A09443:430
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.
IN this Chapter and in the next, is contained the fourth action of our Saviour Christ: wherein he giveth seven particular commandments to John, to write unto the seven Churches of Asia, and to send unto them seven letters or Epistles. The first of which commandments is expressed in the beginning of this first verse: Unto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus write▪ Then after followeth ⟨p. 71⟩the Epistle, These things, saith he, &c. continuing to the eight verse. First, for the commandment: The party to whom John must write is the Angel: which word may be expounded two ways: either to signify the minister or pastor of the particular church of Ephesus, and so it is commonly taken of the most: or else it may be token the company of the ministers, teachers, and governors of the church of Ephesus: for therein were many pastors and governors, as appeareth Act. 20.28. where Paul calleth together the Bishops (as the word signifieth) and giveth them charge over their particular flocks. Now in Scripture the name of one person taken collectively, oftentimes signifieth the whole multitude, as Exod. 4.22. Israel is my son, even my first borne, Where the whole body of the people of Israel is called by the name of one man. And so though Antichrist be not one particular man, but a state and company of men in the succession of Popes: yet is that whole estate noted by the special name of one man• as that (a)Antichrist; that man of sin: and son of perdition. Thus we see how the word Angel may be taken: and whether we understand it of one man, or of the whole company of elders, it is not much material.
IN this Chapter and in the next, is contained the fourth action of our Sauiour Christ: wherein he giueth seuen particular commaundements to Iohn, to write vnto the seuen Churches of Asia, and to send vnto them seuen letters or Epistles. The first of which commandements is expressed in the beginning of this first verse: Vnto the Angell of the Church of Ephesus write▪ Then after followeth ⟨p. 71⟩