A09376:1378
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.
Thus much in general: Now, in the particular words, are many notable points of doctrine, which we will touch in their order. And chose rather, &c.] Mark here a rare and strange choice as ever we shall read of. There are two things propounded to Moses: The first is, honour and preferment in Pharaohs Court; to be son and heir to Pharaoh's daughter: wherewith he might have enjoyed all earthly pleasures and delights. The second, is the miserable afflicted condition of GODs Church and people.
Thus much in generall: Now, in the particular words, are many notable points of doctrine, which wee will touch in their order. And chose rather, &c.] Marke heere a rare and strange choise as euer wee shall reade of. There are two things propounded to Moses: The first is, honour and preferment in Pharaohs Court; to be sonne and heire to Pharahs daughter: wherewith hee might haue enioyed all earthly pleasures and delights. The second, is the miserable afflicted condition of GODs Church and people.
And of these two, Moses must needs choose the one: well what chooseth he? Surely he refuseth the prerogatives and dignity, that he might have had in Pharaohs Court, and makes choice of the misery and affliction of GODs people in adversity; that so he may enjoy the privileges of GODs Church. A wonderful choice: for which, his faith is here commended, and he renowned to all posterity. The same choice hath GOD set before men in all ages. In former times GOD set before Esau two things; A mess of red broth, and his birth-right: but profane Esau chooseth the worser, ⟨p. 402⟩he forgoes his birth-right, so he may have the broth. But far worse did the Gadarenes; there was set before them Christ Jesus the Lord of life, and their hogs and cattle: Now they prefer their hogs before Christ; A most miserable and senseless choice. And is it not as ill with us? There is set before us on the one side heaven, and on the other side hell; but men for the most part choose hell & forsake heaven. Civill worldly men whose delight is all in riches, they prefer earth before heaven, the service of sin which is the greatest slavery, before the service of GOD which is perfect freedom, and glorious liberty of the Saints in light: and thus do all men without Gods special grace. Whereupon Paul prays in his Epistles for the Churches, that God would give unto them the spirit of wisdom,