A09443:512
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.
III. point. Who is it that commandeth repentance unto this church: namely, Jesus Christ. Many, not only Papists but Protestants, gather upon this & such like commandments, That God giveth to every man sufficient grace to repent if he will: For else (say they) he should but mock them, in bidding them repent: considering that without his grace it is as impossible for any man to repent, as for a man to rise and walk that is fast bound hand and foot. Ans. This collection is unsound: For the manifestation whereof, I will first lay down the grounds of the true answer: and then apply the same. First, this commandment to Repent, is not given to every man, but only to the church of God, or to that people which is to be a church: and God giveth it to them for this end, that he may gather among them his elect. In Gods church there be two sorts of men: Elect, and Reprobate: both which are mingled in this life. Now when the commandment ⟨p. 89⟩to believe and repent, is given out in Gods church, it is directed properly to the elect; and to the other whom God hath refused only by consequent, because they are mingled with the elect. Again, these commandments be given to the elect for two causes. I. To teach them, not what they are able to do of themselves▪ but what they ought to do. II. To •e an outward means to bring them to repent and believe. For with the commandment Christ is present by his spirit to work in the elect grace to repent and believe. Phil. 2.12, Work out your salvation in fear and trembling: rendering this reason in the next words, For God worketh in you both the will and the deed. In the church there be some reprobates who have the same commandment given unto them: but for other uses: as I. to keep them in outward order. II. to teach them their own impotency. III. and principally, that God in his justice may make them void of all excuse at the last day. From hence I answer thus. This proposition is not true, to wit, If God command men to repent, then he giveth them grace to repent, unless it be thus qualified; That God command them to repent, for this end that they may practise repentance. For God giveth out his commandments for diverse ends: Some that they may be practised: & others, to take from men all excuse in their disobedience. Thus he commanded Pharaoh to let the people go;