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…

The second argument of their praise for conscience, is taken from the circumstance of time; they hold fast true religion in the time of bloody persecution: Even in those days (saith Christ) when Antipas my faithful martyr was slain among you where Satan dwelleth. Who this Antipas was, is not known, neither certainly recorded in any history: it is thought he was the minister of this church, unto opposed himself against idolatry and gentilism in this city of Pergamus.

The second argument of their praise for conscience, is taken from the circumstance of time; they hold fast true religion in the time of bloudy persecution: Euen in those dayes (saith Christ) when Antipas my faithful martyr was slaine among you where Sathan dwelleth. Who this Antipas was, is not knowne, neither certainely recorded in any historie: it is thought hee was the minister of this church, vnto opposed himselfe against idolatrie and gentilisme in this citie of Pergamus.

In this argument note two points. I. That Christ commends Antipas, calling him his faithful martyr. Whereby we see, that in Gods church it is lawful to honour saints and martyrs. For that which Christ doth, his church may do. This their honour must stand in two things, In due deserved praise & commendation, & in a careful imitation of their good virtues & godly lives: and for this end doth Christ commend Antipas unto this church, that they might follow his good conversation: but as for popish honour of invocation & adoration, it hath no ground in Gods word. Again, in calling him faithful martyr, he commendeth more the cause of his death, than the death: to show, that the cause maketh a martyr, not the death: For an heretic may be put to death for his damnable opinions. Therefore Antipas is a martyr, not because he was slain, but because he was faithful unto death for the maintenance of Christs true religion.

In this argument note two points. I. That Christ commends Antipas, calling him his faithfull martyr. Whereby wee see, that in Gods church it is lawfull to honor saints and martyrs. For that which Christ doth, his church may doe. This their honour must stand in two things, In due deserued praise & commendation, & in a careful imitatiō of their good vertues & godly liues: and for this end doth Christ cōmend Antipas vnto this church, that they might follow his good conuersation: but as for popish honor of inuocation & adoration, it hath no ground in Gods word. Againe, in calling him faithfull martyr, hee commendeth more the cause of his death, than the death: to shew, that the cause maketh a martyr, not the death: For an hereticke may be put to death for his damnable opinions. Therefore Antipas is a martyr, not because he was slain, but because he was faithful vnto death for the maintenance of Christs true religion.