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…

Verse 16. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: And his face shone as the sun shineth in his strength.

Verse 16. And he had in his right hand seuen starres: and out of his mouth went a sharpe two edged sword: And his face shone as the sunne shineth in his strength.

Here John proceedeth further, to set out the parts of Christs body and the properties thereof. By seven stars we are to understand seven Angels: that is (as Christ expoundeth them verse. 20.) the seven ministers of the seven churches of Asia. And they are called stars for these causes. First, stars give light to men on earth: And so the ministers ought to give spiritual light to them that live in the church, both by doctrine, and by an unblameable conversation. Secondly, stars have their continual abode in heaven and descend not unto the earth: So ministers above all others ought to have their conversation in heaven. This indeed is the duty of every christian; but especially of the minister, in regard of his calling. And this heavenly conversation he must express: first, by seeking the conversion of his own soul: and then the conversion of others, that they may have an eternal mansion in heaven. Thirdly, they are called stars because (if they be faithful) they shall be honoured of God, and made to shine a• the stars for ever and ever, Dan. 12.3.

Here Iohn proceedeth further, to set out the parts of Christs body and the properties thereof. By seuen starres wee are to vnderstand seuen Angels: that is (as Christ expoundeth them verse. 20.) the seuen ministers of the seuen churches of Asia. And they are called starres for these causes. First, starres giue light to men on earth: And so the ministers ought to giue spirituall light to them that liue in the church, both by doctrine, and by an vnblameable conuersation. Secondly, starres haue their continuall abode in heauen and descend not vnto the earth: So ministers aboue all others ought to haue their conuersation in heauen. This indeed is the duty of euery christian; but especially of the minister, in regard of his calling. And this heauenly conuersation he must expresse: first, by seeking the conuersion of his owne soule: and then the conuersion of others, that they may haue an eternall mansion in heauen. Thirdly, they are called stars because (if they be faithfull) they shalbe honored of God, and made to shine a the starres for euer and euer,