the Church in the state of the New Jerusalem of which it is said There shall be no night there and they need no candle nor the light of the Sun For the Lord God giveth them light and they shall reign for ever and ever 17. And when I saw him I fell at his feet as dead as being exceedingly afraid that this fight might portend some great evil to the people of God And he laid his right hand upon me saying unto me Fear not I am the First and the Last And though there may be some great Afflictions and Tryals of my Church represented to thee in what thou seest yet thou must remember nothing shall come to pass without my Providence who am the First and the Last and will carry you through all Persecutions and Deaths and make you at length more than Conquerours 18. I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore Amen and have the Keys of Hell and of Death as if he should say For I am now alive though I was my self dead once and crucified but behold I am alive for Ever Amen This is most certainly true of him whom this Vision represents and that he has the Keys of Hell and Death And therefore no man need fear to undergo martyrdom for his Cause who will certainly make him partaker of a Blessed Immortality and plunge his barbarous persecutors into everlasting perdition Wherefore after this encouragement to Iohn he sayes 19. Write the things which thou hast seen and the things which are and the things which shall be hereafter that is write the things which thou hast seen and known already as being past and the things that are present and the things that are to come after viz. The affairs of the first succession of the Church which is the Ephesine succession the affairs of the present succession of the Church in which S t Iohn wrote these Visions which is the Smyrnean and of the rest of the successions of the Church which are to come afterwards 20. Which affairs thus distributed into seven successions or intervals are indeed the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand and the seven golden candlesticks For the seven stars are the Angels of the seven Churches that is the seven successions of Bishops and Pastors that are to shine forth in the brightness and purity of their Life and Doctrine in the seven successions of the Churches And the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven successions of the Apostolick Church here called seven Churches NOTES CHAPTER I. Vers. 1. Manifestly shewn already by him or that are past c. This is spoken in reference to the absurd Interpretations of Grotius in the first six Seals and the first six Trumpets who fixes the Scene of all those Visions in Judea and ends them with the sacking of the City which was before S t John wrote the Apocalypse for he wrote it in Domitian's time But what will not prejudiced Wits imagine rather than stoop to the Truth See my Mystery of Godliness Book 5. chap. 16. And Synops. Prophetic Book 2. chap. 2. sect 4 5 c. Vers. 4. Truly Catholick and Apostolick Church c. This I conceive to be comprehended in the name Asia in allusion to the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Asia signifying Fundamentum as if he should say To all the Churches that keep the Apostolical Foundation in Doctrine and Practice that keep in it and swerve not from it by admitting any thing contrary thereto And dispersed on the face of the earth c. This also is comprised in the word Asia by allusion to another Hebrew word of a like nearness of sound 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Asia again and is the lowest of those four Worlds notoriously known amongst the Cabbalists Aziluth Briah Jetzirah Asia of which last the lowest part is this Earth we tread upon So evidently is the allusion to the nearness of sound in words made use of in this Book of the Apocalypse See another reason from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in my Exposition of the seven Churches Vers. 19. The affairs of the first succession of the Church which is the Ephesine succession the affairs of the present c. That the affairs of the Ephesine succession were past when S t John received those Visions in Patmos is plain from hence because he received them about the end of Domitians Reign But the beginning of the Smyrnean succession is in the tenth of Nero or not long before which is about thirty years before S t John received the Visions in Patmos Besides that the Ephesine succession is described amongst other characters as not yet being stained with the doctrine and deeds of the Nicolaitans But the Nicolaitans appeared in the twelfth year of Nero as you may see in Spandanus the Epitomizer of Baronius Therefore the Ephesine succession was to expire before that time So plain is it that it was past when S t John was in Patmos But hence emerges a difficulty that well may stumble some viz. Being the Ephesine succession was then past why should there be an Epistle directed to it which is as if one should write to the deceased To which I answer That this Book of Prophecies being designed a Representation of the State of the Church or of the Empire in reference to the Church from the very beginning of the Church that the Representation might be the more compleat by not leaving out that little Time that was then past to the end of the world in that way I say it is comprized whether Epistolar or other it is to be begun and continued throughout And therefore in the Prophetical Vision of the Seals as the first Seal is rather an History than a Prophecy though disguised under Prophetick Iconismes For the time of the thing signified there by the Rider of the White Horse which the whole stream of Interpreters understand of Christ guiding and assisting the Apostles and his Church in the Apostolick times was in a manner quite expired when John wrote the Apocalypse So this Epistle to the Ephesine succession of the Church is to be conceived an Historical Description of that State of the Church rather than an Epistle though for conformity-sake it is put into this Epistolar disguise And since it is not so proper to write Epistles to any but those who are in present Being surely they who are satisfied there is no absurdity in writing in this Epistolar way to the successions of the Church not yet come ought to think the using this Epistolar form to a succession already past the more tolerable But supposing the Apocalypse a designed Representation as I hinted above of the affairs or state of the Church set out by a triple Prophecy this of the Seven Churches the second of the Sealed Book and the last of the Opened Book and that the Prophecy of the Sealed Book and of the Opened Book each
of them though in a Prophetick stile yet in the entrance of the Prophecies represent Things or Times partly past and partly present neither of which are the proper objects of Prophecy when S t John was in Patmos and therefore so far are rather an History than Prophecy though disguised or adorned with Prophetick Iconismes and consequently that that little snip of time the Ephesine Interval contains though an History rather than an Epistle may as well be set down in an Epistolar form as the other in a Prophetical These things I say being considered the using this form of an Epistle to the Ephesine succession that it might keep conformity with the rest the usefulness of which Epistolar forms I have declared in my Prophetical Exposition of the Seven Churches is not only tolerable but very fit and commendable And yet this is not all that I have to say For being there was a Real Church in Ephesus in S t John 's time which according to the literal sense of these Epistles might be concerned therein and that there is also a Moral use and sense of them according to which they may be applicable to this or that state of any particular Church of Christ in any particular Place or Age of the World so richly usefull is the contrivance of this holy writing for the edification of the Church of Christ though the main be the Prophetical design as to the illustration and Confirmation of his Providence over his Church and that the Vision of the Seven Churches is a Prophecy properly so called I have by no less than twenty Arguments confirmed in my Exposition of the Seven Churches this Epistolar Form I say to the Ephesine succession is not only tolerable fit and commendable but altogether necessary Which things though I have sufficiently noted and confirmed in my said Exposition of the Seven Churches yet I thought fit to give an hint of them here that no man unawares may stumble as is said at the very threshold CHAPTER II. 1. UNto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus write that is to the Bishops and Pastors c. of the Ephesine succession of the Church which begins with the beginning of the Church of Christ and ends in the tenth year of Nero * whose name bears with it the signification of its condition These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand and walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks And he salutes you under the Title of this part of his former Representation that you may run the race more chearfully that now is begun he going along with you even to the end thereof He supports comforts and guides all the seven successions of the Bishops and Pastors of the Church that labour in the Word and Doctrine and is in the midst of all the seven successions of the Church throughout all Ages minding their Conversation and assisting them that are true of heart even to the end of the world 2. I know thy works thy labour and thy patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evil I know your works and approve of your labour industry and patience and commend you for that loathing and detestation you have of lewd and wicked men And thou hast tryed them that say they are Apostles and are not and hast found them lyars That also I commend that you can sift and try such as pretend to be sent from me and to be Apostles and are not but are Lyars and Deceivers mere Impostors and Counterfeits 3. And hast born and hast patience and for my names sake hast laboured and hast not fainted I commend you for this your first great fervency and desire of enlarging my Church or Kingdom and bearing patiently all crosses and difficulties you meet with in the carrying on the work and for your not fainting under so great pains and travail 4. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thée because thou hast left thy first Love There is not that earnestness of affection for me as at the first nor fervency and zeal for the enlargement of my Kingdom but you are more cold and remiss 5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and do the first works that is act with that constancy fervency and sincerity you did before Or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou repent that is I will raise such a tempest of Persecution against the Church that she will not be able to keep her place but be shaken and driven with the violence thereof This you must expect unless you repent 6. But this thou hast that thou hatest the déeds of the Nicolaitans which I also hate This was yet the priviledge of this Ephesine Interval of the Church that she was not then tainted with the lusts of that filthy Sect of the Nicolaitans which the soul of Christ so abhors 7. He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the Churches in these Prophetical Parables For it is of great concern and edification for them to consider and understand them through all the successions of the Churches that what is recommended they may follow and eschew the contrary at all times To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the paradise of God that is he that overcometh through his much labour and pains he shall be refreshed with the food of the Tree of Life and for his patience and sufferings enjoy a Paradise of pleasure in Heaven 8. And unto the Angel of the Church of Smyrna write To the Bishops and Pastors c. of the Smyrnean succession of the Church which reaches from the end of the Ephesine succession to about the three hundred twenty fourth year of Christ * and bears the signification of its condition in its name write to them thus These things saith the first and the last which was dead and is alive Who salutes you therefore with this part of his former Representation as his most proper Title here for an encouragement in the bloody persecuting times you are in For if you dye Martyrs you shall as assuredly be alive again as I am that was once Martyred and Crucified And I am the First and the Last and will make my Church hold out to the End and stand Conquerour in the Field 9. I know thy works and tribulation and poverty but thou art rich I know how you are destitute of all the comforts of life and conflict with the greatest necessities but yet ye are really rich full of Christian patience and meekness and of invincible courage amidst all the dangers of death And I know the blasphemie of them that say they are Iews and are not but are the Synagogue of Satan That say they are Christians and are not for so Iews signifies in the Apocalyptick stile and so by their dastardliness and perfidiousness blaspheme and
shew how nauseous and loathsome thou art to me in a torrent of Reproof as a sign of my disgust against thee and upon thy impenitence at length being weary of thee as concerning God it is said before his bringing the deluge of water on the Earth that it repented him that he had made man I will spew thee out from my self who fill all things and exterminate thee out of Being by a deluge of Fire that shall put an end to this Terrestrial Scene of things and the Laodicean Church shall be no more 17. But in the mean time that I may faithfully admonish thee Because thou sayest I am rich and increased with goods and have néed of nothing whilst thou considerest that Peace and Plenty that Power and Rule and security from Enemies which thou enjoyest and the purity of Doctrine and Worship free from Superstition and Idolatry and the abundance of both Natural and Divine Knowledge and clear understanding of Prophecies by reason of their completion now and skilfull Interpretations of thy Predecessors and Universal Freedom from all persecution I tell thee notwithstanding all these thou art mistaken in thy condition And knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked in that thou art destitute of the Glories and Treasures of the Inward Man and art ignorant of the mysteries of Regeneration and of the Spirit of Life in the New Birth and art content with a covering but not of my Spirit whereby thou dost but add sin to sin 18. I counsel thée therefore to buy of me Gold tryed in the fire that thou mayest be rich Gold refined in the fire and so pure that it is transparent like glass New Jerusalem Gold which is the New Nature or Creature mine own Image And the price is thy sincere endeavouring and breathing after that state that thou mayest possess those durable Riches which shall not be melted when the Elements shall melt with fervent heat and the Earth and the works therein shall be burnt up namely at the Conflagration And white rayment that thou mayest be cloathed and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear And buy of me white rayment that is groan in thy self O spiritless Laodicea and desire to be cloathed with thy Spiritual Tabernacle from Heaven that being so cloathed thou mayest not be found naked and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear at the last day And anoint thine eyes with eye-salve that thou mayest see Clear thy judgement and understanding by a diligent purification of thy Soul from all corruptions of flesh and spirit and perfect holiness in my fear that thou mayest see and have a right discerning in all things 19. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten be zealous therefore and repent As many as I love I chasten and I have a love to thee even for thy outward resemblance of thy deceased Sister Philadelphia and therefore I chastise thee with sharp reproofs to bring thee to an inward sense of things and shall further afflict thee by outward straits and distress to awaken thee For thine Enemies Gog and Magog by reason of thy remisness in Religion security and neglect of the Interest of my Kingdom will grow upon thee and at last encompass the Beloved City Be zealous therefore and repent thee of thy dead formality and remisness in the affairs of my Kingdome that so thou mayest recover the Philadelphian love and fervency 20. And do not complain of difficulties Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me I offer my aid unto you and solicit you ever and anon by good monitions and suggestions and if you obey sincerely my dictates and succours of Light and Grace I offer you and by this your sincerity open me the door I will sup with you I will communicate my Nature and Spirit unto you You shall feed on my flesh which is meat indeed and drink of my blood which is drink indeed and that saying shall be fullfilled in you I in my Father and you in me and I in you If any man love me and keep my Word my Father will love him and will come to him and abide with him 21. And that I may the more effectually rouse thee up out of this dead formality and tepidity out of this dulness and lethargy I add further To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne You shall not only enjoy Me and my Father in this life but if you will stand to the conflict and so attain to the state of the Spirit of Life and real Regeneration into the Living Image of my self I will exalt you to the same happiness with my self your bodies being transformed into the Image of my glorious Body and so fitted to ascend into the Throne that he has given me whose Throne is Heaven as Earth his footstool Nay you shall sit with me in my Throne and judge the Apostate Angels at the last day This is a great and stupendious promise but you ought to consider that he has promised it who is the Amen the true and faithfull Witness and the Beginning of the Creation of God and therefore both will and can bring all his counsels purposes and promises to pass Even so Amen 22. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches NOTES CHAPTER III. Vers. I. Whose condition is notified in their name c. Namely by way of allusion to the Lapis Sardius whose vertue is to exhilarate the mind of him that wears it and make him couragious and is an Amulet against witchcraft and poyson Which may intimate the comfortable doctrine of Iustification by Faith and the defeating the poyson of that cup of Fornication in the hand of the Whore of Babylon that the Sardian Church is not infected with that poyson of Idolatry as being out of the reach of that inchanted Cup of the Whore Sardis also signifies Canticum Laetitiae which sutes well with the Ioy of the Reformed Churches at the rising of the Witnesses signified by those Harpers with the Harps of God in their hand ch 15. But being the Sardius Stone is in Hebrew called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Odem which sounds near to Edom and by the Latines termed Carnalina this insinuates the defectuousness of the Sardian Church and her Carnality in several points of Doctrine and Practice Concerning which see my Exposition of the seven Churches Chap. 7. Vers. 7. And discovers its nature and condition in its name c. For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Love of the Brethren and indeed consequently the Love of God and all Men these Vertues are so nearly linked together when they are sincere and in a due degree See my Exposition of the Seven Churches