A09376:82
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.
Secondly, for what were these Elders approved? for their faith: for nothing else. Amongst these Elders Sampson was wonderful in strength: Solomon in wisdom: Joshua in courage: Moses in learning: many of them, in the honour and pomp of the world, in beauty, riches, and other external gifts, and the most of them all in long life: yet not for one or all of these are any of them said to be regarded of God: but it is plainly said, that for their faith God did approve them. Here then learn what is the thing amongst all things that must make us acceptable unto God: even this, To deny our selves, and to rest upon the mercy of God in Christ; this will do it & nothing else. Hast thou strength? so had Golias as well as Sampson: hast thou beauty? so had Absalom as well or more than David: hast thou wisdom? so had Ahithophel (though not like Solomon, yet) above ordinary men: hast thou riches? Esau was richer than Jacob: hast thou lived long? so did Cain; & Ismael as well as Isaac: hast thou many children? so had Ahab as well as Gideon: hast thou learning (the glory of nature)? so had the Egyptians as well as Moses: for there Moses learned it. All these thou mayest have, & yet be a vile person in the sight of God: so far from being approved of God, as that he will not ⟨p. 16⟩vouchsafe (unless it be in his anger) once to regard or look at thee: hast thou therefore any of those outward gifts? it is not to be contemned, it hath his use; thank God for it, and and use it well: and use it so as by it thou mayest be approved amongst men: but stand not to it before God: for though it be wisdom, or learning, or never so excellent a gift; it cannot purchase the favour & acceptation of God: but true faith is able to please God both in this life, and especially at the day of Judgement.
Secondly, for what were these Elders approued? for their faith: for nothing else. Amongst these Elders Sampson was wonderfull in strength: Salomon in wisedome: Ioshua in courage: Moses in learning: many of them, in the honour and pompe of the world, in beauty, riches, and other externall gifts, and the most of them all in long life: yet not for one or all of these are any of them saide to be regarded of God: but it is plainely said, that for their faith God did approue them. Here then learne what is the thing amongst all things that must make vs acceptable vnto God: euen this, To deny our selues, and to rest vpon the mercy of God in Christ; this wil do it & nothing else. Hast thou strēgth? so had Golias as wel as Sampson: hast thou beauty? so had Absalom as wel or more thē Dauid: hast thou wisdom? so had Achitophel (thogh not like Salomon, yet) aboue ordinary men: hast thou riches? Esau was richer thē Iacob: hast thou liued long? so did Cain; & Ismael as wel as Isaak: hast thou many childrē? so had Ahab as wel as Gedeon: hast thou learning (the glory of nature)? so had the Egyptians as well as Moses: for there Moses learned it. All these thou maist haue, & yet be a vile person in the sight of God: so far from being approued of God, as that he wil not