Our apostle here puts another case: "Suppose an unbeliever, an infidel or heathen, did invite. believer,. Christian, to. feast of civil friendship in his private house, (not to. feast upon. sacrifice in the idol-temple, which was absolutely unlawful,) what was to be done in this case?" He declares they may warrantably go and eat whatever is set before them without scruple, but would have them ask no questions about the lawfulness of it; nevertheless, if the master of the feast, or any present at the feast, shall suggest that some part of the meat has been offered to an idol, in that case he would have them forbear, lest they should encourage any man to idolatry; adding his reason as before, For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: that is, there is plenty and variety of other meat to be had, which God, the Creator of all things, the Lord of the whole earth, has allowed us the free use of; so that we may well let the idol sacrifices alone.

Here we see, that an action lawful in itself becomes sinful, and is condemned as such, when there is. breach of charity in the doing of it.

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Old Testament