A Revelation of the Apocalypse, Chapter 2 · Resolution
The Reſolution.
HITHERTO in comon that which perteineth to all the ſeavē Churchches: that which is proper to every one foloweth, an Epiſtle being inſcribed to every one ſeverally. In every one of which, there is an Inſcriptiō, Narration, and Concluſion. The three firſt, are of the Church falling into a worſe eſtate, of Epheſus, Smyrna, and Pergamum: The other fower are of the ſame returning: and ſo as the three next are oppoſed to the three firſt, & are anſwerable one to the other: the Thyatiren, to the Epheſine: the Sardinen, to the Smyrnen: the Philadelphen, to the Pergamen: OnelyOnly Laodicaea hath noe equall, wherto she may be compared.
As touching the Epheſine, which holdeth the firſt place, the Inſcription is by name to the Angell, deſcribing alſo him, that gave the Epiſtle: That he holdeth the ſeaven ſtarres in his right hand, and walketh amids the candleſtickes, ver. 1. The Narration, partly reſpected praiſe, commending their labour, patience, diſcipline, ver. 2. then their unwearied deſire ver. 3. partly reprehenſiō, which sheweth their ſinne, their firſt love left, ver. 4. & the remedie, which firſt he propoundeth, teaching in what thing it conſiſteth, in a care of their firſt workes, afterward he inciteth them to uſe it, partly by a denuntiation of removing the candleſticke, unleſſe it be done in time, verſ. 5. partly by a rehearſall of the cauſe for which they had bin ſpared hitherto, ver. 6. The concluſion is both epiphonematicall requiring attention: and alſo remunerant: where the reward is the power to eate of the tree of life, ver. 7. The other Analyſes shall follow every one in his place.