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

1. Because Church-union amongst Church-men is no civil bargain to use prigging therein, but what is possible is duty out of obedience to God, who commandeth peace in other things (and so, much more in this) as far as is possible, or as in men lies. And, 2. because respect is to be had to the Churches good, ⟨p. 331⟩whose advantage we should seek, even though others were defective; and often such condescending gaineth more for the advantage of the Church, and commendation of the party condescending, than if there had been more sticking, as we may see in that praiseworthy instance of Basilius his carriage, who stuck on nothing, but absolutely did lay by what was contended-for, without respect to his own right or injury, for the Churches good. And oftentimes it's one party their waiting for the others condescension, or taking occasion from their tenaciousness to stick, that doth keep the distance at a height.

1. Because Church-union amongst Church-men is no civil bargain to use prigging therein, but what is possible is duty out of obedience to God, who commandeth peace in other things (and so, much more in this) as far as is possible, or as in men lyes. And, 2. because respect is to be had to the Churches good, ⟨p. 331⟩whose advantage we should seek, even though others were defective; and often such condescending gaineth more for the advantage of the Church, and commendation of the party condescending, than if there had been more sticking, as we may see in that praiseworthy instance of Basilius his carriage, who stuck on nothing, but absolutely did lay by what was contended-for, without respect to his own right or injury, for the Churches good. And oftentimes it's one party their waiting for the others condescension, or taking occasion from their tenaciousnesse to stick, that doth keep the distance at a height.

6. Oftentimes in such debates as are amongst orthodox Divines and Ministers, it seemeth they might be removed if one party should condescend according to the qualifications and cautions formerly laid down; yea, it seemeth it were safer for the Churches good in such a case, that either party should practically condescend to the way of the other, than that division should be kept up upon such grounds. For, 1. It is not supposed here, that there is any matter of faith in question, amongst such, often there was full harmony in the Confessions of Faith, as in the instances cited. 2. There is no question for Government simply, nor for Councils and Canons, these also were acknowledged; none did disclaim the general Councils, nor their acts. 3. The question often is not amongst them, Whether others should be brought to their opinion or not, I mean as to the stick of the division; But often it is either, 1. upon some mistaken expression of another, or error in some lesser point of Truth; And, in such a case, it is that great Augustine's word, Disputable errors, or uncertain faults, are not in their pursuit to be preferred to certain peace. Or, 2. it is for some particular act of Government, or other miscarriages by misapplying of rules, or not walking according to them, or something of that kind, as was in contrary Ordinations of orthodox