A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

Secondly, consider them as dwellers in the church, and members by permission: and so we may live with them in it: for we may not make a separation from the church, because wicked men are permitted therein. Christ lived among the Jews, though their teachers and rulers were both heretics and hypocrites: and yet we must remember, that living among them, and beholding their wicked conversation, we must not approve of their ungodliness, but be grieved for the same, as righteous Lot was for the abominations of Sodom, 2. Pet. 2.7▪ Further, if it fall out by the negligence of the governors, that evil men be admitted to the Sacraments, we must not for their company refuse to communicate: for our saviour Christ living among the Jews communicated with them in their Sacraments and service of the Temple, though many of them were notorious both for wicked life and false doctrine. The reason is: for that another mans evil conscience doth not defile our good conscience: but we may keep a good conscience in that action wherein the wicked is defiled. Now though we may thus converse with evil men, yet these two caveats must be observed, I. To have no private company with known and open evil persons. This Paul expressly forbiddeth, saying: I have written unto you, ¹that you company not together: that is, in private and familiar manner. II. We must not show special familiarit•• to evil persons. God will not take the wicked by the hand, Job. 8.20. and we should be followers of God. Therefore S. John saith: If any man come unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into house, neither bid him God speed. 2. John. 9. Which must be understood of special familiarity: for thereby we do not only perform outward duty to the person, but also give ⟨p. 76⟩countenance to their sins: which in any case we must not do. And thus we see how to converse with evil men.

Secondly, consider them as dwellers in the church, and members by permission: and so we may liue with them in it: for we may not make a separation from the church, because wicked men are permitted therein. Christ liued among the Iewes, though their teachers and rulers were both heretickes and hypocrits: and yet wee must remember, that liuing among them, and beholding their wicked conuersation, wee must not approoue of their vngodlinesse, but bee grieued for the same, as righteous Lot was for the abhominations of Sodome,