A09443:362
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.
Here consider how the word of God should kill an impenitent sinner. There be three degrees of spiritual death. First in this life, where an impenitent sinner receiveth his deadly wound: The second at the end of this life, when the body is laid in the grave, but the soul goeth to the torments of the damned: The third at the end of the world: when body and soul together go to hell eternally. Now a sinner receiveth in this life his deadly wound after this manner: Christ in the ⟨p. 59⟩giving thereof hath a threefold work in his heart by the ministry of his word, which is this two edged sword. First, hereby he revealeth unto him his sins, as hypocrisy, pride, and rebellion of heart, with all other his horrible and damnable transgressions against the first and second table, 1. Cor. 14.24.25. When all Prophecy, and there cometh in one unlearned, he is reproved of all, the Prophets by the word judge him, and thereby lay open unto him the secret sins of his heart, with the sins of his life. Secondly, Christ hereby reve•leth unto him his indignation and wrath, which is the curse of the law due unto him: In which regard the law is called (a)a killing letter, showing no mercy, but only thundereth out the fierce wrath of God upon transgressors. Thirdly, hereby Christ awaketh his guilty conscience, sharpneth the sting thereof, and terrifieth him at the hearing of his word. Thus wicked Felix trembled when he heard Paul preach (b)of temperance, righteousness, and the judgement to come▪ So when king (c)Belshazzar, saw the palm of the hand▪ writing things against him upon the •all, his countenance was changed, his thoughts troubled him, his joints were loosed, and his knees stood one against another. And all these are wrought in the wicked without apprehension of mercy, or reformation of life. It may please God to recover one that •s […] wounded, but while he is […] this estate he hath received a deadly wound, and without unfeigned repentance is already in th first step toward eternal death: for these horror o conscience severed from the apprehension of Gods mercy in Christ, are no grace but the flashes of hell fire, and the beginning of eternal woe. And thus we see how Christ by this sword woundeth his enemies.