A09443:581
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 may learn, first, what we are to think and judge of the church of the papists, of the Libertines and Anabaptists, family of Love, and such like: ⟨p. 103⟩namely, that they are no churches of God: for they hold heresies against the foundation which the Church long agone condemned by Apostolical and Judicial authority. Again, here we learn what to judge of this our church of England: many there be that say we have no church among us, because some private men have reproved the same for some things that are amiss, and yet they are not reformed. But this is a fond and foolish reason: For first, the error must be against the foundation, and yet that maketh not a church to be no church, unless it be obstinately maintained after sufficient reproof and judicial conviction by the word of God: But no such thing can be affirmed of us, and therefore we remain the true church of God.
Hence we may learne, first, what we are to thinke and iudge of the church of the papists, of the Libertines and Anabaptists, familie of Loue, and such like: ⟨p. 103⟩namely, that they are no churches of God: for they hold heresies against the foundation which the Church long agone condemned by Apostolicall and Iudiciall authoritie. Againe, here we learne what to iudge of this our church of England: many there be that say wee haue no church among vs, because some priuat men haue reprooued the same for some things that are amisse, and yet they are not reformed. But this is a fond and foolish reason: For first, the errour must be against the foundation, and yet that maketh not a church to bee no church, vnlesse it be obstinatly maintained after sufficient reproofe and iudiciall conuiction by the word of God: But no such thing can be affirmed of vs, and therfore we remaine the true church of God.
III. point. How became the Jews a Synagogue of Satan? Answ. Through their unbelief: as is plainly proved, Roman. 11.20. Object. But they held the word of God and defended the books of the old Testament, for which we are beholding unto them. Answ. Indeed they held the letter: but if we regard the true meaning of the Prophets, and the subject of the old Testament, which is Jesus Christ, that they raced out and denied. And so though they held the letter, yet worshipping God out of Christ they worshipped an idol, and not that God which would give unto them eternal life. For out of Christ there is no salvation. And so we may say of the church of Rome: though they hold the books of the Old and New testament, with the Creed of the Apostles (whereupon some say we ought not to depart from them,) yet the truth is, that indeed they hold them not. The Christ of the Papists is but a feigned Christ: for they take from him both his nature (especially his humanity) and his offices: and therefore we have just cause to separate from them.