notes on Ch. 2. Ver. 7. and Ch. 13. 9. and Ch. 22. 16 18. And they that hear Namely with Understanding as is said He read before those that could hear with understanding Or that understood in hearing and their Ears were attentive Neh. 8. 2. 3 8. So many times in Scripture hearing doth signifie understanding as is said of the builders of Babel that they may not hear to wit understand one anothers speech Gen. 11. 7. So A Nation whose tongue thou shalt not hear that is understand Deut. 18. 49. Isay 36. 11. So the Apostle saith no man heareth namely understandeth him 1 Cor. 14. 2. Mat. 13. 18. This is also included and contained in this Exercise of hearing And they that hear to wit receive and entertain This also appears to be included in hearing in this place because he presently adds and keep implying that they have received which act must be contained in hearing And so in other places hearing doth take in and signifie receiving or believing as where it is said Hear and your Souls shall live Isay 55. 3. And they that hear shall live Joh. 5. 25. which is the same with what Christ saith He that believeth in me though he were dead yet shall he live Joh. 11. 25. And keep those things which are written therein Namely Lay them up as a choice and excellent thing as the Holy Ghost saith My Son keep my Words and lay up my Commandments with thee keep my Commandments and live c. Prov. 7. 1 2. Ye shall lay up these my words in your heart Deut. 11. 18. And keep namely keep them safely and hide them in the midst of their hearts that none may take them away from them As the Holy Ghost saith take fast hold of Instruction let her not go keep her for she is thy life Prov. 4. 13. It is the work of Satan and his Instruments to steal away Gods Words from us if possibly they can It greatly behoves and concerns us then to keep them in our hearts as Luk. 2. 51. And so to keep those things written in this Book as not to add to or take from them our selves nor suffer any others so to do as is said Ch. 22. 7. Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the Prophesie of this Book For as is also in the close of that Chapter I testifie unto every man that heareth the words of the Prophesie of this Book If any man shall add unto these things God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book And if any man shall take away God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life and out of the Holy City c. Ver. 18 19. And keep c. Namely observe them and keep them to do them so whereas in one place it is said by Christ My Mother and my Brethren are these that hear the word of God and do it In another he saith Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it Compare Luk. 8. 21 with Ch. 11. 28. So Moses in one place saith keep therefore and do for this is your wisdom c. In another keep to do c. Deut. 4. 6. and ch 5. 1. So keep often signifies observe and do see Deut. 6. 17 18. and ch 7. 9 11. they are not blessed that hear understand and believe simply but also together therewith that keep lay up hold fast observe and do those things written in this Book so as to abstain from and deny the evils reproved perform the things required wait for the things promised and dread the evils threatned so as daily and continually to depart from iniquity c. These are the Subjects of the Blessedness here pronounced and assured who are found in this exercise or in these acts about this Object Only mind that he that readeth must also hear and keep or else he is not blessed Otherwise it would be said to him thou that teachest another teachest thou not thy self c. And what hast thou to do to declare my statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy mouth Seeing thou hatest Instruction and castest my words behind thee Rom. 2. 17 26. Mat. 7. 22 23. And in thus doing if he that readeth be of them also that hear and keep as such an one is first named here so he shall be preferred in the blessing They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness as the Stars for ever and ever Dan. 12. 3. 2. We have nextly to consider the blessedness of such person and persons so exercised Blessed is he and they c. Blessed They shall increase in knowledge and have their understandings still and further opened To him that hath shall be given and he shall have more abundantly For Blessed are their Eyes which see and their Ears which hear Mat. 13. 11 16 18. and ch 25. 28 29. The Eyes of them that see shall not be dim and the Ears of them that hear shall hearken Isa 32. 3. Then shall we know if we follow on to know the LORD Hos 6. 3 Blessed He will keep them who keep his Word from the evil of all Temptations and Tryals that shall come upon the World Rev. 3. 8 10. and from the evil of all Judgments that shall be in the Earth and which shall be executed upon the Inhabiters of the Earth Rev. 7. 2 3. and ch 22. 18. For Blessed are such He will keep them from every path of the destroyer Ps 17. 4. Blessed are the undefiled in the way who walk in the Law of the LORD Blessed are they that keep his Testimonies they also do no iniquity they walk in his ways Ps 119. 1 3. They shall not partake with others in their sins and so shall not partake with them in their Plagues Rev. 18. 4 5. Blessed They shall have their part in and continued in the Book of life and in the Holy City and in all the good and desirable things written in this Book Rev. 22. 7. with ver 19. And so when they dye in the Lord they shall be blessed from thenceforth For they shall rest from their Labours and their works shall follow them Rev. 14. 13. And in the first Resurrection they shall be Blessed and Holy They shall be raised out of the first death and on them the second shall have no power Rev. 20. 4 6. They shall be blessed for they shall be called to the Marriage-supper of the Lamb Rev. 19. 7 9. And shall be Priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years yea they shall reign for ever and ever Hence when the Holy Ghost had been describing the Glory of the New Jerusalem and shewing the pure River of the Water of Life and Tree of Life and assuring there should be no more Curse there but the Throne of God and of the Lamb and his Servants shall serve him And they shall see
so they on his behalf because he had begotten them thorow the Gospel yet some others did do so 2 Cor. 3. 1 3. see also 2 Cor. 8. 16 24. Phil. 2. 25 29. Col. 4. 10. 4. And however try all come they with never so goodly and specious pretences and this leads us unto another particular 2. Thou hast tried them and for this they are commended and therefore it is good for us to try them that bring a Doctrine to us though they say they are Apostles yea the rather to try them by how much the more they speak themselves for they are very suspitious who begin with a loud voice to proclaim their own goodness or exalt themselves He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own Glory Joh. 7. 18. Act. 5. 36. 2 Cor. 11. 13 20. To be sure they are unfaithful who make it their business to proclaim their own goodness Prov. 20. 6. It is good for us to try all things in those prophecyings we should not despise and not to receive without probation what they say who are and are known to us to be the Ministers of Christ and to have the lip of knowledg 1 Thes 5. 19 21. It was a noble and commendable thing in the Jews of Berea to search the Scriptures whether the things the true Apostles said were so or no Act. 17. 11 12. and when the Apostle writes to the Corinthians he saith unto them I speak unto wise men Judg ye what I say consider and prove whether it be right or no 1 Cor. 10. 15. and much rather should they be tried who are their own witnesses and concerning whom we have nothing to engage us to receive them but their own commendations of themselves and their own saying that they are Apostles Oh it is good for us to have our senses exercised to discern both good and evil Heb. 5. 14. Quest But some may say how may we try them that say they are Apostles and are not that we may find them and prove them liars Ans 1. If they pretend themselves to be Apostles in the first sense to wit extraordinary Ambassadours of Christ and that they have seen him and received some new Revelation from him not contained in the writings of the Apostles and Prophets or to have received their message immediatly from Christ it is easy to discern them and find out to be liars for the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ the twelve and Paul included were the last Apostles in this consideration 1 Cor. 4. 9. and Paul was the last man that saw Jesus Christ with bodily eys as he saith Last of all he was seen of me as of one born out of due time 1 Cor. 15. 8. and amongst those disciples and Apostles of Jesus Christ the law is bound up as the Prophet Isay prophetically saith speaking of Christ and in his person as is evident by comparing the scriptures Bind up the Testimony to wit as a Book is bound up when it is finished so as no more is to be added or put thereto seal the law among my disciples as a letter or other writing when it is sealed it is then concluded Isay 8. 16 18. with Heb. 2. 13. plainly giving us to understand that Christ hath so given forth the full of the testimony by the Apostles whom he chose as that there is no new or further revelation to be expected or received untill God shall send us Jesus again who now is preached to us And to this law and Testimony as thus bound up and sealed we are continually to have recourse and thereby in all things to be determined as to our faith and worship and if any man speak not according to his word we may be sure it is because there is no light in them Isay 8. 20. with 1 Joh. 4. 6. and at the conclusion of this book of the Revelation this is added to deter all from daring to pretend to any new or further Revelation For I testify together unto every Man that heareth the Words of the Prophecy of this Book If any Man shall adde unto these things God shall adde unto him the plagues that are written in this Book Rev. 22. 18. nay though they should come with signs and wonders yet they are to be rejected by us for our Saviour hath foretold that false Christs and false prophets should arise and shew great signs and wonders Mat. 24. 24. and concerning the Man of Sin the Apostle Paul saith whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders call'd lying â—not only because they are false for he may truly do great wonders but especially and fully because he doth them to confirm his lyes 2. Thes 2. 9 12. with Rev. 13. 13 14. need we have therefore to mind and consider and receive that caution which God gave to his people in former times If there arise among you a Prophet or Dreamer of dreams and giveth thee a sign or a wonder and the sign or the wonder come to pass whereof he spake unto thee saying Let us go after other Gods and serve them thou shalt not hearken unto the Words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams For the Lord your God proveth you â— Deut. 13. 1 3. nay though they have as it were angelical knowledge and an angelical life and conversation let them yet be an Anathema let them be accursed if they preach another Gospel besides that the Apostles those first trusters in Christ preached or the unfeigned believers received Gal. 1. 8 9. and ch 3. 1. and ch 5. 12. 2. If they say they are only ordinary messengers and Ministers of Christ and of the Church yet we may try them not only nor so much by their outward conversation for they may come in sheeps-clothing Mat. 7. 15. and appear very blameless in their lives amongst Men Phil. 3. 6. they may have a form of godliness upon them 2 Tim. 3. 1 5. But 1. If they confess not lift not up praise not magnify not Jesus Christ of Nazareth as already com'd in the flesh and the works finished in his own personal body they are false apostles â—alse prophets 1 Joh. 4. 1 3. 2 Joh. 7 9. 1 Cor. 16. 22. If they direct us to rejoyce in or come unto some other Person foundation Bread of life door of approach to God great and fundamental witness of God's love to sinners fountain of all spiritual blessings light High-priest mediatour besides Jesus Christ of Nazareth they are not of God and though they say they are apostles they are not so but are and are to be esteemed by us Liars 2. Or though they do confess the true Christ yet if they do it not in the words of the holy Prophets and apostles they are not of God 1 Joh. 4. 6. 2 Joh. 9. 11. yea if thou hast received and knowest Christs voice and knowest not theirs if it be a strange voice to thee reject it Joh. 10. 3 5 8. 1
Christ Jesus was a faithful and true Martyr in suffering for the Gospel even unto Death And this way also should his Servants after his Example bear witness of the Word of God in not loving their lives unto the Death as our Saviour saith to his Disciples He that hateth his life in this World shall keep it unto life eternal If any man serve me let him follow me let him deny himself and take up his Cross daily and follow me Or else he cannot be his Disciple nor faithfully and fully bear witness of his Testimony Joh. 12. 24 26. with Luk. 9. 23 24. and Ch. 14. 26 27 33. Verse 3. Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophesie and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand In this Verse we have to consider and mind 1. A Blessedness pronounced upon and assured unto some persons 2. The Reason of their blessedness especially 1. A blessedness pronounced upon and assured unto some persons Where consider 1. The Subjects of this blessedness 2. The blessedness of such person and persons 1. The Subjects of this blessedness He that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophesie c. Where again let us mind 1. The Object here intimately commended to us 2. The act or acts about this Object which render the persons so exercised blessed 1. The Object here intimately commended to us the words of this Prophesie Where we may note that this Book in general is a Book of Prophesie So oft-times it is signified to be as Ch. 22. 7. Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the Prophesie of this Book and seal not the sayings of the Prophesie of this Book v. 10. And again I testifie unto every man that heareth the words of the Prophesie of this Book if any man shall add c. And if any man shall take away from the words of the Book of this Prophesie God shall take away c. Ver. 18. 19. And the Angel saith to John Thou must prophesie again To signifie he had done so before Ch. 10. 11. And though Prophesie doth sometimes in Scripture signifie in general a preaching the Gospel and interpreting the word of God plainly and so speaking to men to edification and exhortation and comfort and so is distinguished from speaking with Tongues as 1 Cor. 14. 1 3. c. and so doth mean in some other places yet here it is to be taken in a more strict and proper acceptation to wit for prediction or fore-telling as plainly appears in that this is signified to be a Book which doth fore-declare things which are future and to come to pass See Ver. 1. To shew things which must come to pass So Ch. 4. 1. I will shew thee things which must be hereafter See also Ch. 1. 19. and Ch. 22. 6. And therefore it is a great and hurtful mistake to apply a great part of the Prophesie of this Book to that which was over and past before this Revelation was sent and signified to John to wit the Destruction of Jerusalem See the notes after on Ch. 2. Ver. 13. By which mistake all the Prophesies contained herein are misplaced and disordered And it is somewhat strange that he that could so much insist upon and lay such stress on the Word Shortly because it seemed to serve his design should take so little notice of this that this Book is a Book of Prophesie or Labour to invalidate and render forceless this so weighty and material a consideration And seeing it is a Book of Prophesie it appears to be the more hard to be understood And therefore as we should pray to God open our understandings to behold these mysterious things of his Law so should we also apply our hearts to the Testimony of Jesus namely to the Testimony of Jesus of which John bare witness before he received this Book For the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophesie Rev. 19. 10. with Ch. 1. 2. this is the Object here intimately commended to us The words of this Prophesie 2. We have next to consider the act or acts about this Object which render the Person and Persons so exercised Blessed viz. He that readeth and they that hear and keep those things which are written therein He that readeth may be either taken in a more general acceptation so as to be extended to any man that knows letters and can read it So the Scriptures might be read by any such in former times Mat. 12. 3 5. and Ch. 21. 16 42. and 22. 31. Act. 8. 28. So Reading is distinguished from Exhortation and Doctrine And this is a good and profitable exercise to be found and continued in and the way in which blessedness is to be met with in giving attendance thereto and therefore the Apostle Paul exhorts Timothy though a Bishop hereto that his profiting might appear to all 1 Tim. 4. 13 14 15. Or by He that readeth He may mean and intend such an one as readeth to others and opens the sense thereof to others and so as the Ministers did read the Law and Prophets in former times to the people Act. 13. 15 27. And as is said of their reading Moses Moses of old time hath in every City them that preach him being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath-day Act. 15. 21. Thus also it is said of Ezra the Priest and the Levites with him they caused the People to understand the Law so they read in the Book in the law of God distinctly and gave the sense and caused them to understand the reading Neh. 8. Ver. 2. 3. with Ver. 7 8. So King Belshazzar cried Whosoever shall read this writing and shew me the Interpretation thereof And when his wise-men could not thus read the writing Daniel was called for and the King said unto him I have even heard of thee that Light and Vnderstanding and Excellent Wisdom is found in thee And that thou canst interpret and dissolve doubts c. Then Daniel answered I will read the writing unto the King and make known to him the Interpretation Dan. 5. 7 8 11 14 16 17. See also Isay 29. 11. Luk. 4. 16 21. In this sense especially we are to understand this Phrase here He that readeth to wit with Understanding so as to open the sense make Interpretation and dissolve doubts as will appear if we diligently consider both that it goeth before hearing in this place and as the Apostle saith How shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard And how shall they hear without a Preacher And how shall they preach except they be sent Rom. 10. 14 15 17. As also he here speaketh of the Reader as of one but of the hearers as of more He that readeth and they that hear And they that hear Namely hear attentively or hear in hearing with that Ear that is given to them preventingly by God as is said to every one of the Churches see
made us a Kingdom of Priests to wit A Kingdom or Holy Nation now to offer up spiritual Sacrifices And that no more is meant here and in ch 5. 8 10. To which I say 1. It is true he hath so made them that come unto him in the drawings of the Father He hath washed them and made them a Kingdom of Priests as Exod. 19. 4 5. A Royal or Kingly Priesthood 1 Pet. 2. 4 5 7 9. But 2. Sure this is not all that is meant by this expression It is very dangerous to add to or take away from the words of the Book of this Prophesie ch 22. 18 19. And therefore we shall look upon the words as they are exprest To wit He hath made us Kings not now to reign as we shall doe hereafter for now they are sufferers with Christ To them that may now be applied I have seen Servants upon Horses and Princes walking as Servants upon the Earth Eccl. 10. 7. Indeed some there are who conceit and dream that now they are full now they are rich they have reigned as Kings without the residue of their Brethren but this is but in their own Imagination Unto some such it may be said I would to God ye did reign that we also might reign with you for herein one shall not prevent another but they shall be glorified together This Honour all his Saints and Holy Ones shall have together 1 Cor. 4. 8. Rom. 8. 16 18. Ps 149. 9. they may be Kings who yet have actually received no Kingdom Rev. 17. 12. So it is with these they are Kings though they now reign not as they shall do For these he hath prepared a Kingdom Mat. 25. 34. In my Fathers House saith Christ are many Mansions I go to prepare a place for you Joh. 14. 2 3. Mat. 20. 23. Mark 10. 40. 1 Cor. 2. 9. Heb. 11. 16. 2. He is preparing and working them for this self-same thing they are the Vessels of Mercy whom he hath before prepared unto Glory Rom. 9. 23. And so he hath made us Kings that is to say 1. He hath begotten us of Royal Seed in a Spiritual Consideration of the Seed of the Kingdom as 2 Kings 11. 1. and ch 25. 25. He hath begotten us with the Word of truth the Word of the Kingdom as the Gospel is called because hereby the Kingdom is discovered and brought nigh to us Luk. 10. 9 11. And they are begotten to the Kingdom that heartily receive it and are the Children of the Kingdom Mat. 13. 19 38. and so heirs of it Rom. 8. 17. Jam. 2. 5. They are â—â—rn of Water and of the Spirit of the free and immense love of God to the World of Mankind as manifested by the Spirit in lifting up the Son of Man in the Gospel and so are delivered from the Power of Darkness and translated into the Kingdom of the Son of God's Love Joh. 3. 3 5 7. Col. 1. 13. They are born of the kindness and love of God to Man-ward which is manifested in Christ's tasting Death for every Man and being raised again for their justification And so are begotten to a lively hope by the Resurrection of Christ from the dead to an Inheritance incorruptible and undefiled c. Tit. 3. 4 5. 1 Pet. 1. 3 5. 2. He hath washed us from our Sins in his own Blood as before Gal. 5. 19 20. He gave himself for his Church that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word that he might present it to himself a glorious Church c. Eph. 5. 5 25 27. and so he is making them partakers of his Holiness without which no Man shall see the Lord Heb. 12. 14. Rev. 21. 27. he is baptizing them still and further with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Tit. 3. 4 7. Mat. 19. 29. Rev. 5. 9 10. 3. He is anointing them with Holy Oyl even with his Spirit with the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation with the Spirit of Grace and Supplication and by this Spirit he is sealing them to the Day of Redemption and giving this to them as an earnest of the Inheritance 2 Cor. 1. 21 22. Eph. 1. 13 14. and ch 4. 30. as David was anointed King before he reigned so they have an unction from the Holy one 1 Joh. 2. 20 21 27. 4. He is clothing them with the Robe of Righteousness Isay 61. 10. and with the fruits of Righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the Praise and Glory of God Phil. 1. 11. with the fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5. 22 23. Eph. 5. 9. that so an entrance may be ministred to them abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Mat. 5. 5 9. 2 Pet. 1. 5 11. 4. He hath appointed to them a Kingdom Luk. 22. 29. and is giving it to them in the gracious and spiritual administration of it and by Faith possessing them of the Riches and Priviledges thereof which are not Meat and Drink but Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. they have received the first-fruits of the Spirit Rom. 8. 23. they are receiving the Kingdom that cannot be shaken Heb. 12. 28. though they are as having nothing yet by faith they are as possessing all things 2 Cor. 6. 10. and they shall reign on the Earth Rev. 5. 8 10. And Priests He hath also made them Spiritual Priests 1. By a birth from himself they are the Children whom God hath given to him who is the everlasting Father Heb. 2. 13. Isay 9. 6. And as in former times those who were born of Aaron were Priests Exod. 28. 1 40 41. so now those and those only who are born of Jesus Christ the only High-priest are made a Spiritual House an Holy Priest-hood 1 Pet. 2. 4 5 9. And that they may minister unto the Lord 2. He washeth them cloathes them anoints them as answering unto our Types Exod. 29. 4 5. and ch 28. 40 41. and ch 40. 12. 16. 3. And thus fitted and prepared they are Priests to minister unto God and to offer Sacrifices not bodily Sacrifices as formerly but Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 5. To offer unto him broken and contrite hearts Ps 51. 17. Isay 66. 1 3. To present their bodies unto him a living Sacrifice holy acceptable a reasonable service Rom. 12. 1. To pray unto him and pour out their hearts before him Ps 62. 8. and 141. 2. Rev. 5. 8. To offer up the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving unto God continually the Calves or Fruit of their Lips Ps 50. 14. and 107. 22. Heb. 13. 15. To shew forth his praises who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light 1 Pet. 2. 5 9. and not forget to do good and to communicate for with such Sacrifices being offered by Christ God is well-pleased Hos 6. 6. Heb. 13. 16. Phil. 4. 18. To him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever Vnto
18 19. Write This commandment was given to him when he could not be personally useful to the Churches as formerly he had been he was now in the Isle of Patmos And now when he could not be useful to them with his Tongue he might be useful with his Pen and is commanded and instructed so to be So the Epistles written by Paul c. were so when they were absent from them in body and some of them when the writer was in bonds and a prisoner as that to the Ephesians the first Church here named Eph. 3. 1. and ch 4. 1. he was an Ambassadour of Christ by his Pen when he was in bonds Eph. 6. 20. so that to the Philippians was written also when he was under restraint Phil. 1. 12 14 30. and that to the Colossians ch 4. 18. and the second Epistle to Timothy 2 Tim. 1. 8. and ch 4. 16 18. and that to Philemon v. 1 9. Thus we may converse on with another when we are absent one from another and it might encourage and provoke us to bring up ours to writing that they may the better receive or do good Write in a Book So there is mention made of the Book of Moses Mark 12. 26. the Book of the Psalms Luk. 20. 42. the Book of the Prophets Acts 7. 42. and so this Revelation was to be written in a Book not in loose papers which might be more easily lost but in a Book for a memorial to preserve it to posterity Exod. 17. 14. In a Book of Remembrance Mal. 3. 16. So Job when he is about to declare the root of the Matter wisheth Oh that my words were now written Oh that they were printed in a Book Joh. 19. 23 28. This writting in a Book is a blessed means for conveying the word of God to posterity and for the perpetuating it in the Records thereof Hence the Lord saith unto the prophet Now go write it before them in a Table and note it in a Book that it may be for the time to come for the latter day for ever and ever Isay 30. 8. And God hath severely threatned to Judg that man that shall add to or take away from the words of the Book of this prophecy ch 22. 18 19. Write in a Book When Christ's Servants are banished or in Prison God may order such liberty to them and so far restrain the wrath of their enemies as to give them the liberty of their Pens he can give them what favour he pleaseth in the sight of them whose prisoners or exiles they are he can give them compassion before them whose captives or Prisoners they are that they may have compassion on them 1 King 8. 50. so God brought Daniel into favour and render love with the Prince of the Eunuches Dan. 1. 9. and Julius courteously entreated Paul when he was a prisoner and gave him liberty to go unto his Friends to refresh himself Acts 27. 1 3. And when he came to Rome he dwelt two whole years in his own hired house and received all that came unto him preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence no man forbidding him Acts 28. 30 31. So here when John was in banishment under an Heathen Governour yet he had liberty to write So Paul had also this freedom when he was in Prison to write Epistles to the Churches as we have seen Gen. 39. 21. Christ gave them more favour under heathen Kings and Governours than some such as are called and call themselves by the name of Christians 2. And send it He was not to keep it by him or to keep it to himself alone but to impart it to others From whence in general we may observe God doth not give Gifts for their use only to whom they are given but for the good of others also No Man lighteth a Candle to put it under a Bushel or under a Bed but in a Candlestick and it giveth light to all that are in the House Mat. 5. 13 16. with Mark 4. 21. Mat. 25. 24 29. They are Stewards of the manifold Grace of God to whom such Gifts are given and it is required in Stewards that a Man be found faithful 1 Cor. 4. 1 2. with 1 Pet. 4. 10 11. and 1 Cor. 9. 16 17. And indeed this is the way to have more committed in being faithful in that Men have There is that scattereth and yet increaseth and there is that with-holdeth more than is meet and it tendeth to poverty The liberal Soul shall be made fat and he that watereth shall be watered also himself Prov. 11. 24 25. and ch 15. 7. Mat. 13. 12. And were such as have the word of reconciliation put into their hearts and fitted to their lips more diligent and faithful in imparting their Gifts Labours and Writings they should more increase in the knowledge of God but too oft that may be applied to them The slothful Man rosteth not that which he took in hunting Prov. 12. 27. What they have met with and attained unto by search and meditation they prepare not for their own and others good and profit but let it lye as useless and unprofitable by them though this Revelation was sent and signified unto the Apostle John first yet it was not for him only Verse 1. And send it not carry it he was in exile and he was not commanded to break Prison as it were but he was to submit himself and take it patiently though he suffered for well-doing and herein Christ hath set us an example that we should follow his steps 1 Pet. 2. 20 21 23. And send it Though he could not carry it himself yet such favour Christ gave him that he might send it and a Messenger he should have Some of Christ's Brethren are at liberty when others are in bonds Mat. 25. 36. Col. 4. 7 8 18. Phil. 1. 12 13. with ch 2. 28. Behold saith our Saviour the Devil shall cast some of you into Prison that ye may be tried See the notes on ch 2. v. 10 All are not restrained at once Eph. 6. 20 22. Mercy is herein shewn 3. To whom he should send it Vnto the seven Churches which are in Asia c. So at the end of every Epistle it is said what the Spirit saith unto the Churches ch 2. and ch 3. and ch 22. 16. To these Churches he was commanded to send what he wrote All things are theirs whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas c. 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. The Apostles acknowledged themselves their Servants for Jesus's sake and say All things are for your sakes 2 Cor. 4. 5 15. and ch 1. 6. And to them because these things appertain to and may be understood by them v. 4. Mat. 13. 11. Ps 25. 14. And therefore it is an evil and foolish thing to forbid such to look into this Book for it was sent to them and not only so but every one that hath an Ear
with ch 13. 1. And such as denied the holy one and the just and desired a murderer to be granted to them and killed the Prince of life yet having repented their sins shall be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord Acts 3. 14 15 19. 2. And I will not blot out his name out of the Book of life This is also assured to him that overcometh whoever he be or whatever he hath been whether to him that is turned aside and is recovered and healed or unto him that hath abidden faithful and hath not wickedly departed from the Lord. Now in this branch of blessedness is signified to us 1. There is a Book of life in which Men's names are written 2. That it is possible some mens names may be blotted out of this Book 3. His name that overcometh shall not be blotted out of this Book of life 1. That there is a book of life in which the names of Men are writen and so we say and shew that there is a book of life 1. More general which is called the book of the living Ps 69. 28. and in this book all Mens names are written while they are joyned to all the living as ungodly ones sinners and enemies even in the testimony of God concerning Christ as the subjects of the kindness and pity of God and of Christ's redemption For God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son for God sent not his Son into the World to condemn the World but that the World thorow him might be saved Joâ— 3. 16 17. while we were yet without strength Christ died for the ungodly God commâ—ndeth his love to us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us he died for all even for all of mankind that were dead and gave his flesh for the life of the world and hath obtained for all Men a justification of life from the first condemnation So as all Men in their several ages have a comfortable injoyment of their lives and of Gods mercies vouchsafed to them and that to a gracious end that they which live should not henceforth live to themselves but to him that died for them and rose again Rom. 5. 6 8 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. Rom. 5 18. and while they are joyned to all the living there is hope Eccles 9. 4. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners 1 Tim. 1. 15. he once suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring them to God 1 Pet. 3. 18. and in him God hath given to us Mankind eternal life 1 Joh. 5. 10 11. But this book is not here directly spoken of for here such a Book of life is spoken of in which the names of overcomers and after they have overcome are written 2. There is also a special Book of life spoken of and mentioned in the Scripture And this I conceive is twofold That is to say 1. One in which some Mens names are written who shall not be raised in the first resurrection nor reign with Christ on earth and yet shall have eternal life when they are raised in the general and second resurrection Of this Book of life mention is made in Rev. 20. In which chapter is first declared to us that those that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God and which had not worshipt the beast neither his image neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand yeers But the rest of the dead lived not again untill the thousand yeers were finished This is the first resurrection v. 4 5 6. and then after the thousand yeers were expired he saw the dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened c. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire v. 11. 15. In which Scripture it plainly appears that there is a Book of life in which the names of some are written who are not raised in the first resurrection nor shall reingn with Christ and the Children of the first resurrection nor yet be cast into the lake of fire but shall at the last day have eternal life And in this book may be written the names of such little ones as died in their incapacity and before they came to the use of understanding and who were not circumcised or baptized when time was afforded and liberty given but their parents or those under whose care or charge they were neglected or stubbornly refused And so speaking of this general resurrection and after mentioning the book of life he saith I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the small are first spoken of And the Lord said to Abraham in former times the uncircumcised manchild whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised that Soul shall be cut off from his people Gen. 17. 12 14. and so shall not partake of that inheritance of the land of Canaan promised to Abraham and his seed but not yet performed Because he is cut off from that people For the neglect hereof the Lord met and sought to kill Moses Exod. 4. 24 26. howbeit the eternal judgment and last resurrection they shall not miss of eternal life Ezek. 18. 2 3. Jer. 31. 29 30. And in this Book of life may be written the names of such fearers of God amongst the gentiles as have not been brought into the family of Abraham or Church of Christ and who have not had while in mortal bodies any distinct knowledge of the mediatour Act. 10. 34. Ps 115. 9 11. who though they are not the subjects of that covenant made with Abraham for himself and his seed which covenant was confirmed of God in Christ Gen. 17. 7 8 with Rom. 4. 9 13. yet are accepted of God and shall partake of eternal life Acts 10. 34. Rom. 2. 26 27. and all their names also may be written herein who are converted to Christ after his descension from Heaven during his reign with the Children of the first resurrection upon the earth Isay 65. 20. 22. But we shall adde no more to this particular in this place 2. There is another Book a more special book called the book of life and the Lamb's book of life Rev. 13. 8. and ch 21. 27. In which are written the names of such as believed in Christ as witnessed by the Prophets in former times and of such as believe in him as he is now revealed to us by the Apostles of the lamb which is called the book of the righteous Ps 69. 28. and the writing of the house of Israel Ezek. 13. 9. whose names are written in Heaven Luke 10. 20. Heb. 12. 23. and all such Children as have been brought into the congregation of the Lord and died before they came to yeers of discretion
with this right hand he will subdue and conquer still all his enemies His right hand shall find out those that hate him Psal 21. 8-11 And yet with this right hand in which this Book is he will save all them from evil who hearken unto and put their trust in him Psal 17. 7. Cant. 2. 6. and chap. 8. 6. Isa 49. 6. Psal 139. 10. This Book is in his right hand of power who hath prepared and established his Throne in the Heavens and whose Kingdom ruleth over all Psal 103. 19. 2. It is in the right hand of his righteousness and faithfulness Isa 41. 10. The just Lord will do no iniquity even in his foreknowledge or judgings Zeph. 3. 5. Deut. 31. 26-29 with chap. 32. 3-5 He is excellent in power and in judgement and in plenty of Justice He will not afflict Job 32. 23. All that is contained in this Book is full of righteousness It is in his right hand which is full of righteousness and in all He will be known in the Palaces of Zion for a Refuge and Sanctuary Psal 48. 3-10 One he is who will righteously and faithfully perform all which is in this Book not one thing of it shall fail as Isa 34. 2-5 16. Jer. 25. 18. He will certainly perform all written therein and he will righteously also do it He is not like unto them whose right hand is a right hand of falshood Psal 144. 8. 11. or in whose right hand is a lie Isa 44. 20. But he is the righteous Lord who loveth righteousness Psal 11. 7. and in righteousness he doth judge and make war Rev. 19. 11. It 's in the right hand of him that sits in the throne judging right Psal 9 4. 3. In his right hand May also possibly denote to us the excellency and preciousness of its contents or how highly it is valued by him that sits upon the throne As those persons or things which are preferred to or more excellent than others are taken into or placed on the right hand Isa 48. 13 14 17 18. 1 Kings 2. 19. And hereby also may be meant and signified the safety and secrecy of the Contents of this Book To which more after 3. What he saw of or concerning this Book And that is 1. Somewhat of the writing of it It was written within and on the back-side that is It was written within and without As Back-side is opposed to within And as it is in a Roll when rolled up The inmost part is that within and the other that on the back-side for so their Books were formerly in Rolls rolled up together whereto respect is had when it is said The Heaven departed as a Book or Scroll when it is rolled together Rev. 6. 14. And many times in Jer. 36. The same thing is sometimes called the Roll of a Book sometimes a Book as may be seen in comparing verse 2 4 6. with verse 8. 10 11 13. and verse 14. with verse 18. and verse 23 27 28 29. with verse 32. See Ezra 6. 1. And in that this Book or Roll is said to be written within and on the back-side or without So we may thereby understand that it was perfected and filled up It was ordinary to write but on the fore-side or within But this Book was fully written or filled up with Writing on both sides yet so as to to leave room or place for the Seals His work herein and in all things is perfect Deut. 32. 4. And so it was like unto that Roll given to Ezekiel Of which it is said When I looked behold an Hand was sent unto me and lo a Roll of a Book was therein and he spread it before me and it was written within and without and there was written therein lamentations and mourning and wo Ezek. 2. 8 9 10. And in that it is said to be written perfectly while it was in the right hand of him that sate on the Throne and before it was taken out So we may learn that what was written in the Volume or Roll of this Book was not of Mans Writing but the Writing was the Writing of God as Exod. 32. 16. It was Written with the Finger of God as Exod. 31. 18. To wit with the Holy Spirit compare Luke 11. 20. with Matth. 12. 28. And so it was very excellent and all in it true no mistake or error therein for the Spirit is the Spirit of Truth yea the Truth John 15. 26. 1 John 5. 6. 2. He also declares to us somewhat of the Sealing of this Book It was Sealed with seven Seals that is to say it was most perfectly sealed As the word seven is a number of perfection and so oft used in this Book and in many other places See the Notes after on verse 6. of this Chapter And we may not conceive that the Seals were altogether in one place at the opening of this Book or Roll but in seven several places For if all had been together at the top or opening of it all must have been losed or opened at once and before any part of the Roll or Book could be lookt into or read but so it was not sealed but the seven Seals were in seven places and opened one after another as it is said The Lamb opened one or the first of the Seals and he opened afterward the second Seal and after that the third c. chap. 6. 1 3 5 7. 9 12. and chap. 8. 1. So as at the opening of every one of the seven Seals in order the Roll or Book is farther opened and some new matter appears and is discovered as may be seen in chap. 6. 1. 3. 5 c. And this Book or Roll may be said to be sealed 1. As sealing signifies authorizing a thing and making it valid and authentick or giving power or force thereto So the Letters or Decrees of Kings were sealed and so ratified established and authorized So Jezebel wrote Letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his Seal 1 Kings 21. 8. And the Letters which Ahasuerus gave Haman authority to write in his name were sealed with the Kings Ring Esth â— 10 12. And what was so sealed no man might reverse Esth 8. 8 10. Matth. 27. 65 66. So this Book was sealed it â—ad the authority of God upon it and power was with it and it was made sure and confirmed that he will certainly perform and accomplish it Isa 44. 26. The contents thereof are unalterable and unchangeable and it 's hâ—ghly valued by him as before Deut. 32. 34. 2. This Book was sealed with seven Seals that is compleated made an end of and finished so as no more was to be added to it As it is with a Letter when it is sealed up then there is no more to be put into it And as it is said to the same purpose Bind up the Testimony seal the Law among my Disciples Isa 8. 16. And whosoever shall add unto the things therein contained God will add
unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book 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 chap. 22. 18 19. 3. This Book is sealed with seven Seals and so secured from danger As those Persons whom he would preserve from evil had a mark set upon them Ezek. 9. 4 6. Or were sealed for safety and preservation Rev. 7. 3 8. and chap. 9. 4. So this Book had the Seals or Seal of the Living God upon it as chap. 7. 2. So as it shall not be destroyed or consumed as that Roll or Book was spoken of in Jer. 36. 2. 23. But he will preserve it from this generation for ever And so much also is implied in what is said of it before viz. That it is in the right hand of him that sits upon the Throne and so out of the reach of all evil danger and enemie whatsoever none is able to pluck it out of the right hand of the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for he is infinitely greater than all Creatures whatever as John 10. 27 -29 30. 4. And most especially and directly this Book is said to be sealed with seven seals to give us to understand that it is shut up hidden and secret so that if it had been delivered to one that is learned saying Read this he would answer I cannot for it is sealed as Isa 29. 11 12. So it is said to Daniel But thou O Daniel shut up the words and seal the Book even to the time of the end And again Go thy way Daniel for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end Dan. 12. 4 8 9. And as the voice from Heaven said to the Apostle John when he was about to write Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered and write them not Rev. 10. 4. So we are here to understand it principally This Book was shut or closed up so as no meer Creature was able to open it or to read it or look thereon or therein as it follows verse 2 3 4. And so sealed is opposed to open and signifies shut up or secâ—et as Jer. 32. 11 14. And this Book was shut up as with a Seal as it is Job 41. 15. Or shut up and sealed as Cant. 4. 12. Rev. 22. 10. It was even hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ as Eph. 3. 9. Most surely and perfectly closed up and hid as it were in the right hand of power of him that sate upon the Throne as we have seen before so as the most glorious and potent Creatures in Earth or in Heaven could not loose the Seals or look therein Verse 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 The Apostle John in this verse doth farther declare unto us 1. What was farther discovered to him and he saw to wit in Vision And I saw a strong Angel 2. What he saw concerning this strong Angel and that is propounded to us 1. More generally Proclaiming with a loud voice 2. More particularly the subject matter of this Proclamation by way of challenge Who is worthy to open the Book and to loose the Seals thereof 1. What was farther discovered unto the Apostle John And he saw to wit in Vision And I saw saith he a strong Angel It was an Angel that he saw which words denote not the nature of this Person but his Office though very likely he was one of those glorious Creatures which are most frequently so called yet as to their nature they are Spirits such as have not Flesh and Bones as Men have though sometimes they have appeared like Men. Of the Angels he saith Who maketh his Angels Spirits and his Ministers a Flame of Fire Heb. 1. 7. Luc. 24. 39. But this word Angel signifies to us here his Office and Mission He came not thus to Proclaim or Preach without being sent as Rom. 10. 15. Are they not all Ministring Spirits sent forth to Minister for them who shall be Heirs of Salvation Heb. 1. 14. They are his Ministers also that do his Pleasure Psal 103. 19 21. and Psal 104. 4. They are his Messengers who sit upon the Throne He sent his Angel and delivered his Servants that trusted in him Daniel 3. 28. He sent his Angel and shut the Lions Mouths that they did not hurt Daniel chap. 6. 22. He sent his Angel and delivered Peter out of the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the People of the Jews Acts 12. 9 11. Gen. 24. 7. 40. High Angels behold the Face of Christs Father which is in Heaven and attend to know his Will and do his Commandments Psal 103. 20. They run not before they are sent but wait his time and obey his Commands And hereby it doth appear that this Angel here spoken of was sent by him that sits upon the Throne that sits King for ever to make this following Proclamation And this is said to be a strong Angel surely to signifie to us that there are degrees amongst them in strength and some of them are stronger and mightier than other some Indeed all those glorious Spirits are mighty and excel other Creatures in strength as is signified to us when the Prophet saith Bless the Lord ye his Angels that excel in strength or mighty in strength Psal 103. 20. So whereas it is said in one place The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels or the Angels of his power 2 Thes 1. 7. In other places it is said simply He shall come with his Angels Matth. 16. 27. And all the Holy Angels with him Matth. 25. 31. Which signifies all the Holy Angels are mighty and powerful but yet it seems some of them do excel others in strength and power as some of them do excel others in dignity and as there are some called Thrones Dominions Principalities so some are called Powers Col. 1. 16. 1 Pet. 3. 22. As also some amongst the evil ones are so called Col. 2. 15. And as it is amongst men though all are rational Creatures yet some are much more rational than others are so it seems it is here Some are mightier than others and this here particularly is said to be a strong Angel So we read of a mighty or strong Angel Rev. 10. 1. Though that seems to mean the Angel of Gods presence to wit Christ and of an Angel having great power chap. 18. 1. And of a mighty or strong Angel chap. 18. 21. But how strong or mighty soever they or any of them are yet he that sits upon the Throne is higher than the highest of them and mightier than the strongest of them for he is the Lord God Almighty that can do every thing Rev.
A Commentary OR AN EXPOSITION WITH NOTES On the Five First CHAPTERS OF THE REVELATION OF JESVS CHRIST By CHARLES PHELPES Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the Words of this Prophecy and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand Rev. 1. 3. LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chappel 1678. Academiae Cantabrigiensis Liber To them that have heard Jesus in his Gospel and know and believe that he is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the World Christian Reader and beloved Friend HAving in my Family according to my weak ability read over the Scriptures of the Apostles which precede this Book of the Revelation and coming at last unto this Book of prophecy I had many thoughts arising in mine heart whether I should adventure to meddle with it or undertake to read it as I had done the former Scriptures written since the manifestation of Christ or not Manifold discouragements were ready at hand and presented themselves to hinder me therefrom As to say 1. The appearing difficulty of the things therein contained 2. Mine own childishness not in age so much as in understanding the first and more fundamental things of the testimony of Jesus which is the Spirit of prophecy Rev. 19. 10. and too too great carnality and fleshly-mindedness of both which I was a little made sensible though too much defective therein 3. The strange and contrary apprehensions of those very few learned Men whose Writings I have each to other concerning the meaning of the Holy Ghost in this Book 4. My great aloneness and want of such helps and helpers in the Lord as with whom I might with profit comfort and confidence have conferred and by whom I might have been assisted These and such like considerations were before me and had much impression upon me so as while I mused on and consulted them simply I was almost determined to make no entrance into the reading of this Book But again on the other hand many arguments also contained even in the beginning of the Book it self did some of them encourage me to make some entrance into it and however to consider and read the three first Chapters which appear more easy to be understood and others in reading them emboldened me to make further progress thereinto as to instance some of them a little 1. The Title of the Book It is called The Revelation c. to import and signify that it is not a sealed Book now but an opened and revealed Book Indeed had it been like the words spoken unto Daniel Dan. 12. 4 9. Or like to that Book before it was opened spoken of Rev. 5. 1 2 3 4. Or like to what the seven Thunders uttered Rev. 10. 4. It had been great sawciness and high presumption in me to have intruded or curiously pryed into it But it 's Title is The Revelation c. Rev. 1. v. 1. and ch 22. 10. 2. The consideration whose this Book is carries motive in it to move us to look into it viz. It is Jesus Christ's ch 1. 1. one 's who is an admirable lover of us And it is his 1. Given to him who is the Saviour and upon whom the Spirit is put immeasurably for the good of all Men and especially of them that believe Given to him by God the Father when he was exalted in our nature to the right hand of God who then gloriously received gifts in the Man and for Men c. Ps 68. 18. Acts 2. 33. 2. And it was given unto him to shew viz. to bring forth into light that it might be understood Now this encouraged me to pray unto the Lord And to call in some of my friends to joyn with me in praying unto him and in his name to reveal mine eyes to behold these wondrous things of his Law Remembring what gracious promises he had confirmed by his precious blood and propounded in his Gospel to that end Joh. 14. 13 14. and ch 16. 23 24. 3. The minding to whom he was to shew it viz. unto his Servants even to the Churches with some of which there were faults and great ones also found ch 1. 1 4 ii and ch 22. 6 16. and the persons called upon to hear and understand it to wit he that hath an ear as at the close of every of the seven Epistles to the seven Churches in ch 2. and ch 3. c. contributed something towards mine undertaking to look into and consider this Book 4. The person unto whom he sent and signified it by his Angel viz. to his Servant John who bare witness c. Rev. 1. 1 2. one who was a Man subject to like passions with others and an unlearned and ignorant Man c. see the notes on Rev. 1. v. 9. This also was not unuseful to me 5. The blessedness pronounced indefinitely on him that readeth and on them that hear c. ch 1. 3. without the exclusion of any who desire to fear his name put strength and resolution into me to make some entrance into and progress in reading this Book And indeed the whole Preface contains forcible and plentiful encouragements to search diligently into this Book of prophecy and such as are not ordinarily if ever found in any other Book or Epistle in the Bible in the beginning thereof These and such-like considerations moved me to wave my discouraging thoughts and not to be impeded thereby But to put my foot into those waters and wade therein as God gave me opportunity and ability This I desire of thee that thou take no one thing I have said on trust from me because I have said it I have been harmed my self by so doing from others and oft seen cause to let go what I so received and may still further see cause so to do Be warned by my harme and read over and over again and weigh diligently with the Text and Testimony of Christ what thou readest And what consents to wholesome words therein embrace and hold fast and what dissents therefrom reject And what is doubtful let alone till further light or help be afforded And the Lord give his blessing to what is consonant to his word therein and discover to me and deliver me from all my mistakes and evils in heart and way And make these Notes as profitable to thee as they have been painful to me I mean to my flesh Eccles 12. 12. I desire to be Thy Servant in and for Christ Charles Phelpes AN EXPOSITION On the first CHAPTER OF THE REVELATION Chap. 1. Verse 1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to shew unto his Servants things which must shortly come to pass And he sent and signified it by his Angel unto his Servant John THE Revelation of Jesus Christ This is the Title of this Book which is called by us The Revelation of St. John the Divine But not so well and properly or fully The Title
inhabits Eternity As if he should say The consideration of this one thing doth hugely conduce to the Believers being preserved from the errour of these Scoffers For say they where is the promise of his coming He hath promised to dissolve all these things and to make all things new new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness And this he hath promised long since to do in a little time Compare Hagg. 2. 6. with Hebr. 12. 26 28. But notwithstanding his promise all things continue as they were and therefore it is ridiculous to expect the accomplishment and performance of his promise But now the knowing and considering what a little time is with him that promised viz. that a thousand Years with him are as one Day with us and two thousand as two will greatly conduce to the preserving us from their mistakes and help us to know that though he be long-suffering yet the Day of the Lord will come and according to his promise he will make new Heavens and a new Earth 2 Pet. â— 8 10 13. So again the Prophet David some thousands of Years since thus prophesieth For yet a little while and the Wicked shall not be Yea thou shalt diligently consider his place and it shall not be But the meek shall inherit the Earth c. This promise of yet a little while is not yet fully performed though made so long time since as to us But alas it is but as three or four Days with the Lord Psal 37. 10 11. with Mat. 5. 5. See also Heb. 10. 37. How greatly have some learned Men lately mistaken about this Word shortly And how dangerous have been their mistake for from hence have proceeded such absurd mistakes as these That the Devil 's being bound that he should deceive the Nations no more spoken of in Revel 20. began in Constantine's time and then also was the first Resurrection And the thousand Years Reign of Christ and his Saints then also began which is nothing else as they dream but a time of Tranquillity and Halcyonian Days for serving God in this World which now is Whereas had they considered what shortly is with the Lord they would not hâ—ve begun so early with these things but have waited with Patience till the time come for the performance of these Prophecies See also Isay 54. 7. 8. 17. 2. Shortly as to the first of the things prophesied of and so of the following things successively like to that Gen. 41. 32. See further the Note on Verse 3. And he sent 1. This Revelation was given to Christ to shew unto his Servants but not immediately to be shewed by him to them but he doth it by his Angel So God in these last Days hath spoken to us by his Son but not all immediately by him but by the Holy Apostles also whom Christ sent into the World as the Father sent him into the World Joh. 17. 18 19. And yet by whomsoever he sends and speaks we do in receiving them receive him as he saith Verily Verily I say unto you He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me And he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me Joh. 13. 20. 2 Cor. 5. 20. 1 Thes 4. 8. He sent His faithfulness is herein assured to us he did not hide God's Righteousness within his Heart but declared God's Faithfulness and his Salvation c. Psal 40. 9 10. He was faithful in that hard and difficult work to him that appointed him He was not rebellious neither turned away back Isay 50. 5. 9. And he is so and remains so for ever Heb. 3. 1 2 6. He is the faithful and true Witness Rev. 1. 5. and Chap. 3. 14. A merciful and faithful High-priest in things pertaining to God Heb. 2. 17 18. And signified it Viz. 1. Declared it and made it known as Agabus signified by the Spirit that there should be great Dearth c. Acts 11. 28. And as Christ signified what manner of Death he should dye Joh. 10. 33. He made this known which was formerly hid 2. Notified it and set a Mark or Sign upon it as it were to denote the great weightiness of the things herein contained that we might seriously consider and give more earnest heed unto them By his Angel Which doth not mean the Holy Ghost For 1. He is never so called elsewhere and why should any conceive he is here so called unless some evident reason could be given for it 2. Because this Angel of Christ would not be worshipped by the Apostle John Rev. 19. 10. with Chap. 22. 8 9. Whereas the Holy Spirit is one God with the Father and Son and so to be worshipped by us For there are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Spirit and these three are one 1 Joh. 5. 7. And we are baptized in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost whose name is but one Mat. 28. 19. compare Isay 6. 1 3. 10. with Acts 28. 25. But this Angel here spoken of was one of those glorious invisible Spirits who are usually called by this name either Gabriel who was sent to Zacharia to tell him that his Wife should bear a Son even the Baptist who was Christ's Messenger to prepare his way Luk. 1. 11. 19. And who also was sent from God to the Virgin Mary to acquaint her that she should conceive in her Womb and bring forth a Son even Jesus ver 26 29 36. And who was also sent to Daniel a Man greatly beloved of the Lord as also was John to whom this Book was sent and signified that Disciple whom Jesus loved Dan. 8. 16 17. and Chap. 9. 21. or some other or more of those Holy and Elect Angels for sometimes the Word is used collectively to wit Angel signifieth Angels Compare Psal 34. 7. with Heb. 1. 14 As Servant and Servants are used indifferently Compare Mat. 22. 3 8 9. with Luk. 14. 17 21 23. and Mat. 21. 34 36. with Mark 12. 2. 5. and so we may learn that Christ hath by Inheritance obtained a more excellent name than the Angels Heb. 1. 4 14. they are the Angels and Messengers of the Son of Man whom he hath power to send and employ as he pleases Mat. 24. 30 31. 2 Thes 1. 7. All the Angels of God are commanded to worship him as their Lord who is Lord of all Heb. 1. 6. And that may comfort his Servants and encourage them to follow him and not fear Psal 34. 7 8 10. with 1 Pet. 2 3 4. Vnto his Servant John Not unto all his Servants but unto his Servant that by him it might be made known to the residue and particularly unto his Servant John that beloved Disciple here called his Servant A Title that hath been given unto and taken and gloried in by Holy-men formerly 2 Sam. 7. 19 20 27. 2 Chron. 6. 19 21. Psal 116. 16. Mal. 4. 4. Phil. 1. 1. Tit. 1. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 1. Jam. 1. 1. Jude
Ascension c. And he bare witness Of all things which he saw Not only with Bodily Eyes though of that also he bare witness as of the things that were done to Christ by the Souldiers Joh. 19. 22 25. and of his being raised of which he was an Eye-witness also 1 Joh. 1. 1. and of divers of his Miracles Joh. 20. 30 31. But which he saw likewise with the Eyes of his Understanding Eph. 1. 18. and indeed summarily this expression All things which he saw contains all he bare witness of Ps 131. 1 2. He did not intrude into things he had not seen as those do who are vainly puft up with their fleshly mind and who hold not the Head Col. 2. 18 19. He did not boast of things without his measure of other mens labours or sight 2 Cor. 10. 13 15. But saith he That which we have heard which we have seen with our Eyes which we have looked upon and our hands have handled of the Word of Life That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you 1 Joh. 1. 1 3. And we have seen and do testifie that the Father sent the Son the Saviour of the World Of the World the whole World distinct from Believers Of the World that lieth in Wickedness 1 Joh. 4. 13 14. with Ch. 2. 2. and Ch. 5. 19. So Ananias saith to Saul Thou shalt be Christ's Witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard Acts 22. 14 15. Yea to the same purpose Christ speaketh to him and saith I have appeared to thee to make thee a Minister and a Witness both of these things which thou hast seen and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee Act. 26. 16. Oh thaâ— we may be imitaters of the Apostle John herein and think and act soberly according to the measure of the knowledge and proportion of Faith given to us Now this account may be given to us of what he bare witness before this Book was shewed to him to wit Of the Word of God c. Not only to shew the excellency of his exercise and service and wherein he was Christ's Servant v. 1. and to declare unto us his faithfulness but also to direct us that before we may have the usefulness of and acquaintance with the things contained in this Revelation of Jesus Christ we should first always give diligent heed unto and heartily believe and keep in believing remembrance those things he bare witness unto before these Visions and Revelations of the Lord were vouchsafed to him Namely the first great and fundamental things of Gods Law and Doctrine the word of the beginning of Christ which is the Foundation of all gracious and Spiritual Operations and of all Doctrines Heb. 6. 1 2. they who are unacquainted with or let slip those first things cannot understand these things which are mysterious deep and hard to be understood Heb. 5. 11 14. Luk. 8. 1. 10. Joh. 3. 12. 2. How did he bear witness of the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus Christ and of all things which he saw He did bear witness thereof 1. By his verbal preaching of these great things of God's Law he did believe them with his Heart and so set to his Seal that God is true in his Testimony of his Son Joh. 3. 33. and did make Confession of them with his mouth to the Salvation of himself and others that heard him Rom. 10. 8 10. with 1 Tim. 4. 16. He that saw these things bare record and his record is true and he knoweth that he saith true that we might believe Joh. 19. 35. Thus our Saviour when raised from the Dead after he had opened the Scriptures to his Disciples and opened their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures he then informes them that they must be his witnesses to bear witness of the great Contents of the Gospel to wit of Christ's Death and Resurrection c. And how they must bear witness and record of these things namely by going into all the World and preaching the Gospel to every Creature of all the Nations He said unto them Thus it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the Dead the third day and that Repentance and Remission of Sins should be preached in his name unto all Nations beginning at Jerusalem And ye are witnesses of these things Luk. 24. 32 44 47 48. with Mark 16. 15. And this preaching of the Cross though it be to them that perish foolishness yet it is an excellent way of witnessing unto Christ when it is without excellency of Speech or of Wisdom It is the Power of God 1 Cor. 1. 17 18 23 24. Rom. 1. 15 16. And by using and delivering the Ordinances of Christ 2. And he bare witness of the Word of God c. by writing also after the Holy Ghost was poured down from on high upon the Apostles which is a blessed and sanctified means for dispersing the knowledge of these excellent things to such as he was not personally withall and for perpetuating them and conveying them to such as were then unborn or uncapable of knowing them as we may further see on Verse 11. This way also even by writing He bare record These are written saith he that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his name Joh. 19. 35. with Chap. 20 30 31. This is the Disciple which testifieth of these things and wrote these things and we know that his Testimony both ways is true Joh. 21. 24. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you And these things write we unto you that your joy may be full 1 Joh. 1. 1 3 4. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal life c. 1 Joh. 5. 13. with Chap. 4. 13. 14. 3. And he bare witness of them by a patient enduring Afflictions and Persecutions for the Word of Christ as he saith in Verse 9. I John who am your Companion in Tribulation was in the Isle which is called Patmos for the word of God and for the Testimony of Jesus Christ He was a faithful Martyr or witness by partaking of and taking patiently the Afflictions of the Gospel So Paul also bare witness of Christ and his Testimony by a patient enduring the Persecutions and Tribulations he met withal both from the people and Gentiles as is signified to us by what Christ said to him The Lord stood by him and said Be of good chear Paul for as thou hast testified of me at Jerusalem so must thou bear witness also at Rome Acts 13. 11. And herein John was an imitater of our Lord Jesus who witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate and therein hath he left us an Example that we should follow his steps 1 Tim. 6. 16. with 1 Pet. 2. 20 21 23.
things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ and be found in him Phil. 3. 4 9. and as is said of Ruth she loved her Mother-in-law and thus exprest it when she said to her Thy sister is gone back Return thou after her And Ruth said Intreat me not to leave thee for whither thou goest I will go and where thou lodgest I will lodg thy people shall be my people and thy God my God c. Ruth 1. 15 18. with ch 4. 15. and it also leads to follow Christ thorow afflictions trials reproaches persecutions c. and to endure any thing for the beloved Love is strong as death the coals thereof are coals of fire which hath a most vehement flame many waters cannot quench love neither can the floods drown it Cant. 8. 6 7. By the first love of Christ our love is made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of Judgment there is no fear in love but perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment he that feareth is not made perfect in love 1 Joh. 4. 16 17 19. the spirit of love is love is opposed unto the spirit of fear and cowardice 2 Tim. 1. 7 8. This is the first love which is usually very intense and hot in the days of mens first knowing believing in and being espoused unto Jesus Christ and God in him As the Lord saith I Remember thee the kindness of thy youth the love of thine espousals when thou wentest after me in the wilderness in a land that was not sown Israel was holiness unto the Lord c. Jer. 2. 1 5. and the Apostle declares how highly Christ was prized by the Galatians and how welcomely the Gospel and its declarers were received at the first when Christ crucified was evidently set forth before their eyes and the grace of God in him Ye received me saith the Apostle as an Angel of God even as Christ Jesus for I bear you record that if it had been possible you would have plucked out your own eyes and have given them to me Gal. 4. 13 15. with ch 3. 1 5. 57. so the Apostle speaking unto the Thessalonians sheweth what entrance the Gospel had among them how effectually it wrought producing the work of faith and labour of love and patience of hope and they became followers of the Lord having received the word in much affliction and yet with joy of the Holy Ghost and they turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his son from Heaven c. 1 Thes 1. and ch 2. 13. Thus also he saith to the Hebrews call to Remembrance the former days in which after ye were illuminated ye endured a great fight of afflictions partly whilest ye were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions and partly whilest ye became companions of them that were so used For ye had compassion on me in my bonds and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing of your selves that ye have in Heaven a better and an enduring substance Heb. 10. 32 34. such-like â—fficacy the Gospel also had upon these Ephesians at the first and such ardent love they had to Christ therein preached among them so as they turned from Diana the former object of their love and worship unto Christ The name of the Lord Jesus was so magnified among them that many that beleeved came confessed shewed their deeds many also of them which used curious arts brought their books together and burned them before all men and they counted the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of â—ilver which are about six thousand two hundred and fifty pounds in our account as some judge so mightily grew the word of God and increased Acts 19. 17 20. Eph. 2. 2 7 11. This was their first love 4. Yea this love is also exercised and shewed forth in loving his Word and Gospel as is before intimated in which he and his love are set forth and discovered to us Ps 119. 47 48 97 98 113 127 128 140 163 167. as our Saviour saith He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me And again If any Man love me he will keep my word Joh. 14. 21 24. And hereby we do know we know love approve delight in him if we keep his Commandments He that saith I know him and keepeth not his Commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him but whoso keepeth his Word in him verily is the love of God perfected Hereby know we that we are in him 1 Joh. 2. 3 5 8. and ch 5. 2 3. And this love is also exercised and evidenced towards the Brother-hood so as to love them with a pure heart â—ervently 1 Pet. 1. 21 22. To delight in and have them as our Companions and to delight in the Fellowship and Societies of them as our Brethren Thus it is said of the Believers in former times They connued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and Fellowship and all that believed were together c. Acts 2. 41 47. and ch 4. 23 24 32. Thus when the Apostle exhorts the Hebrews Let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works not forsaking the assembling of our selves together To move them also hereto he saith Call to remembrance the former days in which ye were illuminated as signifying their first love was exercised in loving one another and in assembling themselves together And the Remembrance and Consideration thereof was proper and powerful to cause them to return thereto again Heb. 10. 23 25. with v. 32. Thus when the Gospel was first received by these Ephesians it produced in them love to all the Brethren See Eph. 1. 13 15. Col. 1 4. 1 Thes 2. 13. and ch 4. 9. And every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him If a man say I love God and hateth his Brother he is a liar for he that loveth not his Brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen 1 Joh. 4. 19 21. and ch 5. 1. Yea this love is also exercised in loving and pittying all men in loving our Enemies blessing them that curse us doing good to them that hate us and praying for them that despitefully use us and therefore our Saviour exhorts and instructs them that hear unto these things Luke 6. 27 36. His love known and believed moves to seek the good of the Souls of all and to sound forth the word before them to hold forth the word of life in word and conversation Joh. 4. 28 29. Rom. 1. 8. Tit. 3. 3 5. with Acts 9. 20 22. and ch 2. 46 47. 1 Thes 1. 7 8. and ch 3. 12. Prov. 29. 10. Phil. 2. 12 16. Now this was the first love they had left that â—ervency and intensiveness of love to Christ and God in him his Cross Person Gospel and one to another and to
Domitian and that the Revelation was seen by John about the end of the reign of Domitian about the year of our Lord God 97. and it might therefore be truly said Antipas was slain when this Epistle was sent to the Church in Pergamos And though Epiphanius denieth what Irenaeus saith and Eusebius approves and affirms that John was banished in the time of Claudius and was returned from his exile also in his reign yet to that we shall say 1. That â—t is very improbable and hardly to be believed because â—he Apostlei Paul out-lived Claudius and in some of his Epistles he speaks not only of his own sufferings and imprisonment but of others also as Rom. 16. 7. Col. 4. 10. Philem. 23. and acquaints the Hebrews that Timothy was set at liberty Heb. 13. 23. But never in any of his Epistles speaks on word of John's either banishment or release which surely he would have done had it been in Claudius's reign 2. Luke who wrote the Acts of the Apostles out-lived Claudius and mentions particularly what was suffered in his time by some Apostles and others as about the second or third year of Claudius his reign Herod the King stretched forth his hand to vex certain of the Church and killed James the Brother of John with the sword where we have John occasionally mentioned but not one word of his banishment or sufferings And he proceeded further to take Peter also c. Acts 12. 1 3 4. yea and the Evangelist Luke mentions the Decree made by the said Claudius in the latter end of his reign for commanding all the Jews to depart from Rome and Italy also as is probable By which decree it is said by the aforesaid Dr. John was banished and mentions Aquila and Priscillas leaving Italy upon that decree But not one word of John's being in Italy at that time nor of his being then banished into the Isle of Patmos which surely he would have done had he then been banished for John was a more eminent one in the Church than either Aquila or Priscilla and his banishment more remarkable and severe than theirs Acts 18. 2 3. 3. By that edict by which it is presumed John was banished into Patmos the Jews as Jews were commanded to depart from Rome But now John was exiled for the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ and so not because a Jew but because he was a Christian Acts 18. 2 3. with Rev. 1. 9. and both these the said Dr. affirms in which he contradicts himself see his annotations on Acts 26. 31. and and on Rev. 1. 2. and his paraphrase on Rev. 1. v. 9. and besides that decree as mentioned by Luke was only to depart from Rome or Italy also and not to depart to Patmos or any other particular place Acts 18. 2 3. 4. Why should not Irenaeus his Testimony be received assoon as yea rather than and before Epiphanius's seeing the history saith he saw Polycarpus the disciple of the Apostle John and flourished about the year of Christ 180. but Epiphanius much latter about the year 400. and seeing also according to the account given of him he was of a sound if not sounder judgment and practice than Epiphanius and if the former may not be credited much less I conceive the latter And then and however we conclude with the scripture Antipas was slain before John received this Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ But some may say to what purpose is all this and what matters it whether Antipas was slain before this Revelation was signified to John or not or whether this Revelation was received before or after the destruction of Jerusalem Ans To this I say as was before intimated It is of great consequence to know the date of these things as to our understanding the Book of this prophecy for as appears by the fore-mentioned Dr. himself and such as joyn with him who suppose John was banished in Claudius's time and then saw this Book and speaks Prophetically of Antipas his slâ—ughter are miserably mistaken in their conceptions about the contents of this Book For they conceive the seven seals respect Jerusalem and the judgments under them were executed thereupon and so that business is treated of to the end of ch 11. whereas Jerusalem was destroyed before this Book was received And what a wretched and pernicious gloss that Dr. puts upon Rev. 11. 18. by occasion of the former mistakes may be seen in his paraphrase there as if by these words thy wrath is come and the time of the dead that they should be judged was meant thy Judgments are come upon the Jewish nation And that his giving reward to his servants the prophets and to his Saints and to them that fear his name c. did signify that all the orthodox pure Christians should have days of tranquillity and peaceable profession of the Gospel and liberty of assemblies Yea and he so misdates this Book that he conceives that is spoken of Domitian ch 17. 11. whereas this Book was received in the latter end of his reign and so this Book in general is made an history which is and is frequently called a prophecy and by the former mistake that which respects mystery Babilon he applies to heathen Rome and that which respects the glorious reign of Christ and his Saints he applies to Constantine's time as to the beginning and the profession of Christianity under the Christian Emperors and a great part of the time under the Papal power also whereas taking these words Antipas was slain as they are spoken all these dangerous absurdities are avoided and we may the better come to a clear and right understanding of all these things But what we have said shall suffice to this business see notes on ch 5. v. 1. In those days wherein Antipas was my faithful Martyr or witness Herein we may observe for our instruction 1. Upon what account Antipas suffered it was as he was and because he was a witness of Christ he witnessed a good confession concerning him and so he was herein in some sort like to the Apostles though they were eye-witnesses and he was not Acts 1. 8. he was a witness of Christ's sufferings 1 Pet. 5. 1. and also of his resurrection This was that he was a witness of and martyr for So the Prophets testified before-hand of Christ Acts 10. 43. 1 Pet. 1. 10 11. and the Apostles were witness of him Acts 5. 32. Antipas did not suffer as an evil-doer or as a busy-body in other means matters 1 Pet. 4. 16. Rev. 13. 10. nor for contending about or for indifferent or circumstantial things Rom. 14. 1 22. Nor was he his own witness he made it not his business to exalt or speak highly of himself as evil ones do Isay 44. 9. 2 Cor. 11. 20 21. see the notes on Rev. 1. v. 9. But he was a witness of Christ and a confessour of his word and Gospel and so he was like them
to chuse the good and refuse the evil for of such is the Kingdome of Heaven as our Saviour saith Mat. 19. 13 14. Mark 10. 13 14. Luke 18. 15 16. Mat. 2. 16 18. with Jer. 31. 15 16 17. Gen. 17. 7 8 12 14. 2. We come next to consider and shew that it is possible that some Mens names may be blotted out of the Book of life And so indeed 1. Men's names may be blotted out of the general Book of life and are so if they continue in their ignorance of God or disobedience to his Gospel till the day of God's patience beat an end towards them So the Lord saith Whosoever hath sinned against me him will I blot out of my book Exod. 32. 33. And the Psalmist imprecates thus Let them be blotted out of the Book of the living and not be written with the righteous Ps 69. 28. For though he who descended into the lower parts of the earth who by the grace of God tasted death for every man be now ascended up on high and hath led captivity captive and received gifts for Men yea for the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them yet he will wound the head of his enemies and the hairy scalp of such an one as goes on still in his trespasses Ps 68. 18 21. his Spirit will not always strive with Men nor will he still hold open the door but will rise up and shut it and then there will be no more opening Gen. 6. 3. Luke 13. 25 26. This may therefore admonish us all to strive to enter in at the strait gate to seek the Lord while he may be found and call upon him while he is â—igh Luke 13. 24. Isay 55. 6 7. 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. Heb. 3. 7 8. 2 Pet. 3. 15. Eccles 9. 10. 2. Yea mens names may be blotted out of the special Book of life and out of the Holy City and our Saviour saith If any man shall take away from the words of the Book of this Prophesie 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 Rev. 22. 19. If a Man abide not in Christ he is cast forth as a Branch and is withered and Men gather them and cast them into the Fire and they are burned Joh. 15. 6. And it 's in this place supposed that if those who had defiled their Garments or if those who had not defiled them did not overcome to the end their names should be blotted out for this is the peculiar blessedness of him that overcometh that his name shall not be blotted out to which after O let none of us then speak peace to our selves in any evil way though our names are written in the Book of life for they that forsake the Fountain of living waters shall be written in the Earth though formerly they were written in Heaven Jer. 17. 13. Deut. 29. 18 20 Ezek. 13. 9 10. 3. But this is the blessedness of him that overcometh whether of him that hath not let slip how he received and heard and so hath not defiled his Garments And of him that hath done so and yet is seasonably recovered their names shall never be blotted out of the Book of life but all happiness is assured to them as may be seen in ch 2. 7 11 17 26. and ch 3. 12 2â— and ch 21. 7. So far will he be from blotting out their names out of the Book of Life that he will hereafter gloriously write upon them the name of his God and the name of the City of his God new Jerusalem which cometh down out of Heaven from his God and his new name See notes after on Verse 12. How might the consideration hereof cause them to rejoyce because their names are written in Heaven Luke 10. 21. And still provoke them to fight the good fight of Faith to resist unto blood striving against sin Satan and the World and to that end to have and hold fast the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ for whatsoever is born of God overcometh the World and this is the victory that overcometh the World even our Faith who is he that overcometh the World but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God 1 Tim. 6. 12. Heb. 12. 4. 1 Joh. 5. 4 5. Eph. 6. 10 12 18. considering also what follows viz. 3. But I will confess his name before my Father and before his Angels Now herein is signified to us 1. That he that doth not overcome to the end Christ will not confess his name but he will deny him hereafter that in this day either thorow fear or flattery turned aside from the Faith or profession thereof As our Saviour saith whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father with his holy Angels Mark 8. 38. Luke 9. 22 26. whosoever shall deny him before Men him also will Christ deny before his Father which is in Heaven Mat. 10. 33. And before the Angels of God Luke 12. 9. he will deny them saying I know you not or I know not this or these Men or Man As Peter was said to deny his Master in saying I know him not compare Luke 22. 57. with ch 13. 24 28. this is a Faithful saying for if we be dead with him we shall also live with him But if we deny him he also will deny us 2 Tim. 2. 11 12. And Oh how sâ—d a thing will that be to be denied and disowned of the Lord of Glory in that day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God! Oh that it may be seriously and seasonably considered by us 2. But he will confess his name that overcometh whoever he be or whatever he hath been before his Father and before his Angels that is he will own them for his then manifestly he will publickly own them in that day Indeed now all his delight is in the Saints that are in the earth c. And he doth take up their names into his lips Ps 16. 3 4 he bears their names upon his heart and upon his arme and theâ—ein answers unto the highpriest's bearing the names of the Children of Israel in former times Exod. 28. But this is matter of faith to us But hereafter he will publickly and visibly own them and say they are mine and thus he will do before his Father and before his Angels Whosoever saith our Saviour shall confess me before Men him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven Mat. 10. 32. And before the Angels of God Luke 12. 8. Hâ— will then say to every such an one Well done good and Faithful servant c. Mat. 25. 21. c. He will set them on his right hand Matth. 25. 31 33 34. And therefore how might the consideration hereof
saved 1 Thess 4. 2 3. with Acts 26. 18. His will is evidenced in Christ to be good-will towards men Luke 2 10-14 Isa 49. 6. Luke 2. 30-32 Acts 13. 47. And that such as repent and believe the Gospel should have everlasting life This is the will of him that sent Christ that every one that seeth the son and believeth in him should have eternal life and he will raise him up at the last day to the glorious enjoyment thereof John 3. 15 16. and chap. 5. 24. and chap. 6. 40. And the good Lord whose will is good Rom. 12. 2. fill us with the knowledg of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding that we may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing being fruitful in every good work and encreasing in the knowledg of God strengthened with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience and long-suffering c. Col. 1. 9 10 11. Ephes 5. 14-17 Rom. 12. 1 2. Matth. 12. 50. The End of the Fourth Chapter REVEL Chap. V. verse 1. Vers 1. And I saw in the right hand of him that sate on the Throne a Book written within and on the back-side sealed with seven Seals WE have in the former Chapter seen and according to my great weakness considered the Account which the Apostle John gives of the Heavenly Theatre in which is described to us the Imperial Session of him that sate and sits for ever upon the Throne or supream Seat of Government whose Kingdom Ruleth over all Persons and Things in Heaven and in Earth and under the Earth and whose Dominion is an everlasting Dominion and the Four and twenty Elders and the Four Living Creatures as the Representatives of the Church of the Living God in Heaven and in Earth in a general Consideration the whole Family of Christ Now in this Chapter the Apostle gives us an account of what he farther saw in Vision concerning a Sealed Book with the Opener and opening thereof in general with what followeth thereupon and which Book is particularly opened afterwards as is declared to us in Chap. 6 c. Now in this First Verse we have to consider 1. What the Apostle John farther saw A Book 2. Where he saw this Book In the right hand of him that sate upon the Throne 3. What he saw of or concerning this Book and that is 1. Somewhat of the Writing of it it was Written within and on the back-side 2. Somewhat of the Sealing of it Sealed with Seven Seals 1. What the Apostle farther saw And I saw a Book There is mention made of several Books in this Revelation of Jesus Christ All the things which Jesus Christ by his Angels sent and signified unto the Apostle John he was commanded to Write in a Book and send it unto the Seven Churches in Asia Chap. 1. 2. and Chap. 22. 7 9 10 18 19. So also herein there is mention made of the Book of Life Chap. 3. 5. and 20. 12 15. And of the Lambs Book of Life Chap. 13. 8. and 17. 8. and Chap. 21. 27. And of other Books distinct from the Books of Life Chap. 20. 12. But there are two Books spoken of and mentioned in this Revelation which may most fully and properly be called Books of Prophecy the one whereof is that here mentioned and the other is spoken of in Chap. 10. 2 8 9 10. And the Sum or Contents of these two Books is declared to us in this Book of the Revelation from this place to the end of it Now then it doth evidently appear that this Book spoken of in this place is not the Word of the beginning of Christ for that was not then Sealed but it had been before that time opened by the Holy Apostles they had Preached the Gospel according to the Revelation of the Mystery before this time Rom. 16. 25 26. Eph. 3. 3 4 9. Col. 1. 25 26. And the Apostle John particularly had born record of the Word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ before the things contained in this Book of the Revelation were sent and signified to him See the notes before on Chap. 1. v. 1. and v. 2. But this Book here mentioned doth in general contain in it the Mind Counsels and Purposes of God concerning future Things Actions and Events which should come to pass from and after that time unto the end of this World with the order of their fulfilling and accomplishment and something of the World to come What the Contents of this Book are is I conceive in general declared to us by the Holy Ghost viz. Chap. 4. 1. Things which must be hereafter as also plainly appears in the opening of the Seven Seals under the Seventh whereof the Seven Trumpets sound and when the last of the Seven sounded then great voices in Heaven say The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall Reign for ever and ever chap. 6. and chap. 8. 1 2 7 8 10 12 and chap. 9. 1 13. and chap. 11. 15 18. This Book then is a Book of his Mind Counsels and Purposes who sits upon the Supream Throne of Judgment concerning the things that must come to pass or be hereafter from that time with the order of them And this Book here spoken of is called 1. A Book simply whereas that which is mentioned in Chap. 10. 2 8 9 10. is called A little Book and thereby it appears that this Book is more large and comprehensive than that 2. This is said to be A Book sealed with seven Seals whereas that which is spoken of chap. 10. 2. Is An open Book To which afterwards Now some as Dr. H. Dr. L. look upon this Book as containing Gods Secret Counsels Purposes and Decrees concerning Jerusalem and the Jewish Nation directly â—and upon the matter wholly with the Judgments to be executed thereupon and the Destruction thereof Their great mistake wherein appears 1. By what We have formerly said and shewn viz. That Jerusalem was destroyed before the Apostle John had these Visions or the Contents of this Book in general sent and signified to him for the Martyr Antipas was slain as is acknowledged generally after the Destruction of Jerusalem and yet before John received these Visions and Revelations from the Lord. See the Notes before on chap. 2. verse 13. 2. And besides that our Lord Jesus had formerly plainly foretold his Disciples of and acquainted them with the Destruction of Jerusalem of the Temple City c. And declared to them very clearly and openly the Signs and Fore-runners thereof while he was with them upon the Earth He then told them there should not be left one Stone upon another which should not be thrown down And had fore-told them as the Forerunners thereof that his Disciples should hear of Wars and rumours of Wars but the end was not yet And that there should be Famines and Pestilence and Earth-quakes And â—oreshewed unto them one
evident Sign that should immediately come to pass and whereby they might know the Desolation thereof was nigh viz. When saith he ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with Armies then know that the Desolation thereof is nigh Then let them which are in Judea flee to the Mountains c. Matth. 24. 1 29. Mark 13. 1 26. Luke 21. 5 21 c. And now if this Book we are now speaking of did contain the same business it could not properly be called A sealed Book because in a great measure it was opened before by our Lord Jesus to the Apostles in general and also to the Apostle John particularly Mark 13. 3. Seeing also our Lord as I conceive had spoken more plainly there of the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Signs thereof than can be supposed he doth here as may appear by considering and comparing the three Evangelists fore-referred to But now this Book is still a sealed Book after the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ and after his pouring forth the Holy Spirit upon his Apostles Therefore this Book refers principally unto some other Matter and Place 3. And it still and farther appears that this Book doth not directly much less onely contain the Mind and Purposes of God concerning the Destruction of Jerusalem c. because of that said to the Apostle John when he had taken and eaten up the little Book viz. Thou must Prophecy again before or against as the Word is translated Rom. 2. 2. many Peoples and Nations and Tongues and Kings chap. 10. 10 11. Implying that his former Prophecy was not against or concerning Jerusalem and the Jewish Nation onely nor directly but against many Peoples and Nations and Tongues and Kings the word many though in the last place may indifferently agree to all there being not so much as a Comma between the several words Now that former Prophecy of his there intimately pointed to is contained in this Book under present consideration Indeed the judgments contained in this sealed Book might fall heavy upon some and many particular Jews but not upon Jerusalem it self or that Nation for that and it were judged before as hath been often said and in a good measure as I conceive proved 4. The Prophet Daniel as directed by the Holy Ghost had fore-written fully of Jerusalem and the Jewish Nation in his Prophecy whereto our Saviour refers in speaking of the Signs that preceded the Destruction of that City c. Matth. 24. 15 21. And this especially respects the Gentiles and not at all the Destruction of Jerusalem as is before said And so we may say This Book contains in it as I conceive the Mind of God and his Counsels and Purposes concerning this World in general or the Roman Empire which was then over the whole Worldâ— or the known and habitable part of it see Mr. Mede as appears Luke 2. 1. As the little Book chap. 10. respects the Church especially And therefore this former is called A Book the latter A little Book as being less than this and not so comprehensive and large as is before noted And so we shall look upon and speak unto this former Book in this chap. 5. in what follows as containing Gods Mind Counsels and Purposes concerning the Roman Empire which was then greatly stretched forth and very vast large and comprehensive But now in that in this Book is fore-written things which must be hereafter so we may learn from hence That all things are naked and opened to the All-seeing Eyes of him with whom we have to do In his Book All things are written which in continuance are fashioned and fulfilled Psal 139. 16. The things which must come to pass are laid up in store with him and sealed up among his treasures Deut. 32. 34. Behold it is written before me saith the Lord Isa 65. 6. See the Notes before on chap. 4. verse 1. 2. We have next to enquire and consider Where did the Apostle see this Book And that is In the right hand of him that sate on the Throne It was in his hand that sate upon the Throne All is written before him before it be opened or made known to us or the contents thereof executed And we may hereby see and understand his infinite fitness and meetness to govern in that all things are written before him that sits on the seat the supream seat of judgement Psal 9. 4. The Lords Throne is in Heaven his Eyes behold c. Psal 11. 4 5. Men that are upon the throne here below cannot fore-see future things and therefore cannot so govern but that in some cases they may see good reason to wish they had done otherwise Because of their nescience of things which after come to pass they may sometimes erre and mistake or not do so well as otherwise they might have done But he seeth and knoweth all things Job 36. 4 5. And this Book was in the hand of him that sate and sits for ever upon the Throne And so it may give us to understand That this Book is such an one as in which is contained his Government of and over the world as hath been formerly said It is in his hand as the supreme Governour The little Book is in the hand of a mighty Angel whereby may be meant our Lord Jesus Christ who in this Chapter is said to be in the midst of the Throne And yet his right foot is upon the Sea and his left foot upon the Earth for God hath crowned him as the Son of Man and Head of the Church with glory and honour and set him over the works of his hands and put all things in subjection under his feet though yet we see not all things put under him Rev. 10. 2 3. with chap. 5. 6. Hebr. 2. 7 8 9. Eph. 1. 21 22. But this Book is in the hand of him that sits on the Throne yea this Book is said to be in the right hand of Him to signifie 1. His Almighty power who sits upon the Throne to perform all that is written therein in his right hand of power Mark 14. 62. Luke 22. 69. In his right hand whereby he hath spanned the Heavens Isa 48. 12 13. and nothing is too hard for him Jer. 32. 17. 27. In his right hand whereby he hath formerly conquered enemies as it is said Thy right hand O Lord is become glorious in power thy right hand O Lord hath dashed in pieces the enemy Thou stretchedst out thy right hand the earth swallowed them Exod. 15. 6. 12. Psal 98. 1. which hand is called his mighty hand Deut. 5. 15. and chap. 7. 8 19 c. with which he strengthened the Captain of our salvation so as the enemy did not exact upon him But though the Devil and his Instruments thrust sore at him that he might fall yet the Lord helped him The right hand of the Lord did valiantly the right hand of the Lord was exalted Psal 118. 11-13-16 with Psal 89. 19-22 And
the whole earth Zach 4 10. And these seven Eyes which are the seven Spirits of God are sent forth 1. In general to discern all things and discover them unto him what is done here below Though he dwelleth on high yet he humbleth himself to behold not only the things that are in Heaven but the things that are in the Earth also Psal 113. 4 6. His Eyes behold his Eye-lids try the Children of Men Psal 11. 4. The Eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good Prov. 15. 3. And these Eyes of his even the seven Spirits of God do as it were return an account to him of what is done here below like that Zach. 1. 9-11 that he may order the Government of God over the World graciously and righteously Psal 139. 7 8-12 He is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened to the Eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4. 12. 14. Job 34. 21. Jer. 32. 19. 2. To enlighten the eyes of them that dwell therein To this end God hath put his Spirit upon Christ and he that giveth breath unto the people that are upon the earth giveth spirit also to them that walk therein Isa 42. 1-5-7 He is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world John 1. 9. And especially he doth open their eyes who have the Gospel plainly and faithfully preached to them The Spirit of the Lord is upon Christ because he hath anointed him to preach the Gospel to the poor to preach recovering of sight to the blind Luke 4. 18. To open their eyes even the eyes of Jews and Gentiles and to turn them from darkness to light c. Acts 26. 18-23 The poor and deceitful man meet both together herein the LORD lighteneth both their eyes Prov. 29. 13. Psal 146. 8. And to them that turn at his whol some reproofs he will pour out his spirit unto them and make known his words unto them Prov. 1. 23. And they shall know more and more abundantly who thus follow on to know the LORD to wit â—n returning unto him continually from all their iniquities and vanities Hosea 5. 15. and chap. 6. 1-3 Dan. 9. 13. Matth. 13. 11 12. Dan. 2. 2 22. 3. To be with assist and bless them that heartily believe in and follow him The Eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth strongly to hold with them whose heart is perfect towards him 2 Chron. 16. 9. Job 36. 7. And as it is said concerning the Land of Canaan the same may be applied to the people whom the LORD hath chosen for his own inheritance They are a people for whom the LORD their GOD careth the Eyes of the LORD their GOD are alwayes upon them from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year Deut. 11. 12. To Watch for their good Psal 34. 12-15 To behold their troubles afflictions and exercises and to keep them from evil and seasonably to deliver them Psal 102. title and ver 18 19. Exod. 3. 7. And however he permits or orders it to the outward man yet behold the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him upon them that hope in his mercy to deliver their soul from death Psal 33. 18 19. Zach. 12. 4. Such shall certainly find Grace in his eyes at all times and in every condition Gen. 6. 8. 4. And these seven eyes of his to wiâ— the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth do behold the evil also and what their evil projects designs and actions are how deeply soever they dig to hide their counsels and actions from him Though they say God hath forgotten he hideth his Face he will never see yet herein they speak falsly for he doth see he beholdeth mischief and spite to require it with his hand Psal 10. 11-14 15. and 94. 5-8 Though they endeavour to hide themselves never so closely yet he will set his Eyes upon them that rebell against him for evil and not for good Amos 9. 1-4 8. He rules by his power for ever his eyes behold the nations let not the rebels exalt themselves Psal 66. 7. and Psal 139. Verse 7. And he came and took the Book out of the right hand of him that sate upon the throne We have seen before that when Proclamation was made by that strong Angel ver 2. None in Heaven nor in Earth neither under the Earth no meer Creature was able or worthy to open the Book neither to look thereon ver 3. which occasâ—oned the Apostle John to weep or lament much ver 4. whereupon an elder was sent to speak good and comfortable words to him telling him The Lion of the tribe of Judah c. had obtained power to open it and to loose the Seal thereof ver 5. And he beheld this most excellent and glorious one ver 6. And now the Apostle acquaints us with what he farther saw and that as the elder had foretold and according to that visional appearance ver 6. so here was some performance c. And he came to wit unto him that sate upon the throne somewhat like unto that spoken by the Prophet Daniel concerning him I saw in the night Visions and behold one like the Son of man came to the ancient of days Dan. 7. 13. He who had formerly come down from Heaven not to do his own will but the will of him that sent him even to lay down his life and give himself for our sins John 3. 13. and chap. 6. 38 41. with Gal. 1. 4. When he had finished that work which the Father gave him to do on earth he then left the world and went unto his Father again John 13. 3. and chap. 16. 28. and 17. 11 13. To receive all power from him and with him And took the Book out of the right hand of him that sate upon the throne Took it not to eat it as Rev. 10. 8-18 I mean not to prophesie as formerly in his personal ministration but he took it to open it to John that by him it might be shewed to Christs Servants more generally as afterwards also he did open it as chap. 6 c. He received power to reveal and make known the things contained in this Book and this upon the account of his having humbled himself to death the death of the Cross and to execute the things in this Book which was sealed with seven Seals Now in this seventh verse we may note for our usefulness 1. As this verse may refer to ver 5. where the Elder saith The Lion of the tribe of Judah hath prevailed to open the Book c. and accordingly he now came That he doth and will confirm the word of his Servants and perform the counsel of his messengers as Isa 44. 26. Though his messengers cannot perform his
Chap. 14. 13 14-16 6. Seeing he took the Book in order to the opening it and did afterwards open it Chap. 6 c. So it shews unto us unto whom we should go that we may see and understand the contents of it namely unto this Lamb of God Indeed if the same had been said concerning this Book which the Voice said from Heaven Chap. 19. 4. viz. Seal up those things or as was said to Daniel Shut up the words and seal the Book And again The words are closed up and sealed Dan. 12. 4 9. then it had not been for us to have inquired into it As our Saviour said to his Apostles It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power Act. 1. 6 7. The secret things belong unto the LORD our God Deut. 29. 29. But the whole Book of the Revelation and that contain'd therein generally was given unto Christ to shew unto his Servants Rev. 1. 1. And this Book particularly was opened by Christ as afterwards followeth And those things that are revealed belong unto us and to our Children for ever Deut. 29. 29. Therefore let us come unto Christ the Light of the world that he may open our eyes that we may behold these wondrous things of his Law and not go to the worldly wise and prudent ones nor lean to our own understandings Matth. 11. 25-28 To him are we directed by God for upon him he hath put his Spirit that he may bring forth judgment to us Gentiles Isai 42. 1-6 7. And he calls upon us and invites us to come unto himself and there is that in him which may encourage us so to do for he is meek and lowly in heart and will not reject us or refuse to teach us because of our dulness and untractableness He will not strive nor cry nor cause his voice to be heard in the streets A bruised reed he will not break and smoaking flax he will not quench till he bring forth judgment unto victory Isa 42. 1-3 with Matth. 12. 19 20. and Chap. 11. 28 29. Vnto him the Lord GOD hath given the tongue of the Learned that he should speak a word in season to him that is weary Isa 50. 4 5. and he invites us to let him see our countenance and hear our voice Cant. 2. 14. John 14. 6 7. and Chap. 16. 23. Verse 8. And when he had taken the Book the four living Creatures and four and twenty Elders fell down before the Lamb having every one of them Harps and golden Vials full of Odours or Incense which are the Prayers of Saints In this Verse and the following Verse of this Chapter is declared to us that which ensued and followed upon the Lambs taking the Book among the Saints and Angels c. What Adoration praising and rejoycing there was amongst them And in this Verse particularly is declared to us 1. The humble Prostration and religious Adoration of the four living Creatures and the four and twentâ— Elders 2. What every one of these holy Ones had when they thus with all humility did prostrate themselves and worship 1. The humble Prostration and Religious Adoration of the four living Creatures and twenty four Elders And when he had taken the Book the four living Creatures and four and twenty Elders fell down before the Lamb. Where we have to consider for our usefulness 1. The time when they fell down and the occasion of their so doing When he had taken the Book 2. The Religious Action it self of the four living Creatures and four and twenty Elders They fell down 3. The Object of their Adoration Before the Lamb. 1. The time when they fell down and the occasion of their so doing And when he had taken the Book Wherein is intimated and signified to us 1. That this great Honour was given unto and glorious Action done by the Lamb in the view and sight of these holy Ones who were by faith or in their Spirits Inhabiters of Heaven or they were informed hereof and acquainted herewith in due season by the seven Spirits which the Lamb hath and which are sent forth into all the earth ver 6. And which are before his Throne Chap. 1. 4. and Chap. 4. 5. These holy Ones who are Inhabiters of Heaven are not in darkness but Children of the Light Eph. 5. 8. They are called out of darkness into his marvellous light 1 Pet. 2. 9. with Rev. 5. 8-10 They have an Vnction from the Holy One and they know all things 1 John 2. 20-27 And this Book in general was given to Jesus Christ to shew unto his Servants that are here below in mortal bodies Revel 1. 1. And much more are they acquainted with the Contents of it who are with the Lord and whose spirits are made perfect Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing but he revealeth his Secrets unto his Servants the Prophets and by them unto them that dwell on high Amos 3. 7. The Secret of the LORD is with them that fear him with the righteous and he will shew tâ—em his Covenant Psal 25. 14. Prov. 3. 32. Our Lord Jesus assured his Disciples That the Holy Spirit should teach them all things guide them into all truth and shew them things to coâ—◠〈…〉 6. and Chap. 16. 13-15 to wit in their keeping his commandments Joâ— 14. 15 17 21 23 26. that he should take of his things and shew unto them even of those heavenly things also or things above which he is now doing and will do Joâ— 16. 14 15. with chap. 3. 12. And these promises were not confined to the Apostles as may be seen in many places and passages of that discourse And the you there spoken of are not opposed to other hearty and unfeigned believers but to the world Joh. 14. 22 23. and chap. 16. 7 8 12 13 15. And though the Apostles were preferred herein yet wherein they were so it was for the especial good of the Churches 2 Cor. 4. 5 15. All things saith the Apostle are yours whether Paul or Apollo or Cepâ—as c. 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. Eph. 4. 8 11 13 14. unto the Believers it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven Mattâ— 13. 11 12. Oh then Blessed are they and blessed are their eyes for they see Matth. 13. 16 18. And how might the consideration hereof provoke us to come unto and follow Christ For he that followeth him shall not abide in darkness but shall have the light of life Joh. 8. 12. and chap. 12. 44 46. And to be led by and filled with the Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God And he that is spiritual judgeth or discerneth all things yet he himself is judged or discerned of no man 1 Cor. 2. 9 10 15 16. In that these holy ones fell down and sang as presently after follows when the Lamb had taken the Book and not when they had taken it
see notes on vers 6. to wit before Jesus Christ before him they all fell down both the saints below and the saints above all to one Object none of them fell down one before another nor these below to those above or any of them but all before the Lamb. Now then we may from hence note for our usefulness 1. That the Lamb is indeed the Object of divine and religious worship 2. He is and ought therefore to be religiously worshipped 1. That the Lamb is indeed the Object of divine and religious worship for though he be very man Joh. 1. 29 30. yet he is not a meer man but Emmanuel God with us God-man God in our nature Matt. 1. 23. Isay 7. 14. And that he is truly and verily God also even God by nature and not by name or office only plainly appears 1. By many plain affirmations and expressions that declare him so to be As in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God Joh. 1. 1. Christ who is over all God blessed for ever Rom. 9. 5. God was manifest in the flesh 1 Tim. 3. 16. the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Tit. 2. 13. unto the Son he saith Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever Psal 45. 6 7. with Heb. 1. 8 9. He is the true God and eternal life 1 Joh. 5. 20. the only God and Master the Lord of us Jesus Christ Jude 4. for so it is read in a Book I have without a comma between And he is called the only God not to deny the Fathers being God for he and the Father are one Joh. 10. 30. nor to exclude the Holy Spirit For there are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one 1 Joh. 5. 7. But to signifie that He with the Father and Holy Spirit are the only object of Religious worship 2. It appears the Lamb is God by nature also by the names or titles incommunicable Titles given to him so he is frequently called Jehovah as may be seen by comparing the Scriptures as O taste and see that Jehovah is good Psal 34. 8. with 1 Pet. 2. 3 4. Jehovah is gone up with the sound of a Trumpet Psal 47. 5. and 68. 18. with Ephes 4. 8-10 I saw Jehovah sitting upon a throne c. These things said Esaias when he saw Christs glory and spake of him Isa 6. 1-3 8-10 with John 12. 39-41 compare Isa 8. 13 14. with Rom. 9. 33. and 1 Pet. 2. 6 7. This is his name whereby he shall be called Jehovah our Righteousness Jer. 23. 5 6. with many other places and so or to such purpose he calls himself in this Book see notes before on chap 1. ver 8. so he is called the Lord God of Israel Luke 1. 16 17. with Mark 1. 2. and Luk. 7. 27. and Mal. 3. 1. The highest or most high a Title also given to the Father Luk. 1. 76. with ver 32. and Matth. 11. 10. The Lord God of the holy Prophets Revel 22. 6. with ver 16. and chap. 1. 1. 3. By the incommunicable Attributes given to him as to say Omniscience he knows all men John 2. 24. He knows what is in man the thoughts and hearts of men which only God by nature knows Joh. 2. 25. Mat. 9. 4 5. and 12. 25. with Amos 4. 13. and 1 King 8. 39. see the notes before on chap. 2. ver 23. he knows all things John 21. 17. There is no creature that is not manifest in his sight where he and every meer creature are opposed but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do to wit Jesus the Son of God Heb. 4. 13 14. Omnipotence he is the Almighty as himself saith of himself Revel 1. 8. The same power is ascribed and attributed to him by every creature as is to him that sits upon the throne Rev. 5. 13 14. But this will further appear in what follows Omnipresence he is every where present at the same time John 3. 13. Hence when he gave his Apostles commission to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature He then to encourage them saith Lo I am with you always even to the end of the world though these twelve might be at once in twelve or in several places and far distant one from another yet he assures them he would be and answerably was with every one of them how far soever they were from one another Matth. 28. 18-20 with Mark 16. 19 20. though he be in Heaven in his glorious body and the Hâ—aven must receive him until the times of the restitution of all things c. Yet he assured his Disciples he would come unto them and to every one that hath his Commandments and keepeth them though they be dispersed over the face of the whole earth Act. 3. 21. with Joh. 14. 21 23. Act. 18. 10. Eternity his Throne is for ever and ever Heb. 1. 8. He was glorious with the Fathers own self before the world was He is before all things Joâ— 17. 5. Col. 1. 15 17. Prov. 8. 23 30. He is eternal life Isay 9. 6. 1 Joh. 1. 1 2. and Chap. 5. 20. compare Isay 44. 6. with Joh. 1. 49. and Rev. 1. 8 11 17. and Chap. 2. 8. and 22. 13. Immutability the earth and Heavens shall perish but He shall endure yea all of them shall wax old like a Garment as a Vesture shall he change them and they shall be changed But he is the same unchangeably the same c. Psal 102. 25 27. with Heb. 1. 10 11. He is Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13. 8. 4. It also evidently appears that the Lamb is God by nature also by his great and wonderful works and doings which no meer creature or created Being could possibly work and effect As to say 1. By his work of creation All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made Joh. 1. 1 3. God created all things by Jesus Christ Eph. 3. 9. By him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers All things were created by him as the former of all and for him as the end of all Col. 1. 16. with Rom. 11. 36. and Rev. 4. 11. Of old he laid the foundation of the earth and the Heavens are the works of his hâ—nds Heb. â— 2 10 11. with Psal 102. 25 27. in which his Omnipotency is evidenced and declared for nothing is too hard for him that made the Heaven and the Earth by his great power c. Jer. 32. 17 27. 2. By his work of Redemption which work is ascribed frequently to Jehovah Isay 44. 22 24. and 47. 4. and Chap. 63. 16 c. no man could by any means redeem
look for according to his promise new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness 2 Pet. 3. 3 4-14 Jude 17. 18. and may deliver us from them who say the Resurrection the first Resurrection is past already and that this glorious reign on earth is over and gone 2 Tim. 2. 16-18 and who call the glorious Reign of Christ and all his Saints on the earth together an Hereâ—ie and those that believe it Hereticks when as the holy Scriptures as in part we have seen do plainly and plentifully assure us that this is a truth which they call Hereâ—ie Yea and thus they call it though the first writers after Christ and his Apostles did also believe and confess this thousand years Reign as the Ecclesiastical History reports to wit Papias Justin Martyr Irenaeus c. Indeed the History in one place speaks thus of the first of these named to wit Papias and saith He was a man of small judgment c. namely when it tells us He did believe that Christ and his Saints should reign on the earth Eusebius in the third Book of his Ecclesiastical History Chap. 35. And yet in another place it give this account of him that Pâ—pias was a man passing eloquent and expert in the Scriptures Euseb Book 3 d. Chap. 32. But how should they hear those ancient Fathers herein when they will not hear Christ and his Apostles But we shall add no more to this Verse Verse 11. And I beheld and I heard the voice of many Angels round about the Throne and the living Creatures and the Elders And the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands In this and the following Verse we have an account given us of another great and glorious Company who also with a loud voice do â—ound forth and celebrate the praises of the Lamb. To which more after God willing In this Verse we have to consider for our instruction and usefulness 1. The expecting posture of the Apostle And I beheld 2. What ensued thereupon And that is 1. More generally declared to us I heard a Voice 2. More particularly we have an account given unto us 1. Whose Voice he heard and that is the Voice of Angels 2. The number of them indefinitely intimated to wit many Angels and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands 3. Where this innumerable company of Angels was viz. Round about the Throne and the living Creatures and the Elders 1. We have I say in this Verse declared to us The expecting posture of the Apostle And I â—eheld or looked to wit with the Eyes of his Soul in some extraordinary and visional way And the like hereto is affirmed of many other holy Men and Prophets in the Scriptures and of himself in many other places of this Book See the Notes before on ch 4. v. 1. and on ch 5. v. 6. what he had seen was so sweet pleasant and delightful to him that he was still in a waiting posture and did behold and look foâ— some further Revelations and Discoveries to be afforded to him Prov. 24. 13 14. 2. The Apostle doth give unto us an account what ensued thereupon or followed thereafter And that is 1. More generally declared to us namely saith he And I heard a Voice he looked unto Christ and was further enlightned and his Face was not ashamed as Psal 34. 5. Habbak 2. 1 2. They that wait for the Lord shall not be ashamed Isay 49. 23. Such a like account is often elsewhere given us in this Book and in many other places See Rev. 6. 1 3 5 7 c. But to this we shall not further here enlarge See the Notes before on ch 4. v. 1. 2. More particularly we have to mind and consider whose Voice he heard and that is Of Angels Of the Voice or what they said therewith we may speak something on v. 12. where we shall have more apt occasion so to do But here let us a little enquire and consider whose Voice he heard and that is here said to be Of Angels when that strong Angel spoken of v. 2. made proclamation with a loud voice saying Who is worthy to open the Book and to loose the Seals thereof then all were silent and none did or could return a word thereto there was then silence in Heaven amongst these inhabiters thereof as ch 8. 1. but now when that knot was untyed and difficulty removed and the Lamb had taken the Book in order to the opening of it and the redeemed ones unto God sang that new Song before spoken of v. 8 10. Now their Tongues were loosed when that glorious one had undertaken to loose the Book And the Apostle tells us here I heard the Voice of many Angels c. The word Angel is a Name not of Nature but of Office and therefore it is sometimes given to any Messenger indefinitely and many times in the three first Chapters of this Book of the Revelation to the Messengers Bishops or Over-seers of the seven Churches See the Notes before on ch 1. v. 20. But here we are to understand the word Angels to mean those Spirits or spiritual Beings so called As it is said He maketh his Angels Spirits Psal 104. 4. Heb. 1. 7. for they are distinguished from him that sits on the Throne and from the Lamb and from all the Saints and redeemed ones unto God and from every Creature spoken of and mentioned in v. 13. of this Chapter And so we may say a little particularly and distinctly 1. These Angels are Spirits or spiritual Beings Heb. 1. 7. And have not flesh and bones as Men and many other Creatures have As our Saviour saith A Spirit hath not flesh and bones c. Luk. 24. 39. Indeed Men have Spirits but they are not Spirits meerly as the Angels are Numb 16. 22. and ch 27. 16. And also the Angels were at first made in a glorious condition more glorious than Mankind was As the Psalmist intimates when he saith Thou madest Man a little lower than the Angels Ps 8. 4 5. 2. And the Angels are created Spirits As it is said He maketh his Angels Spirits Ps 104. 4. Heb. 1. 7. And so they are distinct from and infinitely inferiour to him that fits upon the Throne who hath created all things and for his pleasure they are and were created Rev. 4. 9 11. God indeed is a Spirit Joh. 4. 24. But not created He is from everlasting to everlasting God and is the Creator and Former of all things and so also the Creator of these Spirits we are speaking of Isay 40. 26. The Father of Spirits Heb. 12. 9. He created Heaven and the things that are therein to wit the Angels in Heaven Rev. 10. 5 6. with Mat. 24. 36. Upon this account the Psalmist thus speaks and saith Praise ye the Lord all his Angels Let them praise the Name of the Lord for he commanded and they were
created Ps 148. 2 5. And he created them by Jesus Christ by him he created all things Eph. 3. 9. And who is the true God 1. Joh. 5. 20. See the Notes before on v. 8. He is the Image of the invisible God the First-born of every Creature for by him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible whether Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers All things were created by him and for him And he is before all things c. Col. 1. 15 17. with Joh. 1. 1 3. And also particularly the Angels are distinct from the third Person in the infinitely glorious Trinity who is frequently called the Spirit the holy Spirit and in this Book the seven Spirits See Notes before on ch 1. v. 4. I say these Angels are distinguished from the holy Spirit 1 Pet. 1. 12. And they are infinitely below and inferiour to him for by him they also were created By the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made and all the Host of them and so the Angels also by the Spirit of his Mouth Psal 33. 6. By his Spirit he hath garnished the Heavens to wit with these Angels c. as with precious stones Job 26. 13. with 2 Chron. 3. 6. and Rev. 21. 19. 3. And all the Angels were of God made good for God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good Gen. 1. 31. And in an high honourable and happy condition Psal 8. 4 6. So as then these Morning-stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for joy Job 38. 4 7. But all of them abode not in the truth but some of them sinned and fell from that good holy and glorious estate they were created in Joh. 8. 44. God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to Hell and delivered them into Chains of Darkness to be reserved unto Judgment 2 Pet. 2. 4. The Angels which kept not their first Estate or Principality but left their own or proper Habitation he hath reserved in everlasting Chains under Darkness unto the judgment of the great Day Jude 6. with 1 Tim. 3. 6. And some of the Angels did stand and abide in that excellent state and condition in which they were at first created And of these latter we have here to speak and not of the former who have left and lost the purity and integrity of their Nature in which they were made of God And indeed the Angels that did abide in their holy and happy estate appear to be the Persons here intended By their disposition they are about the Throne in Heaven and about the living Creatures and Elders And by their saying with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slain c. And in that they are distinguished from every Creature under the Earth v. 12 13. And therefore of these excellent Angels we shall speak though some of the things spoken may be extended to the Angels that sinned also Nor shall we curiously enquire into or meddle with their orders or degrees though yet surely some of them are more excellent than other some as we have said See Notes on v. 2. but shall speak of those things that are more plain and more plainly revealed and declared concerning them As to say 1. These Angels which abode in the truth are signified to be Angels of Light in that the Apostle saith Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of Light intimating that there are such Angels and that Satan is none of them 2 Cor. 11. 13 15. And they are called Angels of Light to denote their brightness and the purity of their Nature and where they dwell to wit in the Light and to distinguish them from the fallen Angels which are Angels of Darkness and delivered into Chains of Darkness 2 Pet. 2. 4. Jude 6. 2. They are very frequently called the Angels of the Lord of God of Christ Gen. 32. 1. Luk. 12. 8 9. Mat. 13. 41. and in many other places to distinguish them from the Angels which kept not their first estate called the Devil and his Angels Mat. 25. 41. And the Dragon called the Devil and Satan and his Angels Rev. 12. 7 9. 3. They are called holy Angels and so are all these Angels we are speaking of Hence whereas sometimes it is said The Son of Man shall come in the glory of his Father with his Angels In other places it is said The Son of Man shall come in his glory and all the holy Angels with him Mat. 16. 27. with Mark 8. 38. and Luk. 9. 26. and Mat. 25. 31. to signifie they are sinless and pure from iniquity and devoted unto God and to distinguish them from the wicked one and his wicked Angels or Spirits 1 Joh. 2. 13 14. and ch 3. 12. Mat. 12. 45. Rev. 16. 13 14. 4. They are called elect Angels so the Apostle calls them when he saith to Timothy I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Elect Angels 1 Tim. 5. 21. to denote their pretiousness and excellency 1 Pet. 2. 4 6. and to distinguish them from the Angels who left their proper habitation who are become reprobate because the Lord hath rejected them 2 Pet. 2. 4. with Jude 6. with Jer. 6. 30. 5. They are also said to be Angels in and of Heaven Mat. 24. 36. Mark 12. 25. and ch 13. 22. because they dwell there which was indeed the proper habitation of all the Angels at first but the sinning Angels kept it not Jude 6. but these Holy Ones kept it and Heaven is their dwelling place Rev. 12. 12. Hence also they are called the Heavenly Host Luke 2. 13. Dan. 4. 35. And they always behold the Face of Christs Father which is in Heaven Mat. 18. 10. and delight in Heaven and Heavenly things And in every respect they are called Angels in Heaven to distinguish them from the Infernal Ones who are cast down to Hell 2 Pet. 2. 4. 6. They are good Angels their goodness indeed extends not to the Lord Ps 16. 2 3. but they are good and loving to Mankind and especially to those of Mankind that believe So it is said Thou art good in my sight as an Angel of God 1 Sam. 29. 8. And they appear to be good and loving to Mankind in that when Christ the Saviour of the World was born they praised God and said Glory be to God in the highest on Earth Peace good-will towards Men Luke 9. 2 13 14. And there is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one Sinner that repenteth Luke 15. 7 10. And they are and are signified to be good Angels to distinguish them from the evil one and his evil Angels who seek the ruine and everlasting destruction of men for Satan was a man-slayer from the beginning Ps 78. 49. Luke 7. 21. and ch 8. 2. Joh. 8. 44. 1 Joh. 3. 12 15. 7. And these good Angels are excellent Creatures