whereupon followed, 1. a rent in that particular Church; one part withdrawing with their Bishop and Minister, and the other part with theirs, and neither keeping communion with, but seeking to overturn one another. And, 2. a rent among neighbouring Bishops and Ministers, according as they were pleased to admit either side to their communion, and acknowledge or condemn either of the opposite ordinations. And, 3. Often also, there followed opposite and eager applications² to the supreme Magistrates and Emperor, to have their own respective Elections ratified, and that which was opposite, by his Authority, crushed; which often hath been followed with much bitterness, and sometimes not without calumnies against good men;