A09442:47
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.
Hence then we note,1 that the Papists err, who say, that lay men should not have the word, but bar them the reading of the Scriptures: but the holy Ghost saith, this revelation was to reveal things to come, not only to the Clergy, nor to the doctors of the Church, but to his servants: if so, then to the lay man as well as the Clergy: unless they will say, he is none of his servants. Then this I gather: if that this book, being most hard, must be learned of the lay man, then those books which be not so hard must be learned and read, and much more those which be more easy, as the history of the Gospel, the Epistles, &c. Secondly, the persons are the servants of Christ: this book then of Revelation, belongs not to all men indifferently, but it is written for the servants of Christ: that is, such as repent of their sins, believe truly in Christ, and show their faith by the fruits thereof in their lives. And so the Lord saith, he will reveal his secrets to his servants the Prophets:2 and the Lord will not keep back but reveal to Abraham the things he was to bring upon Sodom and Gomorrah.3 Then seeing those to whom the Lord shows his will,4 to whom he declares this book and others, they must be his servants: we must not content our selves only to hear the word, and receive the Sacraments: but we must seek to be his servants, we must repent truly, believe in Christ, and show this faith in obedience, and then the Lord will more and more daily acquaint us with his will. And the ⟨p. 8⟩cause why we hear the word daily and never profit, but be as ignorant and blind as before: the cause is, because we be not his servants: we be bare hearers, never practise that we hear in faith and obedience, we repent not, neither live a new life by repentance in new obedience. For else if the Lord see any which is his true servant he approves of him: he likes of him, and acquaints him daily with his will and word, increaseth his knowledge and obedience.
Hence then we note,