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…

Now a godly and a charitable brother rather then he would that this should come to pass, ought to avoid the use of all unnecessary things, because the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost: Much more ought he then rather never to eat flesh, then by his liberty to give occasion to his brother so to stumble that he should thereby either fall in to an hatred & contempt of him, or else contrary to his faith and conscience should attempt to do the same things that he doth. In deed S. Paul in the first epistle and .8. chapt. to the Corinth. speaking of this later kind of offence, concludeth in this manner: Wherefore, if meat offend my brother, I will never eat flesh whiles the world standeth.

Nowe a godly and a charitable brother rather then he would that this should come to passe, ought to auoyd the vse of all vnnecessarie thinges, because the kyngdome of God is not meate and drynke, but righteousnes, peace, and joye in the Holy Goste: Much more ought he then rather neuer to eate fleshe, then by his libertie to geue occasion to his brother so to stumble that he should therby either fale in to an hatred & contempt of hym, or elles contrarie to his fayth and conscience should attempte to do the same thinges that he doth. In deede S. Paul in the first epistle and .8. chapt. to the Corinth. speakinge of this later kynde of offence, concludeth in this maner: Wherfore, if meate offende my brother, I will neuer eate fleshe whiles the world standeth.

But we must note in all these things, that he continually useth the name of a brother. For of that plant which the father hath not planted, that is, of the reprobate, we must have no regard: Whom in deed the more godly you are, the more you shall offend. This therefore must be our chief entente and purpose, so to do and order all things that they make to the edifying of our brethren. So shall it come to pass, that ⟨image 5⟩some times we shall see cause to use our liberty, and some times not to use it. For when words are to be approved by deeds, the liberty that is preached must needs be confirmed with examples. This did Peter and Barnabas with certain other Jews very godly at Antioch. And therefore when they dissembled the same again for fear of such as came from James, Paul withstood Peter openly and blamed him vehemently. Gal. ij. This example ought to be well considered. For if Peter in this slippery place took a fall, what is he that ought not herein to be careful, & take good heed of the like danger: They that came from James, were brethren: and therefore it seemed that it was better for them not to touch any flesh for ever, then to give them an occasion to stumble, or to be offended, or at the least made weak. Therefore Peter seemeth not without good cause to dissemble & hide from them his liberty, for whose sakes he dissembled. But if you will have respect unto them for whose sakes Paul was zealous & careful, you will then say that Peter dissembled without cause, and that he was worthily reprehended of Paul. For he had preached unto them that by Christ alone all men are justified: and therefore the