124 Of Chrillian Liberty, SEE II. 2dly, That the external circumftances of V. religion are not particularly determined by authority in the New Teftament, is an ar- gument that there is no need it fhould be fo determined ; for if there were, what reafon can be imagined why the apoftles, whofe power was at leaft equal to that of any fuc- ceeding ecclefiaftical rulers, fhould not have fixed fuch circumftances for their own time, fubjedt however to fuch alterations as to the wifdom of governors fhould afterwards feem meet. But, on the contrary, it is acknow- ledged, that the pradtice of the apofiles, and of other chriflians by their advice, was not uniform but variable, directed wholly,by expediency, as it appeared to every man judging for himfelf: Indeed, it is evident from what bath been already laid*, that the principle of liberty, fo ftrenuoufly afferted by St. Paul, conftantly directed his practice in fuch cafes; for as he frequently con- formed to indifferent ufages, when it was left free to himfelf, and he faw that his conforming would probably tend to the fur- therance of the gofpel ; fo whenever they were impofed as neceffary to the ends of religion, or chriftian fellowfhip, he always refitted, and would not give place by fubjec- tzan Sermon Izo
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