A09432:684
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.
Furthermore, in this clause, Pray unto thy Father which is in secret, that is, an invisible God, is couched a reason to induce men to the obedience of this commandment, to this effect; He to whom thou prayest, i• an invisible God, therefore thou must endeavour to approve the hidden 1man of thy heart unto him. Hence I gather, first, that it is an horrible thing, to make an image to represent the true God, or to worship God in it; for God is invisible. The second commandment condemneth them both, as Moses himself doth so expound it, Deut. 4. 15, 16. Ye saw no Image in the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb, therefore corrupt not your selves by making you a graven image, or representation of any sign. Secondly, that there should be no outward pomp in prayer, either for gesture, or for garments; for prayer is made to an invisible Father. This overthrows the whole worship of the Popish Church, which stands in outward shows of carnal pomp; if there be any pomp, it must be inward, in the graces of the heart, among which, humility is the first ornament. Thirdly, that all places are alike, in respect of Gods2 presence, and of his hearing; for he is a God in secret, wheresoever a man hath occasion to pray, there God is: which confuteth them that make the Church a more holy place for prayer, then other-where, and therefore reserve all their prayers till they come thither; for now difference of place, in respect of Gods presence, is taken away: God is as well in the field, and in the private house, as in the Church: and yet Churches are ordained and used in a godly policy, because a congregation may more conveniently there meet, to their mutual edification, in the public exercise of the word and prayer; otherwise private houses were as good places for Gods worship, as Churches, if they were so decent, and convenient for edification: for in all places men may lift up pure hands unto God, as the Apostle ateacheth.
Furthermore, in this clause, Pray vnto thy Father which is in secret, that is, an inuisible God, is couched a reason to induce men to the obedience of this commandement, to this effect; He to whom thou praiest, i an inuisible God, therefore thou must endeauour to approoue the hidden