their regards, to " choose out acceptable words," to accommo- date ourselves to their apprehensions, are all legitimate methods of gaining a more easy access to their minds, in order that we may ultimately " win their souls :" and, as we administer milk or meat to persons according to their capacity to profit by it, with a view to the sustenance of their bodies, so we may do for the benefit of their souls : and, if only we keep this end in view, we shall in all that we do " be approved and accepted both of God and man^."]
For this end our liberty may be used without re- serve—
[It is delightful to see how free and unembarrassed tlie Apostle was in all his intercourse with mankind, and how studiously he adapted himself to all their varied prejudices or necessities. Was he with a Jew ; — he submitted freely to the yoke which Moses had imposed, though he well knew that the Gospel had freed him from it. On the other hand, was he with Gentiles who had never been subjected to the law of Moses ; — he readily conformed himself to their habits. If he was with one that was weak in faith, he cheerfully bore with all his weaknesses and infirmities, and acted, as he would have done, if his own mind had been under the influence of the same doubts and fears as agitated the mind of his weaker brother. In a word, " he became all things to all men."
Now this is the very course which we should pursue : we should seek the welfare of our brethren precisely as he did, namely, in a way of self-denying restrai7it, and in a way of con- descending compliance.
We should seek it in a way of self-denying restraint. Not again to recur to the mention of eating meats offered to idols, which " the Apostle would not do as long as the world should stand, if it should make his brother to offend^;" we may see in the chapter before us how determinately he refused to accept the support to which both by the laws of God and man he was justly entitled*. Such concessions are most lovely; and would be productive of incalculable good in the Church of God. In a family, for instance, the governing part of it is not willing that all which an inferior member of it may think conducive to his benefit shall be allowed to him : it would become the inferior to evince a self-denying spirit, and cheer- fully to concede a part of his privileges, that he may not irritate and embitter the minds of his superiors. It may be asked, perhaps, " What, am I to sacrifice any thing which I think profitable to my soul?" I answer. Yes: and God would repay you for so doing, provided you did it purely from a tender
e Rom. xiv. 18. " 1 Cor. viii. 13. * ver. 12, 15.