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

Now we may be the shorter in speaking to what is to be done in reference to particular differences, seeing much may be gathered from these generals premitted, and it is not our purpose to be particular; Yet we say,

NOw we may be the shorter in speaking to what is to be done in reference to particular differences, seing much may be gathered from these generals premitted, and it is not our purpose to be particular; Yet we say,

1. That it is the duty of such to be seeking union¹ one with another, and for that cause to be making offer of, and desiring meetings and conferences, and to be urging harmony one upon another. In that Council of Carthage, whereof Aurelius was Moderator, they did appoint Conferences to be sought for with the Donatists, although they had been long in a schism; and for that end did appoint Commissioners, ⟨p. 353⟩and did give instructions to go from place to place, and to endeavour a settlement, whereof these were a part, That their former schism and separation² should be prejudicial to none; That Ministers and Bishops should continue in their charges if otherwayes they were worthy, notwithstanding of their former separation: which is observed not to have wanted fruit in many places, as the acts and events are recorded by Balsamon. And this is according to the general rule of following peace, even when it seemeth to fly from men; And questions that may engender strife are to be avoided and fled from, when they seem to follow after men, because, as Paul saith, 2 Tim. 2. 22. &c. The servant of the Lord must not strive, &c. On this ground we find, that many of Augustine's Epistles, direct to Donatists and others, are to this purpose, craving friendly communings; and when he hath had occasion to be in cities where Donatist-Bishops were, he used to visit them, and enter conference friendly with them; and if any hope was, he wrote to others to entertain the same, as particularly may be gathered from Epist. 147. where he honourably mentioneth Promelianus in the desire of a conference; and because he knew the too great vehemency of one Evodius, though of his own side, had offended him, he did excuse it, saying amongst other things, Id hominis aetati ignoscendum est, &c. The like he also hath, Epist. 163. when he mentioneth Fortunius, whom he had conferred with, with this testimony to these he writeth to, Quantum enim arbitror difficilime potestis invenire in Episcopis vestris tam utilem animum, & voluntatem, quam in isto seen perspeximus; And therefore presseth them to entertain the begun conference, though he might not stay.