A09443:1050
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.
First, that our common professors of religion are in worser case than heathen men, Jews, and Turks that know not Christ. This Christ teacheth in preferring cold persons before the luke-warm; as if he should say; I had rather thou werest a Pagan, than a Professor without ⟨p. 202⟩zeal. And kSaint Peter to this purpose speaking of such saith; It had been better they had never known the way of truth, than after they have known it, not to obey the commandments of God. So that unless there be further matter in us than knowledge and bare profession, our case is worse than the case of Jews and Turks. Religion known, will not make thee better than them, but it is zeal and obedience that must prefer thee before them.
First, that our common professors of religion are in worser case than heathen men, Iewes, and Turkes that knowe not Christ. This Christ teacheth in preferring cold persons before the luke-warm; as if hee should say; I had rather thou werest a Pagan, than a Professor without ⟨p. 202⟩zeale. And kSaint Peter to this purpose speaking of such saith; It had beene better they had neuer knowne the way of truth, than after they haue known it, not to obey the commaundements of God. So that vnlesse there be further matter in vs than knowledge and bare profession, our case is worse than the case of Iewes and Turkes. Religion knowne, will not make thee better than them, but it is zeale and obedience that must preferre thee before them.
Secondly, from the consideration of our estate, I gather that we are in danger to be spewed out of the mouth of Christ, as luke-warm water out of the stomach. This is the punishment here threatened, which was written for our instruction, that we might know where luke-warmness takes place, there this punishment will follow. We may flatter our selves as the men in the old world did, & think all is well, never regarding till the judgement come: but the truth is, that in regard of this sin, we are in danger to be cut off from the Church, and from true society with Christ; God can do this sundry ways, either by bereaving us of his Gospel, and making us as the heathen; or by sending the enemy among us, to destroy and root us out of this land; and even in our neighbour-countries, and towns, he sets spectacles before us, that by them we may see how he can spew us ou, & cut us off from being a people. And thus much of the first fault, namely, luke-warmness.