was before as to Outward Church Priviledges and Profession which is the visible Life of a Church 8 And their dead Bodies i. e. these Churches anathematized and suppressed shall lie unburied in the 30 Street of the great City i e. their Censures against them and suppressing of them shall be Publick Open and Notorious through the whole Extent and in the most conspicuous places of the Antichristian Jurisdiction which 31 spiritually i. e. in a mystical sense 1 Cor. 10.4 is 32 called by the Spirit of God in this Prophecy 33 Sodom for its Spiritual Uncleanness by Idolatry and Aegypt for its Tyranny and its innumerable Superstitions and Idolatries 34 where also or in which great City our Lord Christ was crucified 30 By Street in Scripture is meant the Broad Open and publick places of Concourse as the Word is used Matth. 5.6 and Esther 6.9 Whereby is intimated that some Churches in the most Conspicuous and Eminent Places of the Roman Territories which is the City concerned in these Visions and is called the (a) Chap 14 8.17 18 18 10. great City should be persecuted and anathematized by the Apostasy and that the Devastations made upon the Witnesses should be publick and in open view and that they should be capable of being raised and restored contrary to what the wicked are threatned with Job 18.17 that their remembrance shall perish from the Earth and they shall have no name in the Street 31 From hence it clearly appears that what is here delivered is to be understood in a Metaphorical sense by way of Mystical Allegory which was common then amongst the Jews and which the Sacred Writers especially the Apostle to the Hebrews makes frequent use of 23 Or is in a Spiritual and Mystical Sense for to call and to be are frequently used promiscuously in Scripture Although I presume the meaning of this place given in the Paraphrase to be the truest for as Gog was prophesied of by the Prophets under the Names of Edom Moab Leviathan and the other Chief Enemies of God and of the Jewish Church as the Prophet Ezekiel expresly declares Chap. 38.17 So are the Idolatrous Enemies of the Christian Church prophesied of under the Names of Aegypt Babylon and the like in this Book and in the Old Testament 33 Thus Jerusalem is called Sodom and Gomorrah Isa 1.10 34 Christ was crucified at Jerusalem which is here mentioned 1. To shew that this Slaughter of the Witnesses was to be under the Jurisdiction of the Romans Jerusalem being then under their Dominion and our Saviour being Crucified by their Authority Upon which account his Suffering under Pontius Pilate and his Crucifixion which was a Roman Punishment are mentioned in the Creed 2. Rome is called Jerusalem because it succeeded the (a) Mori Oper. Theol. 721 728 Synagogue in its Carnal Hypocritical and Persecuting Temper and is a City that killeth the Prophets and Witnesses of Christ as Jerusalem of old was wont to do 3. Our Saviour is said to be Crucified at Rome because he is crucified there in his (b) Matth. 25.40 45. Acts 9.4 Members to whom whatsoever is done he imputes as done to himself Whereupon he asked Saul why he persecuted Him when he persecuted his Disciples And because the Apostacy Reigns there which sin is particularly called the Crucifying of Christ afresh and the putting him to an open shame Heb. 6 4-8 9 And they or some of the People and Kindreds and Tongues and Nations who shall be disposed to attend to and take notice of this matter shall see or diligently consider their dead Bodies i e. the deplorable and ruinous State of these desolate Churches three days and an half see num 37. and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in 35 Graves i. e. to be buried in utter Oblivion and to be in an irrecoverable condition out of all hope of being restored Ezek. 37 11-14 Hos 6.2 35 The same Metaphors that are here made use of are also used in the same sense by Ezekiel Chap. 37 1-14 and by Hos 13.14 where by dry bones in an open Valley and by dead bodies in Graves is meant a hopeless condition without the least expectation of Recovery 10 And they that dwell upon the Earth i. e. the more sensual and earthly part of the Kingdom of the Beast shall rejoice over them and make merry and shall send gifts one to another as in time of publick Joy Hest 9.19 22. Nehem. 8 10-12 because these two Prophets 36 tormented by their Reproofs denouncing of Judgments contrary Life and Conversation and the progress of their Doctrine amongst the people Hos 6.5 Judg. 16.6 Jon. 4.9 them that dwell on the Earth i. e. the Antichristian People 36 As the Prophets and particularly Elijah one of the Witnesses of the Jewish Church are said to trouble wicked Kings and People 1 Kings 18.17 18.21 20. 11 And after three 37 days and a half the Spirit 38 of Life from God entred into them i. e. they were wonderfully revived Ezek. 37.5 8 9 10 13 14. Hos 6.2 and they stood 38 upon their feet i. e. were in a posture of Service and Defence and appeared with Courage and Readiness to perform their Duty Ezek. 2 1-3.37 10. and great fear 39 fell upon all them which saw them revived so wonderfully to the Joy of their Friends and the Consternation of their Enemies 37 It is observed by the Lord Napeir that besides the Common Prophetical Day which is taken for a Year in Prophecy There is also a great and extraordinary Day in Scripture which signifies not a Year but any Time to be determined by Circumstances as the Word Day is used in the Day of the Lord and in Man's Day Now if Day signifie Time in Scripture it may very well (a) Lord Napeir on the Revel Prop. 1.15 Mori Oper. Theol. pag 179. and his Appendix to Dan. pag. 284-293 signifie so in this place where it seems to be necessary that Three Days and an half should be brought to comport with Three Times and a half 1260 Days and Forty Two Months All which being of the same signification there seems to be no reason but that the Three Days and a half should be of the same Nature too especially if we consider that the Woman in the Wilderness which is the Church or Witnesses collectively taken from whom it differs only in Notion as the Body doth from its Members hath Three Times and a half allotted her as well as 1260 Days to which there must be something porportionable in the Times of the Witnesses which are her Seed and are coaeval with her and the Three Days and a half are of the same Extent with 1260 Days and Three Times and an half if you account the Days for Years and then again resolve those Years into Days denoting so many Years But for the clearer stating of this Matter it is to be observed that here is a plain Allusion to the time of
THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION PARAPHRASED WITH ANNOTATIONS ON EACH CHAPTER Whereby it is made plain to the meanest Capacity DAN XII 4. Many shall run to and fro and Knowledg shall be increased HAB. II. 2. Write the Vision and make it plain upon Tables that he may run that readeth it LONDON Printed in the Year MDCXCIII THE PREFACE THere is scarce any part of Holy Writ which hath met with a more severe entertainment in the World than this Sacred Book For although it hath evident Characters of its Divine Authority and more Humane Testimony than any other Book of the New Testament yet upon the increase of the Millenary Controversies in the Church it was first called in question and then boldly and impiously rejected by that party whose Sentiments it oppposed until they had found out a way of reconciling it unto them Into such extravagancies will immoderate opposition transport men and a fond Love and heady Zeal for private Fancies and Opinions Neither have those who have endeavoured to illustrate and clear the difficulties of this Mysterious Book met with less gentle usage in these latter ages especially from those of our own Nation but have been commonly represented as Frantick Zealots and Crazed Enthusiasts or where such Characters could not be fastned on them they have been generally depressed in the World if their Sentiments proved contrary to what was most prevailing in it to the great discouragement of inquisitive Persons and to the mighty hindrance of Truth and Knowledg which never thrive better than under a gentle and moderate freedom And therefore I cannot but regret although it be to the Dishonour of my own Nation the hard fate of those two excellent Persons Mr. Potter and Mr. Mede the former of whom although admirably skilled in many abstruse parts of Learning yet lived and dyed in an obscure retirement in a remote corner of the Land whilst the other the Ornament of our Church and of the Age he lived in was never able so much as to keep a Horse for Health not State which was the heighth of his ambition And I wish I could say that we were grown more favourable to such disquisitions that so a considerable person of deep Thought and of great insight into Mysterious Truths upon whose Hypothesis the following Interpretation is chiefly grounded after much doubt and tryal of it might not be permitted to struggle with adversity and lie under the depressing circumstances of Restraint But alas I fear that like the Apostle Peter (a) Luke 9.33 when he desired the continuance of the Glory of Christ's transgfiuration upon this Earth we know not what we say when we wish that such men had met with greater advantages in the World as the present state of it is and that we ought not to seek (b) Jerem 45. great things for our selves or others whilst the Church is in a Sack-cloath State and Condition but that our Souls are to be suited to God's Dispensations and we are not to aim at high things in the times of publick calamities And whosoever makes this use of privacy and adversity may sooner meet with Divine Visitations and comforts in the most obscure corner and with Spiritual Illuminations in a Patmos or a Prison than amidst the greatest affluence of the enjoyments of this World and all the advantages of great Parts many Books and much Learning which too often swell the mind and puff up more than edifie whereas the chief qualifications next to Prayer and the Divine assistance to the attaining to Knowledg in this or any other part of Scripture are Humility Industry and Patience in searching and a ready submission to Convictions although they prove contrary to our former thoughts and our present interest For great application of Mind is necessary to search into the bottom of Mysterious Truths and a man who would understand the Will of God in this Prophecy must during the Study of it renounce Parties and Prejudices and divest himself of his former Principles although never so deeply rooted and never so seemindy rational and closely follow that Sense which appears to be the meaning of the Holy Spirit For God's Thoughts are not as our Thoughts and men of the greatest strength of Reason when they happen upon false Principles and too strictly adhere to them are of all others the most irreclaimable It were easy to shew that Alcasar who spent twenty Years in the Study of this Prophecy Ribera and other very Learned and Judicious Men amongst the Romanists had scarcely missed of many great Truths if they had not been of that Communion and that several truly great and good Men among the Protestants were misled by a too fond respect for some private Principles Such as were the impossibility that so gross an Idolatry and so Universal an Apostasy as is supposed in this Prophecy should ever be permitted to overspread the Face of the Visible Church which yet is supposed should actually come to pass towards the end of the Word by Ribera (a) Viegas Victorinus and most of the Ancient Fathers Alcas pag. 20. and other learned Papists chiefly upon the evidence which this Book afforded them And such also was their opinion of the necessity of an uninterrupted Succession in every Church and the impossibility of deriving it from one which was formally Idolatrous together with a greater Love for the outward Peace Unity and Prosperity of the Church than it is capable of during this imperfect State in which they seem to have rested without expecting one of a different Nature Which seem to be the chief prejudices upon which Grotius Mr. Thorndick Dr. Hammond and others espoused a groundless narrow and inconsistent Hypothesis contrary to the common Doctrine of Protestants and of the Churches of which they were Members and to the Scope and genuine sense of the words of this and other Prophetical Books of Scripture as hath been sufficiently shewn by Dr. Moor Dr. Cressener and several Divines of Foreign Churches Whereas Mr. Mede seems to have been rewarded by God with the best grounded the most consequential and the most comprehensive Hypothesis of any other for his great freedom of Mind impartial Search and universal Charity which were joyned in him with a rare and uncommon mixture of slowness and yet largeness of thought I am not ignorant that many excellent persons who have shaken off the fetters of Prejudice and Education and have too great Souls to he confined within the narrow compass of a Party or a private Interest are yet very a verse to the Writings of those who offer at the Interpretation of Prophetical Scripture if their sentiments seem to look with a too close and threatning Aspect upon the Age they live in because of the frequent falsity of such pretences and the ill influence they may have especially at some times and seasons upon the publick peace of Church and State And indeed they are not to be blamed for being cautious and
to the Churches in the Plural that is all the several Periods and Successions of them 14 The Particle what refers not only to the following Sentence but to all which went before as appears from the Epistles to the Churches of Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia and Laodicea in which there is nothing that follows this Proverbial Sentence which must therefore have a reference to what preceded it 15 This Promise refers to the particular Overcomers of the Evil of each Church-State and not to the Churches themselves for as some Men may fall short of overcoming Vice and Error in a good Church-State so others may overcome the Evil of a bad one And the Promises to the several Overcomers are taken from the Descriptions given afterwards in the latter part of this Prophecy of the New Jerusalem or Kingdom of Christ which as they have promoted so shall their Reward be Now the Earthly Paradise was a Type of Christ's Heavenly Kingdom and to eat of the Tree of Life in the midst of that Paradise is to be refreshed and nourished with Divine Communications in the Kingdom of Christ in which the Saints and Overcomers shall Reign with him And here we are to take notice that the Rewards are suited to each particular State to be refreshed by eating in a State of Happiness being proper to those who are wearied with Labour and Sufferings and a Crown in the next Succession being the fit Reward of the Overcomers of a state of persecution It is also further fit to be observed That the Right of Primogeniture is not given to Ephesus but to Smyrna the Symbol of the afflicted Church-state which has the Crown of Life bestowed upon it the Symbol of Royal Dignity which of Right belongs to the First Born and the very Kingdom of the New Jerusalem is given to Philadelphia of which the Key of David and her Crown are the Symbols which seems to be shadowed out unto us in the Blessings of Jacob Gen. 49. which may by way of Allegory and as Typical be accommodated to the Mystical Israel the Church where the Precedency both in Dignity and Power is taken from Reuben the First Born because of his Instability and having defiled his Father's Bed which may be Typical of Ephesus's Early Departure from its First Love and of the Idolatrous Apostasie which crept into it betimes which is a spiritual Defilement in Scripture whereupon its Candlestick was removed out of its place that is it lost the Rank of priority it was to have in the Kingdom of Christ which was given to the next Succession of Smyrna for it's Constancy in Afflictions bur especially the New Jerusalem State coming down in the Philadelphian Succession 8 And unto the Angel Verse 1. of the Church in Smyrna 16 write these things saith the First 17 and the Last which was dead and is alive that is Christ the Eternal God who raised himself from the Dead 16 Smyrna is the next City of the seven Northward from Ephesus and about Forty Miles distant from it and it is still a Metropolitical See having yet no more than Two Churches of Greeks in it and One or Two of Armenians It 's Name may by a Figurative Allusion be derived from a Syriack word signifying Bitterness to denote the bitter persecutions of the Church under this State 17 These Attributes are made use of to encourage them to undergo their Sufferings as having been already experienced by Christ who was God and had vanquished Death for them 9 I know and approve thy good works in the propagating of my Kingdom and tribulation under persecutions and poverty or extream want by thy being spoiled 18 of thy Good but thou art really rich in Grace and in my Esteem and Favour and I know the blasphemy 19 i. e. Idolatry of them or that party that say they are Jews 20 that is boast themselves to be the pure Christians the true Worshippers of the one only God and art not truly so but are really and in God's Account the 21 Synagogue of Satan that is an Antichristian Congregation 18 As was usual in Times of persecution Heb. 10.34 19 Blasphemy is a Contumely or Reproach of God by attributing that to a Creature which is properly his whence in Scripture it is put to signifie Idolatry which is the highest Blasphemy See Isa 65.7 1 Maccab. 2.6 2 Maccab. 8.4 And this Blasphemy then appeared in the Reverence paid to Martyrs which was the Beginning of Idolatry 20 The Phrases and Expressions of this Mystical Book are taken from the Old Testament and the Jewish Oeconomy which was Typical of the Christian as the Apostle asserts 1 Cor. 10 1-4 the Type in this prophecy being constantly put for the Anti-Type or thing signified And therefore according to that usual Figure by Jews here must be understood Christians who are the mystical Israel or the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the True Israel as Justin Martyr calls them whose Glory and proper Priviledg it was to be the Worshippers of the One True God whilst all the World besides were guilty of Idolatry Now the Jews being wont to pride themselves in their priviledges those here represented are also said to say that they are Jews that is boast of it in allusion perhaps to the Name Judah which signifying Praise and Thanksgiving is here and by the Apostle Rom. 2 17-29 put to denote a Boasting Confession joyned with a seeking the Praise of Men as Grotius has noted on the place and as is obvious from the last verse of that Chapter as I before hinted Of which Pride of theirs there is an eminent instance in the very first Apostolical Church at Jerusalem Acts 6. where the Hebrews or Natural Jews who came from the Loyns of Abraham neglected or proudly despised the Hellenists or Proselyted Gentiles altho Jews by their Religion as well as themselves And therefore in proportion by Jews here must be meant those Christians who more than ordinarily boasted themselves to be the pure Worshippers of the True God only when yet they were really guilty of Idolatry For the word Jew as Grotius notes on Rom. 2.17 was then a word significative of their Religion rather than of their Nation and denoted as much as a Worshipper of the one God or one who confessed and acknowledged him as the word Judah is Explained by Philo and Interpreted by the LXX Gen. 29.35 21 Satan signifies according to the Original of the word the Great Adversary the Devil of whose Congregation these Pretending pure Christians are said to be and not of Christ's because by their Blasphemous or Idolatrous Practises they did indeed and in God's account Worship him and Propagate his Antichristian Kingdom But this was at first the Fault only of a few of them or of that Party that Valued themselves and Despised others calling themselves Jews or the only True or pure Israel of God it having always happened so from the beginning of God's Church that according to the Allegory insisted
dwell What more grateful Entertainment for an Ingenious Mind than to have a prospect of all the great Transactions of the World since Christ's Resurrection represented as in Scenes shifted by the Ministry of Angels at each great change upon the Stage of this World For this Book is a Divine Drama full of holy Art and sacred Ornaments taken from Prophetick Symbols and Eastern Hieroglyphicks into which the Holy Spirit hath transferred most of the Beauties Excellencies and Magnificence of the Old Testamens and the greatest part of the Types and Figures of the Law the Throne of God and the Kingdom of Christ being the True Tabernacle of which Moses saw the Pattern in the Mount And the Art observed in it is very admirable and much like that of a true and just Poem the design of it being one great Action viz. The Kingdom of Christ to which all the lesser Actions are Subservient as to one great End which is carried on after a delightful as well as an Instructive manner by Descriptions Narrations a Chorus of Angels and blessed Spirits and by Christ himself speaking on great occasions as by so many Episodical Ornaments And may God inspire some Pious and Devout Soul with a Poetical Spirit suitable to the greatnest of the Subject with a Spirit like that which came from him upon his Servants David and Solomon when in Divine Raptures they set forth the glories of his Kingdom for the Subject well deserves an inspired Pen and will outlive all which have been hitherto undertaken as affording the most proper matter for the Devotion and Contemplation of the New World and therefore may be justly recommended to all Ingenious Persons as worthy their most serious Thoughts and pious Meditations Ribera a learned Romanist resembles this Prophecy to a vast Ocean full of Deep Gulphs receiving and swallowing up all Human Wisdom and the Metaphor although something bold hath much of Truth in it there being few of the Liberal Arts and Scienâ—es which the Eternal Word the Wisdom of God hath not made use of in it to exercise the understanding of those who have Spiritual Wisdom and to confound the Wisdom of those who are wise in their own conceits Here the Sacred Orator may find the most Magnificent Idea's of Divine things and the most lively Images of what can most effectually raise Admiration Love and Fear the most prevailing Passions of Mankind viz. the Glory of God and of Christ's Kingdom and the horror and dread of the Punishments denounced and executed in it And all this expressed in a Style (a) Stylus five Structura Orationis qualis nunquam à Mortalibus usurpata fuit nec apud quenquam Humanum Auctorem Extat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hic vides non Humanam Cotton apud Poli Syn. more than Human whereby some of the wisest and best of all Ages have been induced to search into it for the Providential Fate of God's Church and to admire and acknowledg its profound depth and Divine Authority as that great Critick (b) Euseb Hist Eccles 7.25 Dionysius Alexandrinus did even when they professed that they could not fathom the meaning of it which is no slight Argument of the peculiar Majesty and Excellen of this Book Neither let nice VVits be offended at the Paronomastical Allusions may he found in it for they are frequent in (c) Vid. Maimonid Duct Dubit 2.43 Gen 9 27.49 8 16 19. Jerem. 1.11 12. Dan. 5.25 29. Zephan 2.4 and the Notes on Chap. 2. 1 3. Scripture as they know who have skill in the Original Languages and were much in use in the Eastern Nations Those who have skill in History and Chronology may here exercise it with great Delight and Satisfaction and every mind that hath Wisdom whether it be in Numbers Geometry Architecture Colours Precious Stones Meteors or any other parts of Knowledge here hinted at or alluded to ought to contribute their skill to it For united Endeavours best promote Knowledge and God himself usually joyned (a) Exod. 31.2 3 6. 36 1 2. Eccles 4.9 Mark 6.7 1 Cor. 12.8 many together Two at least in every great and Weighty Work He gave Aholiab to Bezaleel joyned Aaron to Moses and Christ sent forth his Disciples by Two and Two and raised up Two Witnesses to testify to the Truths of this Prophecy And therefore I cannot but earnestly entreat all that are Wise-hearted in whose Hearts God hath put Wisdom and skill in Arts for they are from him and may thereby be Sanctified to stir up the Gifts which are in them and to joyn heartily and unanimously together for the service of the approaching Sanctuary and Kingdom of Christ for the work hath been long retarded by the noise of (b) 1 Kings 6.7 Axes and Hammers that is by Divisions and Contentions amongst Christians which ought not to be heard in the Building of God's House whatsoever hath been hitherto permitted under imperfect and lower Dispensations But further if the Hypothesis here advanced prove true and this Book be found to contain the great Events belonging to the Christian Church from the Reformation to the End of Time and to the Kingdoms of this World as they have a relation to it will it not afford a most cogent and most illustrious Proof for the Being of a God and a Providence and for the Divine Authority of the Scriptures and most effectually silence the little and unreasonable Cavils of Atheists and Antiscripturists For how could so long a Series and so great a variety of Events depending on rational Instruments and free Agents seemingly independent on each other and yet all tending to One End be revealed so long before their accomplishment but by One Infinite Mind or Understanding comprehending all things at one View and over-ruling and conducting them all to One End What but infinite Mind and Wisdom could foresee and so exactly describe the Orderly (a) See Chap. 6. Succession of the Roman Emperours by the very particular Countries from which they came and the great occurrences which happened under them or so exactly (b) See Chap. 2 10 6 9-17 foretell the very Period of the Persecution under Dioclesian and at so long a distance shew the Souls of the Martyrs under the Altar and the fatal overthrow of Paganism What else but the Eternal Knowledg could foretel and that so particularly in exact agreement with all History the Destruction of the Roman Empire and the (a) See Chap 8. Various Fate of Rome so often taken and retaken so often Burnt and yet not utterly Consumed What else but Wisdom it self could so livelily (b) See Chap. 9. represent the innumerable swarms of Tormenting Saracens the Locusts and Scorpions of the Earth and the mighty inroads of the Turkish Cavalry passing the River Euphrates and foretel the very manner and precise time of their taking Constantinople which cannot therefore be the Beloved City as Dr. Hammond supposes in agreement with the Opinions of the
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Opposite representations in it Of which the Reader is here presented with a general Scheme the particulars which are very many being to be carefully observed and gathered out of the Book it self The Church of Ephesus (a) Chap. 2. 1-8 See pag. 20. 32. is contemporary with the four first Seals and reaches from the Resurrection A. D. 33. to the beginning of the Persecution under Dioclesian A. D. 303. The Church of Smyrna (b) Chap. 2. 8-12 in which the Synagogue of Satan arose is contemporary with the fifth sixth and seventh Seal and lasts until the sounding of the first Trumpet A. D. 437. The Church of Perganus (c) Chap. 2. 1â—-15 begins to Witness in Sackcloath at the entrance of the Apostasy A. D. 437. and is contemporary with the five first Trumpets and part of the Sixth and with the progress of the Apostasy to a Throne and the slaying of the Antipapal Witnesses by Excommunications and Persecutions until about the 12th Century or between A. D. 1100 and 1200. Then arose the Church of (d) Chap. 2. 18. c. Thyatira witnesing against the depths of Satanical Corruptions which continued during the first Slaying of the VVitnesses and the progress of the Mahometan Wo of the sixth Trumpet (a) Chap. 10. until the Reformation A. D. 1517. The Church of Sardis together with some low appearances of the Philadelphian State kept under by those of the Synagogue chap. 3. 9. are contemporary with the Reformation and are to last until some more perfect Church State shall appear of which if the Calculations (c) See the Notes on Chap. 10. 7. on Chap. 11. 2 11. frequently mention'd in the following Book prove true there will be some more than ordinary appearance about A. D. 1697. when the Beasts Months end The Philadelphian (d) Chap. 3. 7-13 State the Church of Thyatira (e) Chap. 2. 19. in its last works the undefiled (f) Chap. â— 4. Names in Sardis and those also of that State whom this Prophecy calls Them of the Synagogue chap. 3. 9. who shall come and unite themselves to the Church of Philadelphia carry on the whole series of things during the (g) See Chapters 14 Voices and the Vials from the rise of that Sate until the Glorious Millenium that is if the Calculations here advanced (b) Chap. 3. 1-7 prove true from A. D. 1697. until (a) See Chapters 14. and 16. A. D. 1727. and from 1727 to 1772. After the Millennium Satan is loosed for a short season Gog and Magog compass the City but are destroyed and all the Enemies of Christ are Judged and perfectly Subdued with which the Laodicean (b) Chap. 3 14-22 Chap. 20. State of the Church is cotemporary But besides these Synchronisms betwixt the Church Prophecy and the Book Prophecy it is very observable that there are very many Visions in the Book Prophecy which Synchronize one with another as is frequently observed in the Annotations of which here is given a short Specimen referring the Reader to the Book it self for a larger account of them Synchron 1. The Seals and many particulars in the twelfth Chapter are contemporary as will appear to any one who compares the sixth Chapter with the twelfth Synchron 2. The Barbarous Nations chap. 8. 7. entring as Gentiles into the outward Court the Worshippers in the inward Temple the Witnesses in Sackcloath and the Church actually flying into the Wilderness are also contemporary See Chapters 8. c. 11. c. 12. Synchron 3. The Beast rising out of the Sea coming into his Succession and into his forty two Months and the ten Kings receiving Power all one Hour with him are contemporary with the Extinction of the Western Empire upon the Sounding of the Third Trumpet because when the former Government was expired Another must needs immediately come into Succession Synchron 4. The Witnesses lying Dead and the Woman hid in the Wilderness from the face of the Serpent are Synchronous Synchron 5. The ending of the two Times the beginning of Half Time the Thunders Voices Uttered and then Sealed are contemporary See Chap. 10. Synchron 6. The full rising of the Witnesses the Fall of the tenth of the great City the passing away of the second Wo and the beginning of the seventh Trumpet to sound are contemporary with the End of the three Days and an Half of the three Times and Half and of the 1260 days and forty two Months which are in an equal Duration Synchron 7. The seventh Trumpet the Voices and the Vials the Judgment on the Whore the Beast and the False Prophet the Lamb's Wife making her self ready are contemporaries Synchron 8. The thousand Years of Sathan bound the first Resurrection the Blessed Participation of it the New Jerusalem the New Heaven and New Earth are contemporaries Synchron 9. The thousand Years expired Sathan Loosed the Gog and Magog are together in time Synchron 10. The Fire coming down from Heaven Sathan's casting into the Lake the Dead Judged and with Death cast into the Lake Synchronize with the White Throne the Laodicean Saints sitting down with Christ upon it The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Opposites are cheifly these The Kingdom of Christ and of his Saints The Kingdom of Satan carried on in the fourth or Roman Monarchy first as Pagan then as Antichristian The Church of Ephesus as Apostolical The Church of Ephesus having left its first Love Chap. 2. 4. Smyrna A Synagogue of Satan Chap. 2. 9. Pergamus and Antipas The Throne of Satan Balaam and the Nicolaitans Chap. 2. 13 14 15. the false Prophet Chap. 16 13. Thyatira The Depths of Satan Jezebel or the false Prophetess Chap. 2. 20 14. The undefiled names in Sardis Those of the Synagogue Chap. 3. 3 4 9. Philadelphia The Laodicean Luke-warmness The Lamb. The Dragon the Beast the other Beast with two Horns like a Limb. Chap. 13. 11. The Bride the Lamb's Wife chap. 19. 7. The Whore chap. 17. Christ's sealed ones and witnesses The Marked Slaves of the Beast chap. 13. 16. The great City the Holy Jerusalem the beloved City the Camp of the Saints c. 20 9.21.10 Babylon the great City reigning over the Kings of the Earth c. 17. and the City of Gog and Magog at the four corners of the Earth c. 20.8 Twelve the Apostolical Number c. 7.4 Twenty five the Antichristian name mark number c. 13. 18. Christ the King of Kings and Lord of Lords chap. 19. 16. The Kings of the Earth chap. 19. 19. The Armies which come in the Heaven with Christ c. 19.14 The Armies of the Kings of the Earth and their Nations Gog and Magog Chap. 19. 15 19. 20 8. ERRATA PAg. 6. l. 29. read 16. p. 9. l. 5. of the of this World p. 13. l. 16. r. denote p. 14. l. 24. r. full of p. 21. l. 16. r. Rom. 2. p. 27. l. 27. r. Goods p. 22. l. 32. r. 58. p. 41. l. 8. f. the r. that
p. 47. l. ult r. 1 Cor. 2. p. 55. l. 26. r. Gospels p 64. l. 15. blot out an indifference p. 66. l 23. r. wilt p. 72. l. ult r. compare p. 82. l. 21. r. slain p. 83. l. 30. r. haveing p. 84. l. 30. f. in the Earth r. on p. 85. l. 13. r. 19. l. 23. r and that because l. 30. r. brought in l. 31. r. objects p. 86. l. 20. r. also as well as p. 88. l. 10. f. whence r. where l. 26. f. his r. Gods p. 113. l. 16. f. Psalm r. Palm p. 149. l. 3. r. in a Cave p. 158. l. 3. r. about it p. 170. l. 25. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 174. l. 7. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 191. l. 22. r. much indebted p. 177. l. 14. r. that it l. 15. f. that r. the p. 205. l. 7. f. Times r. Time p. 283. l. 4. r. each of which Heads p. 300. l. 7. r. Σ. p. 344. l. 20. r. were Types p. 402. l. 7. r. the Lord God p. 415. l. 17. insert see thou do it not I am p. 235. blot out these words A.D. 1507. within ten years of p. 236. l. 4. r. 1529. ANNOTATIONS ON THE REVELATION CHAP. I. The Text. 1 THE Revelation of Jesus Christ i.e. the Discovery and Manifestation of Divine Secrets in a Prophetical Vision from Jesus Christ which God the Father gave unto him the Great Prophet and Mediatour to shew or make known by Prophetical Symbols and Representations and actually to * So the word is taken John 5 20.14 8. and in this sense God is said to shew Christ and he to be Revealed when he came into the World exhibit or produce the Effect of every Vision in its proper time unto his Servants i. e. those Eminent and Faithful Christians especially Ministers who dedicate themselves to his Service things which must shortly i. e. suddenly and speedily begin 1 to come to pass one after another and or which †And is here according to the Custom of the Hebrew Language put for the Pronoun Relative which he Christ sent and signified it i. e. made known the Prophetical Visions of this Book by his 2 Angel sometimes one special Angel sent for this purpose and sometimes another unto his Servant John The Annotations 1 Thus Grotius Dr. Hammond and most Interpreters expound these Words this Prophecy containing a Discovery of things which were to come to pass in a Succession of time one after another of which it may be very appositely said That they must come to pass shortly when they are shortly to begin to pass into Event as an Army is said to be coming when only the Van-Guard begins to appear With which Interpretation these Words of Dr. Pocock agree on Joel pag. 145 150. Of those last things which were to be done or in doing to the last of time in this world St. John by reason of the certainty of their being fulfilled in due time saith that they should be fulfilled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or shortly come to pass 2 Michael and Gabriel are employed in Daniel but in this Prophecy several Angels are made use of but none by Name which together with the Humane Subordinate Ministry employed under them are generally called by the Name of Angel in this Book From this Verse we may observe the Order of Divine Revelation which proceeds from God the Father as the Fountain and Original and is committed by him to Christ unto whom all Power is given in the Church by whom it is sent to his Servants especially Ministers by the Ministration of his Angels who are under him as their Head and Lord and his Ministers to whom the Prophecy is principally directed are also stiled Angels from their Ministring to him in this Prophecy together with the Angels See on ver 20. 2 Who bare record i. e. hath testified and declared by his Preaching and Sufferings vers 9. and in this Book of Christ the Word of God John 1.1 Chap. 19.13 and of the Testimony of Jesus Christ i. e. the 3 Gospel 1 Cor. 1.6 and of all things that he saw 4 concerning Christ while he abode on Earth and afterwards in this and the following Visions 3 Called his Testimony because it testified of him declared the Will of God and was testified unto or confirmed by his Miracles 4 Here the Apostle plainly discovers himself to be the Writer of this Book from many Characters peculiar unto himself as that he had given Testimony which is part of the Office of an Apostle in Scripture Acts 1.8 22 c. unto the Gospel of Christ and to the Divinity of the Word of God by his Preaching and by his Sufferings for it and that he had delivered many things concerning Christ of which he had been a peculiar Eye-witness which are now upon Record in his Gospel in the like manner of Speech and way of Assurance John 1 14.19 35. And moreover this being a Preface to the whole Book of Visions he had already seen these Words may very well refer unto them 3 5 Blessed here and here after is he that readeth and expoundeth with diligence and understanding and they that hear with attention the words of this Prophecy and keep in their Minds observe and practise those things which are written therein for the time of their beginning to be successively compleated is at hand and therefore to be regarded and the Consideration of it not to be put off unto a further Day as the Jews were wont to do Ezek. 12 21-28 5 The Divine Authority of the Revelation the Author of the Book and the Subject-matter of it having been delivered in brief in the foregoing Verses St. John here declares the Fruit and Benefit which the Readers and Observers of it shall reap by it and very probably gives an intimation That it ought to be read in publick Assemblies here being mention of one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Reader and of many as it were assembled to hear him Read and Interpret according to the Custom of the Church And without doubt great is the blessing attending the sober Study of this Book and the due Observation of the Correspondence betwixt it and the Events foretold in it must needs be a matter of extraordinary comfort especially to those who shall be so happy as to live near the Times of its full completion as Christ told Daniel chap. 12. 12. And even what is not so fully understood is nevertheless according to the Example of Daniel and of the Blessed Virgin Luke 2.19 50 51. to be pondered upon and kept in our Minds lest we be found wholly ignorant of the great Truths contained in this Book when the Times of their Consummation appear and that thereby God may be wrought upon to make known unto us what we do not understand seeing he hath declared That he that seeketh shall find and to him that knocketh it shall be opened But chiefly the Blessedness here pronounced
Souls to call them back or retain them when they are departed out of the Body and of Death it self to keep men from it and therefore fear not for if you were really Dead I could raise you up again All which looks with a Full Eye on that great First Resurrection c. 20. 28 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See Hammond on Matth. 11. and Bishop Pearson on the Creed 19 And upon this assurance stand up upon thy Feet and be of good Courage and Write in a Book unto the seven Churches as I before commanded thee vers 11. the things which thou hast seen already 29 in the representation of the seven Stars and seven golden Candlesticks vers 12 13 16. and 30 write also the things which are now in being in my present Apostolical Church and the things which shall be hereafter successively to the very end of Time 29 It is manifest from the next Verse that this is the true sense of these Words where it is expresly said that the Seven Stars were Seen by him in his Right Hand which are therefore the things he had Seen and were written with the rest of the Preface in a Book to the seven Churches verse 11. 30 Here he is commanded to write the Epistles to the seven Churches the first of which viz. that to Ephesus as we have there shewn refers to the State of the then Apostolical Church beginning at Christ's Resurrection the others to the following successive States of the Churches to the End of the World 20 Which things present and future are the 31 Mystery or the Prophetical and Mystical sense of the seven Stars which thou sawest in my right hand which are the things thou hast seen and not the Mystery to be written concerning them and write the seven Golden Candlesticks i e. the mystery or mystick sense of them also The seven 32 stars are or signifie and represent Gen. 41.26 the Angels 33 or Pastors of the seven Churches and the seven Candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven Churches or are 34 seven Churches that is Bodies of Christians under their several Pastors as well those which are now as those which shall be successively hereafter 31 These words which are of the Accusative Case and put by way of Apposition plainly refer only to the things which are and shall be which are here said to be the Mystery or mystical meaning of the seven Stars which therefore are not referred to as being not themselves the Mystery but the things which were to be mystically explained in the following Epistles And from hence also we are plainly given to understand that the Subject Matter of these Epistles is Mystical and not barely Literal and that they concern things future as well as the present 32 Here is explained what is meant by Stars and Candlesticks whose further mystical meaning as they relate to Churches then in being and to future Successions of them and their Pastors is largely delivered in the following Epistles 33 The Ministring Spirits which attend on God are called Angels in Scripture from their being employed as Messengers in his Service and therefore by the Angels of the Churches must be meant the Pastors of them which are here clearly distinguished from the Churches themselves from their like Office of delivering God's Messages to the People and putting up their Prayers unto him Upon which Account the Jewish Priest is called The Messenger or Angel of the Lord of Hosts Malach. 2.7 where Angel that I may observe this by the way is evidently taken collectively as Dr. Pocock on the Place confesses for the Succession of the whole Jewish Priesthood comprehended there under the common Name of Levi their Father and spoken of as one Person because they were all of the fame Stock and all separated to the same Function And as they are upon this Account called Angels so are they called Stars from their Office of enlightning or instructing others By Angels therefore in this and the following Chapter is meant the Evangelical Ministry represented by Angels as all other Ministerial Agents are in this Prophecy because the present World is subject to Angels under Christ the Head of them and the Angel of the Covenant Whereas the World to come that is the Kingdom of Christ at his last coming as the Apostle speaks Heb. 2.5 is to be ruled by Christ and his Saints and is not to be in subjection unto Angels 34 It is here said That the seven Candlesticks are or signifie seven Churches for so it is in the Greek not the seven Churches which might seem to have determined them to the seven in Asia The Epistles are indeed to be sent to the seven Churches of Asia ver 11. But the mystical meaning of them is not here said to belong to the Angels or to the Seven Churches of Asia only but to Seven Churches and to the Angels of them from whence it is plain that they are prophetical relating to Seven Successions of the Vniversal Church See Mr. * Book 1. Disc 52. and pag. 905. Doctor Moor's Exposition of the Epistle to the Seven Churches Mede CHAP. II. The Text. UNto the Angel or Evangelical Ministry Chap. 1. 20. of the Church of Ephesus that is now planted there and of that Period 1 of the Church which is mystically represented by it write these things saith he that holdeth the Seven Stars in his Right Hand who walketh in the midst of the Seven Golden Candlesticks i. e. Christ the Light of the World who is more immediately present with them to enlighten guide and support them Chap. 1. 13 16 20. Annotations on CHAP. II. 1 This I shall hereafter endeavour to make out to be the principal if not only drift of these Epistles from such Characters and Arguments as shall arise from the Text it self Very good Interpreters and particularly Grotius on Revel 1.11 have thought that the several Successions of the Church here represented are intimated in their very Names according to a way of Allusion made use of in Scripture as well as in Heathen Authors For thus the God of Ekron whose True Name is thought to have been Baal zebachim or the Lord of Sacrifices is called in derision Baal zebub or the Lord of Flies and Belzebul or the Dunghil God And the Prophet Micah 1.14 15. manifestly alludes to the Names of Cities calling Achzib a Lie as if its Name were derived from Cazab which in Hebrew signifies to Lie and the City Mareshah is threatned to be disinherited in allusion to its Name and Adullam is called the Glory of Israel perhaps says Doctor Pocock on the Place from its Situation its Strength or its Beauty or some other Reason probably taken from its Name as the others are although now unknown And such Paronomasia's or Allusions may be more frequent in Scripture than we think for by reason of our Ignorance in the Premitive Language and of the Story and Circumstances of the Places whose Names are alluded to 2
shall not be hurt of the second death but shall escape it Rev. 20.6 12 And to the Angel of the Church in Pergamos 26 write These things saith he who hath the sharp 27 Sword of the Word and the Spirit with two edges to inflict severe and sharp Judgments chap. 1.16 26 Pergamos is distant from Smyrna Northwards about five hundred and Forty Furlongs and there are in it now but a few Families of miserable Christians and but one Church although it was anciently the most Famous and Chief City of Asia the Less having been the Seat of the Attalidae who were rich and potent Kings and of the Roman Proconsuls For which Reason as well as in Allusion to its Name it may be put to denote here The exalted State of the Church High and Lofty Fabricks and Things being called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Asiaticks And because of its (a) Andr. Caesar in locum excessive Idolatry it is a fit Type of the Apostate state of this Succession in which the Apostasy was exalted to a Throne 27 Corruptions daily encreasing under this State the Styleis here changed and Christ is represented with a sharp sword in his Hand 13 I know thy good works and where thou dwellest even where Satan's 28 Seat or Throne is i. e. under the Dominion of the Antichristian Apostasy and I know that nevertheless thou holdest fast or retainest the profession of my Name and hast not renounced it by becoming Antichristian and hast not denied my Faith or Gospel no not even in those days or Times of Darkness and Cruelty wherein Antipas 29 i. e. the Opposers of Popery was my faithful Martyr or Witness who was flain by Decrees Anathemas and frequent Deaths among you or under your Jurisdiction where Satan or Antichrist dwelleth or has his constant Residence in great State and Power 2 Thes 2.4 9 28 The Apostasy is now called Satan's Seat or Throne because that upon the Churches Exaltation under the Christian Emperors a Worldly Kingdom and a Paganizing Christianity arose by degrees especially at Rome to such an heighth that it became at last to have a Supremacy or a Throne in it to which Satan's power in this World is likened in Scripture viz. Isa 14 12-14 Luke 10.18 John 12.31 With which the History of those Times agrees it being evident that from about the year 400. and odd the precise year I shall endeavour to determine hereafter when Satan's Synagogue seems to have arrived to its maturity that the Apostasy daily increased chiefly upon the Growth of the Papacy which came to have a Throne about the year 606 when Boniface the Third Usurped the Title of Vniversal Bishop 29 There might have been perhaps a Martyr of this Name at Pergamus although the Story of him related in the Greek Menologies is vehemently to be suspected as Grotius has well noted a Brazen Bull being not a Punishment amongst the Romans whose Laws were then observed at Pergamus and the Relations of those early Martyrdoms being justly called in question by some of the Learnedst Men of the Romish Church But howsoever the Names made use of in this Book having constantly a mystical signification this also must be understood after the same manner and it will then plainly denote The Opposer of the Pope that is by a Figure usual in this Prophecy the whole Body or succession of those who during this period witnessed against the Apostasy of that See a Catalogue of whom you may find in Illyricus Vsher and other Authors For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies against or contrary and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Old Word for Father from whence by a Reduplication of Letters comes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Pope or Holy Father for which consult what is said by the Etymoligists out of Eustathius And the Word Antipas is made use of and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because this was a Common Name which the others were not And because those Names would have given a too open intimation of the Mystery designed designed by them contrary to the Holy Secrecy and Reserve usually observed in this Prophecy 14 But yet I have a few or some little small things to object against thee because thou hast 30 there where thou dwellest and amongst you them or a prevailing Party that hold profess and practise the Doctrine Precept and Counsel of 31 Balaam i. e. the False Antichristian Prophet who taught Balack i. e. the Princes subject to Antichrist to cast a stumbling-block or an Occasion to commit Sin before the Children of Israel that is the Christians of that Age the Spiritual Israel to * eat things sacrificed unto Idols and to commit Spiritual Fornication which is Idolatry 30 Although the Apostate Church had the Throne that is the Antichristian Power and Preheminence yet the pure Church-State is here blamed for having them or that prevailing party amongst them although they could not help it because that it had not arrived to that perfection of Gifts and Graces as must necessarily have cast out the corrupt party by its power and efficacy Thus the Apostle blames the Corinthians 1 Cor. 5. and 2 Cor. 7. that they had not mourned that the incestuous person might be cast out from among them and for want of vehement Affections of godly Sorrow Desire Revenge c. by which alone they could approve and clear themselves in that matter 31 Concerning this wicked advice of Balaam who counselled Balack to draw the Israelites to Idolatry by enticing them with the Conversation of strange Women you may read the 22d 23d 24th 25th Chapters of Numbers and the 16th Verse of the 31st as also Micah 6.5 2 Pet. 2.15 and Jude 11. together with the Expositors on those places Whereby is plainly signified the wicked Counsel of the Antichristian Party especially of the Papacy which like Balaam pretends to Prophecy and Infallibility whereby the Secular Powers Represented by King Balack were perswaded to entice the people to Idolatry by worshipping Bread and Saints and Images So that this Period comprehends the Times in which these Doctrines were controverted and at last imposed and seems to reach until about the year 1100. when Antipas or the faithful Witnesses against these and other Errors which had been before slain by the Anathemas of several Councils and lay mostly concealed and hid within the Apostate Church began to unite into an open and visible Body and to appear under the Name of the Waldenses and Albigenses in a more direct Opposition to that Satanical or Antichristian Authority which had hitherto over-powered them Upon which as History testifies vast Numbers of all Ranks and Qualities united themselves unto them * To eat things sacrificed unto Idols as appears from the Apostles Discourse 1 Cor. 8. and 12. was accounted by the Corinthians no fault and was defended by them as Grotius notes upon the place by very subtile Distinctions not
Kingdom of God Mark 15.43 I will come on thee as a Thief 10 i. e. unexpectedly and thou shalt not know by reason of not watching over the Times and Seasons which God has shewn unto his Servants what hour I will come unto thee in my Kingdom and discover thy Defects and Unsuitableness to it 8 Here they are called upon to look back upon the Model of their First Reformation which they had swerved from and to hold fast those Principles and to repent and amend what was faulty 9 Here is intimated as also in the second Verse that this Church was careless and slow to believe and expect Christ's second coming in his Kingdom before the Day of Judgment 10 This Phrase signifies in Scripture a sudden and a surprising Judgment as Matth. 24.42 43. Luke 22.39 40. 1 Thes 5.2 And here is intimated the sudden coming of the Kingdom of Christ upon this Church to its great surprize and amazement occasioned by its ignorance of the disagreeableness of its own State to it or it 's not knowing that it would have come so soon or that she should have been so entirely removed by its First Appearances 4 Thou hast a few Names 11 or excellent Persons Acts 1.15 even in Sardis although almost dead which have not defiled no not their Garments Jude 23 but have carefully avoided all the Corruptions of this State and have had their Works perfect before God and they shall walk with me in white 12 Garments i. e. be favoured by me and honoured in my Kingdom and be justified and declared righteous for they are in my sight worthy of it as having kept themselves white or undefiled 11 Excellent persons and therefore known by Name as Exod. 33.12 God is said to know Moses by Name that is after a special and particular manner Or it is a Metaphor either from Moses's taking the Names of the Children of Israel Numb 3.40 43.26 53 54. or from the High priests bearing their Names upon the Stones on his Breast-plate which being the Foundation Stones of the New Jerusalem Chap. 21. the Names written on them may be put to signifie Excellent Apostolical Members of the Church But here we are to note that these Excellent and undefiled persons were but a few and therefore it is dangerous to follow the Majority or Multitude of this Church according to what is observed concerning the Sardian (a) Boet. de Gemmis 2. 80. Stone that it hath but a very little of a pale or white colour mixt with its red 12 Or shining Garments Matth. 17.2 which were such as Kings used to wear and bestow upon their Favourites whereby also Chearfulness and Innocence is signified and Purity and Righteousness Eccles 9.8 Rev. 19.8 And from this Verse we may observe That this Church may be Communicated with without sin there being some of its Members although a few who remain in it without being defiled and that the whole Church is spoken to and is said to have those Exellent Names and the undefiled Names are not blamed for having or suffering the corrupt as in Pergamus and Thyatira which are manifest Indications that Sardis is not an Apostatical but a True and a Reformed Church 5 He that overcometh the Corruptions of this State the same shall be clothed in white Raiment Vers 4. Rev. 19.8 and I will not blot 13 out his Name out of the Book of Life i. e. he shall be enrolled amongst the Members of my Kingdom Dan. 12.1 Rev. 13 7.17 8.20 12 15.21 27.22 19. but I will 14 confess his Name before my Father and before his Angels i. e. I will make him be publickly acknowledged and commended at the last day 13 This Phrase occurs Exod. 32.32 Psalm 69.28 and seems to be taken from the Custom recorded Ezra 2.62 63. where we read That the Jews kept Registers of the Genealogies of their Priests in which if a man were not found he was put from the Priesthood as polluted It was also an antient Custom alluded to as some think in this place of Enrolling the Names of Citizens and Blotting them out of the Publick Registers when they had forfeited that Priviledge From whence also came the Custom of blotting Names out of the Diptychs of the Church But from whatsoever Custom the Phrase is taken it plainly relates to the Rewards which will be bestowed upon the Saints of this Church-Interval in Christ's Kingdom 14 Expressions taken from the Day of Judgment noting the Gracious Requital Christ will afford them for confessing his Name in greatest purity Matth. 10.32 Luke 12.8 6 He that hath an Ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches 7 And to the Angel of the Church in 15 Philadelphia write These things saith he that is holy or the Holy who will shortly erect a holy Church and Kingdom and he that is true or The True who will bring to pass what he has promised concerning his Church he that hath the Key 16 of David i. e. full power of disposing all things concerning his Kingdom he that openeth a Door to his People and no man shutteth against them and shutteth against his Enemies and no man openeth i. e. hath Sovereign and irresistible Power and will conduct his People through all Difficulties to such a Church-State as they shall never be deprived of by their Enemies 15 Sardis represents those Churches of the Reformation which have a Repute or Name in the World but want the inward Life and Spirit of the Gospel and Philadelphia seems to be the Type of the Reformed Churches which are low in Outward Strength and Esteem but very strict in observing Christ's Word and Commands which Characters I shall not venture to adapt to any particular Churches but leave them to the impartial consideration of all concerned as they may be gathered from the Text it self Philadelphia is distant about Twenty seven Miles from Sardis a City as Strabo notes never very Populous and Famous because it was subject to Earthquakes which yet withstood the Fury of the (a) Smith de Statu Sept. Eccles Turks with great Constancy and Gallantry when all the rest of Asia had submitted and has now (b) Spoon's Voyages in it Four Churches of Greeks and about Two Thousand Christians which are no contemptible Remarks as to our present purpose and would induce a Man to think that the Divine Wisdom has afforded us some faint Resemblances of the little outward strength or power of this Church-state and of its strict adherence to the Truth and of the Ample Reward God will afford it even in the Fate of the City from which it is denominated And if any thing be to be gathered from the Names of these Churches the Nature and Qualities of this State are plainly discovered in its Name Philadelphia signifying Brotherly Love as if this Church-State were to be established upon that Principle and not upon power outward splendor and superiority Luke 22 24-30 See Grotius on that place and
and knowest not such is the ignorance of Man when left to himself that thou art wretched or The wretched full of wants and defects and miserable or The miserable in a helpless condition and poor in grace and glory and blind or ignorant seeing not thy wants nor the remedy of them and naked or iâ— a shameful condition in respect of the former now the Bride and her Husband are retired and God dwelleth not with thee Rev. 20 11.21 2 3 4. 39 Here is shewn the Ground of their Lukewarmness and the Reason why Christ would spew them out because they thought that their present State was as Glorious as their former and as much to be chosen as that which had the full Glory of the New Jerusalem 18 And therefore I counsel thee out of my Love to thee verse 19. to buy or obtain and procure of me what I will freely give thee if thou will be sensible of thy own unworthiness and inability of thy self to procure it Isa 55.1 2. Gold tried in the fire i. e. the most precious and most pure Wisdom of my Kingdom in Heaven above Prov. 2 4.3 14. Zeck 13.9 Math. 13.44 45 46. 1 Pet. 1.7 that thou mayest be rich in good and perfect works before God Luke 12.21 1 Tim. 6.17 18. and white raiment i. e. unspotted and perfect Holiness such as is required in my Kingdom that thou mayest be Cloathed with my Righteousness Rev. 19.8 and the shame of thy nakedness or thy shameful nakedness do not appear when I come to Judgment Rev. 20 12-15 and anoint thy eyes with Eye-Salve i. e. with clear knowledg that thou mayst see and discern betwixt the dark and imperfect state thou art in and the glorious entire light and perfection of the former Rev. 21.23 24.22 5. 19 Thou art the Camp of my Saints upon Earth and the beloved City and therefore have I permitted the Nations to gather themselves to Battel against thee and to encompass thee Rev. 20.8 9. for as many as I Love and whom I Love I Love unto the end John 13.1 I rebuke as I have done thee for thy lukewarmness and chasten by afflictions as thou hast been by the coming up of Gog and Magog against thee Rev. 20.8 9. be zealous therefore after a higher and a more glorious state and that in Heaven and repent of thy lukewarmness for to this end have I rebuked and chastened thee 20 And to shew what Love I have for thee Behold and let it be taken special notice of I stand waiting with an unwearied patience at the door of the Heart and Conscience of each person amongst you and 40 knock or use frequent and loud importunities by the motions of my Holy Spirit Cant. 5.2 Prov. 1.20 if any 41 man or any one of the Saints of this beloved City for to them and concerning them I now speak and not of their Church State which I will certainly spew out of my Mouth hear and obey my 40 voice and all that I have loved will do so John 10.27 28 29.13 1. and open the door of his Heart by removing all wilful impediments I who have now withdrawn my glorious presence will come unto him and will sup with him and he with me i. e. I will dwell with him possessing his Soul with my Gifts and Graces and will communicate my self after a friendly and a familiar manner unto him in my Heavenly Kingdom Luke 14.15 John 14.20 23. Rev. 19 9.21 3. 40 40 It was the antient custom to knock and call aloud at the same time 41 Christ before spoke to the Church of Laodicea here he speaks to the Members of it to whom he promises higher and more intimate communications of himself altho he had resolved to ease himself of their imperfect Church State 21 To him or that person that overcometh the evils of this State by hearing and obeying my voice and opening unto me will I grant to sit with 42 me in my Throne in my Kingdom whilst I judg the Nations Satan Death and Hell and then to reign with me to all Eternity John 17 22-24 Rev. 20 8-15 even as I also overcame Temptations Sin Death and Hell and am 43 set down with my Father in his Throne in Heaven John 17.5 42 Here Christ and his Saints are represented as sitting in one and the same Throne in allusion to the Thrones of the antient Eastern Kings which were very large and in the form of a Bed or Couch so that many persons might sit in them at once Cant. 3.7 43 Mr. Mede (a) Pag. 905. observes on this verse that although the glorified Saints are said to sit here with Christ on his Throne that yet none but Christ God-Man is said to sit with the Father on his Throne because no Creature is capable of the priviledge of sitting on God the Father's Right Hand in his Throne that being a Godlike Royalty altogether incommunicable 22 He that hath an ear to hear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches CHAP. IV. The Text. 1 AFter this * first Prophetick Vision of the Seven Churches I looked or I was seeing 1 in a Prophetical Vision Dan. 4.10 and behold a door was opened in Heaven i. e. a Discovery was made of Divine secrets and the first voice or the former 2 voice of Christ which I heard at first Chap. 1.10 was as of a Trumpet i. e. full of Power and Authority Chap. 1.10 talking with me which said come up hither unto me to have a nearer access to and participation of Heavenly Secrets and I for none else can will shew thee in Symbols and representations things which must be hereafter in a Succession one after another Annotations on CHAP. IV. * The foregoing Vision contained in the Second and Third Chapters may be called The Church-Prophecy because that in it the several successive States and Periods of the Church from the beginning of it at Christ's Resurrection until the Kingdom of Christ and the End of all things are represented under the Types of Churches the most proper Emblem of them and that the following Vision which may be called the Book-Prophecy from its Events being represented in a Book with Seals to which this and the next Chapter are a Preface is of the same signification and extent shall be argued hereafter as occasion shall require and may at present be gathered from some Congruities observable in the Prefaces to each of them as that John is spoken to here by a Trumpet as he was in the former Preface in the first Chapter and is in the like Spiritual Extasie as he was then in which being Circumstances peculiar to these Two Visions may argue them to be of the like Nature and Import And here it is not improper to observe that in this and the following Chapter is chiefly contained 1. A Representation of the Throne Divine Consistory or Court of Judicature of Almighty God which is to pass Judgment upon the State of
things throughout the whole Prophecy 2. The setling and appointing of Christ the Lamb newly risen from the Dead to be the Supreme Governour and Director of all the Events which were to come to pass by giving him power to open the Book and loose the Seals of it 3. We have here a Pre-representation as there is upon all suitable occasions of the Thousand Years Kingdom of Christ the chief End of all the Visions given us in Two Doxologies sung by Angels and the Representatives of the Christian and Jewish Church who are as it were a Chorus to this Divine Drama as the Virgins Companions Watchmen and Shepherds are in the Book of Canticles which is a Sacred Dramatick Poem relating to Christ's Kingdom See Dr. Patrick 's Preface on the Song of Solomon and Dr. Beverley's Exposition of it 1 From whence Prophecies are called Visions and Prophets Seers in Scripture Hammond 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is put for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here and in other places of Scripture as John 1 15.15 18. 1 John 4.19 and this is the same with the first Voice of a Trumpet cap. 1.10 2 And immediately I was in the Spirit Chap. 1.10 and behold a Throne was set in Heaven i. e. God appeared as King and Judg Isa 6.1 Ezek. 1.26 Dan. 7.9 and one i. e. God the Father Chap. 5.7 sat on the Throne i. e. appeared in Majesty and as in Judgment 3 And he that sat was to look upon or was in appearance 3 and resemblance like a Jasper i. e. Glorious Rev. 20.11 and a Sardine 4 stone i. e. Glorious but Terrible Exod. 24.10 Ezek. 1.27 and there was a Rain-bow i. e. his covenant of mercy and peace and his mindfulness of it Gen. 9 11-16 Isa 54 8-10 Ezek. 1.28 round about the Throne so that it might always be in his remembrance in sight like unto an Emerald 5 denoting the never failing mercies of his Covenant and the most pleasant and precious promises of it and of his Kingdom 3 For he saw not God but only his Glory aâ—d such Appearances as denote his Attributes and Perfections Ezekiel 1.28 4 It is a Blood-coloured or Red Stone like Fire and therefore fit to denote the Justice and fiery Indignation of God Heb. 10.27 5 A Smaragd or Emerauld is a most precious Stone of a very pleasant and never fading Greenness the chief Colour in the Rainbow 4 And 6 round about the Throne were four and twenty Seats or Thrones and upon the Seats I saw the four and twenty 7 Elders i. e. the representatives of the Jewish Church 1 Chron. 24. Isa 24.23 sitting on Thrones as participating in Judgment and Government Dan. 7.9 22 26 27. Rev. 20.4 cloathed in white 8 raiment i. e. Priest's Vestments and they had on their Heads 8 Crowns of Gold i. e. Regal Ornaments Chap. 1 6.5 10.20 6. 6 They encompass the Throne as faithful Ministers and Servants to receive God's Commands and to shew their Nearness and Access unto him who was in the midst of them to protect assist and give his Commands unto them Matth. 18.20 7 The Church of Israel as it shall be advanced by Christ in his Kingdom being plainly called God's Antients or Elders by Isaiah Chap. 24.23 it seems evident to me that the four and Twenty Elders are here put for the Representatives of it in allusion to the Four and Twenty Heads of the Courses of the Priests instituted by David 1 Chron. 24. Elder in its General Notion signifying a Head or Governour amongst the Jews as appears from Gen. 50.7 And this Word Elder being by this time become familiar in the Church to signifie the Pastors or Governours of it why may not a Title used in the Christian Church be put to denote the Governours of the Jewish as on the contrary the Jewish Types are all along in this Prophecy put to denote the Christian Antitypes 8 8 The Jewish Church seems here to be represented 1. by their white Vestments which was the Habit of the Jewish Priests Exod. 28.39 40.39 27. and 2. by their Crowns whereby is denoted that they were a Royal Priesthood as they are called Exod. 19.6 and that they together with the Christian Church should reign with Christ 5 And out of the Throne of God the Father proceeded 9 lightnings and thunderings and voices denoting the Majesty of God and the Terror of his Laws and Judgments and of the appearance of his Kingdom and there were seven Lamps of Fire burning before the Throne which are the Symbols or Hieroglyphicks of the seven Spirits of God i. e. of the perfect warming and enlightning influences and operations of the Holy Ghost towards the Church Exod. 37.23 Ezek. 4.2 See the Notes on Rev. 1.4 12 20. 9 These Words are taken from the Dreadful Appearance of God upon Mount Sinai at the Delivery of the Law Exod. 19. and 20.18 20. and signifie God's Judgments in behalf of and upon his Church and especially the extraordinary breakings forth and signal comings of Christ's Kingdom whereby he shakes not the Earth only but the Heaven as they are set forth in Scripture by Metaphors primarily taken according to the Opinion of the Learned Theorist of the Earth from the last general Conflagration See and diligently com Haggai 2 6-9 Malach. 3.1 Psalm 18.13 Jerem. 25.30 Ezek. 1.13 Heb. 10 27-31 Heb. 12 18-29 6 And before the Throne there was a 10 Sea i. e. a large Vessel or receptacle 1 Kings 7.23 of Glass like unto Christal i. e. pure and transparent as that of the Tabernacle was Exod. 38.8 denoting Baptism and the purity it requires and the Blood of Christ by which we are washed and cleansed from our sins Rev. 7.14 and in the midst 11 of the Throne or just before it Ezek. 1.5 and round 11 about the Throne Numb 2.2 were four Beasts or living 12 Creatures representing the pure Apostolical Church of Christ in all parts of the World full of Eyes before and behind i. e. very circumspect and vigilant and skilled in the past and future state of Christ's Kingdom 10 The Laver or Brazen Vessel in the Temple for the Priests to wash in is called a Sea in Scripture as all Receptacles of Waters are of which see Exod. 30 18.38 8. by which is aptly represented the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Baptismal Lavers of the Antients which were very large 11 11 One of the Beasts might be probably placed before the Throne or in the midst of it and the other Three in just distances round about it probably one behind and two on each side of it in correspondence to the Description of Solomon's Throne 1 Kings 10.19 or according to the pitching of the Tents of the Israelites which are described Numb 2.2 as being over against and round about the Tabernacle that is encompassing it in a Square Figure as the Learned generally agree each of the Four Divisions being placed at the Four Points of it looking towards the Four
their agreement with the Christian Church do fall down in great humility and submission before him that sat on the Throne and worship him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their Crowns before the Throne in token of Subjection and Homage saying 11 Thou art worthy and thou only O Lord to receive the Acknowledgement of Glory and Honour and Power for thou hast created all things by thy Power and for thy pleasure or Will the only Motive to it they are preserved in their Being and were at first created Nehem. 9.6 CHAP. V. The Text. 1 AND I saw in the Right 1 Hand of him that sate on the Throne i. e. of God the Father a 2 Book or Roll Ezek. 2.9 10. written within and on the back-side i. e. containing a long Series of Events 3 sealed with 4 Seven Seals to denote the Obscurity of the Prophecy and the Delay of its Accomplishment Dan. 12.4 Annotations on CHAP. V. 1 God held the Book in his Right Hand to shew his Power and his Readiness to deliver it 2 This Book seems to have consisted of seven several Rolls rolled up into one in the Form of a Cylinder (a) Poli Synops Hammond on Luke 4.17 and on the place Mede pag. 789 790 791. Mori Oper. Theol. pag. 21. ubi formam libri videas according to the Custom of the Antients having seven Labels sealed with seven Seals which being opened in order there appeared in each of them the Seulptures or Hieroglyphicks hereafter mentioned and the back side of the last Roll which is the outermost in rolling was written upon to shew that there was a long series of Events contained in this Book it being not the Custom of the Ancients to write on the back side of the Roll but when the inside could not contain all their Writing We may divide for Order and Memories sake the whole Prophecy of this Book into Two Tomes as Mr. Mede calls them the first of which contained in the foregoing Chapters may be called The (b) See on Chap. 4.1 Church Prophecy wherein Symbols of Churches then in being are used the Second which begins here may be called The Book-Prophecy because its Events are represented by Hieroglyphicks in a Book And both Prophecies are of the same Extent this latter reaching to the End of Time and determining and distinguishing Church Successions and Affairs as well as the former only with this difference that they are represented in the latter by future Occurrences and Circumstances of the Civil State and Empire that so the Times of their Accomplishment might be the better known and taken notice of by the illustrious Events represented in them For as it pleased God to describe and foretel by his Prophets the Fall of Babylon and other Events under several Symbols and Representations for the greater assurance of the Prediction as in Pharaoh's Dream Gen. 41.32 and that the thing might be the more deeply imprinted on Mens Minds by the Variety of the Figures by which they are described so hath the Divine Spirit upon the same account given divers Emblems of one and the same thing in this Prophecy 3 I shall here once for all endeavour to give the true import of Sealing which seems to have these several Acceptations in Scripture 1. It denotes a secret or an hidden Condition as we seal up things which we would keep secret 2. It denotes Security Thus the Stone at the mouth of Daniel's Den and our Saviour's Sepulchre were sealed with Seals 3. It signifies Hindrance and Restraint Thus God Job 37.7 is said to seal up the Hand of every man i. e. to hinder their Work by Storms and wet weather and to seal up the Stars Job 9.7 i. e. to restrain their Influences as Satan is said Rev. 20.3 to be shut up and to have a Seal set upon him to restrain him 4. Propriety is signified by sealing in Scripture from the Custom of sealing Goods and Servants when they were bought thereby to denote their propriety in them and to distinguish them from other Mens Servants Hammond on Eph. 4.30 5. Lastly From these and other Metaphors it often in Prophetical Scripture signifies the Obscurity of a Prophecy and the concealing of it in dark terms from the Generality of the People Isa 8.16 and the stopping or hindring the Events foretold by it so that sealing and writing and sealing and opening are opposed in prophetical Language to one another and signifie as much as concealing and revealing delaying the Accomplishment of a Prophecy and bringing it into effect See the Notes on Chap. 7.2 3 4. 4 With reference to the seven states of Christ's Church which were hindred from coming into event whilst the Book was sealed and were to be by degrees accomplished and discovered upon the gradual opening of each of them 2 And I saw a strong 5 Angel or a mighty one Psalm 103.20 proclaiming with a loud 5 voice after the manner of a Herald Dan. 3.4 who is worthy for Authority and Ability to open 6 the Book and to loose the Seals thereof i. e. to bring into event the things there delivered 5 5 To shew the Weight and Concern of the thing to be delivered as worthy to be heard of all Creatures 6 To open it by unsealing it or when it is unsealed 3 And no 7 man or no creature Isa 41.28 in Heaven i. e. neither Saint nor Angel nor in Earth nor under the Earth i. e. in the State of departed Souls from whence Christ was just come was able to open the Book i. e. to bring to pass the Events of it neither so much as to look thereon if it were opened that is of himself to understand foresee and govern the course of the Prophecy and conduct it into Event 7 Here by a Hebraism consisting in describing the whole by an enumeration of its parts is signified that no Creature whatsoever was able to open the Book or so much as to understand it of himself 4 And I wept * much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the Book neither to look thereon as fearing that I should not be shewn those things that were promised me Chap. 4.1 * This weeping seems to be rather from a Despair that things would not be carried on to the great Kingdom of Redemption as the Two Apostles Luke 24.21 were sorrowful least Christ was not he which should have redeemed Israel and were astonished as Mary also was John 20.13 15. because the Lord could not be found for which she wept For Christ is represented at the sixth Verse as just risen from the dead and therefore in congruity to that appearance what is here said must relate to the time before he appeared as risen which is also a Circumstance that confirms the fixing of the Epocha of this Book at the Resurrection 5 And one or the 8 first and chief of the 9 Elders or Representatives of the Jewish Church Chap. 4.4 saith unto me Weep
not for thy own sake or the sake of the Church which thou fearest will be deprived of what is contained in this Book for behold the Lyon 10 of the Tribe of Judah i. e. Christ Gen. 49.9 Heb. 7.13 14. who is also the root of David Isa 11.1 10. Rom. 15.12 hath prevailed with the Father by his Blood and Merits to open the Book and to loose the seven Seals thereof Vers 2 4. i. e. to declare what is in it and to accomplish it 8 For so One seems to signifie in this Prophecy as also it does Dan. 10.13 Gen. 1.4 Matth. 28.1 9 The Jewish Church having been entrusted with the Oracles and Prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the Kingdom of Christ it is very proper that their Ministry should be here made use of to declare unto John the import of what had been delivered therein concerning the Merits and Power of Christ in revealing and erecting his Kingdom and therefore Christ is here described by Titles taken from what relates to the Jews as the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah because he came from that Tribe which is resembled to a Lyon in Scripture and the Root of David because he proceeded from his Stock as from a Root 10 No Creature whatsoever as Man signifies Verse 7. and Isa 41.28 was able to open this Book or look into it but only Christ by Vertue of his Merits whereby that extravagant Knowledge which is ascribed unto Angels and Saints in the Romish Church and their Mediatorship is plainly exploded as appears also from the 11th 12th 13th and 14th Verses 6 And I beheld with great concern and expectation and lo on a sudden in the midst of the Throne i. e. just before it and next unto it and of the Four Beasts and in the midst of the Elders i. e. betwixt God the Father and his Church stood 11 in a posture of Defence as Mediator and Advocate and in a readiness to receive his Kingdom Dan. 7.13 14. a Lamb i. e. Christ John 1.29.36 as it had been newly stain and just risen from the dead having seven Horns 12 i. e. perfect Regal Authority especially over the sevenfold State of the Church and seven Eyes signifying perfection of Knowledge and Providential Administrations Zech. 3.9 which are or represent the seven Spirits of God i. e. the perfect Operations of Gods Spirit Zech. 4.6 10. See on Rev. 1.4 sent forth into all the Earth to superintend dispose and conduct all things 2 Chron. 46.9 Isa 11.2 11 From Christ's being here represented as just risen from the dead with the Signs of his Sufferings fresh and bleeding it may be gathered that the Epocha of these Visions is to be taken from Christ's Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven as we have observed before on Chap. 1.10 And he is represented as standing to denote that he was not as yet in possession of his Kingdom which was due to him at his Resurrection as the Psalmist plainly affirms Psalm 2 7 8. but that he stood ready to receive it to which end he was brought unto the Father as appears plainly from Dan. 7.13 14. 12 Horns being the Weapons of Beasts they are put to signifie Strength and Power in Scripture as Psalm 75.5 10. and in Daniel and this Prophecy they denote Kings and their Regal Power as the Scripture interprets it self Dan. 8.20 21. Rev. 17.12 7 And he i. e. Christ being now entring upon his Kingly Office came to the Father being brought near before him to receive his Kingdom Dan. 7.13 14 and took the Book * out of the Right Hand of him that sate upon the Throne i. e. received his Kingdom from the Father and power to reveal and execute what was contained in that Book concerning it * This answers to Dan. 7.14 where upon his being brought to the Father a Kingdom is given him of which this Book is a Symbol as being the Book of the Kingdom of Christ only we are to take notice that the Book is sealed the Kingdom being not to appear but by steps and degrees according to the opening of the Seals until the seventh Trumpet of the seventh Seal during which time Christ was to sit in the patience and expectation of his Kingdom at the Right Hand of God until his Father made his Foes his Footstool according to Psalm 110.1 and 1 Cor. 15.25 27. 8 And when he had taken the Boâ—k the four Beasts and four and twenty Elders i. e. the Christian and the Jewish Church perceiving th t all Power was now given unto him of the Father fell down before the Lamb to worship him bearing every one of them Harps to praise him and golden Vials or Bowls to hold Incense in 2 Chron. 4.22 full of 13 Odours which are i. e. signifie the Prayers Psalm 141.2 of Saints i. e. of the living Creatures and Elders and all Saints and Members of the pure Church in his Kingdom Rev. 20.4 13 The Ascent of the Incense signifies the Ascent of Prayers to Heaven and the Odour of it their Acceptableness with God for which see Dr. Hammond on the place and on Luke 1.10 And here Christ appearing for his Saints as in his Kingdom makes them Priests to God by giving them Incense See Chap. 8.3 4.20 6. 9 And they sung a new Song of 14 singular Love and Gratitude upon the occasion of Christ's Redemption and Kingdom saying Thou art worthy and thou alone Verse 23. to take the Book and to open the Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God i. e. to be his Servants and Worshippers by thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation to be a Catholick Church and Kingdom 14 In this sense this Word is taken Psalm 33.3 Isa 42.9 10. But it is rather called a New Song here because it will have been for a long time out of use during the Apostacy which will have perverted the Doctrine of Redemption and Kingdom of Christ therein celebrated of which Kingdom there is here given an Appearance and Representation signified by Musick and Harps which are the Attendants of it in this Prophecy Songs and Musick being not made use of in it but upon some such Pre-appearance until the Apostasie is at an end as if during the Absence of the Bridegroom Mourning were more suitable for the Church 10 And hast made us unto the Service and Glory of our God Kings and Priests i. e. a Priestly Kingdom Chap. 1.6 and we shall reign 15 in the Earth in thy Kingdom Rev. 20.4 15 From hence it is plain that Christ's Kingdom is to be upon Earth Rev. 20.4 11 And I beheld or was still in Vision and I heard the Voice of many Angels round about the Throne and round about the Beasts and the Elders i. e. the whole Church consisting of Angels and Men Christians and Jews Heb. 12.22 23 24. and the number of them i. e. of the Angels was ten tbousand times ten thousand and thousands of
Successors 16 And said to the mountains and rocks fall on us and hide us altho by crushing us in pieces Isa 2 19.-21 Hos 10.8 from the face or anger of him that sitteth on the Throne i. e. God and from the wrath of the Lamb i. e. Christ that we may not see and feel the misery which is coming upon us 17 For the great 30 day of his wrath i. e. the appointed time of his Judgments is come and who shall be able to stand against it oppose or endure it 30 This immediately refers to the overthrow of the Pagan Powers by the Christian Empire and has also a relation to the final Judgments upon Antichrist when the Martyrs who are commanded to rest until that time shall be fully avenged this Judgment upon Paganism by the Christian Empire being a Type of the Judgment at Christ's Kingdom CHAP. VII The Text. 1 A And after these things I saw four Angels 1 i. e. Ministers of God's Providence standing in a readiness to execute God's Commands upon the four corners i. e. Angles or Cardinal Points Ezek. 7.2 Matth. 24.31 Zech. 2.6 of the Earth holding back or restraining the four winds or Instruments of trouble and commotion Jerem. 49.36 Dan. 7.2 Zech. 6.5 of the Earth that the Wind 2 should not blow upon the Earth 3 i. e. that the Roman Empire should not be disturbed nor on the 3 Sea i. e. the common People Chap. 17.15 nor on any Tree 3 i. e. the great ones Isa 2.13 Zech. 11.2 Annotations on CHAP. VII 1 The Living Creatures do not appear but Angels in their stead and they standing on the Angles of the Earth and not on the Angles of the Throne as the living Creatures did whereby is signified that the strict Apostolical Purity was abated as I have often remarked as the Glory of God and the living Creatures in Ezekiel remove by degrees from the Temple as it grew more and more polluted until they departed totally from it Read and diligently Consider Exek 8.4 6.9 3.10 15-19 11 23. 2 Hereby is signified the Quiet which the Christian Empire enjoyed from Constantine to Theodosius in respect of what Commotions were before in the Empire whilst it was Pagan and should be afterwards upon the Death of Theodosius when its Ruin soon ensued upon the Winds blowing by the Trumpets Chap. 8. For by the Winds not blowing is not meant that they should have no Troubles and Commotions but according to the usual import of such Hyperbolical Expressions in Scripture that they should be so little or short as the Tempest under Julian was that they should be in comparison nothing at all especially in respect of those Commotions the Empire was to undergo within a short season which would produce great Changes in it by introducing a New Antichristian Supremacy with Ten Kings whereby the Monarchick Power of the Empire according to its Representation in Daniel shifted from its Iron Legs into its Feet and Toes part of Iron part of Clay and the Idolatrous Beastian Power was to pass into the Little Horn and the Ten Horns all which being to be brought to pass by great Concussions in the Empire its present State under Christian Emperours is accounted a Calm in respect of what was to ensue the Pagan Beast being then subdued and the Antichristian Man of Sin being withheld so that Christianity was then as it were in a quiet and prosperous condition 3 3 3 The whole Body of the Roman Empire is here represented by apt Metaphors taken from those things which are most subject to be disturbed with Winds 2 And I saw another Angel 4 ascending from the East i. e. Christ having the 5 Seal of the Living God i. e. a Commission from him Ezek. 9.4 and he cried with a loud voice to testify his Love and Affection to his chosen ones to the four Angels to whom it was given by God who had determined great changes in the Empire to hurt by executing of Judgments the Earth and the Sea vers 1. 4 Christ is called the Angel of the Covenant Malach. 3.1 and the Sun of Righteousness Malach. 4.2 and the Day-spring or rising Sun from the East Luke 1.78 and Ezek. 44.2.3 the Prince of the Church that is Christ and only he has Power to enter in at the Eastern Gate of that Mystical Temple from whence it is clear that Christ is here to be understood called so because he enlightens and comforts his Church and like the Rising Sun discovers Works of Darkness and the good from the bad See Dr. Hammond on Luke 1.78 Gregory's Observations pag. 73. and Dr. Pocock on Malachi 5 A Seal signifies a Command or a Commission from its being sealed with the King's Seal 1 Kings 21.8 Esth 3 12.8 8 10. 3 Saying hurt not the Earth neither the Sea or the Trees i. e. the Empire and its Inhabitants till we have 6 sealed or shall seal i. e preserve and secure in secret Ezek. 9 1.-4 the servants of 7 our God i. e. those who serve God purely and sincerely Nehem. 1.11 in their 8 foreheads i. e. very closely and securely 6 Men use to Seal those things which they would have concealed and preserved as we have before hinted on Chap. 5. 1. especially in times of danger so God commanded the Israelites to sprinkle Blood upon their Posts when he would save them whereby as with a Seal he concealed and preserved them Exod. 12. and the Scarlet Thread Josh 2.18 was a Sign or Seal to distinguish Rahab from those that perished and Ezek. 9. a Mark or Seal of Distinction Security and Preservation is put upon the Foreheads of those that were to be saved in that common Destruction And the prime and great import of Sealing is to signifie that the True Glory which shall appear in Christ's Kingdom the New Jerusalem was to be covered and secured while the false and worldly Splendor and Glory of the Antichristian Apostasie was cheifly visible and predominant the True Worshippers being now in the Temple the Witnesses in Sackcloath and the Woman in the Wilderness which are all equivalent with these sealed ones 7 Christ as Mediator and Head of the Church has a joynt Relation to God with his faithful Servants John 20.17 8 In allusion to the Custom of the Eastern Nations who marked their Servants on the Forehead And hereby is signified a close concealment and security when the Foreheads or Faces of his Servants are sealed or hid so that they could not be known 4 And I heard and therefore am certain of what I relate the number of them which were sealed or concealed and secured and there were sealed an 9 hundred forty and four thousand of all the Tribes of Israel i e a pure Apostolical Church was preserved but in a hidden and secret condition the glorious appearance of Christ's Kingdom being stopped and hindred 9 Israel in this Book as hath been before observed on Chap. 2.9 is put for the pure Christian Church
should sometimes be overcome by its Emies but should at last overcome them whereby the State of the Church Militant and of the Future Victorious State of the Kingdom of Christ notwithstanding its many seeming Foils and Delays of Conquest is fitly typified 6 Of the Tribe of 14 Aser were sealed twelve Thousand of the Tribe of 15 Nepthali were sealed twelve Thousand of the Tribe of 16 Manasses were sealed twelve Thousand 14 Asher signifies blessed because he was the cause that his Mother was accounted happy and blessed Gen. 30.13 and because he lived in a fruitful and happy Soil Gen. 49.20 Deut. 33.24 Whereby is signified the Delight which Christ has in his Church the Fruitfulness of it and the Blessing which they enjoy who have God for their Lord Psalm 144 12-15 15 This is the Tribe in which our Saviour was very conversant his constant Residence being in Galilee and most frequently in Capernaum a City of Galilee in the Tribe of Nepthali as Mr. Mede has ingeniously observed upon which account Nepthali is placed before his Seniors and has received so great an Encomium from Moses Deut. 33.23 The Word signifies Gen. 30.8 very great and vehement wrestlings or Endeavours joyned with (a) Josepho 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Skill and Cunning or Fair Words Gen. 49.21 By which may be signified the frequent Wrestlings of the Church with God in Prayer Gen. 32 24-32 Hos 12.3 4 and their wrestling against Flesh and Blood and resisting the Wiles of the Devil and the Powers of Darkness with a prudent Simplicity joyning the Wisdom of the Serpent with the Harmlesness of the Dove 16 Manasseh signifies forgetting whereby is intimated that God makes all true Christians forget all their former Toil when he gives them Comfort and Joy in the Holy Ghost and that whosoever would follow him must forget and forsake all his Father's House and worldly Relations which seems to be the Gospel-import of the Words of Joseph Gen. 41.51 and the thing for which Levi is praised Deut. 33.9 7 Of the Tribe of Simeon 17 were sealed Twelve Thousand of the Tribe of 18 Levi were sealed Twelve Thousand of the Tribe of 19 Issachar were sealed Twelve Thousand 17 Simeon signifies Hearing whereby is noted that God hears the Prayers of his Church and the Hatred with which their Enemies hate them Gen. 29.33 18 Levi indeed had no portion in the Division of the Land as Dr. Hammond notes yet in Christ their Portion was as good as any Levi signifies joyned for the Church Christ's Spouse is to be joyned unto the Lord in Spirit and Fervent Affection and not unto Idolatrous Harlots which is the Spiritual meaning of the Book of Canticles Read Gen. 29.34 1 Cor. 6.16 17. Eph. 5 25-33 Deut. 33.9 19 Issachar signifies Gen. 30 17 18. a Hire or Reward given by God as appears from the Context from whence (a) Pag. 55. Philo makes him to be the Type of One whose Labours are Crowned and Rewarded by God and that as (b) Apud Rivetum in locum Jerome remarks with a great Compensation for slight and small Performances of no greater Value than Mandrakes by which the Rich Rewards which God bestows upon his Church for their imperfect Services may be not unfitly set forth 8 Of the Tribe of 20 Zabulon were sealed Twelve Thousand of the Tribe of 21 Joseph were sealed Twelve Thousand of the Tribe of 22 Benjamin were sealed Twelve Thousand 20 Zabulon signifies Dwelling Gen. 30.20 which was the Tribe upon the Borders of which our Saviour himself dwelt Matth. 4.13 from which place diligently compared with Isa 9.1 it may be gathered that they shall have the greatest share of Christ's Presence who have undergone the greatest Misery and Afflictions and that he will come and dwell with the ignorant but humble person rather than with self-conceited and proud Professors as Christ dwelt with the ignorant Galileans rather than at Jerusalem whether he went not but upon some solemn Occasions See Mr. Mede upon this place and Isa 57.15 John 14.23 Matth. 9.13 21 Joseph signifies He will add or adding Gen. 10.24 for God daily adds to his Church more Blessings and continues his Grace to those who pray unto him and use their own diligent Endeavours Gen. 30 22.49 22-26 Deut. 33 12-17 22 Benjamin signifies the Son of the Right Hand Genes 35.18 For the Church which was Benoni or the Son of Sorrows unto Christ as being purchased by his Sufferings and Blood is yet unto him and his Father a Benjamin that is much loved and regarded as the Phrase is interpreted Deut. 33.12 as near and dear to him as the Right Hand the most Honourable of the Two Upon which account the people of Israel are called the Men of God's right hand Psal 80.17 And we may observe that Dan is here wholly left out and Ephraim not mentioned by Name because they both soon apostatized to Idolatry it being a Custom amongst the Jews to leave out of their Genealogies and Chronologies the Names and Times of Wicked Persons as Er and Onan Judah's wicked Sons are omitted by (a) Antiq. 2.7 Vossius de Sibyllin Orac. cap. 1. Josephus when he reckons up his Posterity And altho they are mentioned in Ezekiel yet that was when the whole Church was purified and in its Jerusalem State whereas at this present time of Numbring Dan and Ephraim were the Types of the Apostasie and were therefore to be omitted and not to be mentioned but when the Righteous amongst them had been purified and the Wicked had been purged away by God's Judgments 9 23 After this Vision of the Apostolical Church secured and concealed I beheld and lo a great multitude which no man could number of all Nations and Kingdoms and People and Tongues i. e. the 24 Catholick Church of Christ's Kingdom Dan. 7.14 27. stood before the Throne and before the Lamb in communion with God and Christ in his Kiâ—gdom cloathed with white Robes denoting Honour and Purity and 25 Palms in their Hands denoting Victory over Persecutions and Temptations and the Triumphs of Christ's Kingdom 23 The following Vision is taken from the Descriptions given in this Prophecy of the New Jerusalem State in Christ's Kingdom to which only it can in propriety of Speech belong as appears from the many high Expressions made use of in it and from the Elders the Representatives of the Jewish Church having the Precedency which will not be until the New Jerusalem State And yet because that Kingdom is not to come until the Days of the Voice of the Seventh Angel who has not yet sounded therefore this Description cannot belong to the Kingdom it self but to some Typical Resemblance or Pre-appearance of it it being usual in this Prophecy as I have already observed for the Spirit to describe the several Praeludia or faint Resemblances and imperfect Appearances of Christ's Kingdom by the State of the Kingdom it self to shew what the Church ought and might have
32 living Fountains of Waters i. e. perpetual Comforts and Refreshments Isa 12 3. John 7.38 and God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes i. e. remove all Causes and Occasions of Sorrow 32 So the Jews call Fountains continually bubling and springing up Canticl 4.15 John 4 10. CHAP. VIII The Text. 1 AND when he i. e. Christ had opened the seventh Seal there was silence 1 in Heaven about the space of * half an hour i. e. there was a short respite from the commotions which followed upon the Sounding of the Trumpets Annotations on CHAP. VIII 1 The Metaphors here are taken from the (a) Mr. Mede Hammond on Luke 1.1 Ainsworth on Lev. 16.12 13. Temple-Service which shews that Church-Affairs are here typified as well as those of the Empire in which at the offering of Incense the People prayed without in the Court in private whilst the Priest offered the Incense which Prayers were very short and the whole Service performed in silence whereas the offering of Sacrifice the first part of their Service was accompanied with Singing Musick and Trumpets 2. Chron. 29.25 * See on Ver. 7. Num. 11. 2 And I saw the seven Angels which stood 2 before God as ready to execute his Pleasure and to them were given by God's appointment seven 3 Trumpets to denounce seven Judgments 2 These are expresly called Angels and not The Spirits of God whereby they are distinguished from the Seven Spirits Chap. 1.4 And by these Seven standing before God is denoted the Preparedness of the several Instruments and Means required to the executing of God's Judgments by the Seven Trumpets and also the Majesty of the Divine Presence is expressed by them in allusion to the Custom of the Eastern Kings from whose Rites many of the Descriptions in Scripture are taken who had Seven Princes who saw their Faces or stood before them and were the Chief in their Kingdoms Esther 1.14 Grotius on Matth. 18.10 3 Here is an Allusion also to the Temple Service where it was the Custom to blow with Trumpets after the Oblation of Incense as appears from Ecclus 50.15 16. strict Silence being observed before it as here the Angels have Trumpets given them to prepare to sound but sound not until the Incense was offered Angel signifies in this Prophecy not only the Angelical Spirits but also the subordinate Ministers employed under them here upon Earth as has been before shewn on Chap. 1.1 20. And therefore here may be meant by this Angel the Emperour Theodosius who is the Chief Person concerned in this Vision as we shall shew hereafter whose Prayer at the Head of his Army before the Battel with Eugenius is very remarkable in History and also the whole Christian Church which joyned with him in Prayer to God upon that great Occasion Angel being taken Collectively in this Book for all the several Instruments made use of in it 3 And another Angel or Ministring Spirit representing the Persons employed in the like service on Earth came and stood at or by the Altar of incense Exod. 30.1 having a Golden Censer or Vessel to hold Incense Levit. 16.12 Hebr. 9.4 and there was 4 given unto him much Incense Levit. 16.12 13. Rev. 5.8 that he should Offer it with the Prayers of all Saints 5 or Holy Chrians upon the Golden Altar of Incense Exod. 30 3 6 7.40 26. which was 6 before the Throne of God 4 Here may be an Allusion to a Custom in the Jewish Service of bringing the Odors to the Priest by others Exod. 27.20 See Maimonides in Ainsworth on Levit. 24.2 5 Here is also an Allusion to the High Priests offering Incense in the Temple while the People called here All Saints i. e. the Holy and Peculiar People of God prayed in the Outward Court And by what is here delivered and in the former Verses is intimated that the daily Publick Sacrifice of pure Worship which was wont to be performed in the Outward Court should cease and was about to be contracted into a retired and a silent one signified by the Silence Vers 1. and the Incense-Worship which was within the Temple and that although the Saints or Holy People were as yet without in the Outward Court not yet trodden down by Antichristian Defilements that nevertheless it would not be long but about half an hour or a short space before that also which was a Type of the Visible Church and its Worship should be polluted by them concerning which Allusion and the Grounds of it see more on Chap. 11.1 6 As the Altar of Incense in the Temple was before the Mercy-seat Exod. 30.6 7.40 26. 4 And the smoak of the Incense Chap. 5.8 which came with the Prayers of the Saints ascended up before God out of the Angels hand i. e. they were grateful and acceptable unto him through the Merits and Intercession of Christ Psal 141.2 Acts 10.4 5 And the Angel took the censer which was now empty the Incense being consumed and their Prayers ended and filled it with fire from the Altar of 7 Sacrifice or Burnt-Offerings and cast it i. e. dispersed God's Judgment and fiery Indignation Ezek. 10.2 Luke 12.49 upon the Earth i. e. the Roman Empire and there were 8 Voices and Thundrings and Lightnings Chap. 4.5 and an Earthquake i. e. extraordinary Commotions in the Empire and great Manifestations of Christ's Kingdom Chap. 6.12 7 For there was a continual Fire on the Altar of Sacrifice but none on the Altar of Incense See Ainsworth on Exod. 30.8 and on Lev. 6.12 13. This Service was performed in the Temple but the Fire was taken off the Altar of Burnt Sacrifice in the Outward Court to shew that God's Judgments represented by Fire which denotes in Scripture any destructive thing came upon them by Reason of the Gentilism or Antichristian Pollutions of the Outward Court or Visible Church 8 The other Seals having been distinguished by some notable Events in the Empire it is reasonable to think that this is so too and there is none which agrees better to it than the Wonderful Victory (a) Sâ—â—aâ— Hist 5.25 Sozom. 7.24 Howel 's History Part 2. pag. 427 of Theodosius over Eugenius A. D. 395. Because 1. It follows in order the Event foretold in the sixth Seal this Victory giving the Deadly Blow to Heathenism and perfecting what was begun by Constantine and some of his Successors under that Seal 2. Because the following Trumpets denoting the fall of the Empire began to produce their Effects not long after this Defeat So that it exactly corresponds as a middle Event with the foregoing and following ones 3. The Vengeance of God fell extraordinarily upon the Pagans and their Defeat by a wonderful Tempest was miraculous as Claudian the Heathen Poet confesses and as the Soldiers who were present at the Battel told (b) 〈◊〉 â—iâ—itat Dâ—i 5.26 Augustine which is very naturally expressed by Fire cast by an Angel from Heaven upon Earth Fire being a general
Fire issuing out of their mouths that is by Force of Arms and by their Tails or crafty pretences for they are noted to have at first entred Europe (a) Lord Nepeir on the Revel humanely although they proceeded after to oppression And lastly for their high and Vain-glorious Words and Titles and the fair pretences they made use of against Idolatry which was then too visible and predominant in the Church 20 And the rest of 31 the men i. e. the remaining part of the Empire viz. the Western which were not killed i.e. utterly destroyed by these foregoing Plagues inflicted by the Saracens and Turks yet repented not notwithstanding these Judgments which were designed by God for that End of the Work of their Hands i. e. their Idolatry 2 Kings 22.17 Jerem. 25.6 7. that they should not worship 32 Devils i. e. Daemons Lev. 17.7 and Idols of Gold and Silver and Brass and Stone and of Wood which neither can see nor hear nor walk i. e. Images Psalm 115 4.135 15. 31 The Third of men i. e. the Eastern Empire being killed the rest of men must signifie the remaining part that is the Western Empire which was usurped by the Papal Antichrist whilst the Mahometan Antichrist Tyrannized in the Eastern 32 By Daemons are meant Spirits of a middle Nature betwixt God and Men that is Angels and Souls departed See Mr. Mede on the place and his Apostasy of the Latter Times 21 Neither repented they of their Murthers i. e. Persecutions nor of their 33 Sorceries i. e. Wicked Arts and False Devices to deceive Souls Nahum 3.4 Isa 47.9 12. nor of their Fornication or Unclean and Idolatrous Doctrines and Practices nor of their Thefts i. e. cheating of Men by sanctified pretences 33 Such as Exorcisms Relicks Anointings and her lying Signs and Wonders together with all her bewitching and intoxicating Doctrines and Practices CHAP. X. 1 AND I saw 1 another mighty or powerful Psalm 103.20 Angel i. e. 2 Christ come 3 down from Heaven i. e. appear upon some extraordinary matter cloathed with a 4 cloud of Power and Glory Chap. 1.7 and a 5 Rainbow was upon his He d to shew his mindfulness of his Covenant notwithstanding the Deluge of Antichristianism and Mahometism and his face was as it were the Sun i e. the manifestations of himself were glorious Chap. 1.16 and his Feet i. e. his actions and comings to Judgment as Pillars of Fire i. e. terrible Chap. 1.15 Dan. 10.6 Annotations on CHAP. X. 1 And therefore a distinct one from the Seven Angels with Trumpets 2 Christ the Angel of the Covenant here appears for to him might or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is Attributed Chap. 5.10 and this very Angel altho in a distinct appearance Chap. 11.3 declares that He will give Power unto His two Witnesses which Words can agree to none but Christ as well as the following description taken from Dan. Chap. 10 and 12. which are to be understood of Him 3 A Phrase frequent in Scripture Signifying God's more than Ordinary notice of the Actions of Men and that he was about to say or do some Extraordinary Thing Gen. 11 5.18 20 21. Exod. 3.7 8. Psal 144.5 Isa 64.1 Maimonid Ductor Dubit 1.10 4 A White Bright Cloud answerable to the White Linnen Dan. 10 5.12 6. 5 From hence it is Evident that this Angel was Christ the Angel of the Covenant Malac. 3.1 Who appears thus Cloathed to the Comfort of His Servants and to shew them that he was mindfull of His Promise and that His Kingdom of which the Rainbow a sign of mercy is the Symbol should Come notwithstanding he had Permitted a Deluge of Antichristianism to overflow the Church and Mahometism to prevail after so Extraordinary a Manner See Notes on Chap. 4 3. 2 And he had in his Hand a little 6 Book opened shewing that the Effects and Eâ—ents contained in it were now ready to be Revealed and fulfilled and he set his right Foot 7 upon the Sea and his left Foot upon the Earth as Lord of both and to take Possession of them Psal 2 8.72 8. Dan. 12.7 6 It was called a Book before Chap. 5. but is now called a Little Book to shew that many of its Visions were already fulfilled whereupon it 's bulk was contracted into a lesser space And it was before Sealed but now is Opened to shew that what was contained in it was at the present to have some Notable Appearance and Effect 7 To Place ones Foot upon a Thing signifies Dominion (a) Deut. 11.24 Psalm 60.8 or to have in Subjection as it were under ones Feet whereupon God bids Abraham Gen. 13.17 to walk through the Land and thereby take Possession of it Now Christs Kingdom being according to Prophecy to be Vniversal he here fixes his Feet upon the Whole Terraqueous Globe shewing by Actions as well as by Speech in the third Verse according to the Custom of the Eastern People who in matters of Moment joyn both that his Kingdom was not only from Sea to Sea as the Type of it David's was Psal 72.8 but that all the World the Sea and all that is in it upon which account he stands upon or over the Waters Dan. 12.6 7. were his Possession as well as the uttermost Parts of the Earth Psal 5.8 So that by this Action is signified that Christ was Lord of all of Sea and Land and of all the Creatures in them which he here again as it were takes Possession of His Kingdom haveing been interrupted chiefly by Antichristianism and by the spreading of Mahometism which yet was a judgment upon the other But methinks it is worth considering every Action and Word being Weighty in Prophecy why Christ is more peculiarly represented as upon the Waters of the River Tigris Dan. 12.6 7 Whilst only two Angels stood on each side of its banks and that he here sets his right Foot the stronger and the more honorable of the two upon the Sea but his left upon the Land which Grotius himself thinks to have some signification who supposes the right Foot to signifie the Greater Part of the People who are often Represented by Waters Seas Rivers in this Book We are therefore to understand that by the Sea in Scripture is meant the Western Parts of the World because the Mediterranean Sea was the Western (a) Numb 34.6 Border of the Land of Canaan Whereupon our Versions Translate what is to the Sea or Sea-ward in the Original to the West and Westward Gen. 12 8.28 14. Exod. 10.19 Ezek. 48.1 2. and in many other Places And the Scripture not only calls all the Places to which the Jews were to pass by Sea Islands as I have already noted and particularly our European Parts at least those in the Archipelago the Islands of the Gentiles Gen. 10.5 but also divides the whole World into East and West or according to the Phrase of their Language into Land and Sea meaning by Land all the
lawful for the Gentiles to pray there and therefore it could not properly be said to be given unto them now or to be polluted by them as having been always accounted unclean whereas they were never admitted into the other Courts And by the Court without the Temple is very appositely understood the Visible Christian Worship because the Visible Worship of God was performed in that place under the Law whereas all the Temple-Worship was hid from the People See the Books before quoted and Mr. (b) Pag. 19 20 478 479 480. and Ainsworth on Exod. 40.33 Mede's Works 8 Grotius on the places notes That this is called Extracludere by the Ancient Writers concerning the Limits and measuring of Grounds But the Word also denoting in (c) John 9.34 Acts 7 58 13 50. Grotius in loca Scripture an Ignominious casting out or an Excommunication it may also here signifie the leaving or casting it out of the Sacred Enclosure or Limits as unsacred and polluted as Mr. (d) Pag. 587. Mede speaks 9 So 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is of the past Sense and not of the present may be translated whereby is signified that it had been given up or delivered by God before the time in which it was measured although it must be confessed that the past Tense is often used for the present in Scripture 10 By (a) Hammond on Matth. 23.15 Grot. on John 12.20 Acts 21.28 Gentiles or Nations the Jews understand all but themselves and Proselytes of Justice who were circumcised and accounted as Jews which were the Proselytes of the Gates as they call them who had renounced Idolatry but had not embraced the whole Jewish Religion and were permitted to come no further than into the Outer Court called the Court of the Gentiles and were thought to prophane and pollute the Temple if they did as appears from Acts 21 28 29.24 6. But by Gentiles are most commonly meant in Scripture the Heathen Nations round about them who whilst they continued in open Idolatry were not to live amongst them especially those who persecuted them and laid their Country City and Temple waste such as Nebuchadnezzar and Antiochus whose Desolations are bewailed and described in (b) Psalm 74. and 79. Dan. 8.1 Maccab. from Chap. 1. to Ver. 16 of the 6th Scripture and such were also the Four Successive Monarchies of the Assyrians Persians Grecians and Romans whose Times 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or appointed Seasons the word made use of by Daniel and Jeremiah Chap. 27.7 are called by our Saviour (c) See Grotius on the place and Mr. Mede's Works pag. 709 753. Luke 21.24 the Times of the Gentiles at the ending of which fort of Times in the Expiration of the Roman Monarchy continued in the Antichristian the Jews are to be restored as our Saviour there plainly asserts and the Holy City is no more to be trodden under foot by the Gentiles Now the like Expressions and some of the Words here made use of being plainly taken from the (a) Psalm 79.1 Dan. 8.10 1 Maccab. 1.37 38 39.3 45 51.4 60. Luke 21.24 Scriptures quoted in the Margin it is manifest that they have an Allusion to them especially to the Story of Antiochus a lively Type of Antichrist who is therefore prophesied of in him as a Type by Daniel and of the Gentile Times and Actions here foretold and therefore the like Actions committed by some Christians must be here referred to called Gentiles for bringing the (b) Mr. Mede's Apostasy of the latter Times Gentile Worship into the Church together with Tyranny and crafty Baits to entice to Idolatry according to the Example of Antiochus the Type of Antichrist and the Paganizing Jews who did after the Ordinances of the Heathens and built a Place of Exercise at Jerusalem according to their Customes and thereby gave a great occasion to the Tyrant to take Jerusalem and to enter proudly into the Sanctuary and pollute it and lay it waste like a Wilderness and to make the City an habitation of Strangers or Gentiles and to become strange to those that were born in it as you may read in the places of the Book of Maccabes before quoted All which agrees plainly to the Apostasy which has introduced a Pagan Christianity into the Church 11 Jerusalem is called so which is the Type of the whole Christian Church whereby is signified a Vniversal Apostasy in the Visible Church the latent or invisible one having been before measured and secured by God 12 A Day is put for a Year in this Book as hath been before shewn on Chap. 2.10 and then by consequence a Month must be put for a Month of prophetical Days consisting of as many common years as a common month doth of days But for the better understanding of the Nature of these prophetical Times and Seasons it will be very convenient to deduce this matter from the very Beginning and Original of it And accordingly it is to be observed that out of the whole space of Time assigned by God to the Transactions of this World which is thought to be about Seven Thousand Years there is a certain part allotted by him for the Times of the Apostasy and the Reign of the Beast called by Daniel Time Times and half a Time Chap. 7 25.12 7. of which it hath been discoursed already on Chap. 10.6 which are reduced into 1260. Days and Forty Two Months in the Revelations Into Days with respect to the Witnesses and the Seed of the Woman in the Wilderness who are the Children of the (a) Mede pag. 481 492. Mori Oper. Theol. pag. 614 616. Gen. 1. Luke 16.8 Acts 26.18 2 Cor. 6.14 Eph. 5.8 1 Thes 5.5 8. 2 Pet. 1.19 Rev. 22 16. See the Notes on Rev. 12.1 Day and into Nights with respect to the Gentiles and the Beast whose Antichristian Deeds are Works of Darkness and they the Children of the Night of which the Moon has the Government And as the Natural Day is divided in Scripture into Evening and Morning so is this Line of Time in proportion to that Distinction divided into Days which answer to the Morning of the Natural Day and into Months which answer to the Evening or Night of it the Days and Months making up one and the same Line of Time as the Evening and Morning make up One Natural Day whence the Time allotted in Daniel Chap. 8.13 14. for the Course of Affairs from Cyrus to the cleansing of the Sanctuary is called Evening-Morning out of which for it principally respects the Apostasy which defiled the Sanctuary this Line is taken the Months out of its Evenings and the Days out of its Mornings which way of Speech is taken from Gen. 1.5 16. where the Light is called Day and the Darkness Night and the Moon is said to rule the one and the Sun the other and the Natural Day is called Evening-Morning the Evening being put before the Morning because the Darkness o◠Night of
the Apostate State of the Church is signified in this Prophecy For as the Papal Monarchy rose out of the Providential Commotions and Troubles of the Empire so was the Antichristian Power of the Clergy founded upon the Apostatizing Spirit of Diotrephes encreasing by degrees in the Church 2. It appears that some Christian Body of Men is signified by this Beast because it is said to have Horns like a Lamb which is the Type of Christ in Scripture By which Expression Horns being the Type of Powers and Potentacies in Scripture an Apostate Hierarchy or a Holy Government for so the Word signifies acting under the sanctified pretences of Christ's Authority and his Religion and in ordine ad spiritualia is very appositely set forth unto us And 3. By this Beast's being represented with Two Horns is very aptly signified the whole Body of the Ecclesiasticks under the Potentacy of the Ruling Clergy or Hierarchy of the Two Divisions of the Empire into East and West and withal there is an intimation given that this Beast rose when the Empire was thus divided And lastly We may from hence conclude that this Beast is not The Antichrist who is represented as a Monarch by One single Horn in Daniel but a Body Politick signified by a Beast in Prophecy under Two co-ordinate Powers or Horns by which the Hierarchy of the Eastern and Western part of the Empire before the Pope came to be an Horn or to have his Antichristian Supremacy is very fitly typified especially the Eastern and Western Patriarchates which were a meer Vsurpation in the Church arising from the honour of precedency which the Metropolitans of the Chief Cities gained upon Constantine's new modelling of the Empire which as Bishop (a) An account of the Govern of the Christian Church for the first six hundred years pag. 192.310 and from pag. 188. to the end of that Book Parker speaks quickly became a Stirrup to Ambition to mount into a Superiority of Power and Jurisdiction And although there were many Contests betwixt the Eastern and Western Bishops yet as the same Learned and Judicious Person has observed the Patriarchal Vsurpation first began at Constantinople and the Supremacy of the Church of Rome was founded meerly upon the Ambition of the Church of Constantinople Which Words are an excellent Comment upon this and the following Verses as his whole Discourse there is wherein is proved that the Eastern Horn or Hierarchy as well as the Western was the Chief Cause of advancing the Beast or the Papacy to its Kingdom 29 Christ is typified by a Lamb in (a) John 1.29 36. Acts 8.32 1 Pet. 1.19 Scripture the Emblem of Innocency Meekness and Purity And here is intimated that this is an Antichristian Beast because of its having something of a Lamb in it the Devil not being able to introduce Antichristianism but under the Mask of Christianity and under a pretence to (b) See Dr. Moor's mystery of Iniquity Mystery Godliness and (c) The Popes whilst they give themselves the humblest Titles make the Proudest claims and under the Name of Servus Servorum make themselves Princes of the World Bp. Parker ibid. pag. 347. with relation to Gregory the Great Humility by which ways it was at first brought into the Church and is still kept up in it 30 Here is signified that this Beast was a Pagano-Christian Beast and a persecuting one because he spake and acted like a Dragon the Type of Paganism and Persecution whilst his Pretences were the Authority and Honour of Christ the Advancement of Vnity and Peace and a Zeal for God's Glory and a reducing of Men by Lamb-like i. e. innocent and gentle Methods a Phrase much used by the French Clergy in their Speeches to their King upon his barbarous proceedings against the French Protestants 12 And he i. e. the Hierarchy exercised all the Power of the first Beast or the Roman Idolatrous Monarchy before 31 him and in favour of him for his Honour and by his Consent and causeth the Earth or the Apostasy and them which dwell therein i. e. the Apostate Members of this Earthly and Worldly Church the Gentiles the Subjects of this Hierarchy Chap. 11.2 to worship Verse 4.8 the first Beast whose deadly wound was healed i. e. the Roman Empire under the seventh Head and eighth King Verse 2 23. Chap. 17. 8 10 12. 31 From hence it appears 1. That this was the Hierarchy of the Roman Empire because it exerciseth Power before the Beast or in his presence which Beast was the Roman Empire as appears from its Description before given 2. That these Two Horns answering to the Two Feet in Daniel the same thing being fitly represented by Feet in the Image of a Man and by Horns in the Type of a Beast's Head and those Two Feet coming not into Succession until the Rise of the Ten Kings who are the Ten Iron Toes of it which was not until A. D. 476. when the Imperatorial Power ceased and the Papal Succession began with its Ten Kings it will follow that this other Beast exercised not the Power of the first Beast until then 3. That the first Beast with its seventh Head the Papacy even when it was in Succession as the eighth King A.D. 476. yet did not then exercise its Power of its self as is plain from History in which it is notorious that the Papacy attained not its Supremacy until A. D. 606. and that all that time the Hierarchy of the Eastern and Western Divisions of the Empire exercised all its Power before it by ministring unto it as the Phrase signifies 1 Sam. 2.18 or in (a) See Grot. on Luke 4 7.24 19. its stead and for its benefit as a kind of a Protector of it in its Infancy and as the Clayie part of the Feet of this Image upholding and sustaining the seventh Head 4. Although the first Beast were before the other Beast as the first Beast signifies the Roman Empire whence it is called the other Beast with reference to some former or first Beast yet as it is the seventh Head they are contemporary the Papacy and the other Beast in that particular Notion as Feet of Clay coming into Succession together at 476. which yet were before the first Beast as they were a domineering and aspiring Body of Men making way for the Papal Kingdom during the time of the Christian Emperour when the Beast lay wounded and was partly kept alive in an healing condition by them and as they were those who protected the New King the Papacy from his Succession at 476. until his Supremacy at 606. 13 And or for he doth great 32 wonders i. e. seemingly great but really lying and counterfeit ones 2 Thessal 2.9 so that he maketh 33 Fire to come down from Heaven on the Earth in the sight of men i. e. appeareth to worldly and apostatized Men consenting to and applauding the Cheat to work as great Miracles as Elias did 1 Kings 18.33 2
an Imperial Roman City It is also observable 1. That this VVoman takes to her self the Colour of the Ornaments of the Tabernacle of God as Grotius also notes which were of (a) Exod 25.4 Purple and Scarlet whereby her Idolatrous Vsurpations of what belongs to God may be set forth And 2. That these Colours are much affected in the Papacy (b) Heidegger in Apocalyps pag. 429 430. Platin. in Vit. Paul secundi Vide Bezae argutum Epigramma in hanc rem that Christ's Priests saith Baronius might be in their Pomp equal to the High Priests amongst the Heathens 12 Such was also wont to be the Attire of Harlots Prov. 17.10 And it is observable that the Papacy has not only excessive Riches and Revenues but that the (c) Rycaut 's Preface to the Lives of the Popes Popes have been so prodigal in procuring Ornaments and Jewels for their own Pontifical Attire and especially their Triple Crown a fatal Counterfeit of Christ's many Crowns Rev. 19.12 that they have often run the Papacy into debt by it which by their Prodigious Pride is loaden with Gold and Jewels and became thereby so heavy that Pope Paul the Second died of an Apoplexy occasioned by the weight of it 13 Babylon her Type is said Jerem. 51.7 to be the Golden Cup that hath made the Earth drunken with her Wine 14 Abominations signifie Images or Idols and the abominable Practises accompanying them 1 King 11.5 7. 2 King 23.24 Jerem. 7 30. â—2 34. 5 And upon her 15 forehead after the impudent manner of a whoreish woman Ezek 23 and 16.30 was a Name 16 written so plainly that it might be read and understood by those who exercise Spiritual Wisdom verse 9. Mystery 17 of iniquity 2 Thes 2.7 18 Babylon the great i.e. the Metropolis of the Fourth or Roman Empire the 19 Mother City and Church of Harlots i. e. of Idolatrous Cities and Churches and abominations i. e. the cheif Author and Promoter of Image Worship and other filthy 20 and unclean Doctrines and Practices of the Earth i. e. of the Apostasy 15 Criticks have observed that Harlots were wont to have their Names written on the Portals of the House where they prostituted themselves and sometimes upon their Foreheads and that hereby is accordingly signified the notorious Impudence of her Idolatry although I presume that this may be rather an allusion to the Title (a) Exod. 28.36 upon the Forefront of the Mitre of the Jewish High Priest which had Holiness to the Lord written upon it and that hereby is intimated that this Apostate Church was of a contrary Temper and Spirit to what God required in his Church and Servants 16 She was not one of those whom God had sealed in the Forehead but had her Crime written upon it her sin being publick and notorious and easily to be discerned by the Mind that hath Wisdom 17 Hereby is evidently signified that this VVoman had compleated and brought forth that Mystery of Iniquity which began to work when the Apostle wrote to the Thessalonians called a Mystery of Iniquity because it undermined Christianity the Mystery of Godliness by the specious pretences of promoting and advancing it as Dr. Moor hath shewn in his Mystery of Inibuity where he hath also plainly proved that this hath been actually done by the Romish Church whose Religion and Worship especially in what belongs to the Mystery of the Mass is so mystical that many Books have been writen to give the significations of it and of the Habits of their Priests and the Ceremoniet and Vestments they make use of And that Papal Rome is hereby meant will appear more evidently from what Scaliger has noted on this place viz. that the Word (a) Heidegger in Apocalyps cap. 17. pag. 160. Downham of Antichrist and Bishop Barlow's Brutum Fulmen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was engraven on the Frontlet of the Pope's Mitre and was changed by Julius the Third when the Protestants began to adapt this Prophecy to the Papacy which is also confessed to be true by Brocardus a Papist in his Notes upon this place who lived in the times of Pope Julius and is but faintly denied by Lessius in his Answer to King James 18 Babylon was the Seat of the Assyrian Monarchy and is confessed (b) Dr. Cressener lib. 1.3 by almost all Interpreters Ancient and Modern Popish as well as Protestant to be a Type of Rome which in here described by the Phrase Nebuchadnezzar made use of when he proudly gloried in Babylon as the seat of his Kingdom from whence it appears that Rome is here meant under the relation of being the seat of the fourth Empire as Babylon was of the first And Rome as the seat of the Fourth Empire under its Antichristian King must be here meant because it is called the Mother of Harlots which is a Phrase peculiar to an Apostate City and Church in Scripture as hath been before observed on numb 4. 19 The cheif of the Idolatrous Churches from whence Idolatry is derived and propagated to all others and on which they depend as members of it in Opposition to the True Jerusalem the mother of us all Gal. 4.26 20 Such as the Denial of Marriage to the Clergy whereby Vncleanness is promoted the toleration and defence of Fornication and other abominable Doctrines and Practises which are Taught or Connived at under the Papacy 6 And I saw the Woman as it were drunken with the Blood of the Saints or holy and pure Christians which she had spilt with an excessive and insatiable greediness and delight and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus i. e. his Special and Faithful Witnesse and when I saw her I wondered 21 with great Admiration what this Vision should mean 21 This shews that Rome Antiehristian must be here understood for it would have been no such strange sight to have seen Pagan Rome defiled with Idolatry and drunk with the blood of Christians 7 And the Angel said unto me wherefore didst thou marvel for the thing when thou understandest it more fully will not seem so strange and therefore I will 22 tell or explain unto thee the mystery or secret meaning and import of the Woman i. e. the City and Church and of the Beast i. e. the Roman Empire that carrieth or supporteth her verse 3. which hath the seven heads and ten horns verse 3 22 Here the Angel contrary to his wonted custom Explains the Vision to him which shews that it is a very remarkable one and upon which the understanding of all the others depend very much 8 The beast or Roman Empire as under its seventh Head the Papacy verse 10 11. which thou sawest carrying the Woman verse 3. was 23 in the sixth head the Pagan Emperours verse 10 and is 23 not as yet risen and arrived to an Antichristian Supremacy See chap. 13. 11 12. and or but shall ascend 23 out of the bottomless Pit and arrive to that
the Popes Dr. Barrow of the Popes Supremacy pag. 240 c. The third general Council of Ephesus was afraid lest under pretence of Sacerdotal Power the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Pride of Secular Dominion should be brought into the Church Parker ibid. p. 234. See Overal 's Convoc Book l. 3. 1-6 Ecclesiastical Authority which from the Power of binding and loosing inflicting of Censures distributing the Charity of the People and determining of Controversies in Civil Matters voluntarily referred to them according to the (d) 1 Cor. 6. Apostles Advice arrived at last from such small beginnings to the Antichristian Preheminence now visible in the Papacy 6. Excessive (e) Overal's Convocat Book B. 3. 1-6 Hieron in Vit. Malchi Postquam ad Christianos Principes Venit Ecclesia potentia quidem divitiis major sed virtutibus minor facta est I do not say that an Ecclesiastical Society may not lawfully for its support use Power Policy and Wealth in some measure to uphold or defend it self but that a Constitution needing such things is not Divine or that so far as it doth use them it is no more than humane Dr. Barrow of the Vnity of the Church pag. 33. 4◠Honours and Riches whereby the Minds of the Clergy were corrupted and drawn off from the care of Souls as (f) Epist 1. 5 7. Gregory the Great confesses ingenuously and the Church became too like a Worldly Kingdom especially when Kings and Emperours became over-lavish in their Liberality to purchase Pardons for their sins whereupon as the Learned Archbishop of Paris de (a) Heidegger Histor Papat chap. 3. Marca observes the Discipline of the Church was very much relaxed in recompence as it were for the large Endowments received from them 6. Early Forgeries of Books and Traditions confessed by Learned Romanists a too great Reverence for Antiquity and a Despair of knowing more than our Ancestors which our Learned (b) Antichrist Demonstrat pag. 15. Abbot makes to be one main cause of the Rise of Antichristianism 12. It is evident that The Papacy is The Antichrist because the several Properties and Characters given of him in Scripture do agree to the Papacy and to it alone For the full proof of which Proposition I refer the Reader to the (c) Abbot's Demonstrat Antichrist a book much valued by Joseph Scaliger who was not wont to be lavish of his commendations Downham of Antichrist Dr. Moor's Mystery of Iniquity Dr. Cressener's Demonst of the first Principles of the Protestant applicat of the Apocal. Jurieu's accomplishm of Prophecies Tom. 1. Chap. 24. Tom. 3. His Pastoral Letters But chiefly Dr. Beverley's command of God to his People to come out of Babylon where this great truth is most evidently demonstrated Books quoted in the Margent and shall only here give him a brief View of what may be most observable on this Head 1. The Doctrines and Practises laid to the Charge of Antichrist in Scripture the general Heads of which are reckoned up paragr 4. are plainly taught and practised in the Romish Church such as Idolatry Superstition Supremacy Persecution and the carrying on all this by Lying Wonders forbidding Marriage and abstaining from Meats and that after so subtle a manner under a disguise of Piety as that Good and Learned Men have been deceived by it Whence it plainly appears to be a Mystery of Iniquity and The Apostasy foretold and described in Scripture as Mr. (a) Apostasy of the latter Times Mede and Dr. (b) Mystery of Iniq. Moor have fully proved 2. The Seven-hill'd City the place of the Residence of Antichrist can agree to none but Rome the Seat of the Papacy for whose Residence in it the Emperours made way by removing from it by degrees as hath been observed on Chap. 13. 2. and the Name Number Image and Mark of the Beast the excessive Riches and gawdy Pomp of the Woman are sufficiently Visible and Notorious in the Romish Church as hath been also before observed on the 13th and 17th Chapters 3. The Insolent (c) See on Chapter 13. Boastings unmeasurable Ambition mad Zeal and Devilish Cunning the Tyrannical Vsurpati ons of the Papacy over Emperours and Civil Powers and the universal spreading of that Mystery of Iniquity do sufficiently shew that it was plainly described by the Little Horn and the King that should do after his Will in (d) Chap. 7. and 11. See Mr. Mede's Works p. 667 c. Graser Histor Antichr p. 149 c. Daniel and by the Beast and the Whore in the Revelations whom the World followed and wondred after 4. The Worldly (e) Rycaut's Preface to the Lives of the Popes Dr. Barrow of the Vnity of the Church p. 33. 34. c. in 410. Pomp Temporal Dominion Court Guards Titles Style and Coronation of the Pope plainly shew that he is a Horn and a King according to Prophecy and the Rise of the Papacy upon the Fall of the Roman (a) See on Chap. 13. and 17. Emperours is a sufficient Proof that the Popes are that Man of Sin who was to be witheld until that Time and that they are the seventh Head and Eighth King 5. It is plain from History that the Converts from Heathenism and the Barbaroas Nations Paganized the Western Parts of Christendom and became the Chief Support of the Papacy And how agreeable is that to Prophecy which places the Entrance of the (b) See on Chap. 11. Chap. 13. Gentiles into the Court of the Temple before the Succession and Rise of the Beast thereby intimating that they were prepared before hand as Subjects for this King of Pride 6. How aptly are the Eastern and Western Divisions of the Empire called the Two Horns of the Beast And is it not accordingly notorious from History that the Grandeur (c) Rex Superbiae prope est quod dici nefas est Sacerdotum ei praeparatur exercitus Greg. M. lib. 4. ep 38. of the Papacy and the Idolatry of it was made way for by the Ambition and Corruptions of the Clergy of both those Divisions by the Constantinopolitan as well as Roman Bishops who were the (d) Gregor M. Epistolae Abbot demon Antichrist Constantinopolitanus Episcopus Antichristi Praecursor Forerunners of Antichrist and in whose Dominions also Image Worship was decreed by the Second Council of Nice whereupon they fell under the severe Effects of the Saracenick and Turkish Woes described Chap. 9. And hath not that Clergy ever (e) Medes Apostasy of the latter times part 2. since been the Chief Instruments of promoting and keeping up that deceivableness of Vnrighteousness as the Apostle calls it 2 Thes 2. And may they not therefore be well meant by the False Prophet in this Prophecy 7. How observable is it from (a) Mede's Works p. 463. 661. History that the Empire was divided when the Papacy rose and that upon those Divisions and that Three Horns or Powers viz. the Exarchate the
in my Kingdom and thereby putting an end to Prophecy whose main scope and design was with reference unto it See on Chap. 1 8.21 6 14 Blessed 22 in Christ's Kingdom Dan. 12.12 See on Chap. 14.13 are they that (a) The King's M S. reads 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is wash their garments do his Commandments i. e. are now found and appear to have kept them that they may have right by virtue of the Covenant of Grace and upon their appearing in the fine (a) The King's M S. reads 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is wash their garments white Linnen of Christ's Righteousness See on Chap. 19.7 8. to the Tree of Life i. e. to the incorruptibility of the new Jerusalem State verse 2. and many enter in through the Gates of the City i. e. be admitted into that State See on chap. 21.6 12 21. 15 For without this blessed State in the four corners of the new Earth see on chap. 20.8 are Dogs i. e. the Members of the Antichristian (b) A Dog is thought by the best interpreters to signify a Sodomite Deut. 23.18 Canes qui Supra cap. 21.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut Hebrei exponunt id quod est Deut. 23.18 Grot. in Locum Sodom chap. 11.8 and those who are without the Covenant Matt. 15.26 Profane Bruitish and Persecuting Apostates Matt. 7.6 2 Pet. 2.22 and Sorcerers and Whoremongers and Murtherers and Idolaters and whosoever liveth and maketh a Lie i. e. all wicked Persons but especially the Antichristian Party to which these Characters eminently agree see on Chap. 21.8 27. 16 I Jesus have sent my Angel from the beginning (c) Chap. 1.1 of this Prophecy all along to this present conclusion of it to testify unto you John and all my other Servants chap. 1.1 these things in the Churches i. e. in or concerning the seven Successions of my Church see the Notes on chap. 1.4 and on chap. second and third I am the root and the off-spring of David i. e. the Messias proceeding from David as from a root to whom the Kingdom (d) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was Promised see on chap. 5.5 and the bright and morning Star which only dawned in the Church Succession of Thyatira but now shews in full brightness at the succession of my Kingdom see the Notes on chap. 2.28 17 And the Shirit speaking to and in the several Successions of the Church chap. 2. and 3. and makeing intercession for the Saints Rom. 8.26 27. and the Bride i. e. the Saints chap 19.7 8.21 2 say come Lord Jesus come quickly in thy Kingdom And let him that heareth and obeyeth the words of this Prophecy say joyning as in consort come Lord Jesus And (a) These are Christ's Words and are a kind of Antiphon◠in ths Divine Anthem or Sacred Dialogue wherein Christ in Answer to the Saints says as it were if you so desire my coming I will not be backward in inviting you let him say I that is a thirst come let him that is a thirst for the comforts and refreshments of the new Jerusalem State see on chap. 21.6 come And whosoever will or has a sincere desire for these times of full refreshments let him take the Water of Life freely for the incorruptibility of this State is of my free grace and favour chap. 21 6.22 1. 18 For I Christ verse 20. testify and declare (b) All this is frequently the import of the word Testifie in Scripture openly with the greatest earnestness zeal and holy Asseveration as with an Oath John 13.21 Rom. 1.9 Acts 18.5 unto every man of what (c) Nullo excepto pontifice vel concilio Paraeus in loc quality or dignity soever that heareth the words of the Prophecy of this Book that it is a Book of so great perfection and life that if any man shall (d)(d) Elegans est allusio in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grot. in Loc. add unto these things contained in this Book of Revelations and by consequence to any other part of Scripture by 22 Traditions and rash (e) Rashly to be the Authority of a false Interpretation of Scripture is to take God's Name in vain in a high degree Mr. Mede This is the last authoritative Prophecy that is likely to come from Heaven to be a rule of Faith to the Church and whosoever shall go about to infuse any other expectations into men than usually are agreeable to these Visions God shall bring on him the Judgments here denounced against his greatest Enemies and so in like manner whosoever shall derogate from the authority of this Prophecy or occasion mens not receiving the admonition of Christ here contained in every part thereof God shall cast him off c. Dr. Hammond's Paraphr or wilfully false Interpretations God shall add unto him besides the retributions of his ordinary Justice and Wrath the dreadful plagues that are written in this Book 22 Here is a change of Persons and John speaks whose words plainly refer to the admittance and entrance of the Saints into the new Jerusalem State and therefore must have respect to the times after the Pouring forth of the Vials when the Wicked were shut out of the City 19 And if any man shall take 23 away as the Antichristian Party hath even the Scriptures themselves from the words or authority of this of Prophecy God shall take away his part and the Book of Life i. e. he shall not be found written in the Book of Life among the Living in the New Jerusalem and out of the Holy City from which he shall be debarred and excommunicated and from the Things promises and blessings which are written in this Baok 23 As the Antichristian Party hath done 20 He which testifies these things i e. Christ who is Truth it self saith surely believe it for it is a certain and infallible Truth I come quickly i. e. all my comings are unexpected and by Surprize I begin very suddenly after the date of this Vision to bring it into effect I hasten all things to an end in the just and due time and am now just upon coming to put an end to this and all other Prophecies being not slack in performing them as some men count slackness 2 Pet. 3.9 Amen saith John the beloved Apostle and Servant of Christ in the Name and Person of Angels and Saints his fellow Servants even so be it come Lord Jesus in thy Kingdom come quickly 21 The 24 Justifying Sanctifying and efficaciously operative Grace Proceeding from the undeserved Love Favour and Assistances of our Lord God Jesus Christ our Saviour and anointed Prophet Priest and King be with you all Churches and Saints to whom this great Prophetical Epistle is Written Amen So be it and so it will certainly be 24 This whole Book of Prophecies being as it were one entire Epistle Monitory to the Church of God throughout all Ages of the World it is concluded as it was begun according to the custom of the Apostles with the usual Form of Valediction in their Epistles AMEN AMEN COME LORD JESUS COME QUICKLY FINIS