27. If any one of them that believe not invites you. Here follows an exception, to this effect, that if a believer has been warned, that what is set before him has been offered to an idol, and sees that there is a danger of offense being given, he sins against the brethren if he does not abstain. He shows then, in short, that care must be taken not to hurt weak consciences.
When he says — and you are willing to go, he intimates indirectly, that he does not altogether approve of it, and that it would be better if they declined, but as it is a thing indifferent, he does not choose to forbid it absolutely. And, certainly, there could be nothing better than to keep at a distance from such snares — not that those are expressly to be condemned, who accommodate themselves to men only in so far as conscience permits, (601) but because it becomes us to proceed with caution, (602) where we see that we are in danger of falling.
(601) “ Seulement autant que faire se pent sans offenser Dieu;” — “Only so far as they can do so without offending God.”
(602) “ Auec grand auis et prudence;” — “With great care and prudence.”