A09443:945
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.
In this verse, and so forward to the twelfth, is contained the matter of this Epistle, which may be reduced to three •eads: a Praise; a Promise; and a Commandment. The Praise in this eight verse. The Promise in the 9. and 10. The Commandment in the 11. For the first, the Praise of this Church is first summarily propounded: I know thy works: which hath been expounded, and the end thereof, with the uses in the former Epistles. Then he addeth the reason of his commendation, wherein are two things to be observed. I the sign of Christs approbation, in these words: I have set before thee an open door. II. their conversation, or the works which Christ approved: In the words following, Thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, & hast not denied my name. Both these may be understood, either of the Angel and Minister of this Church: or of the whole Church also. I take it to be meant of both. Being spoken of the Minister of this Church, the words bear this sense: Behold I have set before thee an open door, &c. That is, behold and consider, I have vouchsafed unto thee opportunity and liberty to preach the Gospel, and thereby to convert men unto me. So much S. Paul meaneth by the door of utterance, 1. Cor. 16.9. For thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name, That is, though thou be endued but with a small measure of gifts pertaining to thy calling, yet thou hast maintained my Gospel, and hast not denied my name.
In this verse, and so forward to the twelft, is contayned the matter of this Epistle, which may bee reduced to three •eads: a Praise; a Promise; and a Commaundement. The Praise in this eight verse. The Promise in the 9. and 10. The Commaundement in the 11. For the first, the Praise of this Church is first summarily propounded: I know thy works: which hath beene expounded, and the end thereof, with the vses in the former Epistles. Then hee addeth the reason of his cōmendation, wherin are two things to bee obserued. I the signe of Christs approbation, in these words: I haue set before thee an open dore. II. their conuersation, or the workes which Christ approoued: In the words following, Thou hast a litle strēgth, and hast kept my word, & hast not denied my name. Both these may be vndetstood, either of the Angell and Minister of this Church: or of the whole Church also. I take it to bee meant of both. Being spoken of the Minister of this Church, the words beare this sence: Behold I haue set before thee an open dore, &c. That is, behold and consider, I haue vouchsafed vnto thee oportunitie and libertie to preach the Gospell, and thereby to conuert men vnto me. So much S. Paul meaneth by the dore of vtterance,