A09432:672
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.
Verse 6. But when thou prayest, enter into thy chamber, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy father which is in secret; and thy father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Verse 6. But when thou praiest, enter into thy chamber, and when thou hast shut thy doore, pray to thy father which is in secret; and thy father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Christ having forbidden hypocrisy in prayer, in the former verse,1 doth here command the contrary virtue; namely, sincerity▪ setting down the right manner of prayer to God in that behalf. Now because the words are not to be taken in that sense, which at the first reading they seem to bear; therefore for the better understanding of them, I will here lay down two grounds: 1. That in this place our Saviour Christ doth not forbid public prayer in the congregation, or in public places; for public prayer is Gods ordinance, where two or three (saith 2Christ) be gathered together in my name, there am I in the middle among them: and whatsoever they shall desire, shall be given them of my father. Again, public prayer serves for most worthy uses, for3 which it must be maintained; as first, to make mens prayers unto God more fervent and effectual; as in the common wealth, a private mans supplication is not so much respected, as when a whole incorporation,4