A09376:1177
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.
In this circumstance we may learn a good instruction; to wit, in all temptations that befall us, still to hold fast the promises of God. Though in the devils purpose, they tend to the loosening of our hold; and in all common reason, we have good cause to let them go: yet for all that, we must never let go, but still hold the promise fast, and rather let go all reason in the world, than Gods promise. And this is not only true faith, but even the excellency of faith. For example, Gods promise is (Joh. 3.16,) God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son into the world, that whosoever believed in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. Now, when we are in the extremity of all temptations, we must still hold fast this promise, and venture our souls upon the truth of it. This was Abraham's practice; for in this temptation, Gods meaning was to try Abraham, and to see what he would do: Now Abraham, he holds fast the promise, and yet obeys God; though all the reason in the earth, cannot tell how that promise, and that commandment could stand together. But this was Abraham's faith, though I know not, nor reason knoweth not; yet God knoweth: and therefore, seeing I have his commandment, I will obey it; and seeing I have his word and promise, I will believe that also, and never forsake it. And even thus must we strive to do in all temptations whatsoever; yea, even in those that come from Satan, which are full of malice and all violence, In our heart ⟨p. 327⟩and conscience we must still hold and believe the promise of God: and this is ever the surest and safest way to get the victory over Satan, To hold, that Gods promise shall be performed, though we know not how, but rather see the contrary. And though in humane reasoning, it be a note of ignorance, and want of skill, to stick always to the conclusion and question; yet in spiritual temptations, and trials, this is sound divinity, Always to hold Gods promise, and to stick fast to that conclusion: and not to follow Satan in his Arguments, neither suffer him by any means to drive us from it.
In this circumstance we may learne a good instruction; to wit, in all temptations that befall vs, still to hold fast the promises of God. Thogh in the diuels purpose, they tend to the loosening of our holde; and in all common reason, we haue good cause to let them goe: yet for all that, wee must neuer let goe, but still hold the promise fast, and rather let goe all reason in the world, than Gods promise. And this is not onely true faith, but euen the excellency of faith. For example, Gods promise is (