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, hereby we are taught to reverence Christ, and to perform unto him all due honour and loyal obedience. If we never have done this heretofore, we must now begin; and if we have done it, we must endeavour to do it more. For Christ hath the keys of hell and death, he can open the gates thereof at his pleasure, and cast thither whom he will. Many deceive themselves through their false conceit of Christ, they think not of him as of a Judge, but as a Saviour only: they make him all of mercy and pity, and thereby they take occasion to go on in sin. But we must consider, that Christ is likewise a righteous judge, who hath the power of hell and death in his hands, and therefore we must not flatter our selves in our evil ways, but strive to please him continually with fear and trembling, least by our sins we stir up his wrath against us, and cause him to cast us into hell, whence is no redemption.

Secondly, hereby wee are taught to reuerence Christ, and to performe vnto him all due honor and loyall obedience. If wee neuer haue done this heretofore, wee must now begin; and if wee haue done it, we must endeuour to do it more. For Christ hath the keyes of hell and death, hee can open the gates thereof at his pleasure, and cast thither whom hee will. Many deceiue themselues through their false conceit of Christ, they thinke not of him as of a Iudge, but as a Sauior onely: they make him all of mercie and pitie, and thereby they take occasion to goe on in sinne. But wee must consider, that Christ is likewise a righteous iudge, who hath the power of hell and death in his hands, and therefore we must not flatter our selues in our euill wayes, but striue to please him continually with fear and trembling, least by our sinnes we stir vp his wrath against vs, and cause him to cast vs into hell, whence is no redemption.

Thirdly, this is a matter of great comfort unto all those in Gods church, that in this life unfeignedly cleave unto Christ: and especially in time of affliction and temptation, and at the hour of death, for Christ having the keys of hell & death is able to keep them from hell, and from the sting of death. And this he will do because they trust in him, for he hath promised it. If this were always sounding in our ears, it would minister endless joy unto our souls against the servile fear of hell and death.