The Dying Mans Testament to the Church of Scotland, Part 2 · Chapter 6
CHAP. VI. Concerning what is to be accounted satisfaction, or satisfying.
THe great Question is, when a person doth appear and acknowledge his offence, and submit to a publick rebuke, what is to be judged satisfying here, so, as a Church-judicatory may sist Processe, and rest satisfied▪ and admit the person to Church-priviledges, as if the former offence had not been? In answering of this, we shall, first, shew what is not sati…sying. Secondly, what is not necessary to be enquired after by a Church-judicatory, for this ecclesiastick satisfaction. Thirdly, we shall shew what is necessary and satisfying. Then, answer a Question or two, for absolving of this.
1. We say, every verball acknowledgement of a fault, even though it have a promise of amending, isWhat kind of satisfaction is not sufficient for making a Church-judicatory to sist their processes▪ not sufficient; for, that may be in two of the cases formerly mentioned, to wit, in a person that doth, in his so doing but mock the Ordinance; or in a person that hath often relapsed after such a profession, or for the time doth continue in that or some other grosse evil: in▪ that case to account such a profession of repentance satisfying, were to fall in the former inconveniencies, and would prove a manifest taking of the Nam of the Lord in vain, which we may gather by this. Such a circumstantiat profession ought not to satisfie a Brother in a privat admonition, so that notwithstanding thereof (yea, the rather) he ought thereafter to take two or three with him, as being more offended▪ and if they meeting with the same, may put it to the Church, as not being well satisfied with such mockings; then much lesse ought the Church to be satisfied therewith, because they do more formally represent Jesus Christ and His Authority, and therefore mockings and contempt to them, is the greater offence. And that place, where the Lord speaketh to Peter▪ Luk. 17▪ 3. of forgiving his brother seven times a day, and elsewhere▪ seventy times seven times a day, is not to be understood to speak principally of such grosse publick offences, or of such discernable counter feit turning (for that is not turning at all) but of private offences, or of the first sort formerly mentioned, and also where there seemeth to be ingenuity in the person, otherwise it were to remove one offence by another; and in that the Lord ordereth men in reference to their private carriage, for they ought to forgive wrongs, and doth not regulate Church-actings, as judicious Calvin doth give warning upon the place; Beside, the chastening, and bumbling of the offending party, the making of others to fear, and the turning away of the reproach that cometh to Christs name by offences, being the great ends of Church-censure, by admitting of such a profession as satisfying, all of them would be utterly enervated and overturned, which were most absurd.
If it be asked, how this dissembling, mocking professionHow may dissembling be discovered. may be discovered? Answ. 1. By somewhat palpable in the very present gesture, words, expressions, &c. which evidence the same, and leave no room for charity; as when men (as it were) with a word, say Hail to Christ, and at the next, spit in His face, it is easie to say, that their Hail was not serious. 2. By comparing it with a persons former carriage in such a case wherein so much hath been professed, and yet he afterward hath been found to be mocking even in the time of his profession▪ his former carriage calleth men, at least, not to be soon satisfied▪ if no difference be. 3. By some words or expressions in other Societies and Companies, which being vented during the time of this publick profession, and that contrary thereto, cannot but evidence it to be a mocking. And, 4. When the fruit appeareth to be contrary thereto in a habituall way, as hath been said. Indeed if there be not convincing evidence of this mocking, but it be doubtfull; or, if a person that at one occasion is irreverent, should afterward appear more sober, we conceive in▪ that case, determination is to be suspended, till after carriage give more ground of clearnesse, either to the one hand or the other.