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…

I know thy works. This is a general reproof, signifying thus much: All thy works are known unto me, and I utterly dislike them. Then followeth the reason of this dislike, Thou art neither cold nor hot: which is a comparison borrowed from waters, whereof there be three sorts: hot, cold, and luke-warm. Now hot and cold waters do not so much annoy the stomach, as luke-warm water doth: they are sometimes comfortable to the stomach, but luke-warm water doth disquiet it, till it be cast up, and to these three kinds of waters, he compareth ⟨p. 200⟩three sorts of men. By cold water, he understanding such as are enemies to Religion: as at this day are the Jews and Turks, and other barbarous people. By hot water, he understandeth men that are earnest and zealous of the truth. So that when he saith of this Church, Thou art neither cold nor hot, his meaning is; thou art neither an open enemy, nor truly zealous of my Gospel.

I know thy workes. This is a generall reproofe, signifying thus much: All thy workes are knowne vnto mee, and I vtterly dislike them. Then followeth the reason of this dislike, Thou art neither cold nor hot: which is a comparison borrowed from waters, wherof there be three sorts: hot, cold, and luke-warme. Now hot and cold waters doe not so much annoy the stomacke, as luke-warme water doth: they are sometimes comfortable to the stomacke, but luke-warme water doth disquiet it, till it bee cast vp, and to these three kindes of waters, hee compareth ⟨p. 200⟩three sorts of men. By cold water, he vnderstanding such as are enemies to Reliligion: as at this day are the Iewes and Turkes, and other barbarous people. By hot water, he vnderstandeth men that are earnest and zealous of the truth. So that when hee sayth of this Church, Thou art neitheir cold nor hot, his meaning is; thou art neither an open enemie, nor truely zealous of my Gospell.

I would thou werest cold or hot: Christ wisheth not simply, that they were enemies unto him; but only in respect of that estate of luke-warmness, in which they were; as if he should say: I had leer thou werest either cold or hot, than thus luke-warm as thou art. For if we should understand it simply, we should make Christ to desire that men should be his enemies. By luke-warm men, he understandeth a people, who are in show Gods Church, but in truth want the power of godliness, and the zeal of the spirit. Because thou art such (saith Christ to this Church) therefore I will spew thee out of my mouth: that is, look as he that hath drunk luke-warm water, cannot abide it on his stomach, but must needs spew it up again; so am I weary of this thy security, I cannot abide it, and therefore will I cast thee off from all fellowship with me, and make of thee which art a Church in show, to be no Church.