already so he intimates to us that Satan and his Instruments more generally and more particularly false teachers would pluck away Christ's Gospel from us if possibly they could Mat. 13. 19. Luke 8. 12. Acts 13. 8 10. â—need therefore we have to take fast hold of Instruction and not let it go to keep it for it is our life and to hold it fast till he come that being faithful unto death we may in due season receive the Crown of Life Prov. 4. 13. and ch 7. 1 5. See the notes on Chap. 3. Verse 3. and Verse 11. Verse 26. And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give power over the Nations In this Verse and the two following we have great and gracious promises propounded to and set before this and the rest of the Churches and which every one that hath an Ear is called upon to hear Wherein consider we 1. The subject of that which is here and afterwards promised 2. That which is promised and assured unto every such an one 1. The subject of that which is here and afterwards promised And he that overcometh See the notes before on Verse 7. and on Chap. 3. Verse 5. And keepeth my words unto the end His Work is honourable and glorious and his Righteousness endureth for ever He hath made his wonderful works to be remembred Psal 111. 2 3 4. The works of Christ which are to be kept by us unto the end are 1. The works which he hath wrought and accomplished for us in his own personal body which the Father prepared for him his personal abasement and sufferings wherein he humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the cross Phil. 2. 6 8. of which he saith as to his suffering work on earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do Joh. 17. 4. and whereby he hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us Gal. 3. 13. purged away the guilt of our first sin and sinfulness from before the presence of God Heb. 1. 3. 1 Joh. 3. 5. Abolished and overcome that first death which was the wages of that first sin and sinfulness and delivered us in himself from it 1 Cor. 15. 57. 2 Tim. 1. 10. 2 Cor. 1. 10. and hath destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Devil For this purpose was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil and he hath done the work which the Father sent him to do he hath bound the strong Man cast out the prince of this world Heb. 2. 14. 1 Joh. 3. 8. Joh. 12. 31. he hath taken out of the way all that was in it contrary to us Oh that Men would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the Children of Men For he hath broken the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron in sunder Ps 107. 15 16. and he hath by his blood in the vertue whereof he is raised again obtained eternal redemption Heb. 9. 12. a restoration of our nature in his person into the image of God and so into perfect innocency integrity and immortality and into dominion over the works of God's hands and recovered our loss into himself having obtained for us the forgiveness of our personal sins Acts 13. 38 39. brought in everlasting righteousness Dan. 9. 24. Ps 98. 1 3 4. received the immeasurable fulness of the Spirit that he might bring forth judgment to us Gentiles Joh. 3. 24. Isay 42. 1. and ch 11. 1 3. and is possessed of eternal life in our nature for Man-kind 1 Joh. 5. 10 11. In him God hath blessed us with all Spiritual blessings in Heavenly things In whom it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell Eph. 1. 3. Col. 1. 19. and ch 2. 6 10. These works which he hath wrought accomplished for us should always be kept in memory by us that we might be glad thorow his work and triumph in the works of his hands in which his loving-kindness is wonderfully manifested to us Ps 92. 1 4 5. and 40. 5 8. and 118. 22 25. 2. And the works which he is now doing both in Heaven with the Father for us in which he is the one and only mediatour between God and Men making intercession for transgressors 1 Tim. 2. 5. Isay 53. 12. and ever liveth to make intercession for them that come to God by him as their advocate Heb. 7. 24 25. and ch 9. 14 15. 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. And what he is doing from Heaven in the name of the Father and fulness of the anointing of the holy Spirit to us as a Testimony of God's goodness to all Men in their proper seasons and ages And as the Apostle of the Believers profession 1 Tim. 2. 6. Heb. 3. 1. 3. And what he will do hereafter viz. give rewards to his Servants the Prophets and to his Saints and them that fear his name small and great and destroy them that destroy and corrupt the earth Rev. 11. 17 18. Isay 45. 16 17. 23 25. These are to be held fast and kept in faith and hope and to be rejoyced in at all times by us And he that doth truth cometh to the light that his works may be made manifest that they are wrought in God Joh. 3. 21. Isay 26. 12. and these works of his are to be kept in our mouths and to be declared to others also that they knowing them may come unto him and put their trust under the shadow of his wings accoring to that Give thanks unto the Lord call upon his name make known his deeds among the people sing unto him sing Psalms unto him talk of all his wondrous works 1 Chron. 16. 8 9. Ps 105. 1 5. declare among the people his doings Ps 9. 11. and 77. 12. Isay 12. 14. And also by Christ's works are meant what he worketh and effecteth in us by his Gospel the work of Faith and labour of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ c. 1 Thes 1. 3 5 6. for the Gospel being heartily received worketh effectually in them that believe 1 Thes 2. 13. he it is that worketh all our works in us and perfects what concerns us even by his Gospel which is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth Isay 26. 12. Ps 138. 8. with Rom. 1. 16. his works even these works of his also are to be held fast by us to the end until we come to lay down our lives Mat. 10. 22. that we may dye in the Faith Heb. 11. 13. Rev. 14. 13. Now herein is intimated and signified to us 1. That the works of Christ as declared in and effected by his Gospel may be kept by us unto the end notwithstanding all opposition whatsoever for he is faithful by whom we have been called to the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord 1 Cor. 1. 8 9. 1
is such raiment as is only to be had and bought of Christ and which the people may buy and wear as well as the Angel and hereby is signified to us righteousness as Rev. 19. 8. so Job saith I put on righteousness and it cloathed me Job 29. 14. And let thy Priests be cloathed with righteousness Ps 132. 9. Isay 61. 10. But now this righteousness which is the White Raiment is not our own righteousness according to the law Rom. 3. 19 20. But the white raiment here spoken of is 1. The righteousness of God without the law which Christ hath wrought and compleated in himself and is become who is Jehovah our righteousness Jer. 23. 6. and so he is compared to a garment and believers are instructed to put him on Rom. 13. 14. and as many as are baptized into Christ are said to have put on Christ Gal. 3. 27. Col. 3. 10. Eph. 4. 23 24. And Christ is and in him appears the righteousness of God and so he is become righteousness for us in taking our nature upon him and therein being made sin and a curse and so tasting death by the grace of God for every Man whereby righteousness is come God made him to be sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5. 21. If righteousness come by the law then Christ hath died in vain Gal. 2. 21. In which is implied that to the end he might bring in everlasting righteousness he must dye Dan. 9. 24 26. and he is raised again as the publick Man And so he is raised for our justification Rom. 4. 25. 1 Tim. 3. 16. 1 Cor. 1. 30. 2. By this White Raiment or those White garments are meant the fruits of this righteousness believed Jam. 3. 18. For this the Apostle prays for the Phillippians that they might be sincere and without offence being filled with the fruits of righteousness which fruits are by Jesus Christ received and believed in unto the Glory and praise of God Phil. 1. 9 10 11. and of these fruits there are some more inward and some more outward Those more inward and wrought in the Spirit of the mind by the Spirit in the Testimony in glorifying Christ and taking of his things and shewing unto us are Humility This is compared to a garment Be ye all cloathed with humility 1 Pet. 5. 4. Col. 3. 12. and this garment these needed to buy of Christ for they were lifted up with high thoughts and conceits of themselves we have seen v. 17. Zeal for God to be clad herewith as with a cloak Isay 59. 17. this was that also which this Angel and Church were destitute of they were Lukewarme and neither cold nor hot as we have seen before This was therefore needful to be bought by them in and with humility and unless that be put on this cannot be had by us for while Men have high thoughts of themselves and their attainments this disposes them to Lukewarmness and hinders them from being zealous Bowels of mercy kindness c. are also to be put on by his Angels and Churches not only outward acts of mercy but bowels of mercy Col. 3. 12. and these garments aptly follow and are joyned with zeal for when the love and loveliness of Christ is so known and believed and considered by us as to enflame our hearts with love to him together herewith also we are led and prevailed with to put on Bowels of mercies and to be tender-hearted unto all Meekness also is to be put on by them as a garment Col. 3. 12. The ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit which is in the sight of God of great price 1 Pet. 3. 1 5. and this is joyned with and put as the consequent of lowliness Eph. 4. 2. and of humbleness of mind Col. 3. 12. and meekness and lowliness of heart were conjoyned in our Saviour Mat. 11. 29. Prov. 13. 10. Jam. 3. 13 17. Charity also is to be put on by us above all things have â—ervent charity among your selves 1 Pet. 4. 8. above all these things put on charity which is the bond of perfectness Col. 3. 14. Let all your things be done with charity 1 Cor 16. 14. and indeed in putting on charity we put on all the other garments before spoken of In putting on this we shall put on humility for charity vaunts not it self is not puffed up 1 Cor. 13. 4. in putting on this we put on zeal and fervency hence it is called fervent charity 1 Pet. 4. 8. Cant. 8. 6 7. In putting on this we put on bowels of mercies kindness Charity suffers long and is kind 1 Cor. 13. 4. Luke 6. 27 38. see notes before on ch 2. v. 19. about charity And by the fruits of righteousness and so by those White garments are meant those more outward even the holding forth the word of life in word and conversation so as the grace of God in its efficacies and outward works may be seen and beheld of all Men Acts 11. 22. Phil. 2. 13 16. Mat. 5. 16. Col. 3. 5 9 15. 2. Why is this raiment said to be white and what is imported therein 1. In general we may say in this expression there is allusion and reference to the garments that the Priests and Levites did wear and in which they did minister Euod 28. 39 43. Lev. 16. 4 23. 2 Chron. 5. 12. and â—ow the Priest-hood being changed there is made of necessity a change also of the law Heb. 7. 12. we have an High-priest after the order of Melchisedeck and he is King of righteousness who hath brought in an everlasting righteousness and is cloathed therewith Isay 61. 10. and hath it to confer upon and cloath with all that are born of him Heb. 7. 1 2. 1 Joâ— 3. 6. and all that are born of and come to him are made Priests be they Jew or Gentile male or female 1 Pet. 2. 4 9. Rev. 1. 5 6. 2. More particularly this raiment is said to be White to note the purity thereof So those garments those white garments of the Priests in former times are said to be holy Lev. 16. 4 32. Ezek. 44. 16. 19. So clean and white and pure and white are put together To signify That whiteness and cleanness or purity do meet together here Rev. 19. 8. and 15. 6. and so this white raiment is holy 3. This raiment is white as the light Mat. 17. 2. shining and glistering Mark 9. 3. Luke 9. 29. such as being bought by his Angels and Churches and put on and found in is powerful to give light to such as have their understandings darkned and to discover and cure their errours and mistakes 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. 4. This Raiment is said to be white to signify to us that it is raiment of praise and beauty of rejoycing and gladness It betokens and occasions joy and rejoycing as black is a token of sadness or mourning Mal. 3. 14. So white of
3. 8 9. and ch 4. 10. Now the Angels are never said so to be upon Christ but the Holy Spirit is often said to be The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him Isay 11. 1 2. I have put my trust upon him Isay 42. 1. And Christ saith The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me Isay 61. 1. Luke 4. 18. 3. Because they are named with the Father and the Son as also Mat. 28. 19. 1 Joh. 5. 7. And here named before Jesus Christ 4. It also appears that hereby the Holy Spirit is intended because of that Description Christ gives of himself in ch 3. 1. when he sends a message to the Angel of the Church in Sardis of whom he saith Thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God Surely the understanding the seven Spirits to mean that one Spirit best suited their condition For hereby he was fitted to see and know what they were to wit dead whatever name they had And hereby â—e is become a quickening Spirit to quicken such dead Souls Luke 4. 18. See Notes on ch 4. v. 5. Nor is that said of the seven Angels the same with this said of the seven Spirits for they are said to stand before God as ministring serving Spirits Rev. 8. 2. with Dan. 7. 10. But these seven Spirits are only said to be before the Throne where Christ also is and they are upon him ch 4. 5. and ch 5. 6. Hereby then the Holy Spirit the Spirit of the Father and Son is meant and intended And he may be called The seven Spirits not with respect to his Essence But 1. In some such sense as Christ's Sacrifice is called Sacrifices as where it is said The Heavenly things must be purified with better Sacrifices than these Heb. 9. 23. Whereas indeed that which Christ offered for Purgation was but one Oblation once offered as is said After he had offered one Sacrifice for Sins for ever sate down c. Heb. 10. 10. 12. for by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified v. 14. 18. and ch 7. 27. and ch 9. 25 26. Now that one Sacrifice might be called Sacrifices to signifie that it is the truth and hath the worth of all other Sacrifices which are many yea it is infinitely more acceptable and valuable So this one Spirit may be called seven to signifie it is the most perfect Spirit seven being a number of perfection and infinitely more excellent and glorious than all other which are ministring Spirits Heb. 1. 14. 2. Seven Spirits With respect to his manifold Gifts Graces Operations Influences c. 1 Cor. 12. 4 11. and so possibly with allusion to Isay 11. 2 3. where he is seven times named The Spirit of the LORD the Spirit of wisdom and understanding the Spirit of Counsel and might the Spirit of Knowledge and of the fear of the LORD 3. Called seven because of the seven Churches here saluted and seven Stars v. 16. ch 3. 1. To signifie this Spirit was able to supply all their wants and to furnish them with all Gifts and Graces and perfect whatever did concern them yea and he is sent forth into all the Earth for the good of men more generally Rev. 5. 6. Zech. 4. 10. Isay 42. 1 5. And these are said to be before his Throne to be sent forth by him and to be sent forth in Righteousness for he sits in the Throne judging right Ps 9. 4. Now from this Spirit also Grace and Peace is voted and desired for he is the Spirit of Grace Zech. 12. 10. Heb. 10. 29. the good Spirit Ps 143. 10. The Spirit of Love 2 Tim. 1. 7. And it is his work and office to bear witness of the Blood of Christ and Grace therein commended and Peace thereby made And to preach Peace to us and fill us with it and effect it as a vertue in us Eph. 2. 13 17. with 1 Pet. 3. 18 19. Rom. 14. 17. Gal. 5. 22. Verse 5. And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness and the first begotten of the Dead and the Prince of the Kings of the Earth unto him that loved us and washed us from our Sins in his own Blood In the former part of this Verse we have a further account given to us from whom the Apostle votes Grace and Peace to be unto the Churches and he is mentioned after the Spirit which is not usual because he is largely described and spoken of in what followeth as may be seen by any And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness Of the love and faithfulness of the Father to us as the Lord saith Behold I have given him for a witness to the People Isay 55. 1 4. 1 Joh. 4. 8 10 14. 1 Joh. 3. 16. He is the faithful witness as a Peace-maker having made Peace by the Blood of his Cross Col. 1. 20. So he is the great and undoubted evidence and manifestation of God's Grace to us poor sinful creatures of Mankind The gift of his grace Rom. 5. 15 18. He by the Grace of God tasted death for every man and gave himself a ransome for all Heb. 2. 9. 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. and also in his abasement and sufferings he is the faithful witness and evidence of the faithfulness of God in keeping Covenant and Mercy God raised him up that Horn of Salvation in the House of his Servant David as he spake by the Mouth of his Holy Prophets To perform the Mercy promised to our Fore-fathers and to remember his Holy Covenant The Oath which he sware c. Luk. 1. 54 55 68 73. Act. 13. 23 32 33. Psal 89. 1 19 20. And in his Cross he is the faithful witness of his own pity and compassion to us and that he is the Son of the Father in love 2 Joh. 3 Such was the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich yet for our sakes he became poor 2 Cor. 8. 9. 1 Joh. 3. 16. And as Job's wrinckles were a witness Job 16. 8. so his great condescension and death were a witness of his wonderful love to the World which appeared herein to be such as passeth knowledge Eph. 3. 16. 19. from him is Grace and Peacestill voted who gave himself for our Sins that he might deliver us from this present evil World Gal. 1. 3 4. And who hath made Peace for us by his Blood and is our Peace the Prince of Peace Eph. 2. 13 15. Col. 1. 20. Isay 9. 6. Hebr. 7. 1 2. And the faithful witness As a Peace-preacher and that both 1. In his Word and Testimony 1 Tim. 2. 6. Rev. 20. 4. In which he gives a true witness of all things of God Man Sin Righteousness Life Death c. 1 Joh. 2. 20 27. Joh. 16. 7 14. A faithful witness who doth not lye Prov. 14. 5. A true witness that delivereth Souls v. 25. who is the saviour of all men
4 5. If Men only had blamed thee and Charged thy works with imperfection it had been no great thing and thou needest not much have laid it to thy heart for they are liable to mistake and erre But I who have the seven Spirits of God have searched into thy works and have not found them perfect before God therefore remember c. It is high time for us to remember and consider our ways when he in his word reproves us for we cannot disanull his judgment Job 40. 8. he cannot be deceived Now in this direction and instruction there are three Branches 1. Remember how thou hast received and heard 2. And hold fast 3. And repent 1. Remember therefore how thou hast received and â—eard Quest But why saith he how thou hast received and â—eard and not rather how thou hast heard and received seeing many times hearing is put before receiving in the order of words as Prov. 4. 10. and ch 19. 20. Mark 4. 16 20. Ans 1. This order is not always observed sometimes received is put before heard and that when Back-sliders are not spoken unto As the Apostle saith to the Philippians those things which ye have received and heard do Phil. 4. 9. And the Lord saith to Ezekiel Receive in thine heart and hear with thine ears c. Ezek. 3. 10. And therefore when there is a different order in the expressions frequently the order of words proves nothing though it doth when it 's usually observed Rom. 10. 9 10. Rev. 10. 9 10. Joh. 6. 27. 2. These two expressions may be duly placed in order as we may understand them And so by Received may mean received with thine ears and heard to wit in hearing which includes also believing and receiving in believing so receiving is with the ear As let your â—ar receive the word of his mouth Jer. 9. 20. so Eliphaz saith now a thing was secretly or by stealth brought to me and mine â—ar received a little thereof which is the same with that afterwards I heard a voice Job 4. 12 16. and sometimes as is said hearing includes and contains believing or receiving by faith As hear and your Souls shall live Isay 55. 3. they that hear shall live Joh. 5. 25. and many times when it is mentioned alone or after some other act of ours as here it doth so signify and however we shall so look upon it here Remember how thou hast received to wit with thine ears And heard namely in hearing Now then in this direction and instruction let us consider 1. The matter or thing to be remembred how thou hast received and heard 2. the Act which is required of them Remember 1. The matter or thing to be remembred how thou hast received and heard Now by this word how we may understand 1. What or the thing which they had received and heard so the word how is sometimes to be taken and understood so that which is in one Evangelist take heed how ye hear is thus expressed in an other take heed what ye hear compare Luke 8. 18. with Mark 4. 24. so when our Saviour saith to the Lawyer what is written in the law how readest thou he means how as included therein what readest thou Luke 10. 26. so remember how that is what he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee saying the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful Men c. Luke 24. 6. compare also Mat. 22. 31. with Mark 12. 26. and so it is as if Christ should say remember what thou hast received and heard And that which they had received with the â—ar and heard and so received in believing was Jesus Christ by his Spirit he and the things of him are to be heard by us and the first things also he received honour and Glory from his Father when he said this is my beloved Son hear him Mat. 17. 5. with 2 Pet. 1. 17. and the things to be heard from the beginning are that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that he was buried And that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures and that he was seen of Cephas c. 1 Cor. 15. 1 4. with 1 Joh. 2. 24. and he and the things of him are to be received by Faith in believing As the Apostle signifies saying As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord walk ye in him Col. 2. 6. And with him God gives all things freely the believer receives them by Faith Rom. 8. 32. Even all things that pertain to life and godliness 2 Pet. 1. 3. Christ himself is that which is received by the faith of the operation of God Joâ— 1. 12. And he that hath received and hath him hath life 1 Joh. 5. 12. hath the forgiveness of his sins 1 Joh. 2. 12. Joh. 5. 24. And so he is delivered in his mind and conscience from under the guilt and accusation of sin by the law and from the â—ears of God's wrath because of his natural and necessary sinfulness and pollution The law of the Spirit of life in Christ makes him free from the law of sin and death By shewing unto him That what the law could not do in that it was weak thorow the flesh God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Rom. 8. 2 3. so as there remains no more conscience of sin to him on that account Heb. 10. 2 5 22. 2 Pet. 1. 9. yea and also he with Christ receives in believing the remission of his own personal sins and is justified from all things from which Men could not be justified by the law of Moses Acts 10. 43. and ch 13. 38 39. And so hath peace with God his Soul is delivered from death and his eyes from tears Rom. 4. 25. and 5. 1. Ps 116. 7 8 16. and with Christ he receives righteousness Prov. 8. 18. yea Christ is made of God to him righteousness Jer. 23. 6. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Rom. 3. 22. and his conscience is by the blood of Christ purged from dead works from the life-less and unprofitable works of his own righteousness Heb. 9 14. with Isay 57. 12. he is dead to the law by the body of Christ crucified with Christ thereto Rom. 7. 3 5. Gal. 2. 19 21. in receiving Christ he partakes of the â—avour of God Prov. 8. 35. and 1â— 14 16. Is a Son of God by Faith in Christ Jesus and what manner of love is this Joh. 1. 12. 1 Joh. 3. 1 2. Is quickneâ— to a liveâ—y hope by the resurection of Christ from the dead an hope that will not make ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost that while we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly 1 Pet. 1. 3 5. Rom. 5. 2 5 10. and unto new and living affections and services Rom. 8. 3 4. 1 Joh. 4. 14 19. and v. 7
1 13. And this is he who now stands at the everlasting doors of the Soul and knocks even the Lord strong and mighty the Lord mighty in battel compare Ps 24. 7 10. with Rev. 3. 20 21. Oh then be we of good cheer for his right hand and his holy arme hath gotten him the victory Ps 98. 1 4. Joh. 16. 33. and open we to him continually and believe we with the heart the victory and conquest he hath gotten that there-thorow we may do valiantly Rom. 8. 36 39. 1 Joh 5. 4 5. 2. He is set down with his Father in his throne namely on the account of his overcoming as it is said when he had by himself purged our sins he sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high Heb. 1. 3. and ch 10. 10 12 because he humbled himself became obedient to death the death of the cross Therefore also hath God highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name c. Phil. 2. 6 8 10. and herein is imported and signified to us 1. That that Christ is in Heaven in that glorious place so called with his Father for there is God's throne as it is said The Lord's throne is in heaven Ps 11. 4. see notes on ch 4. v. 2. thither is Christ gone he is gone up into and received in Heaven Luke 24. 51. Mark 16. 19. 1 Pet. 3. 22. And it is said of Stephen He looked up stedfastly into Heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God Acts 7. 55 56. and ch 3. 20 21. 2. Herein is directly said he is set down with his Father in his throne viz. 1. He is there an High-priest a Kingly High-priest Zech. 6. 13. King of righteousness and King of peace Heb. 7. 1. him hath God exalted with and to his right hand a prince and Saviour to give repentance and forgiveness of sins Acts 5. 31. he is the High-priest upon the throne who makes intercession for transgressours Isay 53. 12. and the one and only mediatour between God and Men 1 Tim. 2. 5. For every high-priest is taken from among Men and is ordained for Men for the good of Men in things pertaining to God who can have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way Heb. 5. 1 2. he is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world 1 Joh. 2. 2. with ch 5. 19. he who died for all Men now appears making intercession for them while they are joyned to all the living thorow whom God is long-suffering because he is not willing that any Man should perish but that all should come to repentance and be saved 2 Pet. 3. 9 15. 1 Tim. 2. 4 5. he is the lamb of God who is in the midst of the throne that taketh away the sin of the world compare Joh. 1. 29. with Rev. 5. 6. And he is the High-priest of the believers profession Heb. 3. 1. who ever liveth to make intercession for them that come unto God by him and is therefore able to save them to the uttermost Heb. 7. 24 26. and this may strengthen them to hold fast the profession of their faith without wavering and to come with boldness to the throne of grace that they may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need Heb. 4. 14 16. and 8. 1 3. â—nd ch 10. 18 23 25. he is their advocate with the Father with his Father as here our advocate is the Kings Son and with their Father to personate them to plead their cause present their suites manage their matters obtain gracious returns for them and to perfect whatsoever doth concern them 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. Ps 138. 8. 2. He is on his Fathers throne he is Lord of all Acts 10. 36. all power given to him both in heaven and in earth Mat. 28. 18. he is set on the throne of Majesty and Sovereignty the throne of the Kingdome Deut. 17. 18. 2 Sam. 7. 13. 1 King 1. 46. To sit on the throne is to reign compare 1 King 3. 6. with 2 Chron. 1. 8. or to be the ruler compare 1 King 9. 5. with 2 Chron. 7. 18. or to be the governour hence the throne is called the throne of the governour Neh. 3. 7. and he is indeed God's King whom he hath set upon his holy hill of Zion Ps 2. 6. one on whose shoulders is the government Isay 9. 6. The Father hath committed all judgment all the government unto him Joh. 5. 22. he is King of nations the King of all the earth Ps 47. and that for the good of Men generally and hence all the earth is called upon to sing a new song â—ecause he reigneth Ps 96. 1 10. and 97. 1. and 98. 1 6. and for the especial good of them that believe for he is the Saviour of all Men especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 10. Isay 52. 7. Zech. 9. 10. he hath a peculiar care of and favour toward them that kiss him and submit unto the scepter of his Kingdom Isay 49. 13 16. and 51. 22. Ps 146. 10. therefore they may rejoyce and run with patience the race set before them because he indured the cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God Heb. 12. 1 2. and need not be afraid with any fear of amazement Ps 9. 1 7 9. and 46. he is on the throne who hath died yea rather is risen again and all thrones and things are under him Col. 1. 16 17. Eph. 1. 20 21 22 23. 1 Pet. 3. 22. 2. We have nextly to consider that which is proposed to and set before the Churches and assured as the portion of the overcomer To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne where we have 1. The subject To him that overcometh Rev. 12. 11. Eph. 6. 10 17. there must be a warfare and a conquest Now here we may note That though Christ hath overcome yet he hath not so destroyed our enemies but that they are in being still and we have them to fight with and overcome indeed as to their first work he hath destroyed them so as none shall perish for ever in that first death and all our enemies are Christs captives But yet they are in being still and he doth permit them to act for our exercise we have sin within us the world death and Satan to be our enemies But thorow him we may be more than conquerours and shall in believing on him who is he that that overcometh the world but he that believeth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God 1 Joh. 5. 4 5. 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. 1 Pet 5. 8 9. This may encourage us to fight because Christ hath overcome he hath led captivity captive The captain of our Salvation is made perfect thorow the sufferings Heb. 2. 10. and now is upon his Father's throne 2. Consider we that which
of the Angels but as they were sinning Angels as they kept not their first estate but left their own their proper habitation or house They had an house prepared for them in Heaven at first and given to them and that was their proper house as they were created of God at fiâ—st in the truth but because they kept not their principality nor abode in the truth in which they were created but left their proper house and sinned against God they were cast down to Hell Everlasting fire was prepared for the Devil as a Devil as one that abode not in the truth and his Angels and not for Gods Angels 2 Pet. 2. 4. Jude 6. 1 Tim. 3. 6. Matth. 25. 41. with John 8. 44. And that mankind fell under his wrath and the sentence of death it was because of sin By one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Rom. 5. 12. and chap. 6. 23. And when they had thus sinned and God might righteously have cast them off and destroyed them for ever yet then God manifested he had no pleasure in the everlasting destruction of any of mankind in that he devised such a blessed device that his banished should not be expelled from him He so loved the world of mankind that he gave his Son by his grace to taste death for every man John 3. 16 17. Hebr. 2. 9. and raised him from the dead for their justification Rom. 4. 25. with chap. 3. 23 24. And Christ hath purged away the guilt of that first sin and sinfulness from before the presence of God 2. Cor. 5. 19 21. with Hebr. 1. 3. abolished that first death which otherwise would have been everlasting 2 Tim. 1. 10. with Rom. 6. 23. and will in due season destroy it 1 Cor. 15. 26. and destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Devil Hebr. 2. 9-14 So as no man shall perish for ever in that first death but all shall be raised out of it by the man Jesus Christ who is become the resurrection and the life 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. And when raised no man shall be cast into the second death for that first sin and sinfulness simply but for loving darkness rather than light after light was vouchsafed to them The soul that sinneth it shall dye Jer. 31. 29 30. Ezek. 18. 1 2 4. And now he hath declared that he doth not willingly afflict nor grieve the children of men no not with such afflictions as are but for a moment Lament 3. 32 33. It is his work his strange work his act his strange act Isa 28. 21. Hebr. 12. 10. Much less doth he delight in the eternal ruine and misery of any of them no not of the vilest of them while it is called to day This was not his will or pleasure concerning them or any of them in creating them nor is it in preserving them while they are joyned to all the living Eccles 9. 4. So much himself plainly intimates to us in his own word saying Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should dye saith the Lord God And not that he should return from his ways and live Whereto himself gives answer saying I have no pleasure none at all in the death of him that dyeth saith the Lord God Ezek. 18. 23. with vers 31 32. And lest we should thorow unbelief question the truth of his word to put an end to all strife and gainsaying he hath confirmed the same with his Oath charging his Prophet thus to speak say unto them As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wiâ—ked turn from his way and live Ezek. 33. 11. with Hebr. 6. 16 17 18. He is not willing that any should perish 2 Pet. 3. 9. Ezek. 18. 30 31 32. But 2. His will and pleasure in creating them was 1. That they might know and have fellowship with and serve him who is their Creator and therefore he made them in a good and honourable condition God said Let us make man in our Image after our likeness and let them have dominion c. So God created man in his own Image in the Image of God created he him c. to wit in knowledg righteousness and true holiness Col. 3. 10. Ephes 4. 24. Gen. 1. 26 27. Psal 49. 12-20 God made man upright Eccles 7. 29. And as he made them in that good upright and holy condition so it was his pleasure they should have continued therein For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness his countenance doth behold the upright Psal 11. 7. I know O my God saith the Prophet that thou hast pleasure in uprightness 1 Chron. 29. 17. with Psal 5. 4. and Eccles 5. 4. And of such Angels as abode in that holy and honourable state he made them in it is said They do his pleasure Psal 103. 20 21. And it also appears that it was his will and pleasure that mankind should have continued in that good and upright condition he made them in In that he gave them such an easie and gracious law to testifie their love obedience and subjection to their Creator in only forbidding them to eat of one tree whereas many were allowed them And in that he so threatned them that in the day they eat thereof in dying they should dye Gen. 2. 16 17. In which he plainly signified that it was his pleasure that they should not eat thereof and he was greatly displeased with them when they had transgressed his Commandment And therefore it was not his will they should have eaten thereof Psal 101. 3. 2. And for his pleasure they are and are preserved and continued and that to a gracious end while they are joyned to all the living when mankind had sinned he â—ound out a ransom and provided a remedy for them He so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son John 3. 16 17. And Christ came from Heaven to do the will of him that sent him the pleasure of his Father John 6. 38. Hebr. 10. 5 8 9. Isa 53. 10. And his will was that Christ should dye for all men and rise again and deliver them from perishing for ever in that first death 2 Cor. 1. 10. And that he should obtain eternal life into himself for them 1 John 5. 10 11. and be a Testimony to them in due time that thorow him they might be saved John 3. 17. and chap. 12. 47. In all which we may see that his will concerning mankind is that they should be saved and come to the knowledg of the truth 1 Timothy 2. 4 5 6 7. that he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance to which end his grace bringeth salvation to all men 2 Pet. 3. 9. Tit. 2. 11. Ezek. 18. 23 30 32. and chap. 33. 11. This is his will that they should be sanctified and
the Apostle Heb. 7. 14. And indeed Christ is the He unto whom principally Jacob had respect when he prophetically saith Gen. 49. 8. Judah thou art he whom thy Brethren shall praise His Brethren to wit the Saints and holy Ones For whosoever shall do the will of Christ's Father which is in Heaven the same is his Brother c. Matth. 12. 50. Heb. 2. 11 12. Now these Brethren of his shall praise him He is the Praise the Subject-matter of the Praise of all his Saints even of the Children of Israel the Israel of God Psal 148. 14. Hence also that Exhortation Let the Children of Zion be joyful in their King let them praise his Name in the dance let them sing praises unto him c. Psal 149. 2 3. with Zech. 9. 9. and Matth. 21. 4 5. his Fathers Children bow down before him to wit as many as receive him even such as believe on his Name for all these are born of God who is his Father also and most fully As he saith I ascend to my Father and your Father to my God and to your God Joh. 1. 12 13. with Chap. 20. 17. 1. Joh. 3. 1. with Rev. 5. 8 9. like that Blessing wherewith Isaac blessed Jacob when he said Be Lord over thy Brethren and let thy Mothers Sons bow down to thee Gen. 27. 29. And he hath this Title given unto him by the Elder here to wit The Lion of the Tribe of Juda To shew that he was aimed at pointed unto by that Lyon whereto Judah is compared by Jacob in his Prophecy which had especial respect to the last days in which Christ who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation or dejection of the world was manifested 1 Pet. 1. 20. with Gen. 49. 1. For to him all the Prophets gave witness Act. 10. 43. And so we shall speak unto this Title given to Christ by this Elder as it hath reference to that Prophesie and no otherwise viz. in Gen. 49. 9. Judah is a Lyons whelp And this signifies to us 1. His stoutness As it is said the stout Lyons whelps Job 4. 11. And as it is said of valiant stout-hearted ones he that is valiant whose heart is as the heart of a Lion 2 Sam. 17. 10. so we may say concerning Jesus Christ he was one that was stout and bold indeed as a Lion Luke 9. 51. with Prov. 28. 1. He gave his back to the smiters and his cheeks to them that plucked off the hair he hid not his face from shame and spitting he set his face like a flint as knowing he should not be ashamed Isa 50. 5 6-9 And though he knew what great sorrows and sufferings he should endure for our sakes and sins and what mighty and numerous enemies he had to grapple withal yet he was not â—aunted nor discouraged but when his hour was even come he saâ—â—h to his Disciples Arise let us go hence to wit into the Garden where 〈…〉 ed as even saying by this action 〈◊〉 â—s â—ea◠〈…〉 who will contend with me Let us stand together Who is 〈◊〉 Adversary let him come near to me Behold the Lord GOD will help me who is he that shall condemn me John 14. 31 and chap. 18. 1-4 with Isai 50. 8-10 Psal 128. 6-13 14. So stout-hearted and Lion-like was he that he hardned himself against all he should meet with and endure The Cup which my Father hath given me to drink saith he shall I not drink it Joh. 18. 11. Heb. 10. 5-9 Isai 43. 1-3 2. A Lions whelp Compared hereto also to denote his great strength as well as courage As it is said A Lion which is strongest among beasts and turneth not away for any Prov. 30. 30. And as it is said of Saul and Jonathan they were stronger than Lions 2 Sam. 1. 23. so may we truly say of Christ He is one that is great in strength God herein laid help upon One that was Mighty Psal 89. 19. This Child hath been born for us is Wonderful Counsellour the mighty God Isai 9. 6. He came travelling in the greatness of his strength mighty to save us from the hand of our Enemies and from all that hated us Isai 63. 1 2. with Luke 1. 70 71. This is that horn of Salvation that mighty powerful Saviour which God hath raised up for us in the house of his Servant David Luke 1. 68 69. and Chap. 2. 40. This was he that was stronger than the strong man armed who hath come upon him and overcome him Luke 11. 20 21 22. 1 John 3. 5-8 3. A Lions whelp To tear and devour As it is said Like a Lion that is greedy of his prey and as it were a young Lion lurking in secret places Psal 17. 12. But to this we may speak more afterwards From the prey my Son thou art gone up This is also spoken of Judah the Son of Jacob in the Type and of Christ the Son of Jacob also in the truth who is principally the Lion of this Tribe Now herein is implied 1. That Jesus Christ came down to the Prey He came to take a spoil and to take a prey as Ezek. 38. 12 Namely He descended into the Battle like a Lion to lay hold on the prey as Isai 5. 29. to destroy all his and our Enemies as to their first work As it is said of Jacob He shall be as a Lion among the Beasts of the Forest as a young Lion among the flocks who treadeth down and teareth in pieces and none can deliver Mica 5. 8 9. So he came down from Heaven into the Battle 1 Sam. 26. 10. to prevail against his Enemies to devour the prey and divide the spoyl as Gen. 49. 27. For this purpose was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil 1 John 3. 5-8 Luke 1. 69-74 Forasmuch as the Children were partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same that through death that death which by the Grace of God he tasted for every man he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil Heb. 2. 14. with ver 9. And he came down to save and deliver us who were become a prey to Satan He was made of a woman made under the Law to redeem them that were under the Law Gal. 4. 4 5. with Rom. 3. 19. He tasted death that through death he might also deliver them who through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage the bondage of the Devil Heb. 2. 9-15 He came down to rescue us out of the hands of the oppressor and to deliver us out of the power of all our Enemies Luke 1. 72 73 74. 2. And from the prey he is gone up He is gone up with ashout the LORD with the sound of a Trumpet sing praises to God sing praises sing praises unto our King sing praises Psal 47. 1. 5-6 He who descended into the lowest parts of the Earth is
this high honour at the hands of God thy Father as is intimated ver 12. It is the reward of his sufferings as the Prophet prophetically â—aith His reward is with him and recompence for his work before him Isa 40. 10. And as himself saith My judgment is with the Lord and my reward with my God Isa 49. 4 5. see the notes before on ver 2. He hath prevailed with God his Father to undertake and accomplish this great work here spoken of see the notes before on ver 5. He was faithful to him that appointed him in that hard and difficult work and therefore he was worthy as he saith to his Father I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do and now O Father glorifie me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee c. John 17. 4 5. And thou art worthy And dost infinitely deserve it at our hands that we should thus have thy â—igh praises in our hearts and mouths that we should sing unto thee a new Song and thy praise in the congregation of Saints for thy wonderful love to us thou hast laid infinite engagements and obligations upon us so to do for we are not our own but thou hast bought us with a precious Christ and and redeemed us unto God by thy blood therefore we ought to glorifie thee both in our body and spirit which are thine 1 Cor. 6. 19 20. And in so doing we give thee but according to the deserving of thine hands as Judg. 9. 16. according to thine excellent work yea Who can shew forth all his praises Psal 106. 1-3 And thou art worthy to wit able for this great work and business and none but thou Thou hast wisdom and skill to do it Col. 2. 3. thou hast seven eyes which are the seven Spirits of God and thou hast all power and authority for thou hast seven Horns ver 6. Matth. 28. 18. Phil. 2. 6-9 see notes before on ver 3. of this Chapter But what is he worthy to do To take the Book to receive authority and power to take the Book into thine hand in order to the opening it and making known Gods mind and will therein see the notes before on ver 7. And to open the seals thereof to unfold its mysteries and reveal its depths and to read it to John or any others of his Saints and cause them to understand the reading Nehem. 8. 7 8. Dan. 2. 18 23. see notes before on chap. 1. ver 3. which no creature in Heaven or Earth c. was able or worthy to do see notes on ver 3. and ver 4. We have nextly to consider the Reason or Reasons of his worthiness to do these things and to have this glory and honour ascribed and rendred to him by these Saints and holy Ones which follow in order to be considered and spoken unto by us 1. For thou wast slain â—hou even he before whom they prostrate themselves and who is the object of their divine and religious worship and adoration he was slain he who was and is the true God over all God blessed for ever Rom. 9. 5. Phil. 2. 6 8. Act. 20. 28. 1 John 3. 16. as we have ofâ— said in these notes He was put to death in the flesh and crucified thorow weakness 1 Pet. 3. 18. 2 Cor. 13. 4. He is Emmanuel God with us God-man and he that person who is the true God and eternal life 1 John 5. 20. was manifest in the flesh 1 John 1. 2. with with 1 Tim. 3. 16. and laid down his life for us according to the flesh or humane nature Wast slâ—in not only did he endure and suffer great things here before his hour came and was greatly abased though indeed all his life-time here he was poor and mean He was despised and rejected of men a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and in all points tempted like unto us yet without sin Luke 9. 58. Isa 53. 3 4 5. Heb. 2 17 18. and chap 4 14. But he was also put to death he was slain and slaughtered for us Matth. 21. 38 39. Luke 9. 22. Act. 2. 23. and 7. 52. and chap. 10. 39. and 13. 28. and he was slain both as a sacrifice for our sins Acts 7. 42. Rom. 4. 25. and as a Martyr for the Gospel preached by him see the notes before on chap. 1. ver 18. One drop of Christs Blood was not sufficient to purge away our sins and make peace for then the greatest part of what he endured was in vain and he suffered and under went needless pain and torments but Christ must needs have suffered and been put to death for us Act. 17. 2 3. And thou wast slain not only in the purpose and fore-ordainment of God as 1 Pet. 1. 20. Rev. 13. 8. but actually so Christ suffered for sinâ— the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh 1 Pet. 1. 19 20. and chap. 3. 18. Heb. 9. 26. though he was a Lamb a Lamb without blemish and without spot a meek innocent harmless one one that knew no sin nor ever did any yet he was brought as a Lamb to the slaughter and actually slain and killed for us 1 Pet. 1. 19. and chap. 2. 20 23. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Isa 53. 5 7. Acts 8. 32. Thou wa st slain not art slain no he liveth who was dead and behold â—e is alive for evermore he was dead and is alive Rev. 1. 18. and chap. 2. 8. He is raised from the dead and shall dye no more death hath no more dominion over him for in that he died he died unto sin once but in that he liveth he liveth unto God Rom. 6. 9 10. Act. 13. 32 34. see notes before on ver 6. of this Chapter Now for this Reason and upon this account Thou art worthy to take the Book c. because thou wast slain Worthy to receive all power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing from God the Father Rev. 5. 12. therefore doth his Father love him and hath so loved him as to give all things into his hand because he laid down his life that he might take it again Joh. 10. 17. with Chap. 3. 35. and 13. 3. Because he humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the Cross therefore also God hath highly exalted him and given him a name above every name c. Phil. 2. 8-10 Joh. 17. 4 5. Luk. 24. 25 26 27. Isa 53. 11 12. Heb. 2. 9 10. And on this account also he is worthy to be praised and glorified by all the Saints and holy ones and that at all times they should render praise honour and glory unto him because he was slain Rev. 5. 13 14. and Chap. 7. 10. He gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world To him be glory for ever and ever Amen Gaâ— 1. 4 5. He
what have I to do with thee mine hour is not yet come Job 2. 4. And to his Brethren My time is not yet come but your time is alway ready Joh. 7. 6. He knowes the fittest day for every purpose and thing but this is a great part of Man's misery he knows not the opportune season Eccl. 9. 12. Or 2. On the Lords Day The Sabbath-day or day of rest that seventh part of time set apart and sanctified for more solemnly waiting upon him and thereto ceasing from our own works And this may be called the Lord's Day 1. Because at first God took up his rest in Jesus Christ our Lord and was refreshed and therefore set apart the seventh day as a token thereof had he not found out this ransome and had not Christ interposed himself and undertook to work redemption for us there had been no Sabbath for us to have observed his undertaking to do what the Father appointed to him at first and actually performing and accomplishing it in due time is the ground and reason of this days being set apart and sanctified Gen. 2. 2 3. with Heb. 4. 3 4. Exod. 31. 16 17. with Joh. 5. 19 22. Hence the Preface to all the Commandments and particularly to their remembring to keep holy the Sabbath-day was that he brought them out of the Land of Egypt which was a Type of the redemption wrought in and by Jesus Christ Exod. 20. 2 8. 2. It is the Lord's Day also that of which Jesus Christ the Son of Man is the Lord and actually so become as he hath died for us and is risen again and hath restored our loss whereby he is become the rightful Lord of all that was made for Man even for the good of Man Ps 8. 4 9. with Heb. 2. 6 9. and particularly of this Day as our Saviour saith The Sabbath was made for Man and not Man for the Sabbath therefore the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath Mat. 12. 8. Mark 2. 27 28. 3. It is the Lords Day because we should herein be exercised to the Consideration and Remembrance of what Christ hath suffered and done for us and is become that he by the Grace of God tasted Death for every Man and is risen from the Dead for their justification and is become the one and only Foundation of Faith and Hope for us poor Sinners The Stone which the Builders refused is become the head of the Corner This is the LORDS doing it is marvellous in our Eyes This is the day which the LORD hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it To such an end should this Day be set apart that we may be glad in his work in redeeming us from the curse of the Law and triumph in the works of his hands Ps 118. 2 4. Ps 92. Title and Verse 1 4. Isay 28. 12. And it is a Sign that he doth sanctifie us and shews how we may be sanctified and now be entring into rest not by works of righteousness that we have done or can do but by believing in and coming unto Jesus Christ Exod. 31. 13 14. Rom. 4. 5. Tit. 3. 4. Mat. 11. 27 28. Heb. 4. 3. Isay 58. 13. And on this Day we should be exercised unto the consideration of that rest which remaineth for the people of God which in due season Christ will give unto them Acts 3. 19 20. Heb. 4. 3 8. 2 Thes 1. 5 6. And indeed to such an end should this day be set apart and that we should do no servile work thereon for works of Piety Mercy and Necessity they are Sabbath-day works but it should not be prophaned with common and ordinary words or works Isay 58. 13. Neh. 10. 31. and ch 13. 15 22. Jer. 17. 21 27. Men may pretend to a great deal of zeal and strictness in observing it and yet not be exercised to the consideration of Christ as the ground and end of it yea they may be so far from that that they may be Enemies to him and his Gospel Joh. 5. 16 18. and ch 7. 22 23. and ch 9. 14 16. On this Day he heard this Voice which might be an encouragement and provocation to us to keep it holy and therein to remember the Lord's Death and what he hath thereby done for us and obtained and is become and the love of both Father and Son therein commended to us 3. We have an account in general given to us of what he heard on that day And heard behind me a great Voice as of a Trumpet And heard behind me like what Ezekiel saith I heard behind me a Voice of a great rushing Ezek. 3. 12. like that saying also Isay 30. 21. At such a time and in such a manner as he least expected not before him but behind him or ever he was aware he was thus unexpectedly favoured Gen. 28. 10. A great Voice as of a Trumpet So he heard also ch 4. 1 2. And before the little Book was given unto him ch 10. 3 4. Doubtless this loud Voice was to awaken him and prepare him to give earnest heed to what was spoken and to signifie the weightiness of what he was about to speak that it was no vain thing but somewhat of great importance and concernment and that which was worthy to be heard minded and considered by him and us To such end and purpose he sent out his Voice and that a mighty Voice And it behoves us all seeing the matter of what was then spoken is recorded and preserved on record that we should diligently bow down our Ears hereto and hear these words of the wise and not lightly or heedlesly pass it over as if it were not worthy our most serious meditation and consideration Verse 11. Saying I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last And what thou seest write in a Book and send it to the Seven Churches which are in Asia unto Ephesus and unto Smyrna and unto Pergamos and unto Thyatira and unto Sardis and Philadelphia and unto Laodicea In this Verse the Apostle gives unto us a more particular account of what he heard In which we have to consider 1. A description of him that speaketh I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last 2. A charge and commandment given to the Apostle In which also we have 1. The Subject matter of what he should write and send what thou seest 2. What he commands him to do with this write in a Book and send it 3. To whom unto the seven Churches which are in Asia c. 1. A Description of him that speaketh I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last The latter opens the Former as we have seen See the notes on v. 8. I am the first and the last so v. 17. ch 2. 8. and ch 22. 13. The King of Israel as is said Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel and his Redeemer the LORD of Hostes I am the first and I am the last c. Isay
fathers Mat. 1. 1. Luke 1. 72 74. Acts 2. 30. But he was also the Son of Adam Luke 3. 24 38. and he is the first-born of every creature Col. 1. 15. the second Man who came into the room of the first Man and undertook for him when all Mand-kind was in his loins and so became the last Adam of whom the first was the figure 1 Pet. 1. 20. 1 Cor. 15. 45 47. Rom. 5. 14. and hence many times this title of the son of Man is given to him when the scripture speaketh of God's love to Man-kind As the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost Mat. 18. 11. To seek and to save that which was lost Indefinitely Luke 19. 10. The Son of Man came not to destroy Mens Souls but to save them Luke 9. 56. and ch 2. 10 11. as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness so must the Son of Man be lifted up For God so loved the World c. Joh. 3. 14 16. 17. The Son of Man was made lower than the Angels for a little while that he by the grace of God should taste death for every Man Heb. 2. 6 9. 3. This title is given unto him to instruct us that he was the heir of all that misery that appertained to Man-kind for and because of their first sin and sinfulness the inheritour of all that sad heritage of affliction Man brought upon himself and hence oftentimes he is called the Son of Man when his abasement and sufferings are spoken of The Son of Man was made a little while lower then the Angels Heb. 2. 6 9. The Son of Man had not whereon to lay his head Luke 9. 58. the Son of Man shall be betrayed unto the chief Priests and Scribes and they shall condemn him to death c. Mat. 20. 18 19. see also Mat 26. 2 24 45. Mark 8. 31. Joh. 8. 28. and ch 12. 23 27 31. 34. Isay 53. 1 10. Rom. 4. 25. 1 Peter 3. 18. 4. And he is called the Son of Man because he is the Heir and inheritour of all the glory that was given unto us and conferred upon us in the first Publick man and which by our Sinning we came short of he hath restored that which he took not away Rom. 3. 23. Psal 69. 4. he restored our nature in his person into the Image of God Jam. 3. 9. into perfect Innocency Integrity Immortality and eternal life 1 Joh. 3. 5. 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. 1 Joh. 5. 10 11. 1 Cor. 1. 30. And he hath obtained eternal redemption the inheritance of new Heavens and a new earth Heb. 9. 12. He in our nature and for us is Crowned with that Glory and Honour where-with the first Man Adam was and God hath set this Son of Man over the works of his hands and hath put all things under his feet though yet we see not all things put under But this shall be gloriously manifested in due time Compare Ps 8. 4 8. with Heb. 2. 5 6. Hence also when our Saviour saith The Sabbath was made for Man and not Man for the Sabbath he presently addeth and inferreth Therefore the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath As intimating he is Lord of all that was made for Man Mark 2. 27 28. This is the person whom he in vision saw 2. We have next to enquire and consider The place where he saw him or one like to him and that is In the midst of the seven Candlesticks Rev. 2. 1. that is to say there he saw him as the Son of Man as one who hath died and is risen again and who is a merciful and faithful High-priest as afterwards Heb. 2. 17 18. and ch 4. 14. 16. Rev. 1. 18. What these candlestikcs are and why they are called and compared unto candlesticks we have considered before See the notes on v. 12. But here we have to enquire and consider How the son of Man is said to be in the midst of the seven candlesticks 1. He is in the midst of his Churches as a King and governour he is Gods King whom he hath set upon his Holy Hill of Zion And so he is the King of Saints Ps 149. 2. â— Rev. 15. 3. Thus this phrase in the midst is applied to Kings as with respect to their subjects so Solomon the figure of Christ saith in his prayer to God O LORD my God thou hast made thy Servant King And thy Servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen 1 King 3. 6 8. so let us set a King in the midst of it Isay 7. 6. and The Prince in the midst of them Ezek. 46. 10. so is Christ in the midst of his Churches as a King To give laws unto them and rule and order them his gracious Kingdom ruleth over them and amongst them The LORD is their law-giver statute-maker and King Isay 33. 22. he is their only Rabbi Mat. 23. 8 10. the father of their spirits Heb. 12. 9. The Lord of their faith and consciences 1 Cor. 8. 6. Eph. 4. 4 5. The chief Shepherd and Bishop of their Souls 1 Pet. 2. 25. and ch 5. 5. Heb. 13. 20. He is the only Head of his Body the Church by whose Scepter the Word of his Kingdom they are to be ruled and governed and this Honour they are not to give unto any Man on Earth Col. 1. 18. and ch 2. 19. Mat. 23. 8 10. And they are his Kingdom and voluntary Subjects that have received and are to receive the Law from his mouth and to lay up his words in the midst of their hearts Job 22. 21 22. Eph. 3. 17. Deut. 33. 3. Psal 110. 1 4. And as a King he is in the midst of them to save and defend them from the evil of all he is ordering they demeaning themselves as his Candlesticks in bearing forth the light he is their King and he will save them Isay 33. 22. he is their refuge and strength a very present help in trouble and as such an one he is in the midst of them they shall not be moved Ps 46. 1 5. Hence that Sing O Daughter of Zion shout O Israel the King of Israel the LORD is in the midst of thee thou shalt not see evil any more The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty he will save thee he will rejoyce â—ver thee with Joy c. Eph. 3. 14 17. Cry out and shout thou Inhabitant of Zion trust in the Lord and be not afraid for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee Isay 12. 2 6. So Joel 2. 21 27. 2 Chron. 16. 9. 2. He is and his work in the midst of them is to sing the new Song the Song of Victory even praise unto our God to wit that he hath been slain and sacrificed for us 1 Cor. 5. 7. and that he is raised again and hath triumphed gloriously over all our Enemies His own right Hand and his Holy Arm
that which is perfect is come that which is in part shall be done away 1 Cor. 13. 8 9 10. Then they shall not teach every Man his Neighbour and every Man his Brother saying know the Lord for all shall know him from the least to the greatest Jer. 31. 34. Heb. 8. 11. 5. Stars they are to acquaint us that now their work is to rule in and amongst the Churches so it is said God made two great lights the greater light to rule the Day and the lesser light to rule the Night and to rule over the Day and over the Night Gen. 1. 16 18. The Moon and the Stars to rule by Night Ps 136. 9. So should these Angels do and be such as should rule not as the Princes of the Gentiles do and lawfully may over their Subjects Mark 10. 42. not to have Dominion over the Faith of any or as Lords over the Flock of Christ 2 Cor. 1. 24. 1 Pet. 5. 1 3. but in speaking to them the word of God as his word with all Authority and therewith instructing admonishing reproving counselling c. And being Examples and Patterns unto others in Word and Conversation in Charity in Spirit in Faith in Purity Heb. 13. 7 17 24. 1 Tim. 3. 4 5 6. and ch 4. 10. and ch 5. 17. Mat. 24. 45. Tit. 2. 11 15. And so for order in and about Assemblies and Assemblings appointing Times Places c. 6. Stars God hath made use of to fight against his and his Peoples Enemies as it is said They fought from Heavens the Stars in their courses fought against Sisera Judg. 5. 20. So God makes use of these also having fitted and furnished them with gifts and skil to fight against Satan and his Instruments to which the Apostle exhorts Timothy saying fight the good fight of Faith 1 Tim. 6. 12. And the Apostle speaking of himself saith I have fought the good fight I have finished my course I have kept the Faith â— Tim. 4. 6 7. and the Weapons of their Warfare are not carnal but mighty thorow God to the pulling down strong-holds casting down Imaginations c. 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. Eph. 6. 10 11 12. 7. The Stars are not clean in the sight of God of the Holy Lord God Job 25. 5. So it may also be said of the Angels of the Churches and of the most pure of them while here In many things they offend all Jam. 3. 2. they are subject to like passions as others are as it is said of Elias and too often polluted therewith Jam. 5. 17. for there is not a just Man upon the Earth that doth good and sinneth not Eccles 7. 20. and therefore they are not to be worshipped or sacrificed unto as hath been said Acts 14. 15. but they need an High-priest aswel as any others and to come continually by the Laver unto the Altar Ps 2â— 8. 8. They are called and compared to Stars to teach them that they should be Inhabiters of Heaven and mind heavenly things they are chosen of God to have and should have their Conversation in Heaven and so above others however in degree So they especially should dwell above in their Faith Hope Desires Delight Exercise Expectation that they may be Patterns and Examples unto others to be imitated by them as the Apostle saith Brethren be followers together of me and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example for our Conversation is in Heaven from whence also we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Phil. 3. 17 20. So the Stars are called the Stars of Heaven Job 22. 12. Isay 13. 10. Nahum 3. 16. To the Stars are the twelve Apostles of the Lamb compared who had their dwelling on high Rev. 12. 1. and so should the Angels of the Churches have they should have their delight in and hold forth the Heavenly Word the Gospel with the Holy Ghost come down from Heaven 1 Pet. 1. 12. Heb. 12. 25. 9. Stars also they are called to signifie that God may be so provoked by their evils or by the Iniquities of others as to with-hold or with-draw the light from them and so render them unuseful and unprofitable to others So he threatneth as with respect to those natural lights The Stars of Heaven and the Constellations thereof shall not give their light And the Stars shall with-draw their shining Isay 13. 10. Joel 2. 10. So also from these Spiritual Stars he may take away his Holy Spirit and those gifts he hath been giving to them or their utterance in Testimony of displeasure to themselves or others unto whom they have formerly mâ—â—â—stred and held forth the light Ps 51. 11. Isay 5. 6. and ch 29. 10. Ezek. 3. 26. yea and it is possible that these Stars may by their Sin fall from and in God's Judgment be cast down from Heaven So we read in this Book that the Stars of Heaven fell unto the Earth Rev. 6. 13. and ch 8. 10. and ch 9. 1. and that the Dragon's Tail drew the third part of the Stars of Heaven and did cast them unto the Earth Rev. 12. 4. and this consideration might admonish them not to be high-minded but fear and others of their Brethren also to have their Conversation as becometh the Gospel of Christ Mica 2. 6. 10. They may also be called Stars to mind them of the Glory that shall be given unto and conferred upon them in their being faithful unto the death though yet this glory may be differently given to them for one Star differeth from another in glory so also it shall be in the Resurrection of the dead 1 Cor. 15. 41 But yet when the chief shepherd shall appear they shall all of them receive a Crown of life which â—adeth not away 1 Pet. 5. 5. Then they that be wise or teachers shall shine as the brightness of the firmament And they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever Dan. 12. 3. and the mindfulness hereof is propet and powerful to provoke them and prevail with them to be stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as they know their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. In such like respects the Angels are called and compared to stars in this vision 2. What is imported to us in this that he hath them in his right hand 1. He who hath the seven Spirits of God hath these seven stars to fill enlighten fit and furnish them that they may be instruments of his praise and shine as light in the World Rev. 3. 1. To give wisdom and understanding unto them and pour out his spirit unto them that hereby they may be profitable unto others 1 Cor. 12. 1 7. Yea though they be dead and withered yet he hath the holy spirit in the immeasurable fulness thereof to dispense unto them and to revive and re-enlighten them as Rev. 3. 1 2. Or also if they sin against him he can take away or
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
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.
bearing the Judgment of the World he hath cast Satan the Prince of the World out of his principality Joh. 12. 31. and all power is given unto him both in Heaven and on Earth Mat. 28. 18 20. 2 Cor. 1. 9 10. Joh. 5. 27. and ch 3. 35. with ch 10. 17. Because he humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the Cross therefore also hath God highly exalted him and given him a name above every name c. Phil. 2. 6 7 8 9 10. And seeing he hath and hath thus obtained the Keys of Hell and Death it may be of much usefulness unto us as to say a little 1. Herein we may see the preciousuess of the sufferings and blood of Christ 1 Pet. 1. 19. 2. It may admonish us not to have idolatrous esteems of Men make not great Men your arme for Men of low degree are Vanity and Men of high degree are a Lye to be laid in the Ballance they are alike lighter than Vanity Ps 62. 9. How high or great soever they are they are Men and not God Isay 31. 3. therefore trust not in them nor in the most learned skilful and mâ—st experienced Physicians for they have not the Keys of Hell and Death if he will not with-draw his anger the proud helpers do stoop under him Job 9. 13. What Man whether wisest or greatest or strongest or richest or healthithiest is he that liveth and shall not see death shall he deliver his Soul from the Hand of Hell Ps 89. 48. and 146. 3 4. 3. This consideration may encourage his Servants not to be afraid of their Enemies for not they but he hath the Keys Acts 26. 17. All power is given unto me both in Heaven and on Earth Go ye therefore Disciple all the Nations c. saith our Saviour unto his Apostles Mat. 28. 18 20. Heb. 2. 14 15. 1 Cor. 15. 58. 4. Fear him so as not to provoke him Luke 12. 4 5. Exod. 23. 21. for our breath is in his hand and the Keys of Hell and Death are in his hand Ps 107. 10 12. 5. Pray unto and seek help of him and in his name and come unto God by him to whom should a people seek but to their God When we fall down and there is none to help us yet in crying to him he can save us out of our Distresses and bring us out of Darkness and the shadow of Death and break our bands asunder For he hath broken the Gates of Brass and cut the Bars of Iron in sunder Isay 8. 19. Psal 68. 18 20. and 107. 13 16. Jer. 30. 12 18. 6. It may comfort them that wait upon him and keep his way that though they must dye yet he liveth and hath the Keys of Hell and Death and will in due season open their Graves and bring them forth and make them partakers of everlasting Life Joh. 6. 40. and ch 11. 25 26. 1 Thes 4. 15 18. 2 Cor. 4. â—2 14 17. These things our Lord sets before his Servant John when he was as dead and greatly afraid to revive him and to strengthen him and encourage him against his fearâ— And let us learn from hence 1. When we are â—ainting and fearful to look unto Jesus and consider his Blood and the Glory he hath received therethorow as these things are discovered to us in the Gospel as the Apostle exhorts saying laying aside every weight and the Sin which doth so easily beset us let us run with patience the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of the Faith who for the Joy set before him endured the Cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God For consider him lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds Heb. 12. 1 3 4. and ch 3. 1 2. The Gospel is the word of life the spirit of life is in it Phil. 2. 16. that will quicken us again Ps 119. 50 93. That is proper to bind up the broken-hearted who are broken and shattered with sorrow or fear Isay 61. 1 2. Luke 4. 18. Oh consider we not our selves or any goodness or worthiness of ours but consider his first love manifested in his laying down his life for us and the glory he hath received and shall appear in give more earnest heed to the things we have heard that we may encourage our selves in the Lord 1 Sam. 30. 6. Joh. 6. 63. 1 Joh. 4. 14 18 19. Christ comforts not John immediately though he was as dead but declares the word of life to him 2. Or when we see others surprized with fear or overwhelmed with grief with this Gospel lift up the hands that hang down Rom. 1. 16. Isay 40. 1 2 9. Verse 19. Write the things which thou hast seen and the things which are and the things which shall be hereafter This charge and commandment he giveth to him again he had given John such a like command before v. 11. and now reneweth it to signify to us the weightiness of the things to be written and that they might be conveyed to the Churches and for us and for our use and benefit in these latter days For whatsoever was written aforetime was written for our learning Rom. 15. 4. and who shall hinder us from looking hereinto That charge in v. 11. and this here are given in general some other are more particular as ch 14. 1â— and ch 19. 9. c. This charge and commandement he gives to him after he had strengthened him Dan. 10. 17 19. his yoke is easie and his burthen is light Mat. 11. 30. 1 Joh. 5. 3. and indeed he had given such a discovery of himself before that there was no cause for John to fear for he who thus enjoyned him was able to stand by him and save him It was the LORD that spake who could but prophesy and write Amos. 3. 8. It was the first and the last that gave this charge to him Josh 1. 7 9. Jer. 1. 8 19. Write saith Christ to him but what should he write some thus read it the things which thou hast seen both the things which are and the things which shall be hereafter summing them up in two Branches or particulars and hereby signifying as if John had seen all he was to write before his charge was given to him which doubtless he had not and therefore we shall look upon the word 's as we have them rendred to us and as a commandment to write three things viz. 1. The things which thou hast seen namely in vision as v. 11. and so what he had seen from v. 12. to this verse not all he had foreseen but what he had now seen in which our Lord doth give a brief discovery of himself of his death resurrection everliving and his Glory Power and Majesty Christ first shews him this that it might be instructive to him to look unto Jesus that he might be enlightened Ps 34. 5 8.
all men which was at first begotten and produced in them by his first love manifested unto and known and believed by them 2. How had they left thiâ— their first love Or in what sense or after what consideration had they left it To which we say They had not so left it as if they had none to Christ and one another for such a thing would be wholly and altogether inconsistent with those many good and commendable things before taken notice of by our Saviour in them v. 2 3 6. But in some measure their love was waxt colder than it was at first Mat. 24. 12. And they were not so â—ervent and ardent therein as sometimes and at first they had been somewhat of the same evil was found with these as was with the Church of Laodicea of which it is said thou art neither hot nor cold though not in so great a degree Rev. 3. 15 16. There was a decay and abatement of their love some remission and lessening of the inflamedness thereof as the word left here properly signifies to wit a remission of their love like that also complained of in others though it seems not in so great a measure or degree Thus saith the LORD I remember the kindness of thy youth thy first love but afterwards it was otherwise with them Hence it is said hear the word of the Lord what iniquity have your Fathers found in me that they are gone far from me c. Neither said they where is the Lord that brought us up out of the Land of Aegypt Jer. 2. 1 5 6 12. And it might in some measure be said to these as the Apostle doth to the Galatians where is now the blessedness you spake of Gal. 4. 13 15. They had in some sort departed from their rest as the Pâ—almist intimates he had done Ps 116. 1 7. and gadded about to change their ways too much wandring from Mountain to Hill and forgetting their resting-place their place to lye down in Jer. 2. 33 36. and ch 50. 6. they were not now so valiant for the truth as formerly they had been Jer. 9. 3. not so inflamed with love to Jesus Christ and one another the sufferings of Christ and what he hath thereby effected and obtained into himself were not so highly prized by them and therefore not so operative and effectual in them as at first but they were come to some loss and had suffered a decay of those things formerly wrought in them by the Glorious Gospel 2 Joh. 8. Oh how precious was this Manna to them at the first they then cried out by way of Admiration What is this they then with earnestness prayed Lord evermore give us this Bread Christ was then wonderfully precious to them and highly valued by them they did then so cleave to him in love as that they preferred him before all other things though never so gainful and amiable And the Word of God mightily grew among them Acts 19. 17 20. they then desired no other Foundation of their Faith and Hope no other Witness of God's Love no other Bread of Life or Door of Approach to God but Jesus Christ and him crucified and so the Flesh of Christ which was given for the life of the World But alas now their Hearts were in some measure removed from him and they did not so closely cleave unto him as formerly nor were so forward to undergo Afflictions for him and his Gospels sake not to endure hardness as good Souldiers of Jesus Christ 2 Tim. 2. 1 3. They had left their first-love and though they had works yet not the first v. 5. 3. We come in the next place to shew and demonstrate that this is such an iniquity as provoketh the Lord to anger to leave the first-love This is a great evil and so it will appear to be if we consider 1. Because the Principles or Seed of which this first-love was begotten and Object on which it was placed abide the same the Seed thereof is not like the Seed of this World which is perishing and corruptible and therefore all begotten of it is like unto it for all Flesh is as Grass and all the Glory of Man as the Flower of Grass the Grass withereth and the Flower thereof falleth away But this Seed is incorruptible the Word of the Lord endureth for ever and this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto us 1 Pet. 1. 23 25. the Blood of Christ is precious and incorruptible blood and therefore it is opposed to corruptible things 1 Pet. 1. 19. And it is an Everlasting Commendation of the love of God to us Rom. 5. 8. and the Gospel of Christ is an Everlasting Gospel therein are contained the Words of Eternal Life Rev. 14. 6. Joh. 6. 68. And so Jesus Christ is the same and his years fail not He is Jesus Christ the anointed Saviour the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 1. 12. and ch 13. 8. There is no Iniquity in him and therefore he remaineth for ever The Servant to wit of Sin abideth not in the house for ever but the Son abideth ever Joh. 8. 34 35. Oh what an Iniquity is it then to lessen our love to and esteem of him Or to let slip the Remembrance of his Love in redeeming us What Iniquity have your Fathers found in me saith the LORD that they are gone far from me and have walked after vanity and are become vain neither said they where is the LORD that brought us up out of the Land of Egypt That led us thorow the Wilderness thorow a Land of Deserts and Pits c. Hath a Nation changed their Gods which yet are no Gods But my People have changed their Glory for that which doth not profit Be astonished O ye Heavens at this and be horribly afraid be ye very desolate saith the Lord for my People have committed two evils they have forsaken me the Fountain of living Waters and hewed them out Cisterns broken Cisterns that can hold no Water O Generation see ye the Word of the Lord. Have I been a Wilderness unto Israel a land of Darkness wherefore say my people we are Lords we will come no more â—nto thee Jer. 2. 1 5 6 10 13 31. and ch 17. 13. and ch 18. 13 15. what an evil is this to depart in any measure from him Lord saith Peter to whom shall we go thou hast the words of eternal life and we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ the Son of the living God Joh. 6. 66 68 69. Oh foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth c. where is the blessedness the excellency the love and loveliness of Christ you formerly spake of Is not he as worthy still as ever to be fervently loved and heartily delighted in by us who humbled himself for us and became obedient to death the death of the cross and who thereby hath redeemed us from the curse of
the law and obtained eternal redemption for us when we were in our filth and blood said unto us live when we were in woful misery when the Sorrows of death compassed us and the pains of Hell gat hold on us and we found woe and trouble yet then caused his goodness to pass before us and commended and discovered his love to us and overcame us as bullocks unaccustomed to the yoke and spake peace to us and quieted our fears removed our sorrows comforted our hearts delivered our souls from death our eyes from tears and our feet from falling that we might walk before him in the land of the living in whom still dwelleth and abideth all the fulness even all the fulness of the God-head bodily and in whom is all compleatness prepared for us Do we thus requite the Lord O foolish people and unwise Is he not our Father that hath bought us hath he not made and established us ask thy Father and he will shew thee thine elders the prophets and Apostles and they will tell thee do ye thus render to the Lord for all his benefits love and kindness as to forsake him and lightly or more lightly than formerly esteem the rock of your Salvation of the rock that begat you are ye so unmindful and have you forgotten God that formed you Deut. 32. 5 7 15 18. Is this your kindness to your friend that hath so loved you and made it known to you and still continues his goodness to you and waits upon you that he may be gracious unto you O remember the former days remember your affliction and misery the distress that sometimes you were in and what a joyful sound the Gospel was then unto you and how your hearts did burn within you in love to Christ his cross and sufferings and consider what a loss you are now come to and for this weep let your eye your eye run down with water weep and howl for such an unkind and unworthy return to him and give no rest to your eyes nor slumber to your eye-lids until you return to the days of your youth the love of your espousals surely the oneness of the Lord being seriously minded and considered by us would engage us to return to him from whom we have departed and to be â—ervent in unâ—eigned love to him Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and Soul and mind and strength and thy neighbour as thy self Deut. 6. 4 6. with Mark 12. 29 30. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of light with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth wherefore my Brethren let every Man be swift to hear c. Jam. 1. 17 18 19. 2. This is a great evil an evil that provoketh to leave the first love because in our abating in our love to Christ and leaving our first â—ervency of affection to him and his Gospel and people and the societies thereof we shall be very injurious and harmful to others and even by such remission of love secretly signify unto them that the longer we know Christ and the more acquainted we are with him the less amiable and desirable he is to us and the less delightful to us and therefore is he no more delighted in by us and so we lay a stumbling block in the way of the blind and give offence to the World and hinder others from seeking after and following the Lord when persons are zealous and â—ervent in their affection unto and pursuit after the Lord their zeal provokes very many 2 Cor. 9. 2. Thus it appeared in the spouses earnestness in seeking for and inquiring after and highly and delightfully valuing and setting forth the excellency comliness of her beloved while she was thus exercised this heat of love in her to Christ and following hard after him causeth the daughters of Jerusalem to enquire after him and to say whither is thy beloved gone O thou fairest among Women whither is thy beloved turned aside that we may seek him with thee Can. 5. 8 16. and ch 6. 1. love even hot and fiery love to Christ and the fruits thereof are strong as death as death is strong and overcomes the mightiest and stoutest so ardent love is proper to overcome others also even our enemies and to bring them in to Christ Cant. 8. 6 7. with Rom. 12. 19 21. when the believers did cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart and continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and were together continuing daily with one accord c. The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved Acts 2. 42 47. Joh. 13. 34 35. But now when the first love waxes cold and believers have little or less heart to Christ and his Gospel than formerly this puts a discouragement upon others and hinders them from seeking after him and strengthens them in their evil ways so much the Lord signifies in saying to his people in former times My people have forgotten me days without number why trimest thou thy way to seek love Therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways Jer. 2. 31 33. And indeed this decay of mens first love to Christ will be visible and evident to others it cannot be kept so secret but it will be seen and come abroad for such as leave their first love will leave their first works also as v. 5. 3. Abatement in the first love is a great evil a provoking evil in believers because those in Christ's Church have great advantage to grow and increase in love to him and to his Gospel and it is expected from them that they go on from strength to strength Ps 84. 4 7. and in beholding him with open face in the glass of the Gospel they are changed and metamorphosed into the same Image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. In giving diligence to the exceeding great and precious promises ministred in and with the Gospel they shall be made partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the World thorow lust and not only so but they may add to their faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness Brotherly-kindness and to Brotherly-Kindness Charity 2 Pet. 1. 4 7. these things may be in them and abound v. 8 Choice giâ—ts are now given to men to this purpose that they might not be as children tossed to and fro but truthing it in love might grow up into Christ in all things who is the head from whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the
I please and so can destroy you if you rebel against me I have against thee call to mind therefore from whence thou art fallen so ch 3. 2 3. I have not found thy works perfect before God Remember therefore c. It is high time for us to remember and consider and to reflect and look back when such an one hath a quarrel with us and draws up a charge against us If it were an ering sinful Man that had against us we might suppose or suspect that he hath a quarrel against us out of hatred prejudice or mistake or we might think we need not fear or matter what he saith It might be a small thing with us to be judged of Men or of man's judgment 1 Cor. 4. 3. But he is a most excellent one in every consideration And therefore he may say as the Lord speaks to Job wilt thou also disanul my judgment wilt thou condemn me that thou mayest be Righteous Job 40. 18. Remember therefore 2. Or therefore may refer to the latter part of v. 4. To which after Remember from whence thou art fallen This expression from whence may signify unto us 1. From what degreee of love thou art fallen and so it answers to that v. 4. thou hast left thy first-love Remember this and so it may be needful and good to remember what efficacy the grace of God had upon us at first and how precious and pleasant then it was to us To Remember what was the blessedness that we then spake of Gal. 4. 17. Heb. 10. 32 34. How our hearts were reconciled to God enflamed with love to Christ how our hearts did even burn within us as Luke 24. 32. God remembers and makes known his remembrance of the first-love that it might be remembred by us Jer. 2. 1 3. But though this be a truth and needful it is for us to remember this yet also there may be somewhat else intended hereby which will also include this and which leads to the leaving the first love to wit 2. Remember from whence thou art fallen namely from the root principle and seed of thy first love that is to say from his first love and the manifestation thereof to wit the Abasement and sufferings of Christ declared in the Gospel in which is evidenced to us the love of God and that he is love 1 Joh. 4. 8 10. and whereby they were begotten to the love of him for every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God for God is love 1 Joh. 4. 7 9 14 16 19. Eph. 2. 2 4 5. This kindness and love of God to manward is the washing of regeneration or laver of the new-birth Tit. 3. 4 5. this love of God caused them to run well at first even to run unto Christ Gal. 3. 1. with ch 1. 6. and ch 5. 7. In the sufferings and cross of Christ God hath commended and doth wonderfully and unspeakably commend his love his first love to the World of Mankind God so loved the Word that he gave his only begotten Son Joh. 3. 16. Rom. 8. 32. God commendeth his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us Rom. 5. 5 8. And herein the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ was admirably demonstrated in that he being rich for our sakes he became poor and he humbled himself and became obedient unto Death the Death of the Cross 2 Cor. 8. 9. Phil. 2. 6 8. And how joyful news was this when declared at first It is well called Gospel glad-tidings good-tidings of great joy to all people the glad-tidings of the Kingdom Luke 2. 10 11. and ch 8. 1. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the World to save Sinners 1 Tim. 1. 15. and that he was raised again for our Justification We declare unto you glad-tidings saith the Apostle How that the Promise which was made unto the Fathers God hath fulfilled the same in that he hath raised up Jesus again Acts 13. 32 33. And Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us and obtained into himself Eternal Redemption and all Spiritual Blessings Gal. 3. 13 14. Heb. 9. 12. Mat. 22. 3 4. and came and preached Peace to us who were afar off Eph. 2. 13 17. This believed turned their hearts to the Lord delivered them from their fears and aâ—frightening despairing thoughts and begat in them â—ervent love to him and then they said they would no more transgress but would walk before the Lord in the Land of the living and bethought themselves what they should render to him for all his benefits Ps 116. 8. c. Jer. 2. 20. But from hence they were fallen even from the mindfulness and believing consideration of his first love manifested in laying down his life and tasting Death by the Grace of God for every man Heb. 2. 9. And that this is the fundamental meaning of this from whence appears if we consider 1. That upon somewhat a like occasion and account a like Counsel is given to the Church of Sardis for the recovery thereof Our Lord exhorts and instructs that Angel and Church to remember how they had received and heard Rev. 3. 2 3. How not only the manner but matter also compare Luke 8. 18. with Mark 4. 24. Luke 10. 26. to signifie unto us that That Angel and Church had let slip and forgotten what was first delivered to them and received by them and that their forgetfulness thereof was the fundamental cause of their deadness and evil as here also it was And thereto Christ recalls them that they might strengthen the things that remain and were ready to dye See notes on Rev. 3. v. 3. 2. It so appears also if it be duly considered by us what this Counsel here given refers to namely the latter part of verse 4. as hath been said thou hast left thy first love remember therefore from whence thou hast fallen which hath occasioned and caused this abatement and lessening thereof there is some root-iniquity that hath caused this remission and decay of thy first love to him and that is thy forgetting his first love and the manifestation thereof So Rev. 3. 2 3. 3. It so appeareth also by this because he that loveth not in whole or in part knoweth not considereth not God for God is Love He minds not or le ts slip the consideration hereof that God is Charity and that herein is manifested the love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live thorow him 1 Joh. 4. 8 10. And on the other hand he that abideth in Christ in the believing mindfulness of his being manifested and the end thereof and his faithfulness to him that appointed him sinneth not misseth not his Mark erres not from his way 1 Joh. 3. 5 6 9. 3 Joh. 11. Whoso looketh into the perfect Law of Liberty and continueth therein
and turn from all their wandrings and departures unto Christ again who is the Green Fir-tree from whom all good fruit is found and without whom we can do nothing Hos 14. 8. Joh. 15. 1 6. Rev. 3. 3. The word of the beginning of Christ is the Foundation of Repentance from dead works and of Faith and of all gracious and spiritual Works and Operations Heb. 6. 1 2. and ch 9. 14. 4. In that he adds And do the first works after the two former Branches of the Counsel so we may learn that we should not simply remember and repent but also bring forth Fruits meet for and answerable to such remembrance and repentance as the Baptist saith to the Pharisees and Sadducees Mat. 3. 7 8. So the Apostle shewed first to them of Damascus c. that they should repent and turn to God and do works meet for repentance Acts 26. 19 20. God is indeed first working in us both to will and to do of good pleasure But still somewhat is required of us as he is thus preventing us namely to do all things without murmurings and disputings Phil. 2. 13 15. Heb. 13. 20 22. Be we then doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving our own selves Jam. 1. 22 25. 2. We have next to speak unto a conditional threat denounced against them Wherein we have to consider 1. The Threat or Commination it self I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy Candlestick out of his place 2. The condition Or else except thou repent 1. We have to take notice of and to consider the threat or commination it self In which also there is 1. That which preceeds and yet is in order to their Punishment I will come unto thee quickly 2. The Judgment it self directly threatned unto them And will remove thy Candlestick out of his place 1. That which precedes and yet is in order to their punishment I will come unto thee quickly I will come How so Is he not gone up into Heaven And must not the Heavens receive and contain him until the time of the Restitution of all things Acts 3. 21. yes surely But we may say 1. There are personal comings of his and they are two 1. His coming down from Heaven to be made and manifested in the Flesh and to be further abased for us that he might deliver us from that so great a Death as in which otherwise we must have perished for ever And that he might obtain for us Life and immortality so when the fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a Woman made under the Law that he might redeem them that were under the Law And he came down from Heaven not to do his own will but the will of him that sent him Gal. 4 4 5. Joh. 6. 40. So according to the end of his Father 's Mission he came into the World to be made Man wherefore when he cometh into the World he saith A Body hast thou prepared me Heb. 10. 5. And once in the end of the World he appeared to put away Sin by the Sacrifice of himself Heb. 9. 26. He was manifested to take away our Sins and make peace for us 1 Joh. 3. 5. Col. 1. 20. 1 Joh. 4. 9 10. And to that end he humbled himself and became obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross Phil. 2. 6 8. aswell as also He came to preach peace in a frail and mortal body Luke 4. 18 43. And to seal to the truth of the Gospel by his Blood Joh. 18. 37. And as with respect to both ends he came to be a Saviour to save that which was lost Mat. 18. 11. Luke 18. 10. Joh. 12. 47. Luke 9. 54 56. 1 Tim. 1. 15. So and in this consideration he hath come once and shall come no more Joh. 16. 10 28. Rev. 1. 18. Rom. 6. 9 10. 1 Joh. 5. 20. and ch 4. 2 3. 2. And he shall come again and appear the second time in his own personal body not in abasement and weakness as formerly but in Glory in his own Glory and in the Glory of his Father with all his Holy Angels Mat. 16. 27. Joh. 14. 3. Heb. 9. 28. Luke 9. 26. He shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the Voice of the Arch-Angel and with the Trump of God 1 Thes 4. 16. But of neither of these two personal comings doth this place speak See the Notes before on Rev. 1. v. 7. 2. There are other comings of Christ spoken of in scripture which are not personal but invisible spiritual and providential comings of his that is to say 1. His comings in his mercies word and ordinances in his gracious visitations of mens hearts and spirits so before he took our nature upon him he was in the World and came unto his own in the ministery of of his Prophets Joh. 1. 10 11. Thus it is said Wherefore when I came was there no man when I called was there none to answer c. that is he came in his word and called and knocked that they might have opened and given entertainment to him Isay 50. 2. Rev. 3. 20. And the Lord saith In all places where I record my name I will come unto thee c. Exod. 20. 24. with Mat. 18. 20. And If any man love me he will keep my word and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him Joh. 14. 21 23. But of his thus coming he here speaks not neither see notes on Rev. 3. v. 20. 2. He is also said to come judicially to execute judgments now in this day either to take men away out of this World by death as our Saviour saith Be ye ready for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not Luke 12. 40. Mark 13. 35. or to execute and inflict some judgment here as Rev. 2. 16. and ch 3. 3. and ch 16. 15. or to take away and remove some mercies he hath been vouch-safing to any thus we are here to understand it So it is said The Lord cometh out of his place to punish Isay 26. 21. Mica 1. 3. So he that is in the Heavens in his personal body can come unto us in his providences and judgments when he pleaseth Quickly that is 1. Easily lightly without difficulty if men repent not Mark 9. 39. Jer. 31. 28. Prov. 1. 24 29. 2. Quickly without delay speedily so v. 16. he would hasten his word to perform it as Jer. 1. 12. 3. Quickly unexpectedly and unthought of and so he would come as a thief when they were not aware and take away his mercy from them Rev. 3. 3. and ch 16. 15. Now in that he thus threatens to come to this Angel and Church we may learn 1. That he on whom we call is one that is without partiality in his judgments he is such an one as without respect of persons judgeth according unto every man's work Jam. 3. 17.
20. 1 Thes 4. 16. and in him in our nature dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead and in him we are compleat Col. 2. 9 10. And herein we may see the preciousness of his bloâ—d and the compleat satisfaction he hath given to the Justice of God Phil. 2. 8 9 10. 2. In that Heaven is called Paradise a place of delight and pleasure of joy and gladness so we may learn That Christ is entred into the fulness of joy in our nature and it was the view and consideration hereof that strengthned him to suffer He for the joy set before him indured the cross despising the shame Heb. 12. 2. he that once met with much sorrow and sadness he that was a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief whose heart was broken with reproach and who was full of heaviness Isay 53. 3 5. Ps 69. 20. is now entred into and filled with joy unspeakable joy inconceivable and full of glory Mat. 25. 21 23. He is entred into not into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but into Heaven it self and is in the presence of God In whose presence is fulness of Joy and at whose right hand are pleasures for evermore Heb. 9. 24. with Ps 16. 11. and Acts 2. 28. 3. In that Heaven is called paradise as referring to and as the truth of Eden at first and he is called the tree of life of whom the first tree of life was a figure so we may take notice that there is a new creation of which Christ is the beginning Rev. 3. 14. and a more excellent one then that was at first Christ is that new thing which the Lord hath created in the earth Jer. 31. 22. the second Man and the last Adam And he is an infinitely more excellent one then the first which was the figure of him Rom. 5. 14. The first Man was of the earth earthy The second the Lord from heaven 1 Cor. 15. 47. The first natural the second spiritual The first was made a living soul the last is a quickening spirit to quicken dead souls and beget new creatures 2 Cor. 5. 17. 1 Cor. 15. 45 46. The first tree of life was earthy But now the Son of God is become the tree of life in the nature of Man in whom God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly things or places Eph. 1. 3. And instead of an earthly paradise there is now an Heavenly one which Christ hath prepared for us and into the enjoyment and possession whereof he as our fore-runner and in our nature is entred Joh. 14. 1 3 4. Heb. 6. 20. How excellent is thy loving-kindness O God! Ps 36. 7 9. 4. He that overcometh shall eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God and thereto enter into this Paradise assoon as ever he hath overcome Luke 23. 43. now they who with the heart believe are rejoycing with joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1. 8. But then not onely joy shall be in them but they shall enter into joy the joy of their Lord Mat. 25. 21 23. In spirit assoon as dissolved when they are absent from the body they shall be present with the Lord And in due season in Soul and body re-united Ps 36. 7 9. when they have overcome they shall go into paradise a more excellent one then the first into the Heavenly oâ—chard where there are many trees of the Lord trees of righteousness But Christ is the only tree of life and of this tree only they shall eat In the first Paradise there was no tree forbidden to be eaten of but one but in the second there is none allowed but one not the virgin Mary nor any Saint or Angel But Jesus Christ one who is the only true vine and tree of life And because he lives therefore they that eat of him shall live also Verse 8. And unto the Angel of the Church in Smyrna write These things saith the first and the last which was dead and is alive Here begins a second message sent to the second named Church ch 1. 12. and as in the first message or Epistle so in this also we have in this verse to consider 1. The person or persons for whom this message or Epistle is to be written and to whom to be sent unto the Angel of the Church in Smyrna write To which we shall speak nothing but desire the notes on v. 1. may be considered 2. The Person from whom it comes thus described to us These things saith the first and the last see notes on ch 1. v. 8. and v. 11. Which was dead and is alive To which we have spoken somewhat be fore see the notes on ch 1. v. 18. Onely here we may a little further note 1. He that was dead is a most excellent person the first and the laâ—t was dead so in ch 1. 11. he said I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last c. And saith John I turned to see the voice that spake with me and being turned I saw one like to the Son of Man v. 12 13. the first and the last became the son of Man and so humbled himself therein and further for us So again in ch 1. 17 18. it is said He said unto me I am the first and the last I am he that was dead God was made manifest in the Flesh 1 Tim. 3. 16. unto us a child is born unto us a Son is given And his name shall be called Wonderfull Counsellour the mighty God c. Isay 9. 6. The word that was in the beginning with God and that was God By whom all things were made and without him was nothing made that was made this word was made flesh Joh. 1. 1 3 14. And this most glorious one died for us he was put to death in the flesh 1 Pet. 3. 18. He being in the form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God yet he emptied himself and took on him the form of a Servant and was made in the likeness of Men And being found in fashion as a Man He humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the Cross Phil. 2. 6 7 8. And this shews the admirably excellent loving-kindness of the Father to the World of Man-kind and his lothness with the destruction thereof In that he sent forth and so greatly abased such an infinitely glorioâ—s one that thorow him the World might be saved God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son Joh. 3. 16. And the like love of Jesus Christ is herein evidenced herein perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us 1 Joh. 3. 16. And herein his blood appears to be precious blood for it is the blood of God of Christ who is over all God blessed for ever Act. 20. 28. 1 Pet. 1. 19. with Rom. 9. 5. And herein we may see our redeemer
is strong he is the first and the last a mighty Saviour he is who is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe he is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him and therefore fear we not to come unto and follow after and abide in him Isay 41. 4. and ch 44. 6. with this place 2. He is the first and the last which was dead and he only died for our sins by way of propitiation and as the publick man he himself and and he only bare our sins in his own body on the tree 1 Pet. 2. 24. 1 Joh. 4. 10 14. Isay 63. 3. one died for all even for all that were dead and but one 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. nor shall ever any other dye on this account as never any before or besides him hath done nor shall he be abased any more He being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over him for in that he died he died unto Sin once Rom. 6. 9 10. And therefore if his sacrifice be rejected there remains no more sacrifice for sins But a certain fearful looking for of Judgment and â—iery Indignation which shall consume the Adversaries Heb. 10. 26 29. he is the last Adam none other as the publick man is to follow him to dye suffer and satisfie for our sins and therefore take we heed of provoking him to leave mediating â—or us for how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation 1 Cor. 15 45. Exod. 23. 21. Ps 2. 12. Heb. 2. 1 3. And is alive He liveth and was dead and â—e is alive for evermore and of the truth hereof he gave many infallible evidences he shewed himselâ— alive after his passion by many infallible proofs being seen of his disciples forty days speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God Act. 1. 3. This is witnessed of him that he liveth Heb. 7. 8. even by the holy Apostles as the Apostle Peter signifieth and by the holy spirit The God of our Fathers saith he raised up Jesus him hath God exalted with his right hand a Prince and Saviour and we are his witnesses of these things and so is also the Holy Ghost c. Acts 5. 30 32. and 25. 19. see notes on ch 1. v. 18. Verse 9. I know thy works and Tribulation and Poverty but thou arâ— rich And I know the blasphemy of them who say they are Jews and are not but are the Synagogue of Satan In this verse we have an account given us of what our Lord knew or took notice of and that both 1. With respect to this Angel and Church 2. With respect to others 1. As with respect to this Angel and Church c. wherein consider in general He that was dead and is alive he knows c. As he knows God and the things of God Joh. 10. 15. Rev. 5. 1 12. So he knows and takes notice of what is commendable or reprovable amongst his Churches â—say 11. 1 3. Joh. 2. 24 25. and ch 21. 17. Acts 1. 24. Heb. 4. 13. see the notes on v. 23. of this chapter I know thy works I take notice of them see the notes before on v. 2. and the works of this Angel and Church were such as were perfect before God hence we may again note as we have done before on v. 2. That though we take no notice of or know not of any good work any work of faith or labour of love yet Christ observes and will not be unmindful 1 Cor. 15. 58. Heb. 6. 9 10. So he saith to the Angel of the Church in Thyatira I know thy works and Charity and Service and thy works v. 19. yea though those works be done in the greatest secrecy and kept from the eyes of others and though our own left-hand doth not know what our right-hand doth yet still they are manifest to him and minded by him even any work of piety or charity that is done by us he seeth in secret and himself will reward openly so his eye was upon Nathanael when he thought none had taken notice thereof Nathanael saith unto him whence knowest thou me Jesus said unto him-when thou wast under the figtree I saw thee Joh. 1. 47 51. he observes his people exercising themselves to godliness when the generality of the professed Church is so profane as to say It is vain to serve God and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinances Then they that â—eared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord hearkned and heard and a Book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought on his name and they shall be mine saith the Lord c. Maâ— 3. 14 18. And when he shall sit on the throne of his glory he shall say to them on his right I was hungry and ye gave me meat I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger and ye took me in Then shall the righteous answer him saying Lord when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee or thirsty and gave thee drink c. They speak as if they knew not or took no notice of any such thing But yet he knew it as appears by what follows The King shall answer and say unto them Verily I say unto you Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my Brethren ye have done it unto me Mat. 25. 31 34 40. and ch 10. 41 42. The consideration whereof might both preserve us from charging our memories with what we do knowing it is had in remembrance in the sight of the Lord Acts 10. 31. and also preserve us from desires of vain-glory or doing what we do to be seen of men in doing which we shall have no reward of our Father which is in Heaven And it might engage us to do what we do in the greatest secrecy we may knowing he knows and will see in secret and reward and recompence whatsoever work or labour of love is so shewed to his name in the resurrection of the just Mat. 6. 1 5 8. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Luke 14. 14. And when they dye their works shall not dye or be forgotten but they shall rest from their labours and their works shall follow with them Rev. 14. 13. Heb. 11. 4. And Tribulation This is that also which our Lord knew and took notice of as with respect to this Angel and Church and that which his disciples shall meet with and have in this world Joh. 16. 33. all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution Acts 14. 22. 2 Thes 1. 4. 2 Tim. 3. 11 12. see the notes before on ch 1. v. 9 Yea though Christ reproves not this Angel and Church for any thing nor finds any fault with them yet there were some who did though unjustly find fault with them and were Instruments of affliction to them and made them sad whom Christ had not
all but death Some such a kind of death but not another which may be more painful or shameful but nothing we may suffer should be feared as he saith I will fear none evil Ps 23. 4. And as the Apostle Paul saith none of the things I suffer move me nor do I count my life deer unto my self that I may finish my course with joy Acts 20. 24. 4 In that Christ saith fear none of those things c. And cautions against fear so he signifieth that sinful slavish fear is very hurtful and to be avoided and taken heed of by us It will hinder Men from being faithful to the death whereto this Angel and Church are counseled in the latter end of this verse It brings men into bondage to sin and Satan Heb. 2. 15. The fear of Man brings a snare Prov. 29. 25. It makes men ashamed of Christ and his words in an evil and adulterous generation and puts Men upon seeking to save their lives when they are called to lay them down 2 Tim. 1. 7 8. Mat. â—6 24 26. It weakens Men and makes them faint-hearted to good Jer. 51. 46. Zech. 8. 13. And will lay them open to temptations and snares Gen. 20. 2 11. and ch 26. 11. and even apt Men to deny Christ Mat. 26. 69 74. and will if feared and yielded up to expose Men to the wrath to come the fearful and unbelieving c. shall have their part in the lake of fire burning with brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 8. Great need we have therefore to receive this admonition and to seek help in the name of the Lord against this fear and this leads us to another Instruction namely 5. There is that contained in the Testimony of our Lord that may strengthen us against this fear of evil and they that hearken to Christ therein and heartily embrace his Gospel shall be strengthened as wisdom saith whoso hearkeneth to me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from the fear of evil Prov. 1. 33. such an one shall not be afraid of evil-tidings his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord His heart is established he shall not be afraid c. Ps 112. 6 8. Prov. 3. 21 27. Ps 27. 1 3. and 46. 1 5 6. And here particularly to encourage and strengthen their hearts against the fear of evil he thus describes himself to them in v. 8. These things saith the first and the last the omnipotent he that was and is and is to come that hath all power to help and will help and strengthen those that come unto and follow him he will be their shield and their exceeding great reward as he saith to Abram Gen. 15. 1. and ch 17. 1. Isay 41. 4 10. see notes on ch 1. v. 8. and v. 11. Which was dead he hath died for us he was delivered for our offences as if he should say what-ever you meet with I have endured the same I was dead for you In and by which death he hath satisfied for your sins and in which his love was brightly manifested look unto him Heb. 12. 1 2 3. Rom. 5. 2 3 5 6 10. Gal. 2. 20. And is alive he hath received justification for us Rom. 4. 25. overcome Death and Devil Ps 98. 1. Acts 2. 25. Isay 43. 1. with Gal. 3. 13. and hath all power to forgive sins and to comfort in all tribulations and trials and to cause all to work together for good and to deliver out of trouble fear not see notes on ch 1. v. 18. and ch 2. v. 8. 2. We have nextly to consider and speak unto the account which the first and the last gives of the things they should suffer with the end and time thereof Behold the Devil shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried and ye shall have tribulation ten days 1. Their sufferings are thus exprest The Devil shall cast some of you into prison Where again let us consider 1. The Person that should afflâ—ct them the principal agent The Devil 2. The affliction it self he should inflict on them shall cast into prison 3. The Persons whom he should cast into prison some of you 1. The Person or principal agent herein The Devil not immediately but in and by his instruments and agents and what they do in fulfilling his lusts he may be said to do and it may bear his name as it is said upon another account concerning Joseph and the Prisoners whatsoever they did there he was the doer Gen. 30. 22. so it is here whatsoever the Devils Servants do by his impulse and insâ—â—gation and in obedience to him he is the principal doer thereof whosoever committeth sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinneth from the beginning when others sin by his temptation and instigation he sinneth therein principally 1 Joh. 3. 8 12. and ch 5. 19. Job was in Satan's hand and he it was that afflicted him and impoverisht him but he did not inflict all upon him immediately but stirred up his instruments to serve his design The Sabeans fell upon the oxen and asses and took them away and slew his Servants c. And the Caldeans made out three bands and fell upon the camels and carried them away and slew his Servants with the edge of the sword c. Joh. 1. 12 15. 19. so Judas is called a Devil because he was led and acted by him Joh. 6. 70. and Christ saith to Peter Get thee behind me Satan c. he gives his name to him because he did his evil work Mat. 16. 20 23. with 1 Joh. 3. 10. and he that hateth his Brother is of the wicked one as Cain was 1 Joh. 3. 12 13. the Devil is he that is said to deceive the whole World though it is their iniquity to be deceived by him and their unbelief is that which lays them open to and fits them for being deceived by him The God of this World blinds the minds of them that believe not Rev. 12 9. and ch 20. 2 3 10. with 2 Cor. 4. 4. and Acts 13. 10. and ch 5. 3. so here The Devil shall cast some of you into prison that is he shall stir up some that are in power under the heathen Roman Emperors to imprison you and what they do as acted by him he is the doer of it and indeed those heathen powers were so ruled by Satan or the Devil that he was said to be in the throne as it were Rev. 12. 3 10. and here this evil one is called the Devil because he prevailed by his false accusations to cause the Heathen powers to persecute and imprison Christ's Servants for â—e is the accuser of the Brethren Rev. 12. 20. and so the word Devil signifies a slanderer or false accuser and so the Word in the plural number is translated slanderers 1 Tim. 3. 11 and false accusers 2 Tim. 3. 3. Tit. 2. 3. 2. The affliction it self he the devil should inflict upon them shall cast
and the extent thereof both as to the Persons and as to the time of your tribulation 3. We have now in order to speak unto The good and needful counsel which he gives unto these Be thou faithful unto death That is to say Be thou faithful in the Lord as to the faithful in Christ Jesus Eph. 1. 1. To the Saints and faithful Brethren in Christ Col. 1. 2. 1 Tim. 6. 2. continue in the faith grounded and setled and be not moved a-away from the hope of the Gospel Col. 1. 23. stand fast in the faith 1 Cor. 16 13. as ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord walk in him rooted and built up in him and established in the faith Col. 2. 6 7. And Be thou faithful unto the Lord Acts 16. 15. In holding fast and holding forth the glorious Gospel unto death Tit. 1. 9. In rendring Christ's praise glorious and proclaiming the Lord's goodness and not thine own Prov. 20. 6. In resisting and striving against sin even unto blood Heb. 12. 4. In a patient continuance in well-doing Rom. 2. 7. Heb. 10. 36. In all be thou stedfast and unmoveable 1 Cor. 15. 58. Be thou constant and turn not aside from following him but cleave unto him with full purpose whatever afflictions or tribulations ye meet withal be faithful confessors and martyrs Rev. 1. 5. and ch 3. 14. continue unto the end in induring afflictions fight the good fight of faith till death Faithful is more then elected or chosen simply as that is more then called as is signified to us in that it is said they that are with the lamb are called and chosen faithful Rev. 17. 14. and ch 12. 11. Now in that he gives such counsel to these he signifieth unto us 1. That constancy in the faith and profession of it and in enduring the afflictions of the Gospel is needful and requisite for those that shall hereafter inherit eternal life It is not enough that men run well at the first but also that they hold on unto the end of the race Because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold But he that shall endure unto the end thy same shall be saved Mat. 24. 11 12. and ch 10. 22. So the Lord saith concerning Solomon I will establish his Kingdom for ever if he be constant to do my commandments But otherwise â—aith David to him If thou forsake him he will cast thee off for ever 1 Chron. 28. 7 8 9. The just shall live by faith but if he draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him Heb. 10. 38. Though our Saviour finds no â—ault with this Church for any evil yet he signifies by this Counsel that it was needful for them to abide constant unto the end And so he doth when he sends a message to the Church in Philadelphia which was also unreprovable at that time and the only one of the seven that was so besides this yet to that Church also he saith hold that fast which thou hast that no Man take thy Crown See the notes on ch 3. v. 11. 2. In this counsel is also signified to us That those that are at present in Christ and whom he blames not for any thing but greatly commends may that notwithstanding possibly not abide faithful unto the conclusion of their lives But either because of the love of the World or for fear of somewhat to be parted with or endured may depart or stand off from Christ by an evil heart of unbelief Heb. 3. 1. with v. 12 13. This admonition is given to all believers not only to little Children and young Men but unto Fathers also Love not the World neither the things that are in the World If any Man love the World the love of the Father is not in him The love of money is the root of all evil which while some have coveted after they have erred from the faith c. 1 Joh. 2 15 16. with 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. 2 Tim. 4. 10. such as go right on their way may possibly be hindred or turned aside therefrom and such as were once faithful may be corrupted 1 Tim. 1. 20. 2 Tim. 2. 18. 1 Chron. 28. 7 8 9. Mat. 24. 45. c. Heb. 10. 23 26. see the notes on v 5 of this chapter 3. They may be faithful unto the end for he is faithful to confirm them unto the end that they may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ God is faithful by whom they were called to the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord 1 Cor. 1. 8 9. 1 Thess 5. 22 24. There is no Iniquity with the Lord our God Jer. 2. 1 5 12. 4. Faithfulness is required but unto death they that are constant thereto shall from thenceforth be so established for ever that they cannot possibly be unfaithful they shall then be pillars in the house of God and shall go no more out see the notes on Rev. 3. v. 12. They shall then be delivered compleatly and everlastingly from sin Heb. 12. 4. and from enemies after they are once dead their enemies have no more that they can do Luke 12. 4. henceforth there is certainly laid up for them a crown of Righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge shall give them at that day 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. Then they are blessed indeed and more blessed than they were in former times Rev. 14. 13. from thenceforth there is a great gulf fixed so that they which would pass from one place or state to another cannot Luke 16. 26. constancy is no longer required of them but until their earthly house of this Tabernacle be dissolved Then they shall enter into peace and rest in their beds each one walking before him and in his uprightness And they shall not be hurt of the Second Death v. 11. 4. We have a gracious promise and powerful encouragement propounded to and set before them to engage them to receive and obey the Counsel fore-spoken to And I will give thee a Crown of Life Which is not absolutely assured unto them but respectively to wit in their being faithful unto the Death To the former Words of this sentence we have spoken before see the notes on v. 7. Onely here we may briefly speak to these two things 1. Enquire what is this Crown of life 2. Shew he can and will give it to these and such-like 1. The Crown of life doth signify to us their reigning in life by and with Jesus Christ when they have finished their course here in spirit And in the resurrection of the just in Soul and body reunited Rom. 5. 17. and so life in scripture when taken as here is the same with the Kingdom of God compare Mat. 18. 9. with Mark 9. 47 48. and Mark 9. 43 45 47. And that which in one place the Apostle James thus expresseth the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him in another it is thus the Kingdom
Father and is over all God blessed for ever Rom. 9. 5. The true God and eternal life 1 Joh. 5. 20 21. 2. And he is the Son of God as he partook of our nature and is the Man Christ Jesus 1 Joh. 4. 14 15. And he is so called and is 1. As to his incarnation or being made flesh Joh. 1. 14. as the Angel saith to the Virgin The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the Power of the highest shall over shadow thee Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Luke 1. 31 32 33 35. That which was conceived in her was of the Holy Ghost and so of God Mat. 1. 18 20. God prepared him a Body Heb. 10. 5. The Lord herein created a new thing in the Earth a Woman hath compassed a Man Jer. 31. 22. 2. He is the Son of God his obedient Son one that obeyed and so honoured his Father and learned Obedience by the things which he suffered Heb. 5. 9. A Son honoureth his Father Mal. 1. 6. And Christ did always those things which pleased his Father Joh. 8. 28 29. And he became obedient to him unto Death the Death of the Cross Phil. 2. 6 8. Heb. 10. 5 8. 3. The Son of God one in whom he is infinitely delighted He received Honour and Glory when there came such a Voice unto him from the excellent glory both at his Baptism and at his Transfiguration saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased Mark 1. 11. and 9. 7. and ch 12. 6. 2 Pet. 1. 17. The Father loveth the Son and so loveth him that he hath given all things into his Hand Joh. 3. 35. and ch 10. 17. Mat. 11. 27. 4. He is the Son of God his first-born and so his Heir Ps 89. 26 27. He is his Son whom he hath appointed heir of all things the Inheritour of his holy Mountain Heb. 1. 2 3. Isay 65. 9. One who shall inherit all Nations Ps 82. 8. Yea all things that the Father hath are his Joh. 16. 14 15. 5. The Son of God one that is infinitely like unto him and that doth most perfectly resemble him the Son of the Father in truth and love 2 Joh. 3. His holy Child Acts 4. 27. The Image of the Invisible God 2 Cor. 4. 4. Col. 1. 13 14. The brightness of his Glory and the express Character of his person Heb. 1. 2 3. So as he that seeth him seeth the Father also He hath come a light into the World that whosoever believeth in him should not abide in Darkness in Ignorance of God Joh. 8. 12. and ch 12. 45 46. and ch 14. 6 7 9. For God hath shined forth the light of the knowledge of his Glory in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 4 6. And he is the Son of God compleatly and gloriously in the Nature of Man in his being raised from the dead He was in the Resurrection from the Dead determined to be the Son of God with Power Rom. 1. 4. The promise which God made unto the Fathers he hath fulfilled in that he hath raised up Jesus again As it is written thou art my Son this Day have I begotten thee Acts 13. 32 33. He is in this sense said to be the first born from the dead that in all things he might have the preeminence Rev. 1. 5. Col. 1. 18. And this consideration that Jesus is the Son of God may be of use to us 1. To shew unto us the great and wonderful love of God to mankind God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son 3. 16. In this was manifested the love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live thorow him the Father sent the Son the Saviour of the World 1 Joh. 4. 8 10 14. Rom. 8. 32. 2. Seeing Christ is the Son of God it may provoke us to hear him Mat. 17. 15. And to give the more earnest heed unto the things which we have heard because God in these last days hath spoken unto us by his his Son Heb. 1. 1 2. with ch 2. 1 2 3 3. We may see and perceive that this Son of God is more excellent than all others that are so called he is God's first born unto whom God hath given the preeminence in all things for it pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell Col. 1. 18 19. God hath anointed him with the Oyl of gladness above his Fellows Psal 89. 20 27. Heb. 1. Col. 2. 9 10. 4. Seeing he is the Son of God and so eminently the root of Sonship it shews unto us how we may become Sons To as many as received him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his name Joh. 1. 12 13. He that believeth on the Son is not condemned but hath everlasting life Joh. 3. 16 18 35 36. and ch 6. 40. 1 Joh. 5. 10 12. 5. The consideration hereof may encourage such as have the saith of our Loâ—d Jesus Christ to hold it fast and to hâ—ld fast the profession thereof Seeing we have a great High priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast the Profession Heb. 4. 13 14. Who is he that overcometh the World but he that believeth that Jesus is the son of God 1 Joh. 5. 4 5. 6. It sheweth unto us the sad and deplorable condition of such as rebel against and persist in their disobedience to him Seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to an open shame Heb. 6. 6. and chap. 10. 28 29. Oh Be we then wise all of us and kiss the Son lest he be angry and we perish from the way Ps 2. 10 12. Mat. 21. 37 41 43. Who hath his Eyes like unto a flame of Fire and his Feet are like fine Brass See the Notes before on ch 1. v. 14. and 15. Only here we may again note in general from this description of the Son of God in which he appears dreadful as considering the evils found with this Angel and Church namely their suffering Idolatrous and Antichristian Teachers among them That he is greatly displeased with and incensed against such as are false teachers and them who suffer such corrupt teachers amongst them also So also he appears terribly to the Angel and Church in Pergamos who were guilty of the like evil as these were See the Notes before on v. 12 15. And though there were great evils in other of these Churches as in Ephesus Sardis and Laodicea Yet he only appears terrible in the description of himself to these two Churches who had evil and corrupt teachers amongst them 2 Joh. 9. 11. Verse 19. I know thy Works and Charity and Service and Faith and thy Patience and thy Works and the last more than the first Or as some read it
to him Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thinâ— Inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth for thy Possession To wit all power over the Nations Then it is added Thou shalt break them with a Rod of Iron with an irresistible power thou shalt dash them in pieces like a Potters Vessel Psal 2. 7 8 9. with Acts 13. 32 33. As it is here also assured by Christ to him that overcometh c. Christ hath received all power over the Nations and shall inherit all Nations Ps 82. 8. He shall govern the Nations upon Earth Psal 67. 4. He shall judge the World in righteousness and minister judgment to the people in uprightness Psal 9. 6 8. and 96. 13. and 98. 9. and 22. 27 29. He shall have dominion from Sea to Sea and from the River unto the ends of the Earth They that dwell in the Wilderness shall bow before him and his Enemies shall lick the dust The Kings of Tarshish and of the Isles shall bring presents The Kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer Gifts yea all Kings shall fall down before him all Nations shall serve him Psal 72. 8 11. and 66. 1 4. The Lord shall be King over all the Earth Zech. 14. 9. He and not the Church of Rome as a learned man â—ondly conceits is the Man-child who shall rule all Nations with a rod of Iron Rev. 12. 5. Isay 2. 4. He shall rule them with a Rod of Iron with an irresistible power as before is said and break in peices the Oppressor and all that rebel against him and will not fall down and submit to him Psal 72. 4. Isay 1â— 4 5. Yea this Kingdom of Christ's which the God of Heaven shall set up shall never be destroyed nor be left to other people but it shall break in pieces and consume all other Kingdoms and it shall stand for ever Dan. 2. 34 35 44. And so in the beginning of his Reign he shall smite the Nations and he shall rule them with a rod of Iron and he treadeth the Wine-press and Wrath of Almighty God Rev. 19. 15 21. And he shall fight against and destroy those Nations that come against Jerusalem Zech. 14. 3 4 12. And in the time of his reign he will plague those Families that come not up to worship the King the Lord of Hosts and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles Zech. 14. 16 19. And in the end of the thousand years reign Fire shall come down from God out of Heaven and devour the Nations which are in the four quarters of the Earth who will then being deceived by the Devil go up and compass the Camp of the Saints about and the beloved City Rev. 20. 7 8 9. And in that Christ hath received and will in due season exercise such power over the Nations the consideration of it may be useful to us 1. To shew unto us the preciousness of his blood for upon the account thereof the Father hath highly exalted him and given him a name above every name Joâ— 3. 35. with ch 10. 17. Phil. 2. 6 9 11. Rev. 5. 12. 2. It may engage and provoke us all now to submit to him this is the use the Holy Ghost makes of the power given to Christ and that he shall rule the Nations with a Rod of Iron c. Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the Earth Kiss the Son lâ—st he be angry and ye perish c. Psal 2. 8 10 12. Acts 3. 19 20. and ch 17. 30 31. 3. In that he will give such power to him that oveâ—cometh it shews that such are called to the fellowship of Jesus Christ our Lord 1 Cor. 1. 9. 2 Thes 2. 13 14. To him are they beholden for all Rom. 8. 17. Luke 22. 29 30. And it might engage us therefore to hold fast his works and to fight the good fight of Faith 1 Tim. 6. 12. Then their Horn shall be exalted with Honour Psal 75 10. Verse 28. And I will give him the Morning Star This is a farther Branch of the Blessedness assured unto him that overcometh and keepeth Christ's works unto the end By the Morning Star is here meant Jesus Christ himself as he gives us to understand saying I Jesus have sent mine Angel to testifie to you these things in the Churches I am the bright and morning Star Rev. 22. 16. And he is the morning Star so called by way of excellency and eminency and so he is preferred before the Angels or Messengers of the Churches who are called Stars chap. 1. 17 20. For he is the Angel or Messenger of the Covenant Mal. 3. 1. And before the Apostles who are compared to and called Stars Rev. 12. 1. For he is the Apostle of the Believers Profession Heb. 3. 1. And before the Angels who are by nature Spirits and who are called the morning Stars Joâ— 38. 7. For he is Gods Angel emphatically so called in whom his name is Exod. 23. 20 21. He is made so much better then the Angels as he hath by Inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they Heb. 1. 3 4 13. This is that Star of which Balaam prophesied when he said There shall come a Star out of Jacob Numb 24. 17. and he is here called the morning Star and the bright and morning Star ch 22. 16. to signifie to us that when God shall send him again then immediately will follow the day of God 2. Pet. 3. 12. or the day of Christ Phil. 1. 6. and ch 2. 16. that notable day of the Lord Acts 2. 20. And so he is called the Day-Star 2 Pet. 1. 19. and Day-Spring East or Sun-rising Luke 1. 78. This Morning-Star he will give to him that overcometh then not as now by Faith but gloriously And so 1. He will give himself then gloriously who is the Resurrection and the Life and so give them a part in and raise them up in the first Resurrection so the different glory in the Resurrection is compared to the diversity of the glory among the Stars 1 Cor. 15. 41. with Verse 33. Rev. 20. 4 6. He will raise them up in the Resurrection of the just Luke 14. 14. and ch 20. 35 36. 2. He as the Son of Righteousness will appear and immediately arise to them with healing under his wings Mal. 4. 2. and wipe away all Tears from their Eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying nor shall there be any more pain for the former things shall pass away Rev. 21. 1 4 5. He will then perfectly and eternally forgive their Sins and heal their Diseases and deliver them from all the Fruits of Sin Ps 130. 8. Isay 33. 24. 3. He will immediately be a perpetual light to them he will give himself as the morning-Star unto them and that day shall then come in which there will be no darkness to those that have their part in the first Resurrection The Sun shall be no
thou art dead thou art wandred out of the way of understanding and so thou art and remainest among the congregation of the dead Prov. 21. 16. thou hast in a great measure lost that living and useful knowledge that good understanding of Jesus Christ and the excellency of his cross and the love of God therein commended which sometimes thou hadst and blindness is happened to thee in part and in a great measure also they were become blind 2 Pet 1. 9. and had not such knowledge of God as formerly they had had which was a shame for them 1 Cor. 15. 34. Thou art dead under condemnation by walking after the flesh â—hâ— wisdome and ducture thereof thou art carnally-minded savouring thine own things thine own name praise esteem works of righteousness and to be carnally-minded is death Rom. 8. 1 6. Thou hast been living after the flesh however after the refined and more goodly and beautiful part thereof the desires of the mind after thine own wisdom good-doings reputation vain-glory and so art become dead Rom. 8. 13. Gal. 5. 24 26. and so thou art fallen under the wrath and displeasure of God Jam. 4. 4 6. whose wrath is as messengers of death to thee Prov. 16. 14. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8. 1. But thou art not walking in and after the Spirit but after the flesh and so art under reproof and condemnation Gal. 5. 24 25. Rev. 3. 2 3. Thou art dead though thou appearest to live by Faith yet indeed thou art fallen under the law under the power and dominion thereof and so thy conscience is defiled and pollutted with dead and unprofitable works Heb. 6. 1. and ch 9. 14. thou hast forgotten and let slip what thou didst receive and hear at first and which was so precious pleasant and satisfying to thee how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures v 3. with 1 Cor. 15. 1 4. and how hereby he hath finished the transgression and made an end of sins and is making reconciliation for iniquity and hath brought in everlasting righteousness Dan 9. 24. yea that in him all things are actually prepared and made ready before thou wast invited to come to him Luke 14. 17. and all things pertaining to life and godliness to be received thorow the knowledge and Faith of him 2 Pet. 1. 3. and therefore instead of believing that thou mayst be justified sanctified conformed to him and so made meet for the inheritance Gal. 1. 15 16. Acts 26. 18. thou art seeking to attain righteousness by thy wisdom or as it were by the works of the law Rom. 9. 31 32 and 10. 1 4. and art under the law in thy mind and conscience which is the ministration of death 2 Cor. 3. 7. Gal. 5. 18. And canst no otherwise look up to God joy in him or approach with boldness to him but according to thine own law-services thy works and righteousness though thou didst receive the Spirit by the hearing of â—aith and not by the works of the law yet now thou art become so foolish having begun in the spirit thou wouldest be made perfect by the flesh Gal. 3. 1 5 12. thou art seeking the life and living of thine own hands Isay 57. 10 12. and having forgotten the precious blood of Christ or the preciousness thereof and love therein commended v. 3. thou art intangled with the yoke of bondage and art seeking to be justified by the law and Christ is in too great a measure become of none effect to thee Gal. 5. 1 4. thou dost not now wait thorow the Spirit for the hope of righteousness by Faith thou hast not now such rejoycing in Christ such tastes of his graciousness such confidence in him and confident dependance upon him and God in and thorow him as when thou dist keep in memory the word of the beginning of Christ 1 Cor. 15. 1 2. Gal 4. 15. Thou art dead hast no living affection to him as formerly nor zeal for him and for glorifying him unto others nor readiness and resolution to suffer shame and persecution for his sake and for the Gospel nor such love unto Men and Brethren And though thou hast works yet they are not perfect before God not the works of Faith but rather the works of the Law Jam. 2. 14 26. 1 Cor. 13. 3. Now here we may note 1. That they that have a name that they live they that have a same and report amongst others and whose renown is gone forth for their beauty knowledge Faith zeal vertue c. may yet be dead and withered and be far off from being such manner of persons as others report them to be not only may they be greatly mistaken who commend themselves and think themselves to be something when they are nothing Gal. 6. 3. as was Laodicea which said I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing And mean time was wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked and knew it not v. 17. 2 Cor. 10. 18. But they may be dead and withered and their moisture â—urned into the draught of summer of whom others speak highly and honourably Luke 6. 26. and ch 16. 15. Matt. 23. and ch 6. 2. Yea they that have a name amongst the Churches that they live such as are very renowned amongst them and â—amous in the Congregation of the Lord as Numb 16. 2. may yet be dead They the Churches and Angels thereof may be mistaken and deceived in those they think and speak so highly and honourably of and therefore as it may be a small thing with us to be judged of Men or of Man's day in General So it should be in particular a small thing with us to be justified praised and commended of others of our Brethren of our Teachers for the seven Spirits of God are not on them and they may be mistaken But let every one of us prove our own works and then shall we have our rejoycing in our selves alone and not in another or in others not in their good thoughts esteems or commendations of us 1 Cor. 4. 4. Gal. 6. 3 4. And let us not content our selves though we have a good report of all Men unless we have it of the truth also of Christ in his Gospel 3 Joh. 12. For 3. Such as these who are highly approved and commended by others and by the Angels and Churches also may yet be disapproved of and reproved and threatned by Christ that which is highly esteemed amongst Men may be an abomination in the sight of God Luke 16. 15. Christ hath the seven spirits of God and he is thereby quick of understanding Isay 11. 1 3. he seeth not as a Man seeth for Man looketh on the outward appearance but he looks on the heart â—nd so may refuse whom
his Prophets or Angels may chuse and highly esteem of 1 Sam. 16. 6 7. his eyes are as a flame of fire and he searcheth the reins and hearts see the notes on ch 1. v. 14. and on ch 2. v. 23. one would have thought that such a Church had been approved of him and might well have been commended of others of whom he saith I know thâ— works and thy labour and thy patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evil and hast tried them which say they are Apostles and are not and hast found them liars and hast born and hast patience and for my names sake hast laboured and hast not fainted and yet notwithstanding all this I have against thee c. See notes on Chap. 2. Verse 1 5. 2 Cor. 10. 18. Verse 2. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to dye for I have not found thy works perfect before God In this Verse Christ gives gracious and useful counsel to this Angel and Church and lays down a Reason or Argument to ingage them to receive it We may from the former part of the Verse note in general 1. In that our Lord Jesus gives such good and useful Counsel and Instruction unto dead ones and such dead ones also that Christ is not willing that such as these who after they have been enlivened and quickened in their Spirits have again brought themselves into a miserable condition so as they are even become dead should perish and be lost for ever while it is called to day though their iniquity be very great and highly provoking to him yet he hath no pleasure none at all in the death of him that dieth he hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked of such wicked ones also as have left off to be wise and to do good but that such turn and live as he hath both said and sworn Ezek. 18. 23 31 32. and ch 33. 11. with Ps 36. 1 3 4 7. Luke 15. 24. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9 15. 1 Tim. 2. 4. He would have all men to be saved while the day of his grace and patience lasteth And hence when by his Apostle Jude he warns of some such ungodly ones as turned the grace of our God into lasciviousness and is saying of them they were trees without fruit whose fruit withereth twice dead plucked up by the roots yet he gives this instruction to the believers And of some have compassion making a difference and others save with fear pulling them out of the Fire c. Jude 4. 12 22 23. 2. In that he gives this good and profitable counsel to those who were dead in a Spiritual Consideration as we have seen so he signifies to us that his words are Spirit and Life unto such as these Joh. 6. 63. His Gospel with the Counsels Commandments and Instructions thereof is the word of life Phil. 2. 16. In and with this word he gives life preventingly to dead Souls Joh. 5. 21 25. 1 Cor. 15. 47. and is quickening them also who thorow their carnal mindedness have again brought death upon themselves and lost those things which have been wrought in them by the Gospel Eph. 5. 14. His word is with power Luke 4. 32. and while he calls he stretches forth his hand to enable men to turn at his reproofs and to receive and obey his Counsel Prov. 1. 24. He doth lighten their Eyes that they may not sleâ—â— the sleep of death Ps 13. 3. with Prov. 29. 13. He works powerfully in and with his word to the recalling converting and turning such to himself as have sold themselves for their iniquities and for their transgressions are put away and hence he thus speaketh to and expostulateth with such wherefore when I came was there no Man when I called was there none to answer Is mine hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem or have I no power to deliver Isay 50. 1 2 3 4. 1. From hence then we may note that when we say dead Men may receive God's Word Instruction and Counsel while it is to day we suppose not nor believe that Men have naturally free-will or power to turn or quicken themselves for to be sure dead Men have neither will nor power to any thing that is spiritually good but in such like sayings we conclude as we have good ground to do that God exerts and puts forth his power in and with his word to enable them to what he requires of them where the word of this great King is without doubt there is power Eccles 8. 4. hence he saith to his people in former times O thou that art named the house of Jacob is the Spirit of the Lord shortened though thou hast neither will nor power to turn thy self Jer. 31. 18 19. yet is not his Spirit the Spirit of power and might 2 Tim. 1. 7. Isay 11. 2. and is this spirit of his straitned towards thee to enable and strengthen thee Surely no Mica 2. 1. 7. 2. It may lead us highly to esteem the word of Christ to glorify the word of the Lord and not listen to or be deceived by them who call it the letter and a dead letter but to know it is the ministration of the Spirit and the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 6 8. Eph. 6. 17. The word of God is living and powerful or in-working Heb. 4. 12. It is able to quicken dead souls as the Prophet David confesses saying thy word hath quickened me And again with thy precepts thou hast quickned me Ps 119. 50 93. Eph. 2. 1 4. 5. 3. It may instruct them that have this word of the Lord and have it fitted in their lips to speak it Faithfully and not to make use of excellency of speech or of wisdom But to know the word of God is powerful and needs not the additions or mixtures of Man's eloquence or wisdom or the strength of their arguments or most powerful and perswasive demonstrations and reasons the plain preaching of the cross without wisdom of words is the power of God 1 Cor. 1. 17 25. and ch 2. 1 5. Col. 2. 3 8. If they had stood in my counsel saith the Lord and had caused my people to hear my words then they should have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings he that hath my word let him speak my word faithfully what is the chaff to the wheat saith the Lord. Is not my word like as a fire saith the Lord and like an hammer that breaks the rock in pieces Jer. 23. 22 30. 2 Cor. 2. 17. 4. It may provoke them that have it in their hearts to take fast hold of it and not let it go to keep it for it is their life life to their Soul Prov. 4. 13. with ch 3. 21 22. If it will quicken dead Souls without peradventure it will keep and preserve living ones in life
10. In receiving Christ though the body was still dead because of sin yet the Spirit was life for righteousness sake And out of the belly of him that believeth in Christ do flow rivers of living water Rom. 8. 10. Joh. 4. 13 14. and ch 6. 50 51 57. and ch 7. 37 39. 2. How thou hast received and heard that is to say by what means so the word How doth oft signifie as How shall this be seeing I know not a Man Luke 1. 34. So when the Pharisees ask the Parents of the blind Man How doth your Son now see they answer By what means he now seeth we know not Joh. 9. 19 21. So here also it may be taken Remember how or by what means thou hast received and heard and that was by the Gospel of Christ thereby you received Christ Spirit Forgiveness Righteousness Life c. He that receiveth you saith our Saviour to his Disciples when he sent them forth to preach the Gospel receiveth me and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me Mat. 10. 40. Luke 10. 16. Joh. 13. 20. I declare unto you the Gospel saith the Apostle which I preached unto you which also you have received and wherein ye stand c. 1 Cor. 15. 1 4. And thorow this Knowledge and Doctrine of Christ God gives and the Believer receives all that pertain to Life and Godliness 2 Pet. 1. 3. Rom. 1. 16 17. Hence the Apostle thus demands of the Galatians received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law or by the hearing of Faith Having begun in the Spirit are ye now made perfect by the Flesh It was not by the Doctrine or Works of the Law but by the report of Faith by the Faith of the Gospel that they received the Spirit and thereby Christ and all good things by Faith Gal. 3. 1 4 5. Luke 11 13. with Mat. 7. 11. 1 Cor. 1. 18 23 24. 3. How thou hast received and heard Namely in or after what manner so the word How doth also signify As let every Man take heed How he builds thereon namely after what manner 1 Cor. 3. 10. and the seed springs and grows up he knows not how Mark 4. 27. Thou knowest not How the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child namely in what way or after what manner as in the former part of that verse Eccles 11. 5. so here in this place we may also understand it Remember â—ow thou hast received and heard That is to say With what joy and rejoycing how gladding it was to thee at first when thou heardest those glad tidings of great joy to all people reported in the Gospel what great joy it caused to thee as Acts 8. 5 8. how thou receivedst it with joy in the Holy Ghost 1 Thes 1. 6. Oh! it was a joyful sound then to receive with the ear and hear in hearing that Christ took thy nature upon him Luke 2. 10 11. that he had thy sins and the trespasses of the World imputed to him and that by the grace of God he tasted death for every Man and was raised again for their justification how gladsom were these tidings to thee when they were reported to and received by thee Acts 13. 32 33. Rom. 10. 14 15. And that he had broken the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron in sunder Ps 107. 15 17. that he had purged away the guilt of our first sin and sinfulness from before the presence of God and so made peace by the blood of his cross overcome and abolished the first death and destroyed him that had the power of it and so delivered us from that so great a death as in which otherwise we must have perished for ever and obtained power to give repentance from and the forgiveness of our own personal sins received Spirit wrought and brought in everlasting righteousness obtained eternal life and is in all the Saviour of the World of Man-kind And herein and herewith to hear and understand what a lover of the World of Man-kind God is what kindness and love he hath thereto and that he is not willing that any Man should perish Joh. 3. 16 17. 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. Oh! was not this goodnews from a far countrey like cold waters to thy thirsty Soul Prov. 25. 25. Did not this received fill thee with joy and peace in believing Rom. 15. 13. yea in believing didst thou not rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of Glory 1 Pet. 1. 3 8. did he not make thee glad thorow the work of his hand and help thee to triumph in the works of his hands Ps 92. 1 4. was not this good news to thee as life from the dead when thou wast in woful misery when the sorrows of death compassed thee and the pains of Hell gat hold on thee and thou found'st trouble sorrow when thy Soul â—ainted within thee and horrour and trembling came on thee did not this revive thy Spirit to hear that our Jesus liveth who was dead who died for all that were dead and that he is alive for evermore and hath the keys of hell and death Gen. 27. 28. Rev. 1. 17 18. Remember these days of old call to remembrance these former days and how after what a joyful manner thou hast received and heard Again Remember How in or after what manner thou hast received â—nd heard with what high esteem and prizings these things were received by thee in the days of thine illumination Christ was then precious to thee in believing that testified of him 1 Pet. 2. 7. more glorious and excellent then the mountains of prey Ps 76. 4. the chiefest of ten thousands Cant. 5. 10. he was more to thee then all other beloveds altogether lovely more precious than fine gold more dear than nearest and dearest relations riches righteousness of thine own or any other thing accounted gainful and valuable Then what things were formerly gain to thee those thou countedst loss for Christ yea thou countedst all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus thy Lord that thou mightest win him and be found in him Phil. 3. 4 9 10. then thou couldest take joyfully the spoiling of thy goods for his sake Heb. 10. 32 34. yea if possibly thou couldest have pluckt out thine own eyes and have given them to them who have brought these glad tidings to thee such blessedness thou didst meet with and speak of Gal. 4. 13 15. when thou didst first find this treasure hid in a field thou didst hide it and for joy thereof thou wentest and soldst all that thou hadst and bought'st that field like the wise Merchant Man when thou hadst found this pearl of great price thou wentest and soldest all that thou hadst and boughtest it Mat. 13. 44 46. then thou didst prefer Christ before thy chiefest joy who then but Christ with thee he was all thy wisdome righteousness sanctification redemption foundation glory goodness whom hast
32 33. Heb. 11. 17 19. The Apostle Paul to recover the Galatians from their wandrings sets before them that Christ is the Amen to him the promises are made and in him confirmed and with him assured to those that receive him So as in being Christ's they are Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise Gal. 3. 16 17 29. and 4. 28. and 5. 1. And so here Christ declareth himself to be the Amen to cure these of that Lukewarmness they were polluted with and assures them that in opening and giving entertainment to him he would come in to them and sup with them and they with him and that he that overcometh should sit with him on his throne Rev. 3. 14 20 21. Oh were this considered by us that God hath not spared his own Son but delivered him up for us all how would this make us confident that with him he will freely give us all things also how would this cause us to mount up with wings as Eagles to run and not to be a weary to walk and not saint and to encourage and engage us to listen to his counsel whom God hath given for a covenant to the people For the Lord God is a sun and shield he will give grace and glory no good thing will â—e with-hold from them that walk uprightly Rom. 8. 32. Ps 84. 10 12. The faithful and true witness This may be an explication of the Amen and shew us what is further meant by and contained in that expression These two words faithful and true may mean one and the same thing or we may say he is the faithful witness in that work whereto the Father appointed him hence the Apostle instructs the holy Brethren to consider the Apostle and High-priest of their profession who was faithful to him that appointed him namely in that hard and difficult work of humbling himself and becoming obedient to death the death of the cross Heb. 2. 9 18 and 3. 1 2. he is in his cross a faithful witness of the greatness and sincerity of the Fathers affection to us Isay 55. 3 4. who is meant by the faithful witness here spoken of may be plainly seen and wherein he is so firstly and fundamentally Rev. 1. 5. Jesus Christ the faithful witness and the first begotten of the dead And so 1. As he died for our sins by way of propitiation and as the peace-maker So he is a faithful witness of the Fathers love and that he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance he is the great sign and undoubted evidence of the heat and ardency of God's love towards us poor sinners even toward every poor sinful creature of Mankind in that by the grace of God he tasted death for every Man In this was manifested the love of God towards us because God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live thorow him The Father sent the Son the Saviour of the World 1 Joh. 4. 8 10 14. God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son c. Joh. 3. 16. This is the great sign of God's love to us and it is an evil and adulterous thing to seek after any other Mat. 12. 39. 1. Cor. 1. 22 24. and he is the faithful witness therein of the truth and faithfulness of the Father in performing his promises according to the tenour of them for he that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him freely give us all things also Isay 55. 3 4. Rom. 8. 32. Yea in what he hath sufâ—ered he is the faithful witness also of the freeness and ardency of his own love towards us his love was so fervent as that many waters could not quench it nor could the Floods drown it such was his grace that he laid down his life for us he died for all 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. and such the preciousness of his blood that in the vertue thereof he is raised again hath purged away our sins made peace slain the enmity broken down the middle-wall of partition between God and mankind taken out of the way all that was in it contrary to us abolished death and destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Devil and obtained into himself all Spiritual blessings in Heavenly things and confirmed a new Testament and Everlasting Covenant Oh what a faithful witness is he of the greatness and fervency of his own and his Fathers love And how powerful therefore is the view of him in his Cross to cure us of our Lukewarmness Do ye thus requite the Lord O foolish people and unwise Is he not thy Father that hath bought thee Oh how doth this love constrain us to love him and to cleave to him with full purpose Yea and to return to him when we have fallen by our iniquities for therein he shews us that he hath no pleasure in the death of him that dieth and so not in the death and destruction of poor wretched miserable blind naked lukewarm ones Oh! fear not to come unto and walk before him and be perfect Let not your hands be slack By this ye are saved if ye keep in memory what was at first declared to you unless ye believe in vain viz. that Christ died for our Sins according to the Scriptures and was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 1 4. O foolish Galatians saith the Apostle who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth that ye should not continue in running well but grow remiâ—s before whose Eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth crucified c. Gal. 3. 1. with ch 5. 7. 2. The faithful Witness and Martyr as a Peace-preacher who laid down his Life in testimony to the truth of that Gospel which he received from his Father and declared to us for to this end was he born and for this cause came he into the World that he should bear Witness to the truth Joh. 18. 37. And to this he did bear witness unto the death and sealed to the truth of that Gospel with his Blood This the Apostle Paul sets before Timothy to encourage him to fight the good fight of Faith that Jesus Christ witnessed a good Confession before Pontius Pilate when he knew what things he should suffer on that account 1 Tim. 6. 12 14. Away with this lukewarmness then and let us come unto and follow him whithersoever he goeth enduring bardness as good Souldiers of Jesus Christ 2 Tim. 2. 1 3 8. See Heb. 12. 1 3. 1 Pet. 2. 20 24. and ch 3. 17 18. And the true Witness In his Testimony in which he hath declared what he hath done and the Fathers love in him and that he is the Amen He is the truth it self and his word is the word of truth Prov. 8. 6 8. Ps 119. 160. 1 Joh. 5. 20. The true light now shineth 1
2. and 116. 3. and 18. 4 5. 2. Tried in the Fire signifieth that this Heavenly Gold was proved herein and appeared to be so right and excellent as that he could and did endure and abide the Fire and therefore also he is called and compared to Gold because it was one of these things and the first-named that would abide the Fire Numb 31. 22 23. He was proved to purpose herein the word of the Lord was tried Ps 18. 30. He is a tried Stone Isay 28. 16. He did not shrink from or perish in this Fire but endured to the end His love and graciousness was tried and evidenced to be strong as yea stronger than the Fire it self which had a most vehement flame Cant. 8. 6 7. 3. His beâ—ng tried in the Fire doth signifie that he was herein and here thorow purifâ—ed and refined and came forth as Gold out of the Fire Job 23. 10. Indeed he had never any pollution of his own or any mixture of Sin cleaving to him He knew no Sin he did no Sin there was guile found in his mouth 2 Cor. 5. 21. 1 Pet. 22. 2. But yet he had our sins laid upon him God made him to be sin for us The Lord laid on him the iniquities of us all 2 Cor. 5. 21. Isay 53. 6. and so he was by imputation spotted as it were with our spots and deformed with our afflictions and wrinckles but he was tried in the Fire therein and thereby was he purified from our Sins from the guilt of them and so he is pure He was manifested to take away our Sins and in him is no Sin 1 Joh. 3. 3 4 5. and he hath put off all mortality and weakness in his Resurrection 2 Tim. 1. 10. and hath a glorious body now in the Heavens Phil. 3. 20 21. He now liveth who was dead and he is alive for evermore Rom. 6. 9 10. See the notes before on ch 1. v. 18. and on ch 2. v. 8. 4. This Gold is said to be tried to denote that this trying work is over and past though the vertue and glorious fruit of it remains and abides for ever It is not said Gold trying but tried in or out of the Fire for as before is said he is acquitted of all our Sins imputed to him and hath overcome abolished and got rid of all our weakness and mortality and all occasions of grief and trouble and is not as some ungodly and antichristian Spirits blasphemously affirm dying in some or in any in every age of the World Once and but once in the end of the World he appeared to put away Sin by the Sacrifice of himself Heb. 9. 25 26. Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over him for in that he died he died unto Sin once but in that he liveth he liveth to God Rom. 6. 9 10. Heb. 7. 8 16 25. Rev. 1. 18. 3. In the next place consider we what is imported to us in the end why he counsels this Angel to buy which is also a powerful motive and argument used to move us to have such an high estimate of this Gold as to buy it at any rate that thou mayest be rich In this end is signified to us 1. That those that have not this Gold tried in the Fire cannot be rich nor enriched with true riches but are poor miserable creatures in the Eyes of him that judgeth righteously though they have large possessions much Gold and a multitude of Rubies These riches here below will not profit in a day of Wrath or death Will he esteem thy Riches No not Gold c. Job 36. 18 19. Zeph. 1. 18. Prov. 11. 4. nor make us partakers of the favour of God Cant. 8. 7. Though we had never such an abundance of the Gold and Riches of this World yet we should not upon that account be rich toward or with God Luke 12. 16 21. 2. In this end and motive is also signified to us that be we never so poor and miserable as with respect to the Riches Wisdom Righteousness c. of this world and though these Riches here below of what nature or kind soever they be will not truly enrich us yet in buying and being made partakers of this Gold tried in the Fire we may be rich rruly rich Eph. 3. 8. Riches and Honour are with him yea durable riches his fruit is better than Gold yea than fine Gold And therefore those that love him shall inherit substance and he will fill all their Treasures Prov. 8. 4 18 21. Rom. 8. 32. Jam. 2. 5. 3. In that he saith that thou mayest be rich it declares and shews unto us the great grace of our Lord Jesus Christ such was his grace to us that to this end he became poor that thorow his poverty we might be made rich 2 Cor. 8. 9. It was not nor is his own good and profit this faithful and true witness aims at but the profit and benefit of others that they may be saved 1 Cor. 10. 33. and ch 11. 1. Christ once suffered for Sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but quickened by the Spirit 1 Pet. 3. 18. 4. In that he here commends himself to us under the name of Gold and proposeth such an end to us to move and perswade us to buy it that we may be rich herein is intimated and signified to us his willingness and cordial desire that we should receive his counsel and part with and suffer the loss of all things for the excellency of him that we might win him Therefore he doth so aptly and enamouringly present himself to us and make use of such engaging and alluring arguments and motives he knows we all naturally love Riches our Hearts are taken with Gold and our Eyes set upon that as a most desirable and delightful thing Now then he thus in the first place describes himself and calleth and commends himself to us under the name of Gold tried in the fire and counsels us to buy that we may be truly and indeed enriched But no more to this Branch of the counsel In the next place we come to the second Branch Viz. And white Raiment that thou mayest be cloathed and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear This is a further Branch of the good and wholesome counsel given us by the Amen who is the counsellor of peace In which let us consider 1. The thing further counselled to by this excellent one and that is white Raiment 2. The end why this Angel and Church is counselled to buy this White Raiment That thou mayest be cloathed and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear 1. The things which this Counsellor further counsels this Angel and Church to buy and that is White Raiment or White Garments Here consider we 1. What is this White Raiment here counselled unto In general we may say It
sends forth his voice and that a mighty voice Ps 68. 33. 3. Yea herein also we may see and behold the admirable humility and condescension of Jesus Christ that he should so importunately seek the good of such unworthy ones as these were and we are that we might open unto him As the Apostle Paul saith Now then we are ambassadors for Jesus Christ as though God did beseech by us we pray in Christs stead Be ye reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5. 20. well may it be said of him that he is meek and lowly in heart Mat. 11. 29. 2 Cor. 10. 1. he hath given a wonderful proof of his admirable humility in coming down from Heaven and being so greatly abased for us Though he was in the form of God and thought it no robbery to be equal with God yet he made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a Servant yea he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross Phil. 2. 6 8. and still he who is such an excellent one and cannot be added unto advantaged or advanced by us is seeking us up and knocking at the doors of mens hearts that he might be received and entertained by them into the bed of love 4. Yea here we may also behold and view his great patience to such as these because he loves them hence he saith I stand and knock even continue knocking till his head was filled with dew and his locks with the drops of the night as Cant. 5. 2. or I have stood and do still knock herein his patience doth wonderfully appear Rev. 1. 9. 2 Thes 3 5. he who came into the world to save sinners doth shew forth all long-suffering 1 Tim. 1. 15 16. and this proceeds from his love and charity Charity suffers long and is kind 1 Cor. 13. 4. and he is therefore long-suffering because he is not willing that any should perish The longsuffering of our Lord is salvation Oh that it may be so accounted by us that we may not despise the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering But to day while it is called to day may hear his voice and not harden our hearts against him 2 Pet. 3. 9 15. 5. We have here a discovery and intimation given to us of the nature of his gracious and spiritual operations though he doth prevent with power and capacity yet he forceth not men against their wills nor makes them open will they nill they He draws with mighty and powerful Cords but still men may possibly not come who are thus drawn As he saith I drew them with Cords of a Man with Bands of Love and I was to them as he that taketh off the Yoke on their Jaws and I laid meat before them and yet they refused to return Hos 11. 4 5. He calleth and stretcheth forth his hand yet Men may not regard but may set at nought all his counsel and not will any of his reproofs Prov. 1. 23 25. He worketh in Men both to will and to do of good pleasure But still it is required of Men as their work in the light and strength of his grace that brings Salvation to them to do all things without murmuring and disputing or otherwise they will not not be blameless Phil. 2. 13 15. Indeed as with respect to his providential workings and operations in the World he will work and none shall let him or turn it back Isay 43. 13. with ch 14. 27. But as with respect to his gracious and spiritual operations for the saving of the Soul he doth not work irresistibly He draws indeed but Men may break his Bands and cast away his Cords from them Ps 2. 1 3. Jer. 5. 5. He may purge and Men not be purged Ezek. 24. 13. He may lead and yet Men may not be led but may forsake him when he leads them by the way Rom. 2. 4. with Jer. 2. 17. He may be gathering them as an Hen gathers her Chickens under her Wings and yet they may not be gathered Mat. 23. 37. He may teach them to profit and lead them by the way they should go and yet they may not be taught or hearken to his Commandments Isay 48. 17 18. So here he stands at the door and knocks but he doth not break open the door by his invincible or irresistible power but saith Open to me my Sister my Love c. As Cant. 5. 2 3. 2. VVe have a gracious and blessed motive and encouragement propounded and set before them to engage them or any Man to listen to his call and obey it If any man hear my voice and open to me I will come in to him and will sup with him c. Where we have to take notice of and consider 1. That which is requisite to render a man the subject of this blessedness 2. The blessedness it self assured and promised unto such an one 1. That which is requisite to render a Man the subject of this blessedness and this is here set down in two particulars That is to say 1. If any Man hear my Voice That which is to be heard is Christs Voice as distinguished from and preferred before all other Voices and as opposed to all evil ones there are many voices in the World 1 Cor. 14. 10. there is the voice of Fools Eccles 5. 3. And the voice of Strangers speaking in their divers and strange Doctrines Joh. 10. 5. with Heb. 13. 9. but their voice is not to be heard But we are exhorted to go from the presence of a Foolish Man when we perceive not in him the Lip of knowledge Prov. 14. 7. and ch 19. 27. But the voice which is to be heard by us is my Voice saith Christ the Voice of the Beloved Cant. 5. 2. and ch 2. 8. Even 1. And principally the Voice of his word Ps 103. 20. that joyful voice Job 3. 7. even the voice of the Son of Man Joh. 5. 25. The voice of the true Shepherd Joh 10. 3 4 16 27. for in his word his voice comes to us in which excellent things are declared to us and true things concerning his abasement and sufferings and how he hath been tried and what he hath thereby done for us and obtained into himself and is become and what he is now doing and will hereafter do And in which Testimony of Jesus he is giving good counsel and wholesome commands to us Prov. 20. 23. and ch 8. 1 4 6 10 23. and ch 9. 1 6. Rev. 3. 18. In these words of his he sends forth his voice and that a mighty voice Ps 68. 33. And this he doth even to such also as after tastes of his graciousness depart from him and shut the Door against him And by his voice in his Gospel he knocks at the hearts of Men yea and at the hearts of such as these and saith Remember how ye have received and heard Rev. 3. 3. Remember from whence ye are fallen Rev.
and talking with him as Daniel saith Chap. 9. 22. 3. Consider we what the voice said in these following Branches 1. Come up hither not only come hither as Chap. 17. 1. and Chap. 21. 9 but come up hither And yet it seems not to contain so much in it as is contained in the same phrase Chap. 11. 12 for that appears to have respect to the ascending of their bodies to whom it was spoken But come up ascend up namely in Spirit that may be where the body is not 1 Cor. 5. 3. Col. 2. 5. So it is elsewhere said after the voice thus spake to John come hither he carried me in Spirit for it is without an Article Rev. 17. 1 3. and Chap. 21. 9 10. And it is as if he should say not only stand up as being now awakened and excited by this Trumpet from those dead things here on earth and Christ shall give thee light as Eph. 5. 14. But ascend up from all things here below from all these seen things good and evil mount up in spirit like an Eagle to Heaven Isa 40. 31. Come up unto me as if Christ should say unto him and as the LORD spake unto Moses concerning himself and Aâ—ron c. Exod. 24. 1. Mount up to the consideration and contemplation of things above So the believers are exhorted generally to do in an ordinary way Col. 3. 1 2 5. And though this voice spake to him and talked with him in and after an extraordinary way and manner yet there was an act of compliance required from the Apostle see Chap. 1. 12 as also was from Paul in order to his being converted though the Lord appeared to him and was converting him after an extraordinary manner yet not in an irresistible manner Hence he saith I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision Implying he might possibly have so been Act. 26. 19. with Exod. 4. 1 14. and Jona 1. 1 3. So here the Lord did not carry him up without any compliance or obedience on the Apostle's part but he raised his spirit to go up as Ezra 1. 9. and then commanded him Come up hither And this was a great honour done unto and favour conferred upon his Servant John If it be a great favour to a man when an earthly Prince or great man shall say unto him come up hither and such an one shall have honour in the presence of others Prov. 25. 7 with Luk. 14. 10. O how much greater and higher an exaltation is it to a Servant of Christ when the King of Heaven the King of Glory shall single him out from and herein prefer him before the residue of his Brethren in saying unto him come up hither even unto Heaven Oh now such have great need to take heed they be not exalted above measure and to consider by grace they are saved as well as others And to beware they despise not such as are not favoured like them herein 2 Cor. 12. 7 9. It was an excellent thing found with John when he was thus exalted above his brethren yet he then saith I John who also am your brother c. See Notes on Chap. 1. vers 9. But how could the Apostle give obedience to the call and commandment of this voice How could he come up thither or ascend unto Heaven Surely not in any power strength or ability of his own or by any wisdom or skill of his But he that spake to and talked with him strengthned him Dan. 10. 19. See Vers 2. And there is a way by which he extraordinarily and we ordinarily may ascend though we have no power of our selves so to do nor can devise a way how we might come up for no man hath ascended up to Heaven in any wisdom or strength of his own as is implied Prov. 30. 4. Joh. 3. 13. yet we may mount up and ascend by the help of that ladder spoken of Gen. 28. 11 12. the foot whereof is set upon the earth and the top of it reacheth up to Heaven And this ladder in the truth of it is the Son of man who fell into the ground and died for our sins John 12. 24. He descended into the lower parts of the earth into great and wonderful abasement and sufferings He humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the Cross And He who descended is the same also who ascended far above all things that he might fill and fulfill all things Eph. 4. 8 10. Psal 68. 18. This is the ladder we are speaking of as our Saviour also signifies when he saith Hereafter ye shall see heaven opened and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the son of man Joh. 1. 51. with Gen. 28. 11 12. He is the secret of the stairs Cant. 2. 14 upon which we may ascend into Heaven by faith and in spirit but we must always begin at the bottom which is upon the earth that we may so do and so go up gradually from one step to another we must begin at the humiliation sufferings and Cross of our blessed Redeemer we have liberty to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us thorow the veil that is to say his flesh Heb. 10. 19 20. Rom. 8. 34. 2. And I will shew thee things which must be hereafter This is that which the voice further spake unto him In which we may note 1. That our Lord Jesus Christ doth know things that shall come future things And this he must needs do for he knoweth all things John 21. 17. There is no creature that is not manifest in his sigâ—t but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4. 12 13. He is perfect in knowledg Compare Isa 42. 19. with Job 36. 4. Not only doth he know things that are things present as he also doth both the actions and thoughts of men the hearts of men which are deceitful above all things and the most secret thoughts and intents thereof and which is Gods peculiar to know 1 King 8. 39. with Matt. 9. 4. Mark 2. 6 8. Compare Jer. 17. 19. with Rev. 2. 23. For he is one with the Father over all God blessed for ever Joh. 10. 30. Rom. 9. 5. The consideration whereof might admonish us all to take heed and beware that we do not in our hearts hide and hold fast any iniquity or abomination whatsoever but cleanse our hands from sin and our hearts from double-mindedness Jam. 4. 8. If otherwise shall not he search it out For he knows the secrets of the hearts Psal 44. 18 22. But he also knows things which shall and must be hereafter before they come to pass So he knew before his hour came what things he should suffer and how he should be dealt withal and told his Dâ—sciples before hand saying unto them Behold we go up to Jerâ—salem and the son of man shall be betrayed unto
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
Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not but a body hast thou prepared me In burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure Then said I loe I come In the Volume of thy Book it is written of me to do thy will O God c. Hebr. 10. 1-4-7-9 John 1. 17. Col. 2. 16 17. Hebr. 9. 9-11 Or also with reference to the Lamb of the Passover the Paschal Lamb he may be here called A Lamb They were at that Feast to take a Lamb for an House or for 2 or three Houses and to kill it in the evening And this they were to keep as a feast by an Ordinance for ever or by a Statute of Eternity And the blood of that Lamb was to be to them for a token upon the Houses and when the Lord saw the blood he would pass over them and the plague should not be upon them Exod. 12. 3-14 Now the truth of this Type was Jesus Christ the Lamb here spoken of Christ our Pass-over hath been slain or sacrificed for us 1 Cor. 5. 7. He gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour Eph. 5. 2. And he hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law Gal. 3. 13. This is that Lamb of God who bare the sin of the World and still taketh away their sins in his daily mediation during the day of God's Grace by means whereof God passes over us and is propitious to us John 1. 29. with Exod. 12. 8 9-14 Heb. 1. 3. Psal 75. 2 3. 1 John 2. 2. 2. He is a Lamb to be fed upon by us as the Pashcal Lamb was in former times Exod. 12. 8 9-14 Christ our Passeover is sacrificed for us therefore let us keep the Feast hereby he is become and in him is a Feast for all people 1 Cor. 5. 7 8. Isa 25. 6. Mat. 22. 4. The Bread that he will give continually is his flesh which he hath given for the life of the world His flesh is meat indeed and his blood is drink indeed whoso eateth his flesh and drinketh his blood hath eternal life John 6. 50 51-56 57. And to signifie to us that he is the truth of the Passeover and Paschal Lamb Hence our Lord Jesus when he was eating the Passeover instituted his Supper at the same time which is the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ Matth. 26. 26-28 1 Cor. 11. 23-26 And indeed his flesh and blood are always to be fed upon by us in a believing mindfulness and remembrance and serious meditation on the greatness necessity and excellencie of his Sufferings and what he hath thereby done and obtained into himself and is become his and his Father's love in all commended Rev. 7. 16 17. And whoso eateth him even he shall live by him Joh. 6. 57. and shall be strengthned laying aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset him to run with patience the race that is set before him Hebr. 12. 1 2 3. with Exod. 12. 11. And as in former times the Paschal Lamb and the Sacrifices generally were to be without blemish otherwise they would not be accepted Exod. 12. 5. Lev. 1. 3. 10. and Chap. 3. 1 c. So Jesus Christ is a Lamb without blemish and without spot 1 Pet. 1. 19. one that knew no sin that did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth 2 Cor. 5. 19-21 1 Pet. 2. 20-22 he was holy harmless undefiled c. Heb. 7. 26. 3. He is a Lamb and so called to denote his great meekness in all his endurings and sufferings even in what he suffered from the hands of men also in which he was most unjustly proceeded against and with wicked hands crucified and slain when he was reviled he reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judged righteously 1 Pet. 2. 20-23 He was oppressed and he was afflicted yet he opened not his mouth he was brought as a Lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb so he opened not his mouth Isai 53. 7 8. with Act. 8. 32-35 Luke 10. 3. He did not cry nor lift up nor cause his voice to be heard in the streets but was gentle in all he endured and patient towards all Isai 42. 1 2. 2 Cor. 10. 1. And he is gracious and gentle in all the Administrations of his Government And he calls upon us to take his yoâ—e upon us and lâ—arn of him who is meek and lowly in heart so shall we find rest to our Souls Isai 42. 18-21 Matth. 11. 29. Rom. 15. 1-3 2. We have an Account how he saw him As it had been slain In which saying is signified to us 1. That this Lamb was slain he was so once and but once 1 Cor. 5. 7. Heb. 9. 25 26-28 In which expression is included and supposed the whole of his abasement and sufferings in that body which the Father had prepared for him In that he died he died unto sin once Rom. 6. 9 10. Christ once suffered for sins the just for the unjust 1 Pet. 3. 18. Heb. 7. 27. and Chap. 9. 12-27 28. and Chap. 10. 10. Of this our Lord spake prophetically before his hour was come saying The Son of man must suffer many things and be rejected of the Elders and chief Priests and Scribes and be slain c. Luke 9. 22. And though they found no cause of death in him yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain Act. 13. 28. Though he was a Lamb a spotless Lamb one that continually went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil for God was with him yet he was reviled he suffered and the Jews with wicked hands slew him and hanged him on a tree 1 Pet. 2. 20-23 Act. 2. 23. and Ch. 10. 38-40 And God brought him into the dust of death for our sins for God made him to be sin for us Psal 22. 15. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Isai 53. 5-10 He spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all Rom. 8. 32. Zech. 13. 7. Rom. 4. 25. Gen. 22. 8 9. The Cup he drank of was that which the Father gave him to drink John 18. 11. Oh wonderful Grace Oh unparallel'd love both in Father and Son John 3. 16. and Chapt. 4. 8-10 and Chap. 4. 8-10-12-14 2. As it had been slain Not now so Rev. 5. 9 12. He now liveth who was dead and he is alive for evermore Rev. 1. 18. and Chap. 2. 8 God brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus the great Shepheard of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting Covenant Heb. 13. 20. God raised him again having loosed the pains of death because it was not pâ—ssible he should be holden of it Act. 2. 24-36 Luke 9. 22. And he is raised again in that body of his flesh in which he he bare our sins to the tree and was crucified dead and buried his flesh did
blood but as is here said By thy blood not by the blood of any of the offerings or sacrifices which were commanded in and offered by the Law It is true indeed under the Law the blood of their Sacrifices did make a typical atonement for them for all their sins Lev. 6. 30. and Chap. 16. 15-34 But truly and really it was not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats could take away sin either from before the presence of God or out of their consciences Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not but a body hast thou prepared me In burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure then said I Lo I come in the volume of thy Book it is written of me to do thy will O God Heb. 10. 1-4-9 and Chap. 9. 9 13. No it 's by the blood of him whom they worship of him who is the true God and eternal life by which peace was made and redemption wrought for them Col. 1. 20. and hereby also they were bought unto God and washed from their sins and pollutions in their minds and consciences For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of en beifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh how much more shall the blood of Christ who thorow the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God Heb. 9. 13 14-22 and Chap. 10. 22. with Chap. 12. 24. Now here for our further usefulness we may enquire and consider 1. What is meant by and contained in this blood of Christ here spoken of by which they were redeemed unto God 2. How were these holy ones redeemed by it 1. To the first we may say that by the Blood of Christ we are to understand 1. The whole of his abasement and sufferings in that Body which the Father prepared for him and most directly his death or pouring out his soul unto death as here it is said Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood He even this glorious one took part with us of flesh and blood that he might die and thorow death destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil Heb. 2. 14. Blood and death are words of a like signification in Scripture compare Psal 72. 14. with Psal 116. 15. Sometimes indeed his blood is distinguished from his flesh as in Joh. 6. 53-56 and in the Supper 1 Cor. 11. 2â— 25. But here and elsewhere when it is mentioned alone it includes and contains all his Humiliation sufferings and death 1 Joh. 5. 6. and his blood is sometimes called the blood of his Cross because thereon he died and gave up the Ghost Col. 1. 20. and sometimes all his sufferings are supposed and contained in the word Cross because He humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the Cross Ephes 2. 13. with vers 15. Gal. 6. 14. 1 Cor. 1. 23. and Chop 2. 2. Phil. 2. 6 7 8. 2. And by his blood may also be meant the vertue and procurement thereof or what he hath thereby done and obtained into himself for us and is become So many times in Scripture that which is gotten procured or obtained by any thing is called by the name of that thing by which it was so gotten procured or obtained So a mans servant is called his money because he is obtained hired or bought with his money Exod. 21. 21. so that which is earned or gotten by work or labour is called by the name of labour or work Psal 127. 2. Isa 40. 10. and 49. 4. Jer. 4. 18. So the water which Davids three mighty men drew out of the Well of Bethlehem and brought unto David is called Blood because they gat it with blood as it were putting their lives into their hands for it as David saith Is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives 2 Sam. 23. 15-17 1 Chron. 11. 17-19 So that field is called the field of blood which was bought with blood or with the price of blood Mat. 27. 6-8 Act. 1. 19. see the fuller discovery pag. 112-114 And in this sense the Cross of Christ answers to the Gospel 1 Cor. 1. 17. with ver 18. For by the blood of his Cross he hath made peace Col. 1. 20. Obtained the forgiveness of our personal sins Ephes 1. 7. Col. 1. 14. received the spirit and all spiritual blessings Rev. 5. 6 12. Joh. 3. 35. with Chap. 10. 17 18. Confirmed a new Testament and everlasting Covenant of exceeding great and precious promises c. Mâ—t. 26. 28. Heb. 10. 29. and 9. 12. and Chap. 13. 20. Phil. 2. 8 9. Eph. 4. 8-10 with Psal 68. 10 18. 2. How were these holy ones redeemed by his Blood To that we may say 1. As to Christs redeeming men in himself so he carried his blood in the vertue of it into Heaven and presented it unto the Father as a price of redemption Not by the blood of goats and calves but by or with his own blood be entred in 〈◊〉 having obtained eternal redâ—â—ption Heb. 9. 12. with vers 7. And he thorow the eternal spirit offered himself in the vertue of his blood without spot or fault to God Heb. 9. 14. Every High-Priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices wherefore it is of necessity that this man our great High-Priest have somewhat to offer And he hath given himself his own body which was delivered for our offenceâ— and raised again for us an offering and a sacrifice to God as we have before said Heb. 8. 1-3 4. with Chap. 10. 10. Eph. 5. 2. 1 Tim. 2. 6. And so acceptable and well-pleasing was his gift and offering unto God that thereby he hath redeemed mankind from the curse of the Law drawn all men unto himself and God hath given him power over all flâ—sh and committed all judgment and government unto him that all men should honour the son c. Gal. 3. 13. Joh. 12 31 32. and Chap. 17. 2. Psal 2. 6-8-9-12 Joh. 5. 22 23. 2. As to the redeeming men in their own persons unto God he is tendring his blood unto them as a price to out-bid all other things and buy them off from their vanities Idols and vain conversation and so his blood answers to money though yet it infinitely exceeds it 1 Pet. 1. 18. 19. He puts his blood in and by his Gospel and himself as a price into the hands of men to redeem them from their evil and sinful thoughts ways and companions that they might count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledg of Jesus and go on to count them but dung that they might win him and be found in him Phil. 3. 7-9 Prov. 17. 16. He by his spirit so glorifies himself and renders his blood so precious in his Gospel that men might look unto him and be
17. God honoured him also in being with him and owning and strengthening him when he was generally despised and rejected of Men Joh. 8. 54. with Isay 53. 3. In laying our sins upon him and delivering him to death for the offences of all He crowned him with honour that he by the grace of God should taste death for every Man Heb. 2. 9. with Isay 49. 6. And hath upon the account of his sufferings honoured him for the sufferings of death he hath crowned him with honour Heb. 2. 9. with Ps 91. 15. He hath raised him again from the dead Rom. 1. 4. And laid him as a good foundation of Faith and Hope for Mankind 1 Pet. 2. 4 6. Isay 28. 16. The Stone which the Builders refused and disallowed is become the Head of the Corner This is the Lord 's doing c. Psal 118. 22 23. And he is the fountain of all grace and spiritual blessings God hath given him the preeminence in all things for in him it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell Col. 1. 18 19. And he is the Bread of Life the Door of approach unto God the true Vine c. And he hâ—th preferred him above all above the glorious Angels He hath by Inheritance a more excellent Name than they Heb. 1. 4 14. Above Moses the Mediatour of the Old Testament Heb. 3. 1 6. Above Aaron the typical High Priest Heb. 5. 4. 7. He is the first-born higher than the Kings of the Earth the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Col. 1. 18. with Psal 89. 27. Rev. 1. 5. and 17. 14. Because he humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the Cross Therefore also God hath highly exalted him and given him a Name which is above every Name Phil. 2. 8 10. Eph. 1. 20 21. And hath put all things under his feet though yet we see not all things put under them Psal 8. 5 8. with Heb. 2. 6 8 9. Eph. 1. 22. And in due season his Horn shall gloriously and visibly be exalted with honour Psal 112. 9. with Psal 145. 5. 14. And Honour from all Creatures Divine Honour even Religious and Divine VVorship Isay 29. 13. with Mat. 15. 8 9. See notes before on v. 8. And particularly by all Men God hath committed all Judgment to him that all Men should honour the Son as they honour the Father they should honour him in hearing his word and believing on him that sent him Joh. 5. 22 24. with 2 Pet. 1. 17. and Mat. 17. 5. and by all his Saints as here he is v. 8. 10. A Son honoureth his Father Mal. 1. 6. And they that hear his word and believe on him are the Children which God hath given him And it is but meet and reasonable therefore that they should honour him not doing their own wayes nor finding their own pleasure nor speaking their own words Heb. 2. 13. Isay 58. 13. See Notes before on ch 4. v. 9. And he hath gotten him honour upon that crooked Serpent Leviathan the Devil as God did on Pharaoh Exod. 14. 17 18. In that he hath bound that strong one thorow Death destroyed him that had the power of Death and is destroying and will destroy him as to his second in due season Psal 110. 1. Heb. 10. 11 12. Oh then seeing he is worthy to receive honour let us honour him in preferring him before our chiefest joy and loving him more than our nearest Relations in this World Mat. 10. 37 38. with 1 Sam. 2. 29 30. Luke 14. 26 27 33. Let us kiss him come unto and follow him in the regeneration Ps 2. 12. Joh. 12. 26. Let us honour him with our substance and with the first-fruits of our increase Prov. 3. 9. Considering that honour is with him and he hath power to give and dispense it to others and will honour them that honour him Prov. 3. 13 16. and 4. 8. and ch 8. 6 18. 6. And glory This is near in signification to the former expression as is said before see Notes on ch 4. v. 9. And he is indeed worthy to receive glory to be highly and honourably esteâ—med To receive lustre beauty splendoâ— and majesty in the nature of Man The God of our Fathers glorified his Son Jesus Act. 3. 13. He herein glorified him in begetting and making or creating him his Son Jer. 31. 22. In acknowledging him to be his Son 2 Pet. 1. 17. In being with him and strengthening him unto and in all his services and sufferings Joh. 17. 1. In appointing him and giving him by his grace to die for our sins to taste death for every Man Joh. 12. 23 24. and ch 13. 31. Heb. 2. 9. In raising him from the dead for our justification Act. 3. 13 15. And giving all glory to him upon the account of his sufferings Joh. 17. 4 5. 1 Pet. 1. 19 21. He hath a glorious Body Phil. 3. 21. Act. 22. 11. He is a spiritual Man and hath an heavenly Image 1 Cor. 15. 44 48. A glorious Dominion and Lordship over all Creatures God hath Crowned him with glory and put all things under his feet Ps 8. 4 8. with Heb. 2. 6 9. A glorious fulness of all grace and truth Joh. 1. 14 16. with Col. 1. 18 19. and ch 2. 3 9 10. The spirit of glory rests upon him Isay 11. 1. In him is redemption righteousness eternal life yea all things that the Father hath are his Joh. 16. 15. But to this we shall have afterwards further occasion to speak in the last particular here attributed to the Lamb viz. Blessing He is gone and received up into glory 1 Tim. 3. 16. Act. 7. 55. And is set down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Heb. 1. 3. and ch 8. 1. where he is and remains a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech He glorified not himself to be made an High Priest but he that said unto him Thou are my Son this day have I begâ—tten thee Heb. 5. 4 5. And God hath given this glory unto him to be a Covenant of the people a Light of the Gentiles to open the blind Eyes c. And to be the Apostle of the Believers Profession Isay 42. 6 8. Heb. 3. 1 3. And in due season he shall appear in glory Ps 102. 16. In his own glory in his Father's glory and in the glory of the holy Angels Mat. 16. 27. Mark 8. 38. Luke 9. 26. And shall sit upon the Throne of his glory Mat. 25. 31. and 19. 28. And he is worthy to receive glory from all his Angels and Saints 1 Chron. 16. 28 29. Ps 29. 12. and 96. 7 8. with Heb. 1. 6. And he hath power to give glory unto and confer it upon others upon them that come unto and follow him in the regeneration Mat. 19. 28 29. He is the Lord of glory as the owner and professor of it so the giver and dispencer of it both now and hereafter Jam.
there we have only three places mentioned for it is said None in Heaven nor in Earth nor under the Earth In which last expression the Sea is also included All which do encline so to understand it which I have therefore mentioned But yet because as here rendred they are distinctly mentioned here and there may be a distinct consideration of these two and else where also though very rarely we have such a distribution-made As it seems there is in Psal 135. 6. Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in Heaven and in the Earth in the Seas and in all deep places Therefore I shall briefly speak to them distinctly And so And under the Earth to wit under the face or superficies of it and so distinguished from every Creature on the Earth And under the Earth there are Deeps or deep places Psal 95. 4. and 148. 8. Gold Silver Brass and all Metals and Minerals Job 28. 1 3 5. Stones and precious Stones Job 28. the pretious things and hidden treasures Deut. 33. 16. Job 3. 21. Prov. 2. 4. Roots of Trees Grass c. Job 14. 8. Dan. 4. 15 23. VVorms Mica 7. 17. Vapours Psal 148. 8. and 135. 6 7. Jer. 10. 13 and 51. 16. And those that are buried there-under c. 4. And such as are in the Sea That is also full of Gods riches as the Psalmist saith O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all the Earth is full of thy riches so is this great and wide Sea wherein are things creeping innumerable both small and great Beasts Psal 104. 24 25. therein are Fishes in abundance Gen. 1. 26 28. Psal 8. 8. Job 12. 8. And of these some have Scales and Fins and they were legally clean and some had none and they were legally unclean Lev. 11. 9 12. Deut. 4. 19 10. and creeping things as before which sometimes enclude Fishes sometimes are distinct there-from Gen. 1. 20 21. with 1 King 4. 33. So we read of the Sea-Monsters Lam. 4. 3. and the Dragons in the Sea as Isay 27. 1. there go the Ships and there is that Leviathan whom God hath formed to play therein Psal 104. 26. Job 41. therein also are Fowls which with us are called Sea-birds and Sea-fowls and are mentioned with the Fishes Gen. 1. 20 21. So the waves of the Sea Exod. 15. 19. Job 9. 8. the â—and of the Sea Job 6. 3. and treasures hid therein And in the Sea are Pearls c. Deut. 33. 19. and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the Sea Psal â— 8. 3. The Apostle makes a general Repetition of what he had foresaid saying And all that are in them not some of the Creatures in Heaven on the Earth under the Earth and in the Sea or some of all sorts but all that are in them in which he speaks somewhat like to that Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet for in that he put all in subjection under him be left nothing that is not put under him Heb. 2. 6 8. And this gives us occasion to propound and give Answer to a Question or two that might arise from that which is here said Namely Quest But are wicked Men and wicked Spirits included in the every Creature and all that are in them and do or shall they also say Blessing and Honour and Glory and Power unto him that sits on the Throne and to the Lamb c Answ 1. To the first part of this question we say surely they are encluded also in the every Creature here spoken of for the Apostle here speaks as generally and universally as may be in so few words And every Creature which is in Heaven and on the Earth and under the Earth and such as are in the Sea and all that are in them heard I saying c. And therefore as I judge wicked Spirits and wicked Men cannot reasonably be excluded 2. To the second question or second part of the question we may say certainly wicked Men and Spirits do not chearfully and heartily and so not acceptably say Blessing c. unto him that sits upon the Throne c. But yet the Devils though against their wills do obey and make some right acknowledgments of God and Christ The Devils believe there is one God and tremble Jam. 2. 19. The Damâ—sel possessed with the Spirit of Divination said concerning Paul and his Companions These Men are the Servants of the most high God c. whereby it appears the Evil Spirit did know and intimately acknowledge that he was not but there was one that was the most high God above all evil Sprits whatever Acts 16. 16. though yet the Devil desires and seeks to be worshipped as God So the Devils cried out saying What have we to do with thee Jesus thou son of God Mat. 8. 29. And unclean Spirits when they saw Christ fell down before him and cried saying Thou art the Son of God Mark 3. 11 12. And the Legion of Devils or the Man possessed therewith fell down before Jesus and with a loud voice said What have I to do with thee Jesus thou Son of God most high I beseech thee torment me not Luke 8. 27 32. And the People were all amazed insomuch that they questioned among themselves saying what thing is this what new Doctrine is this for with authority commandeth he even the unclean Spirits and they obey him Mark 1. 24 27. And so we may say of wicked Men also for all are his Servants Ps 119. 91. They though not willingly and chearfully yet against their wills do after a sort not acceptably Heb. 12. 28. worship him Acts 17. 25. They profess to know God who in works deny him being abominable and disobedient and to every good work reprobate Tit. 1. 16. And in due season all shall render and ascribe Blessing and Honour c. unto him that sits upon the Throne and unto the Lamb So the Lord saith I have sworn by my self the word is gone out of my Mouth in Righteousness and shall not return that unto me every Knee shall bow every Tongue shall swear Isay 45. 23. with Rom. 14. 11 12. And because Christ Jesus humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the Cross therefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name above every name That in the name of Jesus every Knee should bow of things in Heaven and things on Earth and things under the Earthâ— and that every Tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father Phil. 28 11. All they that go down to the Dust shall bow before him Ps 22. 27 29. Prov. 16. 4. And indeed Wicked Spirits and Men may well be included and reckoned amongst such Creatures as are brute and have no understanding because they so degenerate from their Primitive Glory and Excellency and the latter will not be made clean and renewed So the Devil is called and compared