A09443:351
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 consideration whereof, must teach us to conceive and speak reverently of all the works of God, even of those most secret & strange judgements, whereof we cannot comprehend a reason. Yet because they proceed from God we must acknowledge them pure and just. In sundry points of religion there is a learned ignorance, whereof this is not the least, to hold our selves content, and to reverence the works of Christ, though we see no reason thereof; nay, though to us they seem against all reason: for all the ways of God are uncorrupt. Though the blind eye of men cannot discern the light of the Sun, yet the Sun is full of light: so though our blind eyes cannot •e •old the purity of Gods works, yet they are all done in justice and equity, yea they are justice it self: for his will is the rule of justice. And we must not think that God doth a thing because it is good and right: but therefore is the thing good and right, because God willeth and worketh it. Examples hereof we have in. Gods word: (a)God commanded Abimele• to deliver Sarah to Abraham, or else he will destroy him and all his household. In mans reason ⟨p. 57⟩this might seem unjust: for why should Abimelechs servants be punished for their masters fault. So (a)Achan sinneth, and all the host of Israel is punished. David committed adultery, (b)and the child which he begat ••eth. David numbereth the people: but the people are smitten with the plague, 2. Sa. 24. All this to mans reason may seem unequal: yet being the works of God, we are withal reverence to judge them most just and holy. Again, the (c)Scripture showeth plainly, that God in his eternal counsel hath decreed to save some, and to reject others: and his reason moving him thereto, is not any thing foreseen in them, but his will and pleasure alone. This in mans reason seemeth to be cruelty towards some: and therefore sundry men disclaim this doctrine as charging God with injustice and tyranny. But herein they greatly offend: for it is the manifest truth of God in his word: & therefore ought with reverence to be acknowledged, though we can see no reason thereof, For who art thou oh man, that pleadest against God,