A09376:1205
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.
Secondly, whereas it is said, Not in Ismael, but in Isaac shall thy seed be called: We may note the state of Gods Church in this world, in regard of the different sorts of men that live therein. For Abraham's family was GODs Church in those days, and therein were both Isaac and Ismael; though both his children, yet far differing in estate before God. Ismael indeed was borne in the Church, and there brought up, taught, and circumcised; but yet he was without the Covenant in Gods sight: Now Isaac was not only borne, and brought up in the Church, and circumcised, but also received into the Covenant; and herein differed far from Ismael: for, he is that son of Abraham, in whom God will continue the Covenant of grace unto life everlasting, to his posterity. And so it is with GODs Church at this day: in it there be two sorts of men; one, which are baptized and brought up in the Church, hear the word, and receive the Sacraments; but yet are not saved, because they have not the promise of the covenant effectually rooted in their hearts. The other sort are they, which being baptized in the Church, hear the word effectually, and receive the Lords supper worthily, to their salvation; because God doth establish his Covenant in their hearts. This difference is plain in Scripture, in the parables of the draw-net, (Math. 13.) of the Sower, and of the tares: as also by Christs behaviour at the last judgement, (Math. 25.32.) severing the sheep from the goats, both which, live together in the Church. And by Saint Paul, who speaking of those which are borne and brought up in the Church, saith; that some are children of the flesh, & some children of the promise, Rom. 9.8.
Secondly, whereas it is said, Not in Ismael, but in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Wee may note the state of Gods Church in this worlde, in regard of the different sorts of men that liue therein. For Abrahams family was GODs Church in those daies, and therein were both Isaac and Ismael; though both his children, yet farre differing in estate before God. Ismael indeede was borne in the Church, and there brought vp, taught, and circumcised; but yet he was without the Couenant in Gods sight: Now Isaac was not onely borne, and brought vp in the Church, and circumcised, but also receiued into the Couenant; and herein differed farre from Ismael: for, hee is that sonne of Abraham, in whom God will continue the Couenant of grace vnto life euerlasting, to his posteritie. And so it is with GODs Church at this day: in it there bee two sorts of men; one, which are baptized and brought vp in the Church, heare the word, and receiue the Sacraments; but yet are not saued, because they haue not the promise of the couenant effectually rooted in their hearts. The other sort are they, which beeing baptized in the Church, heare the word effectually, and receiue the Lords supper worthily, to their saluation; because God doth establish his Couenant in their hearts. This difference is plaine in Scripture, in the parables of the draw-net, (