A09434:388
A godly and learned exposition upon the whole epistle of Jude, containing threescore and…A godlie and learned exposition upon the whole epistle of Iude, containing threescore and…
A godly and learned exposition upon the whole epistle of Jude, containing threescore and six sermons preached in Cambridge by that reverend and faithful man of God, Master William Perkins, and now at the request of his executors, published by Thomas Taylor, preacher of Gods word ; whereunto is prefixed a large analysis, containing the sum and order of the whole book, according to the authors own method, to which are further added, four brief tables to direct the reader ...A godlie and learned exposition upon the whole epistle of Iude, containing threescore and sixe sermons preached in Cambridge by that reverend and faithfull man of God, Master William Perkins, and now at the request of his executors, published by Thomas Taylor, preacher of Gods word ; whereunto is prefixed a large analysis, containing the summe and order of the whole booke, according to the authors owne method, to which are further added, foure briefe tables to direct the reader ...
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man, 1606
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Verse 8: Vers. 8. Likewise notwithstanding these dreamers also defile the flesh, and despise gou…
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.
Doct. Hence we may note the cause why so few entertain the doctrine of the Gospel, so few forsake their sins and turn unto God, and that is because men are dreamers, being cast and lulled asleep in their sins, and therein deluded with many false imaginations which draw them from God. As first,1 some plead that they were never book learned, they could never write nor read, therefore they must be excused in their ignorance, as not being bound to know the word of God; they need not frequent so many sermons, or if they do, they are not greatly to care to carry them away. Secondly, others dream that because they have lived thus long, and yet had never any such cross, as they see befall others, therefore they are most happy men, and God loveth them; they find the blessing of God upon them in every thing, and therefore they serve God well enough, or so much as serveth their turn. Thirdly, others have learning and knowledge, and begin to dream that therefore they want nothing, they bless themselves in their naked knowledge, and never have care in their hearts to receive Christ. Fourthly, others are profane, and dream that the Master will not come yet; God will not yet call them, they shall have time enough to repent in; for they crave but one ⟨p. 74⟩hour on their death-beds, and that shall they have; in the mean time they give themselves over to riot and excess, never regarding though all the world cry shame upon them, until their Master take them unawares. Lastly, it is a common dream amongst men that the promise of life eternal is but a dream,2 and so many make but a dream of the whole word of God, and all religion: that look as Sarah did not so much regard the promise as she ought to have done, because she took it for a dream, and made a matter of laughter of it, Gen. 18.12. and as those who were reduced from the captivity of Babylon, entertained the promise of their return but as a dream, by their own confession, Psal. 126. and Peter when he was delivered by the Angel out of prison, could not be persuaded that it was so, but that he had seen a vision, or dreamed a dream,