A09443:623
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.
Hereby we see it is most needful in every Christian kingdom,1 there should be thrones of justice in civill courts, for the maintenance of equity, the reward of virtue, and for the repressing of injustice and iniquity. And also thrones of Ecclesiastical jurisdiction for the reprehending and punishing of all those sins which the civill court reacheth not unto. And it is necessary that in these thrones justice should be administered without partiality, that Gods throne may be erected, which is opposite to the throne of Satan.
Hereby we see it is most needfull in euerie Christian kingdom,1 there should be thrones of iustice in ciuill courts, for the maintenance of equity, the reward of vertue, and for the repressing of iniustice and iniquitie. And also thrones of Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction for the reprehending and punishing of all those sinnes which the ciuill court reacheth not vnto. And it is necessarie that in these thrones iustice should bee administred without partialitie, that Gods throne may bee erected, which is opposit to the throne of Sathan.
- 1The Use.The Vse.
Again, the devils cunning appears notably in the choice of the place where he setteth up his throne: it was no petty town or village, but a chief and famous ⟨p. 112⟩city, which had been the seat of many kings. This hath been his practise in all ages, to choose the chiefest places for the seat of his throne. Great Babylon in Scripture is called, A city of iniquity, that is, a throne of the devil. And Rome that was once a famous church, is now, and hath been long that spiritual Babylon, the throne of the devil. Yea, in Jerusalem the city of the great king, had the devil got up his throne, when Christ called the temple a den of thieves. And in our days the people of great towns and cities are generally more backward in embracing the gospel, than in little villages. The cause hereof is, the malice of the devil, who will have his throne in chiefest places, for the greater hinderance of religion: there he much prevaileth by choking the word with pride, profit, and pleasures, causing them to content themselves with a form of godliness, when as they want the power thereof. And thus he dealeth in greater towns, that thence impiety may be derived to the country round about, as tradesmen do their wares from place to place. And therefore the people of great towns especially, must labour not only to know the gospel, but to believe and obey the same. Every man must reform himself, and every family themselves, that Gods throne may be established, & the devils throne battered down among them.