A09432:571
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.
For the first, Love your enemies. In this Rule two things must be known: I. what is an enemy: II. what it is to love our enemy: both these are evident in the words following, wherein Christ expounds this rule, Bless them that curse you, &c. An enemy then, is any one that of1 hatred doth wrong unto his neighbour, either in word by cursing or evil speaking; or deed, by striking and persecuting him. But what is2 it to love our enemy? Love properly is an affection of the heart, whereby one is well pleased with an other. But here more generally, love comprehendeth these two things▪ first, to be lovingly affected in heart towards an enemy; secondly, to use an enemy lovingly in speech and action: so it is taken, 1▪ Joh. 3. 18. Love not in word and ⟨p. 202⟩tongue only▪ but in deed and truth. And Rom. 10. 1•. Love is the fulfilling of the Law. For the first, love in the heart comprehendeth all good affections that one man beareth to another; a• mercy, compassion▪ meekness, and desire to do unto them what good we can; as it is more plainly expressed, Luk. 6. 36. Be ye therefore merciful▪ as your heavenly father is merciful. And for the second▪ that kind usage which love expresseth in word and deed, is here set out unto us in three branches▪ First, bless them that curse you▪ where is commanded all good speech, both unto our enemy, and of our enemy. The second, Do good to them that hate you: where is prescribed all loving usage in action, by affording them help, relief, and comfort, any way we can. The third, Pray for them that persecute you: that is, for their good estate in this life, so far forth as it serveth for Gods glory, and for their conversion and salvation in the world to come.