A09442:167
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 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.
In this is a notable comfort for all Gods children,1 against the immoderate feare of death: for if Iohn had said, Christ is the first borne among the liuing, it had bene a great comfort: for then had he shewed that we be his familie on earth; that the companie of his children on earth is his familie, 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 sheweth thereby, that he hath speciall regard euen of the dead of his familie: for the companie of his members which be dead they be his familie, and in this familie, Christ is numbred 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 voyce, and to rise from the dead at his cōmaundement. Secondly, of a Priest, to offer himselfe an acceptable sacrifice to his father: and also by his death to sanctifie and perfume the death of the godly, so that their death is to them no death. For as the first fruites sanctified the rest of the corne, so Christ the first fruits of the dead, he sanctifieth the death of al his children: so that death sanctified by his death is no curse to the godly, the graue is not a prison, but a pleasant chamber of rest.