A09376:1164
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.
Yet farther the temptations of God whereby he tempteth his children, have two ends: 1. they serve to disclose and make evident the graces of God, that be hidden in the hearts of his servants: so S. James saith, My brethren count it exceeding great joy when ye fall into divers tentations; James 1.2. The reason followeth; Knowing that the trial of your faith bringeth forth patience, verse 3.
Yet farther the temptations of God whereby he tempteth his children, haue two ends: 1. they serue to disclose and make euident the graces of God, that be hidden in the hearts of his seruants: so S. Iames saith, My brethren count it exceeding great ioy when ye fall into diuers tentations; Iames 1.2. The reason followeth; Knowing that the triall of your faith bringeth forth patience, verse 3.
Where we see this end of temptation set down, To manifest the gift of patience wrought in the heart. And Saint Peter saith to the Church of God, That they were in heaviness through manifold tentations, that the trial of their faith being much more precious then gold that perisheth (though it be tried with fire) might be found unto their praise, and honour and glory, at the appearing of the Lord Jesus: 1. Peter 1.6.7: Where temptations have this use, to make manifest the soundness of mens faith in GOD, as the fire doth prove the gold to be good and precious. So in this place, The temptation of Abraham serveth for this end, to make manifest his notable faith and obedience unto GOD, with a reverend fear of his Majesty, as the Lord himself testifieth, saying; Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing for my sake thou hast not spared thine only son. Genesis 22.12. Meaning this: Now I have made thy faith, and love, and fear of me so manifest, that all the world may see it and speak of it.