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…

Now, it is said, they desired a better country. These Patriarchs had laid before them two countries, the Land of Canaan, and the kingdom of Heaven; and of these two, they might choose whether they would, to be their portion, and inheritance, upon which they would bestow their hearts: Now, they esteemed heaven (though it was to come) better than Canaan, though present; and therefore made choice of heaven, and longed for it.

Now, it is said, they desired a better countrey. These Patriarchs had laid before them two countries, the Land of Canaan, and the kingdome of Heauen; and of these two, they might choose whether they would, to be their portion, and inheritance, vpon which they would bestow their hearts: Now, they esteemed heauen (though it was to come) better than Canaan, though present; and therefore made choice of heauen, and longed for it.

Where we learn, that as we must be thankful to God, for all his blessings; so among them all, we should choose the best. This, David doth: for being put to choose, whether he had rather live in safe-guard, and in solace, with the wicked and ungodly; than in base estate, and in great danger, near to Gods sanctuary: He saith, Psal. 84.10, He ⟨p. 301⟩had rather be a door-keeper in the house of his God, than to dwell in the Tabernacles of wickedness. And Solomon is highly commended by the holy Ghost, 1. King. 3.10.11, for choosing a wise and understanding heart, before riches and honour. Moses also (as we shall see afterward) had his choice, whether he would live gloriously, & at ease, in Pharaohs court; or with the Church of God in adversity: now, Moses having the gift of discerning, refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter, and chose rather to suffer adversity with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Which holy examples, do all teach us; that when God setteth before us divers sorts of his blessings, we in spiritual wisdom, must make choice of the best. On the contrary, Esau had this choice set before him; his brothers red broth, and his birth-right; but he chose the worse: & therefore, in the new Testament, the holy Ghost noteth him with this mark, to be profane Esau, for his labour. And the Gadarenes also are branded with a note of infamy to all ages, for choosing their hogs before Christ, and his salvation. And the like choice is set before us every day; for God of his mercy, in the preaching of the word, for his part, doth set forth unto us, Christ Jesus crucified; and in him, remission of sins, and salvation. Now, on the other side, cometh the devil, and setteth before us, all sorts of vain pleasures, and delights; showing to every man those sins, to which he is given; and with them, all the profits or pleasures, that usually accompany such sins. Now, most men having this choice set before them, do leave the true and substantial blessings of God, and come to Satan's painted Pageants, and there make choice of sin, with those base companions that do attend her. This is too apparent to be denied: for, howsoever the word of God be preached unto us, and we do hear the same, yet we prefer the vanities and pleasures of the sinful world, before Christ crucified;