A09442:100
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
London: printed by Richard Field for Cuthbert Burbie, 1604
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.
In this that Christ foretells the Church,1 that now in the last age the time is at hand; we must be assured that whatsoever befalleth the members of Christ, shall shortly befall them; temptations, afflictions, the cross and calamity shall presently befall us, the time of judgement is at hand, it will presently befall us. And if we had this confidence, that the last judgement is at hand, it would make us do all in good conscience, stay us from many sins: and the want of this is the cause of much mischief: for so the bad servant thinking his master would defer his coming, he smites and beats his fellow servants. And the old world lived in sin, and would not believe the flood should come, though they were foretold of it, till they were all swept away by water.
In this that Christ foretels the Church,1 that now in the last age the time is at hand; we must be assured that whatsoeuer befalleth the mēbers of Christ, shal shortly befal them; temtations, afflictions, the crosse and calamity shall presently befall vs, the time of iudgement is at hand, it will presently befall vs. And if we had this confidence, that the last iudgement is at hand, it would make vs do all in good conscience, stay vs frō many sins: and the want of this is the cause of much mischiefe: for so the bad seruant thinking his maister would defer his comming, he smites and beates his fellow seruants. And the old world liued in sinne, and would not beleeue the flood should come, though they were foretold of it, till they were all swept away by water.
- 1Use.Vse.
We then should lay this to our harts: ever think the Lord is at the door, he is presently to come to judgement. And we ought the rather to think of this; for we have had ease, peace, and the Gospel flourishing this; 8 years with all temporal blessings. Now the state of the Church, is now peace and now trouble and persecution. Now then, seeing these crosses which must fall on the Church, they be to be done presently, we cannot but look for affliction and persecution after so long peace and preaching.