A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures

Answ. To this I answer; There are several Cases, wherein, though there be an Appearance of Evil unto others in some things, yet we may lawfully do them; as,

First, We are not obliged to abstain from things indifferent that may have in them an Appearance of Evil to others, unless we have some grounds to conjecture, that they take offence, and are scandalized at them. We are not bound to ask every one that we meet with, whether they scruple such and such a thing that we must do; this were endless and ridiculous. We are not obliged to abstain, if there be only a remote possibility of Scandal, unless there be also some great probability of it; nor are we bound to divine whether or no it be not possible that such an Action of ours may be offensive to some or other; but if there be no present probability to conjecture that such a thing may be offensive, we may then lawfully do whatever is lawful unto us. And therefore,

First, If by comparing the Circumstances of an Action together, we cannot probably guess any should be offended at it, it is their weakness, and not our Sin, if they be offended at it. Indeed, whenever we converse with others, it becomes our Christian Prudence and Charity to weigh such Circumstances exactly, to consider ⟨p. 142⟩the Action that we do, though lawful yet whether or no it be common or unusual; to consider the Persons with whom we are, whether weak o• strong, whether scrupulous or resolved Christians; for that which may be lawful in some of these Circumstances, may be unlawful in others of them: An Action may be lawful if it be common though it be done before a weak and scrupulous Christian, and it may be lawful though uncommon, if it be done before a strong and a resolved Christian; but if it be unusual, and if it be done before a scrupulous and a weak Christian it may seem to have in it a great probability of giving of Offence and being a Scandal to them; and therefore we must forbear such uncommon, unusual actions before weak Christians, in which there may be any probable guess that they will take offence, and be scandalized at them; but if upon examining these and the like Circumstances, we can find no such probability of giving of Offence, we may then make use of our Christian Liberty in them.