A09376:1671
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.
But some will say, This cannot be any commendation of faith, to be racked and beaten to death: for, malefactors and traitors are so used. Ans. To prevent this objection, the holy Ghost addeth these words; and would not be delivered: or, would not accept deliverance: to show, that this suffering was a notable commendation of true faith. The meaning of the words is this; That whereas some Jews in the old Testament, were condemned to death for their religion, by persecutors: and yet, had life and liberty offered unto them, if they would recant, and forsake their religion; This proffer of life they refused, and would not be delivered, upon such a condition.
But some will say, This cannot be any commendation of faith, to be racked and beaten to death: for, malefactors and traytors are so vsed. Ans. To preuent this obiectiō, the holy Ghost addeth these words; and would not be deliuered: or, would not accept deliuerance: to shewe, that this suffering was a notable commendation of true faith. The meaning of the words is this; That whereas some Iewes in the olde Testament, were condemned to death for their religion, by persecutors: and yet, had life and libertie offered vnto thē, if they would recant, and forsake their religion; This proffer of life they refused, and would not be deliuered, vpon such a condition.
In this example of faith, we are taught to hold fast true religion, and to prefer the enjoying of it, before all the pleasures and commodities in the world; yea, before life it self. This point, Paul urgeth in sundry exhortations; saying, Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall: 1. Co. 10.12. forbidding us to preserve our outward peace, by communicating with idolaters. And again, Stand fast in the faith: 1. Cor. 16.13. Yea, this is one main point that Paul urgeth to Timothy, in both his Epistles; to keep faith, and a good conscience. And our Saviour Christ in one of his parables, Math. 13.44. compares the kingdom of heaven, to a treasure hid in the field; which, when a man findeth, he hideth it, & goes home & sells all he hath, to buy the field. Whereby he would teach us, that every ones duty, who would