which the superior World hath no real similitude but by fiction 6. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal and in the midst of the throne and round about the throne were four beasts full of eyes before and behind 6. Note Before the Tabernacle and the Temple there was a great broad Vessel of Water called a Sea for the Priests to wash in Exod. 20.18 1 Kings 7.23 signifying the Purity required in the Worshippers of God being as Crystal tells us that no spots or Hypocrisie is unseen to God Though some make this to signifie the multitude of Worshippers The four Beasts some say resemble the four Staâ—dards and Camps of Israel in the Wilderness or as others the four Evangelists But it is like to mean the Executioners by Providence and Miracles of Christ's Will and Power full of Eyes as knowing all the Affairs of the Sons of Men about which they are employed called Living creatures for their executive power 7. And the first beast was like a lion and the second beast like a calf and the third beast had a face as a man and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle 7. Note As these four agree with the Apparition in Ezekiel 1.10 in the main notwithstanding some small difference so it is observable which D. Hammond noteth from Aben Ezra that these were the Escutcheons on the four Ensigns or Standards of the Camp of Israel a Lion for the Camp of Judah a Man for the Camp of Reuben an Oxe for the Camp of Ephraim and an Eagle for the Camp of Dan And an Oxe and Calf are oft used for the same And these four are noted to be the chief in their several kinds the Lion among wild Beasts the Oxe among the tame and serviceable a Man among all Animals and an Eagle among Birds To conjecture what God would signifie by them to Israel must needs be uncertain I know nothing liker than an intimation of Duty and Prophecy that Israel should be victorious over their Enemies and valiant as a Lion wise and in Dominion as Man and should have a fertile and plenteous Land signified by the Oxe and be Seraphick and Divine in the holy Worship of God signified by the Eagle that mounteth Heaven-ward in her strength And it 's like such blessings are hereby signified to be conferred on the Church some fix the signification on Angels some on Ministers And less probable are their 's that think Peteâ— John Paul and Barnabas are meant or they that apply it to the four Evangelists or four Patriarchs 8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him and they were full of eyes within and they rest not day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come 8. Note The Beasts resembling the Standard-bearer in the Camp are likest to signifie both the Angels in Heaven who glorifie God's Attributes and serve him in the performance of his Promises to the Church and also the Apostles and Prophets and Evangelists and Pastors who do their part herein on Earth See Isa 6.2 of their wings 2. Holy holy holy may relate to the Trinity but certainly signifieth that the Holiness of God is that for which he is loved and praised by Angels and Saints His Holiness is his Perfection and Transcendency above all creatures being the end of all to whom they are to be devoted and consequently his perfect contrariety to all evil 3. The celebrating of the Praises of the most Holy God is the uncessant work of heavenly Spirits and most of the work of Ministers and Church-Assemblies on Earth 9. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne who liveth for ever and ever 10. The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne and worship him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their crowns before the throne saying 11. Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created 9 10 11. Note With the chief Angels concur all the heavenly Hâ—st in magnifying the Holy Eternal God as shining forth in the glory of all his works by him and for him by his efficient Will and for his complacential Will fulfilled they being all created preserved and ordered And this heavenly work is to be imitated by the Churches on Earth whose Pastors leading the People must concur in the Praises of the most Holy Everliving God And those Churches that are dry and scant in these Praises of God how well soever the Word be there preached are defective and unlike their Pattern These passages are best expounded in the three first Petitions of the Lord's Prayer Let thy Name be hallowed Thy Kingdom come and Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven Neither Heaven nor Earth must be left out in the Exposition CHAP. V. 1. ANd I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside sealed with seven seals 1. I saw a Roll called a Book in his hand who sate on the Throne written on both sides but the Roll was sealed up with seven Seals Note The Roll contained God's Decrees as they were to be fulfilled according to this Prophecy And it 's like they were seven Rolls together making one Book 2. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof 2. Note Every Angel or Man is not worthy or meet to be the Expositor and Messenger of God's Mysteries to Man 3. And no man in heaven nor in earth neither under the earth was able to open the book neither to look thereon 3. It was a work and trust too high for any meer creature in all the World None of them was worthy 4. And I wept much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book neither to look thereon 4. I lamented that the creatures should be found so unworthy and God's Mysteries be kept unknown 5. And one of the elders saith unto me Weep not behold the lion of the tribe of Judah the root of David hath prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof 5. One of the Elders that were at the Throne comforted me and told me that Christ who is called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Son of David and Root of Jesse was found worthy by the Dignity of his Person and his Merits by Man's Redemption to open to the Church all the Mysteries of God which it was meet for Man to know and to loose the Seals 6. And I beheld and lo in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts and in the midst of the elders stood a Lamb as it had been slain having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven
Christ be made the holy City or his Chief Royal Seat and there will be his Thousand years Reign on Eâ—rth Others take the Holy City to mean the Reformed Churches which shall again be assaulted by all sorts of Enemies before the day of Judgment And some take the Camp of the Saints and the Beloved City to be the seven Asian Churches to whom John wrote Whatever it be if it be past I understand not what or when it was if it be to come time must expound it In general it is sure that Enemies will oft assault the Church and God will defend it 10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever 10. When Christ hath delivered his Church from Pagan Cruelty the same Dragon or Devil will seek new Instruments to assault it from age to age and most notably at the last But he shall be conquered after all and be cast out into torment as the Pagan Powers and Deceivers were 11 And I saw a great white throne and him that sat on it from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away and there was found no place for them 11. Some think that this speaketh not of the day of Judgment but of the calling of the Jews And some think the meaning is that when Christ sets up the Thousand years refined Church by a Resurrection and his visible presence say some or by a holy Government and People and Deliverance from Enemies say others both the Power of Infidels Turks and Heathens which are meant by the Earth and the Corrupted Church both Papal and Greek c. meant by Heaven shall all vanish that the holy City may take place But most say it describeth the day of Judgment 12. And I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the books were opened and another book was opened which is the book of life and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works 12. When Christ hath overcome his Churches Enemies he will judge the World and the book of their own doings and Consciences shall be opened and also Gods book of Life the Scripture or Gospel Law say some which is the Rule of Judgment or the book of Gods Decree say others in which all are enrolled that shall be saved And they shall be judged according to their works the matter of Fact being recorded in their book and the matter of right in Gods Law and the conclusion in his Decree To be judged according to their works is to be then justified or condemned as they have sincerely kept Christ's Law of Grace by which they shall be tryed or have not kept it by Faith Repentance and sincere Obedience the condition of Salvation 13. And the sea gave up her dead which were in it and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them and they were judged every man according to their works 13. All that were any way dead were judged according to their works by the Law that they were under 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire this is the second death 15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire 14 15. And death and Hades that is Mortality shall to his Saints be by Christ for ever abolished or as some take it those wicked men that death and hell shall deliver up to Judgment shall be cast into hell fire This utter abolition or this damnation is called the second death And whosoever hath not right to Salvation by the Gospel Covenant or Law of grace and is not by God enrolled among the Heirs of Life was cast into the Lake of fire Mr. Potter and many others expound all this confidently and the two following Chapters of Christs judging and rewarding and punishing men in this Life But others as confidently of the Life to come Though this make the Text difficult it maketh no great doctrinal controversie both being commonly believed CHAP. XXI 1. ANd I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away and there was no more sea 1. N. That the corrupt State of the World and the degenerate Church may be called the old heaven and earth is granted And that the Church before the End may be so reformed and blessed as that heaven and earth may be said to be new And also that fire at last shall dissolve the earth and that heaven that fell under the Curse for mans sin and there shall be no annihilation but a New Heaven and earth is plain in Peter c. But which of these is the sense of this Text is doubtful I incline most to the later that it is the new World that shall follow the conflagration and Judgment If any ask what the new earth shall be for he must take up with what God hath told us Therein shall dwell Righteousness and the Creature be delivered from the bondage of Corruption into the glorious liberty of the Soas of God and all things shall be restored Whether we shall then dwell on Earth or only a new made Generation is not so clear But the Jerusalem now in Heaven consisteth of Spirits And this must come down from Heaven and these Spirits must be again at the Resurrection embodyed And do not new bodies suit with a new Earth as Spirits with Heaven Obj. This will be to our loss Ans No God will dwell with man and be no Stranger to us then in Heaven Heaven and Earth will not be separated as now As our bodies will be no Clog to the Souls but Spiritual incorruptible bodies so Earth will be made suitable to them It s no diminution to the Glory of the Sun to shine on bodies no nor of God to Vouchsafe them his influence 2. And I John saw the holy city new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband 2. Not new created Souls but immortal Souls coming down with Christ say some before the day of Judgment say others after Many Texts seem to place it here and not in Heaven only after the Resurrection This is the Life of Preparation on our part but Souls in Heaven are further prepared by Christ 3. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying Behold the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God 3. Wherever the place be Gods presence in glory wlll make it a Heaven to us But if it did speak only of an advancement by holy Reformation and Peace on Earth it would be so far like to Heaven 4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death
ANd he began to speak unto them by parables A certain man planted a vineyard and set an hedge about it and digged a place for the wine-fat and built a tower and let it out to husbandmen and went into a far countrey 2. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard 3. And they caught him and beat him and sent him away empty 4. And again he sent unto them another servant and at him they cast stones and wounded him in the head and sent him away shamefully handled 5. And again he sent another and him they killed and many others beating some and killing some 1. See on Matth. 21. Note Who did this Answer The only national Church on Earth 2. Did they cease upon this warning of Christ Ans No but do worse 3. Why did they do â—t Ans Through folly and wickedness 4. The things that have bin are This is no strange thing yet on Earth 6. Having yet therefore one son his well-beloved he sent him also last unto them saying They will reverence my son 7. But those husbandmen said amongst themselves This is the heir come let us kill him and the inheritance shall be ours 8. And they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard 8. Note No wonder that no innocency or worth can preserve his Ministers from their rage and from being cast out of the Vineyard 9. What shall therefore the Lord of the vineyard do he will come and destroy the husbandmen and will give the vineyard unto others 9. He will destroy these Jewes and call the Gentiles to become his Church 10. And have ye not read this scripture The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner 11. This was the Lords doing and it is marvellous in our eyes 10. Psal 118. Isa 28.16 12. And they sought to lay hold on him but feared the people for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them and they left him and went their way 12. N. That which is spoken against bad men enrageth them be it never so true and necessary 13. And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians to catch him in his words 14. And when they were come they say unto him Master we know that thou art right and carest for no man for thou regardest not the person of men but teachest the way of God in truth Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not 13. They send those that thought Caesar an Usurper or at least had no right to that sort of tribute alienated from the Sanctuary and the Herodians that werâ— for Caesars right Note They give Christ a flattering Character to ensnare him 15. Shall we give or shall we not give 16. But he knowing their hypocrisie said to them Why tempt ye me bring me a penny that I may see it And they brought it and he said to them Whose is this Image and superscription and they said to him Caesars 17. And Jesus answering said unto them Render to Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are Gods And they marvelled at him 15. See on Math. 21. Note We are not bound to answer directly to all such insnaring questions nor to satisfy the Tempters 18. There came unto him the Sadduces who say there is no Resurrection and asked him saying 19. Master Moses wrote to us If a mans Brother die and leave his wife behind and have no Children that his brother should take his wife and raise up seed to his brother 20. Now there were seven brethren the first took a wife and dying left no seed 21. And the second took her and dying left no seed and the third likewise 22. And the seven had her and left no seed Last of all the woman dyed also 23. In the Resurrection therefore when they shall rise whose wife shall she be of them for the seven had her to wife 23. Erroneous Men from one false supposition infer many that are worse 24. And Jesus answering said to them Do ye not therfore err because ye know not the Scriptures neither the power of God 25. For when they shall rise from the dead they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the Angels of God which are in heaven 24. Carnal Men think Carnally of things Heavenly Spiritual Glorified bodies are like Angels and as they die not so they generate not any more than they nor eat and drink as here 26. And as touching the dead that they rise have ye not read in the book of Moses how in the bush God spake unto him saying I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob 27. He is not the God of the dead but the God of the living ye therefore do greatly err See on Matth. 22. 28. And one of the Scribes came and having heard them reasoning together and perceiving that he had answered them well asked him Which is the first commandment of all 29. And Jesus answered him The first of all the commandments is Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. 30. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind and with all thy strength this is the first commandment 31. And the second is like namely this Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self there is none other commandment greater than these Note Love is the most full and final act of the Soul It is the total inclination and adherence of the will to God as God the infinite good and to Man for his sake as far as his Conformity to God hath made him amiable It fervently riseth towards God here by desire and seeking and fully delighteth in him hereafter 32. And the Scribe said unto him Well Master thou hast said the truth for there is one God and there is none other but he 33. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the soul and with all the strength and to love his neighbour as himself is more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices 34. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly he said unto him Thou art not far from the kingdom of God And no man after that durst ask him any question 34. Note If the confession of these two great commands was a matter to greatly esteemed both of Christ and by this Scribe how greatly do they differ from Christ who besides the profession of the whole Baptismal faith and Covenant require abundance of unnecessary or uncertain things to Church Communion and concord if not to Salvation 35. And Jesus answered and said while he taught in the temple How say the Scribes that Christ is the son of David 36. For David himself said by the holy Ghost The Lord said to my Lord Sit thou on
long time 10. And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard but the husbandmen beat him and sent him away empty 11. And again he sent another servant and they beat him also and entreated him shamefully and sent him away empty 12. And again he sent the third and they wounded him also and cast him out 13. Then said the lord of the vineyard What shall I do I will send my beloved son it may be they will reverence him when they see him 14. But when the husbandmen saw him they reasoned among themselves saying This is the heir come let us kill him that the inheritance may be ours 15. So they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them 16. He shall come and destroy these husbandmen and shall give the vineyard to others And when they heard it they said God forbid 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16. The Vineyard is the Land of Israel the Husbandmen are the Israelites the Owner is God the Messengers are the Prophets the Son is Christ c. See Matth. 21. 17. And he beheld them and said What is this then that is written The stone which the builders rejected the same is become the head of the corner 18. Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken but on whomsoever it shall fall it will grind him to powder 17 18. Whoever sins against Christ by unbelief will perish in his sin But they that strive against him by malignity and opposition will fall under his victorious Judgement which will make them the most miserable 19. And the chief priests and the Scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him and they feared the people for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them 19. Note That which is said against their sin enrageth the impenitent be it never so true and needful to their conviction 20. And they watched him and sent forth spies which would fain themselves just men that they might take hold of his words that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governour 20. Blood-thirsty Hypocrites would ensnare him to get some word for which they might accuse him to the Romans Governour as Treason against Caesar Note How like in all Ages are the nature and ways of wicked men Thus was Naboth used by Jezabel c. 21. And they asked him saying Master we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly neither acceptest thou the person of any but teachest the way of God truly 22. Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cesar or no 23. But he perceived their craftiness and said unto them Why tempt ye me 24. Shew me a penny whose image and superscription hath it They answered and said Cesars 25. And he said unto them Render therefore unto Cesar the things which be Cesars and unto God the things which be Gods 26. And they could not take hold of his words before the people and they marvelled at his answer and held their peace 21 22 23 24 25 26. Note There is poison in the seeming kindness of cruel Hypocrites they flatter that they may hurt Note It is lawful to put off bloody ensnarers with doubtâ—â—l Answers 27. Then came to him certain of the Sadduces which deny that there is any resurrection and they asked him 28. Saying Master Moses wrote unto us If any mans brother die having a wife and he die without children that his brother should take his wife and raise up feed to his brother 29. There were therefore seven brethren and the first took a wife and died without children 30. And the second took her to wife and he died childless 31. And the third took her and in like manner the seven also And they left no children and died 32. Last of all the woman died also 33. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she for seven had her to wife 27 â—8 29 30 31 32 33. Carnal men from their own Errour do foolishly cavil against the Truth which they understand not 34. And Jesus answering said unto them The children of this world marry and are given in marriage 35. But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage 36. Neither can they die any more for they are equal unto the angels and are the children of God being the children of the Resurrection 34 35 36. Note Worthiness of that World is such a qualification as is required in God's Promise Note The Blessed shall be like the Angels and with them and be immortal Note By the Resurrection here is meant the next Life even to separated Souls and not only the Resurrection of the Body O why do we not long for such a change 37. Now that the dead are raised even Moses shewed at the bush when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob 38. For he is not a God of the dead but of the living for all live unto him 37 38. See Matth. 22. He is the Lord and Owner of the Dead and Living But to be Their God signifieth more even to be their Governour and Protector and their End and Portion and their All. 39. Then certain of the Scribes answering said Master thou hast well said 40. And after that they durst not ask him any question at all 39 40. Tâ—â—y were out of hope of entrapping him by their Quesâ—â—â—ns 41. And he said unto them How say they that Christ is Davids Son 42. And David himself saith in the book of psalms The LORD said unto my Lord Sit thou on my right hand 43. Till I make thine enemies thy footstool 44. David therefore calleth him Lord how is he then his Son 41 42 43 44. See Matth. 22. 45. Then in the audience of all the people he said to his disciples 46. Beware of the Scribes who desire to walk in long robes and love greetings in the markets and the highest seats in the synagogues and the chief rooms at feasts 47. Who devour widows houses and for a shew make long prayers The same shall receive greater damnation 45 46 47. Note The Character of formal Hypocrites â—â— to be worldly cruel unjust proud â—nd to be devout in a ceremonious Religion and â—â—p labour to quiet their Conscience and keep their reputation N. Tho' no doubt but some Hypocrites can use long prayers extempore it is most likely that the Scribes and Pharisees was a Form or Liturgy CHAP. XXI 1. ANd he looked up and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury 2. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites 3. And he said of a truth I say unto you that this poor widow hath cast in more then they all 4. For all these have of their abundance
1. That Titus is not said to be settled in Crete as their fixed Bishop but left there in his Travels to settle fixed Bishops there The Scriptures tell us that Timothy Titus were Itinerant Evangelists that went about where Paul sent them to plant and settle Churches But the plain truth is that Apostles and such Evangelists as these where-ever they came had as great Authority as any meer Bishops and more and that they stayed in some Countrys longer than in others to settle the Churches and that the Churches after their Age thought it an honour to be their Charge and so called them their Bishops In which sense one Apostle might have twenty or forty Bishopricks as he planted and settled so many Churches But none of them were Bishops fixed and confined to one Church as those usually called Bishops then were so that to controvert whether Peter Paul Timothy Titus Luke c. were Bishops is a meer ignorant strife de nomine about the name while we are or easily may be agreed of the thing what work for those Churches they performed They were Bishops eminenter transient from Church to Church but he degradeth them that feigneth them affixed to any one as their sole and proper Flock 2. Note further That Titus ordaining Elders that is Bishops as Dr. Hammond noteth implieth the peoples consent for Titus had no forcing power 3. That Crete is said to have an hundred Cities in it being but a small Island and so must have an hundred Bishops if every City had one But doubtless Paul meaneth every City that had Christians in it enough to be a Church 4. That by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is meant any big Town such as our Corporations are and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 oppidatim is meant from Town to Town where there is matter for a Church And Paul never meant by this to confine Bishops to Cities and forbid them to Villages but he nameth Cities or Towns because then no other places had Christians enow for a Church 5. Dr. Hammond thinks that these Bishops then were only the single Pastors of single Congregations having no Sub-Presbyters but Deacons 6. The ordering of things wanting was not adding to their Faith and Religion or making them a Book of Canons but seeing them reduced to the obedient and orderly practice of that which the Apostles every where taught and settled 6. If any be blameless the husband of one wife having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly 6. Note If God bless not the Education of his own Children 1. The Church would doubt of his Fidelity or whether God will bless his greater undertaking 2. And his Family would be a scandal to Religion 7. For a Bishop must be blameless as the steward of God not self-willed not soon angry not given to wine no striker not given to filthy lucre 7. Note That the same man is called a Bishop here who was called an Elder v. 5. If then they were distinct Offices Paul neglected to describe one of them which is not credible when he describeth Deacons Deaconesses Dr. Hammond confesseth that there were in Scripture-times no Subject-Presbyters save Bishops that were under the Apostolick Order but he thinks that Bishops had power from the Apostles to institute another Order of Presbyters under them afterwards But 1. Where is there any proof of that Must Church-Government cast out all Ministers who believe not such an unproved Assertion 2. It 's thus disproved Paul giveth Timothy and Titus sufficient Instructions what Officers to Ordain in the Church which Canons were to be a Guide to all after-Ages But Paul gave them no Instruction or Canon for the Instituting of any New Order between Bishops or Elders and Deacons Therefore it is not credible that any such power was then given to other Bishops which he gave not to Timothy and Titus But as to others who say that the Apostles and Evangelists were then the only Bishops I answer de re we confess that these had power to go about to gather and settle Churches and de nomine whether such may be called Bishops let them quarrel that have nothing else to do But besides them every Town or Church had then their own fixed Bishop one or more and Deacons If Diocesans or Metropolitans will be Successors of the Itinerant Apostles and Evangelists or General Bishops let them restore to every Church their particular proper Bishops and not make Pastors that have not the power of the Keys As for them that say Paul includeth both Orders under the same names Bishops and Presbyters I answer Paul useth not only the same name but the same description and so the Order or Office also must be the same and both Name and Thing the same 2. Bishops are God's Stewards entrusted to govern by his Law and not Lords of his Church or of their Faith 3. By self-willed is meant self-conceited proud men that must be pleased and have their own will and cannot become all things lawful to all men for their good but will silence and excommunicate and reproach those that are most careful to do God's will if they do but cross their Wills and Canons 4. Not soon angry rather an angry wrathful man The rest see on 1 Tim. 3. 8. But a lover of hospitality a lover of good men sober just holy temperate 8. But one that loveth to entertain men in his house a lover of goodness and good men of a sound and sober mind righteous holy as devoted to God continent and abstemious 9. Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers 9. Faithfully holding fast the word of Faith even that which we have preacht and taught from Christ that so he may be able to use sound doctrine both in Exhortation and in Confutation of Opposers 10. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers specially they of the circumcision 11. Whose mouths must be stopped who subvert whole houses teaching things which they ought not for filthy lucres sake 10 11. For there are many disorderly and unruly foolish vain talkers deceivers of mens Judgments specially those Jewish corrupt Christians before oft described Note That here it appeareth whom Paul meaneth in his Invectives in many Epistles even those mentioned Acts 15. that would have made Christianity but a Supplement to Moses Law and not Gnosticks only or chiefly Ebion and Cerinthus were of the worser degenerate sort of them and the Nicolaitans next 2 Note That Paul meaneth not stopping the Seducers mouths by force but by confutation by the word For Titus had no power of the Sword 3 Note That so great is the weakness and unstedfastness of many Christians that whole housholds may be subverted by the most gross deceivers If the Apostles Converts were such no wonder if ours be so 12 13. One of themselves even a prophet of their own said The Cretians are
for us which thence he will bestow 13. For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh 13. If these be by Divine Institution effectual against corporal Legal uncleanness by a ceremonial Sanctification the figure of the spiritual 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God 14. Most certainly then shall the Blood of Christ who by the Eternal Spirit offered himself Soul and Body a spotless Sacrifice to God the Soveraign Righteous Judge to cleanse Soul and Conscience from the power and guilt of dead works which signifie a death in sin and tend to death for sin to serve the Living God who will accept us to an Everlasting Life Note By the Eternal Spirit by which Christ offered himself some Expositors understand Christ's Immortal Soul voluntarily resigning his Life 2. Others understand the Holy Ghost the Third Person in the Trinity by whom Christ is said to be conceived and to do his Miracles 3. Others understand his own Divine Nature as the Second Person It 's hard to be sure which is meant but it is of no great moment seeing it is certain that indeed he did it by all these three There is a fourth Opinion of some that understand it of a prime superangelical Nature of Christ which they think by Eternal Emanation cometh from the Deity united to it which they make a middle Third Nature in Christ and in which they suppose it is that as a Creature he is advanced above all Angels because they take Angels and Men to to be specie distinct and that if Humane Nature must be set above Angels in it self it must thereby change its species and be no more humane But to be wise to sobriety in such Mysteries is safe and not to presume 15. And for this cause he is the mediatour of the new testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance 15. And for this cause Christ became Mediator between God and Man to procure seal and promulgate the New Covenant or Law of Grace that his death doing that which no other Sacrifice could do in expiation of the Jews sins committed under the Mosaical Covenant as well as of the rest of the World they which are by his call made sound Believers might by promise be secured of the Eternal Inheritance and possessed of it in due time 16. For where a testament is there must also of necessity be the death of the testatour 17. For a testament is of force after men are dead otherwise it is of no strength at all whilest the testatour liveth 16 17. And Christ being by his Sponsion to be a Sacrifice his Donation doth presuppose his Purchase and thence his Covenant hath also the nature of a Testament which supposeth the death of the Testator and is not of efficacy till then to give full right to what he bequeatheth Note That the eminent Evangelical Kingdom of the Mediator in its last full Edition called the Kingdom of Christ and of Heaven distinct from the obscure state of Promise before Christ's Incarnation began at Christ's Resurrection Ascension and sending of the eminent Gift of the Holy Ghost and was but as an Embrio before 18. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without bloud 18. Therefore the first as figurative of the second was consecrated and sealed in blood 19. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law he took the bloud of calves and of goats with water and scarlet wool and hyssop and sprinkled both the Book and all the people 20. Saying This is the bloud of the Testament which God hath enjoyned unto you 21. Moreover he sprinkled with bloud both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry 22. And almost all things are by the law purged with bloud and without shedding of bloud is no remission 19 20 21 22. Note 1. God purposely instituted all these bloody Purifications to prefigure Christ 2. The Custom of sacrificing from the Fall must arise from Divine Institution and not without it from natural Invention as some now affirm And no doubt but it is propagated among all Idolaters through the World 1. By Tradition from Adam 2. Corrupted by Devils who would be worshipped as God and to that end promote the imitation of God 3. The Papists sprinkling of Holy Water is such another corrupt imitation setting up their Ceremony instead of Gods which Christ abolished 23. It was therefore necessary that the patterns in things in the heavens should be purified with these but the heavenly things themselves with better Sacrifices than these 23. These Ceremonies being ordained to prefigure and notifie things that are in Heaven and belong to Heaven it was meet that such blood should be the purifying Ceremony But the heavenly things themselves must be purchased and the Souls fitted for it purified and the Covenant consecrated by a more precious Sacrifice even the blood of the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the World 24. For Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us 24. For it was not to officiate in a Tabernacle made by man that Christ became our High Priest but though his Sacrifice was offered on Earth it was to officiate by continued Intercession for us in the Heavens in the presence of God's Glory of which the other was but a Type 25. Nor yet that he should offer himself often as the high priest entreth into the holy place every year with blood of others 26. For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself 25 26. Note 1. Christ's once offering was sufficient It may oft be commemorated but only once done 2. It is unspeakable joy to Believers that Christ is for us as our High Priest entred into Heaven For he hath promised that we shall be with him where he is And where else now should we desire to be 3. The days of Christ here were the declining latter part of the World called the end as fifty or sixty years old is the end that is the latter part of man's Life How near then is it now to an end 1684 after 27 28. And as it is appointed unto men once to die but after this the Judgment So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation 27 28. And as it is with the common state of
and all men according to your works Note Judging is either Justifying or Condemning and Executing accordingly Our first Justification which maketh us Just and so Accounts us is not according to any works strictly so called unless you will call it a work believingly to Accept a free gift Nor is our Justification in Judgment according to the works of the Law of Innocency or of Moses or any that can be thought to make the Reward not of Grace but of Debt But it is according to our performing the Covenant of Christianity made by Christ the condition of Salvation 24. But unto you I say and to the rest in Thyatira as many as have not this doctrine and which have not known the depths of Satan as they speak I will put upon you none other burden 25. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come 24 25. Note Some Copies have And and some leave it out If it be you and the rest it must mean you Pastors and the faithful People And this would shew that it is not One but Many Pastors that is meant by the Angel But if And be left out then the sense is All you of the Church that are not polluted with this filthy Doctrine which the pretenders to Wisdom call Profound Knowledge but is indeed the Depths of Satan I will put on you no new Doctrine nor Burden but charge you to hold fast that Apostolick Doctrine which you have received and wait in fidelity for my coming who will reward you 26. And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give power over the nations 27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers even as I have received of my Father 26 27. This Promise is diveâ—sly expounded 1. Some think that it is not the same persons then living to whom it is made but those that in Constantine's time are found persevering shall then be advanced by him to honour and power Others think that it is to the same persons and meaneth buâ— that they shall be made Bishops and convert many Heathens But all the Church could not be made Bishops and Bishops then were the greatest Sufferers and converting is not ruling and dashing them in pieces with an Iron Rod. The Phrase is fetcht from Psal 2. Others think that it is meant of the Heavenly power of faithful separated Souls and that after death the Saints joyn with Angels â—s invisible Rulers of this World And others think that it is meant of a thousand years Reign on Earâ—h before the last Judgment And others think it is meant of the state after Judgment and that the Damned shall be as Slaves to the glorified Saints It is certain that it signifieth a triumphant glorious state in Heaven but the â—est is dark to us I think it meaneth that they shall partake of Christ's Royal Power subserviently in their degree by which they shall now triumph over the World in faith and in time be delivered from men's Tyrannny and at Death initially and at Judgment fully shall with Christ judge the World of wicked Men and Angels which is here called Ruling them And it is not improbable that the miserable damned ones will be in some sort trod down by Christ and his Saints but how we yet know not By the Morning-Star seemeth meant Christ and his Spirit to shine on them in Glory 29. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches 29. Let none take themselves to be unconcerned in Christ's Message to his Churches for it is recorded for our common use and nearly concerneth us all CHAP. III. 1. ANd unto the angel of the church in Sardis write These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars I know thy works that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead 1. To the Angel that is the Pastors and People of the Church in Sardis Thus saith he who is the Lord of Angels and Ministers Note Though the Spirits before were named before Christ it was not as preferring them before him for he is here said to have them as he hath the Pastors I know what thou art and dost and that thou art reputed by men to be an excellent Church but thou art declined to a cold and decayed state even like to death Note Profession and outward Splendor make Churches and persons applauded that wanting the life and power of the Religion they profess are next to dead 2. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die for I have not found thy works perfect before God 2. Be awakned from thy Self-flattery and Coldness and revive and exercise that Good which yet thou hast that it may be strengthned for I find much Hypocrisie and Formality in thee and not that Soundness Seriousâ—ess and Zeal which God will require 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent If therefore thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee 3. Remember what Doctrine my Apostles taught thee and hold fast that and receive no other Repent of thy Back-sliding for if thou do not awake and watch in holy Preparation I will come upon thee with my Judgments as a Thief cometh on men asleep when thou art most fearless and dost least expect me 4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments and they shall walk with me in white for they are worthy 4. Though the greater part of that Church be as dead in their declining some few there are yet in it who have kept their Innocency from Heresie Vice and Cowardly Shrinking and these shall have the honourable Reward of their Uprightness for they are worthy of it according to the Law of Grace which promiseth it to such alone Note Yet these few Names are not commanded to separate from the rest 5. He that overcometh the same shall be clothed in white raiment and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life but I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels 5. He that overcometh in this Life of Tryal shall be cloathed with the Glory which signifieth the Reward of Innocency and is the mark of Dignity and Honour for such then was White Raiment and I will own him openly before my Father and his Angels as one who is enrolled as a Denison of Heaven among the Elect of God Note If White Garments now be seemly for conquering Saints they are unmeet for them that are overcome by the World and the love of its Honour Wealth and Power and by fleshly Lusts 6. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches 7. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write These things saith he
the Grace of sincere Righteousness and Holiness that thou bear not the shame of Hypocrisie and halting between Heresie or Infidelity and saving Truth and for the Illumination of my Spirit to know the danger of Heresie and Hypocrisie 19. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten be zealous therefore and repent 19. If I forsake you not but shew my love to you it will be by chastening you to revive your Care and Zeal If therefore you love not Chastening prevent it by Zeal and Reformation 20. Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me 20. I have my time of offering Mercy and desiring you to entertain it And if any man hear and obey this Call I will come in by my Spirit and take habitual Possession of him and have spiritual Communion with him and he with me Note Though it be not without the Grace of Christ that we open to him when he knocks and receive his offered special Grace yet in this he layeth so much on Man as to make our Opening that is our Accepting-Faith the Condition of his Entring for a fixed Habitation by habitual Love and Holiness On which account Divines use to say that Faith and Repentance wrought first in Conversion are the Conditions or Qualifications for consequent Justification and Sanctification 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his Throne 21. To him that overcometh all the Temptations of this Life so far as to keep his sincere Faith Love and Obedience to the End I will give a Participation in my Kingdom Power and Glory even as I obtained my Glory by overcoming Satan and the World Note This expoundeth what is meant before by Ruling the Nations with a Rod of Iron c. 22. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches 22. Note Let every man that hath an Ear and Heart lay close to heart these Reproofs Warnings and Promises of Christ to these seven Churches for it concerneth them all Again note that notwithstanding all Christ's Reproofs and Threatnings to many of these Churches he biddeth no one separate from them CHAP. IV. 1. AFter this I looked and behold a door was opened in heaven and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me which said Come up hither and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter 1. After this the Vision that I further saw was as if a Door had been opened into Heaven c. Note 1. Not that Heaven hath a Door but the Vision was to be suited to the Capacity of a Soul in Flesh 2. The Notices which advance Man's Understanding on Earth come all from Heaven 2. And thither must we look and seek if we will know the things of God 2. And immediately I was in the spirit and behold a throne was set in heaven and one sat on the throne 2. And immediately I was in an Extasie the Spirit acting me as above the Body And God revealing things according to my Capacity I thought I saw a Throne the Seat of Royal Glorious Majesty and a Royal Person sat on the Throne 3. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone and there was a rain-bow round about the throne in sight like unto an emerald 3. And the Power and Glory of him that sat on the Throne was represented to me as by the similitude of precious Stones a Jasper and a Sardine And his Glory and faithful keeping of his Covenant was represented to me by the Appearance of a Rain bow like an Emerald in colour round about the Throne 4. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting clothed in white raiment and they had on their heads crowns of gold 4. Note The Apparition being made to him that was a Jew was a Representation of the Jewish Camp in â—he Wilderness with the Tabernacle in the midst â—â—cording to which also the Temple-Worship was â—â—â—med to bear some similitude And the Christian-Assemblies had some resemblance to that Some think it relateth to the Church at Jerusalem which had say they twenty four Elders say some twelve Apostles and twelve Elders others that it is to the Bishop of Jerusalem and four and twenty City-Bishops of Judea who use to sit in Council with him who yet saith Dr. H. were then but the sole Pastors of single Assemblies without any other Elders under them but were after to have such Others think it intimateth that all Churches should unite in such Synods as consist of twelve Teaching Elders and twelve Ruling Elders that are not Teachers Rather all Churches and Pastors are signified by twenty four But all these are but mens unproved thoughts save only that in general the Vision appeared in resemblance of such an Assembly as is here described And it clearly intimateth 1. That the Elders have a proper Dignity and Honour and Power signified by their Seals and White Rayment and Crowns of Gold I would not have ignorant proud Lads that can but get a Lay-Patron to present them to a Benefice where they may live in the guilt of betraying Souls to call themselves these Elders nor to feign in White Rayment that they have Crowns of Gold 5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne which are the seven spirits of God 5. Note 1. The Glory and Terrour of the heavenly Apparition is thus expressed From the similitude of the Temple-Worship and more fully of the Church-Worship and Sacred Assemblies whence must proceed the Light of Doctrine the Thunder of Reproof and just Censures and the Voices of common Consent and Praises to God Whether it signifie the scorching Lightnings and Thunderingâ— Excommunications of Lay-Chancellors Officials Surrogates Commissaries c. that use an absent Bishop's name over not one Parish only but many score or hundred Parish-Churches I leave to the Arguments of the Affirmers 2. The seven Lamps are expounded of the seven Spirits of God relating as some suppose to the Lamps which were continually to burn before the Tabernacle Exod. 17.20 and after before the Temple And as others think to the seven Deacons at Jerusalem Others think it is the seven Guardian Angels of the Asian Churches to whom John specially directeth all this Book though for the use of all others But of this and other such passages the great doubt is whether really there be not in the Spiritual World which John saw such things as he describeth and the Institutions about Tabernacle Temple and Church-Assembles be not formed to some resemblance of these Or whether all be spoken only of the things below of
and the last e're long To understand and believe this Prophecy will be comfortable But to keep the Precepts of it avoid the Sins threatned believe the Promise of my Victories and Coming and wait in Patience is needful to all 8. And I John saw these things and heard them And when I had heard and seen I fell down to worshp before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things 8. Note All faulty Worship of Angels is not Idolatry nor maketh a Church Idolatrous It was not Divine Worship which John gave the Angel If really he wrote most of this Book against Popish Idolatry as many think he would never be twice guilty of worse than their praying to Angels and Saints themselves whom he condemned For they worship them noâ— as Gods though amiss John thought Venerâ—tion was the Angels due 9. Then saith he unto me See thou do it not for I am thy fellow-servant and of thy brethren the prophets and of them which keep the sayings of this book worship God 9. See before cap. 19.10 God is jealous of any thing too like Idolatry Note Are Angels our fellow-servants love them then and be thankful to God for their Love and Help and rejoyce in this privileage and think it not unlikely that you should live with them for ever O what a people should we be then in holiness 10. And he saith unto me Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book for the time is at hand 10. The most of it is to be performed ere long in the ruine of the Pagan persecuting Empire 11. He that is unjust let him be unjust still and he which is filthy let him be filthy still and he that is righteous let him be righteous still and he that is holy let him be holy still 12. And behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be 11 12. I come quickly to fulfil and execute this Prophecy and then I will take and judge men as I find them there shall be no more place for preparation as it was with the wise and foolish Virgins Matth. 25. when the midnight cry was The Bridegroom cometh as I find you I will use you 13. I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending the first and the last 13. I am God eâ—â—rnal the first cause and ultimate end of all things able to fulfil my Will and Word 14. Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city 14. Blessed are they that do what Christ requireth to Salvation in his Law of Grace or purifie their heart and life that they may by his free gift have right to enter into the New Jerusalem and live with Christ for ever 15. For without are dogs and sorcerers and whoremongers and murderers and idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie 15. For all filthy cruel persecuting Idolatrous persons and Lyars and deceitful Teâ—chers and Hypocrites though called Christians are shut out of the holy City as Dogs are turned out of the house 16. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testifie unto you these things in the churches I am the root and the off-spring of David and the bright and morning Star 16. I Jesus have sent my Angel to tell these things to John that he may tell them to the Churches of Asia and by them to others the matter much concerning those Churches then alive Take these as my own Words who am the Messiah prophesied of as the Root and Son of David and am the Light of the World sent to teach men the way of life 17. And the Spirit and the Bride say come And let him that is athirst come And whosoever will let him take the water of life freely 17. And seeing Church-deliverance now and the Glory of the New Jerusalem at last are the effects of my coming as my Spirit teacheth men to desire my coming and my Church and Chosen do desire it so let all desire it that wouâ—d partake of that felicity For all shall have it by my free gift who do but bâ—lievingly desire it For I will shut out none but final obstinate refusers 18. For I testifie unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book If any man shall add unto these things God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book 19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy God shall take away his part out of the book of life and out of the holy city and from the things which are written in this book 18 19. If any wilfully corrupt this Prophecy in words or sense to draw men from believing it to the belief of their own corrupt Additions God will add to them his Plagues and deprive them of any part of the blessings here foretold and shut them out of this holy City of God Note It 's dangerous then to make bold Cabalistical Fanatick Expositions of this Book and to call our own conceits the sense of the Revelation And it 's dangerous groundlesly to expect more Prophecies of God's usage of his Church or to add to any of his Word or dimâ—nish from it and father any of our Errours on Christ and on his Spirit which hath here finished that Book which must be the universal Churches Rule of Life 20. He which testifieth these things saith Surely I come quickly Amen Even so Come Lord Jesus 20. Jesus who is the Author of this Revelation surely promiseth that he will come quickly by degrees to perform all his word and chargeth you not to question it through unbelief or to saiâ—t by doubting as if he did fall by his delay And let us all with Faith hope and desire prepare and earnestly pray for his coming Even so come Lord Jesus 21. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen 21. I conclude all with this best Request to God for you and Benediction to you that the Grace of our Lord Jesus which is our preparation for Glory and our earnest pledge and foretast of it may be with you to prepare you and Seal you up as the certain Heirs of that Blessed Sâ—ate and save you from all sin and Temptation and Enemies that would deprive you of it Amen An Advertisement READERS I Here give you notice which I desire you not to forget in the reading of this Paraphrase that it is but some General Notes and not a proper Exposition of the Revelations which I offer you And that I here confess to you that very much of it I understand not And if this offend any that say I should have better studied it I only say 1. That you suffer fools gladly seeing your selves are wise 2. That I am far below Dionysius Alexandrinus and most of the Ancient Fathers even Augustine himself who professed that they