A09432:1040
A godly and learned exposition of Christs Sermon in the Mount
A godly and learned exposition of Christs Sermon in the Mount: preached in Cambridge by that reverend and judicious divine M. William Perkins. Published at the request of his executors by Th. Pierson preacher of Gods word. Whereunto is adjoined a twofold table: one, of special points here handled; the other, of choice places of Scripture here quotedA godly and learned exposition of Christs Sermon in the Mount: preached in Cambridge by that reuerend and iudicious diuine M. William Perkins. Published at the request of his exequutors by Th. Pierson preacher of Gods word. Whereunto is adioyned a twofold table: one, of speciall points here handled; the other, of choise places of Scripture here quoted
Cambridge : Printed by Thomas Brooke and Cantrell Legge, printers to the University of Cambridge, 1608Cambridge : Printed by Thomas Brooke and Cantrell Legge, printers to the Vniuersitie of Cambridge, 1608
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Now the words thus explained, depend upon the former as an answer1 to a secret objection, which the heart of man might frame unto it self, against those two commandments, to this effect. If there be such necessity of laying up treasures in heaven, and of avoiding to lay up ⟨p. 356⟩treasures in earth, then why do not the most wise and learned men of our time do so; they seek more for earthly treasures then for heavenly? Hereto Christ answers thus, as if he had said; marvel not at this, for they want the single eye, the understanding mind to discern of things that differ, they cannot judge aright of the true treasure, and so not knowing the heavenly, they seek the earthly treasure only. Now that we may perceive the words of Christ thus to answer the former objection, we must know that Christ doeth here presuppose thus much; that every mans eye is either single, corrupt, or blind: and the single eye which is a good understanding, befalls not all men, no not all wise and learned men, but them only to whom God in mercy gives it. But the corrupt eye befalls every man naturally. And some by sin put out the light of nature, and so become senseless in spiritual things. And hence it is, that all men naturally wanting the single eye, and having the corrupt eye, yea many having the blind eye, do not discern of the true treasure: and so leave the heavenly and give themselves wholly to the earthly.
Now the words thus explaned, depend vpon the former as an answer1 to a secret obiection, which the heart of man might frame vnto it selfe, against those two commandements, to this effect. If there be such necessitie of laying vp treasures in heauen, and of auoyding to lay vp ⟨p. 356⟩treasures in earth, then why doe not the most wise and learned men of our time doe so; they seeke more for earthly treasures then for heauenly? Hereto Christ answers thus, as if he had saide; maruell not at this, for they want the single eye, the vnderstanding mind to discerne of things that differ, they cannot iudge aright of the true treasure, and so not knowing the heauenly, they seeke the earthly treasure only. Now that we may preceiue the words of Christ thus to answer the former obiection, we must know that Christ doeth here presuppose thus much; that euery mans eye is either single, corrupt, or blind: and the single eye which is a good vnderstanding, befalls not all men, no not all wise and learned men, but them onely to whome God in mercie giues it. But the corrupt eye befalls euery man naturally. And some by sinne put out the light of nature, and so become senselesse in spirituall things. And hence it is, that all men naturally wanting the single eye, and hauing the corrupt eye, yea many hauing the blind eye, doe not discerne of the true treasure: and so leaue the heauenly and giue themselues wholy to the earthly.