A09376:60
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.
Fourthly, whereas faith is called an evidence: hence we learn, that the nature of faith stands not in doubting, but in certainty & assurance. The Romish doubting of the essence of faith, is as contrary to true faith, as darkness to light: for faith is an evidence of things hoped for, that is, it convinceth the judgement by unfallible arguments; knowing as certainly the truth of the promises, & of the things hoped for, as that God is God. But Rome will needs join faith & doubting, which in deed fight like fire and water, and can never agree together in every respect; but one will in the end destroy the other.
Fourthly, whereas faith is call'd an euidence: hence wee learne, that the nature of faith stands not in doubting, but in certainty & assurance. The Romish doubting of the essence of faith, is as contrary to true faith, as darknesse to light: for faith is an euidence of things hoped for, that is, it cōuinceth the iudgemēt by vnfallible arguments; knowing as certainly the truth of the promises, & of the things hoped for, as that God is God. But Rome wil needs ioin faith & doubting, which in deed fight like fire and water, and can neuer agree together in euery respect; but one wil in the end destroy the other.
Objection. But it seemeth, doubting is a part, or at least a companion of faith, for we doubt as well as believe: & who is so faithful that doubteth not? Answer. We do so: but what then? we should not; for God commands us to believe, & not to doubt: therefore to believe, because it is commanded of God, is a virtue: and if it be a virtue, then to doubt is a vice; faith & doubting are both in a good man, but faith is a work of grace and of the spirit. Doubting is a work of the flesh, & a piece of the corruption of the old man.
Obiection. But it seemeth, doubting is a part, or at least a companion of faith, for we doubt as wel as beleeue: & who is so faithful that doubteth not? Answer. We do so: but what then? we should not; for God cōmands vs to beleeue, & not to doubt: therefore to beleeue, because it is commanded of God, is a vertue: and if it be a vertue, then to doubt is a vice; faith & doubting are both in a good man, but faith is a work of grace and of the spirit. Doubting is a work of the flesh, & a piece of the corruption of the old man.