A09432:209
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.
Now whereas Christ saith, Think not that I came to destroy the Law; by Law he meaneth principally the Moral law, and in the second place, the Ceremonial law also: Next observe the opposition that Christ maketh between the Law and the Prophets; thereby signifying unto us, that by the Law, he meaneth that part of Gods word, concerning Righteousness, and Justice, which Moses penned by Gods commandment: and by the Prophets, he meaneth that part of Gods word, which is contained in the writings of all the Prophets in the old Testament, after Moses; which books of the Prophets, contained in them either an interpretation of Moses Law, or predictions of the state of the Church in the new Testament. Again, by destroying the Law, we must not understand a breach of the Law, such as is made by mans sin; but such a dissolution, as taketh from it all virtue and power, whereby it is a Law: and so to destroy the Prophets, is to put an end unto them, so as they should nothing avail, either to the interpretation of the Law, or to the foretelling of the state of Gods Church under the Gospel.1 But to fulfil them. Christ fulfilleth the Law three ways; by his doctrine, in his person, and in men. By his doctrine he fulfilleth the Law2 two ways; both by restoring unto it his proper meaning and true use, as we shall see afterward, where he correcteth the corrupt interpretations thereof, by the Pharisees; as also, by revealing the right way, whereby the Law may be fulfilled. Secondly, in his person he fulfilleth the Law3 two ways; First, by becoming accursed to the Law, in suffering death upon the cross for us. Secondly, by performing perfect obedience unto the Law, doing all that the Law required, for the love of God, or of his neighbour; in which respect he was said, dto have been under the Law. Thirdly, Christ fulfilled the Law in men; Men be of two sorts, Elect, and Reprobates: In the Elect he fulfilleth the Law two ways; First, by creating faith in their hearts, whereby they lay hold on Christ, who for them fulfilled it: Secondly, by giving them his own spirit, which maketh them endeavour to fulfil the Law; which in Christ is accepted for perfect obedience in this life, and in the life to come is perfect indeed. In unbelievers Christ fulfilleth the Law, when he executeth the curse of the Law upon them;