The Dying Mans Testament to the Church of Scotland, Part 2 · Chapter 15
CHAP. XV. Shewing if any thing further in any imaginable case be allowed to privat Christians.
2. IT may be yet further moved, Can there be no more allowed in any supposable case? Answ. It is most unsuitable, in a matter of practice, when folks are not contending for curiosity, but for direction, to suppose cases hardly or rarely possible in a constitute Church, which is worthy of that name, or, upon that ground, to found a contest in dispute, or schism in practice, in cases palpably different; At least, union should be kept till such a case come about. And is it likely, where the order formerly laid down▪ is observed, that there can be habitual admission of notoriously or grievously scandalous persons, though, it may be, there be lesser fa…lings of several sorts: Yet, supposing that any out of infirmity or affection, not having such knowledge, or otherwise, should stick to joyn in the Ordinances at some times, or in some places, upon such an account, who yet do not love separation, or the erecting of a different Church, We say further,
1. That, in such a case, such persons may remove from one Congregation to another, where such grosnesse cannot be pretended to be; and the persons being otherwise without scandal, can neither be pressed to continue (they being so burdened) nor yet refused to be admitted where orderly they shall desire to joyn, seing this could not be denied to any. And, we suppose, few will be so uncharitable, as to think there is no Congregation whereunto they can joyn, or yet so addicted to outward respects, as to choose separation with offence to others, disturbance to the Church, and, it may be, with little quiet…esse to themselves, whenas they have a remedy so inoffensive allovved unto them.
2. Although separation be never allowable, and secession be not alway at an instant practicable; yet we suppose, in some cases, simple abstinence, if it be not offensive in the manner and circumstances, if it be not made customary, and if the ground be so convincing, and the case so grosse that it will affect any ingenuous hearer, and so evident that there is no accesse to any acquainted in such places, to deny the same, or that there be a present undecided processe concerning such things before a competent Judge; in some such cases, I say, as might be supposed, we conceive abstinence were not rigidly to be misconstructed, it being for the time the burdeen of s…ch persons, that they cannot joyn; and, it may be, having some publick complaint of such a thing to make-out, and in dependence elsewhere: Although we will not strengthen any to follow this way, nor can it be pretended to, where the case is not singularly horrid; yet supposing it to be such, we conceive it is the safest one way for the persons peace, and the preventing of offence together; yet, much christian prudence is to be exercised in the conveying of the same, if it were by removing for a time, or otherwayes, that there appear to be no publick contempt; but we conceive this case is so rarely incident, and possibly that there needeth be little said of it, much lesse should there be any needlesse debate or rent entertained upon the consideration or notion thereof. And certainly, the case before us of the admitting of the Nicolaitans and Iezebel, considering their doctrine and deeds, is more horrid than readily can be supposed; and yet it would seem, that though this defect should still have continued, the Lord doth require no other thing of private professours, but their continuing-in, or holding fast of, their former personal purity, which is all the burden that He doth lay upon them.
To shut up all, we may see what evils are to be evited in the prosecution of publick Scandals, and what a commendable thing it were to have this in the right manner vigorous; if private Christians were zealous, loving and prudent in their private admonitions; if Officers were diligent, single, grave, and weighty in what concerneth them; if offending persons were humble and submissive, and all reverent and respective of the Ordinances, and studious of private and publick edification, How beautiful and profitable a thing would it be? Certainly this manner of procedure, would be more beautifying to the Ordinances of Christ, more convincing to all onlookers, more sweet and easie both to Officers and People, and more edifying and gaining to all, and, by God's blessing, were the way to make the mistaken yoke of Discipline to be accounted easie and light. And if all those ends be desirable, and the contrary evils be to be eschewed, then unquestionably the right manner of managing this great Ordinance of Discipline, is carefully to be studied and followed both by Officers and people.