A09432:794
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.
For the first, Thy will, &c. Gods will is only one, considered in it self, as God is one; yet for our understanding, it may be thus distinguished: It is either absolute, or revealed. Gods absolute will, is the will1 of his good pleasure, whereby according to his eternal counsel, he determines of all things, what shall be done, or what shall not be done, and in what manner. This absolute will extendeth over all creatures, and over all their actions: Ephes. 1. 11. We are predestinate according to the purpose of him that worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Roman. 9. 19. Who hath resisted his will? Matth. 10. 26. Without this will of God, a sparrow cannot fall to the ground. And this absolute will of God is hidden from us, till God reveal it by the event. Gods revealed will, is the sacred doctrine of God in his word,2 whereby he signifieth unto man, so far as concerns his happiness and salvation, what he ought to do, or what he ought not to do. This is not Gods absolute will, but rather an effect thereof concerning man, revealing unto him, not what he simply and absolutely willeth to be done, for that must needs be done; but what is pleasing or displeasing unto him, done by man, and what he will have man to do, or not to do, if he desire to come to life, and would not be condemned. And this revealed will comprehendeth both the Law and the Gospel, with all their commandments, prohibitions, threatenings, exhortations, promises, & such like, whereto the Apostle hath relation, when he saith, Prove what is the good will of God, and acceptable, Rom. 12. 2.
For the first, Thy will, &c. Gods will is onely one, considered in it selfe, as God is one; yet for our vnderstanding, it may be thus distinguished: It is either absolute, or reuealed. Gods absolute will, is the will1 of his good pleasure, whereby according to his eternall counsell, hee determines of all things, what shall be done, or what shall not be done, and in what manner. This absolute will extendeth ouer all creatures, and ouer all their actions: