A09442:293
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 patience. A virtue whereby we are made able to persevere in affliction, to go on suffering till we come to heaven. Afflictions are the beaten way, heaven is our joyful end, patience is the means to make us persevere and go on till we come to our journeys end. Rom. 15. 4. Hope to come to heaven is obtained by patience, which maketh a believer to go on suffering till he come to life eternal. There is much fruit in the good ground, but not obtained without patience: and the true believer lives by hope in this life, yet cannot come to heaven without patience. James 5. 9.
In patience. A vertue whereby we are made able to perseuere in affliction, to go on suffering till we come to heauen. Afflictions are the beaten way, heauen is our ioyfull end, patience is the meanes to make vs perseuere and go on till we come to our iourneys end. Rom. 15. 4. Hope to come to heauen is obtained by patience, which maketh a beleeuer to go on suffering till he come to life eternall. There is much fruite in the good ground, but not obtained without patience: and the true beleeuer liues by hope in this life, yet cannot come to heauen without patience. Iames 5. 9.
Now because men will say, Patience is a hard matter, and so are discouraged; therefore to set an edge on their desire, he adds it is the kingdom and patience of Christ: first, because he commands it: secondly, patience cometh from the spirit of Christ: thirdly, because as he suffereth in his members, it is called his patience, for their misery and suffering is his: when his members suffer, he suffereth. And this is a singular comfort to all suffering the cross, that they have Christ their fellow sufferer, he takes part with them, puts under his shoulder, he is content to suffer with them. And in these three standeth the communion of Saints in suffering tribulation. The first step to this fellowship & communion of Saints, is to bear and be in tribulation, and he which is not come to that, is not yet in the communion of Saints. Then secondly, he must patiently bear them, persevere without grudging or repining: then follows the last, which is the end of all, the enjoying of the kingdom of heaven.