A09432:1126
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.
vers. 31. Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or wherewith shall we be clothed▪
vers. 31. Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eate? or what shall we drinke? or wherewith shall we be cloathed▪
Here Christ again repeateth his commandment against distrustful care given in the 25. verse. The reasons of his repetition be these: First, to set an edge upon the commandment, that so it may more sharply and deeply enter into their hearts, as we said before. Secondly, to further his disciples in this practise of faith, for by this often repetition he gives them occasion to meditate and think upon the duty the oftener, whereby their faith must needs be much confirmed: for this we must know for our direction to get and strengthen true faith in our hearts, that a man is not a mere patient in the receiving and strengthening of this grace; it comes not from God to us, as visions did to the Prophets in a dream in the night, or as the print of the seal is set into the wax, but God works it in the use of ordinary means. And therefore if we would have faith wrought or increased in us, we must do that which by nature we may do; to wit, hear the word preached, and read, we must meditate therein, and labour so to urge the promises of God upon our own hearts; yea, we must do what we can, to stir up in our hearts a desire to believe, and to strive against doubting and distrust, and therefore must give our selves to prayer with sighs and groans to God, for the working of his spirit in our hearts.
Here Christ againe repeateth his commandement against distrustfull care giuen in the 25. verse. The reasons of his repetition be these: First, to set an edge vpon the commandement, that so it may more sharply and deepely enter into their hearts, as we said before. Secondly, to further his disciples in this practise of faith, for by this often repetition he giues them occasion to meditate and thinke vpon the dutie the oftner, whereby their faith must needes be much confirmed: for this we must know for our direction to get and strengthen true faith in our hearts, that a man is not a meere patient in the receiuing and strengthening of this grace; it comes not from God to vs, as visions did to the Prophets in a dreame in the night, or as the print of the seale is set into the waxe, but God workes it in the vse of ordinarie meanes. And therefore if we would haue faith wrought or increased in vs, we must doe that which by nature we may doe; to wit, heare the word preached, and read, we must meditate therein, and labour so to vrge the promises of God vpon our owne hearts; yea, we must doe what we can, to stirre vp in our hearts a desire to beleeue, and to striue against doubting and distrust, and therefore must giue our selues to praier with sighs and groanes to God, for the working of his spirit in our hearts.