A09443:634
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 argument note two points. I. That Christ commends Antipas, calling him his faithful martyr. Whereby we see, that in Gods church it is lawful to honour saints and martyrs. For that which Christ doth, his church may do. This their honour must stand in two things, In due deserved praise & commendation, & in a careful imitation of their good virtues & godly lives: and for this end doth Christ commend Antipas unto this church, that they might follow his good conversation: but as for popish honour of invocation & adoration, it hath no ground in Gods word. Again, in calling him faithful martyr, he commendeth more the cause of his death, than the death: to show, that the cause maketh a martyr, not the death: For an heretic may be put to death for his damnable opinions. Therefore Antipas is a martyr, not because he was slain, but because he was faithful unto death for the maintenance of Christs true religion.
In this argument note two points. I. That Christ commends Antipas, calling him his faithfull martyr. Whereby wee see, that in Gods church it is lawfull to honor saints and martyrs. For that which Christ doth, his church may doe. This their honour must stand in two things, In due deserued praise & commendation, & in a careful imitatiō of their good vertues & godly liues: and for this end doth Christ cōmend Antipas vnto this church, that they might follow his good conuersation: but as for popish honor of inuocation & adoration, it hath no ground in Gods word. Againe, in calling him faithfull martyr, hee commendeth more the cause of his death, than the death: to shew, that the cause maketh a martyr, not the death: For an hereticke may be put to death for his damnable opinions. Therefore Antipas is a martyr, not because he was slain, but because he was faithful vnto death for the maintenance of Christs true religion.
II. point. In the end of the verse Christ showeth who were the authors of Antipas his death; namely such among them in whom Satan ruled: for he was slain (saith Christ) among you, where Satan dwelleth. Which words he repenteth, to give us to understand, that all persecutors, let them carry what face they will, are in truth such, in whom the devil ruleth, where he hath his hold, and keeps possession. Quest. Why did Satan more dwell there than in other places? Answ. Because many in this place were Gentiles, who contemned and mocked the