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…

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, Mat. 16.23. An offence taken, is when any man taketh occasion to fall and sin, by that which is well done by others: so were the Pharisees offended at the sacred preaching of our Saviour Christ. II. point. The casting or putting of a stumbling block, or giving an offence, is the doing or saying of any thing, whereby a man is occasioned to sin: and this is done, either about things evil in themselves, or in things indifferent. Things evil are such as Gods word forbiddeth: and they are twofold, either persuasions, or examples. Bad persuasions are false doctrine, and evil counsel. Bad example is also a giving of offence, because it doth embolden evil men in their sin, and draw the godly to evil. Again, in things indifferent, as meat, drink, apparel, &c. may offence be given, when as they are used unseasonably, not in fit time and place, and before fit persons. And of this Paul speaketh, saying: If I knew my eating did offend my brother, I would eat no flesh while the world standeth. The offence here spoken of, was an offence given in evil things, for it was an evil act done by Balaam, and accordingly received and taken of the Israelites, for he used outward provocations to allure them unto sin. III. point. The means whereby king Balac did cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, is set down in the end of the verse, by provoking them to eat of things sacrificed to Idols, and to commit fornication. That we may understand this fully, read Numbers 25. The sum of the history is this:

Touching the doctrine of Balaam we are to obserue three points: First, What a stumbling blocke, or an offence is. Secondly, what it is to cast or put a stumbling blocke. Thirdly, by what meanes king Balac did cast a stumbling block before the children of Israell. 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 reseblance in this place, an offence is any thing that causeth a man to sinne 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 giuen or taken. An offence giuen, is any speech or deed, whereby a man is prouoked to sinne: and so was Peter an offence vnto Christ, though he tooke it not,