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…

This is the third action of Christ: namely the interpretation of the Vision in the principal parts thereof; which he expoundeth for these causes: First, John in this business was to show himself a Prophet of God, by declaring the present and future estate of Gods church. Now the principal part of a Prophet is to expound visions or dreams revealed either to himself or to others: as we may see in Daniel and the rest of the prophets. Secondly, that John might be encouraged in the publishing of this book and of the things revealed unto him: For Johns calling respected the Church of God. And when he should perceive these visions to concern the Churches; this would stir up his diligence, in observing, and penning the things revealed.

This is the third action of Christ: namely the interpretation of the Vision in the principall parts thereof; which he expoundeth for these causes: First, Iohn in this businesse was to shew himselfe a Prophet of God, by declaring the present and future estate of Gods church. Now the principall part of a Prophet is to expound visions or dreames reuealed either to himselfe or to others: as wee may see in Daniell and the rest of the prophets. Secondly, that Iohn might bee encouraged in the publishing of this booke and of the things reuealed vnto him: For Iohns calling respected the Church of God. And when he should perceiue these visions to concerne the Churches; this would stirre vp his diligence, in obseruing, and penning the things reuealed.

Now Christ expoundeth not the whole vision, but two principal things therein; namely, what was meant by the seven stars; to wit, the seven Angels, or the seven ministers of the Churches. And what was meant by the seven golden candlesticks: namely▪ The seven Churches themselves. The reasons why both were so called, we have showed before, with the use thereof. Here only I will observe these three points: First, why Christ in the interpretation of his vision doth not expound the whole, but only two principal parts thereof: This he doth for these causes, First, because he hath given unto his church the gift of interpretation, which he would have them to exercise about this vision: For if he had expounded every part himself, then he had left herein no matter to his church, whereabout she might exercise her gift. Secondly, to provoke Gods ministers especially, with other members of his church, unto all diligence in studying this and other parts of scripture. For if all things were easy and plain, then men would grow careless in reading and searching out the knowledge of Gods word. Thirdly, to stir up in every Reader of this book an earnest and hearty desire to understand the same. Fourthly, to excite all his servants to prayer and invocation upon God for his grace, that they may with reading the Scripture understand the true meaning thereof.