A09376:1608
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
The Faith of the Judges and David.The Faith of the Iudges and Dauid.
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, from these two effects of faith, we observe further, that Gods divine providence doth firmly rule and govern the whole world. Ordinarily God governs the world by secondary causes, setting one creature over another, and ordaining one to do this thing, and another that, and accordingly they work: but we must not think that God is bound to any of these means, but is most free to use them, or not to use them. Ordinarily he executeth this or that punishment by this or that creature, and so by means conveys his blessings: but yet he can work without them, as here we see. For, he preserves his creatures against the ordinary means; as, Daniel from the Lions, whose nature is to devour: and against the nature of fire, he saved the three children in the fire. So that God worketh by means, but yet freely; because he can work at his pleasure either without or against means: and his powerful hand, saving against means, shows his ruling and disposing providence over all things.
Secondly, from these two effects of faith, wee obserue further, that Gods diuine prouidence doth firmely rule and gouerne the whole world. Ordinarily God gouernes the world by secundarie causes, setting one creature ouer another, and ordaining one to doe this thing, and another that, and accordingly they worke: but we must not thinke that God is bound to any of these meanes, but is most free to vse them, or not to vse them. Ordinarily he executeth this or that punishment by this or that creature, and so by meanes conuayes his blessings: but yet he can work without them, as here we see. For, he preserues his creatures against the ordinary meanes; as, Daniel from the Lions, whose nature is to deuoure: and against the nature of fire, he saued the three children in the fire. So that God worketh by meanes, but yet freely; because he can work at his pleasure either without or against meanes: and his powerfull hand, sauing against meanes, shewes his ruling and disposing prouidence ouer all things.
Thirdly, by these effects of their faith we learn, that Gods goodness and mercy towards believers, is far greater, and more unspeakable than ever he promised, or they could expect. This point is carefully to be considered of us all; for, it is of singular & extraordinary use, especially in time of peril and trouble: and yet we see it is the plain truth of God; and therefore Paul gives thanks and praise unto God, who is able to do for us exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.