William Perkins on Revelation 2:1

THE SECOND CHAPTER.

Vers. 1. Vnto the Angell of the Church of Ephesus write: These things sayth he that holdeth the seuen starres in his right hand and walketh in the middest of the seuen golden candlestickes.

IN this Chapter and in the next, is contained the fourth action of our Sauiour Christ: wherein he giueth seuen particular commaundements to Iohn, to write vnto the seuen Churches of Asia, and to send vnto them seuen letters or Epistles. The first of which commandements is expressed in the beginning of this first verse: Vnto the Angell of the Church of Ephesus write▪ Then after followeth the Epistle, These things, saith hee, &c. continuing to the eight verse. First, for the commaundement: The partie to whom Iohn must write is the Angell: which word may bee expounded two wayes: either to signifie the minister or pastor of the particular church of Ephesus, and so it is commonly taken of the most: or els it may be token the company of the ministers, teachers, and gouernours of the church of Ephesus: for therein were many pastors and gouernours, as appeareth Act. 20.28. where Paule calleth together the Bishops (as the word signifieth) and giueth them charge ouer their particular flockes. Now in Scripture the name of one person taken collectiuely, oftentimes signifieth the whole multitude, as Exod. 4.22. Israell is my sonne, euen my first borne, Where the whole body of the people of Israel is called by the name of one man. And so though Antichrist bee not one particular man, but a state and company of men in the succession of Popes: yet is that whole estate noted by the speciall name of one man[illegible: 1 letter] as that 2. Thes. 2. Antichrist; that man of sinne: and sonne of perdition. Thus we see how the word Angell may bee taken: and whether wee vnderstand it of one man, or of the whole company of elders, it is not much materiall.

In this particular commaundement note two points: First, that Christ his intent is to write to the whole church of Ephesus, as appeareth Chap. 1.11. where Iohn is commaunded to write in a boohe, and send it to the Churches: as also by the conclusion of this Epistle, where it is sayd, Let him that hath an eare to heare, heare what the spirit saith vnto the Churches: Verse. [illegible: 1 letter]. and yet he directeth his Epistle not to the whole church, but particularly to the Angel or pastor therof. This he doth for two causes: First, to intimate vnto this minister his duty: which stood in two things: In teaching the contents of this Epistle vnto the whole church: & in becomming a patterne and example to them all, of doing the things therin required. Secondly because either much good or much euill comes to euery particular church by the ministers thereof, such is the efficacie of his place and calling. If he be faithfull he bringeth great good to the church: if vnfaithfull, exceeding great hurt: as might easily be proued by many examples in all ages. Now Christ writeth to the Angell of this church, that he might be a meanes of much good vnto them al, by exciting them to the practise of all good duties required in this Epistle.

II. point. Among all the churches of Asia Christ writeth first to the church of Ephesus: not for that this church had authoritie ouer the rest (for they were all candlestickes, and all of gold) but because Ephesus was the mother citie, farre exceeding the rest in riches and estimation. Whereby Christ giueth vs to vnderstand, that his will is, that those people, towns and cities which excell others in estimation and wealth, should also go before them in knowledge▪ obedience and other graces of God. And so answerably should it bee with particular persons: They which excell others for outward reputation and temporal blessings, ought to go before them in spiritual graces, as godlinesse and religion. Those which shall faile herein, and suffer others that are far their inferiours for outward things to go before them in spiritual graces, shall find it true to their shame before men, but especially at the tribunall seat of Iesus Christ.

Thus much for the commandement. Now followeth the example it selfe, which containeth three parts (as all ordinarie Epistles doe.) A pereface▪ A proposition; and the conclusion. The preface is in these words, These things, saith he, that holdeth the seuen starres in his right hand, and walketh in the middest of the seuen golden candlestickes. The proposition and conclusion, in the verses following. The preface is borrowed from the former chapter, verse. 16. and 13. Where also it was handled. The intent of Christ herein is to draw this church to a reuerent adoration of his person; and to cause in them a greater care to embrace and obey his admonition. This appeareth by that twofold action which he auoucheth of himselfe, to wit, his holding the seuen starres in his right hand, and his walking in the midst of the seuen golden candlestickes: by the first whereof is signified his power in protecting and gouerning his ministers. And by the second is noted his presence in the middest of his church, guiding and blessing his ministers with all the members thereof. As if he had sayd: If I be he that haue power to protect and gouerne; that am present also to blesse and direct both ministers and people: then my admonitions are to be reuerenced and obeyed.

In this preface note two special points. First, that Christ here againe repeateth that which was before deliuered touching his presence in his church, and his mightie power and prouidence ouer the same in protecting, guiding, and blessing both minister and people. By which reputation hee would giue vs to vnderstand, the specall weight and moment of this point, to wit▪ that it ought to be ingrauen in the harts of euery one in Gods church. And indeed till we be persuaded thereof, wee shall neuer learne religion soundly. The ground of true religion is this▪: To take the true God for our God. And Christ Iesus for our redemer: and it consisteth not in a swimming notion hereof in the braine, but in the sure persuasion of the heart, which we neuer haue till we be resolued both of Christs presence with vs: and of his prouidence ouer vs; for our blessing and defence.

II. point. In this preface also note: that the persuasion of Christs presence and speciall prouidence in his church, is a notable meanes to draw vs on to all good duties; for thereby Christ would persuade both the ministers and people of Ephesus, to receiue and embrace this his Epistle. And no doubt he that is indeed persuaded hereof, cannot but bee moued to walke before God in all holinesse and obedience: as did Enoch, Abraham, and all the godly patriarkes. Thus much for the preface.