A09376:1241
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.
This kind of blessing was then ordinary: and yet some way figurative; signifying unto them the blessings which Christ Jesus the Mediator, God and man, should not only pronounce, but even give unto the Church in the new Testament: which our Saviour accordingly performed to his disciples at his Ascension. For the Story saith; When he was risen again, he led them to Bethany (where he ascended) and lift up his hands and blessed them. And S. Paul declareth this blessing of Christ more at large,1 saying; Ephes. 4.8.11.12: Christ ascended on high, & led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men: some to be Apostles some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and teachers; for, the ⟨p. 349⟩gathering together of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, and for the edification of the body of Christ. Where we see, that our Saviour Christ did not only pronounce a blessing upon his Church, but was also the author thereof from God his father. And as the Priests in the old testament had an ordinary kind of blessing the people: so the ministers of GOD in the new Testament, they have the same in substance; for, the ministers may bless their people two ways: First, by praying unto GOD for them: Secondly, by pronouncing a blessing upon them, according to GODs holy word. A form of this blessing we have from the Apostle Saint Paul, who blessed the Corinthians after this sort; The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion (or fellowship) of the holy Ghost be with you all: 2. Corinthians 13.13.
This kinde of blessing was then ordinarie: and yet some way figuratiue; signifying vnto them the blessings which Christ Iesus the Mediatour, God and man, should not onely pronounce, but euen giue vnto the Church in the new Testament: which our Sauiour accordingly performed to his disciples at his Ascension. For ye Story saith; When he was risen againe, he led them to Bethania (where he ascended) and lift vp his hands and blessed them. And S. Paul declareth this blessing of Christ more at large,1