unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is
SERMON V.
TITUS, Chap. i. verses 15 and 16.
15. Unto the pure all things are pure; but unto them that are defiled add unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him: being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
St. Paul hath shown us that we must be ruled by the word of God; and hold the commandments of men as vain and foolish; for holiness and perfection of life belongeth not to them. He condemneth some of their commandments; as when they forbid certain meats, and will not suffer us to use that liberty which God giveth the faithful. Those who troubled the church in St. Paul's time, by setting forth such traditions, used the commandments of the law as a shield. These were but men's inventions: because the temple was to be abolished at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Those in the church of Christ, who hold this superstition, to have certain meats for bidden, have not the authority of God, for it was against his mind and purpose that the Christian should be subject to such ceremonies.
To be short, St. Paul informs us in this place, that in these days we have liberty to eat of all kinds of meat without exception. As for the health of the body, that is not here spoken of; but the matter here set forth is, that men shall not set themselves up as masters, to make laws for us contrary to the word of God. Seeing it is so, that God putteth no difference between meats, let us so use them; and never inquire what men like, or what they think good. Notwithstanding, we must use the benefits that God hath granted us,