A09376:555
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 a man may be a true and sincere Minister, lawfully called by God and his Church, and yet not turn many unto God, nor by his Ministry bring many to repentance. For here Noah a Prophet called immediately, yet in 120. years preaching both in word and action, he cannot turn one to faith and repentance. A most fearful thing, if we well consider it, that both by preaching and making the Ark, he should not turn one of the sons of Lamech, Methuselah, or Enoch, to believe him: but that they should all rather choose to be misled in the general vanity of that wicked world, then to serve God with Noah. This was a most discomfortable thing unto him as could be, yet this hath been the case and lot of many holy Prophets: Isaiah must go and preach unto them, and yet his doctrine must harden their hearts, that they may not be saved, Isaiah 6.10. And Ezekiel must go and speak, and yet is told aforehand, they will not hear him, nor repent, Ezek. 3.4.7. And when S. Paul himself preached unto the Jews at Rome, some believed not, Acts 28.24. There is nothing will more discourage a man, and cast down his heart, then to see that his labours are not only in vain, but do take a contrary effect; that whereas they were bestowed to have saved them, they are means of their deeper condemnation. Therefore as when their labours bring men to God, they may greatly rejoice, and account those people, as S. Paul did the Thessalonians, his crown, his joy and glory: 1So when they do no good (as Noah here) but that men are worse and worse; this must humble and abase them in themselves, & let them know the power and virtue is not in them, but God. So saith S. Paul to the ungodly & impenitent amongst the Corinthians: I fear, saith he, when I come, 2my God abase me amongst you, & I shall bewail many of them which have sinned▪ & not repented. And surely, this or nothing will abase a Minister, & minister matter of great bewailing; Yet not so, but as still there is matter of true comfort & contentment, unto all godly & faithful teachers. For, whether thy labour be the savour of life unto life, 3