A37042:781
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.
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.
4. It would be seriously pondered, whether union by such condescendency, or division without it, may be most profitable and edifying to the Church; and if any of these things be of such consequence, as to stand in the way of the Churches further edification.
5. The Reader may consider, if ever in the practice ⟨p. 429⟩of the primitive times, or in the writings of orthodox and sober Divines, old or late, any so circumstantiated division will be found warrantable, or if, out of the heat of debate, they would probably have stuck at any condescension that is here required upon either hand.
6. It may be considered, If all the present reformed Churches being appealed unto in such a case, were singly and impartially to give judgement thereanent, whether it could upon any ground be thought, that they would judge such condescending unlawful upon either side, if by it and no otherwayes union were to be attained?