A09432:263
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.
Here our Saviour Christ propounds the true interpretation of this Commandment: But I say unto you) that is, whatsoever you have1 heard the Scribes or Pharisees teach you from themselves, or from their fathers, it is nothing, let them not deceive you: for I that am the Lawgiver and Doctor of my Church, and therefore best know the meaning of mine own law, I say otherwise unto you: whosoever is angry with his brother, &c. Here Christ lays down three kinds of murder, and ⟨p. 91⟩three degrees of punishments for the same. The first degree of murder is Anger, not anger simply: but rash and indiser•et anger towards2 a brother: and by Brother, he meaneth, first, one Jew with an other, to3 whom Christ spake; secondly, one neighbour with an other, whether Jew or Gentile: for by creation we are all brethren, having one father which is God, as Adam is called the son of God. Luk. 3. 38. The second4 degree of murder, is calling his brother Raca. Some expound this word Raca, an idle or empty brain: others, an evil man: others take it to signify a loathsome man, one to be spit at, as we by spitting use to show our contempt: but these interpretations cannot so fitly stand: for then the third degree of murder and this second, should be one and the same: for to call a man empty brain, evil, or loathsome, and to call him fool are equal in degree. Now Christs intent is to set down distinct degrees of murder, as is evident by the distinct degrees of punishment adjoined thereunto. A more fit exposition is this, that Raca hath no perfect signification, but is only an interjection of indignation, whereby a man doth not slander or revile his brother, but only in gesture show the contempt and anger of his heart against him; as when in English we say, fie, tush, or such like: which words are not open railings, but only outward signs of the inward anger and contempt concealed in the heart; so that the meaning is this: He that is angry with his brother, and expresseth this his anger either in gesture or countenance, by frowning looks, gnashing of teeth, or by imperfect speech, as tush, fie, pish, or such like, he is guilty of murder. The third degree of murder is, when a man doth show his anger against