of sin.”  The distinction here between “committing fornication” and “eating things sacrificed unto idols,” intimates that the “adultery” is to be taken in a literal sense.  Time was allowed for repentance, “and she repented not.”  All this time the rulers were culpable:  therefore the Lord himself, as before, will interpose to rectify such gross sin and scandal.  This he would do by visiting these impenitent transgressors with some incurable disease which would issue in certain death.  So he did in the church of Corinth. (1 Cor. xi. 30.) By this example he would teach “all the churches, that it is he who searcheth the reins and hearts,”—­demonstrating his divine omniscience.—­“But unto you I say.”  Where now is to be discovered, in this address of the Saviour, that “presiding minister,” or diocesan bishop, whom the anti-christian prelates affirm our Lord addresses in all these epistles?  “And unto the rest in Thyatira,”—­still no prelate addressed; but those laborious and patient ones previously commended, who “had not known the depths of Satan.”  Those deceivers pretended to instruct their deluded followers in the “deep things of God;” but Christ calls them “depths of Satan.”  It is usual with the devil’s factors to delude credulous persons with pretending to teach them deep mysteries,—­“curious arts. (Acts xix. 18, 19.)

To such as withstood the adversary and his allies, Christ would give no additional injunctions to those which they had received.  And to animate them to continued fidelity and fortitude in future conflicts with these enemies of all righteousness, he holds forth an ample reward.  He shall share in the honor of his Master, conferred on him by his Father.  Whatever may be comprehended in this promise, it can be made good to the victorious Christian only by Him who is divine.  None else has “power over the nations,” but he to whom “all power is given in heaven and in earth.” (Matt, xxviii. 18.) “The morning star” may signify Christ himself, (ch. xxii, 16,) or the “first fruits of the Spirit,” (Rom. viii. 23,) or the full assurance of grace. (2 Peter i. 19.)

As before, what “Christ saith, the Spirit saith;” and the instruction, warning and threatening sent to the church in Thyatira, was addressed to all churches and to every human being endowed with an “ear to hear.”  It is assumed in the beginning of the Apocalypse, that only some will have sufficient education to “read the words of the prophecy of this book;” and such is the condescension of our gracious Master, that those who, by reason of invincible ignorance, cannot read, yet may share in the reward promised to such as “hear and keep” the sayings of this book.  And no doubt thousands have received this reward since the begun decline of Popery, who were privileged to hear and to “know the joyful sound” of the gospel proclaimed by the heralds of the Reformation.  In the times of Luther, Calvin, Knox, and others, who were their compeers and successors, many were called from darkness to light, in continental and insular Europe, who could not read.