A09376:1756
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
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.
Now, to the reason more particularly. We must be constant ⟨p. 576⟩in the faith, because we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses. Here the ancient Fathers of the old Testament, which in the former chapter were commended unto us for their faith, are compared to a cloud, and then to a cloud compassing us. Lastly, to a cloud of witnesses.
Now, to the reason more particularly. Wee must be constant ⟨p. 576⟩in the faith, because we are compassed about with so great a cloude of witnesses. Heere the ancient Fathers of the olde Testament, which in the former chapter were commended vnto vs for their faith, are compared to a cloude, and then to a cloude compassing vs. Lastly, to a cloude of witnesses.
They are compared to a cloud (as I take it) by allusion to the cloud which directed and led the Israelites in the wilderness: for, when they came from Egypt, and were 40. years in the Desert of Arabia; all that while, they were directed by a pillar of cloud by day, Exod. 13.21. Now, look as this cloud guided the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt, to the Land of Canaan: so doth this company of famous believers, direct all the true members of Gods Church in the new Testament, the right way from the Kingdom of darkness, to the spiritual Canaan the kingdom of heaven. And this is the true cause why these worthy believers are compared to a cloud.
They are compared to a cloude (as I take it) by allusion to the cloud which directed and led the Israelites in the wildernesse: for, when they came from Egypt, and were 40. yeares in the Desert of Arabia; all that while, they were directed by a pillar of cloud by day, Exod. 13.21. Now, looke as this cloud guided the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt, to the Land of Canaan: so doth this companie of famous beleeuers, direct all the true members of Gods Church in the new Testament, the right way from the Kingdome of darknesse, to the spirituall Canaan the kingdome of heauen. And this is the true cause why these worthy beleeuers are compared to a cloud.