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…

In this commandment note sundry things. First, that the word of God, written and penned by the hand of man, is a notable help to the church of God, and a worthy means to edify the same, else Christ would never have commanded John to have written these visions, and sent them to the Churches. Which serveth to confute the blind Papists, which say the word written is but an inky letter, and a nose of wax; because the sense thereof may be turned every way as man will. This also confuteth the Anabaptists, which so much magnify their Revelations, and make no account of the word written. If the Lord had thought it best, he would have taught these churches by revelations: but they must learn by the word written.

In this commaundement note sundry things. First, that the word of God, written and penned by the hand of man, is a notable helpe to the church of God, and a worthy meanes to edifie the same, els Christ would neuer haue commaunded Iohn to haue written these visions, and sent them to the Churches. Which serueth to confute the blind Papists, which say the word written is but an inkie letter, and a nose of waxe; because the sence thereof may be turned euery way as man will. This also confuteth the Anabaptists, which so much magnifie their Reuelations, and make no account of the word written. If the Lord had thought it best, hee would haue taught these churches by reuelations: but they must learne by the word written.

Secondly, that the reading of Gods word either publicly or privately, is an ordinance of God: for the Lord commanding John to write this book, and send it to the churches, hereby implieth, that they must read the same as they did other books of Scripture. The preaching of the word is indeed the most worthy instrument for the founding and confirming of Gods Church, whereby ordinarily justifying faith is wrought in the heart: and yet reading must have his due reverence, as a means to confirm, and increase true knowledge, faith, and repentance, where it is begun.

Secondly, that the reading of Gods word either publickly or priuately, is an ordinance of God: for the Lord commaunding Iohn to write this booke, and send it to the churches, hereby implieth, that they must reade the same as they did other bookes of Scripture. The preaching of the word is indeede the most worthy instrument for the founding and confirming of Gods Church, whereby ordinarily iustifying faith is wrought in the heart: and yet reading must haue his due reuerence, as a meanes to confirme, and encrease true knowledge, faith, and repentance, where it is begun.