A09443:930
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.
Thirdly, I add the end of this power of the keys: To open and to shut heaven. How the Church doth this, Christ that gave this power knoweth best, and he hath set it down, John. 20.23. Whosoevers sins ye remit, they are remitted: and whosoevers sins ye retain, they are retained. The Church therefore opens heaven, when it pardons mens sins: and it shuts the same, when it lawfully retains their sins, and holdeth them unpardoned: besides this, there is no opening and shutting of heaven committed to the Church. Quest. Can the Church pardon sin, or retain the same? Answ. Yes, for these are the words of Christ: but let us see how. It is one thing to give sentence of the pardon of sin, and another to pronounce the same sentence given. To give the sentence of the pardon of sin, is only proper to Christ, the head of the Church; no Saint, nor Angel hath that privilege: but yet the Church pronounceth the sentence of pardon given by Christ. If we should say, the the Church should pardon sin; we should rob Christ of his honour, for that is a privilege of his Godhead. Thus we se• what the power of the keys is.
Thirdly, I adde the end of this power of the keyes: To open and to shut heauen. How the Church doth this, Christ that gaue this power knoweth best, and hee hath set it downe, Iohn. 20.23. Whosoeuers sinnes ye remit, they are remitted: and whosoeuers sinnes ye retayne, they are retayned. The Church therefore opens heauen, when it pardons mens sinnes: and it shuts the same, when it lawfully retaines their sinnes, and holdeth them vnpardoned: besides this, there is no opening and shutting of heauen committed to the Church. Quest. Can the Church pardon sinne, or retaine the same? Answ. Yes, for these are the wordes of Christ: but let vs see how. It is one thing to giue sentence of the pardon of sinne, and another to pronounce the same sentence giuen. To giue the sentence of the pardon of sinne, is onely proper to Christ, the head of the Church; no Saint, nor Angell hath that priuiledge: but yet the Church pronounceth the sentence of pardon giuen by Christ. If wee should say, the the Church should pardon sin; we should rob Christ of his honour, for that is a priuiledge of his Godhead. Thus wee se• what the power of the keyes is.