A09443:37
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.
2. They object, that his stile in this book is not the same with that he used in the penning of the Gospel. Ans. The difference of the stile ariseth from the difference of the matter, seeing there he writes an history, here he pens a Prophecy. Again, he writes not his own words, but those which he received from Christ by particular revelation.
2. They obiect, that his stile in this booke is not the same with that he vsed in the penning of the Gospell. Ans. The difference of the stile ariseth from the difference of the matter, seeing there he writes an historie, here he pens a Prophesie. Againe, he writes not his owne words, but those which hee receiued from Christ by particular reuelation.
3. They say, this book hath been rejected in diverse ages, as not Canonical. Ans. It cannot be proved that it was ever refused of any whole Church, but of some particular men. Now the disallowing of any private man, cannot make a whole book to be rejected: for then the Epistles to the Hebrews of James, and of John, should not be Canonical; which yet be received of all Churches for the pure word of God.
3. They say, this booke hath bene reiected in diuerse ages, as not Canonicall. Ans. It cannot be proued that it was euer refused of any whole Church, but of some particular men. Now the disallowing of any priuat man, cannot make a whole booke to be reiected: for then the Epistles to the Hebrewes of Iames, and of Iohn, should not be Canonicall; which yet be receiued of all Churches for the pure word of God.
Now come to the words, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, &c. These three first Chapters consist of two parts: A Preface, and a Vision. The Preface is an entrance to the Vision, contained in the beginning of the first Chapter, from the first verse to the ninth. The Vision it self is set down in the rest of these three Chapters. The Preface hath two parts: First, the title of the book: Secondly, the inscription thereof. The title in the three first verses. The inscription, from the fourth to the ninth verse. The title in these words, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, &c. A Revelation is nothing else but a manifestation, or discovery of things secret in respect of men, for the common good of the Church: and so this word is taken in this place.