Moreover, before we enter into the matter it self, we must see how this title will agree to Christ, who assuredly is the door of eternal life, that he should be the stone of Offence, & the rock to stumble at: & likewise how it may come to pass, that the doctrine of the Gospel, being the only way to salvation, should continually be matched with so many offences. This shall be made the more evident, if we take our beginning at the definition of an Offence. And now whereas the manner of living appointed to us by God, is likened to a way, or a race, which it behoveth ⟨image 14⟩us to follow, hereupon riseth another Metaphor, that Offences should be called what lets so ever do either lead us awry from our right course, or stop us by lying in the way, or give occasion of falling. Surely of all these, nothing can be imputed unto Christ, nor to his Gospel. It is the office of Christ to lead us by the hand, the right way to his Father. Also he is the light of the world, by which we are guided thither: the path whereby we come thither: and the door by which we enter. It is the nature of the Gospel, by taking away all manner of lets, to set us open an easy access into the kingdom of God. Nothing therefore is more disagreeable to Christ or his Gospel, than the name of Offence. This is an infallible rule, that if Christ be esteemed as he is in deed, nothing is more contrary to his nature, than Offence. In likewise is to be thought of the Gospel. But this happeneth through the lewdness of men, that as soon as Christ appeareth a far of, by & by they are wrapped in with Offences, or rather of them selves run headlong into them. Thus is he the stone to stumble ⟨p. 3⟩at, not because he giveth cause of stun bling, but because occasion is wilfully taken. Like as the Gospel being the doctrine of peace and unity, is not withstanding, the occasion of great troubles and turmoils, because the wicked greedily take occasion thereof to set all things in a broil. Now it were to much wrong to burden Christ with other mens faults, as if they were his own, and to lay all the blame thereof on his neck, as if he were the offender. And that is it that Peter sayeth: Be ye builded into a spiritual house, which is a lively stone, rejected of men but chosen of God, and precious also to you that believe:
Moreouer, before wée enter into the matter it selfe, we must sée how this title will agrée to Christ, who assuredly is the doore of eternall life, that he should be the stone of Offence, & the rocke to stumble at: & likewise howe it may come to passe, that the doctrine of the Gospel, beyng the onely way to saluation, should continually be matched with so many offences. This shalbe made the more euidēt, if we take our beginninge at the definition of an Offence. And now wheras the maner of liuing appointed to vs by God, is likened to a waie, or a race, which it behoueth ⟨image 14⟩vs to followe, hereuppon riseth another Metaphor, that Offences should be called what lettes so euer doo either leade vs awrie from our right course, or stoppe vs by lyinge in the way, or giue occasion of fallinge. Surely of all these, nothing can be imputed vnto Christe, nor to his Gospell. It is the office of Christe to leade vs by the hāde, the right way to his Father. Also he is the light of the world, by which we are guided thither: the pathe whereby we come thither: and the doore by whiche we enter. It is the nature of the Gospel, by taking away al maner of lettes, to set vs opē an easie accesse into the kingdome of God. Nothinge therefore is more disagreable to Christ or his Gospell, than the name of Offence. This is an infallible rule, that if Christe be estéemed as he is in déede, nothing is more contrary to his nature, than Offence. In likewise is to be thought of the Gospell. But this happeneth through the lewdnesse of mē, that assoone as Christe appéereth a farre of, by & by they are wrapped in with Offences, or rather of them selues runne hedlonge into them. Thus is he the stone to stumble ⟨p. 3⟩at, not bicause he giueth cause of stū bling, but bicause occasion is wilfully taken. Like as the Gospell beynge the doctrine of peace and vnitie, is not withstandinge, the occasion of great troubles and turmoyles, bicause the wicked gréedely take occasion thereof to set all thinges in a broyle. Now it were to much wronge to burden Christ with other mēs faultes, as if they were his owne, and to laye all the blame thereof on his necke, as if he were the offēder. And that is it that Peter sayeth: Be ye builded into a spirituall house, whiche is a liuely stone, reiected of men but chosen of God, and precious also to you that beléeue:
