within_o the_o interval_n of_o the_o ephesine_n church_n in_o our_o sense_n several_a reproof_n and_o exhortation_n in_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n do_v plain_o evince_v see_v dr._n hammond_n note_n on_o this_o church_n which_o full_o reach_v our_o design_n and_o the_o epistle_n of_o paul_n and_o the_o first_o of_o peter_n and_o that_o to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v all_o writ_n within_o that_o interval_n we_o have_v set_v for_o the_o ephesine_n church_n and_o their_o fault_n commit_v before_o which_o default_n this_o vision_n rebuke_n and_o threaten_v they_o for_o by_o way_n of_o instruction_n for_o future_a age_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o follow_a verse_n 9_o remember_v therefore_o from_o whence_o 5._o thou_o be_v fall_v and_o repent_v and_o do_v the_o first_o work_n he_o bid_v they_o return_v to_o their_o first_o love_n which_o be_v more_o strong_a than_o death_n and_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o give_v this_o command_n and_o encouragement_n to_o the_o church_n because_o of_o great_a trial_n to_o come_v in_o her_o smyrnian_a condition_n for_o before_o the_o ten_o persecution_n martyrdom_n be_v more_o rare_a or_o else_o i_o will_v come_v unto_o thou_o quick_o and_o will_v remove_v thy_o candlestick_n out_o of_o his_o place_n except_o thou_o repent_v that_o be_v by_o a_o hypallage_n i_o will_v remove_v thou_o from_o thy_o candlestick_n which_o therefore_o be_v direct_v more_o especial_o to_o the_o bishop_n or_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n at_o that_o time_n as_o threaten_v they_o for_o fall_v into_o such_o a_o remiss_a degree_n of_o love_n themselves_o or_o suffer_v their_o charge_n so_o to_o fall_v for_o the_o seven_o candlestick_n be_v the_o seven_o church_n ch._n 1._o v._n 20._o and_o the_o seven_o star_n be_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n wherefore_o this_o commination_n to_o they_o may_v by_o a_o hypallage_n signify_v their_o be_v remove_v from_o the_o church_n by_o some_o judgement_n or_o other_o that_o be_v as_o many_o of_o they_o as_o be_v thus_o careless_a and_o remiss_a but_o to_o any_o member_n of_o the_o church_n the_o remove_n of_o the_o candlestick_n from_o they_o may_v be_v their_o amission_n of_o their_o church-membership_a as_o eripere_fw-la alicui_fw-la or_o adimere_fw-la alicui_fw-la civitatem_fw-la be_v to_o make_v he_o cease_v to_o be_v a_o citizen_n any_o long_o which_o sense_n be_v also_o compatible_a to_o the_o bishop_n or_o pastor_n christ_n may_v cut_v they_o off_o in_o foro_fw-la divino_fw-la from_o be_v any_o long_a member_n of_o his_o church_n and_o consequent_o from_o salvation_n but_o there_o be_v yet_o another_o sense_n which_o please_v i_o best_o of_o all_o in_o which_o victorinus_n andreas_n lyranus_fw-la and_o alcazar_n do_v all_o agree_v who_o interpret_v the_o remove_n of_o the_o candlestick_n out_o of_o its_o place_n of_o the_o commination_n of_o some_o commotion_n or_o storm_n that_o shall_v overtake_v this_o church_n not_o that_o this_o church_n shall_v be_v carry_v quite_o away_o but_o move_v or_o agitate_a as_o in_o a_o storm_n or_o earthquake_n this_o they_o understand_v of_o the_o ephesine_n church_n in_o asia_n literal_o which_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o the_o interpretation_n seem_v very_o easy_a and_o genuine_a unto_o they_o and_o it_o be_v as_o easy_o applicable_a to_o our_o mystical_a sense_n but_o i_o will_v raise_v the_o storm_n a_o little_a high_o and_o make_v it_o signify_v the_o storm_n of_o that_o dreadful_a persecution_n that_o be_v to_o befall_v the_o church_n in_o the_o smyrnian_a interval_n thereof_o for_o it_o be_v look_v upon_o still_o as_o the_o apostolic_a church_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n though_o distinguish_v into_o these_o several_a intervall_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o there_o be_v in_o every_o epistle_n to_o the_o respective_a church_n some_o prediction_n to_o be_v fulfil_v in_o the_o interval_n of_o the_o follow_a church_n which_o i_o think_v fit_a here_o to_o note_v at_o once_o and_o shall_v particular_o as_o we_o proceed_v take_v notice_n thereof_o in_o their_o proper_a place_n the_o sense_n therefore_o seem_v to_o be_v this_o that_o unless_o the_o church_n in_o this_o ephesine_fw-la interval_n will_v be_v raise_v to_o a_o high_a pitch_n of_o zeal_n and_o love_n and_o activity_n for_o the_o propagate_a of_o his_o kingdom_n christ_n will_v excite_v their_o courage_n and_o exercise_v it_o with_o such_o hot_a persecution_n sanguis_fw-la martyrum_fw-la semen_fw-mi ecclesiae_fw-la as_o will_v be_v more_o effectual_a for_o the_o bring_v to_o pass_v his_o design_n and_o it_o sell_v out_o according_o in_o the_o ten_o persecution_n within_o the_o smyrnian_a period_n of_o the_o church_n 10._o but_o this_o thou_o have_v that_o thou_o hate_v 6._o the_o deed_n of_o the_o nicolaitan_n which_o i_o also_o hate_n the_o church_n by_o this_o time_n have_v grow_v so_o soft_a and_o remiss_a that_o there_o be_v not_o that_o zealous_a painfulness_n as_o heretofore_o in_o several_a of_o they_o nor_o that_o resolve_a courage_n in_o suffer_v all_o thing_n for_o christ_n sake_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o grow_v so_o corrupt_a and_o beastly_a as_o to_o be_v give_v up_o to_o the_o impurity_n of_o the_o nicolaitan_n which_o in_o after-times_a some_o exercise_v from_o a_o mistake_n of_o a_o indiscreet_a act_n of_o one_o nicolas_n a_o deacon_n in_o these_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o from_o he_o be_v these_o beastly_a fellow_n call_v nicolaitan_n but_o little_a or_o nothing_o of_o this_o impurity_n appear_v within_o the_o period_n of_o this_o ephesine_n church_n which_o yet_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n foresee_v will_v become_v detestable_o frequent_a and_o notorious_a in_o such_o wretch_n as_o though_o they_o call_v themselves_o christian_n the_o apostolic_a church_n will_v not_o own_v this_o be_v allow_v the_o ephesine_n church_n for_o their_o comfort_n and_o credit_n that_o they_o be_v free_a from_o nicolaitism_n and_o that_o they_o may_v add_v to_o their_o purity_n invincible_a patience_n and_o fortitude_n he_o add_v to_o he_o that_o overcome_v will_v i_o give_v 7._o to_o eat_v of_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n which_o be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o paradise_n of_o god_n for_o their_o work_n and_o labour_n and_o painstaking_a here_o be_v eat_v and_o refresh_v promise_v they_o for_o their_o patience_n and_o hardship_n a_o paradise_n of_o pleasure_n for_o their_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o the_o gospel_n the_o enjoyment_n of_o eternal_a life_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ._n lord_n remember_v i_o when_o thou_o come_v 43._o into_o thy_o kingdom_n very_o i_o say_v unto_o thou_o this_o day_n shall_v thou_o be_v with_o i_o in_o paradise_n but_o we_o have_v almost_o forget_v the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o seven_o verse_n he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n let_v he_o hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v unto_o the_o church_n which_o be_v a_o common_a epiphonema_n to_o all_o these_o seven_o epistle_n repeat_v in_o they_o from_o the_o first_o to_o the_o last_o certain_o must_v bear_v no_o small_a importance_n with_o it_o two_o thing_n therefore_o i_o conceive_v drive_v at_o by_o the_o affix_v this_o epiphonema_n to_o each_o epistle_n the_o one_o to_o give_v we_o notice_n that_o though_o there_o be_v a_o literal_a sense_n of_o these_o epistle_n yet_o that_o they_o be_v every_o one_o of_o they_o also_o a_o parable_n which_o be_v intimate_v from_o this_o repeat_v form_n of_o speech_n which_o christ_n in_o his_o life-time_n usual_o add_v at_o the_o end_n of_o parable_n he_o that_o have_v ear_n to_o hear_v let_v he_o hear_v beside_o that_o the_o very_a sense_n of_o the_o epiphonema_n imply_v so_o much_o which_o be_v he_o that_o have_v a_o understanding_n to_o reach_v the_o depth_n of_o the_o meaning_n of_o these_o epistle_n let_v he_o reach_v it_o for_o it_o be_v not_o within_o the_o reach_n of_o every_o man_n wit_n to_o find_v out_o the_o drift_n of_o they_o the_o other_o thing_n drive_v at_o be_v to_o intimate_v to_o we_o that_o there_o be_v a_o meaning_n lodge_v under_o these_o seven_o parabolicall_a epistle_n of_o exceed_v great_a moment_n and_o concernment_n to_o the_o church_n from_o whence_o i_o will_v infer_v that_o that_o interpretation_n of_o they_o that_o be_v of_o the_o great_a consequence_n be_v the_o most_o likely_a to_o prove_v true_a and_o such_o i_o conceive_v this_o will_v approve_v itself_o to_o the_o judicious_a which_o we_o be_v now_o a-framing_a and_o thus_o much_o of_o the_o first_o succession_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o title_n of_o ephesus_n chap._n iu._n the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n 1._o and_o unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o 8._o church_n in_o smyrna_n write_v we_o come_v now_o to_o the_o second_o succession_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n who_o title_n be_v the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n and_o
church_n as_o well_o as_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o seven_o seal_n and_o of_o the_o open_a book_n reach_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o all_o thing_n which_o consideration_n be_v so_o repeat_v to_o we_o that_o certain_o it_o must_v not_o stand_v for_o nought_o but_o be_v to_o give_v infallible_a aim_n at_o a_o high_a meaning_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n then_o we_o be_v at_o first_o ware_n of_o for_o the_o summary_n of_o the_o vision_n before_o he_o descend_v to_o the_o particular_a church_n begin_v and_o end_v with_o this_o v_o 11._o and_o 18._o i_o be_o the_o first_o and_o the_o last_o and_o have_v the_o key_n of_o hell_n and_o of_o death_n which_o undoubted_o respect_v the_o execution_n of_o the_o final_a sentence_n under_o the_o seven_o thunder_n 5._o but_o there_o be_v first_o this_o not_o able_a to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o ten_o verse_n i_o be_v in_o the_o spirit_n on_o the_o lord_n day_n and_o 10._o hear_v behind_o i_o a_o great_a voice_n as_o of_o a_o trumpet_n this_o pompous_a entrance_n with_o the_o sound_n of_o the_o trumpet_n into_o this_o vision_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n and_o the_o glorious_a appearance_n of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n walk_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n with_o seven_o star_n in_o his_o right_a hand_n come_v up_o so_o near_o to_o that_o splendid_a preamble_n to_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o seven_o seal_n that_o any_o sagacious_a man_n can_v but_o suspect_v that_o both_o the_o vision_n be_v of_o like_a extent_n and_o importance_n and_o not_o of_o such_o private_a concern_v as_o mere_o to_o respect_v those_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n for_o at_o the_o begin_n of_o both_o these_o vision_n there_o be_v the_o glorious_a appearance_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o first_o standing_z or_o walk_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n in_o the_o latter_a sit_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o four_o beast_n and_o four_o and_o twenty_o elder_n and_o both_o these_o preamble_n to_o the_o future_a vision_n usher_v in_o with_o the_o sound_n of_o the_o trumpet_n wherefore_o the_o pomp_n be_v equal_a the_o concern_v of_o each_o vision_n in_o all_o likelihood_n be_v equal_a nor_o can_v it_o be_v pretend_v that_o the_o pomp_n before_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n be_v design_v as_o a_o fair_a frontispiece_n to_o the_o whole_a book_n of_o prophecy_n because_o at_o least_o as_o splendid_a a_o frontispiece_n be_v again_o erect_v before_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o seven_o seal_n wherefore_o that_o former_a be_v entire_o intend_v for_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n and_o therefore_o portend_v some_o mighty_a concern_v mystery_n therein_o and_o such_o as_o the_o present_a affair_n of_o those_o seven_o particular_a church_n in_o asia_n can_v not_o reach_v nor_o exhaust_v but_o we_o proceed_v 6._o say_v i_o be_o alpha_n and_o omega_n the_o first_o and_o the_o last_o and_o what_o thou_o 11._o see_v write_v in_o a_o book_n and_o send_v it_o unto_o the_o seven_o church_n which_o be_v in_o asia_n here_o again_o immediate_o before_o his_o send_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n he_o display_v those_o title_n of_o himself_o that_o least_o of_o all_o suit_n with_o the_o small_a continuance_n of_o those_o particular_a church_n but_o the_o holy_a catholic_n church_n endure_v from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n of_o all_o upon_o which_o therefore_o i_o can_v doubt_v but_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n have_v his_o eye_n at_o this_o time_n and_o in_o the_o mystery_n understand_v by_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n the_o holy_a catholic_n church_n divide_v into_o seven_o successive_a intervall_n according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o petrus_n galatinus_n for_o indeed_o in_o all_o reason_n if_o there_o be_v not_o some_o grand_a mystery_n underneath_o why_o shall_v only_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n be_v write_v to_o when_o there_o be_v other_o many_o other_o either_o there_o or_o at_o least_o in_o other_o part_n of_o the_o empire_n in_o all_o likelihood_n as_o notorious_a for_o either_o the_o fault_n the_o virtue_n or_o the_o suffering_n that_o be_v note_v in_o these_o 7._o you_o will_v say_v haply_o that_o asia_n minor_a be_v the_o special_a diocese_n as_o it_o be_v of_o s._n john_n but_o they_o that_o answer_v thus_o forget_v that_o john_n be_v mere_o passive_a in_o these_o vision_n and_o write_v no_o otherwise_o then_o he_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o be_v no_o respecter_n of_o person_n beside_o that_o there_o be_v certain_o other_o church_n in_o asia_n beside_o these_o seven_o why_o therefore_o just_a seven_n and_o why_o these_o but_o that_o seven_o signify_v universality_n be_v obvious_a in_o the_o prophetic_a style_n therefore_o to_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o all_o the_o church_n in_o asia_n but_o it_o be_v much_o that_o all_o the_o church_n in_o asia_n minor_a shall_v be_v thus_o careful_o salute_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n be_v take_v no_o notice_n of_o as_o if_o it_o be_v according_a to_o the_o proverb_n that_o kiss_v go_v by_o favour_n whenas_o yet_o it_o be_v express_o say_v in_o the_o scripture_n that_o god_n be_v no_o respecter_n of_o person_n as_o i_o intimate_v before_o 8._o but_o you_o will_v far_o urge_v that_o we_o can_v possible_o make_v it_o any_o more_o than_o all_o the_o church_n in_o asia_n unless_o asia_n be_v turn_v into_o a_o appellative_a which_o consideration_n will_v put_v a_o bar_n to_o all_o attempt_n for_o any_o mystical_a interpretation_n so_o that_o we_o must_v necessary_o rest_v in_o the_o literal_a but_o hugo_n grotius_n who_o interprete_v all_o the_o church_n also_o mystical_o from_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o name_n yet_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o any_o allusive_a signification_n in_o the_o word_n asia_n so_o that_o in_o this_o learned_a man_n judgement_n that_o sequel_n be_v not_o so_o firm_a but_o beside_o though_o i_o do_v not_o love_v to_o play_v with_o word_n more_o than_o needs_o must_v i_o think_v it_o not_o hard_a to_o find_v out_o a_o allusive_a signification_n apposite_a enough_o in_o the_o name_n of_o asia_n to_o the_o mystical_a sense_n intend_v for_o both_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o former_a signify_v fundamentum_fw-la the_o latter_a actio_fw-la or_o effectio_fw-la as_o to_o their_o paronomasticall_a sound_n be_v as_o near_o asia_n as_o the_o nice_a critical_a ear_n can_v require_v in_o these_o case_n and_o for_o the_o sense_n of_o they_o both_o it_o be_v extreme_o accommodate_v to_o the_o present_a purpose_n for_o than_o will_v this_o superscription_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n either_o signify_v to_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o foundation_n that_o be_v that_o keep_v to_o the_o apostolic_a foundation_n in_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n and_o profession_n or_o else_o to_o all_o the_o church_n in_o action_n that_o be_v to_o say_v these_o epistle_n be_v write_v to_o they_o with_o a_o intend_a censure_n of_o their_o action_n and_o it_o be_v say_v express_o by_o the_o logician_n touch_v the_o topick_n of_o effect_n and_o action_n huius_fw-la loci_fw-la sunt_fw-la laudes_fw-la &_o vituperationes_fw-la upon_o which_o all_o these_o 9_o epistle_n altogether_o run_v and_o i_o know_v thy_o work_n begin_v every_o epistle_n beside_o that_o they_o be_v direct_v to_o none_o but_o such_o as_o profess_v the_o fundamental_o of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o nothing_o repugnant_a thereunto_o as_o will_v appear_v in_o our_o interpretation_n of_o they_o nor_o be_v it_o strange_a that_o s._n john_n though_o write_v in_o greek_a shall_v himself_n be_v a_o jew_n make_v a_o allusion_n to_o hebrew_n word_n nor_o be_v it_o without_o example_n for_o the_o son_n of_o sirach_n do_v plain_o in_o that_o passage_n in_o the_o greek_a text_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d allude_v to_o the_o hebrew_n 22._o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o hide_v as_o if_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v as_o much_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 9_o these_o verbal_a allusion_n be_v so_o frequent_a in_o the_o prophetic_a style_n that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n far_o to_o take_v notice_n thereof_o nor_o any_o doubt_n i_o think_v but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n will_v not_o in_o this_o book_n of_o prophecy_n where_o all_o thing_n be_v so_o comprehensive_a and_o majestic_a salute_v only_o seven_o particular_a church_n of_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o with_o such_o pompous_a circumstance_n nor_o when_o he_o have_v begin_v so_o magnificent_o a_o book_n of_o prophecy_n and_o so_o express_o entitle_v it_o so_o that_o he_o will_v immediate_o afterward_o as_o if_o he_o
stage_n but_z if_o thou_o strive_v so_o as_o to_o get_v the_o victory_n in_o the_o way_n i_o have_v instruct_v thou_o i_o will_v translate_v thou_o to_o that_o heavenly_a kingdom_n most_o natural_o and_o proper_o so_o call_v where_o thou_o shall_v sit_v down_o and_o drink_v of_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o vine_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o my_o father_n as_o i_o 29._o after_o i_o have_v overcome_v ascend_v up_o to_o heaven_n into_o those_o glorious_a mansion_n and_o there_o sit_v down_o at_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god_n so_o he_o that_o overcome_v the_o temptation_n and_o encumbrance_n the_o pleasure_n and_o enticement_n of_o this_o low_a world_n will_v i_o cause_v to_o sit_v down_o with_o i_o in_o the_o heavenly_a place_n at_o the_o last_o day_n which_o monition_n be_v the_o more_o seasonable_a by_o how_o much_o more_o near_o the_o approach_n of_o that_o great_a day_n be_v for_o i_o shall_v come_v visible_o to_o judgement_n in_o the_o very_a next_o thunder_n to_o the_o siege_n of_o gog_n and_o magog_n when_o i_o will_v transform_v your_o vile_a body_n into_o the_o similitude_n of_o my_o glorious_a body_n that_o you_o may_v be_v fit_a companion_n for_o i_o in_o heaven_n for_o ever_o behold_v i_o show_v 54._o you_o a_o mystery_n you_o shall_v not_o all_o sleep_n yet_o you_o shall_v all_o be_v change_v that_o mortality_n may_v be_v swallow_v up_o of_o life_n this_o be_v a_o great_a and_o stupendous_a promise_n but_o thou_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v speak_v by_o he_o that_o be_v the_o amen_o the_o true_a and_o faithful_a witness_n and_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o both_o will_n and_o can_v carry_v on_o all_o his_o design_n to_o the_o very_a end_n amen_n 13._o he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n to_o hear_v let_v he_o hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v unto_o 22._o the_o church_n from_o the_o epiphonema_n come_v here_o last_o as_o in_o all_o these_o four_o last_o epistle_n one_o may_v haply_o raise_v this_o objection_n as_o if_o this_o sense_n of_o the_o promise_n immediate_o precede_v it_o be_v not_o political_a or_o prophetical_a enough_o but_o mere_o theological_a the_o promise_n be_v to_o be_v perform_v in_o the_o other_o world_n and_o therefore_o not_o the_o proper_a object_n of_o prophecy_n which_o concern_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o stage_n of_o this_o earth_n and_o that_o this_o therefore_o be_v against_o our_o profess_a rule_n but_o i_o answer_v that_o though_o the_o promise_n of_o obtain_v heaven_n after_o this_o life_n upon_o the_o death_n of_o the_o body_n be_v mere_o a_o theogicall_a promise_n and_o of_o a_o thing_n more_o spiritual_a and_o invisible_a and_o not_o to_o be_v see_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o this_o earth_n yet_o this_o promise_n of_o obtain_v heaven_n at_o the_o resurrection_n and_o general_a day_n of_o judgement_n it_o be_v the_o day_n of_o that_o great_a and_o visible_a assize_n wherein_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o saint_n shall_v appear_v in_o glorify_v body_n may_v well_o be_v range_v in_o the_o same_o order_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o promise_v immediate_o precede_v the_o epiphonemata_fw-la of_o each_o epistle_n and_o to_o be_v accomplish_v visible_o in_o this_o life_n for_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o promise_n in_o brief_a be_v this_o that_o as_o christ_n after_o his_o suffering_n his_o death_n and_o passion_n ascend_v visible_o into_o heaven_n for_o heaven_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o throne_n of_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n and_o so_o heaven_n become_v also_o christ_n throne_n so_o those_o of_o laodicea_n who_o upon_o the_o mortification_n of_o their_o lust_n shall_v attain_v to_o the_o state_n of_o life_n in_o the_o new_a birth_n shall_v ascend_v visible_o into_o christ_n throne_n that_o be_v into_o heaven_n in_o the_o open_a view_n of_o they_o that_o shall_v be_v leave_v here_o on_o the_o earth_n and_o in_o the_o inferior_a region_n of_o the_o air_n sentence_v to_o that_o everlasting_a fire_n prepare_v for_o the_o devil_n and_o his_o angel_n this_o be_v a_o plain_a and_o obvious_a sense_n of_o this_o promise_n and_o such_o as_o the_o place_n of_o the_o epiphonema_n require_v and_o be_v in_o my_o judgement_n no_o mean_a ratification_n of_o the_o true_a and_o literal_a sense_n of_o that_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n touch_v the_o visible_a resurrection_n and_o glorification_n of_o our_o body_n and_o their_o ascension_n into_o the_o heavenly_a region_n against_o such_o as_o will_v whiffle_v away_o all_o these_o truth_n by_o resolve_v they_o into_o a_o mere_a moral_a allegory_n thus_o consonant_a every_o way_n be_v the_o interpretation_n of_o these_o epistle_n both_o to_o themselves_o and_o to_o the_o apostolic_a truth_n chap._n x._o a_o recapitulation_n of_o the_o main_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o mystical_a or_o prophetical_a exposition_n of_o the_o seven_o epistle_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n by_o way_n of_o solution_n of_o difficulty_n touch_v the_o say_a epistle_n and_o their_o circumstance_n otherwise_o hardly_o or_o not_o at_o all_o to_o be_v solve_v 1._o as_o in_o natural_a hypothesis_n those_o be_v account_v true_a that_o solve_v the_o phaenomena_n of_o nature_n the_o most_o natural_o and_o easy_o and_o especial_o if_o such_o as_o be_v no_o otherwise_o solvible_a then_o upon_o the_o propose_a hypothesis_n so_o that_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n i_o mean_v especial_o of_o any_o considerable_a portion_n thereof_o aught_o to_o be_v esteem_v true_a that_o can_v solve_v the_o most_o difficulty_n that_o may_v be_v raise_v concern_v the_o same_o or_o the_o context_n precedent_n or_o subsequent_a thereto_o and_o if_o all_o still_o the_o more_o certain_a and_o if_o unsolvible_a otherwise_o there_o be_v still_o the_o more_o assurance_n of_o undeniable_a demonstration_n now_o how_o near_o this_o mystical_a or_o prophetical_a exposition_n of_o these_o epistle_n approach_n to_o the_o clearness_n of_o this_o case_n i_o will_v leave_v to_o the_o reader_n to_o judge_v after_o he_o have_v consider_v the_o solution_n of_o the_o question_n easy_o raise_v out_o of_o the_o epistle_n themselves_o or_o the_o precedent_a chapter_n and_o not_o easy_o answer_v nor_o at_o all_o satisfactory_o at_o least_o most_o of_o they_o but_o upon_o the_o hypothesis_n we_o have_v go_v 2._o as_o first_o if_o a_o man_n inquire_v why_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n after_o he_o have_v so_o express_o give_v notice_n that_o this_o book_n of_o the_o apocalypse_n be_v to_o show_v unto_o his_o servant_n thing_n that_o be_v to_o come_v and_o call_v it_o plain_o a_o book_n of_o prophecy_n 3._o shall_v start_v so_o unexpected_o from_o the_o title_n and_o intend_a subject_n as_o to_o write_v no_o less_o than_o seven_o epistle_n to_o certain_a church_n that_o have_v nothing_o considerable_a of_o prophecy_n in_o they_o before_o he_o deliver_v any_o prophecy_n proper_o so_o call_v but_o only_o promise_v and_o commination_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v do_v this_o with_o as_o great_a pomp_n and_o as_o high_a a_o preamble_n as_o he_o do_v when_o he_o begin_v so_o famous_a prophecy_n as_o those_o of_o the_o seven_o seal_n and_o the_o open_a book_n but_o according_a to_o our_o hypothesis_n the_o answer_n be_v easy_a viz._n that_o though_o these_o seven_o epistle_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n have_v a_o literal_a sense_n yet_o they_o be_v also_o a_o parable_n or_o prophecy_n and_o of_o as_o high_a concern_v for_o both_o matter_n and_o extent_n of_o time_n they_o reach_v from_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o seal_n and_o open_a book_n and_o that_o they_o be_v usher_v in_o with_o this_o great_a pomp_n on_o purpose_n to_o give_v we_o notice_n thereof_o second_o a_o man_n will_v be_v prone_a to_o inquire_v why_o the_o spirit_n dictate_v letter_n unto_o the_o church_n in_o asia_n and_o not_o rather_o to_o the_o church_n in_o europe_n asia_n and_o africa_n for_o certain_o the_o church_n have_v disspr_v itself_o into_o all_o these_o quarter_n of_o the_o world_n by_o that_o time_n as_o if_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n be_v a_o respecter_n of_o person_n for_o these_o be_v not_o the_o letter_n of_o john_n but_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o our_o answer_n be_v ready_a at_o hand_n that_o for_o the_o significancy_n of_o the_o word_n asia_n to_o comport_v also_o with_o the_o significancy_n of_o the_o name_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n asia_n alone_o be_v pitch_v upon_o but_o according_a to_o the_o prophetical_a sense_n the_o true_a catholic_n church_n be_v write_v unto_o under_o such_o distinct_a condition_n as_o she_o be_v to_o vary_v into_o unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o partiality_n nor_o acception_n of_o person_n in_o this_o three_o if_o a_o man_n demand_v touch_v the_o order_n or_o precedency_n of_o these_o seven_o