The mind and exposition of that excellent learned man Martin Bucer, upon these words…The mynd and exposition of that excellente learned man Martyn Bucer, vppon these wordes…

When the new Testament was confirmed by the blood of Christ amongst the elect, where soever they were, and of what stock and kindred so ever they came, and that without any law of ceremonies: then were all rites and ceremonies included in ⟨image 4⟩the precept of love, & all kinds of meats and days were made then alike. But yet when many of the Jews were converted unto Christ, their faith was more weak then that they durst use this liberty. They abhorred all such meats as were forbidden by Moses law, and specially such as were offered to idols: And this was the infirmity of their faith, that they were not persuaded, that to the faithful nothing can be unpure. Now, those that of love had no regard or very little, which seeketh in all things the salvation of our neighbours, did eat all kinds of meats in the presence of all men, having no respect to the infirmity of faith in many, and so they gave unto them a double offence. For either they caused them through their contempt to fall to variance and discord with them, or else they allured them to use the like liberty, but yet with an unlike faith, so that they would not stick to eat all kinds of meats indifferently although their consciences did persuade them that it was sin so to do. Against the first offence Paul writeth Ro. 14. If (saith he) by occasion of meat thy brother be grieved, thou walkest not now charitably. Concerning the second offence, thus ⟨image 4⟩he writeth: albeit he addeth somewhat also touching the first: All things in deed are pure, but it is evil for the man that eateth with offence, it is good neither to eat flesh neither to drink wine, nor any thing else whereby thy brother stumbleth or is offended, or made weak. Where he saith he stumbleth, I understand that to be spoken of the first kind of offence, concerning variance and discord. Where he saith, he is offended: I understand that of the second kind of offence, in that he using his liberty perversely, & by his example drawing him that is more weak to do the same, is to him as a snare, whiles he giveth him an occasion to eat that thing against his conscience, which he judgeth not to be lawful.

When the newe Testament was confirmed by the bloude of Christ emonges the electe, wher soeuer they were, and of what stocke and kynred so euer they came, and that without any law of ceremonies: then were all rites and ceremonies included in ⟨image 4⟩