A09432:1284
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.
Thus much of the commandment in general. Now out of the words more particularly we may observe two points. First, where Christ bids us Ask, seek, knock, he speaks not particularly to some, but generally to all his servants, so that all must pray; which plainly implies that his best and deerest servants are during this life in want of1 some grace or blessing. And indeed when God gives most excellent gifts and blessings to his children, yet then he leaves them in some notable want or trial for their humiliation and provocation to prayer. Paul was taken up into paradise, and there heard words that cannot possibly 2be uttered by man in this life: this was a great grace and prerogative: but yet to humble him, least he should be exalted out of measure, there was given him a prick in the flesh the messenger of Satan to buffet him: hereby he was brought to pray most earnestly for deliverance, but yet he must rest contented with Gods grace; for God will make perfect his power through the weakness of his servants, v. 8. 9. This point must be observed, to discover to many secure persons their miserable state, who feel no want of grace in themselves, and therefore think all is well. But what meanest thou to profess Christ, if thou have no need of him nor of his graces? oh know it, when thou sayest in thine own heart, thou art rich and lackest nothing; then thou art poor, and 3blind, and miserable, and wretched. And indeed if thou knewest the corruption of thine own heart, thou wouldest cry out with the Apostle, in respect of thy wants; Oh miserable man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death! Rom. 7. 24.
Thus much of the commandement in generall. Now out of the wordes more particularly we may obserue two points. First, where Christ bids vs Aske, seeke, knocke, he speakes not particularly to some, but generally to all his seruants, so that all must pray; which plainely implies that his best and deerest seruants are during this life in want of1 some grace or blessing. And indeede when God giues most excellent gifts and blessings to his children, yet then he leaues them in some notable want or triall for their humiliation and prouocation to prayer. Paul was taken vp into paradise, and there heard words that cannot possibly