A09443:617
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.
I. part. The Preface showeth in whose name this Epistle is written; namely, in Christs name: The causes whereof we have showed before in the first verse. Christ is here set forth by an action of his kingly office, borrowed from the former Chapter, verse 16. These things saith he, that hath that sharp two edged sword: that is, He who is not only Priest and Prophet of his church, but the king thereof, to guide and govern the same. The sword which he hath in his hand, or in his mouth (as Isay saith) is that two edged sword, yea, that sharp two-edged sword▪ thereby is signified the whole word of God, the Law and Gospel: which is so called, by reason of the operation thereof, as it is Hebr. the 4.12.
I. part. The Preface sheweth in whose name this Epistle is written; namely, in Christs name: The causes whereof we haue shewed before in the first verse. Christ is here set foorth by an action of his kingly office, borrowed from the former Chapter, verse 16. These things sayth hee, that hath that sharpe two edged sword: that is, He who is not onely Priest and Prophet of his church, but the king thereof, to guide and gouerne the same. The sword which hee hath in his hand, or in his mouth (as Isay sayth) is that two edged sword, yea, that sharpe two-edged sword▪ thereby is signified the whole word of God, the Law and Gospell: which is so called, by reason of the operation thereof, as it is Hebr. the 4.12.
Christ is thus described to comfort this Church of Pergamus. For hereby three things are signified: First, his wonderful power in slaying original sin and corruption by his word; in all them that believe in him: so as there is no hope of recovery for sin, after it is once wounded. Secondly, that he will strengthen and preserve his Church, and all the true members thereof, by the same word, against all their enemies. This it doth after this manner: The whole word of God, both law and gospel, must both be known, and believed; then whensoever any temptation cometh, faith maketh the same word powerful in us, to repel the temptation, and to strengthen us in affliction: for it is that sword of the spirit, whereby we wound all our enemies. But if it be not believed, it is but as a sword in a sheath, and will nothing help us. Thirdly, hereby he signifieth, that he destroyeth all their enemies: this is the chief end why he so describeth himself in this place. How Christ woundeth his enemies herewith, we have showed in the former Chapter, and the sixteenth verse, with the uses thereof.