A09443:222
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.
In this eight verse are three points concerning Christ. First, he is the beginning and the end. Secondly, he is, was, and is to come. Thirdly, he is Almighty. For the first: that Christ is the beginning, and the end, Saint John expresseth by a comparison taken from the Greek alphabet: and it standeth thus. As in the A, B, C, of the Grecians, Alpha is the first letter, and therefore the beginning of all the letters; and Omega is the last, and therefore the end of all the letters. So (saith Christ) am I the beginning of all things that are; and the end of all things. The first part of this similitude is in these words, I am Alpha and Omega; that is, I am as Alpha and Omega. The second part in these words, The beginning and the end.
In this eight verse are three points concerning Christ. First, he is the beginning and the end. Secondly, he is, was, and is to come. Thirdly, he is Almightie. For the first: that Christ is the beginning, and the end, Saint Iohn expresseth by a comparison taken from the Greeke alphabet: and it standeth thus. As in the A, B, C, of the Grecians, Alpha is the first letter, and therefore the beginning of all the letters; and Omega is the last, and therefore the end of all the letters. So (saith Christ) am I the beginning of all things that are; and the end of all things. The first part of this similitude is in these words, I am Alpha and Omega; that is, I am as Alpha and Omega. The second part in these words, The beginning and the end.
From this and such like manner of speaking, the Papists gather that it is lawful to worship God in a strange language. And that the Scriptures are to be read and delivered to the people in an unknown tongue. But their collection is frivolous: For though the unlearned English man know not what Alpha and Omega is: yet the Churches to whom this book was written, being Grecians knew generally what was meant hereby.
From this and such like manner of speaking, the Papists gather that it is lawfull to worshippe God in a strange language. And that the Scriptures are to be read and deliuered to the people in an vnknowne tongue. But their collection is friuolous: For though the vnlearned English man know not what Alpha and Omega is: yet the Churches to whome this booke was written, being Grecians knew generally what was meant hereby.