f. Sera a d and in what not it were good they regzlire as little as they can ( what's neceffary for the fafe.guard of Religion as contained in the Scriptures) and fir6jeUr prallife as much as they can ; ) but only for the direction of every one how to order their converfation in the diverlty of Judgements that are aniongft us. 4. We muff moderate our pratli fang of thefe according to the circum- ffance1 we are in, and al they are convenient and expedient for us. Some- times the pra Life of thefe mua be wholly waved ; for the Laws con- cerning them being conditionall as to their doing or not doing: ( though not as to the manner thereof,) and not abfolute as of necef- fary dudes; their practife becomes fufpended on fuch conditions; which ( betides that I formerly mentioned, viz. when they come in competition with greater matters) are efpecially three. in regard of our felves difatisfae`tion of Confcience ; In regard of others, known fcandall, and di ff terbance of pt blick fetled peace. When any of thefe cafes occur, wherein the condition on which the command is fufpend- ed is awanting, the command there (as all other conditionals) become negative. For we are obliged abfolutely in moral! duties to do them, and for the manner rightly, they being no ways fufpended as to pra- äife, but in thefe only abfolutely for the manner, that if we do them we do thetta rightly ; and conditionally if we be fatisfied in our judg ments, and offend not others thereby, or diflurb the publick peace the lidi being knowledge in our felves,the other two charity to others, if we do them. And therefore where there is no place left for charity to others, as in cafe of equal fcandall on both hands, thy doing or for- bearing; there thou art at liberty. In which cafe in fmaller matters; that which is leaft obfervable is belt ; in greater matters according to thy concerments and charity to thy fell, and for general! good (if the publick be interefted in thee.) For when we cannot know on which fide, our doing or not doing molt evil to others lies, charity to our felves preponderates fuppofalsof the iffue. But time permits me not to' launch out into difcourfes of thefe cafes,' my Subject an confining me to the exercife of Moderation, which when the a &ion is to be wholly omitted, is not required, it's office be- ing only (as I have often faid) in the regulating of a &ions. As we mull therefore ufe modefly in our fpeeches for or againft thefe, fo alto in our pra&ifing them according to conveniency and expediency, not too violently running our felves out of breath, or a -tilt at others, in our praCtifing them, but with that equalnefs of fpirit and candorto- wards others as becomes us, Rorn.I q. 19. & 23. I Cot:: i 1. i 6. F f.f `Thus 403
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=