A09443:1073
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.
The end why Christ calleth this church poor, is to beat down the proud conceit of her own good estate, and to cause her to feel her spiritual poverty, and so become poor in spirit. And we in them are likewise taught to labour to feel our own poverty, how by nature there is no goodness in us; but we are utterly destitute of the grace and favour of God, that so we may go out of our selves, and in regard of our selves even despair of our salvation: for till this poverty of spirit be wrought in us, we may make a show in profession, hear the word and receive the Sacraments, but we shall never ha•e sound grace. And blessed were our estate, if we could lay aside that devilish pride, which puffeth up our hearts, and become poor in spirit; then were we in the right way to receive the Gospel, and the ⟨p. 206⟩graces thereof: but till we be beggars in our selves, we never begin to be rich in Christ.
The end why Christ calleth this church poore, is to beat downe the proud conceit of her owne good estate, and to cause her to feele her spirituall pouertie, and so become poore in spirit. And we in them are likewise taught to labour to feele our owne pouertie, how by nature there is no goodnesse in vs; but wee are vtterly destitute of the grace and fauor of God, that so we may goe out of our selues, and in regard of our selues euen despaire of our saluation: for till this pouertie of spirit be wrought in vs, wee may make a shew in profession, heare the word and receiue the Sacraments, but we shall neuer ha•e sound grace. And blessed were our estate, if wee could lay aside that diuelish pride, which puffeth vp our hearts, and become poore in spirite; then were wee in the right way to receiue the Gospell, and the ⟨p. 206⟩graces thereof: but till we be beggars in our selues, wee neuer begin to be rich in Christ.
Howe can Christ truly charge this Church with poverty; for the Laodiceans were a rich people, and had great store of wealth? Answ. True it is, they were rich in wealth as histories show, and yet poor to God. For all honour and wealth in the world, is nothing without the grace and favour of God in Christ. Paul saith,