A09443:550
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.
Here then observe, that the holy ghost speaketh to the church in Scripture. The church of Rome appoints a Judge to speak unto men in all matters of controversy, which is the church, because (say they) A judge must speak: and Christ is absent from his church: and the word is a dumb letter, and cannot speak: Therefore the church must needs be judge. But they err grossly: The church cannot be judge: It is but Christs minister to put in execution that which he commandeth. Christ therefore must be judge unto his church by Scripture, which is not a dumb judge, for therein his spirit speaketh plainly and sufficiently for the resolving of any point in controversy, that is needful in Gods church.
Here then obserue, that the holy ghost speaketh to the church in Scripture. The church of Rome appoints a Iudge to speake vnto men in al matters of controuersie, which is the church, because (say they) A iudge must speake: and Christ is absent from his church: and the word is a dumbe letter, and cannot speake: Therefore the church must needes bee iudge. But they erre grosly: The church cannot be iudge: It is but Christs minister to put in execution that which hee commandeth. Christ therefore must bee iudge vnto his church by Scripture, which is not a dumbe iudge, for therein his spirit speaketh plainely and sufficiently for the resoluing of any point in controuersie, that is needfull in Gods church.
The second reason to attention is, because these things are spoken to all Churches. Where we see that things spoken to one church agree to all. From whence we must learn this special duty in reading▪ and hearing Gods holy word: namely, to read and hear with application. ⟨p. 97⟩We must not rest in a flourishing knowledge of the story, but apply every precept and example unto our selves. If it be an example of virtue, we must apply it to our selves for imitation: if it be an example of vice, we must apply it to our selves to move us to eschew and avoid the like. For God would have all to learn that which he speaketh unto one. And thus much of the commandment.