A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures

for this were to join with them in their Idolatrous Worship? But there were some more scrupulous Christians among them, that judged it unlawful to eat of those Sacrifices when sold in the Shambles, or common Market; the Apostle now there determines this Matter to be altogether indifferent, in ver. 25. Whatsoever is sold in the Shambles, whether offered to Idols, or not, that eat; but yet, if any weak Christian even so scruple to eat that which is offered to Idols after it is sold in the Shambles, and if he be offended at others for eating of it, the Apostle then gives this Rule, That the strong ought not to eat for the sake of the weak, though the thing be indifferent, and might be done; yet the strong ought not to eat for the sake of the weak, in ⟨p. 138⟩v. 28. If any say, This was offered in Sacrifice to Idols, though sold in the Shambles, yet eat not for his sake that showed you it. Now, what the Apostle here speaks of Meat offered in Sacrifice to Idols, holds true proportionably in Apparel, in Recreations, and the like indifferent lawful Things; all which become Sin to you, if they become Offences and Scandals unto others. Now, the Reason of this, is evident; because when Men rashly do what they think is lawful, without regarding the Scruples of others, hereby they do as the Apostle speaks, in Rom. 14.13. put a stumbling-Block, and an occasion of falling in their Brothers way, that is, they bring him into the Commission of a Sin, and this is against the Law of Charity. For says the Apostle, in v. 14. If thy Brother be grieved at thy Meat, thou walkest not charitably. Now, in doing that which appears evil to others, though it be lawful in it self, yet it may be an occasion of Sin to them two Ways.

for this were to join with them in their Idolatrous Worship? But there were some more scrupulous Christians among them, that judged it unlawful to eat of those Sacrifices when sold in the Shambles, or common Market; the Apostle now there determines this Matter to be altogether indifferent, in ver. 25. Whatsoever is sold in the Shambles, whether offered to Idols, or not, that eat; but yet, if any weak Christian even so scruple to eat that which is offered to Idols after it is sold in the Shambles, and if he be offended at others for eating of it, the Apostle then gives this Rule, That the strong ought not to eat for the sake of the weak, though the thing be indifferent, and might be done; yet the strong ought not to eat for the sake of the weak, in