A09376:1551
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.
The third thing to be considered in this example, is the testimony of her faith, in receiving the Spies peaceably. This was a notable work of faith, as Saint James noteth, Jam. 2.25; and the more commendable, because she received them into her house, and entertained them: yea, she preserved them in danger of her own life; for, she did it contrary to the pleasure of the State under which she lived. But against this may be objected: first, that she lied in this fact; for, when the King of Jericho's messengers came to search for the Spies, whom she had hid in the top of her house, she said to the messengers, they were gone another way. Now, how can it be a good work, which was don with lying; especially to our Superior, who hath power to ask us, and to whom we are double bound to speak the truth? Answ. We must know that the work was good which she did; and a work of mercy, to preserve Gods people, although she failed in the manner of doing it: she received them by faith, though she showed distrust, in lying for their safety. It was a notable work ⟨p. 488⟩of Rebecca, Gen. 27. to cause her son Jacob to get his fathers blessing; for so God had determined, and yet she failed in the manner.
The third thing to be considered in this example, is the testimony of her faith, in receiuing the Spies peaceably. This was a notable worke of faith, as Saint Iames noteth, Iam. 2.25; and the more commendable, because shee receiued them into her house, and entertained them: yea, shee preserued them in danger of her owne life; for, shee did it contrary to the pleasure of the State vnder which shee liued. But against this may be obiected: first, that shee lyed in this fact; for, when the King of Iericho's messengers came to search for the Spies, whom shee had hid in the top of her house, shee said to the messengers, they were gone another way. Now, how can it bee a good worke, which was don with lying; especially to our Superior, who hath power to aske vs, and to whom wee are double bound to speake the truth? Answ. Wee must knowe that the worke was good which shee did; and a worke of mercy, to preserue Gods people, although shee failed in the manner of doing it: shee receiued them by faith, though shee shewed distrust, in lying for their safetie. It was a notable worke