A09376:1734
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.
The Exposition. God providing a better thing for us. The word in the original, translated providing, signifieth properly foreseeing; wherein is likewise included, Gods decree and ordination. Now, this we must know: that it is a peculiar prerogative, belonging to the true God alone, to be able to foresee things to come; and that many thousand years before: no creature of himself can do it. And, yet it is true, that this property to foresee, is ascribed unto God, not properly; but, in regard of our capacity: for, if ⟨p. 567⟩we speak of God properly, God cannot be said to foresee any thing; because all things be present to him, whether past, or to come.
The Exposition. God prouiding a better thing for vs. The word in the originall, translated prouiding, signifieth properly foreseeing; wherein is likewise included, Gods decree and ordination. Now, this we must knowe: that it is a peculiar prerogatiue, belonging to the true God alone, to be able to foresee things to come; and that many thousand years before: no creature of himselfe can doe it. And, yet it is true, that this propertie to foresee, is ascribed vnto God, not properly; but, in regard of our capacitie: for, if ⟨p. 567⟩we speake of God properly, God cannot be said to foresee any thing; because all things bee present to him, whether past, or to come.
This prescience, or foreknowledge in God, puts a difference between the true God, and all false gods; yea, between the true God, and all creatures: for, the true God foresees all things that are to come; so can no creature do. Indeed, some creatures foresee and foretell some things; yet herein, they come short of the divine property: for, God foresees all things by himself, without signs, or causes, or outward means. But, creatures only foresee some things, not of themselves; but, by means of signs, and outward causes, or by revelation from God: otherwise can no creature foresee things to come.