A09443:160
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 second part of Christs description is by the execution of his offices, which consists in four works. The first contained in these words, Unto him which loved us: the second, in these, Which washed us in his blood: the other two, in the two verses which follow, viz. 6 and 7. For the first, which loved us, that is, John and the churches of Asia, & by proportion, all other churches, being parts of the true church. The love of Christ hath three degrees: the first is a general love, whereby he loves all his creatures, approving the same to be good as they be his by creation. The second, is the love of mankind, in that he was content to become a redeemer for mankind, after their fall, and not •or any other creature; no not for the Angels, which fell as well as man: who therefore remain without all hope of salvation. ⟨p. 23⟩The third and principal, is that whereby he loves his elect and chosen children; which is that special savour, whereby he accepts of them to life everlasting. This third degree hath two parts: First, it is taken for his purpose to love: as when he saith, I have loved Jacob and hated Esau, Rom. 9.13. Secondly, for the act of loving; which is the declaration of his purpose by spiritual benefits, 1. John 3.1. Behold, what singular love God hath showed unto us, that we should be called the sons of God: noting the declaration of his love in the gift of adoption. So in this verse, by the love of Christ unto his church, is meant the actual declaration of his special favour, in accepting them for his children, and bestowing many singular blessings upon them.
The second part of Christs description is by the execution of his offices, which consists in foure works. The first contained in these words, Vnto him which loued vs: the second, in these, Which washed vs in his bloud: the other two, in the two verses which follow, viz. 6 and 7. For the first, which loued vs, that is, Iohn and the churches of Asia, & by proportion, all other churches, being parts of the true church. The loue of Christ hath three degrees: the first is a generall loue, wherby he loues all his creatures, approuing the same to be good as they be his by creation. The second, is the loue of mankind, in that he was content to become a redeemer for mankind, after their fall, and not or any other creature; no not for the Angels, which fell as well as man: who therefore remaine without all hope of saluation.