A09442:345
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.
Seeing he useth all these means of attention in John, a worthy ⟨p. 81⟩Apostle, then much more must we use all good means to stir up attention in us, seeing we in all gifts are a thousand times inferior to the least Apostle: seeing we be dull and heavy, and our senses not so sharp as they should be, we must stir up our selves, seek to be attentive to that which which is spoken:1 and as Lydia did, we must employ all our diligence to make us attentive. And the cause why the word is preached without fruit, is, because we hear it without attention, and have no affection to it. Now that we may do this, we must beware of two enemies of attention: the first, are by-thoughts, when a man bringeth his body, but his mind goeth about his farms, or worldly riches, about a journey, or bargain, or some worldly affairs.2 These by-thoughts are thorns in our hearts, which choke the good seed of the word, that it cannot prosper and grow: for men which are troubled with them, cannot see how one point dependeth and hangeth on another, but their memory and understanding is hindered.
Seeing he vseth all these meanes of attention in Iohn, a worthie ⟨p. 81⟩Apostle, then much more must we vse all good meanes to stirre vp attention in vs, seeing we in all gifts are a thousand times inferiour to the least Apostle: seeing we be dull and heauie, and our senses not so sharpe as they shold be, we must stirre vp our selues, seeke to be attentiue to that which which is spoken:1 and as Lydia did, we must employ all our diligence to make vs attētiue. And the cause why the word is preached without fruite, is, because we heare it without attention, and haue no affection to it. Now that we may do this, we must beware of two enemies of attention: the first, are by-thoughts, when a man bringeth his bodie, but his mind goeth about his farmes, or worldly riches, about a iourney, or bargaine, or some worldly affaires.2