A09432:117
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.
In the 11. verse therefore Christ sets down three things, all pertaining to the true exposition of this Rule: First, he explains more particularly1 the parties that be blessed, saying to his Disciples, Blessed are ye. In the beginning of the Chapter, we heard, that he cast his eyes upon them, and spake unto them; and now here he doth the like again: & therefore this Rule must not be understood of all men in the world that suffer, but of all Christs true Disciples; and generally it is not true, for the heathen and infidels do often suffer for good causes, and yet remain infidels, without the true God, and so are not blessed. Again, a Christian professor may give up his life in a good cause, yet not of love to God or his truth, but upon ambition; and so not be blessed: for athough I give my body to be burned, yet wanting love, it▪ profiteth me nothing. Secondly, Christ expoundeth particularly, what he meaneth3 by persecution, naming three parts thereof: first, slandering and reviling, which is the persecution of the tongue: Thus the Jews persecuted the Apostles, saying, bthey were drunk, or full of sweet wine: Thus Festus persecuted Paul, making him cmad, or beside himself. Secondly persecution, meaning hereby (as the word doth properly signify) first, pursuit, such as one enemy maketh after another, when he seeks to spoil him of his goods, or of his life: secondly, the bringing a man unto the Bar, and there of malice to accuse and arraign him: thirdly, evil speaking with lying▪ when as men of purpose be without cause maliciously carried thereunto, as when the Jews called Christ a dSamaritan, that had a devil: and said that ehe cast out devils by Beelzebub ⟨p. 41⟩