A09432:1262
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 Uses. 1. Hence we may see what course is to be used of Gods1 ministers in the preaching & dispensing of his holy word; they must first preach & publish the word of God to all men without exception, grace must be offered to all, good and bad; then they must observe what fruit and effect the word hath with them, whether it work reformation of life in them, or not: and though as yet they see not that fruit thereof in them, yet they must not condemn them as dogs; but rather wait and pray for their conversion, to see if at any time God will give them repentance, according as Saint Paul chargeth Timothy, 2. Tim. 2. 25. Thirdly, having waited for▪their conversion, he must labour ⟨p. 442⟩to convince their very conscience of the truth which they in heart and life deny: so as he may say with Paul, If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that perish, 2. Cor. 4. 3. but if after all this, they give evident signs of malicious and obstinate enmity against the word, scorning and railing on the doctrine of God, and on the ministers thereof, then are they to be cast out by the Church, and to be accounted as dogs, and to be barred from the word of life till they repent. This was Christs own practise toward the Jews: at the first he preached unto them the Gospel of the kingdom by John Baptist, in his own person, and by his Disciples, but when as he saw some of them maliciously obstinate, then he propounded his doctrine unto them in parables unto them, that they2 might be hardened in sin: and after expounded the same privately to his Disciples. The Disciples likewise after the ascension of Christ, preached still unto the Jews, even when they were persecuted by them: but at length when as they saw that of obstinate malice they oppugned the truth, putting it from them, and judging themselves unworthy eternal life, then they turned to the Gentiles, Act. 13. 46.
The Vses. 1. Hence wee may see what course is to be vsed of Gods