A37042:779
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
Part 4 › Chapter 21: The grounds and motives of the desired union.
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.
1. If someway the stick be not at himself, and if there be not something possible to him, in reference to union, which yet he hath not condescended to; for, although he hath not power over the wills of others, yet hath he over his own.
2. Let him consider, If the ills that follow division be not great and certain: and if so, if the stopping at any step of the condescending called-for, will bear out the conscience against the cries of so many reproaches that are cast upon Ordinances by some; against the many challenges that will arise upon the miscarriages of others, that are occasioned by such divisions; and against the impression that the weighting and saddening of many honest hearts, will have with it one day? And if he dare step in to judgment, without fear of being found faulty in any measure in respect of the forementioned inconveniences; if his condescending, as is called-for, might have prevented them.
2. Let him consider, If the ills that follow division be not great and certain: and if so, if the stopping at any step of the condescending called-for, will bear out the conscience against the cryes of so many reproaches that are casten upon Ordinances by some; against the many challenges that will arise upon the miscarriages of others, that are occasioned by such divisions; and against the impression that the weighting and sadning of many honest hearts, will have with it one day? And if he dare step in to judgment, without fear of being found faulty in any measure in respect of the forementioned inconveniencies; if his condescending, as is called-for, might have prevented them.
3. He would consider, if at the appearing of Jesus Christ, when all such affections shall be laid by, and disputings will not have place, nor recriminations be admitted; if, I say, in such a case he may not have more peace in condescending upon either side, as is proposed, for the good of the Church, than by refusing the same to keep up the division.