but from an idea, that the observance of that rite was necessary to the completion of Christianity, and to the attainment of the Gospel salvation. To such advisers he would not listen for a moment. What- ever might be their rank or influence in the Church, he regarded them not as deserving the slightest de- ference from him on such a subject a ; since a com- pliance with their wishes would vitiate, and altogether invalidate, the Gospel of Christ.
Now, that this inflexibility of his may be duly ap- preciated, I will shew,
I. When pertinacity may be considered as unamiable and sinful —
" To be zealously affected always in a good thing is commendable13:" but zeal may be misplaced, and especially when it operates so far as to make a man inflexible. A bold, confident, dogmatical spirit, is at all times unamiable ; and especially,
1. When the object in dispute is questionable or indifferent —
[Some there are, who, on every subject, speak as if they were infallible ; and not only claim, what must be conceded to them, a right to think and act for themselves, but a right to impose on others also a necessity to comply with their mind and will. At all events, they themselves are immoveable on almost any subject upon which they have formed even the most hasty opinion : and, if they tolerate, they will never adopt, the sentiments opposed to them. Such were the dis- positions manifested by many in the Apostle's days, especially in reference to some ordinances of the Jewish law ; such as the observance of certain days, and the eating of meats offered to idols. So confident were the opposite parties, that, not content with following their own judgment, they each con- demned the practice of the other; " the strong despising the weak, and the weak sitting in judgment on the strong0." But how did the Apostle Paul act? He knew that neither the observance nor the neglect of such forms could " commend a man to God, or ameliorate his state before Godd;" conse- quently, that he was at liberty to act in relation to them as circumstances might require: but, "rather than use his
a See ver. 6. b Gal. iv. 18. c Rom. xiv. 1 — 3.
d 1 Cor. viii. 8.
vol. xvii. n