A09376:449
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.
Thirdly, the strangeness of the Judgement threatened, was such, as might drive any man (in reason) from fearing it at all. For first, who would ever believe, that God would drown all the world with water? such a thing never had been, and therefore how could it be? And again, If all should be drowned, who would think that Noah should escape, and none but he?
Thirdly, the strangenesse of the Iudgement threatned, was such, as might driue any man (in reason) from fearing it at all. For first, who would euer beleeue, that God would drowne all the world with water? such a thing neuer had beene, and therefore how could it be? And againe, If all should be drowned, who would thinke that Noah should escape, and none but he?
These three considerations, being weighed in the balance of mans reason, would have kept Noah from fearing, or believing this word of God. But, behold the power of faith: it goeth beyond all humane reach, fixeth it self fast on Gods word: and therefore he not only believeth it, but hath furthermore his heart possessed with a great reverence of Gods Majesty upon this message. And there were three motives stirring him up unto this Reverence.
These three considerations, being wayed in the ballance of mans reason, would haue kept Noah from fearing, or beleeuing this word of God. But, behold the power of faith: it goeth beyond all humane reach, fixeth it selfe fast on Gods word: and therfore he not only beleeueth it, but hath furthermore his heart possessed with a great reuerence of Gods Maiestie vpon this message. And there were three motiues stirring him vp vnto this Reuerence.
First, the consideration of Gods strange Judgement upon the sinful world; to see that his wrath was so provoked, that he should bring so unwonted a plague: so strange both for the nature of it; a flood of water to drown men: whereas generally all men can avoid the violence of that element; & for the measure of it, so great, as it should drown all the world, and destroy all men.