288 CHRISTIAN MORALITY. oneness, or luxury : or at bestthey make no conscience of acting for their master's interest, when he is absent. Thus different companybath a different influence on the thoughts, the words, and the works of men : And some per- sons will run into every vice and folly, rather than to op- pose their company ; they had rather sin against God, and he false to their profession, than venture to be, what they call, rude and uncivil to company, So tender are they of giving offence to men, and so careless of offendingthe great and dreadful God ! There are some of all ranks and orders, of all sexes and ages of mankind, that seem to be sober, but have nothing of this divine virtue of truth or constancy in them. They would nei- ther swear, nor drink, nor game, nor speak a lewd or impious word, when they are, in a sober family : But when at any time- they happen to come into houses without godliness, they can fol- low the course of the family in all manner of iniquities, and grow false to alitheir former appearances ofgoodness. I might multiply instances of this kind, to shew what false- hoods and sly deceits are practised amongst men who call them- selves Christians, andhow inconsistent many of their actions are with their own professions and pretences _ But this part of my discourse hath already exceeded its just bounds. Yet I think I ought not toleave it till. I have*answered one objection. Objection. Itmay be said here, does not St. Paul, one of the truest Christians and the best ofmen, tell us, that when he was among the Jews, he became as aJew, and appeared likeone that was under the law : But when hewas among the Gentiles, who were without law, he appeared like a Gentile too, for hewas not willing to offend the one or the other ; according to his own ad- vice, Give none offence neither to the Jews, neither to the Gen- tiles, nor to the church of God ; 1 Cor. 4. 20. andchap. x. 32. To this I answer, The blessed apostle, when he hadnone but Jews about him, practised so much of the. Jewish law as was consistent with Christianity : When he had none but Gentiles with him, he de- claredhis freedom and release from the bondsof theJewish law, andneglected the Jewishceremonies, for someparts Of the Jewish . law were now lawful for a season, though they were so far abolished that theywere not necessary for a Christian. And the apostle managed this affair with holyprudence, and with a reli- gious design to ingratiate himself and his ministry, as much as possible both with the Jews and Gentiles for the salvation ofboth of them For you find this was his great end, I ammade all things to allmen, that Imight by all means save some;, and this I dofor thegospel's sake; ver. 22, 23.
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