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

Neither can this be thought any limitation or ⟨p. 418⟩weakening of Church-authority and power: For, 1. It doth make that authority and power stronger than formerly it was without this, in the case so circumstantiate; and the question still is to be considered not in thesi, but in hypothesi. 2. Because this is¹ for the recovery and strengthening of an authority that for the time is not in exercise, at least in such an extent, and it is to give the same a being, as it were, and to bring it to its former lustre; as if a weak man should be led, or get a staff in his hand till he recover; or, as if a disjointed leg should be fenced about otherwayes than one that is whole, and so be the sooner in capacity to walk without these. 3. This is but a temporary accessory help, and is not pleaded-for as an essential of Government, but only as a lawful expedient when it cannot be wanted. 4. It may be considered that possibly no use may be thereof, and if so, it can be no encroachment; and if there be need thereof, so as things cannot cordially be composed otherwayes, Is is not expedient then, for the preventing of a further inconvenience? 5. I suppose it is not inconsistent with Civil Authority, when union is made-up betwixt two Nations, or in the same Nations, especially where Authority hath been brangled, that some by joint consent be chosen for deciding of such things as may occasion a new breach: and there are many instances of this in history; for, the being of Authority is cumulative to the means that men are naturally furnished with, for the preserving of union and order, and therefore it cannot exclude such prudential considerations.

Neither can this be thought any limitation or ⟨p. 418⟩weakning of Church-authority and power: For, 1. It doth make that authority and power stronger than formerly it was without this, in the case so circumstantiate; and the question still is to be considered not in thesi, but in hypothesi. 2. Because this is¹ for the recovery and strengthening of an authority that for the time is not in exercise, at least in such an extent, and it is to give the same a being, as it were, and to bring it to its former lustre; as if a weak man should be led, or get a staff in his hand till he recover; or, as if a disjoynted leg should be fenced about otherwayes than one that is whole, and so be the sooner in capacity to walk without these. 3. This is but a temporary accessory help, and is not pleaded-for as an essential of Government, but only as a lawfull expedient when it cannot be wanted. 4. It may be considered that possibly no use may be thereof, and if so, it can be no encroachment; and if there be need thereof, so as things cannot cordially be composed otherwayes, Is is not expedient then, for the preventing of a further inconvenience? 5. I suppose it is not inconsistent with Civil Authority, when union is made-up betwixt two Nations, or in the same Nations, especially where Authority hath been brangled, that some by joynt consent be chosen for deciding of such things as may occasion a new breach: and there are many instances of this in history; for, the being of Authority is cumulative to the means that men are naturally furnished with, for the preserving of union and order, and therefore it cannot exclude such prudential considerations.