This fourth volume contains two treatises of biblical exposition. The first treatise is A Godly and Learned Exposition upon the Whole Epistle of Jude . Finding the purpose of Jude s letter in verse 3, Perkins calls for all Christians to persevere in professing the gospel by taking heed of false teachers and deceivers, who seek to infiltrate the church. While many of his points of application reflect a context peculiar to the Elizabethan era, his insights into what it means to 'contend for the faith' still prove applicable today. The second treatise is A Godly and Learned Exposition or Commentary upon the Three First Chapters of Revelation , giving careful consideration of the seven letters to the seven churches of Asia. Perkins highlights the person of Christ and His significance to the church, focuses on what Christ approves and rebukes about the condition of the church, and emphasizes Christ's bounty and humanity's duty. Troubled by the prevalence of those who accept empty profession as conversion and dead formality as godliness, Perkins urges his audience to move beyond mere intellectual assent to heartfelt dedication to Christ. On the broad shoulders of William Perkins, epoch-making pioneer, stood the entire school of seventeenth-century Puritan pastors and divines, yet the Puritan reprint industry has steadily bypassed him. Now, however, he begins to reappear, admirably edited, and at last this yawning gap is being filled. Profound thanks to the publisher and heartfelt praise to God have become due. --J. I. Packer, Board of Governors Professor of Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia The list of those influenced by the ministry of William Perkins reads like a veritable Who's Who of the Puritan Brotherhood and far beyond. This reprinting of his works, so long unobtainable except by a few, is therefore a publishing event of the first magnitude. --Sinclair B. Ferguson, professor of systematic theology, Redeemer Theological Seminary, Dallas Sixty years ago, hardly any Puritan books remained in print. Now, in the kindness of God and through the diligent labors of Christian scholars, we have a veritable feast of Puritan reprints to consume and enjoy. Unfortunately, the complete works of William Perkins, a foundational leader in early English Reformed orthodoxy, has not been reprinted in 379 years. Thanks to Joel Beeke, Reformation Heritage Books, and several fine editors, this is no longer the case. They have produced a new standard edition of Perkins's works, which I trust will be profitably used and enjoyed until the return of Christ. --Justin Taylor Reformation Heritage Books is excited to announce the publication of the inaugural volume of a projected ten volume set of The Works of William Perkins, often called "the father of Puritanism." Can you imagine studying the Reformation without having access to John Calvin's Institutes and commentaries? We believe that the printing of Perkins's Works in modern print will revolutionize and transform Puritan studies, and be a great blessing to the church of Jesus Christ around the world. Though Perkins is best known today for his writings on predestination he also wrote prolifically on many subjects. His Works filled over two thousand large pages of small print in three folio volumes, and were reprinted several times in the decades after his death. However, the complete Works have not been in print since the early seventeenth century. This modern typeset edition of the Works includes four volumes of Perkin's expositions of Scripture, three volumes of his doctrinal and polemical treatises, and three volumes of his practical writings. The first volume contains a masterful treatment of the Sermon on the Mount and an enlightening exposition of Christ being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Scholars, ministers, and lay people will all profit greatly from reading this great Puritan writer. William Perkins (1558-1602) earned a bachelor's degree in 1581 and a master's degree in 1584 from Christ's College in Cambridge. During those student years he joined up with Laurence Chaderton, who became his personal tutor and lifelong friend. Perkins and Chaderton met with Richard Greenham, Richard Rogers, and others in a spiritual brotherhood at Cambridge that espoused Puritan convictions. From 1584 until his death, Perkins served as lecturer, or preacher, at Great St. Andrew's Church, Cambridge, a most influential pulpit across the street from Christ's College. He also served as a teaching fellow at Christ's College, catechized students at Corpus Christi College on Thursday afternoons, and worked as a spiritual counselor on Sunday afternoons. In these roles Perkins influenced a generation of young students, including Richard Sibbes, John Cotton, John Preston, and William Ames. Thomas Goodwin wrote that when he entered Cambridge, six of his instructors who had sat under Perkins were still passing on his teaching. Ten years after Perkins's death, Camb