the true Believers under pretence of greater piety and holiness and yet were sensual minding carnal seen things not having the Spirit Jude 19. Such they were as whose minds the God of this World hath blinded lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them 2 Cor. 4. 4. And so he had caused them to unite and embody by themselves by way of separation from this Church and though Christ found no fault at all with this Church yet this Synagogue of Satan might and so made themselves more pure than Christ Job 4. 17. See the notes on ch 2. v. 9. 2. Because as they were gathered together by Satan and by the things he commends so they did worship him also though not grosly and professedly had his Doctrines 1 Tim. 4. 1. 2 Cor. 11. 2 3 13 15. And did his lusts and requirings especially as to the desires of the mind Joâ— 8. 44. And by Satan's Doctrines brought forth Children for Hell Mat. 23. 15. 2 Tim. 4. 3. See notes on ch 2. v. 23. And were one with him in his design in opposing Christ's Doctrine and hindring others from receiving or turning them away from the Faith So Paul said to Elymaâ— who sought to turn away the Deputy from the Faith O full of all subtilty and of all mischief thou Child of the Devil c. And this he said not in a distemper or furious passion But he being filled with the Holy Ghost thus spake Acts 13. 8 10. 3. And they carried it highly towards and were adverse to Christs People reproaching and villifying them for their weakness littleness of strength infirmities hopes c. they scoffed saying where is the promise of his coming As they also did who privily brought in damnable hereâ—iâ—s 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. and ch 3. 3 5. Jude 17. 18. they did blaspheme reproach and speak evil of the true believers as it appears ch 2. v. 9. and therein were of Satan Joh. 13. 27. Rev. 12. 9 10. And continuing in this bad and sad condition they should at last have their part and portion with Satan whose Synagogue they were Jude 13. 2. The Title they took to themselves though falsly which say they are Jews and are not but do lye See the notes before on chap. 2. verse 9. 2. We have in the next place to consider and speak unto what he assureth concerning them and that in two particulars 1. I will make them I will make them come and worship before thy Feet that is either 1. As some understand it he would make them come and worship himself before their Feet and then to confess and acknowledge him their Lord Phil. 2. 8 10. with Isay 45. 22 23. Rom. 14. 9 12. They shall prostrate themselves before his people and worship Christ as their Lord before whom they would not bow down but did deny him privily 2 Pet. 2. 1. And as in former times the people did worship the Lord before the Sanctuary as it is said exalt the Lord our God and worship at his Foot-stool or Holy Hill for the Lord our God is holy Ps 99. 5. with v. 9. So these shall do before the Sanctuary and true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not Man Heb. 8. 1 2. And thus they shall do when Christ shall write gloriously upon his faithful Servants the name of the City of his God New Jerusalem when the name of the City shall be Jehovah Shammah or the Lord is there Rev. 3. 12. with Ezek. 48. 35. And so all Nations shall worship before the Lord All they that be fat upon the Earth shall eat and worship All they that go down to the Dust shall bow before him Ps 22. 27 29. and 86. 8 9. And this they shall do before the Feet of his hearty and unfeigned Disciples in an humble and submissive manner and in the sight and view of them Or 2. Before thy Feet that is to say they shall worship them not with a Religious or Divine Worship but they shall reverence them and bow themselves before them as inferiours before superiours so what is said in Rev. 19. 10. I fell down to worship before the Feet of the Angel is thus exprest in Rev. 22. 8. I fell at his Feet to Worship him Indeed that worship of the Apostles was forbidden because it was done with a divine worship But that informs us that to worship before ones Feet and to worship that person may mean one and the same thing Compare also Mat. 4. 9. with Luke 4. 7. And so as the People worshipt King David 1 Chron. 29. 20. and as it is rendred with us thou shalt have worship Luke 14. 10. So then their Enemies shall bow before them even the Synagogue of Satan according to those Prophesies The Glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee to beautifie the place of my Sanctuary and I will make the place of my Feet glorious The Sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet and they shall call thee the city of the Lord the Zion of the holy one of Israel c. Isay 60. 13 15. they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth and lick up the dust of thy feet Isay 49. 22 23. with Ps 72. 9. for now they shall be Kings gloriously and shall reign with Jesus Christ on the earth when he makes new Heavens and a new earth wherein shall dwell righteousness and all shall then be subject unto him and his People Dan. 7. 18 27. Rev. 5. 10. 1 Cor. 6. 1 2. And of this he gives his people great assurance as is intimated in his doubling the expression I will make them I will make them which signifies to us the establishment hereof Gen. 41. 32. and that it shall certainly be performed in its due time and season compare Exod 3. 7. with Acts 7. 34. and this he now proposes to his people to comfort them and to strengthen them to a patient enduring their troubles afflictions and reproaches that he will assuredly and certainly in due time cut off all the horns of the ungodly Ps 75. 10. and bring them under who are now enemies to his people Ps 37. 1 13. that they might trust in him in whom is everlasting strength For he bringeth down them that dwell on high the lofty city he layeth it low he layeth it low even to the ground he bringeth it even to the dust the foot shall tread it down the feet of the poor the steps of the needy Isay 26. 3 4 5 6. and ch 35. 3 4. And he who giveth this assurance to them is he that is holy pure from all and all manner of iniquity that hates all the works of iniquity Heb. 1. 9. and will therefore gather out of his Kingdome all things that offend and them which do iniquity Mat. 13. 40 42. Rev.
15. 4. and he that is true and faithful in all he hath spoken and promised Rev. 21. 26 27. and ch 22. 1. 6. And thus the Souls under the altar that were slain for the word of God and for the Testimony which they held address themselves unto him with a loud voice saying How long O Lord holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth Rev. 6. 9 10 11. 2. And I will make them I will make them know that I have loved thee And this he assures his people also with a double affirmation In which is intimated to us 1. That now in this day they will not know or they know not neither will they understand it Ps 82. 5. Or they will not acknowledge so much but give them out to be such as Christ hates Your Brethren that hated you that cast you out for my names sake said Let the Lord be glorified But he shall appear to your joy and they shall be ashamed as Isay 66. 5. Joh. 16. 1 2. they now call Christ's Disciples Hereticks Schismaticks c. and look upon them as the vilest of Men as the fiâ—th and off scouring of all things as persons not fit to live and therefore cry away with such fellows from the earth 1 Cor. 4. 9. 13. Acts 22. 22. and ch 24. 14. and ch 28. 22. they cry out God hath forsaken them persecure and take them for there is none to deliver Ps 22. 7 8. and 42. 9 10. and 71. 10 11. and 115. 1 2. they give their mouth to evil and their tongue frameth deceit they fit and speak against their better Brethren and because Christ keeps silence they think he is altogether such an one as themselves and approves them in their evil thoughts words and ways Ps 50. 19 21. Mal. 2. 17. that they are none of his disciples indeed But they say they themselves are Jews the most pure and Orthodox Christians But 2. However thou hast been hated of them and they would not know or acknowledge that I loved thee but thought and gave forth that I hated thee and therefore they were enemies to thee as if Christ should say yet I will make them to know that I have loved thee which is one thing contained in Christs prayer that the World may know that God hath loved unfeigned believers as he hath loved Christ Joh. 17. 23. And this shall certainly be fulfilled sutable to these Prophecies They shall call thee the city of the Lord the Zion of the holy one of Israel whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated I will make thee an eternal excellency a joy of many generations Isay 61. 14 15. Ye shall be named Priests of the Lord Men shall call you the ministers of our God All that see them shall acknowledge them that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed Isay 61. 6 9. They shall call them the holy people the redeemed of the Lord and thou shalt be called sought out a city not forsaken Isay 62. 4 12. he saith not I will now make them know viz. not now will they nill they Though indeed he is now so manifesting them that others may know he loves them As our Saviour saith By this shall all Men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one unto another Joh. 13. 35. And the Apostle Paul saâ—th Ye are our Epistle written in our hearts known and read of all Men being manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ 2 Cor. 3. 2. 3. But now they will not see or acknowledge them to be beloved of Jesus Christ but this he will make them do in due season when the Lord cometh For then shall the righteous shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father Mat. 13. 43. Mal. 3. 16 18. and ch 4. 1 2 3. 3. We have next to speak briefly unto the note of attention Behold Behold 1. Mind and consider this thing and set your hearts unto it Look â—ot upon the things that are seen but on the things that are not seen for the things that are seen both good and evil are temporal but the things that are not seen are eternal That for these things sake you may not â—aint 2 Cor. 4. 16 17 18. 1 Chron. 17. 1. with 2 Sam. 7. 2. and that you may not entertain desires of present manifestation but may wait for the manifestation of the Sons of God 1 Joh. 3. 3. with Rom. 8. 19 23. and may mean time rejoyce in hope of the Glory to be revealed Rom. 5. 2. 1 Pet. 1. 6 8 9. 2. Behold admire at it for it is a marvellous thing that these high boasters and specious pretenders should be thus brought down and made to know Christ hath loved them whom they hated yet thus it shall most certainly be he will accomplish and perform it see Micah 7. 15 17 18 20. Verse 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the World to try them that dwell upon the earth In this verse our Lord Jesus makes a gracious promise to this Angel and Church in the latter part of it And layeth down the reason thereof in the former unto which we shall speak first of all 1. The reason of this gracious assurance and promise Because thou hast kept the word of my patience This he takes notice of again as he had done before v. 8. and as that which was very acceptable and well-pleasing to him and to his Father also hence the first thing he saith to his Father of his deâ—â—â—ples in his prayer was they have kept thy word Joh. 17. 6 8. and this is the description of them that love Christ and who are therefore beloved of Christ and his Father that they keep his word Joh. 14. 21 23. and ch 15. 9 10. 1 Joh. 2. 3 6. and that whereto all blessedness is assured As our Saviour saith Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it Luke 11. 28. and therefore the contrary hereto is very displeasing unto him which was surely the evil sound with the Synagogue of Satan who said they were Jews and were not but did lye That which this Angel and Church kept is said to be the word of his patience Where let us enquire and consider for our instruction and usefullness 1. What is the word of Christ's patience here spoken of 2. Why is it called the word of his patience 1. What is this word of Christ's patience And to that we may say It is certainly the same with his word v. 8. even his Gospel with the instructions counsels commandments exhortations reproofs c. thereof and so some read this my word of patience This word of his patience is the Gospel of Christ which is called the word of life the word of reconciliation faith truth righteousness peace wisdome the word of the Kingdom of
that serves him not Mat. 13. 43. Mal. 3. 17 18. 1 Joh. 3. 2. 4. What will he write the name of my God saith he namely it shall be then put gloriously upon them after some such manner as Jacob's was upon Joseph's Children as his and his Children though unspeakably more glorious see Gen. 48. 16. with v. 5. Mal. 3. 17 18. and so as it shall then plainly appear they are the Sons of God Now they are indeed the Sons of God by Faith in Christ Jesus But faith is the evidence of things not seen and therefore it doth not now appear no not to themselves fully what they shall be Gal. 3. 26. with Heb. 11. 1. 1 Joh. 3. 1 2. But then it shall appear and they shall be his Sons gloriously as it is said by God himself He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my Son Rev. 21. 7. They that shall be accounted worthy to obtain that World and the Resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in Marriage neither can they dye any more for they are equal to the Angels and are the Sons of God being the Children of the Resurrection Luke 20. 35 36. Rom. 1. 4. Yea he that is now feeble among them at that day shall be as David And the House of David shall be as God as the Angel of the Lord before them Zech. 12. 8. Isay 62. 2 3 4. And the name of the City of my God which is New Jerusalem which cometh down out of Heaven from my God This he will also write upon him that overcometh so as it shall be both perpetual and visible as is before said And the name of the City of my God New Jerusalem which may signifie unto us either a glorious place or a glorious people 1. A Glorious Place of which Jerusalem in former times the Old Jerusalem was the type That was a glorious place in former times the City of the great King the City of our God Ps 48. 1 2 8. Mat. 4. 5. which God did chuse 1 King 8. 16 44 48. and where he dwelt Ps 135. 21. So this saith Christ is the City of my God Heb. 12. 22. of which glorious things are spoken Ps 87. 3. This is that which he hath chosen and in which he will dwell as it is said The Lord hath chosen Zion he hath desired it for his Habitation This is my rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it Ps 132. 13 15. Ezek. 48. 35. Old Jerusalem was and was oâ—t called the Holy City Neh. 11. 1. Mat. 4. 5. with Luke 4. 9. So is this New Jerusalem it is called the Holy Jerusalem Rev. 21. 10. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither worketh abomination or a lye Rev. 21. 27. Ps 101. 8. that former was a strong City as appears by its being an year and an half besieged before it was taken Jer. 52. 1 6. But this is much stronger In that day shall this Song be sung in the land of Judah we have a strong City Salvation will appoint Walls and Bulwarks Isay 26. 1. and ch 33. 20. That had a River Ps 46. 3. And so hath this a far more glorious one a pure River of Water of Life clear as Crystal Rev. 22. 1 2. This was a City compact together Ps 122. 2 3. so will this be Ps 1. 5. Yea this new one will be unspeakably inconceivably more excellent and glorious than that old typical one that was an earthly one but this the Heavenly Jerusalem Heb. 12. 22. that was forsaken and destroyed but this will be a continuing City a City which hath Foundations Heb. 11. 10. and ch 13. 14. But we may speak somewhat more to the excellency of this glorious place New Jerusalem afterwards 2. As City may signifie Persons or the Inhabitants of a City as it is said They shall call thee the City of the Lord the Zion of the holy one of Israel Isay 60. 14. And they shall call them the Holy People the redeemed of the Lord and thou shalt be called sought out a City not forsaken Isay 62. 12. And as the Lord saith to Jeremy I have made thee a defenced City Jer. 1. 18. So here especially and most directly and fully we may understand the New Jerusalem to mean And so the name of the New Jerusalem shall be put upon him that overcometh of Jerusalem which is above which is free Gal. 4. 29. Of the Heavenly Jerusalem Heb. 12. 22. And so they shall be of the Beloved City of the Inhabitants thereof a glorious people Isay 52. 1. So the Children of the Resurrection of the first Resurrection are called the Beloved City as distinguished from the Nations in the four quarters of the Earth and from the Camp of the Saints to wit Israel and those of the Nations converted to the Lord who are joyned unto them Rev. 20. 8 9. Then they shall be called and be holy all holy and righteous Isay 4. 3. The Lord reigning gloriously among them Isay 24. 23. and rejoycing in them Isay 65. 19. And then they shall be in a glorious state and condition for the Tabernacle of God will be with them and he will be with them and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them their God and God shall wipe away all tears from their Eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain c. Rev. 21. 1 4 and ch 22. 3 4. See and consider Rev. 21. 10 21 22 26. And of this City of Christ's God New Jerusalem it is farther said which cometh down out of Heaven from my God In which is intimated to us 1. That this New Jerusalem is and shall be in Heaven all of them there is the Mother and there are and shall be the Children yea as New Jerusalem may signifie a glorious place or glorious Mansions so they are in Heaven as our Saviour saith In my Fathers House are many Mansions I go to prepare a place for you Joh. 14. 2 3. 2 Cor. 5. 1 4. And as it hath respect to persons so it is and shall be above as Gal. 4. 29. Above not only born from above as now Joh. 3. 3 7. nor only have they and shall have their conversation in Heaven as Col. 3. 1 2. Phil. 3. 20. but above in Heaven in their Spirits When they are absent from the Body they shall be present with the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 6 8. When they are dissolved they shall be with Christ which is far better than to be here Phil. 1. 21 23. The Spirits of just Men made perfect Heb. 12. 23. Isay 57. 1 2. And when the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven the dead shall be raised and the living changed and all made incorruptible and they shall be all caught up together in the
be needful and the first thing requisite yet not the only thing required if Men be hearers only they will deceive their own selves Ezek. 33. 30 32. hence the Holy Ghost commands Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only Jam. 1. 19 22 26. this is the description given of him that received seed into the good ground he is such an one as heareth the word and understands it which also beareth fruit and bringeth forth c. Mat. 13. 18 23. hearing is first required of us in order unto some other thing as is here signified to us 3. In that he saith If any Man hear my voice and open the door So he gives us to understand That we should then only open the door when we hear his voice To him the porter openeth and the sheep hear his voice and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out and the sheep follow him for they know his voice and a stranger will they not follow but will flee from him for they know not the voice of a stranger Joh. 10. 3 5. The beloved saith Open to me my sister my love my dove my undefiled And saith the spouse I rose to open to my beloved and my hands dropped with myrrh Cant. 5. 2 5. I opened to my beloved v. 6. My Son saith the wisdom of God give me thine heart Prov. 23. 26. Though others call never so loudly and alluringly yet shut them out cease to hear the instructions that cause to erre from the words of knowledge Prov. 19. 27. we should be so far from opening our hearts to such voices as that we should stop and shut our ears against them leâ—t they deceive our hearts with their good words and fair speeches Rom. 16. 17 18. 4. In saying if any Man hear my voice and open c. So he signifies that though the generality who are called and spoken to do refuse so to do yet he will take it kindly if any Man if but one particular person obey his voice and be not rebellious like the rest Ezek 2. 8. he will come in to him he will take them one of a City and two of a family and will bring them to Zion Jer. 3. 14. Oh then think not Christ will reject because of the paucity or fewness say not I will do as others do But know if thou art alone in this exercise thou shalt be blessed in thy deed Joh. 6. 51. and 7. 17. and ch 10. 9. and ch 12. 26. see the notes before on v. 4. of this chapter 5. Yea if any Man how vile sinful ungrateful soever he hath been him that overcometh he will in no wise cast out Joh. 6. 37. So our Saviour saith If any Man thirst any of you officers that are sent to apprehend me let him come unto me Joh. 7. 32 37. Isay 55. 1 7. If any Man hear my voice and open the door â—ow lukewarme soever he hath been how much or how long soever he hath barred the door against me and taken others into the chamber of his heart though he hath been guilty of the greatest evils and have been like Sodom and Gomorrah yet in hearkening unto him he will pardon and take away all his iniquity and receive him graciously Isay 1. 10 14. Hos 14. 1 4. Oh then let no former unworthiness of thine hinder or discourage thee But while he calls and knocks open the door unto him and no longer stand out or harden thine heart against him but awake and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light Heb. 4. 7. Eph. 5. 13 14. and and to engage move and prevail with us so to do let us consider that which here followeth which is propounded as a motive and argument to perswade and prevail with us to suffer the word of exhortation and to hear his voice and open the door namely 2. The Blessedness assured to every such an one as doth hear his voice and open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me Now here note in general 1. As this Blessedness contained in those gracious promises is propounded to them by Christ before they return so it shews unto us That in preaching the Gospel to any it should be so declared as therewith the exceeding great and precious promises should be ministred and propounded to Men while they shut out Christ Thus doth our Lord to them who were ignorant of him and enemies to him Verily Verily I say unto you he that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation Joh. 5. 24 25. and ch 6. 27 35 51 58. Prov. 1. 20 23. and ch 8. 32 35. 2 Pet. 1. 4. So in former times when the Lord had been largly declaring the blessedness of the Servants of the Lord and promising great things to them he then saith Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters hearken diligently unto me c. Isay 54. 13 17. and ch 55. 1 3 6 8. Mat. 5. 2. As this blessedness is assured to him that hears and opens so we may learn That if we be Christ's then are we Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise Gal. 3. 16 29. though the promises are propounded to all in the Gospel yet all are not of them Heb. 6. 16 19. Rom. 4. 12 16. But such as exercise themselves to godliness for that is profitable to all things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4. 7 8. It is a very evil and provoking thing to assure the promises are theirs and they the heirs of them who shut out Christ and walk in evil and crooked paths for whosoever walks thererein shall not know peace see what the Lord threatneth â—nto those false prophetesses that cried peace peace and promised happiness to the wicked Ezek. 13. 18 22. But we shall speak particularly to that here assured to them that hear Christs voice c. I will come in to him The coming he here speaks of is not personal for so he was never in any but in the womb of the virgin indeed so he came into that womb and into the world and here went up and down in a mortal body doing good preaching the Gospel c. And when he had finisht the work the Father gave him to do on the earth and had died for our sins and was buried and rose again he after some few days left the World and ascended up into heaven Joh. 16. 28. and ch 17. 11. and 20. 17. Acts 1. 9 11. and he is in heaven 1 Pet. 3. 22. Heb. 9. 24. and ch 4. 14. and no Man ever saw him with bodily eyes since Paul 1 Cor. 15. 1 8. Joh. 16. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 8. and the heavens must receive him until the times of restitution of all things Acts 3. 21. and then he shall come again which yet he is not 1 Thes 4.