A09432:1095
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.
But what must we behold in the fowls of heaven? How they neither 1sow, nor reap, nor carry into barns, &c. that is, they use not the means of provision that man doth, which shows they have not that care which man hath. Man may lawfully be careful to use these means, for God ordaineth them for mans provision: but the fowls of the heaven go not so far to have care of any means. And this privilege of man to the means, doth strongly enforce Christs dissuasion against distrustful care: for the fowls wanting such means are free from that care. Quest. How then are they provided for? Ans. They expect for food at Gods hand: Job 39. 3. The birds cry unto God, wandering for lack of meat. Psal. 104. 21. The lions roaring after their pray, seek their meat at God. Psal. 145. 15. The eyes of all wait upon God, and he giveth them meat in due season. Psal. 147. 9. He giveth to beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. But how can unreasonable creatures cry to God? Ans. They do not use prayer, as man do; but yet they are said to cry to God, and to wait on God, because by a natural instinct given them by creation, they seek for that food which God ordaineth for them, and are contented therewith; so that by these phrases God would teach us, that they depend upon his providence wholly for provision, and rest contented therewith.
But what must we behold in the foules of heauen? How they neither 1sow, nor reape, nor carie into barnes, &c. that is, they vse not the meanes of prouision that man doth, which shews they haue not that care which man hath. Man may lawfully be carefull to vse these meanes, for God ordaineth them for mans prouision: but the fowles of the heauen goe not so farre to haue care of any meanes. And this priuiledge of man to the meanes, doth strongly enforce Christs disswasion against distrustfull care: for the fowles wanting such meanes are free from that care. Quest. How then are they prouided for? Ans. They expect for foode at Gods hand: