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…

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.

First,¹ here obserue a speciall property of false teachers: namely, to cast offences before men, to cause them to fall in the way that leadeth to saluation. By this Christ intendeth to make knowne vnto this Church the false doctrine of Balaam. Paule in his Epistles ^(a)calleth the doctrin of the gospell a truth according to godlinesse: because the intent of the gospell is, to lead men to true godlinesse. On the contrarie, the doctrine of Antichrist is called ^(b)the mysterie of iniquitie; because the scope thereof is, to draw men to all iniquitie and abhomination. Here then wee haue a rule, whereby wee may iudge betweene true doctrine and false, euen by looking into the end and scope thereof: if it ayme at true pietie and syncere obedience, wee may iudge it to be good; but if it tend to draw men to idolatrie and sinne, then it is a false doctrine. Thus wee might scan all false religions, as the religion of the Turke and Iew at this day. But because wee are more troubled with the doctrine of Poperie among our common people, who call it The old Religion, therefore let vs a little examine the same by this rule.