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

Sometimes also occurring dispensations in providence¹ will give occasion to this tenaciousness, as suppose there be a seeming advantage on the one side to through their point, and bear down the other without uniting, it is supposed to be conscience and prudence to make use of the same: Hence we will find in History men more or less inclinable to unite, as they apprehended their party to be more or less strong; sometimes also some singular-like stroke upon the persons names or families of eminent opposers, proveth a confirmation to the others who escape, as if their way were more approvable, and the others more remarkably condemned; for so are men ready to misinterpret the most occasional thing, which for other ends may come upon any with whom they differ. Thus Zuinglius his death did not only prove matter of insulting to Papists, but even by Luther and others was misapplied; and Carolostadius his •oul defection, afterward became an occasion to harden many, in condemning his condemning of keeping Images in Churches, though without any worship; because, upon the back of that debate, Luther had set him forth as a light, unsettled, unstable person, whose judgement was not to be valued; which accordingly falling out, made many keep up the opinion contrary to his, as if by his fall it had been ratified; And we think, that if either Chrysostom or Epiphaneus their wishes to other respectively had fallen out but upon the one side, it also might have had influence; but seeing both came to pass, we conceive that thereby the Lord would keep men from being confirmed in their differences upon such dispensations, and show himself angry at the carnalnesse of good men, even in their smallest difference on both sides.

Sometimes also occurring dispensations in providence¹ will give occasion to this tenaciousnesse, as suppose there be a seeming advantage on the one side to through their point, and bear down the other without uniting, it is supposed to be conscience and prudence to make use of the same: Hence we will find in History men more or lesse inclinable to unite, as they apprehended their party to be more or lesse strong; sometimes also some singular-like stroak upon the persons names or families of eminent opposers, proveth a confirmation to the others who escape, as if their way were more approveable, and the others more remarkably condemned; for so are men ready to misinterpret the most occasionall thing, which for other ends may come upon any with whom they differ. Thus Zuinglius his death did not only prove matter of insulting to Papists, but even by Luther and others was misapplied; and Carolostadius his oul defection, afterward became an occasion to harden many, in condemning his condemning of keeping Images in Churches, though without any worship; because, upon the back of that debate, Luther had set him forth as a light, unsettled, unstable person, whose judgement was not to be valued; which accordingly falling out, made many keep up the opinion contrary to his, as if by his fall it had been ratified; And we think, that if either Chrysostome or Epiphaneus their wishes to other respectively had fallen out but upon the one side, it also might have had influence; but seing both came to passe, we conceive that thereby the Lord would keep men from being confirmed in their differences upon such dispensations, and shew himself angry at the carnalnesse of good men, even in their smallest difference on both sides.