A09376:1768
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.
Thirdly, whereas the holy Ghost saith, That the Hebrews must cast away the weight that presseth down; Here we are taught, in what manner, and how far forth we must use the things of this life: as riches, honours, and lawful pleasures; yea and all temporal blessings whatsoever: namely, so far forth, as they will further us in the course of religion, and in the exercises of godliness, and virtue; and no further: But (finding by experience, that these temporal things be a burden unto us, pressing us down, and making us unfit for spiritual exercises) we must leave them, and abstain from them. This is that moderation, which we must use in temporal things: for, the main end that every man must propound to himself in all things, is this; That God may be glorified. Now, that a man may glorify God, it is necessary that he should walk in the ways of godliness, and of true religion. Therefore, look as riches and worldly commodities may further us in Christian religion, and godliness; so far forth must we use them, and therein give glory to God: but, when they hinder us therein, then we must leave them, and cast them off. The Mariner that is upon the sea in a great tempest, seeing his ship too sore laden, will cast out any of his commodities; first, that that is the heaviest, and at last (if need be) the most precious jewels that be in his ship, before he will see it lost: Even so must we do in the sea of this world, when we see riches, honours, and lawful pleasures, to make us unfit & untoward for the exercises of piety, and religion; then away with them, we must cast them off, how dear soever they be unto us. And thus much for the first duty.
Thirdly, whereas the holy Ghost saith, That the Hebrewes must cast away the weight that presseth downe; Here wee are taught, in what manner, and how farre forth wee must vse the things of this life: as riches, honours, and lawfull pleasures; yea and all temporall blessings whatsoeuer: namely, so farre forth, as they will further vs in the course of religion, and in the exercises of godlinesse, and vertue; and no further: But (finding by experience, that these temporall things be a burden vnto vs, pressing vs downe, and making vs vnfit for spirituall exercises) we must leaue thē, and abstaine from them. This is that moderation, which we must vse in temporall things: for, the maine ende that euery man must propound to himselfe in all things, is this; That God may bee glorified. Now, that a man may glorifie God, it is necessary that hee should walke in the waies of godlinesse, and of true religion. Therefore, looke as riches and worldly commodities may further vs in Christian religion, and godlinesse; so farre forth must wee vse them, and therein giue glory to God: but, when they hinder vs therein, then we must leaue them, and cast them off. The Mariner that is vpon the sea in a great tempest, seeing his ship too sore laden, will cast out any of his commodities; first, that that is the heauiest, and at last (if neede bee) the most pretious iewels that bee in his ship, before he will see it lost: Euen so must wee doe in the sea of this world, when wee see riches, honours, and lawfull pleasures, to make vs vnfit & vntoward for the exercises of pietie, and religion; then away with them, wee must cast them off, how deare soeuer they be vnto vs. And thus much for the first duty.