A09376:1308
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.
3. Circumstance: The time when he worshipped God thus; namely, when he was dying, even then he worshipped God. In this circumstance we may note divers things.
3. Circumstance: The time when hee worshipped God thus; namely, when he was dying, euen then he worshipped God. In this circumstance we may note diuers things.
First, here behold the bad practice of the world; for, many men when they are dying, now-adays, are so far from following Jacobs example in worshipping and praising God; that then they are fain to call for men to teach them how they should worship God: having spent the former part of their life carelessly, in regard of their souls; following worldly profits and pleasures, never thinking of their duty to God, till they die. But what a fearful course is this, that men should thus brutishly go on from day to day, not knowing how to worship God? Well, all such as love their own souls, and would be like to godly Jacob; or (as our Saviour Christ said to Nathaniel) would be true Israelites, Joh. 1.47, the natural sons of old Israel indeed; they must have care so to live in this world, that they may worship God when they die: & therefore they must not defer, but learn betime the knowledge and fear of God; that when death comes, they may be able to show forth, and practice the same. It is a lamentable thing, to consider how the devil bewitcheth mens hearts, so as they live in the world, as though they should never go out of it; never caring for religion till the day of death come upon them; & then it is too late to learn. But this is to follow ⟨p. 373⟩Esau, and not Jacob; who is therefore condemned by the holy Ghost.
First, here behold the bad practice of the world; for, many men when they are dying, now-adaies, are so farre from following Iacobs example in worshipping and praising God; that then they are faine to call for men to teach them how they should worship God: hauing spent the former part of their life carelesly, in regard of their soules; following worldly profits and pleasures, neuer thinking of their duty to God, till they die. But what a fearefull course is this, that men should thus brutishly goe on from day to day, not knowing how to worship God? Well, all such as loue their owne soules, and would be like to godly Iacob; or (as our Sauiour Christ said to Nathaniel) would be true Israelites,