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…

The second title, Companion, or copartner in three things▪ in tribulations, in the kingdom, and in the patience of Christ. He calls himself Copartner with […] in tribulations for two causes. First, because at that time when he wrote this vision▪ the whole church was in persecution and tribulation under that cruel tyrant Domitian, about fourscore or an hundred years after Christ• who banished him into […]: where he was not unmindful of the afflictions of the church whereof he was a member: and therefore calls himself a partner with them in affliction.

The second title, Companion, or copartner in three things▪ in tribulations, in the kingdome, and in the patience of Christ. He cals himselfe Copartner with 〈…〉 in tribulations for two causus. First, because at that time when hee wrote this vision▪ the whole church was in persecution and tribulation vnder that cruell tyrant Dom••ian, about fourescore or an hundred years after Christ• who banished him into 〈…〉: where he was not vnmindful of the afflictions of the church whereof he was a member: and therefore cals himselfe a partner with them in affliction.

By which he shows what is that state of Gods church in this world, namely, to be under the cross: and the members thereof must not be companions of peace and ease, but copartners in affliction and tribulation. And therefore Christ teacheth those which will be his Disciples these lessons. First, to deny themselves, to take up his cross daily and to follow him. And because of this estate, the church in this world is called The Militant Church, being in continual fight against the devil and his instruments. The consideration whereof is of special use: For we in this land have had peace and quietness for many years without persecution, which we must acknowledge for a special blessing vouchsafed to us for this end, that now in the time of peace we might prepare our selves against the day of trial. For seeing the estate of the church is to be under afflictions; we are all in duty bound to wait continually when God will call us out to suffer for his sake. No man can define the time, or the manner of our trial but yet that it will come we must resolve; because of the usual estate of the church. God hath for a long time sent forth labourers into his harvest, whereby no doubt many sheaves are gathered into the Lords barn. Now after this long gathering there will come a day of ing The Lord will take into his hand the […] of affliction, and put it into his corn, and thereby try the chaff from the wheat. It stands us therefore in hand to prepare our selves in this time of peac, that we may be found good corn in the Lords sieve, and not chaff, which must be cast into unquenchable fire.