A09443:716
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 property of this love is, To be fervent; and that for two causes: First, if need require, every man is bound within his calling to testify his love (a)by giving his life for his neighbour, though he be our enemy, or a stranger; which we shall never do, unless our love be fervent. Secondly, there is much ingratitude, hatred, emulation, and many injuries in the world: Now the persons from whom these come, must be loved: the unworthiness of the party must not quench our love, but it must burn when the waters of mens injuries and malice would quench the same.
II. point. The propertie of this loue is, To be feruent; and that for two causes: First, if need require, euery man is bound within his calling to testifie his loue (a)by giuing his life for his neighbour, though he be our enemie, or a stranger; which wee shall neuer doe, vnlesse our loue be feruent. Secondly, there is much ingratitude, hatred, emulation, and many iniuries in the world: Now the persons from whom these come, must be loued: the vnworthinesse of the partie must not quench our loue, but it must burne when the waters of mens iniuries and malice would quench the same.
III. point. The practise of our love must be squared by this rule, The love of our selves, as we wish our own good heartily, so we must wish our neighbours good. This is the law of Nature, To do as a man would be done unto: And it is the law of God, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self. Example: A man of some trade is to make a bargain, and if he will lye, or use false weights and measures, he may advantage himself. This the devil and his own corruption will suggest unto him, while he is about the bargain: he therefore must call to mind this rule of love, and examine his own heart, whether he would have another man to deceive him by lying, by false weights, &c. The same thing must men do, when they are tempted to oppression or cruelty, let them think whether they would have others to wrong or oppress them; and so show forth love by this rule, doing as they would be done unto. It were to be wished, that our Church might have the deserved praise of this virtue of love: But Christ foretold of these our days, That love should wax cold,