A09432:187
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.
Quest. But how can God approve of them, if they be evil? Ans. We must consider good works two ways: First, in themselves, as they are compared with the law, and the rigour thereof, and so they are sins, because they answer not to that perfection, which the law requireth: for there be two degrees of sins; Rebellions, which are actions flatly against the law: and Defects, when a man doth those things that the law commandeth, but yet faileth in the manner of doing, and so are mans very best works sins. Secondly, consider good works, as done by a person regenerate, and reconciled to God in Christ, and so God accepts of them; for in Christ the wants thereof are covered. But here we must take heed of the Romish doctrine,1 which teacheth that good works are so far forth good, that there is no sin in them: their reasons are many to prove this point, but they have been heretofore confuted: First, they say, good works have God for their Author, and therefore are perfectly good? Answ. This were true, if he alone were the author of them; but man is another author thereof, from whom they take their imperfection. They say again, that here they are called good, but if they had any sin in them, they should be called evil; for every sin is perfectly evil? Ans. ⟨p. 65⟩Where sin is unremitted, it is perfectly evil; but when it is pardoned in our Saviour Christ, it is as though it were not. Thirdly, they object, that if good works be sinful, then they must not be done; and hereupon they say, that by our doctrine men are bound to abstain from all good works. Answer. That which is evil must not be done, so far forth as it is evil: now good works are not simply and absolutely evil; they are good in themselves, and in us in part, coming from grace: and therefore they must be done, because God requires them at our hands; and for the imperfection of them, we must pray for pardon in our Saviour Christ. And here by the way, we may justly tax the proud doctrine of the Papists, who teach, that men may be justified by good works; when as the best works of any man, in this life, are tainted with sin, and are far unanswerable2 to that perfection, which the law requireth: we must be of a far other mind; namely, that for our best works, God may justly condemn us; because we have not done them as we ought: