A09432:375
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.
The way to avoid this occasion of offence, is this; First, to grant1 unto God himself so much in this case, as we will yield to mortal man in the like. Among our selves we allow of this liberty one to another, that a man may kill a fly, or a worm; and for his lawful use and pleasure, kill sheep, oxen, and other creatures, and yet be a merciful man: shall we not then allow unto God, that he may glorify his name, in the just and deserved condemnation and destruction of his creature? This is less then we grant to men, for a worm is something unto man; but a man is nothing in respect of God. Again, among our selves, in some things we give liberty one to another to do as we will, and yet think the action just and lawful; much more then ought we to give freedom of will unto God in all his actions, without conceit of cruelty in any one of his works; for all his works are done in equity. Secondly, it must2 be remembered, that we teach not, that God doth simply ordain some men to hell fire: but touching reprobation, our doctrine is this▪ that God hath decreed and purposed to glorify his name, in the due and3 deserved condemnation of some: for in •an• reprobation? God hath two actions: First, he decrees to pass by some men, without showing his eternal mercy unto them, and only to declare his justice upon them; then after he decrees, when they are by themselves fallen into sin, to inflict upon them deserved condemnation for the same.
The way to auoyde this occasion of offence, is this; First, to graunt1 vnto God himselfe so much in this case, as we will yeeld to mortal man in the like. Among our selues we allow of this libertie one to another, that a man may kill a flie, or a worme; and for his lawfull vse and pleasure, kill sheepe, oxen, and other creatures, and yet be a mercifull man: shall we not then allow vnto God, that he may glorifie his name, in the iust and deserued condemnation and destruction of his creature? This is lesse then we grant to men, for a worme is something vnto man; but a man is nothing in respect of God. Againe, among our selues, in some things we giue libertie one to another to doe as we will, and yet thinke the action iust and lawfull; much more then ought we to giue freedom of will vnto God in all his actions, without conceit of crueltie in any one of his workes; for all his workes are done in equitie. Secondly, it must