A09443:85
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.
But some will say, I cannot read, I was never brought up in learning, and therefore I cannot search. S. John cuts off his excuse in the next words, saying, Blessed he is also which bears the words of this prophecy. As if he should say: though he cannot read, yet if he hear and keep it he is blessed. Here then i• the duty of those which cannot read the Scriptures, they must procure others to read unto them, and by hearing and keeping they shall be blessed.
But some will say, I cannot reade, I was neuer brought vp in learning, and therefore I cannot search. S. Iohn cuts off his excuse in the next wordes, saying, Blessed he is also which beares the wordes of this prophecie. As if he should say: though hee cannot reade, yet if hee heare and keepe it he is blessed. Here then i• the dutie of those which cannot read the Scriptures, they must procu•e others to reade vnto them, and by hearing and keeping they shall be blessed.
Thirdly, by this scope and end of Scriptures, we must learn to carry in mind this plain difference between the books of God, and writings of men: Gods word bringeth a man which keep• it, to happiness; but mans writings of, themselves cannot do so, unless they have light from the word of God. If this distinction were imprinted in our harts, we should not be so delighted as many are, to hear or speak the words of God mixed with the words of sinful men, specially in the public ministry. In former times the Lord forbade his own people to sow their field with mingled seed, […] to make them garments of diverse things, as of linen and woollen, Levit. 19.19. And no doubt the same God doth mislike, that the pure seed of his word should be mingled with the sayings of erroneous and sinful men, when the same is sown upon the furrows of mens hea•ts.