A09432:152
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.
III. Point. The unprofitableness of unfaithful Ministers, expressed in these words; It is thenceforth good for nothing: that is, as unsavoury salt, becoming unfit to season meat, is good for nothing; (for cast it on the ground, it makes it barren; nay, cast it on the dung-hill, and it hurts that also, which otherwise serves for good use:) so it is with Ministers that become unfaithful, they are of all other most noisome both to the Church and commonwealth; for Gods curse is upon them, and they are good for no society. This might be declared by many examples, of such as having fallen to Popery, from our Ministry, have after proved not only deadly enemies to our Church, and to the truth, but the rankest Rebels & Traitors unto our Prince and State, of all others.
III. Point. The vnprofitablenes of vnfaithfull Ministers, expressed in these words; It is thenceforth good for nothing: that is, as vnsauourie salt, becoming vnfit to season meate, is good for nothing; (for cast it on the ground, it makes it barren; nay, cast it on the dung-hill, and it hurts that also, which otherwise serues for good vse:) so it is with Ministers that become vnfaithfull, they are of all other most noysome both to the Church and commonwealth; for Gods curse is vpon them, and they are good for no societie. This might be declared by many examples, of such as hauing fallen to Poperie, from our Ministerie, haue after prooued not only deadly enemies to our Church, and to the truth, but the rankest Rebels & Traitors vnto our Prince and State, of all others.
Question. Whether may such Ministers as become unsavoury salt, by making Apostasy from the truth (as if a protestant Minister become a Mass-priest) be restored again into the Ministry of Gods Church, upon their repentance? Answer. Some be of mind, that they may not be received at all into the Ministry, after such apostasy: but I find nothing in the Scripture, which should hinder their restitution, if their conversion unto God, and to his truth, may appear to be true and unfeigned. It is alleged, that the Priests under the Law, falling to Idolatry, twere for ever debarred from the Priests office? Answer. That was for special cause; for the Priests were types of Christ, and their outward holiness shadowed out the perfect integrity and holiness of our Saviour Christ; for which cause their was none chosen to the Priests office, who had any blemish in his body. Now by such open Idolatry, they disabled themselves from being figures of Christ, & therefore were rejected. Again, we find that inferior officers were not debarred from their office