A09376:196
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.
We profess religion, we must look that our hearts affect it: we profess a turning from sin, we must take heed it be not formal, and from the lips, but from the heart. So, when we practice any duty of religion, whether we pray or ⟨p. 48⟩hear the word, or receive the Sacrament (this is the sacrifice that we can offer) we must not do them coldly and carelessly; but with zealous affection and resolution from the heart. Otherwise, if we serve God for fashion sake, and our hearts are on the world, and our own lusts: we offer the sacrifice of cursed Cain, and we with our formal religion shall go to him. But let us offer the sacrifice of Abel: that is, though it be never so little; yet let it be the best we can, and all we can, and God will accept us as he did Abel. And thus the Parent should give God his best child: the young man his best years: every man his best part, which is his heart. And thus we follow the steps of holy Abel, who offered to God the best sacrifice he had. This was the fruit of his faith: even so that Parent, that young man, that professor that hath true faith, will do so likewise.
We professe religion, wee must looke that our hearts affect it: we professe a turning from sinne, we must take heed it be not formall, and from the lips, but from the heart. So, when we practice any duty of religion, whether we pray or ⟨p. 48⟩heare the word, or receiue the Sacrament (this is the sacrifice that we can offer) we must not doe them coldly and carelesly; but with zealous affection and resolution from the heart. Otherwise, if we serue God for fashion sake, and our hearts are on the world, and our owne lusts: wee offer the sacrifice of cursed Cain, and we with our formall religion shall goe to him. But let vs offer the sacrifice of Abell: that is, though it be neuer so little; yet let it be the best wee can, and all we can, and God will accept vs as he did Abell. And thus the Parent should giue God his best childe: the young man his best yeares: euery man his best part, which is his heart. And thus we follow the steps of holy Abell, who offred to God the best sacrifice he had. This was the fruite of his faith: euen so that Parent, that young man, that professor that hath true faith, will do so likewise.