A09443:948
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.
If this be so (will some say) then it is needless for men to be brought up so much in the schools of learning? Ans. Not so, for as much as may be, Gods Ministers ought to have knowledge of School-learning, both in Arts and tongues. And yet for all this, it oft cometh to pass by Gods providence, that the greatest Clerks for learning, are less profitable to the church, than men of smaller gifts. This God doth to humble the learned, that they be not proud in themselves: And to magnify the work of his spirit in the weaker instruments.
If this be so (will some say) then it is needlesse for men to bee brought vp so much in the schooles of learning? Ans. Not so, for as much as may be, Gods Ministers ought to haue knowledge of Schoole-learning, both in Artes and tongues. And yet for all this, it oft commeth to passe by Gods prouidence, that the greatest Clerks for learning, are lesse profitable to the church, thā men of smaller gifts. This God doth to humble the learned, that they be not proud in themselues: And to magnifie the worke of his spirite in the weaker instruments.
Further, these words must also be understood of the whole Church. And then they bear this sense. I have set before thee an open door: That is, I have vouchsafed unto thee a special privilege, even liberty to enter into the kingdom of heaven. From whence we observe: That liberty to life everlasting, is a special privy ledge belonging not to all men, but only to the Church of God, and the true members of Christ.
Further, these words must also be vnderstood of the whole Church. And then they beare this sence. I haue set before thee an open dore: That is, I haue vouchsafed vnto thee a speciall priuiledge, euen libertie to enter into the kingdome of heauen. From whence we obserue: That libertie to life euerlasting, is a speciall priu• ledge belonging not to all men, but onely to the Church of God, and the true members of Christ.