A09443:989
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.
The end of this phrase touching the shortness of time, was to comfort this and all other Churches in the time of this grievous persecution: for the consideration of the shortness of the time, is a means to ease any affliction; and to arm an impatient man with some measure of contentation.
The end of this phrase touching the shortnesse of time, was to comfort this and all other Churches in the time of this grieuous persecution: for the consideration of the shortnesse of the time, is a meanes to ease any affliction; and to arme an impatient man with some measure of contentation.
III. point. The prophecy, or prediction of this affliction; is in these words: Which will come on all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Here Christ foretelleth a thing which was to come, simply by himself, and from himself; not by the help of any cause, or any man or angel. And hereby he proves himself to be true God; for it is a property and privilege of the true God, of himself and by himself, to foretell a thing to come, before it can be seen either in it self, or in the causes thereof: no man, nor angel can so absolutely foretell that which is to come; but in their predictions they first see the things present in their causes, unless they be revealed unto them from God. But some may here demand, whether Christs foreknowledge and prediction, were the cause of this grievous persecution. Answ. Not so, for things come not to pass because of Gods foreknowledge thereof; but because they would come to pass, therefore God foreseeth, & foretelleth them: there is a higher cause of all things, then prescience and prediction; to wit, the good will and pleasure, and decree of God. So Christ is said ito be delivered to be crucified, by the determinate will and counsel of God: and from the same eternal counsel did this persecution under Trajan originally proceed: for the first cause of the event of every thing is Gods decree, either ordaining, or disposing the same. It will be said, if this be so, then is God the author of sin. Answ. God forbid: For the manner of Gods will and decree is divers; some things he decreeth to cause and effect of himself, and by himself, as all good things: some other things God decreeth to be effected by others, as sin. And so evil things though they be not