SERMON XL 289 Yet you May observe, that though he appeared, free front the Jewish law whenhewas among the Gentiles, yet he did'not carry it like a lawless man; but confined all his practice within the bounds, òfhis duty toGod and his Saviour, being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ ; vet: 214 So that neither onesort ofcompany nor the other temptedhim to neglect anyduty, Or to indulge any sin; You may observe OW tpoft another''ocëasiòn; wlieìrd Jewv4 and Gentiles were both present, when he thought a conformity tó any of the Jewish customs might give greater olfenee to the Gentile Christians; and be likely to do more hurt than good, he withstood Peter to the face; for his sinful compliance with the tin- charitable Jews : Ile reproved him for dissembling; and chid himbecause he walked not uprightly; according to the truth óf the gospel, andwould not giveplace to him by subjection ; no notfor anhour; Gal. ii: 5; 11; 14, &e: There are some seasons therefore ivhèti *0 may indulge ail inneCent Compliancewith our company in things lawful, in order to do credit to the gospel of Christ, and make oiir professionap- pear lovely and honourable in the eye's of all : But there ire' other seasons when circumstances are so placed, that we may not indulge the same compliances, lest our liberty be construedto anevil purpose; and we bring more scandal than henout to our profession by it. I grant the'r'e die sOtt a difficulties attending particular case's in theChristian life; and it is hard to know sometimeshow far we may go. It is no easy matter to tread in the apostle's steps, to become all things to all men; and yet be true to Christ: In the general, let this be our great rule, to act always with honest ieaLfor the gloryof God, and see that we please him' in the first place ; and then asfWaspossible to please all men; not seeking our ownprofit, but theprofit ofmany; that they may besaved,;' I Cdr. x. 31, 32; 33; And if while we endeavour tobe true to God, we should happen to be less complaisant to men, we shall certainly find favour at the throne of God, and then we ought not to be Over-solicitous whether men be pleased, or no. Thus I have finished the first general head, Which was to thew the extent and latitude of this virtue, or what is included inthe nature of thistruth, which the apostle recommends to Chris- tians: It eontainsin it veracity or sincerity, faithfulness and Con- stancy : And a lovely character it is indeed, when it shines in its full glory: But it is tinie new tò é'ntjuire, which dug can any, c This character belongs tonie ? AmI this true, this sincere, this faith- ful, this constant Christian ? Am I always careful that myWords u 2
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