A09442:392
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.
Now seeing the aged man hath this excellency above young men, he must be reverenced: young men must rise to him. Levit. 19. and we must in their hoary head learn the image of Gods eternity. They which be such, which in regard of their age have this excellency above others, they must excel others in knowledge and experience, in wisdom and holiness, 1. Joh. 2. 13. I write to you fathers, which know the father which hath been from the beginning: showing, he taketh it for granted, that aged men which be fathers, should have knowledge in the will of God. Secondly, they must exceed others in holiness of life. God is holy, they bear his image, therefore they must (seeing they bear his image above others) go before young men in holiness. And therefore Solomon, Prou. 16. 31. compareth old age to a silver crown joined with righteousness, which, when they be joined together, old age indeed is a glorious ornament. Then men must take heed that old age be no disgrace unto them, nor dishonour, but an ornament and commendation. But alas, miserable is our days, when young men excel old, in knowledge and wisdom, in godliness of life and conversation, and other gifts of the Spirit: but it should not be so, but as the aged must go before them in preferment and excellency, so they should go before them in wisdom, knowledge, experience and godliness. And if in these which wear the silver crown on their heads, there be found sins abounding, and looseness of life, it is much more dishonour in them then the younger, though in neither commendable. And it is not enough for old men to say, their memory, conceit and knowledge fail them: for this showeth they have lived a bad and loose life, and mis-spent their younger age: but they must labour, that with their silver crown on their head, they may have a silver life in heart and hand.
Now seeing the aged man hath this excellencie aboue young men, he must be reuerenced: young men must rise to him. Leuit. 19. and we must in their hoarie head learne the image of Gods eternitie. They which be such, which in regard of their age haue this excellencie aboue others, they must excell others in knowledge and experience, in wisdome and holinesse,