A09442:304
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.
2 The cause for which he came into this Isle: For the word of God: that is, because he was by calling a publisher and preacher of the word of God, for which cause he was banished. By which we may note, that all natural men (as Domitian and the Romans were, and all men are by nature) hate all that profess God, hate his word, they cannot abide it. For S. John a most worthy Apostle, a famous man for gifts, a singular preacher of the word of God: yet for this very cause is hunted, nay banished, not for his own cause, but for the word of God. This hath been seen in all heathen Emperors, yea and all men by nature hate the word: yet though they hate it in their hearts, the same word it winneth them, and hath taken place in them to convert them, and to make them to love it: which showeth, that the word taught by the Prophets and Apostles, is indeed the true word of God, not the invention of man. For if the word which is hated of all men by nature, had not some divine power ⟨p. 66⟩in it, it could never make such men to love it by grace, which hate it by nature. For no word of man can make a man which hateth the same to love it, but only the word of God.
2 The cause for which he came into this Isle: For the word of God: that is, because he was by calling a publisher and preacher of the word of God, for which cause he was banished. By which we may note, that all naturall men (as Domitian and the Romaines were, and all men are by nature) hate all that professe God, hate his word, they cannot abide it. For S. Iohn a most worthie Apostle, a famous man for gifts, a singular preacher of the word of God: yet for this very cause is hunted, nay banished, not for his owne cause, but for the word of God. This hath bene seene in all heathen Emperours, yea and all men by nature hate the word: yet though they hate it in their hearts, the same word it winneth them, and hath taken place in them to conuert them, and to make them to loue it: which sheweth, that the word taught by the Prophets and Apostles, is indeed the true word of God, not the inuention of man. For if the word which is hated of all men by nature, had not some diuine power ⟨p. 66⟩in it, it could neuer make such mē to loue it by grace, which hate it by nature. For no word of man can make a man which hateth the same to loue it, but onely the word of God.