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…

because we do impose necessarily the use of means to them that would be certain of their salvation, and persevere unto the end, as namely, denial of themselves, & humbling themselves in continual prayer, with hearing & meditating in the word of God, and receiving the Sacraments for the increase of faith, and renewing of their repentance: All which will rather make a man fearful and careful than secure. For with the means, is certainty of salvation, both attained and preserved: so that our doctrine is not a doctrine of offences, but a true doctrine that beateth out the plain way that •eadeth unto life.

because we do impose necessarily the vse of meanes to them that would bee certaine of their saluation, and perseuer vnto the end, as namely, deniall of themselues, & humbling thēselues in continuall prayer, with hearing & meditating in the word of God, and receiuing the Sacraments for the increase of faith, and renewing of their repentance: All which will rather make a man fearefull and carefull than secure. For with the meanes, is certainty of saluation, both atteined and preserued: so that our doctrine is not a doctrine of offences, but a true doctrine that beateth out the plaine way that •eadeth vnto life.

Secondly, Christ his detestation of this doctrine of Balaam, must admonish us to be so careful of our behaviour every way, that we give no offence unto any, for if we do, we are Balaam's scholars. This is a point of special observation, we must look to our communication that it be void of railing & bad speeches, and to our conversation, that it be holy and unblameable. In every thing we must have care not to hinder others in the way of life, Woe ^(a)be to them (saith Christ) that give offences: it were better that a huge millstone (such as an ass can but turn about, as the word imports) were tied about his neck, and that he were cast into the sea. The reason is, because when a man by any means giveth his brother an offence: he doth as much as in him lieth, to plunge his brothers soul into the pit of destruction, and therefore we must fly offences as hell it self: yea rather on the contrary, we must help our brethren forward in the way of salvation, and remove from them all stumbling blocks that cause them to fall. If this duty were practised, our church would abound with grace and godliness: but this duty is wanting, and hence it comes that we have so small increase after long labour in preaching, for example and evil counsel do quench the graces of the spirit in mens hearts.