A09376:1061
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 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.
But wee haue iust cause to bewaile the daies and times wherein we liue: for, whereas we should take the promises of God most ioyfully, and kindly; the case is farre otherwise. For generally, it may be said of our nation and people that in regard of the mercies and promises of God, wee are an vnkinde people. And that this is true (for the most part) in all of vs, if we• will but a little examine the matter, we shall find too apparant, by many euidences: for first, let any of vs be brought to a place, where we may behold some vaine Enterlude, or Showe; a man would not thinke how wonderfully we are rauished therewithall, so as we could find in our hearts to spend whole daies in beholding them. But let vs be brought to heare the Gospel of Christ, his holy word preached, and taught; as it was vnto Abraham, Isaac, & Iaacob (wherein they much reioyced) and there we sit heauy and drowsie, so as the Word seems loathsome vnto vs, & one houre is so tedious, as we hardly hold it out without sleeping: and if it passe the houre a little, O how impatiently our nature takes it! All which shew plainly, that we haue no such ioy to heare of Christ, and his mercifull promises, as these godly Patriarchs had: so that we are both hard hearted, & vnkind; & altogether insensible of so great fauours of our God towards vs.