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VERSE 22. — Happy is he which condemneth not him∣selfe in that thing which he alloweth.
IN these words begins the third part of Pauls answer, which is a direction, containing two Aphorismes or short pithy sentences: the one directing the strong, which is in these words; the other directing the weake, in the next Verse.
In this sentence are two parts to be considered: the Sub∣iect, and the Predicate.
The subiect in these words, Hee that condemneth not him∣selfe in that thing which he alloweth.
The predicate, is happy.
In the subiect, the person capable of this happinesse is de∣scribed by the effect denyed, condemneth not himselfe. Where we haue the action, condemneth; the obiect personall, him∣selfe. Both these amplified from the generality, He, this in∣definite being equipollent to a generall: and from the obiect reall, the thing about which he condemneth not himselfe, in that thing which he alloweth.
Hee that condemneth not himselfe. For the variety of the sig∣nification of the Greek word which signifies to iudge as well as to condemne, this Aphorisme is diuersly applyed.
Some say that Paul here strikes the weake, * 1.1 telling him that he is blessed and happy, if he cease iudging of others, yea, if he iudge not himselfe to be iustified or more righteous for his abstinence. * 1.2
Others, * 1.3 Happy is he which makes not a conscience to himselfe, and bindes not himselfe when God bindes him not.
Others still applying it to the weak, * 1.4 that he is happy which takes not vpon him to determine of things on his owne head, that trusts not to his owne iudgement, but aduiseth himselfe by them which haue more knowledge in the Scriptures, Fa∣thers, and stories of the Church.
But with Mr. Caluin, Aretius, and other many, I referre it to the strong, not onely in the particular of meates, but of all indifferent things, lawfull in themselues, but vnlawfull in the case of scandall.
In that which he alloweth. The word signifieth allowance vpon due examination and tryall, and so implyes allowance vpon sound iudgement and vnerring.
Hee that knoweth the lawfulnesse of things indifferent, and doth not so vse them (namely giuing offence to the weake) that his conscience checke him for it, is happy.
Happy. Wee may take it largely for the aggregation of all profitable things: for certainly he is in a most blessed estate,
which doth nothing contrary to his conscience well and right∣ly instructed by the word.
The predicate happy, is by an inuersion of the tearmes put in the first place, as is vsuall with Dauid in the Psalmes, and with our Sauiour in the Gospell, for the greater commenda∣tion of the thing, being vttered with a kinde of acclama∣tion or admiration: so that here wee haue sententiam Apostoli & affectum, both the sentence and the affection of our Apo∣stle declared.
A Conscience not condemning is a great blessing, Pro. 15.15. 2 Cor. 1.12.
In things lawfull beware of a condemning conscience: eate, [Ʋse 1] drinke, apparell thy selfe, &c. but not against conscience.
Doe nothing against thy conscience, the good testimony whereof is thy glory and happinesse.
Conscience is eyther thy best friend, or thy worst enemy.
What if the Scribes and Pharisies, with the Priests, clap Iudas on the backe for betraying his Master; yet his Consci∣ence will neuer leaue condemning and tormenting him, till he goe out and hang himselfe.
The times passe, and wee know not how soone wee may be called to appeare before the great Iudge of all; let vs so spend the remainder of our life, that wee may haue the well∣informed approbation of the little Iudge in our breasts, and lye downe in peace.
Here they are pronounced happy which condemne not, [Ʋse 2] nor iudge themselues: * 1.5 and in another place they are by Paul com∣mended which doe iudge themselues.
They are both true, and not meant of the same: hee that doth not that for which his conscience may checke him, that is Pauls meaning here. He that hauing so done, repenteth of it, that is Pauls meaning to the Corinthians.
It is a happinesse not to sinne, or to doe that whereof wee haue need to repent: and it is a happinesse when we haue sin∣ned, if we can repent.
I write vnto you that you sinne not, that you con∣demne not your selues in that which you allow: but if any man finne, happy is hee if he obtaine pardon, and
iudge himselfe, repenting of the same.
In the Corinthians hee meanes iudging in the practice of repentance; * 1.6 not so here.
The first care of the Pilot is to keepe the shippe from ship∣wracke: but if shipwracke be suffered, to swim out on some boards end.
He that condemneth not himselfe in his doings, because of the errour of his conscience, [Ʋse 3] is not happy, this not condem∣ning must proceede from a sound and right iudgement.
Many approue better of drunkennesse, whoredome, &c. then of sobriety and chastity, and condemne not themselues, though they daily walke in such beastlinesse; but they are therefore the more miserable.
O that they did condemne themselues, and that their conscience would awake, and sting and checke them for their euill deeds: for then there might be some hope that they might be saued.
Though thou condemnest not thy selfe in thy euill doings, yet God will, vnlesse thou repent.
First try, [Ʋse 4] and when vpon sound tryall thou allowest, wisely proceed to action, and not before.
Thou weighest thy gold before thou receiue it, weigh thy opinions and thy actions, before thou entertaine and execute them: but weigh them, not by the false skoales of thy con∣ceit, or by the iudgement of man; but by the equall, true, and vnerring beame of the Sanctuary.
The heathen Orator could see that the first thing required to true vertue, * 1.7 was that we should discerne the truth, and not incognita pro cognitis habere, his{que} temerè assentiri; to receiue things doubtfull for things certainly knowne, and rashly to assent vnto them. Which vice he that would auoid (as all are so to will) adhibebit ad res considerandas & tempus, & dili∣gentiam; must saith he, take time and vse diligence to consi∣der of things: if he had added, the word of God, he had spo∣ken like a Christian Philosopher and Orator indeed.
In a matter of opinion, be sure it be the truth: when thou art sure of that, sit downe and consider whether it be fit to broach it or no: what profit, what hurt may come by the same.
There is not the same end of counsell, and a course or race. * 1.8
The hastinesse of many to vent their raw and ill digested opinions, hath beene a great trouble to the Church.
If wicked men would take time to consider of their do∣ings, they would not be so mad vpon drunkennesse, theft, murder, vncleannesse, &c.
Consider thou drunkard, what thou doest thinke of the present turpitude and infamy, and of the shame and torment to come. He that is not finally hardned must needs be moued vpon such consideration.
Chrysost.
Caiet.
Sarcerius.
Corn. C. à lapide refert.
1 Cor. 11.30.
Hier. epist. ad De∣metr. de virgini∣tate seruanda. Poenitentia quasi secunda post nau∣fragium miseris tabula sit.
Ciccero Offic. 1.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.