A09376:1506
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.
Thirdly, here we learn, that when any City, Town, or Kingdom, is to make war either in defence of themselves, or in lawful assault upon their enemies; a special means for good success herein is true faith. Christian policy is a commendable thing in this case: but if policy be severed from faith, it is nothing. Faith in Gods promises of protection and assistance, doth far surpass all worldly wisdom. And therefore good King Jehoshaphat, when he was to fight against the huge Armies of the Moabites, and Ammonites, gives this counsel to his people, 2, Chron. 20.20, Put your trust in the Lord your God, and ye shall be assured: Believe his Prophets, and ye shall prosper ▪ giving a most notable instruction, and showing that the best help for our defence, is faith in God, whereby we rest upon his word and promise, that he will help us: yet this taketh not away the use of means, but it gives the blessing and efficacy unto them.1 Faith, we know, is called a shield, among the spiritual armour of God, whereby a man awards ⟨p. 467⟩the blows of Satan: and though that be the principal virtue of it, yet is it also a notable shield to defend men, even against their outward & visible enemies, & a most strong engine against them, to work their overthrow. Hence David saith, He will not be afraid for ten thousand of the people, that should beset him round about. 2They therefore that would defend themselves against their enemies (yea, and overcome them in lawful assault) must embrace & obey true religion; & with Christian policy, join faith in Gods promises: for, by faith we make God our Captain, & through him we shall do valiantly, and beat down our enemies on every side.
Thirdly, here we learne, that when any City, Towne, or Kingdome, is to make warre either in defence of themselues, or in lawfull assault vpon their enemies; a speciall meanes for good successe heerein is true faith. Christian policie is a commendable thing in this case: but if policy be seuered from faith, it is nothing. Faith in Gods promises of protection and assistance, doth farre surpasse all worldly wisedome. And therefore good King Iehosaphat, when he was to fight against the huge Armies of the Moabites, and Ammonites, giues this counsell to his people, 2, Chron. 20.20, Put your trust in the Lord your God, and ye shall be assured: Beleeue his Prophets, and ye shall prosper giuing a most notable instruction, and shewing that the best help for our defence, is faith in God, whereby we rest vpon his word and promise, that hee will helpe vs: yet this taketh not away the vse of meanes, but it giues the blessing and efficacie vnto them.