A09443:260
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.
Thirdly, here also observe, That John came into this Island, not of his own accord, as choosing a solitary life to be the most happy state of perfection; but by violence and constraint. For if he had come into it voluntarily, being little or not inhabited, he could not have done the duty of his Apostleship in preaching the Gospel, and laying the foundations of the church. This then confuteth the Monkish life, which is no life of holy perfection (as Papists call it) but of glorious superstition and slat impiety before God: for hereby they forsake their callings, and utterly disable themselves to do those duties which God requireth of them in church, commonwealth, or family.
Thirdly, here also obserue, That Iohn came into this Island, not of his own accord, as chusing a solitarie life to bee the most happie state of perfection; but by violence and constraint. For if hee had come into it voluntarily, being little or not inhabited, hee could not haue done the duty of his Apostleship in preaching the Gospell, and laying the foundations of the church. This then confuteth the Monkish life, which is no life of holy perfection (as Papists call it) but of glorious superstition and slat impietie before God: for hereby they forsake their callings, and vtterly disable themselues to do those duties which God requireth of them in church, commonwealth, or familie.
Fourthly, whereas John being banished, received his visions in a barren and base desolate place: we see, that those which honour God shall be honoured of God, even then when men seek most to disgrace them: for what greater disgrace could they have put upon John, than to banish him into so base an Island? Yet because it was for Gods glory, even there doth the Lord appear unto him, and honour him much in revealing unto him these visions. So when Joseph was sold of his brethren, and most dishonoured of them; then did God exalt him most of all. The same may be said of Daniel in Babylon, whom God did most advance, when his enemies sought his greatest ruin: and the same is true of all Gods children, Them which honour God will he honour.
Fourthly, whereas Iohn being banished, receiued his visions in a barren and base desolate place: we see, that those which honour God shall be honoured of God, euen then when men seeke most to disgrace them: for what greater disgrace could they haue put vpon Iohn, than to banish him into so base an Island? Yet because it was for Gods glory, euen there doth the Lord appeare vnto him, and honour him much in reuealing vnto him these visions. So when Ioseph was sold of his brethren, and most dishonoured of them; then did God exhalt him most of all. The same may bee sayd of Daniell in Babylon, whom God did most aduance, when his enemies sought his greatest ruine: and the same is true of all Gods children, Them which honour God will he honour.