A09376:1060
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.
Now, as touching our selves, the same main promises of God, that were made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, hath the Lord made and continued unto us: nay, we have the same already accomplished; & we see the same verified more evidently and plainly, than any of the Patriarchs did. Which being true, our duty is, to take the same much more thankfully, and kindly, at Gods hands, than they did or ⟨p. 283⟩could do; because we have more light and knowledge in the promises of God, than ever the Patriarchs had.
Now, as touching our selues, the same maine promises of God, that were made to Abraham, Isaac, and Iaacob, hath the Lord made and continued vnto vs: nay, we haue the same already accōplished; & we see the same verified more euidently and plainely, than any of the Patriarchs did. Which being true, our duty is, to take the same much more thankefully, and kindly, at Gods hands, than they did or ⟨p. 283⟩could doe; because we haue more light and knowledge in the promises of God, than euer the Patriarchs had.
But we have just cause to bewail the days and times wherein we live: for, whereas we should take the promises of God most joyfully, and kindly; the case is far otherwise. For generally, it may be said of our nation and people that in regard of the mercies and promises of God, we are an unkind people. And that this is true (for the most part) in all of us, if we• will but a little examine the matter, we shall find too apparent, by many evidences: for first, let any of us be brought to a place, where we may behold some vain Interlude, or Show; a man would not think how wonderfully we are ravished therewithal, so as we could find in our hearts to spend whole days in beholding them. But let us be brought to hear the Gospel of Christ, his holy word preached, and taught; as it was unto Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob (wherein they much rejoiced) and there we sit heavy and drowsy, so as the Word seems loathsome unto us, & one hour is so tedious, as we hardly hold it out without sleeping: and if it pass the hour a little, O how impatiently our nature takes it! All which show plainly, that we have no such joy to hear of Christ, and his merciful promises, as these godly Patriarchs had: so that we are both hard hearted, & unkind; & altogether insensible of so great favours of our God towards us.