A09443:709
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.
Secondly, Christ is said, To have eyes like a flame of fire: which we must not conceive literally. The words are borrowed from the former chapter, vers. 14. where Christ is described not as he is in truth, but as he appeared to John in vision. We have showed before what is signified by these fiery eyes: namely, Christs infinite wisdom in himself, and vigilant zeal over his church. The end wherefore he so describeth himself to this church, is, to give them to understand, that he can see and discern their very secret sins: for sundry among them were given to private offences, as to fornication and idolatry, as we shall see afterward.
Secondly, Christ is sayd, To haue eyes like a flame of fire: which we must not conceiue literally. The words are borrowed from the former chapter, vers. 14. where Christ is described not as hee is in truth, but as he appeared to Iohn in vision. We haue shewed before what is signified by these fierie eyes: namely, Christs infinite wisedome in himselfe, and vigilant zeale ouer his church. The end wherefore hee so describeth himselfe to this church, is, to giue them to vnderstand, that hee can see and discerne their very secret sinnes: for sundry among them were giuen to priuate offences, as to fornication and idolatrie, as we shall see afterward.
Here then we have an excellent remedy against secret sins:1 shame and fear of punishment will restrain some men from open sins, but yet the same men when they are in secret, do without fear commit privy sins against the first and second table. But these men must remember, that being withdrawn from the presence of men, they are yet in the presence of Christ: for he hath fiery eyes, wherewith he seeth their most secret sins, which they hide from the world. For though we may make fair weather with men, yet we can never blear the eyes of Christ. If fornicators, wantons, usurers, and blasphemers would remember this, by Gods grace it would be a notable means at least to restrain them from their secret sins, if not to move them unto the practise of true repentance.