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…

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.

Now Christ expoundeth not the whole vision, but two principall things therein; namely, what was meant by the seuen starres; to wit, the seuen Angels, or the seuen ministers of the Churches. And what was meant by the seuen golden candlesticks: namely▪ The seuē Churches thēselues. The reasons why both were so called, wee haue showed before, with the vse therof. Here onely I will obserue these three points: First, why Christ in the interpretation of his vision doth not expound the whole, but onely two principall parts thereof: This he doth for these causes, First, because hee hath giuen vnto his church the gift of interpretation, which hee would haue them to exercise about this vision: For if hee had expounded euery part himselfe, then he had left herein no matter to his church, whereabout shee might exercise her gift. Secondly, to prouoke Gods ministers especially, with other members of his church, vnto all diligence in studying this and other parts of scripture. For if all things were easie and plaine, then men would grow carelesse in reading and searching out the knowledge of Gods word. Thirdly, to stir vp in euery Reader of this booke an earnest and hartie desire to vnderstand the same. Fourthly, to excite all his seruants to prayer and inuocation vpon God for his grace, that they may with reading the Scripture vnderstand the true meaning thereof.