A37042:666
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.
First▪ Sometimes in general, there is a dissatisfaction with the constitution of the Church, in respect ⟨p. 364⟩of the grossness of the Officers and Members1 thereof. This cannot be removed upon the one side only, because tares cannot but be in the Church, and that discernably, as Cyprian saith; it is removed then by meekness and tenderness upon the one side towards such as have withdrawn, and by their yielding to return who have withdrawn, which when it came to pass, hath been matter of gladness to all the Church. Amongst Cyprian's Epistles (Epist. 50. edit. Pameli) mention is made of Urbanus, Maximus, and others of the Church of Rome, who being Confessors and imprisoned in the time of persecution, and after their delivery finding many gross Members to be in the Church, and meeting with the doctrine of Novatus that commended separation to the godly for their more comfortable communion together, that they came to be tickled therewith, and for a time to separate from the communion of Cornelius, and others of the Clergy, pretending there could be no communion in such an evil constituted Church; but afterward, finding the great hurt that came thereby to the Church, they overcame their own affections and inclinations, and out of respect to the good of the Church, did unit, which was exceedingly welcomed by all, as their Epistle to Cyprian, and his to them, do manifest. And as their fall showeth, that it is not impossible, but that zealous Ministers, who have kept out against defection, may be overtaken with such a fault; So it giveth a sweet copy of Christian deniednesse and tenderness by others to be followed in the like case. Their words to Cyprian are worthy the observing. Nos habito consilio utilitatibus Ecclesiae, & paci magis consulentes, omnibus rebus praetermiss•s, & Judicio Dei servatis, cum Cornelio Episcopo nostro, pariter & cum universo Clero pacem fecisse, cum gaudio etiam 2universae Ecclesiae, prona etiam omnium charitate.
First▪ Sometimes in generall, there is a dissatisfaction with the constitution of the Church, in respect ⟨p. 364⟩