Godly Philadel- phia. "o ,f1 evelatton ofthe Apocalypfe. CAP. 3. we muff obferve, that the former Counterpanes weredíi inguifhed with longer ditlances, but that thefe litter , as they have types leffe diftant each from other in distance ofplace , fó they cleavemutual. ly together in more joynt times , neither are they fo much parted afunder , in ages and termes of many yeares , as they are in lawes and cufloines. For after they came to their beginning, which was fomewhat flower in them then inother, we íhall fee that they flouri- (hed all three together. Thefe thingsfaith he that is holy andtrue , that bath, &c. Thefe words containe a defcription ofhim that fendeth the Epiíle, whofe. two firfi properties are taken out ofthe nature ofthe Sonne ofGod, which yet are not expreily mentioned in thevifion of the firí Chap- ter. They doe verygreatly ferve to declare unto usthe government of this Church. Concerning the City of Philadelphia, we have no further notice in the Bories, fave that there remained there in theage followinga famous company ofthe faithfull, whole gover- nour , was Demas or Damias, as we gather out ofthe Epiftles of Ignatius. In the Counterpaine, the divine power of C x R t s a fhineth for in fpeciall manner, fanc4ifying the Church , by kindling in it a carefull loveof piety, and by snaking it fit and chearefull ira Chrií jefus untoevery goodwork. Loath would I be to provoke any man to envie, or to grieve himwith mywords; ÿet this I muft fay, there is no place where the doctrine foundeth out more purely; the worfhip of G o D is excercifed more uncorruptly : where more faithfull diligenceof the Paftors doth flourifh, or more freeandwil- ling obedience is givenby the people, nor yet where there is greater reverencing of thewhole Religionamongall orders. But this holi- ncffe feemeth chiefly to refped their manners; For which purpofe, the notable teffimony of fohn Bodin fpeaking ofthe men ofGeneva, is not to be palledby. Among Whom (faith he) that is praifeWorthy if any thing amongany people and that which maketh their Common- Wealth to flourifh, if not With Wealth and greatnefe of command and dominion, yet indeed With vertues andgodlineffe, namely, that cenfure oftheir Paffors, (Whomhe calleth Pontifices, Popes, or Pre laricall Bifhops) then Which nothing can bedeviled ofa more divine and greater force to bridle the tufts ofmen, and to refiratnefachvi- ces as cannot be by any Wayes reformed by laWes andjudgements of men, yet this bridling is direlled by the rule of Chris, firth fecretly and in friendly manner , then a little more lharpely , then unleffe you obey, there foll.Weth agrave and forbidding to come at the holy
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