A09432:1180
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.
When in hearing the word preached, and sins reproved in the congregation, some hearers misapply the same▪ as for example, the minister reproves the sin of swearing, of drunkenness, or any such sin: then some one guilty hereof, doth not only surmise, but also break forth into this speech, Now the preacher means me: he speaks this of me: he censures ⟨p. 411⟩my facts and speeches; hereupon follows spite and malice against the person of the minister, and also rash censuring and condemning of his ministry. They also sin in this kind, that apply the reproofs of sin to the person of others: as when they say, now such a one is touched: there is a good lesson for such a one if he would learn it: yea others go further and say, now the preacher means such a man; now he speaks against such a man: but▪ this also is rash judgement in hearing of the word: they misconceive of the purpose of the minister, for his manner is not when he standeth in the room of God, to rip up the secrets and lives of some particular hearers; but to deliver the will of God concerning such and such sins unto all: it is the power of the word, not the mind of the preacher, that causeth: it to touch thy conscience: and therefore every one ought to apply the word unto his own heart, and not to lay it upon others, or else take it to be spoken of himself for his disgrace: for it is to misapply the word, and to judge amiss of the preacher: and this is a common sin, which is the cause why many men reap so little profit by the word preached as they do. The VIII. practise of rash judgement is, when in towns and cities some persons are wrongfully reputed and taken for witches: this is as common a sin throughout the world as any of the former: one man will say, such a one is a witch, because he in conscience is so persuaded; and yet the ground of this persuasion is nothing but his bare conceit. Another man saith, such a one is a witch, because a wise man or a wise woman hath so reported of him or her: and yet this testimony is but the testimony of the devil, who is a liar, and the father thereof: if he tell truth, it is with purpose to deceive. Again, another is judged to be a witch, because coming to a mans house to borrow something, and being denied thereof, he took it unkindly, and thereupon gave these or such like threatening words;
When in hearing the word preached, and sinnes reprooued in the congregation, some hearers misapply the same as for example, the minister reprooues the sinne of swearing, of drunkennesse, or any such sinne: then some one gultie hereof, doth not onely surmise, but also breake forth intò this speach, Now the preacher meanes me: he speakes this of me: he censures