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

CHAP. XI. What is to be done in closing doctrinal differences.

1. For doctrinal differences of judgment, there are three ways to close them; (it is to be adverted, that the difference is not supposed to be in any fundamental thing) First, By sober and¹ serious conference, one party may bring another to the same judgment with them; or, both parties may quit something of extremities, and join in a middle opinion. This is the most solid union, when men come to think and speak the same thing, and sometime hath been attained. Yet concerning this, we say, 1. That all union is not to depend on this, as hath been said. 2. It hath been very rarely attained, especially when difference hath spread and rooted it self by debating and contradiction, seeing even good men have both infirmity and corruption. 3. We say, that public dispute, either by word or writ, hath never proven very useful, even amongst good men, to attain this end, But ordinarily such debates have heightened the controversy, and engaged men more; so that if any thing prevail towards this, it is friendly, familiar conferences opening truth, rather than formal stated disputations; because in such, men are (as it were) upon their guard, and fully do exercise their wit; in the other, there is more access to inform the judgment, by a loving, grave, serious manner of speaking of the truth, and that privately to others, especially to such as are of reputation for parts and ability, and that it be not done in vain, as Paul hath it, Gal. 2. 2. And it's observable that he speaketh this in reference to his way, when he intended the evidencing of his agreement with the chief Apostles in the matter of doctrine. Also we find meekness and instructing put together, when there is any expectation to recover ⟨p. 358⟩one from a difference, 2 Tim. 2. 15. and convincing or disputing is more especially applicable to these of whom there is little hope, out of respect to the edification of others. Hence we find the Apostles disputing with false teachers in some points of truth, but rather entreating and exhorting Believers to have peace amongst themselves, notwithstanding of lesser differences.