A09443:321
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.
From this preeminence of the church we are taught: above all things to labour to become true members of this society. Men have great care to become members of incorporations & towns of greatest privileges; but few there be that seek for the privileges of Gods church: And commonly those that seek most for privileges in chief towns, have the least care to become the true members of Gods church; which is a wretched practise and ought not to be among us, seeing the church hath privileges far above all other societies.
From this preheminence of the church we are taught: aboue al things to labor to become true mēbers of this society. Men haue great care to become mēbers of incorporations & towns of greatest priuiledges; but few there be that seek for the priuiledges of Gods church: And commonly those that seeke most for priuiledges in chiefe townes, haue the least care to become the true members of Gods church; which is a wretched practise and ought not to be among vs, seeing the church hath priuiledges farre aboue all other societies.
Secondly, hence we are taught above all things to have care to preserve the society of the church of God. True it is, the minister and magistrate must have chief care thereof: and yet every man in his place must do his best endeavour hereunto, because it is the most principal society.
Secondly, hence we are taught aboue all things to haue care to preserue the societie of the church of God. True it is, the minister and magistrat must haue cheefe care thereof: and yet euery man in his place must doe his best indeuour hereunto, because it is the most principall societie.
Thirdly, in that Gods church is the most excellent society, giving honour to all others; we are taught within the compass of our callings, as much as we can to bring all other societies unto this. Those that are members of a family, must labour to bring every one in their family to be good members of the church: And so in civill societies, men of government must labour that the members of the civill body, become also members of Christs body. Thus governors of kingdoms should labour that the parts of their dominions may be particular churches of God. And there is good reason of this duty; because all other societies without this are companions of men in the dark, sitting in the shadow of death, being spiritually blind, and without all sound comfort in their souls. Secondly, the church is compared to a candlestick of gold, because of all societies among men it is most precious & deer unto God: and therefore it is resembled to a seal