A09376:1052
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.
But goes the case thus with us in the matter of faith? Nay verily, generally it is far otherwise: for many among us have no regard of faith at all, but think they may live as they lust, their good meaning will serve the turn: others, and those not a few, are so far from going forward in faith, that they are every day worse and worse, and still go backward more and more. A third sort we have, that will hear the word, and receive the Sacraments; but yet their growth in grace is very slender, they stand at a stay, and profit little.
But goes the case thus with vs in the matter of faith? Nay verily, generally it is farre otherwise: for many among vs haue no regard of faith at all, but thinke they may liue as they lust, their good meaning will serue the turne: others, and those not a fewe, are so farre from going forward in faith, that they are euery day worse and worse, and still goe backward more and more. A third sort wee haue, that will heare the word, and receiue the Sacraments; but yet their growth in grace is verie slender, they stand at a stay, and profit little.
Now, howsoever it may be thought but a small fault, not to profit in Religion: yet undoubtedly it is a fearful Judgement of GOD, when the hearers of the word in any congregation are daily taught, and do not profit thereby: and therefore the holy Ghost noteth those women to be laden with sin, which are ever learning, and yet never are able to come to the knowledge of the truth, 2. Timoth. 3.7. If a child lately borne, like not well, nor grow, when it hath good keeping: the common saying is, that it is a Changeling. So, if a man hear the word of God, and do not increase in knowledge, faith, and obedience, we may most truly say of him, that he is a spiritual Changeling: ⟨p. 280⟩and therefore to avoid this fearful judgement of God, we must first labour for faith; & having faith, increase therein, and in other graces of God, till we come to be strong men in Christ.