A09443:675
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.
First here mark, Christ saith not,1 I will kill them, but fight against them: for he intended not at the first to destroy these Nicolaitans, but his purpose was to withdraw them from their wicked ways; yet so, as afterward if they would not be reclaimed by his word, he would therewith destroy them. Wherein we may behold the exceeding patience of Christ Jesus towards lewd and grievous sinner•, that maintained the lawfulness of idolatry and fornication, and gave themselves thereunto. So the Lord (a)in spirit stro•e with the old world, and spared them 120 years to withdraw them from their wickedness ⟨p. 125⟩by the preaching of Noah. So likewise he spared the Ammonites (b)till their sins were come to the full; and the Egyptians also for many hundred years, though they were most cruel persecutors of his own people. And though the Jews most maliciously crucified the Lord of life; yet he spared them fifty years, before he cut them off from being a people. Yea, daily experience teacheth us this his long suffering: we may hear most bloody and bitter oaths from blasphemers, whereby they daily crucify Christ with their tongues. The like may be said of the adulterers, and all cruel persons, and yet he forbears the same: yea, in our own selves we daily taste of this his patience: for so soon as we were borne, we deserved to be cast into hell, and yet in mercy he vouchsafeth unto us, to some twenty, to some thirty, and to some moe years, for a time of repentance; when as every day he might in justice condemn us. This therefore must admonish us in the fear of God, not to abuse this his long suffering any longer, but now while the day of mercy lasteth, to humble our selves, and turn unto him by true repentance. These are the days of grace, but how long they will last, God only knoweth: For when death once cometh, he showeth no more mercy. The old world, because they abused the long suffering of God (c)were destroyed, and are now in hell in prison for it, as Peter teacheth. And undoubtedly the same prison will be our portion if we take the same course that they did.