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…

II. point. In the end of the verse Christ showeth who were the authors of Antipas his death; namely such among them in whom Satan ruled: for he was slain (saith Christ) among you, where Satan dwelleth. Which words he repenteth, to give us to understand, that all persecutors, let them carry what face they will, are in truth such, in whom the devil ruleth, where he hath his hold, and keeps possession. Quest. Why did Satan more dwell there than in other places? Answ. Because many in this place were Gentiles, who contemned and mocked the ⟨p. 115⟩gospel, and maintained idolatry, whereby they became the holds of Satan. And by proportion we may gather, that all contemners of religion, and all that walk in their own wicked ways, are indeed the stables and holds of the devil, though they should be the temples of the holy ghost. And so many families as there are, where religion is mocked, Gods name blasphemed, injustice and impiety practised; so many holds of Satan there are where the devil ruleth: and such they continue, till they reform themselves of their impieties, and embrace the Gospel sincerely. And therefore all masters of families especially should love the Gospel, and see that in their families religion be taught, embraced and obeyed, that so the devil may have no hold in their families. Que. Whether might not Antipas, being Pastor of this Church, have fled for the safety of his life? Answ. There be two kinds of persecution, one that is directly intended against the Pastor principally: the other against the whole Church equally. In the persecution directed against the Pastor, this must be considered, Whether God gave him opportunity and liberty to fly, or not: if God give him liberty and opportunity, he may fly, and the Church is to assist him, and to use means for his preservation: but if God deny him means to escape, then he must judge himself to be called of God, to suffer death for his name; and so he may not fly. And such was the cause of Antipas in this Church. But if the persecution be directed against the whole church equally, then the Pastor may not fly, but take part in their sufferings, that he may be a means to stay and comfort his brethren.

II. point. In the end of the verse Christ sheweth who were the authors of Antipas his death; namely such among them in whom Sathan ruled: for he was slaine (sayth Christ) among you, where Sathan dwelleth. Which words hee repenteth, to giue vs to vnderstand, that all persecutors, let them carry what face they will, are in truth such, in whome the deuill ruleth, where he hath his hold, and keepes possession. Quest. Why did Sathan more dwell there than in other places? Answ. Because many in this place were Gentiles, who contemned and mocked the