Thomas Brightman on scandal

[Reformed Covenanter]

... So for wicked actions, they are Scandals, for thereby other are encouraged to evil, or made not so much to fear them (Math. 16.17.) Thus the incest of the Corinth. 1 Cor. 5. For the Scandal of the contagion is called a Leaven. And so scandals given are by all sorts of wicked men professing Christ but especially by such who being forward and zealous in Religion, do either grow unsound, decaying or dissolute. The neglect also of good things, whither private, or such as belong to publique callings, whether Civil or Ecclesiastical. As the Magistrate’s Scandal is, when he doth not his duty in punishing wickedness and cherishing the good; the scandal of Ministers is, when they are negligent and careless in their Ministry: and here chiefly, Nonresidency and unsufficiency are grievous scandals; for hereby men are exceedingly weakened in the course of Piety, by the example of such as are counted wise and learned, and so such as whose example might safely be followed. And thus were the Pharisees a great Scandal to the common people of the Jews, as Christ charges them. Math. 23 They would not let the people enter into Heaven:

There are also Scandals given, not only in doing things unlawful in themselves, but in things indifferent, which are not evil in themselves. Thus Peter was a great Scandal, by his eating and living as the Jews, so that Barnabas was stumbled by it; and this Paul teaches plainly. Rom. 14.13, 14, 15, 16. 1 Cor. 8. and 9. chap. For though the nature and use of these things be always lawful in themselves, yet it may be offended in the external usage of them; for thereby another may be hindered, either from the truth or Piety, as is seen, 1 Cor. 6.12. ...

For more, see:

Thomas Brightman on scandal

When preaching on Matthew 18:7, Thomas Brightman defined what he meant by scandal: The word here usually translated Offence, is not meant so much, sin in it self, as commonly they are called Offenc…

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