A09432:89
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.
Now unto these the holy Ghost addeth an excellent grace of Christian Resolution, whereby a man hath a constant purpose not to sin against God any way, either in thought, word, or deed; but in all things to ⟨p. 30⟩please God continually; so as if at any time he-sin, it is against his holy1 resolution. Now for the measure of this purification, it is only in part in this life; for the grace of sanctification is not perfect till death, as the Apostle saith, zwe receive but the first fruits of the spirit: that is, not the Tenths, but as an handful of corn to a whole field: the soul is freed from the punishment and guilt of sin, and in some sort purged from corruption, but not wholly. This we must observe the more diligently,3 because the Papists teach otherwise; to wit, that after Baptism and regeneration, sin is so taken away, that there is in man nothing that God can hate: but experience in every child of God, shows this to be false. The chief ground of their opinion is this, that if sin properly called, should remain in the regenerate, then God should repute a man to be just, which is a sinner. But we answer, that God never reputeth an impenitent sinner just, but only the repentant, and regenerate, which are by faith in Christ, and so in effect are no sinners, because though corruption remain in them in part, yet it is not imputed to their persons. Besides, in the act of their conversion, corruption hath received that deadly wound, whereof it shall never recover, but daily die, till it be quite abolished, and therefore doth it not reign in them. And thus we see in what manner and measure the heart is purified, whereby the pure in heart may be thus described: They are such, as 4believe the pardon of their sins in Christ, and be in part renewed in their souls by the holy Ghost, having their natural corruptions mortified and abolished in some measure, and the graces of Gods image repaired in them, and a godly resolution wrought in their hearts, not to sin against God in any thing.
Now vnto these the holy Ghost addeth an excellent grace of Christian Resolution, whereby a man hath a constant purpose not to sinne against God any way, either in thought, word, or deede; but in all things to