A09443:304
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.
This special care of God over his Church doth first confute the Papists opinion touching Scripture.1 They hold the Scripture to be certain in it self, but not unto men, till the Church give testimony thereunto. But this is false: for God ever had this care over his Church, not only to reveal his will unto them, but also to use means for the assurance of their consciences, that that which was revealed was his undoubted and perfect will. And therefore the word of God is certain, and ever was, not only in it ⟨p. 48⟩self, b•t to the consciences of believers, and that without the testimony of the church: and so should be, through the testimony of the church should never come thereunto.
This speciall care of God ouer his Church doth first confute the Papists opinion touching Scripture.1 They hold the Scripture to bee certen in it selfe, but not vnto men, till the Church giue testimonie thereunto. But this is false: for God euer had this care ouer his Church, not onely to reueale his will vnto them, but also to vse meanes for the assurance of their consciences, that that which was reuealed was his vndoubted and perfect will. And therefore the word of God is certen, and euer was, not onely in it ⟨p. 48⟩selfe, b•t to the consciences of beleeuers, and that without the testimonie of the church: and so should bee, through the testimonie of the church should neuer come thereunto.
- 1The Use.The Vse.
Secondly, hereby are confuted many carnal men, who will be of no religion; because (say they) there is no certainty in the matters of religion: mens opinions therein are so divers, that so many men, so many minds almost, and no man can tell who speaks the truth. Answ. It may be that men in sundry matters hold sundry private opinions: yet in the church of God, all the true members of Christ hold the same opinions touching the foundation of religion. But let it be granted, That all men on earth were of divers opinions touching matters of religion, should religion therefore be uncertain? God forbid. For religion is certain unto men, by the means that God hath appointed to certify the conscience of the truth thereof, and thereby might men come to the truth and certainty of religion taught by the Prophets and Apostles, though all men in the world were of divers opinions touching the same: Thus much of the Testimony.