A09443:257
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.
More particularly, in this circumstance of place note two things: First, by what means Saint John came thither: Secondly, to what end, and for what cause. The means was banishment by the emperor Domitian: the cause was, for the word of God.
More particularly, in this circumstance of place note two things: First, by what meanes Saint Iohn came thither: Secondly, to what end, and for what cause. The meanes was banishment by the emperour Domitian: the cause was, for the word of God.
For the first, he came and abode in Patmos, being banished thither for the Gospels sake. In this his banishment consider many excellent things: First, Saint John was a most worthy Apostle, endued with rare gifts, a singular maintainer of the Gospel, and a famous founder of the church of God, and chief pillar thereof in those days when he wrote this book: and for this cause most hated of the cruel persecutor Domitian, and of the Romans. And yet observe, That whereas many other true Christians were put to the sword, S. John is not, but escapeth by banishment. The cause of this was Gods special providence, by which he reserved him for the benefit of the church, that he might receive this Revelation, and commit it to writing, for the perpetual good of all his children. And so though Domitian was a cruel tyrant, and wanted no malice towards John, yet he could not kill him. God overruled him, that he did but banish him, and that into such an Island, wherein he might quietly receive these visions, and pen the same for the good of the church. By this we see the great care and providence of God over his church, that he doth bridle and overrule the cruel minds and might of bloody persecutors, that they cannot for their hearts do any thing, but that which serveth for Gods glory, and the good of his church, though they intend the contrary. For Domitian intended only the hurt of John, yet see, by his banishment into that Isle, he had fit place to receive these visions for the good of the church. So in the death of Christ, the Jews and Gentiles, and all the people banded themselves together, to put Christ to death, and the devil he laboured to stir them on to practise their intended malice. Yet the overruling power of God, ⟨p. 40⟩