Chap, 28. An Expofstion'.ypon the $oók srJ o B. Verf. 28. 395 (R,m. 4.2.3 .)though the fa& or thing done be not finful;a-fcrupii- lous confcience is a troublefome one,but'tis better then aprefump- tuous one. As;;tre;jnufl not nourith fcruples or needlesdoubrs,fo we muff not la againfl. our fcruples or doubtings ; fo that though the evil be but a weer thew, or imagination of ours, ye; we muíi abthin from it. Thirdly, as for thofe appearances of evil which are fo only in the imagination of others, we muff oftenabflain from them, and rather forbear our own liberty, then offend the weak, or bring difcredit upon profeffion. Paul would eat no flefh.for ever,rather then he would offend his brother, much more would he abflain from flefh offered to Idols, though that was finful on- ly in the imagination of others (a Ccr. 8, i 3.) nor would be maintainance of the Corinthians, though he pleaded the lawfulnefs of it firongly (t Cor. 9. a y.) becaufe he would avoid all appear- ance of covetorufaefs in preaching the Golpel. It is not alwayes ground enough for us to do a thing becaufe it is lawful, we muff confider in many cafes whether it be feemly and expedient as to time and place. Fifthly, As we are to depart from the appearances, fo from the occafions of evil. VVhen Solomon had given chat aria charge (Prow.- , . i q..) Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men ; he prefently adds (v. 15.) avoid it, pafs not by it, turn fromit, and paffe away ; as if he had faid;I advife thee, my fon, not only not to enter the path of the wicked, but not fo much as to look upon it, not only to withdraw thy foot from it, but thine eye, for that may be a provocation leading thee into it ; yea I advife thee not only to avoid it when thou comefi near it, but do not fomuch as come near it pafs thou not by it, keep aloofe off (as we fay,) keep thy diflaece, turnfrom it, and makenot the leafl flay when thou turnefi, pafs 'away ; the leali hand may be an occafion-of thy fall, therefore keep thy felf aI- wayes in motion, yea upon thy full fpecd, when thou art near an evil path, paffe away, that is, pafs it by, when thou paf eßc by ir. As we muff depart from the evil it felt, fo from every thingwhich bath any tendency thereunto. 'Tis dangerous togoe alwayes to the furthefi bound of things lawful ; they that vvill doe the utmoll of what they may, are eafily engaged todoe what they may not. Bot'ris much more dangerous to daily with the firfi overtures and occafions of things unlawful. They who keep not L e e 2 off
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