A09376:1011
A cloud of faithful witnesses, leading to the heavenly Canaan, or, A commentary upon…A cloud of faithfull witnesses, leading to the heauenly Canaan, or, A commentarie vpon…
A cloud of faithful witnesses, leading to the heavenly Canaan, or, A commentary upon the 11 chapter to the Hebrews preached in Cambridge by that godly, and judicious divine, M. William Perkins ; long expected and desired, and therefore published at the request of his executors, by Will. Crashawe and Tho. Pierson, preachers of Gods Word, who heard him preach it, and wrote it from his mouth.A cloud of faithfull witnesses, leading to the heauenly Canaan, or, A commentarie vpon the 11 chapter to the Hebrewes preached in Cambridge by that godly, and iudicious divine, M. William Perkins ; long expected and desired, and therefore published at the request of his executours, by Will. Crashawe and Tho. Pierson, preachers of Gods Word, who heard him preach it, and wrote it from his mouth.
London: printed by Humphrey Lownes for Leo. Greene, 1607London: printed by Humfrey Lownes for Leo. Greene, 1607
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The use is to teach us, first, to believe God when he promiseth, what-ever it be▪ for, he is worthy to be believed, who never failed to perform what he promised. He promised these Millions to Abraham, when he had but one child; nay when he had never a one: Genes. 15.8: And Abraham believed. Such a faith was excellent indeed, and deserves eternal commendation (as here it hath). Let us be children of this faithful Abraham, and the rather, seeing we see the performance; which he saw not. We think it a disgrace, if we be not believed; especially, if we do use to keep our word: Let us then know thereby, what dishonour it is to the Lord, not to believe him, which never failed in the performance to any creature.
The vse is to teach vs, first, to beleeue God when hee promiseth, what-euer it bee▪ for, hee is worthy to bee beleeued, who neuer failed to performe what he promised. He promised these Millions to Abraham, when hee had but one childe; nay when he had neuer a one: Genes. 15.8: And Abraham beleeued. Such a faith was excellent indeede, and deserues eternall commendation (as here it hath). Let vs be children of this faithfull Abraham, and the rather, seeing wee see the performance; which he sawe not. Wee thinke it a disgrace, if wee bee not beleeued; especially, if wee doe vse to keepe our word: Let vs then knowe thereby, what dishonour it is to the Lord, not to beleeue him, which neuer failed in the performance to any creature.
Secondly, we must here learn of God to be true and faithful in our words and promises. God spake plainly, and deceived not Abraham: and after at the time performed it; So must we deal plainly and simply in our words and bargains, and think that to deceive and over-reach by crafty words, and double meanings, and equivocal phrases are not beseeming Christianity. And we must make conscience of a lie, else we are like the devil and not God. Also a Christian man must take heed what, how, and to whom he promiseth: but having promised, he must perform, though it be loss or harm to himself: if it be not wrong to God, or to the Church, or State. Wrong to himself must not hinder him from performance. Christian mens words must not be vain, they should be as good as bonds; though I know it is lawful, and very convenient in regard of mortality, to take such kind of assurances.