A09376:1384
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.
Lastly, afflictions serve to make manifest the graces of GOD in his children. The Lord (saith Job) knoweth my way and trieth me; Job 23.10. Deuteronomy 8.2, Remember all the way (saith Moses to the Israelites) which the Lord thy GOD led thee, this forty years, for to prove thee and to know what was in thine heart. Hence James calleth temptations, the trial of faith, James, chapter 1. verses 2.3: And Paul makes patience, the fruit of tribulation: Romans, chapter 5. verse 3. For, look as the showers in the spring time cause the buds to appear: so do afflictions make manifest Gods graces in his children. Patience, hope, and other virtues, lie close in the heart in the day of peace: but when tribulation comes, then they break forth and show themselves.
Lastly, afflictions serue to make manifest the graces of GOD in his children. The Lord (saith Iob) knoweth my way and trieth me; Iob 23.10. Deuteronomie 8.2, Remember all the way (saith Moses to the Israelites) which the Lord thy GOD ledde thee, this fourtie yeares, for to prooue thee and to knowe what was in thine heart. Hence Iames calleth temptations, the triall of faith, Iames, chapter 1. verses 2.3: And Paul makes patience, the fruite of tribulation: Romanes, chapter 5. verse 3. For, looke as the showers in the spring time cause the buds to appeare: so doe afflictions make manifest Gods graces in his children. Patience, hope, and other vertues, lie close in the heart in the day of peace: but when tribulation comes, then they breake forth and shew themselues.
Hence we learn, that it is not always a token of Gods wrath, To suffer affliction. If any man or people be laden with crosses, it is no argument, that therefore they are not the children of GOD: for, as Peter saith, Judgements begin at Gods house, 1. Peter, chapter 4. verse 17: and any cross upon a people, family, or particular persons, if it bring forth the fruit of grace in them, is a true sign, they belong to GOD. Yea, when men wander from God by an evil way, these afflictions are means to call them home to GOD.