A09376:1200
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.
Now further it is said, Abraham received Gods promises; that is, he applied them to his own soul and conscience, and believed them, and made them his own by faith. This is a notable point, and worthy the marking: God made his promises to Abraham: now Abraham he doth not only hear, and learn the promises; but applies them to himself, and by faith makes them his own. And thus ⟨p. 334⟩ought we to do with all the gracious promises made in Christ. But the manner of our days is far otherwise; for, when the merciful promises of God, are laid down unto us in the ministry of the word, we are content to hear, and (it may be) to learn, and know the same: But where is the man to be found, that will apply them to his own• conscience, and by faith make them his own? Men commonly are like unto way-faring men, or travellers on the sea, that pass by many goodly fair buildings, rich towns, and Islands; which, when they behold, they admire, and wonder at: and so go their way, without making purchase of any of them. And thus deal the most men with Gods merciful promises. In the ministry of the word, God lays open unto them his rich mercies, and bountiful promises in Christ; and men approve thereof, and like them well: whereupon, many do willingly apply themselves to know the same; but for all this, they will not receive them by faith, and so apply them to their own souls.
Now further it is said, Abraham receiued Gods promises; that is, hee applied them to his owne soule and conscience, and beleeued them, and made them his owne by faith. This is a notable point, and worthy the marking: God made his promises to Abraham: now Abrahā he doth not onely heare, and learne the promises; but applies thē to himselfe, and by faith makes them his owne. And thus ⟨p. 334⟩ought wee to doe with all the gratious promises made in Christ. But the manner of our daies is farre otherwise; for, when the mercifull promises of God, are laid downe vnto vs in the ministerie of the word, wee are content to heare, and (it may be) to learne, and know the same: But where is the man to bee found, that will apply them to his own• conscience, and by faith make them his owne? Men commonly are like vnto way-faring men, or trauellers on the sea, that passe by many goodly faire buildings, rich townes, and Islands; which, when they behold, they admire, and wonder at: and so goe their way, without making purchase of any of them. And thus deale the most men with Gods mercifull promises. In the ministery of the word, God laies open vnto them his rich mercies, and bountifull promises in Christ; and men approoue thereof, and like them well: whereupon, many doe willingly apply themselues to know the same; but for all this, they wil not receiue them by faith, and so apply them to their owne soules.