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…

Thirdly, hereby we must learn to have special care against offences given by evil counsel, or bad example. For if it be the property of a false prophet to cast stumbling blocks before others, then is it a dangerous thing to fall upon them when they are laid before us. While we live in this world we shall see many offences given: but we must take heed we take them not. And therefore Christ biddeth us, ^(b)If thy foot offend thee, or thine ha•d, cut it off: or thine eye, pluck it out: Teaching us to forgo the dearest thing that can be unto us, if it would cause us to sin against God. And to move us hereto, mark the Israelites example in the wilderness: while they kept a good conscience, and observed the true worship of God, all Balaam's curses were turned into blessings: but when they fell to idolatry & fornication with the Moabitish women: then was Gods wrath kindled against them, and his plague seized upon them. Even so, if our church be careful to keep it self to the true religion, which by Gods mercy we enjoy, and withal have care to keep good conscience in becoming a penitent and obedient ⟨p. 120⟩people unto God: then may Balaam curse, and all our enemies spit their venom, yet we shall be safe: But if we let go true religion and good conscience, and fall to sin, then we must look for •ods heavy judgements to fall upon us in his wrath, as they did upon his own people. Fourthly, when Balaam's cursing would not prevail, then did fair women, and banqueting, draw them to idolatry and fornication. Hence we learn, that temptations on the right hand, that is, taken from profits, pleasures, and preferments, are most dangerous, and soonest prevail to draw men from God. The state of a christian, is like a besieged city; when a huge army cannot sack it, than silver and gold will open the gates hereof: even so, when adversity cannot make a man to forsake religion & good conscience, then by prosperity, ease, and pleasure hath the devil stolen away his heart. Those therefore that have ease, pleasures, and outward blessings at will, are in a far more dangerous case in respect of sin than others; unless God vouchsafe unto them special grace to watch against these pleasing temptations. This made godly Job ^(a)To sanctify his children every day when they feasted each other at their houses: lest any one then should have blasphemed God in his hart.