PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

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\vhich 113th ten talents; for unto ev~ry one that
hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance ;
but from him that hath not stlaJI be taken away
even that which he hath; and cast ye the unprofitable
se!vant Into outer darkne.is, there shall be weeping and
gnashing of teeth."·
III. In every question of conduct where one side
is doubtful and the other side safe, we are iJoulld to
take the safe side.
This is best explained by an instance, and I know
of none more to our purpose than tha t of suicide.
Suppose, for example's sake, that it appear doubtful
to a reasoner upon the subject whether he may lawf~llly
destroy himself.. He can have no doubt, but
that it is lawful for him to let it alone.
Hert tllerefore is a case, in which one side is dorlbt~
By virtue therefore of
ful, . and the other ~ide safe.
our rul~, he is bound to pursue the safe side, that. is,
to forbear from offering violence to himself whilst a
doubt remains upon his mind concerning the lawful ..
ness of suicide.
It is prudent, i'oU a]low~ to take the safe f-icle. But
our observation means something more. We assert
that the action, conc0 rniIlg which we doubt, \vhat..
ever it may be in itsel~~ or to another, would in us,
whilst this doubt renlaiilS upon OllT minds, be certainly
sinful. The caSE i~ expreilly so adjudged by
St. Paul, with whose authority we wiil for the pres ..
ent rest contented. " I know and am persuaded by
the Lord Jeslls, that there is nothing undean of it.
~elf, but to him that estecmcth any thing to be unclean, to
him it is unclean. Happy is he that con. -
demneth not himself in that thing which he allow.
eth; and he that doubteth is damned (condemned)
if he eat, for whatsoever is not of f(lith (i. e. Dot done
with a full persuasion of the lawfulness of it) . is
sin."t .
. ¥t ;\1att. xxv. 24, &c. t Romans, x:v. 14, 22, 2~.
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