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…

Here beginneth the second part of the Preface, to wit, the inscription of this vision, and it hath two branches: First, a dedication, in these words: John to the seven Churches which are in Asia. Secondly, a salutation, in the next words: Grace be with you and peace, &c. to the ninth verse. In the dedication observe first the penman, that dedicates this book: secondly, the parties to whom it is sent. For the first, the penman is John, who here again repeats his name, to show and certify every reader of this book, that he was without all doubt the true penman of the holy ghost, in writing this Revelation. But though he repeat his name, yet he doth not add any titles of honour, or commendation, as he did in the first verse. Wherein he gives us a true pattern of modesty and humility, which is never to speak in our own cause to our own praise, but only in cases of necessity, when Gods glory may be advanced, and the credit of our particular callings maintained. This Paul practised, who often humbles himself, and calls himself the ^(a)least of all the Apostles; yea the ^(b)chief of all sinners: yet when the credit of his Apostleship came into question, then he sets out himself, showing he was a true Apostle, one of the chief, and above those which did falsely call themselves so, as we may find in both of his ^(c)Epistles to the Corinthians.

Here beginneth the second part of the Preface, to wit, the inscription of this vision, and it hath two branches: First, a dedication, in these words: Iohn to the seuē Churches which are in Asia. Secondly, a salutation, in the next words: Grace be with you and peace, &c. to the ninth verse. In the dedication obserue first the penman, that dedicates this booke: secondly, the parties to whom it is sent. For the first, the penman is Iohn, who here againe repeats his name, to shew and certifie euery reader of this booke, that he was without al doubt the true penman of the holy ghost, in writing this Reuelation. But though he repeat his name, yet he doth not adde any titles of honour, or commendation, as hee did in the first verse. Wherein he giues vs a true patterne of modestie and humilitie, which is neuer to speake in our owne cause to our owne praise, but onely in cases of necessitie, when Gods glory may bee aduaunced, and the credit of our particular callings maintained. This Paule practised, who often humbles himselfe, and cals himself the