Of Chrian Liberty. 97 to exafperate or offend them, withdrew, S E x M. and feparated himfelf from that focial corn- IV. munication with the Gentiles which he had `-'''""j before maintained, thus forming an indo- fure in the chriftian church, on the foot of the abrogated ceremonies ; for the confe- quence was, that others, and among them even Barnabas, imitated the example of that eminent apoftle, joining in the feparation, fo that here was the beginning of a fchifm among the difciples of Chrift, and aliena- tion of affeftions, and a caufelefs breach of communion : On this account the zealous St. Paul, regarding the truth of the gofpel more than the perfons of men, withftood the apoftle Peter to the face, charging him and his followers with dißïmulation, becaufe they afted inconfiftently ; Firft, living freely with the Gentiles, and then forfaking their fellowfhip, without any juft caufe given on their part; and becaufe they walked not up- rightly according to the truth of the gofpel, that important truth which St. Peter him -- felf had been taught by a vifion from hea- ven, namely, that God has now taken away the diftintion between perfons and meats, clean and uncleáh ; and charging him like - wife with an invafion of liberty, compelling by the authority of his example, as being a VOL. IV. H perfon
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=