A09443:1125
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.
Hence then it follows, that this text hath been divers ways abused: First, by the Papists, who hence would gather Free will of conversion in a sinner by nature. True it is, a man hath free will in his conversion; yet not by nature, but by grace; neither can any more be gathered hence, for here it is only said, If any man hear and open when I knock. Nay, hence we may rather gather, that a man by nature cannot hear, nor open, because the counsel is given to such as are poor, and blind, and naked by nature.
Hence then it followes, thar this text hath been diuers waies abused: First, by the Papists, who hence would gather Free will of conuersion in a sinner by nature. True it is, a man hath free will in his conuersion; yet not by nature, but by grace; neither can any more be gathered hence, for here it is onely said, If any man heare and open when I knocke. Nay, hence wee may rather gather, that a man by nature cannot heare, nor open, because the counsell is giuen to such as are poore, and blinde, and naked by nature.
Secondly▪ they also abuse this text, that hereby would prove a flexible free will by grace to be in man: which is this. Sundry men think, that after the fall of Adam, all being wrapped up in sin, God gave a general grace, whereby any man might will, and receive that which is good: and this grace, though it dispose the will in some part to that which is good, yet it takes not the corruption away, but that remains still; whereupon if he will, he may receive Christ by that general grace, or if he will not, he may refuse Christ by his natural corruption which yet remaineth in him. It is said, this may be gathered from this text: But the truth is, here is no foundation for flexible free-will: all that can here be gathered is, that man hath free-will in his conversion, yet not by a general, but by Gods special grace. Nay, Christs ministry serue• for this end, that those which before could not turn of themselves, might by grace be converted. This flexible grace is against Gods word: Christ saith; a