A09432:208
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.
The Church of Rome in a manner confound the Law, and the Gospel,1 saving that the Gospel, which is the new Law, revealeth Christ more clearly then Moses Law did, which they call the old Law. But this is a wicked opinion, which overturns all religion, being the cause of many gross points in popery, which could not stand, if they would acknowledge a true distinction between the Law and the Gospel. They say for their defence, that the precepts of both, are the same2 for substance; that both require righteousness, both promise life, and threaten death; both command faith, repentance, and obedience; and therefore they are the same. Answer. First, the laws and precepts of3 4the Law and Gospel are not the same; for Adam in his innocency knew the Law, but he knew nothing then of believing in Christ: and though both require righteousness, promise life, and threaten death, yet the manner is far different, as before was noted: So likewise they differ in the commanding of faith; for the Gospel commandeth faith, not as a work done, as the Law doth; but as an instrument laying hold on Christ. Again, the Law commands faith generally;5 as to believe in God, and to believe his word to be true: but besides this, the Gospel requires a particular faith in Christ the Redeemer, whom the Law never knew. Thirdly, the Law commandeth not6 repentance, for the knowledge of the Law was in Adams heart, when he needed no repentance: true repentance therefore is a saving grace, wrought and commanded only by the Gospel. And fourthly,7 for obedience, though it be commanded both by the Law and the Gospel, yet not in the same manner: The Law commandeth obedience every way perfect, both in parts, and in degrees, and alloweth none other: but the Gospel commandeth, and in Christ approveth imperfect obedience; that is, an endeavour in all things, to obey and please God, if it be without hypocrisy. Again, the Law commandeth obedience, as a work to be done, for the obtaining of salvation: but the Gospel requires obedience, only to testify our faith and thankfulness unto God. The Church of Rome therefore erreth grossly, in con founding the Law and the Gospel, which indeed are far differing; & so we must believe, if we would come into, & hold the right way that leadeth unto life.