A09442:369
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 the Church of God there be many ignorant persons, many which continue in their ignorance & rebellion, and so continue in sin: but a small number of good blazing lamps. Many hold the place of good lights, but are dark, dim, and give no light, let these fear Gods judgements. Would any be true candles, burning and blazing lights? let them first get knowledge in the word and will of God, furnish and replenish their hearts with knowledge, and after practise the same faithfully in obedience, in leading a godly life, shining to other in holy example, exhorting and instructing them, that so shining forth clearly and cheerfully, Christ standing in the middest of the lights, may like and allow of them. For unless we shine thus in this candlestick, to wit, the Church of God, where we have our places, we shall never have light, nor joy in the kingdom of heaven: but if we do, we shall then shine as the Sun, clear and fair for evermore.
In the Church of God there be many ignorant persons, many which continue in their ignorance & rebellion, and so continue in sin: but a small number of good blazing lamps. Many hold the place of good lights, but are darke, dimme, and giue no light, let these feare Gods iudgements. Would any be true candles, burning and blazing lights? let them first get knowledge in the word and will of God, furnish and replenish their hearts with knowledge, and after practise the same faithfully in obedience, in leading a godly life, shining to other in holy example, exhorting and instructing them, that so shining foorth clearely and chearefully, Christ standing in the middest of the lights, may like and allow of them. For vnlesse we shine thus in this candlesticke, to wit, the Church of God, where we haue our places, we shall neuer haue light, nor ioy in the kingdome of heauen: but if we do, we shall then shine as the Sunne, cleare and faire for euermore.
Golden candlesticks. That is, made of gold: so called for two causes. The Church of God is compared to a candlestick of gold: first, because as gold is most excellent of all metals: so the Church of God is the most excellent of all societies and companies of men. All companies and societies of men, in the family, town, city, kingdom, commonweals, they be all the ordinance of God, and excellent in their kinds: but the Church of God is above all these, it is most excellent, no society cometh near it: first, because in the Church there is salvation to be had and obtained, but in none of these societies of men it is to be had, as they be societies of men, but as they be Churches, or true members of the Church.