hath an eare let him heare what the Spirit saith to the Churches And thus much for the state of the Church from yeares aboue 1100. vnto Luthers beginning to preach 1516. set out in the Church of Thyatira CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that now in this time the depth of Sathans policies began to bee vsed Secondly that maugre his malice and mischiefe the true Church getteth strength Thirdly that when God purposeth to better the estate of his Church hee will qualifie his Seruants with better gifts to further his purpose Fourthly that in a sound Reformation the Church is not the best at the first but groweth better and better so as the last workes thereof are more then the first Fiftly that the tolleration of a Iesabel false Doctrine and false worship is a foule fault in the true Church Sixtly that the end of Sathans Instruments is to seduce the godly and to bring them to commit wickednesse Seuenthly that though God giue the wicked space to repent yet will they be nothing the better for it Eighthly that not only the chiefe Authours of euill but such as consent to them are lyable to the same iudgement except they repent Ninthly that neither Iesabel with her Abettors nor yet the depths of Satan can hinder the Churches increase in wel-doing when God wil aide her with his Grace Tenthly that there may be many where the false Church is which may bee ignorant of the depth of that sinfull state Eleuenthly that the Truth which we receiue must be held fast vnto the end THE FIFT GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE FIFT CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of Sardis The Sardine state of Christs Church the first of the Reformed Churches 1. THis was next after Thyatyra still East ward farther from the North. 1. THis was the next after the Thyatirian state at the end whereof this beganne more cleerely to breake out by the light of Truth about the yeare 1516. when Luther began to preach and continued to the yeare 1558. 2. In this is no mention as in the former of Balaam Nicolaitans thron of Sathan or Iesabel 2. Because now the Church was come out of Romish Babylon for neither Balaam that false Prophet of Rome nor the filthy Nicolaitans of that Seate nor that Iesabel the Church of Rome had any thing to doe with this Church of Christ which the Lord by Luther and other famous  men brought out from that Spirituall bondage as before hee did the Children of Israel out of Egypt by Moses and Aaron with a strong hand and out-stretched arme Sleid. Comment Fox his Acts Mon. p. 767 768. c. 3. In this Christ setteth out himselfe by the seuen Stars and seuen Spirits of God 3. For that now hee would rayse vp many learned Ministers of the Gospell who as Starres should shine and giue light to such as should sit in darknesse and to whome hee would giue plentifully the Graces of his Spirit to set forth his Truth as he did to Luther Zuinglius Melancthon Oecolampadius Bucer and to many bright Starres of his Truth in Wittenberge in Heluetia and other places Sleid. Comment Lu. Osiand Cent. 16. Fox his Acts Monuments p. 773. 4. This had a name to bee aliue but was dead 4. This comming from vnder Antichrist had a name to be aliue and to bee a Reformed Smyrna had not so good a name as shee deserued but this a much better then she is worthy of Church in Luthers dayes but she became as dead being farre from that life of Grace which should haue beene in her and from that liuely reformation which the Lord required at her hands For howsoeuer the Lutheran Churches acquite themselues of the Pope and were no more the children of that Iesabel of Rome yet retayned they such corruptions and errors and at this day so vphold them as their state is rather dying then liuing except they returne See the Booke of Concord and the Augustane Confession 5. The workes of this were imperfect 5. So was and is this of the Lutherans reformation as may appeare by the difference betweene them and other Reformed Churches in that which is commonly called Lutheranisme the points whereof may bee gathered out of their Bookes of the body of Diuinity their Augustane Confession and Disputations  against vs by which may appeare their imperfect workes vnworthy a Church Reformed and that blessed Instrument Luther that Lucifer and bright Starre of Light who did shine well in the dawning of the day before the Sun-shine of Truth arose and spred out his beames to his after followers for them to see more cleerly if they would not haue winked and shut their eyes against the Light shining vpon them See Reneccius his Panoplia Brentius Iac. Andraeas Seluec Chemnisius Lu. Osiand Epit. Cent. l. 3. cent 16. c. 30. 6. This is threatned for the defects and the Lord saith that hee will come suddēly vpon them 6. And indeed so did the Lord come vpon these Hee sent a new and strange kind of sicknesse called the Sweating Sicknesse which in a short space with an incredible swiftnesse passed through almost all the parts of Germanie they were also greatly troubled with Warres as may bee seene in that which is called  the Smalcaldicke Warre made by the Emperour through the Popes instigation Saxonie receiued moreouer great losse by Fires and also by horrible Tempests of Thunder and Lightning and thus came the LORD vpon them Sleid. Comm. Funct Chron. Bucholc Chron. Lu. Osiand Epit. Cent. l. 2. l. 3. c. 2. 7. In this Church were some few which had not defiled their garmēts 7. In this imperfect state begun by the Lutherās there were some which acquit themselues more cleerely from the Errours and Superstitions of Antichrist who set forth a Confession more agreeing in all things to the truth then that Augustane Confession these were called by the Lutherans Sacramentaries and Zuinglians and afterwards Caluinists for opposing their Consubstantiation and other their Errours Sleid. Comment Lu. Osiand Epit. Cent. 16. 8. These in this Church were most 3 So these few then hath the Lord giuen honour vnto and approued of Christ accounting them worthy to walke with him in white approoued as worthy of his fauourable acceptance and grace for soundnesse of Truth and that by the consent of many Churches agreeing therein See the Harmonie of Confessions 9. In this is promised to them that ouercome the reward of Victory 9. Now this was very needfull for those times for that many were put vnto the tryall not a few suffered banishment and imprisonment for not consenting to the Booke of Interim set out by the Emperours Authority to whom many through feare yeelded as those of Wittemberge and Lipsia who for the meane which they sought to hold as appeareth by the forme of Religion which they published were called Adiaphorists and Intermistickes Persecution was raised here in England by Queene Mary by whom many
with the Turkes the scourge  of Christendome and at length the Lord with the Sword of his mouh set vpon the Antichrist of Rome as in the next state of the Church is cleerly shewed d Eutrop. l. 13. Blond l. 1. Decad. l. 2. 3. Oros l. 7. c. 37. Procopode bello Goth. e Blond l. 10. Hee that hath an care let him eare what the Spirit saith to the Churches for great shall be their reward who ouer come euen to eate of the hidden Manna to haue the White Stone and a new name written therein And thus much for the state of the Church from Gratian to the yeare 1100. and odde set out by the Church of Porgamus CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that Sathan will striue for Dominion hee will haue his Throne neither he nor his are willing to bee vnderlings Secondly that where the very Throne of Sathan is there yet may bee some people belonging to the Lord. Thirdly that the faithfull hold fast their profession in the midst of persecution and will not deny the Truth Fourthly that the Enemies of the Truth are of a murthering disposition they will slay and shed the bloud of the Saints Fiftly that it is a fault in a Church though otherwise prayse worthy to haue such in her as openly teach contrary to the Truth to corrupt the true Worship of God and a Christian Conuersation Sixtly That the Sword of CHRISTS mouth is the weapon to fight against false Teachers with THE FOVRTH GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE FOVRTH CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of Thyatira The Thyatirean state of the Church 1. THis is next to Pergamus situate from it East-ward and so turning towardes the Sunne 1. THis state is next the former and becommeth better then it was beginning from after the 1100. and odde yeares when the Lord raysed vp the Waldenses vnto Luthers time 1516. 2. To this Christ sheweth himselfe to bee the Sonne of God with eyes of flaming fire and feet of Brasse 2. Because in this state of the Church he shewed himselfe to be so and for that hee would giue light of vnderstanding to many and expel the grosse darknesse from them and tread down powerfully his enemies make his seruants to abide durable like Brasse in the furnace of afflictions against the Iesabel of Rome 3. This is commended largely for vertues and to be better at the last then at the first contrary to Ephesus 3. Such God raised vp in this space of time worthy praise whō he qualified with many Graces Charity Seruice Faith Patience and Works worthy amendment of life as may bee seene in those Waldenses and Albigenses who spred the Truth into all parts of Europe so many of all sorts embraced the same and stood constantly in the Truth and were readie to dye for it against the Pope and his tyrannicall power pursuing them with fire and sword but when the Lord raysed vp Iohn Wickliffe and after him Iohn Husse and Ierome of Prage the Church of Christ became much more excellent and daily better and better the Lords hand at this time helping by the Art of printing found out by a Germane in Anno 1440. Acts Monu of the History of the Wald. p. 209. Doctor Vsher lib. de Eccles Christ Succes c. 8. 9. 10. Of the Martyrs then see Fox his  Acts Mon. p. 387. Funct Chron. p. 159. 160. Bucholtz Chronol Nauclerus Catal. test veritatis Sleid. de 4. Imp. l. 3. p. 346. Polydo Virg. l. 2. c. 7. de inuentione rerum 4. Heere was the woman Iesabel seducing the people to Idolatry corporall vncleannes 4. Heere was the Romane Church now become a Iesabel abusing Kings to take her part setting vp Baals Priests and Prophets but putting to death the Prophets of God murthering the Saints of God but vpholding as before Idolatry and allowing fleshly vncleannesse as is shewed in the Pergamine state for this see Sixtus quartus his allowance of Sodometry but for the spirituall Adultery of this Whorish Church euery stocke and stone their madde running on pilgrimage to this hee that she-saint proclaimeth the shame thereof to the World La. Osiand Epit. Centur. l. 3. c. 4. cent 15. Agrip. de vanit Scient c. 64. de leonina Wesellus Gron. de indulg Papalibus cited by Morn  in propos 64. of his Myst of Iniquity 5. This was threatned to bee cast into a Bed her Fauourites Louers into great afflistion and to kill her children with death 5. And indeed this Harlot at this time fell sick of a Consumption of which euer since shee hath languished vpon Kings and Princes her Louers the Lord brought great afflictions sometime through the factions of the Popes sometime by their taking vpon them to take Kingdomes from one and to giue them to another other-while by Kings and Princes falling out one with another among themselues neither was it a light tribulation that fell vpon the Kings and Princes subiect to the Pope whē at his command they must arme themselues either one against another if he pleased to hold any for Heretickes or did excommunicate any or held any to bee disobedtent to his lusts or ioyne all against the Saracens to regain Ierusalem whilst the Pope played the false-hearted Wretch at  home which cost the liues of aboue ten Millions of people the children of that Iezabel of Rome And after these the LORD brought the Turkish fury vpon those Antichristian Kingdomes Morn in his Mystery of Iniquity sheweth these things at large Acts Mon. 183. 603 p. 675. Synodus sub In. 3. PP Anno 1204. apud Lateranum pro recuperanda Hierus Chron. Chronicorum Plat. in vita Inno. 3. 6. In this Church there were such as knew not the depths of Sathan to whom if they hold fast what they haue receiued a promise was made that they should bee rewarded 6 In this Church there haue bin and yet are vnder that Antichrist and wicked Iesabel such as know not that Mystery of Iniquity the depths of that Romish doctrine to whom there is hope of mercy and victory in the end if they hold fast the Truth which God hath reuealed vnto them 7. There is rule and power promised heere vnto such as shall preuayle euercome 7. Heere it began to come to passe for the true Church long hidden beganne powerfully to preuayle of which the LORD gaue strong perswasions to many  who so confidently deliuered their mindes of the decay of the honour of this Iesabel of Rome and how the Word of God and the true Church of Christ should flourish as that their speeches were held as Propheticall See Morney his Mystery of Iniquity in the Opposition after the 64. Proposition who mentioneth Sauanarola Wessellus Ioh. Osterid Paulus Scripto Ioh. Keiserb Andr. Proles Ioh Hilton which last foretold plainly the yeare of Luthers beginning to preach Morn his Myst of Iniquity Acts Mon. p. 768. 769. 580. Hee that
by name seuered from all others This is so strange a preseruation for so long a time as the like hath not befallen to any other vnder the whole heauen Where was there euer a Nation such a people so wholly cast out of their Countrey and after dispersed which hath not beene swallowed vp and lost but these This prouidence so singular must needs prognosticate some future good For was not the Iewes preseruation in their dispersing abroad by their Babylonian captiuitie in an 127 Prouinces for this end to bring them in the appointed time into Iudea againe And for what other end is this so long preseruation of them but to recall them and to make them his people in his good time The Israelites the ten Tribes called the Kingdome of Israel were remoued by the Assyrian because God would not bring them to that Kingdome againe as God brought the Iewes from Babylon their place was lost and they dispersed soone became they an vnknowne people without distinction mingled among No Israelites now but vnder the name of Iewes the Nations and are none of them at this day though there be otherwise fabulous narrations hereof but such as go vnder the name of Iewes which howsoeuer so called are of all the Tribes of Israel For it is said in Esdra 7. 7. that there went vp of the children of Israel with him to Ierusalem and Saint Iames writeth to the twelue Tribes dispersed which hee well knew to bee then in the world else hee would not haue so written to them And yet in all the Acts of the Apostles onely we heare of the name of Iewes vnder which name and among whom there were of all the Rom. 11. 1. 25. 26. twelue Tribes which Saint Paul calleth by the name of Israel And in the Prophets it is shewed that the two Nations should come to be one the ten and two Tribes make one people and so the twelue Tribes to be vnder one name And therfore in the Iewes conuersion is also the conuersion of the Israelites so the twelue Tribes What if they cannot rehearse their It is not necessary they should know distinctly their Tribes Genealogies and set down now their Tribes distinctly There is now no necessitie of it the reasons of the distinct keeping of tribe from tribe are taken away And where is it prophecied that in their conuersion they are to bee knowne by Tribes distinctly The twelue may bee and that vnder one name which is enough to make good the prophecie that Israel shall be saued Besides this so wonderfull a preseruation Their increase is great on Rom. 11. 25. there is another thing to moue vs to thinke God will bee with them euen their exceeding encrease for as Beza relateth from an vniuersall speech out of Asia and Africa that they are so multiplyed as that yet the blessing of Abraham to haue his seede after the flesh to be innumerable is plainely seene vpon them preparing them for the conquest of their owne Countrie when the Lord shall assemble them together for that end For our better assurance and settling of our hearts herein let mee set before you how the Apostle sheweth this plainely in the Epistle to the Romanes chap. 11. and how it is also confirmed in many other places of the new Testament Rom. 11. Chapt. THe scope of this Chapter is to Scope of the Chapter proue that God hath not finally cast away his people the Iewes or Israel his people Vers 1. This scope the Apostle proueth by the conuersion of some then in his time and by the conuersion of the rest though then left in their obstinacy when God should call them Of the conuersion of those in his time he speaketh in Verses 1 2 3 4 5. giuing an instance first of himselfe and then of others whom he calleth the remnant then saued in so general a casting off of al the Nation as aforetime it fell out in the dayes of Eliah which remnant so saued were so not for their workes but they were saued according to the election of grace and of Gods foreknowledge Of the conuersion of the other in the time to come whom hee calleth the rest in Verse 7. the Apostle also doth assure vs though for that present time and now euen at this day they bee blinded as was foretold in the Prophets and in the Psalmes Verses 8 9 10. The summe of all that which is in the Chapter concerning these so blinded and hardened hitherto is this That the rest of Israel left in their The summe of the Chapter obstinacy for a time were not finally cast off that they and their succeeding posteritie should vtterly perish God forbid saith the Apostle but that in the Lords time when the fulnesse of the Gentiles shall come in all Israel shall be saued that is as those which were before the reiection of the Nation were and as those remnant chosen out in Saint Pauls time so shall the hardened and stiffe-necked Iewes left of God in the appointed time returne to God Euen the Nation of the Iewes called Israel shall be saued For so Israel is to be vnderstood in cap. 10. 21. where hee taketh occasion to enter vpon this disputation and so also in cap. 11. vers 7. and in vers 26. where he concludeth the point That the Apostle meanes the body By Israel is meant the body of that Nation of the Iewes it is plaine by this that he speaketh of their fall and fulnesse in vers 12. both which words hee expoundeth himselfe Fall is in vers 15. interpreted casting away and fulnesse the receiuing of them in the same verse Now the fall and casting of them off was from a visible and nationall being of Gods people and Church therefore their receiuing must bee vnderstood by the Law of Opposites of their being a visible Church of Christ and a Nationall people professing the true God and worship of his Name And as the casting off is meant of naturall Iewes Israelites the posteritie of Israel and the twelue Patriarchs so must the receiuing of them be vnderstood in like sort for else should not the Law of Opposites be kept neither should the Apostles discourse haue dependancy of one thing with another But lest this truth might yet bee doubted of the blessed Apostle doth not onely affirme it but doth also confirme it by very many reasons such as followeth 1 From the end of their stumbling Vers 11. they stumbled not to fall and so to rise no more God forbid saith the Apostle that we Gentils should haue so desperate a conceit of them The end was saith he not their destruction but our saluation for this the Lord pleased to make as a way to bring to vs the Gospell and to make vs his people which the Iewes in their standing did hinder did oppose and no way could endure to heare of Acts 22. 22. 1. Thess 2. 16. II. From the end of our
more out and there shall be written vpon him the Name of God and of the Citie new Ierusalem Christ his Name Christians and true Church of Christ shall be in a stable and vnmoueable state Pope Turke the Beast and Dragon open and secret Enemies being destroyed these heauenly Conquerours shall bee accounted the true Church of God that new Ierusalem such as God the Father Iesus Christ will claime for his owne as if his name were writvpon them C. 19. 20. C. 21. 2 He that hath an eare let him heare what the Spirit saith to the Churches And thus much for this beautifull and louely Philadelphian state of the Church from Anno 1558. to the time determined set out in this Church of Philadelphia In this estate are we in these dayes CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that this is the time of opening the doore that men may come into the true Church Secondly That none now shall euer bee able to shut againe this doore Protestance shall prosper Thirdly that a little strength with obedience to the Word shall bee sufficient for the Churches safety Fourthly that the false Church by the power of Christ though this to man seeme incredible shall be made subiect to the true Church Fiftly that shortly Christ will make the Enemies know his loue to his owne people Sixtly that great tryals and temptations shall come vpon the World of which it may bee wee haue now the beginnings but the Lord will keepe his Church God Almighty prepare and strengthen vs in his mercie to subdue our enemies O Lord saue thy people shew thy power in the confusion of thine our malicious Aduersaries that we may for euer sing prayses to thy Name euen so be it O Lord of thy goodnesse euen so be it Amen THE SEVFNTH GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE SEVENTH CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of LAODICEA the last of the seuen The Laodicean state of Christ his Church and the last till Christ come to iudgment which state followeth vpon that height of excellencie and glory which in the Philadelphian state it attayneth vnto 1. HEERE Christ calleth himselfe the Amen the faithfull and true Witnesse the beginning of the Creation of God 1. BEcause now the LORD bringeth his Church to the last state euen to the Amen therof hereupon Earth in which when all things are fulfilled which Christ Iesus as a true and faithfull Witnesse of his Fathers will hath foretold by himselfe and by his Spirit in the Prophets and Apostles then shall he fully declare himselfe the Authour of the heauenly Creation and of that glory of his Saints which they shall enioy with him in  appearing at the last Day Reuelat 21. 2. This became luke-warme being neyther hote nor cold 2. After the great peace which the Church shall haue vpon her so high aduancement in her former state all her Enemies being brought downe and vtterly destroyed she shall decay in zeale become luke-warme not hot as seruently bent vnto Godlinesse neither cold as without any affection of Religion at all but too carelesly remisse in the duties of Pietie contenting herselfe with a peaceable enioying of the Lords ordinances after an outward forme of Godlinesse in abundance and plentie of all things by which it will come to passe in time that Charitie shall wax cold and Faith that is the sincere studie of godlinesse shall scarcely bee found vpon Earth when Christ shall shew himselfe at his second Comming Reuel 19 20. Luke 18. 8. 3. The LORD 3. So will the Lord loath and threateneth to spew this out of his mouth abhorre the luke-warme state of this Church and cast out the same for euer in his appointed time 4. This is taxed for glorying and for too high a conceit of her happinesse being in a very wretched and miserable case 4. THIS giueth vs to know that such shall bee the outward and flourishing estate and plentifull blessings euery way in that respect of this Church as through the delight and full contentment thereof they shall bee too ignorant of their spirituall estate with God and not know how far they shall be from the power of godlinesse 5. This is rebuked and chaslened and is graciously aduised to vse the meanes for reformation 5. Which sheweth that the Lord in his mercy will not bee wanting in all good meanes offered to seeke their reformation by word and deed if so bee they will turne from luke-warmenes and become zealous and so amend and if they will heare him and receiue him such shall taste of his spirituall comforts and bee made most ioyfull in the  heauenly taste thereof 6. To him that here ouercommeth is granted a Kingly seat with Christ in Heauen 6. There must bee in some a spirituall conflict who shall striue happily against the common current of luke-warmnes and against the death of drowsie security from which by striuing they shall acquit themselues so graciously preuayling at Christ his comming to reward euery one according to his works shall these Conquerours receiue glory and honour with him in the highest Heauens for euer Hee that hath an eare let him heare what the Spirit saith to the Churches And thus much for this luke-warme state of the Church the last and fearefull condition thereof before the comming of Christ vnto Iudgement which is not yet come vpon vs though wee bee luke-warme enough CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that as now men doe so hereafter they will abuse the great peace and prosperity of the Church to grow thereby secure Secondly that to bee luke-warme is the worst disease of the Church and that estate which will make the Lord to spew them out of his mouth Thirdly that full contentment of earthly things maketh men highly conceited of themselues and to bee ignorant of their spirituall estate before God Fourthly that men may be wretched miserable poore blinde and naked and yet bee highly conceited of their well being and that they bee in a very happy condition Of such conceited persons I wish this age were not full The Conclusion THus wee see apparently how the seuen Churches of Asia are liuely representations of the seuen fold estate of the Church of Christ vnto the end of the World not Types of this or that one particular Church as some doe dreame but are Types of the estate of the whole Church yet so as there will bee a mixture some thus and some so in particular Churches as we see a difference in these seuen Churches themselues The times of the Ephesine Smyrnean Pergamine Thyatirean and Sardine are past this is now the Philadelphian state in which the Gospell hath gotten free passage and must get for Christ hath opened and none can shut howsoeuer the Aduersary may attempt to hinder and endeuour to ouerthrow the Professours of the Gospell yet shall these our Enemies be ouercome and bee made at last to submit vnto vs sure it is that great