Spirit, to control and sanctify the faculty of speech; that "not offending in word," we may attain the perfection referred to in our text, being able to govern, by most effectual discipline, the whole economy of "the outer man," to the glory of our God, and the spiritual and eternal benefit of all within the sphere of our influence.

V.

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE

CONDUCT.

Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.1 Cor. 10. 31.

We are in some danger of undervaluing such parts of Scripture as refer to circumstances in the primitive Church, to which no exact parallel can be found among ourselves. Yet frequently may we trace to these very circumstances the enforcement of principles, both of faith and of conduct, characterized by vital importance, and designed for universal

application. A striking and instructive instance of this occurs in connexion with the words which have now been read. The question had probably been proposed to the Apostle: "Is it, under any circumstances, lawful for Christians, in their occasional intercourse with the heathen around them, to partake of food which had been previously carried into an idol's temple, and regarded in the light of an offering?" The Apostle replies with admirable discrimination and wisdom: "Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof;" so that whatever he has provided for

the food of man, may be gratefully received as his gift. "If any of them that believe not, bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not, for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake; for the earth is the Lord's, and the fuluess thereof." The enlightened Christian might be so convinced of the absolute nonenity of an idol, as to believe, that neither good nor harm could attach to the food from its contact with an idol's altar. But his conduct was not to be guided exclusively by his own conceptions. It was incumbent on him to take into

view, the ideas and the feelings of others. He owed a duty to all who might be present on that occasion. If any were idolaters, they might be in danger of supposing that he gave some countenance to their usages, by partaking of that food. If any were believers, either their minds might be grieved by that which they deemed inconsistent and culpable in their christian brother; or they might be induced, by the force of his example, to do that, respecting which they were not without some scruples of conscience. Now to disregard the voice of conscience, even in its faintest whispers, is sinful; and therefore to do that which is calculated to excite or encourage another to disregard