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

And if Church-censures (such as the enjoining of public repentance, or acknowledgement of an offence, are) be to be abstained from, even in reference to open corrupt teachers sometimes for respect to the union of the Church, and for the preventing the stumbling of those that are weak, and prone to divide or miscarry (if such should be censured) as we see in Paul's abstaining to censure the false teachers, Gal. 5. and 2 Cor. 10. (spoken to in the former part) much more are Censures of any sort to be abstained from upon that ground, in the case proposed, as it is considered in its matter and persons differing. Hence we may find what condescendence hath been formerly used in such cases, when union hath been closed, or proposed to be closed, (in matters possibly of greater moment than are supposed) Sine detrimento honoris, aut charitatis, that is, without prejudice to reputation, or charity. 6. We therefore say in opposition to that objection, That union is to be studied, by endeavouring to join in what is for the good of the Church, and by burying the resentment of each others wrongs, rather than (as Beza saith in that forecited Epistle to Grindal concerning division) There should be too curious, and, as it were, contention-affecting enquiry made, who is most in the wrong, and thereby a bringing the matter to that pass, that the whole body cannot be saved, but by cutting off of some members. 7. We add▪ If repentance be necessary, will any think that division is the way or mean to attain the same, which doth embitter and confirm men in their opinion and opposition respectively, as formerly hath been said?

And if Church-censures (such as the enjoyning of publick repentance, or acknowledgment of an offence, are) be to be abstained from, even in reference to open corrupt teachers sometimes for respect to the union of the Church, and for the preventing the stumbling of those that are weak, and prone to divide or miscarry (if such should be censured) as we see in Paul's abstaining to censure the false teachers, Gal. 5. and 2 Cor. 10. (spoken to in the former part) much more are Censures of any sort to be abstained from upon that ground, in the case proposed, as it is considered in its matter and persons differing. Hence we may find what condescendence hath been formerly used in such cases, when union hath been closed, or proposed to be closed, (in matters possibly of greater moment than are supposed) Sine detrimento honoris, aut charitatis, that is, without prejudice to reputation, or charity. 6. We therefore say in opposition to that objection, That union is to be studied, by endeavouring to joyn in what is for the good of the Church, and by burying the resentment of each others wrongs, rather than (as Beza saith in that forecited Epistle to Grindal concerning division) There should be too curious, and, as it were, contention-affecting enquiry made, who is most in the wrong, and thereby a bringing the matter to that passe, that the whole body cannot be saved, but by cutting off of some members. 7. We adde If repentance be necessary, will any think that division is the way or mean to attain the same, which doth imbitter and confirm men in their opinion and opposition respectively, as formerly hath been said?