Taking Offense

I'm reading Of Plymouth Plantation: Bradford's History of the Plymouth Settlement 1608-1650 for Omnibus III, and I came across some good pastoral counsel from John Robinson to the Pilgrims leaving for New England. It's just as timely advice for us today as it was to those pioneers journeying to an unknown land. It's a long passage, so I'm only quoting parts of it:

Now next after this heavenly peace with God and our own conscience, we are carefully to provide for peace with all men so far as in us lieth especially with our associates; and for that we must be watchful that we ourselves neither give, nor easily take, offence...

Persons ready to take offence, either lack the charity which should cover offences; or the wisdom duly to weigh human frailty; or lastly are gross though close hypocrites, as Christ our Lord teaches (Matt. 7: 1-3). In my own experience I have found few who are quicker to give offence, than those who easily take it. They who have nourished this touchy humour have never proved sound and profitable members in societies...

And if taking offence causelessly or easily at men's doings should be so carefully avoided, how much more is it to be heeded lest we take offence at God himself, -- which we do as often as we murmur at His providence in our crosses, or bear impatiently such afflictions as He pleases to visit upon us. Store up, therefore, patience against the evil day, with which we take offence at the Lord Himself in his holy and just works.

As applicable today as ever.