and_o be_o persuade_v by_o the_o lord_n jesus_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o unclean_a of_o itself_o but_o to_o he_o that_o esteem_v any_o thing_n unclean_a to_o he_o it_o be_v unclean_a ver._n 14._o although_o as_o to_o the_o thing_n themselves_o i_o have_v a_o free_a liberty_n and_o may_v follow_v my_o own_o sentiment_n yet_o i_o be_o to_o have_v respect_n as_o well_o to_o my_o brother_n weakness_n as_o to_o my_o own_o freedom_n and_o because_o he_o think_v otherwise_o if_o by_o any_o indiscreer_n or_o uncharitable_a use_n of_o this_o liberty_n i_o offend_v he_o and_o occasion_n he_o that_o be_v not_o so_o full_o persuade_v to_o fall_v away_o from_o the_o faith_n i_o ought_v not_o to_o make_v use_n of_o it_o if_o thy_o brother_n be_v grieve_v with_o thy_o meat_n now_o walk_v thou_o not_o charitable_o destroy_v not_o he_o with_o thy_o meat_n for_o who_o christ_n die_v ver_fw-la 15._o and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o this_o matter_n so_o far_o as_o it_o relate_v to_o the_o case_n of_o scandal_n and_o of_o which_o for_o the_o present_a i_o shall_v desire_v only_o to_o remark_n this_o one_o thing_n that_o the_o mean_n whereby_o the_o weak_a brethren_n be_v real_o or_o likely_a to_o be_v offend_v in_o the_o case_n i_o have_v recite_v be_v reproach_v and_o despise_v the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o jew_n though_o they_o be_v real_o abrogate_a and_o contemn_v and_o slight_v the_o weak_a christian_n that_o use_v they_o from_o whence_o we_o may_v brief_o infer_v for_o i_o shall_v make_v no_o further_o use_v of_o it_o that_o vilify_a and_o scorn_v ceremony_n and_o they_o that_o use_v they_o may_v as_o equal_o be_v a_o occasion_n of_o scandal_n as_o impose_v they_o and_o st._n paul_n himself_o take_v such_o care_n in_o this_o matter_n that_o rather_o than_o offend_v the_o jew_n he_o actual_o comply_v with_o a_o moysaicall_a rite_n and_o circumcise_a timothy_n he_o have_v it_o seem_v another_o opinion_n of_o christian_a liberty_n than_o the_o stiff_a man_n of_o separation_n they_o think_v their_o liberty_n invade_v by_o imposition_n and_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o yield_v to_o their_o governor_n because_o christ_n have_v mad_a they_o free_a and_o yet_o st._n paul_n by_o virtue_n of_o his_o christian_a liberty_n not_o to_o offend_v they_o he_o be_v among_o can_v use_v a_o abrogate_a rite_n and_o such_o a_o one_o as_o christ_n do_v unquestionable_o free_v we_o from_o but_o some_o man_n have_v a_o odd_a and_o perverse_a notion_n of_o thing_n they_o think_v they_o have_v christian_a liverty_n enough_o to_o break_v all_o the_o law_n and_o injunction_n of_o their_o governor_n but_o they_o be_v straight_o lace_v and_o can_v find_v no_o christian_a liberty_n to_o comply_v with_o they_o and_o obedy_n they_o and_o this_o be_v the_o difference_n between_o saint_n paul_n and_o they_o saint_n paul_n christian_a liberty_n give_v he_o a_o latitude_n and_o he_o can_v do_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o sin_n for_o somewhat_o less_o end_n than_o obedience_n to_o magistrate_n circumcision_n he_o know_v in_o itself_o be_v neither_o necessary_a nor_o convenient_a yet_o he_o do_v use_v it_o for_o the_o sake_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o those_o people_n but_o our_o libertine_n cry_v out_o they_o shall_v betray_v their_o liberty_n in_o do_v any_o thing_n they_o do_v not_o like_a and_o they_o will_v not_o go_v a_o hair_n breadth_n though_o it_o be_v to_o obey_v their_o ruler_n and_o to_o promote_v the_o church_n peace_n but_o this_o only_a by_o the_o way_n the_o second_o place_n the_o apostle_n insist_o on_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o offend_v our_o weak_a brother_n be_v that_o from_o whence_o the_o text_n be_v choose_v and_o it_o be_v speak_v to_o in_o the_o eight_o and_o ten_o chapter_n of_o the_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n and_o the_o case_n i_o take_v to_o be_v this_o some_o think_v it_o lawful_a to_o eat_v meat_n offer_v to_o idol_n and_o the_o reason_n they_o give_v for_o it_o be_v because_o a_o idol_n be_v nothing_o and_o so_o can_v not_o convey_v any_o stain_n or_o pollution_n to_o the_o meat_n offer_v to_o it_o that_o which_o be_v nothing_o can_v not_o infect_v god_n real_a creature_n but_o since_o he_o appoint_v they_o for_o our_o use_n and_o support_v we_o may_v free_o and_o indifferent_o use_v they_o for_o these_o end_n whether_o they_o be_v or_o be_v not_o sacrifice_v to_o idol_n for_o why_o shall_v that_o which_o be_v nothing_o debar_v a_o man_n of_o a_o right_n which_o god_n have_v give_v he_o to_o this_o st._n paul_n answer_v by_o grant_v the_o reason_n that_o it_o be_v true_a a_o idol_n be_v nothing_o and_o there_o be_v no_o god_n but_o one_o and_o therefore_o as_o to_o the_o thing_n themselves_o they_o may_v eat_v or_o not_o eat_v as_o they_o find_v themselves_o dispose_v but_o there_o be_v some_o accidental_a consideration_n which_o may_v make_v it_o unlawful_a and_o inexpedient_a and_o those_o be_v though_o not_o as_o to_o the_o thing_n themselves_o yet_o in_o reference_n to_o their_o brethren_n for_o some_o with_o conscience_n of_o the_o idol_n unio_fw-la this_o hour_n eat_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n offer_v unto_o a_o idol_n that_o be_v they_o take_v it_o as_o consecrate_a meat_n and_o part_n of_o the_o idol_n worship_n and_o their_o conscience_n be_v weak_a be_v defile_v ver._n 7._o those_o that_o have_v be_v new_o convert_v from_o idolatry_n be_v not_o so_o full_o wean_v from_o their_o old_a opinion_n and_o custom_n but_o they_o have_v as_o be_v usual_a in_o all_o change_n some_o kind_n of_o sense_n and_o apprehension_n towards_o their_o former_a modes_n of_o worship_n and_o may_v the_o soon_o be_v bring_v to_o relapse_n and_o when_o they_o see_v they_o that_o be_v confirm_v or_o eminent_a christian_n do_v the_o same_o thing_n that_o idolater_n do_v they_o may_v be_v persuade_v that_o idolatry_n be_v not_o so_o vain_a a_o thing_n and_o they_o who_o have_v yet_o some_o kind_n of_o conscience_n towards_o a_o idol_n may_v be_v induce_v to_o do_v the_o same_o and_o so_o be_v bring_v back_o to_o idolatry_n from_o which_o they_o have_v but_o late_o escape_v for_o if_o any_o man_n see_v thou_o which_o have_v knowledge_n sit_v at_o meat_n in_o the_o idol_n temple_n shall_v not_o the_o conscience_n of_o he_o that_o be_v weak_a be_v embolden_v to_o eat_v these_o thing_n that_o be_v offer_v to_o idol_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n have_v not_o the_o same_o sense_n and_o estimate_n of_o thing_n be_v make_v a_o formal_a idolater_n and_o through_o thy_o knowledge_n shall_v the_o weak_a brother_n perish_v for_o who_o christ_n dye_v ver_fw-la 10.11_o if_o therefore_o the_o liberty_n a_o know_a christian_n have_v be_v thus_o perverse_o use_v as_o to_o become_v a_o stumble_a block_n to_o the_o weak_a if_o this_o knowledge_n of_o have_v a_o power_n to_o eat_v any_o of_o god_n creature_n be_v not_o direct_v by_o love_n and_o charity_n it_o be_v a_o sinful_a abuse_v the_o privilege_n christ_n have_v purchase_v and_o instead_o of_o comply_v with_o be_v a_o direct_a violation_n of_o his_o will_n but_o when_o you_o so_o sin_n against_o the_o brethren_n and_o wound_v their_o weak_a conscience_n you_o sin_n against_o christ_n ver._n 12._o and_o this_o i_o conceive_v be_v the_o sum_n and_o full_a import_n of_o this_o place_n and_o from_o these_o two_o place_n i_o have_v mention_v we_o may_v take_v a_o full_a account_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o scandal_n from_o hence_o be_v two_o thing_n remarkable_a first_o that_o a_o weak_a brother_n in_o a_o gospel_n sense_n be_v such_o one_o as_o have_v be_v new_o convert_v to_o christianity_n and_o who_o for_o want_n of_o time_n consideration_n or_o instruction_n be_v not_o sufficient_o confirm_v in_o the_o principle_n of_o it_o it_o be_v such_o a_o one_o who_o christianity_n as_o yet_o hang_v loose_a it_o be_v new_a and_o unsettled_a he_o have_v yet_o some_o kind_n of_o conscience_n and_o tendency_n of_o mind_n to_o his_o former_a way_n and_o so_o he_o be_v apt_a to_o stagger_v to_o be_v carry_v away_o by_o temptation_n and_o easy_o to_o be_v drive_v back_o his_o religion_n be_v as_o it_o be_v pendulous_a and_o any_o thing_n turn_v the_o scale_n fair_a and_o gentle_a and_o prudent_a behaviour_n may_v win_v he_o to_o a_o further_o embrace_v the_o faith_n but_o inconsiderate_a indiscreet_a and_o uncharitable_a method_n may_v run_v he_o again_o into_o his_o former_a error_n and_o this_o be_v plain_o the_o case_n of_o the_o weak_a person_n in_o the_o place_n i_o have_v consider_v and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o a_o weak_a brother_n and_o i_o do_v not_o think_v there_o be_v any_o other_o notion_n of_o it_o in_o the_o whole_a gospel_n and_o such_o person_n as_o these_o every_o good_a man_n will_v think_v it_o reasonable_a to_o treat_v
enter_v into_o man_n conscience_n to_o their_o own_o judge_n they_o stand_v or_o fall_v but_o the_o ground_n of_o this_o inquiry_n be_v this_o they_o be_v always_o quarrel_v at_o our_o ceremony_n always_o angry_a at_o and_o displease_v with_o they_o and_o nothing_o we_o can_v do_v can_v persuade_v they_o to_o a_o approbation_n of_o they_o now_o this_o which_o they_o take_v to_o be_v their_o offence_n be_v a_o undeniable_a argument_n against_o it_o and_o so_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v in_o that_o mind_n they_o be_v not_o only_o not_o offend_v but_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v be_v so_o for_o suppose_v there_o be_v that_o real_a evil_n in_o they_o which_o they_o either_o do_v or_o make_v we_o believe_v they_o think_v there_o be_v the_o impose_v they_o by_o the_o church_n or_o the_o use_v they_o ourselves_o what_o inconvenience_n soever_o they_o may_v bring_v to_o we_o can_v never_o hazard_v they_o who_o run_v from_o they_o as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v able_a let_v our_o ceremony_n be_v as_o antichristian_a and_o idolatrous_a as_o they_o will_v have_v they_o what_o harm_n be_v that_o to_o those_o who_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o touch_v they_o with_o one_o of_o their_o finger_n have_v these_o people_n too_o great_a a_o opinion_n of_o ceremony_n be_v they_o apt_a to_o worship_n and_o adore_v they_o and_o shall_v our_o just_a and_o decent_a use_n of_o they_o bring_v they_o to_o this_o they_o will_v indeed_o be_v offend_v though_o we_o have_v not_o give_v the_o occasion_n but_o now_o to_o scorn_v and_o hate_v they_o to_o vilify_v and_o reproach_v they_o and_o all_o that_o use_v they_o and_o yet_o cry_v out_o they_o be_v offend_v at_o they_o be_v a_o contradiction_n in_o the_o case_n of_o meat_n offer_v to_o idol_n the_o strong_a be_v forbid_v to_o eat_v not_o because_o the_o weak_a brother_n be_v angry_a or_o displease_v with_o so_o do_v but_o for_o fear_v he_o shall_v be_v too_o well_o please_v with_o it_o that_o be_v shall_v like_v it_o so_o well_o as_o to_o do_v it_o himself_o and_o it_o be_v not_o because_o they_o have_v a_o ill_a opinion_n but_o too_o good_a opinion_n of_o a_o idol_n for_o as_o yet_o they_o have_v conscience_n towards_o the_o idol_n and_o may_v be_v embolden_v to_o eat_v it_o as_o part_v of_o the_o idol_n worship_n their_o weakness_n consist_v in_o have_v too_o good_a thought_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o therefore_o they_o shall_v be_v forbear_v lest_o they_o shall_v esteem_v they_o yet_o more_o and_o so_o be_v confirm_v in_o or_o return_v to_o idolatry_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n if_o our_o brethren_n be_v offend_v they_o shall_v then_o frequent_v our_o assembly_n and_o idolise_v our_o ceremony_n and_o esteem_v they_o holy_a than_o we_o do_v ourselves_o but_o when_o they_o revile_v and_o clamour_v against_o they_o when_o they_o deride_v and_o scoff_n at_o they_o if_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o hurt_n in_o they_o these_o of_o all_o man_n be_v not_o like_a to_o be_v spoil_v by_o our_o example_n though_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n shall_v be_v idolatry_n and_o the_o surpliss_n and_o common-prayer_n downright_a popery_n yet_o the_o christianity_n of_o such_o can_v be_v endanger_v by_o they_o for_o how_o can_v they_o be_v pollute_v and_o their_o weak_a conscience_n wound_v by_o any_o thing_n they_o will_v not_o use_v these_o people_n therefore_o think_v they_o be_v offend_v only_o because_o they_o be_v angry_a and_o vex_v and_o who_o can_v help_v it_o such_o thing_n will_v be_v so_o long_o as_o there_o be_v peevish_a unquiet_a and_o troublesome_a nature_n in_o the_o world_n but_o sure_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o hinder_v the_o church_n from_o enjoin_v or_o we_o from_o use_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v decent_a and_o useful_a nay_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o scandal_n or_o any_o inducement_n for_o we_o to_o forbear_v these_o thing_n that_o upon_o this_o very_a account_n and_o for_o their_o sake_n we_o ought_v to_o be_v more_o zealous_a and_o earnest_a in_o they_o if_o by_o any_o mean_n we_o may_v bring_v they_o to_o some_o conscience_n of_o these_o thing_n if_o our_o careful_a discharge_n of_o our_o duty_n may_v win_v upon_o they_o and_o they_o see_v our_o good_a work_n may_v be_v bring_v to_o a_o just_a regard_n for_o authority_n and_o a_o right_a esteem_n for_o the_o peace_n and_o union_n of_o the_o church_n for_o those_o that_o for_o matter_n of_o rite_n can_v separate_v and_o divide_v have_v too_o mean_a esteem_n of_o unity_n and_o obedience_n and_o while_o they_o see_v we_o loose_v and_o careless_a in_o our_o duty_n it_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o confirm_v they_o in_o their_o error_n the_o weakness_n of_o our_o brethren_n plain_o consist_v in_o too_o much_o slight_v decency_n and_o ceremony_n and_o too_o little_a regard_n for_o authority_n and_o a_o indifferency_n coldness_n or_o comply_v with_o they_o will_v nourish_v their_o mistake_n will_v confirm_v they_o in_o their_o ill_a ground_a opinion_n and_o real_o offend_v they_o there_o be_v one_o objection_n to_o this_o and_o that_o be_v that_o though_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v offend_v in_o reference_n to_o the_o use_n of_o the_o ceremony_n because_o they_o do_v not_o use_v they_o yet_o the_o ceremony_n be_v impose_v by_o the_o church_n and_o they_o have_v such_o a_o aversion_n to_o they_o be_v thereby_o prejudice_v against_o our_o communion_n and_o so_o want_v the_o mean_n of_o salvation_n that_o be_v among_o we_o and_o by_o that_o mean_v they_o may_v though_o not_o by_o the_o other_o be_v offend_v this_o objection_n i_o do_v not_o know_v that_o it_o be_v urge_v by_o any_o of_o they_o nor_o indeed_o can_v it_o well_o be_v by_o those_o who_o think_v they_o have_v pure_a ordinance_n and_o pure_a way_n of_o worship_n but_o what_o weight_n there_o be_v in_o this_o objection_n and_o how_o far_o the_o church_n in_o its_o imposition_n may_v have_v regard_n to_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o people_n and_o whether_o this_o will_v relate_v to_o the_o case_n of_o our_o present_a dissenter_n will_v be_v speak_v to_o under_o another_o head_n 3._o suppose_v they_o be_v real_o offend_v yet_o however_o these_o two_o thing_n ought_v to_o be_v consider_v first_o that_o this_o can_v with_o any_o sense_n or_o conscience_n be_v use_v by_o they_o that_o be_v offend_v 2._o if_o the_o matter_n of_o offence_n be_v in_o thing_n indifferent_a we_o can_v forbear_v they_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o a_o weak_a brother_n where_o our_o liberty_n be_v already_o determine_v first_o that_o this_o can_v with_o any_o sense_n or_o conscience_n be_v urge_v by_o they_o that_o be_v offend_v i_o know_v they_o think_v they_o say_v something_o when_o they_o say_v they_o be_v offend_v but_o whatsoever_o it_o may_v be_v against_o we_o to_o be_v sure_a it_o be_v nothing_o for_o themselves_o for_o they_o do_v not_o consider_v that_o to_o be_v offend_v be_v a_o sin_n as_o well_o as_o to_o offend_v and_o the_o weak_a brother_n that_o fall_v be_v in_o as_o much_o danger_n as_o he_o that_o make_v he_o for_o a_o scandal_n become_v a_o sin_n no_o otherwise_o than_o as_o it_o have_v relation_n to_o other_o man_n sin_n and_o if_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n in_o the_o remote_a occasion_n it_o be_v certain_o so_o in_o the_o immediate_a actor_n he_o that_o cause_v a_o man_n to_o forsake_v his_o duty_n which_o be_v the_o gospel_n scandal_n be_v guilty_a of_o and_o punishable_a for_o the_o scandal_n and_o he_o that_o do_v it_o be_v guilty_a of_o and_o punishable_a for_o the_o transgression_n of_o god_n law_n in_o short_a if_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n to_o entice_v to_o temper_v or_o to_o provoke_v to_o sin_n it_o be_v certain_o no_o less_o to_o act_v and_o to_o perform_v it_o and_o therefore_o we_o read_v in_o the_o scandal_n the_o gospel_n speak_v of_o these_o that_o be_v offend_v be_v not_o so_o very_o innocent_a nor_o in_o a_o very_a hopeful_a condition_n but_o they_o be_v say_v to_o be_v lose_v to_o perish_v and_o to_o be_v destroy_v and_o now_o be_v not_o this_o a_o hopeful_a argument_n and_o can_v any_o man_n use_v it_o that_o be_v real_o offend_v all_o that_o he_o say_v must_v rebound_v upon_o himself_o and_o every_o clamour_n against_o we_o fly_v in_o his_o own_o face_n for_o it_o be_v certain_o a_o duty_n not_o to_o be_v scandalize_v as_o well_o as_o not_o to_o scandal_n and_o if_o they_o be_v offend_v and_o be_v sensible_a of_o it_o they_o sin_z know_o and_o if_o they_o know_v it_o why_o do_v they_o not_o remove_v their_o offence_n and_o forbear_v to_o sin_n for_o it_o be_v certain_o a_o very_a strange_a thing_n for_o man_n perpetual_o to_o cry_v out_o they_o be_v in_o a_o fault_n and_o yet_o never_o take_v care_n to_o mend_v it_o but_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o man_n that_o talk_v at_o this_o rate_n
smith_n mayor_n martis_n twenty-five_o to_o die_v novembris_fw-la 1684._o annoque_fw-la regni_fw-la regis_fw-la caroli_n secundi_fw-la angl._n etc._n etc._n xxxvi_o this_o court_n do_v desire_v mr_n wagstaffe_n to_o print_v his_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o lord_n mayor_n and_o alderman_n at_o the_o guild-hall_n chappel_n on_o sunday_n morning_n last_o wagstaffe_n a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o right_n honourable_a the_o lord_n mayor_n and_o the_o court_n of_o alderman_n at_o the_o guild-hall_n chapel_n on_o november_n the_o 23d_o 1684._o by_o thomas_n wagstaffe_n m._n a._n london_n print_v for_o walter_n kettilby_n at_o the_o bishop_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1685._o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a sir_n james_n smith_n kt._n lord_n mayor_n of_o the_o city_n of_o london_n and_o to_o the_o honourable_a the_o court_n of_o alderman_n the_o end_v i_o aim_v at_o in_o this_o discourse_n be_v to_o do_v the_o church_n right_a to_o take_v off_o unreasonable_a prejudices_fw-la and_o to_o persuade_v man_n to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o best_a establish_a church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o same_o i_o humble_o presume_v be_v intend_v by_o your_o order_n for_o the_o publish_n it_o i_o do_v not_o apologise_v for_o the_o weakness_n though_o i_o be_o conscious_a of_o it_o yvor_o command_n warrant_v its_o publication_n and_o obedience_n be_v part_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o every_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o therefore_o only_o add_v my_o prayer_n that_o god_n will_v bless_v all_o endeavour_n that_o tend_v to_o the_o undeceive_v the_o people_n and_o settle_v they_o in_o unity_n peace_n and_o loyalty_n not_o only_o for_o your_o lordship_n and_o the_o honourable_a court_n who_o undertake_n in_o this_o kind_n be_v very_o remarkable_a but_o also_o for_o every_o good_a man_n in_o the_o nation_n your_o most_o obedient_a and_o humble_a servant_n tho._n wagstaffe_n 1._o cor._n 8.12_o when_o you_o sin_n so_o against_o the_o brethren_n and_o offend_v their_o weak_a conscience_n you_o sin_n against_o christ_n among_o other_o the_o reproach_n lay_v upon_o the_o church_n of_o england_n by_o its_o adversary_n one_o be_v that_o its_o imposition_n be_v of_o a_o scandalous_a nature_n that_o it_o enjoin_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v offnsieve_v to_o weak_a brethren_n and_o the_o very_a word_n i_o have_v read_v to_o you_o be_v though_o ignorant_o yet_o petulant_o enough_o apply_v to_o charge_v the_o church_n with_o sin_n against_o christ_n in_o offend_v the_o weak_a conscience_n of_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o separation_n as_o if_o the_o impose_v two_o or_o three_o ceremony_n be_v as_o injurious_a to_o tender_a mind_n now_o as_o eat_v of_o meat_n sacrifice_v to_o idol_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n a_o charge_n it_o be_v of_o a_o very_a high_a nature_n for_o see_v the_o power_n the_o church_n be_v invest_v with_o be_v for_o edification_n not_o destruction_n see_v it_o ought_v to_o have_v all_o tenderness_n and_o compassionate_a regard_n towards_o the_o little_a one_o in_o christ_n if_o instead_o of_o this_o she_o only_o lay_v stumble_v block_n in_o their_o way_n the_o church_n will_v be_v what_o her_o enemy_n have_v call_v she_o a_o adulterous_a spouse_n of_o christ_n and_o which_o btraye_v the_o trust_v her_o lord_n have_v repose_v in_o she_o of_o forward_v the_o salvation_n of_o all_o man_n under_o her_o care_n but_o if_o those_o bethe_v representation_n only_o of_o ignorance_n or_o design_n if_o in_o truth_n upon_o full_a consideration_n there_o appear_v no_o just_a ground_n for_o such_o a_o charge_n it_o will_v not_o i_o conceive_v be_v unbecoming_a the_o filial_a piety_n of_o a_o true_a son_n to_o vindicate_v the_o innocence_n of_o his_o mother_n to_o wipe_v of_o those_o aspersion_n which_o have_v be_v cast_v upon_o she_o either_o by_o the_o ignorant_a or_o mistake_v or_o by_o the_o crafty_a and_o malicious_a in_o order_n to_o this_o purpose_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o do_v these_o thing_n follow_v first_o to_z state_z the_o notion_n or_o nature_n of_o scandal_n or_o offence_n as_o it_o be_v represent_v to_o we_o in_o the_o gospel_n 2._o to_o inquire_v whether_o those_o that_o urge_v this_o against_o we_o be_v real_o offend_v in_o a_o gospel_n sense_n though_o the_o thing_n in_o controversy_n shall_v be_v as_o evil_a as_o they_o represent_v they_o 3._o suppse_n they_o be_v offend_v yet_o these_o 2._o thing_n ought_v to_o be_v consider_v first_o that_o this_o can_v with_o any_o sense_n or_o conscience_n be_v urge_v by_o they_o that_o be_v offend_v 2._o if_o the_o matter_n of_o offence_n be_v in_o thing_n indifferent_a we_o can_v forbear_v they_o upon_o account_n of_o a_o weak_a brother_n where_o our_o liberty_n be_v already_o determine_v 3._o though_o they_o be_v not_o offend_v by_o we_o they_o be_v real_o offend_v by_o the_o leader_n of_o the_o separation_n 4._o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v give_v no_o occasion_n of_o offence_n to_o any_o 5._o brief_o apply_v this_o to_o ourselves_o first_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o state_n the_o notion_n of_o nature_n of_o scandal_n as_o it_o be_v represent_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o in_o do_v this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o consider_v the_o most_o important_a case_n mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n from_o whence_o only_o we_o can_v have_v it_o and_o from_o thence_o frame_v such_o a_o notion_n as_o be_v agreeable_a to_o that_o representation_n the_o gospel_n make_v of_o it_o there_o be_v two_o case_n large_o speak_v to_o by_o st._n paul_n in_o the_o epistle_n one_o be_v the_o fourteen_o and_o fifteen_o chapter_n to_o the_o roman_n the_o other_o be_v the_o eight_o and_o ten_o chapter_n of_o the_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n both_o these_o i_o shall_v brief_o consider_v of_o that_o in_o the_o fourteen_o and_o fifteen_o to_o the_o roman_n the_o sum_n i_o conceive_v be_v this_o among_o the_o roman_a christian_n there_o be_v several_a jewish_a convert_v who_o have_v not_o yet_o wear_v out_o the_o sense_n of_o moses_n law_n but_o think_v themselves_o and_o all_o other_o also_o convert_v to_o christianity_n in_o some_o measure_n under_o the_o bind_a power_n of_o it_o as_o to_o the_o observation_n of_o day_n meat_n etc._n etc._n the_o gentile_a christian_n on_o the_o contrary_a esteem_v themselves_o free_a from_o all_o such_o observation_n that_o these_o be_v on_o part_n of_o the_o gospel_n dispensation_n that_o therefore_o neither_o they_o nor_o the_o jew_n themselves_o ought_v to_o have_v any_o regard_n or_o account_v for_o they_o and_o this_o as_o it_o usual_o happen_v in_o the_o difference_n of_o party_n and_o opinion_n make_v they_o contemn_v and_o censure_v each_o other_o the_o strong_a despise_v the_o weak_a as_o too_o nice_a and_o superstitious_a and_o the_o weak_a judge_v the_o strong_a as_o profane_v and_o neglecter_n of_o god_n law_n and_o this_o be_v grow_v so_o high_a that_o some_o of_o the_o weak_a sort_n be_v hereby_o endanger_v and_o there_o be_v fear_n the_o jew_n may_v be_v discourage_v from_o christianity_n by_o unseasonabl_o explode_v those_o thing_n which_o they_o know_v be_v of_o divine_a institution_n and_o which_o though_o abrogate_a they_o have_v yet_o a_o conscience_n for_o in_o this_o case_n the_o apostle_n advise_v not_o to_o judge_v one_o another_o but_o judge_n this_o rather_o that_o no_o man_n put_v a_o stumble_v block_n or_o a_o occasion_n to_o fall_v in_o his_o brother_n way_n ver._n 13._o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o education_n and_o custom_n especial_o those_o that_o have_v such_o a_o sanction_n as_o those_o of_o the_o jew_n will_v not_o be_v so_o soon_o wear_v out_o and_o the_o severe_a insist_v upon_o or_o which_o be_v worse_o the_o reproachful_o and_o contemptuous_o inveigh_v against_o they_o will_v rather_o avert_v and_o hinder_v new_a proselyte_n especial_o those_o of_o scrupulous_a and_o doubt_a mind_n than_o any_o way_n engage_v they_o to_o another_o doctrine_n or_o way_n of_o religion_n the_o jew_n have_v be_v bear_v and_o breed_v up_o under_o the_o rite_n of_o moses_n and_o this_o be_v part_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o so_o soon_o as_o they_o have_v enter_v into_o christianity_n present_o to_o fall_v foul_a upon_o they_o or_o to_o treat_v they_o disdainful_o and_o haughty_o for_o use_v they_o will_v be_v the_o ready_a course_n to_o drive_v they_o away_o and_o therefore_o too_o the_o thing_n be_v never_o so_o true_a though_o they_o be_v never_o so_o much_o convince_v that_o the_o distinction_n of_o day_n and_o meat_n etc._n etc._n be_v whole_o take_v away_o by_o christ_n yet_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v mild_o and_o meek_o at_o least_o press_v in_o reference_n to_o those_o who_o have_v other_o persuasion_n concern_v they_o and_o who_o have_v not_o sufficient_a growth_n in_o christianity_n as_o to_o be_v full_o instruct_v in_o the_o nature_n and_o force_n of_o christian_a liberty_n i_o know_v say_v he_o