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 general reproof is the same which was given out against the Church of Ephesus, vers. 4. Whereby he would teach us a special duty: namely, that every man must seriously consider with himself what sins he hath in him, which Christ may have to lay unto his charge. For this very cause doth Christ rehearse it unto this Church. And therefore we must call our selves to reckoning, and examine our selves not by our own wits, but by the rule of Gods word, and search out all our thoughts, words, and actions; and see how many things Christ may have against us, that so making a forehand reckoning, and seeking to be cleared by true repentance we may not be condemned for them at the last day: for if we would judge our selves, we should not be judged. This is a necessary duty, and the practise of it is the ground of all grace, and conscionable obedience: as on the other side, the want hereof is the cause why many that live in the Church do perish eternally. For a day of accounts will come, wherein we shall never escape, unless by a forehand reckoning in the practise of true repentance from dead works, and by faith in Christ Jesus we prevent the same. Lamentable and fearful is the state of all those, that never call themselves to this account: it causeth them to go on in sin without remorse, Hos 7.2. Hereof Jeremiah complained, ^(a)That no man said what have I done. And for that cause he denounceth fearful judgements against the people. This was the sin of the old world: ^(b)men knew nothing till the flood came and destroyed them all. This security bringeth mens souls to hell, before they wot where they are: And therefore David crieth out, Psal. 50. vers. 22. Oh consider this (meaning the account that God will take with them) least God tear them in pieces, and there be none to deliver them. The end of preaching and hearing Gods word, is to bring the soul to eternal life and salvation: but the want of this account maketh the holy ordinance of God to be of none effect to ⟨p. 116⟩many a one. For how should men embrace with comfort the word of reconciliation, till they feel in themselves their enmity with God, and desert of condemnation.

The generall reproofe is the same which was giuen out against the Church of Ephesus, vers. 4. Whereby hee would teach vs a speciall dutie: namely, that euery man must seriously consider with himselfe what sinnes hee hath in him, which Christ may haue to lay vnto his charge. For this very cause doth Christ rehearse it vnto this Church. And therefore wee must call our selues to reckoning, and examine our selues not by our owne wits, but by the rule of Gods word, and search out all our thoughts, words, and actions; and see how many things Christ may haue against vs, that so making a forehand reckoning, and seeking to be cleared by true repentance we may not bee condemned for them at the last day: for if we would iudge our selues, we should not be iudged. This is a necessarie dutie, and the practise of it is the ground of all grace, and conscionable obedience: as on the other side, the want hereof is the cause why many that liue in the Church doe perish eternally. For a day of accounts will come, wherein wee shall neuer escape, vnlesse by a forehand reckoning in the practise of true repentance from dead workes, and by faith in Christ Iesus wee preuent the same. Lamentable and fearefull is the state of all those, that neuer call themselues to this account: it causeth them to goe on in sinne without remorse, Hos 7.2. Hereof Ieremie complained,