A09443:553
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.
1In this, that life everlasting is promised to them that overcome. First, we observe that the doctrine of universal grace, affirming that the promises of the gospel for life and salvation belong to all and every man whatsoever, unless he will reject them, is a device of mans brain. For life eternal is not promised to every man as he is a man coming of Adam: but to a man as he is in Christ by faith, and a new creature. The promises of the gospel be universal indeed to all that overcome: but that is a property which restrains them wholly to true believers. Secondly, hereby we are taught so to live, that we may say truly in the testimony of a good conscience, we have overcome all our spiritual enemies, and do continually stand conquerors over them. This is a matter of endless joy & comfort, which will cheer the soul in greatest distress: But to live and lie in sin, is or will be a hell to the conscience. What avail the treasures & honours of this world to any man, while his conscience shall tell him he is a vassal to sin and satan? for while he continueth in that estate, he is out of the favour of God, and hath no part nor portion in the kingdom of heaven. Therefore it standeth us upon to labour to feel in our harts the certain evidence of this victory over our spiritual enemies, by the sure testimony of the spirit of grace.
1In this, that life euerlasting is promised to them that ouercome. First, we obserue that the doctrine of vniuersall grace, affirming that the promises of the gospell for life and saluation belong to all and euerie man whatsoeuer, vnlesse hee will reiect them, is a deuice of mans braine. For life eternall is not promised to euerie man as he is a man comming of Adam: but to a man as hee is in Christ by faith, and a new creature. The promises of the gospell bee vniuersall indeed to all that ouercome: but that is a propertie which restraines them wholly to true beleeuers. Secondly, hereby we are taught so to liue, that we may say truly in the testimonie of a good conscience, we haue ouercome all our spirituall enemies, and do continually stand conquerours ouer them. This is a matter of endlesse ioy & comfort, which will cheere the soule in greatest distresse: But to liue and lie in sinne, is or will bee a hell to the conscience. What auaile the treasures & honors of this world to any man, while his conscience shall tell him he is a vassall to sinne and sathan? for while he continueth in that estate, he is out of the fauour of God, and hath no part nor portion in the kingdome of heauen. Therefore it standeth vs vpon to labour to feele in our harts the certaine euidence of this victorie ouer our spirituall enemies, by the sure testimonie of the spirit of grace.