A09432:1250
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.
Thirdly, whereas the word is unto us the voice of God, & the means1 of sanctification; we may learn that in the congregation of Gods people ordinarily, the pure word of God alone ought to be heard, without the mixture of the words of men, be they never so holy: for it is not said of the words of any man, that they are that holy thing. The Lord himself alone had the appointment of the making of the holy oil, which was2 to anoint the Kings and Priests under the law: neither might any man ⟨p. 437⟩add any thing thereto, though it were never so pure and good, nor3 make any oil like unto it: so likewise the trumpets that served for the Tabernacle to assemble the people, the Lord himself alone had the appointment of them; and none might use any other, though it were made of most pure gold. Had the Lord this care over his Sanctuary under the law, to take the appointment of these things to himself alone? and shall we think that the trumpet of his holy word, which now by his appointment soundeth in the congregation of the Saints, may admit a mixture with the words of men, humane, or divine, be they never so holy? The ancient Church was far from this mixture: and therefore aforbade the public reading of the Apocrypha, which yet are more excellent books then the writings of men published since the Apostles. But it is said, that they only find fault with this kind of preaching which cannot attain unto it. I answer, it is no point of the greatest learning to use the sayings of Fathers and Poets in preaching: and they which use it not, refrain therefrom, not because they cannot do it, but because they dare not mingle the sayings of men with the word of God, which is that holy thing, serving in stead of Gods own glorious voice in all matters that concern our faith and obedience; and being the only sufficient instrument of our sanctification: and therefore it were to be wished, that in the congregations of the Saints, the pure word of God might sound alone unto Gods people; that as they are begotten alone of this immortal seed, so they might be fed alone with this sincere milk.