A09432:289
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.
Out of this Rule in general we may observe: first, a Third direction1 to the right expounding and understanding of Gods commandments; namely, where any vice is forbidden, there the contrary virtue is commanded: and on the contrary, where any virtue is ⟨p. 101⟩commanded, there the contrary vice is forbidden. This Rule must be observed as a privilege of the law of God, above all humane laws; for mens laws are satisfied, by abstaining from the vice forbidden, though the contrary virtue be not practised: as he satisfies mans law, forbidding Murder, that abstains from the actual crime, though he love not his brother: But he transgresseth the law of God, that performeth not the contrary virtue, though he abstain from the vice forbidden: for though a man abstain from killing, yet if he do not love his brother, he is guilty of the breach of this sixth commandment; which serves to confute the error of our ignorant people, who because they abstain from Murder, Adultery, and other outward sins, do persuade themselves that they keep the law, and that God will therefore be merciful unto them. But they must know, that though they should abstain from the vices forbidden, yet they stand culpable of Judgement, for want of doing the contrary virtues; for it is not sufficient to abstain from evil, but we must do good, and therefore John Baptist saith, aEvery tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewen down, and cast into the fire: and the sentence of damnation shall be denounced against the Reprobates, for their omission of doing good: bI was an hungry, and ye gave me no meat &c.
Out of this Rule in generall we may obserue: first, a Third direction1 to the right expounding and vnderstanding of Gods commandements; namely, where any vice is forbidden, there the contrarie vertue is commanded: and on the contrarie, where any vertue is ⟨p. 101⟩commaunded, there the contrarie vice is forbidden. This Rule must be obserued as a priuiledge of the law of God, aboue all humane lawes; for mens lawes are satisfied, by abstaining from the vice forbidden, though the contrarie vertue be not practised: as he satisfies mans law, forbidding Murther, that abstaines from the actuall crime, though he loue not his brother: But he transgresseth the law of God, that performeth not the contrarie vertue, though he abstaine from the vice forbidden: for though a man abstaine from killing, yet if he doe not loue his brother, hee is guiltie of the breach of this sixt commandement; which serues to confute the error of our ignorant people, who because they abstaine from Murther, Adulterie, and other outward sinnes, doe perswade themselues that they keepe the law, and that God will therefore be mercifull vnto them. But they must know, that though they should abstaine from the vices forbidden, yet they stand culpable of Iudgement, for want of doing the contrarie vertues; for it is not sufficient to abstaine from euill, but we must doe good, and therefore Iohn Baptist saith,