A09432:180
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.
Lastly, I add; the end of a good work; namely, Gods glory in mans good. The honour of God, must be the principal end of every good work: now Gods honour stands in reverence, obedience, and thankfulness; so that when we do any good work, we must do it in reverence unto God, in obedience unto his commandments, and in token of our thankfulness unto him, for his manifold mercies. The good of man must herein also be respected; the Apostle saith, oThe Law is fulfilled in one word, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self: how can this be, seeing to love the Lord our God is the great commandment ⟨p. 62⟩of the Law? It must therefore thus be understood: that the law of God must be practised in the love of our neighbour, and not apart by it self. Again, the end of a mans life, and of all his actions, is to serve God, in serving of man, and by serving of man, to serve God; as when we pray (which is a good work) we must not only respect our selves, but pray for others; as for the Church of God, and for our brethren, as well as for our selves: yea, and for our enemies. So we must hear the word, and receive the Sacraments, that thereby we may be better able to further our brethren in the way of salvation: this our Saviour doth here express, saying, (that they may see your good works, and glorify your father in heaven:) as if he should say, Glorify you God, and also cause others to do the same.
Lastly, I adde; the ende of a good worke; namely, Gods glory in mans good. The honour of God, must bee the principall ende of euery good worke: now Gods honour stands in reuerence, obedience, and thankefulnesse; so that when we doe any good worke, we must doe it in reuerence vnto God, in obedience vnto his commandements, and in token of our thankefulnesse vnto him, for his manifold mercies. The good of man must herein also be respected; the Apostle saith, oThe Law is fulfilled in one word, thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe: how can this be, seeing to loue the Lord our God is the great commandement ⟨p. 62⟩of the Law? It must therefore thus be vnderstood: that the lawe of God must be practised in the loue of our neighbour, and not apart by it selfe. Againe, the ende of a mans life, and of all his actions, is to serue God, in seruing of man, and by seruing of man, to serue God; as when we pray (which is a good worke) we must not onely respect our selues, but pray for others; as for the Church of God, and for our brethren, as well as for our selues: yea, and for our enemies. So we must heare the word, and receiue the Sacraments, that thereby we may be better able to further our brethren in the way of saluation: this our Sauiour doth here expresse, saying, (that they may see your good workes, and glorifie your father in heauen:) as if he should say, Glorifie you God, and also cause others to doe the same.