William Perkins on Revelation 3:19

Verse. 19. As many as I loue, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and amend.

Because our Sauiour Christ had so sharply rebuked this Church, they might thereby take occasion to distrust, and despaire of his fauour and mercie: heere therefore it pleaseth him, to take away all occasion of doubting, after this sort. If I vse to rebuke & chasten all those whom I loue, then you are not to despaire of my mercie, by reason of my sharpe reproofe, whereby I haue threatned to spew you out of my mouth, for your sinne of luke-warmnesse. But thus I vse to deale, with all those whom I loue; and therefore in this regard you need not to doubt of my loue and fauour.

The meaning. As many as I loue, Christ loues the creatures two wayes: as hee is Creator, and as he is Redeemer. As he is the Creator, hee loueth all his creatures, with a common & generall loue, whether they be liuing or dead; reasonable or vnreasonable. As he is Redeemer, he loues his creatures with a speciall and a peculiar loue; which is not common to all, but proper to that part of man-kinde, which is chosen to saluation before the world was. And of this peculiar loue hee speaketh here. I rebuke, The word in the originall which is translated, Rebuke, [non-Latin text not transcribed]. is more significant than can fitly bee expressed in any one English worde; thus much is meant thereby, as if Christ had said; First, I will conuince them of their sins, and after reprooue, admonish, and check them for the same. And chasten: This must bee vnderstood of a kinde of correction, which a father vseth on his child, called nurturing: which is correction to breake the childe of his fault and bad manners, and to teach him his dutie. This then is the meaning: All those whom I beare speciall fauour vnto, doe I conuince of their particular faults, and then checke and reprooue them and nurture them, as a father doth his Child: to make them leaue their particular vices, and to walke in obediēce. And to assure vs that this is the true meaning, read Pro. 3.12, whence the words are taken; & Heb. 12.5, where they are more fully explained.

Heere then Christ sets downe his ordinary dealing with them, whom he taketh and chooseth to bee his disciples and members; namely, hee conuinceth them of their faults: he reproueth and chasteneth them for this very end, to breake them of their sins, and to bring them to reformation. And this dealing of Christ, belongeth to euery seruant and member of Christ without exception: yea, Christ layeth rebukes and chastisments on all his children & that in diuers measure, according to the nature of their sinnes, and the disposition of the parties. Such as are hardly broken of their sins, hee layeth on them more heauie iudgementes and chastisments that they may bee brought [illegible: 1 span] humiliation, and so [illegible: 1 word] true [illegible: 1 word]. And therefore euery one that would bee a Discipl[illegible: 1 letter] and member of Christ, must looke to goe vnder his correction and his sharpe and seuere, rebuke; according as they are in heart disposed vnto sinnes either more or lesse; Hee must passe vnder the rodde, that would come into the bond of the Couenant. Ezech. 20.37.

The vse of this doctrine is two-fold, set downe Prov. 3.12. The first thus, My [illegible: 1 word] despise no[illegible: 1 letter] the correction of the Lord, for the Lord correcteth whom hee loueth; his chastycements are tokens of his loue. That is, whensoeuer the Lord either in the ministerie of his word reproueth thy sins, or by any affliction chasteneth thee, despise it not, neither set light by it; but make good vse thereof vnto thine owne soule. The second vse is; Faint not when thou art corrected: that is, let not the greatnesse of it daunt thee, but arme thy selfe with patience, because he vseth to correct all those whom hee loueth, making his chastisments tokens of his loue.

Secondly; Christ heere setteth before all gouernours, an example to followe, especially to fathers and masters▪ his example is this; On euery child that hee loueth, hee layeth corrections, for this [illegible: 1 letter]nd to breake them of their sinnes: [illegible: 1 word] answerably, Gouernours must shew tokens of loue towards those that are vnder them, by due reproofe and correction; that [illegible: 1 letter]o they may be broken of their misdemeanor, and brought vnto obedience to God. It were to bee wished, that both Parents and Masters would followe Christ in this example, and so seeke the reformation of those that are vnder them; but more lamentable is the [illegible: 1 word] Parents and Masters doe thinke it sufficient for them, if they prouide for their children and seruante[illegible: 1 letter] food, and rayment, and necessaries for the bodie; and so altogether neglect the good of their soules, which is the cause of many sinnes, and so of many iudgements; both which ought to mooue them to put in practise this dutie.

Thirdly, the very order of Christs worde, doth minister vnto vs a necessary instruction; [illegible: 3 letters]ching his manner of correcting his seruants. For first, hee propounds a direct end of all his corrections vpon them; to wit, their nurturing and reformation; then, that hee may attaine thereto▪ hee proceedeth thus: First, hee doth conuince their conscience of their sinnes▪ then by reproofes he rebukes and checks them, and lastly correcteth them, by laying chastisments on them. A most excellent and blessed order, in vsing correction for the good of the partie chastised, which ought to bee followed of all Gouernours, parents and masters especially. First they must propound a good end of their correction, euen the amendement and saluation of the partie: and that they may then proceed [illegible: 1 word], they must first conuince their conscience of the [illegible: 1 word] ▪ then reprooue, checke, and admonish them: and if that take not place, they must proceed vnto meete and conuenient bodily correction all which must bee done not for reuenge; but to bring thē to amendement, and to make them obedient to the will of God. Whereby wee see how farre many Parents and Gouernours ouer shoote themselues; when as they make their corrections matters of reuenge and choller; wherein they s[illegible: 1 letter]eldome intend the reformation of the offender▪ which is a fault flat against the word of God; and therefore to be considered of euery good christian.

Be zealous therefore and repent. In the former Verse hee propounded a remedie against their▪ Spirituall pride▪ In [illegible: 1 word] wordes hee doth directly propound a remedie against their Luke-warmnesse. But first obserue the coherence of these words with the former. Christ hath said; Whom I loue I rebuke and correct, according as their fault is: therefore sayth hee to this Church; because I haue rebuked and corrected thee by seuere threatnings, for thy Luke-warmnesse, therefore now become zealous and amend.

Here see the proper [illegible: 1 letter]nd of all reprofes and corrections: namely, the reformation and amendement of mens faults & misdemeanors whatsoeuer, that so they may bee more carefull of their wayes▪ and more zealous in good duties then euer they were. Whensoeuer therefore wee are reprooued by the word of God; or when the Lord shall visite vs in body, minde, or goods by any kind of crosse, wee must remember to take occasion thereby to repent and amend, knowing that by all these as by so many Sermons, the Lorde calles vs to amendement.

Nowe come to the remedie of their Luke-warmnesse; Be zealous. That wee may vnderstand this Commandement, we are to handle some points touching Zeale. First, what is zeale? Zeale is a burning affection in regard of Christian Religion, and the true worship of God. This Zeale is compounded of two affections; of loue, and anger or indignation; so that in this Commandement are two duties enioyned vnto this Church. First, that they should loue Christ, and his Religion aboue all things. Secondly, that they should be greiued especially for this, that Christ was dishonoured, his worship prophaned, and his doctrine not embraced; but insteed thereof false worship, and false doctrine entertayned; when both these concurre, then zeale is in the heart. A most notable Example hereof wee haue in Christ: Psalm. 69.9, where the Prophet Dauid in his person saith, The zeale of Gods house had eaten him vp. Whereby thus much is signified; that the heat of his loue for the maintaining of his Fathers glorie, had euen consumed him; and that his indignation was so great, because his Fathers Name was dishonoured, and his worship prophaned; that it did euen care him vp. This wee shall see to bee true in Christ, if wee read the Hystorie of his life, Iohn 2.17. Yea hee professeth of himselfe, that it was meate and drinke vnto him to doe his Fathers will, Ioh. 4.34. That thing he preferred before his owne life or safetie: nay, for the accomplishment thereof, hee was content to suffer the pangs of hell. The like zeale was in Elias, when all Israel was fallen to Idolatrie; his heart was zealous for the Lord of Hosts. 1. King. 19.14.

II. point; The kinds of zeale. Zeale. is either good or bad: In good zeale are these things required. I. True faith, as the roote thereof; 1. Tim. 1. vers. 5. The end of the commandement is loue [illegible: 1 word] of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith vnfained; Now, one apart of zeale is loue; and therefore [illegible: 1 span] proceed[illegible: 1 letter] from true faith, so must true zeale [illegible: 1 word] and that which is not grounded on faith▪ is rather rashnesse and fiercenesse of nature, than true zeale. II. Repentance; 2. Cor. 7.11, There are seuen [illegible: 1 word] of repentance recyted, whereof zeale is one, that is good zeale: Euen a burning loue of true Religion, and a godly indignation when false religion is embraced. There may bee zeale in a man that hath no repentance; as was in Iehu, 2. King. 10.16. Come with mee, (sayth hee) and see the zeale that I haue for the Lord. Yet he wanted repentance, for Vers. 29.31, It is said, Iehu regarded not to walke in the Law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart: for hee departed not from the sinnes of Ieroboam, which made Israel to sinne: and therefore he had not in him the true zeale that is heere commanded. III. Zeale must come from knowledge: for without knowledge it is but rashnesse and bold-hardinesse, such as the Iewes had, Rom. 10.2. whose Zeale was without knowledge. And such as Paul had before his conuersion, Phil. 3. vers. 6. In Zeale hee persecuted Gods Church: Knowledge therefore in Gods word, must bee the guide and conductor of our zeale.

III. point; The fruites of zeale must be considered for the better discerning of true zeale. First, true zeale constraineth a man in euery thing to seeke to please God: 2. Cor. 5.13.14. Whether we be out of [illegible: 1 word] wits, we are it vnto God: or whether we bee in our right mind, we are it vnto you. For the loue of Christ constrayneth vs. So wheresoeuer this true zeale is in any measure, it offereth violence to the heart; so as a man cannot but endeuour to doe his dutie, for the loue he beareth vnto Christ. Elihu sayd; The grace of God was in his heart as new wine in a vessell, which must needs vent out, Iob. 32.18.19. Secondly, true zeale makes a man indeuour to serue and please God with all his heart, power, and strength. So good king Iosiah, hearing the words of the Law read, hee turned not slackely or negligently, but 2. kings. 23.25. with all his heart, and all his soule, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses: so as like him was no King before, neither after him arose there any like him. Psal. 51, Dauid humbling himselfe for his sinnes, prayes for the pardon of them with such maruellous zeale, as no tongue can vtter: desiring God to remember him according to the multitude of his mercies: often repeating the same thing in diuers tearmes, that in some sort hee might expresse the earnest desire of his heart: And in giuing God thankes for his benefits, he putteth all the strength of his heart thereto, crying out; My soule prayse thou the Lord, and all that is within mee. Psa. 103.1. And thus we see what a thing it is to be zealous; whence true zeale ariseth, and what it worketh in mans heart.

The vse. Seeing wee (as hath beene shewed) are tainted with this sinne of Lukewarmnesse, and coldnesse in religion; let vs here learne how to redresse this vice. Wee must become zealous, hauing in our heart a feruent loue of true religion, and a vehement indignation when the same is disgraced, and false worship takes place. Let Religion therefore take place in our hearts; and let vs bee feruent and shew that same in our liues by zealous obedience. Away with all slacknesse and lukewarmnesse; it were better to bee Iewes and Turkes, and to hold no Religion, then to be luke-warme in the true profession. And thus much for zeale.

The second part of this remedie is; to Repent, or amend. This they are also enioyned, because zeale without repentāce, is nothing but rashnes. Iehues zeale was no true zeale, because hee wanted repentance, euen then when hee was zealous. But wherefore was this Church inioyned to repent? Namely, for Lukewarmnes; not for that she had committed any horrible sinne, but because she was slacke in good duties.

Here then we haue a good Lesson for the ignorant sort, that challenge Gods mercie vnto themselues, because they are no notorious malefactors; as murtherers, & adulterers, they hate no man, but do good vnto all: but heere they are taught to reforme this their blindnesse and ignorance; For repentance must be for want of good duties, yea for slacknesse therein: therefore let no man sooth himselfe in his ignorance, with a false perswasion that all is wel if he liue not in grosse sinnes. This is the enchantment of the deuill, whereby he rocks many asleepe in their sinnes, till hee carry their soules to hell: A good meaning will not serue the turne; God requires true zeale in well-doing.