A09443:306
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.
II. point. The commandment given to John is in these words: That which thou seest write in a book, and send it to the seven Churches which are in Asia. This commandment hath two parts: First, To write the things seen in a book: secondly, to send the book to the seven churches here named. And both these must John do, being now disabled by his exile to preach these things unto them personally, for these causes. First, that these churches might be edified in the faith, and strengthened in these most grievous times of persecution. Secondly, that they might become keepers of this book for the good of others: for the church of God is the pillar of truth: not only, for that it publisheth Gods truth: but also because it keepeth it, and giveth testimony thereunto.
II. point. The commaundement giuen to Iohn is in these words: That which thou seest write in a booke, and send it to the seuen Churches which are in Asia. This commaundement hath two parts: First, To write the things seene in a booke: secondly, to send the booke to the seuen churches here named. And both these must Iohn do, being now disabled by his exile to preach these things vnto them personally, for these causes. First, that these churches might be edified in the faith, and strengthened in these most grieuous times of persecution. Secondly, that they might become keepers of this booke for the good of others: for the church of God is the pillar of truth: not onely, for that it publisheth Gods truth: but also because it keepeth it, and giueth testimonie therunto.
In this commandment note sundry things. First, that the word of God, written and penned by the hand of man, is a notable help to the church of God, and a worthy means to edify the same, else Christ would never have commanded John to have written these visions, and sent them to the Churches. Which serveth to confute the blind Papists, which say the word written is but an inky letter, and a nose of wax; because the sense thereof may be turned every way as man will. This also confuteth the Anabaptists, which so much magnify their Revelations, and make no account of the word written. If the Lord had thought it best, he would have taught these churches by revelations: but they must learn by the word written.