have_v forget_v what_o he_o be_v about_o bring_v in_o a_o large_a vision_n consist_v of_o seven_o part_n wherein_o there_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o prophetical_a but_o only_o the_o reproof_n or_o praise_n the_o commination_n or_o promise_n to_o a_o few_o particular_a church_n this_o be_v not_o according_a to_o the_o steady_a order_n and_o method_n of_o divine_a wisdom_n especial_o in_o this_o book_n than_o which_o there_o never_o be_v nor_o ever_o will_v be_v any_o thing_n more_o accurate_o write_v 10._o and_o he_o have_v in_o his_o right_a hand_n 16._o seven_o star_n methinks_v it_o be_v extreme_o harsh_a to_o conceit_n that_o these_o seven_o star_n be_v mere_o the_o seven_o bishop_n of_o any_o seven_o particular_a church_n of_o asia_n as_o if_o the_o rest_n be_v not_o support_v nor_o guide_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o christ_n or_o as_o if_o there_o be_v but_o seven_o in_o his_o right_a hand_n but_o all_o the_o rest_n in_o his_o left_a such_o high_a representation_n can_v be_v appropriate_v to_o any_o seven_o particular_a church_n whatsoever_o but_o seven_o must_v signify_v all_o in_o both_o coexistence_n and_o in_o succession_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v a_o sense_n worthy_a so_o sublime_a a_o book_n as_o this_o of_o the_o apocalypse_n and_o correspondent_a to_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o septenaries_n that_o occur_v in_o this_o book_n of_o prophecy_n they_o signify_v a_o entire_a succession_n of_o some_o seven_o thing_n or_o other_o which_o they_o be_v bring_v in_o to_o represent_v 11._o the_o seven_o star_n be_v the_o angel_n 20._o of_o the_o seven_o church_n and_o the_o seven_o candlestick_n which_o thou_o same_v be_v the_o seven_o church_n though_o according_a to_o the_o literal_a sense_n these_o seven_o church_n and_o the_o seven_o angel_n be_v easy_o applicable_a to_o those_o particular_a seven_o church_n of_o asia_n above_o specify_v yet_o i_o can_v but_o conceive_v that_o he_o not_o call_v they_o here_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n but_o seven_o church_n in_o general_a it_o be_v a_o invitation_n to_o the_o search_v out_o some_o more_o large_a prophetical_a sense_n such_o as_o we_o drive_v at_o as_o also_o in_o that_o he_o say_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n at_o large_a and_o not_o of_o asia_n nor_o name_v the_o church_n by_o name_n but_o especial_o in_o that_o he_o call_v they_o angel_n in_o stead_n of_o bishop_n or_o pastor_n for_o he_o continue_v so_o in_o the_o prophetical_a style_n proper_a to_o this_o book_n that_o ascribe_v all_o to_o the_o ministry_n of_o angel_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o the_o letter_n to_o the_o seven_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n have_v also_o a_o prophetical_a sense_n as_o well_o as_o a_o literal_a or_o rather_o that_o that_o be_v the_o sense_n that_o be_v most_o chief_o of_o all_o intend_a 12._o all_o these_o intimation_n put_v togegether_o out_o of_o this_o first_o chapter_n towards_o the_o assurance_n of_o a_o prophetical_a meaning_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n have_v that_o force_n with_o i_o that_o though_o i_o can_v not_o myself_o produce_v such_o a_o continue_a mystical_a or_o prophetical_a sense_n which_o will_v be_v all_o along_o easy_a and_o natural_a yet_o i_o can_v not_o but_o vehement_o suspect_v that_o there_o be_v some_o such_o sense_n though_o it_o be_v not_o in_o my_o power_n to_o reach_v it_o but_o if_o i_o have_v through_o the_o divine_a assistence_n light_n on_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o be_v both_o continual_o coherent_a important_a and_o according_a to_o the_o analogy_n of_o the_o prophetical_a style_n i_o hope_v this_o preparation_n will_v even_o extort_v the_o belief_n thereof_o from_o the_o reader_n but_o such_o as_o it_o be_v i_o shall_v now_o present_v to_o his_o view_n chap._n iii_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesine_n church_n 1._o it_o be_v intimate_v out_o of_o the_o last_o verse_n of_o the_o forego_n chapter_n that_o the_o omission_n of_o the_o appropriate_a the_o seven_o church_n to_o asia_n by_o name_n be_v a_o fair_a invitation_n to_o we_o to_o suspect_v a_o more_o large_a and_o release_v sense_n of_o this_o vision_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n and_o indeed_o this_o releasement_n be_v more_o free_a in_o the_o greek_a copy_n then_o in_o our_o english_a translation_n for_o the_o original_a run_v thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o seven_o candlestick_n 20._o which_o thou_o see_v be_v seven_o church_n not_o the_o seven_o church_n which_o in_o the_o literal_a sense_n one_o may_v be_v prone_a to_o imagine_v to_o be_v none_o other_o than_o those_o situate_a in_o asia_n minor_fw-la but_o this_o division_n of_o the_o church_n into_o seven_o in_o the_o mystical_a sense_n be_v rather_o distributio_fw-la ex_fw-la adjunctis_fw-la then_o è_fw-la subjectis_fw-la the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n in_o its_o succession_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n be_v cast_v into_o seven_o intervall_n according_a to_o seven_o notorious_a qualification_n or_o condition_n thereof_o for_o so_o we_o say_v the_o primitive_a church_n the_o apostatise_v church_n the_o reform_a church_n etc._n etc._n denote_v not_o their_o place_n but_o rather_o their_o time_n and_o quality_n which_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o prophetic_a style_n if_o it_o be_v to_o express_v they_o will_v exhibit_v as_o so_o many_o church_n distinct_o situate_a 2._o but_o beside_o this_o it_o be_v far_a to_o be_v note_v that_o the_o omission_n of_o the_o appropriate_a these_o seven_o church_n to_o asia_n do_v also_o fair_o quit_v the_o mystical_a interpreter_n of_o give_v any_o account_n of_o the_o signification_n of_o that_o name_n it_o be_v omit_v in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n which_o i_o think_v worth_a the_o note_n tâ—â—â—_n all_o pretence_n of_o cavil_v may_v be_v take_v from_o they_o that_o may_v haply_o prove_v less_o satisfy_v with_o our_o give_v a_o account_n of_o that_o greek_a name_n from_o a_o hebrew_n allusion_n though_o their_o cavil_v to_o the_o more_o judicious_a i_o hope_v will_v seem_v altogether_o groundless_a 3._o nor_o last_o do_v the_o return_v of_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n by_o name_n in_o these_o epistle_n write_v to_o they_o determine_v the_o vision_n sole_o and_o adequate_o to_o those_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n topical_o understand_v forasmuch_o as_o the_o name_n of_o all_o those_o church_n at_o least_o by_o a_o easy_a allusion_n have_v a_o appellative_a signification_n and_o manifest_o denote_v their_o quality_n and_o condition_n as_o we_o shall_v see_v in_o the_o process_n of_o our_o exposition_n 4._o first_o therefore_o of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n which_o christ_n salute_v after_o this_o manner_n unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n write_v these_o thing_n say_v he_o that_o hold_v the_o seven_o star_n in_o 1._o his_o right_a hand_n and_o who_o walk_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n that_o by_o angel_n according_a to_o the_o apocalyptick_a style_n all_o the_o agent_n under_o their_o presidency_n be_v represent_v or_o insinuate_v i_o have_v already_o note_v and_o it_o be_v so_o frequent_a and_o obvious_a in_o the_o apocalypse_n that_o none_o that_o be_v verse_v therein_o can_v any_o way_n doubt_v of_o it_o wherefore_o christ_n his_o writing_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n in_o this_o mystical_a sense_n be_v his_o writing_n to_o all_o bishop_n pastor_n and_o christian_n in_o this_o first_o apostolical_a interval_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o particular_o in_o this_o epistle_n to_o this_o church_n i_o mean_v in_o the_o mystical_a sense_n thereof_o he_o recommend_v himself_o to_o they_o under_o the_o character_n of_o he_o that_o hold_v the_o seven_o star_n in_o his_o right_a hand_n and_o who_o walk_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n the_o sense_n strip_v of_o this_o prophetical_a pomp_n be_v that_o i_o be_o he_o that_o support_v all_o my_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n and_o all_o that_o labour_n for_o the_o interest_n of_o my_o kingdom_n from_o this_o time_n for_o ever_o i_o be_o present_a with_o they_o and_o uphold_v they_o as_o he_o say_v at_o the_o first_o sound_n of_o the_o church_n go_v you_o therefore_o and_o teach_v all_o nation_n 20._o baptise_v they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n and_o of_o the_o son_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n teach_v they_o to_o observe_v all_o thing_n whatsoever_o i_o have_v command_v you_o and_o lo_o i_o be_o with_o you_o always_o even_o unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n he_o be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o church_n wherever_o two_o or_o three_o be_v gather_v together_o in_o his_o name_n he_o walk_v through_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o seven_o intervall_n of_o the_o church_n the_o seven_o golden_a
within_o the_o interval_n of_o the_o ephesine_n church_n in_o our_o sense_n several_a reproof_n and_o exhortation_n in_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n do_v plain_o evince_v see_v dr._n hammond_n note_n on_o this_o church_n which_o full_o reach_v our_o design_n and_o the_o epistle_n of_o paul_n and_o the_o first_o of_o peter_n and_o that_o to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v all_o writ_n within_o that_o interval_n we_o have_v set_v for_o the_o ephesine_n church_n and_o their_o fault_n commit_v before_o which_o default_n this_o vision_n rebuke_n and_o threaten_v they_o for_o by_o way_n of_o instruction_n for_o future_a age_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o follow_a verse_n 9_o remember_v therefore_o from_o whence_o 5._o thou_o be_v fall_v and_o repent_v and_o do_v the_o first_o work_n he_o bid_v they_o return_v to_o their_o first_o love_n which_o be_v more_o strong_a than_o death_n and_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o give_v this_o command_n and_o encouragement_n to_o the_o church_n because_o of_o great_a trial_n to_o come_v in_o her_o smyrnian_a condition_n for_o before_o the_o ten_o persecution_n martyrdom_n be_v more_o rare_a or_o else_o i_o will_v come_v unto_o thou_o quick_o and_o will_v remove_v thy_o candlestick_n out_o of_o his_o place_n except_o thou_o repent_v that_o be_v by_o a_o hypallage_n i_o will_v remove_v thou_o from_o thy_o candlestick_n which_o therefore_o be_v direct_v more_o especial_o to_o the_o bishop_n or_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n at_o that_o time_n as_o threaten_v they_o for_o fall_v into_o such_o a_o remiss_a degree_n of_o love_n themselves_o or_o suffer_v their_o charge_n so_o to_o fall_v for_o the_o seven_o candlestick_n be_v the_o seven_o church_n ch._n 1._o v._n 20._o and_o the_o seven_o star_n be_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n wherefore_o this_o commination_n to_o they_o may_v by_o a_o hypallage_n signify_v their_o be_v remove_v from_o the_o church_n by_o some_o judgement_n or_o other_o that_o be_v as_o many_o of_o they_o as_o be_v thus_o careless_a and_o remiss_a but_o to_o any_o member_n of_o the_o church_n the_o remove_n of_o the_o candlestick_n from_o they_o may_v be_v their_o amission_n of_o their_o church-membership_a as_o eripere_fw-la alicui_fw-la or_o adimere_fw-la alicui_fw-la civitatem_fw-la be_v to_o make_v he_o cease_v to_o be_v a_o citizen_n any_o long_o which_o sense_n be_v also_o compatible_a to_o the_o bishop_n or_o pastor_n christ_n may_v cut_v they_o off_o in_o foro_fw-la divino_fw-la from_o be_v any_o long_a member_n of_o his_o church_n and_o consequent_o from_o salvation_n but_o there_o be_v yet_o another_o sense_n which_o please_v i_o best_o of_o all_o in_o which_o victorinus_n andreas_n lyranus_fw-la and_o alcazar_n do_v all_o agree_v who_o interpret_v the_o remove_n of_o the_o candlestick_n out_o of_o its_o place_n of_o the_o commination_n of_o some_o commotion_n or_o storm_n that_o shall_v overtake_v this_o church_n not_o that_o this_o church_n shall_v be_v carry_v quite_o away_o but_o move_v or_o agitate_a as_o in_o a_o storm_n or_o earthquake_n this_o they_o understand_v of_o the_o ephesine_n church_n in_o asia_n literal_o which_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o the_o interpretation_n seem_v very_o easy_a and_o genuine_a unto_o they_o and_o it_o be_v as_o easy_o applicable_a to_o our_o mystical_a sense_n but_o i_o will_v raise_v the_o storm_n a_o little_a high_o and_o make_v it_o signify_v the_o storm_n of_o that_o dreadful_a persecution_n that_o be_v to_o befall_v the_o church_n in_o the_o smyrnian_a interval_n thereof_o for_o it_o be_v look_v upon_o still_o as_o the_o apostolic_a church_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n though_o distinguish_v into_o these_o several_a intervall_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o there_o be_v in_o every_o epistle_n to_o the_o respective_a church_n some_o prediction_n to_o be_v fulfil_v in_o the_o interval_n of_o the_o follow_a church_n which_o i_o think_v fit_a here_o to_o note_v at_o once_o and_o shall_v particular_o as_o we_o proceed_v take_v notice_n thereof_o in_o their_o proper_a place_n the_o sense_n therefore_o seem_v to_o be_v this_o that_o unless_o the_o church_n in_o this_o ephesine_fw-la interval_n will_v be_v raise_v to_o a_o high_a pitch_n of_o zeal_n and_o love_n and_o activity_n for_o the_o propagate_a of_o his_o kingdom_n christ_n will_v excite_v their_o courage_n and_o exercise_v it_o with_o such_o hot_a persecution_n sanguis_fw-la martyrum_fw-la semen_fw-mi ecclesiae_fw-la as_o will_v be_v more_o effectual_a for_o the_o bring_v to_o pass_v his_o design_n and_o it_o sell_v out_o according_o in_o the_o ten_o persecution_n within_o the_o smyrnian_a period_n of_o the_o church_n 10._o but_o this_o thou_o have_v that_o thou_o hate_v 6._o the_o deed_n of_o the_o nicolaitan_n which_o i_o also_o hate_n the_o church_n by_o this_o time_n have_v grow_v so_o soft_a and_o remiss_a that_o there_o be_v not_o that_o zealous_a painfulness_n as_o heretofore_o in_o several_a of_o they_o nor_o that_o resolve_a courage_n in_o suffer_v all_o thing_n for_o christ_n sake_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o grow_v so_o corrupt_a and_o beastly_a as_o to_o be_v give_v up_o to_o the_o impurity_n of_o the_o nicolaitan_n which_o in_o after-times_a some_o exercise_v from_o a_o mistake_n of_o a_o indiscreet_a act_n of_o one_o nicolas_n a_o deacon_n in_o these_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o from_o he_o be_v these_o beastly_a fellow_n call_v nicolaitan_n but_o little_a or_o nothing_o of_o this_o impurity_n appear_v within_o the_o period_n of_o this_o ephesine_n church_n which_o yet_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n foresee_v will_v become_v detestable_o frequent_a and_o notorious_a in_o such_o wretch_n as_o though_o they_o call_v themselves_o christian_n the_o apostolic_a church_n will_v not_o own_v this_o be_v allow_v the_o ephesine_n church_n for_o their_o comfort_n and_o credit_n that_o they_o be_v free_a from_o nicolaitism_n and_o that_o they_o may_v add_v to_o their_o purity_n invincible_a patience_n and_o fortitude_n he_o add_v to_o he_o that_o overcome_v will_v i_o give_v 7._o to_o eat_v of_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n which_o be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o paradise_n of_o god_n for_o their_o work_n and_o labour_n and_o painstaking_a here_o be_v eat_v and_o refresh_v promise_v they_o for_o their_o patience_n and_o hardship_n a_o paradise_n of_o pleasure_n for_o their_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o the_o gospel_n the_o enjoyment_n of_o eternal_a life_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ._n lord_n remember_v i_o when_o thou_o come_v 43._o into_o thy_o kingdom_n very_o i_o say_v unto_o thou_o this_o day_n shall_v thou_o be_v with_o i_o in_o paradise_n but_o we_o have_v almost_o forget_v the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o seven_o verse_n he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n let_v he_o hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v unto_o the_o church_n which_o be_v a_o common_a epiphonema_n to_o all_o these_o seven_o epistle_n repeat_v in_o they_o from_o the_o first_o to_o the_o last_o certain_o must_v bear_v no_o small_a importance_n with_o it_o two_o thing_n therefore_o i_o conceive_v drive_v at_o by_o the_o affix_v this_o epiphonema_n to_o each_o epistle_n the_o one_o to_o give_v we_o notice_n that_o though_o there_o be_v a_o literal_a sense_n of_o these_o epistle_n yet_o that_o they_o be_v every_o one_o of_o they_o also_o a_o parable_n which_o be_v intimate_v from_o this_o repeat_v form_n of_o speech_n which_o christ_n in_o his_o life-time_n usual_o add_v at_o the_o end_n of_o parable_n he_o that_o have_v ear_n to_o hear_v let_v he_o hear_v beside_o that_o the_o very_a sense_n of_o the_o epiphonema_n imply_v so_o much_o which_o be_v he_o that_o have_v a_o understanding_n to_o reach_v the_o depth_n of_o the_o meaning_n of_o these_o epistle_n let_v he_o reach_v it_o for_o it_o be_v not_o within_o the_o reach_n of_o every_o man_n wit_n to_o find_v out_o the_o drift_n of_o they_o the_o other_o thing_n drive_v at_o be_v to_o intimate_v to_o we_o that_o there_o be_v a_o meaning_n lodge_v under_o these_o seven_o parabolicall_a epistle_n of_o exceed_v great_a moment_n and_o concernment_n to_o the_o church_n from_o whence_o i_o will_v infer_v that_o that_o interpretation_n of_o they_o that_o be_v of_o the_o great_a consequence_n be_v the_o most_o likely_a to_o prove_v true_a and_o such_o i_o conceive_v this_o will_v approve_v itself_o to_o the_o judicious_a which_o we_o be_v now_o a-framing_a and_o thus_o much_o of_o the_o first_o succession_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o title_n of_o ephesus_n chap._n iu._n the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n 1._o and_o unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o 8._o church_n in_o smyrna_n write_v we_o come_v now_o to_o the_o second_o succession_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n who_o title_n be_v the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n and_o
imprimatur_fw-la sam._n parker_n errata_fw-la in_o the_o pref._n to_o the_o exposit._n pag._n 4._o l._n 2._o interim_n read_v in_o term_n in_o the_o exposit._n p._n 11._o l._n 1._o r._n the_o church_n in_o thyatira_n p._n 53._o l._n 21._o r._n in_o thyatira_n p._n 107._o l._n 26._o r._n event_n in_o the_o antidote_n p._n 11._o l._n ult_n for_o at_o r._n all_o p._n 27._o l._n 17._o r._n impossible_a or_o p._n 91._o l._n 24._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o exposition_n of_o the_o seven_o epistle_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n together_o with_o a_o brief_a discourse_n of_o idolatry_n with_o application_n to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n by_o henry_n more_o d._n d._n prov_n 12._o 19_o the_o lie_a tongue_n be_v but_o for_o a_o moment_n but_o the_o lip_n of_o truth_n shall_v be_v establish_v for_o ever_o london_n print_v by_o james_n flesher_n 1669._o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a john_n lord_n robart_n baron_n of_o truro_n lord_n privy_a seal_n lord_n lieutenant_n of_o ireland_n and_o one_o of_o his_o majesty_n be_v most_o honourable_a privy_a council_n my_o lord_n what_o thing_n single_a be_v usual_o think_v sufficient_a to_o determine_v one_o choice_n of_o a_o patron_n to_o any_o public_a write_n whether_o it_o be_v private_a obligation_n from_o particular_a favour_n or_o the_o desire_n of_o leave_v to_o posterity_n a_o just_a and_o honourable_a testimony_n to_o the_o part_n and_o virtue_n of_o some_o excellent_a person_n or_o the_o design_n of_o obtain_v the_o patronage_n and_o countenance_n of_o such_o a_o person_n to_o what_o we_o adventure_v to_o make_v public_a as_o be_v able_a by_o his_o learning_n judgement_n and_o public_a repute_n to_o protect_v it_o from_o injury_n all_o these_o do_v so_o happy_o conspire_v in_o your_o lordship_n that_o i_o shall_v have_v think_v it_o a_o omission_n unpardonable_a if_o i_o have_v not_o take_v this_o opportunity_n of_o pay_v your_o lordship_n this_o due_a respect_n and_o of_o do_v that_o right_a to_o the_o truth_n i_o here_o profess_v as_o to_o put_v it_o under_o the_o wing_n of_o so_o fit_a and_o able_a a_o patron_n which_o still_o ought_v to_o be_v do_v with_o the_o great_a alacrity_n there_o be_v that_o providentiall_a coincidence_n of_o thing_n that_o i_o shall_v have_v a_o book_n ready_a in_o the_o press_n at_o that_o very_a time_n that_o our_o gracious_a sovereign_n do_v think_v good_a to_o confer_v upon_o your_o lordship_n that_o great_a honour_n and_o trust_v of_o be_v lord_n lieutenant_n of_o ireland_n which_o conjuncture_n of_o circumstance_n can_v not_o but_o excite_v i_o with_o great_a readiness_n to_o make_v your_o lordship_n this_o congratulatory_a present_n upon_o your_o new_a honour_n which_o all_o good_a christian_n that_o know_v the_o inflexible_a uprightness_n of_o your_o spirit_n and_o cordial_a adherence_n to_o the_o apostolic_a faith_n and_o just_a interest_n of_o reform_a christendom_n can_v but_o congratulate_v for_o this_o it_o be_v indeed_o my_o lord_n that_o have_v beget_v in_o i_o a_o more_o special_a esteem_n of_o your_o lordship_n that_o in_o this_o instable_n and_o uncertain_a age_n you_o have_v with_o that_o steadiness_n of_o mind_n and_o clearness_n of_o judgement_n stick_v to_o the_o truth_n and_o purity_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n as_o discern_v the_o vast_a difference_n betwixt_o it_o and_o popery_n which_o yet_o too_o many_o now-adays_a either_o because_o they_o be_v remove_v too_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o all_o religion_n or_o else_o because_o their_o sight_n be_v extreme_o dim_a in_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n can_v not_o or_o will_v not_o discern_v but_o this_o be_v speak_v with_o a_o more_o particular_a regard_n to_o the_o second_o part_n of_o this_o small_a volume_n i_o present_v your_o lordship_n withal_o but_o the_o first_o also_o have_v its_o special_a suitableness_n to_o the_o circumstance_n your_o lordship_n be_v place_v in_o for_o by_o how_o much_o more_o power_n any_o one_o be_v entrust_v with_o by_o any_o protestant_a prince_n by_o so_o much_o the_o more_o he_o be_v concern_v to_o understand_v how_o sacred_a a_o province_n he_o undertake_v and_o how_o express_o that_o religion_n and_o profession_n be_v own_v in_o the_o holy_a prophecy_n christ_n have_v deliver_v to_o his_o church_n above_o and_o against_o the_o barbarous_a and_o idolatrous_a tyranny_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o thing_n be_v set_v out_o with_o that_o plainness_n evidence_n and_o easiness_n in_o this_o exposition_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n that_o i_o hope_v no_o impartial_a reader_n can_v fail_v of_o be_v make_v exceed_v sensible_a of_o the_o sacrednesse_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n and_o interest_n by_o the_o perusal_n thereof_o beside_o that_o there_o be_v some_o notable_a hint_n in_o these_o oracle_n for_o the_o more_o happy_a and_o secure_a management_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o reform_a christendom_n i_o shall_v only_o name_v that_o passage_n to_o the_o sardian_n church_n remember_v how_o thou_o have_v receive_v and_o hear_v and_o hold_v fast_o etc._n etc._n the_o verse_n run_v out_o into_o a_o dreadful_a commination_n of_o heavy_a judgement_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o sardis_n for_o his_o looseness_n and_o slipperinesse_n in_o those_o point_n of_o apostolic_a doctrine_n which_o the_o reformer_n have_v recover_v into_o the_o knowledge_n of_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o among_o the_o thing_n that_o they_o have_v hear_v that_o voice_n of_o the_o angel_n apoc._n 18._o come_v out_o of_o she_o my_o people_n that_o you_o be_v not_o partaker_n of_o her_o sin_n etc._n etc._n be_v not_o the_o least_o articulate_a whereby_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v open_o declare_v to_o be_v that_o babylong_o the_o great_a the_o mother_n of_o fornication_n and_o the_o abomination_n of_o the_o earth_n as_o also_o the_o pope_n with_o his_o clergy_n to_o be_v that_o notorious_a antichrist_n this_o the_o sardian_n church_n have_v receive_v from_o their_o evangelicall_n predecessor_n and_o it_o have_v be_v their_o everlasting_a establishment_n never_o to_o have_v for_o get_v it_o never_o to_o have_v let_v it_o die_v or_o smother_v it_o but_o what_o mischief_n the_o halt_n betwixt_o two_o opinion_n be_v apt_a to_o do_v and_o the_o not_o take_v notice_n how_o sacred_a a_o thing_n the_o protestant_a religion_n be_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n and_o how_o rejectaneous_a that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n i_o believe_v neither_o your_o lordship_n nor_o any_o one_o else_o that_o have_v his_o eye_n open_v either_o into_o history_n or_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o world_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o or_o if_o he_o be_v a_o good_a christian_a make_v the_o observation_n without_o regrett_n and_o sorrow_n but_o the_o prospect_n of_o what_o be_v to_o come_v be_v more_o please_a and_o comfortable_a which_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n of_o philadelphia_n into_o which_o the_o sardian_n church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v reform_a christendom_n or_o the_o protestant_a church_n be_v to_o pass_v as_o be_v the_o next_o successive_a interval_n which_o therefore_o can_v but_o be_v a_o note_n of_o main_a importance_n for_o all_o reform_a state_n and_o kingdom_n to_o steer_v their_o affair_n by_o namely_o to_o bend_v their_o course_n thitherward_o whither_o they_o be_v point_v to_o by_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n himself_o in_o his_o holy_a oracle_n for_o they_o sail_v as_o it_o be_v with_o wind_n and_o tide_n who_o carriage_n of_o affair_n approach_v the_o near_a to_o the_o purpose_n of_o divine_a fate_n which_o be_v lively_o portray_v all_o along_o in_o this_o stupendous_a book_n of_o prophecy_n write_v by_o s._n john_n the_o most_o please_a and_o enravish_v part_n whereof_o be_v that_o which_o be_v typify_v or_o prefigure_v by_o the_o church_n of_o philadelphia_n the_o church_n of_o brotherly_a love_n which_o be_v the_o next_o scene_n divine_a providence_n have_v design_v to_o introduce_v and_o which_o all_o those_o do_v most_o gross_o oppose_v who_o for_o difference_n in_o matter_n not_o reveal_v in_o holy_a scripture_n nor_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n think_v they_o have_v pretence_n enough_o with_o all_o unchristian_a keennesse_n and_o bitterness_n of_o spirit_n to_o reproach_n and_o inveigh_v one_o against_o another_o to_o nourish_v the_o high_a animosity_n and_o to_o watch_v all_o opportunity_n of_o persecute_v ruine_v and_o trample_v one_o another_o into_o the_o dirt._n as_o this_o be_v extreme_o unchristian_a in_o itself_o so_o be_v it_o also_o diametrical_o opposite_a to_o that_o dispensation_n that_o god_n intend_v to_o introduce_v into_o his_o church_n as_o the_o chief_a blessing_n he_o have_v in_o store_n for_o she_o and_o be_v as_o it_o be_v knock_v at_o the_o door_n to_o enter_v if_o the_o loud_v noise_n of_o hot_a and_o quarrelsome_a brawl_n about_o matter_n of_o small_a moment_n as_o indeed_o all_o thing_n be_v exceed_o small_a
unless_o of_o apostolical_a institution_n if_o they_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o that_o royal_a law_n of_o love_n do_v not_o drown_v the_o voice_n thereof_o that_o it_o can_v so_o easy_o be_v hear_v but_o assure_o my_o lord_n the_o let_v this_o philadelphian_a dispensation_n in_o or_o the_o approach_n as_o near_o unto_o it_o as_o we_o can_v will_v prove_v the_o most_o effectual_a heal_n and_o consolidate_v the_o interest_n of_o reform_a christendom_n as_o well_o in_o the_o whole_a as_o in_o the_o part_n thereof_o as_o we_o can_v desire_v or_o expect_v which_o therefore_o i_o humble_o conceive_v that_o all_o person_n the_o more_o power_n they_o be_v entrust_v with_o in_o any_o of_o the_o protestant_a dominion_n be_v the_o more_o oblige_v to_o consider_v by_o how_o much_o more_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o endeavour_v to_o promote_v the_o interest_n of_o their_o prince_n and_o country_n who_o affair_n they_o administer_v and_o therefore_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n so_o manifest_o give_v this_o aim_n for_o the_o prosperous_a steer_n of_o affair_n i_o think_v this_o my_o exposition_n of_o the_o say_a church_n no_o unsuitable_a present_n in_o these_o circumstance_n to_o be_v make_v unto_o your_o lordship_n of_o the_o usefulnesse_n whereof_o i_o have_v speak_v more_o particular_o in_o my_o preface_n i_o leave_v the_o whole_a to_o your_o lordship_n judicious_a and_o favourable_a perusal_n and_o wish_v you_o all_o good_a success_n in_o the_o great_a charge_n his_o majesty_n have_v entrust_v you_o with_o i_o cease_v to_o give_v you_o any_o far_a trouble_n than_o in_o subscribe_v myself_o my_o lord_n your_o lordship_n be_v most_o humble_a and_o affectionate_a servant_n henry_n more_o the_o preface_n to_o the_o reader_n declare_v the_o occasion_n solidity_n and_o usefulnesse_n of_o the_o ensue_a exposition_n reader_n how_o unexpected_a this_o of_o i_o may_v prove_v to_o thou_o i_o know_v not_o but_o sure_o i_o be_o it_o can_v be_v more_o then_o to_o myself_o who_o as_o i_o have_v never_o yet_o affect_v to_o bestow_v my_o pain_n on_o these_o kind_n of_o subject_n so_o i_o think_v myself_o secure_a since_o the_o edition_n of_o the_o late_a dialogue_n touch_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n from_o ever_o be_v engage_v in_o they_o any_o more_o for_o i_o make_v account_n that_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o mr._n mede_n write_n and_o in_o synopsis_fw-la prophetica_fw-la and_o the_o abovesaid_a dialogue_n may_v afford_v all_o useful_a satisfaction_n to_o any_o sober_a enquirer_n into_o these_o mystery_n and_o i_o find_v neither_o my_o will_n nor_o my_o ability_n to_o reach_v to_o the_o service_n of_o man_n in_o needless_a curiosity_n and_o therefore_o thou_o may_v be_v sure_a i_o do_v not_o deem_v the_o prophetical_a exposition_n of_o these_o seven_o epistle_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n to_o be_v such_o but_o rather_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o exposition_n that_o belong_v unto_o they_o and_o therefore_o rest_v in_o the_o literal_a sense_n and_o a_o useful_a moral_a application_n of_o they_o as_o they_o may_v suit_v any_o particular_a church_n in_o any_o age_n of_o the_o world_n place_v in_o like_a circumstance_n with_o any_o of_o these_o seven_o church_n and_o these_o thing_n methinks_v be_v so_o obvious_a that_o it_o will_v have_v be_v a_o needless_a labour_n to_o have_v attempt_v any_o thing_n in_o so_o facile_a a_o matter_n where_o other_o have_v do_v sufficient_o well_o before_o 2._o but_o have_v send_v the_o abovesaid_a dialogue_n to_o a_o gentleman_n in_o the_o country_n to_o who_o they_o be_v not_o unacceptable_a as_o be_v curious_a of_o subject_n of_o this_o nature_n after_o his_o civil_a acknowledgement_n for_o my_o send_v he_o the_o book_n and_o some_o pertinent_a reflection_n on_o the_o main_a matter_n at_o last_o he_o fall_v upon_o this_o business_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o these_o word_n i_o find_v not_o say_v he_o any_o late_a writer_n apply_v the_o seven_o church_n mystical_o revel_v 2._o and_o 3._o chapter_n mr._n brightman_n have_v fail_v in_o his_o application_n but_o i_o suppose_v the_o far_a enquiry_n into_o that_o point_n may_v be_v worth_a your_o pain_n i_o shall_v now_o only_a hint_n that_o the_o seven_o church_n may_v represent_v the_o state_n of_o the_o whole_a visible_a church_n from_o christ_n time_n to_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n viz._n ephesus_n till_o anno_fw-la christi_fw-la 110_o smyrna_n till_o 306_o pergamus_n decline_v towards_o popery_n till_o the_o waldensian_a separation_n about_o anno_fw-la 1160_o thyatira_n emerge_v from_o popery_n till_o the_o pacification_n at_o passaw_n in_o germany_n 1552._o and_o king_n edward_z the_o sixth_n reformation_n in_o england_n sardis_n the_o state_n of_o reform_a christendom_n the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n since_o whole_a nation_n fall_v from_o rome_n and_o until_o rome_n shall_v be_v total_o subdue_v philadelphia_n when_o truth_n peace_n and_o holiness_n shall_v universal_o prevail_v and_o the_o name_n of_o the_o new_a jerusalem_n shall_v be_v write_v upon_o the_o church_n as_o be_v express_o promise_a chap._n 3._o 12._o interim_n too_o august_a for_o such_o a_o poor_a church_n as_o that_o be_v literal_o take_v and_o this_o may_v be_v a_o key_n for_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o last_o laodicea_n when_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o thousand_o year_n satan_n shall_v be_v again_o let_v loose_v a_o little_a space_n and_o gog_n and_o magog_n shall_v trouble_v the_o church_n then_o lukewarm_a as_o in_o the_o day_n of_o noah_n this_o be_v the_o whole_a verbatim_o of_o what_o that_o gentleman_n write_v touch_v this_o matter_n and_o this_o reader_n be_v the_o occasion_n of_o my_o undertake_n and_o the_o advantage_n i_o have_v for_o the_o more_o easy_o perform_v this_o task_n of_o expound_v these_o seven_o epistle_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n for_o the_o intervall_n here_o suggest_v though_o they_o be_v mostwhat_a different_a from_o what_o upon_o due_a deliberation_n with_o myself_o i_o think_v fit_a to_o pitch_v upon_o yet_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o they_o can_v not_o but_o give_v aim_n towards_o a_o more_o speedy_a hit_v the_o intend_a mark_n and_o a_o more_o quick_a dispatch_n of_o this_o exposition_n which_o i_o present_v thou_o with_o indeed_o upon_o my_o endeavour_v to_o frame_v out_o the_o same_o and_o my_o search_n into_o commentatour_n i_o find_v that_o p._n galatinus_n interpret_v these_o seven_o church_n of_o seven_o intervall_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n thereof_o this_o cornelius_n à _fw-la lapide_fw-la note_n but_o not_o a_o word_n of_o the_o limit_n of_o these_o intervall_n and_o since_o my_o complete_n this_o exposition_n a_o learned_a friend_n of_o i_o show_v i_o a_o passage_n in_o mr._n mede_n lib._n 5._o c._n 10._o where_o he_o argue_v for_o a_o mystical_a sense_n of_o these_o seven_o church_n and_o seem_v to_o insinuate_v that_o they_o shall_v prophetical_o sample_n unto_o we_o a_o sevenfold_a successive_a temper_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o whole_a visible_a church_n according_a to_o the_o several_a age_n thereof_o answer_v to_o the_o pattern_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n here_o and_o that_o à _fw-la principio_fw-la ad_fw-la finem_fw-la and_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o fit_o place_v of_o philadelphia_n partly_o about_o the_o time_n the_o beast_n be_v fall_v and_o partly_o after_o his_o destruction_n according_o as_o we_o have_v already_o set_v down_o in_o our_o exposition_n but_o the_o bound_n of_o these_o successive_a intervall_n he_o have_v not_o attempt_v to_o define_v that_o advantage_n therefore_o i_o have_v only_o from_o the_o party_n i_o above_o mention_v as_o well_o as_o the_o first_o invitation_n to_o undertake_v this_o present_a design_n 3._o but_o now_o as_o to_o the_o solidity_n of_o the_o performance_n although_o i_o must_v confess_v the_o clearness_n of_o the_o matter_n appear_v so_o great_a to_o i_o at_o last_o as_o that_o it_o infinite_o exceed_v my_o first_o expectation_n of_o it_o and_o prove_v satisfactory_a to_o myself_o beyond_o what_o i_o think_v possible_a yet_o i_o will_v not_o here_o preingage_a thy_o judgement_n or_o belief_n but_o free_o remit_v thou_o to_o the_o exposition_n itself_o the_o preparation_n to_o it_o in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o chapter_n and_o the_o brief_a recapitulation_n of_o the_o strength_n of_o it_o in_o the_o last_o only_o that_o thou_o may_v have_v nothing_o to_o stumble_v at_o i_o will_v endeavour_v to_o prevent_v thou_o in_o some_o exception_n the_o great_a i_o be_o aware_a of_o and_o yet_o in_o my_o own_o judgement_n not_o considerable_a 4._o as_o first_o i_o will_v not_o have_v thou_o according_a to_o the_o manner_n of_o some_o let_v thy_o mind_n dwell_v upon_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v seem_v less_o strong_a alone_o as_o that_o chap._n 2._o sect._n 11._o where_o i_o intimate_v that_o because_o in_o the_o 20._o interpret_n the_o seven_o
magistrate_n by_o how_o much_o more_o kind_a and_o love_a to_o one_o another_o and_o by_o how_o much_o more_o serious_o affect_v for_o the_o advance_v the_o public_a good_a and_o the_o endeavour_v the_o common_a welfare_n of_o all_o mankind_n which_o will_v introduce_v the_o philadelphian_a interval_n by_o so_o much_o more_o near_o they_o may_v reckon_v the_o approach_n of_o the_o downfall_n of_o antichrist_n and_o the_o glorious_a reign_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o saint_n at_o the_o happy_a millennium_n but_o what_o other_o indication_n there_o be_v beside_o these_o in_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o prophet_n whereby_o we_o may_v compute_v the_o nearness_n of_o those_o time_n i_o must_v ingenuous_o confess_v i_o know_v not_o but_o this_o be_v a_o sudden_a excursion_n we_o will_v return_v again_o into_o the_o way_n 14._o but_o three_o in_o that_o it_o be_v say_v notwithstanding_o i_o have_v a_o few_o thing_n 20._o against_o thou_o because_o thou_o suffer_v that_o woman_n jezebel_n which_o call_v herself_o a_o prophetess_n to_o teach_v and_o seduce_v my_o servant_n to_o commit_v fornication_n and_o to_o eat_v thing_n sacrifice_v unto_o idol_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v a_o perfect_a clear_n of_o the_o protestant_a reformer_n from_o that_o heinous_a crime_n of_o schism_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n so_o magisterial_o lay_v to_o their_o charge_n it_o plain_o imply_v that_o their_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o only_o no_o fault_n but_o a_o virtue_n and_o a_o indispensable_a point_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o command_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v disobedience_n and_o rebellion_n against_o christ_n not_o to_o have_v separate_v and_o therefore_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v any_o schism_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n worthy_a of_o our_o notice_n and_o consideration_n as_o be_v also_o this_o contrary_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o some_o otherwise_o learned_a that_o to_o depart_v from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n upon_o the_o very_a account_n of_o idolatry_n be_v not_o schism_n before_o god_n but_o only_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o man_n and_o those_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v of_o none_o of_o the_o pure_a mind_n but_o rather_o such_o as_o have_v a_o great_a sense_n of_o the_o carnal_a interest_n of_o the_o church_n then_o of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o purity_n of_o his_o worship_n for_o christ_n who_o be_v god_n bless_v for_o ever_o do_v here_o blame_v the_o church_n in_o thyatira_n that_o she_o suffer_v the_o woman_n jezebel_n any_o long_a and_o do_v not_o cast_v she_o off_o as_o the_o eunuch_n cast_v she_o out_o of_o the_o window_n in_o the_o type_n and_o that_o for_o this_o very_a cause_n because_o she_o be_v a_o teacher_n of_o idolatry_n and_o a_o abettour_n and_o countenancer_n of_o spiritual_a fornication_n as_o be_v manifest_a in_o the_o text._n so_o that_o before_o god_n or_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n both_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n stand_v guilty_a of_o idolatry_n and_o also_o the_o protestant_n leave_v her_o communion_n upon_o that_o account_n be_v acquit_v from_o any_o the_o least_o taint_n or_o suspicion_n of_o schism_n and_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v but_o witness_n with_o our_o spirit_n in_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o matter_n if_o thou_o have_v not_o lose_v the_o free_a use_n of_o thy_o reason_n that_o brief_a treatise_n of_o idolatry_n add_v to_o this_o present_a exposition_n will_v i_o hope_v abundant_o satisfy_v thou_o which_o therefore_o i_o have_v adjoin_v as_o a_o suitable_a appendage_n thereunto_o 15._o four_o in_o that_o reform_a christendom_n especial_o after_o their_o remissness_n in_o life_n and_o manner_n and_o contentionsnesse_n about_o trifle_n be_v represent_v under_o the_o type_n of_o the_o church_n in_o sardis_n to_o be_v in_o such_o a_o imperfect_a condition_n though_o emerge_v out_o of_o the_o grossness_n of_o the_o popish_a idolatry_n for_o there_o be_v no_o far_a complaint_n of_o either_o the_o doctrine_n of_o balaam_n or_o of_o jezebel_n here_o this_o shall_v teach_v we_o to_o be_v humble_a and_o not_o over-fierce_a and_o confident_a in_o our_o opinion_n and_o doctrine_n but_o meek_o to_o bear_v one_o with_o another_o and_o be_v ready_a to_o be_v instruct_v by_o one_o another_o for_o the_o clear_n up_o the_o truth_n but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n thing_n be_v no_o better_o than_o they_o be_v since_o they_o be_v no_o worse_o than_o they_o be_v predict_v we_o be_v hence_o to_o learn_v that_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n never_o to_o suffer_v our_o mind_n to_o relapse_n towards_o the_o fleshpot_n of_o egypt_n or_o think_v we_o have_v as_o good_a go_v back_o again_o to_o rome_n as_o to_o be_v no_o better_o than_o we_o be_v for_o this_o sardian_n state_n be_v like_o the_o wander_a in_o the_o wilderness_n betwixt_o egypt_n and_o the_o promise_a land_n which_o be_v the_o philadelphian_a state_n into_o which_o there_o be_v no_o entrance_n till_o after_o the_o seven_o vial_n that_o be_v till_o the_o last_o of_o they_o be_v pour_v out_o or_o at_o least_o a-pouring_a as_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o fifteen_o of_o the_o apocalypse_n and_o the_o temple_n be_v fill_v with_o smoke_n from_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o from_o his_o power_n and_o no_o man_n be_v able_a to_o enter_v into_o the_o temple_n till_o the_o seven_o plague_n of_o the_o seven_o angel_n be_v fulfil_v where_o no_o man_n according_a to_o the_o apocalyptick_a style_n signify_v that_o that_o company_n of_o man_n that_o be_v to_o enter_v into_o and_o make_v up_o that_o state_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v here_o style_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o live_a temple_n of_o god_n will_v not_o appear_v in_o that_o eminent_a condition_n till_o after_o the_o vial_n the_o last_o either_o current_n or_o complete_a which_o agree_v admirable_o with_o that_o passage_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o philadelphia_n he_o that_o overcome_v will_v i_o make_v a_o 12._o pillar_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o my_o god_n so_o that_o these_o philadelphian_o shall_v not_o only_o enter_v into_o the_o temple_n after_o the_o smoke_n of_o the_o vial_n but_o never_o go_v out_o of_o it_o again_o according_a to_o the_o sense_n we_o have_v explain_v it_o in_o wherefore_o because_o we_o be_v in_o a_o kind_n of_o wildernesse-condition_n we_o ought_v with_o faith_n and_o meekness_n and_o patience_n to_o abide_v till_o god_n shall_v bring_v we_o into_o that_o good_a land_n and_o not_o to_o murmur_v against_o he_o and_o reproach_v his_o providence_n who_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o carry_v on_o thing_n with_o such_o leisurely_o step_n nor_o peevish_o and_o false_o to_o say_v that_o we_o have_v as_o good_a return_n to_o rome_n again_o and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o question_n whether_o the_o reformation_n have_v do_v more_o good_a or_o hurt_n for_o such_o thought_n or_o speech_n be_v false_a injudicious_a and_o ingrateful_a reproach_n against_o the_o sacred_a providence_n of_o god_n who_o way_n these_o bitter_a shallow_a and_o unsanctify_v spirit_n understand_v not_o because_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o world_n have_v blind_v their_o eye_n and_o forasmuch_o as_o there_o be_v no_o complaint_n of_o idolatry_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o this_o sardian_n church_n nor_o the_o least_o hint_n to_o make_v any_o separation_n as_o before_o all_o the_o church_n of_o reform_a christendom_n and_o all_o the_o particular_a sect_n and_o member_n thereof_o aught_o to_o have_v a_o tender_a regard_n how_o they_o divide_v from_o one_o another_o or_o break_v communion_n for_o difference_n of_o ceremony_n or_o opinion_n but_o hold_v all_o the_o indispensable_a foundation_n and_o bear_v joint_a testimony_n against_o the_o gross_a idolatry_n and_o wild_a enormity_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o study_v peace_n and_o mutual_a compliance_n that_o the_o body_n of_o reform_a christendom_n may_v be_v more_o strong_a and_o compact_a to_o stand_v against_o the_o common_a enemy_n but_o above_o all_o we_o be_v with_o might_n and_o main_a to_o endeavour_v to_o perfect_a holiness_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o to_o purge_v ourselves_o from_o all_o pollution_n of_o flesh_n and_o spirit_n that_o we_o may_v prevent_v the_o extremity_n of_o that_o judgement_n which_o be_v threaten_v as_o sudden_o and_o unexpected_o to_o come_v upon_o the_o church_n of_o sardis_n and_o these_o i_o think_v be_v main_a 3._o usefulness_n discoverable_a in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o sardian_n church_n 16._o and_o five_o as_o for_o the_o exposition_n of_o the_o church_n of_o philadelphia_n it_o be_v of_o main_a importance_n for_o the_o make_n of_o the_o world_n good_a for_o it_o be_v the_o ordinary_a excuse_n for_o the_o reign_v of_o impiety_n and_o immorality_n in_o the_o world_n that_o man_n will_v be_v man_n as_o long_o as_o the_o world_n last_v and_o that_o thing_n be_v more_o likely_a ever_o to_o grow_v worse_o and_o worse_a then_o
better_a and_o therefore_o very_a few_o there_o be_v that_o will_v either_o attempt_v the_o amend_v of_o their_o own_o life_n or_o the_o encourage_n other_o so_o to_o do_v when_o notwithstanding_o it_o be_v plain_a according_a to_o the_o prophetical_a sense_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o philadelphia_n that_o there_o will_v be_v a_o time_n when_o righteousness_n and_o true_a holiness_n will_v have_v a_o most_o glorious_a reign_n upon_o earth_n but_o those_o that_o be_v averse_a from_o this_o belief_n be_v usual_o averse_a also_o from_o believe_v any_o certitude_n in_o the_o exposition_n of_o prophecy_n they_o will_v not_o forsooth_o be_v so_o presumptuous_a as_o to_o pretend_v they_o can_v understand_v they_o especial_o such_o as_o either_o chastise_v the_o abominable_a wickedness_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n or_o such_o as_o promise_v time_n transcendent_o better_a which_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o hypocrisy_n much_o like_o that_o of_o ahaz_n when_o the_o prophet_n bid_v he_o ask_v a_o sign_n of_o the_o lord_n his_o god_n but_o he_o good_a modest_a hypocrite_n will_v not_o ask_v a_o sign_n neither_o will_v he_o tempt_v the_o 12._o lord_n the_o meaning_n whereof_o be_v that_o he_o will_v not_o amuse_n nor_o distract_v his_o thought_n nor_o render_v himself_o more_o obnoxious_a by_o take_v notice_n of_o a_o supernatural_a evidence_n against_o the_o natural_a sentiment_n and_o persuasion_n of_o his_o own_o carnal_a mind_n under_o who_o government_n he_o be_v resolve_v to_o be_v and_o not_o be_v dissettled_a by_o the_o inlet_n of_o any_o high_a light_n the_o application_n be_v very_o easy_a and_o obvious_a 17._o and_o last_o admit_v the_o prophetical_a meaning_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o laodicea_n it_o be_v of_o great_a use_n for_o the_o establish_n our_o faith_n in_o that_o grand_a point_n that_o this_o terrestrial_a scene_n will_v have_v a_o end_n and_o that_o at_o the_o close_a of_o all_o christ_n will_v visible_o come_v in_o judgement_n to_o reward_v all_o man_n according_a to_o their_o work_n that_o he_o will_v judge_v both_o the_o quick_a and_o the_o dead_a according_a to_o the_o orthodox_n sense_n of_o the_o apostolic_a doctrine_n to_o all_o which_o we_o may_v add_v that_o as_o the_o exposition_n of_o these_o seven_o epistle_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n be_v in_o a_o manner_n as_o convince_a as_o any_o other_o vision_n in_o the_o whole_a apocalypse_n so_o they_o be_v far_o more_o easy_a and_o reach_v the_o main_a design_n in_o a_o less_o compass_n of_o word_n and_o have_v not_o that_o operosenesse_n of_o synchronism_n necessary_o hang_v on_o they_o as_o the_o other_o have_v for_o the_o clear_n of_o the_o sense_n but_o be_v only_o seven_o intervall_n manifest_o succeed_v one_o another_o who_o bound_n so_o far_o as_o thing_n be_v pass_v be_v easy_o determinable_a and_o we_o know_v that_o the_o interval_n of_o sardis_n end_v where_o that_o of_o philadelphia_n begin_v and_o laodicea_n be_v the_o close_a of_o all_o which_o facility_n and_o comprehensiblenesse_n must_v needs_o improve_v the_o usefulnesse_n of_o these_o exposition_n very_o considerable_o and_o there_o want_v nothing_o but_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o name_n to_o be_v add_v for_o the_o easy_a applicability_n of_o the_o event_n to_o each_o interval_n i_o will_v for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o reader_n brief_o furnish_v they_o that_o have_v no_o skill_n in_o the_o original_a language_n with_o the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o name_n of_o all_o the_o seven_o church_n aforehand_o 18._o ephesus_z therefore_o with_o a_o allusion_n to_o the_o greek_a word_n ephesis_fw-la signify_v desire_n the_o first_o move_v principle_n that_o drive_v on_o a_o activity_n for_o the_o attain_v the_o main_a scope_n we_o aim_v at_o but_o with_o a_o allusion_n to_o aphesis_n it_o signisy_n remissness_n for_o which_o this_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v 4._o blame_v or_o else_o allude_v again_o to_o aphesis_n it_o signify_v the_o start_n or_o let_v loose_a the_o racer_n at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o race_n which_o agree_v very_o fit_o with_o this_o ephesine_n interval_n which_o be_v the_o begin_n of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o providence_n concern_v the_o same_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n smyrna_n signify_v myrrh_n intimate_v the_o bitter_a affliction_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n under_o the_o ten_o pagan_a persecution_n pergamus_n signify_v sublimity_n or_o exaltation_n intimate_v the_o raise_n of_o the_o church_n out_o of_o her_o former_a deject_a and_o afflict_a condition_n under_o the_o aforesaid_a persecution_n into_o a_o glorious_a triumph_n over_o paganism_n as_o it_o fall_v out_o upon_o the_o conquest_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a it_o signify_v also_o or_o prefigure_n the_o enormous_a haughtiness_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o that_o interval_n thyatira_n in_o allusion_n to_o thygatira_n a_o daughter_n intimate_v the_o more-then-ordinary_a womanishness_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o that_o interval_n but_o in_o allusion_n to_o thyateria_n altar_n of_o incense_n or_o sweet_a odour_n it_o signify_v the_o more-then-ordinary_a frequentness_n of_o burn_v the_o bless_a protestant_a martyr_n with_o fire_n and_o faggot_n in_o this_o period_n which_o cruelty_n though_o it_o be_v abominable_a in_o respect_n of_o that_o bloody_a and_o barbarous_a church_n that_o commit_v it_o yet_o the_o suffering_n of_o those_o holy_a martyr_n in_o this_o manner_n out_o of_o fidelity_n to_o christ_n and_o his_o truth_n be_v a_o sacrifice_n of_o sweet_a odour_n to_o he_o and_o very_o grateful_o accept_v of_o he_o sardis_n in_o allusion_n to_o sarda_n or_o lapis_fw-la sardius_n the_o same_o that_o carnalina_n signify_v the_o imperfect_a and_o carnal_a condition_n of_o that_o interval_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n that_o be_v call_v sardian_n philadelphia_n which_o signify_v charity_n in_o general_n and_o particular_o a_o more_o special_a love_n to_o they_o of_o the_o true_a household_n of_o faith_n intimate_v the_o reign_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o love_n for_o god_n be_v 16._o love_n and_o he_o that_o abide_v in_o love_n abide_v in_o god_n and_o god_n in_o he_o this_o be_v that_o illustrious_a reign_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o millenniall_a empire_n of_o love_n when_o the_o christian_a life_n shall_v take_v place_n and_o opinion_n and_o persecution_n shall_v be_v do_v away_o and_o last_o laodicea_n signify_v a_o popular_a political_a or_o externally-legal_a righteousness_n the_o outward_a form_n of_o the_o former_a philadelphian_a state_n but_z as_o in_o old_a age_n the_o spirit_n much_o decay_v though_o the_o outward_a figure_n of_o the_o body_n muchwhat_a the_o same_o it_o signify_v also_o the_o arraign_v and_o judgeing_a of_o the_o people_n that_o be_v the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n when_o christ_n shall_v come_v to_o judge_v both_o the_o quick_a and_o the_o dead_a because_o this_o be_v to_o be_v perform_v at_o the_o close_a of_o this_o laodicean_n interval_n 19_o the_o significancy_n of_o the_o name_n of_o these_o seven_o church_n reckon_v always_o in_o such_o a_o order_n as_o that_o seven_o intervall_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n of_o all_o answer_v exact_o in_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n both_o to_o these_o name_n in_o this_o order_n they_o be_v reckon_v and_o to_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n as_o they_o be_v orderly_o describe_v in_o the_o seven_o epistle_n to_o they_o be_v a_o plain_a demonstration_n to_o they_o that_o be_v not_o extreme_o refractory_a especial_o if_o you_o add_v the_o certainty_n that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o prophetical_a meaning_n of_o these_o epistle_n as_o be_v make_v good_a in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o chapter_n of_o the_o ensue_a book_n i_o say_v it_o be_v a_o plain_a demonstration_n that_o our_o exposition_n be_v true_a as_o well_o as_o so_o easy_a and_o comprehensible_a and_o therefore_o of_o a_o universal_a usefulnesse_n as_o well_o to_o the_o illiterate_a as_o the_o learned_a which_o i_o hope_v reader_n will_v be_v a_o sufficient_a excuse_n for_o the_o author_n that_o he_o have_v either_o invite_v thou_o to_o the_o pain_n of_o read_v or_o give_v himself_o the_o trouble_n of_o compile_v this_o present_a treatise_n farewell_n a_o prophetical_a exposition_n of_o the_o seven_o epistle_n send_v to_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n from_o he_o that_o be_v and_o be_v and_o be_v to_o come_v siracides_n ch._n 59_o he_o that_o give_v his_o mind_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o most_o high_a and_o be_v occupy_v in_o the_o meditation_n thereof_o will_v seek_v out_o the_o wisdom_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_n and_o be_v occupy_v in_o prophecy_n a_o prophetical_a exposition_n of_o the_o seven_o epistle_n send_v to_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n chap._n i._n a_o preparation_n towards_o the_o mystical_a or_o prophetical_a interpretation_n of_o the_o seven_o
epistle_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n 1._o we_o shall_v first_o premise_v that_o as_o those_o two_o follow_a prophecy_n of_o the_o seven_o seal_n and_o of_o the_o open_a book_n reach_v from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o church_n so_o this_o of_o the_o seven_o church_n reach_v also_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o all_o which_o seem_v congruous_a both_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o vision_n itself_o and_o from_o the_o follow_a example_n of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o seven_o seal_n and_o the_o open_a book_n we_o shall_v premise_v in_o the_o second_o place_n that_o as_o it_o be_v conspicuous_a that_o four_o of_o the_o name_n of_o these_o seven_o church_n be_v direct_o significant_a of_o some_o state_n and_o condition_n they_o be_v in_o viz._n smyrna_n pergamus_n philadelphia_n and_o laodicea_n so_o it_o be_v exceed_o credible_a that_o the_o other_o three_o name_n may_v allude_v to_o some_o thing_n that_o may_v set_v out_o their_o nature_n and_o condition_n also_o viz._n ephesus_n thyatira_n and_o sardis_n as_o we_o shall_v take_v more_o express_a notice_n in_o the_o process_n of_o our_o exposition_n last_o which_o may_v as_o well_o if_o not_o better_a have_v be_v note_v at_o first_o this_o more_o mystical_a sense_n which_o we_o be_v now_o a-rendring_a of_o the_o seven_o church_n do_v not_o at_o all_o clash_n with_o the_o literal_a sense_n of_o the_o same_o nor_o exclude_v that_o useful_a applicability_n of_o they_o for_o the_o reproof_n or_o praise_n of_o any_o church_n particular_a in_o any_o time_n or_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n that_o be_v for_o the_o like_a thing_n obnoxious_a or_o commendable_a but_o the_o distinct_a providence_n of_o god_n and_o his_o watchfulness_n and_o foresight_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o his_o church_n may_v haply_o be_v more_o illustrate_v and_o display_v by_o this_o mystical_a way_n of_o exposition_n then_o by_o that_o literal_a or_o moral_a 2._o we_o will_v therefore_o distinguish_v the_o whole_a duration_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n especial_o so_o far_o forth_o as_o it_o be_v within_o the_o limit_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n which_o also_o the_o other_o prophecy_n in_o the_o apocalypse_n seem_v chief_o to_o regard_v into_o seven_o intervall_n and_o will_v suppose_v the_o first_o interval_n to_o end_v where_o the_o second_o begin_v viz._n in_o the_o ten_o year_n of_o nero_n or_o anno_fw-la christi_fw-la 63._o 3._o which_o period_n therefore_o of_o the_o ephesine_n church_n end_v so_o early_o even_o about_o thirty_o year_n before_o st._n john_n writing_n the_o apocalypse_n agree_v excellent_o well_o with_o that_o passage_n ch._n 1._o v._n 18_o 19_o where_o after_o christ_n declare_v himself_o the_o first_o and_o the_o last_o as_o before_o in_o the_o same_o chapter_n he_o be_v call_v he_o that_o be_v and_o be_v and_o be_v to_o come_v and_o his_o mention_v his_o own_o death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o how_o that_o he_o will_v be_v alive_a to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o carry_v on_o the_o affair_n of_o his_o church_n he_o present_o infer_v write_v therefore_o what_o thing_n thou_o have_v see_v what_o thing_n be_v and_o what_o thing_n shall_v be_v hereafter_o which_o he_o express_o and_o immediate_o call_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o seven_o star_n and_o the_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n ver_fw-la 20._o which_o be_v worth_a the_o note_n what_o thing_n thou_o have_v see_v already_o in_o the_o time_n of_o thy_o life_n past_a namely_o the_o state_n of_o the_o ephesine_n church_n what_o thing_n be_v now_o present_a viz._n the_o smyrnian_a state_n of_o the_o church_n in_o which_o thou_o be_v and_o tast_a of_o the_o bitterness_n of_o it_o in_o this_o thy_o exile_n here_o in_o patmos_n for_o the_o ten_o persecution_n be_v then_o already_o begin_v and_o john_n be_v in_o the_o second_o of_o they_o and_o what_o thing_n shall_v be_v hereafter_o namely_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n in_o the_o residue_n of_o the_o period_n of_o the_o smyrnian_a church_n and_o in_o the_o period_n of_o the_o remainder_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n succeed_v and_o questionless_a the_o vision_n of_o the_o rider_n of_o the_o â—â—_o white_a horse_n respect_v what_o be_v then_o past_a namely_o christ_n first_o warfare_n upon_o his_o conquest_n of_o death_n and_o his_o be_v mount_v into_o his_o glorify_v body_n who_o after_o from_o on_o high_a send_v down_o succour_n to_o his_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n and_o assisted_z and_o and_o manage_v that_o illustrious_a battle_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o apostolic_a time_n so_o successful_o and_o glorious_o that_o infinite_a number_n of_o man_n be_v bring_v under_o the_o obedience_n of_o the_o gospel_n even_o within_o the_o space_n of_o the_o ephesine_n period_n 4._o so_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o scruple_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n represent_v a_o state_n of_o the_o church_n past_a but_o only_o that_o it_o seem_v improper_a to_o direct_v a_o epistle_n to_o a_o church_n then_o out_o of_o be_v but_o this_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n with_o they_o that_o hold_v the_o seven_o church_n to_o be_v seven_o successive_a condition_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o world_n end_n for_o make_v the_o exitus_fw-la of_o the_o ephesine_n church_n reach_n beyond_o s._n john_n time_n suppose_v to_o anno_fw-la christi_fw-la 100_o or_o thereabouts_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o epistle_n will_v be_v write_v to_o church_n not_o yet_o in_o be_v and_o some_o many_o hundred_o nay_o thousand_o of_o year_n ere_o they_o shall_v be_v which_o yet_o they_o must_v not_o count_v absurd_a 5._o the_o brief_a account_n therefore_o of_o this_o matter_n be_v this_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n seem_v to_o drive_v on_o two_o main_a design_n in_o the_o vision_n of_o these_o seven_o church_n at_o once_o the_o one_o most_o effectual_o to_o animate_v and_o encourage_v the_o church_n to_o do_v well_o to_o stick_v to_o truth_n and_o holiness_n through_o all_o the_o trial_n and_o calamity_n of_o this_o present_a life_n as_o also_o to_o deter_v they_o from_o all_o kind_n of_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n of_o what_o nature_n soever_o whether_o apostasy_n from_o the_o faith_n idolatry_n sensuality_n or_o whatever_o remissness_n in_o manner_n for_o which_o design_n this_o epistolar_n way_n be_v exceed_o accommodate_v it_o bear_v the_o form_n of_o personal_o speak_v to_o people_n and_o so_o the_o more_o forcible_o make_v they_o take_v notice_n in_o a_o manner_n whether_o they_o will_v or_o no_o of_o what_o be_v say_v unto_o they_o the_o other_o design_n and_o that_o so_o lay_v as_o not_o to_o forego_v the_o former_a advantage_n be_v to_o instruct_v the_o church_n in_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n and_o his_o foresight_n to_o show_v how_o all_o thing_n lie_v bare_a before_o his_o eye_n in_o such_o order_n and_o succession_n as_o they_o be_v in_o time_n to_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o literal_a sense_n of_o these_o epistle_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n that_o former_a design_n be_v plain_o pursue_v and_o attain_v understand_v they_o direct_v to_o these_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n then_o in_o be_v and_o in_o a_o very_a great_a measure_n in_o the_o moral_a sense_n these_o epistle_n i_o say_v be_v so_o applicable_a to_o any_o part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o any_o age_n thereof_o place_v in_o the_o same_o or_o like_a circumstance_n of_o condition_n with_o these_o asiatic_a church_n this_o epistolar_n way_n will_v have_v a_o considerable_a efficacy_n and_o influence_n upon_o they_o for_o either_o animation_n or_o reproof_n 6._o but_o now_o the_o great_a question_n be_v why_o the_o prophetical_a design_n discoverable_a in_o the_o mystical_a interpretation_n shall_v have_v be_v couch_v in_o this_o epistolar_n way_n especial_o the_o epistle_n to_o ephesus_n be_v write_v after_o the_o ephesine_n period_n be_v expire_v to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o this_o prophetical_a design_n be_v not_o intend_v for_o the_o ephesine_n church_n in_o this_o mystical_a sense_n but_o for_o future_a age_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v take_v in_o only_a to_o make_v up_o the_o entireness_n of_o the_o whole_a succession_n of_o the_o church_n in_o its_o several_a distinct_a state_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n of_o all_o but_o this_o epistolar_n way_n be_v still_o retain_v in_o this_o mystical_a sense_n for_o the_o same_o usefulness_n it_o have_v in_o the_o literal_a to_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n then_o real_o in_o be_v for_o so_o soon_o as_o any_o of_o these_o letter_n by_o this_o mystical_a sense_n be_v understand_v to_o be_v direct_v to_o any_o successive_a part_n of_o the_o church_n as_o now_o for_o example_n as_o will_v appear_v anon_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o sardis_n be_v direct_v to_o the_o protestant_a church_n or_o reform_a christendom_n this_o succession_n of_o the_o church_n
ought_v to_o be_v as_o much_o concern_v as_o that_o particular_a church_n of_o sardis_n be_v in_o asia_n minor_fw-la and_o this_o intention_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v once_o understand_v it_o will_v be_v of_o the_o like_a usefulness_n to_o the_o philadelphian_a church_n especial_o and_o also_o to_o the_o laodicean_n wherefore_o the_o objection_n be_v but_o small_a consider_v the_o usefulness_n of_o this_o epistolar_n way_n though_o there_o be_v no_o other_o sense_n of_o these_o seven_o epistle_n and_o the_o seven_o church_n but_o the_o mystical_a for_o as_o in_o a_o entire_a vision_n where_o the_o beginning_n be_v touch_v something_o past_a or_o present_a all_o go_v under_o the_o title_n of_o prophetical_a though_o that_o part_n that_o respect_v thing_n past_a be_v but_o historical_a representation_n so_o in_o this_o entire_a epistolar_n vision_n though_o the_o first_o part_n be_v epistolar_n yet_o it_o be_v but_o historical_a representation_n exhibit_v time_n and_o person_n past_a as_o if_o they_o be_v present_a to_o be_v write_v to_o and_o that_o for_o uniformity_n sake_n in_o the_o form_n of_o a_o epistle_n as_o what_o be_v pass_v in_o history_n under_o the_o form_n of_o prophetical_a vision_n as_o the_o rider_n of_o the_o white_a horse_n which_o be_v the_o first_o in_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o seal_n though_o the_o representation_n be_v of_o what_o be_v partly_o past_a and_o partly_o present_a but_o what_o be_v to_o come_v be_v the_o proper_a object_n of_o all_o vision_n prophetical_a but_o now_o beside_o all_o this_o in_o the_o literal_a sense_n there_o be_v then_o a_o church_n in_o ephesus_n when_o that_o epistle_n be_v write_v to_o it_o and_o in_o a_o moral_a sense_n it_o be_v applicable_a to_o any_o church_n that_o do_v ephesize_n in_o any_o part_n of_o christendom_n and_o at_o any_o time_n the_o objection_n in_o my_o judgement_n have_v melt_v into_o less_o than_o nothing_o and_o therefore_o notwithstanding_o this_o exception_n we_o will_v not_o stick_v to_o place_v the_o end_n of_o the_o interval_n of_o the_o ephesine_n succession_n in_o the_o ten_o of_o nero_n reign_n and_o in_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 63._o till_o then_o let_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v represent_v under_o the_o title_n of_o ephesus_n from_o that_o time_n till_o about_o three_o hundred_o and_o odd_a year_n after_o christ_n under_o the_o name_n of_o smyrna_n from_o thence_o to_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o persecution_n of_o the_o albigenses_n and_o waldenses_n let_v she_o be_v the_o church_n dwell_v in_o pergamus_n from_o that_o time_n till_o whole_a nation_n fall_v off_o from_o the_o pope_n let_v the_o same_o church_n bear_v the_o name_n of_o thyatira_n from_o that_o time_n protestantisme_n become_v the_o religion_n of_o nation_n till_o the_o last_o vial_n let_v this_o church_n bear_v the_o title_n of_o the_o church_n in_o sardis_n from_o that_o time_n till_o the_o four_o thunder_n let_v it_o wear_v the_o name_n of_o philadelphia_n 38._o from_o the_o four_o thunder_n till_o christ_n come_v visible_o to_o judgement_n in_o the_o cloud_n let_v the_o church_n bear_v the_o name_n of_o laodicea_n these_o be_v the_o seven_o interval_n which_o how_o well_o they_o will_v fit_v with_o the_o title_n of_o these_o distinct_a successive_a state_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o thing_n speak_v of_o they_o in_o the_o vision_n i_o will_v anon_o endeavour_v to_o unfold_v chap._n ii_o a_o far_a preparation_n out_o of_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o the_o apocalypse_n whereby_o this_o prophetical_a meaning_n of_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n be_v more_o clear_o assure_v but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n for_o the_o great_a assurance_n of_o this_o prophetical_a or_o mystical_a sense_n we_o will_v first_o make_v some_o far_a remark_n upon_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o the_o apocalypso_n where_o we_o will_v make_v only_o this_o one_o modest_a supposition_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n set_v down_o nothing_o immethodical_o nor_o in_o vain_a or_o at_o lest_o nothing_o vain_o immethodicall_a wherefore_o upon_o the_o very_a first_o verse_n which_o bear_v the_o title_n of_o the_o whole_a book_n the_o revelation_n of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o god_n give_v unto_o he_o to_o show_v unto_o 1._o his_o servant_n thing_n which_o must_v short_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o be_v thing_n to_o come_v to_o pass_v some_o short_o and_o other_o some_o in_o succession_n of_o time_n as_o all_o interpreter_n agree_v i_o can_v but_o note_v this_o that_o if_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v but_o respicere_fw-la titulum_fw-la as_o most_o certain_o he_o will_v he_o will_v set_v down_o no_o entire_a vision_n as_o this_o of_o the_o seven_o church_n be_v but_o they_o must_v in_o the_o main_n be_v of_o thing_n to_o come_v to_o pass_v not_o of_o thing_n present_v mere_o and_o not_o hide_v but_o obvious_a to_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n as_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n here_o mention_v be_v to_o the_o world_n at_o that_o time_n and_o therefore_o something_o far_o must_v be_v mean_v by_o they_o then_o can_v be_v contain_v in_o the_o literal_a sense_n which_o be_v not_o of_o thing_n to_o come_v as_o the_o title_n require_v but_o only_o of_o thing_n present_a or_o some_o promise_n or_o threaten_n that_o do_v not_o proper_o amount_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o prophetical_a prediction_n no_o more_o than_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n to_o which_o they_o be_v annex_v 2._o bless_a be_v he_o that_o read_v and_o they_o that_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o this_o prophecy_n for_o 3._o the_o time_n be_v at_o hand_n this_o again_o plain_o show_v that_o this_o book_n be_v all_o of_o it_o i_o mean_v all_o the_o entire_a vision_n thereof_o a_o book_n of_o prophecy_n which_o as_o i_o intimate_v before_o mere_a promise_n and_o threaten_n can_v make_v it_o no_o more_o than_o they_o do_v those_o law_n of_o moses_n to_o which_o they_o be_v adjoin_v and_o though_o the_o several_a state_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n may_v be_v applicable_a to_o several_a state_n of_o particular_a church_n of_o after-age_n in_o christendom_n l_o yet_o it_o can_v proper_o be_v in_o this_o literal_a sense_n by_o way_n of_o prediction_n but_o of_o example_n of_o virtue_n or_o vice_n of_o pious_a or_o impious_a action_n which_o repeated_o happen_v in_o all_o history_n whence_o if_o there_o be_v no_o more_o in_o it_o then_o thus_o these_o epistle_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n can_v be_v deem_v any_o prophecy_n and_o therefore_o be_v heterogeneous_a to_o the_o scope_n and_o title_n of_o the_o book_n 3._o but_o upon_o the_o so_o express_o call_v 4._o this_o a_o book_n of_o prophecy_n for_o john_n to_o salute_v the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n with_o this_o salutation_n grace_n be_v unto_o you_o and_o peace_n from_o he_o which_o be_v and_o which_o be_v and_o which_o be_v to_o come_v methinks_v it_o do_v even_o forcible_o drive_v a_o man_n to_o conceive_v that_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n which_o he_o so_o immediate_o fall_v upon_o be_v a_o prophecy_n according_a to_o the_o title_n immediate_o mention_v in_o the_o forego_n verse_n beside_o that_o the_o description_n of_o the_o party_n in_o who_o name_n he_o salute_v they_o which_o be_v and_o which_o be_v and_o which_o be_v to_o come_v do_v very_o natural_o insinuate_v that_o he_o be_v treat_v of_o what_o reach_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o late_a age_n thereof_o which_o he_o insist_o more_o upon_o in_o the_o seven_o verse_n after_o he_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n behold_v he_o come_v 7._o with_o the_o cloud_n this_o reach_v the_o last_o period_n of_o laodicea_n when_o god_n will_v judge_v all_o people_n and_o every_o eye_n shall_v see_v he_o and_o they_o also_o which_o pierce_v he_o and_o all_o kindred_n of_o the_o earth_n shall_v wail_v because_o of_o he_o for_o the_o earth_n shall_v then_o be_v burn_v up_o with_o the_o work_v thereof_o even_o so_o amen_n this_o will_v certain_o come_v to_o pass_v about_o the_o seven_o thunder_n in_o that_o dark_a hollow_a dungeon_n where_o there_o shall_v be_v weep_v and_o wail_v and_o gnash_n of_o tooth_n let_v the_o son_n of_o infidelity_n or_o unbelief_n conceit_n what_o they_o will_v to_o the_o contrary_n wherefore_o the_o mind_n and_o scope_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n seem_v here_o to_o be_v carry_v out_o even_o to_o the_o utmost_a age_n of_o the_o world_n 4._o according_a as_o he_o declare_v in_o the_o next_o verse_n i_o be_o alpha_n and_o omega_n the_o beginning_n and_o the_o end_n say_v the_o 8._o lord_n which_o be_v and_o which_o be_v and_o which_o be_v to_o come_v the_o almighty_a that_o wisdom_n and_o power_n that_o reach_v from_o one_o end_n to_o another_o mighty_o and_o sweet_o order_v all_o thing_n this_o methinks_v strong_o insinuate_v that_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o seven_o
candlestick_n till_o the_o end_n of_o all_o this_o be_v to_o encourage_v the_o beginning_n of_o his_o church_n and_o be_v methodical_o put_v in_o the_o first_o place_n as_o be_v general_a and_o run_v through_o all_o the_o intervall_n thereof_o till_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n but_o that_o the_o frontispiece_n as_o i_o before_o call_v it_o to_o this_o vision_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n which_o be_v the_o glorious_a character_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o piecemeal_n for_o a_o entrance_n into_o the_o part_n of_o this_o vision_n as_o it_o be_v in_o they_o all_o i_o can_v but_o take_v notice_n how_o fit_o it_o answer_v to_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o seal_n where_o the_o part_n of_o the_o frontispiece_n be_v also_o make_v use_n of_o to_o usher_v in_o four_o of_o the_o seal_n for_o the_o four_o beast_n one_o after_o another_o and_o that_o with_o apposite_a significancy_n as_o here_o at_o the_o open_n of_o the_o four_o first_o seal_n be_v introduce_v utter_v this_o voice_n come_v and_o see_v wherefore_o there_o be_v the_o like_a contrivance_n 6._o in_o both_o vision_n it_o be_v a_o shrewd_a intimation_n that_o they_o be_v vision_n of_o like_a importance_n that_o be_v very_o reach_o and_o comprehensive_o prophetical_a as_o i_o endeavour_v to_o evince_v out_o of_o the_o first_o chapter_n 5._o and_o how_o accommodate_v that_o part_n of_o the_o character_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v to_o this_o part_n of_o the_o vision_n that_o concern_v the_o ephesine_n church_n be_v already_o declare_v we_o shall_v now_o confider_v the_o fitness_n of_o the_o paronomasticall_a allusion_n in_o the_o name_n for_o that_o the_o prophetical_a style_n do_v affect_v such_o allusion_n both_o grotius_n and_o mr._n mede_n and_o all_o interpreter_n that_o i_o know_v be_v agree_v upon_o and_o grotius_n do_v particular_o give_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o name_n of_o all_o these_o church_n in_o his_o commentary_n on_o the_o apocalypse_n so_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o levity_n or_o indiscretion_n in_o the_o attempt_n of_o the_o same_o in_o ephesus_n therefore_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v there_o may_v be_v a_o double_a allusion_n both_o to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v one_o of_o the_o three_o matres_fw-la lectionis_fw-la as_o they_o be_v call_v contain_v in_o it_o both_o e_o and_o a_o it_o do_v plain_o intimate_v that_o the_o sound_n of_o e_z and_o a_o be_v not_o so_o extreme_o different_a one_o from_o another_o but_o as_o for_o the_o sense_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v huge_o well_o and_o peculiar_o accommodate_v to_o this_o church_n it_o be_v the_o first_o interval_n of_o the_o seven_o as_o it_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v the_o same_o the_o careere_n or_o list_n from_o whence_o the_o race_n begin_v of_o the_o succession_n of_o all_o the_o seven_o church_n which_o end_v in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o s._n paul_n compare_v the_o call_n of_o christian_n to_o a_o race_n 6._o but_o as_o for_o the_o other_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o grotius_n also_o express_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o pitch_v upon_o the_o allusion_n thereto_o be_v unexceptionable_a both_o as_o to_o sound_v and_o signification_n for_o it_o denote_v that_o great_a servour_n and_o zealous_a desire_n the_o church_n in_o those_o first_o primitive_a and_o apostolic_a time_n have_v to_o the_o affair_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o the_o interest_n of_o his_o kingdom_n that_o they_o do_v sincere_o and_o earnest_o under_o the_o conduct_n of_o that_o heros_n on_o the_o white_a horse_n with_o his_o bow_n and_o arrow_n in_o his_o right_a hand_n aim_v at_o and_o press_v towards_o the_o mark_n of_o the_o prize_n of_o the_o high_a call_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n jesus_n they_o be_v inflame_v with_o the_o desire_n of_o enlarge_a the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n here_o and_o of_o obtain_v that_o immarcescible_a crown_n hereafter_o and_o of_o eat_v the_o fruit_n of_o eternal_a life_n in_o the_o celestial_a paradise_n of_o god_n this_o be_v the_o first_o love_n of_o this_o church_n this_o be_v their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o vehement_a and_o sincere_a desire_n and_o only_a scope_n of_o their_o action_n that_o they_o may_v serve_v christ_n here_o and_o enjoy_v he_o afterward_o in_o his_o heavenly_a kingdom_n and_o therefore_o out_o of_o this_o fervent_a love_n to_o christ_n and_o sense_n of_o their_o own_o happiness_n they_o do_v at_o first_o easy_o devour_v all_o difficulty_n 7._o as_o it_o be_v note_v in_o the_o two_o follow_a verse_n i_o know_v thy_o work_n and_o 3._o thy_o labour_n and_o thy_o patience_n and_o how_o thou_o can_v not_o bear_v with_o such_o as_o be_v evil_a for_o those_o that_o be_v sincere_o and_o fervent_o good_a it_o can_v but_o make_v they_o have_v a_o antipathy_n against_o what_o be_v evil_a and_o discern_v they_o that_o bear_v themselves_o never_o so_o apostolical_o and_o yet_o be_v not_o right_a at_o the_o bottom_n to_o be_v but_o hypocrite_n and_o liar_n and_o thou_o have_v try_v they_o which_o say_v they_o be_v apostle_n and_o be_v not_o that_o there_o be_v false_a apostle_n deceitful_a worker_n transform_v themselves_o into_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n within_o which_o the_o period_n of_o this_o church_n be_v the_o apostle_n paul_n take_v notice_n 2_o cor._n 11._o 13._o which_o therefore_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o interval_n of_o this_o first_o church_n for_o when_o shall_v any_o pretend_v to_o be_v apostle_n send_v from_o god_n but_o in_o that_o age_n there_o be_v apostle_n send_v into_o the_o world_n by_o he_o and_o have_v bear_v and_o have_v patience_n and_o for_o my_o name_n be_v sake_n haste_v labour_v and_o have_v not_o faint_v what_o be_v here_o be_v muchwhat_a the_o same_o sense_n and_o word_n as_o be_v in_o the_o forego_n verse_n but_o it_o be_v not_o repeat_v in_o vain_a for_o these_o word_n i_o suppose_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d have_v a_o special_a correspondence_n to_o the_o reward_n promise_v in_o the_o 7._o verse_n he_o that_o will_v not_o labour_n shall_v not_o eat_v but_o he_o that_o labour_v very_o much_o and_o break_v not_o off_o by_o reason_n of_o any_o lazy_a faint_a or_o culpable_a lassitude_n be_v worthy_a to_o be_v feed_v with_o the_o bread_n of_o life_n but_o beside_o this_o labour_n and_o patience_n in_o the_o high_a circumstance_n be_v here_o repeat_v the_o better_a to_o set_v off_o the_o present_a remissness_n of_o some_o in_o this_o ephesine_fw-la church_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o next_o verse_n 8._o nevertheless_o i_o have_v something_o 4._o against_o thou_o because_o thou_o have_v leave_v thy_o first_o love_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d grotius_n and_o dr._n hammond_n expound_v it_o because_o thou_o have_v remit_v of_o thy_o first_o love_n and_o so_o allow_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o signify_v relaxation_n and_o remission_n in_o a_o contrary_a sense_n to_o intention_n of_o degree_n whence_o there_o may_v be_v another_o ground_n of_o allusion_n in_o ephesus_n to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o in_o counter_a distinction_n to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o that_o this_o ephesine_n church_n may_v have_v its_o name_n from_o its_o first_o intense_a love_n and_o it_o after_o remission_n thereof_o by_o this_o double_a allusion_n but_o as_o the_o allusion_n to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v more_o perfect_a than_o that_o to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o questionless_a this_o first_o interval_n of_o the_o church_n be_v more_o famous_a for_o their_o sincere_a and_o real_a love_n to_o christ_n then_o for_o their_o remissness_n therein_o which_o serve_v something_o for_o the_o countenance_v of_o the_o term_n of_o this_o interval_n because_o thou_o have_v leave_v thy_o first_o love_n that_o be_v to_o say_v because_o thou_o have_v cease_v to_o be_v so_o fervent_a in_o spirit_n as_o at_o the_o first_o which_o first_o love_n be_v according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o christ_n own_o prescript_n be_v certain_o such_o as_o make_v the_o ephesine_n church_n love_n christ_n more_o than_o father_n or_o mother_n or_o wife_n or_o child_n or_o any_o worldly_a interest_n whatsoever_o according_o as_o he_o require_v but_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o interval_n of_o this_o first_o succession_n of_o the_o church_n this_o love_n and_o courage_n it_o seem_v begin_v to_o abate_v and_o too_o many_o begin_v to_o gnosticize_v as_o it_o be_v call_v in_o that_o point_n and_o think_v it_o a_o small_a thing_n to_o deny_v the_o faith_n in_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n even_o those_o that_o yet_o profess_v themselves_o of_o the_o church_n and_o be_v believer_n that_o this_o be_v
who_o interval_n be_v from_o the_o ten_o of_o nero_n or_o anno_fw-la christi_fw-la 63._o till_o anno_fw-la christi_fw-la 324._o when_o constantine_n the_o great_a a_o zealous_a professor_n of_o christianity_n have_v subdue_v the_o most_o potent_a enemy_n of_o it_o and_o himself_o for_o then_o the_o church_n be_v raise_v out_o of_o the_o dust_n or_o rather_o out_o of_o the_o mire_n and_o blood_n that_o she_o be_v tread_v down_o into_o by_o the_o ten_o cruel_a persecution_n and_o begin_v to_o be_v the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n in_o sublimity_n and_o exaltation_n according_a to_o the_o signification_n of_o that_o word_n but_o in_o this_o interval_n of_o their_o affliction_n and_o martyrdom_n she_o be_v the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n now_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v all_o one_o and_o signify_v myrrh_n which_o whether_o you_o respect_v the_o plant_n itself_o which_o grow_v in_o sandy_a dry_a and_o uncultivated_a place_n and_o be_v itself_o rough_a and_o thorny_a with_o sharp_a prick_a leaf_n or_o else_o the_o gum_n of_o the_o tree_n which_o be_v bite_v and_o bitter_a to_o the_o taste_n and_o have_v its_o very_a name_n from_o thence_o in_o the_o syriack_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d quia_fw-la amara_fw-la as_o martinius_n note_n it_o be_v very_o significative_a of_o this_o interval_n of_o the_o church_n that_o succeed_v wherein_o those_o horrible_a pagan_a persecution_n raise_v against_o the_o christian_n be_v comprehend_v so_o that_o smyrna_n signify_v the_o bitter_a affliction_n and_o persecution_n of_o the_o church_n as_o that_o lamp_n name_v wormwood_n do_v the_o sad_a calamity_n of_o the_o western_a caesareate_n 2._o to_o which_o you_o may_v add_v that_o smyrna_n that_o be_v to_o say_v myrrh_n be_v a_o main_a ingredient_n in_o the_o embalm_v of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o dead_a which_o again_o reflect_v upon_o the_o many_o funeral_n or_o rather_o death_n and_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n which_o will_v be_v cause_v by_o the_o persecution_n of_o those_o time_n beside_o that_o as_o myrrh_n keep_v the_o body_n from_o corruption_n it_o may_v be_v a_o symbol_n of_o the_o eternize_n of_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o martyr_n to_o all_o posterity_n not_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o their_o conserve_n of_o their_o very_a body_n themselves_o which_o they_o call_v relic_n though_o this_o allusion_n can_v be_v no_o countenance_n to_o the_o abuse_n in_o those_o thing_n and_o last_o this_o allusion_n to_o myrrh_n be_v still_o the_o more_o emphatical_a in_o that_o the_o body_n of_o our_o saviour_n that_o faithful_a witness_n as_o he_o style_v himself_o after_o his_o martyrdom_n on_o the_o cross_n be_v say_v to_o be_v embalm_v with_o myrrh_n john_n 19_o 3._o these_o thing_n say_v the_o first_o and_o the_o last_o who_o be_v dead_a and_o be_v alive_a the_o title_n that_o christ_n adorn_v himself_o with_o when_o he_o speak_v to_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v he_o that_o hold_v the_o seven_o star_n in_o his_o right_a hand_n and_o who_o walk_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n namely_o through_o all_o the_o succession_n of_o they_o like_o that_o promise_n behold_v i_o be_o with_o you_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n intimate_v thereby_o the_o presence_n of_o his_o spirit_n through_o which_o he_o will_v in_o all_o difficulty_n sustain_v the_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o his_o church_n which_o general_a signification_n seem_v well_o enough_o proportion_v or_o fit_v to_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n he_o express_o require_v of_o they_o no_o more_o than_o zeal_n and_o courage_n in_o the_o general_a but_o now_o he_o speak_v to_o the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n and_o there_o enter_v a_o more_o bloody_a scene_n and_o terrible_a he_o seem_v to_o encourage_v they_o with_o high_a and_o more_o palpable_a and_o particular_a animation_n in_o the_o very_a entrance_n of_o his_o discourse_n these_o thing_n say_v the_o first_o and_o the_o last_o the_o same_o that_o begin_v the_o war_n for_o this_o kingdom_n we_o strive_v for_o and_o will_v be_v the_o last_o in_o the_o field_n to_o assist_v my_o friend_n and_o discomfit_v my_o enemy_n as_o well_o as_o i_o be_v the_o first_o and_o be_v not_o afraid_a of_o die_v for_o the_o truth_n for_o though_o i_o be_v crucify_v myself_o yet_o behold_v i_o be_o now_o alive_a and_o i_o tell_v you_o it_o for_o a_o pledge_n unto_o you_o of_o the_o same_o happiness_n if_o you_o lay_v down_o your_o life_n as_o the_o time_n will_v short_o require_v it_o for_o i_o and_o for_o my_o gospel_n this_o be_v very_o particular_a and_o apposite_a to_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o smyrnian_a interval_n wherein_o there_o be_v to_o be_v so_o many_o and_o so_o bloody_a persecution_n 4._o i_o know_v thy_o work_n and_o tribulation_n and_o poverty_n that_o be_v to_o say_v i_o know_v 9_o the_o great_a affliction_n and_o misery_n thou_o be_v oppress_v withal_o be_v destitute_a of_o all_o the_o comfort_n of_o this_o present_a life_n and_o in_o danger_n of_o death_n every_o moment_n which_o be_v a_o right_a smyrnian_a condition_n indeed_o according_a to_o the_o title_n of_o the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n but_o thou_o be_v rich_a namely_o with_o those_o spiritual_a grace_n of_o meekness_n of_o patience_n of_o christian_a courage_n and_o fortitude_n and_o of_o sincere_a and_o invincible_a love_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n even_o to_o the_o death_n itself_o and_o i_o know_v the_o blasphemy_n of_o they_o that_o say_v they_o be_v jew_n and_o be_v not_o but_o be_v the_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n that_o be_v i_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o reproach_n that_o those_o man_n cast_v upon_o christianity_n who_o call_v themselves_o christian_n and_o yet_o make_v nothing_o of_o dissemble_v and_o deny_v the_o faith_n upon_o the_o arise_v of_o any_o persecution_n for_o my_o name_n be_v sake_n as_o if_o a_o christian_a can_v be_v such_o a_o vile_a false_a and_o abject_a hypocrite_n this_o be_v to_o blaspheme_v they_o that_o be_v call_v by_o my_o name_n the_o right_a christian_n be_v the_o true_a jew_n who_o heart_n be_v circumcise_v and_o therefore_o he_o will_v not_o lie_v with_o his_o tongue_n and_o who_o faith_n be_v so_o strong_a in_o i_o and_o hope_n so_o firm_a of_o a_o better_a life_n that_o he_o can_v if_o the_o cause_n of_o my_o gospel_n so_o require_v willing_o part_n with_o this_o for_o the_o love_n of_o i_o and_o for_o the_o interest_n of_o my_o kingdom_n these_o be_v the_o true_a member_n of_o my_o church_n who_o be_v for_o suffering_n the_o other_o the_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n as_o i_o tell_v peter_n when_o he_o will_v have_v dissuade_v i_o from_o undergo_a the_o death_n of_o the_o cross_n get_v thou_o behind_o i_o satan_n for_o 23._o thou_o savory_a not_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n that_o the_o jew_n signify_v the_o christian_a church_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o frequent_a in_o the_o apocalyptick_a style_n then_o that_o and_o this_o mention_n of_o these_o false_a christian_n in_o opposition_n to_o these_o smyrnian_a sufferer_n do_v plain_o insinuate_v that_o sense_n which_o i_o have_v give_v 5._o fear_v none_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o 10._o thou_o shall_v suffer_v do_v not_o imitate_v the_o base_a cowardice_n of_o this_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n these_o hypocrite_n and_o dissembler_n after_o that_o sharp_a reprehension_n of_o flincher_n from_o the_o faith_n he_o return_v to_o encourage_v and_o corroborate_v the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n behold_v the_o devil_n shall_v cast_v some_o of_o you_o into_o prison_n that_o you_o may_v be_v try_v and_o you_o shall_v have_v tribulation_n ten_o day_n the_o red_a dragon_n that_o old_a serpent_n in_o his_o fight_n with_o michael_n for_o the_o thing_n of_o that_o vision_n be_v co-incident_a with_o this_o smyrnian_a interval_n of_o the_o church_n i_o say_v the_o pagan_n incense_v by_o the_o old_a serpent_n will_v cast_v several_a of_o you_o into_o prison_n that_o your_o faith_n may_v be_v try_v and_o god_n may_v receive_v the_o glory_n of_o your_o fortitude_n and_o constancy_n this_o you_o shall_v have_v for_o ten_o day_n that_o be_v till_o the_o time_n of_o consummation_n that_o victory_n and_o redemption_n be_v wrought_v for_o you_o or_o that_o you_o die_v or_o rather_o thus_o you_o shall_v have_v tribulation_n for_o ten_o day_n there_o will_v be_v ten_o season_n of_o bloody_a persecution_n which_o you_o must_v run_v through_o those_o ten_o persecution_n so_o famous_a in_o church-history_n and_o so_o frequent_a in_o the_o mouth_n of_o all_o man_n which_o consideration_n among_o other_o do_v not_o a_o little_a ratify_v this_o our_o exposition_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n and_o consequent_o give_v strength_n to_o the_o whole_a hypothesis_n of_o the_o seven_o successive_a intervall_n be_v you_o faithful_a unto_o death_n
and_o i_o will_v give_v you_o the_o crown_n of_o life_n that_o be_v to_o say_v stand_v out_o till_o the_o consummation_n of_o the_o ten_o persecution_n wherewith_o you_o will_v be_v try_v and_o you_o shall_v have_v the_o crown_n of_o life_n i_o will_v crown_v you_o with_o the_o imperial_a crown_n which_o shall_v prove_v a_o crown_n of_o life_n unto_o you_o christianity_n shall_v become_v at_o length_n the_o religion_n of_o the_o empire_n which_o will_v save_v you_o for_o the_o future_a from_o the_o deadly_a persecution_n of_o the_o red_a dragon_n you_o shall_v be_v no_o long_o subject_n to_o the_o cruelty_n of_o roman_a paganism_n for_o the_o profession_n of_o your_o religion_n this_o therefore_o will_v be_v a_o crown_n of_o life_n unto_o you_o this_o be_v according_a to_o that_o apoc._n 21._o 4._o and_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o death_n that_o be_v there_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o persecution_n and_o kill_v for_o conscience_n sake_n which_o be_v the_o sad_a case_n of_o this_o smyrnian_a church_n under_o the_o pagan_a cruelty_n in_o a_o eminent_a manner_n wherefore_o when_o they_o have_v win_v their_o freedom_n it_o be_v a_o crown_n of_o life_n to_o they_o by_o the_o law_n of_o contrary_n that_o this_o be_v the_o genuine_a sense_n will_v far_o appear_v from_o what_o follow_v 6._o he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n to_o hear_v let_v he_o hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v unto_o 11._o the_o church_n this_o be_v a_o usual_a epiphonema_n to_o parable_n plain_o intimate_v that_o what_o hitherto_o have_v be_v say_v be_v a_o parabolicall_a prophecy_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o prophecy_n be_v to_o foretell_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v to_o be_v transact_v here_o on_o earth_n and_o therefore_o where_o the_o promise_n be_v not_o divine_a or_o concern_v the_o state_n after_o this_o life_n the_o epiphonema_n follow_v as_o be_v very_o conspicuous_a in_o the_o promise_n to_o the_o church_n of_o thyatira_n which_o be_v the_o first_o example_n of_o the_o epiphonema_n come_v last_o of_o all_o which_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o the_o whole_a epistle_n there_o be_v prophetical_a verse_n 26._o and_o he_o that_o overcome_v and_o keep_v my_o word_n unto_o the_o end_n to_o he_o will_v i_o give_v power_n over_o the_o nation_n etc._n etc._n which_o therefore_o concern_v the_o stage_n of_o this_o earth_n and_o therefore_o this_o promise_n here_o of_o the_o crown_n of_o life_n before_o the_o epiphonema_n i_o will_v interpret_v of_o a_o reward_n in_o this_o life_n on_o this_o earth_n according_a as_o i_o have_v expound_v the_o passage_n but_o now_o that_o which_o follow_v this_o epiphonema_n be_v a_o promise_n of_o another_o sort_n viz._n he_o that_o overcome_v shall_v not_o be_v hurt_v of_o the_o second_o death_n for_o it_o be_v the_o secure_n of_o a_o bless_a immortality_n after_o this_o life_n and_o seem_v far_a to_o correspond_v with_o that_o passage_n in_o the_o apocalypse_n ch._n 20._o v._n 6._o bless_a and_o holy_a be_v he_o that_o have_v part_n in_o the_o first_o resurrection_n on_o such_o the_o second_o death_n have_v no_o power_n wherefore_o though_o not_o according_a to_o the_o inference_n of_o rigid_a syllogism_n yet_o according_a to_o those_o nice_a and_o delicate_a hint_n in_o prophetical_a intimation_n i_o will_v conclude_v that_o the_o promise_n of_o their_o portion_n in_o the_o first_o resurrection_n be_v here_o propose_v to_o those_o afflict_a smyrnian_o which_o be_v the_o proper_a portion_n of_o martyr_n and_o confessor_n according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n as_o mr._n mede_n have_v learned_o and_o judicious_o observe_v which_o grant_v do_v huge_o corroborate_v this_o application_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n to_o this_o interval_n which_o contain_v the_o time_n of_o all_o the_o suffering_n in_o a_o manner_n of_o the_o primitive_a martyr_n the_o promise_n of_o a_o bless_a immortality_n have_v be_v very_o proper_a and_o accommodate_v to_o this_o smyrnian_a state_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v so_o frequent_o to_o lose_v their_o life_n for_o profession_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o for_o it_o to_o be_v intimate_v to_o they_o that_o these_o shall_v have_v their_o portion_n in_o the_o first_o resurrection_n which_o be_v proper_a to_o martyr_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o place_n above_o quote_v be_v so_o characteristical_a of_o this_o interval_n wherein_o all_o the_o primitive_a martyr_n suffer_v viz._n in_o those_o ten_o persecution_n that_o it_o do_v marvellous_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o exposition_n of_o this_o present_a epistle_n in_o this_o mystical_a way_n we_o have_v go_v and_o thus_o much_o of_o the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n that_o be_v in_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o bitterness_n of_o oppression_n and_o affliction_n as_o the_o allusion_n to_o that_o syriack_n word_n import_v we_o proceed_v to_o the_o church_n in_o pergamus_n chap._n v._n the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n in_o pergamus_n 1._o and_o to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n 12._o in_o pergamus_n write_v the_o interval_n of_o this_o church_n be_v from_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 324_o when_o constantine_n utter_o defeat_v the_o army_n of_o licinius_n not_o above_o thirty_o thousand_o of_o one_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o thousand_o escape_v and_o so_o with_o his_o own_o victory_n make_v the_o church_n also_o triumphant_a out_o of_o her_o long_a and_o unsupportable_a misery_n raise_v she_o aloft_o from_o her_o sad_a oppression_n and_o persecution_n from_o this_o year_n i_o say_v to_o the_o year_n 1242_o when_o the_o pope_n legate_n amelin_n make_v a_o end_n of_o the_o albigensian_a war_n with_o trancavel_n bastard_n of_o the_o earl_n of_o bezier_n let_v this_o be_v the_o interval_n of_o the_o church_n in_o pergamus_n 2._o of_o the_o beginning_n of_o this_o interval_n there_o can_v be_v no_o doubt_n and_o for_o the_o termination_n of_o it_o there_o be_v these_o two_o consideration_n to_o countenance_v it_o the_o first_o in_o that_o the_o latter_a of_o those_o number_n in_o the_o last_o of_o daniel_n viz._n the_o number_n 1335_o do_v point_n to_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o waldenses_n and_o albigenses_n who_o be_v both_o one_o sect_n and_o from_o one_o author_n waldo_n of_o lion_n a_o holy_a and_o good_a man_n who_o preach_v and_o his_o own_o and_o his_o follower_n suffering_n be_v about_o the_o term_n of_o that_o number_n who_o epoch_n be_v the_o profanation_n of_o the_o temple_n by_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n so_o considerable_a a_o passage_n of_o providence_n be_v the_o appear_v of_o the_o waldenses_n in_o those_o time_n betwixt_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 1160_o and_o 1170._o for_o they_o be_v condemn_v for_o heretic_n by_o pope_n alexander_n in_o the_o lateran_n council_n in_o the_o year_n 1162_o upon_o which_o you_o may_v be_v sure_a persecution_n will_v immediate_o follow_v and_o mr._n mede_n with_o great_a judgement_n will_v have_v this_o latter_a number_n in_o daniel_n to_o 12._o point_n at_o these_o time_n nor_o do_v that_o expression_n of_o daniel_n at_o all_o weaken_v his_o opinion_n in_o that_o he_o say_v bless_a be_v he_o that_o wait_v and_o come_v to_o the_o thousand_o three_o hundred_o and_o five_o and_o thirty_o day_n because_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o apocalypse_n also_o bless_a be_v the_o dead_a that_o die_v in_o the_o lord_n that_o be_v that_o die_v for_o the_o cause_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n and_o of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n it_o be_v say_v i_o know_v thy_o tribulation_n and_o poverty_n but_o thou_o be_v rich_a the_o judgement_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o the_o judgement_n of_o carnal_a man_n be_v quite_o opposite_a in_o these_o thing_n what_o they_o call_v poverty_n the_o spirit_n call_v riches_n what_o they_o misery_n the_o spirit_n blessedness_n wherefore_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o waldenses_n or_o albigenses_n be_v a_o notable_a distinct_a and_o conspicuous_a joint_n of_o time_n even_o according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n but_o then_o in_o the_o second_o place_n i_o terminate_v the_o interval_n of_o this_o church_n in_o pergamus_n not_o in_o the_o beginning_n but_o the_o conclusion_n of_o these_o waldensian_a or_o albigensian_a affair_n because_o they_o be_v all_o in_o a_o manner_n one_o and_o so_o plain_o conclude_v in_o the_o year_n i_o have_v mention_v their_o suffering_n may_v the_o more_o punctual_o answer_v to_o the_o suffering_n of_o that_o one_o martyr_v antipas_n who_o be_v here_o say_v to_o be_v slay_v in_o pergamus_n but_o the_o concinnity_n of_o these_o thing_n we_o shall_v better_o understand_v after_o we_o have_v descant_v upon_o the_o name_n pergamus_n 3._o that_o by_o pergamus_n be_v intimate_v a_o state_n of_o exaltation_n or_o sublimity_n i_o intimate_v before_o sublimia_fw-la omne_fw-la dicta_fw-la asiaticis_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d notat_fw-la hesychius_n suidas_n &_o
resolve_v also_o far_o to_o fight_v against_o your_o adversary_n the_o pergamenians_n or_o romanist_n with_o the_o sword_n of_o my_o mouth_n till_o i_o cut_v off_o great_a branch_n from_o the_o body_n of_o that_o far-spreading_a tree_n and_o dismember_v whole_a nation_n from_o the_o community_n of_o that_o idolatrous_a church_n by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n this_o be_v that_o which_o be_v predictory_n of_o some_o event_n to_o happen_v in_o the_o follow_a interval_n according_a to_o the_o genius_n of_o these_o epistle_n 9_o to_o he_o that_o overcome_v will_v i_o give_v to_o eat_v of_o the_o hide_a manna_n the_o 17._o promise_n here_o follow_v the_o epiphonema_n he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n to_o hear_v let_v he_o hear_v must_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n signify_v theological_o or_o spiritual_o not_o physical_o or_o political_o wherefore_o the_o sense_n be_v those_o of_o pergamus_n indeed_o pretend_v that_o when_o they_o give_v that_o white_a and_o sweet_a consecrate_a wafer_n into_o the_o mouth_n of_o their_o communicant_o they_o give_v they_o the_o true_a manna_n my_o very_a body_n and_o blood_n which_o be_v shed_v on_o the_o cross_n and_o my_o very_a flesh_n that_o be_v there_o crucify_v and_o break_v for_o they_o whenas_o notwithstanding_o they_o order_v their_o eucharist_n so_o that_o they_o turn_v my_o supper_n into_o a_o feast_n of_o idolothyta_n and_o make_v the_o partaker_n thereof_o guilty_a of_o idolatry_n or_o spiritual_a fornication_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o give_v divine_a worship_n to_o that_o which_o be_v not_o god_n so_o that_o as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o balaam_n the_o israelite_n be_v to_o eat_v thing_n sacrifice_v to_o idol_n in_o order_n to_o carnal_a fornication_n so_o they_o that_o partake_v of_o this_o pervert_v eucharist_n be_v necessary_o ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la especial_o since_o the_o four_o lateran_n council_n draw_v into_o spiritual_a fornication_n or_o idolatry_n but_o he_o that_o be_v courageous_a and_o abstain_v from_o this_o illicit_v communion_n and_o through_o faith_n overcome_v all_o difficulty_n for_o the_o quit_v that_o outward_a white_a visible_a wafer_n i_o will_v give_v he_o to_o eat_v of_o the_o hide_a manna_n of_o that_o true_a spiritual_a manna_n mention_v john_n 6._o for_o my_o flesh_n be_v meat_n indeed_o and_o my_o blood_n be_v drink_v indeed_o but_o the_o word_n i_o there_o speak_v they_o be_v spirit_n and_o they_o be_v life_n or_o if_o he_o die_v in_o the_o cause_n i_o will_v give_v he_o the_o hide_a manna_n even_o the_o invisible_a food_n of_o angel_n and_o his_o soul_n shall_v pass_v into_o the_o society_n of_o the_o bless_a genii_n and_o holy_a soul_n of_o saint_n depart_v this_o life_n 10._o and_o i_o will_v give_v he_o a_o white_a stone_n and_o in_o the_o stone_n a_o new_a name_n write_v which_o no_o man_n know_v save_v he_o that_o receive_v it_o that_o be_v to_o say_v though_o he_o be_v accuse_v and_o reproach_v for_o a_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_a in_o the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n where_o satan_n the_o accuser_n dwell_v yet_o i_o will_v give_v he_o a_o white_a stone_n and_o quit_v he_o in_o judgement_n and_o establish_v the_o joy_n and_o peace_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n unto_o he_o or_o thus_o i_o will_v give_v he_o a_o white_a stone_n in_o which_o there_o be_v a_o new_a name_n write_v that_o be_v his_o old_a man_n shall_v be_v thorough_o crucify_v and_o he_o shall_v attain_v to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o new_a man_n in_o the_o purity_n thereof_o and_o enjoy_v that_o inestimable_a jewel_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n pure_a and_o permanent_a which_o no_o man_n know_v the_o excellency_n of_o till_o he_o be_v make_v partaker_n thereof_o i_o will_v consummate_v regeneration_n to_o he_o either_o in_o this_o life_n or_o upon_o his_o passage_n into_o the_o other_o state_n if_o he_o be_v snatch_v away_o by_o a_o sudden_a martyrdom_n and_o this_o will_v more_o than_o countervail_v all_o the_o injury_n the_o lofty_a church_n of_o pergamus_n can_v do_v to_o he_o in_o life_n good_n or_o good_a name_n chap._n vi_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n in_o thyatira_n 1._o and_o to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n in_o thyatira_n write_v the_o true_a 18._o church_n of_o christ_n be_v still_o in_o the_o power_n and_o within_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o therefore_o as_o rome_n have_v be_v set_v out_o by_o the_o city_n of_o babylon_n tyre_n and_o pergamus_n so_o be_v it_o here_o in_o this_o interval_n necessary_o to_o be_v understand_v by_o the_o city_n of_o thyatira_n i_o mean_v in_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o it_o be_v by_o the_o city_n of_o pergamus_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o whence_o both_o strabo_n and_o pliny_n and_o other_o that_o be_v critic_n fetch_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o name_n thyatira_n be_v allude_v to_o i_o be_o inclinable_a to_o think_v from_o those_o authority_n and_o that_o the_o womanishnesse_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o this_o period_n be_v perstringe_v that_o her_o softness_n and_o luxury_n be_v more_o than_o ordinary_o increase_v in_o this_o interval_n be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v as_o certain_o her_o covetousness_n as_o also_o her_o pranking_n and_o adorn_n in_o the_o splendour_n of_o their_o altar_n and_o church_n and_o cope_n and_o the_o like_a which_o can_v not_o be_v so_o continued_o and_o so_o high_a in_o the_o former_a interval_n but_o here_o all_o along_o she_o may_v well_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d filia_fw-la delicatula_fw-la a_o delicate_a damosel_n indeed_o sit_v like_o a_o queen_n and_o know_v no_o sorrow_n when_o a_o little_a before_o she_o be_v like_a to_o be_v overrun_v by_o the_o waldenses_n and_o albigenses_n and_o be_v fain_o to_o enter_v the_o field_n and_o fight_v manful_o for_o she_o own_o safety_n a_o little_a after_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o interval_n do_v innocent_a the_o four_o appoint_v in_o the_o council_n at_o lion_n that_o the_o cardinal_n shall_v go_v in_o their_o rosie-coloured_n hat_n and_o robe_n and_o ride_v upon_o horse_n with_o furniture_n and_o trappings_o suitable_a to_o the_o greatness_n of_o their_o order_n and_o delicacy_n of_o their_o condition_n and_o the_o mitre_n of_o paul_n the_o second_o be_v take_v special_a notice_n of_o for_o the_o exceed_a preciousness_n of_o the_o jewel_n therein_o and_o no_o doubt_n there_o be_v the_o like_a increase_n of_o the_o ecclesiastic_a bravery_n everywhere_o a_o little_a before_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o interval_n do_v honorius_n the_o three_o appoint_v the_o carmelites_n to_o go_v in_o white_a that_o they_o may_v look_v more_o maiden-like_a and_o decree_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v call_v the_o family_n of_o the_o virgin_n and_o the_o franciscan_n and_o dominican_n be_v notorious_a all_o along_o this_o interval_n who_o have_v the_o virgin_n mary_n for_o their_o peculiar_a patroness_n and_o indeed_o within_o this_o interval_n the_o roman_a church_n run_v so_o much_o in_o the_o seminine_a strain_n that_o they_o general_o profess_v themselves_o more_o under_o the_o government_n and_o providence_n of_o our_o lady_n then_o of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ._n gregory_n the_o nine_o a_o little_a before_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o present_a interval_n ordain_v that_o salve_fw-la regina_fw-la a_o hymn_n to_o the_o bless_a virgin_n shall_v be_v sing_v in_o all_o church_n boniface_n the_o eight_o in_o the_o year_n 1293_o compose_v that_o oraison_n ave_fw-la virgo_fw-la gloriosa_fw-la and_o in_o the_o year_n 1470_o the_o mary_n psalter_n and_o her_o rosarie_n be_v compose_v by_o 8._o alanus_n de_fw-fr rupe_n 2._o and_o how_o feminine_a this_o church_n be_v in_o this_o interval_n the_o observation_n of_o that_o excellent_a person_n sr._n edwin_n sandys_n though_o after_o the_o expiration_n thereof_o when_o one_o will_v think_v they_o shall_v in_o policy_n have_v be_v more_o castigate_v in_o their_o religion_n will_v give_v we_o full_o to_o understand_v the_o honour_n faith_n he_o which_o they_o do_v to_o the_o virgin_n mary_n be_v double_a for_o the_o most_o part_n unto_o that_o which_o they_o do_v unto_o our_o saviour_n where_o one_o profess_v himself_o a_o devoto_n or_o peculiar_a servant_n of_o our_o lord_n whole_a town_n be_v the_o devoti_n of_o our_o lady_n the_o stately_a church_n be_v she_o light_o and_o in_o church_n she_o the_o fair_a altar_n where_o one_o pray_v before_o the_o crucifix_n two_o before_o her_o image_n where_o one_o vow_v to_o christ_n ten_o vow_n to_o she_o and_o for_o one_o miracle_n report_v to_o be_v wrought_v by_o the_o crucifix_n not_o so_o sew_v perhaps_o as_o a_o hundred_o be_v voice_v upon_o the_o image_n of_o the_o virgin_n their_o devil_n in_o exorcism_n be_v also_o teach_v to_o endure_v the_o name_n of_o god_n or_o the_o trinity_n without_o trouble_n but_o at_o the_o name_n
many_o water_n that_o insinuate_v that_o this_o description_n respect_v also_o his_o body_n mystical_a which_o be_v a_o multitude_n 7._o i_o know_v thy_o work_n and_o charity_n 19_o and_o service_n and_o faith_n the_o true_a church_n then_o in_o thyatira_n be_v in_o oppression_n and_o affliction_n stand_v close_o to_o one_o another_o and_o encourage_v and_o comfort_v one_o another_o and_o support_v one_o another_o as_o well_o as_o they_o can_v and_o endeavour_v after_o a_o exemplarity_n of_o godliness_n and_o due_a proficiency_n in_o the_o power_n of_o religion_n as_o be_v candidate_n for_o that_o deliverance_n which_o they_o by_o faith_n see_v be_v not_o far_o off_o and_o thy_o patience_n and_o thy_o work_n and_o the_o last_o to_o be_v more_o than_o the_o first_o that_o be_v i_o see_v the_o work_n of_o thy_o patience_n in_o suffer_v imprisonment_n torture_n and_o death_n and_o particular_o in_o give_v up_o yourselves_o as_o a_o oblation_n of_o incense_n to_o the_o fire_n and_o faggot_n in_o such_o number_n for_o the_o testimony_n of_o my_o truth_n which_o be_v towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o this_o interval_n it_o be_v fit_o say_v and_o the_o last_o to_o be_v more_o than_o the_o first_o this_o be_v according_a to_o what_o be_v find_v in_o history_n 8._o notwithstanding_o i_o have_v a_o few_o thing_n against_o thou_o because_o thou_o suffer_v 20._o that_o woman_n jezebel_n which_o call_v herself_o a_o prophetess_n etc._n etc._n viz._n the_o papal_a hierarchy_n that_o pretend_v to_o be_v infallible_a and_o under_o colour_n of_o this_o bring_v in_o idolatry_n which_o be_v spiritual_a fornication_n and_o detain_v man_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o their_o idolatrous_a mass_n which_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n here_o parallel_v to_o the_o eat_n of_o thing_n sacrifice_v unto_o idol_n the_o prophetess_n jezebel_n here_o therefore_o answer_v to_o the_o false_a prophet_n after_o mention_v in_o the_o revelation_n 20._o and_o this_o exprobration_n to_o the_o church_n in_o thyatira_n of_o permit_v jezebel_n thus_o to_o practise_v her_o deceit_n to_o that_o voice_n of_o the_o angel_n come_v out_o of_o 4._o she_o my_o people_n lest_o you_o be_v partaker_n of_o her_o sin_n and_o of_o her_o plague_n it_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o solicitation_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o people_n in_o christendom_n such_o as_o discern_v the_o fraud_n and_o idolatry_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n to_o make_v a_o defection_n from_o she_o and_o suffer_v she_o trumperies_fw-fr no_o long_o for_o the_o time_n of_o that_o defection_n now_o draw_v near_o and_o thing_n be_v ripe_a for_o it_o and_o it_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o they_o that_o dislike_v the_o condition_n of_o affair_n to_o amend_v it_o and_o therefore_o he_o say_v because_o thou_o suffer_v that_o woman_n jezebel_n for_o it_o be_v no_o fault_n in_o we_o to_o suffer_v those_o thing_n which_o it_o be_v not_o in_o our_o power_n to_o help_v or_o redress_v 9_o this_o jezebel_n be_v very_o expressive_a of_o the_o roman_a hierarchy_n if_o we_o recur_n to_o the_o story_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n not_o only_o for_o her_o paint_n of_o herself_o which_o be_v notorious_a in_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o especial_o in_o this_o interval_n and_o such_o as_o the_o homily_n of_o our_o church_n in_o england_n take_v especial_a notice_n of_o compare_v all_o those_o rich_a and_o gorgeous_a adorn_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o the_o paint_n of_o the_o wrinkle_a face_n of_o a_o harlot_n but_o also_o for_o her_o whoredom_n and_o witchcraft_n as_o it_o be_v note_v 1_o king_n 9_o 22._o what_o peace_n so_o long_o as_o the_o whoredom_n of_o thy_o mother_n jezebel_n and_o her_o witchcraft_n be_v so_o many_o which_o be_v exact_o parallel_v to_o the_o description_n of_o the_o whore_n of_o babylon_n who_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o mother_n of_o fornication_n and_o abomination_n 17._o of_o the_o earth_n describe_v also_o by_o that_o cup_n of_o sorcery_n in_o her_o hand_n whereby_o she_o intoxicate_a the_o king_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o make_v they_o drink_v with_o the_o wine_n of_o her_o fornication_n and_o whereas_o she_o be_v say_v to_o be_v drink_v with_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o saint_n and_o with_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o martyr_n of_o jesus_n jezebel_n also_o in_o her_o history_n be_v famous_a for_o murder_v the_o prophet_n 4._o of_o god_n 10._o and_o those_o gross_a wickedness_n commit_v by_o ahab_n who_o do_v very_o abominable_o in_o follow_v idol_n and_o in_o persecute_v the_o servant_n of_o the_o true_a god_n who_o be_v say_v to_o have_v sell_v himself_o to_o work_v wickedness_n be_v impute_v to_o this_o subtle_a murderous_a whore_n and_o witch_n as_o the_o text_n plain_o declare_v but_o there_o be_v none_o like_o unto_o ahab_n who_o do_v sell_v himself_o to_o work_v 25._o wickedness_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n who_o jezebel_n his_o wife_n stir_v up_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o roman_a hierarchy_n according_a as_o both_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o whore_n of_o babylon_n and_o of_o the_o two-horned_n beast_n do_v plain_o signify_v be_v the_o author_n contriver_n and_o instigatour_n unto_o all_o those_o murderous_a and_o idolatrous_a practice_n that_o the_o secular_a magistrate_n have_v be_v guilty_a of_o during_o their_o force_n and_o tyranny_n over_o the_o true_a servant_n of_o christ._n the_o beast_n with_o two_o horn_n exercise_v all_o this_o 13._o power_n before_o the_o beast_n with_o ten_o horn_n or_o rather_o make_v use_n of_o the_o secular_a power_n to_o effect_v all_o their_o devilish_a design_n against_o the_o child_n of_o god_n as_o jezebel_n write_v letter_n in_o ahab_n name_n and_o seal_v they_o with_o his_o 8._o seal_n the_o church_n get_v the_o stamp_n of_o the_o imperial_a authority_n upon_o all_o the_o wicked_a dogmata_fw-la of_o their_o religion_n and_o idolatrous_a practice_n which_o they_o contrive_v for_o their_o own_o carnal_a advantage_n and_o then_o if_o any_o naboth_n will_v not_o part_v with_o the_o inheritance_n of_o his_o father_n the_o possession_n of_o a_o holy_a righteous_a and_o rational_a conscience_n nor_o profess_v nor_o act_v against_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d against_o those_o native_a truth_n and_o notion_n which_o god_n of_o his_o infinite_a mercy_n and_o faithfulness_n have_v implant_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o all_o man_n that_o have_v not_o do_v violence_n to_o that_o innate_a light_n the_o candle_n of_o the_o lord_n search_v all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o belly_n he_o 27._o be_v through_o the_o murderous_a contrivance_n of_o this_o strumpet_n jezebel_n false_o accuse_v as_o a_o blasphemer_n of_o god_n 10._o and_o the_o king_n as_o a_o enemy_n to_o both_o the_o catholic_n faith_n and_o secular_a magistrate_n and_o so_o be_v sentence_v to_o death_n and_o death_n come_v by_o these_o wicked_a accusation_n in_o this_o interval_n as_o in_o the_o former_a interval_n wherein_o antipas_n be_v slay_v by_o open_o fight_v in_o the_o field_n thus_o apposite_a be_v the_o allusion_n to_o the_o history_n of_o jezebel_n for_o the_o set_n out_o the_o state_n of_o this_o interval_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o tyranny_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n 11._o nor_o be_v it_o all_o harsh_a thus_o to_o interpret_v a_o vineyard_n to_o so_o spiritual_a a_o sense_n as_o to_o make_v it_o something_o within_o we_o whenas_o both_o philo_n and_o other_o ancient_a interpreter_n have_v interpret_v paradise_n to_o that_o sense_n or_o the_o garden_n of_o eden_n and_o other_o also_o can_v but_o acknowledge_v that_o that_o law_n of_o moses_n deut._n 22._o 9_o thou_o shall_v not_o sow_v thy_o vineyard_n with_o divers_a seed_n have_v also_o a_o moral_a or_o mystical_a meaning_n and_o be_v a_o precept_n of_o simplicity_n or_o sincerity_n of_o heart_n wherefore_o the_o vineyard_n of_o naboth_n may_v very_o well_o signify_v the_o humane_a will_n and_o understanding_n that_o be_v sow_v only_o or_o plant_v with_o such_o notion_n or_o notice_n of_o thing_n as_o be_v from_o god_n whether_o they_o be_v those_o innate_a idea_n of_o the_o soul_n or_o what_o be_v communicate_v far_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o the_o holy_a write_n of_o inspire_a man_n or_o be_v more_o immediate_o inspire_v into_o we_o by_o the_o abode_n of_o that_o spirit_n in_o we_o all_o these_o plant_n be_v of_o our_o heavenly_a father_n be_v own_o plant_v and_o no_o other_o seed_n be_v to_o be_v sow_v among_o they_o repugnant_a thereunto_o and_o this_o vineyard_n be_v the_o inheritance_n of_o all_o true_a christian_n descend_v upon_o they_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n to_o this_o very_a day_n but_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v pervert_v by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o whore_n or_o two-horned_n beast_n or_o by_o the_o eorruption_n also_o of_o their_o own_o nature_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o invade_v this_o ancient_a right_n as_o ahab_n have_v to_o get_v into_o his_o possession_n naboth_n
trade_n of_o whore_v still_o behold_v i_o will_v cast_v she_o into_o a_o bed_n 22._o and_o they_o that_o commit_v adultery_n with_o she_o into_o great_a tribulation_n except_o they_o repent_v of_o their_o deed_n unless_o she_o repent_v i_o will_v certain_o cast_v she_o into_o a_o bed_n of_o sickness_n and_o languishment_n for_o that_o bed_n of_o adultery_n wherein_o she_o have_v entertain_v the_o king_n of_o the_o earth_n her_o strength_n and_o glory_n shall_v be_v much_o diminish_v and_o her_o paramour_n shall_v bewail_v the_o calamity_n i_o shall_v bring_v upon_o she_o for_o there_o shall_v be_v of_o the_o king_n that_o shall_v hate_v the_o whore_n shall_v make_v her_o desolate_a in_o their_o dominion_n and_o naked_a and_o shall_v eat_v her_o flesh_n and_o burn_v she_o with_o fire_n as_o it_o fall_v out_o in_o the_o late_a defection_n of_o whole_a nation_n from_o she_o and_o i_o will_v kill_v her_o child_n with_o 23._o death_n that_o be_v either_o slay_v they_o with_o the_o sword_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o so_o make_v they_o dead_a as_o to_o she_o by_o their_o conversion_n to_o the_o truth_n or_o else_o kill_v they_o with_o a_o natural_a death_n such_o i_o mean_v as_o come_v against_o my_o true_a church_n whether_o whole_a army_n or_o seditious_a emissary_n as_o have_v often_o happen_v since_o the_o reformation_n and_o all_o the_o church_n shall_v know_v that_o i_o be_o he_o that_o search_v the_o reins_o and_o heart_n and_o will_v give_v unto_o every_o one_o of_o you_o according_a to_o his_o work_n that_o be_v it_o will_v be_v notorious_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o all_o christendom_n how_o just_a my_o judgement_n be_v and_o that_o i_o deal_v not_o with_o jezebel_n according_a to_o her_o fair_a pretence_n and_o title_n who_o call_v herself_o holy_a church_n and_o pretend_v all_o her_o cruelty_n and_o imposturous_a and_o idolatrous_a trumperies_fw-fr to_o be_v for_o my_o glory_n whenas_o they_o have_v run_v into_o all_o this_o degeneracy_n for_o their_o worldly_a interest_n but_o my_o eye_n which_o be_v a_o flame_a fire_n search_v into_o the_o heart_n and_o reins_o clear_o see_v their_o abominable_a hypocrisy_n and_o my_o foot_n like_o fine_a brass_n that_o never_o go_v out_o of_o the_o way_n of_o purity_n and_o justice_n will_v be_v sure_a to_o overtake_v they_o and_o do_v due_a vengeance_n upon_o they_o i_o will_v reward_v every_o one_o according_a to_o his_o work_n 18._o but_o unto_o you_o i_o say_v and_o unto_o the_o rest_n in_o thyatira_n as_o many_o as_o have_v not_o 24._o this_o doctrine_n to_o you_o pastor_n of_o my_o true_a church_n in_o thyatira_n and_o the_o rest_n which_o be_v your_o charge_n that_o hold_v not_o the_o idolatrous_a doctrine_n or_o faith_n of_o the_o thyatirian_a that_o be_v of_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o which_o have_v not_o know_v the_o depth_n of_o satan_n as_o they_o speak_v that_o be_v which_o have_v not_o approve_v the_o deep_a mystery_n as_o they_o speak_v of_o reason_n of_o state_n or_o of_o the_o roman_a religion_n such_o as_o murder_v innocent_a man_n for_o the_o interest_n of_o holy_a church_n infallibility_n transubstantiation_n and_o the_o like_a but_o i_o who_o search_v the_o heart_n and_o reins_o do_v apert_o declare_v to_o be_v the_o depth_n of_o satan_n they_o tend_v to_o nothing_o but_o to_o luciferian_a pride_n barbarous_a persecution_n and_o murder_n and_o gross_a imposture_n and_o idolatry_n i_o will_v put_v upon_o you_o no_o other_o burden_n 25._o but_o that_o which_o you_o have_v already_o hold_v fast_o until_o i_o come_v i_o have_v already_o show_v you_o my_o approbation_n of_o your_o way_n ver_fw-la 19_o and_o in_o that_o you_o do_v not_o communicate_v with_o the_o idolatrous_a jezebel_n keep_v to_o where_o you_o be_v and_o stand_v out_o to_o the_o last_o let_v no_o persecution_n dismay_v you_o till_o i_o come_v in_o judgement_n against_o this_o jezebel_n the_o same_o with_o the_o little_a horn_n in_o daniel_n which_o in_o the_o expire_n of_o the_o time_n and_o time_n and_o half_a a_o time_n will_v certain_o be_v judge_v 19_o and_o he_o that_o overcome_v and_o 26._o keep_v my_o work_n unto_o the_o end_n to_o he_o will_v i_o give_v power_n over_o the_o nation_n that_o company_n of_o man_n those_o people_n that_o keep_v my_o work_n to_o the_o end_n to_o the_o last_o semitime_n of_o the_o seven_o they_o shall_v have_v power_n over_o the_o pagan_a christian_n they_o shall_v get_v they_o under_o and_o be_v no_o more_o domineer_v over_o by_o they_o and_o he_o shall_v rule_v they_o with_o a_o rod_n of_o 27._o iron_n that_o be_v with_o sufficient_a power_n and_o strictness_n to_o keep_v they_o in_o subjection_n as_o the_o vessel_n of_o a_o potter_n shall_v they_o be_v break_v to_o shiver_n the_o stone_n shall_v smite_v the_o image_n on_o the_o foot_n and_o break_v they_o to_o piece_n that_o shall_v be_v at_o the_o long-run_a even_o as_o i_o receive_v of_o my_o father_n i_o in_o you_o and_o you_o in_o i_o you_o in_o i_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o power_n of_o my_o spirit_n shall_v thus_o reign_v and_o i_o in_o you_o according_a as_o it_o be_v write_v i_o shall_v give_v thou_o the_o heathen_a 2._o for_o thy_o inheritance_n the_o uttermost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o thy_o possession_n thou_o shall_v break_v they_o with_o a_o rod_n of_o iron_n thou_o shall_v dash_v they_o in_o piece_n as_o a_o potter_n vessel_n but_o this_o be_v something_o further_o off_o 20._o and_o i_o will_v give_v he_o the_o morning_n 28._o star_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n and_o which_o be_v next_o to_o succeed_v i_o will_v give_v they_o the_o morning_n star_n that_o be_v a_o considerable_a dawn_n towards_o that_o great_a day_n of_o the_o illustrious_a reign_n of_o christ_n upon_o earth_n in_o his_o saint_n by_o his_o spirit_n the_o phosphorus_n to_o the_o glorious_a sun-rise_n of_o the_o happy_a millennium_n proper_o so_o call_v this_o interval_n will_v be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o the_o vial_n which_o be_v accompany_v with_o such_o a_o smoke_n as_o here_o the_o promise_n which_o be_v to_o be_v perform_v in_o the_o next_o succession_n of_o the_o church_n and_o there_o continue_v be_v not_o express_v with_o that_o vigour_n as_o elsewhere_o where_o christ_n in_o reference_n to_o his_o kingdom_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o bright_a morning_n star_n here_o only_o the_o morning_n star_n without_o the_o ornament_n of_o that_o epithet_n the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n therefore_o under_o the_o first_o thunder_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o morning_n star_n but_o under_o the_o second_o the_o bright_a morning_n star_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o whereas_o in_o that_o other_o place_n he_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o this_o 10._o he_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o may_v also_o have_v the_o signification_n of_o more_o early_a than_o be_v expect_v which_o exquisite_o answer_v to_o the_o evert_v it_o fall_v out_o towards_o the_o forepart_n of_o the_o last_o semitime_n but_o these_o thing_n be_v only_o by_o the_o by_o he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n to_o hear_v let_v he_o hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v unto_o the_o 29._o church_n there_o be_v nothing_o new_a remarkable_a in_o this_o epiphonema_n but_o the_o place_n of_o it_o here_o after_o the_o whole_a epistle_n which_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o all_o the_o epistle_n be_v a_o parable_n and_o be_v not_o only_o mean_v of_o the_o church_n in_o thyatira_n in_o the_o literal_a sense_n but_o that_o the_o condition_n and_o affair_n of_o some_o other_o church_n the_o true_o catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n in_o the_o interval_n define_v be_v here_o prefigure_v and_o describe_v prophetical_o and_o that_o therefore_o the_o promise_n be_v to_o be_v perform_v on_o this_o stage_n of_o the_o earth_n as_o of_o their_o own_o nature_n they_o appear_v to_o be_v such_o that_o have_v a_o political_a sense_n which_o therefore_o therewithal_o assure_v we_o that_o such_o a_o tenor_n of_o interpretation_n belong_v to_o the_o three_o follow_a epistle_n because_o the_o epiphonema_n be_v the_o close_a of_o every_o one_o of_o they_o and_o therefore_o we_o shall_v steer_v the_o course_n of_o our_o interpretation_n according_o chap._n vii_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n in_o sardis_n 1._o and_o unto_o the_o angel_n in_o the_o 1._o church_n of_o sardis_n write_v that_o sardis_n be_v a_o city_n in_o asia_n be_v manifest_a ch._n 1._o and_o consider_v no_o otherwise_o then_o so_o do_v not_o at_o all_o illustrate_v the_o condition_n of_o this_o five_o succession_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n but_o acknowledge_v here_o again_o a_o paronomastical_a allusion_n to_o sarda_n the_o precious_a stone_n as_o grotius_n do_v or_o take_v notice_n with_o pliny_n that_o that_o stone_n be_v so_o call_v for_o its_o first_o be_v find_v about_o
receive_v from_o i_o myself_o or_o my_o apostle_n stand_v fast_o to_o the_o infallible_a word_n which_o will_v impartial_o instruct_v and_o excite_v you_o to_o all_o the_o due_a measure_n of_o godliness_n and_o believe_v not_o the_o rot_a and_o corrupt_a gloss_n ofdeceitful_a man_n that_o will_v sew_v pillow_n under_o man_n armhole_n and_o frame_v opinion_n and_o precept_n to_o favour_v the_o lust_n of_o the_o flesh_n to_o dote_v upon_o man_n be_v a_o piece_n of_o carnality_n but_o to_o dote_v on_o they_o for_o their_o carnal_a opinion_n and_o fleshfavour_a document_n be_v sardian_n or_o carnaline_n of_o a_o double_a dye_n repent_v therefore_o for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n be_v at_o hand_n and_o he_o that_o have_v the_o seven_o spirit_n of_o god_n stand_v ready_a to_o assist_v and_o succour_v with_o his_o divine_a grace_n all_o that_o sincere_o endeavour_v after_o righteousness_n so_o that_o the_o fault_n lie_v at_o your_o own_o door_n if_o therefore_o thou_o shall_v not_o watch_v i_o will_v come_v on_o thou_o as_o a_o thief_n and_o thou_o shall_v not_o know_v what_o hour_n i_o come_v upon_o thou_o if_o thou_o will_v not_o return_v to_o true_a sobriety_n and_o sincerity_n of_o manner_n i_o shall_v bring_v some_o signal_n mischief_n upon_o thou_o before_o thou_o be_v aware_a i_o shall_v sudden_o come_v in_o judgement_n against_o thou_o when_o thou_o least_o dream_v thereof_o god_n of_o his_o infinite_a mercy_n avert_v the_o ill_a omen_n and_o change_v our_o heart_n that_o we_o may_v amend_v our_o life_n and_o he_o may_v be_v reconcile_v to_o we_o 6._o thou_o have_v a_o few_o name_n even_o in_o 4._o sardis_n which_o have_v not_o defile_v their_o garment_n notwithstanding_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o sardian_n church_n be_v so_o general_o carnal_a in_o the_o very_a hue_n of_o that_o carnaline-stone_n that_o look_v so_o like_o mere_a flesh_n and_o blood_n yet_o there_o be_v some_o few_o that_o have_v not_o defile_v their_o garment_n with_o that_o colour_n but_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o primitiae_fw-la of_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o spirit_n who_o inward_a man_n be_v renew_v day_n by_o day_n into_o the_o image_n of_o myself_o and_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o be_v the_o child_n of_o light_n and_o they_o shall_v walk_v with_o i_o in_o white_a these_o shall_v not_o only_o enjoy_v glorious_a converse_v with_o i_o and_o i_o communicate_v my_o spiritual_a grace_n abundant_o to_o they_o but_o they_o shall_v be_v very_o successful_a and_o prosperous_a in_o their_o affair_n for_o to_o be_v clothe_v in_o white_a signify_v so_o in_o the_o onirocritick_n according_o as_o you_o may_v see_v in_o achmetes_n for_o they_o be_v worthy_a for_o i_o do_v to_o every_o one_o according_a to_o his_o work_n 7._o he_o that_o overcome_v the_o same_o 5._o shall_v be_v clothe_v in_o white_a raiment_n he_o that_o overcome_v all_o the_o lust_n of_o this_o terrestrial_a body_n to_o he_o will_v i_o communicate_v the_o celestial_a or_o divine_a this_o be_v a_o more_o theological_a sense_n but_o the_o political_n be_v most_o proper_a the_o epiphonema_n conclude_v the_o whole_a epistle_n wherefore_o to_o be_v clothe_v in_o white_a raiment_n it_o be_v here_o the_o promise_n to_o he_o that_o overcome_v signify_v and_o that_o rather_o than_o in_o the_o foregoing_a verse_n success_n and_o prosperity_n in_o external_a affair_n and_o exemption_n from_o grief_n and_o affliction_n as_o the_o onirocritick_n do_v express_o interpret_v it_o see_v achmetes_n and_o i_o will_v not_o blot_v his_o name_n out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o life_n the_o more_o proper_a and_o political_a sense_n may_v be_v that_o when_o the_o church_n by_o overcome_v have_v emerge_v into_o the_o philadelphian_a condition_n it_o shall_v never_o change_v at_o least_o as_o to_o the_o external_a frame_n but_o keep_v up_o to_o the_o end_n and_o god_n will_v avowed_o acknowledge_v it_o to_o be_v his_o even_o to_o the_o last_o even_o then_o when_o it_o be_v pass_v into_o the_o laodicean_n state_n and_o the_o state_n of_o persecution_n shall_v never_o overwhelm_v it_o any_o more_o so_o the_o book_n of_o life_n may_v signify_v here_o as_o the_o crown_n of_o life_n before_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n but_o i_o will_v confess_v his_o name_n before_o my_o father_n and_o before_o his_o angel_n that_o be_v to_o say_v i_o will_v acknowledge_v his_o nature_n to_o have_v become_v in_o a_o manner_n divine_a and_o angelical_a and_o therefore_o to_o be_v a_o meet_a associate_n for_o their_o company_n in_o my_o heavenly_a kingdom_n for_o ever_o this_o may_v be_v a_o moral_a or_o theological_a sense_n but_o the_o political_a be_v chief_o aim_v at_o as_o be_v intimate_v by_o the_o place_n of_o the_o epiphonema_n last_o of_o all_o the_o confess_v therefore_o of_o the_o name_n of_o these_o few_o in_o sardis_n that_o be_v right_a as_o they_o shall_v be_v and_o as_o many_o as_o make_v up_o to_o the_o measure_n of_o their_o sanctity_n which_o therefore_o be_v the_o seed_n of_o the_o philadelphian_a church_n christ_n his_o confess_v of_o their_o name_n before_o his_o father_n and_o before_o his_o holy_a angel_n be_v the_o mention_v of_o their_o name_n as_o of_o a_o people_n more_o peculiar_o he_o and_o extraordinary_o dear_a unto_o he_o that_o by_o thus_o own_v they_o in_o such_o a_o endear_n manner_n before_o god_n and_o his_o holy_a angel_n they_o may_v be_v in_o a_o more_o special_a manner_n recommend_v to_o the_o favour_n and_o protection_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o faithful_a and_o watchful_a ministry_n of_o his_o holy_a angel_n which_o will_v be_v the_o efficient_a cause_n of_o their_o be_v clothe_v in_o white_a and_o of_o their_o name_n never_o be_v blot_v out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o life_n that_o be_v to_o say_v of_o the_o permanency_n of_o their_o outward_a prosperity_n and_o security_n from_o misery_n and_o oppression_n that_o thus_o innocency_n and_o outward_a felicity_n may_v go_v hand_n in_o hand_n in_o the_o bless_a millennium_n which_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n the_o same_o with_o the_o philadelphian_a interval_n of_o the_o church_n these_o few_o name_n in_o sardis_n will_v amount_v to_o this_o at_o last_o for_o salvation_n be_v to_o spring_v out_o of_o sardis_n not_o out_o of_o babylon_n nor_o be_v it_o any_o wonder_n that_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o holy_a angel_n will_v be_v so_o extraordinary_o exercise_v about_o a_o church_n which_o will_v then_o have_v become_v so_o angelical_a as_o be_v more_o full_o note_v in_o the_o divine_a dialogue_n 8._o these_o be_v the_o rouse_a motive_n which_o christ_n use_v to_o excite_v the_o carnal_a church_n of_o sardis_n to_o more_o hearty_a endeavour_n after_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o spirit_n that_o they_o may_v bring_v on_o the_o begin_n of_o those_o most_o happy_a time_n the_o conduct_n of_o which_o affair_n be_v represent_v by_o that_o illustrious_a heros_n on_o his_o white_a horse_n chap._n 19_o where_o his_o army_n follow_v he_o on_o white_a horse_n clothe_v in_o fine_a linen_n white_a and_o clean_a which_o appertain_v to_o the_o last_o end_n of_o the_o interval_n of_o this_o church_n of_o sardis_n a_o great_a part_n of_o who_o by_o this_o time_n it_o be_v likely_a may_v have_v turn_v their_o carnaline-colour_n into_o pure_a white_a and_o be_v ready_a to_o march_v with_o he_o there_o to_o that_o spiritual_a warfare_n as_o some_o be_v say_v here_o to_o walk_v with_o he_o in_o white_a and_o that_o with_o marvellous_a success_n and_o prosperity_n as_o their_o white_a clothing_n do_v intimate_v he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n to_o hear_v let_v he_o 6._o hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v unto_o the_o church_n reform_a christendom_n especial_o she_o be_v so_o much_o concern_v therein_o for_o she_o as_o i_o say_v at_o first_o be_v this_o sardian_n church_n the_o beginning_n of_o who_o interval_n be_v adorn_v with_o more_o true_a holiness_n and_o sincerity_n of_o zeal_n the_o better_a deserve_v the_o title_n of_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o witness_n and_o though_o they_o be_v here_o much_o reprove_v for_o their_o fault_n yet_o they_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n chap._n 1._o 11._o that_o be_v to_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o fundamento_fw-la and_o be_v the_o true_a and_o apostolical_a church_n still_o and_o just_o witness_v against_o the_o idolatry_n and_o gross_a antichristian_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n such_o i_o mean_v as_o with_o they_o have_v become_v a_o law_n and_o thereby_o be_v proper_o antichristian_a this_o i_o think_v fit_a to_o add_v to_o stop_v the_o preposterous_a proneness_n of_o some_o towards_o the_o roman_a church_n from_o the_o consideration_n that_o all_o thing_n be_v not_o so_o perfect_a in_o the_o reform_a church_n as_o may_v be_v desire_v for_o though_o they_o be_v
not_o so_o well_o as_o they_o shall_v be_v yet_o they_o must_v needs_o appear_v to_o any_o but_o a_o humorist_n exceed_v much_o better_a than_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o thus_o much_o of_o the_o sardian_n church_n chap._n viii_o a_o interpretation_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n in_o philadelphia_n 1._o and_o to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n in_o philadelphia_n write_v the_o 7._o meaning_n of_o philadelphia_n be_v plain_a and_o be_v no_o riddle_n the_o word_n signify_v brotherly_a love_n which_o right_o understand_v be_v the_o fulfil_n of_o the_o law_n so_o that_o i_o understand_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o same_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d universal_a love_n for_o we_o be_v all_o brother_n in_o adam_n but_o especial_o the_o love_n of_o those_o of_o the_o household_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v to_o say_v of_o christian_a believer_n in_o the_o sardian_n church_n the_o great_a noise_n and_o stir_v there_o be_v about_o faith_n but_o her_o work_n be_v not_o find_v perfect_a before_o god_n but_o the_o inscription_n of_o this_o church_n be_v love_n which_o be_v the_o fulfil_n of_o the_o law_n as_o i_o hint_v before_o and_o 4._o his_o banner_n over_o i_o be_v love_n this_o be_v the_o ensign_n of_o the_o church_n of_o philadelphia_n who_o elsewhere_o be_v say_v to_o be_v beautiful_a and_o terrible_a as_o a_o army_n with_o banner_n who_o be_v she_o that_o look_v 10._o forth_o as_o the_o morning_n fair_a as_o the_o moon_n clear_a as_o the_o sun_n and_o terrible_a as_o a_o army_n with_o banner_n why_o who_o can_v it_o be_v but_o this_o church_n of_o philadelphia_n as_o famous_a for_o feat_n of_o arm_n as_o for_o love_n as_o we_o shall_v see_v in_o the_o process_n for_o the_o interval_n of_o this_o church_n begin_v in_o the_o last_o vial_n and_o reach_n to_o the_o four_o thunder_n these_o thing_n say_v he_o that_o be_v holy_a and_o speak_v to_o that_o church_n that_o love_v to_o hear_v those_o instruction_n be_v you_o holy_a for_o i_o be_o holy_a and_o be_v you_o perfect_a as_o your_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n be_v perfect_a he_o that_o be_v true_a he_o that_o will_v make_v good_a all_o his_o promise_n and_o glorious_a prediction_n touch_v his_o church_n in_o this_o state_n thereof_o which_o be_v figure_v out_o by_o the_o church_n of_o philadelphia_n and_o write_v to_o those_o that_o believe_v it_o and_o have_v a_o firm_a faith_n in_o the_o power_n and_o spirit_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o god_n he_o that_o have_v the_o key_n of_o david_n he_o that_o open_v and_o no_o man_n shut_v and_o shut_v and_o no_o man_n open_v what_o eliakim_n be_v to_o hezekias_n who_o be_v of_o the_o stock_n of_o david_n the_o same_o be_v christ_n to_o god_n the_o father_n who_o s._n john_n call_v love_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o be_v chief_a minister_n of_o state_n under_o god_n and_o carry_v all_o as_o he_o please_v by_o the_o authority_n commit_v to_o he_o of_o which_o a_o key_n be_v the_o symbol_n see_v grotius_n upon_o the_o place_n there_o be_v nothing_o so_o hard_a and_o impervious_a but_o he_o can_v make_v way_n through_o it_o and_o open_v a_o door_n to_o success_n and_o again_o shut_v it_o against_o his_o enemy_n 2._o i_o know_v thy_o work_n and_o that_o so_o 8._o as_o to_o approve_v of_o they_o because_o they_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o divine_a love_n than_o which_o there_o be_v nothing_o to_o i_o more_o precious_a thou_o act_v not_o out_o of_o bitter_a zeal_n and_o strife_n or_o vain_a ostentation_n or_o any_o secular_a respect_n but_o mere_o out_o of_o love_n to_o i_o and_o my_o righteousness_n and_o out_o of_o love_n to_o mankind_n who_o both_o present_a and_o future_a happiness_n thou_o do_v sincere_o endeavour_v to_o promote_v behold_v i_o have_v set_v before_o thou_o a_o open_a door_n and_o no_o man_n can_v shut_v it_o behold_v i_o have_v bring_v thing_n about_o so_o by_o my_o providence_n and_o will_v so_o effectual_o second_v what_o i_o have_v begin_v by_o my_o special_a assistence_n that_o maugre_o all_o the_o machination_n of_o man_n and_o devil_n thou_o shall_v find_v opportunity_n of_o most_o glorious_o and_o successful_o carry_v on_o the_o interest_n of_o my_o kingdom_n this_o be_v perform_v in_o the_o last_o vial_n in_o that_o great_a battle_n of_o god_n almighty_a when_o 19_o also_o the_o beast_n and_o the_o false_a prophet_n be_v say_v to_o be_v take_v see_v the_o divine_a dialogue_n for_o thou_o have_v a_o little_a strength_n grotius_n himself_o interpret_v it_o a_o little_a army_n and_o so_o indeed_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d will_v signify_v &_o apposite_o to_o the_o present_a scope_n and_o answerable_o to_o the_o battle_n i_o name_v before_o the_o sense_n be_v because_o though_o you_o be_v but_o a_o few_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o my_o church_n and_o kingdom_n for_o the_o sardian_n church_n be_v his_o kingdom_n and_o church_n too_o out_o of_o which_o the_o philadelphian_a church_n be_v emerge_v and_o especial_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o infidel_n and_o antichristian_a party_n those_o under_o the_o dragon_n and_o the_o beast_n and_o the_o false_a prophet_n yet_o you_o 16._o have_v keep_v my_o word_n and_o not_o deny_v my_o name_n that_o be_v have_v both_o keep_v to_o what_o be_v holy_a and_o true_a in_o your_o heart_n and_o profess_v it_o in_o your_o word_n and_o work_n therefore_o i_o will_v be_v with_o you_o in_o this_o glorious_a manner_n and_o make_v you_o so_o successful_a in_o the_o promote_a of_o the_o interest_n of_o my_o kingdom_n of_o this_o church_n therefore_o of_o philadelphia_n be_v those_o army_n see_v in_o heaven_n apoc_n 19_o follow_v christ_n upon_o white_a horse_n clothe_v in_o fine_a linen_n white_a and_o clean_a which_o imply_v both_o the_o justness_n of_o their_o cause_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o success_n as_o also_o those_o boanergess_n in_o the_o last_o vial_n synchronal_a to_o that_o other_o vision_n 19_o that_o thunder_n and_o lighten_v over_o the_o city_n divide_v into_o three_o part_n whereby_o the_o city_n of_o the_o nation_n fall_v and_o babylon_n and_o her_o daughter_n be_v utter_o overthrow_v 3._o behold_v i_o will_v make_v they_o of_o the_o 9_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n which_o say_v they_o be_v jew_n but_o do_v lie_v jew_n as_o i_o note_v before_o according_a to_o the_o style_n of_o the_o apocalypse_n be_v christian_n and_o the_o jew_n which_o profess_v themselves_o such_o and_o be_v not_o but_o do_v lie_v be_v pseudo-christians_a or_o the_o antichristian_a party_n but_o be_v judge_v here_o to_o be_v of_o the_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n because_o of_o their_o abominable_a lie_n and_o bloody_a murder_n for_o the_o devil_n be_v a_o murderer_n from_o 44._o the_o beginning_n and_o he_o be_v also_o in_o the_o same_o place_n by_o our_o saviour_n term_v a_o liar_n beside_o the_o luciferian_a pride_n of_o that_o church_n like_o satan_n the_o prince_n of_o the_o devil_n behold_v i_o will_v make_v they_o come_v and_o worship_n before_o thy_o foot_n even_o those_o that_o before_o kiss_v the_o foot_n of_o the_o pope_n that_o lofty_a prelate_n this_o answer_v very_o pat_o to_o that_o passage_n in_o the_o forenamed_a vision_n where_o the_o beast_n and_o false_a prophet_n be_v take_v and_o put_v alive_a into_o a_o lake_n of_o fire_n that_o 20._o be_v to_o say_v the_o bestian_a and_o pseudoprophetical_a power_n as_o such_o be_v burn_v and_o destroy_v and_o abolish_v and_o the_o philadelphian_a power_n then_o appear_v above_o all_o or_o rather_o the_o lord_n alone_o will_v be_v exalt_v in_o that_o day_n for_o to_o this_o time_n especial_o belong_v that_o say_n not_o by_o might_n nor_o by_o power_n but_o by_o my_o spirit_n say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n for_o indeed_o the_o struggle_n of_o the_o sardian_n church_n hitherto_o against_o the_o city_n that_o be_v call_v sodom_n and_o egypt_n though_o it_o have_v be_v in_o its_o kind_n laudable_a yet_o it_o have_v be_v in_o a_o manner_n edom_n against_o edom_n a_o part_n something_o more_o refine_v against_o that_o which_o be_v more_o impure_a i_o mean_v as_o to_o life_n and_o godliness_n and_o the_o weapon_n of_o their_o warfare_n have_v not_o be_v so_o spiritual_a as_o they_o ought_v they_o have_v not_o rid_v upon_o white_a horse_n nor_o have_v be_v clothe_v in_o fine_a linen_n white_a and_o clean_a they_o have_v not_o endeavour_v to_o be_v that_o church_n which_o be_v without_o spot_n &_o wrinkle_n or_o any_o such_o thing_n but_o the_o sardian_n tincture_n have_v too_o much_o distain_v they_o but_o as_o it_o be_v true_a in_o the_o natural_a sense_n that_o flesh_n and_o blood_n can_v inherit_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n so_o it_o be_v also_o in_o the_o political_a that_o those_o glorious_a time_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n
small_a reason_n for_o it_o that_o name_n be_v so_o particular_o and_o pompous_o set_v out_o for_o a_o special_a name_n of_o he_o and_o though_o he_o have_v ever_o have_v a_o right_a unto_o it_o yet_o because_o the_o get_n into_o possession_n of_o this_o right_n will_v be_v new_a and_o fresh_a in_o this_o philadelphian_a interval_n after_o the_o battle_n of_o the_o heros_n on_o the_o white_a horse_n it_o be_v right_o term_v a_o new_a name_n and_o very_o fitting_o write_v upon_o these_o philadelphian_o because_o they_o be_v so_o instrumental_a in_o his_o achievement_n these_o be_v the_o boanergess_n thunder_v over_o the_o great_a city_n divide_v into_o three_o part_n and_o also_o those_o horseman_n on_o white_a horse_n as_o i_o intimate_v before_o christ_n therefore_o through_o these_o become_v king_n of_o king_n and_o lord_n of_o lord_n or_o rather_o he_o have_v make_v they_o the_o great_a kingdom_n upon_o earth_n the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n be_v exalt_v upon_o the_o top_n of_o the_o mountain_n and_o all_o nation_n flow_v unto_o it_o as_o it_o be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v under_o the_o three_o thunder_n through_o which_o third_n and_o second_o thunder_n and_o seven_o vial_n be_v draw_v the_o interval_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o church_n of_o philadelphia_n as_o i_o have_v hint_v above_o he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n to_o hear_v let_v he_o 13._o hear_v etc._n etc._n we_o need_v not_o here_o urge_v the_o intimation_n of_o this_o political_a sense_n of_o thing_n from_o the_o put_n of_o the_o epiphonema_n last_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o expression_n call_v for_o it_o though_o we_o have_v no_o such_o guide_n but_o we_o may_v rather_o argue_v that_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v of_o so_o manifest_a political_a sense_n not_o moral_a or_o spiritual_a that_o it_o confirm_v our_o rule_n touch_v the_o position_n of_o this_o epiphonema_n but_o this_o by_o the_o bye_n we_o proceed_v to_o the_o church_n of_o laodicea_n chap._n ix_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o laodicea_n 1._o and_o to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n 14._o of_o the_o laodicean_n write_v the_o interval_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o church_n of_o laodicea_n be_v the_o four_o and_o five_o thunder_n that_o be_v from_o the_o lose_n of_o satan_n to_o the_o appear_v of_o christ_n come_v to_o judgement_n under_o the_o six_o thunder_n in_o this_o interval_n the_o scene_n of_o philadelphia_n be_v pass_v and_o laodicea_n take_v place_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v a_o true_a church_n as_o to_o worship_n and_o doctrine_n but_o be_v represent_v as_o a_o lazy_a lethargical_a church_n in_o which_o that_o former_a philadelphian_a zeal_n be_v extinguish_v as_o to_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o church_n though_o it_o be_v likely_a this_o degeneracy_n come_v on_o by_o degree_n in_o this_o interval_n 2._o thus_o therefore_o it_o be_v foresee_v in_o the_o series_n of_o divine_a providence_n that_o after_o that_o glorious_a estate_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v synchronal_a to_o the_o second_o and_o three_o thunder_n during_o which_o space_n and_o a_o little_a before_o the_o scene_n of_o philadelphia_n adorn_v the_o stage_n have_v well_o purge_v the_o christian_a world_n from_o all_o foolish_a opinion_n and_o superstition_n and_o of_o that_o accurse_a custom_n of_o persecute_v one_o another_o for_o they_o and_o that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v clear_o shine_v in_o the_o simplicity_n thereof_o and_o so_o convictive_o against_o all_o the_o folly_n and_o imposture_n of_o the_o former_a age_n that_o the_o church_n have_v no_o great_a hazard_n of_o be_v again_o cheat_v with_o they_o and_o that_o they_o have_v see_v all_o prophecy_n in_o a_o manner_n fulfil_v before_o their_o eye_n so_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o doubt_n to_o they_o but_o that_o the_o philadelphian_a church_n be_v the_o true_a church_n nor_o be_v in_o any_o capacity_n of_o any_o change_n in_o faith_n or_o worship_n after_o this_o i_o say_v as_o all_o thing_n be_v in_o some_o sort_n or_o other_o variable_a under_o the_o sun_n so_o it_o seem_v this_o philadelphian_a church_n be_v at_o last_o to_o degenerate_v into_o this_o laodicean_n state_n and_o that_o which_o be_v before_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o live_a righteousness_n of_o god_n will_v now_o become_v the_o church_n of_o laodicea_n which_o signify_v a_o more_o popular_a or_o external_a political_a righteousness_n or_o the_o righteousness_n of_o the_o people_n a_o external_a profession_n and_o performance_n of_o that_o mode_n that_o be_v use_v by_o the_o philadelphian_o in_o a_o live_a way_n and_o with_o the_o power_n of_o the_o spirit_n the_o same_o will_v this_o church_n of_o laodicea_n hold_v on_o spiritles_o and_o lazy_o with_o little_a life_n or_o zeal_n and_o yet_o applaud_v themselves_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o abundance_n of_o knowledge_n she_o have_v because_o of_o the_o completion_n of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o external_a worship_n she_o still_o retain_v as_o if_o all_o be_v still_o well_o with_o she_o and_o as_o if_o she_o want_v nothing_o 3._o this_o in_o brief_a be_v the_o condition_n of_o this_o church_n as_o it_o be_v significant_o intimate_v in_o the_o very_a name_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v as_o much_o as_o the_o righteousness_n of_o the_o people_n and_o the_o people_n be_v any_o multitude_n of_o mankind_n gather_v into_o a_o body_n politic_a as_o be_v manifest_a in_o that_o notation_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o if_o it_o be_v from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o then_o again_o in_o homer_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o therefore_o the_o people_n be_v a_o body_n politic_a be_v rule_v by_o such_o and_o such_o law_n which_o if_o they_o observe_v it_o be_v not_o regard_v quo_fw-la animo_fw-la or_o out_o of_o what_o principle_n they_o observe_v they_o the_o new_a nature_n regeneration_n and_o the_o spirit_n be_v quite_o out_o of_o this_o road_n and_o a_o national_a or_o ecumenical_a religion_n doctrine_n or_o worship_n as_o they_o be_v ab_fw-la extrà _fw-la be_v but_o as_o a_o political_a law_n and_o the_o righteousness_n therein_o but_o a_o laodicean_n righteousness_n as_o have_v be_v abundant_o inculcate_v already_o but_o beside_o this_o meaning_n of_o the_o name_n laodicea_n which_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o be_v particular_o intend_v there_o may_v according_a to_o the_o multifarious_a allusivenesse_n of_o the_o prophetical_a style_n another_o notable_a meaning_n be_v also_o intimate_v and_o that_o very_o appropriate_a to_o this_o church_n for_o the_o ratio_fw-la nominis_fw-la in_o laodicea_n may_v be_v likewise_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o in_o the_o interval_n of_o this_o church_n god_n will_v in_o that_o most_o notorious_a and_o terrible_a manner_n come_v to_o judge_v the_o people_n because_o the_o closure_n of_o this_o church_n bring_v in_o the_o last_o judgement_n proper_o so_o call_v therefore_o this_o last_o interval_n of_o the_o church_n be_v call_v laodicea_n the_o judge_n of_o the_o people_n all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n at_o the_o last_o day_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o frequent_a in_o the_o scripture_n than_o the_o give_v of_o name_n from_o some_o notable_a external_a accident_n that_o respect_v the_o thing_n or_o person_n so_o name_v 4._o these_o thing_n say_v the_o amen_o the_o faithful_a and_o true_a witness_n paul_n in_o his_o second_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n say_v that_o all_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n be_v yea_o and_o amen_o that_o be_v to_o say_v they_o be_v so_o sure_a and_o certain_a that_o no_o man_n need_v doubt_v but_o they_o will_v be_v perform_v wherefore_o this_o attribute_n of_o christ_n be_v seasonable_o bring_v in_o as_o respect_v both_o the_o completion_n of_o the_o promise_v already_o perform_v in_o bring_v his_o church_n to_o that_o admirable_a glorious_a condition_n in_o the_o succession_n of_o philadelphia_n as_o also_o the_o performance_n of_o that_o material_a promise_n at_o the_o end_n of_o this_o epistle_n touch_v eternal_a life_n or_o a_o bless_a immortality_n in_o christ_n heavenly_a kingdom_n which_o these_o laodicean_n or_o degenerate_v philadelphian_o like_o our_o modern_a familist_n that_o pretend_v to_o the_o philadelphian_a dispensation_n may_v some_o of_o they_o it_o be_v likely_a be_v prone_a to_o distrust_v but_o christ_n be_v here_o also_o call_v the_o faithful_a and_o true_a witness_n because_o he_o do_v so_o impartial_o witness_v concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o laodicean_n and_o so_o faithful_o discover_v to_o they_o the_o danger_n thereof_o and_o the_o declaration_n seem_v so_o paradoxical_a to_o they_o it_o be_v the_o more_o requisite_a to_o inculcate_v into_o they_o his_o own_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n that_o he_o may_v gain_v
church_n that_o be_v write_v unto_o what_o a_o plain_a and_o manifest_a account_n be_v there_o to_o he_o that_o compare_v the_o epistle_n in_o their_o prophetical_a sense_n with_o the_o intervall_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_n lie_v in_o that_o order_n that_o these_o church_n be_v range_v this_o be_v a_o satisfactory_a reason_n and_o worthy_a the_o spirit_n that_o write_v these_o epistle_n but_o whether_o they_o be_v range_v in_o this_o order_n because_o that_o a_o letter-carrier_n go_v from_o patmos_n his_o first_o journey_n will_v be_v to_o ephesus_n and_o then_o to_o smyrna_n and_o so_o in_o order_n till_o he_o come_v to_o laodicea_n whether_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o prophecy_n regard_v that_o in_o the_o dictate_v of_o his_o letter_n though_o alcazar_n the_o jesuit_n be_v for_o it_o i_o can_v but_o suspend_v my_o judgement_n and_o that_o not_o without_o a_o smile_n but_o of_o this_o ataxy_n more_o particular_o anon_o 3._o four_o if_o it_o be_v demand_v why_o just_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n be_v write_v to_o neither_o more_o nor_o less_o especial_o that_o in_o thyatira_n according_a to_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o epiphanius_n be_v than_o not_o found_v but_o after_o the_o write_n of_o these_o epistle_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o give_v a_o satisfactory_a answer_n in_o the_o literal_a sense_n for_o to_o say_v this_o book_n of_o the_o apocalypse_n affect_v the_o number_n seven_o and_o that_o because_o it_o run_v upon_o the_o number_n seven_o altogether_o in_o the_o ensue_a part_n of_o the_o book_n which_o be_v prophetical_a it_o therefore_o for_o conformity_n sake_n choose_v this_o number_n in_o write_v to_o the_o church_n though_o literal_o understand_v seem_v but_o a_o meager_a mean_a and_o trifle_a account_n a_o design_n unworthy_a the_o holy_a spirit_n that_o dictate_v this_o book_n but_o the_o use_v this_o number_n seven_o all_o over_o be_v rather_o a_o intimation_n that_o the_o book_n be_v prophetical_a all_o over_o and_o that_o these_o epistle_n be_v also_o a_o prophecy_n according_o as_o we_o have_v explain_v they_o and_o take_v they_o so_o the_o answer_n be_v plain_a and_o obvious_a viz._n the_o number_n seven_n be_v here_o choose_v out_o as_o symbolical_a it_o be_v the_o note_n of_o universality_n whence_o the_o pythagorean_n as_o i_o above_o note_v call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d wherefore_o seven_o and_o no_o more_o than_o seven_o church_n be_v write_v unto_o as_o stand_v for_o the_o seven_o intervall_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n of_o all_o five_o if_o it_o be_v demand_v why_o these_o seven_o church_n rather_o than_o any_o other_o which_o in_o all_o likelihood_n may_v have_v the_o same_o virtue_n and_o vice_n that_o these_o be_v commend_v and_o tax_v for_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v write_v in_o the_o very_a notation_n of_o their_o name_n every_o name_n be_v significative_a of_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_n in_o that_o successive_a interval_n of_o time_n that_o this_o or_o that_o church_n so_o name_v stand_v for_o and_o in_o such_o order_n as_o they_o be_v repeat_v six_o if_o one_o require_v a_o reason_n why_o christ_n be_v describe_v by_o hold_v the_o seven_o star_n in_o his_o right_a hand_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o of_o sardis_n why_o the_o same_o description_n in_o both_o or_o why_o in_o either_o in_o the_o literal_a sense_n it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o find_v any_o peculiar_a reason_n but_o in_o the_o prophetical_a sense_n already_o declare_v it_o be_v obvious_a for_o the_o seven_o star_n signify_v all_o the_o pastor_n whether_o in_o present_a existence_n or_o succession_n and_o ephesus_n be_v the_o beginning-state_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v both_o very_o seasonable_a and_o methodical_a to_o represent_v the_o first_o founder_n sustainer_n and_o continuer_n thereof_o by_o this_o emblem_n lo_o i_o be_o with_o you_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o this_o again_o be_v hint_v at_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o sardis_n be_v with_o evident_a proportion_n and_o analogy_n to_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n there_o represent_v for_o the_o church_n of_o sardis_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o beginning_n again_o or_o the_o emerge_n of_o the_o true_a church_n or_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n out_o of_o the_o power_n and_o kingdom_n of_o antichrist_n 4._o seven_o why_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n of_o all_o other_o church_n shall_v be_v commend_v for_o their_o try_v false_a apostle_n why_o may_v not_o other_o church_n be_v attaque_v by_o they_o and_o also_o discover_v they_o as_o well_o as_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n the_o solution_n of_o which_o problem_n be_v easy_a in_o this_o mystical_a sense_n of_o the_o epistle_n that_o place_n the_o ephesine_n interval_n within_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o the_o rest_n on_o this_o side_n of_o they_o eight_o if_o any_o one_o demand_n why_o it_o be_v say_v to_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n more_o than_o to_o any_o other_o church_n be_v thou_o faithful_a unto_o death_n and_o i_o will_v 11._o give_v thou_o the_o crown_n of_o life_n and_o again_o he_o that_o overcome_v shall_v not_o be_v hurt_v by_o the_o second_o death_n in_o the_o literal_a sense_n it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a to_o find_v any_o peculiar_a reason_n why_o this_o may_v not_o as_o well_o be_v say_v to_o the_o church_n in_o pergamus_n where_o there_o be_v kill_v for_o religion_n it_o seem_v by_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o martyr_n antipas_n ay_o but_o there_o be_v no_o obtain_v the_o crown_n of_o life_n there_o in_o any_o peculiar_a sense_n but_o the_o crown_n of_o life_n that_o be_v the_o imperial_a crown_n be_v give_v to_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o primitive_a martyr_n under_o the_o ten_o persecution_n to_o who_o also_o according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o first_o resurrection_n belong_v which_o be_v here_o oblique_o glance_v at_o according_a to_o the_o mode_n of_o the_o apocalyptick_a style_n that_o love_v to_o hint_n thing_n by_o ellipse_n in_o that_o promise_n he_o that_o overcome_v shall_v not_o be_v hurt_v by_o 6._o the_o second_o death_n imply_v thereby_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o first_o resurrection_n nine_o if_o any_o one_o will_v again_o object_v more_o particular_o against_o the_o ataxy_n of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o be_v range_v neither_o according_a to_o the_o merit_n nor_o congeneracy_n of_o their_o condition_n pretend_v that_o it_o have_v be_v far_o better_a to_o have_v join_v the_o two_o irreprehensible_a church_n together_o smyrna_n and_o philadelphia_n against_o who_o there_o be_v no_o complaint_n at_o all_o and_o than_o ephesus_n sardis_n and_o laodicea_n against_o who_o there_o be_v no_o complaint_n of_o eat_v thing_n offer_v unto_o idol_n and_o afterward_o pergamus_n and_o thyatira_n in_o which_o church_n alone_o there_o be_v if_o any_o one_o i_o say_v contend_v that_o this_o method_n have_v be_v more_o exact_a true_o in_o the_o literal_a sense_n it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o frame_v a_o handsome_a and_o satisfactory_a answer_n especial_o if_o he_o urge_v that_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o method_n as_o well_o as_o the_o god_n of_o order_n but_o in_o this_o mystical_a or_o prophetical_a sense_n the_o answer_n be_v solid_a and_o exquisite_a and_o muchwhat_a the_o same_o that_o be_v give_v to_o the_o like_a difficulty_n more_o general_o propound_v before_o namely_o that_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n be_v name_v in_o that_o order_n the_o successive_a intervall_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_n be_v to_o proceed_v in_o of_o which_o these_o asiatic_a church_n be_v but_o the_o symbol_n or_o hieroglyphic_n and_o therefore_o those_o two_o intervall_n of_o time_n which_o take_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o beast_n and_o the_o false_a prophet_n viz._n the_o intervall_n of_o the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n and_o of_o thyatira_n must_v come_v after_o ephesus_n and_o smyrna_n because_o till_o the_o expiration_n of_o those_o two_o intervall_n idolatry_n have_v not_o again_o reentered_n the_o apostatise_v church_n and_o the_o three_o follow_a intervall_n of_o sardis_n philadelphia_n and_o laodicea_n be_v the_o intervall_n of_o the_o true_a church_n elapse_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o domineer_a idolatry_n and_o therefore_o we_o hear_v no_o more_o in_o they_o of_o thing_n sacrifice_v unto_o idol_n nor_o of_o any_o jezabel_n and_o philadelphia_n which_o be_v the_o most_o holy_a and_o the_o most_o glorious_a interval_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v to_o appear_v on_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v not_o to_o be_v name_v according_a to_o her_o dignity_n but_o according_a to_o her_o succession_n in_o time_n towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o world_n as_o she_o be_v here_o range_v but_o of_o this_o more_o than_o enough_o because_o we_o have_v
touch_v of_o it_o in_o the_o general_n before_o 5._o ten_o why_o be_v christ_n in_o his_o description_n before_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n in_o pergamus_n set_v out_o by_o a_o two-edged_a sword_n coming_z suppose_v 12._o out_o of_o his_o mouth_n according_a to_o the_o ellipticalnesse_n of_o the_o apocalyptick_a style_n what_o reason_n in_o the_o letter_n can_v be_v give_v of_o that_o for_o especial_o if_o this_o supplement_n be_v make_v it_o can_v respect_v the_o slay_v of_o antipas_n with_o the_o sword_n what_o peculiar_a thing_n then_o in_o this_o church_n of_o pergamus_n be_v there_o to_o require_v this_o description_n true_o nothing_o at_o all_o appear_v in_o the_o letter_n but_o in_o the_o prophetical_a sense_n it_o be_v very_o proper_a the_o waldenses_n and_o albigenses_n in_o this_o interval_n assault_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n or_o at_o least_o defend_v themselves_o and_o their_o pure_a faith_n so_o signal_o by_o this_o weapon_n i_o mean_v by_o the_o sword_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n though_o themselves_o die_v so_o many_o thousand_o of_o they_o in_o the_o field_n by_o the_o sword_n for_o the_o faith_n they_o thus_o defend_v and_o in_o the_o eleven_o place_n the_o description_n of_o christ_n before_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n in_o thyatira_n and_o his_o foot_n like_o fine_a brass_n as_o if_o they_o burn_v 18._o in_o a_o furnace_n for_o that_o supplement_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v out_o of_o his_o description_n in_o the_o first_o chapter_n as_o before_o but_o now_o what_o peculiar_a significancy_n have_v this_o description_n or_o what_o congruity_n to_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o church_n of_o thyatira_n literal_o understand_v sure_o none_o but_o in_o the_o prophetical_a sense_n it_o be_v very_o expressive_a of_o those_o low_a member_n of_o christ_n body_n his_o church_n here_o on_o earth_n of_o their_o invincible_a zeal_n and_o patience_n and_o sincerity_n of_o affection_n such_o as_o do_v abide_v the_o most_o fiery_a trial_n that_o can_v be_v put_v upon_o they_o and_o make_v they_o stand_v at_o the_o stake_n among_o burn_a faggot_n with_o the_o flame_n about_o their_o ear_n and_o never_o flinch_v for_o it_o as_o have_v be_v note_v in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o that_o epistle_n this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o that_o interval_n of_o the_o church_n twelve_o in_o a_o book_n that_o be_v so_o full_a of_o enigmatical_a involution_n and_o cover_n upon_o cover_n where_o he_o call_v the_o church_n golden_a candlestick_n and_o the_o bishop_n or_o pastor_n star_n and_o angel_n even_o then_o when_o he_o interpret_v and_o offer_v to_o be_v more_o plain_a that_o the_o same_o author_n shall_v so_o open_o and_o plain_o mention_v any_o one_o by_o name_n as_o he_o do_v the_o martyr_n antipas_n if_o there_o be_v not_o some_o far_a mystery_n in_o it_o will_v be_v a_o great_a difficulty_n and_o hardly_o to_o be_v digest_v by_o the_o more_o sagacious_a and_o curious_a i_o must_v confess_v i_o have_v often_o wonder_v at_o this_o name_n antipas_n by_o name_n till_o i_o understand_v a_o far_a sense_n thereof_o such_o as_o we_o have_v render_v in_o the_o exposition_n of_o that_o epistle_n 6._o in_o the_o thirteen_o place_n one_o may_v well_o demand_v why_o christ_n express_v a_o great_a disgust_n against_o the_o church_n of_o laodicea_n then_o that_o of_o sardis_n for_o though_o the_o former_a be_v say_v to_o be_v lukewarm_a yet_o the_o other_o make_v a_o great_a show_n of_o life_n be_v notwithstanding_o declare_v to_o be_v dead_a that_o christ_n shall_v be_v more_o enrage_v against_o luke_n warmness_n than_o hypocrisy_n and_o threaten_v it_o more_o deep_o than_o the_o other_o i_o will_v spew_v thou_o out_o of_o my_o mouth_n which_o be_v quite_o to_o cast_v a_o thing_n away_o never_o to_o be_v resume_v again_o must_v seem_v marvellous_a to_o the_o considerate_a certain_o if_o there_o be_v not_o some_o great_a matter_n in_o it_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n will_v not_o speak_v so_o severe_o only_a to_o follow_v a_o metaphor_n but_o in_o the_o prophetical_a sense_n the_o solution_n be_v easy_a that_o passage_n be_v predictive_a of_o the_o extermination_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n at_o the_o close_a of_o the_o world_n as_o i_o have_v expound_v it_o in_o the_o fourteen_o place_n it_o may_v be_v demand_v why_o so_o affect_o and_o repeat_o in_o every_o epistle_n that_o phrase_n be_v use_v i_o know_v thy_o work_n without_o any_o variation_n or_o omission_n which_o seem_v a_o thing_n but_o of_o small_a importance_n in_o the_o literal_a sense_n of_o these_o epistle_n but_o in_o the_o prophetical_a it_o seem_v on_o purpose_n so_o repeat_v to_o intimate_v a_o allusion_n in_o asia_n to_o the_o hebrew_n word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o if_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v intend_v on_o purpose_n to_o answer_v to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o asia_n may_v also_o be_v significant_a as_o well_o as_o the_o name_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n which_o they_o all_o be_v it_o be_v a_o shrewd_a presumption_n this_o repetition_n be_v for_o some_o such_o design_n as_o have_v be_v declare_v whereas_o the_o literal_a sense_n can_v give_v no_o account_n thereof_o fifteenth_o alcazar_n himself_o be_v much_o stumble_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v think_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o any_o one_o particular_a woman_n in_o the_o church_n of_o thyatira_n and_o so_o call_v she_o by_o the_o name_n of_o jezabel_n as_o be_v ordinary_o suppose_v and_o indeed_o these_o thing_n be_v too_o little_a for_o the_o majesty_n of_o this_o write_n of_o the_o apocalypse_n but_o how_o can_v we_o help_v it_o in_o the_o literal_a sense_n if_o we_o will_v interpret_v with_o constancy_n and_o coherency_n but_o in_o the_o prophetical_a sense_n there_o be_v no_o such_o incongruity_n the_o object_n be_v worth_a the_o spirit_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o this_o kind_n this_o jezabel_n be_v that_o paint_a woman_n of_o rome_n intoxicate_v the_o king_n of_o the_o earth_n with_o the_o cup_n of_o her_o spiritual_a fornication_n as_o have_v be_v show_v upon_o the_o text._n 7._o sixteenth_o it_o seem_v very_o strange_a that_o that_o promise_v of_o rule_v over_o the_o nation_n and_o receive_v the_o morningstar_n which_o doubtless_o be_v political_a promise_n shall_v be_v make_v to_o the_o church_n in_o thyatira_n more_o than_o to_o that_o in_o pergamus_n or_o ephesus_n and_o other_o what_o victory_n or_o dominion_n do_v the_o church_n in_o thyatira_n in_o asia_n get_v over_o the_o nation_n more_o than_o other_o church_n this_o be_v a_o hard_a knot_n in_o the_o literal_a sense_n but_o in_o the_o prophetical_a it_o be_v loosen_a at_o the_o first_o sight_n for_o the_o closure_n of_o the_o interval_n of_o the_o church_n of_o thyatira_n bring_v in_o the_o time_n wherein_o whole_a nation_n revolt_v from_o the_o pope_n and_o his_o idolatrous_a church_n and_o profess_v the_o reform_a religion_n and_o so_o in_o these_o part_n get_v the_o pontifician_n party_n under_o they_o seventeenth_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n in_o philadelphia_n there_o be_v mention_v make_v of_o a_o mighty_a temptation_n that_o be_v to_o come_v upon_o all_o the_o world_n to_o try_v they_o that_o dwell_v upon_o the_o earth_n touch_v which_o he_o say_v behold_v i_o come_v quick_o why_o shall_v this_o be_v say_v to_o the_o church_n of_o philadelphia_n more_o than_o to_o any_o other_o of_o the_o church_n here_o specify_v there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o footstep_n of_o reason_n to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o literal_a sense_n but_o in_o the_o prophetical_a sense_n the_o thing_n be_v plain_a for_o the_o interval_n of_o philadelphia_n beginning_n in_o the_o last_o vial_n wherein_o that_o mighty_a and_o terrible_a earthquake_n be_v to_o happen_v the_o great_a temptation_n what_o it_o be_v be_v plain_o thence_o understand_v and_o how_o in_o respect_n of_o this_o philadelphian_a church_n it_o will_v come_v quick_o she_o commence_v but_o in_o the_o very_a same_o vial_n that_o this_o be_v to_o happen_v under_o eighteenth_o why_o upon_o this_o philadelphia_n a_o private_a asiatic_a church_n shall_v the_o name_n of_o the_o city_n of_o god_n the_o new_a jerusalem_n which_o come_v down_o out_o of_o heaven_n from_o god_n the_o very_a same_o that_o be_v express_v apoc._n 21._o be_v say_v to_o be_v write_v this_o title_n be_v too_o big_a and_o turgent_fw-la for_o any_o private_a church_n be_v it_o not_o a_o type_n or_o symbol_n of_o some_o great_a matter_n but_o by_o the_o prophetical_a interpretation_n this_o difficulty_n be_v quite_o remove_v for_o the_o interval_n of_o the_o philadelphian_a church_n be_v co-incident_a with_o the_o time_n of_o the_o new_a jerusalem_n mention_v at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o apocalypse_n and_o of_o the_o millenniall_a empire_n of_o christ_n upon_o earth_n 8._o
any_o other_o whenever_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o worship_n be_v use_v it_o must_v be_v use_v to_o he_o and_o to_o none_o else_o nor_o can_v his_o dereliction_n of_o any_o such_o mode_n of_o be_v worship_v warrant_v the_o use_n of_o it_o to_o any_o creature_n afterward_o because_o no_o creature_n can_v be_v god_n in_o those_o circumstance_n as_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o institute_v such_o a_o worship_n for_o himself_o in_o for_o no_o creature_n can_v be_v god_n at_o all_o and_o therefore_o never_o capable_a of_o any_o of_o those_o modes_n of_o divine_a worship_n which_o god_n ever_o at_o any_o time_n institute_v for_o himself_o beside_o if_o this_o dereliction_n and_o disuse_n of_o any_o mode_n of_o worship_n may_v make_v it_o compatible_a to_o a_o creature_n then_o may_v we_o sacrifice_v beef_n and_o sheep_n beside_o other_o service_n of_o the_o temple_n to_o any_o saint_n or_o daemon_n 5._o the_o ten_o a_o omnipercipient_a omnipresence_n which_o do_v hear_v and_o see_v whatever_o be_v say_v or_o transact_v in_o the_o world_n whether_o consider_v in_o the_o whole_a or_o as_o distribute_v into_o terrestrial_a celestial_a and_o supercelestial_a not_o only_o all_o these_o omnipercipiency_n but_o any_o one_o of_o they_o be_v a_o certain_a excellency_n in_o god_n and_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v incommunicate_v to_o any_o creature_n the_o eleven_o that_o this_o omnipresence_n or_o omnipercipience_n terrestrial_a be_v one_o main_a ground_n of_o that_o religious_a worship_n due_a to_o god_n which_o we_o call_v invocation_n this_o be_v plain_a that_o upon_o this_o very_a ground_n that_o god_n hear_v and_o see_v though_o himself_o be_v invisible_a whatever_o be_v say_v or_o do_v upon_o earth_n he_o have_v the_o honour_n of_o be_v invoke_v anywhere_o or_o everywhere_o and_o of_o have_v temple_n build_v to_o he_o because_o he_o that_o be_v omnipresent_v can_v be_v absent_a from_o his_o temple_n but_o be_v always_o there_o to_o be_v invoke_v the_o twelve_o that_o if_o omnipresence_n or_o omnipercipience_n at_o least_o terrestrial_a if_o not_o celestial_a be_v not_o communicate_v to_o saint_n and_o angel_n by_o god_n the_o invocation_n of_o either_o be_v palpable_a idolatry_n this_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o eight_o conclusion_n for_o invocation_n imply_v a_o incommunicate_v excellency_n in_o the_o saint_n or_o angel_n and_o so_o communicate_v that_o right_n to_o they_o that_o appertain_v only_o to_o god_n and_o be_v that_o injury_n against_o god_n that_o be_v call_v idolatry_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a evasion_n that_o pretend_v that_o we_o honour_n god_n the_o more_o in_o make_v he_o so_o good_a to_o the_o saint_n and_o angel_n as_o to_o bestow_v this_o excellency_n on_o they_o whenas_o yet_o his_o wisdom_n have_v not_o think_v fit_a so_o to_o do_v for_o we_o be_v so_o far_o from_o honour_v he_o hereby_o that_o we_o injure_v he_o in_o give_v his_o right_n to_o another_o and_o we_o dishonour_v he_o in_o presume_v he_o have_v do_v wise_a or_o better_a in_o do_v what_o he_o have_v not_o do_v whenas_o indeed_o if_o he_o be_v so_o lavish_a in_o impart_v his_o proper_a excellency_n to_o creature_n as_o some_o will_v make_v we_o believe_v he_o be_v to_o palliate_v their_o own_o idolatry_n it_o be_v the_o next_o way_n to_o make_v man_n forget_v all_o application_n to_o god_n and_o to_o cast_v he_o out_o of_o their_o memory_n and_o take_v up_o with_o the_o more_o particular_a patronage_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n 6._o the_o thirteen_o that_o our_o think_v such_o a_o saint_n or_o angel_n can_v hear_v we_o wherever_o we_o invoke_v he_o be_v no_o excuse_n for_o our_o invocation_n of_o he_o nor_o save_v we_o from_o idolatry_n since_o all_o idolatry_n commit_v in_o good_a earnest_n imply_v some_o mistake_n as_o have_v be_v note_v in_o the_o four_o conclusion_n the_o fourteen_o that_o all_o the_o mode_n or_o way_n of_o the_o communication_n of_o this_o omnipercipiency_n to_o saint_n or_o angel_n be_v either_o very_o incredible_a if_o not_o impossible_a or_o extreme_o ridiculous_a as_o to_o any_o excuse_n for_o their_o invocation_n for_o the_o usual_a residence_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n be_v in_o sede_fw-la beatorum_fw-la as_o the_o roman_a church_n hold_v and_o that_o place_n on_o the_o coelum_fw-la empyreum_fw-la above_o all_o the_o star_n that_o the_o angel_n and_o saint_n shall_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o exaltednesse_n of_o their_o nature_n see_v and_o hear_v from_o thence_o what_o be_v do_v or_o say_v from_o one_o side_n of_o the_o earth_n to_o the_o other_o be_v extreme_o incredible_a if_o not_o impossible_a yea_o sufficient_o incredible_a or_o rather_o impossible_a though_o they_o have_v their_o abode_n on_o this_o side_n of_o the_o moon_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v see_v all_o thing_n and_o transaction_n hear_v all_o prayer_n and_o oration_n in_o speculo_fw-la divinitatis_fw-la be_v alike_o incredible_a a_o thing_n which_o the_o humanity_n of_o christ_n himself_o though_o hypostatical_o unite_v to_o the_o divinity_n do_v not_o pretend_v to_o but_o that_o god_n shall_v either_o in_o this_o speculum_fw-la or_o any_o otherwise_o advertise_v they_o that_o such_o a_o one_o pray_v to_o they_o that_o they_o will_v pray_v to_o he_o for_o that_o party_n be_v it_o not_o at_o first_o sight_n above_o all_o measure_n ridiculous_a and_o alike_o ridiculous_a it_o be_v to_o pray_v to_o saint_n or_o angel_n as_o if_o they_o be_v present_a and_o hear_v our_o prayer_n when_o indeed_o they_o be_v absent_a and_o can_v tell_v that_o we_o do_v pray_v unless_o by_o some_o intelligencer_n this_o devotion_n be_v a_o improper_a and_o unnatural_a act_n and_o show_v that_o we_o do_v that_o to_o a_o invisible_a creature_n which_o be_v only_o proper_a to_o be_v do_v to_o the_o invisible_a god_n and_o that_o therefore_o it_o be_v idolatry_n as_o give_v that_o right_a of_o worship_n to_o other_o which_o be_v only_o congruous_a to_o he_o 7._o the_o fifteen_o that_o though_o there_o be_v communicate_v by_o god_n to_o saint_n and_o angel_n at_o least_o a_o terrestrial_a omnipercipiency_n yet_o if_o he_o have_v not_o communicate_v the_o knowledge_n thereof_o to_o we_o as_o most_o certain_o he_o have_v not_o the_o invocation_n of_o they_o be_v notwithstanding_o a_o very_a presumptuous_a invasion_n of_o the_o indubitable_a right_n of_o god_n and_o the_o entrench_v upon_o his_o prerogative_n and_o therefore_o as_o to_o the_o internal_a act_n no_o less_o than_o the_o sin_n of_o idolatry_n the_o reason_n of_o this_o conclusion_n be_v first_o that_o god_n conceal_v from_o we_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o communication_n of_o this_o excellency_n do_v natural_o thereby_o intimate_v that_o he_o will_v not_o have_v they_o invoke_v but_o reserve_v the_o honour_n of_o our_o invocation_n of_o a_o invisible_a power_n unto_o himself_o only_o second_o that_o whatsoever_o be_v not_o of_o say_v be_v sin_n and_o therefore_o the_o ground_n of_o invocation_n of_o saint_n or_o angel_n be_v at_o least_o dubitable_a their_o invocation_n be_v sin_n and_o it_o be_v about_o the_o right_n of_o god_n in_o his_o worship_n what_o can_v it_o be_v better_o esteem_v than_o idolatry_n three_o this_o principle_n of_o feign_v or_o groundless_o coneeit_v without_o any_o revelation_n from_o god_n that_o any_o creature_n be_v capable_a of_o such_o honour_n as_o be_v god_n indubitable_a right_n and_o prerogative_n be_v the_o forge_n and_o shop_n the_o palliation_n and_o pretence_n for_o infinite_a sort_n and_o odlyexcogitated_n variety_n of_o idolatrous_a object_n and_o therefore_o so_o presumptuous_a and_o so_o abominable_a a_o principle_n which_o be_v the_o mother_n and_o nurse_n of_o such_o infinite_a way_n of_o idolatry_n and_o injustice_n against_o god_n even_o according_a to_o humane_a reason_n ought_v to_o be_v declare_v against_o as_o idolatrous_a and_o consequent_o all_o the_o practice_n thereupon_o be_v also_o to_o be_v declare_v idolatry_n because_o they_o spring_v from_o a_o principle_n take_v up_o which_o be_v such_o a_o fundamental_a piece_n of_o idolatry_n and_o injustice_n against_o god_n and_o expose_v he_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o idolatrous_a injury_n four_o to_o dare_v to_o do_v a_o act_n we_o know_v not_o whether_o it_o may_v be_v idolatry_n or_o no_o and_o this_o needless_o our_o conscience_n not_o at_o all_o compel_a we_o thereto_o this_o be_v to_o dare_v to_o commit_v idolatry_n and_o the_o dare_a to_o commit_v idolatry_n and_o so_o to_o do_v defiance_n to_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n what_o be_v it_o less_o than_o to_o be_v a_o idolater_n for_o according_a to_o his_o inward_a man_n and_o the_o main_a morality_n of_o the_o action_n he_o be_v so_o as_o he_o be_v moral_o a_o murderer_n that_o doubt_v or_o not_o know_v but_o that_o it_o be_v his_o own_o friend_n by_o luck_n kill_v his_o intend_a enemy_n for_o the_o sense_n be_v that_o rather_o than_o not_o be_v revenge_v of_o his_o enemy_n he_o