For if I by grace be a partaker
Either of Christian liberty, through the grace of God; or of the
creatures God has given men to eat of through his goodness, and
which are enjoyed by the saints with thankfulness:
why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give
thanks?
that is, why should I expose myself to evil tongues, the
blasphemies and reproaches of men, by eating things of this kind,
under this circumstance, when there are so many creatures I can
use without offence, and be thankful for? or why should my
liberty be reproached through an imprudent use of it, for which I
have the utmost reason to be thankful? wherefore upon the whole
it is best to deny one's self in such a case, rather than risk
one's character, the glory of God, and the honour of religion.