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

(which was grounded even upon the constitutions of Arian Councils) this being the second time driven-on against the entreaties and obtestations of many worthy Bishops and good people who adhered to him, did again renew and fix that schism. 3. When the men¹ were otherwayes corrupt, or discovered to be gross and profane, although many other orthodox men did interpose for them, yet by all means it was resisted; because they still supposed such worthy men that sided with such to be mis-informed. And it's observable, that the most peaceable Synods who did most for union, as those in Afric, and that of Spain, who had received Osius, because of the Churches of France their interposing, by that to prevent a schism, yet were they most peremptory, as it were, in this, and refused to receive Barsilides and Martialis, as that of Carthage did refuse Apiarius, notwithstanding that Rome interposed for them, giving this reason, That there was a necessity of having the Churches provided with faithful and holy Ministers. 4. Sometimes, and oftentimes men sentenced, though possibly with too much rigidity, if not with injustice, have yet submitted with respect to the Churches peace, either totally, and upon that ground have again been admitted; or partially, by abstaining to act any thing contrary to such a Sentence, but for reverence thereunto waiting for some legal redress, as in history is frequent; and it is fit it should be so in such cases where the hurt is particular, and proceedeth not from a common design of undoing all faithful Ministers; because the making of a schism, doth more hurt than the contending for their particular Ministry doth edify in such a case; and therefore sometimes though some men have been pressed to under value an unjust ⟨p. 402⟩Sentence, and to continue to officiate notwithstanding, Yet out of respect to Church-authority and order, have refused till they should be admitted orderly unto the same. Indeed when the Arians drave on the deposition of their most eminent opposers, it was otherwayes, because (as is marked in the Council of Sardica) in bearing down of them, they endeavoured to bear down the truth which they maintained: But, where the controversy is not such, but the men orthodox and sound on both sides, though possibly there may be some particular faults or mistakes;

(which was grounded even upon the constitutions of Arian Councils) this being the second time driven-on against the intreaties and obtestations of many worthy Bishops and good people who adhered to him, did again renew and fix that schism. 3. When the men