A09432:671
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.
Considering then that prayer is necessary, notwithstanding all that1 can be said against it, we must learn with special reverence to give our selves unto this duty, both publicly in the assemblies of the ⟨p. 233⟩Saints, and privately in our families, being masters and governors: for no family ought to want this morning and evening sacrifice of prayer and thanksgiving; yea, we must pray by our selves particularly in regard of our particular wants. Indeed the most do thus plead for themselves, that they use to pray often: but the truth is, that the common practise of our people in prayer, is nothing else but lip-labour and a mocking of God: for what be their prayers, but the saying over the ten Commandments and the Creed, which are no prayers: yea, their repetition of the Lords prayer without understanding or devotion, is no prayer with God, when they do it only of custom, and rest in the work done. But here is required an other manner of prayer then this. And to incite us unto it, let us consider the worthy examples of Gods servants herein: Moses prayed for the saving of the Israelites forty days and 2forty nights without meat or drink: David prayed seven times a day! and our Saviour Christ spent whole nights in prayer. Now these examples were written for our learning, to teach us to addict our selves to this holy duty wherein our hearts speak unto God. The want hereof is the cause of the common Atheism that is in the world, of injustice, and cruelty in mens callings, of swearing, pride, & backbiting in mens lives: for if men would often set themselves in the presence of God, by unfeigned invocation, the remembrance thereof would still be before their eyes, and cause them to abstain from all these iniquities: for who being stained with such transgressions durst present himself before the majesty of God, who is a consuming fire against all sin and wickedness, having 3fiery eyes to see their sins, and feet of brass to bruise them in pieces that will not repent.
Considering then that praier is necessarie, notwithstanding all that1