“Hence we see, that the longer one pleads for a thing, he becomes more confident therein, because his own pleading secretly prevails more with himself, than reasons proposed by any others to the contrary can” (Durham, p. 255).
Why Some Listen
“Besides, since it is not at all fitting for us to be upset every time our doing well brings bad reports to our ears, so it is only those who are troubled by their own guilt who show themselves unduly credulous by listening to whispers and false accusations” (Calvin, Concerning Scandals, p. 90).
Ratcheting It Up
“There are some acts whereby men have accession to the raising and heightening of division, and oftentimes they are mutual: As . . . some men’s doing of some inconsiderate act, or writing some inconsiderate expresssion upon the one hand, and other too passionately and vehemently exaggerating such a fact, and condemning such an expression …
Calvin Got Around Some
“Besides, men like that are afflicted by an almost incurable disease. For although it makes them feel ashamed not to know something, yet they cannot bear to learn anything” (John Calvin, Concerning Scandal, p. 25).
Theological Rabies
“So that, that sweet and moderate Melancthon, usually called the differences of divines rabies Theologorum, and at his death blessed himself, that among other sins and miseries he was to be free from this rabies or fury of divines . . .” (Durham, p. 243).
Vain Janglings
“I say, rightly ordered and managed, for often the pretext of Christian fellowship is abused to the hatching and propagating of the most absurd opinions, when people turn light and frothy, taking up their time with vain janglings, and diverting from the main scope, to wit, edification” (Durham, p. 215).
Another Corollary of Unity
“For seeing the church is one city, and one lump, a little fire may hazard all, and a little leaven corrupt all, and unwatchfulness at one part, or post, may let in enemies to destroy all” (Durham, p. 166).
One or the Other
“Teachers of the truth, and corrupt teachers, cannot both together have people’s affection, and no teacher readily will have weight, if he have not affection from his hearers” (Durham, p. 151).
Error as a Judicial Stroke from God
“Only from what is said, we may see that the Lord has a just hand in the overruling of such delusions; and also, that they cannot but be strong and successful which are guided so, as to be executioners of his justice. This also may make men tremble the more, considering that the opening up …
In the Prosecution of Their Errors
“And the Lord may not only justly deprive of such common gifts, but even or ordinary reason and judgment, whereby men become, at least, in the prosecution of their errors, absurd and unreasonable, without all capability of seeing the weight of a reason, or receiving a conviction, or observing their own folly, and to carry …