A09443:852
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.
Further, in this Church of Sardis, whom Christ calleth dead, though they had a name to live. Note the state of the Church of GOD, for this was a true Church of God, who among the rest was washed in the blood of Christ. Chap. 1. vers. 5. And yet Christ saith, it is dead in sin: that is, in part, not wholly. And therefore a Church that is in a very corrupt state, both in regard of outward conversation, and of sundry erroneous opinions, may yet remain the true Church of Christ, if so be they err not in the foundation. Which serveth for answer to them, that think our Church to be no Church, because it maintaineth not that out-ward order which they think should be in it. And therefore though we must prefer Church before Church: yet we must not condemn a Church to be no Church▪ for some corruptions that be therein. A true body may have some blemish, and a true Church some wants.
Further, in this Church of Sardis, whom Christ calleth dead, though they had a name to liue. Note the state of the Church of GOD, for this was a true Church of God, who among the rest was washed in the blood of Christ. Chap. 1. vers. 5. And yet Christ saith, it is dead in sinne: that is, in part, not wholly. And therfore a Church that is in a very corrupt state, both in regard of outward conuersation, and of sundry erronious opinions, may yet remaine the true Church of Christ, if so be they erre not in the foundation. Which serueth for answere to them, that thinke our Church to bee no Church, because it maintaineth not that out-ward order which they thinke should be in it. And therefore though wee must preferre Church before Church: yet we must not condemne a Church to bee no Church▪ for some corruptions that bee therein. A true body may haue some blemish, and a true Church some wants.
Again, the Churches of God say, this is a Church▪ yet Christ saith, they are dead. How can these two stand? Answ. The Churches about Sardis judged this to be alive, according to the rule of charity, ⟨p. 166⟩