A09432:184
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.
Upon this difference of good works, observe the largeness thereof, how far they extend. There be three estates ordained of God, the Church, the Common wealth, and the Family; and for the preservation of them, there be sundry callings required; some whereof, are prescribed of God, and others left to be appointed by men; as all trades, and such like: now not only the callings appointed by God, and the duties thereof, are good works; but even all inferior callings, appointed by men, for the good of these three estates; and the duties thereof, be they never so base, if they be sanctified by prayer, and done to Gods glory, are good works. Example. A man is called to be a shepherd, and doth willingly accept thereof; now, though the calling be but base and mean, yet the works thereof being done in obedience to God, for the good of his Master, are good works; yea, as good in their kind, as the best works of the highest callings: and the same may be said of all lawful callings, and the works thereof, be they never so base; for God judgeth not the goodness of the work, by the excellency of the matter whereabout it is occupied, but by the heart of the doer. This point must be learned, for the Papists conceit doth stick fast in mens hearts, That there are no good works, but the building of Churches, and Hospitals, the mending of high ways, giving of large alms, &c. but we must learn, that every action of a mans lawful calling, done in obedience to God, for the good of men, is a good work before God: and therefore we must so walk every one of us in our callings, that the duties thereof may be acceptable to God. Again, this will hence follow, that in these our days, we may as well abound in such works as be good indeed, as the Papists did in their superstitious. Thus much of the differences of good works.
Vpon this difference of good workes, obserue the largenesse thereof, how farre they extend. There be three estates ordained of God, the Church, the Common wealth, and the Familie; and for the preseruation of them, there be sundrie callings required; some whereof, are prescribed of God, and others left to bee appointed by men; as all trades, and such like: now not onely the callings appointed by God, and the duties thereof, are good workes; but euen all inferiour callings, appointed by men, for the good of these three estates; and the duties thereof, bee they neuer so base, if they bee sanctified by praier, and done to Gods glorie, are good works. Example. A man is called to be a shepheard, and doth willingly accept thereof; now, though the calling be but base and meane, yet the workes thereof beeing done in obedience to God, for the good of his Master, are good workes; yea, as good in their kind, as the best workes of the highest callings: and the same may be said of all lawfull callings, and the workes thereof, bee they neuer so base; for God iudgeth not the goodnesse of the worke, by the excellencie of the matter whereabout it is occupied, but by the heart of the doer. This point must be learned, for the Papists conceit doth sticke fast in mens hearts, That there are no good workes, but the building of Churches, and Hospitals, the mending of high waies, giuing of large almes, &c. but we must learne, that euery action of a mans lawfull calling, done in obedience to God, for the good of men, is a good worke before God: and therefore we must so walke euery one of vs in our callings, that the duties thereof may be acceptable to God. Againe, this will hence follow, that in these our daies, we may as wel abound in such works as be good indeed, as the Papists did in their superstitious. Thus much of the differences of good workes.