A09376:1438
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.
Furthermore, seeing Moses by faith endured, as he that saw God; we learn, that the seeing of God by faith, takes away fear, and gives spiritual boldness. This is a point of special use: for, naturally men are fearful; some cannot endure the dark, nor solitary places, for fear of the devil: yea, the shaking of a leaf, or the crawling of a worm doth terrify others. Now, howsoever some mens constitution may help forward this fear, yet many times it comes from an accusing conscience, as a fruit of sin. And the way to remove it, is here to be learned; namely, to do as Moses did: that is, labour to be resolved of Gods presence with us, and providence over us; and this will arm us against all satanical, and foolish fear. For, if God be on our side, who can be against us, to do us harm? Again, the Soldier, by his place and calling▪ ought to be a man of courage; for else the state of his life, and the thought of his enemies will much affright him. Now how may he become courageous? They use to sound the drum and trumpet for this end; and it must be granted they be good incitements & provocations unto battle: but, when it comes to the point of danger, these cannot give heart. Others use against the battle to fill themselves with wine, and to make themselves valiant by strong drink. This indeed may make them senseless, and so desperate. But the true way is, to become Christian soldiers, knowing, and fearing God; and with their bodily armour, to bring also the shield of faith: whereby their hearts may be assured, that God hath called them to that fight; & that he is present with them, to cover their heads in the day of battle. This will make them to take heart and courage to themselves, and to become truly valorous; though by nature they be weak and timorous.
Furthermore, seeing Moses by faith endured, as hee that saw God; we learne, that the seeing of God by faith, takes away feare, and giues spirituall boldnesse. This is a point of speciall vse: for, naturally men are feareful; some cannot endure the darke, nor solitary places, for feare of the diuel: yea, the shaking of a leaf, or the crawling of a worme doth terrifie others. Now, howsoeuer some mens constitution may help forward this feare, yet many times it comes from an accusing conscience, as a fruit of sinne. And the way to remooue it, is here to be learned; namely, to doe as Moses did: that is, labour to bee resolued of Gods presence with vs, and prouidence ouer vs; and this wil arme vs against al satanicall, and foolish feare. For, if God be on our side, who can be against vs, to do vs harme? Againe, the Souldier, by his place and calling ought to be a man of courage; for els the state of his life, and the thought of his enemies will much affright him. Now how may he become courageous? They vse to sound the drumme and trumpet for this ende; and it must be granted they be good incitements & prouocations vnto battell: but, when it comes to the point of danger, these cannot giue heart. Others vse against the battell to fill themselues with wine, and to make thēselues valiant by strong drinke. This indeede may make them senselesse, and so desperate. But the true way is, to become Christian souldiers, knowing, and fearing God; and with their bodily armour, to bring also the shield of faith: wherby their hearts may be assured, that God hath called them to that fight; & that he is present with them, to couer their heads in the day of battell. This will make them to take heart and courage to themselues, and to become truly valorous; though by nature they be weake and timorous.