A. D. 57. not for it; but if thou of his Converfion, be contented to remain fo, till he can lawfully and honestly obtain his Freedom, much better State of the two. 22. But let him not be discontented and impatient under his prefent Servitude; for though he be a Slave to a Man, yet let him chearfully confider, that as he is a Chriftian he is Chrift's Freeman*, in the most honourable Senfe of true Freedom; and the Chriftian that is no Man's Slave, is yet a Servant, and owes an abfolute Obedience to CHRIST, our common Lord and Master. 23. Ye are bought + with a price, be not ye the fervants of men. 23. Remember then that Chrift with his own Blood, has purchafed and made you his own Servants; fo that though every one ought to discharge the juft Duties of his civil Relation to every Man, yet to no Man fo far as to violate his Obligation to his fuperior Master +. 24. Brethren, let every Man, wherein he is called, therein a 24. But let me warn you again, dear Brethren, not to make your Chriftian Converfion any Argument for breaking through any natural or civil Obligation. But preferve them and your Religion confiftent together, as they really are. bide with God. 25. Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord: : yet I give my judgment as one that hath *John viii. 36. 25. As for young People that were never yet married, Chrift has indeed left no exprefs and po fitive Command about their Difpofal of themfelves. And I fhall now † Ver. 23. Ye are bought with a Price; in the fame Sense as in Chap. vi. 20. and the Connexion is from the latter Claufe of the foregoing Verfe. Ver. 25, Tay aagdévov, Virgins. I exprefs it as comprehending both Sexes, the Apoftle's Argument being equally concerned in both; and the Ufe of the Word in Ver. 37. fhowing it to be so intended. 正 I' hath obtained mercy on, and with juft Chriftian Church. 26. I fuppofe therefore, that this is good for the prefent diftrefs, I fay that it is good for a man fo to be. 27. Art thou bound unto a wife? feek not to be loofed. Art thou loofed from a wife? feek not a wife. A. now give them my Thoughts as a 4. D. 57. faithful Apostle of his, agreeably to the main Design of his ReligiRegard to the prefent State of the 26. Namely, that confidering the many and terrible Perfecutions the Church is now daily fubject to, it were fafer and happier for them ftill to continue fingle. 27. But fuch as are already married, ought by all Means to keep to their Wives, let the Times be what they will. I only fay, they that are fingle, if they would make the prefent Diftreffes and Troubles of Life fit eafier upon them, fhould not be forward to marry, provided they can live chaftly without it. 30. The prefent Bleffings of Life, I fay, are fhort, and fo are its Afflictions too: Wherefore let not them that are under Affliction be difcouraged, nor fuch as are in Prosperity be too much exalted; nor the Rich and Great over-rate their Poffeffions. 31. In fine, ufe all the Enjoyments of Life with Prudence and Moderation, for the beft of them are but fading and tranfitory Things. 32 & 33. The only Reason therefore why I difcourage Matrimony, and give the Preference to the fingle Life, is the prefent State of Things; that you may attend the Profeffion of your Religion with the lefs Hindrances and Distractions; an Advantage peculiar to that State; while the married Perfon must have a great Part of his Time and Care taken up in the Charge of his Wife and Family. 34. And fo in like Manner, your Women will find a confidera ble Difference in Point of Ease and Advantage, between the two States. A Virgin has nothing to do but to attend her religious Duties; both her Mind and Body are entirely devoted to the Service of Christ. But the married Woman will find a deal of Interruption from her Cares to please her Husband, in the Management of her House. 35. My only Aim therefore is, your fafer Conduct in this troublefome World. I would neither draw you into the leaft Tempta tion to Luft and Uncleannefs, by reftraining you from Marriage; nor have you (if it could be helped) diverted and distracted by the Cares and Troubles that are like ly to attend that Estate. 36. But if any man think that he behaveth himfelf uncomely toward his virgin, if she pals the flower of ber age, and need fo require, let him do what he will, he finneth not let them marry. 37. Nevertheless he that ftandeth ftedfaft in his heart, having no neceffity, but hath power over his own will, and hath fo decreed in his heart, that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. 38. So then, he that giveth her in marriage, doeth well: but he that giveth ber not in marriage, doeth better. 39.The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth: but if her husband be dead, fhe is at liberty to be married to whom 36. If any Jewish Converts 4. D. 57. therefore think themselves bound in Confcience to marry themfelves, or their Virgin-Daughters, at fuch an Age, and that it is unlawful to live any longer fingle (as their Doctors have formerly taught them) there is no Harm in fuch an Opinion; let them marry. 37. But yet whoever that is at his own Difpofal, hath firmly refolved to live fingle, and finds he can innocently and with Chastity do it, with a perfect Mastery over his Affections, and perfects that Refolution, has a great Advantage above them. 38. So then all I fay is, that Marriage is a very lawful and good Thing, but as the prefent Circumftances of Life are, the fingle State is the most free, easy, and happieft Condition. 39. Remember, in the mean Time, the Husband and Wife are joined together for Life; they are not to be separated upon light and humourfome Accounts (as the Jewish Converts are apt to imagine they may.) If either of them die, the other is indeed free but it ought to be to a Chriftian, not fhe will; only in the Lord. to marry again; a Heathen. 40. But fhe is happier, if the fo abide, after my judgment: and See the Contents of the Chapter. * and I think also that for the future, if they can well Ver. 40. Aox exev, I think also that I have, is to be render'd I have. See Luke viii. 18. Matth. xiii. 12. and in this Epift. Chap. x. 12. xi. 16. xiv. 37. Or rather thus, Surely I have See also Luke xvii. 9. A. CHAP. VIII. The CONTENTS. The next Question, Whether a Chriftian might be prefent at, and partake of, an Idol Entertainment? The Gentile Converts did it, but without any religious Refpect to the falle Deities or their Images, to which thofe Ecafts were confecrated: Yet to the great Scandal and Disturb the Jewish Converts, and with Hazard of drawing others into it, who for want of equal UnderStanding, might thereby commit Idolatry. The Apoftle ftates the Question, and charges them all to act with a tender and charitable Regard to the Weaknesses and Prejudices of their Chriftian Brethren. 4. D. 57. 1. NOW as touch ing things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Know ledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. I. YOUR next Queftion is, YOU What Liberties a Chriftian may take in being prefent at Heathen Idol Feafts, and eating of what is confecrated to their falje Gods or their Images? And whereas fome of you Gentile Converts pretend to know and diftinguifh in religious Points fo well, as to eat at thofe Feafts without any Manner of religious Respect or Reverence to those false Deities, yet I must tell you, if you understand your Chriftian Liberty ne ver fo well, and yet take no Care what Offences and Prejudices you give to your Fellow-Chriftians; your Knowledge ferves only to fhow your Pride and Vanity. 2. A |