A09376:696
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, he must leave his acquaintance, with which he had lived all his life; yea, his own kindred, and must go live amongst strangers. These four considerations were so many hindrances to his obedience; and strong temptations, to make him have looked backward: but such is the power of his faith, he is commanded of God, therefore he obeyeth and goeth out.
Fourthly, he must leaue his acquaintance, with which hee had liued all his life; yea, his owne kindred, and must goe liue amongst strangers. These foure considerations were so manie hindrances to his obedience; and strong temptations, to make him haue looked backward: but such is the power of his faith, hee is commaunded of God, therefore hee obayeth and goeth out.
The use is, to teach us what a faith we have. For, if we measure all Gods commandments by our natural affections; our faith is but a shadow, and hypocrisy: But if we consult not with flesh and blood, but rest, and rely on Gods word, and give absolute obedience to his commandments, then our faith is such as Abraham's was.
The vse is, to teach vs what a faith we haue. For, if wee measure all Gods commaundements by our naturall affections; our faith is but a shadow, and hypocrisie: But if wee consult not with flesh and bloud, but rest, and rely on Gods word, and giue absolute obedience to his cōmaundements, then our faith is such as Abrahams was.
In the next place; Some may marvel, why the Lord should command him so hard a matter, and lay so strait a ⟨p. 182⟩commandment upon him, as to leave his Country and living, which seemed unreasonable; & his kindred, which was unnatural.