and that he should redeem the souls of the poor even of his poor from deceit and violence and that their blood should be precious in his sight he adds And he shall live c. Ps 72. 8. 15 and this proper to comfort to look unto Jesus and not so to pore upon our deadness as to be discouraged but to consider he liveth there is life in him however it be with us he is the living-stone 1 Pet. 2. 3 5. the living quickening bread Joh. 6. 35 51. the water of life and fountain of living waters Jer. 2. 13. and ch 17. 13. Rev. 21. 6. and ch 22. 17. with Joh. 7. 37. the tree of life Prov. 3. 18. the light of life Joh. 8. 12. Oh! how may we rejoyce in him always and be encouraged when we are dead to come unto him for he is the Life Joh. 14. 6. the true God and eternal life 1 Joh. 5. 20. He is the Resurrection and the life He that believeth in him though he were dead yet shall he live And whosoever liveth and believeth in him shall not dye for ever Joh. 11. 25 26. 2. And was dead This he also sets before him to revive and quickâ—n him 1. He was dead he was put to death and died for us according to the Scriptures and herein is included and contained the whole of his personal abasement and sufferings and so it is usual with the Holy Ghost in one Act or Branch of his sufferings to include and contain the whole so his whole abasement sufferings and death are supposed and contained in this that he was made Flesh as Rom. 1. 1 3. The Gospel of God is concerning his Son Jesus Christ who was made of the Seed of David according to the Flesh for the next thing mentioned is his resurrection from the dead v. 4. So also 1 Tim. 3. 16. And his being made Sin doth suppose his being made of a Woman and so made under the Law and also contains his dying for our Sins 2 Cor. 5. 21. with Gal. 4. 4. and his dying doth evidently presuppose his partaking with us of Flesh and Blood without which he could not have died for he was put to death in the flesh Heb. 2. 14. 2 Cor. 13. 4. 1 Pet. 3. 18. and his having our Sins imputed to him for he died and was delivered for our offences Rom. 4. 25. 1 Cor. 15. 3. 1 Pet. 3. 18. And so 1. He was made flesh This is supposed and included in his saying I was dead for how could the Almighty the Alpha â—nd the Omega the first and the last dye had he not taken upon him the nature of Man But therefore that he might dye the word that was in the beginning with God yea that was God by whom all things were made and without whom was not any thing made that was made was made flesh Joh. 1. 1 3 14. That Eternal Life that was with the Father was manifested God was manifest in the flesh 1 Joh. 1. 1 2. with 1 Tim. 3. 16. It behoved him in all things to be made like unto his Brethren Sin only excepted and so he partook with us of Flesh and Blood and was subject to all our Infirmities and in all points â—empted like unto us yet without Sin Heb. 2. 14 16 17 18. and ch 4. 15. Otherwise he could not have died for us as was needful 2. God made him to be Sin for us who knew no Sin and did impute the Trespasses of the World unto him even all those Trespasses which made the first breach between God and Mankind to wit the guilâ— of that disobedience of our first parent Male and Female in which we all sinned and from whence we are naturally and necessarily polluted and defiled and of all the necessary Branches thereof 2 Cor. 5. 19 21. all we like Sheep have gone astray we have turned every one to his own way and the LORD laid upon him the Iniquities of us all Ps 40. 6 12. Isay 53. 6. Otherwise the Law had had nothing to have said unto him or he could not have been legally put to death for us Gal. 3. 13. and ch 4. 4 5. 3. He bare all the Wrath due unto us from God for those ouâ— Sins which were charged and caused to meet together upon him He was wounded or tormented for our Transgressions bruised for our Iniquities the chastisement of our Peace was upon him Isay 53. 4 5. It pleased the LORD to bruise him he put him to grief he spared him not who was his own his proper Son but delivered him up for us all Isay 53. 10. Rom. 8. 32. He executed upon him the Judgment of this World Joh. 12. 27 31. and brought him into the dust of death Ps 22. 14 15. And he caused his Sword even Satan and his Instruments to awake against his Shepherd and against the Man his Fellow Zech. 13. 7. with Mat. 26. 31. so as that was their hour and the power of darkness Luke 22. 53. God did according to his determinate councel and fore-knowledge deliver him and then Men with wicked hands did crucifie slay and murder him Acts 2. 23. and ch 17. 52. And so he was put to death and died for us He was dead not only did he shed one drop or many drops of Blood but as was needful he poured out his Soul unto death Isay 53. 12. One drop or two or twenty were not sufficient but Christ must needs have suffered even unto death as he also did Such was his Grace towards us Acts 17. 2 3. 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. But wherefore or to what end or ends did he dye for us 1. The great first and fundamental end of his sufferings and death was to put away our Sins by the Sacrifice of himself Heb. 9. 26. and so to make peace Col. 1. 20. and be the propitiation for our Sins 1 Joh. 4. 10. and abolish our death even the first death 2 Tim. 1. 10. and destroy him that had the power of Death that is the Devil Heb. 2. 14 15. He was manifested in the Flesh to take away our Sins and in him is no Sin for he hath done that work which the Father gave him to do in his own personal body and for this purpose was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil 1 Joh. 3. 5 8. And he hath purged away the guilt of our first sin and sinfulness from before the presence of God before he sate down on his right hand Heb. 1. 3. delivered us in himself from that so great a death as we were fallen under the Sentence of 2 Cor. 1. 10. cast Satan out of his Principality Joh. 12. 31. redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us Gal. 3. 13. taken out of the way all that was in it contrary to us Col. 2. 14 15. and obtained for us repentance and forgiveness of our following Sins and eternal redemption in the nature of
14. Joh. 5. 28 29. Actâ— 24. 14. 1 Cor. 15. 26. But now the second death here spoken of more particularly is that 1. Which shall be executed on Men not for their sinning in Adam nor for their partaking necessarily of filth and pollution but for their own personal Sinnings against light and grace vouchsafed and extended to them thorow the one and onâ—ly mediatour Jesus Christ who gave himself a ransom for all And so for their willing ignorance of God unbelief and disobedience to his Gospel and goodness by all means witnessed to them Then there shall be no occasion for the use of that Proverb the fathers have eaten Sowr grapes and the Childrens teeth are set on edge But the Soul that sinneth personally and impenitently it shall dye Jer. 31. 29 30. Ezek. 18. 1 4 23. Rom. 2. 4 6. and ch 1 18 21 28. Joh. 3. 16 18 19 36. he that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16. 15 16. he will in flaming fire take vengeance on them that know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thess 1. 8 9. he will then execute Judgment upon and convince all that are ungodly of all their ungodly deeds and hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him Jude 14. 15. the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and Idolaters and all liers shall have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 8. Eph. 5. 3 6. 2. Their Judge and he that shall condemn them and adjudge them to the second death will be the Lord Jesus who died and rose for them God hath ordained him the Judge of quick and dead Acts 10. 42. and ch 17. 30 31. We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10 11. Mat. 25. 30 41. Joh. 5. 22 27. Rom. 14. 9 10 11. Isay 45. 22 23 24. 3. The rule according to which he will judge them will be not the law as they fell under it in Adam but the Gospel So the Apostle saith both as with respect to them that have sinned without the law or Doctrine of the Lord and as with respect to them that have sinned in the law That God shall judg the secrets of them by Jesus Christ according to the Gospel Rom. 2. 11 12 16 Joh. 12. 47 50. Isay 30. 33. 4. The time when they shall be adjudged to this second death will be after they are raised out of the first after that the Judgment Heb. 6. 2 3. and ch 6. 27. All that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of Man and shall come forth they that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation Joh. 5. 28 29. Rev. 20. 14 16. It is therefore called the wrath to come 1 Thess 1. 8 10. 5. It will be so dreadful and terrible both on Soul and Body Mat. 10. 28. that there will be no mixture of mercy in it now in the hand of the Lord there is a cup and the wine is red It is full of mixture and he poureth out of the same but the dreggs thereof all the wicked of the earth shall wring out and drink Ps 75. 8. they shall not then have so much as a drop of water to cool their tongues when they are tormented in that flame Luke 16. 24 25 26. Rev. 14. 10. yea then the Lord will laugh at their calamity and mock when their fear cometh When their fear cometh as desolation and their destruction as a whirlewind when distress and anguish cometh upon them then they shall call upon him but he will not answer they shall seek him early but they shall not find him for that they hated knowledge and did not chuse the fear of the Lord Prov. 1. 24 26 32. 6. As to the duration of it it will be to all eternity both on Soul and Body Mat. 10. 28. there shall never be a dissolution of Soul and Body any more for the first death and Hell shall be destroyed 1 Cor. 15. 26. being cast into the lake of fire which is the second death Rev. 20. 14. And so their torment will be eternal and without any intermission The smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever And they have no rest day nor night who worship the beast c. Rev. 14. 11. the breath or spirit of thâ— Lord like a stream of brimstone shall kindle that fire that is unquenchable Isay 30. 33. with Mat. 3. 11 12. Luke 3. 17. they shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power 2 Thess 1. 8 9. Then shall the King say to them on his left hand Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Mat. 25. 41. and ch 18. 8. 7. Herein they shall have this as a worm gnawing upon them to all eternity The remembrance of what Christ suffered for them and how he redeemed them from the curse of the Law and obtained eternal life into the nature of Man for them and his grace brought salvation to them whereby they might have been saved from their sins and been delivered from this wrath to come And that they slighted and rejected this Saviour and his salvation hated instruction and their heart despised reproof they hated knowledge and did not chuse the fear of the Lord But by observing lying vanities they forsook their own mercy Prov. 1. 24 31 32. and ch 5. 12 13 Jona 2. 8. that they fled from him transgressed and spoke lies against him who redeemed them Hos 7. 13. denied the Lord that bought them and so brought upon themselves swift destruction 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. that they lost their own Souls Mat. 16. 26. and put away from them and judged themselves unworthy of everlasting life Acts 13. 46. The remembrance hereof will be terrible and inconceivably tormenting to them which it would not be if Christ had not given himself a ransome for them or if there had been no eternal life prepared for them or it might not have been had by them But this will be the worm that never will dye That when God had no pleasure in their destruction none at all and Christ was gathering them as an hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and the holy Spirit was opening their eyes and turning them from darkness to light yet notwithstanding all they would not come to Christ but loved darkness rather then light they would not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved but loved their sins and vanities more then Christ Therefore they shall go into everlasting punishment 2 Thes 2. 10 12. Joh. 3. 19. see Mr. Tho. More senior his discourse of the Precious blood of Christ ch 11. Now of this Second death he
1. Verse 2. Who bare Witness of the Word of God and of the Testimony of Jesus Christ and of all things that he saw Herein the Apostle declares unto us how he was the Servant of Jesus Christ and wherein he serv'd him before this Book was sent and signified to him to wit that he served him with his Spirit in his Gospel as Rom. 1. 9. an excellent service This was his Exercise before this Revelation was made known to him To him that hath the first and fundamental things of God's Law that hath them by way of usefulness and improvement shall be given the knowledge of the Mystery of the Kingdom and he shall have more abundantly Mat. 13. 11. 13. 16. and Ch. 25. 28. The liberal Soul shall be made fat and he that watereth shall be watered also himself Prov. 11. 25. Here consider we 1. What was the sum of his Testimony 2. How did he bear witness thereof 1. What was the sum of his Testimony Or what was that of which he bare Witness And that is here said to be of the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus Christ c. not of light circumstantial indifferent things But Of the Word of God whereby may be meant either 1. Jesus Christ himself who in the Writings of this Apostle is called the Word Joh. 1. 1 2 14. and 1 Joh. 5. 7. And his name is called the word of God Rev. 19. 13. And so as John the Baptist was a Man sent from God to bear witness of Jesus Christ Joh. 1. 6. 8. and Chap. 3. 26. 28. and 5. 32. 33. So also the Apostles in general and this in particular were Christs witnesses and did more fully and plainly bear witness of him than any of the Prophets in former times or than the Baptist Joh. 15. 26 27. Act. 5. 30 32. Or else also 2. By the Word of God is meant the same thing with the Testimony of Jesus Christ So Ver. 9. Ch. 9. and Ch. 20. 4. even the Gospel of Christ as it is which is now preached to us according to the Revelation of the Mystery Act. 8. 12. 14. So that which Peter preached to Cornelius and his Friends concerning the Death and Resurrection of Christ c. is called the Word of God Compare Act. 10. 38 43. with Chap. 11. 1. and 15. 7. and Chap. 13. 29 44 46. Rom. 10. 15. 17. And the same thing is also meant by the Testimony of Jesus Christ as the Apostle Paul signifieth when he saith to Timothy Be not thou ashamed of the Testimony of our Lord But be thou a partaker of the Afflictions of the Gospel c. 2 Tim. 1. 8. where he gives us to understand that the Testimony of Jesus and the Gospel as now preached are one and the same thing compare also 1 Cor. 1. 6. with Ver. 17 18 23. Now the Gospel of Christ is called the Word of God 1. Because Christ received it immediately from his Father and so it was not Christ's Word or Doctrine simply but his firstly and originally who sent him Joh. 7. 16 17. and Chap. 3. 34. As our Saviour saith I have not spoken of my self but the Father which sent me he gave me a Commandment what I should say and what I should speak And I know that his Commandment is Life everlasting Whatsoever I speak therefore even as the Father said unto me so I speak Joh. 12. 49 50. And the Apostles received immediately from Jesus Christ the great God and our Saviour 1 Thes 2. 13. with Gal. 1. 12. 2. And the Gospel is called the Word of God because the contents of it are as it were the sum of all he hath spoken to us in the Scriptures of truth All the Scriptures even those also which were written aforetime doe testify of Christ the Word of God Luk. 1. 70. Ioh. 5. 39. To him all the Prophets gave witness The Spirit of Christ which was in them did testifie before-hand of the sufferings of Christ and glory that should follow Act. 10. 43. 1 Pet. 1. 10 11. The Gospel of God was promised afore by his Prophets in the Holy Scriptures Rom. 1. 1 2. And Christ expounded to his Disciples in all the Scripture the things concerning himself Luk. 24. 25 27 44 46. And in these last Days the things of Christ which are the contents of the Gospel have been more plainly and revealedly spoken to us by God in the administration of his Son and Servants the Holy Apostles of the Lamb 1 Cor. 1. 17 18 23. and 2. 2. and 2 Cor. 4. 5. 3. And the Gospel may be called the Word of God because in it in testifying of his Son he hath spoken of all things This is that unction from the Holy One whereby we may know all things and we need not that any Man teach us but as this anoynting teacheth of all things and is truth and is no lye 1 Ioh. 2. 20 21 24 27. And the Apostle did determine to know nothing else among the Corinthians in and unto all things save Jesus Christ and him crucified which is the Gospel or the sum of it 1 Cor. 2. 2. with Chap. 1. 17. with Verse 18 23 24. And in this Gospel God speaketh of all things needful to be known by us As Christ is the light so is the Gospel especially as now preached 2 Cor. 4. 3 4 6. whereby God doth manifest all things It is the wisdom of God and the power of God 1 Cor. 1. 18 23 24. And this Gospel is also called The Testimony of Jesus Christ Revel 19. 10. 1. Because he is testified of therein Act. 23. 11. This is the Witness of God which he hath testified of his Son and this is the Record that God hath given to us Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son 1 Joh. 5. 7 9 12. The Gospel of God is concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord who was made of the Seed of David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with Power according to the spirit of Holiness by the Resurrection from the Dead Rom. 1. 1 3 4. 1 Cor. 15. 1 3 4. Of him God testified by his Prophets in former times more darkly and now he hath born witness of him more clearly by the first trusters in Christ 1 Pet. 1. 10 11. Act. 2. 22. 24. 2 Cor 3. 12. 18. And the Gospel is now especially called The Testimony of Jesus Christ 2. Because it hath been testified and preached by Jesus Christ in his Personal and Spiritual Ministration It began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed by them that heard him Heb. 1. 1 2. and Ch. 2. 1 4. and 12. 1 2. Luk. 4. 18. Joh. 5. 24 25. Now of this John to whom this Revelation was sent and signified by Christ's Angel bare witness before this Book was shewed to him to wit of the Gospel of Christ of his Abasement and Sufferings and of his Resurrection from the Dead and of his
the God-head to dwell Col. 1. 18 19. and ch 2. 9. He is that new thing God hath created in the Earth Jer. 31. 22. and the beginning of the Creation of God Rev. 3. 14. who hath paid our first debt abolished the first death and destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Devil 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. Heb. 2. 14. and who restored that which he took not away who is the second Man and last Adam in whom God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly things in whom there is blessing for all the Nations and Families of the Earth Ps 69. 4. Eph. 1. 3. Gen. 22. 18. and ch 26. 4. and who will in due time give us the adoption the redemption of the body and make all things new Rom. 8. 23. Rev. 21. 5. He will bring up the top stone with shoutings and crying Grace Grace unto it Zech. 4. 7 9. He is the Author and finisher of the Faith of the Testimony to be believed and of our believing also he who hath begun the good work will also finish it and fulfil in them that obey all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of Faith with Power Heb. 12. 2. Phil. 1. 6. 1 Cor. 1. 7 8. The beginning of the Kingdom of God's ruling over us poor Sinners graciously and who brings it nigh to us in his Gospel Mat. 12. 28 29. Luke 10. 9 11. and who gives it to them that believe Rom. 5. 21. Luke 12. 31 32. And the ending who shall destroy all other Kingdoms and his shall remain for ever Dan. 2. 35 44 45. Ps 145. 10 13. 2 Pet. 1. 11. who shall destroy all his and his Peoples Enemies and save them to the uttermost who come unto God by him Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting Salvation they shall not be ashamed nor confounded World without end Isay 45. 16 25. See the notes also on v. 11. Saith the Lord. This is a Title very frequently and familiarly given to Christ and most usually so since he took our nature upon him died and rose again and he is Lord by right of redemption and so he is Lord of Mankind He is the Lord of all Men their Kinsman who hath redeemed them he hath redeemed them from the curse of the Law being made a curse for them Gal. 3. 13. and ch 4. 4 5. with Rom. 3. 19. He hath bought such as deny him and bring upon themselves swift destruction 2 Pet. 2. 1. In his love and in his pity he redeemed them Isay 63. 9. He gave himself a ransom for all to ransom them from that slavery and bondage they brought themselves into by their Sinning against and departure from God in the first publick man 1 Tim. 2. 6. Rom. 14. 9. And after a peculiar Consideration he is Lord of them that believe he who is the LORD is their Lord in an especial manner Isay 49. 14. and ch 51. 22. he hath not only redeemed and bought them of God in common with all men But also he hath redeemed them unto God by his Blood Rev. 5. 9. Act. 20. 28. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. he is their head and Husband and so their Lord Col. 1. 18. Eph. 5. 29. Ps 45. 11. And he is so the Lord of all that he will judge them and give rewards unto his Servants and destroy those that would not have this man to reign over them Rom. 14. 9 13. Phil. 2. 8 10. Joh. 5. 22 27 29. Luk. 19. 14 27. And he is the Lord of all persons and things he only excepted who did put all things under him Act. 10. 36. he is the Head of all Principality and power Col. 2. 9 10. he is gone up into Heaven and is on the right hand of God Angels authorities and powers being made Subject unto him 1 Pet. 3. 22. Eph. 1. 20 21. The Angels are commanded to Worship him Heb. 1. 6. he is Lord of all good and bad Angels The good ones are his Angels Mat. 24. 31. And he hath conquered the evil ones Luk. 10. 17 20. Mat. 12. 28 30. And he is LORD of Lords and King of Kings Rev. 17. 14. who now sets up and puts down at his pleasure and will destroy them that oppose him Rev. 19. 16. Ps 2. 6 10. And so he is one that is every way fit to accomplish that spoken of vers 7. And now to save and protect his Servants and punish their enemies And thus may He now describe himself to encourage his Servant John that he might go in in the strength of the Lord God and not fear what men or Devils could doe to him Ps 71. 15 16. Exod. 4. 10 12. Jer. 1. 6 8. Which is and which was and which is to come Here we have a further description of this Lord He is Jesus Christ the same Yesterday to day and for ever Heb. 13. 8. See the notes before on vers 4. And by saying which is and which was and which is to come He signifies to us that Jesus Christ is Jehovah Jehovah our Righteousness Jer. 25. 6. Isa 8. 13 14. with Rom. 9. 33. So whereas it is said that the Seraphims cried one to another Holy Holy Holy is Jehovah of hostes the whole earth is full of his glory The Evangelist Saith these things said Esaias when He saw Christs glory and spake of Him Isa 6. with Joh. 12. 39 41. And in many other places this Incomunicable title of Jehovah is given unto our Lord Jesus Christ as Psal 34. 8. with 1 Pet. 2. 3 4. Psal 102. with Heb. 1. 10 11. c. To shew unto us that He is the true God and eternal life 1 Joh. 5. 20 21. See the note on ch 4. ver 8. and on chap. 5. 8. The Almighty This word is most frequently joyned in this Book with the former description when it is used as here and chap. 4. 8. and chap. 11. 17. And may others shew unto us what He means by which is and which was and which is to come viz. that He is the Almighty Or it may shew unto us that He is alwayes so from everlasting to everlasting which is the Almighty which was the Almighty and which is to come the Almighty And this is true of Christ who is the mighty God the everlasting father the Prince of Peace Isa 9. 6. Over all God blessed for ever Rom. 9. 5. And the same power and glory is ascribed to the lamb as to the father Rev. 5. 13 14. Oh then Blessed are all they that trust in Him Psal 2. 12. See the note on chap. 4. ver 8. and on chap. 5. ver 8. Verse 9. I John who also am your Brother and Companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ was in the Isle that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the Testimony of Jesus Christ As we have before in ver 8. an Account given us of Christ's Ability to
Man Rom. 5. 15 16. Acts 13. 37 38. Heb. 2. 17. and ch 7. 27. and ch 9. 12. and so he gave his Flesh for the Life of the World Joh. 6. 51. died for all even for all of Mankind that were dead 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. died for the Ungodly Sinners Unjust Ones indefinitely Rom. 5. 6 8. 1 Tim. 1. 15. 1 Pet. 3. 18. tasted death by the Grace of God for every Man and gave himself a ransome for all Men and is the propitiation for the Sins of the whole World 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. Heb. 2. 9. 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. 1 Joh. 2. 2. Is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the World the Son of God the Saviour of the World In whom God hath prepared Salvation before the Face of all people Luke 2. 10 11 30 31. Joh. 3. 16 17. and ch 4. 42 and ch 12. 47. 1 Joh. 4. 14. And as with respect to this end of his death the Scribes and Pharisees or Jews and Gentiles did not put him to death but God delivered him up to death for our Offences Rom. 4. 25. and ch 8. 32. And in these his sufferings and death he was alone of the People there was none with him Isay 63. 3. 1 Pet. 2. 24. And this end of his death is not imitable nor hath he herein set any one an example to follow his steps Joh. 17. 4. Heb. 10. 11 18 26. And these sufferings and this death on this account he once and but once actually endured and died in the end of the World no more to be iterated or repeated Heb. 9. 25 26. and ch 10. 10. And hereby he is become a good Foundation for every poor sinful Soul of Mankind Isay 28. 16. Joh. 1. 7. Acts 4. 11 12. 1 Pet. 2. 6 7. 2. He also in obedience to his Father died as a Peace-preacher and Martyr Rev. 1. 5. and ch 3. 14. To confirm and seal with his Blood the Gospel which he received from his Father and which he began to preach during his personal ministration as he saith To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the World that I should bear witness unto or be a Martyr for the truth Joh. 18. 37. And he witnessed this good Confession before Pontius Pilate 1 Tim. 6. 13. On this account his Enemies did persecute and seek to slay him before his hour was come Joh. 8. 37 40. In this respect God did not put him to death but was well-pleased with him Luke 4. 18. Joh. 8. 29. But the Jews with wicked hands did crucifie and slay him Acts 10. 38 39. As with respect to this end he died not for our Sins but for the truth and died directly for his Sheep for his Friends Joh. 10. 11 15 18. and ch 15. 13 14. And herein he hath left us an example that we should follow his steps and lay down our lives for the Gospel and so for the Brethren 1 Pet. 2. 20 23. 1 Tim. 6. 12 14. 1 Joh. 3. 16. His sufferings upon this account are not yet finished but they are still to be filled up till he comes again Col. 1. 20 24. 2 Tim. 2. 10. Heb. 11. 26. Acts 9. 4. 1 Pet. 4. 12 15. See more in Object of Love Pag. 22 23 24. 3. He died also as a Testator to ratifie and seal the New Testament and Everlasting Covenant of exceeding great and precious promises Hence his Blood is called The Blood of the New Testament Mat. 26. 28. Mark 14. 24. and the Blood of the Covenant Heb. 10. 29. And the New Testament is said to be The New Testament in his Blood Luke 22. 20. 1 Cor. 11. 25. And his Blood is called the Blood â—â— the Everlasting Covenant Heb. 13. 20. By his precious Death and Blood he hath sealed and ascertained the precious Legacies contained in his Will and Testament so as they shall be surely performed and accomplished according to the tenour of them If it may be a Man's Testament yet if it be confirmed no Man disanulleth or addeth thereto Gal. 3. 15. Now Christs Testament is confirmed by Blood for where a Testament is there must also of necessity be the death of the Testator For a Testament is of force after men are dead otherwise it is of no strength at all whilest the Testator liveth Heb. 9. 16 17. Now thus Christ hath confirmed his Testament which is propounded in the Gospel for the encouragement of all to encline their ear and come unto him and he promises he will forgive their Sins and pour out his Spirit upon them Isay 54. and ch 55. 1 3 6 7. Prov. 1. 22 23. And these promises are theirs and they are Heirs according to promise who exercise themselves unto Godliness which is profitable to all things having promise of the Life which now is and of that which is to come Gal. 3. 16 29. 1 Tim. 4. 8 9. These are the ends of that one death which Christ died and this death of his he now propounds unto and minds his Servant John of to strengthen and comfort him See also the notes on ch 2. v. 8. 2. And was dead not is dead but he is raised again and now liveth and Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more Dominion over him c. Rom. 6. 9 10. 1 Pet. 3. 18. 1 Cor. 15. 1 4 20. yea he was raised in that body of his flesh in which he died and was buried he was raised again the third day so as his Soul was not left in Hell neither did his flesh see Corruption Acts 2. 23 24 27 31 36 and ch 3. 14 15 and ch 4 10 12 32. and ch 5. 30 31. and ch 10. 39 40. and ch 13. 28 37. and ch 17. 3. And therefore when he was raised again to undeceive his Disciples who supposed that they had seen a Spirit he said unto them Behold my hands and my Feet that it is I my self it had not been he himself if he had not had his own Hands and Feet Handle me and see for a Spirit hath not Flesh and Bones as ye see me have And when he had thus spoken â—e shewed them his Hands and his Feet Luke 24. 34 37 40. Joh. 20. 20 28. And so he hath overcome and abolished death and him that had the power of it 2 Tim. 1. 8 10. Fear not he hath obtained the Victory and is giving it to us in and by the Gospel Ps 98. 1. Acts 2. 24. 1 Cor. 15. 55 57. There is now no hurt in death and therefore no reason for them that hear his voice and follow him to fear it for it shall 〈◊〉 separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 38 39. And he hath the Keys of it as afterwards followeth yea Death is theirs their gain and advantage 1 Cor. 3. 22. Eccles 7. 1. Phil. 1. 21. 3. And Behold I am alive for evermore Amen where consider we 1. He is alive for
evermore Amen 2. The note of attention to mind this Behold 1. He is alive for evermore Amen even that person that died for us and was buried he is alive for evermore in that his personal body in which he bare our sins on the tree he is raised again now no more to return to corruption Act. 13. 24. He asked life of his father and he gave it him even length of days for ever and ever Ps 21. 3. and so he is become the sure mercies of David Isay 55. 3. with Act. 13. 34. he is the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever 1 Pet. 1. 23 25. He who died for us and now liveth is alive for evermore 1. As the last Adam in whom dwelleth all the fulness of grace and truth and he is and abides the fountain of forgiveness Righteousness wisdom spirit eternal life he is a quickening spirit Col. 1. 18 19 and ch 2. 9 10. Joh. 1. 14. 16. 1 Cor. 15. 45. 1 Joh. 5. 10 11. 2. He is the Bread of life who prevents the dead World with life in due season and ever lives as the receiver and maker free of all that as thus prevented come unto and follow him The Servant namely of sin abideth not in the house for ever But the Son abideth ever Joh. 8. 35 36. And him that cometh he will in no-wise cast out Joh. 6. 33 35 37. Rom. 15. 7. 3. He is alive for evermore as the High-priest This man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood a Priest hood that passeth not from him unto any other Heb. 7. 24. and as the High-priest he maketh intercession for Men he being the one and only mediatour between God and Men Isay 53. 12. 1 Tim. 2. 5. For every High-priest is taken from among Men and is ordained for Men for the good of them Heb. 5. 1. And ever liveth to make Intercession for them that come unto God by him and so is able to the uttermost Heb 7. 8 16 24 25. and ch 6. 20. and ch 7. 28. and ch 10. 12. And so he is the Saviour of all Men especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 10. 4. He ever liveth as the Author of eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him Heb. 5. 9 who is now saving them especially 1 Tim. 4. 10. Eph. 5. 23. and will save them hereafter gloriously and eternally Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting Salvation they shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end Isay 45. 17. he is Jesus Christ the anointed Saviour the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13. 7 8. 2 Tim. 2. 10. Joh. 3. 15 16. 5. He ever liveth as the Resurrection and the life Joh. 11. 25. whose voice all that are in the graves shall hear and shall come forth they that have done good to the resurrection of life and they that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation Joh. 5. 28 29. For as by Man came death by Man also came the Resurrection from the dead For as in Adam all dye so in Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. He shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the voice of the Archangel with the Trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first 1 Thes 4. 16. and all shall appear before his judgment-Seat for he is the Lord and Judg of all and to this end he both died rose and revived that he might lord it over quick and dead Rom. 14. 9 12. 2 Cor. 5. 8 10. Act 10. 42. 6. He is alive for evermore as the King who is now set upon God's holy hill of Zion Ps 2. 6. who now exercises his government graciouâ—ly and spiritually and shall hereafter rule and raign gloriously Ps 145. 11 13. and 9. 7 8. and 47. 6 8 Heb. 1. 8 11. The Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his Father David and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdom there shall be no end Luk. 1. 32 33. and the Kingdom and dominion and greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given the Prophet of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom and all nations shall serve and obey him Isay 9. 6 7. Dan. 7. 27. Amen So be it this is a faithful saying and therefore fear not 2. We have the note of attention to stir us up to mind this Behold This is of great concernment to us to take notice of attend unto and diligently to mind and consider that he who was dead is alive for evermore 1. To admonish and warn us not to reject him or slight his blood once shed and sacrifice once offered For he being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over him and therefore if we sin willingly persist so doing there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery Indignation c. Rom. 6. 9 10. Act. 13. 34. Heb. 10. 26 29. Rev. 15. 7. 2. To comfort and encourage us against our discouragements and dyings which is the end why it is spoken at this time as to say a little particularly 1. To encourage any poor sinner or any that after they have tasted the graciousness of the Lord have brought deadness upon themselves whose spirits are dead and their moisture dried up yet to come unto or return to him for he liveth and that for evermore as the fountain of life of forgiveness grace and spirit Ps 36. 6 9. hence the Prophet exhorts O Israel return unto the Lord thy God for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity and propounds this motive from the Lord to encourage and engage them so to do I am the green fir-tree from me is thy â—ruit found Though thou hast brought deadness and witheredness upon thy self yet in returning to him he will take away all thy iniquities revive and quicken thee for he still abides a quickening spirit Hos 14. 1 9. 1 Cor. 15. 45. Yea our Saviour calls upon and invites every thirster to come unto him and drink and saith He that believeth on me as the scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water Joh. 7. 37 39. and 11. 25 26. Rev. 3. 1. and 21. 6. and ch 22. 17. 2. To encourage his disciples unto all Services though they are as dead ones and have no sufficiency of themselves as of themselves yet he who liveth for ever hath promised to be with them Mat. 28. 18 20. and against all sufferings for his name sake in which the believer is as dying and appointed as a sheep to the slaughter yet he liveth and abideth for ever and is able to save them from their Sins and enemies Heb. 7. 24 26. and to raise them up again and make them partakers of a more excellent life in which the Apostles did comfort and encourage themselves 2 Cor. 4.
and for ever if they continue therein namely such as trecherously depart from the Lord as a wife from her husband after they have been espoused to him yea in some respect their evil may be greater then Jezabel's and thus will he deal with all who continue guilty of this evil he will render indignation and wrath tribulation anguish unto every Soul of Man that doeth evil whatever he hath done formerly unto the Jew first and also to the Gentile for there is no respect of persons with God Rom 2. 8 11. Oh then Let us have no fellowship with such unfruitful works or workers of darkness for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness And what communion hath light with darkness and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols Eph. 5. 11. 2 Cor. 6. 14 16. Prov. 13. 20. If any Man defile the Temple of God him will God destroy 1 Cor. 3. 16 17. 3. But we may also take notice of this that Christ threatneth them not absolutely but conditionally except they repent of their deeds where also 1. He signifieth to us that while it is called to day the greatest and most notorious sinners may repent and turn to the Lord and find mercy with him There is forgiveness with him that he may be feared plenteousness of redemption that he may be hoped in by such Ps 130. he gives space and grace of repentance unto rebellious ones such was Jezabel and her companions see the notes on v. 20. and v. 21. 2 Pet. 3. 9 25. Ezek. 14. 6. This may therefore preserve us from concluding what will be the future state of such as are at present guilty of and polluted with spiritual fornication or adultery Mat. 21. 29. 2. The end of Christ and God in him in threatning judgments is that such polluted ones might repent and turn unto him from all their fins and abominations Jer. 18. 8 11. Rev. 9. 20 21. and ch 16. 9 10 11. 3. If such will not repent and turn iniquity will at last be their ruine Luke 13. 3 5. see the notes before on the word Repent on v. 5. and v. 16. of this chapter Verse 23. And I will kill her Children with death and all the Churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts and I will give unto every one of you accoring to your works In this verse we have to consider and take notice of these things 1. A further threat expressed and I will kill her Children with death 2. The effect hereof even of his threats and judgments on that woman Jezabel her Paramours and Children And all the Churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts 3. A signification and declaration of Christ's impartiality in his retributions and rewards and I will give unto every one of you according to your works 1. We have a further threat expressed and therein still a further intimation of Christ's displeasure against Jezabel And I will kill her Children with death The Subjects of our Lord's threat are Her Children Not the Children brought forth by natural generation or not them in that consideration or on that account for though they are not therefore the Children of God in a peculiar consideration they which are the Children of the flesh these are not the Children of God Joh. 1. 13. Rom. 9. 8. yet Children are the beritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is his reward the reward of his abasement and sufferings Ps 127. 3. they are graciously given by him Gen. 33. 5. and they are born unto him Ezek. 16. 20. with v. 36. and being baptized into the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost and so brought into the congregation of Christ of such little ones is the Kingdom of God Mat. 19. 13 14. Mark 10. 13 14. and unto the Children in this sence he is vouchsafing means and discovering his goodness when they come to the use of understanding Ps 14. 2. and 36 7. and 107. 8 15 21 31. and he doth not willingly afflict nor grieve the Children of Men Lam. 3. 32 33. Nor are the Children here spoken of the Children of the Church namely such as they have been instruments of begetting thorow the word of truth the Gospel of our salvation for the seed of his Church is blessed he will pour his spirit upon her seed and his blessing upon her off-spring Isay 45. 3. for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord and their off-spring with them Isay 65. 23. and in due season all that see them shall acknowledge them that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed Isay 61. 9. and ch 54. 13. Prov. 11. 21. But here by Children we are to understand the Children of whoredomes of their spiritual whoredoms and fornications such as are begotten by evil doctrines see v. 23. worshippers and practises Children that are corrupters who have forsaken the Lord and provoked the holy one of Israel to anger who are gone away backwards a Isay 1. 1 4. the seed of evil doers the Children of the sorceress the seed of the adulterer and the whore the Children of transgression and seed of falshood Isay 14. 20. and ch 57. 3 5. with 2 Joh. 9. such Children whose Mothers have played the harlots and they that conceived them have done shamefully strange Children such as are begotten of divers and strange doctrines Hos 2. 2 5. with ch 5. 7. with Heb. 13. 7 9. such as are either born of the doctrines of Devils in a more gross consideration of most hellish doctrines and so are Children of the Devil Children of hell 1 Tim. 4. 1. with Acts 13. 10. Mâ—t. 23. 15. or of the doctrines of Men Col. 1. 11. which in some sort may also be said to be the doctrines of Satan and they who are born of them to be of the evil one as our Saviour said unto Peter get thee behind me Satan for thou savourest the things that be of men implying that the savouring Men's things in opposition to the doctrine of Christ about his sufferings and resurrection makes Men to be of Satan Mat. 16. 21 23. and in such a sense they who are born of Men's doctrines in which they oppose the weighty matters of God's law they are of Satan and are originally of their Father the Devil Joh. 8. 41 44. so those who are born of the doctrine of the Pharisees in and by which they shut up the kingdom of Heaven against Men are the Children of the devil as they also are who are born of this doctrine that Christ died not for all nor tasted death by the grace of God for every Man but only for the elect c. such are therein of Satan these new Pharisees are like to the old ones Mat. 23. 13 15. and they are the Children of the evil one who are born of the doctrine of the Saducees who say there is no resurrection of the dead and so by
this word of Christ was and is to be held fast And that is here expressed to us till I come to wit until Christ comes either till he comes to them particularly to remove them out of the Land of the living Luke 12. 40. And so they should be faithful herein unto death as was the Apostle Paul 2 Tim. 4. 6 7 8. Heb. 11. 13. Rev. 3. 11. See the notes before on Verse 10. of this Chapter Or Vntil he come to wit to take to him his great power and reign according to that I give thee charge that thou keep the Commandment without spot unrebukeable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Tim. 6. 13 15. But how should they do so By constantly keeping it themselves until death and committing the same to others also that it may be preserved amongst them Ps 78. 3 4 6 7. 2 Tim. 2. 2 3. 2 Pet. 1. 12 15. Now in that he thus speaketh and saith unto them I will put upon you none other burden but that which ye have already hold fast till I come We may learn from hence 1. That in saying I will put none other burden upon you so he signifieth to us That he doth put a burden upon them that are his Faithful Disciples and Followers he doth put some weight or burden upon them that is to be born by them that which is grievous to the flesh and in and by which that is kept down that it cannot run whither it would or do what it pleaseth and best likes Mat. 11. 28 29. 2. In that he saith none other burden so he gives us to understand that he did not put that as a burden upon them that they should enquire into the seducers depths of Satan as they speak for that might be hurtful to them In former times God charged his people to take heed unto themselves that they were not snared by following after Idolaters And that they should not enquire after their Gods saying How did these Nations serve their God c. Deut. 12. 30 32. And we are commanded to go from the presence of a foolish man when once we perceive not in him the lip of knowledge Prov. 14. 7. and ch 19. 27 Many do much mistake and abuse that saying of the Apostle Try all things as if hereby liberty were given to them to hear all false teachers whatever whereby many become a prey unto Foxes and embrace and follow pernicious ways whereas the Apostle gives that exhortation not unto all but only to such as had received the Apostles word not as the word of men but as it is in truth the word of God which also wrought effectually in them 1 Thes 1. 3 6. and ch 2. 13. And again that exhortation of the Apostles gives none such undue liberty as too many take but it is to be considered by us as relating unto what goes before viz. despise not prophesying to wit such speakings of the word of Christ as are to edification and exhortation and comfort 1 Corinth 14. 1 3. And then adds try or prove all things c. Namely in those prophesyings we should not despise we are not to take all on trust which they say but to search the Scriptures whether the things delivered therein be so or no and hold fast what is good 1 Thes 5. 19 21. with Acts 17. 11 12. But this gives us no liberty to search into the depths of Satan or to be heaping to our selves teachers after our own lusts 2 Tim. 4. 3 4. It is a commendation of those upright ones in Thyatira both Teachers and those that were taught in this Verse 24. They have not known the depths of Satan as they speak And our Lord lays no such burden upon them as to seek after the knowledge thereof this is the Character Christ gives of his Sheep A Stranger will they not follow but will flee from him for they know not the Voice of Strangers all that ever came before me are Thieves and Robbers but the Sheep did not hear them Joh. 10. 4 5 8 27. Christ lays upon his sincere followers no other burden but to hold fast what they have He would not have them receive or listen unto any new Doctrine for the word of his grace is able to build them up and to give them an Inheritance among them that are sanctified Acts 20. 32. And the Apostle saith the anointing you have received of him to wit the things they had heard from the beginning abideth in you and ye need not that any Man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things c. 1 Joh. 2. 20 24 27. And the Apostle Paul saith though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed As we said before so say I now again If any Man preach any other Gospel to you then that ye have received let him be accursed Gal. 1. 6 8 9 10. 3. In that he saith I will put upon you none other burden but that which ye have already hold fast c. to wit the word and doctrine of Christ as hath been said So he gives us to understand that his Yoke is easie and his Burden is light Mat. 11. 29 30. It is not like that of which the Apostle saith neither we nor our Fathers were able to bear Acts 15. 10. Nor like to the Lawyers burdens or the Scribes and Pharisees who loaded men with burdens grievous to be born and themselves did not touch the burdens with one of their fingers Luke 11. 46. with Mat. 23. 4. Nor like the burden of Sin and Satan which however they seem sweet and easie to the Flesh yet they wound and break the heart and Spirit and expose men to the wrath of God both present and eternal Rom. 6. 21 23. and ch 5. 21. 2 Tim. 2. 26. Heb. 2. 15. But his burden is a sweet and easie one indeed to the heart and soul Mat. 11. 29. His Commandments are not grievous 1 Joh. 5. 3. His ways are ways of pleasantness and all his paths are peace Prov. 3. 16 17. his doctrine is a good doctrine his words are gratious Prov. 4. 2. Luke 4. 18 22. with Psal 45. 2. And his mouth hath spoken truth and wickedness is an abomination to his lips Prov. 8. 6 8. And his word is a powerful word Psal 29. 4. Luke 4. 32. The Gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth Rom. 1. 16. Thereby God is working in them both to will and to do of his good pleasure what he requires of them that they may do all things without murmurings and disputings Phil. 2. 12 15. And his words are the words of eternal life he that keepeth them shall never taste death but have eternal life Joh. 5. 24 25. and ch 6. 68. and ch 8. 51. 4. In that he saith hold that fast which ye have
Joh. 2. 8. His word was always true but the truth of it is now made more apparent in the preaching of the Gospel according to the Revelation of the Mystery His Record is true concerning all things there is no lye of it but he is a true witness in what he speaketh of God the Father himself the work of the Spirit Mankind Sin Righteousness Judgment Life Death and of what he is become and hath for us Gold tried in the Fire White Rayment and of the loathsomness of this Lukewarmness to him These things saith he who is holy he who is true Rev. 3. 7. He is true and worthy to be listened unto and believed by us in all his declarations promises discoveries requirings instructions reproofs threats c. a faithful and true witness who will not lye one who is faithful to the interest of our Souls Prov. 14. 5. A true witness who delivers Souls from their Transgressions wandrings lukewarmnesses who hath power to deliver from Sin Satan Fears Evils Dangers yea from the Wrath to come and is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him Prov. 14. 25. 1 Thes 1. 10. Heb. 7. 24 25. The beginning of the creation of God He is before all things and by him all things consist Col. 1. 17 18. The beginning both of the first and old Creation And that both 1. In giving a being to it when before it had none It was God's creation but made by him God created all things by Jesus Christ Eph. 3. 9. He is the Creator of the ends of the Earth that faints not neither is weary there is no searching of his understanding By him were all things created visible and invisible All things were created by him and for him Col. 1. 16. He knows how and hath understanding to help us when we are faint dead dry decaying He gives power to the faint and to them that have no might he increaseth strength Isay 40. 27 29. Ah Lord God saith the Prophet behold thou hast made the Heaven and the Earth by thy great power and stretched out arm and there is nothing too hard for thee Jer. 32. 17. What cannot he do that created all things And all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made Joh. 1. 1 3. He can restore heat and health and heal us of our wounds and cure our loathsome distempers when our bruise is incurable and wound grievous and we have no healing Medicines nor is there any to plead our cause that we may be bound up Jer. 30. 12 17. 2. And he is the maker of the creation of God when it was marred by Mans seeking out â—oolish inventiâ—ns The Earth and all the Inhabitants thereof were dissolved He beareth up the pillars thereof Ps 75. 3. He upholds all things by the word of his power Heb. 1. 3. The World was made by him preserved from perishing and upheld when it was marred spoiled and dissolved by the iniquity of Mankind Joh. 1. 10. And therefore though you have destroyed your selves and deserve to be rejected and cast off and out from his presence and favour for ever yet in him is your help neither is there Salvation in any other Acts 4. 12. Oh turn again to him from whom you have revolted he hath made peace by the Blood of his Cross by him to reconcile all things to himself Col. 1. 20. And he is the beginning of the new Creation thorow and by means of his personal abasement and sufferings the Captain of our Salvation was made perfect thorow sufferings Heb. 2. 10. In him there is a compleat Creation He is the beginning the first-born from the dead that in all things he might have the pre-eminence for it pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell Col. 1. 18 19. In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and in â—im we are compleat compleatly prepared for and furnished with all furniture who is the Head of all principality and power Col. 2. 9 10. In him our nature is restored again into the Image of God after a more glorious manner than ever it was made in the first publick man And so there is in him a compleat and perfect provision of all things that may tend to our being brought back to God in our own person so made new Creatures as every one is that is in him because he died for all and rose again Jam. 3. 9. Eph. 2. 10. 2 Cor. 5. 14 17. There is in him a justification from the guilt of our first sin and sinfulness so as that all that have sinned and are come short of the glory of God are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Rom. 4. 25. and 3. 23 24. and he hath obtained forgiveness of our personal sins gifts for Men yea for the rebellious also healing of our diseases decays deadnesses Gold to enrich poor wretched miserable ones White Rayment to cover our shameful nakedness Eye-salve to cure our blindness Spirit to quicken and enliven us and to put heat into and recover lukewarm-ones The last Adam was made a quickning Spirit to quicken those that were dead in trespasses 1 Cor. 15. 45. He hath by his Blood obtained eternal Redemption forgiveness of our Sins for ever and the recovery of our loss even of all the glory of God of which we came short by our sinning He hath restored that which he took not away Heb. 9 12. So as that in him there is help and salvation for us when we have rendred our selves vile and brought our selves into a loathsome condition He is the Fountain of Life of living waters of grace and truth the Treasury and Store-house of all Gods fulness for us that he may dispence to us thereof according to our various wants and capacities and that of his fulness we may receive and Grace for Grace Indeed he is the beginning and end of this new Creation the author and finisher of the Faith whose hands have laid the foundation and whose hands shall finish the building Rev. 1. 8 11. Zech. 4. 7 9. Heb. 12. 2. Verse 15. I know thy works see notes on chap. 2. verse 1. that thou art neither cold nor hot I would thou wert cold or hot He saw that their works were not perfect before him and thence saith and observeth That thou art neither cold nor hot not cold there was still some profession of the faith with them some seeking God waiting upon him and approaching to him they had not wholly left off all professed worshipping of him and calling upon his name they might still read and hear and pray and have some use of Christs ordinances among them and a form of Godliness upon them They had not professedly cast off the thing that was good but there was some warmth with them still And surely they did assemble themselves together for they were yet reckoned by Christ a
Matth. 28. 18. John 3. 35. with Chap. 10. 17 18. and Chap. 5. 20-22-27 Because he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross therefore also hath God exalted him Phil. 2. 6-8 9. Rev. 3. 21. Herein Judah prevailed above his Brethren 1 Chron. 5. 2. And by his Sacrifice and Mediation he thus prevailed with him that sate on the Throne he gave himself for us an Offering and a Sacrifice unto God for a sweet-smelling savour Eph. 5. 2. And in the virtue thereof now mediates And whatever he doth ask of God he will give it him he hears him always John 11. 22-41 42. having accepted his burnt-sacrifice he grants him according to his own heart fulfils all his Counsel and all his Petitions gives him his hearts desire and with-holds not the request of his lips Psal 21. 3-5 and 20. 1-3 And all the Keys are given to him the Keys of Hell and Death See notes on Chap. 1. ver 18. The Keys of the House of David so as he openeth and none shutteth and shutteth and none openeth See the notes before on Chap. 3. ver 7 and 8. And here the Keys to open this Book and loose the seven Seals thereof Verse 6. And I beheld and lo in the midst of the Throne and of the four living Creatures and in the midst of the Elders stood a Lamb as if it had been slaâ—n having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth In this Verse we have to consider for our usefulness 1. The Apostle's ready compliance with and obedience unto the Counsel of the Elder before given him And I beheld 2. The Person or Object which he saw And loe a Lamb stood as it had been slain 3. Where he saw this Lamb In the midst of the Throne and of the four living Creatures and in the midst of the Elders 4. What this Lamb had Having seven Horns and seven Eyes which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the Earth 1. The Apostles ready compliance with and chearful obedience unto the Counsel of the Elder before given to him And I beheld In ver 5. The Elder said unto him Behold that is See Compare 1 Chron. 7. 1. with 2 Sam. 7 2. And here saith he I beheld or looked Indeed he sometimes did so before he was called upon or commanded as Chap. 4. 1. and Chap. 14. 1-14 and 15. 5 c. But now especially it did behove him when he was so counselled and provoked and it was expected from him that he should look and accordingly it was readily found with him also that he looked And in the opening of the Seals particularly when he was called upon to see he then saw beheld or looked as Chap. 6. 1. 2-5-7 So did Ezekiel also and other Prophets Ezek. 1. 3 4. and Chap. 2. 8 9 c. And thongh this Elder was but a Fellow-Servant yet John did not therefore despise him knowing that he that receives whomsoever he sends receiveth Christ and he that receiveth him receiveth him that sent him John 13. 20. So it is also good and needful for us when we are called upon to behold God's Servant whom he hath upheld his Elect One in whom his Soul delighteth Esa 42. 1. and Chap. 45. 22. and 18. 3. that as we are prevented with power and capacity we obey the Call and Counsel and open our Eyes so shall we be satisfied with bread Prov. 20. 12 13. and if we do not we are guilty of Rebellion for it is a rebellious iniquity to have Eyes to see and yet not to see with them Jer. 5. 18-23 Ezek. 12. 2 3. and greatly provokes Christ to anger Hence he saith to his Disciples Perceive ye not yet neither understand have ye your hearts yet hardned having eyes see ye not Mark 8. 17 18. Matth. 13. 11-13 And if we make use of our eyes and look when we are called upon so to do we shall have more and more revealed to us Matth. 13. 11 12-16-18 Isa 32. 3. Dan. 2. 21 22. Yea though but a Messenger of Christ's call upon us so to do in his Name yet let us receive and obey his good counsel Matth. 10. 40. Luke 10. 16. And let us not say they are men also and subject to Infirmities and Passions but consider in whose Name and on whose Errand they come And believe we and obey his Prophets and Messengers so shall we prosper 2 Chro. 20. 20. Exod. 16. 2-7 8. 2. The Person or Object which he saw And loe a Lamb stood as it had been slain In ver 5. He is thus described The Lion of the Tribe of Judah c. But here he beheld a Lamb. The Lion is also a Lamb. But now here we may consider for our Instruction 1. The Object that he saw A Lamb. 2. We have an account how he saw him As it had been slain 3. The Posture in which he saw him stood 1. The Object it self which the Apostle John saw A Lamb. Now by this Lamb without controversie is meant and intended Jesus Christ the Son of God the Saviour of the world And this Title the Baptist had given unto him and made him known by to the Jews saying Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world This is he of whom I said After me cometh a man which is preferred before me Again looking upon Jesus as he walked he saith Behold the Lamb of God Joh. 1. 28 29 30 35 36. And this we shall have further occasion to shew 1. Now he hath this Title of A Lamb given unto him 1. To denote and signifie to us that he is that Lamb for a Burnt-offering that hath been slain for us as it doth after follow here in this place and Verse 9. He is the truth of our Types in former times Under the Law this was one thing which God gâ—ve in charge to his people Thou shalt offer upon the Altar two Lambs of the first year day by day continually the one Lamb thou shalt offer in the morning and the other Lamb thou shalt offer in the evening c. Exod. 29. 38 42. Numb 38. 3 4. Now of that typical Burnt-offering this Lamb to wit Jesus Christ is the truth who was slain in the morning virtually even from the foundation of the World Rev. 13. 8. He is that Lamb who verily was â—ore-ordained before the foundation of the world 1 Pet. 1. 20. the Hind of the morning Psal 22. Title and verse 1-16 That Lamb which God prepared himself for a Burnt-offering Gen. 22. 8 9-18 And he was manifested and actually slain in the evening of the world even in these last times 1 Pet. 1. 19 20. Once in the end of the world he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself Hebr. 9. 26. The Law had but a shadow of good things to come wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith
Father and unto him he doth un-bosome all his Mind and Counsels Joh. 1. 18. and shews him all things that himself doth Joh. 5. 20. So here in this place This Revelation was first given to him Rev. 1. 1. And he only prevailed to take the Book sealed with seven Seals and to open it He only was worthy and able so to do Rev. 5. 1 5 6 8 9. He only fully and perfectly knows God and he hath declared and revealed him Joh. 1. 18. and ch 6. 46. And he hath given a gracious revelation of him to us in his VVord and VVorks 1 Joh. 1. 5. and ch 4. 8 9. And the consideration hereof might engage us to come unto him that we may know the Father to come to his Cross and Testimony for no Man knows the Father but the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Mat. 11. 25 27 28. Luke 10. 21 22. Joh. 12. 44 46. No Man cometh to the Father to the knowledge of the Father but by him Joh. 14. 6 7. God shineth forth the light of the knowledge of his glory in the Face of Jesus Christ who is the Image of the invisible God 2 Cor. 4. 4 6. Col. 1. 15. And he knows Men the thoughts and hearts of them He needs not that any should testifie of Man for he knows what is in Man Joh. 2. 24 25. See Notes before on ch 2. v. 23. Heb. 4. 12. He is perfect in wisdom and knowledge Mat. 9. 4. and ch 12. 25. yea indeed he knows all things Joh. 21. 15 17. There is no Creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened unto the Eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4. 13. And the consideration thereof might strengthen us to hold fast the Profession Heb. 4. 13 14. and also to come unto him who is perfect in wisdom and knowledge to reveal unto us the deep and secret things of his Law and Doctrine which though revealed in the Scriptures of Truth may still be secret to us Dan. 2. 20 23. And this shews to us that he is most meet and fit to govern Wisdom is very requisite to him that sits in the Seat of Government Hence it was the great and one thing desired by Solomon Give me saith he to the Lord Wisdom and Knowledge that I may go out and come in before this People for who can judge this thy People that is so great 1 King 3. 5 12. 2 Chron. 1. 7 12. But behold a greater than Solomon is here Mat. 12. 42. One on whose shoulders the whole Government is laid and who is the wonderful Counsellor Isay 9. 6. The Father hath committed all Judgment all the Government unto the Son And hath given him Authority to execute Judgment also because he is the Son of Man Joh. 5. 22 27. And if all Israel saw that the Wisdom of God was in Solomon to do judgment we may be well assured that our Lord Jesus Christ knows to do Judgment and will do it in whom not only the Wisdom of God is but who is the Wisdom of God 1 King 3. 28. with 1 Cor. 1. 24. The Queen of Sheba came from the uttermost part of the Earth to hear the Wisdom of Solomon but the Lamb infinitely excels him therein Mat. 12. 42. with 1 King 10. 1 8. And therefore he is worthy to be heard and feared by us 1 King 3. 8. This is the true Joshua even Jesus of whom the Son of Nun was a Type Deut. 34. 9. with Isay 42. 1 4. Mark 6. 2. And he hath power to give wisdom unto us also Prov. 8. 10 12 14. 4. And strength He is wise in heart and mighty in strength Joâ— 9. 4. with this ancient one is wisdom and strength with him is strength and wisdom Job 12. 12 13 16. with Rev. 1. 14. God hath laid help upon one that is mighty mighty in strength and wisdom Psal 89. 19. with Job 36. 5. And mighty indeed he is in strength 1. To bear the greatest Burdens Nehem. 4. 10. for he himself bare our sins in his own Body on the Tree 1 Pet. 2. 24. This Lamb of God bare the sin of the World Joh. 1. 29. Sin is an insupportable Burden for any mere Creature it sunk down the Devils from Heaven to Hell 2 Pet. 2. 4. with Jude 6. And brought death on Adam and all his Posterity from which no Man could redeem himself or his Brother Rom. 5. 12. with Ps 49. 6 8. The Psalmist cries out mine iniquities are gone over mine head as an heavy Burden they are too heavy for me Ps 38. 4. But now this Lamb was strong as that he could and did bear and stand under all our sins All we like Sheep have gone astray we have turned every Man to his own way and the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all Isay 53. 6. And he also laid and executed on him the judgment of the World Joh. 12. 27 31. Surely he hath born our griefs and carried our sorrows He was wounded for our transgressions bruised for our iniquities c. Isay 53. 4 5. and ch 63. 1 5. Mat. 26. 38 39. with Heb. 5. 7. He was made a Curse for us Gal. 3. 13. And endured the Cross all the curse and malediction due to us as the wages of our sinning against God Heb. 12. 2. And herein he grapled with all our Enemies that he might overcome them And hereby it appears that he was a strong one in that God laid such burdens upon him If we speak of strength loe he was strong Job 9. 19. for he is the mighty God Isay 9. 6. And he is the Man of God's right hand and the Son of Man whom he made strong for himself Ps 80. 17. And the love of our blessed Redeemer appeared to be exceeding strong in bearing and enduring these heavy burdens his love was strong as death many waters could not quench it neither could the floods drown it Cant. 8. 6 7. 2. And his strength wonderfully appeared in raising himself from the dead Joh. 2. 19 21. He laid down his life that he might take it again no Man took his life from him but he laid it down of himself he had power to lay it down and he had power to take it again Joh. 10. 17 18. He was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resorrection from the dead Rom. 1. 4. As also herein his wonderful strength appeared in vanquishing and overcoming all our Enemies he is the Lord strong and mighty the Lord mighty in battel Ps 24. 8. He bare even bare away the sins of many or of the multitude Isay 53. 12. He made purgation of our sins Heb. 1. 3. It was not possible that the blood of Goats and Calves could take away sin Heb. 10. 1 4 5. 8. and ch 7. 18. But what the Law could not do in that it was weak