Let us now proceed to consider, II. The instruction founded upon it —
This is two-fold :
1. That we also should not please ourselves — [There is a proneness in men to follow their own incli- nations, without considering what may be the effect of their conduct on the minds of others. But in no case whatever should we be guilty of this : it is directly contrary to love, the invariable character of which is, that it " seeketh not her own." We have perhaps a clearer insight into the nature and extent of Christian liberty than others : but shall we therefore use that liberty in a way that may ensnare them, or wound their feelings? No : " the strong ought to bear with the infirmities of the weak, and not to please themselves." The sacrifice must be made on the part of the strong ; and the stronger any profess themselves to be, the more should this self-denial be exercised by them. This is a subject pecu- liarly worthy the attention of all who " profess godliness." It is much to be lamented, that many carry their zeal for reli- gious liberty to a very undue extent : the mere circumstance of a thing being required by law or custom, is sufficient to make them violent against it: and they would rend the Church into a thousand parties, rather than comply with a prescribed rite or ceremony, even of the most innocent kind. We mean not by this observation to justify the imposing of any thing which is wrong, or that admits of any serious doubt: but there must be, and there are in every Church under heaven, some rules and orders of human appointment ; and, where there is no moral evil in them, they should be observed " for the Lord's sake :" and to be rigid and fierce in our opposition to them, merely because they are established by law, whilst we conform to others that are established only by this or that particular society of Christians, is unreasonable, inconsistent, and highly unbecoming. Such was not the con- duct of our blessed Lord, who, though he had no sin to wash away, submitted to John's baptism, notwithstanding it had never been enjoined by the Mosaic law; and wrought a miracle to pay a tax, from which he might have justly pleaded his right of exemption. St. Paul also has in this respect set us a beautiful example, " making himself the servant of all," and " becoming all things to all men, for the Gospel's sakeb." This was a truly Christian spirit, which we should ever study to imitate ; submitting cheerfully to an abridgment of our liberty in matters of indifference, instead of acrimoniously vindicating our rights, and " using our liberty for a cloak of maliciousness."]
d 1 Cor. ix. 19—2.3.