A09376:1214
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.
Again, whereas it is said, that Abraham reasoned, that God was able, &c. Here we learn, that it is a necessary thing for a man that believes, to have good knowledge in Gods word: that when a temptation comes against his faith, by knowledge and reasoning out of Gods word, he may be able to put back the same; for, all our reasoning in matters of faith, must be grounded on the word: so doth Abraham in this place, against this strong temptation, reason out of Gods word to stay himself: so that knowledge in the word of God, is necessary to him that believes. And therefore that Doctrine of the Church of Rome is erroneous, and here condemned, which saith; that if a man become devout, & believe as the Church believeth (though he know not what the Church believeth) yet this faith will save him: but this is a mere device of their own, and hath no ground in the word of God: for (as we see here) knowledge in the word is necessary for him that hath true saving faith.
Againe, whereas it is said, that Abraham reasoned, that God was able, &c. Here we learne, that it is a necessary thing for a man that beleeues, to haue good knowledge in Gods word: that when a temptation comes against his faith, by knowledge and reasoning out of Gods word, hee may be able to put backe the same; for, all our reasoning in matters of faith, must be grounded on the word: so doth Abraham in this place, against this strong temptation, reason out of Gods word to stay himselfe: so that knowledge in the word of God, is necessary to him that beleeues. And therefore that Doctrine of the Church of Rome is erronious, and here condemned, which saith; that if a man become deuout, & beleeue as the Church beleeueth (though he knowe not what the Church beleeueth) yet this faith will saue him: but this is a meere deuice of their owne, and hath no ground in the word of God: for (as we see heere) knowledge in the word is necessary for him that hath true sauing faith.
But what is Abraham's argument, whereby he moves himself to obey God? Surely this; He reasoned that God was able to raise up Isaac from the dead. One part of his reason ⟨p. 340⟩he takes for granted, which here he conceals: for this promise was made unto him, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. Now this he takes for granted, that God will never change his promise. From whence he reasoneth thus: God is able to raise up Isaac my son from the dead to life again; and therefore I will sacrifice my son according to his commandment: for, this I know certainly, that in Isaac shall my seed be called, seeing God hath promised that, as well as he commandeth this other.