A09443:576
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.
Hence we learn, that all churches and men that desire truly to serve God, and to keep good consciences, must look for slanders and revilings: Neither must this seem strange unto them; for Christ hath said, it must be so. Nay, rather they might marvel, if they should suffer no reproaches for Christs sake, seeing he hath said: Cursed are you, when all men speak well of you, Luke 6.26. It is indeed a grievous thing, to be so evil rewarded for well doing: but this must be their comfort, and ground of patience, That Christ heareth and knoweth every reproach, and will in his good time remedy the same.
Hence wee learne, that all churches and men that desire truely to serue God, and to keepe good consciences, must looke for slaunders and reuilings: Neither must this seeme strange vnto them; for Christ hath sayd, it must bee so. Nay, rather they might maruell, if they should suffer no reproches for Christs sake, seeing hee hath sayd: Cursed are you, when all men speake well of you, Luke 6.26. It is indeed a greeuous thing, to bee so euill rewarded for well doing: but this must bee their comfort, and ground of patience, That Christ heareth and knoweth euery reproch, and will in his good time remedie the same.
The persons which blaspheme this Church are thus described: Which say they be Jews, and are not, but are of the Synagogue of Satan. As in other famous cities, so in Smyrna dwelt some of the Jews, who had their Synagogues, that is, such places of assemblies, where they served God after their manner: and though they denied Christ, yet they thought themselves to be the only true worshippers of God in all the world; and therefore did blaspheme and rail upon the Christians that believed in Christ. And of these Christ saith, though by birth they were Jews, yet indeed they were not the Israel of God, nor his true worshippers, as they accounted themselves. Whereby in general we may see, from whom come railings and reproaches on Gods servants; namely, from those which say they are true worshippers of God, and are not: For he is not a Jew that is […] outwardpunc;