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…

Secondly, the persons to whom he wrote, were, the seven Churches in Asia▪ concerning them note two things: first, he writes to churches, secondly to the churches in Asia. For the first: why writes he to the churches, rather than to the church, seeing there is but one only Catholic church? Ans. The church may be considered divers ways; first, as it is the whole company of the elect, & so it is but one: secondly, as the same is parted into several branches and companies, one part being in one country, and another part in some other. Wherein also, every several congregation, professing the gospel, is a particular Church. And so there may be many Churches, all of them being members of one Catholic Church: As the sea is only one, yet it consisteth of many parts, which taking their names of the countries whereto they adjoin, are called so many particular Seas; as the English Sea, the Spanish sea, French, Italian, Scottish Seas, &c. And of particular Churches must John be understood in this place.

Secondly, the persons to whom hee wrote, were, the seuen Churches in Asia▪ concerning them note two things: first, hee writes to churches, secondly to the churches in Asia. For the first: why writes he to the churches, rather thā to the church, seeing there is but one only Catholicke church? Ans. The church may be considered diuers waies; first, as it is the whole companie of the elect, & so it is but one: secondly, as the same is parted into seuerall branches and companies, one part being in one countrey, and another part in some other. Wherein also, euery seuerall congregation, professing the gospell, is a particular Church. And so there may bee many Churches, all of them beeing members of one Catholicke Church: As the sea is onely one, yet it consisteth of many parts, which taking their names of the countreyes whereto they adioyne, are called so many particular Seas; as the English Sea, the Spanish sea, French, Italian, Scottish Seas, &c. And of particular Churches must Iohn bee vnderstood in this place.

Now John chooseth rather to write to Churches, than to particular men. First, because the matter of this book concerneth the Church, being a Prophetical history, touching the state of the Church to the end. Secondly, because particular Churches, which be true members of the Catholic Church, are the pillars and ground of truth.