A09376:1784
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.
In this comparison, we may observe many good instructions: First, in that Christian religion is compared to a race; We are taught, that every one that professeth religion must go forward therein, growing in knowledge, faith, piety, and in every grace of God. He that runs a bodily race, must neither stand still, nor go backward (for, then then he shall never get the price) but, still go forward to the race end: So must every Christian go forward in grace, following hard towards the mark, for the price of the high calling of God. If we care not for eternal life, then we may take our ease, and let grace alone; but, if we tender our own salvation, we must go on in the graces of religion, as a runner doth go forward in his race. This being well observed, would rouse up our drowsy Christians, that make no progress in religion.
In this comparison, wee may obserue many good instructions: First, in that Christian religion is compared to a race; We are taught, that euery one that professeth religion must goe forward therein, growing in knowledge, faith, piety, and in euery grace of God. He that runnes a bodily race, must neither stand still, nor goe backward (for, then then he shall neuer get the price) but, still goe forward to the race ende: So must euery Christian goe forward in grace, following hard towards the marke, for the price of the high calling of God. If wee care not for eternall life, then we may take our ease, and let grace alone; but, if wee tender our owne saluation, wee must goe on in the graces of religion, as a runner doth goe forward in his race. This beeing wel obserued, would rowze vp our drowzie Christians, that make no progresse in religion.
Secondly, this resemblance of Christianity to a race, teacheth us all to strive to go one before another in knowledge, faith, and holy obedience: thus runners do, that run a bodily race. Also in the world, the manner of men is, to labour and strive to go one before another in riches, preferment, in fine apparel, and in all bodily delights: now, shall men strive to be first in these transitory things, and shall we neglect our duty about these spiritual graces? wherein, the more we excel, the more acceptable we are to God, and shall be more glorious in the world to come.