A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures

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.

Secondly, If after we have weighed these Circumstances, and can find no probability of Scandal in them, if others with whom we are, or who are liable to take exception, if they do not discover their Exceptions, we are not bound to abstain from any thing that is indifferently lawful. We have a hint of this from the Apostle, 1 Cor. 10.28. If any one say to you, this was offered to Idols, eat not; if he say to you. But if they take offence, and will not make it known, the offence, as it rests in their own bosom, so shall it lie on their own heads, and we shall it be guiltless; and that's the first Limitation. We are not bound to abstain from things lawful in themselves, though they carry in them an appearance of Evil towards others, if there be no probable grounds to conjecture that they will be offended at them.