A09443:985
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.
Qu. But how was this promise verified touching their deliverance from persecution, seeing no Church was free from it? For even the Churches of Asia, whereof this in Philadelphia was a principal one, were persecuted by Traianus. Answ. This and such like promises of deliverance to Gods children from trials and afflictions, must be understood not simply; but with condition: to wit, so far forth as they may be hurtful unto them, and in the least measure hinder their salvation; and indeed they are promises of deliverance from the evil of temptation and persecution; not from persecution and temptation it self. Psal. 91.10, The Lord promiseth to him that trusteth in God, The plague shall not come near his dwelling: and yet by experience we know that Gods children in general plagues, are taken away as well as others; and therefore that promise must be understood of deliverance, not from the plague it self, but from the hurt thereof; so as it shall not hinder the good or salvation of any in the godly mans house. We pray Lead us not into temptation; which we must not understand of freedom from all temptation; for it is the will of God we should be tried: but therein we are ⟨p. 191⟩taught to pray, that God would not forsake us in our temptations, or give us up wholly to the power of the devil; but that it may tend to our profit, and not to our hurt, as well in respect of grace, as of salvation. And so far forth was this promise accomplished to this Church.
Qu. But how was this promise verified touching their deliuerance from persecution, seeing no Church was free from it? For euen the Churches of Asia, whereof this in Philadelphia was a principall one, were persecuted by Traianus. Answ. This and such like promises of deliuerance to Gods children from tryals and afflictions, must bee vnderstood not simply; but with condition: to wit, so farre foorth as they may bee hurtfull vnto them, and in the least measure hinder their saluation; and indeed they are promises of deliuerance from the euill of temptation and persecution; not from persecution and temptation it selfe. Psal. 91.10, The Lord promiseth to him that trusteth in God, The plague shall not come neere his dwelling: and yet by experience wee know that Gods children in generall plagues, are taken away as well as others; and therefore that promise must bee vnderstood of deliuerance, not from the plague it selfe, but from the hurt therof; so as it shall not hinder the good or saluation of any in the godly mans house. We pray Lead vs not into temptation; which wee must not vnderstand of freedome from all temptation; for it is the will of God we should be tryed: but therein wee are