A09443:1057
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.
And increased with goods: or, am made rich: so the words are: these words are added only for amplification to show, that this church had not any small portion, but an exceeding measure of spiritual pride; The doubling of the words, showeth the strength of this conceit. Whats the cause that this Church was grown to such an height of pride? Answ. It may be it was knowledge, wherewith no doubt the Angel of this Church, and many therein did abound: now the holy Ghost saith, aThat knowledge pusseth up. This is true in all places: great knowledge, (without special grace) great pride. This is the sin of the Schools of learning; Where knowledge abounds, there pride of heart abounds, and men are puffed up according to the measure of their gifts, unless by his grace and the sight of their sins, God do humble them.
And increased with goods: or, am made rich: so the words are: these words are added onely for amplification to shew, that this church had not any smal portion, but an exceeding measure of spirituall pride; The doubling of the words, sheweth the strength of this conceit. Whats the cause that this Church was growne to such an height of pride? Answ. It may be it was knowledge, wherewith no doubt the Angell of this Church, and many therin did abound: now the holy Ghost saith, aThat knowledge pusseth vp. This is true in all places: great knowledg, (without speciall grace) great pride. This is the sinne of the Schooles of learning; Where knowledge abounds, there pride of heart abounds, and men are puffed vp according to the measure of their gifts, vnlesse by his grace and the sight of their sins, God doe humble them.
- a1. Cor. •.1.
And have need of nothing: This is a further sign of their great pride, that they thought they needed not the help of any thing, or any person beside themselves: And all such as think they have no need of the blood of Christ for the washing away of their sins, do surfeit and abound with this spiritual pride of heart. This serves further to convince our congregations of this damnable spiritual pride. If any one be sick in body, he straight sendeth to the Physician: but not one of a thousand seeketh to the Minister till the pang of death draw near. The souls disease by sin is not felt; there is no complaint for want of the blood of Christ. But if we would be emptied of this pride, we must labour to see that we stand in need of Christ, and every drop of his blood; till such time as we feel that in us, there is no goodness in our hearts; We are but the proud Laodiceans, and our case is wretched and damnable.