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…

Here is Christs reproof of this church of Thyatira, and it is twofold: First, of the whole church, in this 20. verse: Secondly, of a woman in that church, vers. 21. In the reproof of the whole church note two things: The reproof it self; And the reason thereof. The reproof it self is contained in these words, Notwithstanding I have something against thee: That is, though I have praised thee for many worthy works, yet there be some things which I do not approve. This reproof hath bin handled in the former Epistles. The reason of the reproof followeth in these words, That thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth her self a Prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants.

Here is Christs reproofe of this church of Thyatira, and it is twofold: First, of the whole church, in this 20. verse: Secondly, of a woman in that church, vers. 21. In the reproofe of the whole church note two things: The reproofe it selfe; And the reason thereof. The reproofe it selfe is contained in these words, Notwithstanding I haue something against thee: That is, though I haue praised thee for manie worthie works, yet there be some things which I do not approue. This reproofe hath bin handled in the former Epistles. The reason of the reproofe followeth in these words, That thou sufferest the woman Iesabell, who calleth her selfe a Prophetesse, to teach and seduce my seruants.

This reason of her reproof containeth sundry points worthy our consideration. I. From the phrase and form of the words we may consider the large power that God gave to his church: which was, besides the power to preach the word, & administer the Sacraments, a further power to appoint who should preach among them, & who should not preach: and also a power to repress evil men and evil women, & so to keep them in order. The like power was given to the church of Ephesus, as we have seen in the Epistle to that church: they had power to discern false Prophets, & Apostles, and to restrain the same. The like power did God give to all churches, as we shall see if we read the histories of the church; and great cause there is hereof: For without this authority no church could long stand & be a church.

This reason of her reproofe containeth sundry points worthie our consideration. I. From the phrase and forme of the words wee may consider the large power that God gaue to his church: which was, besides the power to preach the word, & administer the Sacraments, a further power to appoint who should preach among them, & who should not preach: and also a power to represse euill men and euill women, & so to keepe them in order. The like power was giuen to the church of Ephesus, as we haue seene in the Epistle to that church: they had power to discerne false Prophets, & Apostles, and to restraine the same. The like power did God giue to all churches, as we shall see if wee read the histories of the church; and great cause there is hereof: For without this authoritie no church could long stand & be a church.