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…

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.

Thirdly, this is a matter of great comfort vnto all those in Gods church, that in this life vnfainedly cleaue vnto Christ: and especially in time of affliction and temptation, and at the houre of death, for Christ hauing the keyes of hell & death is able to keepe them from hell, and from the sting of death. And this hee will doe because they trust in him, for he hath promised it. If this were alwayes sounding in our eares, it would minister endlesse ioy vnto our soules against the seruile feare of hell and death.

Vers. 19. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall come hereafter.

Vers. 19. Write the things which thou hast seene, and the things which are, and the things which shall come hereafter.

Here S. John propoundeth a second action of Christ. For having confirmed John against his great fear, he giveth him a commandment to write the things which he had seen, &c. This commandment was given to John in the eleventh verse, and is here again repeated for these causes: First, that John might see the special care of Christ over his church that he still continueth a provident head thereof for their good estate after his ascension. Secondly, that Gods church in all ages may understand, that it is necessary men should know the estate of the church to be subject unto troubles, that thereby they may better arm themselves against the evils to come. Thirdly, that John might be fully assured of his calling, to write and publish this book. Fourthly, that Gods church in all ages might be out of doubt, that this book is no device of man, but a book of God, and part of holy Scripture revealed from Christ to John for the good of his church. If it be said: though Christ did faithfully reveal his will, yet John might err in publishing it. Answ. As Christ delivered this to John, so he received and published it faithfully, without all fault either in matter or manner: for we must make a difference between the Prophets and Apostles, and all other teachers. As the Prophets in former times, so the Apostles in the New Testament were called immediately by Christ, and had such special assistance of Gods spirit, that they could not err, when they propounded by preaching or writing any doctrine of Christ unto the church of God: this appeareth by the promises of Christ made unto them,