A09432:513
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, Christ here condemneth their opinion, that make it a matter of praise for a man that he will not turn his face from any man. It is indeed the praise of the Magistrate to be courageous, and not to fear the face of man. But yet a private man, be he never so strong, ought to turn his face from the adversary, unless it be in the case of his necessary defence: for a man must suffer double or treble wrong, rather then defend himself. If any shall think this to be a great disgrace, still he must remember, that our chiefest honour consisteth ⟨p. 182⟩in approving our selves unto God, by obeying his will, who here commandeth us rather to turn our backs and fly, then to resist in our own revenge.
Thirdly, Christ here condemneth their opinion, that make it a matter of praise for a man that he will not turne his face from any man. It is indeede the praise of the Magistrate to be couragious, and not to feare the face of man. But yet a priuate man, be he neuer so strong, ought to turne his face from the aduersarie, vnlesse it be in the case of his necessarie defence: for a man must suffer double or treble wrong, rather then defend himselfe. If any shall thinke this to be a great disgrace, still he must remember, that our chiefest honour consisteth ⟨p. 182⟩in approouing our selues vnto God, by obeying his wil, who here commandeth vs rather to turne our backs and flie, then to resist in our own reuenge.
Question. But what if a man be assaulted, either on the high way, or1 in his house, may he not then resist to save his life, and his goods? Answer. In such a case he may do two things: First, he may to the uttermost of his power, defend himself and his goods; for this Text speaketh not against defence, but against revenge. Secondly, if a man can see no way to escape, either by flight, or calling for help of the Magistrate, then he is to stand so far in his own defence, that he is rather to kill then be killed; for in this case, God puts the sword into a private mans hand, and makes him a Magistrate, to execute revenge upon his adversary: and thus might a man lawfully kill a thief in the night without the guilt of blood,