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

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 ⟨p. 332⟩men, and such like: In which cases, we say, (and it will be found from History) That it had been ever better for the Church, that either side had practically condescended to suffer the other to rule and govern, and personally to have kept themselves free from accession to their guilt, whether of crookedness negligence, or the like, than to have raised or entertained divisions upon such accounts. For, often orthodox, and otherwayes blameless men, have b•en made, by such divisions, factious and carnal in their carriage, and much unuseful; who otherwayes, had they been free of that tentation, might have proved sober, and profitable; and, when the tentation was over, were found to be such.

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 keeped 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 errour in some lesser point of Truth; And, in such a case, it is that great Augustines word, Disputable errours, 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