A09443:138
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.
But some will say, if Christs testimony of scripture be set down in the scriptures, why do not al• men know this testimony, and receive it? I answer, The shining of the sun before a mans face, is not sufficient to cause him to see, unless he have in his eyes the gift and sense of seeing: Even so, it is not enough for a man to have in Gods word, the testimony of Christ, that scripture is scripture; but withal, he must have in himself the light of the spirit, revealing that testimony to his conscience: and then in reading or hearing the scripture, in marking the manner, and style, the majesty, and power thereof, he shall be able to see in every sentence the testimony of Christ, assuring his conscience, that the same is undoubtedly the word of God.
But some will say, if Christs testimonie of scripture bee set downe in the scriptures, why doe not al• men know this testimonie, and receiue it? I answere, The shining of the sunne before a mans face, is not sufficient to cause him to see, vnlesse he haue in his eyes the gift and sence of seeing: Euen so, it is not ynough for a man to haue in Gods word, the testimonie of Christ, that scripture is scripture; but withall, hee must haue in himselfe the light of the spirit, reuealing that testimonie to his conscience: and then in reading or hearing the scripture, in marking the manner, and style, the maiestie, and power thereof, he shall bee able to see in euery sentence the testimonie of Christ, assuring his conscience, that the same is vndoubtedly the word of God.
A second doubt resolved by this doctrine, is this, How can a man know the true religion, seeing the Turk, Papist, Jew, and Protestant, have their several religions, and die in them? I answer, We must have recourse to Christ, this faithful witness: and look whereto he gives his testimony, that we must hold for true religion. Now the scriptures be as a letter sent from heaven to the Church, wherein Christ hath set down his own testimony of the true religion: which in trial shall be found to be the religion of the Protestant, and not the religion of Jew, Turk, or Papist.