A09443:828
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.
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 De•is 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 swar•e 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 po•ters vessels. Now the faithful have not power over the churches but over infidels▪ & therefore both their collections are absurd.
Againe, the words in the originall are thus, He shall feede and rule the nations, 1as a shepheard ruleth and feedeth his lambes with his booke. The Papists vpon the words of Christ to Peter,