A09443:904
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.
Hence I gather two things. First, that the number of the elect, in respect of God is certain: for the names of those which are to be saved, be as it were written in a book, and being once written in, they remain there for ever. Some do teach, that all may be saved, if they will: but this is a mere fancy of man: for what should th••e need any book of life, if that were so? Secondly, hence I gather, that this number can neither increase, nor be diminished, let men do wha• they can: If they had been of us they would have continued with us. 1. Joh. 2.19. All that thou hast given me have I kept, and none of them is lost. Joh. 17.12.
Hence I gather two things. First, that the number of the elect, in respect of God is certaine: for the names of those which are to bee saued, bee as it were written in a booke, and being once written in, they remayne there for euer. Some doe teach, that all may bee saued, if they will: but this is a meere fancie of man: for what should th••e need any booke of life, if that were so? Secondly, hence I gather, that this number can neither increase, nor be diminished, let men doe wha• they can: If they had been of vs they would haue continued with vs. 1. Ioh. 2.19. All that thou hast giuen me haue I kept, and none of them is lost. Ioh. 17.12.
Whereas a man may be written in the book of life, to wit,1 in the judgement of men, and yet be blotted out: hereby we are to be admonished, to look unto our selves, and to make conscience of every sin, and to avoid and shun the very occasions thereof. For so long as we profess the Gospel, and obey the same, our names be in the book of life: but when we commit any sin, we do as much as in us lieth make a pen, and reach it up to heaven to blot our names out of that book: and they that keep a course in sinning, do plainly show that they were never truly written therein.