A09432:70
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.
First, this sentence must be remembered, as a storehouse of true comfort1 in all grievous temptations, but especially, against these three; the want of faith, the smallness of sanctification, and despair. For the first, many in Gods Church have a true care to please God in all things, and to live in no sin against their conscience; and yet they find in themselves much distrust and despair of Gods mercy, they feel more doubting then faith: whereupon they are brought to doubt of their election, and state of grace before God. Now how may such be relieved, and be well persuaded of their good estate? Answer. The way is laid down by our Saviour Christ in this Rule; Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness. For here he teacheth, that those are blessed, who are displeased with their own doubting and unbelief, if they have a true earnest desire to be purged from this distrust, and to believe in God through Christ. Indeed this desire of faith, and to believe, is not true faith in nature, but in Gods acceptance; for God respects them for this true desire, as if they had faith. And they are blessed, because they shall have plenty of faith, and assurance of grace and favour with God in Christ: for it is mercy and grace with God, to hunger after grace and mercy, when the heart feels the want thereof: But yet such persons must be admonished, that they show the truth of this desire, by a constant endeavouring in the means which God hath sanctified for the obtaining of a true and lively faith in Christ▪ wherewith they may be satisfied.
First, this sentence must be remembred, as a storehouse of true comfort1 in all grieuous temptations, but especially, against these three; the want of faith, the smallnesse of sanctification, and despaire. For the first, many in Gods Church haue a true care to please God in all things, and to liue in no sinne against their conscience; and yet they finde in themselues much distrust and despaire of Gods mercie, they feele more doubting then faith: whereupon they are brought to doubt of their election, and state of grace before God. Now how may such bee releeued, and be well perswaded of their good estate? Answer. The way is laid downe by our Sauiour Christ in this Rule; Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse. For here he teacheth, that those are blessed, who are displeased with their own doubting and vnbeleefe, if they haue a true earnest desire to be purged from this distrust, and to beleeue in God through Christ. Indeede this desire of faith, and to beleeue, is not true faith in nature, but in Gods acceptance; for God respects them for this true desire, as if they had faith. And they are blessed, because they shall haue plentie of faith, and assurance of grace and fauour with God in Christ: for it is mercie and grace with God, to hunger after grace and mercie, when the heart feeles the want thereof: But yet such persons must be admonished, that they shew the truth of this desire, by a constant endeauouring in the meanes which God hath sanctified for the obtaining of a true and liuely faith in Christ wherewith they may be satisfied.