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
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
thy demeanour Joh. 3. 36. and ch 5. 24. Rom. 8. 1. That his eye is delightfully upon thee and his Soul takes pleasure in thee that thou dwellest and remainest in the peculiar love and special favour of God whose favour is towards a wise Servant but his wrath is against him that causeth shame Prov. 14. 35. Joh. 14. 21 24. That thou livest that thou hast a lively hope by the resurrection of Christ from the dead as declared to thee in the Testimony of God concerning Christ 1 Pet. 1. 3. that thou livest by faith even by the Faith of the Son of God who loved thee and gave himself for thee Gal. 2. 20. Hab. 2. 4. that thou livest by Christ as he is revealed in the Gospel that thou eatest that living bread and feedest thereon even on the flesh of Christ that was given for the life of the World whose flesh is meat indeed and whose blood is drink indeed Joh. 7. 51. 53 57 58. and that thereby thou art filled with joy and peace in believing and aboundest in hope thorow the power of the Holy Spirit Rom. 15. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 3 4 8. that in eating of the flesh of the hind of the morning thy heart liveth Christ dwelling therein by Faith Ps 22. 26. with the title Eph. 3. 17. that Christ liveth in thee Gal. 2. 20. and in thy spirit are living waters out of which flow rivers of living water and from whence are issues of life Issuing forth praises of him longing desires after and prayers for more knowledge of him acquaintance with him Faith in him more high prizings of him more servent affection to and welpleased delight in him Joh. 7. 37 38. Prov. 4. 21. Cant. 2. 3 5. That Christ is thy life that living stone the foundation of thy Faith confidence hope and expectation that he is thy consolation and not any works of thine own or any thing effected in thee or done by thee Col. 3. 4. Rom. 1. 16 17. 1 Pet. 2. 3 4 5. Luke 2. 25. and that thou hast thy Glorying in his cross and thy rejoycing always in him who died yea rather is risen again c. And hast no confidence in the flesh Gal. 6. 14. Phil. 3. 1 3. 10. and ch 4. 4. That thou livest art quickened to new and living affections unto Jesus Christ and God in him and lovest him because he loved thee first that he is the He whom thy Soul loveth 1 Joh. 4. 14 16 17 19. and to new and living affections to Brethren so as thou lovest them with a pure heart â—ervently 1 Pet. 1. 22. yea that thou lovest desirest and endeavourest the good of all Men and that from the constrainâ— of the love of Christ because thou judgest that this One died for all and rose again and that God would have all Men to be saved 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. 20. 1 Tim. 2. 1 8. Luke 6. 27 35. And that thou art led by and walkest in the Spirit and so art preserved from fulfilling the lusts of the flesh not only the more gross ones but also the desires of the mind such as the wisdom righteousness goodness of the flesh praise of Men desires of vain-glory c. Gal. 5. 16 22 26. that thou art spiritually minded and led by the spirit who always leads in the path of life and that to thee to live is Christ and the end of thy conversation is that God in all things may be glorified thorow Jesus Christ that his Gospel may have free course and be received and heartily believed by others Phil. 1. 21. 1 Pet. 4. 11. 1 Cor. 9. 23. and ch 10. 33. This is somewhat of the name that this Angel and Church now had of their renown that was gone forth among the other Churches they were highly esteemed and well reported of by others Thou hast a name that thou livest But what was Christ's knowledge concerning them and what account doth he give of this Angel and Church generally It follows I know thy works that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead and this he knew also by their works Dead not so as to their bodies as we have said for they still lived in that sense and conversed among Men where-as those that are naturally dead know not any thing Eccles 9. 5. nor is the truth sent or preached to them Isay 38. 18. But they were dead while they lived 1 Tim. 5. 6. Dead not with Christ not crucified with him as Gal. 2. 20. not dead to the rudiments and elements of this present world Col. 2. 12 20. or to the law by the body of Christ Rom. 7. 4. or to sin Rom. 6. 7 or conformed to the death of Christ in suffering shame reproach and persecution for his sake Phil. 3. 10. 2 Tim. 2. 11. we are not to understand the word dead in any of these senses for this death is an efficacy of the grace of God known and believed and so not reprovable but commendable But this Angel and Church is reproved and blame-worthy for being dead as plainly appears in this Epistle which is sent unto them in what follows Nor yet dead in an outward open and visible consideration spiritually that is they were not walking in the gross lusts and requirings of the flesh or not openly walking in them they were not like the Prodigal who wasted his substance with riotous living of whom his Father saith this my Son was dead Luke 15. 13 24 32. nor like the Ephesians of whom the Apostle saith And you who were dead in trespasses and sins wherein also ye walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the air c. Eph. 2. 1 2. that is I mean they did not openly work the will of the Gentiles walking in lasciviousness lusts excess of wine revellings banquettings c. 1 Pet. 4. 3. for such an openly vile conversation would have been altogether inconsistent with and have taken away their name among the Churches But they were more inwardly dead And yet they were dead not totally and absolutely but comparatively and in a great measure so as to the living and lively usefulness of what they had known and believed and the power and preciousness whereof they had discerned proved tasted and experimented therefore in v. 2. it is thus exprest the things which remain and are ready to dye And so Thou art dead to wit in general Thou art in a piteous condition in a miserable way at present so we have shewn before that death includes and contains in it many times when it is mentioned alone all misery and unhappiness and so certainly this Angel and Church were in the high-way to destruction and would bring that on themselves if Christ's counsel were not seasonably received and obeyed by them v. 2 3. And so he as it were saith to this Angel and Church as he doth to that of Laodicea Thou art wretched and miserable v. 17. More particularly
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
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
14. Joh. 5. 28 29. Actâ— 24. 14. 1 Cor. 15. 26. But now the second death here spoken of more particularly is that 1. Which shall be executed on Men not for their sinning in Adam nor for their partaking necessarily of filth and pollution but for their own personal Sinnings against light and grace vouchsafed and extended to them thorow the one and onâ—ly mediatour Jesus Christ who gave himself a ransom for all And so for their willing ignorance of God unbelief and disobedience to his Gospel and goodness by all means witnessed to them Then there shall be no occasion for the use of that Proverb the fathers have eaten Sowr grapes and the Childrens teeth are set on edge But the Soul that sinneth personally and impenitently it shall dye Jer. 31. 29 30. Ezek. 18. 1 4 23. Rom. 2. 4 6. and ch 1 18 21 28. Joh. 3. 16 18 19 36. he that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16. 15 16. he will in flaming fire take vengeance on them that know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thess 1. 8 9. he will then execute Judgment upon and convince all that are ungodly of all their ungodly deeds and hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him Jude 14. 15. the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and Idolaters and all liers shall have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 8. Eph. 5. 3 6. 2. Their Judge and he that shall condemn them and adjudge them to the second death will be the Lord Jesus who died and rose for them God hath ordained him the Judge of quick and dead Acts 10. 42. and ch 17. 30 31. We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10 11. Mat. 25. 30 41. Joh. 5. 22 27. Rom. 14. 9 10 11. Isay 45. 22 23 24. 3. The rule according to which he will judge them will be not the law as they fell under it in Adam but the Gospel So the Apostle saith both as with respect to them that have sinned without the law or Doctrine of the Lord and as with respect to them that have sinned in the law That God shall judg the secrets of them by Jesus Christ according to the Gospel Rom. 2. 11 12 16 Joh. 12. 47 50. Isay 30. 33. 4. The time when they shall be adjudged to this second death will be after they are raised out of the first after that the Judgment Heb. 6. 2 3. and ch 6. 27. All that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of Man and shall come forth they that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation Joh. 5. 28 29. Rev. 20. 14 16. It is therefore called the wrath to come 1 Thess 1. 8 10. 5. It will be so dreadful and terrible both on Soul and Body Mat. 10. 28. that there will be no mixture of mercy in it now in the hand of the Lord there is a cup and the wine is red It is full of mixture and he poureth out of the same but the dreggs thereof all the wicked of the earth shall wring out and drink Ps 75. 8. they shall not then have so much as a drop of water to cool their tongues when they are tormented in that flame Luke 16. 24 25 26. Rev. 14. 10. yea then the Lord will laugh at their calamity and mock when their fear cometh When their fear cometh as desolation and their destruction as a whirlewind when distress and anguish cometh upon them then they shall call upon him but he will not answer they shall seek him early but they shall not find him for that they hated knowledge and did not chuse the fear of the Lord Prov. 1. 24 26 32. 6. As to the duration of it it will be to all eternity both on Soul and Body Mat. 10. 28. there shall never be a dissolution of Soul and Body any more for the first death and Hell shall be destroyed 1 Cor. 15. 26. being cast into the lake of fire which is the second death Rev. 20. 14. And so their torment will be eternal and without any intermission The smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever And they have no rest day nor night who worship the beast c. Rev. 14. 11. the breath or spirit of thâ— Lord like a stream of brimstone shall kindle that fire that is unquenchable Isay 30. 33. with Mat. 3. 11 12. Luke 3. 17. they shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power 2 Thess 1. 8 9. Then shall the King say to them on his left hand Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Mat. 25. 41. and ch 18. 8. 7. Herein they shall have this as a worm gnawing upon them to all eternity The remembrance of what Christ suffered for them and how he redeemed them from the curse of the Law and obtained eternal life into the nature of Man for them and his grace brought salvation to them whereby they might have been saved from their sins and been delivered from this wrath to come And that they slighted and rejected this Saviour and his salvation hated instruction and their heart despised reproof they hated knowledge and did not chuse the fear of the Lord But by observing lying vanities they forsook their own mercy Prov. 1. 24 31 32. and ch 5. 12 13 Jona 2. 8. that they fled from him transgressed and spoke lies against him who redeemed them Hos 7. 13. denied the Lord that bought them and so brought upon themselves swift destruction 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. that they lost their own Souls Mat. 16. 26. and put away from them and judged themselves unworthy of everlasting life Acts 13. 46. The remembrance hereof will be terrible and inconceivably tormenting to them which it would not be if Christ had not given himself a ransome for them or if there had been no eternal life prepared for them or it might not have been had by them But this will be the worm that never will dye That when God had no pleasure in their destruction none at all and Christ was gathering them as an hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and the holy Spirit was opening their eyes and turning them from darkness to light yet notwithstanding all they would not come to Christ but loved darkness rather then light they would not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved but loved their sins and vanities more then Christ Therefore they shall go into everlasting punishment 2 Thes 2. 10 12. Joh. 3. 19. see Mr. Tho. More senior his discourse of the Precious blood of Christ ch 11. Now of this Second death he
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
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
is the first begotten of the dead who loved us and gave himself for us c. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen Rev. 1. 5 6 2. And hast redeemed us to God by thy blood ouâ— of every kindred and tongue and people and nation Where consider we 1. What Christ further did for and to them upon the account whereof he is to be glorified by them And â—ast redeemed us unto God 2. By what means he did this By thy Blood 3. Out of or from amongst whom he so redeemed them Out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation 1. What Christ further did for and to them upon the account whereof he is to be glorified and for which all these holy ones here spoken of do praise and laud him And hast redeemed us unto God We may here for our usefulness enquire and consider Of what redeeming or buying do the Saints here speak and mean To which we may give answer and say 1. There is a Redemption wrought for men without them in and by Jesus Christ our Lord whereby he hath redeemed them unto himself from under the first judgment and condemnation Rom. 5. 18. and from perishing for ever in that first death which was the wages of that disobedience of the first publick man in whom all sinned and from whom they come forth into the world naturally and necessarily polluted and defiled Rom. 5. 12 15 19. When the fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law to redeem them that were under the Law even all mankind for they were all fallen under it both Jews and Gentiles and become subject and obnoxious to the judgment of God Gal. 4. 4 5. with Rom. 3. 9-19 And he hath redeemed them from the câ—rse of the Law being made a curse for them Gal. 3. 13. He gave himself a ransome and price of redemption for all men 1 Tim. 2. 6. And he hath redeemed them in and by himself for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ Rom. 3. 22-24 He hath bought them who by denying him bring upon themselves swift destruction 2 Pet. 2. 1. Redeemed them who transgress and speak lies against him Hos 7. 14. Deut. 32. 6. He hath bought all men with a precious price and his they are Psal 100. 1-3 He hath died for all and is raised again and hath purged away the guilt of their first sin and sinfulness from before the presence of God Abolished their first death and will in due time dâ—stroy it and hath destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Devil Heb. 2. 9-14 and Chap. 1. 3. He hath born the judgment of the world and cast out the Prince of this world out of his Principality which he had gotten over mankind and hath drawn all men unto himself to be under his authority and Lordship Joh. 12. 31 32. To this end he both died and rose and revived that he might be the Lord c. Rom. 14. 9. And to a gracious end hath he died for all and thus redeemed them that they which live should not henceforth live to themselves but unto him that died for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. Henceforth the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son as they honour the Father Joh. 5. 22 23. In this sense he is the Redeemer and Saviour of all men and he hath also obtained eternal redemption for them Heb. 9. 12. 1 Joh. 5. 10 11. Luk. 24. 46 47. But this Redemption is not here directly spoken of and though it be fundamentally supposed and included yet it is so rather in the former expression viz. Thou wast slain 2. There is a Redemption also which he is now working during the day of his grace and patience wherein he is buying men in their own persons of both these the Apostle in other expressions speaks saying God was in Christ to wit when one died for all and rose again reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses to them This was that which he was working and wrought for men without them in the person of Christ and before it be preached to them and is the same with that first Redemption we have been speaking of and then it presently follows in the next verse We pray in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God this is a following work which in the preaching and by the discovery of the former he is working in men and is the same with that redeeming we are now speaking of 2 Cor. 5. 19 20. and so he who is the redeemer of men in the former sensâ— is teaching them to profit and leading them by the way they should go and so redeeming them in their own persons who yet hearken not to hâ—s Commandments but deprive their souls of good Isa 48. 17 18. And he doth redeem them who yield up themselves to him and are not disobedient to the heavenly call he doth buy them off themselves he gives himself to them for them as a man gives himself to a maid for her that they might be his and be married to him who is raised from the dead and he might be theirs their head and husband Ephes 5. 25 26. And so he râ—deems them from all their iniquities and delivers them from or chuses them out of this present evil world and purifies them unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Tit. 2. 14 Gal. 1. 4. and of this redeeming he here directly speaks as plainly appears by all the context to which we shall not here speak further because we shall have apt occasion to mention it again and speak further to it in what follows There is also a Redemption which he will glâ—riously effâ—ct and accomplish hereafter but of that we shall not speak here any thing further Now between Christs redeeming men in the two former considerations there are several differences and dissimilitudes some of which we may briefly mention and which have been intimated in what we have spoken As to say 1. As to the effecting the former there was nothing required of men but it was done for them without them in and by Jesus Christ Gal. 3. 13. 2 Cor. 5. 14 15 19. But as to the latter there is something required of them as God is working in them both to will and to do of good pleasure viz. to look unto Christ and be saved to be reconciled unto God Phil. 2. 12-16 Isa 45. 21 22. 2 Cor. 5. 19 20. 2. The first is for all men 1 Tim. 2. 6. for the world of mankâ—nd 2 Cor. 5. 19. and so all are bought with a price 2 Pet 2. 1. Gal. 4. 4 5. with Rom. 3. 19. In the second sense all are not redeemed though in due time Christ be redeeming them
thorow the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Rom. 8. 3. And he hath overcome and abolished Death taken the sting out of it 2 Tim. 1. 10. Rev. 3. 21. He hath as to himself been Death's Death swallowed it up into victory Hos 13. 14. Isay 25. 7. And hath destroyed him that had the power of Death that is the Devil Heb. 2. 9 14 15. Mat. 12. 29. Mark 3. 27. Luke 11. 22. With his strong Arm he hath scattered his Enemies Ps 89. And he hath gone up with a shout in token of victory and conquest the Lord with the sound of a Trumpet Sing praises unto God sing praises sing praises unto our King sing praises Psal 47. 5 7. 68. 18. and 98. 1. Col. 2. 15. 3. Strength to bear and uphold all things The Earth and all the Inhabitants thereof were dissolved He bears up the Pillars thereof Ps 75. 3. He upholdeth all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sins It is by him that all things consist and stand together in that good order in which they are Col. 1. 17 20. He is the very Basis and Foundation on which all things stand And on the shoulders of this strong one is the government of the whole World laid for the Father judgeth no Man but hath committed all judgment to the Son Isay 9. 6. Joh. 5. 22. And he doth stand and rule in the strength of the Lord Mica 5. 2 5. And by his strength he had power with God Hos 12. 3. He gave himself a Ransome for all and hath redeemed them from the Curse of the Law 1 Tim. 2. 6. with Gal. 3. 13. and ch 4. 4 5. He hath drawn all Men unto himself from under the first Judgment and Principality of Satan Joh. 12. 32. And hath obtained eternal redemption Heb. 9. 12. Forgiveness of our personal sins Eph. 1. 7. Act. 13. 38. And all gifts for Men yea for the rebellious also Ps 68. 18. A recovery of our loss Ps 69. 4. And an Inheritance of new Heavens and a new Earth Eph. 1. 14. And is a Prince and Saviour to give repentance and the forgiveness of sins Act. 5. 31. And bears away the iniquities of those that come to God by him Isay 53. 11. And hath by his strength such power with God that he denies him nothing Joh. 11. 22 41 42. So here when none was able to open the Book then appeared this Lion and he came and took it out of his hand He is the strongest among Beasts as here the living Creatures are translated Prov. 30. 30. 5. And he sends the Rod of his strength his Gospel out of Zion Ps 110. 2. And goeth forth herewith conquering and to conquer Rev. 6. 1 2. 2 Cor. 10 4 5. And this Gospel of his is the power of God to Salvation to every one that believeth though it be to them that perish foolishness yet to them that are saved it is the power of God Rom. 1. 16. with 1 Cor. 1. 18 23 24. And is able to save them to the utmost that come unto God by him for the salvation and preservation of whom his strength and ability is engaged and exercised Heb. 7. 25. with Joh. 10. 27 28 30. 6. And in due season he will by his great strength be the Death of the first Death and destruction of the Grave as with respect to all And is able to subdue and will subdue all things to himself Hos 13. 14. Phil. 3. 21. Isay 63. 1 3. He will raise all out of their Graves by his mighty strength and cause them to appear before his Judgment-seaâ— Joâ— 5. 28 29. and 12. 32. 2 Cor. 5. 10. And in short execute his Word in whatever he hath spoken promised or threatned Joel 2. 12. Mat. 28. 18. And the consideration of his great strength may 1. Admonish us to take heed and beware we provoke him not to anger He is mighty in strength who ever hardned his heart against him and prospered Job 9. 4. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousiâ— are we stronger than he 1 Cor. 10. 22. 2. Instruct and engage us to betake our selves to him as our strength and have him for it To defend us from evil he is a refuge and strength A very present help in trouble Ps 46. 1. So the Psalmist saith In God is my salvation and my glory the Rock of my strength and my refuge is in God Ps 62. 7. He is a strength to the poor a strength to the needy in his distress a refuge from the storm a shadow from the heat c. Isay 25. 4. and 12. 3. O then trust we in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength Isay 26. 3 4. Ps 9. 9 10. Nahum 1. 7. As also to betake our selves to him as our strength to enable and strengthen us to all our services Therefore the Aposte and his Fellow-labourers did both labour and suffer reproach because they trusted in the living God the Saviour of all Men especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 10. And the Prophet saith I will walk in the strength of the Lord God and will make mention of thy righteousness even of thine only Ps 71. 16. And saith the Apostle Paul I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me though he was not sufficient of himself to think any thing as of himself Phil. 4. 11 13. with 2 Cor. 3. 5 6. Blessed is the Man whose strength is in him Ps 84. 5. And that we may have our strength in him needful it is for us to know the Gospel of peace and glad tidings of good things Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound they shall walk O Lord in the light of thy countenance For thou art the glory of their strength Ps 89. 15 17. 1 Chron. 29. 12. Isay 40. 29 30 31. Ps 68. 35. 5. And Honour from God his Father it was and is his Father first that honoureth him Joh. 8. 54. that had and hath a most high and honourable esteem and account of him though he be indeed disallowed of Men yet is he chosen of God and precious 1 Pet. 2. 4. He hath conferred great honour upon him and given an honourable Testimony of him Honour and Majesty hath he laid upon him Psal 21. 5. with Joh. 8. 54. Our Nature in his Person and so the Man Christ Jesus was infinitely honoured in being Personally united to the Divine Nature in the Person of the VVord the Son of God Mat. 22. 2. So that he is Emanuel Isay 7. 14. Mat. 1. 23. And God gave him honour in begetting him after a wonderful and inconceivable way and manner Luke 1. 35. And in bearing witness of him He received from God the Father honour when there came a voice to him from the excellent glory This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased 2 Pet. 1.
Father and unto him he doth un-bosome all his Mind and Counsels Joh. 1. 18. and shews him all things that himself doth Joh. 5. 20. So here in this place This Revelation was first given to him Rev. 1. 1. And he only prevailed to take the Book sealed with seven Seals and to open it He only was worthy and able so to do Rev. 5. 1 5 6 8 9. He only fully and perfectly knows God and he hath declared and revealed him Joh. 1. 18. and ch 6. 46. And he hath given a gracious revelation of him to us in his VVord and VVorks 1 Joh. 1. 5. and ch 4. 8 9. And the consideration hereof might engage us to come unto him that we may know the Father to come to his Cross and Testimony for no Man knows the Father but the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Mat. 11. 25 27 28. Luke 10. 21 22. Joh. 12. 44 46. No Man cometh to the Father to the knowledge of the Father but by him Joh. 14. 6 7. God shineth forth the light of the knowledge of his glory in the Face of Jesus Christ who is the Image of the invisible God 2 Cor. 4. 4 6. Col. 1. 15. And he knows Men the thoughts and hearts of them He needs not that any should testifie of Man for he knows what is in Man Joh. 2. 24 25. See Notes before on ch 2. v. 23. Heb. 4. 12. He is perfect in wisdom and knowledge Mat. 9. 4. and ch 12. 25. yea indeed he knows all things Joh. 21. 15 17. There is no Creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened unto the Eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4. 13. And the consideration thereof might strengthen us to hold fast the Profession Heb. 4. 13 14. and also to come unto him who is perfect in wisdom and knowledge to reveal unto us the deep and secret things of his Law and Doctrine which though revealed in the Scriptures of Truth may still be secret to us Dan. 2. 20 23. And this shews to us that he is most meet and fit to govern Wisdom is very requisite to him that sits in the Seat of Government Hence it was the great and one thing desired by Solomon Give me saith he to the Lord Wisdom and Knowledge that I may go out and come in before this People for who can judge this thy People that is so great 1 King 3. 5 12. 2 Chron. 1. 7 12. But behold a greater than Solomon is here Mat. 12. 42. One on whose shoulders the whole Government is laid and who is the wonderful Counsellor Isay 9. 6. The Father hath committed all Judgment all the Government unto the Son And hath given him Authority to execute Judgment also because he is the Son of Man Joh. 5. 22 27. And if all Israel saw that the Wisdom of God was in Solomon to do judgment we may be well assured that our Lord Jesus Christ knows to do Judgment and will do it in whom not only the Wisdom of God is but who is the Wisdom of God 1 King 3. 28. with 1 Cor. 1. 24. The Queen of Sheba came from the uttermost part of the Earth to hear the Wisdom of Solomon but the Lamb infinitely excels him therein Mat. 12. 42. with 1 King 10. 1 8. And therefore he is worthy to be heard and feared by us 1 King 3. 8. This is the true Joshua even Jesus of whom the Son of Nun was a Type Deut. 34. 9. with Isay 42. 1 4. Mark 6. 2. And he hath power to give wisdom unto us also Prov. 8. 10 12 14. 4. And strength He is wise in heart and mighty in strength Joâ— 9. 4. with this ancient one is wisdom and strength with him is strength and wisdom Job 12. 12 13 16. with Rev. 1. 14. God hath laid help upon one that is mighty mighty in strength and wisdom Psal 89. 19. with Job 36. 5. And mighty indeed he is in strength 1. To bear the greatest Burdens Nehem. 4. 10. for he himself bare our sins in his own Body on the Tree 1 Pet. 2. 24. This Lamb of God bare the sin of the World Joh. 1. 29. Sin is an insupportable Burden for any mere Creature it sunk down the Devils from Heaven to Hell 2 Pet. 2. 4. with Jude 6. And brought death on Adam and all his Posterity from which no Man could redeem himself or his Brother Rom. 5. 12. with Ps 49. 6 8. The Psalmist cries out mine iniquities are gone over mine head as an heavy Burden they are too heavy for me Ps 38. 4. But now this Lamb was strong as that he could and did bear and stand under all our sins All we like Sheep have gone astray we have turned every Man to his own way and the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all Isay 53. 6. And he also laid and executed on him the judgment of the World Joh. 12. 27 31. Surely he hath born our griefs and carried our sorrows He was wounded for our transgressions bruised for our iniquities c. Isay 53. 4 5. and ch 63. 1 5. Mat. 26. 38 39. with Heb. 5. 7. He was made a Curse for us Gal. 3. 13. And endured the Cross all the curse and malediction due to us as the wages of our sinning against God Heb. 12. 2. And herein he grapled with all our Enemies that he might overcome them And hereby it appears that he was a strong one in that God laid such burdens upon him If we speak of strength loe he was strong Job 9. 19. for he is the mighty God Isay 9. 6. And he is the Man of God's right hand and the Son of Man whom he made strong for himself Ps 80. 17. And the love of our blessed Redeemer appeared to be exceeding strong in bearing and enduring these heavy burdens his love was strong as death many waters could not quench it neither could the floods drown it Cant. 8. 6 7. 2. And his strength wonderfully appeared in raising himself from the dead Joh. 2. 19 21. He laid down his life that he might take it again no Man took his life from him but he laid it down of himself he had power to lay it down and he had power to take it again Joh. 10. 17 18. He was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resorrection from the dead Rom. 1. 4. As also herein his wonderful strength appeared in vanquishing and overcoming all our Enemies he is the Lord strong and mighty the Lord mighty in battel Ps 24. 8. He bare even bare away the sins of many or of the multitude Isay 53. 12. He made purgation of our sins Heb. 1. 3. It was not possible that the blood of Goats and Calves could take away sin Heb. 10. 1 4 5. 8. and ch 7. 18. But what the Law could not do in that it was weak