14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.



Ver. 14. I know and am persuaded] Many, on the contrary, are persuaded before they know; and such will not be persuaded to know. The Valentinian heretics had a trick to persuade before they taught, as saith Tertullian. The old sectaries had their pithanology, insinuative and persuasive language; so have the modern; and hence so many dissonant opinions among us. If ye speak with several tongues (so hold several opinions) will not he that comes in think ye are mad? 1Co_14:9-11 Dii boni, quomodo hic vivunt gentes! How strangely do people live here, said a stranger, observing our divisions in Henry VIII’s time, which (alas) were nothing comparable to these of our days, and all because simple men and silly women are soon persuaded to that which they understand not. The silly simple believeth everything: weak as water on a table, which with a wet finger may be led any way. {Pethi, Pro_14:15}



By the Lord Jesus] Who hath pulled down the partition-wall, and purchased our Christian liberty.