A09432:1145
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 Exposition. There be two things here enjoined us to seek▪ Gods kingdom, and righteousness: and of both these Christ saith, First seek, that is, before all, and above all worldly things, let your principal1 care and endeavour be, to procure these unto your selves. By kingdom of God is here meant, a state and condition of man in this life, whereby in Christ he enjoys the favour of God, and hath right to everlasting life. This very estate of man is in Scripture called the kingdom of God, and the kingdom of heaven, because whosoever is in this estate, hath sure right and interest to Gods glory in heaven, and God here rules in him, as a king ruleth in his kingdom. The kingdom of God is only one, and2 yet it hath two degrees; the first in grace, and the second in glory. The kingdom of grace, is that spiritual regiment which God exerciseth in man, or in his Church, by his word and spirit in this life; and it is the first step or entrance into Gods heavenly kingdom. The kingdom of glory, is the full fruition of immediate fellowship with the blessed Trinity, by means of Jesus Christ in the highest heavens, after this life. Now both these degrees are here understood by the kingdom of God. The second thing to be thus sought for, is his righteousness, that is, the righteousness of God, and not as some translate it, the righteousness thereof, that is, of Gods kingdom; for the words will not bear that translation. And the seeking of Gods righteousness is here added for ⟨p. 395⟩special cause; to let us see by way of explication, when we have obtained for our selves the kingdom of God: for Gods kingdom stands in righteousness, and then doth God rule in man, when he makes him3 partaker of his righteousness. Now by righteousness of God▪ we must here understand, the obedience which Christ our mediator performed for us, in fulfilling the law, and in his sufferings. This is the very ground-work and foundation of Gods kingdom among men: hereof Paul speaketh oft, Rom. 1. 17. For by it, that is, the Gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith and