t;
s CS * Uit
* TheTtyingman'sT est ameht
to the Church of Scotland ;
OR, ♦
? A Treatife concerning Scandal. ±
♦ Divided into Four Parts. 2^
^ I. Concerning Scandal inche general.
¥ 2. Concerning Publick Scandals, or Scandals as they ^
«g> . are the objeft of Church-cenfures , and more par- -
<*►
♦ ticularlyas they arc in praftice* j£
^ g. Concerning Do^rinalScandalsjorfcandalous errors, ^
«•&• 4* Concerning Scandalous Divi >ens. / <§£
*&► . ^
*gt In each of which there are not a few choice and ufeful Quefti- J£
«fr ons, very fhortly and fatisfy ingly difcuffed and cleared. ^
^ BY *-
That Angularly faithfull and wife Servant of Jefus Chrift, j
Mr. $ A M E S <D V %_ H A !M, ^
late Miniiter of the Gofpel in Glafgow, «^».
Who being dead ( by tbk ) yet fped\eth : J*
^ And publimed by tfobn Carfares, one 1 of tfte* Minifters «go
*§► inGusGovv.
^ To which is prefixed an excellent Preface of famous ^ .
. <& Mr. c Biait y Miniftcr of the Gofpel at St ^Andrews, (wherein 4^
*&[ he alfo vigorou^y driveth the main defign of the blefled ^
^ Author in this latt Piefce of his Labours) ^
*j£ Together with a T a b l e of the C o n t e n t s of the ^r
^JT feveral Chapters of each Part. <%+
^ . . / 4*
«§t Matth. 1°\ 7 Wo unto the world becaufe of Offences -for it mufl needs be &
t ■•§► that Offences-come t but too to that man by whom the Offenc cometb. ♦
**& 1 Cor. 1 . 1* Give none Offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gen- ♦"
"•&► *//«, »cr to the Church.of Ujd. v"
1 ^ Pfal. 1 ' " « * S Great -peace have all they which love thy Law : and nv - <€°*
' ^ thing Jball offend them.
*•»► ^ . — "*Er*
<4r Printed for the Company of Stationers, 1659. 4p-
S(
&\M
uw
■vl
r •
itflVj l
jihm The Trefact^.
He rife of th^fubfequeftt Treatifc;
the blcffed Author,in the very firft
words thereof, declareth to b« the
occafion he had from fyvel. 2. 00
the Epiftle to the Church ofTerga-
mos, to meditate on the nature and
forts of Scandal. And before I fay
any thing of this prefent work , I
(hall hence take occafion, to (hew my thoughts of his
Commentary on the Book of Revelation; In my hum-
ble opinion, that which was fpoken of the vertuous wo-
man, Prov. 30. v. 29. may well be applied to tht pains
this Author barti taken on that Book: Many Writers
have done worthily, bat thou excelled them all. The
reafon of my fo high eftimation thereof, is taken from a
threefold excellencie I find therein. The firft is, a
brief, clear and accurate opening of the moft difficult
Text in the whole Bible, applying with great fagacity
and admirable dexterity, dark Prophecies to their hifto-
rical events : and yet with judicious fobriety, not re-
ftraining , as it were, to fingie ftars of ieveral perfons,
that which rather relateth to conglobate conftellations
of agents or patients : together with a modeft, yet a di-
ligent fearch of thofe things which are not yetaccom-
plifhed. Whoever would compendioufly have an ex-
periment hereof, let him read the firft Le&urcOrr Chap,
6. ( which parcel, with fome others, were fent to me by
the Author, fome moneths before *he printing) And as
herein I did find great fatisfaftion, by reafon of the
clearneffe and potable coherence of tyhe Interpretation,
and convincing grounds and arguments proving the fo~
lidity thereof, So may thou, Chriftian Reader, be fwcet-
ly refreftied and ftrongly confirmed thereby. The
A 2 faoni
The <Pre
..jWMcxcdlcticie hereof, is the great plenty of pra£tt-
cal Divinity, relating to all Chriftians , but more efpe-
cially to Minifters of the Gofpel. I cannoNname
any Authors work, wherein I have perceived *Cd many
edifying overtures , fo many fearching difcourfes and
encouraging helps as this Commentary abounds with.
From the firft Leffureon Cbap.j. both the carefull Chri-
ftian and the well-gifted diligent Preacher , may be firft
allarmed, and then well ftrengthened, by that fearching
difcourfe on thefe words* Thou baft a name that thou livejl,
but an dead. The *^></ excellency of this work, lieth
not only in clearing and anfwering many doubts very
fuccin&ly, butalfo in difcuffing more largely, by way
of digreiiion, many weighty and important Truths-even
to the number of twenty five : So that this Commentary,
befides profitable opening of fuch a Text, and handling
much practical Divinity, cleareth with great modefty,
without any perfonal refleftions,and dilcuffeth edifying*
ly as much darkened Truth, as if the whole work had
been written to difputc and determine pertinent and im-
portant queftions.
But now, to fay no more of that Work, which fpeak-
cth for it felf, being in the hands of many, and I wifh it
be diligently perufed with a bleffing from Heaven : I
come to fay fomethingof this Treatife of Scandal;
And well was he fitted to write of this fubje$:, whofe
exercife it was, to have alwayes a confeience void of of-
fence toward God and toward men : and very fuccef-
full was he in walking this way ; fori in a time where-
in fcandals of all forts did abound exceedingly, few there
were (if any at all) who did ftumble at his way, or he
at the way of others > endeavouring ft ill and by all
means winning and edifying. And whoever knew his
way of walking , they will read the fame in this Trea-
tife, (et forth to others.*
In thefirft part thereof thou wilt find, Chr'iftian Rea-
der, the nature of Scandal dcxteroufly opened , with
the feveral forts of it, and the variety of wayes vvhereby
is
it is both given and taken , with considerable ground^ tc
make Chriftians loth and wary, both as co the giving
of offence and taking. And withall, many intricate
cafes are cleared , as namely, what is co be done when
themattcris lawfull, and the offence doubifull : Alfo
^vhac ought to be our carriage, when there is a real dif-
ference between parties upon the account of a civil in-
tereft : Alfo what behaviour is requific, when the com-
mand of Superiours and the efchewing of offence, are in
oppofition: Alfo that very important cafe, is accurady
debated and wifely determined, what is to be done when
offence is like to follow on either fide. And finally,
what courfe both private Chriftians and Paftors ought
to hold when fcandals and offences abound- The an-
fwer to which alone, hojdeth forth a very excellent di-
rectory for chriftian walking toward others.
The fecond part treateth of Scandal as it ispublick,
and falleth under, Ecclefiaftick cenfure, wherein there
are many excellent overtures for the wife and right ex-
ercifeof Church-difcipline. Among many, this is con-
fiderable, That the faving grace of repentance, is not to
be enquired into , as the alone ground upon which
Church- officers arc to reft for removing an offence : but
that a fober,ferious acknowledgment of the otfenccwith
the expreflion of an unfeigned-like purpofe to walk in-
offenfively is fuflkient. This is very accurately deba-
ted, and folidly and fcundly determined. There is alfo,
Chap. 12. a clear difcufling of that tickle Queftion,
What ought to be done by privat perfons when Church-
officers fpare fuch as are (candalous,to wic,upon fuppo-
ficion chat there is a real defe£t (in the truth wherof ofcea
there is a miftake ) yet private profeffors are to conti-
nue in the difcharge of the duties of their ftations> and
not to (eparatc from the Communion of the Church,but
to count themlclvesexonered in holding faft cheirown
integrity, mourning for offences, representing the iamc
to Church-officers , and, if need be, to fuperiour Judi-
catories. All this is ftrongly, convincingly, and very
fatisfyingly proven by Scripture. A 3 The
The third part is concerning Do&rinal Scandals, or
Scandalous Errours , a Theme very neceffary for theft
reeling times. If I fhould offer to pick out thence points
very remarkable, I would far paffc the juft bounds of a
Preface. Wherefore, I (hall only thereof fay this, That
both Chriftian Magiftrates, Minifters and People, will
find their duty laid before them, no leffe folidly than ac-
curatly,what to do in the cafe of fpreading errour. And,
O that the Moft High would ftrike in with His fove-
raign Authority upon the hearts and confeiences of all
forts, efpecially Magiftrates, in whofe hands this Tra-
ftate (hall come /
But now I come to fpeak a word of the fourth part of
thisTreatife, and that fo much the more, i. Becaufek
was the laft labour of this precious man of God, and
fo it is his Stoan-liks fmg. The Only W ife thought it fie
to recommend to all His People, efpecially wkhin this
Land, in thefe diftra&ed times (when paffion and pre ju-
dice makes it moft difficult, if not altogether impoflible
to fpeak a word in feafon acceptably) the hatefulneffe of
fcandalous divifion and the lovelineffe of a godly union
by the words of a Meffenger, who was one of a thou-
fandi known to bt^msderate, wife and faithfull, very
far from fa&ioumW, fharply perceiving what was
duty, and very impartially uttering the fame* At the
di&ating of this Part, the infirmity of the decaying ta-
bernacle was fo great, that he could not endure the la-
bour of writing with his own hand,But being now ripe
for glory, and having entered the fuburbs of Heaven, he
breathed-out his wife and godly thoughts to a borrowed
pen.
Next, I have the greater reafon to confider diligently
this piece of the work ; and having confidered it> to re-
commend it the more earneftly to all Chrifts People, and
efpecially to my reverend and dear Brethren of the Mi-
niftery,becaufe it was fent to me fealed from the Author,
in the beginning of his laft fickneffe, as a ®epo(itum com-
muted to me to make it ready for publifhing ; which I
pet-
performed carefully and faithtuj!y,witndut the alterati-
on of one material word : and having lately perufed the
Copie the Printer makes ufe of, I hereby teftifie it is
the fame for matter, order, fentences and words, the Au-
thor lent to me and I tranfmicted to him a little before
the Lord removed him*
And now, upon the matter, I think verily that this
healing Tra&ate is fo full of that wifdom,which is from
above , firft pure^and then peaceable, that it will fpeak
plainly the Author fitted of God to bring forth a fea-
fonable word. At the firft reading thereof, my fpiric
was greatly refrefhed , and my heart enlarged tobleflfe
the Lord , conceiving that the Prince of peace, in com-
panion over our putrified fores, had provided this mol-
lifying oyntment and cleanfing plaitter, in order to a
cure of the fame* And I doubt nothing but every true-
hearted lover of Sions peace, who longs to fee the Lord
exalted, in binding-up our hither-till incurable wounds,
will magnifie the Lord with me and exalt his Name to-
gether. Herein thou wilt find excellently difcovered*
the rife of divifions, what hand the holy Soveraignty of
God hath therein, and how the corruptions of men>even
of the Godly, both raife and wonderfully heighten divi-
fions ; and how great influence occafional means may
have in the fame ; together with the fad and drcadfull
effe&s thereof; and the neceffity of endeavouring unity
herein. Thou wilt alfo find the cure and remedy fingu-
larly opened, not only general grounds and preparatory
endeavours for uniting , but alfo what things arc to be
forborn, and what is to be done in order to uniting , and
thacafwell in clofing doftrinal differences) not funda-
mental, nor nigh the foundation , as for union in points
notdo&rinal, arifingfromdiverfity in external admini-
ftrations, and efpecially pra&ical dijfferenccs in Church-
government, and about the Conftitutions andA&s of
Synods, when the Authority thereof is declined and de-
nied : Yea, remedies are propofed, of divifions arifing
from the mifapplication of power, in cenfuring or fpa-
A 4 ring
ring Church-officers, real or fuppofed. And finally ^
againft the fears of mifgovemment for the time to come,
overtures are prudently given- in : and allclofed with
laying out briefly? and yet very effeftually, grounds and
motives of the defired union. That which I conceive is
moft eminent in this choice Treatife, lyeth in thefe two
things : firft, That this our Cancer is moft tenderly
handled, in a very abftraft way, never fo much as Ha-
ting or particularly touching any difference among us,
and yet> upon the matter, the whole difcourfe cometh
home to the very point moft pertinently. Herein appears
the finger of God to them that will have eyes to fee it.
The next is this, That the holy Scriptures arc diligently
fearched, both in order to the difeafe and remedy: <and
the ancient Church- hiftory and purer Antiquity,is moft
plentifully and fweetly made ufe of. The judicious and
impartial Reader will, I think, fay Mxfcuit utile dulci,
and that here are words fitly fpoken* like apples of gold
in piftures of filvcr. One thing I (hall intreat, that the
Reader judge not finally of any parcel or feftion thereof,
till he read and ponder the whole. Stumble not at his
afferting, That authoritative wayes at firft are not the
beft to cure rents. * A rent would be handled as a broken
bone or a diflocation, where anointing and ligatures are
fo neceffary, as without thefe, healing cannot in hafte
be attained. If the queftion be made, How a man in
that cafe {hould carry himfelf? Ought he to flretch
himfelf to the full and put forth his whole ftrength ? Or
is that then impoffible ? And if through pafllon in a fit
it be praftifed, is it not obftruftive to the recovery of
ftrength and healing? Let the Reader remember this
when he cometh to that part of the difcourfe, and he
Will> upon that confederation, make the better ufe of the
whole remedy as it is propofed. 1 (hall not detain much
longer the Reader from theTreatife it felf, having added
thefe few confederations, for advancing heart- uniting in
the Lord, yvhich of all other* I conceive, ought to be
fPyft ^eighty in thq judgment and on theaffeftionsofc
all
all the lovers of our lord Jelus Chrifl.
2. v.i 4 15 16 17. the great Peace-maker, in offer
upHimfelf a iacrificeiorthefinsof the Ele&, intended
with thcreconcilinp of dxm toCcd, to unite them in
one body among themfelves 2 yea, even thole who vvere
at furtheft diflance and preateft cnimityj^fr ard Gentile M
and confequently other His Elcdt in their feveral diffe-
rences and divifions throughout their generations* He
took on Him the debt of their fins and their enimitics,
and lifted up with Himfelf the^onHisCroffe,^^-
tatiVely Virtually and meritorioujly, to expiate the m in His
flefh : and by His Spirit efficiently to flay and abolifh
them in due timeby making them one new man in him-
fdf. Mark, I pray, from that Scripture cited, that this
complex bufinefle is the great defign of our blefled and
great Peace-maker. A lfo, fecondly, in the Sacrifice- fcaft
of His Supper, this is ftill reprefented and exhibited, till
He come again : So that this (landing Ordinance,defti-
nated and appointed of God to carry-on and feal-up
uniting with God, and one with another, till He come
again ; at His coming will ftand up and teftifie againft
all who comply not withChrift, but, following their
own inclination, aft rather againft His defign. And,
thirdly , in His folemn prayer, J oh, 17. which is a fieci*
men of His future interceflion, He mainly prefleth after
the falvation and fan&ification of thofe that are given
Him,vcr.2l. That they alfo may be one, a* thou father art in
we> and 1 tn thee, that they alfo way be one in m ; that the
toorld may believe that thou haft fent me. Do notthefe
words fignificantly and fhyfiingly hold out, what the
Mediator is ftill about, and that uniting in God is His
defign ftill ? And fourthly^pon this fame very ground,
the gre3t Apoftle,ipeaking tojelta and Gentiles who had
imbraced the Go(pel,and in them to all diilentients who
Jove the Gofpel-truihs and Ordinances, faith,3(ow 4 t 5.7.
Wherefore receive ye one another , to Ch>ifi alfo received us
to the glory of God. Meritoricpfly and H tually the Eleft
are received to the glory of God, and to the end they
miy be aftttalty received, Receive one afiotheri faith the
i Apoftle, as it were fufpending the one upon the other.
And now upon thefe grounds>Chrift our Lord his grand
defign being fo confpicuous, His Supper-ordinance ftaru
ding as a Land-mark in the way, having this engraven
upon it, intern Comrnanion, the glorious Mediator
his interceffion running in that fame channel and the
bleffed Apoftle making this the upfhot of his do&rine ;
what lover of our Lord, well advifed and recolle&ing
himfelf,dare ftiffly ftand out from complying with Hirw,
to fatisfie their own inclination and habituated cuftom
and carriage* My fear is, that every one of us will look
to fome others rather than themfelves, as obftru&ing the
defired uniting in the Lord. But upon mature after-
thoughts, it will be found the mind of Chrift, that we
narrowly fearch our felves,cvery one of us>how we have
provoked the Holy One to fmite us fo in His difpleafure,
and accuratly to try what yet remaines in us obftruftive
to this union : and withall to flie to our flighted duty, as
in a City they run to the quenching of a publick burn-
ing , laying this evil to heart more than fword or pefti-
lence. AH the writings and actings againft Prcsbyte-,
rial-government) which is the wall of the houfe of God,
have never wronged or hurt it fo much, as our ill raifed,
and worfe- continued contefts. Our nakedneffe-difco-
vering writings, what have they done but added oyl to
the flame ? For Chrifts fake> my reverend and dear Bre-
thren* hearken co this word in feafon, from the Oracies
of God, and trcafures of pure Antiquity, pointing-out
the way of a godly and edifying peace. It will be no
grief of heart, but fwecc peace and confolation,whcn we
are to appear before the Judge of the quick and dead*
Now the God of patience and confolation,grant you to
be like minded one towards anotheoaccording to Chrift
Jefus ; So heartily prayeth
St. Andrews, Tour Brother and felloK-ferVant,
April. 28,
1659. Robert Blair.
♦jjfr
•tB^ *^5^ Jfw^
£Bra33@£g®38!
THE
Publifher to the Reader,
Hfre 4re, Ifuppofe, fffr or none amongfi us 9
or about us, fo great fir angers to the obfer-
Nation of TroVidential Occurrents in Scot-
land) ** to be altogether Without the kpo*fr~
ledge ofvpbat bath cometopafs kerf in tbefe
UJ dayes, HoTi? the holy, juji and foVeratgn
Lord, 'frho fometime lifted mup, batbnoft
taft mdoifrni *tobo croMmedu* Kith glory and honour^ bath
flriptm of our glory and made the cro^frn to fall from our
bead, (though KebaVe not faid, Wo unto us, for *fre baVe
finned ) ft bo fomctime made m a praife in the earth, bath
no*fr made m a biffing, a by^frord and reproach to all that an
round about us ; Ho'fr He, ftbo once by our unity and one-
fhoulder -ferVice did ma\e us beautifull ^Tirza, comely as
Jerufalem, and terrible at an Army "frith 'Banners, bath noft,
alas, ( ftbicb u one of the moft imbntering ingredients in our
tup) inftead of gibing m one heart and one 'fray, in His an-
ger, divided, fub-divided, fteatyed, disjoynted and broken
m • So that Judah Vexetb Ephraim, and Ephraim enVyeth
Judah, and eVery mans hand ahnofl is again jl his brother ;
and through our lamentable and moft unfeafonable interline
jars and divifions *fre bite and devour one mother , and are
lil(e to be confumed one of another ; tell it notinQuh^
publijh it not in the jlreets ofAskelon, left the daughters
of the PhWiRmcs rejoyce , left the daughters of the uncir-
cumcifed triumph \ that "frhen God bath caft m all dofr>n to-
gether, "fre endeavour to keep dtffrn and tread upon one ano-
ther , that "frhen He bath been juflly angry "frith our mother^
her children are finfully angry one "frith another, andfthen
He hath cajl m all into the furnace, Tlr are eVen there flrug-
ling and We [I ling one Kith another to the cncrcafmg of the
flams i
ThePuWiflif
Wnl ; AM When brotherly hire and lothne.fi to gfot or ta\e
offence , is in a fecial manner called-for, lo)>e did ne)>er Wax
more cold, nor offences more abound. N?fc, when our Church
thus in a manner dijiratted and drunf^ with the bine of aflo-
ni/bment, is infofada pofture \ and but few of the fons /he
bath brought forth to guide her or ta^e her by the hand, they
all almojt fainting and lying at the head of every (Ireet as it
Vterefo mtny Wild bulls in a net, full of the fury of the Lord
and of the rebuke of our God; Then (leppetb forth (the
Spirit of the Lord coming upon him) one of her fons, the
Author of this excellent Treatife concerning Scandal (having
mirfe fome feriom effayes before to ta\e his mother by the
band, though but With fmall acceptance With many of his
Brethren , for Which, it may be, the jealous Godwas in part
pro\>ol{ed to remote him ) whereby, 04 by his latter Will and
Tejlament,effncially to the Miaijlers of the Qbu"ch of 'Scot-
land, he doth again renew his formerly fruitlejfe and un*
fuccejs full attempt : In which Treatife as there breatheth a
far more fweet and faVoury Jfirit, than in mofl, if not all
of the Tapers publijbed upon occafimofour late lamentable
differences , (Which I hope Will by none behoved up on as any
reflection ) So there is throughout a mofl ftrong and fragrant
fmell of more than ordinary piety , that it mty be averred
of him, as once it Was of Cyril of Jerufalem, in his Ufl and
bestdayes, heW.ts mi%nx(m$k\mo^iX vir, a man of emi-
nent 'fanttity ; It plainly alfo jfea\etb forth fptchl acquaint-
ance With tb? Scriptures (for, inallhisdifcourfes (a&irs
[aid of Bifil) he doth exquifidy mingle divine testimo-
nies of Scripture, that they are like precious fto ies> not
fewed to, bu: bred in purple cloathes) and intimacy With
the mind of God, as to whatmty be duty under the Vtrious
difenfations of his providence, So that it mty be f aid of bin,
beW.u a mmt\\\x. had mderftandim; of thetim:s, and
knw what 0**1 ought to do ; for he dith With ainirable
perfpictcity ta\? up, and With no lejjt dexterity direct unto,
IWhat ought to be done in this, and that, and the other cife,
as a mo% s\tlfull Anatomift dijJeBing the whole complex
hodj of duties in reference to ordinary and extraordinary cafes
and
emergent*, neVer mijjiri^
and like a left- handed Bcnjamite, that in f&V^fflMf/f'XR
tricacics, and graVeft difficulties can (ling flones at an hairs'
breadth and not miflc. It fivouretb lifaife ail- along of
a mofl Jbarp, firing and pregnant "hit, in (vpptfittg cafes,
propofmg pertinent overtures and expedients, in ajprjwgof
arguments, f) amwgdijlintlhns, antnipativg cljitltons, in
tiotioM guarding again ft mi \\ aU s tna incihVtvnrces &e m
So that it's Verified of hm %hat Mas nee /aid oj Origcn*
Origenis irgenium ftfiheitbat ad omnia perdifcenda,
he had fuch pregnancy of wit that he cculd reach any
thing; and of Jofcph Scaliger, he Tl^pcitcmcfi irge-
tiii vir, a Iran of a flupendicus wit. h diJaVerctb
yiithall fo \ery great ir fight in Church- biflory ana Writings
of the ancient fatbers,n herewith it is every Mberemcft beau*
tifully illuminate, that it may Xrellbe /aid of him , <vs once
cf /Wf Buchcltzer, that orieTtouldhaVe thought univer-
fam antiquitatcm in ejus pcflufculo latuifie rccorduam,
that ail antiquity lay hid in his brcaft ; and of famous
Mr. Holland, %egim Trofcfor of (Divinity in Oxford,
Adcofamiharis erat cum Patribus ac fi ipfe pater, He
was fo familiarly acquainted with the Fathers as if
himfclf had been one of them. *As for his JliU and
manner of exprefiinghimfelf it faVouretb Very much of the
primitive and Gcffel-fimplicity , So that nhat ufto\en to
the commendation of Bafil by a learned man, may fitly he
applied to the Author, The Reader will find in him a fim-
Tle and natural form of fpeech, flowing from his holy
breaft, much drained of all humane paflFons ; And that
nhich u faidcf Ambrofe, he (ludied non aures titillarc,
fed corda pungcre , rot to tickle and pleafe ears, bnt to
prick hearts : Js UkiKife that nbicb is [aid of another
great man, His words were, nonirflantia fed inflam-
mantia, not inflating but inflaming: He fihe^etbbxm-
felf here many Mayes to bcVe been indeed a great man . but 1
( having been hu Colleague in the Miniftery and of bis Very
intimate acquaintance for fome years ) tyerr him to be Jlcb
wore particularly and feVeral other Kayes , So tbat mile 1
reflect
rememoranc^BSatl baVe fet„.
and beard from bim, I am contained to fay, as once Urba-
nus Regius ( a man mucb more able indeed to difcem ) faid
if Luther, upon occafion of a conference with bim, Semper
fuic mihi ougnus, ac jam mihi maximus eft ; vidi enim
prxfens & audivi quae nullo calamo tradi polTunt al>
fencibus, Hewasalwayestomeagreatman, but now
very great ; for I faw and heard things when I was
prefent with him > which can hardly by any pen be
communicated to tliofe that were abfenc. In a Word %
as to tbe Whole Treatife, it may J thinly, without any hypdfc-
bole bejaid, that it u unfrer fully moji profitable and fea-
fonably beautiful ; Vor, in tbe firft part of it concerning
Scandal in tbe general (excellently commended and com-
mended as all tbe rest are > by tbe (lately- fly ling, profound
and precious Prefaces like-minded in all tbefe things With
tbe bleffed Author y whofe fage mind in them, and not the
hjfe becaufe oftbti co-incidency , Would be more laid height
upon y left We be put out of time to lament alfo the loffe of
fuch a Healer and Tiller in thisforely fic^andjhakgn Church)
In the firft part? I fay, tbe ancient, primitive , long-dead,
buried , and almofl-forgotien tendernejfe in the matter of
Offence ( a ffecially -adorning requiftt to a Chriflian and.
Gotyel-becoming confer fation ) is again ritibed'and por~
traied asrifen from tbe dead With a mofl amiable and come-
ly countenance and taking afyeit , fo that it forcetb the
ferious beholders to fay, Peace be upon as many as Wa\ac~
cording to this \ule 4 In tbe fecond part concerning Scan-
dals M they are the object of Cburch-cenfureSy there is a y>ery
tompleat and compact directory according to the Scripture*
pattern for Church-officers bow to manage the great Ordi-
nance ofVifcipline in its exercife, Wblch y if it Were diligently
andconfciencioufly followed in the federal fleps of it, ( as it
Ibasmofl convincingly fo h the Author himfelf) tyould un-
doubtedly make that Worf^ both much more eafte and much
more fucces full than it ufetb ordinarily to be. In ^e third
part concerning Scandalous Errours , Wonderfully fuited
fo this time of Jo gnat infection, fecfyejje and mortality, by
tb$
the raging plague and hotcb oferrour, excetdingtygdli
a head, ripened and made to, breaf^ and run out, to the pi
felting, in a manner, of the Very air therein the Churches i
thefe Kations breath, by the beat and WarmneJJe afforded to it
from a lamentable liberty andvaji Toleration ; In f to third
part, / fay> there is, as it Mere, a fhyfcians Shop, full of
choice preferVatiVes againft, and foVeraign remedies of, poy-
fonable errours and herefes. In the fourth part* concerning
Scandalous Divifions, he doth, as another Irenaeus, *itb
much meekpeffe ofwifdom and Jingular moderation ofjpirit,
without any the lea/i reflation or irritation, mofi tenderly ,
Jlngly,unbyaffedly and impartially, and mofi ajfettionatly } as a
man burnt With the offence thatWaiteth on divifions amongfi
godly Miniflers especially, ftrongly endeavour an innocent
and whole fom union and compofure, fo that ( as an eminent 9
aged and experienced ferVant ofjefus Qhrifi, Whofe praife is
in the Gofpel throughout all the fe Churches, when he fir ft
faW this *2iece in Writ, faid ) it will be unwelcom to none
but fuch as are led with a bitter fpiric ; to which may Well
he added, that as it's reported of Nazianzen, he was of fuch
authority in the Greek Churches , that whofoever durft
oppofe his teftimony, was fufpe&ed to be an Heretick t
So may it be faid of thepioufly and prudently-peaceable, and
healing- Spirited Author , that he deferVeth to he of fuch
authority, at leafl in the Scotti[h Qhurch, that Whoever fhall
adventure to oppofe ( as it's hoped none Will) to wife, harm-
leffe, holy and healing Overtures , may be fujpeifed to be no
great friend to the union and peace of this afflitfed and rent
Church. I Will not, Chriftian Reader, detain thee any longer
from perufmg this notable Trait ate , but fhall only offer to thy
heW as (but a Very little before his Uflficknejfe, and after his
finijhing tbt three firfi parts) mofi unexpeltedly furprifed
With a motion fuggefteito him anent the expediency of hand*
UngfomeWhat of the Scandal of Divifions, it didfo ex~
wdingly affright him } and had fuch afionifhing influence up-
m
The Pablifcr f o the R - 1
'^mnnt Ihrough the apprehended difficulty and tic\lifhnef[c of
the fubject ( fo tender V>as be) that (as himfelf did to fome
afterward profeffe ) he funk down in his feac, and yet
leing convinced of the nece ffity of faying fomewhat to it the
Lord having Vvitball helped bim in the other parts, he dursl
not forbear ; thereupon this choke difhourfe (for it V>as not
divided In Chapters till afterward) did follow } much thereof
1 knoty and am perfoaded did occur and KasgiVen unto him
incer di&andurn. The other thing is, That [onetimes be-
fore his death to fome friends, he did humbly and gravely
tall it his Teftamencto the Church of Scotland ; V>hhh
Teftament and Latter- will of a dead, but yet fyeaking-
faithfull fervant of God y Mil, I hope, in 'due time ^con-
firmed by all godly /judicious, fober, peaceable and unpreju-
dicatemen, as containing in it a mofl excellent and enriching
Legacy, Worthy to be put into the Churches Treafury. Koto,
that it may go forth Kith a rich blejjlngfrom the God of truth
and peace t to all the hone fl-bear ted lowers of the truth in
peace, for the advancement of truth and aholy peace, is the
defireofbim, Ho defireth to be
Thine to ferve thee in the
Gofpel of Peace*
J. c.
THE
The Contents.
T
He rife of the Treatifc , pag. I, i. The grounds
of it, p,2, j.
PART I.
Concerning Sc&todalintbe general, Thcfumofit* />♦ 4.
Chap. i.
Concerning federal distinctions of Scandal, p. 4, j, 6, 7, 84
9,10,11,11, 13,14.
Chap. 2.
Holding forth what offence is not, and what it is, paiy*
i6 2 17.
Chap. 3.
Concerning the fevcral wayes that offence may be given,
p. 17, 18, 19, 10, XI.
Chap. 4.
Concerning that upon which offence workethj or thefcVera!
wayes by which it is taken, p. 11, 22, 23.
Chap. 5.
Concerning what ought to make men loth and wary as to the
giving of offence, p. 23, 14, 25.
Chap. 6.
Holding forth the difficulty to lye mainly in praSice, and
(hewing how far offence ought to have influence on a Chriftian
in his walk, p. 2f, 26, 27, 18, 29.
Chap. 7.
Shewing what the Scandal of the Pharifees or malicious
is, and clearing feveral other important qudhons, p. 20. as,
What is to be done when menftand not to offend us, p. 30.
What, when the matter is lawfully and the offence doubtfully
P* 3°» 3 ** What, if fufficient pains have been taken to inform,
for preventing of mens taking offence ? p. 3 1, ? 2. What is to
qij done when there is a real difference betwixt parties upon
aadic count of a civil iutereft ? p. j 2, 3 3 ♦ What it :o be done
when the Commands of Magiftrates and Offence are inoppo^
fition ? p, $4, j f . What is 10 be done when offence is like to
follow on either fide ? p. 3 5, 36, $7. What when doing will
offend the weak and tender, and irritate the perverfe, (& contra ?
Chap. 8.
Holding forth what is called-for when offences abound, in
feveral directions, p. 40, 41, 42, 4?, 44, 45,46, 47, 48.
Chap. 9.
Holding forth what ought to be the carriage of Ministers
when offences abound, p. 40, 50, 5 1,52,53,44,5 5.
PART II.
Concerning Publicise an dais, or Scandals as they are the
objeB of Church- cenfures ; and more particularly
astbeyareprattical, or in practice.
Chap. 1.
C Hewing that every offence is not publick, and when it is fo;
O p, ^ 57, 58 When a Scandal is to be brought to publick,
p. 58, jo* Where offences are publick, yet difference is to be
made, p. 6o, 6 1.
Chap. 2.
Concerning what order is to be keeped in the following of
publick Scandals, p. 6*1. Herein the ends of difcipline would
be refpe&ed, which are fet down, p# 6*, 6 $. All offences of
the fame kind not alway to be equally dealt with, p. 6j, 64*
What is to be guarded againft when there is a different way ta-
ken for cenfuring of the fame offences, p.64,65. How Church*
officers ought to carry in Cenfures, p. 6i,66,6j,68> How
Difcipline is to be ordered fo,as it may not mar, but further the
Word, p. 69 1 70.
Chap. 3.
Shewing that Chrifts order and method, Mitih. i*. is to be
keeped, and what it doth imply, p. 71, 72, 7$, 74, 75,
Chap. 4.
Holding forth the frame wherewith Church-officers oughc
to proceed in Cenfure, and helps towards the fame, p. 76,77,
78. Church-orocefles would be carried«on with expedition,
the reafens why, p. 79.
Cha?*
Chap f.
Concerning what is to be done when offending pcrfons pj ve
no fatisfaftion, p. 80*81, 8 a, 8$. When is a perfon to be ac-
counted obftinate, p, 8^,84. What is to be done when an
offence is not grofle, and yet hath contempt with itj p. 8 j .
Chap. 6*
Concerning what is to be accounted fatisfying as to the filling
of procefs and removing of the offence, p. 86. What kind of
fatisfaction is not fufficient for making a Church-judicatory to
fiffrheir proceffes, p. 86,87. How diffembling maybe difco-
vered when a perfon maketh offer of fatisfac"tion, p. 87.
Chap. 7.
Shewing what is not neceflary to fatisfaftion; where it is
cleared, that the faving grace of repentance, orgodiy fincerity
therein, is not the alone ground upon which Church-officers
are to reft fatisfied* p. 88,89, 9°> 9 r J 9*»
Chap. 8.
Holding forth what may be fatisfying , to wit, a[ober,feriop:z
acknowledgment of the offence, with theexpreflionofanun-
fained-like purpofe to walk inofFenfively for the time to come,
P- 9** 94^ How moral ferioufnefs may be difcerned, p. 94, 95^
If alwayes charity mould judge a perfon fincere, who is thus
morally fcrious, p«95> 96,97,98. If not, upon whataccounc
is this morally- ferious profeflion to be accepted as fatisfying,
p. 99. That this moral ferioufnefs is fumcknt, confirmed by
feveral reafons , p. 100, 101, 101,10$, 104. Some differences
betwixt the key of Doftrine and the key of Difcipline are aft
figned for further confirming of this, p 104 10 5, 106, 107, That
fuch a profeflion was fatisfying for admitting to Ordinances
amongft the Jews after uncleannefs, and therefore ought to be
fonow, proved , p. 107, 108.
Chap. 9.
Concerning what is to be done when men appear neither fe-
rious nor obitinat, p. 109. How a publick rebuke is to be
given, / bid. If it be al wayes neceflary that the offender (peak in
juiblick when he is rebuked, p. no. How an offender is to be
reckoned after a publick rebuke, p. in. I fan offence may at
firftinftant be brought to publick, p.m. When an offence ik
to be accounted publick, p. 11^,114,1^5, 116,117.
Chap. io.
Clearing whether in Church-proccffts an Accufer be aiwayei
tacceilary, p. 1 18 3 1 vj % uo» 3 1 C h a p 4
Chap. ii.
Concerning what is to be done when the complaint is, fome
injury done to the complainer, p. izi, 112,113. What istobe
done when a Calumniator, being complained of, offereth to
make out the thing , p, ii^, 114 What if a profane confeffing
party refufe to give fatisfaftion, p. 1*5.
Chap 12.
Concerning what ought to be done by private perfons, when
Church- officers fpare (uch as are fcandalous, p 126, 117, 128.
They are to continue in the difcharge of the duties of their fta*
tions, and not to feparate from the communion of the Church,
nor withdraw from the Ordinances , but to count themfelves
exonered in holding faft their own integrity, fince their con-
fidences are not defiled by the prefence of fcandalous perfons, as
is cleared by fcveral pregnant arguments , p. 128, 129, 130,
1 3 1, 1 3 1> 1 3 3, 1 ?4, 1 3 ? • For further confirming of this, there
is a particular confederation of iCer* 11. v. 17, 18, &c. p. 136,
Chap. 13.
Shewing more particularly what it is that private perfons arc
called unto in fuch a cafe, p. 141, 14 2,. Why it is neceflary K> ac-
quiefce in the Churches determination as to pra&ice, p. 143,
144, 147 . which is confirmed by thofe three Njw-Evglani
Divines, Cotton, Hoofer, and Norton, p. 145, 146, 147.
C H A P. 14.
Clearing whether the Ordinances of Chrift be any W3y pol-
luted by corrupt fellow- worfhippers, p.i47 } 148, 149, 150,151.
Chap. 15.
Shewing if any thing further in any imaginable cafe be allow-
ed to pri vat Chriftians, p. 151, 152,153*
PART III.
Concerning® ottrinaL Scandals, or Scandalous Errors,
Chap. i.
HOlding forth the expediency of handling this matter,p. 1 54.
Errour vented by thofe who are corrupted therewith, is
noleffe fcandalous, and no leffe to be accounted fothangtoffe
praftices, p. 155, 156.
Chap. 2.
Concerning the if reading of errour 5 Gods difplcafurc at
the
ONTBNT
the fuffering thereof, and the fainting even of good men in re-
Graining the fame, p. 157. What height deluGons of this kind
may come unto, p. 15*, 1^9. with whatufe may be made of
the fame, p. 1 59, 160. The tolerating of groffe errour is mort
difpleafing to God, and why, p. <6o, 16 1. Sometimes thofe
who want not affection are too condefcending to erroneous
Teachers, and why, p. 162, 16 $.
Chap, 3.
If any of the People of God may be carried away with
groffe delufions, p. 164. It is not fimply impoffibie but
Tome may, in a great meafure, for a time be carried a way,i£/i.
yet not fo eafily as unto groffe practical evils, p. *6%\\66.
When any Believers fall in fuch evils,ufually the Lord Angularly
chaftneth them for the fame, p. 166. Ordinarily corrupt Teach-
ers fet more upon Profeffors to withdraw them than upon others
that want profeflion, and why, p. 167, 168, 169,
Chap. 4.
How it is that groffe del ufions may come to fuch an height as
they often do, p, 170. What hand the Lord may have in fuch a
plague, cleared, p.i 7 i 5 i 7 i, , 7? , , 74 , 1?h i 7 6,i 77 .
Chap. f.
How errour may be known to ! be a judicial flroke, and why
the Lord fmiteth with it, p. 177, i 7 8, i 79 , W hat caufesdo
molt ordinarily procure this plague of delufion, p. 180, 18*.
Chap. 6
By what means, and how, Satan driveth on this plague
amongft a people, p. 182,18$. What is Sarans method of
P™ cee ^ in g>P-*S*- Howne P rofecu "thit l p.i8 4 ,i85 J i8^l8 7 ,
188- Ihe meani and arguments that are ufed to carry on this
dehgn, 189,190,191, 191, i 9 i. The manner how this detign
is earned on by Satan through corrupt Teachers his emiflaricsj
p. 194. What acceffion a people may have to the bringing of
this plague upon themfelvcs, cleared, p. 19 j, 196.
Chap 7# *
What is called for as du^y in fuch a cafe, p. 196. What
is not the proper duty or remedy in fuch a cafe ; Sure an abfo-
lute toleration of all errours and the promoters thereof is nor,
P» ,0 7i ! S 8 * Extreaas here are to be efchewed, p. 198)199,200.
Chap. 8.
When fome errours are to be forborn,p. 201. Some neceffary
andufcfull diftinclions hereanent, p. 201, 201, 20 j, 204, <OJ f
106 9 io 7f Some things not at all to be forborn, p. 208.
a } Chap,
Chap. p.
What is called-for from Church-officers in the cafe of
fpreading errour, p. 109. What a Minifter is called unto, in
reference to God and himfelf at fuch a time, p. 210, m, in,
21$, 214. Union amongft Minifters, and their flocks, is
carefully to be ftudied in luch a cafe, p. 21 j. What is the Mi-
nifters duty in reference to the flock in general at fuch a time,
p. 216, 217, 218, 2tp. What is fpoken of the duty of Minifters,
doth by proportion agree toRuling-Elders according to their
ftation, p. »io. What is a Minifters duty in reference to
thofe that are (educed, ibid. Tryal and difcovery is to be made
of what errours are maintained, and by whom ; Then the party
is to be convinced, p 222, 223.
Chap. 10.
Whether at all times a publick debate be neceffary with fuch
perfons upon thefe points, p. 12$. In what cafes it is called-for,
ibxL and p. 2 14. In what cafes it is not called-for, p. 225.
What is to be accounted the fufficient conviction of a gain-
fayer, where it is cleared, that it is not only the putting of
the adverfe party to filence, p. 216, 7.27, 328. How a publick
debate is tobe managed when ncceflary, p, 229, 230.
Chap. ii.
Admonition is neceffary, andiiow to be performed, p« 231,
The feveral fteps of admonition, p, 232. Some things ob-
fcrvableiir the way of admoniming f p. 223. That rejecting
of anobftinate Heretick, is to Church-officers a neceffary duty,
and a mean to be made ufe of for the Churches edification, ibiii
and p. 134. What if the perfon (educed, be judged to be truly
gracious, p. 234. What if he be no fixed Member of any par-
ticular Congregation, p. * $5. What it Civil Magiftrates con-
cur not to the backing of the Sentence, ibid, and p. 1 36. Two
limitations to be adverted to in the rejecting of Here ticks, p,
23d, 237.
Chap. 12.
What is to be accounted a fatisfying and fuccesfull admoni-
tion, p. *3 7. Some ufefuil dittin&ions of fatisfaftion are fet
down for the clearing of this, jfo'i. and, p. 238, 139. Whether
any thing be required of Minifters towards thofe that are re-
jected as Hereticks, p. 239,
Chap* 13.
\Nh%t is required of Magiftrates for reftraining of feducing
fpiritSj
/pirits, p«240. They arc called, according to their places, to
interpofe, p. 241. They are not meerly to look to outward
order, p. 142, 24?. That the grounds againft Toleration con-
cern Magistrates afwell as Minifters, p. 244, 245. That total
forbearance is not like the Gofpel, cleared, p. 246, 247- It's
Magiflratesduty to prevent the infection of the people under
them by corrupt doctrine, p. 147*
Chap. 14.
What may be juftly acknowledged to be within the reach and
power of the Magiftrate in fuch a cafe , and fo, what is his du-
ty, p. 248. borne Cautions premitted , ibid, and, p. 249*
The Magiftrates duty may be confidered, frft, with refpeft to
God, p. 249, Secondly, with refpe&to themfelves, p. 250.
Thirdly, with refpeel: to thofe that are yet free of infection, p*
250, 2$ r, 252, 2?$. Fourthly, with refped to the Deluders, o*
thofe that are deluded, p. 2?4> 2??, 256. It is not fufficient
for a Magiftrate to maintain civil peace only, p. 2 56, 257.
Chap. 15.
What iscalled-for from people who are defirousto keep them-
fclvs pure in fuch a time and cafe as the increafing of errors and
feducers, p. 15^,2^9, 260,261, What is their 3uty in refe-
rence to the perfons infe&ed, And if they ought to refrain from
their fellowfbip, p. 262,16$, 264. A main part of the peoples
dutylycth in countenancing and adding weight unto the feveral
fteps of procedure by Church-officers, againft fuch perfons, p*
264, 26J.
Chap. id*.
What further duty is required of private profeflbrs towards
Hereticks that are cut-off, p. 26 J, 266, 267, Some Confide*
rations to provoke Minifters and others to the faithful difchargc
of their duty in all the fore-mentioned particulars, p, 268,269*
PART IV.
Concerning Scandalous ®ivifiom>
Chap. i.
HOw HereGe, Schifm and Divifion differ , together with
the feveral kinds of DiviGon, p. 270. The Introduction to
to this Part, ibid. The Scandal and hurtfulneffe of Divi-
fions, p. 271% The headsof this part of the Treatife , p. 27 2.
a 4 Wha
rLONTB
What Hcrefie is, ibid. What Schifm is, and the kinds thereof,
p. 17}, 174* »7^ 2 7^> l 77- What is here meant by the word
Viujion, the feveral kinds thereof, p. 178, 279, »8o. Divifion
amongft the godly is a thing incident to the Church, p. 28 1.
It may continue long and come to a great height, ibid. It is not
eafily removed even when amongft fuch, p. 182.
Chap. 2.
Whence Divifibns do arife, and how they are foftered and in«
crcafed , p. 281. Sometimes various apprehenfions of inferi-
our truths have influence upon this , ibid. Sometimes the
miftake of fome difpenfations, p« 28$. Sometimes different
apprehenfions about perfons and things, ibid, and p, 284 ufu-
ally heart-burnings at the credit of others, ibid, aggregingthc
infirmities of others, p. *8 5. A factious vindicating of truth,
ibid and p, 286. Undue cenfures, ibid, Leaving the matter t
and falling upon refledions, p. 287. Studious engaging of
others in the difference* ibid* Too much liking of corrupt men,
becaufe of fome fair pretences, p. 2 8 8. Peremptorinefs without
condefcending, ibid. Diflatisfadion about fome perfons, iWi.
Encroachment upon the exercife of one another* power, p, 289,
Much medling in extrinfick things, ibid. Novelty of notions
and expreffions, ibid m
Chap. 3.
The height of evil that divifion bringetk, p. 290. as, heat
and contention, ibid. Alienation in affedion, ibid. Jea-
loufie and fufpicion, p. 291. Virulent expreffions, ibid. Per-
gonal reflections, and condemning what formerly they com-
mended in each other, & contra, ibid. Imprecations and in-
fh'gations of the Civil Magifinteagainft one another, p. 291.
Inflicting of (harp cenfures, ibid* Renting of whole Churches,
ibid. Heat and fury amongft their refpedive followers, ibid.
Furious madneffe of Divines , ibid. Diverfion of them from
their main woik to the great advantage and fatisfadion of
open adversaries, p. 29$. Both fchifm and hercfie often fol-
low divifion, ibid. Both fides of the divifion are often faulty
though not equally, 294, Divifion is yery hardly curable, ibid*
Chap. 4.
Thecaufes why divifion ulually cometb to fuch an height,
p. 29 <• The Lord hath an holy foveraign hand in this, partly
trying both good and bad , chaftifing alfo and pnniftung, ibid.
yea, plaguing the world thereby , p. 296. \ Diyifion burdeneth
thp
T
ifcc godly, ibid. It hardcneth the adverfaries of the Truths
p. 197. Some character* of judicial divifion, ibid, and p. 298.
Men engaged in this divifion may have acceflion to it fe vera!
wave-, p. 299. a , by former guiltinefs, ibtd. prefent diftem-
pers, ibid. inconfiderat expreffions oc actings, p, $co. Too
great U verity in Difcipline andCenfures, ibid. Sleighting of
the pcrfons. writings or actings of others, ibid* Hunting after
credit, ibid. Little condefcending to remove miftakes and pre-
judices, ibid. Acts that lhte a Schifm, ibid, which are of fe-
veral forts, p. $01. Some other wayes by which men may
have acceflion to chis, ibid.
C H A P. 5.
What occafionall means may have influence upon divifion
amongft the godly, p, 302. Tale- bearers, ibid, fears of Cen-
fures in many, p. $04. Civil Powers may have influence upon
this by pretending to fide with one party againit another, and
by their weakning of Government and giving men liberty to do
what they wi Ajbid. Peoples engaging 3nd Tiding in fuch diffe*
rences doth not a little heighten and lengthen the fame, p« 304.
Applications to Magistrates for ratifying or crushing of electi-
ons,^/*/. Mifcari3gesofperfons differing, p. 30;, Occurring
difpenfations of providence, are fometimes made ufe of for this
end, p \o6. The itrength or the tentation inrefpectof fome
other circumftances, As perfonal credit acting under the covcrc
offcealforGod,p. $07. Evil grounded confidence, ibid. A
judging of the matter in difference to be neceflary and of great
moment when ir may yet be far otherwayes, p. 308. A par-
ticular miftake of mens perfons and actions as they agrf c with,
or differ from them, ibid. A conviction of finglenefs in pro-
fecutingand adhering, p. 309. fear of lofing credit by relent-
ing, p.$ 10. fear of hurting their refpective followers, p.uu
Tfte tentation flrengthned,by looking upon the failings of op*
pofits, ibid, and by the hope of the ceding of others, ibid.
Chap. 6.
What be the fad effects of divifion, and the necellity of endea*
vouring unity, p. $*2, 31$, The neceffity of endeavouring
unity, granted by all, ibid, and p.jM,
Chap. 7.
General grounds leading to unity, p. 514* The cure of di-
vifion moil difficult, ibid. An abfolute neceflity laid upon a
*em Church to unite, p. 3 1 j> j t6. Union a thing attainable
amen^ft
irTToNTHNTS;
fcm&ngft orthodox Divines or Minifters, p. $t£, J17, En-
deavouring union doth not infer union in all points of judge-
ment and pr'&ice, but may ftand with feveral defects, p. hj 3
£18, $19. Union may ftand with fome defe&s in Worfhip,
and manner of Government, p. $19. With what kind of de-
feds anion may be midc up, cleared in feveral Rules, p. 310,
a 2 1, } » 2. When inconveniencies are on all hands, what fide
is to be followed, cleared, p. $21, Ji?. What may be accoun-
ted fuch impediments as a tender confeience may be feared by
from uniting, cleared, p. $ 2 $ , $ 1 4. Mutual condefcending at
fucba time in a fpecial manner neceflary, p. 3*1. Wherein
there muft be no condefcending, p. $ 1 5 . Condefcenfion ought
to be mutual, r&ii. What fide ought to be molt condefcending ,
even that which is right and hath Authority, ibil. and p.
316. They who did the wrong, ordinarily moftaverfe from
condefcending, p. $ \6. Thofe who have condefcended molt,
fcave alvyayes been thought the greateft friends to the Church,
ibid. Yeelding in all particulars that do not involve any con«
fent unto, or approbation of what is wrong, commendable, p«
Si**, ;i3. Some negative Conclufions concerning the up-
making of a breach 5 as, divifion not to be cured by deftroying
any orthodox fide or party, p. $29. Divifion not to be cured
by incapacitating any profitable Officer or Member to do his
duty, ibid, Union not to be ftudied with any note of difrefpeel:
upon either fide, ibid. No (imply authoritative way is the fie
mean to begin the healing of a rent Church, p. $ 19, $$0.
Though one fide fail in condefcending , the other ought not
to fail, but to go the furtheft warrantable length, p. $ $o, $ $ c.
Better any orthodox fide be practically condefcended unto in the
fuppofed cafe than that divifion mould be keeped up, p 3 ; 1,
It was the actings and not the formality of the conftitutiun of
Synods that occafioned divifions of old, p« { ? * , g ? ? - Abates
concerning Government moil difficultly removed, and whence
it cometh to be lb, p. $$4.
Chap» 8.
Some preparatory endeavours for uniting, p.$$?. Walking
under an imprefiion of the dreadfulneiTe of fuch a plague, ibii*
and p. ^6. Divifion would be looked upon as having a fear-
full (hare in it, p. $ } 6, $ $ 7 . Minifters and others wsuld di*
ligently view their own inward condition, p. 5 57. There
would be repentance lui table to what is found 9 p. $ 3 3, Union
would
O N
would by all warrantable means be commended unto, and prefl
fed upon, thofe tbac differ, and by thofe that differ, one upon an-
other, ibid The defign of union would be profecuted with
fingleneffc and conftancy, p. <$o. Union would be endea-
voured with all tenderneffe and refp^A to the pcrfons, actions
and qualifications of men differing , ibid, and p. 3 40, Several
particulars wherein this refpeft would be manifefted, fpoken
unto, p. $ 41. ^ would be further manifefted in expreflions
of mutual confidence, p, 541. kind vifits, ibid, abftainingof
per(on3l rtfle&ions, even though there be much provocation
given, ibid* ami p. ?4*. Infuch a cafe Ministers would in a
fpecial manner ftir up themfci ves and others to the life and pra«
ftice of R-ligion, p. ^44. There would at fuch a time be fo-
lemn addreffes to God for his leading in the way to this defi-
rable end, ibid*
Chap. 9.
What things are to be forborn in order to uniting » p. }4f«
All things that weaken the reputation of others to be avoided,
ibid. Evil counfel would be taken heed to 5 neither at fuch a
time in this bufinefs would ail mens advice be indifferently
laid weight upon, p. $46, $ 47- There would be a forbearing
to engage judicially fro or contraband why, p. ^48^49, There
would be abftaining from propagating different opinions facti-
oufly, and why, p. $49> 3*o* All contrary afting would be
abftamed, p. ^51. Separated meetings to be efchewed, and fe-
parated fa lis, ibid. Ads and puncipks laying reftraints upon
.either fide, would be abftained, p. $ s 2,
Chap* 10.
Wh3t is ro be done in order to uniting, p. $ { ii There would
be a leeking after meetings and conferences, ibid. In fuch meet-
ings there would be an offer made of fair conditions, p. $f$.
There would be a right way of carrying-on fuch meetings, p.
3 5 ?> $ f 4« Contentions about formalities, as alfo perfonal cri-
minations, would be foiborn at fuch meetings, p. 3 5 4. There
would be condefcending in fome circumftances though they
(hould not fecm fo reafonible, p. $5 j. The moft tender of the
Church moft condefcending , ibid and, p. $ 56.
Chap. ii.
What is to be dene in clofing doctrinal differences, p. $?7?
The^r/iway of clofing doftrinall differences, when one par-
ty bringeth the other to the fame judgement with them 1
or , when both parties quit fomething of extremities , and
joyn in a middle opinion, p. $?7- The (econd way of compo*
fing fuch differences, by endeavouring to keep unity notwith*.
ftanding thereof, by a mutual forbearance in things contro.
verted, which is of two forts, p. 3?V??9- The*Wr4way
of compofing fuch differences, is 9 When though there be fome
medling with fuch queftions , and fo a fecn difference, yet it
is with fuch forbearance as there is no fchifm nor divifion, but
that is (erioufiy and tender J y prevented, p. 560,361, 361.
Chap. 12.
What to be done for union in points not doctrinal , but about
matters of fad or perfonal faults, p. 3 6 }. Contefls about thefe
are of feveral forts, As fometimes there is diflatisfa&ion with
the conftitution of a Church as to its Officers and Members,
ibid, and p. 364. A fecond fort of fuch contefts, is, when faults
are alleaged, which either are not true, or cannot be proven, p,
364, 365. Athirdforc of fuch contefts, is, whenthere i% a
pleading for fuch perfons as arejuftly cenfured, or ccnfurable,
p. 366. There is a threefold way of compofing thefe lad con-
tefts, t. by clearing the juitnefs of the Sentence, 1, by recal-
ling the Sentence when the perfon may be profitable, ibid.
3»By the fentenced perfons Submitting themfelve*, p. ^Oy.
A fourth fort of conteils of this kind is, when there are mutual
upbraidings for failings in a time of darknefs and tentation,
ibid Thefe moil fatisfyingly removed by forgiving one ano-
ther, ibid*
Chap. 13.
What is to be done towards uniting in divifions arifing from
diverfity of circumftances in external adminiftrations,and efpe-
cially arifing from Church-government, p. 368. Condefcen-
dency in fuch things, necefTary, p. 368, 399. In fuch things
better to forbear fome new thing , than to alter the old, without
fome confiderable rea(on,x'Wrf. Divifions about Church- govern-
ment ordinarily moft bitter, and of many kinds, ibid* Con-
cerning the form of Government, p 3 70- Practical difference
herein maketh divifion, ibid. Characters of Governmentfic
for uniting, p. 471,371. Debates about the Conftitution of
Synods, p.37^. Defects in the constitution of a Synod, will not
cafily annul without defect in the matter, ibid. In ancient
Councils foundnefs of matter more regarded than formality or
number,
mmmmmm
number, jfr/i, and, p. 374. What (hould be done for nntom
when divifion arifeth about the conftitution of a Synod, p. } 7 $.
It would be confidercd how little ulefull the thing controverted
is, as to the Churches edification, ibid, and $76+ Thisdifto
rencc is either in judgment and maybeforborn, p. $76. or, it
relateth to practice » and Co fomewhat is to be tolerated, and
fome what done, p 377, 378. What ufually hath beendonc
when Authority was declined, p. $79. There is great diffe-
rence betwixt declining of fynodical Authority fimply, and the
conflitution of a particular Synod, p. 380,
Chap. 14.
What is to be done in order to union when divifions are about
i'M final Determinations, p. 5 S 1 . Such Determinations are here
understood as are in Doctrines not fundamental nor near the
foundation, ibid. Some of which are meerly doctrinal, ib'iJL
Others have practical confecjuents following upon them, fome
of which again infer divifion, others but diver(ity,p.$ 8 2. Some
determinations are of things daily practicable, others only
for an exigence fear cely ever again occurring, p. $83. Some
determinations are forMinifters practice, others are anfwers to
the queftions of Rulers, p* $ 84. Meer doctrinal decifions about
fmaller points, ought to make no divifion, p. 38?, $86,387.
How the fmaller number mould in fuch decificnsyeeld to the
greater, cleared, p.387, 388.
Chap. 15.
What mould be done in order to union about fuch decifions
as have practical confluents following thereupon, p. $88.
Contrary practices build a wall of fcparation , p. 389. There
may bediverfity without divifion, ibid. It is great folly to
make, or keep up'divifion for what is rarely or never practi-
cable, ibid. Union is not impoflible notwithftanding diverfity
of judgment, And though neither party mould acknowledge
any offence, p. 390^ 391, What to be done when the decifion is
a fimple declaration of the lawfulnefs of a thing, and where
the matter determined concerneth fuch practices as actually are
to be performed but in fome extraordinary cafe by civil powers,
cleared, p. 392, 3^, 394.
Chap. 16.
The remedies of divifions arifing from the rnifa implication of
Power inOidinatioo of MinUters,andadwttiflgunco,orcc-
barring
barring from, comnaunion, p. $9?. The ordination of a per*
fon worthy of the Miniftery, ordained by Church-officers, it
hot to be accounted null for Come defe&s , ibid. Union would
not be fufpended upon the tryal of the worthiness or unwor*
thinefs of fome perfons , but the rather endeavoured, that fuch
tryals may be the better comparted, p. $96, 397. What to be
done where there are contrary Ordinations, cleared, p. J97,
Chap. ij.
Remedies of divifions arifiog from the mifapplication of
power, incenfuringorfparingMinifters, real or (uppofed, p*
309, In what cafes extremities hcreanent are to be efchewed,
ibid. Church- judicatories their wife remitting of rigour, of
great advantage in fuch a cafe, p. 400. Corrupt, or grofle and
profane men for no interpolation to be received, p. 40 1 . How
to carry when debate falieth to he about conniving at guilty
men, p. 40 %. Union is the rather to be followed r hat fatif.
faction in this may be attained, p. 405, In times of divifion*
rumours efpecially concerning eminent perfons, not* fo to be re-
garded, p. 404. Zeal in juftly- centering, well confident with
a (pirit of union, ibid. Yet union is to be preferred to the
cenfuringof fome unfaithful I men , p*4o*. Union no pre-
judice to the purging-out of corrupt Minifters, ibid, and, p*
406. Purging not to be fo vehemently prefled till union be
fixed, p. 406, 407.
Chap» 18.
The fears of mifgovetnment for the time to come, and .the
remedies thereof, p. 408. The difference here, is either anent
the perfons that are to govern, p. 409. or anent the ordering
of things that may fall out, p. 410. The fatisfadtion here mull
be fuch as neither party is fully fatisfied, ibid. The abftaining
t>f union, will not prevent the inconveniences upon either fide,
p 411. The thing feared in this cafe, is not the bringing- in
of new Do&rine, nor a wrong Government, ibid Union is
not to be fufpended till there be fatisfaction in every particular,
p. 41 2, Some particulars to be referred to fome perfons accep*
table to both fides, who may be trufted with the decifion of
them, ibid, and, p. 41$ Such things are not to be decided
by a meer authoritative way, ibid, and, p. 414. Better for a
time to forbear many things, than to brangte union, p. 414*
Doubtfull practices to be abftained in fuch a cafe, p. 41 u
There
There would at fuch a time be many brotherly conferences for
preventing of abrupt furprifals by things moved in Judica-
tories, ibid. » Matters of difficulty rather to be committed to
fome deputed perfons, than inftantly decided , "and why, p.
416. It is not unfit fome perfons be defigned to compofe fucfa
occafional differences as may arife, ibid, and, p. 417.. Thi*
rendeth to recover flrength to Judicatories, p. 418. And is
confiftent with Miniftcrial Church-authority, ibid., and, p«
419. The great Apoftle often Iayeth afide authority, ibid. Se-
veral other reafons alfo are brought to prove the confiftency,
ibid, and, p. 410.
Chap. 19.
Some Advertifments concerning the Overtures propofed , p*
Chap. 20.
What is incumbent to Magiftrates and People for remedying
this evil, p. 41 J, 414.
Chap. ax.
The grounds and motives of the defired union, p # 41^41^,
4x7*4^8, 4i9,4? >4?»»4^' all pertinently, pathetkkly and
pungently propofed and prefied.
If there be any thing in the Colle&ion and frame
of thefe Contents uvfuitable to- or unxonrtU*
of thefe Contents unfuitable to 9 or unworthy
of the precious Author , let it net be imputed
to him % but to the Pnbhfher.
S R R A T J.
B ^ % A T A.
Tag. tin* redd
3$ *6 Jews for hearers
41 10 an for and
4? tilt aide, after taken
46* 34 way/«f may
60 32 light for like
96 24 not to be
S7 M evident
100 6 recovering
ibid 3* an for one
ii} *7 dele it
1*6 4 tfrfie, after thefe
153 « * poffible
160 55 ddde: after emrcd in 3°*
P4g. toe read
205 j one /or ail
210 3$ his /or this
219 4 alfe /w alfo
228 11 for tbelajl an, one
234 3 commended
247 14 hath not made
2$ 1 3 burying for burning
16 1 j 1 rf<?/eand
172 4 <k/o 2.
189 7 ^if, after others
*9 8 1 1 croffes for cafes
joo $6 in for one
27 fugg^ft^d
* aim for mind
^ notaswhatagreeth
337 11 conftruftions
339 3° of others
3 * * l8 where /of when
360 21 t he others
ifoi 36 writings /. meetings
377 1 par , After debating
39* 5 dele &c.
310
3?o
166 2 it for 10
167 27 many /or away
1 63 4 leavening
171 10 Kom 1. 2i,<y<?.
176 27 attw.4. 1 *^
19 J » 2 Cor.
*97 4 Gal. 1-9*
204 18 unto /or too
ftii 27 alfe /or alfo
p 4 g # J85 in the mat gent, read war forworn
Any other fuch or ieffer cfcapes thou wilt eafily help as thou
goeft through*
The Rife of this following
Treat i s e.
~J|jAving had occafion to confider the
" Book of the Relation, and being on
the Epiftle to the Church of Pergamos
in the fecond Chapter , ground was
given to fpeak fomewhat of Scandal,
by reafon of feveral do&rines clearly
arifing from that place : upon this
occafion I did firft effay the writing of fbmething of
the do&rine of Scandal in general, intending only to
have fpent a (heet or two thereupon, as elfewhere
on forne other fybje&s : When this was brought to
a dole, I found the place to give ground to fpeak of
publick Church-offences, as they are the objeft of
Church-difcipline and Cenfures * And being con*
vinced , that that fubjeft was not impertinent to be
fpoken of> I yeelded to fpend fome thoughts upon ic
alfo, which did draw to a greater length than at firft
was intended, or was fuitable for a digreflion : This
being finiihed, as it is, and any moe thoughts of this
fubjccHaid by, it occurred again to me to think of
do&rinal Scandals > or of fcandalous Errors ; And
confidering that theScandals,mentioned in that place,
are of fuch nature , and that fuch are Very frequent
in this time , I yeelded alfo to put together what
thoughts the Lord would furniflh concerning the
fame ; whereupon followed the third part of this
Treat ife. When this was even at the doling, there
was a fourth pare of the fame fubjeft that did occur
B Mi
to me to be thought on, which before that had never
been minded , and that was concerning fcandalous
Church-divifions : To this my mind and inclination
was exceeding avetfe at fir ft , as knowing it not only
to be difficult in it fdf to be medled in, but alfq ex-
ceedingly above mc , who am altogether unfuitable
to hazard on fuch a fubjeft : Yet,con(idering ?he rife
of the motion, and how the Lord had helped- through
the other parts, I did refolve to condefcend to follow
it, at leaft fo far, till it might appear what was His
mind to mc therein, and accordingly did follow it till
it came to the period (whatever it be)that now it is at.
This is the true rife and occafion of this Treatifc,
and of the feveral parts thereof, and therefore I have
continued its entry in the original mould thereof, to
wit, in laying down fome general do&rines from that
place of Scripture , and if there be afterward any
more particular relation to the fecond and third chap-
ters of the Revelation than to other Scriptures, this
fimple narration of the rife thereof may fatisfie any
concerning the fame : whereof we (hall fay no more,
but, firft , lay down the grounds of all from that text,
and then proceed in theTreatife , which is divided in
four parts, upon the reafons formerly hinted at.
The Grounds of this Treatifc.
( A Mongft other things that troubled the Church
f\ in the primitive times, Scandal, oxjffence, was a
•*■ *■ chief one ; and the many direftions that are
given concerning it , and the reproofs that are of it,
(hew that it is a main piece of a Chriftians conver-
fatton to walk rightly in reference thereto, and a
great evidence of loofneffe where it is not heeded.
On ver« 6. we (hew that this was a foul fault of the
Nicolaitans to be carcleffe of offending , or of giving
of offence, and not to regard Scandal ; and here the
Lordholdeth it forth tobefo, by comparing it with
BalMm's
A Trtafijrmtimng ilANDJrtf. 11 ^»
Balaam's pra6lice> ver. 14* which it aggreaged f roni
this, that he taught fidae t$ lay a /iumbling-bloc^ be-
fore lfraei From which thefe do&rioes may be ga-
thered, 1. That there is fuch a fault incident to men
in their carriage, even to lay (tumbling- blocks before
others, and to offend them. 2. That men ought to
walk Co as not to offend others , or fo, as to lay no
ftumbling-block before them : So that it is not
enough not to ftumble themfelves, ( if this could be
feparated from the other ) but alfo they ought to be
carefull not to ftumble others. 3. The Lord doth
take fpecial notice how men do walk in reference to
others in this, and is highly provoked where He
(eeth any guilty of it. 4. The devil hath ever endea-
voured to have offences abounding in the Church,
ind to make fome lay fuch ftumbling- blocks before
cyhers. 5. It is moft hurtfull to the Church, and dc-
ffruftiveto fouls where offences abound, and men
walk not tenderly in reference to thefe ; fo that the
Lord expreffeth it with a twofold wo, Mattb. 18. as
being a wo beyond fword or peftilence- 6. We
may gather, that corrupt do&rine never wanteth of-
fences joyncd with it , and that ordinarily thofe who
fpreadthat, arcuntender in this. 7. Thatoffences
often accompany the rife and beginning of any work
of Chrift's amongft a people , thefe tares of offences
are ordinarily then fown. 8. That fome offences arc
of a publick nature , and that Church-officers Giould
take notice of fuch, and that it is offenfive toChrift
when they are over-feen and not taken heed unto. 4
9. Church-officers, even fuch as other wayes are ap-
proved in their carriage and minittery* may fall ifct
this fault , as by comparing the Epiftles to rergamos
and Tbyatira, is clear. 10. When Officers fall iu
this fault, it is yet no reprovable thing in members
that are pure in refpc6l of their own pcrfonal carriage
to continne in communion with fuch a Church, the
Ordinances othervvayes being pure.
B 2 PART
>al. Parti.
PART I-
The fum of it.
THefe do&rins being in the words, and Scan-
dal being a great part of the challenge of
the Nicolaitans, or at leaft a great aggrava-
tion of their challenge , and alfo being a
moft neceffary thing for a Chriftian's daily walk, to
be carefully taken heed onto, there is ground here to
fpeakto the fame, ( in a time efpecially wherein of-
fences abound) and that in refpeft of what is callcd-
fbr, both in private perfons and in Church- judica-
corics ; on of private fcandals, and fuch as are pub-
lick. We (hall draw what we would fay of the firft
totbefefive, i. To (hew what zn offence is* 2. To
fhew how it is given. 3. To (hew fome confedera-
tions that ought to deter from giving of it* 4. To
(hew what weight it ought to have on a Chriftian in
his walk. S« Point at fome direftions neceffary to
be adverted unto when offences are rife and multiply.
CHAP. I.
Several Diftinttions o/ScandaV
■■Of clearing of the firft two, we (hall premit fome
diftinftions; and we would advert, that by
offence here, is not underftood that which doth
a&ually difpleafe or grieve another alway : for there
is a great difference betwixt difpleafing and offend-
ing; as alfo betwixt pleafing and edifying : for, one
may be difpleafed, and yet edified ; well fatisfied,and
firfltDu yet offended. Firft then, we are to diftinguifh be-
ftinttion, wix< difpleafing and offending; for# here offence is
takcra
F(
:
Part I • A Treatife concerning SCANDAL.
taken in oppofition, not to a man's being pleafed, but
to his edification ; and fo offence or (tumbling in
ftort here, is fomething that doth, or may mar the
fpiritual edification of another* whether he be pleafed
or difpleafed > as by comparing %w. 14. ver. 13,
with ver* 20, and 2 1. is clear : for what he firft cal-
leth a ftumbling-block, or an offence* heexpoundeth
it afterward to be any thing that may be the occafion
of a fall to another, and make him ftumble, or weak,
or to halt in the courfe of holineffe, as fome block
would hinder or put a man in hazard to fall in the
running of a race ; And from this is the (imilitude
drawn inthisphrafe.
2. Scandal is either given only, or taken only, or Second<Di m
both* Given only, is, when one doth lay (omc\hm% (linttion.
before another which is apt of it felf to caufe him fall
or fin; although the other do not fall by occafion of
it, yet if it be induftive to fin of its own nature, it is
an offence or ftumbling- block, as Chrift faith to
Peter, Mattb. 16. Thou art m offence tome ; though
there was nothing could flick to Him, yet that was
in its nature fuch, which ^eter had given Him in ad-
vice. 2. It is taken only , when no occafion is given,
but when a man doth what is not only lawfull, but
neceflary , and yet others from their own corruption
do carp thereat, and ftumble thereon : Thus did the
Pharifees offend at Chrift, Mattb. 15* 12. who did
never give offence to any; and this is common to
wicked men, that ftumble where no ftumbling-block
Mj and, as it is faid, they fyoVb not thereat they ftumbk %
2Vol\ 4. 19. This alfo is called paffiite offence, as the
other is called attiVe. 3. It is both given and taken,
when there is fomething aftive on the one fide, that
is apt to draw another to fin, and fomething that is
yielded unto on the othcrfidcand the bait is accepted;
This was it in that ftumbling-block which Balaam
laid before lfrael\ and thus ordinarily it is amongft
men , vvho, haying corruption, are fbon inflamed in
B J leffc
$ A Treattfe concerning Scandal! Part i ?
lcfle or more with every incitement. Thus, Gal i*
Peter gave tiarnabat offence, and he took it, when he
was alfo carried away to diflemble. It is this aftive
Scandal that properly is to be enquired in, and is
meant here, which is,in fhort, any deed or word that
in it felf is apt to make another to fin , or to weaken
them in their fpiritual courfc, either in refpeft of life,
or comfort , and that whether the perfon be actually
flumbled or not , or whether the perfon a&ually in-
tend offence or not. In all this we are to understand,
that one aft may be offenfive in many confederations,
as one deed may be againft many commands, and be
many wayes finfull.
Third 3* There are doftrinal offences, and there are fome
V)i[iinftion. ^ ac are practical r do&rinal, arefuchas flow from
"matters of judgement, wherein men vent fomc un-
truth, and fo lay a ftumbling-block before others,
this is to break a Commandment and to teach others
fo to do, Matth. 5. 19. And this is fometimes alfo in
matters of praftice, when a corrupt pra&ice is de-
fended, as thefe Wcolaitans ftrove to do theirs* Scan-
dallin pra&ice, without any do&rinal defence, is,
when doftrinc being kept pure, a perfon fallcth in
fome praftice, that of it felf without any verball cx-
preflion, isindu&ive to fin. Thus VaVid's adultery
was a fcandal: and this was the fault of the Priefts,
that made the people flumble at the Law : And thus
every pubhek or known irregular aftion is offenfive,
becaufe it is of ill example to others , or otherwife
f may have influence on them to provoke to fome fin.
fourth 4- We may diflinguifh offences according to the
Qijlinhion, m *tter thereof. And, 1 ♦ fome are in matters that
'arefimply finfull in themfelves, and have this alfo
following on them : Thus all errors and publick fin-
full pra&ices are offenfive. 2. Some matters are not
fimply and in themfelves finfull, yet have the appea-
fanccof evil, iTbeJf.f.ij. and thus dangerous and
doubtfuUocpreflionsindoftnne, thathaye been, or
ufe
Part i • A Trtattfc concerning Scanda ET" 7
ufe to be, abufed ; and pra&iccs alfo that are not be-
coming that honefty and good report which a Chri-
ftian ought to ftudy, as it is Vbthp. 4. 8, 9. arc offen-
fivc. In the firft refpeft , VaVui would not take the
name of Idols in his mouth, Pfal. 16. becaufe others
did too much reverence them : Of the lalt fort was
Ttf^diflimulacion and withdrawing , Gal. 2. be-
caufe, that appeared to ttrengthen the opinion of the
continuing of the difference betwixt Jew and Gen-
tile, &c for that caufe, taul would not circumcifc
Tim, Gal. 1. 3. and did condemn eating in the Idol-
temples. ?. Some offences are in matters otherwife
lawfull and indifferent, though not neceffary, asthq
eating of, or abftaining from meats, or what was
offered to Idols in the primitive times, which was in-
different to be done in the houfe of an Heathen, and
fo was fometimes lawfull, but was not indifferent to
be done in the Idol-temple , becaufe that had the ap-
pearance of evil, as if he had had fome refpeft to the
Idol ; nor was it to be done, if any weak Brother had
been at table in the houfe, becaufe it grieved him,
1 Cor. 8, and 10. It is thefe lafl two, ( and more efpe-
cially the third) that are concerned in the doftrine of
offences properly, and do rather arife from circum-
ftances in the thing , as time , place , perfon, man-
ner, &c. than from the deed considered in it felf.
5. We may diftinguifh them in refpeft of the in* -Eifth ©i-
tent of the work, or of the workers fome things may ftinffion*
be offenfive in themfelves as fo ctrcumftantiated, and
yet not be fo to the perfon that may give offence by
them > I mean , not be efteemed fo ; and thus was
Meters offence which he laid before Chrift, Maitb.16.
And fometimes the perfon may intend the others ad-
vantage, and yet may offend and (tumble him, as EH
intended his fonsgood, but really by his too gentle
reproof did (tumble them by confirming them in
their offence ; And thus fome, by unfeafonable re-
proofs or Qenfuresi and commendations alfo, mayre-
B 4 ally
* t ATreatijeconcer>nngScKKT>\Li Parti.
ally make another worfe , although they intend the
contrary*
Sjxflb pi- 6. Whence arifeth another diftin&ion of offences*
fltnfttw* y>i% : from the matter of apradtice, or from the man-
ner of performing of it > or the circumftances in the
doing of it : for, as it is not an a# materially good
that will edific, except it be done in the right man-
ner ; fo will not an a& materially good keep off of-
fence, if it be not done tenderly, wifely, &c« And
often we find circumftances have much influence on
offence, as times, perfons, places, manner, &c. for, it
isnotoffenfivetoone to pray or preach, butatfome
times, as before an Idol, or on an Holy-day it may
be offenfive.
Seventh 7. As fins are diftinsiufhed in fins of omiflion
fyiflinBion and eommiflion > So offences may be diftinguifhed
alfo : for : feme give offence when they fwcar, pray
irreverently, &c others> when there is no feeming
rcfpe6^ to prayer at all, in the very form ; for this
foftereth profanity as the other doth : And for this
Daniel will open his window , left he fhould be
thought to have forborn prayer : and this offence of
omiflion, or omiffive offence* is not guarded againft
only by doing what is duty, except there be alfo a
doing of it fo as conveniently, and as becomes it may
be known to be done , as in the former inftance : and
this^^.6.9. is called the boldingoftbe Tejlimony ; and
it is this mainly that is edifying to others , when the
light of holineffe doth (hine ; and when that is vailed,
others in fo far have darknefs to walk in,and fo it is as
to them an occafion to ftumble, becaufe they hold not
forth the li&ht unto them ; but ft ill this is to be done
without affeftation or oftentation, left a new offence
fhould follow thereupon.
Eighth 8. Some offences contrare the graces of Gods
tyijiintfion People, and thefc make them fad; fome fofter cor-
ruptions, and thefe are too pleafant : thus, foft re-
proofs, corrupt advices, flatteries, &q minifter matter
to many to fall on, 9,
Parti. -A Trcatife concerning^ c andai, 9
9. Some offence* may be called per fonall, whena Nitfffc©**
pcrfon committeth them in his private carriage, that ftin&lon.
is, when his way of eating, drinking, living, &c.
offendeth others , although he hath no medling with
them, but live retiredly : Some again arc more dircft
otrences ( as the firtt are indire6t and confequential )
that is>which flow from men in their publick aftings,
or in their mutual convcrfe with others, which have
more dircft influence to offend.
10. Offences may be difhnguifhed as they hurt Tentbpi-
folks either by pleating them in their corruptions and [Unttioru
ftrengthening them in what is finlull, or when they
hurt by irritating and ftirring up corruptions to vent.
In thefirft refp.dt, too much gentlenefle in admoni-
tions, rafhnefle or imprudence in commendations of
what is good in one, or extenuation of what is evil,
corrupt advice, and fuch like, do offend: Thusja-
nadab offended Amnan, 2 Saw* 13. and Eli his fbns*
Inthelaft, fleightingofmen, wronging of them, or
not condeicending to remove a vcrong , or to vindi-
cate our (elves, if there be a fuppofed wrong, doth
grieve and offend ; fo do evil-grounded reproofs, or
unadvertent admonitions that are not fcafoned with
love> hard reports, &c. •
11. We may confider offences with refpeft to the Eleventh
party offended; and lo,firft, we offend friends in ma- $)jjlinBion
ny refpe6^s, whom, it may be, we would not defire to
grieve, yet unadvertingly we ftumble them, and hurt
their fpnitual condition by unteuchfulneffe to them,
carnalnefle in converfing with them,fiding with their
infirmities, and many luch like wayes. Or, fecond-
Iy> th?y are enemies , or fuch to whom we bear no
fuch ref pect, thefe alfo are fcandalized when they are
provoked through the carnalnefs of our way to judge
hardly ohis, or ofRehgion for our lake, or to follow
ibme carnal courfe to oppole what we carnally doj
when we irritate them and provoke their paflion, &c«
and thus men in all debates are often guilty, whether
their
lo 'A Treatife concerning Scandal. Parr li
their contcft be in things Civil, Ecclefiaftick or Scho-
laftick* when, befide what may further their caufe
(fuppofeittobe juft) they do not carry refpe&ively
to the adverfary, and tenderly and convincingly, fo as
it may appear they fcek the good of their foul, and
their edification, even when they differ from them.
Thirdly , we may look on offence as it offendeth
wicked or profane men, poflibly Heathens, Jews, or
Gentiles; they are offended when hardened in their
impiety by the groflheffe and uncharitablenefle of
thofe who are profeffedly tender : thus it is a fault,
I £W. io, 32. to give offence either to Jews or Gen-
tiles, as to the Church of God. Fourthly, Amongft
thofe that are tender* fome are more weak, fome are
more ftrong: the firft are often offended where there
is no ground in the matter, as %om. 14. 1 Q>r. & <?c.
and it venteth readily by ralh judging and cenliiring
of others that areftronger than themfelves, forgo-
ing beyond their light, or becaufe of their feeming to
be defpifed by thcm,&c« which fheweth wherein the
offence of the ftrong alio lycth 5 therefore thefe two
arc put together, 5fyw. 14. 3. Let not bim that eatetb,
(that is, him that is ftrong) defyife bim that eateth not :
tAndlet not him that eatethnot (that is, the weak)
judge him that eatetb.
Twelfth l *♦ Offences may be confidcred as they dire&ly
Viftinttion. incline or tempt to Neither in do&rinc or practice ;
or, as they more indire&ly (care and divert from, or
make more faint and weak in the purfuingof holi-
neffe either in truth or pra&icc : Thus a blot in fome
profeffor maketh Religion to be fome way abhorred ;
this efpecially fallcth out when Miniftersand Pro-
feflbrs that are eminent , become offenfive : For that
is as a dead fly in the box of the Apothecaries oynt-
ment, that maketh all to (link: Thus, OAd. 1 . the
Priefts made the people ftumble at the Law ; as alio
did the fons of Eli, 1 Sam. 2. and this is charged on
©<*>#, that by his fall he made the Heathen blaf.
phemc:
part I . *A Trea tifc concerning Scandal. • ii
pheme : and thus contention and divifion amongft
Minifters and Difciplcs is infinuatcd to ftand in the
way of the worlds believing in, or acknowledging of
Chrift, as it is, Job.17.21.
13. Sometimes Scandal is in immediate dutfes of Jhirteen^b
religious worfhip, as praying, preaching, conferring, $ x n' m m mm
fpeaking, judging of fuch things, &c. that is, either J
by mifcarrying in the matter of what is fpoken, or by
an unrcverent, light, paflionate manner, &c. or, it is
given by our ordinary and common carriage in our
eating, drinking, apparelling, manner of living , buy-
ing and felling , ice. that is, when fomething of our
way in thefe things giveth evidence of pride, vanity,
unconftancie, covetoufneffe, addiftednefs to pleafure*
carnalneffe,or tome fuch thing wherby our neighbour
is wronged : Thus the husband may offend the wife,
and the wife the husband by their irreligious con-
verting together , whereby one of them doth ftreng-
then the other to think exaftneffe in Religion not (o
neceflary. And fo a fcrvant who hath a profeffion
mayftumble a matter, if the fervantbe not faithful!
and diligent in his fervice.
14. Again, fome offences are oflfenfive, and are fourteenth
given from the firft doing of the aft ion ; thus where Vlflinftim;
there is any appearance ot evil, the offence is given in
this manner. Again, offence may be at firft only
taken and not given, and yet afterward become given,
and make the perfon guilty, although in the firft aft
he had not been guilty. This is, firft, when fuppofe a
man eating without refpeft to difference of meats as
he might do indifferently, if he were told by one that
fuch meat were offered to an Idol, and therefore in
his judgment jc were not lawfull to eat it, although
before that , it were not offence given , but taken,
(he not knowing that any wereprefent that would
offend ) yet if. he (hould continue after that to do
the fame thing, it fhould be offence given upon his
fide. Secondly, If a man (hould know one to have
taken
mmmmmm
A Treatifc concerning Scandal* Part i.
taken offence at him, or his carriage, in a thing indif-
ferent (although he had given no juft occafion there-
of) and if, after his knowledge thereof, he fhould not
endeavour totemove the fame according to his place,
In that cafe the offence becometh given alfo, becaufe
he removech not that flumbling-block out of his
V ft a bKtthcrt way.
<ntfy%> *5« Some offences are offenfive in themfelves, that
PiJttnJton i SjW hcn the thing it felf hath fome appearance of evil,
or a tendencieto offend in it felf. Again, fotfle but by
accident inrefpeft of fome concurring circumftance
of time, place, & c. Some offences alfo may be faid to
be given of infirmity , that is, when they proceed
from a particular flip of the party offending, when
they are not continued in, ftuck to, or defended , or,
when they fall into them , not knowing that they
would be offenfive > and when that isknown,endea-
vouring to remove them. Again , other offences are
more rooted and confirmed, as when a perfon hath a
traft in them,, is not much carefull to prevent them,
or remove them, is not much weighted for them, but
fleighteth them, or defendeth them, &c This di-
ftin&ion of offences anfwereth to that diftinftion of
fins, in fins of infirmity and fins of malice: which
malicioufnefs is not to be referred to the intent of the
perfon, but to the nature of the aft ; fo is it to be un-
derftood here in refpe6t of offences.
Sixteenth In ^ e la ^ P laGe > we may con ^ er &**> diftin&ion
mm; ft- o( Scandals in private and publick: both which may
vtjnnmon be tw0 mycs under ft 00 d . e i t h cr , 1. in refpeft of the
witneffes ; or, 2. in refpeft of the nature of them*
1. It is a private fcandal in the firft refpefowhich doth
offend few* becaufe of its not being known to many,
and fo a publick offence in this refpeft is a fcandal
known to many. Thus the fame offence may be a pri-
vate offence to one at one time, and in one place ; and
a publick offence to another>or the fame perfon,in re-
fpeft of thefe circumftances. In the laft refpeft, a pri-
vat
p jrt it tx/ Treat*! c concerning S c a n h A i<
pat offence is that poffibly which doth ftumble many,
pet is not of that nature, as publickly, legally, or ju-
iicially it might be made out to be fcandalous, for the
convincing of a perfon offending , or of others $ al-
though it may have a great impreffion upon the hearts
of thofe who know it. Thus the general traft of ones
way and carriage (who yet may be civil, legal, and
fair in all particulars) may be exceeding offenfive, as
holding forth to the confeiences of thofe that are moft
charitable to him, much vanity, pride, earthly- mind-
edneffc, untendernefle , want of love and refpeft,
and the like ; which faith within the heart of the be-
holders, that there are many things wrong , when yet
no particular can be inftanced wherein the perfon
cannot have fair legal anfwers ; Of this fort arc un-
feafonable ftarting ofqucftions, or doubtfulldifputa-
tions, f%tf. 14. wherein poffibly the perfon may af-
fert troth, yet by moving fuch things, at fuch times,
and in fuch expreflions, he doth confound and (hake
the weak : Thofe offences efpecially arifc from a fup-
poled unftreightneffe in the end, exceffe in the manner
of a thing , difproportionablenefle betwixt a man's
way and his ftation, and fuch like, whereof a man
may have much convi&ionin himfclf, from obfer-
ving of fuch an ones way ; yet it is not a publick
offence in the fenfe fpoken of here f becaufe there is
no demonftrating of thofe. Thus sAlfolorrts insinuat-
ing, felf-feeking way gave evidence of pride; and
fuchasT^/fpeakethof, Philip. 1, and 2. that fome
preached gut of enVie > and others fought their oltn
tkings,&c. are of this nature, which byhisdifcern-
ing he was convinced of, yet did not found any fen-
tencc on them.
Again, oppofitly to thefe , Offences may be cal-
led publick, when there is a poffible way of bearing
them out before others, or inftru&ing them in parti-
culars to be contrary to the rule, as drunkennefle,
fwcaring, &$♦ Thefe may be called ecclefiaftick or
judicial
*£5Cand a t . Part r ;
judicial offences , as being the objeft of Church*
cenfurc, all the other may be called confcience, or
charity-wounding offences, becaufe they are the ob-
jeft of a perfons confcience and charity , and do
wound them, and are judged by them, and may be
the ground of a chriftian private admonition, but not
of publick reproof; or rather may be called uncon-
fciencious, and uncharitable offences* as being oppo-.
fit to confcience and charity*
Other ©i- Many other diftin&ions of Scandals may be given*
fiintlionsof as, fome are immediate, that is, when we hear or fee
Scandal. what is offenfive from the perfon himfeif ; Some
again are mediate, and fo the very reporting of fome-
thing that is true may be offenfive to thofe to whom
it is reported; As, l; when it may alienate them
from,or irritate them againft another perfon. 2. When
k may occafion fome finfull diftemper* or incite to
fome corrupt courfe , or any way provoke to carnal-
neffe, thofe to whom it is reported ; and thus offence
differeth from (lander : for , flarider affeð and
wrongeth the party fpoken of, who, it may be, is ab-
fent : Offence again, ftumbleth thofe who are prefent,
although the fame aft in a perfon may be both a ca-
lumny and ati offence upon different confidcrations*
Thus Ziba calumniateth Mepbibojhetb , but really
ftumbleth and offendeth ©4>irf, 2 Sam. 16* (although
VaVid was not fo difplcafcd with him as Mepbibojhetb
was) So alfo ®oeg calumniateth Vabid and the Priefts
in a thin? which was true, but really offended Saul,
as the effeft cleared, iSam. 21, and 22. Alfo fome "
things offend others properly ; as when a Minifter
faileth in giving of an admonition prudently, or fea-
fonably* Again, fome things offend virtually, when,
it may be, a Minifter giveth an advice in feafon, but
in fomcthing hath not condefcended formcrly,where«
by he hath not fuchacceffe with his admonition to
edifie; ThusT<w/ prevented offence, when by be-
coming all things to all, he made way for his being
acceptable
Part i^ "A TreAttJeconcernwg ScaiHSTt; 1 5
icceptable in his Ration. Again, fome offences may
[imply be offences, as having hurt with them* Some
again may be comparatively ; fo it is when a thing
a&ually hurteth, not by an emergent lofle , but when
it keepcth from that growth and edification, that
otherwayes might have been , it's a comparative
lofle, and fo offenfive.
CHAP. II.
Holding forth Vrhtt Offence it not,andVvhat it it.
THefe generals may give a hint of what is fig-
nified by Offence and how it is given. To
addc a word more particularly to the fiift
Queftion, Let us confider, i. what offence is not >
2. what it is. i. It is not alwayes any huftfulland
aftually difpleafing thing to the party that is offended}
and fo is not to be conflrufted fuch, or not, from their
pleafure, or difpleafure. 2. It is not alwayes to be
judged by the matter ; for , an offence may be in a
lawfull matter, that (imply is not to be condemned,
as in eating , drinking , taking wages for preach-
ing , &c. 3 « It is not al way to be determined by the
effeft ; fometimes one may be offended, when no of-
fence was given : fometimes again, offence maybe
given, and the perfon be guilty thereof ( as hath been
laid) whennoaftual ftumbling hath followed, but
the thing of it felf was indu&ive thereto. 4. Nor is
it to be judged by the perfon's intention 5 one may be
without all dc%n of hurting , who yet may really
wound, and offend another, and be guilty by ra(h-
tieffe, omiflion, too much love and condefcenfion in
fparing, unfaithfulneffe (it being much to be faith-
full to one that we love, and, which is a pity, we are
rcadieft to offend them, as injonadab's cafe to Jm-
non; yea, in Job's friends to him, &c) inconfiderate
zeal, imprudency, or falling in fome thing, that is as
a dead
Jrfreatife concerning^ c and a l . Part i.
a dead fly, which may make much that is profitable,
become unfavoury. 2. Scandal then muft be fome-
thing accompanying fome external deed or word (for
internal give not offence ) which being conlidered at
fuch a time, in fuch a place, or in iuch a perfon. &c.
maybe induftiveto fin, orimpeditive or the Ipiri-
tual life or comfort of others. When this doth flow
from a finfull aft , it is not fo difficultly difcernable,
readily all aftions that are materially evil, are clear ;
but the difficulty is when the matter is la wfull or in^
different in it (elf ; or when it is in the manner and
other circumftances of a lawfull or neceffary duty,
then to difcern when they become icandalous in fuch
refpefts ; and accordingly to be 1 wayed to do or ab-
ftain in the matter , and to do in this or fome other
manner^ as may efchew the fame. This properly
and ttriftly is that which is called offence, and is that
wherein moft wifdom is to be exercifed in ordering
and regulating us in the nfe of chriftian liberty ; and
concerning this arc the great debates in Scripture,
that men may know, that not only the Command is
to be looked unto in the matter of the aft, fo that no-
thing be done againft it in that refpeft, nor only that
our own clearnefl'e be confidered , that we do nothing
doubtingly, but that others be confirmed alfothat
they by our deed be not in their fpiricual eftate wron-
ged or hurt, that is, to door ibfiain for confcience-
fake, not our own, but of him that fittethwith us,
1 f0r.io.24.and 28. for,tf charity and love be the end
of the Law,and men ought not only to feek their own
things, but the things one of another, and love their
neighbour as themfelves, then ought they to feek their
neighbours edification as their own, and to efchew
the prejudging of them. Hence Scandal is oppofit to
that charity and love, and alfo to that refpeft which
wc ought to carry to our brother, %$m, 14. V. 10, and
ty. yea, ic is a fcandal and offence as it is oppofite
to, and inconfiftent with, love to his fpiritual well-
being 3
>art It c^ Treafift concerning scanxSXJL. t J
>eing ; and fo, in a word, that which is apt to make
lim worfe in that refpeft, or that which may impede
md hinder his fpirituall growth and advancement
herein, is an offence and fcandal,5fyw. 14. 21. And
;hus a fcandal differeth from an injury : for,this hurt-
?th his perfon , name , or ettate, or fome outward
:hing; that, again, hurteth his fpirituall condition,
nther by wronging hislivelineffe,or aftivity, or com-
fort, &c though the fame thing often, which is an
injury* is an offence alfo, but not contrarily.
CHAP. III.
Concerning the (ever all Vpajes that Offence may
be given.
IT is hardly poflible to fhew how many wayes one
may offend another , there being fo many , yea,
fo very many wayes whereby men both wrong
therafelves and others ; yet, by confide ring the effe&s
that offence given, hath, or may have upon others (al-
though theeffeft follow not) and by confiderinp that
upon which active offence worketh , and which ufual-
ly is offended at in another , We may draw them to
fome heads accordingly ; As, I. men may be drawn
to fomefinfull aftion upon fuch anoccafion : thus
an adtion materially lawfull and food in it (elf, be-
cometh a fcandall, when by our deed another is fo-
ftered in fome fin , or encouraged to commit it > as
fuppofing himfelf to be ftrengthncd therein by our
practice ; Or when it may occafion others to go be-
yond our intent,or to do what we do in another man-
ner which may make itfinfull: So, zeal inconfide-
rately vented, may ftrengthen folks in pafTion ; and
thus eating in Idols temples ( which in it felf was no-
thing; was fcandalous when done publickly, b caufe
it ftrengthned Idolaters to think fomewhat of cheir
Idols, and made others who were weak, to continue
C fornn
^^^Wlfffonamng Scandal. Part u
fome refpeft to them, becaufe they fu ppofcd fuch
men, by fuch a practice to do fo; or made fome judge
them to have refpeft co Idols, and fo to be leffe in their
efteem ; or, caused others to eat with refpeft to the
Idol, when they themfelves did it without it : Thus
doubtfull expreffions in points of Truth, and uncir-
cumfpeftnefle in not abOaining from all appearance
of evil, or what doth appear to be evil to fuch a per-
fon, and at fuch a time, &c„ may bcoffenfive ; as
fuppofe one in their apparrel , diet> or othcrwayes,
(hould by fome be conceived to go beyond their fta-
tion, and what is fit at fuch a time , or be an occa-
sion to fome others indeed to exceed , when, without;
fuch mifconftrufting beholders, there might be no-
thing offenfive in the deed it felf* and thus the deed
of one perfon may be cffcnfive ( fuppofing him to be
eftecmed proud ,covetous> unclean,& c ) which would
not be fo in another : So alio, a thing will be offen-
sive to one, and not to another. Wherefore, in refe-
rence to Offence, men would have an eye on them-
felves, and what generally they are reputed to be, and
fo would abftain from the leaft appearance of what
isfuppofedto be predominant in them, asalfothey
would have refpeft to others that are prefent, or may
be hearers or beholders , confidering what are their
thoughts of them, or of fuch deeds, &c and accor-
dingly would carry, although it were to abftain from
fuch a place, apparrel, diet, &c. which inreafon,ab-
ftraftly from offence, might be pleaded for, as becom-
ing. Thus one walkinf abroad on the Sabbath, may
be fanftifying it, yet by his example fome other may
be provoked to vage and gad and caft off all duties of
the day, and to neg!e6t what is called- for in fecret, or
in the family ; in chat refpeft, it becometh offenfive to
go abroad, although it be lawfull in it lelf to medi-
tate abroad in the fields, as well as in the houfe.
2. When a lawfull aft doth breed or occafion mif-
conftruftioti ox ra(h judging in an other; then it be-
cometh
Part i . A Treaiife concerning Scandal^ 19
cometh offenfivc to him ; As, U when it makcth him '
think the thing unlawfully which is lawfull, thatis*
(^fw.i4» 1 6.) to make our good to be evil fpoken of:
Or, 2. when it occafioncth our (elves by that deed to
be condemned as untender and unconfeienrious in the
performing of fuch an aft , that is> to make one judge
his brother raflily, %om. 14. .0. \Qor. 10. 30. Or,
3. when it occafioneth our profeflion, or the Gofpel
to be miftaken and mif-judged , or godlinefle to be
accounted fancie, hypocri(ie ; &c Thus by the indis-
creet ufe of liberty, the Gofj.«cl was evil fpokfen of by
fome> as if it had given way to loofneffe , for Co thole
that were zealous for the Liw did cfteem of it*
3. The effeft of a Scandal, is to grieve and make ~ r -~
heavie others ; and fo any indifferent action which is
apt to do that, is afcandal, as we may fee, fyw. 14.
1 5. becaufe it marreth their fp-rrrual comfort, weak-
neth them in love to us, fa math tftem in the doing of
duty, at leaft marreth their chearfulncfll- in it* &c.
and fb is againft charity, and becometh a breach of
the fixth Command, %#. 14. 1 5. This is the notion
that mod ordinarily we ufe to take up offence under,
Vi%. when it may grieve fome to hear that we have
done fuch a thing , when it may leffen their efleem of
m, (and fo much incapacitate us to be proficable to
them) or alienate them from us, &c.
4. We may try Scandal by cur hazarding to dif-
quiet the peace of our brother's confeience : that is*
when by our .lawfull deed we engage or virtually
perfwade him to follow our example , fuppoung him
to doubt of the lawfulneffc of that pradlice, or to
condemn the fame. Thus, 1 £V.8. 10. one is embol-
dened to eat of things offered to Idols, with refpeft to
them,becaufe he beholdeth another that is more ftfong
than he to do the fame. And fo by his eating > he
fciveth ground to his confeience afterward to chal-
lenge him> for which caufe he that gave the example*
is faid to wound his weak confeience. The like alfo is,
C 2 %73.
20 zA Treatife concerning Scandal • Part I •
^om.14. 22 » 2 3* * n c ^ e ca ^ e °f doubting : for, fuppo-
fing one to doubt whether fuch a thing belawfuilor
not, meerly by our example to go before him, is to put
him in that ttrait either to condemn our deed, or
doubcingly to follow ; fo^ the meer example cf no
man can warrant any other to follow, or fatisfie a
confeience in the la wfulnefle of fuch and fuch a deed.
This alfo may be when a weak man, having poflibly
done fomething in another manner, (and that lawful-
ly) than afterward he beholdeth one that i> Itrong to
do, (which alfo may be lawful in it (elf) he is brought
to look over his own pra&ice, and to condemn the
fame as finfull, meerly becuife char other did it in an-
other manner. For, though indiftcrency in the man-
ner of pra&ices in lawfull things, is fometimes edify-
ing, yet in fuch cafes whenthev have not fufficienc
information joyned with them, they drive men on the
extremities forefaid, and fo become offenhve,efpeci-
ally then when fuch things are actually doubted of,
ordifputated in their lawfulneffe.
Jf. Things become offenfive when they prove ob-
ftruftive to the edification ot others* and, as the word
is, 1\om % £4. 21. do make them "toea/^, or Infirmeth tbem>
not only by fainting and weighting them, as is faid
before* but by confounding them in the Truth or pra-
ctices of Religion, whereby they are either fhaken in
their former aflurances, and fo weakened , or made
doubtfull whether fuch things be Duties and Truths,
or not; or, by fuch and fuch things, are diverted from
the mme neceflTary pra&ices of Religion. This is the
fcope of 5{pm 14. Ver. 1 , esre. and of other Scriptures
elfwhere, wherby the Apoftle 2W doth guard againft
doubtfull difputations, which do not profit them that
are occupied therein, Heb. 13. 9. And thus, not only
writing and reafoning for what is not Truth, but
writing and fpcaking of Truth in a new manner, with
new expreffions and multiplying moulds of thrfe, or
doing it unfeafonably, paflionatly, contemioufly &c.<
doth
i
Part i • A Treat iff concerning Scandal." 2\
doth prove offenfive. Thus whit is noc a&ually edi-
fying , is cffenfive ; and upon this account, Paul be-
cometh all things to all, that he may gain fome, as in
his circumcifing of Timothy that he might have accefs
to edifie the Jews, and fuch like ; And thus often noc
condefcending in indifferent things to pleafe others,
doth much incapacitate them to be edified by u<?, or
doth give them prejudice at the way of theGofpd,
whereby their edification is obftructed and they of-
fended*
<5. An aftion becometh offenfive when it ftirreth
corruption, wakeneth paflion,or confirmeth jealoufic
andfufpicion,&c. although that jealoufie andfufpi-
cion be groundkfle. Thus Taufo taking of wages in
the Church of Corinth, had been offenfive , becaufe ic
had confirmed the fulpicion of his feeking of himfelf
amongft them, and would have ftrengthencd his tra-
ducers in their calumnie, and given them occafion of
venting their carnall cheerfulncffe and infolency ;
And thus, when one is unjuftly fufpefted of errour or
inclination thereto, to difpute for fuch things , even
when he difowneth them, to converfe with perfons of
thatftamp, or fuch like, are offenfive, and are to be
fhunned , though it may be there would be no fuch
conrtruftion put upon another doing fo»
CHAP. IV. H \
Concerning that upon which Offence ^crkfth } or % .
the fever at \X>*jes by which it u taken,
THe confidering of the fecond thing , to wit,
that upon which Offence woiketh, and by
which it is taken, will clear thh> more : For,
fometimes, I. it affcð the weaknelTc of under*
ftanding and light ; So,it raifeth doubts, mifconttru-
ftions &c. 2. Sometimes through that it affeCteth
the conicience j whence cometn judging and condem-
C 3 ning
r- 1
*A Treatife concerning Scandau Part 1 1
ning of others, and their deeds, and the awakening
of challenges* &c. ?♦ Sometimes kftirreththe af-
fcftions, either by awakening carnal joy , or carnal
grief. 4. It affe$eth corruption* when men, from
prejudice, are fretted or grieved upon fuch an occasi-
on ; Thus often c!eed> become offenfive, when they
confirm mens jealoufie. ttir their pride,emulation &c
5. A deed may have influence on fome folks infirmity
or impotencie ; So, fome that are more given to pafli-
on> fufpicion, or fuch like , will be offended fooner
than others, and fome things will be offenfive to them
that are not fo in themfclves. (5. Men as they arc
gracious may be off mded j forthough grace,as fuch,
is not capable fintully to take offence, yet gracious
perfbns may offend , or fome anions may have an
aptitude to offend a gracious zealous perfon rather
than another. Thus Peter's diffimulation might be faid
to be offenfive tofaul^Gal. 2. though more properly
. it was afcandal to Barnabas, yet it grieved and ftirred
Paul, thouph in a fantfified manner he did vent that
which poffibly fome other gracious perfon might ei-
ther have been irritated with,or,out of refpeft toPeter,
led away, as Barnaba* was; when an ungracious per-
fon would not have laid any weight on Tcter's deed,
as to any of thefe, that is, either to follow it, or be
grieved with it.
From what is faid, it may be fomeway clear how
an indifferent or lawfull a£k may become offenfive, to
wit, as it doth, or is apt to work any of thefe tffc&s
upon others, whether they be weak or ftrong , gra-
cious or prophane , and whether confeience or cor-
ruption doth rife at the offence that is taken • for, as
giving of offence, doih imply uncharitableneffe and
pride to be in the giver, fo that -he neither loveth nor
regardeth his brother as he ought to do , neither doth
in this as he would have others do unto himfelf ; So
offjnee taken>doth imply corruption and infirmity>(ac
the beft ) to be in him that caketh it ; and therefore in
this
Part 1 1 A Treati(e concerning Scandal. :
•his matter of offence, rcfpcft would be had to the in-
firmity and corruption of others, as well as to their
gracioufnefle and aifeftion. The notobferying of
which, maketh us take liberty in giving offence to
many, becaufe we do cither efteem them to be wic-
ked and prophane, or not aflfrttionat to us , or, at the
beft, weak ; and therefore not much to be regarded
whether they be fatisfied orjaot with our pra# ices,
which doth evidently fhew> that there is defpifing and
uncharhabl.eneffe in the hearti when there is this re-
gardlefneffe in our pra6ticc> as may be gathered from
%w. 14. )w.i,io,andiy.
CHAP. V.
Concerning what ought to make men loath and
Wary as to tloe giving Offence*
TO come now to confider thofe things which
ought to make men tender in this* we will
find, firft, that there is not any duty in the
matter thereof more commanded than this of giving
no effence , nor any fin more condemned than unten-
dernefie in this , as we may find from the Epiftles to
tht^ovnanSyCorwthunSy&c . wherin whole chapters are
fpent on this fubjeft : Yea> Att.\%. The A pottles and
Elders thought the regulating of indifferent things foe
preventing of fcandal, worthy to be enafted in the firft
Synod and Council. Secondly, There is no fin that
hath moe woes pronounced againft it, the Lord Him-
fclf denounceth and doubieth a wo againft it, Maith.
18.7. and the Apcftle confirmed* ki^?w. 14 20, &c m
Thirdly, The hatefulncffe of it may appear in the rife
thereof, it being, l. an evident fignof dif-refpeft to
God> and wane of the impreffion of His dread, 2* of
inward pride and felf-conceitcdneile, 3. of uncha-
ritableneffe and regardlefncffe of others , and fetting
them at nought , which may be gathered from %»•
C 4 «4-
H r A Treatife concerning S c a k d a l i Part ii
14. 1 Cor,8, and 10. and can there be any thing more
to be fliunned than thefe ? And upon this we will
find,thar men are tender and confcientious in the mat-
ter of offence, and the ufe of their chriftian liberty*
as they are tender or untender in the material duties of
Religion towards God, and towards others* Fourth-
ly, There can be no worfe tffe&s than follow upon
this, It brinfceth a V>o to the world > and is in Chrift'*
account a moft .grievous ptague when abound ingj
for, it hath deftrd&ibrfwith it to many fouls, fym.
14. 20. It bringeth reproach upon the profeffion of
Chriftianity, cooleth love among brethren, begetteth
and fottereth contention and ftrife , marreth the pro-
grefle of the Gofpel, and, in a word, maketh iniquity
to abound , and often, in particular, ulhereth-in error
into the Church , which may be gathered from the
places cited, and from Matth 24.. to, 11,12. And we
fuppofe when it is tried, it will be found, that unten-
.derneffe in the matter of fcandal, hath been as pre-
judicial to the Church of Chrift in refpeft of her out-
ward beauty and peace, and the inward thriving of
her members, as either errour or prophanity, which
have been but the product of this. Fifthly, Unten-
derneffe in this, openeth a door to all untenderneffe in
the perfon that giveth offence, becaufe by it the con-
fcience becometh lefle fenfible of challenges, and fo
he hath the greater boldneffe to do things that are
materially evil ; by this alfo he becometh habitually
regardleffe of others. And although where refpeft to
others is predominant, it be no good principle ; yet
often hath it great influence in reftraining men from
loofneffe, and in its own place ought to have weight.
And doth not experience teach, that once liberty be-
ing taken in this, even things materially finfull do of-
ten follow ? Sixthly, Tenderncffe in this adorneth
the Gofpel exceedingly, convinceth thofc we live
among, entertaineth charity, and warmcth love, even
as careiefneffe in this doth open mens mouthes , and
make
Part i • *A Treatife concerning S c a n d a l J 25;
make both profeflion and profeflbrs a reproach. Se-
venthly) Untenderncffe as to offences, ftriketh at the
root of Chriftian communion : there can be no free-
dom in admonitions, little in conferences) and, it may
be, no great fervour in prayers with, and fov others,
where thefe abound ; And is it pofltble that Religion
can be well where thefe are ? And may it not from
thefe appear why Chrift hath faid, Wo to that man by
tobom offences come i . 9 _
JJ CKjS&.U*
CHAP. VI.
Holding forth the difficulty to lye mainly in pra-
ctice, andfbewing how far Offence ought to have
influence on a Chriflian in hu Wall^*
THe greateft difficulty is in reference to pra&ice;
( for Scandal cannot but be accounted abo-
minable ) We (hall therefore anfwer fome
Queftions for the clearing of this. I* It may beque-
flioned,How far offence ought to have influence on a
Chriliian in his walk ? In anfwering of it, we would,
I. confider the matter in which offence may be given
or taken. 2. The perfons who may be offended.
For, lome things in the matter are fimply (infull, (omc
things are neceffary duties ; fome things,again, are in
themfelves indifferent : So fome perfons are gracious
and tender , fome are prophane and malicious, &c.
We anfwer therefore in thelc Ajfertions,
1. For no offence whatsoever fhould men forbear
a neceflary duty, or commit any thing which is mate-
rially finfull. Chnft would needs go up to Jcrufalem,
although HisDifciples were difpleafed, and would
continue in preaching the Gofpel, and in dojrg what
wasintrurted to Him, although the Phaiifecs were
offended, Mattb. 1 5. This is clear : For no e\tip?ouU
be aone that goo dm ay come of it, Rom. }.
2. Ajfext. Yet in other things there ought to be
great
2$ tA Treatife concerning Scanda l . Part I •
great refpeft had co offence , and men ought to be
fwayed accordingly in their pra&ice, as the former
reafons clear ; As,firft,Ifthe matter be of light con-
cernment in it felf > as how mens geftures are in their
walking , (fuppofe in walking foftly, or quickly, with
cloak or without) men ought to do, orabftain as
oiay prevent the conftruftion of pride, lightneffe, &c.
or give occafion to others in any of thefe ; of fuch ibrt
are falutations in the very manner of them : of this
fort was womens praying with their head uncovered
amongtt the Corinthians, it being then taken for an
evil fign y yet, if it be neceffary, there is nothing little,
as Mofes will not leave an hoof, Exod. io. nor Mor-
decai bow his knee to Haman , becaufe that it looked
like fauning on an accurfed enemy : Of this fort alfo
are offences in the fafhions of cloathes, as fome mens
wearing of ribbands, and fuch like, which being of
fmall concernment , ought certainly ts^ be regulated
by offence. Secondly, If it be indifferent, that is, in
the matter thereof, fuch as may be done, or for born ;
as eating or not eating fuch a meat for fuch a time,
Cfor although no a&ion is indifferent when it is done,
becaufe the circumftances of end, motive and manner,
do determine them either to be good or bad , as they
are agreeable or difagreeable to the Law when they
are done i yet fome aftions in themfelves arc fuch )
in thefe aftions a Chriftian ought to do or abftaiti
accordingly, as his doing or not doing may edifie or
giye offence ; yea, in fuch things he may be for ever
reftraincd, according to that word of Paul's, i Cor.8.
I g, I bad rather not eatflejh Mobile the Tborld ftandetb, than
ly my meat ma^e my brother to offend. This is to be-
come all things to all men for their gaining , I Cor. 9.
when our practice in fuch things is conformed to
others edificicion rather than our own inclination or
light ; And thus many things, which we are perfwa-
dod arelawfull, and that we defireto do, are to be
forbornout of confeience, conference, X tay, not our
own,
Part i . A Treatife concerning Scandal. 27
own, but of fome others that have not fuch clear-
nefic, as 1 C or - I0 « 2 ^> 29. Thirdly, In pofirive du-
ties of worlhip and things that are neceffary by affir-
mative precepts , Scandal ought to have weight to
time them fo as not to give offence by them. For, al-
though a Scandal cannot make duty to be no duty for
ever, yet it may for a time (ufpend one from the ex-
ercifeof a lawfull duty> although not alwayes : Thus
to give alms, is a commanded duty , yet if there be
hazard that an indigent perfon may abufe it, or others
may take offence by that example either oftentatively
in a (elfie way to give, or to account fo of him that
dothgivc) or fuch like, in that cafe giving of alms
is for that time to be forborn, except the perfons ftrait
make it neceffary, or fome other circumftance, and
a privat way afterward is to be taken : So, preaching
to a Minifter , and hearing to a profeffour, are com-
manded duties* Yet fuppofing that a particular mans
preaching at fuch a time, would fiumble more than
edifie, it is to be forborn. So in giving of admoni-
tions, or in correcting of children, we are not to do
thele when we, or others* are in paffion , although
they be duties , but to take a fit time , left more hurt
follow than advantage : That being a rule anent af-
firmative pucepts, that they bind continually (or
femper ) but not alway to the a&ual performing of
them, ( or ad femper) Thus a fervant, or wife, or any
other perlon are bound to pray alwayes , yet to do it
then when the matter, husband, or family cailerh-for
fome other thing neceffary , would be an offence-
Fourthly, In neceffary things, offence ought to have
weight according to the circumftantiat cafe, to fway
one in the manner and circumftances of that neceffary
duty ; Thus> fuppofing it neceffary to pray, a man is
to choofe the place and pofture of praying according-
ly ] Thus it is offensive in fome cafes to pray fo as
we may be obferved, becaufe that looketh hypocri-
tical like> arid is condemned; Mtfth. 6. Sometimes
again
ag A Treatife concerning Sc A N b a l. Pare xl
again, it is offenfive not to be known to pray , as was
in Daniel's cafe, ©*». 6. becaufe his not evidencing of
it by opening of his windows, had looked like his re-
ceding from his former piety,&c. And in this refpeft,
what is olfenfive at one time, may be edifying at ano-
ther , And what is edifying now, may become offen-
five afterward upon another occafion ,As by Vaul's
circumcifing of Timothy, and refilling to circumcife
Titus, doth appear. Sofbmetimes ( fuppofe it when
Kebemiab is (landing before the King ) to kneel down
to pray, would have been offenfive ; at other times
for a man to pray and not to kneel in his chamber,
(as in Daniels cafe) may be offenfive alfo. And in this
fort of offence, cuftom guideth much in the indifferent
circumftances ; an \ alteration in thefe, is often of-
fenfive. Fifthly , In our particulars , in temporall
things we ou?ht rather to cede in what is our own,
than to offend others* and mar their fpiritual good.
Thus Chnft condefcended to quit His priviledge.
Mattb. 17.17. rather than to off nd , And thus Tad
(hunned the taking of wages in Corinth, although he
had right thereto , and did even then take from other
Churches: Thereafon is, b-caufe the fpiritual edifi-
cation of our brother is of more value than our tem-
poral right ; much more is this to have influence in
limiting and hedging us up from lawfull pleafures
and contentments, or what our inclination and af-
fe&ion leadech to, even though it be lawfull , if fo be
the following thereof may be an offence to any. Ic is
for this alfo that ?W, 1 Cor. 6. condemneth their con-
tentious going to Law before Infidels, becaufe of the
fcandal thereof , And toby (faith he) do ye not rather
fujfer torong i Oa t Lord alfo, as was juft now hinted,
went before us in this, Mattb. 17.27. when He payed
Tribute , audi in that ceded His own right, left He
fiiould offend j and it's like they were not of the moft
tender men.
3. JJfarti We fay that there is equal refpeft to be
had
part 1 1 r A Treats fe conce rning Scandal^ 29
had to all kind of perfons in the giving of oft encc , if
the matter be equal, that is, we ought to (hun the of-
fence of the weak as wc 11 asoftheftiong, of the pro-
phage as of the gracious &c. For, 1. the command
is general, I Cor/ 10,32. Give m offence, neither to 'jeto
nor Gentile , nor to the Church of God, under which three,
all forts of perlons are comprehended. 2. Ah we ought
not to fin in reference to any pcifon , fo ought we not
to give to any of them an occafion ot finning , be-
cause that is never good. 3. If we leek to the good
or ftrong , as we ought not to do any thing that is
fintulltopleafethem, or abftain from anything that
is neceffary to prevent their offence ; So ought we to
do in reference to the weak and prophane. Thus &W
would not give the falfe teachers of Corinth ground of
(tumbling more than the Church- members , And in
this reipeft we are debtors both to the Jrws and
Greeks, to the unwifeastothe wife^.i.i^. Yea, we
are in indifferent things to become alt things to all men,
even to thofe that are weak and without Law (though
ft 1! 1 we are to be under the Law ) that the moe may
be gained, 1 Cor; 9. 20, at, &c.
CHAP. VII.
Shewing Vehat the Scandal of the Pharifees or nt*~
licioHi U y and clearing fcveral other important
Queftions.
IF it be faid, What then is it which is called the
Scandal of the Pharifees or the malicious, which
ought not to be refpefted ? Wfc anfwer, 1. In con-
ftru&ing any malicioufly to take offence,there is great
need of fpiritualneffe, left we account men malicious
becaufe of fome particular difference from us,or tome
other perfons 5 even as from ftaVtd's imprecations
againft his malicious enemies, we would not draw an
example for regulating of our prayers, in reference to
our
3 q A Treatife concerning Scandal, Part 1 1
our enemies* 2. There is need alfo here to take heed
whatfpirit vve be of in our accounting men to be
fuch, as the Lord faid totheDifciples,£*4? 9. when
they pretended Eli^vs example : for, to make a man
malicious in taking offence in this refpcft* fo as not to
be regarded* 1. It mult be a neceflary duty that he
offendcth at", even thebeft, as the Pharifees did at
Chrift's preaching of the Gofpel. 2. It muft not be
out of ignorance or weakneffe that this ottence is
taken. 3. It muft not arife from any perfonal ot par-
ticular account, but from a man's being inftrumentall
in furthering and advancing die Gofpel, and fo muft
be very fib to the fin againft the holy Ghoft , and
therefore ought not to be pretended in our ordinary
carriage.
****! If it be yet faid, that they do not ftand to offend
when wen U s > therefore they are not to be regarded by us, when
Jhmd not to fa thing we d j s lawfull. Anp. This were to ren-
ejfendUA} d C r evil for evil, whenas wefhould overcome evil
with good; and if it be a fin in them not to care for
us in their practices, can it be otherwife in us ? and
our meeting of them inrheir untender way, is to har-
den them in it»and bring their bloud on our own head,
whereas more tender dealingtnight edifiethem, and,
as by heaping coals of fire upon their heads, foften
them and make them more pliable*
^ A \ If it be asked further* what one is to do in fuch a
men the ca f e w | )en fa matter j s lawUill, and it be withall
TawW rtr» doubtfull whether it can be off nfive or fcandalous to
the offence any * Anfto. I. Bcfide the confederation of the
AoubtfuUi t h ,n S» we would alio confider circumftances of time,
perfon,occafion &c. 2. We would try what an afti-
on, fo cironnftantiated, hath formerly been thought
of in the cifc of others in former times; Ya, Jj
whatufctobe our own thoughts of fuch aftionsia
other perfons, it we have not counted them offen-
five in them? for often men more impartially judge,
efpccialiy of what is offenfive, in the perlons of others
tbanr
Part i • A Treat if* concerning Scandal; 31
than in themfelves. 4. The confcience would be re-
flected on what it faith ,• for often there is a murmur-
ing in the confeience, which flheweth its fufpicion,
thacfuch a thing is offenfivc and huttfull, before ic
bcatted, which is yet often born down by the im-
pctuolifncffe of mens inclination, 5. Others that
may be more impartial would betryed; yea, the
thoughts of thefe that we fuppofed to be the leaft ten- -
dcrot us are not to beneglefted, for often the v are
moft impartial in judging what is offenfive. Thefe
things may have the more weight to lway one in their
determination, becaufe the trial runneth not to know
what is duty, or lawfull in it lelf, but whether or not
fuch a lawfull praftice may be done or forborn with- .
put wronging the fpiritual eftate of any. 6. If ic
continue yet doub'full whether it be offenfive or not>
the fame rule is to be followed, as if it were doubted
whether it were lawfull or not? to wit, It is to be
abftained from > becaufe as he that doubteth of the
lawfulneffe of a thing > cannot do it in faith, becaufe
he knowcth not but it may be finfull ; So neither can
he that doubteth whether a lawfull thing be expedient
-or not, dolt with perfwafion , becaufe he knoweth
not but it may be fcandalous to fome > and fo cannot
bjjt be finfull to him. Laflly, pains would be taken
rightly to inform others, and to reftifie them that
they may not take offence at things lawfyll in them-
felves.
If ic be faid, that fufficient pains have been taken ptfjg^if
to inform them already » and that therefore their efficient
taking offence is inexcufable. ^w/*.i.Men would be- patns have
ware of making this an excufe > for many have great been tdf^en
ignorance and are not Toon capable of inftruftion, t$ inform?
others have prejudice which is hardly rooted-out;
Therefore I conceive it will not be eafie to be able
to affert an exoneration in this cafe. 2. If the thing
continue to be indifferent (which is the matter con-
cerning which-the queftion is) there can be no tcrme
fee
32 A Treatife concerning Scandal.' Part u
fettoit: It is the Apoftle's word, I Coy. 8. 13. if
meat ma{e my brother to of end, I \bill not eat flejh y>bile
the v>orldftandeth. If the cafe alter and the matter be-
come neceffary by fome circumftances , as Daniel's
opening of his window did , then that which for-
merly was indifferent, becometh neceffary , and it
would be otfenfive to omit it.
What to U * c ma y be farther asked, What is to be done where
don when ^ere is a real difference betwixt parties, fuppofefor
thee it a a civil intereft ? for, a man, by feeking his own, may
teal (Liffe- irritace another, and. Is there a nectfficy of abftaining
rc-cc be* in that cafe? Anfa* 1, There is no queftion but in
tmxt pat fome cafes a man is to cede in his particular right, ra-
l|crf > u P° n cher than to give offence by a legal purfuit, as when
cccoum $} u may oc<^fion the Gofpel tobecvil fpokenof, and
u civil m- h ar d eri corrupt men in their hatred of the fame. On
€Te " this ground, 1 Cor. 6. the Apoftle condemned! their
going to Law before infijel Judges, and doth ex-
preflv fay, )>er. 7, Why do ye not rather ta'^e the throng i
and fujfer your fefoes to be defrauded i And though the
cafe now be not every way the fame , yet we fuppofc
Chriftians ought to lay weight on this , left in their
pur fu its they give occafion to make theprofeffors of
the Gofpel to be accounted contentious, covetous,&c«
And therefore it would fcem, that y/hen they contend
for civil things, it would be for fomething of moment
atleaft tothepcrfon, which alfo is clearly, or may
be made appear to be clearly theirs, and that after
friendly wayes are effayed for attaining fatisfa&ion*
2* We fay, it ought to (way Chriftians in their man-
ner of purfuin? differences, foas there be not heat,
paflion carnalneff 5, over- reaching and going beyond
on- another , nay nor the appearance of th^Ie to be
feen in their carriage , but ftill following a civil dif-
ference with refpett to the fpiritual good of the ad-
verfary, and that in fuch a mmner as may b; con-
vincingly evidencing thereof both to him and others
3» We fay, thac thefe cautions being obterved, this
do&uns
Part i • *A Treatife concerning Scandal^ 33
do&rine of Scandal will not fimply bind up a Chri-
ftian from purfuing of a civil difference, becaufe, in
fome refpe£t> it may be a neceffary dutie for a man to
recover his own in a legall way , as it is for a man to
labour* andotherwifc by lawfull means to provide
for his Family : for which end God hath appointed
Judges and Magiftrates to hear complaints , and to .
roftifie wrongs ; and to hear complaints is a main
jflrt of their duty, without which humane fociety
would turn liketothefifhesofthefea, Hab.i. There-
fore we would diftinguifh here betwixt difplcafingj
yea angering and offending, and would defire rather
not to (tumble than ro pleafe ; for there may be anger
when there is no offence given, as fuppofe one (hould
fretbecaufe they get not cheir will vented unjuftly on
fome other in their perfon or eftate. In that cafe*
their fatisfaft ion is not their edification > nor their diC-
pleafing their offence ; So is it in this cafe , where i
man purfues his own in a due manner* there is no juft
ground of offence given : becaufe* I. The thing ic
(elf is neither evil, nor hath the appearance of evil,
but hath an approbation from God who hath ap-
pointed Magittratcs for that end to hear and redreffc
wrongs, and cannot but be approven by others ; yea,
the deed it felt" cannot but be approven in the confei-
ence of him that is offended, feing it is taught to men
by nature to keep thcmfelves from injury t and it is
not in things fo clearly approven by God, and taught
by nature, that offence is given, but where the aftion
is doubted in confeience to be unlawfull , at leaft, as
fo circumftantiat, which cannot be in this cafe. 2. Ic
is no offence to complain to a Church- judkatorie of
one that offendeth , if it be done in a right manner,
though it anger him,bccaufe it is a le^al allowed way*
Therefore neither is it fo here. }. To condemn this,
were really to oftend many , even thofe , who from p*.
their covetous and malicious humour might clearly
be cmboldned to wrong others; wherefore we fee Paul
D and
34 A Tread fc concerning Scandal."
and others do approve legal! defences for preventing
or remedying of hurt, though, no queftion> malicious
oppofers were fretted therewith. Yet where two arc
Minifters, or eminent in profeffion, we fuppofe there
ought to be more warrineffe , becaufc fo neceffarily it
is implyed , that the one hath the wrong fide, which
cannot but offend.
Wh&t&Un ^ may be further moved, what is to be done wtei
the Com- there feems to be an oppofition betwixt the commwH
tnanii of of a Superiour , and the efchewing of offence, fo that
Mdliftrates wc muft either difobey him or give offence in obey-
ing Offence ing , as fuppofe a Magiftrate (hould command to
are in $f{o* preach upon fome pretended holy day : the thing is
#tfw ' lawful! upon the matter » but the doing of it is offen-
five, either by grieving many, or ftrengthening others
in the efteeming fomewhat of that day ? An fa. In
that cafe, the Scandal is ftill aftive and given , and
therefore no command or authority can warrand one
in fuch a deed : for , as thefe two worthy Divines
( dmes in his Cafes of Confcience, lib. 5. cap. 1 1 . and
GilleFpit in his Difpute of Ceremonies, chap* 7. fett. %.)
obfervc , no man can command either our charity or
our consciences, or make up the hazard of a given of-
fence h and therefore none can command us warrant-
ably to hurt the fpiritual good of our neighbour,that
being contrary to the command of love that God
hath laid on. And we may add, that an indifferent
a&iotii being involved withpffence, cannot but be in
its praftifing finfull as it is complexly confidered* and
therefore cannot be the objeft of a Magiftrats com-
mand more than an afticn that is finfull in it felf#
On this ground, many of the Saints in the laft perfe-
anion, did choofe gather to fuflfer Martyrdom, than to
be conftru&ed to have ceded , or delivered the Bible,
and therefore they would not redeem their life by gi-
ving of any piece of paper at the command of the
Officers, left thereby they ftiould have been by others
interpreted to have given up their Bible. It is to be re-
membered
Part i • A Trtdtifc concerning Scandal." J f
mcmbcrcd that we fpakc not of difpleafing, fcing by a
Superiours command chat may be done, but of Scan-
dalizing , cither by (lengthening lbmcwhat chat is
wrong , oc fceming co do (o , by wounding chc con-
feiences of ochers , provoking them to judge us , or
fome fuch way : And if it were not fo> the three chil-
dren, 2>an. 3. might have cfcaped the furnace; for, to
fall down at the Kings command, was not (imply fin-
full (and had they done that, no more had been called
for) but to fall down at fuch a time, in fuch place,&c*
had at leaft the appearance of evil , and therefore
there was no room left for obedience. And, no que-
ftion, Joabs refitting, and in part nepjk&ing of 9>al>id$
command for numbering of the People, was more ap-
provable than his obedience,yet was the thing lawful!
in it (elf* but confidering it as circumftantiat>it tended
to fofter Qavids pride , and to be (ubfervient in that
which brought on wrath , Therefore was not to be
obeyed to the confirming of him in his fin. The fame
alfo may be faid,when doing fomething that is often-
five may feem a way to prevent a croffe ; for, aftive
offence being ever finfull in refpedt of the complex
cafe, it is not to be allowed whatever perill follow, as
we may fee in Daniels cafe who would not ftumblc
others by (hutting of his window , although it ha-
zarded his own life, and the welfare of the hearers:
And in this cafe Paul faith, that it were better for him
to die than that an y fhould make his glorying void, or
make him an occafion for others to (tumble upon,
I Cor. 9. 1 5. &c.
It may be faid , that fometimes the cafe is fo dated, w j m ^ '
that whatever be done there will be offence, as if 2W$ tf ^ w ; a d
take wages, heiscalledafelf-fecker, that is, one that cafe when of*.
maketh gain of preaching the Gofpel, if he forbear, f me u life
it is (aid he loveth not the Corinthians^ and therefore he to follow on
takethnot from them; again, fome weak Jews are either fio,
ready to ftumblc, and not receive the Gofpel if he cir-
cumctfc not Timothy ; others again, arc readie to take
D 2 advan*
3 6 A Treatife concerning Scandal; Part i7
advantage and to plead the neceflny of the ceremoni-
all Law if he circumcife Titus : It may be asked,whac
is to be done in fuch cafes ? In reference to which we
anfwer, i. That we would ever lool^ what is
mod expedient as to edification , it is like It diddif-
pleafe Teter-and the J^rnore that he did not cir-
cumcife^^, and the falfe Apoftles that he did not
take wages, than if he had done it, yet he did what
was moft edifying, and of it felf apteft to further
their fpirituall good ? and a fpirituall difecrner will
readily find what is moft edifying in it felf, or in that
cafe, which is to be followed, although it maybe
moftdifpleafing. 2. Refpeft would be had to thefe
that are moft unbyafled ; prejudice poflefled the Jews
and thefe corrupt Teachers , and therefore whatever
*Paul did they ftumbled at it ; but it is like he had re-
fpeft to others, and did what might moft wipe away
the calumnies that were caft upon him and the Gofpel
by thefe falfe Apoftles. ?♦ In fuch a cafe, a man
would look to what is moft denied like, and it is ever
fafeft to fway to that hand , as fuppofe a man were in
hazard upon one fide to be thought negligent, if he be
not painfull, and even fomeway rigorous in his deal-
ings with men, as on the other fide, covetous, if he be
but painfull. It is fafeft to hazard upon diligence
without rigidity , although it flhould occafion him
tobe accounted negligent : Becaute there is leaft felfi-
neffe on that fide , and that hath leaft to commend ic
unto mens corruptions. Thus Paul rather hazardeth
upon what might follow upon his refufing to take
wages than to take them , becaufe taking is of it felf
more apt to give offence than refufing , and doth not
look fo fingle-like , and there is not fo eafic accefle to
vindicat chat againft clamorous mouths. 4. When
the offence feemech to follow both from omitting and
committing , faul choofeth often to commend for-
bearance , as in the cafes of forbearing to eat meats,
and to take wages, at leaft, in Corinth p feing he was
other-
Pa rt i . *A Trea tife concerning Scandal.'
otherwife fupplied. So, when there is hazard of bet-
ing accounted proud on the one fide > if men take fo
and fo on them, or live in fuch and fuch a rank, on the
other fide, they may be accounted filly, and of no fpi-
rit. if they be fhort of that ; it is yet fafeft to efchew
what may look like oftentatfon, becaufe the tenta-
tion of (elf-feeking lyeth ncereft that. J. The pre-
fent (tate of the time, and the temper of thole we live
among, would be obferved ; as fometimes folks are
ready to count an indifferent thing neceffaryj then it is
to be abftained from ; Therefore 5W would not cir-
cumcife Htm : Sometimes again the omitting of an
indifferent thing may feem to import the condemning
of fome neceffary duty , and therefore Daniel will not
forbear his ordinary circumftanccs in prayer : thus
it is to be obferved > to what fide ( to (peak fo ) the
tide of offence doth run , and that is to be fhuned.
6. The nature of the perfons is to be obferved,which
we have to do with in the mentioned cafe. Some are
weak, Socondefcendingedifieththem, and grieving
of them might ftumble them at the Gofpel ,• others
areperverfe> and condefcendingtothem,ftrcngthneth
them in their oppofition , and fo proveth a Humbling
to them. Upon this ground,circumcifing of Timothy
to the weak at one time is edifying , and forbearing
thereof had been a ftnmbling- block: at an other time,
and to other perfons circumcifing had been an offence*
as in the cafe of Titm inftanced> and fauh refilling
to circumafe him, was not that he regarded not their*
(tumbling, but fhat he knew the circumcifing of him
would puffcthem up and ftrengthen them, and fo
ftumble them indeed, therefore he would not do it. What, when
If it be asked, what if the cafe ftand fo ftated,thatdo^ doing will
ing will offend the weak and cender,no doing will dif- °ff en ^ tke
pleafe and irritate the perverfe ? as fuppofe in the cafe ma ^ dn * .
of eating things facrificed to Idols jor contrarily doing *?****' *™
offendeth the groffe , and no doing the tender , what iTnt&tc m
is to be done in fuch a cafe ? Anfo\ As there is never y™!'**
3 a
5 g A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part I .
a neceffity of finning, fo there is never a fleceffity that
onefhould fall in an aftive offence, the offence there-
fore upon the one fide muft be taken , and that is not
to be regarded in comparifon of the other. As fup-
pofe in feme cafes the weak be really offended , and
the perverfe are but irritated , in that cafe their irrita-
tion is not to be flood upon : for often they are really
edified when they are diflatisfied , as in the inftance
propofed; eating of things facrificed to Idols, was
really offenfive to the Godly, as being ready to draw
them to fin , but though it might poflibly difpleafe
others that the Believers did not eat with them , yet
was there nothing in that deed of it felf apt to fiumbie
them, and induce them to fin ; Again, fometimes the
Godly are difpleafed , and the perverfe and profane
are really ftumbled , as when SW refufed to circum-
clfeTltM, it is like his not doing thereof did really
difplcafe many godly Jews that were zealous in the
Law, yet his doing of that had really been a Rum-
bling to many corrupt Teachers who did teach the
neceffity oPcircumcifion , and would have been con-
firmed by that practice. Therefore Taut will rather
difpleafe the godly Jews than flumbie the pro-
fane Teachers by a deed which had alfo been a real!
(tumbling unto the Jews. This then is the firft rule,
to wit , that we would look well upon what fide the
aftive offence lieth , and upon what fide the difplea-
fure only, and to choofe the efchewing of offence, who
ever be difpleafed. 2, When the thing is in it felf in-
different to be done , or not to be d&e , it is fafeft to
forbear whoever be difpleafed , as we fee in the in-
fiances given, Paul inclineth ftill to forbearance, he
forbore to eat flefli, and to circumcife Titus , and to
take wages, &c. when the cafe is fo ftated , becaufe
Whoever be difpleafed,that is not of it felf fo indu&ive
to fin,as doing is, Which either doth ftrengthen others
to do doubtingly upon our example, or to judge us
for doing what they account finfull, or fomc (uch like.
Indeed?
Part U A Trettife * oncer ning Scandal. * 9
Indeed, in fome cafes where there is no hazard of Of-
fending by doing , we may do what is indifferent to
prevent the irritating of any, that fo there may be the
greater accede to edifie them : And therefore, Att.i6.
2. Paul will circumcife^w^, left he make himfelf
ungracious to the Jews in thofe parts ; yet, had there
been any there to take advantage from that to confirm
their crrour, he had not done it , as in the other in-
ftance of Tim doth appear ; for fo it had not been an
offence* but fomewhat which was difpleafing to thofc
Jews. Yet, ?. fuppofing it to be fo,that neither have
ground, but both m*y be difpleafed, Then the tender
are to be refpefted , and the preventing their offence
is to be preferred. I- Becaufe they are difpleafed out
ofconfeience, and that is wounded; others are but
irritat in refpeft of fome luft , and fo it is difpleafure
fimply to them, but it's offence to the other, becaufe
on a ground ofconfeience they are difpleafed. 2, The
Lord is moft tender in the grieving , or not grieving
of the godly fas is clear, Mattb m i%- ) Therefore oughc
we to be fo alfo. Hence the Prophet profeffeth, 2 I{tn.
$ 14. that had ir not been refpeft to Jebofapbat , he
had not flood much on the difpleafing of others ; or,
fuppofe fome prophane perfon fhould be difpleafed,
becaufe a man doth not drink fo much, ( although ic
be not inconfiftent with moderation ) and fuppofe
fome tender perfon fhould think his drinking thereof
inconfiftent with fobriety, 1 fay> in that cafe he fhould
refpedt thslaft, becaufe this offence doth flow from
a ground of confeience.* Laftly, it would be looked
to in fuch a aCe, what may be moft in the upfhot or
event for edification , fuppofing there (hould be in-
volvements on all hands 5 for fome things being
compared may be better difcemed, than 1 when they
are abftra&lyconfidered in themfelvcs ; Now, edifi-
cation and offence do never lie upon one fide : there-
fore if it be found that fuch a thing comparatively be
edifying, it is to be done, and what feemeth to oppofe
it, is not to be accounted offence. CHAP.
40 e^ Treatife concerning Scandal, Part I .
CHAP. VII I.
Bolding forth What U called* for When Offences
abound.
IT may be profitable to enquire what is called for
from a Chriftian living in the time when offences j
abound , and when there is too great a readinefle
both to give and take offence ? Anpto. It is hardly j
poflible to condefcend on 'all particulars here ; yet bc-
caufe the thing is ufefull, and the Scripture is full in
reference to this matter, in the fourteenth Chapter of
the Epiftle to the Romans , and in both the Epiftles to
the Corinthians, and elfewhere , We may Hazard to
propofe thefe general directions.
I. A man would not only refpett his own clear-
nefle in confidence as to the lawfulneffe of a deed, but
would even have refpc6i to the fatisfa&ion of the
confeiences of others, as it is> I Cor. 10. 29. The
negleit of this cafteth a door open to many evils ; and
did this abound, that men were burning with any of-
fence taken by others, as Was r fauh cafe, 2 Cor. 1 1 . 29.
there would be fewer offences given. It ought to
affedl us, as it were a pang or ftound at our hearts, to
hear or fee of any that are offended. This is a prin-
cipal remedy from an inward iympathie to ftudy this,
and there will be direftions furnifhed where that
touch is, Who is ^ea\ t and I am not^eaf^} 'tobo u
ojfended, and I burn not i Sootier would we put our
head in the fire than hazard to offend any, if this
were.
2. As men would be carefull not to give offence, fa
alfo not to take offence , or to fiumble even when
blocks are catt in the way. It is a piece of our folly
fomecimes to be exclaiming againft the frequencie of
offences and the givers of them, and yet not to be
scjyertjng , but to be ftumbling at thele our fclves ;
either
Part i . A Trettlfc concerning Scandal. 4*
cither by waxing cold in our love to the Godly, or
faint in duties, or ready to take liberty to fpeakand
to judge of others, even ot their ftate that we offend
at, or paflionately to be irritate to fome carnal re-
venge,&c* for,(cldom ai e many offences given aftive-
ly, but many alio are offended paflivcly, as Mattb.iq.
10. and at fuch time, they are blcffed who are not of-
fended inChrift, it being both a good thing, and a
rare thing in fuch a cafe, Mrtth. 1 1. 6. for, as it is in
carnal concerts often and ill reply bringeth on more
fintull contention ; fo k is here : And offence taken
by one, leadeth him to give another, as therefultof'
thac, whereas were it our care not to Rumble our
felves , yve might be keeped from giving occafion of
that to others, and brook much more peace , as it is,
TfaL II 9.165 Great peace ha\>e tbey ^bo loVe tby Lay> :
and nothing [hall offend them. Sometimes, again, the
falls of others are matter of mocking and mirth, and
weare pufcupbecaufe of that, as if there were noc
fuch corruptions in us : This was the Corinthians
fault, 1 Cor. 5. 2, and many other wayes are there of
ftumbling , and O but watchfulnefle is neceflary
when folks walk thus in the midtt of lhares, and are
fo ready to fall either upon one hand or another !
3. Folks would beware of defpifing or judging
one another, but would by all means endeavour the
entertaining and confirming of love, which is in this
refpefit the bond of perfc&ion. The Apoftle giveth
this direction, $(om. 14. 3. Let not htm that eateth, de-
Jpife bim that eatetb not ; and lei not bim that eatetb not,
judge him that eatetb. He thac eateth is the ftrong pro-
feflor, who is through in the knowledge of what is
right and what is wrong ; It is the fault of fuch rea-
dily to condemn and defpife the weaker who cannot
go alongft with them. Again, he that eateth noc,
is the weak , who, wanting clearnefle in what the
other is clear of, is ready to judge the other as an
pntender perfon , becaufe he doth what he cannot
42 " A Trtatife concerning Scandal P art t •
do. Thefe evils are rife where offences aboundi and
arc the oyl which nourifhcth them : for,if there were
not pride and defpifing in fome , and untenderneffe
and rafh judging and jealouiies in others that are
weak , the plague that followeth offences would not
be fo great in the world. But thefe two arc moft di-
rc&ly oppofit to the rule of charity that ought to be
amongft Chriftians, both in guiding us in doing of
our own ads , and in eonftru&ing and judging of
the aftions of others. And, in a word, love, that is
the fulfilling of the Law, is the fulfilling of this pre-
cept alfo* See x Job. 2. to. He that lti\>etb bis brother
abidetb in the light, and there is none occajion of [turn*
bling in him. Offences could neither be given nor
taken if love to our brethren were frefti.
4* We would beware of moving or foftering
needleffe and perplexed drfputings , thefe hav^ ever
proved exceeding hurtfull to the Church, and pro-
portionally wronged edification , aserrour and pro-
phanity have done. 1 1 is the Apoftle's firft dire&ion,
%w.r4. t. Him that is weak receive, but not to doubt-
full disputations ; for fuch breed ftrife , and often
waken carnalneffe in the contenders rather than pure
zeal. And in this cafe, it is better for fome to poffeffe
clearneffe in their own judgment, and to condefcend
in their praftice to others , than by venting their
judgment unfeafonably, to confound others , that is
the meaning of the word, %w.l4. 22. Haft thou faith?
that is, clearneffe in fuch a particular , bd\>e it to thy
felf, that is, make your own privat ufe of it with-
out troubling others with the fame. And we will
fee, that this fpirit of contention , and* the abounding
of offences, have ever been together in the Church.
For certainly fuch contentions cannot but obftruft
the growth of the weak, and grieve the ftrong , and
(tumble all. We conceive therefore, that at fuch at
time it were more fafe to abffain the wakening of new
tates, raifing of old, or ufing of new cxprefftons,
than
Part 1* A Treatife concerning Scandal* 4J
than to hazard upon the offence which may follow
upon mens miftaking of them , or taking advantage
by them, which will be more hurtful than any ad van.
tage they can bring. We conceive alfothat it were
fitter to overlook lome miftakes in fome Writings ac
fuchatime , than unneceflarily to table a debate oq
every thing chat (eemeth diffatisfying in the writings
and exprcfilons of others , which is become too com-
mon, and by this, profeffed enemies are let alone and
have peace, and all the debates in the Church) are
almoft amongft men that agree in fundamentals, be*
caufe of fome lefler differences.
5. There would be an abftinence from things that
arc controverted either in do&rint or practice, if they
be not neceflary things ; As we fee the Apoftle doth
inthcEpiftlesto the 'Romans and Corinthians. The
reafon is, be^ufe it is the ftrong who are clear to do, ;
and it's the weak who are doubtfull. Now, it is
more juft and fafe> that the ftrong (hould condefcend
to the weak, becaufe that is within their reach, than
that the weak ffiould be driven up to the ftrong ,
which were to overdrive them.
6. At fuch a time folks would be much in the
ftudy and pra&ice of the more neceflary and mate-
riall things * which come nearer the life and power
ofgodlinefle. We fee, when offences abounded in
the primitive times , the Apoftle withdrawal* them
from too much ferioufneffe in more circumftantiall
things, to the working-out of their (alvation in fear
and trembling, Philip. 2. 12, for, experience telleth
us, that offences rife moft , yea cannot rife, but in
things which may be done or forborn , as in eating ,
and fuch other things as troubled the primitive
Church. We fee alfo, that where there is moft heac
in thefe things , there is an overvaluing of them, and
an undervaluing of faith, repentance, prayer, com-
munion with God, &c. Hence it is, ( fym. 14, 17. )
that the Apoftle correfteth this fault, faying, The
44 A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 1 1
IQngdom ofHeaVen (which is the Gofpel in its power)
doth not confifl tn meat and drin{ , that is, in the eat-
ing of, orabftaining from, fuch meats as were then
difputable , much lefte in the difputes that were con-
cerning them • but it confifteth tn rigbteoufne/S, peace ,
and joy in the boly Gboft , that is, in material duties.
Therefore he addeth, that he that ferveth God in
thele ( that is, righteoufnejje and peace and the more
material things) « accepted of God, and approved of
men. Which rfieweth , that they placed too much
of religion in thefe extrinfick things, and in the mean
time fleighcedthe main. For, in neceflary things
there is'no hazard of offending , and few dually of-
fend at thefe.
7- At fuch a time great care would be had to en-
tertain peace > even publick Church- peace , and re-
fpe& to the Ordinances , particularly c* that of Dif-
cipline, becaufe that is the proper remedy for remo-
ving offence*, Matth.iS. 17. and without unity this
hath no weight. Alfo offences of their own nature
tend to make rents, and where unity is prefcrved
many are keeped on their feet which otherwayes
would have fallen. Therefore >^?^. 14. 19. that di-
rection is given, Let m follow thofe things V>bicbma%e
for peace r and things ^beWVnth one may edijie another j
And often union and edification are joyned together,
which (heweth, that it muft be a great reftraint to
ofFences> which are fo oppofit to edification.
8. When offences abound, it is often moft fafeto
be leaft appearing , except a mans call be the more
clear. and convincing : For*as in the multitude oftoords
there toanteth not fin , So in much medling there wan*-
teth not offence. This is alfo clear in experience,
becaufe offences comt more ordinarily, and are more
obferved when fomething is done , than when fome-
thing is forborn. Yet this is not to be extended to the
pmiflion of any neceflary duty , but is to have great
weight in indifferent things, that are not neceflary,
efpecially
Part I • A Treatifc concerning Scandal 4,5
cfpecially fuch as for the time are moft ordinarily the
ftoneof ftumbling. Hence we find, that though in
fome queftions the Apoftlc is full to difputc down
adversaries, as in the cafe of Justification ; Yet there
are fome other things that he ieeketh rather to have
rcftrained than moved , fuch as he calleth doubtfully
^om. 14. 1. endlejft, iTim, 1.4. that gender ftrife,
and arc not edifying , but foolifh and unlearned
queftions, 2?'iw. 2. 14, 16, 23. men are to flee, and
tofiiun thefe, even when occafion is given. For,
though every queftion hath a truth upon one fidc,and
the fearching into neceffary truths be ed ify ing , yet as
to fuch, considering the contention that waiteth on
them, and the difficulties that arc about them, the
Church gaineth more by filence in them, than by too
fervent purfuing of them.
9. Men at fuch a time would be diligent in the
duties of their Rations* and keep themfelves within
thefe ; and, as the Apoftle faith, 1 Cor. 7. 20. wonld
abidq in the calling wherein they are called : for, by
fo doing there is no occafion of offence. When a
Magiftrate holdeth in the duties of a Magiftrate,
and Minifters > Mafters, Servants, Husbands and
Wives, and fo all forts contain themfelves within
the bounds of their refpeftive Rations, that is a thing
offenfive to none^ But when they exceed or give oc-
cafion to others to think that they exceed, then itbe-
cometh offenfive, and maketh the Gofpel to be evil- *
fpoken of. For which caufcthe Apoftle commendcth
to Subje&s, Wives, Servants, and all forts > the do-
ing of the duties of their refpetfive Rations* as that
which doth adorn the Gofpel, and flop themouthes
of gainfayers.
10. There would be mutual faithfulneffe , and a
condescending upon their fide who are offended,
freely and fQberly to admonifh thofe by whom they
are offended ; and upon the otherfide, a condefcend-
ing to fatisfie and remove any offence taken by thofe
who
4^ A Trettifc concerning Scandal, Part i •
who have given it, or at whom it is taken. This is
our Lord's rule, Mat A. 18. 15. &c. There is no-
thing more needfull , when offences abound, than
thefe, and yet often there is little or no acceffe to
them* or pra&ice of them when they are moft need-
full* And this maketh offences to abound the more.
And what thing is more unfuitablc than for one to
take or keep offence at another , and yet never to
endeavour his recovery who hath offended, and by
fo doing to hazard both their fouls ? Or, when one
hath given offence, and isadmonUhed > to refufe to
come out himfelf, or to keep another out of this
lnare?
u* This endeavouring to have offence removed,
ought to be followed convincingly, and that in the
feveral ftcps laid down, Matth. 18. and if privat rea-
foning and admonition prevail not, it is to proceed
further till it come to the Church. But becaufe the
Scandal then becometh publick > we (hall fpeak of it
in the next branch. Only now it is to be adverted
concerning thefe offences in reference to which we
are to admonifh our brother, and thus to follow them
in cafe of fleighting, jfc They are hot only wrongs
done to the perfon immediatly or dtre&ly, but it may
be his being ftumbled at his feeing a mansmifcar-
riages towards others , So the injury may be to one,
but the offence to another, 2. This duty is to be
1 gone about* not only without all heat* prejudice, or
contention, but with the fpirit of love, as a duty pro-
ceeding there from for his good , even from that fame
fpirit by which we pray for him $ they being b6th
equally neceffary duties. And, 3. That this Order
of Chrift's is not to be intervened by any, nor the
publick gone to, till the private may be effc&ually
effayed.
12. There is a neceffity in every thing (efpccially
at fuch a time) to be jfingle in our end, having the
glory of God mainly in our eye. And that not on-
ly
Part i . A Tr*Ati{c concerning Scandal* 47
lyfor our own peace, but alfo for the convi£Uon
of others. It is often our unfinglcneffe that maketh
us careleffe in giving offence, and alio the evidence
or appearance of that, that maketh others readily to
take offence at our carriage. Hence we fee, that the
actions of fuch who are fuppofed to be fingle, are not
fo readily Humbled at. And this dire&ion is ex-
prefly laid down in reference to this end, I C or * *©•
gt. Whether therefore ye eat or ye drinks or V»bate)>er ye
do, do all to the glory of God : give none offence neither
to JeV> nor Gentile, err. It were fit therefore at fuch
a time, that a man (hould examine his own breaft,
and try what leadeth him on fuch a defign, or aft ;
for often by-ends and motives will fteal in, when
we feem to our fclves to be moft fervently zealous :
fclf-interefts had need to be much denied in fuch a
time.
1 3. Much care would be had to keep up the au-
thority of all Chrift's Ordinances; they are the lights
and means whereby men are to be dirc&ed, left they
ftumble, and to be ftrengthened and comforted in
their fpiritual confolajions : and hardly offences arife,
but the Devil feeketh to difcredit thefe, becaufe then
men are in the dark , and fo cannot but fall when
blocks are in their way- Hence often are the Ordi-
nances of life the very pretended rife of offences , as
concerning a Miniftery, Raptifm, the Lords Supper,
Sabbath Day, Singing of Pfalms, Conftitution of a
Church, Difciplinej &c. becaufe by making thefe to
be ftumbled at, or ftones of (tumbling, men can
have acceffe to no other means* cither fpr direftion
or confolation. On this ground Paul endeavoureth
fo much to vindicate himfelf from what was impu-
ted to him, 2 £ok 1 2. 19. And for this end fo many
direftions are given for keeping up the credit of the
ordinances in the moft difficult dark cafes,as Song i.&
#/*-4.»M3- fltf.i3.7>8 > era.&i7. efpeciallyAf**.
18. 17,18, ©v. And on the contrary, for efchewing
corrupt
48 tA Treatlfe concerning Scanuai. Part 1 .'
corrupt teachers > and thofe who caufe divisions and
offences contrary to the do&iine learned, &c '2{om. 1 6.
17. Then ic is a time to try the fpirits , and to fear
fnares , and to hate every garment that is fpotted with
the flefti ; and we find in Scripture > and experience
that ever thefe two go together , to wit, (Running of
thofe who bring falfe do&rine , and the adhering to
thofe who are faithfull on the other fide.
14. Atfuch arime efpecially, Chriftians in their^
walk toward one another , ought to be of a fymp aW(|
thizing and condefcendmg temper. This is to bear
the infirmities of the weak and not to pleafe our felves*
but our neighbour for his good to edification, even as
Chrift pleafed not himfelf* &c, as the Apoftle hath
it to the fame fcope, %w* 1 5. t, 2, 3. Tenacioufneffe
and (elf- willedneffe do often breed offences > and con-
tinually ftand in the way of removing of them , and
although there is nothing more ordinary in a time of
offences than that » to wit , for men to ftand to their
own judgement and opinion as if it were a piece of
liberty and confciencTe > not to condefcend in a thing
that we judge la wfull, yet is there nothing more un-
fuitable for Chriftians in fuchaVime: for, as Solomon
faith, Only by pride cornetb contention, Prov. tg. 10. So
this felf- pleafing humour is the great fomenter of of-
fences in the Church. This condefcending was 'Paul's
pra&ice in this cafe, 1 Corimh. 9. ver. I9>*°> &c. who
becanife all things to all men, for their edification, be-
ing in the ufe of indifferent things fo dependent upon
the edification of others , and fo denied to his own
pleafing and inclination ; yea, even to his own light*
as if he had had none himfelf. And although this be
incumbent to all Chriftians, yet thefe who are more
eminent and ftrong, are efpecially called to this for-
bearance and condefcend in?. , as it is 'fyw. 1 5. 1. We
then that are flrong ought to bear, &c. Gal. 6. 1,2. It is
a great miftake in Religion, to think , that in indiffe-
rent circumftantiall things , the weak fhould follow
the
Part i • tA Treatife concerning Scandal.'
the ftrong > and upon that ground to undervalue the
offending of them: Ic is quite contrary to Scripture,
the ftrong are to carry to the weak as men do to brittle
and weak veffels , ufing tenderneffe to them left they
be crufhed. What is faid in all the dire&ions , doth
therefore fpecially concern the more ftrong Believersi
that in thefe they may go before others.
g^ C H A P. I X.
Holding forth what ought to be the carriage of
Minifttrs when Offences abound.
i ?• ' ■' *He laft dire&ion is, That then Minifters in
f a fpeciall manner , are called to beftir
"*- themfelves for draining this torrent of
Offences, even as they are to fet themfelves againft the
abounding of fins. And indeed we know no mean
fitter and more comprehenfive for this end , than that
Minifters cordially interpofe for the removing thereof.
For , this is a fpeciall end for which they are given to
the Church, as was formerlyfaid,and this is a fpecial
part of their charge, to watch over fouls in reference
to this. Hence we fee, that the Apoftle Paul doth not
infift more in his publick doftrine , or in his private
carriage* upon any thing, than upon thisi to wit, Thac
the Church may be made and keeped free of offences,
as what hath been obferved from him out of the
Epiftles to the Romans , Corinthians , Galatians , &c
doth evince. Nor doth he with any kind of perfons
deal fomiffrto reft rain ftrifes, contentions, janglings
about words, and fuch things which do gender of-
fences, as in the Epiftles to Timothy and Titos, charging
them, that not only in reference to their own carriage,
but, as Minifters of the Gofpel, they would endeavour
this in their charges ; and there can be no reafon of
this, but becaufc the matter is of fuch concernment td
the Church , and becaufe they by their ftations have z
E tttaitf
4*
$6 r J Treat tfe concerning Scandal. Part i.
main influence either on the reftraint or growth of
fcandals and offences. Yea, doth not the blefled
Prince of Paftors Himfelf, often take notice of offpnees
in His fermons ? fometimes reproving them > fomc-
times (hewing the ill of them, and often purpofly in-
fifting in inftrudions for this very end , that His Dif-
ciplesfliouldnot be offencjed, zsJob.i6. I. and in
His pra&ice, condescending to prevent the offence,
even of carnal men , Mattk 17. 27. and doth much
infift on that do&rine > giving directions for prevent- ^
ing and removing thereof, Matth.\%. and particular-
ly He giveth dire&ion for the promoving of mortifica-
tion, by cutting off the right hand, and plucking out
the right ey^> &c. which being given by the Lord, if
well ftudied and praftifed, might be a compefld of all
other dire&ions , it \% fo well chofen for that purpofe,
as all His directions were. All which (he weth , that
when offences abound , much doth ly upon Mini-
ftcrs at fuch a time > and that both in reference to their
ownperfonall carriage, and alfo in their miniftcriaJI
ftations; and in fum , in their whole walk, both
amongft themfelves, and towards others of all forts,
which we may hint at in fome particular inftances :
As, 1. that their converfations be then grave, fober,
holy, denied, &c. and eminent in all that is called for
from private Chriftians, at fuch a time. For,as their
carriages are more obferved than others , So do fpots
upon them more difcernably appear, and when ap-
pearing , are more readie to Aumbie and harden
others. It is for this, that a Minifter is to (hew him-
felf a pattern and as a copie or example to theBeliever,
in word, in converfation, in charity, in fpfft, &c. as
it is, 1 Tim. 4. 1 2. Upon this ground alfo are they at
fuch a time to flee youthfull lufts of contentions,flrife 3
and fuch like, even when thefe feem to follow them 5
and on the contrary, to purfue righteoufneffe, faith,
charity, peace, &c even when thefe feem to flee from
them, as it is, 2 Tjm t a, 22, Both which places relate
cfpeciajfy
Part i • A ^redttfe corner m #£ Scandal.'
efpecially to perrillous times, asthefcopein the pre-
ceeding words doth hold torch. And if this be not in
Minifters, what can be expc&cd amongft the people ?
and without this , can their carriage or publick Mini-
fterybavc weight to this end? 2. Minifters would
bewatchfull, not only over fins , but even over of-
fences,yea,even over paflive offences,lcft any by them-
felves,or any other be offended, which was our Lords
way and the pra&ice of the Apoftles. as in the places
cited. For, to be offended, is an infirmity andfick-
nefle,even when the offence is meerly taken; and for a
Minitter not to be affe&ed with that , doth hold forth
a mod unminifteriall crudl difpoficion; that is fpoketi
of by the Apoftle as a great part of the care of the
Church, 2 Corinth. 1 1 » 18, 29. Who u x»eak, and I am
not toeaftf 7*bo u ojfended t and I burn not ? Tlie hearing
of a perfons ftumblingi ought to ftound and will
ftound the heart of a fynipathizingMinifter, as if if
were a fire in his bofome. And were this one thing
in vigour, towk> native fympathiewiththofe that
are offended, it would u(her-inallothet } dire&ions:
This would make Minifters pray much tohavc it pre-
vented, as our Lord doth, job. 17. and Paul doth>
Sfyw. 1?. 5. This would make Minifters fparingto
give offence, or to laugh at the offences of others, or
to defpiie and fieight thofe that are offended , much
leffe to fpread rumours , entertain contentions , or Co
to aggregc mifcarriages in others, as thereby the floud
of offences may rather be increafed than dried up by
them. And it is found , that feldom offences have
been in the Church, but Minifters have had a prime
hand therein , as if it had been a part, of their duty to
promove the fame : which fayeth , that efpccially
they had need to be watchfull at fuch a time* ?. Mi-
nifters would endeavour much unity amongft them-
felvcs , and unity amongft Profeffours* There is no
keeping off of offences without this ; for ftrife and
contention are the fewell by which this plague of
E a fcandal
5 a A Treatift concerning Scandal. Part i.
fcandal is kindled and entertained > when offences are
abounding in Corinth; it is the fir ft direft ion that Paul
giveth, I Epift. I chap.ver.io. lbefeecb you, brethren,
by the name of our Lord Jefus Chri/i , that ye all fpea\
the fame things, that there be no divijions among you^c.
And when he hath been large in two Epiftles > he
doth almoft clofe with this, 2 Epift. chap. 15. 11. E-
nally y brethren , farewell: $e per f eft , be of good com-
fort , be of one mind , live in peace ; and the God of peace
(ball be ^itbyou. And he not only exhorteth to it, But,
tym. 15. 5. he prayeth for it upon the back of all his
do&rine and directions concerning offences ; Yea, it
was the way that our bleffed Lord Jefus took,to com-
mend union , and to pray for it to His Difciples , left
thereby the world (hould be ftumbled and keeped
back from the acknowledging of Him, and the beau-
ty of the Church (hould be obfeured > fo as the mem-
bers thereof (hould not be known to be His Difciples,
as may be at length feen in the Gofpel , and particu-
larly, Jeb.ij. 4. Minifters would ftudy the di-
verting of people from thefe things which ordinarily
breed offences , as ftriving about words , and jang-
ling in controverfies not matcriall , the judging and
condemning of others,and fuch like ; and they would
ftudy to be occupied themfelves, and to have others
exercifed in thefe things that come nearer the power of
Godlinefie and the life of Religion. We fee when
the reft of the Difciples offend at Zebedee's children for
their fuit> the Lord checks that, and propofeth to them
the neceflky of humility and mortification, and fuch
like> that he might put the unprofitable queftion, {bho
foould be greate/li) out of their head, as it is in Mattk
chap. 18. 1, &c and chap, 20. ver«2o, and2j,&c.
A.nd this is frequent in Tauh Epiftles toTimothy and
Titm % whereas upon the one fide » hodehorteth from
ftrife, contention, vain jangling, following of fables,
and fuch like, So he doth,upon the other fide>exhore to
the exercife of godlincffe, and co the pieding of good
works,
Part i # " tA Treatife concerning Scandal. 53
works > as good and profitable to men in oppofition
to thefe, as may be gathered from 1 Tim. chap* U
ver. 4, 5. and chap* 4. vcr. 7, 8. 2 Tim. chap. 2* ver.
14,15,80:. r/^?.ver*8,9. Yea, the Apoftle will
have Minitters (o ferious in this, as to charge and ob-
teft their hearers (as he did his, l Corinth, 1. 10. and
'Phili.i.) to efchew thefe things, and not to ftrive
about words, 1 rim. 1. 3,4. iTim. 2. l4,&o Efpe-
cially Minifters would beware of mentioning fuch
things unneceflarily , as are the bone of contention,
or which may fotter miftakesof, or grudges againft,
others, or make themfelves to appear to be carnal,and
to walk like men , But rather they would endeavour
tohufhthemto filencc , as they would have blocks
removed out of the peoples way, ocherwife they can-
not but lofe of their minifteriall authority , and dif-
compofe the frame of the people > which by all means
(hould beefchewed by them.
The conlidering of three Scriptures will give a view
of Paul's carriage in reference to this , And O how
commendable is it ! The firfl: is, 1 Corinth. 9. 19, 20*
21, 22, &c. though I be free from all men, yet baVe I
madt my felf ferVant unto all, that I might gain the more.
And unto the ftV>s, I became <u a JeXb, that I might gain
theje'tos', to them that are under the taK, <u under the
Lafo y that I might gain them that are under the Laft> •
to them that are without Late > a* Without La®>> (being
not without Late to God, but under the Lav? to Qhrift )
that 1 might gain them that are without Late. To the
V>ed{ became I astoedJ^, that I might gain the V?eaf^z
I am made all things to all men , that I might by all
means faVe fme. ~ Where , his condefcending to
others, his infinuating by all means to win the
affe&ion of people > his greedinefle to edifie and fave
fouls , and his endeavouring by his own example to
engage others to that fame condefcending way , are
abundantly holden forth as an ufeful and excellent co-
pic to be followed efpecially by Minifters* vvho (hould
E 3 ftudic
H A Trettlfc concerning Scandal; p art fc
ftudie edification at fuch a time moft fcrioufly.
The fecond is , i Corinth, 6. from ver. i . to ver. 1 1 .
It is a great word that he hath ver. g. Giving no offence
in any thing, that the miniftery be not blamed : ( for un-
tendemeffe in offences maketh the Miniftery obnoxi-
ous to contempt ) $ut in all things approving our fehes
as the Minijlers of God ; that pointeth out a minifte-
riall walk which ftudieth more the Matters honour,
the credit of the Ordinances, and che good of fouls*
both his own and others, than the pleafing of others,
and the making thcmfelves acceptable only as men, or
&$ familiar companions to thofe they converfe with.
Then followeth > In much patience, in afiiSions, in ne«
fejfities, indtftrejjes, in ftripes , in imprifonments , in
tumults, in labours, in Patchings, in fa/lings , By pure*
**lfe> by \no»ltdge , by long.fuffermg , bytqndnejje, by
the holy Ghoft > by loVe unfeigned , IBy the t^ord of truth
by the potyer of God , by the armour of righteoufnejse . on
the right hand, and on the left 5 ®j> honour and difboflour,
by evil report and good report ; a* deceivers^ and yet true ;
JtsunfyoVw, andyeftoellkputon-, as dying , and behold',
"toe live 1 aschaflened, and not filled; As forroftfull, yet
ahvay rejoycing ; as poor, yet making many rich ; as hav-
ing nothing , and yet pojptfing all things. Wherein, as
in fo many fteps, he fetteth forth his minifterial walk*
for the preventing of offence , being a moft excellent
defcription of a patient , diligent, faithfully denied*
impartially fingle ; powerfull preacher, driving and
preffing the great defign of Reconciliation's his main
fcope , as from the clofe of the former Chapter , and
the beginning of this* is clear. And this is pointed
out as his work at fuch a time, amongft fuch a people
for fuch an end,as the preventing of offence.
The third Scripture is, 2 Corinth, chap. 1 1 . ver* 28,
29. which was formerly cited , and is worthy to be
engraven on a Minifters heart. Sefide that tobicb
wmeth upon me daily , the care of all the Churches. Who
uwa{, andlamnoftow\} s k>bouoffended > and 1 bum
noti
part i . A Tnatife concerning Scandal.
not i Never man was more ferious in quenching fire
inhishoufe than Paul was in removing of offences,
and in recovering fuch as were offendecj. He was noc
only carefull not tbgive offrnce himfelf , nor only to
keep others from giving offence , nor yet only for re-
moving of fuch as were taken at himfelf ; nay, nor
only to faeisfic tho'ethait were ftrong that had offend-
ed, but the very (tumbling, although without caufe,
of the moft weak, ignorant, filly perfons,aff .fted him
more , than if it had pcirced himfelf. It is not like
that he could have continued careleffe of mens con-
ftru&ionsof him, of their being grieved and made
weak, or of their being offended any other way, ( as,
alas, it is like too many do now ! ) It was no matter
of laughing to him to hear of the fadnefle of any, that
did proceed even from cniftakes ; and there was no
reft in his mind till fuch an infirmity was cured.
Thefe three places and others, being fobcrly confidered
in their matter and fcope, will give the ferious confei-
encious Miniftcr infight in a great part of his duty,
and (it may be) in no little part of his fin and chal-
lenge at fuch a time. The Notes alfo of the Reverend
Maffer fth^on upon the fame fubjeft, ("worthy to be
tafkeh notice of) do more fully conform this. Happy
were the J Minifters that were of fuch a frame and of
fuch a practice ; And happy were the Church under
their infpeCtiotw O that it may once thus b6 !
E4
PART*
u
"reatife concerning Scandal; Part 2*
PART ii.
Concerning Publish Scandals , or Scandals as
they are the ohjctt of Church* censures h and
more f articular /y 3 as the) are pr attic al,
or, in practice.
IT reftcth now that we fhould fpeak fomething of
Scandal as it is the objeft of Church-difcipline;
for that is implyed here, to wit, That this fcan-
dal> given by the N-iceUitans^zs fuch as ought
to have been taken notice' of by the Church- officers:
jfor,thenegle6t thereof is reproved by the Lord ; and
in fuch a cafe privat admonitions are not fufficient.
We may therefore (peak a word to thefe Queftions,
I. When a Scandal is to be efteemed publick,that is,to
be taken notice of by a Church- judicatory. 2. What
Order is to be obferved in proceeding therein.
3. What is to be accounted a fufficient ground for
removing of fuch an offence , fo as it may fift all
ccclefiaftick Proceffe , or may remove a Sentence
when it is paffed. 4. What is the duty of private
Chriftians, when Church-officers feem to be , and
poffibly indeed are> defe&ive in reference to this ?
CHAP. I.
Shtmng that every Offence is notfublic^ and
When it is fo.
Concerning the firft Queftion , we lay down
thefe grounds, I. Every thing offenfive is not
publick , or immediatly to be brought before
a Church- judicatory. Of this fort are, U fins of
in-
Part 2* ts4 Treatife concerning Scandal. 57
infirmity , which pofliblymay be offenfive for the
time, Yet the perfons way being confidcred, they are
to be thought to proceed from his infirmity, they
being incident to fuch who are in fome lerious man-
ner watchfull over their way; and therefore are not
the objeft of Difcipline, which is to curb and reflrain
the more grofle humours of Profeffors : Otherwayes
the exercife of Difcipline, in reference to infirmities,
would utterly prove an intanglement both to Officers
and Members , and fo occafion more (tumbling ,
contrary to Chrift's fcope. 2* Offences that are in
difputable pra&ices 3 or that flow from mifcarriage
in things indifferent > are not properly the objeft of
Church-cenfure , becaufc there is not folid acceffe of
through convincing the party. Hence we fee,that in
thefe difputes concerning indifferent things , or of
praftices following thereupon > the Apoftles reprove
mens untendernefle in them, but do never make them
the ground of Ccnfure as fuch, except they be aggre-
ged by fome other circamftance. Of this fort alio are
offences that may proceed from mens carriage in legal
purfuits and civil contrafts which may offend ; yet
cannot they be legally convinced to have broken a
rule, when the ftrain of their way is legal, although
it may be finfull before God , and be to be reproved
by private admonition where men have acceffe.
3* Some offences are grofle , and, it maybe, known
to fome to be true; yetpoflibly there is no convin-
cing way of demonftrating the truth thereof too-
thers : in that cafe, it's more fafe and edifying to for-
bear publick mentioning of that fcandal,than to pro-
fecute the fame, feing it may more irritate the perfon,
and weaken the Church-authority, than edific.
4. Some fcandals a re grofle, and may be made-ouc
by two or three witnefles > yet are not immediatly
to be brought to publick, except upon the fuppofi-
tion of following obftinacy, and not fatisfying of
chofe two or three , vvhich efpecially is to be con/i-
dered,
■P
5 8 c* Trettife concerning S c a n d a l J Part 2.
dered ,if the perfons carriage beotherwayes cleanly;
This is Chrift's expreffe rule, Mat. 18. and to bring ic
immediatly to publick,is not confident with that love
that we'ought to have to one another : For, charity
requireththathefhouldbe admonifhed, and alio if
he hear, that it (hould fift ; Ocherwayes, fuch being
fatisfied as were offended, it were to waken afcan-
dal, and not to remove one. But now efpecially we
confider what is a publick fcandal in refped of its
nature, and afterward we (hall enquire when it is
fo to be accounted publick in refpe6l of its notority ;
and fo when immediatly it is to be brought in pub-
lick : for,it is certain, that thefe two may be divided,
and fo are to be diftinguifhed »* as was formerly
hinted. For, a fcandal may be publick, to fay fo, for
its notority, but yet not! for its nature.
When&fcdn- 2. Scandals may be of that nature , that it is fit
datl U t$ be to take publick notice of them , and to follow them
brought to with Church-cenfutes till they be removed. This is
fublicb c fear in the Lord's reproving the negleft of publick
Cenfure in thefe Churches ,- for, His finding fault that
they bad fuch, zx\& fujferei fuch (as in the next Epi-
ftle) can be conftru&ed no otherwayes, but that they
did not by Church -cenfure cut them off from their
fellowfhip , which is elfewhere abundantly clear.
And it is true in thefe cafes, 1 . When a fcandal is of
its own nature groffe and infe&ious, like a little
leaven ready to leaven the whole lump. 2. When
it i? clear and in the matter of faft cannot be denied :
the firft is requifit to a publick fcandal for convincing
of the confcience of the evil it (elf ; the fecond for
making application of the confequents of fuch an
evil to fuch a perfon* 3. An offence becometh pub-
lick, though it be not of its own nature fo at firft, if ic
be afterward aggreged by fuch circumftances as ob-
ftinacy and contempt of private admonition, frequent
relapfing therein , and fuch like > as Chrift's rule*
Mattb. 18, and the general nature of offence doth
con^
Part 2. A Treat Ife concerning Scandal.' 59
confirm : Scandals that are fo circumftantiated, and
tbcy oniy, are to be taken notice of by Church- judi-
catories as the proper obje6t of Church- discipline.
Hence we may lee a great difference betwixt offence
as it is the objeftof private difcretion, and as it is
theobjeftof Church-difcipline. I^all themgroffe
evils and of an infectious nature* which are againft
a clear Law of God, and of that influence in a man's
chriflian walk, as any fober man , acquainted with
the Word of God , and refle&ing upon conference,
cannot but acknowledge to be finfull, obftruft ive to
the work of grace where they are> and tend ing to the
marring the beauty of a Church, and the edification
and f alvation of her members if they (hould fpread,
fuch as Sabbath-breaking , fwearing, and what doth
dire&ly contradict a moral command , thele things
are obvioufly ccnfurable. And upon this occafionj
cannot but much wonder at, and regrate the unwar-
rantable exprc (lions , at leaft > in the matter of faft,
of a Learned man, Mr. Baxter againft ®/*fa,/>*g. 130.
his words are, In feme Countries, Cohere fome oaths are
grofbn cuftomary and of no great e\>il repute, it ispojfible
for a godly man to be longguilty of ihem , as it is kj*oT»n
that many V>ell reputed of for godlinejfe are in Scot-
land y &c, where he doth mifreprefent the Church of
Scotland in a twofold miftake (to fay no more,) 1. as
if fome fwearing were fo cuftomary in Scotland as to
abound even amongft the Godly.' 2. As if it were
not taken notice of, or of no evil repute or fcanda-
lous : It is like this may be his information , but
certainly Chriflian charity would have pleaded, that
fuch information (hould not have been received
againft a Brother, without fome convincing ground;
much lefle to have been vented as a thing known
againft a Chrifti in Church , which, however fhe be
otherwife afflidted and rent,and fo obnoxious to much
contempt and reproach , yet hatha witnefleboth in
Heaven and Earth of zeal againft that fin > and in-
no-
'to *A Treatife concerning Scandal^ Part a*
fiocencie in that rcfpeft , as to thefe that arc Godly,
even but feemingly, There being nothing more ab-
horred by a godly heart, and accounted a greater evi-
dence of profanity amongft us , than cuftomary irre-
verent medling with the holy Name of God , and
fwearing of any kind : and although we be many
wayes guilty before God , even in this refpeft ; yet
we fuppofeftie may hold up her face therein, befide,
and with^any Church on earth.
Where e fen- 3. We faty , That even among thefe Scandals that
ce< are pub» are in this fenfe publickly to be taken notice of, there
Uct^yet dif- is many wayes difference to be made in the profecut-
JennceutQ ingof them, and that in diverfe refpedts. Is So Tie
t**de. fcandals are of fuch groffe nature and publicknefle in
the fa&, that they cannot be paffed without fome
publick rebukc,at leaft,even though the perfon (hould
fcem fatisfyingly to refent his deed*, bec^ufe in this,
refpeft is to be had to the edification of others , and
not of the perfon only. 2. Some fcandals again arc
fuch, as by authoritative admonition may be helped :
and in this fenfe, if a perfon hear the Church-guides
and take their admonition , there is no further pro-
greffe to be made. Again, ?. fometimes perfons are
to be followed with the bighefl cenfure of Excommu*
nication , when open rebukes cannot do the bufinefle,
as we fee in the cafe before us , and other praftices of
Tads. And we fuppofe, that fuch a fcandal as hath
this Sentence following upon it,wouid be in the grof-
neffe of its nature , and clearnefle of its proof, con-
vincingly made out both to the perfon himfelf, and
toothers. Becaufe , U other wife it may make
this great Ordinance contemptible , if upon like, or
difputable grounds, it be drawn forth. 2. Neither
can it have weight with the perfon to gain its end
upon him natively , as a Church- ordinance ought to
have, the firft ftep whereof is, convincingly to argue
him to the fenfe of his fault, as the word is, Mattb, 1 8.
!*• h Neither can it be expe&cd to have fuch
weight
part 2* -^ Treat i(e concerning Scandal. 6\
weight with others who ordinarily carry towards
them that are under it , as they are convinced of the
weightineffe or lightnefle of the ground of that Sen-
tence. 4. The nature of this Ordinance eleareth this
alfo; for (as Divines fay ) it is added to confirm
Gods threatnings, as Sacraments do fcal the promifes;
then it importeth,that there muft be a clear threatning
ere this can be appended s and there canbenofuch
threatning applyed* but where both the fin in its na-
ture* and the faft in its notority are convincing ; and
indeed all the precedents of this Sentence in Scripture
are of this nature* to wit, they are both rare, and alfo
upon mott convincingly grofle evils. I cannot ex-
preffe it better than it is done by that Reverend Di-
vine, Mr. Thomas Hooker of New England in his Hi-
ftory> part %.\>ag< 39. Such eVtls, ( the words arc his)
which are either heynom and abominable, a* fornication^
murther, adultery, inceft, treafon 3 &c. or, if not fo g) -ojj f,
yet carry the face of evil in their forehead , upon tHe prjl
ferious and Xt>ell grounded confideration of reafon ; and
have been pertinaciouJJy and obflinatly perftfted in after
the improvement of all means upon them for canVtmon
and reformation • Thefe only deferVe Excommunication
by the rules of Chrifl , 1 Cor. 5. Matth. 18. 17. thus
far he. Advert , that what we fpeak here of a pub-
lick fcandal, is fpoken in refped of the nature thereof;
what is to be accounted iuch, in refpeft of its mani-
feftnefle and notoritie > followeth afterward to be
fpoken of.
CHAP.
6 2 A Treatife concerning Scandal, Part 2.
* *
CHAP. II.
Concerning )tohat order is to be peeped in the fol*
lowing of public^ Scandals.
THe fecond thing, to wit, what order and man-
ner is to be obferved in the following of pub-
lick Scandals,is not eafily determinable, there
being fuch variety of cafes in which the Lord exer-
cifeththe prudence and wildomof his Church-offi-
cers : and indeed the gift of Government ( to fpeak
fo) doth efpecially kvrti in the rigiit managing of
Difcipline, in reference to the ieverall humours and
conftitutions 'to fay fo) wnich men have to do with.
For, as in bodily difeafes the fame cure is not for the
famedifeafe in all contticutions and feafons , and as
Minifters in their Doftrine are to preffe the fame
things in divcrfe manners, upon diverfe auditories ;
So this cure of difcipline, is not to be applied equally
unto all pcrfons ; nay , not to fuch as are in the fame
offences. For,that which would fcarce humble one,
, may crufh another ; and that which might edifie one,
might be ftumhlingto another , of another temper.
Therefore we fuppofe there is no peremptor determin-
ing of rules for cafes here > but neceffarily the maa-
nerof procedor in the application of rules , is to be
left to the prudence and confeiehcioufneffe of Church-
officers, according to the particular circumftanciate
cafe. Yet we may lay down thefe generals ,
The wit jfc Allpublick procc fling of fcandalous perfons,
of *Di(ci- or judiciall taking notice of fcandals, would be done
fline. with refpeft to the ends for which Difcipline is ap-
pointed, and fo as may attain the fame. This* I fup-
pofe, cannot be denied : for,the miris muft be fuited to
its end. Now, the ends of publickCenfuring, are*
1. for vindicating the honour of Jefus Chrift, that
fuffereth in the miicarriageof a member. 2* The
prefery-
Vltt i* A Treatpje concerning scandal. ej
preferving of the authority of His Ordinances , and
thechafteningof difobedience thereunto, Therefore
it is called, a Corinth. 2. 6. The punifoment that was
infixed, and chap. to. 6. This is faidto revenge all
difobedience > it being appointed as an Ecclefiaftick
whip to keep up His Authority in His Houfe, and
thereby to note thofe that are unruly therein, 2 Thejfl
3.6, t 4. 3, It is for the perfons good , asitisfaid,
I Corinth. 5.5. for the deftruftion of the flefti, that the
ipirit may be faved , that by this, admonitions, re-
proofs, yea, threatnings, may have the more weight,
for the perfons humiliation and up-ftirring: and the
conftraining of them at leaft to a more orderly walk
in the Church , as the Apoftle hath it , iThc/f. 5. 6,
and 14. 4. It is for the good of the Church > that
the leaven of profanity fpread not , and that ethers
may thereby learn to fcar : This reafon is given,
1 £>r. ?• 6>7 ice. and 1 Tim. 5. 20. Now, when we
fpeak of the end of publick trial and cenfure , refpeft
is to be had to all thefe, but efpecially to the more
publick and generall ends , fo as the perfons particu-
lar edification be not neglected ; and therefore in pro*
cedor , particular and fpeciall refpeft would be had
to that manner (whether by meckneffe>or rigidity,by
forbearing or proceeding) which may mott attain
thefe ends.
Hence, 2. we fay , that the fanje offences , upon All offences
the matter, are not equally nor at all times, nor in all oftbc fane
perfons, and, it may be, in 3II places in the fame man- ki*d 9 notaU
ncr, to be purfued and followed; andthereafen \%»*y*i*db
clear, becaufe according to circumftanccs, that man- t0 .j£ * calt
ner which is edifying at one time, and in one cafe, w
may be deftru&ive in another, and (o is not to be fol-
lowed , becaufe that poVber Vtobicb God hath given is for
edification and never for deftruBion, 2 Corinth, l?. 10.
And accordingly, we fet'Paul in fotjie cafes cenfuring
corrupt men. a$Hymeneus and PhyletM , 1 Tim* 1. 20.
Sometimes again, he threatneth and yet fpareth , al-
though
6 4 -^ Trcatife concerning Scandal. Part 2.
though the fcandal in it (elf deferved Cenfure,as when
he faith, Gal. 5. I Vrifh they ibere cut of that trouble you,
and yet doth it not,b:caufe he found not the Churches
edification fo to require. Soalfo , 2 C 0Y 'm&* to. 4.
and 6. Having in a readinejfe to revenge all difobedience,
V>ben your obedience is fulfilled : which yet he thought
not meet for the time to do,left it fhould have irritated
to more difobedience , and have bred fome greater
rent or fchifm, or have made the authority of the Or-
dinances leffe weighty, and fo have marred his end,
which was in all things ( and fo in this forbearing)
their edification, as he expreffeth it, chap. 12. 19.
Brethren, "toe do all things ( and fo this alfo ) for your
edifying.
When I fpeakof edifying , I do not fpeak of plea-
fing the perfons (for , that may be often deftru&ive to
them, and others alfo) But this is intended , that it is
to be weighed in Chriftian prudence, whether consi-
dering the time and place we live in, the nature of
the perfon we have to do with , and of thofc alfo
among whom we live , it be more fit to follow this
way with fuch a perfon , at fuch a time , or another
' way > and accordingly as it feemeth probable , that
this way will honour God moft , more fully vindi-
cate His Ordinances, gain the perfon from fin to holi-
ne(Te,at leaft,to a regular walk,and edifie others moft;
So accordingly oughtChurch- judicatories to take the
Way that leadeth moft probably to that end. And
therefore it ought not alwayes to be accounted parti-
ality when fuch difference in Church- procedour is
Mm is to obferved: Y e t thefe things would by all means be
be guarded guarded againft.
againfl , *• That nothing be done with refpefk to perfons,
-when there or appear to be done fo ; that is > for outward , civil,
is a different or naturall refpe&s, to be more gentle to one than to
way ta^en another , than which nothing is more derogatory to
in cenfuring ecclefiaftick Authority , and (tumbling to people.
the fame 0/- 2, This difference of proceeding , would rather be in
]***'• ihs
Part 2. A l reanje tonctrmng scandal. c>
the manner and circumftances of proceeding in refe-
rence to fome offences > than in difpenfing with what
feemcth to be materia II ; or, k would be in fuch of-
fences where there is no fettled rule , and wherein
Church: officers have more latitude : as for inflaqce,
fome offences are of that publick nature that ufually
they are followed with a publick reproof} fuch cannot
be conveniently pafl-by in any ordinary conceivable
cafe i fuppofe it be fornication, or fome fuch thing;
yet, in the manner of citing and dealing with the per-
fon, orexpreffing or timeing of the reproof, there
mayAe condefcending ; but to omit it altogether,
wouiahazard the cafting loofe of that Ordinance of
publick reproof , which would mar the edification of
the Church more than advantage any particular
party : Other offences again, are more occafional, in
reference to which>there is no definic law> or practice;
fuppofe it be fpeaking , reproachful! words of fome
perfons. Officers, or others, in fuch there is more li-
berty to condefcend which way may be raoft con-
vincing to the party . Laftly, in trying what may be
moft edifying , we are not to look to one end alone>
to wit , the perfons particular good only, or the pub-
lick good only , &c but to put all together, and to
try how joyntly they may be beft attained.
3. From this alfo it will appear) that Church-offi- Howcburcb
cers ought with fuchtendernefle, love and fympathic^cerjMgM
to walk in publick Cenfures , as not only thev may to carry in
have a tettimqny in their own Confciences , but alfo Ctnluru. i,
thatthofe who have offended, and others that ob-
ferve their way , may alfo be convinced of the fame*
fbr,if this be not, what can their Cenfure gain ? and
if it be needfull for a Minifter in preaching, to ftudy
that , it is in fome refpeft more ncceffary here : be-
caufe ordinarilyjmen out of their corruption,are more
ready to miftake mens intentions in this : and we
conceive, that in this a Church- judicatories proce-
dour, ought difcernably to differ from a civil Court,
F in
66 ATrcatifeco* £ Scandal. Part 2';.
in that they are noc ouy out of Juftice cenfuring the
party, with a refpeft to the common body, for whofe
good in fome cafes the moft penitent member muft be
cut off, and cannot be reprived , but as endeavouring
the Churches freedom from offences, that the offend-
ing member may be thereby with ail tendernefle re-
ftorcd and cured ; and in experience we fee,that often
Church-cenfures have weight, as they are conftrudted
to proceed from love. And we conceive , that the
following of thefe and fuch like dire&ions, may have
much influence for attaining of this* I. That no-
thing be rafhly and haftily brought to publiA* but
that which is a convincing Scandal in it (elf, clear in
the matter of faft , and alfo after privat dealing with
theperfon, andtriall of his carriage afterward : if
the fcandal be not very grofle and publick » Haftie
bringing to publick, irritateth : and if a private ad-
monition of Minifter and Elders might gain a Bro-
ther , what needeth further ? And by fo doing , a
perfon is convinced, that that Min ifter, or Elder, de-
fireth his amendment , and on that condition to cover
his offence. 2. There would be no rigid infifting in
what is perfonall , in reference to any of the Judica-
tory > as fuppofe, they fhould fometimes get fnarling
anfwers , or unbecoming words , or be met with by
irreverent carriage : in that cafe, rkrre would be con-
defcending, and what is offer'ive befide, would be
infifted on , and thefe perfonali things forborn. It is
true , the authority of the Ordinances would ever be
kept up , yet that is not alwayes done by a rigid pro-
fecucing of perfonal reflexions ; but on the contrary*
it often looketh likeft Chrifts Ordinance, when meek»
nefle is moft prevalent , and fo in the end , it cometh
te have greater weight ; for,many cannot difcern be-,
twixt Officers feeking their own authority , and the
authority of the Ordinances,* and when the rife of
the offence is from a mifcarriage to fome perfon im-
mediately , it looketh to them to be carnall and vin-
dictive
'art 2. A Treatife concerning Scandal. 6j
^idtive like , and fo hath the appearance of evil and
is to be eichewed. This we may obferve alio m Pauls
carriage, and in thepra<3ices of moft zealous men,
vvho never wronged the Ordinances by denying of
their own refpeft in fuch cafes. And Church- officers
would efpccially advert to this > becauic often in our
hotcft fits, it is rather refpett to our own authority;
than zeal for Chritt that afteth us> which appeareth
by this,that a praftical contempt of the Ordinances in
our own hands* will ftir more than many other groffe
evils, or doftrinall blafphcmies , or contemptuous
practices which immediately rcfle& on others, al-
though thefe may be more difhonourable toChrift*
J. For attaining this end , the rigidity and ftri&nefie
of law would not be fluck to , as the perfons not ap-
pearing at fuch a day, if afterward they condefcend *,
their haftineffe in cxpreffing themfelves rafhly at one
rime , or carrying themfelves irreverently, which af-
terward they may paffe from : thefe and fuch like,
I (ay, are not to be ftuck to, left Church-officers feem,
under pretext of Church-difcipline, to take advantage
of them •, and it is an evidence of the contrary,wheti
they are condefcended unto in this. Advert , this is
to be obferved in praftices that feem to flow from in-
firmity; bur, fuppofe the perfon were fome fubtile,
deceitfull, diflemblingone, ufing his pretexts of re-
pentance for furthering his defign, this condefcenfion
may be hurtfull to the Church of God, in leting fuch
an occafion flip , and therefore is not to be admitted.
4. It contributed tothisendalfo, that publick ap-
pearances and publick rebukes be not frequent , nor
in cafes bjat fuch as are in the nature and evidence
thereof convincing , and that alio after private ad-
monitions have been fruitlefly given. We fuppofe
that midftep in Chrifts direftion , Matth.iS. doth
warrandthis, Taf^e to thee tXbo or three before thou tell
the Church. Haflie bringing to publick reproof , is
conftru&cd by many to be a feeking of their fhame,
F 2 but
6$ A Treat ife concerning Scandal. Part 2
but when it is rare , and done in the order forefaid,
and alio with fome reafons why a publick rebuke in
fuch a cafe is juft and expedient, feing other means
have failed, and the condition of others calleth for
that now, &c* it doth much allay that prejudice ; for
every man hath reafon and a conicienccthough many
often want the exercife thereof. We find alfo pub-
lick rebukes rare in Scripture : And although fome-
times, a publick appearing may be thought moft edi-
fying to the Congregation; Yet, i. If they were
very frequent, they would lofe their weight* 2. One
publick rebuke in this manner and order , will edifie
more than many otherwife : for,it is not the multitude
of them that edifieth, but the convincingnels of the
manner of proceeding. And therefore we conceive
it is never fie to multiply publick rebukes , even fup-
pofingthatfcandals were multiplied, but thac fome
ftouldbe pitched-on that might moft convincingly
edifie, and that private dealing with others for con-
yi&ion be made the more weighty > which alfojs the
judgement of the great Augufline. 3, Peoples o3~end-
ing for the omiting of publick rebukes , is, when the
fcandal thereof doth flow from this > that they con-
ceive it to proceed from carlefneffe , negligence, par-
tiality,orfome fuch thing in the Officers, whereas,
if by cuftome it fhall be known to a people, that Offi-
cers are diligent obfervers of thefe things, and are not
defe&ive in dealing with fcandalous perfons for con-
vincing of them , and do take this way as the moft
loving and tender mean of their gaining , fuch man-
ner of proceeding will be more convincing and edify-
ing, than if the thing were inftantly brought to pub-
lick 5 for, people generally approve of tendernefle
and condefcending in Church-officers>as looking like
love to the gaining of fouls, and fo lay much weight
on their Cenfuring > even of others , when they fee
them* ask were, conftrained thereto. Andonth^
contrary , there is nothing more offenfive to them
* than
Part !• A Treatife concerning Scandal. 69
than wheti this tcndernefle is defiderated. It is to be
guarded here, that this be not made a cloak to negli-
gence and unfaithfulneffc ; for, diligence and freedom
is to be no leffe ufed with the parties , yea more, than
if they were brought to publick. Only , this fore-
bearance is to be made ufc of as a mean for making .
that diligence and freedom the more fuccesfull: other-
wife , whether it be forborn or followed , it conti-
nued ft ill to be hurtfull. Alfo , when one of thefe
abounding fcandals,or fcandalous perfons is rebuked,
then efpccially the Minitter would fo gravely and
zealoufly agrcge that evil,that in fome refpeft all that
are under it may be reproved , and his indignation
at it may be fo difcernablc, that that one reproof
may be in place of many , and yet the forbear-
ance will give accede for fome to come off the
fame.
4. Ic is alfo to be remembered, that this exercife of n m p lf
Difciplinefor reftrainingof (candals, is to be fubfer- cifline U 1
vienttothe preaching of the Word: which is the to be orde\
main and great edifying Ordinance; Therefore Dif- ed , n
cipline would be ordered fo, as it may not mar, butftWo**"
further that. In reference to which, thefe things are but furtbe
to be adverted to, 1. That no cenfure would be the Word*
blindly or implicitely made ufe of, but both in refe-
rence to the party, and others, there would be inftru-
ftion , exhortation, conviition , &c. by the Word,
going before > or alongft with the fame. In which
refpeft ( though improperly) Ccnfuresmay be fome
way looked upon as Sacrament in a large fenfe in
thefe particular cafes , becaufe there is in them both
fome fignifying and confirming u(c; They being con-
fidered with refpe<5* to the end wherefore they were
appointed. 2. Church-officers , efpecially Mini-
fters, would not make Diicipline the great uptaking
bufineffe, (6 as it may prove an intanglementimto
them > or diversion from the Miniftery of the Word:
The great Apoftles, Alt. 6. thought not fit to be •
F 3 diverted
Jo A Treatife concerning Scan da tl Part 2.
diverted with the ferving of Tables, but appointed
Deacons to be chofen for that end , that they might
give themfelves principally, and, in companion of
other duties, fully { or as they fay themfelves, ver. 4.
continually) to prayer, that is, to the private exer rife
thereof; and the Mimflery of the Word , that is> the
preaching thereof in publick. By vvhich we may fee,
1. what a Minifters great task is, wherein he fliould
be taken up, to wit, fecret prayer, ( under which arc
comprehended, reading , meditation, and other du-
ties meet for his own particular cafe, and preparation
for the duties of his calling, as may be gathered from
I Tim. 4. 13, 14, 15.) and the publick preaching of
the Gofpel. 2. We fee alfo , that though Minifters
are virtually both Eiders and Deacons , ( as the
Apoftles were.) yet ought they to regulat their ex-
ercifing of both thefe, with refpeft to the former two*
And, 3. that Elders and Deacons ought in govern-
ing y and overfeeing the poor , to have fpecial relpeft
to keep Minifters from being burthened or toyled with
thefe , that they may have freedom to follow the Mi-
nifteryofthe Word, as the main thing : Yea, even to
have much accefle to privacy and folitarinefle, which
is bo"i moft neceflary for , and a well becoming duty
toaMinifter; This is a fpecial end of the appoint-
ment of thefe Officers, and in reference to which
they arr helps , 1 Cor. 12. 28. both to the people and
to the Minifters. A third thing to be adverted to, is,
that contentious and irritating procefles be fo fol-
lowed , as by thefe there be no prejudice laid before
perfons \ to make them (tumble at the Word , or to
render it the more unprofitable. It is true, fomecimes
fuch things are neceflary for the good of the body,
and for'thc vindicating of Chrifts Ordinances , yet
as much as may be they would be (huned, and Mini-
fters efpecially oueht to carry fo in the manner , as to
keep room for the Word in the afteftions of the par-
ries. And we conceive, that multiplying and length-
ning
Part a • A Treatife concerning Scandal. 71
ningof procefles ( except where there is grave and
weighty caufej and the way of mall of members,
penitents , or fuch as are to be admitted to Sacra-
ments, which is pleaded for by fome, if it were put in
practice, could not but much intangleMiniftcrs, yea,
become a more weighty and intolerable burthen to
them, than the preaching of the Word: yea, could
not but be obftruftive thereto, contrary to the nature
of Difcipline, as faid is*
CHAP. III.
Shelving that Chrifts order and ?w**M,Mittb.i S.
it to be typed) and What it doth imply.
THe fourth generall concerning proceeding in
publick Scandals,which we would lay down,
is,that Chrifts order, M*M8. be indifpenfab-
ly kept. Which we conceive, being compared with
other Scriptures, doth imply thefe things, I. That
offences whether they be in Ieffer particulars , or in
more grofle things , yet if they be but known to few,
are not ipftantly to be brought to publick, (except
fome circi;mftance necelTitate the fame for greater edi-
fication ) and this order is to be obferved both by
Officers and private perfons. It were not therefore
unfit, when any delation cometh by an Elder, or com-
plaint by a private Profeffor , to enquire if they had
obferved this rule with fuch a party ? and if alone,
and with fome others , friendly and rationally they
have endeavoured to convince them ? and if not ,
that they be remitted to follow that way , and if they
have done it, It would be enquired , if their fo doing
have had no wejght? Or if the perfon hath conti-
nued in the offence notwithftanding? If none of
thefe can be faid , there is yet no ground for publick
tabling of a fcandal : and thU we fuppofe would cut
off many needleffe precedes, and prove more edifying*
F 4 *• Ic
7i tATreatife concerning Scandal" Part 2.
2. It is clear from that place , that the offences to be
complained of , are not injuries or wrongs to us un-
der that notion as fuch, but what is offenfive in its na-
ture and under that confideration,whether any wrong
be intended to us in it or not. Ic is not fuitable to a
Church-court to have only perfons complaining of
wrongs done to themfelves, as if they be cui fed , de-
famed, &c. and yet not to take nocice of what is of-
fenfive, as wronging the honour of God , reflecting
upon the profeffion of the Gofpel , and really laying
a (tumbling- block before themfelves and others. This
is to negleft fcandals , and to take notice of flanders>
which, as we (aid, differ from thefe- Hence, fuch
perfons ordinarily follow their complaints with much
bitterneff? , a^d never feek to convince the party pri-
vately . We conceive therefore, that fuch direft com-
plaints,fo circumftantiate, ought not to be admitted,at
leaft* upon that confederation 5 left the Ordinance
of Chrift be made fubfervient to mens particular paf-
fions and interefts. It is therefore more fit when fuch
offences arife , that they be taken notice of abftradtly
from fuch complaints, and that in the order that other
fcandals are to come in , whereof now we are fpeak-
ing. 3. Ic is clear from that order , Mattb. 18. chat
when the perfon offending, doth accept of the admo-
nition, there is no mention further to be made there-
of 5 yea, it would not be fo much as reported private-
ly, if ic be not other way es known. 4. if that pri-
vate admonition prevail not ; then is the perfon to take
two or three with Kim before it come to the Church,
and this is not to be done fuperficially , and for exo-
neration meerly , but convincingly , and for the per-
fons edification. Therefore we fuppofe , that this is
not to be aft rifled to one time, either in private, or
before thefe two or three : for, once fpeaking may be
but little ufefull ; and feing the Church is to continue
in dealing with the perfon before chey give him over
an4 proceed > and before they can account that he
hearcth
Part 2. id Treat if e concerning Scandal. 7 5
heareth not them , So ought it to be in the preceeding
twofteps, feing the words are the fame. Again, I
fay , this would be done convincingly » they would
argue ( as the word is) with the offending brother,
and not reft fatisfied with fome pafling word or ad-
monition. Further , chefe two or three would be
chofen , foas may be moft fit for that purpbfc , and
may have moft weight with him, (we think fome
Elder, oneatlcaft, or two, were not unfit) and this
would be done purpofly , gravely and ferioufly, as
the words, Ta{e V>itb tbeel&c, import. All this is
to preceed the bringing of a fcandal tapublick,which
is to fift here if this prevail. Whence, 5. alfo we
may fee , that every fcandal which is known to two
or three, is not to be accounted a publick fcandal, and
at the- firft inftant to be brought to the Church , be-
caufe it is fuppofed, that thefe two or three may have
knowledge of the fame fcandal, and yet may it war-
rantably never come to publick, if the perfon hear
them. It lookech unlike this way to bring fcandals
to publick , wherein fcarce two witnefTes can be had.
Indeed , after the fault noifed and flaerant, and the
preemption is great, and the party lufpeft like, fuch
things are publickly to be taken notice of, though the
proof* be not fo pregnant. 6. If this do not the bu-
finefle, but the perfon continu*ethobftinate> although
totneconviftionof thofetwoor three afleffors, the
faft be grofle, and the party guilty , then it is to be
brought to publick* either immediately by the perfon
that was ftumbled,or by an Elder, ( for which caufe,
wefaid, it was not unmeet that one of thefe fbould
be among the former witnefifes ) When it corned!
to the Church, we conceive, that with the parties, ic
were meet to call fome one, or moe of thofe who v\ ere
w itnefles of the private admonition, that the Judica*
tory may be informed by them of the cafe, feing
probably they may be more irnpartiall than the
other. And it will be conduccablc tor attaining
clear-
74 A Trettife concerning Scakdai, Part 2.
clearnefle in the thing, to know what hath preceeded,
and where it left ; and this would make private ad-
monitions and witneffes therein , to have the more
weight with men; for, knowing that their carriage at
fuch a time would be mad- manifeft to others, ic
would have influence to make them at firft more ra^-
tionall and fober, if they knew that what they faid
then, would afterward be repeated to them before
two or three j and what they fpokc before thofe, were
to be again impartially reported to the Elderfhip.
And we conceive, it is for this caufe amongft others,
that Chrift calleth them witneffes , and fuch witneffes,
as may eftablifh the matter, which muft bs rather in
their teftifying to the Church , than in private ac-
companying the offended party. For , when a per-
fbn bringeth fuch an offence to a publick Judicatory,
he muft make out thefe two , |U That fuch a perfon
hath actually given offence, 2, That he hath effe-
ctually admoniftied him , and he hath not heard
him, nor fatisfied him. Now > though the firft be
made out by other witneffes , yet the laft cannot be
made out but by fuch as were called by him ; and
therefore with refpedl to that , they are called tote*
nejfes by our Lord, as is faid.
When this is done, the convincing and recovery
of the party is yet to be effayed;and for that end, pains
are to be taken , with all patience , gentlencffe,and
long-fuffering : if that prevail, there is no further pro-
cedoiar called- for; if not, then publick admonitions
and rebukes are to be added. If nothing prevail, the
Sentence of Excommunication is to be added , the
ground being convincingly fcandalous in its nature,
and clear in its evidence, as was formerly faid ; and it
will not be found often in a Church where that pro-
greffe is keeped, that ic will come to this.
If the offences be of that nature > that a publick re-
buke be ncceffary , in refpeft of the circumftances
and aggravations thereof, it is not to be negle&ed :
Yet,
Part i" *A Tred tife concerning Scandal. 7 J
Yet, it is not neceffary that every offence that cometh
to the Elderfhip , yea > even thefe that are known to
many, ihould at all times be brought to a publick re-
buke. For, if the Seflional or Elderfhips admoniti-
on have weight with the party > what needeth more
in reference to him ? And if there be no hazard that
others be infc&ed by that deed , or provoked by that
example j there is no neceffity alwayes in reference to
them, efpecially, where it is known that fuch offences
are not paffed. For, that isoneendof publick re-
bukes, l Tim. 5. 20. That others may fear. Yea, much
more we conceive that many offences may be brought
the length of publick rebukes , which yet are not to
be drawn out unto Excommunication > even though
compleat fatisfaSion fecm not to be given. Becaufe>
I. that Sentence is not to proceed, but upon weighty
convincing caufes , as is faid , 2. Becaufc, if the
caufe be convincing, the perfon offending may be cx-
|>e6ted fometimes upon after thoughts to admit of con.
viftion , though diftemper or prejudice may for a
time keep it off, as experience doth prove.
But where the cafe is fuch as hazardeth infeftion to
others, and the perfons fuch as are contemptuous and
ready to fpread their leaven , as was both in the cafe
of the doftrine and deeds of thefe Nicolattans , the
Sentence is to proceed, and that more fummarily: I
fay, more fummarily in comparifon of what is paft,
yet not altogether fummarily ; for , Paul allowech an
Herecick to be once and again admoniftied, Tit. 3.1a.
And in this Chapter, the Lord giveth Je^tbel rime to
repent : and here, thofe corrupt perfons are exhorted
to repent br fore He come to fight againft them with
the fword of His mouth, ver. c6. which (as we take
it) looketh to the fame Sentence. We will not be
peremptory to deny what may be done when the
crime is atrocious, the evidence palpable , the fcandal
gr^at* the contemptuoufneffe of the party, by their
former and prefenc carnage , rendering all hopes of
reco-
7 £ tATreatife concerning Scandal; Part %i
recovering fodefperate , that there is not Co much as
accefle to gee a hearing* and a following of convicti-
ons , and the hazard of the fcandal not admitting of
delay : I fay > in fuch a cafe * we will not deny what
maybe done for the Churches edification more fum-
marily; yet we are fure,ordinarily the way laid down
is to be fallowed.
CHAP. IV.
Holding forth the frame Wherewith Chttrch*Offi-
cers jhould proceed in Qenfure^ And helps to-
wards the fame*
IN the laft placed mmner of proceeding in all this,
k efpecially to be looked to, without which all
the reft will be weightleffe. Therefore in all the
procedure, the Church-officers efpecially would have
a zealous, ferious, grave and authoritative manner
of carriage, having weight and authority in their
leaft looks and words, with all gravity : For, can
that admonition have weight with others , thatap-
peareth not to have weight with thofe that give it ?
Or^canthefcandalous be ferious in hearing , when
there is no convi&ion on them, that they are ferious
and affe&ed that (peak ? Minifters therefore efpeci-
ally, as alfo Elders in their place, would endeavour
ferioufly and zealoufly with all tenderneffe to the per-
, fon , to expreffe their indignation at> and abhorrency
of fuch deeds ; as it is commended in Epbefm y ver. 6.
that they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans. Atid cer-
tainly,^ Court of Chrifts ought to look like Him, and
like that bufineffe intrufted to them, and to have a
different ftamp from other Courts. And there is no-
thing that weakneth the authority of a Sentence more
than the want of this. For helping therefore to it* we
propofe, 1. That the converfations of fuch as take
notice of Scandals in others* fliQuld be (hining them-
felves,
Part 2. A Treattfe concerning Scandal. 77
ielves, There can be no weightineffe without this;
becaufe the weight and authority that is to be ftu-
diedhere, is that which may be convincing tocon-
fciences, rather than compulfivc to the outward man :
and upon this ground , it is not the moft honourable
and rich that give Church- judicatories moft autho-
rity , But thofe who are molt fhining and convincing
in their carriage , particularly in reference to this
truft : For, though outward place may gain more
outward refpeft , yet this cannot but have more
weight upon the confeience, which is efpecially to be
affefted by this Church-authority. 2. We would be-
ware of founding this authority upon carnal grounds,
or to lay the weight of it there, fuch as the power
and authority of men ; yea, or upon our own place,
parts, or weight : and upon that account ( as it were)
to boaft, rather than to perfwade or convince. This
fometimes may have weight as to fome outward con-
formity , but doth ever lofe more of its native weigh-
tineffe : Therefore Minifters and Elders in the profe-
cucing of this, would lay the weight here, that it is
Chrift's Ordinance , and that they ad in Hh Name.
3. They would even in that procedure aim efpecial-
ly to deal with confeiences to convince them, rather
than to wrangle with corruptions, or to throw the
outward man. 4. The Mafters honour would ever
bcrefpefted , yea, reverently and frequently menti-
oned, that all of them may be put and kept in minde
that it is His Ordinance, and appointed for fuch an
end : and the more room He get in the meeting , the
more weight will their procedure have. 5. Mini-
fters,and Elders particularly, would pray for tjic blef-
fingtoDHcipiine, as well as to the Word; and for
the per Ions offending, even thofe that appear to be
moft ftuborn , this becometh their minifterial autho-
rity well to acknowledge Him, and is the way to
have His preferrce in the midft of them, without
vvhich they can expeft no weight ; and the more He
be
^g A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 2.
befeen that is the Matter, the more authority will
they have who are the Servants. 6. It helps this alfo
to have the matter and proofs convincing. There-
fore particulars that look (elf-like , or fiding with in*
teretts, or fuch as are involved in civil debates and
contefts,aretobe(hunned, oratleaft, not to be in-
fifted upon : for, readily a convincing weighty mat-
ter, will have fome impreffion of it felf upon ednfei-
ences. Hence, we will find in Scripture that gene-
rally { if not alwayes) publick proceffesare tabled
upon fcandals that flow from comrniffions , and that
of fuch nature, as is faid. It is true, where an omif-
fion is owned, as fuppofeone (houldrefufetopray,
or where palpably defended , and is not of infirmity,
as idleneffe was 'mTbeJfalonica, 1 Epift. chap. 3. fuch
are by their circurnftances rather indeed comrniffions,
and fo to be accounted after admonition, and upon
juft ground are convincing. 7. There would be
weight, gravity, impartiality, (elf deniedneffe, and
aflfe&ion kything in every circunttance , that they
may look like the fervants of Jdlis Chrift , who are
feeking thee good of His people ; and fo foolifh fport-
ing and laughing , idle and triviallqueftions, paffio-
nate words, heat, or particular and perfonail rcfle-
£iions,and the like, are moft derogatory to the autho-
rity of a Church^ judicatory, and do mar the weight
of any Sentence upon a confeience, as is evident in
daily experience , where forneumes Cenfures in their
giving and receiving , are, upon me matter, an irre-
verent taking of the name of the Lord in vain.
8. There would be in all this, an holy boldneffe, and
an undauntoned fearlefneffe in refpetf of men. When
it cometh to any difficulty , minding the authority of
Him whom wereprefent? yet fo, as in this boldneffe,
confeience of duty and zeal may both in our own
confeiences, and to the convi&ion of others, be the
ground , end and motive thereof, and not any car-
nail fla(h of paffion or pride , or fit of naturall cou-
rage,
Part 2. A TreAtife concerning Scandai, 79
rage>which may make Church-offiars look like men,
but not like their matter* for ,ns H is Kingdom is not of
this world in their rcfpe<fts , fo ought His Officers to
adminiftrate the fame o:herv\ ayes than a worldly au-
thority ufeth to be ; our weapons are not carnalli but
fpiriruall, and mighty through God, and therefore as
fuch fhould be ufed*
The laft general dire&ion concerning, this, is, that cbutcb-iro-
when Scandals are thus to betaken notice of, thiso^cj muli
proceeding ought co be with expedition: my meaning be tarrud-
is not, that we fhould precipitate contrary to the for- on mtb co-
rner dire&ions 5 But, 1. That after notice of an of--ff#iiw.
fence, with all convcnicncy : the firft ftepsof this pro-
cedure would be eflayed. 2. That there would not
be long intervals betwixt thefe Reps •> although they
may be frequently repeated. 3* That perfons would
not be kept long under procefle,efpecially they would
not have their appearances multiplied, except when it
may be for good u(e. The reafons of all thefe, aret
1. Bccaufe when offences are frefh, then often the
parties offending, and offended, as alfo others, are
moft affc&ed therewith ; whereas, if a long time in-
terveen, that edge weareth away, and whatever the
clofe be , it provcth not fo edifying to any. 2. Men
weary, and fo fall from that zealous, ferious manner
of carriage in it that becometh , for our fpirits are
foonout of benlall, and that derogateth from the
weight of the thing. 3, It proveth irritating and
burthenfom to the parties offending , rather than con-
vincing, and fo the end is miffed. 4. It hath alfo
influence upon the confuting and burthening of Offi-
cers when procefles are multiplied and lengthened,
and it cometh fome way to look like mens civil
Courts, and that in fuch things as they ufc to be grie-
vous unto thefe who arc necefikate to wait on them.
To clofe this , we conceive it were fit for the au-
thority ot Church- judicatories, the weight of ad-
monition , and the edification of perfons, that there
were
$* A Treatife concerning Scandal. 7 Part tl
were fome fpecially fee apart for government.although
they were fewer: Ami, O chat this might be attained !
for, ordinary converfing of Elders in common and
ordinary Calling9,doth not a little obfeure the weight
of that Ordinance to many , except the converfation
of the Elder in fuch things be Angularly convincing:
And untill this be attained , there is the greater need
for Church-officers to be as little in common bufineffe
and difcourfes with thofe over whom they are let , as
conveniently may be * that there may be the more ac-
ceffe to converfe with them as becometh Officers; and
when necefficy calleth to it , there is need of gravity
and circumfpedineffe t that it mar not their weight
in the duties of their office at any other time. And
alfo,Church- officers in their meetings amongft them-
Telves, would be alwayes grave and ferious , as being
about an Ordinance of Jefus Chrift.
CHAP. V.
Concerning tyfoat u to be done , when offending
ferfons give no fatisfaftion,
IF it be asked then , what is to be done > fuppofing
perfons not to give any fatisf a&ion , even when
they are brought to publick ? This is indeed a dif-
ficulty, and will>no queftion, pufle any confeiencious
Church-officer ; Yec, we fuppofe, we may clafle fuch
offences that are brought to publick in thefe three
forts, and then anlwer. I f Some offences are in
matters that are lefle horrid and (candalous , and
come neerer to fins of infirmity, which yet are fcanda-
lous,being continued in,fuppo(e officious lying, angry
paffionat words , and fuch like , where thefe are re-
peated,the perfons are to be rebuked in fome cafes* yet
if they be not contemptuous , or the ills otherwife
aggreged , we fee not how there can be proceeding to
Excommunication upon fuch grounds , becauie Ex-
communicato
Part 2. A TreAtife concerning scandal. 82
communication is a chaftifement for fome Angular
offenders, and is not for offences that arc fo common*
as hath beqn formerly faid. Of this fort may be the*
fparingneflc of charity in Church- members,in giving
little to the poor , or lefle than proportionally they
(hould , though they do not altogether (hut theit;
bowels; This may be the objeft of admonition, but
we think hardly or Excommunication, except it have
groffc contempt with it, and fo hazard of making
void* by evil example, the courfe that Chnft hath ap- *
pointed for overfeing the poor in His houfe,for which
He hath appointed Deacons : and if publick charity
upon any pretext were reftrained, that were to no pur-
pofe ; which certainly highly rcfleSeth on Chrift^nd
is a grievous fcandal. We find the Reverend Maftcr
&oo\er, part i. cbap.i. pag. 57. lay thefetwoconclu-
fions , I. That the Church is to ftint her Members*
and determine the quota of their charity and freewill-
offerings, and that of her felf. 2. That if after the
Deacons private diligence, this be not given in, he is
to follow the aftion before the Church. Although
we think defeft of charity* in this refpeft, a great fin
and an offence, and may be juftly reproved , and the
perfon admonifhed that is defective palpably in that
which is proportionable to his ability ; yet, that fuch
a particular (tint (hould be made by Church-power,
and exacted under fuch certification , we cannot yet
find to be warrantable. Although we give the Ma-
giftratethat liberty, and where he exerceth it nor* we
acknowledge mutuall condefcenfion may do much*
And we are fure , that if any fuch like thing (hould
be found in the Presbyteriall way, it had been charg-
ed with tyrannic and encroaching on the place of the
Magiftrate long ere now : yet it may be ( when it is
Well managed) no great corruption in a Church.
A fecond fort of offences are fuch, as are of them-
.felvesgrofle and publick; yet not atrocious, or ag-
greged with contempt, fuch as fornication, fome afts
G of
ti *sf Treatife concerning S c a n d a i . Part 2.
of drunkenneffe, and fuch like. The party, I fay>
noc being obftinate, but ferioufly acknowledging his
faulc , and promifing to abftain and amend > in that
cafe there is no ground to proceed to the higheft Cen-
fure , though there may be a publick rebuke ; yea,
though their acknowledgment be not altogether fatif-
fying ; yet, if after the publick rebuke, the perfon ab-
ftain thefe evils , and renue not the offence , the pro-
ceffe is to clofe, and to proceed no further : Becaufo
1. In that cafe it cannot well be faid,that he hath re-
futed to hear the Church when that abftinence fol-
io weth. 2. The end of a publick rebuke is not al-
wayes to be an evidence of the perfons full recovery,
But, 1. to be a mean to recover him* 2. It is in it
felf a publick acknowledgment of the fault, and a
virtuall engagement to abftain. And, ?♦ it hath a
warning force and certification with it for the party
offending , if he continue in his offence : Now* if he
continue not, it cannot be faid that he hath incurred
the certification , or made the rebuke altogether inef-
fectual! : And therefore in fuch cafes , a publick re-
buke being accepted, it putteth a clofe unto fuch pro-
cefles : for, fuch publick rebukes are not an exerci-
fing of the keys for letting- in any to the Church, that
was not a member formerly \ and therefore there is
not fuch exa&neffe required here , as in the firft
admiffion of heathens, yea, or in reftoring of Ex-
communicate perfons , who have been bound and
(hut out , but it is the warning of a member to pre-
vent his being caft out. Seing therefore this rebuke
loufeth nothing, there can be no neceffity alleged here
of (earching into his acknowledgements or profeflion;
ahd we make noqueftion , that offending perfons be-
ing rebuked before all , and abftainmg from fuch of-
f nces aftetward , were ftill to be accounted Church-
members , capable of all priviledges , notwithftand-
insofthc former offence. For, although he was
offenfive before that rebuke* yet was he no* aftually
bound
Part 2 % c// Treatife concerning Scandal. S3
bound or excluded from any Church priviledgc by
that offence(bccaufeoftcnce giveth ground to exclude*
if contempt folio w,but doth not a&ually exclude of ic
felf) neither doth the rebuke bind and exclude any if
no further Cenfure follow and be added thereunto,
but is intended to prevent both, And therefore, I fay,
that a perfon meerly rebuked for (uch an offence, and
not continuing in,or renuing the fame,hath right to all
Church-priviledges > feing he is by no Ordinance of
Chrift excluded ; and that way of publick rebuking,
is appointed to prevent the falling of others, by that
occafion-
A third fort of offences are fuch as of their nature
arc groffe, and in their evidence clear* fuppofe drunk-
enneffe , fornication , grofle fwearing , corrupt er-
rours, &c. and the perfon offending,after much pains,
doth yet continue obftinate , refufing to hear the
Church \ in that cafe the rule is clear to proceed with
the Sentence of cutting off, If no accidentall thing
call for the fufpending thereof, for refpe& to the
Churches good.
If it be asked, when a perfon is to be accounred ob- When U s
flinate and guilty of not hearing the Church ? We t er f on t0 be
anfwer , It may be in thefe four cafes, 1. When *"*****&
the perfons do contemptuoufly refufe , or decline ap- •ty" M **
pearance , that is, either to hear private admonition,
or to anfwer for removing ot their offences before the
publick Judicatory. This indeed is not to be aflri&ed
to once or twice refufing , even when no reafonable
excufe can be given : far, fometimes offenders are
ticklifh for a time , while their dittemper continuethj
and Church-officers would be favourable in admit-
ting of excufes , and in their condelcending to them,
(as edification maybe moft furthered ) as Mothers
and Nudes will do to children : which (imilitudes the
Scripture fometimes ufeth.
2. It is contempt > fuppofing a perfon to appear,
and yet either to juftifie hisotfence* as if it were no
G 2 Wrong j
84 A Treatlfe concerning Scandal^ Part 2^
wrong ; or to deny an evident faft , or to rcfufe any *
way to remove an offence given. &c. yet in fuch
cafes there is both forbearance and gentleneffe for a
time to be eflayed , and the offence is to be made in-
excufable both to the confeience of the party , and to
the confeiences of others*
3. Contempt may appear in this , when perfons
offending appear > and do not deny the offence > yet
by fuch proud carriage , haughty refle&ing , irreve-
rent expreffions, *nd fuch like , do bewray contempt
in the manner of their carriage* and thereby do give
more offence than by their former mifcarriage,or than
if they had not appeared at all : Becaufe , that doth
reproach the Ordinance of Chnftmore , as it were
in His prefence to affront Him, and like the foul-
diers , to fay , Hail 9 IQng 0) the Je^s 3 and to
mock Him.
A fourth thing that may be judged contempt, and
not hearing of the Church, is, when a perfon appear-
ing, doth with fome feeming reverence acknowledge
the faulc , fuppofe drunkeneffe > (lander , fornica-
tion , &c. and yet doth notwithftanding continue in,
or frequently reiterate the fame offence, for thefe can-
not be judged fins of infirmitie, efpecially when they
are fo frequent > and that after admonition ; for, the
Churches admonition doth not only tend to draw
forth an acknowledgement of the offence paft, but
to prevent the like for time to come ; and where that
is not , it cannot be faid that Chrifts Ordinance hath
had weight. And in fuch a cafe, the accounting of
verball acknowledgements enough , where there is
a continuance in fome feen evils , were to make the
Ordinance of Chrift obnoxious to reproach, and to
fruftrate it of its end , which is to remove and pre-
vent offences , ( for in that cafe they abound more )
and it would ftrengthen men that could diflemble , to
continue in their profanitie, feing by that they might
ever efcape the Sentence of Excommunication, and
Part i. A TrcAtife concerning Scandal. $5
fo profane perfons might abound in Chrifts Church
to the difhonour of his Name , and the reproach of
the Gofpel and yet there be no accefle to riis Offi-
cers by His Ordinances to purge them out. And fe-
ing this would be ridiculous in any humane Court,
to account luch a man a receiver of admonitions , it
were ablurd to alTert it here.
If it be asked , what is to be done in cafes where ^ d U ^h*?
the offence is not of a more groffe nature>and comcth an °ff €ni * **
neer to a fin of infirmity > and yet hath contempt not t u gro J '
added thereto, in one of theferefpefts ? ityfo.i. WcJ^JJ^S
have faid already > that it is hard to ground Excom- ^ ?
munication upon fuch a rife : Therefore, 2. Church-
officers would warrily deal with fuch offenders, fo
as there be no feeming occafion given them to con-
temn ; and much forbearance, and even a kind
of overlooking ( fo far as is confiftent with faithful-
neffe ) is to be exercifed in fuch cafes, in reference to
fome perfons, for it hath prejudice with it to take
notice of fuch Scandals, and thereafter without fa-
tisfa&ion to pafie from them , and it is difficult and
not alwayes edifying to purfue them: we conceive
it therefore more fir, not to take Judiciall notice (at
leaft ) of them all , but to continue a ferious and
loving dealing with fuch perfons in private, becaufe
poffibly more rigid dealing might wrong them and
the Church more than edifie, Yea, 3. If it come to
publick , frequent trials would be taken of them be-
fore it be judged contempt, that fo if it be found necd-
full to proceed further , the contempt may Be fo ag-
greged, that it may be fecn, that edification requireth
the fame to be profecuted, and then it is the contempt
that beareth the weight of the Sentence , and not the
firft offence ; Therefore this would be fo manifeft, as
it may be convincing to the confeiences of all to be
infuffcrable.
G 3 CHAP.
p^r^-
t$ A Trektife concerning Scandal, Part 2.
CHAP. VI.
Concerning what id to be accomted fatisfattion,
or fattsfjwg.
THe great Queftion is? when a perfon doth ap-
pear and acknowledge his oftence, ahd fub-
mit to a publick rebuke> what is to be judged
fatisfying here , to, as a Church- judicatory tmy fift
Proceffe , and reft fatisfied and admit the perfon to
Church- priviledges, as if the former offence had not
been? In anfwering of this , we (hall, firft, fhew
What is notfatifsying. Secondly, what is notne-
ceflary to be enquired after by a Church- judicatory,
for this ecclefialtick fatisfa&ion. Thirdly, wefliall
fliew what is neceflary and fatisfying* Then, anfwer
a Queftion or two, for abfolving of this.
. I* We fay , every v< rball acknowledgement of a
Whdthtni f au l Cj even though it have a promife of amending, is
*fJ M jt* m notfufficient; for, that may be in two of the cafes
fufEcim f#r ^ ormer ^ mentioned, to wit, in a perfon that doth, in
makini a ^ ls ^° ^ om ?> but mock the Ordinance ; or in a perfon
cburcb-ju- cha ^ hath often relapfed after fuch a profeffion, or for
dicatory to c ^ e c ' me doth continue in that or fome other groffc
fjt *frwjr0. ev *l • * n ^at cafe to account fuch a profeffion of re-
eejjeq pentance fatisfying > were to fall in the former incon-
veniencies, and would prove a manifeft taking of
theNamcof the Lord in vain , which we may ga-
ther byffiis. Such a circumftantiat profeffion ought
not tofatisfie a Brother in a privat admonition, fo
that notwithftanding thereof ( yea, the rather ) he
ought thereafter to rake two or three with him , as
being more offended , and if they meeting with the
fame, may put it to the Church, as not being well fa-
tisfied with fuch mockinss s then much leffe ought
the Church to be fatisfied therewith, becaufe they do
more formally reprelent Jefus Chrift and His Au-
thoricy,and therefore mocking* and contempt to them,
is
Part 2 • e^/ Treat ife concerning Scandal. 87
is the greater offence. And that place , where the
Lord fpeaketh to Peter , LifuiJ* ?. of forgivii g his
brother /rtw* riwi* J a ffcy, and elie where . fe^.nty times
fi\en times a day y is not to be underftood to ipeak
principally of fuch grofle publick offences , or of
fuch difcernablc counterfeit turning ( for that is not
turning at all ) but of private offences , or of the
firft fort formerly mentioned , and alio where there
feemeth to be ingenuity in the perfon > otherwife ic
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-a&ings , as judicious £Wvw
doth give warning upon the place ; Befide, the cha-
flening, and humbling of the offending party , the
nlaking of others to fear, and the turning away of
the reproach that cometh to Chrifts name by offences,
being the great ends of Church-cenfure , by admit-
ting of fuch a profeffion as fatisfying, all of them
would be utterly enervated and overturned, which
were moft abfurd.
If it be asked, how thisdiflcmbling, mocking pro- How map
feffionmay bedifcovered? dnfo. 1. By fbmewhat dijjembliiig
palpable in the very prefent geflure , words* cxpre- be tiff*
fliotiSj&c. which evidence the fame, and leave no^ f ^'
room for chanty ; as when men (as it were) with
a word , fay Bail to Chrift > and at the next, Ipit in
His face > it iseafic to fay, that their H^i/ was not
ferious. 2. By comparing it with a perfons former
carriage in fuch a cafe wherein fo much hath been
profeffed • and yet he afterward hath been found to
be mockingeven in the time of his ptoftffion, his for-
mer carriage calleth men, at leaft > not to befoon fa-
tisfied , if no difference be. 3. By fome words or
cxpreffions in other Societies and Companies , which
being vented during the time of this publick profefli-
on > and that contrary thereto , cannot but evidence
it to be a mocking* And, 4. When the fruit ap-
G 4 peareth
1 8 A Treatife concerning Scandal.' Part 5
peareth to be contrary thereto in a habituall way,
as hath been faid. Indeed if there be not convincing
evidence of this mocking, but it be doubtfull ; or,if a
perfon that at one occafion is irreverent, (hould after-
ward appear more fober , we conceive in that cafe,
determination is to be fufpended , till after carriage
give more ground of clearneffe, either to the one hand
or the other.
CHAP. VII.
? Shewing Vvhat is not neceffary to fitufatiion.
TO the fecond thing , to wit, what is not ne-
ceffary, or to be enquired for, by Church-offi-
cers to beanecclehaftickfatisfa&ion for re-
moving of an offence* We anfwer, That the faving
grace of repentance* or godly fincerity therein in the
perfon, is not to be enquired into > as the alone ground
upon which they may reft fatisfied. For, i* That
would put a Church- judicatory fo far as they could
to determine of the ftate and gracioufneffe of every
offending perfon before they were fatisfied , which
wereabfurd, that not being the obj>6t of Church-
difcipline, and it's nowhere to be found that men are
called judicially to determine of the ftate of another.
z. It would lay this ground, That none (hould be af-
ter any offence recovered and admitted to priviledges,
except they were thought really to be gracious; which
would infer t that none (hould be admitted to the
Church, but fuch; yea,tbat none (hould be continu-
ed in the Church, but fuch ; becaufe readily there are
none, but in leffe or more give offence, lb far as may
be the ground of a private admonition, which doth
once table them: and if nothing can befatisfying
fcut what giveth ground to account them gracious, ic
would come to that, that men are to be excommuni-
cated becaufe they are not thought to be gracious*
and
Part £• tA Treatife concerning Scan d a l • 8p
and cannot give evidence of that. ?. So every per-
fon that were received after an offence, would have a
Sentence of a Church- judicatory ftanding to prove
them to be converted > which certainly would prove
offenfive,' and a (tumbling to many who are too ape
to ground prelumption on a lefler occafion. 4. It
would put Church-officers upon the rack, and prove
a tortour to them : For, U There is no evidence
given in the word whereby one may know the gra-
cious eftate of one another infallibly ; And (hall that
be only fatisfyingto us, which by no means we can
know ? 2. God hath not given men dominion over
confciences to fearch or cenlure them in their ends,
motives> &c. but as appeareth in their outward acti-
ons , and there being nothing that can evidence
foundnefle in the outward aftioti it felf, becaufe Hy-
pocrites may come that length , it cannot be that
that muft be their task, to decide where there is no
poffibility to attain to a fatisfyingdecifion. If it be
laid, that they are to proceed as in charity they judge
the perfon to be (in cere , Then we oppofe, proce-
dure in Church-judicatories muft be according to
fuch rules as a perlon that judgeth wrong may be
convinced that he judgeth wrong , if a wronged
party fhould complain ; But if the man's own
thoughts and charity of fuch a man were the rule*
whereby he is to judge , then fuppofe fome Judica-
tories unwarrantably to admit, or to debar fome,
there were no way to convince them that they had
judged wrong, becaufe none could judge their fingle-
nefle. Again, if it be faid, that that may be ga-
thered from evidences, Then we defire to know what
evidence is to charity a fufficient ground to make a
man to be accounted gracious , and without which
he is not to be accounted fuch ? If there be no fuch
evidence , then the decifion lieth upon the perfons
judgement and inclination , which falleth in the
former inconvenience : If there be fuch evidences,
1. It
go A Trestifc concerning S C A N d A L I Part J;
I. It will be hard to condefcend upon thettu 2. They
are either fuch evidences as may be judicially demon-
ftrated to be in fuch a perfon, or not to be in him :
If they may be demonftrated to be in him, then it is
110c charity that decideth, but a law, which we will
acknowledge when it is difcovered, if they cannot
be judicially demonftrated to be in fuch a perfon, or
not to be in him ; then the redreffing of any corrupt
decifion is ftill made impoflible , and there is no more
but the conje&ures of fuch mens charity in fuch a
cafe 5 Then, how can thefe abfurdities be anfwercd ?
As, l, What if fuch Church-officers (hould be par-
tial ? in that cafe their charity will either be too nar-
row, or too broad , and can that be the rule of pro-
cedure in Chrift's Houfe ? and yet Church-officers
are men fubje& to fuch infirmities. 2. What if the
perfon fhould think himfelf wronged by their ac-
counting him not to be gracious, would that be fuffi-
cient to convince himi becaufe they thought fo? and
yet ic cannot be (aid, that according to Chrift's order
Church-officers (hould Sentence an offending party,
and not be able to convince him 5 and he cannot de-
monftrate it to them fo as to convince them , and fo
it is for ever undeterminable , which is raoft abfiird.
What if he appeal to a fupream Judicatory ? how
could they defend their Sentence ? Or,what if the fu-
periour Judicatory judged him to be fincere? how
could one of thefe Judicatories convince the other, if*
charity only were the rule ? And yet it cannot be
thought, that by Difcipline and Cenfures, which are
appointed by Jefus Chrift for entertaining of union,
that fuch inevitable grounds of divifion (hould be
laid ? Again,could it be but irritating to a perfon ju-
dicially to be declared unregcnerate> and would it not
afterward both make fuch Sentences, and thofe that
pronounce chem to have the lefle weight ? 3* Suppofe
in the fame Judicatory fome perfons charity (hould
be larger nor others , what is to be done in that cafe?
There
Part !• <# Treatife concerning Scandal.' 91
There is no poflibility for one of them to convince the
other 3 yea, can it but ftir up new offences ? for, the
one of them is ready to judge the other , either un-
acquainted with fpirituall condition*, or untender;
for, the judging upon the fincerity of grace, required!
the exercife of a chriftian and fpiricual difcerning; artd
therefore accordingly as it is exerci Ted differently, fo
are men ready to account of others to be at beft
Chriftians of different fiezes : and we fuppofethat
in nothing a man's grace hath more occafion to vent
than in his uptaking and judging of the gracious
ertate of another , becaufe this (uppofes acquaintance
and lympathy with, and experience of fincere grace,
more than is either in preaching , prayer, or fuch ex-
ercifes. And this certainly would be no little Rum-
bling to Church- officers, to befo frequently put to
five triall of their own gracioufneite , whereas
if we walk by (etled rules, there is no fuch occafion
to (tumble. 4 Do not we fee that one mans charity
doth differ from another* and fo diverfemen in the
fame extrinfick aftion of judging in a Church-
court, fhould have diverfe rules to judge- by in che
fame aft, poflibly leading them to judge contrarily,
•which were ablurd. $« Doth not oftentimes the
fame one mans charity differ from what it was at an-
other time, and he will be more and leffe in extending
it according to the frame of hisownfpirit, the dul-
neffe or confufion of his mind, or poflibly according-
ly as he hath fome relation or obligation to, or preju-
dice attheperfon, which may fteal-in on his judg-
ment , and ( as it is faid ) blind the eyes of the wife,
and pervert the underftanding of the juft, and he
really think himfelf (ingle in judging ? And can fuch
a fleeting unconftant rule be that which Chrift hath
appointed in His Church to order the removing of
offences ? 6. Do we not know, that often mens cha-
rity, in fnch cafes, is fwayed much by the judgment
of fome one or other who is efteemed of ? and fo
this
pi A Trextife concerning Scandal. Part 2.
this way which pretendeth to give moft liberty, doth
indeed bind up moft : For, men either in that cafe
fatisfie themselves, that fuch a man is fincere, or
not , becaufe fuch another faich fo , and fo he goeth
on implicitly, noc doing what he doth in faith; or,
hr hath his own fufpicions that others do not deter-
mine rightly of fuch a perfon's (incerity , and then
he is at this ftrait, either to contrary his own light,
and ^ooii with the other, or to judge otherwayes,
and by (o doing to give out his own fpiritual dif-
cerning to be bryond that others, and therefore to
judge him for miftakingin it. And contradiftion
in this, is not as in other cafes, where only mens
moral light and understanding do vary j but herej
as we faid» it is in a thing that is moft purely fpi-
wall, and peculiar to the People of God onely,
whereof naturall men and hypocrites are not ca-
pable*
What the Reverend and moft convincing Writer,
Mr. Wood , hdtti in his Examination of Mr. £gc-
Jyers Little-ftone, to prove that (incerity of true gt^ce
is not to be enquired for , as the conftitution or
complexion ( as Mr. Locker fpeaketh ) of vifible
members in the vifible Church , doth fully make
out this alfo ; for, there is the fame reafon againft
the enquiring after the (incerity of grace , in rc-
fpeft ot the impoflibility thereof in this cafe, as in
chat; and there needeth nothing further to be ad-
ded for confirming of thisi till thofe his pregnant
Arguments beanfwered.
CHAP.
Part «• lATreAtifc concerning Scandal. 9$
CHAP. VIII.
Holding forth whtt may be fttirfjing.
THc ahfwering of the third Queftion, to wic f
what is to be accounted fatistying, and what-
istoberefted on in fuch a cafe by Church-
officers > will clear and confirm this more. Before
weanfwer, wepremit, I. That a difference is to
be made between what is fatisfying to a Church- ju-
dicatory, fo as to admit an offending perfon to all pri-
viledgesi as if the offence had not been, and whac
may be fatisfying to fift further pi occdor, and prevent
Excommunication. For,l fuppofc»a perfons fatisfafti-
on may not be fufficient as to the firft> which yet may
be fufficient as to the fecond, as ( for inftance) it may
be thought of Simon Magm , Act. 8. 24. who, after
Peter's rebuke, carried fo, as he did not proceed to cafl:
him out , yet may he well be efteemed of, notwith-
standing of fuch profefled conviflion,not to have had
the full priviledge of a Church- member inftantly ;
and this may proceed either from the groffeneffe of an
offence ( fuch as that was) or the unfatisfyingnefTe
of a perfons fatisfa&ion , or both; in which cafes
edification requireth fome time oftriall, before there
be a proceeding either to an off-cutting, or to admit-
ting to the former liberty. 2. We would diflingifh
( which is fib to the former) between that which is
rot fully fatisfying , and that which is altogether dif-
fatifying % for there may beamids, as fuppofe, that
a man by filence (hould accept a reproof; or ia
words and carriage expreffe fomething which neither
doth fpeak fenoufneffe, nor mocking, We fuppofe k
is hard inftantly to judge that perton either to be ol>-
ftinate, or yet to have full accede to all Ordinances.
To the Qyeftion then wc anfwer that for full fatif-
faftion,
94 A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part i #
fa&ion, fo as to have accefle to all the privileges*
there is requifit a fiber, ferioui acknowledgement of the
offence with the expreflion of an unfeigned-like pur-
pofe to walk inoffenlively, efpecially in reference to
thefe former offences ; and where this is, we fay, it is
iufficient. When we fpeak of a fiber Jenom acknow-
ledgement we fpeak of it as it ftandech contradiftin-
gtufhed upon the one fide from fincere grace j for, one
may have this, and not have that : And, as upon ihe
other fide, it is diftinguiihed, not only from grofle
contempt and profane mocking > but from grofle dif-
fimulation appearing to be luch , or from carnall in-
difterencic and unferiouihefle. By Divines, thi* is
called morall feriotifnejje, or fincerity, ( as it is diftin-
guifhed from that which is gracious ) and uiually is
in lubtile legall hypocrites, and (ometimes may be in
fome grofle perfons in fits. It cannot be better ex-
prefled , than it is by the forementioned worthy Au-
thor Mr* Wood, part. I. pag. 30 that is > That 'tobicb
is not openly and dtfcemably JimuUte, hiflrionic^ fee-
nically and bypocrtticall inthathpocrifie *tokubugroJ$e :
but all circumjlances being confidereu , by tobtcb ingenuity
u eftimate amongft men, giving credit one to another , there
appeareth no reafon Xbby the man may not and ought not
to be efleemedydA to the matter 9 to thinly andpurpofe as be
fpeafytb from V\t>b*tfie\>er babttuall principle it doth
proceed, viz. whether from a faVmg principle, or "tobe-
tberfrom a common operation of the f pint only, Thus
far he.
How morall ^ lt ^ e asked, how this ferioufnefle may be difcern-
femufnefle c &. * c ma Y be again enquired , How ufeth a man to
my be ii(- be thought ferious in his purfuit after any thing > I
sernii* grant, this is not only to be gathered from his words,
or carriage poffibly at one time, But, will not feri-
oufnefle, even in a particular, kyth in a mans manner
of urging it ? 2« It kyths in a mans ufing of fit
means for attaining of it, which are luitableto that
end* J* By his carriage, abftaining from fuch things
as
Part i. A Treatife concerning Scandal* 95
as may any way make his profcfliontobefufpeft-
likc. And, 4. not doing this for a day , or upon a
particular occafion, but for a time continuing con-
ftant and inftant therein , with fuch affedionatenefle
and earneftnefle in the circumftances that are necefla-
ry , that whatever be the motive that fwayeth fuch a
man, ycuhat he appeareth to be morally ferious and
through in the thing, cannot be denied, So in this cafe,
often there may be a conviftion that perfens are feri-
ous, and are affefted fo, that we may expe&they
will endeavour really the preventing of fuch an of-
fence , and yet we may not be able to judge them (b
convincingly fincere , becaufe to that there is more
required, to wit, a new decifion whether that feri-
oufnefle, be morall only , or gracious, according to
- the principles, ends, motives, ice. which cannot be
fo evidenced externally, as fenoufnefle in the general!
may be.
If any fay, that charity ought to judge fuch a man 7 r a mw
fincere, feing it can have no more? dnf. 1. What may ^ flr/ ,;/
be a perfons privat thoughts upon thefe grounds we fkould judge
are not to determine ; we only fay, that this acknow- a ferfon to
ledgement comcth not to be judged by a Church- be ftveere,
judicatory upon that account. And , Secondly. wboU tbm
Thefe who defire more for the conflicting of Church menttj (**
members, require befide this , evidences of the work *****
of grace upon the heart , and exprcflions and narra-
tions to that purpofe. And indeed if the accounting
of a perfon to be gracious and fincere, were the alone .
account, upon which a perfon were to be admitted or
rcftored to an aftuall right to the Ordinances » fuch
a ferious profeflion would not be fufficient for the
convincing of Church-officers of a perfons graciouf-
neffe even probably ; for that which is to be accounted
a probable figne of faving grace,muft be that which
though it doth not alwayes hold and be convincing,
yet for the moft part doth fo ; for if it doth more or-
dinarily faihhanhold, it cannot be called probable*
but
$6 A Trettife concerning Scandal, Part i.
but experience in all times will confirm this,that more
frequently fuch a profeflion faileth , and afterward
the perfon is found not to be gracious; therefore it
cannot be a probable figne ,. nor are wt to account it
fuch : we fuppofe, that if all the Churches of Chrift
that have been gathered , and all the penitents that
have been received, were compared together . it will
be found, that there have been many moe hypocrites
than fincere Believers, yetinthefe cafes this ferious
profeffion was called for* And, though it might be
pleaded, that charity may conftruft the belt of a per-
Ion, where the cafe is doubcfull , yet (to fpeak ab-
ftra&Iyof a fiene) to account that a probable figne
of Gncerity, and fuch which ought to fway charity
to account a perfon gracious , when yet it is clear in
reafon , that fuch a fign is ordinarily but an indicium
or evidence of moral fincerky,but not of faving grace,
were againft reafon ; for* even in bodily difeafes,
that cannot be counted a probable figne of health, to
ground a judgement of fuch a perfons livelineffe, with
which many moe do die than recover. Nfor can it be
called uncharitablncffe, becaufe the prbteffion is not
fo accounted > for, it is charity here to account the
perfon ferious ? and to think as he faith, and not be
aiffembling therein , although it be not impoflible for
a diffembler to come all that length in outward evi-
dences and profeflion. But to believe that he is in-
deed fo, as he faith, or thinketh , is not a thing which
Charity is bound pofitively to conclude , but* at the
moft, by judgeing nothing to the contrary to forbear
any judgeing of the panic till time evidence more
afterward. And* I fuppofe, there are few who have
experience > but know that there are many cafes
wherein they are fully fatisfied to judge the perfon fe-
rious » and yet dar not determine of their fincerky
and gracioufneffe > yea, even as to the probability
thereof, although they dar not deny but it is poflible ;
Yet durft they not found a Sentence of abfolution
upon
Part 2. A Treatife concerning Scandal. 97
upon that as fuch , to their own /atisfa&ion , al-
though upon the former account chcy can : whi<
evidently (heweth that thefe two confederations may
be feparated.
Hence, the firft doth follow, that whatever be a
private perfons account of iuch a ptofeflion , yet ic is
not confidered by the Judicatory as the evidence of
fincerity in their being latisfied with it: Bccaule,
I. It can be no evidence thereof, as is faid ; and we
would be neceflitated then to fay , ( if fincerity were
the account upon which a Church-judicatory were
to be latisfied ) that either they behoved to have that
evidence proven, and made t vident to them , or they
behoved to proceed, without any certain* yea, or
probable evidence : for, certainly, that which giveth
a Judicatory warrand to proceed to declare a per(bn
to have right to any priviledge , mult both be a thing
that is relevant in it felf, and evident in the proof
thereof, in reference to that party ; But> none of thefe
can be faid : Therefore the judging fuch a thing to be
fincere>is not the account on which they proceed. This
cannot be faid to be a certain proof of fincerity, yea,
none will deny but it is difficult, if not impoflible, for
one to have infallible proof of an others fincerity;
Then it muft be faid , that it is but a probable proof
that can be given of finceritity. To which we reply,
I. That this profeflion formerly defcribed , cannot
be called fuch, as hath been fhown , So it would fol-
low, that a Church- judicatory doth account a man
fincere , and doth admit him to fuch priviledgcs as
they ought to admit only fuch unto > and yet it was
not made fo much as probable to them that he was
fuch* 2. Although it did probably evidence him to
be fuch > yet that were not enough , if that were the
alone account upon which they were to proceed , be-
caufe no judicial! procedour in determining a mans
right, will go upon probabilities, becaule the Law
decideth not upon a probable, but upon a real right :
H and
p8 Part 2. A Treatife concerning Scandal;
and indeed,if in this cafe fincerity were the ground of
procedour , no man could judge but doubtingly and
upon conjecture , and fo could he not have peace af-
terward , becaufe it wasftill uncertain to him whe-
ther he had determined warrantably or not : yea, if
itfhould befaid, ( which yet will n6t be lufficient)
that it may give a man peace, it in his charity he ac-
count the perfon fincere > although indeed he be not
fo : this will not quiet the mind , becaufe I put no
queftion but experience will teach any that are tender,
that there are many cafes, that if they were put to it,
they durft not > even according to their own charity
and opinion ,determine of a perfons fincerity, fo as to
take upon them a decilion in that , either by deter-
mining of the perfon to be fincere or not , and fo of
his admiflion or fcclufion to, or from Church-ordi-
nances and priviledges.
2. The account upon which we admit , and the
proof thereof alfo f rauft be proportionable and op-
pofit to the account and proof upon which we debar :
for, binding and loofing are both of the fame nature,
afts of the fame power , in reference to the fame end,
and the one of them anfwercth to the other* Now,
when we bind a man for a Scandal, I. It is not ac-
cepted as a ground of binding, untill it be proven
and made evident , and not probably only, Therefore
nothing can be the account upon which we can loofe
but that which may be evidently proven alfo *, for, it
looketh not fuitable-like to bind a man upon clear
evidence* and to exclude him from a right, and to
admit him again , only upon probabilities and pre-
emptions , much leffe where the proof doth not
amount fo high. Again, 2« When a perfon is (hut
out, he is not (hut out upon the account that he is un-
renued , or upon the account that fuch an aft was
not fincere . or that he appeared to be fuch , But he
is (hut out, becaufe it was fcandalous to others , and
unbecoming the Gofpel , even though the perfons
fincerity
Part 2. A Tredtife concerning Scandal. ^p
finccrity (hould not be queftioned : Therefore, by the
rule of contrariesi it followech, that it is not fincericy
which is the account upon which Church- officers
are to loofc.
If ic be asked then , under what notion, or upon
whac account that morall ferious profeffion is to be
accepted as fatkfying ? Weanfwer, upon this ac-
count , as it is apparently ferious and edifying, with-
out determining whether ic bz fincere or not, but as
convinced that by fuch a profeffion the prejudice and
offence that came by the former mifcarriage* and left
a blot upon the Church , and a ftumbling-block be-
fore others, may be removed. So, that as it was un-
becoming a Church-member to commit fuch a fcan-
dalous fin, So now by fuch a ferious profeffion > that
blot of making Chriftianity to be accounted a f otter-
ing of profanity is wiped away » that ftumbling-
block of his example is taken out of the way , fo that
this profeffion may be edifying to prevent the (tum-
bling of any other upon his Scandal, and the ac-
cepting thereof may look like a hopcfull mean of edi-
fying the perfon for the time to come $ and recover-
ing of him from that fnarehe was into; and fo as
his fcandaldufneffe in thefe refpetts was the account
upon which he was aftually , or was to have been
Sentenced, So oppofitly thereto this ferious profeffion
having a proportionable edification , or of it fclf a.
tendencie to edifying, in all the refpe&s mentioned
going alongft witn it , it is the account upon which
it is accepted as fatisfying, without determining of the
fincerity thereof > leaving the perfon to anfwer before
God for that> and 1 before men to hing forth fruits
meet for repentance, which was Johns way in deal-
ing with fuch as came to his Baptifm, Matth. 3. upoi;
whofe fincerity we chink its clear that he did no way
decide ; but of this enough : We copne to confirm
our anfwer.
For confirming of this , to vvk> that fuch fober and
H 2 feriorfsf
ioo tA Treatife concerning Scandal I Part a.
that thk ferious profeflion of repentance , isfufficient with-
tnorall (eri- out further enquiry after che gracioufneffe of the fin-
wfneffe is cerity thereof , We may confider thele grounds ,
(efficient, J# If fa^ a profeffion be diffident for admitting
confirmed, members to the Church , Then fuch is alfo fufficient
for the removing of offending members and continu-
ing them in their former priviledges * for, no reafon
can be given why there (hould be greater rigidity for
readmitting to the aftuall ufe of Church- priviledges,
aChrittain after he hath fallen in drunkeneffe , for-
nication, &c. than was requifit for the admitting of a
Heathen , poflibly guilty of thefe fame (ins befide ;
But the firft is true.as is irrefragably and convincing*
ly demonftrated by the forementioned worthy Au-
thor Mr. W90A. Ergo, &c.
2. ft may be fuppoled, that a gracious man, of
whofe gracioufneffe there is no qucftion in the charity
of any, doth fall in fome Scandal, what is to be ac*
counted fatisfying in him? muft be fatisfying in others.
Now, it is not any conviftion of the gracioufnefle of
his ftate that can be fatisfying in this cafe , nor yet is
that the account upon which we can proceed, becaufc
that is never queftioned even when he is under the of-
fence. If it be (aid , it muft be the fincerity and
gracioufnefle of his particular aft of repentance.
Jtnfo. i. It is difficult to give^ judgement ot the ftate
of tly perfon , but more difficult to give judgement
of the gracioufneffe of a particular aft. 2. Suppofe
fuch a perfon had a particular acknowledgement fo
circumftantiated as is formerly defcribed in this mo-
rall fincerity > would not that be fufficiently fatisfy-
ing ? And if it be fatisfying in one » in reference to a
particular offence , why not in another? Becaufc,
1. There is one rule given by Jefus Chrift to all.
2. The removing of one offence relateth to the offence
given y and not to the ftate of the perfon who gave it.
Therefore if that fatisfaftion be fufficient to remove
that particular offence in one, it muft alfo be fo in re-
ference
Part i% A Treatife concerning Scandal. ioi
ferenceto another , becaufe the queftion here, is not
what may be iufficient to evidence a perfoij to be gra-
cious , but what may be fufficient in a perfon to re-
move fuch a particular offence ? If it be (aid, that
it is accepted of that gracious perfon as fatisfying,
becaufe he is accounted to be gracious, it may ftill
be urged , The Qjeftion is not > whether thepeifon
be gracious , but whether that aft of repentance of
hisDe fo, ornot? for, it cannot be denied, but a gra-
cious perfon may have afts of hypocrifie > and in
particular afts be carnall : either then fuch a perfon
♦muft be excluded though he be gracious , and in this
refpeft ferioufly doth profefle repentance, which were
hard to do; or, he muft be upon that profeffion ad-
mitted , and fothat muft be fufficient for Church-fa-
tisfaftion, as is faid.
g. That which ought to fatisfie a Brother in pri-
vate , or after his taking of two or three witnefies
with him, and which may be accounted a hearing of
a private admonition ; that fort of repentance ought
to be fatisfying to the Church- officers: Becaufe, tell
the Church y fucceedeth to the contempt of private ad-
monition , and therefore they are to obtain by their
interpofing of authoritative rebukes , what the other
did not obtain , and fo they are to reft fatisfied when
that is obtained* as the gradation, Matth. 18. is clear,
hearing of the Qhmch, being in refpeft of the tffefts,
that fame which hearing of the private admonitions •
is, to wit, the obtaining of fatisfadticn. But the for-
mer is true, to wit, a Brother ought to reft fatisfied
with fuch a fober ferious prefeflion and acknowledge-
ment as giveth him ground to judge him really af-
fected for his offending , and under a purpofe to ab-
ftain and amend for the time to come : and who will
fay, that a Brother in fuch a cafe can rationally com-
plain of an other, as not having had his admonition ?
So, neither can the Church proceeed further when her
admonition hath that weight > feing there had been
H \ l no
X Q% A Treatife concerning Scandal. 1 Part i. 1
ho acceffe for her judicially to have admouifhed , if
fo much had formerly been obtained : and if it may
be (aid , that fuch a private admonition <o fuccesfull,
did gain the offending Brother, Is not that fame to be
(aid of the Churches admonition having that fuc-
ceffe ? and when he is gained, are not they to reft fa-
tisficd? and yet we (uppofe, that none will fay, that
by gaining in that place , real converfion is intended,
and that a private Brother (hould infift to the utter-
moft, till he be latisficd in that,
4- We may argue thus : If fuch a profcflion, and
a perfons amendement in the manner fpoken , be the
hearing and gaining that is intended, Mattb. t8. Then
are Church-officers to be fatisfied therewith ; But the
former is true, as appeareth thus , The Churches fa-
tisfa6tion muft be in refpeft to her fpeaking , her
fpeaking to the party muft be with refpeft to the com-
plaint made to her by a particular perfon ; that com-
plainr,again,muft have relpeft to what offended him,
which is fome particular a6l having offence with it ;
and it was not the ungracious ttateofthe perfon,
(for Co the word, If thy brother offend tbee&e. import-
cth) Now,from the firft to the laft.fuch fatisfa&ion as
is described, may be fatisfying in reference to fuch
a particular offence, and be fufficient for removing
the fame, andreftoringthe perfon to the efteem and
condition which formerly he was into, And therefore
ins to be accounted as fatisfying by the Church. And
if more were to be enquired for , it were to make the
fatisfa&ion beyond the offence, which were unjuft;
5. That which may be accepted as a fatisfaftioft
from an Heretick , as the fatisfying fruit of a publick
admonition, cannot be refufed as fatisfattion in other
cafes ; for, if circumfpeflneffe and rigidity be to be
ufed in any cafe, it is in this : But a ferious acknow-
ledgement of an error , and an abandoning of it in-
deed , is to be accepted for Church* fatisfaft ion from
an Heretick, and as the fruit of an publick admoniti-
on,
Part i • %s4 Treat ife concerning Scandal? i°3
on, and he in that refpeft is fuppofedto be gained:
ErgOt&c. That this is to be accepted from him, may
be gathered from TU t 3. io. A man that u an benticl^,
rejett after the jirjl and fecond admonition. Where th« fe
things are clear , 1. That an Herctick that continu-
ed foi and heareth not the Church, is to be lc/e&cd.
2. That an Heretick renouncing his errors after ad-
monition , and not continuing fuch , is not to be re-
jected , and fo is not to be accounted an Herctick or
under that fcandal of herefie, and therefore his dif-
claiming of it , is to be accounted fatisfying as to the
Church-orificers ; otherwayes, it would follow , that
although he renounced his herefie in that ferious and
morally fincere manner , yet were he flill to be dealt
with a* fuch by the Church , except they were fatif-
fied in the fincerky of his grace, which is contrary to
Paul's direction, and the end of that publick admo-
nition : which is not given him becaufe of his unre-
nuedftatci but becaufe of his herefie. Now, that
being taken away and fatisfied by his fubmifiion, the
admonition muft be acknowledged to be fatbfiedt
andfohe is neither to be dealt with as an Heretick,
nor as obftinate, but as one who hath heard the
Churches admonition.
6. From the iTbeff* 3. 6, 14, i$ t we may gather
the fame : for we have thefe things cle?.r > 1. That
th*re were fomc there who walked dilotderly as to
fome particular a&s. 2. That the Apollle account-
eth that diforderiy walking to be fcandalous > and
judicially to be taken notice of, if it be net removed,
And, 3. what that fatisfs&ion is which removeth
the fame, i> expreffed by him, ver. 1 4. If a man °^ e y
not our x»ord bjf this epijlh* ($*c< So that it was afctuali
amending of what was fcandalous, and thereby giv-
ing obedience to his direction , which was fo to be
accounted. And in that cafe , a brother offending,
was neither further to be noted , nor to be efteemcct
fcandalous, without any further enquiry to be had of
H 4 the
io4 tATreatife concerning Sc as d a tl Part a.
thegracioufneffe of his ftate , or the principle ends or
motives of his obedience.
7. It may appear thus, That which may remove
reproach from the Ordinances , and offence in refe-
rence to theie that ate without, is to be accounted fa-
tisfying, becaufe that is one of the ends of Difcipline
to (top the mouths of fuch as are without : Now as it
is not any thing within,or the wantoffincerity which
doth offend them, and open their moutbs,So this mo-
rally fincere and reail change, (to fpeak fo) is fuffici*
ent to fati^fie them, at leaft, it cannot be faid that
they can reach further. This argument alone we ac-
knowledge might not feemto be cogent , yetconfi-
dering, chat what is offenfive, is fome externall thing
having a proportionable offenfivcneffe> both to thofe
that are within , and alfo to thofe that are without,
and a thing is offenfive, becaufe it is apt to offend
fuch. There ought therefore alfo a proportionablncffc
to be between what removeth an offence in reference
to both.
differences 8. If we confide r the proper objeft > nature and
between the end of the key of Difcipline > as it is abftraftly confi-
fa/ of Do- dered , as contra-diftinft from the key of Dofitwne,
Urine and we will find that no more by it can be expe&ed. For,
iDifctylm, 1. its proper objeft is fomewhat, that is fcandalous,
and fo it reacheth only to reftrain, regulate, and
judge the outward man, or fomewhat in the outward
converfation firftly , though the fruit of that hath a
further look mediately. The key of Do<5trine again,
or the Word reacheth in, and becometh a judge of the
thoughts and intents of the heart; and to make Difci-
pline judge the inner- man , in this refpeft , were to
confound thefe two keys which the Lord hath made
diftindt: andtherfore, if Difcipline have any influ-
ence upon the inner- man favingly, it is but mediately
by condemning his outward practices , and him as
fuch, or making of dire&ions, reproofs, &c. in the
Word,morc weighty, t. The key of Difcipline doth
' * '- only
Part il A Trcatife concerning Scandal' ifoy
only (hut from outward privileges , and doth no*
(hut from any fpintuall interett inChrift, but as i c
concurreth to confirm fomc threatninginthe Word>
which debarrcth many from laving promifes and the
things contained in them > which Difcipline may ad-
mit to outward privilcdge*. 3. There is a difference*
in refpeft of abfolucion alfo, to wit, the Word when
it abfolveth , it doth abfolve from the cm fe of God,
and giveth acceffe to the promifes , and a title to the
things promifed ; Difcipline again> doth but abfolve
from outward Cendires and reftraints, and doth but
give right to Church- priviledges. 4. There are dif-
ferent conditions and qualifications upon which thefe
two keys bind and loofe : for, the Word openeth to
none but upon condition ot fincere faith and re-
pentance , and abfolveth none but reall Believers,
pronouncing all unbelievers to be under the curfe ;
Again, Difcipline (asfuch; cannot (hut out men
fromexternall priviledp.es, becaufe they are not rege-
nerate>and fincerely gracious , and fo in that refpeft,
it muft have a different condition of (huting men
out, or it muft corifider them upon another account,
in excluding them from Church-priviledges, than the
Word doth in excluding them from faving promifes,
to wit, it confidereth them as fcandalous, and unbe-
coming the Gofpel whatever their ftate be , and fo it
may cenfure Believers, as the key of Dodtrine may
(hut out the moft fubtile hypocrite which the other
cannot reach. Therefore alfo muft it be a different
account upon which Difcipline doth admit , or re-
ftore men to outward priviledges, and abfolve men
from outward Cenfures , than that upon which the
Word doth admit to faving priviledges. And feing
this laft is fincere faith and repentance, the other muft
have fomewhat different from this, upon the account
whereof it doth give right , which can be no other
thing than the moral fincerity mentioned. 5. Upon
thefc differences follows another (which doth con-
firm
1 06 A Trcttife concerning S c A N D A t . Part i.
firm all the former ) to wit , a divcrfity that is in the
manner of binding and looting by thefe two keys ;
for, when a Minifter ufeth the key of Do&rine , he
doth exclude from heaven and faying priviledges but
conditionally, and he can warrantably exclude no
particular profeffour abfolutely ; So no Minifter
can abfolve abfolutely, by the key of Do6trine, but
conditionally, to wit, if the pcrfon bclieveth that
he fpeakcth unto ; for , it runneth on thefe tearms>
If thou believeft, thou (hale be faved. But, again,
in the exercife of the key of Difcipline it isnoc (o,
no Church-judicatory doth debar a man from
priviledges conditionally , if he believe not, but
abfolutely he is debarred becaufe of fome prefent
fcandal 5 and although the perfon were or (hould
become a real Believer, yet he continueth bound
from outward priviledges by the key of Difcipline,
untill that fcandal be removed : So when they receive
any into Church- communion, they do not abfolve
them from their former Cenfure, and give them right
to Church- priviledges upon condition they believe,
but abfolutely that Cenfure is removed, and they are
admitted unto thefe priviledges.
If it be asked, What is chc rcafon of this difference
betwixt thefe two keys? Jnfto. Itis>firft, becaufe
the ground upon which we loofe and bind with the
key of Difcipline, is fomething obvious to men's
view , wherein they may warrantably judge and
proceed , and therefore that is done abfolutely : But
in the key of Dodtrine it is not fo; for, men cannot
tell who really believe, and who not, and it cannot
by judicial proofs be made-out, Therefore they can-
not bind or loofe but conditionally. Secondly, God
hath committed the outward man to be the objedt of
Difcipline , but the inner man and confeience is re-
ferved to the Word and Do&rine, and men have not
gotten authority over confeiences arid hearts ; There-
Fore what concerneth the outward man , and out-
ward
Part i. *A Treatife ctnctrning Scandal.' i 07
ward priviledges,may be determined absolutely* Buc
what concerncth the confcience and inner man only
conditionally , becaule He hath referved the abfolutc
decifionofthattohimfclf, Therefore there isafixth
difference aHo. The word may and doth bind in-
definite that is, perfons fo and fo qualified, without
making application in binding or loofing to indivi-
dual perfons, and doth not fo bind or loofe but con-
ditionally, as is (aid ; But Difciplineftriketh at in-
dividual perfons, and as fuch, doth not otherwayes
affeft : for, fuppofe an indefinit Sentence of Excom-
munication, againft perfons fo qualified > to be pro-
nounced , it doth debar none from Church- privi-
ledges,as ic is luch;and for what influence it hath fur-
ther, it is as it cometh under the key of do&rinc, which
doth bind or loofe luch, but not as it is under the key
of Discipline, and that for the reafons mentioned.
Fromthefe grounds we may fee how warrantable
and neceffary it is to put difference betwixt laving
grace, which is the condition upon which the key of
Doftrine abfolveth , and ferious profefiion , and a
fair inoff Mifive carriage , which is the condition up-
on which the key of Difcipline abfolveth : And we
may fee alfo what abfurdities would follow the con-
founding ot thefe. And indeed we fee no other way
how theie t wo keys may be kept diftin<ft, but this.
To fum up this> from what is (aid, we may>ninth-
ly, conclude , If every fimulat profefiion be not fuffi-
cient,and if gracious Sincerity be not to be enquired
for, Then this morall fincerity and amendment is to
be accepted as fatisfying , and that which properly
Church- judicatories are to enquire in, for a fourth
cannot be conceived.But the former is truth.^V^tsX
Laftly, That which was fatisfying for giving ac-
cefle to the Ordinances amongftthe Jews after un-
cleannefle, muft be fatisfying now for removing of
' offences; Buc fuch a ferious profefiion was fatisfying
then: For, 1. it cannot be denied that there was a
fepa-
108 v4 Treatife concerning Scandal. Part u
feparatingof fome for uncleanneffc from the Ordi-
nances ; and it is at large and ftrongly made-out by
that learned vindicatcr of Church-government and
Difcipline, Mr. Gillejpie, that there was feparation
for moral uncleannefle ; But however, ceremonial
uncleanntfle did then prove ground enough of ex-
clufion , becaufe fo the Law of God had appointed
it , even as now He hath appointed other grofle fin-
ners tobecaft-out. 2. It is clear. That there was
fome fatisfadtion required , as wafhing, offering of
Sacrifices, and fuch like , before they could be ad-
mitted. 3. It cannot be faid , that a mocking , pal-
pable, irreverent manner of performing thefe things
would have been accepted by thePrieft, but would
have been more offenfive ; nor yet can any fay, that
enquiry was made after their end, principles, or gra-
cioufnefle of their aft > So the affumption is clear :
Neither can the connexion of the minor be denied, if
weconfider, 1. That there was nolefle moral holi-
Siefle called- for from the Jews, than from us* 2. That
mere was as great external ftrifitnefle for keeping-up
Ine fanftity of external Worfhip. 3, If weconfi-
der that their Ordinances and ours are materially the
fame. 4. It we confider that Chrift, even in refpeft of
the external adminiftration of His Kingdom and Dis-
cipline, is not more rigid or reftrifted in His admit-
ting to priviledges now, nor then , yea, that He is
even in that more condefcending to us under the days
of the Gofpel. 5. If we may reafon from the Lord's
manner of admitting unto His Church then, to His
admitting unto the Church now upon the fame qua-
lifications that were fatisfying then, Then we may
alfo conclude from what was fatisfying then for the
admitting of perions excluded, unto the admitting of
them now ; and this is fully made- out, befide others,
by worthy Mr. Wood, in that fore-cited folid and
learned Treatife , and before hirot (to which he re-
lateth) by learned Mr. Baxter , in his difpute with
Tombs, CHAP.
Parti. A Tre4t$jeconcerm*gs caudal. < xoj
CHAP. IX.
Concerning What is to he done ,tt hen men appear
neither ferioHs nor obftinat.
]T may be now asked, Whac is to be done in refe-
rence to thofe who, after fome grofle offence, can
neicher be counted thus ferious, nor yet obftinat ?
Anf* Such cafes may be frequent ; Concerning which
we fay, i. That it is neither fit altogether to abfolve
them, as being fully fatisfied, nor yet to proceed to
thehigheft Sentence with them, nor to leave them
altogether without a rebuke. But>in the fecond place,
we fay. That it is fie to proceed to rebuke them ac-
cording to the direftion, iTim. 5. 20. Becaufe, I.
This rebuke may be a mean, through God's blefling,
to humble them,and to reftrain fuch an offence. And,
2. it is alfo ufefull in reference toothers, although
the mans own carriage and acknowledgment be not
every way (atisfying; for, theApoftle's direction to
rebuke him openly, doth refpeft more the offence paft
and the fruit that may follow to him and others, than
any prefent (atisfying frame in the perfon to be re-
buked.
When it is found meet thus publickly to rebuke, How U a
the circumftances and manner are to be adverted to, fubltc^ rem
I. Although the defigning of a particular place be Mpto be
not in it felf heceffary , nor in every cafe expedient* £ IVC71,
yetforthefolemnity of the reproof, it is notunfuit-
able, it being fuch as is rather accommodated for the
edification of the whole Congregation, than other-
wife pointed at as a place of pennance or punifh-
ment , or yet as a mark of reproach, and fuch like,
which wrongeth the nature of Chrifi's Ordinance ;
And circumftances would be fo orderci as the ap-
pearance of that may be efchewed. 2. It would be
gone about vvkh much gravity and reverence in rc-
fpeft
% x *A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part u
fpeft of all chat arc concerned. The Minifter efpeci-
ally is to carry weightily and authoritatively, having
words fitted for the edifying of the Coneregation, the
humbling of the perfon, the convincing of both, and
for the credit and weight of Chrift's Ordinance be-
fore all ; The party rebuked would minde whofe Or-
dinance it is, and befuitably affe&ed as the receiving
of a particular rebuke from Jefus Chrift doth call-
for ; The on- lookers alfo would be grave, having re-
fpeft to Chrift's Ordinance, tenderneffe to the perfon
offending , but indignation at the offence ; and this
would be teftified by their carriage, fo as thereby the
authority and folemnity of all may have the deeper
ftamp upon the perfon. And for attaining of this,
fomething would be gravely fpoken to the hearers,
as their ufe thereof, according to the cafe ; and it
may be, that fome addreffe to God in prayer together,
in reference thereto, before or after the rebuke* would
not be unufefull for that end.
If it be dU If it be asked, if fpeaking in publick by the perfon
wow necef* rebuked be al wayes neceffary ? dnfto* 1 . Although
fary that the j c ma y be f cen u fefull and expedient, yet in ordina-
iffenda r y re bukes, for ordinary fcandals, where no contempt
w ca v hath preceeded , we conceive it not fimply neceffary,
I, Becaufe , though the rebuke be clear in the Word,
yet is not this by the fame evidence , alwayes requi-
red. 2. Their appearing to receive it , hath an im-
plicit affent to, and acceptation of it. ?. The effe6l
of the rebuke is rather to be gathered from their after
carriage , for it hath with it an obliging weight to
them , and a virtual! certification before the people*
whether they expreflc any thing or not- Befide, eve-
ry one cannot edifyinglv (peak, and in that cafe* the
Minifters rebuke is appointed to edifie others* and to
remove that offence from them.
Yet thereare two cafes efpecially wherein wc think
this is expedient and neceffary unto edification,
i. When either by the atrocity of fome offence > or
cjoti^
Part 2. -* Treattje ctnccrmng b c a n d a l . xu
continuance in contempt > a pcrfon hath been in pro-
cefle towards Excommunication ; or , when there
is a relapfe after a former rebuke : in fuclvcafea it is
for the edification of the people* to know upon what
grounds the ERTcrfhip doth fift from proceeding j
And engagements publickly and explicitly taken on
before a Congregation , are often more weighty to
the perfon. And if there be a failing, ^hcre is the
greater evidence againft them for after proceeding.
i. Suppofe there hath been fome Sentence binding
or (huting out the perfon formerly , in that cafe , we
conceive, fpeaking in publick to be ncceflary for con-
firming the people in their love to him agaiu, which
was hazarded by his former evident fall ; and an im-
plicit accepting of a reproof is not fuftkient in fuch
a cafe.
There may be alfo other cafes, as fuppofe one hach
been carried away with error > which he hath fre-
quently vented before men , or in fome fuch cafe
where it may be edifying to have it from the parties
own mouth > efpecially if the perfon be in luch a
frame, or of fuch ability, as by fo doing he may edi-
fie. But this is to be decided by the prudence of the
overfeers.
If it be asked again , how is he to be accounted of hw h an
after this rebuke ? We anfwer, Even as by fome offender to
competent continuance of time , he doth difcover the be reckoned
ferioufneffe>or unferioufnefle of his profeflion, So that */w * rc-
if he relapfe, he is the more inexcu fable , and to be MP-
proceeded with in due manner : but if he take up
himfelf, and carry to the view of others ferioufly, he
is not to be accounted as fcandalous, becaufe it can-
not be faid > that he hath refufed to hear the Church
in that publick admonition : and a publick rebuke
doth not of it felf bind any and (hut them out as
fcandalous, (yea, it giveth not ground for it , if ob-
ftinacy followeth not) but if it be hearkened unto,and
received» it doth prevent that, it being a right fatil-
i 1 2 A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 2 .
fying part of Chriftianity to admit of , and to im-
prove a rebuke. Yet we think it incumbent to
Church-judicatories,after fome competent time,to en-
quire in the after carriage of (uch, and io accordingly
to determine, whether they have fatisfyingly accep*
ted of the admonition, or not. And that therefore
the perfon fo rebuked , ought to have fuch a Sentence
before he can plead full admiffion to all priviledges, if
at the time his profeflion was not fatisfying. This is
ufefull for the prrfons behove > when he knoweth he
is ftill to be looked upon in a fpeciall manner , as a
fickly member of the body. And it is alfo agreeable
torealon ; for, if when a private perfon giveth an
admonition he be to judseof the fruit of it , whe-
ther it be fatisfying ; and if the Church- judicatory,
when they admonifh judicially,be to weigh, whether
the effc&s be fatisfying or not: So by the like reafon,
when an admonition is publickly given > ought they
to enquire what hath followed, and if that be fa-
tisfying or not* |
If an offence ^ xt ^ £ a5 ^> ^ in no ca ^ c an offender may be
may at firti ^ rou Sht immediately to publick , but by the former
injlant be ^ eps > anc * u P on /uppofition that thefe be fruitfeffe ?
bnugkt to ^ n f* 't may be in thefe two or three cafes, 1. When
tuMcfa c he offence > being of a grofle nature, is publick and
open, fothat many are in hazard to beinfe&ed, in
that cafe a private rebuke ^would not be fufficient :
Becaufe , refpert is to be had to the good of others*
And fo in fom* cafes , even though as to the perfons
ownconvi&ionand carriage, a Church- judicatory
may be fatisfyed ; vet there is a ncceffity for the rea-
fon fdrefaid of a publick rebuke. Yet every offence
that is known to moe than one is not to be accounted
an offenceof this nature : Becaufe from that word of
Chrifts v Ta\e V>itbtbee Wo or three V>itneJJes, &q. ic
is evident, that even after thofe are made acquaint
with the fcandal , it is not publick, except obftinacie
follow* Yea, it would appear , that fuch a fcandal
might
rare 2* •« * rcai^c concerning ocan jjali ii)
might be known to others* when yet one private pe*-
fon might only admonifh; and if the admonition
were accepced, might fift. And in ca(e the fadt be de-
nied , then he is thereafter to bring two or three con-
junct witnefles, who may convince the party offend-
ing of the truth of the fa£t , as well as of the nature
thereof, by their joynt teftifying, that the party offen-
ded had rcafon to (eek fatisfa&ion in fuch a thing:
Otherwayes>if that were only a privat offence which
is known to one, fuppofing the parcy offending to de-
ny the fadi , there were no accefle to an offended
brother to purfue the fame, and by witnefles to make
it out, if his private admonition (hcutd be reje&ed.
And this may beonereafon alfo why thofc two or
three are called Witnejps, whofe part is to confirm
the matter of faft, as the Law cited there to that
purpofe doth evidence. Nor is it alway neceffarily
thus publick when it is made known to a Church-
officer or a Church- judicatory, becaufe in that cafe,
even they may find it more edifying to admonifh pri-
vately than publickly ; And it is their part rather to
hinder thefpreading of a fcandal, than to make the
fame needlefly more publick. An offence then that VPbtnu
is to be accounted publick, that is, which is fo in re* offence u to
fpeftof itsnotoricy or publ?cknefle, and fuch as i % be accounted
not the objft of private admonition, but whereof a? ^
Church- judicatory is immediatly to take notice* may
be confidered in refpect of its firft inftant, or in re-
fpedtof fome following circumftance: for what is
required in the nature of the fin it fclf hath been
fpoken to already. It is publick in the firft refpeft,
1. When it is done before fo many as probably can-
not be fatisficd with private admonition , fo that
thereby there is a hazard to many to be fcandalized.
2. It is publick, w.hen it leemeth to be done with con-
tempt and an high hand, as if a perfon were own-
ing the fame } Thus a fcandal that hath fewer wit-
nefles, may be accounted publick, when another, k
I maj
-^
} 14 A Tretttife concerning Scandal, Part i.
may be> aftually known to as many, is not to be ac-
counted fuch, becaufe in this cafe there is no accefle
to private admonition, the prrfon being like a fwinc>
ready to turn on the admonifher. Thus (uppofe Ab-
folorn's inceft had not beenaftually known to many,
yet the very circumftances of his doing it openly,
and purpofly that it might be known, made it of a
publick nature : Thus fometimes it is more neceffary
to take notice of an offence committed in a publick
place, though, it may be, few know the fame, than
of a thing done more privady , becaufe as to them it
might have been publick to many ; and it (heweth an
humour and corruption that is beyond privat admo-
nition, when a thing is fo circumftantiated. 3. Some-
times offences will have an horrour, and an indigna-
tion wakened againft them, even in refpeft of luch
circumftances, as to be drunk, lafcivious, and fuch
like* are offences > but to be fo in a Market-place, or
in publick Greets , even fuppofing it to be in a day
when few do aftually fee it* doth waken an indig-
nation in the hearts of fober men , as being an affront
to Religion and Order , and inconfiftent with Chri-
ftianity and Civility, much more than if it had been
in a private place, or privatly ; for, that is before the
Sun todofo, as Zimries aft was, which provoked
Tbinectfs zeal. 4. An offence is publick, when it is
generally accounted to be a certain truth , and not
a fufpicion only; as being a thing in its evidence
known to fo many(befide what is reported to others)
that it cannot be fuppofed that an ingenuous mind
can have accefle to deny orihifc the fame, without
fomc indignation in the hearts of thofe that know it*
?♦ Sometimes an offence is to be accounted publick
when,though it may be,many are not witneiles there-
of, yet when many are in hazard to be infedled there-
by ; as fuppofe thofe witneffes to be fuch as cannot
reft quiet in a private fatisfa&ion , but they have
either fprcad it, or are in hazard to fpread k, and, it
may
Part 2. «•? J reattje cenenning bCAKDAi. 115
may be, long afterward they make it a ground of re-
proach : In this cafe it becometh a fcandal not only
tothefirft witnefles, but alfotothofc to whom it is
reported ; So that although it was not at firft pub-
lick, yet it becometh lb by the rumour thereof. This
infe&toufnefs may alfo proceed from the time wh
in it is committed, the perfon who committeth it, the
nature of the faft that is committed, (which may
more readily infnare others than fadts of feme other
nature ) from tho(e alio before whom it was com-
mitted; Therefore in fuch cafes it is ncceffary that
publick notice be taken thereof.
Therefore, in the fecond pbee, we faid that fome
offences not very publick in refpeft of the faft , yet
may, by fome concurring circumftances, be fuch as
the bringing of them in publick, may be ncceflary
for the edifying of the Church at fuch a time , then
that way is to be taken ; As fuppofe, 1, that fuch a
fin is in fome places fcarce counted a fin ; Or, 2. if ic
be fecretly and frequently in ufe among others ; Or,
3» if the perfon found guilty be generally fufpefled of
loofe and untender walking in fuch things > although
particulars be not publick } Or, 4. if they be under
falfe pretexts of tenderneffe , ready to (educe others
tofomethingfinfull, or in the like cafes. In which,
though the faft be not fo publick, yet the fcandal, or
hazard , and the benefit of a rebuke are publick 5
and therefore that way is to be followed , Bccaufe
they are necefiary for the edifying of the Church 4
which is the end wherefore publick rebuks are ap-
pointed. The fame may be faid of atrocious hor-
rible crimes , which being but known to few, yet arc
not to be> nor cannot be paft with a mccr private ad-
monition, fuch as witchcraft, inceft, &c. which are
defiling fins , the bringing whereof in publick doth
honour God the avenger and difcoverer of fuch
works of darknefie > fuppofe alfo, that the evidencing
of fomewhat > may ferve to remove fome former
I * pre*
xi5 A Treaty e concerning scandal*- Part i.
prejudice , as if it had been thought that an innocent
perfon had been father of fuch a childe , or aftor of
fuch a murther; if God bring it abouti thatthofe
who truely are guilty be difcovered , it is not to be
keeped clofe , becaufe it is the removing of a former
ftumbling-block > and may keep others from finning
inmif-judgeing an innocent > and it alfo glorifieth
God whofe wife way is to be obferved in fuch dif-
penfations.
2. Although a faft be not publick > yea , in fome
cafes although it be not true that there hath been any
ground of offence given : Yet # i. If the report of
fuch an aft be publickly rumoured ; Or, 2. if fuch
preemptions thereof be publick > which are ready
to leave the imprefllon of the thing ; Or > 3. if the
fame or brute of fuch a thing be come to fuch an
1 heighti that cither it be believed by many to be true,
( and that by fuch who are neither too (imply credu-
lous without all preemptions, nor malitious or in-
fefted with prejudice in reference to the perfon ) Or,
fuppofe that a perfon is accounted to be habitually in
fecret evils , the riping up whereof might be edifying;
in fuch and fuch like cafes, a Church- judicatory is at
the firft inftant to meddle with , and enquire in the
fame : becaufe > although poflibly there may be no
ground, yet the offence is great, and may ftumble
many as if it were fo : and the negle&ing thereof
cannot but beoffenfive, whereas inquiry therein is
ufefull , whether the fame be grounded or not. But
* in this there would be great tenderneffe and prudence
ufed in confidering > both upon whom , by whom,
and upon what occafion the report is raifed and en-
tertained , and whether dipping therein be edifying
or not.
3, Upon fuppofition that private perfons be de-
feftive in giving admonitions, or following of them
before a Church- judicatory , and yet there be preg-
nant preemptions of mifcarriagas in fuch and fuch
per-
■«—-—— — «— ■
Part £• tA Treatise concerning Scandal. i*7
perfons, although they be not publick; or, fuppofe,
through fear, ill grounded affc&ion , or other carnall
refpe&s , others ftiould concur to keep from publick
view the offences of fome perfon, to the (tumbling
of themfelves , in becoming partakers of their fin,
and to the prejudice of others: I fay,in fuch like cafes,
a Church- judicatory is to enquire into the carriage of
fuch a perfon , and to put others to declare and tefti-
fie therein , although they be not complained of, and
although the Scandal be not fo every way obvious :
Becaufe admonition is needfull both for the good of
the perfon offending , and of others alfo : and when
private perfons become defe&ive > Church officers
are bound rather to interpofe immediately than to fuf-
fer fuch a perfon to continue under fin , to the hazard
of himfelf and others; for, they muft either do it, or
it is to be left undone , which would be a Rumbling*
block to many , and ftrcngthen wickedneffe exceed-
ingly^ cafe untender men fell only to be acceflbry to
the knowledge of the offences of each other (as often
it is ) yet though it be neceffary for a Church- judi-
catory to interpofe , it is not alwayes neceffary to
bring the matter to a publick rebuke , but as from
onfidcration of the thing, perfon, or, other circum-
ftances it (hall be thought fit to reft in a private admo-
nition or not.
From which we may fee the neceflity of proceffing
parties , and leading witneffes ( in cafe the matter be
denied ) without any particular accufer or delater :
becaufe in fuch cafes, either publick Scandal of the
thing, the nature of the Church- officers over fight,
or the edification of the body, which they are to pre-
fer to every thing, do require that fuch a thing or
perfon be put to triall.
I 3 CHAP.
I x g A Treat ife concerning Scandal. Part 2 '•
CHAP. X.
CUarifng whether in Chnrch-procejfes an Accn*
fer be dlwajes neccfiarj.
IF ic be asked » concering ati accufer, Whether it be
neceffary in all Church- proceffes, that one> under
fuch a confideration, be fixed, before there can be
proceeding againft any party, in reference to triall.
We anfwer in thefe affertions#
AJfer. i . Ic is not alwayes neceffary in every cafe that
there fhould be a formall particular accufer , as may
appear from the cafes formerly inftanced; for,that any
offence or offender (hould paffe without being taken
notice of, ( efpecially if offences be continued in ) is
contrary to the end for which Church- Cenfures are
appointed, and yet neither de faSo is there alwayes
an accufer where there is an offence ; nor dejure can
any be conftrained to be an accufer: therefore it is
neceffary that in fome cafes there muft be a proceffe
without an accufer, in this way of enquiry.
AJfer. 2. Where an offended Brother followeth
Chrifts way in purfuing of an offence , he is not to
be accounted an accufer formally, as the terme of
accufation ufeth properly to be taken : Bccaufe> i. To
accufe, often is a thing that may be omitted , but this
kind of purfuit is laid on as a neceffary duty. 2. To
accufe, refpedts fome paticular wrong and injury ufu«*
aliy, and the following thereof importeth a prejudice
and hurt to the party accufed, But this which refpc&s
offence without any particular injury, proceedeth
from love> tendeth to the advantage and recovery of
the party , and fo properly cannot be called accufa-
tion. -Yea, 3. When a perfon hath followed thefe-
condftep, and made out his private admonition by
two or three witneffes,when he cometh to the Church
with them, neither of them can be accounted accufers
more
Part 2 • A Treatifc concerning Scandal. 119
more than when he did privately fpeak to the perfon>
or after that to thole witnefles , becaufe all is dutie»
and a piece of that Chriftian mutuall communion,
that brethren and members of the fame body, owe
one to another > and to the body in common \ yet is
he who foentereth a complaint, oblieged to make ic
evident to the Judicatory ; and if he hath rightly per-
formed the fecond ftcp > and made it appear before
two or three, there is no hazard or difficultie in
this 1 , but if he hath failed in that, he ought not to have
proceeded to this.
AjJtY. 3. We fay, that to have a formal accufer,
feemeth not lo well to aeree to the nature of ecclefia-
ftick procefies, and looketh liker a civil Court. For,
1. If the offence be publick, there is no accufer need-
full, as is faid. 2. If ic be privat, no accufer is to be
heard, but in the ordinary method, becaufe Chrifts
Ordinance is not to be fubfervient to mens paflions,
or to be the mean of their feeking revenge for injuries:
Anil therefore in fome cafes, though an accufer would
undertake the purfuing of fomc proceffe againft a
perfon, where neither the Scandal is flagrant, nor
the party accufed, after private admonition and con-
viction* obftinate, in that cafe the accufation might be
rejected ; becaufe fo the accufer looketh not like a
Brother, that is ftumbled, feeking the gaining of the
other, and his own fatisfaftion upon that account,buc
rather like a perfon that is irritate, vindiftive or mali-
cious, to whofe humour Church-officers ought not
to give way ; neither doth fuch an accufation become
Chrifts Court. Yet, if the thing be indeed fcanda-
lous, Church-officers are to enquire therein, and not
tofleightany mean of evidence which may be had,
left profane perfons mouths be opened ; but that rixal
and contentious way ot following of proceffes by
particular accufers, againft particular perfons, as ufeth
to be in other Courts , we conceive no way becoming
the gravity and convincing way that ought to be in
I 4 this*
lio sATreatife concerning S c a NDAii Part 5.
this; And we fuppofc in experience is not often found
to be edifying , but rather doth ingender hatred, pre-
judice* contention, and (uch like* which is altogether
contrary to Chrifts fcope<
Again , on the other fide , there may be no parti-
cular accufer againft the perfon,and yet it be neceffary
that he be tricd,as hath been faid.
40 er * 4- Thete may be fome cafes in which it is
expedient to admit an accufer,and not to admit a pro-
cefie without one. Asfuppofe one were under no
ill report , and yet fome grofle fcandal were imputed
to him , which were not of fuch tame , or had not
fuch prefumptions > as to give ground for a Church-
judicatory immediately to intcrpofe, and the fcandal
being of fuch a nature as the trial thereof could nei-
ther be omitted , norclofed in private; in that cafe,
fuppofe one fhould complain of the Churches negli-
gence in the fame , afferting the evidences to be clear,
and offering to make them out 5 In fuch a cafe, I fay,
the Church can hardly refufe to hear him» left they
be thought partiall ; nor is there ground , nor is it fit
for them immediately to purfue it : Therefore an ac-
cufer is expedient,that fo, upon the one (ide>the Chur-
ches impartiality may be vindicated , in refufing the
complaint of no fober man, nor the uttermoft of any
triall, that in well grounded reafon they may expeft;
And, on the other i(ide,that the mouths of fome nced-
Icffe and too importunate complainers may be flop-
ped , and they themfelves found cenfurable , if either
without caufe they traduce the Church-officers as ne-
gligent and partiall, while there is acceffe to make
out before them fuch a truth, if it be truth * or if prc-
cipitantly and inconfiderately ( if not malicioufly )
they have tabled a fcandal againft another as a pub-
lick fcandal, which they cannot makeout,and fohave
necdlefly troubled a Church- judicatory in fuch a
imtter, and finfully wronged their neighbour.
For, aproceffe'w fuch cafes where it cannot be
made
Part t. A Trettife concerning S c A N d a il \i\
made out,is fcandalous : there fore if a perfon reft not
fatibficd, foastoabftaintillhehavetriall puc to the
utmott , he is to be dealt with as a fcandalous perfon,
left men take liberty , under the pretext of purfuing
offences, to defame others, and abufe the Ordinance
of Chrift. And though it be juft in fuch a cafe, that
he be materially dealt with as un juft accusers ufe to
be in civil courts , yet this doth not only flow from
the confederation of fuch a perions being a formall
decufer , but from the nature of the deed which is
fcandalous in fuch a meafure, and that publickly, and
therefore i^o be* t*ft rained , whether tHe perfon take
on him that forn^all confederation or not, left yet,
upon the maxter, h^continue publickly and importu-
nately to prette the purluic. And we .conceive , the
impofing the title of accifer in fuch a cafe, or the
making of it peccflary, that one take on him that for-
mall notion, is rather for coveniencieto reftrain mens
inordinatenefife , and flop their mouths, and to add
weight to the matter oK the (entence, if they fail, than
as being (imply neceffary for making fuch a perfon to
be accounted icandaJouSj if he come (hort.
CHAP- XL
Concerning what u to be ione^hen the complaint
id of (ome en jury done to the complainer*
THere is one cafe yet to be enquired itiirf^how
to account of a particular perfon his complain-
ing or purfuing an offence which carrieth with
it a particular enjury unto himfelf? As fuppofe, that
fuch a perfon did calumniate him, calling him falfe,
covetous, hypocrite, thief* or fuch like, or did im-
precate curfes unto him ? Anfto.i If the way laid
down were followed , and a publick complaint made
the laft ftcp , it may be , there would be tew of thefe
complaints. Of this we hayefpoken already. 2. Al-
though
1 22 A Treatife concerning Scandal.^ Part i.
though fuch enjuries have with them a fpirituall hurt
alfo. audio indeed are real (tumbling- blocks to the
fpirituall ftate of the party enjured. Yet , i. it is
hard for men enjured > finely to abftraft the fcandal
given them from the en jury done them , and lo to fol-
low the offence with refpefit to their own and the
others edification , as to entertain no thoughts of re-
venge in the purfuing thereof : for certainly, often it
is the reparation of a wrong , and to vindicate folks
own name and credit, rather than edification, which
in fuch cafes is aimed at : Therefore we find ever the
moll irreligious, carnall and proud perfons, hoteft in
fuch a purfuic, and with greateft difficulty to be fatif-
fied; and the fatisfafkion intended by them, is not any
Chiftfan gaining often , but fome pubhek fhame, or
fuch like : And therefore if that follow, although the
perfon fall over again in many other fcandals that
are worfe, or others (hall fin rnoregrofly ; yet that
ftirreth them not, neither are their complaints in fuch
cafes heard of. 2. We find, that fuch a cafe hath often
great difficulties with it , and readily much heat and
carnalneffe ; yea,in things that are perfonall between
parties, it is more difficult for them to abrtain from
carnalneffe, or the appearance thereof , andalfofor
Church- judicatories to walk fo as not to be thought
partialltooneof the fides, andfo by intending the
removall of one offence, more may be £iven* There-
fore we would fuppofe filch a procedor to be fuitable
to Chrifts order and ordinance , t< That as much as
may be, thefe perfonal things may be waved by pri-
vate perfons themfelves who are fb offended. Cer-
tainly men lofe not by condefcending in their parti-
culars , and it may afterward tend more to the con-
vincing of the party and other$,and to the vindicating
of themfelves that they forbear (atleaft, till the fer-
vour be abated , both in them and in the^ offending
party) than by kindling of their own paffions by the
ffeffionsof others, to hazard upon more fin and of-
fence*
Part £ ^/FTreMtife concerning Sckvdii* 1^3
fence. 2. When fuch things occur/its fit that Church-
officers ftiould endeavour to compofe and to remove
them privately ; yea , if any complaint come in a
perions heat, that yet notwithftanding , means be
uled to compote and allay the fame h and it that fail,
that the fcandal be brought to publiek , rather by the
Elckrfhip it lelf, than by the party offended, hecaufe
fo the thing, as icandalous>may be more abttraCtcdly
confidered, the pcrfon cafilier convinced, and the heat
of parties prevented , which often mar the beauty of
the Ordinance , and fo there is nothing overfeen that
oughctobcrcdrcfle-1. 3- If perfonswill needs en-
ter'cheir own complaint, Then it would be enquired,
1. Whether it be really the en jury to their name, or
outward condition that fwayeth them? or, if it be the
offence, that is, the ftumbling-block that eocch
alongft therewith, and it is ready to hurt their fpin-
tualleftate, that dochmove them? This queftion
is fit for curbing of carnal! humours, and keeping
the Ordinance of Chrift from being abufed,and made
fubfervienttomensfinfullpaflions. _
If it cannot be hid 3 that it is the injury which affects
them, Then would they be admonifhed for that , and
remitted to follow their injury otherwife, and to par-
. don it, as to any vindictive humour ; yet the thing as
k is fcandalous,wou!d be ftill fallowed without them*
2. It would b~ enquired , if they followed the privac
fteps? And, 3. what fort of fatisfaft ion they aim
at , and if it be the parties gaining that they feek with
their own fatisfa&ion?
Sometimes there arifeth a new difficulty in fuch in, a t s vhen
•cafes, as fuppofeone complained of for calumniat- a calumnia~
ing another, fhould offer to make good his word, or tor comflai-
whathehathfaid; In fuch a cafe it is difficult for a nedefrffer*
Church- Judicatory to carry rightly, if probation be txb n wake
refufed , the flanderous mouth is not flopped , And ** <""•
to admit it, it feemeth neither pertinent nor profitable
to any Church-end. This fometimes is one of the
evils
-
124 ^ TreAti(e concerning Scandal* Part 2?
evils of making Church- judicatories the .ftage of
mens paflions : Yet in fuch a cafe we fay , 1. That
whether the thing be true or not , the cafting of it up
at fuch a time* and with fuch circumftances, wai of-
fenfive; and therefore no following probation can
exempt the offender from being accounted fcandalous,
becaufe the end of bringing forth that , was really
the hurt of his brother, and neither private nor pub-
lick edification* 2. Some manner of offered probation
is indirect, (as alfo fome fort of (lander ing ) as>fup-
pofe one would complain of another as guilty of
thefcor fome other fin, and give for the ground there-
of fome inftances of corruption or deceit in their
trade of merchandizing, or taking fome advantage
fay law or other wayes, to the hurt of another. Thefe
are caufes and matters wherein properly Church-of-
ficers are neither fit nor called to decide* and the
event thereof doth depend upon fome civil conteft,
therefore are not meet to be admitted as the ground of
a complaint or probation in a Church- judicatory.
Again, lome manner of probation is more direft, as
fuppofe one would prove by witneffes dire& theft up*
on another, Yet confidering that Church- judicatories
are not to be fub-fervient to mens paffions, as hath
been faid, and alfo , that their end ought ever to be
edification > and there being no probable ground to
expeefcitin fuch a procefle , we conceive it were fie
akogethcr to wave fuch concerts. For, though there
be a (haming of offenders allowed in Church- difci-
pline , yet it looketh har(h-like to make it the mean
of bringing civil fhame and infamie upon any ; Be-
caufe fuch a blot, as to be accounted or declared infa-
mousi even as to civil things > is a civil punifliment ;
and therefore is not to be the effefifc of a Church- judi-
catory, properly > Although we will not deny but
by accident , thefe may be fometimes neceffarily
joyned.
It
Part 2. A I rcanje concerning scandal. 125
It may be asked , What if an offending party ap- ^ at u ^
pearing, profefle repentance for their fault, &c. as w<we <?/-
hath been defired , and (hould yet refufe to give obe- fending con-
dience to fuch things and in fuch manner as is thought fejjmi forty
fit to be done by the Church-officers for the removing fefu[et$iruc
of the offence ? Anfo % \. It is not like that any who (athfaclioju;
arc ferious in their profeflion of repentance , will
ftand on fuch a thing; and where that is, it is too pro-
bable-like an evidence of their diffembling , if feme
convincing reafon cannot be given by them for fway-
ing to that refufall. 2. Their difobediencc is either *
in materiall things , or fuch as are but circumftanth-
all. Again, it is either done with contempt, or with
profeffed continued refpeft and a defire to fathfie. As
for inftance, fome may refufe to receive a publick re-
buke where edification rcquireth it? or to acknow-
ledge their offence to an offended party » or they may
be willing to appear, and willing to acknowledge
their offence, but differ as to the time, place, manner,
&c. Forthefirft, Though a Church- judicatory may
wait for a time, yet can they not in fome cafes dif-
penfe with them , becaufe otherwayes , they are not
heard , nor is the end obtained 3 and therefore may
proceffe proceed , efpecially if that difobedience look
contemptuous- like : For the fecond fort of jdifobe-
dieucc> to wit, in the manner or circumftances of
giving fatisfaftion , although in this a!fo , thofc that
are ferious to have offences removed , will not readily
flick, yet if it be, there is difference between this and
the former, if there be no difcernable evidences of
contempt in it ; and in this, noqueflion, Church- ju-
dicatories have a greater latitude to do as may edifie:
wherein they are efpecially to take notice of thefe
things> 1. That by too much rigidity in circum-
ftances , they feem not unneceflarily to wrong them,
or to lay too much weight of fatisfaftion upon fuch
formalities. 2. That by too eafie paffing from fuch,
they dp not ftrcngthen any to follow that example for
the
— ., 1 .-
126 A Treatife concerning Scanda l . Part 2.
the time to come. And, 3. chat even in circum-
ltances there be an equality in reference to theie fame
icandals in all perfons. And if there be hazard in
reference to any of thefe by condefcending, to alter or
forbear a circumftance in a publick rebuke , we con-
ceive it is fafer to abfta in from that forbearance, and
not to yeeld it ; and yet not firaply upon that account
to purfue a proceffe, but to continue dealing with the
perlon , while either he be convinced and brought,
tor the good of order and edification of the Church,
to yeeld , or there be more clearnefle to do other-
Wife.
CHAP. XII.
Concerning what ought to be done By private
perfons, When Church-officers /pare fuch as
are fcandalom.
WE come now to the laft Queftion propofed,
to wit , fuppofing that Church-officers
mould be defective in trying and cenfuring
icandalous perfons, what is the duty of private Chri-
ftians in fuch a cafe , and if notwithftanding , they
ought to continue in the communion of fuch a
Church, or to (eparate from her >
This Quettion hath troubled the Church, and been
the occahon of many fchifms in many ages, the devil
thereby under pretext of indignation ac offcnccs,hath
made them to abound in the Church, as the Church-
hiftories and Writings of the Fathers , inwhatcon-
cemeth the Novations, Donatifts, and fuch like, do
fully evince ; And although we have great ground to
acknowledge Gods mercy, in the fobriety of His
people amongft us , fo that we have unity, with pu- i
rity ; yc*,feing in order this doth follow, we (hall
anfwer flhortly, in laying down thefe grounds.
1. It cannot be denied, but fuch a cafe may be ; and
often
part 2. A TreMttje concerning scandal. i 27
often ck fatto is , that Church -officers are defc&ive
in the exercifing of Difcipline upon fcandalotis pcr-
fons , what from negligence, what from unfaichful-
nefle, what from fainting, or fome other finfull in-
firmity at the befh as may be gathered from the fecond
and third Chapters of the Relation.
2. Though this be true , yet poffibly it is not al-
wayes their fault when it is charged on them : as fup- ,
pofc, 1. That no private perlbn, or,pofl>bly even the
complainer , hath admonifhed fuch perfens as are
counted (candalous > nor have given- in Sufficient
proofs of their fcandal to any Church- judicatory;
or, it may be>many are counted fcandalous who can-
not legally and judicially be found to be fuch ; for
it is more eafie to affert a fcandal, than to prove, even
often when it is true : and it being rather a ground of
irritation than edification,whcna proa fie isentred*
and not convincingly made- out , Therefore often in
duty fome proccfies areabftained. Sometimes alfo
Church- officers may be faithfully dealing with per-
fons to recover them from fcandals, and yet not find
it fit for edification to proceed to high Cenfures 5 In
fuch cafes > Church-officers cannot reasonably be
blamed > andthofewho complain would pole their
own confeiences > if they have exonered themfelves
and done their duty, and have put it co the Officers
doors, before they account ic their fault : And it is
moft unbecoming for perfons to charge others and to
be dcfc&ive in their own duty> which neceflarily in-
ferreth the other. And if it were as difficult and
weighty a task to calumniate and groundlcfly to *
charge Church-officers with this, as it is, faithfully
to follow private admonition, there would not be fo
much of the one, and fo little of the other. And if
it be rightly looked to> it will nofr be eafie to charge
. them with grofle defefts ( and if they be not grofle,
the matter is notfo tobcftumbled at, they being in ±
the exercife of Difcipline as in other things ) for, that
mult
«■
128 -« Treats fe concerning >candal, Part z.
muft be upon one of chefe accounts , either, I, Be-
caufe fuch fcandalou> pertons, after refufing of private
admonitions, were complained of to them, and that
evidence of the faft was offered, and Church- officers
refufed to put the lame to trial : Or> it murt be be-
caufe when they did try , they did determine fuch
a thing to be no fcandal or nor to be pi oven , or that
( fuppofing it to be proven) thev did not e nfure it ;
or, at leaft, when fcandals were open and obvious,
and palpable, they did not take notice of them*
Now> is it probable that fuch a Church-judicatory
will frequently be found that will fail grofly either of
thefe wayes ? And if they do, then there is acceffe to
convince them % by an appeal to a fuperiour Court>
which in that cafe is a duty. If it be faid > that
their failing and neglect is, in fome covered manner*
fo carried-on as there is no accefle to fuch legal com-
plaints. Anpi* \. We fuppofe if the things be that
groffe, and the fa& fo clear and frequent, as that there
be juft ground to complain then there will be alfo
acceffe to (uch a proof. 2 If it be fo carried and
not owned, then it may be their fin before God ; but
it is not to4s>e accounted a proper Church-offence in
the fenfe before- mentioned » ieing they could not be
convinced judicially even before the moft impartial
Judge. And as in fuch a cafe we cannot account a
private brother ecclefiaftically fcandalous , although
the general ftrain of his way may be diffatisfying to
us , So ought yve not to account this ; for, there is a
great difference, betwixt that which may be offenfive
to a perfons private difcretion, and put him poffibly
in a christian way to defire fatista&ion , and that
which is to be hoifed as a publick Church- fcan-
dall.
Jffer. 3. Upon fuppofition that the defeft be true,
yet private profeffors are to continue in the difcharge
1 of the duties of their ftations and not to feparate
from the Communion of the Church, but to count
thero-
themfclves exoncred in holding faft their own inte-
grity. It's true > ic cannot but be heavie to thofe
that are tender, and, if it become fcandaloufly ex-
ceflive, may give occafion to them to depart and go
where that Ordinance of Difcipline is more vigo-
rous ; and concerning that, there is no qucftion,it be-
ing done in due manner ; Yet, I fay, that that can be
no ground for withdrawing from the Ordinances of
Chrift, as if they or their confciences were polluted
by the prefence of fuch others. For, i. That there
were fuch defers in the Church of the Jews, cannot
be denied, and particularly doth appear in the in*
ftancc of Elie's fans, who made the Ordinances of the
Lord contemptible wich their mifcarriagcs ; yet thac
either it was allowable to the people to withdraw* or
7 aulty to joy n in the Ordinances, can no way be made
out. If it be faid , there was but one Church then*
Therefore none could feparatefrom the Ordinances
in it? Anfr' % r. This doth confirm what is faid,
to wit, that the joyning of fcandalous perfons in Or-
dinanccs,doth not pollut them to others ; for if fo, the
Lord had not laid fuch a neccfficy upon thofe thac
were tender, that they behoved to partake of pol-
luted Ordinances , or to have none 5 and if it did
not pollute them then, fome reafon would be given
that doth evidence it now to do fo. 2. If there be an
unity of the Church now, as well as then, then the
confequence muft be good; becaufe, fo where ever
folks communicate, thofe many that communicate
any where , are one bread , and one body , as the
Apoftle fpeaketh,iCor.io.i7,compared with chap 12*
13. And foby communicating any whercwe declare
our felves to be of the fame vifible Church and poli-
tick body, with thofe who communicatelfw here, even
as by Baptifm we are baptized into one Church, and
into communion with all the members of the body
any where. And therefore , if this be considered,
\% will aot be enough to efchevv pollution (if the ob-
K jeftion
-~ —
1 50 ' e/* Treattfe concerning S c a n d a I \ Part il
je&ion be crue and well grounded ) to feparate from
one Society , or one particular Congregation, except
there be a feparation from the whole vifible Church }
for fo alfo Jews might have feparated from particu-
lar Synagogues , or have choofed times for their of-
ferings and facrifices diftin£t from others. Famous
Cotton of New England , in his Holinejffe of Ckwtb-
members, pag.21 ♦ grants that there were many fcanda-
lous perfons in the Church of the Jews. 2. He^fuith,
that that was by thePrieftsdefedt , for they ought
not to have been retained. And, g. though be fay
that that will not warrand the lavtfulnefle of admit-
ting fcandalous perfons to the Church , yet he aflert-
eth , that it may arpue the continuance of their
Church-eftatenotwithftanding of luch a toleration ;
and if fo^then it apptoveth continuing therein , and
condemntth feparation therefrom ; and confequently
a Church may be a Church, having the Ordinances
in purity , and to be communicate in, notwithftand-
ing of the former fault. ?. What hath been marked
out of Learned Writers, for paralleling the conftitu-
tion of the Church under the Gofpel> with that under
the Law in eflentiall things, doth overthrow this ob-
jection ; for now feparation is as impoffible as
formerly.
2. This defeft is to be obferved in feverall of the
Primitive Churches , as we may particularly fee in
the fecond and third Chapters of the %>*/**i0» , yet
it is never found that any upon that account did with-
draw > or were reproved for not doing fo , even when
the Officers were reproved for defc6t : Yea , on the
contrary, the(e who keeped themfelvcs pure from thefe
Scandals , though continuing in that communion,are
commended and approven, and exhorted to continue
as formerly. Now, if coutinuing in communion in
fiich a cafe* be of it felf finfull , and pcrionall inte-
grity be not fufficient to profeflbursAvhere the defeft
is finfull to the Officers % even though in other perfo-
nall
p4[£<£* SI * recti*}* lunvcr n*ng JtAMJALi gfl
nail things and duties of their ftations they were ap-
proveable, How can it be thought that thefaithfull
and true Witneffe fhould (6 fliarply reprove the one,
and (6 fully approve the other at the fame time ?
3. The nature of Church-communion doth con-
firm this , becaufe fuch influence hath the fcanda!ou£-
nefle of one to make another guilty , as the approven
converfation of the other hath to make the Ordi-
nancefc profitable to him that is fcandalous , for we
can no otherwife partake of the evil than of the good
of another in Church- communion ; But it is clear >
that the gracioufneffe of one cannot fan&ifie an Ordi-
nance to one that is profane ; and therefore the pro-
fanity of one cannot pollute the Ordinance to one
that is tender. And , as he that examineth hJmfelf,
partaketh worthily in refpeft of bimftlf and his own
condition > but doth not fan^ifie communicating to
another ; So, he that partaketh unworthily , eateth
and drinketh damnation to himfelf, and not to ano-
ther : and for that caufe , is both the precept and the
threatning bounded , Let a man examine bimfelf ', <<n.
For } be tbat eatetb and drtn\etb unworthily , catetb and
drinketh damnation to bimfelf \ for,upon doing or omit-
ting of duty in himfelf , doth follow worthy, or un-
worthy communicating to him. And if in the moft
near conjugall fellowfliip, the company of a profane
Husband may be fanftified to a gracious Wife , even
when hers is unfan&ified to him , ( becaufe that de-
pended* upon the perfons own qualification and way
ofufemakingof GodsOrdinanceof marriage J much
more may it be here : this laft might be a diftinft ar-
gument of it felf.
4. If continuance in communion with fuch per-
fons be finfulUThen it muft either be becaufe commu-
nion with fuch as are profane indeed , whether we
know or think them to be fo or not, is finfull ; or, it
muft be becaufe we know them , or think them to be
fuch ; But neither of thefe can be faid : Not the firft*
K 2 becauft
I}*
^Treatife concerning Scandal* Part 2.
becaufe fo to keep communion with an hypocrite, or
a Believer in a carnall frame, were finfull, although
we thought them to be fincere , whjch cannot be
pleaded: nor can it be fa id > it is becaufe we know
them to be fo , Becaufe, 1 . If we knew a man to be
fo, and another knew not > in that cafe, the Ordi-
nances were pollutted to one , and not to another, at
the fame time, though poflfiblyboth were exercifing
the fame faich , and having examined themielves,
were in the lame frame > which were abfurd* Yea,
2. If it depended on our knowledge of it, Then our
very fuppohng it to be lo > although it were not fo,
would pollute the Ordinance; and what confufioti
would be there, may be afterward hinted. Nor can
it be faid , it is becaufe we think fo > becaufe, fuppo-
fingfome to think otherwife, it would be ftill aft
ordinance to them, and a duty to continue in it , and
not to us, which is the former ablurdity; and this
doth not flow from the binding nature of an errone-
ous confeience (which may be alleged in other cafes)
but from the difference of perfons light , charity , or
other apprehenfions of things, whereby one is in-
duced to efteem that fcandalous, which another doth
not.
5. If communion with profane perfons that are
fuch to our knowledge be finfull > and polluteth Or-
dinances , Then thefe things may be enquired, which
will infer d iverfe abfurdities , 1 . Ought perfons to
try all thofe that they keep communion with, whe-
ther they b? profane or not ? For, if any profane per-
fon be in that communion which they might have
known if they had tried , then their ienorance can-
not excufe. 2. It may be enquired , what degree of
triall and fearch doth fufficiently exoner, becaufe pof-
jfibly a further triall might have difcovered fome to be
profane? 3. It may be enquired, what evidences
may demonftrate perfons to be fcandalous> and make
them to be fo accounted of ? if only fomeching Hen
by
Part 2 . A Treat if e concerning Scandal: X33
by themfelves, or if fomething reported by others;
and chat whether it be judicially made out or only
afferted ? and how raanics report is to betaken for
proof; or if any that be fo reported of, be (oto be
accounted > 4. What fort of fcandals are to be en-
quired- in to make a perfon fuchas polluteth the Or-
dinances ? If it be any kind of fcandal, or but fcan-
dals of (uch a nature? If one fcandal be (ufficient,
or if theie muft be many ? and how many are to be
laid weight upon in this ? and fome fatisfying
grounds how , and where to fix the difference, are to
be laid down? 5. It may be asked, if one fcanda-
lous perfon alone doth pollute the Ordinances? or if
there mud be moe ? and if fo, How many ? 6. Sup-
pofe fuch a fcandal were known to us alone, charity,
and Chrifts command do fay. it is not to be publish-
ed ; confeience faith in that cafe , the Ordinance is
polluted, timeftraits either to communicate doubt-
inply , or with offence to abrtain and hide the caiyfe,
or contrary to charity to fignifiethc fame. Thefe
and many fuch like things are requifitto fatisfieone,
upon this fuppofition, that communion in fuch a cafe
is finfull , Therefore it is not to be admitted.
6» If the Ordinance be polluted to one that is
clean,Then it is either the deed of the Church- officers
that doth pollute it, or the deed of the fcandalous per-
fon that doth communicate ; But neither of thefe can
be faid : Not the firft , for that would fuppofe that
all the Ordinances were polluted • although no fcan-
dalous perfon were prefent a&ually > becaufe they
were not actually excluded , and though they were
abfent, yet there being no impediment made to them
by Church-officers, asto their guile, it is the fame*
Nor the fecond, Becaufe, fuppofing a perfon not to be
debarred, it is his duty to communicate; and can it
be faid, that he in doing of his duty upon the matter,
ihouldmake that not to be a duty to us , which lieth
on by a joynt command , which requireth eating
K 3 from
J 34 A Treatife concerning Scandai. 1 Part 2.
^ from him and from us , as it requireth praying ?
7. The Lords ordering it fo in His providcncc,thae
He admitteth unfan&ified Officers to adminiftrate
His Ordinances , and yet withalli accounting them
Officers, and the Ordinances in their hands to be Hi9
Ordinances, and that even when they are known to
fae.unfound ( till in His own way they be removed )
doth demonftrate this > that pollution in joynt wor-
ffiippers doth not pollute the Ordinances to others.
For, if any did pollute them, Then moftof all fcan-
dalous Officers; But thefe do not. Ergo,&c* We may
fee it, firft, in the fcandaloufneffe of Priefts under the
Law ; for we mutt either fay that there were no fcan-
dalous Priefts, or that the people did then offer no fa-
crifice and joyn in no worftiip , or that (infully they
did it : All which are abfurd. 2. We fee in Chrifts
time , the Scribes and Pharifees were pointed out by
Him as fcandalous, Mat. 2 j. v. 5. Yet even there doth
He require continuance in the Ordinances admini-
ftrate by them, notwithftanding. 3. Doth not Paul
fpeakof fome that preached out of envy > Philip, 1.
15, which is a rooft groffe fcandal, and of others
who fought their own things, and not the things of
Chrift, PW/.2, 21 ? Both which are groffe, and clear-
ly evidenced by his teftimony , yet is he content that
people continue, yea , he fuppofeth that they may
profit in communion with them , which he would
not , had the Ordinances been polluted by them to
others. And the fame may be faid of feveral Chur-
ches in thefe fecond and third Chapters of the Rela-
tion , where both groffneffe of Minifters, and of
many Profeffors, is notified by Chrift to the Church,
yet it cannot be fuppofed that that might have been
made the ground of feparation afterward from them*
more than not doing of it was rcprovable before.
8. If known evil in any that doth communicate,
pollute the Ordinances in themfelves, Then how can
a Believer communicate with himfelf ? Becaufe,
U he
Part £ A Treat ife concerning Scandal' *35
I. he hath corruption, 2. He hath as full knowledge
of it as of any other mans, yea, that which may
make him think it more than what heknoweth of
any other man. ?. That corruption is as near him
as the corruption of any. 4 The Law doth more
particularly ftrike againft corruption in him as to
himfclf > than that which is in any other. Yea,
5. this corruption doth certainly, in fo far pollute
the Ordinance to him- and make him guilty. Now
the fame grounds that fay he may communicate with
agoodconfeience , notwichftandingof his own cor-
ruptions, will alfo fay, he may communicate not-
wichftandingof that which is in another, much nftore:
becaufe the fins that follow his corruption are his
own fins , which cannot be faid of the fins of others.
And it repentance for his own fin , refting upon
Chrift, protefting againft the body of death (which
yet are but the a6h of the fame perion, in fo far as re-
nued, differing from hirafelf asunrenued) IWfay,
fuch afts may quiet his confeience, and giro him
confidence to partake , notwithftanding of his own
corruption, and that even then when he as unrenued
may be accounted guilty , may they not much more
give him confidence in reference to the fins of another,
which are not fo much as his deeds.
9. In that direftory which Chrift giveth, Mat.iS.
this is implied y becaufe he doth warrand an offended
brother to bring obftinate offenders to the Church, as
the laftftep of their duty > and as their full exonera-
tion, Tell the Church y taith he; and no more is requir-
ed by him after that , but conforming of his carriage
to the Churches Sentence in cafe of obftinacie. And
none can think, upon fuppofition that che Church did
not their duty , that then they were from that forth,
not to joyn in that Church , but to fepatate from
them- as from heathens and publicans : becaufe fo a
particular perfon might Excommunicate a Church,
whom yet Chrift will not have to withdraw from
K 4 com-
£ %6 tyfTreatife concerning Scanda t . Part i<
communion with a private member , till obftinacic
and the Churches cenfuring interveen } Yea, by fo
doing, a private pcrfon might account another a hea-
then and publican without any publick Cenfure,
which is contrary to Chrifts fcope, which fubjoyneth
this withdrawing of communion from him to the
Churches Cenfure* This will bind the more if we
confider that Chrifts worcls have an allufion (as is
commonly acknowledged ) to the Jewifh Sanedrim,
which being but one, could not admit of any fcpara-
tion from its communion , though there had been dc-
fe<9: in this : What may be done in abftainingof per-
lonall communion in unneceffary things? is ever to be
acknowledged ; yet if feparation in fuch a fuppofed
cafe, were called- for asaduty, thatdire&ion would
not be a fuflficicnt dire&ion for an offended brother,
becaufe it leaveth him without dire&ion in the laft
flep: Yet Chrifts progrefle fo particularly from one
ftepjp another, faith, that it is otherwayes in-
tended.
Who would have more full fatisfa&ion in thisjtnay
look the Learned Treatifes that are writtcen againft
Separation, which will hold confequentially in this ;
and therefore we may here fay the leffe, And (hall
only add the consideration of one Scripture.
'jtpmlcu* ^ or confirming of this Affertion then, we may take
Igf confide- more particular confideration of one place, which
tation tf feemeth more efpecially to relate to this purpofe,
1 Cor, ii. That is, 1 Corinth. 11, from theiy.ver. foreward :
jf7*&^» Where it dpth appear, firft, That there were divifions
amongft that people, even in refpeft of communicat-
ing together at the Lords Table, fo that fome of them
would not communicate with others : for that there
were divifions is clear. Now, thefe divifions are ex-
preffed to be in the Church when they came together
to eat the Lords Supper, ver. 18, and 19. and ferrfe
did communicate at one time, and fome at another*
without tarrying one for another, as is expreflcd, v??.
Secondly,
part ^• d Trcatife concerning ScandAI^ 137
Secondly , We may alfo gather what might be the
realon of this divided communicating , or, at leatt,
what fome might alleage why they would not com-
municate joyndy with others : For. it is like, they
fell in this irregularity deliberately > as thinking they
did well when they communicated apart, and not
with others. So much is infinuated in the Apoflles
cxpofiulation, ver. 21. What, fhall I praifeyoutntbu i
I praife you not. Now thefe reafons might be alleged,
to juftifie their divided communicating , 1. Thatthe
Ordinances were not reverently adminiflred,nor vt ith
that gravity and difccrning of the Lords Body, as
was fit. 2. That many unworthy perlons were ad-
mitted to communion , even fuch as were drunken,
ver. 21, &c. and therefore it might be alleged by
them, that joynt communicating with fuch was to be
abftained.
Thirdly, It is evident al(b, Thatnotwithftanding
of thefe grounds , the Apoflle doth condemn their
praftice, and preffeth them to joynt communicating,
as appeareth from ver. 22. and 33. From which, this
clear argument doth arife , If the members of the
Church of Corinth, who did feparate from the Ordi-
nances, becaufe of the finfulneffe of thefe that did
joyndy partake with them, were condemned by ?W,
and required to communicate joyndy , and if it be
made clear by him how they might do fo and not be
guilty, Then feparation in fuch a cafe cannot be a du-
ty but a fin ; But the former are true. Therefore, &c.
I know nothing can beobjefted againft this argu-
ment, but either to fay, Thatthe Apoflles fcope is in
that eating together, to regulate their love teafts, and
to condemn their praftice in thefe ; or, that he com-
mends joynt communicating fimply , but not in fuch
a cafe, becaufe it is not clear whether any of them
did fcruple upon that ground or not : for, the remov-
ing of thefe, we fay to the firft , That the main fcope
of the place is to regulate them in going about the
Sacra-
*3 8 A Treatife concerning S c A N D A l7 Part £
Sacrament of the Lords Supper : And therefore it is
that the A pottle doth fo clearly and plainly infifl in
clearing the mftitucion thereof, thereby to bring them
back co the way that was laid down and delivered to
him by the Lord. And for any ochet fort of eating
or drinking , the Apoftle doth fend them to their
houfcs , ver. 22, and more exprefly he repeateth
thatdire&ion, that if any man hunger anddefire to
eat his ordinary meat > Let him do it at home, ver. 54.
So that no direftion for the time to come can be inter-* * #
preted to belong to common eating in the Church, or
in the publick meetings thereof, but fuch as is facra-
mentall only.
Tothefecond, to wit. if the Apoftle doth dip in
this qucftion, with refpeft to that obje&ion of the im-
purity of joynt communicants $ we do piopofe thefc
things for clearing of the fame,
Firft, We fay, that whether they did a&ually ob-
ject that or not , yet there was ground for them to
objedl the fame if it had weight, as the Text cleareth :
Neither could the Apoftle, knowing that ground, and
having immediately mentioned the fame f have ac-
ceffe to preffe them all indifferently to communicate
together , if his dire&ion meet not the cafe ; for this
might ftill have flood in the way> that many of them
were fuch and fuch , and therefore not to be commu-
nicated with •, and if it be a fufficient reafon to keep
them from joynt communicating, then the cafe being
fo circumftantiated, it would alfo be a fufficient rea-
fon to keep him from impofingthatasaduty upon
them , at leaft, fo long as the cafe ftood as it was.
Secondly, We fay, that it is not unlike there was
fuch hefitations in fom? of them ; and that ( what-
ever wis among them) it is clear, that the Apoftle
doth exprelly peak to this cafe, and endeavour to re-
move thac objedtion out of the way, to wit, that men
fh \>uld not fcare at the Sacrament, becaufe of the pro-
fanity of others : and that therefore they might with-
out
Part £• is* Treatife concerning Scandal.' 139
out fcruple as to that , communicate joyntly , and
tarry one for another, which is his fcope, ver. 33.
This will appear by confidering feverall reafons
whereby he prefleth this fcope , for that, vcr. 33.
Wherefore my brethren, Tbhenye come together, tame one
for another, is the fcope laid down as a conclufion from
the forjner grounds which he hath given. Now,
when he hath corrc&ed their firft fault, to wit, their
' irreverent manner of going about the Ordinance, by
' bringing them to Chrifts inftitution, ver. 23,24, 25,
i6 % 27. He cometh, in the laft place* to meet with this
obje&ion , What if others beprefentwho palpably
cannotdifcern the Lords Body, andfo cannot com-
municate worthily ? Can it be fafe to communicate
with fuch ? Or , is it not better to find out fome
other way of communicating apart* and not together
with fuch ? The Apofile giveth feverall anfwers to
this, and reafons , whereby he cleareth, that their di-
vifion was not warrantable upon that ground, from
ver. 28. Andfoconcludeth, ver. 33. that notwith-
ftanding thereof they might tarrv one for another.
The firft reafon, is, ver. 28. ©wt let a man examine
himfelf, and fo let him eat. Which (heweth, 1. That
a mans comfortable preparation for this duty,is to ex-
amine himfelf; and that the fruit may beexpe&ed,
or not expe&ed , accordingly as it (haU be with
himfelf: Otherwayes , it were not a fufficient di-
rrftion for preparation, to put him to examine him-
felf. Again, 2. thefe are knit together , Let a man
examine bimfelj , and fo let him eat. Which is in fum,
this, when a man hath in fome fincerity looked upon
his own condition , and hath attained fome fuitablc-
neffe to the Ordinances, as to his own private cafe,
then, ( faith the Apoftle ) Let htm eat % without re-
(pcfting the condition of others. Odierwaycs , a
man haviug examined himfelf, yet could not eat,
though his own difpofition were as it fhould be, if
the cafe of others might hinder him in eating. And
we
i4o A Treatife concerning S c a n d a l '. Part 2,
we conceive > it is a main part of the Apoftles fcope,
by knitting thefe two together f to wit, a mans eating
with the examining of hirn(elf) purpofly to prevent
fuch a debate.
The fecond reafon which he giveth, will confirm
thisalfo; for, faith he, ver. 29. He ftbo eatetb and
drinketk unworthily , be eatetb and drinl(etb unto bimfclf
damnttion, or judgement. Which is, in fum, this, a
man that hath examined himfelf, may eat of the Sa-
crament, though many peribns communicate unwor-
thily with him, becaufe (faith he) he that eateth un-
worthily , doth not bring damnation or judgement
upon others, nor is his fin imputed to them that com-
municate with him, but he doth bring it upon himfelf 9
and therfore no ocher hath caufe to fcare at the Ordi-
nance becaufc of that , if he hath examined himfelf.
This reafon he again confirmeth from experience,
ver, go, for this caufe (faith he) many are fic^ and
many among you are "toeak^, &c. that is » not becaufe
they did communicate with thole who are fcandalous
being in good cafe themfelves; but for this caufe,
faith he> many are fick,&c and have brought upon
themfelves great plagues , becaufe by not examining
of themfelves , they did communicate unworthily,-
andfo, by their own fin, broughtthefeftroaksupon
themfelves*
He gives a third reafon for making out of his fcope,
ver. 3 U For* if Vn Mil judge our fefaes , *toe fbould not
he judged, that is, men need not be anxious in this
cafe, whether others judge themfelves or not ; for,
faith he, Gods abfolving or judging of us, doth not
depend Upon what they do, but upon what we our
felves do. And therefore prefleth them ftill to look
to themfelves , becaufe the judging and humbling of
our felves before God, is the way not to be judged by
Him, even in reference to that Ordinance, whatever
others do*
Now, when he hath fully cleared the reafons, and,
as
Part %. tATreatifc concerning Scandal. 141
as it were, made out this propofition , that if a man
be right in his own frame , the fin of another joynt
communkanf, cannot be hurtfull to him, or be ground
to mar him in eating, and when by an interfetted pa-
renthefis, he hath obviated a doubt, v. 32. he con-
cluded, ver. 33. Wbtrefore , faidihe, my brethren^
( leing it is lb ) tarry one for another, and be not anxi-
oufly beared to communicate joyncly ; Now, feing
all alongft the Apoftle hath been giving fuch grounds
as may clear a confeience in that cafe > and doth in
thefe words lay down the dire&ion of tarrying one
for another, or of joynt communicating, as a conclu-
fion drawn from the former grounds , It cannot be
thought, but that purpofly he intended thefe reafons
to be grounds for the quieting of confcicnces, to
obey that dire&ion in fuch a cafe;and that therefore ic
cannot be warrantable to ieparate upon that ground. \
CHAP. X 1 1 1.
Shewing more particularly What it is that pri^
vate perfons are called to in fuch a cafe.
IF it be asked then, What is that which private
perfons ought to do in fuch a cafe ? Jto/fr.They
are certainly to contain themfelves within their
Ration , yet fo, as fomc things are called-for at fuch
a time more than at another time; As, firft, There
is need of much circumfpeftnefle in our own perfonal
walk and watchfulneffe > in obferving of oppor-
tunities wherein we may edifie others, as Heb. 3. 1 3.
Secondly, There is need of more frequency, and of a
more weighty circumfpeft manner in giving private
admonitions and exhortations, &c. Thirdly, There
would be much exercife of prayer, and even fafting
therewith (though in a fecret inoffenfive manner)
both for the retraining of offences, which difiionour
God , and for zeal to Officers to perform their duty;
if
142 A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 2V
if in thisrefpeft, rivers of tears were running down
our cheeks, bccaufe of the abounding of offences,
there might be much more folid peace ( we are per-
fwaded ) in keeping communion with others , that*
without that to feparate with much, at leaft feeming
pride and uncharitable cruelty in giving of offence
to them , and thereby confirming them in their pro-
fanity. Fourthly* It is private perfons duty to re-
present fuch offences 4 with their evidences, to Church-
officers, or Church- judicatories, thereby to put them
to the removing of fuch offences. Fifthly > They
may freely, though humbly and reverently, expoftu-
late with Church-ofihcers, when they are defe&ive,
and endeavour to convince them of that offence :
The force of that precept, If thy brother offend thee, go
and tell him, &c. warranteth fo much ; and this the
Colofllans zveto (ay to AnbippMt that he be not de-
fective in his Miniftery which he had received, &c*
Col 4. 17. This decently and convincingly done, is
ufefull. Sixthly, If all that prevail not> private per-
fons may communicate it to other Church-officers ;
and no redrefle following , it is their duty to follow
It before the competent fuperiour Judicatories : for,
Chrift's dire&iqn , Tell the Church , importeth and
warranteth the fame.
If it be asked* What further is to be done, if that
fail? Anfo- We know no other publick redrefle;
Chrift hath left it there, and fo may we alfo. Neither
can it be infttufted from Scripture, that Chrift hath
appointed feparation to be the next ftep of a private
perfons duty for removing of offences, much leffe to
go before thefe. Indeed the Scripture calleth for
with-drawing from perfonall communion with
grofle , fcandalous perfons? as a thing neceflary;
as alfo from communion in the corrupt defignes
and courfes of any, though they may have a form
of godiineffe, as 2 Tim. 3, 4, 5, &*c. which doth
belong to, and is comprehended under the firft parti-
cular
Part £. A Treatife concerning Scandal.
culardire&ion. And if thefc be faithfully oblerved
by private Chriftians, we are hopefull that either
there would be lefl'e ground of complaint for the de-
fett of Church- officers , or more accefle to remove
fuch as continue unfaithfull, and more peace to the
confeiences of particular private Chriftians , and
leffe offence and more edification to all, than any
other way whatfoever*
That ic is thus neceflary for private perfons to ac- ^ y j t %
quiefce in the Churches determination, in manner as nccejjaryt*
is faid, may appear from theunfetlcdnefie and con- acquitfee in
fufion, both in private and publick, which otherwife tbethurcbes
would follow : For, either there muft be a fitting in Determine-
this determination of the Church , or, there muft be tion as to
fome other period to fix at, on there muft be no fix- traffic*.
ing at all. Neither of the two laft can be faid,
Therefore, &c Not the laft, to wit, that there is no
fixing at all ; for fo a particular perfon that were of-
fended, would not know what were duty? or what to
follow ; and it would infer a defeft in the Lord's Or-
dinance in reference to His Peoples dire&ion and
peace in fuch cafes, which is moft abfurd.
If the fecond be faid, Uq That there is fome other
thing to fix on for quirting of confeiences in fuch a
cafe, as to their exoneration beyond that publick de-
cifion i We defire to know what that is which is
called- for, and by what rule we are to proceed in it?
It it be faid, that in fuch a cafe the duty is to fepa-
rate from that Church , where the plurality of Offi-
cers do admit fuch as are accounted to be fcandalous;
Thenweask, I. What is next to be done? it muft
either be to continue as no member of a Church,
which is both impoffible and abfurd. It is impoflible
that there can be any particular vifible baptized
member, and not belong to the vifible body, at leaft,
being confidered, as the Church maketh one integral
vifible body. It's abfurd, becaufc it would fay, That
either Chrift had no vifible Churcbi or,that He hath
an
144 ^ TreAtife concerning Scandal. Part 2V
an ordinary way of edifying by external Ordinances
without His vifible Church , or, that a perfon might
be regardleffe of, and without His Church and Ordi-
nances, and be approven of Him, and expe& che be-
nefit 5 yea, upon this iuppoficion. the unfa ithfulnefle
of Church-officers in not carting -out of fcandalous
men,would infer the aftual unchurching of thofe that
were not fcandalous, and fo the fin of the one fhould
be the punifhment of the other, which is abfurd.
If it be faid that anotherChurch of more pure mem-
bers is to bs gathered, in which perfonsin fuch cafes
are to joyn for obtaining of pure Ordinances ; Thca
we ask further, What if fuch a Congregation cannot
be had ? Then, what is duty in that cafe ? Is there
aneceffity of living without a vifible Church-ftate,
wanting all Church-ordinances to our felves , and
Baptifm to our children ? What can be the fruit of
that ? Is it not a more uncontrovertible hazard to
put our felves without all commnnion of Church-
ordinances > than to enjoy them where they are pure,
chough fome joynt partakers be offenfive ? Is not the
other the way to make our children heathens, and for
ever to be without Bapti(m , feing warrantably they
cannot be entered where we cannot abide ? Doth not
this alfo make way to make all the Ordinances con-
temptible , and to be undervalued by the profane,
feing fuch perfons do fo contentedly live without
them ?
Furtheri we ask, What if other perfons and we
cannot agree upon joynt members; for, if it be left to
mens particular difcerning , that rule is uncertain and
various, being involved in many difficulties, as was
formerly hinted : in that cafe, either there muft be no
feparated Church, ordiverfe feparated Churches, ac-
cording to the latitude of diverfe perfons charity.
This being certain , that one will think a perfon fcan-
dalous, which another doth not efteem fo ; and one
Will approve that, vvhich another will condemn.
Again*
Part 2. ATreatife concerning Scandal.' 145
Again, we ask, What if fuch perfons that with-
draw and feck to enter a more holy fociety, fliould be
refufed? Then, how could they evidence their own
holineffe, and convince thefe refufers that they were *
gracioufly qualified , and (o to be admitted if that
were ftuck upon, for whatever profeflion were made,
it behoved ftill to be tried by no other rule, but by
folks particular difcerning and charity ?
Again, fuppofe this difficulty to be overcome* and
fuch a congregation to be fettled, Is it not poffible that
even fomeof thofe members fliould become fcanda-
lous ? Then, fuppofing that by the plurality of that
Church, fuch perfons were not accounted fcandalous,
or not caft out, what were to be done ? According
to the former grounds > thefe who fuppofe themfelves
only pure , could not continue in communion , but
behoved again to fcparate } and if fo > then upon the
renuing of the former fuppofition, there behoved
ftill to be a feparation in infinitum. For, there can
no Church be expected on earth, in which thefe cafes
are not fuppofable and poflible. And fo now we
may refnme the conclufion , Either a private perfon
muft acquiefce, as being exonered when he hath fol-
lowed the a&ion before the Church, or he fliall have
no ground of peace any where , till he be out of the
world , or out of all vifible Churches. And fo al-
fo there can be no other way of keeping publick
order and ordinances , and of eviting fcandal and
confufion.
This truth is fully made out by thofe three worthy
and pious Divines of New England, Cotton^ Hoo%er>
and Norton : The laft whereof, by many rcafons
evinceth this in his anfwer to dppokniom his laft que-
ftion, pag, 162,163. and doth from the Church of
Corinth in particular confirm this: u There (faith
"he) was impurity or corruption in worftiip, for
c< women taught in the Church ; There was corrupt
'* DoStrinc, many denied the Refurreftion ; in man-
L ftcrs,
146 id Treat if e concerning^ c and al. Part 2 #
u ners , (he was moft corrupt , there being Co many
11 fornications, fe&s, palpable love of the world &c.
" Yet (faith he) the Aprftledid not command thofe
"that were worthily prepa ed to abftainfrom the
"Supper, but, re&ifyingabufcs , he did command
u every one to try hirntelf , and fo to eat & c A nd
many odier things hath he excellently to this purpofe,
and laieth this for a ground , that "per alt s indigne
Ci accedentesnonpolluitur communion licet minuttur confo-
<c lathy that is, the communion in worfhip is not pol-
a luted , though the confolation be dimimfhed by
JJ fuch joynt worfhipper .
The fecond, to wit Mr. Hooker doth confirm this
Maxime fully, parti, chap 9, pag. ti9,i2o* and doth
call it irrationally that the fetoer Jhould ha judges of the
deed of the plurality: and elfwhere, that to admit fepa-
ration in fucb a cafe, V?ere to lay aground for feparatton
in infinitum. Only, we may add thefe two obfervati-
ons thereon , c. May not this be allowed to the
Presbyteriall Church where the plurality of Church-
officers think fit not to caft out ? 2« That the Pref-
bytcriall government is upon this confederation, un*?
jufily loaded with an abfurdity, as if neceflfarily up-
on their grounds , the minor and better party being
overfwayed ( fuppofe a particular Congregation
were wronged by rhe plurality of a Presbycerie)
could have no redreffc ; for>according to his grounds
the fame would follow upon the congregationall
way ? for, iuppofe the plurality of the Congregati-
on lhou Id wron?forae officer, contrary to the vote
of the minor and better party , there can be no other
redrefle there , than for men to keep themfclves free :
For, it ftill recurreth, if the minor part (hould claim
to have their Sentence weighty, becaule it is upon the
matter righr, which the other is not, he hath already
determined in the place cited , that that is , contrary
to all orderly proceeding and rules of reafon and
layech open the gap to endleffc diflention , and the
dif-
Part 2^ A Treatife concerning Scandal; 1 47
annulling of all publick proceeding ; for , men in
fuch cafes, being their own judges, are ever ready to
think themfelves in the right.
Bythefirft, to wit, Mr. Cotton, it il laid down as
an iftiqueftionable agreed ground, with this note up-
on the back of it , $y bajly withdrawing, '\eformatiun
is net procured but retarded. Thus he, pag. 2. of the
bolinefe of Cburcb-members. And hath not expe-
rience confirmed this ? Might not Difcipline have
been more vigorous in many Congregations , if this
had not been ? And what can be expc&ed of Refor-
mation in the body of the Chriftian world, if to the
offence of the reft , thofe who fuppofe themfelves to
be more tender y fhould inftantly withdraw from
them.
CHAP. XIV.
Clearing whether the Ordinances of Chrift be
any Way polluted By corrupt fellow-wor flippers*
BUt yet two things are to be fatisfied. r. Itmay
be fajd , But are not the Ordinances of Chrift
fomeway polluted by the un worth inefle of fuch
fcandalous partakers ? and if fo, can polluted Ordi-
nances be partaken of,without fin ? dnfih We may
confider polluting of Ordinances in a threefold fenfe.
%4 An Ordinance may be faid to be polluted, when
the effentials and fubftantials thereof are corrupted,
fo as indeed ic ceafeth to be an Ordinance of Jcfus
Chrift : Thus the Maffe in Popery, is a fearfull abo-
mination, and a corruption of the Sacrament: in
this refpeft , the Ordinance ( if it may be called an
Ordinance after that, for indeed it is not an Ordi-
nance of Chrift) is polluted , and this may be many
waves fallen into , and communion in this, is indeed
finfull and cannot but be fo.
2* An Ordinance may be faid to be poIlutcd>vvhca
L % ic
■P
1 48 A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 2."
it is irreverently and profanely abufed, though effeft-
tials be keeped : Thus the Lords Sabbath may be
polluted , which yet is holy initfelf; So was the
Table of the Lord polluted, Mai. 1 . And in this fenfe
the Sacrament of the Lords Supper was indeed pollu-
ted by the C 9r ^ nt ^ an5 > lCor * l * .when fome came drunk
or otherwayes irreverently to the holy Ordinances;
in this refpeft, an Ordinance may be faid to be pol-
luted to him that fo goeth about it, becaufe to the un-
clean all things are unclean ; but it is not polluted in
itfelf> nor to any other that examine themfelves , as
the former inftance doth clear > becaufe that polluti-
on cometh from nothing in the Ordinance, ( it being
in its effentials compleat) but doth arife from the fin-
fulneffe of fuch and fuch perfons , and therefore muft
be commenfurable with them.
3. An Ordinance may be faid to be polluted , up-
on this extrinfick confederation , to wit > when by
fome circumttance in it, or mifcarriageof thofethac
are about it, it is made common- like , and fo want-
eth that lufter and honour ableneffe that it ought to
have; by fuch a fault the Ordinance is made obnoxi-
ous to 'contempt , and is defpifed by others* contrary
to the Lords allowance. Thus the Pricfts of old
made the offerings of the Lord vile and contemp-
tible , which was not by corrupting them in effenti-
als, nor making them ceafe to be Ordinances* but
by their mifcarriages and corrupt irreverent way of
going about them, they did lay that (tumbling- block
before others , to make them account thefe Ordi-
nances contemptible. This may be diverfe wayes
fallen into, As, t* when the Officer,or Miniftcr,hath
a profane carnall carriage , So he makcth the Ordi-
nance of the Miniftery , and every other Ordinance
vile in this fenfe: Thus, if an Elder or any others
fhould take on them to admonifti while they arc in
drunkenneffe or paffion , or fuch like , they do pol-
lute that admonition , yet ftill thefe Ordinances are
Ordi-
Part 2 • A Treat ife concerning Scandal. * 49
Ordinances, and that admonition an admonition,
2. It is fallen into, when an Officer doth indifcreetly
and indifferently adminiftrate Ordinances to preci-
ous and vile, as if they were common things. Thus
a reproof may be polluted when a manifeft known
contemner is reproved , becaufc > fo a pearl is caften
before fwine, which is derogatory to the excellency
thereof. Thus a Miniftcr may profane or pollute
the mod excellent promifes or confolations of the
Word, when he doth without difcretion apply the
fame indifferently; or, without making difference
between the tender and the untender and profane ;
yea , even between the hypocrites and the truely god-
ly. This is not to divide the Word of God aright,
and is indeed that which the Lord mainly account-
ed to be Not feparating o) the preciom from the Vile,
when peace is fpoken to them to whom he never fpoke
it. This isalfo committed, when grofly fcandalous
perfons are permitted, without the exercife of D'Sci-
pline upon them, to live in the Church, or are admit-
ted to Sacraments , becaufe fo Gods inftitution is
wronged, and the lufter thereof is leffened „ and men
are induced to think lefle thereof. 3* This may be
alfo by the irreverent manner of going about them,
when ic is without that due reverence and gravity 1
that ou^ht to be in His worfhip. Thus one may make
the Word and Sacrament to be in a great part ridi-
culous; and fofuppofe, that at the Sacrament of the
Supper, in the fame Congregation , fomefhould be
communicating at one place, fome at another, fomc
(hould be palpably talking of other things , fome
mifcarrying.by drunkenneffe, &c as its clear was in
the Church of Corinth, AH thofe may befaid to
pollute the Ordinances , as they derogate from their
weight and authority , and mifcarry in the admini-
ftration of them > and are ready to breed irreverence
and contempt in others where the Lords Body in the
Supper j or the end of His inftkntion in other Ordi-
L 3 nances.
l jo ATreatife concerning Scandal.' Part 2*
nances,isnotdifcerned v andobferved : yetallthefe do
not pollute the Ordinance in it fclf > or make it to be
no Ordinance , nor do pollute it to any that doth re-
verently partake of the fame, and doth not ftumble
upon the block that is laid before him : Becaufe an
hearer that were fuitably qualified, might comfort-
ably receive and feed upon a fweet promife, even
when it might be extended in its application beyond
the Lord's allowance 5 yet doth not that alter the na-
ture thereof to him : So may worthy Communicants
that have examined them(elves> and do difcern the
Lord's Body, partake of that Sacrament with His ap-
probation, and to their own comfort ; Becaufe they
might difcern Him and by that come to get the right
impreffion of the Ordinances, although many blocks
were lying in their way : for, it is not others cafting
of fnares before them , but their ftumbling at them,
that doth pollute the Ordinance to them. Hence we
fee, that though all thefe were in the Church of Co~
rintb, fo that there was neither reverence in the man-
ner, nor difcretion in refpeft of the Receivers (for/
fomecame drunken, and fome came and waited not
on others, fome came hungry? and others full) yet
was it ftill the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and
unpolluted to thofe , who by examining of themfelves,
and difcerning of His Body ( which others failed in)
did reverently and duly partake of the fame.
Befides thefe wayes of pollution mentioned , we
cannot conceive of any other (for now legal and ce-
remonial pollution , (uch as was by touching a dead
body, &c. and was oppofic to ceremonial holinefle,
is not ia this cafe to be mentioned ) yet we fee the firft
cannot be alleaged here, and none of the other two
ought to fcare tender perfons from the Ordinances of
JefusChrift.
If it befaid. That communicating in fuchacafe*
doth fecm to approve fuch an admiffion > and to con-
firm thofe in fome good opinion of themfclvcs who
are
Part 2 . A Treat if e concerning Scandal.
are admitted, and fo there is a neceffity of abftain-
ing , though not upon the account, that the Ordinan-
ce! are polluted , yet, for preventing the forefaid of-
fence* which might make us guilty. Jnf. If weight
be-Jaid upon offence, we make no queftion but it will
fway to the other fide. O what offence hath this way
given to the Church of Chrift ! how hath it hardned
thofe that had prejudice at Religion? How hath it
opened the mouths of fuch as lie in wait for fome-
thing of this kind ? How hath it grieved and weight-
ed others ? how hath it made the work of Reforma-
tion , profeflion of Holineffe > exercife of Difci-
plinei &c« to ftink to many , and fo to be loaded
with reproaches , as hath marred much that acceffe
to keep the Ordinances unpolluted in the former rc-
fpeft, which otherwife might have been ? 2. Is not
reverent and exemplary partaking of the Ordinances
at fuch a time* a more edifying and convincing tefti-
mony againtt fuch untendernerfet than by withdraw-
ing to give a new offence ? 3. The Lord's precept in
fuch a cafe, Let a man examine bimfilf, and fo let him
ett , dorh not leave the thing indifferent upon that
ground ; And therefore that objeftion is not here
to hive place* as the grounds formerly laid down do
evince; For. we are not to be wife or holy beyond
what the Lord hach commanded.
CHAP. XV.
Shewing if any thing further in any imaginable
cafe be allowed to ftivat Chriftians.
2. IT may be yet further moved , Can there be no
more allowed in any fuppofable cafe ? Anfo m
-* It is mod unfuitable, in a matter of pra6tice>
when folks are not contending for cur iofity, but for.
direction, toluppofe cafes hardly or rarely pofTible
in a con(*itutcChurch,which is worthy of that name,
or> upon that ground,to found a conteft in difpute, or
L 4 fchifm
i J 2 tA Treatife concerning Scandal \ Part "i."
fchifm in pra&ice, in cafes palpably different \ Ac
leaftjUhion (hould be kept till fuch a cafe come about.
And is it likely , where the order formerly laid down
isobferved, that there can be habitual admiflion of
notorioufly or grievoufly fcandalous perfons, though,
it may be,there be leffer failings of feveral forts : Yet,
fuppofing that any, out of infirmity or affe&ion, not
having fuch knowledge, or otherwife, (hould ftick to
joyn in the Ordinances at fome times, or_ in fome
places, upon fuch an account > who yet do not love
feparation , or the ere&ing of a different Church,
We fay further,
l« That, in fuch a cafe, fuch perfons may remove
from one Congregation to another, where fuch grof-
neffe cannot be pretended to be; and the perfons being
otherwife without fcandal, can neither be prefled to
continue (they being fo burdened) nor yet refufed'
to be admitted where orderly they (hall defire to joyn,
feing this could not be denied to any. And, we fup-
pofc, few will be (o uncharitable, as to think there is
no Congregation whereunto they can joyn, or yet fo
addi&ed'to outward refpecfcs, as to choofe feparation
with offence to others,difturbance to theChurch,and,
it may be,with little quietneffc to themfelves, whenas
they have a remedy fo inoffenfive allowed unto them.
2. Although feparation be never allowable , and
feceffion be not alway at an inftant prafticable; yet
we fuppofe, in fome cafes, fimple abftinence, if it be
notoffenfive in the manner and circumftances , if it
be not made cuftomary » and if the ground be fo con-
vincing , and the cafe fo groffe that it will affe<St any
ingenuous hearer , and fo evident that there is no ac-
cefle to any acquainted in fuch places, to deny the
fame* or that there be a prclent undecided procefle
concerning fuch things before a competent Judge ; in
fome fuch cafes, I fay, as might be fuppofed, we con-
ceive abftinence were not rigidly to be mifconftruft-
cd, it being for the time the burdcen of fuch perfons,
that
Part £ A Treat tj e concerning Scand al 15 5
that they cannot joyn ; and, it may be, having fome
publick complaint of fuch a thing to make-out, and
in dependence elfewhere : Although we will not
ftrengthen any to follow this way, nor can it be pre-
tended to, where the cafe is not Angularly horrid ; yet
fuppofing it to be fuch we conceive it is the fafeft one
way for the perfons peace , and the preventing of of-
fence together ; yet, much chriftian prudence is to be
exercifed in the conveying of the fame , if it were by
removing for a time, or otherwayes, that there appear
to be no publick contempt ; but we conceive this cafe
is fo rarely incident, and poflibly that there needcth
be little faid of it > much leffe Qiould there be any
needlcffe debate or rent entertained upon the confede-
ration or notion thereof And certainly,the cafe be-
fore us of the admitting of the Nicolaitans and Jf-
%ebel y considering their do&rine and deeds, is more
horrid than readily can be fuppofed; and yet it would
feem, that though this defeat (hould ftill have conti-
nued, the Lord doth require no other thing of private
profeffours, but their continuing- in> or holding faft
of, their former perfonal purity , which is all the bur-
den that He doth lay upon them.
To (hut up all, we may fee what evils are to be
cvitcd in the profecution of publick Scandals, and
what a commendable thing it were to have this in
the right manner vigorous; if private Chriftians were
zealous, loving and prudent in their private admoni-
tions; if Officers were diligent, fingle, grave, and
weighty in what concerneth them ; if offending per-
fons were humble and fubmiflive > and all reverent
and refpe&ive of the Ordinances , and ftudious of
priVate and publick edification , How beautiful and
profitable a thing would it be ? Certainly this man-
ner of procedure, would be more beautifying to the
Ordinances of Chrift , more convincing to all on-
lookers, more fweet and eafie both to Officers and
People, and more edifying and gaining to all f and, by
God*
1 J4 c/fTreatife concerning Scandai^ Part 3.
God's bit (Ting 1 w£re the way to make the miftaken
yoke of Difcipline to be accounted eafie and light-
And if all thofe ends bedefirable, and the contrary
evils be to be efchewed, then unqueftionably the right
manner of mannaging this great Ordinance of Dif-
cipline, is carefully to be ftudied and followed both
by Officers and people.
PART II L
Concerning DtcZrinafi Scandals , or Scan-
dalous Errours.
CHAP. I.
Holding out the expediency of handling this
matter*
ALthough fomewhat hath been fpoken in re-
ference to pra&icall Scandals, (to call them
fo ) Yet there hath been little or nothing ac
all fpoken ot Do&rinal Scandals , and what
may be called for in reference to them.
It is true > that thefe cafes are fo various and diffi-
cult, that there can hardly be any thing particularly
fpoken to them ; alfo what hath been faid , may, for
the moft part,proportionably be applied to them: yet
confidering that this place doth look lb direftly to
fuch Scandals as are inDo&rine ; and that the ca(e
of theft times doth call for fome confederation of fuch,
lit what hath been formerly faid , be altogether de-
fective as to this, it will not be impertinent to infift
a litde on k a=:o, although already this Traftate hath
drawn to a. greater length than was at firft intended.
We imv in profecution of this , I. confider fome
generall Do&riqest 2. Some generall Queftions.
3. More
Part 3* tATrtAtift concerning Scandal. 155
3. More particularly fpeak to the feverall duties ac-
cording to particular cafes and remedies that are
called for. 4. Shew the neccflficy of orderly Judicial
procedour here, in reference to fuch Scandals , as well
as in reference to Scandals in practice formerly men-
tioned.
For Do&rines, we find here. 1. ThatErrour,
vented by thefe that are corrupted therewith 3 is no lefl'e
fcandalous , and no leffe to be accounted fo \ than
grofle praftices \ for it is as ready to be an occafion of
ftumbling, and to marr the fpirituall edification and
well-being of the people of God, as any fcandalous
practices : Which is confirmed, 1. By the confe-
quents of Errour , it deftroyes the foul , 2 Vet* 2. r.
iTbe/f, 2. 12. yea, it bringeth on fwift damnation,
2'Pet* 2.1. overthrows the faith of many. 2 Tim. 2a 8.
perverts the Scripture to mens deftruftion, 2^.3.16.
deceives many , Mattb. 24, Therefore for this caufe,
it is called alfo , 2. fet. 2. damnable, pernicious , and
fuch like : which fheweth, that really it becomes a
ftumbling block where it is.
2. This will appear if we confider the titles that
the holy Ghoft ufually giveth to fuch in Scripture, as
are promotters of corrupt Dotfrme: there are not
titles bearing greater indignation and abomination,
given to any, than to fuch , as they are called <% f ,
evil Workers , Phil. 3. 2. Wohes y yea, grievous Wolves,
Matth. 7. 1 5. Aft. 20. deceitfull Workers , mini/lets of
Satan,zs ifexprefly they were commiflionated by him,
2 Cor. 1 1. 1?. deceivers, liars. Rev. 2. ill men and fe-
ducers y that Wax Worfe and Worfe, 2 Tim. 3, 1 3 #
3. Confider the many threamings and woes that
are in Scripture againft them , Mattb. 23. the many
wartimes that are given to Minifters to watch againtt
them. Acts 20. the plain dirc&ions that are to cen«
furethem,Ttf. 3. 10. the particular examples of ccn-
furing them recorded in Scripturei (as after wiilap-
pear ) Chrifts commending it where it is, His repro-
ving
i}6 A Treatife concerning Scandal; Part 3;
ving of it where it is not , as m thefe fecond and
third Chapters of the Relation is manifeft : thefe and
fuch like , do evidently make out how exceedingly
fcandalous the venting of corrupt Doftrine is, which
2(<?v # i. 6. the Lord faith, He hates , and therefore ic
cannot but be loathfome and abominable.
4. Confider the many warnings that people have
co efchew fuch , and that upon this account as being
offenfive , as %». i<5, 17. Aft. 20, 5PM/. 3.1,2. 2. J oh.
10. which evidently fhoweth the fcandaloufneffe
thereof.
y. Gonfider the nature of Errour more particu-
larly. 1 ♦ It is contrary to the truth of God > and
therefore is a lie? as fcandalous pra&ices are contrary
to theholineffcof God : now Gods truth and vera-
city is no leffe an effentiall attribute than His holinefs.
2. This is not only to lie , but it is to attribute that
unto the moft High,by fathering thefe lies upon Him ;
and faying, thus faith the Lord , when He hath faid
no fuch thing but the contrary* 3. It teacheth others
to lie , as it is , Matth. 5. 19. and that more forcibly
and impudently than any pra&ice can do. 4. It hath
its original from the devil, who was a liar from the
beginning , and the father thereof, Job. 8. 44. And
fpreadersof corrupt Doftrine, have fpecial influence
on the upholding and fpreading of his kingdom.
5. It is a fruit of the flefh , even as murther, adul-
tery, witchcraft ; and feing it is (6 ranked by the
A pottle. Gal. 5.19, 20. can it be but fcandalous ?
6. The effe&s of it will evidence this. 1. It fpoil-
cth the vines, Cant.2.x$. for, there is a wronging of
purity where it is. 2. It fpoileth Government and
order, it hath confufion with it. 3. It fpoileth 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 efchewed but by harmony in
evil»which is far more defperate. 4. Which follow-
ed on all , it deftroyeth fouls ; and infedeth more
fpcedily,
part 3 . A Treatife concerning Scandal, 157
fpeedily, dangeroufly and (preadingly than other
prafticall Scandals 3 never hath the Church been (o
defaced , nor fo many fouls defiroyed by any fcanda-
lous practice , as by the venting of corrupt Do&rine;
and however we take fcandal, as in the general was
laid down, as that which is apt to flumble others,
and occafion their fall , or to weaken the confidence
and jumble the peace> and difquiet the minds of fome,
or as it grieves the hearts of others, on as it maketh
the wayes of God to be ill fpoken of, it will be ftill
found, that fuchkind of errours, are ftill to be ac-
counted fcandalous ; and that nothing opens mouths
more againft Religion than that, See 2 Ptf . 2. 2. By
all which it appeareth , that groffe errour is not only
a fin , but a fcandalous fin, and that of a moft groffe
nature*
CHAP. II.
Concerning the threading of SrroHr ; Cjods dif-
flea fur c at the {uffertng thereof, and the faint*
ing even of good men in refiraining the [ame*
BEfidethis, there are three things confiderable f
which from this and other Epiftles we have oc-
cafion to obferve and enquire a little into, before
we propound any particular queftion.
The firft, is, concerning the (preading and increafe
of Errour , and that of the moft unreafonable and
abfurd Errours , even in the Primitive times. The
(econd is, ancnt the Lords detefting of it, fo that the
very fuffering of the fpreaders of it, is hatefull to Him
in His Angels and Churches, thatotherwiic are ap-
provable for their own particular carriages , as in
Pergamos ; and their not induring thereof is com-
mendable , even when their own inward condition
is not altogether approvable, as may be fcen in Epbe~
fa. The third is > how that fomctirnes there may be
fainting
xj8 A Trtatife concerning Scandal. Part j.
fainting, as to zealous reftraining of Errour , even in
mentbatarenotthe worft.
JFbMt height For the fitft,Can it but be thought ftrange that de-
delufious o/lufion (hould com r to this height fo foon : and it may
tbh \ini make all to tremble at the impetuoufnefs thereof, I . It
may come \ s a mo ft f ou i abfurd errour , this of the Nicolaitans,
unto. evetl a g a i n ft natures light. 2.1t fpreadeth and encreaf-
cth in feverall perfons and Churches : and Church-
flory doth (how that it abounded , and no leffe is in-
finuated in thefe Epiftles* 3. That it fpreadeth not
only among heathens , but in the Church , and
among Cbrijls Servants , who are feduced therewith ;
which fheweth, that even fome of note were carried
away with it* 4. This is in the Churches moft pure
times, fome of the Apoftles (at leaft John) being yet
alive when this was vented. $. It is catried-on by
defpicable inftruments in comparifon of others , a
woman calling her felf a propheteffe , fome fellows
calling themfelves Apoftles and new lights, that men
would think , (hould rather have been counted di-
I ftra8ed>than to have been fo reverenced • 6. This is
done againft the teftimony of their own faithful Mi-
nifters,and in fuch Churches where God had witnef-
fes keeping themfelves from that evil,yea, where ma-
ny Profeflors were in that refpeft pure, yet others are
following that errour,receiving and reverencing thefe
feducers more than any faithfull Paftors. J. This
is done where there neither wanted light nor authori-
ty to convince them ; for, no queftion, both were, as
may be gathered from the trial of thefe in Ephefm;
yea, John writcth from the Lords own mouth to con-
fute them ; and though there could be no exception
againft the application of his Do&rine > yet it was
adhered to for many years after that. 8. John or
fome other Apoftle was the inftrument to convert
them from Paganifm to Chriftianity, yet, now can
he not recover them from a foul errour in Chriftiani-
ty when they are bewitched therewith 1 and though
no
.
Par t 3 • *d Treat* fe concemhg Scandal, 159
no qur ftion his authority and arguments had kfle
weight with them now than before they wereChi jfti-
ans ; yet what can be thought of more force for
their convirtion and reclaiming, than thefe conside-
rations? The like was often TW'j cafe, whoatfirft
had an eafie work with people, when they were hea-
thens, in companion of what he had with the fame
when they became Chnftians, and tainted with falfe
doftrine, or lifleners to corrupt teachers, as in the
Epiftles to the Cmnthiam and Galattans is clear.
Which d<xh fhew, i.The unreafonablnefle and power
of a deluding Spirit, that nothing can convince,
when once people come to like that wav they go
on , deceiving and being deceived, and>as Tettr iaith,
2Tet. 3. 16- pervert the Scripture to their own de-
ftruc5t:on ; And as may be gathered , they do fo by;
corrupting, firft, that which doth appear to be more
oblcure , and then they mould other Scriptures fo as
may confift with their fancies , that they have con-
ceived to have ground in the former,and fo they> firft,
form notions out ofobfeure places, and thereafter
conform the more plain Scriptures to thefe , whereas
the juft contrary is moft fafe ; and when the ignorant
and unftablefhall account themfelves the only learn-
ed in the myfteries of God , what wonder is it that
they be thus given up ? and when they think the
plain truths, and duties wherein there is no fhaddow
of a ground of Rumbling, are below them ? and thus
they may attain fo much dexterity to wreft the Scrip-
ture?, even the plaineft (as is implied there) as may
be judicially fubfervient to their own deftruftion,
and to prevent their being convinced, which might
put them to (hame ; and occafion their abandoning
of that. 2. Wo may fee, that it is no eafie thing to
recover a miflcrd people inco errour; that peraaVcnture,
2?w*. 2. 25. is not accidently pur in, buttofhow
that it is a hundred to one if fuch get repentance,
whereby the Lord would (care all from that evil, and
the
I <5o A Treatife concerning Scandal. Pare 5 J
the more groffe their error is , often men are the more
unreasonable in the defence thereof, and obftinate in
adhering thereunto , becaufe there is moft of a judi-
ciall ftroak fcen there , in giving up men to fuch fool-
ries , it is not credible that otherwife they could fall
in them, and fo being fmitten of God , is it poffible
. that any reafon can prevail with them , while that
plague lieth on ? Was there any errour like to that
of worfhipping flocks and ftones ? it being even
againft fenfe and reafon > that men (hould burn a
part thereof , and make feme common work of ano-
ther portion > and of a third make a deity and fall
downwind worffiip it, as the Prophet doth expoftu-
late , Ifa. 44. 19- which upon confederation might
befoundtobeabfurd: this is premitted as the reafon
of fuch blockiftweffe , ver.18. For be bath float tbeir
eyes that they cannot fee, and tbeir hearts that they cannot
underfiand. 3. The unreafonablneffe of this Spirit in
men, would not be thought ftrange in any of the for-
mer refpefts,even although no perfon could flop their
mouth,but they (hould feem to themfelves to triumph
in the bringing-iri of unheard-of fenfes of Scripture ;
the more they abound in that, it is the more judicial
to them, even as the moe they carry after them, and
the more they be forborn by others, it worketh the
more to their deftruftion: men would keep a diftance
from thefe infections , none can tell what they may
turn unto if once entred in a giddy unftable foul, car-
ried with the fpait of a fpirit of errour > and being
given-upof God thereto for itching after it, and not
receiving the love of the truth, may come to the moft
horrible things , and that without fhame or remorfe,
ere there be any end; and on-lookers would acknow-
Tbefuffring l cc te e God's juftice in fuch ftroaks, and learn tore-
•/ gro/ er- verence and fear him the more*
ror is a moft The fecond cannot but be clear from this : for, if
diff leafing errour be fuch an evil that thwarteth , 1. both with
thing to Gods holinefle and truth j And, 2. that hazardeth fo
Cbrijt. many
Part 3 » A Treatife concerning Scandal. i6i
many fouls, ( for. never a plague hath fo deftroyed
the face of the vifible Church , nor carried fo ma-
ny fouls to hell as errour hath done ) Then the dif-
fering of it cannot but behatefull co Him who loveth
His Church. }. There is no way bv which the devil
reproacheth Ordinances and the Word more than
this, by turning them to the quite contrary end , as*
if he would out- (hoot the Lord in His own bow,
(which is abominable to mention ) and invert His
own means* and turn His own weapons on Him j
and fufferingof this, is a conniving at his defign.
4- There is no way by which the devil may fo win in
onChrift's Servants to feduce them as by this > as
in the Epiftle to Tbyatira isclear. And can there dan-
ger come fo nigh to Chrift, and He not be difpleafed
with what ftrengtheneth their fnares ? 5. This doth
equal, yea, in forne refpeft, prefer the devil to Him, fo
far as in us lieth, and fo cannot but provoke His jea-
loufie;for,fo the devil hath liberty to vent his lies with
Truth equally ; and there being many lies > though
there be but one Truth , he hath bythis mpe doors
opened to him than the Gofpei hath. 6. this doth
mike even the Truth. Ordinances, and Religion it
felf to bethought liehtof} when all thefe have tole-
ration, it is, on the matter, a proclaiming an indiffe-
rencyto be in thefe things , than which nothing can
more reflcft on the jealous God , who in His Word
putteth fuch a difference , and fhoweth fuch detefta-
tion at indifferency. 7. This bringeth hudgc confu-
fions on the Church. For, 1. If thefe errours and .
corrupt teachers prevail, they carry fouls after them,
and deftroy them ; and ought that to be thought light
of? 2, If they prevail not, yet they erode, afflidt and
offend them, and fo prove a fnare and burden to them
of whom the Lord is tender. 8. Toleration doth
either account little of errour* as being no hurtfull
thing, and fo there can be no cfteem of truth ; or, it
doth account little of the. deftrudion of foub: both
M which
-
102 tATreattfe concerning Sc an D a L. Part?.
which muft be abominable* 9. Errour doth not only
break God's Law,but doth teach others to do (o ; and
fuffcring thereof, muft be a maintaining of Teachers
to teach Tranfgreflion and Rebellion againft the
Lord.
* Sometimes The third thing obfervable, is, That though zeal in
tbo{e who aMinifter, efpecially againft errour, be exceedingly
want notaf- commendable > yet oftimes is there fainting, eyen
fcftion , ate amon g Miniftets who are not of the woift : and the
JJ tm €on ~ Angel is here reproved for fparing of thefe ^tcolau
totrrontou$ tm ' al lea ** m being fainc and defe( ^ iv . e in P u rfu-
Teacbers: m & ^em * n a m i n ifterial way, as JntipM is com-
ani wbj ? men ded for his faithfulneffe , and the Angel of Epbe-
fit* for his not fainting in profecuting of this trial; the
Lord hath put thefe two together , the faithfull and
wife Steward j and when they are carried equally
on, O how commendable are they ! yet in the recko-
ningjthe one is but mentioned, Well done thou good and
Jaithfullfer\>ant, not to give a difpenfation in reference
to the other , but to (hew the neceffity and excellency
of this, that thereby Miniftersmay be put to it, left,
under pretext of prudence, theyincroach upon that
freedom and faithfulneffe which is called-for from
them, whether in undertaking, or in profecuting of
this charge, in which there will not want many dif-
ficulties , that will be ready to occafion fainting > if
they be not boldly in the Lord's ftrength fet againft,
as we may inftance in thefe refpe&s » I. In refpeft ot"
the time : there are fome evil times,wherein it is hard
to know what to fay , for which the prudent may be
faid to keep filence > and often that pretext may be the
occafion of foftering too much fainting , when the
Lord calleth-for faithfulneffe. 2. It may arifefroin
a man's fenfiblenefle of his own infirmities and un-
equalneffe for that charge, as feems to be in Jeremiah^
Jer. i, when a mans own felf, or thoughts of himfelf,
without refpeft to his call, is made the rule whereby
he proceeded^ 3. It may arife from the meffage
which
Part 3 . A Treatlfc concerning Scandal* itfj
which he is called to carry : fharp meflages are heavy
and burdenfom, that maketh Jon<tt cofhift for a time
to undertake that denunciation againft NtniVeb, elpe-
cially confidcring thatthefe Mcffcngers ordinarily are
not acceptable to hearers ; and that there are withall
ulually not a few whofew pillows under arpi- holes ;
and are ready to deftroy, in that refpedt, what others
build. 4. It may arife from hearers, and that of di-
vert tempers; fome are readyjike fwine» to turn back
on the Carriers, as if they did hate them , as Micajah
was met with by Mab> tlQng. 22. who yet had
four hundred flittering liars in requeft. Some, again,
are of an itching humour » and do not abide con-
vincing doftrine and faithfulneffe, fuch are ready to
breed a feparation from them that do faithfully re-
prove , at leaft much to cool their affeftions to them,
which ( as it is, 2 Tim. 4.) is no little piece of trial
to a Minifter : Many alfo that are affe&ionate, are
ycthafty, and cannot abide plain dealing ; and it is *
no leffe difficulty to win to be faithful! to thefe, than
to others who arc openly prophane. $♦ There is a
fainting that arifeth fromdiftruft of God > as not be-
ing confident of the performance of His proraife, and
of their being countenanced in His work; and fo
feeing it impoffible in rhemfelvcs and in their own
eyes, they give it over as if it were fo (imply. (5. There
is a fainting that arifeth from fuppofed events, cither
as thinking there will'be no fruit of fuch a thing , or fi
that fome inconvenience will follow it |Jt is like that
Mofes was nor free of thefirfh when n# faiths Ifrati
doth W0*,or, vviil not bear me ; dnd^bat toillTbaraobdo?
And the laft is common when once flefh and bloud
are admitted to confult of duty from the fuppofed in-
conveniencies that will follow* then readily itdeci-
dethi that it is not duty at all. It may be fomewhac
of that was here > that the Angel feared the difqu feting
of the Church > or fome fchifm that might follow on
it j and the Lord's threatning to take another way of
M a fighting
!
A Tjreatife concerning Scandal Part 3 •
fighting againft them with the %ord of His mouth'
doth infinuate this : for, a carn^U (hift, to prevent
fome inconveniences, often drawe&-on that which
men feared, the more fpeedily. Other grounds of it
alfo may be given, which yet are nofc^provable be-
fore God. if
CHAP. III.
If any of the TeopleofGod may be carried away
)ft>itbgrojfe delufions*
^Rom thefe Dodtrines feveral Queftions may be
moved. And, 1. If any of the People of God
may be carried away with fuch abominable er-
rours in do&rine ? Wefliallanfwer in thefe Affer-
tions.
It Is not Jtjfcrt* t. There is no errour fo grofle materially,
fmply im~ but Believers may fall into it : For, although they
fojjiblebut^ haveapromife that errour (hall not feparate wholly
fome may, in betwixt Chrift and them, nor that finally they (hall
a great mea* be carried away therewith ; ffet, feing they have cor-
fure>1or d ruption that is capable to be tempted to all fin, and
rTda C&f " ^° t0 c ^ s amoh § ot ^ er ^ ns > thzy cannot be exempted
tm kv /. f t ^ m c ^ j s ne i t her is there any promife by which they
can expeft abfolutely to be kept from herefie, more
than murder or adultery, which are fruits of the fiefh
with this : yea, except the fin againft the holy Ghoft
and final impenitencie, there is no abfolute exemption
to the Believrf from any fin ; which the Lord hath
wifely ordered fo, to keep the Believer from fecurity,
even in reference to fuch tentations : Befide, in expe-
rience it is found j that grace exempteth not from error
in judgment ; for, it is like, that Solomon, if he did not
aftually commit idolatry hitpfelf > yet became too
inclinable that way , as we may gather from what
is in Scripture recorded concerning him ; Neither can
we altogether, as to their ftate, condemn thefe in Co-
rinth,
Part 3 1 A Treatife concerning S can da l. *<>5
rintb y in Galatia, and in other Churches, who were
drawn from the Truth after their converfion , as if
none but unregenerate profeffors had been fo. Yea, it
ispoflible, if not , probable, that fome of thefe, whom
the Lord calleth "His Servants, and yet were feduced
in the Church ofTbyatira, were not ftill in theftate
of nature.
Jffert.i. Although we dare not altogether fay it's Ttf not ft
impofliblc , yet we think that it is more rare for a Be- cAjilyM un-
lievcrtofall in groffe errours, and for any confide- x ^ r f e * ra '
rable time to continue therein, fo as to be accounted v//; '
an Heretick, than in other fcandalous pra&ices. For,
I. The Scripture doth more rarely mention tbis, than
other fins of Believers, which are more frequently re-
corded* 2. There are very fpecial prcmifes forpre-
ferving of the Ele6t from being feduced by falfe chrifls
and falfe teachers : and though it do not hold univer-
fally in all particulars, except in as far as reaches their
everlafting (late ; yet it may be extended in fome good
meafure, even to fedu&ion it felf; and we fuppofe
may be more clear from thefe confederations , I. Be-
coming erroneous in fuch a manner, doth not proceed
from fome fudden furprifing-fit of tentation, as groffe
practices oftentimes may do; but it implieth a deli-
berateneffe therein, which is not fo readily incident
to a Believer , and it cannot fo well be called a fin of
infirmity ; and therefore the Scripture doth ever fee
out fuch teachers of falfe do&rine as moft abomi-
nable, to wit,as notferVmg the Lord Cbriftfiut their oton
bellies&om. 16.18.as being enemies to the crojje efCbriff,
Phil* ?. 19. as being minifters of Satan, 2 Cor. 11.15.
Other men (as it were) that are unrcnewed,are com-
mon fubje&s and fervants to the devil • but corrupt
teachers they are apoftles to him, and prime officers in
his kingdom : Thefe titles,and fuch like, cannot well
be applicable to Saints in refpe& of their infirmities ;
and therefore, we think, that (at leaft) it is more rare-
ly incident to them , to be carriers on and promoters
M3 of
J 66 tsf Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 3*
of corrupt do&rine. 2. It appearcth from this, that
an Heretick is (aid to be (elf- condemned, Ttt. 3. ro.
becaufe ere one can be fo denominated* there muft be
a reje&ing of admonitions, which ftands not fo very
well with the natareof a Saint* 3. This confede-
ration will alfo make it evident, that the Scripture
fpeaketh of repentance of, and recovery from corrupt
do&rine* as a very rare and uncertain thing 1 Gal.
4* 10 the Apoftle fears he did beftow labour in vain
in this bufineffe ; and 2 Tim. 2. 25. the Apoftle doth
put z per adventure upon this, If per adventure God "bill
gtVe them (to wit, thofe that oppofe themfeves) repen-
tance unt$ the acfyotoledging of the Truth. There is not
fuch a per adventure put to any kind of fin : which
fheweth that it muft be more difficult to be recovered
from it, than from other fins; and that therefore Be-
lievers, ordinarily at leaft, niuft be in a fpecial man-
ner preferved from it. 4. Which doth confirm the
former , This delufion is a main fpiritual plague ;
and is often the punifhraent not of former fins of
infirmity, but of not receiving the love of the Truth,
and of hypocrifie and proud preemption ; and al-
though the Lord is not to be limited and bound up
from chaftening His own with this rod , yet we may
fay from experience in the Word, and from the na-
ture of the plague, and other grounds, It is neither
the ordinary fpot nor rod of His Children ; and if at
any time it be, it doth fpeakout readily much fpiri-
tuall pride > felf feeking, lightnefle* fecurity, wan-
tonneffeof fpirit, ignorance and conceitedneffe joyned
with it>want of exercife,or fomeone thing or other of
w , that kind. And, as we hinted, when they are ovcr-
bel \ mfli £a ^ en> we wi 'l noc rcac ^Y find * n Scripture that fuch
tniucb evils arc heads to promote and carry on the defign of error.
uftudly the ^Jft rt 'l* When a Believer falleth in fuch an evil,the
Lord Hnuu ^°rd ufually chafteneth him, either with more grofle
larly cbaftc* out-breakingsi or with fomefharp way of reftoring,
vetb ibcmjorot with removal under a cloud , without much (tta
the (me. evi *
Part l . A Trtatife concerning Scandal. J £7
evidence of recovery, as we fee in the cafe of Solomon,
who became fome way guilty of this ill, of whofc re-
covery the Scripture is very filent, even though his fin
be fully recorded, and the remainders of his idolatry
are marked to be (landing in the dayes of Hc^fyab ;
and indeed there is but little on record in Scripture of
the recovery of thofe that have been carried fo away,
though we may judge charitably of fome of them in
the general : The Lord wifely ordereth this, partly>as
a chaftcning to them , partly,as a warning to others,
and to make all men, especially Believers, to fear, and
to take heed left they fall 5 becau(e> recovery is not (b
eafie, and even they that are Ipiritual may be tempted,
Gallat.6. I.
JJfer.q. Thefe that are fpreaders of errour,do moft vf ua u y COf ^
frequently fct upon thefe who have fome profeflion ru p t ttacher$
of Religion, more than upon others who walk not f e t mere ro-
under that name. For* the fpreading of groffe errour, on profeflors
although it do not carry away many really godly, to withdraw
nor finally any at all, yet doth it often prove dnetbem than
moft Searching triall to them, and doth prove exceed* others that
ingly ftrong and fucceffefull againft many unhum-*^' fnfif*
bled Profeflbrs. fion although
There are two things comprehended here, i.That '* cb f may all$
this tentation to errour doth often prevail more b€ l an t on *
among Profeffours , and doth prove a (tumbling to
them.morc than any other groffe pra&ices ; they may
ftand out againft thefe, and yet be prevailed over
by it.
2. Itcomprehendeth thisalfo , that this tentation
of errour doth rather attempt the gaining of thefe
that are eminent for profefTion> than others who have
no fuch name, although fuch fometimes may be car-
ried alio away therewith. We fee that thefe Nicolai-
tans , and falfe Apoftles , and the propheteffe Je^?-
hcl y are not teaching nor feducing heathens , but the
Church of Chrift , and fuch as he calleth His Ser-
vants, %v. i. 20. which may take in even fuch as
M 4 eminently
|68 ufTreatife concerning S cand al^ Part f.
eminently gave out themfelves to be Chr ifts Servants ;
yea, it is clear, that neither did this errour have fuch
fucceffe amongft heathens, as amongft Chriftians,
nor did the teachers thereof fo intend the leaving of
them, as they did vehemently endeavour the corrupt-
ing of the Church ; we fee it alfo in other Churches*
Was there any Church more (hining with gifts than
that of CWw*&? and yet there did falfe Apoftles
breed great diftra&ions and opppfition to the Apoftle
Paul, and that as taking occafion from the giftednefs
and eminence of that Church beyond others, to
drive on that defign. Again, was there any Church
that did more tenderly receive the Gofpel> than thefe
ofGalatia} as we may fee from chap* 4.1 4 1 5. They
received him as an Angel of God , and as Chrift Je-
fus , they would have plucked out their own eyes tor
him; and yet there is no Church fo foonftiaken and
infe6bd by corrupt teachers r and fo bewitched with
them and their tentations , as we may gather from
chap. 1 ♦ 6. chap. 3. 1,2. and throughout the Epiftle :
It is like the devil took occafion of their warmneffe
inflantly to fet upon them before their fetling, trore
than on other places or Churches,where luck hopeful
beginnings did not appear ; And thus we Ice in ex-
perience daily , that where profanity aboundeth,
there arc fcwer onfets to tempt to errour , and lefle
fucceffe , than where the Gofpel hath had more wel-
come and fruit ; as it were , the devil bendeth this
tentation againft the laft, with more vehemencie and
fubtilty, than he doth againft the former : for which
we may give thefe Reafons , 1. His hatred is moft
at them, and he would faineft have them overturned.
2. Becaufe he hath other baits that are more fuitable
to profane men : and fo long as they are his , he doth
not fo much feek to engage them by this , for that is
no gain to him. 3. Becaufe efpecially , thefe who
have a form of Religion, if withall weak in know-
led gcare moft capable, in fome reipeft, of acentation
to
Part ?. tsfTreatifir concerning S c an da L. H$9
toerrour ; for, profane men % care rot ( hkcGallio)
what be truth , and what be erroui ,* buc a poor foul
that hath fome confcicnce , is ready to debate > and
defireth the truth to be cleared , and when not fo
ftrongas to rid it felt , it is readily drawn away like
thefe filly women Taut fpeakethof. zTtm. 3, 6 7.
who were ever learning , and never able to come to
the knowledge of the truth. 4. Becaufe grofleten-
tations to profanity (wherewith others are carried
away) are not fo taking with them, therefore the
devil elfayeth the m with errour under colour of fome
truth, or new difcovery of fome more ftrift and holy
way , which often prevaileth when the other would
not. 5. Becaufe it is moft advantagious toerrour,
and make it digi ft with others, to have one of name
or parts , or piety for it , this being ordinary among
moft men to look more to theie who maintain fuch
a thing, and what fuch a man thinkcthot it> than
tothe thing it 'ft If. Therefore doth the devil drive
this as a main defign whereby he may prevail over
many ; this was ever a great mean made ufe of to in-
duce to ej:rour> that many who were accounted god-
ly > did imbrace the fame , a* may appear from the
hiftoriesof the ^{oVatians^ ftonatifls and others, who
called themfelves the pw e and holy Church of Martyrs,
and took other fuch like titles in oppofition to the Or-
thodox Church, whom they accounted carnall ; and
by this mean they did branglc many. 6 He doth
this alfo, that he may divert the exercifes of thefe that
lookhoneft like from felf-fearching repentance t^c^
that if he cannot get them engaged to errour, he may
bring them , at leaft, to difpure truth , whereby he
effayeth to extinguifti the former conviftion, or to
give it a wrong mould before it be fetlcd ; or to keep
them, as it were? taken up about the (hell, while he
intendeth to rob them of the kirnelland fo one way
or other , if he gain not all, he doth yet difquiet
them, and vveary them by wakening of queft ions
and
170 ATrettife concerning S c A N d a 1 • Part 5 .
and debates , which are without their reach , and
poffibly alfo beyond their ftation.
CHAP. IV.
HoV? it is that groffe deltijions may come to fuch
height % as they often do.
IT may be alfo queftioned , How it cometh that
fuch abfurd errours can come to fuch a height,
and prevail fo againft the Church ? Or , what
•way the devil by corrupt teachers doth fo delude
Profeflbrs ?
There are fome reafons that are more generall, and
others more particular and ufefull in the confederati-
on of them for pra&ice; that we may not be igno-
rant of the devils devices,we (hall infift moft in thefe,
all of them may be drawn to three heads. 1. The
Lords over-ruling, holy, juft and wife (though of-
ten fecret ) way of punifhing mens ingratitude.
2. There is fomething in the devils way of carrying
on the tentation. 3. There is fomething in the di-
ftempcr of Churches and perfons to be confidered :
Which three* being put together , will make it not
feem ftrange that the moft groffe and abfurd errour
prevail, Forthefirft, The Lord hath an over-ruling
hand in fuch a defign, which is partly, to try his own,
therefore hcreficsmuft be, 1C0r.11.19. partly,. to
puniQi the generation of ungrate hypocrites > who
receive not the love of the truth , as it is , 2 Thejf. 2.
in both which he is to be glorified, cither in his grace,
or juftice, or both : Now thefe being the Lords de-
signs, the abfurder that the errour be, it attaineth his
end the better • and appearcth to be the more judicial- -
like, as by comparing^ 1/4.44.18,19. and %»*i.2i,,
25, 28, &c. and zTbef. 2. 10, 11, 12. is clear. AH
which places fpeak not only of the moft groffe fpiri-
tuall abominations, but of the Lords judiciall hand
therein. If
■■ ■ '
Part 5. A Trettifc concerning Scandai] Tj\
If it be asked, What band the Lord can have in yyfaxbtnl
fuch a plague ? Or , how He may be laid to fend it 'i X btUti msy
jlnfto. It is not lo much to our purpofe here , to dif have in fuA
pute the Qucttion of Gods providence in fuch a£ti* * {lagic*
ons > But tor clearing of this realon, we may lay
downthele grounds,
1 . There are Ipiritual plagues , wherewith God
juftly punifheth the ingratitude and other fins of peo-
ple, afwell ai there are external and corporal plagues;
thefc places cited, //i.44. 18, T9>%»,i.2i. iTfajJ.z.
10,11. ^eV.7,8, and9» Chapters, and almoftthat
whole Book doth confirm this: only this would be
adverted , that moft ordinarily groffe praftices , as
adultery, murther, unclcanncffe of all forts , are pu-
nifhments for abufing the light of nature , as may
be gathered from fywa.i. 21. 25. 28. But to be given
up to ftrong delufion > and to believing of lies , is a
plague that ordinarily followes the abuie of the light
of the Goipel , as we may fee from 2 Tbej]\ 2. 9, 1 o.
and this may be one reafon , why more commonly
fuch groffe fcandals and pra&ices abound , where
theGofpelisnot, oratleaft, isinleffe power, and
why errour prevaileth moft , where theGofpel hath
been, oris with more clearnefle* becaufc they are
plagues to fuch refpe&ivcly. This J fay, it is moft ge-
nerally, though it be not alwayes and univcrfally,
efpecially where there arc fome other concurring rea-
fons to make a difference.
2. We fay , that the Lord is no leffe juft , holy
and pure in punifhing men with fuch plagues , than
when He maketh uic of lome other rods or judge-
ments, neither is there any thing in this to be attri-
buted to Him, that is unbecoming His abfolute pu-
rity and holincffe. For, 1. He doth not punifh any
with this plague, but fuch as have by their former
abufeof light and other mifcarriages juftly deferved
the fame. 2, He doth notinfufe any malicioufneffe
in the heart, nor increase what was, but juftly permits
what
4 ' — '
x 7 * A Trettift concerning S c a k D A i • Part 3 T
what is to break out>and overules the fame forHis juft
ends. 3. He doth not ftrain them to any fuch courfe,
but doth make ufe of their own willingnefle there-
unto, and of their free choofing to follow fuch a way
for the glory of His juftice. 4* He doth not con-
nive at, nordifpenfe with the finfull practice of any
inftrument , but doth really abhor , and will alfo fe-
verely puniffi the fame* So , that as the fame aflf
hath a twofold confideration , to wit, as it is fin*
full, and as it is penall, So it is diverfly to be afcribed,
to wit , in the firft refpeft, to man only ; and in the
laft, to Gods overruling providence , who can bring
good out of evil , feing there is nothing fo evil , but
He can bring fome good out of it > and make it fub-
fervient to Him. otherwife He that is Omnipotent and
only wife* would never fuffer it to be.
$♦ We fay,although the Lord be not>neither can be
acceffory to this delufion, as it is finfull, (for this im-
poffibility belongeth to His infinite and bleffed per-
feftion ) yet hath He a juft hand in the complexed
defigne , which doth add exceedingly to the ftrength
of the delufion. As , 1 . He may juftly give the de-
vil way to fet on with his tentations, at one time, and
on one perfon , more than at another time , or in re-
ference to an other perfon , as by proportion we may
gather from the cafe of Job. 2. He may furnifh
men with gifts that are of themfelves good, and juftly
permit them to ufe the fame , for the promoving of
errour; this hath been often exceedingly inftrumen-
tall , in the furthering of Satans defign in all ages,
wherein he hath made ufe of fome great Schollers,and
men of fubtile wits to oppofe the truth , and to per-
vert the Scriptures of God, as is clear in all the he-
refies that ever have been ; and this is no lefle juft in
God, to furnifh with parts, an inftrument of a fpi-
rituall plague , than to give ftrength and power to
fome whom he imployeth, in temporall judgements*
who alfo may be found guilty before him > for aba-
Ting
part 3 • *A Thatife concerning Scandal.' 173
fingof the fame Hence it is faid , 2 Tfreffl 2.2. that
there is not only a Kord and letter to (hake the minds
of people at fuch a time , but there is al(o a Spirit or
gift in an eminent degree , and therefore it is called,
ver. 10. All deceivableneffe ; and, noqueftion, thefe
that called themfelves Apoftles , 2 Cor. n # 13. and
made T <*«/'$ gifts to be accounted weak in refpeft of
theirs , had more than ordinary gifts ; and in this re-
foeft, fometime the Lord faith, a falfe Prophet might
foretell fomething that wastocometopaffe; and fo
truly have an extraordinary gift, when yet the Lords
defign is by (iich, to try the peoples adherence to him,
S)eut. x 3.1,2,3, Thus often promovers of errour may
be gifted with ability to reafon , make querecs, fliift
arguments and places of Scripture, preach well, pray
well with a great deal of eloquence, and liberty of
plaufiblc expreffions , yea , they may poffibly not
want, as it were, figns and wonders ( as in the place
formerly cited ) and yet the Lords end be to try , as
is faid : of this .fort are fuch as are fpoken of, 2 Pep.
3. 1 6» Who *foreft or pervert Scripture to their oVtn de~
jlruBion\ it is a ftrange word, they are unlearned and
unftable, ( and, it may be, are crying down learning
in others ) yet,faith he, they have a dexterity to Krefl
the Scriptures , to coin new interpretations , poffibly
never heard of before, to the admiration of others.
And what is the confequent thereof? h is tkir$^n
deflruttion. It had been advantage to many fuch
themfelves and others alfo, that they had never had
fuch a gift. 3. The Lord alfo may fomeway arme the
devil , as H is executioner to carry on this defign , by
furnithing him with fuch inftruments , giving him
time, opportunities and occafions to tempt, andfuf-
fering him in many things to prevail : thus, 2 Tbefa.
Satan is faid to have a power, and to exercife the
fame, by bringing forth of lying wonders ; and , no
quefiion , the devil when he getteth way, may do
much, when it is faid that he put it in the heart of Ju-
da*
1 74 *A Tredtife concerning Scandal. Part £
dds to betray his mafter, who yet was furnifhed with
parts > and admitted into Chrifts company by Him-
felf ; all which was fubfervient to carry on the devils
and the Pharifees defign , of betraying the Lord ;
which.notwithftanding, tended to the greater ruine of
his own kingdom.
4* In fiich a cafe alfo, the Lord doth juftly deprive
mcn,whom He mindeth to plague with that delufion,
of thefe means, which might be ufefull to difcern
and refift the (ame. As, I. he may take away all
outward reftraints , which ufually keep corrupt
teachers from open and profeffed fpreading of their
errours ; and in His providence , give them full way
to multiply, and avowedly to purfue their defign.
This is to pluck up the hedge , Ifa. 5. and co fuflfer the
winds to blow, %i>. 7. which are ever great inlets
to this judgement of delufion, when, to fay fo, there
is a floud fpewed out, and there is no earth to help
the woman* and to dry up thac floud. 2. He may
take away prime lights and guides , which are ufe-
full to keep people right ; or, if they continue, he may
fuffer jealoufie, divifion and other things to interveen
fo, that thereby their weight and authority is leffencd
to fuch perfons : in which refpeft , Mob becometh
jealous of Micajah , whereby the devil hath occafion
to make the lies of the falfe Prophets the more to be
commended to him. 3. The Lord may withdraw
the light that perfons have (and, it may be,fome com-
mon gifts of the Spirit ) and by depriving them of
that, they become the more obnoxious to tentation,
although it may be thev think themfelves wifer , and
more underftandingthan they were: thus the Apoftle
calleth the GaUHans foolifhand bewitched , Gal. 3.
1,2. as having fallen from that light which at firft
they had. 4. He may remove common conviftions
of the Spirit.and challenges of a nacurall confeience*
fo that they may go on in their delufion without a
challenge; yea, (askisfaid, Job. 16. z.) think that
they
Part 3. A Treat ife concerning Scandal. 175
they do God good fcrvicc in fo doing : this is, to have
the conference feared with an hot iron, iThn.q. 2.
that waiteth upon feducing Spirits ; and thus we fee,
that the moft vain and reafonlcffe confidence doth of-
ten wait upon the foulcfterrours, as, I/i. 44. 9. unto
20. This is called , GaL 5. 8. a perfodjion in refpeft
of its confidence, which yet cometh not of (god.
And the Lord may not only juftly deprive of fuch
common gifts, but even of ordinary reafon and judg-
men t, whereby men become, at leaft , in the prote-
ction of their errours, abfurd and unreafonable,
without all capablnefle of feeing the weight of a rea-
fon , or receiving a conviftion , or obferving their
own folly , and to carry without all refpeft to credit*
honefty, good manners , and fuch things as are even
refpefted among civil men ; yea, fometimes without
refpeft to their own eftatcs, or their own pcrfons, as
we may fee in the prophets of 2W, ilQng.1%. and
many others in Antichrifts kingdom; thefe are called
by the Apoftle, 2 Tbejf. 3. 2. unreafonable, or abfurd
beaftly men, as if they wanted reafon : this is alfo a
companion of delufion, and a piece of Gods judge-
ment > as is clear from that of If a. 44. The Lord
thinking good, for the abufe of light, to deprive men
of reafon, as he did ^ebucbadne^ar, whereby the
vileft and abfurdeft tentations have accefletometi,
(that otherwayes may be reafonable ) to carry them
on with greedineffe, and without all reluftance or
contradiftion.
5. When men are in the Lords juftice thus de-
prived, and being fet upon with the tentation, which
he hath letten loufe upon them , the Lord may in His
providence trytt many things that may be abufed, for
the carrying on of this judgement , As, ft« he may
tryft fuch a perfon with fuch a tentation , to live in
fuch a place, to have fuch acquaintance, &c. 2. He
may tryft fuch a tentation to fall in fuch a time , as
there is noexccrnall a\v- band to reftrain ; yea, in his
wifdonb
Jj6 A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part <(•
vrifdom, ordT it fo, as that then there may be many
occafionsof (tumbling amatg the Profeffors of the
truth, what by fcandals in pra&ice , what by divi-
(ion and other dift m^ers, as the way of truth may
be ill fpoken of by many; and the Ordinances in
that refp?& made vile , as is laid in the cafe of Elie*5
fons, vSam. u Somnimehe miy tryft fuch tentati-
ons with fome igiorant, unskilfiill indeKterous hands,
who may ratner harden than help any in the remov-
ing of their doubts : Th^fe and many fuch like things
may the wile and jult Lord order in His providence,
which may be as tnares and (tumbling-blocks to
proud fecure hypocrits. who by their corruption may
fallthereon; yea, fometimethe very Ordinances and
theexercifing of them, to wit, the Word, Sacra-
ments and Difcipline » may, through mens corrupti-
ons, be (tumbled at more than if they were not ; in
this fenfe , when the Lord reproveth the unfaithfull
Prophets and Priefts, Jer. 6, 14. and the peoples not
hearkening to his faithfull Prophets,ver.i7. although
they keeped the form of Religion , ver. 20. he doth
threaten to lay ftumbling-blocks before them, upon
which they fhould fall . ver. u. All which and ma-
ny moe wayes, (as fometimes following oferrour
hath applaufe attending it, as, 2 Urn. 4. 1. Some-
times it hath gain waiting upon it , as* 2*?^. 2. j.
lTim. 6. 10. a-id Sal. 6 12. Philip. 3,19. ) beinsj
tryfted in the Lords jutt providence, have often much
influence, through mens corruption, to make delufion
the more fucceffe full.
6. Befidethefe, the Lord hath a judiciallupgiving
of proud, corrupt men , unto the hands of fuch ten-
rations : fo that when, as it were, the devil fetteth on
by fuch a blaft of wind, and feeketh to winnow fuch
and fuch per fons, the Lord doth, as a juft judge, fen-
tence them to be committed thereto , as to the execu-
tioner of His juftice ; in this fenfe, he is faid to gi\>e
them up : and in this refpeft, fuch defe&ion, as it is a
puiufh-
Part i* A Treafife concerning S c and a, vl 177
punifhment, is judicially permitted and ordered by
Him, who willingly and purpc fly Sentenctth luch
perlbns to be lb given up, becauteof former fins,
whereas others whom He doth not (o Sentence, arc
not fo carried away with that fame tentation.
Alfo the Lord, who is wondcrfull in counfl 1 , and
whofc wayes and judgements arc paft finding out,
may have many other wonderfull and inconceivable
wayes in the carrying on of thi> judgement ", for, if all
His judgements be a great depth , much more arc
His fpiricuall judgements. It is upon this ground, to
wit, the confidering of the Lords juft feverity of con-
cluding all under tin, all in unbelief, of the rej^&ing
of the Tews Src. that the A poftlc doth cry out, the
depth of the ricbes y both of the "toifdom and kjiotyledge of
God ! Hfllfo unfearcbable are bit judgements , and hU
Ibayes pafi jindtng out ? Therefore we (hall fearch no
further in this. Only , from what is faid, we may fee,
that the Lord hath a jaft hand in the over-ruling of
fuch delufions ; and alfo , that they cannot but be
ftrong and fucceflefull which are guided fo , as to be
executioners of His juftice 5 this alfo may make men
tremble the more, confidering that the opening up of
fluces, to let in the fpait of delufion , is no leffe Gods
judgement* and no leffe to be feared, than the fending
of Sword or Pettilencc , or the opening up the foun-
tains of the great depths, to let in a deluge upon the
earth ; and were men fo looking on it, and affe&ed
with it, it might poffibly be much more bounded.
CHAP. V.
How errour may be knoVen to be a judicial I ftrofa
andrvhj the Lord fmiteth with it.
IT may be asked here , 1. How errour may be
known to be a judgement or judicial! ? And,
a« for what caufe molt ordinarily the Lord doth
lend fuch a judgment ?
N Yti
1 78 ji Treat ife concerning S c a n d a i • Part 3 1
We cannot infift in every occurring Queftion.j
Yet to the firft , We fayi 1. there is no crrour or de-
lation, but may be well accounted penall and judici-
ally either as to the pcrfons who fall therein , and
vent the fame, or as to others who may be infefted
therewith , ( although it may be but a triall in refe-
rence to fome ) for* blindnefle of mind was a fruit
2nd confequent of the firft fin , and followeth not
only as a fin , but as a punifhment upon all the chil-
dren of Adams houfe. And therefore as in fome re-
fpeft, all following fins may be accounted pun ifh-
mentsof the firft , this may be fo in a fpeciall man-
ner. 2. Befide this generall confederation , it is of-
ten the punifhment of fome fpeciall fins, and in fome
cafes is more judiciall and penall than in other cafes,
as may be gathered from thefe Gharaflers. I. When
in the nature of it, k is very abfiird and unreafonable*
asisfaid, fuch as thefe delufions of the Kkolaitam
were,becaufe in fuch delufions the judgement of God
doth efpecially appear, when they cannot be though*
to be confequent in any reasonable way , or, to flow
from common infirmity. 2. When the perfons that
vent it, are, in refpe& of their converfation , parts*
place drprofeffion, fomeway eminent > a9was for-
merly cleared , becaufc fo the tentation feemcth to be
armed of the Lord , which ufually is not for nought.
3. When it is tryfted with fuch a time and with fuch
circumftances as hath teen defcribed ; fonfuch things
happen not by chance , but arc ruled by providence.
4. When it breaketh in violently , and, it may be,
carrieth away fome whom men would not have fuf-
pe&ed , that is judiciall-like , when, as it were, ths
Dragon with his tail and fubtility , doth bring ftars
from heaven , and furprife fome that thought them-
ftlves without the reach of fuch a tentation. 5. It
may be known by the gifts ( to'fpeak fo) of fuch as
carry on the fame 5 for, as in carrying on the work of
the Gofpel, the Lord doth furniflh His Minifters, with
gifts
Patt J . A Tr**tifc concerning ScANDAli *79
fcifts and painfulncfs,when He hath to do witn c K m;
So,upon the contrary, when He hath a work ot judg-
ment on the wheels , and the devil a defign of carry-
ing-on dclufion , the inftruments are ficte i propor-
tionably , to wic > there is a zeal carrying them hre
and che re , So that by all means , as it were , they
compafle fca and land to make Profelytes ; there is
dexterity , quicknefle and nimblneffe in ftarting of
doubts* wrcftingof Scripture>&c. as is faid ; and
there is a fort of patience in enduring , boldneffe and
confidence in attempting, andjbme fuccefle, as in the
cafeof thefal'ePiophetsastairfft Mica'jaby i l{ing % it.
and againft Jeremiah % Jer. 29. When, I fay, cor-
rupt inftruments are fitted by thefe and fuch like
means, it is probable> that the Lord intrndeth ibme-
thin? by them which they themfelves do not minde.
6. It is judicull-ltke, when it tryfteth on the back
of a peoples having the truth , and being unfruitful!
under it, becaufe » fo it fpeaketh out the very end of
its appearing ,. cfpecially , if there be in people an
itching- new- fanglneffe after novelties, and if there
have been needlels and atfe&ed itirings andqueftion-
ings ai>out I Her truths, If then greater delufion come,
it doth look judiciill like, as being a ftroke for their
former unfettlednede ; 'hisi- to give men up to heap
up teachers to themlelves , that have itching ears,
3 Tim. 4. 3. and this is, to give men teachers accord-
ing to their own hearts, that themmay be like people
like priefts, which is often thwURned by che Lord.
And thus of old, when che people began to milcarry
in the wilderneffc , in reference to the fecund Com-
mand, He gave them up to worfhtp the hoaft of hea-
ven, and to mifcarry inthefirtt. as is memione3,
Ach-j. 4,r. 7. It a^peareth to be judicial! indeed
when it doth hurt, either by corrupting; ofr truth, or
maringof uniry or wakening ot divifions,&c. which
a e confequeuts of the full four trumpets that bring
fciritual plagues, %*. 8. Theie and fuch like chara
* So A Trcntife concerning Scandal: Part f.
fters may fufficiently convince that the Lord isangry.
Wbitcmfet r To the fecond we may foon anfwer : And, i. we
d* moft «r- ky» ^ac fuch a plague is not theconfequent of com-
dinarilypro- mon out-breakings and fins of infirmity ; Nor ,
gure this 2 - of ingratitude for , and abufe of , common
fUgueof mercies j Nor, 3. ordinarily is it the punilh-s
dclufm, ment of groffe fins of the fleflh, to fpeak fo ; for, this
is rather a fruit of that : but it doth follow upon,;
t. the abufe of fprkuall mercies, fuch as the light
of the truth of the Gofpel , fleighted convi&ions ,
fmothcred challenges?, broken pfomiles made for fur-
ther Reformation, ancf fuch like 1 as may be gathered
from 2 Tbeffl 2. 9, 10. 2. It followeth upon fpiritu-
allfins, fuch as Ipirituall pride, fecurity, hypocrific
and formality , keeping up of the form without the
power, having truth but not the love thereof, as in
the place formerly cited , and elfewhere. 3. There
are forne fort of diftempers , which efpecially procure
this, befide others. As, 1. an itching humour, that
beginneth to loath the fimplicity of truth, 2. A ha-
ftie partial humour that cannot abide found Do&rine,
if it benot fomeway curioufly dreft , efpecially if it
reprove their mifcarriages: both which are fpoken o£
2 Tim.4. 3; 3. There is a proud felf- conceitedneffe,
Whereof the Apoftle fpeaketh, 2Tw*. 3,4, w hcn
perfons are felfie > proud , boafters, &c. fuch are a
ready prey to fuch tentations. 4. Little refpedfc to
faithfull Minifter^fept preach truth, may procure this
plague , to get Paftors according to their own heart,
and judgements that are not good, as the Lord threat-
neth, £j^$. 20. and is threatned by the Lord, Job. 5.
ver. 43. IbaVe come in my Fathers Name, and ye ba\>e not
received me; if mother (hall come in his oWnnme, him
Kill ye recehe. y. It may be procured by lightnefle
and unftablneffe, when folks goe vainly beyond their
reach to feek or meet a tentation, the Lord juftly may
fmite them with their own fin; and thus reading of
corrupt books, hearing of corrupt preachers , con-
verting
Part 3. 'A Treatife concerning S c A n d a t T I 1 *
verfing with corrupt men , and fuch like, which the
Lord nath comanded to efchew, doth not only prove*
in Gods righteous judgement > a fnare or raids of
folks infnaring>but alfo the procuring deferving caufc
of being given up co that delufion, which they make
themfelves obnoxious to, by going without His call, .
although,at firft>po(Iibly there was no pofitive affe&i-
on to that way , but, it may bcthe contrary ; even as
fuppofe one hazarding, contrary to the Command, to
§0 nigh the door of the adulterous womans houfe ,
lould for that caufe be given up to fall in her fnare
and to enter, although at firfthe did not intend it*
as thefe places do infinuatc > Pro*. 5« 8. and 6, 26,27,
28. where he faith,to this purpofe, that a man cannot
take fire in his bofome and not be burnt, &c And
itisfaid, ^rov. 22. 14. fuch as arc abhorred of the
Lord, (hall fall in chat pit. 6. There is a jangling
queftioningftrain ; this often brings on this ill, when
all truths are not received , but folks begin to caft at
the leffer truths } this procureth delufion in a greater
height , as is faid, becaufe every truth is precious, and
when men become untender in the fmalleft truths,
(if any may be called fo ) it is juft with God to de-
prive them of all , even as fmaller fins in pra6tice,
being connived at, do bring on more groffe outbreak-
ing^ : and thus the vifible Church, by her declining
from the truth , in the Primitive times, and becoming
more to be taken up with Ceremonies and other un-
neceffary debates , did draw on upon themfelves An-
tichrifts delufion at length : of this fort are ignorance
in the fundamentall truths , that doth proceed from
negligence , little love to , and delight in, the Word
and Ordinances , little bemoaning of the falls and
mifcarriages of others , when we hear them to be
overtaken with fuch fnares^and many fuch like things
might be named , but we will not infift further.
We come then to the fccond thing propofed , and
that is to confider how corrupt Teachers Jo carry on
N 2 their
r jt8» A Tnatife concerning Scandal Part 3 »
their defign \ and what means the dfcVil ufeth by them
to prevail with poor fouls , tor tocaft at the truths of
God, and to drink up the mottabfurd dciufions :
and although we cannot reach Satans depths > he ha-
ving much fubtilue, and many wiles, to carry on
his deligne , as it is, 2 Cor. 11,3. and it is called, Epb m
4^44., a cunning era ftinejfc, thereby they lye in "bait to
deceive , Yet feing we ought not to be ignorant of his
devices. 2 Cor. 2.1 1. We (hall gather fomethings from
Scripture, that maybe ufefull to arm us againft the
fame : and to take up his way the better , we may
confider, !♦ The inftruments which he choofeth.
2. The method that he keepeth in tempting by them.
3. The means which he ufeth , or common places
from which he draweth his arguments. 4. The man-
ner howthefe are carryed on*
CHAP. VI.
Ty rvhat weans , and hoVv Satan drives on thii
plague among people.
I. £> Atan doth not act in this defign immediately I
^S nor doth he aft indifferently by any inflru-
•^ ment , but he hath his fpecial minijters, as it
were> fet apart for that end ? as the A pottle fpeaketh
2 Cor, 11.15. He hath many (ubjVcfcs indeed, but be-
fidethefe, he hath fonie fpecial minifters for this dc-
figne, as our bleffed Lord Jefus hath Minifters fpe-
cially fet apart in His Kingdom. Concerning which
wc: may obferve » 1 . That he employeth fome more
eminenrly to traffique, as it were, in this very imploy-
ment who,by compafling fea and land, and travelling
to and fro, may further his defignc> fuch were thefe
who were called falfe&poftlesj 2 Cor. 11. i*. '^fVe/.
2> ?. and in the hiftory of the AiU we will find fuch
coming from one pi ice to another , as from Jerufalem
to Antk*h> Atl> 15. anddfewhere, purpofly to fpread
their errours, as the A pottles did travel tor preaching
the truth. 2. He hath particular in(huments,preach-
ing
Part 3 • A Treatife concerning Soandal. 1 8 J
ing in particular places, that are* as it were, his mini-
fters of (uch and fuch bounds, as in the place cited.
3. Befidethefe, he hath ftickling underhand-dealers,
who,not appearing openly, yet creep into houfe's, and
ordinarily he hath fome women, who are fpecially
employed in this , as he hath Jezebel the Propheteflfe
in the Church of Tbydrir^Rty. 2. and fuch he had
in the primitive herefies, particularly one of the Mon-
tanifts, becaufe fuch are often vehement in what they
are engaged in , and have accefle to pervert and fe-
duce, which others cannot eafily have; his aflifting
of them withall to fpeak fomctimes to the admirati-
on of others,feemech more wonderful like; 4. Whom
ever he maketh ufe of, they are fomeway fitted (to
fay fo) for the defigns they are employed in, although
their manner of carrying on thefe defignes may be
diverfe, as experience fhoweth.
2. In the method which he followeth , we will J^ dt *
find this progrefle , I* He fetteth himfelf by all b f mtbo f
means to make the Mini&rs of the truth odious and v P mw **
contemptible , and that either by crying down a Mi- * n & m
niftery altogether , or making all indifferently to be
Minifters, which is, upon the matter* one with the
former : this vt?LsI(orab, (Datban, and dbirams fault,
^timb.i6 9 which is applied to corrupt teachers, Jude
11. or if that fail > he endeavoureth to make their
perfons odious, who are in theflation : thus we fee,
even Paul is traduced by thefalfe teachers of £V/W?
and Galatia. The reafon of this, is, I. becaufe Mi-
nifters are appointed , and gifts are given to men by
JefusChrift,purpofely to guard the Church from be-
ing toffed to and fro with corrupt Do&rinc , by the
fleight of men , as it is Ephef. 4. 11, il, 13, 14. that
he may therefore have the more eafily his will , he
endeavoureth to brin^ the Watchmen in fufpicion,
and to render them ufeleffe. 2. Teachers of the truth,
and corrupt teachers cannot both together have
peoples aifedtion , and no teacher readily will have
N 4 Weight
184 tATreatife concerning Scandal Part. 3 •
weight , if he have not ajfe&ion from his hearers :
Therefore he by all means endeavours to traduce Mi-
nifters , that by excluding them > he may make way
for his Emiffaries , for they are like corrivall wooers
fuiting the fame Bride > So that both cannot have her
afFe&ion , to this purpofe is the Apoftles word 9 Gal.
4.17. they zealoufly affeft you, but not well > yea,
they toould exclude yon; it is in the Originall, and on
the Margent> they would exclude u&> ( that is, the true
A pott les ) that you might ajfett them. And confider-
ingthe great acceffe that the devil hath to deftroy,
when once Miniftersare in contempt , it is no mar-
veil he begin at the removall of this impediment out
of his way; and feing he attempted this againtt the
great ApoftleiW, fo often and frequently, it> can-
not be thought ftrange that he feck to defame others.
Uvw he ^ it be enquired how he profecuteth this ? We
pr$jecutcihtttey obferve mele particular wayes ; As, I. Al-
V. though he quefl ion not aMiniftery in the general* Yet
he wakeneth Qucltions, 1. concerning the calling
of fuch and fuchmen, if they be duly called Mini-
sters or not ; thus Paul's Apoftleftiip is queftioned,
becaufe he had not converfed^with the Lord; and for
thhcaufe he is put, in theEpiftlestothe Corivtbians
and GalattanSy fo largely to vindicate his Calling and
Apoftlefhip, and to produce, as it were, not only his
Commiflion, but the Seal thereof alfo , particularly,
2 Cor. 3. 2, 3. and the occafion thereof is exprtfled,
2 Cor. 1 g. 1. jince ye feek^ d proof of Qhrijl Jpea^ing in
me- 2. He tndcavoureth the dilcrediting of their
gifts, as if the nutter fpoken by them were common,
their cxpnflions mean, and their carriage bafe and
contemptible > as we may fee in the inftance of that
fame great Apc<ftlc4W, 2 Cor. 10. 1. and 11. 6, he is
called rude in fpecch* 3. This is efpecially by com-
paring them with the fair ihewof corrupt teachers
in their ffaur jfhing, fpiritual, ravifhing-like difcour-
(ts, which arc by many counted myfteries, and are
called
Part f. A Trtatife concerning S c a n d a 1 1 i 5j
called depths, \rtel. 2. 24. The Lord indeed calleth
them depths of Satan, but it is not to be thought that
they themfelves meanedfo, who yet are (aid to give
them the name of depths ; fometimes unconceivable
non- fenle, will be admired, and plain truths and duty
defpifed. 4. They cry- up cheir revelations and i pi-
ritual attainments in an immediate manner beyond
what is in the Minifters of Chrift: Therefore, 2 Cor.
11.12. Paul is put to compare himfclf with them, and
particularly in revelations and lingular manifeftati-
ons of God to him« 5. They enclea vcur to make the
Minifters of Chrift to be cftecmed covetous, felf-feek-
ers, earthly-minded, and fuch like, becaufe of their
taking wages to preach the Gofpel, as if they were
qiaking a prey of the people, which is often obje&ed
to the Apoftle, and anfwered by him in thefe Epiflles
to the Corinthians. 6. When evidences fail, then they
raife fufpicions of Minifters craftincfl'e and under-
hand dealing , as if in every thing they were feeking
their gain, as that Apoftle anfwerethit, 2^.12,
16, 17. 7. Whatever the Minifters carriage be, they
lie in wait to traduce it , if he be more meek and fa-
miliar in his converfing , they fay he is a carnal man,
a friend and lover of finners and corrupt men, as was
faid of our bleffedLord ; if he be more auftere in
checking their fauks,or retired in (hunning their com-
pany,he is called intolerable and deviiifhly prcud, as
was imputed to John ; if he take wages or gifts, he is
accounted greedy and covetous ; if he refuie and ab-
ftain,it is expounded to be want of love and refpeft to
them,as was alfo faid of Paul vvhen he continued firm
in his former refolution, 2 £br.i c.io ; 1 1. 8.They are
ufually counted proud, exalters of themfelves above,
and defpifers of, the people, and to take too much on
them to the prejudice of the Flock , whofe liberty
and priviledges corrupt teachers ordinarily pretend to
vindicate againft Minifters tyrannous encroachments
(as they fay ) This was pretended by I(orab } $>athan,
and
I %6 A Trettifc concerning Scandal' Part 3 .
and Jbiram againft Aaron , and was revived and fol-
lowed in the primitive times by thefe compters, fpoken
o^Jude 11. 9. They endeavour to have the people
fufpe&ing the Minifters love to them, as 2 Cor. ttAti
yea, that all his freedom to them, and his fpeaking
againft their faults and errours is bkcerneffe , railing,
and the like , which the Apoftle toucheth, Gal 4, 1 6.
Am I therefore become your enemy, becaufe I tell you the
truth i 10. It is ordinary to charge Minifters with
lightneffe and changeablneffe,and that therefore much
weight is not to be laid on them , for, they think one
thing this year, (fay they ) and alter the next , when
yet, it may be, edification hath moved them in fuch a
change. 5 this hath been imputed to Paul, 2 Cor. 1 . 17.
purpofedly to make his word to have little weight ,
and it is no marvell that that fame way be followed
in reference to others* For this end alfo, where there
is any perfonal fault in a Minifter, it is not paft over
but exceedingly aggreaged ; yea, though it hath been
in his youth, before his converfion or entry into the
Miniftery, it is not forgotten, if it may fervc to defame
the holy Calling : For preventing of this, it is re-
quired of Minifters, that they be of good report y even
among thofe that are without ; and it is like the falfe
apoftles fpaired not to upbraid Paul with his former
converfation and perfecution. n. Differences of
judgement and divifions among Minifters, are much
made ufe of for that end, even fometimes when they
are but apparent : Thus Paul is faid to preach another
doftnne, by the falfe teachers, than thofe at Jerufa*
lem did , whereupon he is often put to (how the har-
mony that was betwixt them , as particularly in the
Epiftie to the Galatians • And Jofephus marketh, that
jibab's falle teachers did oppofe Ehas his Prophecy
(wherein it is faid that dogs (hould lick Mab's bloud
at Je^reel ) to Micajah, who faid he ftiould die at %-
moth-gilead ; Alfo, that others did harden Zedekia, by
this that Ezctyel faid,thathe (hould not fee %abylov,znd
that
Part 5 • e// Treatife cenccrning Scandal. i 87
that Jeremiah faid he fhould be carried thereto; which
they took to be contrary , and did thereby feek to
defame the Prophets , and to weaken the efteemof
their Prophecies ; and though there was no real dif-
ference there, yet it (heweth how, and to what end,
they lie in wait to aggreage the differences of God's
Servants , though but apparent, which fhouid make
Minifters carefully avoid thofe things* Again, fe-
condly, Though , at firft, principal truths are not alto-
gether and plainly denied , Yet by degrees he doth
engage many , 1 . To rejed fome leffe fundamentall
truths concerning Government , communion with
others in the Ordinances 1 and fuch like. 2. He
draweth them to fe par ate in praftice from the fellow-
(hip of others, under the pretext of more purity and
fpiritualncfle ; this feems to be expreft by Jude, v 19.
Thtfe are tbeytobo feparatetbem[elVes } ftnfual, having
not the Spirit , although it is insinuated that they did
pretend to it : And indeed this way was followed in
the firft herefies > which began at fmall things, as
thofe of the NoVatians, 'Donattfls&c. who at firft only
feparated to efchew the impurity of promifcuous
communion. 3. He cometh then to quarrel exprefli-
ons that are ufed by the Orthodox* and to commend,
as it were, a new kind of language > for which caufe,
the Apoftle commendeth the holding faft the form of
found words, 2 Tim. 1 .1 3. And thefe corrupt teachers
are faid to fpeak great fuelling toords of Vanity, and to
have expreflions much more weighty like, than what
formerly hath been ufed, Jade\6. Thus the Jrians
will not admit the word o/xo*o7©-, or confubftantial,
and a Council muft be called to lay by that : and fo
they come toqueftion, in the next place, the Truth it
felf, alleaging men arc tod confident to determine (uch
things, It's not clear, much may be faid againftjr,
and fuch like ; whereby, under pretext of doubting,
they endeavour to awake fcruples in others, that they
may be difpofed the more to admit of their rclolu-
tions.
IPS*'
-f 8 S *A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part ?•
tions* 4, Abfurdities arelaii down as confcquenccs
that follow upon Truths and chus thedo&ritie of
Providence* Ele&ion andReprobationv&c. are loa-
ded with horrible confequences and abfurdities, pre-
tended to follow on them,and fo the doftrine of Gods
abfolutc Soveraignity,and Juftification by free grace,
were loaded in the primitive times , as if thereby Paul
had taught that men might do evil that good might
come of it ; That the Law was wholly made void ;
That men might fin fecurely , becaufe grace did fo
much the more abound > as in the fecond, third, and
ikth Chapters of the Epiftlc to the fymans, is clear.
, j. He endeavoureth to dimintfh mens hatred and zeal
againft errours and the moft abfurd opinions, that
he may either obtain fome a&ual toleration to them,
or, at leaft, keep offfuch hard conftru&ions of them ;
for, if that be gained at firft , although errour get not
a direct approbation, yet a great point is gained, if
he can get fome to tolerate, and others to hear : Th js
is condemned in the Church ofTbyatlra, that the Of-
ficers fuffered Jezebel to teach , and that the people,
who are there called Chrift's fervants, did counte-
nance and hear her ; And it feems fome thing qf this
was in Corinth , which maketh the Apoftle fay, that
tVil communication corruptetb good manners , and that
therefore men (hould not become cold in reference to
errour , although they be not tainted with it, I Cor.
I y, 33. And upon this ground the moft groffe Here-
ticks of old and of late, as Socinians y Jrminians, thofe
of the Family ofL&c y and others of that kind, have
maintained a liberty in prophefying a problematick-
neffe in the main truths of the Gofpel, and a tolera-
tion in matters of doftrine, &c. as principles fub-
fervient to their defign. 6* He proceedeth then to
have the perfons of fuch as are tainted with errour,
much bsloved and efteemed of by others , that there
may be the more familiar acceffe to converfe with
them , and the readier difpofition to receive their lea-
ven
Part 3 • A Treatife concerning S c a k d a l '. ^Rf!
vcn from them : this he doth fometimes by making
mens gifts in their quicknefle and nimblncfie to be
commended > fometimes by the feeming gravity, au-
ftcricy and holineffe of their carriage, for which
caufe they are fa id to be Solves in /beeps cloatbing> Mat.
7. and he is faid to transform himfelf into an angel of
light, and his miniftcrs into the minifters of Chrift,
2 Cor. 11. 14. Sometimes by flattery, and feeming
fympathy and affeftion , for .which the lying Pro-
phet is called the tail j and if it were by no other
mean , he doth it by their reproaching of honeft
and faithfull Minifters , and, it may be> hitting upon
fome real ills among them , which is often but too
too pleafing to the carnall humour of trie generality
of people , as in the inftances formerly given is clear.
Laftly , when this is obtained, then there is eafie ac-
cede to make the moft groffe Doctrines and delufions
to be drunken in , which at firft would have been ab-
horred : by thefe degrees Antichrifts delufion came
to its height, and by fuch fteps, fome, that at firft only
Separated from the No^atians and Vonatifts y came at
laft to that height of delufion , as to become Qmum-
cellians ( a ftrange wild kind of delufion ) Antbro~
pomorpbits, and fuch like.
3. The means and arguments that are ufed to carry ^ mgn
on this delufion, are to be obferved , which are thefe ani ar . u<m
or fuch like. I. The carriage and converfationof wcn u t b$t
the abetters thereof, is made very plaufible, fair and ar e ufed t#
approveable-like, that there may be no fufpicion of carry ontbic
the devils influence on fuch a work ; Therefore they defign.
are faid to be transformed into theMinifters of Chrift 5
thus the Pharifees make long prayers, live auftere-
ly»&c thereby to gain reputation to their traditions :
for, the devil would mar all his defign, if he did not
look like an Angel of light : yea, there will be much
feeming like zeal, patience and fuffering in fuch, as
may be gathered from 2 C0MI.23. and in experience
it will be foundjthat the moft grofle Heretkks in do-
ctrine,
ipd ATrettife concerning Scan dm. Part 5.
ftrine,have had (at lcaft for a long time) a p reat (hew
of holineffe before other*, as might beinftanced in
the greaceft deluders.
a. Ic is ufefull in thisdefign, to have fome that
have Church- power, and beareth the name of Offi^
'w, engaged, that thev may come in , not under the
name of Minifters of Sacan , but as it is , 2 C 0Y * l h
*1* as Minifters of Ghrift ; and therefore! if no or-
dinary call can be alleged by them , they readily dif-
elaime all fuch > and yet pretend a calling to be
Preachers of Chrift , of his Gofpel , and fuch like : .
as we may fee by thefe falfe teachers of old, who cal-
led themfelves Apoftlesand Propheteffcs , as having
fome extraordinary call from God, thereby making
Way for thetr delufionst
3. They follow their defigns under a pretext of ad-
vancing holineffe and fpirkuality, to a higher degree,
and of having a more humble way of living, and of
being a further length in high attainments, than other
men can win at . 01 are capable of : thus fome are
outwardly defpifers of all pride,and of giving refpeft
to men , and that as the Affile faith, Col. 1. 18. by
a fort of voluntary humility , and intruding upon
things which they have nor feen»cafting, in the mean
time, at common and plain truths.
A 4. mean, is, the pleafi.ig of ears and itching
humours, with great (welling words, new notions,
and large difcourfes of non- fenfe delivered with great
confidence , when as the Apoftle (aith , I Tim, 1. 7.
They know not what they fay , nor whereof they
affirm » yet often fuch difcourfes are fublimemvfte-
rics to the ignorant,and fuch as loath the fimple truth.
5. They make ufe of a pretext of good will and
advanrage to thefe that they fpeak unto, as it is,
${om. 16. 18. by good words and fair fpeaches they
deceive the fimple, and by pretending to wilh their
fouls well , and to pity their blindneffe and hafcard
they are in > they cteep into their houtesand affefti-
Part $. A Trutifi conctrttiMg Scandal, ij r
ons> 2 Tiw* 5. 6. and lead fimple perfcns captive ;
By this pretext, the fe rpent beguiled £ta atthefirfl,
Sromifwg tome advantage by hearkening to hir»>and
us way \> followed by corrupt teachers ttill> as it is,
2 Cor. II. 3.
6. Sometimes there is much more pretended flrift-
neffe, efpecially in outward things: thus tome of old
added the oblervacion of Mofts Law to the GofpeJ,
as if that were a more perfeft and firjft way , and
upon this ground have Jo many traditions been
brought in into the Church.
' 7. There is a pretending tomoreChriflian liber-
ty and freedom from the bondage of Ordinances of
whatever iort , To as men muft not be tycd to hear
. preachings, keep Sabbaths > Pray, Prailfe andfuch
like, which are (lay they) but formes and burthens
to Saints, and unbecoming that freedom and fpiri-
cualneffc that grown Believers fhould have. Thus
fuch deceivers and thefe that are deceived with them,
are fa id to promife liberty to whomfoever they pro-
pofe their delufions , while in the mean time all of
them are made fervants to corruption.
8. There is great pretending to know Chrifts
mind, and confident alleaging of the writings of His
Apoftles, and that in a feeming convincing way;
Thus , 2. Tbejf. 2. 2. there are mentioned Spirit,
Word and Letter , as proceeding from^«/, whenas
he himfelf is difclaiming fuch interpretations as they
did put on him.
9. They ufe to alleagc the authority of men, and
to oppofe fuch to thefe who oppofe their errours: thus
rhe Pharifees alleaged Mofes , and the N-icolaitans
NicoUs $ and it is like* the falfe apoftles that came
from jerufalem, did oppofe other Apoftles authority
to tauk , as if they had preached nothing but what
they preached in Jerufalem ; and very often the in-
firmities of fome great men, are (tumbled upon , and
made arguments againft truth.
10. Many
i?2 ts4 Treatifc concerning S c A * d a l . Part 3 \l \
10. Many are ftirred up to vent queries and capti-
tious queftions, ( as often the Phanfees did, by fend-
ing their eraiflaries to Chrift ) that feme advantage
may be gotten that way > and thefe that are for truth
entangled.
if. Sometimes he maketh ufe of humane reafon,
and cryeth down every thing that feemeth not con-
fonant to it : upon which ground the refurrtftion was
denied by the Sadduces, andfomcof the Corinthi-
ans, 1 Cor. 1 5. and the moft fundamentall truths of
the Gofpel > are by the Socinians and others unto this
day. Sometimes again, all ufe of reafon , learning
or prudence isdifclaimed ; in which refpe<5t 3 fuch men
are called unreafonable , 2 Tbef, 3. and bruit beafts,
sTtf. 2. zndjude,io
12, They endeavour by all means to carry the fa-
vour of the civil Magiftrates , and to have Minifters
efpecially fuch as are zealous againft them, made
hatefull and fufpe&cd unto them , and the gaining of
this hath a double advantage with it to their caufe» as
it ftrengtheneth it, and weakeneth the truth : this we
feethefalfe Prophets did of old, 1 !(ing.2i. Jer.i6*
jimos 7.10. and fo endeavoured the Scribes and Pha-
rifees to engage the Romans againft Chrift , and
againft His Apoftles ; So alfo did the Arrimt and
other Hereticks , and fo hath Antichtifts emiffaries
ever endeavoured to ftir up civil Magiftrates againft
faithfull Minifters , as moft hatefull perfons: This
they carry on by fuch like means. 1. They pretend
to give the Magiftrates more fubmiflion , and charge
faithfull Minifters with fleighting of their authority,
for they know this to be a thing well pleafina to Ma-
giftrates: Thus the faithfulnrffeofhoneft Minifters
is accounted difobedience and hatred, and the lying
flattery of fuch is given out for retpeft andobedi-
tnee, fo was it in the cafe of MicajaK 2. They cry
out upon faithfull Minifters , as factious and turners
of the world upfide«down i fowers of fedition, as;
Part 3 • A Treatife concerning Scandal. ' 193
Ails 24. 5. troublers of the peace > who do keep the
people in a continuill ftir,and croflc their defigns>and
mur the abfoIutendTc of Migitiracy ; So, Elijah is
counted an enemy co Abab, and a troubler of IfacU
g. They venr many groundleffc calumnies againft
them, as if they were guilty of many grofle evils;
Thus Atbanaji/os and many others were charged by the
jitidns, as murderers and a.lulcerets. and lome preten-
ded proofs made thereof: Yea, it was ailcaged to Con-
Jlantine, that A r t ban jjitu had medlcd with civil matters
( which was derogatory to his authority ) by inhibi-
ting all Corns to be exported from Egypt* 4. They
bring the Mastltrates in tops with them, by appel-
lations from Church- judicatories to them> and feem-
ing to plead an abfolutenefle to Magtftrates in things
Ecclefiartick 5 Thus Hereticks in all times havefhcl-
tered themlelvcs under this pretext > till Magistrates
declared againft them, and then they caft them off al-
fb, as of lare in the practices of the Rodmans and Ay-
minians hath been made out. 5. They reprcfent them
to Magiftrates as utfufferable, in refpeft of their
plain threatnings, and that fuch are not to be endured
foto affront Authority, and to weaken thefe that
profeffe fo much to ref pe& the fame ^ thus Amos is re-
prefented , chap f 7. 1 o. by dma^tab Prieft of Bethel,
and often Jeremiah is fo by the talfe Prophets in his
time. 6* They propofe faithfull Minifters as unwar-
rantably arrogating a kind of infallibility to them-
felves, and thereby derogating from all others ; fo is
that word , I f(jng. 22. What 'toay x»ent the Spirit of
the Lord from me to you i and by a certain audacious
confidence, feek, as it were, to put out faithfull Mini-
fters as defpicable men , not worthy to be credited*
as in the caie cited ; and Je**. 28. and elfewhere » and
often by (uch means their insinuations and flitteries
do exceedingly prevail tor promoving theirdtfigns.
Jtugujline chargeth the Vonatt/ti with this, that in their
- application to Julian , they ufed this phrafe , quoniam
Ip^ sATrcatife concerning Scandal, Part 3;
apud te folum juflitU babet locum: and this was (faith
he ) when they knew he was an apoftat, Epift. \$.
The manner The laft thing in this,is the manner how this defign
ibw tbk de- is carried on by fuch corrupt teachers, which is not
fignii earth alway the fame in all, and may in part be colle&ed
cAm. from what is faid ; Yet we may name thefe particu-
lars. I. It is covertly and fubt illy done > therefore
they creep in with infinuations, looking far otherwife
than they are. 2. It is done hypocritically, 1 Xjm.4.
Tbeyjpea{ lies in hypocrite , and do pretend both to be
Religious and friends to Religion and Truth, while
they do fo. 3. It is done fomtimes vehemently, ask
Were knocking with force at hearts , So it fhaketh the
bearer by the bignefle of words , peremptorineffe of
threatnings> confidence of Affertions, and vehemency
in the manner , fo that it hath (as the Scripture faith)
a ftrength and power with it , and therefore is com-
pared to a fpait or flood, ^ev. 1 2. and is called ftrong
delufion , 2 Thejf. 2. 4. This is done with all dili-
gence, compaffing fea and land, leaving no mean un*
effayed. And, JM with a kind of feeming fimplicity,
zeal and finglnefTe , and with many profeffions there-
of , as may be gathered from the inftances formerly
given ; and from G4/.4, 17. where it is faid, they
zealoufly affedi you , but not well , and from fym.
10. 2. 6. This is done with great boldneffe , which
appeareth , 1. In pretending to efchew no fuffering,
or to fear no hazard that may follow on their opinion,
if it were to give their body to be brunt , and, it may
be, doing much in this. 2. It may be ftuck to by
them at their fickneffe , even in their death beds , as it
is not unlike it was with Jezebel and fome of her
followers, %K 2. 21,22. for, neither is the devil
filenced , nor corruptions removed by fickneffe or
death. 3; It appeareth in confident undertaking to
difpute with any • yea, oftentimes feeking occafion
of that : Thus the Libertines arife and difpute with
Stephen* Ms 6. and it is like,, the falfe teachers of
Corinth
Part 3 . A Treatife concerning Scan DAI. * 9 5
Corinth, thatfaid of ?-«/, I C or >*° *0. chat his bo-
dily prefence was weak, and his tpcach contemptible,
would not have declined to have diiputcd even wich
him. 4. It kyches in their confident ci tiding to their
own judgements, and their undervaluing of all others-
5. It appeared* in confident aflcrtingof any thing,
and not only in the reproaching of any private pcr-
fbn , but of Officers and Ordinances, i r Ptt* 2. 10 >
thev are not aftraid to fpeak evil of dignities.
By thele confiderations , wc may in part fee how ^ ,
delufion cometh to fuch ftrength and heighten refpift r Qk a Jf e
of thefe who carry on this corrupt dotfrine. We w , bavtto
come now toconfidcr a third thing, to wit, What^' hrinpnjr
acceffion is from the peoples fide tor the promoving r rb^f/^we
thereof, which we may draw to thefe three. I. Theie ppon tbm*
is fomething finfull in a peoples former carriage feivcs*
whereby delufion is exceedingly ftrengthencd againft
them > when it cometh as a juft plague for former
miscarriages ; But of thofc fins we have already
fpoken.
2. A peoples prefent temper , or rather diftemper,
may have much influence on this , and exceedingly
difpofe them for > and caft thern open to , the tenta-
rod. Asi firft, Iighmefleof mind, unfettlcdncffe in
the truth ; ihefe the Scripture calleth unftable fouls,
2^.2.14. 2 4 There is an itching new-fangle
humour > defitous of lorac new thing , and loathing
fimple Do&rine , as it is, zTim.q. 2. 3. There is
too great facility in believing the (pirits, without try*
ing of them, which its like hacli been in Galatia,
whereby they were foon drawn away to another
Gofpel, and to credit fome infinuaters toolifhly, as,
chap. I. 6. and 3. t. 4, A fecure carnall frame,
wanting exercife of confeic nee , is dangerous So are
alfo proud prefumptuous perfons, (that have an high
cttcem of themfelves, and fuch as are felf- willed, who
arc mentioned, 2 P^.2.16.) in great hazard of this :
The cencation will alfo fomctimes take advantage of
O 2 * tome
ip6 A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 3 ."
fome perfons who are jumbled in mind , and under
fome weight and heavineffe , and come in under pre-
text of remedying the fame ; many fuch difiempers
there are, whereof fome may be gathered from what
. is faid of the finfull caufes that procure this , be-
caufe that which doth meritorioufly defervc to be fo
punifhed, provethofccnalfoadifpofingmidsfor re-
ceiving of the tentation; Bat we forbear.
. 3» People often by their carriage do promove this
plague of delufion upon themfelves , carting them-
felves in the fnare, 1. By needlefle familiar con-
verting with fuch perfons- 2. Going to hear them,
3. Purchasing or reading their books. 4- Hazard-
ing to entertain their doubts, and to profecute their
arguments and queftions, to plead for their opinions,
and fuch like, Qiunning withall of fuch means and
wayes as might recover them > and entertaining pre-
judice at fuch as would aim thereat j and fuch like,
whereby that of the Prophet is verified , The prophets
teach lies, and my people loVe to have it fo. Now, if
all thefe be put together , can it be thought ftrange to
fee the greateft delufion prevail ? We have been the
longer on thefe , not only for the confirming of that
truth, but for drawing together in fome (hort view,
a little map, as it were, of thefe wayes , whereby the
devil driveth on his defign by the cunning craft of
thefe that lye in wait to deceive.
CHAP. VII.
What is callcd^for a* duty in fuch a cafe,
IT reftetb now that we fbould confider what is du-
ty in fuch a time , or cafe , when delufion in leflc
or more doth prevail, or is very like to prevail ?
Ic cannot be denied, but that fomethingis calkd-
for, and is neceffary where the danger is fo great;
and alfo ic is evident, that fomething more thanordt-
nary
Part 3 • A Treatife concerning Scandal. 197
nary is neceflary, becaufe the ill is more than ordinary.
The remedy therefore muft be proportionable and
timous ; for, a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump,
G<*/.5,8. And experience proveth, that fuch ills do free
and corrupt, as doth a gangrene, 2 Tim, 2. 17. The
difficulty is in determining what is to be done, where-
in, not only the piety , zeal and confcicnceof men
will have exercife, but alfo their prudence and parts*
The loofing of this queftion will relate to three
ranks of men. I. ToChurch-officeM, efpeciallyto
Miniflers. 2. To Magiftrates. 3. To people in
private ftations. Yet before we pofitively fay any
thing, We (hall, 1. (how what is not the remedy
called-for. 2. We (hall (hew what is called-for,buc
is not fufficient. 3. What feemeth to be called-for as
fufficient.
As to the firft, There are two extremities to be
(hunned , which we (hall lay down in two Affer-
tions.
Ajfert. i. An abfolute and unlimited forbearance jyhtt w not
and coleration of all errours , and of the promoters *)be fropcr
thereof, is not the due remedy that is called-for in remedy or
fuch a time, in reference to fuch evils* This, I fup- duty in fucb
pofe is clear, if there were no more in Scripture than <* ca(u
what is comprehended in thefeEpiftlcsj %v. 2. and
3. For, l. the Angel of Epbefm is commended,.
chap.2. 2. that he could not bear or endure them that
.were evil , to wit, the falfe Apoftles : This enduring
then cannot be the duty , feing Chrift commendeth
the contrary. 2. He doth reprove ?ergamo$> ver. 14.
becaufe they had fuch amonpti them that held thedo-
ftrineof Balaam, that is, becaufe they fuffered them.
And, 3. this is clearly- exprefied intheEpiftle to
Tbyatira, ver. 20. I have a few things againft thee,
becaufe thou fefiwft that woman Je^cbcl co teach
and feduee My fervants. There can be nothing more
clear than this; and it is the more obfervable , that
this not-forbearing is commended in fybefm , where
O 3 things
T
l?3 t^Treaufe concerning Scandal* Part 3*
things in their own particular condition arc not al-
together right ; and the other Churches are reproved
for negieft of this , even when their own particular
conditions are right. Which fheweth , That the
Lord lovcth zeal againft fuch fcandals , and abhor-
reth forbearance of them. What was formerly laid
in the Doftrine > What is clear in the pra&ice of
Scripture, both in examples and commands that are
given therein in reference to this , and what may be
lurcher faid in the pofitive part of this direction, will
clear this.
And whatever humane prudence and carnal faint-
ing would fuggeft concerning fuch a way , as that
ic were fitted to deal with pc rfons in fuch a diftcroper,
no othcrwayes than abloliuelyto forbear them> at
lead, fofar as relateth to tlv ie diflempcrs as fuch;
yet it is clear,this is not Gods Ordinance Co to do,nor
the remedy that is by Him appointed : And therefore
there is no promife by which we may expeft a blef-
fingtoit, although fometimes the Lord, who is ab-
folutely Soveraign, may condefcend without any
means , to dry up and bound a floud of errour, even
when men are guilty of forbearing : The c ffeft is
not to be attributed to mens finfull forbearance, but
to Gods gracious condefcendence*
Extreams JlJft rt ' 2. We (ay on the other hand , That an in-
u be tf- different, rigid* equal purfuing , or not enduring of
chewed* every thing that is an errour, or of every petfon who
may be in fome meafure tainted, isnotthefuitable
remedy or duty that is called-for in reference to fuch
a cafe. For , as neither all errours , nor all perfons
are alike , So neither is the fame way at all times to
be followed , becaufe , what may be edifying in one
cafe, may be deftrudtive in another. And as there-
fore there is prudent difference to be made, in refe-
rence to fcandals in practice , and perfons in refpett
of different fcandals , yea , even bf different tempers
are divcrfly to be dealt with , So is it alfo to be here.
Men
Part 3 • *A Tret tifc concerning Scandal l99
Men arc to walk , as they may moft probably attain
the great end, edification, which ought to be the fcope
in this , as in all other Ordinances : And therefore
there can be no peremptory rule concluded , that will
meet all cafes and perfons, as hath been faid : We
fee even the Apoftles putting difference between per-
fons andfcandals, according to the feverall cafes ;
for, fometimes they Excommunicate, as in the in-
ftance of fymeneus and Tthyletus , fometimes they in-
ftruft doftrinally , as ^aul doth the Church-mem-
bers of Corinth and Galatia - y others he threatenetli»
and yet doth not actually Sentence them , as he doth
falfe teachers in thefe Churches: Sometimes again,
no particular Apoftle alone, doth decide the qucftion
(although doftrinally they might ) but there is a Sy-
nod called judicially and authoritatively, to decide
the fame, as, Act. iy.
The reafon of the I. is , becaufe thefe errours of
Hymeneus and T/&ji/rt«f,were of themfclves groflq, de-
ftroy ing the faith, and obftinately and blafphemouf-
ly adhered to. 2. He inftruð and expoftulateth
with the people of Corinth and proceedeth not to the
higheft Cenfure , I . Becaufe they were not feducers,
but were feduced by others. 2. They could not be
accounted obftinate • but might be thought to have
finned of infirmity , Therefore mere gentle and foft
means are to be applied for reclaiming of them.
3. They weje a numerous body , and therefore Ex-
communication or cutting off, could not be expefted
to attain ics end, 4. They were in a prelcnt diftemper,
qucftioning the Apoftles auchorky ; he fecketh rather
therefore to be a^ain acknowledged by them, that fo
both his word and his rod might have weight,wherc-
as if he had fmicten in their diftemper , they had ra-
ther broken orf further from their fubjecftiom Thefe
are clear v befide what may be faid of the natiue of
the fcandal or errour.
3. He threatneth the corrupt teachers with off-
O 4 cutting,
300 <& Treat I fe concerning Scandal.' Part 3 1
cutting , becaufe they wr re leaders and feduccrs, and
(o deferved to be more feverely dealt with, th an thofe
that were feduced by thrm, although, poffibly, as
drunk with thefe fame errout s : Yer, though he threa-
ten, He doth fparefora time toftrike, not out of any
rei'ped to thofe corrupt teachers, or from any con-
nivance at their errour, but out of refpeft to the poor
feduced people , for whofe edification Paul forbare,
even when the weapons were in readineflc to avenge
alldifobedience ; heabftaincd, I fay, becaufe fuch
people having a prejudice at him , and bcinp be-
witched by thefe teachers, might more readily in that
diftemper have .cleaved unto them, and have for-
faken Paul, which would have proven more defini-
tive to them; he feeketh therefore, firft, to have
their obedience manifefted, and fo not only forbeareth
them , but even thofe corrupt teachers, for a time*
for the peoples edifying, as may be gathered from
2Cor.io6. and chap. n. v* 19.
Laftly, I faid, Sometimes Synods or Councils are
called, as in that place, Att. 1 5. which in other cafes
we find not, 1. Becaufe then that errourwas new,
and it's like wanted not its own refpeti from many
of the Church, Therefore a Council ot Officers joy-
ned together to decide it , which is not neceffary
again, after that decifion is pall; butMinifters are
do&rinally and by difcipline to maintain the famcas
we fee Paul doth maintain, in the Epiftles to the %-
manszn&Galatians , the conclufionof the former Sy-
nods 1* This Synod is conveened not for want of
light ("for, any of the Apoftles, as fuch, were infal-
libly infpired to decide in the fame , and had in their
preachings decided it) but it is to make it have the
more weight with others , and therein to be a pre-
cedent to us. 3. That was a fpreading errounwhich
did nor sffeft one plac? only , but many Churches ;
and it's like that many Believers were in hazard to
be fluken therewith ; Therefore the raoft weighty
umedy
Part 3. A Treatife concerning Scandal. 201
remedy is called-for« 4. There was need now, not
only of light to decide the dottrinal things, but there
was alfo need of direftions for helping folks how to
carry in reference to fuch times, foas toefchewthe
fnare of errour on the one hand, and of giving offence
upon the other , as we may fee by the decrees of that
Synod : Therefore in fuch cafes not only would men
feverally endeavour the duty of their ttations , but
they would joyntly concur and meet judicially, or
extrajudicially , as occafion calleth, to deliberate and
confult in thefe things of fo great and common con-
cernment : for, feing the Church is one city, and one
lump, a little fire may hazard all, and a little leaven
corrupt all , and un watchfulneffe at one part, or poft,
may let in enemies to dettroy all# It is needfull there-
fore! that in fome cafes there be mutual concurrence,
although it be not neceflary at all times to have a
judicial meeting, nor at any time is a prefent duty
to be (ufpended by any perfon, if no fuch meeting can
be had. What is faid doth demonftrat that there is
a difference to be made in reference to errours, per-
fons and cafes.
CHAP. VIII.
When fome errours are to be forlorn.
IF it fhould be enquired, how this difference is to
be made ? or, how it may be known when with-
out guilt there may be fome forbearance , and
when not? Jnfs>. This is indeed difficult, and we
will not undertake in particulars either to be fatif-
fying or peremptory 5 yet we (upofc the confidering of
thefe generall Dijiinciions will be helpfull , and the
application of them neceflary, in this cafe. 1. Wt s r me nect f
would diftinguifh betwixt fome errours and fcan- '/ 7/j^-
dals and others , and that both in refpeft of their g/ „/,
grofneffe and evidence : for, fome errours areas Veter
f called
201 ATreAtife concerning Scandal. Part 5,
calleth them, 2'?^. 2.1,2* pernicious and damnable/
as ftriking againft the fpecial Truths of the Word of
God , or inferring groffe pra&ices with them, as this
of the Nicolaitans did, and hazarding the fouls of the
maintainers of them , not as other fins of infirmity,
but in refpeft of the principles which they imply ;
and of this fort are many both errours and praftices.
Again, Other things may be errours,that are contrary
to Truth, but not deftru&ive unto, nor altogether in-
confiftent with, the foundation , but fuch a thing , as
poflibly many true Saints may be taken with, and yet
have acceffe to God and may enter Heaven, although
theyfhould die in that opinion ; of which fort arc
many things that are debated annongft orthodox Di-
vines ; and indeed there is nothing but it hath a truth
or a falfhood in it , yet are not all of equal neceflicy
and weight. Of the firft fort was thatcrrour, which
the falfe apoftles endeavoured to bring- in, that is, the
adding of the pra&ice of the ceremonial Law to
Chrift in juftification, and the mixing-in of works
moral and ceremonial therein, as from theEpiftleto
the Romans and Gaktians may be gathered. Of the fe-
cond kind, was the debate for meats and other things,
mentioned, ^ow.14. and in the Epiftles tothetfwiw-
tbians. Of the firft, wc fay, there ought to be no tole-
rance, Therefore the Lord doth here reprove it ; and
in the Epiftles to the Romans and CorintbiansfEaul doth
plainly and powerfully refute them and reprove them,
even when it was exceeding ill taken , and they were
ready to count him an enemy, becaufe he told them
the truth, Gal. 4. Yet will he not forbear, becaufe a
little leaven of that fort will leaven the whole lump,
and hazard the making of his labour among them to
be in vain.
Of the fecond fort, we fay, That there is a mode-
ration callcd-for in it, and Minifters are not alwayes
called either do&rinally, or by Difcipline, judicially
to reprove or cenfure them : I will not fay but fome-
times
part 3. ATrtstife concerning Scandal. 20:
times it mav be mca to difcover the lea ft ertour, ahd
it may be by circumHanccs lo aggrrgtd, that it may
be necdfull judicially co take notice of it, as when it's
involved with offence and ready to breed Schifm or
Scandal, or in luch like cafes (in which reipeft there
are Tome things mentioned in the decree>./#.i 5-which
are not very material in thf mfelves, as the eating of
things ftranglcd) yet, we lay. it is not (imply and al-
wayes neceffary for Mmifters to preffe at the con-
vincing of all who maintain Something different from
truth, or which is fuppoied to be lo by them , if it be
of things extra-fundamental, or, which have not di-
rect or palpable 11 fluence upon the violating of faith,
or corrupting of manners,much leffe to cenlure tor the
maintaining of it. For, it is not of fuch that thefe
fipiftles fpeak : And we fee, 5fym. 14. and in the
Epiftlesto the Corinthians, in the debate about meats
and eating of things faenficed to idols, and fuch like,
wherein though there was ftill a. right fide and a
wrong , yet doth he rather preffe the forbearing of
thefe debates, than the dipping into them> not aftrift-
ing men alwayes to follow this or that, providing it
be done without breach of unity and charity. Hence
ic is. that although there be fomethings he will give
no forbearance unto, but authoritatively andmini-
fterially he decideth in them, yet in the fame Epiftles
there is fomething amoogft the Saints that he feck-
eth rather to heal, and to bbtain mucuall forbearance
in, than peremptorily to decide. See 2fyw* 14. 1 Qor.
8. 2, % % &c % fhil. 2. 1.
2. There are fome truths and practices evident ,
which by the light of the Word may be folidly de-
monftratcd to an impartial! and unbyaffed fcarcher ;
and fome contrary errours and (candals, that are at
the firtt obvious (and, it may be, even to a naturall
con(ciencc) to be fuch, fo that although men would
ufetcrgiverfations, and fay as Hymeneus and Vhyhtus
did , 2 Tim. 2. 17. that there were no rcfurreftion to
come,
t04 A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 3 .
come, becaufe the Scripture fpeaketh of a fpiricuall
refurre&ion , which in the Believer is patted already.
And although many deluded perfons > who will not
1 admit of diftin&ions according to reafon , in fuch a
cafe , may be drawn away with them , and adhere
(till to them ; yet are the things demonftrable to thefe
that are even but of ordinary reach, by found grounds
from the Scripture, and that convincingly : Other
things, again, may be truths, and there may be to
fome perfons a poflibility of reaching them by many
confequences from Scripture, yet are they not fo clear
to many ; whereupon it is, that men, yea,even learned
and godly men, do differ in their apprehenfions of
feveral truths , the Lord fo thinking good to bridle
mens humours and to let us fee the neceffity of humi-
lity and foberneffe, and this may be inthemeaneft-
like things ; thefe the Apoftle, %w. 14. 1. calleth
dokbtfutldifyutations, as being things wherein too ma-
ny, at teaft^hcre is not fuch evidence attainable as to
ftay the minds of ordinary people, or to refute the
contrary affertions of any adverfary, of which are
Genealogies, and other things that Paul mentioned*
to Timothy, 1 Tim. 1.4,. and calleth them endlejffe, be-
caufe there is no fetled ground to reft on , but one
queftion doth generate another ; and fo the principle
chatmuft be laid down for clearing fuch a thing to
one 5 is alfo difputabl§ to another as the thing it felf is,
and men know but in part, even thofe that are emi-
nent , fo that an univerfal harmony in thefe cannot
Well be expected : In reference to this, we fay, That
greater peremptorinefle^ is required in the firft fort
than in the fecond, wherein, by reafon of the practice
of the Apoftles in Scripture, yea, and of neceffity
there is a forbearance rdquifit , Yet we would beware
of partiality in accounting truths, either evident or
difputable, as men (according as they are judged) are
too apt to do ; it is better therefore to try thefe by the
common account that the Godly and Learned have
had
Part l* tATreatife concerning ScandaI . 205
had in all times of fuch truthes , if there hath been
ftill difference,and yet moderation in thefe differences;
Nor would this be tryed onely by an age or time
(wherein a point may be more agitate than at another
time) but more generally, efpccially when the argu-
ments on either fide want that evidence that the
1 eafons brought for other truths have, and ar^o ful-
ly fetdown in Scripture, That amongft goS>y and
learned men in all ages there hath been a general!
con fen t«
Again,g. We would diftinguifh betwixt errours and
the confequents of them, or praftices following there-
upon ; there may be fomethings truly errours that may
and fhould be forborn in themfelves, yet their confe-
quents ought not to be forborn , and this alio may be
at one time , and in one Church more neceffary to be
adverted to, than in another, becaufe confequents of
fchifm, faftion, divifion , &c. may fometimes follow
on the meaneft errours* And leing thefe are alwayes
enemies to edification, even when they arife from
the leaft ground , they are never abfolutly to be for-
born ; for 3 to fay, I am of Paul'&nd I am o£#pollos,&nd
for one to think fuch a man a better Preacher than an
other , feemeth to be no great matter; yet when it be-
ginneth to rent them , and to make faftions in Corinth,
it is not to be forborn , but to be reproved : And in
the former difference of meats » the Apoflle condem-
ned alwayes the offence and Schifm that followed on
it, although he did not psgmptorily decide any thing
as to mens pra&ices, or cfflRurejfor the opinion it felf:
thus one might think the firft day of the week not to
be JureVhino, and this might poffibly be forborn.
But if he were prefling the change of it, and refufing
to obferve it, or venting it to offend others , that were
intolerable ; thus the differences and errours con-
cerning Church- government by Bifhops , and in the
Congregational way, may,we conceive,in themlelves
be forborn in perfons where they are not vented to the
{baking
zo6 A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 3;
fhaking and drawing away of ochcrs ; but if prcffcd
in praftice > to the renting of a Church , and pre-
ferred or equalled to the true Government that is
eftablifhed by the Word , in that cafe they are not to
beforborn , becaufe then truth is to be vindicated,
and obftru&ions to edification in the renting or di-
ftrafting of a Church to be removed , and at on time
more Man at another , as luch an offence doth waken
a Schifm, and difturb order and Union in one Church
or at one time more than another : hence we fee, Aftt
I y. fonaethings are put in that decree in reference to
that time, only for preventing of Schifm and Scandah
while the do&rine of the abolition of the ceremoniall
Law was not fo clear ; And fomethings were for-
born amongft theGentiles,which were not fo amongft
the Jews for a time , as circumcifion and all the ce-
remonies of the Law , which yet for a time the Jews
obferved ; and experience and reafon make the thing
clear, according to that of Paul » To the Jew I became
asajefb, and I became all things to all men, &c. which
is not to (how his counterfeiting, or his dallying in
anyneceffary thing, but the fquaring of his praftice
in lawfull things according to the feveral cafes of
thefe he had to do with , which will be applicable
both to perfons and Churches*
4. We would diftinguiOi betwixt things, and per-
fons > Sometimes it will be meet to cenfure a fault or
crrour in perfons > as 'Paul doth in the C or ^ nt ^ ians and
Galatians , and yet it not be fie to cenfure the perfons 5
he doth indeed threaten thefe , but doth forbear, leaft
thereby he fhould have Hurt moe by a fubfequent
and following rent * than by his ftroak he had cured.
So alfo are perfons to be diftmguiftied, fome whereof
only erre » but others teach others fo 5 and in that re-
fpeft are Hcceticks and Schifmaticks, which, had that
been their own opinion only , could not have been
imputed to them ; thefe latt cannot plead that for-
bearance that ought to be had, towards the former.
Alfo
Part 3 • A Treatife concerning Scandal.
Alfodiftin&ion is to be made in the manner of for-
bearance ; it is one thinp: to forbear fimply and altoge-
ther one that is infected with errour and Ipreadeth itjt
is another thing to forbear, in fome refpetf, to wit, of
cenfurc only, or it may be in refpeft of degree , fome-
thing may be more gently cenfured , and yet not alto-
gether forborn ; and one may Miniftet ialJy reprove a
fault and perfon by the key of Dotfrine , in apply-
ing of it , when yet he may fcrbear the cxercile of
Difcipline and Cenfure , as in the forecited place ,
*laul is reproving falfe teachers in Corinth, yet fparing
the rod for a time ; and fo , wifhing that fome were
cut off in Galatia , yet not doing it ; and this is not fo?
much refpeft to the perfons of thefe teachers, as to the
Church and to the multitude of their followers,
whom hafty Cenfures might rather have ftumblcd
thznedifiedy which is the great end of that and of
all other Ordinances : Therefore feeketh he firft to re-
cover them, and again, to bring them back to the ac-
knowledgement of his authority , and thereupon to
exercife the weapons that he bad in readinefle for the
avenging all difobedience , when their obedience is
mademanifeft, 2 Cor. io.6. which he would not do
before that, left they ( being addifted to thefe teach-
ers) hadfided with them againft his authority, an^
fo it had been both more hurtfull to them and to the
Church than edifying , by which alone he is fwayed.
Thefe and other fuch considerations being had , Mi-
uifters by chriftian prudence , are to gather when to
be filent, and when to fpeak, when to Cenfure , and
when to forbear 3 but by all means , are ever to be
watchfull, left the grounds that plead for forbearance
fometimes for the Churches edification upon the one
fide , be not ftretched out (0 broad , as to foftcr our
lukewarm temper, eoldneffe > and fainting cowardli-
neffe in the things of God ; c and there is much need to
try from what that moderation doth flow , and whe-
ther even then the heart be hot with holy indignation
agauift
207
io8 A Treat i[e concerning b c a n d a t . Part 3 ;
againft thefe ; Even as on the other fide , trur zeal
would be guided towards the fcope of edification,
left that duty of exercifing Diicipline, which is ac-
ceptable to God, andufefullto the Church, be re-
jected of him, becaufe proceeding from our own fpi*
rits> and prove more hurtfull than edifying in the ef-
fects thereof; Some feOv inftances whereof have
given fome occafionof fpeaking evil of this Ordi-
nance of J -fus Chrift , to thefe who at all times ly in
wait,to catch at what may be wrefted to the reproach
thereof But to conclude this, without infifting on
particulars , there muft be a finglc, impartial and
prudentiall walking , fo as may attain edification,
and as men may be anfwerable to Jefus Chrift in their
truft, having an eye to thefe things that moft contri-
bute to edification*
Sme things ^ uc ' lm ^ w ^at is vented be blafphemous, and de-
not at all to ftroyeth the foundations of faith,that comes not with-
icforbtirn. in this debate* as in 2W's dealing with Hymeneus and
Alexander , 1 Tim. 1.20. is clear ; tor zeal for the Maje-
fty of God, and love to the falvation of fouls (which
is the fubftance of the two great commandements of
the Law) will admit of no forbearing in fuch a cafe
3. If it corrupteth or defaceth the Church, and mak-
cth her a reproach co the profane , it is fiot to be for-
born.* 3. If the things become not the Ordinances
of Chrift, but reflect on them, and confequently on
Him whofe Ordinances they are, they arc not to be
connived at. 4. If fuch things hazard the publick
beautyi order and government of the Church, with-
out which there is no keeping up the face of a vifible
Church, thefe are nor to be over- looked. 5. If they
mar the union and love that ought to be in the
Church ( which is to be preferved » and every thing
that may mar it, removed) they ought not to be tole-
rated. 6. If they turn to be oflfcnfive and fcanda-
lous, either by making the wayesof the Lord to be
ill fpoken of, 2 ¥jt. 2. 2. or by grieviifg the godly ,
y or
Part 3 . A Treatifc concerning Scandal. V09
or by infe&ing others ; they are not the object of for-
bearance, except fome circumftance concur, as hath
been faid , in which cafe it cannot properly be called
forbearance 1 By thefe and other thing* , this may be
tried, when an errour is to be forborn and when not,
in which , consideration is to be had both of the
natnre of the errour, and ot the perfon that doth hold
it, as alfo of the cafe of the Church and people, who
may be edified or hurt by the forbearing or Cenfur-
1 ing of fuch a perfon.
What is needfull , but not fufficienc , will appear
when we come to confider v>bat u called-for } for,
what is leffe than what is required, muft be defe&ive
and not fufficient : as it is requifite that men not only
keep themfelves free, but alfo that by admonition and
exhortation, means be ufed to reclaim thefe that have
fallen ; yet thefe are not fufficient if there be no pub-
lick mean, yea, though there were publick authorita-
tive preaching and exercifing of the {ey of Vottrine,
yet that is not fufficient , if there be not alfo cenfur-
ingbydifcipline,andanexercifeof the fyy of Jurif-
diction • and in fome cafes every cenfure will not be
fafficient,if it be not extended to the utmoft, for Chrift
hath not given that fcy for nought to His Church , in
reference to all herfcandals, nor are men exonered
till they reach themfelves to the uttermoft in their fta*
tions , but this will appear more afterward.
CHAP. IX.
What u called-for from Church- officers in the cap \
of £f reading errour*
WE begin now to fpeak particularly to the
Church-officers duty, and what is called-for
from them, efpecially from Mtfi/fcn,which
we may confider in a fourfold refpe&. i.There is fome-
thing called-tor from the Minifter in reference toGod.
a. In reference to himfelf. ?• In reference to the Flock
P and
sio A Treatife concerning ScANDAii Part 3.
and people who are not tainted , but* it may be, un-
der the tentation. 4. In reference to thefe that are in
the fnarc> efpecially the promotters of thefe evils.
The firft two arc interwoven almoft , Therefore
we (hall fpeak of them cogether : and we fay,
1. When fuch a tentation fetteth on upon a people*
What dMt~ an( j beginncth to infeft or hazard the infeftion of a
M^"^*^ particular Flock> or of many together, (for, the ha-
ference to " 2arc ' °f one > * s ^c hazard of many in fuch a cafe* as is
Goi and k^ ) c he Minifter would look firft to God as the I
bim(clf,at great over -ruler, even of thefe things that are evil'm
fuel a time, the Churches ; and he would confider if things be in
good cafe betwixt God and him, efpecially in refpett
of his Miniftery ; for, fuch an infeftion in a Flock is
a prime ftroak upon a Minifter , becaufe the fpread-
ing thereof threatneth the unchurching of that Church
andblaftingof his Miniftery, as, %v. 2, isthreatned
againft the Angel of Epbefkt&nd it never cometh but
it hath with it a fpirit and fpait of bittcrnefie againft,
and many croffes , faintings and vexations unto, the
Minifter ; he is therefore foberly and compofedly to
look to God as his party, and is not to think,that fuch
things come bygueffe, andfpring out of the duft,
nor from the corruptions of fome giddie people only,
but that there is a higher hand ; without this there can
be no right ufe made of fuch a difpenfation ; and this
is it that (hould humble the Minifter and make him
ferious » left by the peoples fin, God may be fmiting
him: Paul hath this word when he fpeaketh of the
Schifms and contentious debates that were in Corinth,
2 C or * 12. 20, 21, I fear, faith he $ left ^hen I come, my
Godr^ill bumble me amongft you, he did fo conftruft
of their mifcarry ing, as making for this humiliation:
yet it is to be adverted , that it is not the Minifter or
Flock that the Lord is moft difpleafed with, that al-
wayes is fo affaulted and Ihaken, although it be ever
matter of humiliation.
2. When the Minifter is compofed to take up Gods
hand
Part 3 . A Trettife concerning Scandal I 2 1 1
hand in the matter, then is he not only to look to Him
for dirc&ion and guiding in his duty , and without
fretting to reverence His difpenfation , but he is to re-
flect upon himfelf, and toconfider his bygone car-
riage, efpecially inhisMiniftery , if he may not be
chargeable before God with fome finfull influence
upon his peoples diftempers and mifcarriages. And
particularly, he is to look to thefe four , I. If he be
in good terms with God, in reference to his own par-
ticular ftate and condition, and if there was that due
tenderncfle and watchfulneffe at the time of the out-
breaking of fuch an ill : I grant> it may be that things
were right , as in the cafe of Job , Job $. 26. yet it
becometh him to try ; for, fuch a thing may betryfted
with fecurity and negligence * that thereby he may be
awakned to fee his former defe&s. 2. -A Minifter
would then refleft on his ciearneffe to that calhng,and
particularly to fuch a charge } and though to both he
may be called by God , yet it is his part to try , that
he may m?et the reproaches with the greater confi-
dence , as we fee 'Paul doth in the Epiftles often men-
tioned 5 for, in fuch a cafe a Minifter will be put to it,
and whoknoweth but poffibly expectation of eafe,
quiet accommodation or credit in fuch a place * and
traftablneffe in fuch a people , and fuch like* might
have had weight with a good man to fvvay him to
one place more than another ? and by fuch a difpen-
fation the Lord doth chaften that , to learn Miniftcrs
at their entry to be fwayed alone with the Churches
edification. But , 3. to come nearer , a Minifter
would try if he hath any finfull meritorious influence
(to fpeak fo) in procuring that ftroak to the people,
to be given up to thefe delufions; for, it is certain, a
Minifter may be fmittcn in fome ftroak of this kind
upon his people , as is clear from that threading to
the Angel of Epbcfa, Rev- 2. even as a Magiftrate
may befmitten by a ftroak that is immediately upon
his people > as we fee in ®aVUs cafe , who thus pro-
p a cored
2 1 2 iA Treatife concerning Scandal. Part $ •
cured the Peftilence,* Sam.24. becaufe, firft,the people
themfelvs are not guildefs,fo chat there is no injuftice.
And. 2. Becaufe there is a great fibneffe betwixt Mi-
nifter and people, fo that a rod upon one, doth indeed
prove a rod to both : he would therefore try if poffi-
bly he hath been (bmewhat proud or vain of his au-
thority, or refpeft amongft them, of their knowledge*
orderly carriage , or dependance on the Ordinances,
cfpecially if he have any way affe&ed fuch a thing,
and hath withall fleighted the trying of their fpiritual
cftate, and bettering of it,or if he hath been negle&ive
to pray for them,and for their liability in the truth; if
he hath been defe&ive to warn or to keep up the au-
thority of the Ordinances, and of a Miniftery among
them ; if he hath been too familiar and triviall in his
carriage with them , and luch like; alfo, if he hath
been aflfe&ed with zeal for Gods honour, when other
Congregations have been infe&ed , if he hath fym-
pathized with fuch MinifterSj and born burthen with
others in fuch cafes ; or, if on the contrary, he hath
been careleffe, or, it may be, puffed up becaufe himfelf
was free : thefe and fuch like fins would be fearched,
becaufe their is a Juftice, and, if I may fay, a con-
gruity in Juftice, in punifhing fuch fins with fuch
a rod ; for its often when the husband men are fleep-
ing that the enemy doth fow fuch tares. 4. He would
try if he hath had any finfull influence on fuch evils,
as if he hath not been full and diligent in grounding
them in the fundamentall truths, and clearing to them
the Do&rioes of the Gofpel , as well as preaching
duties , cafes, and fuch like ,. or if he hath needlefly
foftered curiofity inftartingany queftions, or in gi-
ving people way to follow them , if he hath made a
(port of fomeerrours publickly or privately, if he hath
laughen at, or lightly fpoken of, the errours and mit
carriages of others, before them , if be hath not been
faithfull to admonifh and reprove the firft gadings, or
if he, hath fed the people with empty notions and
wind*
Part f. A Treat tf e concerning ScandaI^ 2 1 3
wind , and builded hay and ftfjbble upon the foun-
' dation,and hath not fcrioufly ancovcred to them their
guiltineffe, and hath not put them to the exercifeof
Repentance for their corrupt inclinations thereby to
prefl'e humility, fean watchfulneffe,diligence,&c. that
lb their hand might be filled with a more folid work ,
and Chrift by them imployed to preferve them , even
from this tentation. Thefe, I fay,and fuch like, would
be tryed, becaufe where they are, the Minifter wants
not acceflion to their fin ? as if in fome refpefit he had
combined with thefe feducers.
3. When this is done, the Minifter would beaf-
fefted with his own guilt, and then his fympathy
with the peoples* condition will be the more lively;
and he would,/*r/£, endeavour the recovery ofhimfelf,
and his reftoring to good tearms with God through
Chrift Jefus. 2. As he would confeffe his own faults,
fo alfo the faults of the people ; and as he would pray
for pardon for himfelftfo would he do for them, who,
it may be, do reproach and curfe him > yet would he
notceafe to pray for them, having that word frefh
under fuch a ftroak, A for tbefefbeep, Lord, V>bat h^Ve
they done ? g # There would be fpecial dealing with
God, and dependence on Him forfitnefle rightly to
manage fuch a cafe ; for, the charge becomes more
hcavie : God therefore fliould be acknowledged for
obtaining fuitable furniture, even in reference to that
particular : And Minifters would know,that it is not
their abilities, gifts, nor parts that can do this; and
if we cannot fpeak profitably to one that is not in
fuch a diftemper, what can we do where the perfon is
fo prejudged and diftempercd, if the Lord do it not?
Minifters therefore would be in reference to every
word , unto fuch perfons, in a holy fear and jealoufie,
left, lippening to themfelves , they mar the Matter's
work, and ftumble a poor foul rather than edifie the
fame. 4. He would aim fcrioufly not only at ex-
oneration, but at edification • and for that caufe would
P 3 begin,
Si4 idTreatifc concerning Sc and a il Part. 3*
begin, by dealing^lth God for fucceffe, and that
cither the Lord womd immediatly Himfelf convince
or blefle His furniture to him for that end ; yea, He
would be blyth if any mean were provided and blef-
fcd, though in another hand than his own.
4. The Mmifter would no^ ufe ordinary means
for fitting of himfelf to difcover fuch errours as his
people are guilty ot , that he maybe able folidly to
convince them that are ftumbled , and to eftablifti
others that ftatld 5 and pains would betaken in this,
afwell as for preaching, or intheftudying of com-
mon heads at the paffing of tryals , which is but a
proof of the man's gifts in a more remote reference to
fuch a cafe, which now is fpedally'to be put in exer-
rife ; Therefore he would , fir (I , endeavour to be
through in the wole body of Divinity and grounds,
of Chriftian Religion ; for, there is fuch a connexion
among truths, that when one is wronged, many arc
wronged , and one errour may overturn many foun-
dations : And if a Miniftcr have not fome gencrall
im predion of the whole, he cannot with confidence
fearch in, or undertake the refutation of, any one par-
ticular errour : Neither ought a Minifter , who pof-
fibly for a timenath forborn ftudies of that kind, ,
think it unbecoming him again to return to them,
feingitisduty, and there is nofhame to be learning
what may fie one for his duty ; And who knoweth
but among other ends, this may be intended, that Mi-
nifters may be put to more conftant ftudy and fearch *
in the fundamental! truths of the Gofpel ? 2. He
would then, like a wife Phyfician.endeavour to know
the malady that hath infe&ed and diftempercd his
people, what are the errours they maintain, what
are the arguments that have weight with them, what
are the tentacions they have had . or who are the
tempters or inftruments that have feduced them, and
fuch like ; What alfo is their natural humour, hafty
or meek, proud or humble; What hath been their
former
Part 3 • exf Treat ij e concerning Scandal. 215
former way of walking , what are their parts and
abilities,with whom they converfc, who hath weight
with them , or are efteemed by them , that by thefe
and fuch like means he may be in better capacity to
know how to apply the remedie , and to deal with
chemhimfeif, or to make ufe of others for that end.
3. He would endeavour the furnifhing of himfelf,
cfpccially in reference to thefe errours beyond others
which they are tainted with, and for this caufe would
provide fit Books, converle with others that are able
to help him , and gather his own obfervations from
Scripture and other grounds , that through Gods
bleffing upon his labours he may be able to (peak of
thefe things confidently as to himfelf, and convin-
cingly as to others. It is to be obfervedi chat the for-
mer order laid down , doth not require a fucceflion in
' time, in reference to the feveral fteps ( for, in fome
cafes a Minifter will be inftantly put to what is be-
yond all thefe , and to deal by fome other means) but
it (heweth the order of nature , and what way is to
be followed according as there is acceffe and op-
portunity.
Further, Ic is necefiary for Minifters , at fuch a Vnicn *-
timeefpecially, to endeavour union among themfelves mong(t CMi-
and amongft the people of their flocks 3 for, often- ticftctsdrd
times divifion and delufion are tryfted together , >***j* fl° c ^y
wheneby the deluders are exceedingly ftrengthened, * in ^ a
Truth, and'the Minifters thereof, made exceedingly C *I* ****]**-
contemptible and put in an incapacity to edifie , or ¥°i c * m ~
have weight, till that be removed. Therefore we fee* C *
that in the Churches of Cortnth, Galatid and Pbilippi,
where Seducers were driving their defigns, and divi-
fion had taken great footing , the Apoftle hath a fpe-
cial regard to the recovering of their union at fuch a
time : We may read it alfo in the Life of Safilius the
great Antagonift of the Arum , who, being by fome
divifion with Eufebius, then Bifhop of Cefaria, necef-
fitatcd to withdraw for the Churches peace, Where-
P 4 upon
J
? \6 A Treatife concerning Scan dal Part g • •
upon Faience the ^iawEmperour, and other Jtrians*
thought that a fit opportunity to vent their crrour in
Cefaria, which they could not fuccesfully do, while ~|
union continued there. To difappoint this defign,
Gregory Ka^ian^en advifed his return and uniting
with Eufebiusy as the only mean to prevent the growth
of that herefie amongft the people , which being ac^
cordingly done, and both of them forgetting their
particular difcontents for the publick good, the
Church was fo cftabli(hed,and the errour fo oppofed,
that the forenamed enterprifers were conftrained {o
give over their defign upon that union.
. In the third place » We come to confider a Mini-
WmtsbU ft crs ^y m rc f cr ence to the flock in generall (and
ftrlutt* cerca j n 'y by proportion it may be gathered what fe-
bfsfl$ch° xloxx fa&z, gravity and diligence ought to be amongft
4 * 'Jtyling- elders in their concurring with him in fuch a
cafe, who are alio to joyn with him according to
to their places in the former fearch and triall of their
carriage* and in fitting of thcmfclvcs for being ufe-
full in fuch a time) tor. it cannot be denied, but fome-
what peculiar is called* for from the Mimfter , in re-
ference to his Miniftery in common amongft the
peopld more than is called- for at another time. As,
I. he is to be in relpe&of all Chriftian qualificati-
ons in his carriage and all minifteriall duties in his
charge, Angularly ferious and eminently exemplary,
becaufe it is now a main and prime thing to have a
teftimony of fincerity , faithtulneffe and love to the
peoples edification in their own confeiences ; and
this cannot be obtained at fuch a time without the
fornper* For , in experience we fee that declining to
errour, and falling from cfteemof the Minifter, go
together : and where this is preferved , either the fall
is prevented > or there is the greater accefle to recover
the perfon that is fallen. Minifters therefore would
efpecially ftudy that , as a main mean of the peoples
edification. And for that caufe, would* obfervc, fc. If
a a °y
part jl A Trentlfe concerning ScANDAll , ? x 7
any thing hath efcaped them in their way , which
might have given offence , and would by all means
endeavour to remove it. 2. It any thing hath been
unjuftly imputed to them, they would condefcend to
clear it. ?. They would take notice of what parti-
culars they ufe to oe charpf d with, thoughjit may be,
unjuftly, or what ufually Minifters are charged with
by the corrupt men of the worid , as pride, cove-
toufnefle, felf-feeking, hypoenfie and the like \ and
at fuch a time ,. Minifters would not only efchew
thefe evils, but alio the very appearance of them,
which is a pan of fauh becoming all things to all,
that he mipht gain and (ave fome, I C or *9* And, in a
word, a Minifter would fo carry in that time, a?
every look, word, aft ion , gefture* yea, as every
thing leffeor more in hisMiniftery, in his family,
diet, cloachs, and fuch like, may abide the triall of
the moft narrow and watchfull obfervers, yea, of
one that is a more high and narrow obferver than
they.
2. There are fome things wherein particularly he
would infift and feek to have born in upon the
people- As, r. to have them fenfible of the evil of
errour , and of the hazard that cometh by it , alfo of
the devils fubtilcy and craft in carrying on of fuch a
bufinefle. 2. To have them inftru&ed and cleared
in the truths of theGotpel , elpecially in fuch things
as are controverted , that the errours and confequents
following thereon j may bemadeasobvioufly clear
and batefull as may be. ? This would be done fo
as they be not diverted from praftice in the main du-
ties of godlineffe by any fpeculation ; but, fearching,
up-ftirring and materiall Do&rines, with power-
full and convincing applications of all kinds , would
be in a fpeciall manner preffed then, as we fee in
thefe direft ions to Timothy and Titus is clear : where,
upon the one fidp, the taking head to fables and vain
janglings is dehor ted from > and convincing, exhort-
ing ,
5 1 8 A Tnatife concerning S c a n d a t . Part 3;
ing , reproving with all authority % preffing of good
works, andcxercifingtogodlineffe, are, on the other
fide exhorted unto. 4. People would be prefled by
all means > to efchew fnares and the company of fe-
ducers, which was both our Lords practice > and the
praftice of His Apoftles. There is no duty more
frequently prefled than that : It is true, this is fome-
times miftaken by people, yet it is the duty of Mini-
ftcrs to preffe it ; yea> they are charged to charge others
in reference to this , as in the 1. to Tim. 4. n. and 6.
1 3, being compared with the dire&ions that are given
inthefeEpiftles. 5, It may be it were not unmeet
in fuch a time , that fomething were done in wif, for
clearing of thefe things which are efpecially contro-
verted, and that fome in particular might be defigned
for this part of the work : for, often feducers fpread
their errours by writ, as we may in fee in Jer. 29.25.
And fometimes there will be acceflfe to inftruft and
edifie by frrif, when it cannot be done by Word, yea,
fo, fome pcrfons may have objeftions moved and
anfwered to them , before they be confirmed in fuch
and (uch opinions , which poffibly they would have
thought fhame to move till they had fettled in them ;
andfo have been in a greater prejudice againft the
truth , and in a greater incapacity to be gained from
them ; and we fee > that the Apoftles ufed this way
unto Churches andPeopIp , to confute materiall er-
rours in torit, and fo alfo to confirm the truth againft
all cavils of adverfaries , even as they did it by v>ord
of mouth and preaching.
3. In all this,the Minifter would take good heed to
his manner of proceeding , that it be grave, weighty,
ferious, loving, and in every thing fuch as may con-
vince the people , 1. Of his own ferioufneffe > and
being much affe&ed with fuch a bufineffe , There-
fore light and mocking expreffions would be (hun-
ned , but the Minifter would be affectionate and fe-
rious , like one travelling in birth , while Chrift be
formed
Part 3 • -A Treatife concerning Scandal; ^~
formed in chcm again, as *W fpeaketh , Gal. 4. 19.
2. To convince them of the evil of the thing, and
for thatcaufe would io carry, as he may make errour
alio hateful! and loathfome to the people > as any
fcandalous pra$ia whatfotver ; for which caufe
Mimtters would rather endeavour to ftir the peoples
zeal againft tuch evils, by grave, convincing, affe-
ctionate expreflions, regracesorexpoftulacions, than
to move their laugnter with triviall mocks or taunts,
in reference to (uch principles or perfons; for, (as
holy Matter Greenbam ufed to fay) that doth but make
fin ridiculous, when it ought to be made hatefull.
|. He would endeavour to convince them of his
iingleneffe in leektng of their good , and of love to
them, and pitty co thefe that are milled ; for which
caufe any thing that may make him be fuppofed to
refent perfonall reproaches or indignities, or aim at
upholding of his own credit, or to vent bitterneffe
againft the perfons of others, would be carefully ab-
ftained from : for, thele thines derogate much from
the weight of what a Minifter can do; and we fee
the great Apoftle VtuU doth not ftick to condefcend in
fuch caies to vindicate himlelf from fuch miftakes,
and to ufe great expreflions of love, yea, fometimes
to atteft God as co the fincerity of his profeffions, and
fuch like? which are frequent in the Epiftles to the
CorinthiamzndGalatians, which may be an example
to Minifters in fuch cafes. 4. Their whole carriage
would be atfe<5honate,( ven to the perfons ofoppolers;
for, nothing prej'udgeth more , than for a Minifter to
be thought carnall and paflionate, whereas tender
dealing and ufage to perions and to their outward
eftates,doth prove as coals of fire to foften them, as in
experience is found ; however its becoming of a Mi-
nifter ; yet it is to be done without marring zeal and
indignation againft their errours , and without pre-
judice to his fecking to cenfure them lor thefe > or his
reftraining them from venting of the fame.
Tc
Sao *A Treatife concerning S c an da l7 Part $
It is here to be adverted, I. That what was fpokett
of the manner of a Minifters carriage in reference to
pra&ical fcandals, and of his duty in a time when
offences abound* is alfo to be remembred here and
in what followeth. a* That what is fpoken of Mi-
nifters duty >W ill by proportion agree to %uling.Elders
according to their Rations ; for, they (hould nolefle
endeavour the preventing and fupprefling of corrupt
do&rine than of other fcandalous praftices , and they
efpeciallv are to endeavour to have the means ufed
by the Minifter, made weighty amongft the people ;
and for that end, are to endeavour to have himfelf
weighty alfo.
Vflw U a We come now to the fourth ftep of a Minifters
tMmjlefs duty, and that is,as it relateth to thofe that are tainted
duty in refc- with errour, (we mean groffe errours and delufions,
fence totbofc f uc h as t h ls djfcourfe runneth upon ) We may con-
tut arc (c-fifa jcinthcfe four fteps, as it relateth, I. to difco~
****** very , or try al, 2. to conYxtlion, 3. to admonition, 4. to
rejection.
For the firft, as the Apoftle faith of men in general,
I Tim. 5. 24. Some mens fins are open before hand,
going before to judgment , and fome mens follow af-
ter : So here, fometimes errour difcovereth it felf, and
there is no need of fearch ; yet fometimes alfo there
will be many fecret obje&ions moved and harboured
againft truths > which will not be avowed, though
they be privately muttered ; yea, fometimes corrupt
teachers will endeavour the vailing and hiding of
their tenets, or errours, by many (hifts, even when
they are ftudying to leaven others with their delu-
fions. There is therefore a neceflicy in fuch a cafe,
I. to try what opinions are held and vented, and to
difcover the abfurdneffe and groffnefle of them 3 for,
many will maintain the premiffes ignorantly , who
will not know that fuch abfurd conclufions do fol-
low thereupon ; It is fit therefore to lay by the names
and expreffions ufed by feducers , and tocxpreffe the
thing
;
Part 3 . *A Trea tife concerning Scamdal. *""?
thing as it is , cfpecially if it be the reviving of fome
old abfurdity under fome new coat and pretext;
Thus the Lord doth difcover the abomination of the
KicoUitans doftrine, by comparing it unto , and evi-
dencing it to be, upon the mater, indeed one and the
fame with the practices of Balaam and Jezebel, %K
2. 14 I5 v and 20. This way is alfd followed by Peter,
2Epift. 2- and by Jude , vvho compared corrupt
teachers to Balaam, , l{orab> <Datban 9 (<rc. thereby to
take the viforn off old newly revived errours , that
they may appear as they are ; for , often errour is
commended to people under fome new reprefentation,
and many will love it foreprefented , who yet will
abhor former errours, which are ftill the fame,though
under another name, which are two tricks of the de-
vils fubtility , i. To make old errour paffe under
the opinion and conftru&ion of fome new light*
And, 2. for that end to difguife it in fome circum-
ftances , and to change its name : And indeed, it is
no little piece of fpirituall dexterity to remove that
mask* Secondly , There is a difcovery to be made
of the perfons wno hanker after fuch opinions > that
k may be found who are infefted thereby j This
would be done to reclaim the perfons, and to cure
that diftemper,before it break out,or come to a height;
for, it is more eafie often to cure one at the beginning
than afterward : alfo, when itbecometh publick , it
hath with it fome kind of engagement on the perfon,
and he is more hardly recovered , left he (hould feem
thereby to appear weak, erroneous, unftable, or fuch
like. Befide, it is more gaining- like when the Mi-
nifter privately findeth them out , and endeavoureth
to recover them fecretly , before any publick notice
be taken thereof, and often hath more fucceffe with
it > than after debats , as feemeth to be held forth in
that place > Gal. 2. 2* where 2W faith , that he com-
municated with them of reputation, the Gofpel, firft,
privately 1 left by any means he (hould have run in
vain.
2 22 ^WtWBfJKnctrning S c aUTOH^ 7 " Part $ ,
vain. Therefore we conceive, perfons fafpeft of er-
rour* would nor haftily be brought to publick , but
in fome refpe& , the publickneffe of their offence,
would be, as it were, ditiembled > or not pofitively
fo publickly taken notice of, that-tljereby there may
' be the fairer acceffe for them to retreat. ?. If there
be any retreat* the perfbn would be waited upon al-
though at firft it be not fully fatisfying , and all due
care and diligence would be ufed to have his former
errour buried , as if it had never been f without any
publick hearing , except fome extraordinary circum-
ftance perfwade to another way. For, (befides the
reafons given) errour becometh not readily a publick
fcaridal, except there be tenacioufneffe therein>or fome
a&uall (tumbling- block laid before others thereby,
which often the perfons reclaiming , will remove
more than their cenfuring. Therefore, upon fuppofi-
tion of a perfons recovery , therein no great fear of
hazard in abftaining from bringing fuch a thing to
publick, except he hath been inftrumentall to feduce
others, or in fome fuch cafe which doth make his car-
riage open before band ; as is faid. 4- This fecret dif-
covery before things break out , is necdfull to prevent
the defc&ion of others, becaule, if the perfons be not
reclaimed, they maybe found oat to be dangerous,
and may (b be noted, for the preventing of their be-
ing a fn are to others > which they might have been
more eafily , had they not been marked to be fuch,
which is the reafon of that exhortation, %om. 16. 17.
Marl( them that cauf$ dfoifions, and avoid them. When
a perfon is difcovered and found to be tainted , then
all means are to be ufed for his convittion by confe-
rence, reafoning and other fuch means as may gain
the end , this is a fpeciall qualification of a Minifter,
27m. 9» that he may be able by found Do&rine to
tonVmce gainfayers. And (as it is, 2 Tim. 2. 25. ) in
meckneffe to inftruft thefe that oppofe themfelves z
Which ftep may be confidered under diverfe refpe&s,
• ' i.A*
Part 3 ^ A Trecttfe concerning Scandal. 213
i.As it tcndeth to the gaining of the perfon direftly,(b
efpecially private debatings are rcquifit, which are to
be carried on with all meekneffe and long-fuffering ,
although they meet with reproaches and reflexions
in the profecuting thereof; 2. Although there be little
hopes of gaining the perfon > yet there is need of
fuch means for the flopping of his mouth, and the
edification of others , that thereby he have not occa-
fiontofeducethemj for, often fuch debatings folid-
ly and judicioufly carried on > though they do not
convince the perfon , foastomakchimfilent, yet do
they convince others of the abfurdnefle of thefe er-
rours, and the unrcafonablneffe of fuch a perfons
carriage ; and experience hath proven 5 that often fuch
debats have been blefled for the credit and vindication
of the truth, in reference to many others, and by that
place > Tit. 1. 9. feemeth to be clear duty , though
there be little hopes of coming fpeed , as to the per-
fons feduced.
CHAP. X.
Whether at aB times apublick^debtte be neceffarj
Vcith fuch perfons upon thefe points.
IF it be queftioned here , 1. Whether in all cafes
there be a neccflity of a publick debate? t. What
is to be accounted conviftion ? 3. What is to be
done, when the perfons are not filcnt ? 4. How this
debate is to be managed?
We (hall anfwer by laying downfome Aflertions
promifcuoufly in reference to all thefe Queftions.
AJJert. 1. We fay that there are tome times and in what
cafes wherein publick debates are not altogether to be cafes it is
(hunned j I will not fay, that every perfon is to accept called /w.
of fuch a challenge , left thereby truth be wronged ;
(neither is it alwayes the ableft man that manageth
filch a bufineffe bed ) but in general the thing is nc-
ceffary
^24 <^4 Treatife concerning Scanda l • Part $
ceflary in thefe and fuch like calcs : As, I. when
erroursfeem to be new among the people. ,2. When
the promoters of them become infolent , as if they
durft come to the light with their deeds. 3. When
by forbearance and 'ilence, people are in hazard to
think fomething of the(e infolent boafters, and of their
opinions. In which cafes , I fay, and the like , there
is fome neceflicv of this, for the Churches edification*
as may appear from Tit. 1 9, 10, 1 1. There are many,
faith the Apoftle.. v>ho are unruly and Vain tailors (fuch
as vainly boart ofchdr own ability, to maintain their
opinions ) v>ho[e mouths muft be flopped, left they get
advantage to feduce others ; and this is given as the
reafon why Miuillers fhould be qualified with abili-
ties to convince gainfayers- becaule fometimes the in-
folencie and vanity of fome fuch , doch neceflitate co
this* and on this ground we will find our bleffed
Lord Himfelf, and Stephen and Paul, frequently difpu-
ting even in AfTmbhes and Synagogues. This will
not infer a necelTi;y for every Mimfter to difpute at all
times, even in fuch a cafe , but fometimes it may be
referred,and put to others 5 for if trucn be maintained,
anderrour be confuted, it may flop the gainfayers
mouth, although every one do it not.
j , Ajfert. 2. Yet there are fome cafes , when fuch en-
cafc$ it is ter * n S °f debats is not neceflary nor expedient. As,
»/* ^/&i x * fuppofing thefe things not to be new, but to have
fa been fufficiently confuted formerly , and it may be in
other places not far off, nor long before that > for, if
there fhould be a continuing ftill to debate , there
would be no truth acknowledged to be fetled , nor ac-
ceffe to other and further duties. 2. When fome
perfons are known vainly and purpofly to feek to put
all in confufion, by multiplying fuch debats, and ir-
reverently to profecute the fame » as if they made it
their trade or vocation to do fo: The anlwering of
fuch men according to their folly, would be an acrtfli-
on co their guilt of taking chc bleffed Name of God
in
Part 3 . A Treaty e concerning Scandal. 225
in vain , and for fatisfa&ion to mens humours , and
not for the great end of edification. ?. When men
become unreafonable, and in their debating, (hew
irrationall contradiction and blafphemy ; in fuch a
cafe , it is to be forborn or broken off with indigna-
tion , and with zeal to the glory of God , as we fee
taul and Bartidbts do, Jtt.l$. 45 46. 4. Some
erroneous perfons are fogrofleand abfurd , that they
are not to be difputed with , but rather to be reproved
and abhorred : and therefore we fee in thefe Epiftles*
%v. 2. 3. there is no difputing againft the Nicoiaitanst
as Paul ufeth in other cafes , becaufe, where fuch ab-
furdities are owned, there is no accefle to fatten a con-
viction from reafon, when men by fuch opinions ap-
pear to be unreafonable. ?. When men deny prin-
ciples, as the authority or fufficiency of the Scripture*
or when they lay new principles , as alight within,
revelations, enthufiafms, or fuch like; or, when they
grofly and abfurdly wreft and pervert the Scripture,
as Peter fpeaketh of fome, denying mod clear fenles,
and forging fcnfes which are mod ridiculous : In
fuch cafes, there is no accefle to difpute, not only be-
caufe it cannot be done without admitting of them
to blafphcrae , but alfo becaufe there is no mean by
which they may be convinced , feing the Sword of
the Spirit , which is the Word of God , is rendered
ufelefle unto them : As for inftance , Hymeneu* and
Alex&ndtr , faid , there was no refurre£tion to come,
becaufe it was paft already; they wanted not dexteri-
ty to abufc the Scripture , which faith, that there is a
refurrettion from fin, and by the new birth Believers
are raifed from the dead. Now, the applying of what
is fpoken of the generall and fecond refurreftion to
this particular and firft refurreftion, isfogtoffe, that
2W doth not difpute with but Sentence fuch blafphe-*
mers and abufcrs of the Scripture ; for, it is clear,
that thty did not deny the Scripture , or a refurre6ti-
on (imply, bucdidgroGy and irrationally mifapply
Q^ cto
*i6 tsf Treatife concerning Scandal. Part J.
the fame : of this fort , are fuch as will admic of no
diftin&ions, nor confequences, nor different accepti-
ons of words and phrafes, and fuch like : fonaccord 1
ing to chefe grounds > the Scripture is made todifa-
gree from it felf, to give no certain found in any
thing, and to infer many abfurdities , which is blaf-
phemous to think.
Wfato U to d/fert.^ It is not to be thought that that only \%con\>u
bcaccoun. Stion,v9t\kh pucteth the adverfe party to filence,or that
¥&** *^ C w " en convincing of gainfayers is commanded , that
fwjicim c h ac on i y j $ intended: for,men of corrupt unruly ipiriw
conviftm (as thc Apoftlc faUh ^ wax worfe and wor f c>and do rc-
taV* m ' C ^ e t^uc ' 1, as 1 mnes anc * J am ^ res withftood Mofes,
' J • 2 Tim. 3 8. and are therefore called reprobate concern-
ing the faith ; yea, fometimes the more they be pinch-
ed and bound , the more they cry out , and will not
yeeld to convincing truth, as we fee, ^#.6. 9,10,11*
and All 1 3. 45, 46. and certainly there were none of
Paul's oppofers able to difpute with him , yet we will
never almoft find his adverfariei filent , though he
put them to filence > and did aftually convince them ;
notwithftanding they are ftill muttering and contra-
dicting, fo that oftentimes he breaketh off, Quaking
the duft off his feet againft them, when arguments did
not the bufineffe. Oftentimes a lfo , this continuing
of contradidion with fome dexterity to pervert Scrip-
ture to their own deftru&ion , is to them penallmd
judiciall , as was formerly obferved , and doth follow
upon their hazirding and daring to oppofe the mani-
feft truth. And who would have thought , but that
thefe Magicians that refifted M>/tt> fhouldhave been
convinced by fo many miracles, not to have effayed
further to oppofc him ? which yet notwithftanding
they continue to do ; and if it was fo then, and with
Paul and the other Apoftles afterward, can i.t be ex-
pe&ed to be otherwayes now ? feing the fpirit of
Jannes and Jambres, and the gainfaying of Core is
marked by the Scripture to wait on fuch*
Part J. A Treatifc concerning Scandal. 227
If it be asked then, What cao be undcrftood by
conviction ? and if a pcrlbn may be accounted con-
vinced, who yet may be keeping the laft word, and
confidently bragging of the vi&ory ? Jnfi>. That
conViHion is not to be bounded with acknowledgment
or filence in the party convinced , we fuppofe is al-
ready cleared ; yea, thofe that are convinced, may, as
it were, cry the others out of the company by multi-
tude of words and confidence of expreflions, as thofe
Jews did cry down Vaul and Barnabas* dtt. 13.46.
Therefore we fee in that precept* Tit. 5. 10, 11.
that the Heretick which is to be reje&ed, is both faid
to refufe admonition* and alfo to be condemned of
himfelf; yet it cannot be faid that he was put to filence
by thefe admonitions, or did forbear to vent his er-
rours : this therefore mutt be accounted certain , and
is confirmed by 2l)m. 2.25. where the recovery of
oppofers, even after fufficient inftru&ion, with meck-
neffe, hath a peradtenture in it , as a thing moft rarely
to be found. We muft therefore place condition in
fome other thing than that: and foinanfwerto the
queftion , What is to be accounted conUttlon ? Wc
fay, T. it is when a perfon isfofar convinced, and
the truth with his errour fo far cleared to be troth and
errour refpeftively , that his continuing obftinate*
cannot be fuppofed to be of infirmity , which often
will evidence it felf in foolifh , weightleflc and un-
reafonablc flnifts and anfwers, or when there cannot
be weight in fuch an anfwer , to fatisfie a mans own
reafon or confeience , if he were fober and at himfelf:
upon this account, the Heretick is faid to be condem-
ned of himfelf, Tit. 3. 11. not becaufe a&ually his
confeience doth condemn him for diflRmulation ; fot
even then it is fuppoled he may be in a dclufion,whidi
keepeth* off fuch challenges ; and their confeiences
are faid to be feared with an hot iron, 1 Tim. 4. 2.
which importeth , they were not capable of pofitive
conviftions within themfelves > but it muft be un-
Q^ z dcrttood
2 2 S d Treatlfe concerning Scandal. Part }•
dcrftood thus , that they arc thecaufe of their own
blindneffe , as wilfully and mahcioufly refuting and
rejeding light when it is offered to them > andfo the
cauie of their own damnation doth not flow from the
negle&of others, in not holding forth to themfuffi-
cient light, but from their own obftmacy , prejudice
and malicioufnefle. 2. They may be (aid to be con-
vinced when the thing is made clear to fober ferious
men , even as fome ftupid ignorant perfon9 are inex-
cufable in their ignorance, when they live under fuch
means as others of ordinary capacity thrive by; al-
though fuch plain preachings, difcourfes or db&rines
be no way underftood by them , yet may it juftly be
faid, that that light was fufficient to inftru&them,
or that Gofpel to convince them, (eing others have
been profiled by the fame. 3. They may be (aid to
be convinced , even when they fpeak again , when
there is no anfwer to purpofe in their fpeaking, but
abfurd denying or afferting of things without any
reafon> or when there is a granting of abfurd confe-
rences, or an aflerting of an abfurdity, that poffibly
is greater nor another which they would cfchew ; or,
bitter railing againtt mens perfons, feeking to defame
them for ftrengthening of their caufe , as the falfe
teachers did 2W among the Corinthians and Galatians ,
and as the Liber tins dd to Stephen by venting calum-
nies on him, and provoking others againft him, Atl.6.
or, when in their anfwers or debates , they break out
in blafphemy againft God , againft His Scriptures,
againft His Ordinances ; fuch, in fuch cafes,are to be
accounted fufficiently convinced, and their obftinacy
is to be accounted malicious ; and this we may ga-
ther, as from others places, fo from that , MK 13. 45,
46. when they ccme to wilfull contradidtions and
blafpheming, fad and fBamabM will reafon no more.
And, Mts2$. 24, 25. fome Jews arc accounted to be
fufficiently convinced, and their contradi&ion to pro-
ceed from judicial! blinding, when they rejeft that
word
Part 5 . %A Treat ik concerning Scandal.' 1 2#
Word which did fufficiently, convince others. Alfa
we fee, Ml. 17. p- when men begin to mock at the
fundamental! things of Religion , or to fbift clear
places of Scripturcby putting Grange and abfurd ex-
pofuions upon them, as was formerly marked of Hjl-
meneus and Alexander ; fuch perfons are not to be dis-
puted with any more, but to be accounted abundant-
ly convinced , Notwichftanding of the moft confi-
dent contradi&ion : and what was faid of fome cafes,
wherein publick debate was not to be admitted , the
fame may be applied in this cafe , as being evidences
of Sufficient convi&ion artd felf-condemnation of
fuch perfons.
Jjfert. 4. When any fuch debate is found neceffa- H
ry, there is much fpiritual zeal and prudence required ijTfi
in the managing thereof: in which, befide what is ge- £ t J £ ^
nerally required in the manner of every thing, thefe»<w w ^
things are to beobferved , 1. That it be not tumul- neccflary.
tuary and confufed $ becaufe fo the Name of God is
irreverently dealt with , and made obnoxious to re-
proach : Therefore order and reverence , and what is
needfull and fit for fuch an end, is to be provided for ;
other wife , fuch confufed meetings are to be left \^jhen
entered into, as difhonourable to the Name of God,
and unbecoming the gravity that Minifters fhould
follow, as we fee, ^#.13.45,46. and ^.i$Mo, 32. for,
in fuch a cafe there is no 3ccefle to edification. 2. Men
would den iedly undertake fuch a thing when called
to it, as being convinced how difficult the task is ,
how feckleflfe thr y themfclves are , and how fubcile
the principal! adverfary which they have to do with
is. Therefore there would no: be an undertaking
upon the account of gifts , parts, or learning, nor
would it be managed only or mainly by fubtile ar-
gument*, nor would advantage be much fought for,
that way hue fiviiple truth would be plainly, gravely,
and 2 aloufly propofed with refpeft to the affc&ing
the confeience of the party* and of the hearers.
Q^i And
5j b A Treatife concerning Scandal Part y
And as it is in preaching, not the fubtileft and learn-
cdeft difcourfes do alwayes prove moft taking , So in
debates that concern confcience, materiall plainnefle
demonftrating the truth with power unto the confci-
ence j hath often the clearcft evidence with it* There
is a notable inftance recorded by fyjfinus, Ecclef. hift.
lib. to. chap. 3. which was thus, at the Council I
of N*Ve , great Schollers were conveened from all
places* upon report of that famous meeting, to which
alio did come fome chief Philofophers, of whom
one moft eminent did difpute frequently with the
greateft Schollers , who were never able to bind him,
becaufefuch (faith he) was his nimbleneffe* that
like an eel he flipped them , by one fhift or other,
when arguments did feem moft conliringent. But
God , that he might (how that His Kingdom did not
confift in word, but in power ; one of the Confcffors,
being a man of a moft fimple nature, and knowing
nothing but Chrift Jefus and Him crucified, when
he (aw the Phflofopher iniultingand boaflingof his
quickneffe, defired liberty to (peak with him a little,
others did fhun it, knowing the mans fimplicity, and
fea^jng left he fhould become a reproach to fubtile
men: notwithftanding, he pcrfifted, and began thus,
Philofopher, in the Name of Jefus Chrift hear thefe
things that are true > There is one God who made
Heaven and Earth , and formed man out of the duft,
and gave him a Spirit , who made all things which
are feen and un(een , who fent His Son , born of a
Virguijto deliver us miferablc (inners from everlafting
death $ by His fuffering of death ; and hath given us
lifeetetnallbyHis Refurre&ion , whom we expeft
to come as Judge of what ever we do : Philofopher*
believeft thou thefe things ? Then he, as if he had not
known how to contradict, aftoniftied with the power
of what was faid , and put to filence, only could an-
fwer, that it appeared fo , that there V>as no other thing
but truth in V>hat he had faid. Then faid the aged Con-
fiffor,
Part J» A Trettife concerning Scandal; 2gl
fefibr , if thou belieVe/l fo , rife and follow me to the
Cburcb , and receive the feal of this faith : Then the
Philofophcr turning to thefe that herewith him* and
other hearers > (aid > Heir , Learned men , While the
matter too* managed With me With Words y I oppofed Words
to Words ; but When for Words Vertue proceeded out of the
mouth of him tbatjpal(e, Words ( faid he) could not re-
fill poWer, nor man God* And therefore* if any of you
have felt What I ba\>e , let him believe inQbrifl> and fol-
low tbti old man, in whom God hath fpoken. Thus far
fyffinM : a ftory not unworthy to be obferved. 3. It
would be known what principles may be laid down,
or what rules may be binding , otherwayes there may
be an affertine of any thing or denying of every thing.
4. There would be ftill a minifterial gravity and au-
thority prefer ved, left that Ordinance become defpi-
cable, and fo Minifters would both improve their
reafon, light, authority, and minifterial commiffion
from Chrift upon the confeience of thofe they have to
do with , as we fee Paul doth in his debates > even
where his authority was much queftioned.
CHAP. XL
Admonition is neceffarj, and how to be performed.
THe third ftep> is Admonition , that is, when
convidions have no fucceffe, then ought Mi-
nifters to proceed to judiciall and authorita-
tive admonitions) a9 the word is in thedire&ion, Tit.
3.1©. A man that is an Beret'itk, rejett> after thefirjl
and fecond admonition. This admonition hath no new
reafon to inform the judgment, which is already pre-
fuppofedtobe done, but it adderh thefe two, 1. Ic
hath a concurring weight to affe& the confeience
which hath withftood or fmothered the light ; and
fo it is, with Gods bl fling, ufefull to make former
defpifed light more fcrioufly and impartially to be
Q^4 weigh-
2 3 r tA Treats fe concerning Scanda 1 I Part. 3 •
Weighed and confidered, when in Hh Name the ad-
monition is particularly upon that account dire&ed to
them. 2. Ic is a warning , giving advertifement of
fome fadder thing coming, if they fhall continue to
rejeft the Truth 9 and fo it is a (boring of them for
that particular fauld before the ftroak be laid on, that
cither, by Gods blefling , it may humble and (often
them, and fo put them to endeavour the preventing
of the coming ftroak 5 or, if they continue ftubborn,
it may make them more inexcufable ; and thus there
is the clearer acceffe to proceed to rejection. This ad-
The feveral monition may be confidercd in thc(e three fteps, I. It
jupsof al~ may k e f n private after the Minifter's conferring with
monition. J .j le per f ons an j h j s fi nc }j n g t h cm guilty , he may not
only inftru&them, but afterward, if they continue,
admonifh them, andthatasaMinifter, in the Name
and Authority of Jefus Chrift, which is more than
the admonition of a privat perfon. 2* There is a
ftep of this admonition to be pad judicially by a
Church-judicatory when the perfon is brought be-
fore them, whereby they judicially interpofe their au-
thority to admomfh fuch a perfon of the evil of his
way, and of the neceflity of the prefent duty of re-
pentance for the fame > like that which fintully and
mod abominably was mifapplied by the Priefts and
Pharifees, Mt. 4, ?. yet, that in the general there is
fuch an admonicion,is apparent. The ?♦ ftep is pub-
lickiy before the people, wherein ( after the former
h*th f died in reaching thedefired end) the party in-
fe&ed is folemnlyand publickly admonifhed before
the Congregation. In which ftep, 1. The parties
good is to berefpefted, that now it may be tried if
the admonition both of officers and people (who are
fuppofed to joyn in this publick admonition) may
have weight. 2» It is ufefull for the people to guard
them a^ainft fuch an evil, and fuch a perfon. 3. If
It fuccecd not, ic leaveth the perfon more inexcufable, "
and convinces all of the jufticc and neceflity of pro-
ceeding
Part 3 • ATreatife concerning Scandal. 233
ceeding further , and fo tcndcth to make the Sentefice
to be the more refpefted by all. This, we conceive, is
the admonition intended, Tit. 3. 10. andanfwereth
to that publick rebuke, fpoken of, 1 Tim. 5. 20.
In carrying-on thefe admonitions , thefe things Sme thi
would be obferved, I, That there be no great haft- ^ r ^/ c f»
ing , except the perfons readinefle and diligence to x y waj f
infeft others require the fame, in which cafe there is adrnwifiing
no delay to be admitted. 2. All thefe fteps of admo-
nition would befocarried-onasbecometh an Ordi-
nance ofChrift, and that the weight of them may lie
there. 3. There is difference to be put betwixt giving
of an admonition, and entering of a debate for con-
ference ; Therefore there is no ncceflicy of fufpending
an admonition, becaufe the perfon is abfent, more
than there is of fufpending of a warning or citation :
And, on the other fide , If the perlons were prefent,
and ftiould comradift andoppofe themfelves, there is
no neceflity nor conveniency of entering in debate
again » becaufe that is not the prefent work , but
authoritatively to admonifh thofe who have refifted
fufficient convi&ion , and fo they are to be left under
the weight of the admonition, from which the renew-
ing of debate would diminiflh.
The-fourth thing and that which followeth fruic- ^bet reieft*
leffe admonition, is rejection, Tit. 3. io« A man that u i^^J^ y m
an heretic fi> rejeit. This reje&ion is the fame with (that Here-
Excommunication or delivering to Satan, 1 Tiro* *• 20. \u^ , j* r*
Concerning which thefe things are clear, churcb-ofji-
1. That a man, continuing an Herctick, may and eers aneuf*
ought to be reje&ed and excommunicated as well as laryduty,&'
for any other groffe Scandal : For> f . the precept is a m ,an t0 ^
plain in the place cited, A man that u an Heretu^rejecti ma ^e *f c °f
which muft be a cafting of him out from Church- pTtheCbur^
communion,anda giving of him over in refpeft of the Hs € ^ QAm
ufe of any further means for his edification, which MfU
>i$ in effeft, to account him as an Heathen man and a
Publican , which is called, 1 Cor, $♦ 13. a putting
away
534 'ATridtife concerning Scandal. Part f.
away from amongft our felvcs a wicked perfon,
a. The example and precedent is clear, I Tim. i , 20*
3. Where this is followed, ic is commanded) as in
Epbefus, Ifyb. 2. and where it is for born, and corrupt
teachers fuffered to be in the Church, it is very (harp-
ly reproved, as in the Epiftles toT "ergamos and Tbya-
tira % 4. The general grounds of Scandal and of Dif-
cipline againft the fame, and the reafons which in-
force the exercife thereof in any cafe, have weight
here. For, I. It is fcandalous exceedingly. 2. It is
hurtfull to the Church. ?, Difcipline* and particu-
larly that Sentence, is appointed for remedying the
hurts of the Church> and the removing of offences
from the fame; which grounds have been formerly
cleared, Therefore it palpably folio weth, that this
Sentence is to proceed againft fuch : But for further
clearing of this, there are fome Queftions to be an-
fwered here, As,
Whit if the I- '* ma ^ ^ e q uc fti° ne d> What if the perfon be
perfon feda- Sodly, or accounted fo > Anfo>. I (hall not fay how
ildbejudg- unlike it is that a really gracious man will be a
tdto be tru. minifter of Satan, we have fpoken of that already >
lygtActm. but, fuppofing it to be fo , I . If it be fcandalous in a
gracious man, is not the fame remedy to be ufed for
the Churches good? 2. That fuppofition of Vaul's
Gal. 1 . 8> 9. doth put it above all queftion , Though
*toe (faith he) or an Angel from Heaven, preach another
GoJ}>el y lethimbeatcurfed. And, again, he faith it, to
put this out of controverfic, If any manfball preach
another Gojpel, let him be accurfed. And, if '?<*«/ will
except no man, no, nothimfelf, nay, nor an Angel
from Heaven, who can be excepted ? The miftake is
in this , that Excommunication is not looked upon
as an Ordinance of Chrift, ufefull through His blef-
fing for humbling and reclaiming of a (inner more
than if it were not applied ; whereas , if it were
looked upon as medicinal in its own kind, it would
not be foconftru&edof ; For, by comparing 1 Cor.
5.
par t 3 • A Treatife concerning Scandal* 235
5. with 2 Cor, 2. we will find that it was more pro-
fitable to the excommunicated perfon himfelf that
this Sentence was paft than if it had been forborn.
2. It may be asked, What if the perfon be no fixed }yb at jj fo
member of any particular Congregation , who yet be no fixel
doth infeft others ? Jnffo. This cannot be fufficient member of
to exempt from Cenfure , Becauie, I. he is a mem- anypartictu
ber of the Catholick Church, Therefore Cenfures^rco^rc-
rouft fome way reach him : otherwayes, fuppofinga gfithn.
man to difclaim all particular Congregations , he
might be a member of the Church, who yet could be
reached by no Cenfure. 2. He might claim the pri-
viledges in any particular Congregation, it he (hould
carry fairly as he is a member of the Church-catho-
lick : Therfore it would fetm by proportion and rule
of contraries, that Presbyteries may reach him with
their Centres, if by his mifcarriages he become of-
fenfive to the people. 3. We fee that the Church of
Epbefiis, l(eVel. 2* did judicially try and cenfure thofc
who called thcmfelves Apoftles, who> k\ like, being
Grangers, obtruded themfelves, under that tide, upon
them* and fo could not be accounted members of that
Church ; And indeed, there is no Iefle needfull for
the edification of the people of fuch particular Con-
gregations, and for guarding them from the hurt that
may come by vageing perfons>than that either they be
cenfured fomewhere by one Congregation* or many,
in affociated Church- judicatories; or, at leaft that
(bmepublick note and mark be put upon fuch, that
othersrnay have warning to eichew them, as the
word may be taken, 2fy»*. 16.17, *8. and zTbeJf.
3. 14. which is there fpoken of, bufie bodies and
wanderers without any certain calling or (iation.
3. It may be qucftioned> What if Magiftrates in WhattjCU
their place concur not , or, if the cafe fo fall out, that vill CMagi-
they be difpleafed with the drawing- forth of fuch z Jtrats concur
Sentence > tAnfto. This may require the more pru- not f? r l ^ c
dence, zeal and gircumfpeftnefie ? but ought not to ha ^g of
mar t ^ e l cntcnfe ^
WT" r ■ I
i?3 6 d Treatlfe concerning Scandal. 1 Part £
mar the progreffe : Becaiife, r. Excommunication is I
an Ordinance inftituted by Jefus Chrift for the edifi- I
cation of His Church, as Preaching and giving of thd |
Sacraments art. 2. That fame might have been
asked in the primitive times whenSW did excom-
municate , and when the Lord did reprove the want
thereof, %!*/. 2. There was then no. concurrence of
Civil Power, Yea, 3. in this cafe it feemeth moft
neceffary 5 and the greateft enemies of Church-difci-
pline do allpw the Church to Sentence her members
in luch a cafe, 4. The weight of this Scntence-doch
not depend upon Civil Poweo but upon Chrift's In-
stitution, Therefore the weight of it is to bfe laid here,
whatever Civil-Powers do. 5. We will find the
primitive Fathers hazirding upon Martyrdom even
in this very thing , So that when corrupt Emperours
have inhibited them, to excommunicate Mans and
other Hereticks , they have done it notwithftanding ;
and by defigning whom they, defired to have fuc-
ceeding them in their places before they paft the .
Sentence, did declare themfelves ready to fuffer,upon
this account, any thing that might follow, and ac-
cordingly fome of them have been immediatly put
tofuftering. i . * ,
Ym limi- 2. We fay, That although an Heretick be to be re-
tatons 10 j'e&ed, yet is there a tw9fold limitation to bead-,
he aivttu verted to in that place, Ylt\ 3. 9. firft,Thatit is {iot
ei m the CV ery erroneous perfon that is fo to be deajt with> but
njtfaH he muft be an Beretic\- Which doth imply thefe
*/hr * c ^ rce ' *• A pernicioufneffe and deftruftiveneffe in
ev * the errour maintained. 2. An a&ual venting there-
of, to the deftruftion of the Church , either by cor-
rupting the doftrine, marring the order, or breaking
the unity of the fame, or fome other way fpoiling the
vines that have tender grapes. 3. It implicth a per-
tinacy infuch evils.
It is true, that fometimes leffer errours, in jrefpetf of
their effetfs, and other aggravating circumftances,
may
Part 3 • A Treat if e concerning Scandal. 237
may become intolerable and to be proceeded againft
by this Sentence, as was faid of leffer Scandal* in
■ practice. Yet, we conceive, that properly ic is fome
grofler errour than what may be accounted to be of
infirmity ( fuch as many godly, fober, unprc judged
men may have ) that is to be the ground of* fuch a
Sentence. Therefore we refer tfredecifion of this to
be gathered from the Diftinftions formerly laid
down.
3, We find it qualified by this, Thatthis reje&i-
onbnot to prbceed hefiily, but to follow upon re-
jected aid fit inbred admonitions : Therefore, if an
admonition be received before, and the Church there-
in be heard , time is fco furtf er ptQceeding to be in v
in reference to this Sentence : Brcaufe, I. tbje limita-
lion is exprtffe. i. The reafon is clear 5 for if the
lcflVr cio the turn , and prevail to the recovery of the
prrfon, and removing of the offence from the Churcb>
What necdeth more?"
CHAP. XII.
What u to be accounted a fatisfjing and fuccejfe-
- full admonition,
IF it be asked , What is to be accounted a fatisfy-
ing and (ucaflefull admonition ? And how.men
'are to judge of, and wa k in reference to, the lame >
Anfo. We would diliinguifti fatisfadtion or fucceffe
ail to an admonition , which may be either full latis-
fadtton or only partialis Full fatisfadtion is , When
the perfon is to fully convinced of his ill , as not on-
ly to forbear the venting thereof , and to give no of-
fence for the time to come , but alfo fully ro abandon
the fame as heinf grieved therefore, and willing to
edifie others, by a fuitable acknowledgement. Sme u ( t r u ^
Again,wc calhhat a partial fatisfaftion or fuccefle, j)j(ij n ftjl ns
when though there is not a fully fatisfying length ob- iffakfaili-
caincd j **
i
S3 S A Treatife concerning Scandal* Part 3 . '
tained; yet can knot befaidtobe altogether fruit-
leffe. Asfuppofe, 1. a perfon (hould not be brought
wholly to difclaim hi* errours , yet (hould profeffe a
convi&ion of the ill of venting them , and troubling
the Church with them, and afterward (hould engage
to abftain from offending in that kind. 2. Suppofe
one (h6uld be convinced of the more groffe errours,
and be content to difclaim thefe , yet (hould ftick at
fome others, profefling fcruple in them.
We would alfo diftinguifh thefe that give partiall
fatisfa&ion. 1. Either they are fuch as appear to be
fincere in the length they come, and in the profefiions
they make > as alfo to be docile and ready to be in-
formed ; or , they are fuch who difcover the want of
ingenuity in their proceeding, andthemfelvesbutto
belying at the wait to return to their vomit.
Now to apply this, We fay, 1 . When this fatisfa-
ftion is full , there is no queftion ; for , thereby
not only all further proceffe is to be fifted> but the per-
fon is to be admitted to have communion in Church*
pfriviledges.
2, Where this partiall fucceffe is of the firft fort*
We conceive it may be fufficient to fift proceffe tor a
time ; and to continue the perfons under means with-
in the Church , fo long as they contradift not their
profeflion ; yet it is not fufficient to give them free ac-
cede to all Church-privilcdgcs, as if the fcandal were
fully removed.
3. Where that fatisfaftion is but of the laft kind,
that is, mocking and diffembled, We fay,that though
it may put a Church-judicatory to try the evidences
of thisdiffirnulation, and during that time poflibly
to flop a little their proceeding; yet ought it not to
mar the drawing forth of the Sentencc,left there be an
acceffion to the hurt which is intended to the Church
bythatdiffembler : And here we are to apply both
chereafons againft , and charafters of, diflimulati-
on, which were (poken to on pra&icall offences*
4.- If
Part 3 • %A Tnatift concerning Scandal. 139
4. If there be no Teeming fatisfa&ion at all, then
after admonitions given, the perfon defpifing the lame
is to be re je&ed , as one that is infe&ious and unfit to
have communion in the Church , or the benefit of
any Church- pnviledge and Ordinance: And, in a
word, to be, for hisfcandal, and obftinacy aeainft
Chrifts Ordinances, declared to be Excommunicate,
and caften out of His vifible Kingdom, as an out- law
to the fame ; Which is to be done with fuch gravity,
wcightincfle, fympathy and authority, as it may look
like the Ordinance of Chrift, and have an impreflion
of His dread and Majcfty upoa all that are witneffes
thereof.
If it be asked , Whether any further duty be re- Whttber
quired from a Minifter towards fuch a perfon after the * w *W»g bt
Sentence is part ? Anfo. He is not then properly un* fcquittd of
der paftorall charge, fince he is no member of Chrifts Mi nl ftf f *
vifible Church, atleaft, in that refgeft, as members lm x ^ % l € \
fall under common and ordinary actuaJl infpeftion, \* J*.
Yet we conceive, 1. That the Minifter is to continue grc '
to deal with God for him ( at leaft in private ) if fo
be he may be recovered out of this fnare , becaufe
he is under the laft cure , which will either prove life
or death ; Gods blefitng therefore to it. is to be fought ;
and it becometh well the naturall care of a kmdly
Minifter, that is thirfting for the blefling, to deal with
God for it. 2. Alrhoogh there be not aftuall ac-
ceffe to any thing ; yet ought there to be a lying at
the wait to obferve any opportunity which may be
for his good, and when it offereth, it would be care-
fully improven. And therefore , ?• for that end,
whatever indignation befhown againft a mans wayes
orerrours, to make thefe loath fomc to others, yet
ftill there would be evidence of tender refpt ft to the
perfons, and, if need be, means ufed to fupply them,
efpecially if they come to any ftrait , although in all
this they would keep fuch a diftance as may keep up
the weight of the Sentence > both to them and others :
But
?49 A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part g T
But, by this way, their fufpicious miftakcs of Mini-
ftcrs carnalncffle againft their perfons, are beft remov-
ed, and acceffe is thereby made to be edifying unto
them, Som j examples whereof are recorded in the
life of Muf cuius, asto histenderneffetomoltdefpe-
rately deluded perfons , when they were in affli&ion,
and difcountenanced exceedingly by Magirtrates,
which God blcffed in the end for their recovery ; this
is ft 'table , feverity in Magiftrates , and tenderneffe'
in Miaifters. And amongft other ills and fnares that
that cruell indulgencie ( which is indeed cruell to the
poor fouls , to whom it becometh a fnare ) hath fol-
io ving it , this is one, That the Magiftrate is ac-
counted mercifiill , and the zealous Mitiifter cruell,
whereby they are put in an incapacity to be edified
by the one , and in a capacity > as it were , to mif-
carry as they will, by the indulgence of the other.
CHAP. XIIL
WhM it require A of Magiftrates for reftraining
of (educing jpirits*
THe fecond thing that we propofed to fpeafc to
in this remedy , was , as it relateth to Magi-
ftrates > to wit > Whether any thing be ? or
what it is that is called- for by the Word of God
from them » to be performed in their ftations for the
drying up of fucb a floud , and removing of fuch a
plague ? It is not our mind to infift fo much in this
as in the former , Yet it is fit that we fay fomething :
A>id who knoweth but it may fall in the hand of feme
Migtftrate, who may be defirous to hear and know
his luty ? which we (hall lay down in an Aflertion,
or two, thus,
Ajjert. i. Although God hath not made Magi-
ftrate** as fuch, Church officers, nor incrufted them
with the Ecclcfiaftick Government of His Church 5
yes
Part 3. A Treatife concerning Scandal. 241
yet doth he allow them , and call them to improve ^.
their civil powir for the good of His Church in Ec- calLed acm
clefiaftick things in (bmerefpcft, as well as in civil cor di n gto
things. And therefore if a Magiftrate fee not to the fair placet
providing of Minifters for a people, and of mainte-rp inter*
nance to them, and fuch like, that are neceflary toxfefe.
the being of a Church , as well as he provideth Offi-
cers, and furnifheth them that arc ncedfull in the
State, he is faulty and unfaithfull to his truft. For,
the Lords defign in fetling of Societies, and appoint-
ing of Magiftrates , is to he expounded as fubfervient
to that great end of mens glorifying of God , and en-
joyingbim. And certainly > Magiftrates are to have
that as their own end, even in the aftions of their Na-
tion , and to endeavour to promove that amongft
thefe over whom for their good they rule. This is
clear in all the Governments and Commonwealths
that the Lord did immediately model Himlelf , Ma-
giftrates had this for a fpeciall part of their task , to
keep His Ordinances pure, and to reftrainthe cor-
rupters of them : This is expreffed in the Morall Law,
where Matters are no leffe to overfee their fervants,
that they work not on the Sabbath , from refpeft to
the Lord* than to dircft their work all the week from
refpeft to themfelves ,• and by the rules of interpreting
of thefe commands , what belongeth to a Matter to
be done by him as a Matter, in reference to thefe over
whom he hath power according to his ftation, that
doth belong to all Magiftrates in reference to thefe
under their charge, according to their ftations. Alfo*
where one inftance is named; ail of that kind are
comprehended. And therefore as this Ordinance of
fanftifying the Sabbath, is to be overfeen by Superi-
our«,fo alfo are all others: yea,ic is acknowledged aHb,
that what is expreflcd in one command , in refpe£k of
the extent thereof , is to be underftood in all. And
therefore this obligation lyeth on Superiours, to make
inferiours obfervant of Gods Ordinances in reference
M* v* Treatife concerning Scandal. Part J.
to all the commands ; this is not doubted of the du-
ties in the fecond Table : yet there is no exprefllon in
it inferring the fame, fp expreffe as is in the firft ; and
this is a common affertion , Magiftrates ba)>e both
Tables of the LaV> commuted to tf sir peeping. This is
fully made out by many godly and learned men, and
we need not to infift upon ic ; for, readily, no Magi-
ftrate doth queftion his own power , but that he may
do what is fie , all the matter is to confidcr what
that is*
dffert. 2. It is not a Magiftrates duty in the cafe of
And not overfpreading delufion , mcerly to look to outward
meetly to order and civil peace and enjury , and to give liberty
looktoout' to any or man y { om f d an g Crous errours and delu-
ward or- ^ ons t0 f preac j . or> t0 g j vc toleration unto the main-
tained thereof, in their fpreading the fame. For,
I. fuch errours, are ill deeds, and fuch fpreaders, are
ill doers , bringing great prejudice to people , Gal. 5.
20. 2 Epift. of John 1 1. 2. Magiftrates oupht to
be a terrour to evil doers indefinitly ; and, I fuppofe ,
if the fword be born in vain in reference to them, the
confeience will not have ground of quietnefle in the
day of judgement , upon a diftin&ion of evil doers,
when the Lord hath made none fuch in their commif-
fion. ?.They ought to be zealous of His honour who
is their Superiour, that His name be not blafphem-
ed : and can fuch be tolerate without this conftru&i-
on, upon the matter , that men have liberty to blaf-
pheme the Naneof God> to abufe His truth, re-
proach His Ordinances, and to take His Name in
vain as they will ? Would any fupream Magiftrate
take it well* to have fome inferiour officer > or Magi-
ftrate of a Town or Province, to give fuch liberty to
thefe under his j'urifdiftion in reference to him ? And
is there any fuch diftance between the fupream and
inferiour Magiftrate , as there is between the Majefty
of God>and the moft fupream power on earth ? And
what if He judge between Him and them out of their
own
Part J . A Treatife concerning ScaNDAL. ^43
own mouch > and, according to the mcafurc that they
met out to others , met out to them ? 4. Arc they
not to (eek the peoples pood ? And is there any fuch
good, as their fpirituall good ? Or, are there any fuch
enemies to that as feducers ? We conceive therefore*
it will not be found agreeable to the intent of their of-
fice and fcope which they ought to aim at therein,
that Magiftrates fhould give this liberty or conni-
vance to men , to vent and propagate fuch errours as
may deftroy fouls, and a&ually overturn the face of a
vifible Church > fo that if fomething overfpread uni-
verfally, (as Popery, and tome other grofle errours
and delufions have done in fome places of the world )
there fhould be no vifible Church within fuch domi-
nions > And indeed, upon thefe principles* men can-
not impute it to their own care, that it is otherwayes.
Alfo, fuch loofnefle may overturn Ordinances , and
fet up abominations in the room thereof, remove all
Miniftery, Sacraments, Difcipline and Preaching,
and all upon pretext of conlcicnce : fuch delufions
have been in the world 5 and if bv Magiftrates con-
nivance, they fhould overfpread a Nation, fo as there
could be no remedy applied , would it be fatisfyiog
or comfortable to him (fuppofing him to have a con-
fcience) to fee his people under him in fuch a pofture?
What if under pretext of confeience , Magiftracie
(hould be denied to be an Ordinance of God } and
he put therefrom, upon that account , that the people
thought it unlawful] to obey him ? Would not rea-
dily his confeience fay , That feinghe reftraincd not
others from catting at thefe Ordinances, in which the
honour of God , and good of (ouls were fo much
concerned, that it was jutt with God to permit them
to caft at that Ordinance alfo, wherein he is fo main-
ly concerned ? And indeed , this hath not been un-
f requently fcen > that thefe who have begun to caft ac
Church- ordinances, have come at length ( as if they
had been thereto difpofed by the former) to caft at
R z Civil
244 ^ Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 3,
Civil Ordinances (to fpeak fo) alfo ; and what won-
der is it , feing there is no more clear warrant from
God for the one than for the other ?
That th ^ K ^ e ^^ " ^ at w ^ at ^ at ^ keen ^P°^ en in l ^ e
^^dofitrine, and on thefe places > %V,2. concerning the
fainft tote- not Offering of corrupt teachers to vent their errours,
ution ceH-^oth belong to Minifters and Church-officers, and
cern Af4£*- no t t0 Magiftrates. Anfy. i t If thou be a Magi-
firetes as ftrate that movech this obj -ftion, pofe thy own heart,
well k W/- if that which is fo difpleafing in Minifters and
nificrs. Church- officers, to wit, toleration of corrupt men to
fpread their errours * If, I fay,that will be well pleaf-
ing and approven in Magiftrates , when Chrift Jefus
fliallcometo judge both in reference to this thing;
Or,if in that day when the great Judge will Sentence
Minifters for tolerating in (uch a cafe. He will take
another rule to proceed by, with the Magiftrate ? Or
if it be like, that Chrift out of love to His Church,
(hall pererhptorily require Minifters , not to fuffer
felfe teachers, but to reftrain them, according to their
fiations, and not to endure them to teach and feduce
His Servants , and yet, that the fame Lord , for the
good of His Church, ftiould require Magiftrates to
tolerate and maintain the fame. 2. Gonfider if the
grounds and reafons that bind this duty on Minifters,
will not equivalently and proportionably bind all
men according to their Rations ; for, the grounds are
in fum, love to God , and love to the edification and
falvation of others , which are the fubftance and ful-
filling of the morall Law. 3. If in the Scriptures
of the Old and New Teftament, or in Hiftory fince*
thefe two be not ever joyned together , the moft com-
mended Magiftrate, and one who is moft zealous
againfl corrupt teachers ; the fathers of old were not
to fpare their children, ^,13. nor fuffer them to
teach or feduce to the diftionour of God, and hazard
of fouls ; and can it be faid that fouls now are lefle
precious, orerrcur nowleffe infectious and dange-
rous.
Part 3. *s4TreMi[e concerning Scandal; 245
rous, or thefe things leffc to be cared for now in the
dayes of theGotpel than formerly, that concern the
glory of God.and edification or deftru&ion of fouls ?
4. Confider if in the Book of the Revelation, the
fuffering of dnlichrifl to delude fouls, be not menti-
oned as reproveable; and it the deftroying of that
beajl, and putting him from corrupting the earth , be
not fpoken of as a main piece of the commendation
of fuch as (hall be inftrumentall therein. Now in
the Scripture- language , all deluders and feducers are
Antickrijls, being led with the fame fpirit, and driving
the fame defign againft the Kingdom of Jefus Chri(t ;
Can there be therefore any reafon to make fuch diffe-
rence , where the Lord hath made it ? J. Confider
if it can be accounted fingle z:al , that perfwadeth to
permit the Name of God to be diflhonourcd , when
any refleftion upon our own>doth fo much move us 5
for, it cloth infer, that either there is an indifferency as
to truth and errour > So that in the one , the Lord is
not rfiore difhonoured than in the other , which will
be found exceeding contrary to His own expreffing of
Himfelf in Scripture, and will not, Ifuppofe, be
pleaded in the day of judgement , when He will
avenge Himfelf on fuch feducers ; or , it muft infer,
that men are not to take notice of what difhonoureth
Him, even though many things be within their reach
to impede it- And indeed , if a confeience fcrioufly
pondering the thing , will not be provoked out of
Zeal to God, whole glory fuffereth, out of refpeft to
the falvation of many fouls, that are hazarded and
deflroyed by fuch means, and to prevent the many
offences that wait neceffanly upon fuch ills, and the
many inconveniencies,divi(ions> jealoulies, rents, &c*
that follow in Families , Congregations, Cities and
Nations , and the great prejudice that the Common-
wealth fuffereth , by the dirtrafting of her membrrs
amongft themfelves , the incapacitating of many for
publick trufl: , the foftering of diverfe interefts and
R 3 con-
2^6 A Trtatife concerning Scandal. Part gi
contrary principles in one body, to the marring of ho-
ncft publick defigns : If by thefe, I fay, the zeal and
co Science of thefe who are concerned , be not pro-
voked, by what will, or can, they be ?
That mall ^ lt ^ c ' a ^' That it looketh more Gofpel-likc,
forbedrance anc * ^ or ^ 1C ^"herance of Chrifts Kingdom , that
is not Ufa Magiftrates fhould leave men to follow their light,
the Goffd. an d to be dealt with by the preaching of the Goipel,
and force thereof. We (hall propofe thefe Confede-
rations in reference to this, r. Confider if it looketh
chriftian and tender- like, for men fo to ftand by m
the Lord's Caufe, and to let Him do (as it were) for
Himlelf: It was indeed once (aid of 2W, Judg.6.
If be be agod> let him plead for bimfelf : But will a ten-
der heart think or (peak fo reproachfully of theMa-
jefty of God ? He indeed can and will plead for
Himfelf * and it is not for defeft of power He maketh
ufc of men* to defend His truth* or to reftrain errours ;
yet it is His good pleafure to make ufe of Magiftrates
therein, ( and thereby to honour them) as He doth of
Gideon in that farpe place. 2. Confider if it look
chriftian-likc, to give the devil equal acceffe to fol-
low his defigns with JefusChrift in the (etcitig up of
his kingdom: No^f abfolute toleration doth this, and
more, becaufe there is but one Truth, and there are
many Errours , and each of thefe hath that fame li-
berty and indemnity (to fay fo) that Truth hath, and
may with the fame confidence come forth to the open
light as Truth may, in refpeft of any Civil reftraint.
3. Confider the cafe of jinttcbrijl, there is no errour
againft which the Lord hath more dire&ly engaged
Himlelf to fight with the fword of His mouth, than
againft this of Popery , and yet we fuppofe none will
think that Kings might warrantably fuffer it to be
fpread and preached to the infe&ing of their People,
without adding or injoyning any reftraint by their
Civil power ; certainly their bating oftbe Whore, and
making her dt folate, doth imply lomc other thing :
And
Part 3 . A Tnatife concerning Scandal. 1^7
I And where-ever true hatred of Errour is, there will
be more efte&uall ftreatching of mens power and
places for reftraining the fame. 4. We may addc
this Confederation, That hitherco toleration of Errours
and diverfity of corrupt opinions have ever been loo-
ked upon, and made 11 1 e of> as a moft fubtil mean for
undermining and deftroying of the Church, It is
marked of that skilfull enemy of the Kingdom of
Jefus Chrift, Julian, That having improven his fub-
tility to the utmoft to find out means to deftroy the
Church by crafty which his prcdecefibrs by tiolencc
could not obtain, amongft other means he concluded
this, Not to raife open perfecutionbut to give liberty
to all the diffenngBtfhops an 1 Teachers (which then,
after the Council of Nice and C on ft a ^ ins death, were
very many and bitter in their differences ) to follow
their own way, and to vent their own opinions,with-
out all fear of any reftraint : and therefore did call
them that he might make intimation thereof to them
for their further encouragement therein ; The words
which he ufed to them, as they are marked by dmmi-
anus and cited by LodoVicus Molineus,pt%. 560 are*
Ut cenfopitis citilibus difcordiufuce quifque %ligioni fer-
Viret intrepidus. that is in fum, That ey>ery on? for-
bearing Ci)?tldifcords, Jhould Tfo orjhip in bu oV?n Religion
without controle or fear: And is it like, that this (hall
prove a mean ufefull for the good of the Church,
which that expert childe of the devil did makeufe
of to deftroy the fame ?
Our third Affertion then is, That Magiftrates in %
their places ought to prevent the infc&ionof their **' ' M *&-
people under them by corrupt doftrine , and the re- *f rat€S y
covery of them when they are infnared : and that ^/J^/^
therefore they ought to re fir am and marre corrupt 0H f t fr e ~
teachers from Spreading of their errours to feduce * W rfciiK-
others. This Affertion, we fuppofe, is clear from the der tiiem.
former two: for, if Magiftratcs be allowed to im-
prove their power for the good of the Church 9 and
R4 if
248 A Treatife concerning S c a n d a t • Part i
if it be not their duty to Rive common protection to
Errour, and the venters thereof, with Truth : Thqp
this will follow , that they ought to ufe their power
to reflrain the fame, and, by the cxercife thereof, to
procure the good of their people > in prefer ving of
them from fuch a great evil.
CHAP. XIV.
What may be ju(tlj acknowledged to be Vcithin the
reach and purer of the Magiftrate in fuch a
cafe % and fo 9 What is his duty.
IT may be more difficult to explicate this, and to
fhewwhat is within the Magiftrates reach, or,
what wiy he is to follow this. Before we
anfwer, we would premit,
i. That it is not intended, that Magiftrates (hould
rigidly and feverely (much lefle rqually) animadvert
upon all that in their judgment are erroneous,or differ
from what is truth, that is not called- for from Mini-
fters* Therefore here the former diftin&ions are to be
remembred and applyed : for, there is great odds be-
twixt animadverting upon an abfurd errour, or ta-
king notice thereof , as it is a thing of the mind, and,
it may be, a fcruple in fome confeience, and as it is an
external deed, having with it real offence, prejudice
and hurt unto others ; in which cafe the Magiftratc
forceth no mans confeience to another Religion, but
doth keep his own confcience> by keeping one that
is deluded from feducin? of others, or wronging the
Name of the Lord or His Church.
2. It is to be adverted, that wefpeak not hereof
the Magiftrates duty in punching of corrupt teachers
with civil or capital punifhments, (though we doubt
not but in fome cafes their power doth reach to that)
much lefle arethehigheft punifhments to be under-
stood here ; whatever be truth in thefe, we do not
now
Part 3. A Treat ife concerning Scandal^ 249
now fearch into it, becaufe the Scope is according to
the Aflertion, to confider what is called- for , tor the
preventing of the fpreading of corrupt do&rine, and
the preferving or recovering of a people therefrom.
$. This doth not give way to Magiftrates to con-
demn and reftrain what they think errour, or what
others think errour ; for, Miniftcrs that oueht to re-
jeft Hereticks,are not warranted torejeft whom they
"account fo, but who indeed are to ; So is it here, it
is what is indeed errour , and who are indeed the
teachers thereof, that the Magiftrate is to reftrain, as
thofe who teach rebellion againft the Lord.
We come then to confider what maybe a Magi-
ftrates duty when feducing fpirits afTault the people
under their charge , and what is obvioufly in their •
power to do for preventing of hurt by them, with-
out infifting in any difficult or odious- like cafe. Their
duty alio may be confidered in a fourfold refpeft , as
that of Minifters was. I. It would be confidered
with relpeft to God, and fo they ought to fear fome
ftroak coming upon their people, and by looking to
Him to endeavour to carry fo in reference thereto, as
they may be countable to Him : for, if it be a privi-
ledge for Magiftrates in the ChriftianChurch to have
the honour of being nurfing fathers therein, If a. 49.
23. thenitmuftbe a great credit, mercy and latif-
faftion to them, to have their people oxfofter (to fay
fo) the Church, flourifhing and thriving upon their
breafts ; and if lb, then the mif-thriving of the
Church by; unheakhfom milk of errour (hould and
will exceedingly affeft them. And certainly that ex-
predion doth both (hew what a Magiftrate's duty is,
and how tenderly he ought to nourifh the Church
and preferve her from any thing that may hurt her, as
alfo it (howethhow nearly any thing that may hurt
the Church, ought to touch and prick him.
2, In refpeft of themfelves, they are to confider if
by any guiltincffe of theirs the Lord beproyokedto
^ _ let
350 *sf Treatife concerning Scandal Part J.
let loofe fuch a fpirit , as Solomons fins did procure the
renting of the Kingdom, So might they be alfo coun-
ted a caufe,bringing on that idolatry and defe&ion of
Jeroboam from the Truth, as well as from him and
his pofterity : Alfo if by their negligence in not pro-
viding faithfull Teachers to inftruft the people, by
their conniving at errours,or tolerating themor ocher-
wayesthey may be charged with acceffion thereto:
Thus Jeroboams appointing the meaneft of the people
to be Priefts, and his beginning defe&ion by his ex-
ample, C though he feemed not altogether to forfake
the true God) difpofed the people for a further length,
and had influence upon ther going a whoring after
fBaal and oth?r Idols of the Nations : Thus alfo S0/0-
*non was guilty of much groffe idolatry by his con-
nivance at it, and taking himfelf to worldly pleafures
and miskenning the things of God 3 although it's
like he did not aftually fill in that grofle idolatry
himfelf. And if Magiftrates were ferioufly rcfleft-
ing on themfelves, and affe&ed with their own neg*
ligence and carelefncfle in preventing of fuch things,
whereof poffibly they might find themfelves guilty,
this were a great length , and other queftions woulcf
be the fooner cleared, and ferioufnefle would make
them find out remedies for fuch an evil.
3. Their duty may be looked upon in reference to
others, wherein they may and ought to extend them-
felves for preventing the fpreading of the infeftion
amongft thefe that are clean , by fiich like means ,
As, 1. by their example, to fbow themfelves zealous
againft that ill, and to abhor the quettioning and dif-
puting of the truth ; thus the example of a Magiftrate
is often of much weieht , yet can it not be accounted
any coa&ion. 2. They ought to endeavour to have
faithfull and honeft Minifters, who by their diligence
and over(ip,ht may exceedingly conduce to the con-
firming of thefe that ftand , and to the preventing of
more hurt* 3. They may and ought to countenance
and
part 3 • tA Treati fe concerning Scandal. a 5 *
and ftrcngthen fuch as arc faithfull , whether among
Minifters or people , vvhich often hath no little in-
fluence upon the difappointing of feducers : thus it is
faid, iCbron.^o. 21. that for promoving of Refor-
mation , He^ekjab fpokt comfortably to all the LeVites
that taught the good knowledge of the Lord* vvhich is
added,to fhew,that by this encouraging of honcft and
faithfull Minifters beyond others , he diddefignthc
thriving of the work in their hands , both by heart-
ning them to be zealous in it> and alio by making
them to have the more weight with others : this is
alfo marked of Conftantine and other good Emperours,
that zealous and faithfull Minifters were particularly
taken notice of, and honoured by them,beyond others.
4. They may and ought to employ and make ufe of
fomefit inftruments for the preventing of fedu&ion,
and may provide fuch as may be fet apart for ftudy-
ing fuch controversies, and confuting of fuch errours*
that the truth may be the more clear. 5. They may
and ought to endeavour according to their place, the
compofure and allay ment of all the lefler and more pet*
ty differences and heart-burnings that may be found
amongft thefe that are, in the main,one for truth ,• for
often ( as was faid ) a vehement fpirit of errour and
delufion is tryfted with heart-burnings, divifions and
offences in the Church , and amongft the Officers
thereof: there were petty contefts in Corinth , biting
and devouring one of another in Galatia, tryfted with
the harmony that was amongft the followers of the
feducers : and at the Councell of T^jce there was not
only difference with Avians and other grofle here-
ticks > but alfo there were petty differences and con-
tefts amongft the Bifhops and Confeflbrs who flood
for truth ; and thefe differences are moft advantagi-
ous to the fpreading of errour , and the removing
thereof is a great bulwark againft the fame. It is
marked of Conftantine at that Councell of itice, that
amongft other means which he ufcdto fuppreffe the
jirian
5 5 * ATreatlfe cone erning Scandal. Part j;
*/M<*h herefie , he did moft carefully endeavour the
removing and burning of fuch differences and divi-
sions, and by ferious Oration preffed the oblivion of
all fuch , chat chev might the more unitedly and with
the lefle diverfion be in capacity to oppofe the com-
mon enemy. For certainly , when Minifters are
armed one againft another upon fome lefle concern-
ing , and more unprofitable debates, fas, alas ! too
much of them is in the Chriftian re formed- Church
at this time) there cannot but be the lefle ftrength,
zeal, and vigilancy againft profeffed enemies in the
moft fubftantiall things. 6. They may, and ought
to interpofe their Authority , for inhibiting the re-
ceiving and hearing, or converging with known and
manifeft (educers : for, this is but to difcharge, and
thereby to preferve the people from runing to their
own hazard , even as men ought to be commanded
to keep at diftance wiih a place or perfon fufpe&ed to
be infeftious becaufe of the Peftilence ; neither could
fuch a reftrainc be accounted any diminution of their
juft liberty , yea this were but a putting to of their
fan&ion to the clear dire&ion which the Lord layeth
upon H/s people, and therefore there could be no
hazird to mifcarry in it, efpccially where the appli-
cation to fuch and (uchperfons, might be as clearly
difcernable from the Word as the duty is. 7. They
might and ought to give their countenance unto , and
joyn their Authority with, fuch ecclefiaftick ftatutes,
overtures , or means, as Church- judicatories or Offi-
^ . cers might bz about to make ufe of for this end in
their places ; and this can be no more prejudice to
liberty , to countenance with their authoriry the Or-
nance of Difcipline, than to confirm by their Autho-
rity the Ordinance of preaching the GofpeL 8. They
may and ought to prelerve the Ordinances from being
interrupted , and the adminiftrators thereof from be-
ing reproached , and might juftly cenfarc thefe things
when committed. 9. In recovering a people > in a
reeling
Part 3. ATreaufie concerning Scandal. 253
reeling and daggering time, a Mrgiftrate may engage
them to formerly received truth, and inteipofe his
auchority for this end, as is recorded oijofiab, 2 Cbron.
34.31,31,33. Alio, 10. He may and ought tore-
move all falle worfhips , and endure no corrupt
preaching, or writing, or meetings for that end , or
adminifiratinp of corrupted Sacraments, or any Or-
dinance other than what is allowed ; for, Jofiab did
caufc the people fiand to the Covenant that was made,
and having removed all Idolatrous worfhip, be made
Ifrael to ferVe the Lord , that is, he made them aban-
don corrupt woifhip , and waiton pure Ordinances,
as keeping of the Sabbaths, offering of faenfices, &c.
and that according to the manner prefcribed by the
Lord. Neither was it a wronging of their liberty,
to dofo: Becaufe, I* it was the prefervation of
their liberty, to keep them from the abominable bon-
dage of thefe evils. 2. It was their duty to abftain
from thefe, and to follow the Ordinances purely, and
the Magiftrate may well put people to that. 3. It is
one thing by force to keep folks from diflionouring
God in a corrupt Religion, ( as Jofiab did) another to
force them to a Religion; the one belongeth to the or-
dering of the outward man, the other to the inward.
4. He might order them to keep the Ordinances , and
in going about them to keep the rule, becaufe that is
'but a conftraining of them to the means whereby Re-
ligion worketh, and a making them, as it were, to
give God a hearing , leaving their yeelding and con-
fenting to him , when they have heard him , to their
own wills , which cannot be forced ; yet it is reafon
that when God cometh by His Ordinances to treat
with a people, that a Magiftrate (hould fo far refpeft
His glory and their good , as to interpofe His Autho-
rity to make them hear. 5. Alfo, there is a diffe-
rence between the conftraining of a circumcifed or
baptized people, to worfhip God in the purity of Or-
dinances , as they have been engaged thereto , which
was
25^ ^ Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 3 »
was Jo/ias pra6tice> and the conftraining of a people
to engage and be baptized, which were not formerly
engaged; becaufe. a&uall members of a Church
have not even that liberty as others have, to abandon
Ordinances: and this putteth them to no new engage-
aent in Religion, but prefleth them to continue under
taer engagements » and accordingly to perform :
Hence we fee , that both in the Old and New Tefta-
ment , Church -members have been put to many
things, and rcftrained from many things, which had
not been pertinent in the cafe of others. See, 2 Cbron.
In the fourth place , there are many things alfo in
their power , in reference to thefe that are feducers or
deluders, or actually deluded , which might be and
ought to be improven for the Churches good ; (not to
fpeak now of any thing that may infer civil or capi-
tall punifihment, upon men for their opinions, or any
way look like the enforcing of Religion upon con-
fciences ) As > 1. Magiftrates might and ought to
put Ministers and Church-officers and others to their
duty (in cafe they be negligent) in trying, difcover-
ring, convincing,, &c. fuch as by their corrupt do-
ftrine may hazard others- 2. They may and ought
to discountenance filch in their own pcrfons , and, by
their authority, inhibit them to vent any fuch thing ;
yea under certifications: yet this cannot be called a
forcing of their confcience to any Religion , but is
only the reftraining of them from hurting of the con-
sciences of others. 3. When fuch certifications are
contraveencd » he may and ought to cenfure the con-
traveeners, and fo he may by his authority put them
in an incapacity of having acceffe to infeft others ;
yet this is not the cenfuring of a mans opinion , for
he might poffeffe his opinion without cenfure , but ic
is the cenfuring of his difobedience, and the preju-
dice done by him to others: Nor is it the reftraining
of him from perfonall liberty, becauleof it, but be-
cause
Part 3 . A Treatife concerning Scandal. iys
caufe he doth not, nor will not ufe his perfonall liber-
ty without prejudice to the whole body, which is to
be preferred to him : even as a man, infc&ed with the
peftilence, ought juttly to be reftrained, though
againft his will • yet cannot that be accounted a re-
ftraint of juft liberty ; for,it is no juft liberty to have
liberty to hurt others. 4. They may and ought to
deftroy fuch books as they ufe to (pread for the infe-
cting of others, and inhibit and flop printing of them,
or aftuall felling , fpreading or tranfporting of them,
as they may flop carrying of fufpe&ed or forbidden
goods. 5. They may and ought to reftrain idle and
vagabound travelling of fuch fufpefted perfons,with-
out repreftnting of their ncceffary bufineffe to fome,
appointed for that eflfeft , in which cafe their doing
hurt by fuch a voyage, might be prevented, and they
have a paffe. Alfo, they might conftrainthem to
follow (bme lawfull occupation', and to be diligent
therein ; both thefe are well confiftent with ordering
of a State , And yet it is fuch bujie bodies ( as the
Apoftle fpcaketh ) and vagabonds , that go without
their ftation , that often prove moft hurtfull to the
Church , and inftrumentall to the devil , as being
Apoftles to him in fuch a bufincfle. 6. They may
and ought to reftrain and Cenfure all blafphemous
and irreverent expreflions and fpeaches againft the
Majefty of God and His Ordinances, and all calum-
nies and bitternefle againft faithfull Minifters or Pro-
feflburs that adhere to truth : for,thele are moral fins;
and blafphcmy, calumny, and fuch like, are no more
to be parted over without Cenfure in fuch , than in
others who are not profefledly tainted witherrour:
and the pretext of folio wing light and confciencc, can-
not make thefe fins tolerable , more than the Nicolai-
tans pretending the fame for their committing adulte-
ry and other filthinefie: And this is not topunifh
mens opinions, or force their conferences, but to pu-
niflh their Yicesi even fuch as have been hatcfull unto,
and
*t56 A'l reatt/e concerning scandal. part 5;
and puniffied by , many naturall and heathen men;
7. They may and ought by their authoricy to caufe
them hear conferences orderly and reverently , give
anfwersdifcreetly, wait on their trial, and fuch like,
before EccleGaftick Affemblies* 8. They may and
ought to make fuch incapable of publick places of
truft, and remove them from fuch : Bccaufe, i.they
cannot be fuppofed to imploy their power fingly.
2. Becaufe fuch truft agreeeh not to men and fubje&s
as fuch, but are voluntarily conferred as tokens of
refpedt put upon men eminently qualified, and as may
be for the good of the Commonwealth : And there- I
fore it cannot be jufMy accounted a marring of their '
libercy as men or fub\etts. Upon this ground was
Maacbah the mother of nAfa removed from being
Queen , or having any government , 1 lQng. 15. 13.
2 Qkron, 1 5. 16. yet it cannot be faid (he was wrong-
ed when (he was fo dealt with-
In thefe fteps mentioned, wc have not aimed to
lay down what might be done to the utmoft in fuch a
cafe, but u{hat we fuppofe cannot be in rcafon denied
by thefe of the wideft principles in reference to this
matter , if fo be they degenerate not utterly to loof-
neffe*
If it be faid, That it feemeth fufficient for the Ma-
It is not (uf- jgfl; rate co maintain civil peace > and to reftrain civil
ficient to a difturbances : We may look to thefe confederations
Magijtrate j fl anfwcr t0 t ^ 1$} l; fhis is no more than what
^Tllac* ? ulian dic * reftrain, as the place cited before* eleareth ;
? " and certainly , he who ruleth for Chrift , will not
think his example a good pattern* 2. This is that
which heathens do out of meer refpedt to themfelves :
and (hall Chriftian Magiftrates have no refpedt to
Chrift but to themfelves ? or,do no more for Chrifti-
anity than heathens who owned it not ? ?. Is it
poffible to feparate growth in delufions and variety
of abfurd errours, and civil fa&ion and difcord ? or*
in experience have they ever been feparatcd > We fee
they
Part 3 • A Treatife concerning Scandal 257
they made men carnall in Corinth, they made them
bite and devour one another in GaUtia , as , chap. j.
of that Epiftle to them J yea, provoked t<*d< bates,
envying, wraths, rtrifes, back-bitings, whilp$rings,
fwellings^ tumults, 2 C or * l *• 2 °* and can (uch things
be with the entertaining of civil peace ? For, doth not
the interruption of civil pt ace, flow from hatred, bit-
terneffe, alienation of mind, envy, contradictions,
and fuch like ? And do not thefe neceflarily wait on
debates, and diverfities of opinions ? For, it is not to
befuppofed> that fuch differences, proceeding from
want of light , can be in men that are altogether
mortified , and without corruption : Therefore may
it be expefted, that that corruption will flame out up-
on fuch occafions; and that order is obiervable which
the Apoftle hath , 2 Cor. 1 2. juft now cited , where
he begmncth with debates , and proceedeth by diverfe
fteps, till it clofe wich tumults : and thefe who are ac-
quainted with the Hiftories of older and latter times,
will acknowledge this to be a truth. 4. There is al-
moft but very little in the foregoing particulars men-
tioned, butwhatisneceffary for the preferving and
reftoting of civil peace , or the preventing or centr-
ing of the difturbance thereof, feing there can be no
foiid ground whereupon to maintain peace, except
the fprings of debates and tumults be flopped , and
fuch dittempers from which they fpring , be either
cured and purged away, or rcftrained. 5. It may
be confidered in experience , if eve r fuch a way hath
done good to the Church, (whole divifions aad of-
fences have often thereby come to an height) or to
thefe that were feduced , fein? thereby not only the
tcntation was armed againft thcm ) but they, at lead*
permitted to harden themfelves therein, as in a thing
not fogrofs to wi(^States^men,as fome conceitie Mi-
nifters would make it to appear : Orin the laft place,
it may be confidered, if ever it hath4one good to the
State, wherein it was permitted , or to the Magiftrates
S who 1
35 8 A Treaty e concerning Scandal. Part 3 ?
who did permit the fame ; or, if thereby fecret jea-
loufies, heart- burnings, divifions andfa&ions have
not been foftered and brought up to fuch height as
hath proven dangerous to the body, and hath haz-
arded the eating out of the belly, where it was bred,
or the flinging of the bofome that did give it heat.
CHAP- XV.
What U called -for from people who are defer out to
keep themfelves pure in [uch a time and cafe
as the increafeng of err ours and fednccrs.
IT refteth now , that we fpeak fomething of a peo-
ples duty, that are members of the Church where
fuch delufions are vented : infpeakingto which,
we (hall follow almoft the lame method as in the
former.
1. Then 1 people would be affe&ed upon the ap-
pearance of fuch an ill , as upon the news of fword,
famine or peftilence ; for then, as it were, the trum-
pet foundeth like that Angels proclamation , %v. 8.
13. Wo % Tfco, Vbo to the inhabitants of the earth, be-
caufe of the Angels that are to found , when as yet all
thefe Angels did principally forwarn of fpirituall
plagues, and particularly of delufions* This would
make people wary and ferious j this would curb va-
nity, mocking, laughing and puffing- up ; this would
make him that ftandeth, take heed left he fall , if the
judgement were considered as a thing coming from
God, and evidencing Him to be angry, and to threa-
ten 1 and without this, there is little ground to expeft
profiting by any other direftion-
2. People would be ferioufly affefited with the fal-
ling or hazard of the falling of any they hear of, as
being touched with zeal for God, and fympathie with
them, and for this caufe, would humble themfelves
before
Part 3. ATreatifc concerning Scandal. 259
before Cod to deprecate that flroak and plague as
they would do fword, famine or peftilence.
3. People would try in what tcarms thcmfeJves are
with God , and if tilings inwardly be in good cafe,
if there be any guiltinefle procuring, ordifpofing for
the fame plague , fuch as little love to the truth, little
ftudy of the knowledge of the truth, little zeal againft
errour,or fimpathy with infefted Churches that arc at
a diftance, laughing, it may beat fuch things without
any other ufe making thereof, little prayer for others,
or exhorting or admoniftiing of them, ( which is a
mean for preventing of unftuifaftnefTe ) little indea-
vour, according to mens places, to have others in-
ftrufted , or to have faithful!, able, and godly Mini-
fters for that end j but, it may be* on the contrary,
much fpiritual pride, felf-conceitedneflTe, tenaciouf-
neffe, and addi&edneffe to our own wills and opini-
ons, prejudice at able and faithful Teachers, and rea-
dineffe to hear every thing , and every perfon. Thefe,
and fuch like, may be tried, and when found , ought
to be mourned tor, as caufes of humiliation to them
for their acaffion to fuch a plague.
4. They would endeavour the firengthening ani
confirming of chcmfelves in the knowlodp, e of necef-
fary Truths , and would exercife themfelves in the
praftice of uncontroverted Godlinefte > and, by all
means, would elchew jangling debates in unneceffary
things, knowing that that is a piece of the enemies >
fubtility, once to engage, if it were but in the meaneft
thiug ; for,thereby he doth not only divert from more
neceffary things, and wcarcth away livelinefle, but
doth difpofe for greater things, as was formerly
marked in his method of dealing : For, as in corrupt^
pradtices, men are no: at firft brought to an height of
propbanity, but by degrees ; So is it in corrupt do-
ftrines : and therefore there is wartnefle callcd-for
herein debating or queftioning the meaneft Truth,
if any Truth be mean.
S 2 . 5. If
§<?o A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 3 .
5. If any thing be really doubted of, means would
be ufed in a fober prudent way for attaining infor-
mation, either by providing and reading of fome fit
Book, wherein often reafons are more deliberate and
full, and may be more deliberately ftudied and di-
gefted than in a tranfient difcourfe 4 , but in this,fpe-
cial refpeft: would be had to a right choice , and for ■.
that caufe the judgments of fuch as are found and
able to difcern, would be followed in this ; or,where
God giveth occafion, it may be done in fober and
chriftian conference with others of ability and inte-
grity, efpeciallywith Minifters, who ought neither
to decline, nor rafhly mifconftruft the fame, but af-
fcftionatly and tenderly to welcom any fuch fober
perfons, left they be provoked to confult with others,
who may prove Phyficians of no value. In this,
people would not expreffe their doubts in all compa-
nies at random, nor to,or before>fuchas may poflibly
more eafily take up the doubt , and with more diffi-
culty be brought off; when therefore fuch a doubt
is to be moved , the party and the time would be deli-
beratly chofen, that men may be ferious therein , and
no doubt, would be moved for debatcbut either fuch
as the mover can himfelf loofc, or in fuch company
where he may expeft to have it loofed.
6. People would endeavour exceedingly to have
good efteem of their Minifters and Guides, and to be
diligent and reverent obfervers of all Ordinances*
efpecially at fuch a time ; for, Minifters are Guides,
Beb. 13* 17. And Ordinances are appointed to keep
people from being ftaggered^^.4. n, 12,13,14. and
it is to fuch that the 'Bride is dirc&ed, to wit, to keep
near the (hepherds tents , for being preferved from
wandering, Song 1.9. And the more that the devil
driveth to bear-in prejudice at Minifters, and blaft
the Ordinances in their repute, the more are people
to wreftle againft that, and, in fome refpeft, to be
more blind and deaf to what may be feen and heard
con-
Part 3« ATreatife concerning Scandal. SiUr
concerning Miniftcrs faults, not fo much for the Mi-
nifters refpeft , as their own good : Therefore the
Apoftle giveth this rcafon for hispreffingof obedi-
ence andfubmiflion to Minifters, Heb. 13. 17, be-
cause the want of thar, was not only prejudicial to
the Minifter , but unprofitable to themfelves.
7. People would have an eye upon the way that
faithfull and eminently godly men have gone to Hea-
ven by, before them ; This is to follow the foot-fteps
oftbeflocf^, Song. I. 9, and the faith and patience of
thofe that inherit the promifes, Heb. 6. 1 2. and readi-
ly we will find fuch to be moft fober and ferious, and
fartheftat a diftance from novelty, curiofity, orab-
furd opinions. And it's no little part of the boldneffe
and impudcncy that often accompanieth new delu-
fions , that they generally condemn the generation of
Gods People, as if no way were to Heaven but by
their vain inventions , this will be no little ftick to a
tender mind, at once to condemn the Religion and
prafticeof fuch a cloud of witneffes.
8. They would be carefull when they hear others
queftioning things , or exprefltng their prejudice at
Minifters, Ordinances, or cftablifhed Truths, to en-
deavour the prefent flopping of the fame > and not to
fofter any thing of that kind by moving new doubts,
fufpicions, or giving new grounds of jealoufie againft
Miniftcrs or others, but rather would gravely and
wifely endeavour the removing of the fame.
9. They would then be much and ferious in the
cxercifeof chriftianfellowfhip, obferving or confi-
dering one another , provoking one another > and, as
the word is, Heb* 10. 24. and3«i*>i3* takingheed,
left there be amongft them an evil heart of unbelief,
and left any of them be hardened : but,exhort ( laith
he) one another daily, as the remedy of that. There is
no time wherein chriftian fellowfhip is more called-
for , and wherein it may be more profitable, than at
fuch a time, if it be rightly ordered and managed : I
S I fay,
167. tA Treaty e concerning Scandal. Part. 3 .
fay, rightly ordered and managed ; for, often the pre-
text of chriftian fellowfhip is abufed to the hatching
and propagating of the moft abfurd opinions, when
people turn light and frothy, taking up their time
with vain janglmgs and diverting from the main
fcope, to wit, edification. Thefe things-are indeed to
be fhunned, but chriftian fellowfhip is not to be
difclaimed, but wifely to be ordered in refpefit of the
perfons with whom, and occafions upon which it is
ufed , andj in refpeft of the matter and duties infifled
on, which is to be the confirming of themfclves in
fome truth, faithfull freedom in admonifhing one an-
other of what is wrong , ferious endeavour to keep
repentance, humility, felf-denial, and the like graces,
frefh; Thefe and fuch like things are good and pro-
fitable to men, when gravely > fingly> faithfully, ten-
u?hdt*th > c ' er 'y anc * inoffenfively followed.
ia^inrefe- In ref P e & °f Perfons infe&ed, the peoples duty may
rence to the ^ c con fidetf d in thefe fteps , . 1 . As they are to be af-
ferjons infe- fe&cd with their fault, and to pray for their recovery.
tied, and. if 1 - As they have occafion, to teftifie their diflike of
tbey ought to their way. 3. Such as are noted or known to be
refrain from inftrutfiental in the carrying-on of novelties,ought by
their com- all rrjeans to be fhunned ♦ As, 1. their company and
Wh fellowfhip is to be avoided, %om. 16. 17, 18. Men
are to beware of them, Mattb. j. Philip. 3. 2. Se-
condly, They are not to receive fuch into their houfe,
nor to give them a falutation,or bid them God-fpced,
3 Epiflle of John, ver. 10. They are to have no com-
pany with them, 2 Tbe£] 3. 14. We conceive there is
no duty that is more preflingly urged upon the People
of (3od,both in the Old and New Teftament, as may
be clear by confidering,not only the fore- cited places,
but many other places of Scripture 5 efpecially that
place, *Pro)>. 19. 27. Ceafe y my fon,to bear the inftri&ti-
on [ that caufeth] to erre from the Words of knowledge.
And there is this double reafon for it, I. There is no-
thing conduceth more to prefcrve thofe that are intire;
# For,
Part 3 . A Treatife concerning Scandal." 26 3
For, it is hard to walk upon fire, and not be burnt,
tfVoV. 7. 27, 28. and the experience of not a few con-
firmed this; for, many had not declined, had they
keeped diftance even from the garments that were fo
defiled and infe&ed ; and it's a bearing of fuch in-
ttruftion that caufcth,to erre from the way of under-
ftanding. 2. There is nothing more ufefull to con-
vince the perfons infected, and to make them afha-
med ; which is another reafon why the Lord doth
command this. And we may adde , that there is
nothing that doth more evidence refpeft to God, and
reverencing of Him; and nothing that is more be-
coming a finner, that is fenfible that he hath corrup-
tion , than that he ftandeth in aw to come near a feen
tentation ; For, God is jealous, and will not abide
mens hazarding of themfelves to be carried a whoring
from Him : and men are not free of corruption, and
fo readily are capable of what is corrupt. It may be
that people do think that there is no ill and hazard in
trying any thing, that fo, proving all things, they may
hold faft what is good * and alfo/that it may be Mi-
nifters fearing the diminifhing of their own particular
refpeft, that doth make them prefle this , and that k
proceedeth from their carnall paffion ; But fuch
would confider,
1. If our bleffed Lord Jefus, and His Apoftles, did
rcflrain people from any due liberty , when they ex-
prefly prohibit their companying with fuch, and
hearing of fuch, efpecially where it is done pur-
pofely, ufually and deliberatly. And, we fuppofe,
that there is fcarce a direftion in reference to any
particular in the Word more frequently, weightily,
and peremptorily preffed than this, as the places al-
leaged do clear.
2. They may confider, if our bleffed Lord Jefus,
or the Apoftles, had any fear of lofing their refpeft,
or of inability to maintain their point againft any Se-
ducers ; yet do they prefle this themfelves, and com-
S 4. mand
a £4 ATremfe concerning Scandal. Part j^
ffiand and charge other Minifters after them, to prefle
this alfo upon their hearers.
3. They would confider , if thefe ( to wit, our
blelTed Lotd and the Apoftles J did fofter carnal paf-
fion, whileas yet they fopreffed the people, and did
reprove the fuffering of fuch to continue in fellow-
ship ; Yea alio they did (o practife it them'elves, the
Church-hiftory recordeth, that the Apoftle John ha-
ving entered a Bath , where the herctick Cenntbws
was, he did immediatly in haft go outt profefling
fear to be ruined with him, if he (hould continue un-
der the fame roof
4. They would confider, if the meaning of fuch
places, z%Tro\>e all things, Trytbejpirits, be fuch as
neceflicates folks to give hearing unto every novelty."
For, £♦ that is not poflible, that every perfon ihould
enquire and put to trial every errour and every opi-
nion. 2* The people are not in capacity to do fo.
3. This dire&ly croffeth the letter and fcope of the
former precepts, which were given even then, when
this command of proving all things, was given. It
muft be underftood therefore, as agreeing therewith,
and to point- out that no do&rine (hould be admit-
ted without proof, upon the truft of any bearer, but
ought to be tried, if it be the Word of God, as the 2fe-
ream did. Act. 17, but it doth not allow them posi-
tively to try every thing , efpecially how groffe fo-
ever it be, without trial , though it command them
not to admit any thing without proof.
Further, a main part of the peoples duty is to con-
cur in their places , for countenancing and adding
weight unto the refpeftive Sentences,and fteps,which
are called- for from Minifters in their Rations : As,
*• tp contribute what clearneffe they can forthedif-
covery and triall of fuch perfons. 2. To add their
teftimony to the truth,and thereby to make the means
of conviction the more weighty to them* 3 By
evidencing of their diflikedf the perfons obftinacy,
and
Part 3. A 1 rean/e concerning scandal. ?oj
end their acknowledgement of the juftice and necef-
fity of drawing forth further Sentences againft them.
4. In (hunning of their company, abftaining from
familiarity, and otherwayes , to exprefle their indig-
nation againft their way . 5. In carrying to them ac-
cordingly as they are Sentenced, that lb they may ra-
tifie the fame, and in their place, endc avour the mak-
ing ot it weighty, and eft ftuall upon the perfons,
that there bv, they being made afhamed , may the
more readily be humbled > and turned therefrom.
And people are by all means to fhun fuch familiarity,
efpecially with Excommunicate perlons > as may leflen
the weight of their Sentence , or mar their being
afliimed, which indeed will make people euilty of
defpifing the Ordinance of Chrift, and obftrutfting
the fruit thereof unto a brother, and alfo make them-
felves obnoxious to Cenfure, as being fcandalous by
fo doing*
CHAP. XVI.
What further duty is required of private Prof ef-
fort towards heretickj that are cut off.
IF it be asked, What duty further is called-for from
private perfons towards a pcrlon cut off?
Jnfa> % . I iuppofe thrfe thing* are called- for ,
1. Abftinence frorounnectffary civil fellowship,
as, not to frequent their company > tovifitthem, to
dine or fup with them, or to have them dining
or fupping with us , or to u(e fuch familiaricy in fuch
thing*, asufethtobe* with others, orpoffibly hath
been with them : So it is, 1 Cov. 5. and it is no lefle
the peoples duty to carry fo , that it may be a mean
for their edification, than proportionally it is the Mi-
niftersduty to inftrudt paffe Sentence, &c
2. Their would be an abftinence from Chriftian
fellowlhip 9 that is > vve would not pray with them,
read
tATreatifecmvcrningScKKVKt. Part 3-
read or confer of fpirituall purpofes, ( purpofly at
Ieaft) nor do any fuch thing that belongeth to Chri-
ftian-communion , that is, to rejeit bim in that fenfe
from Chriftian fellowfhip, and to account bim as an
heathen man or publican. In this refpeft, we cannot
walk with an excommunicate man, as wc may walk
with other Chriftians ; And, in the firft refped , we
cannot walk with them, as we may walk with other
heathens, that, it may be, are guilty of as groffe fins
upon the matter ; for, the Word of the Lord, putteth
this differeece exprefly between them and thefe who
are (imply heathenSj I Cor. 5.
3. Yet even then prayer may be made for them ;
for, excommunication is no evidence, thataperfon
hath finned the fin againft the holyGhoft; or, that
their fin is a fin unco death , and their neccflities, if
they be in want > may and (houldbe fupplied , be-
caufe they are men, anditisnaturalltofupplyfuch ;
they may be helped alfo againft unjuft violence, or
fromany pcrfonall hazard, if they fall in it ; and as
occafion oflfereth, folks may give a weighty ferious
word of admonition untochem, and fuch like, be-
caufc by fuch means , the end of the Sentence and its
weight are furthered, and not weakened.
4. Thefe that are in naturall relations, ought to
walk in the duties of them, as Husbands and Wives,
Parents and Children, Matters and Servants, Magt-
ftrates and Subjefts>&c. for, what nature bindeth>the
Church doth not loofe.
5. lAzn may follow civil bufinefle , as paying or
exafting payment of debts , buying or felling , and
may walk in fuch things as are requifit for humane
fellowfhip and fociety , becaufe , though Church
Cenfures be to humble and (hame men , by bearing
in on them cheir finfulneffe, yet it is not to undo them*
and (imply to take away a being from them.
6. Yet all thefe things would be done with them in
fuch a manner, As, I, the perfons may (hew their in-
dignation
Part 3 • A Treatife concerning S c a n d a i i
dignation at their way, even when they expreffe teti-
derneffe to their perfons. 2. It would be done in a
different manner from what ufeth to be with others,
not under fuch a Sentence , that fo they may bear out
their refpeft to the Sentence , even when they fhew
refpefl to them. Therefore, there would not be fuch
frequencie in medling with fuch perfons , nor would
it be with familiarity or many words , and long dif-
courfes toother purpofes, nor with laughing , and
with fuch chearfulnefie, intimacie or compiacencie,
as is ufed with others. But, in a word, the bufineffc
would be done, and other things abftained from.
3. When* what is neceffary is paft , except it be on
neceffity , folks would not eat or drink with them at
the time of doing their buftnefle , or after the clofing
of the fame \ becaufe that doth not neceffarily belong
to them as men, and by fo doing , the due diftance
would not be keeped ; and this is the great pra&ick,
fo to carry to them as the weight of the Sentence be
not leffenedj nor they prejudged of what otfiferwayes
is neceffary to their being, but that fo every opportu-
nity may be taken, whereby their edification may be
advanced.
If what is before faid , be confidered, We fuppofe
there will be no great need to add arguments to pro-
voke either Miniftcrs or others to be zealous in pro-
fecuting their refpe&ive duties; Yctthefe fewconfi-
dcrations may be taken notice of, and pondered to
this purpofe, some Cettfi-
I. That fcarcelyhath delufion, though never fo derations to
groffe, ever broken in into a Church, and for a time povtkcMi-
been forborn , but it hath carried away many there- nifters and
with,and hath proven exceedingly indudive to much others to the
fin,offence,reproach,divifion, bitterneffe and ills of all f*i*bfuldi(-
forts into the Church of Chrift: Very little acquain- cb * r & °f.
tance with the Hiftory of the Church , .will put this tb " * du jj £
out of qtieflion. mentioned ""
, 0»6d«d-« chisfptooNdufion, is inafpe- ,„„„,„„.
A Treatife concerning S candal. Part $•
cial manner fore-prophe(iedof,to have a great revi-
ving and ftrength in the latter dayes ; it is faid,i Tim.
4.1. That the Spirit fpeaketh expre/Iy, That in the
laft times, fome (hall depart from the faith: And
why is that expre/ly added, but to give warning the
more clearly, that men may be at their duty ? Again,
2 Tim. .$♦ r. This know, that in the laft dayes, peri-
lous times (hall come. It is the obfervation of a ho-
ly and learned man , that in this place , it is the l*/l
dayes • in the former, the laft times , as if this did re-
late to a-time nearer the end of the world : and fo the
firft looketh to the Popifh fuperftitions and abomi-
nations, (and indeed, the nature of the Doftrines
there reproved , doth feetmo favour this) and this
laft place doth relate to the groffe dclufions , that un-
der the pretext of the form of godlineffe, were to Suc-
ceed to thefe ; And therefore men, according to their
places , ought in thefe times to be fo much the more
watchfull and zealous , feing the Trumpet hath given
fo diftirift a found.
5. The dreadfull effe&s which fuch ills neceffarily
bring with them , may be confidered ; it is not ruine
to bodies or eftates , but to fouls 5 it is not fimply to
fin, and to permit that , but its rebellion ; and which
is more, It is to ttacb rebellion, and to carry on the
fame with a high hand againft God y and what will
ftir zeal for God, or what will waken love to , and
fympathie with , the fouls of others, if this do not ?
4» It would be confidered, how often zeal, dili-
gence and faithfulneffe of men in their feveral places
(as hath been laid down) have proved exceeding
helpfull for preventing and reftraining the growth of
fuch evils , fo that thereby fuch a floud hath been
dryedup, as it is %l>. 12. which otherwayes might
have drowned the Woman and her feed 5 and,A4'tt&,
13. it is mirked ,that filch tares are fown and fpring
up , not while men arc watchfull and diligent ,
but while theyfleep and are defeftive in their duty,
ver.
Part 3t vA Treatife concerning Scandal. V9
ver. 25, for, diligence in the ufe of means, hath the
blcflinp promifed which others cannot expeft ; and
if wrath be come to fuch an height , as the Lord
will not be intrcated in that matter , yet the per-
fon that is diligent may look for his own foul for a
prey , and to be kept on his feet in the midft of ten-
cations.
5. It may be a provocation to humility and watch-
fulnefle, to confider how great men have been car-
ried away with the moft vile delufions : the Church
of Corinth did abound in moft eminent gifts , yet cor-
rupt teachers wanted not influence upon them* The
Church of GalatU hath been moft fingularly zealous
and tender , yet what an height delufion came to
amongft them,is evident? (o that they were bewitched
therewith, Galat. 3. 1. In Church-hiftory alfo it is
evident, that moft eminent men have been carried
away with thevaineft delufions: that great Light,
Terttillian, became tainted exceedingly with the delu-
fions of the Montanijls : and after- times haveletten
us fee, that the eminentcft of men are capable of de^
fedlion ; and even Stars are often made to fall from
heaven by fuch ftorms.
6. It is dreadfull alfo to confider how difficultly
men are recovered from thefe delufions. It's a rare
thing to find in Scripture, or in Hiftory, any obler-
vable recovery of a perfon that hath flipped in this
kind. Sometimes indeed perfons, that through fear
have been brought to deny Chrift, or to countenance
Idolatry in a particular aft, are marked with much
tendcrncfle and fatisfaftion to acknowledge their fail-
ing , and to abandon it ; for, often fuoh a failing is
the fruit of fome furprizal, and is of infirmity; but the
recovery of a perfon, who hath with a kind of deli-
beration drunken- in errour andrejefted convi&ions,
is a moft rare thing > and hath a peradventure added
thereto, 2 Tim. 2.2?. (as was formerly marked) which
will not readily be found in any other cafe ; yea? of-
ten
^7° A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 4."
ten fuch perfons do toax toorfe and ^orfe l and one de-
lufion draweth-on another till it come co the greateft
height of abfurdity.
PART IIIL
Concerning Scandalous Diviftom.
CHAP. I.
How here fie , fchifm and divifion differ , to vet
With the feveral kinds of divifion*
rther
H'
"Avingnow come this length, there is one
thing of nigh concernment to what is paft,
which pofltbly might be ufefull to be en-
quired into , Concerning fuch fcandals as
cannot be called in the former fenfe do&rinall , nor
yet perfonall 3 becaufe there may be purity*in the.
\pne, and regularity and orderlineffe in the other re-
fpe£t> and yet aftually there may be a fcandal and an
offence oroccafion of (tumbling lying in the way of
many , and that is , by febifms and di\>ifions in the
The intro. Church , or amongft the people of God. This we
duttion, confefle is no kffe difficult to (peak to, than any of the
former, becaufe there is often more that can be faid
for both fides , and the fide from whence the offence
rifetji, is not fo eafily difcernable, which rnaketh,that
we are the more unwilling and leffe confident to un-
dertake to (peak any thing in reference thereto *, Yet
feing we have in providence been led to the former
purpofes , without any previous defign ; and now,
having this occuring to us * before we clofe, we (hall
endeavour (hortlv to fpeak a word in reference there-
to, in a generall abflrafted manner, without defcend- *
ing to any particulars, which may be dangerous to
bt
Part 4» *s4 Treatife concerning Scandal. 271
be touched upon; but (hall give fome generall hints
concerning the fame, which wc are induced unto up-
on thefc confederations ,
I. Becaufe fuch divifions are as really fcandalous ^ t (undid
and hurtfull to the Church, as either (candals in pra- 6n( n urt j H i.
ftice or dodtrine are. 2, Becaufe the Word of God ne fic of d>
hath as fully difcovered and abundantly condemned v jj l0nt9
the offenfiveneffe of this , as of any of the former.
3. Becaufe there is fuch a connexion amongft thele
forts of fcandals , that often one is not without the
other. Hence we fee, l« that contention and offences
and the wo that followeth them , are joyned together,
Mattb. 18. 1,2, ?,&c 2. Divifions and corrupt
doftrine,orherefies, are knic together , i£W.ii.i8,
19. (o that feldome there is corrupt do&rine, but ic
hath divifion with it ; and never is divifion, but k
hath offence , As in the Epiftlestothefeof Corinth
and Galatia is clear : Hence dogs' and e\il \\or\ers,
that is , the fpreaders of corrupt doftrine , are alfo
called the concifton, fbil. 3. 1, 2,&c. and in experi-
ence we often find , that a (pint of divifion waiteth
upon delufion, and oftentimes doth take up and pre-
vail , even over thofe who have been preferved frcm
the delufion ; As in a great ftorm > fome places
have great and dreadfull blafts and drops > whoyec
may be keep^d free from the violence of the tempeft ;
Even fo, this deluge of errour> hath (howrs of divifi-
ons waiting upon it, which often may affefit thefe
who are preferved from the violence of delufion ic
felf; which maketh, thatthefpeakingfomethingto
this, doth not impertinently follow upon the iormer.
4. Becaufe if this be wantinc, what is faid in the
former cafes, is palpably defeSive, efpecially at fuch
a time, when there is no leffe caufe to obferve this evil,
than any of the former. This being, as to them, in
fome refpefl a caufe that bringeth them forth and fo-
ftcreth them , and, in fome refpeft > an eftcft which
neeeffarily and naturally followeth upon them : for,
diyifions
i~ji tATreatife concerning Scandal. Part 4^
divifions breed both fcandals in pra&ice and do-
ftrine ; And again, fcandal in thefe, do^h breed and
entertain divifions.
Tbebeadsof 2. What we would fay, (hall be drawn to thefe
tbeenfuing four heads. 1. To confider whit divifion is, or of
part oftbc w hat fort it is,which is properly to be fpoken of here.
Ttmi[c. ^ ^[ lat are t h c cau f cs which do breed and fofter the
fame. 3. What are the evil erfe&s which ordinari-
ly flow from it. 4. What may be thought to be du-
ty in reference to fuch a time,and what may be looked
upon as fuitable remedies of fuch a diftemper.
For the fit ft , We take it for granted , that there is
fuch a thing as divifion in the Church ; which is not
to be looked upon as any new or ttrange thing ; for,
the Scripture maketh it clear, and the Hiftory of the
Church putteth it out of queftion : Concerning
which we may premit thefe few things ,
Ij That the divifion which is intended here, is not
every conteft > and alienation of mind , and diffe-
rence of pra& ice incident to men ; but that which is
proper to the Church concerning Church affairs and
fbistobediftinguifhed from civil debates and con-
tentions. We would advert alfo , that there may be
Church differences that fall not under the charge of
Scandal as when in fome things, men of confcience
are of d ifferent judgements, yet carry k without any
offence or breach of chanty ; Or , when in fome
pra&ices there is diverfity with forbearance , as was
inPfl/ifttrpiadayfs, and the time of Irmem (about
Bd/ler matters ) Thefe we fpeak not unto* 2. Al-
though fometimes titles and cxprcflions may be ufed
more generally and promifcuoufly ; yet, in this dif-
courfe, we would diftinguifti between thefe three,
Hcnpe, Schifm and Viyrifiofii without refpeft to what
otherwayes ufeth to be done.
Wbaihtn- And, firft, Herefee, is fome errour in do&rine,and
fa ** that efpecially in fundamental! doctrine, followed
with pertinacie , and endeavour to propagate the
fame.
Part 4. *s4 Treatife concerning Scandal^ 273
fame. Again , Scbifm may be where no herefic in
doftrineis, buc is a breaking of the union of the
Church , and that communion which ought to be
amongft the Members thereof, and is either in Go-
vernment or Worfhip. As, firft, in Government,
when the common Government, whereto all ought to
be fubjeft, is rent, and a Government diflmft, jet up.
This may be, either when the Government is altered ;
as, fuppofe fome fhould fet up Epifcopacy in op- jpj^
pofition to Presbytery, yet keeping ftill the funda-/^//^ &;
mentall truths ; Or it may be, where the fame Go- and the
vernment is acknowledged, but there be difference \i-nds
concerning the perfons to whom the power doth be- thereof,
long ; (b, fometimes men have acknowledged Pope-
ry, yet followed diverfe Popes; So often, Sectaries
have not difclaimed Councils and Bifbops, but have
fet up their own, andrefufed fubje£tion tothefeto
whom it belonged. The fiift kind implieth ado-
ftrinall errour concerning Government ; The fecond
may confift with the fame principles of Government,
but differeth in the application of rhem, and becom-
eth a fchifm, when men a6l accordingly in acknow-
ledging diverfe fupream Independent Governments :
Becaufe fo , when there ought to be but one Church,
it becomcth, as it were, two : and this is exclaimed
againft , and reflated by the Fathers , under the ex-
preflfion of ercfting ahare contra altare , that is, altar
againfb altar \ whenas the Lord allowed but one,
even in reference to His own worfhip. 2. Schifm
may be in worfhip , that is, when, it may be , both
the fame Doftrine and Government is acknow-
ledgcd>yet there i\ not communion keeped in Church-
ordinances, as in Prayer, Word and Sacraments ;
but a (eparate way of going about thefe is followed.
It feemech, that this was in part the fchifmof the
Qonntbidns (whatever was the rife thereof) that they
had a divided way of communicating, and of going
about other dutiesj and othei Ordinances, as rmy be;
T gathered!
$74 A l re *"l e concerning scandal. Part 4,
gathered from 1 C or * u - 18, 19, 20, 2r. with ??;
This kind of fchifm hath been frequent in theChurch,
and hath flowed not fo much from diffatisfa&ion
with the Do&rine and Government thereof, as with 5
the conftkutionof the Members, or failings of the
Governours. Thus it was in the cafe of the N.o\>ati-
ans % Dqnatijhj Meletians, Catbari and others, of whom
it is recorded, that their fault did not confift in fetting
up any ftrange Doftrinc, or in reje&ingof the truth
( at leaft at the fiift ) but in breaking the band ot *■
communion , as Augujline hath it often; for, faith
he, bebifmaticos facit non dfterfa fides fed communions
difrupta focietcts, contra £aujlum y lib. io. Again, he
faith of the Donatifts , Ad ftomfae* Epift^o: Nee de
ip fa fide )>ertitar qu*(lio, fedde fola communione infalU
citer litigant, & contra unitatem Qbnfii rebellts inimici-
tw\ perVerfitate fui erroris, exercent. And this fort
of fchifm doth often draw witfy it the former > there
being no way to maintain this without the other. Of
this {chitai there are many kinds,according to its feve-
ral rifes and degrees; and alfo,according as it extend-
eth to the breaking of communion in whole , from
Ordinances, or in part only from fome, or in fome
Ordinances, as appeareth to have been in the Church
of Corinth, where there hath not been a totall fchifm,
though it hath been in that Ordinance of the Supper
efpecially 5 and it is like alfo , that that fchifm hath
been occafioned , becaufe of the corruption of fome
members ? with whom others have feared to commu-
nicate ; and therefore have not tarried for them : for,
the Apoftledoth particularly condemn this > and ex-
hort them to tarry one for another ; and to attain this*
he doth clear them of what was neceffary for right
partaking, to wit, the examining of themfelves, ver.
28, and doth declare unto them , that who fo did eat
unworthily, and did not prepare himfelf, did eat and
drink damnation ; buttohimfelfi and not to others :
wherefore* faith he, ye need not be fo anxioufly feli-
citous
Part 4. A Treat if* concerning Scandal.'
citous how they be prepared, or of what fort they be
that are with you, but examine your felves, and tar-
ry one for another> that there be noc a fchifm amongft
you. And this he fpeakcth, even when he hath been
reproving drunkennefle among the Communicants,
yet will he not admit that as an excufe, why private
perfons (hould Communicate feparatcdly , which
was their practice- This was ipoken of in die
m firft part.
This Sckifm, however it be underftood, hath ever
proven exceeding hurtfull to the Church , and hath
been an inlet and nurfery to the grcatcft errours ; It is
moft preflingly condemned in the Scriptures, even
with as great weight as corrupt doftrine and hercfie
are, and it is attributed to that fameoriginall, to wit,
the flefh, with witchcraft, idolatry, herefie, &a
GaL'^. 20. It hath ever been moft weighting to faith-
full Miniftcrs, moft offenfive to people of all forts,
moft advantageous to the enemies of the truth, and
hath made the Church moft vile and contemptible
before the world, as we may fee in the fad complaints
and writings of the Fathers, in reference to the N0V4-
?ians , ftonatifls and others of that kind: Ithathalfb
proven moft dangerous to chefe who have been en-
gaged therein, and often hath been a fnare to bring ort
tome fpiritual defertion>deadnefs of fpirit,fecurity>felf-
confidence, or fomc other fpiricuall evils of that kind,
or to difpofe for receiving a more gtofle tentation , as
was formerly marked. Alfo, it maybe obferved,
that fuch fchifms have fpread very fuddenly in fomc
places of the world , but have not been eafily re-
moved; for, thefe fchifms of the ^Vatians and ©0-
natifls did trouble the Church for feverall generations,
which mi^hc be enough to mike men think the
breach of unity , in that rcfpc& , to be no little evil,
and to make them fearfull to fall in the fame. But
becaufe every fchifm properly doth imply fomeerrour
in doSrinc , although it doth not arife from the fame,
T a there*
ij6 *A Trcatifc concerning Scandal.' Part 4.
therefore we (hall forbear to fpeak any thing particu-
larly to this, becaufe what hath been faid of errours
in do&rine , may in part be applyed here : For, we
will find, that fchifm doth imply one, or all of thofe.
1. That fuch apprehended corruptions do cither
make fuch a fociety to be no Church, or communion
with that Church in other Ordinances, to be unlaw-
full becaufe of fuch corruptions , or of fuch corrupt
members. 2, That there may beadiftind erefted
Church befide a Church, which yet may not be of
communion with that other Church. 3. Thefe or
fuch confequences > that either the Church of Chrift
in the earth is not one, (which truth of the unity of
the Gatholick vifible Church , is the main ground of
all Church-union and communion ) Or, that that
one Church may be of fuch heterogeneous or diflt-
milary parts , as the one of them ought not to have
communion with the other ; Or, at leafl this, that a
perfon ought to feek his own (atisfaftion and con-
solation , though to the prejudice and renting of the
Church, and to the generall offence and (tumbling of
all others; The faireft fchifm and feparation, muft
imply one of thefe : for, it cannot be conceived , that
otherwayes men would aft fo dire&ly , according
to thefe principles , if they did not take them for
granted.
It is to be adverted, that as there is an unjuft fchifm,
that is, a feparation without any caufe at all \ fo there
is a rafli and fcandalous fchifm , that is , when it is
beyond the ground given ; or,when the ground given,
is not fuch as will warrant fuch a feparation : Which
maybe, 1. when the (eparation or fchifm is upon
fome occafion, which is indeed a defeft in the Church,
but not fuch as doth make communion therein finfull,
as that in Corinth. Or, *. when, it may be, the fchifm
is extended beyond the ground, that is > whenfup-
pofe one could not communicate in the Lords Supper
in fuch a Church, becaufe of fome finfull corruption
in
Part 4. A Treatife concerning Scandal^ 5--
in that Ordinance, if, upon that occafion, one (hould
feparate from communion in all Ordinances, that
were to exceed the ground given. Or, 3. when no
profefled (chifm is owned; yet when really and in-
deed it is pra&ifed , fo as men can neither juftifie a
fchifm , or feparation upon fuch aground, nor yet
altogether vindicate their praftice from inferring the
fame , in which refpeft , the fchifm and rent floweth
from aflfe&ion , or inclination , and got from well
grounded light , or reafon, and fo cannot be but rafti
and unwarrantable* 4. It maybe, in the manner,
precipitant , when either means have not been ufed
to remove that ground if it be juft ; or, when men fo
heighten fome lefler defeft in a Church by aggreging
it with fuch circumftances, as may make it appear to
themfelves or others, a ground diffident to bear and
warrant feparation ; or, in fuch a way, to vent their
diflatisfafihon with things , or perfbns, as thereby to
hurt the unity of the^ Church , or to occafion a rent,
or divifion , or fchifm in the fame, when, it may be,
others befide their intention may thus conclude, A,
Church io corrupted, &c. is not to be kceped com-
munion with, (and , it may be , the propoficion is
found and fo qualified , as it is acknowledged by all
Divines) But this or that particular Church is fuch*
This again, is offered to be made out by the tOQ vehe-
ment aggravation of fome leffer defeft , which may
feem to confirm that ademption : and in praftice , it
may be obferved , that as fome will lay down pre-
mifles concerning a fchifm, who yet dare not aft ac-
cording to the condufion, and aftuallv feparate , So
others will keep the conclufion, and a&ually feparate
in pra&ice, who yet durfl not in 2^/*abfolutely
maintain fchifm to be' lawfull upon fuch a ground.
It is to be adverted , that fchifms and divifions are fo
nigh in nature and names , that we may ufe inftances
for illuftration of either promifcuoufly.
The third word, is ®Mfion } which doth not at
T 3 the
278 A Treatife concerning Scandal.' Part 4.
the firft view differ fromSchifm; yet we do take lC
here as different, and to agree to fuch Divifions an^
Dimensions in the Church as are confiftent with com - /
muniot} both in Government and WorChip , and
have not a divided Government or Worfhip follow-
ing them, as in the former cafe. Of luch there are
many inftanees in Scripture and Church-hiftory, as
we may obferve by confidering thefe Diftin&ions
WbatU thereof. I. There is a 'Dottrinal Vtiijion, as when
here meant the matter is not fundamental , nor yet is it pleaded-
by the word for as fuch,tothc breaking off of communion arnongft
Vivifion. t [ lc f e that differ > yet poflibly being ameer indiffe-
rent matter, is followed with too much eager nefle,
vchemency bitterneflc, &c. by thefe who owne the
vfi 06 ' ^ ame re fp f( ^ ve W- Thus contentions were hot in the
rail kinds pz\ m \z\ vt timcs f or meats* and fuch things which were
wrcoj. ne j t } 1€r f chemlelves deftruftive to the foundation of
Faith on either fide, at lcaft in that time, and (b
were not heretical ; nor did they break off com-
munion in Church-ordinances, and fo were not
fchifmatical ; yet was the Church troubled there-
with by divifion arnongft her members. Of this
fort are the divifions that may be arnongft godly and
orthodox men in fome points of Truth, when they
too vehemently prefle their own opinion to be re-
ceived with a kind of nccedity, or load the other
with too many abfurdities beyond what will follow
from the nature thereof.
2. There are fome Divifions that may be called
$railkdl y and do indeed imply fome difference of opi-
nion, but do alfo infer fomewhat in pra&ice : Of
this fort was the divifion about Eafter in primitive
times before it came to a fchiim, fome keeping one
day, fome another. And in after-times it abounded,
when fome acknowledged the ordination of fuch a
Biftiop, and others not ; when fome acknowledged
the authority of fuch a Council, and others not, and
(p had divided practices.
3. Some
Part 4« A Treats fe concerning S c a n d a l \ 1J9
3. Some Divifions are betwixt particular men,
fome have influence upon Churches , and are, as it
were, one party againft another ♦ The firft is more
properly a difference, and may be betwixt eminently
godly and zealous men , fuch as was betwixt faul
and $arnab<ts, Ait. 15. 39, and is called a conten-
tion. Such alfo we will find in Church-hiftory be-
twixt sAugufline and Jerome, Chryfojlom and Eptpba*
nm s which indeed hath a contention wich it , and,
if the Lord prevent not, is apt to make parties, and co
rent the Church ; but the other, to wit, the afting of
one party againft another, as hath been feen in many
Councils, and appeareth to have been amongftthe
Corinthians, when one adhered to one perfon, and one
to another ; This, I fay, looketh like fc&ion, and is
properly divifion.
4. Divifion may be confidered in all thefe refpetrs
as it is in judgment, or in ajfettion, or mpratfice. h
is in judgment, when they are not of the fame mind,
but have diverfe apprehenfions concerning Truths.
2. Ic is in affeftion, when upon that difference of
judgment alienation followeth , whereby that love,
and atfe&ion, and charity that one oweih to another,
is fornewhat cooled or difcompofed. 3. it is in
praftice, when they fpeak and aft differently and op-
pofidy ; as if it were an advantage to Truth for the
one to croffe and undermine what the other doth :
Thisdiftin&ion is clearly infinuatcd, i£V. 1.10. *
befeecbyou, brethren, that there be no divijions amongft
you • Which is branched-out in union in thefe three,
to wit, Jpeakjng the fame thing, that relateth to a£iion j
Of being perfettly joyned together in the fame mind, that
relateth to affe&ion -, And of keing one in the fame
judgment, that relateth to opinion : which fuppofeth
that there were divifions oppofit to all thefe, which
alfo often go together.
5. There are fome Divifions, which (to fay fo; are
negative , and are in the manner and circumftances
T 4 of
%%o ATreatife concerning Scandal. Part 4.^
of doing fome duties- Thus men may differ and take
diverfe wayes , yet both of them be endeavouring
the thriving of the work of the Gofpel, and no way
labouring to erode each other, or to make one ano-
ther leffe weighty and fuccesful. Thus Paul and $ar~
nab as, after their contention, did indeed differ in their
manner of profecuting the work of the Gofpel, yec
both of them did continue faithfull therein, and nei-
ther of them did counterplot nor counteract to others*
Again, fomedivifionsare pofitive (tofay fo) when
men do not only differ from each other , but do op-
pofe each other , and do not fet themfelves finely to
profecute the work, which poffibly their oppofit may
be profecuting with them ; but there is an endeavour
to leflen the authority and mar the a&ings of the
other , and to engage men in the approbation of that
particular wherein they do differ, which favoureth
ofdivifion and faftion properly , and is more hurt-
full and intolerable when as the firft is more toler-
able amongtt men who have their infirmities ; and
it's like, that fuch were the divifions of Corinth when
there was an endeavour to cry up one > and down
another^
6. Some are in dotfrine, for difference of judgment;
fome are in government, for precedency h as fome-
times was amongft the Difciples, a conteft who
(hould be greateft : which is not fo much for Go-
vernment abftraftly, and confidered in it Celf> or
about what (hould be done , as it is for the perfons,
who (hould be the governours and doers thereof ; as
antangft the Difciples, it is not thequeftion, What
kind of government (hall be ? or.What (hould be the
Governours duty ? But, who (hould be chief and
have the main hand in ruling ?
7. Sometimes Divifions are more ftated and deep-
ly rooted, when fome way mens defigns are croffe,
though not in the main, yet in the manner of carry-
i ig them on. Sometimes again, they are more occa-
fional,
part 4. A Treatife concerning Scandal. 281
fional, and arife from fome particular aft or circum-
ftancc, wherein men may differ, and may be when
neither fide draweth-on a divifion ; So that particu-
lar of taking or not taking John Marl^ in the com-
pany, was the occafion of that contention and divi-
fion betwixt 'IW and fiarnaba*. All. 15. when other-
wayes there was an harmony in the feries and firain
of their whole way.
8. Sometimes Divifions are betwixt godly and
orthodox men upon the one fide , and corrupt men
upon the other ; as were the divifions of the Church
with the Arian Hercticks, and others of that nature.
Sometimes again, they are amongft godly and ortho-
dox men on both fides, and this is a main ingredient
in f and aggravation ofthe fcandal of Divifion, when
it is amongft Chnft's own Difciples '; and this is that
which we would efpecially fpeak to : Concerning
which we fay ,
I. That there is fuch a thing incident to the Church _. ,«
as divifion amongft godly, able, and orthodox men. J^u*
as betwixt taul and <Barnab<u 9 AH. 1 5. The Difciples qZu
of Chrift anH the dilaplesof ?obn; yea, oftentimes
betwixt the Difciples of Chrift amoneft themfelves.
And afterward the inftanccs of Auguftine and Jerome,
Chryfoftom and Epiphanem, with many others of later
times, do demonftrat it. In the Old Tcftament we
find 7 ob and his friends keeping up a long difpute
right fharply. And>Namfr. 1 2. fomething is recorded
of a divifion between Mofes, Aaron and Mniam.
2. This Divifion may continue long and come to it may con.
a great height, that is, it may be very (harp, although time long,
it may be, the rife thereof be fmall ; for, contentions And come
are, as the letting out of Waters, TroV. 17,14. and toagreat
they of ten grow , even amongft good men, foas tobcigbt,
provoke much (harpneffe againft each other, and that
with much confidence , as the inftanccs given do
clear.
3 Though it be frequent to them tocometoan
height
282 tA Treaufe concerning Scandal*, Part 4.
height, yet they are not eafily removed, even amongft
the beft ; This being true, SfVoK 18. 19. That a bro-
ther offended , u harder to be toon than a ftrongcity, and
that their contentions are as the bars of a ca/lle, they are
fo ftrongly rooted. Hence , we fee , that there is no
breaking off between Job and his friends,till the Lord
interpofe } there is no compofing of the matter be-
t ween Paul and Barnabas, but their contention con-
Aninot at-tinuethfo hot, that they muft feparate ; Neither is
fily removed there any thing exprefly recorded of their meeting to-
gether again , although they had long been of mod
intimate fellowship as neareft colleagues in their
journeying and travelling in the Lords work, and that
appointed thereto , even by Himfelf extraordinarily,
Jtfs 1 g. It is recorded, that Chryfofiome and Epipha-
nem did funder fo imbittered one at the othcr>that Epi-
phaneus did wiffi , That C^ r yf°fi ome fhould not die a
Biflbop : He again did wi(h , That the other might
not fee his home, to wit, Cyp rus > to which he was
then making his voyage ; both which accordingly
fell out : which is a dreadfull inftance of this evil,
and looketh like the Lords making ufe of their pafli-
on , to fignifie His difplcafure againft both their di-
ftempers,
CHAP. II.
Whence 'Divifions do arife 9 and hoVe they are
f after ed and encreafed*
r His divifion doth frequently arife , and is con-
tinued upon very fmall occafions ; for, it is
not ordinarily groffe hereficsor palpable abo-
minations , that do draw godly and learned men to
fide in the defence thereof , but things of lcfiercon-
Variom ap- cernment ; whjch we will find to be fuch as thefe,
frebenpons !• Some various and different apprehenfions of
of infetiour truths, that are leffe fundamental^ fuch. as was the.de-
truths. bates
Ti
1
Part 4. A Treat* ft concerning Scandal. 285
bates about meats, genealogies, and other queftioiis
in the primitive times, concerning which, there was
no little jangling even amongft good men ; thus is it
when Divines preffc too hotly fome truth, not fimply
neceflary. It cannot be fupponed, that all men who
yet Ice but in part, fhould be of that fame mind ; and
the Lord hath left fome things , as it were , to be the
matter of doubtfull ilifputations,as the Apoftlc fpeak-
cth, %om. 14. 1. and though there be truth upon the
one fide of every debate, yetconfidering that that is
notalway cafily demonftfable , too peremptory de-
ciding and preffing of fuch things, cannot butoc-
cafion ftrife.
2, Sometimes it floweth from the miftake of fome ^ w/ -^ c
difpenfations, and thefufpeftingof the fincerity and ^ r me J£
integrity one of another ; whereby fometimes men ^nlations.
are engaged ere they wit, to maintain their prejudice,
and to lay the lcffe weight upon light holden forth by
others, It was thus with Jobs friends, who,mif-in-
terpreting Gods hand upon him, and concluding un-
charitably of his ftate > are brought to maintain an
unwarrantable Tbefe for making out of their point.
3» It may arife from different apprehenfions about vifferm
fomeperfons, or from a different manner of doing a ppnhcnfi~
the fame thing , or from the ufe- making of different 072i a b out
pcrfons ; As when one would have fuch a man to be fome perfons
a Minifter, another doth not think him worthy; anitbinis.
When one doth think fuch a man deferveth not to be
aMinifler, and another thinketh that he doth; when
fuch different thoughts about perfons, means or man-
ner of doing things >, ( which are incident to the beft
of men ) are followed with different aftings accord-
ingly, and none doth cede to another, then neceffari-
iy followeth contention and divifion ; So 'Paul
thought John Ma)\ not meet to be taken to the Mi-
niftery again in their company , feing he had left
them 5 Barnabas did think him meet and would have
him , whereupon the contention and divifion fol-
lowed
284 vi Treatife concerning S c A n d a l . Part 4»
lowed. Often alfo, we find in the Church-hiftorys
that good men have divided upon this , that fome
would ordain fuch to be Presbyters or Bifhops,whom
others did not think worthy of that office ; and that
fome would not condemn pcrfons or writings, which
others did condemn: for, learned men often think
the condemning of a perfon or doftrine which is
owned by them , or the refuting to condemn a per-
fon or do&rine which they do condemn , to be a re-
fle&ion on them, and that therefore they are engaged
to deal with fuch , as with the principall party : It is
marked , that the nfe of Cbryfoftome and Eptpbaneus
their difference, was* That Chryfo/lome did not fo go
alongs in the condemning of Origin, and his writ-
ings as the other did *, and that fome of the Clergie
ofConfiantinople had refufed the fame : whereupon
Eptpbaneus began in preaching to enveigh againft the
other , which came to that height that is faid. Alfo,
fomtimes fome have been too favourable conflru&ers
of deluders,as if they had been of fome honefty,wher-
by difference hath grown with others who knew the
deceit, As witneffe the firft Divifions that were. in
Phrygia concerning Montanus , becaufe fome being
fim^le, and not knowing that prophefie, in an extra--
ordinary manner, was laid afidebythe Lord, did
difpute , that poffibly there might be fome more than
an ordinary thing in his way , and that he might
through acceffe to God do fuch things , when as yet
they were not infe&ed with his errours: This did
breed a fchifm ; when others neceffarily behoved to
condemn the deeds , and alfo the perfons , as not
ferving the Lord, but their own bellies, %om. 16.
ver. 16,17.
Heartburn* + Ic ufually arifech from fecret grudges at being
inns at tjk Weighted, or heart-burnings at anothers credit and
credit of 0- reputation beyond them, and fometimes indeed , not
tbers. becaufe of the faft done , but becaufe fuch perfons
were the doers thereof,and one way or other fpringeth
from
Part 4« tA Treatife cor.ccrm»g Scandal. *$5
from the root of pride » envy , or emulation , which
hath many branches whereby it venteth its malignant
dittempering difpofition in (undry (hapes. It is in-
deed (ad that (uch things (hould be amongft the Dif-
ciples of Chrirt yet often we fee> that this , Who
foould be the greateft, was a bone of contention among
them , cfpecially when fome had evidenced their too
great pronenefle and inclination to prefer themfclves
toothers ; This alfo had influence upon thatmuteny .
which Aaron and Miriam didftirup againft A^/*;,
Numb, 12. and it is the Lords word by the wife
mouth of Solomon , Only by pride cometb contention.
5. Too much infifting on, and aggreging of the tdggreging
infirmities or opinions of others , and loadening and the infirmi-
aggreging them with many fearfull confequences > ties oj ethers
hath much influence upon this , efpecially where
words arewrefted befide the intention andfenfcof
the fpcaker , becaufe fuch an humour fheweth iittle
love and refpeft to the perfon , and by the nature of
the work,doth tend to hold him forth as odious, igno-
rant > abfurd, or fome way defpicable; which even
good men, being but men , are not eafily brought to
digeft. We fee this in Job's friends > who frequently
carp at his expreflions, and ftudy to aggregethem,
which indeed were not alway altogether excufable ;
yet their fcope (atleaft, in the work) was,torepre-
fent them and him much more abfurd, than indeed
they were. And this was in thefe debates between
Augufline and Jerome , andufually is where fuch dik
ferences are, as too many reproachfull and bitter
differences now in the Church, almoft everywhere,
do hold forth.
6. They are occafioned by a carnal and faftious- 4 faSieut
like pleading fori and vindicating even cf Truth. rj ' w ^f™g
Often it is not the matter whereabout godly and *1 mt *'
learned men debate, that makcth divifion, (for, there
may be difference where there is no divifion) but it
is a carnal manner of profecuting either fide of the
differ
2 %6 A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 4^
difference, even that fide whereon the truth doth lye,
that doth engender the divifion; and often, we fee
men differing about greater points than others do,
and yet carrying fo as it cannot be called Divifion.
It's marked, I Cor. 3. that fome were for ^W, fome
for Ap olios , fome were for none but #M/i ; and yet
I this is counted a fide of the fa&ion afwell as any of
the other; not becaufe being forChrift is wrong,
but becaufe that fa&ioufly they walked under that
pretext : Which we may take up in thefe refpe&s ,
I. When a man too peremptorily prefleth his light
upon others, or upon a Church , in a matter that is
not fundamental, or neceffary , which is condemned,
Sfyw.14.22. when men in thefe debates keep not their
faith, or light, to themfelves , but do trouble and di-
ftraft others therewith. 2. It is,when men too vehe-
mently preffefuch a thing, as if the contrary there-
of,or thofe who maintain the fame, were intolerable ;
and fo in a fiery violent way feek to bear down that
which is indeed an errour, though of infirmity. It is
marked by fome that write Church-hiftory, and Ju-
gufline is of that fame mind, That Stepbanus, Bifhop
of 2(owe,did more hurt to the Church by his too vehe-
ment oppofirig of Cyprian's crrour ( which was,Tbat
thofe that were baptized by Hereticks, or Schifim-
ticks, ought again to be baptized ) becaufe he did
therby hazard the dividing and renting of theChurch,
by refufing communion with fuch as were againft
him, than Cyprian did in his maintaining of his cr-
rour ; Becaufe,though it was ftill his opinion, he did
meekly and condefcendingly carry in it, with refpeft
to the unity of theChurch, 3. This is alfo, when
Vndue things are followed with Sentences and Cenfures oil
Confutes . c he oppofit opinion, and the abbetters thereof, as if it
were a matter of Faith. It's known what influence
thofe Sentences of fififor, Bifliop of ^pme, had upon
renting of the Church , and ftating that divifive
diftin^ion betwixt the Baft and Weft Church, and
thai
Part 4- A Treatife concerning Scandal. 287
that for a matter of nothing , to wit, What day of
themoneth precifely Eajler wastobekeeped 5 and he
was for that (harply reproved, even by Irceneus, who
was of that fame judgment with him : And many
fuch inftances are in Hittory. 4. It is, when in the tctroing the
profeouion of fuch things, men leave the matter, and ma tter and
fall on perfonall reflections , and become bitter in falling upon
thefe refpefts, as to caft-up pride and arrogancy : hy- teflcftionj.
pocrific, ignorance>herefie> or erroneoufneffe, or fome
other perfonal fault, if any be known or imputed to
them> or one way or other to Height them and make
them defpicable : So Aarm and Miriam murmur
againft Mofes, Numb. 12. that he had married an
Ethiopian woman, that he feemed to Height them, as if
God had only fpoken by him, and not by them alfo; *
Epipbaneus alfo did upbraid Cbryfoftem with hypo-
crifie; Jerome hugely revileth Vigilantim , whofete-
nents feem to be as near truth as his are; foitwas
between Demetrius and Tbeopbilus , when in the mat-
ter of fa& , each giveth to other the lie. J. It is,
when the manner of carrying on a thing, is faSious,
as endeavouring, to make fides and parties under
hand , and indirect dealing to engage others in their Engaging
differences, and to ftir up men by fuch means againft of others.
others : It is like it was fo in Cerintb , even amongft
the people who adhered not to falfe teachers ; It is
marked alfo in that vehement bitter contention that
was between Jerome and fyjfinus, that he did endea-
vour by all means , to waken hatred againft Jeromes
perfon , and to defame his writings more than in any
convincing way to make out his point; and yet all
this arofe from Jerome his alleaging the other to be a
favourer of Origens herefic, becaufe he had tranflated
fome books of Origens , which was indeed condem-
ned by others as being dangerous ; yet feing { i{ujfinus
did difclaim thefe errours, and deny that he approved
them, there was no fuch ground to preffe him with it;
and this became the occafionof thatirrcconciliable
hatted,
2 8 8 tA Treat* fc concerning Scandal. Part 4?
hatred, which was never removed ; in which alio it
is marked, that Jerome doth objeft to the other, ob-
scurity, and harflmefle of (tile, adding withall ma-
ny other flighting exprcflions.
Too much 7 It may be by the imprudencie of fuch as have
tilling of 8°od affe&ion: As, 1. exprefling too much good
fome upon liking of fome corrupt men , becaufe they pretend
fairpmen- fairly : Thus the Church was divided in fbrygia for
us. Mwtatf «4,becaufe fome did too imprudently conftruft
well of him, as if indeed he and his Propheteffes had
truly had the gift of prophecy ; others again vehe-
mently upbraided them for it. a. It is when things
are preffed unfeafonably, or in an offenfive manner,
without refpeft to the manner of things if they be
Satisfied in the matter. There followed many divi-
sions upon the back of the moft famous Councill,
( which made Greg. 1>{a%ian%en to fay, He never de-
fired to fee many Bifhops together) and the Centum-
tors give this reaf>n or occafion , fturn quidarn fidem
Niccnam imprudenter urgebant > alii earn acriter im-
pugnabant.
Peremptory ^ - ^ 00 muc ^ pcremptorineffe where there may be
tiefs -without f° me condescending, hath much hand in this ; when
condefcend- men become not all things (fo far as is lawful!) unto
ing % others. It is marked in the Church- hiftory, That
fometimes too tenacious adhering unto Canons and
Councils, by fome who would not condefcend in a
fyllable, when others did condemn the matter, hath
been in this refpeft prejudicial ; Such was the caufe
of the fchifm betwixt the Ea/l and Wefl Church, and
particularly the tenacious adhering in all things,even
as to the very manner, to the Council of C^alcedon,
( which was indeed a famous and orthodox Council
in the matter) The former inflance cleareth this alfo.
nvr 9« Sometimes this doth come from diflatisfadtion
Vif[atitta- j n f ome part i cu [ ar c f Government , as when fome
fmelcriins tiave ^ een difpleatcd that fuch and fuch men,formerly
/ me p r/ous ca fl. 0lu ^ (h ou y h avc b ecn Z g^ m admitted to com-
munion;
Part 4* A Treattje concerting 5>candalw 289
inunion; or, that a perfon, caftout of communion
in one place, hath been admitted in another ; This is
frequent* as after inftances may clear.
10. Itisoftenoccafioned by the encroachment of MutnM
one upon another in the exercife of their power, as to encroach*
preach, ordain, and fuch like, within the bounds ofment.
others befide, or without their knowledge* or againft
their will-
ir. Ic hath fometimes arifen from the Churches
meddling in extrinfick or unneceflary thinps* and fel- Mcddlin*
dome Church-men have been too much taken up and in cxtrin-
occupied about fuch things, butk hath had fuch zficktbingu
confequent: As when they are too much taken up
about ceremonies and things not commanded , as
Eafterwas; or about indifferent things, as the pre-
ferring of forms in every thing, and fuch like ; Or,
about precedency in Government , and what might
conduce to the externall fplendor of the Church in
immunities , priviledges , fabricks , dotations , &c«
whereof inftances are very many. Or, when Church-
men have become too pragmatickin civil things, or
affairs of the world, thereby to carry on a temporal!
grandour in the fpirituall Kingdom bf Chrift; which
was often the rife and occafion of difference amongft
theApoftles; and although there was fcarce acceflfe
to this occafion in refpeft of praft ice while Magi-
ftrates were heathens , yet in after times , this is evi-
dent ; and fundry divifions followed upon fuch occa-
sions, as the approving or condemning of fuch and
fuch an Emperours E left ion } the transferring of
the Empire from Eaft to Weft , or from one Family
Co another.
1 2. New manner of expreflions, or new moulds o(
the Doftrine of the Gofpel, different from what hath *r ;. f
been formerly delivered, have given occafion to this ; *™/w
that is , when there is either a new form of fpeaking, ^ ^«
and an affectation of novelty in words , different onu
from the form of found words which Miniftcrs ought
V »
*?o ATreatife concerning Scandal. Part 4ii
toholdfaft ; or, when things are fo propofed , as if
all former moulds had been defe&ive , and all other
Divines in their Preaching and Writings were no-
thing to fuch. It feemeth that this newfangleneffe of
fpeech had no leffe influence in dividing the Church
of Corinth , and begetting fa&ions therein , than the
diverfity that was in the matter* wherein they are not
fo generally found guilty > as being carried away with
errour » as, of being itched with a humane kind of
eloquence in the manner of Preaching* This fame
alfo may be in Writtings , and indeed when fome cry
up one manner or mould, and fome others the con-
trary , it may breed fiding and divifion, even as well
as diverfity of Doftrine may do* And it is not for
nought that the Lord hath commanded fimplicity in
the manner , and the holding fafl of the form of found
vtords 5 even as he hath commanded foundneffe in the
matter 5 and oftentimes there doth arife no leffe tafti-
neffe or itching amongft people, nor leffe emula-
tion amongft Minifters, from the one than from the
other.
CHAP. III.
The height of evil that divifion bringtth.
r Avingnowfeen a little the rifes of this evil,
we may look to the height it hath come to
from fuch beginnings: which we may con-
mat gni fider in thefe fteps. 1 . It cngendereth heat,ftrife and
ttutcntiottt contention; and in that refpeft, maketh men carnall,
I Cor. 3. 2. It breedeth alienation in affeftion, and
(eparateth thefe in fellowfliip that have been moft in-
Alienation timate, as if their companying together had loft that
fweetneffe and refrefhfulneffe that fometimes it had*
and thereby even theirChriftian communion is in-
terrupted j both thofe may be feen in chat ftrange
and hot contention , which came to this height be-
twixt
H
Part 4. *A Trtdtife concerning Scandal. 19 1
twixt Paul and $arnah<u> Alt. 1 5. 5. It breedcth jca- fcalouflci
Ioufic and fufpicion of one anothers aftions and in-
tentions, yea, it may be, of the finccricy of their ftate:
it brccdeth envy at one anothers profperity and re*
fped , and makcth them lefle weighted with any
crofle or adverfity that the other falleth into. Paul
is fufpe&ed , not only by the falfe teachers , but even
by the profeflbrs , to be an enemy to them> and not to
be finglc in hisdefigne$ amongftthem: fome have
counted others hypocrites , as Is before marked*
4. It bringeth forth violent and virulent expreflions, virnlm
and reflexions upon each other , and greater heat al- C xp Te jr i07l g t
moft is not to be found than amongft differing Di-
vines, that yet do aggree in the main. It is a won-
der to read fome of the expreflions that are betwixt
fereme and '%ujfin % and betwixt ©em^m^Bifhopof
Alexandria , and Tbeopbilus Bifhop of Jerufalem, with
many others $ or to confider the fad regrates that
fBafilitti, Gregorim l^j^ean^enuA, and others , have of
thefe differences ; fomething may be (ccn of it in the
inftanccof Job and his friends. And what there is
for the prefent amongft Orthodox Divines abroad,
and in this Ifland > I fear, out of honour to the men,
to mention them ; yet I fuppof* fuch things maybe
read in the Prefaces and Writings of the moft emi-
nent Divines , as may make the hearts of all to loath
fuch divifions. 5. It hath come to that height, as p €f f ena ji
not to fpare to publifh even perfonall refleftions 5 yea reflections*
fomctimcs,it hath come to that,that men have condem
ned deeds in others,after fuch begun differences, which
formerly they did highly commend in them ; ( thus
their eftimation & conftru&ion of their a&ions, doth
ebb and flow according to their eftimation of their
perfons) It is marked of ^emetrim of Alexandria,
that whiles he and Origen did continue in fellowfhipi
he was a great cpmmender of that deed of Origenl, to
wit , his gelding of himfelf while he was young ;
yet after difference arofe betwixt them J upon very
V 2 toean
%<) i A Tredtife concerning Scandal. Part 4,
mean grounds* (Origen not being come to his groffe-
. . nefle ) he did moft vehemently objeft that to him in
insaU in. ^ is Writin 8 s * 6 - °^ en " ^ ath come *at length,thac
ft/£#i aB0 V they have imprecated evil to one another, as in the
tbtcivill inftanceof Cbryfojtom and Epipbanwy fometimes they
jftjw, have informed and moft vehemently inftigated civil
Powers againft one another, that they might procure
their depofition , banifhment > and fuch like , as
tityflinus did againft Jerome, theClergie at dntiocb
againft FlaUanus, aTid (bme at Cov/linople, particularly
. Seyerianus $ did ftir up the Emperour againft Chryfoflom.
Sbdrpcen* j. Alfo, it hath been followed in Councels andSy-
•( u !Zf/ Hm n °ds by the Sentences of Depofition and Excommu-
fitSei. nication , as was frequent in the cafe of that debate
about Eafter > and in that debate betwixt Stepbanuf
and Cyprian; Tertullhn alfo was Sentenced upon a
prejudice > without juft ground ; fo was Chryfojtome
depofed even by Bifhops that were not heterodox;and
_ t . r many others. 8. It hath extended to div ide Churches
while although ic began amongft Minifters, and hath come
Gbtircbct. t0 c ^ ac hcight> that they have withdrawn from the
communion of one another , and havechofen diffe-
rent Bifhops and Minifters without communion one
with another » or without dependence one upon ano-
ther * and yet neither of them have been Hereticks*
nor profeffed Schifmaticks , but becaufc of fome di^
fatisfa&ion, it may be, with the perfon. or ordination
of fuch aMinifter ; or upon fome miftakeof a par-
ticular aft of a Councell , even when both did ac-
knowledge the fame , as particularly is marked to
have been betwixt Euftacbm of Antiocb , and Eufebius
of Pampbilia ; and again at Antiecb in the cafe of Afl-
. letus and faulinm • and again betwixt Vl&UnuA and
Wuttt of ot h crs . w hich is marked to be in the fourth Century.
tbeir Jol* ^ j c £ at k cxCell j cc i co great h cat anc J f ur j e f cven
owc /# amongft the followers of each other ; whereby much
Furious jealoufie » heat and diffention hath been occafioned.
inainefs of to. In both thofe there hath been fuch a fervour, and
Divine*. as
Part 4« A Treatife concerning Scandal!' *9 J
as it were fury , that there hath been no uptaking nor
removing of the fame : And although we find diffe-
rence to have arifen from little, even amongft good
men , yet often we will find that moft difficultly it
hath been removed, but for many generations it hath
continued , when the firft authors have been away,
and that with very great heat , as almoft in all the in-
ftances given , fo thati that fweet and moderate Di-
vine Melanilbon , did ufually call the difference of
Divines rabies Jbeologorum , and at his death did
blcffe himfelf , that amongft other fins and miferies
he was to be fred from this rabies or furie of Divines,
which was evermore fadder to him than any oppofi-
tion of open adverfarics. lb Ufually, it hath di-_. -
verted moft ferious Divines , both from the prefling J^ l £
of piety, and reproving of vice ; as alfo from main- j^^^,
taining of truth againft open adverfaries , and the,^^^
purfuing of their errours. Augujtme doth complain
of this to Jerome , and doth for this end, as it were,
crave a ceffation ; and it cannot be otherwayes , for
fuch debates do not profit thefe that are occupied
therein. Heb. 13. ver. 9. and when mens edge is hoc
and (harp againft others in fuch particular differences,
it cannot but cool and blunt them in more weighty
things, and is no little part of the devils fubtilty to
make way for errour and profanitie, thus to entangle
Minifters* Which occafion he hath ever taken to
fow tares, which that great Father and Divine Vafu
lit* doth condole to this purpofe , That while there
was concord in every occupation, only in the Church
and amongft Minifters there was diflention, and that
fohot, that no commiferation of the Flock, which
was fet upon, and drawn away by perverfe men,
was prevalent with them , to abftain from fuch diffe-
rences. 12. Hence, it hath followed , that though ^^r^\f m
there hath been no con fider able difference upon the ^fjcrcfte
matter at the firft , yet notwithstanding it hath grown j Uowmg
and come to a height , and that in refpeft both of divifwn.
V 3 Schifro
• 3?4 A Treatife concerning Scamd a l^ Part 4,
Schifm and hcrefie ; AnditisraretofindinHiftory,
that a divifion hath continued long, but it hath turned
to reparation in communion j and a Schifm ; and
again, Schifm hath not continued long , but it hath
brought forth herefie , for divided practices lead men
to lay down and maintain fuch principles as may de-
fend them, and the band of unity being broken, there
isnoftayor hold, becaufe , as that forenamed Father
Bajtlm faich, men take on them then to fpeak , write,
h W L M rf* anc * ^° as l ^ P^ ea ^ c# l h Although fometime* the
both fides f au i c f divifion may be more on one fide than ano-
tbub t t ^ er, yet feldom is any fide free, at leaft, in the man-
mily M ner °^ P r °fe cut i° n > anc * therefore often it turneth in
^ ' h the clofe to the hurt of both, and the one fide becomes
more fchifmaticall and erroneous, at leaft, in many of
their members, as fell out in the cafe of the Novatians,
and fionati/is. The other fide again, have often be-
come more cold and fecure in the practice of holineffe*
carnal! and formall in purfuing ceremonies and exter-
nall things , with leffe affe&ion and life in the main,
becaufe the edge of their zeal was bended toward
thefe differences ; and generally people have been
ftumbled and offended by them ; and by the mifcar-
riageof fome affe&ionate perfons, men more formall
and not very zealous in the main thing, have come to
have more weight and fway in the Government of the
Church ; and thus we fee that after thefe hot debates
that were in the Church about leffer things , fchifms
and herefies grew up on the one fide ; lukewarmneffe,
formality, and inclination to ceremonies , and a for-
mall lazie way of worQiip, did grow up and increafc
7)ivifion ' m the Church, upon the other fide. 14. Though we
bdUly cu fi n j men fadly regrate thefe , yet was there alwayes
' f *' a difficulty to get them removed ; there being often a
kind of inconfideratneffe whereby the publick good
hath been overlooked , and men have walked too
much by particular inclination and affeftion , and Co
have come to hate whom formerly they praifed , and
Part 4. A Treattfe concerning Scamdil 2 95
Co praife whom formerly they hated ; by which the
Ordinances have become weightleffe to all 5 and the
Minifters, who fometimes were counted a gazing, a
reproach and the off-fcouringof all men becaufe of
affiiftions, have become much more defpicablc be-
caufe of their own inteftinedivifions , as one of the
Fathers doth pathetically expoftulate for the diflen-
tions of his time > writing to ^ia^ean^tn.
CHAP. IIIL
The canfes Vthy 'Divifion ufually ccmeth to fo
great an heighu
WE may now enquirewhat be the caufes why
Divifions ufually come to fuch a height*
and are fo difficulty removed, even amongft
men that are affe&ioned in the work of Chritt , and
otherwayes found, zealous, andfober 5 which is in-
deed ftrange, efpecially confidering, that they do of-
ten fee the evil > regrate it , and profefle their defire of
a remedy themfelves ? In aniweringto this, we are
to look , 1. to the Lords foveraign hand even in this.
2. To what acceflton there is to it from thofe that
differ. 3. To Tome occafionall accidentall caufes
that concur therein. 4. We may confider the ftrength
of the tentation in refpeft of foroe other circura-
ftances.
1. That the Lord hath a Soveraign hand therein,
cannot be denied, and that in thefe two refye&s , not Thefcvc-
to infill in all , 1. As it is a triall whereby both raignty of
mens found neffe and unfoundneffe have occafion to Godtrjing
be manifefted ; This is afferted, I £or. u. as a rea- good end
fon of the neceffity of fchilms and divifions , as may W.
be gathered by comparing,ver.i8, with 19. But this
we infift not on- 2. The Lord hath a judiciall hand Cfollitfng
in it , that is, as He ordereth divifions for the juft atfomd
chaftifemene and punKhment of fome , even as was pxifiing.
V 4 for-
\$6 *s4 Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 4.
formerly faid of herefies and delufions ; and to this
purpofe , we may confider that too which floweth
from offences unto the world, to relate efpecially un-
to divifions amongft Church-officers > as the fubjoy*
ning thereof to the contention amongft the Apoftles
doth evince ; and in the nature of it > and in rcfptft
of the confequents that follow thereon, It is indeed a
too, and a very great too unto the world , and an evi-
dence of the Lords difpleafure ; when thus in His
anger,divifions come amongft Miniftcrs or People, as
it is> Lam.4.i6> Which we will find true in thefe re-
ipefts. I. It looketh angry like againft Miniftcrs j
for, thereby they become defpicable, the Lords coun-
tenance and prefence feemeth to be withdrawn , and
much carnalnefle of frame , and many other evils
fteal in ; which do both eat up much of that inward
livelrneffc which othcrwayes they might have , and
alfodifcompofcthat tranquillity and compofednefle
of mind , which love and unity entertain > and doth
Kropofe Minifters unto people,as men deftitute of that
adge j whereby they may be known to be the Lords
Tea flagu« "Bikiplcs, to wit, loVe to one another. 2. It is often a
ing the great fnare to many carnall Profeffors ; for, thereby
world, fome are hardened in profanity,and become Atheifts,
as if all that is fpoken by Minifters concerning Reli-
gion , were not to be believed ; Therefore the Lord
^prayethfor unity, and againft differences amongft
j His Difciples, for this caufe , That the toorld might
•.belie** that Cbrijl too* fent by God, and that thefe are
\lo\>ed of him, Joh. 17. 21, 23. which importeth,
i ; that this plague of Atheifm followeth in the world
■ upon fuch divifionst Again, others are ftumbled fo,
as they caft at the Truth preached by them>and there-
by become a prey to be carried about with every
jwind of do&rine > for preventing of which , Mini-
. jfters, and union among Minifters are required > Epb*
7)sviJion l^ I} 2j ?# w j t h ll% 12, 1 ^, 14. 3. It becometh an
I 1 I!, burden* grief and offence to the weak , fuchdivifi-
to*-"/.}- * on
Part 4. A Treatife concerning S C A U D A I. 297
on being a main {tumbling- block to the little ones
that believe > Mattb.1%. i,and6. 4, Itprovetha wrdtnttB
great confirmation and ground of hardenifig to the the adverfg^
adverfaries of the truth , who are thereby exceeding- tics of *bc
ly hardened , and brought to applaud thcmfelves in truth.
their own way, as if fuch divided inftruments could
not be of the one body, the Church > which is guid-
ed by one Spirit ; And this was caft up by heathens
in the primitive times > as we may find by the apo-
logies of many of the Fathers ; and the lame way
hath been followed by Antichriftand his followers
unto this day; theyinfultin nothing more than the
divifions of the Orthodox > and «are more proud of
nothing than their pretended unity* which they make a
mark of the true Church. And when all thefe are confix
dered,we fuppofe*it may be evident that fuch divifions
are , when they are, a great plague unto the Church,
and may juftly be called a *&* unto the world.
We need not infift upon chara&ersof a judiciall-
like divifion, feing hardly there is divifion in *
Chnrcb , but it is judicial! in fome part ; Yet thefe
things may be confidercd to this purpofe , 1 . When chmttm
the divifion is amongft the more eminent and godly % f judicial*
men, as amongft the Difciples. 2. If the matter be divifion.
light comparatively for which the difference is keep-
edup, zsJugufiine calleththat with fome Qonatifts,
parva diflentio , as to the matter or occafion , which
was yet great in its effefts, tyifl* 20 3. 3. If it be
for dominion , or preheminence , or fuch things as
may look carnall like before men , like that, Mattb.
18. i, <?c. Or, 4, if the manner of following it be
carnall, or irrationalMike without that refpeftive
tenderneffe of edification and offence , which ratio-
nally might be expe&ed from fuch men. 5. When
there are many palpable convincing rcafons , and
that in refpeft of the particular time and cafe, which*
might draw men from fuch divifions. Or, 6. when
fometimes healing is eflayed, and beyond probable
reafons
-
3?8 A Treatife concerning Scanda ll Part 4,
reafons and expectation , it doch break off and turn
worfe, when it appeared to be near a clofe* 7. When
ic fpreadeth , and comeeh to occupy and cake up Pro-
feffors , it may b , beyond many more concerning
things* This efpecialiy isdifcernable, whenchedi-
vifion arifeth fuddenly upon the back of a great calm,
and after fuch fins as may procure the interrupting
thereof, and when ic cometh, in an unexpe&ed way,
from fuch perfons , and upon fuch an occafion, as, it
maybe, none could have looked-for, or thought of;
whenic is under affli&ions, and other cafes and re-
proaches, as the Jews divifions were, even when be-
fieged by the Romans , and when under them , as /o-
fepbus writeth. Thefe and fuch like may evidence
fomewhat to be judiciall therein. Becaufe , 1. It
doth fo further what is penall the more in all the for-
mer refpe&s , and it cannot but have fuch efFe<5ta
2* Becaufe there being no other- probable reafon how
ordinarily fuch a thing may come to pafle, the Lords
hand is to be acknowledged therein fo much the
more , when even His Servants are drunken but not
with wine, and He hath powred upon them the fpirit
of deep (Iceland covered even the Prophets and Seers
therewith , as the word is , tfa* 29. 9. 10. and when
they are as fo many wild bulls caught in a net, full of
the fury of the Lord, and of the rebuke of their God,
as ic is, If a. 51. ver. 20. Whereby it cometh to pafle, *
that neither one fort or other can particularly under-
ftand the duty called-for in reference to their healing,
more than if all vifions , and directions concerning
the fame were fealed up, as, Ifa. 19. ver, 10, 1 1 . and
l fal9* io* And none of all Z ions fons are in capa-
city to take her by the hand, f/i.51. 18. ?. Befides
thefe two , the Lord fometimes hath a wife defign for
promoving of His work , even by occafion of fuch
divifions, as thereby to make the Gofpel to be fpread
further chin ocherwayes it had been ; for, by difcon-
tents and differences , fometimes men have been puc
to
Part 4. A Treatife cwcermng Scakdal, h$9
to go clfwhere and preach theGofpel; and in that
inftancc of Paul and %arnab<u their leparating, this is
brought about ', the Gofpel is preached by both in
their feverall journeys , which had not been fo ex-
tended had they been together 5 but this, and others
of this kind being only proper to the Lords foveraign
wifdom, we will not infift on them,
In the (tcond place > If we confider mens own ac-
ceflion who are engaged in fuch divifions, that is ma- ^u^l :
nifold* 1. Men by former guiltineffe may procure g ] »*\ '
the fame, as by abufe of former unity, carnalneffe in
it, not improving of it for edification,pride and con-
ceitednefs of it as if it could not be interrupted,not be-
ing thankfull to God for it, nor praying for continu-
ance of it* Thefe and fuch like , may draw on fuch
a dreadfull ftrokc as divifion ; wherefore not only is
there a too to the world becaufe of offences , but alfq
to him by whom they come , Mattb. 18. even when
notwkhftanding, the neceflity of them is afferted.
2. Some prefent finfull diftemper in Miniflers frame* p^^^
or difpofition, may have influence upon this, ^itfiempcru*
were difpofing them the fooner to take fire upon any
occafion. As, 1. diftance with God, and coldneffe
of love to Him, without which, love cannot be keep-
ed up with others in Him. 2. Pride, conceitinefle,
defire of preheminencie, refpeft and applaufc, which
was amongft the Apoftles. g* Which followeth
upon this, envy at the refpeft which is given to others*
or the weight that they have in the managing of mat-
ters, and carnall emulation at their perfons and afti-
ons. 4. There is a fecret difcontentedneffe at mens
being fleighted by others, or apprehending them-
felves to be fo. J. There is a creduloufneffc and rea-
dineffe to receive wrong imprcflions , a jealoufie or
fufpicion of others in their defigns , ends , or parti-
cular refpefts to them ; All which proceeding from
want of charity ,that thinketh not^vil &c* they can-
not but fomc way difpofc for divifion. 6. There is
an
Joo A Trtatife concerning S c an da l • Part 4."
ah itching newfangle humour , not after new Do-
ftrines, but after new expreffions, formes, or changes
in other things. 7* There is fometimes a prejudice at
feverity and ftri&neffe > as if it were pride , ambiti-
on, or fomething that is intolerable ; which is mark-
ed to be the caufe of the Clergie o(Confian$inople 9 iheit
diffention with Cbryfoftome their Bifhop : Of this
kind, to wit , finfull and difpofing caufes , are igno-
rance, imprudence, tenacioufnefie, or felf-wiiledneftj
and fuch like ; whereby a M inifter is the eafilicr en*
gaged, and the more difficuldy brought off.
g. There are fome a&s whereby men have accefli-
on to the raifing and heightening of divifion, and
Imnjidctdt oftentimes they are mutuall : As, 1 . fome mens do-
exprffsions ingof fome inconfiderate aft , or writing fomein-
*r aftings. confiderate expreffion upon the one hand ; and others,
too paffionatly and vehemently exaggerating fuch a
fad, and condemning fuch an expreffion by a tortur-
ing deduftion of abfurdkies therefrom, beyond what
was intended ; So it was between Jerome and dugu-
Seyerity injiine, &a 2. When fome preffe feverity in Difci-
TDifcipUuc* pline and Cenfures, fome what too horely , others,
Sleigbtingofwkh no leffe difcontent, repelling the fame. 3. When
the pcf/b/w,m2nfleightingly expreffe their mind of the perfons,
writings, or writings or a&ings of others; and they again are
aftings ofo- engaged by the like refle&ions, to vindicate the fame.
tbets. 4. When men ftudy not the inftru&ion of themfelve9
Hunting df» 0!C others affeftionedly , but hunt after a kind of cre-
ter credit. jj c c0 t hemfelves, though with the reproach of
Littlecon* others. J. Little condescending to remove miftakes
defending, and prejudices, abftinencefromfociety, andfellow-
&> c , * (hip with fuch as they differ from in fome particular ;
hafty preaching, and publishing differences of fmall
moment , as Epiphaneus , and fome others* formerly
ciced , did , no condefcending in particular fafts that
Afts that might be caidefcendcd on, and fuch like. 6. Efpe-
{Idtefcbiftn dally fuch a&* as flute a fchifm, and break commu-
nion in Government! Worffiip, and other Ordi-
nances*
part 4. A Treats fe concerning Scandal. 301
nances, are exceedingly inflrumentall in this. Asj
1. to have diftinft Bifhops or Minifters , Gover-
nours or Officers , and fo to have oppofit Judicato-
ries , and oppofit Ordinations , which is often found
to be the reiult and great cherifhment of divifions in
the primitive times. Whereupon followed* 2. divi-
fion in adminiftration of Sacraments, when fuch and
fuch could not acknowledge men fo ordained to be
Minifters, and fo could not communicate with them,
if they were ordained in oppofitibn to them , or fuch
as were ordained by them : And this hath a connexi-
on with fuch an aft , becaufe the acknowledging of
fuch to be lawfully ordained, would queftion their
own Ordination. Whence , 3. follow divided
Congregations and meetings, according to the oppo-
fition amongft Minifters, fome meeting in one place>
and (ome in another, and fo withdrawing communi-
on one from another , although both do continue in
the fame Faith and Government ; As may be feen in
feverall of thefe divifions mentioned at Antmb , Con-
Jlantinopley&c. Upon which again followed, 4. oppo-
fit preaching amongft Minifters , each condemning
others as Schifmaticks, and not to be keeped commu-
on with ; one calling that a duty which the other
called a fin, and matter of humiliation , and contra-
rily : As alfo, mutuall railing and reviling amongft
the followers of fuch fides, which -often hath come
to tumults s whereby it appeareth how great influ-
ence fuch things have upon divifion. Yea> J. it hath
come to divide families ; Often duguftine rcgrateth in
hisEpiftles, thac their divifion made the man and
wife whom one bed did contain , in an incapacity to
be contained in the fame Church, where the fame
faith was preached , and fo he urgeth it alfo in refe-
rence to parents, and children, and to matters and
fervants. There are many moe things might be
named, as cenfuring of men upon fuch difference ;
for, then often feme adhere to them > which makech
302^ tATreatife concerning Scandal^ Part 4;
a rent, as in thefe inftanccs of Bujiacbim and Cbryfo-
fame is clear , urging the condemning of fome writ-
ings and tenents not fundamentall ; Thus the preffing
of the condemning of 0^»i writings (which are
not fuppofed by fome to have been fo groffe as now
thefe which are called his, are) did give much occa-
fion of contention and divifion amongft men , who
otherwayes did acknowledge all the fundamentall;
truths comprehended in the generall Councels , and
it is alike alfo , did not agree with him in his groffeft
errours, yet would not judicially condemn him, and
others fuch like.
CHAP. V.
What occafionall means may have influence upon
divifion amongft the godly.
°X 7T TE come now in the third place to confi-
. \/ \/ der, what occafionall means may have
^ influence upon this divifion amongft
TAkbwm godly men; And fuch may be, 1. Some talebearers
and fccret whifperers, who may have much influence
to alienate good mens affe&ions, by mifreprefenting »
the words and actions of others, under pretext of re-
fpeft to them»when> in the mean time, it may be fome
particular difcontent that putteth them on ; It is
marked, that one Serapion had much influence to alie-
nate Cbryfojiome and Severing , who formerly were
exceeding intire , who fuggefting to the firft , many
evidences of the others difrefpeft to him> as if he had
been endeavouring to draw rhc people^ affe&ions
from him ; and for that caufe,picked out fome words
of Se)>eriwis, which being confidered alone, did found
grofly, but being confidered in the Sentence as fpoken
by him, they were not of fuch ameaning. 2* Often
when differences arife amongft honeft men, there
wanteth not many, who out of particular defigns do
she&
Part 4- tsfTreatifc cdxcermng Scandal* 303
then foment that fire , cfpecially fuch as from fome
other fear > take oceafion to exaggerate fuch a diffe-
rence, becaufe the foftering of that difference i9 the
preventing of what they fear : As for inftancc, tyry-
foftome had threatned the cenfuring of many, of his f ears j
Presbyters for their faults > whereupon they took the^ wr , #
oceafion of the differences betwixt him and Epu
pbanius , SeVerinus , and others , to irritate and ftir
up them againft him • and to fide with them in
thefe differences; whereby the divifion againft
him , and fuch as followed him, was maintained
till it came to the height thereof, yet were nei-
ther the differences betwixt him and thefe other
men > nor the perfons of thefe other men his op-
pofitcs refpe&ed by them , further than ferved to
their end of bearing him down, and fo of preventing
the threatned and feared cenfure. $♦ Sometimes Ma- j,, . -^
giftrates have had no little influence upon this, either mi J^^i
by pretending to fide with one party in thefe diffe- ^ ot9 lrs^
rences againft the other , when yet it was not thefe
differences but fome other prejudice, as from free
fpeaking or the likc> which did engage them. It is
marked in that fame cafe of CJnyfo/hme , that the
Emperour and Empreffe did concur to bear down his
followers., and thofc that fided with him > becaufe of
fome particular difcontent at his free preaching, for
which caufe they were zealous executers of the Synods
Sentence ; As tbefe again that were oppofite to Cbry-
foftomeof theClergie, did take no little advantage of
thacjlifcontent , which they knew the Empreffe had
at him. Or on the other fide, they are fometimes
acceffory by weakening Government,and giving men
acceffe to do what they will : when Bafilius hath
rcgrated the great differences of the Church in Julian,
and Salens their times , and fetting himfelf to find out
the caufe thereof, he fettleth on this word in the Book
of the Judges , In tbofe dayes there toas no IQng in Ifrael,
\Oerymandidtohat fecmedgoodin bisoVm eyes: which
he
3^4 tA Treatife concerning S c a n d a l 1 Part 4."
he doth not fpeak (imply , as if there had been no
Government ; but that by fuch as was > no courfe
was taken , as the calling of Synods , or fuch like
means , to reftrain fuch things , but rather they were
Peoples e». entertained. 4. Sometimes alfo,the peoples engaging
VVWi> anc * ^ing to fach differences, hath no little influence
to heighten and lengthen the fame ; hence we find
that in fome debates,wherein Church-men have been
alone engaged, there hath been fome ftop ; but when
it hath encreafed , to the Rating of parties amongft
the people , it hath ever been more difficult ; becaufe
fo Minifters were the more encouraged and engaged
to be tenacious ; yea fometimes fear of difpleafing
the people that adhered to them , hath not wanted
its weight. Alfo, fo it turned more eafily to fchifm
and fa&ion in pra&ice , when one part of the people
would only call fuch a man of their Judgement; ano-
ther part of the people* fuch another man of theirs ;
whereupon followed great diffentions and fa&iouf-
nefle in Eleftions , and oppofice ordinations , by Bi-
fiiops of feveral judgements : Whereupon followed,
*• a rent in that particular Church ; one part with-
drawing with their Bifhop and Minifter , and the
other part with theirs , and neither keeping commu-
nion with, but feeking to overturn one another. And ,
2. a rent among neighbouring Biffiops and Mini-
fters , according as they were pleafed to admit either
fide to their communion , and acknowledge or con-
demn either of the oppofite ordinations. And ,
r .?• Often alfo, there followed oppofite and eager ap-
nu^ plications to the fupream Magiftrates and Emperourt
fojteim co have chcir own re ^P c( ^ ive Elcftions ratified , and
ratijine ^ at which was oppofice, by his Authority, crufhed ;
ete#w«f« which often hath been followed with much bitter-
nefs , and fometimes not without calumnies againft
good men ; and alfo not without prejudice to the
Churches liberty 1 and advantage to corrupt men or
Magiftrates, that were not tender of truth; who
thereby
part 4 » Jt -f rcauic concerning vandal, ju>
thereby had occafion to intereft themfelves, and ad-
vance their own ends the more ; and it is marked of
dnaftafius the Emperour , who was a Monothelite, that
he took occafion upon hot differences in the Church
amongft Divines, ( who did in both fides differ from
him , though one of them was but found ) without
refpeft to right or wrong , equally to endeavour the
fuppreflingof both by fending them into exile ; and
whcnM agiftrates were more equal to and tender of
the Church, as Tbeodofius , GratianM,&c. yet they
were exceedingly troubled with fuch adreffes > and
put to hear fuch complaints even amongft and againft
men fully Orthodox and found , only differing in
fome particulars which had brought on oppofite or-
dinations , as in the cafes of Mtletius and Taulinus ,
Eujtachius and flaUanus , with their refpeftive com-
petitors : all which concuring with that heat and fer-
vour wherewith Churchmen do ufually of themfel ves
follow their differences > did not a little contribute to
the heightening and lengthening of divifions and
rents, upon the fmalleft occafions. 5. Occuring ^if Gdn ^
mifcarriages of perfons differing, have often had in- a J p r
fluence to increafe and continue a breach , that is, f Cr f Qns%
when fome perfons on either fide become more groffe
in other points of Doilrine , or in practice 5 or fol-
,low their defifens by means that feemgroffe and un-
warrantable to the other ; or when fome of one fide
expreffe unjuft calumnies on the other : this doth ex-
ceedingly alienate affe&ions , confirme jealoufies and
fufpicions, and readily doth engender new Queftions
and controverfies ; becaufe fome are led to oppofe
and condemn , and others to defend fuch practices ;
therefore there muft be oppofice principles fuitable
thereunto > and fo they multiply from one ftep to ano-
ther: whereby it cometh to pafle, that often where
there is but one difference at firft , after a time many
do arife, which dotbmake the removall of divifi-
o»sto be al^ayes the longer the more difficult:
K - Whcnct
30D c>? Tremje concerning Sic a n r> a l ; Part 4*
Whence we fee, that feldom one difference continued
any time > but there was an addition of many , and
that of greater concernment , that, it may be> ftuck ,
whenas the firft rife might have been removed.
Occuring 6. Sometimes alfo occurring difpenfations in provi-
dijperfati- dence will give occafion to this tenacioufneffe , as
ens of pro* fuppofe there be a feeming advantage on the one fide
vidence* to through their point, and bear down the other with-
out uniting , it is fuppofed to be confeience and pru-
dence to make ufe of the fame : Hence we will find
in Hiftory men more or leffe inclinable to unite , as
they apprehended their party to be more or leffe
ftrong* fometimes alfo Tome lingular- like ftroak
upon the perfons names or families of eminent op-
pofers i proveth a confirmation to the others who
efcape , as if their way were more approveable, and
the others more remarkably condemned ; for (b are
men ready to mifinterpret the moft occafionall thing,
which for other ends may come upon any with whom
they differ. Thus Zuinglius his death did not only
prove matter of infulting to Papifts,but even by Luther
and others was mifapplied ; and Carolofladim his foul
defe&ion > afterward became an occafion to harden
many , in condemning his condemning of keeping
Images in Churches, though without any worfhip;
becaufei upon the back of that debate, Luther had fet
him forth as a light, unfettled , unftable perfon,
whofe judgement was not to be valued ; which ac-
cordingly falling out,made many keep up the opinion
contrary to his , as if by his fail it had been ratified }
And we think, that if either Chryfoflome or Epipbaneus
their wtfhcs toother refpeftively had fallen oat but
upon the one fide , it alfo might have had influence ;
but feing both came to pafle , we conceive that there-
by the Lord would keep men from being confirmed
in their differences upon fuch difpenfations,and (hew
himfclf angry at the carnalneffe of good men> even in
their fmalleft difference on both fides*
In
Part 4. *A Treat ife concerning S c a n d a l I '3 07
In the fourth place 1 we have toconfider, wherein
the ftrengthof the tentation to keep up divifion doth
ly. in refpedof fcveral circumftances that may have
influence, efpecially upon Church- men.
1. There is engagement, credit, and fuch like, Pcrfonatl^
which fteal in, and vent in heat and tcnacioufrefie ndit »&
under other appearances, as of zeal for Godb honour, ivg watt
refpeft to the credit of the Mimftry , and of the Or- dvert of
dinances : And in this it feemeth not to be any per- \** 1 1 0T
fonall credit or reipc ft that fwayeth them , but zzz\9*&
for, and refpeft to the Matter , as is infmuatrd in the
Difciplcs carriage, Lu\. 9. in their feeking to be
avenged on the place that would not receive Chnft,
by fire from heaven, ver 54. and alfo in their for-
bidding fome to caft out devils, even in his name, be-'
caufe they thought it not for Chrifts honour 7 ibid,
verf. 49.
2, The tentation hath often with it great confi- Tv ^
deuce of the jultnefs and equity of their own M&znd ircun j ed
of the unreafonablneffe ot their adverfaries. There % n jtdence.
may be in part much ground for this, where the con-
troverfie is fome doubcfull , d if putable thing : How
great confidence have both Job and his friends in
their debate , 80 that both of them are frequent in de*
firing Gods decifion, when as neither of them in both
matter and manner was fully approveablc. Some-
times alfo there may be a perfwafion very Satisfying
to the party, when yet it is not from God ; this was
in Galatia, cap. T. ver. 8, it is like on both fides- even
when they were biting and devouring one another ;
for, we find often in cxperience,that a difputablcthing,
being for a time pleaded for, will become as palpably
clear , and altogether necrflary to theie who have
difputed for the fame> beciufe engagement bribes the
light > and pcrverteth even the wildom of the juft.
Hence we fee 1 that the longer one plead for a thing,
he becometh more confident therein, becaufe his own ,
pjeading fecretly prevaileth more with himfelP,
X 2 tha«
308 A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part £
than reafons propofcd by any others to the con-
trary can*
3. There is a ftrength in the tentation , in this*
that not only the matter is thought juft , but it is
thought neceffary and of great concernment , if it be,
I. a Queftion of the moft circumftantiall truth, (if
we may fpeak fo ) it looketh out as neceffary > and a
thing that cannot be quit yea, even thofe who are en-
gaged to maintain that fide where the errour lies, will
cry up the controverfie as in a high point of Chriftia-
nity. Amongft the Fathers, thele that : maintained
the Millenarie opinion , and Chrifts perfonall reign,
thought it a point of high concernment ; Jujline Mar-
tyr in his Dialogue with Trifo, faith , he is no Chri-
flian, Orthodox in all things, who doth think other-
wife ; and in later Popifh Writers , how is the ne-
ceflity of oyl > chrifme , and fuch like pleaded for ?
which (heweth what impreffion the appearing weigh-
tineffe of fuch things will have on them, as if it were
a main foundation of Religion. And, 2. if it be a
matter of faflt or Government , it is thought of fuch
concernment for the good of the Church that they
cannot quit it , without being acceffory to the cor-
ruption and hurt, or to the marring of the autho-
rity thereof: Hence foofrcn are the faults and con-
fequents of the adverfe part aggreged ; canons and
constitutions alleaged to be broken , as we may fee
( amongft other inftances ) in that debate betwixt
fyme and C°nft<mtinople for precedency before Anti-
chrift was revealed, onealleaging an aft of N/V?,
the other , an a& of the Councel of Cbalcedon , and
tityme pretending the intcreft of Saint feter , and the
A panicu- good of the univerfall Church. And, 3. if it be a
/drwj//fo^e difference about perfons , as who is to be acknow-
ef mens ledged Bifhop or M«nifter, or if fuch be lawfully or-
t e '( 0tts and da.ined , depofed,&c. then fuch as they oppofe, are
tarns, conceived to be notorioufly hainous ; and fuch as
they arc for , are believed to be incomparably fingu-
lar
Part 4. A Trcfitife concerning Scandal. 30?
Iar and eminent , and therefore it is no wonder that
they prefle vehemently their point > as thinking that
much of the good or evil of the Church doth depend
upon the admiflion, orrejeftion of (uch men refpe-
dtively and this floweth inadvertingly from the for-
mer differences \ becaufe, when they are confident
that themfelves are ripht in a main point, they necef-
fariiv muft think thefe wrong and untender who are
oppofit in fuch a thing, and the hotter the oppofition
grow , they think (till each other the more grofly ob-
ftinare : By this alfo they are difpofed to hear and re-
ceive reports and mil-informations concerning their
opponents ; where-by they come verily to believe,
that they are even in all other things , and in their ve-
ry ends anddefipns, moft grofle. Andi Ifuppofe,
that befide the inftances formerly given in all thefe re-
fpefts, the differences that aroie fir ft betwixt Luther
and CdrotofladiuStznd afterward betwixt him and fuch
as followed him on the one fide, and Zutnglius, Qafo'in
and others upon the other fide > do fully demonftrate
this; How little were thefe beginnings at firft, and
yet how were even the fmallett differences aggreged,
and the perfons differing miftaken , even before thefe
differences came to the height which they are at?
And we may obferve alfo , that this miftake of mens
perlbns and aftions , and bittcrneffe that foiloweth
thereupon , is moft ordinarily difcernable to be upon
that fiJe , where there is leaft to be faid in confciencc
and equity for the defence thereof.
4. Adde to thefe a conviftion of fingleneffe , that ^. €o7tv:m
p ?rfons may fcem to themfelves to have in all the for- &* on '~
mer fteps, wherein there may be no pofitive, corrupt P n < lene P
end propofed. nor any palpable diilimulation in their !^'™^j*
profeffiijns, entertained or approven by them : but as adhering
they have fome confidence of the equity of their fide;
fo may there be an apprehended teftimony of their
own fingleneffe in the following thereof: and there is
a great ftrength in the tcntation to contipue divifion,
X 3 that
3 1 o A Treat l\e concerning Scandal. Part 4.
that lyrch here ; for. when men apprehend their own
fingleneffe and (heightneffe, and, it may be, have
acceile to God, and have liberty to pray, even in re-
ference to fuch things , it is not eafie for a man to
flop himfelF in tbac way ; and yet it cannot be
thought , but amongft the inftances of fuch divifions
that are given, that men on both fides had a finglc end
and mind , did pray snd had acceffe in prayer ; yea,
no,q lettion, many of them might go to heaven with
fuch differences on both fides ; for, we will find them
continue zealous in fuch , even to death. Neither
ought this to be thought Grange; for, thebeftbut
know in part, and are fubjeft to miftakes, and their
zeal and fingleneffe is fquared according to their
knowledge : It was fuch zeal , that is not according
to knowledge (though in the moft fundamental!
things ) that made Paul and others , with a kind of
fingleneffe, pcrtccute the Church ; therefore propor-
tionally , there may be a zeal and fingleneffe in leffer
things when there is ignorance of them.
Fcdr of 5. After engagement the tentation is ftrengthened
lofm* ere by this, left, by after- ceding, their former pra£hce in
tit by re- being fo eager, be condemned, and they lofe the
wmngi weight of their Miniftery in other things, and their
refpeefcive followers, which poffibly may be more te-
nacious and zealous than themftlves , (hould be irri-
tated and provoked 5 which things look to them as
greater prejudices , even to the work of the Gofpel,
than their continuing divided. It is written of Lu~
ther in his life, That being in conference with Melan-
titbon and others in his laH voyage , he did acknow-
ledge to thcm> that he had been too vehement and
peremptory in rhe Doftrincof the Sacrament ; and
when they U: gcd him then to publifh (omcthing con-
caning ta lame he replied. Thac he tcared by that
to dinunifh the authority and weight of what he had
ehe appeared into for God> a: therefore did forbear
it; widiall, alio wing Mtlancfh.n after his death, to do
in that as he thought flu 6. Some-
Part 4» *A Treatife concerning Scandal. 3 1 i
6 % Sometimes alfo , the tentation is ftrengthned by Fetrof
apprehended confequents of hurt and prejudice to hurting
thefe that fide with chern in fuch a thing from others, their fob
in cafe there (hould be ceding in fuch and fuch parti- lowers*
culars for union, or that by fo doing, they might
make themfelves and their caufc odious to others,
who poflibly may be thought to have more refpeSive
thoughts of them, becaufe of their differing in fuch
things from others. It is written of Luther , that he
gave this as a main reafon why he keeped up the Sa-
cramentary difference, and would not unit with £W-
tin and others in that Head, becaufe, faid he,that opi-
nion which the Sacranientartes ( as they were called )
hold , is generally more hatefull than that of Confab-
jlantiation,znd will make the Princes and ochcrs more
obnoxious to malice and hatred.
v 7. It ftrengtheneth the tentation alfo i when men Tbt taitd-
do not look upon the difference fimply in it felf , but tionftreng.
comparatively with refpeft to the principles and car- tbened by
riages of others their opponents* and by confidering ioo\ivg-on
things that are difpleafing in them and their way, *be fad-
they are made the more tenacious, and brought zo in & so f°2 m
juftifie themfelves the more. Hence it is in fuch di- w ltu
vifions, that the great ftreffe of debates lyeth in re-
flections, criminations and recriminations, as if this
were the only vindicating argument , They that are
oppofit to us in many things of their carriage are
wrong , Therefore our way is right, or we have rea-
fon to divide from them ; And hence it is, that almoft
neceflarily fuch reflections are ufed in fuch debates,
where the matter is not of fuch moment and evi-
dence, asthemoft convincing defenfive arguments
upon either fide , as in thefe debates, between Jerome
and %^^5, cited, where there is no difpute on either
fide but criminations on bodi \ Alfo inthc Donttifts
their reflj&ions, this may be obferved.
8. In fuch differences alio, men are ready to think Hope of the
1 that the other (hould and will cede to them» and will Miing of
X 4 not ethers.
Ji* *XTreatife concerning Scakdai. Part 4.
not hazard divifion upon fo little a thing. Hence,
many have been drawn on to dWifion from fmall be-
ginnings, which they would not have yeelded to,
had they known the confequents thereof, or had they
not expe&ed that the other (hould have yeelded ,
wherein being difappointed, the engagement thereto
becometh more ftrong,and the divifion more irrecon-
ciliable. This is marked of Viftor , of whom it is
faid , that he had not been fo peremptory > had he
not fuppoled , that in fuch a thing the other fiiould
have yeelded.
CHAP. VI.
What be the fadeffetts of Aivifion , and the nc-
cejptj of endeavouring unity.
HAving now fome way difcovered the nature
and caufes of the evil of divifion , it may be
eafily conjeftured what will be the effefts
thereof, which ever have been moft deplorable, as to
the torturing of thefe that are engaged, to the fcanda-
lizing of the weak, to the hardening and breaking of
the neck of many profane light perfons, to the fpoil-
ing of the Church in its purity , Government, order
and beauty of her Ordinances, and which is more,;
to the wearing out of the life and power of Religion ;
yea, which is above all , there is nothing that doth
more tend to the reproach of the bleffed Name of our
Lord Jefus, that makcth Chriftianity more hateful],
that rendereth the Gofpel more unfruitful^ and more
marreth the progreffe and inter eft of the Kingdom of
our Lord Jefus , and, in a word, doth more (hut out
all good, and let in by an open door every thing that
is evil into the Church, than this wofull evil of di-
vifion doth , according to the word, Jam. 3. \6.
Where enty and jlrifets % there is confufion, andeVeryeVil
^or\. And we are petfwaded , that who hath read
the
part 4» A Treat If e concerning Scandal^ 313
the Scriptures ,and the many and great motives where-
by union is preffed , and have confidered the fathers
what great weight they lay upon unity, and with
whathorrour they mention divifion, even as maxi-
mum malum , or the greatefl etil that can befall the
Church; Or, have obferved inChurch-hiftory, the
many fad consequents and effedts that have followed
upon this, and the lamentable face of the Church
under the fame : when friends thought fhame , and
were made faint; enemies were encouraged and de-
lighted, and on-lookers were either provoked to
mock at, or pity the fame ; Or, who have had fome
tafle in experience of the bitter fruits thereof, will,
and if they be not altogether ftupid,cannot but be con-
vinced of the many horrible evils, that arc in this one
evil of divifion. Sure there is no evil doth more Sud-
denly and inevitably overturn the Church than this ;
which maketh her fight againft her felf > and eat her
own flefh , and tear her own bowels : fori that a
Kingdom divided againft it felf cannot ftand , is the
infallible maxime of Him that was greater and wifer
than Solomon. And when things are compared, it
will be found , there is no more compendious way to
blaft the fruit of Ordinances , when they cannot be
removed or corrupted, and by fo doing, todeftroy
and carrv fouls headlong, than this, That a Church
in her Minifters and Members fhould be engaged
thus > to bite and devour one another , and to coun-
teract to the actings one of another ; This we fup-
pofewill not be denied*
It will alfo readily be granted , That ir is the duty
of all Chriftians, eipecially of Minifters of the Gof- ™* J"ffi9
pel , to endeavour the preferving of unity , and, the f € ™ cavQf -
preventing of divifion , and the recovering of unity, '"*J^'ju
and removing of divifion , by healing of the breach °^ ^
when it is made. Never did men run to quench fire
in a City, left all fhould be deftroyed, with more di-
ligence,than men ought to beftir thcmfelves toquench
this
3 14 tA Treat* fe concerning Scandal. Part. "4,
this in the Church ; never did mariners ufemore
fpeed to flop a leak in a fhipjeft all (hoald be drown-
ed, thaaMinifters efpecially, and all Ghriftian men,
(hould haft to flop this beginning of the breaking in
of thefe waters of ft rife , left thereby che whole
Church be overwhelmed ; And if the many evils
which follow thereupon , the many commands
whereby union is prefled 5 yea, the many entreaties
and obteftations whereby the holy Ghoft doth fo fre-
quent! y urge this upon all, as a thing moft acceptable
to Him , and profitable taus ; If, I fay , thefe and
many other fuch confederations , have not weight to
convince of the neceflicy of this duty , to prevent, or
heal a breach , We cannot tell what can prevail with
men , that profefle reverence to the great and dread*
full Name of God, confeience of duty , and refpeft
to the edification of the Church, and to their own
peace at che appearance of the Lord in the great Day,
wherein the peace-makers (ball be bleffcd ; for, they
fliall be called the children of God.
B'
CHAP. VII.
Cjeneral Grounds leading to Vnity.
illt now, it may be of more difficulty , to fpeak
particularly, to what indeed is, duty, at fuch a
time when a Church lyech under rents and di-
y , , f vifions. For, though the general be granted, yet of-
divWonmoft cen > lt is di ^ cu ^ c to ta ^ c U P che particular cure , and
difEGUit. yPC more difficult fingly to follow the fame : It being
ftill more eafy to prefcribe rules toothers, than to foU
low them our felves, efpecially in fuch a cafe, when
fpirits are in the heat and fervour of contention,
whereby they are fome way drunken with aflfeftion
to their own fide, and prejudice at the others, and
diftra&ed, as it were, with a fort of madnefle in pur-
fuing their adYerfaries, as that great and mcekDivine
Melancfbon
P*rt4« A Treatlfc concerning Scandal. 31 J
MehnBbon did exprefle it, fo that it is hard to get af-'
fe&ions, that arc in fuch a temper, captivated to the
obedience of light. And though we will not take
on us to be particular and fatisfying in this, wifhing
and hoping that it may be more effectually done by
fome other ; yet, having come this length, we (hall,
in an abftrafted manner, confider fome things in re-
ference thereunto, and endeavour to hold forth what
we conceive to be duty , elpecially to the Miniftersof
the Gofpel* that have intereft in fuch a Church # , As
alio what may be required of others, that may poffi-
bly think themfelves lefle concerned therein : Where-
in we (hall keep this order, 1. we (hall lay down
fome general Grounds, which we fuppofe as granted.
2. We (hall premit fome preparatory endeavours
agreeable to the fame. ?♦ We (hall fpeak negative-
ly to what ought not to be done, or ought to be for-
born. 4. Positively to the healing means called- for
in reference to feveral forts of divifion, with fome
queftions incident thereupon. And laftly, We (hall
confider the grounds that do preffe the ferious and
condefcending application of thefe, or other healing
means in fuch a cafe.
The firjl generall ground , which we take for An abfolute
granted, is this, That by way of precept there is an ncctjjityldi
abfolute neceflity of uniting laid upon the Church, upon a rent
(6 that it falleth not under debate, Whether a Church Cburcb to
(hould continue divided or united in the Theft > un ^
more than it falleth under debate , Whether there
(hould be preaching , praying , keeping of the Sab-
bath, or any other commanded duty ; feing that uni-
on is both commanded as a duty , and commended,
as eminently tending to the edification of the Church,
I and therefore is (o frequently joyned with edification?
Nor is it to be asked by a Church, what is to be done
i for the Churches good,in a divided way, thereby fup-
j pofing a difpenfation, as it were, to be given to divi-
| lionj and a forbearing of the ufc of means for the at-
taining
3*6 A Treatife concerning Scandal, Part4 %
raining thereof } or rather fuppofing a Rating or
fixing of divifion, and yet notwithftanding thereof,
thinking to carry on edification ? It is true, where
union cannot be attained amongft orthodox Mini-
fters, that agree in all main things, (for, of fuch only
we (peak ) Minifters are to make the beft ufe of the
opportunities they have , and during that to feek the
edification of the Church ; Yet, that men (hould by
agreement ftate a divifion in the Church, or difpenfe
therewith , and prefer the continuing of divifion, as
fitter for edification than union, wefuppofe is alto-
gether unwarrantable. I. Becaufe, that is not the
Lord's Ordinance, and therfore cannot be gone about
in faith ■ nor in it can the blcfling be expected, which
the Lord doth com nand tothofe that are in unity,
Pfal 13$. 2. Becaufe Chrift's Church is but one
Body, and this were deliberately to alter the nature
thereof: and although thofe who deny this Truth
may admit of divifion ; yea, they cannot have union,
that is proper Church-union, which is union in Go-
vernment, Sacraments,and other Ordinances, becaufe
union, or communion in thefe, doth refult from this
principle ; yet it is impoffible for thofe that maintain
that principle of the unity of the Catholick vifible-
Church, toowne a divided way of adminiftrating
Government or other Ordinances , but it will infer
either that one party hath no intereft in the Church,
or that one Church may be mmy ; and fo. that the
unity thereof in its vifible ftate is to no purpofe: This
then we take for granted. And though poflibly it
be not in all cafes attainable, becaufe the fault may
be upon one fide, who poflibly will not aft unitedly
with others, yet is thisftill to be endeavoured, and
every opportunity to be taken hold of for promoting
Vnhna °^ c ^ e ^ ame *
ibinrattain. The /<<^ ground which we fuppofe, is this, That
ableamong zs union is ever a duty , So, we conceive, if men in-
OrtbodoM cereffed will do their duty, there can be no divifion
Vivincs* amongft
Part 4. *A Trea ttfe ccncemmg Scandal 317
amoneft Orthodox Divines or Minifters , buc it is
poflible alfo to compofe it, and union is a thing at-
tainable- For* 1. We are not fpcaking of cempo-
fing divifionsthat are ftated upon the fundamentall
things \ nor are we fpeakifig of removing all diffe-
rences, as if all men were to be one in judgment in
every point of Truth ,• there may be difference where
there is no divifion,as hath been faid. Nor, 3. when
we fpeak of mens doing their duty, do we mean a
full up-coming of oyery thing in knowledge and
pra&ice, and that in a fan&ified manner , though
that ought to be endeavoured ; but it looketh prin-
cipally to the doing of duty in reference to this par-
ticular (if it may be called fo ) of attaining union, a
great part whereof doth confift in outward obvious
things, which do neither require fimply fan&ifica-
tion in the petfon ( though in it felf moft defirable )
nor perfe&ion in the degree, fome whereof we may
afterward mention ; fo that the meaning is , if we
confider union in it felf, without refpeft to mens cor-
ruptions, (which will make the leaft thing impoffible
Ttfhen they are in exercife) it is a thing poffible, ac-
cording to the acknowledged principles, that fober,
orthodox men ufually walk by, as experience hath
often proven, and reafon doth demonftrat in the par-
ticulars afterward to be inflanccd. And this conside-
ration ou*;ht the more prcflingly to ftir up the endea-
vour of this duty, although oftentimes through mens
corruption it hath been fruftrated.
Thirdly , we premie , That in endeavouring union Eniedvou?^
and healing , men would not ftraiten it to an univer- j n g n vion 9
fall union in every thing , in judgement and pra&ice. dotfmpt infer
but would refblve to have it with many things de- union in all
feftive that need forbearance in perfons that are unit- pints of
ed, which me may take up in thefe particulars, /wfgem*/tf
1. There may be difference of judgement m many ^f^'^
things, I mean in fuch things that are confident with
the foundation , and edification ; and fuch a forbea-
rance
3x8 A Trratif* concerning Scandal. Part 4*
ranee would be rcfolved upon, and to do otherwayes,
Were to think that either men had no reafon at all ,
or that their understandings were perfect , or at
Ieafl of equal reach. 2. There may be diffatisfa-
&ion with many perfons > whether Officers or Mem-
bers 5 and to expe& a Church free of unworthy Offi-
cers, or Members, and to defer Church-union there-
upon, is to cxpe& the barn- floor fhall be without
chaff, and to fruftrate the many commands whereby
this duty is preffed ; for , fo thi» command fhould be
obligatory to no Church , but that that is trium-
phant 5 yet certainly our Lord Jefus gave this com-
mand to His Difciples when fuel** was amongfl:
them ; and Paul gave it and pra&ifed it , when fome
preached out of envy, Philip. 1. and when almoft all
fought their own things, and not the things of Chrifl •
And certainly, if people ought to carry even to cor-
rupt Minifters who yet deftroy not the foundation, as
Minifters > in the duties that becomes them to Mini-
fters in coriununion with them , while they continue
fuch, Then certainly Minifters ought to keep that
communion with Minifters, that becometh their re-
lations, feing they are ftill Minifters in that refpeft, as
well as in the other. And if this corruption will not
warrant feparation in other Ordinances,as wasfaid in
the clofe of the fecond part, Then neither will it war-
rant divifion in the ordinance of government. 5. It may
alfo be confident with many particular failings , and
defe&s in the exercife of government , as poflibly the
fparing of fome corrupt Officers and Members ; yea,
the Cenfuring of fome unjuftly , or the admiflton of
fome that are unfit for the Miniftery , and fuch like ?
Thefe indeed are faults, but they are not fuch as make
a Church to be no Church ; and though thefe have
fometimes been pretended to be the caufesof fchifms
and divifions in the Church in prafticc, yet were they
never defended to be juft grounds of fchifms and divi-
fions > but vvere ever condemned by all Councek
andS
and Fathers, and cannot be in reafon fuftaincd. For,
I. there fhould be then no union expefted here, ex-
cept we fuppofed , that men that have corruption,
could not fall in thefe faults. 2. It is not unlike, but
fomc of thefe were in the primitive Churches ; fome-
what is infinuated thereof, %&. 2. in thofe Church-
officers, their tolerating of Jezebel and the NkoUi-
tans to fed uce the people , and to commit fornication;
yet neither is feparacion or divifion called- for , or al-
lowed either amongft Minifters or people. Sure there
were fuch corrupt afts of all kinds amongft the Jews
Church-officers ; yet is it clear , that Nicodtmu* and
Jo fepb of Arimatbea did continue to govern joyntly,
notwithftanding thereof? who yet cannot be counted
acceffory to any of their deeds; Becaufe (which is a
third reafon ) men in fuch cafes have accefle, even
when they are prefent , to difcountenance fuch cor-
rupt aftsi by not confenting thereto , andteftifying
againft the fame > (yea, they may by fo doing, ftand
in the way of many wicked a<3s , which by dividing
they cannot do) which is fufficient for their exonera-
tion both before God and men : As we may fee in
the inftances of Jofepb and Kkodemm mentioned,
who continue united in the government , keeped the
meetings even when Sentences paffe againft thofe who
will acknowledge Chrift , and orders for perfecting
Him and them; and yet they are declared free, be-
caufe theydiffented from, and teftified againft the
fame • yea , their freedom and exoneration by ver-
tue of their diflent being prefent, is more folemnly
recorded to their honour in the Gofpel, than if they
had divided; And yet the unity of th<? Church now
hath the fame ground, and no fewer motives to preffe Vnionmay
it than it had then. 4. It may ftand with fomede-/^ ™ th
fefts in Worfhip , manner of Government, and f° m *J e f' as
rules that are ncceffary for good government in a ln y °W
Church. It is like, that many things of that kind, Zr**Z*
weredefaSiveinthe Church ofCgrwtb, where thc^ ■
Sacra-
5 2o *A Treatsje concerning Scandal. Part 4.'
Sacrament was Co diforderly administrated fas hath
been marked) confufion in many things of WorChip,
andfome things ftill tobsfetin order 5 yet doth the
Apoftle no where prefs union more than in thefeEpi-
ftles > as formerly hath been marked ; neither can ic
be thought that perfe&ion in all thefe is ever to be ex-
pe&ed, or that union, untill fuch time is to be de-
layed. And if there bz defe&s of chic kind , ic is
union and not divifion that is to be looked upon as
the commended mean for redrefling of the fame.
Jff hl ?\ &t Jf ic be asked then , With what kind of defefts or
\ini of ,«*-dilcontents may an union b^ made up? or, what
Jc ™ Rules may be walked by therein? Foranfwer, We
my bcmatlc fa thefe Cotl f ldcrations or Rulcs>
^ 1. What cannot warrant a breach where there is
union,that cannot warrantably be the ground to keep
up a divifion ; Now there are many mifcarriagesor
defe&s, which are really groffe >and yet will not war-
rant a fchifm , as ali chat write thereon do clear , and
is obvious to all. The reafon of the confequence is,
Becaufe making up of a breach is no lefle a duty,than
preventing thereof; And further , if it began upon
fuch a ground, Then the continuing thereof upon the
fame ground j is but the continuing in the fame fin;
and it cannot be thought that any party by dividing
upon an unjuft ground , can afterward be juftified
upon the fame ground ; It remaineth therefore , that
j if the ground was not fufficient atfirft to warrant a
i feparation or divifion,it cannot be fufficient afterward
I to continue the fame.
k ^ule 2. Such defers as do not make communion in
a Church , arfd in its Ordinances finfull , will not
warrant a feparation or divifion from the fame; for,
this folio weth on the former. It is acknowledged by
£all , that there is no feparation from a true Church in
j fuch Ordinances, as men may without fin communi-
cate into, although others may be guilty therein ; as,
ftippofementohaveacceffeto Government without
y fuch
A Tretttfe conctrmrtg scandal. Part 4. 321
fuch bonds and engagements, and fuch like, as may
mar their freedom in following the light of the Word,
in deciding whatever tTiall come before them, even
though others (hould ftepover the fame.
Q(ule 3. Men may keep communion with a Church,
when their calling leadcch them thereto upon the one
fide, and they have accefle to the difcharge.of the
fame upon the other ; this alfo followeth upon the
former: for, if fome afitsofa man? ftation lead him
to an united way of a&ing , ( as the duties of a fixed
Minifter'do) then he is oblciged to follow the duties
of his calling > whilft there is no phyficall or morall
impediment barring him in the fame , and others be-
ing defe&ive in their duty, will not abfolve him from
his, which he oweth by vertue of his ftation.
tyle 4. While the generall rules tend ibg to edifi-
cation in the main are acknowledged , union is to be
keeped, even though there be much failing in the ap-
plication; becaufe, fo there are fit weapons to make
ufeof, and who knowcth but fingle and zealous im-
proving of them> may help the application thereof;
and if there be a failing therein, it is the perfons d?ed,
that by his vote fo mifapplyeth, and doth not involve
any other in that guilt , befide that by joynt and
united afting much of that mifapplication may
through Gods blefling be prevented.
diule 5. Then there may and ought to be uniting
when the evils that follow divifionorfchifm , are
greater and more hurtfulltothe Church, than the
evils that may be fuppofed to follow on union. I
fpeak not of ills of fin, (for, the ltaft of thele are never
tobechofen) but of evils and inconveniencies that
may indeed be hurtfull to the Church in thcmfclves,
and finfull inrefpe&of fome perfons, yet are not fo
to all: Now, in fuch evils the lefler is to be chofen,
becaufe uniting and afting joyncly in a Church- way,
doth belong to the policy and government of the
Ohurch>wherein Chriftian prudence is to have a main
3 * z zsl 1 reaiijc concerning SCANDAL. Fart 4.
hand , So that when things cannot be done as men
would (imply , they are to do as they may compara-
tively! that is, to choofe and make ufe of what may
be moft edifying , andleaft hurtfull to the Churches
edification ( which is the great end that ought to
fway in Government) amongft all thefe means that
feem probable and poffible; So that the confeience
raay have teftimonie in this , that the way that had
feweft inconveniences* and manyeft advantages to
edification, was chofen ; and though fome inconve-
niencies fall out afterward, yet the confciencTe may be
quiet on this ground: Becaufe, fomctimes the Lord
in His providence will order fo in the matters of Go-
vernment, that there is no fide can be chofen with-
out inconveniencies ; Asfuppofe, there is not full fa-
tisfa&ionjtlany way that occureth in planting fuch a
Congregation, in removing of fuch an offence, heal-
ing fuch a rent , and the like > but whatever fide be
looked to , many hinderances to edification appear ,
yet fomething muft be chofen, and may be with peace
to the confeience; becaufe we are to regulate our own
aft fuitably to the providences , and cafes we meet
with, and to the tempers of the(e wc have to do with ;
but we are neither to regulate nor anfwer for provi-
dences, and the diftempers of others. Indeed in fuch
a cafe , the mind may be difquieted becaufe of fear ?
andtheconfolationof the duty may be diminifhed*
becaufe of fuch circumftanccs 5 and affe6tions may be
grieved and jumbled, becaufe there is not full fatisfa-
dtion ; yet may the confeience have quietneffe and
peace in its duty notwithstanding ; and men are fpeci-
ally to difcern and to put difference between peace of
Wbcnin* confeience and the former difcompofures : other-
convenien- vvayes there will be many cafes wherein it is impof-
cicsare $n {fafe f or a 2e alous Minifter to have peace , whatever
Al [ hai f! y fide he choofe, yea, whether he do or forbear.
™ h fl ^ lt k° as ^ c ^ en ■ What way men may difcern
Vmt "* c fide ^at is to be followed in fuch a cafe, when
jncon-
Part 4. A Treatife concerning Scandal. 323
inconveniencies threaten on all hands ? Anfw. By
thefe and fuch like wayes. I. Ic is to be lookcd>
what fide hath the moft dangerous and dettrudtive
inconveniencies. 2. What inconveniencies are moft
certain and inevitable > and the greateft and moft ine-
vitable inconveniencies are to be ftiunned , and men
would not choofe a certain hurt to cfchew that which
is uncertain. 5. Ic would be looked , what fide du-
ty lieth upon , or to what the command doth preffc ;
and although inconveniencies feem to follow that,yec
it is to be followed as moft fafe. Now, as to all thefe,
union hath the advantage o divilion : Btcaufe, 1. ic
is a commanded mean rending to edification, which
divifion is not. 2. Divifion hathnolefle nor fewer
inconveniencies following ic> norlefle deftru&ive to
the Church, than union in the cafe tuppoled ; yea,
fchifm is one of the grcateft hurts that can come to an
orthodox Church,it being next to herefie in Dottrine ;
and therefore no particular evil can be laid in the
ballance with it. 3. The ills of divifion are moft in-
evitable) for the ills that follow union, through Gods
bleffing may be prevented, it is nor impofliblep but
in the way of divifion it is , becaufe it fclf is out of
Gods way.
1 %dt 6. When men may unit without perfonal!
jguiie, or acceflion to the defedtsor giuU of others,
there may and ought to be union , even though there
be failings and defeats of feverall kinds in a Church,
The realons before given will cleat this, becaufe men
lareto reckon not for other mens carriages , but their
|own , and no fuch Church-ftate is to be expected as
is free of defeats. Befide > can it warrand a man to
abftain from his duty becaufe others do not theirs ;
whilcas there is no finfull impediment lying in the
way of his acceffe thereto. If ic be asked, Whac
may be accounted fuch impediments, as a tender con-
fcience may be juftly fcarred by from unking ? It
may be anfwercd in thefe and fuch like, 1. If a
Y a peiforf
3 24 A Treat Ife concerning Scandal. Part 4.
perfon be put to condemn any thing he thinketh law-
full in his own former pra&ice, or the pra&ice of
others, or in fome point of Do&rine though never fo
extrinfick, if it be to him a point of truth. 2, If he be
put to approve the deed, and pra&ice of fome others
which he accounteth finfull , or to affirm fomewhat
as truth which he doth account an errour. g* When
fome engagement is required for the future, which
doth reftrain from any duty called- for , or that may
afterward be called-for. Thefe and fuch like involve
perfons in the fin of what is paft , and alfo maketh
them acceffory to the inconveniencies which may
come ; becaufe they are bound up with their own
confent, from endeavouring the preventing thereof
in the way of ducy > at leaft it is fo to them,, and fo
defileth their confeience. Therefore fuch entangle-
ments are by all means to be forborn ; but where no
fuch thing is in condemning or acknowledging any
thing chat is paft, nor any fuch reftraining bond in-
confiftent with duty for the time to come , there may
be accefle to union , even where there are many pub-
lick defers , which is the thing i:aid down to be
cleared.
r MtutuaU In the fourth place we premie, That for attaining
coniefcenL of union there would be , and there ought to be,
i»l mef- large mutuall condefcending , that is , that both fides
far/, ought to ftreach themfelves, not only to forbear what
is finfull 5 nor only to condefcend to what may be
thought fimply neceflary, and may be extorted as du-
ty in any cafe; Nor yet ought condefcending to be
upon one fide levelled according to the length that
another goeth , but condefcending would be levelled
mutually according as expedience calleth for, with
• refpe&to the edification of the Church 5 for which
end even many infirmities of others are to be forborn,
and things otherwayes unreafonable in refpeft of
thefe men we have to do with , yet refpeft to the
Churches peace , ought to make men cede in thefe ;
for ?
Part 4. A Treanfe concerning Scandal* 325
for , if there ought to be condefcending for private
peace, much more ought it to be for Church-peace
and publick edification : and though we cannot nor
will not now be particular in this , yet concerning it,
we may lay down thele con (iterations,
1. In what may involve a man in fin, or in the ap- wbtrdn
probation thereof in ochers , there is no condefcend- there muff
ing, but what length may warrantably be gone>&* no son-
even to cheutmoft border of duty, men ought to go defending
for this end; fo that nothing ought to be a flop or
march in condefcenfion , but this, i cannot do this
and finagainftGod ,• other wayes, one ought to be
all things to ochers. This confederation will be more
clear , by comparing it with the former Rules , and
what afterward may be (aid.
2. This condetcenfion would be mutuall upon It ought te
both fides , that is , one party would not expert full be mutual*
fubmiflion from che other, for that is not union , but
dominion. ; Hence the Apoftle in his preffing of uni-
on in fuch cafes, doth ordinarily pray, and obteft
both fides. And feing affeftion is the main ground
of union, it is fit, there fliould be condefcenfion for
mutuall teftifying of refpect each toother. This is
alfo confirmed by an Epiftle of Cafaines to Mr. l(nox
(afterward cited) wherein he preffeth that condef-
cenfion be mutuall for removing of a divifion that
was in his Congregation at Frantford.
3. Even that party that feemeth to be righteft in^ Jt u c
the matter , or to have authority on its fide , or to ou ^ t t0 ^
have countenance from others , ought yet to conde- mo ft £e ^
fcend , yea in fome things to be moft condefcending, legending
becaufe fuch are in fomc fort parents and ftrong; they
ought therefore the more tenderly to bear and cover
the infirmities of the weak : and becaufe they are
morefober and atchemfelves, they therefore ought
to carry the more ferioufly toward others , whom
they fuppofe to be in a diftemper,and not to be equal-
ly groffe in handling the tender things of the Church,
Y 3 whereof
%i6 A Treattfe concerning Scandal. Part 4;
£ n thit w ^ crco ^ utt i° n ls » «iain one : And confidering that
which is au *hority * s 8 iven far edification 1 it is not unluitable
r/zfo tfwi * Qr ,c to con«: ! cfccnd tor attaining its end ; for which
batbautbo- cau k we find often TW, laying by his authority in
f ity ^ fach cafcs,and intreating and wooing, as it were, even
chemeaneft diffenters, in this matter of union , as
we fee him > Pbtl.q. befecching Euodtas and Syntkbe
(who were it is like but very private pcrfons) to
be of one mind. And in ancient times we will find,
1. fometimes the innocent party ceding and conde-
fcending , as in the caie betwixt c Bafihus and Eufebius
atCefarea: <BaJihus % though having the belt fide, and
of greateft account, yet did firft cede, by withdraw-
ing for the peace of the Church *, and afterward, for
the good thereof* to wit? the preventing of its being
tainted by the ArUn hcrefie, he did return, and con-
defcend to be fubjeft to him who was in competition
with him , which tended exceedingly to the good of
that Church, to the removing of that Schifm, and
the great praiie and commendation of his zeal and
fingleneffe. 2. We find that oftentimes the moft
tender and fincere > and thefe who were upon the
Tbejwb* riRhtfide, have been moft condefcending > and of-
did the tentimes thefe who did the wrong ( fuch as it was )
wrong, or- were moft averfe from condefcenfion , as in all the
dinarily Schifms that have arifen upon frivolous grounds will
mojt a- appear. 3. Thefe who condefcended moft in fuch
virfc from things, have ever been thought the greateft friends
poniiefw t0 c h e Church , even fometimes when they have been
4* n & deepeft in the rife of the Schifm, and when their fide
was not fo juftifiable as the other, yet by condefcend-
ing they have commended themfelves more to the
Churches friends than their oppofitcs. It is marked
in that fchifm at Antiocb, betwixt Miletim and Vault-
nttt , who were both Orthodox , yet had they di-
vided governments,and Congregations in the Church,
becaufe of different Ordinations which had keepeci
them rent for fome time j and although Miletim his
Ordina-
Ordination and entry was not fo juftifiable according
to the Canons , as the others was ; yet the parties te-
nac ousupon either fide being ttrong > there was ac-
ccfle to fettle it by no authoritative decifion : where-
fore it came to a treaty by means of thefc that were
appointed Arbiters, that fo union and communion
in the Ordinances might be made up in that Church ;
at which conference Mile tins overtured, that they
might joyn together as Bifhops to take care of one
Flock while they lived , and after the death of either,
he who furvived (hould be only Bifliop of the united
Flock , unto whom one only fliould fuccecd to have
charge of ail , for preventing oi divifion for the time
to come ; to which overture, ^aulinus would not ac-
quiefce , but flood to the formality of order without
valuing the Churches peace , or propofing any juft
ground of exception againtt Miktm perfon or Do-
ctrine ; he , to wit, Taulinus was counted unworthy
to govern fucha Church, and removed therefrom,
and the other as more worthy becaufe of that his
condefcending,was therefore alone invefted in the go-
vernment therof. 4. We will find them fometimes •
yeeld in all particulars that do not involve any con-
tent unto > or approbation of what is wrong. It is
marked by Augufiine in his Writings againft the ©P-
natifls, that fometimes Councels that have condemned
men , have for peace without any fatisfa&ion, again
reflored them upon after thoughts; and he marketh ic
as a great condefcenfion of the Bifhopj of Spain, chat
they did fo in the cafe of Oftus when he was found in-
nocent by the Preach: they did not (faith he) perti-
nacioufly 'frith animoftty defend their former Sentences, left
tbeyfhould fall in the furiledge of a Schifm, Ifrfsich doth
» exceed all frichdneffe ; and "frith that humility, peace Xbas
peeped , becaufe (faith he ) they had rather be cghivjl
their olfrn Sentences , than the unit) of the Church. And
he doth upbraid rhat principle of the jDonatifts eft the
cafe of one Vrimitmt, who was refuted to be reftored
Y 4 by
328 txf Treanfe concerning Scandal. Part 4.'
by an after Councell of theirs , becaufe a former
pretended Synod of their own had depofed him , al-
leging, and abufing that word of the Apoftles for
that end, Gal.i. If I again build what I have de-
ftroyed , then am 1 found a tranfgreffour ; and he
doth more commend the pra&iee of Pretextaw and
Velicianus, who being condemned (it is like unjuflly)
by three hundrech and eighteen Bifhops , yet did ,
(faith he) for concords fake , return and joy n with
thefe who did condemn them; and by them were
Without all lofleor diminution of their honour > re-
ceived into fellowship. And wat ever may be in the
juftice or injustice of any of thefe former deeds, upon
the matter , yet doth he only makeufeof them , to
(hew what condefcenfion ought to be in fuch cafes
for peace , both upon the part of Judicatories and
particular perfons , how ever the matter doth appear
unto them; tor he condemnetb not the rejc&ing of
\Primianus becaufe he was unjuftly Sentenced, but be-
caufe there was not due refpefthad to the Churches
peace; nor doth he commend the Spanifh Bifhops for
recalling an un juft Sentence, which ought to be done
for Jufttce fake ; but that (though it is no qucftion
they did think it juft ) they did condefcend to re-
move it for preventing of a Schifm > when they faw
their deed difiuisfving to others. And it is fo in the
other cafealfo, it is thefe mens fubmifllon to thefe
that condemned them , as it evidences refpeft to con-
cord, and notasconfideringany equity of the Sen-
tence which is commended by him 5 this is in what
he writeth contra Epiftolaip Harmenkni. lib. i.eap.
2.3,4 &c.
From what is faid , we may lay down thefe nega-
tive conclufionS;Concerning the upmakingofa breach
amongft Godly and Orthodox men, where a Church
hath harmony in the fundamcntall points , Faith,
Worfhip and Government > and where the thriving
of the Gofpel is mutually defigned.
I. Divi-
part 4. A Trettife conce rmvg Scandal^ 329
I. Divifion ought not to be endeavoured tobere- vivi/innot
moved in fuch a cafe , in fuch a way as dorh unc'o or to be <utci
deftroy either fide , becaule that is not thtgeed of by deftryiitg
the whole ', tor every part and fide in iuch a cafe, is a anyOrtbo-
part of the body , although it may be not fo very dox fide *t
confiderable , and it is no wifdom to cut off a mem- t art h
btr of the body > and that way to cure a diftemper
therein, wb npcffibly the purging away of corrupt
humours from the body , or more gentle applications
might recover the fame.
2. We fay , that way of uniting is not to be ad-
mitted, butfhunned, which may incapacitate any
Minifter or member of the body that is fit for edify-
ing of the fame, from having acceffe thereunto ; for
fo the Church is prejudged , and men are rendred
unable for edifying thereof. And this is not only
when Sentences are paft, or restraints laid on 5 But
it may be in fuch like cafes. As, 1. when by the
terms of union (bene perfon is grieved and weighted,
byannexinp of fome unneceflfary thing which may
be for born , becaule by this, men eo about duty with
heavinefle, which is unproficable ro the Church, vnionisto
2. It maybe, when fomething that refleð upon be eQayed
any fide, or perfon, unneceflanly > is interwoven ; with due re-
becaufe fuch things ttill keep up fufpicion, and makeJpiftMch to
the union the more heartlcfle, and doth both make other wnh-
fuchper/ons more faint, and alfo in the leflercapa- ^tany not *
city to have weight with others for their edifica- */^MP' 8 -
tion , and doth leave a ground of diffatisfa&ion with
fuch an agreement > that is ready afterward to break
forth; Therefore union would be effayed with all
due refpect from each to other, and without any note
of difrdpedt, ^ r^
3. We mav gather, that no fimply authoritative AU tbmtal
mean is the fit and only way ot healing a rent- the way U
Church : That is indeed the way of governing an the ft mean
united Church, but not the way of uniting a rent- to begin the
Church , cfpecially a Church rent in particulars oibealivg of a
praftice w£' ;wrcJ k
330 A Treatife concerning Scan da tl Part 4.
praftice and government ; becaufe the remedy muft
be extenfive to both fides, and in fuch cafes, atleaft,
as to thefe particulars, Authority ufually is declined ;
and though it be unjuftly declined poffibly, yet when
it is declined, it is unable to effeftuate this end ; and
the remedy is to be applied, not as to what agreeth
to a Church that is whole , but what agreeth to
a Church in fuch a diftemper ; evenasafick body
is to be nour ifhed not alwayes with the ftrongeft
and wholefomeft meats which agree with fucf as
are in health , but it is to be nouriftied with things
fuitable to its diftemper , and are fit to cure it ; yea,
fometimes, with fuch things as may pleafe thetafte,
when more healthfull things are not admitted. Alfo
when both judgments are to be informed, and affecti-
ons are to be gained, there muft be prudentiall and
affe&ionat wayes ufed for gaining thefe ends. Hence
we fee, that not only in Church-hiftory, but in the
Scriptures efpecially, the duty of union is more pref-
fed by perfwafions, intreaties, reafons to move to it,
ills that follow the want thereof, and fuch like , than
by an authoritative way, fuch as is ufed in the con-
demning of Hereticks, and other fcandalous perfons.
And indeed union hath fuch conjunftion with the
will and affe&ions, that it muft be perfwaded and
cannot be fo commanded. And amon^ft fuch perfons
as are fuppofed to be in this difference,privat and par-
ticular condefcenfion is rnoft becoming that refpe&
which each ought to other.
Thouzb one F/ /^' Wepremit, That fuppofe fufficient conde-
fide fail in fcenfion fhould fail upon one fide, yet ought the other
€wdc[<;cnd~ to condefcend fully the length that is poflible.
ingtbeotber U Becaufe Church-union amongft Church- men is
ought not to no civil bargain to ufe prigging therein , but what is
fiiL poflible is duty out of obedience to God, who com-
mandeth peace in other things ( and fo, much more
in this) as far as is poflible, or as in men lyes. And,
2. becaufe refpeft is to be had to the Churches good,
whofe
Part 4. A Treatife concerning Scandal' 331
whole advantage we (hould fcek, even though others
were dcfe&ive ; and often iuch condefcending gaineth
more for the advantage of the Church, and commen-
dation of the party condefcending , than if there had
been more flicking, as we may fee in that praife-
worthy inftance of B*ltlius his carriage , whoftuck
on nothing, but abfolutely did lay by what was con-
tended-for, without refpeft to his own right or in-
jury, for the Churches good. And oftentimes it's one
party their waiting for the others condcfccnfion, or
taking occafion from their tenacioufnefle to ftick, that
doth keep the diftance at a height.
6. Oftentimes in fuch debates as are amongft or-
thodox Divines and Mmifters, it Ieemeth they might
be removed if one party fhould condefcend according
to the qualifications and cautions formerly la id down;
yea, it ieemeth it were fafcr for the Churches good in
fuch a cafe, that either party fhould pra&ically con-
defcend to the way of the other , than that divifion
fhould be keeped up upon fuch grounds. For, 1. It
is not fuppofed here> that there is any matter of faith
inqueftion , amongft fuch , often there was full har-
mony in the Confefiions of Faith, as in the inftances
cited. 2. There is no queftion for Government
fimply, nor for Councils and Canons, thefe al(b were
acknowledged ; none did difclaim the general Coun-
cils , nor their a&s. 3. The queftion often is not
amongft them, Whether others (hould be brought to
their opinion or not, I mean as to the ftick of the di-
vifion ; But often it is either, 1 . upon fome miftaken
exprefiion of another, or errour in fome leiTer point
of Truth 5 And, in fuch a cale, it is that great Au-
guftines word , ftijputable errours, or uncertain faults^
are not in their purfuit to be preferred to certain peace.
Or, 2. it is for fome particular aft of Goverhment,or
other mifcarriages by mifapplying of rules, or not
walking according to them , or fomething of th3t
]uad , as was in contrary Ordinations of orthodox
men,
332 iA Treatift concerning Scanda il Part 4*
men* and fuch like : In which cafes, we fay, ( and it
will be^ found from Hiftory ) That ic had been ever
better for the Church, that either fide had practically
condefcended to fuffer the other to rule and govern,
and perfonally to have keeped themfelves free from
accetfion to their guilt, whether of crookednefle neg-
ligence, or the like, than to have raifed or entertained
divifions upon fuch accounts. For, often orthodox,
andotherwayes blamelefle men, have b-:en made, by
fuch divifions, fa&ious and carnal in their carriage,
and much unufefull ; who otherwayes,had they been
free of that tentation, might have proved fober, and
profitable; and, when the tentation was over, were
found to be fuch.
7. We may obferve, that though in the primitive
times there were diverfe ichifms and divifions, con-
cerning Synods and Government, yet we will find
that thefe contefts and divifions did flow from the
matter and particular a6is and aftings thereof , and
that there was hardly ever divifion tabled upon the
formality of the conftitution of a Council or Synod ;
nor yet, that much difference was put betwixt decli-
ning of their authority, and of the Ails or Cenfures
paft by them. Concerning which we mayobferve
thefe generals ,
J# xn$ the l * ^ e m:itcer was "fifct an( * fitisfyin^ that was .
dtiinzs ani concluded by many Bifhops and Church m:n, there
not the for- was an acquiefcing in the authority thereof 2. If
rndityofSy-thc matter were difpleafing and hurtful!, of whatever
nzlsth&ioc-fotm it was, and of whatever number, its authority
cdftontd dl- wis no: much refpefted , becaufe it confifted only in
vifionofoll adding weight to thefe things , as we may fee in the
jtrUn Councils , which were often very numerous,
and others alfo that were erroneous, and oeherwayes
corrupt, although there was no formal deciinatour,
of them, or protection againft them as null ; though
there were (ometimes fome diflenticnts in them, yet
was not their authority any way confirmed by the
for-
Part 4. A Treatije concerning scandal 33
forbearing of fuch Proteftations or Declinatours*
3. Somccimes we will find worthy men appearing
before and anfwering unto moft corruptly confirmed
Synods , as was in thofe fame times , and although
they were fentenced and depofed by them, yet did
chcy never efteem thefe Sentences to have the more
authority, as we may lee in the ca(e of Mbanafus y
Cbryfoftom, and many others. 4. Sometimes they
did proteft againft Synods as null, when they (aw
violence and iniquity prevail in them* as was done in
the Council of dntiocb, in the cafe of Euftacbiut ; and
was done in the fecond Council ofEpbefus by Fhvia-
mis and zAnatolm. Sometimes alfo upon fcen ha-
zard, and defigns of profefled corrupt enemies, Pro-
teftations were drawn in writ antecedently,* as in
that Proteflation which the Reformers in Germany
gave out againft the Council of rmrt,after its indidi-
on ; becaufe there was no probable acccfle for Truth >
to have liberty in fpeaking , and equity in judgment ;
AndasS/o>rfdtf hath icfetdown, they alleagedCpi/-
luA for the firft pra&ifer of this, in the time that the
Arians prevailed. This we may fee is their praftice
when they have to do with profefled enemies ; not
flicking on formalities , but on what was matcriall.
And again, amongftthemfelves, the Orthodox ufed
not to ftick upon the trying and fcanning of the for-
mality of any of thefe Councils ( for certainly in
fuch corruptions as were fo univerfal, Synods cor-
rupt for the plurality of them, might have been had
with all the formalities and folemnities that could be
required in the external conftitution of any lawfull
Synod) but when they had occafion to meet, they
went to the doing of what was for the prefentgcod
of the Church, condemning the matter of fuch cor-
rupt Synods ; which they did account fufficicnt in
fuch cafes: And for difference amongft themfclves,
when they were of a right temper, they did alio en-
deavour to redrefle fuch particulars as needed, and
CO
2 24 ** l reattjc concerning scandal, rare 4«
torcftore perfons unjuftly fentenced, and the like;
Whereby it appeareth chat the matter both in things
of general and particular concernment, did ever bear
mod fway.
Debates con- ^' Although fuch debates concerning Govern-
cetnint go* menc ^ cem mo ^ ea ^ e t0 ^ e rcmove d> yet often and al-
vernment m0 ^ ever*they have been moft difficultly healed, and
more Ai$- have been followed with prcateft bitterneffe atvi con-
cultly rcmo- tention in the Church; for, different Judgements
vci. (imply, and alio different Ceremonies, and different
prattices in other things, may conlift without direft
oppofition or counterafting , and may either be the
more eafily born or removed : but when it comes to
Government, whole Sentence (hall ftand> whofe Or-
dination fhall be acknowledged, who (hall have
place to decide fuch and fuch things, and the like?
it is far other wayes. Hence it came to paffe that men
could keep union and communion with others that
differed from them in far greater points of Truth ;
but to perfons that did not acknowledge their Autho-
rity, or did acknowledge thofe that did controvert
with them thereanent, they could by no means fo
condefcend : Becaufe, i. in Government, mens own
particular intereft is more concerned than in points
of Truth, and that inadvertently ftcaleth in upon
men. 2. Becaufe* in Government the queftion is not
only for what is paft> but there is a fear of what may
come : Hence men that have fom6 tettimony in
themfelves that they are not ambitious of Govern-
ment, yet having taken up a prejudice againft
others, they are fufpicious that if fuch had power,
they would mifcarry , not only in reference to them,
but in reference to publick concernment ; And there-
fore in removing fuch a divifion that is in point of
Government, the great difficulty is not fo much to
heal and remove what is paft, as to prevent the fear
of what may come, if fuch continue to govern. And
thismakech, that the refult of fuch diyifion is, That
either
part 4- v*Treatt\c concerning scand al. 335
cither chcy themfelves, or fuch as they have confi-
dence in particularly , may have the weight of go-
vernment upon them , which may indeed be aimed
at with fome fincerity ; becaufe being fomeway alie-
nated with prejudice > they do not think it fit for the
good of the work, at leaft during that time, that any
others fiiould have fuch truft ; and this made the
heat of debates in the time of divifion , to break out
mainly in the ordination of Bifhops , and planting
of Churches ; becaufe by that means their intereft in
the government was keeped up , whereby there was
after- acceffe to the management of every other thing
according as this fuccceded.
CHAP. VIII.
Some preparatory endeavours for uniting.
ALthough we have been fomewhat large in
thefe generals > becaufe of the falling in of
feverall things , yet we conceive it may be
ufcfull to the point , and we may have the
I fpeedier progreffe afterward in loofing this great que-
ftion , What an orthodox Chucch divided in it felf
in fome circumftantiall truths (tofpeakfo) or con-
trary praftices and actings, when flill agreeing in
the fundamentals of Do&rine, Worfliip, Difciplinc
and Government > and having mutuall efteemof the
integrity one of another : What, I fay, fuch are cal-
led to do for the healing of that breach ? In refe-
rence to which , thefe things , or this method would
be followed.
c. AlU efpecially Miniflers , would walk under ^^
the impreffion of the dreadfulnefle and terriblcneffc of ^ f a J*i m l
fuch a plague ; It is like , if God were looked to as p H rr on f
angry at a Church, and at Minifters in iuch a time, ffo dread*
men would be in the greater fitnefle to fpeak concern- julntfie of
jing a healing. Some time therefore would be be- (mb ttftgue
flowed
33^ A Treatifls concerning Scandal. Pare 4/
flowed on this , to lee that confideration fink down
in the foul , that the Lords hand may be taken up
therein 5 the many fad confequents thereof would be
reprefented to the mind > and the heart would be feri-
oufly affe&ed and humbled therewith* asiffword,
peftilencp or fire were threatened ; yea , as if the
Lord were (pitting in Mimftcrs faces, rubbing fhsme
upon them , andthreatning the making of them des-
picable, the blafting of the Ordinances in their
hands, the loofing the girdle of their loins, and au-
thority amongft the people* the plucking up of the
hedges to let in Boars and Wolves to fpoil the Vines,
and deftroy the flock ; and, in a word to remove His
candleftick, fo that Minifters or octier perfons in fuch
a cafe , have not only men that are their oppofits to
look to as angry at them > but they have the Lord to
look to as their party * whofe anger hath thus divided
them; and the not obferving of this, makethmen
the more confident under fuch a judgement ; Where-
as, feing it is a plague, men, even fuch as fuppofe
themfelves innocent, as to the immediate rife thereof,
ought to humble themfelves under the mighty hand
of God, with refpeft to this as to other plagues.
A fearfull 2 ' ^ en wou ^ a ^° '°°k u P on ll as a ^ narc > &
fnare in dh ^ ow man Y tentations have fuch divifions accompa-
vifion. nyi°g them, efpecally to Minifter* ; andalfohow
many affli&ions, erodes and reproaches, upon the
back of thefe ! Might it not make a Minifter tremble
to think upon the matter of divifions > that now be-
fide all his former difficulties and ftraits, there is a
fnare and trial in everv thing ; in everv Sermon that
he preache th it is thus , left his own affeftjon fteal in
for the zeal of God, to make him hoter and more
vehement againft thofe that oppofe him in fuch things
that are controverted, than he ufeth to be in things
more nearly concerning to the glory of God. and left
by difcovering his carnalneffe, he make his Minifte-
ry despicable before others , vvhen he hearech he is in
hazard
rare 4. e^r 1 rea nje l oncer mng SCANDAL. 337
hazard to be irritated by a contradi&ion; and though
there be no contradi&ion , he is in hazard to lay the
lefTe weight upon what might be for his edification,
becaufe it is fpoken by one who in fuch and fucli
things differeth from him. When he is in any Judi-
catory , there is a tentation waiting on, by the leaft
motion of fuch things, to difcompofe all , and make
fuch meetings fcandalous and burdenfome; by this
allconverfingalmoft becometh heardefle and com-
forclefle, the moft intimate brother is either (ufpiciou?,
or fufpeited ; all conftru&ion of mens ingenuity and
fincerity in any thing,are> for the moft part, grounded
upon mens interefts , as if men after that had no con-
fcience of finning, there is a failing of fympathie
amongft brethren, <srt. And may not thefe and ma-
ny fuch like , make Minifters circumfpedt in fuch a
cafe, that they may be flow to fpeak to what may
foment divifion, and wary in hazarding upon fnares.
Alas, it is unlike this, when men ufe more confidence
and liberty in conftru&ing, fpeaking and afting, and
with leffe tendernefle in times of divifion than at
other times; and were men once impreffed with the
fear of finning upon the occafions of divifions, they
would be much more difpofed for fpeaking of union.
3. Minifters and others would (oberly retire to ^^ m
take a view of their own fpirituail condition, and v ' le Ji v * f
fee if they have keeped their own vineyard : w& mirinwaU
particularly, before the Lord, put themfelvcs ro thefe. condition.
1. How union with him hatht)ecn prized , and if
there hath bcen-ftudying to be, and abide, inChrift,
and to keep themfelvcs in the love of God. 2. If
there be any ground of quarrel! in the Jfrcfcnt ftrain
or bygone praftice, that might have influence to pro-
voke the Lord to fmke them in thcgcncralh Or>
3. and efpecially, If by their negligence and unfaitb-
fulnefle, imprudency > heat, paflion, tenacioufneffe,
addi<3ednefle to other men, and too much loathntifc ^
to difpleafc chem ; prejudice at, and uncharitablnetfc
7* tittcd
33& * e/* i reattje concerning be and al. Part4»
unto others, or the like, they have been any way ao
ceffory to the bringing in of this evil; for which
caufe they would take a view both of the fins that
procure it, and the evils which do difpofe for it) and
increafe it , ( which were formerly mentioned ) and
would be impartiall and through in this; for, it is
prepofterous for men to meddle in removing publick
differences., while they know not how it ftandeth
with themfelves.
Repcntdnce 4, When that is done , there would be repentance
(uitable. fuitable to what is found , and extraordinary humi-
liation and fecret prayer to God , not only for them-
felves and for their own particular condition, but
for the publick , and particularly for healing of that
breach, and that thereby God would fpare His peo-
ple, and not fuffer His inheritance to be a reproach*
, It is no little furtherance to union, to have men in a
fpirituall > abftraded and mortified frame ; for, we
are fure, if it remove not difference, it will in a great
part moderate thedivifion, and reftrain the carnal-
tieffe that ufually accompanied* it, and difpofe men
to be more impartiall to hear what may lead fur-
ther.
Vnhnmuld S- Men would not fift in this, but as they have in-
ky all wif- tereft , and are led by their places , they would cn-
rantable deavour foberly , warily and ferioufly, by fpeaking,
i-earis be writing, obtefting and otherwayes, to commend uni-
commended on to thefe that differ ; yea, even they that differ,
uyto, and W ouid commend it to thefe that differ from them.
puffed upon We f ee tJ)e Apoftles do this frequently in the New
tbt(e xut Xeftament , and that not onely in the gcnerall to
htbo'etbat Churches, but fome per fons arc particularly by name
(irffet one °ktefted, as, Ibilty. 4. 2. And in the primitive times,
«fon ant* Btfhops and Churches who were not engaged , did
iter. ferioufly write , and fometimes did fend fome of their
number to Churches and eminent perfons that were
dividedyand often their interpofingdid prove effe6tu*
all. And when that difference between dngujlw and
Jeromz
Part 4 d Tredtiff concerning Scandal.' 339
Jerome did come to fomc height , he ( to wit, dugu*
pine) preflcd himfelf fo on the other,for the begetting
of a better underftanding , and the abating of that
difference, that he did prevail with him, and by their
mutual 1 apologies, and better underftanding one of
another, they came notwithftanding of their diffe-
rence to have much refpeft one of another. For this
end Policarpm came from Afi* to %orne , to ftay the di*
vifion about E after 9 which prevailed fo far , that it
. fitted for a time. Alfo men, efpecially of the fame
judgement, would deal with others with whom in
that they agree , to be condefcending , and ferioufly
obteft them 5 and when they exceed , would objur-
gate them for the Churches good* This is often of
great weight , and often alfo , men that appear moft
in a difference* will be hoter and carry things further
than lefle engaged men of the fame judgement will
allow* and fuch ought not to be filent in fuch a cafe*
Thus Irenewi (though of Vitfors judgement in the
matter of Eafter) yet did boldly expoftulate with
him for his vehemency in preflmg of the fame, to the
hurt of the Churches peace, charging him to forbear
and to follow union notwithftanding; which aft of
his, is ftill highly commended> and ( as Eufehim ob-
fcrveth) counted anfwerable to his name.
£♦ Serious and fingle thoughts of union would be ConfiAncf
laid down, and that wduld be purpofly driven as the att ^fiH^
great duty ; fo that endeavours would not principal- **(* hereto
ly tend to (lengthen a fide, or exoner themfelves, or
get advantage to others, & c. but to make one of both ;
and therefore when one mean or occafion fai!eth,ano-
ther would be effayed ; neither would men weary
or faint herein , although it prove often a moft faint-
ing bufineflTe.
7. Men would endeavour all this with tenderfteffe With ten-
and refpeft to mens perfons , actions and qualificati- dernefsani
ons ; for, oftentimes the rife of a divifion, is in the f *ft*&
alienation of affe&ions betweeti fome perfons; which
Z 1 afecs-
340 ATreatife concerning Sc and al. Part ^
afterward difpofeth to conftruft hardly both of their
opinions and a&ions : and indeed often the ftick is
here , chat mens affe&ions are not fatisfied one with
another, and that maketh them that they do not truft
each other : Hence we fee , that in the Scripture , the
commending of love , and of honouring and preferr-
ing of others in honour to ourfelves, is ordinarily
fubjoyned to the exhortations to union , or reproofs
of divifion, as, fbilip. 2. Epb. 4. Mattb. 18. (?c. And
we fee in the primitive times, when no mean could
cure fchifms , one party (hewing refpeft to another,
or to fome eminent head of the oppofit party, (it may
be even after their death) did alley the fame, and en-
gage thefe that formerly (bunned communion , to
joyn with them. It is particularly obferved, That
when at Conflantinople fome had continued feparated
from the Bifhops government, and the Church there-
of, after ^n/V^?w^depofition, for the fpace of thirty
five years , and were called Jobanits ; ye: ^rocltit,
who by fome interval fucceeded in that See, by re-
cording C^/p/fo^'; name amongft eminent perfons,
and making honourable mention of him, and bring-
ing his body from the place where it was buried in
his exile, and burying it honourably at Conflantinople
in the great Church of the holy Apoftles, did fo ap-
peal and engage thofe that had difclaimed all the in-
terveening Bifhops, that inttantiy they did acknow-
ledge him and joyn with the Church. The like alfo
is mentioned to have been the end of that Schifm at
Antiocb, becaufe of Euflacbitt&his removal from them?
vjhtnCallaudion theBifhopdid return his body ho-
nourably to be buried* and went out with his party
to receive the fame folemnly fome miles from the
Town ; thofe alfo, who out of refpeft to him (to
wit Eufldcbim) had continued feparated from the fuc-
ceeding Bifhops for above an hundred years , now
feeing the adverfe party put refpeft on him , they alfo
did from that time forth joyn with them, Both thefe
arc
Part 4. A Treatife concerning S c a nd a ii 34*
are recorded in the fifth Century ; and if refpeft to
dead men be prevalent to enpage affedtions, certainly
mutual refpeft and evidences of confidence amongft
men living , would be much more weighty. This
giving of refpedt would be manifefted in thefe and
the like. 1. Rcfpcftive mentioning in word or wric
of the perfons, and what concerns thofe that differ,
cfpecially fuch as are mott eminent and leading
amongft them. 2. There would be good conftrufti-
onsput upon their end and intentions, and (incerky,
even in fuch actions as are difpleafing. 5. Mens
opinions and anions would not be loaded with grofie
abfurditics and high aggravations) rfpecially in pub-
lick ; becaufe that tendeth but to make them odious,
and ttandeth in the way of a future good underftand-
ing , when one hath propofed another as fo abfurd
and hatcfull a perfon. 4 All perfonal reflexions
would beabftained, as alfo flcighting anfw?rs, dif-
dainfull-likc words and falutations,. and fuch like»
would be fhunncd ; But on the contrary,there would
be love, familiarity, tenderneflc ", and if there have
been any reflexion or bitterncfle to occafion miftake,
yea,if it have been unjuflly apprehended, there would
be condefcending to remove the fame. I have heard
of a worthy perfon, who being led away in an hour
ot tentation, was by many of his former friends after-
wards difcountenanccd , whereby he was, as it were,
engaged in a kind of difcontenc to defend his deed,
and refent the difrefpeft of fuch perfons, which al-
moll grew to a rent : but having occafion to encoun^-
tcr one who was moft oppofic to his prefent way , who
yet notwithstanding of all, did lovingly and famili-
arly j as ever, imbracehim, without mentioning any
fuch thing ; it is faid, That his heart melted infiantly
with the conviction of his former oppofition, and fo
any further procedure towards a rent was prevented,
when he fa w there was yet again accefs to the affecti-
ons of the moft eminent of thofc he did differ from.
Z 3 5. There
T
34a A Tnatife concerning Scandal. Part 4.
tnfrejfu $ f There would be expreffions of mutual confidence
ens ofmu. in one another, which would appear not only in per-
tuallconfi* fonail refpefts, but with refpe& to the Miniftery of
dincc. f uc h a s they differ from, endeavouring to ftrengthcn
and confirm that> which was the thing that endeared
( £afilim to Eufebius , that even while he differed, he
endeavoured to have his Miniftery weighty amongft
the people. 6, Refpeft would be (hewn to men of
that judgment and fide ( it being fuch a difference as
is fuppoled ) they would be helped and furthered*
andcounted,notwithftanding thereof, (if otherwayes
qualified ) fit for truft and charge > for, this is not
only engaging of a particular perfon, but of all the
party, and doth hold forth a confidence in them not-
withftanding of that; whereas the contrary is dif-
pbliging and irritating of all, becaufe it propofeth all
of fuch an opinion or pra&ice to be unworthy of
charge or truft> which no man can well digeft ; and
k fome way ncceflitateth them in a divided way to
endeavour fome other way of entering > and to in-
creaie their diffidence of them who fo partially (in
their efteem at leaft ) manages matters, and prefers
the ftrengthening of a fide, to the edification of the
Church ; as any different party cannot but ex-
pound it , feing they fcem to themfelves to have
ibme perfwafion of their own integrity in the main
. , T work. 7. There would even be mutual vifits and
H.Mvyiu f c |i ovv (hi pi c i v ii an d chriftian, as hath been ; yea,
1 rather it would be increafed ; for if men have fome
confidence that others love their per(bn^*ifpe£t them
asMinifters, andeftecmof themasChrifiians, they
will beeafily induced to truft the other as fuch alfo.
8. If rtfleftions and bkternefle be vented by fome { as
even good men are too ready to indulge to themfelves
a liberty in debate to exceed in this ) yet there would,,
be no fuch meeting given. Luther is cenfured for ex-
ceeding in this, even by fuch as loved him j and it is
a mod excellent adyertifement that #*Mw giveth to
Part 4» A Treatife concerning Scandal. 343
tBullenger and others, thus provoked by him, Epift.f7*
That either they would not anfwer fuch a Paper ac
all i or, in anfwering it, to remember, That the?
had a moft eminent fervant of Chrift to anfwer, an"
ib not to be provoked by his vehemency , feifr$ h c
alfo had corruptions; and thus expreffcth his ow£ re - ,
folution, Etiamfi me DiabolumVocaset, me tamen hoc ill 1
honoris babiturum, ut injignem { Dei fer\>um agnofcamgrc.
It is upon this ground, that Auguftine and others, moft
zealoufly affe&cd with the fchifm of the ^onatijis, yet
becaufe they kecped in other things found in theFakh,
they mention fuch of them as were fober, very ho-
nourably, and carried to them very brotherly ; and
particularly heu'ed to vifit their Bifhops, if he had
been going elfe where for Ordination or other affairs ;
and fome of them alfo ufed to vifit him, whom he en-
tertained moft kindly, ever fpcaking to improve both
for begetting a better underftanding, as may be ga-
thered from inftances cited out of his Epiftles in what
is before and after this. Sometimes alfo when he
wrote to fome of them, hedefired them to write fo to
himj as he might acquaint his people with both their
Writings, and with his own, if they returned no An-
fwer, that thereby he might conftrain them to rea-
fonableneffe, yet faith, it (hall be part Vifcejjum viiti-
turn, that it mi<>ht appear he intended not to make
them odious. He doth alfo obferve* that a main thing
that made the 'Donatifts averfe from yeelding to uni-
on, was a fufpicion which they had, that the C at ^ 0m
licbj would ftill perfecute them if they had occafion,
(peaking of a Conference, Ej>ift.i6i. he faith, dictum
trat t ( meaning by thedonattfls ) quod adbuc no/hi cos
perfecuturi effent* which he with many words re-
jeð, (hewing bomEj>b. 4. that they had learned
to keep union with forbearance : clfewhere alfo, as
Epi(i 9 147. he excufeth the too great vehemenciebf
thecxpreflions of fome that were on his own fide in
that difference. All which fheweth the great necefli-
z 4 ty
544 *^4 Treatife concerning Scandal. Part/4.
ty that there is to recover affe&ions in the preflingof
union, and how far men ought to condefcend in re-
ference thereto, both in order to what is paft, and for
the preventingof what may be feared*
Stirringup 8.;Then Minifters would not only in their own
to the life pratfice, but in their do&rine, and otherwayes, ftir
and pra- up others to the pra&ice and life of Religion. We
ftictofRe* ever find the Apoftle ufeth this way upon the back x>f
U&ion. his exhortations to union , to prefle the working out
of their falvation with fear and trembling, &c. Ancf
in the Epittles to Timothy and Tittvs , when he dehor ts
Minifters from foolilh and jangling queftions,ftrifes
and contentions , this remedy is either premitted or
fubjoyned, that they would prefle the Believers to be
Zealous of good works.and carefull to maintain thefe,
2i>. 3. 8, 9. That they would follow after love, righ-
teoufnefle, faith, peace with them that call on the
Lord out of a pure heart, 2 Ttm. 2. 22, 23. for, when
cither Minifters or Profeffors are exercifed and taken-
up with thefe things, there is little accefle to other
things: then alfo they difcern the neceflijy of union
the more, and are the more difpofed for it themfelves,
and others are the more eafily induced to unite with
them. Befide, it is never in fuch things that godly
and orthodox men do differ , but it is in diverting
from thefe ; and therefore often much heat in parti-
cular differences, carricth with it, a decay and hike-,
warmneffe in more pradlicall things ; As on the con-
trary, zeal in thefe materiall things? doth ordinarily
alley and mitigate heat and fervour in the other.
9. It is fit that there vverefolemn addreffestoGod
Solemn ad- for direftine and guiding in the way to this end ; for,
drfjjts to H e \ s the God of peace, and ought to be acknowledged
& ■ in removing this great evil of divifion : Hence the
, Apoftle fubjoyneth prayers for peace, unto his ex-
hortations thereto h and we are commanded to pray
for Jemfdlems peace* cVen Church-peace no lefle than
Civil peace. It may be that the neglect of this is
*» the
Part 4» i<4 Treattfe concerning Scandal. 345
the caufethat found* godly and peaceable men, who
Jove the welfare ot Zion , do yet continue divided ,
and cannot fall upon means of healing, that thereby
the neceflity of the Lords interpofing may be decer-
ned , and that there may be purpofed addreffes for
this fame thing, and thatmenmay not undervalue
.the thing, nor their adverfaries in it, fo as not to ac-
count it a rod, feing ic is God they have to "do with >
nor be concent to lye under ic without aiming and
dealing to have it removed by Him, as we would deal
for the removal of any temporall plague , or cxpe6t
. a blcfling upon this Gofpel.
CHAP. IX.
WhM things are to beforborn in order to uniting.
HAving laid down thefe generall helps , we are
no'v to confider what is yet to be foi born and
abftained from in reference to union : For, as
. ordinarily divifions rife and are fomented , from and
by doing and driving ot feme things, which others
cannot concur in, or come up to; So when /uch
things are abftained from , there is the nearer acceffe
to union ; at leaft,it ftoppcth the impetuoulnefs of di-
vifion, and maketh it to look liker a difference, which
( confidering humane infirmity ) is neither Co intole-
rable in it felf, nor hurtfull to the Church. Be fide
therefore what hath been (aid for abftainingof per-
fonal reflections , or what may irritate pcrions, or
parties, or what may entertain jealoufie or diffidence
amongft therm whereof fomeching hath been touched
upon, We fhall add thefe things further,
I. All things that contribute to weaken the repute * .-j» *
of others, or to beget an hard impreffion of them in a ^ ^f/
our felves or in others, in the general, would be for- % \ m WC ahcn
born ; fuch as telling of reproachfull reports, even tbercputati-
ihough they be true, much more if they be but re- on of others.
povced,
346 t/s ireanje concerning ^cand ai. Fart 4.
ported , yea, or the hearing of fuch with any delight,
endeavouring to waken up difcontents in others
againft oppofits , by fuch informations, folicitations
and the like. Thefe are condemned in private mens
carriages, and are the caufes of continuing fuch dif-
ferences (for> where no tale-bearer is, ftrife ceafeth,
Vro\>.i6.) much more amongft Minifters who ought
not to walk as men. Alfo good heed would be taken
to fuch as may have influence on advices, counfels
and refoiutionstothat purpofe, left underhand- whif-
perers, who really may mind fome further alteration
in the Church , and may really be imbittercd at ho-
neft men for their honefty, (hould yet infinuat them*
Evilcwnfelklvcs with eminent men on both fides, and fo carry
oh thedivifion, and difappoint the union ; As for
inftance, Some, not altogether purged from Mamfm 9 .
and imbittered at honeft Bifhops, as Atbmafim, Ofuu %
and others, did fteal in upon the one fide of a debate,
and held on the controverfie againft faithfull men;
So Epipbanius was intangled byTbeopbilus of Alexan-
dria to oppofe Cbryfjflom upon pretext of another dif-
ference ; Sometimes again, on the other fide, fuch as
inclined to the Nobatians , wanted not influence to
ftrengthen the oppofic party, and to keep them at a
greater diftance from the other, as being grofle in re-
ceiving Traditores (as they called them) unto their
fociety. Sometimes men juftly cenfured, or fearing
cenfure from faithfull Bifhops* did fpread calumnies
againft them , and made them odious , under pretext
of their pride, arrogance, unfoundnefle and fuch like,
even unto other orthodox men ; Sometinvs again,
time- ferving men, by flattering Magiftrates did exe-
cute their revenge againft faithfull Bifhops, by keep-
ing up Divifions againft them , driving on Sentences
of Depofition, and fuch like, under pretext of other
faults ; whereby the Churches peace hath been often
marred and her divifions continued , as is clear in
thofc fchifms and divifions at Conftantinople, firft> in
refe-
Part 4« A Treatife concerning Scandal. $47
reference to ^ry/offom, and afterward in reference to
Ignatius, who,by a fa&ion in theChurch,was depofed,
really to pleafe the Emperour, whofe inceftuous mar-
riage he would not approve as they did : therefore I
fay in the removing of differences, and refolving of
duties in reference to union, there is great need of cir-
cumfpedtneflfc in trying and choofing whofe counsels
are to be laid weight upon 5 for, all men love not
peace, neither feek fingly the good of the Church*
and want not their own prejudices and grudgings at
particular eminent perfons, who (where men are not
very denied and mortified) will eafily fteal- in to mar
a publick good, under pretext of particular refpeft
to the perfon, whom, by fo doing, they ftir up. It's
marked by Sleydan as the caufe of that unreafonable
and unnatural divifion that brake-out and grew in
Germany, almoft to the undoing of Religion therein,
betwixt the Elc&or of Saxony, and Maurice afterward
Ele&or, that fome Counfellors not well-minded to
Religion > but favourers of the wicked way of Henry,
towhomMwwefucceeded, who for that caufe had
hatred at the Eleftor and thofe who were eminent fcr
Reformation, and now having taken on a profeflion, *
and infinuated themfelves in the counfcls and affe&i-
on of Maurice , and finding fome begun matter of
diffemion in other particulars, did fo kindle and fofler
it>till they brought the divifion to that height, that
one part of the Protcftants wereiengaged with Anti-
chrift and his followers to deftroy the other 3 and yet
fo clofely carried, that the difference was never ftated
upon the real account, which indeed fuch did intend.
Alfo men not fo nearly concerned in the Churches di*
vifions as fuppofe they be of another Church, or men
not fo immediately concerned in the debates thereof,
and the effe&s that follow thereupon ; As in that
Council of Carthage, they ena& that tendernefle be
ufed to the <DonatiJls, and means be ufed to reclaim
shem; and for that end did acknowledge their Mini-
fies
34$ A Treatife concerning Scandal." Part 4.'
fters, though ordained in a fchifm, to beMinifters,
although the Church of ^ome did write otherwayes
to them, and did aft otherwayes themfelves : Thefe
would be looked unto. Sometimes alfo there are a
fort of perfons who long not for union ; for, as there
is an itching after new do&rine in fome, fo is there,
for divifions and changes amongft others, who may
be found in doftrine , who in this are to be ad-
verted to.
2. Men would efchew in fuch a cafe judicially to
engage in fuch differences, either by pafling decifions
Forbearing in thefe things pro or contra in Judicatories, or by
to engage ceafuring, or noting with any reproach fuch as differ
} T Ul QT ly fr° m tbem. For, 1. that maketh the divifion the
pro rcon. m0 re difficultly removable in it felf. And, 2. itcn-
gageth both fides the more , and proveth a let to re-
tiring when men would , and heighteneth the diffe-
rence exceedingly. In that difference that was be-
tween Cyprian and Stephanas , and other Bifhops of
Glome, concerning the rebaptizing of fuch v as had
been baptized by Hereticks and Schifmaticks, It is
marked that Stephanas did preffe the condemnation of
•It t did cenfure and rehife communion with fuch as
joyned with Cyprian in his opinion : On the contra-
ry 9 Cyp rian did indeed call Synods and decide , but
- neither preffed any nun to his opinion or praftice,
nor Ccnfured any that differed in fuch a matter ; And
becaufe his carriage is (o much commended by the
Jncients„tCptcidMy by Augufline, againft the Donati/ls+
not becaufe he counted Cyprian right on the matters
for, he difclaimed that, and owned the contrary opi-
nion 5 but becaufe he carried in his opinion fo ten-
derly to the Churches union and peace. We fliall
obferye two or three paffages of his > andof ^«g«-
ftines concerning him. 1. In hisEpiftle^ Jubian-
num , H*ec refcripfimm , inquit , nemini prafcribentes
aut J)r<ejudicantes quo minus umfquifque Epifcoporum,
quodputat facia. Et m quifquam pdlendm I merorum
cm«
Part 4. A Treat ife concerning Scandal. 3^
confortioVideretur (dictt) nos quantum in nobis t ft prop-
ter kccrelicos cum collegis {$> CoepifcopU nojlm mn con-
tcndimus , cum quiluA cjtinam concordiam &pactm tcne-
mut. EtTaulopost, SerVentur (inquit) anobupatien-
ter & icmter cbd)'it&s animi, collegii honor , Vinculum ji-
dci , concordia facerdotit. Which words and many
others aie cited by Jugujline de { Baptifmo y tik 6. cap. 17.
And in another place , when he hath cited this fame
laft Sentence and other words, giving the reaion
which ihe Apoftlehath, itf?Mi. If any man-frill be
contentious , *toe baVe no fucb cuttome , nor the Churches
of God : after which a little, Auguftxne fubjoyneth this
approbation of his carriage ; Ma\m qutppein eo ro-
bur Vxrtutu eminuit, cum ifta qute/lio nondum difcujfja nu-
taret y quod aliter fentiens quam multi college, tantam mo-
derationem obtinuit, ut Ecclefite fiei fanilam focietatem f
nulla fchifmatu labe truncarety quam ft omnia non folum
Veraciter>fedetiam pariter fine ifta Virtute fentiret j De
SaptifmOy lib. 5. cap. 1 7. This he faith, even though
Qprians opinion was confirmed bydiverfe Councels
of Carthage. Which fhewetb what influence fuch
abttinence hath on the Churches peace , which is the
more obfervable, that he ufed this forbearance when
he had the generality of the Church of Africk , and
the authority of their Councels for him; ar:dal(b
was provoked by the vehemency of his oppofits,and
their Cenfuring fuch as were of his opinion h yet he
forbare, not becaufe he doubted of the foundnefle of
his judgement, but becaufe he refpefled the Churches
peace* and even then did he write fwertly in many
Epiftles, and a particular trcatife , prefling the unity
of the Church ; for which he is eminently efteemed
of as an excellent pattern in fuch a cafe by all fober
and judicious men.
3. In fuch cafes when union is defircd, men would
abftain the propagating of their opinions in any pur-
pofed and publick way. This is not torcfirain a
. mans fober, chriftian andneceffary vindicating of
him-
$ 5 o A Treati[e concerning Scandal. Part 4 •
Abstaining himfelf in a due way. But $ 1. All unneceffary
from propa*, traifick chat is principally for ftrengthening of a par-
gdting their ty. 2. Publifhing in print, things to that purpofe,
opinions fa. when there is no conveniency for the Churches good.
Rioujly. 3 # Making motions in Judicatories that awakens
fiding. 4. Infifting thereon in publfck preaching-
And, laftly, (When there is fomc neceffity to fpeak
or write on fuch things ) all refle&ions and irritati-
ons, would be abftained ; yea, it is fit that fome-
cimes every word fpoken , or written upon one fide,
(hould be paft over by the other, without reply, for
peaces fake. Becaufe, I. the broader fuch diffe-
rences fpread, they take the deeper root, and increafe
fiding more amongft the people. 2. Becaufe*
they irritate more and keep off men from thinking
of peace. ?♦ Becaufe the memory of thefe things is
ready to riffle mens minds, Therefore moft eminent
men have wifhed>that all Papers pro or contra in fuch
differences might be buried; for, one difference be-
gctteth another,and one paper draweth forth another?
none being willing that his adverfary (hould have
the laft word ; and oftentimes papers propagate a
controverfie to a fucceding generation, to whom it
had been good that many things had never been in
writ. Alfo often , fuch writings prove edifying to
few, and they but make Church-divifion the fubjeft
of more difcourfe, and Minifters to be the more con-
temptible y and do in themfelvcs often involve many
contrradi$ionsagainft one another, which readily
are not poflible to be cleared in matters of fa£ » and
refleftions one upon another ; which derogateth ex-
ceedingly from die honour of the Miniftery. It is
marked of Con/lantine , that when at the Council of
Nice, there were many oppofit papers of differences
amongft Bifhops prefented, he took them, and hav-
ing gravely admonifhed the Bifhops for their con-
tending amongft themfelves , would not have one of
them read, butfaid, he would cover fuch infirmities
Part 4. A Tnatife concerning Scandal. 35 1
as they were bringing to light , by their contradicti-
ons, with his purple. • This way alfo hath been
followed for flopping of divifions indiverfe reformed
Churches.
4. All contrary a&ing would be abftained , as in contrary
Elections, Ordinations, or the like* becaufe thefe tf S/>g.
fix, as with a nail* the difference, as may be gathered
from hiftory* It were better many a time for the
Churches good, that any one fide had fuffercd the
BiQiop, ordained by the other, folely to poffeffe the
place > or that none had been ordained at all , than
thatoppofit Ordinations had been ; becaufe, that fo
the Church was divided even in communion , and
fuch particulars have been ever difficultly compofed,
and ever exceedingly inftrumentall to continue a
breach , and it led men in Congregations to be facti-
ous , and to feek to gain men and affc&ions to their
! party.
5. All feparated and divided meetings would be sefarated
efchewed , whether the feparation be totall in refpeft meetings $0
of all Ordinances and communion ingenerall, as be effaced*
fometimes divifions have come amongft orthodox
men to fuch a height ; Or, whether it be partiall,
fuppofe in Government , Sacraments, &c. or any of
thefe ; becaufe fo not only way is made to a totall fe-
paration , but thereby there is a divided Chape put
upon the one Church , and occafion is given for one
party to condemn another , and fo to beget more
ftrife ; andefpecially, becaufe it habituateth men to
think themfelves not of one body , and , as it were,
ere<fteth a Church or Altar againtt another ( as che
Fathers were wont to fpeak) and fo becometh a draton
line of divifion, and doth really make the difficulty
of uniting the more difficult ; becaufe ere union be
made up , that partition muft be pulled down. It is
fit therefore that either all fuch occafions of Fafts,&c. ^i ($&.
.wherein all cannot joyn, (hould be forborn ; or that rated Fafit.
they be fo ordered , as there may bee union in
them, 6. Such
3 52 A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 4.
6. Such aft? and principles as put ■ tint upon
cither fide> making others incapable of Crturcfv
or the like, or which declareth them to befo, would
be prevented; and if eftab!i(hed> would be orderly
removed; becaufefuch things make a partition be-
twixt two. and heighten fuch a difference beyond the
nature thereof: Alfo they evidence much prejudice
and alienaiion of mind, and they feem to conftrain
men to an,union, which is never right if it be not vo-
luntary* flence we fee that the great friends of peace
have ever endeavoured to prevent or remove fuch ; as
in the inftances of'PolicarpJreneus and CyprianM clear,
who did not only endeavour to remove Cenfures, but
even cenfurableneffe from perfons fo differing. This
alfo is very obliging to the oppofit party. In that
1 63. Epiftle of Auguftines (which is much to this pur- .
pofe) mention is made of one Cenethliu$> a Catholick
Bifhop, who ( faith he ) was much efteemed of by
the Donatifts , Quod conflituthnem datum contra eos s
comprejftrit, &*ejfetfurn habere non fiver it ^
CHAP- X.
What u to be done in order to Vniting.
NO w we may be the (hotter in fpeakinp to what
is to be done in reference to particular diflfc-
rences,feing much may be gathered from thefe
generals premitted , and it is not our purpofe to be
particular } Yet we fay,
1. That it is the duty of fuch to be feeking union
one with another* and for that caufe to be making
offer of, and defiring meetings and conferences, and
to be urging harmony one upon another. In that
Council of Carthage, whereof J-urelius was Modera-
tor, they did appoint Conferences to be fought for
with the Vonatifts , although they had been long
in a fchifmj and for that end did appoint Com-
tniflioners^
Part 4.1 A Treatife concerning SCandai.^ 35$
miffioners, and did gi" otions to go from place
co place , and to ck ~^ a fettlement , whereof
thefe were a part, That their former fchifm and fepa- And effir*
ration (hould be prejudicial! to none; That.Mini- ing fair
fteis and Biffiops (hould continue in their charges i{cQnditi$ns<
otherwayes they were worthy, notwithftanding of
their former feparation : which is obferved not to
have wanted fruit. in many places, as the zAs and
events are recorded by Balfamon. And this is accord-
ing to the generall rule of following peace , even
when it feemeth to flie from men ; And queftions that
may engender ftrife are to be avoided and fled from,
when they feem to follow after men, becaufe, as Paul
faith, 2X/W.2. 22. &c; The fervant of the Lord mujl
notftri\>e, &c. On this ground we find, that many of
Juguttlnes Epiftles, direft to <Donatifts and others, are
to this purpofe , craving friendly communings ; and
when he hath had occafion to be in cities where ©0-
natift-Siffops were , he ufed to vifit them , and enter
conference friendly with them ; and if any hope was,
he wrote to others to entertain the fame , as particu-
larly may be gathered from Epifl. 147. where he ho-
nourably mentioneth Promcliantit in the defire of a
conference; andbecaufe he knew the too great ve-
hemency of one Evodim, though of his own fide,
had offended him , he did excufe ic, faying amongft
other things," ldbominis ttatiignofcendum ejt>&c> The
like he alio hath , Epifl. 163, when he mentioneth
EortuniM) whom he had conferred with, with this te-
ftimony to thefe he writeth to, Quantum enim arbkror
difficilime poteflis iri\>eriire in Epiftopu Ve/im tarn utikm
animum, (pyroluntatem, quam in iflo fene perjpexhnut 5
And therefore preffeth them to entertain the begun
conference, though he might not ftay.
2. In carrying on fiich meetings, refpeft would be A **&*
had to union in the ordering of every circumftance ; "^/^r-
as in the ferfons chofen,that they may be men inclined y i %
■ "he other party concerned taKL"
A a ftt 1 *
354 <*d Treatife concerning Scandal, Par 1 4*
the Churches differences , and free of the fufpicions
formerly hinted, andfuch like, left by an intended
union there follow a greater rent and divifion , as of-
tentimes hath been feen in conferencesamongft diffen-
tient men. Here alfo a fpeciall reipeft would be had
to the expreffing of mutuall benevolence in words
and carriages* left fome hard m»preflion leizeon men
at the entry. Choife alio would be nade of the/«&-
ject firft to be ipoken of; as what may be thought
moftfubje&tomiftake* heat or contention, would
be left to the laft place ; and what may be conceived
more plaufible-like to both, would be begun at, that
it may be rather known wherein men agree , than
wherein they differ , at the entry at leafl. Poffibly
alfo union in fundamental! things,being accomed un-
to, it may make way for moderating affeftions in
other things lefle fundamental! ♦ This method was
ever urged by Bucer , ®ezy and other ^formers, who
keeped conferences at firft with the Lutheran party ;
becaufe , beginning at fome point of Doftrine » or
particular in pra&ice, wherein the difference is high-
eft, doth often at the entry rifle mens humoursi and
break off conferences abruptly with the more heat, as
experience in thefe debates at that time did make too
too manifeft.
Contend ?• Such meetings for conference would be ferioufly
on about and condefcendingly improved for the end defigned :
formalities As, I. protra&ingsof time, or janglings about cir-
to be for- cumftances would be efchewed ; as alfo tenaciouf-
*or», neffe> and contentioufnefle about formalities of pro-
ceeding, and particular infifting upon contradictions
in matters of faft , becaule fuch things become not
the gravity and ferioufnefl'e of men aiming at fuch an
end, But the main bufinetfe would be foberly and fe-
rioufly gone about , and that timeoufly ; for, mm
fliould not meet to take advantage one of another by
fuch formalities , but to procure the good of the
Church. 2. Criminations , or obje&ing of pcrfo-
nal!
part 4. A Treats fe conce rning S c A N i> A i • 355^
nail faults one Co another, or difference in particulars, cperfonaB
would cither be altogether forborn , or left to the laft criminatj-
place, and the main matter would be firft handled, cm.
and particulars accordingly fquared. 3. Their
would becondefcending to follow fome circuroftan-
ces, even though they feem not foreafonable> left by
the wilfull adhering of one party to a circumftancc*
the end be difappointed ; yea, fometimes more ma-
ter iall things , at left till there be a better underftand-
ing begotten , are to be ceded in , when it may be
without fin, if fo be it may contribute for the carry-
ing on of fuch a defign, and we will almoft ever find
thefe that are moft tender of the Churches good to be ™. m ^.
moft condefcending in all thefe; As am^ngft other !l ^L^l
inftances, we will find in that conference becvveen the ^ (0 £ m '
Catbolic\s and <Donati/ls, at which Augufiine was pre- A e Lcndin&
fencand which is fee down by him; whereirsamongft
other things, thefe are clear , U That not only the
Qatholkks fought the meeting , but alfo prefled the
fpeaking unto the mam bunnefle, which the other
did fometimes deny , faying , It was not lawfull for
the children of Martyrs to meet with the children of
apoftate or wicked men ; and fometimes by formali-
ties > jangling queftions , they protracted time to es-
chew the main thing. 2. It is clear, that alfo the
Catbolick condefcended to many ot their fuits , and
yeelded to account them Bifhops, and did not con-
tradi&, but cede at the entry, that Churches fhould be
rendered to thefe from whom they were taken , if fo
be that might have enclined them to union , and that
even by benefits they might be mollified j and ftood
on no circumftantiall thing with them. Such meet-
ings have often been difappointed with luch vain
janglings* efpecially when numbers have been con-
fufedly admitted, and when each party hath charged
another with former mifcarriages , As Jluguftineob-
fervcth, Epiff. 163. and therefore hath that word to
thenrf* Neque nos illit debere objicere fuorum fcelera,
A a a nt$uc
35^ A Treatife concerning Scandal Part 4,
neque Mot nobis. And,becaule the ®onatifts upbraided
the CatbolUk} ( as the orthodox are called in all thefe
debates ) that they were guilty of perfecting them,
becaufe they had proceeded to fome Sentences , and
procured commifiion from Civil powers againft them
to put them from their charges, ( Thefe times they
called temporaMacarianaJjeoLukofiuch a perfon that
was eminent in the executing thereof ) And again^hc
Catholicks uled to object to them,befide their fchifm,
Hcadineffe, irregular violences, and the like, becaufe
of the pra&ices of the Circumcellions , who, having
faliea off with the (Donatifts , went alio in many ab*
furdities beyond them ; therefore when he is preffing
a conference, #/#. 20^ Tollamm (faith he) inania
objetidy nee tu objicM tempera Macariana , nee ego fe-
Yttiam Circumcellionum. And in Epijl. 107. faith , that
in his conference with Fortunim 9 ^Slacuit omnibus in
talibus dtfputattonibus Violenta faHamalorum bominum
nobis ah inVtcem objiei non debere. And there is no little
furtherance or prejudice to a conference accordingly
as this advice is followed or not , feing often fuch
bygone particulars will heat more > than that which
is of greater concernment in the main caufe.
4. To make the inftances more particular , the
matter concerning which debate arifesand falls to be
the fubje& of the conference , may be diftinguifhed,
and fo more clearly fpoken unto : Which is, I. ei-
* ther a difference in fome dodtrinall thing. Or,
2. fome particular praftice, or fome perfonall mif-
carriage. Or, 3. fomething in Worlhip. Or,
4. fomething in Government, or fuch like.
C HAP.,
i
Part 4* A Trentife concerning Scandal! 357
CHAP, XL
~ ffbdt u to be done in clofing dottrinal differences*
1. "I — 'Or doitrinal differences of judgment, there
f-f are three wayes to clofe them ; ( it is to be
*■- adverted, that the difference is notfuppofed
to be in any fundamental thins) & r ft> By fober and the firfr
feriousconference,one party may bring another to the way of do-
fame judgment with them ; or, both parties may quit fing dottru
fomething of extremities, andjoyn in a middle opi- nail diffc-
nion. This is the moft folid union, when men come fence*.
to think and fpeak the fame thing , and fometime
hath been attained. Yet concerning this, we fay,
I. That all union is not to depend on this, as hath
been faid. 2. It hath been very rarely attained, efpe-
cially when difference hath fpread and rooted it felf
by debating and contradi&ion i feing even good men
have both infirmity and corruption. 3. We fay,
that publick difpute, either by word or writ, hath ne-
ver proven very ufefull, even amongft good men, to
attain this end , But ordinarily fuch debates have
beightned the controverfie, and engaged men more ;
fo that if any thing prevail towards this, it is friend-
ly , familiar conferences opening truth, rather than
formal dated difputations ; becaufe in fuch, men are
( as it were ) upon their guard, and fully do exercifc
their wit ; in the otherwhere is more acceffe to inform
the judgment, by a loving, grave, ferious manner of
fpeaking of the truth, and that privatly to others,efpe-
daily to fuch as are of reputation for parts and abili-
ty, and that it be not done in vain, as Paul hath it,
Gal. 2.2. And it's obfervable that he fpcaketh this in
reference to his way* when he intended the evidencing
of his agreement with the chief Apoftles in the mat-
ter ofdoitrine. A Kb we find mee{nejfe zndinftruft*
tflg put together,whcn there is any expedition to. re-
A a 3 cover
3*8 1st Treatlfe concerning Scanda l7 Part 4.'
cover one from a difference, iTim.2.if. and con-
vincing or diluting is more efpecially applicable to
thefe of whom there is little hope, out of refpeft to
the edification of others. Hence we find the Apoftles
diluting with falfe teachers in fome points of truth,
but rather intreating and exhorting Believers to have
peace amongft themfelves, notwichftanding of leffer
differences.
The fecotti Afecond way of compofure, is, when fuch agree-
wayQfcom. ment in judgment cannot be obtained, To endeavour
pfingfucb a harmony and keep unity notwichftanding of that
differences difference, by a mutual forbearance in things con-
troverted : which we will find to be of two forts*
The fir (I is, to fay fo> total , that is, when neither fide
dothfo much as doftrinally in word, writ, or Sen-
tences of Judicatories, prefle any thing that may con-
firm or propagate their own opinion, or condemn the
contrary, But do altogether abftra& from the fame
out of refpeft to the Churches peace, and for the pre-
venting of fcandal ; and do in things wherein they
agree according to the Apoftle's dire&ion, Philip. 3.
1 6. Wal\ by the fame rule, and minde the fame things
mutually, as if there were no fuch differences , and
waiting in thefe till the Lord (hall reveal the fame
unto them. This way is fafe, where the do$t ine up-
on which the difference is,' is fuch, as the forbearing
thedecifion thereof, doth neither mar any duty that
the Church in general is called to, nor endanger the
falvation of fouls through the want of clearnefs there-
in , nor, in a word* infer fuch inconveniences to the
hurt of the Church, as fuch unfeafonable awakening
and keeping up of differences and divifions may have
with it ; Becaufe the fcope of bringing forth every
truth , or confirming the fame by any authoritative
fan&ion,&c. is the edification of the Church; and
therefore when the bringing forth thereof doth de-
ftroymore than edifie, it is to be forborn. Neither
can it be ground enough to plead for fuch decifions in
preach-
Part 4.^ A Treattfe concerning Scandal. 35^
preaching , that the thing they preach -for is truth,
and the thing they condemn iserrour. Becaufc, i* it
is not the lawfulnefle of the thing fimply that is in
queftion> but the neceflity and expediency thereof in
fuch a cafe : Now, many things arc lawfull that are
not expedient, 1 Cor. 10. 23. 2. In thefe differences
that were in the primitive times concerning meats,
dayes, genealogies, &c. there was a truth or aner-
rour upon one of the fides , as there is a ripht and a
wrong in every contradi&ion of fuch a kind, ycc
the Apoflle thinketh fitter, for the Churches peace,
that fuch be altogether refrained , rather than any
way ( at leafl in publick ) infittedupon or decided.
3. Becaufe no Minifter can bring forth every truth
at all times, he rnuft then make choice ; And I fup-
pofe fome Miniflers may die, and all do (b, who have
not preached every truth, even which they knew, un-
to the people. Befide, there are (no queftion) many
truths hid to the moft learned. Neither can this be
thought inconfifient with a Miniflers fidelity, who is
to reveal the whole counfel of God ; becaufe, that
counfel is to be underftood of things neccflary to
mens falvation, and is not to be extended to all things
whatfoever ; for, we find the great Apoflle expound-
ing this in that fame Sermon, adff.20. ver. 20. / have
keeled bac\nothtng tha t "toM profitable unto you 5 wh ich
evidenced^ that the tohole counfel of God } or the things
which he (hewed unto them, is the tobote, and all that
was profitable for them , and that for no by-refpeft
or fear whatfoever he (hunned to reveal that unto
them. Alfo, it is clear, that there are many truths
which are not decided by any judiciall a6t j and
amongft other things , fparingneffe to decide truths
that are not fundamentall judicially hath been ever
thought no little mean of the Churches peace, as the
contrary hath been of divifion.
The third way (which is thefecond ^orc of the for-
mer ) of compofure* is mixed, When there & torn?
A a 4 mediiiig
3 60 * Treaty e concerning Scandal. Part 4?
The *bir& medling with fuch queftions , yet with fuch forbca-
w&jtfcomr ranee, that though there be a feen difference, yet there
fofing [tub is no fchifm or divifion , but that is ferioufly and
differences tenderly prevented ; as upon the one fide, fome may
cxpreffe their mind in preaching and writing on a
particular queftion one way, others may do it diffe-
rently ; yet both with that meekneffe and refpeft to
thofe they differ from, that it doth beget no rent, nor
give juft ground of offence » nor mar union in any
other thing ; Or, it may poflibly come to be decided
in a Synod, yet with fuch forbearance upon both
fides, that it may prove no prejudice to union ; thofe
who have authority for them, not preffing it to the
prejudice of the opinion, names, confeiences of the
other, or to their detriment in any refpeft ; but al-
lowing to them a liberty to fpeak their minds , and
walk according to their own light in fuch particulars:
And on the contrary, the other refting fatisfied in the
unity of the Church, without condemning them, or
prcfling them to condemn themfelves ; becaufe fo in-
deed their liberty is no lefle than others who have
thedecifion of a Synod for them: And thus men
may keep communion and union in a Church, even
where by the Judicatories thereof, fome leffer not fun-
damental errour, which doth alfo infer unwarranta-
ble practices, is authoritatively concluded. We have
a famous inftance of this in the Church of Africa
inthedayes of Cyp ri * n > which by Ait Ancients hath
ever been fo much efteemed of. There was a difference
in that Church concerning the Rebaptizing of Here-
ticks and Schifmaticks after their converfion , or, of
fuch as had once fallen in to them ; Cyprian and the
greateft part thought their firft Baptifm null , or, by
their fall, made void ; others thought it notfo, who
were the leffer part, yet right as to this particular;
There was meetings on both fides for defence of their
opinions. Alfo in a Council of near three hundred
Bifhops, it is judicially and authoritatively conclu-
ded ;
Part 4» v4 Treatife concerning Scandal' 3^1
dcd; yet that Synod carried fo, as they did not only
not cenfure any that diffented, nor preffe them to con-
form in pra&ice to their judgment ; but did alfo en-
tertain moft intimat refpeft to them, and familiarity
with them , as may be gathered from what was for-
merly hinted. And upon the other fide, we do not
find any in thatChurch making a fchifm upon the
account of that judicial erroneous decifion (though at
leaft by three feveral Synods it was ratified) but con-
tenting themfelves to have their conicienccs free by
retaining their own judgement f and following their
own pra&ice, till time gave more light and more oc-
casion to clear that truth. And we will never find
m the Writings of any time, more affe&ion amongft
brethren, and more refpeft to peace, than was in that
Church at that time amongft thofe that differed ; And
there is not any pra&ice more commended in all the
Church- hiftory and Writings of the Rtf£w,thaa this
practice ; as partly may be gathered from what was
formerly touched out of Auguftine. And if we will
confider the cafe rationally, we will find that it is not
impoflibleto have union in a Church where there is
in fuch a difference an authoritative ^ecifion, even
fuppofing that fidc ; on which the crrour lyes^to be ap-
proved* For, 1. There is no neceflity for fuch as have
authority for them, to preffe others in their judgment
or practice in fuch things ; neither can it be thought
that fuch a decifion can of it felf fatisfie all fcruples,
neither yet that mendoubtingly may follow ; Nor,
laftly, that fuch controverfies can bear the.weiphc of
troubling the Church, by cenfuring fuch* as other-
wayes may be faithfull, fcing fometimes even unfaich-
full men have been fpared with refpeft to the Chur-
ches good, as hath beenfaid. And, fecondly, upon
the other fide, fuch a conftitution of a Church, doth
not involve all that keep communion therein, in the
guilt thereof, if perfonally they be free ; as in the in-
I fiance of the Jewifh Church is clear : where, no
queftion,
36i A Treatife concerning Scanda Li Party?
qtteftion many corrupt a&s have been eftablifhed, yet
did it neither make communion in Worfhip or Go-
vernment to be unlawfull , where the macter and
manner of carriage was lawfull. Befide> this would
infer, that no Judicatory could keep union, where
there were contrary votes, or a Sentence paft without
unanimity: becaufethat is certainly wrong to them
who think otherwayes, and iffo, there could be no
Judicatory expe&ed either in Church or State 5 for,
it cannot beexpe&ed, that they (hall be ftill unani-
mous , or, that the greater part fhall cede to the Iefler,
and refcind their own aft. Alfo, fuppofe there fhould
be fuch a divifion upon one difference, can it be ex-
pe&ed that thofe who unite upon the divided fides
refpe&ively , (hall again have no more difference
amongft themfelves ? and if they have, fhall there not
be a new divifion ? and where (hall this end ? And
feing men muft refolve to keep unity where there are
faults of fuch a nature, or to have none at all, it is as
good to keep it atfirft, as to be neccflicated thereto
afterward* The Orthodox urge this argument againft
tbfcfionati/is, who would not keep union with them,
becaufe of pr<j|:ended corruptions in the proceedings
of Judicatories and Ordinations ; yet were con-
ftrained to bear with fuch amongft themfelves , and-
particularly toreceivcand unite with the Maximinia-
nifts , whofe communion they had once reje&ed,
though a branch of their own fa&ion, becaufe they
faw no end of divifions if they did not refolve to dif-
penfe with fuch things amongft themfelves And
jtugufline often afferteth, that they were never able to
anfwer this argument when it was propounded to
them, to wit, Why they did not give them that fame
latitude, in keeping communion with them, which
they had given to the Maximinianifts, who were guilty
of fuch things as they imputed to them ? We con-
ceive then, that even in fuch a cafe there may be union
for profecuting the main work of the Gofpel , not-
vvkhftanding
Part 4» A Treats fe concerning S c a n d a l i 365
(landing of fuch a circumftantial difference, if men
otherwayes fct themfelvcs co it ; and the gcnerall
grounds, formerly laid down, do confirm this.
CHAP. XII.
What to do for union in points not ioftrinall , but
about matters of fa ft or ferfonall faults*
IV the difference be notdoftrinall in point of judg-
ment > at leaft only , but being in matter of fa£t,
as perfonall faults and corruptions ; whereby the
one is ready to objeft to the other fome bypaft fail-
ings, and mifcarriages : whereupon by inconfiderat
upbraid ings, prefling of Cenfures, or condemnation
of what hath been done > the Churches peace is in
hazard to be broken , and men like to be rent and di-
vided in their communion. And oftentimes fuch
things prove exceeding fafhious, where men wilfully,
or imprudently purfue fuch things without refpeft to
the Churches peace. This often waited upon a time
of darknette, or perfection, when men, being in the
dark, and in a diftemper, were led away by tentati-
on, and overtaken with many faults, andfometimes
amongft others, made to juffle with, and trample one
upon another ( as it were ) not knowing what they
were doing ; and when this time was over , fome
were ready to carp at what was part in the dark, and
to quarrell at others for fuch juffling, when they were
fo through-other. This indeed was ordinary, but
moft unbecoming grave men, to make that a ground
of contending, which inadvertently was done by Cme ff sgm
others in the dark ( as the great Bajtlius faith ) In no- ^ mt ' thc ,~
Iturno tempore, & denfis tenebrk Such contefts are of m f( lv £
fo^ forts. ul forts.
rirft % Sometimes in generall , there is a diffatif-
faftion with the conftuution of the Church , in re-
fpeft
3*4
DiQ'dttsfd-
Bion from
constitution
of Officers
andMcm*
bets.
The ttUea^
ing of faults
either not j
true, or not
tear.
*A Treatife concerning ScANDAii Part 4?
fpeft of the groflenefle of the Officers and Members
thereof. This cannot be removed upon the one fide
only, becaufe tares cannot but be in the Church, and
thatdifcernably, as Cvpfiw faith ; it is removed then
by meekneffe and tendernefle upon the one fide to-
wards fuch as have withdrawn , and by their yeeld-
ing to return who have withdrawn , which when it
came to pafle > hath been matter of gladneffe to all
the Church. Amongft Cyprians Epiftles (tyift. 50.
edit, famcli) mention is made of Urbanus, Maximus,
and others of the Church of %ome , who being C0&-
feffhrs and imprifoned in the time of perfection, and
after their delivery finding many gtofle Members to
be in the Church , and meeting with the do&rinc of
Novatus that commended feparation to the godly for
their more comfortable communion together, that
chey came to be tickled therewith 1 and for a time to
feparate from the communion o£Cornelius y and others
of theClergy,pretending there could be no communi-
on in fuch an evil conftituted Church*, but afterward,
finding the great hurt that came thereby to the
Church , they overcame their own affe&ions and in-
clinations , and out of refpe& to the good of the
Church, did unit, which was exceedingly welcomed
by all, a$theirEpiftleto£yj^« , and his to them,
do manifeft. And as their fall fheweth, that it is not
impoffible , but that zealous Minifters , who have
keeped out againft defe#ion, may be overtaken with
fuch a fault ; So it giveth a fweet copie of Chriftian
deniednefle and tendernefle by others to be followed
in the like cafe* Their words to Cyprian are woithy
the obferving . Ncis babito confilio utilitattbus Ecclefi<e,
6r pacimaguconfulentes , omnibus rebus prcetermijfis , &
Judicio (Dti ferVatis>mm Cornelio Epifcopo noftro, pari-
ter & cum univerfo Clerepacem feciffe , cumgaudio etiam
unil>erf<e Ecclefi* , prona etiam omnium cbarit/tle*
A fecondbn of fuch contefts ,are > When faults
arc alleaged which either arc not true , or cannot be
proven*
Part 4» A Trettifc concerning Scandal. 365
proven , although poffibly they may be both grofle
and true , for both of thefe did the N.oy>atians and ©0-
natifts trouble the Church , infilling long in charging
many crimes upon men particularly upon Cealianus ,
andOfius, which they could never be able to make
out, although they alleaged that fuch faults were
cloaked by the Catbelkkj /and that they were not to
be communicated with. In this cafe the Orthodox
took three wayes to remove fuch a difference. 1 . By
pleading forbearance of awakening fuch contefls,
and exhorting rather to keep union , than to hazard
to break it upon fuch grounds, and fo (zsdugu/line
faith J ut qwedam incerta crimina pro certa pace (Deo di-
tnitterentur , Cont. Epifl. Parm. lib, 1. cap ,3. 2. If
that could not be acquiefced in , they admitted the
thing to proof, over , and over again , that by law-
full triall it might be decided , as we will find in the
former inftances, the fame cafe of Cccilianus was of-
ten tryed, even after he wasabfolved. It is true the
ftonatifts did not acquiefce , but did ftparate, ( for
which caufe they were ever accounted moft grofle
Schifmaticks) yet is it of it fclf , a way wherein men
may fatisfyingly acquiefce. A third way fometimes
ufed,was, That when divifions were like to be occa-
sioned by diffatisfafition with a particular perfon
j againft whom things could not be judicially made
J out fo as to found a Sentence, nor yet poffibly was
! there fo full fatisfadtion with him in every thing, as
i by owning of him to hazard a rent , where a people
were (tumbled by him, they did without judicial!
proceffing, orCenfuring, intcrpofe with the Bifhop
to cede, and wrote to the people to choofc another.
So in that Council of Carthage, Cdnon.gi. letters are
written to Maximianus (called Epifcopus fBagunps)
and the people, that he might cede the Bifhoprick,
and they might choofe another ; yet there is no menti-
on of any made-out accufation, or Sentence, but
that for the good of the Church > Sywdo pUwit, &u
There
366 A Treat*/ e concerning Scandal* Part 4,
There is mention made elfwhere in hiftory of a Bi"»
(hop of that place , of that name > who had been a
(Donatift, and did return to the communion of the
Church ; but> if this be hd or what was the caufe of
this appointment, is neither certain* nor of great con-
cernment in this*
pleadingfor A third fort of contefts of this kind, are , Whea
fucb at are crimes are groffe and clear , and men are either juftly
mojt jujhy cenfurable, or Cenfured ; fome (pofltbly honeftly
cen(ured,w minded) may be engaged to do for them* by their in-
ccnfurabld finuating upon them* and giving mifinformations
and prejudices , and lb be brought to endeavour the
preventing or removing of Sentences againtt,or from*
fuch as juftly deferve the fame* In this cafe we find
- a threefold way of compofure. i. An endeavour
Tbe ptnejs ^j tQ c ^ n tQ oz fe ts t he juftice of fuch a Sentence
uJcetoTe when it hach been traduced. Thus when Vafilides,
cleared. and Martiaiis > were juftly depofed by a Synod of Spain,
they did, by falfe pretexts, engage the Clergieof%orne
to owne them , and write for their recovery , which
did exceedingly offend the Bifhops of Spain ; where-
upon they wrote to Cyprian and thefe in Afrk\. for ad-
vice, who, being met in the Synod,approved their de-
poficion, and advifed them not to readmit them, be-
caufe none fuch who had any blemifh and were not
holy>ou£ht to minifter in the holy things,and that ra*
ther they fhould bear with Stepbanus his miftake, who
out of ignorance and mifinformation was led to fide
with fuch: Thus Cyprian hath it in his Epiftles to the
Church of Spain, Epi/l. <$8. So that fchifm was flop-
ped , and the Churches continued to acknowledge
the lawfully ordained Bifhops that fucceeded thefe-
And the readmiffion of fuch > had neither been in ic
felf lawfull, nor yet had compaffed the end of ob-
Or the Sen- * a i n i n 5 P eace m c hefe Churches where the people was
tence recaU ftumbled by their carriages. A fecond way was*
led. vohenxbe When the men were orthodox and profitable, though
^rof/^6r failing in fome groffe particular, yet v^hetf they were'
befrofitabte ®Y~
part 4. A Treatife concerning Scandal 3 6y
owned by others in the Church, Synods did not ftatid,
ibr concordi to remove fuch Sentences 1 as was for-
merly inftanced in the cafe of OJius* Mgujline alfo in
a certain Epiftlc, 164. doth approve the not- cen-
furing of one Optatus , left thereby a fchifm (hould
be occasioned , becaufeof manies adhering to him*
We will find alfo a third way, That when men have
been Sentenced , and tome have continued to owne
them , and others to oppofe them , fuch have been
brought to fubmit themfelves, and fo thedivifion
hath been removed ; It was fo in that hot conteft th*t
continued Ion?, between theBifhops of ^Igtne&nd the
Church of AfncK* in the cafe of fyiratus Bithopof
Sica, &<;. w ho being depofed by the Synod of Car-
thage , was preffed to be admitted by theBifhops of
$\ome, whom by no means thefe of AftU\ would ad-
mit; atlaft, thefe that were Sentenced , came to ac-
knowledge the Sentence ; whereby the divifion was
flopped,
A fourth fort of contefts or divifiofts for matters of gM utua ji
faft, is, When both fides have had their failings in a upbraiding*
time of darkneffe and tentation, fome oneway', and ]w failings.
fome another , and after fome breathing they fall, by
mutual upbraidingsi to hazard the Churches peace;
one cafting up this fault to him , and he again up-
braiding him with another. The way taken to
prevent this, is moft fatisfying, when bothjacknow- Removed by
ledging their own guilt to other, did forgive one ano- * mutudU
ther, and joyn cordially for the good of the work* [**&'&*&.
In the debates with the Qonatifts there is much men-
tion made , not without great commendation of the
pra&ice of a Synod, which is called Concilium cir-
tenfe , wherein the members did mutually confeffe
their faults , and ( faith he % to wit, duguftine, in the
conference formerly cited) Sibi inVtcem ignofcebant
ne febifma fieret. And by the fcope of the Catholic^
in urging that example , and by the vehemency ufed
by the Vomtifls in denying the fame , it would feem,
chat
368 iA Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 4;
that they looked upon this as a moft excellent and fa-
tisfying way of removing differences amongft godly
men* when every one acknowledgeth their own fault*
and doth not upbraid but forgive one another , en-
deavouring to have the rememberancc of by paft mis-
carriages rather forgiven and buried inoblivion,than
mentioned. Becaufe good men being but men, ufu-
ally there are failings on boch fides, and the denying
of it, provoketh others to infift the more thereon , as
the acknowledging thereof doth flop the upbraiding
of them with the fame ; and ufually it is to be feen,
that the beft men had rather mention their own faults
in their acknowledgements , than hear the fame done
by any other. S^4, £/?*/£♦ 23. alfohathfuch an ad-
vice as this to a Church that had fallen into divifi-
on* Utinam utraque pars acqukfceremalitquamfi curiofe
nimium & fthovuKM quis Jit in majori culpa, inqui^
ratur.
CHAP. XIII.
What to do toward uniting in divifions ariftng
from diver [it j of cirenrnftances in external ad-
miniflrations 9 and efptciaUj ariftng from
Church- government*
A Third matter that occafioneth divifions > is, a
diverfity in Worfhip > Ceremonies , or things
that relate to excernall adminiftration of Or-
mlTfaV* finances ■ w ^ en ^ ome fo^°w one way in Preaching,
(trations. " adminiftratingof Sacraments, Catechifing, &c. and
' * others, another. This ordinarily breedeth janglings,
and oftentimes troubled the Church , as we fee in the
bufineffe about Eafter and Ceremonies* It is not our
purpofc to infift in this , becaufe ordinarily fuch de-
bates pretend fome lawfulneffe , or unlawfulneffe in
the thing contended for > and arc to be counted
amongft
part 4» -« * reattje concerning scandal. 30?
amongft the jangling debates that the men of God are
toefchew. And alfo, bccaufe thefe things are often
fully and clearly difcufled > We (hall only fay con-
cerningthem. 1. That* as there is a neceflity of dif-
fering fome difference in Do&rine , So is there alfo a
neccflicy to bear with fome differences in circumftan-
ces in the externall manner of Worfhip, &c. and
men would not foon offend at every difference > nor
be difplcafed if it proceed not from affectation of An-
gularity, unfaithfulneffe> or fome other corrupt rife.
And we will find great conde (tendency in the great- Conicfctn-
eft men, both of old and late , in things that are not & m j tbcrt-
finfull in themfelves, for keeping of union in the* 71.
Church : And thus far, the Apoftles praftice of be-
coming all things to all, will warrand. Ztmbim in
an Epiftle to this purpofe,giveth both many examples
of, and reafons for this. 2. We fay> that men espe-
cially in a time of divifions would by all means en-
deavour to keep the trodden and approven way that
hath been ufed , and is in ufe in a Church in fuch ad-
miniftrations ; bccaufe the leffe men be flicking in
the manner of thefe things, and the more firnplicity
j they ufe , and the leffe they differ from what is moft
ordinary and approven , thekffe will the hazird of
1 divifion be in thefe things, which doth arife from the
multiplying of them 5 the changing of the old , or
bringing in of a new manner , the condemning of
the way and manner ufed by others , as having fome
great abfurdity ink, and the preflmg of their way,* c '** r t0
even in circumftances, upon others ; Thefe 2nd fuch-* r b€ ' 1 ''[ mc
things are to be efchewed : and (o indeed there v is no JV* * ln P A
• 1 r i_ • i_ r i. /••■ Wan to alter
Way to peace in thele things but to forbear ; ior it is t fj eoU vit y m
itioreeafie to forbear fome new thing , than to make *t[$rnic&*
others alter what is old , except there be fome rca(on fiderablc
in the matter to move to this. rcafon.
The great> andufually the moft bitter contentions
of a Church, as was fa id before > are in things 'Divifionsa-
that belong to Government 5 which are of many *>Gutcbura^
B b kinds, *"**■**
37°
Cweern*
ing the
form of
Govern-
menu
PraZticall
difference
herein m&-
keib divU
pon>
A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 4.
kinds, and have their own proportionable cures
when bleffed of God, We (hall inftance in thefe
five kinds of contefts in chis matter. Thefirft, is con-
cerning the form of Government. The fecond, is
concerning the formality of Church- judicatories.
The third, concerning the matter ena&ed or decerned
by them. The fourth, concerning particular miscar-
riages and abiifes of power in Government. And
the fifth, concerning the perfons who ought to govern,
or to whom the Government is due > and whofe de-
terminations are uktmatly to be obeyed.
For the fifi , Debates about the nature and form
of Government, may be confidered do&rinally, and
foitisa difference of judgement; Some think one
form of Government lawfull, and others not that,
but another. If this difference be fairly carried , ic
needed) make no divifion in the Church , as was in
the foregoing part hinted. 2. It may be confidered
pra6Ucally, that is > when men not only think fo dif-
ferently in their judgement, but accordingly they aft,
driving eppofit defi^ns , as if they were two parties,
feeking to get one Church fubdued to them , and nei-
ther of them doth acknowledge the other. This can-
not be wichout divifion ; for, the ground of all union
and communion in the vifible Church in all the Or-
dinances of Chritt, is, the unity of the vifible Church;
as even in old time Juguftine didpreffe: SoEcclefi-
aftick union, muftbe made up and entertained in a
Church, by an unity in the Government thereof;
for though there may be a forbearance and a kind of
peace where the unity of the vifible Church is denied,
or where there are divided Governments that are not
fubaltern ; yet there can be no Church- union, nor
communion in Ordinances , of Word , Sacraments
and Government, which refults from the former,
and doth neceflarily prefuppofe the fame. We dare
not, nor cannot offer any directions for makin up
an union here, fayc tbat men would unite in one
fonu
3 1
Part 4. e/^ Treat i/i concerning Scandal. 371
form of Government thac can extend coche whole
, body , and thac in fuch a Government as is allowed
' by Chrift , otherwayes it can be no union ; becaufe
fo it were not a duty, as union is.
If it were asked , What kind of Government that
may be mod probably, wherei'i men ought to unite?
jtnfa. We mind not to digreffe to a doftrinall debate;
yetthele charaftcrsmay be given of it. I. It muft cbtraftcti
be a Government that can extend unto , and reach all of Govern^
the body ; for, one main end ot Government is tuiir men* fo fit
on, £^.4. 3,io>u,&c, and the removing of of- uniting
fences which make divifions , Mattb % 18. And this
union is not to be in this or that particular part of the
body, but in the whole, 1 C° r * l2 » that there be no
fchifm in the body : therefore it muft extend to all, or
be in a capacity to do ta 2. It would be in a pro-
portionable fitneffe to remove thefe caufes that breed
divifions, ( for, there cannot be union in a Govern-
ment that is not fitted for that) and therefore muft be . ,
able to purge corrupt teachers , and the leaven of
corrupt do&rine out of the whole Church > or any
part thereof. Hence, both in the Scripture, and pri-
mitive times, and all alongs, there hath been ftill a
joynt authoritative concurrence for removing thefe 1
caufes of this evil in whatfoever place they did ap-
pear. 3. It muft be fuch a Government as hath an
unity amongft the whole Governours for this end*
and fo it muft anfwer to the unity of the body:
Hence, in the Bpiflle co the Galatians , Taul commend-
eth theremeedingof that evill to them all in a joynt
manner, as being one lump , without refpeft to their
fubdivifionin particular Churches; and if this Au-
thority did not imply unity amongft the Governours
wherever they lived , and a capacity to aft unitedly
upon occafion , there could be no acceffe authorita-
tively to remove fuch evils from the Church, nor fuch
weight in the mean applied. 4, It muft be a Go-
I ternment wherein there is a coordinateneffc anaongft
Bb 2 tht
37i tATreatife concerning Scandal Part/4;
the Governours 5 becaufe fo not only the union of
the Church is made up, but her communion is repre-
fented ; and to place the Government in one , as Pa-
pifts do in the Pope > doth not make an union in the
Government , which implicth a mutuall and kindly
co-ordinatneffe and afiociating one with another ;
but whatever they pretend of union in it » it is really
buttyrannie, and fuch as the moll arbitrary ruler
may have, when by violence he (eemeth to keep down
all divifions under him, neither fo can that body be
faid to be united in him* And we fee in the primi-
tive times , even after ( Bift>ops and Patriarchs were
brought in into the Church,that ftill the fupream Go-
vernment, whereby union was entertained, did refide
in a mutual co-ordination , and combination , even
of (uch filfbops, Metrapolitans, ^SiitrUrchSy&c. afting
in ati united and joynt way: whereby manifeftly it
appeareth, that fuch a Government as is to be united
into, muft be ejetenfive unto the body , at leaft be in
capacity fo to b: extended , and it muft be in a co-
ordination and confociation of many Church- offi-
cers together ', and that fuch fubordinations as mar
this coordination and equality, muft be fwallowed
up, ere there can be an united Government for the
prefervation of the union of the Church, becaufe the
fupream Government and decifion mutt be in many;
and many of different degrees and places, cannot be
fo one as thele who are of the fame order, to fpeak Co»
Yet we think , that where fuch an union cannot be
had in Government , men that have liberty, without
entanglement to their own confciences,to follow their
ducy, ought to do it with all tender refped to the
edification and union of the Church wherein they
live, and to make the beft of their particular cafe that
may be for that end. But feing the wifdom and
goodnefle of God hath made it our lote in this Land,
to live under a Government, to which the abovemen-
tioned chara&ers do well agree 3 it is hopefull, if as
Part 4. *A Treatife concerning Scandal. 373
we ought we confciotiably adhere to the principles
thereof we may, yea, (hall unite in the Lord.
Secondly, Suppofing, that men agree in that fame
fupream government, to wit> Councils and Synoas, there
may be fome debate concerning the formal conftitution Debates a.
thereof, what is co be accounted a rightly conftitute^'^ 07 '"
Synod, and fuch as ought to be acknowledged fo ? I0™ mon °J
cannot be denied,but that there is a right and a wrong JTt0 ^ s '
in this, and that there are rules to be keeped, and that
alfo de fatto they may be broken, even where there is
no failing in the mater* It is true alfo, that we will
fometimes find worthie men quarrelling the conftitu-
tion of Synods, and declining them, as was formerly
hinted, refuting to appear before them, till fome per-
fons were removed from them, as Cbryfoftom and
fourty two Biftiops with him, did in reference to that
particular Synod at Cbalcedom and fometimes their
A(9s were declared void, becaufe the meetings were
not numerous, as Balfamon doth inftance in the cafe
of one Johannes Amatbuntus , whofe depofition was
declared null, becaufe all the Biftiops of Cyprus were
not conveened to his tryall, which might have been ;
and becaufe, in ftrift reckoning, there was one fewer
at his depofition than was allowed s by the Canons.
Yet concerning this we fay, 1. That it will be found
very difficult to pitch on fuch defeats in the corftieu- T,c ^ t vl
tionofaSynod, as will make the fame null without **" /n<r/ ™
refpeft to the matter thereof, feing there may be man > c ™ n °n **'•*/
defeftsthat will not infer this. 2. Ic will behard ^ out ^ r $[ n
gather from Church-biftory, or Writings of the jhtel t f )cmAtr l ( . Tt
ents, ox C an ons of Councils, what hath been a perem-
ptory rule to them to walk by in fuch a cafe. Their In anc ; ent
pradtices in this are fo various, that it appeareth, thccuunccli
matter hath ever been more headed by them, than the .ounaneflc of
formality of the conftitution. And therefore, ?. We mattet more
will find their pra&ice to be according to this ; Wncn w 7
the matter was found and profitable, it was accepted than
and the Synod was reverenced, although it hath had //>v or *****
B b 3 lclie^v
$74 A Treatife concerning S can du, 1 Part 4;
leffe formality > and hath been of a fewer number i
So the Council of Say die a, Laodicea , and fome particu-
lar Provincial Synods,have ever been of great autho-
rity becaufe of their matter* when more numerous
Synods, with moe formalities> have never been fo ac-
counted of, nor reckoned amongft the General Coun-
cils, although their number hath been far greater than
many of thefe other. 4. When they come to deter-
mine any thing after the clofe of corrupt Synods, they
do not ufually fift the conftitution thereof, but exa*-
mine and condemn the matter thereof, and do repeal
their Sentences, and account them null from the be-
ginning ; not becaufe of queftioning their Authority
that did ft, but becaufe of their doing the fame un-
juftly , as in the cafes ofdthanafim, Bujlacbiws, Cbry
Jo/lorn, and Ignatim, that followed him in the fame
See: All whofe depofitions were accounted null, be-
caufe of the unjuft violence that was ufed in them.
5. We fay then, that hardly it will be obferved ; that
thisconfideration of a particular Synods conftituti-
on hath been the rife or ground of divifion amongft
godly and orthodox men agreeing in the fame Truth,
Form of Government, and Rules for conflicting of
Affembliesor Synods, But we will ever find where
Declinators or Proteftations are mentioned. 1. That
the party declined hath been palpably corrupt in fun-
damental doftrines* Or, 2. palpably driving on that
general defign, and violence againft particular per-
fons, as fubferving the fame. And, ?• it hath been
alfo, after many evidences of fuch corruptions and
violences , as in the former inftances that are given of
Declinators is clear ; where we find, that Synods
have been acknowledged, and yet upon the difcovery
of their corrupt deiigns and violence, have been de-
clined and proteftcd againft as null, as thztfecond
Council at Epbefti* was. Whereby it appcareth, that if
their proceedings had been acceptable, their confti-
tution and authority had not been called in que-
ftion. If
Part 4. A Treanfe concerning Scandal, 375
If it be asked upon fuppofition, That a difference
concerning che conflitution of a particular Synod,and
a divifion upon that account fall to be amongfl godly
and orthodox Divines > agreeing in the fame Truths,
form of Government, general Rules, for conflicting
of Synods, &o What fhould be done for union in
fuch a cafe ?
Anfa. It would feem there fhould be no great need &b*tjlmli
togivedire&ions here, the difference being fo dm- be dove for
row 3 certainly many of the Anctents % and alfoofour un '™> VPben
Reformers ,and eminent Virtues, who have groaned and d '. vl m * m
do groan under many fad preflures, corruptions, and ri J etb , m
divifions in the Church, would have thought, wAfaSfa
think ic a great mercy to have had, and to have the no £ t
difference brought to fuch a point, and betwixt fuch
parties; Yet, feing it is too too poflible to be flood
upon , we do conceive ic is no fuch thing as may
make union, amongft parties fo differing , impoflible.
We fay therefore,
1. That fuch would confider the little ufefulnefle Little ufe-
and weightineflc, as to the main of edification ihttjulnefiut*
is in the thing controverted whatever way it bedeci- *ht cbunbes
ded : For, 1 . the declaring of fuch a Synod valid . or cdificatunin
null, as to its conflitution, doth not corrupt any point * € thin Z
of Truth, nor bring-in any new Form of Govern .. 'Mwer;-
ment f nor alter any Rule concerning the Form agreed ti%
in ; becaufe the queition is not in tbefi, what is the
form and rule according to which a Synod ought to
be confticuted ? that is agreed upon : But the queftion
is, Whether fuch a particular Synod be agreeable to
fuch a Rule ? and refpeft to the Rule makes the c
that they cannot approve it , and the other that they
cannot condemn it : And is it of great concernment
to the main of the Churches edification to fay ic is
fo, or not, confidering it abftra&ly, or fuppofingic
fhould never be determined at all ? 2. We la vThac
it is not of much concernment, even to Government,
to fay chat fuch a particular Synod is right or wrong
B b 4 con-
*7<S A Treatlfe concerning S c A N d a i. Part 4?
conftituted : for, though a Church cannot want Go-
vernment, and thatcanupt becaften; yet a Church
cannot lofemuch byqueftioning the conftitution of
one Synod, luppofe rightly conftituted, abftrafting it
from the confideration of its matter contained there-
in ; and if its matter be warrantable, it hath weight
in it ielf without fuch confederation of a conftitu-
tion , if it be not warrantable, fuch a confideration
of a lawfully conftituted Synod cannot make it war-
rantable. Again, upon the other fide, The counting
of a particular Synod to be rightly conftituted when
it is not, cannot be of great hurt to the Church where
the Rule is acknowledged. For, 1. It doth not alter
the nature of the matter ; Nor, 2. doth it alter the
manner of conftituting Affemblies> becaufe one par-
ticular failing in mifapplying the Rule cannot inca-
pacitate a Church for all time to come to keep the
fame , efpecially if it be guarded that no precedent be
drawn from that pattern, to bind any new fenfe upon
the rule/3. We fay, that it would feem if any de-
bate be fuch as decifion may be for born therein , this
may be accounted of that nature , to wit, Whether
fuch a particular Synod be rightly conftituted,or not ?
becaufe, if more corruption and inconvenience, that
may be feared s follow* there are more material things
to debate* and to differ upon ; if more follow not,
but that there may be acceflc to an united Govern-
ment whereby thefe fufpicions may be put out of
queftion , then it feemeth unfafe to mar that, and the
fruit which may follow by the difputing of what
is paft.
But more nearly to take notice of fuch a difference,
tbh iiffe- we may confider it two wayes. 1. As it implieth a
rencc is et difference in judgement. 2. As it inferreth a difle-
tbtr in rent pra6tice- ftrjl, then, As it inferreth the difference
juigement, of judgement , there ought certainly to be a forbea-
and may be ranee , feing fuch things arc often involved with ma-
firfain* ny difficulties and contradictions in matter of fa&,
that
Part 4. A Treatife coticermpg Scandai,' 377
that it is not peflible, by debating fully, to convince
cither party to aflent to the other > cfpecially where
heat and prejudice hath lomtway fixed and preoccu-
pied the judgement ; ar.d certainly, forbearance here
cannot be incorfiftent with the duty of Minifies,
although there were nor iuch a motive to periwade it.
By forbearance we unc'cifiand, 1. That none pe-
remptorily prcfle the other either to acknowledge the
validity or nullity of fuch a conftitution. 2. There
would be a forbearance of publick debating of it*
or of any thing that may occafion the fame, aspref-
fing of the A#s thereof, if no other ground fupporc
the fame, but the Authority of fuch a Synod. And
we conceive in the by, this occafion may be prevented
by a mutual condefcending , or joynt authoritative
cna&ing , that fuch and fuch things, as pcftibly may
be ufefull afterward, be of force to all , if not by the
former conftitution, yet by the prefent appointment,
and fo both may agree in the matter. 3. A con-
demning of others for approving or difapproving the
former conftitution, would be forborn ; and feing the
queftion is fo little and inconsiderable in it ftlfi ic
would not be odioufly aggreaged or infifted upon.
Secondly, Confidering it as ic relateth to praUice, q t it relates
fomething is to be forborn , and fomething is to be to pattkc,
done. 1. For forbearance, What might involve ei- and \o feme-
ther party in the matter of tadt contrary to their judg- thing is to be
ment, would be abftained ; and this forbearance in tclcrateatii
praftice would be as broad as forbearance in judg- fo mt bi*&
ment, that, as Cyprian faith> ( in another cafe) differ- '
ing brethren may both have their judgment and pra-
diice in fuch things at their own free arbitrements, as
to fuch reftraints. Neither can this forbearance mar
the peace of any, becaufe if fuch things be indifferent,
and although lawfull yet not neccffary,thc preferving
of the Churches peace, and the preventing of what
offence would follow , is ground enough to abftain
from fuch things , out of refpeft to the conferences of
others.
378 *A Treatife concerning Scandal^ Part 4^
others. If the things be neceffary, then indeed ic is
not to be forborn, neither is that pleaded- for here ;
yet the doing of it upon the account of fuch an au-
thority* is not neceffary ; but the matter of the thing
or fome uncontroverted ground may be had for war-
ranting the fame. 2* That which is to be done, we
conceive, is this* That there be endeavours to have
fome united , uncontroverted authority eftablifhed,
by whofe authority things neceffary may be dond
Without infringing the authority of what was paft
in refpe& of thofe who acknowledge the fame , and
alfo without leaving the weight of the authority up-
on the former to thofe who queftion the fame : And r
we conceive this being done* neither is there any con-
fcience ftraitened , nor any thing neceffary for the
Churches good omitted; yea, by this means there is
accefs unitedly to feek the Churches edification, with-
out any prejudice by the former contention ; becaufe
by laying this new foundation pofteriour to the for-
mer , the Church is put beyond that (tumbling*
block , and carried over , or by the fame ; And
therefore there is no reafon to fear falling upon fuch
a difficulty, but rather with the greater (peed to make
progreffe when men may win by it and leave it be-
hind them. This was the way that the Jncients
took in the primitive times , even when Synods in
this refpeft might have been faid to have been cor-
rupted , when God gave opportunity they fejc them-
felves to re&ifie the matter, and to do upon it what
was fie for the good of the Church, without men-
tioning the nullity of the form thereof, or infifting
thereupon. And indeed, the doing otherwayes fecms
to lay too much weight upon the authority or conttk
tution of a Church- judicatory , as if when the fame
is every way regular, it could adds fomething, or
ou$ht to have weight, where the matter is not ink
felf approvable j which hath been cfchewed by Or-
thodox Divines both of old and late ? who ever
there-
part 4» A Tnatife cotiarmngScAKVAz* 379
therefore looked moft unto the matter determined or
decided.
If it be asked, What ufually was done in fuch^^^j^
cafes where the Authority feemed to be declined >batb been
From what is faid» the Anfwer may be gathered, iodine when
wit , That both fides fatisfied themfelves with the tAuxhmtj
reftifying of the matter wherein there was any grie- tern lali*
vancc. And therefore , I* it will hardly be found, ntL
when fuch a Declinatour was expreffed in one Synod
that any mention is made thereof in the next enfuing
Synod that did re&ifie the matter, but inftantly they
fall upon that. 2. We will find, that where no ex-
y^reffe Declinatour was, yet did not that any way
ftrengthen fuch an Authority, nor mar the condem-
ning thereof more than in other Synods where it was,
and therefore neither is fo much weight to be laid up-
on it, whether it be or not ; for, its ftanding doth not
' weaken Authority where it is, and its removing or
not being at all, doth not adde Authority where it is
not, becaufe Authority muft ftand and fall accord-
ing to its own intrinfick grounds and warrant* And
we conceive that it is not fuitable to the Authority of
Chrift's Ordinances , and the nature of His Courts,
that either the removing or ftanding of fuch a Jegall
formality, fhould be rigidly preffed, and itmakcth
proceedings in Chrift's Courts to be involved in coo
many fubrilties that are ufed in humane Laws. And
! alfofuppofing, that a corrupt conftkution may be
! without fuch a formal Protection , it feem^ to give
I too much advantage thereto , as if there were lefle
acceflTe afterward to condemn the fame; And upon
j the other fide , fuppofing that a lawfully conftuueed
Synod fhould be declined, as the Synod of ( Dm was
lately by the drminian T^emonjlrants, the prelling too
vehemently of the removing thereof, dQth liippofe
fomeway th? conftkution tobcleffe vihd if fUcfa a
thing fhould ftand. This is only to be underftood
i in the cafe prefuppofedi to wic> Where the queftion is
not
7 gS tA Treatife concerning Scand a l 1 Part 4* I
GfC ^^_ not about the authority of Synods fim ply > but of this !
rence be* or that conftitution of a particular Synod : the firft
tween the indeed, thatis, the queftioning of Synodical Autho-
declining o/rity, hath been thought intolerable in all times, be-
Synoiicall caufe it ftrake at the root of Church-government and
nAmbotitf Order* without which the Church cannot fubfift ;
fimplj,<t*i But the fecond, which acknowledgeth the fame Go-
the con[titu- vernment in general* and Rules of Conftitution, and
Muofafir- p ro f c (Tech refpeft to that fame Authority, is indeed
ttcular ty- noc c t nl:o i era ble , becaufe it doth fuppone ftill the
Church to have power > and the exercife thereof to
be neceffary. Hence we will find, that in the primi-
tive times they did utterly condemn appellations from
Synods (imply, that is, the betaking them to ano-
ther Judge , as more proper than, or fuperiour unto,
fuch Synods ; and there are feverall Canons in the
Councils of Jfric^ that threaten Excommunication
to fuch as decline their Authority and appeal to %ome i
or any forreign power as a fuperiour Judge ; Yet we
will find, that the Councils do allow Appeals from
a leffer number to a greater, or from particular
Councils to a general. Yea, from their own parti-
cular Synods to a more general hearing of others in
the Province ; yea> they allow even adjacent Pro-
vinces to be appealed to in cafe corruptions fliould
be in one particular Province : This was enafted in
the Council ofSardica, andBifhopsare requefted by
feverall Canons not to think this derogatory from
, their authority, becaufe this did confift well with re-
fpefl to Church- authority and Government in it felf,
but tended only to prevent or remedy exorbitances
and abufe therein > which of it felt if it be not abu-
fed, is not ill.
CHAP.
mil
part 4. A Treattfe concerning Scakdax, 381
CHAP. XIV.
What U to be done in order to union about divifi-
oris concerning dcttrinall determinations.
THe Queftion may be concerning the matter
enalted by fome Synod, even when there is no
exception afcainft the conftitution thereof,
that is, when the matter approven by it 3 isunfound,
or when a truth is condemned, at leaft it is judged
to be (0. Wc are not here fpeaking of fuch matter as
is fundamentals but fuch as is confiftcnt with found- 2)acirivaU
nefle of judgement in the main , and piety in thefc m % lunda-
whomaybe upon either fide. Such as were thtfc wcnull, ct
debates concerning the rcbaptizing of Hcreticks; and rigb the
Schifmaticks ; or for the admitting them unto the ]cundavon*
Church by confirmation only , and queftions of that
nature, which may fall to be amongft orthodox men,
1 fuppofe it were good, that judicial decifions cf fuch
things, were not multiplied; yet upon luppohtion
that they arepaft , fomewhat would belaid. Such
determinations are of two forts.
ftrft, Some are meerly do&rinall, and of this kind
are fuch queftions as are concerning the obj- ft of
Predeftination > order of Gods Decrees, and fuch
like, and others, it may be, which are of lefler con-
cernment than thefc. Thefe being meerly doftrinal
and inferring no diverficyin praftice, orWotflhip,
there is the eafier acceffe to union notwithftanding of
fuch , refpeft being had to the mutuall forbearance
mentioned, fothat none be conftrained to acknow-
ledge what is enafted by vertue of fuch a decifion,be-
caufe (u^h a determination in matter of Doftrine is
but tt^ufteriall , and declarative: And therefore as
one man may forbear another to fpeak his own mind
in fome things that differ from his , and, it may be,
from truth alto , and not inftantly divide from him,
or
382 A Treanfe concerning xandai^ Part 4.
or much contend with him ; So.oUght he to'bear with
a Synod and not to divide from thefn upon that ac-
count , he having acceffc fo to declare his own mind
and the reafons thereof, and .other wayes^ to carry
himfclf, as may keep him free of that apprehended
guiltinefle ; and fo a Synod ought to bear with fome
particular men that differ. But by adding the fecond
kind, there will be ground to fpeak more.
The fecond kind is of fuch determinations as have
Somedoftri* notonly adoftrinall decifion > but alfo fome prafti-
nal deci'ions call confequents following thereupon • which we
infer dhifi- may again dirtiaguifh thefe wayes. 1. They are ei-
en, others^ ther fuch confequents and practices as infer a divifion
and oppofition, or a diverftty only ; fome confequents
infer a divifion or feparation > As luppofe a Church-
Synod fhould enaft,that no perfons fhould keep com-
munion with fuch as they judge not to be godly, nor
joyn in Ordinances > nor fo much as fit down with
them ; Or that no perfons, thinking otherwayes,
might lawfully be ordained Minifters , or admitted
to that office, as fometimes appeareth, hath been de-
termined in very numerous Synods of the fionatifts.
Indeed the (landing of fuch Sentences in force , and
having execution accordingly following them , are
fuch, as there can be no union had upon fuch tearms*
Again, fome pra&iccs imply no divifion in Worftiip,
or Government , but only fomething which poffibly
is in it felf unwarrantable, as that Aft of rebaptizing
was > which was determined a:nd ena$cd by feverall
Councils in AfricJ^ : which kind of determination
may be confidered either as peremptory, and exclu-
sive , that is , allowing none to do otherwayes , or
to be admitted to Miniftery and Ordinances which
fiiould not engage to do fo - y Or moderated* fo as
though it held forth fuch a determination concerning
the faft , yet doth not peremptorily preffe others be-
yond their own light. Of the firft fort were the pe-
remptory A&s of the Weft-chujqh concerning B after ^
^-,—
part 4. A Treattfv tonccrmng scandal. 383
holydayes and other ceremonies ; Of thelafl, were
thefe A6ts of the Council of Jfric( concerning the
rebaptizing of Schifmaticks wherein none were
pteflcd beyond thir own judgement.
Jtgaitij fucHconfcquents and praftices that follow Som ^ cttfm
Church-determinations, may either be prefently nc mm iki\s
ctffary to be pra&ifed and dayly prafticall, as fup- are oj thing*
pofe a Church (hould make conttitutions tor admini- &a)lypadi~
ttration of Baptifm and the Lords Supper, by mixing cabtc y o$btfi
in with the eflcntials thereof , fuch and fuch corrupt^ jot an
ceremonies and additions ; Or , they may be fucb exigence,
practices as are only fuppolable andpoffible,* but n^ancfyever
may be exceeding improbable-like , at leatt for the *&*** 0[tiu1h
future , chat there (hall be occafion to put them in r **& %
aftuall cxirciic ; though> it may be, there was fome
prefect exigent giving occafion to fuch a determina-
tion, which poffibly may never recur; Asfuppofe,
a Church fhould determine, that a converted Jett? , or
Tw^fiiould not be baptized in the manner that others
are baptized , but fome other way ; it may be there
was fome JeV> or Tur[ to be baptized when that de-
termination patted ; but that particular Ad being by,
there is no probability that ever there may be accefle
to put the fame in practice again , although it be not
fimply impoflible. Now there is great odds betwixt
thefe two ; and in efteft this laft cafe, doth look liker
a doftrinall determation when the occafion thereof is
paft, than any way to be pra&icall.
further, we may diftinguifh thefe alfo in fuch pra-
ftices, that are positively ena&ed to be prafiiifed > by
an authoritative AA : ordaining in fuch poffible cafes,
that it be fodone, that is. when fuch a cafe occurreth,
men (hould be aftnSed to follow the fame , and Mi-
niftcrs (hould accordingly afci ; Or they are fuch
cafes , as do not ordain any practice to be done , but
do declare fuch a thing to be lawfull ; As fuppofc
they (hould declare > a Miniftcr might lawfully bap-
tize a Jz*to fo as is formerly faid,wkhout any peremp-
tory
Some deter
initiations
3 84 A TrcAUfe concerning S c a n d a lV Part 4?
tory ordaining of the fame , which is ftill , rather a
do&rinalldecifbnthan a potitive ordinance.
We may yet^onediftin^ion more, which is this*
determination is either to declare fuch a thing lawful
anfo?Mi- to Church-men in fome Ecclefiaftick matter, asfup-
niftlu pra-P 3 ^ C as was fometimes in the primitive pcrfecutions)
tiice, others u P otl f° me Qwrle from fome Minifters , it flhould
arc an 'vers be, cnaiked, that in fuch and fuch cafes Minifters
to tbequcfti- might flic, fell the Church-goods, or ufe fuch and
ens of Rh* fuch (hifts and means for their efcape and deliverancej
for/, as others, it may be, would think unlawful!. Or it
is , when the pra&ifing of the fuppofed cafe belongs
to Magiftrates, or men in civil ftations; as fuppofe,
upon fome Queries from Magiftrates or others , en-
quiring if it were lawfull to admit JeV>s to dwell in
fuch and fuch places meerly for civil traffick ; or if
they might eat and drink with an Ambaflador of the
Cbam oiTartaria ; or help Chinas againft the Tartars ;
or fuch cafes, which polfibly , befide the occafion of
the Querie, might never occur : now fuppofing the
cafe to be decided affirmatively by a Church- judica-
tory, and a rent to have followed thereupon, andco
continue after the cafe is not probably pra&icall, be-
caufe of the former decifion , and fo in the reft of the
former fuppofitions, it is to be enquired, If? and,
How union may be win at in them refpeClively ?
Now thefediftinftions being prcmicced , we come
to confider accordingly , How union may be made
up, where divifion ftandeth upon fuch accounts ?
In reference to all which, in the general , we fay,
That peremptorinefle and fclf-willedneflc being ex-
cluded (which areexprefly prohibited to be in a Mi-
nifter) it is not impoflible to attain union amongft
faithfull, fober, and orthodox men, who willac-.
knowledge that mutuall condefcending and forbea-
rance is neceflary ; which by going through the par-
ticular fteps will appear : wherein we may relate to
ihc former generall grounds bid down? and be the
fltorcef
Part 4» A Trcafife concerning Scandal, 385
(horter in inftaticcs and reafons, becaufe this drawech
out in length beyond our purpofe ; and alfo> becaufe
Verbum faptenti fatis eft : and thefe cfpecially that are
concerned in this, need not by us either to be inftruft-
ed, or perfwaded to their duty , many of whom the
Lord hath eminently made ufe of to teach , convince,
and perfwade others. We fhall only, as in all the reft,
offer fome things to their view > which may oCcafion
the remembering of what they know>and the awaken*
ing of the zeal and affc&ion that they have , to a6t
accordingly.
To come then to the fi'fl fort of determinations, Cttoredo.
which are doftrinali; it may appear from what isftrindUe~
faid, that there can be no juft ground of divifion upon "ft™ 5 i*
that account ; for, in fuch things a Church may for* /«?*«'
bear particular perfons : and again , particular per- 1 oin * s
fons may forbear a Church. It is not to be thought, cu &* t0
that all orthodox Divines are of the fame mind in all ^j^
things that are decreed in the Synodof IDort, particular- i *
ly in reference to the objeft of predeftination ; yet the
Synod hath not made any divifion by Cenfuring of
fuch, neither thefe whodifFer from that determination
have broken off communion with the Church , but
havekeeped communion : and union in the Church
hath not been thereby interrupted ; yet thefe who ap-
prehend themfelves to be right , cannot but think the
other is in an errour : and if this forbearance be not
allowed, there can never be union in the Church, ex-
cept we (hould think that they behoved al! to be in
the fame mind about fuch things>and that there (hould
never be a decifion in a Church, but when there is ab-
folute harmony ; for,fuppofing the plurality to decide
right, yet thefe, whofe judgement were condemned,
were obliged according to their light to divide > feing
they are in their own judgments right* It is true,I fup-
po(e that it is not fimply unlawful, or hurtful to truth
for a Church- judicatory>out of refpeft to peace in the
Church* co condefcend abftraftly to wave a minifies
C < rial*
3 S6 e/* Treaty e concerning Scandal. Part 4 • ]
riall dccifion without wronging of the matter ; As
fuppofe thefe in Afm\ , for peace had waved their ju-
diciall decifion of the neceffity of rebapti^ing in fuch a
cafe ; or thefe who determined the contrary , might
have waved theirs, yet neither of them had hurt their
own opinion. Or fuppofe, that in the decifions that
were concerning Eafler y upon both fides of the contro-
verfie* either had paft from their decifions, and left the
matter in practice to mens arbitrement without any
decifion, I fuppofe this had not been a wrong to truth
(fuppofing it to have been on either fide) And indeed
confidering what is written in the Hiftory, fome thing
like this may be gathered. For, firft, It is clear? that
there were determinations on both fides, and particu-
larly, That the Weft Cburcb,znd thefe that joyned wnh
them, did determine the Lords Day neceffarilytobe
keeped for diftinguifihing them from the JeV>s. % It is
alfo clear, That Poller ates 9 with many Biftiops in dfia,
did judicially condemn that deed> appointing the
fourteenth day of the month to be keeped, So chat ne-
ceflarily both decifions could not ftand. And, 3. this
is clear alfo, That the way that was taken to fettle that
difference fo flated* was, That judiciall decifions
ftiould be waved , and men left to their own arbitre-
ment to obferve what day they thought good,whether
in the Bafi or Weft Church , whereupon followed an
union 3 and folkarjjuA did communicate with Anicetus
at Glome upon thefe tearms, Ut neuter eorumfententiam
fuam urgeret aut defenderet ( as the Ce7rt«n4Joj'jhave it
out of lreneus ) that is , that neither of them ftiould
urge or defend their own opinion: and upon this there
followed peace notwithttanding of that difference. It
brake up again more ftrongly in the time of Vittor,
and although lreneus was of his judgment, yet did he
vehemently preffe him not to trouble the Church by
purfuing fuch a determination , and did exceeding
weightily expoftulat with him for it ; He wrote alfo
to the other party , that both of them might forbear
the
Part 4. ATreatife concerning Scandal, 387
the preffing of fuch deci(ions,and that the thing might
be left to metis arbitrement, without' prejudice to the
Churches union, as formerly it had been ufed : this is
clear from Church- hiftory>and that word of Socmen,
lib. 7. cap. 19. is weighty, FriVolum emm>& qtddem me-
rito 9 judicaruntyConfuetudinis gratia, a, fe mutuo fegregari
eos qui in prctctyuis religionis capitibtvs confentirent, that is.
They judged it , and upon good ground, moft frivo-
lous for men to be feparated or divided one from ano-
ther, becaufe of a cuftorae, who did agree together iti
the main points of Religion. And though this matter
be of it felf no controverfie decided in the Word, ( at
leaft as it was ftated ) yet confidering their thoughts
of it, and the grounds which they alleage for it, it was
not fo to them: and that peremptorines of ^#0^ who
afterward would not be reclaimed from that fecond
determination , is condemned by all , as being the
ground of that following fchifm. And indeed in fuch
cafes, where two parts of a Church are divided, hav-
ing independent authorities as to one another , and
there being contrary determinations in the fame que-
ftion j it feemeth convenient and neceffary for peace,
that either both fhould wave their decifions , or than
both fhould permit the decifions of each other to
ftand and be in force, to fuch only as (hould acquiefce
therein, and willingly acknowledge the fame*
Again, where there is nothing like a party or equi- #<,# tii
' lity,but the divifion is in the fame oneChurch betwixt (matter
a greater and fmaller number, and the greater will not number
be induced to remove thek determination ; It is wojJmli
wayfinfull to the lefferto joynwith themnotwith-^ce/iwt^
ftanding thereof, they having their own freedom andf rw *«\
liberty cautioned, as was formerly faid ; Yea, this
feemeth not unexpedicnt that they (hould do for the
good of the Church. 1. Becaufe it is not fo readily to
be expected , that men who have fuch an advantage
will cede to thefc who have it not. 2, It may have in-
ccnyeniencies, if a fmaller diffenting number fhould
C c 2 nea
388 A Treatife concerning Scandal Part 4?
neccflicat a Church to wave former determined truths*
thotigh poflibly not fundamental, becaufe of their dif-
fatisfa&ion therewith , who eftecm them not to be
truths , and ftrengthen others in a fchifm , as if they
could not keep union and communion with a Church
where any thing contrary their mind were determin-
ed* Alfoi 3. it feemeth moft agreeable to reafon, that
in finlefle cedings, the lefler number fliould cede to the
greater* And, 4. becaufe by fo doing, this accidental
confirmation of an opinion,by having the plurality of
a Church or Synod for it, is left open to the other fide,
when they may be the plurality. Hence we fee gene-
rally, that the minor part cedeth to the greater (if the
not preffing of the removal of fuch a decifion be a ced-
ing) yea, even when the plurality were wrong, as in
that cafe of Africf^ , thefe who differed, did not preffc
the refcinding of that determination ,having their own
liberty : Nor did thefe that had the plurality then for
them>impofc any bond to keep the other from refcind-
ing their determinations, if they fhould come to be in
fuch a capacity , but both keeped peace for the time ;
and afterwards, in the dayes ofduguftine, we will find
Councels of theCharch ofdfrk^ determining the juft
contrary concerning that cafe of ^apti^ing , and yet
ftill entertaining peace and communion amongft
themfelves* although the authoritative decifion flood
alwayes upon the fide of the plurality.
CHAP. XV.
What /hall be done in order to union about fuch de-
cifions^ have practical consequents following
thereon.
TO come to the fecond cafe, to wit, anent (iich
decifions as have fome prafticall confequents
following thereupon } For the more fiiort an-
fwcring, we fhall lay down thefe JjfMions.
AfJttU
Part 4; tA Treatise co ncermng Scandal. 3 gp
Affert. 1. In fuch praftices as are oppofit, and infer contrary
divifion in the cafes mentioned, there can be no union * fa fti ccs
or communion expe&ed, as we fee in all the cafes b u ju am u
where tuch have been pra&ifcd , as of the KoVatians. of (cpara-
(Donatijls , and fuch like ; chere may be more or lefle tion.
heat and bkternefle betwixt men that differ fo : but
there cannot be union, becaufe , fuch determinations
and pra&ices do draw a line , and build a wall of fe-
paration betwixt the one and the other, and fo makes
one fide to be accounted as noc of the fame body.
dffert.i. Where the confequents only infer fome ^i ver r lty
difference, or are not peremptorily prcffed.they do not t ^ cre * ^
infer neceflarily a divifion , as we fee in the cafes o( w j t b m ^ m
Afric\ y and others mentioned; and Socmen mthc v if 9tt9
chapter cited , giveth many inftances of diverfities of
this kind in Churches » without any breach of com-
munion,and faith it is neceffary , becaufe, Heque eafdem
traditknes per omnia fimiles, in omnibus Eccle {its, quamvu
in omnibus confentknt , reperire Poffis , that is , Ye ^ill
hardly find the fame traditions alike in all things in all the
Churches , eVen though they agree in all things that are ma-
terial. And, upon the matter, fuch determinations are
but indeed as if they were do&rinall co fuch as ac-
knowledge them not , and men are accordingly to
walk in them.
Aflert.^. In fuch praftices as are daily pra&icable, -»
in refpeft of the occafions thereof, union is more dif- ^ * J° *
ficult ( though not impoffible) than in fuch cafes, h € ^j^M 9n
where the occafion of praftice is not probable , be- f or w hac is
caufe there being no prefenc occafion to pra&ifc the rarely or ne-
fame, it looketh moft unwife like, to bring in, or keep ve r frafli<-
in, a more certain and greater evil in the Church, for cable,
efchewingof what folks may never be put to; and
fuppofe the cafe to be paft, that may probably never
recurrc, it is more for the Churches good by abftain-
ing the approbation of fuch an aft, and by not being
involved in the apprehended guilt thereof, to make up
again the communion of the Church, for the preven-
C c 5 ting
Jpo A Treatlfe concerning Scanda l ; Part 4^
ting of a greater hurt, becaufe that continueth to be a
duty, and is necetfary to edification ; and the thing
being paft* ought not to be the occafion of a prefent
and following divifion, as was formerly faid.
If it be (aid, How can there be union in (uch a cafe
upon the principle fuppofed, till (as may be faid by
one fide) thofe who have decided and afted corruptly*
fliould repent , and ( as may be faid by the other) till
thofe who have divided unjuftly from the Church,
and wronged the authority thereof, (hould acknow-
ledge their offence, without which there cannot be*
union ? For anfwer to which we fay, 1 . What
if neither party (hall ever be brought to repent or ac-
knowledge an offence ? (hall the Church in fuch a
cafe qever attain to union? Repentance implyeth a
convi&ion, and this implyeth information and clear-
. . nefs in the judgment that fuch a thing is wrong.Now,
notimpof* lt b £ j n S °& m k en c h*c lt ls impoffible to get men of
fible not- one judgment concerning fuch a thing, Muft there-
witbltani- f° re union be impofiible till men be of one judgment ?
ing diver- This hath been formerly difproved. 2. What if this
]tj of had been the mind of the Churches and Servants of
lodgment. God from the beginning of the world ? there had ne-
ver been publick-ecclefiaftick , nor privat-chriftian
peace ; for they were never all of one judgment : and
to affert or write what is fuppofed to be an errour, is
proportionably a fin and an offence* as to determine
ic judicially $ and it would infer the neceffity of re-
pentance, even in fuch cafes, for the attaining of peace
and making up of differences ; And (hall we thus at
once condemn the generation of Gods People, who
have, without propofing , or, at leaft, preffing of fuch
a thing, entertained peace and union amongft them-
felves ? g.This would enervate all the former grounds
that plead for union with forbearance, and fuch like,
which , I fuppofe, will not be warrantably done.
4. This way is indeed cither to make union the more
impoffible, or if union be attained in any mcafure*
both
Part 4. tATrettife concerning Sc anda l. 391
both the lefle hearty amongft themfclves, and the Icffc
profitable unto others, as hath been formely cleared.
5. We arc not to refpeft in this, mens particular car-
riage or defcrt ( which poffibly would not be thought
of great concernment by others, not engaged in that
debate,) but the Churches good is to be looked to, and
what it doth require, as we may gather from what
hath been formerly faid. And if Church-ccnfures
(fucliasthe enjoyningof publick repentance, or ac-
knowledgment of an offence, are) be to be abftained
from, even in reference to open corrupt teachers fbme-
times for refpeft to the union of the Church , and for
the preventing the (tumbling of thofe that are weak,
and prone to divide or mifcarry (if fuch fhould be
cenfured ) as we fee in ¥aul*s abftaining to cenfurc
the falfe teachers, Gal.$. and i Cor, 10. (fpoken to in
the former part; much more are Cenfures of any fort
to be abftained from upon that ground, in the cafe
propofed, as it is confidered in its matter and pcrfons
differing. Hence we may find what condefcendence
hath been formerly ulcd in (uch cafes, when union
hath been clofed,or propofed to be clofed, (in matters
poflibly of greater moment than are fuppofrd ) Sine
detriment*) bonom,aut cbaritatis, that is, without prejudice
to reputation, or charity. 6. We therefore fay in op-
pofition to that objeftion,That union is to be ftudied,
by endeavouring to joyn in what is for the good of
the Church, and by burying the refentment of each
others wrongs, rather than (as ®e%a faith in that fore-
cited Epiftie to Grindal concerning divifion ) There
Jhould be too curiom y and, as it Were, contention- affecting
enquiry made, Ivbo is mofl in the Vbrong , and thereby a
bringing the matter to tbatpajje, that the Xthole body can*
not be fd\>ed y but by cutting off 'of fome members. 7, We
adde, If repentance be neceflary, will any think that
divifion is the way or mean to attain the fame, which
doth imbitter and confirm men in their opinion and
oppofition refpe£tively,as formerly hath been faid i
C c 4 It
tATreatife concerning Scandal." Part 4.
Ic will be now no great difficulty to anfwer in the
lajl Vtoo cafesy to wit, When the decifion is a fimple
declaration of the lawfulnefie of a thing, without any
pofitive appointment that fuch a thing (hould be put
in pra&ice, &c. For, if upon the former grounds
union may be attained* and divifion removed in the
former cafes, it may be much more in this ; moft of
all>where the matter determined,concerneth fuch pra-
ctices as a&ually are to be performed but in fome ex-
traordinary cafe by Civil Powers. Becaufe in fuch
cafes men may more eafiiy condefcend to forbearance,
than in matters of greater neceffity and concernment ;
and there can be but little prejudice alleaged to follow
unto the Church ( to be put in the ballance with the
Churches peace) either by condefcend ing that fuch a
determination mould be waved , or ftand with the
qualifications forefaid ; It's true that tenacioufneffe in
the leaft particular, and peremptory refufing to con-
defcend therein , will breed a rent and fchifm, and
make union as impoffible, as if it were the greateft
matter that were the ground of diftance; yet it would
fecm,that in the cafe prefuppoled, (efpecially thefe laft
three being put together ) that judicious, fober, and
godly men (hould be very eafiiy induced to conde-
fcend to each other , with the qualifications forefaid,
for the Churches peace.
For, 1 ♦ The matter, although it hath a right and
wrong in it, yet it is among the leaft of the truths that
may be accounted to relate to the foundation. 2. It's
in a matter moft improbably practicable, and which
may poffibly never occur. 3. It's a determination, or
an exercife of Church-power that hath leaft influence
upon Church-matters , feing it pofitively ordaineth
nothing. 4. It's in a thing moft extrinfick, which
might have been put in pra6tice, and ufually is put in
pra&ice without the Churches intermedling therein,
either pro or contra* It feemeth therefore unfuitable
that fuch a determination in reference \q fuch practi-
ces
Part 4. A Treat if e concerning Scandal .^ 3? 5
ces,(hould be greatly contended- for,when neither the
ftandingof fuch a decifion can procure, nor there-
moving thereof mar, the practices concerning which
the decifion \%. 5. Suppofing the qualifications fore-
said, the (landing of fuch a decifion doth not ftreng-
then the affirmative opinion, becaufe it doth not infer
any bond or obligation upon others who do not of
their own accord acJ^uiefce in the fame ; nor doth ic
give ground for alleaging fuch a decifion to any but
to fuch as of themfelves are fwayed with the matter
thereof: And therefore feing it hath no force to bind
moe than would be bound with the matter if it were
not ; nor can infer that it is the judicial decifion and
judgment offuch a Church, more than this, to wit,
That it is the judgfoent of the plurality for the time,
yet fo as it is not acknowledged by others, and who
are not to be conftrained to any alteration in their
judgment* or in their pra&ice, by that determination,
more than if it had never been ( which is a neceffary
qualification of the forbearance mentioned ) and fup-
pofing the faid decifion to be waved) thefe particulars
would be true* Again, upon the other fide, The
removing of that decifion doth not flrengthen the ne-
gative (for that cannot be intended by fuch a compo-
fure that either fide (bould be ftrengthencd) nor doth
the (landing thereof weaken the fame ; becaufe, ac-
cording to the qualifications forefaid, not only there
can be no Cenfure following upon it, but even as to
the Determination it felf, though it be not formally
removed, to be no decifion (imply, it is no decifion to
them , nor can be alleaged to them againft their opi-
nion, more than if it were not : And thus it becometh
of equall extent with thofe who approve the matter,
and fo it doth bind only fuch as account themfelves
bound ; and if men account themfelves bound, the
removing of fuch a decifion,will not loofe them ; and
if they account not themfelves bound otherwayes, the
ftanding thereof in fuch a cafe, will not bind them;
and
324 A Trtatife concerning Scandal. Part 4,
and therefore,Hkon the matter* we fuppofe, it is hardly
imaginable that there can be a lefler ground of divisi-
on, (the qualifications neceflary for union in the cafes
of greater concernment being granted in this) lure we
are there was never divifion continued upon a lefler
account, to whatfoever fide we look j for, in effect, it
is for the time to come as if that decifion had never
been, as to its efficacie and weight in producing any
effeft. And we are fure that the great Divines that
have fo eagerly purfued, and fo much coveted union*
would have thought themfelves happy if they might
have had it by condefcending and ycelding either to
the one fide or the other. And though the moderate
divine Bucer, was thought to thijft after peace in the
Church fo vehemently, that fome zealous men faid,
that out of love thereto he was like almoft baurlre fe-
ces, that is> to drin^do^n the dregs titbit ; yet I am
confident* that had the ftate of the controverfie come
fo near, and in fuch matter, and amongft fuch men, as
is formerly prefuppofed, he would not have been fo
charged by the moft rigid, although for the peace of
the Church he had drunken-over all thedreggs that
might be in both the cups, the mentioned qualifica-
tions being obferved ; For, I fuppofe> that the remo-
ving or ftanding of fuch a decifion in the former re-
fpcdfc, will neither be found inconfiftent with any
Confeflion of Faith, even the moft full that ever was
in any Orthodox Church ; nor with the Fundamen-
tals of Religion chat are laid down in any Catechifms
or Writings of any found Divines ; nor with the
Conftitutions and Afts that have been thought necef-
f ary to be inrolled amongft the A6b of any Council
or Synod j nor, for ought we know, will be found to
have been the matter of debate, even in the moft con-
tentious times amongft Orthodox Divines : It would
feem then, that if there be a latitude allowed without
hazard for one to condefcend to another for the good
of the Church in any thing, it muft be in the cafe
prefuppofed. CHAP.
Part 4« A Treatife concerning S c a NX) A Li 395
CHAP. XVI.
The remedies ofdivifons 3 arifmg frctn mifappli-
cation of power in ordination ofMintfters, and
admitting to, or debarring from, communion.
THe fourth matter of controvcrfie in reference
to Government, is ufually fome mi f 'application
of that power, or what is apprehended to be
fo in fome particular a&s. As, 1. Ordaining fuch
as were not thought to be worthy. 2. Depofing others
(as was thought) unjuflly. 3. Admitting unco, or
debarring from communion without ground refpe-
ftively, and fuch like cafes. Upon the firtt ground
arofe the £reat fchiim of the Donatifts, becaufe of the
Ordinacion of decilianus, efleemed by them to be a
Traditor. Of fuch fort alfo were the fchifms frequently
at Jntiocby Conjlantinople, Alexandria, and other places,
becaufe fome were ordained to the diffatisfa&ion
of others. And fomctimes the diffatisfaftion was well
grounded ; becaufe the perfons ordained, were not
worthy: Sometimes it was groundlefle ; But often ic
tended to double Ordination, and Separation in the TbeOrdi-
clofe. Thefc things had need to be prevented, (b as nation ef a
there be no juft ground of diffatisfaciion given by the ferfon tool
Ordination of an unworthy man in fuch a time, nor thy of the
any oppofic Ordination to fix a fchiim 5 be caufe thefc ^«*My,
things are more difficultly removed, as hath been faid: ordained h
Yet fuppofing them to be, thefe generals may be pro- £^r*k-Offz-
pofed for healing of the fame. I. We will not find J" £* ^[/J
an Ordination eafily counted to be null, even though ^g^or/owc
done in a fchifm> as all the inftances do clear ; yea, fcf e fl u
the Orthodox flood not to account the Bifhops and
Presbyters ordained amongft the Vonatifts ,to be fuch,
becaufe they had the eflentials of Ordination,and were
ordained by Church-officers. 2. We fuppofe it need-
full for peace, that there be no rigid flicking to have
fome
396 ATreatife concerning S c a n d a t • Part 4?
fotne particular Ordinations re&ifiedjto the prejudice
of the Church in general ,♦ efpecially, where the un-
fitnefle or unworthinefs of the perfon is not eafily de-
monftrable. 3. It fcemeth right and juft, that no
Ordination of fuch a kind fhould eftablifh one that
is unworthy in the Miniftery $ for, that is not to be
difpenfed with ; although it be not a valid ground to
keep up a divifion, where the removall of fuch a per-
fon cannot be attained : and the moft unqueftionable
Ordination for the form , cannot make one a worthy
Minifter,whootherwayes is not a worthy perfon. In
the conferences with the Ponatijls, the C a tbolicks offer-
ed to quarrell the Ordination of none amongft them
that otherwayes was worthy , nor to maintain any
. amongft themfelves who were not worthy. 4. Yet
»»'•»««« union would not be fufpended till this be done, but
foended m * c * s co ^ c mac * c U P' t * iat lt may ^ e ^ one> as * n ^ e * n " *
(ucbtryals, ft anc e formerly given. Becaufe, 1. this trial is the
work of an united JCirk , and will require joynt
ftrength and concurrence for the fame. 2. Becaufe
union is a prefent duty, although there were defefil in
fuch a trial , and a defeft in that, will not warrant a
divifion. 3. It is not only a duty commanded, but it
is a mids neceffary for promoving the triall and cen-
furing of unworthy Minifters,for times of divifion are
ever times of liberty , and thereby Authority is wea-
kened,men are difcouraged to follow icand are other-
wayes diverted, &c 4» Becaufe divifion can never
be looked upon as the mean to effe&uate that tryall,
but it ftrengthens the perfon who is to be tryed, and
lefleneth the number of rsalous purfuers of fuch a de-
fign, and incapacitates men for this duty, who other-
wayes might be inftrumental therein. 5. Befide, if
the guilt be not fo very palpable, as it may be demon-
strated to be in perfons, at fuch a time,it is fafer to pre-
serve certain peace in the Church, than to hunt for
an uncertain crime, as hath been often faid.
Fifthly, Where a perfons being in a place, is the -
ground
Part 4. A Treatife cencermng Sc and a it 3 97
ground of contention, and things look dot fatisfying-
like in his way, even though grofneffe be not demon-
Rrablc , we think it not unbecoming the authority of
Church- judicatories, which is given for edification,
to appoint the removal of fuch a perfon from fuch a
place, ( as was formerly hinted ) for, it looketh fad
like , that a Minifter's being in fuch a particular
place, fhould be moreobflru&ive to edification and
to the Churches peace, than if he were not a Minifler
at alK And it becoineth well that finglenefle that a
Minifler ought to have in fcekingthe edification of
the Church, to yeeld to fuch an advice and appoint-
ment , or, of himfelf willingly to overture the fame*
For,Mimfters are not to plead intereft in a Congrega-
tion (imply, as a man doth his particular right ; be-
caufe every thing of this kind ought to be done with
refpeft to the edification of the body, the promoting
whercof,ought to regulate both entries and removals.
It's true, there would be warinefle hercleft dangerous
precedents be given ; yet confidering, that a Minifler
who may fomewhat peremptorily plead intereft, and ,
that jure in the.Miniftery> that yet cannot with thac
fame flrength of reafon plead it in fuch and fuch a
particular Congregation ; and confidering, that it is a
publick sood that is refpe&ed , and not the fatisfa&i-
on or diffatisfa&ion of Tome in a particular Congre-
gation, we conceive the former affertion cannot be
fimply denied.
Where conjfiair Ordinations are, it is more diffi-
cult ; Yet it would be confidered that all thefe things
we fpeak of now, are but particular: and therefore
although full fatisfaftion fhould not be obtained in
themi yet ought they not to be ftumbled upon to the
prejudice of: union ingenerall, in which the good of
the Church is more eminently concerned, as hath been
faid", Yet where peace is intended, we fuppofe this
difficulty may be win over, one of thefe wayes, which
haye been formerly in ufe in fuch cafes. As, I. Some-
times
398 A Treatife concerning Scanda l . Pare 4 2
times one perfon did willingly cede to another for the
good of the Church; SodidS^/i&tf inacafe former-
ly mentioned, for which his coadefcendency he is ever
highly commended. Neither can this be thought to
be a cafting by of the care of fuch a people, but rather
the contrary, ic is more their good,that they (liould be
united under one orthodox Minifter, though the more
weak man, than to continue a diyifion with two that
are more able. 2. Sometimes where two were* it was
thought good to unite them in their meetings. and that
the longeft liver fhould alone be acknowledged, if no
other occafion o fered > and neither were unworthy of
the place, as in a cafe at Antbcb formerly mentioned.
3. Sometimes both have been laidafide> where nei-
ther have been worthy , or faftions have been flrong
for either party , and fo rooted prejudice of the adhe-
rers to the one fide againft the other. This overture is
offered by Augufline to the Vonatiftsfoz compofing that
difference of oppofit Ordinations,which was frequent
amongft them, each city almoft having two Bifhops;
And this way hath been followed in compofing rrnny
fchifms, even of late. 4. Sometimes the party offend-
ed and wronged by an oppofi:Ordination,hath keep-
cd divifion down in fome rerpe&, by ceding, or with-
drawing, or hiding their offence,till fome probable or
regular way hath occurred ; rather choofing never to
poffeffe fuch a place than to do it by wronging of the
Church>in keeping up an irregular fchifm,when there
was no accefle orderly to redreffe it. Thus Eufeb'ws
being offended that Lucifer had ordained Tatdinu* a
Bifhopin y^iw&toaparty difclaiming him, who
were called Eallacbidmfe moderated his carriage and
withdrew, waiting to have had a lawful decifion>and
refolving to be fubmiflire to that. Where men mind
the good of the work, ic is not like but fome fuch way
will comoofe the(e things ; and if thefe fail, we will
find alfo adjacent Bifhops travelling to compofe the
fame 5 Yea,fometimes men of authority coming from
very
part 4. '</* Treat i/e concerning Scandal.' 399
very far ; And alfo fomc by civil Authority appoint-
ed to treat therein , as in the clofing of that fchifm at
Jtntiech; for, fchifms,arifing from fuch difcontents,
arc not ordinarily by meer Authority removed, bc-
caufc there is often fomething both of affe&ion and
confeience in the bufinefle : there is need therefore of
mutuall friendly conferring for giving and receiving
of fatisfa&ion therein.
CHAP. XVII.
Remedies of divifions arifing from the mi/appli-
cation of power, incenfuring, or /paring Mi-
nifterS) reall or fuppofed.
ANother part of the exercife of this power(wbich
often in itsmifapplication,or its being pretend-
ed to be fb,is the ground of Church-divifions)
is The matter of cenfur'tng and rf^^wgofMinifters,
and that two wayes.
The one is,When fome good men are depofcd,or fuch
as arc fuppofed to be fo, whereby perfons that appre-
hend the in juftice of the fa&,do difclaim fuch a pow-
cr,and adhere to fuch a perfon notwithftandin^ Thus
did the fchifm at C on ft ari ^pople arife for the unjuft de-
pofition of Cbryfoftom, and his adherents were called
Iboannite , as if they had been of another Religion ;
Such alfo was that of the Euftacbtans at Jntiochy
which being driven againft honeft men,and there be-
ing no condefcending, at leaft what was once con-
defcended unto , being again recalled , there was no In w ^ Um
flopping of fuch divifions, till in the manncr,formerly f es extremi-
hintcd, and that being after both their deaths. In fuch ties are to be
cafes extremities are to be (hunned , for, its extremity Jbunnc L
that maketh rents, that is, too little condefcending on
the one fide, and too much tenacioufnefs on the other.
One extremity to be eiche wed, is, WhenChurch-
judicatorics are too tenacious of a paft Sentence , or
the
4oo *A Trean/e concerning® candal. Part 4^
the formality of fome legall advantage which fccmcth
to juftifie the Sentence , as in that cafe of Cbryfojlotns,
almoft all the weight was laid on this at firtt , That
her efufed to appear before them,or acknowledge their
Authority as they were conftituted : and although
both the people and others did adhere to him , yet
there was no condescending, which occafioned a great
fchifm, and was exceedingly condemned by the gene-
rality of faithfull men in thefc dayes. Another extre-
mity is, upon the other fide, When for fatisfa&ion of
a Judicatory too little is ceded ; or upon fuppofition,
. even of an un juft Sentence, a fchifm is ftated , to the
*™'^ wriw hurtof the Church. In this cafe we may obferve
rimlwt'ru c ^ e thin S s > *• That fometimes the Judicatory hath
.- m s condefcended to re-admit a perfon , otherwayes of
efteem , although poffibly fome particular flip hath
been, that in ftrift juftice might have deferved the
Sentence : this was in the cafe of OJim formerly cited.
It is true , there is no mention of the caufe wherefore
/ the Synod of Spain did depofe him, nor is it clear whe-
ther it be that famous Ofm % whom the Arum depofed
and whipped till he approved Atbanaftm his depofiti-
on ; yet this is clear, that he being a man efteemed of
in theChurch,though poffibly out of infirmity having
fallen in that fault, he was for concord reftored , Sine
detriment honoris, without prejudice to his credit.
2. Where men have been depofed upon the breach
of fome legality >or contempt, if otherwayes they have
been men of gifts, and approven integrity in the main,
though poffibly thought proud and rigid by others,as
in that cafe of Chryfojtom ; they were again received
into the Church , and the Sentences with content laid
by, as appeareth in the readmitting o(Cbryfo/iom after
his firft depofition ( of the juftice of whofe Sentence
of depofition > becaufe there was no convincing evi-
dence to fatisfie the people, Se\>eAnm in preaching did
lay, That his pride was reafon fufficenc) which for a
lime removed the divifion , and brought a chearfutl
Part 4. A TreAttfe conarmng Scandal, 4° *
calmneffe* till fhortly after his old enemies interrupted
it, and did enter a new procefle with him , becaufe he
had re-entered his Bifhoprick being once depofed by
a Synod > and not having their authority; (which
wasgrounded even upon the constitutions ofJrian
Councils) this being the fecond time driven- on againft
the intreatics and obteftations of many worthy Bi-
(hops and good people who adhered to him, did
again renew and fix that fchifm. 3. When the men
were other wayes corrupt, or difcoveredto be grofle ^ n/ ^ f -
andprophane, although many other orthodox men l ro r^ au *
did interpofe for them • yec by all means it was K'ncnfoPM
fitted ; becaufe they ftill fuppoled fuch worthy men f^Lnt^
■ thatfided with fuch to be mif- informed. And it's^,/^^,
obfervable* that the moft peaceable Synods who did^^f,
moft for union, as thofe in Africk^ and that of Spain,
who had received Ofius, becaufe of the Churches of
France their interpofing , by that to prevent a fchifm>
yet were they moft peremptory, as it were in this, and -
refufed to receive $arjiltde$ and Martialti, as that of
Canbage did refufe Jpiarim, norwithftanding that
%ome interpofed for them, giving this rea(on,Thac
there was a ncceflicy of having the Churches provi-
ded with faithfull and holy Minifters. 4, Some-
times, and oftentimes men fentenced, though poflibly
with too much rigidity, if not with injuftice , have
yet fubmitted with refpefil to the Churches peace* ei-
ther totally, and upon that ground have again been
admitted; or partially, by abftaining to aft any thing
contrary to fuch a Sentence , but for reverence there- '
unto waiting for fome legal redreflfe, as in hiftory is
frequent ; and it is fie it (hould be fo in fuch cafes
where the hurt is particular, and proceedeth not from
a common defign of undoing all faithfull Minifters ;
becaufe the making of a fchifm, doth more hurt than
the contending for their particular Miniftery doth
cdifie in fuch a cafe ; and therefore fometimes though
fome men haye been preffed to undervalue an unjuft
t> d Seii'
40 z tA Treattfe concerning Scandal Park 4 •
Sentence,and to continue to officiate notwithftanding,
Yet out of refpeft to Church-authority and order,
have refufed till they (hould be admitted orderly unto
the fame. Indeed when the Mans draveon the de-
position of their moft eminent oppofers, it was other-
wayes, becaufe fas is marked in the Cfetmti// offor-
dica ) in bearing down of them, they endeavoured to
bear down the truth which they maintained : But,
where the controverfie is not fuch, but the men ortho-
dox and found on both fides, though poffibly there
may be fome particular faults or miftakes ; in fuch a
cafe, ic is fafer for either fide to cede in part,or wholly,
than to keep up a divifion : and we conceive, when
one fide cedeth not, if the other fhould cede wholly, ic
would be moft to the advantage of their caufe, and to
the commendation and ftrengthening of their autho-
rity in the Churches of Chrifh
Debates ^e 9t ^ er OCC2L ^ on °? bebate in fuch Church- mat-
about con- terSj * s u P on ^ e defeft, that is, when fome are really,
mving at or are thought to be, connivers at guiltie men, or at
£M#7iHflileaft defe&ive in putting of them to trial! : others
again, may be thought too forward and precipitant
in that, whereupon arifeth difference ; and ifone cede
not to another, it becometh the occafion of divifion,
as may be feen in inftances formerly given: Con-
cerning which, we fay,
1 . That men would remember, this is but one par-
ticular of many, that tend to the Churches good,
( though indeed a main particular ) and fo ought not
to be the rife of a divifion, nor of continuing thereof,
to the marring of the Churches peace in other things,
but men ought fingly to do their duty, and therein
to acquiefce, without partaking of the faults of others,
whether it be by being defeftive, or by exceeding in
that mater ; and feing there may be no corrupt defign
in either who may be upon thefe extreames, it would
not be fo highly aggreaged on either fide-
2. We fay, that as often difference in this, may
breed
Part 4. *A Trettifc concerning Scandal.' 403
breed divifions ; foagain,divifions do occafion mens
differing more in this : and k cannot be expfftcd
where divifion is, that men who are men and fubjeft
to be byaffed, can be fo fingle in receiving teftimonies
of the innocency of thefethat differ from them, or of
the guiltineffe of thefe that agree with them, as if there
were no divifion at all : And again , it is impoffible,
that where there is a difference in fome other thing,
that men can think others differing from them fo
fingle and unbyafled, as they fuppofethemfelvesto
be, but are ftill ready to conftruft their differing from
them in this to be occafioncd from fome former preju-
dice ; for,as was faid,divifion breedeth jealoufie, fuf-
picion, and diftruft among men > and men are natu-
rally inclined to fufpe<5t that others drive the defigh of
ftrengthen'ing themfelves by the fentencing of fuch a
perfon, whereby they are fecretly induced, even una-
wares, todifappoint fuch a fuppofed unftreight end,
which maketh them on both fides fufpeft every thing,
difpute every thing, and readily rejeft everything
that cometh from the other.
3. We fay therefore,that union would not be fuf- Ww Ap-
pended upon fatisfaftion in this, but rather union ther t0 bc
would be preffed, that fatisfa&ion in this may be at- J° ll$1 * e &
tained \ becaufe fatisfa&ion in this cannot be expeft- ™ a *f dtUm :
ed till there be mutuall confidence of one anothers in- hcreinmti
tegrity : and till there be fome walking together , and j, j ?a i '
fome further evidence of the finccrity of each other in
the main bufineffe, this mutuall confidence cannot be
expe&ed : and again , this cannot be obtained with-
out an union, and fo confequently union would be
laid as a foundation for attaining of facisfaftion even
in this.
4. It would be confidercd, that oftentimes fuch ap-
prchenfions of extremities, which are imputed toho-
neft and zealous men, are moft groundleffe ; but there
being fomething in them as men,it is conceived on the
other hand, becaufe of fecretly entertained icalcufic,
d a id
404 ! A Treatife concerning Scandal. Part 4^
to be much more. There was nothing morecaften
up to the Orthodox by the KoVatians and fDonatifts,
than that they were defe&ive in this , in admitting
to, and retaining in the Miniftery, men that were cor-
rupt, Yet after many trials they were never able to
prove what they alleaged upon fome eminent perfons
whenitcametotriall , even when fuch things were
In times f generally accounted true amongft them. This would
divihon> ^e *dverted,that every general rumour be not accoun-
tumours te ^ a truth, efpecially in the times of divifion , for fo>
concerning few of the moft eminent on both fides fhould beinno-
tminent cent. Again, on the other fide, it occafioned much
jcrfonsfiot heat againft Cbryfojiom, that he had cenfured many of
to befo re* his Bifhops, and threatened many of his Clergie ; this
garded. did exceedingly provoke envy againft him , and made
fuch men to vent many calumnies on him,which were
too much regarded, even by fome orthodox and good
men, who differed from him upon another account
( as Epipbanim did upon the occafion of Origens writ-
ings) yet in no hiftory it is recorded, that he aimed at
the cenfuring of any unjuftly , though he did cenfure
with a naturall vehemency, as he did every other
thing; but the hiftory faith , menfpake much of the
number of thefe that were fentenced by him > and of
the vehemency of his manner in reproving and cen-
furing of their faults , which they accounted to be
pride, not confidering the faults for which he did cen-
fure them ; But men having conceived prejudice at
him, were the readier to admit of their accufations
againft him, as if they had been unjuftly dealt with
by him, and upon that fame ground of prejudice at
. . him, were the more inclinable to reftore them whom
?*?/'* he fentenced.
jujuy ten- $ I c is to be confidered alfo, That zeal againft
imifflm ^ uc ^ as are ' u ^ty cenfurable, is moft confiftent with
mtb a (pi- a ^P 1Vit °^ un * on * n c ^ c Church , as appeareth by the
ritofuni- former inftances of men moft tender of union , and
.#«, . yet moft zealous in this : yeai thefe two go together ;
becaufe
Part 4» A Treatife concerning Scandal' 405
bccaufe zeal for the Churches edification,conftraineth
to union, and doth alfo prefl'e the removing of corVupt
unfaithfull Minifters, which, next todivifion in a
Church, is the greateft plague of a Church. Therefore
thefe things would be adverted, 1 . That the purging
of the Church of fuch, and the work of union, would
be joyntly rcfpe6led>otherwayes if union be flcigbted,
it will hazard the falling in too nearly with the
fchifmsof thcNoVatians and tDonatifts , which have
been fo hurtfull to the Church. 2. Union when it is ret union u
in competition with the depofing of fome unfaithfull to be pc-
men, and both cannot be obtained together, it ought fared, to
to be preferred, as we fee the Apoftle doth, 2 C or * *o. tkc cenfur*
6* who will not cenfure in fuch a cafe , left he ftate a ingoffom^
fchifm ; for, the continuing of fuch in a Church, is in- m f^^l u ^
deed a hurt, feing they are ufelefle, and in a great part mcu *
hurtfull, yetfo, honeft Minifters may have acceffe to
do good befide them : but when fchifms enter ,the hurt
thereof is more comprehenfive , and they do render
unufefull the Miniftery both of good and bad. 3. It
would beconfideredalfo, that the divifion being in
the cafe fuppofed, where men are orthodox and pious
on both fides, it is not fo exceedingly to be feared, that
either men,palpably corrupt in doftrinejor conven-
tion, (hould be entetrained upon the one fide or that
men ufeful in the Church,and blameleffe in their con-
ventions, fhould be crufhed upon the other. 4. It Vnitn^ no
would follow alio, that union fhould be no prejudice t re J ud * ce
to the ridding of the Church of corrupt Minifters, but t0 . ti)e ^ ur ^
that it (hould be ftudied where there is need, becaufe it & n & J*| *'
is a fruit of the fame fpirit (to be zealous againft cor- €Qfru * '
rupt men) from which meekneffe and moderation to-
ward thefe who are not fuch, do proceed ; and there-
fore if there be any fuch obje6t of zeal, as an unfaith-
full Miniftcr, (as it is not like that evct the Church
wasi or (hall be free of fuch) then ought men to beftir
themfelves faithfully in the removing of fuch. It is
m arked and commended in the Angel of Epbefu5 f
D d 3 %K
4o<5 tATreatife conccrnlngSc akdai* Part 4.
%v.2. v. 1,3. That he was eminent in patience and
enduring) and yet to zealous in this, that he could en-
dure no unfent Mimfter , but tryed fuch as called
themielves Apoftles, &c. which contemperature or
mixture is exceedingly commended : And in refe-
rence to the fcope which we are upon > zeal in this* is
not only a duty as at other times, but a fpeciall mean
having influence on the procuring of union ; becaufe
fo , one of the great ftumblings that hath been in the
Church to make theMiniftery contemptible is remov-
ed , and a prafticall evidence of mens zeal is given,
which tendeth to lay a ground of confidence of them
in the hearts of others ; fo, alfo men are kceped from
falling under the tentation of luke-warmncffe > and
forgetting of every duty , but the fupporting of the
fide, at leaft, that which ufually is imputed in fuch a
cafe, is removed ; and alfo by this , men would find
the neceffity of bearing with many things in others,
who may in the main be fuppofed to be honcft : And
however 5 it is the way to be approven before God,
and to have a tefiimonie in the confeiences of others.
All which conduce exceedingly to union ; whereas
univcrfall ceffation fronuhis, as if there were no fuch
matter to work upon , and obftrufting formally,yea,
or materially or virtually any thing thereof, doth ex-
ceedingly tend 'Othe fixing of divifion,and cooling of
the affe&ions of many that look on, without which,
that is, warmed affeftions , there is little acceffe to
hearty union*
P . 6. We fay, that this duty of purging would not be
not to be ^° * n * ts ve hcmency preffed, either under a divifion,or
much prcf.whAe union is not confirmed, as when a Church is in
fed M mi- a 8°°d condition ; becaufe > that were to give firong
in be j5x- phyfick to an unfettled weak body, that might rather
<si, liir the humours to the prejudice of the whole , than
remove them : Therefore we conceive » that fobriety
and prudence would be ufed here > in moderating of
theexercifeof this duty, till the union be confirmed,
and
Part 4. A Treattfe concerning scandal. ^°7
and, as ic were , by preparations the body be difpofed
for the fame : Therefore if faults be not grofl'e, evi-
dences clear, and a perfons unfruitfulneffe or hurtful-
neffe dcmonftrable , ( in which cafes no difference
amongft fuch parties as are to be united, is to be fear-
ed) It is fafer for the Church to abftain the fame, than
to hazard the opening or ruffling of a wound fcarcely
cured, by the unfeafonable prefling of fuch a duty.
The Apoftle doth in feverall cafes fpare cenfures of
unfaithfull men, out of reiped to the Churches pood,
as hath been formerly hinted; and as the judicious
divine Mr. Gillcff>y (who yet cannot be branded with
luke- warmncfle in this duty) in his jfarons rod, mak-
cth out, and doth give inftances of feverall cafes,
wherein this forbearance iscallcd-for. Infum, we
fuppofe that having to co in fuch a cafe with fuch pcr-
fons,it is more fafe for men to do their own duty,keep-
ing the peace of the Church, and co leave others to do C
according to the manifeftneffe of things as they (ball
anfwer before God,as to their feeking the good of His
Church ; and if this prevail not with fuch men for
ordering them in their duty, will any think that the
keeping up, or threatening of divifion, will prevail ?
La]lly y It would be confidered, if fuch ends as any
fide would propofe* either in keeping in , or purging
out of men who are thought fit or unfit refpedtively,
can be attained without union, fo as with it. There-
fore feing that is a thing which belongeth to Govern-
ment,and men are to be fwayed in fuch Afts by what
conduceth moft to edification , when they cannot at-
tain the length they would ( as we fuppofe men (hall
never do, in this matter of purging ) they then are to
walk by this rule of choofing what comparatively is
moft edifying, as was formerly faid. Sometimes alio
difference hath been about the excommunicating of per-
fons , or readmitting again to communion : but what
concerneth this may be fomewhat undcrftood from
the former grounds , wherein extremities would be
D d 4 (hunned,
4o8 ^4 Trcatifc concerning Scan da l • Part 4.
fhunned, and the Churches peace , and the Authority
of the Ordinances ftudied : Alio, we have otherwayes
beyond our purpofe become fo long, (and poffibly ad
naufeam ufque) in other things, we (hall therefore for-
bear particular dcicending into this, but proceed in
the generals propofed.
CHAP. XVIII.
The fears of mi(- government for the time to come,
and remedies thereof*
THe laft thing in Government > which was
propofed, as that whereabout differences and
divifions do arife, is, in reference to Govern-
ment for the time to come, and refolves in this, Who
(hall have chief hand in thedecifion of matters that
after may fall out ; fuppofing the union to be made up.
This refultech from the preient diffidence and preju-
dice which each hath in reference toother, and from
that impreffion that men have , that there will be a
driving of fides, according to power, even under a
concluded union : And indeed fomewhat may be
feared and expe&ed, at leaft for a time , confidering
mensdiflance in fucha cafe; for, if diffidence and
fufpicion be cbme to that height under divifions, that
one will not truft another in fome petty particular fa&
that is paft 5 Or lay by jealoufie where no proof is,
notwithstanding of all folemn atteftations 5 it's no
marvel that in matters of greater confequence which
are to come, they do not eafily give them credit. This
is often the greateft bufinefle to be compofed in a dif-
ference : hence it is, that fometimes bygones, which
have been the rife of the divifion* maybe removed,
when as yet this cannot be compofed, becaufe there
is no way conceivable how both parties may have
the chief hand in Government,and neither being wil-
ling to qede to the other; either from a feqr« ground
of
part 4. A Treattfe concerning Scandal; 409
of fleighting one another, or from that root of Yufpi-
cion whereby they conceive all loft that the other is
able to carry over them , whereby from fear of ha-
zarding the Churches good condition > they run here
in a certain prejudice , and, in fome fenfe, tall in that
inconvenience, which a Writer obferveth on the con-
tending of two BiChops , expreffed in this as the
ground of their divifion, tsntu utpreejjet alter nefub-
ejfet,fed neuter ut prodefiet ; which isofcen-times, on
the matter>too true in all luch contefts, this laft being
a conkquent of the former two.
This difference may be confidercd two wayes,
Ii As it pretendeth adiffatisfa&ion with the perlons
who are to govern ; tome, upon the one fide,thinking
it unfit to joyn with prophane men ; fome, upon the
other, difdaining to joyn with Schifmaticks. In this
ftraitwere the Fathers of the Council of C aY ^age in
their dealing with the® onatiffs 5 fome of them affert-
ing, on the one fide, Thac there was no uniting with
fuch as the generality of the Catholic^ were ; and Au-
gufttne often citeth the word of Trimianttt, given- in to
them as an Anlwer to the defire of a Conference, In*
dignum eft ut in unum conveniant filii Martyrum, & pro-
genies tradttorum ; that is, It is a motf mfiemly thing
that the fins of Martyrs , and the brcod of Traditors
Jhould ajjemble together in one place. On the other hand,
they were preflcd from %ome and parts adjacent, not
to unite with thefe Schifmaticks the flonatifts, as may
befecn in that Council ; yet did they find it their duty
to feek union with them notwithftanding, and to ad-
mit, that luch of them as were put before from their
Churches, (hould be repoffefled by him that was ap-
pointed C°gnitor, and deputed by the Emperour in that
Conference , Ut eo modo eos ad conferendum etiam bene-
fitivs inVttaret • that is, That fo he might irMte them to
conference at leajl by fuch benefits. This principle, we
fuppofc, ought not, nor will not ftick in the hearts of
fuch men, and in fuch a cafe , as is preluppofed, and
. . . it
4 1 o e^ Treatife concerning Scandal' Part 4.*
it leadeth to a Theft, That there is no communion in
Government to be kceped , where* upon any of the
former accounts, men are difpleafed with fuch perfons
as are joyned therein with them : and though aflfe&i-
on, andfometimes inclination,being ftirred with pre-
judice anddifcontent, will be ready tomakefome
fuch praftices to be plaufible, which do infer this ;
yeti I fuppofe, the Tbefis it felf will not be maintained,
more than fuch a ground will warrant Separation in
any other Ordinance ; and the grounds formerly laid
down in feveral parts of this difcourfe, will not admit
of fuch a principle, which,if admitted, would exclude
union for ever, We (hall therefore paffethis.
The fecond and main difficulty then, is, In the or-
dering of things fo for the time to come, as the ends of
union and government may thereby be obtained, and
that nothing that may be juflly feared by one fide or
other, may be altogether fleighted. In reference to
this, it will not be expe6ted that we fhould be parti-
% cular or fatisfying , yet not to leave it altogether im-
perfect. We (ball, firft, propofe (orr^e general con-
fiderations,to mollifie the (harpneffe of divifion upon
this account- 2* Offer fome general helps, which in
fuch cafes may be thought on. 3. Lay down fome
advertifements upon fuppofition that full fatisfa&ion
be not obtained.
We propofe thefe confiderations to be thought on
It mjlbe concerning this, 1. In fuch a thing it is impoflible
fuch a (atk- that men on both, or either fide, can expeft full fatif-
faShn at faction to their mind, or even (imply to their light;
neither is becaufe men have not the carving out of what is good
fully fatisfi* to the Church (imply before them, but comparatively
ct> and in reference to fuch and fuch a circumftantiate
cafe ; and therefore muft refolve, that refpeft muft be
had to the fatisfa&ion of others as of themfelves ;
for, ic is not the fatisfaftion of one fide that maketh
up union, but of both : and therefore it muft be re-
folvedtobe fuch a fatisfaftion to both, as neither is
fully
part 4t tA Treatife concerning Scandal. 411
fully and (imply fatisficd therein 1 and for that caufe
it's not to be expe&cd that in fuch a cafe all inconve-
niences which are poffible, can be fatisfyingly pre-
vented> or queftions concerning the fame anfwered.
I doubt if in any cafe there will be full fatisfa&ion as
to thefe.
2. Let it be considered, if the abftaining of uniting
will prevent thele inconveniences upon cither fide,
and if it doth not rather bring on greater, and moe
upon the Church ; and if inconveniences fway 5 which
areleffer and more uncertain in the one cafe, thofe
which are greater and more inevitable, ought to fway
more in the other * for, it's already prefuppofed, that
joyning doth not make one guilty in thefe inconve-
niencies, more than abftaining doth.
Yea, ?. Let it be confidered, if by continued di-
vifion, men be not neceflarily guilty of the inconve-
niences that follow it ; becaufe (to fay fo) they follow
itperfe, or naturally and neceffanly , whereas the
other follows upon union but by accident at the mod :
Other confederation* , formerly mentioned, are alfo to
have weight, and ought to be remembred here.
We come now to confirier the helps which may in ^ e tW;/ -
part be ufefull to prevent thefe fears. In reference tO/ cdr ^ ^ mt
which we would, 1. confider, that the matter feared, corrupt do-
is not the bringing- in of unfound doftrine in the ge- faine nor a
neral, nor the altering of pradtical rules to the ftreng- hrong Go.
theningof prophanity , But it is the mifapplicationitffjwiw.
of good rules already made, efpecially in reference to
thefe. 1. The admitting of unfit Officers in the
Church. 2. The depofing of fuch as deferve the
fame. 3» The decifion of Tome particular differences
that may occafionally occur in the carrying-on of
Church-affairs, wherein men may apprehend and
fear partiality,as they fhall occur : which grounds of
fear upon either fide, we may gather from what hath
been formerly hinted.
Concerning the matter of depofuion, we have fpo-
ken
4i i A Treatife concerning S can da * • Part 4;
kcti already and (hall fay 110 more. Concerning the
other two points, we may confidcr them either as they
are concerning things paft, before the union be made-
up during the divifion ; or, as they relate to what may
occafionally fallout afterward.
Concerning what is paft in fuch debated particu-
lars we have fpoken already > and, it(cems> one of
thefe three wayes muft be taken in reference therunto.
•i. Either by waving of thefe things (if they be fuch as
maybe waved) fo that without infifting in them,
they may be buried ; or, by one parties ceding > or,
by a mucual compofure, they may be iriftantly fetled.
z> ' not 2# ^"'^ac cannoc be, the union is not to be fufpended
tobe fufpcn* t ^ iereotl > ^ ut fome mutually may be appointed tola-
ded Lon c- ^ om m ^ ^ ame afterward, that with confent it may
very \mi- be brought to a point, which is not to be thought Je-
adar. fperate, although it be not ended for the time. This
way of mutuall conferring is natutail , as being an
approven mean for compofingof differences of any
Some parti* fort , in any place, at any time. 3, If that pleafe
culars to be noz 9 or attain not the end, the matter may be ami-
referred n ca bly referred to fome acceptable to both , who may
^L*^fibe trufted with the ultimat decifion in fuch parti-
•^* a *^ culars: neither is this unbecoming Church-autho-
rity fo tocondefcend, nor Minifters in fuch matters to
be fubmiffive. For, 1. it is no matter of doSrine
wherein they are to decide, or wherein either party is
toacquiefce, but it is in fome particular pra&icall
thing. 2. The Submiffion is not in a difference be-
twixt a thing finfull and a thing la wfull, but betwixt
two things that arc la wfull, which of them compara-
tively is the moft expedient to the Church in fuch a
cafe ; wherein I conceive, it were not implicit walk-
ing, though men fliould acquiefce in the judgment
of fome others in fuch things,more than in their own.
3. It would feem, that that advice of the Apoftle's,
I C or * &• ( ft Mere not a ^ife man amongst you ? tsfc. ) is
piopofed in the general, to prevent all fuch ftrife and
contention
Part 4^ A Treat %f e concerting Scandai. 4^3
contention, as doth bring fcandal with it : and there-
fore ought not to be excluded in this cafe , feing there
is a gift of prudence and wifdom given unto the
Church for the governing of her felf , and is more
eminently given to one than to another , even as the
gift of knowledge is for do&rine ; and therefore
we conceive that in fuch cafes, fuch may warran-
tablybe trufted with fuch particulars, feing it might
be cxpe&ed that they would endeavour to make the
beft thereof for the good of the Church. In that
conference with theftonatifts y we find that the ®ona-
tifts are defired to name one for themfe!ves,who might
joyn with the Cognitor appointed to judge of fuch
particulars and matters of facft, as were in debate be-
twixt the Catbolicf^s and them; and their refufing there-
of was looked upon as an evidence of their not defi-
ring an end of the controverfie : Neither is it to be
thought, that Juguftine and nigh 300. Bifliops with
him who yeelded thereto , did undervalue the matter
in debate between them, though they were content to
have differences in fa£t fo decided. We find alfo,
that for the removing almoft of all the forementioned
fchifmsi there were particular men, either deputed by
Synods, or commiflionated by adjacent Churches, or
called by themfelves , for the compofing amicably of
fuch praftical differences as were the occafion of their
rents : And, it may be , that were this more ufrd for
compofing of Church-differences, the height that of-
tentimes they come to in particulars , might be pre-
vented.
We here think not fit, that fuch things (hould b c Such thn f
decided by Church- judicatories by a mecr authorita- ?^°*/$ a
tivedecifion : not out of any dif-refpe6l to Church- J a r e aut l „
Judicatories; butbecaufe, as was formerly hinted in rim i vc
the generall grounds , Church- judicatories are fitter wa y %
for preventing fuch divifions than for removing of
them: And further, a Church- judicatory being in
all publick divifions a party , fuch deqifion would .
look 1
4 X 4 A Treatife concerning Scandal Part 4;
Jookliker fubmiffion (which men are notfoeafily
induced ifhco ) than union. Befide> fuch a way is
more ready to breed heart- burnings in (uch things as
have been the matter of conteft formerly , and (o is
palpably in hazard to brangle an union fcarce begun 1
Alfo, men will more eafily bear any decifion wherein
themfelves have a content > though it were mediately
by committing it to fome others , than where there is
only a ncceffity of obeying • and efpecially where
fuch prejudice is conceived to be in the Judge, as in
the cafe fuppofed. This maybe clearer from what
may be faid afterward.
Better fet a ^ or re g u ' at i n 8 things which may occafionally fall
time tljor- ouc ' ^ or c ^ e timt to come > wc ma y P ro P 0,c c ^efe ge-
hear many derail helps to be confidered. I. That there be an
things, than abftinencefrom what may readily feem to prove the
to br angle occafion of any differences leaft for a time : and it is
union. better to forbear many things » than to brangle union*
or grieve a party with whom we have united 5 Yet
generally it appeareth , that it is driving and not for-
bearing, that breedeth divifion, and alfo grieveth men
after union, and tempts them to rue the fame. Nei-
ther is this a bar to any from a neceflary duty, it only
regulateth men in the doing of neceflary duties , fo as
they may efchew the guilt of renting the Church , or
grieving of others ; or, atrnoft, krelatethbuttothe
tyming, manner, or (ome other circumftance of a ne-
ceflary duty : As fuppofe in the matcer of planting a
Church , a divifion fhould in all appearance be like
to arife , It is more fit that it fhould be for a time fuf-
pended,and other endeavours for facilitating the fame
ufed, yea, ere a breach be, chat even other perfons be
fought out ; for , though it be duty to plant the
Church, and that with none but fuch as are worthy,
yet it is not alway a neceflary duty to plant fuch a
particular Church, at fuch a time, and in (uch a man-
ner , and with fuch a worthy perfon ; Yea , it were
better for the Church* and more peace to the perfons
Part4- ATreatife concerning Sc kkd At* 415
mind , that fuch a particular place (houldvakc for
fevcrall years, than that the peace of the Church , or
compofedneffe of , her Judicatories, fliould be marred
thereby* and fo in other matters wherein forbearance
is called- for.
2. In fuch a cafcdoubtfull practices would be ab- <D$ u btfull '
ftained ; and whatever fide men choofe in any occur- patthcs to
ring particular, it would be fuch, and in fuch a man- be abfiawd*
nerdone, as may be convincingly approvable umo fnm.
any of whatfoever fide ; for , it is often uncertain
things, or difputable at the moft,that breed differences
amongft judicious fobcr men : men therefore would
fomeway confine themfelves within unqueftionable
things for a time , and not only have refpeft to their
own confciences in fuch things » and to what is right
in it felf, but alfo to others , who want not their own
fufpicions and jealoufies > and who by their deed may
either be foon tempted> or grieved ; both which they
ought to (hun.
g. We conceive, that it is ufefull in fuch a time to ^ avj i ro .
have many brotherly confutations, and conferences, tbcrlyconie-
concerning fuch things as may be moved, that things rences to
come not in abruptly , for, fo fometimes men may be pnvtnt a-
furprifed with fomewhatthey have not heard of, and brup \wt*
become jealous where there is no ground : Alfo, it is {Tijais.
an evidence of refpeft fo to communicate thoughts,
and men may thus know what is fit to be moved, and
what not; whereas otherwayes, men may be foon
engaged in oppofition to a motion , and not foeafily
brought off. This communication would not fo
much be by appointment of others, as voluntary, and
out of refpeft between particular perfons: Alfo, it
would be refpeftively done to the perfon with fub-
mifiion to his reafon, that is, if hefeem reafonably
diflatisfied therewith, and do not rellifh the fame , the
motion would be forborn, at leatt for a time , and
the other waited upon therein, till he come up to ic,
or at leaft connive at it ; this would breed confidence
and
41 6 A Treatife concerning Scamda l • Part 4^
and make the defigns joynt. And this way that is to
be followed in the firft moving of things, would alfo
bs continued in the promoving thereof.
Hdttets $f 4* Matters of difficulty would rather be committed
difficulty ra« to deputed perfons than inftantly decided efpeciaily
tber com- infuperiour Judicatories. The reaibns are* i» Be-
miuei % tban caufe ordinarily fuperiour Judicatories cannot wait
tnftantl/dc- the time that fretted fpirits will requite to bring bufi-
dicL nefles of difficulty to any cordial cloie. 2. Itfeenjeth
refpe&ive like when they are fd taken notice of, and
flighting like when things are haflencd. 3. Neither
fo are all after-murmurings and riiings of heart pre-
vented! when things are not heard to the full. 4* Be-
caufe time may do many things,and that may be eafie
ere long which is difficult now- $♦ In fuch deputa-
tions there is more accede to have refpe<St to the ap-
pointing of fuch perfons, as may moft probably ef-
fe&uate the thing for the Churches good ; and , no
queftion , a Church- judicatory is to take the way
which may do the thing beft, afwell as a particular
perfon, and they are to abftain from debatable things
and hafty conclufions, even as particular perfons are:
and oftentimes experience teacheth , that fuch Com-
miffions expede many things , which more frequent
Affemblies could not fo well do. Hence we will find,
that it was ordinary in the primitive time upon fuch
grounds,to give Commiflion to tome few to do things,
and particularly, that often-mentioned Council of Car-
thage did think good to diflolve, and to depute fo ma-
ny for deciding that, in matters of difcipline, which
they could not by themfelves fo well be able to com-
Not unfit, paffe.
fomc prfons 5. \# e conceive alfo, that it were not unfit in fuch
intt ie- ca f es ( for a time at leaft ) to have fome defigned by
fignei for a mutual confent, who might cornpofe fuch occafional
tmct$<om. difF erences as poffibly might ariie; or, who at leaft
MUdtffu mi g^ c have fo much powrr as to reftrain and keep
fciuei. " ^ owa £ he Tame from being a new ground of divifion
to
a«
par 1 4« A Treatife concerning Scandal^ 417
to the Church , or matter of great grief to any party.
This is not to conttitute anew Judicatory, bu: ac-
cording to the light of nature to provide a mean for
keeping up of order , and preventing of confufion,
when, in refpeftof the prefcnt diftemper of fpirit,
there is no poffibility for attaining^ that end by the
conftituted Judicatory: Nature in fuch a cafe teaches
all men to feek for order in every fociety , and it be-
ing fuppofed that there cannot be a joyning in ordi-
nary Judicatories without this, and that it might be
attained with this, it's hard to think, that that is de-
nied to the Church which agreeth to all other focie-
ties ; or, that it can be faid, that it is better to wane
union in Church- judicatories, than to have it fo qua-
lified. Sure fome Churches would , and do think
much to attain this length , as appeareth by the ma-
ny voluntary affociations which worthy men have
been led unto, for the keeping of order, and attaining
of fbme union, who are yet good friends to Church-
government ; and the reafon that warranteth them in
their deed, to wit, the neccflity of union and order itl
the Church, and the impoffibility that there is of any
further mean for attaining the fame, will warrant this
praftice in the cafe fuppofed ; for, the queftion is not
(imply, What is t^c (rft conftituted Government of
a Church in a good condition ? but it is, Whether a
Government with fuch a qualification, be better than
"500 Government, or a divided Government, it being
fuppofed that no other in the circumftantiat cafe can
be attained ?
It would be confidered alfo, That fuch a voluntary
reference to fuch perfons, doth not include any autho-
;y> as to ordain Minifters, or depofe,&r*. but it is to
Oe in matters of faft, as in thefitnefle or unficnefle of
fuch a Plantation, of fuch a Procefle, and the like ;
which was mentioned in reference to differences paft j
for, what was faid there, is alfo binding here.
Neither can this be thought any limitation or
£ e wiakfting
4lS ^4 Treatifc concerning Scandal, Part4J
weakning of Church-authority and power : For*
i. Ic doth make that authority and power ftronger
than formerly it was without this s in the cafe fo cir-
„ cumftantiate ; and the quettion ft ill is to be confi-
rm tendeth dered not in theft, but in bypotbefi. 2. Becaufe this is
to recover for the recovery and ftrengthening of an authority
finngtb to that for the time is not in exercife, at leaft in fuch an
tfudica* extent? and it is to give the fame a being, as it were,
tones* and to bring it to its former luftre ; as if a weak man
(hould be led, or get a ftaff in his hand till he recover;
onas ifadisjoynted leg (hould be fenced about other-
wayes than one that is whole, and fo be the fooner
incapacity to walk without thefe. 3. This is but a
temporary acceffory help , and is not pleaded-for as
aneflential of Government > but only as a lawful!
expedient when it cannot be wanted* 4 It may be
con fidered that poflibly no ufe may be thereof, and
if fo, it can be no encroachment ; aad if there be need
thereof, fo as things cannot cordially becompofed
otherwayes , Is is not expedient then, for the prevent-
ing of a further inconvenience? 5. Ifuppofc it is
not inconfiftent with Civil Authority , when union
is made-up betwixt two Nations, or in the fame Na-
tions,efpecially where Authority hath been brangled,
that fome by joynt confent be chofen for deciding of
fuch things as may occafion a new breach : and there
are many inftanecs of this in hiftory ; for, the being
of Authority is cumulative to the means that men
are naturally fur nifhed with, for the prefervingof
union and order, and therefore it cannot exclude fuch
prudential confederations.
Neither can it be thought inconfiftent with the na-
ture of Church-authority and Government : For,
I. If it be agreeable to the principles of nature and
%AU u con- f ounc j rca f on> i c cannot be inconfiftent with Church-
•Vi^-a • ii government, which hath its own policy grounded up-
SCl oa thefe : And althou g h ^e form of Government be
thM'm l • not to be gathered from thefe* nor the ends which they
mnt ^ - (hould
Fart 4. A Treatife concerning Scandal. 419
fhould aim at who govern, yet the manner how fuch
a Government is to attain thefe ends, is in pofitivc
things to be regulated by them : hence fometimes men
are to ufeintreaties and perfwafions, fomtimes threat-'
nings and authoritative means* according as the end
may be attained* 2. Although Church-government
in the general be determined; and men be not free to
affociateor not , yet there is much, as to theexercife
thereof in afibciating, and the particular manner mu-
tually agreed upon > which ftill may regulate circum-
ftances, though they cannot alter the nature of the
thing. 3. It is not neceflary that Church-authority
fhould be al wayes exercifed in every thing 5 for, it is
not to be exercifed but when it is to the. Churches edi-
fication.and there is no fuchChurch-authorky as edi-
fies not ; and therefore, if in fuch cafes the interpofing
of Church-authority in the ultimat decifion of matters
be not edifying , it is no encroachment upon it to fay
it fhould not be exercifed in that cafe ; and fo at the
moft>that which dependeth upon this reference, is, on-
ly prudentially to difcern and judge? if in fuch and
fuch a cafe, it be fie for the Churches edification, that
Church-authority fhould decide in fuch a particular
matter> wherein not the authority or power, but the
prudence, zeal, and fakhfulnefle of fuch pcrfons are
to be reipefted for the obtaining of a forbearance.
4. We will find the great Apottle oftentimes conde* the great
fcending to lay by his authority , and to intreat and Ap\\ie of*
beteech, efpecially in the matter of union ; and fomo*" * loyctb.
times to advife, when he<bought his intreatics might tf W^ tf -
more kindly prevail ; or , when he thought hi* autho- ™ n tf«
rity might be queflioned, or his authoritative afting
hazard a fchifm: which grounds, being moral, may
Warrant a Church in fuch a cafe unto the end of the
world to follow his example. ?. Seing union is
maintained when it is weak by the fame means by
which it is begun> (for union is not compleated whcr\
fomc agreement is clofed ) and fcing , -as we faid, qn
E Q
4 io A Treatise concerning Scandal? Part 4V
authoritative way is not ficteft for conceiving and
bringing forth the fame ; So neither will ic be for
giving of it fuck and milk till it be able co abide
ftronger meat. 6, Seing Church -authority is pa-
rental, and thac of the tendered fort, it is not unbe-
coming that it condefcend even to the weaknefle and
childifh diftempers of fome members; fuppofing there
be fuch (landing in need thereof; and if (uch conde-
fcending may joyn them in and keep them in, in their
own place, and prevent even their fnares and mifcar-
riages more effe&ually than authoritative means will
do, which are for the time fufpefted by them j ought
not fuch means to be followed ? And if they fhould
continue in their infirmity to ftumble at the perem-
ptory ufing of authoritative means and the denial of
this ; will it be thought a fufficient ground to exoner
men from having acceflion unto their fall ? or will it
look like that tenderneffe and condefcendency which
mothers and nurfes ought to have to children, even in
their childifh and unreafonable moodes ? 7. This
alfo mif-ftates the queftion , becaufe its here to be
confidered (as was (aid) not what is the nature of
Church-authority (imply, but comparatively, what
is ficteft for procureing the edification of the Church,
and for a time to be a mean for recovering her to a
full authoritative manner of a&ing, which is now
fuppofedto be brangled. Befide, if the recovery of
Church- authority be a duty requiring means to be
ufed fuitabie to that end ; then the ufe of this mean
muft be a duty : becaufe, in the cafe fuppofed, it is
the mofl: probable mean for attaining to that. If k
be faid, that it is a more eafie way to acquiefce in the
authoritative determination, and it were more fit for
men to fubmit to that* Jnfto. That fuppofeth no
prefent diftemper to be, and anfwereth not to the cafe
ftated, which is upon the fuppofition that men do not
that ; Is not this more fit for prefent edification, and
more probable for attaining to a full authoritative
way
part 4^ A Treat* fc concerning Scandal I 421
way of a&ing, than the continuing of a divifioft
without condefcending in this ? In the laft place*
alfo it may be confidered , That the exercifing of
Church-authority in particular cafes, hie & nunc,
is an affirmative precept , and therefore doth not bind
adfemper, according to the common rule of affirma-
tive precepts \ it cannot therefore be unfuitableto it,
or the precepts by which it is commanded , to adde
fuch qualifications as arc mentioned in the cafe pre-
fuppofed.
CHAP. XIX.
Some advertifements concerning the overtures
fropofed.
TO come now to fome advertifements accord-
ding as we did propofe ; we muft (hortly put
them together, left we be too prolix in every
thing.
1. Then it would be adverted, That there is no pe-
remptorindle urged in any of the former helps or re-
medies > but if other means may be found more effe-
ftuall , all thefe are to cede. Only this is intended,
that if no more probable and effe&uall means be
found out , or applied , that it is better on tuch like
grounds to unite than to continue a divifion.
2. It is to be adverted , That there may be* and
ought to be fuch a condefcending, in the concluding
of, and fixing on the means , ( especially for the time
to come ) as by the expreffing of time > manner, and
other particular circumftances of things , the fears of
both may be fomeway guarded againft, and each by
(hewing refpeit to other » may endeavour the remov-
ing of their mutuall jealoufies ; for, feing jealoufies
are mutuall , it will be too much for one fide to think
that the other fhould wholly credit them , if there be
no condefcending by them.
E e 3 3« Al-
watm
42a %A Treatife concerning S c A N D A l J Part 4.'
3* Although there fhould be fears that things fhould
again break out> and that therefore it is to no purpofe
to undertake a way of union , not every way fatisfy-
ing ; yet it would be effayed, and if the Lord prevent
that fear ? fuch an objection is loofed ; if fome inter-
ruption come again to hazard an outbreaking , thefe
who are acceflory thereto , will be the more guilty,
and others who are innocent therein , may have more
peace than if it had not been eflayed
4. If union cannot be compleated in every thing,
then their would be endeavours to fix it fo far as is at-
tainable, and to prevent the increafing of divifion,that
if there may not be a pofitive union, at leaft, a posi-
tive divifion and oppofition may be Ihunned.
5. It would be endeavoured, that notwithflanding
of fuch divifions , men may mutually concur in that
wherein there is no divifion for the edification of the
Church : for,divifion in one particular ought not,nor
will not warrantably hinder mutuall afting in other
things where there is none : As for inftance , if iube
an interruption in carrying on the work of God
joyntly in Government , becaufe of fome difference
concerning that -; yet if there be acceffeto promove
the edification of the body by an united way oQ
preaching i that is to be followed and improven , as
we fee it is done in iome places where Government is
not allowed.
6. Whatever the cafe be , we fuppofe it is duty to
make the beft thereof , when men cannot win the
length they would.
C H A P.
Part 4. \A Treattfe concerning Scandal. 423
CHAP. XX.
What u incumbent to Magiftratcs and Teople.
for remedying this evil.
IT rcftcch now that we (hould fpcak fornething , to
what is incumbent to Magtflrates and People, for
remedying of fuch an evil in the Church ; but
being keeped Co long on the former, we cannot enter
on this ; We (hall only lay down thefe few generals,
I, That neither of them ought to be offended or
ftumbled ac fuchdivifions, or thereby be brought to
have leffe eftrem either of the Gofpel, the Ordinance
of Government, or Worfhip, or the Miniftery and
Miniflers of Jefus Chrift ; much lefle would there be
infulting over, or advantage taken againft, thefe upon
this occafion , as is recorded to the infamy of feveral
perfons ; but on the contrary* all would be atfe6ted
-therewith, as with a moft dangerous fnare, and fear-
full plague : And to this pmpofc Mgufline doth feri-
oufly prefle his ( Boniface i Governour of Jfrici, that
he mould not ftumble at the divifions of the Church*
and particularly Bptfl. 50.
'2. All would fearch if they have had anyfinfull
influence upon the procuring of fuch a ftroke 5 for,
if it be a plague and wo to them, they would look
back to the rile thereof; who knows but the fins of
Magiftrates or People in their fretting at the Ordi-
nance of Government, defpifing of the Miniftery, not
receiving of the Word nor walking anfwerably ther-
to,and fuch like,may have procured this divifion from
the Lord, as a judicial ftroke on them to harden them
in their former fin, and thereby to ttrenptlcn their
tentationtodefpife all the Ordinances more to their
own ruin, as may b: gathered from what hath been
fprm^rly fpoken ?
3. All would be carefull toabftaiti from what may
E e 4 further
'424 tATreatlfe concerning Sc am d al Part 4*
further or heighten the breach , and by all means en-
deavour not to be engaged in fuch fidings ; for, that
often cncourageth others , and rncrcafeth and fixeth a
, rent ; and in experience it is feen f that thefe fchifms
were ever moft dangerous.* and moft difficultly remo-
ved, wherein people came to party, and fide with op-
pofit fides in the divifion : and feing the Spirit in the
Scripture, doth forbid people as well as Miniftersto
divide, this muft be their duty , not to joyn in fuch a
divifion* Alio, it unfits them to get good from Mi-
nifters, or to do good for removing of a rent amorrgft
them. And we are fure , If doubtfull difputations,
vain /anglings , and fuch like queftions, that tend not
to edification , be to be efchewed by people , then we
conceive that fuch as are in the cafes preluppofed, may
be fo efteemed of*
4. They are by all refpeftive means ferioufly to
preffe the abftaining from,and compofing of fuch dif-
ferences, by their ferious reprefentations of the ills
thereof, and exhortations, according to their places to
have the fame remedyed. And were this more amongft
people, upon occafions in due manner,toteftifie their
ibber refentment of fuch evils in the general, and defire
of union, and condefcendency for attaining the fame,
fo far as is fir, it would much more become the fobrie-
ty of tenderChriftians,and be much more efFe&ual for
this end , than to be heightening and aggreging the
mifcarriage of any one party to another , or carrying
reports or informations true or falfcwhich may kindle
humours to a flame that are hot and fmoaking alrea-
dy. It would affefit a heart to hear the regraits and
expoftulations that Conftantine, Gratian, and others*
have anent the divifions of Church-men in their times
and their exhortations to remedy the fame*
5. All forts would endeavour to be in goodtearttis
with God> in refpeft of their own particular conditi-
ons: and when all failethj they would ftill be inftant-
ly dealing with God by prayer for healing of the
4 "" _ fame
Patt 4« A Treatife concerning Scandal.* 425
fame , as accounting it a great plague* even to them'
while this continueth*
CHAP. XXI.
The grounfo and motives of the de fired union.
THelaft thing propofed tobefpokento, was,
the grounds whereby union on fuch like
tearms, in fuch cafes , might be preffed : but
feing fomethings to this purpofc have been already
here and there inferted, upon fcverall occafions ; and
feing thefe who are mainly concerned in this, are fup-
pofed to be moft tenderly zealous of the Churches
good, and fo not to ftand much in need of many mo-
tives to perfwadeto this which doth fo nearly con-
cern the fame; and fearing to heap up too many words
in a matter fo clear, we (hall forbear to infift, and on-
ly propofe fome confideracions to the confeience of the
tender Reader,efpecially in reference to fome particu-
lar circumftances, which fometimes may occur in the
cafeofdivifion. And let God Hirafelf, who is the
God of peace, of love, and of order, put them home
to confeiences with a ftrong hand.
Brfty The confeiencious Reader may confider, when
all is well weighed that is formerly propofed , with
what may befides occur to himfelf,Ifthe ftudy of uni-
on be not a moft neceffary thing , and it without the
eflaying of thefe and fuch like means, according to his
intereft and calling, he can have peace, as being fuffi-
ciently exonered in his duty , in reference to this great
end ; and if there can be folid quietneffe to continue
divifion upon the grounds mentioned , and to fleighc
the purfuing after union, if attainable, upon thefe or
fuch like tearms as are propofed, efpecially in thefe
and fuch other cafes.
1. When a Church is under externall crofles and
affliftjons , and by Gods difpenfation is caft into the
fur*
425 A Treat^e concerning 5canoal» Part 4;
furnace ; to be therein ftrugliag and wreftling one
with another, and, as if it were in the time of the
Churches greateft peace and calm , to be contending
for matters of fuch concernment* O how unfuitable is
it ! Though indeed condefcending be called-for ac
anytime, yet certainly, much more and m an efpeci-
all manner at fuch a time. The judicious, and great
Divine £!i/vj«, doth, upon this account, exceedingly
aggregethedivifionsamongft fome Bnglifh inF^w^-
ford, who being banifhed in thedayes of Qaeen Ma-
ry for the fame Religion , did even there contend for
matters of little moment. This ( faith he, Bpijl. 200.)
was exceeding intempeflb ?, or unrimous, and exceed-*
ing offenfi ve to the Church of Chrift, and unbecom-
ing their cafe : And although ht utterly difapprovecl
thefe ceremonies.as unbecoming thcChurch of Chrift;
Yet doch he ( Epift* 206.) prelfe moderation on both
fides* ufing thefe words, Sicuti autem eos qui I \>obti dif*
fentiebant bortatttA fum , ut qua pojjent moderathne in-
flctieirent • itamibidijplicuit, nihil VuiJJlma parte Veflra
recedi vd remitti , that is , A I did exhort thefe tybo Xbere
not of one mind With you > to flretch themfehesy>itball
pojjlble moderation • So it did difp'eafe me, that there V><u
upon the other band by you, nothing ceded or remitted.
The fecond cafe is, When a Church by divifion, is
I lid open to groiTe hereticks , who wait the occafion
of fuch a divifion , that they miy make (as it were)
an infall upon her, Divifion fhould be fhunncdac
any time, but in fuch a cafe , union (hould be at any
race, of warrantable condefcendency, purchased* In
; that difference between Eufebius and Bafilw, at firft it
, was fufficient to cfchew divifion; for which end at
$fy%ian%ens defire* ^afiiias removed; bttf when the
jirians were like to take advantage .thereof , he did
' again return , and by his condefcending made up a
perfeft union, thereby to ftop the door againft the in-
breaking of errour upon that people : Which fa6l is
ever highly commended, even in refpeft of the feafa~
4 fonablnefle
Part 4. A Treatife concerning Scandal 427
fonablnefle thereof, in reference to that tentation.
3. A third cafe wherein union would cfpecially be
ftudied. is, When there is little help f rom without>to
the luftaining of the Government and order of the
Church; but men in thatrefpeCl, have and take li-
berty ro aft as they will : becau(c then union is the
only wall, and it that fall, there is nothing toguard*
Hence it is , that nectflky > cipecially in fuch a cafe,
bath made men think upon aflociations and mutual!
bonds , for the eftabl idling and confirming of union.
4. It is, when fome ohhe Ordinances , eipecially
the Ordinance of Government, is queftioned,or whet*
they arc defpifed , and fomeway made contemptible
before men : in fuch cafes , for relpeft to the Ordi-
nances of Chrid * men ought to condefcend to the ut-
termod , and to endeavour the recovery of the Ordi-
nances of Chrift to tneir former beauty, which isim-
poflible to be attained without this > becaufe divifion
maketh all to appear contemptible.
5. ft is , when there feemeth to be fome fpeciall
nick, or choak, or crifis ( to fpeak lb) that is, When,
!if there be not prefent uniting and gripping, in all
probability, the divifion and breach will grow great-
er and wider, and be more difficultly removable. In
fuch a cafe men ought to dretch themfelves V>itb all the
moderation that it poffible (zs Cabins expreflion is ) if
they may now, at Icad> through Gods good hand up-
on them , come to fome agreement , and taking grip
j(to fay lb) while it 15 poffible. And if each of thefe
jalone> drongly prefle the dudy of union, even beyond
what is ordinary ; O how very drongly will all of
them, put together, prefle it ! And how a&ively
fliould men, zealous for God and His precious Ordi-
nances > and tender of the edification of fouls, bedir
themfelves to follow after peace in fuch a vehemently
urging cafe ?
The fecond thing that would be ferioudy consider-
ed and thought upon, is, What is the pollibility, and
fea fable-
42$ ^ Treatif? concerning S c a n d a f* Part 4;
feafablenefle , and acccffe to attainment , of fuch a
defirable end# It is true, tenacioufneffe in forae, may
make union in the lcaft things impoffible, efpecially
fuch as may by his grace, gifts, efteem^orthedepen-
dance of others upon him becaufe of thefe, have fome
fpeciall ftrokc and influence upon the thing : But the
Reader would confider,
1. If fomeway the ftick be not at himfelf, and if
there be not fomething poflible to him, in reference to
union , which yet he hath not condescended to ; for,
although he hath not power over the wills of others,
yet hath he over his own.
2. Let him confider , If the ills that follow divifi-
on be not great and certain: andiffo, if the flopping
at any ftep of the condefcending called-for, will bear
out the confeience againft the cryes of fo many re-
proaches that are caften upon Ordinances by fome $
againft the many challenges that will arife upon the
mifcarriages of others, that are occasioned by fuch di-
vifions; and againft the impreffion that the weighting
and fadning of many honeft hearts, will have with it
one day ? And if he dare ftep in to judgment, without
fear of being found faulty in any meafure in refpeft
of the forementioned inconveniencies ; if his conde-
fcending, as is called-for, might have prevented them.
5. He would confider, if at the appearing of Jefus
Chrift, when all fuch affe&ions (hall be laid by, and
difpucings will not have place, nor recriminations be
admitted; if, I fay, in fuch a cafe he may not have more
peace in condefcending upon either fide , as is propo-
ied , for the good of the Church, than by refufmg the
fame to keep up the divifion.
4i It would be ferioufly pondered, whether union
by fuchcondefcendency, or divifion without it, may
be moft profitable and edifying to the Church } and if
any of chefe things be of fuch confequence,as to ftand
in the way of the Churches further edification*
S. The Reader may cpnfider, if ever in the pra&ice
of
Part 4.' *A Trettife concerning S c a n d a 1 1 ^
of the primitive times, or in the writings of orthodox
and fober Divines, old or late, any fo circumftantiat-
cd divifion will be found warrantable , or if, out of
the heat of debate, they would probably haveftuck
at any condefcenfion that is here required upon ei-
ther hand.
6. Icmaybeconfidered, If all the prefcnt reform-
ed Churches being appealed unco in fuch a cafe, were
finglyand impartially to give jud&cmrnc thcrcanent*
whether it could upon any ground be thought , that
they would judge fuch condefcending unlawfull up-
on either fide, if by it and no otherwayes union were
to be attained ?
7. It would be confidered , That if all that ever
have written on this fubjeft of old or late were con-
fulted, that (for ought I know) it will be found that
the condefcenfion that they allow for attaining , and
preferving of union in the Church, will be of a larger
extent, than any thing in this cafe requind ; And, I
fuppofe, hardly will it be found, that from fuch writ-
ings there will be a flicking allowed upon any fuch
thing as is propofed. And will it be fafe, at once to
condemn fo many ?
8. The Reader may refleft on himfelf, and try
what are his thoughts of former divifions , and if he
doth not approve moft ordinarily thefe that were
moft peaceable, and alwayes thefe that in fuch a cir-
cumftantiatedcafedidftudy condefcendency 3 and if
he doth not within himfelf judge , that it had been
I more for the Churches good, that fuch divifions had
been removed upon fuch like tearms, than that they
Ihould have been continued; and if there be not in his
bofome a kind of indignation at the rigid drivers of
fuch a divifion , whereby he may know anddifcern
what is fit to be done in the prefent cafe, if he were as
impartiall in it, as in the other*
9. He may confider, If union be not made up up-
•n fuch or the like tearms ; and if upon other tearms
^Jo c4 Treatife concerning S c a n d a l. Part 4*
it be impofli ile> What will follow > or what ufu-
ally doth follow in fuch cafes? Doth not bitternefle
growfo a height amongft orthodox men as if each
of rhem were enemies to the crurhof Chrift , and
enemies to one anothers perfons ? names alfo are • of-
ten impofed upon each by the other , as if they were •
not both of the fame body 5 or, as if it were goodi
fervice to God, and advantage to the Truth, by fuch
defignations to render one another odious , contemp-
tible and ufeleffr : As thefe that refufed to joyn with
the Church of ^ome in Edfler , were called Quarto-
decimani ; whereupon folio weth abftinence in com-
munion with one another , turning afide unto errour
and novelty amongft fome ; indulgence if not conni-
vance at ; and compliance with groflfe and corrupt
men amongft others ; coldneffe i« zeal to God , and
love one to another v and upfitting in the power and
practice of podlinefle amongft all, and many fuch
like wofqll cffc<5b. And fhall , alas, (hall the weight
of all thefe fad and Rfligion-ruining confequcnts* be
ftated upon the refuting of fuch condefcendency as is
here called- for ? G d forbid.
10. It would be'ferioufly confidered, what may
be the thoughts of the generation that fhall fucceed ?
Shall fuch a divifion be propagated to them, and they
made heirs thereto ? Shall not they either continue
miferable under fuch a condition, and that for ever,
with fuch heightening circumftances as cannot but
follow ? ( and will any ingenuous and pofterity-
compaflionating Reader think of this, and not be
affedied therewith? ) Or they muft endeavour the re-
tovery of union with much more difficulty than it i
may now be ; and if fo, certainly that generation I
will be in hazard to curfe thefe that went before them,
who did bring them forth under the neccflity of con-
tinuing under the fin, fnare, and torturing- plague of
divifions ; or, at leaft, of being in fo greatly- puzling
and perplexing (traits, ere they could expedc them*-
fclvesoutof tnefame* "• If
Part 4. A Treatlfe conce'r^hg Scandal. 431
11. If yet the Reader be not convinced pofitively
to joyn and further union in iuch a cafe, let him yet
confider if he hath (ufficient clearntfle to oppotc and
cry dovvn the lame as finfull , and if he hath liberty
anid freedom to cry down all that ever have approven
or do approve the removing of a divifion upon fuch
; terms as thefe propofed ? and if he dare with confi-
dence from his own particular diflatisfaftion,mar the
fame amongft others ? and if pcflibly he might not
have more freedom negatively to lye by, and neither
dirc&ly nor indirectly to be the occafion of fuch an
offence > and if the Church might not have more
profit, and he more peace in fo doing? and if he be
fatisfied, he may confider whether it were not better
to endeavour fuch a compofure , though to the difla-
tisfaftion of jbme (who poffibly may afterward lay
by their difcontent ) than out of prepofterous rer-
fpeft to them, to hazard the ruine of all ? which is,
as it were, to bring a leaking fhip to land in a ftorm,
though fome of the company.upon feme miftakeop-
pofethe fame.
. 12. Let him confider, ifevercondefcending in fuch
things hath been obferved to bring any hurt to the
Church; whereas felfwillednefle ( whereof a Mini-
ftcr efpecially fhould be free) hath alwayes been dan-
gerous. ' It's true, *pwrU in points fundamentals
fuch as that which Jnajlafim preffed, hath been moft
2ealoufly oppofed as hurtful], becaufe thereby the
foundation was ftrucken at, and crrour in fundamen-
tal things got equal footing with truth ; But can ever
this be faid in (Uch things as are fuppofed in the cale
I laid down ?
Laftly, The Reader may confider, if in foberneffe, \
I and in an abflra&ed manner extra <eflum difputatiovis,
! he were giving his advice to a Church (o divided,
I and immediatly thereafter to fiep in to judgment, he
i would not readily incline to commend union on thefe
I or fuch other terms , as neceffary for the good of the
Churchy
435 ATretnfe concerning Scandal; Part^
Church, credit of the Ordinances, and the removing
of ftumblihg-blocks from before the people, efpecial-
Jy in the cafes formerly mentioned ; and if he might
not have more peace to ftcp to judgment after fuch an
advice, than if rigidly hefhould inhibit fuch conde-
fcenfion* And we (hall leave the judicious, con-
fciencious, and tender Reader, to anfwer thefc and
manvfuch things to himfelf, and accordingly to do;
arid irany, out of prejudice, ( as we hope none will,
and heartily ^i(h ftonemay) (hall not confeienci-
oufly ponder the fame, we leave him to confider that
he muft reckon to God therefore , and (hall only ob-
teft him that he will have more refpeft to the Chur-
ches peace, than to his own inclination ; and that he
will at leaft by fome other lawfull, poffible and pro-
bable mean effay the removing, or at leaft the pre-
vention of the growth of fuch divifions ; and that he
would with all conftru& well of the effayes of others,
till we come all before the common Judge , who, we
are perfwaded, loveth the Truth in peace , and hath
joyned thefe together , which therefore ought by no
man to be put afunder.
F I 2^ I $•
TVNews
OpenLibrary