A09443:555
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.
This earthly tree of life was a figure and sign of Christ our Saviour and mediator: who liveth an eternal spiritual life, not only as he is God, but as he is ⟨p. 98⟩mediator, and that not for himself alone, but for this end, that h•e may convey quickening spiritual life to all that believe in him: and for this cause he termeth himself the tree of life. Further, he saith, He will give hereof to eat: To eat, sometime signifieth to believe: John. 6.50. but it cannot hear be so taken; For faith endeth with this life, and hath no use afterward. Therefore to eat, in this place signifieth to have immediate fellowship with Christ in heaven: where Christ shall be unto him a tree of life to make him live for ever.
This earthly tree of life was a figure and signe of Christ our Sauiour and mediator: who liueth an eternall spirituall life, not onely as hee is God, but as hee is ⟨p. 98⟩mediator, and that not for himself alone, but for this end, that h•e may conuey quickning spirituall life to all that beleeue in him: and for this cause hee tearmeth himselfe the tree of life. Further, he saith, He will giue hereof to eate: To eate, sometime signifieth to beleeue: Iohn. 6.50. but it cannot heare be so taken; For faith endeth with this life, and hath no vse afterward. Therefore to eate, in this place signifieth to haue immediat fellowship with Christ in heauen: where Christ shall bee vnto him a tree of life to make him liue for euer.
In this promise note two points. I. In what things eternal life consisteth: namely, in immediate fellowship and communion with Christ in heaven. Secondly, that life eternal standeth not in outward means, as meat, drink, clothing, physic, recreation, sleep, and such like: but in an immediate partaking with Christ in all his blessings. So that when Christ is all in all unto us immediately, then do we eat of the tree of life, and thereby shall live eternally.