Meaning seven Churches vers 20. called Candlesticks because as they hold light in them to wit Candles so the Churches had or ought to have the light of the Gospel in them golden notes the choycenesse of the light of the Gospel in respect of any other light Vers 13. In the midst c. Christ is in his Church among his Ordinances among his members even where two or three are met together in his name Like the Son of Man 'T was Christ as appears by vers 8. who is like us in the truth of our nature Clothed with a garment down to his foot 'T was the custome of the Easterne countryes to go so it notes Christs righteousnesse which was enough for himself and all his members Men are one the other part corrupt from the head to the sole of the feet Esay 1. vers 6. A golden girdle Alluding to the custome of the Easterne countryes who because they wore long garments used to girt them up that they might not hinder them it notes Christs care and diligence A golden girdle Notes Christs Majesty and divine nature it alludes to Esay 11. vers 5. and righteousnesse shall be his girdle About the paps not the ordinary way shewes Christs love to the Church because the heart which is the seat of love is between the breasts Vers 14. His head and his haire white as wool and as snow It notes five things 1. White haire notes wisedom it usually doth accompany them 2. It shews Christ is the ancient of dayes in Dan. 7. nay from eternity as the Father 3. It shewes Christ ought to be reverenced gray haries are venerable 4. As wool notes Christs innocency such is the creature from whence wool 5. As snow notes Christs pure nature See Isa 1.18 His eyes a flame of fire Because in his wrath he will consume the wicked as the fire doth the chaffe it notes likewise the searching peircing knowledge of Christ Vers 15. His feet like unto fine brasse It notes the divine power of Christ his strength constancy or his humanity tryed as in the furnace of sufferings His voyce as of many waters It notes the efficacy and terrour of his voyce For waters run violently none can hinder their course Also they make a terrible noyse the wicked tremble at the voyce Vers 16. He had in his right hand seven starres Being the Angels or Ministers of the seven Churches vers 20. This commends the dignity of Teachers who ought to shine in life and doctrine they are in Christs hand 1. Because he giveth them to his Church 2. Because he preserveth them ruleth them with his Word and Spirit 3. Because as he worketh by starres on this lower world he worketh salvation for his Church through them Out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword It shewes either the power of his Word which is of a peircing nature Heb. 4.12 or as in chap. 19. vers 15. it notes his readinesse and power to take vengeance His countenance was as the Sunne it notes either Christs divine nature or his humane nature glorified Vers 17. And when I saw him I fell down as dead It notes the weaknesse of man before the Majesty of God how then shall the wicked stand before him He laid his right hand upon me See Christs readinesse to help also learne by whom all the faithfull are upheld Feare not For fear might unfit John to understand the Vision what need the Saints fear since Christ who is with them bids not fear I am the first and the last This teacheth John that he saw no fancy but 't was Christ who spake Vers 18. I am be that liveth and was dead The Jewes and Hereticks scoffe at us for trusting in a crucified God in the mean time wo to them that CHRIST dyed not for I have the keyes of hell and the grave by keyes power is understood so that CHRIST is Lord of hell and grave I am alive for evermore It notes Christs eternity and God-head Let the Jewes scoffe we are herein comforted Vers 19. Write the things which That is all the Revelation T is requisite for us to read what Christ so carefully commands to be written Vers 20. The mystery of the seven starres The seven starres signifie the seven Angels of the seven Churches but they were not properly seven Angels so the Rock is said to be Christ That is signified Christ so the seven lean kine Gen. 41. v. 27. are said to be seven years that is signifie seven years So Christ sayes the bread is his body that is signifies his body Now the Ministers are called Angels because they act by commission because they are imployed about the Kingdom of Heaven because they should be somewhat unspotted as they are because they aime at mans good Concerning the candlesticks See vers 12. CHAP. II. Vers 1. Vnto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus write JOHN writ to this Church first either because it lay next to Patmos or because of its eminency and greatnesse To the Angel That is the Pastor it notes both the dignity and authority of the calling for Angels are in commission extraordinary Some would perswade that Timothy was this Angel if so it shewes that in many things we all erre Write No doubt Christ told John word for word what he should write and it shewes the authority of the book These things saith he This answereth the title of the Prophets who to stirre up attention in the people use the expression of thus saith the Lord. Who holds c. None can destroy the Ministry or 7. Starres unlesse their sins cause God to destroy them Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks John saw our Saviour in another posture before This notes Christs activenesse that he is present by his providence in his Church Vers 2. I know thy Works Christ knowes our good works and acknowledges them and rewards them he knowes our bad actions to punish them without repentance it shewes Christs deity being omniscient Thy labour and patience That is thy unwearyed paines in Preaching the Word t is an office of much paines patience in induring all affliction hee was exercised in by Jewes or Heathens for the Word of the Crosse as our Apostle therefore calls it herein may a Minister be comforted because Christ takes notice of his works And canst not bear them that be evill It shews the Pastors zeal in observing Church discipline 1 Cor. 1.18 and executing censures against scandalous persons And hast tryed them which say they are Apostles c. Meaning Ebion and Cerinthus with others who boasted themselves to be Apostles but were indeed enemies oppugning the deity of Christ Now t is the Pastours duty as to defend the purity of doctrine so to oppose such devouring wolves Vers 3. And hast borne c. Christ points at some particular kind of affliction as stripes or imprisonment which he had sustained And for my names sake hast laboured c.
who have not the doctrine of Balaam and Nicholas There was some wheat among the chaffe Depths These hereticks it seems called their doctrines deep mysteries Christ confessed they were depths but of Satan As they call them the hereticks called them depths and more excellent doctrines then the Apostles knew but Christ says their Original was from hell and Satan No other burthen the deceivers imposed on them the burden of the Ceremonial law which Christ had took off For by burden is not understood punishment for Christ doth comfort not threaten them Vntil I come to wit in the clouds at the last day So that Christ is yet bodily absent and not in the Sacraments Vers 26. Overcometh to wit by faith through Christ not by his own power My works To wit of faith commanded in the Gospel So on the contrary works of infidelity are called works of the devil There only remains two promises to the overcommers 1. Power of nations that is at the last day to judge with Christ the world and Satan t is taken from Psal 2. 2. The morning starre that is himselfe called so because of its heavenly brightnesse and glory Rev. 22.16 Christ will communicate himself both in power and glory to his members CHAP. III. Vers 1. Vnto the Angel of the Church in Sardis write NOt of Sardica where a Synod was held in the eleventh yeare of Constantine But of Sardis the royal City of Craesus the Angel or Pastor was not Melito for he was not Bishop of Sardis till sixty yeares after in the reign of Antoninus Pius also he was a good Bishop but this is reproved for negligence and hypocrisie These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God Though Christ may be said to have procured and sent the holy Ghost called the seven spirits Chap. 1.4 from the Father to his Church yet since these seven spirits are joyned with the seven stars or Ministers I rather understand created Angels now they are called the seven spirits not in relation to those in Chap. 1.4 but because seven choice or principal Angels by way of preheminence Now in the Preface of this Epistle Christ is described holding the seven spirits and the seven stars to note that as he upholds the Ministry if sincere so he has Angels to defend the righteous and oppose and punish the wicked I know thy Works Observe three things First Christs Divinity seeing the Pastor and Churches hypocrisie Secondly That all that make shew of holinesse are not so thou hast a name that thou livest but art dead some members of the Church are good some bad Thirdly The efficacy of the Ministry doth not depend upon the goodnesse of the Minister Christ doth oft quicken and governe his Church by dead Officers Thus it might be in the Papacy where Christ had a Church before Luther See ver 4. Vers 2. Be watchfull Shake off the hypocritical drowsinesse into which thou art fallen and strive to live the life of faith again Strengthen the things which remaine Meaning those dying members in the Church by holy life and doctrine That are ready to dye Therefore the Pastor is exhorted to take speedy care of their recovery being not quite dead where observe how mindful and careful Christ is of his poore people I have not found thy works perfect Christ here reproves not the common frailties of the Saints but some notable hypocrisie and defect Before God God looks narrower after truth then men do though this Pastor might passe for currant among men yet Christ sees a defect Here note Christ as man hath a god but as a Son is God and life This I observe because some read before my God As Montanus Vers 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard Because this Bishop or Pastor was unmindful of the faith committed to him by the Apostles Christ bids him remember what he had heard of them where observe the only way to redresse corruptions of life or doctrine is to have recourse to the rule of the word Also here observe against the Bishops of Rome that though Christ made that Promise to his Church the Spirit shall lead you into all truth yet not only this Bishop of Sardis but all of the seven Churches but two were hereticks or hypocrites and much defective and how comes it to passe that they are so infallible And repent Forsake thine hypocrisie and carefully performe the duty of thy place which though we cannot do of our selves yet they are unexcusable who willingly disobey the commandement Of this see my quoted book page 46. lines 18 19 20. If therefore thou shalt not watch Christ adds this commination to his exhortation and that righteously for if he repented not upon so mature gentle praemonition he deserved a sudden judgement to come upon him As a thiefe in the night Unawares this doth not countenance or uphold a thiefe because Christ attributes the title to himselfe no more then when Christ bids his servants put their talent to usury he perhaps countenanceth that yet when Christ speaks of musick in the receiving the Prodigal home in the Gospel intimating joy and the peace of conscience following his reconciliation with God through Christ which was allowed in the Law it proves the lawfulnesse of it if lawfully used since the joyes of a man in Christ are expressed by it as I have noted in my little fore-quoted book pag. 84 85. Vers 4. Thou hast a few names in Sardis Meaning a few true beleevers though some were dead or ready to dye rather yet Christ reserved a few to himself notwithstanding the negligence of the Pastour See vers 1. Christ had seven thousand that never bowed the knee to Baal though the ten Tribes of Israel were fallen away in the Papacy some who resisted the abuses of the times unto bloud A few Gods flock is a little flock for though many are called few are chosen It is not the best to follow the multitude Who have not defiled their garments Their constant sincerity is set forth by this metaphor By garments is meant that as their bodies were not polluted by the filthy lusts of the Nicholaitans so their soules were not not stained with that impious doctrine The body is our garment with which we are cloathed righteousnesse and faith in Christ is the soules garment which they had kept somewhat undefiled They shall walk with me in white Alluding to the Garments of Kings and Conquerours which was white thus in scorne Christ was cloathed in earth now as he is glorious so his Saints shall partake of his glory note the Saints righteousnesse in earth though white in some degrees is defiled in respect of this in heaven therefore they groan till cloathed with this And they shall walk It notes the Majesty of the Sons of glory and perchance the curious question of some Philosophers and Divines may hence receive light that the Saints move and walk from place to place in heaven after the
this verse the Holy Ghost is meant by seven spirits because grace is prayed for from them Also Pareus agrees with me that in chap. 4. ver 5. created angels may be understood but not here Vers 5. And from Iesus Christ Peace cometh by Christ Eph. 2.15 Christ here is treated of as the Mediatour and therefore is put last the order is sometimes in the Scripture omitted as 2 Cor. 13. ult Who is the faithfull witnesse Faithful because he confirmed the truth not only by preaching and miracles but by suffering Witnesse because by way of Prerogative he is so though there be three that bare record in heaven 1 Iohn chap. 5. because he first also and only shed his blood for his own testimony therefore on earth he is the witnesse The first begotten of the dead because Christ first and only raised up himself by his own power to immortal life others were raised by his power and became subject to death again And the Prince of the Kings of the earth that is as chapter 19. verse 16. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Who loved us and washed us from our sins by his own blood Vers 6. And hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his father He concludeth his dedication with a Thanksgiving First because Christ loved his People and became man for * See my Glimps of Christs love p. 36 37. them Secondly because he died for them justifying them by his blood nay sanctifying them Thirdly making us Priests and Kings Priests to consecrate our selves as a living sacrifice to God through him Kings not only in a dopting us to be heyrs of his Kingdome above but through his power making us Conquerours of Sinne and Satan To him be glory either understand the glory of his Godhead or that glorious exaltation of his manhood at the right hand of his father For ever and ever shews Christs Eternity Amen That is be it so Vers 7. Behold he cometh with clouds This may comfort the Saints though the wicked tyrannize a while he cometh to judgement This also proves against the Papist that the humanity of Christ is not everywhere because he cometh with clouds and they are not every where Every eye shall see him that is every man his Crucifiers Scoffers also the righteous the former to their confusion the larter to their comfort And they that pierced him as in Zach. 12.10 to wit the Souldiers Iohn here and in his Gospel applies that of Zechary to Christ and teaches us two things 1. That Christ is God 2. That Iohn writ this Revelation Even so Amen it shews that there is no doubt but Christ will come to end the afflictions of the Church and to punish the wicked with whose coming the Saints are well pleased Vers 8. I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end Alpha is the first letter of the Greek tongue Omega the last it shews Christ is first and chief the verse proves Christs deity See Isa 41.4 Vers 9. I John who am your brother t is no vain-glory to name himself here otherwise we might have thought 't was Christ spoke also Paul repeats his name twice in one Epistle I Paul with my own hands his name being prefixt before Brother there is a spiritual brotherhood among the members of Christ Iohn is their brother in three things named in the text 1. In tribution 2. In the spiritual Kingdome of Christ which we being Kings and Priests ought to maintain 3. In sufference Was in the Isle that is called Patmos Domitian the Emperour first cast him into a Caldron of boyling oyle but receiving no hurt banished him into this Isle where he received this Vision The Emperour being slain he returned to Ephesus and ministred to the seven Churches For the Word of God Iohn sheweth the true cause of his banishment and 't is worth observation that the Romanes as they conquered worshipped the gods of every nation Jesus only excepted it seems the devil was content that they should worship any god but the true For the Word of God to wit Christ For the Testimony To wit the doctrine of Jesus Christ Vers 10. Was in the spirit Iohn was in spiritual meditations when he saw the Revelation which he saw not with mortal eyes but being ravished in spirit his mind was carried beyond it self On the Lords day the first day of the week on which Christ arose from the dead which by the example and command of the Apostles 1 Cor. 16.1 Christians keep and observe as holy T is not probable Christ would burden the mind of Iohn with all the Vision or Revelation at once especially considering ch 4. ver 1 2. and ch 17.3 Iohn confesseth he was in the spirit at other time but doubtles John as all true Prophets understood every particular of the Revelation I heard a great voice behind me great either in regard of the great mystery of the vision or in regard 't was the voice of the great God Behind me Shews the freenesse of Gods love to Iohn in the voice he not expecting any such voice or Vision As of a Trumpet in respect of its shrilnesse and being heard afarre off it notes the terrour and power of his Word Ver. 11. Saying I am Alpha and Omega in the voice three things are contained 1. The Eternity of Christ 2. Johns commission to write warranted by divine Authority 3. To send the Vision wtitten to the seven Churches What Christ carefully commands John to write it becomes us carefully to read for though particularly this Vision concerne the seven Churches yet all Scripture is written for our instruction Ephesus Where Paul constituted a Church to whom he after writ an Epistle 't was in Asia the lesser Smyrna a sea-coast-towne now called Smeer where Iohn or some other Apostle constituted a Church And to Pergamus Here Paul Acts 20. raised up Entychus dead and happily planted a Church Thyatira of this city was Lydia a seller of purple who was converted to the faith by Pauls preaching at Philippi Act. 16.12 14. To those of Sardis the once famous city of Craesus Philadelphia a city of Mysia of the lesser Asia And unto Laodicea a city near Ephesus Paul preached here and commanded his Epistle written to the Colossians to be read here Col. 4. ver 16. The Pastor hereof was an hypocrite neither hot nor cold with whom Christ was much displeased Note though Paul had preached the Gospel at Rome long before this yet that Church not remembred perchance because Christ foresaw her usurping authority The Apostles are ever very silent of the Virgin Mary the spirit foreseeing the Church of Romes idolizing her But what say I Christ sends not to the Church of Rome truly with some difference of time considered great part of this book concerns the whorish or Antichristian Church of Rome who boasts her self to be Christs Vers 12. I turned to see the voyce That is him that spake Seven golden Candlesticks
the wicked and deliver the righteous Hold that fast which thou hast to wit faith and a good conscience By faith they had righteousnesse sanctification and adoption and a good conscience helped them forward in sincerity and patience under the Crosle which were therefore to be kept That no man take away thy Crown this notes the dangerous effect of slothfulnesse such lose their Crown Observe three things 1. The promises of God ought not to make us secure Christ promises to deliver them in the houre of temptation yet they must hold fast what they had See my book already quoted p. 79. 2. They only who hold fast what they received shall be crowned 3. Each shall have his own Crown so there are differences of reward in heaven as well as of punishments in hell See the same book pag. 122.123 all have the like glory not for the degrees but quality they shall shine as the Sunne there 's the quality some degrees yet are no doubt allowable to be affirmed for as one starre differs from another in glory so also is the resurrection of the dead 1 Cor. 15.41 Vers 12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the house of my God This verse hath a promise of a threefold reward to the overcomers 1. That they shall be glorious members of the Church triumphant understood by Pillars in the Temple 2. Their glory shall be unchangable perpetual eternal understood of the perseverance of the Saints in those words He shall go no more out alluding to the brazen pillars thrown out and destroyed with the Temple by the Babylonians 3. The promise of the inscription of a threefold name 1. I will write upon him the name of my God either alluding to Salomons pillars which had names or to the Romanes who usually write upon their statues of triumph the actions of the Conquerours and the names of the conquered nations These names are perished but those Christ writes are indelible 2. The name of the City of God as the first name signifies their being sons of God glorified so the second their being members of the Church triumphant 3. His new name since his exaltation Christ will make his partakers of perfect happinesse being members of his body To the godly in Pergamus he promised a new name but to these his new name which he received of his Father which is above every name now as it signifies Christs glorious exaltation at his right hand so he promises to make them glorious according to measure being members of such a head Concerning the Churches or Cities coming down from heaven who sees not that her Original is from heaven grounded on Gods Election also it receives its birth here from heaven But lastly John saw the Vision in heaven ver 13. hath been mentioned elsewhere vers 7. chap. 2. Vers 14. Vnto the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write Whoever this Pastor was he was a carnal crafty man and though he bore the name of a Minister he was void of God linesse Our Apostle twice mentioneth these Laodiceans in his Epistle to the Colossians as chap. 2.2.4.16 though in Johns time 't was very corrupt Yet upon Christs sending this sharp Epistle doubtlesse it repented of its evils for Eusebius commendeth this Church as flourishing in his time These things saith the Amen Aman in Hebr. signifies verity now Christ cals himselfe so because he is true both in promises and threatnings that by promise-keeping he might win this hypocrite from sinne or by threatning and assuredly without repentance punishing he might deterre him Again Christ is not yea and nay that is variable and inconstant but in Christ all the promises are Yea and Amon 2 Cor. 1.19 20. Therefore he takes upon him this name here because the hypocrites he was to deal with being grown secure it should seem begun to esteem of the faith of Christ as a thing indifferent and that for the cause thereof they needed not suffer affliction or contend with the Opposers thus then the more plainly to taxe their luke-warmnesse he declares his truth and faithfulnesse concerning his being a faithful witnesse See ch 1. ver 5. The beginning of the Creation of God this proves Christs deity for the Sonne with the father and the spirit gave unto all creatures the beginning of their being Touching the Son all things were made by him Now Christ calleth himself the beginning that these poor Laodiceans might return to him the fountain of all good Vers 15. I know thy works that thou art neither cold nor hot Neither were these Laodiceans enemies to Christ nor true friends but served Christ and the world alike as occasion served They were neutrals that is fained hypocrites worse in Christs esteem then his professed enemies I would thou wert either hot or cold He first wisheth they were hot that is truly zealous in faith and godlinesse or cold that is altogether without faith and godlinesse he wisheth not this absolutely but comparatively insomuch as they that seem to be cold seem to be more excusable then those that be luke-warm and more easily to be reformed and better avoided Certainly t is a worse thing not to follow the truth we know in sincerity then to be ignorant altogether thereof Hypocrites and those that have faith only in shew and think that they see but are blind are greater enemies yet with pretence of Religion to Christians then those who are quite cold One may be sooner hurt and deceived under the name of a friend then of a foe A Pagan also were sooner gained to Christ then a Jew or Hypocrite Here you may see what to think of the members of Antichrist who joyne Christ and Belial Images and Scripture God and gaine together Vers 16. I will spue thee out of my mouth the metaphor is taken from warme water which is loathsome to the stomack it notes the hypocrites creeping into and being in the Church with a forme of Godlinesse but to be cast out because wanting the power thereof Vers 17. For thou sayst I am rich either because many rich Merchants were in this Church and therefore they boasted as having all wordly comforts though they be weak arguments to prove our being in Christ to reason from outward blessings or rather because hypocrites do imagine they are rich in spiritual things wanting nothing here is their Pride also reproved Because thou sayst thou art rich and knowst not ignorance was the cause of their pride they knew not themselves nor their own wants The best way to beat down pride is to examine and know our selves Thou art wretched Christ sheweth in five things what naturally we are all and what hypocrites are Wretched is one oppressed with calamity and sicknesse which must here be understood of the soul Miserable deprived of mercy Poore destitute of true righteousnesse and holinesse Blind ignorant of his miserable state which is a very great misery Naked wanting Christ the wedding garment Vers 18. I counsel
our selves in the diligent observation of things both from histories and events One of the foure beasts saying come and see the beasts it seems performed the office of publike Cryers whose work it is to call Persons neerer the Throne of Judgement-seat they in order call Iohn who stood afarre off either for reverence or that he might more certainly write down what he saw As the voice of thunder The first beast was like a Lyon who now called to Iohn to come and see requiring hereby great Attention and hence this Lyon-like voice as of thunder Vers 2. And I saw and behold a white horse to wit went out of the book or seale for indeed as all the mysteries were in the book so upon opening it they came out that is were expounded to Iohn now if the book were so great to contain a horse and man how great was he that held the book how great he that opened it how great were the mysteries and events The white horse denotes the Purity of the Primitive Church compared to that warlike creature an horse because the Church militant should fight against the world flesh and divel The rider is Christ who was swiftly carried on in the Ministry of the Apostles and other faithful Teachers in the first times Thus Paul bare his name before the Gentiles the Bowe is the Word by which he wounds the hearts of the Elect that he may heale and restore them to life the Crown notes his Regal Crown of triumph because he goes forth conquering by his death he conquered sinne by his resurrection death hell Satan and the world and tyrants Iulian the Apostate confessed so much in his blasphemous speech thou hast overcome O Galilaean he conquers hereticks he conquers converting sinners many ways he conquers which for brevity sake I omit Christ in one respect opens the book in another comes forth conquering the first as the chief Prophet God-man the last as God and King Vers 3. And when he had opened the second Seale behold a red horse John is called to see the future condition of the Church under persecution behold t is blood-red under many tyrants t is the same Church though called another because of its differing colour the rider I take to be Christ not Satan who is with his People in all misery He came not to send peace on the earth but a sword and fire yet by accident not in himself because of the malice of Tyrants and Hereticks opposing truth Vers 4. And that they should kill one another Hereticks under a colour and pretence of Christ persecute and kill the servants of Christ learn hence the divel can do no more then Christ will suffer for our good to wit the exercise of faith Christ suffers tyrants to afflict his Saints Vers 5. Loe a black horse and he that sate on him had a paire of ballances in his hand To wit the Church in her afflicted condition by wicked hereticks who cloud the light of the truth with their black heresies and bring in a deformity upon the Church who was formerly white I omit the names of the Hereticks who in the age following the Apostles till the time of Greg. the first though they professed themselves Christians overthrew Christianity after also the faith of Christ was oppressed and way made for Antichrist who shortly after came into the Temple of God when Boniface the third obtained the primacy over all Churches from Phocas the usurper Thus the white horse became black yet Christ rides on it with the ballance of holy Scripture in his hands Rides For the worst and grossest Heretick professeth Christ 2. By his providence rules them for in greatest confusion of heresies he is not wanting to his Church as they came not unawares but for the tryall of his Church so they are continually examined and confuted by the ballance of his word he so ordering it for a ballance is the tryall of just or unjust weights so Scripture is a true touchstone to try gold and brasse Vers 6. And I heard a voyce in the midst of the 4. beasts c 'T was the Lambs voyce in the midst of the Throne and foure beasts Chap. 5.6 proclaiming a famine of the Gospel for through the ambition Luxury covetousnesse and negligence of Bishops the Gospel should be so corrupted and by Here ticks so adulterated that nothing should be pure and sound by wheat in this place sincere teachers are meant who should be rare by barley the comforts of the Gospel which should be scarce though some understand a plenty hereby since a measure of wheat and three measures of barley should be sold for a penny a measure containted a quart being a mans allowance for a day a penny was neer 7 pence with us if so then Christ in the midst of all heresies had truth * The penny was wages for the day as Mat 20.13 now a measure being as much as a man could cat in a day was to be had for the penny or dayes labour enough for his people See thou hurt not the Oyle and the Wine By Wine and Olye some understand the Orthodox faith which should not be totally obscured by heretical blacknesse Now as Wine Cherishes and Oyle clenses so sound doctrine doth glad and cleanse the conscience Alcasar applies Oyle to the light and true knowledge of happinesse and wine to spirituall joy which the Lambs voice promiseth the Elect shall not be deprived of notwithstanding the dearth of truth by the darknesse of heresie Which happened partly when the whole world groaned under Arrianisme Vers 7 8. And I looked and behold a pale horse c. This fourth beast having the for me of a flying Eagle with quick fighted eyes having spied something as it were on high cals to John for I beleeve hereby may be signifyed these plagues coming from above to revenge the injuries done to the Saints and to punish the impenitent This pale horse is the same Church of Christ in the succeeding age though of another colour Pale because it is infirme weak sickly neer unto death and hell it by accident was occasioned by Constantines excessive bounty to the Church for then Pastors began to be proud luxurious idle and fertile in vices Jerome complained in his time that after Princes became Christians the Church indeed was greater in power and riches but lesse in vertue the remote cause was the guile and malice of that old serpent the devil Also now Bishops by infinite ceremonies and human traditions increased the pale disease Nay Monks whose at first solitary hard life wrought much upon the people increased this palenesse for people that desired pardon for sin were sent to the Monks dennes not to Christ whereby this mortall wound came upon the Church drawing more to hell then either the blacknes of heresies or sword of tyrants though this might seeme rather to be expressed under the notion of the darkning the Sun and rolling up the heaven then by
the pale-horse He that sate opon his back was death c. Though Christ doubtlesse was carried up and down as rider in the Church for all profest him yet since in works they denied him death the effect of sin is said to sit upon his back drawing hell for that waits on death without Christ after him Now though by beasts beastly lusts raigning in the souls of the people through the negligence slothfulnesse and security of Bishops wounding and killing many may be understood And by famine that of the word Amos 8.11 By the sword the wounding tongue which cuts like a sharp rasor Psal 52.2 or false wounding doctrines of Hereticks suffered in the Church by death the spiritual death for want of Christ the life and the Gospel the food of the soule for I heare not of a persecuting sword in this age yet certainly there is a plain allusion to Ezech. 14.21 where the Lord threatens Jerusalem for her Apostacy with his foure sore that is some cruel punishments to which Christ likens here the cursed effects of security in teachers and hereticks wounding doctrines destroying a fourth part that is a great part of the earth under the Romane Empire Now follow Act. 2. Vision second Vers 9. And when he had opened the first Seal In this second Act are three things contained 1. What he saw and the place where 2. What they said 3. The answer they receceived The summe of all is to comfort the godly against the scandall of the crosse shadowed out especially under the red horse particularly least John should be daunted much at the effusion of so much blood of the Martyrs he sees their souls safe under the protection of Christ Observe then the soul is separable eternall I saw under the Altar the souls of them that were slaine for the word of God and for the testimony which they held To wit of all the Martyrs slain from Nero to Boniface the third the first Antichrist Vnder the Altar To wit Christ Heb. 13.10 We have an Altar not then in purgatory but in heaven Thou shalt be with me this day in Paradise Not under the robbes of Mary but under the safety of Christ the Altar not lost for they enjoy the presence of Christ and of God as far as created natures are able Vers 10. And they cryed with a loud voyce saying how long c. By this is shewed their earnest desire of the hastning Gods judgments 't was no vocall but visionall crying which imports no impatiency for the glorified Saints are free from such corruption their desire is just that Gods glory may be vindicated the Church finally delivered They do not prescribe God a time but closely submit to the same as unknown to them only they intimate that to them it seems just and equall that he should deliver his Church and no longer suffer the blasphemies of cruall Tyrants Vers 11. And white Robes were given unto every on of them They are answered in words and deeds for white robes were given them this notes the beginning of glory Moses and Elias talking with Jesus had such shining garments the perfect robe though this former be without spot is referred till the day of judgment Now for the word And it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season To wit by him that sate upon the Throne or the Altar under whose protection they are Now Christ is called an Altar because he was sacrificed as a Lamb upon the Altar of the Crosse or his divine nature which sanctified and made the sacrifice worthy and able to pacify divine Justice In the answer note many things 1. Antichrists time is short 2. God heares alwayes the prayers of his Saints 3. The cruelties of the wicked are not forgotten but shall be revenged 4. The cause of the forbearance is first to lead men to repentance that the full number of the Martyres may be accomplished 5. A communion between the Saints above and these below We ought not therefore to pray to them being our fellow servants Neither though they love us do they pray for us because it would derogate from Christ in whose presence they are as if his intercession were not satisfactory or he were asleep however we ought not to pray to them since they know not our particular wants though they be in the presence of GOD For Abraham knowes us not Esay 93. Act 3. Vision second Vers 12. I beheld when he had opened the sixth Seal and loe there was a great earthquake c. This Act consisteth of two parts 1. Treats of the greater and more horrible confusion of the Christian world under Antichrist vers 2.15 then and in the 7. Chap. is treated comfortable things as the sealing of the Elect to vers 8. I referre these Earthquakes to the last persecutions under Antichrist upon Phocas the Emperours proclaiming Boniface the 3d. universall Bishop and Prince of Priests or indeed Antichrist then the Christian world began to be horribly shaken for now Christ the Son of righteousnesse began to be obscured that is the doctrine concerning his offices and benefits darkened the Moon or Church turned into blood the Starres or Pastors fall from heavenly offices the opened Book of Scripture or the Heaven rolled up and forbidden to be read the mountains Kings and Princes for they are higher then the other people in Jeopardy The Ilands brought under Antichrists yoak and tyranny First of the earth-quake sometimes t is taken in a good sence as Heb. 12. I will shake heaven and earth meaning in reforming the world by Christ Note also that the signes foretold to be at the last day Math. 24. in the Sun and Moon shall litterally come to passe when the Isles shall fly away and mountains were not found to wit at the day of judgement But here the Earthquake signifies the shaking and oppressing the Church by Antichrist who darkened the Sun to wit Christ and the true light of the Gospel and the Hypocriticall Monkes who wore garments of sackcloth glorying of perfection do as by a true badge testifie that they live under this darknesse spoken of But say they the Pope professeth Christ against all Hereticks Answ Should he openly cast off the name of Christ then he could not have brought under his bondage the Christian world But his coming as the Apostle writeth is withall deceiveablenesse in them that perish Christ is darkned and Mary adored free-grace rejected for polluted works the Sacraments changed into Idols the Gospel into Traditions scarce any thing but the name of Christ remaining The Moon became as blood The Moon is the Church Now as the Moon borrowes light of the Sun so the Church all of Christ Into blood The cruell tyranny of Antichrist makes the Church red with the blood of the Saints the oft Massacres prove this in part Vers 13. The Starres of Heaven fell into the earth Starres do not really fall but false ones do so false teachers like
expressed in that he offered up the Incense with or to the prayers of the Saints Thus by prayer Christ offering up the Incense of the application of his passion unto it the Saints may get the assurance of Christs death and consequently of eternall life Now upon Christs offering himself up for us and upon the preaching of the Gospel comprehended under the word voyces there followed the thundering of Tyrants the lightnings of Heresies you see they be dangerous and the great earthquake of Antichrist spoken of chap. 6.12 where observe that this part of the Vision agrees with that in chap. 6. Christ at the Altar giving seven Trumpets to seven Angels here resembles Christ on the white horse there The thundering here after the voyces or preaching of the Word and the fire of the Altar sent or Spirit given to the Church resembles Christ on the Red horse The lightning which burnes destroyes and makes look pale as experience testifyes resembles CHRIST on the pale and black horse of sicknesse and heresie Vers 6. The Angels prepared themselves to sound To wit now after that Christ had sent his spirit till then the Apostles were not to departed from Jerusalem nor these Angels to sound Thus then the seven Seals and Trumpets agree and perhaps the voyals for Christ signifyed the same thing to John under severall formes Vers 7. The first Angelsounded and there followed haile By this expression the contradictions and persecutions of the enemies of the Gospel are set forth for as haile is hurtfull to green Corne so is opposition and gainsaying unto young beleevers fire and blood resemble persecution and banishments which happened to the Disciples when the Gospel began to be preached from Penticost and forward as the Acts of the Apostles witnesse it has allusion to the seventh plague of Egypt and agrees with the first Seal by this means most of the Apostles and cheif Teachers in the Primitive time meant by trees were burnt up or destroyed And divers even very many Saints as green grasse being weaker then the trees were consumed at least bodily This may teach all sincere Teachers to expect at least haile that is contradiction it s well if not fire and blood let us be however like the trees planted by the water side Psal 1. Vers 8. And the second Angel sounded and as it were a great mountaine burning with fire c. This Mountain I beleeve not to be immediatly the devil as some think but the Roman Empire for he began not to burne with envy against the Church now but was a murderer from the beginning perchance stirred up to do this mischeif by the devil Now the Kings and Emperours or Empires are mountaines is said chap. 6.14 being higher then ordinary but what high mountaine was in the world now in this sense but the Roman Empire The Sea is the gathering together of waters and by it either the world or Church is understood Now the Roman Empire violently rushed in upon both and in the Church with fiery rage oppressed many thousand Saints witnesse the many persecutions Thus the Church was the red horse red with the blood of Martyrs Many in the Church bodily were destroyed understood by creatures dying in the sea And the third part of the ships were destroyed That is many Teachers who under Christ were able to manage the Sea or Church see the skill that ought to be in the Ministers of the Gospel but their souls were not lost though they were bodily destroyed since Christ was aboard but here is comfort not all but the third part of the sea was blood also the Sea quencheth fire so the Church through Christ shall have the victory at last And perchance it might be spoken because the Roman Empire should embrace the faith of Christ as Constantine did Thus the mountains was swallowed up with the sea but by this means Antichrist was neerer home Vers 10. And the third Angel sounded and there fell a great star from heaven Here as Chap. 6. are denoted all Arch-hereticks who for many years after the Apostles deformed the Church but especially here is signifyed the Apostacy of the Bishops of Rome as it were falling by degrees For indeed above thirty Bishops before Sylvester for the most part shined as starres in heaven and suffered martyrdom for Christ But after peace brought in by Constantine t is pitty such fair weather should do hurt the Roman star like the Babylonian Lucifer or the devil himself began to lift up himself above his fellow Ministers Sylvester is said to be the first that much degenerated burdening the Church with Heathenish rites and ordinances On the third part of the Rivers By Rivers I understand the Bishop successor of Sylvester and other Teachers from whom divine doctrine ought to flow to others By fountains I understand the Scriptures by waters the comforts and doctrines of Scripture infected The starre was called Warmewood From the effects of it because it did imbitter Thus also did Arrius that Heretick imbitter the Rivers partly by force partly by cunning that who drank did indanger their salvation here is an allusion to the waters of Marah this bitternesse continued untill Gregory Too too long had it pleased God otherwise yet here is comfort since but the third part of either was infected Vers 12. And the fourth Angel sounded and the third part of the Sunne Was smitten In the sixth Seal there is a totall Ecclips threatned the Sun should be as dark as sack-cloth of haire that is very dark but here only the third part of the Sun is smitten yet the apparitions much agree or as the pale horse noted the sickly estate of the Church of which see the exposition so somewhat of the same thing is here foretold the Sun shadows out the cheif Prelates as Pope Cardinal who ought to shine forth in life and doctrine the Moon which receives her light from the Sun signifies other inferiour depending orders as Priests and Curates The stars being lesse in light signifie the layity thus Annonimus upon the place all which grew sickly pale and dime in the matters of Christ yet here is comfort only the third part for Antichrist was not yet lifted up into his seat Vers 13. And I beheld and heard an Angel flying thorough the midst of heaven John saw this Angel fly in the midst of heaven which noted some notable Minister living in the Church or Kingdome of grace who spoke of the miseries of the Church ensuing 't is conceived Gregory Bishop of the Church of Rome was meant by this Angel who as a heavenly Herauld foretold of the grievous calamities to befall the Church by Antichrist witnesse his Epistles to the Emperour Mauritius Woe Woe Woe noting the three following Trumpets or many great miseries ensuing To the inhabitants of the earth Noting earthly-minded-men and hypocrites contradistinct to Saints whose names being written in heaven were more happy Note how Muck-wormes and Hypocrites are called
then in the general shall be ever safe Mat. 16. the gates of hell shall not prevail against her yet particular Churches as Corinth Rome may erre and fall away as experience shews Having the Moon under her feet By it is shewed the variable condition of the Church here below sometimes shining in full light sometimes scarcely to be seene but rather here is noted the Churches despising and trampling underfoot all sublunary vaine and perishing things possessing Christ by faith And a crowne of twelve starres on her head She professeth the faith of the twelve Apostles who are compared to bright starres which is a crowne as it were to her head thus the Church is a crowned Queen and the faith an adorning Vers 2. And she being with child cryed c. Alluding to women who beare not without paine nor bring forth without sorrow the Virgin Mary not excepted See my Glimps of Christs love page 16. The Papists cannot tell how to beleeve that this place any way concerns the Virgin Wel the Church cannot bring forth her fruit of Christ without crying labour sorrow the propagation of the Church ever was with great troubles cares cryes thus Saint Paul travelled in birth with the Galatians chap. 4.19 tyrants make the Churches paine the greater Vers 3. And there appeared another signe a great Dragon having seven heads c. Because he is an old Serpent who has devoured other Serpents and so becomes a Dragon Red Notes his cruel bloodthirsty nature persecuting the Church This Dragon is the Devil ver 9. the crowned heads of the Dragon are Kings Emperours Tyrants as Herod Nero Domitian for seven is taken for many By hornes strength is meant by them Governours Captaines are meant as Pilate Festus Now ten notes a great many the Dragon differs from the Beast chap. 13. the description of each makes it appeare yet this Dragon begot that Beast and are somewhat alike Vers 4. And his taile drew the third part of the starres c. Now followes the action of the Dragon he by his taile that is by cunning flattery and insinuation for Dogs fawne with their tailes drew or enticed many teachers of the Church compared to starres to leave their heavenly function and to fall to humane traditions and earthly cares yet I rather by the Dragons tail understand under several tyrants many long persecutions for the Dragons taile is his strength wherby many at least seeming starres fell to the worship of Satan Nay some faithful teachers too for a little season here are things noted first yet not many yeers after performed Esay says the Prophet that tels lyes is the tayle chap. 9.15 Now perchance by Dragons taile false-teachers and hereticks as Arrius may be noted who drew many from the faith Now by this Dragons meanes that starre chap. 8.10 chap. 9.1 fell to the earth I mean the Romane starre and Arrius And the Dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered c. Like a hungry Wolfe before the fold to devoure the Sheep Peter cals him a roaring Lyon intimating his hungring after a prey 1 Pet. 5.8 First when Christ was literally born he fought to devoure him by Herod when the children suffered for him before he for the children and ever since he strives to devour Christ the manchild in his members by Tyrants Hereticks Antichrist This Act answers to the first foure Seals concerning horses chap. 6. and to the Trumpet concerning the fire mingled with blood the burning mountain the starre falling containing the time from the birth of Christ to the rising of Antichrist Now follows comfort in act the second being answerable to the fifth Seal of the soules being under the Altar chap. 6 9. and to the Angel standing on sea and land chap. 10.2 Vers 5. And she brought forth a manchilde who was to rule all nations c. The Sexe notes strength thus Christ is the mighty God Who doth feed that is rule all nations with an iron rod. as Psal 2. that is with a powerful Scepter the nations with an iron rod but his People with his word or as Psal 53. in green pasture as a shepheard not a tyrant Is the devil a dragon So then remember Christ is that strong manchild who by his power and iron rod defends himself in his members whiles here below Note by the womans bearing a son many sonnes nay multitudes of sons are signified who first beleeved And he was caught up unto God c. Christ litterally and the Saints spiritually are caught up into heaven that is defended and protected and after death as the witnesses are caught up or ascend to heaven out of the danger of the Dragon his heads or horns Vers 6. And the woman fled into the wildernesse c. Here that is said to be done first which was not done till afterward to wit when the Dragon was cast to the earth and the woman had wings ver 13. To which place I referre the Reader for the interpretation of this verse Vers 7. And there was warre in heaven c. After the manchilde was caught up to heaven and before the scattering of the Church John in the vision saw the warre in heaven and it signifies how Christ ascending overcame Satan destroying his Kingdome bringing to the Saints eternal safety Brightman applies this to Constantines suppressing the enemies of Christianity which in part may hold But doubtlesse this war began before Christ is Michael in this place for the Angels can't be said to be any other Michaels though perchance Iohn saw one Angel as Commander of the rest in the Vision Christ and Satan fought in the temptation bloody sweat passion when our Michael overcame as Sampson by his death but especialy by his resurrection and ascension though the whole mystery of our salvation is here shadowed out he destroyed the Dragon and to this houre in some sense the battel from heaven lasts with the Dragon This Vision was to comfort the Church in her miserable persecutions seeing at last her Michael prevailed and she in him now though in the Vision more Angels fought noting perchance how all his members must fight against Satan yet Christ doubtlesse trod the Winepresse alone Isa 63.3 Vers 8. And prevailed not c. Christ sits triumphing in heaven and in his Church in great measure at this day therefore there is no room for Satan there I beheld him as lightning fall from heaven says Christ the preaching of the Gospel and Christs death cast him out and destroyed his Kingdome Thus Christ entred the strong mans house or kingdome and spoiled it Matth. 12.29 perchance here is some allusion to Satans first casting out of heaven Vers 9. That old Serpent called the devil and Satan c. he is called old because of a long standing even before the fall A serpent because of his craftinesse and poyson of sin wherewith he infects the nature of man A divel because an accuser and slanderer of the
had more when Antichrist was at the highest Vers 16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the Beast c. Meaning ten Kings of the West of which already shall hate the whore when God shall put it into their hearts The occasion of these horns of the Beasts hating the Beast and Whore was the Lambs victory convincing them of the truth God be thanked all kingdomes Spain and Italy excepted more or lesse hate the whore and oppose Idolatry Shall make her desolate By leaving the great City and with their Kingdomes and Dominions turn to Christ And make her naked Detect her abominations by confession writing and keeping back her gold riches pearle c. that should adorn her And shall eat her flesh Her flesh here is her annuities riches rents possessions wherewith she was fatted which they shall imploy upon their own territories Churches and several better uses And shall burn her with fire Rome to wit the nest of Antichrist and whorish Seat So that the Pope shall flie to some of the Kings of the earth for shelter as the Spaniard perchance who may be called one of the Kings of the earth contradistinct to the Kings of the East and may joyn with the other named Kings of the earth to his destruction now Antichrist is not thus to be quite ruined though his Palace be but in the succession of Popes shall live some where or other till Christs coming to judgement 2 Thes 2.8 whose brightnesse shall destroy him and the remaining Kings of the earth Vers 17. For God hath put it into the Kings hearts They were ready enough else to have continued in idolatry with Antichrist so that God must have the glory Here England Germany in part Scotland Swethland and other places recovered from Antichrist and hating him may be thought on once of the ten Kings Obj. What is putting into their heart and how it is done Answ God moves the heart of them by his divine cooperating spirit effectually so that it cannot but act yet leaves it free because the divine determination hinders not the judgement of reason about choosing or refusing note God put it into their hearts first to do his will or pleasure in executing his mind for the Beast as chap. 13. to agree and give their Kingdome to the Beast of which largely vers 13. of this chapter fighting with their might for his spiritual Empire Vntill the Words of God were fulfilled That is his decree touching the rising of Antichrist in this book and in the Apostles often Now he hath altered their minds convinced their consciences and they do his Will in executing his judgements upon the Whore after she was at the height and the Word of God was fulfilled that Antichrist should sit in the Temple of God or in the Church for God and oracle and after the Worshippers had admired after the Beast The Lord put it into more of their hearts to their salvation Amen Ver. 8. And the woman which thou sawst is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the earth To wit Rome for no other city in Johns time mark it had dominion over the Kings of the earth to whom they were tributary but Rome And thus the Church of Rome at her height held all and ruled all either by the sword or under pretence of Religion note God by his revealed Will grace coworking put it into these kings hearts to fulfil his will formerly God put it into their hearts to do his will in serving the Whore The action and motion materially is from God always the forme or obliquity of the action is from Satan and mans corrupt nature in which and by which God hath a secret working and end If a man ride well upon a lame horse the going or action is good as from the man the lamenesse is from the horse so the action in the Kings when they were for the Whore is from God the lameness and pravity of it serving the Whore is from their corruption by which however God wrought his pleasure The summe is the Angels or Preachers and Kings shall divert Euphrates of Rome the Preachers noted by Angels having made Rome weak in part and odious before then the three unclean spirits gather the Kings of the earth to helpe her but her former Vassals shall many of them hate her and burne Rome yet the Pope with the Kings that are left shall be gathered to battle against Christ and these converted ones but the bloody feild of Armageddon or the day of judgment shall overtake them CHAP. XVIII The sixth Vision continued Act 2. Vers 1. After these things I saw another Angel come down from heaven TO wit after the sight of the woman upon the Beast another Angel for this book is as a Trage-comedy where several persons come in as Actors here Angels signifie no Preachers as formerly the Angels bid but are real Angels one perchance Christ publishing future events to John they come from heaven and so do the judgments upon Babylon Having great power All the Angels are great in power how great in power is God then whose servants these are it notes the greatnesse of the matter in hand to wit great Romes overthrow who is not invincible And the earth was lightned with his glory This notes that he was a glorious messenger from heaven 2. That the judgement of Rome shall be publike and open Vers 2. He cryed with a loud voyce saying It notes 1. That the inhabitants of the earth and worshippers of the Beast shall not plead ignorance for so the Gospel hath long cryed down Rome and threatned her destruction 2. It notes the stupidity of Rome lying in pleasure though her judgments were at door Babylon is fallen is fallen c. As in Esay 21.9 concerning the literal Babylon it notes the certainty of its destruction therefore 't is doubled The Angel chap. 14.8 who proclaimed its ruine did it as a Preacher by the Gospel battering that spiritual City which about Luthers time began to decay and decrease in honour and greatnesse Here the destruction of the City of Rome is foretold by a heavenly Herauld because she rejected the former warning the Gospel-truth and killed the witnesses this Babylon is Rome having seven heads or governments sitting on seven mountains making drunk the Kings of the earth with her fornication being the seate of Antichrist and which in Johns time ruled over Nations And is become the habitation of Devils See Esay 13.16 to 22. or of Satyrs it was formerly Satans dwelling place being a Kingdome of Idolatry and Antichrists seat but now this notes its utter desolation as that place of Esay shews This Angels Proclamation belongs to the time a little before Romes destruction and is not yet come And the hold of every foule spirit Noting the apparitions of Devils to be there after its destruction not only Fairies and Satyrs And cage of every unclean and hateful bird As Kites Owles Vultures Ravens This
to the things that were written Gods Word as it is the rule of our life so it shall bee of our judgement According to their works Good or bad but the just are not judged or saved because of their works Good or bad works are known to all and by them as open testimonies shall all be judged The good works of Saints Christ wrought in them yet hee 'l reward them for what he has wrought O blessed Jesus work thy work in us Vers 13. And the sea gave up her dead which were in her c. Sentence being pronounced all the Elements give up their dead the Water those that were drowned the Earth those that were buried whether Saints bodyes or Reprobates but the Saints so long before the rest that they might meet Christ and the rest of their brethren in the Aire and come to see and approve Christs judgment of the wicked by Hell I understand how the damned shal appear to receive their final sentence who are called dead because they were dead in sin and once bodily dead By death I understand the grave or the earth as before the effect of death All that were burnt eaten by birds of the Aire or fishes of the Sea shall appear the Angels shall gather the ashes of the Elect from the four corners of the earth Vers 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire That is the devil who brought death and caused destruction or enticeth to hell Thus death shall be swallowed up in victory 1 Cor. 15.54 in vers 10. by an anticipation of time the devil was said to be cast into the lake of hell which indeed was but now fulfilled This is the second death Or eternall death The first was a temporall death if it may be called one or rather a separating man by sin from God Vers 15. Is easie All but the elect are damned being not written in the book of life If any man demand why so oft this book speaks of the last judgment 'T is answered because the Saints my be comforted and patiently endure persecution for a while This Act answers the harvest and vintage chap. 14. latter end And to the seventh Viall of the haile chap. 16.21 and to chap. 19.20 concerning the armyes of the Kings of the earth together with the Beast and the Kings casting into the lake of Hell CHAP. XXI Being the seventh Vision continued AFter the Renovation if not destruction of the world the heavenly glory is shewed to John under a twofold simile First As a glorious bride adorned Secondly As a most excellent choyce City which is set forth by things which are most rare and precious to man to give a glimps of the Saints glory in the glorious heaven Vers 1. And I saw a new Heaven The devils and the reprobates being cast into hell being mentioned Now follows the description of the Saints glory And I saw Iohn as Moses saw the promised land sees heaven before death into which Paul was wrap'd and heard unspeakable things A new heaven Esay foretold of a new heaven and earth chap. 65.17 which began to be accomplished after the shaking heaven and earth Heb. 12.26 by a Reformation by Christ and the Apostles when all things became new men became new creatures here the new heaven may signifie the Churches glory in heaven with Christ and the earth the bodies of the Saints most glorious Master Brightman applies the latter to the glorious condition of the Church after the Jews Conversion which cannot hold though we expect their Conversion but do not beleeve it to be tyed to Judaea as he supposes who in some measure are daily gained to the faith The Millenaries apply this to their golden age of whose opinion in part Augustine confesseth he once was but our Saviour tels us of no such brave time in earth towards the end but says when the Sonne of man comes shall he find faith in earth and though Rome shall be burnt yet both Antichrist and Gog shall rage to the end Concerning the new heaven and earth though I almost stagger in the point I will follow the most common opinion notwithstanding what elsewhere I have said in this book concerning the dissolution of all things and by a new heaven and new earth prophesied by Esay and in some sense fulfilled by the renewing of the Church I understand the renewed condition of heaven and earth literally to be fulfilled according to Esay and Peter 2.3 13. The substance whereof shall not be utterly abolished but the corruptible qualities and it shall be pure bright glorious Thus the first heaven and earth were passed away being not vanished quite for substance but quality being to be renewed and purified by fire A new heaven and a new earth c. John saw not the very glory of heaven which eye hath not seen but types and similies of it And the sea was no more According ro corrupt qualities and rolling with waves as now but made solid and in a globe though I know no use of these things unlesse to remaine as monuments of the great works of God and of his Power and to be renewed as having in their nature and course faithfully served their Creator as a reward for their service being delivered from bondage into the liberty of the sonnes of God according to their capacity And perchance the heavens may not as now compasse the earth or move there being no use of it But the brightnesse and lustre thereof shall be much augmented as of the Sun and Moon Vers 2. And I saw the holy City Here is the glory of the renewed Church shewed to Iohn after he had seen the renewed world and indeed this renovation of the Church seems distinct from that of heaven and earth renewed therefore one cannot be well the other or the new heaven and new earth the glorified condition of the Church for t is said And I saw as distinct from the former Let the Reader perpend this also Iohn seems to insert his name to confirm it saying I Iohn saw the Holy City Ierusalem Meaning the Church which the Scripture cals Ierusalem A City Because of its choyce and rare building such was Ierusalem built by Salomon more rare is this which is not built of common stones but as Esay 54.13 which I may apply in some sense here the Citizens are Saints who know one another as Citizens do She is called holy Because glorious in heaven and perfectly holy so appearing to Iohn in the Vision she in some sort is holy here below for Christ sanctifies her washing her by water regenerates her by faith and the spirit The old Ierusalem was polluted this is new newly glorified in heaven in the Vision perfect holy Coming down from heaven So chap. 3.12 noting her original to be from God this must not be understood of local motion her abode is heaven as chap. 12. vers 1. a woman in heaven but here is noted her heavenly grace and