A09432:324
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.
For the occasion: To look upon a woman, is not sin, but may be done lawfully; yea, thereby a man or woman may glorify God, as the Queen of Sheba, by beholding▪ Solomons person, and hearing1 his wisdom, did take occasion to glorify God: but here is meant the abuse of the sight; that is, the idle looking, or curious looking of men2 upon women, or women upon men. Now idle looking, is when one ⟨p. 113⟩looketh without just cause; as when a man looketh with intent to lust: Thus did the sons of God behold the daughters of men: Genesis 6. 2. by whose looking came lust, and for lust came the flood: so Potiphar's wife bfirst, lift up her eyes upon Joseph, and then lusted after him: and Dinah cJacobs daughter went out to see the daughters of the country, and to be seen again, and so when Shechem saw her, he lusted after her, and ravished her: so the Prophet David dliving in peace and security, cast his eye idly and curiously upon 'Bathsheba, as she was washing her self, whereupon he lusted after her, and so committed both Adultery and murder. This idle and curious looking, Saint Peter calleth ean adulterous eye, both because it is the beginner of lust, and the increaser thereof. But this sin is little regarded, and made a small matter with many, who can be content to come with Christian ears into the assemblies, and yet will bring with them idle and curious, yea adulterous eyes: but such persons, which so abuse their sight, to the dishonour of God, must know, that they are adulterers before God: & howsoever they may persuade themselves, that grace enters into their hearts by hearing, yet undoubtedly by their idle and curious eyes, Satan enters into their soul, and keeps out Gods word, whereby the soul should be renewed. We therefore must here be admonished, to take heed how we use the sight of our eyes, especially when we are in the assemblies of the Saints, and holy exercises: and to prevent this evil, it were to be wished, that men and women, would sort themselves, and not be mingled in the congregation, unless it were the husband with his own wife. Again, if the idle and curious eye be the beginning of adultery, then we must learn, with care to govern our eyes, as the servants of God have done. 'David prayed the Lord to