A09432:376
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 unlearned also, from this doctrine of Predestination, take occasion of most fearful falling; for thus they reason: If I be predestinate to salvation, I am sure to be saved, let me do what I will; and if I be predestinated to condemnation, I am sure to be condemned, though I live never so godly; for Gods decree changeth not, and therefore I will live as I list. Thus do desperate persons embolden themselves to sin, and to cast away their souls.
The vnlearned also, from this doctrine of Predestination, take occasion of most fearefull falling; for thus they reason: If I be predestinate to saluation, I am sure to be saued, let me doe what I will; and if I bee predestinated to condemnation, I am sure to be condemned, though I liue neuer so godly; for Gods decree changeth not, and therefore I will liue as I list. Thus doe desperate persons imbolden themselues to sinne, and to cast away their soules.
The way to cut off this offence is this; they must remember, that in 1Gods decree, the end, and the means that bring men to that end, go always together: and therefore, that such as are ordained to salvation, are ordained to the means thereof; namely to vocation, justification, & sanctification, Rom. 8. 30. The end and the means in Gods decree must never be severed: Now righteousness and holiness in Christ, is the means whereby God hath decreed to bring men to salvation: and therefore they sin grievously, that upon the immutability of Gods decree, take occasion to live profanely. aHezekias is▪ sick unto death▪ ⟨p. 134⟩yet God promiseth to add unto his days fifteen years: now if Hezekias had consulted with these men, they would have told him thus; be of good cheer O King, neither eat nor drink, nor use any thing to cure thy sore, or to preserve life: for thou shalt certainly live fifteen years; God hath said it, and it must be done: but Hezekias taketh no such course: nay, he useth the means both to cure his sore, and to preserve his life. And so did Paul, for his own and others preservation, keep