A09376:1390
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.
The consideration hereof is of great use▪ for, first it lets us see what is the state of these men which lay aside religion and good conscience, and betake themselves wholly to the world, to get riches and preferment: most men are of this disposition, and such indeed are only counted wise. For, let there be speech tending to a mans commendation, usually this is the first matter of his praise, that he is a substantial wealthy man; and one that looks well to himself: as though riches or honour were a mans chief happiness. But, howsoever the world judgeth of these men; yet hereby we may see and know, that their case is miserable. For without religion & the fear of God, their riches and honour are but the pleasures and profits of sin: and therefore the more they heap up riches after this sort, not regarding Christ nor his Gospel; the more they heap up to themselves the treasures of sin, and consequently the greater condemnation: for worldly treasures severed from religion, are but the Mammon of iniquity which causeth damnation. Hence Christ said unto his Disciples (upon occasion of the young rich man) that it was as easy for a great Camel to go through the eye of a needle, 1as for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven; that is, such a rich man as sets his heart to get riches and honour, not regarding the religion of Christ. Whence also in another place he pronounceth this fearful sentence against them: Woe be to you that are rich, for you have received your consolation: Luke 6.24. They therefore that lay aside religion, and ⟨p. 407⟩give themselves wholly to seek gain and honour, are before God most wretched and miserable: and the longer they continue in this course, the more miserable they are; for the more sin they heap up, and so the deeper shall be their condemnation. Wherefore if any of us have been thus minded heretofore, let us now leave this course, as most dangerous to our souls: for, what will it profit a man to gain the whole world, if he lose his soul?
The consideration hereof is of great vse▪ for, first it lets vs see what is the state of these men which lay aside religion and good conscience, and betake themselues wholly to the world, to get riches and preferment: most men are of this disposition, and such indeede are onely counted wise. For, let there be speech tending to a mans commendation, vsually this is the first matter of his praise, that hee is a substantiall wealthy man; and one that lookes well to himselfe: as though riches or honour were a mans chiefe happinesse. But, howsoeuer the world iudgeth of these men; yet hereby we may see and knowe, that their case is miserable. For without religion & the feare of God, their riches and honour are but the pleasures and profits of sin: and therefore the more they heape vp riches after this sort, not regarding Christ nor his Gospel; the more they heape vp to themselues the treasures of sinne, and consequently the greater condemnation: for worldly treasures seuered from religion, are but the Mammon of iniquity which causeth damnation. Hence Christ said vnto his Disciples (vpon occasion of the young rich man) that it was as easie for a great Camell to goe through the eye of a needle,