CA P. z. 4 eldtionof theApbca ypfe. 55 was molt full of true pleafiire; C'hrif thereforeprotnifeth, that they L that (hall keep themnfelves pure from the corruptions of thefe tiles, &phgfus. and (hall notforfake their fïrff love,friall abide the true and free de- nitens df this holy C.hureh,and (hall have liberty and power to eat of Chrif, -who is that true tree of life in the midi of thus neWEden. Ma- ny wicked men , and hereticks of that time were caft down head- long (as Adam was in thebeginning) out of this heavenly Garden ; but yet with an unlike iffue, and hap in the end. For Adam falling out of that earthly Paradife,that was a figure of the heavenly,found a way into the true one by faith in Chrift; but thefe hereticks being driven out of the heavenly, and trae Paradife, what hope could they ever have to return thither ? Seeing therefore this is the proper and naturali meaning of thefe words, how íhamefully do they erre, who account of the Primitive Chitrch, as of achildi(h, rude, and imper- fee`t Church, afcribing the ripeneffe , and perfedtion of the Church to latter corrupted times? Thus do they preferreTophet before Pa- radirr,:ever thinking that all d<ledable pleafantneffe was in the firft beginning of the world,but that thorns and thiftles, and all noyfome weeds were brought info tole world , with and by means of the fuc- ceeding'eurfe. Farre be it from us to think, that the water that run- neth through the mirk channels, is either the more pure, or fweet,or fitter for our ufe the furtherit is diftant from the Spring head. Be- fides,let Reprobates know, that they !hall never eat of this tree. For there is one and the fame meat in the wayofthis life,and in the coun- trey of Heaven ; only there is a difference of a more frill fruition, wherewith we (hall rejoyce at homeafter the battaile and warfare is ended. Neither yet is the reward of overcommers given to thofe that be idle bellies. The Angel keep backs thefe aloofe off i:hhis flaming fwotd, left they should at any time have any pull at this Tree. The Analyfis, or Refolution of the Epiflle' to thofe of Smyrna. THiu much of thefirfEpif le. The fecond s rent to the is Smyrne- Sweer ans, but in(cribed,as the manner to the Angel, and then he defcri- finelling Beth him thatfendeth it, that bee is thefrit and the laf , then alto dead Snnyl'na. once, hut noW alive, verf..8. The Narration partly commendeth them, for their patient induring cf affliFfion, Which the blafphemoats leurs did caufe,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=