A09443:184
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.
Thus much for the duties. Now follow the consolations to every true believer only. It is an heavy cross, which breeds much anguish to the soul, to be in poverty and contempt among men; yet herein may the child of God stay his heart, and lessen his grief, by considering that even in this state of misery, he is a king unto God; though he seem base to the world, yet it appeareth not what he shall be, for he is heir to the kingdom of heaven. If a man be in sickness, he must consider it is but Gods messenger, to call him out of this world to the full possession of the joys of his kingdom. If he be in trouble of mind, having his own conscience tormented fearfully by Satan with his sins; yet he must not despair, the Lord will give him an happy issue: he must remember he is a king, and therefore shall one day have full conquest over sin, Satan, and his own corruption, yea, over all his enemies whatsoever.1 If he be in the heat of persecution turmoiled and tossed from post to pillar, which flesh and blood cannot brook: yet then he must consider his holy calling to be a spiritual king, whose property it is in the most violent afflictions, even unto death it self (as Paul saith) to be more than conqueror, Roman. 8.37. Lastly, in the very pang of death, when nature must needs be dissolved, and soul and body separated, then must the child of God remember, that he is a king in Christ, and this will stay his heart against the fear of death; for herein shall he see, that by death, as through a straight passage, he shall enter into the full possession of his kingdom. And thus much in that we are kings.
Thus much for the duties. Now follow the consolations to euery true beleeuer onely. It is an heauie crosse, which breeds much anguish to the soule, to bee in pouertie and contempt among men; yet herein may the child of God stay his heart, and lessen his griefe, by considering that euen in this state of miserie, he is a king vnto God; though hee seeme base to the world, yet it appeareth not what he shall bee, for hee is heire to the kingdome of heauen. If a man bee in sicknesse, he must consider it is but Gods messenger, to call him out of this world to the full possession of the ioyes of his kingdome. If he be in trouble of mind, hauing his owne conscience tormented fearefully by Sathan with his sinnes; yet he must not despaire, the Lord will giue him an happie issue: he must remember he is a king, and therefore shall one day haue full conquest ouer sinne, Sathan, and his own corruption, yea, ouer all his enemies whatsoeuer.