unto the lamb for ever and ever by every creature c. whereto the living creatures say Amen chap. 5. 12 13 14. and by all the Angels chap. 7. 11 12. He hath power to do what he pleaseth as it is said Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in Heaven and in the Earth in the Seas and in all deep places Psal 115. 3 4. and 135. 6. Matth. 6. 13. 1 Chron. 29. 11 12. He hath power to help and to cast down power to save and to destroy to give or to withhold 2 Chron. 25. 8. Jam. 4. 12. To do every thing that consists with his infinite holiness see notes before on ver 8. and no thought can be withholden from him Job 42. 2. and he can and doth uphold all things by the word of his power Hebr. 1. 3. Psal 75. 3. and 55. 22. But here especially as it may seem and as is before said Power answers to thanks in ver 9. and so power belongs to him also with him is mercy Psal 62. 11. He hath power to extend mercy to unworthy undeserving and ill-deserving ones as hâ— hath manifested in raising up such an Horn of salvation in the house of his servant David in preparing a body for Christ in the womb of the Virgin Luk. 1. 35. In being with him in trouble with him his hand hath been established his arm also hath strengthened him so as the enemy hath not exacted upon him nor the son of wickedness afflicted him Psal 89. 21-23 though Satan and his instruments thrust sore at him yet the Lord helped him the right hand of the Lord did valiantly the right hand of the Lord was exalted c. Psal 118. 10-13-16 and the working of the might of his power wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality c. Eph. 1. 19 20 21. Psal 118. 16-18 Thorow whom his power is great for saying redeeming and forgiving any sinners though never so great that turn at his reproofs come at his calls and obey his counsels Numb 14. 17. Isa 50. 1 2 3. And on such-like accounts we have cause to give thanks unto him and sing of and praise his power Isa 45. 8-10 Psal 59. 16. and 150 1 2 3. 2. We have also to consider the Reason or Reasons of the Elders rendring praise glory and honour unto him For thou hast created all things c. This hath respect either unto the first and old Creation or also unto the new unto both which we may speak a little 1. As with respect to the first in which act of his Creation he gave a being to all creatures by his word which before had none Gen. 1. 1-21-27 He said Let there be light c. and it was so And in this work of Creation the three persons who are but one God 1 John 5. 7-9 did concur and co-operate To us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him 1 Cor. 8. 6. By Christ were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers all things were created by him and for him Col. 1. 16. All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made John 1. 1 2 3. Ephes 3. 9. Heb. 1. 1 2 3. and ver 8 10. And all the Host of the Heavens to wit rhe Angels Sun Moon and Stars c. were made by the spirit of the mouth of the Lord Psal 33. 6. And Elihu saith The Spirit of God hath made me and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life Job 33. 4. and chap. 26. 13. Psal 104. 30. Isa 40. 13-18-26 And in this work of Creation appears his glory and honour his work herein is honourable and glorious Psal 111. 3. The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handy-work Psal 19. 1-6 Isa 40. 26. Herein appears and is manifested 1. His infinite power and that he can do all things Ab 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. 17-27 The Lord is the true God he is the living God and an everlasting King he hath made the earth by his power Jer. 10. 10-12 and chap. 51. 15. And therefore he can extend help to us in every case and condition Lift up your eyes on high and behold who hath created these things that bringeth out their host by number he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might for that he is strong in power not one faileth Why sayest thou O Jacob and speakest O Israel my way is hid from the Lord and my judgment is passed over from my God Isa 40. 26 27 28. Job 38. and chap. 39. and chap. 40. and chap. 41. and chap. 42. 2-5 Psal 89. 8 9-11-13 2. And herein also appears his infinite wisdom and unsearchable understanding that he is mighty in wisdom Job 36. 5. O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all Psal 104. 24. The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth by understanding hath he establish'd the Heavens by his knowledg the depths are broken up c. Prov. 3. 19 20. He hath established the world by his wisdom and stretched out the Heavens by his discretion Jer. 10. 12. and chap. 51. 15. Psal 136. 5. And therefore also glory and honour appertain to him as the Apostle saith Now unto the King eternal or of ages or worlds the only wise God be honour and glory for ever and ever Amen 1 Tim. 1. 17. And thus we should also glorify him in trusting in him at all times and pouring out our hearts unto him as knowing and believing The creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not nor is weary there is no searching of his understanding Isa 40. 26 27 28-31 Jude 25. 3. And herein is also manifested his goodness and mercy that he is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works Psal 145. 8 9. He by wisdom made the Heavens for his mercy endureth for ever and stretched out the earth above the waters for his mercy endureth for ever who made great lights for his mercy endureth for ever The Sun to rule by day for his mercy endureth for ever Psal 136. 1-4-9 The earth is full of his mercy and riches Psal 104. 24. and 119. 64 and 8. 1 2 4 5. and 89. 1-12 13. and 33. 5. yea indeed his Being and Godhead and all his glorious Attributes are manifested by the works of his Creation that all might glorify him The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal power and Godhead so that they are without excuse because
Clouds Where let us mind and consider these things 1. The person here spoken of and that cometh He 2. Of what coming is here spoken and intended 3. How or in what manner he shall come 4. From whence or from what place he cometh 5. To what end or ends he cometh 1. The person that cometh He of whom we have a description before in v. 5 6. as we have seen even he that loved us and died for our Sins and who is raised from the dead to wit the Son of Man Dan. 7. 13. The Son of Man shall come in the Clouds of Heaven with Power and great Glory Mat. 24. 27 30. and ch 25 13. and ch 26. 64. with Mark 13. 26. and ch 14. 62. Luk. 21. 27. It is the Man Christ Jesus who hath made Peace for us and is our Peace that shall come and whom we are called upon to behold He doth not cease to be a man though he be not a mere man but this Man continueth for ever and very frequently when he speaks of his coming he calls himself the Son of Man Mat. 16. 27. Luk. 17. 24 26 30. 2. Of what coming doth he here speak We have intimated before that though he may and doth include his coming providentially and in his Judgments yet hereby is ultimately meant his glorious coming to take to him his great Power and reign and to judge the World in Righteousness as appears by what follows in that it is said Every Eye shall see him c. and by the Apostles vote in the latter end of the Verse like that He which testifieth these things saith Surely I come quickly Amen Even so come Lord Jesus ch 22. 17 20. But here we may consider there are two personal comings of our Lord Jesus Christ's 1. To take our nature and be abased that he might redeem us from the Curse of the Law and obtain Eternal Redemption in the nature of Man for us Of this he here speaks not for so he was come and gone before this as he saith I come forth from the Father and am come into the World Again I leave the World and go to the Father Joh. 16. 28. And before the time that this Book was sent and signified unto John he had come and finished the work which the Father gave him to do on Earth in the body of his Flesh and was gone up into Heaven and sate on the right hand of God Acts 1. 11. Joh. 17. 4 5. Act. 3. 20 21. 1 Pet. 3. 21 22. 2. He shall appear and come the second time Heb. 9. 28. He shall come again in his personal body Joh. 14. 3. God shall send us Jesus who hath been preached to us Acts 3. 20. and of this he here speaketh as hath been said See more concerning his coming on ch 2. v. 5. and ch 3. 20. 3. How or in what manner shall he come Answer 1. He shall come without Sin Heb. 9. 28. when he was here before though he knew no Sin yet God made him to be Sin for us 2 Cor. 5. 21. He himself in his own body bare our Sins to the Tree and suffered for them 1 Pet. 2. 24. and ch 3. 18. But when he shall appear the second time no Sin shall be imputed to him nor suffered for by him Nor shall there be any mortality or weakness upon him God hath raised him again from the Dead now no more to return to corruption Heb. 1. 3. Acts 13. 33 34. 1 Cor. 15. 1 Joh. 3. 5. Phil. 3. 21. 2. He shall then come in Glory as appears in the Doxology v. 6. To him be Glory Behold he cometh with Clouds he shall come in his glorious body Phil. 3. 21. This second appearing is called his glorious appearing Tit. 2. 13. He shall come in his own Glory and in his Fathers Mat. 24. 30. and ch 25. 31. Mark 8. 38. and ch 13. 26. Luke 9. 26. and in the Glory of his Angels all the Holy Angels shall come with him Mat. 16. 27. and ch 25. 31. Mark 8. 38. and he shall come with all his Saints The Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints The Lord shall come and all the Saints with him Jude 14 15. Zech. 14. 5. 1 Thes 3. 13. and with the Trump of God 1 Thes 4. 16 17. 1 Cor. 15. 52. 3. And he shall come visibly as afterwards followeth in this Verse 4. He shall come suddainly and unexpectedly The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night 2 Pet. 3. 10. 1 Thes 5. 2 4. Mat. 24. 43. Be ye therefore ready also for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not Luke 12. 39 40. Mark 13. 35 37. 4. From whence shall he come And that will be from Heaven from that glorious place where the Throne of God is 1 Thes 1. 10. and ch 4. 16. We look for the Saviour from Heaven Phil. 3. 20. 1 Cor. 15. 47. He shall not come from his glorious state but shall fit on the right hand of Power till all Enemies be destroyed Mat. 2â— 64. Ps 110. 1 2. Heb. 10. 12 13. But the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout c. 1 Thes 4. 16. 5. To what end cometh he And that is 1. To raise the dead that sleep in Jesus and change the surviving believers and they shall be all gathered together and caught up to meet the Lord in the Air and so shall be ever with him And they shall then bear the Image of the Heavenly 1 Thes 4. 16 17. 1 Cor. 15. 21 23 49. Phil. 3. 21. Mat. 24. 30 31. Mark 13. 25 27. Then shall the righteous be gathered together unto him and one unto another 2 Thes 2. 1. Ps 1. 5 6. 2. He shall come with them to destroy all the Horns of the Wicked and all them that oppose him Ps 75. 10. and 149. Dan. 7. 11 12. 2 Thes 1. 5 8. Rev. 11. 18. and ch 19. That will be the day of Perdition of Ungodly Ones 2 Pet. 3. 7. And all these things shall be dissolved 2 Pet. 3. 10 14. And the Devil bound up in the Bottomless-pit Rev. 20. 1 3. with Luke 8. 31. 3. He shall make all things new New Heavens and a New Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness Isay 65. 17 19. and ch 66. 22. 2 Pet. 3. 13. Rev. 21. 5. Then shall be the restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his Holy Prophets since the World began Acts 3. 20 21. Rom. 8. 21 22. Then the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun and the light of the Sun shall be seven-fold as the light of seven days Isay 30. 26. Then the face of the Earth shall be renewed Ps 104 30 31. and Ps 8. 3 4. 4. He will then inherit all Nations and give to his people to reign with him they shall reign on the Earth Rev. 5. 10. they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand
was to look upon like a Jasper and a Sardine stone and there was a Rain-bow round about the Throne in sight like unto an Emerald In this Verse the Apostle John gives unto us a further account of what was represented to him and he saw in spirit And that 1. Of the vision sight or appearance of him that sate on the Throne And he that sate was to look upon like a Jasper and a Sardine stone 2. Of what he saw about the Throne And there was a Rain bow round about the Throne in sight like unto an Emerald 1. Of the vision sight or appearance of him that sate on the Throne And he that sate was to look upon like a Jasper and a Sardine stone He that sate namely in his Royal Majesty and glory upon the supreme Throne of rule dominion and government in Heaven the Lord God Almighty before whom all Creatures Saints and Angels prostrate themselves and unto whom they give honour as we have said and shewn on vers 2. this infinitely and inconceivably glorious One was to look upon or in sight or appearance like to a Jasper-stone and a Sardine From whence we may note in general the appearance of the most high God the Lord and possessor of Heaven and Earth is thus represented to men to signifie and give us some small intimation of his in finite and transcendent excellency and glorious majesty and splendor though indeed he is infinitely more glorious than all precious stones whatever as it is said of Wisdom Job 28. 12 20. Yea He hath set his glory above the Heavens Psal 8. 1. though they in some little degree declare his glory Psal 19. 1. Particularly He was in appearance like a Jasperâ—stone which hath its name from firmness and hardness as some say and so signifies his Omnipotency and Almightiness as ver 8. it is said of him instead of this precious stone a Saphire is spoken of and mentioned in that Vision vouchsafed to Ezekiel Chap. 1. 26. and Chap. 10. 1. which herein agrees with the Jasper that it is very hard and not to be broken so certainly it may be said of him that sits on the Throne that power belongs to him Psal 62. 11. And whoever hardens himself against him shall not prosper but be broken in pieces Job 9. 4. Mat. 21. 44. This stone shall break in pieces the iron the brass the clay the silver and the gold to wit all other Kingdoms and it shall stand for ever as it is said Prophetically of our Lord Jesus Christ Dan. 2. 34 43 45. But the Jasper is in Scripture taken notice of for its transparent light as it is said â—er light was like unto a stone most precious even like a Jasper-stone clear as crystal Rev. 21. 11. So it is most fully true of this most glorious one He is light and in him is no darkness at all 1 Joh. 1. 5. He dwelleth in that light that no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see and the light dwelleth with him 1 Tim. 6. 16. Dan. 2. 22. And in his light we may see light Psal 36 9. And so we may say 1. He hath light and understanding and wisdom excellent wisdom as these words are put together and the latter shew unto us what is meant by light Dan. 5. 11 14. There is no searching of his understanding Isa 40. 28. His understanding is infinite Psal 147. 5. He hath the light of knowledg and is perfect therein 2 Cor. 4. 6. Job 36. 4. so as he discerns and knows all things The darkness hideth not from him but the night shineth as the day the darkness and the light are both alike to him Psal 139. Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him saith the Lord Do not I fill Heaven and Earth saith the Lord Jer. 23. 23 24. With this Ancient of days is wisdom and in his length of days understanding with him is wisdom and strength he hath counsel and understanding and therefore also it is most right and meet he should govern and that all should submit unto him Job 12. 12 13. And the consideration hereof may admonish us to walk in the light as he is in the light to walk before him and to be perfect if we do not doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it and he that keepeth thy soul doth he not know it and shall not he render to every man according to his works Gen. 17. 1. Prov. 24. 12. and Chap. 15. 3. And he now gives light to us and is light to us in his Gospel therein he sends forth his light and his truth to lead and guide us Psal 43. 3. Yea as the Psalmist saith The Lord is my light as a precious stone a Jasper will give light and be a light to us in our darkness Psal 27. 1. Micah 7. 8. and Christ is the light of the world Joh. 8. 12. and hereafter gloriously the Lord will be the light of the new Jerusalem and then having the glory of God to lighten her her light shall be like unto a stone most precious even like a Jasper-stone clear as Crystal Compare Rev. 21. 11. with vers 23. 2. And by his glorious light may also be meant his infinite purity and holiness so God is light and in him is no darkness at all no manner of impurity or unholiness 1 Joh. 1. 5 6 7. As darkness frequently signifies in Scripture impurity and uncleanness and all manner of iniquity so contrarily light signifies purity and holiness Prov. 2. 13. Isa 5. 20. Rom. 13. 12. 2 Cor. 6. 14. Ephes 5. 8 11. And he that sits upon the Throne is Holiness it self a God of purer eyes than to behold iniquity and one that cannot look on evil one that cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth he any man Hab. 1. 13. Psal 5. 4. Jam. 1. 13 14. But we shall not here further enlarge on this because we shall have opportunity to speak to it again on vers 8. of this Chapter And a Sardine-stone viz. a Ruby Exod. 28. 17. Ezek. 28. 13. Rev. 21. 20. This precious stone is called a Sardine from the place or Countrey a Ruby from the colour which is ruddy like a young fresh-coloured man As it is said in former times concerning the Nazarites They were more ruddy in body than Rubies Lam. 4. 7. Instead of the Ruby or Sardine it is said in Ezek. 1. 26. Vpon the likeness of the Throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it And of Christ it is said by the Spouse He is ruddy even like a Ruby Cant. 5. 10. with Lam. 4. 7. And Christ the Wisdom of God is compared unto Rubies though yet he infinitely exceeds them and all precious stones whatever Job 28. 12 20. Prov. 3. 15. and Chap. 8. 11. with 1 Cor. 1. 24. And so it is said He that sate was to look upon like a Sardine-stone to signifie to us that
5. an elder informed John who the palm-bearing Saints which were in heaven were chap. 7. 13 17. and when there were great voices in heaven then of the twenty-four elders only it is said they fell on their faces c. chap. 11. 15 16. which also may evince that by the elders we are to understand the spirits of just men made perfect who are present with the Lord and so in Heaven 3. And this will further appear by their sitting on their thrones by their raiment and crowns on their heads to which we shall speak particularly as we come at these things in order 3. And they appear by the title given to them to mean some that have rule over us though they are not alive in the body to wit the prophets in former times and the apostles of the lamb answerable whereto it is said At the gates of the holy Jerusalem were twelve Angels and names written thereon which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel And the wall of the city had twelve foundations and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the lamb Rev. 21. 12 14. and so by these twenty-four elders we may â—nderstand the Patriarchs including the holy prophets and the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ of whose words we should be always mindful as the Apostle Peter signifies saying I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and of the commandment of us the Apostle of the Lord and Saviour 2 Pet. 3. 1 2. and so the fathers of the Church in former times are called elders after they were dead in these words By faith the elders obtained a good report Heb. 11. 2 c. and the apostles of Christ are called elders 1 Pet. 5. 1. 2 Joh. 1. 3 Joh. 1. and they are signified to be bishops Acts 1. 20. and both denote their ruling-power in the Church and so it may be said of both the prophets and apostles that they are under Christ the Masters of the congregations of the worshippers of the true God as the Preacher saith The words of the wise are as goads and as nails fastened by the masters of the assemblies which are given from one shepherd Eccles 12. 11. 1 Tim. 5. 17. they are instrumental fathers and so to be obeyed in the Lord so the Apostle Peter saith to the Jews Ye are the children of the prophets Acts 3. 25. Luke 16. 29 31. and the apostle Paul saith of himself and the same may be said of the residue of the Apostles in the like case Though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ yet not many fathers for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel 1 Cor. 4. 15. and the patriarchs prophets and apostles are after their departure out of this world our Guides and Rulers by their good words and examples as the Apostle in imateth when he saith Remember them who have the rule over you or who are the guides of you but who are they it follows who have spoken to you the word of God whose faith follow and these whom he calls our Guides Rulers or Elders as the word also signifies are such of the Holy Prophets and Apostles principally as had died in the â—aith and being absent from the body were present with the Lord as appears also by what follows in our translations viz. considering the end out-going conclusion or consummation of their conversation c. Heb. 13. 7. which place being diligently minded gives great light to this and hugely helps us to understand who these elders are as we have said before to wiâ— the Prophets and Apostles who had lived and died in the faith so in this book the twelve Apostles who were all dead as is very probable John excepted before he received this Revelation are called stars Rev. 12. 1. and as the stars of heaven do rule on earth Gen. 1. 16 18. Psal 136. 9. so also the Prophets and Apostles as stars now they are in their spirits in heaven do by their light in their word and good conversation still guide rule over and govern us instrumentally and so much also we may understand by their seats or thrones Mat. 19. 28. and yet also these twenty-four elders may be as it were the Representative of all the saints and holy ones who had finished their course and kept and died in the faith and whose spirits were in Heaven as the Angel of every of the seven Churches in Asia is spoken to as representing the whole Church of which he was the Angel or Messenger Now these â—our and twenty elders are further described to us 1. By their posture sitting That is to say 1. As kings and as persons of rule and government as these are as before we have seen and as appears in that they in the new song do to the praise of the Lamb with thankfulness acknowledg Thou hast made us unto our God kings and priests chap. 5. 10. they are sitting on the four and twenty thrones spoken of in the beginning of the verse which are called their thrones chap. 11. 16. like to those spoken of in chap. 20. 4. where it is said I saw thrones and they sâ—te upon them and judgment was given unto them though not fully the same for that speaks of the thrones the children of the first resurrection shall sit upon when they shall be raised which yet none are And the glory of these elders here spoken of is in some part a fulfilling of that promised by our Lord Jesus unto his Apostles when he saith unto them â— appoint unto you a kingdom that ye may eat and drink at my table and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel Luke 22. 28 30. and that they sit as those that have some ruling-power and kingly government appears also by their habit and crowns to which after and so these are more excellent than the sain's that are in the earth Psal 16. 2 3. they are Jerusalem above which is free and is the mother of us all Above the holy ones here below Gal. 4. 29. they are in a better state and condition as the Apostle signifies when he saith I have a desire to depaâ—t and to be with Christ which is far better Phil. 1. 23. Now they are absenâ— from the body they are present with the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 6 8. Indeed by faith the holy ones on earth are kings also as is said He hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his father see notes before on chap. 1. ver 6. and chap. 5. 10 But faith is the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11. 1. they now walk by faith not by sight 2 Cor. 5. 6. but these elders have attained and are already perfect in their spirits and therein are actually and gloriously kings which the most
And they shall reign over all the nations of the saved and such as will not subject themselves unto Christ and his glorified Saints shall be destroyed As it is said The nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish yea those nations shall be utterly wasted Isa 60. 12 14. Dan. 7. 14 27. Thus our Lord promiseth and saith He that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give power over the nations That is I will give him the heathen for his inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession and he shall rule them with a rod of iron as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers even as I received of my father Rev. 2. 26 27 with Psal 2. 8 10. and Rev. 19. 15. Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world 1 Cor. 6. 2. But unto this particular we shall not further inlarge here 4. When and with whom shall these Saints and holy ones so reign To this we shall speak a little distinctly and particularly And so 1. When shall they so reign To this we have often intimately given answer before namely that they shall not so do while they are in mortal bodies nor on the earth in this corruptible state but when God according to his promise shall make all things new And so we say again they shall not reign as is here spoken of till the dead in Christ are raised again to wit in the resurrection of the just when none but the righteous ones shall be raised Luk. 14. 14. There is an order in the resurrection as the Apostle gives us to understand Indeed There will be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust As in Adam all dye so in Christ shall all be made alive But every man in his own order Christ the first-fruits he is raised long before the rest of the dead and hath been so above Sixteen hundred years already Afterwards they that are Christs at his coming and they only and so they also will be raised long before the rest of the dead namely a Thousand years whether more strictly or largely taken and more Rev. 20. 4 12. Then or after the end when will be the second and general resurrection 1 Cor. 15. 21 22 23 24. with vers 5. Now then at Christ's coming the dead in Christ shall be raised and the surviving of that body changed As the Apostle saith Them which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him for this we say unto you by the word of the Lord that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep for the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the voice of the Arch-Angel and with the trump of God And the dead in Christ shall rise first to wit before the rest of the dead and before the living Saints are changed and caught up Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up c. In order whereto they shall be changed In a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed 1 Thes 4. 14 17. with 1 Cor. 15. 51-53 Then shall that which was prophesied of so long since be fulfilled Thy dead men shall live with my dead body shall they arise awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust c. namely They shall then sing gloriously that song there mentioned Isa 26. 19. with Chap. 25. and 26. 1-5 And that they shall then reign when they are raised from the earth and not before is signified to us by the Apostle John in his relation of what he saw in vision I saw saith he the souls of them that were beheaded c And they lived to wit revived as we have said before and reigned a thousand years This is the first resurrection Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection en such the second death hath no power but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign a thousand years Rev. 20. 4. 6. And this surely is the first resurrection not in order of time only but also the best resurrection as the first Robe is the best Luk. 15. 22. or the chief Mark 6. 21. and so it is called a better Resurrection to wit than the second and general because they that have part in it shall reign on the earth whereas the rest of the dead shall not so do Heb. 11. 37. The time then when they that are Christs shall reign on the earth will be after they are raised in the first and better Resurrection according to what our Saviour saith They that shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage neither can they dye any more for they are equal unto the angels and are the children of God being the children of the resurrection They that shall be accounted worthy to inherit and judg that world are such only as shall be accounted worthy to obtain the Resurrection from the dead from the rest of the dead which all shall not be nor any but the Children of God Luk. 20. 35 36. with Heb. 2. 5. This honour and happiness the Church of the first-born of the first-born from the dead which are written in Heaven shall arrive at and be made partakers of Heb. 12. 23-28 with Col. 1. 18. and Rev. 1. 5 6. And so much also may well be contained in and collected from that part of the song of Hannah in which she saith He raiseth up the poor out of the dust and lifteth up the beggar from or out of the dunghil to set them among princes and to make them inherit the throne of glory 1 Sam. 2. 8. with Psal 113. 6 8. It is true indeed these words He raiseth up c. do certainly refer to his exalting persons sometimes in this day out of their low abject condition unto glory But it is true also that he most fully raiseth them out of their graves out of the dust of the earth to this glorious dignity we are speaking of and lifteth them up from the gates of death Isa 26. 19. John 3. 14. Jer. 9. 22. Psal 9. 13. Nor doth that hinder the interpretation given that she and the Prophet speak in the present time and say He raiseth up and lefteth for in such like words the Resurrection from the dead is also spoken of and mentioned in Scripture as may be seen John 5. 21. 2 Cor. 1. 9 10. And in that they shall reign after they are raised from the dead This shews unto us the excellency and perpetuity of their Kingdom and Glory Dan. 7. 27. The great ones of this world who are advanced to the highest dignity and Empire are still in mortal bodies and must needs dye What man is
inhabits Eternity As if he should say The consideration of this one thing doth hugely conduce to the Believers being preserved from the errour of these Scoffers For say they where is the promise of his coming He hath promised to dissolve all these things and to make all things new new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness And this he hath promised long since to do in a little time Compare Hagg. 2. 6. with Hebr. 12. 26 28. But notwithstanding his promise all things continue as they were and therefore it is ridiculous to expect the accomplishment and performance of his promise But now the knowing and considering what a little time is with him that promised viz. that a thousand Years with him are as one Day with us and two thousand as two will greatly conduce to the preserving us from their mistakes and help us to know that though he be long-suffering yet the Day of the Lord will come and according to his promise he will make new Heavens and a new Earth 2 Pet. â— 8 10 13. So again the Prophet David some thousands of Years since thus prophesieth For yet a little while and the Wicked shall not be Yea thou shalt diligently consider his place and it shall not be But the meek shall inherit the Earth c. This promise of yet a little while is not yet fully performed though made so long time since as to us But alas it is but as three or four Days with the Lord Psal 37. 10 11. with Mat. 5. 5. See also Heb. 10. 37. How greatly have some learned Men lately mistaken about this Word shortly And how dangerous have been their mistake for from hence have proceeded such absurd mistakes as these That the Devil 's being bound that he should deceive the Nations no more spoken of in Revel 20. began in Constantine's time and then also was the first Resurrection And the thousand Years Reign of Christ and his Saints then also began which is nothing else as they dream but a time of Tranquillity and Halcyonian Days for serving God in this World which now is Whereas had they considered what shortly is with the Lord they would not hâ—ve begun so early with these things but have waited with Patience till the time come for the performance of these Prophecies See also Isay 54. 7. 8. 17. 2. Shortly as to the first of the things prophesied of and so of the following things successively like to that Gen. 41. 32. See further the Note on Verse 3. And he sent 1. This Revelation was given to Christ to shew unto his Servants but not immediately to be shewed by him to them but he doth it by his Angel So God in these last Days hath spoken to us by his Son but not all immediately by him but by the Holy Apostles also whom Christ sent into the World as the Father sent him into the World Joh. 17. 18 19. And yet by whomsoever he sends and speaks we do in receiving them receive him as he saith Verily Verily I say unto you He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me And he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me Joh. 13. 20. 2 Cor. 5. 20. 1 Thes 4. 8. He sent His faithfulness is herein assured to us he did not hide God's Righteousness within his Heart but declared God's Faithfulness and his Salvation c. Psal 40. 9 10. He was faithful in that hard and difficult work to him that appointed him He was not rebellious neither turned away back Isay 50. 5. 9. And he is so and remains so for ever Heb. 3. 1 2 6. He is the faithful and true Witness Rev. 1. 5. and Chap. 3. 14. A merciful and faithful High-priest in things pertaining to God Heb. 2. 17 18. And signified it Viz. 1. Declared it and made it known as Agabus signified by the Spirit that there should be great Dearth c. Acts 11. 28. And as Christ signified what manner of Death he should dye Joh. 10. 33. He made this known which was formerly hid 2. Notified it and set a Mark or Sign upon it as it were to denote the great weightiness of the things herein contained that we might seriously consider and give more earnest heed unto them By his Angel Which doth not mean the Holy Ghost For 1. He is never so called elsewhere and why should any conceive he is here so called unless some evident reason could be given for it 2. Because this Angel of Christ would not be worshipped by the Apostle John Rev. 19. 10. with Chap. 22. 8 9. Whereas the Holy Spirit is one God with the Father and Son and so to be worshipped by us For there are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Spirit and these three are one 1 Joh. 5. 7. And we are baptized in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost whose name is but one Mat. 28. 19. compare Isay 6. 1 3. 10. with Acts 28. 25. But this Angel here spoken of was one of those glorious invisible Spirits who are usually called by this name either Gabriel who was sent to Zacharia to tell him that his Wife should bear a Son even the Baptist who was Christ's Messenger to prepare his way Luk. 1. 11. 19. And who also was sent from God to the Virgin Mary to acquaint her that she should conceive in her Womb and bring forth a Son even Jesus ver 26 29 36. And who was also sent to Daniel a Man greatly beloved of the Lord as also was John to whom this Book was sent and signified that Disciple whom Jesus loved Dan. 8. 16 17. and Chap. 9. 21. or some other or more of those Holy and Elect Angels for sometimes the Word is used collectively to wit Angel signifieth Angels Compare Psal 34. 7. with Heb. 1. 14 As Servant and Servants are used indifferently Compare Mat. 22. 3 8 9. with Luk. 14. 17 21 23. and Mat. 21. 34 36. with Mark 12. 2. 5. and so we may learn that Christ hath by Inheritance obtained a more excellent name than the Angels Heb. 1. 4 14. they are the Angels and Messengers of the Son of Man whom he hath power to send and employ as he pleases Mat. 24. 30 31. 2 Thes 1. 7. All the Angels of God are commanded to worship him as their Lord who is Lord of all Heb. 1. 6. And that may comfort his Servants and encourage them to follow him and not fear Psal 34. 7 8 10. with 1 Pet. 2 3 4. Vnto his Servant John Not unto all his Servants but unto his Servant that by him it might be made known to the residue and particularly unto his Servant John that beloved Disciple here called his Servant A Title that hath been given unto and taken and gloried in by Holy-men formerly 2 Sam. 7. 19 20 27. 2 Chron. 6. 19 21. Psal 116. 16. Mal. 4. 4. Phil. 1. 1. Tit. 1. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 1. Jam. 1. 1. Jude
especially of them that believe and whose Grace brings Salvation to all men 1 Tim. 4. 10. Tit. 2. 11. Act. 26. 18. And the faithful Martyr who laid down his life in defence and confirmation of the truth to this end was he born and for this cause he came into the World that he should bear witness to the truth and he witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate Joh. 18. 37. 1 Tim. 6. 12 13. And the first begotten of the dead or first-born from the dead as Col. 1. 18. One who died and was in the heart or belly of the earth and was born from the dead this is a birth Act. 13. 32 33. yea the first-born from the dead in his Resurrection that in all things he might have the pre-eminence Herein he was mightily declared and determined the Son of God Col. 1. 18. Rom. 1. 3 4. and ch 8. 29. He was raised before any others Mat. 27. 53. He is the first-fruits of them that sleep 1 Cor. 15. 20 23. who left the rest of the dead behind him and in due time they shall be born and raised also as is implied in that he is said to be the first-born Isay 26. 19. and he is the first fruits of them that sleep in him whose Image they shall bear as they have born the Image of the earthly 1 Cor. 15. 45 48. Whose vile bodies shall be changed and fashioned into the likeness of his glorious Body Phil. 3. 21. and who shall be raised before the rest of the dead Therefore also are they called the first-born Heb. 12. 23. and as the first-fruit is holy so also shall the lump be A glorious Church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing but holy and without blemish Rom. 11. 16. Eph. 5. 25 27. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection Rev. 20. 4 5 6. And the Prince of the Kings of the Earth His name is King of Kings Rev. 17. 14. and ch 19. 16. And he is the Ordainer Ruler and Disposer of them as the Earth now stands By him Kings reign and Princes decree Justice By him Princes rule and Nobles even all the Judges of the Earth Prov. 8. 15 16. He is gone up into Heaven and is on the right hand of God Angels Authorities and Powers being made subject to him God hath exalted him and given him a name above every name 1 Pet. 3. 22. Phil. 2. 6 9 10. And this shews unto us the preciousness of his Blood for it is upon the account thereof he is so highly exalted in our nature Phil. 2. 6 9. and it may instruct the great-ones of the Earth to worship him as the Psalmist saith Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the Earth kiss the Son c. Ps 2. 6 7. 10 12. Col. 4. 1. Yea therefore God hath committed all Judgment to him that all men should honour him as they honour the Father Joh. 5. 22 23. and this consideration may instruct us whom we should obey first of all even him who is higher than the highest of all Creatures Act. 4. 17 20. and ch 5. 28 29. And it may strengthen us to wait upon him and keep his way for he can and will preserve us in so doing and punish our Enemies whoever they are Mat. 28. 18 20. Col. 2. 6 10. Ps 105. 14 15. and it may preserve us from judging one another Jam. 4. 12. And he is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth hereafter God hath made him his first-born higher then the Kings of the Earth Ps 89. 27. Isay 41. 1 2. Unto the Angels God hath not put into subjection the World to come but he hath done so unto Jesus who by the Grace of God tasted death for every one him he hath raised from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the Heavenly Places far above all Principality and Power and Might and Dominion and every name that is named not only in this World but also in that which is to come Heb. 2. 5 9. with Eph. 1. 18 22. He is the Maker of those Holy Kings who shall reign on the Earth Rev. 1. 6. and ch 5. 10. From him they shall receive Laws and rule under him Isay 33. 17 22. and ch 32. 1. And all Kings shall serve and obey him Ps 22. 27 28. and 67. 4. and 47. 6 7. and 72. 8 12. and 82. 8. and 86. 9. and 138. 4. Rev. 17. 14. and ch 21. 24. From this excellent one also he desires Grace and Peace unto the Churches even from him who died yea rather is risen again unto whom all Power is given not only in this World but also in that to come And thus far is the Salutation Now followeth the Doxology or rendring of Praise and Glory to him Vnto him that loved us when we were in our Sins and before he washed us Ezek. 16. 4 5. He had great love to us when we were dead in Sins Eph. 2. 4 5. He then loved us and gave himself for us Gal. 2. 20. Gave himself for our Sins Gal. 1. 3 4. He loved us and gave himself for us an offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour 1 Joh. 3. 16. Eph. 5. 2. And made known this love to us and caused his goodness to pass before us when we were Ungodly-ones and Enemies in our minds by wicked works Eph. 2. 4 5. Col. 1. 21 22. And by these Bands of a Man and Cords of Love over-came us and prevailed with us to love him because he first loved us Hos 11. 4. 1 Joh. 4. 16 17 19. and in the knowledge and belief of his first-love being prevailed withal to love him he loved us with peculiar manner of love Behold what manner of love hath he bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! As the Father hath loved him so hath he loved us 1 Joh. 3 1. Joh. 14. 21 23. and ch 15. 9. 10. To him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever even to all Eternity Amen Rev 5 8 10. and for and thorow his love to us unworthy undeserving and ill deserving-ones He washed us from our Sins in his own Blood Oh wonderful love 1. Sin is a filthy thing a nasty noisome loathsome thing in it self and in the account of them who judge righteous Judgment This is signified in such sayings as these Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit 2 Cor. 7. 1. When the LORD shall have washed away the filth of the Daughter of Zion c. Isay 4. 4. Ezek. 36. 25. They are therefore rightly called Fools who make a mock at Sin Prov. 10. 23. and ch 14. 9. 2. When he loved us and before he washed us we were in our Sins and Filth we had our Conversation amongst the Children of Disobedience in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by
years Rev. 20. 4 6. Then the meek shall inherit the Earth and delight themselves in the abundance of Peace Ps 37. 8 11. c. Mat. 5. 5. Isay 32. 1. Then he will give glorious rest to those who now suffer Persecution for the Kingdom of God's sake 2 Thes 1. 4 6. 5. He will then give rewards unto his Servants the Prophets and to his Saints c. Rev. 11. 18. and ch 22. 11. Mat. 16. 27. and ch 5 12. For their shame now they shall then have double Glory Isay 61. 7. 2 Cor. 9. 5 6. 1 Pet. 4. 13. 2. We have next to consider the Note of Attention Behold This Note of Attention is often used as with respect to Jesus Christ as to his taking our nature upon him Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son c. Isay 7. 14. Mat. 1. 23. A wonderful thing and worthy our consideration As to his bearing our Sin Behold the Lamb of God which beareth the Sin of the World Joh. 1 29 36. as to his sufferings and death Mat. 20. 18 19. Luk. 18. 31 32. as to his Resurrection from the dead Mat. 20. 18 19. Mark 10. 33. Luke 18. 31 32. and his living for evermore and having all power given unto him Rev. 1. 18. as to his calling Men to look unto him Isay 42. 1 2 6 7. and feeding his Flock like to a Shepherd Isay 40. 10. as to his meditation 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. and as to his coming again Isay 32. 1. and ch 35. 4. Jude 14. Rev. 21. 3 5. and ch 22. 7 12. 2. We have a Prophetical Account of the visibleness of his coming And every eye shall see him and they also which pierced him he saith not every eye shall see him at once or in the same time but every one in his own order First those that see sleep in Jesus shall be raised and the living changed and they shall see him When he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is saith 1 Joh. 3. 2. 1 Thes 4. 16 17. they shall see him not as now thorow a Glass but as they are seen 1 Cor. 13. 10 12. they shall see Eye to Eye to their compleat and everlasting Joy Isay 33. 17. and ch 52. 7 8. they shall see his Face and his Name shall be in their foreheads and they shall be ever with him Joh. 17. 17 24. Mat. 5. 8. Rev. 22. 3 5. Then shall Job in his Flesh see his Redeemer the hope of which comforted him here in all his Afflictions and Trials Job 19. 6 26 27. and all the Holy Ones shall see him with comfort they shall see the Glory of the LORD and the excellency of our God Heb. 12. 14. Isay 35. 2. And the hope hereof now strengthens them with patience to wait for it and rejoyce even in Tribulations also Rom. 5. 2. and ch 8. 24 25. And then all that live upon the Earth shall see him they shall see the Son of Man coming in a Cloud with Power and great Glory Mark 14. 24 26. Luke 21. 26 27. For as the Lightning cometh out of the East and shineth even unto the West so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be Mat. 24. 27 30. And they also which pierced him The surviving of Israel and Judah shall see him when he cometh in Glory they shall see him with lamentation for their former standing out against him and he will have compassion on them Jer. 31. 8 13. They shall look upon him whom they have pierced and they shall mourn as one that mourneth for his only Son Zech. 12. 10. with Joh. 19. 37. then shall they bewail their standing out against him and rejection of him and he will have mercy upon them and bring them into and settle them in their own Land Ezek. 36. 24 30. and 37. 19. c. Zech. 14. 2 4. And then all Israel shall be saved as it is written there shall come out of Zion the deliverer and shall turn away Vngodliness from Jacob Isay 59. 20 21. with Rom. 11. 26 27. And the consideration of this that every Eye shall see him when he thus shall come and appear may preserve us from listening to them that say loe here or loe there Mat. 24. 26 27. And in his day and before he delivers up the Kingdom to his Father all Nations shall be gathered together and appear before his Judgment-seat All that are in the Graves shall hear the voice of the Son of Man and shall come forth and shall be judged in Righteousness by this Man whom God hath ordained and appointed to be the Judge of the living and dead Mat. 25. 30 32 33. Joh. 5. 28 29. Acts 17. 30 31. Rom. 2. 16. Acts 10. 42. Indeed his coming in his Judgments will be also very visible and evident his Judgments in this day will be made manifest but this most fully belongs unto his glorious coming Kingdom and Government as is beforesaid 3. We have next to consider the sadness which shall thereby be occasioned to some and all the Kindreds of the Earth shall wail because of him Mat. 24. 30. Who are the kindreds or tribes of the Earth They are such as out of whom the Saints and Holy Ones are redeemed unto God so the four living Creatures and four and twenty Elders in their Song declare thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue c. ch 5. 8 9. with ch 7. 9. and so they are always in this Book distinguished from and opposed unto God's witnesses ch 11. 7 9 10. to the Saints ch 13. 7 to those redeemed from the Earth and from among men ch 14. 4 6. The Saints are such as are born from above and are chosen out of the World and Kindreds of the Earth and have a new kindred God is their Father Christ is not ashamed to call them Brethren and they are Brethren one to another yea members one of another They have for Christ's sake forgotten their own People and their Fathers House Gen. 12. 1. Ps 45. 10 11. and in coming unto Christ and for his sake have comparatively hated Father and Mother c. Luke 14. 26 33. and receive other kindred and relations or kindred and relations upon another and better account Mark 10. 28 30. But those who are called the kindreds of the Earth are such as have abidden in their natural condition and been dwelling in their hearts and affections here below Rev. 13. 6 8. and rejoycing in and lifting up themselves by and boasting of their King here below of their Families Relations Ancestors Inheritances c. And all these shall wail because of him He saith not all of them shall wail for ever but his coming will occasion wailing and mourning to them for he cometh to destroy all their Glory Pomp and Pride he will then stain the Pride of all their glorying and bring into contempt
7. and when he exhorts the believers to love one another he saith to them If there come any unto you and bring not this Doctrine to wit the Doctrine of Christ receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed for he that bids him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds 2 Joh. 5. 6 7 9 12. 3. We have an account of some Particulars in which he was their Brother and Companion not in any evils found amongst them as we have said but in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ 1. In tribulation or rather in the tribulation to wit of Jesus Christ as followeth for that refers to all the three And so it shews unto us In what tribulation he was their Brother and Companion to wit in that of Jesus Christ and not in any wherein they might suffer as fools or evil-doers justly from the hands of those amongst whom they lived And so we may learn 1. That the Apostle John and all the Churches were in tribulation for he was their Brother and Companion therein and also sympathized with them in theirs They were all in tribulation though not all alike in it And this is the outward Portion of them in this World as our Saviour said Prophetically In the World ye shall have tribulation Joh. 16. 33. And the Apostle told the Disciples they must thorow much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God Act. 14. 22. and Rom. 8. 35 36. manifold afflictions and Persecutions did attend the Apostles yea as the Apostle saith All that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution Mat. 10. 23 25. 2 Tim. 3. 11 13. Ps 34. 19. 1 Pet. 5. 9. Though Christ loveth his disciples yet he doth not now this way testify love to them in preserving them from tribulation Joh. 14. 27. But in love to them he now tries them 1 Pet. 4. 13. Heb. 12. 3 7. this is not to be looked for in this World by them that follow Christ Luke 12. 49 51. rest is not assured to them till the Lord Jesus be revealed from Heaven 2 Thes 1. 5 7. when there are new Heavens and a new Earth then God will wipe away all tears from their eyes and not before compleatly Rev. 21. 1 4. how are they mistaken who talk of Halcionian dayes here and reigning now on earth 1 Cor. 4. 8 12. And consider we this before that being fore-warned we may be forearmed Thus God dealt with all and with the Prophet also Jam. 5. 10 1 Pet. 4. 12 13. and he was their Companion namely in bearing and sympathizing with them As the expression is used Heb. 10. 33 34. He had Compassion on them weeping with them c. Rom. 12. 15 16. 2 Cor. 11. 28 29. he had member-like love to and feeling with them in their tribulation Learn we of him 1 Cor. 12. 12 26. Heb. 13. 1 3 4. 2. The tribulation in which he was their Brother and Companion was the tribulation of Jesus Christ To wit 1. Such affliction and tribulation as he endured from the hands of men the afflictions of Christ Col. 1. 24. for while Christ was here he was a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief And no marvel then thaâ— his followers be partakers of tribulation also Mat. 10. 24 25. Joh. 15. 20. he suffered for the Gospel's sake and as a Peace-preacher And they are made partakers of such tribulation even for Christ and and the Gospel's sake Joh. 15. 21. and ch 16. 1 4. 2 Tim. 1. 7 8. and ch 2. 3 8. Rom. 8. 28 29. Mat. 16. 24. Luk. 14. 26 27. This is the Believers proper tribulation the bonds of the Gospel Isay 66. 5. Mat. 5. 10 12. 2. The tribulation of Christ to wit that which Jesus Christ owned as his and therefore sympathized with them therein and took notice of their afflictions In all their afflictions he was afflicted Isay 63. 9. hence he saith Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Act. 9. 5. Heb. 2. 17 18. and ch 4. 15 16. he reckoneth that which was done unto his Brethren as done unto him Mat. 25. 45. Now here we may observe by way of Inference from what hath been said 1. In that he was their Companion in the tribulation of Jesus Christ and that they did indure tribulation for Christ's sake amongst many of whom were many miscarriages and faults for which afterward they are reproved So we may see that such believers as have faults may yet suffer for Christ and the Gospels sake so here see ch 2. 13 15 19 20 he may count such worthy of this grace and favour Phil. 1. 29. 30. 2. In that the Apostle was their Companion in tribulation and in compassion and fellow-feeling so it signifieth that the grace of God moves us to pity others of our Brethren when they are in affliction though we may be our selves in tribulation also and not so to pore and look upon our own things as to be forgetful of them Thus the Apostle when he tells the Philippians 't is given to you in the behalf of Christ not onely to believe but also to suffer for his sake yet he presently exhorts them look not every man on his own things but every one also on the things of others Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus c. Phil. 1. 29 30. with ch 2. 1 4 5. Heb. 13. 2 3. 1 Cor. 12. 25 26. nay many times God is ordering affliction to us that we might learn thereby and be fitted to pity others Jona 4. 7 11. It was a great commendation of the Churches of Macedonia and the efficâ—cy of the grace of God upon them that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the Riches of their liberality 2 Cor. 8. 1 2. And thus it would also be with us were the Grace of God yielded up to by us we should not only mind our own troubles but consider the trials and afflictions of others also Thus it was with this Apostle 3. When he was their Companion in the tribulation of Jesus Christ then this Book was sent and signified to him so else-where many times when his people have been in affliction God hath wonderfully appeared to them Act. 5. 19 20. At such a time he is nigh to them and graciously manifesting himself to them And this â—s for Comfort to all when they are in such a condition Isay 43. 1 2. 2 Cor. 1. 3 5. But to this we may speak further in due time 2. And in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ to wit he was their Brother and Companion therein and so they and he were in it 1 Thes 2. 12. Mat. 13. 38 43. Now here we may enquire and consider 1. What is this Kingdom of Jesus Christ And why so called 2. How are all hearty and unfeigned believers in this Kingdom 1. What is this Kingdom It is said to be that of Jesus Christ
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
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
the Apostles of the lamb have written by the commandment of of the Lord was spoken by the Holy Ghost and as he gave them utterance not only received they the substance of what they wrote from the spirit but the words also in which it is declared as the Apostle Paul saith We have received not the spirit of the World but the spirit which is of God that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God which things also we speak not in the Words which mans Wisdom teacheth but which the Holy Ghost teacheth comparing spiritual things with spiritual Acts. 2. 4. 1 Cor. 2. 12 13. Hence the Apostle Peter also saith The spirit of Christ which was in the holy prophets did testify before-hand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow unto whom it was revealed that not unto themselves but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the Gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven c. 1 Pet. 1. 11 12. 1 Thes 4. 7 8. So unto all the Churches what John was commanded to write the holy spirit saith Rev. 2. 8 11. and v. 12 17. and v. 18 29 c. And when John saith I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me write blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord from henceforth It is then added yea saith the spirit Rev. 14. 13. 1 Cor. 14. 37. Therefore what the Apostles have written unto us is to be received by us as the word of God and scriptures of truth 1 Thes 2. 13. 3. In that it is thus expressed to us what the spirit saith not said simply so we learn from hence That what things soever were written aforetime in the holy scriptures they were written for our learning Rom. 15. 4. And in those scriptures the holy spirit still speaketh unto us and God by his spirit as it said he found him in Bethel and there he spake with us Hos 12. 4. so our Saviour saith to the Sadducees as touching the resurrection of the dead have ye not read that which was spoken to you by God Mat. 22. 31. These words were firstly and immediately spoken to Moses many hundred of years before and yet also as our Saviour saith spoken to them in his days and to us now so the Apostle citing a portion of scripture recorded by David thus speaketh wherefore as the holy ghost saith c. Heb. 3. 7 8. with Ps 95. 7 8. and speaking of God's having spoken to us in these last days by his son he expresseth it in one place in the present time and as his continued speaking to us by him See that ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not we escape if we refuse him that speaketh from Heaven Heb. 12. 25. with ch 1. 1 2. This might therefore engage us to glorify the word of the Lord which was written long since as much as if it were now and not before spoken to us from God Thus to all the Churches it is thus expressed what the spirit saith to wit continually 1 Tim. 4. 1. Luke 16. 29 31. 4. What the spirit saith unto the Churches And so 1. Not to the Angels of the Churches only Though the Epistles are first sent and expressly directed to them yet they are also written for and spoken unto the Churches and by the Angels to be communicated to them as we have said before and indeed all these Angels all gifts ministers c. are the Churches as the Apostle saith All things are yours whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. Eph. 4. 8 12. Acts 20. 28. 1 Cor. 14. 12. 2. To the Churches Not to this only though sent expressly unto this and in this the temper of this Church is particularly declared yet also the spirit saith this to the Churches in general He saith not to the seven Churches as before but indefinitely to the Churches To signify that where any one is commended every Church should hear this that they might follow their steps Heb. 6. 10 12. And where any thing is reproved in any one it is for Instruction and admonition to others Heb. 3. and ch 4. 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 12. The same evils here reproved may be with any others also and where counsel is given unto any or encouragement set before any it should be minded and considered by the residue also Therefore what the spirit saith unto one he saith unto all the Churches 3. To the Churches all that is written in this Book is to the Churches to his servants compare ch 22. 6. with v. 16. Therefore they should not be afraid to read it see notes before on ch 1. v. 1. and 3. and 4. 2. We have a gracious promise and powerful encouragement proposed to and set before us in which let us consider 1. The subject of the blessedness therein assured 2. The promise it self and blessedness therein assured 1. The subject of the blessedness promised To him that overcometh Thus it is said to all the Churches and every such an one as overcometh is the subject of the blessedness and happiness assured and promised Now herein is signified to us 1. That Christs Churches are souldiers and have a warfare a good warfare to war 1 Tim. 1. 18. not only are the Angels amongst them so though they are to go before others but also the Churches and every particular hearty believer therein They are all souldiers of Jesus Christ And so 1. They have a captain over them a captain of this host of the Lord and that is Jesus Christ as when Joshua was by Jericho He beheld and there stood a Man over against him and Joshua said unto him art thou for us or for our adversaries and he said nay But as captain of the Lords host am I now come c. Josh 5. 13 15. God himself even the great God and our saviour Jesus Christ and the Father in him is their captain 2 Chron. 13. 12. he is the captain of their salvation who was made perfect thorow sufferings Heb. 2. 10. one who hath himself suffered one who bare our sins in his own body on the tree and was delivered to death for our offences and is raised again for our justification and hath overcome all our enemies Rev. 3. 21. and hath all power given unto him both in heaven and on earth Mat. 28. 18. Eph. 1 20 21 22 and is their head as he hath thus vanquished all our enemies and as he is thus impowered their captain Col. 1. 18. with Judg. 11. 6 11. and in his book are they inrolled Luke 10. 20. and by him are they led and preserved for he favours their righteous cause yet it is his Ps 74. 19 22. and 140. 12. and 23. 1 4. 2. They have a Banner displayed because of the truth to which the have run
And this Christ knew and took notice of and did approve and commend them for and this for our imitation also that we might grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and might abound in every good word and work 2 Pet. 3. 18. 2 Thes 2. 15 17. Verse 20. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee see the notes before on v. 4. and on v. 14. Because thou sufferest that Woman Jezabel which calleth her self a Prophetess to teach and to seduce my Servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols In this verse we have the charge which our Saviour draws up against this Angel and Church And this he doth 1. More generally Because thou sufferest that woman Jezabel 2. He gives a more particular account of her evil and therein intimately of theirs in their permitting and suffering her And that 1. By what she said of her self which calleth her self a Prophetess 2. By her evil work To teach and seduce my Servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols 1. We have the charge more generally drawn up against this Angel and Church Because thou sufferest that Woman Jezabel Thou sufferest that is thou permittest and forbiddest her not so suffering and forbidding are opposed the one unto the other see Mat. 3. 14 15 and ch 19. 14. or thou forbiddest her not with rebukes for when we rebuke any we may be said not to suffer them see Mat. 19. 13. with v. 14. The evil of this Angel and Church was not that Jezabel taught false doctrine simply But that they did not forbid or hinder her that they did not rebuke her sharply and so stop or muzzel her mouth and not suffer her to vent her erroneous and destructive doctrines amongst them Tit. 1. 10 13. So God is said not to suffer what he straitly forbids As the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee to hearken unto observers of times and unto diviners Deut. 18. 14. that is he hath strictly forbidden thee so to do And yet they might possibly be guilty of such an iniquity though their God suffered them not so to do Jer. 32. 35. Now this was the evil found with this Angel and Church not that they commanded or encouraged her so to do or that she taught evil doctrines simply But they did not forbid or make it their work to hinder her by their convictions sharpe rebukes and prohibitions of her but did even tolerate her so to do That Woman Either hereby we may understand some one particular person or rather some congregated society as it seems or framed assembly that was gathered together but not by Christ or in his name Isay 54. 15. like unto if not the same with the synagogâ—e of Satan mentioned before v. 9. and ch 3 9. Some idolatrous Church appears to be meant and intended hereby Because the word Woman in the Book of this Prophecy frequently signifies either the Church of Christ as ch 12. 1 4 6 13 16 or mystery Babilon the man of sins whore ch 17. 3 9 18. or any other idolatrous or whorish society or congregation ch 14. 3. And so else-where the word Woman doth signify some Church or religious society as Cant. 1. 8. and ch 5. 9. Ezek. 23. 2. Jezabel so is this woman called with allusion to Jezabel the wife of Ahab in former times and so to denote unto us 1. That this Jezabel here spoken of was some idolatrous and antichristian congregation that was amongst the Church in Thyatira and that worshipped some false object of worship or the true God after a false manner as afterwards also appeareth by the account given of her doctrine and so this framed congregation was like to Jezabel of old who was one that worshipped Baal and had Prophets of the groves that eat at her table 1 King 16. 31 33. and ch 18. 19. And like to her was this woman herein And like unto if not in the beginning the same with mystery Babilon which hath in her right hand a golden cup full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication Rev. 17. 1 2 5. for in the Apostles days that mystery of iniquity did begin to work though it was not so revealed as it hath been since 2 Thes 2. 3 7 8. 2. This whorish society is called and compared to Jezabel of old to give us to understand that they were enemies unto and full of cruelty against the true Prophets and Servants of the Lord as was Ahab's wife 1 King 18. 4 13. and ch 19. 1 2. and ch 21. 7. c. and this is also true of mystery Babilon the great whore they have shed the blood of Saints and Prophets Rev. 16. 6. that woman was drunken with the blood of the Saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus Rev. 17. 6. and ch 18. 24. and ch 19. 2. how many thousands and ten thousands hath this Mother of harlots and her confederates murthered and shed the blood of yea they hold it to be a meritorious work to kill and destroy Hereticks and such they account all them to be who will not hold communion with them or commit whoredom and spiritual fornication with them 3. This woman is likened to Jezabel in former times to signify the witch-crafts they make use of both more spiritually and more grossly also 2 King 9 22. more spiritually all false and antichristian teachers are witches Gal. 3. 1. and those Antichristian Christians use it also more grossly many of them The coming of the Man of sin is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders 2 Thes 2. 8 10. And by the forcerers both spiritual and carnal of mystery Babilon were all nations deceived Rev. 18. 23. To Jezabel of old is this Antichristian society likened here because she gave forth her self to be a Queen such an one was Ahabs wife indeed 1 King 16. 31. so mystery Babilon is too generally acknowledged as and gives forth her self to be a queen she ruleth over the Kings of the earth Rev. 17. 18. and by her sitting upon the Scarlet-coloured Beast and ruling she lives dâ—liciously and before the approach of her ruine and irrecoverable destruction she will say in her heart I sit a Queen and am no Widow and shall see no sorrow Rev. 18. 6 7. with Isay 47. 6 7. 5. This framed idolatrous congregation is also called Jezabel because as Jezabel of old did paint her face and tire her head 2 King 9. 30. so did these evil and false worshippers and so Idolatrous ones generally to gain love from others and to draw them in to commit fornication by their appearing beauty and amiableness they cloath themselves with crimson and deck themselves with ornaments of Gold and even rent their faces with painting that they make themselves fair Jer. 4. 30. Ezek. 23. 40 44. And how doth mystery Babilon paint her face and deck her self with the riches and bravery
necessary conâ—equence deny that Christ is raised again or that say the resurrection is made or past already 1 Cor. 15. 12 34. 2 Tim. 2. 17 19. with 1 Tim. 1. 19. 20. Now these Children are such whom the Son of God threatens and of whom he saith I will kill them with death he here by death he means not nor intends the first death only or directly for it is appointed unto Men unto all both good and bad once to dye to dye that death Heb. 9. 27. what man is he that liveth and shall not see death shall he deliver his Soul from the grave Ps 89. 47 48. But he will kill them with the second death destroy them with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power he will not only kill them with grief here Jam. 2. 6 9. and ch 4. 2. But he will cut them off and destroy them for ever if they continued such manner of persons and did not repent them of and turn from such evil doctrines and deeds Now here we may note in that our Lord Jesus thus threatneth and I will kill her Children with death 1. That Christ hath power to cast both Body and Soul into and destroy them in hell Mat. 10. 28. Luke 12. 5. he will in the last day say to them on his left hand depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels and these shall go away into everlasting punishment Mat. 25. 41 46. and this might therefore ingage us to fear before him Luke 12. 4 5. and to hold fast grace whereby we may serve him acceptably with reverence and Godly fear for our God is a consuming fire Heb. 12. 28 29. Exod. 23. 21. 2. In that he saith I will kill her Children so we may note that false and Idolatrous teachers and seducers are not barren But too oft they bring forth and have many too many Children many follow the pernicious ways of these false teachers who privily bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them whereby the way of truth is evil spoken of 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. many saith Christ shall come in my name and shall or will deceive many and many false Prophets shall rise and will deceive many Mat. 24. 4 5 11. 24 25. many by means of false Prophets go in at the wide gate and walk in the broad way that leadeth to destruction Mat. 7. 13 15. and especially in these last times many are corrupted by seducers and deceivers as it is said now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter days some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and doctrines of Devils 1 Tim. 4. 1. and by mystery Babilon particularly many are deceived for all nations have drunk of the wiâ—e of her fornication and the Kings of the earth have committed fornication with her Rev. 17. 2 5. and ch 18. 3 23. 3. The Children false teachers and seducers bring forth and which continue such shall be destroyed by Christ as it is said They have dealt trecherously against the Lord for they have begotten strange Children now shall a month devour them with their portions Hos 5. 7. with Zech. 11. 8. these Children they bring forth to the murderer Hos 9. 13 16. The Lord will not have mercy upon them for they be the Children of whoredoms Hos 2. 2 5. The heresies of false teachers are Heresies of destruction damnable Heresies and they who receive and follow them bring upon themselves also destruction in conclusion 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. 2. We have declared to us the effect of his threats against and judgments executed upon that Woman Jezabel her Paramours and Children And all the Churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and heart In which we may note for our instruction and usefulness 1. That the Son of God searcheth the reins and hearts 2. That all the Churches shall know he doth so by the judgments which he will execute upon seducers and idolatrous ones so persisting 1. That Christ who is the Son of God searcheth the reins and hearts The reins to wit the affections lusts and desires and hearts that is to say the cogitations understandings judgments c. These two words the reins and hearts comprehend the whole inward Man the whole Soul or Spirit He searcheth the reins and hearts namely he diligently enquireth thereinto he makes a diligent search or secret search Jer. 2. 34. he searcheth them as with candles Zeph. 1. 12. and by searching he seeth the inward thoughts wills and affections so whereas it is â—aid in one place thou seest the reins and the hearts in another it is said thou seest the reins and the heart compare Jer. 11. 20. with 20. 12. or he knoweth the heart and reins Jer. 17. 9. with v. 10. The Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts 1 Chron. 29. 9. he knoweth the secrets of the heart all the secret thoughts lusts turnings and windings thereof all things are naked to him as is imported to us in that description he gives of himself v. 18. who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire see the notes before on ch 1. 14. there is not a thought in our heart not a lust itching desire in our reins but he perfectly searcheth it out and knoweth it altogether Ps 139. 1 4 13. so it is said of Jesus that he perceived the thoughts of Men Luke 5. 22. that he knew their thoughts Luke 6. 8. that he perceived the thoughts of their hearts Luke 9. 47. and ch 11. 17. Mat. 9. 4. he knew all Men and needed not that any should testify of man for he knew what was in man Joh. 2. 24 25. he knoweth the hearts of all men Acts 1. 24. with v. 6. yea also the thoughts of the wise 1 Cor. 3. 19. yea he knoweth all things There is no creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do Joh. 21. 17. with Heb. 4. 11 13. Yea Hell and destruction are before the Lord how much more then the hearts of the Children of men Prov. 15. 11. with Job 26. 6. And this may be useful to us 1. To shew unto us that Christ is Jehovah see the notes on ch 1. v. 8. he is the true God and eternal life 1 Joh. 5. 20. see the notes on ch 5. v. 8. For this is Gods peculiar to know and declare unto Man what is his thought Amos 4. 13. with Mat. 9. 4 5. This is peculiar to the most high God to know the hearts of Men as Solâ—mon saith Thou thou only knowest the Hearts of all the Children of Men which Christ the Son of God also doth as is said Compare 1 Kings 8 39. and 2 Chron. 6. 30 with Joh 21. 17. and Acts 1. 24. Now either Christ is Jehovah one in
to him Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thinâ— Inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth for thy Possession To wit all power over the Nations Then it is added Thou shalt break them with a Rod of Iron with an irresistible power thou shalt dash them in pieces like a Potters Vessel Psal 2. 7 8 9. with Acts 13. 32 33. As it is here also assured by Christ to him that overcometh c. Christ hath received all power over the Nations and shall inherit all Nations Ps 82. 8. He shall govern the Nations upon Earth Psal 67. 4. He shall judge the World in righteousness and minister judgment to the people in uprightness Psal 9. 6 8. and 96. 13. and 98. 9. and 22. 27 29. He shall have dominion from Sea to Sea and from the River unto the ends of the Earth They that dwell in the Wilderness shall bow before him and his Enemies shall lick the dust The Kings of Tarshish and of the Isles shall bring presents The Kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer Gifts yea all Kings shall fall down before him all Nations shall serve him Psal 72. 8 11. and 66. 1 4. The Lord shall be King over all the Earth Zech. 14. 9. He and not the Church of Rome as a learned man â—ondly conceits is the Man-child who shall rule all Nations with a rod of Iron Rev. 12. 5. Isay 2. 4. He shall rule them with a Rod of Iron with an irresistible power as before is said and break in peices the Oppressor and all that rebel against him and will not fall down and submit to him Psal 72. 4. Isay 1â— 4 5. Yea this Kingdom of Christ's which the God of Heaven shall set up shall never be destroyed nor be left to other people but it shall break in pieces and consume all other Kingdoms and it shall stand for ever Dan. 2. 34 35 44. And so in the beginning of his Reign he shall smite the Nations and he shall rule them with a rod of Iron and he treadeth the Wine-press and Wrath of Almighty God Rev. 19. 15 21. And he shall fight against and destroy those Nations that come against Jerusalem Zech. 14. 3 4 12. And in the time of his reign he will plague those Families that come not up to worship the King the Lord of Hosts and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles Zech. 14. 16 19. And in the end of the thousand years reign Fire shall come down from God out of Heaven and devour the Nations which are in the four quarters of the Earth who will then being deceived by the Devil go up and compass the Camp of the Saints about and the beloved City Rev. 20. 7 8 9. And in that Christ hath received and will in due season exercise such power over the Nations the consideration of it may be useful to us 1. To shew unto us the preciousness of his blood for upon the account thereof the Father hath highly exalted him and given him a name above every name Joâ— 3. 35. with ch 10. 17. Phil. 2. 6 9 11. Rev. 5. 12. 2. It may engage and provoke us all now to submit to him this is the use the Holy Ghost makes of the power given to Christ and that he shall rule the Nations with a Rod of Iron c. Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the Earth Kiss the Son lâ—st he be angry and ye perish c. Psal 2. 8 10 12. Acts 3. 19 20. and ch 17. 30 31. 3. In that he will give such power to him that oveâ—cometh it shews that such are called to the fellowship of Jesus Christ our Lord 1 Cor. 1. 9. 2 Thes 2. 13 14. To him are they beholden for all Rom. 8. 17. Luke 22. 29 30. And it might engage us therefore to hold fast his works and to fight the good fight of Faith 1 Tim. 6. 12. Then their Horn shall be exalted with Honour Psal 75 10. Verse 28. And I will give him the Morning Star This is a farther Branch of the Blessedness assured unto him that overcometh and keepeth Christ's works unto the end By the Morning Star is here meant Jesus Christ himself as he gives us to understand saying I Jesus have sent mine Angel to testifie to you these things in the Churches I am the bright and morning Star Rev. 22. 16. And he is the morning Star so called by way of excellency and eminency and so he is preferred before the Angels or Messengers of the Churches who are called Stars chap. 1. 17 20. For he is the Angel or Messenger of the Covenant Mal. 3. 1. And before the Apostles who are compared to and called Stars Rev. 12. 1. For he is the Apostle of the Believers Profession Heb. 3. 1. And before the Angels who are by nature Spirits and who are called the morning Stars Joâ— 38. 7. For he is Gods Angel emphatically so called in whom his name is Exod. 23. 20 21. He is made so much better then the Angels as he hath by Inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they Heb. 1. 3 4 13. This is that Star of which Balaam prophesied when he said There shall come a Star out of Jacob Numb 24. 17. and he is here called the morning Star and the bright and morning Star ch 22. 16. to signifie to us that when God shall send him again then immediately will follow the day of God 2. Pet. 3. 12. or the day of Christ Phil. 1. 6. and ch 2. 16. that notable day of the Lord Acts 2. 20. And so he is called the Day-Star 2 Pet. 1. 19. and Day-Spring East or Sun-rising Luke 1. 78. This Morning-Star he will give to him that overcometh then not as now by Faith but gloriously And so 1. He will give himself then gloriously who is the Resurrection and the Life and so give them a part in and raise them up in the first Resurrection so the different glory in the Resurrection is compared to the diversity of the glory among the Stars 1 Cor. 15. 41. with Verse 33. Rev. 20. 4 6. He will raise them up in the Resurrection of the just Luke 14. 14. and ch 20. 35 36. 2. He as the Son of Righteousness will appear and immediately arise to them with healing under his wings Mal. 4. 2. and wipe away all Tears from their Eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying nor shall there be any more pain for the former things shall pass away Rev. 21. 1 4 5. He will then perfectly and eternally forgive their Sins and heal their Diseases and deliver them from all the Fruits of Sin Ps 130. 8. Isay 33. 24. 3. He will immediately be a perpetual light to them he will give himself as the morning-Star unto them and that day shall then come in which there will be no darkness to those that have their part in the first Resurrection The Sun shall be no
to chuse the good and refuse the evil for of such is the Kingdome of Heaven as our Saviour saith Mat. 19. 13 14. Mark 10. 13 14. Luke 18. 15 16. Mat. 2. 16 18. with Jer. 31. 15 16 17. Gen. 17. 7 8 12 14. 2. We come next to consider and shew that it is possible that some Mens names may be blotted out of the Book of life And so indeed 1. Men's names may be blotted out of the general Book of life and are so if they continue in their ignorance of God or disobedience to his Gospel till the day of God's patience beat an end towards them So the Lord saith Whosoever hath sinned against me him will I blot out of my book Exod. 32. 33. And the Psalmist imprecates thus Let them be blotted out of the Book of the living and not be written with the righteous Ps 69. 28. For though he who descended into the lower parts of the earth who by the grace of God tasted death for every man be now ascended up on high and hath led captivity captive and received gifts for Men yea for the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them yet he will wound the head of his enemies and the hairy scalp of such an one as goes on still in his trespasses Ps 68. 18 21. his Spirit will not always strive with Men nor will he still hold open the door but will rise up and shut it and then there will be no more opening Gen. 6. 3. Luke 13. 25 26. This may therefore admonish us all to strive to enter in at the strait gate to seek the Lord while he may be found and call upon him while he is â—igh Luke 13. 24. Isay 55. 6 7. 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. Heb. 3. 7 8. 2 Pet. 3. 15. Eccles 9. 10. 2. Yea mens names may be blotted out of the special Book of life and out of the Holy City and our Saviour saith If any man shall take away from the words of the Book of this Prophesie God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life and out of the Holy City and from the things which are written in this Book Rev. 22. 19. If a Man abide not in Christ he is cast forth as a Branch and is withered and Men gather them and cast them into the Fire and they are burned Joh. 15. 6. And it 's in this place supposed that if those who had defiled their Garments or if those who had not defiled them did not overcome to the end their names should be blotted out for this is the peculiar blessedness of him that overcometh that his name shall not be blotted out to which after O let none of us then speak peace to our selves in any evil way though our names are written in the Book of life for they that forsake the Fountain of living waters shall be written in the Earth though formerly they were written in Heaven Jer. 17. 13. Deut. 29. 18 20 Ezek. 13. 9 10. 3. But this is the blessedness of him that overcometh whether of him that hath not let slip how he received and heard and so hath not defiled his Garments And of him that hath done so and yet is seasonably recovered their names shall never be blotted out of the Book of life but all happiness is assured to them as may be seen in ch 2. 7 11 17 26. and ch 3. 12 2â— and ch 21. 7. So far will he be from blotting out their names out of the Book of Life that he will hereafter gloriously write upon them the name of his God and the name of the City of his God new Jerusalem which cometh down out of Heaven from his God and his new name See notes after on Verse 12. How might the consideration hereof cause them to rejoyce because their names are written in Heaven Luke 10. 21. And still provoke them to fight the good fight of Faith to resist unto blood striving against sin Satan and the World and to that end to have and hold fast the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ for whatsoever is born of God overcometh the World and this is the victory that overcometh the World even our Faith who is he that overcometh the World but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God 1 Tim. 6. 12. Heb. 12. 4. 1 Joh. 5. 4 5. Eph. 6. 10 12 18. considering also what follows viz. 3. But I will confess his name before my Father and before his Angels Now herein is signified to us 1. That he that doth not overcome to the end Christ will not confess his name but he will deny him hereafter that in this day either thorow fear or flattery turned aside from the Faith or profession thereof As our Saviour saith whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father with his holy Angels Mark 8. 38. Luke 9. 22 26. whosoever shall deny him before Men him also will Christ deny before his Father which is in Heaven Mat. 10. 33. And before the Angels of God Luke 12. 9. he will deny them saying I know you not or I know not this or these Men or Man As Peter was said to deny his Master in saying I know him not compare Luke 22. 57. with ch 13. 24 28. this is a Faithful saying for if we be dead with him we shall also live with him But if we deny him he also will deny us 2 Tim. 2. 11 12. And Oh how sâ—d a thing will that be to be denied and disowned of the Lord of Glory in that day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God! Oh that it may be seriously and seasonably considered by us 2. But he will confess his name that overcometh whoever he be or whatever he hath been before his Father and before his Angels that is he will own them for his then manifestly he will publickly own them in that day Indeed now all his delight is in the Saints that are in the earth c. And he doth take up their names into his lips Ps 16. 3 4 he bears their names upon his heart and upon his arme and theâ—ein answers unto the highpriest's bearing the names of the Children of Israel in former times Exod. 28. But this is matter of faith to us But hereafter he will publickly and visibly own them and say they are mine and thus he will do before his Father and before his Angels Whosoever saith our Saviour shall confess me before Men him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven Mat. 10. 32. And before the Angels of God Luke 12. 8. Hâ— will then say to every such an one Well done good and Faithful servant c. Mat. 25. 21. c. He will set them on his right hand Matth. 25. 31 33 34. And therefore how might the consideration hereof
his promises Isay 55. 4. Luke 1. 69 71. Acts 13. 23 32 33 34. 2. And the true and faithful witness in all his sayings and promises and threats Prov. 8. 6 8. Joh. 14. 6. 2 Joh. 3. Eph. 1. 13. Prov. 14. 27. And who hath sealed to the truth of the Gospel with his precious blood Isay 50. 4 6. Joh. 18. 37. 1 Tim. 6. 13. see the notes on ch 1. v. 5. and on ch 3. v. 14. 2. Our Lord Jesus further describeth himself to us by what he hath viz. He that hath the keys of David To have the keys of David signifies that he hath that ensign of power and Authority spiritually and in truth of which David's was a â—ype and so hereby he gives us to understand that he is the King of Israel As Nathanael saith to him Rabbi thou art the Son of God thou art the King of Israel Joâ— 1. 49. The key of David may be and surely is more than the key of the house of David which God promised in the type to lay upon the shoulder of Eliakim Isay 22. 22. for though he had a robe yet he was under the King over the houshold v. 15. 22. But by his having the key is meant that he reigns over the house of Jacob and Israel that is to say he hath the supreme Authority given to him over the Church or Israel of God Luke 1. 32 34. And so over the Church of the living God now As the Tabernacle of David signifies As it is said when God did visit the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his name then God did return and build again the Tabernacle of David which was fallen down c. Acts 15. 14 16. And so he is the law-giver Isay 33. 22. The only head of the Church Col. 1. 18. and hereafter The Lord God will give him gloriously the throne of his Father David on earth Isay 9. 6 7. and 16. 9 7. and ch 24. 23. As it is said Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a righteous branch and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth Jer. 23. 5 6. and ch 33. 15 17. and 30. 9. Hos 3. 5. Ps 67. 14. see notes after on v. 21. and he hath this key to open or shut as after follows to which we shall there speak Now here we may learn for our usefulness in that it is said he hath the key of David 1. That he who hath the key of David and so is the head of the Church the King of Israel is one only person one individual person and the Church hath not two heads one in heaven and another in the earth And it was the work of all the holy gifted Men in former times even of Peter also to direct the believers not unto themselves or any mere Man but unto Christ as the head That they might grow up into him in all things which is the head the only head even Christ Eph. 4. 8 14. 15. They hold not the head who worship Angels whether the ministring Spirits or any Bishops or overseers of the Churches though they be or pretend themselves to be the most eminent of them Col. 2. 18 19. The Apostles disclaimed having dominion over the Faith of the believers as too high a thing for them And if they had it not who is he that dare presume in his heart to challenge command or accept it 2 Cor. 1. 24. 2. That he hath the key of David even he that is holy he that is true So we may see This one and only head of the Church is a most excelent one worthy of this high Glory and Honour He is not like unto him that pretends himself to be the head of the Church on earth he is holy and pure in all the holy one 1 Joh. 2. 20. he who is the King of Saints is only holy Rev. 15. 3 4. where-as that false pretender and presumptuous arrogater is the Man of sin the wicked one 2 Thes 2. 4 8. And the head of the Church is true also even truth it self Joh. 14. 6. whereas that proud usurper and such as listen to and are deceived by him speak lies in hypocrisy 1 Tim. 4. 1 2. and his coming was after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that pâ—rish 2 Thes 2. 8 10 11. 3 That he hath the key of David this shews unto us what power and Authority Christ hath obtained by his precious blood He is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first-born from the dead that in all things and amongst all persons he might have the preeminence Col. 1. 18 19. yea he is exalted at Gods right hand in the Heavenly places far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not only in this World but also in that which is to come and God hath put all things under his feet and given him to be head over all things to the Church which is his body Eph. 1. 19 23. All power is given unto him both in Heaven and on earth Mat. 28. 18. now to receive and make free all that so hear and learn of the Father as to come to him Joh. 8. 35 36. And hereafter he will come again and receive them to himself that where he is they may be also Joh. 14. 2 3. and ch 17. 24. Phil. 2. 6 8 9. 4. And therefore it may provoke and engage us to honour the Son as we honour the Father Joh. 5. 22 23. To kiss him and submit our selves to his gracious government Ps 2. 12. and own him as our only Rabbi As our Saviour saith to his disciples Be not ye called Rabbi for one is your master even Christ and all ye are Brethren Mat. 23. 8 10. This is contained in the unity of the Spirit that there is one Lord and but one one faith c. 1 Cor. 8. 6. Eph. 4. 3 5. Oh that none of us may worship the â—east and his image nor receive his mark in our forehead or in our hand lest we drink of the wine of the wrath oâ— God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence oâ— the holy Angels and in the presence of the lamb Rev. 14. 9 10 11 12. and ch 15. 1 2 3 4. 5. We may from hence learn and hereâ—â— is shew'd unto us from whom it is that any have any subordinate power in the Church of God namely that it is given to them and they receive it from him as he saith to Peter I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven And whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven And whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven Mat. 16. 19.
and ch 22. 15. Mat. 7. 22 24. Eph. 5. 3 5 6. Col. 3. 5 6. Gal. 5. 20 21. 1 Cor. 6 9 11. Vse 1. Seeing he shutteth It shews unto us that the door into the Tabernacle of David was opened for and open to all as is intimated before in that it is first said he openeth a door cannot be shut against them for whom it was never opened But he hath made a way for all to come to himself Wisdom haâ—h builded her house she hath â—ewâ— out her seven pillars she hath killed her killing she hath mingled her wine she hath also furnished her table she hath sent forth her maidens she crieth upon the â—ighest places of the city whoso is simple let him turn in hither c. Prov. 9. 1 4 5. God our Saviour would have all Men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 2. 4 5. but to this we have said somewhat before 2. In that he saith he shutteth not hath shut from eternity So he signifieth to us that he hath not so tied his hands before Men were born but that now if Men come not while the door is open he shutteth in the present day wo to him that striveth with his maker Let the Potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it what makest thou or thy work he hath no hands Isay 45. 9. The door is indeed open now in this day and held open until he rises up out of his place of mercy for such as at last provoke him thorow their wickedness to rise up and shut it Isay 26. 21. Luke 13. 25. Mens states were not fixed in a personal consideration before they were born nor are they so while they are joyned to all the living Joh. 5. 23 24. Eccles 9. 4. But they that live may thorow the grace of God which bringeth Salvation to all Men live to him that died for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. and this is God's will concerning them for he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9 15. 3. In that he saith he shutteth and no man openeth so it shews unto us that the Man of sin cannot open when he shutteth nor remit their sins whom he retains in Heaven he cannot remit his own sins and therefore not the sins of others none can deliver out of Christ's hands none can open when he or where he shuts Job 12. 14. they who have any authority have it from him they have their keys under and from him and not against him Mat. 16. 19. and therefore let us not have idolatrous esteems of Men Prov. 29. 25. 4. Let the consideration hereof now move and prevail with us to strive to enter in at the strait gate for when once the Master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the door none can open Luke 13. 24 28. Let us labour therefore to enter into his rest lest any Man â—all after the same example of unbelief Heb. 4. 11. Oh let us now receive his grace to purpose for now is the accepted time now is the day of Salvation that we may be born of water and the Spirit and so may enter into the Kingdom of God 2 Cor. 6 1 2. Isay 55. 6 7. Eccl. 12. 1 5. and 9. 10. Joh. 3. 5 7. and content not our selves that we are in the outward court but let us so receive his grace that we may be of and abide in the true sanctuary Mat. 8. 11 12. Verse 8. I know thy works Behold I have set before thee an open door and no Man can shut it for thou hast a little strength and hast kept my word and hast not denied my name After he had given a description of himselfe in Verse 7. He now addeth this concerning this Angel and Church In which we have 1. An account of his knowledge concerning them I know thy works 2. His gracious use of the key as with respect to them which he calls on them to behold Behold I have set before thee an open door and no Man can shut it 3. The reason thereof For tâ—ou hast a little strength and hast kept my word and hast not denied my name 1. An account of his knowledge concerning them I know thy works see the notes before on ch 2. v. 2. and v. 9. and v. 19. Only here we may adde that considering how he commends this Church and blames them for nothing so when he saith I know thy works it may enclude also that he did own and aprove them Though in describing himself v. 7. he saith these things saith he that is holy yet here I know thy works he knows the works of them with a knowledge of approbation though he be holy and none holy as he whose hearts are upright with him This might be a discouragement to us and make us say as they did who is able to stand before this holy Lord God 1 Sam. 6. 20. Or as the Prophet I say when the Cherubims cried one to another Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of hosts Then said he wo is me for I am undone Because I am a Man of unclean lips c. Isay 6. 1 3 5. But now to the end we might not be discouraged or â—aint in our sighing he who is holy here faith I know thy works he himself is made unto the hearty believers holiness 1 Cor. 1. 30. with Exod. 28. 36 38. and he takes away their iniquities Isay 6. 5 7. and the iniquity of their works who come unto God by him and walk in the light as he is in the light Eph. 2. 10 1 Pet. 2. 5. Heb. 7. 25. 1 Joh. 1. 6. and he doth present them in the body of his flesh thorow death holy unblameable and unrebukeable in his sight who continue in the â—aith grounded and setled and are not moved from the hope of the Gospel Col. 1. 22 23. he is sanctifying and clâ—ansing them with the washing of Water in the word Eph. 5. 25 27. So that this needs be no encouragment that he is Holy for though he be so though his name be holy and he dwells yet in the high and holy place yet with him also that is of a contrite and humble Spirit to revive the Spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones Isay 57. 15. 2. His gracious use of the key as with respect to them which he calls on them to behold Behold I have set before thee an open door and no Man can shut it We have in the former verse spoken to the door and his opening it in several particulars and here only we adde that which is not spoken unto viz. I have set before thee an open door an open door wide open to do good to others to propagâ—â—â— and found forth the Gospel a door of utterance liberty and opportunity to publish and preach the glad-tidings
taken in this Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ to signify such as seek after the things here below first of all and set their affections on things upon the earth of which the believers are admonished Col. 3. 1 2. and so they are distinguished from and opposed to them that dwell in Heaven by Faith and have their conversation in Heaven Phil. 3. 20. Rev. 13. 6 8. and ch 12. 12. And in a most full sense they are dwellers on the earth who savour the things that are here below however they may pretend to believe the Gospel such as riotous persons drunkards such as abuse the good creatures of God here below and abuse themselves with them As our Saviour signifies saying Take â—eed to your selves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfetting and drunkenness and the cares of this life and so that day come upon you unawares for as a snare it will come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth Luke 21. 34 35. and in this sense such live on the earth who walk in uncleanness or covetousness and such as are alive to the riches Honour Glory praise and friendship of this World and who demean themsâ—lves as if they should live here for ever and such as are enemies of and injurious unto them which have the word of God and Testimony of Jesus Christ and whose fear toward God is taught by the precepts and doctrines of Men see Rev. 6 10. and 11. 10. and ch 13. 12 14. and 17. 8. upon which dwellers of the earth so abiding all the woes denounced and threatned shall be executed Isay 26. 18 21. Rev. 8. 13. and ch 12. 12. Because they are worshippers of the beast c. Rev. 17. 2. And 2. By them that dwell upon the earth may also be signified more generally such as are in this World living Men as to us such as in their Mortal bodies are upon the earth and so the righteous are as well as the unrighteous for God hath made of one blood all nations of Men for to dwell on all the face of the earth To all whom the Lord speaks to when he saith all ye inhabitants of the world and dwellers on the earth see ye when he lifts up an ensign c. Isay 18. 3. with Rev. 14. 6. Dan. 4. 1. and ch 6. 25. Joh. 17. 15. and these may all be called dwellers on the earth both to distinguish them that dwell in the dust Isay 26. 19. and from the Spirits of just men made perfect who may be said in a more full sense to dwell in Heaven than any that are still in mortal bodies on earth though they may by faith dwell in Heaven also Rev. 13. 6. and ch 18. 20. Now upon both these in both considerations this hour of temptations here spoken of shall come 2. The end why it should come upon them and that is To try them namely 1. To prove them and to discover what manner of persons they are and whether they will at such a time be friends of or enemies to his Gospel and people thus he comes to try and prove men by persecutions and by false teachers and such as encline to and follow them all are in such a day proved such as are instruments of evil and affliction and such as suffer from them or are inticed by them Deut. 8. 2 14 16. 2. And he doth it while it 's called to day to purify them or give them occasion to purify themselves by those probations and discoveries he makes of them to themselves and others see the notes before on Rev. 2. v. 10 4. We have lastly to consider the promise it self viz I will keep thee I that am holy I that am true I will keep thee namely such as keep his Gospel and hold that â—ast So here Because thou hast kept the word of my patience I also will keep thee c. such as have and keep his word in the midst of their hearts and mouths like that Prov. 3. 21 26. and ch 4. 4 6. Isay 26. 2 3. such as let the things they have heard from the beginning abide in them they shall continue in the Son and in the Father 1 Joh. 2. 24. they shall abide in and under the gracious protection and defence of the Almighty 1 Joâ— 3. 24. his truth shall be their shield and buckler Ps 91. 4. Prov. 4. 13. and this might therefore engage us to keep his word and preserve us from listening unto and entertaining any strange voice what-soever Joh. 14. 21 23. 1 Pet. He will keep such from the hour of temptation or out of it while and as it may be for their good this he can do at his pleasure Acts 18. 10 11. Ps 105. 14 16. or however he will keep them from the evil of all no evil shall befal them Ps 91. 10 12. As the Lord saith when thou passest thorow the waters I will be with thee and thorow the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest thorow the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee Isay 43. 1 3. The gates of Hell shall not prevail against them that keep his word Mat. 16. 18. Ps 12. 6 7. Oh then be we incouraged and provoked to wait upon him and keep his word and way and then we need fear none evil whatever Ps 121. and 125. Rom. 8. 28 â—9 he hath the ordering of all temptations and times or hours of temptation and he is â—aithful who will not suffer them to be tempted above what they are able but will with the temptation make a way to escape and so keep them out of the hour of temptation 1 Cor. 10. 13. he knows how to deliver the Godly out of temptation as he did Lot though he met with much exercise and grief 2 Pet. 2. 6 9. he can hide us Ps 27. 4. 5. and 31. 20. Jer. 36. 26. yea though we are never so weak and have never so little strength as v. 8. yet he will be a strength to the poor a strength to the needy in his distress a refuge from the storm c. Isay 25. 4. and blessed is the Man whose strength is in him Ps 84. 4 5. Oh then hide we his word in the midst of our hearts and follow him in the regeneration so shall we never fall nor will he suffer our feet to be moved Ps 119. 165. and 66. 8 12. As our Saviour saith to his disciples and the Jews My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any Man pluck them out of my hand my Father which gave them me is greater than all and no Man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand c. Joh. 10. 27 30. 2 Joh. 9. 10. In this promise this also may be contained that he would so keep them from the hour of
very displeasing to him in his Church this Samaritanisme in which men serve the Lord and their own Gods also and indeed it is reputed by him as not fearing him at all 2 King 17. 32 34. his grace instructeth moveth and strengâ—heneth us to love and â—leave to him with all our heart Soul mind and strength Mark 12. 29 30. But when the heart is divided then shall Men be found faulty Hose 10. 2. But here we might for our usefulness propose these two Questions Quest 1. Whether Seeing this faithful counsellour wisheth that they were either Cold or Hot it be alike to him which of them they were Or whether it were all one to him whether they were Cold or Hot Ans No surely he is not indifferent herein he would rather they were hot in buying the truth and giving hearty entertainment to him and therefore he counsels them To buy of him Gold tried in the fire that they might be rich v. 18. and therefore he rebuketh and chasteneth them that they might be zealous and repent v. 19. and therefore he standeth at the door and knocketh that they might open unto him receive and entertain him heartily v. 20. nor was it alike to the Prophet when he reproves the Israelites for halting between two opinions whether they followed God or Baal for he earnestly desired they might heartily and sincerely follow the Lord God of Israel and to that end prayeth Hear me O Lord hear me that this people may know that thou art the Lord God and that thou hast turned their heart back again 1 King 18. 37. and the like we may say of Joshua ch 24. 15. Christ is in the bosome of the Father and knows his heart and thoughts and hath revealed that God is not willing that any Man should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9. and he and Christ Jesus are one And therefore the Amen the faithful and true witness is not indifferent whether his Churches and those in them be cold or hot but he is one that hath pleasure in uprightness and loveth that those in his Church should cleave to him with full purpose and be wholly and altogether his To whose mind also the Apostle Paul was framed when Agrippa said Almost thou perswadest me to be a Christian I would to God saith he that not only thou but all that hear me were both almost and altogether such as I am and not so indifferent as Agrippa was Acts 26. 29. And this the Apostle also desired with understanding as knowing God's good-will towards all Men was that they should heartily receive the love of the truth had he been of the mind of some Men that God hath a secret will concurring with the destruction of the greatest part of Mankind in a personal consideration he could never in faith have poured out such a wish to God for all them that heard him but knowing God is love and that he hath manifested himself so to be in giving his Son by his grace to taste death for every Man from hence his hearts desire and prayer to God for them was that they might be saved from their iniquities as Rom. 10. 1 3. and therefore thus Christ speaks to shew how abominable their present temper was to him Quest 2. Whether it were better for the Churches or those therein to be cold then lukewarme It is better without controversy to be hot and â—ervent in Spirit in seeking and serving the Lord and diligently pursuing the things of his Kingdom but whether it be better for Luke-warme ones to be cold Ans Truly properly and fully it is not better to be cold than Lukewarm for neither is good But it is worse to be lukewarm in Gods Vineyard and more abominable to him and in his account who judgeth righteously than to be cold And so to be cold is not so bad in some respects as to be Lukewarme For 1. The iniquity of Lukewarmness in his Churches is more provoking in his sight because the clouds do more abundantly raine rain upon them that come into and frequent the assemblies of God's people than upon those who are cold and come not amongst them and they oft drink in the rain that cometh upon them they have more advantages given to them than others and more opportunities to hear and be acquainted with the excellency of Christ and the enriching nature of that Gold tried in the fire and therein and therewith to see the vileness of their sins and vanity of their idols that they might turn to God from them and have their hearts drawn off from all other objects and united to Christ hence those that are among his people do oft in their evils overpass the deeds of the wicked Jer. 5. 21 28. 2 Chron. 33. 9 10 and oftimes this is declared as an aggravation of the iniquity of God's people that they sin under such advantages and in the enjoyment of such nighness means and opportunities Therefore the Lord saith concerning the Priests and Prophets yea in mine house I have found their wickedness Jer. 23. 11. and 11. 14 15. Isay 66. 4. and answerable to the greatness of their iniquity as being thus aggravated answerable will be their judgments so persisting yea and more swiftly will God proceed against them especially now when more clear light than formerly is vouchsaâ—ed he that was grieved fourty yeers with his people in former times was provoked after three yeers in latter because of the unfruitfulness of those in his vineyard to say cut it down why cumbreth it the ground so here he threatneth he will spue them out of his mouth and accordingly he may so have done with this Church long since Thou Capernaum saith our Saviour that art exalted to Heaven shall be brought down to hell for if the mighty works which have been done in thee had been done in Sodom it would have remained untill this day But I say unto you it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in that day of judgment than for you Mat. 11. 20 34. That earth which drinks in the rain that oâ—t comes upon it and yet beareth briars and thorns is rejected and nigh unto cursing whose end is to be burned Heb. 6. 8. 2. It is worse to be lukewarm in Gods Vineyard than cold because those that are cold may sooner be made sensible of their condition and fall down under reproofs and be made to perceive the sadness of the state they abide in or have brought themselves into by their departure than lukewarm-ones when persons are lukewarm they are ready to say Aha we are warm we have seen the Fire Blessed be the Lord for we are rich they are highly conceited of their good condition and say they are hot enough already They are in a good temperate condition and need not to come neerer the Fire seest thou a Man wise in his own Eyes there is more hope of a Fool than of him Prov. 26. 12. The
it is God in Christ who sits upon the Throne and who is there with his Father Rev. 3. 21. As he was in Christ reconciling the world to himself 2 Cor. 5. 19. So he is in him still 2 Cor. 12. 19. 1 Thes 5. 17. 1 Joh. 1. 7. And in and thorough him he doth all and hath respect to him in all the Administration of his Government Isa 42. 19 22. Henceforth the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son as they honour the Father And hath given him authority to execute judgment also because he is the Son of man Joh. 5. 18 22 27 2. What he saw about the Throne And there was a Rain-bow round about the Throne in sight like unto an Emerald Where consider we 1. What he in Vision saw And there was a Rain-bow 2. The likeness or similitude of it In sight like unto an Emerald 3. Where he saw this Rain-bow Round about the Throne 1. What he in Vision saw And there was a Rain-bow Rev. 10. 1. So it is also said concerning that Vision which Ezekiel saw As the appearance of the Bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain so was the appearance of the brightness round about Ezek. 1. 28. And this Bow was the token of his Covenant with every Creature as it is said God spake unto Noah and to his Sons with him saying Behold I will establish my Covenant with you and with your seed after you and with every living creature with you And God said this is the token of the Covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature with you for perpetual generations I do set my Bow in the cloud and it shall be for a token of a Covenant between me and the earth And the Bow shall be in the cloud and I will look upon it that I may remember the everlasting Covenant c. And God said unto Noah this is the token of the Covenant c. Gen. 9. 8 17. And so here the Apostle saw a Bow to signifie That he that sits upon the Throne is the faithful God who will certainly perform his Covenant and promise in whatever he hath spoken The Lord he is God the faithful God which keepeth Covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his Commandments c. Deut. 7. 9 10. 2 Chron. 6. 14. He is faithful that hath promised of which this Bow is a token And he hath manifested himself so to be in sending his Son in due time his love is herein manifested Rom. 5. 6 8. 1 Joh. 4. 8 9. And his faithfulness in keeping his Covenant and Oath he hath raised up an horn of Salvation in the house of his servant David as he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets which have been since the world began c. Luk. 1. 54 55 69 74. Act. 13. 23. And in being with Christ in trouble and delivering him out of it as he promised The promise which God made to the fathers he hath fulfilled in that he hath raised Jesus again Psal 89. 19 28 33. Joh. 8. 30. and Chap. 16. 32 33. Behold saith God I have given him for a witness to the people to wit of his love and faithfulness Isa 55. 4. He is the faithful and true witness thereof to wit that he will keep Covenant of which this Bow is the token Rev. 1. 5. and Chap. 3. 14. And which Covenant is now confirmed by the precious blood of Christ Mat. 26. 28. And so he will be faithful in whatever he hath promised for the good of men Isa 42. 6 7. Psal 25. 8. Joh. 16. 7 11. And especially he hath respect to them who are Christs to whom in and with Christ the Promises are made Psal 25. 9 10. Gal. 3. 16 29. Yea this is a Rain-bow to signifie to us that in a day of rain wrath affliction yet then he will be mindful of his Covenant for a day or time of rain signifies a day of affliction and distress As All the people sate trembling for the great rain Ezra 10. 10 13. The winter is past the rain is over and gone Cant. 2. 11. They have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day Ezek. 34. 12. That day is a day of wrath a day of trouble and distress a day of wastness and desolation a day of clouds and thick darkness Zeph. 1. 15 18. Joel 2. 1 2. Now this is a Rain-bow it is in the cloud in the day of rain as Ezek. 1. 28. so at first the Bow was placed in a cloudy day as it is said When I bring a cloud or make cloudy the cloud over the earth that the Bow shall be seen in the cloud and I will remember my Covenant c. Gen. 9. 14 16. And so in the most tempestuous time in the most stormy day while men are joined to all the living when out of the Throne proceed lightnings and thundrings c. as ver 5. When God threatens an universal deluge and destruction yet this Bow signifies and betokens his faithfulness in such a time When the Lord revengeth and is furious When he hath his way in the whirlewind and in the storm and the clouds are the dust of his feet When the mountains quake at him and the hills melt and the earth is burnt up at his presence When none can stand before his indignation none can abide in the fierceness of his anger his fury is poured forth like fire and the rocks are thrown down by him Yet then the Lord is good a strong-hold in the day of trouble and he knoweth them that trust in him Nah. 1. 2 6 7. When his aspect is very dreadful and he appears very terrible in his Providences yet he is a God that keepeth Covenant He is never so angry and furious as to forget that Hence Nehemiah thus addresseth himself to him O Lord God of Heaven the great and terrible God who keepeth Covenant c. Neh. 1. 5. And again Our God the great the mighty and terrible God who keepetâ— Covenant Chap. 9. 32. With whom also the Prophet Daniel agrees saying O Lord the great and dreadful God kâ—eping the Covenant c. Dan. 9. 4. In wrath he remembers that and in a day of wrath thus commands his servants to speak to the upright Say ye to the righteous it shall be well with him Isa 3. 1 10. Amos 9. 9 10. Rev. 3. 3 4. And will set a mark for safety and preservation upon the foreheads of them so as no evil shall befall them nor any plague come nigh their dwelling-place Ezek. 9. 14. Rev. 7. 1 2. 4. See how he speaks to his people in a day of darkness and gloominess The Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit For a small moment have I forsoken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee In a little wrath I â—id my face from thee for
will be mindful of his Covenant in confirming them that obey him unto the end that they may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 1. 8 9. In so ordering Temptations that he will not suffer them to be tempted above what they are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that they may be able to bear 1 Cor. 10. 13. In preserving them from evil 2 Thes 3. 3. In sanctifying them throughout even in their whole spirit soul and body 1 Thes 5. 23 24. In visiting their transgressions with the rod and their iniquity with stripes if they forsake his law and walk not in his judgments Psal 89. 28 32. with Psal 119. 75. In forgiving them who acknowledg their iniquities If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all our unrighteousness 1 Joh. 1. 9. Hence it is said If they confess their iniquity and that they have walked contrary to me then will I remember my Covenant namely to pardon them and receive them graciously Lev. 26. 40 45. In giving unto them of the things appertaining to this life whatever is good for them such meat drink raiment habitation accommodations c. Psal 111. 5. Heb. 13. 5 6. In subduing their iniquities and casting all their sins into the depths of the Sea And performing the truth to Jacob and the mercy to Abraham which he hath sworn c. Mic. 7. 19 20. He will be faithful in all things he hath promised and always mindful of his Covenant in all he doth upon the Throne His Bow the token of his truth and faithfulness is before him And therefore we may join with the Prophet and say O Lord are not thine eyes upon the truth doubtless they are Jer. 5. 3. 2. Round about the Throne but outermost it may seem for ver 4. there is mention made of the four and twenty Elders round about the Throne also but within this Bow And ver 6. In the midst of the Throne and round about the Throne are four living Creatures within the Elders and so within and nearer to the Throne than the Bow And within the four living Creatures the Lamb next to the Throne Chap. 5. 6. And so it may signifie to us that in this Vision this is the disposition that the Bow encloses and is about all the Saints and holy ones to defend them from all enemies and evil they are environed about with Gods Covenant and mercy And God who is faithful will environ and encompass them with his truth and faithfulness and in his faithfulness with his Angels Chap. 5. 11. and Chap. 7. 11. Psal 34. 7. So as they shall be secure and be kept in perfect peace Isa 26. 1 3. His truth and faithfulness shall be their shield and buckler And no evil shall befall them nor any plague come nigh their dwelling-place for he shall give his Angels a charge over them to keep them in all their ways c. Psal 91. 1 4 9 12. His mercy even his mercy promised and contained in and assured by his holy Covenant shall compass them about Psal 32. 10 11. with Luk. 1. 72. Psal 125. 1 2. The peace of God the Covenant of his peace shall keep their hearts and minds thorough Jesus Christ even keep and secure them as in a garrison Phil. 4. 7. with Isa 54. 10. Oh then walk about Zion and go round about her tell the towers thereof mark ye well her bulwarks consider her palaces that ye may tell it to the generation following For this God is our God for ever God in and with his Covenant and faithfulness doth and will surround his Zion that they shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from the fear of evil Psal 48. 12 14. with Prov. 1. 33 Oh how might this engage us to come unto and cleave to the Lord with full purpose and to have our conversation in Heaven 3. It is round about the Throne and so about the Elders and living Creatures that they may see it and remember it and be comforted herewith In Psal 105. 8. there it is He hath remembred his Covenant for ever And in 1 Chron. 16. 15. there it is O ye his chosen ones be ye mindful always of his Covenant Now that they may continually remember it therefore the Bow the memorial of it is round about the Throne and so in the view of them that dwell in Heaven Yea and that they may put him in remembrance of his Covenant when they are in great affliction and when according to appearance he seems to have forgotten it As the Lord saith Put me in remembrance Isa 43. 25 26. So the holy ones of God have done in former times as Psal 74. 18 23. O deliver not the soul of thy Turtle-dove to the multitude forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever Have respect unto the covenant So the Prophet Jeremy saith Do not abhor us for thy names sake do not disgrace the Throne of thy glory Remember break not thy covenant with us Jer. 14. 20 21. Yea to this end the Lord hath set Watchmen upon the walls of his Jerusalem which should never hold their peace day nor night And thus commands them Ye that are the Lâ—â—ds remembrancers keep not silence and give him no rest till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth The Lord hath sworn by his right hand c. Isa 62. 6 8 12. Yea and the spirits of just men made perfect put him as it were in remembrance of his Covenant crying with a loud voice How long Lord holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth c. Rev. 6. 9 10 11. Vers 4. And round about the Throne were four and twenty seats or Thrones and upon the seats I saw four and twenty Elders sitting clothed in white raiment and they had on their heads crowns of gold 1. In this Verse we have a further account given to us of what he saw about the Throne viz. Round about the Throne were four and twenty seats or Thrones 2. Whom he saw upon them And upon the seats or Thrones I saw four and twenty Elders Which are described to us 1. By their Posture sitting 2. By their Raiment clothed in white Raimâ—nt 3. By what they had upon their heads And they â—ad on their heads crowns of gold 1. We have here a further account given us of what he saw about the Throne And round about tho Throne were four and twenty seats or Thrones Even Kingly seats or seats of glory But these are distinct from and infinitely inferior to the Throne upon which that one the Lord God Almighty sits and therefore they on them fall down before him that sate on the Throne and worship him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their Crowns before the Throne c. ver 10 11. And these
â—4 30 37 43. and at the feast of Pentecost it is said there were at Jerusalem devout men out of every nation under heaven Acts 2. 5. and yet this was before the Partition-wall was broken down and before the Gospel was so plainly preached according to the Revelation of the mystery as it was afterwards before the Apostles put in execution that commission given to them to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature Mark 16. 15. See Psal 67. 1 2 3. and now the Church is enlarged according to that prophecy Enlarge the place of thy tent and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations spare not lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles c. Isa 54. 1-3 And in his thus dispersing his Church in all the world the wonderful love of Christ to the world of mankind doth appear for he hath created them for his glory as it is said I will bring thy seed from the east and gather thee from the west I will say to the north give up and to the south keep not back bring my sons from far and my daughters from the ends of the earth every one that is called by my name for I have created him for my glory c. Isa 43. 5. 7. Thus also God promised to Jacob that his seed should be dispersed into the four quarters of the world for the good of mankind Thy seed saith he shall be as the dust of the earth and thou shalt spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed Gen. 28. 14. and so the living creature in Ezekiel as that word is oft used as hath been said and shewn before may be called four living creatures with respect to their work and business in the four corners of the land of Israel See Ezek. 1. 5 6 c. with chap. 7. 2. in which they were to execute those four great and sore judgments Ezek. 14. 21. Indeed there is much dissimiliâ—ude between that and this vision in many things but in this they may agree that as that living creature is called four as with respect to its being designed to and imployed in the four corners of that land so the Church on earth may be called four living creatures as with respect to their being disposed and placed in the four quarters of the earth for the good of the world that they might shine as lights therein holding forth the word of life that men seeing their good works might glorify their father which is in Heaven Phil. 2. 13 16. Matth. 5. 14 16. or as the one wind is called the four winds because it blows in the four quarters of Heaven in the east west north and â—outh so it is said by the Lord unto the Prophet Prophesie unto the wind in the singular number prophesie son of man and say to the wind Thus saith the Lord God come from the four winds c. Ezek. 37. 9. and the wonderful care of God may be seen in preserving his Church in their dispersion and in the midst of the most eminent dangers and judgments and in a day of darkness and tempests the Apostle John in vision saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth holding the four winds of the earth that the wind should not blow on the earth nor on the sea nor on any tree until the servants of God were sealed with the seal of the living God in their foreheads where also the one wind is called four winds Rev. 7. 1 2 3. Zech. 6. 1-5 3. What is meant by this that these four living creatures are said to be in the midst of the throne and round about the throne Answ Hereby is surely meant that they are very neer unto and round about the throne even nearer in this visional representation than the four and twenty Elders ver 4. and chap. 5 6. Indeed some think that two of the living â—reatures were in the midst to wit at the foremost points of the throne and two at the hindmost but the same thing is affirmed of all four that they were not two within or in the midst and two without but all four within or in the midst to wit of the circumference of the throne and round about yet so as all were in the midst and so about the throne within the compass of it and neerer to the throne than any besides the lamb and the seven spirits for the lamb hath them they are upon him See the notes before on chap. 1. ver 4. Object But some may object and say This interpretation is contrary to what you have said on ver 4. of this Chapter viz. that the elders are more excellent than the living creatures and now you seem to oppose that in saying The living creatures are placed neerer the throne than the elders and it is generally supposed and concluded that the most excellent are next the throne Answ 1. Though what is said in the Objection be indeed generally concluded yet it is not universally true therefore it is so indeed as with respect to the lamb who is next the throne and who is the one and only mediatour as we may see Chap. 5. 6. but not so as to others about the throne And these living creatures may not be placed so neer the throne to shew their excellency above the Elders nor are they upon this account so placed for the elders are more excellent than these nor doth their being thus placed or disposed necessarily prove any such thing for it is said The angels are round about the throne and about the elders and the four living creatures and so more remote and further off from the throne in this visional representation Rev. 5. 11. and chap. 7. 11. and yet neither these nor those are simply more excellent than the Angels nor will they be equal to them till the resurrection of the just as it appears by our Saviours saying viz. They that shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage neither can they dye any more for they are equal unto the angels Luk. 20. 35 36. and chap. 9. 26. Zech. 12. 8. and therefore that Objection is of no force against what we have said 2. But these four living creatures may be so disposed upon another account namely to denote Gods peculiar care of and tendring them in their great infirmity and weakness and amidst the many dangers and enemies they are annoyed and surrounded with from which the Elders and Angels are free and delivered Even as a loving and tender-hearted parent carries his little child in his arms and places it next to himself not to signifie its excellency above its elder brethren but
be idle and unimployed but that they should keep it holy unto the Lord Exod. 16. 23. and chap. 20. 8. To this purpose the Psalmist thus speaks Return unto thy rest O my soul for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee But how should he behave himself when he was returned to his rest Would he cease from all manner of service and exercise no surely but he thus presently resolves I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living Psal 116. 7 9. Act. 9. 31. And they have no rest from this spiritual exercise day and night that is continually they are exercised therein not as if they enjoyed no natural rest and sleep for their bodies but day and night signifies without leaving off or ceasing from this work and labour of theirs they did habituate themselves therein and thereto as it is said of the singers they were imployed in that work day and night 1 Chron. 9. 33. And as it is said of the righteous man His delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law he doth meditate day and night Psal 1. 1 2. Josh 1. 8. and as that was called the continual burnt-offering which was offered continually every morning and evening Numb 28. 3 6. these have no rest that is they hold not their peace as Isa 62. 1. but continue unweariedly to celebrate him and shew forth his praises who sitteth upon the Supreme Throne of Government That is to say 1. They have no rest saying to wit in their approaches to the throne of grace and praying to him his elect cry unto him day and night they pray always and do not faint Luk. 18. 1. with vers 8. As it is said I have set watchmen upon thy walls O Jerusalem which shall never rest never hold their peace day nor night ye that are the Lords remembrancers keep not silence and give him no rest or silence till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth Isa 62. 1 6 7. they are continually pouring out their hearts unto him 1 Thes 5. 17. 1 Tim. 5. 5. and so they have continual need to do because of their manifold wants and weaknesses and because of him who accuseth them before God day and night Rev. 12. 10. This prayer is a part of their Armour and they ought to continue therein and watch in the same with thanksgiving both for themselves and for others also Eph. 6. 10-18 Col. 4. 2 3. and sometimes the whole worship of God may be called by or included in this word Prayer 1 Pet. 4. 7. and the house of God is said to be an house of prayer Isa 56. 7. Mat. 21. 13. Mark 11. 17 18. 2. And they have no rest day and night but are continually praising and glorifying him amongst themselves and unto and before others shewing forth his praises who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light 1 Pet. 2 8. And as the Psalmist resolves he would do I will bless the Lord at all times saith he his praise shall be continually in my mouth my soul shall make her boast in the Lord the humble shall hear thereof and be glad Psal 34. 1 2 8. so by Jesus Christ these living creatures do continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God that is the fruit of their lips confessing to his name Heb. 13. 15. especially and principally with their hearts and mouths they glorifie him and give thanks unto him for his unspeakable gift that he hath so loved the world as to give his only begotten son 2 Cor. 9. 15. Rev. 5. 9 10. and also for all his blessings and benefits in and thorow him Psal 103. 1 2 4. and therefore are they delivered from the hand of their enemies that they might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of their life Luk. 1. 74 75. and to this end they have wings given them and they are full of eyes within that they might be imployed in this exercise he prepares them for their work and service 2. We have also to consider and speak unto the subject-matter of their exercise or that about which they are unweariedly exercised viz saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come In which we may take notice in general 1. That they are not incessantly exercised in praying unto or celebrating the praises of or in worshipping the Angels those glorious ministring spirits no there is this caution given to us Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels intruding into those things which he hath not seen c. Col. 2. 18 19. Rev. 19. 10. and chap. 22. 8 10. nor were they imployed in invocating or worshipping any of the Saints departed any of the four and twenty Elders ver 4. or the Virgin Mary but they worshipped and glorified the one and only true God here called Lord God Almighty that sate on the throne who liveth for ever and ever ver 9. even Jehovah no men are to be religiously worshipped as Peter whose successor the man of sin pretends himself to be saith Stand up I my self also a man Act. 10. 26. It was the great iniquity of the Gentiles that they worshipped and served the creature more than or besides the Creator who is blessed for ever Amen Rom. 1. 23 25. with 1 Cor. 3. 11. and much less did these living creatures prostrate themselves to Images Pictures and Idols confounded be all they that serve graven Images that boast themselves of Idols Worship him all ye Gods saith Psal 97. 7. Isa 42. 8. and chap. 45. 16 17 25. Hos 10. 1 2. This Superstition and Idolatry God hath expresly forbidden in the second Commandment Exod. 20. 4 5. and saith Idolaters shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 8. and without namely without the holy and heavenly City are Idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a lye Rev. 22. 15. Isa 45. 16-24 2. Nor do these living creatures in their incessant service celebrate their own praises or boast of themselves or seek their own glory John 7. 18. but they cover their faces as polluted ones with two of their wings as is before said and even thereby actually say as the Spouse sometimes doth Look not upon us because we are black Cant. 1. 6. Indeed most men will proclaime every one his own goodness but they were faithful ones they preached not themselves nor sought glory of men but they preached and glorified Christ Jesus the Lord and God in him Prov. 20. 6. 2 Cor. 4. 5. The object of their adoration or he whose praise they render glorious is him that liveth for ever and ever as ver 9. He is their praise and he is their God as Deut. 10. 21. Jer. 17. 14. And as here immediately followeth to which we shall God willing speak somewhat particularly saying Holy
4. 18. yet here many times they meet with occasions of grief and lamentation both as with respect to themselves and others So Job saith My face is foul with weeping c. Job 16. 15 16. and chap. 30. 25-31 And David saith All the night make I my bed to swim I water my couch with my tears Mine eye is consumed because of grief it waxeth old because of all mine enemies Psa 6. 6 7. and Psal 30. 5. And our Saviour signifies to us that all the time of his absence from the children of the Bride chamber they shall have occasions of mourning and fasting Matth. 9. 15. Vse 1. Then it plainly appears and is very evident that they are not yet perfect as to attainment nor come compleatly and gloriously to that rest which remaineth for the people of God for then they shall weep no more but the dayes of their mourning shall be ended Isa 30. 19. and chap. 60. 20. they shall then come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away Isai 35. 10. and 51. 11. God shall then wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain Luke 6. 21. Rev. 7. 17. and chap. 21. 4. and the more that this blessed Hope is now believingly minded the more it now comforts them and helps them not to faint but to rejoyce and glory in hope of the Glory of God and not only so but to rejoyce in tribulations also Rom. 5. 2 3. 2 Cor. 4. 16-18 Joh. 16. 20. But as yet they are not arrived at that glorious state and condition propounded to them and set in hope before them 2. Then when we have occasions of weeping and â—amentation presented to us let us not think it strange or look upon it as a new thing but remember the same afflictions have been accomplisht in Gods beloved Ones that have been in the world 1 Pet. 5. 10. and in the most eminent Ones of them also And are we better than they 1 King 19. 4. Take we the Prophets and Apostles for an Example of suffering affliction and especially look we unto Jesus that we may not be weary nor â—aint in our minds by occasion of any affliction or adversity we may here meet with Jam. 5. 10-11 Hebr. 12. 1-2-3 3. Then judge not according to outward appearance Think not them to be the happiest who now seldom or never weep for they may be wicked ones who spend their days in mirth Job 21. 6-13 Wo unto you that laugh now for ye shall mourn and weep saith our Saviour Luk. 6. 25. Joh. 16. 20. They that dwell upon the earth shall rejoyce over the Witnesses when they are slain and make merry and send gifts one unto another c. Rev. 11. 10. But alas How much soever they rejoyce now and how merry soever they are their hour is coming in which they shall mourn for ever who know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ Psal 37. 13 2 Thes 1. 5 6-9 Nor let us think Gods people to be therefore indeed miserable ones or that God loves them not because they now weep for it is good and needful for them to be sometimes in heaviness 1 Pet 1. 6. Sorrow is better than laughter for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth Eccles 7. 3-4 And yet though Christs Disciples have many occasions of weeping yet as it is said Their hearts may rejoyce in him and that joy none shall take away from them Joh. 26. 22. Prov. 15. 15. 2. And more particulaâ—ly let us consider 1. The Time or Season when he wept much or lamented greatly and that was when these Visions or Revelations were vouchsafed to him and he was thereby greatly preferred before his Brethren and lifted up above them yet now he was cast down so as that he wept much at such a time the most eminently holy Ones have had Exercises sorrows and fears administred or ordered to them So when Isaiah had that glorious Vision Isai 6. he cried out Woe is me for I am undone ver 2-5 and Ezekiel went in bitterness in the heat of his spirit and sate and remained astonished seven days Ezek. 3. 14 15. And Daniel was afraid and fell on his face and fainted and was sick certain days and his sorrows turned upon him and he retained no strength Dan. 8. 15-27 and chapt 10. 5-16 Matth. 17. 6. Rev. 1. 17 18. and such-like Exercises might at such a time be ordered to them that they should not be exalted above measure through those Revelations that were vouchsafed to them as 2 Cor. 12. 1-7 8. 2. The Reason of his weeping or lamentation Because none was found worthy to open and to read the Book neither to look thereon He had a great desire to know what was contained therein but there was such a general yea universal inability in all Creatures that that caused him thus to lament greatly Hope deferred makes the heart sick but when the desire cometh it is a tree of life Prov. 13. 12 19. He was desirous to understand the Contents of this Book or to have it opened to him but he could not unfold it himself as Dan. 12. 8. nor could any other Creature satisfie his desire none could open and read it so as to make him understand See the Notes on Chap. 1. ver 3. this wisdom was not found among the Inhabiters of Heaven nor in the land of the living here below The Depth saith it is not in me and the Sea saith it is not with me Job 28. 12-14-22 therefore he fell a weeping and this occasioned sorrow and lamentation to him And if in reading this Book any of â—hrists Servants meet with such knots as they cannot unty or doubts as they cannot dissolve nor any of their Brethren to their satisfaction and hereby they are occasioned to weep much let them then call to remembrance how it faâ—ed with this holy Apostle when he was thus highly favoured The most eminent Creatures are but Creatures still they are finite they are not GOD they know not all things they cannot do all things for us which we may greatly desire or long for they have nothing but what is given to them of him who is worthy to receive glory honour and power for he hath created all things and for his pleasure they are and were created Rev. 4. 11. And our expectations may be too high from them and so high that the disappointment we meet with may occasion sorrow to us We may call to the Creatures and there may be none to answer us yea though we should turn to the Saints or holy Angels we may be frustrated of our expectations And he that increaseth
those that shall reign with him even all his Saints and holy Ones shall keep a perpetual Sabbath and sing forth Hallelujah's and it will then be their great delight to serve the Lord in his glorious Temple And this will be a righteous reign also there will then be no crying out nor complaining in the streets as too too often now there is but then a King shall reign in righteousness he hath prepared his throne for judgment and he shall judg the world in righteousness and minister judgment to the people in uprightness and Princes even these reigners with Christ shall rule in judgment Psal 144. 14 15. Isa 32. 1. with Psal 9. 7 8. and 67. 4. and 82. and 96. 11 13. and 98. 4 9. Micah 4. 1-5 Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will raise up unto David a righteous branch and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth In his days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely c. And then he will set up shepherds over them to wit Rulers and Kings these here spoken of which shall feed them and they shall fear no more c. Jer. 23. 4 5 6. The mountains shall bring peace to the people and the little hills by righteousness and the work of righteousness shall be peace and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever Psal 72. 1-3 4. Isa 32. 1 16. 17 18. 4. These Saints and holy Ones shall reign in wonderful glory lustre and splendor they shall then inherit the throne of glory 1 Sam. 2. 8. Psal 149. 5. The wise shall then inherit glory wisdom shall then give to their head an Ornament of grace and shall compass them with a Crown of glory Prov. 3. 35. and chap. 4. 7 9. Isa 24. 16 23. They are in this day called by the Gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 2 12. 2 Thes 2 13 14. 2 Pet. 1. 3. And it is assured to them that when Christ who is our life shall appear then shall also the Saints appear with him in glory Col. 3. 1-3 4. And in vision and as a confirmation of the truth hereof some to wit Mâ—ses and Elias have appeared in glory and in such glory and brightness as at the beholding whereof the disciples werefore afraid and fell on their faces c. Matth. 17. 1-7 Mark 9. 2-6 with Luk 9. 29 31 32. and the Apostle John saith The angel carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain and shewed me to wit in vision that great city the holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God having the glory of God and her light was like unto a stone most precious even like a jasparstone clear as crystal Rev. 21. 9 11. with chap. 4. 3 They that be wise shall then shine as the brightness of the firmaâ—ent and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever Dan. 12. 3. yea then shall the righteous shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father Matth. 13. 43. Jude 5. 31. They shall then be like to Christ when he shall appear for they shall see him as he is their vile body shall be changed and fashioned into the likeness of his glorious body and as they have born the image of the earthy so they shall also bear the image of the heavenly Phil. 3. 21. 1 Cor. 15. 48 49. 1 John 3. 1 2. Though now they lye among the pots as it were and are as the filth and off-scouring of all things yet they shall be as the wings of a Dove covered with silver and her feathers with yellow gold Psal 68. 13. And the hope of this glory which shall be partaken of by them is powerful to move and engage them to purifie themselves even as he is pure 1 John 3. 1-3 And to strengthen them to rejoyce inasmuch as they are made partakers of Christs sufferings and when they are reproached and defaâ—ed for the name of Christ for when his glory shall be revealed they also shall be glad with exceeding joy 1 Pet. 4. 12 14. Rom. 8. 17 18. For their light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for them a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory while they look not on the things that are seen but on the things that are not seen c. 2 Cor. 4. 16 18. Considering always there will be then degrees of glory And as one star differs from another in glory so also it will be in the resurrection from the dead Dan. 12. 3. Luk. 19. 15-19 1 Cor. 5. 41 42. 5. As to the duration of their Reign and Kingdom it shall be everlasting they shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 22. 5. The Saints of the most high shall take the Kingdom and possess the Kingdom for ever even for ever and ever Dan. 7. 18 27. But as to the Davidical Administration of it so it shall be a thousand years whether more strictly or largely taken I cannot determine as it is said They lived and reigned a thousand years And again They shall be Priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years Rev. 20. 1-3 4 6. 3. Where and over whom shall these holy ones so reign 1. Where shall they so reign and that is here expresly declared to us by these Saints viz. We shall reign on the earth Psal 25. 13. and 112. 2. So it is plainly said The Kingdom and dominion and greatness of the Kingdom not in but under the whole Heaven namely on earth shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high Dan. 7. 27. and Chap. 2. 35. And this appears also in that it is said The Kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into the holy Jerusalem which therefore certainly will be on earth as after we may shew Rev. 21. 10-24-26 and they shall reign with Christ but he shall reign on the earth and govern the nations upon earth Psal 67. 4. For the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his Father David which was not in the Heavens but on earth Isa 9. 6 7. Luk. 1. 32. Act. 2. 30 31 34. And hereby also it appears the Saints shall reign on the earth because it is said When the thousand years of their reign are expired Satan shall be loosed out of his prison and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth Gog and Magog to gather them together to battel the number of whom is as the sand of the sea and they went up on the breadth of the earth and compassed the beloved City to wit the children of the first Resurrection or the gloriously reigning Saints which very plainly shews they shall reign on the earth Rev. 20. 7 8 9. But now when with the Scripture we say they shall reign on the earth we intend not nor
mean they shall reign on the earth in this old and corruptible state of it but when God shall make it new or renew the face of it this he hath promised to do in due season and faithful is he that hath promised who also will do it For behold saith the Lord God I create new Heavens and a new earth and the former shall not be remembred nor come into mind And this promise is immediately added and subjoined after he had been speaking of his chosen ones blessing themselves in the earth and swearing in the earth To give us to understand of what earth he speaks in this matter namely of the new one consider Isa 65. 15-17 see also Chap. 66. 22-24 To the same purpose also the Apostle Peter speaks acquainting the believers That as the old world being overflowed with water perished so the Heavens and the earth which are now by the same word are kept in store reserved unto fire c. Nevertheless saith he namely though the Heavens and Earth which are now shall be dissolved by fire we according to his promise look for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness 2 Pet. 3. 5-13 To the same purpose the Apostle John saith I saw to wit in vision a new Heaven and a new Earth for the first Heaven and the first Earth were passed away and there was no more Sea Rev. 21. 1-5 He hath promised saying Yet once more I shake not the Earth only but also Heaven And this word yet once more signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken as of those things that are made that those things that cannot be shaken may remain wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved c. Heb. 12. 26-28 with Hag. 2. 6-8 Now then when God maketh all things new then these holy ones shall reign on the earth Rev. 21. 5-7 So the Apostle Paul when he is speaking of the suffering children of Gods being glorified together and saying I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed on us He then in the verses following gives us to understand when this glory shall be revealed on them and where they shall be thus glorified to wit on the earth when the times of the restitution of all things shall come see and consider Rom. 8. 17-18 19-21 And certainly when the Prophet David so frequently in one Psalm speaks of and assures the future happiness of the Saints in these expressions to wit Those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth The meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace Such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth The righteous shall inherit the land or earth Wait on the Lord and keep his way and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land or earth Psal 37. 4 9 11 22 29 34. In all these assertions and promises there is respect had unto the new earth and these promises shall not be compleatly fulfilled or accomplished until God according to his promise makes new Heavens and a new Earth And this will appear if we duly and diligently consider 1. The subjects of this Blessedness or persons or manner of persons unto whom it is assured that they shall inherit the earth and they are the trusters in the Lord Psal 37. 3. the waiters on him vers 9. the meek vers 11. such as be blessed of him vers 22. the righteous vers 29. such as wait upon him and keep his way vers 34. that is to say these persons as such manner of persons as waiters on the Lord meek righteous c. shall be thus blessed now certainly such manner of persons have hitherto inherited but a little part of the earth comparatively and what they have so inherited they have so done not as Saints and righteous ones but upon an humane and civil account and consideration not as sons of God but as children of men The earth hath he in this day given to the children of men Psal 115. 14-16 Therefore it appears these Promises are not yet accomplished As also further appears 2. In that this Blessedness is Prophetically spoken of and promised as future and not enjoyed in David's time no not in his old age for he was now old Psal 37. 25. And though God gave him a great name and subdued unto him his enemies round about 2 Sam. 8. and Chap. 9. and Chap. 10. Nor were these Promises fulfilled in Solomons days though then Israel had great rest and peace as it is said by the Lord to David Behold a son shall be born unto thee who shall be a man of rest and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about for his name shall be Solomon and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days 1 Chron. 22. 9 10. with 1 King 5. 4 5. Yet I say these promises were not compleatly fulfilled in his days which are mentioned in Psal 37. though they might in some first fruits for Solomon in his days and in his best days also when he wrote the Proverbs speaks as his father David had done Prophetically of these things and in much what the same language saying The upright shall dwell in the land or earth and the perfect shall remain it Prov. 2. 21. And again he saith The righteous shall never be removed to wit they shall inhabit or inherit the earth as appears by the opposition in the latter part of the verse Prov. 10. 30. Yea that these promises were not compleatly performed in Solomon's days which we have mentioned in Psal 37. nor in the days of any of the good Kings of Judah succeeding him is also evident in that our Saviour using Davids words speaks still Prophetically saying Blessed are the meek for they shall not do or have done but shall inherit the earth Mat. 5. 5. And as the Author to the Hebrews saith If Jesus or Joshua had given them rest he would not have spoken of another day there remaineth therefore a rest for the people of God Heb. 4. 7-9 So we may say If the meek and righteous had inherited the earth in Davids or Solomons days or in the times of any of the good Kings after them our Saviour our Jesus would not have spoken of a future time as he doth the performance of these promises therefore still remaineth to the people of God And yet surely in the reign of David Solomon c. the righteous had as many Halcyonian days and as much tranquillity for enjoying their religious Assemblies and worshipping God as under the Empire of Vespasian or as under the Empire of Constantine or any succeeding Emperours and more Yea that these promises were not fulfilled in Solomons days nor in Constantines nor before our days nor are yet appears most evidently in what we have yet further to add That is to say 3. When the holy ones shall compleatly inherit the
earth and as is promised in Psal 37. the wicked shall be destroyed out of it which without doubt they have not been nor are to this day see to this purpose what is said in that Psalm we are still referring to Evil doers shall be cut off but those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth for yet a little while and the wicked shall not be yea thou shalt diligently câ—nsider his place and it shall not be But the meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace Such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off The seed of the wicked shall be cut off The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell therein for ever Wait upon the Lord and keep his way and he shall exa't thee to inherit the land or earth When the wicked are cut off thou shalt see it Psal 37. 9. 11-13 22 28 29 34. And as it hath been observed so it is observable the first time Hallelujah is mentioned in the Scriptures of the Prophets is when the Psalmist thus imprecates Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth and let the wicked be no more Hallelujah or praise ye the Lord Psal 104. 30-35 And this word is only used in this Book when the destruction of Mystery Babylon is spoken of and the Holy Ghost is speaking of the destruction of all the wicked and of the reign of Christ and glorious state of the Saints After these things saith the Apostle I heard a great voice of much people in Heaven saying Alâ—elujah salvation and glory and honour and power unto the Lord our God for true and righteous are his judgments for he hath judged the great Whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornication and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand And again they said Allelujah and her smoke rose up for ever and ever And the four and twenty Elders and the four living Creatures fell down and worshipped God that sate on the Throne saying Allelujah And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude and as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty thundrings saying Allelujah for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth c. Rev. 18. and Chap. 19. 1 2 3-6 8. 9 c. And to let us know that this abundance of peace and destruction of the wicked prophesied of by David in Psal 37 c. was not accomplished in his son Solomons days therefore also he speaks of it as future as his father David had done before him saying The upright shall dwell in the land or earth and the perfect shall remain in it but the wicked shall be cut off from the earth and the transgressors shall be pluckt up or rooted out of it And again The righteous shall never be removed But the wicked shall not inhabit the earth Prov. 2. 21 22. and Chap. 10. 30. see also Isa 65. 12-15 16 17. By all which it evidently appears that the meek and righteous ones have never yet inherited the earth as it 's prophesied they shall do nor shall they so do till this world be dissolved when will be the perdition of ungodly men 2 Pet. 3. 6 7. nor until God shall make new Heavens and a new Earth as we have many times before said And then indeed they shall be blessed and reign on the earth and inherit the earth and all things Psal 41. 1 2. see Rev. 21. 1-5-7 But this will also further appear in and be confirmed by what followeth to be yet considered by us But though these Saints and all that are Christs at his coming shall reign on and inherit the earth as we have said yet it appears they shall have the land of Canaan as their inheritance in some peculiar consideration Indeed God promised unto Abraham that he should be the heir of the world and this promise was made unto or respected not Abraham only but him and his seed and that not thorow the Law but through the righteousness of faith and it is of faith that it might be by grace to the end the promise might be sure to the whole seed not to that only which is of the Law but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham who is the father of us all Rom. 4. 9-13-16 But yet the land of Canaan was by promise and Covenant assured to him for a possession in some peculiar sense even to him and his seed I mean the land of Canaan when it is made new Rev. 21. 1 5. and when it shall be as in due season it shall be an Heavenly Country Heb. 11. 13-16 see Gen. 13. 14-17 and Chap. 17. 7 8. and Chap. 26. 3 4. and Chap. 28. 13 14. 1 Chron. 16. 15-19 Object If it be said This Covenant and Promise made to Abraham concerning the land of Canaan was fulfilled when God brought his seed by Joshua into it and then and afterwards setled them in it and therefore the accomplishment thereof is not still to be expected and waited for Answ To this Objection I shall say these things 1. No doubt in some first-fruits and in part that Covenant and promise was fulfilled and accomplished then as is signified to us in what is said to wit The Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers and they possessed it and dwelt therein and the Lord gave them rest round about according to all that be sware unto our fathers There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel all came to pass Josh 21. 43 45. and Chap. 22. 4. 2. But yet iâ— doth appear that that Covenant is not compleatly fulfilled and accomplished if we consider these following particulars 1. The land of Canaan was not only promised to be given to the seed of Abraham but to himself also as the Lord said unto him I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee And I will give unto thee and to thy seed after thee the land wherein thou art a stranger all the land of Canaan Gen. 17. 7 8. and Chap. 13. 14-17 And the like also he promised unto Isaac and Jacob the heirs with him of the same promise to wit that he would give the land of Canaan unto them and to their seed Gen. 26. 3 4. and Chap. 28. 13 14. Heb. 11. 8 9. Psal 105. 8-12 But now none of these Patriarchs ever enjoyed this land which was so promised to them as Stephen saith concerning Abraham God gave him none inâ—eritance in it no not to set his foot on yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession c. Act. 7. 5. yea concerning them all it is said By faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise as in a strange country dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob the heirs with him of the
he that liveth and shall not see death shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave Selah Psal 89. 48. I have said saith God concerning Kings and Potentates of this world ye are Gods and all of you are the children of the most high But ye shall dye like men and fall like oâ—e of the Princes Psal 82. 6 7. Isa 14. 18. And when they dye they shall carry nothing away their glory shall not descend after them Psal 49. 16 17. But these holy reigners we are speaking of shall not reign till after they are raised up from the dead and so out of the first death and on such the second death hath no power Rev. 20. 4 6. And so they can dye no more death hath no more dominion over them Luk. 20. 35 36. and therefore they shall possess the kingdom for ever even for ever and ever Dan. 7. 18. Death shall never put an end to their glory as it doth to the glory and government of the high ones of this world but they shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 22. 4 6. Oh how might the consideration hereof engage us not to be desirous of vain-glory but in a patient continuance in well-doing to seek after glory and honour with immortality Rom. 2. 6 7. and to be looking not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seeâ— for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal 2 Cor. 4. 18. Oh! seek we after and set we our affection upon the things above and not on things on the earth for we are dead and our life is hid with Christ in God when Christ our life shall appear then shall we also appear with him in glory c. Col. 3. 1-4 1 Cor. 9. 25 27. And this leads us to the next enqâ—iry viz. 2. With whom shall these holy Ones so reign And to that we may say 1. They shall be and reign with Jesus Christ our Lord when sorrow had filled the hearts of his disciples because of his departure from them he then to comfort them said unto them In my fathers house are many mansions I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also Joh. 14. 2 3. And thus addresses himself to his Father in their hearing and for their encouragement and consolation Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory John 17. 24. Them that sleep in Jesus God will bring with him and the survivers of that body also for the dead shall be raised and the living changed and all shall be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall they ever â—e with the Lord 1 Thes 4. 14-17 Then all shall be gathered all that are his I mean together unto him whereever they are they shall be gathered unto him from the four winds from one end of Heaven to the other 2 Thes 2. 1. with Matth. 24 30 31. And when Christ who is their life shall appear then shall they also appear with him in glory Col. 3. 4. The Lord my God saith the Prophet shall come and all the Saints with thee Zech. 14. 4-9 and then gloriously they shall sit with him on his throne Rev. 3. 4 21. so the Apostle Paul saith It is a faithful saying for if we be dead with Christ we shall also live with him if we suffer we shall also reign with him 2 Tim. 2. 11 12. And the Apostle John saith I saw thrones and â—hey sate upon them and judgment was given unto them c. And they lived and reigned with Christ c. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years Rev. 20. 4 6. They shall not reign before or without Christ as some have fondly and groundlesly imagined but with him as in that vision of Daniel is also signified to us where first of Christ it is said I saw in the night-visions and behold one like the son of mâ—n came with the clouds of Heaven and came to the ancient of days and they brought him near before himâ— and there was given to him dominion and glory and a kingdom that all people nations and languages should serve him his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom c. And when Daniel asked one the truth of all this he told him and made him know the interpretation of the things viz. The Saints of the most high shall take the kingdom and possess the kingdom for ever c. to wit when Christ doth and with him Dan. 7. 13 14 16 18 27. And that they shall reign with Christ and be ever with him this will render their state most excellent comfortable and desirable 1 Thes 4. 17 18. Now indeed the Bridegroom is absent from them and they have great cause of mourning on that account Mat. 9. 15. Now they groan being burdened for they walk by faith not by sight But then he will see them again and their heart shall rejoice and their joy none shall take from them 2 Cor. 5. 2-9 The name of the holy City shall then be the Lord is there Ezek. 48. 35. Indeed now when they depart out of the body and are present with the Lord it is far better for them than to be at home in the body and absent from the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 5-8 Phil. 1. 23. Rev. 14. 13. But then when they are raised again and have the adoption the redemption of the body and the body and soul reunited and personally present remaining and reigning with the Lord it will be best of all Phil. 1. 20 21. 1 Thes 1. 10. when they awake to wit in the Resurrection of the righteous they shall be satisfied with Gods Image to wit with Christ who is the Image of the Invisible God and with that dominion and rule which with him they shall then receive and partake of Psal 17. 15 with Col. 1. 14 15. and Gen. 1. 26-28 And in that they shall reign with Christ this also confirms the truth of what these holy ones here say namely they shall reign on the earth to which we have spoken somewhat before for Christ shall reign on the earth I know saith Job that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth whom I shall see for my self and mine eyes shall behold Job 19. 25 27. with Zech. 14. 4 5 9. He shall sit upon the throne of his Father David which was indeed the throne of the Lord but not in Heaven but on the Earth as before we have said Psal 132. 11. with Act. 2. 30. Isa 9. 7. and 16. 5. Jer. 33. 21. Luke 1. 32. He shall judg the
people righteously and govern the nations upon earth Selah Psal 67. 3 4 7. and 82. 5 8. And all the earth is called upon to make a joyful noise before the Lord for he not goeth or sitteth in Heaven but cometh to wit down from Heaven for he cometh to judg the earth he shall judg the world with righteousness and the people with his truth Psal 96. 11 13. and 98. 4 9. and 47. Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will raise up unto David a righteous branch and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth In his days Judah the two Tribes shall be saved and Israel the ten Tribes who were then captives and so remain unto this day shall dwell safely And this is his name whereby he shall be called THE LORD OVR RIGHTEOVSNESS Jer. 23. 5 6. and Chap. 33. 14 15-17 The Lord my God shall come and all the Saints with thee And the Lord shall be King over all the earth In that day there shall be one Lord and his name one Zech. 14. 5-9 And therefore because he shall reign on the earth and they with him they also shall reign on the earth as is here with joy and rejoicing affirmed by these redeemed ones 2. And they shall reign one with another who are children of God If children then heirs heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ if so be they suffer that they may also be glorified together Rom. 8. 16 17. As they shall be gathered together unto him to Christ I mean so also one to another in a personal consideration and shall not be separated one from another any more 2 Thes 2. 1. now they are scattered one from another upon several accounts The wise and gracious sowâ—r soweth the good seed the children of the Kingdom over all his field of the world for the good of the world that by them Gods way might be known upon the earth and his saving health among all Nations Mat. 13. 24-38 with Psal 67. 1-3 And by their being thus disposed many of them never see the faces of one another in the flesh Col. 2. 1. sometimes they are scattered one from another by persecution so it is said There was a great persecution against the Church which was at Jerusalem and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea c. Act. 8. 1 3 4. Many times the wolf cometh and scattereth the sheep one from another Joh. 10. 12. Sometimes and too often they are sundred one from another by contentions strifes and animosities It is the work of sin and satan to sow discord between brethren and to separate chief friends one from another Jam. 4. 1-5 Rev. 12. 10. so it is said of these two eminently holy ones Paul and Barnabas the contention was so sharp between them that they departed asunder one from the other Act. 15. 39. And so also they are removed one from another by death Isa 38. 11. but then compleatly and gloriously there will be the congregation of the righteous when they are raised and reign with Christ Psal 1. 5. The son of man shall send his Angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds from one end of Heaven to the other Mat. 24. 31. And them that sleep in Jesus God will bring with him 1 Thes 4. 13 14. The dead shall not reign on earth before the living All these holy ones saith the Apostle having obtained a good report thorow faith received not the promise God having provided some better things for us that they without us should not be made perfect Heb. 11. 39 40. And they of Christs which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep for the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the voice of the Arch-angel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air And so shall we ever be with the Lord 1 Thes 4. 15-17 And that in this glorious reign one shall not be before or after another the Apostle signifieth when he saith I would to God ye did reign that we also might reign with you thereby giving us to understand that as they shall reign with Christ as is before said so also one with another 1 Cor. 4. 8. this honour shall all Christs Saints have together Psal 149. 4 5-9 2 Tim. 2. 11 12. Vse 1. Now from what is here said in vers 9 10. we may see what is the new song so oft spoken of in Scripture as Psal 33. 1-3 and 40. 1-3 and 96. 1. and 98. 1-4 9. and 149. Isa 42. 1-10 to wit it is that which contains the contents of the Testimony of Jesus as we have said to wit what he hath done for us sinful creatures of mankind what he is now doing and what he will do 2. Here we may also see who are the true singers of the new song such as lift up the Horâ— that Horn of Salvation which God hath raised up in the house of his servant David this Horn is the praise of all these Saints 1 Chron. 25. 3-5 with Psal 148. 14. and Luk. 1. 69. And they first render glorious the sufferings of Christ and merrily and skilfully sing of and sound forth the preciousness of his blood saying Thou wast slain c. These are they who rightly sing and make melody with grace in their hearts unto the Lord even these redeemed ones Ephes 5. 18 19. Col. 3. 16. and these are called upon to give thanks unto and praise the Lord as it is said O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good for his mercy endureth for ever let the redeemed of the Lord say so whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy and gathered them out of the lands from the East and from the West and from the North and from the South even out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation Psal 107. 1-3 with Rev. 5. 9. and Chap. 14. 2 3. 4 5. 3. From this particular branch of the new song to wit We shall reign on the earth we may see That these redeemed ones having access into the grace of God rejoice in hope of the glory to be revealed Rom. 5. 2. and Chap. 12. 11. holding fast the beginning of the confidence they also hold fast the rejoicing of the hope and have that as an anchor of the soul both sure and stedfast c. Heb. 3. 6. with vers 14. and Chap. 6. 18-20 Psal 89. 15 16. 4. The consideration of the assurance of the faith and hope of these holy ones that they shall reign on the earth may preserve us from those scoffers who say where is the promise of his comeing and strengthen us notwithstanding their scoffs to
unto your seeking first his Kingdom give you â—ood and raiment Luke 12. 22 29 30 32. Ps 84. 11 12. 6. It may comfort them in all the trials and tribulations they endure and help them to suffer paiently all afflictions and poverties here as knowing that when they are tried they shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised unto them that love him Jam. 1. 12. Heb. 11. 24 26. Luke 22. 28 29. Verse 27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron as the vessels of a Potter shall they be broken to shivers even as I received of my Father In this verse we have to consider and speak unto 1. How he shall exercise the power given him over the nations 2. What power Christ will give unto him that overcometh c. 1. How he shall exercise the power given him over the nations And this is here laid down in two branches That is to say 1. He shall rule them with a rod of iron them to wit the nations or Heathen as distinguished from the camp of the Saints and those that convert and are joyned to them as is before said on v. 26. these natitions or Heathen he shall rule with a rod or Scepter of iron namely 1. With a strong Scepter for what is of iron is said to be strong As there shall be in it the strength of iron Dan. 2. 41 42. So it is said of Behemoth His bones are as strong pieces of brass his bones are like bars of iron Job 40. 18. So it is here that which is assured to him that overcometh and keepeth Christ's works unto the end is That he shall have such power given him over the nations that he shall rule them with strong scepter as Ezek. 19. 11 14. so as they shall thereby be brought into subjection and subdued under their feet Ps 47. 3. and made to bow before them as their victors and conquerours Rev. 3. 9. The Sons of them that afflicted them shall come bending unto them and all they that despised them shall bow themselves down at the Soles of their feet c. Isay 60. 14. Then power shall be on the side of the Saints whereas it is now on the side of their oppressors Eccles 4. 1. They shall then rule the Heathen with power and strength And bind their Kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron To execute on them the judgment written This honour have all his Saints Ps 149. 8 9. And 2. He shall rule them with a rod of iron namely break them in pieces as it is said As iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things And as iron breaketh all these shall it break in pieces and bruise Dan. 2. 40. Then shall that be fully accomplished which was so long since prophetically said Arise and thresh O Daughter of Zion for I will make thy horn iron and I will make thy hoofs brass And thou shalt beat in pieces many nations c. Mica 4. 13. For behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven and all the proud yea and all that do wickedly shall be as stubble And ye shall tread down the wicked for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet c. Mal. 4. 1 2 3. Thus he that overcometh shall rule them with a rod of iron even destroy them and feed them with judgment as Ezek. 34. 16. and break them in pieces And this also appears to be the meaning of the second branch which followeth viz. 2. As the Vessels of a Potter shall they be broken to shivers that is to say 1. Easily without difficulty with a great deal of facility as the vessels of a Potter are broken with an iron-rod so then they that overcome shall have power given them with ease to break in pieces the nations 2. With an irrecoverable breach so as they shall never be made whole again as the vessels of a Potter are not when they are dashed in pieces he shall break them in pieces as the breaking of the Potters vessel that is broken in pieces he shall not spare Isay 30. 13 14. He shall break them with a rod of iron as one breaketh a Potters vessel that cannot be made whole again Jer. 19. 1 11. with an irreparable breach shall the nations be broken It 's certainly a palpable mistake to think that our Lord here speaks of the converting the nations for the contrition and conversion of the Soul is not spoken of in Scripture to be effected with an iron-rod and dashing them to pieces like a potters vessel And besides he that shal thus dash them is such an one as is not in a mortal body As we have said before on v. 26. 3. As the vessels of a Potter they the nations shall be broken to shivers that is their Breach shall come suddenly at an instant Isay â—0 13 14. when they shall say peace and safety then sudden destruction shall come upon them as travail upon a Woman with Child and they shall not escape 1 Thes 5. 2 3. And they shall be broken to shivers and dasht in peices like a Potters vessel by those that overcome when they the Saints shall be raised out of their graves and go with the lamb to the destruction of his and their Adversaries Rev. 19. 14 21. Zech. 14. 3 6. Then the Nation and Kingdom that will not serve Christ and the Children of the first Resurrection shall perish yea those Nations shall be utterly wasted Isay 60. 11 12. 2. We have next to consider what power Christ will give to him that overcometh and keepeth Christ's works to the end Even as I received of my Father this is to be joyned with the latter end of Verse 26. and the former part of this Verse is to be read as it is with us in Parenthesis and so it is thus to be read To him will I give power â—ver the Nations even as I received of my Father Now in that which Christ here affirms of himself to wit that he hath received power over the Nations is also signified what power he will give to him that overcometh all power absolute power is given to him and received by him over them and it is first received by him before it be given to the overcomer indefinitely considered and yet not actually and gloriously given to him until he was raised again nor shall be gloriously and visibly exercised in such manner as is here spoken of till God shall send us Jesus again who shall then take to him his great power and Reign Rev 11. 15 18. Nor will he thus give it to him that overcometh till he be raised again as hath been said This power Christ hath received of his Father upon the account of his Sufferings Sacrifice and Mediation as when the Psalmist speaking of his Resurrection from the dead in these words Thou art my Son this day have I begoâ—ten thee as the Fathers saying to his Son Christ and further saying