A09432:427
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.
III. Point. The grievousness of this sin of perjury, which here1 the Lord forbids, appears by these three sins which are contained in it. First, the uttering, or maintaining of a lie. Secondly, the calling on God to be a witness unto a lie; wherein men do, as much as in them lieth, set the devil himself, the father of lies, in the room of God, and so greatly rob him of his honour and majesty. Thirdly, in perjury a man prays for a curse upon himself, wishing God to be a witness of his speech, and a judge to revenge, if he swear falsely; so as herein a man is his own utter enemy, & as much as in him lieth, doth cast both body and soul to hell.
III. Point. The grieuousnesse of this sinne of periurie, which here1 the Lord forbids, appeares by these three sinnes which are contained in it. First, the vttering, or maintaining of a lie. Secondly, the calling on God to be a witnesse vnto a lie; wherein men doe, as much as in them lieth, set the diuell himselfe, the father of lies, in the roome of God, and so greatly robbe him of his honour and maiestie. Thirdly, in periurie a man praies for a curse vpon himselfe, wishing God to bee a witnesse of his speech, and a iudge to reuenge, if he sweare falsly; so as herein a man is his owne vtter enemie, & as much as in him lieth, doth cast both bodie and soule to hell.
- 1Grievousness of perjury.Grieuousnes of periurie.
Quest. Seeing this sin of perjury is so great, whether may such a man be put to his oath, as is certainly thought will perjure himself, if he be put to swear? I answer, men that put others to swear, are either private persons, or public Magistrates: a private man for his own private cause, may not put such a man to his oath; for he should have greater care of Gods glory, and of the other mans soul, then of his private gain: and therefore ought rather to depart from his temporal right, then suffer his brother so to dishonour God, and to hurt his own soul. But if a Magistrate be to put such a man to his oath, as is verily thought will perjure himself, he may lawfully do it; but yet he is first, to advertise the party of the weight of an oath, and of the fearful sin of perjury; and then, if the order of Law and Justice so require, he may minister an oath unto him, leaving the event to God: for the execution of justice must not stay on mans misdemeanour, nor wait, till they make conscience of sin; for if it did, no common wealth could stand, no war could be made: Moses and the Levites executed