A09432:997
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.
This doctrine serves to direct our practise in Gods worship; as first, that we must not reserve our private preparation to Gods public worship,1 till we come to the public congregation; but prepare our selves at home privately in our chamber or closet: for though to pray every where2 be lawful, yet because convenient circumstances must be observed in3 all our actions of worship, therefore private prayer in a public place is not so seemly nor convenient; for public circumstances do not beseem private worship. Quest. What if a man wanted time, or had forgot to prepare himself before hand? Ans. Slight pretences cannot justify any disorder in Gods worship: & yet if a man will needs there perform his private preparation, he must conceal all outward signs of prayer, & only lift up his heart unto God; for a good duty may become offensive4 by inconvenient circumstances. Secondly, this shows how Christian families5 must order their private exercises of religion, namely, so privately for voice & gesture, that they may conceal the same from others, beside their family present: and so must particular persons praying alone, observe such circumstances as may conceal their prayers from others; for all occasions of ostentation must be avoided, that so the heart may apply it self wholly towards the Lord.
This doctrine serues to direct our practise in Gods worship; as first, that we must not reserue our priuate preparatiō to Gods publike worship,1 til we come to the publike congregation; but prepare our selues at home priuately in our chāber or closet: for though to pray euery where2 be lawfull, yet because conuenient circumstances must be obserued in3