A09376:189
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.
The third & last point, is the difference of these sacrifices. For although Cain offered as well as Abel: and offered sacrifice as well as Abel: yet was there a difference in their sacrifices: for Abel's was better then Cains. This is the chief point: for this sets down what was that excellency of his faith, for which he is here commended. Abel is not commended for offering, by his faith: for so did Cain that had no faith: nor for offering sacrifice, by his faith: for so did Cain that had no faith: but because that by his faith he offered a better sacrifice then Cain could.
The third & last point, is the difference of these sacrifices. For although Cain offred as well as Abell: and offred sacrifice as well as Abell: yet was there a difference in their sacrifices: for Abels was better then Cains. This is the chiefe point: for this sets downe what was that excellency of his faith, for which he is here commended. Abell is not commended for offring, by his faith: for so did Cain that had no faith: nor for offring sacrifice, by his faith: for so did Cain that had no faith: but because that by his faith he offred a better sacrifice then Cain could.
The holy Ghost calls Abel's a better or greater sacrifice: because Abel brought the best and fattest of his sheep, and so bestowed the most cost he could; as signifying that he would have bestowed more cost, had he known how to have done it. For, he that gives as he hath, would give more if he had it. And he that doth the best he can in any thing, it is certain he would do better if he could. Cain contrariwise brought not the best of his fruits, but either the worst, or whatsoever came first to hand; as thinking that whatsoever he brought, was good enough: therefore worthily is Abel said to have offered a better sacrifice then Cain.
The holy Ghost calls Abels a better or greater sacrifice: because Abell brought the best and fattest of his sheepe, and so bestowed the most cost hee could; as signifying that hee would haue bestowed more cost, had hee knowne how to haue done it. For, he that giues as he hath, would giue more if he had it. And he that doth the best he can in any thing, it is certaine hee would doe better if he could. Cain contrariwise brought not the best of his fruites, but either the worst, or whatsoeuer came first to hand; as thinking that whatsoeuer hee brought, was good enough: therefore worthily is Abell saide to haue offred a better sacrifice then Cain.