A09376:203
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.
For the use of this doctrine, we must renew our former exhortation, which indeed cannot be too often pressed to the conscience. There is none of us so vile, none so profane, but we desire salvation. If we do, then we must tread the beaten way to it. For, we are not borne heirs of it; neither can we come thither by chance: but there is a way that must be taken, & that way is but one: all other are misleading by-ways. Again, that way must be taken in this life; else, it is too late. Now, this way is to be a just & righteous man. With this, never man failed: and without this, never man attained to salvation; for,1 No unclean thing can come into the kingdom of heaven. Never was man justified there, which was not just before: and that must be here begun, which in heaven is to be perfected. In this life therefore, we must seek to be just. Now, our own good works will not serve to make us just: for, they are all unable to endure the trial of Gods justice. And if we stand to them, and they prove not able to satisfy Gods justice; then, in stead of saving us, they will condemn us. Therefore, with Abel, let us go out of our selves, deny our selves, and cleave only to Christs righteousness, in life & death: this is the way that never will deceive us.
For the vse of this doctrine, we must renue our former exhortation, which indeed cannot be too often presled to the conscience. There is none of vs so vile, none so profane, but we desire saluation. If we do, then we must tread the beaten way to it. For, we are not borne heires of it; neither can we come thither by chaunce: but there is a way that must be taken, & that way is but one: all other are misleading by-waies. Again, that way must be taken in this life; else, it is too late. Now, this way is to be a iust & righteous man. With this, neuer man failed: and without this, neuer man attained to saluation; for,1 No vncleane thing can come into the kingdome of heauen. Neuer was man iustified there, which was not iust before: and that must be here begun, which in heauen is to be perfected. In this life therefore, wee must seeke to be iust. Now, our owne good workes will not serue to make vs iust: for, they are all vnable to indure the trial of Gods iustice. And if we stand to them, and they proue not able to satisfie Gods iustice; then, in stead of sauing vs, they will condemne vs. Therefore, with Abell, let vs go out of our selues, deny our selues, and cleaue onely to Christs righteousnes, in life & death: this is the way that neuer will deceiue vs.