A09376:1651
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
Believers under the Maccabees.Beleeuers vnder the Maccabees.
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.
To apply this to our selves: God hath planted his Church among us in this land, and for many years together, hath blessed us with prosperity and peace; which, in great mercy he hath given us as a reward of the faith of his servants which are among us: and, during this time, we have had great freedom and liberty in Gods holy ministry, for the word, prayer, & sacraments. But, we ⟨p. 534⟩must know, that the state of Gods Church, for peace and trouble is interchangeable, as day and night, for light and darkness. Wherefore, we must be advertised, to look unto our selves: for, our estate in peace must not last always, these golden days will have an end, and troubles and afflictions will undoubtedly come. Indeed, God only knoweth, what kind of afflictions shall befall, and the particular time thereof: but, that they shall come in the time appointed of God, we may resolve our selves by the reasons following.
To apply this to our selues: God hath planted his Church among vs in this land, and for many yeares together, hath blessed vs with prosperity and peace; which, in great mercy hee hath giuen vs as a reward of the faith of his seruants which are among vs: and, during this time, wee haue had great freedome and liberty in Gods holy ministery, for the word, praier, & sacraments. But, we ⟨p. 534⟩must knowe, that the state of Gods Church, for peace and trouble is interchangeable, as day and night, for light and darkenesse. Wherefore, we must be aduertised, to look vnto our selues: for, our estate in peace must not last alwaies, these golden daies will haue an ende, and troubles and afflictions will vndoubtedly come. Indeede, God onely knoweth, what kinde of afflictions shall befall, and the particular time thereof: but, that they shall come in the time appointed of God, we may resolue our selues by the reasons following.
First, the tenor of the Law, is this; that the curse doth follow the transgression: so, that when any man, family, or people, live in the breach of Gods commandments, they must look for Gods judgements to be poured upon them. Now, we may too truly assume, that this our nation and people abound with grievous sin in all estates: For, in the civill estate (to omit manifold practices of oppression) Where is justice without bribery? or bargaining, without fraud and deceit? And, in the ministry (beside many abuses) where is that care which ought to be, for the building of Gods Church? And, for the body of our people (beside gross ignorance, and superstition) what fearful blasphemy, whoredom, swearing, and Sabaoth-breaking, doth every where abound? beside fearful Atheism, which is a mother of abominations: whether we respect natural Atheism, whereby many deny God by their works; or, learned Atheism in some, who dispute against the truth of God, revealed in his word. All these, and many other sins among us, cry loud for GODs judgements upon us; even for that fearful judgement, the removal of Gods kingdom in the Gospel of peace.