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…

This branch of this distinction containeth a most comfortable instruction: namely, that all those that give themselves to maintain purity of doctrine and sincerity of life, shall be safely preserved in the time of common judgements, under the blessed protection of God, so far forth as is for Gods glory and their good. And considering this mercy is offered to the godly, we must hereby learn to become followers of this Church of Thyatira: that is, we must endeavour to maintain the pure truth of Gods holy word, and withal have care to show forth sincerity of manners, in making conscience of every sin, and endeavouring our selves to walk in all the ways of Gods commandments with cheerfulness. Hereby we shall get protection from common judgements, when they are laid upon the wicked: but if we partake with the wicked in their sins, we shall receive part in their plagues.

This braunch of this distinction containeth a most comfortable instruction: namely, that all those that giue themselues to maintaine puritie of doctrine and synceritie of life, shall be safely preserued in the time of common iudgements, vnder the blessed protection of God, so farre forth as is for Gods glorie and their good. And considering this mercie is offered to the godly, wee must hereby learne to become followers of this Church of Thyatira: that is, we must endeuour to maintaine the pure truth of Gods holy word, and withall haue care to shew foorth synceritie of manners, in making conscience of euery sinne, and endeuoring our selues to walke in all the wayes of Gods commaundements with cheerefulnesse. Hereby we shall get protection from common iudgements, when they are layed vpon the wicked: but if wee partake with the wicked in their sinnes, wee shall receiue part in their plagues.

The second part of this distinction is in these words:¹ But that which you have already, hold fast till I come: that is, mine Apostles have delivered unto you the pure and sound doctrine of salvation; now I charge you that you hold that fast, and maintain it until I come to judgement. Here is a plain and most excellent commandment, containing special instruction mee for this Church of Thyatira, and all Churches. Before, our Saviour Christ had commended this Church for not approving the doctrine of Jezebel and her company: but here he giveth them another commandment, To hold fast the true doctrine of Christ, taught them by his Apostles. Whereby he would teach them, and in them all Churches, to content themselves with the pure doctrine of the Apostles, and not to affect or approve any other doctrine besides whatsoever: According as Paul biddeth the Galatians