Exposition of Romans 13-16, Exposition of Romans · Chapter 2
A PLAINE EXPOSITION VPONUPON THE FOVRTEENTH CHAPTER OF THE EPISTLE OF Saint PAVL to the Romanes.
IN this Chapter and part of the next, the Apoſtle entreateth of the vſe of things Indifferent, and of Chriſtian libertie; and how Chriſtians, ſtrong and weake, are to cary themſelues therein one to another, that God may hauehave glory, the Church peace, and themſelues mutuall comfort.
As there was great neede to write of theſe things in Pauls time; ſo now alſo, becauſe our Church hath of late yeares ſuffered more about theſe things, then about the Articles of the Faith.
The occaſion of this paſſage was this: By reaſon of the diſperſion of the Iewes, the Churches almoſt in all places conſiſted of Iewes and Gentiles: The Iewes could hardly be brought from the obſeruation of Leuiticall Ceremonies, being brought vp in them from their cradle, as in Ordinances comming from God himſelfe: and therefore though they entertained the Gospell, yet they held difference of dayes and meats, of conſcience ſtill neceſſary to be obſerued: The Gentiles were eaſily perſwaded of the Chriſtian libertie from ſuch things purchaſed by Chriſt, and liued without making difference.
Hence grew hot diſputations, eager contentions and diſſention almoſt inreconcileable; the Gentile holding the Iew as ſuperſtitious; the Iew the Gentile as prophane.
Paul commeth with his bucket to quench this flame, which burnt vehemently in the Church at Rome, and endeuoreth here as an Vmpire to arbitrate the matter, and to make a pacification. Although he inſtanceth in Iewiſh Ceremonies, yet in proportion here are Rules concerning all Indifferent things.