A09443:947
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.
Secondly, from the works which Christ approved in the Angel of this Church, we may observe, that Ministers endued with small measure of gifts, may be able to do great service unto God in his Church. This thing is plain in the Minister of this Church: and might also be showed by manifold examples of such men in all ages: but to come to our times. In the days of Queen Mary, when Religion was in banishing, this our famous School of the Prophets,1 had many learned men in it: yet not one of them stood out for the defence of the Gospel: when as a poor secular Priest not three miles off, who was far behind them in gifts of learning and knowledge, yet having the truth revealed unto him, did stand out for the maintenance of the same, even to the sealing of it with his blood. And at this day many men of smaller gifts in the ministry, do more further the Gospel, by the increase of the knowledge of Christ crucified and true obedience, than those that are enriched with far greater gifts of knowledge both in tongues and arts: so as though they be many hundred degrees short in regard of school-learning, yet they go as far before them in benefiting Gods Church.
Secondly, from the workes which Christ approoued in the Angell of this Church, we may obserue, that Ministers indued with small measure of gifts, may bee able to doe great seruice vnto God in his Church. This thing is plaine in the Minister of this Church: and might also bee shewed by manifold examples of such men in all ages: but to come to our times. In the dayes of Queene Marie, when Religion was in banishing, this our famous Schoole of the Prophets,1 had many learned men in it: yet not one of them stood out for the defence of the Gospell: when as a poore secular Priest not three miles off, who was far behind them in gifts of learning and knowledg, yet hauing the truth reuealed vnto him, did stand out for the maintenance of the same, euen to the sealing of it with his blood. And at this day many men of smaller gifts in the ministrie, doe more further the Gospell, by the encrease of the knowledge of Christ crucified and true obedience, than those that are inriched with far greater gifts of knowledge both in tongues and arts: so as though they be many hundred degrees short in regard of schoole-learning, yet they go as farre before them in benefiting Gods Church.