A09443:886
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.
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.
In this coherence we may obserue 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 doe truely belieue. For the priuiledges of a Church belong vnto particular congregations, onely by reason of the faith of the elect among them. The Catholick church is the whole Company of the elect truly beleuing in Christ, & particular congregations are members of it so farre forth as they doe truely beleeue; the rest that doe not truely belieue are not members of the Church before God, but 〈…〉 in the iudgement of men: like vnto superfluous humors which are in the bodie, but no parts thereof. This confuteth the Doctrine of the Church of Rome, who teach that wicked men that are reiected in Gods decree, may yet bee true members of the Church of God.
Secondly, in this coherence Christ intimateth unto us a distinction between man and man in this Church, for all that were in this Church were men called, professing Christ and his Gospel: and yet of them, some were dead in their sins, and others were alive in Christ. Touching this distinction of men, we must search the cause thereof. It must not be ascribed to any power or will in man but to the good pleasure of God, as the scripture teacheth; for when the body of the Israelites had given themselves to Idolatry, there were yet a