[The prophet did not begin to perplex the niind of Naaman with nice distinctions ; but, seeing the integrity of his heart, encouraged him to proceed ; not doubting but that, as occa- sions arose, God hunself would " guide liim into all truth." Thus should we also deal with young converts °: we should feed them with milk, and not with meat, which, on account of their unskilfulness in the word of righteousness, they would not be able to digest?. There may be many thmgs proper for them both to know and do at a future period, which, under their present circumstances, need not be imparted, and are not required. We should therefore deal tenderly towards them, being careful not to lay upon them any unnecessary burthen, or exact of them any unnecessary labours; lest we "break the bruised reed, and quench the smoking flax:" our endea- vour rather must be to " lift up the hands that hang do\ra, and to strengthen the feeble knees, and to make straight paths for their feet, that the lame may not be turned out of the way, but
may rather be healed*!." This was our Lord's method"^-
and an attention to it is of infinite importance in all who would be truly serviceable in the Church of Christ.]
Lest this subject be misunderstood, we shall conclude with answering the following questions :
1. May we ever do evil that good may come ?
[No : to entertain such a thought were horrible impiety : and if any man impute it to us, we say with St. Paul, that " his damnation is just^" But still we must repeat what we said before, that things which would be evil under some circum- stances, may not be so under others ; and that whilst the ques- tion itself can admit of no doubt, the application of it may: and we ought not either to judge our stronger, or despise our weaker, brethren, because they do not see every thing with our eyes'; for both the one and the other may be accepted before God, whilst we for our uncharitableness are hateful in his sight".]
2. May we from regard to any considerations of ease or interest act contrary to our conscience ?
[No : conscience is God's vicegerent in the soul, and we must at all events obey its voice. We must rather die than violate its dictates. Like Daniel and the Hebrew youths, we must be firm and immovable. If a man err, it will never be imputed to him as evil that he followed his conscience, but that he did not take care to have his conscience better informed.
o Rom. xiv. 1. P John xvi. 12. 1 Cor. Hi. 2. Heb. v. 11 — 14.
q Heb. xii. 12, 13. >" Matt. ix. 14 — 17. ^ Rom. hi. 8.
t Rom. xiv. 3 — 6. " Rom. xiv. 10, 18.