A09376:1044
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.
Where we may see, the invincible force of their faith, that cleaved fast unto the promise of God, even unto death; though they never enjoyed the things promised in this life: which plainly condemns our age of unbelief, for we have more accomplished unto us, than ever they had. Abraham never saw Christ, but afar off; yet we have him exhibited in the flesh: we see and know he lived and died, rose again, and ascended, and now makes continual intercession for us and we have the true sacraments, which shall last for ever pledges of him, and of life everlasting by him. And for temporal promises, we have far more accomplished unto us, than ever he had. But though we go before Abraham in the fruition of Gods promises, yet we come far behind him in belief; for faith worketh by love, and love is seen in true obedience: but generally, this is too true, men make no conscience of obedience; which showeth undoubtedly, that there ⟨p. 276⟩is little sound faith among us. And it may be feared, that these notable men, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, shall stand in judgement against us, to our further condemnation; for they never received the accomplishing of Gods promises, and yet they believed: but we do see the same fulfilled & exhibited unto us, and yet we will not believe.
Where wee may see, the inuincible force of their faith, that cleaued fast vnto the promise of God, euen vnto death; though they neuer enioyed the things promised in this life: which plainely condemnes our age of vnbeleefe, for we haue more accomplished vnto vs, than euer they had. Abraham neuer saw Christ, but afarre off; yet wee haue him exhibited in the flesh: we see and knowe hee liued and died, rose againe, and ascended, and now makes continuall intercession for vs and we haue the true sacraments, which shall last for euer pledges of him, and of life euerlasting by him. And for temporall promises, wee haue farre more accomplished vnto vs, than euer he had. But though wee goe before Abraham in the fruition of Gods promises, yet we come farre behinde him in beleefe; for faith worketh by loue, and loue is seene in true obedience: but generally, this is too true, men make no conscience of obedience; which sheweth vndoubtedly, that there ⟨p. 276⟩is little sound faith among vs. And it may be feared, that these notable men, Abraham, Isaac, and Iaacob, shall stand in iudgement against vs, to our further condemnation; for they neuer receiued the accomplishing of Gods promises, and yet they beleeued: but we doe see the same fulfilled & exhibited vnto vs, and yet we will not beleeue.