The Image of Both Churches in Revelation, Chapter 2

The Image of Both Churches in Revelation · Chapter 2

The second Chapiter.

THE TEXT.

1 VntoUnto the Angell of the congregation of Ephesus vvryte. 2. These things saieth he that holdeth the seuē starres in his right hand, & vvalketh in the middest of the seuen Golden Candelstickes. 3. I knovv thy vvorkes, and thy labour, and thy pacience. 4 And howe thou canste not forbeare them, vvhichwhich are euil. 5. And examinest them vvhichwhich say they are Apostles, and are not. 6. And hast found them lyars. 7. And hast suffred, and hast patience, and for my names sake haste laboured, and haste not faynted. 8. Neuerthelesse I hauehave somevvhat against thee, for thou haste lefte the first louelove.

9 Remember therfore from vvhence thou art fallen and repent. 10. And doe the first vvorkes. 11. Or els I will come vntounto thee shortly. 12. And will remoue thy Candelsticke out of his place, excepte thou repent▪ 13. But this thou hast, bicause thou hatest the deedes of the Nicolaitans. 14. Which deedes I also hate. 15. Let him that hath eares, heare vvhat the spirite saith vntounto the congregations. 16. To him that ouercommeth, wil I giuegive to eate of the tree of lyfe, 17. vvhichwhich is in the middest of the Paradyse of my God.

THE PARAPHRASE.

MY dearely beloued seruant Iohan (sayeth the Lord Iesus) my will is that thou shalte signifie by writing vntounto the messenger or preacher of the Christian congregation of Ephesus,Iohn. 19. Apoc. 1 Ephesus. Iacob. 5. Dan. 9. Luc. 19. Math. 5. Iohn. 4. Rom. 7. Phil. 1.John 19Rev 1Dan 9Luke 19Matt 5John 4Rom 7Phil 1 which dwelling in this earthly mansion, is as was Daniel, ful of wholsome desires. Shée looketh for the Kingdom, shée séeketh for the glorie, shée hungreth for the rightuousnesse of God, she thursteth for the liuing waters, shée longeth for to be deliuered from this bodie of death, shée coueteth to be dissolued, and to be with Christ, yea, feruētly she desireth to rest in the armes of hir almightie spouse.

2 Tell hir therefore that these sayings hath he,Apoc. 1. Math. 28. Iohn. 17. Luc. 14. Iohn. 14. Apoc. 22.Rev 1Matt 28John 17Luke 14John 14Rev 22 which holdeth the vij. starres in his right hand, & walketh in y^e middest of the vij. golden Candelstickes, which hath in his power all ministers of his worde, to retain thē or to cast thē out, & remaineth among the congregations, to beholde their actes, and reward them according to their doings.

3 I know thy workes (sayth hée) I perceue thy labour,Exod. 3. Hebr. 4. Math. 5. Luc. 6. Rom. 12.Exod 3Heb 4Matt 5Luke 6Rom 12 thy anguish, thy affliction, thy payne, for vntounto me nothing can be hid. I consider also thy pacient sufferance in aduersitie, and thy troublous crosse for my wordes sake, thy constant fayth, and thy vnbroken spirite.

4 And I ponder thy feruent and godly zeale, wherin thou canst in no wyse forbeare thē that are wicked, and euill, but thou hatest blasphéemers, & abhorrest y^e enemies of god.

p. 245 I much commend thée for y^t thou diligētly examinest them which call them selues Apostles, and are none,Phil. 3. 1. Tim. 3. 1. Iohn. 4. 3. Iohn. 1. 2. Pet. 2.Phil 31 Tim 31 John 43 John 12 Pet 2 which boast thē selues to be christian teachers, and are nothing lesse.

6 And by thy diligent searche hast not only proued them false,2. Tim. 2. 1. Iohn. 2. 2. Cor. 11. Apoc. 1.2 Tim 21 John 22 Cor 11Rev 1 and deceiptfull Antichristes but also y^u hast expelled thē least they shuld do harm.

7 And though thou haste bene gréeuously vexed and persecuted of those false Prophets, yet hast thou paciently suffred, and firmly stand by y^e truth for my names sake. Thou hast taken paynes, and not faynted in thy labours, so strong hath y^e spirit of God bene with thée. And all these pointes in thée I greatly allow.

8 Yet hauehave I somewhat agaynst thée,Gala. 6. 1. Cor. 11. Iude. 1. Prou. 25. Gala. 5. Act. 5. Ephe. 2. Eccle. 8. Gala. 5.Gal 61 Cor 11Jude 1Prov 25Gal 5Acts 5Eph 2Eccl 8 for so much as thou arte fallen from thy first charitie, the fruites of true faith not being so abundant and plentifull in thée as they were in the beginning of the Gospell, nor y^u so effectuall in working mercy & pittie.

9 Call therefore to thy remembraūce, from what perfectiō thou art fallen, and repent thy slipper weakenesse and slothfull negligence, which hath not suffered thée to perseuer in thy first calling.

10 And return to thy first works agayne,Psal. 50. Math. 10. Iohn. 15. Ephe. 4. Phil. 1. Math. 14. Luce. 13. Math. 21. Rom. 1. 2. Thes. 2. 1. Tim. 4. 2. Pet. 2.Ps 50Matt 10John 15Eph 4Phil 1Matt 14Matt 21Rom 12 Thess 21 Tim 42 Pet 2 walking in that feruēt faith, in that godly spirite, and in y^t swéete louelove of thy neighbour, that thou diddest walke in before, & diminish not, but increase euermore in al goodnes

11 Els wil I come shortly vntounto thée as a straight looker vponupon thée.

12 And except thou repent from the hart with ful purpose of amendmēt, I will remoue thy Candelsticke out of hir place. I shall take away from thence the sincere doctrine and pure preaching of my word, & suffer mens fantastical traditions, olde womens dreames, the spirites of errour, the doctrine of diuels, the lyes of hypocrites,Apoc. 9. 1. Cor. 1. Rom. 1. Apoc. 2. Iohn. 12. Esai. 1.Rev 91 Cor 1Rom 12 John 1:12Isa 1 with all blyndnesse, darknes, abhominatiō, and idolatrie, there to remayne. For where as my word is not sincerely taught, beléeued, and obserued, but vncharitably dispised, hated, and persecuted, there shall p. 25not my church remayne, but in hir place shal stand vp the Sinagoge of Sathan, with blyndnesse and induration. For that congregatiō is not myne, which hath not my worde. No longer is it my church, then it hath my veritie. Turne back againe therefore to Abraham, Isaac,2. Cor. 4. 1. Mac. 2. Ephe. 2.2 Cor 41 Macc 2Eph 2 & Iacob, to the Prophetes and Apostles, and exercyse the first workes leauing all papistrie.

13 This warning hast thou of mée, for that thou hatest the vnséemely déeds of the Nicolaytanes,The Nicolaytanes. Act. 6. 2. Pet. 2. Iud. 1. Psal. 25. Heb. 13.Acts 62 Pet 2Judg 1Ps 25Heb 13 so called of one Nicolas a proselitie of Antioche, and one of the vij. Deacons ordayned by the Apostles. Whose corrupte custome was among other to defile holy wedlock in making their wyues common, & in boasting them selues lawfully so to do by y^e example of the sayde Nicolas.

14 Whose vncomely actes I hate and abhorre also,Eccle. 10. Math. 13. Mar. 4. Luce. 8. Ioan. 16.Eccl 10Matt 13Mark 4John 16 hauing matrimonye in honor, and the chamber therof vndefiled. This premonishement hauehave I giuen thée also, least thou in processe of tyme shouldest fall to Apostasie, & vtterly decline frō y^e truth.

15 Let him that hath eares (sayeth the Lord) which is iudgement and discretion in y^e spirit,Mat. 5. Rom. 8. 1. Iohn. 5.Matt 5Rom 81 John 5 diligētly heare, and earnestly marke, what the holy ghost speketh, what premonishmēts he giueth, & what reward he promiseth to the faithfull congregations.

16 To him y^t by the spirit of Christ and by faith,Rom. 8. 1. Iohn. 5. Luc. 10. Rom. 14. Ephe. …. Ioan. 17.Rom 81 John 5Luke 10Rom 14John 17 victoriously ouercōmeth the world, sin, hell, death, & the diuil, I wil giuegive to eate of the trée of lyfe to hauehave reioyce here in y^e holy ghost, to hauehave comfort, peace and gladnesse in mée.

Gene. 2. Cant. 4. Ioan. 20.Gen 2Song 4John 2017 And after this life eternall beatitude which is in the midst of the beautiful paradise, or y^e triumphant church of my Lord, my God, and my celestial father, & yours also by mée.

THE TEXT.

1 And vntounto the Angel of the congregation of Smyrna, w…yte, 2. These things saith he that is the first & the last, 3 which was deade and is aliue, 4. I knowe thy works, and tribulatiō, 5. And pouertie, but p. 26thou arte rich. 6. And I knowe the blasphemie of thē which call thēselues Iewes, and are not, but are the congregation of Sathan. 7. Feare none of the things which thou shalt suffer. 8. Behold the diuill shal cast some of you into prison to tempt you, 9. And ye shal hauehave tribulation ten dayes. 10. Be faithfull vntounto the death, 11. and I will giuegive thee a crowne of lyfe. 12. Let him that hath eares, heare, vvhat the spirite saith to the congregations. 13 He that ouercommeth, shall not be hurt of the secōd death.

THE PARAPHRASE.

1 Apply thée also (my friend Iohn) with all festination,Smyrna. 2. Cor. 15. Eccle. 14. Math. 10. 1. Pet. 4.Sir 14Matt 101 Pet 4 to write vntounto the faithfull mynister of the congregacion of Smyrna, which trauaylyng in thys vayle, of myserie, as the odoriferous myrrha giueth forth the swéete smell of all good christian workes, and distrybuteth fréelye the precyous treasure of godly examples. Shée beleueth in God, shée séeketh his onelyonly glorie,Coll. 3. 2. Tim. 4. Prou. 13. Tobi. 2.2 Tim 4Prov 13 shée foloweth his word, shée rebuketh sinne with paciēce, she openeth hir hāds to y^e poore, she giueth meate to y^e hūgry, drinke to the thirstie,Mat. 25. 1. Cor. 13. Phil. 2.Matt 251 Cor 13Phil 2 lodging to the straunger, clothes to the naked, comfort to the sicke, and reliefe to y^e prisoner. Shée is méeke, gentle, obedyent, pacient, and mercifull.

2 Infourme hir therfore that these things sayeth he,Apoc. 1. Act. 7. Luc. 24. Ioan. 20. 1. Pet. 2. …. Tim. 6. Ioan. 12. Sapi. 9.Rev 1Acts 7Luke 24John 201 Pet 2John 12 which is the fyrst and the laste, the maker and redéemer, the founder and restorer of all creatures.

3 Which was once dead to redeme hir from eternall death, and now is alyue to restore hir to lyfe euerlasting. Let hir not doubt therefore to suffer héere lyke as hée hath suffred. For as he is now immortall & hath the ouer hande of death, so shall shée be and hauehave the same.

4 I know thy works (saith y^e Lord) to spring onelyonly of fayth,Gala. 5. Act. 14. Hebr. 10. Mat. 5. Luc. 6.Gal 5Acts 14Heb 10Matt 5Luke 6 and to bée fashioned according to the word of God. I perceyue thy manyfolde trybulations, how thou arte outwardly afflicted by continuall persecution of enimyes, and inwardly crucyated in conscience to beholde the damnable errours, frowardnesse, blindnes, p. 27and vtter contempt of Gods trueth, which raigneth in the wicked.

5 I consider thy pouertie in the spirite, y^t nothing y^u estéemest y^e pryde, the ryches, the vayne glorie,Math. 5. Esay. 61. Rom. 6. 1. Cor. 4. Hebre. 11. 1. Thes. 2. Tobi. 14. 1. Thes. 2. Iude. 1. Rom. 2.Matt 5Isa 61Rom 61 Cor 41 Thess 2Jude 1Rom 2 and the wanton desires of this worlde, yet arte thou rych, for the kingdome of heauē is thyne. For with Abraham, Iob, Moyses, and Helyas in thy hart thou séekest the only glorie of God: and with all these things most highly am I pleased,

6 But this pleaseth me not, y^t thou for my wordes sake arte so blasphemed of vngodly hypocrites,Esai. 1. Ioan. 11. which call themselues Iewes and are not, which boast thēselues for y^e peculyar people & chosē childrē of God, & are nothyng lesse, but are without fayle the cōgregatiō of Sathan, & the tyrānous rable of rauenous ruffyans.

7 Certayne it is that by such spyrituall tyrauntes,Esai. 1. Ioan. 15. Psal. 58. Hiere. 18. Ioan. 14.Ps 58John 14 thou must sustain opprobrious rebukes with manifold afflictions and paynes. But let neyther their subtile sleights, nor their cruell snares be troublous vntounto thy mynde.Luc. 21. Math. 5. 2. Tim. 3. Phil. 3. 2. Pet. 2.Luke 21Matt 52 Tim 3Phil 32 Pet 2 Neyther doubt y^u their false practises, nor yet their vengeable lyes, whō both y^u must suffer, with hate, slaunder, reuylings, false witnesse, spight, shame, and vengeaūce. Considering this paciently to lyue in Christ, is to suffer persecution, and that among those belly gods nothing is more to be looked for thē the crosse of contradiction and death.

8 And take this for a warning afore hād.Mat. 4. Ioan. 8. Apoc. 12. Mar. 13. 1. Mac. 2. Luce. 21. Hebr. 11. Sap. 3. Iacob. 1. 1. Cor. 11.Matt 4John 8Rev 12Mark 131 Macc 2Heb 111 Cor 11 The diuil doubtlesse which is the common aduersarie, and the head capitayne of their empyre, shall with vyolence bryng some of you, not only vnderunder the captiuitie of cruel gouernours, but also into the thraldome of wicked lawes and damnable constitutions, yea and consequētly throw you into prison, chaynes, sorow, hunger, thirst, colde, pouertie, care, and wretchednesse, to tempte your hartes, to trie your pacience, to prooue your sufferaunce, & to trouble your faith, least ye shuld els stedfastly stand by Christes doctrine, to his glorie and profite of your brethren.

p. 289 But let this solase you for y^e time.Apoc. 19. Hiere. 51. Sap. 3. Apoc. 2. Iob. 14.Rev 19Rev 2Job 14 Theyr malice shall not alwayes endure. Their mischiefe will hauehave an ende. For though ye hauehave here trybulation, and suffer gréeuous persecution, he ye sure,Esai. 25. Apoc. 12. 1. Mac. 10.Isa 25Rev 121 Macc 10 it shall no longer continue then .x. dayes. The terme of mans lyfe is but shorte. And that once finished, God shall wype away from him all teares, and take away all sorowes, and bodily paynes.

10 Perseuer therefore stedfastlye, and be strong in the spirite vntounto the ende.Mat. 24. Ephe. 3. Eccle. 2. Apoc. 3.Matt 24Eph 3Eccl 2Rev 3 Let not faith faile thée vntounto the departing from this transitorious life.

11 And I shall replenishe thée with the reward of faythful perseuerāce. I will giuegive thée the crowne of eternall lyfe, with full tranquilitie, ioye, and beatitude.

12 Let him y^t hath eares of vnderstāding, with diligence attend, not what the Hipocrites hath fantasied for lucre,Mar. 4. 1. Thes. 4. 2. Pet. 2. Act. 1. Mat. 10.Mark 41 Thess 42 Pet 2Acts 1Matt 10 but what the holy spirite of God doth here graciously vtter vntounto the christian congregations.

Prou. 4. Esai. 30. 2. Mac. 9. Apoc. 14. Psal. 115. Ezec. 33. Rom. 8.Prov 4Isa 302 Macc 9Rev 14Ps 115Ezek 33Rom 813 He that so constantly perseuereth in the trueth of God, that neyther flattering persuasion, worldely promotion, nor cruel tormēt can plucke his mynde from it, shall neuer take harme of the second death. For the death of them which truly beleueth, is precious in the sight of the Lord their God. Neither shal sinne be imputed to him that hath faith, nor yet dampnation to them, which are in Christ Iesu.

THE TEXT.

1 And vntounto the Angell of the congregation in Pergamos vvryte. 2. This saith he vvhichwhich hath the sharp svverd vvith the tvvo edges. 3. I knovv thy vvorkes, & vvhere thou dvvellest. Euen vvhere Sathans seat is. 4 And thou keepest my name, and haste not denyed my faith. 5. And in those dayes Antipas vvas a faithfull vvitnesse of myne, vvhichwhich vvas slayn among you vvhere Sathan dvvelleth. 6. But I hauehave a fevve things against thee, 7. That thou hast there them that maynteyne the doctrine of Balaam, vvhichwhich taught Balaac to put occasiō of sinne before the children of Israell, that they shoulde eate of the meate dedycate vntounto Idols, and to commit fornication. 8. p. 29Euen so hast thou them that maintein the doctrine of the Nicolaytans, vvhichwhich thyng I hate. 9. But be conuerted, or els I vvill come vntounto thee shortlye. 10. And vvill fight against them vvith the svverd of my mouth. 11. Let him that hath eares, heare, vvhat the spirite sayeth vntounto the congregations. 12. To him that ouercommeth, vvil I giuegive to eate Manna that is hid. 13. And vvill giuegive him a vvhyte stone. 14. And in the stone a nevv name vvritten. 15. Which no man knovveth, sauyng hee that receyueth it.

THE PARAPHRASE.

1 Fayle in no wyse good Iohn (sayd the sayd Lorde Iesus Christ (consequently to make known to the christian Preacher of the congregation of Pergamos,Pergamos. Colo. 3. Ephe. 2. Luc. 12. Mat. 16. Hebr. 11.Eph 2Luke 12Matt 16Heb 11 which though shée remayne here beneth vponupon earth, yet is she the very high building of God many times assaulted and striken of the wicked for confessing his truth, but neuer yet ouerthrowen nor vtterly distroyed. This Church is not only highe through grace, fayth, the word of God, the spirite of God, the inuincible veritie, and all other graces and gifts of the holy ghost,Ioan. 16. Gala. 5. Psal. 78. Ephes. 6. Rom. 11.John 16Gal 5Ps 78Eph 6Rom 11 but also for the glorie of the name of god, for the strength of his power, for the secret misteries of his heauenly iudgements, & for the most constant assertion of his godly truth.

2 Shew hir this heauenly message from him,Apoc. 1. Hebr. 4. Ephes. 6. Mat. 10. Ioan. 16. Apoc. 19. Psal. 138. 1. Cor. 2. Hebr. 11.Rev 1Heb 4Eph 6Matt 10John 16Rev 19Ps 1381 Cor 2Heb 11 which hath frō his mouth procéeding a fine sweard, sharpe edged on both the sides, whereby is meant his mightie worde, so effectuall, quicke, and strong in operation, that the infallible iudgements therof doeth not only condemne, but also distroy vtterly all falsehood, filthines, lyes, lewdnesse, and wickednesse.

Apoc. 16. 1. Cor. 1. 2. Pet. 2. Esai. 1. Phil. 2. 2. Tim. 3.Rev 161 Cor 12 Pet 2Isa 1Phil 22 Tim 33 By my euerlasting foresight (saith the Lord) I know thy christē works, and for thy faithes sake I allow thē and prayse them. I perceyue also where thou doest remayne & dwell, euen where as is the resting place of Sathan, and the verie kingdome of the diuill, whereas Gods heauenly word is oppressed, contemned, and blasphemed, of the infidels, tyrants, and hypocrites.

p. 304 But I much commend thée, that thou dwellyng among them,Luc. 2. Act. 4. Act. 8.Luke 2Acts 4Acts 8 and sustayning dayly persecution and rebukes, hast so strongly perseuered in the truth, y^t thou hast neither denyed my name nor forsaken my fayth.

5 And speciallye in those terryble dayes wherein that godly preacher and faythfull witnesse of myne called Antipas,Antipas Apoc. 1. Ioan. 16. Iob. 1. Apoc. 20.Job 1Rev 20 among other was most cruelly murdred and slayne, yea, before your faces to put you the more in feare, least ye should still confesse my name & word, to the hindraunce of Sathans kingdome, for there hée dwelleth in déed. There is his seate, his trone, his habitacle.

6 Notwithstanding all these faithfull poyntes,Osee. 4. 2. Pet. 2. Iude. 1.Hos 42 Pet 2Jude 1 yet hauehave I somewhat against thée, wherin thou art rebuke worthie.

7 For thou arte conuersaunt with them that contrarie to their christen profession support the execrable doctryne of y^t subtile sothsayer & cursed …harmer Balaā,Nu. 22. Primasi. 9. Affrican. Nu. 24. Hier. 9. which by pestilent coūsel caused kīg Balaac to prouoke the children of Israell to work wickednesse,Prou. 6. Psal. 88: 1. Cor. 8. Esa. 34.Prov 6Ps 881 Cor 8Isa 34 and so to hauehave the cursse of God through this occasion. He shuld set, before their eyes, the most fayre damsels of the Madianytes precyously apparelled. And they once tangled with their wanton beautie, should not only defile the lawes of theyr fathers by y^e eatyng of meats dedicate to vncleane Idols, but also fall into the high displeasure of god, for committing with them most vile fornication.2. Pet. 2. 2. Tim. 4. 1. Ioan. 4.2 Pet 22 Tim 41 John 4 Suche vnholsome teachers are among thy people, take héede if thou list.

8 Thou arte also verye familiar with such vngodly Apostates & false Apostles as mayntayne the vncomely examples & teachings of the Nycolaytanes,Iude. 1. Act. 6. 1. Tim. 4. Rom. 1.Jude 1Acts 61 Tim 4Rom 1 which corruptyng godly maryage not only permit their own wyues to be common, but also they abashe not to defyle the wyues of other men. Whose damnable doyngs I detest and abhorre.

Ezech. 18. Phil. 3.Ezek 18Phil 39 I counsell thée therefore to repent in tyme, and to bee conuerted p. 31frō y^e errors of those couetous gluttōs & rauenous lechours,1. Tim. 4. 2. Pet. 2. Baru. 6. Dan. 14. 2. Tim. 4.1 Tim 42 Pet 22 Tim 4 which cō demyning holy matrimony permit all kyndes of vncleannesse, and nothing more gréedily deuour, thā that is offred vp to Idolles in their dedycations and feastes. Call backe these abuses with swéete teachings,Ephes. 4. Psal. 8. Iude. 18. 1. Pet. 2. 1. Tim. 4.Eph 4Ps 8Jude 1:181 Pet 21 Tim 4 exhortations, desires, and patient rebukes, els will I within a while visite thée to thy displeasure.

10 Yea, and I will valiauntly fight agaynst those Balaamitanes, which giuegive false coūsel for filthie rewards, and agaynst those Nicolaytanes that chaunge holy wedlocke for whoredome.Apoc. 19. Ephes. 6. Hier. 9. Soph. 3. Ose. 12.Rev 19Eph 6Zeph 3Hos 12 And with the swerde of my mouth, which is the inuincible veritie, shall I iudge them, condemne them, and vtterly distroy them with all those shauen Madyanites y^t with their whorishe inuentions, paynted traditions, and ceremonyall supersticions, hath takē from me my most deare Israelytes, bought with my precious bloud. With the breath of my mouth shal I consume thée, and bring thée to naught.

11 Let him that hath but one eare of iust vnderstandyng,2. Thes. 2. Iob. 4. Luc. 8. Ioan. 10.2 Thess 2Job 4Luke 8John 10 take gentle warnyng by such charitable premonishments as the holy spirite of God giueth vntounto y^e christen cōgregations.

12 To him that through constante fayth in the name & doctrine of God,Nath. 16. Hebre. 11. 1. Ioan. 5. Math. 16. Nehe. 9. Iohn. 5. Psal. 33.1 John 5Matt 16John 5Ps 33 neither feareth the world, sin, death, hel, nor the diuil, will I giuegive to tast, eate, and sauer an hidden manna, a secret sweetnesse, a wisdome in the spirite, that he shall féele the goodnesse thereof, and reioyce to knowe how swéete the Lord is, and what an heauenly treasure it is to trust in him. Which manna is hid from the wyse of this world.

13 I will also giuegive him for a token of perpetuall peace and louelove,Math. 11. Esai. 55. Rom. 8.Matt 11Isa 55Rom 8 y^t pure and precious stone Iesus Christ, so white as y^e lillie floure, innocent and cleane frō all contagious vices, to be his only & whole wisdom, rightuousnesse, light, health and redemption.

2. Pet. 2. 1. Cor. 1.2 Pet 21 Cor 114 And in the said white stone Iesus Christ (which is also the booke of p. 32lyfe) will I gyue him a newe name written.1. Iohn. 2. Psal. 68. Esai. 62. Iohn. 1. Ephe. 1.1 John 2Ps 68Isa 62John 1Eph 1 I shall register him for the chyld of God, and the heyre of lyfe euerlasting. For in him alone must ye be accepted, saued, and glorified.

15 Of this no man is certayne, but he that is taught of the spirit of God.Rom. 8. 1. Cor. 12. Galla. 4. Rom. 8. 2. Cor. 1.Rom 81 Cor 122 Cor 1 No man can say, Iesus is the Lorde, but in the holy ghost. By the spiryte of adoption ye cry Abba father. The onelyonly spirit of the Lord ascertaineth your spirit that ye are the sonnes of God.

THE TEXT.

1. And vntounto the Angell of the congregation of Thiatyra, vvryte. 2. This saith the sonne of God, vvhichwhich hath his eyes lyke vntounto a flame of fyre, 3. vvhose feete are lyke brasse. 4. I knovve thy vvorkes, and thy louelove, and thy seruice, and thy faith, and thy pacience, and thy deeds, 5. vvhichwhich are mo at the last then at the first. 6. Notvvithstanding, I hauehave a fevv things agaynst thee, 7. that thou suffrest that vvoman Iesabell (vvhichwhich calleth hyr selfe a Prophetisse.) 8. To teache and to deceyue my seruauntes▪ to make them commytte fornication and to eate meates offered vp vntounto Idols. 9. And I gaue hir space to repent of hir fornication, and shee repented not. 10. Beholde I will caste hir into a bed. 11. And them that commit fornication with hir. 12. Into great aduersitie, excepte they turne from their deedes. 13. And I wil kil hir children with death. 14. And all the congregations shall know that I am he which sercheth the reynes and hartes. 15. And I will giuegive vntounto euerie one of you according to your workes.

THE PARAPHRASE.

Thiatira. Luce. 1. Rom. 12. Ephe. 4.Rom 12Eph 41 Delay not cōsequently my louing friende Iohn (sayeth the Lorde) expresly to manifest with penne, vntounto the pastour of the elect congregation of Thiatyra, which is frō these low partes here a sweete smellyng sacrifice vntounto God of labour and contrytion in the olde aged man and bodie of death.Eccle. 2. Gal. 5. 1. Ioan. 2. Colo 3. Rom. 12. Treno. 2.Eccl 2Gal 51 John 2Rom 12 For shee detesteth the vanities of this world, shée forsaketh the fruites of the fleshe, shée renounceth the cōcupiscēce of y^e eyes, shée mortifieth hir mortall mēbers, she slayeth hir sensuall affects, and rendreth vp hir selfe vntounto hir Lord God as a lylyuing, p. 33holy and acceptable offering.

2 Geue vntounto that contrite and feruent congregacion this comfort. Tel hir that this saythe the dearely beloued and natural sonne of god,Cantic. 7. Apoc. 19. 1. Cor. 2. Hier. 17. 1. Iohn. 4.Song 7Rev 191 Cor 21 John 4 which hath his eyes of godly wysdome and knowledge so lyuely & effectuall, as a flame of fyre, y^t he séeth all thinges and nothing can passe from his righteousnesse in iudgement.

3 Whose féete or charitable affections towardes man,Hebr. 7. Esai. 53. Hebre. 4. Psal. 181.Heb 7Isa 53 are lyke vntounto Brasse brent in a fornace. For his most innocent manhoode by his own agréement suffred here for his sake manyfolde affllictions and paines.

4 For so much as all thinges are open to myne eyes, and nothing can be hid from me (saith that lord) I perceue thy fruitefull workes, I sée thy neighbourly christen louelove,Prou. 31. Act. 14. Iacob. 1. Luc. 6. Gala. 6.Prov 31Acts 14Luke 6Gal 6 I cōsider thy liberall heart and hande to the poore, thy faythfull exhortacions, thy feruent spirit in the Lorde, thy pacient sufferaunce in aduersitie for the truethes sake, and thy other godly déedes beside.

5 I marke it also that thou shrinkest not in them, but rather goest forward with increase. For now at the last are they more effectual & plē teous then they were at the fyrst, which greatly delighteth mée.

Phil. 1. 2. Cor. 8. Act. 11. Ose…. 6.Phil 12 Cor 8Acts 116 Neuerthelesse yet, I hauehave somewhat to say against thée. For though I iudge thée much to be cōmended, yet finde I thée not without faulte.

7 Thou peaceably permittest without resistance that cruel woman and abhominable strūpet Iesabel,Mar. 10. Mat. 5. …. Reg. 16. Apoc. 2. 4. Reg. 9. Apoc. 18. Dan. 8. 1. Tim. 4. 2. Thes. 2.Mark 10Matt 5Rev 2:4Rev 18Dan 81 Tim 42 Thess 2 which is the malignaunt church and Sinagoge of Sathan, which is not ashamed to boast hir selfe a prophetisse, a publisher of the truth, and maynteiner of Gods seruyce, yea & the mother of holy church hir selfe.

8 Under that pretence to set foorth diuilish doctrine, to aduaunce pernicious errours,2. Pet. 3. 1. Tim. 3. Hier. 3. Iude. 1. Esai. 10.2 Pet 31 Tim 3Jude 1Isa 10 and colour false lyes in hypocrisie. To the intent shee might therewith not only deceyue my faithful seruaūts, but also bring them into such trade of wyckednes, that they should not force to commit p. 34whoredome in the spirite by fallyng vntounto straunge worshippings, and to eate of Idoll offerings in consenting to wicked lawes and blasphéemous tradytions of olde dotyng Hypocrytes.

9 I hauehave giuen to that wicked congregatiō many holsome premonishments and warnings with conuenient respyte to remember hir follie,Baruc. 6. Mat. 23. Iob. 24. Treno 2.Matt 23Job 24 and repent hir detestable wayes of liuing, least she should perish, but she will in no wyse bee sorie, repent, nor forsake hyr accustomed Idolatrie.

10 Bée in certaintie therfore I wil cast hir into a bed or couch of carnall quietnesse.Ezech. 16. Ephe. 2. 2. Reg. 24. Iohn. 3. Apoc. 18. Dan. 8. Apoc. 13. Apoc. 17.Ezek 16Eph 22 Kgs 24John 3Rev 18Dan 8Rev 13Rev 17 She shal in this life hauehave peace in the flesh, libertie in vngodlynesse, obedyence of the world, and power in darkenesse, that shee shall swim in wanton pleasures, and bath hir selfe in innocent bloud, and to assist hir in the same, she shall hauehave subiect vntounto hir the scepter, sweard, aucthoritie, and power of Prynces, Lordes, rulers, and Magystrates, that none so hardy vnderunder payne of death to check hir, rebuke hir, nor ones say against hir.3 Reg. 12. 2. Pa. 21. 4. Reg. 24. Nahum. 3. Franciscus Lambertus 2. Thes. 2. Math. 25.1 Kgs 12:2Nah 32 Thess 2Matt 25 This pleasaunt sléeping bedde had the ten trybes of Israel vnderunder kinge Hieroboam, Achas, Sedechias, and the other two vnderunder Iorā Ochosias, and such lyke tyll they were raysed of their rest & ledde captiue into Babylon. Such a delectable resting cowch hath also the greater part of the world vnderunder Mahomet and the Romishe Pope, and shal hauehave still til God roote them out, destroy them with the breath of his mouth, & throw them into the fyre euerlasting.

Apoc. 17. Esai. 1. Apoc. 18. Hier. 7. Amos. 5. Mich. 6.Rev 17Isa 1Rev 18Amos 5Mic 611 Let them beware therefore that as hir louers hath to doe with that execrable whore, cōsenting to hir pestylent lawes and tradicions, defending as godly ordinaunces, laudable rytes, decent orders, ciuill pollycies, honest vsages, comely fashions, holy ceremonies, necessary customes, and such lyke, boinge in very déede most damnable supersticions.

12 For them doubtlesse wil I throw p. 35into the anguish of a desperate cōscience here,Esai. 48. Esai. 66.Isa 48Isa 66 & after this lyfe into the vnquietnesse of eternall dampnaciō. The wicked shal hauehave peace neither here nor there. Neither shall their worme dye, nor theyr fyre go out, vnlesse they decline from that wickednesse,Mar. 9. Luc. 13. Ezech. 18. Apoc. 9. Baruc. 6.Mark 9Luke 13Ezek 18Rev 9 renounce theyr abhominacions and cōuert to the trueth, whiles they are yet here liuing.

13 And as touching hir supersticious children, which frō their beginning hath euermore sucked out of hir venemous breastes all poyson and vngodlynesse, forsaking,Hier. 2. Iohn. 4. Math. 25.2 John 1:4Matt 25 yea and abhorring the swéete veyne of the liuinge waters, then will I slay with death and condempnacion euerlasting prepared for the diuell and his angels.

14 Yea, and it shall then be euident and cléere to all cōgregacions in heauen & vnderunder heauen,Osee. 10. Luc. 21. Esai. 2. Sapi. 1. Hier. 17. Rom. 8.Hos 10Luke 21Isa 2Rom 8 which hath béen frō y^e beginning, to their vtter shame and confusion, y^t I am he frō whome nothing can be hyd. They shal perceue also that I go so nigh them, that I serch out the ground of the harte, and try the verie reynes or inward affectes, so that I knowe all theyr priuie sleightes and practises be they neuer so secrete.

15 And ground you vponupon this surelie, I shall giuegive vntounto euerie one of you,Deut. 5. Hier. 51. Mat. 16. Iohn ▪ 2. Osee. 4.Deut 5Matt 16Hos 4 true and false, good and badde, rightuous and vnrightuous, accordyng to your doinges. Rewardyng them with lyfe euerlasting that hath done the true workes of fayth, and them with eternall dampnatiō that hath left them vndon, to folow their owne inuentions.

THE TEXT.

1. VntoUnto you I saye, and vntounto other of Thyatira, as many as hauehave not this lerning, and vvhichwhich hauehave not known the deepnesse of Sathan (as they say.) 2. I will put vponupon you none other burthen, 3. but that which ye hauehave alreadie. 4. Holde fast till I come. 5. And whosoeuer ouercommeth, and kepeth my works vntounto the end, 6. to him wil I giuegive power ouer nations, 7. and he shall rule them with a rodde of yron, 8. and as the vesselles of a potter shal he break them to shiuers.

p. 369. Euen as I receiued of my father, 10. so vvill I giuegive hym the morning starre.

11. Let hym that hath eares, heare, vvhat the spirite sayeth to the congregations.

THE PARAPHRASE.

1 And take this of my mouth (sayth the Lord) aforehande,2. Thes. 1.2 Thess 1 both vntounto you which hath the doctryne of the spyrite,Iohn. 7. Thiatyra macedonū cyuitas.John 7 and vntounto other also of them that remayne at Thyatira that notable citie of y^e Macedonians, so many as hath not groūded in them that godly learning of y^e truth,Prou. 16. 1. Cor. 2. Dan. 2. 1. Pet. 5. Rom. 1.Prov 161 Cor 2Dan 21 Pet 5Rom 1 but a trifling doctryne of theyr owne imaginations contrarie vntounto it, whereby they hauehave not perceyued the more then subtile craftes of that deceyuable sathan which euermore craftily cōpasseth to deuower, what though their fantasticall brayns hath giuen them so to thinke, standing much in their owne conceipt.

2 My mynde is to yoke you with none other law, nor to burthen you with none other traditiōs thē I hauehave alredy giuen you. Neither with ceremonies,Math. 11. Mar. 7. Col. 2. Gala. 4. Luc. 27. Hebr. 10. Iohn. 15. Luc. 10.Matt 11Mark 7Col 2Gal 4Heb 10John 15Luke 10 rytes, nor aūcient customs in the obseruaciō of dayes, monthes, times, nor yeares, in holy dayes, fastings, vigiles, nor sabbates, for they were but shadowes of thinges to come.

3 Regard only that swéete yoke and that light burthen which ye hauehave receued of me. Hold ye fast to the gospel of the kingdome of God, so long as ye shal continue here. And let the Pharysées leuen, with olde wyues fables, & hipocrits dreames passe by.

Mat. 4. Mar. 8. …. Tim. 4. Deut. 12. Act. 3. Deut. 4. Osee. 12.Matt 4Mark 8Deut 12Acts 3Deut 4Hos 124 Let my godly ordinaunce suffise you. Ad nothing vntounto my woords of your owne braynes, least I finde you false lyars when I shall come again to my latter iudgement, and according to righteousnesse so condempne you.

5 And whosoeuer is so earnestly faithfull in the word of God,1. Ioh. 5. Mat. 10. Deut. 12. Iohn. 11.1 John 5Matt 10Deut 12John 11 that he ouercōmeth ther by his own lustes, and perfourmeth to the latter ende of his life the workes that are there commaūded to be done, & none other.

p. 376 To him will I geue power as to the sonne and heyre of god,Hebr. 1. Psal. 90. Mich. 7. Psalm. 2.Heb 1Ps 90Mic 7Ps 2 ouer nacions or sectes of the world diuers in opinion and fayth, as ouer serpents, scorpions, adders and lyons.

7 That he shall not onelyonly ouercome them with the mighty yron rodde of the inuincible veritie.Hier. 13. Sapi. 4.

8 But also as the weake vessels of a potter, or as most vayne fantasies,Mat. 15. Rom. 14. Iohn. 6. Mar. 16. 1. Iohn. 4.Matt 15Rom 14John 6Mark 161 John 4 confoūd their dreames, destroy their imaginacions, and bring their practises to nought, prouing their tradicions to be most vyle draffe, & moste stinking dregges of sinn, for so much as y^t which is not of faith, is sinne.

9 And this power he shall hauehave in no lesse efficacie and strength, then I receued it of my heauenly father.

10 And besydes all this I wil fréely geue him my selfe to reward which am the cléere morning starre,Apoc. 22. Luc. 12. Iohn. 17. 1. Cor. 1.Rev 22Luke 12John 171 Cor 1 & shyninge lanterne of lyfe. So that all shal be his that is myne. My byrth, my labours, my lyfe, my passion, and death, my resurreccion and ascenciō, with all their fruites, shall be his owne proper good.

11 Let him that hath reason and discretiō,1. Iohn. 2. Mat. 17. Rom. 8. 2. Tim. 4.1 John 2Matt 17Rom 82 Tim 4 set beastly fantasies apart, and diligently note what the holie Ghost sayeth héere in this daungerous tyme, to the deare congregations of God.