A09376:419
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 use of this doctrine is double; for instruction, and for exhortation. For our instruction, here we learn how to answer the Church of Rome: they ask us, how do we know true religion from erroneous; or true Scripture, or Sacraments from forged? We answer, first, by it self, by sight and sense of the excellency thereof; as we know gold from brass, or silver from lead. But what if the brass or tin be gilded over? I then answer secondly, we can know gold from brass, and silver from tin by the sound ⟨p. 106⟩and smell, and hardness to endure, and by the operation: so there is a spiritual sound of the Scriptures in the ears of a Christian, a spiritual comfort and taste in true religion, a spiritual operation (in holy mens hearts) of the true Sacraments. But what if false Prophets come in sheep's clothing, and by lying wonders, seem to give the same sound, taste, smell, virtue, and operation unto their forgeries, or at least challenge it, and say, that theirs is true? I answer lastly; Then we know true Religion, true Scripture ▪ true Sacraments, true Prophets, true Doctrines from false, by a holy and supernatural revelation from Gods spirit; which, by evident and powerful demonstration, assureth us, what is true and what is false, for the substance of salvation. And this spirit is given to all, that in true humility do seek it, in holy prayer, and in a holy and frequent use of Gods word and Sacraments; and to none else. And surely if the Papists were as well acquainted with the spirit of God, as they are with their own forged revelations, they would never deny it. By force of this testimony a Christian man knoweth, as assuredly as that God is God, that the Pope, as now he is, and as he exerciseth his place and power, cannot be the true Vicar of Christ; And that Popery, as it is now established by the Council of Trent, and taught by the most learned of their side, cannot be the true religion, nor the safest way to heaven. And when question is, what is the meaning of this place, there is one God and one Mediator betwixt God and man, the man Christ Jesus; If all the world should say the contrary, a Christian man will know and believe there are no more Mediators to God but Christ: or of that place, that Christ was offered for our sins once for all; that there is no sacrifice can purchase us pardon, but his;
The vse of this doctrine is double; for instruction, and for exhortation. For our instruction, here we learne how to answere the Church of Rome: they aske vs, how doe wee know true religion from erroneous; or true Scripture, or Sacraments from forged? We answere, first, by it selfe, by sight and sense of the excellencie thereof; as we know gold from brasse, or siluer from lead. But what if the brasse or tinne be gilded ouer? I then answere secondly, wee can know gold from brasse, and siluer from tinne by the sound