A09376:475
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.
First, that all the world should be destroyed, seemed not possible to be, because it never had been.
First, that all the world should be destroyed, seemed not possible to be, because it neuer had beene.
Secondly, it seemed not likely that Gods mercy should be so wholly swallowed up of his justice.
Secondly, it seemed not likely that Gods mercy should be so wholly swallowed vp of his iustice.
Thirdly, they must live in the Ark, as in a close prison, without comfort of light or fresh air, and amongst beasts of all sorts, and that for a long time, he knew not how long. Now reason would tell him, he had better die with men, then live with beasts; and better die a free man and at liberty, then live a prisoner; and better die with company, then live alone: And that if God had purposed to save him, he could have used other means, and more easy, more direct, & more safe then this; that therefore his deliverance was to be doubted of. And lastly, reason would say: I may make my self a gazing and mocking stock to the world for 120. years; and it may be then Gods purpose will be altered, & no flood will come: or if it come, & I go into the Ark, and it chance to break against the mountains, so that I perish with the rest, then am I worst of all, who perish notwithstanding all my labour; therefore I had better let it alone, and take my venture with the rest of the world.
Thirdly, they must liue in the Arke, as in a close prison, without comfort of light or fresh aire, and amongst beasts of all sorts, and that for a long time, hee knew not how long. Now reason would tel him, he had better die with men, then liue with beasts; and better die a free man and at liberty, then liue a prisoner; and better die with company, then liue alone: And that if God had purposed to saue him, hee could haue vsed other meanes, and more easie, more direct, & more safe then this; that therefore his deliuerance was to be doubted of. And lastly, reason would say: I may make my selfe a gazing and mocking stocke to the world for 120. yeeres; and it may be then Gods purpose will be altred, & no floud will come: or if it come, & I go into the Arke, and it chance to breake against the mountaines, so that I perish with the rest, then am I worst of all, who perish notwithstanding all my labour; therefore I had better let it alone, and take my venture with the rest of the world.