A09432:890
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.
V. Hereby we are admonished, to beware in our selves, of the common1 sin of this age, engrafted in our nature; to wit, desire of revenge, spite, and grudging upon every occasion: for when we pray unto God with such malicious hearts, we do in effect desire the Lord to exercise his wrath, and to revenge his justice on us. And undoubtedly, many a man doth fearfully curse himself in his own prayers, while he is cruelly minded towards his brethren; and God oftentimes saith Amen to such curses most deservedly, seeing men are so cruel to their own souls to curse themselves: and therefore we had need to look to our hearts, when we pray to God, that we forgive men, if we would be forgiven of God.
V. Hereby we are admonished, to beware in our selues, of the common1 sinne of this age, ingraffed in our nature; to wit, desire of reuenge, spite, and grudging vpon euery occasion: for when we pray vnto God with such malitious hearts, wee doe in effect desire the Lord to exercise his wrath, and to reuenge his iustice on vs. And vndoubtedly, many a man doth searefully curse himselfe in his owne prayers, while hee is cruelly minded towards his brethren; and God oftentimes saith Amen to such curses most deseruedly, seeing men are so cruell to their owne soules to curse themselues: and therefore we had need to looke to our hearts, when we pray to God, that we forgiue men, if we would be forgiuen of God.
- 1Desire of revenge must be avoided.Desire of reuenge must be auoided.
VI. Here note a general gross abuse in this age: most men will seek1 to be reconciled to their brethren, with whom they are at variance, when they come to the Lords table: but at all other times thy take their pleasure, thinking they may well enough perform all other duties of religion, though they retain malice and enmity towards their brethren. But here we may observe, that we ought to be reconciled with our brethren, whensoever we go to God in prayer; for else, if we come in malice and envy towards our brethren, we curse our selves, and sin against our own souls. In prayer we bring the sacrifice of our hearts, & the calves of our lips unto God; but before we offer it, we must reconcile our selves unto our brethren, as we