The Dying Mans Testament to the Church of Scotland, Part 4 · Chapter 19 – Chapter 20
CHAP. XIX. Some advertisements concerning the overtures proposed.
TO come now to some advertisements accordding as we did propose; we must shortly put them together, lest we be too prolix in every thing.
1. Then it would be adverted, That there is no peremptorinesse urged in any of the former helps or remedies, but if other means may be found more effectuall, all these are to cede. Only this is intended, that if no more probable and effectuall means be found out, or applied, that it is better on such like grounds to unite than to continue a division.
2. It is to be adverted, That there may be, and ought to be such a condescending, in the concluding of, and fixing on the means, (especially for the time to come) as by the expressing of time, manner, and other particular circumstances of things, the fears of both may be someway guarded against, and each by shewing respect to other, may endeavour the removing of their mutuall jealousies; for▪ seing jealousies are mutuall, it will be too much for one side to think that the other should wholly credit them, if there be no condescending by them.
3. Although there should be fears that things should again break out, and that therefore it is to no purpose to undertake a way of union, not every way satisfying; yet it would be essayed, and if the Lord prevent that fear, such an objection is loosed; if some interruption come again to hazard an outbreaking, these who are accessory thereto, will be the more guilty, and others who are innocent therein, may have more peace▪ than if it had not been essayed.
4. If union cannot be compleated in every thing, then their would be endeavours to fix it so far as is attainable, and to prevent the increasing of division, that if there may not be a positive union, at least, a positive division and opposition may be shunned.
5. It would be endeavoured, that notwithstanding of such divisions, men may mutually concur in that wherein there is no division for the edification of the Church: for, division in one particular ought not, nor will not warrantably hinder mutuall acting in other things where there is none: As for instance, if it be an interruption in carrying on the work of God joyntly in Government, because of some difference concerning that; vet if there be accesse to promove the edification of the body by an united way of preaching, that is to be followed and improven, as we see it is done in some places where Government is not allowed.
6. Whatever the case be, we suppose it is duty to make the best thereof, when men cannot win the length they would.
CHAP. XX. What is incumbent to Magistrates and People for remedying this evil.
IT resteth now that we should speak something, to what is incumbent to Magistrates and People, for remedying of such an evil in the Church; but being keeped so long on the former, we cannot enter on this; We shall only lay down these few generals,
1. That neither of them ought to be offended or stumbled at such divisions, or thereby be brought to have lesse esteem either of the Gospel, the Ordinance of Government, or Worship, or the Ministery and Ministers of Jesus Christ; much lesse would there be insulting over, or advantage taken against, these upon this occasion, as is recorded to the infamy of several persons; but on the contrary, all would be affected therewith, as with a most dangerous snare, and fearfull plague: And to this purpose Augustine doth seriously presse his Boniface, Governour of Africk, that he should not stumble at the divisions of the Church, and particularly Epist. 50.
2. All would search if they have had any sinfull influence upon the procuring of such a stroke; for, if it be a plague and wo to them, they would look back to the rise thereof; who knows but the sins of Magistrates or People in their fretting at the Ordinance of Government, despising of the Ministery, not receiving of the Word nor walking answerably therto, and such like may have procured this division from the Lord, as a judicial stroke on them to harden them in their former sin, and thereby to strengthen their tentation to despise all the Ordinances more to their own ruin, as may be gathered from what hath been formerly spoken?
3. All would be carefull to abstain from what may further or heighten the breach, and by all means endeavour not to be engaged in such sidings; for, that often encourageth others, and encreaseth and fixeth a rent; and in experience it is seen, that these schisms were ever most dangerous, and most difficultly removed, wherein people came to party, and side with opposit sides in the division: and seing the Spirit in the Scripture, doth forbid people as well as Ministers to divide, this must be their duty, not to joyn in such a division. Also, it unfits them to get good from Ministers, or to do good for removing of a rent amongst them. And we are sure, If doubtfull disputations, vain janglings, and such like questions, that tend not to edification, be to be eschewed by people, then we conceive that such as are in the cases presupposed, may be so esteemed of.
4. They are by all respective means seriously to presse the abstaining from, and composing of such differences, by their serious representations of the ills thereof, and exhortations, according to their places to have the same remedyed. And were this more amongst people, upon occasions in due manner, to testifie their sober resentment of such evils in the general, and desire of union, and condescendency for attaining the same, so far as is fit, it would much more become the sobriety of tender Christians and be much more effectual for this end, than to be heightening and aggreging the miscarriage of any one party to another, or carrying reports or informations true or false, which may kindle humours to a flame that are hot and smoaking already. It would affect a heart to hear the regraits and expostulations that Constantine, Gratian, and others, have anent the divisions of Church-men in their times and their exhortations to remedy the same.
5. All sorts would endeavour to be in good tearms with God, in respect of their own particular conditions: and when all faileth, they would still be instantly dealing with God by prayer for healing of the same, as accounting it a great plague▪ even to them, while this continueth.