A09443:997
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 second reason is set after the commandment; that no man take thy crown: that is, the crown of thy glory, even everlasting life. This must not be restrained to the minister of this Church, taking it only for the crown of his ministry, though it be also understood of him; but the same must be referred to the whole Church: as if our Saviour Christ should say; If thou hold not fast thy faith and other graces, thou wilt loose the crown of glory that is ordained for thee.
The second reason is set after the commandement; that no man take thy crowne: that is, the crowne of thy glory, euen euerlasting life. This must not be restrayned to the minister of this Church, taking it only for the crown of his ministery, though it bee also vnderstood of him; but the same must bee referred to the whole Church: as if our Sauiour Christ should say; If thou holde not fast thy faith and other graces, thou wilt loose the crowne of glorie that is ordayned for thee.
Hence some gather, that a man ordained to life may finally perish, because another may have that crown which was ordained for him. But this is a flat abuse of this, and such like Texts of scripture: for the words are not absolute, that a man may loose his crown; but conditional: Hold fast, or else thou shalt perish, and loose eternal life▪ though it be ordained for thee. Now the use of such speeches, is not to signify falling from grace, but to show unto us our own weakness in our selves; ⟨p. 193⟩that we might acknowledge, that if we were left of God wholly to our selves, we could not but perish. Therefore they serve to stir up the child of God to humble himself in the acknowledgement of his own weakness, unto a careful using of the means to come to salvation. Like as a father that takes his child and sets him on a horse, guiding the horse with one hand, and holding him with the other; and then saith unto the child, take heed least thou fall: Not meaning thereby that the child shall fall, but intending to make him sit faster; & to let him know that if he should leave him, he would fall.