The Dying Mans Testament to the Church of Scotland, Part 3 · Chapter 1
CHAP. I. Holding out the expediency of handling this matter.
ALthough somewhat hath been spoken in reference to practicall Scandals, (to call them so) Yet there hath been little or nothing at all spoken of Doctrinal Scandals, and what may be called for in reference to them.
It is true, that these cases are so various and difficult, that there can hardly be any thing particularly spoken to them; also what hath been said, may, for the most part, proportionably be applied to them: yet considering that this place doth look so directly to such Scandals as are in Doctrine; and that the case of these times doth call for some consideration of such, lest what hath been formerly said, be altogether defective as to this, it will not be impertinent to insist a little on it also, although already this Tractate hath drawn to a greater length than was at first intended.
We may in prosecution of this, 1. consider some generall Doctrines. 2. Some generall Questions. 3. More particularly speak to the severall duties according to particular cases and remedies that are called for. 4. Shew the necessity of orderly Judicial procedour here, in reference to such Scandals, as well as in reference to Scandals in practice formerly mentioned.
For Doctrines, we find here. 1. That Errour, vented by these that are corrupted therewith, is no lesse scandalous, and no lesse to be accounted so, than grosse practices; for it is as ready to be an occasion of stumbling, and to marr the spirituall edification and well-being of the people of God, as any scandalous practices: Which is confirmed, 1. By the consequents of Errour, it destroyes the soul, 2 Pet. 2. 1. 2 Thess. 2. 12. yea, it bringeth on swift damnation, 2 Pet. 2. 1. overthrows the faith of many. 2 Tim. 2. 18. perverts the Scripture to mens destruction, 2 Pet. 3. 16. deceives many, Matth. 24. Therefore for this cause, it is called also, 2. Pet. 2. damnable, pernicious, and such like: which sheweth, that really it becomes a stumbling block where it is.
2. This will appear if we consider the titles that the holy Ghost usually giveth to such in Scripture, as are promotters of corrupt Doctrine: there are not titles bearing greater indignation and abomination, given to any, than to such, as they are called dogs, evil workers, Phil. 3. 2. wolves, yea, grievous wolves, Matth. 7. 15. Act. 20. deceitfull workers, ministers of Satan, as if expresly they were commissionated by him, 2 Cor. 11. 13. deceivers, liars. Rev. 2. ill men and seducers, that wax worse and worse, 2 Tim. 3. 13.
3. Consider the many threatnings and woes that are in Scripture against them, Matth. 23. the many warnings that are given to Ministers to watch against them, Acts 20. the plain directions that are to censure them, Tit. 3. 10. the particular examples of censuring them recorded in Scripture, (as after will appear) Christs commending it where it is, His reproving of it where it is not, as in these second and third Chapters of the Revelation is manifest: these and such like, do evidently make out how exceedingly scandalous the venting of corrupt Doctrine is▪ which Rev. 2. 6. the Lord saith, He hates, and therefore it cannot but be loathsome and abominable.
4. Consider the many warnings that people have to eschew such, and that upon this account as being offensive, as Rom. 16, 17. Act. 20. Phil. 3. 1, 2. 2. Ioh. 10. which evidently showeth the scandalousnesse thereof.
5. Consider the nature of Errour more particularly. 1. It is contrary to the truth of God, and therefore is a lie, as scandalous practices are contrary to the holinesse of God: now Gods truth and veracity is no lesse an essentiall attribute than His holiness. 2. This is not only to lie, but it is to attribute that unto the most High, by fathering these lies upon Him; and saying, thus saith the Lord, when He hath said no such thing but the contrary. 3. It teacheth others to lie, as it is, Matth. 5. 19. and that more forcibly and impudently than any practice can do. 4. It hath its original from the devil, who was a liar from the beginning, and the father thereof, Ioh. 8. 44. And spreaders of corrupt Doctrine, have special influence on the upholding and spreading of his kingdom. 5. It is a fruit of the flesh, even as murther, adultery, witchcraft; and seing it is so ranked by the Apostle, Gal. 5. 19, 20. can it be but scandalous?
6. The effects of it will evidence this. 1. It spoileth the vines, Cant. 2. 15. for, there is a wronging of purity where it is. 2. It spoileth Government and order, it hath confusion with it. 3. It spoileth unity, and it hath ever contention with it, and (as it is, Gal. 5. 15.) a biting and devouring one of another; and contention cannot be eschewed but by harmony in evil, which is far more desperate. 4. Which followeth on all, it destroyeth souls; and infecteth more speedily, dangerously and spreadingly than other practicall Scandals; never hath the Church been so defaced, nor so many souls destroyed by any scandalous practice, as by the venting of corrupt Doctrine; and however we take scandal, as in the general was laid down, as that which is apt to stumble others, and occasion their fall, or to weaken the confidence and jumble the peace, and disquiet the minds of some, or as it grieves the hearts of others, or, as it maketh the wayes of God to be ill spoken of, it will be still sound, that such kind of errours, are still to be accounted scandalous; and that nothing opens mouths more against Religion than that, See 2 Pet. 2. 2. By all which it appeareth, that grosse errour is not only a sin, but a scandalous sin, and that of a most grosse nature.