A09434:475
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.
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.
By which wicked doctrine through covetousness they have (by encroaching upon Countries and kingdoms) enriched themselves, and purchased, or rather craftily conveyed to themselves the greatest part of the revenues of all Europe. Secondly, they through covetousness maintain the distinction between mortal and venial sins; between the fact and the punishment, and hold that the sin may be remitted, but not the punishment: for which purpose the fire of hell is changed by them into a milder fire of Purgatory, to be suffered after this life; of which the Pope is Lord and King, indulgent to whom he please: especially to those that can pay well for the merits of others, or masses of their own. This painted fire hath a long time kept the fire of the Popes kitchen so bright burning, which if it should go out, his state were shaken. Thirdly, through covetousness they forbid many degrees of men from marriage, which God forbiddeth not, that so they may the oftener dispense with those degrees which themselves have forbidden: for the more dispensations, the more wealth have they coming in. And thus is their whole religion contrived and plotted for gain, compacted of falsehood and covetousness. So as Peters prediction is most fully accomplished in these Balaamites of Rome: but especially herein the Pope is become a second Balaam, 1in that as Balaam cursed Gods people for gain; so to maintain his own pomp and state, by his Bulls and thunderbolts hath he assayed to curse even Kings and Princes, and some whole kingdoms, yea all such as have shaken off his intolerable Antichristian yoke. The same accusation may be lustly intended against very ⟨p. 95⟩many that profess godliness and true religion; for these be the last days and perilous times, wherein men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, &c. 2. Tim. 3.2. Such as Jeremiah complained of, Jere. 6.13. From the least to the greatest every one is given to covetousness; from the Prophet unto the Priest they deal all falsely. The usuries, oppressions, injustice, the common craft and customable deceit in all trades, cry out of this sin of covetousness in all estates. But some will perhaps here say; Yea but you wrong Christians to charge them thus deeply with Balaam's sin, for they have better things in them. Ans. But it is no injustice, for Balaam had some as good things in him as many Christians: