A09442:103
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 the inscription are two parts, first, a dedication, secondly, a salutation, contained from the fourth till the ninth verse. In the dedication, there be first the party which dedicates it, secondly, the parties to whom it is dedicated. The party which dedicates it is John, who here again in this fourth verse repeats his name, yet so as he repeats no more but his bare name without any titles of commendation: he repeats it again, to show and certify every Reader of this book, that he was without all doubt the true pen-man of the holy Ghost in writing this Revelation. But though he repeat his name, yet he doth not add any titles of honour, as he did in the first verse many titles of praise and commendation. This he doth to give us a true pattern of modesty and humility, which is, never to speak in our own causes to our own praises, but only in cases of necessity, when Gods glory may be advanced, and the credit of our particular callings maintained. This Paul practised, who often humbles himself, and calls himself the least of all the Apostles, yea the chief of all sinners: yet when the credit of his Apostleship came into question, then he sets out himself, showing he was a true Apostle, and above those which did falsely call themselves so. 2. Cor. 11. So may we, when the glory of God, or the credit of our particular callings be in question, set out our selves with titles of commendation.
In the inscription are two parts, first, a dedication, secondly, a salutation, contained from the fourth till the ninth verse. In the dedication, there be first the party which dedicates it, secondly, the parties to whom it is dedicated. The party which dedicates it is Iohn, who here againe in this fourth verse repeates his name, yet so as he repeates no more but his bare name without any titles of commendation: he repeats it againe, to shew and certifie euery Reader of this booke, that he was without all doubt the true pen-man of the holy Ghost in writing this Reuelation. But though he repeate his name, yet he doth not adde any titles of honour, as he did in the first verse many titles of praise and commendation. This he doth to giue vs a true patterne of modesty and humility, which is, neuer to speake in our own causes to our owne praises, but onely in cases of necessity, when Gods glory may be aduanced, and the credit of our particular callings maintained. This Paul practised, who often humbles himselfe, and cals himselfe the least of all the Apostles, yea the chiefe of all sinners: yet when the credit of his Apostleship came into question, then he sets out himselfe, shewing he was a true Apostle, and aboue those which did falsly call themselues so.