A09443:938
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.
For the better discerning of this power of the keys, we must remember four special abuses hereof that have taken place in Gods Church for many hundred years. The first is this: that in former Ages the church hath given this power of the keys to Peter alone, debarring the same from all other, even from the rest of the Apostles: as though they had only the use, not the right of this power. But the ease is plain, this power belongs to every true minister of the Gospel, though they be not Apostles, as well as it did to Peter; for in the promulgation of this power, Mat. 16.19, though Christ direct his speech to Peter, yet he speaketh unto all, as the circumstances of the place do plainly show; for Christs question (Whom say ye that I am) was made to all; now because it would have been great disorder in that holy company, for all of them to have spoken; therefore Peter being both ancient and bold of speech speaketh for all, and the rest answered in his person: and so accordingly Christ speaking to Peter, doth make a grant of this power unto all his disciples in his person And therefore Joh. 20.23: He gives this power to all; saying plainly: Whosoevers sins ye retain, they are retained, &c. So that the word of God is plain in this point, to satisfy the conscience of any that is not wilfully addicted to the Popish religion. Quest. Whence have the Ministers of the Gospel this power? Answ. By succession from the Apostles; for Christ saith, Mat. 28.19.20, Go and preach, I will be with you to the end of the world. Where he cannot mean the Apostles only; but with them all Ministers that did preach and baptise after them, making this promise to the Apostles; not as they were Apostles, but as they were Ministers and preachers of his Gospel.
For the better discerning of this power of the keyes, wee must remember foure special abuses hereof that haue takē place in Gods Church for many hundred years. The first is this: that in former Ages the church hath giuen this power of the keies to Peter alone, debarring the same from all other, euen from the rest of the Apostles: as though they had only the vse, not the right of this power. But the ease is plaine, this power belongs to euery true minister of the Gospel, though they be not Apostles, as well as it did to Peter; for in the promulgation of this power,