A09443:385
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.
Lastly, in this exceeding fear of John, who was an Apostle and a very godly and righteous man; we learn that the most holy man that is will be astonied even to death with the presence of Gods glorious majesty. And if no man, be he never so holy, can stand before Gods presence, much less can the most righteous works of any man endure the trial of his judgement: if his person cannot abide his presence; his works will never bear his judgement. For the person must first be approved before the works be accepted. Therefore damnable is the doctrine of the church of Rome, which teach that such as in themselves are sinful men must stand before Gods judgement seat bringing with them works of grace, as means of their justification, and part of satisfaction to Gods justice. It is a doctrine of desperation: for how can our works be perfectly holy, seeing our persons are but sanctified here in part? And who can think that the infinite justice of God can be satisfied by the imperfect righteousness of man?
Lastly, in this exceeding feare of Iohn, who was an Apostle and a very godly and righteous man; wee learne that the most holy man that is will be astonied euen to death with the presence of Gods glorious maiestie. And if no man, be he neuer so holy, can stand before Gods presence, much lesse can the most righteous workes of any man endure the triall of his iudgement: if his person cannot abide his presence; his workes will neuer beare his iudgement. For the person must first bee approoued before the workes be accepted. Therefore damnable is the doctrine of the church of Rome, which teach that such as in themselues are sinfull men must stand before Gods iudgement seate bringing with them works of grace, as meanes of their iustification, and part of satisfaction to Gods iustice. It is a doctrine of desperation: for how can our works be perfectly holie, seeing our persons are but sanctified here in part? And who can thinke that the infinit iustice of God can bee satisfied by the imperfect righteousnesse of man?
II. point. The effect of this fear in his body, He fell down as dead at his feet: This was no small fear but exceeding great, astonishing his senses and laying him down as dead. Physicians say, and that truly, the mind followeth the temperature of the body. But hence we may as truly say, That the body followeth the disposition of the mind; for the affections of the soul will work upon the body like unto strong diseases. Johns fear casteth his body into a sound: And so horror of conscience when the heart is cold will make the body hot, and the entrails to roll in the body. The same may be said of anger, 1. Reg. 21.4. When Ahab could not obtain Nabals vineyard, he laid him down on his bed in displeasure, and was almost dead: Even so will other affections work upon the body.