A09432:364
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.
Again, others say, that though every cubit had been but one foot and an half long (as our cubits are) yet having othree lofts, it was of sufficient bigness to contain all kinds of creatures by couples, and provision for them for a years space. But yet put the case that we could not tell, how an Ark should be made great enough, to contain couples of all kinds of creatures, and provision for them; should we thereupon take occasion to condemn the books of God that record the same, and the thing it self? God forbid: nay rather, we must hereby learn to acknowledge and confess our own blindness, and the shallow reach of our understanding, and so admire the wonderful work of God.
Againe, others say, that though euery cubit had beene but one foote and an halfe long (as our cubits are) yet hauing othree lofts, it was of sufficient bignesse to containe all kinds of creatures by couples, and prouision for them for a yeares space. But yet put the case that we could not tell, how an Arke should be made great enough, to containe couples of all kinds of creatures, and prouision for them; should we thereupon take occasion to condemne the bookes of God that record the same, and the thing it selfe? God forbidde: nay rather, we must hereby learne to acknowledge and confesse our owne blindnesse, and the shallow reach of our vnderstanding, and so admire the wonderfull worke of God.
- ov. 16.
The way to cut off this occasion of offence, taken from the Scripture,1 is, first to observe, that (howsoever nothing is more repugnant to our nature then the word of God) yet the same word of God hath more prevailed with many mens hearts, to win the same unto it, then any thing in the world besides could ever do. Humane writings are far more plausible to natural men, then the holy Scriptures of God: for the wisdom of God in Scripture is esteemed foolishness to mans natural reason; and yet who did ever cleave so fast to the writings of men, as Gods children have done to the word of God, for the testimony whereof they have been and are content, to live and die? This thing argueth plainly, that there is in Scripture a divine power, for if it had been from man, and against his nature as it is, man would have contemned it.