A09443:112
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.
In this place, whether we take peace for outward welfare, or for the concord of Gods church, yet it is placed after grace, because it followeth as a fruit thereof: First, a man must be in Gods favour, and then come all the blessings of peace unto him. This then is the meaning, Grace be with you and peace. That is, I wish you the favour of God in Christ with peace, the blessed fruit thereof, even all outward welfare, and especially the concord of Gods church, having peace with God, with his holy Angels, with his church, with your own hearts, with your enemies (as far as may be for Gods glory) and with all his creatures.
In this place, whether we take peace for outward welfare, or for the concord of Gods church, yet it is placed after grace, because it followeth as a fruit thereof: First, a man must bee in Gods fauour, and then come all the blessings of peace vnto him. This then is the meaning, Grace be with you and peace. That is, I wish you the fauor of God in Christ with peace, the blessed fruit thereof, euen all outward welfare, and especially the concord of Gods church, hauing peace with God, with his holy Angels, with his church, with your owne hearts, with your enemies (as farre as may bee for Gods glorie) and with all his creatures.
1Whereas S. John wisheth grace unto the churches in the first place▪ he would teach us, That the favour of God is to be sought for above all things; for the Apostles practise must be our precept. So did David: Many say, who will show us any good: But Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me, Psal. 4.6. As if he should say, Let the most of the world seek what they will, as riches, pleasure, &c. yet my desire is of thy love and favour above all. And oftentimes he calleth God his portion, his rock, and castle of defence, the thing that be longeth for; to show, that all his joy was in Gods favour. And so it should be with us: but we little practise this, because we bring from our cradles natural presumption, which persuades us, that we be in the favour and love of God. But we must cast off this false persuasion, and take a new course; and labour first to see, that we be out of Gods favour, lost sheep, prodigal children in our selves, yea, the very firebrands of hell: and this, to see our own want of grace, is the first step to grace. Secondly, feeling this want and misery in our selves, we must earnestly desire, and in our souls hunger and thirst after the love and favour of God in Christ above all earthly things. Thirdly, we must by the hand of true faith lay hold upon the grace and mercy of God in Christ, propounded in the promises of the Gospel, and apply them to our selves particularly.