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

First, The conscientious Reader may consider, when all is well weighed that is formerly proposed, with what may besides occur to himself, If the study of union be not a most necessary thing, and if without the essaying of these and such like means, according to his interest and calling, he can have peace, as being sufficiently exonerated in his duty, in reference to this great end; and if there can be solid quietness to continue division upon the grounds mentioned, and to sleight the pursuing after union, if attainable, upon these or such like terms as are proposed, especially in these and such other cases.

First, The consciencious Reader may consider, when all is well weighed that is formerly proposed, with what may besides occur to himself, If the study of union be not a most necessary thing, and if without the essaying of these and such like means, according to his interest and calling, he can have peace, as being sufficiently exonered in his duty, in reference to this great end; and if there can be solid quietnesse to continue division upon the grounds mentioned, and to sleight the pursuing after union, if attainable, upon these or such like tearms as are proposed, especially in these and such other cases.

1. When a Church is under external crosses and afflictions, and by Gods dispensation is cast into the ⟨p. 426⟩furnace; to be therein struggling and wrestling one with another, and, as if it were in the time of the Churches greatest peace and calm, to be contending for matters of such concernment, O how unsuitable is it! Though indeed condescending be called-for at any time, yet certainly▪ much more and in an especial manner at such a time. The judicious, and great Divine Calvin, doth, upon this account, exceedingly aggrege the divisions amongst some English in Frankford, who being banished in the days of Queen Mary for the same Religion, did even there contend for matters of little moment. This (saith he, Epist. 200.) was exceeding intempestiv•, or untimous, and exceeding offensive to the Church of Christ, and unbecoming their case: And although he utterly disapproved these ceremonies, as unbecoming the Church of Christ; Yet doth he (Epist. 206.) press moderation on both sides, using these words, Sicuti autem eos qui à vobis dissentiebant hortatus sum, ut qua possent moderatione inflecterent; ita mihi displicuit, nihil vicissima parte vestra recedi vel remitti, that is, As I did exhort these who were not of one mind with you, to stretch themselves with all possible moderation; So it did displease me, that there was upon the other hand by you, nothing ceded or remitted.