A09443:162
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.
It may be objected, The love of God as also of man, respects a thing as it is good: First, the thing must be good, and then it is loved: and so in mans redemption God first foresees their goodness, and therefore chooseth them. Ans. There is great difference between the love of the creature, and of the creator. The love of the creature follows the goodness of a thing; because he seeth it is good, therefore he loves it. But God the creator first loves the creature before it be good, and hence it comes, that it is good, because he loves it.
It may be obiected, The loue of God as also of man, respects a thing as it is good: First, the thing must be good, and then it is loued: and so in mans redemption God first foresees their goodnesse, and therefore chuseth them. Ans. There is great difference betweene the loue of the creature, and of the creator. The loue of the creature followes the goodnesse of a thing; because he seeth it is good, therefore he loues it. But God the creator first loues the creature before it bee good, and hence it comes, that it is good, because he loues it.
Secondly, whereas Saint John and all the churches of Asia, as other true churches do believe, and are assured that Christ loves them (for that Saint John taketh for granted) this should move all men to have this care, to labour above all things to be rooted and grounded in the love of God, seeing he placeth that in the first place. This is the principal thing, wherein the Apostle would have the Ephesians rooted and grounded: and therefore prayeth, That with all Saints they may be able to comprehend, what is the breadth and length, depth, and height th••of. Ephes. 2. vers. 17, 18, 19. This we do when we are assured in heart and conscience, by the working of Gods spirit, that he loves us in Christ. So that he which denies unto us the assurance of Gods love in Christ, takes away the very ground of our salvation.
Secondly, whereas Saint Iohn and all the churches of Asia, as other true churches do beleeue, and are assured that Christ loues them (for that Saint Iohn taketh for granted) this should moue all men to haue this care, to labour aboue all things to be rooted and grounded in the loue of God, seeing hee placeth that in the first place. This is the principall thing, wherein the Apostle would haue the Ephesians rooted and grounded: and therefore prayeth, That with all Saints they may be able to comprehend, what is the breadth and length, deapth, and height thof.