But I have a few things against thee; though I have much to commend thee for, yet I have some things to accuse thee of, and to complain of thee for. Because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam: by the doctrine of Balaam, he means the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, (as he expounds himself, Revelation 2:15), which was like the doctrine of Balaam. Who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel; that Balaam of whom we read, Numbers 24:1:18, who being sent for by Balak the king of Moab to come and curse Israel, and finding that God restrained him, and turned his tongue from cursing them to pronounce blessings to them, instructed Balak at last how to lay a stumblingblock before them, to make them to fall, viz. to set the Moabitish women to tempt them to commit uncleanness with them, and so to feast with them in their idols temples, and eat of their meat first offered unto their idols.

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