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…

Again, seeing in the days of this Apostle John, men durst presume to claim Apostolic authority, and call themselves Apostles when they were not: no marvel if the Pope of Rome six hundred years after did challenge to himself to be Peters successor, and to have Apostolic authority: and that they dare now avouch some books to be scripture which are not; as also bring in their traditions & unwritten verities to be received and obeyed equally with Gods word.

Againe, seeing in the dayes of this Apostle Iohn, men durst presume to claim Apostolicke authoritie, and call themselues Apostles when they were not: no maruell if the Pope of Rome sixe hundred yeares after did challenge to himselfe to be Peters successour, and to haue Apostolicke authoritie: and that they dare now auouch some bookes to bee scripture which are not; as also bring in their traditions & vnwritten verities to bee receiued and obeyed equally with Gods word.

Verse 3. Thou hast suffered, and hast patience, and for my names sake hast laboured.

Here our Saviour Christ declareth how this Minister and church of Ephesus opposed themselves against false teachers after their discovery. The manner we shall see in handling the points particularly as they lie in order. Thou hast suffered, or, Thou hast borne a burden: for the word signifieth to be pressed down under a great burden. This burden was the troubles which false Apostles brought upon them after they were discovered, partly by open affliction and persecution, partly by the spreading of their heretical and schismatical doctrine. These false teachers were Ebion, Cerinthus, Marcion, and such like, who in the days of John troubled this church, as histories do show.

Here our Sauiour Christ declareth how this Minister and church of Ephesus opposed themselues against false teachers after their discouerie. The manner we shall see in handling the points particularly as they lie in order. Thou hast suffered, or, Thou hast borne a burden: for the word signifieth to be pressed downe vnder a great burden. This burden was the troubles which false Apostles brought vpon them after they were discouered, partly by open affliction and persecution, partly by the spreading of their hereticall and schismaticall doctrine. These false teachers were Ebion, Cerinthus, Marcion, and such like, who in the dayes of Iohn troubled this church, as hystories do shew.