A09443:885
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.
Here beginneth the second part of the matter of this Epistle, namely the praise and commendation of some part of this Church. The words do thus depend upon those which went before; whereas Christ had said, that this Church was dead in sin, and had only a name to live; some man might a•ke, how it could be a true Church. To this Christ answereth in the beginning of this verse, that though the greatest part in this Church were dead in their sins, yet some few there were among them that were alive in Christ, and did testify the ⟨p. 171⟩the same by true and sincere obedience.
Heere beginneth the second part of the matter of this Epistle, namely the praise and commendation of some part of this Church. The words doe thus depend vppon those which went before; wheras Christ had sayd, that this Church was dead in sinne, and had onely a name to liue; some man might a•ke, how it could bee a true Church. To this Christ answereth in the beginning of this verse, that though the greatest part in this Church were dead in their sinnes, yet some few there were among them that were aliue in Christ, and did testifie the ⟨p. 171⟩the same by true and sincere obedience.
In this coherence we may observe two instructions. I. that a particular congregation on earth is made a Church of God, and so called in regard of Gods elect therein, who do truly believe. For the privileges of a Church belong unto particular congregations, only by reason of the faith of the elect among them. The Catholic church is the whole Company of the elect truly believing in Christ, & particular congregations are members of it so far forth as they do truly believe; the rest that do not truly believe are not members of the Church before God, but […] in the judgement of men: like unto superfluous humours which are in the body, but no parts thereof. This confuteth the Doctrine of the Church of Rome, who teach that wicked men that are rejected in Gods decree, may yet be true members of the Church of God.