A09443:630
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.
Here this church of Pergamus is particularly commended for her constancy in holding fast true religion against all adversary power whatsoever. Hence we learn that it is not sufficient to teach, or know, and believe the doctrine of the gospel in time of peace: but we must be constant in holding it fast against all gainsayers, and not be turned about with every wind of doctrine, but in life and death keep sure the truth, that neither fraud nor forc• of any adversary power draw it from us, or us from it. Mat. 13. The kingdom of heaven […] compared to a treasure hid in the field, which when a man s•• death be goeth and selleth all he, hath to buy the field. The scope of that parable is this▪ If any man should come into any of our fields, & by searching find a gold mine; he would not make it known to any, but ⟨p. 114⟩cover it close, and go his way and sell all that he had to buy that field, that thereby he might enrich himself: even so having found this, that the gospel revealeth the way to life everlasting, though we must not conceal the same from others, yet we must be like this man herein, that we could be content to part with all that we have, that so we might make the gospel ours▪ 1. Tim. 3.9. Deacons must have this property, To have the ministry of faith in a pure conscience. There a good conscience is compared to a sure treasure house, which cannot be robbed by any adversaries power: and faith, that is, true religion is the treasure that is there safely laid up: such a store-house must we get for the preservation of the faith. Any thing else we may leese, but if we part with true religion, salvation is gone and all is lost. And therefore in life and death we must keep fast the faith.
Here this church of Pergamus is particularly commended for her constancie in holding fast true religion against all aduersary power whatsoeuer. Hence wee learne that it is not sufficient to teach, or know, and beleeue the doctrine of the gospell in time of peace: but we must be constant in holding it fast against all gainsayers, and not be turned about with euery wind of doctrine, but in life and death keepe sure the truth, that neither fraud nor forc of any aduersary power draw it from vs, or vs from it.