A09432:1178
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 practise of rash judgement consists in two things: first, the evil1 mind of man prepares matter of wrong judgement: and secondly, gives sentence accordingly of the sayings and doings of men, and likewise of their persons. For the first, the evil mind prepares matter of rash judgement thus; it sets it self to pry and inquire narrowly into the lives and behaviour of men, and to see if it can find any matter in word or action worthy reproof: Indeed there is a virtue whereby one man doth observe another in his ways, but that is directed to a good end; namely, to rectify and reform him in his wants, and to further him when he doth well: but for one man to observe another for this end, to find out matter of defamation and reproach, is a fault directly forbidden by our Saviour Christ in this place. Secondly, when matter is found, the evil mind accordingly gives censure: this censure is given, first, of the persons of men; then of their speeches and actions. Rash2 censure of mens persons, is when a man thinks otherwise of the person of another, then in conscience, and by Gods word he ought to do. Example of this we have in Satan, for when the Lord commended Job for his fidelity, Satan tells the Lord, that Job indeed served3 the Lord, but it was only for his own profit, for (saith he) withdraw thou thin• hand from him, and thou shalt see, whether he will not curse thee to thy face: This then we see is a devilish practise, and ought to be far from every one of us. We must remember what an ancient Divine hath taught heretofore, that there are three things exempted from the judgement and censure of men; the Scriptures, the Counsel of God, and the condemnation of any mans person.
The practise of rash iudgement consists in two things: first, the euill1 minde of man prepares matter of wrong iudgement: and secondly, giues sentence accordingly of the sayings and doings of men, and likewise of their persons. For the first, the euill minde prepares matter of rash iudgement thus; it sets it selfe to prie and inquire narrowly into the liues and behauiour of men, and to see if it can find any matter in word or action worthy reproofe: Indeede there is a vertue wherby one man doth obserue another in his waies, but that is directed to a good ende; namely, to rectifie and reforme him in his wants, and to further him when he doth well: but for one man to obserue another for this ende, to finde out matter of defamation and reproach, is a fault directly forbidden by our Sauiour Christ in this place. Secondly, when matter is found, the euill minde accordingly giues censure: this censure is giuen, first, of the persons of men; then of their speeches and actions. Rash