A09432:331
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.
Yet this doctrine was never received of all, but some have still excepted against it, and their principal reasons are two: 1. They say, lust1 is a natural inclination, desire, and appetite, which was in Adam before his fall, and so cannot be a sin? Ans. Lust or appetite in the heart, is not simply a sin; for so it is a natural desire, which was in our first parents in their integrity: but to lust after that which God forbiddeth, that is the sin; as for a man to lust after a woman, or a woman after a man, not being man and wife, which we see here Christ condemneth. 2. They say, God blesseth adulterers and fornicators in their lust, with the issue of seed in child-bearing, as well as man and wife, in lawful marriage; and therefore it cannot be a sin? Ans. In adultery two things may be considered; the unlawful lust of the heart, and the act of generation: now when God gives issue to adulterers and fornicators, it is no approbation of their sinful lust, but only a common blessing of natural generation, which is his own ordinance by creation: for howsoever God approves not of our sin, yet he preserves nature in sinful works. And thus we see that lust is a sin.
Yet this doctrine was neuer receiued of all, but some haue still excepted against it, and their principall reasons are two: 1. They say, lust1 is a naturall inclination, desire, and appetite, which was in Adam before his fall, and so cannot be a sinne? Ans. Lust or appetite in the heart, is not simply a sinne; for so it is a naturall desire, which was in our first parents in their integritie: but to lust after that which God forbiddeth, that is the sinne; as for a man to lust after a woman, or a woman after a man, not beeing man and wife, which we see here Christ condemneth. 2. They say, God blesseth adulterers and fornicators in their lust, with the issue of seed in child-bearing, as well as man and wife, in lawful mariage; and therefore it cannot be a sinne? Ans. In adulterie two things may be considered; the vnlawfull lust of the heart, and the acte of generation: now when God giues issue to adulterers and fornicators, it is no approbation of their sinnefull lust, but onely a common blessing of naturall generation, which is his owne ordinance by creation: for howsoeuer God approoues not of our sinne, yet he preserues nature in sinfull workes. And thus we see that lust is a sinne.