(a) See Mr. Mede on this place and Pag. 613. Poli Synops in Gal. 4.3 Coloss 2.8 20. Moon the lowest of the Planets and nearest to the Earth Paganism also one and the same Symbol having divers significations in Scripture as Grotius observes on Heb. 9.11 may be very well signified by it but Antichristianism is here chiefly intended the main Subject of these Visions denoted by the Moon because of the Paganism it introduced into Christianity whose Idolatrous Rites were Works of the Night or of Darkness of which the Moon is the Governess and whose Festivities depended upon the Motions and Aspects of that Planet as hath been already observed on Chap. 11. num 12. And by the Moon 's being here under the Sun as it is when it Eclipses it seems to be pointed out the critical time of this Vision viz. that it was when the pure Apostolical Church typified by Ephesus was about to leave its first Love and to receive a (b) Compare Luke 21.24 with Rom. 11.12 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Deminution or Eclipse from the increasing Apostasy for the Lustre of the Christian Church of the Gentiles was diminished upon the coming in of the Apostasy and is not to have its 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Full Light of Graces Knowledge and Converts until the Paganizing Times of the Gentiles in the Antichristian Apostasy are fullfilled 2 To shew that the Apostolical Doctrine is the Chief Ornament Crown and Glory of the Church Thus the Word Crown is used Isa 28.5 Phil. 4.1 1 Thes 2.19 And in this Verse there is an Excellent Description of the pure primitive Church enlightned and adorned by Graces Gifts and Communications from Christ and with the pure Apostolical Doctrine but yet capable of having its Light eclipsed by Antichristianism rising from under its Feet and of having its Crown of pure Gold fall from off its Head except Christ hold it in his Right Hand Chap. 1.16 3 Hereby is signified that the Church was Apostolical the Twelve Apostles being represented by Twelve Stars because they enlightned the Church and were constant and sixt in their Doctrine not variable and unconstant as the Moon is in its Appearances and Motions whereby it is the fitter Type of Antichristianism See the Notes on Chap. 7. 4 5. and 21 15-21 And perhaps the Twelve Stars may be symbolical of the Twelve Tribes as they shall be in the New Jerusalem State Predicted and Typified by this State of the Church as the Glorious Kingdom of Christ is by the Christian Empire 2 And she i. e. the Church being with 4 Child i. e. very Fertile and Fruitful with true Christians Is 54 1.60 22.66 8. Ezek. 16.20 cried travailing in Birth and pained to be delivered i. e. laboured with her utmost endavours to bring forth set up and propagate Christ's Kingdom Isa 66.7 Gal. 4.19 4 The Metaphors in this Verse are chiefly taken from Isaiah's Description of the Perfect Church consisting of Jews and Gentiles united into One Body as it shall be in Christ's Kingdom Isa 66 5-24 3 And whilst the Women was in Travail there appeared another Wonder in 5 Heaven and behold a 6 great 6 red 7 Dragon i. e. the bloody and Persecuting Pagan Roman Empire of a great Jurisdiction and Extent having seven 8 Heads or Forms of chief Government successively one after another See Chap. 17. 9 10. and ten 9 Horns or Kings Dan. 7.20 24. Chap. 17.12 and seven 10 Crowns or Diadems upon his Heads noting the seven successive Forms of Government in the Roman State to have been Imperial and Supreme 5 The Dragon appears as in Heaven because he was reputed as God by the Heathens and was now worshipped and in power in the Pagan Empire 6 6 7 Pharaoh Aegypt and other Idolatrous and Persecuting Powers and Empires are represented by (a) Psal 74.13 14. Is 27 1.51 9. Ezek. 29 3.32 2. Dragons in Scripture and by Leviathan and other monstrous Creatures for so the Word translated (b) Dr. Pocock on Mic. 1.8 Malac. 1.3 Dragons signifies in general in the Old Testament And accordingly the Roman Pagan Empire is set forth by a Dragon because it was a Satanical Kingdom shewing a Diobolical Spirit in its Persecution Idolatry Tyranny and Unjust Enlargement of Dominion Upon which also the Dragon is represented as of a great Size and red or bloody and because Satan called a Dragon or Serpent from his tempting our first Parents in that shape ver 9.2 Cor. 11.3 really influenced and presided over that Empire as a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or a Governing and Assisting Daemon and was indeed worshipped by them when they sacrificed to their Idols 1 Cor. 10.20 8 Rome indeed stood upon seven Hills which yet are not here meant because Head signifies in Scripture the Governing Part Isa 7.20 Dan. 7.6 1 Cor. 12.21 and therefore by these seven Heads are appositely denoted the seven successive Governments of the Roman State viz. Kings Consuls Decemvirs Dictators Tribunes Caesars or Emperours and the Antichristian King the seventh Head See the Notes on Chap. 17. 9 10. 9 Horns as hath been shewn on Chap. 5.6 signifie Kings and Kingdoms and the Roman Empire is represented with Ten Horns that it may bear proportion with the Description of it given Dan. 2.41 where the Fourth Kingdom hath the Toes of a Man which are Ten. See Chap. 17.12 10 Crowns are an Emblem of Imperatorial and Supreme Power and therefore the Ten Horns do not appear crowned because they were not as yet in being as Kings but were Subjects to the Roman Empire See on Chap. 13 1. 17 12. 4 And his 11 Tail i. e. his Power and Subtility drew after him and reduced under his Power the third 12 part of the Stars of Heaven i. e. the Potentacies and Governments of the world and did 13 cast them to the Earth i. e. Subdued them and the Dragon stood watching and ready fierce and hungry 1 Pet. 5.8 before the Woman or Christian Church which was ready to be delivered of the Kingdom of Christ for to devour 14 her Child as soon as it was Born i. e. to destroy the Kingdom of Christ as soon as it appeared 11 Some Dragons or Serpents particularly those which are called Rattle-Snakess have monstrous and prodigious long Tails which are an (a) Moor's Oper. Theol. pag. 601. Hammond on the place emblem of a great retinue and a long Military Train of Souldiers and Armies the Tail also signifies in Scripture Subtility and may here denote the Policy of the Devil and his pretences to Miracles Prophecy Magick and the like whereby he corrupts and deceives the minds of Men. See Chap. 9.10 12 By the third Part is meant the Grecian Monarchy the third Monarchy in Daniel whereby we have a remarkable Note of Time given us viz. that it was now upon the point of time in which the Seat of the Roman Empire was to be transferred from Rome to Byzantium by Constantine upon
I know observe and approve Psalm 1.6 thy good works and thy labour 2 in the work of the Gospel in converting instructing and governing those whom thou art set over 1 Thes 5.12 1 Tim. 5.17 and thy patience and perseverance in it and under sufferings for it and how thou canst not endure or 3 bear with them which are evil in Life or Doctrine but castest them when they prove incorrigible out of the Church and thou hast tryed 4 them by the Gospel Gal. 1.8 1 John 4.1 by their Works Matth. 7.20 and by the Gift of discerning Spirits 1 Cor. 12.10 which say they are Apostles sent and commissioned to preach the Gospel and are not and hast found them liars or False Apostles Acts 20.29 30. and 15.1 24. 1 Cor. 15.12 2 Cor. 11.13 Gal. 1.6 1 and 2 Epist to Timothy 1 John 4.1 2 Labour also may here signifie a zealous and unwearied profession of the Gospel amidst the greatest Discouragements as the Word is taken 1 Cor. 15.58 3 These Words refer to the zealous Execution of Discipline for which the Church was at first very remarkable as appears from 1 Cor. 5. 1 Tim. 1.20 Tit. 3.10 2. John 10. 4 It appears from Scripture that there were many False Apostles foretold by our Saviour Matth. 24.11 and by the Apostle Paul in his Admonition to the Elders of the Church of Ephesus Acts 20.29 30. Who generally seem to have insinuated themselves into the good Opinion of the People by specious pretences of being Brethren and by creeping into their Houses and Assemblies unawares and privily and by communicating with them in their Feasts of Charity as appears from 2 Cor. 11.26 Gal. 2.4 1 Tim. 3.6 Jude 4.12 and from this place where they are said to pretend to be Apostles when they were not For the Hereticks seem to have acted more closely and subtily while the Apostles were living than afterwards which made i◠〈◊〉 task to try and detect them which yet the Apostolical Church did with great Zeal and Care by examining their pretences by the Doctrine they had received of Christ and by Gifts of discerning False Spirits as Clemens Romanus attests in his Epistle to the Corinthians And this place seems to determine this Succession of the Church to the Times of the Apostles the Pretence of being Apostles or Messengers sent and commissioned by God to preach New Doctrines being peculiar to that Age and made use of by Simon Magus and his Followers particularly by Cerinthus against whom John wrote his Gospel who pretended to New Revelations And it being not peculiar to Ephesus alone but to most other Churches we may reasonably conclude that by Ephesus is not understood that Church alone but the Church-State of the Apostolical Age which began on the Day of Pentecost next following the Ascension of our Saviour in the Thirty Third Year of our Lord about the Twenty Fourth Day of May as Bishop Pearson has stated the Aera of the Apostolical Church in his first Lecture on the Acts. From this place we may learn That strict care ought to be taken in trying and examining those who are to be sent to teach others and that the Canon of Scripture was setled by this Apostolical Church she having duly tried and rejected all other Pretenders to Apostolical Doctrines and that the first State of the Church was purely Apostolical 3 And yet thou hast born 5 Afflictions although thou canst not bear 5 with them which are evil and hast still patience 6 and for my Names sake i. e. for me and upon the Account of my Gospel hast laboured 6 in it and hast not fainted under it nor under thy sufferings for it Gal. 6.9 2 Thes 3.13 5 Such kind of Allusions are frequent in Scripture as Rom. 1.24 25 26 28. 6 This being a Repetition of what was said in the foregoing Verse seems to intimate that their Labour and Sufferings were Great and very Remarkable a Repetition sometimes denoting so much in Scripture 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat of 7 complaint against thee because thou hast left or 8 remitted and abated something of thy first 9 or former fervent and intense Love of me my Gospel and Kingdom 7 So the Phrase is taken Matth. 5.23 8 So this word is rendred by Grotius and Doctor Hammond and I think rightly And as Grotius thinks that Love and Desire may by way of Allusion be signified by the Word Ephesus so may also the Greek Word here made use of intimate some Remission or Coolness of their First Love by the same Figure which the Prophet Micah makes use of Chap. 1. 13 14. and which Grotius thinks the Apostle uses Rom. 1.17 28 29. where also in the 29th Verse there is a manifest Allusion to the Name Judah which signifies Praise Gen. 29.35 9 The First Love which the Prophet Jerem. 2.2 calls the Kindness of Youth and the Love of Espousals is usually very fervent but is wont soon to cool and abate in the best of Men. And accordingly the Church at first when as Hierom speaks the Blood of our Lord was warm and the Faith of the New Converts was Fervent was very Zealous in all its Duties and Offices as appears from the Acts of the Apostles particularly from Chap. 2 41-47 and Chap. 4 31-37 where we have a perfect Pattern of the First Love of the Apostolical Church in the Church of Jerusalem especially in their having all things common and calling nothing their own And yet in a very short space as soon as the Number of the Disciples and with them the Church-Revenue was multiplied there arose a murmuring of the Graecians against the Hebrews even in the Infant-Church as we read Acts 6. occasioned by the Pride of the Hebrews as Bishop Pearson has shewn in his Third Lecture on the Acts wherein as also in the Behaviour of Ananias and Saphira there are early Tokens and Types given of a Declension in the Church which proceeded so far as to this matter even in those First Times of the Gospel that Paul tells the Philippians Chap. 2. 21. of his Epistle to them supposed to be written about A. D. 59 or 62. that all Men sought their own and not the things of Jesus Christ For not only Demas forsook Paul out of Love to this present World but Mark grew weary of the Labour of the Gospel and went not with Paul and Barnabas to the work Acts 15.38 and Peter himself for fear of the Jews was guilty of Dissimulation Gal. 2.11 12. And the Galatians had generally departed from the True Notions they had received of Christian Liberty and a Working Faith Gal. 5.1 6 7. and were grown very remiss in their Acts of Charity Gal. 6.9 And the Churches mentioned in Scripture are frequently reprehended for great Enormites so that it is no wonder that the Churches in After-Ages proved guilty of them the Love of many waxing cold betimes as our Saviour foretold Matth. 24.12 and Paul complained 2 Tim. 1.15
on the parallel places in the Gospel 16 An Expression taken from Isa 22.22 where Eliakim a Type of Christ as his very Name imports signifying one raised or setled by God has the Key of the House of David given him whereby is denoted Christ's Government over his Church a Key being an Ensign of Government and David's House Family or Court being a Type of the Church especially as it shall be in the New Jerusalem the City of David or the Messias who is the Great King of it 8 I know thy Works to be perfect before God behold and 17 let it be noted and remarked I have set before thee or given thee an open 18 door i. e. a hopeful occasion and means of freely and effectually propagating the Truth and a prospect of better things and greater Liberty and no man although they shall often attempt it can be able to shut it or hinder you of this Liberty but it shall continue accompanied with great efficacy notwithstanding your many Adversaries until my coming for thou hast a little outward 19 worldly strength Force and Power to protect and countenance thee and yet for all that hast kept 20 my Word or Gospel as to Faith and Practice purely and entirely and hast discharged thy Office faithfully and hast not denied my Name 21 by entertaining any degrees of Anti-Christian Corruptions which bear not my Name or were not instituted by me but hast openly avowed and professed my Name as sole King and Law-giver of my Church 17 Behold is a Particle denoting the importance of the thing to be delivered 18 This is the true Import of the Phrase for which see and compare Hosea 2.15 Acts 14.27 1 Cor. 16.9 2 Cor. 2.12 Colos 4.3 And from this and what follows we may take notice that this Church although often denied Liberty of Preaching the Gospel in which sense Grotius understands the shutting of the Door here mentioned should yet enjoy it in despight of all opposition and never have it wholly shut against them and that this open Door should afford them a Prospect and a hope and confidence of enjoying a more perfect State of things 19 By Strength cannot here be understood inward and spiritual strength or Zeal and Courage to propagate the Truth with all Boldness and Success for that was great in them and they have a high Character and Commendation given them for it by our Saviour But by Strength must be understood outward humane Strength Advantages and Authority in respect of Birth Power Reputation for Learning Riches or the like in which the Might of this World consists 1 Cor. 1 25-28 but especially Countenance and Protection from the Secular Powers of which they had but little as having been in a patient afflicted Condition and under Restraints as appears from Vers 8 10. 20 To keep Christ's word denotes their faithful preaching and professing the Gospel and their strict adherence to it which is called keeping the Charge of the Lord in the Old Testament which Ministers are to do in their own Persons as appears from Ezek. 44.8 where in a Vision of the New Jerusalem when this Philadelphian State comes to its perfection those Priests are reprehended by God who kept not the Charge of his holy things but set keepers of them in his Sanstuary for themselves 21 By Name here seems to be meant the Name written on his Vesture Rev. 19.16 viz. King of Kings and Lord of Lords that is Supreme Disposer of all the Kingdoms of the World and sole Governour of his Church which is his Kingdom And this strict adherence of this Church to the Word or Commandments of God only is opposed to the departure of the Sardian and Ephesine Succession from what they had received and heard 9 Behold I will 22 make them who are of the part of the 23 Synagogue of Satan and by them I mean those which say they are Jews or Pure Primitive Christians and are not but do lye by such false pretences Behold I will make them by my providence and inward convictions to come and Worship before thy Feet i. e. to shew 24 the greatest honour and submission unto thee learn of thee and joyn in Communion with thee although in an inferior degree of esteem and to know i. e. be convinced and acknowledg that I have Loved thee as my pure and undefiled Church Cant. 6. 4 9. and have shewn it by preserving thee notwithstanding all their endeavours to the contrary 22 In the Greek it is I give the Present for the Future as is usual and them is added as a necessary Supplement and the Words supplied as they ought to be may be very well rendred thus Behold I will give unto thee them of the Synagogue i. e. I will bring them or fetch them in and present them unto thee 23 By the Synagogue of Satan is meant as has been shewn on Chap. 2.9 those who in the Smyrnaean Succession introduced Blasphemous or Idolatrous Doctrines and Practices into the Church under pretence of Judaism or Israelitism that is pure and primitive Christianity and therefore by Consequence here must be meant some of the Reformation that Interval or Succession being here described who lie and deceive others by the same false pretence not into Satanical or Antichristian Blasphemy or Idolatry but Defilements Verse 9. that is Corrupt Additions to God's Worship which are called Defilements or impure Mixtures by the Prophet Ezekiel Chap. 43.8 and Lyes Prov. 30.6 Isa 29.13 But yet we are to take notice that they are not called The Synagogue of Satan but They or Them of the Synagogue to signifie that only a Prevailing Party amongst them were defiled and that their Errors were not Idolatrous as theirs were who are reprehended in the Epistle to the Church of Smyrna called therefore The Synagogue of Satan but corrupt or defiled and false or lying Additions which yet were not so much their own Inventions as taken up by them from Antiquity whence they are called not The Synagogue but Of the Synagogue as being of their party and Imitators of them under pretext of Conformity to the Ancient Synagogue of the Smyrnaean Succession which first introduced those Corruptions 24 All which may be implied in this Phrase to lye prostrate at ones Feet being the highest Act of Honour and Submission amongst the Eastern Nations for so Joseph's Brethren which may be no unfit Type of what is here foretold Gen. 42 6.44.14 who had been the Authors of his Afflictions came and bowed down before him to the ground when he was exalted to be the Chief Governour in Aegypt and it being also a Custom for Scholars to sit at the Feet of their Masters to Worship at their Feet may denote their learning of them and joyning with them in their Worship but as in an inferiour degree of Knowledge and Esteem according to the Expressions of the Prophet Isa 60.14 from whence this place seems to be taken And the words also may be
propagated from the Twelve Apostles as the Israelitish Church was from the Twelve Patriarchs And the Number 144000. is a square Number arising out of Twelve the square Root of it denoting the Apostolical Doctrine to be the Root Twelve times Twelve Thousand amounting to One Hundred and Forty Four Thousand and Foundation of the Church and that the pure Church is a square Body because 1. It can admit of no other Foundation than that of the Apostles as this square Number can admit of no other Root than Twelve that is it can be produced by no other Number multiplied into it self which is what is meant by a square Root in Arithmetick 2. Because the Church is to be built in all After-Ages upon this Doctrine multiplied by it self only as the square Number arises from the Root multiplied into it self And this is not to be accounted a groundless Fancy but is no small part of the Knowledge of the Eastern Nations in which Solomon and Moses were skilled who were wont to wrap up Mysteries in Hieroglyphicks and Numbers that they might be hid from the Vulgar and known only by Persons fitted and capacitated for them and at suitable Times and Opportunities it not being convenient that some Truths should lie exposed to all and at all Seasons And accordingly it hath pleased God for the same Reasons and that Humane Search and Diligence might be exercised and encouraged to make use of the same way of Concealment to shew that all Humane Knowledge is to be subservient to Divine and to his Church Whereupon he hath made frequent use of the Number Twelve in things pertaining to his People and the Church the Patriarchs being Twelve the Tribes Twelve the Gates of Jerusalem Twelve and the Apostles Twelve and the Measures of the New Jerusalem being adapted to this Number for the Reasons before hinted and for others which we shall have a fitter occasion to mention hereafter See the Notes on Chap. 1.20 and 20 4. By these sealed ones are meant a pure Apostolical Church preserved from the time of Constantine under the Calamities of the Empire and during the continuance of the Apostasy so as to be Witnesses against it but in a hidden and concealed Condition For 1. They are said to be sealed that is preserved as we have shewn but in a hidden Condition as the Law is commanded to be bound up and sealed Isa 8.16 and the Words of Prophecy to be closed up and sealed Dan. 12.4 9. And the Church is said to be a Spring shut up and a Fountain sealed Canticl 4.12 of which the Seven Thousand which God had reserved to himself in secret and had preserved from the Idolatry of Baal 1 Kings 19.18 are a Type 2. This sealing immediately follows the Downfall of Paganism under Constantine at the opening of the Sixth Seal in the former Chapter whereby is signified that some great danger was then near that Christ should seal and secure his True Church so soon after their Delivery from Persecution And the History of those Times clearly testifie that the True Spirit of Christianity soon decayed upon the Peace Honours Priviledges and Prosperity which the Church then enjoyed and that the excessive Veneration they had for Saints and Martyrs gave Rise to the Apostasie upon which the pure Church became sealed that is shut up and concealed and a stop was put to its appearance in that true spiritual Glory which it shall have under Christ's Kingdom for its degenerating by degrees into a Satanical Synagogue For sealing denotes also the Hindrances and Lets which Christ's Kingdom has met with by its being over-powered by the Apostasie which at last advancing to a Throne wholly covered and hid it in an obscure and sealed State no Church being at last visible but the Apostatized one 3. It appears from the Third Verse that the time of this sealing lasted from Constantine until the sounding of the first Trumpet i. e. until the Irruptions of the barbarous Nations after the Death of Theodosius the Great during which time the Apostolical Church was under a continual sealing i. e. it s Visible State was daily obscured and covered until at last by the destruction of the Empire and the rise of the Apostasy upon it it was closely sealed up in an invisible State 5 Of the 10 Tribe of Judah 11 were sealed twelve thousand Of the Tribe of Reuben 12 were sealed twelve thousand Of the Tribe of Gad 13 were sealed twelve thousand 10 The Number of each Tribe is particularised and determined to shew that the Members of God's pure Church are not chosen casually and at all Adventures but are determined by God and that out of every Tribe or part of the Catholick Church And the Numbers of each Tribe are equal viz. Twelve Thousand to each to shew that each particular Church is to be Apostolical in the profession of the entire and perfect Doctrine delivered to them and that they are to be firm and stable in themselves which is the (a) See the Notes on Chap. 20.4 Mystical signification of a Cubical (b) Dr. Moor's Cabbala Nicom Gerasen Arithmet Theolo apud Photii Biblioth pag. 459. Number such as the Chiliads or Thousands are out of which each Tribe consists 11 It is the Opinion of Mr. Mede that the Nature Qualities and Circumstances of the pure Church are included in the true Scripture-import and mystical meaning of the Names of the several Tribes which I shall therefore in submission to his Opinion insist upon more particularly because there is good ground in (c) Micah 1.14 Matth. 2.23 Rom. 2.29 Scripture for such Mystical Allusions taken from Names Judah is placed first because the Government was given to him in David and Christ came of that Tribe which for the Generality kept to the publick Worship of God and the Rightful Kingly Succession when the others had cast it of Hos 11.12 1 Chron. 5.2 Heb. 7.14 His Name signifies Confession or Praise Gen. 29 35.49 8. whereby is signified that the pure Church ought to pay a Eucharistical Service of Praise and Thanksgiving to God and confess him openly and publickly in his Worship 12 Reuben is the next because although he lost his Birth-right for defiling his Father's Bed Gen. 49.4 1 Chron. 5.1 yet he shewed great Courage together with Gad in that Noble Resolution they made of passing over Jordan ready Armed before their Brethren Numb 32. The Name signifies See the Son whom God out of his (a) Joseph Antiq. 1.19 Mercy sent when he saw and had a respect unto our Afflictions Gen. 29.32 Whereby is intimated that the Church ought to look up unto Christ in their afflicted State as God did upon them in their desperate Condition when he sent his Son to redeem them 13 Gad signifies a Troop as is plain from Gen. 30.11 compared with Gen. 49.19 called so because that being situated on the Borders of the Countrey it was to be always ready in Arms and so
12 the New things i. e. Graces and Blessings of my New Kingâ—om under which is comprised all that is really desirable and all the Promises made to the Churches Chapters 2 and 3. and I Christ God-Man 12 will be his God and Father as having begotten him to this New Life Eph. 2.10 and he shall be my Son i. e. the Promises of the New Covenant and the Priviledges of Adoption shall be bestowed upon him in the highest and fullest Sense of them Sâ—e on Verse 3. 12 12 Here is declared that the (a) Rom. 8. Restauration of all things and the Adoption to the Inheritance and Redemption of Bodies will be fully compleated only in the Kingdom of Christ who is the Father of the New World the World to come 8 But all the 13 fearful of the Antichristian State especially who dare not hold fast the Profession of their Faith without wavering but for fear forsake the assembling of themselves drawing back unto Perdition Heb. 12.23 25 38 39. and unbeleiving in the Promises of Christ's Coming because of his long delay and who upon that draw back from the true Faith and scoff at it Heb. 12 35-39 2 Pet. 2 and 3 Chapters the abominable and defiled in their Mind Conscience and Practises and to every good work reprobate Tit. 1.15 16. and murderers especially of the Witnesses and Saints Chap. 18.24 and Whoremongers who practise and advance Doctrines which promote uncleanness Chap 2.6 15 and Sorcerers who bewitch Souls Chap. 18.23 and Idolaters as the Antichristian Party are by way of Eminence and all Liars who belâ—eve and make a Lye especially the great one of Antichristianism Rev. 3.9 2 Thes 2.9 1 Tim. 4.2 shall have their part not in the first Resurrection to Blessedness and Holiness but in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second Death and that Eternal See on Chap. 20.6 10 14 15. 13 All sorts of Sinners are here understood but most especially the Antichristian to whom the Characters agree Antichrist being the Man of Sin and Shinar or Babylon which is Antichristian Rome being the very House and Base of all Wickedness Ezek. 5.8 11. Rev. 18.24 9 And there came unto me 14 one or the first and principal of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials full af the seven last plagues the very same who shewed me the Jâ—dgment of the Great Whore Chap. 17.1 and talked with me saying Come hither I will shew thee the (a) Chap. 19 7-9 Bride the Lamb's Wife i. e. the New Jerusalem State and thou shalt plainly and more distinctly see the Nature of it and the vast difference there is betwixt it and the Antichristian State which I before shewed thâ—e Chap. 17. 14 The same Angel that shewed him the Judgment on the great Whore shews him also the New Jerusalem State to manifest that the Destruction of Antichrist and the pouring forth of the Vials are highly and immediately preparatory to Christ's Kingdom 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit i. e. I was in a Spiritual Extasie and was carried in Vision Chap. 1 10.17 3. to a great and high mountain to denote the State of Christ's Church and Kingdom now become a Mountain Dan. 2.35 established in the Tops of the Mountains and exalted above the Hills and to shew that this was the City seen by Ezekiel when he was set upon a very high Mountain Isa 2.2 Ezek 40.2 and shewed me not the Antichristian City of the Whore Chap. 17.3 but that truly great City the (b) Burnet's Theory 4.9 general Assembly consisting of all true Believers and of the Spirits of all just men made perfect Heb. 12.22 23. the Holy and Heavenly Jerusalem the City of the Living God and not the impure Idolatrous City of the Whore descending out of Heaven i. e. the highest Heavens into the lower Regions of it Verse 2. from God by whom it was built and the Kingdom was set up Dan. 2.44 Heb. 11.10 16. 11 Having the Glory of God i. e. the 15 glorious Presence of Christ and of his Saints Matth. 17 2. John 1.14 Heb 1.3 and her Light (c) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or that which enlightned her was like unto a Stone most precious even like a Jasper Stone clear as Chrystal i. e. the Presence of Christ was (a) Of which the Jasper is an Emblem See Grot. on Chap. 4.3 and on this Verse firm and lastâ—ng dwelling and abiding in it and it was full of Glory Purity and Holiness See on Chap. 4 3. 15 For this is the most proper Representation of the Divine Glory of which the Glorious Appearances of Fire Light and Bright Clouds the Schekinah under the Old Testament were but faint Images and Types 12 And had a Wall great and high i. e it was under the immediate protection of Divine Omnipotency and those which were without were excluded from it Isaiah 26 1-5 60 18. Zech. 2.5 Rev. 22.15 and had twelve Gates for free access to all true Israelites or Saints and at the Gates Twelve Angels as Cherubims to guard this New Paradise that nothing which had not right to Life might enter therein Gen. 3.24 Ezek. 48.31 and Names written thereon which are the Names of the Twelve 16 Tribes of the children of Israel to shew that none but God's People the true Israelitism had a right to this New Jerusalem State See on Chap. 7 4-10 16 These are the very 14400 who were sealed Chap. 7. 13 On the East three Gates on the North three Gates on the South three Gates and on the West three Gates i. e. there were Twelve Gates answerable to the Twelve Tribes Three on each side of the Four square City towards each Corner of the Heavens to shew that the whole Israel of God or all true Believers from every quarter of the World have a right to the Kingdom of Heaven Luke 13.29 See Ezek. 48 31-35 14 And the Wall of the City which was the Security and Protection of it and excluded every thing which was unclean had Twelve Foundations and in them thâ— Names of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World to shew that the Kingdom and Church of Christ was secured and protected by the Apostolical Doctrine upon which it was built Jesus Christ the Lamb of God whose Blood is the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant by which all things are secured unto us ratified and confirmed being the chief Corner-stone Eph. 2 19-22 15 And he that talked with me i. e. the 17 Angel Verse 9. had a golden not a common Reed to shew that this was the glorious pure precious and refined State of the Church of which that measured by Ezekiel with a common Reed was but a Type Ezek. 40.3 to measure the Dimensions and Contents of the Holy 18 City or whole Visible Church which was now rescued out of the hands of the Heathens and Antichristian Enemies and might therefore be measured as being
of the Witnesses especially at the Reformation 1517. 46 This refers to some second space of Repentance afforded the Apostasie before the pouring out of the Vials which may be probably the time allotted to the uttering of the Voices Chap. 14. by which Babylon was called to Repentance 23 And I will kill her Idolatrous Children 47 i. e. her Proselytes and Followers with death i. e. I will certainly and utterly destroy them and by the greatness of the Punishment all the Churches of the World shall know that I am he which 48 searcheth the Râ—iâ—s i. e. the Desires and Hearts i. e. the Thoughts and can discern the Sincerity of them and I will give unto every one of you according to your works and not according to your subtile and fair pretences 47 As the Disciples of the Prophets are called the Sons of the Prophets and as Timothy and Mark are called Paul's Sons in Scripture because they were his Disciples and were converted by him so are the Proselytes of Jezebel called here the Children of her spiritual Whoredom as being brought over to the Apostasie by her subtile Enticements and by the power of those Kings and Princes especially who were of her Communion and thereby had committed Adultery with her 48 From whence it appears that the Apostasie made use of plausible Insinuations to seduce Men to their Communion and an appearance of Piety and Religion 24 But unto you I say and 49 to the rest in Thyatyra that is the Remnant of this Succession which shall continue until I come in my Kingdom Verse 25 26. as many of you I mean as have not held and approved this Idolatrous 50 Doctrine of the Apostasie before-mentioned Verse 20. and which have not known so as to hold and approve the depths 51 of Satan i. e. the Antichristian Mysteries and Policies as 52 they of the pure Church of Thyatira speak or call them I will put upon you no other burthen 53 of Command 49 The Church of Thyatira is distinguished into Two Intervals viz. one before and at the Reformation the other after it which is to last until Christ's Coming in his Kingdom when upon the appearance of that Succession their last works shall be greater than their former The first Interval is denoted here by You that is you who are now in being the second by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Rest or the Remnant See Chap. 3 2.11 13. 50 By 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are meant in Scripture Sentences or Parables and Precepts or Discourses tending to Doctrine and Manners for so the Word is frequently used in the New Testament of which sort there were many false and erroneous ones amongst the Jews as appears from Heb. 13.9 and amongst the Primitive Christians falsly attributed to the Apostles and Apostolical Men. 51 The profound Mysteries such as Transubstantiation and Infallibity and the deep Politick Devices of the Apostasie are called here Satanical Depths in opposition to the Mysteries of Christianity called deep things of God and the Depth Rom. 11.33 1 Cor. 2.10 52 It was the chief Accusation of the Waldenses the pure Christians of this Succession that they called the Papacy Babylon and Antichrist and adapted the Prophecies of this Book to that Church as may be seen in a Treatise put forth by them A. D. 1120. and printed in Perrin's History of them 53 A Phrase taken from Acts 15.28 Where Ordinances or Commandments are called Burthens as they are also Matth. 23.4 And Christ here assures them that he would not charge them with any Injunctions of doing their first Works or repenting as he had done the other Churches but bids them only stick close to what they held and maintained approving thereby their Integrity and Purity 25 But that or those necessary things Acts 15.28 which ye have already believed and held hold fast till I come in my Kingdom 26 And he i. e. that Body of Men or those Persons that overcometh the Corruptions of this State and keepeth my 54 Works or the Precepts and Commandments which I have given them and enabled them to perform unto the end of time when Christ's Kingdom shall come Rev. 10.6 7. to him will I then give power over the 55 Nations or Gentiles that is the Apostasie and their Abettors 54 They are called Christ's Works in opposition to the Depths of Satan which are the Works of the Devil John 8.41 44. And by his Works are meant Holy Worship and Practice and the most vigorous Opposition of the Apostasie 55 As being no better than meer Gentiles by reason of their Idolatry 27 And he or the Saints of this Church-State shall rule them the Antichristian Party and their Abettors with a Rod of Iron that is with just Severity and as the Vessels of a Potter shall they be broken to shivers i. e. their Church-State shall be dissolved easily and irreparably and I will give him power over the Nations even as I received Power of my Father Psalm 2.9 for they shall reign with me 28 And I will give him the 56 Morning-Star i. e. these Witnesses shall first arise and give early Notice of the approaching glorious State of Christ's Kingdom 56 A Phrase made use of by the Holy Ghost in 2 Pet. 1.19 with reference to this very matter where Prophetical Scripture is likened unto a light shining in a dark place which yet notwithstanding its Obscurity was a more sure word then a Private Voice from Heaven and which might be understood notwithstanding the dark state we are in provided they be not interpreted according to our own Natural Vnderstanding called there the VVill of Man nor according to a Private Interpretation but according to the VVill of God speaking in and by the Holy Penmen which is a Publick Interpretation because it is taken from the Common Analogy of Scripture Rom. 12.6 and is agreeable to the VVritings of All the Holy Men of God whose Spiritual Things are to be compared one with another that so we may have a Publick Standard of Interpretation in the Church and because it proceeds although in an ordinary manner from the same (a) 1 Cor. 6-16 12 4. spirit which alone knows the things of God which at first moved the Holy Prophets which is One and agreeable to it self in all its Gifts and Operations and which when it incited them to speak and write gave them not Prophecies of a private Sense as relating only to private and particular persons but which were to be understood in a Publick Sense concerning Christ his Church and Kingdom But although they may be understood by us yet the Apostle tells us that it will not be without great difficulty until the Day shall dawn and the Day Star arise in our Hearts by which the appearance of Christ in his Kingdom is meant who is called Rev. 22.16 the bright and Morning Star the first Dawnings and Approachings of whose Kingdom may be meant by the Morning Star as the Kingdom in its
25 is most admirably applicable to the Antichristian Roman State it being the only Conspicuous and Remarkable number in that Hierarchy describing the Papacy in its most Essential Parts that Church having been Fatally led to lay its very Foundations upon it it having at first Five and Twenty Cardinals and its Creed consisting of Five and Twenty Articles as the Apostles doth of Twelve as Mr. Potter hath accurately shewn in these and many other Particulars 7. It may be observed That as the Number 666. can by no means be made out of 12 whatsoever Number you multiply it by so neither can the Antichristian State any way arise out of the Apostles Doctrine Lastly The Number 666. consisting of the same number in all its places from Vnits to Hundreds is upon that account as Grotius observes on the place very Remarkable according to the Opinion of the Wise Pagans who made their Vows in the same proportion And because it consists of an entire (a) Poli Synops in locum Senary of numbers arising by degrees from Vnits to Tens and from thence to Hundreds and that in a proportion very agreeable by the multiplication of 6 by 10 so as that 6 are found 10 times in 60 and 60 10 times in 600 it may from thence be thought to signifie the seeming Comeliness and Proportion of the Antichristian State which is so great that it is apt to deceive those who do not exercise Wisdom to discern things it being at first sight a Number more proportionable than 144 the Number of Christ's Kingdom So necessary is it to count numbers and to extract the Roots of them by stripping things of their Outward seeming Appearances although never so Comely and searching into the very intimate nature and Essence of them CHAP. XIV The Text. 1 AND I looked or was in Vision and lo a Lamb i. e. Christ stood to import his settlement in his Government and his Rule and Defence of his people Psalm 2.6 Mic. 5.4 on the Mount 1 Zion i. e. appeared in an exalted and an established State in his Kingdom Psalm 48. Mic. 4.1 Heb. 12.22 and with him an 2 Hundred Forty and Four Thousand i. e. a Body of Apostolical Pure Christians Chap. 7.4 having his i. e. Christ's Fathers Name 3 written in their Foreheads i. e. openly adjudged by God and professing themselves to be the true Followers of Christ See on Chap. 7.3 Annotations on CHAP. XIV 1 Zion (a) Josh 15.63 2 Sam. 5 1-10 1 Chron. 11 1-9 2 Chron. 3.1 Psalm 48.2 was the Mountain or upper part of Jerusalem on one side of which stood the House or Palace of David as the Temple did on the North side of it called Mount Moriah which was reckoned as a part of Mount Zion This Mountain was taken by David from the Jebusites whom the Children of Judah were not able to drive out because of their Vnbelief and was the first Exploit undertaken by him after his being anointed King over all Israel upon the Submission paid unto him by all the Tribes of Israel and their acknowledgment of their being his Bone and his Flesh wherein they were Types of the Obedience that all Nations are to pay to Christ and of their becoming Members of his Body of his Flesh and of his Bones Ephes 5.30 David took it when he began to (a) 2 Sam. 5.4 Luke 3.22 23. Reign being Thirty Years old according to the Age when our Saviour began to preach gather Members for his Kingdom and cast out Devils as David also dispossessed the (b) 2 Sam. 5 6-8 Gregories Observat Chap. 7. Jebusites and cast out their Tutelary Idols the Hatred of his Soul called by him and his Followers by way of Sarcasm and Contempt the Blind and the Lame as having Eyes but seeing not and Feet but walking not according to the like Expression used by him Psalm 115. When he had taken it he fortified the Strong Hold of it and afterwards built there and made a Beautiful City calling it the City of David In all which he was a Type of Christ as that Mountain Strong Hold and City were of the Strength Stability and Beauty of Christ's Kingdom especially as it shall appear at last in a most glorious manner triumphing over all Heathen and Antichristian Idols when the Lord shall set his King upon his Holy Hill of Zion and Christ shall stand and feed his People and be great unto the Ends of the Earth Psalm 2.6 Micah 5.4 Only here it may be observed 1. That as the taking of this Mountain was the first Atchievement of David after he came to the Kingdom before he was fully established in it and had built his City so may this Appearance of Christ be some Preparatory State of his Kingdom called the Kingdom of David in Scripture rising (a) Micah 4.1 2. to the Tops of the Mountains and exalting it self above the Hills that so the Everlasting Gospel might be heard and People might flow unto it but somewhat different from the State of its full Establishment when his Kingdom shall appear in its utmost Glory as in the Description of it given Heb. 12.22 they first come unto Mount Sion before they come unto the City of the Living God and the Heavenly Jerusalem as is more fully shewn on the Three last Chapters where this whole matter is largely considered 2. That here is represented some Exalted State of the Heavenly Tabernacle it self typified by Mount Sion which was not yet of so high and so exalted a Nature as that which it shall afterwards arrive to when it shall appear as in the highest Heavens or in its Heavenly State it being probable that there are Exaltations of Christ's Kingdom in the Archetype of it in the Heavenly Places of which the several Advances it receives here on Earth are the Counterpart Patterns and Example according to what hath been already discoursed on Chap. 12.1 and will be shewn more largely hereafter it being very difficult to give Account of many things in this Prophecy without this Supposition 2 As this Vision relates to the State of Christ's Kingdom upon Earth there is hereby signified a Body of Apostolical pure Christians appearing in a State of open and publick profession of Christ's pure Religion but as it refers to the State of things in the Heavenly Places hereby is denoted an appearance of the very 144000. mentioned in the seventh Chapter who are the Saints and Witnesses departed in the Lord. 3 They were before sealed and in a hidden and invisible State but now they have a Name written that is appearing legible upon their Foreheads and that the Name of God whereby may be understood some Approbation of them and Declaration on God's part before whose Throne they are Verse 5. as to be judged and approved by him that they were Holiness unto the Lord in allusion to the Inscription on the High-Priest's Frontlet Exod. 20.36 and that they were worthy of the Exalted State they now
Successors 16 And said to the mountains and rocks fall on us and hide us altho by crushing us in pieces Isa 2 19.-21 Hos 10.8 from the face or anger of him that sitteth on the Throne i. e. God and from the wrath of the Lamb i. e. Christ that we may not see and feel the misery which is coming upon us 17 For the great 30 day of his wrath i. e. the appointed time of his Judgments is come and who shall be able to stand against it oppose or endure it 30 This immediately refers to the overthrow of the Pagan Powers by the Christian Empire and has also a relation to the final Judgments upon Antichrist when the Martyrs who are commanded to rest until that time shall be fully avenged this Judgment upon Paganism by the Christian Empire being a Type of the Judgment at Christ's Kingdom CHAP. VII The Text. 1 A And after these things I saw four Angels 1 i. e. Ministers of God's Providence standing in a readiness to execute God's Commands upon the four corners i. e. Angles or Cardinal Points Ezek. 7.2 Matth. 24.31 Zech. 2.6 of the Earth holding back or restraining the four winds or Instruments of trouble and commotion Jerem. 49.36 Dan. 7.2 Zech. 6.5 of the Earth that the Wind 2 should not blow upon the Earth 3 i. e. that the Roman Empire should not be disturbed nor on the 3 Sea i. e. the common People Chap. 17.15 nor on any Tree 3 i. e. the great ones Isa 2.13 Zech. 11.2 Annotations on CHAP. VII 1 The Living Creatures do not appear but Angels in their stead and they standing on the Angles of the Earth and not on the Angles of the Throne as the living Creatures did whereby is signified that the strict Apostolical Purity was abated as I have often remarked as the Glory of God and the living Creatures in Ezekiel remove by degrees from the Temple as it grew more and more polluted until they departed totally from it Read and diligently Consider Exek 8.4 6.9 3.10 15-19 11 23. 2 Hereby is signified the Quiet which the Christian Empire enjoyed from Constantine to Theodosius in respect of what Commotions were before in the Empire whilst it was Pagan and should be afterwards upon the Death of Theodosius when its Ruin soon ensued upon the Winds blowing by the Trumpets Chap. 8. For by the Winds not blowing is not meant that they should have no Troubles and Commotions but according to the usual import of such Hyperbolical Expressions in Scripture that they should be so little or short as the Tempest under Julian was that they should be in comparison nothing at all especially in respect of those Commotions the Empire was to undergo within a short season which would produce great Changes in it by introducing a New Antichristian Supremacy with Ten Kings whereby the Monarchick Power of the Empire according to its Representation in Daniel shifted from its Iron Legs into its Feet and Toes part of Iron part of Clay and the Idolatrous Beastian Power was to pass into the Little Horn and the Ten Horns all which being to be brought to pass by great Concussions in the Empire its present State under Christian Emperours is accounted a Calm in respect of what was to ensue the Pagan Beast being then subdued and the Antichristian Man of Sin being withheld so that Christianity was then as it were in a quiet and prosperous condition 3 3 3 The whole Body of the Roman Empire is here represented by apt Metaphors taken from those things which are most subject to be disturbed with Winds 2 And I saw another Angel 4 ascending from the East i. e. Christ having the 5 Seal of the Living God i. e. a Commission from him Ezek. 9.4 and he cried with a loud voice to testify his Love and Affection to his chosen ones to the four Angels to whom it was given by God who had determined great changes in the Empire to hurt by executing of Judgments the Earth and the Sea vers 1. 4 Christ is called the Angel of the Covenant Malach. 3.1 and the Sun of Righteousness Malach. 4.2 and the Day-spring or rising Sun from the East Luke 1.78 and Ezek. 44.2.3 the Prince of the Church that is Christ and only he has Power to enter in at the Eastern Gate of that Mystical Temple from whence it is clear that Christ is here to be understood called so because he enlightens and comforts his Church and like the Rising Sun discovers Works of Darkness and the good from the bad See Dr. Hammond on Luke 1.78 Gregory's Observations pag. 73. and Dr. Pocock on Malachi 5 A Seal signifies a Command or a Commission from its being sealed with the King's Seal 1 Kings 21.8 Esth 3 12.8 8 10. 3 Saying hurt not the Earth neither the Sea or the Trees i. e. the Empire and its Inhabitants till we have 6 sealed or shall seal i. e preserve and secure in secret Ezek. 9 1.-4 the servants of 7 our God i. e. those who serve God purely and sincerely Nehem. 1.11 in their 8 foreheads i. e. very closely and securely 6 Men use to Seal those things which they would have concealed and preserved as we have before hinted on Chap. 5. 1. especially in times of danger so God commanded the Israelites to sprinkle Blood upon their Posts when he would save them whereby as with a Seal he concealed and preserved them Exod. 12. and the Scarlet Thread Josh 2.18 was a Sign or Seal to distinguish Rahab from those that perished and Ezek. 9. a Mark or Seal of Distinction Security and Preservation is put upon the Foreheads of those that were to be saved in that common Destruction And the prime and great import of Sealing is to signifie that the True Glory which shall appear in Christ's Kingdom the New Jerusalem was to be covered and secured while the false and worldly Splendor and Glory of the Antichristian Apostasie was cheifly visible and predominant the True Worshippers being now in the Temple the Witnesses in Sackcloath and the Woman in the Wilderness which are all equivalent with these sealed ones 7 Christ as Mediator and Head of the Church has a joynt Relation to God with his faithful Servants John 20.17 8 In allusion to the Custom of the Eastern Nations who marked their Servants on the Forehead And hereby is signified a close concealment and security when the Foreheads or Faces of his Servants are sealed or hid so that they could not be known 4 And I heard and therefore am certain of what I relate the number of them which were sealed or concealed and secured and there were sealed an 9 hundred forty and four thousand of all the Tribes of Israel i e a pure Apostolical Church was preserved but in a hidden and secret condition the glorious appearance of Christ's Kingdom being stopped and hindred 9 Israel in this Book as hath been before observed on Chap. 2.9 is put for the pure Christian Church