A09442:52
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.
First, the matter is things to come, which must be done: so speaks the holy Ghost in many places of the word. As Christ saith, showing the necessity: Offences must come: so Paul saith: ⟨p. 9⟩There must be heresies. Act. 14. We must, through many tribulations enter into heaven, &c. So to Timothy: they which be godly must suffer afflictions. Showing in all these places, that things which are to come, must necessarily come to pass.
First, the matter is things to come, which must be done: so speakes the holy Ghost in many places of the word. As Christ saith, shewing the necessitie: Offences must come: so Paule saith: ⟨p. 9⟩There must be heresies. Act. 14. We must, through manie tribulations enter into heauen, &c. So to Timothy: they which be godly must suffer afflictions. Shewing in all these places, that things which are to come, must necessarily come to passe.
But this doctrine agrees not with mans reason,1 though it be the will of God: for men will say; If all things come to pass necessarily, then it takes away mans free will: for necessity and free will can not stand together.2 Answer. They may. Indeed constraint and mans will can not stand: but mans will and unchangeable necessity may stand both together. As I show thus. In God there is absolute free will, yet he doth many things of necessity: as he willeth that which is good necessarily; for he can not possibly will that which is evil, but wills that which is good most freely. So Christ he died necessarily: he could not but die; for he died in regard of Gods counsel: and yet he died most willingly, and gave himself most freely to die when he suffered death: ergo these two, mans free will and unchangeable necessity, though not constraint, may stand together.