A09432:1154
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 use. First, by this promise of Christ we have the most excellent1 direction of him that is wisdom it self, how to order our selves in seeking for all temporal blessings needful to this life; namely, we must first seek Gods kingdom and his righteousness, in the performance of those duties that may bring us thereunto; and then all these needful things for this life, as food and raiment, shall be cast unto us, in the sober use of ordinary means. The reason hereof is plain, for Gods kingdom is mans chief good and happiness, and all temporal blessings depend thereupon as appurtenances to the principal, as it were entailed thereon; and therefore he that would have these dependants, must get unto himself the kingdom of God, which is the principal. While the ark of the covenant was in Obed Edoms house, God blessed him and all that he had, 2. Sam. 6. 11. How much more then shall God bless them, that receive his holy spirit to rule in their heart by grace? for as David s•ith, the godly man shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water: and whatsoever he doth shall prosper. By the blessing of God we have had his kingdom among us for many years in this nation, and God hath given us with it, peace, & protection, with great abundance of temporal blessings: Indeed God hath sundry ways corrected us, and laid his heavy hand upon us in sundry judgements, as plague, famine, &c. and often shaken his rod at us in the hand of our enemies, and all because we have not received the word of his kingdom, nor yielded obedience to it as we ought; yea, and we may fear the fullness of his ⟨p. 400⟩wrath, unless we repent and amend of this sin especially. But if we would set our selves to seek this kingdom, we needed not to fear the want of any needful blessing; for so God promised to his people, to give them abundance of all things, if they would obey his commandments, which are the laws and statutes of his kingdom: Deut. 21. 1, 2. &c.
The vse. First, by this promise of Christ we haue the most excellent1