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

2. In carrying on such meetings, respect would be¹ had to union in the ordering of every circumstance; as in the persons chosen, that they may be men inclined to peace, respected by the other party concerned in ⟨p. 354⟩the Churches differences, and free of the suspicions formerly hinted, and such like, lest by an intended union there follow a greater rent and division, as oftentimes hath been seen in conferences amongst dissentient men. Here also a special respect would be had to the expressing of mutual benevolence in words and carriages, lest some hard impression seize on men at the entry. Choice also would be made of the subject first to be spoken of; as what may be thought most subject to mistake, heat or contention, would be left to the last place; and what may be conceived more plausible-like to both, would be begun at, that it may be rather known wherein men agree, than wherein they differ, at the entry at least. Possibly also union in fundamental things, being accorded unto, it may make way for moderating affections in other things less fundamental. This method was ever urged by Bucer, Beza and other Reformers, who kept conferences at first with the Lutheran party; because, beginning at some point of Doctrine, or particular in practice, wherein the difference is highest, doth often at the entry rifle mens humours▪ and break off conferences abruptly with the more heat, as experience in these debates at that time did make too too manifest.

2. In carrying on such meetings, respect would be¹ had to union in the ordering of every circumstance; as in the persons chosen, that they may be men inclined to peace, respected by the other party concerned in ⟨p. 354⟩the Churches differences, and free of the suspicions formerly hinted, and such like, lest by an intended union there follow a greater rent and division, as oftentimes hath been seen in conferences amongst dissentient men. Here also a speciall respect would be had to the expressing of mutuall benevolence in words and carriages, lest some hard impression seize on men at the entry. Choise also would be made of the subject first to be spoken of; as what may be thought most subject to mistake, heat or contention, would be left to the last place; and what may be conceived more plausible-like to both, would be begun at, that it may be rather known wherein men agree, than wherein they differ, at the entry at least. Possibly also union in fundamentall things, being accorded unto, it may make way for moderating affections in other things lesse fundamentall. This method was ever urged by Bucer, Beza and other Reformers, who keeped conferences at first with the Lutheran party; because, beginning at some point of Doctrine, or particular in practice, wherein the difference is highest, doth often at the entry rifle mens humours and break off conferences abruptly with the more heat, as experience in these debates at that time did make too too manifest.