A Cloud of Faithful Witnesses, Title page – Dedication
A CLOVD OF FAITHFVLL WITNESSES, LEADING TO THE HEAVENLY CANAAN: Or A Commentarie vponupon the 11. Chapter to the Hebrewes, preached in Cambridge by that Godly, and iudicious Divine, M. William Perkins: Long expected and desired; and therefore published at the request of his Executours, by Will. Crashawe, and Tho. Pierson, Preachers of Gods Word: who heard him preach it, and wrote it from his mouth.
PHIL. 3.17.
Looke on them that so walke, as yee hauehave vsus for an example.
HEB. 13.8.
VVhose faith followe, considering what hath beene the end of their conuersation.
AT LONDON, Printed by Humfrey Lownes, for Leo. Greene. 1607.
To the Noble, and vertuous Gentlemen, Sir Iohn Sheaffield, Knight; and M. Oliuer S. John: Sonnes and Heires to the Right Honourable Edmond Lord Sheaffield, Lord President of the North, and Oliuer Lord S. Iohn, Baron of Bletsho: grace, and peace.
THe gracious promises of God (Honourable and most worthy Gentlemen) made to the holy Patriarchs, touching the Land of Canaan, were singular comfort to the belieuing Israelites, in their bondage of Egypt. And the renuing of the same by the hand of Moses (whose words God confirmed by so many miracles) must needes augment their ioy aboundantly, although their bonds at that time encreased. But, the pledge of Gods presence in the cloudie pillar, whereby he led them in the wildernesse both night and day, did so farre exceede all his promises for matter of consolation, that euen Moses himselfe desired rather to be detained from the promised Land, than depriued of the comfort of that his presence in the waie:Exod. 33.15. 1. Cor. 10.6 If thy presence (sayth hee) goe not before vsus, bid vsus not depart hence. Now, these things being ensamples vntounto vsus, and euident types of our estate who liue vnderunder the Gospel, shew apparantly, that howsoeuer Beleeuers bee greatly cheered in their spirituall trauell, by the gratious promises which God in Christ hath made vntounto them; yet, this their ioy is much increased, by the viewe of those that hauehave gone before them in the waie of faith; who are vntounto them as a Cloude of Witnesses, or a cloudie Pillar. For, howsoeuer the truth of God be the only ground of sound consolation: yet, because we are a-kin to Thomas, and will not beleeue vnlesse wee see, and feele; therfore it is, that by the example of Beleeuers (wherin is some sensible euidence of the comfort of Gods truth) we are farre more cheered, than by the promise it selfe alone.
Heere then beholde what great cause wee hauehave to cast our eyes vponupon this Cloude of Witnesses; which the ho-Ghost hath erected as a pledge of his presence, & a direction to all those that shall followe their steps in the practice of faith, til the worlds end. Shall Moses affect that Cloude so much, which led them only the waie to a temporall inheritance: and shall not we much more be rauished with delight in this Cloude, which leades vsus to the kingdome of heauen?Heb. 10.38 2. Cor. 5.7 In al estates the Iust must liue by faith: For, We walk by faith, and not by sight. And what is the hope & happinesse of a Christian man, but to receiue at last the saluation of our soules, 1. Pet. 1.9which is the end of our faith, and period of this walke. But any faith will not support vsus herein: some begin in the Spirit, Gal. 3.3who end in the Flesh, going out with Paul for a while; but at length returne with Demas to the world,2. Tim. 4.10 neither can they doe otherwise: for, Apostasie is the Catastrophe of Hypocrisie. He that would deceiue in his profession is vsually deceiued of his saluation.
Wherfore this shal be our wisedom, to see to our soules that our faith (as the beloued Apostle sayde of louelove) be not in word, and tongue; but in deed, and in truth. 1. Ioh. 3.…And for our better direction in trying the truth of our faith, we hauehave here many notable precedents in this Cloud of Witnesses, consisting of most worthy Beleeuers in all ages before CHRIST'S incarnation: all which shewed the life of faith by their workes; and we in them may see how to put our faith in practice. Now, the rather must we attende hereunto, because in all estates we must practice faith. For, Without faith it is impossible to please God. And what estate of life cā possible befall vsus,Heb. 6. wherin we hauehave not a liuely patterne and forerunner leading vsus the way to Heauen, within the compasse of this Cloud? Art thou a King or Magistrate? beholde DAVID, HEZECHIAS, and the Iudges: art thou a Courtier? Looke on MOSES: art thou a Martiall-man? Beholde SAMSON, DAVID, IOSVAH. Heere is ENOCH, NOE, and the Prophets for Ministers: the Patriarches for Fathers: SARA and the Shunamite for mothers: ISAAC and IOSEPH for children: Heer is ABEL for Shepheards, and RAHAB for victuallers: Heere are some that liued in honour, in peace, and plenty, some in want, & some in sicknesse: but most of all in persecution; because therein is the greatest tryall of faith. 1. Pet. 1.7So that, which way soeuer we turne vsus, if wee walke by faith, we hauehave heere some faithfull witnesse to goe before vsus. And to cleare their steps the better to our sight, that so we may follow hard towards the mark without wandring,Phil. 5.14. we hauehave heere a notable light in this learned Commentarie; which, we must confesse, is much obscured, for lacke of the refining hand of the godly Author himselfe: but now, seeing that shining light is quenched, vse this our Lampe; it is fed with such oyle as wee receiued in the Lords Sanctuarie, from that Oliue Tree, whence many a one did fill his vessell. And, being importuned to expose the same for the Common good, wee hauehave presumed to place it vnderunder the shelter of your Honourable names; beseeching God it may helpe to guide your feete in the way of peace.Luke 1.79.
The religious precedents of your Honourable Parents (Right Noble and hopefull Gentlemen) must perswade you much to be sound, and constant in the faith: for, declining in religion brings aIer. 22.15 &c. to the end.staine of honour, and decay b1. King. 11.11euen of temporall portion. But, labour you to encrease in grace, and trust the Lord with your outward greatnesse. Honour him, and hee will honour you: delight in him,1. Sam. 2.30. Psal. 37.4. and hee will giuegive you your holy hearts desire; his faithfulnesse will bee your shielde, to the griefe of those that enuie your happinesse. But, beware of bad example, and euill counsell, which are the bane and poyson of younger yeares. Walk with God like Enoch: vse the world as Abraham did,Heb. 11.5. and followe Moses in the matters of delight,Verse 10. forsaking them when they become the pleasures of sinne.Verse 24. &c. So shall you obtaine good reporte, Heb. 12.39and your memories shalbe blessed with your Posterities, like these faithfull Witnesses. NOVEMBER. 10. 1607.
Yours in the LORD to be commanded, WILLIAM CRASHAVV, THO. PIERSON.