A09432:1044
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.
The second action of this heavenly wisdom, is to judge, determine,1 and give sentence of things, what is to be done, what is not to be done; what is good, and what is evil in practise and behaviour. And here this one thing must be remembered, that the principal point of this wisdom,2 is to determine of true happiness, whereto the whole life of man ought to be directed: which happiness, is the love and favour of God in Christ. Herein David shows his heavenly wisdom, far different from the wisdom of the world, Psal. 4. 6. Many say, who will show us any good? there is the worldlings happiness; But Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us; there is true happiness: so Paul, coming among the wisest of the Gentiles, professeth, that he esteemed to know nothing but Christ, and him crucified: 1. Cor. 2. 2. for whose excellent knowledge sake, he thought all things to be loss, Phil. 3. 8. And the same should be our wisdom; for though a man had all humane learning and policy, yet if he fail in this, rightly to determine of true happiness, all his wisdom would prove foolishness; for cthe wisdom of this world is foolishness ⟨p. 358⟩with God: and therefore if any man seem to be wise in this world, let him be a fool that he may be wise; that is, a fool to the world, in esteeming the knowledge of Christ crucified only true wisdom; and the favour of God in him, true happiness; that so he may be wise indeed in the sight of God. Another chief part o• this heavenly wisdom, is a spiritual and4 godly providence, whereby we forecast by all means how to compass and come by true happinesse• herein the power of heavenly wisdom is showed. And without this, though otherwise a man discern the right, yet his knowledge and wisdom is imperfect and unprofitable. And thus we see the actions of this heavenly wisdom, whereby we may describe it thus: It is a gift of Gods spirit to them that are in Christ, whereby