Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

Him that is weak. Now he passeth unto a precept very necessary for Ecclesiastical instruction: that they which have profited more in the doctrine of Christ, might apply them selves to the ruder sort, and bestow their strength to support their weakness. For amongst the people of God, there are some weaklings, who unless they be handled with great courtesy & gentleness, they are discouraged, & at length revolt from religion. Which thing even at that time chiefly (as it is like) did happen: seeing the churches were mixed of Jews & Gentiles; of whom ⟨p. 178⟩some having bin long accustomed with the observations of the law of Moses, & nuzzled therein from their infancy, were not easily drawn from them, othersome seeing they had learned no such thing, did reject the yoke they were not acquainted withal. And because man is prone to fall from diversity of opinions unto brawlings & contentions, the Apostle showeth how they which vary so in opinions, might live quietly amongst themselves. And he prescribeth the best way, namely, that they which are strong, bestow their labour to support the weak: & they which have profited more to bear with the ruder sort. For if God make us strong above others, he doth it not that we should oppress the weak: neither is it the point of Christian wisdom to be insolent above measure, & to contemn others. In this sort therefore he directeth his talk towards those are more skilful, & already confirmed, who are by so much the more bound to help their neighbours, as they have received a larger gift of the Lord. Not unto doubtfulness of disputation. The speech is defective: because the word should make up the sense is wanting: yet it is sure the Apostle would nothing else, then that the weaker sort should not be wearied with unmeet disputations. The proposition he now handleth is to be kept in memory. For because many of the Jews did cleave yet unto the shadows of the law, he confesseth it was fault worthy in them, yet he requesteth it might be borne withal for a time: for to urge them more hardly, were to hazard their faith. He calleth then those questions contentions, which either trouble, or plunge with doubts, the mind not yet sufficiently established. Although it were meet to extend this further, namely, unto intricate & curious questions, whereby weak consciences without edification are disquieted & troubled.

HIm that is weake. Now he passeth vnto a precept very necessarie for Ecclesiastical instruction: that they whiche haue profited more in the doctrine of Christ, might apply thē selues to the ruder sort, and bestow their strēgth to support their weaknes. For amongst ye people of God, there are some weaklings, who vnles they be handled with great curtesie & gentlenes, they are discouraged, & at length reuolt frō religiō. Which thing euen at yt time chiefly (as it is like) did happē: seeing the churches were mixed of Iewes & Gentiles; of whom