SG1t1ION XXIX. `411 and have given no offence ; hut I would have taken every proper occasion to shew that these were unnecessary scruple& , This was the conduct of St. Paul, in the controversy about eating meats offered to idols ; 1 Cor. viii. S. Meat comrnendelh us ° not to God; for neither if we eat, are we the better; neither if we ¿at not, arewe the worse. Therehe declares how needless these scruples were ; and 1 Cor. x. 25. to shew that christian liberty, where no scrupulous person was present and opposed it, he bids them, eat whatsoever is sold in the shambles, asking no questions for conscience-sake. But in both theseplaces he cautionsthem against offending the weaker brethren; and shews also how afraid he was of giving offence, or acting in their presence con- trary to their practices, even though they were built on needless scruples. Verse 13. I willeat no flesh while the world standeth, if it make nzy brother to offend; that is, if it tempt him to grow bold, and venture upon the same food against his conscience. And the apostle practised this self-denial, lest he should sin against his weak brother, lest he should grieve him byhis uncharitable licence; as Rom. xiv. 15. This holy caution and tenderness of offending the weak, was the constant practice of that blessed saint, whohad more knowledge than all of us, but he had more condescension and self-denialtoo. O that, we might all make him our pattern, and practise the charity we preach so loudly, and profess with such amodern assurance ! There are other practices which might be comprised under this general character, and recommended as things ofgood report. But I must not draw such discourses out to a tiresome length, which perhaps may create but too much-pain and uneasiness, by the very sense and subject of which they treat. Yet certainly it is á part of our duty and our interest to know, and meditate, and practise those things that may gain us a good name and repu- tation in the world, and may brighten our character among the churches of Christ; and to avoid every thing that would blemish our honour, orsink our esteem among wise and good men. What arguments maybe drawnfrom the light of nature to enforce thisexhortation, or what more powerful motives are derivedfrom the gospel, to awaken and excite us to the practiceof all that is honourable, shall be considered in the next discourse, when I treat of the matters of virtue and praise, whicharerecommended in the last words of my text.
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