Romans 14

Romans 14:1

Him that is weake,] him that hath not yet a full knowledge, nor is not fully perswaded of the Christian liberty, in the point of meates, dayes, and other Mosaicall observations the annihilation of which, in those first beginnings could not be beleeved by many Receave you,] into the communion of the Church into the charitie of your hearts; and into sweete Christian conversation as a true brother But not,] but beware of disquieting him with troublesome questions, under the pretence of convincing him of his error: which would bee to no purpose considering his present weakenesse and incapacitie: and besides it might endanger the wounding of his conscience, and subversing of his faith To Doubtfull,] or to ambiguities and perplexities.

Romans 14:2

Beleeveth,] is thorowly perswaded, by the doctrine of the Gospell, that his conscience is no more tied to these differences of cleane, or uncleane meates, Matthew 15 11 Herbes,]in which Moses had appointed no difference, concerning the purenesse Now this was for feare of unadvisedly eating, any uncleane or forbidden foode. See Daniel 1:12.

Romans 14:3

That eateth,] that hath a certaine knowledge of this liberty, and makes use of it Despise,] as a novice and superstitious person Iudge him,] holding him for a prophate person For God,] seeing God hath receaved both the one and the other into his church, and accepteth of them for his servants and children, because of their common beliefe in the essentiall heads, man ought neither to contemne the child, nor condemne the servant.

Romans 14:4

He standeth,] this is an anticipation of an objection which these disputers might make concerning such indifferent things, saying. Such a one is weak in his faith, therefore it is fitting to strengthen him, by taking away these scruples otherwise there is some danger that hee may fall. Saint Paul answereth leave the care of it to God to whom hee belongeth, hee knoweth how to provide for it at his appointed time, by augmentation of faith and spirit which he alone can give, and not thou with thy disputing. See Philippians 3:15.

Romans 14:5

Let every man,] in these diversities above all things one ought to know the will of God clearly, for to conforme himselfe to it. But howsoever, one must also beware of doing any thing, against the feeling of his owne conscience. See verse 14. 1 Col. 8. 7, 10.

Romans 14:6

Hee that] in these particular opinions of other men, concerning such outward things man ought not to entermeddle, neither hath hee any just command from God the thing belongeth absolutely to God, whose servants they are both the weake and the strong, as it appeares by the acknowledgement which they make of him. Sec 1 Corinthians 8:8 And giveth,] though hee hath not the use of some kinde of meates, or bodily delights, yet he giveth God thankes as well as the other, who hath a more indifferent fruition of his goods.

Romans 14:7

For none,] Seeing that beleevers belong to God, and seeing they have beene acquired unto him by the death and resurrection of his sonne, whereby they are no more their owne, and much lesse at other mens disposing concerning the state of their soules, no one man hath any right upon the other in these things, for to constraine him or condemne him.

Romans 14:9

Both of the,] of those that beleeve in him, as well during this life, as afterward.

Romans 14:10

But why,] besides that in these contentions Gods right is usurped, by a presumptuous enterprise, the brother-hood which is betweene them is also violated: and therefore let every one rather take care of himselfe, how hee shall give an account of himselfe, at Christs judgment, then trouble himselfe with the state of other men, in these indifferent things.

Romans 14:11

It is written,] this passage is referred to the last judgement, for then it shall be perfectly accomplished.

Romans 14:13

Judge this rather,] that is to say hold this for a certaine and a determined thing amongst you. Or use judgment and discretion there in That no man put,] that no man give occasion of slakening beliefe, or of causing it to goe astray; nor to give any offence, or grieve the weake brethren.

Romans 14:14

By the Lord Iesus,] being enlightned by his word and his spirit, which hee powreth out upon me, as up on a member of his body. Or hee would say that Christ is the cause that all meates are now holy for beleevers, he having purified those who are his from in, from whence proceeded all the uncleannesse of the creatures: and hath also annihilated the ceremonies of the Law to bring in the true service, and spirituall holinesse, which was figured by them It is uncleane,] Namely the use there of is unlawfull to him, because the conscience (though it bee in an errour) holds alwayes the place of divine Law in man; whereby all which hee doth against it, is as much as if hee sinned directly against God. And therefore hee ought before all other things, seeke to informe establish and difie his owne Conscience well, ver. 3.

Romans 14:15

Bee grieved,] that is to say offended, and angry to see thee who makest profession of the same faith, eate of such kinde of meate as hee holdeth to bee uncleane, by Gods ancient Commandement whereupon hee is grieved that hee is joyned to thee whom he holds prophane in this action Not charitably,] for charity in these indifferent things, thou oughtest to doe any thing for thy neighbours 〈…〉faction Destroy not,] take heed of giving this scandall to a weake man, whereby he might be driven to apostate from the faith For whom,] whom Christ, gathering together of his Church by vertue of his death, hath also incorporated into it. Or whom thou oughtest, by charitable judgement beleeve to bee of the number of those for whom he died: though indeed those whom hee hath redeemed by his death, cannot perish, Io. 10. 11, 28.

Romans 14:16

Your good,] all comes to this, that you give no occasion to weake men to speake ill of yo liberty as of a prophane licentiousn esse, which would redound to the dishonour of God Himselfe.

Romans 14:17

The Kingdome,] Namely the forme 〈…〉d governement of the Church uder the spiritual Kingdome of Christ, consists 〈…〉 these o〈…〉d things and observations but in good and hoy works, in concord and charity, and in spirituall joy and comfort, which every one ought to have in himselfe, and give unto others, by the gift of the Holy Ghost in all good example.

Romans 14:18

Of men,] Namely, of beleevers, who 〈◊〉 all agree in them: Or of other men also who are not pre-occupated by perverse passions. See 1 S〈…〉. 2. 26. Luke 2:52. Acts 2:47.

Romans 14:19

Wherewith one may,] which are for the augmentation, and strengthening of the common faith and salvation.

Romans 14:20

Destroy not,] that is to say trouble not thy weake brothers Conscience, that the worke of Gods grace may not in its first beginnings, be either hindered or moved, with danger of having all goe to ruine With offence,] giving at his pleasure, o〈…〉 his neighbour.

Romans 14:21

Is made weake,] Namely irresolute 〈◊〉 wavering whither it bee lawfull or unlawfull before God.

Romans 14:22

Hast thou faith,] Dost thou truely know, and art then certainly perswaded concerning Christian liberty in these things Have it.] content by selfe with knowing this liberty, and with thy being freed from all such scruples That condemneth 〈◊〉,] that doth not make himselfe guiltie of having violated the lawes of charity, and finning against his neighbour, abusing the gift which he hath receaved from God, of knowing what is lawfull for him to doe, and what things are forbidden him.

Romans 14:23

And he,] he that is throughly perswaded of the Christian liberty may abstaine from eating of such things as are lawfull, for to condescend to his brethrens frailtie: but hee that is not, can not 〈◊〉 ought not in that kinde please others, against the minde of his own Conscience. See ver. 14 Bec〈…〉 he,] seeing hee is not perswaded whither that which he undertaketh bee pleasing to God or no hee 〈…〉eth God, and doth not by an upright judgment and will, referre the worke to Gods service, as every beleever ought to doe.