A09432:182
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.
Secondly, hereby we may see, for our selves, how far we come short in our good works, for commonly we fail in the main end thereof: men spend their days and strength in labour and toil, but all is for themselves, for their own pleasure, their own profit and preferment, without respect to the good of their brethren: now all such actions wherein men seek themselves only, and not Gods glory in the good of others, be sinful in the doer, though otherwise good in them selves. And therefore we must learn, in all our actions, to aim at the glory of God, in the good of men.
Secondly, hereby wee may see, for our selues, how farre wee come short in our good workes, for commonly wee faile in the maine ende thereof: men spend their daies and strength in labour and toile, but all is for themselues, for their owne pleasure, their owne profit and preferment, without respect to the good of their brethren: now all such actions wherein men seeke themselues only, and not Gods glorie in the good of others, be sinnefull in the doer, though otherwise good in thē selues. And therefore we must learne, in all our actions, to aime at the glorie of God, in the good of men.
II. Point. Thus we see what a good work is: now follow the differences1 of good works. Good works be of two sorts: First, those which God in his word hath directly commanded, as parts of his worship;2 such are prayer, thanks-giving, receiving the Sacraments, hearing the word, and relieving the poor; and these are the more principal kinds of good works. The second sort, are actions indifferent, sanctified3 by the word and prayer, and done to Gods glory; as to eat, to drink, and such like; for howsoever in themselves they be neither good nor evil, being things neither commanded, nor forbidden; and therefore in respect of the things themselves, may with good conscience ⟨p. 63⟩