Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

And least that should be little esteemed, he repeateth that sentence which he had put down, namely that corruptible ⟨p. 185⟩meat is a thing unworthy, for whose cause the building of the Lord should be destroyed. For wheresoever there is but a sparkle of godliness, there a man may see the work of God: which they overthrow, who through their importunity trouble the conscience that is yet weak. And it is to be noted that edification is therefore joined unto peace, because sometime they do too much cocker one another, so that they hurt greatly by their obsequy. Wherefore there is choice to be kept in the study of obeying, and profit is to be considered, that we may willingly grant unto our brother, whatsoever serveth to the furthering of his salvation. As Paul admonisheth in another place, all things are lawful to me,¹ but all things are not expedient: and straightways after he addeth the reason, because all things do not edify. And it is not in vain that he repeateth again, not for meat, signifying that he requireth not an abstinence wherein there might be a hazard or loss of Godliness, as he said of late: although we do not freely eat every meat, but abstain from the use of certain meats for our brethren sakes, yet the kingdom of God abideth perfect.

And least that shoulde bee little esteemed, hee repeateth that sentence whiche hee had put downe, namely that corruptible ⟨p. 185⟩meate is a thing vnworthie, for whose cause the building of the Lorde should bee destroyed. For wheresoeuer there is but a sparkle of godlinesse, there a man may see the work of God: whiche they ouerthrow, who through their importunitie trouble the conscience that is yet weake. And it is to bee noted that edification is therefore ioyned vnto peace, because sometime they doe too much cocker one another, so that they hurt greatly by theyr obsequie. Wherefore there is choyse to bee kept in the studie of obeying, and profit is to bee considered, that wee may willingly graunt vnto our brother, whatsoeuer serueth to the furthering of his saluation. As Paul admonisheth in another place, all thinges are lawfull to me,¹ but all thinges are not expedient: and straightwaies after hee addeth the reason, because all thinges doe not edifie. And it is not in vaine that he repeateth againe, not for meate, signifiyng that hee requireth not an abstinence wherein there might bee a hassarde or losse of Godlinesse, as hee saide of late: although wee doe not freely eate euerie meate, but abstaine from the vse of certaine meates for our brethren sakes, yet the kingdome of God abideth perfect.