A09443:182
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.
Instruct. V. Seeing we be spiritual kings, we must above all things labour and seek to have our part in the kingdom of Christ, and in his righteousness. A Christian must not have his heart glued and fast tied unto the things of this world, it is against his calling: but he must so use this world, as though he used it not. If a king should lay down his crown, and go and become a shepherd or of some manual trade, all men would marvel at it. So it fareth with them that profess themselves to be Christians, and yet bend their wits and endeavours wholly for these worldly things, they do as it were cast aside their kingly crown, and abase themselves to slavish bondage. But we must ever after have our hearts fixed in heaven, striving to come to our inheritance there.
Instruct. V. Seeing wee bee spirituall kings, wee must aboue all things labour and seeke to haue our part in the kingdome of Christ, and in his righteousnes. A Christian must not haue his heart glued and fast tied vnto the things of this world, it is against his calling: but hee must so vse this world, as though he vsed it not. If a king should lay downe his crowne, and go and become a shepheard or of some manuall trade, all men would maruell at it. So it fareth with them that professe themselues to be Christians, and yet bend their wits and endeuors wholly for these worldly things, they doe as it were cast aside their kingly crowne, and abase themselues to slauish bondage. But we must euer after haue our hearts fixed in heauen, striuing to come to our inheritance there.
Instruct. VI. Seeing all the true members of Christ be kings and princes: this should be an inducement to all backward persons to love and embrace true religion. In these careless days Religion is counted preciseness, and the profession thereof made a matter of reproach. But this ought not to be so, seeing that by it we come to have right and interest unto the kingdom of heaven, and to be lords of all creatures. And why should we not esteem the gospel preached as a ⟨p. 28⟩most precious jewel, seeing that we which are vassals of Satan, and firebrands of hell (as all men are by nature) become thereby the members of Christ, yea kings and princes to God? Yea verily, the consideration of this should make the ministers of the Gospel to joy in their callings, and to take all pains to preach the word, seeing by it men become of vassals of Satan, the true members of Christ, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven. In this world it is counted great honour to consecrate and establish one in an earthly kingdom: What a blessed and honourable thing then is this, to consecrate spiritual kings for the kingdom of heaven? And this is done, when by the word preached men are converted and brought to unfeigned repentance for their sins, & to true faith in Christ Jesus.