A09432:87
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 8. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
These words contain the sixth Rule of Christ, touching true happiness;1 wherein, as in the former, observe two points: the persons blessed, and wherein their blessedness consists. The persons blessed, are thus qualified; they are pure in heart. This is diversly expounded: By pure in heart, some understand those that are chase; others, those that are simple hearted, void of guile and deceit. But the words will bear2 a more general sense, & betoken such as are holy in heart, having their hearts purged from the defilement of their sins, and be in part renewed and sanctified by the holy Ghost: and that they are so to be taken, may appear, Psal. 24. 4. whence these words are borrowed; where also the Prophet expoundeth the pure in heart to be such, as have not lift up their mind to vain things: to which purpose, the Author to the Hebrews3 saith, Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man can see God. Again, the intent of our Saviour Christ in this place, was no doubt to cross the Pharisaical conceit of those times, whereby men did content themselves with outward holiness, as sufficient to true happiness; and therefore he saith, Blessed are the pure, not outwardly, but inwardly in heart. Further, by heart we are to understand the soul, with the parts and faculties thereof; that is, the mind, the conscience, the will, and affections. And that we may yet conceive more clearly of this point, we are to search out two things; first, in what manner, then in what measure the heart is made pure: For the first, the purifying4 of the heart is by a two-fold Action of the holy Ghost; first, by creating in the mind a saving faith, which unites a man unto Christ, & as an hand applieth Christs purity, that is his obedience, to the heart: so Peter speaketh of the Gentiles, in the Council at Jerusalem, that