A09442:55
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.
To make this more plain: we must know, there is a double necessity; one is absolute, another is but in part. I call that absolute necessity, which can not be otherwise possibly. As that God lives, it cannot be otherwise; he is omnipotent, he cannot but be so. There is a necessity which is not absolute but in part: as when any thing done is necessary, because it depends on necessary causes. As fire to burn, this is not absolutely necessary, but in part, because it depends on that order which God set in things in the creation. It is not absolute: for if God should change that order in the creation, then it may be fire should ⟨p. 10⟩cease to burn,1 as it did in the three children in the oven.
To make this more plaine: we must know, there is a double necessitie; one is absolute, another is but in part. I call that absolute necessitie, which can not be otherwise possibly. As that God liues, it cannot be otherwise; he is omnipotent, he cannot but be so. There is a necessitie which is not absolute but in part: as when anie thing done is necessarie, because it depends on necessarie causes. As fire to burne, this is not absolutely necessarie, but in part, because it depends on that order which God set in things in the creation. It is not absolute: for if God should change that order in the creation, then it may be fire should ⟨p. 10⟩ceasse to burne,1 as it did in the three children in the ouen.
- 1Dan. 2.
Now in this place where he saith; These things must be done, it is not to be meant of absolute necessity, but of that which is but in part: for they must come to pass necessarily, only in regard of Gods decree. In them selves they be contingent, necessary by the unchangeable decree of God. In regard of which decree of God, all things which come to pass be necessary: yet can it not be inferred; therefore man hath no free will. For this necessity taketh it not away, neither the second causes, but rather disposeth them, and inclines mans free will.