A09443:752
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.
The second question. Whether may Gods servants be seduced by false Prophets? Answ. There be two sorts of servants of God: servants in appearance, and servants in truth. Servants in appearance are such as outwardly only embrace the word, and receive the seals of Gods covenant: and the greatest part of particular churches are such servants. Now these may fall away and that wholly: and hence it cometh, that whole particular churches may fall away, as did the church of Galatia, and many other: and these are called servants, because we must in charity judge, that all which make profession of true religion in Gods church, are the servants of God. But the true servants of God, though they may be seduced in part, and for a time, yet they can neither wholly nor finally fall away: for the promise of Christ is to the contrary, (b)Thou […] Peter and upon this rock, that is, the faith which thou professest, will I build my temple: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against […]. Which last word (prevail) insinuateth, that the devil shall show great malice and strength to vanquish their faith, but yet shall never wholly overcome it. And Matth. 6.13. we are taught to pray, L•ad us […] into temptation. To be lead into temptation, is wholly to be overcome in temptation, which being a lawful petition, must needs have God• promise to grant the same belonging unto it. And therefore though Satan may assay to overcome the child of God▪ ⟨p. 142⟩yet he shall never get final victory over him: for true faith purifieth the heart, and cannot stand with a purpose to continue in any one sin: these two banish each other, sin brings the child of God upon his knees; but true faith doth raise him up again.
The second question. Whether may Gods seruants be seduced by false Prophets? Answ. There bee two sorts of seruants of God: seruants in appearance, and seruants in truth. Seruants in appearance are such as outwardly onely embrace the word, and receiue the seales of Gods couenant: and the greatest part of particular churches are such seruants. Now these may fall away and that wholly: and hence it commeth, that whole particular churches may fall away, as did the church of Galatia, and many other: and these are called seruants, because we must in charitie iudge, that all which make professiō of true religion in Gods church, are the seruants of God. But the true seruants of God, though they may be seduced in part, and for a time, yet they can neither wholly nor finally fall away: for the promise of Christ is to the contrarie,