A09432:975
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 touching a religious fast, I will here handle six points. First,1 what kind of work a fast is. The Scripture speaks of two kind of works: some commanded of God; others left indifferent. Works 2commanded, be good works, and parts of Gods service, because he commandeth3 them, as prayer, thanksgiving, Alms-deeds, &c. Works indifferent, be in themselves neither good nor evil, because they be neither commanded of God, nor forbidden; as to eat, drink, buy, sell, &c. And to this kind of works must we refer fasting: for it is not simply commanded of God, and so no part of his worship in it self, more then eating is. And yet consider fasting in it circumstances; to wit, as a means to further and to testify our humiliation in repentance, and our zeal in prayer, and so it is a good work: for in that use, and to that end God commandeth it, and it is a part of his worship. If it be said, there is no commandment for it in the new Testament: I answer, if we consider it4 in the forenamed use and end, there is: for the same commandment that enjoineth prayer, and humiliation, enjoineth fasting; because it is a means to further them both: for every commandment includeth all necessary furtherances to the main duty. Again, we have in the new Testament examples of ordinary fasting, which are without all exception, in our Saviour Christ and his Apostles, with the occasions thereof set down whereupon they fasted. Now this is a rule in Divinity, that5 the ordinary examples of the godly approved in Scripture being against no general precept, have the force of a general rule, and are to be followed.
Now touching a religious fast, I will here handle sixe points. First,1 what kinde of worke a fast is. The Scripture speakes of two kinde of workes: some commanded of God; others left indifferent. Workes 2