A09376:1403
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 lesson is of great use: for, howsoever many among us come to hear Gods word, yet there be many also, that scoff and mock at religion, and at the Gospel of Christ, and the professors thereof; whereby, the most are hindered in profession, and many daunted, and quite driven back. But, we must here learn, not to be discouraged by these mocks. Indeed we must take heed, we give them no just occasion to mock us; and then if we be scoffed at, we shall never be hurt by it: nay (though that be far from their intent) yet in mocking us, they do us great honour. For, the word of God that cannot lie, is this; that to suffer affliction for Christ his sake, is greater honour and riches, than the treasures of a kingdom. And if Moses his judgement be good, which God himself doth here commend; then we are happy and blessed, in enduring these mocks and scoffs for Christ.
This lesson is of great vse: for, howsoeuer many among vs come to heare Gods word, yet there be many also, that scoffe and mocke at religion, and at the Gospel of Christ, and the professors thereof; whereby, the most are hindred in profession, and many daunted, and quite driuen backe. But, wee must here learne, not to bee discouraged by these mockes. Indeede we must take heed, we giue them no iust occasion to mocke vs; and then if we be scoffed at, we shal neuer be hurt by it: nay (though that be farre from their intent) yet in mocking vs, they doe vs great honour. For, the word of God that cannot lie, is this; that to suffer affliction for Christ his sake, is greater honour and riches, than the treasures of a kingdome. And if Moses his iudgement be good, which God himselfe doth here commend; then we are happy and blessed, in enduring these mockes and scoffes for Christ.
Secondly, we must here learn instruction for the time to come: We have for a long time, through the great goodness of God, enjoyed peace and wealth, with the Gospel of Christ; but undoubtedly, these days of peace will have an end, they cannot last always, Gods people must pass through the fiery furnace of affliction: Well, when this is come upon us, how shall we be able to bear it? Surely, we must now learn to be of this opinion that Moses was of; we must judge it to be the greatest honour and riches that can be, to suffer affliction for Christ his sake: and this will be the ground of all constancy, courage, and Christian boldness, in the day of trial. For, he that is of this mind, will never fear affliction, nor reproach for Christ his sake: nay, he will be so far from fearing it, that he will rejoice and triumph therein.