A09443:127
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.
Secondly, we learn, that we may and ought to direct our prayers to the holy ghost: for by whom grace and peace is given, to him we may direct our prayers: but grace and peace are given by the holy ghost; therefore we may pray to him for them. This is the rather to be observed, because there be some which doubt, whether we may pray to the holy ghost: b•t they may as well doubt whether he be God. They say, we have no example hereof in scripture. Ans. It is not true: for in this benediction John prayeth to the holy ghost, saying, Grace be wi•h you, and Peace from God the father, &c. For in substance it is as much •s if he had said thus: Thy grace and peace, O father; and thy grace and peace, O holy ghost; and thine O Son, be with thy Church.
Secondly, wee learne, that wee may and ought to direct our prayers to the holy ghost: for by whome grace and peace is giuen, to him we may direct our prayers: but grace and peace are giuen by the holy ghost; therefore wee may pray to him for them. This is the rather to be obserued, because there bee some which doubt, whether wee may pray to the holy ghost: b•t they may as well doubt whether he be God. They say, we haue no example hereof in scripture. Ans. It is not true: for in this benediction Iohn prayeth to the holy ghost, saying, Grace be wi•h you, and Peace from God the father, &c. For in substance it is as much •s if he had said thus: Thy grace and peace, O father; and thy grace and peace, O holy ghost; and thine O sonne, be with thy Church.
Thirdly, in this description of the holy ghost, by standing before the throne of the father, we may observe, That the holy ghost is a person subsisting, and not a quality. Some heretics that acknowledged the godhead of the father, denied the godhead of the Son and of the holy ghost: and concerning the holy ghost, have held, That he is nothing, but the virtue and quality of the father. But this is most false: for a the father is a substance fitting upon the throne: so here we see the holy ghost is a substance standing before the throne.