Rule 4: Of the Use of Them Without Offense

TO use with offence, is then to use them, when it edifies not, or hinders the weak in godliness, whereas the abstaining from them, brings no hurt to the abstainers, or at the least very small, as Saint Paul in the first to the Corinthians (6:12) says: All things are lawful to me, but all things profit not: All are lawful to me, but I will be brought under the power of nothing. Chapter 10:23. All things are lawful to me, but all things edify me not. Romans 14:20. All things are clean: but evil to him that eats with offence: It is good neither to eat flesh, nor drink wine, nor do any thing whereat your brother stumbles, wherewith he is offended, or weakened.