A09443:827
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, the consideration of this privilege of a christian, must be hid in our minds against the time of adversity and affliction, and of the pangs of death. For he that hath kept faith and good conscience all his life, is a prince in Jesus Christ, and shall rule over all his enemies. And therefore though now he be afflicted and wronged by them, yet in Christ he is their judge, and shall one day condemn them that do him wrong. And as for death, it is subdued in Christ, and shall be no death unto him. 1. Corin. 15. vers, 54.
Secondly, the consideration of this priuiledge of a christian, must bee hid in our minds against the time of aduersitie and affliction, and of the pangs of death. For hee that hath kept faith and good conscience all his life, is a prince in Iesus Christ, and shall rule ouer all his enemies. And therefore though now he bee afflicted and wronged by them, yet in Christ he is their iudge, and shall one day condemne them that do him wrong. And as for death, it is subdued in Christ, and shall bee no death vnto him. 1. Corin. 15. vers, 54.
Again, the words in the original are thus, He shall feed and rule the nations, 1as a shepherd ruleth and feedeth his lambs with his book. The Papists upon the words of Christ to Peter, John. 21.16, Feed my sheep, that is, feed and rule my sheep, would gather Peters supremacy over the church ⟨p. 155⟩in all the world. But their gross abuse of that place will appear, by comparing it with this promise of Christ, to every one that overcometh: for if their collection be good, then hence will follow, that every Christian man should have the like supremacy, and be a Pope: which how absurd it is, every man may judge. Therefore that place in John must not be understood of any supremacy: for there Christ teacheth Peter the faithful discharge of his office and duty. From this first gift of Christ the Papists gather two things. I. That the several saints in heaven are patrons of countries & kingdoms, as Saint George for England, Saint Deis for France, Saint Patrick for Ireland, &c. Secondly, that we may pray unto Saints, for the Saints rule the nations, and therefore know all nations; and if they know them, then they must be prayed unto. But they sware from the meaning of this text: for first, it is not said, that the Saints shall have power, one over one country and another over another; but every Saint hath power over all nations: secondly, they have power over all nations, not because they rule them actually, but because they have the fruit and benefit of Christs power, whereby they are ruled. And for their second collection: we must by nations understand not all churches but unbelievers, for the wicked are they that must be broken like poters vessels. Now the faithful have not power over the churches but over infidels & therefore both their collections are absurd.