But, what if suppose, as too often it happens, that this strictness and holy severity proves to be an occasion of Sin unto others accidentally, what must we do in that case? What is it that makes so many hate Religion, and scoff at the Professors thereof, but only their Lives are too morose and reserved; Duties are too frequent and tedious; so that some laugh and mock, others storm and rage, and all are frighted from the embracing of that Profession that requires so much Rigour and Severity. Why, be it so, yet we must not abate any thing of our Duty, nor sin our selves, to keep others from sinning. Is it your duty to pray, or are you called to any other Duty? though you are assured that all that hear you, will scoff at you, yet you ought not therefore for fear of it, to forbear that Duty, or to lessen your Fervency and Affection in it. Here indeed is required much Spiritual Prudence and Discretion, to discern the Seasons of our Duty for several Circumstances; and among those Offences that wicked Men may take, it may make that cease from being a Duty that at other times is our Duty: And therefore the Wise Man ⟨p. 132⟩in Prov. 26.4. bids us, not to answer a Fool according to his Folly; and yet in the next Verse, he bids us, answer a Fool according to his Folly; Two Commands quite contrary in two Verses following one another: Now, this is to note to us, That according to several Circumstances and several Opportunities, it may be our duty to abstain at one time from that, that at another time it is our duty to do; it is our duty sometimes not to reprove a Fool, but to answer him according to his Folly; and according to divers Circumstances, at another time, it is our duty to reprove him, and not to answer him according to his Folly. But yet notwithstanding that which is our duty in its particular season, and which we are convinced to be so, we ought to perform it, though all the World be offended at it; yea, and if it were possible that it should prove an occasion of Sin unto all the World, for, as we must not do evil out of hope that it may prove an occasion of good; so neither must we forbear the doing of good, that evil may occasionally ensue thereupon. Our Saviour Jesus Christ was, as it was prophesied of him, to be a Stone of stumbling, ⟨p. 133⟩and a Rock of offence; almost all were scandalized at him; some at his Doctrine, as a despiser of the Law of Moses;
But, what if suppose, as too often it happens, that this strictness and holy severity proves to be an occasion of Sin unto others accidentally, what must we do in that case? What is it that makes so many hate Religion, and scoff at the Professors thereof, but only their Lives are too morose and reserved; Duties are too frequent and tedious; so that some laugh and mock, others storm and rage, and all are frighted from the embracing of that Profession that requires so much Rigour and Severity. Why, be it so, yet we must not abate any thing of our Duty, nor sin our selves, to keep others from sinning. Is it your duty to pray, or are you call'd to any other Duty? though you are assured that all that hear you, will scoff at you, yet you ought not therefore for fear of it, to forbear that Duty, or to lessen your Fervency and Affection in it. Here indeed is required much Spiritual Prudence and Discretion, to discern the Seasons of our Duty for several Circumstances; and among those Offences that wicked Men may take, it may make that cease from being a Duty that at other times is our Duty: And therefore the Wise Man ⟨p. 132⟩in Prov. 26.4. bids us, not to answer a Fool according to his Folly; and yet in the next Verse, he bids us, answer a Fool according to his Folly; Two Commands quite contrary in two Verses following one another: Now, this is to note to us, That according to several Circumstances and several Opportunities, it may be our duty to abstain at one time from that, that at another time it is our duty to do; it is our duty sometimes not to reprove a Fool, but to answer him according to his Folly; and according to divers Circumstances, at another time, it is our duty to reprove him, and not to answer him according to his Folly. But yet notwithstanding that which is our duty in its particular season, and which we are convinced to be so, we ought to perform it, though all the World be offended at it; yea, and if it were possible that it should prove an occasion of Sin unto all the World, for, as we must not do evil out of hope that it may prove an occasion of good; so neither must we forbear the doing of good, that evil may occasionally ensue thereupon. Our Saviour Jesus Christ was, as it was prophesied of him, to be a Stone of stumbling, ⟨p. 133⟩and a Rock of offence; almost all were scandalized at him; some at his Doctrine, as a despiser of the Law of Moses;
