A09443:931
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 right use of this power, is when the Church doth use the same for the opening and shutting of heaven: First, in the name of Christ alone, as a servant; Secondly, according to the rule of Gods word, not after mens affections or inventions; Thirdly for this end, to bring sinners to repentance, & to continue them therein that they may be saved: and to the Church thus using this power, Christ ⟨p. 180⟩hath promised: that whatsoever they bind in earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever they loose in earth, shall be loosed in heaven. Mat. 18.18.
The right vse of this power, is when the Church doth vse the same for the opening and shutting of heauen: First, in the name of Christ alone, as a seruant; Secondly, according to the rule of Gods word, not after mens affections or inuentions; Thirdly for this end, to bring sinners to repentance, & to continue them therin that they may be saued: and to the Church thus vsing this power, Christ ⟨p. 180⟩hath promised: that whatsoeuer they binde in earth, shall be bound in heauen; and whatsoeuer they loose in earth, shall bee loosed in heauen. Mat. 18.18.
Further, this power of the keys, hath two parts: the ministry of the word; and spiritual jurisdiction. The key of the Ministry of the word, is set down & established by Christ Mat. 16.19, I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven &c. This ministry of the word is a key, because it opens & shuts heaven; this it doth two ways. First, by teaching and explaining the substance of religion, the doctrine of salvation, whereby men must come to heaven; & in that regard, is called the key of knowledge; Lu. 11.52. Secondly: by applying the promises of the Gospel, and the threatening of the Law: For when in the ministry of the word, the promises of remission of sins & life everlasting, are applied to believers that repent, then the kingdom of heaven is opened; & when as in the same ministry of the word, the curses of the law are denounced against impenitent sinners, then is the kingdom of heaven shut. Yet touching the ministry of the word, this distinction must be remembered; that otherwhiles the church is certain of the faith & repentance of some men, or some congregation; and then they may pronounce remission of sins absolutely. But otherwhiles they are uncertain of their faith and repentance, or of their impenitency; & then they must accordingly remit or retain mens sins, that is, conditionally; pronouncing the remission of sins to all that repent: & denouncing damnation to all that repent not. And thus is the word to be publicly handled in Gods church at this day, because our congregations are mixed companies, consisting of some that repent & believe, and of others that do not truly repent nor believe.