A09432:552
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.
Having seen what this duty of Alms-giving is, and how it must be performed; we must now stir up our selves to put the same in practise: and to move us hereunto consider the reasons following. I. We1 all desire to be counted religious; now if we would be such indeed,2 we must visit the fatherless and widows, we must do good, and give alms to the poor: for this is pure religion and undefiled before God, as fJames saith. To come to the Church and hear the word, and to receive the Sacraments are good things, but without mercy to the poor they are not regarded, but hated of God, Isa. 1. 13, 14, 15. II. If a4 ⟨p. 195⟩man should offer unto us a piece of ground to manure and till for our own reaping, we would take it kindly and bestow both pains and seed upon it; behold the poor are sent of God to the rich, as a piece of ground to be tilled, and when they give to the poor, they sow upon the ground: now as Paul saith in this case, glook as a man soweth so shall he reap: we therefore must sow liberally, that we may also reap liberally. III. Prov. 19. 17. He that hath mercy upon the poor, lendeth 6unto the Lord: we would easily be moved to lend, if we had an honest man to be surety unto us, for returning of our own with advantage: well, the Lord offers himself to the rich to be surety for the poor; who then will fear to lend having so good a debtor? IIII.7 If these promises will not move us, let us consider the fearful curses threatened against the merciless and hard hearted: for as he that giveth to the poor shall not lack, so he that hideth his eyes from them shall have many curses,