388 HARMONY OF ALL RELIGIONS. where the famous decree was made about abstinence from eating blood, and things strangled, 4c. Acts xv. X. During these times, those devout Gentiles, who might be proselytes of the Jewish gate, and were converted to the chris- tian faith, and probably also all the gentile christians* who had been before idolaters, were for a season laid under the restraints of that apostolical decree against eating blood, things strangled, andthings offered to idols, lest the Jews or Jewish converts should take too much offence, and scarce admit them into their communion, as being polluted. And it is not improbable that these were the restraints laid by the Jews, during all former ages, on the proselytes of their gate,or those gentiles who were allowed to livewithin the towns orcities of Judea. This decree was transmitted round the gentile churches ; Acts xvi. 4. vlito probably at thattime, weremade up of some idolatrous gentiles, as well as devout gentiles, or the Jewish proselytes of the gate. XI. It was for a very good reason, that the sin of fornica- tion, which was always immoral and unlawful, was joined in that prohibition with bloodand things strangled, and things offered to idols, because the heathens, by their eating blood, and especially in their idol-feasts, were tempted to fornication and many pollu- tions ; and therefore this moral prohibition is set before their eyes together with the other ceremonial prohibitions, to keep them more effectually from these practices, while they gave such of- fence to theJewish christians, and the Jews. XII. But as to those other ceremonial prohibitions, this apostolical decree seems to be but a temporary constitution or restraint; because some time afterwards the apostle Paul did not keep the Corinthian converts, who had been idolatrous gen- tiles, under this restraint; butpermitted them to eat things offer- ed to idols, wheresoever their liberty could not be made an occa- sion of offence, or stumbling to other weaker christians, such as had not learned the completeliberty of the gospel of Christ, so well as they; 1 Cor. viii. 7-13. And when these practices ceased to give offence to Jews or Jewish christians, I can see no reason why the proselytes should not be free also, or why they should have more restraint laid on them than others. XIII. That the prohibition of eating bloodand thingsstrang- led, as well as of things 'Offered to idols, was but a temporary rule, may further appear from the early and original reason of this rF I add, and probably also, all the gentile christians who had been idolaters, and were then converted, might be restrained; as far as the proselyted gentiles were at this season ¡ because the reason of it is the very same, viz. lest offence phould be given to the Jews, and Jewish Christians. For, by the way, I may say, it is scarce to be supposed, that the converted proselytes, or devout gentiles, who were so much better men, and no much nearer to the truth, should have heavier bonds laid upon them, when they received Christ, than those idolatrous gentiles, who were much worse men, andfarther from the truth,
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