A09376:1293
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.
Quest. Why doth the holy Ghost in this place put Josephs name down, who was not blessed? and conceal the names of the two children that were blessed? Answer. If we read the History in Genesis, we shall see the reason hereof. For, when Joseph heard that his Father Jacob was sick; though he was a mighty Prince and a noble Potentate among the Egyptians, and his Father but a poor Pilgrim: yet he comes to his sick Father before his death, and brings his two sons with him, to have his Father to bless them before he died; and therefore the holy Ghost here nameth Joseph to show unto us what respect he had of his Fathers blessing: he made more account thereof, and did more esteem it, that so he might have his sons within the covenant, than of all the Kingdoms in the world▪ and therefore he brings them both to his Father to be blessed▪ a little before his death.
Quest. Why doth the holy Ghost in this place put Iosephs name downe, who was not blessed? and conceale the names of the two children that were blessed? Answer. If wee reade the History in Genesis, wee shall see the reason hereof. For, when Ioseph heard that his Father Iacob was sicke; though he was a mighty Prince and a noble Potentate among the Egyptians, and his Father but a poore Pilgrime: yet hee comes to his sicke Father before his death, and brings his two sonnes with him, to haue his Father to blesse them before he died; and therfore the holy Ghost heere nameth Ioseph to shew vnto vs what respect he had of his Fathers blessing: hee made more account thereof, and did more esteeme it, that so he might haue his sonnes within the couenant, than of all the Kingdomes in the world▪ and therefore he brings them both to his Father to be blessed▪ a little before his death.
Now look what mind & affection Joseph bears, the same should be in every one of us. Whatsoever our estate be, whether honourable, or base, and mean; we must with Joseph esteem more of Gods covenant, & to be members of Gods Church, then of all the honour in the world besides; and we must esteem our places and preferments that we have, or our children may have, to be nothing in comparison of the blessing of God, and his favour. Yea, we must choose with Joseph rather to leave our honours and dignities for a time, or (if it were) for ever; then to lose the blessing of Gods grace: and blessed shall those Fathers be with Joseph, who had rather have their children blessed of God, then advanced in the world. The second action of Jacobs faith, is in these words; And worshipped on the end of his staff: and it is a notable work for the commendation