A09443:902
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.
The second thing promised; And I will not put out his name out of the book of life. For the understanding of this, two questions must be scanned: First what this book of life is; Secondly, whether a man may be blotted out of this Book. For the first: this book of life is nothing else, but Gods predestination or eternal decree of Election, whereby he hath chosen some men unto salvation upon his good pleasure. And this is called a Book, because it is like unto a Book. For as the General in a Camp, hath the names of all his soldiers that fight under him, in a Book; and as the Magistrate of a Town hath the name of every free man and Denizen in•owled: so GOD in the book of his Election, hath the names of all that shall be saved.
The second thing promised; And I will not put out his name out of the booke of life. For the vnderstanding of this, two questions must bee scanned: First what this booke of life is; Secondly, whether a man may bee blotted out of this Booke. For the first: this booke of life is nothing else, but Gods predestination or eternall decree of Election, whereby he hath chosen some men vnto saluation vpon his good pleasure. And this is called a Booke, because it is like vnto a Booke. For as the Generall in a Campe, hath the names of all his souldiours that fight vnder him, in a Booke; and as the Magistrate of a Towne hath the name of euerie free man and Denison in•owled: so GOD in the booke of his Election, hath the names of all that shalbe saued.
For the second Question. A man may be written in the Book of life two ways: either truly before God, or in the judgement of men only. Those whose names are truly before GOD written in this book, cannot be blotted out; For Gods counsel touching the eternal state of every man, is unchangeable. This the golden Chain of Gods decree, doth plainly show: For whom he hath predestinate, athem he hath called; and whom he called, them also he justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Others there be that have their names written in this Book, only in the judgement of men: and thus are all men written in the Book of life, that profess the Gospel of Christ in his Church: for so charity binds us to judge of them: And these may have their names blotted out. In this sense doth the Scripture often speak: as when the Prophet wisheth,