11 14. Rom. 8. 34 39. Joh. 11. 25. 2. Tim. 1. 8 10. 3. To encourage them against the fear of the first death the death of the Body So doth Job For saith he I know my redeemer liveth and he shall stand at the latter day upon the Earth and though after my skin worms destroy this Body yet in my flesh shall I see God Job 19. 25 27. Because he liveth they that come unto and follow him shall live also For this is the will of him that sent him that every one that seeth the Son and believeth in him should have everlasting life and he will raise him up at the last day Ps 23. 4. 1 Cor 15. 21 23. 1 Thes 4. 14 16. Joh. 14. 19. and ch 6. 40. 4. And have the Keys of Hell and Death This he still speaks to the same end as formerly to strengthen him against the fear of evil Here consider we 1. What is this Hell and Death of which he hath the Keys 2. What is meant by having the Keys thereof 3. How hath he obtained the Keys of Hell and Death 1. What is this Hell and Death of which he hath the Keys Surely though sometimes by Hell is meant that place of torment into which the wicked shall be cast as Ps 9. 17. Luke 16. 23. Yet here and most frequently by this Word Hell is meant that disappearing state they are in who are taken away by death and the word here translated Hell is elsewhere frequently rendred the Grave as 1 Cor. 15. 55. Rev. 20. 13. c. Death signifies the dissolution of the Soul from the Body and Hell that unseen dark or disappearing State they are in when dead I mean as to us therefore it is called the Land of Darkness as Darkness it self and where the light is as Darkness Job 10. 21 22. In which the Eye of him that hath seen them shall see them no more Job 7. 8. Into this Hell or disappearing State all go good and bad Into this Hell Jacob said he would go I will go down saith he not into the Grave for he thought some evil Beast had devoured his Son but into Hell unto my Son mourning Gen. 37. 35. And again Ye shall bring down my gray-Hairs with Sorrow to Hell Gen. 42. 38. So ch 44. 29 31. So Job desired Oh that thou wouldest hide me in Hell Job 14. 13. And when David prays God to spare him he uses this Argument In death there is no remembrance of thee in Hell who shall give thee thanks Ps 6. 5. And Hezekiah speaks to the same purpose as here using the same order of words as is here for Hell cannot praise thee death cannot celebrate thee Isay 38. 18. In which sayings both the good and holy Men conclude that if they were taken out of the Land of the living they should go into this Hell so the Preacher propounds this unto all to provoke them to present diligence whatsoever thine hand finds to do do it with thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdom in the Grave or in Hell whither thou goest Eccles 9. 10. Out of this Hell the righteous and holy-ones also shall be brought and then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written Death is swallowed up in Victory O Death where is thy Sting O Hell where is thy Victory 1 Cor. 15. 54 55. And so it is said Death and Hell delivered up the dead that were in them and Death and Hell were cast into the Lake of Fire this is the second death And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life c. Implying that some such also were in this Hell formerly which indeed doth signifie the State of deadly-hood Rev. 20. 12 15. and ch 6. 8. 2. What is meant by having the Keys of this Hell and Death Hereby is signified that he hath the power thereof and so as there are these two uses of Keys namely to open and shut so it is here also in this business See Isay 22. 23. Rev. 3. 7. and ch 9. 1. and ch 20. 1 3. And so 1. He hath the Keys to open Hell and Death to open the Gates and Doors thereof Job 30. 17. Isay 38. 10. that is to say he hath power to take away any Man's Life when he pleaseth and send them into this Hell for the Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son and hath given him Authority to execute judgment also because he is the Son of Man Joh. 5. 22 27. And so he hath power to order and send any affliction to us When we are judged with any Judgments we are chastened of this Lord 1 Cor. 11. 30 32. Our times are in his hand and when he pleaseth he can remove us hence for he hath the Keys of Hell and Death The Son of Man who hath a Golden Crown on his Head hath in his hand a sharp Sickle the Sickle of death to cut Men down therewith at his pleasure Rev. 14. 13 14 16. And so now he did permit or order this deadness unto the Apostle He can when he pleases open the Door of Death and let Men yea put Men in thereat and none can stay his hand No man hath power over the Spirit to retain the Spirit neither hath he power in the Day of death and there is no discharge in that War Eccles 8. 8. And he hath power also and will in due season with his Keys open the Graves of all and cause them to come out of them and will open theirs who sleep in him and bring them forth unto the Resurrection of Life and so to their endless and eternal Joy and comfort Ezek. 37. 12 13. Joh. 5. 28 29. 2. And he hath the Keys of Hell and Death to keep Men out thereof during his good pleasure our times are in his hand who hath redeemed us in this respect also Ps 31. 5 10 15. Or to keep off any affliction from us as he said unto Paul in a Vision be not afraid but speak and hold not thy peace for I am with thee and no Man shall set on thee to hurt thee Acts 18. 9 10. And he hath power to shut upon a Man when he takes away his life and there can be no opening He can with his Keys lock them up in the House of Death and detain them as Prisoners and then there is no coming out until he open the Door If he cut off and shut up or gather together then who can hinder him Job 11. 10. Behold he breaketh down and it cannot be built again he shuts upon a Man and there can be no opening Job 12. 10. 3. How hath he obtained the Keys of Hell and Death And that is by dying and overcoming our death the first death and the Devil He hath by the Grace of God tasted death for every Man and thorow this destroyed him that had the power of it that is the Devil Heb. 2. 9 14 15. By
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
notes on Ch. 2. Ver. 7. and Ch. 13. 9. and Ch. 22. 16 18. And they that hear Namely with Understanding as is said He read before those that could hear with understanding Or that understood in hearing and their Ears were attentive Neh. 8. 2. 3 8. So many times in Scripture hearing doth signifie understanding as is said of the builders of Babel that they may not hear to wit understand one anothers speech Gen. 11. 7. So A Nation whose tongue thou shalt not hear that is understand Deut. 18. 49. Isay 36. 11. So the Apostle saith no man heareth namely understandeth him 1 Cor. 14. 2. Mat. 13. 18. This is also included and contained in this Exercise of hearing And they that hear to wit receive and entertain This also appears to be included in hearing in this place because he presently adds and keep implying that they have received which act must be contained in hearing And so in other places hearing doth take in and signifie receiving or believing as where it is said Hear and your Souls shall live Isay 55. 3. And they that hear shall live Joh. 5. 25. which is the same with what Christ saith He that believeth in me though he were dead yet shall he live Joh. 11. 25. And keep those things which are written therein Namely Lay them up as a choice and excellent thing as the Holy Ghost saith My Son keep my Words and lay up my Commandments with thee keep my Commandments and live c. Prov. 7. 1 2. Ye shall lay up these my words in your heart Deut. 11. 18. And keep namely keep them safely and hide them in the midst of their hearts that none may take them away from them As the Holy Ghost saith take fast hold of Instruction let her not go keep her for she is thy life Prov. 4. 13. It is the work of Satan and his Instruments to steal away Gods Words from us if possibly they can It greatly behoves and concerns us then to keep them in our hearts as Luk. 2. 51. And so to keep those things written in this Book as not to add to or take from them our selves nor suffer any others so to do as is said Ch. 22. 7. Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the Prophesie of this Book For as is also in the close of that Chapter I testifie unto every man that heareth the words of the Prophesie of this Book If any man shall add unto these things God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book And if any man shall take away God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life and out of the Holy City c. Ver. 18 19. And keep c. Namely observe them and keep them to do them so whereas in one place it is said by Christ My Mother and my Brethren are these that hear the word of God and do it In another he saith Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it Compare Luk. 8. 21 with Ch. 11. 28. So Moses in one place saith keep therefore and do for this is your wisdom c. In another keep to do c. Deut. 4. 6. and ch 5. 1. So keep often signifies observe and do see Deut. 6. 17 18. and ch 7. 9 11. they are not blessed that hear understand and believe simply but also together therewith that keep lay up hold fast observe and do those things written in this Book so as to abstain from and deny the evils reproved perform the things required wait for the things promised and dread the evils threatned so as daily and continually to depart from iniquity c. These are the Subjects of the Blessedness here pronounced and assured who are found in this exercise or in these acts about this Object Only mind that he that readeth must also hear and keep or else he is not blessed Otherwise it would be said to him thou that teachest another teachest thou not thy self c. And what hast thou to do to declare my statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy mouth Seeing thou hatest Instruction and castest my words behind thee Rom. 2. 17 26. Mat. 7. 22 23. And in thus doing if he that readeth be of them also that hear and keep as such an one is first named here so he shall be preferred in the blessing They that be wise 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. 2. We have nextly to consider the blessedness of such person and persons so exercised Blessed is he and they c. Blessed They shall increase in knowledge and have their understandings still and further opened To him that hath shall be given and he shall have more abundantly For Blessed are their Eyes which see and their Ears which hear Mat. 13. 11 16 18. and ch 25. 28 29. The Eyes of them that see shall not be dim and the Ears of them that hear shall hearken Isa 32. 3. Then shall we know if we follow on to know the LORD Hos 6. 3 Blessed He will keep them who keep his Word from the evil of all Temptations and Tryals that shall come upon the World Rev. 3. 8 10. and from the evil of all Judgments that shall be in the Earth and which shall be executed upon the Inhabiters of the Earth Rev. 7. 2 3. and ch 22. 18. For Blessed are such He will keep them from every path of the destroyer Ps 17. 4. Blessed are the undefiled in the way who walk in the Law of the LORD Blessed are they that keep his Testimonies they also do no iniquity they walk in his ways Ps 119. 1 3. They shall not partake with others in their sins and so shall not partake with them in their Plagues Rev. 18. 4 5. Blessed They shall have their part in and continued in the Book of life and in the Holy City and in all the good and desirable things written in this Book Rev. 22. 7. with ver 19. And so when they dye in the Lord they shall be blessed from thenceforth For they shall rest from their Labours and their works shall follow them Rev. 14. 13. And in the first Resurrection they shall be Blessed and Holy They shall be raised out of the first death and on them the second shall have no power Rev. 20. 4 6. They shall be blessed for they shall be called to the Marriage-supper of the Lamb Rev. 19. 7 9. And shall be Priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years yea they shall reign for ever and ever Hence when the Holy Ghost had been describing the Glory of the New Jerusalem and shewing the pure River of the Water of Life and Tree of Life and assuring there should be no more Curse there but the Throne of God and of the Lamb and his Servants shall serve him And they shall see
for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people for unto you Men is born a Saviour Luk. 2. 10 11. so here Christ setteth not before John to comfort and strengthen him somewhat peculiar unto himself or something in which he was preferred before others but that which is proper to comfort any in any tribulation or trial whatsoever for these glad-tidings of the Gospel are proper to comfort all that mourn 2 Cor. 1. 3 5. Isay 61. 1 2 3. Christ setteth his first love which he hath manifested in laying down his life for us and taking it up again to imbolden him and strengthen him against his fear There is no fear in love saith this Apostle but perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment he that feareth is not made perfect in love 1 Joh. 4. 16 18 19. and so our Saviour takes the same course to strengthen the Church of Smyrna These things saith the first and the last which was dead and is alive I know thy Works and tribulation and Poverty c. Fear none of those things that thou shalt suffer Rev. 2. 8 9 10. Christ here sets not before John his being an Apostle or a preacher of the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus or that he had cast out Devils in his name and in his name had done many wonderful workes he doth not mind him of or strengthen him with any of his own good Signes Frames Marks Qualifications Changes or alterations or any thing within him or done by him nor with any secret thing But sets before him his death Resurrection everliving c. to strengâ—hen his heart and remove his fears and and to revive and quicken him That which is true for every Man and to be declared and preached to every Man he puts to the Rememberance and consideration of him and doth as it were say to him as Paul did to Timothy to strengthen him in the grace in Christ against his fears and discouragements Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my Gospel 2 Tim. 2. 1 8. For indeed that which is proper to comfort all that mourn is that also fundamentally wherewith he comforts them that mourn in Zion and gives them beauty for ashes the Oyl of joy for mourning the garment of praise for the Spirit of heaviness Isay 61. 1 2 3. Oh that this may be considered by us that their consolations of God may not be small with us that we may not have some secret thing with us Job 15. 11. but that in all our fears and distresses we may Remember the years of the right hand of the most high that we may Remember the works of the LORD even his wonders of old Ps 77. 7 11. with Ps 118. 15 22 23. 2. Now when Christ was in Heaven and when he vouchsafed this vision unto his servant John he minds him of and seâ—s before him his sufferings resurrection and reviving that these might not be forgotten by him when Christ was thus lifting him up and exalting him that the Lord's death might always be remembred by him 1 Cor. 11. 23 26. so in vision he appears in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures and in the midst of the elders as a lamb that had been slain and many times in this book he is called a Lamb and the Lamb that the whole family and househould of God in heaven and in earth might with thankfulness remember and consider and make mention of this that he was slain c. Rev. 5. 6 9 11 12. This also was discourst of in the vision when Christ was transfigured by Moses and Elias who appeared in Glory and speak of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem Luk. 9. 30 31. and lest the Apostle Paul should be exalted above measure thorow the abundance of the Revelations so as to forget the sufficiency of this grace of Christ there was given to him a thorn in the flesh the messenger of Satan to buffet him 2 Cor. 12. 7 9. Oh that this Precious Blood may never be forgotten or undervalued by us how-ever Christ be lifting us up for by this we are saved if we keâ—p in memory what hath been preached to us unless we have believed in vain viz. how 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 c. 1 Cor. 15. 1 3 4 5. c. More particularly he setteth before him these things 1. I am he that liveth Though thou art dead yet I live he is alive he hath life in himself and this the Father hath given to him in our nature Joh. 1. 4. And as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them even so the Son quickneth whom he will For as the Father hath life in himself so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself Joh. 5. 21 26. This last Adam was made and is a quickening Spirit 1 Cor. 15. 45. The Spirit of life resteth upon him And he is become the fountain of life Ps 36. 9. and he hath power to give life to those that are dead in any consideration whatsoever Joh. 5. 21. and ch 6. 33. so he saith to the Angel of the Church in Sardis These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God I know thy works that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead But though that Angel and Church generally were dead yet the spirit was upon Christ to enliven them and quicken them again Rev. 3 1 2. Though he was crucified thorow weakness yet he liveth by the power of God 2 Cor. 13. 4. This he now propounds to his Servant John to revive and strengthen him In this Job comforts himself when God stript him of his Glory and took the Crown from his head and destroyed him on every side when he put his Brethren far from him and his acquaintance were estranged from him when those that dwelt in his house and his maidens counted him for a stranger and â—he called his Servant and he gave him no answer when his breath was strange to his Wife yea young Men despised him all his inward friends abhorred him and they whom he loved were turned against him c. yet saith he I know that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth c. Job 19. 6. 19. 25 26. and on this account the Psalmist â—ejoyceth and signifieth that hereby the great things he had been speaking of should be effectâ—d and accomplished The LORD liveth and blessed be my rock and exalted be the God of the rock of my Salvation 2 Sam. 22. 44 47 50. Ps 18. 46. so when he had been speaking and prophecying of the glorious Majesty of the Kingdom of Christ and that all nations and Kings should fall down before and worship him
and for ever if they continue therein namely such as trecherously depart from the Lord as a wife from her husband after they have been espoused to him yea in some respect their evil may be greater then Jezabel's and thus will he deal with all who continue guilty of this evil he will render indignation and wrath tribulation anguish unto every Soul of Man that doeth evil whatever he hath done formerly unto the Jew first and also to the Gentile for there is no respect of persons with God Rom 2. 8 11. Oh then Let us have no fellowship with such unfruitful works or workers of darkness for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness And what communion hath light with darkness and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols Eph. 5. 11. 2 Cor. 6. 14 16. Prov. 13. 20. If any Man defile the Temple of God him will God destroy 1 Cor. 3. 16 17. 3. But we may also take notice of this that Christ threatneth them not absolutely but conditionally except they repent of their deeds where also 1. He signifieth to us that while it is called to day the greatest and most notorious sinners may repent and turn to the Lord and find mercy with him There is forgiveness with him that he may be feared plenteousness of redemption that he may be hoped in by such Ps 130. he gives space and grace of repentance unto rebellious ones such was Jezabel and her companions see the notes on v. 20. and v. 21. 2 Pet. 3. 9 25. Ezek. 14. 6. This may therefore preserve us from concluding what will be the future state of such as are at present guilty of and polluted with spiritual fornication or adultery Mat. 21. 29. 2. The end of Christ and God in him in threatning judgments is that such polluted ones might repent and turn unto him from all their fins and abominations Jer. 18. 8 11. Rev. 9. 20 21. and ch 16. 9 10 11. 3. If such will not repent and turn iniquity will at last be their ruine Luke 13. 3 5. see the notes before on the word Repent on v. 5. and v. 16. of this chapter Verse 23. And I will kill her Children with death and all the Churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts and I will give unto every one of you accoring to your works In this verse we have to consider and take notice of these things 1. A further threat expressed and I will kill her Children with death 2. The effect hereof even of his threats and judgments on that woman Jezabel her Paramours and Children And all the Churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts 3. A signification and declaration of Christ's impartiality in his retributions and rewards and I will give unto every one of you according to your works 1. We have a further threat expressed and therein still a further intimation of Christ's displeasure against Jezabel And I will kill her Children with death The Subjects of our Lord's threat are Her Children Not the Children brought forth by natural generation or not them in that consideration or on that account for though they are not therefore the Children of God in a peculiar consideration they which are the Children of the flesh these are not the Children of God Joh. 1. 13. Rom. 9. 8. yet Children are the beritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is his reward the reward of his abasement and sufferings Ps 127. 3. they are graciously given by him Gen. 33. 5. and they are born unto him Ezek. 16. 20. with v. 36. and being baptized into the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost and so brought into the congregation of Christ of such little ones is the Kingdom of God Mat. 19. 13 14. Mark 10. 13 14. and unto the Children in this sence he is vouchsafing means and discovering his goodness when they come to the use of understanding Ps 14. 2. and 36 7. and 107. 8 15 21 31. and he doth not willingly afflict nor grieve the Children of Men Lam. 3. 32 33. Nor are the Children here spoken of the Children of the Church namely such as they have been instruments of begetting thorow the word of truth the Gospel of our salvation for the seed of his Church is blessed he will pour his spirit upon her seed and his blessing upon her off-spring Isay 45. 3. for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord and their off-spring with them Isay 65. 23. and in due season all that see them shall acknowledge them that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed Isay 61. 9. and ch 54. 13. Prov. 11. 21. But here by Children we are to understand the Children of whoredomes of their spiritual whoredoms and fornications such as are begotten by evil doctrines see v. 23. worshippers and practises Children that are corrupters who have forsaken the Lord and provoked the holy one of Israel to anger who are gone away backwards a Isay 1. 1 4. the seed of evil doers the Children of the sorceress the seed of the adulterer and the whore the Children of transgression and seed of falshood Isay 14. 20. and ch 57. 3 5. with 2 Joh. 9. such Children whose Mothers have played the harlots and they that conceived them have done shamefully strange Children such as are begotten of divers and strange doctrines Hos 2. 2 5. with ch 5. 7. with Heb. 13. 7 9. such as are either born of the doctrines of Devils in a more gross consideration of most hellish doctrines and so are Children of the Devil Children of hell 1 Tim. 4. 1. with Acts 13. 10. Mâ—t. 23. 15. or of the doctrines of Men Col. 1. 11. which in some sort may also be said to be the doctrines of Satan and they who are born of them to be of the evil one as our Saviour said unto Peter get thee behind me Satan for thou savourest the things that be of men implying that the savouring Men's things in opposition to the doctrine of Christ about his sufferings and resurrection makes Men to be of Satan Mat. 16. 21 23. and in such a sense they who are born of Men's doctrines in which they oppose the weighty matters of God's law they are of Satan and are originally of their Father the Devil Joh. 8. 41 44. so those who are born of the doctrine of the Pharisees in and by which they shut up the kingdom of Heaven against Men are the Children of the devil as they also are who are born of this doctrine that Christ died not for all nor tasted death by the grace of God for every Man but only for the elect c. such are therein of Satan these new Pharisees are like to the old ones Mat. 23. 13 15. and they are the Children of the evil one who are born of the doctrine of the Saducees who say there is no resurrection of the dead and so by
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
for he can take away their Talents from them Luke 19. 24 26. It 's his Spirit and he can recall it and then they will become Vessels in whom is no pleasure 2. The consideration of what hath been said may admonish their Brethren who are not in such office not to think too highly of the Angels of the Churches nor to glory in men for all things are theirs whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas c. 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. not to think of them above what is written that none of them be puffed up for one against another 1 Cor. 4. 1 2 6. For what have they but what is given to them And who then is Paul and who is Apollo but ministers c. 1 Cor. 3. 4 7. They have not the Spirit upon them but may so provoke Christ as that he may take it away from them 3. It may instruct them and us all whom to look to and unto whom we should lift up our Eyes and Souls when we have brought deadness and witheredness upon our selves even unto him who hath the seven Spirits of God still remaining and resting upon him and who is ready to give it to them that ask yea so to give or dispence it preventingly that we may ask Luke 11. 13. and if he will give none can hinder its being poured forth the Spirit like the wind breatheth where it listeth Joh. 3. 8. and though we are like unto dead bones yet he can put his spirit in us that we may live Ezek. 37. 11 14. 2. We have the account of his knowledge of them I know thy works see notes on ch 2. ver 2. That thou hast a name that thou livest and arâ— dead This was that which he did discern and take notice of in and by their works that they appeared to be something when they were nothing and so deceived themselves and others Gal. 6. 3. Jam. 1. 22. Thou hast a name a fame or good report amongst others So name often signifies in Scripture fame or report as we are come because of the name of the Lord for we have heard the fame of him Josh 9. 9. So An evil name is a bad report Deut. 22 14 19. and a good name is a good report Eccles 7. 1. and thus the word name is frequently used and accepted amongst us Or thou hast A name to wit renown so Men of name are called Men of renown Gen. 6. 4. and base Men are Men of no name or no renown Job 30. 8. 2 Sam. 7. 9 23. and ch 8. 13. So then when he saith thou hast a name it means thou art well reported of by others or thy renown is gone forth for thy beauty and worth as Ezek. 16. 1â— and in this sense thou art taken up into the lips of talkers they noâ— only think well of thee but they praise thee and speak highly and honourably of thee and thou hast got a good report and great renown not only among them that are without but especially amongst Christ's Churches and not only thou hadst but thou hast a name thou still hast it thou hast in former times so behaved thy self that thereby thou gat'st thee renown which is not usually soon gotten and thou still keepest it also Thou hast a name that thou livest not livedst but livest that thou still dost so even at this present when this Epistle is directed to thee he speaks not here of the life of their bodies for without doubt as to them they lived and were not dead for there is no work nor device nor knowledgâ— nor wisdom in the grave Eccles 9. 5 6. 10. Ps 6. 5. and 30. 9. and 88. 5 11. Isay 38. 18 19. But here he speaks concerning the life of their Spirits or Souls in a spiritual consideration Isay 38. 16. and ch 55. 3. of the life of their hearts Ps 22. 26. and so it is as if he should say thou hast gotten and retainest a renown by thy works and arâ— reported of by them that thou livest that thy Soul liveth That is to say Thou hast a name that thou livest In a more general consideration life in Scripture as opposed to death doth summarily comprehend all happiness and blessedness Rom. 6. 23. Joh. 10. 10. life signifies blessing as death doth cursing as it is said I have set before thee life and good and death and evil And again I have set before you life and death blessing and cursing therefore chuse life Life here comprehends good and blessing and so all happiness compare Deut. 30. 15. with v. 19. so here Thou hast a name that thou livest that is to say that thou art an happy and blessed people The Churches look upon thee O Angel to be in a very good condition that thou believest with the heart the word of Faith and makest confession with the mouth unto salvation that thou walkest with a right foot in the Gospel and art an useful and profitable instrument of good to others In short thou hast the report that thy state is very happy blessed and desireable thou hast-renown amongst others And they look on thee O Church as and report thee to bee a very flourishing society and happy thriving Church and congregation and what Church is so much spoken of so oft named and so greatly renowned as this Church of Sardis Oh! this is mentioned and reported to be an excellenâ— Congregation and preferred before many others More particularly Thou hast a name that thou livest that thou abidest in the lively knowledge of the only true God and of Jesus Christ whom he hath sent the Saviour of the World For this is life eternal saith our Saviour Joh. 17. 3. with 1 Joh. 4. 14. In this stands and consists the life of the Spirit hence that cry of the Psalmist give me understanding and I shall live Ps 119. 144. And on the other hand they who remain in ignorance of God are said to be alienated from the life of God Eph. 4. 18. And the man that wanders out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead Prov. 21. 16. But thou hast a name that thou walkest and abidest in the way of understanding and that thou art filled with all knowledge of Jesus Christ and him crucified and of God in him And so that thou understandest all things Prov. 28. 5. that thou art filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding That thou livest That thou art and abidest in the â—avour of God in whose â—avour is life Ps 30. 5 yea whose loving-kindness is better then life Ps 63. 5. Prov. 8. 34 35. in the light of whose countenance is life and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain Prov. 16. 14 16. thou hast a name that thou art in Christ and not only so but that thou walkest in him as thou hast received him and so art justified owned and approved not as to thy state only but as to
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
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
Joh. 2. 8. His word was always true but the truth of it is now made more apparent in the preaching of the Gospel according to the Revelation of the Mystery His Record is true concerning all things there is no lye of it but he is a true witness in what he speaketh of God the Father himself the work of the Spirit Mankind Sin Righteousness Judgment Life Death and of what he is become and hath for us Gold tried in the Fire White Rayment and of the loathsomness of this Lukewarmness to him These things saith he who is holy he who is true Rev. 3. 7. He is true and worthy to be listened unto and believed by us in all his declarations promises discoveries requirings instructions reproofs threats c. a faithful and true witness who will not lye one who is faithful to the interest of our Souls Prov. 14. 5. A true witness who delivers Souls from their Transgressions wandrings lukewarmnesses who hath power to deliver from Sin Satan Fears Evils Dangers yea from the Wrath to come and is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him Prov. 14. 25. 1 Thes 1. 10. Heb. 7. 24 25. The beginning of the creation of God He is before all things and by him all things consist Col. 1. 17 18. The beginning both of the first and old Creation And that both 1. In giving a being to it when before it had none It was God's creation but made by him God created all things by Jesus Christ Eph. 3. 9. He is the Creator of the ends of the Earth that faints not neither is weary there is no searching of his understanding By him were all things created visible and invisible All things were created by him and for him Col. 1. 16. He knows how and hath understanding to help us when we are faint dead dry decaying He gives power to the faint and to them that have no might he increaseth strength Isay 40. 27 29. Ah Lord God saith the Prophet behold thou hast made the Heaven and the Earth by thy great power and stretched out arm and there is nothing too hard for thee Jer. 32. 17. What cannot he do that created all things And all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made Joh. 1. 1 3. He can restore heat and health and heal us of our wounds and cure our loathsome distempers when our bruise is incurable and wound grievous and we have no healing Medicines nor is there any to plead our cause that we may be bound up Jer. 30. 12 17. 2. And he is the maker of the creation of God when it was marred by Mans seeking out â—oolish inventiâ—ns The Earth and all the Inhabitants thereof were dissolved He beareth up the pillars thereof Ps 75. 3. He upholds all things by the word of his power Heb. 1. 3. The World was made by him preserved from perishing and upheld when it was marred spoiled and dissolved by the iniquity of Mankind Joh. 1. 10. And therefore though you have destroyed your selves and deserve to be rejected and cast off and out from his presence and favour for ever yet in him is your help neither is there Salvation in any other Acts 4. 12. Oh turn again to him from whom you have revolted he hath made peace by the Blood of his Cross by him to reconcile all things to himself Col. 1. 20. And he is the beginning of the new Creation thorow and by means of his personal abasement and sufferings the Captain of our Salvation was made perfect thorow sufferings Heb. 2. 10. In him there is a compleat Creation He is the beginning the first-born from the dead that in all things he might have the pre-eminence for it pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell Col. 1. 18 19. In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and in â—im we are compleat compleatly prepared for and furnished with all furniture who is the Head of all principality and power Col. 2. 9 10. In him our nature is restored again into the Image of God after a more glorious manner than ever it was made in the first publick man And so there is in him a compleat and perfect provision of all things that may tend to our being brought back to God in our own person so made new Creatures as every one is that is in him because he died for all and rose again Jam. 3. 9. Eph. 2. 10. 2 Cor. 5. 14 17. There is in him a justification from the guilt of our first sin and sinfulness so as that all that have sinned and are come short of the glory of God are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Rom. 4. 25. and 3. 23 24. and he hath obtained forgiveness of our personal sins gifts for Men yea for the rebellious also healing of our diseases decays deadnesses Gold to enrich poor wretched miserable ones White Rayment to cover our shameful nakedness Eye-salve to cure our blindness Spirit to quicken and enliven us and to put heat into and recover lukewarm-ones The last Adam was made a quickning Spirit to quicken those that were dead in trespasses 1 Cor. 15. 45. He hath by his Blood obtained eternal Redemption forgiveness of our Sins for ever and the recovery of our loss even of all the glory of God of which we came short by our sinning He hath restored that which he took not away Heb. 9 12. So as that in him there is help and salvation for us when we have rendred our selves vile and brought our selves into a loathsome condition He is the Fountain of Life of living waters of grace and truth the Treasury and Store-house of all Gods fulness for us that he may dispence to us thereof according to our various wants and capacities and that of his fulness we may receive and Grace for Grace Indeed he is the beginning and end of this new Creation the author and finisher of the Faith whose hands have laid the foundation and whose hands shall finish the building Rev. 1. 8 11. Zech. 4. 7 9. Heb. 12. 2. Verse 15. I know thy works see notes on chap. 2. verse 1. that thou art neither cold nor hot I would thou wert cold or hot He saw that their works were not perfect before him and thence saith and observeth That thou art neither cold nor hot not cold there was still some profession of the faith with them some seeking God waiting upon him and approaching to him they had not wholly left off all professed worshipping of him and calling upon his name they might still read and hear and pray and have some use of Christs ordinances among them and a form of Godliness upon them They had not professedly cast off the thing that was good but there was some warmth with them still And surely they did assemble themselves together for they were yet reckoned by Christ a
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
yet too many close their eyes lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and should be converted and Christ should heal them Mâ—t. 13. 15. By observing â—â—ing vanities they forsake their own mercies Jon. 2. 8. Prov. 17. 16. 2 Thes 2. 10. 3. The fiâ—st was that which was effected at once when Christ died for all and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14 15 19. 1 Tim. 2. 6. Gal. 3. 13. The second not so but at several times in several ages such as were afterwards redeemed from their vain conversation were not so in former time time was when they who are now or were formerly a redeemed people in time past were not so and they that now are not redeemed unto God may thorough the grace of God â—e so hereafter while it is called to day 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. with Chap. 2. 9 10. and 4. 3. But to this we may speak more in the latter end of this verse 4. The first was effected by a price given to God 1 Tim. 2. 6. He gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice unto God for a sweet-swelling savour Ephes 5. 2. Tit. 2. 14. Heb. 9. 12 14. But the second is by a price tendered unto us and put into the hands of men in due season in which the grace of God brings salvation to all men Phil. 3. 4-7-9 Tit. 2. 11. Prov. 17. 16. But to this also we may speak further 5. Those who are only redeemed or bought in the first sense are and remain but the subjects of the love of pity and compassionate kindness and benevolence Isa 63. 9. Tit. 3. 4. But they that are redeemed in the second are also the subjects and objects of delightful and well-pleased love of love of complacency they are Saints and holy ones as here vers 8. And all his delight is in the Saints that are in the earth and in the excellent ones Psal 16. 3. And the not distinguishing between these two that effected in Christ and that which he is effecting in men and doth effect in them that believe is the reason and cause of so great mistake and confusion in mens understandings about and expressings of these things 2. By what means did he redeem them By thy blood And so 1. Not by keeping the Law or by his doing what is contained therein and commanded thereby though yet he always did those things which pleased his Father Joh. 8. 28 29. and 4. 34. But if righteousness could have come by the law even by his keeping of it then Christ died in vain Gal. 2. 21. He had without doubt fully and perfectly kept the Law when he cried out thrice O my Father if it be possible let this cup pass from me c. Mat. 26. 39 42 44. And thus he cried out not because he was unwilling to drink it for he did delight to do the will of his God yea his Law was in the midst of his heart Psal 40. 6 8. Heb. 10. 5 8. with Joh. 18. 11. But for instruction to us even to shew unto us that though he loved righteousness and never transgressed at any time his Fathers commandment yet that notwithstanding or any thing else the cup could not possibly pass from Christ but he must drink it or we must have drank it and perished by it Without shedding of blood there was no remission Heb. 9. 22. and therefore Christ must needs have suffered that he might redeem and buy us of God and that he might redeem us unto God Act. 17. 2 3. 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 the flesh Rom. 8. 2 3 32. Luk. 24. 25-27 And if we were not redeemed by Christs keeping the Law much less were we so by our own keeping it or by any works of righteousness that we could do Tit. 3. 3 4. Rom. 3. 19 20-22 As many as are of the works of the law are under the curse c. Gal. 3. 10 11-13 14. and Chap. 2. 16-19-21 2. By blood they were redeemed not by might or strength simply though yet it is also true his right hand and his holy arm got him the victory Psal 98. 1. God lâ—id help upon one that was mighty Psal 89. 19. But the ground-work of our redemption was in abasement and sufferings to wit of the Son of God in the nature of man and therein fiâ—stly and fundamentally his strength and power was exercised and evidenced even in his weakness and humiliation 1 Cor. 1. 23-25 In redeeming his people out of Egypt his glorious power and mighty arm wrought wonderfully and brightly appeared He redeemed them thereout by his greatness and mighty hand simply Deut. 9. 26. 1 Chron. 17. 21. Psal 136. 11 12. But he hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us for it is written cursed is every one that is hanged on a tree This work was effected thorow his being crucified and so not by strength simply but rather through weakness For he was crucified thorow weakness Gal. 3. 13. with 2 Cor. 13. 4. And thorow death he hath destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Devil Heb. 2. 14 15. And the preaching of the Cross of the weakness of Christ and God is the power of God for redeeming us unto himself 1 Cor. 1. 17 18-23-25 If power simply and strength of arms would have redeemed us Christ needed not to have been abased for us as he hath been 3. He hath redeemed us unto God by blood not by money not by gold or silver Though in this world and amongst men ordinarily the ransom of a mans life are his riches Prov. 13. 8. And though under the Law the Children of Israel were to give every man a ransome for his Soul unto the Lord to wit half a shekel after the shekel of the Sanctuary to make an atonement for their souls Exod. 30. 12-15 16. and Chap. 21. 30. yet we were redeemed of God without money Isa 52. 3. with Chap. 53. Will he esteem thy riches no not gold nor all the forces of strength A great ransome of this nature could not deliver us Job 36. 18 19. They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to God a ransome for him for the redemption of their soul is precious c. Psal 49. 6 7 8. And we were redeemed unto God from our vain conversation not with corruptible things as silver and gold with respect whereto our Redeemer was poor Mat. 17. 27. Luk. 8. 3. and Chap. 9. 58. Joh. 6. 15. but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot 1 Pet. 1. 18 19 20. Pâ—il 3. 4-7-9 4. He hath redeemed us to God by blood but not by any
in the second and general resurrection Rev. 20. 12 c. 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. John 5. 21. 3. And the seed of the righteous before spoken of even all their children that were according to the Lords Ordinance and Institution brought into the family of Abraham or Church of Christ whether by circumcision as formerly or by baptism as since the resurrection and ascension of Christ and who dyed in infancy or before they came to the use of understanding shall reign on the Earth Indeed for such as whose circumcision or baptism was carelesly or willingly neglected when there was an opportunity they are cut off from the congregation of the Lord as it is said The uncircumcised man-child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised that soul shall be cut off from his people he hath broken my covenant Gen. 17. 14. Josh 5. 5 6. But as for the rest that have been brought into the congregation of the Lord according to his order they shall inherit this honour and blessing Gen. 17. 7. 9. The soul of the fearer of the Lord shall dwell at ease and his seed shall inherit the earth Psal 25. 12 13. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord that delighteth greatly in his commandments His seed shall be mighty upon earth the generation of the upright shall be blessed Psal 112. 1 2. To this purpose are the words spoken by the Lord to comfort Rachel When she was weeping for her children because they were not Thus saith the Lord refrain thy voice from weeping and thine eyes from tears for thy work shall be rewarded saith the Lord and they shall come again from the land of the enemy to wit death 1 Cor. 15. 26. and there is hope in thine end saith the Lord that thy children shall come again to their own border to wit into the land of Canaan when it is made new Jer. 31. 15 17. with Matth. 2. 16 18. of such is the Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 19. 14. Mark 10. 14. Lukâ— 18. 16. But we shall here add no more to that first particular 2. How shall the persons before spoken of reign or of what reigning is here and elsewhere spoken meant and intended and what is contained therein To this we shall give answer and say 1. It is a reigning as kings as is here plainly signified thou hast made us unto our God kings and we shall reign c. they shall have great authority judgment and government committed to them when Christ as King shall reign in righteousness they as Princes shall rule in judgment Isa 32. 1. Indeed it is still Christs Throne his Kingdom and Dominion Rev. 3. 21. Dan. 7. 27. He shall have the pre-eminence as he hath highly deserved and merited Col. 1. 18. He will then gloriously appear to be Gods first-born higher than these kings also Rev. 1. 5 6. Psal 89. 26 27. But they are by God called to the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord 1 Cor. 1. 8 9. And hereafter unto these Saints of the most high shall be given the Kingdom and Dominion c. Dan. 7. 27. they shall sit as kings on the throne of Jesus Christ Rev. 3. 21. they shall judg to wit govern the world namely in such a sense as is answerable unto though far more excellent and glorious than the judgment and government of Judges Princes and Potentates now see 1 Cor. 6. 1 2 4. they shall reign every one of them authoritatively as our Lord Jesus signifies in the Parables he speaks to this business wherein he saith to his faithful servants I will make thee ruler over many things or persons as things many times includes persons Matth. 25. 21 23. with 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. so it is said It came to pass that when he to wit Christ was returned having received the kingdom then he commanded his servants to be called to him c. Then came the first saying Lord thy pound hath gained ten pounds and he said unto him Well thou good servant have thou authority over ten cities and unto another he said Be thou also over five cities Luke 19. 15 17 19 27. To this purpose also the Apostle John speaks saying And I saw to wit in vision thrones for these kings to sit upon and they sate upon them and judgment to wit rule and government as the word frequently signifies was given unto them and they lived and reigned c. to wit as kings upon thrones Rev. 20. 4. with Psal 122. 4. And thus here Every one of the Saints having Harps and golden Phials c. melodiously sing saying Thou hast made us unto our God kings and we namely every one of us shall reign c. Revel 5. 8 10. And this will further appear also in what follows to be spoken unto by us 2. It is such a reigning also as will be free from persecution and trouble from all molestation and disquietment from enemies they shall then delight themselves in the abundance of peace Psal 37. 7 11. In the days of Christ the true Solomon the righteous shall flourish and abundance of peace till there be no moon Psal 72. 7. For Satan shall then be bound during the thousand years of this glorious and peaceable reign whose work it hath been and will be until that time to accuse the brethren and deceive the world to disquiet and persecute the accused Saints I say with the Scripture He shall be bound and cast into the bottomless pit and shut up and a seal set upon him that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years should be fulfilled c. Rev. 20. 1 3. with chap. 12. 9 10. And then the oppressor shall be broken in pieces indefinitely considered Psal 72. 3 4. The extortioner shall be at an end the spoiler cease and the oppressors shall be consumed out of the land or earth Isa 16. 4 5. Psal 37. 10 11. Then indeed compleatly God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying c. Rev. 21. 1 2 4 The Sun shall no more light on them nor any heat and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 16 17. And this consideration detects and refutes that fond mistake of a learned man Dr. H. on chap. 1. 6. as if this reign began in Vespasian's days c. in which there was not such hot persecution as before and as in Domitian's but some comparative tranquillity yet with persecution whereas the reign which is the hope of the Saints is such an one as is without persecution and not to be enjoyed till the suffering-time be over and past and is therefore spoken of as consequential thereto as the Apostle saith If so be that we suffer with him that we may also be glorified together for I reckâ—n that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us Where the
all most â—avourably concerning his poor Creatures for he is Charity 1 Cor. 13. 4 8. So with respect to the Heathen that have not heard distinctly of Christ if they according to the means vouchsafed do believe that God is and that he is a rewarder of them that seek him diligently they shall be accepted of him Act. 10. 34. Rom. 2. 26 29. Heb. 11. 6. Luke 12. 47 48. Jer. 49. 11. At the time of Mens ignorance God winketh at them â—ees and observes not Act. 17. 30. with Isay 42. 19 21. So he graciously excuses the evils of his Creatures in their infirmities so far is he from aggravating them as we are too apt to be thus when his People hearkened not the reason is given it was because of their anguish of Spirit and cruel Bondage Exod. 6. 9. So when Peter James and John slept and lost such an opportunity as they never had again our Saviour after he had meekly propounded a Question to them in which intimately he shews their evil and reproves them for it yet preâ—ently thus excuseth or extenâ—ateth it saying The Spirit indeed is willing but the Flesh is weak Mat. 26. 40 41. So with respect to Creatures that have no understanding It is said of the Ostrich She is hardned against her young ones as though they were not hers But then presently the Holy Ghost acquaints us with the reason thereof to wit because God hath deprived her of wisdom neither hath he imparted to her understanding Job â—9 13 16. And if God be so gracious in his interpretations of the doing of his poor Creatures here in general yea and puts the most savourable construction upon what the mute and brute Creatures do how much rather will he do so towards them that come unto him by Christ He will not break the bruised Reed Isay 40. 10 11. and 42. 1 4. not condemn them for what they do thorow weakness or violence of temptation Deut. 22. 23 27. Isay 35. 3 5. Rom. 7. 17 20. And if â—here be first a willing mind it is accepted according to that a Man hath and not according to that he hath not 2 Cor. 8. 12. He that reputes the mute and brute Creatures instâ—â—ct a calling to and waiting upon him and preserves them and provides for them and cloaâ—â—s the Grass of the Field will he not much rather hear them and fulfil their desires who call upon him who call upon him in truth preserve them and provide for and cloath them for they are much better and highlier valued by him than these mute and brute Creatures and will most graciously and charitably interpret all their sayings and doings Ps 145. 15 18 19. Mat. 6. 26 30. Luke 12. 5 6 7 24 28. 4. Yea we may take notice also that they render the same blessing honour glory and power unto the Lamb as unto him that sitteth upon the Throne Him God hath set over the works of his hands who by his grace tasted death for every Man and put all things under his feet All Sheep and Oxen yea and the Beasts of the Field the Fowls of the Air and Fishes of the Sea and whatsoever passeth thorow the Paths of the Sea Psal 8. 5 8. with Heb. 2. 7 9. And they vote and render the same excellencies to him as to him on the Throne whereto the four living Creatures say Amen v. 14. for he is one with the Father Joh. 5. 22 23. So the Palm-bearing Saints cryed with a loud voice saying Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb whereto all the Angels said Amen Rev. 7. 9 10. For indeed though as with respect to his human nature and as our Mediator the Father is greater than he Joh. 14. 28. yet according to his divine consideration he is equal with the Father Phil. 2. 6. And when he saith the Father is greater than all even than himself as the Son of Man yet then he presently adds I and the Father are one to wit according to his divine nature Joh. 10. 29 30. for he is indeed the true God and eternal Life He who gave himself for us is the great God and our Saviour Tit. 2. 15 14. See Notes before on v. 8. And therefore he is to be adored praised trusted in called upon lived unto c. by us And well might the inferiour Creatures vote and ascribe Blessing honour c. to him for so all the Saints and Angels also do as we have seen before v. 8 12. 4. How long do they vote and ascribe these things to him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb And that is for ever and ever even to all eternity so they do to him that sits upon the Throne for he shall sit upon it for ever and ever The Lord shall râ—ign for ever and ever Exod. 15. 18. Ps 10. 16. See 1 Chron. 16. 36. and 29. 10. Nehem. 9. 5. Ps 145. 1 2 21. Phil. 4. 20. 1 Tim. 1. 17. And unto the Lamb who is alive for evermore Rev. 1. 18. Ps 21. 4. and whose Throne is for ever and ever therefore shall he be praised for ever and ever Ps 45. 6. with v. 17. Gal. 1. 5. 2 Tim. 4. 18. 2 Pet. 3. 18. 1 Pet. 4. 11. Rev. 1. 5 6. Verse 14. And the four living Creatures said Amen And the twenty four Elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever In this Verse we have declared to us what was said and done by the four living Creatures and twenty four Elders as consequential to and following after that spoken in v. 13. 1. As with respect to the four living Creatures And the four living Creatures said Amen to wit unto that which was voted and ascribed unto him who sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever Now their saying Amen may inform and assure us 1. That the four living Creatures confirm the truth of that Doxology made by every Creature to wit that the Blessing and the Honour and the Glory and the Power ought of right to be given by all Creatures according to their nature and kind to him that sits upon the Throne and unto the Lamb and the same to him as to the Father and that for ever and ever So the word Amen is frequently a word of confirmation or setting the Seal as it were to the truth or rightness of that which is asserted pronounced or said as when our Lord saith I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore Amen this is a true and faithful saying Rev. 1. 18. Thus under the Law persons who were guilty said Amen to the curse confessing they were accursed ones by Nature and notwithstanding their own works of Righteousness for as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse Deut. 27. 15 26. with Gal. 3. 10. Numb 5. 22. Christ calls himself The Amen to wit the faithful and true witness and