A37042:77
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.
6. Whence ariseth another distinction of offences,1 viz. from the matter of a practice, or from the manner of performing of it, or the circumstances in the doing of it: for, as it is not an act materially good that will edify, except it be done in the right manner; so will not an act materially good keep off offence, if it be not done tenderly, wisely, &c. And often we find circumstances have much influence on offence, as times, persons, places, manner, &c. for, it is not offensive to one to pray or preach, but at some times, as before an Idol, or on an Holy-day it may be offensive.
6. Whence ariseth another distinction of offences,1 viz. from the matter of a practice, or from the manner of performing of it, or the circumstances in the doing of it: for, as it is not an act materially good that will edifie, except it be done in the right manner; so will not an act materially good keep off offence, if it be not done tenderly, wisely, &c. And often we find circumstances have much influence on offence, as times, persons, places, manner, &c. for, it is not offensive to one to pray or preach, but at some times, as before an Idol, or on an Holy-day it may be offensive.
- 1Sixth Distinction.
7. As sins are distinguished in sins of omission1 and commission; So offences may be distinguished also: for, some give offence when they swear, pray irreverently, &c. others, when there is no seeming respect to prayer at all, in the very form; for this fostereth profanity as the other doth: And for this Daniel will open his window, lest he should be thought to have forborne prayer: and this offence of omission, or omissive offence, is not guarded against only by doing what is duty, except there be also a doing of it so as conveniently, and as becomes it may be known to be done, as in the former instance: and this,