A09376:1761
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.
Further, they are a cloud of witnesses: that is, a huge multitude of witnesses. And they are so called; First, because by their own blood they confirmed the faith which they ⟨p. 578⟩professed: Secondly, because they did all confirm the doctrine of true religion, whereof they were witnesses, partly by speeches, and partly by actions in life and conversation. And so is every member of Christ a witness; as the Lord often calls the believing Israelites,1 his witnesses. Quest. How came this to pass, that these believers should be Gods witnesses? Answer. Surely, because they testified the truth, and excellency of Gods holy religion, both in word and action, in life and conversation.
Further, they are a cloud of witnesses: that is, a huge multitude of witnesses. And they are so called; First, because by their owne bloud they confirmed the faith which they ⟨p. 578⟩professed: Secondly, because they did all confirme the doctrine of true religion, whereof they were witnesses, partly by speaches, and partly by actions in life and conuersation. And so is euery member of Christ a witnesse; as the Lord often calls the beleeuing Israelites,1 his witnesses. Quest. How came this to passe, that these beleeuers should bee Gods witnesses? Answere. Surely, because they testified the truth, and excellencie of Gods holy religion, both in word and action, in life and conuersation.
Now, seeing these in the old Testament were Christs witnesses; First, hereby all ignorant persons must be stirred up to be careful to get faith, and to learn true religion. If any thing will move a man to become religious, this will; for, out of all the world, God will choose faithful men to be his witnesses, to testify of his religion unto others. If a man were persuaded that some worthy mighty Prince would vouchsafe to call him to bear witness of the truth on his side, he would be wonderful glad thereof, and take it for a great honour to him. How much more then ought we to labour for knowledge, faith and obedience in true religion, that we may become witnesses unto the Lord our God? if it be a dignity to be witness to an earthly Prince; oh then what a great prerogative is this, for a silly sinful man, to become a witness to the truth of the everliving God, who is King of Kings, & whose word needs no confirmation? This must make us all to labour for knowledge, & for faith, and for the power of religion: but, if we will remain still in our ignorance, and never labour for knowledge, then shall these servants of God that believed in the old Testament, stand up and witness against us at the day of judgement: for, they had not such means as we have, and yet they became most faithful witnesses.