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

For regulating things which may occasionally fall¹ out, for the time to come, we may propose these general helps to be considered. 1. That there be an abstinence from what may readily seem to prove the occasion of any difference, at least for a time: and it is better to forbear many things, than to brangle union, or grieve a party with whom we have united; Yet generally it appeareth, that it is driving and not forbearing, that breedeth division, and also grieveth men after union, and tempts them to rue the same. Neither is this a bar to any from a necessary duty, it only regulateth men in the doing of necessary duties, so as they may eschew the guilt of renting the Church, or grieving of others; or, at most, it relateth but to the timing▪ manner, or some other circumstance of a necessary duty: As suppose in the matter of planting a Church, a division should in all appearance be like to arise, It is more fit that it should be for a time suspended, and other endeavours for facilitating the same used, yea, ere a breach be, that even other persons be sought out; for, though it be duty to plant the Church, and that with none but such as are worthy, yet it is not alway a necessary duty to plant such a particular Church at such a time, and in such a manner, and with such a worthy person; Yea, it were better for the Church, and more peace to the persons ⟨p. 415⟩mind, that such a particular place should vake for several years, than that the peace of the Church, or composedness of her Judicatories, should be marred thereby, and so in other matters wherein forbearance is called-for.

For regulating things which may occasionally fall¹ out, for the time to come, we may propose these generall helps to be considered. 1. That there be an abstinence from what may readily seem to prove the occasion of any difference, at least for a time: and it is better to forbear many things, than to brangle union, or grieve a party with whom we have united; Yet generally it appeareth, that it is driving and not forbearing, that breedeth division, and also grieveth men after union, and tempts them to rue the same. Neither is this a bar to any from a necessary duty, it only regulateth men in the doing of necessary duties, so as they may eschew the guilt of renting the Church, or grieving of others; or, at most, it relateth but to the tyming manner, or some other circumstance of a necessary duty: As suppose in the matter of planting a Church, a division should in all appearance be like to arise, It is more fit that it should be for a time suspended, and other endeavours for facilitating the same used, yea, ere a breach be, that even other persons be sought out; for, though it be duty to plant the Church, and that with none but such as are worthy, yet it is not alway a necessary dut to plant such a particular Church at such a time, and in such a manner, and with such a worthy person; Yea, it were better for the Church, and more peace to the persons