A09432:149
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.
And such are those at this day, who have smooth tongues, in respect of sin, and yet are full of bitter invectives against the better sort. By this means the word of God looseth his acrimony and sharpness, whereby the wicked should be awaked out of their slumber of security, and the godly further seasoned, and made more acceptable unto God. Fourthly, they are unsavoury salt, who1 though they teach the truth, and generally apply it well, do yet lead ungodly and scandalous lives: for an offensive and unsavoury conversation in the Teacher, doth hinder the seasoning virtue of the word of his Ministry in the hearts of the people; and his doctrine cannot so much edify, as his course of life destroyeth, because natural men regard not so much what is said, as what is done. This being so, all Gods Ministers, and those also that destinate themselves to this calling, must ⟨p. 51⟩have special care, so to be qualified for this work, and so to preach the word of God, that it may be savoury in the hearts and consciences of them that hear it. This is a matter of great importance, as well in respect of the Minister, as of the people; and thus shall it appear, that they are not only no unsavoury salt, but even such as do season others.
And such are those at this day, who haue sinooth tongues, in respect of sinne, and yet are full of bitter inuectiues against the better sort. By this meanes the word of God looseth his acrimonie and sharpnesse, whereby the wicked should be awaked out of their slumber of securitie, and the godly further seasoned, and made more acceptable vnto God. Fourthly, they are vnsauourie salt, who1 though they teach the truth, and generally applie it well, doe yet lead vngodly and scandalous liues: for an offensiue and vnsauourie conuersation in the Teacher, doth hinder the seasoning vertue of the word of his Ministerie in the hearts of the people; and his doctrine cannot so much edifie, as his course of life destroyeth, because naturall men regard not so much what is said, as what is done. This beeing so, all Gods Ministers, and those also that destinate themselues to this calling, must ⟨p. 51⟩haue speciall care, so to bee qualified for this worke, and so to preach the word of God, that it may be sauourie in the hearts and consciences of them that heare it. This is a matter of great importance, as well in respect of the Minister, as of the people; and thus shall it appeare, that they are not onely no vnsauourie salt, but euen such as doe season others.