A09443:588
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.
In this commandment Christ doth two things. First, he giveth them and us to understand, what is the sin in which every man is conceived, and the seed whereof remaineth still in the children of God; namely, distrustful unbelief, whereby men fear the authority of the creature more than the glorious majesty of the eternal God: which proceedeth from this, that men consider not of God as he extendeth his providence over all things, and as he is a mighty judge taking revenge upon all sin and wickedness.
In this commaundement Christ doth two things. First, he giueth them and vs to vnderstand, what is the sinne in which euerie man is conceiued, and the seed whereof remaineth stil in the children of God; namely, distrustfull vnbeleefe, whereby men feare the authoritie of the creature more than the glorious maiesty of the eternall God: which proceedeth from this, that men consider not of God as he extendeth his prouidence ouer all things, and as he is a mightie iudge taking reuenge vpon all sin and wickednesse.
Secondly, here Christ describeth the means whereby Gods people may arm themselves against all perils and troubles whatsoever, to wit, Christian fortitude: which is a gift of God proceeding from true faith enabling a man to lay aside all fear, and with courage to undergo all dangers whatsoever, that he may in life and death maintain faith and a good conscience. This virtue God prescribed to the Prophets when they were to enter into their calling, and our Saviour Christ to his Apostles, and to this church of Smyrna. And it were to be wished that all the ministers of the gospel might speak unto their people as Christ speaketh unto this church, Fear not. But the truth is, if they deal faithfully they must change their note, and say with Joel, (a)Wail and howl ye priests and people lying in sackcloth and ashes, because the day of the Lords vengeance is at hand. For it is lamentable to see▪ the state of the whole body of our people, of whom we may generally say with the Prophet, (b)