A09376:948
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.
The foundation, whereon she built this her faith, that she ⟨p. 253⟩should have a son, being barren and past age, was not the bare promise of God, so much, as the conceit or opinion she had of him that promised. For, promises are not of value, so much by the things promised, though never so great or excellent (for they may promise much, who can perform nothing: or though they can, yet will recall their word in lightness and inconstancy) as by the worthiness of the party promising. We say in this world, we had rather have some mens word, then other mens bond: and rather have a little promised of some, then much of others. Now, such was the Judgement that Sarah held of him that promis••: namely, GOD: She judged him faithful which had promised.
The foundation, whereon she built this her faith, that she ⟨p. 253⟩should haue a sonne, being barren and past age, was not the bare promise of God, so much, as the conceite or opinion shee had of him that promised. For, promises are not of value, so much by the things promised, though neuer so great or excellent (for they may promise much, who can performe nothing: or though they can, yet wil recall their word in lightnesse and inconstancie) as by the worthinesse of the party promising. We say in this world, we had rather haue some mens word, then other mens bond: and rather haue a little promised of some, then much of others. Now, such was the Iudgement that Sarah helde of him that promis••: namely, GOD: She iudged him faithfull which had promised.
Faithful: that is, she judged him Able & willing to accomplish what-ever he promised to her. So that the Grounds of our faith in God, and all his promises, must be a sure apprehension and knowledge of these two things in God; 1. His ability, to make good what-ever passeth him in word. 2. His carefulness to do it, when he hath said it.