A09432:96
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.
Object. IV. If we shall not see God with our eyes, then they serve to no use in heaven. Ans. God forbid; for besides the glorious company of all the Saints, we shall therewith behold our Lord Jesus Christ, who redeemed us by his blood, and made us Kings and Priests unto our God, to whom we shall sing praise, and honour, and glory, for evermore, Reu. 5. 12.
Obiect. IV. If we shall not see God with our eies, then they serue to no vse in heauen. Ans. God forbid; for besides the glorious companie of all the Saints, wee shall therewith behold our Lord Iesus Christ, who redeemed vs by his blood, and made vs Kings and Priests vnto our God, to whom we shall sing praise, and honour, and glory, for euermore, Reu. 5. 12.
The second kind of sight, is of the mind, which is nothing but the knowledge or understanding of the mind, and that is two-fold; imperfect in this life, and perfect in the life to come. In this life, the mind knows not Gods essence or substance, but only by effects; as by his word and Sacraments, and by his creatures: and indeed, the special sight we have of God in this life, is by these his effects to conceive in our minds how God is affected to us; as that God is our Father, and Christ our Redeemer, and the holy Ghost our Sanctifier. The perfect vision of God, is reserved to the life to come, where Gods elect shall see him in regard of his substance: for mwe shall see him as he is. Yet that we be not deceived herein, we must know that perfect sight is two-fold, simple, and comprehensive: Simple perfect sight is, when man sees a thing wholly as it is in it self, and thus God is not seen by the ⟨p. 33⟩mind of man. Comprehensive sight is, when the Creature seeth God, so far forth as it is capable of his knowledge; & thus shall men see God in the world to come perfectly, and be filled therewith, though they know him not wholly, as he is in himself: even as a vessel cast into the sea may be perfectly full of water, though it receive not all the water in the Sea. But some will ask, how shall the mind see God? Ans. The manner is such, as neither eye hath seen, nor ear heard, neither can any man tell, but they only, that have fruition of it in heaven: yet certainly such it is, as shall give full contentment to every one that doth enjoy it. But it shall be far better for us, to seek for a pure heart, whereby we may be assured of this blessed sight of God, then curiously to search how we shall see him: for to them that be of a pure heart, God will reveal himself perfectly, to their joy unspeakable and glorious.