A09443:439
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.
Secondly, whereas this knowledge is joined with approbation, it may be demanded how this can stand with the justice of God, to approve of that which is not answerable to the tenor of his law, as the best works of the most righteous man are not, being stained with some corruption, Isay. 64 6. Answ. The Gospel, which is another part of Gods will, revealeth more unto us than ever the law could do: namely, that if a man be in Christ, to him there is no condemnation; and that God will accept his true desire and endeavour to please him for ⟨p. 73⟩the deed it self, 2. Cor. 8.12. And thus according to the tenor of the Gospel Christ approveth of their works in this place, though they were not able to abide the •igor of his law. But a Papist will here reason thus: If a righteous mans works be approved of God, then they are no sins (for God will not approve of any thing that is sinful) and if his works be no sins, then he may fulfil the law; and so be justified by his works. Answ. That which Christ approveth simply, hath no sin in it; but here he only approveth of their works in part, namely, so far forth as they came from the work of his spirit in them: but as they proceed from the will of the worker, which is in part corrupt, they are not free from the stain of sin; and so he approveth them not. Again, works of grace are approved of Christ with the pardon of sin: for accepting of the person, he remitteth the faults that be in his good works, and so only approveth his own work in him. And so here we must conceive of his approbation of their works, to wit, as proceeding from his spirit, and having the faults thereof remitted in his own merit.
Secondly, whereas this knowledge is ioyned with approbation, it may be demanded how this can stand with the iustice of God, to approue of that which is not answerable to the tenour of his law, as the best workes of the most righteous man are not, beeing stained with some corruption, Isay. 64 6. Answ. The Gospell, which is another part of Gods wil, reuealeth more vnto vs than euer the law could do: namely, that if a man bee in Christ, to him there is no condemnation; and that God will accept his true desire and endeuour to please him for