A09442:477
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 the preface or entrance is taken out of the former chapter. The end and intent of it is, to draw the Church of Ephesus to reverence the admonition of Christ: so that Christ propoundeth not that first, but makes an entrance to prepare them to receive the same with reverence, and regard his admonition. ⟨p. 123⟩The third reason which he useth to do this, is thus framed: If I be he which holdeth the seven stars in my right hand, that is, he which by my mighty power, guide, bless, protect, and defend thee and thy Ministers: and if I walk in the midst of the seven candlesticks, that is, am always present in the midst of thy Church, to guide, bless and protect you, then ye should receive and reverence mine admonition: but the first is true, ergo, my admonition must be reverenced and obeyed, both of the Ministers and of the people.
Now the preface or entrance is taken out of the former chapter. The end and intent of it is, to draw the Church of Ephesus to reuerence the admonition of Christ: so that Christ propoundeth not that first, but makes an entrance to prepare them to receiue the same with reuerence, and regard his admonition. ⟨p. 123⟩The third reason which he vseth to do this, is thus framed: If I be he which holdeth the seuen stars in my right hand, that is, he which by my mightie power, guide, blesse, protect, and defend thee and thy Ministers: and if I walke in the midst of the seuen candlestickes, that is, am alwaies present in the midst of thy Church, to guide, blesse and protect you, then ye should receiue and reuerence mine admonition: but the first is true, ergo, my admonition must be reuerenced and obeyed, both of the Ministers and of the people.
In this preface two things are to be learned: first, seeing Christ repeateth that again which he taught in the former Chapter: he showeth, this is a most notable point to be learned and practised of all men: which is, that Christ he is present in his Church, & being present, by his special providence doth bless, guide, and protect it, both in Ministers and people. This must we labour to learn, and to be certainly persuaded of, even of the special presence and providence of Christ in his Church, in the special works of the same. And without this, we cannot have sound religion: & this standeth not in a swimming knowledge in the brain, but in a sure persuasion of the same in the heart. The second thing is, that this persuasion of the special presence and providence of Christ in his Church, is the means to draw us to all duties of our calling, seeing Christ maketh this his reason to move them to obey his admonition. So if we think and persuade our selves, that Christ is present in the midst of his Church, and withal guideth, blesseth, and protecteth the same, we cannot but be moved to walk as Enoch and Abraham did, with God even as in his presence.