A09376:1376
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 fruit of Moses faith, doth discover unto us a grievous fault, which reigneth in this age; to wit, the neglect ⟨p. 400⟩and contempt of the communion and society of Saints. There is a society and fellowship that is loved and magnified among us: but what manner of society is that? surely of such as give themselves to drinking, jesting, scoffing, riot, mirth, and gaming. This is the common and general good fellowship: through which, God is greatly dishonoured. For most men set their delight therein, and are never merry but in such company, wherein indeed they delight themselves in their sensuality. True it is, men plead that this good fellowship is a virtue. But then was Moses far over-seen: for in Pharaohs Court he might have had all kind of such good fellowship and company; yet he likes it not, but rather chooseth affliction and misery with the people of God, then to enjoy such fellowship in Pharaohs Court. And as for the goodness of it, it is neither so esteemed nor called by any, but by them that call good evil, and evil good. We see, Moses a man of wisdom and learning, Acts 7.23. no child, but a man of xl. years old, hates and abhors this good fellowship, as the worst estate in the world: rather choosing the society of a miserable and persecuted Church, then the best of that fellowship which a Kings Court could yield. Let us therefore learn more wisdom out of his practice. Some say, this good fellowship is harmless; and such men who thus merrily pass their times, do no such hurt as many others do. But I answer, men are borne to do good. Again, to misspend time, wealth, and wit, are not these evil & harmful, both in themselves and in the example? And which is worst of all, it is no fellowship with God, nor any part of the communion of Saints, but rather a fellowship with Satan: therefore let all that will, like true Christians, have true comfort in that article of their Creed, the communion of Saints, esteem the fellowship of good and holy men above all other. For, by this communion with Gods Saints, a man reaps great profit, when as the other brings to a man the ruin both of his body and soul. By the society ⟨p. 401⟩of the godly, we are first made partakers of their gifts and holy graces; and secondly, of their prayers, and the blessings of God upon them: