A09443:1037
A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…
A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the Revelation. Preached in Cambridge by that reverend and judicious divine, master William Perkins, Ann. Dom. 1595. First published for the benefit of Gods Church, by Robert Hill, Bachelor of DivinityA godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the Reuelation. Preached in Cambridge by that reuerend and judicious diuine, maister William Perkins, Ann. Dom. 1595. First published for the benefit of Gods Church, by Robert Hill, Bachelor of Diuinitie
London: printed by Adam Islip for Cuthbert Burbie, 1606
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.
I would thou werest cold or hot: Christ wisheth not simply, that they were enemies unto him; but only in respect of that estate of luke-warmness, in which they were; as if he should say: I had le•er thou werest either cold or hot, than thus luke-warm as thou art. For if we should understand it simply, we should make Christ to desire that men should be his enemies. By luke-warm men, he understandeth a people, who are in show Gods Church, but in truth want the power of godliness, and the zeal of the spirit. Because thou art such (saith Christ to this Church) therefore I will spew thee out of my mouth: that is, look as he that hath drunk luke-warm water, cannot abide it on his stomach, but must needs spew it up again; so am I weary of this thy security, I cannot abide it, and therefore will I cast thee off from all fellowship with me, and make of thee which art a Church in show, to be no Church.
I would thou werest cold or hot: Christ wisheth not simply, that they were enemies vnto him; but onely in respect of that estate of luke-warmnes, in which they were; as if hee should say: I had le•er thou werest either cold or hot, than thus luke-warme as thou art. For if we should vnderstand it simply, wee should make Christ to desire that men should bee his enemies. By luke-warme men, he vnderstandeth a people, who are in shew Gods Church, but in truth wante the power of godlynesse, and the zeale of the spirit. Because thou art such (saith Christ to this Church) therefore I will spew thee out of my mouth: that is, looke as hee that hath drunke luke-warme water, cannot abide it on his stomacke, but must needs spew it vp againe; so am I wearie of this thy securite, I cannot abide it, and therefore will I cast thee off from all fellowship with mee, and make of thee which art a Church in shew, to be no Church.
Thus we see their fault, namely, luke-warmness; the greatness whereof, he aggravates; first by comparing it with the extremes, cold and hot, both which he preferreth before it, as may appear by his wish and desire: And secondly, by the punishment thereof; namely utter rejection.