A37042:641
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.
1. All things that contribute to weaken the repute1 of others, or to beget an hard impression of them in our selves or in others, in the general, would be forborne; such as telling of reproachful reports, even though they be true, much more if they be but reported, ⟨p. 346⟩yea, or the hearing of such with any delight, endeavouring to waken up discontents in others against opposites, by such informations, solicitations and the like. These are condemned in private mens carriages, and are the causes of continuing such differences (for, where no tale-bearer is, strife ceaseth, Prov. 26.) much more amongst Ministers who ought not to walk as men. Also good heed would be taken to such as may have influence on advices, counsels and resolutions to that purpose, lest underhand-whisperers, who really may mind some further alteration in the Church, and may really be embittered at honest men for their honesty, should yet insinuate themselves with eminent men on both sides, and so carry2 on the division, and disappoint the union; As for instance, Some, not altogether purged from drianism, and embittered at honest Bishops, as Athanasius, Osius, and others, did steal in upon the one side of a debate, and held on the controversy against faithful men; So Epiphanius was entangled by Theophilus of Alexandria to oppose Chrysostom upon pretext of another difference; Sometimes again, on the other side, such as inclined to the Novatians, wanted not influence to strengthen the opposite party, and to keep them at a greater distance from the other, as being gross in receiving Traditores (as they called them) unto their society. Sometimes men justly censured, or fearing censure from faithful Bishops, did spread calumnies against them, and made them odious, under pretext of their pride, arrogance, unsoundness and such like, even unto other orthodox men; Sometimes again, time-serving men, by flattering Magistrates did execute their revenge against faithful Bishops, by keeping up Divisions against them, driving on Sentences of Deposition, and such like, under pretext of other faults;
1. All things that contribute to weaken the repute1