find no Company here, but such as were lost to good
manners and shame, they wou'd suspect some deceit in the whole, and
look well to themselves: But going under the shelter of many that have
names for Religion, and I trust have it indeed; they are emboldned to
think they are very secure, and that there is no need of being so
Nice. Thus while those, by whose Example these are encouraged,
preserve it may be themselves from the _Danger_ they run; these unwary
beholders take all that glisters for Gold, and are sadly betray'd.

[Sidenote: 1 Cor. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.]

St. _Pauls_ advice to those that were strong, in another case is so
fitted to this, that I cannot forbear the letting you have it at
large. _Take heed_ (says he) _least by any means this Liberty of yours
become a Stumbling-block to them that are weak. For if any Man see
thee which hast knowledge, sit at Meat in the Idols Temple, shall not
the Conscience of him that is weak, be emboldned to eat those things
that are offered to Idols: And through thy knowledge shall the weak
Brother perish, for whom Christ dyed? But when ye sin so against the
Brethren, and wound their weak Consciences, ye sin against Christ_.

And as forreign as this Instance may seem, was there any comfort in
drawing the _Parallel_, we shou'd find but too great a Similitude
between the _Places_ in question, and the _Idolatrous Temples_; while
the other difference that is in the case seems to lie on the side I am
writing, that if Christians might sin in the use of their _Liberty_ to
the offence of their Brethren, much more wou'd they do so in such a
Point as we have before us, where their own Consciences can hardly be
clear, as we shall think it more difficult for them to be, if we
consider yet further what _Mankind_ will come to at last if this
_Humour_ prevails.

It is confess'd on all hands, that we live in a sad degenerate Age,
and though some have suggested other causes of our horrid Declension,
yet most considering People have the fairness to own, that the _Stage_
has gon furthest in running us down to this low and almost Brutal
condition; nor will there remain much question of this, if we can but
agree what _Corruption_ is.

If Exposing Religion with the Persons and things design'd for the
keeping it up in the World, will pass for disorder; or if the Increase
of Pride and Injustice, Blood and Revenge, are any signs of our being
_Depraved_; or if want of Modesty, Obedience, and Love, con