A09432:779
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.
Secondly, we must bewail the sins of all the world, in the transgression1 of Gods law, whereby God is dishonoured, and his kingdom hindered, and the kingdom of darkness furthered: 2. Pet. 2. 7, 8. Just Lot vexed his righteous soul with the unclean conversation of the wicked of his time. 1. King. 19. 10. When Elijah saw the children of Israel forsake Gods covenant, break down his altars, and slay his Prophets with the sword, then he became very zealous for the Lord of hosts. Psal. 119. 136. Mine eyes (saith David) gush out with rivers of water, because they keep not thy Law. Vers. 139. My zeal hath even consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy law. Mark. 3. 5. Christ mourned for the hardness of the hearts of the people. and Luke 19. 41, 42. He wept over Jerusalem, for that they knew not the day of their visitation. Now look how these were affected with the reigning sins of their times, so must we also mourn for their sins that reign among us; as Atheism, and profaneness, contempt of Gods word, blasphemy, sabaoth breaking, oppression, cruelty, and pride: all good subjects are grieved much when they see foreign enemies display among them ⟨p. 271⟩banners of victory; how much more then ought the godly to grieve, when they see impiety practised with an high hand, which is as it were a flag of defiance in the kingdom of Christ, and a special ensign of Satan's triumphing in the increase of his kingdom of darkness? When the devil sees one that hath lived in sin, but cast a look toward the kingdom of Christ, he rageth greatly, and labours by all means to turn him back: and when we see those that have made profession of religion, return again to the lusts of their former ignorance, O it should grieve our souls, and cause us to pray, thy kingdom come. Do we perceive the Turk, or Pope, or any instrument of Satan, either by subtlety or tyranny, to hinder the Gospel preached, which is the sceptre of Christs kingdom, and the aim of God, whereby he pulls men from the kingdom of darkness? O then we should mourn! Or do we see the want of Gods ordinance in preaching, sacraments, and discipline, which serve for the furtherance of Christs kingdom; or the Lords people committed to ignorant or idle Ministers, to scandalous teachers, either for life or doctrine?