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The CASE of SCANDAL.
1. IN judging of Cases of Scandal, we are not so much to look at the event, what that is, or may be; as at the cause whence it cometh; for sometimes there is given just cause of Scandal, and yet no Scandal fol∣loweth, because it is not taken: sometimes Scandal is taken, and yet no just cause given; and sometimes there is both cause of Scan∣dalgiven, and Scandal thereat taken; but no man is concerned in any Scandal that hap∣peneth to another, by occasion of any thing done by him; neither is chargeable with it, farther than he is guilty of having given it, If then we give Scandal to others, and they take it not, we are to bear a share in the blame as well as they, and that a deeper share too, (Vae homini, Wo to the man by whom the Offence cometh, Matth. 8. 7.) but if they take Offence when we give none, it is a thing we cannot help, therefore the whole blame must lie upon them; wherefore if at any time any doubt shall arise in the Case of Scandal,