A09432:633
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.
The second branch of circumspection in Alms giving here commanded,1 respects the end thereof: We must not give Alms to be seen of men, that is, to get praise and fame among men. This caveat Christ gives for weighty cause: for the corruption of mans nature through the instigation of the devil, causeth every one almost to do all good works for wrong ends: why do many men toil themselves so much in their ordinary callings? is it not partly for honour, partly for pleasure, partly for profit? and do not the most men propound this end to themselves herein, to maintain their families? But though this be a good and commendable thing, yet neither that, nor the rest are the right ends for which man should labour and travel: the right end of all, is the glory of God in mans good, or the good of man in Gods glory; now when our good works proceed from an humble heart, which sincerely intends the glory of God in mans good, then is the work pleasing unto God. Other ends or beginnings do profane mens labours: and therefore Christ giveth this caveat, to look both to the beginning, and the end of our Alms deeds.
The second branch of circumspection in Almes giuing here commanded,1 respects the ende thereof: We must not giue Almes to be seene of men, that is, to get praise and fame among men. This caueat Christ giues for waightie cause: for the corruption of mans nature through the instigation of the deuill, causeth euery one almost to doe all good works for wrong endes: why doe many men toyle themselues so much in their ordinarie callings? is it not partly for honour, partly for pleasure, partly for profit? and doe not the most men propound this ende to themselues herein, to maintaine their families? But though this be a good and commendable thing, yet neither that, nor the rest are the right ends for which man should labour and trauell: the right ende of all, is the glorie of God in mans good, or the good of man in Gods glorie; now when our good workes proceede from an humble heart, which syncerely intends the glorie of God in mans good, then is the worke pleasing vnto God. Other endes or beginnings doe prophane mens labours: and therefore Christ giueth this caueat, to looke both to the beginning, and the ende of our Almes deedes.
- 1