A09432:452
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.
Now I come to the reasons, for which Christ forbids these indirect oaths: the sum of them in general is this, because Gods name, which must not be taken in vain, is set in every one of his creatures, even in the least hair of a mans head, (for therein a man may see the wisdom and power of God) therefore we may not swear in our common talk, no not by the least creature that God hath made.
Now I come to the reasons, for which Christ forbids these indirect oaths: the summe of them in generall is this, because Gods name, which must not be taken in vaine, is set in euery one of his creatures, euen in the least haire of a mans head, (for therein a man may see the wisdome and power of God) therefore we may not sweare in our common talke, no not by the least creature that God hath made.
Hence we learn sundry instructions. 1. That it is not lawful to1 2swear by faith, troth, bread, drink, and such like: for faith (to insist in3 one) is a gift of God, which beareth Gods name in it: for the matter of our faith is Christ, so as when we swear by it, we swear by Christ, whose name we may not take in vain, and therefore may not swear at all by any such oaths. Again, God hath set his name on every creature, he hath imprinted in them the signs of his power, wisdom, justice, and mercy: Rom. 1. 20. The invisible things of God are seen by his works: and, Act. 14. 17. Rain from heaven, and fruitful season, were witnesses unto the Gentiles of Gods goodness unto them: which serveth first to condemn the world of great ingratitude: for we have set before our eyes, we daily taste and handle the good creatures of God; yet who beholds in them his wisdom, mercy, and goodness, that thereby he might take occasion to praise his name? for men are like to brute beasts, who use the benefit of the creatures, but yet never think on God the creator; and like unto the swine, who eateth up the mast, but never looketh up to the tree from whence it cometh; yea, some are so shameless, that they deny God by their works, though not in word.