A09376:889
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.
It appears therefore, that God, as he ordained holy marriage; so he always honoured it, both with his grace on earth, and his glory in heaven; as well, if not better, than any other state of life. They therefore do spit in the face of God himself, who any way disgrace it; and they especially, who allow fornication, or adultery, in any sort of men, rather than it, as some Papists do. But here we may observe further, how God maintains the dignity & decorum ⟨p. 238⟩of it: he placeth Abraham and Sarah together, and puts none betwixt them, to show the inseparable unity, that is to be betwixt them; so far, as that eve• in story, they are to be set together: and how heinous their presumption is, that dar• any way attempt to separate or part that unity.
It appears therefore, that God, as he ordained holy mariage; so he alwaies honored it, both with his grace on earth, and his glory in heauen; as well, if not better, than any other state of life. They therefore doe spit in the face of God himselfe, who any way disgrace it; and they especially, who allow fornication, or adulterie, in any sort of men, rather than it, as some Papists doe. But here wee may obserue further, how God maintaines the dignity & decorum ⟨p. 238⟩of it: he placeth Abraham and Sarah together, and puts none betwixt them, to shewe the inseparable vnitie, that is to be betwixt them; so farre, as that eue• in storie, they are to be set together: and how hainous their presumption is, that dar• any way attempt to separate or part that vnitie.
He placeth Abraham first, to show the dignity and preeminence of the man, whom, for her sin, God hath set over her; not only for her head, but for her guide & governor: and to teach the man, that he, and his example should be first, and should be a light unto her; to shame them who come behind their wives in faith and holiness. He placeth Abraham both afore and after her, and her in the midst; to teach her, that her glory and honour, every way, is in the virtue and worthiness of her husband; her head under God: who is to go before her, to give her good example and to come after, to oversee her courses; and on all sides, to be a shelter and defence unto her.