A09443:297
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.
Secondly, for the quality of it, this voice was great; as is expressed further by a similitude, Like the sound of a trumpet; that is, full of power and majesty. Which also God added unto it, to further attention in John. For if it had been an ordinary voice, or small, he would not so much have regarded it: but being so sudden, so great, and full of majesty, it could not but make him very attentive.
Secondly, for the qualitie of it, this voyce was great; as is expressed further by a similitude, Like the sound of a trumpet; that is, full of power and maiestie. Which also God added vnto it, to further attention in Iohn. For if it had beene an ordinarie voyce, or small, hee would not so much haue regarded it: but being so sudden, so great, and full of maiestie, it could not but make him verie attentiue.
Now seeing Christ is so careful to prepare Johns mind with attention and diligence to receive the things which should be told him: This teacheth us, that when we come to hear Gods word, we must use all means of attention: for if it were needful to John, then is it far more necessary for us, who are far inferior to him in all gifts of understanding and memory. And here also is another cause of small profit and little liking of Gods word, namely, want of attention ⟨p. 47⟩in the heart. We must therefore like godly Lydia, Act. 16. stir up our dull and heavy spirits, and with all diligence mark the things we hear. And here we must take heed of two enemies to attention: the first are by-thoughts: as when the body indeed is present, but the mind wandereth from the word, and is wholly possessed with thoughts of pleasure, or other worldly affairs: For these be thorns in the ground of our hearts, which choke the good seed of the word. Many will complain they cannot mark and remember that which is taught; now the cause is in themselves their wandering thoughts, which hinder both understanding and memory: for the mind conceiving other matters, cannot observe how one point dependeth on another, much less remember them afterward.