A09443:642
A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…
A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the Revelation. Preached in Cambridge by that reverend and judicious divine, master William Perkins, Ann. Dom. 1595. First published for the benefit of Gods Church, by Robert Hill, Bachelor of DivinityA godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the Reuelation. Preached in Cambridge by that reuerend and judicious diuine, maister William Perkins, Ann. Dom. 1595. First published for the benefit of Gods Church, by Robert Hill, Bachelor of Diuinitie
London: printed by Adam Islip for Cuthbert Burbie, 1606
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
III. point. The reason or confirmation of the former reproof, whereby the Lord would move this Church to detest these false teachers, is taken from the effect of their doctrine, and it is laid down in this similitude. As Balaam the false Prophet taught Balac to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to cause them to eat of things sacrificed to Idols, and to commit fornication: ⟨p. 117⟩so this Church maintained among them Nicholaitans, who taught, it was lawful to eat things sacrificed to Idols, at Idols feasts, and to commit fornication. The first part of this similitude is in the end of this 14 verse: Which taught Balac to put a stumbling block, &c. The second part is in the 15 verse.
III. point. The reason or confirmation of the former reproofe, whereby the Lord would mooue this Church to detest these false teachers, is taken from the effect of their doctrine, and it is layed downe in this similitude. As Balaam the false Prophet taught Balac to put a stumbling blocke before the children of Israell, to cause them to eat of things sacrificed to Idols, and to commit fornication: ⟨p. 117⟩so this Church maintained among them Nicholaitans, who taught, it was lawfull to eat things sacrificed to Idols, at Idols feasts, and to commit fornication. The first part of this similitude is in the end of this 14 verse: Which taught Balac to put a stumbling blocke, &c. The second part is in the 15 verse.
Touching the doctrine of Balaam we are to observe three points: First, What a stumbling block, or an offence is. Secondly, what it is to cast or put a stumbling block. Thirdly, by what means king Balac did cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel. For the first, a stumbling block is properly any thing, as wood, or stone, or such like, that is cast in a mans way, to hinder him in his gate, and to cause him to trip or fall: And by resemblance in this place, an offence is any thing that causeth a man to sin against God, and so to slip or fall, or to go out of his way that leadeth to life. Further, an offence is twofold; either given or taken. An offence given, is any speech or deed, whereby a man is provoked to sin: and so was Peter an offence unto Christ, though he took it not,