A09376:1538
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.
Secondly, whereas Rahabs weak faith is thus commended, here is comfort for all those that are willing to learn Gods word, and to obey the same. Many are willing to learn: but they are so wonderfully troubled with dullness and want of memory, that they cannot learn; and hereupon they grow to doubt much of their estate towards God. But these men must comfort themselves: for though they have but little knowledge, yet if they have care to increase in knowledge, & make conscience of obedience to so much as they know, God will account of them as of true believers: & in truth such are to be commended above those which have much knowledge, & so seem to have much faith, and yet show forth no obedience answerable to their knowledge; for, they have a show of godliness, but want the power of it.
Secondly, whereas Rahabs weake faith is thus commended, here is comfort for all those that are willing to learne Gods word, and to obay the same. Many are willing to learne: but they are so wonderfully troubled with dulnesse and want of memory, that they cannot learne; and hereupon they grow to doubt much of their estate towards God. But these mē must cōfort themselues: for though they haue but little knowledge, yet if they haue care to encrease in knowledge, & make cōscience of obedience to so much as they know, God wil account of thē as of true beleeuers: & in truth such are to be cōmēded aboue those which haue much knowledge, & so seeme to haue much faith, and yet shew forth no obedience answerable to their knowledge; for, they haue a shew of godlines, but want the power of it.
Thirdly, this confuteth our ignorant boasters, who say, they have as much knowledge as any man needs to have: for, they know, that a man must love God above all; &, that Christ Jesus is the Saviour of the world: & this (say they) is enough; and hereupon they take up their rest for matters of religion, & seek to go no further. But these men know nothing at all: for, if they would ad to this which they know, though it be but little, a care to increase in knowledge, & with their knowledge join obedience, then it were something. ⟨p. 482⟩