A09432:506
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.
Thirdly, our Saviour Christ here calling the wrong doer an evil 1one, giveth us to understand, that it is the property of an evil man to do wrong unto others; and this title is given to the wrong doer, to teach us, that we must suffer wrong patiently, though he be an evil man that offereth it unto us. It is the property of a good man to do good continually, but to do wrong is the mark of an evil man, who herein is like the devil: which must teach us, not to do wrong to any one, in his body; goods, or name, either by word or deed; but rather apply our selves to do all the good we can, to every one within the compass of our calling. Hereby we shall see what our estate is, for if in our callings we set our selves to hurt others, either by word or deed, we are in the sight of God evil men: such are our usurers, and extortioners, and all those that use fraud and deceit in their callings. But if we would show our selves to be ⟨p. 179⟩good men, approved of God in Christ, then we must refer our bodies and souls, and all that we have, to the good of others. Although men by nature be like to psavage beasts, as Lyons, Wolves, Cock •trices, &c. whose property is, to devour and hurt other creatures; yet when it pleaseth God to receive them to mercy, and to place them in his kingdom, then they lay aside their cruel nature, and live peaceably one with another; for in all the Mountain of Gods holiness, none shall hurt or destroy, verse 9. It is a prophecy of Christs kingdom, that therein the sword and spear, which are weapons of war, shall be turned into scythes and mattocks, which are instruments of common good in time of peace; whereby was signified, that when men are converted, and become true children unto God, they lay aside all malice, and give themselves to do good, and become serviceable unto all for the good of all. This was notably verified in Paul, who of a qpersecutor became a preacher: yea, rhe became all things to all men, that by all means he might win some. And thus doing, we are like to our heavenly father, who doth good to all; but if we give our selves to wrong doing, we are evil ones, and herein like to the devil himself.