A09376:1543
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.
But was not this partial dealing, To spare Rahab with her family, who were inhabitants of Jericho as well as the rest? Answer. There were two causes why she should escape: First, because she yielded her self to the people of Israel, and joined her self unto them, and was content to become one of their religion; and therefore the commandment of putting all to death, did not take hold of her. Secondly, Rahab obtained this of the spies, and bound them to it by an oath, that when they came to destroy Jericho, they should spare her and her family: and therefore also did she escape.
But was not this partiall dealing, To spare Rahab with her family, who were inhabitants of Iericho as well as the rest? Answer. There were two causes why shee should escape: First, because shee yeelded her selfe to the people of Israell, and ioyned her selfe vnto them, and was content to become one of their religion; and therefore the cō maundement of putting all to death, did not take holde of her. Secondly, Rahab obtained this of the spies, and bound them to it by an oath, that when they came to destroy Iericho, they should spare her and her family: and therefore also did she escape.
In this preservation of Rahab, we may learn sundry points: first, whereas she is saved alive, because of the oath of the spies, we see what special care every one ought to have for the doing of those lawful things whatsoever they are, whereto he binds himself by an oath. Joshua knowing this bond of the spies to Rahab (as we may read) gives special charge for her preservation. Hence David saith,1 If a man bind himself with an oath, he must keep it, though it be to his own hinderance, Psal. 15.4. Every single promise binds a mans conscience, if it be lawful: But when an oath is adjoined, then there is a double bond. And therefore the Author to the Hebrews saith, that God, to make known the stableness of his counsel promised, 2