Title page, Lectures upon the three first chapters of the Revelation (William Perkins, 1604) | AskReformation
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Lectures upon the three first chapters of the RevelationLectures vpon the three first chapters of the Reuelation
Lectures upon the three first chapters of the Revelation: preached in Cambridge anno Dom. 1595. by Master William Perkins, and now published for the benefit of this Church, by Robert Hill Bachelor in Divinity. To which is added an excellent sermon, penned at the request of that noble and wise councillor, Ambrose, Earle of Warwick: in which is proved that Rome is Babylon, and that Babylon is fallenLectures vpon the three first chapters of the Reuelation: preached in Cambridge anno Dom. 1595. by Master William Perkins, and now published for the benefite of this Church, by Robert Hill Bachelor in Diuinitie. To which is added an excellent sermon, penned at the request of that noble and wise councellor, Ambrose, Earle of Warwicke: in which is proued that Rome is Babylon, and that Babylon is fallen
William Perkins 1558–1602London: printed by Richard Field for Cuthbert Burbie, 1604
[22], 373, [1] p. · 157k words · STC 19731 · ESTC S114472
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.
LECTURES UPON THE THREE FIRST CHAPTERS OF THE REVELATION: PREACHED IN CAMbridge Anno Dom. 1595. by Master William Perkins, and now published for the benefit of this Church, by Robert Hill Bachelor in Divinity. To which is added an excellent Sermon, penned at the request of that noble and wise Councillor, AMBROSE, Earle of Warwick: in which is proved that Rome is Babylon, and that Babylon is fallen.
LECTVRES VPON THE THREE FIRST CHAPTERS OF THE REVELATION: PREACHED IN CAMbridge Anno Dom. 1595. by Master William Perkins, and now published for the benefite of this Church, by Robert Hill Bachelor in Diuinitie. To which is added an excellent Sermon, penned at the request of that noble and wise Councellor, AMBROSE, Earle of Warwicke: in which is proued that Rome is Babylon, and that Babylon is fallen.
❧To the right Worshipful Sir Edward Montagu, Sir Walter Montagu, Sir Henry Montagu, and Sir Charles Montagu Knights, M. James Montagu, Doctor of Divinity, Dean of his Majesties Chapel, and M. Sidney Montagu Esquire, the Lady Susan Sandys, and the Lady Theodosia Capel, children of that right worthy and religious Sir Edward Montagu of Bowghton in the County of Northampton Knight, and of the Lady Elizabeth his worthy wife, sister to the right Honourable Sir John Harington, Baron of Exton: and father to the virtuous Lady the Countess of Bedford: Grace and Peace.
❧To the right VVorshipfull Sir Edward Montagu, Sir Walter Montagu, Sir Henry Montagu, and Sir Charles Montagu Knights, M. Iames Montagu, Doctor of Diuinitie, Deane of his Maiesties Chappell, and M. Sidney Montagu Esquire, the Ladie Susan Sandys, and the Ladie Theodosia Capel, children of that right worthy and religious Sir Edward Montagu of Bowghton in the Countie of Northhampton Knight, and of the Ladie Elizabeth his worthie wife, sister to the right Honorable Sir Iohn Harington, Baron of Exton: and father to the vertuous Ladie the Countesse of Bedford: Grace and Peace.
RIGHT Worshipful, as the Patriarch Jacob hada twelve sons, so Christ the Messiah had btwelve disciples: but as Joseph was beloved abovec all those sons: so John was beloved aboved all the disciples▪ Joseph was apparelled better then the rest, and John was inspired far better then the rest.e Had it not been for Joseph Egypt had wanted her food temporal, and had it not been for John, the Church had wanted her food eternal. fThe future state of Egypt was revealed to Joseph, and the future state of the Church was revealed to John. The one wasg exiled, because his father loved him; and the other exiled, because his Master loved him. The ⟨image 3⟩place of his exile was into thea Island of Patmos, being before by Trajan put into a vessel ofb scalding oil. But that God who showed his visions toc Abraham in the mount,d to Jacob in the field,e to Joseph in the stocks,f to Moses in Midian,g to Jeremiah in the prison,h to Daniel in Babylon,i and to the Apostle Peter in the house of a Tanner, even he showeth his visions to John in his exile.
RIGHT Worshipfull, as the Patriarch Iacob hada twelue sonnes, so Christ the Messiah had btwelue disciples: but as Ioseph was beloued abouec all those sonnes: so Iohn was beloued aboued all the disciples▪ Ioseph was apparelled better then the rest, and Iohn was inspired farre better then the rest.e Had it not bene for Ioseph Egypt had wanted her food temporall, and had it not bene for Iohn, the Church had wanted her food eternall. fThe future state of Egypt was reuealed to Ioseph, and the future state of the Church was reuealed to Iohn. The one wasg exiled, because his father loued him; and the other exiled, because his Maister loued him. The ⟨image 3⟩place of his exile was into thea Island of Pathmos, being before by Traian put into a vessell ofb scalding oyle. But that God who shewed his visions toc Abraham in the mount,d to Iacob in the field,e to Ioseph in the stockes,f to Moses in Midian,g to Ieremie in the prison,h to Daniel in Babylon,
He is not bound to persons, he can advance whom he list, he is not bounden to place, he can reveal where he list. For persons, he can preferk Abel before Cain, lJacob before Esau, mDavid before Eliab, nMatthias before Judas. He can makeo Moses a Courtier,p Job a Potentate, qSamuel a Judge,r David a King,s Solomon a Sovereign, tElisha a ploughman,u Amos a Neatherd,w Jeremiah a Priest,x Daniel a Prince,y Isaiah of the blood Royal, zMatthew a Publican,a Peter a Fisher,b and Paul a Tent-maker, to be penners and preachers of the word of God. For place, as no time can prescribe against the King of a nation, so no place can prescribe against this King of all nations.c The wind bloweth where it listeth, and the Spirit worketh where it listeth.
He is not bound to persons, he can aduance whome he list, he is not bounden to place, he can reueale where he list. For persons, he can preferrek Abel before Cain, lIacob before Esau, mDauid before Eliab, nMatthias before Iudas. He can makeo Moses a Courtier,p Iob a Potentate, qSamuel a Iudge,r Dauid a King,s Salomon a Soueraigne, tElysha a plowman,u Amos a Neatheard,w Ieremie a Priest,x Daniel a Prince,y Isaiah of the bloud Royall, zMatthew a Publicane,a Peter a Fisher,b and Paule a Tent-maker, to be penners and preachers of the word of God. For place, as no time can prescribe against the King of a nation, so no place can prescribe against this King of all nations.c The wind bloweth where it listeth, and the Spirit worketh where it listeth.
It pleased Christ, who is called in this Revelation, dthat faithful witness, that first begotten of the dead, ethat Prince of the kings of the earth, fAlpha and Omega, the first and last, ghe that hath the keys of hell and of death, hwhich hath that sharp sword, ihis eyes like fire, khis feet like brass, lthe seven Spirits of God, the seven Stars in his hand, mthe key of David, who is called heren Amen, the beginning of the creatures of God; and in Daniel, he thato revealeth secrets, it pleased this Christ to reveal secrets to John. Not by dream as top Jacob, or apparition as toq Moses, or by voice asr to Adam; but partly by vision, and partly by ⟨image 3⟩voice as he did when he turneda Saul into Paul. This John was Legatus à latere, that Ambassador who leaned on his Lords breast.16 He writeth Christs history, there he showeth his love to Christ: he writeth the Churches history, there Christ showeth his love to him: especially in this, that he will do nothing, which he doth not reveal to hisb servant this Prophet. For the Church in his time, we may see how it stood, in the three first Chapters: and what condition it should have for the time to come, it is plainly set down in the rest of this book.18 If we respect the general estate of the Church, after John had described the authors of this Revelation, which are God the Father, chap. 4. and Christ his Son, chap. 5. he cometh to the works of God, which are predictions, cha. 6. obsignations, chap. 7. indignations, chap. 8. 9. Predictions of things to come, obsignations of such as must be saved, & indignation on things to be destroyed. And for the more particular estate of the Church, having (chap. 10.) showed his warrant to write, he cometh to her actions: first, in her Prophets: secondly, in her body. In her Prophets, their fighting, falling, rising, chap. 11. In her body, comparing her to a woman clothed with the Sun, chap. 12. and describing her by her combats, conquests, triumphs: her combats defensive, chap. 13. and offensive in Christ, by words, chap. 14. threatenings, chap. 15. and judgements, chap. 16. her victories gotten against thatc whore, chap. 17. and 18. thed Beast, chap. 19. and thee Dragon, chap. 20. And all that glory which she shall have in the kingdom of God, is under the type of Jerusalem most comfortably set down, chap. 21. 22.
It pleased Christ, who is called in this Reuelation, dthat faithfull witnesse, that first begotten of the dead, ethat Prince of the kings of the earth, fAlpha and Omega, the first and last, ghe that hath the keyes of hell and of death, hwhich hath that sharpe sword, ihis eyes like fire, khis feete like brasse, lthe seuen Spirits of God, the seuen Starres in his hand, mthe key of Dauid, who is called heren Amen, the beginning of the creatures of God; and in Daniel, he thato reuealeth secrets, it pleased this Christ to reueale secrets to Iohn. Not by dreame as top Iacob, or apparition as toq Moses, or by voice asr to Adam; but partly by vision, and partly by ⟨image 3⟩voice as he did when he turneda Saule into Paule. This Iohn was Legatus à latere, that Ambassadour who leaned on his Lords brest.16 He writeth Christs historie, there he sheweth his loue to Christ: he writeth the Churches historie, there Christ sheweth his loue to him: especially in this, that he will do nothing, which he doth not reueale to his
The things in this book were (I grant) very dark to them that lived in the days of John, as the Prophecy ⟨image 4⟩of Daniel was to them who lived in the time of Daniel. But as that Prophecy being fulfilled, we can now tell what was foretold in it: so many things being fulfilled which were foretold in this book, we may easily see what is meant by it: and the posterity to come shall better understand this book then we do, because it may be, all things are not yet fulfilled. Neither is this book like the cities of thea Anakims, or theb tree of knowledge which may not be reached to: forc blessed is he that readeth the words of this book. But to come to these three Chapters written by John surnamed the Divine, & expounded by one a most worthy Divine. The first Chapter is a Proem or Preface to the book: the two latter are Epistles dedicating this book. The dedication is made tod seven several Churches, and by name to the Ministers which are called Angels. In the word of God Ministers have many excellent titles given them, (though now they are scarcely graced with titles) they are called eProphets, fSeers, gRemembrancers, hTrumpets, iWatchmen, kHusbandmen, lStewards, mMaidens, nFishers, oLeaders, pElders, qSalt, rStars, sAngels andt Shepherds. Prophets to teach, Seers to foretell, Remembrancers to put in mind, Trumpets to sound, Watchmen to admonish, Husbandmen to plough up, Stewards to distribute, Maidens to keep pure the doctrine of truth, Fishers to catch men, Leaders to go before, Elders to govern, Salt to season, Stars to give light, Angels to declare, and Shepherds to feed: to feed (I say) soundly by doctrine, liberally by charity, and religiously by life. By doctrine: for Sacerdos sine doctrina, est navis sine velis, a Priest without knowledge, is a ship without sails. By liberalitie: foru Nihil habet homo adeò divinum quàm benefacere, man is in nothing ⟨image 4⟩more like God, then in doing good. By life: for cuius vita despicitur, eius oratio contemnitur: his words are not esteemed, whose life is not approved. And that it may be said of them as it was of Origen: Quale habuit verbū, talem habuit vitam: as his words were, so were his works. They must not be barren like mounta Gilboa, butb weaned as Samuel was, before they be offered unto the Lord. They must be pure water if they will cleanse others, and more then whetstones, if they will sharpen others.
The things in this booke were (I grant) very darke to them that liued in the dayes of Iohn, as the Prophecie ⟨image 4⟩of Daniel was to them who liued in the time of Daniel. But as that Prophecie being fulfilled, we can now tell what was foretold in it: so many things being fulfilled which were foretold in this booke, we may easily see what is meant by it: and the posteritie to come shall better vnderstand this booke then we do, because it may be, all things are not yet fulfilled. Neither is this booke like the cities of thea Anakims, or theb tree of knowledge which may not be reached to: forc blessed is he that readeth the words of this booke. But to come to these three Chapters written by Iohn surnamed the Diuine, & expounded by one a most worthie Diuine. The first Chapter is a Proeme or Preface to the booke: the two latter are Epistles dedicating this booke. The dedication is made tod seuen seuerall Churches, and by name to the Ministers which are called Angels. In the word of God Ministers haue many excellent titles giuē them, (though now they are scarcely graced with titles) they are called eProphets, fSeers, gRemembrancers, hTrumpets, iWatchmen, kHusbandmen, lStewards, mMaydens, nFishers, o
They must be inc integrity Abraham's, din meekness Moses, ein knowledge Aaron's, fin pains Pauls, gand in praying Samuel's, and remember, that as Augustine said: Manus pauperū sunt gazophylaciū Christi. The hands of the poor are the treasury of Christ. I need not speak much of the duty of a Minister: for every one will teach him his duty, that will not be ranged within any duty himself.
They must be inc integritie Abrahams, din meekenesse Moses, ein knowledge Arons, fin pains Paules, gand in praying Samuels, and remēber, that as Augustine said: Manus pauperū sunt gazophylaciū Christi. The hands of the poore are the treasurie of Christ. I need not speake much of the dutie of a Minister: for euery one wil teach him his duty, that wil not be ranged within any dutie himselfe.
These Churches were then likeh Davids Worthies, excellent above all the Churches of the world: but because they lost their first ilove, kwere not faithful to the death, lmaintained the doctrine of Balaam, msuffered women to teach, nbare a name only to live, ohad but a little strength, pwere neither hot nor cold, andq repented not as they should have done, of all their sins, they are reprehended by John, threatened by Christ, and the Candlestick of the Gospel is now taken away from them. Jam seges est ubi Troia fuit. Now Mahomet rageth, where Messiah did reign. Are they reprehended? let us hearken: are they threatened? let us fear: are they fallen? let us labour to continue.10 From Johns reprehension we see, that (as one said) hereof our Elders have complained, hereof do we complain, and hereof they which live after us will complain, that men wax worse, and live not according to the doctrine of ⟨image 5⟩Gods word. From Christs threatening we see, that God is merciful,y who first offereth peace before he fight against us▪ that we being forewarned, might be forearmed. And by the woeful downfall of these seven Churches, let zus that stand take heed that we fall not: for if God spared not thea old world who despised Noah, the Sodomites who vexed Lot, bJerusalem which abused the Prophets,c Colossae, Hierapolis, and Laodicea, who rejected Paul, and these Asian Churches who did not grow in righteousness as they did in riches, how shall we escape dif we neglect so great salvation? and for this cause these Sermons are most worthy to be considered of in this present age. O then let us nowe consider this season: fredeem the opportunity, gnot harden our hearts, but regard the time of our present visitation. As the day openeth and shutteth with the Sun, so salvation openeth and shutteth with the Gospel.h Whilst it is called to day let us hear his voice: iHe that laboureth in Summer is the son of Wisdom, but he that sleepeth in harvest is the son of confusion.
These Churches were then likeh Dauids Worthies, excellent aboue all the Churches of the world: but because they lost their first iloue, kwere not faithfull to the death, lmaintained the doctrine of Balaam, msuffered women to teach, nbare a name onely to liue, ohad but a litle strength, pwere neither hote nor cold, andq repented not as they should haue done, of all their sins, they are reprehended by Iohn, threatened by Christ, and the Candlesticke of the Gospell is now taken away from them. Iam seges est vbi Troia fuit. Now Mahomet rageth, where Messiah did raigne. Are they reprehended? let vs hearken: are they threatened? let vs feare: are they fallen? let vs labour to continue.10 From Iohns reprehension we see, that (as one said) hereof our Elders haue complained, hereof do we complaine, and hereof they which liue after vs will complaine, that men waxe worse, and liue not according to the doctrine of ⟨image 5⟩Gods word. From Christs threatning we see, that God is mercifull,y who first offereth peace before he fight against vs▪ that we being forewarned, might be forearmed. And by the wofull downefall of these seuen Churches, let zvs that stand take heed that we fall not: for if God spared not thea old world who despised Noah, the Sodomites who vexed Lot,
All things in the world do take their time, the bird to build her nest, the husbandman to sow his seed, the mariner to go to sea, the gardener to set his trees, the sick patient to take physic, the cook to season meats, and the dresser of the vineyard to gather his fruit. It will be too late to build in Summer, to sow in harvest, to go to sea when the ship is launched, to transplant trees when they are old, to take physic when we are dying, to season meats when they are unsavoury, & when winter is come to gather fruit. Thek five foolish virgins came too late, Dives lin hell repenteth too late, the time present is only ours. Is the fig-tree fruitless? it shall hear that sentence, mNever fruit grow on thee any more. nGet thee then ⟨image 5⟩righteousness before thou come to judgement: use Physic before thou be sick, and whilst thou mayest yet sin, show thy conversion, as the wise man exhorteth every man. But alas, whereunto shall I liken this generation? we are like the Ephesians, we havea lost our first love; or the Laodiceans, we areb neither hot nor cold: or the twilight, neither day nor night: or the Autumn, neither fair nor foul: or one sick of an ague, one day well another ill: or a man in a Lethargy, neither alive nor dead: or Hermaphroditus, neither male nor female: or to those creatures called [Greek or Hebrew], which live in water or on land: or the Lioness, which the oftener she breedeth; the fewer cubs she beareth: or the Mariner, who is only good in a storm: or the Marigold, that shutteth and openeth with the Sun: or the Mermaids, which are half flesh half fish. I would to God we were either hot or cold: that as the hottest regions bring forth sweetest spices, so most zealous people might be most fruitful in good works: that as the Sun in the heaven is swiftest at her setting, so the sons of God might be best at their ending. But is it so? no: the more we are taught, the more ignorant are many; and the older we are, the colder in religion. We have indeed many of us, as it was said of Aristogîton, Marte•, or rather religionem in lingua, religion in tong: but when trial is made of us, everyc Phocion can espy our halting: and then withd Archilochus we think it better clypeum abjicere quàm interire, even to cast off all religion, then to undergo the least disgrace for religion.
All things in the world do take their time, the bird to build her nest, the husbandman to sow his seed, the mariner to go to sea, the gardener to set his trees, the sicke patient to take physicke, the cooke to season meates, and the dresser of the vineyard to gather his fruite. It will be too late to build in Sommer, to sow in haruest, to go to sea when the ship is lanched, to transplant trees when they are old, to take phisicke when we are dying, to season meates when they are vnsauorie, & when winter is come to gather fruite. Thek fiue foolish virgins came too late, Diues lin hell repenteth too late, the time present is only ours. Is the fig-tree fruitlesse? it shall heare that sentence, mNeuer fruite grow on thee any more. nGet thee then ⟨image 5⟩righteousnesse before thou come to iudgement: vse Physicke before thou be sicke, and whilst thou maist yet sinne, shew thy conuersion, as the wise man exhorteth euery man. But alas, whereunto shall I liken this generation? we are like the Ephesians, we hauea lost our first loue; or the Laodiceans, we areb neither hote nor cold: or the twilight, neither day nor night: or the Autumne, neither faire nor fowle: or one sicke of an ague, one day well another ill: or a man in a Lethargie, neither aliue nor dead: or Hermaphroditus, neither male nor female: or to those creatures called 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, which liue in water or on land: or the Lionesse, which the oftener she breedeth; the fewer cubs she beareth: or the Mariner, who is onely good in a storme: or the Marigold, that shutteth and openeth with the Sunne: or the Mermaides, which are halfe flesh half fish. I would to God we were either hote or cold: that as the hotest regions bring foorth sweetest spices, so most zealous people might be most fruitfull in good workes: that as the Sunne in the heauen is swiftest at her setting, so the sonnes of God might be best at their ending. But is it so? no: the more we are taught, the more ignorant are many; and the older we are, the colder in religion. We haue indeed many of vs, as it was said of Aristogîton, Marte•, or rather religionem in lingua, religion in tong: but when trial is made of vs, euery
eThe Moon desiring to be apparelled as the rest of the Planets, answer was made her, that her diverse changes could admit no kind of habit. And we desiring to be attired with the robes of Christians, it is to be feared, that ⟨image 6⟩since we tread anot the Moon under our feet, we shall never be clothed as the Church was, with theb Sun. Who is wise, cand he shall understand these things; and prudent, & he shall know them. Let us therefore labour tod grow in grace, to abound in knowledge, to be full of good works, and to overcome all the underminers of our future salvation. Then shall wee eat of the tree of life, not be hurt of the second death, taste of the hidden Manna, have power over nations, be clothed in white, made pillars in Gods temple, and sit with Christ Jesus in the throne of his Father. And though thef son of Ishai cannot make us Captains of thousands, yet that Son of David willg make us the sons of God. That we may do so, we must believe the Gospel, put on Christ Jesus, and be renewed by repentance. The first is necessary, the second comely, the third profitable. To come to the first: it is necessary we should believe: for he that hbelieveth not, is condemned already, he is condemned in the counsel of God, in the ministry of the word, and in his own conscience, and he shall be condemned in the day of judgement; fori the wrath of God abideth upon him. The more I consider the fruits of faith, the more I see the necessity of faith.k Through it we are saved: lby it we are justified: min it we live. We are saved from Satan, justified before God, and live in the Church. In the Church? nay, by it we live in heaven: forn he that believeth in the Son of God, hath everlasting life. Faith is that whicho purifieth the heart, maketh the whole man top run the ways of Gods commandments, qgiveth entrance to grace, raccess to God in prayer, smade the Elders well reported of, and each Christian tot stand to the profession of Christ. It is thatu hand by which we must apprehend Christ: thatw shield by which we resist all the ⟨image 6⟩fiery darts of the devil: and thata means by which we do good to others.b By faith we receive the spirit: care members of Christ: dwe are risen with him: ehe dwelleth in our hearts: fwe feed on him continually: gresist Satan: hare the children of God: iand the word which we hear becometh profitable. And what shall I say?
eThe Moone desiring to be apparelled as the rest of the Planets, answer was made her, that her diuerse chaunges could admit no kind of habite. And we desiring to be attired with the robes of Christians, it is to be feared, that ⟨image 6⟩since we tread anot the Moone vnder our feet, we shall neuer be clothed as the Church was, with theb Sunne. Who is wise, cand he shall vnderstand these things; and prudent, & he shall know them. Let vs therefore labour tod grow in grace, to abound in knowledge, to be full of good works, and to ouercome all the vnderminers of our future saluation. Then shall wee eate of the tree of life, not be hurt of the second death, tast of the hidden Manna, haue power ouer nations, be clothed in white, made pillars in Gods temple, and sit with Christ Iesus in the throne of his Father. And though thef sonne of Ishai cannot make vs Captains of thousands, yet that Sonne of Dauid willg make vs the sonnes of God. That we may do so, we must beleeue the Gospell, put on Christ Iesus, and be renewed by repentance. The first is necessarie, the second comely, the third profitable. To come to the first: it is necessarie we should beleeue: for he that hbeleeueth not, is condemned alreadie, he is condemned in the counsell of God, in the ministerie of the word, and in his owne conscience, and he shall be condemned in the day of iudgement; fori the wrath of God abideth vpon him. The more I consider the fruites of faith, the more I see the necessitie of faith.k Through it we are saued: l
eTreatise of Apostasy. c. 2.Treatise of Apostacie. c. 2.
faith is of such a quality, that itk uniteth us to Christ,l maketh us certain of our salvation,m bold in our profession, ministerethn true joy, ogiveth temporal blessings, psanctifieth our gifts, and maketh us refuse theq pleasures of this present world. In a word, no sin can condemn him who hath this true faith, and no virtue can save him who wanteth it.
faith is of such a qualitie, that itk vniteth vs to Christ,l maketh vs certaine of our saluation,m bold in our profession, ministrethn true ioy, ogiueth temporall blessings, psanctifieth our gifts, and maketh vs refuse theq pleasures of this present world. In a word, no sinne can condemne him who hath this true faith, and no vertue can saue him who wanteth it.
seruant this Prophet. For the Church in his time, we may see how it stood, in the three first Chapters: and what condition it should haue for the time to come, it is plainely set downe in the rest of this booke.
If we respect the generall estate of the Church, after Iohn had described the authors of this Reuelation, which are God the Father, chap. 4. and Christ his Sonne, chap. 5. he cometh to the works of God, which are predictions, cha. 6. obsignations, chap. 7. indignations, chap. 8. 9. Predictions of things to come, obsignations of such as must be saued, & indignation on things to be destroyed. And for the more particular estate of the Church, hauing (chap. 10.) shewed his warrant to write, he cometh to her actions: first, in her Prophets: secondly, in her bodie. In her Prophets, their fighting, falling, rising, chap. 11. In her bodie, comparing her to a woman clothed with the Sunne, chap. 12. and describing her by her combats, conquests, triumphs: her combats defensiue, chap. 13. and offensiue in Christ, by words, chap. 14. threatnings, chap. 15. and iudgements, chap. 16. her victories gotten against that
Dragon, chap. 20. And all that glorie which she shall haue in the kingdome of God, is vnder the type of Ierusalem most comfortably set downe, chap. 21. 22.
Shepheards. Prophets to teach, Seers to foretell, Remembrancers to put in mind, Trumpets to sound, Watchmen to admonish, Husbandmen to plow vp, Stewards to distribute, Maydens to keepe pure the doctrine of truth, Fishers to catch men, Leaders to go before, Elders to gouerne, Salt to season, Starres to giue light, Angels to declare, and Shepheards to feed: to feed (I say) soundly by doctrine, liberally by charitie, and religiously by life. By doctrine: for Sacerdos sine doctrina, est nauis sine velis, a Priest without knowledge, is a ship without sailes. By liberalitie: for
Nihil habet homo adeò diuinum quàm benefacere, man is in nothing
⟨image 4⟩
more like God, then in doing good. By life: for cuius vita despicitur, eius oratio contemnitur: his words are not esteemed, whose life is not approued. And that it may be said of them as it was of Origen: Quale habuit verbū, talem habuit vitam: as his words were, so were his workes. They must not be barren like mount
weaned as Samuel was, before they be offered vnto the Lord. They must be pure water if they will cleanse others, and more then whetstones, if they will sharpen others.
Colossa, Hierapolis, and Laodicea, who reiected Paule, and these Asian Churches who did not grow in righteousnesse as they did in riches, how shall we escape
not harden our hearts, but regard the time of our present visitation. As the day openeth and shutteth with the Sunne, so saluation openeth and shutteth with the Gospell.
