A09376:683
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.
All these, and all such like, do obey indeed: but whereunto? not unto Gods calling: for alas, he never called them to these courses, but hath often recalled them from it; therefore this is the obedience not of faith, but of corruption, and of the world, which is a plain disobedience unto God. For, as the wisdom of the flesh or the world is foolishness with God, Rom. 8: so obedience to the flesh or the world, is disobedience, and rebellion against God.
All these, and all such like, doe obay indeede: but whereunto? not vnto Gods calling: for alas, he neuer called them to these courses, but hath often recalled them from it; therefore this is the obedience not of faith, but of corruption, and of the world, which is a plaine disobedience vnto God. For, as the wisedom of the flesh or the world is foolishnesse with God, Rom. 8: so obedience to the flesh or the world, is disobedience, and rebellion against God.
All such men, must know that they are not the children of Abraham, because they are not children of his faith. Nor can they be heirs of his faith, because they practice not his obedience: for, Gods calling and no other rule for our lives must Christian men admit. When he calleth, they must obey: and when he calls not, or allows not a course of gaining, or a trade of life (though all the world allowed it) we must not follow it: this will honour them, and their profession, before God. Abraham's faith justified him before God, but his obedience justified his faith: obedience, saith Samuel, 1. Sam. 25.22.23. is better then sacrifice: but disobedience is as the sin of witchcraft. Therefore let all Christians approve their faith by their obedience, hanging on Gods mouth, and attending on Gods calling, for directions of their whole life: and resolve with David, Psal. 119.105. Thy word is a lantern to my feet, and a light to my paths. When Kings may not live, but by this light of Gods calling and Gods word; it is shameful presumption, for ordinary men to frame their lives by lights of their own making.