A09376:1616
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.
The seventh effect of their faith is this: Of weak were made strong. Or thus: Of weak were restored to health. This must be understood of Hezekias, a worthy king of Judah, who (as we may read, 2. Kings 20.) being sore sick, even unto death, was restored to health, and obtained of GOD the lengthening of his days, for the space of fifteen years. Which wonderful recovery, he obtained by means of his faith, which he showed in time of his sickness, by a prayer he made unto God; the substance whereof, stood in these two things: First, being very sick, he prayed for the pardon of his sins. This appeareth by his thanksgiving, upon his recovery, Isay 38.17. where he confesseth, that God had cast all his sins behind his back. Now, look for what he gave thanks; that (no doubt) he had before begged of God in prayer. Secondly, he made request unto GOD for prolonging of his days, for some reasons which did concern himself; and this he also prayed for in faith. Now, the reasons moving him to pray for longer life, were these: First, he had then no issue to succeed him in his Kingdom; and therefore he prayed for life, to beget a child, which might sit upon his throne after him. And the ground of this prayer was this; GOD had made a particular promise unto David and Solomon, 1. Kings 8.25, that they should not want issue after them, to sit upon the Throne of Israel, so that their children took heed to their way, to walk before the LORD, as David did. Now, King Hezekiah, knowing this ⟨p. 518⟩promise, had regard hereunto: and, building himself hereon, his conscience bearing him witness, that he had walked before the Lord uprightly, he prays for issue to succeed him; and, for that cause, he desires strength of body, and length of days. This appeareth notably by his prayer, 2. King. 20.3, Lord (saith he) I beseech thee now remember how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart. The sum of his prayer is this: All the kings succeeding David and Solomon, which walk in Gods commandments, shall have issue to sit on their thrones after them. Now, from hence he prays thus; Oh Lord, I have walked before thee, in truth and sincerity of heart: and hereupon the conclusion follows, grant me issue to sit upon my throne after me; and therefore, life and health to accomplish the same.