A09432:179
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, I add; that good works must be done in faith: for saith is the cause of every good work, and without faith it is impossible to do any good work. Now, in the doing of a good work, there is a twofold faith required: First, a general faith, whereby a man is persuaded that God requires of him, the doing of that work which he takes in hand: as when a man giveth alms, he must be persuaded it is Gods will he should give alms; and so for other good works: for nwhat soever is not of faith, is sin: that is, whatsoever proceedeth not from this persuasion in the conscience, that it is Gods will that such a thing should be done, or should not be done, is sin; for he that doubteth of the thing he doth, sinneth therein, though the thing done be good in it self. Secondly, herein is required Justifying faith, whereby a man is persuaded in his conscience, of his own reconciliation with God in Christ: of this it is said, Heb. 11. 6. Without faith it is impossible to please God. This Justifying faith hath a double use in the causing of a good work: First, it gives the beginning to a good work; for by justifying faith, Christ with his merits is apprehended, and applied to the person of the worker, and he thereby is united to Christ, who reneweth the mind, will, and affections of the worker, from whence the work proceedeth; and so it is as pure water, coming from a cleansed fountain. Secondly, faith covereth the wants that be in good works, (for the best work done by man in this life, hath it wants:) now faith apprehendeth Christ and his merits, and applieth the same unto the worker, whereby his person is accepted, and the imperfection of his work covered in the sight of God; and this must provoke us to labour for faith.
Thirdly, I adde; that good workes must be done in faith: for saith is the cause of euery good worke, and without faith it is impossible to do any good worke. Now, in the doing of a good worke, there is a twofold faith required: First, a generall faith, whereby a man is perswaded that God requires of him, the doing of that worke which he takes in hand: as when a man giueth almes, hee must be perswaded it is Gods will he should giue almes; and so for other good workes: for nwhat soeuer is not of faith, is sinne: that is, whatsoeuer proceedeth not from this perswasion in the conscience, that it is Gods will that such a thing should be done, or should not be done, is sinne; for he that doubteth of the thing he doth, sinneth therein, though the thing done be good in it selfe. Secondly, herein is required Iustifying faith, whereby a man is perswaded in his conscience, of his owne reconciliation with God in Christ: of this it is said,