A09443:894
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.
Which have not defiled their garments: Here they are commended for uprightness and sincerity of life and conversation, in that they kept themselves from the very shows and appearance of evil; when as th• rest of this Church was dead in sin.
Which haue not defiled their garments: Heere they are commended for vprightnesse and sinceritie of life and conuersation, in that they kept themselues from the verie shewes and appearance of euill; when as th• rest of this Church was dead in sinne.
In their example Christ prescribeth unto us a pattern of true piety, how we ought to carry our selves in the Church of GOD on earth: we must not content our selves with a bare profession of Religion, and keep our selves from gross sins only, but abstain from the very shows of evil. Yea more particularly, here are three things taught us touching sin. First, that we ought to make conscience of every sin in our own person. Secondly, that we ought to keep our selves from the contagion of sin in others, either by giving consent unto them, or furthering & allowing them any way therein. Thirdly, that we ought to abstain from the very occasions, and shows, and appearances of sins, so Paul teacheth us kto abstain from all appearance of evil. Ephes. 5.3, He will not have sundry sins, as fornication, uncleanness, &c. so much as once named, thereby to give the least approbation unto them. We must therefore look on this example, lay it to our hearts, and conform our lives unto it: so shall we be good servants of GOD, and have the same commendation with these few: for true Religion stands not in knowledge, but in obedience, and this is true obedience to make conscience of every sin in our own persons; to take heed of the infection of sin in others: and to abstain from the appearance of evil. A happy Church should we have, if these things were practised: but this is the shame and reproach of our profession, that we have no care of true obedience in our selves and others, whereby we should glorify God, and grace our holy Religion.