A09442:166
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 second privilege which he hath above all the dead,1 is, that he by his own power, and by the virtue of his Godhead raised his manhood. But all that rise to life, save Christ, they are raised by virtue of his resurrection, not by their own power. None can raise themselves, but by the virtue of that mystical union between Christ the head, and us the members. For as the first fruits being offered to the Lord, they sanctified all the rest: so Christ Jesus the first fruits of the dead, did by his resurrection, sanctify and make acceptable all our resurrections.
The second priuiledge which he hath aboue all the dead,1 is, that he by his owne power, and by the vertue of his Godhead raised his manhood. But all that rise to life, saue Christ, they are raised by vertue of his resurrection, not by their owne power. None can raise themselues, but by the vertue of that mysticall vnion betweene Christ the head, and vs the members. For as the first fruites being offered to the Lord, they sanctified all the rest: so Christ Iesus the first fruites of the dead, did by his resurrection, sanctifie and make acceptable all our resurrections.
- 1The second privilege.The second priuiledge.
In this is a notable comfort for all Gods children,1 against the immoderate fear of death: for if John had said, Christ is the first borne among the living, it had been a great comfort: for then had he showed that we be his family on earth; that the company of his children on earth is his family, and he is the head of them, he our elder brother. But in that he saith, the first begotten of the dead, here is an excellent comfort: for the Lord showeth thereby, that he hath special regard even of the dead of his family: for the company of his members which be dead they be his family, and in this family, Christ is numbered as the elder brother. And in that respect he hath a double right: first, of a King: secondly, of a Priest. Of a King, in making the dead to obey his voice, and to rise from the dead at his commandment. Secondly, of a Priest, to offer himself an acceptable sacrifice to his father: and also by his death to sanctify and perfume the death of the godly, so that their death is to them no death. For as the first fruits sanctified the rest of the corn, so Christ the first fruits of the dead, he sanctifieth the death of all his children: so that death sanctified by his death is no curse to the godly, the grave is not a prison, but a pleasant chamber of rest.