A09376:1197
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.
Here then we note this special point, wherein the faith of Abraham doth notably appear; That when Abraham's case, in respect of enjoying the promise of GOD, might seem desperate, and void of all hope and comfort, then he believeth: for, when Isaac was dead, in all reason he could have no hope of the accomplishing of Gods promises unto him, because they were made to him in Isaac: Isaac was the man in whom all the nations of the earth should be blessed; and yet when all hope is past in mans reason, then good Abraham set his heart to believe.
Here then we note this speciall point, wherein the faith of Abraham doth notably appeare; That when Abrahams case, in respect of enioying the promise of GOD, might seeme desperate, and void of all hope and comfort, then he beleeueth: for, when Isaac was dead, in all reason he could haue no hope of the accomplishing of Gods promises vnto him, because they were made to him in Isaac: Isaac was the man in whom all the nations of the earth should be blessed; and yet when all hope is past in mans reason, then good Abraham set his heart to beleeue.
This practice of Abraham must be a pattern for us to observe and follow, all our lives long, in the matter of our salvation: if it fall out that we shall doubt of our salvation, and feel many things in us that would carry us to despair; when we are in this case, and feel no comfort, then let us call to mind Abraham's practice who believes Gods promise, when the foundation thereof is taken away: even so let us do at the same instant, when the promise of GOD seems to be frustrate, and we have no hope of the accomplishment thereof, then we must cast our souls upon it. For, we must not only believe, when we feel comfort in our consciences concerning GODS mercies; but even then when God seems to stand against us, and when we feel in our souls the very gall of hell, then (I say) we must believe.
This practice of Abraham must be a patterne for vs to obserue and followe, all our liues long, in the matter of our saluation: if it fall out that wee shall doubt of our saluation, and feele many thinges in vs that would carie vs to despaire; when wee are in this case, and feele no comfort, then let vs call to minde Abrahams practice who beleeues Gods promise, when the foundation thereof is taken away: euen so let vs doe at the same instant, when the promise of GOD seemes to be frustrate, and wee haue no hope of the accomplishment thereof, then wee must cast our soules vpon it. For, we must not onely beleeue, when wee feele comfort in our consciences concerning GODS mercies; but euen then when God seemes to stande against vs, and when wee feele in our soules the very gall of hell, then (I say) wee must beleeue.