A37042:602
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.
Rule 3. Men may keep communion with a Church, when their calling leadeth them thereto upon the one side, and they have access to the discharge of the same upon the other; this also followeth upon the former: for, if some acts of a mans station lead him to an united way of acting, (as the duties of a fixed Minister do) then he is obliged to follow the duties of his calling, whilst there is no physical or moral impediment barring him in the same, and others being defective in their duty, will not absolve him from his, which he oweth by virtue of his station.
Rule 3. Men may keep communion with a Church, when their calling leadeth them thereto upon the one side, and they have accesse to the discharge of the same upon the other; this also followeth upon the former: for, if some acts of a mans station lead him to an united way of acting, (as the duties of a fixed Minister do) then he is obleiged to follow the duties of his calling, whilst there is no physicall or morall impediment barring him in the same, and others being defective in their duty, will not absolve him from his, which he oweth by vertue of his station.
Rule 4. While the general rules tending to edification in the main are acknowledged, union is to be kept, even though there be much failing in the application; because, so there are fit weapons to make use of, and who knoweth but single and zealous improving of them, may help the application thereof; and if there be a failing therein, it is the persons deed, that by his vote so misapplieth, and doth not involve any other in that guilt, beside that by joint and united acting much of that misapplication may through Gods blessing be prevented.
Rule 4. While the generall rules tending to edification in the main are acknowledged, union is to be keeped, even though there be much failing in the application; because, so there are fit weapons to make use of, and who knoweth but single and zealous improving of them, may help the application thereof; and if there be a failing therein, it is the persons deed, that by his vote so misapplyeth, and doth not involve any other in that guilt, beside that by joynt and united acting much of that misapplication may through Gods blessing be prevented.