A09443:106
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.
Lastly, we may here observe, That S. John knew no prerogative of the church of Rome above other churches: for if it were the mother church, whereon al• other churches should depend, as the Papists would have it▪ I would know of them why John passed by it in the dedication ⟨p. 13⟩of this book, which containeth matter needful for all churches to know.
Lastly, we may here obserue, That S. Iohn knew no prerogatiue of the church of Rome aboue other churches: for if it were the mother church, whereon al• other churches should depend, as the Papists would haue it▪ I would know of them why Iohn passed by it in the dedication ⟨p. 13⟩of this booke, which containeth matter needfull for al churches to know.
Grace be with you, and Peace from him which is, and which was, and which is to come: and from the seven spirits which are before his throne. Here begins Johns salutation of the seven churches. Salutations be of two sorts, Civill, and Religious. Civill, is that which men use ordinarily one to another, wishing health welfare, and such like. Religious, is that, which is peculiar and proper unto the church, comprehending in it a benediction also. And such is this here used by S. John. It may also be called Apostolical: because it is so usual with them in their Epistles. And they used it the rather, because it is so correspondent to their ministry: which stood in two things; first, in preaching, which is the ministry of grace and reconciliation, the things here desired: secondly, in prayer, whereto belonged the duty of benediction, to pronounce a blessing upon the people; as did the priests in their ministration under the law, Num. 6.23