A09443:327
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.
The second argument whereby John describeth Christ, is his figure, or form, in these words, One like the Son of man. Some think that these words are a description of some Angel, not of Christ, because he is said to be like the son of man, not the son of man himself, but they are deceived! For he which is here described, is before called the first, and the last, it is he which was dead, and is alive, which cannot agree to any but to Christ. Now the words may more significantly be translated thus, One like to a son of man: for if it be translated that son of man, then Christ must needs be the resemblance: for so he is called Act. 7.56. But here Christ is said to be like to a son of man, by the usual phrase of the Old testament: whereby is meant that he is like unto a man. And Christ is not here called a man, but is said to be like unto a man, because he appeared unto John not in his true manhood, which was then in heaven, but in the likeness of his manhood. And note this, that as Christ here appeared to John in this vision, so did he always appear after his ascension. Steven indeed saw his true manhood, Act. 7. but it was in heaven: and Paul heard his voice when he was converted, Acts. 9.5. and saw the Lord, 1. Cor. 9.1. But no man can prove that Christ appeared unto him in his true manhood, unless it were in heaven. And in all these visions John saw not his true manhood, but a resemblance thereof. Now Christ appeared thus for special consideration, For man is too much addicted to his bodily presence: this was the fault of his own friends and Disciples. Therefore Christ would hereby teach us, not to seek for his bodily presence, but rather to lift up our hearts to heaven, and therefore seek to have fellowship with him by faith. For this cause he said to Mary after his resurrection, Touch me not, I am not yet ascended to my father, John. 20.17. This Paul had learned, Though we had known Christ (saith he) after the flesh, yet henceforth know we him no more, 2. Cor. 5.15. Now if Christ after his ascension never appeared in his true manhood, i• teacheth us, that the defence of Christs real presence in the Sacrament is needless. For if Gods church have spiritual fellowship with Christ by faith, it is sufficient.