A09376:746
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.
I answer: It is true, he went out, with purpose and assurance, to inherit a land promised him by God, but not named to him. And whereas it is there said, He went out to go into the land of Canaan, that is spoken in respect of the performance when he was come thither, not of the first promise made him at his departure: or, of the time when Moses wrote it, not of the time when God spake it to Abraham. And, that he knew not what land God did mean, until he cam thither, is plain in the seventh verse, where it is said, That when Abraham had passed through all the Country, and way come into Canaan, then God appeared to him, and said, this land will I give ⟨p. 193⟩unto thy seed: But till then God never named it unto him; and therefore we read afore, that he believed and obeyed upon the general promise: but now when God did particularly specify and show what land, he then showed his thankfulness to God, and did there build an Altar unto the God that had appeared unto him.
I answer: It is true, he went out, with purpose and assurance, to inherite a land promised him by God, but not named to him. And whereas it is there said, He went out to goe into the land of Canaan, that is spoken in respect of the performance when he was come thither, not of the first promise made him at his departure: or, of the time when Moses wrote it, not of the time when God spake it to Abraham. And, that he knew not what land God did mean, vntill he cam thither, is plain in the seauenth verse, where it is said, That when Abraham had passed through all the Country, and wai come into Canaan, then God appeared to him, and said, this land will I giue ⟨p. 193⟩vnto thy seede: But till then God neuer named it vnto him; and therfore we read afore, that he beleeued and obayed vpon the generall promise: but now when God did particularly specifie and shew what land, hee then shewed his thankfulnesse to God, and did there build an Altar vnto the God that had appeared vnto him.
Thus it is clear, that Abraham went out, not knowing whither he went. Which being so, it appears that Abraham did that which the world would call, plain foolishness. To leave known friends for unknown, certain living for uncertain, is a simple course in mans reason: at least (the world will say) he might first have demanded of God, what land that was, which he should have, before he left that which he had: but Abraham makes no such questions, moves no such doubts, but believeth and obeyeth, and goeth out of his certain dwelling (at Gods calling) though he knew not where to lodge at night.