A09432:641
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.
Now as Christ lays this sin upon the Scribes and Pharisees, so1 ought every one of us to lay it on ourselves, considering our selves as we are by nature out of Christ; for so we make not God, but men the Judges and approvers of our actions: this will hereby appear evidently, for when we do a good thing, and yet thereby incur the dispraise of men, are we not more grieved thereat, then when by sin we offend God himself? which could not be, but that our hearts do more respect the censure of men, then of the Lord. And to clear this point yet further; consider this, that the root of hypocrisy and of Atheism is in our nature, whereby naturally we do these three things, we Love, fear, and trust in men more then in God, and therefore do make men the Judges of our actions. 1. for ⟨p. 223⟩Love, are we not grieved when we our selves or our friends are dishonoured, and on the contrary, when we our selves or our friends are praised, are we not glad and rejoice? but when God is dishonoured, who is grieved? or whose heart doth leap for joy, when God is glorified? which argues plainly that our affection of love is more inclined towards our selves and to our friends then unto God. 2. for fear; are not most men more afraid when they offend a mortal man like themselves, then when they offend the everliving God? 3. for trust and confidence in the time of affliction, most men are more comforted if some friend promise them help, then they are by all the promises of God himself in his word. But men will say, that they love and fear, and trust in God above all: This indeed is the ordinary profession of ignorant people; but the truth is, that by nature we refuse God to be our judge and our approver, and appeal unto men: and therefore we must labour to see and feel and to bewail this hypocrisy, and to be endued with the contrary grace whereby we may simply and sincerely seek to be approved of God in all our actions.
Now as Christ laies this sinne vpon the Scribes and Pharises, so1 ought euery one of vs to lay it on ourselues, considering our selues as we are by nature out of Christ; for so we make not God, but men the Iudges and approouers of our actions: this will hereby appeare euidently, for when we doe a good thing, and yet thereby incurre the dispraise of men, are we not more grieued thereat, then when by sinne we offend God himselfe? which could not be, but that our hearts doe more respect the censure of men, then of the Lord. And to cleare this point yet further; consider this, that the roote of hypocrisie and of Atheisme is in our nature, whereby naturally wee doe these three things, wee Loue, feare, and trust in men more then in God, and therefore doe make men the Iudges of our actions. 1. for