A09443:639
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.
II. point. Because thou hast them that maintain the doctrine of Balaam, &c. Here is the particular reproof of this Church for want of zeal, in that they entertained and suffered heretical Ministers to live among them which maintained the doctrine of Balaam. This showed, that though they loved the gospel, and embraced it, yet it was very coldly, and without that fervent zeal which they ought to have showed against such heretics.
II. point. Because thou hast them that maintaine the doctrine of Balaam, &c. Here is the particular reproofe of this Church for want of zeale, in that they entertained and suffered hereticall Ministers to liue among them which maintained the doctrine of Balaam. This shewed, that though they loued the gospell, and embraced it, yet it was very coldly, and without that feruent zeale which they ought to haue shewed against such heretickes.
1Here first Christ teacheth this church to show forth zeal in excommunicating and casting out such heretics as by damnable doctrine did trouble them. This place is a sufficient ground for the practise of that Ecclesiastical censure. When men hold heretical opinions, the Church after two or three admonitions is to excommunicate them and cast them out. So did Paul to Hymaeneus and Alexander, 1. Tim. 1.20▪ Secondly, Christ reproving this Church for entertaining such heretics and wicked men, doth give us to understand, that every member of Gods church should have a great dislike of all persons, that hold not the doctrine of Christ in truth, but maintain errors against the tenor of Scripture, and the profession of the Church. For this cause Paul chargeth Timothy to (a)separate himself from such a• teach otherwise than he had given direct on, and consent not unto the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness: being puffed up and knowing nothing. This then must be our careful practise: we have by Gods mercy true religion among us, which we must maintain with zeal: and if any bring in other doctrine, we must reject it, and show forth detestation to him that bringeth it, not bidding him God speed.