A09443:959
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.
Hence we learn, that in the conversion ⟨p. 186⟩of a sinner, God hath the whole and sole work: true it is, that a man willeth his conversion in the act thereof, but yet it is God that worketh that will in him, it is not of himself. This confuteth the erroneous Doctrine of free-will in the Church of Rome, whereby they teach, that a man can dispose himself to work out his salvation, being only helped by Gods grace. Like unto a sick man, who though he be weak, yet being holden up by another, can go of himself. Ans. But Saint Paul teacheth us, That a man by nature is not sick, or weak with sin, but stark adead in sin: and can no more move himself in the work of his conversion, than a dead man in the grave, in the work of his resurrection. But they say, by this we make a man like unto a block. Answ. Not so, for though he cannot turn himself unto God, yet he hath his will and understanding free to use in civil and outward actions: and besides the•e is a possibility in his nature to be converted by grace, which is not in a block.
Hence we learne, that in the conuersision ⟨p. 186⟩of a sinner, God hath the whole and sole worke: true it is, that a man willeth his conuersion in the act thereof, but yet it is God that worketh that will in him, it is not of himselfe. This confuteth the erronious Doctrine of free-will in the Church of Rome, whereby they teach, that a man can dispose himselfe to worke out his saluation, being onely helped by Gods grace. Like vnto a sicke man, who though he bee weake, yet being holden vp by another, can goe of himselfe. Ans. But Saint Paul teacheth vs, That a man by nature is not sick, or weak with sinne, but starke adead in sinne: and can no more mooue himselfe in the worke of his conuersion, thā a dead man in the graue, in the worke of his resurrection. But they say, by this wee make a man like vnto a blocke. Answ. Not so, for though hee cannot turne himselfe vnto God, yet hee hath his will and vnderstanding free to vse in ciuile and outward actions: and besides the•e is a possibilitie in his nature to bee conuerted by grace, which is not in a blocke.