A09443:762
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.
Lastly, Christ saith, He gave her space to repent of her fornication. No doubt she had many other sins whereof she was to repent, for no sin goeth alone, but every capital sin draweth many with it: Christ his meaning therefore is not that she should let pass other sins without repentance: but he nameth this one sin of fornication, because it was a principal sin in her: for she both practised it in her own body, and so made her self the stable of the devil, who should have been the temple of Gods holy spirit: and also maintained this sin, and so drew others thereto. Now special and principal repentance must be of principal sins.
Lastly, Christ saith, He gaue her space to repent of her fornication. No doubt she had many other sinnes whereof shee was to repent, for no sinne goeth alone, but euery capitall sinne draweth many with it: Christ his meaning therefore is not that she should let passe other sins without repentance: but he nameth this one sin of fornication, because it was a principall sinne in her: for she both practised it in her owne bodie, and so made her selfe the stable of the diuell, who should haue bene the temple of Gods holy spirit: and also maintained this sinne, and so drew others thereto. Now speciall and principall repentance must be of principall sinnes.
1Here then is a pattern for all sinners how to practise repentance. They must begin with their capital sins, which burden their conscience, and whereto they are most addicted, and repent of them. For the man that truly repenteth of one sin, repenteth of all: for true repentance maketh the heart alike affected to all sins: And that heart which is brought to hate his special sins, will never approve of petty sins. This lesson ought carefully to be learned & put in practise: For the repentance of most men is only in general, to say we are all sinners, Lord have mercy upon me, or God forgive me. But this confused repentance is not good, it stands with a purpose to sin again. In particular therefore we must search our consciences, and see wherein we have most dishonoured God, and what sin hath nearest plunged our souls to the pit of hell; and with that we must begin to bring our souls to heaven, by repenting truly for the same, and turning from it with all our hearts.