A09443:853
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 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⟩because of their outward profession of true Religion: for as Infants are not indeed all holy, as experience showeth, yet till we see the same made manifest, we are in charity to judge them to be holy that are borne of faithful parents: even so ought the Minister and every one in GODS Church, to think the best of every one in Gods Church, till God make manifest what he is. Paul following this rule, calleth whole Churches elect.
Againe, 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 iudged this to be aliue, according to the rule of charitie, ⟨p. 166⟩because of their outward profession of true Religion: for as Infants are not indeede all holy, as experience sheweth, yet till wee see the same made manifest, wee are in charitie to iudge them to bee holy that are borne of f•ithfull parents: euen so ought the Minister and euery one in GODS Church, to thinke the best of euery one in Gods Church, till God make manifest what hee is. Paul following this rule, calleth whole Churches elect.
But thou art dead. Here are two judgements, one of neighbour Churches, the other of Christ, and Christs judgement is preferred. We must therefore regard specially the judgement of Christ, and labour to approve our selves & our conversations unto Christ, rather then to men: for let men say what they will of us, it is Christ that must save and condemn▪ this made (d)