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…

If any demand more particularly, who these be whom Christ calleth The rest of them of Thyatyra, Christ answers directly (as the words import) to as many as have not this learning, neither have known the deepness of Satan. Where Christ giveth two notes whereby to discern who be the rest of them of Thyatira: The first is, the not receiving or maintaining of the false doctrine of Jezebel, whereof entreaty hath been formerly made: The second note is, ignorance in the deepness of Satan, neither have known the deepness of Satan: that is, neither have acknowledged nor approved the doctrine of Jezebel, which is the deep and profound learning, as themselves do judge.

If any demaund more particularly, who these bee whom Christ calleth The rest of them of Thyatyra, Christ answeres directly (as the words import) to as many as haue not this learning, neither haue knowne the deepenesse of Sathan. Where Christ giueth two notes whereby to discerne who bee the rest of them of Thyatira: The first is, the not receiuing or maintaining of the false doctrine of Iezabell, whereof entreatie hath beene formerly made: The second note is, ignorance in the deepenesse of Sathan, neither haue knowne the deepenesse of Sathan: that is, neither haue acknowledged nor approoued the doctrine of Iezabell, which is the deepe and profound learning, as themselues doe iudge.

In this observe a most wicked practise of Jezebel and her followers: they esteemed highly of their own opinions, calling them profound and deep learning: but for the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles in the Old and New Testaments, in it there was no such matter. This in all ages hath been the practise of wicked persons, highly to esteem their own conceits, and basely to neglect the word of God. The teachers of the Jews do hold to this day, That the Lord gave to Moses a most plain and easy law which he delivered to his people; but the most secret and profound doctrine was unwritten, showed to Moses by revelation, and by him delivered to the Priests and Levites, which they keep still in their Cabala. And of the like judgement touching Scripture are the Popish Churches: The Word written is but an inky word, a dead letter, or a nose of wax: but the most perfect Scripture is unwritten; which is, the consent of faith and of doctrine in the hearts of all Catholics. And by such great terms the Anabaptists, Libertines, and Arians, maintain their doctrine, and abuse Scripture, calling the written Word milk for every novice: but the consent of heart among themselves, with revelations, that is, the strong meats. Yea, this opinion hath crept in among us in part: men think basely of Scripture, and prefer other mens writings before it. For let a man preach plainly the bare word of God, and deliver doctrines and exhortations out of the same, this is but plain preaching: But let another come and utter his mind partly in Latin, and partly in Greek, and other languages, alleging withal the testimonies of Fathers, Counsels, and other Writers; that is the learned preaching. And thus do most men abase Scripture, and exalt the writings of men above it. But seeing this is the practise of Jezebel and wicked men, let us on the contrary learn to reverence the written word, and give place thereto above all the testimonies and sayings of men whatsoever.