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

Thirdly, we premit, That in endeavouring union¹ and healing, men would not straiten it to an universal union in every thing, in judgement and practice, but would resolve to have it with many things defective that need forbearance in persons that are united, which me may take up in these particulars. 1. There may be difference of judgement in many things, I mean in such things that are consistent with the foundation, and edification; and such a forbearance ⟨p. 318⟩would be resolved upon, and to do otherwayes, were to think that either men had no reason at all, or that their understandings were perfect, or at least of equal reach. 2. There may be dissatisfaction with many persons, whether Officers or Members; and to expect a Church free of unworthy Officers, or Members, and to defer Church union thereupon, is to expect the barn-floor shall be without chaff, and to frustrate the many commands whereby this duty is pressed; for, so this command should be obligatory to no Church, but that that is triumphant; yet certainly our Lord Jesus gave this command to His Disciples when Judas was amongst them; and Paul gave it and practised it, when some preached out of envy, Philip. 1. and when almost all sought their own things, and not the things of Christ: And certainly, if people ought to carry even to corrupt Ministers who yet destroy not the foundation, as Ministers, in the duties that becomes them to Ministers in communion with them, while they continue such, Then certainly Ministers ought to keep that communion with Ministers, that becometh their relations, seeing they are still Ministers in that respect, as well as in the other. And if this corruption will not warrant separation in other Ordinances, as was said in the close of the second part, Then neither will it warrant division in the ordinance of government. 3. It may also be consistent with many particular failings, and defects in the exercise of government, as possibly the sparing of some corrupt O•cers and Members; yea, the Censuring of some unjustly, or the admission of some that are unfit for the Ministry, and such like: These indeed are faults, but they are not such as make a Church to be no Church;

Thirdly, we premit, That in endeavouring union