A09432:1238
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.
II. Point. Who is to be corrected? out of whose eye is the mote to1 be taken? to wit, a Brother; out of thy brothers eye: By a brother here Christ meaneth not every neighbour, for that is every man; but every one that is a member of that Church, whereof we are members, and professeth the same religion which we do, being admitted into the Church by the same sacrament of baptism, whereby we were admitted. This is plain in the exhortation of Christ, Math. 18. 17. If thy brother sin against thee tell him his fault, between him and thee: and so proceed (if he hear thee not) till he come to the censure of the Church: which were in vain if the party were no member of the Church. If any one that is called a brother (saith S. Paul) be a fornicator, covetous, &c. with such a one eat not, 1. Cor. 5. 11. and he addeth, what have I to do to judge them that are without? do ye not judge them that are within? Now here the former order must be observed; that first a man must correct himself, secondly his family and kindred, next a brother of the same congregation with him. And if good order be observed, he may admonish a brother that is a member of another particular Church; but beyond this we may not go, though we must carry our selves so to them that are without, that by our good conversation we may win them to God. And further this is to be known,2 that in the Church of God, authority and dignity frees no person from brotherly correction; whereupon Paul bids the people of Colossae, to say unto Archippus their Pastor, Take heed to thy ministry, which thou hast received of the Lord, that thou fulfil it, Coloss. 4. 17. And hence we may learn this duty; when we offend in word or deed, we must submit our selves willingly to brotherly correction; we must not say, as one of the Israelites that strove with his brother, said unto Moses for reproving him, who made thee a judge and a ruler over us? but being3 faulty, we must submit our selves to the correction of our brother, ⟨p. 433⟩