A29686:297
A cabinet of choice jewels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain…A cabinet of choice jevvels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain…
A cabinet of choice jewels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain discovery of, or, what men are worth for eternity, and how 'tis like to go with them in another world ... / by Thomas Brooks ...A cabinet of choice jevvels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain discovery of, or, what men are worth for eternity, and how 'tis like to go with them in another world ... / by Thomas Brooks ...
London : Printed and are to be sold by John Hancock ..., 1669
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Fifthly, The appearance of evil may very much offend, scandalize, stumble, and tempt weak Christians, and therefore it highly concerns us to keep off from the very appearance of evil. The more Grace any man hath in his own heart, the more fearful he will be of stumbling or offending those that have less. Venturing upon the appearance of evil, may not only defile my own Conscience, but also wound my weak Brothers Conscience, and therefore it concerns me to be very shy of the appearance of evil. If in things of an ⟨p. 121⟩indifferent nature, I must deny my own liberty,1 (as I must) rather than grieve or offend, or wound the Conscience of a weak Brother for whom Christ hath dyed. O how much more then I must I shun the very resemblance of sin, considering how wonderful apt weak Christians are to be offended, and stumbled, when they see others so bold as to venture upon the appearance of evil. Alexander's Macedonians having offended him, laid by their Arms, put on mourning Apparel, and came running in Troops to his Tent, where, for almost three days together, they remained with loud cries and tears, to testify their remorse for offending him; and shall we make nothing of offending those weak Christians that are the price of Christs blood, and the travel of his soul, the Lord forbid.
Fifthly, The appearance of evil may very much offend, scandalize, stumble, and tempt weak Christians, and therefore it highly concerns us to keep off from the very appearance of evil. The more Grace any man hath in his own heart, the more fearful he will be of stumbling or offending those that have less. Venturing upon the appearance of evil, may not only defile my own Conscience, but also wound my weak Brothers Conscience, and therefore it concerns me to be very shy of the appearance of evil. If in things of an ⟨p. 121⟩indifferent nature, I must deny my own liberty,1 (as I must) rather than grieve or offend, or wound the Conscience of a weak Brother for whom Christ hath dyed. O how much more then I must I shun the very resemblance of sin, considering how wonderful apt weak Christians are to be offended, and stumbled, when they see others so bold as to venture upon the appearance of evil. Alexanders Macedonians having offended him, laid by their Arms, put on mourning Apparel, and came running in Troops to his Tent, where, for almost three dayes together, they remained with loud cries and tears, to testify their remorse for offending him; and shall we make nothing of offending those weak Christians that are the price of Christs bloud, and the travel of his soul, the Lord forbid.