A09443:662
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. The affection of Christ towards these men is noted in these words: Which thing I hate. This hatred must be referred not to the persons of the Nicolaitans, but to their opinions, lives, and practises.
II. Point. The affection of Christ towards these men is noted in these words: Which thing I hate. This hatred must bee referred not to the persons of the Nicolaitans, but to their opinions, liues, and practises.
Hereby Christ would instruct us in sundry needful duties. First,1 if we will follow him, we must hate all honour and approbation that may be given to idols, be it never so little. These Nicolaitans might say, they abhorred idols and worshipped them not, only they ⟨p. 122⟩went with their friends into their Temples, and sate down to eat meat before them; now even this dealing Christ hateth. Wherein he doth notably condemn the practise of the Romish church, which say, they worship not idols, but the true God: and yet they do that which Christ hateth; for they kneel down before them, they adore them, and light candles unto them, and offer unto them many rich jewels, and much sumptuous attire, which is a great deal more than the Nicolaitans did: And therefore they are much more to be condemned, and their practise also hated of us. Secondly, Christs hatred of the lest honour of idols, doth afford a special caveat to such men as give themselves to a travelling life; as into Italy, Spain, and other idolatrous places: they should content themselves within the precincts of the church, and not proceed further without warrant of a special calling, whereby they may assure themselves of Gods gracious protection. For hereby they give occasion to themselves to do that which Christ hateth; though they say, they hate idolatry: For if a man escape to be present at their abominable service, yet he cannot avoid going to their Temples, where he is to offer some gifts, or perform some ceremony after the custom of the country; whereby he shall give some approbation at the least of their idolatry: whereas he ought to hate the least appearance thereof, even the garment spotted with the flesh. Thirdly, by this his affection Christ would teach us to grow to an hatred of all familiar society with idolaters: for though we may have society of concord with them, yet society of amity, which is a special liking between man & man, we must not maintain with them.