A09442:253
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.
See what an evil conscience is: it lieth asleep here, while a man lives it never troubleth him, but in this last day when he shall see his Judge with his eyes, then it will stir, it will torment him, it will attach, accuse and condemn him, it will lay to his charge his sins, his contempt of Christ and his word, his unbelief in the time of grace, it will be as a thousand witnesses to condemn him. This should cause all men to labour to get a good conscience, washed and purged in the blood of Christ, which will not lay to our charge any one sin, but assure us we be in the favour of God, which will not make us fear, but look up to our redeemer, and to rejoice in him. We must take heed when our conscience lieth asleep and accuseth not, no not at death, for it will then deceive us: but search and examine our hearts and consciences, and seek to have them washed and bathed in the blood of Christ.
See what an euill conscience is: it lieth asleepe here, while a man liues it neuer troubleth him, but in this last day when he shall see his Iudge with his eyes, then it wil stirre, it wil torment him, it will attach, accuse and condemne him, it will lay to his charge his sinnes, his contempt of Christ and his word, his vnbeleefe in the time of grace, it will be as a thousand witnesses to condemne him. This should cause all men to labour to get a good conscience, washed and purged in the blood of Christ, which will not lay to our charge any one sinne, but assure vs we be in the fauour of God, which wil not make vs feare, but looke vp to our redeemer, and to reioyce in him. We must take heed when our conscience lieth asleepe and accuseth not, no not at death, for it will then deceiue vs: but search and examine our hearts and consciences, and seeke to haue them washed and bathed in the blood of Christ.
Lastly he confirmeth this doctrine of the second coming of Christ, by a double note of asseveration, Even so, Amen. One of these is taken from the Hebrews Amen: the second from the Grecians [Greek or Hebrew]. Even as we avouch a thing, first by a simple and bare affirmation or negation: secondly, by an earnest asseveration: thirdly, by an oath. Now in that S. John useth these two kinds of assuring in this weighty matter of Christs second coming, we see our duty: we must not use the like at any time or thing, but only in matters of weight and moment: so S. John here, he shall come, and that certainly, undoubtedly it shall be so. Then the practise of them is wicked, which use these words in matters of no weight, at every word, and much more which bind every word with an oath which is far more. Yea though our Saviour often useth these words of asseveration, yet only in matters of weight and moment, and when the hearers were to be certified of the truth of a thing which was of importance.