V'erf. 32,33. the ..,piftle to the Romans. 375 {fence commeth. Thirdly, fach as T i M. Muff ¡till Gods.M,z(fers, fir all ' the o take'offencedo hurt their own .falvati- on, and hinder their courfe ' of godli- neffe ; as a man which ftumbleth at a (tone through over - fight., which he might avoid, hindreth his race and lofeth the price : fo by offences taken, our proceeding in godlineffe is flayed and interrupted or broke n off. T i ns. What ufeofthis point? S i L. It ferves to warn all to get ftrength and wifdome that they be not turnedout of the way, with every light matter, or with every occafion or {hew ofoffence. Secondly, it ferves to re- prove fuch as eafily give over theirpro- feffion orcareof well doing, when no caute is miniftred, but like the Jewes are troubled and hindred in their Chri- ftian race,for the fewneffe or meanneffe oftrue profeffors ; or for the fimplicity of the Minitiers, or of their preaching, or for the Do&rine fake which they teach, and becaufe other Minitiérs or. Magifirates do their duties : to fall at fuch things as fhould flrengthen and build us up,is a figgn of great weakneffe: they are inexcufable who cannot refill an offence given, but to draw and pull offences to our felves . when none are given,this is intolerable. T i M.What other poEirinefrom 2 er.32? S I L. That the truth muff fill be urged, though wicked men be offended at the word, the Apoftles did not for- bear to preach the Gofpel of Chrift, though the Jewes were offended at it, and perfecuted both Chrift & the prea- chers of it; fo did Chrift proceed in his office, though Pharifees, falfe Prophets and wicked men were difpleafed and urged, fo muff Chrifts Miniftersdo. T r m. Who be they whichfuumble at the Doeirine ofChrifl now S s L. Two forts efpecially : Firft, wicked livers. Secondly, Popifhand fu- ' perftitious perfons,who bark like dogs againft the wholefome words of Chrift; as free and abfolute predeffination, free juftification by faith, at the bondage of mans will-to goodneffé,at the Doétrine of the Sacraments, that grace is not ty- ed to them,but fealed by them. thisge forward to- preach, and she people to profrjfe theft and fuch like truthes ? S i L. They mu ft fo, after the exam- ple of Chriff, the Prophets. and Apo files.: also God hath commanded us to preach, and bath put the office upon us; and therefore woe to us IfWe do it not. Laftly,, whether ,men fumble at the Do &rive, or meekly receive it,, yet it is frill a fwect favour to God, even when it is a favour to death, as well as when itis,a favour toliie. ' T i M. What of of this point? S i L. it giveth admonition to Mi- nifters and people,not to faint or go on leffecouragioufly in their holy religi- on becaufe of scandals, which be. as rife as fiones in theftreets, or blocks in the high way; and thus will God try our (}ability,. . T t M. But what elfe is to be learned from hence ? S,i t.. That the force of incredulity is filch as can alter the nature of things, and make Ch rift,theWord,Sa era men ts,', Miniliers, creatures, and benefits, yea, God kimfelf (who all be good), to be- come occafions of the greatefl evil. As nothing is fo evill as Gods infinite goodneffe and wifdome can draw good out of it; as out of mans fall, and Judas treafon,and the Jewt s ab;e &ion: io no- thing is fo good, but mans fin can make it pernicious and hurtful to him, even Ch rift to bea fumbling hone. T i M. What learn we by this, that Cod laid this flone? S t L. That nothing falleth out in the world or in the Church, but by the decree and appointment of God. T i M. What. doh this teach us, that this flone is laid in Sion, in the vifible Church ? S i L. That more miferable is the cafe ofunbeleevingChriftians, then of other Infidels; becaufe by falling on Chrift, they deferve to have him fall upon them with more weight ofven geance : they which hear the Do&riñe of Chrift, and receive it not,' have the greater finne, yob: 9.. q.s. James 3.2. Woe to Chorazin, e3c. And it (hall bé K k enfler
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