A09432:551
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.
VIII. Point. In what manner must Alms be given? Ans. Hereof1 more is to be spoken in the chapter following: yet from this text these things may be observed: First, that Alms-giving must be free; the giver2 must neither look for recompense at the hands of man, nor think to merit any thing thereby at the hands of God. That Popish conceit deprives a man of the true comfort of the spirit in this work of mercy: none but Christ by his obedience could ever merit at Gods hands. Secondly, our hearts in giving must be touched with charity, and the3 bowels of compassion; we must give with cheerfulness: for without love all that we give is nothing, 1. Cor. 13. 3. and the Lord loveth a cheerful giver, 2. Cor. 9. 7. now if we consider the poor as our own flesh, and see Gods image in them, this will move us to pity. Thirdly, in4 the person of the poor we must consider Christ Jesus, and give unto them as we would give unto Christ. This will move us to give, and that cheerfully: for in the day of judgement Christ will make it known that he comes for relief to the rich in the person of the poor: to the merciless he will say, bIn as much as ye did it not to them, ye did it not to me: but to the merciful thus, cIn as much as ye did it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Fourthly, our alms7 must be given as a pledge of our thankfulness unto God for the blessings we enjoy: for all we have cometh from God; dand of his hand it is, whatsoever we give: now he professeth, that when men do good,