A09376:686
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, how our Church and doctrine are slandered by the Papists, who please themselves in saying, We look to be saved by sole faith, and without works. For, we teach, that though a man be justified without respect to his works, yet no man was ever justified, whose faith did not bring forth good and holy works: and we teach, that none is heir of Abraham's faith, which is not also of his obedience. Therefore God will reward their lying tongue.
First, how our Church and doctrine are slaundered by the Papists, who please themselues in saying, Wee looke to be saued by sole faith, and without workes. For, we teach, that though a man be iustified without respect to his workes, yet no man was euer iustified, whose faith did not bring forth good and holy workes: and wee teach, that none is heire of Abrahams faith, which is not also of his obedience. Therefore God will reward their lying tongue.
Secondly, this teacheth us, that Abraham's faith is rare in these days. Many make profession of Abraham's religion, but it seems they are as far deceived as the Jews were, John 8.39. The Jews would be Abraham's children, because they were of his flesh: and men now will be so, because they are of his profession; but both are far wide, for we must be children of faithful Abraham. But if we will be like him in faith, we must be like him in obedience also: when God calls us to any duty, we must forsake our own natures, and deny our own affections, and cross our own corruptions, to follow Gods calling, and to do our duties. So shall we be true children of Abraham, when we are like our Father in his best virtues. Thus we see his obedience laid down generally.
Secondly, this teacheth vs, that Abrahams faith is rare in these dayes. Many make profession of Abrahams religion, but it seemes they are as farre deceiued as the Iewes were, Iohn 8.39. The Iewes would be Abrahams children, because they were of his flesh: and men now will be so, because they are of his profession; but both are farre wide, for wee must be children of faithfull Abraham. But if we will be like him in faith, we must be like him in obedience also: when God calls vs to any duty, we must forsake our owne natures, and denie our owne affections, and crosse our owne corruptions, to follow Gods calling, and to doe our duties. So shall wee be true children of Abraham, when we are like our Father in his best vertues. Thus wee see his obedience laied downe generally.