A09442:478
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 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.
In this preface two things are to be learned: first, seeing Christ repeateth that againe which he taught in the former Chapter: he sheweth, 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 speciall prouidence doth blesse, guide, and protect it, both in Ministers and people. This must we labour to learne, and to be certainely perswaded of, euen of the speciall presence and prouidence of Christ in his Church, in the speciall workes of the same. And without this, we cannot haue sound religion: & this standeth not in a swimming knowledge in the braine, but in a sure perswasion of the same in the heart. The second thing is, that this perswasion of the speciall presence and prouidence of Christ in his Church, is the meanes to draw vs to all duties of our calling, seeing Christ maketh this his reason to moue them to obey his admonition. So if we think and perswade our selues, that Christ is present in the midst of his Church, and withall guideth, blesseth, and protecteth the same, we cannot but be moued to walke as Enoch and Abraham did, with God euen as in his presence.