had done wrong if he had not circumcised Timothy, since
the circumcising of him was according to the rules of the word, and it was
expedient to circumcise him, and unexpedient to do otherwise. And (because
_de partibus idem est judicium_) whensoever the use of any indifferent
thing is according to the rules of the word, that is, when it is
profitable for God's glory, and man's edification, and the doer is
persuaded of so much, I say, putting this case, then (forsomuch as not
only it may, but ought to be done) the use of it is not only lawful but
necessary, and (forsomuch as not only it needs not, but ought not to be
admitted) the omission of it is not only unnecessary but also unlawful.

Again, put the case, that the use of a thing indifferent be either against
or not according to the said rules, then (forsomuch as not only it may,
but ought to be admitted) the omission of it is not only lawful but
necessary, and (forsomuch as not only it needs not, but may not, neither
ought to be done) the doing of it is not only unnecessary but also
unlawful. For which it maketh, that the apostles in their decree, allege
no other ground for abstinence from blood and things strangled (which were
in their nature indifferent), but the necessity of abstaining caused and
induced by the foresaid rules, Acts xv. 28.

The Apostle showeth that that measure of liberality whereunto he exhorted
the Corinthians was not by any divine commandment necessary, yet he
adviseth it as a thing expedient, 2 Cor. viii. 8, 10. And were not the
Corinthians thereunto bound, because of this expediency of the matter,
though it was not necessary? _Juxta verbum_, &c.: "According to God's word
(saith the Bishop of Salisbury(1213)) we are obliged to glorify God by our
good works, not only when necessity requireth, but also when ability
furnisheth, and opportunity occurreth," Gal. vi. 10; Tit. ii. 14.

_Sect._ 10. As touching the scope of all this dispute, which is the
indifferency of the controverted ceremonies, we shall hear sundry reasons
against it afterward. For the present, I say no more but this: As in every
case, so most especially when we meddle with the worship of God, or any
appurtenance thereof, the rules of the word tie us so straitly, that that
which is in its own nature indifferent ought either to be done, or to be
left undone, according as it is either agreeable or not agreeable to these
rules; and so is never left free to us to be done or omitted at