IN these words the Apostle expounds or applies the former testimony of scripture, which he urgeth both for the believer, and against the unbeliever. The believers he calls upon to take notice of their felicity; assuring them, that that Scripture doth avouch, that Christ is an incomparable ⟨p. 216⟩treasure to them. Concerning the unbelievers he speaks terrible things; whom he describes both by their sin, and by their judgement. The sin is disobedience: their judgement is to be considered as it is denounced, first, against their Leaders, whom he calls Builders; and then, against the whole body of unbelievers. The plague upon the Builders, is, that the Kingdom of Christ shall be advanced in spite of their hearts: they shall perish and be confounded, but Christ shall reign and flourish. The plague upon the body of unbelievers, is, that Christ shall be to them a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; which is amplified by the consideration of the causes, partly in themselves, which is, their stumbling at the Word, and disobedience; and partly in God, who in his justice hath appointed them thereunto.
IN these words the Apostle expounds or applies the former testimony of scripture, which hee vrgeth both for the beleeuer, and against the vnbeleeuer. The beleeuers he cals vpon to take notice of their felicity; assuring them, that that Scripture doth auouch, that Christ is an incomparable ⟨p. 216⟩treasure to them. Concerning the vnbeleeuers he speaks terrible things; whom hee describes both by their sinne, and by their iudgement. The sin is disobedience: their iudgement is to be considered as it is denounced, first, against their Leaders, whom he cals Builders; and then, against the whole body of vnbeleeuers. The plague vpon the Builders, is, that the Kingdome of Christ shall bee aduanced in spight of their hearts: they shall perish and be confounded, but Christ shall raign and flourish. The plague vpon the body of vnbeleeuers, is, that Christ shall bee to them a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; which is amplified by the consideration of the causes, partly in themselues, which is, their stumbling at the Word, and disobedience; and partly in God, who in his iustice hath appointed them thereunto.
