A09442:104
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.
The persons to whom he wrote, were the seven Churches in Asia: concerning them, note two things, first, he calls them Churches, secondly, in Asia.
The persons to whom he wrote, were the seuen Churches in Asia: concerning them, note two things, first, he cals them Churches, secondly, in Asia.
Why writes he to the Churches rather then to the Church, seeing there is but one true Church? Ans. The Church may be considered, first, as it is the whole company of the elect, and so it is but one: secondly, as it is parted and diversly sundered into parts; as in one country there is one Church, or one part of the Church is in one city or town, another part in some other And there may be many Churches, seeing every congregation professing the Gospel of Christ, is a Church, being a member of the true Catholic Church: as the sea is but one, yet there be ⟨p. 22⟩many parts of the sea, which lying against other countries, are called by their names, as the English, French, Spanish, Italian sea. So the particular Churches in particular countries, towns and cities, be Churches, though not the Catholic Church, but members of it. Note first, the matter of this book concerns the Church, seeing it is a prophetical history concerning the estate of the Church, from the time of John to the end: and therefore it is meet it should be dedicated to the Church. Secondly, it is dedicated to the Church, seeing the true members of the Catholic Church be the pillars and ground of truth: not that their authority is above the word, but because they preserve the scriptures as a treasury from age to age. And they be pillars and grounds of truth, because they give testimony to the truth of Gods word. 3. Because they publish the truth of Gods word, in and by the ordinary ministry of the word; and so the church being the pillar and ground of truth, it is fit this book should be dedicated to it. Secondly, he writes it not to all Churches, but makes choice of these seven Churches in Asia: first, because they were then most famous, as the Chapters following, and histories of the Church do show. Secondly, he says not, to the Churches of Jerusalem and of the Jews, but of Asia, to show them that which was long before foretold was now fulfilled; namely, that the Gentiles according as the Prophets foretold, should be called: which now was verified, seeing the Gentiles dwelt in Asia.