A09376:1221
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 we learn divers points: 1 That whosoever shall rest on Gods providence, and good pleasure, even in cases of extremity, when he shall be out of all hope with himself; shall at the last have a good issue. This we see to be true by Abraham's example in this place. As we said before, he himself (no doubt) had rather have died ten thousand times, than to have Isaac slain, in whom the promise was made: but yet, believing Gods promise, that that should never change, he rests himself on Gods good pleasure and providence, and goes on in obedience; and so in the end received a blessed issue. This is very clearly set down unto us in the History recorded by Moses. For, when Abraham had gone three days journey in the wilderness, and had built an Altar, then Isaac said unto Abraham, Gen. 22.7, Father, here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering? Then Abraham said, My son, God will provide him a lamb for a burnt offering, Vers. 8. And thus yielding himself to Gods good pleasure, and providence, he received his son again; as a dead child restored to life. So, when we are in cases of extremity, when all goes against us, and when we can see no hope of any good issue or end, and all good means seem to fail us; if we can then cast our selves on Gods providence, and roll our selves upon God, we shall have comfort in the end, and a good issue out of all. We do all of us in word acknowledge Gods providence: but when we come to the pinch, that we fall into cases of extremity; then we use unlawful means, and do not with Abraham cast our selves upon God, but seek help of the devil, and wicked men. But all such persons must look for a cursed issue. They therefore, that fear the Lord, being put to any plunge, or extremity, must cast themselves upon God wholly, and wait for his good time and pleasure; and then will the issue be both joyous and comfortable unto their souls.
Here we learne diuers points: 1 That whosoeuer shall rest on Gods prouidence, and good pleasure, euen in cases of extremitie, when he shall be out of all hope with himselfe; shall at the last haue a good issue. This wee see to bee true by Abrahams example in this place. As wee said before, he himselfe (no doubt) had rather haue died ten thousand times, than to haue Isaac slaine, in whom the promise was made: but yet, beleeuing Gods promise, that that should neuer change, hee rests himselfe on Gods good pleasure and prouidence, and goes on in obedience; and so in the end receiued a blessed issue. This is very cleerely set downe vnto vs in the History recorded by Moses. For, when Abraham had gone three daies iourney in the wildernesse, and had built an Altar, then Isaac said vnto Abraham,