take on them to know more 21. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls every several gate was of one pearl and the street of the city was pure gold as it were transparent glass 21. If there shall be any state on this side eternity which answereth this glorious representation how much more will the perfected glorious triumphant Church answer it 22. And I saw no temple therein for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it 22. Some expound this of liberty to serve to God in every place as well as in Temples who yet would destroy them as conventiclers that do so But the Text seemeth to mean that this new Jerusalem is the perfect state which is above our instituted lower means God will be our All. 23. And the city had no need of the sun neither of the moon to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof 23. Prophetical Hyperbolies and Allegories may put as high terms as these for a state of meer reformation and Church prosperity But seeing that it must be a force and not an exposition which so restraineth it without proof we must believe that it hath a higher accomplishment 24. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it 24. And those that shall be converted out of all nations of the Gentiles shall as well as Abraham and the Christian Jews lay up and find a treasure with Christ in the new Jerusalem Note They that expound this of the Thousand years Reign of raised Martyrs at Jerusalem and they that expound it of a peculiar Jewish Church there after the Jews Conversion say that the Nations round about shall not have the same Confirmation and Glory as the New Jerusalem but be liable to Tryals still Dr. Ham. who expounds it of the Churches prosperity after Constantine's Success giveth these Reasons 1. Because the New Jerusalem descendeth from Heaven Ans 1. So it may to Judgment and yet return to Heaven 2. Or rather the New Heaven and Earth shall be open as one An immortal Glory in the New Earth after the Resurrection may be the New Jerusalem 2 He argueth from Gal. 4.26 as if the Jerusalem above were only the Church Militant But that we deny 25. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day for there shall be no night there 26. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it 25 26. There shall be no danger of the entrance of Enemies or Traytors But all worldly glory and blessings by Saints referred to this end shall there be found in the transcendent perfect state 27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie but they which are written in the Lambs book of life 27. Sure this proveth that it is somewhat better than the thousand years after Constantine that is here meant For alas how much abomination and deceit entred in that time what hatred false accusations worldliness pride cruelty and contention 2. Note None but Saints cleansed from gross sin will be found written in the Lambs Book of Life It is a vile slander on the Orthodox Doctrine of Election that we say the Elect may be saved how wickedly soever they live when we say that it is one Decree of God that electeth men to be holy obedient persevere and be saved CHAP. XXII 1. ANd he shewed me a pure river of water of life clear as crystal proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 1. By this some understand Baptism that bindeth all to Purity Some the Gospel not muddied by Usurpers corrupt Canons And some the Spirit in greater measure And some the heavenly influence for illumination and life for ever All these in their seasons may be expected 2. In the midst of the street of it and of either side of the river was there the tree of life which bare twelve manner of fruits and yielded her fruit every month and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations 2. As in the prosperous Church militant everlasting life is open and given to all accepters by the Doctrine of the Apostles and continually represented and conferred in the Sacraments and by the Word the Spirit of Christ accompanying his Ordinances the Preaching of the Word is for the healing of the unbelievers and unconverted So in the New Jerusalem where the end of all his is attained the Glory is represented by the means that are past that brought them thither by which men were sanctified and the Nations healed the means being eminently though not formally in the attained end But the better the Church is on Earth the more it thus resembleth the New Jerusalem 3. And there shall be no more curse but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it and his servants shall serve him 4. And they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads 3 4. Thus it appeareth that the New Jerusalem is a state of Immortality by the Tree of Life and freedom from the Curse or all punishment for sin and the very Throne of God and Christ shall be visibly in it and they see God's face And though somewhat tending to all this be in the Church militant this seemeth a description of the Church triumphant 5. And there shall be no night there and they need no candle neither light of the sun for the Lord God giveth them light and they shall reign for ever and ever 5. There shall be no want of knowledge nor need of Ministers Teaching Scripture or such means For God will be to them above and instead of these and they shall reign for ever And what more can be hoped for by man Why should forced Expositions darken this 6. And he said unto me These sayings are faithful and true And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done 6. As Christ Matth. 24. told them of such devastations as that generation should see and yet adjoyneth the signs of the end of the World just so doth he by this Revelation shew John the Fall of Pagan Babylon and the Churches deliverance and yet shortly annex a thousand years after and then the end of the World All was to be shortly but not shortly equally with the first parts But it is not to be said that he almost past by the things that were shortly to be done and said almost all of the Papal Rome The certainty of the Revelation is the hope and joy of firm Believers 7. Behold I come quickly blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book 7. Think not that I delay my coming as slack of performing my Promise Some of this will be quickly done
Educate your Children and to keep them from tempting Company and snares To cry out of dumb or unfaithful Ministers while you are worse at home your selves is but self-condemnation Are Mâ—nâ—stâ—rs more obliged to care for your Childrens Souls by Nature or by Vow and Covenant than you are Can they do that for whole Parishes which you will not do for for one Houshold or your own Children The first Charge and part is yours If Families treacherously neglect their part and then look that all should be done at the Church you may as wisely send Boys to the Universities before they are taught to Read or Write in lower Schools If there be any hope of the amendment of a Wicked Miserable distracted World it must be mostly done by Family-Religion and the Christian Education of youth Godliness is profitable to all things but the Curse of God is in the house of the wicked And the ungodly betrayers of Souls of themselves Children and Servants will very quickly be Summoned to a terrible account Especially those that should as Rulers be Exemplary to the vulgar and are ashamed to own serious Family-Religion as if all beyond some formal Hypocrisie and lip labour were a dishonour to their houses or a needless thing These helps which I offer them that need it is that when they Read the New Testament daily in their Houses they may not read all the Paraphrase to their Families but such particulars of Exposition and Doctrinal Notes as they find most suitable to their case And I think it will not be unuseful to the Younger and Weaker sort of Ministers and the Poor ones that cannot buy larger Commentaries And if Rich Men will give their Tenants and Neighbours such Books as are suitable to the instruction of Families and the People will diligently use them it may do much to keep up saving Knowledge and Practice where the publick Ministry faileth most The God of Mercy Teach Foolish Men to have Mercy on their Families and themselves The Farewel Ne vacua sit pagina TIme and Work end Blest Souls are gone before Consumed Lights may serve to kindle more The dead can speak God can his Lamps restore The Winds that blow them out will quickly cease Hâ—gh Pride rough Passion God can soon appease TRUTH LOVE and CONCORD raise with great increase The WISE PURE PEACEABLE for this hee 'l chuse PROUD-WOLDLINGS RAGING-FOOLS he will refuse And Snuffers not Extinguishers will use Yet Satan will not cease Tares will be sown RULERS and GUIDES hee 'l strive to make his own By STORMS and SCANDALS some will be o'rethrown Diotrephes must Rule Judas be Rich The Ignorant will err young Ears will itch The blind will lead the blind into the Ditch Lord convert Saul Check Jewish rage And Sects which sad Church-Wars do wage Let LIGHT and LOVE PROUD WRATH asswage But those blest Souls who dwell with thee Better things see And better be Than Adam or the Golden Age. ERRATA Reader I cannot gather all the Errata These few I note for thy correction INtrod p. 1. l. 23. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. c. 19. v. 19. Par. for ninth r. tenth and for If r. self Luk. for c. 7. r. 4. Joh. c. 5. v. 5. Par. foâ—â—8 r. 50. c. 6. v. 38. Par. l. 11. r. that the l. 12. for or r. of v. 40. Par. l. 1. r. one wâ—â—â— by c. 17. v. 5. Par. l. 12. add The Divine nature uniting c. v. 9. Par. l. 12. put out of c. 18. v. 1. r. the bâ—ook c. 1â— v. 34. Par. put out since Act. 8. v. 22. Par. r. Prayer of a c. 17. contents r. contemn Rom. 13. Annot. l. 3â— for â—haâ— shall r. 10 c. 47. r. noâ—isie 1. Tim. c. 6. Annot. l. 5. r. bad bin better l. 7. for answering r. 〈◊〉 Rev. c. 19. v. 10. Par. l. 6. put out we v. 17. Par. l. 6. r. is the ib. for fable is r. fables l. 10. for â—r of Advertisem p. 1. l. 27. r. purposed p. 3. l. ult for in r. is p. 5. l. 35. for her's r. her p. 6. l. 24. r. say p. 9. l. 41. r. Terret l. 42. â— let him p. 13. l. 35. r. Infelicity The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ THO it be not known when or by whom all the Books of the New Testament were gathered and made up into one nor when or by whom this Title was set before them and tho for a time some Churches received not the Epistle to the Hebrews nor that of James the 2 of Peter the 2. and 3. of John that of Jude or the Revelation Yet it hath never the less satisfactory evidence of its Truth for this uncertainty and delay I. For As long as we know it is all the word of the Spirit of God it satisfieth our Faith whether all be bound up in one Book or in many And John the Apostle living long after all the rest it is more than probable that none were received in his time but by his approbation and consent and even in the daies of the Apostles they gave Testimony to the Writings of one another so Peter doth of Pauls and Jude transcribeth much of 2 Peter 2. telling us that even inspired Apostles disdained not to use and repeat each others Writings without any guilt of vain repetition or being plagiaries II. And that the few books doubted of by some were commonly afterwards received tends more to the confirming than the shaking of our belief of their Authority certainty after doubt is the most confirmed certainty It must needs be some time before all the Churches to whom the several Epistles were written could produce and Communicate them by convincing proof to all the rest And yet we must know that the Epistles to particular Churches were sent to them as to members of the Church Universal and they were obliged to communicate them to others so that we must not take them as private Letters III. Whoever first gave this title to the whole Book The New Testament or Covenant c. it 's of no great moment to know It was The New Testament before it was so entitled as one Volume But the Church hath by continual owning this Title shewed that they have received all these Books as Gods word and the whole New Testament and that no more are to be received as such The Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of which Grotius in his preface hath spoken at large signifieth indeed Gods statute Law concerning Mans Duty and Salvation or Gods constituted and proposed terms of Life And tho 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more strictly signifie usually a Mutual Covenant this doth but imply the consent of Man to the Law or terms of God It is the same thing that is called a Law and a Covenant in several respects As God enacts it and promulgated it before mans Consent it is a Law and a conditional deed of Gift and Testament and an offered Covenant in several respects
the son of Joseph which was the son of Juda 27. Which was the son of Joanna which was the son of Rhesa which was the son of Zorobabel which was the son of Salathiel which was the son of Neri 28. Which was the son of Melchi which was the son of Addi which was the son of Cosam which was the son of Elmodam which was the son of Er 29. Which was the son of Jose which was the son of Eliezer which was the son of Jorim which was the son of Matthat which was the son of Levi 30. Which was the son of Simeon which was the son of Juda which was the son of Joseph which was the son of Jonan which was the son of Eliakim 31. Which was the son of Melea which was the son of Mena which was the son of Mattatha which was the son of Nathan which was the son of David 32. Which was the son of Jesse which was the son of Obed which was the son of Booz which was the son of Salmon which was the son of Naasson 33. Which was the son of Aminadab which was the son of Aram which was the son of Esrom which was the son of Phares which was the son of Juda 34. Which was the son of Jacob which was the son of Isaac which was the son of Abraham which was the son of Thara which was the son of Nachor 35. Which was the son of Saruch which was the son Ragau which was the son of Phaleg which was the son of Heber which was was the son of Sala 36. Which was the son of Cainan which was the son of Arphaxad which was the son of Sem which was the son of Noe which was the son of Lamech 37. Which was the son of Mathusala which was the son of Enoch which was the son of Jared which was the son of Maleleel which was the son of Canan 38. Which was the son of Enos which was the son of Seth which was the son of Adam which was the son of God 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38. He entered on his publick office about thirty And now young novices run into the Ministry Luke reciteth the pedegree of Joseph and Matthew of Mary Q. Whence had Luke that part of the pedegree that is not written in the Scripture before Ans By other History and Tradition with the help of Gods Spirit The Genealogical controversies I pass by CHAP. IIII. 1. ANd Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan and was led by the spirit into the wilderness 2. Being forty dayes tempted of the devil and in those dayes he did eat nothing and when they were ended he afterwards hungred 3. And the devil said unto him If thou be the Son of God command this stone that it be made bread 4. And Jesus answered him saying It is written that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of God 5. And the devil taking him up into an high mountain shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time 6. And the devil said unto him All this power will I give thee and the glory of them for that is delivered unto me and to whomsoever I will I give it 7. If thou therefore wilt worship me all shall be thine 8. And Jesus answered and said unto him Get thee behind me Satan for it is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. See on Matth. 4. strongly inspired by the Holy-Ghost was led by him c. 6. Though Satan lyed in part yet he hath great power over the Kingdoms and Glory of the World partly as a Templer and partly as Gods executioner but all under Gods absolute will The success sheweth that too many receive them from him that they may serve him by them as enemies to the Church of Christ Note Blasphemous temptations must be answered with rejecting hatred 9. And he brought him to Jerusalem and set him on a pinacle of the temple and said unto him If thou be the Son of God cast thy self down from hence 10. For it is written He shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee 11. And in their hands they shall bear thee up lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone 12. And Jesus answering said unto him It is said Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God 9 10 11 12. Note Satan useth to tempt by perverted Scripture yet it is by right expounded Scripture that he must be repelled Q. How did the writers know these secret things Ans Christ told them his Disciples though that be not written 13. And when the devil had ended all the temptation he departed from him for a season 13. Luke reciteth them not in the same order with Matthew but the same things Note Christ's Victory over the Tempter was part of his saving work and to prepare for our Victory 14. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee and there went out a fame of him thorow all the region round about 14. Note Though the Constitution of Christ's Person was by the Divine Nature of the second in the Trinity yet the Scripture usually ascribeth his works to the operation of the Holy Ghost in him 15. And he taught in their synagogues being glorified of all 16. And he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up and as his custom was he went into the synagogue on the sabbath-day and stood up for to read 15 16. Note Christ separated not from the Jews corrupt Church 17. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias and when he had opened the book he found the place where it was written 18. The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind to set at liberty them that are bruised 19. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 17 18 19. Note He chose a Text that described his own Office and applied it 20. And he closed the book and he gave it again to the minister and sat down and the eyes of all them that were in the synagogues were fastened on him 21. And he began to say unto them This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears 20 21. Note This Instance proveth it not necessary to sit in Preaching but lawful where custom or circumstances forbid it not 22. And all bare him witness and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth And they said Is not this Joseph's son 22. They applauded his Preaching but undervalued him for being known to be their Neighbours Son 23. And he said unto them Ye will surely say unto me this proverb Physician heal thy self whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum do also
was not with them when Jesus came 25. The other Disciples therefore said unto him We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails and thrust my hand into his side I will not believe 24. Note All Christs Disciples were not equally inclined to believe 2. This obstinate Resolution deserved a desertion yet Christ in mercy overcame it and forsook him not 26. And after eight days again his Disciples were within and Thomas with them then came Jesus the doors being shut and stood in the midst and said Peace be unto you 26. The next first day of that week they being assembled c. Note Coming in when the doors were fast shut whether he opened them as some groundlesly think or not was a Miracle he whose Body was quickly to be a Glorious Spiritual body when it came to that Glorious spiritual Region no doubt had after his Resurection a change preparatory thereto by which he could appear and disappear and vanish from their sight and come in when the door was shut and at last ascend to heaven And the Carnal objections against this are all vain 27. Then saith he to Thomas Reach hither thy finger and behold my hands and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side and be not faithless but believing 27. Note Wonderful is the Condescension of Christ to those that he will save 28. And Thomas answered and said unto him My Lord and my God 28. Note The convincing condescension of Christ turns unbelief into a Rapture of adoration Now Thomas cryeth My Lord and my God 29. Jesus saith unto him Thomas because thou hast seen me thou hast believed blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed 29. I have condescended to thy sight and feeling But this shall be the common way to blessedness but they that have not seen shall believe and so be happy 30. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his Disciples which are not written in this book 31. But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his name 30 31. These and many more not recited he did And it being by believing that Christ is the Son of God and Saviour that you must come to life and by the evidence of these Miracles that you must believe that he is the Christ therefore these Miracles are Recorded to convince you that you may believe CHAP. XXI AFter these things Jesus shewed himself again to the Disciples at the sea of Tiberias and on this wise shewed he him self 2. There were together Simon Peter and Thomas called Didymus and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee and the sons of Zebedee and two other of his Disciples 3. Simon Peter saith unto them I go a fishing They say unto him We also go with thee They went forth and entred into a ship immediately and that night they caught nothing 1 2 3. Note The Disciples went home to their Trades when Jesus was Crucified 2. Their unsucesfulness was to prepare for the Miracle 4. But when the morning was now come Jesus stood on the shore but the Disciples knew not that it was Jesus 4. His appearance after his Resurrection was with some change from what he appeared before 5. Then Jesus saith unto them Children have ye any meat They answered him No. 6. And he said unto them Cast the net on the right side of the ship and ye shall find They cast therefore and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes 5 6. Christ taketh occasion of their frustration to shew his Power and help their Faith 7. Therefore that Disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord he girt his fishers coat unto him for he was naked and did cast himself into the sea 7. When the Miracle convinced him upon Johns words that it was the Lord he put on his Fishers Coat and leapt into the Sea to shew that he trusted Christ with his Life 8. And the other Disciples came in a little ship for they were not far from land but as it were two hundred cubits dragging the net with fishes 9. As soon then as they were come to land they saw a fire of coals there and fish laid thereon and bread 10. Jesus saith unto them Bring of the fish which ye have now caught 11. Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land full of great fishes an hundred and fifty and three and for all there were so many yet was not the net broken 8. Here are two Miracles conjoyned The Fish catcht and the Fish and Bread Fire prepared for them 12. Jesus saith unto them Come and dine And none of the Disciples durst ask him Who art thou knowing that it was the Lord. 13. Jesus then cometh and taketh bread and giveth them and fish likewise 12 13. They knew him more by the Miracle than by his Visage Though it be not said tha the did Eat and Drink with them it is not improbable though uncertain 14. This is now the third time that Jesus sheweth himself to his Disciples after that he was risen from the dead 14. This was the third time that he appeared to many of them together or the third that John Recordeth and the third day of his appearing though the sixth appearance made And whether that on a Mountain in Gallilee mentioned by others was at this time is doubted 15. So when they had dined Jesus saith to Simon Peter Simon Son of Jonas lovest thou me more then these He saith unto him Yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee He saith unto him Feed my Lambs 15. Thou didst lately profess that if all men forsook me yet thou wouldst not as if thou hadst loved me more than all the rest And yet did three times deny me Art thou now of the same Resolution more confirmed If thou be what Love thou hast to me shew it by thy Ministerial Love and Labour for the Souls even of the lowest 16. He saith to him again the second time Simon son of Jonas lovest thou me He saith unto him yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee He saith unto him Feed my sheep 16. Thou knowest the heart and therefore knowest that I love thee c. 17. He saith unto him the third time Simon son of Jonas lovest thou me Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time Lovest thou me And he said unto him Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that I love thee Jesus saith unto him Feed my sheep 17. N. Peters threefold denyal required a threefold Confession and engagement to future fidelity and obedience and this told him what Discipline he was to use by the power of Church Government towards others that so offend
2. Ministers that are to require Confession and Promises of obedience to Christ from offenders in order to their Restoration must lead the way in the same themselves if they scandalously sin 3. The great evidence of our Love to Christ must be in serving the Church and Souls 18. Verily verily I say unto thee When thou wast young thou girdest thy self and walkedst whither thou wouldest but when thou shalt be old thou shalt stretch forth thy hands and another shall gird thee and carry thee whither thou wouldest not 18 19. Thou wast at thy free dispose c. But here after others shall bind thee and carry thee to Prison against thy will and also unto death By these words he signified that he should be Martyred 19. This spake he signifying by what death he should glorifie God And when he had spoken this he saith unto him Follow me 19. Follow me in labour and fufferings unto Glory 20. Then Peter turning about seeth the Disciple whom Jesus loved following which also leaned on his breast at supper and said Lord which is he that betrayeth thee 21. Peter seeing him saith to Jesus Lord and what shall this man do 20. What shall become of John 22. Jesus saith unto him If I will that he tarry till I come what is that to thee Follow thou me 22. What is that to thee how long he shall live if it were till my coming or if he live till he see my Catholik Church setled under my proper Government when the Jews Law and Policy are fully dissolved at the destruction of their Temple and Nation 23. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren that that Disciple should not die yet Jesus said not unto him He shall not die but If I will that he tarry till I come what is that to thee 23. Note A false Tradition may pass amongst Christs own Disciples by misunderstanding in some things 24. This is the Disciple which testifieth of these things and wrote these things and we know that his testimony is true 24. This is John the Disciple who was an Eye and Ear witness of all this and who wrote this History of Christ And whose testimony the Church doth justly receive as true Note Though some take these words to be the Bishops of Asia that published Johns Gospel at whose request they say he wrote it about thirty two years after Christs Resurrection yet it is no less probable that the words are his own and that we know signifieth only its well known to the Churches 25. And there are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the world it self could not contain the books that should be written Amen 25. Though this History be written to Record divers things which others have omitted yet altogether are far from containing all the Miracles that Christ did which were so many that should they all be written the many and great Volumns would as it were overload the World Note 1. That therefore it is not to be matter of offence if any one Evangelist pass by divers particulars 2. That though multitudes of Christs Words and Miracles may be unknown to us as much is Recorded as he would have taken as needful to the notice of the Church through all Generations And none of his Laws or Promises the objects of our Obedience and Faith are omitted yea all that is essential to Christianity is contained in Baptism or a very narrow room 3. It is in vain to pretend Oral Tradition for any needful thing omitted in the Scripture Records though the Essentials and greatest practical Matters of Religion are most certainly delivered us both ways even by the Scriptures and by the Universal publick practice of the Churches THE ACTS of the HOLY APOSTLES Note That this History written by Saint Luke is not to be supposed to contain all the Miracles Preaching and Success of all the Apostles but only the History of Peter and Paul and some few others their Companions and that but for a short space of time not mentioning what the other ten Apostles and their helpers did in other parts of the World nor what Peter and Paul did to the end of their lives supposed to be ten years after the ending of this History yea Peters History is here Recorded but for a far shorter time than Pauls with whom Luke Travelled And though this History of Luke have more infallibility than other History of Church affairs since written yet all other credible notice of matter of Fact and Church Practice from the beginning is of great use to us and not to be dispised CHAP. I. THE former treatise have I made O Theophilus of all that Jesus began both to do and teach 2. Until the day in which he was taken up after that he through the holy Ghost had given commandments unto the Apostles whom he had chosen 1. I wrote the Gospel History as a Record of Christs Birth Miracles and Doctrinâ— reaching to the day of his Ascension after he had by breathing on his Disciples given them the Holy Ghost and their Comissions 3. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs being seen of them forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God 3. That their Faith should not waver but have full assurance he shewed himself to them by unquestionable manifestation at several times in the forty days space in which he abode on Earth before his Aseention Instructing them in the matters of his Kingdom 4. And being assembled together with them commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the promise of the Father which saith he ye have heard of me 5. For John truly baptized with water but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost not many days hence 4 5. And when he was among them he bid them wait at Jerusalem for the great Gift of the Father even the Holy Ghost the Promise of which ye have heard of me which shall be your full solemn initiation into your Apostolical and Extraordinary Ministry and a few days hence you shall receive Note The Holy Ghost given by Christs breathing on them was not a meer Title Name or Relation buâ— yet it was not that full effusion which they were to have after his Ascension but a previous earnest of it to shew them from whom the fuller Communication was to come differing from this later as his own Resurrection Victory differed from his Ascension Majesty and Kingdom They were not to set upon the Publick Ministry without this necessary previous qualification nor should any now take up the ordinary Ministry without holy suitable qualifications by Christs Spirit 6. When they therefore were come together they asked of him saying Lord wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom-to Israel 6. They were now in hope of Earthly Dominion and said wilt thou now deliver Israel from Captivity
Israelites were a holy Nation and a peculiar People separated to God out of all World 2. God's Gvoernment first setled over them was eminently a Theocracy the Supremacy being exercised by extraordinary Revelation by Angelical or Signal Notices and by Prophecy 3. Their Law was eminently Divine the Law of God their Princes being but Executioners and not having Power of Legislation to add abrogate or diminish 4. This Law was wholly Political that is The Rule of the Subjects Obedience and the Rewards and Punishments to be exercised by God as Supreme and by Magistrates as his Officers in the Government of that People as a Holy Commonwealth Even the Decalogue and Ceremonies were such Laws of Politie 5. But this Law supposed the Law of Nature and the antecedent Law of Mercy made to saln Mankind in Adam and Noah and the special Promise made to Abraham and all the Nations of the Earth in his Seed And the Jews ought not to have separated any part of their Law from these which were as its very Life and Soul and principally respected things spiritual and heavenly and everlasting 6. The Law presupposing these and being given to men that had Immortal Souls and bound to know so much doth not much mention such matters of the Life to come as being presupposed and Moses adding specially the distinguishing Laws of Jewish Government 7. The breach even of a Political Law where God was the Legislator deserved future everlasting Punishment though as Men were the official Executioners it was but corporal Punishment that it inflicted 8. The Sacrifices were Obsignations of that Law of Grace which was elder than Moses and so they should have been understood 9. The sincere keeping of that Law while it was in force was the Material part of the Jews Obedience as they were under the Law of Grace 10. Even the Decalogue it self as Mosaical and Political delivered in Stone to the Jews onely is done away with all the rest by Christ their peculiar Commonwealth being ended But as it is 1. the Law of Nature 2. and the Law of Christ it still continueth There are three Controversies that I will here briefly speak to rather than by inserted Annotations afterwards I. Whom Paul describeth in the first and second Chapters II. What Law it is that he speaketh of III. How he meaneth that Faith is imputed to Righteousness and Justification 1. A late Writer hath laboured hard to persuade us that Rom. 1. and a great part of the Epistles speak of the Gnosticks which have usually been otherwise expounded Of this Chapter I think otherwise and of many other Texts because 1. The Philosophers and other Heathens were so much more potent numerous and famous Adversaries to Christianity that we have great reason to suspect that Paul doth not so much pass them by to pelt at a few Hereticks as this Writer imagined 2. The Text agreeth more to the Heathens It was to them that the Gospel was a matter of shame and counted foolishness It was not by the Works of Creation chiefly that the Gnosticks pretended to know God or should have known him but this was the onely Book to the Heathens The Gnosticks were unexcusable as Professours of Faith but it was the Heathens that were left without excuse by the meer Works of God's Creation The Heathen Philosophers were they that profest the greatest Wisdom deriding all Christians as Fools It was the Heathens that were the Authors of all that Imagery and Idolatry named ver 23. The Gnosticks were but for involuntary Complyance in case of danger They renounced worshipping the Creature more than the Creator The Sodomy and all the other Sins by which they are described belong far more to the Heathens than to the Gnosticks Chap. 2. Paul distributeth them that he speaks of into Jews and Gentiles and so doth the whole scope of his Discourse 1 Cor. 1. 2. It is the same sort that he there speaketh of as the Wise and Great and Noble of the World who counted the Wisdom of the Gospel Foolishness and whose Wisdom was Foolishness which God would confound and bring to nought c. which is the plain Description of the Philosophical Heathens A great deal more such Evidence is at hand 3. The Writers of Church-History and Heresies tell us of many sorts of Hereticks in the beginning that went before those called Gnosticks yet none of these are named in Scripture but the Nicolaitans and the Woman Jezebel Rev. 2. 3. And why should we think then that the Gnosticks are meant more than they 4. Those that Paul oft singleth out seem to be them mentioned Acts 15. against whom he reasoneth to the Galatians c. Had he meant others as their Crimes were greater he would have as plainly notified them Indeed 2 Pet. 2. and Jude seem to mean the Nicolaitans as much like the Gnosticks but Paul had much more to do with the Heathen Opposition II. Some have thought that it is the Law of Innocency made first to Adam which Paul meaneth when he speaks against Justification by the Works of the Law Their chief Reasons are 1. Because it saith Cursed is he that doth not all things written c. And hence they gather That the Jews Law was of the same tenor 2. But others give this Reason Because the Jews Law was a Covenant of Grace and therefore could not be that here described But it is evident all along that it was Moses's Law that Paul here meaneth It would be tedious to cite the Proofs all along visible And as to the Reasons for the contrary 1. It is certain that the Law of Innocency was not then in being and force but ceased with Man's Innocency upon Adam's Fall not by mutability in God but in Man God's Law is the present Obligation of his Will to Duty or Punishment Shall we imagine God to say to the sinful World 1. I command thee that art a guilty Sinner to be sinless contrary to the hypothetical necessity of Existence 2. And thou shalt be rewarded if thou be innocent when he is guilty already 3. And if thou be a sinner thou shalt die when he is a Sinner already and the Conditional is become Absolute and past into a Sentence of Judgment 2. The Law of Moses granteth Sacrifice and Pardon for many Sins but the Law of Innocency pardoneth none 3. The meaning of Cursed be he that doth not all things is not Cursed be he that hath any Sin but he that keepeth not all this Law And onely the Jews were under that Law and its Curse And this Law of Moses was so operous and strict that no man did perfectly fulfil it And if they had it would not procure their Pardon for the common Sin of Nature nor merit any thing of God by the benefit he received by their Works 2. And as to the other Objecters It 's true that Moses's Law was given to them as a material peculiar part of the Law of Grace But
man on Earth who must all once die and then be doomed to their endless state so Christ was once to die as a Sacrifice for the sins many and to them that wait for him in the prepared state of Faith Hope Obedience and Patience he shall appear again but not any more to bear the punishment of their sins but to justifie them publickly and take them to his glory CHAP. X. 1. FOR the law having a shadow of good things to come and not the very Image of the things can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the commers thereunto perfect 1. For the Law having but in its Ceremonies a shadow of the great heavenly Blessings of the Gospel and not the clear Image or Draught or Map of the things themselves doth shew by the frequent yearly iteration of those Sacrifices that it doth not perfect the Sacrifices 2. For then would they not have ceased to be offered because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins 2. For then they would have ceased to be offered because the Worshippers once pardoned and cleansed should have no more conscience of guilt or remaining pravity 3. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year 4. For it is not possible that the bloud of bulls and of goats should take away sins 3 4. Note 1. This Text doth not deny that the faithful Jews were then forgiven nor that the Law conduced to it as used in subordination to the antecedent Promise and Law of Grace But without this Promise the Law could not do it 2. Nor doth this infer that we may not mention lament and beg pardon for our old sin while we live on Earth Nor that renewed sins have no need of a renewed pardon but no need of a new Sacrifice 5. Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not but a body hast thou prepared me 6. In burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure 7. Then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God 8. Above when he said Sacrifice and offering and burnt-offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not neither hadst pleasure therein which are offered by the law 9. Then said he Lo I come to do thy will O God He taketh away the first that he may establish the second 5 6 7 8 9. David as a Prophet personating Christ saith c. taking down Sacrifices as insufficient and introducing Christs obedient Sacrifice of himself 10. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all 10. And by this Decree of God giving us a Saviour to be a Sacrifice for our sins we are as far as belongeth to the Expiating Sacrifice made a holy people unto God the sins of the faithful by this price being pardoned and Reconciliation made 11. And every priest standeth daily ministring and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices which can never take away sins 11. And the Priests must be still sacrificing the same things never finishing the Expiation 12. But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sat down on the right hand of God 13. From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool 12 13. But Christ having offered but one Sacrifice for sins as sufficient for ever sate down in the possession of Glory and universal Dominion in the Heavens on the right hand of God where he will reign till he hath subdued all his Enemies even all that opposeth the perfecting of his work of the Salvation and Glory of his Church 14. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified 14. For all the faithful and sanctified are by that one offering as a sufficient Expiatory Sacrifice freed from all guilt and sin now initially and shall be perfectly without any other Expiatory Sacrifice for ever 15 16 17. Whereof the holy Ghost also is a witness to us for after that he had said before This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days saith the Lord I will put my laws into their hearts and in their minds will I write them And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more 18. Now where remission of these is there is no more offering for sin 15 16 17 18. Note here 1. That when the price is given and taken and a free Act of Oblivion made on the bare condition of thankful acceptance the crime is said to be pardoned in the common custom of speech it being done as far as belongeth to the Satisfier and the Rector as such though yet the Resusers be all actually unpardoned For a Conditional Gift puts nothing in act till the Condition be performed 2. That here in the Promise Pardon is not in time before Renovation and so not actually of any Infidels or unconverted though elect thereto 3. That even the pardon of the sanctified is but such as excludeth any more Sacrifice but not any more Faith Repentance Watching Praying c. 19. Having therefore Brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus 20. By a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the vail that is to say his flesh 21. And having an high priest over the house of God 19 20 21. And now I come to the Use of all that I have said in all the foregoing Doctrine We are not now deterred from access to God by unexpiated guilt but may come to him as a Father with comfortable reverent boldness and hope as reconciled by Christ even in confidence of the merit of his Righteousness and Sacrifice which is as a new and still effectual living way through the veil of his flesh consecrated for us And we have now in the Heavens a Glorified High Priest who is Head over all things to his Church which is the House of God and ever liveth to do all for us in Heaven which belongeth to a perfected High Priest 22. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water 22. Let us therefore draw near to God in holy Worship and heavenly Desires and Aspirings with a heart that is sound sincere and true to Christ and our convictions and abounding with full belief and trust in Christ for all that he hath promised having our hearts cleansed by Christ's Blood which the sprinkling figured under the Law from the conscience of guilt and the love and power of sin and our bodily practice purified from uncleanness typified by the washings under the Law and federally signified by our Baptism 23. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering for he is faithful that promised 23. Let us against all subtle deceitful Adversaries and against all
which the superior World hath no real similitude but by fiction 6. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal and in the midst of the throne and round about the throne were four beasts full of eyes before and behind 6. Note Before the Tabernacle and the Temple there was a great broad Vessel of Water called a Sea for the Priests to wash in Exod. 20.18 1 Kings 7.23 signifying the Purity required in the Worshippers of God being as Crystal tells us that no spots or Hypocrisie is unseen to God Though some make this to signifie the multitude of Worshippers The four Beasts some say resemble the four Staâ—dards and Camps of Israel in the Wilderness or as others the four Evangelists But it is like to mean the Executioners by Providence and Miracles of Christ's Will and Power full of Eyes as knowing all the Affairs of the Sons of Men about which they are employed called Living creatures for their executive power 7. And the first beast was like a lion and the second beast like a calf and the third beast had a face as a man and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle 7. Note As these four agree with the Apparition in Ezekiel 1.10 in the main notwithstanding some small difference so it is observable which D. Hammond noteth from Aben Ezra that these were the Escutcheons on the four Ensigns or Standards of the Camp of Israel a Lion for the Camp of Judah a Man for the Camp of Reuben an Oxe for the Camp of Ephraim and an Eagle for the Camp of Dan And an Oxe and Calf are oft used for the same And these four are noted to be the chief in their several kinds the Lion among wild Beasts the Oxe among the tame and serviceable a Man among all Animals and an Eagle among Birds To conjecture what God would signifie by them to Israel must needs be uncertain I know nothing liker than an intimation of Duty and Prophecy that Israel should be victorious over their Enemies and valiant as a Lion wise and in Dominion as Man and should have a fertile and plenteous Land signified by the Oxe and be Seraphick and Divine in the holy Worship of God signified by the Eagle that mounteth Heaven-ward in her strength And it 's like such blessings are hereby signified to be conferred on the Church some fix the signification on Angels some on Ministers And less probable are their 's that think Peteâ— John Paul and Barnabas are meant or they that apply it to the four Evangelists or four Patriarchs 8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him and they were full of eyes within and they rest not day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come 8. Note The Beasts resembling the Standard-bearer in the Camp are likest to signifie both the Angels in Heaven who glorifie God's Attributes and serve him in the performance of his Promises to the Church and also the Apostles and Prophets and Evangelists and Pastors who do their part herein on Earth See Isa 6.2 of their wings 2. Holy holy holy may relate to the Trinity but certainly signifieth that the Holiness of God is that for which he is loved and praised by Angels and Saints His Holiness is his Perfection and Transcendency above all creatures being the end of all to whom they are to be devoted and consequently his perfect contrariety to all evil 3. The celebrating of the Praises of the most Holy God is the uncessant work of heavenly Spirits and most of the work of Ministers and Church-Assemblies on Earth 9. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne who liveth for ever and ever 10. The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne and worship him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their crowns before the throne saying 11. Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created 9 10 11. Note With the chief Angels concur all the heavenly Hâ—st in magnifying the Holy Eternal God as shining forth in the glory of all his works by him and for him by his efficient Will and for his complacential Will fulfilled they being all created preserved and ordered And this heavenly work is to be imitated by the Churches on Earth whose Pastors leading the People must concur in the Praises of the most Holy Everliving God And those Churches that are dry and scant in these Praises of God how well soever the Word be there preached are defective and unlike their Pattern These passages are best expounded in the three first Petitions of the Lord's Prayer Let thy Name be hallowed Thy Kingdom come and Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven Neither Heaven nor Earth must be left out in the Exposition CHAP. V. 1. ANd I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside sealed with seven seals 1. I saw a Roll called a Book in his hand who sate on the Throne written on both sides but the Roll was sealed up with seven Seals Note The Roll contained God's Decrees as they were to be fulfilled according to this Prophecy And it 's like they were seven Rolls together making one Book 2. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof 2. Note Every Angel or Man is not worthy or meet to be the Expositor and Messenger of God's Mysteries to Man 3. And no man in heaven nor in earth neither under the earth was able to open the book neither to look thereon 3. It was a work and trust too high for any meer creature in all the World None of them was worthy 4. And I wept much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book neither to look thereon 4. I lamented that the creatures should be found so unworthy and God's Mysteries be kept unknown 5. And one of the elders saith unto me Weep not behold the lion of the tribe of Judah the root of David hath prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof 5. One of the Elders that were at the Throne comforted me and told me that Christ who is called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Son of David and Root of Jesse was found worthy by the Dignity of his Person and his Merits by Man's Redemption to open to the Church all the Mysteries of God which it was meet for Man to know and to loose the Seals 6. And I beheld and lo in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts and in the midst of the elders stood a Lamb as it had been slain having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven
before by the Profession of Christianity they could not have been Adulterers To which the former say 1. That Fornication may be the sin of the unmarried 2. That by Fornication is meant Idolatry and God's right may serve to infer this guilt though men be not married to him by consent And that it is incredible that all the Heathen World are no Idolaters because they were not profest Christians By the Whore is meant the same as the Woman the second two horned Beast and the false Prophet say many that is the Church of Rome with the whole body of the Roman Clergy which others deny 3. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet-coloured beast full of names of blasphemy having seven heads and ten horns 3. Into the Wilderness say some to represent the desolation say others because it was a Revelation not to be yet openly known in the City for if the Rulers had known of all these terrible Predictions against them they would have raged by Persecution against Christians and therefore all this Prophecy was to be obscure and not communicated long so commonly as other Scriptures Others say it was to shew that Antichrist's Kingdom is barren without a drop of grace Others that solitude is fittest for contemplation Others that the Wilderness is Heathenism brought in by Popery Others that as the true Church was driven into a Wilderness of solitude and suffering so now shall Papists be Others that the Papacy is a Wilderness as an Apostatical Church succeeding the Apostolick Church Who is the great Whore whether Rome Pagan Rome Papal or Rome hereafter fallen to a future Antichrist I ouce for all refer the Reader to my Postscript 4. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication 4. Idolatrous Rome was represented to me as a Woman richly and splendidly arrayed by her wealth and pomp and power enticing the World to her Idolatry 5. And upon her forehead was a name written MYSTERIE BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH 5. The name written was Mystery Babylon c. that is Mystical not literal Babylon the Great City Rome the Mother of Idolatry and Wickedness propagating them by her Power and Learning to all the Nations of her Dominions and further in the World As Babylon was the Idolatrous cruel Captivator of the Ancient Jews overthrowing their Kingdom so was Idolatrous proud Rome the Captivator and Persecutor of Jew and Gentile Christians and the great Enemy of the Church 6. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus and when I saw her I wondered with great admiration 6. Idolatry was not her only crime but the guilt of being as drunken with holy blood Both her pomp and her bloodiness seemed wonderfull 7. And the angel said unto me Wherefore didst thou marvel I will tell thee the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carrieth her which hath the seven heads and ten horns 7. Note Seeing God professeth to open the mystery who this Mother of Harlots is it is safest to add as little on pretense of fuller exposition as we can 8. The beast that thou sawest was and is not and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit and go into perdition and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world when they behold the beast that was and is not and yet is 8. Some take this as fitted to the time when the Empire should first be Christian as if it meant Rome was the beast when it was Pagan but now is not when it is Christian but will be again when it was Papal and Antichristian Or Rome is the Idolatrous beast under the Pagan but is not now under that form but yet is under the Papal form Many other expositions I pass by They that expound all of Pagan Rome say that the sense is I shall notifie the beast which is the Roman Emperor by that one who now reigneth which is Domitian He was in the Government when his Father Vespasian was abroad And he after ceased while his Father and Brother Titus reigned and then reasumed it raised by Satan to persecute the Church and then is basely kill'd himself Rather q. d. I am now shewing thee the fall and destruction of the beast and whore and will now notifie him to thee accordingly The beast or Emperor at this fall will be the bloodyest of all persecutor Dioclesian Of whom then it may be said He was Emperour But discouraged by the ill success of his persecution he with Maxim Heâ—cillius laid down the Empire and both betook themselves to a private life But after the Devil would sain have restored them and they attempted to rise out of their privacy but did it to their own destruction being both kill'd when Constantine prevailed as were Licinius and Maxentiâ—s who would have done their work So that when Constantine was destroying the Pagan Empire it was true that Dioclesian and Maxim Hâ—â—cul was Emperour and now is not and yet is that is in being though not in power but will rise to his perdition And the Idolaters shall be struck with wonder and conâ—â—rnaâ—ion when they see so cruel and great a Tyrant so brought to nought 9. And here is the mind which hath wisdom The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth 10. And there are seven Kings five are fallen and one is and the other is not yet come and when he cometh he must continue a short space 11. And the beast that was and is not even he is the eighth and is of the seven and goeth into perdition 9 10 11. That the seven mountains are those of Rome is very plain But who were the seven Kings I confess I know not Here is work for a searching head the mind that hath wisdom But it is matter of fact which when the thing was newly done the mind that hath wisdom might know But how can we know it but by history without a new Revelation And history herein is lame and much uncertain and the work of man and all men are lyars few Christians were writers till three hundred years after Christ the first Christians had many fabulous reporters among them as their spurious writings shew When John wrote this book and whether all at once or at many years distance of the parts is unknown whatever confident men may talk Eusebius trusteth divers fabulous authors and reports for want of better though he be credible himself I take the style and words of the Book to be the best History of the time which intimateth that part of it at least was written before the siege of Jerusalem
which maketh me the easilyer believe Epiphanius that John was first banished into Patmos in the reign of Claudius and there wrote part of the Book at least For though some of it might be written of things past it s hardly credible that most of it should be such This Verse hath many Expositions Many say it speaketh not of individual Kings but of seven sorts of Government viz. Kings Consuls Decemvirs Dictators Tribunes Military and Emperours and the Pope they make to be the seventh and eighth But so much is said against this as I cannot answer As 1. That it is not meer Power but Idolatrous and Persecuting Power that the Text describeth And none of these persecuted save the Emperours nor were they so Idolatrous as Athens and other places 2. That the meer Imperial Power as the Pillar of Idolatry is plainly made the Beast therefore not the five antecedent 3. That indeed these five were no Supreme Power for that was only in the Senate which had the Legislative Power till violence ravisht them of it which when it did the Consuls Decemvirs Tribunes had but a part No nor the Emperours long or oft These were not several Sovereigns but parts of the Supreme as the Tribuni Plebis were and some of them very short And the Pontisices Maâ— might as well be named as some of them And who the seventh and eight Head were is said with so great difficulties difference and confusion as would be tiresome to repeat The Papists Opinions about a future Antichrist and theirs that apply all to Mahomet I will not repeat They that expound it of particular Câ—sars also are opposed by many hard Objections Some of them apply all to the seven Emperours that the Christians were first troubled by viz. Claâ—aius Nâ—â—s Galâ—a Oâ—io Vitellius Vespasian Titus and Domitian the eighth But three or four of these persecuted not Some think that seven here signifieth not a determinate number but many They seem the same with the seven Heads chap. 13. And if the ten Horns signifie not precisely just ten why should the seven I that understand it not may say it is as probable as some of these that this be the sense it being the time of the Fall of the Beast and Whore that I am speaking of there shall be at that time seven Caesars alive at once of whom Dioclesian Constantius Chlorus Galerius Maximianus Severus and Galerius Maximinus are faln at the time when Constantine is destroying Idolatry Constantine is the sixth who is then in being Licinius is after to be used as one of them seeming then a Friend The bloody Dioclesian who with Max. Herculius laid down the Rule is one of the seven and together will by the Devil's instigation attempt again to be the eighth but to his own perdition Whether Maxentius pass only for a partial Usurper after or pass for the eighth rather than Dioclesian I let pass Both Licinius and Maxentius continued but a short space 12. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten Kings which have received no kingdome as yet but receive power as kings one hour with the beasts 12. Say some they are twelve Heathen Kings that are not full Kings but tributary to Rome Say others they are the Gothish and other extraneous Kings that are not in the Empire but are consederates Some say it is the Tyrants that have headed the Devil's Kingdom in seven several Ages But this is a vain Popish Evasion That ten Kings were dependent on Pagan Rome is clear and that ten or more of the Barbarians broke the Christian Empire But which is meant is the doubt 13. These have one mind and shall give their power and strength unto the beast 14. These shall make war with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them for he is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings and they that are with him are called and chosen and faithfull 13 14. The ten Idolatrous dependent Kingdoms shall assist and support the Roman Pagan Empire with their Power and Strength But Christ who overcometh Rome will overcome them also for he is over all Kings and Kingdoms and will help the Christian Army under Constantine Or say others ten Kings shall give their Power to the Pope and make War against Christ that is his Doctrine and Worship and Christ and the Reformers shall overcome them But these cannot be the same barbarous Kingdoms of Goths c. forementioned but mostly others 15. And he saith unto me The waters which thou sawest where the whore sitteth are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues 15. This Idolatrous Roman Power ruleth over many great and populous Nations of the Earth Or as others the Papal Idolatrous Power is upheld by many Nations even all the Empire 16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast these shall hate the whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her flesh and burn her with fire 16. The ten Nations that before upheld the Roman Idolatry shall turn against her and be the Instruments of her destruction The Britains Gauls Germans and divers others first fought with Constantine against the Pagans and many more of them after turned Christians Or say others the foresaid Goths Vandals c. shall overthrow the remnant of Pagans in Rome Or say others The Reformation shall be wrought by Princes that have forsaken Popery Whether it speak only of destroying the Idolatrous Roman Power or of destroying the Houses or City it self is controverted The latter is not yet performed nor the first as to the Papacy 17. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will and to agree and give their kingdom unto the beast until the words of God shall be fulfilled 17. God hath so over-ruled them and all their hearts that eventually they shall serve the Pagan Empire say some or the Papal Power say others till the time that God will pull them down as he foretold Note God can so order things that all his Judgments shall be executed by sinners without causing any one of their sins 18. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth 18. It is certainly Rome that then reigned It is certain then that Pagan Imperial Rome was at that time the Beast on which the Whore sate And certain that Pagan Idolatry was it that then made Rome the Whore But whether besides this Christian Imperial Rome under Constantine or under the Western Emperours after or Imperial Constantinople or Rome as the Popes Seat before 606 or after only or when be the Whore And whether their very differen sort of sin make them two or three whores or the concord in general or similitude make Pagan and Papal Rome to be the same whore as meant in this Text these and other are the doubts But the certain part must not be doubted of CHAP. XVIII 1. ANd after these things I saw another angel come down from
Christ be made the holy City or his Chief Royal Seat and there will be his Thousand years Reign on Eâ—rth Others take the Holy City to mean the Reformed Churches which shall again be assaulted by all sorts of Enemies before the day of Judgment And some take the Camp of the Saints and the Beloved City to be the seven Asian Churches to whom John wrote Whatever it be if it be past I understand not what or when it was if it be to come time must expound it In general it is sure that Enemies will oft assault the Church and God will defend it 10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever 10. When Christ hath delivered his Church from Pagan Cruelty the same Dragon or Devil will seek new Instruments to assault it from age to age and most notably at the last But he shall be conquered after all and be cast out into torment as the Pagan Powers and Deceivers were 11 And I saw a great white throne and him that sat on it from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away and there was found no place for them 11. Some think that this speaketh not of the day of Judgment but of the calling of the Jews And some think the meaning is that when Christ sets up the Thousand years refined Church by a Resurrection and his visible presence say some or by a holy Government and People and Deliverance from Enemies say others both the Power of Infidels Turks and Heathens which are meant by the Earth and the Corrupted Church both Papal and Greek c. meant by Heaven shall all vanish that the holy City may take place But most say it describeth the day of Judgment 12. And I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the books were opened and another book was opened which is the book of life and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works 12. When Christ hath overcome his Churches Enemies he will judge the World and the book of their own doings and Consciences shall be opened and also Gods book of Life the Scripture or Gospel Law say some which is the Rule of Judgment or the book of Gods Decree say others in which all are enrolled that shall be saved And they shall be judged according to their works the matter of Fact being recorded in their book and the matter of right in Gods Law and the conclusion in his Decree To be judged according to their works is to be then justified or condemned as they have sincerely kept Christ's Law of Grace by which they shall be tryed or have not kept it by Faith Repentance and sincere Obedience the condition of Salvation 13. And the sea gave up her dead which were in it and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them and they were judged every man according to their works 13. All that were any way dead were judged according to their works by the Law that they were under 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire this is the second death 15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire 14 15. And death and Hades that is Mortality shall to his Saints be by Christ for ever abolished or as some take it those wicked men that death and hell shall deliver up to Judgment shall be cast into hell fire This utter abolition or this damnation is called the second death And whosoever hath not right to Salvation by the Gospel Covenant or Law of grace and is not by God enrolled among the Heirs of Life was cast into the Lake of fire Mr. Potter and many others expound all this confidently and the two following Chapters of Christs judging and rewarding and punishing men in this Life But others as confidently of the Life to come Though this make the Text difficult it maketh no great doctrinal controversie both being commonly believed CHAP. XXI 1. ANd I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away and there was no more sea 1. N. That the corrupt State of the World and the degenerate Church may be called the old heaven and earth is granted And that the Church before the End may be so reformed and blessed as that heaven and earth may be said to be new And also that fire at last shall dissolve the earth and that heaven that fell under the Curse for mans sin and there shall be no annihilation but a New Heaven and earth is plain in Peter c. But which of these is the sense of this Text is doubtful I incline most to the later that it is the new World that shall follow the conflagration and Judgment If any ask what the new earth shall be for he must take up with what God hath told us Therein shall dwell Righteousness and the Creature be delivered from the bondage of Corruption into the glorious liberty of the Soas of God and all things shall be restored Whether we shall then dwell on Earth or only a new made Generation is not so clear But the Jerusalem now in Heaven consisteth of Spirits And this must come down from Heaven and these Spirits must be again at the Resurrection embodyed And do not new bodies suit with a new Earth as Spirits with Heaven Obj. This will be to our loss Ans No God will dwell with man and be no Stranger to us then in Heaven Heaven and Earth will not be separated as now As our bodies will be no Clog to the Souls but Spiritual incorruptible bodies so Earth will be made suitable to them It s no diminution to the Glory of the Sun to shine on bodies no nor of God to Vouchsafe them his influence 2. And I John saw the holy city new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband 2. Not new created Souls but immortal Souls coming down with Christ say some before the day of Judgment say others after Many Texts seem to place it here and not in Heaven only after the Resurrection This is the Life of Preparation on our part but Souls in Heaven are further prepared by Christ 3. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying Behold the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God 3. Wherever the place be Gods presence in glory wlll make it a Heaven to us But if it did speak only of an advancement by holy Reformation and Peace on Earth it would be so far like to Heaven 4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death
and the last e're long To understand and believe this Prophecy will be comfortable But to keep the Precepts of it avoid the Sins threatned believe the Promise of my Victories and Coming and wait in Patience is needful to all 8. And I John saw these things and heard them And when I had heard and seen I fell down to worshp before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things 8. Note All faulty Worship of Angels is not Idolatry nor maketh a Church Idolatrous It was not Divine Worship which John gave the Angel If really he wrote most of this Book against Popish Idolatry as many think he would never be twice guilty of worse than their praying to Angels and Saints themselves whom he condemned For they worship them noâ— as Gods though amiss John thought Venerâ—tion was the Angels due 9. Then saith he unto me See thou do it not for I am thy fellow-servant and of thy brethren the prophets and of them which keep the sayings of this book worship God 9. See before cap. 19.10 God is jealous of any thing too like Idolatry Note Are Angels our fellow-servants love them then and be thankful to God for their Love and Help and rejoyce in this privileage and think it not unlikely that you should live with them for ever O what a people should we be then in holiness 10. And he saith unto me Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book for the time is at hand 10. The most of it is to be performed ere long in the ruine of the Pagan persecuting Empire 11. He that is unjust let him be unjust still and he which is filthy let him be filthy still and he that is righteous let him be righteous still and he that is holy let him be holy still 12. And behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be 11 12. I come quickly to fulfil and execute this Prophecy and then I will take and judge men as I find them there shall be no more place for preparation as it was with the wise and foolish Virgins Matth. 25. when the midnight cry was The Bridegroom cometh as I find you I will use you 13. I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending the first and the last 13. I am God eâ—â—rnal the first cause and ultimate end of all things able to fulfil my Will and Word 14. Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city 14. Blessed are they that do what Christ requireth to Salvation in his Law of Grace or purifie their heart and life that they may by his free gift have right to enter into the New Jerusalem and live with Christ for ever 15. For without are dogs and sorcerers and whoremongers and murderers and idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie 15. For all filthy cruel persecuting Idolatrous persons and Lyars and deceitful Teâ—chers and Hypocrites though called Christians are shut out of the holy City as Dogs are turned out of the house 16. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testifie unto you these things in the churches I am the root and the off-spring of David and the bright and morning Star 16. I Jesus have sent my Angel to tell these things to John that he may tell them to the Churches of Asia and by them to others the matter much concerning those Churches then alive Take these as my own Words who am the Messiah prophesied of as the Root and Son of David and am the Light of the World sent to teach men the way of life 17. And the Spirit and the Bride say come And let him that is athirst come And whosoever will let him take the water of life freely 17. And seeing Church-deliverance now and the Glory of the New Jerusalem at last are the effects of my coming as my Spirit teacheth men to desire my coming and my Church and Chosen do desire it so let all desire it that wouâ—d partake of that felicity For all shall have it by my free gift who do but bâ—lievingly desire it For I will shut out none but final obstinate refusers 18. For I testifie unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book If any man shall add unto these things God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book 19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy God shall take away his part out of the book of life and out of the holy city and from the things which are written in this book 18 19. If any wilfully corrupt this Prophecy in words or sense to draw men from believing it to the belief of their own corrupt Additions God will add to them his Plagues and deprive them of any part of the blessings here foretold and shut them out of this holy City of God Note It 's dangerous then to make bold Cabalistical Fanatick Expositions of this Book and to call our own conceits the sense of the Revelation And it 's dangerous groundlesly to expect more Prophecies of God's usage of his Church or to add to any of his Word or dimâ—nish from it and father any of our Errours on Christ and on his Spirit which hath here finished that Book which must be the universal Churches Rule of Life 20. He which testifieth these things saith Surely I come quickly Amen Even so Come Lord Jesus 20. Jesus who is the Author of this Revelation surely promiseth that he will come quickly by degrees to perform all his word and chargeth you not to question it through unbelief or to saiâ—t by doubting as if he did fall by his delay And let us all with Faith hope and desire prepare and earnestly pray for his coming Even so come Lord Jesus 21. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen 21. I conclude all with this best Request to God for you and Benediction to you that the Grace of our Lord Jesus which is our preparation for Glory and our earnest pledge and foretast of it may be with you to prepare you and Seal you up as the certain Heirs of that Blessed Sâ—ate and save you from all sin and Temptation and Enemies that would deprive you of it Amen An Advertisement READERS I Here give you notice which I desire you not to forget in the reading of this Paraphrase that it is but some General Notes and not a proper Exposition of the Revelations which I offer you And that I here confess to you that very much of it I understand not And if this offend any that say I should have better studied it I only say 1. That you suffer fools gladly seeing your selves are wise 2. That I am far below Dionysius Alexandrinus and most of the Ancient Fathers even Augustine himself who professed that they