Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

6 He that regardeth the day. &c. For as much as Paul knew certainly, that the observation of days proceeded from the not knowing of Christ: it is not credible, that he did wholly defend such a corruption: and yet the words seem to import, that he sinneth not which observeth the day. For nothing can be acceptable unto God, except it be good. Therefore, that thou mayest understand Pauls meaning, it is necessary to put a difference between that opinion which any hath conceived of observing days, and the observation it self, whereunto he bindeth himself. For the opinion is superstitious: neither doeth Paul deny that, who under the name of infirmity, hath already condemned it, and will by and by condemn it more plainly. But whereas he who is holden with that superstition, dare not violate the solemnity of the day, that is approved of God: because he dare do nothing with a doubtful conscience. For what should the Jew do, who as yet hath not profited so much, that he should be delivered from the religious observation of days? He hath the word of God, wherein, the observation of days is commended unto him. A necessity is laid upon him by the law: the taking away of that necessity is not yet perfectly known unto him. There remaineth therefore nothing else, but that he expecting a larger revelation, should keep himself within the compass of his capacity: and not to use the benefit of liberty, before he have embraced the same by faith. The very same is to be understood of him, that refraineth himself from unclean meats. For if in the perplexity of mind he should eat, that were not to receive a benefit at the hand of GOD: but rather a malapert thrusting of his hand into things forbidden. Let him therefore use other things, which he supposeth are granted to him, and let him follow the measure of his own understanding. So shall he give thanks to the Lord, which he cannot do, except he be persuaded that he is fed by the benefit of God. Therefore he is not to be despised, as though by this his sobriety, and Godly fearfulness he offended the Lord. Neither shall any absurdity ⟨image 195⟩follow if we say the modesty of a weak man is approved or allowed of the Lord, not of merit, but of grace or favour.

6 Hee that regardeth the day. &c. For as much as Paul knewe certainely, that the obseruation of dayes proceeded from the not knowing of Christ: it is not credible, that hee did whollye defende suche a corruption: and yet the woordes seeme to importe, that hee sinneth not whiche obserueth the day. For nothing can be acceptable vnto God, except it be good. Therefore, that thou maist vnderstande Paules meaning, it is necessarie to put a difference betweene that opinion whiche anie hath conceiued of obseruing dayes, and the obseruation it selfe, whereunto hee byndeth himselfe. For the opinion is superstitious: neither doeth Paule denie that, who vnder the name of infirmitie, hath already condemned it, and will by and by condemne it more plainelie. But whereas hee who is holden with that superstition, dare not violate the solemnitie of the daye, that is approoued of God: because hee dare doe nothing with a doubtfull conscience. For what shoulde the Iewe doe, who as yet hath not profited so muche, that hee shoulde bee deliuered from the religious obseruation of dayes? Hee hath the woorde of God, wherein, the obseruation of dayes is commended vnto him. A necessitie is layde vppon him by the lawe: the taking away of that necessitie is not yet perfectlye knowen vnto him. There remaineth therefore nothing els, but that hee expecting a larger reuelation, shoulde keepe himselfe within the compasse of his capacitie: and not to vse the benefite of lybertie, before hee haue imbraced the same by faith. The verye same is to bee vnderstoode of him, that refrayneth himselfe from vncleane meates. For if in the perplexitie of minde hee should eate, that were not to receiue a benefite at the hande of GOD: but rather a maleperte thrusting of his hande into thinges forbidden. Let him therefore vse other thinges, whiche hee supposeth are graunted to him, and let him followe the measure of his owne vnderstanding. So shall hee giue thankes to the Lorde, whiche hee cannot doe, except hee bee perswaded that he is fedde by the benefite of God. Therefore hee is not to bee despised, as though by this his sobrietie, and Godlie fearefulnesse hee offended the Lorde. Neyther shall anye absurditye