A09443:644
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.
When Balaam had assayed sundry ways to curse the children of Israel, and could not, he gave Balac counsel to use means to cause them to sin. At his counsel Balac sent forth the most beautiful women in his kingdom into the camp of Israel to entice them to the service of their idols, and to banquet with them at their idol feasts, that so they might draw them to fornication: whereunto the Israelites condescended, and so sinned against God. Thus much of the meaning of the words.
When Balaam had assayed sundry wayes to curse the children of Israell, and could not, he gaue Balac counsell to vse meanes to cause them to sinne. At his counsell Balac sent foorth the most beautifull women in his kingdome into the campe of Israell to entise them to the seruice of their idols, and to banquet with them at their idoll feasts, that so they might draw them to fornication: whereunto the Israelites condescended, and so sinned against God. Thus much of the meaning of the words.
First,1 here observe a special property of false teachers: namely, to cast offences before men, to cause them to fall in the way that leadeth to salvation. By this Christ intendeth to make known unto this Church the false doctrine of Balaam. Paul in his Epistles (a)calleth the doctrine of the gospel a truth according to godliness: because the intent of the gospel is, to lead men to true godliness. On the contrary, the doctrine of Antichrist is called (b)the mystery of iniquity; because the scope thereof is, to draw men to all iniquity and abomination. Here then we have a rule, whereby we may judge between true doctrine and false, even by looking into the end and scope thereof: if it aim at true piety and sincere obedience, we may judge it to be good; but if it tend to draw men to idolatry and sin, then it is a false doctrine. Thus we might scan all false religions, as the religion of the Turk and Jew at this day. But because we are more troubled with the doctrine of Popery among our common people, who call it The old Religion, therefore let us a little examine the same by this rule.