joying in the God of their salvation Hab. 3. 16 18. now greatly rejoycing and yet at the same time in heaviness thorow manifold temptations and trials 1 Pet. 1. 6 8. Now in poverty and straits and yet in the same instant they have the Lord to be their Gold yea their losses are gainful and their poverty riches But here is no compleat comfort or delight But hereafter as all the beast-worshippers shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God without mixture Rev. 14. 9 10. So then those that worship God in the spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus shall drink of the river of his pleasures without mixture The days of their mourning shall be ended Isay â—0 18 20. Rev. 21. 3 7. But that season is to be waited for I know thou art rich This is not like that Thou sayest I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor c. Rev. 3. 17. It is not that thou sayest but I know thou art rich their praise was not of Men themselves or others but of the great God and our Saviour 2. We have an account given us of his knowledg as to others and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews and are not but the Synagogue of Satan This is that which he knew also for so I know though it be not here expressed particularly yet hath reference to this clause also Where let us enquire 1. What or whom may we understand by Jews in this place 2. What is meant by their blasphemy and then note some Instructions 1. Whom may we understand by Jews in this place which these pretended themselves to be and were not but were the Synagogue of Satan Now to that we may say 1. Hereby some understand are meant such as are commonly known by that name in Scripture Jews by nature or Proselitisme Gal. 2. 15. Esth 8. 17. even such as did belong to one of the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin which are frequently so called Or more generally they that were of the circumcision in the Flesh But I rather apprehend that by Jews in this place 2. Are meant Christians they did pâ—etend themselves to be Christians indeed and might and surely did give forth themselves to be the most pure and Orthodox Christians and such as so are which these falsely pretended themselves to be are Jews indeed whether circumcised or baptized according to that He is not a Jew which is one outwardly neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh But he is a jew which is one inwardly and circumcision is that of the heart in the spirit and not in the letter whose praise is not of Men but of God Rom. 2. 26 29. Thus again the Apostle signifies such to be Jews indeed or of the circumcision who are sincere Christians and circumcised in heart when he saith Finally Brethren rejoyce in the Lord Beware of the concision For we are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh They are the circumcision and so Jews indeed who count all things loss for Christ Phil. 3. 1 3 7 9. So again the Apostle saith In Christ ye are compleat no say the natural Jews and Judaizers ye are not compleat in Christ for ye are not circumcised yes saith the Apostle ye have circumcision in Christ also in whom ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ Col. 2. 9 10 11 12. Rom. 4. 8 13. and ch 11. 17 18. Even as they are Isralites indeed and were so in former times who are of a clean heart Ps 73. 1. Joh. 1. 47. In this respect they are not all Israel which are of Israel neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children But in Isaac shall thy seed be called that is they which are the children of the flesh these are not the children of God But the children of the promise are counted for the seed Rom. 9. 6 8 If ye be Christs then are ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise Gal. 3. 16. 29. and ch 6. 16. And that which induces me to believe that by Jews here are meant sincere Christians is 1. Because in this Book great and frequent respect is had to our types of old and to their places and persons and those names which were usual amongst them are frequently made use of in this Book of the Revelation So our Jesus our great High-priest appears in vision in the habit of the High-priest under the law ch 1. 13. and those that serve God in his Temple day and night are clothed like the Priests in former times ch 7. 13 15. with 2 Chron. 5. 12 13. Thus we read of the temple often Rev. 11. 1. c. with allusion to the typical one and the Ark of the testimony Rev. 11. 19. with Exod. 26. 33 34. The tabernacle of testimony Rev. 15. 5. with Exod. 38. 21. The altar Rev. 6. 9. and many other Instances might be given which may be taken notice of as we come at them God willing and assisting and therefore such respect being had so frequently to the Jewish persons places names in this Book as also when the Apostle writes to the Hebrews Jews may here signify the sincere or pure Christians as also in ch 3. 9. 2. Because also this Book appears to be received after the destruction of Jerusalem and then it would be no wisdom at all but an Highpoint of folly and impudence to say they were Jews in the common acceptation and were not so for by so doing they did expose themselves to drink of the same cup with those who were Jews by nature It would be more prudence in such a time for those who were Jews to say they were none and to call themselves by another name to take away their reproach Isay 4. 1. then for such as were no Jews to call themselves by that name unless they desired death rather then life which cannot reasonably be supposed see the notes on v. 13. of this chapter 3. Because Jews are in this place and also in ch 3. 9. opposed to the Synagogue of Satan now they might be Jews in the common notion and yet also be the Synagogue of Satan or of the Synagogue of Satan as our Saviour saith to some Jews ye are of your Father the Devil and the lusts of your Father ye will do Joh. 8. 44. but now unâ—eigned and sincere Christians cannot be of the Synagogue of Satan and so they pretended and gave forth themselves to be Christians indeed worshippers of God in the spirit and rejoycers in Christ Jesus and were not such but the contrary to what they pretended And this makes it evident to me that by Jews here are meant heatry disciples of Christ 4. It appears
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
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
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
prefixed to it by the Holy Ghost is the best Now a Revelation is either an opening and making of that known which was hid absolutely Dan. 2. 19. 22. or of that which was hid comparatively In this latter sence especially it may be here taken it is such a Revelation as had not been vouchsafed in former times to the Sons of Men as Ephes 3. 3 5. Of Jesus Christ This Phrase may either mean and signify to us 1. Of him as the subject Matter but this is not here so fully meant and intended Though indeed in many passages of this Book he is so revealed as in former Ages he had not been as Chap. 1. 5 7 17 18. and Chap. 5. and Chap. 22. c. But 2. Of Jesus Christ namely which God gave unto him as presently followeth to wit which God gave unto him to reveal So he received it of the Father and it was his by the Gift and Donation of the Father for as Man he knew not but as it was made known so he increased in Wisdom Luke 2. 25. And of the Day and Hour of his coming again he knew not However he so knew not as to reveal it before he had finisht the work in his own Personal Body which the Father gave him to do Mark 13. 32. The Father loveth the Son and sheweth him all things Joh. 5. 19 20. and Chap. 15. 15. 3. Of Jesus Christ namely shewed and revealed by him to his Servants so also was the Mystery of the Gospel The Apostle saith he received it by the Revelation of Jesus Christ Gal. 1. 12. Matth. 11. 25 27. So that spoken and revealed to all the Churches was by him as may be seen in the beginning of every of the message to each particular Church Ch. 2. and Ch. 3. And he was the opener of the Seals c. Ch. 5. and Ch. 6. c. Which God gave to him To wit the Father who is the Author of this Book and so to be accounted by us And he gave this Revelation to Jesus Christ most fully and compleatly in our nature when he ascended up on high and led Captivity Captive then he received Gifts in the Man and for Men c. Psal 68. 18. Being by the right Hand of God exalted after he was raised up from the Dead he received the Promise of the Holy Spirit Act. 2. 32 33 36. with Rev. 5. 6. To shew unto his Servants Here we have the end of God's giving this Revelation to his Son namely not to hide or conceal or keep to himself but to shew and make known And to whom he should shew it is also declared to us viz. Vnto his Servants more generally to all that obey him for to whom Men yield themselves Servants to obey his Servants they are to whom they obey Rom. 6. 16. And by these Servants are meant not the Angels only but the Churches also generally Compare Rev. 22. 6. with Verse 16. And as it appears by the Apostle's Inscription and Direction of this Book in Ch. 1. 4. And so God gave this Book to his Son to shew to all hearty and unfeigned believers and obeyers of him According to these and such-like Scriptures the secret of the LORD is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant Psal 25. 14. His secret is with the righteous Prov. 3. 31. He giveth Wisdom to the wise and knowledge to them that know understanding He revealeth the deep and secret things Dan. 2. 21 22. And this may therefore encourage his Servants to look into this Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ and to expect his faithfulness in revealing their Eyes to behold the wondrous things therein contained as may be good for them Things that must shortly come to pass So Verse 3. Ch. 22. 6. 7. This is the subject-matter of this Book generally That is to say 1. Future things things not then come to pass This Book is not given to acquaint Christs Servants with what was done in and by Christ though these things may be occasionally mentioned as Ch. 1. 18. and Ch. 2. 8. c. But to shew things to be done in his Providence in the World and Providential Government in and about his Churches and of their sufferings and the Judgments to be executed upon their Enemies and Christs coming again and making all things new c. This is the subject-matter of this Book in general It is a Revelation of future events and actions especially from Ch. 4. 1. where we have this Phrase again used 2. Things that must come to pass not may come to pass only So our Saviour when he is foretelling the Destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the World and shewing the signs of both He saith All these things must come to pass c. Mat. 24. 3 6. So the things here revealed must be done and fulfilled those Judgments must be executed the Man of Sin revealed come to his height consume and be destroyed His people must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God c. 1. Be not troubled then for so it must be as is here revealed as our Saviour saith Be not troubled for such things must needs be Mark 13. 7. Be not terrified for these things must come to pass Luk. 21. 9. Act. 14. 22. 2. Yea when those things that more immediately precede the coming of Christ begin to come to pass then look up O ye Servants of Christ and lift up your Heads for your Redemption draweth nigh Luk. 21. 25. 28. Considering that in these things that must come to pass there is that which administers wonderful comfort and rejoycing to you for all Enemies must be destroyed Christ must reign his Saints be raised in the first Resurrection new Heavens and new Earth made and his Servants that here have followed him must reign with him on the Earth and sit on his Throne Rev 11. 5. and Ch. 21. 1. 5 7. and Ch. 22. 3 6. 2 Pet. 3. 11. 13. 3. Things that must shortly come to pass That is to say 1. Shortly As with respect to God and to Eternity so these things must be done shortly and quickly Thus when the Apostle Peter acquaints the Believers with and exhorts them to know and take notice of this That there shall come in the last days Scoffers walking after their own lusts and saying where is the Promise of his coming 2 Pet. 3. 1 3 4. After the Apostle had declared their willing ignorance about God's Destruction of the Old World c. ver 5. 7. He then gives this caution and warning to the Believers to the end they might not be led away with the errour of the Wicked ver 8. But Beloved be not ignorant of this one thing that one Day with the Lord is as a thousand Years and a thousand Year as one Day One Day with him is as long as a thousand Years with us and a thousand Years as short as one Day for he
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
perform that spoken of ver 7 And of Him who sent and signified this Book by his Angels ver 1. So here we have an Account of the Person unto whom it was sent 1. By his name I John 2. By his Relation to the Churches who also am your Brother and companion 3. By some particular Account of the things wherein He was related to them In the tribulation and in the kingdome and Patience of Jesus Christ 4. By the Place where He was when this was sent and signified unto Him I was in the Isle that is called Patmos 5. By the cause or Reason of his Being there for the word of God and for the Testimony of Jesus Christ 1. He is described to us by his name I John so chap. 21. 2 and chap. 22. 8. thus He nameth Himself like Paul Gal. 5. 2. 1 Thes 2. 18. nay like to our Lord in this Book I Jesus ch 22. 16. He doth not add great and Honourable titles to himself and much less names of blasphemy such as the Man of sin takes to himself As Christ's Vicar and the High Priest and Head of the Church on earth c. But without any Honourable and much less Blasphemous Title doth He describe Himself As also do Paul Peter James Jude He was not desirous of Vain glory nor sought after praise of men Learn we of Him yea of Jesus whom He imitated who is meek and lowly in heart Mat. 11. 29. Oh what Humility was in Him Humble we our selves also and in due time He will exalt us 1 Pet. 5. 5 6. 1. He to whom this Revelation was sent and signified was John a mean man in this world and a tradesman none of the rich and Honourable of the world but a poor Fisher-man Mat. 4. 21. And one that went a-fishing after Christ was risen from the dead And so some Considerable time after he was an Apostle Joh. 21. 2. In the last times especially God and Christ have been staining the Pride of man's glory and will do it fully and compleatly at the last that no flesh may glory in his presence Christ did chuse the poor of this world to reveal his Mysteries to many or most of his disciples were fishers who were chosen by Him in his personal ministration to be Apostles Joh. 21. 2 3. And the Apostle of the Gentiles to whom this Grace was given to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ was as men speak by way of Reproach a Mechanick a Tent-maker And did work in his trade after he was an Apostle Act. 18. 2 3. and ch 20. 35. 1 Thes 2. 9. 2 Thes 3. 7 8. And yet what Visions and Revelations of the Lord were vouchsased to him 2 Cor. 12. 1 7. yea how greatly did our Lord himself humble himself He to whom this Revelation was imediately given was not only the Son of one espoused to a carpenter and the Reputed son of a carpenter Mat. 13. 55. But they said of him also is not this the Carpenter Mark 6. 3. The poor and mean ones of this world have the Gospel preached to them Luke 4. 18. and ch 7. 22. And they being faithful have the mysteries of the Kingdom opened to them Mat. 13. 11 16. Of a truth God is no respecter of persons Oh let us not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory with respect of persons Hearken my beloved Brethren hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised c. Jam. 2. 1 2 5. 2. I John none of the wise-men of this world not instructed into or acquainted with Philosophy or with the Heathens art science of this world which the Apostle calls vain deceit Col. 2. 8. And Science falsly so called 1 Tim. 6. 20. But he was a poor ignorant man As it is said The High Priest and wise ones of this world perceived that he was an unlearned and ignorant man an idiot Act. 4. 14. And so was Peter also the first-named Apostle usually and the Apostles generally to whom the Gospel was committed and the mysteries of the Kingdom made known I thank thee O Father saith Jesus Christ Lord of Heaven and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to Babes Even so father for so it seemed good in thy sight Mat. 11. 25 26. Luke 10. 21. with Mat. 13. 11 16. Though he be Lord of Heaven and Earth and therefore might reveal his secret to whom he pleases and imploy whom he pleaseth for bearing his name yet it hath pleased him to prefer Babes in this matter before the wife and learned ones You see your calling Brethren How that not many wise men after the flesh are chosen But God hath chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise c. That no Flesh might glory in his presence 1 Cor. 1. 20 26 29 30. And though some Wise-men after the Flesh may be chosen yet they must become Fools that they may be wise 1 Cor. 3. 18 20. Yea this they said of our Lord to whom this Revelation was given How knoweth this Man Letters having never learned Joh. 7. 15 16. Alas the Wisdom of this World is Foolishness with God and he that seemeth to be wise herewith must cease from his own Wisdom that he may be wise 1 Cor. 3. 18 20. Therefore let us not lean to our own Understanding nor glory in Wise-men Prov. 3. 5. and ch 23. 4. 1 Cor. 3. 21. and ch 1. 18 23 Col. 2. 8 9. c. 3. I John one that was subject to and polluted with like Infirmities and Evils as others one that had Sin in him and had sinned 1 Joh. 18. 10. that had in many things offended One that forbad such an one as cast out Devils in Christ's Name when he should not have so done Mark 9. 38 40. One that sought pre-eminence to the offence of many of the residue of the Disciples Mark 10. 35 41. One that would have called for Fire from Heaven to consume them that received not Christ for which Christ rebuked and sharply reproved him Luke 9. 51 56. One that with the rest had Indignation against that good Work of that good Woman who testified Love to our Lord Jesus Mat. 26. 7 8. One of them that watched not with Christ one Hour and thereby lost such an opportunity as he never had again Mat. 26. 40. One that with the rest was offended and left and forsook Christ in his great Afflictions and Sufferings Mat. 26. 31. 56. Joh. 16. 32. One with the rest whom our Saviour upbraided for his Unbelief and hardness of Heart after Christ's Resurrection Mark 16. 14. yet to this John who was formerly guilty of many Evils was this Book sent and signified So great is the Love of our Lord Jesus that it covers all their Sins who confess and forsake them so it did John's Evils And not
what have I to do with thee mine hour is not yet come Job 2. 4. And to his Brethren My time is not yet come but your time is alway ready Joh. 7. 6. He knowes the fittest day for every purpose and thing but this is a great part of Man's misery he knows not the opportune season Eccl. 9. 12. Or 2. On the Lords Day The Sabbath-day or day of rest that seventh part of time set apart and sanctified for more solemnly waiting upon him and thereto ceasing from our own works And this may be called the Lord's Day 1. Because at first God took up his rest in Jesus Christ our Lord and was refreshed and therefore set apart the seventh day as a token thereof had he not found out this ransome and had not Christ interposed himself and undertook to work redemption for us there had been no Sabbath for us to have observed his undertaking to do what the Father appointed to him at first and actually performing and accomplishing it in due time is the ground and reason of this days being set apart and sanctified Gen. 2. 2 3. with Heb. 4. 3 4. Exod. 31. 16 17. with Joh. 5. 19 22. Hence the Preface to all the Commandments and particularly to their remembring to keep holy the Sabbath-day was that he brought them out of the Land of Egypt which was a Type of the redemption wrought in and by Jesus Christ Exod. 20. 2 8. 2. It is the Lord's Day also that of which Jesus Christ the Son of Man is the Lord and actually so become as he hath died for us and is risen again and hath restored our loss whereby he is become the rightful Lord of all that was made for Man even for the good of Man Ps 8. 4 9. with Heb. 2. 6 9. and particularly of this Day as our Saviour saith The Sabbath was made for Man and not Man for the Sabbath therefore the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath Mat. 12. 8. Mark 2. 27 28. 3. It is the Lords Day because we should herein be exercised to the Consideration and Remembrance of what Christ hath suffered and done for us and is become that he by the Grace of God tasted Death for every Man and is risen from the Dead for their justification and is become the one and only Foundation of Faith and Hope for us poor Sinners The Stone which the Builders refused is become the head of the Corner This is the LORDS doing it is marvellous in our Eyes This is the day which the LORD hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it To such an end should this Day be set apart that we may be glad in his work in redeeming us from the curse of the Law and triumph in the works of his hands Ps 118. 2 4. Ps 92. Title and Verse 1 4. Isay 28. 12. And it is a Sign that he doth sanctifie us and shews how we may be sanctified and now be entring into rest not by works of righteousness that we have done or can do but by believing in and coming unto Jesus Christ Exod. 31. 13 14. Rom. 4. 5. Tit. 3. 4. Mat. 11. 27 28. Heb. 4. 3. Isay 58. 13. And on this Day we should be exercised unto the consideration of that rest which remaineth for the people of God which in due season Christ will give unto them Acts 3. 19 20. Heb. 4. 3 8. 2 Thes 1. 5 6. And indeed to such an end should this day be set apart and that we should do no servile work thereon for works of Piety Mercy and Necessity they are Sabbath-day works but it should not be prophaned with common and ordinary words or works Isay 58. 13. Neh. 10. 31. and ch 13. 15 22. Jer. 17. 21 27. Men may pretend to a great deal of zeal and strictness in observing it and yet not be exercised to the consideration of Christ as the ground and end of it yea they may be so far from that that they may be Enemies to him and his Gospel Joh. 5. 16 18. and ch 7. 22 23. and ch 9. 14 16. On this Day he heard this Voice which might be an encouragement and provocation to us to keep it holy and therein to remember the Lord's Death and what he hath thereby done for us and obtained and is become and the love of both Father and Son therein commended to us 3. We have an account in general given to us of what he heard on that day And heard behind me a great Voice as of a Trumpet And heard behind me like what Ezekiel saith I heard behind me a Voice of a great rushing Ezek. 3. 12. like that saying also Isay 30. 21. At such a time and in such a manner as he least expected not before him but behind him or ever he was aware he was thus unexpectedly favoured Gen. 28. 10. A great Voice as of a Trumpet So he heard also ch 4. 1 2. And before the little Book was given unto him ch 10. 3 4. Doubtless this loud Voice was to awaken him and prepare him to give earnest heed to what was spoken and to signifie the weightiness of what he was about to speak that it was no vain thing but somewhat of great importance and concernment and that which was worthy to be heard minded and considered by him and us To such end and purpose he sent out his Voice and that a mighty Voice And it behoves us all seeing the matter of what was then spoken is recorded and preserved on record that we should diligently bow down our Ears hereto and hear these words of the wise and not lightly or heedlesly pass it over as if it were not worthy our most serious meditation and consideration Verse 11. Saying I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last And what thou seest write in a Book and send it to the Seven Churches which are in Asia unto Ephesus and unto Smyrna and unto Pergamos and unto Thyatira and unto Sardis and Philadelphia and unto Laodicea In this Verse the Apostle gives unto us a more particular account of what he heard In which we have to consider 1. A description of him that speaketh I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last 2. A charge and commandment given to the Apostle In which also we have 1. The Subject matter of what he should write and send what thou seest 2. What he commands him to do with this write in a Book and send it 3. To whom unto the seven Churches which are in Asia c. 1. A Description of him that speaketh I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last The latter opens the Former as we have seen See the notes on v. 8. I am the first and the last so v. 17. ch 2. 8. and ch 22. 13. The King of Israel as is said Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel and his Redeemer the LORD of Hostes I am the first and I am the last c. Isay
for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people for unto you Men is born a Saviour Luk. 2. 10 11. so here Christ setteth not before John to comfort and strengthen him somewhat peculiar unto himself or something in which he was preferred before others but that which is proper to comfort any in any tribulation or trial whatsoever for these glad-tidings of the Gospel are proper to comfort all that mourn 2 Cor. 1. 3 5. Isay 61. 1 2 3. Christ setteth his first love which he hath manifested in laying down his life for us and taking it up again to imbolden him and strengthen him against his fear There is no fear in love saith this Apostle but perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment he that feareth is not made perfect in love 1 Joh. 4. 16 18 19. and so our Saviour takes the same course to strengthen the Church of Smyrna These things saith the first and the last which was dead and is alive I know thy Works and tribulation and Poverty c. Fear none of those things that thou shalt suffer Rev. 2. 8 9 10. Christ here sets not before John his being an Apostle or a preacher of the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus or that he had cast out Devils in his name and in his name had done many wonderful workes he doth not mind him of or strengthen him with any of his own good Signes Frames Marks Qualifications Changes or alterations or any thing within him or done by him nor with any secret thing But sets before him his death Resurrection everliving c. to strengâ—hen his heart and remove his fears and and to revive and quicken him That which is true for every Man and to be declared and preached to every Man he puts to the Rememberance and consideration of him and doth as it were say to him as Paul did to Timothy to strengthen him in the grace in Christ against his fears and discouragements Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my Gospel 2 Tim. 2. 1 8. For indeed that which is proper to comfort all that mourn is that also fundamentally wherewith he comforts them that mourn in Zion and gives them beauty for ashes the Oyl of joy for mourning the garment of praise for the Spirit of heaviness Isay 61. 1 2 3. Oh that this may be considered by us that their consolations of God may not be small with us that we may not have some secret thing with us Job 15. 11. but that in all our fears and distresses we may Remember the years of the right hand of the most high that we may Remember the works of the LORD even his wonders of old Ps 77. 7 11. with Ps 118. 15 22 23. 2. Now when Christ was in Heaven and when he vouchsafed this vision unto his servant John he minds him of and seâ—s before him his sufferings resurrection and reviving that these might not be forgotten by him when Christ was thus lifting him up and exalting him that the Lord's death might always be remembred by him 1 Cor. 11. 23 26. so in vision he appears in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures and in the midst of the elders as a lamb that had been slain and many times in this book he is called a Lamb and the Lamb that the whole family and househould of God in heaven and in earth might with thankfulness remember and consider and make mention of this that he was slain c. Rev. 5. 6 9 11 12. This also was discourst of in the vision when Christ was transfigured by Moses and Elias who appeared in Glory and speak of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem Luk. 9. 30 31. and lest the Apostle Paul should be exalted above measure thorow the abundance of the Revelations so as to forget the sufficiency of this grace of Christ there was given to him a thorn in the flesh the messenger of Satan to buffet him 2 Cor. 12. 7 9. Oh that this Precious Blood may never be forgotten or undervalued by us how-ever Christ be lifting us up for by this we are saved if we keâ—p in memory what hath been preached to us unless we have believed in vain viz. how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures c. 1 Cor. 15. 1 3 4 5. c. More particularly he setteth before him these things 1. I am he that liveth Though thou art dead yet I live he is alive he hath life in himself and this the Father hath given to him in our nature Joh. 1. 4. And as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them even so the Son quickneth whom he will For as the Father hath life in himself so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself Joh. 5. 21 26. This last Adam was made and is a quickening Spirit 1 Cor. 15. 45. The Spirit of life resteth upon him And he is become the fountain of life Ps 36. 9. and he hath power to give life to those that are dead in any consideration whatsoever Joh. 5. 21. and ch 6. 33. so he saith to the Angel of the Church in Sardis These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God I know thy works that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead But though that Angel and Church generally were dead yet the spirit was upon Christ to enliven them and quicken them again Rev. 3 1 2. Though he was crucified thorow weakness yet he liveth by the power of God 2 Cor. 13. 4. This he now propounds to his Servant John to revive and strengthen him In this Job comforts himself when God stript him of his Glory and took the Crown from his head and destroyed him on every side when he put his Brethren far from him and his acquaintance were estranged from him when those that dwelt in his house and his maidens counted him for a stranger and â—he called his Servant and he gave him no answer when his breath was strange to his Wife yea young Men despised him all his inward friends abhorred him and they whom he loved were turned against him c. yet saith he I know that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth c. Job 19. 6. 19. 25 26. and on this account the Psalmist â—ejoyceth and signifieth that hereby the great things he had been speaking of should be effectâ—d and accomplished The LORD liveth and blessed be my rock and exalted be the God of the rock of my Salvation 2 Sam. 22. 44 47 50. Ps 18. 46. so when he had been speaking and prophecying of the glorious Majesty of the Kingdom of Christ and that all nations and Kings should fall down before and worship him
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
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
And this Christ knew and took notice of and did approve and commend them for and this for our imitation also that we might grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and might abound in every good word and work 2 Pet. 3. 18. 2 Thes 2. 15 17. Verse 20. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee see the notes before on v. 4. and on v. 14. Because thou sufferest that Woman Jezabel which calleth her self a Prophetess to teach and to seduce my Servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols In this verse we have the charge which our Saviour draws up against this Angel and Church And this he doth 1. More generally Because thou sufferest that woman Jezabel 2. He gives a more particular account of her evil and therein intimately of theirs in their permitting and suffering her And that 1. By what she said of her self which calleth her self a Prophetess 2. By her evil work To teach and seduce my Servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols 1. We have the charge more generally drawn up against this Angel and Church Because thou sufferest that Woman Jezabel Thou sufferest that is thou permittest and forbiddest her not so suffering and forbidding are opposed the one unto the other see Mat. 3. 14 15 and ch 19. 14. or thou forbiddest her not with rebukes for when we rebuke any we may be said not to suffer them see Mat. 19. 13. with v. 14. The evil of this Angel and Church was not that Jezabel taught false doctrine simply But that they did not forbid or hinder her that they did not rebuke her sharply and so stop or muzzel her mouth and not suffer her to vent her erroneous and destructive doctrines amongst them Tit. 1. 10 13. So God is said not to suffer what he straitly forbids As the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee to hearken unto observers of times and unto diviners Deut. 18. 14. that is he hath strictly forbidden thee so to do And yet they might possibly be guilty of such an iniquity though their God suffered them not so to do Jer. 32. 35. Now this was the evil found with this Angel and Church not that they commanded or encouraged her so to do or that she taught evil doctrines simply But they did not forbid or make it their work to hinder her by their convictions sharpe rebukes and prohibitions of her but did even tolerate her so to do That Woman Either hereby we may understand some one particular person or rather some congregated society as it seems or framed assembly that was gathered together but not by Christ or in his name Isay 54. 15. like unto if not the same with the synagogâ—e of Satan mentioned before v. 9. and ch 3 9. Some idolatrous Church appears to be meant and intended hereby Because the word Woman in the Book of this Prophecy frequently signifies either the Church of Christ as ch 12. 1 4 6 13 16 or mystery Babilon the man of sins whore ch 17. 3 9 18. or any other idolatrous or whorish society or congregation ch 14. 3. And so else-where the word Woman doth signify some Church or religious society as Cant. 1. 8. and ch 5. 9. Ezek. 23. 2. Jezabel so is this woman called with allusion to Jezabel the wife of Ahab in former times and so to denote unto us 1. That this Jezabel here spoken of was some idolatrous and antichristian congregation that was amongst the Church in Thyatira and that worshipped some false object of worship or the true God after a false manner as afterwards also appeareth by the account given of her doctrine and so this framed congregation was like to Jezabel of old who was one that worshipped Baal and had Prophets of the groves that eat at her table 1 King 16. 31 33. and ch 18. 19. And like to her was this woman herein And like unto if not in the beginning the same with mystery Babilon which hath in her right hand a golden cup full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication Rev. 17. 1 2 5. for in the Apostles days that mystery of iniquity did begin to work though it was not so revealed as it hath been since 2 Thes 2. 3 7 8. 2. This whorish society is called and compared to Jezabel of old to give us to understand that they were enemies unto and full of cruelty against the true Prophets and Servants of the Lord as was Ahab's wife 1 King 18. 4 13. and ch 19. 1 2. and ch 21. 7. c. and this is also true of mystery Babilon the great whore they have shed the blood of Saints and Prophets Rev. 16. 6. that woman was drunken with the blood of the Saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus Rev. 17. 6. and ch 18. 24. and ch 19. 2. how many thousands and ten thousands hath this Mother of harlots and her confederates murthered and shed the blood of yea they hold it to be a meritorious work to kill and destroy Hereticks and such they account all them to be who will not hold communion with them or commit whoredom and spiritual fornication with them 3. This woman is likened to Jezabel in former times to signify the witch-crafts they make use of both more spiritually and more grossly also 2 King 9 22. more spiritually all false and antichristian teachers are witches Gal. 3. 1. and those Antichristian Christians use it also more grossly many of them The coming of the Man of sin is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders 2 Thes 2. 8 10. And by the forcerers both spiritual and carnal of mystery Babilon were all nations deceived Rev. 18. 23. To Jezabel of old is this Antichristian society likened here because she gave forth her self to be a Queen such an one was Ahabs wife indeed 1 King 16. 31. so mystery Babilon is too generally acknowledged as and gives forth her self to be a queen she ruleth over the Kings of the earth Rev. 17. 18. and by her sitting upon the Scarlet-coloured Beast and ruling she lives dâ—liciously and before the approach of her ruine and irrecoverable destruction she will say in her heart I sit a Queen and am no Widow and shall see no sorrow Rev. 18. 6 7. with Isay 47. 6 7. 5. This framed idolatrous congregation is also called Jezabel because as Jezabel of old did paint her face and tire her head 2 King 9. 30. so did these evil and false worshippers and so Idolatrous ones generally to gain love from others and to draw them in to commit fornication by their appearing beauty and amiableness they cloath themselves with crimson and deck themselves with ornaments of Gold and even rent their faces with painting that they make themselves fair Jer. 4. 30. Ezek. 23. 40 44. And how doth mystery Babilon paint her face and deck her self with the riches and bravery
twenty four Elders fall down before the Lamb Chap. 5. 8. And they fall down and worship him that liveth for ever and ever Chap. 5. 14. and chap. 11. 16 17. and chap. 19. 4. And though they were about the Throne yet all before the face of him that sits upon the Throne as chap. 11. 16. None behind him where Satan's place is Mat. 16. 23. and where all their sins are cast as Hezekiah speaks Isa 38. 17. All these Elders are in the face and presence of him to denote the singular favour he bears to them as Psal 41. 12 13. And though their Thrones are infinitely inferior to his Throne whose Kingdom ruleth over all yet they are Thrones of Judgment Glory and Dominion A wonderful favour and high honour and dignity that there should be Thrones in Heaven for such as have been poor sinful miserable ones But the Lord it is who raiseth the poor out of the dust and lifteth up the begger from the dunghil to set them among Princes and to make them inherit the Throne of Glory 1 Sam. 2. 8. Psal 113. 7 8. How might the consideration hereof engage us in a patient continuance in well-doing to be seeking after glory honour and immortality even such things as are above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God To set our affection on things above and not on things on the earth Yea in the light and strength of Gods grace which bringeth salvation to us to mortifie our members that are on the earth Rom. 2. 7. Col. 3. 1 2 3 5. 2. Whom he saw upon these four and twenty seats or Thrones And upon the seats or Thrones I saw to wit in Vision twenty four Elders Whether in this number here spoken of there may be allusion and respect had to the Heads of the courses of the Priests and Singers mentioned in 1 Chron. 24. and chap. 25. we shall not here enquire into nor spend time to consider Though without peradventure frequent allusion and reference is had to Israel and our types in former times amongst them in this Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ But here the great thing we have to enquire into and consider is who are meant and intended by these Elders here seen in Vision by the Apostle And to that we may say 1. They are men and not angels by nature and this will somewhat help us to understand what they are and shew unto us and preserve us from the mistakes of those men who understand the Elders to be those glorious spirits frequently called Angels in Scripture Now that the Elders are men some of mankind of that species of creatures and not Angels by nature plainly appears in that new song they sing where they acknowledg unto the Lamb and unto his praise Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood Now without peradventure he did not redeem the angels as the Apostle saith Verily he took not on him the nature of angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham Heb. 2. 16. And therefore when the angel did bring to the shepherds glad tydings of great joy which should be to all people he then saith For unto you men and not unto us angels is born a Saviour Luke 2. 10 11. and Christ was made a little while inferior unto and lower than the angels that he might by the grace of God taste death for every man Heb. 2. 7 9 17. Yea in that song it further appears they are men in that they say Thou â—ast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation Rev. 5. 8 9. which cannot be affirmed of the angels This also doth further demonstrate them to be some of mankind and not angels in that they are distinguished from the angels and the angels are said to be about them as chap. 5. 11 I beheld and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and about the elders yea the Elders are distinguished from all the angels and all the angels said to be about them also as it is said All the angels stood about the throne and about the elders c. chap. 7. 11. therefore without conâ—roversie the elders are not angels but some of mankind 2. And these elders appear to be such men as 1. Were Saints and holy onâ—s in that the Harps and Phials every one of them had are said to be the prayers of Saints and in that they were redeemed not only of God as all men are 1 Tim. 2. 6. but unto God by the blood of the Lamb as well as also because they were redeemed out of every kindred and tongue c. and were kings and priests and shall reign on the earth see the notes after on chap. 5. ver 8. 9 10. 2. They appear to be such men as were dead unto those who then lived in mortal bodies to wit that they were the spirits of some just men made perfect though they live unto God as our Saviour signifies Abraham Isaâ—c and Jacob did long after they had departed this life and world Luke 20. 37 38. so these elders though they live unto him that sits upon the throne yet they are dead unto us as it appeareth 1. By the title given unto the four creatures after-mentioned they are called living creatures ver 6 8 9. and in many other places for though the word be translated Beasts yet it is not well so translated as may be afterwards in some measure shewn God assisting it signifies living creatures and so they are distinguished from these elders who were dead in their bodies and these elders distinguished from them and that may help us to understand that these elders were not living in mortal bodies 2. This also may be further evidenced hereby 1. In that when we have an account given us of things done or executed on the earth or things relating thereto then we have mention made of the living creatures or some one of them and not of the elders so in the opening of the four first seals the four living creatures are spoken of chap. 6. 1 3 5. 7. and when famine is treated of which falls only on those below then it is said I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures c. and the elders are not named there at all chap. 6. 6. so one of the four living creatures not an elder gave unto the seven angels seven golden phials full of the wrath of God which was to be poured forth on the earth chap. 15. 7. and chap. 16. 1. which shew the elders were not on the earth in mortal bodies but taken from thence 2. And when account is given of things in and from heaven then the elders are named or some one of them in more places than one and not the living creatures as it was an elder acquainted John who had prevailed to open the book in the right of him that sate on the throne chap. 5.
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
4. 8. And all even the most excellent and strong Angels also are his servants Eccles 5. 8. See verse 11. 2. What he saw concerning this strong Angel And that is propounded to us 1. More generally Proclaiming with a loud voice Preaching or Proclaiming They are God's Heralds and Criers also the Heralds of this most glorious one who sits upon the supream Throne and he saw him proclaiming with a loud voice that all might hear and attend unto and consider what was thus proclaimed So many times in this Book we read of an Angel or Angels saying with a loud voice what they speak as Revel 8. 13. and chap. 14. 7 9 15 and chap. 18. 2. And therefore he might be a strong Angel that was now sent and imployed in this work that he might proclaim and sound forth this Proclamation with a loud and strong voice that all People might hear this and all the Inhabitants of the World yea all the Inhabiters of Heaven and Earth and under the Earth might give ear unto it He doth not speak with a low voice as those that have familiar Spirits do and Wizards that peep and mutter Isa 8 9. But he lifts up his Voice like a Trumpet and thereby as after followeth doth intimately proclaim the unworthiness of all Creatures comparatively and the high merit and worthiness of the Lamb He doth not proclaim his own goodness as most men will do Prov. 20. 6. but makes way for the glory and glorifying him whom God hath exalted and extolled and made very high and therefore he might well lift up his voice with strength lift it up and not be afraid considering also he had his Mission and Authority hereto from him that sits upon the Throne Isa 40. 6 9. 2. More particuâ—arly we have declared to us the subject-matter of this Angels Proclamation by way of challenge Who is worthy to open the Book and to loose the Seals thereof We have many other challenges or earnest questions and interrogations of somewhat alike nature recorded in Scripture As Who hath known the Mind of the Lord or who hath been his Counseller Or who hath first given to him and it shall be recompenced to him again Rom 11. 34 35. with Isa 40. 13 14. Who hath ascended up into Heaven or descended what is his name and what is his Sons name if thou canst tell Prov. 30. 4. Hast thou heard the Secret of God and do'st thou restrain Wisdom to thy self Job 15. 8. And who as I saith the Lord shall call and shall declare it and set it in order for me since I appointed the Ancient People and the things that are coming and shall come let them shew unto them Isa 44. 7. and chap. 45. 21. Who hath stood in the Counsel or Secret of the Lord and hath perceived and heard his word who hath marked his word Jer. 23. 18. And this Proclamation and Challenge we are speaking to is thus propounded to us Who is worthy to open the Book and to loose the Seals thereof That is to say Who of all created beings is worthy to undertake and perform this great work It is an universal challenge to all meer Creatures in Heaven and in Earth and under the Earth as appears verse 3. And this Angel might make such an universal challenge for he was sent so to do 1. Who is worthy by way of merit so to do amongst all Creatures in Heaven or Earth c. So worthy sometimes signifies in Scripture such an one as so is by way of desert or merit so it is said of him that liveth for ever and ever and unto him by the four and twenty elders Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory c. chap. 4. 10 11. Thou doest highly and infinitely deserve it And to and of the Lamb it is truly acknowledged thou art worthy to take the Book and to open the Seals thereof and worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches c. chap. 5. 9 12. He hath merited this honour and glory by his precious Blood And in such a sense in some measure the workman is worthy of his meat or hire Matth. 10. 10. Luke 10. 7 1. Tim. 5. 18. See the notes before on chap. 3. v. 4. Now in this sense we may understand this question Who is worthy to open this Book to unfold this Book that is so closed up Who hath deserved such a wonderful honour at Gods hand Who hath done so much for God or laid such obligations upon him as to make him his Debtor Who hath first given to him and it shall be recompensed to him again Rom. 11. 35. Who hath prevented the Lord that he should thus repay him Job 41. 11. 2. Or Who is worthy to open the Book that is Who is able for this great work and business here propounded See the notes after on verse 3. Who is sufficient for this great thing as 2 Cor. 2. 16. Such-like challenges are given forth by God unto his Creatures to shew unto them their inability and unworthiness and unto man particularly That no flesh might glory in his presence 1 Cor. 1. 29. But that Pride might be hidden from them and that they might be broken off from their too high thoughts and conceits of themselves Job 38. and chap. 39. and chap. 40. 1-5 and v. 6-24 and chap. 41. with chap. 42. 1 4 5 6. And to shew us that he is God alone who sits upon the Throne and all other objects of mens religious Adorations are but dead or false Gods To this purpose he thus speaks Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord or being his Counseller hath taught him With whom took he Counsel and who instructed him and taught him in the path of Judgment and taught him Knowledge and shewed to him the way of Vnderstanding c. Isa 40. 13 19 20. See also chap. 43. 9 10. and chap. 41. 21-24 and chap. 44. 6 8. Verse 3. And no man or not one in Heaven nor in Earth neither under the Earth was able to open the Book neither to look thereon This is the account given concerning the former Proclamation and Challenge to denote the general yea universal inability insufficiency and unworthiness of all created beings to this work and business here spoken of like that yea there is none that sheweth yea there is none that declareth Isa 41. 26. And again I beheld and there was no man even amongst them and there was no counsellor that when I asked of them could answer or return a word Isa 41. 28. The Lord our God put all to silence by this messenger of his as Jer. 8. 14. As appears by the account here given to us But here we might for our usefulness enquire and consider 1. Of whom is this account here given 2. What is the account that is given of them 1. Of whom is this account here given And that is of all Creatures as it doth plainly appear by the words
in this place and those that follow And no man or none or not one for the word man is not in the Text here nor in verse 4. and the same word here translated no man is elsewhere translated none as Matth. 19. 17. Luke 18. 19. And in many other places And so we shall look upon it and speak to it here still understanding the word none as referring to meer Creatures and not to him that sits upon the Throne nor unto the Lamb verse 5 7 8 9 12. And so we may say None in Heaven not one there not the elders nor any of them though one of them did acquaint the Apostle John with one that had prevailed to do it to wit the Lion of the tribe of Judah the Lamb verse 5. 6. Yet he himself could not do it nor any of the Spirits of just Men made perfect though they are perfect in Spirit and present with the Lord and in a far better condition than those Saints which are at home in the Body and absent from Christ 2 Cor. 5. 6 8. Phil. 1. 22 23. Yet they were not able nor any of them to open this Book c. Indeed they have greater knowledge and understanding than any of the Saints which are here below and the Elders knew more than the Apostle John as appers in v. 5 And again When one of the Elders answered saying unto John What are these which are arrayed in white Robes and whence came they And I said unto him Sir thou knowest And he said unto me These are they which came out of great Tribulation and have washed their Robes and made them White in the Blood of the Lamb c. chap. 7. 13. 17. But yet they know not the Mind and Counsels of the Lord originally or perfectly or until or farther than they are revealed to them None knows the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Matth. 11. 27. Luke 10 22. 1 Cor. 2. 11. Nor any of the glorious and holy Angels though they are excellent Creatures and such as have great knowledge and understanding Hence it is said As an Angel of God so is my Lord the King to discern good and bad and my Lord is Wise according to the Wisdom of an Angel of God to know all things that are in the Earth 2 Sam. 14. 17. and verse 27. See also chap. 19. 27. Yet though they excel other Creatures in Wisdom and Knowledge they could not loose the Seals of this Book nor look therein they know indeed many things which the Saints in the Earth are unacquainted with and such things as the Apostle John marvelled at When I saw the Woman saith he I wondred with great admiration And the Angel said unto me Wherefore didst thou marvel I will tell thee the mystery of the Woman c. Rev. 17. 1 6 7-8 And one of the Angels said to him Come hither I will shew thee the Bride the Lambs Wife And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high Mountain and shewed me that great City the Holy Jerusalem c. chap. 21. 9 10. But though they know much more than Men yet we may say of this Roll as our Saviour sometimes doth in another case Of this Book knows no man or none no not the Angels of Heaven Matth. 24. 36. In which saying also our Saviour implies the Angels to be the most knowing Creatures yea though there are degrees amongst the Holy Angels and some more strong and excellent than other some as we have said on verse 2. Yet none of them presumed to undertake this great work none pretended to open this Book That strong Angelâ— spoken of verse 2. who made this Proclamation durst not adventure to unfold this perfectly sealed Book But this is the return made and account given after the Proclamation was sounded forth with a loud voice in which also inclusively his own unworthiness and inability is shewn None in Heaven not one of the Holy Angels was able to open this Book no not this Proclaimer not this strong Herald He propounds a question he could make no return unto nor any Archangel nor Creature whatever And in this respect also it may be said His Angels he charged with folly Job 4. 18. Nor in or on earth none there neither could open this Book no Creatures inferior to men they are brute unreasonable Creatures 2 Pet. 2. 2. 12. Jude 10. with Acts 25. 27. Such as have no understanding Psal 32-9 Dan. 4. 32 34. nor any Man whatsoever though God teacheth them more than the Beasts of the Earth and maketh them Wiser than the Fowls of Heaven Job 35. 10 11. Yet none of them could unfold this Roll not the learned they could not read it because they were unlearned nor the most learned because it was sealed as Isa 29. 11 12. The wisest and deepest Philosophers could not look into this Book nor the learnedest among men the thoughts of the wise were vain as to this matter and their wisdom foolishness with God 1 Cor. 3. 18 20. Where is the Wise where is the Scribe where is the Disputer of this World Hath not God made foolish the Wisdom of this World 1 Cor. 1. 19 20. â— They know not the thoughts of the Lord neither understand they his counsel Micah 4. 12. Nor the Wise Men or Wizards nor the Astrologers Star-gazers or monthly Prognosticators their Wisdom and Knowledge may pervert them but not enlighten them into the Knowledge of the Contents of this Book Isa 47. 10-13-15 No nor the living Creatures nor any Saints on Earth were worthy or able to open this Book nor is it good for them to be curiously intrudeing into things that are not revealed or which they have not seen Psal 131. 1. Sam. 6. 19. Col. 2. 18 19. As our Saviour â—aith to his Apostles It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power Acts 1. 6 7. Secret things belong unto the Lord our God but those things which are revealed unto us c. Deut. 29. 29 Indeed at the opening of every of the four first Seals one of the four living Creatures in order say Come and see but it is the Lamb that opens them all and not the living Creatures nor any of them chap. 6. 1 3 5 7. This Wisdom was not found in the Land of the Living as Job 28. 13. Nor amongst the Holiest Saints nor amongst the most excellently gifted guides on earth none of the best skilled or profoundest Interpreters could open this Book under consideration nor could the most Eagled-eyed or quick-sighted seers see or look into or read this Book Neither under the Earth No Creature or Creatures there neither could open this Book or look therein under which expression the Sea and Creatures therein may be included and comprehended Indeed in ver 13. the Creatures under the Earth and such as are in the Sea are distinguished
from one another but not so here And therefore they may be intended in this Phrase And however they were unable to open this Book as also were all Infernal Spirits to wit the Devil and his Angels Though they are very subtle and wise yet this wisdom was not found with them nor any of them In short this is the Account given of all Creatures beginning from the highest and most excellent unto the lowest and most miserable None in heaven nor in earth nor under the earth was able to open the Book c. 2. What is the account that is given of all Creatures whatsoever And that is None was able to open the Book neither to look thereon That is none could loose the Seals of this Book and so open it And so could not look thereon or therein to read it that he might know and understand the things therein contained for himself or for his own good and profit And so could not reveal it to others or so read it as that others might hear and understand it ver 2. and ver 4. None was able 1. There is an Ability of Wisdom Knowledge Skill c. So whereas it is said in one place Thou shalt provide out of all the people able men c. And Moses chose able men out of all Israel it is said in another speaking of the same business Take ye wise men and understanding compare Exod. 18. 21 25. with Deut. 1. 12 13. So Solomon prays Give thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people that I may discern between good and bad for who is able to judge this thy so great people To wit without wisdom and understanding 1 Kings 3. 9-12 In this sense Nebuchadnezzar demands of Daniel Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen and the interpreâ—ation thereof That is Hast thou wisdom and knowledge to do it Dan. 2. 20-22 with ver 26. See also Dan. 4. 18. Rom. 15. 14. Now in this consideration none was able none had wisdom or skill enough for this work as hath been said before None could find out this work yea though a wise man should think to know it yet he should not be able to find it Eccl. 8. 17. Job 4. 18. Dan. 4. 18. 2. There is an Ability of Strength and Power As it is said of the sons of Obed-Edom and their Brethren they were able men for strength c. 1 Chron. 26. 8. They had power or might to do great things But in this sense also there was no creature was able to loose the seals of this Book c. as Rev. 15. 8. Indeed our Saviour saith to his Disciples Ye be not able to do that thing which is least and therefore not so great a thing as this here spoken of Luk. 12. 26. 2 Cor. 3. 4 5. nor had this strong Angel who made the Proclamation nor any of the mighty Angels power and strength to undertake and accomplish this very hard and difficult work 3. There is an ability of Authority a lawful power or right to do such or such a thing or not to do So it may be said of Men or Angels they cannot do that they cannot righteously do or which they may not lawfully do So Joseph saith How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God Gen. 39. 9. In this sense it is said of God he cannot lie he cannot be tempted with evil because he can do no iniquity or unrighteousness Tit. 1. 2. Heb. 6. 18. James 1. 13. with Gen. 18. 25. He is indeed Almighty but he is indeed also Holy Almighty Holy See the Notes before on chap. 4. ver 8. Now in this respect also none was able to open this Book none had Authority given unto them from Him that sate on the Throne to do it and they could have no power or authority thereto except it were given them from above We read of an Angel chap. 18. 1. that had great power or authority given unto him but not of any created being that had this authority given him to open this Book or to look thereon nor did any so much as pretend thereto as appears by this Account here 4. As is here signified to us there is also an ability of merit or worthiness but thus also no creature was able to wit worthy no one of them had merited such an high favour at the hands of God See ver 2. and ver 4. Indeed the Lamb was able in this sense to wit worthy to take the Book and to open the Seals thereof because he was slain c. ver 5 9 12. but this was only peculiar to him Luk. 3. 16. See Notes on ver 2. Ver. 4. And I wept much because none was found worthy to open and to read the Book neither to look thereon In this Verse is declared to us what effect the inability of all creatures or the account given thereof had upon the Apostle John with the reason thereof and renewing and repeating their unworthiness or inability And I wept much or lamented greatly c. Wherein we may for our usefulness note in general 1. That even the most eminent of Gods servants may and at sometimes do weep here While they are in this world they may sometimes weep sore and tears may be on their cheeks as Lam. 1. 2. This is the day of Jacobs trouble Jer. 30. 5-7 Thus our Saviour speaking to his Disciples saith â—lessed are ye that weep nâ—w Luk. 6. 21. and In the world ye shall have tribulation and again Verily verily I say unto you that ye shall weep and lament but the world shall rejoyce and ye shall be sorrowful c. John 16. 20. 33. Indeed they are exhorted instructed and strengthened to rejoyce in the Lord Phil. 3. 1-3 to rejoyce evermore 1 Thes 5. 16. to rejoyce in the Lord alwayes Phil. 4. 4. And this they may do also when they have or judge they have occasions of sadness administred to them they may be as sorrowful and yet alwayes rejoycing 2 Cor. 6. 10. they may greatly rejoyce even then when they are in heaviness thorow divers temptations yet then believing they may rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1. 6 7 8. 2 Cor. 4. 16 17 18. as on the one hand even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful Prov. 14. 13 14. so on the other though all the days of Gods afflicted ones be evil yet they may have a merry heart mean time and so a continual feast Prov. 15. 15. when their belly trembles and their lips quiver and rottenness enters into their bones c. And although the Figtree doth not blossom neither is there any fruit in the Vines c. yet they may rejoyce in the Lord and joy in the God of their salvation Habak 3. 16-18 These two may well consist together But though they do alwayes rejoyce in Christ Jesus and in those things which are not seen which are eternal 2 Cor.
4. 18. yet here many times they meet with occasions of grief and lamentation both as with respect to themselves and others So Job saith My face is foul with weeping c. Job 16. 15 16. and chap. 30. 25-31 And David saith All the night make I my bed to swim I water my couch with my tears Mine eye is consumed because of grief it waxeth old because of all mine enemies Psa 6. 6 7. and Psal 30. 5. And our Saviour signifies to us that all the time of his absence from the children of the Bride chamber they shall have occasions of mourning and fasting Matth. 9. 15. Vse 1. Then it plainly appears and is very evident that they are not yet perfect as to attainment nor come compleatly and gloriously to that rest which remaineth for the people of God for then they shall weep no more but the dayes of their mourning shall be ended Isa 30. 19. and chap. 60. 20. they shall then come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away Isai 35. 10. and 51. 11. God shall then wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain Luke 6. 21. Rev. 7. 17. and chap. 21. 4. and the more that this blessed Hope is now believingly minded the more it now comforts them and helps them not to faint but to rejoyce and glory in hope of the Glory of God and not only so but to rejoyce in tribulations also Rom. 5. 2 3. 2 Cor. 4. 16-18 Joh. 16. 20. But as yet they are not arrived at that glorious state and condition propounded to them and set in hope before them 2. Then when we have occasions of weeping and â—amentation presented to us let us not think it strange or look upon it as a new thing but remember the same afflictions have been accomplisht in Gods beloved Ones that have been in the world 1 Pet. 5. 10. and in the most eminent Ones of them also And are we better than they 1 King 19. 4. Take we the Prophets and Apostles for an Example of suffering affliction and especially look we unto Jesus that we may not be weary nor â—aint in our minds by occasion of any affliction or adversity we may here meet with Jam. 5. 10-11 Hebr. 12. 1-2-3 3. Then judge not according to outward appearance Think not them to be the happiest who now seldom or never weep for they may be wicked ones who spend their days in mirth Job 21. 6-13 Wo unto you that laugh now for ye shall mourn and weep saith our Saviour Luk. 6. 25. Joh. 16. 20. They that dwell upon the earth shall rejoyce over the Witnesses when they are slain and make merry and send gifts one unto another c. Rev. 11. 10. But alas How much soever they rejoyce now and how merry soever they are their hour is coming in which they shall mourn for ever who know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ Psal 37. 13 2 Thes 1. 5 6-9 Nor let us think Gods people to be therefore indeed miserable ones or that God loves them not because they now weep for it is good and needful for them to be sometimes in heaviness 1 Pet 1. 6. Sorrow is better than laughter for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth Eccles 7. 3-4 And yet though Christs Disciples have many occasions of weeping yet as it is said Their hearts may rejoyce in him and that joy none shall take away from them Joh. 26. 22. Prov. 15. 15. 2. And more particulaâ—ly let us consider 1. The Time or Season when he wept much or lamented greatly and that was when these Visions or Revelations were vouchsafed to him and he was thereby greatly preferred before his Brethren and lifted up above them yet now he was cast down so as that he wept much at such a time the most eminently holy Ones have had Exercises sorrows and fears administred or ordered to them So when Isaiah had that glorious Vision Isai 6. he cried out Woe is me for I am undone ver 2-5 and Ezekiel went in bitterness in the heat of his spirit and sate and remained astonished seven days Ezek. 3. 14 15. And Daniel was afraid and fell on his face and fainted and was sick certain days and his sorrows turned upon him and he retained no strength Dan. 8. 15-27 and chapt 10. 5-16 Matth. 17. 6. Rev. 1. 17 18. and such-like Exercises might at such a time be ordered to them that they should not be exalted above measure through those Revelations that were vouchsafed to them as 2 Cor. 12. 1-7 8. 2. The Reason of his weeping or lamentation Because none was found worthy to open and to read the Book neither to look thereon He had a great desire to know what was contained therein but there was such a general yea universal inability in all Creatures that that caused him thus to lament greatly Hope deferred makes the heart sick but when the desire cometh it is a tree of life Prov. 13. 12 19. He was desirous to understand the Contents of this Book or to have it opened to him but he could not unfold it himself as Dan. 12. 8. nor could any other Creature satisfie his desire none could open and read it so as to make him understand See the Notes on Chap. 1. ver 3. this wisdom was not found among the Inhabiters of Heaven nor in the land of the living here below The Depth saith it is not in me and the Sea saith it is not with me Job 28. 12-14-22 therefore he fell a weeping and this occasioned sorrow and lamentation to him And if in reading this Book any of â—hrists Servants meet with such knots as they cannot unty or doubts as they cannot dissolve nor any of their Brethren to their satisfaction and hereby they are occasioned to weep much let them then call to remembrance how it faâ—ed with this holy Apostle when he was thus highly favoured The most eminent Creatures are but Creatures still they are finite they are not GOD they know not all things they cannot do all things for us which we may greatly desire or long for they have nothing but what is given to them of him who is worthy to receive glory honour and power for he hath created all things and for his pleasure they are and were created Rev. 4. 11. And our expectations may be too high from them and so high that the disappointment we meet with may occasion sorrow to us We may call to the Creatures and there may be none to answer us yea though we should turn to the Saints or holy Angels we may be frustrated of our expectations And he that increaseth
knowledge concerning the Creatures may increase sorrow Job 5. 1. Eccles 1. 18. And herein appeared somewhat of infirmity in the Apostle in lamenting so greatly because no Creature could open this Book had he applied that unto all Creatures which Peter doth to himsâ—lf and this Apostle saying Why loâ—k ye so â—arnestly on us Act. 3. 12 he might have been preserved from weeping or however from weeping much And yet there is somewhat imitable in the Apostles weeping his ardent desire of knowing that which was held forth that it might be made known occasioned him thus to lament He was not like them that said unto God Depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways Job 21. 14. nor like the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans who said I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing Rev. 3. 14-17 But he wept thorow his desire of knowing more and even actually said what the Apostle Paul did verbally I have not yet attained neither am aâ—ready perfect but I follow after c. Phil. 3. 12 13. and did we more know the sweetness and pleasantness of this excellent knowledge it would cause us to cry after knowledge and lift up our voice for understanding to seek it as silver and to search for it as hidden Treasures and to follow on to know that we might know the LORD Prov. 2. 3-10 and chapt 4. 4-7 and chap. 8. 9 10. Hos 6. 3-6 Verse 5. And one of the Elders saith unto me weep not Behold the Lion of the Tribe of Juda the Root of David hath prevailed to open the Book and to loose the seven Seals thereof In this Verse there is matter of consolation spoken to the Apostle now while weeping In which we have to consider for our usefulness 1. The instrumental Comforter And one of the Elders saith unto me 2. What he said to comfort him and that is propounded to us 1. By what he said to him as with respect to himself Weep not 2. By what he said to him concerning another In which there is contained a good and weighty Reason why he should not weep Behold the Lion of the Tribe of Juda the Root of David hath prevailed to open the Book and to loose the seven Seals thereof 1. The instrumental Comforter And one of the Elders saith unto me That is to say one of the four and twenty spoken of before in Chap. 4. where we have shewn what these Elders are even such of the Patriarchs Prophets and Apostles as had lived and died in the Faith See the Notes before on Chap. 4. ver 4. From hence then we may note 1. That the Soul or Spirit dies not when the Body doth so as too many fondly imagine and conceit but it lives when the body returns to the dust Eccl. 12. 7. And they shall praise the LORD that seek him their heart shall live for ever Psal 22. 26. And when they are absent from the body they are present with the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 6-8 Phil. 1. 22 23. The Spirits of just and righteous ones are perfect when their Bodies sleep in the dust when they are taken away out of this world they shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds each one walking in his uprightness Isa 57. 2. Heb. 12. 23. or else it would be no advantage or gain to them to die as the Apostle signifies it is but rather a loss and disadvantage â—hil 1. 20-23 and they know more and are more excellent in an happier and more blessed state and condition than the Saints that are in the earth Psal 16. 2 3. Rev. 7. 13-17 and Chap. 14. 13. See the Notes on Chapt. 4. ver 4. 2. That in some Visions they have appeared and spoken after their decease unto and in the hearing of some Saints living on the earth as here it doth appear and in Chap. 7. 13-17 one of the Elders informed John what they were which were arrayed in white Robes and whence they came and what their continual exercise and great blessedness and happiness is and shall be And in that Vision when Christ was transfigured it is said there talked with him two men which were Moses whom the LORD buried in a Valley in the Land of Moab Deut. 34. 5. 6 and Elâ—as who appeared in glory and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem Luk. 9. 28 32. with Matth. 17. 4-9 which may confirm the truth of the former and us in the belief of it viz. that their Spirits live when their Bodies are dead In that being dead they yet speak as Heb. 11. 4. And in that such a Messenger was now sent to comfort John so it shews that all are his Servants who sits upon the Throne sometimes in these Visions he spake by Angels as ver 2. and in many other places of this Book may be seen and sometimes by the Spirits of just and holy men made perfect as here and Chap. 7. 13. 3. As considering and comparing this with what follows so we may learn That they may be Instruments of comfort to those who are in affliction which are not nor can be Authors of comfort to them Though this Elder could not open the Book and loose the Seals thereof and so preserve or deliver John from weeping yet he could and did instrumentally direct to one that could and afterwards did do what he could not So it is true more generally the Saints and holy Ones even the most eminent of them also have no sufficiencie of themselves as of themselves to think any thing 2 Cor. 3. 4 5. and yet as the same Apostle saith in that place to the Believers Ye are our Epistle written in our hearts known and read of all men being manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ ministred by us And again He hath made us able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit c. 2 Cor. 3. 2 3-6 they are nothing in themselves 2 Cor. 12. 11. they cannot give peace quiet fears comfort in trials and heaviness of themselves but yet they can do all things in and through Christ that strengtheneth them Phil. 4. 13. they have excellent treasures in their earthen vessels 2 Cor. 4. 7. And this Commandment is given unto them Comfort ye comfort ye my people saith your God speak ye to the heart of Jerusalem c. Isa 40. 1 2-8 9. Strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees say to them that are of a fearful heart Be strong fear not c. Then even then also when Gods Servants comfort them ministerially they being workers together with God the eyes of the blind shall be opened to wit enlightned and their Souls comforted Isa 35. 3 4 5. with Psal 13. 3. And this consideration may be useful to us 1. To the Ministers of Christ To preserve or deliver them from having unsober thoughts of themselves Rom. 12. 3. For Who is Paul or
shall not see when heat cometh but her leaf shall be green and shall not be careful in the year of drought neither shall cease from yielding fruit Psal 1. 1-3 with Jer. 17. 7 8. And in being and abiding in this Root David was holy being united to and reckoned after him for if the Root be holy so also are the branches Psal 86. 2 with Psal 89. 19. and Rom. 11. 16. 4. The Root of David as to the Kingdom The Bottom-ground Cause and Reason of all the Promises thereto appertaining In him all the Promises of God are Yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. To Abraham and his Seed were the Promises made He saith not And to Seeds as of many but as of one and to thy Seed which is Christ Gal. 3. 16. with Gen. 17. 6. He is the sure Mercies of David Isa 55. 3. with Act. 13. 34. 2 Sam. 23. 4 5. And when all seemed to fail and God's faithâ—ulness appeared not as Psal 89. 38-46 yet he was a Root in the ground still with whom he would not break his Covenant Psal 89. 28 29 34-37 Job 14. 8 9. As the Root lives when the Tree and Branches may wither and decay or be cut down or lopt off And as it is said of Nebuchadnezzar Hew down the tree and cut off the branches shake off his leaves and scatter his fruit nâ—vertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth which did signifie his Kingdom should be sure to him Dan. 4. 13-15 23-26 So it is here The Scepter did not depart from Judah nor a Law-giver from between his feet till Shiloh came c. See Gen. 49. 9 10. Here The LORD sware in truth unto David he will not turn away from it of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy Throne Psal 132. 11. with Act. 2. 30. Luke 1. 31-33 And he is oft called David Jer. 23. 5 6. and Chap. 33. 15-17 c. And he was David's Lord as our Saviour saith David himself said by the Holy Gâ—ost The LORD said unto my Lord Mark 12. 35-37 And he was and is God's King whom he hath set upon his holy Hill of Zion Psal 2. 6 7. Rom. 15. 12. 5. The Root of David directed unto by him that we Gentiles also might trust in him and kiss and submit to him Psal 2. 6 7-12 This is that Root of Jesse whom David also lifted up as an Ensign to the people that thereto the Gentiles might seek and his rest is glorious Isa 11. 10. Rom. 15 10-12 It was the great business and design of David to glorifie Christ and lift him up as also to him all the Prophets gave witness Act. 10. 43. as may be seen in many Psalms written by him as Psal 2. and 16. and 20. and 21. and 22 and 34. and 40. and 45. and 47. and 68. and 69. and 110. and 117. and 118. c. to the end we Gentiles also might glorifie God for his mercy As it is written For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles and sing unto thy Name And again he saith Praise the LORD all ye Gentiles and land him all ye people And again Esaias saith There shall be a Root of Jesse and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles in him shall the Gentiles trust Rom. 15-911 12. with Psal 18. 49. and Psal 117. 1 2. Vse 1. That he is the Root the consideration of it may engage us to come unto him in the drawings of the Father to come unto him the living stone that elect precious corner Stone the sure foundation 1 Pet. 2. 4-6 with Isai 28. 16. As Christ saith All things are delivered to me of my Father Come unto me all yet hat labour and are heavy laden I will give you rest and the rest of this Rooâ— is glorious Matth. 11. 27-28 29. with Isai 11. 10. It is the great design of God to glorifie him to this end and purpose that we might run unto him Isa 55. 5. And the Spirit and the Bride say Come And let him that heareth say Come Rev. 22. 16 17. even they say Come to this Root as there appears John 6. 44 45. 2. What hath been said of his being the Root the Root of David shews unto us how we may be enlivened quickned and established to wit by being united unto and firmed in him rooted and built up in him and established in the faith of him Col. 2. 6 7-9 Eph. 3. 16 17-19 Yea when we by being carnally minded and living after the flesh are become dead yet still he is the Root in whom is life for us See Notes on Chap. 3. ver 1. For as the Father hath life in himself so also hath he given to the Son to have life in himself John 5. 25 26. Hos 14. 1-5-8 3. The believing mindfulness hereof also is proper and powerful to preserve them from high-mindedness that are in him Of God ye are in Christ Jesus saith the Apostle who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Satisfaction and Redemption that no flesh might glory in his presence but as it is written He that glorieth may glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 29-31 Boast not saith the Apostle Paul but if thou boastest consider this thou bearest not the Root but the Root thee Rom. 11. 18. Thou standest by faith in him be not high-minded but fear ver 10. He bears thee up and makes thee to stand and what hast thou that thou didst not receive from him 1 Cor. 4. 7. Rom. 3. 25. 27 Phil. 3. 1 2 3-9 4. We may hereby see and perceive that God hath given to him the pre-eminence in all things and amongst all persons for in him it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell Col. 1. 18 19. He is exalted and extolled and made very high who was as a root out of a dry ground Isa 52. 13 14. with Chap. 53. 1 2. God hath highly exalted and glorified him as also appears evidently in that which is affirmed of him in what follows viz. This most excellent and glorious One this Lion of the Tribe of Judah the Root of David hath prevailed to open the Book and to loose the seven Seals thereof He hath prevailed to do it he is the true Israel that had power with God or behaved himself Princely with him yea he had power and prevailed Gen. 32. 25-28 and Hos 12. 4-6 with Isa 49. 3. And he hath prevailed to do this by his Blood his precious Blood whereby he overcame our Enemies and therein evidenced himself to be the Lion of the Tribe of Judah And this is confessed and acknowledged afterwards by the four living Creatures and twenty four Elders c. ver 8 9-12 For by his death he got himself the Victory as is before said Col. 2. 14-15 Heb. 2. 14 15. And on the account thereof and as the consequent thereof all power is given unto him yea all things are given unto him
â—â—is Book As seven Seals See Notes on ver 1 Sevâ—n Spirits See Nâ—tes on Chapter 1. verse 4. Seven eyes c. So herâ— this Lâ—mb â—s it had been slâ—in had seven Horns to wit the comâ—leat nuâ—ber of them or Horn in perfection Now by Horns may be meant and signified to us these thiâ—gs 1. Power and strength The Horn being the Beasts Instrument of strength and for offence and defence of saving themselves and harming others that would harm them or theirs So Horn and Arm are put together as words of a like signification and both signifying Power the former that of a Beast the latter that of a man Jer. 48. 25 So we are to understand the word where it is said Lift not up the Horn lâ—ft not up your Horn on high that is exalt not your power unduly and unsoberly Psal 75. 4 5-10 So he hath cut off the Horn of Israel he hath â—et up the Horn of their Adversary to wit their power and strength Lam. 2. 3 17. Habak 3. 4. So we are to understand the word in this place and that most directly that Christ hath Horns to wit Power and he is worthy to receive it as is truly acknowledged and confessed ver 12 13. Yea he hath seven Horns to wit he hath perfect power thorow his Sufferings The Captain of our Salvation was made perfect therein â—hrow sufferings Heb. 2. 10. and Chap 5. 9. All power is given unto him Mat 28. 18. Power in Heaven â—ea all power with the Father as a â—râ—nce to prevail with him as Hos 13. 3 4. For he is indeed the true Israel a Prince with God his Father as it doth here plainly appear by his taking the Book out of the right hand of him that sate on he Throne and opening it when none else whatever could do it Hence that worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power ver 12. John 11. 41 42. Power over the Angels he is the Head of all Prince pâ—lity and Power Col. 2. 9 10. And all the Angels of God â—re commanded to worship him Heb. 1. 6. 1 Pet. 3. 22. And all power on earth is also given unto him Power to open the eâ—es of the blind Souls of men Isai 42. 1-7 Luke 4. 18. To turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God Act 26. 18. and Chap. 3. 26 to work and operate faith in men Luke 4. 32. To make thâ—m Sons of Gâ—d that receive him even as many as believe in his Name John 1. 12. To forgive them their sins Mark 2. 10. Act 10. 43. Bâ— him all that belâ—eve are justified from all thâ—â—â—s frâ—m which they could nâ—t bâ— justified by the Law of Moses Act. 13. 38 39. To heal Dâ—seasâ—s Matt. 9. 4-6 And gave Power also to â—â—s Apoâ—tles and the seventy c. so to â—o also Mark 3. 15. Act. 3. 12-16 To cast out Devils Luke 4. 36. And gave power to hiâ— Disciples so to do also even over all the power of the enemy Matth. 10. 1. Luke 10. 17-19 To deliver up such in his Church unto Satan who are guilty of great and scandalous iniquities 1 Cor. 5. And to release them upon their Godly sorrow working repentance unto salvation not to be repented of 2 Cor. 2. and Chap. 7. To save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him He is a Horn of Salvation a mighty powerful â—aviour neither is there Salvation in any other for there is none other Name under Heaven given among men whereby we may be saved Luke 1. 69. Act. 4. 12. Heb. 7. 25. To strengthen them in and under all the temptations which do beâ—all them and are ordered to them 2 Cor. 12. 9 10. To enable them to do all things thorow his strengthening them Phâ—l 4. 13. To dethrone Satan Rev. 12. 10. And punish all his instruments and the enemies and adversaries of his people Rev. 6. 15-17 To push them to the ends of the earth as Deut. 33. 17. and thorow him also those that believe on his Name shall â—ush down their enemies through his Name they shall tread them down that rise up against hâ—m Psal 44. 4. 5. Through his Name heartily believed in and confessed or sounded forth by them they shall be more than Conquerors as in former times the walls of Jerico fell down when the Priests blew with their seven Trumpets of Rams-horns which 7 Horns might be a Type of the seven Horns of this Lamb of which we are now speaking Josh 6. 6 8-16-20 Gen. 22. 8-10 2. Horns may alâ—o signifie Glory and Honour The Horn being the Ornament and Glory of the Beast So defiling the Horn in the dust and laying ones Honour in the dust may intend and mean the same thing Compare Job 16. 15. with Psal 7. 5. So also we may understand the expression where it is said Mine horn to wit my Glory wilt thou exalt like that of an Vnicorn Psal 92. 10. and 148. 14. So also this Laâ—b hath Glory given unto him As the Psalmist speaking of him saith His glory is great in thy Salvatâ—on Honour and Majesty hast thou laid upon him Psal 2â— 2-5 6. And in this Rev. 5. 12 13. The innumerable Company of Angels say Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receâ—ve â—lory And every Creature also said Honour and Glory be uâ—to the Lâ—mb fâ—r ever c. And he hath glory in its perfection or â—ost â—erfect glory given unto him He is â—lorified with the Father 's own self with the glory which he had wâ—th him before the world was John 17. 5. The God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob the Gâ—d of our Fathers hath â—lorified his Sâ—n Jesus glorified him in himself Act. 3. 13. with John 13. 31 32. â—he hath great glory Mat. 24. 30. He is Lord of glory 1 Cor. 2. 8 Joh. 2. 1. the King of Glory â—sal 24. 7-10 The same Honour and Glory is ascribed to him as is also to the Father and that for ever and ever Rev. 5. 12 13. He hath a glorious Body Phil. 3. 21. He is gone up into a glorious place even into Heaven it self where is and which is the Throne of God See Notes on Chap. 4. Ver 2. And he is there received â—ill the times of the restitution of all things 1 Tim. 3. 16. with Mark 16. 19. and Act. 3. 21. 2 Pet. 1. 17. with Ver. 18. He is glorious in his apparel Isa 63. 1. he hath a glorious fulness of all Grace Truth and spiritual Blessings John 1. 14-16 Col. 1. 18 19. He is glorious and beautiful in holiness Exod. 5. 11. Isai 6. 1-3 with John 12. 40 41. He hath a glorious Name Power Authority and Strength Exod. 15. 6. 2 Thes 2 1. 9. He hath by inheriâ—ance obtained a more excellent Name than the Angels Heb. 1. 4-6 God hath highly exalted him and given him a Name above every Name Phil. 2. 7-9 10. Eph. 1. 20-23 He hath a glorious Lordship for he
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
nay when they had actually signified their unworthiness and inability hereto vers 2 3. So may we learn from hence That the saints and holy ones may and have principally and mainly to rejoyce and worship Christ for his works And in and for such works of his as in which their inability and unworthiness is discovered or made to appear like that thou LORD â—â—st made me glad thorow thy work I will triumph in the works of thine hands Psal 92. 4 5. his work is honourable and glorious and his righteousness endureth for ever He hath made his wonderful works to be remembred c. Psal 3. 1 4 9. So presently after even in the next verse it is said They sing a new song saying thou wast slain in which their vileness is discovered for he died for us ungodly ones sinners and enemies 1 Pet. 3. 18. Rom. 5. 6 8 9. And hast redeemed us to wit from our vain conversation from the earth and from amongst men Rev. 5. 9. with 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. and Rev. 14. 3 4. others principally trust and rejoyce in themselves Luke 18. 11 12. rejoyce in the works of their own hands Act. 7. 41. proclaim their own goodness Prov. 20. 6. Rom. 10. 2 3. But of him are the believers in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto them wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption that according as it is written He that glorieth let him glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 29 31. they are instructed and strengthned to rejoyce in Christ Jesus always Phil. 3. 1 3. and 4. 4. Hab. 3. 16 18. Isay 45. 24 25. He that doth truth cometh to the light that his works may be made manifest that they are wrought in God they go unto God as to the gladness of their joy without whom it would be but heaviness Joh. 3. 21. Rev. 2. 26. Psal 43. 3 4. This makes them glory not in appearance only but in heart and triumph always That Christ hath died yea rather that he is even risen again who is at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for them Rom. 8. 32 34 39. 2 Cor. 2. 14. Psal 118. 22 25. And on this account all are called upon and there is good cause and reason for them to rejoyce and sing praise O clap hands all people shout unto God with the voice of triumph God is gone up with a shout the LORD with the sound of a trumpet sing praises to God sing praises sing praises unto our King sing praises Psal 47. 1 7. 3. In that they thus adore and sing when he had taken the Book and before he had opened it though in order to its opening so it shews to us That it is matter and cause of rejoycing in it self and should be so to us when this great and glorious one begins and undertakes a good work and before it be compleated and accomplished for we may be very confident of this thing that when he begins a good work he will perform and finish it also Phil. 1. 3 6. Thus how did many holy ones rejoyce when Christ was born into the world yea when he was conceived by the Holy Ghost and before he was born though that was but the beginning of that great work which he was to accomplish in his own personal body on earth which was not finished therein untill three or four and thirty years after Luk. 1. 40 45 67 79. and Chap. 2. 20 25 26 32 36 38. How little is the Kingdom of Heaven at first It is but like a grain of Mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field which indeed is the least of all seeds but at last it becomes the greatest amongst Herbs so that the Birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof Matth. 13. 31 33. How small soever the beginning of a thing be yet when he undertakes it he will not fail nor be discouraged until he hath perfected whatever appertains to him to do Isay 42. 1 4. Cant. 2. 1. with Isay 27. 4 5. when his hands lay the foundation his hands also shall finish the building Before him the greatest mountains shall become a plain and he shall bring forth the head-stone thereof with shouting grace grace unto it And therefore who hath despised the day of small things What unworthy unbelieving ones are they who so do Zech. 4. 6 7 10. with Neh. 4. 2 3. and Joh. 2. 20. O then that laying aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us we may run with patience the race set before us let us look unto Jesus who was both the Author and finisher of the faith Heb. 12. 1 2. Who is the Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end the first and the last Rev. 1. 8 11 17. and Chap. 22. 13. He â—ainteth not nor is weary how difficult soever the work be and how long time soever it takes for the finishing it Isa 40. 28. Psal 138. 7 8. Luke 21. 28. As Joshua and Caleb said unto the people If the Lord delight in us then he will bring us into this land and give it us how many obstacles or difficulties soever stand in the way Only rebel ye not against the LORD c. Numb 14. 8 9. The pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in the hands of this Lamb and when he begins to open though it be sealed with seven seals yet he will perform it Isa 53. 10. and Chap. 63. 1. and Chap. 9. 7. Let us then live by the faith of him 4. In that it is said when he had taken the Book they fell down and Sung vers 9. herein is signified to us that the great cause and occasion of their worship and rejoycing lies in this that the Book was now taken into and was in the hands of the Lamb there was no such rejoycing when the Book was in the right hand of him that sate on the throne Then it was so far off as it were from all creatures that none durst presume to come near to him in order to the opening of it and therefore the Apostle wept much But now the four living creatures and four and twenty Elders rejoycingly worship because their kinsman their friend their Mediator had it So we may say more generally this is matter and cause of joy and gladness to us not simply that all fulness is in God or in the divine nature But that all is now by means of his pretious blood put into the hands of Christ that in him it hath pleased all the fulness to dwell Col. 1. 18 19. and Chap. 2. 9 10. for of his fulness we may receive and grace for grace Joh. 1. 14 16. God dwells in that light that no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see 1 Tim. 6. 16. there is no coming to him but by Christ Joh. 14. 6. no having his power engaged for us but in and through Christ Hence when our Saviour
saved that they might run unto him from all other things Joh. 16. 14 15. with Isa 45. 22. and Chap. 55. 5. and to them that believe he is precious By his blood they are redeemed or washed from their iniquities Rev. 1. 5 6. with this place And they thorow the spiritual discovery of this blood of God are purchased and bought unto God Act. 20. 28. Psal 74. 2. 1 Cor. 6. 19 20. and Chap. 7. 23. Hos 3. To which we have spoken somewhat before and therefore shall add no more to it here 3. Out of or from amongst whom were these redeemed unto God and that is here declared unto us Out of every kindred and tongue and people c. Now in speaking unto this Particular we shall 1. Enquire and consider what is meant by Every kindred and tongue and people c. 2. Note some instructions that may be useful and profitable unto us 1. What is meant by Every kindred and tongue and people and nation And to that we may say It doth appear in this and other places that by these expressions in this Book however we are to understand such of mankind as are distinguished from the Saints and holy ones who are redeemed or chosen out of them Compare this eighth verse with verse 9 and verse 10 such as shall wail when Christ shall appear in his glory see notes on Chap. 1. vers 7. so it is said of that great multitude of Palm-bearing Saints that it was out of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues Chap 7. 9-15-17 and they are such as are distinguished from Christs witnesses Chap. 11. 7-9 such as over whom power was given to the Beast Chap. 13. 7 such as are distinguished from those that are redeemed from the earth and from amongst men Chap. 14. 3-5 6 7. such as upon whom the Whore sits as it is said by the Angel to John Come hither I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great Whore that sits upon many waters And this Explication is given us in that Chapter The waters which thou sawest where the Whore sitteth are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues Chap. 17. 1. with vers 15. so that it appears by these expressions we are to understand the whole world which lieth in wickedness both of Jews and Gentiles out of which the hearty believers are chosen Joh. 15. 19. with 1 Joh. 5. 19 20. or the dwellers on the earth even such as in their hearts delights and affections dwell on the earth earthly-minded persons such as savour the things which are here below such as are but men not yet born from above Compare this place with Chap. 14. 3 4. and Chap. 13. 6 7 8. 2. We come now to note some Instructions from hence as to say 1. That these Saints and holy ones were sometimes of the kindreds and tongues c. they were sometimes of the world this is implied in that it is here acknowledged by them with thankfulness to the Lamb Thou hast redeemed us out of every kindred c they were chosen now out of the world but that signifies they were sometimes of it as John 15. 19. and chap. 17. 6. And as the Apostle speaks of both believing Jews and Gentiles that they were in former times dead in sins and trespasses and were by nature children of wrath even as others as bad as the worst Eph. 2. 1-4 they were sometimes darkness and under the power of Satan and so in the state condition and fellowship of this world John 5. 24. 1 John 3. 14. Col. 1. 13. And the same may be said of the Saints now living that sometimes they were not a people not an elect or redeemed people as he saith both with respect to Jews and Gentiles I will call them my people which were not my people and her beloved that was not beloved c. Rom. 9. 23 24 26. 1 Pet. 2. 9 10. And the consideration hereof may be useful to the now living redeemed ones 1. To hide pride from them and keep them low in themselves remembring what manner of persons they themselves sometimes were even in as sad a condition as others of the world now are Eph. 2. 9 11. As the Apostle saith to some If thou being a wild olive-tree wert graffed in amongst them and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive-tree Boast not c. Rom. 11. 17 18. So God minds Jerusalem of her former mean and miserable condition to take her down and to hide pride from her Ezek. 16. 1-7-16-22 And when Israel brought their first-fruits they were to acknowledg their former low and sad state to keep them low Deut. 26. 1-4 5 6. and chap. 16. 12. 2. And it may lead them who have received mercy to be pitiful meek and gentle towards others that are still of the world To this purpose the Apostle Paul thus chargeth Titus Put them in mind to be gentle shewing all meekness to all men for we our selves also were sometimes foolish disobedient deceived serving divers lusts and pleasures living in malice and envy hateful and hating one another Tit. 3. 2 3. Exod. 22. 21. and 23. 9. Deut. 16. 11 12. and to shew love and mercy to those that are in affliction Deut. 15. 7-12-15 2. In that they thus confess to the Lamb thou hast redeemed us we may learn that he was not only slain and wrought redemption in himself for men but it is he that redeemeth men in their own persons unto God in due time not only hath he wrought all our works for us but he works all our works in us also Isa 26. 12. He comes to bless us in turning every one from his iniquity Act. 3. 26. He opens mens eyes and turns them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God Isa 42. 1-6 7 8. Act. 26. 16 18-22 23. He makes himself manifest in due season unto them that asked not after him that they might look unto him the price of whom is above Rubies and beâ—sâ—ved and redeemed from all their evils and abominations unto God to serve the living and true God Rom. 10. 20. Isa 45. 22. and chap. 65. 1. He gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works â—it 2. 11 14. And such as are so redeemed as these were have no cause to sacrifice to their own net but to thank Christ Jesus the Lord who is the Alpha and the Omega the author and finisher of the â—aith 1 Tim. 1. 12-15 By grace ye are saved thorow faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast for we are his workmanship c. Eph. 2. 8 9 11. 3. In that these holy Onâ—s thâ—s sing and acknowledg to the Lamb thou hast redeemed or bought us so as it shews unto us their former sad condition as before we have said Mica 6. 4. It
earth and as is promised in Psal 37. the wicked shall be destroyed out of it which without doubt they have not been nor are to this day see to this purpose what is said in that Psalm we are still referring to Evil doers shall be cut off but those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth for yet a little while and the wicked shall not be yea thou shalt diligently câ—nsider his place and it shall not be But the meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace Such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off The seed of the wicked shall be cut off The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell therein for ever Wait upon the Lord and keep his way and he shall exa't thee to inherit the land or earth When the wicked are cut off thou shalt see it Psal 37. 9. 11-13 22 28 29 34. And as it hath been observed so it is observable the first time Hallelujah is mentioned in the Scriptures of the Prophets is when the Psalmist thus imprecates Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth and let the wicked be no more Hallelujah or praise ye the Lord Psal 104. 30-35 And this word is only used in this Book when the destruction of Mystery Babylon is spoken of and the Holy Ghost is speaking of the destruction of all the wicked and of the reign of Christ and glorious state of the Saints After these things saith the Apostle I heard a great voice of much people in Heaven saying Alâ—elujah salvation and glory and honour and power unto the Lord our God for true and righteous are his judgments for he hath judged the great Whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornication and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand And again they said Allelujah and her smoke rose up for ever and ever And the four and twenty Elders and the four living Creatures fell down and worshipped God that sate on the Throne saying Allelujah And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude and as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty thundrings saying Allelujah for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth c. Rev. 18. and Chap. 19. 1 2 3-6 8. 9 c. And to let us know that this abundance of peace and destruction of the wicked prophesied of by David in Psal 37 c. was not accomplished in his son Solomons days therefore also he speaks of it as future as his father David had done before him saying The upright shall dwell in the land or earth and the perfect shall remain in it but the wicked shall be cut off from the earth and the transgressors shall be pluckt up or rooted out of it And again The righteous shall never be removed But the wicked shall not inhabit the earth Prov. 2. 21 22. and Chap. 10. 30. see also Isa 65. 12-15 16 17. By all which it evidently appears that the meek and righteous ones have never yet inherited the earth as it 's prophesied they shall do nor shall they so do till this world be dissolved when will be the perdition of ungodly men 2 Pet. 3. 6 7. nor until God shall make new Heavens and a new Earth as we have many times before said And then indeed they shall be blessed and reign on the earth and inherit the earth and all things Psal 41. 1 2. see Rev. 21. 1-5-7 But this will also further appear in and be confirmed by what followeth to be yet considered by us But though these Saints and all that are Christs at his coming shall reign on and inherit the earth as we have said yet it appears they shall have the land of Canaan as their inheritance in some peculiar consideration Indeed God promised unto Abraham that he should be the heir of the world and this promise was made unto or respected not Abraham only but him and his seed and that not thorow the Law but through the righteousness of faith and it is of faith that it might be by grace to the end the promise might be sure to the whole seed not to that only which is of the Law but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham who is the father of us all Rom. 4. 9-13-16 But yet the land of Canaan was by promise and Covenant assured to him for a possession in some peculiar sense even to him and his seed I mean the land of Canaan when it is made new Rev. 21. 1 5. and when it shall be as in due season it shall be an Heavenly Country Heb. 11. 13-16 see Gen. 13. 14-17 and Chap. 17. 7 8. and Chap. 26. 3 4. and Chap. 28. 13 14. 1 Chron. 16. 15-19 Object If it be said This Covenant and Promise made to Abraham concerning the land of Canaan was fulfilled when God brought his seed by Joshua into it and then and afterwards setled them in it and therefore the accomplishment thereof is not still to be expected and waited for Answ To this Objection I shall say these things 1. No doubt in some first-fruits and in part that Covenant and promise was fulfilled and accomplished then as is signified to us in what is said to wit The Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers and they possessed it and dwelt therein and the Lord gave them rest round about according to all that be sware unto our fathers There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel all came to pass Josh 21. 43 45. and Chap. 22. 4. 2. But yet iâ— doth appear that that Covenant is not compleatly fulfilled and accomplished if we consider these following particulars 1. The land of Canaan was not only promised to be given to the seed of Abraham but to himself also as the Lord said unto him I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee And I will give unto thee and to thy seed after thee the land wherein thou art a stranger all the land of Canaan Gen. 17. 7 8. and Chap. 13. 14-17 And the like also he promised unto Isaac and Jacob the heirs with him of the same promise to wit that he would give the land of Canaan unto them and to their seed Gen. 26. 3 4. and Chap. 28. 13 14. Heb. 11. 8 9. Psal 105. 8-12 But now none of these Patriarchs ever enjoyed this land which was so promised to them as Stephen saith concerning Abraham God gave him none inâ—eritance in it no not to set his foot on yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession c. Act. 7. 5. yea concerning them all it is said By faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise as in a strange country dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob the heirs with him of the
same promise And these all died in faith not receiving the promises but having seen them afar of they were perswaded of them c. Heb. 11. 8 9-13 14. 39 40. By which it doth plainly appear that that promise is not yet compleatly fulfilled 2. We have again apt occasion to use those words of the Apostle here which were lately referred to If Jesus to wit Joshua had given them rest namely in a full and compleat consideration he would not have spoken of another day There remaineth therefore even when the Apostle thus wrote a rest to the people of God Heb. 4. 7-9 with Josh 21 44. and 22. 4. And this Rest will not be compleatly and gloriously enjoyed by them until the Lord Jesus be revealed not in but from Heaven with his mighty Angels 2 Thes 1. 6 7 9. with Rev. 21. 5. the times of compleat rest and refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord when God shall send us Jesus and when the times of restitution of all things shall come to wit when God shall make new and renew all things Act. 3. 19 20. with Rom. 8. 17-23 3. The land of Canaan was by an everlasting Covenant assured to Abraham and his seed for an everlasting possession so God saith to Abraham I will give unto thee and to thy seed after thee the land wherein thou art a stranger all the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession c. Gen. 17. 7 8. To the same purpose also Jacob said unto Joseph God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me and said unto me I will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession Gen. 48. 3 4. Now surely we may say this promise is not yet fulfilled compleatly to the seed of Abraham Isaac and Jacob for Israel after the flesh enjoyed it but a little time the Ten Tribes were carried captive about seven hundred years after they were setled in Canaan by Joshua and are not returned from that Captivity unto this day and they were the greatest part of that Nation And the Prophet saith The people of thine holiness have possessed it but a little while Isa 63. 18. And Judah hath been ejected out of it about sixteen hundred years so that as yet neither Abraham Isaac and Jacob nor their seed have had it for an everlasting possession as was promised 2 Sam. 7. 10 11. 4. Yes it doth appear that that Covenant respected not their seed after the flesh only or fully but the spiritual seed of Abraham even all that are Christs who shall in due time have that Covenant fulfilled and performed to them and shall possess the land of Canaan when it is an heavenly Country Gen. 17. 7 8. with Rom. 4. 13 14 16. Gal. 3. 7-16 17-29 And in this heavenly Country they shall reign at Jerusalem the City of the great King even in the new Jerusalem which God will create So the Lord when he promiseth he will make new Heavens and a new Earth immediately saith But be you glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create for behold I create Jerusalem a rejoicing c. Isa 65. 17 18. And the Lords remembrancers are called upon and provoked not to keep silence and to give him no rest till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth Isa 62. 1 6 7. I mean the new Jerusalem the holy and heavenly City which God himself will create Indeed it doth appear that the old Jerusalem the former City that was so called will be built again by the natural Israel Jer. 30. 4-18 and Chap. 31. 38-40 but of this new Jerusalem of which we are speaking God himself will be the builder and maker Heb. 11. 9 10. for which Abraham Isaac and Jacob looked but never yet enjoyed it Heb. 11. 15 16. see the notes before on Chap. 3. vers 12. The Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion and in Jerusalem and before his Ancients gloriously Isa 24. 23. At that time namely when the Ten Tribes are returned they shall call Jerusalem the Throne of the Lord for he shall be there and there reign Jer. 3. 12-17 with Ezek. 48. 35. And to him that overcometh he will then grant to sit with him in his Throne Rev. 3. 21. Object If any should say The new and holy Jerusalem cannot mean a glorious place but a glorious people because it is called the Bride the Lambs wife Revel 21. 2 10 11. To that I say Answ 1. It doth indeed appear that thereby we are to understand a glorious and heavenly people to wit the children of the first Resurrection in that it is called the Bride c. Rev. 19. 7 8 9. But yet 2. It may signifie a glorious place also as in former times the old Jerusalem signified frequently both the City and Citizens thereof and sometimes the one and sometimes the other and not only it may so signifie but it doth appear to mean a glorious place also Because 1. It is distinguished from persons even from those that enter thereinto as it is said There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth but they which are written in the Lambs book of life Rev. 21. 27. Even as in the Prophet the inhabitants of that Jerusalem the Lord God will make are distinguished from that glorious place where it is said But be you glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create For behold I create Jerusalem a rejoicing and her people a joy And I will rejoice in Jerusalem and joy in my people c. Isa 65. 18 19. with Rev. 21. 2-4 2. Nor doth Jerusalem's the new Jerusalem's being called the Bride the Lambs wife hinder but that it may also signifie a glorious place for a place may be said to be married to the Lord as it is said Thou shalt no more be termed forsaken neither shall thy land any more be termed desolate but thou shalt be called Hephzibah that is my delight is in her and thy land Beulah that is married for the Lord delighteth in thee and thy land shall be married to wit unto the Lord also compare Isa 62. 4 5. with Chap. 65. 18 19. So that in short the place where the Saints and holy ones shall reign will be on the earth the new earth in the land of Canaan that Heavenly Country at the new and holy Jerusalem Psal 48. and 87. 2 3. Object But some will be ready to object and say what must the Saints come out of Heaven and reign on the earth surely that will tend much to the abatement and lessening of their glory and happiness Answ To this objection we have spoken somewhat formerly see the notes on Chap. 3. vers 12. and therefore shall say the less to it here But it doth plainly appear that they shall come out of Heaven who shall reign on the earth so it is oft said of the new Jerusalem which signifies as we
5. an elder informed John who the palm-bearing Saints which were in heaven were chap. 7. 13 17. and when there were great voices in heaven then of the twenty-four elders only it is said they fell on their faces c. chap. 11. 15 16. which also may evince that by the elders we are to understand the spirits of just men made perfect who are present with the Lord and so in Heaven 3. And this will further appear by their sitting on their thrones by their raiment and crowns on their heads to which we shall speak particularly as we come at these things in order 3. And they appear by the title given to them to mean some that have rule over us though they are not alive in the body to wit the prophets in former times and the apostles of the lamb answerable whereto it is said At the gates of the holy Jerusalem were twelve Angels and names written thereon which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel And the wall of the city had twelve foundations and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the lamb Rev. 21. 12 14. and so by these twenty-four elders we may â—nderstand the Patriarchs including the holy prophets and the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ of whose words we should be always mindful as the Apostle Peter signifies saying I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and of the commandment of us the Apostle of the Lord and Saviour 2 Pet. 3. 1 2. and so the fathers of the Church in former times are called elders after they were dead in these words By faith the elders obtained a good report Heb. 11. 2 c. and the apostles of Christ are called elders 1 Pet. 5. 1. 2 Joh. 1. 3 Joh. 1. and they are signified to be bishops Acts 1. 20. and both denote their ruling-power in the Church and so it may be said of both the prophets and apostles that they are under Christ the Masters of the congregations of the worshippers of the true God as the Preacher saith The words of the wise are as goads and as nails fastened by the masters of the assemblies which are given from one shepherd Eccles 12. 11. 1 Tim. 5. 17. they are instrumental fathers and so to be obeyed in the Lord so the Apostle Peter saith to the Jews Ye are the children of the prophets Acts 3. 25. Luke 16. 29 31. and the apostle Paul saith of himself and the same may be said of the residue of the Apostles in the like case Though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ yet not many fathers for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel 1 Cor. 4. 15. and the patriarchs prophets and apostles are after their departure out of this world our Guides and Rulers by their good words and examples as the Apostle in imateth when he saith Remember them who have the rule over you or who are the guides of you but who are they it follows who have spoken to you the word of God whose faith follow and these whom he calls our Guides Rulers or Elders as the word also signifies are such of the Holy Prophets and Apostles principally as had died in the â—aith and being absent from the body were present with the Lord as appears also by what follows in our translations viz. considering the end out-going conclusion or consummation of their conversation c. Heb. 13. 7. which place being diligently minded gives great light to this and hugely helps us to understand who these elders are as we have said before to wiâ— the Prophets and Apostles who had lived and died in the faith so in this book the twelve Apostles who were all dead as is very probable John excepted before he received this Revelation are called stars Rev. 12. 1. and as the stars of heaven do rule on earth Gen. 1. 16 18. Psal 136. 9. so also the Prophets and Apostles as stars now they are in their spirits in heaven do by their light in their word and good conversation still guide rule over and govern us instrumentally and so much also we may understand by their seats or thrones Mat. 19. 28. and yet also these twenty-four elders may be as it were the Representative of all the saints and holy ones who had finished their course and kept and died in the faith and whose spirits were in Heaven as the Angel of every of the seven Churches in Asia is spoken to as representing the whole Church of which he was the Angel or Messenger Now these â—our and twenty elders are further described to us 1. By their posture sitting That is to say 1. As kings and as persons of rule and government as these are as before we have seen and as appears in that they in the new song do to the praise of the Lamb with thankfulness acknowledg Thou hast made us unto our God kings and priests chap. 5. 10. they are sitting on the four and twenty thrones spoken of in the beginning of the verse which are called their thrones chap. 11. 16. like to those spoken of in chap. 20. 4. where it is said I saw thrones and they sâ—te upon them and judgment was given unto them though not fully the same for that speaks of the thrones the children of the first resurrection shall sit upon when they shall be raised which yet none are And the glory of these elders here spoken of is in some part a fulfilling of that promised by our Lord Jesus unto his Apostles when he saith unto them â— appoint unto you a kingdom that ye may eat and drink at my table and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel Luke 22. 28 30. and that they sit as those that have some ruling-power and kingly government appears also by their habit and crowns to which after and so these are more excellent than the sain's that are in the earth Psal 16. 2 3. they are Jerusalem above which is free and is the mother of us all Above the holy ones here below Gal. 4. 29. they are in a better state and condition as the Apostle signifies when he saith I have a desire to depaâ—t and to be with Christ which is far better Phil. 1. 23. Now they are absenâ— from the body they are present with the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 6 8. Indeed by faith the holy ones on earth are kings also as is said He hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his father see notes before on chap. 1. ver 6. and chap. 5. 10 But faith is the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11. 1. they now walk by faith not by sight 2 Cor. 5. 6. but these elders have attained and are already perfect in their spirits and therein are actually and gloriously kings which the most