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
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
what have I to do with thee mine hour is not yet come Job 2. 4. And to his Brethren My time is not yet come but your time is alway ready Joh. 7. 6. He knowes the fittest day for every purpose and thing but this is a great part of Man's misery he knows not the opportune season Eccl. 9. 12. Or 2. On the Lords Day The Sabbath-day or day of rest that seventh part of time set apart and sanctified for more solemnly waiting upon him and thereto ceasing from our own works And this may be called the Lord's Day 1. Because at first God took up his rest in Jesus Christ our Lord and was refreshed and therefore set apart the seventh day as a token thereof had he not found out this ransome and had not Christ interposed himself and undertook to work redemption for us there had been no Sabbath for us to have observed his undertaking to do what the Father appointed to him at first and actually performing and accomplishing it in due time is the ground and reason of this days being set apart and sanctified Gen. 2. 2 3. with Heb. 4. 3 4. Exod. 31. 16 17. with Joh. 5. 19 22. Hence the Preface to all the Commandments and particularly to their remembring to keep holy the Sabbath-day was that he brought them out of the Land of Egypt which was a Type of the redemption wrought in and by Jesus Christ Exod. 20. 2 8. 2. It is the Lord's Day also that of which Jesus Christ the Son of Man is the Lord and actually so become as he hath died for us and is risen again and hath restored our loss whereby he is become the rightful Lord of all that was made for Man even for the good of Man Ps 8. 4 9. with Heb. 2. 6 9. and particularly of this Day as our Saviour saith The Sabbath was made for Man and not Man for the Sabbath therefore the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath Mat. 12. 8. Mark 2. 27 28. 3. It is the Lords Day because we should herein be exercised to the Consideration and Remembrance of what Christ hath suffered and done for us and is become that he by the Grace of God tasted Death for every Man and is risen from the Dead for their justification and is become the one and only Foundation of Faith and Hope for us poor Sinners The Stone which the Builders refused is become the head of the Corner This is the LORDS doing it is marvellous in our Eyes This is the day which the LORD hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it To such an end should this Day be set apart that we may be glad in his work in redeeming us from the curse of the Law and triumph in the works of his hands Ps 118. 2 4. Ps 92. Title and Verse 1 4. Isay 28. 12. And it is a Sign that he doth sanctifie us and shews how we may be sanctified and now be entring into rest not by works of righteousness that we have done or can do but by believing in and coming unto Jesus Christ Exod. 31. 13 14. Rom. 4. 5. Tit. 3. 4. Mat. 11. 27 28. Heb. 4. 3. Isay 58. 13. And on this Day we should be exercised unto the consideration of that rest which remaineth for the people of God which in due season Christ will give unto them Acts 3. 19 20. Heb. 4. 3 8. 2 Thes 1. 5 6. And indeed to such an end should this day be set apart and that we should do no servile work thereon for works of Piety Mercy and Necessity they are Sabbath-day works but it should not be prophaned with common and ordinary words or works Isay 58. 13. Neh. 10. 31. and ch 13. 15 22. Jer. 17. 21 27. Men may pretend to a great deal of zeal and strictness in observing it and yet not be exercised to the consideration of Christ as the ground and end of it yea they may be so far from that that they may be Enemies to him and his Gospel Joh. 5. 16 18. and ch 7. 22 23. and ch 9. 14 16. On this Day he heard this Voice which might be an encouragement and provocation to us to keep it holy and therein to remember the Lord's Death and what he hath thereby done for us and obtained and is become and the love of both Father and Son therein commended to us 3. We have an account in general given to us of what he heard on that day And heard behind me a great Voice as of a Trumpet And heard behind me like what Ezekiel saith I heard behind me a Voice of a great rushing Ezek. 3. 12. like that saying also Isay 30. 21. At such a time and in such a manner as he least expected not before him but behind him or ever he was aware he was thus unexpectedly favoured Gen. 28. 10. A great Voice as of a Trumpet So he heard also ch 4. 1 2. And before the little Book was given unto him ch 10. 3 4. Doubtless this loud Voice was to awaken him and prepare him to give earnest heed to what was spoken and to signifie the weightiness of what he was about to speak that it was no vain thing but somewhat of great importance and concernment and that which was worthy to be heard minded and considered by him and us To such end and purpose he sent out his Voice and that a mighty Voice And it behoves us all seeing the matter of what was then spoken is recorded and preserved on record that we should diligently bow down our Ears hereto and hear these words of the wise and not lightly or heedlesly pass it over as if it were not worthy our most serious meditation and consideration Verse 11. Saying I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last And what thou seest write in a Book and send it to the Seven Churches which are in Asia unto Ephesus and unto Smyrna and unto Pergamos and unto Thyatira and unto Sardis and Philadelphia and unto Laodicea In this Verse the Apostle gives unto us a more particular account of what he heard In which we have to consider 1. A description of him that speaketh I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last 2. A charge and commandment given to the Apostle In which also we have 1. The Subject matter of what he should write and send what thou seest 2. What he commands him to do with this write in a Book and send it 3. To whom unto the seven Churches which are in Asia c. 1. A Description of him that speaketh I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last The latter opens the Former as we have seen See the notes on v. 8. I am the first and the last so v. 17. ch 2. 8. and ch 22. 13. The King of Israel as is said Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel and his Redeemer the LORD of Hostes I am the first and I am the last c. Isay
are right upright ways Acts 13. 10. and so are all his walkings in his Churches and as the King of Saints as they confess just and true are thy ways thou King of Saints Rev. 15. 3 He is just and faithful in forgiving them their Sins who confess them 1 Joh. 1. 9. In justifying them and dispensing good things to them Rom. 3. 25 26. gracious is the LORD and righteous Ps 116. 5. and in all his protectings of them as for God his way is perfect He is a Buckler to all those that trust in him Ps 18. 30. Deut. 32. 4. and so the ways of his judgments are clear and free from all pollution and unrighteousness as the Psalmist acknowledged when he was judged Against thee thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest and be clear when thou judgest Ps 51. 4. All his works are truth and his ways judgment Dan. 4. 37. and so in all the administration of his Government in being merciful with the merciful shewing himself upright with the upright man and froward with the froward he is clear and without iniquity in all Ps 18. 25 30. his ways are equal and equitable in all his judgment both present and eternal as he saith Is not my way equal Ezek. 18. 24 25. and ch 33. 12 20. Hos 14. 8. and without respect of persons he judgeth according to every Man's work 1 Pet. 1. 17. 2. Like unto fine Brass or polished Brass So clear as that a Man may see himself and his ways and goings therein as a man may see his Face in fine or polished Brass and so in former times they made Looking-glasses of Brass Exod. 38. 8. Job 37. 18. So by the light of his Testimony we may see our selves and behold other things in his feet ways and walkings So we may see when a Man's ways please the LORD he maketh his Enemies to be at Peace with him Prov. 16. 7. When that good Man was ready to be offended at God's ways and doings and thought to know them it was too painful until he went into the Sanctuary and then he did see the goings of the Lord and his end therein c. Ps 73. 1 17. and 77. 6 13. His judgments and his way therein are as the light that we may search and try our ways and judge our selves that we be not further or more severely judged Lam. 3. 39 42. Hos 6. 5. 1 Cor. 11. 28 31. When Men are bound in Fetters and holden in Cords of affliction then he sheweth them their Work and their Transgressions that they have exceeded He openeth also their Ear to Discipline and commandeth that they return from iniquity Job 33. 18 28. and ch 36. 8 10. He is writing Mens Sins on his Judgments and their Punishments that they might say we have sinned and have perverted that which is right and it hath not profited us Jud. 1. 7. 1 Sam. 2. 29. 34. Job 33. 28. Hos 2. 8 9. Mica 6. 9 10. 3. Like unto Brass burning So most directly it signifieth the terribleness of his goings and doings as Ezek. 1. 7. and so in Rev. 10. 1. His Feet are said to be as Pillaâ—s of Fire he is terrible in his doings to the Children of Men Ps 66. 5. In that his Feet are said to be as if they burned in a Furnace so it denoteth the dreadfulness of his goings and so burning Coals or Diseases are said to go forth at his Feet and his ways wherein his feet walk are everlasting Habb 3. 5 6. and hereby is signified to us his terribleness in his goings in the way of his Judgments in the midst of his Churches If they Sin against him and receive his grace in vain he will visit their transgressions with a rod and their Iniquity with stripes Ps 89. 30 32. So when Christ is described Ezek. 1. 26 28. he represents himself all over like to fire and so his feet also and then the Prophet is sent to prophecy and commanded to eat a roll in which was written Lamentations and Mourning and Woe Ezek. 2. signifying the Judgments he would execute upon his Church and people Ezek. 4. 5. c. and so again in ch 9. 2. we have mention made of a Man clothed in Linnen as Christ is in Daniel ch 10. 5. marking them that did Sigh and Cry for all the abominations committed and then there was a charge given unto the executioners of his wrath to slay all that were not marked and ch 10. this Man is spoken to to fill his hand which is joyned with feet in Dan. 10. 6. and said to be as Polished brass as before is said with coals of fire Ezek. 10. 2 7. and then Judgments are threatned ch 11. 12. he is clean and pure in his goings as hath been before said and cannot endure that they amongst whom he walketh should be unclean 2 Cor. 6. 13 18. if they be he will punish them how neer soever they be unto him Amos. 3. 2 4. Ps 99. 3 8. and particularly he is angry with and will be terrible in the way of his Judgments unto those of his Churches that suffer false Prophets to come amongst them and to seduce them he will punish such false teachers and kill their Children with death and testify displeasure against those that suffer them The work of which seducers being to draw away from the Doctrine of Christ and from his works Rev. 2. 18 26. And in that his feet are such in the midst of his Churches as hath been said so it shews unto us that he is no respecter of Persons Rom. 2. 7 11. And all the Churches shall know that he will give unto every one of them according to their works Rev. 2. 23. he will not spare them that come nigh unto him if they sin against him Deut. 4. 23 27. Rem 11. 20. And it may cause us to be afraid of his judgments Ps 119. 120. Habak 3. 2 15 16. Oh that we may stand in awe and not sin against him for if we sin he will mark us and will not acquit us from our Iniquity Job 10. 14 15. and it may instruct us to hold fast what we have heard from the beginning to abide in Christs Doctrine and to keep his works and to rejoyce and walk therein Rev. 2. 18 2â— 26. and to rejoyce in him and in his salvation Habak 3. 16 18. To have and 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. And if judgment begin at and in his house what will the end of them be that know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ they shall not escape unpunished Ps 68. 20. Jer. 25. 15 29. 2 Thes 1. 5 9. 1 Pet. 4. 17 18. And his voice as the sound or voice of many waters Thus it is read in Daniel The voice
evermore Amen 2. The note of attention to mind this Behold 1. He is alive for evermore Amen even that person that died for us and was buried he is alive for evermore in that his personal body in which he bare our sins on the tree he is raised again now no more to return to corruption Act. 13. 24. He asked life of his father and he gave it him even length of days for ever and ever Ps 21. 3. and so he is become the sure mercies of David Isay 55. 3. with Act. 13. 34. he is the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever 1 Pet. 1. 23 25. He who died for us and now liveth is alive for evermore 1. As the last Adam in whom dwelleth all the fulness of grace and truth and he is and abides the fountain of forgiveness Righteousness wisdom spirit eternal life he is a quickening spirit Col. 1. 18 19 and ch 2. 9 10. Joh. 1. 14. 16. 1 Cor. 15. 45. 1 Joh. 5. 10 11. 2. He is the Bread of life who prevents the dead World with life in due season and ever lives as the receiver and maker free of all that as thus prevented come unto and follow him The Servant namely of sin abideth not in the house for ever But the Son abideth ever Joh. 8. 35 36. And him that cometh he will in no-wise cast out Joh. 6. 33 35 37. Rom. 15. 7. 3. He is alive for evermore as the High-priest This man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood a Priest hood that passeth not from him unto any other Heb. 7. 24. and as the High-priest he maketh intercession for Men he being the one and only mediatour between God and Men Isay 53. 12. 1 Tim. 2. 5. For every High-priest is taken from among Men and is ordained for Men for the good of them Heb. 5. 1. And ever liveth to make Intercession for them that come unto God by him and so is able to the uttermost Heb 7. 8 16 24 25. and ch 6. 20. and ch 7. 28. and ch 10. 12. And so he is the Saviour of all Men especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 10. 4. He ever liveth as the Author of eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him Heb. 5. 9 who is now saving them especially 1 Tim. 4. 10. Eph. 5. 23. and will save them hereafter gloriously and eternally Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting Salvation they shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end Isay 45. 17. he is Jesus Christ the anointed Saviour the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13. 7 8. 2 Tim. 2. 10. Joh. 3. 15 16. 5. He ever liveth as the Resurrection and the life Joh. 11. 25. whose voice all that are in the graves shall hear and shall come forth they that have done good to the resurrection of life and they that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation Joh. 5. 28 29. For as by Man came death by Man also came the Resurrection from the dead For as in Adam all dye so in Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. He shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the voice of the Archangel with the Trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first 1 Thes 4. 16. and all shall appear before his judgment-Seat for he is the Lord and Judg of all and to this end he both died rose and revived that he might lord it over quick and dead Rom. 14. 9 12. 2 Cor. 5. 8 10. Act 10. 42. 6. He is alive for evermore as the King who is now set upon God's holy hill of Zion Ps 2. 6. who now exercises his government graciouâ—ly and spiritually and shall hereafter rule and raign gloriously Ps 145. 11 13. and 9. 7 8. and 47. 6 8 Heb. 1. 8 11. The Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his Father David and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdom there shall be no end Luk. 1. 32 33. and the Kingdom and dominion and greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given the Prophet of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom and all nations shall serve and obey him Isay 9. 6 7. Dan. 7. 27. Amen So be it this is a faithful saying and therefore fear not 2. We have the note of attention to stir us up to mind this Behold This is of great concernment to us to take notice of attend unto and diligently to mind and consider that he who was dead is alive for evermore 1. To admonish and warn us not to reject him or slight his blood once shed and sacrifice once offered For he being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over him and therefore if we sin willingly persist so doing there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery Indignation c. Rom. 6. 9 10. Act. 13. 34. Heb. 10. 26 29. Rev. 15. 7. 2. To comfort and encourage us against our discouragements and dyings which is the end why it is spoken at this time as to say a little particularly 1. To encourage any poor sinner or any that after they have tasted the graciousness of the Lord have brought deadness upon themselves whose spirits are dead and their moisture dried up yet to come unto or return to him for he liveth and that for evermore as the fountain of life of forgiveness grace and spirit Ps 36. 6 9. hence the Prophet exhorts O Israel return unto the Lord thy God for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity and propounds this motive from the Lord to encourage and engage them so to do I am the green fir-tree from me is thy â—ruit found Though thou hast brought deadness and witheredness upon thy self yet in returning to him he will take away all thy iniquities revive and quicken thee for he still abides a quickening spirit Hos 14. 1 9. 1 Cor. 15. 45. Yea our Saviour calls upon and invites every thirster to come unto him and drink and saith He that believeth on me as the scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water Joh. 7. 37 39. and 11. 25 26. Rev. 3. 1. and 21. 6. and ch 22. 17. 2. To encourage his disciples unto all Services though they are as dead ones and have no sufficiency of themselves as of themselves yet he who liveth for ever hath promised to be with them Mat. 28. 18 20. and against all sufferings for his name sake in which the believer is as dying and appointed as a sheep to the slaughter yet he liveth and abideth for ever and is able to save them from their Sins and enemies Heb. 7. 24 26. and to raise them up again and make them partakers of a more excellent life in which the Apostles did comfort and encourage themselves 2 Cor. 4.
lay themselves open to his wrath and displeasure Jona 2. 8. Heb. 12. 15 16. what an unreasonable thing is it that any should expose themselves to the eternal wrath of God for the pleasures of sin which are but for a season Heb. 11. 25. So the wise Man saith I beheld among the simple ones I discerned among the sons a young Man void of understanding with much fair speech the whorish Woman caused him to yeild with the flattering of her lips she forced him he goeth after her straitway as an oxe goeth to the slaughter or as a fool to the correction of the stocks till a dart strike thorow his liver c. Prov. 7. 7 23. 2. It may exhort us all to depart far from this iniquity and from those that entice thereto as the holy Ghost saith hear me now therefore O ye children and depart not from the words of my mouth remove thy way far from her and come not nigh the door of her house c. Prov. 5. 3 8. and ch 7. 24 25 27. Flee fornication as one would flee from the most dangerous and pernicious thing that can be 1 Cor. 6. 18 20. Col. 3. 5 6. 3. And if any of us be guilty hereof hasten to the fountain that is opened for sin and for uncleanness Zech. 13. 1. that we may therein be washed and sanctified 1 Cor. 6. 9 10 11. Ps 51. 1 4. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper But he that confesseth and forsaketh shall find mercy Prov. 28. 13 Let us then cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord 2 Cor. 7. 1 2. 4. It is further here noted by way of commendation of this Angel and Church thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans not only thou doest them not but thou hatest them we are instructed not only to cease from but to abhor that which is evil Rom. 12. 9. this is a part of the description of the transgression of a wicked Man He abhorreth not evil Ps 36. 1 3. Oh let us not only abstain from but hate evil and to that end let us love the law of the Lord and esteem his precepts concerning all things to be right Ps 97. 10. and 119. 113 128. Rom. 6. 1 3. Ps 26. 3 4 5 Verse 7. He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the Churches To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God or of my God In this verse we have contained to be considered by us 1. A call and invitation in the former part of the verse 2. A gracious promise and powerful encouragement propounded unto and set before us 1. A call and invitation given In which we have to speak to 1. The Person called on or invited to hear He that hath an ear to hear let him hear 2. The thing every such an one is called upon to hear what the spirit saith unto the Churches 1. The person called upon or invited to hear He that hath an ear let him hear Where again consider for our usefulness 1. Who is he that hath an ear 2. Note some instructions 1. Who is he that hath an ear Surely herein is intimated to us that all Men have not an ear to hear these things for if they had it needed not to be said he that hath an ear but let every one hear But there are some that in this respect have no ear And it is said Hear ye deaf c. Isay 42. 18. and yet these are called upon and surely capacitated also to hear the more easy plain first and fundamental things in Isay 42. 1 8. and v. 19 21. God is in due time speaking to all and especially where the scriptures are vouchsafed and calling upon them to hear and enabling them to hear the first and more plain things of his law and doctrine as it is said Doth not Wisdom cry and understanding put forth her voice she standeth in the top of the high-places c. unto you O men I call and my voice is to the sons of Men hear for I will speak of excellent things and the opening of my lips shall be right things c. Prov. 8. 1 6 8 32 34. He acquaints all with the feast of â—at things which he hath in Christ prepared for all people and the means whereby it is prepared to wit by the abaâ—eâ—ent and sufferings of the Son of God in the nature of Man and â—aith Hoe every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without money and without price Hearken diligently unto me and eat ye that which is good and let your soul delight it self in fatness Incline your ear and come unto me hear and your souls shall live c. Prov. 9. 1 6. Isay 55. 1 3. Mat. 22. 3 8. and he is preventing them with power and capacity and causing the dead to hear Joh. 5. 25. and saying let every man be swift to hear Jam. 1. 18 19. Ps 49. 1. Isay 18. 3. with ch 40. 9. and 1 Cor. 14. 8. unto the worst and vilest of sinners he is preaching and proclaiming how that Christ died for their sins according to the scriptures and that he was buried that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures In which the love of God is wonderfully and everlastingly commended to us He commanded his Apostles to preach the Gospel to every creature of all the nations 1 Cor. 15. 1 4 with Mark 16. 15. But yet it is here supposed and implied that every one hath not an ear to wit to hear what is spoken and said to the Churches though yet in due time all are capacitated to hear the everlasting Gospel when and as it is preached to him Rev. 14. 6. But I conceive such an one is said to have an ear to hear those more hard and difficult things that hath received the testimony of Jesus in the first and more plain things thereof such as have heard in hearing and if they hear not those first and more easy things how shall they â—ear more mysterious things As our Saviour saith to Nicodemus If I have told you earthly things and ye believe not how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things Joh. 3. 12. They that heard the glad tidings of the Kingdom were in a capacity to hear the mysteries thereof and our Saviour therefore uses this saying when he spake in parables and saith who hath ears to hear let him hear And unto you that hear shall more be given But to them without all these things were in parable Therefore he spake to them in parables because they seeing see not and hearing they hear not neither do they understand For their â—ares were dull of hearing and their eyes they had closed Mat. 13. 9 16. Mark 4.
all but death Some such a kind of death but not another which may be more painful or shameful but nothing we may suffer should be feared as he saith I will fear none evil Ps 23. 4. And as the Apostle Paul saith none of the things I suffer move me nor do I count my life deer unto my self that I may finish my course with joy Acts 20. 24. 4 In that Christ saith fear none of those things c. And cautions against fear so he signifieth that sinful slavish fear is very hurtful and to be avoided and taken heed of by us It will hinder Men from being faithful to the death whereto this Angel and Church are counseled in the latter end of this verse It brings men into bondage to sin and Satan Heb. 2. 15. The fear of Man brings a snare Prov. 29. 25. It makes men ashamed of Christ and his words in an evil and adulterous generation and puts Men upon seeking to save their lives when they are called to lay them down 2 Tim. 1. 7 8. Mat. â—6 24 26. It weakens Men and makes them faint-hearted to good Jer. 51. 46. Zech. 8. 13. And will lay them open to temptations and snares Gen. 20. 2 11. and ch 26. 11. and even apt Men to deny Christ Mat. 26. 69 74. and will if feared and yielded up to expose Men to the wrath to come the fearful and unbelieving c. shall have their part in the lake of fire burning with brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 8. Great need we have therefore to receive this admonition and to seek help in the name of the Lord against this fear and this leads us to another Instruction namely 5. There is that contained in the Testimony of our Lord that may strengthen us against this fear of evil and they that hearken to Christ therein and heartily embrace his Gospel shall be strengthened as wisdom saith whoso hearkeneth to me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from the fear of evil Prov. 1. 33. such an one shall not be afraid of evil-tidings his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord His heart is established he shall not be afraid c. Ps 112. 6 8. Prov. 3. 21 27. Ps 27. 1 3. and 46. 1 5 6. And here particularly to encourage and strengthen their hearts against the fear of evil he thus describes himself to them in v. 8. These things saith the first and the last the omnipotent he that was and is and is to come that hath all power to help and will help and strengthen those that come unto and follow him he will be their shield and their exceeding great reward as he saith to Abram Gen. 15. 1. and ch 17. 1. Isay 41. 4 10. see notes on ch 1. v. 8. and v. 11. Which was dead he hath died for us he was delivered for our offences as if he should say what-ever you meet with I have endured the same I was dead for you In and by which death he hath satisfied for your sins and in which his love was brightly manifested look unto him Heb. 12. 1 2 3. Rom. 5. 2 3 5 6 10. Gal. 2. 20. And is alive he hath received justification for us Rom. 4. 25. overcome Death and Devil Ps 98. 1. Acts 2. 25. Isay 43. 1. with Gal. 3. 13. and hath all power to forgive sins and to comfort in all tribulations and trials and to cause all to work together for good and to deliver out of trouble fear not see notes on ch 1. v. 18. and ch 2. v. 8. 2. We have nextly to consider and speak unto the account which the first and the last gives of the things they should suffer with the end and time thereof Behold the Devil shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried and ye shall have tribulation ten days 1. Their sufferings are thus exprest The Devil shall cast some of you into prison Where again let us consider 1. The Person that should afflâ—ct them the principal agent The Devil 2. The affliction it self he should inflict on them shall cast into prison 3. The Persons whom he should cast into prison some of you 1. The Person or principal agent herein The Devil not immediately but in and by his instruments and agents and what they do in fulfilling his lusts he may be said to do and it may bear his name as it is said upon another account concerning Joseph and the Prisoners whatsoever they did there he was the doer Gen. 30. 22. so it is here whatsoever the Devils Servants do by his impulse and insâ—â—gation and in obedience to him he is the principal doer thereof whosoever committeth sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinneth from the beginning when others sin by his temptation and instigation he sinneth therein principally 1 Joh. 3. 8 12. and ch 5. 19. Job was in Satan's hand and he it was that afflicted him and impoverisht him but he did not inflict all upon him immediately but stirred up his instruments to serve his design The Sabeans fell upon the oxen and asses and took them away and slew his Servants c. And the Caldeans made out three bands and fell upon the camels and carried them away and slew his Servants with the edge of the sword c. Joh. 1. 12 15. 19. so Judas is called a Devil because he was led and acted by him Joh. 6. 70. and Christ saith to Peter Get thee behind me Satan c. he gives his name to him because he did his evil work Mat. 16. 20 23. with 1 Joh. 3. 10. and he that hateth his Brother is of the wicked one as Cain was 1 Joh. 3. 12 13. the Devil is he that is said to deceive the whole World though it is their iniquity to be deceived by him and their unbelief is that which lays them open to and fits them for being deceived by him The God of this World blinds the minds of them that believe not Rev. 12 9. and ch 20. 2 3 10. with 2 Cor. 4. 4. and Acts 13. 10. and ch 5. 3. so here The Devil shall cast some of you into prison that is he shall stir up some that are in power under the heathen Roman Emperors to imprison you and what they do as acted by him he is the doer of it and indeed those heathen powers were so ruled by Satan or the Devil that he was said to be in the throne as it were Rev. 12. 3 10. and here this evil one is called the Devil because he prevailed by his false accusations to cause the Heathen powers to persecute and imprison Christ's Servants for â—e is the accuser of the Brethren Rev. 12. 20. and so the word Devil signifies a slanderer or false accuser and so the Word in the plural number is translated slanderers 1 Tim. 3. 11 and false accusers 2 Tim. 3. 3. Tit. 2. 3. 2. The affliction it self he the devil should inflict upon them shall cast
Domitian and that the Revelation was seen by John about the end of the reign of Domitian about the year of our Lord God 97. and it might therefore be truly said Antipas was slain when this Epistle was sent to the Church in Pergamos And though Epiphanius denieth what Irenaeus saith and Eusebius approves and affirms that John was banished in the time of Claudius and was returned from his exile also in his reign yet to that we shall say 1. That â—t is very improbable and hardly to be believed because â—he Apostlei Paul out-lived Claudius and in some of his Epistles he speaks not only of his own sufferings and imprisonment but of others also as Rom. 16. 7. Col. 4. 10. Philem. 23. and acquaints the Hebrews that Timothy was set at liberty Heb. 13. 23. But never in any of his Epistles speaks on word of John's either banishment or release which surely he would have done had it been in Claudius's reign 2. Luke who wrote the Acts of the Apostles out-lived Claudius and mentions particularly what was suffered in his time by some Apostles and others as about the second or third year of Claudius his reign Herod the King stretched forth his hand to vex certain of the Church and killed James the Brother of John with the sword where we have John occasionally mentioned but not one word of his banishment or sufferings And he proceeded further to take Peter also c. Acts 12. 1 3 4. yea and the Evangelist Luke mentions the Decree made by the said Claudius in the latter end of his reign for commanding all the Jews to depart from Rome and Italy also as is probable By which decree it is said by the aforesaid Dr. John was banished and mentions Aquila and Priscillas leaving Italy upon that decree But not one word of John's being in Italy at that time nor of his being then banished into the Isle of Patmos which surely he would have done had he then been banished for John was a more eminent one in the Church than either Aquila or Priscilla and his banishment more remarkable and severe than theirs Acts 18. 2 3. 3. By that edict by which it is presumed John was banished into Patmos the Jews as Jews were commanded to depart from Rome But now John was exiled for the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ and so not because a Jew but because he was a Christian Acts 18. 2 3. with Rev. 1. 9. and both these the said Dr. affirms in which he contradicts himself see his annotations on Acts 26. 31. and and on Rev. 1. 2. and his paraphrase on Rev. 1. v. 9. and besides that decree as mentioned by Luke was only to depart from Rome or Italy also and not to depart to Patmos or any other particular place Acts 18. 2 3. 4. Why should not Irenaeus his Testimony be received assoon as yea rather than and before Epiphanius's seeing the history saith he saw Polycarpus the disciple of the Apostle John and flourished about the year of Christ 180. but Epiphanius much latter about the year 400. and seeing also according to the account given of him he was of a sound if not sounder judgment and practice than Epiphanius and if the former may not be credited much less I conceive the latter And then and however we conclude with the scripture Antipas was slain before John received this Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ But some may say to what purpose is all this and what matters it whether Antipas was slain before this Revelation was signified to John or not or whether this Revelation was received before or after the destruction of Jerusalem Ans To this I say as was before intimated It is of great consequence to know the date of these things as to our understanding the Book of this prophecy for as appears by the fore-mentioned Dr. himself and such as joyn with him who suppose John was banished in Claudius's time and then saw this Book and speaks Prophetically of Antipas his slâ—ughter are miserably mistaken in their conceptions about the contents of this Book For they conceive the seven seals respect Jerusalem and the judgments under them were executed thereupon and so that business is treated of to the end of ch 11. whereas Jerusalem was destroyed before this Book was received And what a wretched and pernicious gloss that Dr. puts upon Rev. 11. 18. by occasion of the former mistakes may be seen in his paraphrase there as if by these words thy wrath is come and the time of the dead that they should be judged was meant thy Judgments are come upon the Jewish nation And that his giving reward to his servants the prophets and to his Saints and to them that fear his name c. did signify that all the orthodox pure Christians should have days of tranquillity and peaceable profession of the Gospel and liberty of assemblies Yea and he so misdates this Book that he conceives that is spoken of Domitian ch 17. 11. whereas this Book was received in the latter end of his reign and so this Book in general is made an history which is and is frequently called a prophecy and by the former mistake that which respects mystery Babilon he applies to heathen Rome and that which respects the glorious reign of Christ and his Saints he applies to Constantine's time as to the beginning and the profession of Christianity under the Christian Emperors and a great part of the time under the Papal power also whereas taking these words Antipas was slain as they are spoken all these dangerous absurdities are avoided and we may the better come to a clear and right understanding of all these things But what we have said shall suffice to this business see notes on ch 5. v. 1. In those days wherein Antipas was my faithful Martyr or witness Herein we may observe for our instruction 1. Upon what account Antipas suffered it was as he was and because he was a witness of Christ he witnessed a good confession concerning him and so he was herein in some sort like to the Apostles though they were eye-witnesses and he was not Acts 1. 8. he was a witness of Christ's sufferings 1 Pet. 5. 1. and also of his resurrection This was that he was a witness of and martyr for So the Prophets testified before-hand of Christ Acts 10. 43. 1 Pet. 1. 10 11. and the Apostles were witness of him Acts 5. 32. Antipas did not suffer as an evil-doer or as a busy-body in other means matters 1 Pet. 4. 16. Rev. 13. 10. nor for contending about or for indifferent or circumstantial things Rom. 14. 1 22. Nor was he his own witness he made it not his business to exalt or speak highly of himself as evil ones do Isay 44. 9. 2 Cor. 11. 20 21. see the notes on Rev. 1. v. 9. But he was a witness of Christ and a confessour of his word and Gospel and so he was like them
destruction of such vile ones and that he hath no pleasure at all in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his ways and live as he hath both said and sworn Ezek. 18. 23 31 32. and ch 33. 11. And it might also move and prevail with us to be like-minded after his example even to love our enemies to bless them that curse us to do good to them that hate us and to pray for them which despitefully use us and persecute us that we might be the Children and imitaters of him Mat. 5. 44 46. Prov. 29. 10. 4. We have here also propounded to us the end why he gave her space viz. To repent of her fornication not to continue in her sin but to turn there from unto him The goodness of God leadeth to repentance Rom. 2. 4. he is long-suffering because he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9 15. It is not in favour to mens sins but in love to their Souls that he forbears them Ezek. 18. 31 32. And therefore he calls upon us to turn unto the Lord because he â—â— gracious and merciful slow to anger and of great kindness c. Joel 2. 11 13. It is therefore an abuse of God's goodness and patience to think and conclude that he delighteth in sin or likes our evil ways because he is long-suffering to sinners Mal. 2. 17. Ps 50. 17 22. And yet how often do Men thus pervert what is right Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily therefore the hearts of the Sons of Men are fully set in them to do evil Eccles 8. 11. Mat. 24. 48 49. Rom. 6. 1 2. 2 We have an acccount given unto us of Jezabel's continued evil notwithstanding such space of repentance was given to her And she repented not or and she would not repent from whence we may note 1. That those to whom he is long-suffering and that to a gracious end may abuse his goodness and frustrate to themselves his gracious end and cordial intention towards them therein they whom the goodness of God leadeth to repentance may after their own hardness and impenitent hearts treasure up to themselves wrath against the day of wrath Rom. 2. 4 5. when he hath been patient towards them and during his patience hath been calling them and stretching forth his hand to them yet they may refuse and give no due regard but either reject his grace or turn it into wantonness Prov. 1. 20 24 28. They whom he would convert and is converting may not be converted as it is said We would have healed Babilon but she was not healed Jer. 51. 8 9. They may either willingly wink with the eye and say our ways are good and equal and so abuse his goodness as to conclude their innocency because he is long-suffering to them Jer. 2. 35 37. or because he is silent towards them and holds his peace they may think he is altogether such an one as themselves Ps 50. 17 21 22. or they may say where sin abounded grace abounded much more let us then sin and continue in sin that grace may still abound and be magnified and God's righteousness and mercy be more abundantly commended and illustrated in still pardoning and forgiving our transgressions Rom. 3. 5 8. and ch 5. 21. with ch 6. 1. or they may think their state is so fixed and that they are the subjects of such immutable and unchangeable love that God will still be merciful to them and continue them in his favour though they kill steal commit adultery swear falsly and burn incense to other Gods Jer. 7. 4 8. of which dangerous and presumptuous thoughts the Lord warns saying Lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood And it come to pass when he heareth the words of this curse or oath which the Lord made with them that he might establish them for a people to himself that he blest himself in his heart saying I shall have peace though I walk in the imagination or stubbornness of mine heart to add drunkeness to thirst c. Deut. 29. 18 20. with v. 13. Rom. 11. 20 22. or at last they may come to such an height of stubbornness and impudence as to say we will do what is good in our own eyes or whatsoever goeth forth out of our own mouths Jer. 44. 3 5. 16. and ch 6. 16 17. need we have therefore to exhort one another and be exhorted one by another daily while it is called to day lest any of us be hardned thorow the deceitfulness of sin Heb. 3. 12 13. 2. That this was Jezabel's iniquity that she repented not or would not repent she might have so done in the light and strength of God's grace for though no man hath power or sufficiency in and of himself to do or think any thing that is spiritually good yet while God is patient towards and calling upon Men he also stretcheth forth his hand unto them to inable them unto what he requireth of them Prov. 1. 22 23 24. Mica 2. 7. while he gives space of repentance he also giveth the grace of repentance to them his grace doth bring salvation to all Men Tit. 2. 11. 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. Acts 26. 18 22. God hath exalted Christ with his right hand a Prince and Saviour for to give repentance and forgiveness of sins even unto rebellious ones also Acts 5. 31. And it is therefore their own sin and wilful iniquity who repent not while God suffereth long and is kind towards them hence our Saviour did upbraid some because they repented not Mat. 11. 20 22. and ch 12. 41. and thus reproves the chief Priests and Pharisees and saith The Publicans and the harlots believed John But ye when ye had seen it repented not afterwards that ye might believe him they had the same means and grace vouchsafed and it was therefore their own wilful iniquity that they did not repent also Mat. 21. 31 32. Verse 22. Behold I will cast her into a bed and them that commit Adultery with her into a great tribulation except they repent of their deeds Here the Son of God denounceth and threatneth judgment against Jezabel and her companions except they repented Where consider we 1. This commination or threat is ushered in with this note of attention to his Angels and Churches Behold In which he speaks not to Jezabel but unto this Angel and Church and unto all the Churches and so he would give us to understand That it is good and needful for Christ's Servants and so for the Lords people to consider the judgments which he threatneth or executeth upon evil doers to the end they may receive admonition and turn away from any evils that are reproved in them To wash their feet their goings and affections in the blood of the wicked Ps 58. 10 1â— and 64. 7 10. And it will be an aggravation of
his peoples evil if when they see God's hand lifted up against other they fear not so as to depart from iniquity Jer. 3. 7. I have saith the Lord cut off the nations their towers are desolate c. I said to his own nation surely thou wilt fear me thou wilt receive instruction Zeph. 3. 5 8. Amos 4. 10 11. 2. We have next to consider his threatning of judgment and that 1. Against Jezabel for she was the principal evil-doer I will cast her into a bed Bed is not here to be taken for a place of refreshing and comfort as many times it is elsewhere Job 7. 13. But for a sick-bed as it were a bed of languishing sorrow and affliction Ps 41. 3. So as she should be chastened with pain upon her bed and the multitude of her bones with strong pain as Job 33. 19 21. so usually sick diseased or lame persons were laid upon beds and are so still Mark 2. 4 9. and ch 6. 55. and so it is as if our Lord Jesus should say I will smite her with great diseases and afflictions and make her keep her bed and hinder her from going about to injure others whom you suffer to teach and seduce my Servants and this he would do to a gracious end both unto her self and others also while it is the day of his grace and long-suffering Job 33. 19 21 29 30. Or I will cast her into a bed even cut her off from the land of the living and send or cast her into the grave where she shall lye and sleep a-bed in the midst of the slain as it is said in Ezek. 32. 24 25. 2 Chron. 16. 14. Or I will cast her into a bed namely into Hell whereinto all the wicked and so all fornicators and wicked teachers and seducers shall be turned except they repent of their deeds Ps 9. 17. so we read of A Bed in Hell Ps 139. 8. And all liers shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 8. 2 Pet. 2. 1 4. Now in that he saith I will cast her into bed we may learn 1. That the Father hath committed unto Christ all judgment and he hath authority to execute judgment both now and for ever Because he is the Son of Man Joh. 5. 22 27 29. all afflictions and death it self are his he hath the keys of Hell and Death see the notes on ch 1. v. 18. he doth rebuke and chasten Rev. 3. 19. and ch 14. 14. 1 Cor. 11. 32. And therefore we should fear before him Ps 2. 10 12. and seek help of him when we are in afflictions and lift up our hearts with our hands unto him in the Heavens Lam. 3. 37 40. Mat. 9. 2 6. and in so doing he who hath torn will heal us he who hath smitten will bind us up Hos 6. 1 2. 2. That many times the Lord writes Mens sins upon their punishments see the notes before on v. 16. The fornicatours commit their sins upon beds hence the whorish Woman saith I have deckt my bed with coverings of tapestry with carved works with fine linnen of Aegypt I have perfumed my bed with myrrh Aloes and cynamon come let us take our fill of love c. Prov. 7. 16 18. so it is said of Israel The Babilonians came to her into the bed of love and they defiled her with their whoredoms Ezek. 23. 17. and here he threatens he will cast this adulteress into a bed even into everlasting destruction in conclusion if she did not repent Rev. 14. 8 10. and ch 16. 4 5 6. and ch 18. 16. 3. We may here take notice of his great displeasedness with fornicatours even with spiritual fornicatours also who persist in such abominable iniquity he will not spare them but will execute judgment on them and send them them to hell if they turn not therefrom idolaters shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 8. and ch 22. 15. their feet go down to death their steps take hold on hell Prov. 5. 5. be we therefore admonished to flee from idolatry 1 Cor. 10. 14. 20. 4. When he cometh to execute judgments and when there is wrath he will begin with them that have enticed and deceived others and punish them most severely so God threatens to deal severely with mystery Babilon because by her sorceries she did deceive all nations and the inhabiters of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication Rev. 17. 2 3 5. and ch 18. 2 6 17 23. and the Lord in former times threatens that his hand shall be upon the Prophets that see vanity because even because they seduced his people Ezek. 13. 8 10. and the Apostle Peter saith of those false teachers who privily brought in damnable heresies that their judgment lingred not and that their damnation slumbred not and that for them the mist or blackness of darkness was reserved for ever 2 Pet. 1. 3 15 17. Jude 8 13. as their work hath been to corrupt and destroy others so their end shall be according thereto 2 Cor. 11. 1 13 15. Rev. 11. 18. 2. The Son of God doth also threaten judgment against Jezabell's companions and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation here he openeth to us what was meant and intended before by Bed to wit great tribulation in which Jezabel that seduced them shall share first but not only For they that partake of her sins shall also partake of her plagues Rev. 18. 4. he will cast into great tribulation those that commit adultery with her even spiritual adultery also with stocks and stones Jer. 3. 9. and ch 13. 27 and ch 23. 13 14. And thus will he deal with them whoever or what-ever they be who defile themselves with her though they be the greatest and most honourable in the World Rev. 17. 2. and ch 13. 27. and ch 19. 18 21. or though any of his Servants or Children turn aside unto folly and commit fornication he will not spare them but will abhor his Sons and daughters because of such provokings Deut. 32. 17 18 19. They shall know that he searcheth the reins and hearts and will give unto every one of them according to their works v. 23. Thus the Lord saith unto his people in former times Take heed to your selves lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God and make you a graven image the likeness of any thing which the Lord thy God hath forbidden thee For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire even a jealous God he will utterly destroy you if ye be guilty of such-like iniquity Deut. 4. 15 26. If ye forsake the Lord and serve strange Gods then he will turn and do you hurt and consume you after he haâ—h done you good Josh 24. 19 20. he will cast them that commit Spiritual adultery into great tribulation both now
reins and hearts according to the scope of â—his pâ—ace â—er 32. â—â— Aâ—â— the end of seducers and of those that have been seduced and polluted by them shall be according to their works 2 Cor. 11. 15. and ch 5. 10. Verse 24 and Verse 25. But unto you I say and unto the rest in Thyatira as many as have not this Doctrine and which have not known the depths of Satan as they speak I will put upon you none other burden But that which ye have already hold fast till I come In these two verses our Saviour after he had declared how he would deal with Jezebel and her Paramours and Children and what effect these judgments he would execute upon them should have upon the Churches c. v. 20 23. here addresses himself to them who had kept themselves unspotted from their pollutions Wherein note in Generall That when Christ is angry with and threatens evil Men and seducers and such evil ones in his Churches as are polluted by them or have fellowship in any unfruitful work of darkness yet still he hath love for and speaks friendly and kindly unto those whose hearts are upright before him and â—ound in his testimonies he is not like unto us when some have displeased us we are apt to be angry with all but when he is angry with evil speakers and doers and though he gives a dreadful description of himself v. 18. yet he is still graciously affected towards and speaks gently and loveingly unto those who who keep themselves pure So it appears here in these two verses and in what follows presently so also in ch 3. 2 4. when he saith to the Angel and Church in Sardis generally I have not found thy works perfect before God And threateneth If thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee yet then presently he speaks to the hearts of such as were perfect before God Thou hast a few names which have not defiled their garments anâ— they shall walk with me in white for they are worthy so when he had been declaring the great iniquities and transgressions of his people in former times and threatning heavy judgments against them therefore yet then he chargeth his servants say unto the righteous that it shall be well with him for they shall eat the fruit of their doings Isay 2 and ch 3. 1 10. and when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah c. he remembred Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow Gen. 19. 29. 2 Pet. 2. 9. how might this therefore engage us so to receive his grace that bringeth salvation to all men that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we may live soberly righteously and godly in this present World considering in so doing he will receive us and will be a Father to us how angry soever he be with others 2 Cor. 6. 14 18. and how may it comfort those who are upright-hearted and strengthen them not to fear though the earth be moved and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea for God will be their refuge and strength and will never leave them nor forsake them however angry he be with or how much soever he threatneth and punisheth others amongst whom they live see notes on ch 3. v. 4. more particularly in these two verses we have to consider and speak unto these things 1. The persons unto whom he speaketh kindly 2. What he saith and speaketh unto these Persons 1. The Persons unto whom he now speaketh kindly And they are thus described to us by way of distinction from and opposition unto those fore-spoken of But unto you I say and unto the rest in Thyatira as many as have not this Doctrine and which have not known the depths of Satan as they speak Vnto you I say These persons are distinguished from those that follow and it appears that hereby are meant those that went before this Church their Ministers Bishops or overseers for in the beginning of every Epistle Christ directs himself to the Angel as we have said and seen before and though the word Angel be used in the singular number to denote the unity that ought to be in them in the faith of Christ and profession thereof yet there might be and it doth appear plainly by this expression there was more than one Minister over the Churches see notes on ch 1. v. 20. so when the Apostle writes to the Church of the Philippians at Philippi he thus directs it To all the Saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi with the Bishops c. As signifying to us they had more than one Bishop or overâ—eer over that Church Phil. 1. 1. and so it appears there were several in the Church of Ephesus Acts 20. 17. with v. 28. see also Tit. 1. 5. and so Servants in one Evangelist is Servant in another Mat. 22. 4. with Luke 14. 17. Ps 34. 7. it appears evidently enough in this place that there was more then on single person in each Church to watch over it as also where it is said when Paul and Barnabas had ordained them not one elder in every Church but elders in every Church c. Acts 14. 23. and so undoubtedly it appears there was more than one Elder in a Church by what the Apostle James saith Is an sick among you let him call for the elders of the Church and let them pray over him And unto the rest in Thyatira namely to the residue of the Believers in that Church who were not in such office as those before spoken of were Which have not this doctrine To wit of Jezabel that evil pernicious doctrine Some were preserved and kept themselves pure from her polluting and pernicious Doctrine while others were defiled therewith see the notes on ch 3. v. 4. so when the Apostle Paul saith The Spirit speaketh expresly that in the last days some will depart from the Faith giving heed to seducing Spirits c. 1 Tim. 4. 1. he signifieth to us that all the believers would not do so Some would not follow those strangers who came to remove them and did remove others from the grace of Christ unto another Gospel and these shall judge those that transgresâ— and abide not in the doctrine of Christ And he directeth Timothy and us all how we may be preserved from erroneous Spirits saying Take heed unto thy self and unto the doctrine continue in them for in doing this thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee 1 Tim. 4. 16. 2 Tim. 3. 13 14 15 16. 1 Joh. 2. 24 25 26. And which have not known the depths of Satan as they speak In this he giveth us to understand 1. That they had depths in their evil and abominable doctrines as they called them so they spake and boasted of mysterious things which they thought were not easily or readily understood by others they had cunningly devised fables and might
already so he intimates to us that Satan and his Instruments more generally and more particularly false teachers would pluck away Christ's Gospel from us if possibly they could Mat. 13. 19. Luke 8. 12. Acts 13. 8 10. â—need therefore we have to take fast hold of Instruction and not let it go to keep it for it is our life and to hold it fast till he come that being faithful unto death we may in due season receive the Crown of Life Prov. 4. 13. and ch 7. 1 5. See the notes on Chap. 3. Verse 3. and Verse 11. Verse 26. And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give power over the Nations In this Verse and the two following we have great and gracious promises propounded to and set before this and the rest of the Churches and which every one that hath an Ear is called upon to hear Wherein consider we 1. The subject of that which is here and afterwards promised 2. That which is promised and assured unto every such an one 1. The subject of that which is here and afterwards promised And he that overcometh See the notes before on Verse 7. and on Chap. 3. Verse 5. And keepeth my words unto the end His Work is honourable and glorious and his Righteousness endureth for ever He hath made his wonderful works to be remembred Psal 111. 2 3 4. The works of Christ which are to be kept by us unto the end are 1. The works which he hath wrought and accomplished for us in his own personal body which the Father prepared for him his personal abasement and sufferings wherein he humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the cross Phil. 2. 6 8. of which he saith as to his suffering work on earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do Joh. 17. 4. and whereby he hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us Gal. 3. 13. purged away the guilt of our first sin and sinfulness from before the presence of God Heb. 1. 3. 1 Joh. 3. 5. Abolished and overcome that first death which was the wages of that first sin and sinfulness and delivered us in himself from it 1 Cor. 15. 57. 2 Tim. 1. 10. 2 Cor. 1. 10. and hath destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Devil For this purpose was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil and he hath done the work which the Father sent him to do he hath bound the strong Man cast out the prince of this world Heb. 2. 14. 1 Joh. 3. 8. Joh. 12. 31. he hath taken out of the way all that was in it contrary to us Oh that Men would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the Children of Men For he hath broken the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron in sunder Ps 107. 15 16. and he hath by his blood in the vertue whereof he is raised again obtained eternal redemption Heb. 9. 12. a restoration of our nature in his person into the image of God and so into perfect innocency integrity and immortality and into dominion over the works of God's hands and recovered our loss into himself having obtained for us the forgiveness of our personal sins Acts 13. 38 39. brought in everlasting righteousness Dan. 9. 24. Ps 98. 1 3 4. received the immeasurable fulness of the Spirit that he might bring forth judgment to us Gentiles Joh. 3. 24. Isay 42. 1. and ch 11. 1 3. and is possessed of eternal life in our nature for Man-kind 1 Joh. 5. 10 11. In him God hath blessed us with all Spiritual blessings in Heavenly things In whom it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell Eph. 1. 3. Col. 1. 19. and ch 2. 6 10. These works which he hath wrought accomplished for us should always be kept in memory by us that we might be glad thorow his work and triumph in the works of his hands in which his loving-kindness is wonderfully manifested to us Ps 92. 1 4 5. and 40. 5 8. and 118. 22 25. 2. And the works which he is now doing both in Heaven with the Father for us in which he is the one and only mediatour between God and Men making intercession for transgressors 1 Tim. 2. 5. Isay 53. 12. and ever liveth to make intercession for them that come to God by him as their advocate Heb. 7. 24 25. and ch 9. 14 15. 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. And what he is doing from Heaven in the name of the Father and fulness of the anointing of the holy Spirit to us as a Testimony of God's goodness to all Men in their proper seasons and ages And as the Apostle of the Believers profession 1 Tim. 2. 6. Heb. 3. 1. 3. And what he will do hereafter viz. give rewards to his Servants the Prophets and to his Saints and them that fear his name small and great and destroy them that destroy and corrupt the earth Rev. 11. 17 18. Isay 45. 16 17. 23 25. These are to be held fast and kept in faith and hope and to be rejoyced in at all times by us And he that doth truth cometh to the light that his works may be made manifest that they are wrought in God Joh. 3. 21. Isay 26. 12. and these works of his are to be kept in our mouths and to be declared to others also that they knowing them may come unto him and put their trust under the shadow of his wings accoring to that Give thanks unto the Lord call upon his name make known his deeds among the people sing unto him sing Psalms unto him talk of all his wondrous works 1 Chron. 16. 8 9. Ps 105. 1 5. declare among the people his doings Ps 9. 11. and 77. 12. Isay 12. 14. And also by Christ's works are meant what he worketh and effecteth in us by his Gospel the work of Faith and labour of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ c. 1 Thes 1. 3 5 6. for the Gospel being heartily received worketh effectually in them that believe 1 Thes 2. 13. he it is that worketh all our works in us and perfects what concerns us even by his Gospel which is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth Isay 26. 12. Ps 138. 8. with Rom. 1. 16. his works even these works of his also are to be held fast by us to the end until we come to lay down our lives Mat. 10. 22. that we may dye in the Faith Heb. 11. 13. Rev. 14. 13. Now herein is intimated and signified to us 1. That the works of Christ as declared in and effected by his Gospel may be kept by us unto the end notwithstanding all opposition whatsoever for he is faithful by whom we have been called to the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord 1 Cor. 1. 8 9. 1
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
troubles and afflictions he met with for the Gospels sake saying ye are they which have continued were with me in my temptation Luke 22. 28. See also 1 Cor. 10. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 6. Rev. 2. 10. And indeed persecution is a great trial and temptation to them that endure it especially when it is sharp because of the Flesh in us no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous Heb. 12. 11. And it is that we would avoid if we could we would not suffer for Christs sake Joh. 21. 18. We naturally love ease and freedom from affliction and therefore to the taking up our Cross we must first deny our selves and hate our lives Mat. 16. 24. Mark 8. 34. Luke 9. 23. and ch 14. 26 27. And in such a time Satan and his Instruments are endeavouring to move us from the faith by temptations and inticements 1 Thes 3. 5. Heb. 2. 8. as it is said of those worthies in former times they were stoned they were sawn asunder they were tempted c. when they dealt cruelly with them and threatened more grievous things to them they proferred deliverance to them if they would forsake their way and God Heb. 11. 35 37. Jam. 1. 12 13. When our Lord Jesus was in great affliction then the Prince of this World set upon and thrust sore at him that he might fall though he had nothing in him Joh. 14. 30. Ps 118. 10 13. And this is a time of temptation to others also Satan then endeavours to move the Believers who are not under persecution because their Brethren are so hardly dealt with 1 Thes 3. 1 3 5. And to hinder others and put them further off from the Gospel Persecution is called the offence of the Cross Gal. 5. 11. And wo to the World because of such offences Mat. 18. 6. When the Beast opened his mouth in Blasphemies against God to blaspheme his Name and his Tabernacle and them that dwell in Heaven and it was given to him to make War with the Saints and to overcome them then all that dwell upon the Earth shall worship him Rev. 13. 6 8. Then men generally that they may avoid persecution and enjoy their liberties and the things here below take offence at the Gospel and separate from if not turn adverse to such as are Christs Disciples Mat. 24. 9 10. 1 Cor. 4. 9 13. Ps 102. 6 8. 2. Or by this hour of temptation may also be meant a time of falling away from the Faith whether by occasion of persecution as on that account many fall away as our Saviour saith to his Disciples Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you and ye shall be hated of all nations for my names sake and then many shall be offended and shall betray one another c. Mat. 24. 9 10. Or also in and by false Teachers many of whom went out from the true Believers and were themselves corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus Acts 20. 30. 1 Joâ— 2. 19. and did also deceâ—ve and corrupt others and endeavour to remove them from the Grace of Christ unto another Gospel or Doctrine and too many are deceived by them and follow their pernicious ways by reason of whom the way of truth is evil spoken of Gal. 1. 6 8. 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. Thus it was said in former times when false Prophets did arise c. The Lord their God did try them c. Deut. 13. 1 3 4. And the Prophet Daniel saith Some of them of understanding will fall to try by them Dan. 11. 35. Mat. 24. 5 11. And in the Apostles days the mystery of iniquity did begin to work 2 Thes 2. 3 7. 1 Tim. 4. 1 2. 2 Tim. 3. 12. And this is also a time of temptation And both these may be called An hour of temptation 1. Not as Hour is taken strictly for the twelth part of a day so it is sometimes taken as Christ saith Are there not twelve hours in the day Joh. 11. 9. so we read of the third hour of the day to wit nine in the morning Acts 2 15. and the nineth hour of the day viz. three in the afternoon c. Acts 3. 1. But 2. By the Hour here spoken of may be meant some indefinite time of a long continuance as to us so the word hour doth signify and comprehend the whole time from Christ's ministration to the end of the World Joh. 4. 21 23. and ch 5. 25. and the time of the resurrection of the dead and judgment is called an hour though it doth contain above a thousand yeers Joh. 5. 28 29. with Rev. 20. 4 11. and so the hour here spoken of though it be determined by God and will have an end yet might be of long duration in our account and may continue or however such an one may so do more or less till the end of this World 1 Joh. 2. 18. 2. The extent of this hour is also signified to us by our Saviour viz. which shall come upon all the World the habitable part of it which was then under the Roman heathen Emperours Luke 2. 1. and in which generally there were some in all parts that had received the Faith of the Gospel of Christ In this World here spoken of the Gospel was preached before the destruction of Jerusalem according to our Saviours prediction Mat. 24. 14. And consequential hereto this hour of temptation is permitted and ordered to try Men as here follows And so indeed it is the usual way or order of God in permitting and ordering trials namely so to do after means of grace have been vouchsafed and the Gospel preached unto them 1 Thes 3. 3 5. And as he Prophesies that this hour of temptation should come upon all the World so therein he gives us to understand That he is the orderer of the hour of temptation and of all instrumental thereto And whether it shall come to one place or another or whether generally As the Assyrian was the rod of his anger and the staff in their hand his indignation whom he sent against an Hypocritical nation and against the people of his wrath c. Isay 10. 5 6. so all are his Servants Ps 119. 91. The Lord hath made all things for himself yea even the wicked for the day of evil Prov. 16. 4. And when Men receive not the love of the truth that they might be saved for this cause he sends them strong delusion that they should believe a lye 2 Thes 2. 10 11 12. 3. The end why this hour of temptation should come upon all the World and that is To try them that dwell upon the earth where let us consider 1. The Persons to be tried 2. The end it self 1. The Persons whom this hour should come to try Them that dwell upon the earth Whereby may be signified to us either 1. Such as in their hearts dwell upon the earth for so the Phrase is generally
shall be put upon the victors and conquerors as the name of the Husband is upon the wife and so as his name shall be called the Lord our righteousness so this is the name wherewith she the Church shall be called the Lord our righteousness compare Jer. 23. 6. with ch 33. 16. Rev. 19. 7 8. Or as the Lord saith thou shalt be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord shall name thou shalt no more be termed forsaken neither shall thy land any more be termed desolate But thou shalt be called Hepzi-bah that is my delight is in her and thy land Beulah that is married for the Lord delighteth in thee and thy land shall be married Isay 62. 2 4. A name better then of Sons and Daughters Isay 56. 15 16. all this will he write upon them that overcome who hath the writers inkhorn by his side spoken of Ezek. 9. 2 4 11. and this honour shall all his Saints have Hallelujah Ps 149. see the notes before on ch 2. v. 17. Verse 14. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches see the notes before on ch 2. v. 7. Verse 13. And unto the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write see the notes before on ch 2. v. 1. These things saith the Amen the faithful and true witness the begininng of the creation of God We have from the beginning of this verse to the latter end of the eighteenth verse spoken in a Treatise called Needful Counsel and therefore might forbear to speak anything hereto But because these notes may be some-what uniform possibly some may read or hear these that have not that or a time or heart to do it therefore I shall more briefly write over again somewhat of that which is fore-printed in that book These things saith the Amen Thus our Lord begins to describe himself to this Angel and Church he is the Amen to wit he in whom all the promises of God are yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. ratified confirmed and sealed even by his precious blood which is the blood of the new Testament and everlasting covenant Mat. 26. 28. Heb. 10. 29. and ch 13. 20. Those great and precious promises ministred in the Gospel which pertain to life and godliness yea in which are contained and given all things for this life and that to come are not only assured by the word of God and confirmed by his oath which yet are two immutable things in which it is impossible for God to lye and therefore might quicken and encourage lukewarme ones to flee for refuge to lay hold on that hope set before them But also they are actually made firm by the blood of the Testator who is also in the vertue thereof raised and as the fore-runner entred into Heaven and is the mediatour of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions uâ—deâ— the first Testament they which are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance he mediateth and makes intercession for the taking away the iniquities of those that come unto God by him and that the contents of that â—ovenant may be dispenced to them according to their needs and capacities God hath promised and Christ hath actually said and is the Amen to them Rev. 1. 18. Heb. 8. 6. and 9. 15. It may seem in that Jesus Christ doth first describe himself by this title of the Amen that these lukewarme ones did not keep in believing remembrance the promises and the firmeness and immutability of them and certainty of their performance according to the tenour of them being ratified by such precious blood and ascertained by such a faithful and true witness and therefore they grew sluggish remiss and indifferent and there was great abatement of their former â—ervency either fearing they should be left in sufferings or not provided for or dispenced unto according to their wants and therefore to recover them he telleth them his name is the Amen The consideration hereof is powerful to stir up to diligence and to recover us from our decays to cause us that we shall not be slothful but diligent followers of them who thorow faith and patience inherit the promises Heb. 6. 10 20. To strengthen us to hold fast the profession of our Faith without wavering and â—o consider one another to provoke to love and good works not forsaking the assembling of our selves together Heb. 10. 22 25. To engage us to come out from among Men and to be separate and not to touch the unclean thing But to cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and Spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 6. 16 18. and 7. 1. If these exceeding great and precious promises given to the Apostles to minister and ministred by them in and with the glorious Gospel be in us received and entertained by us and abound if they be suffered to dwell richly in us and to have their perfect work so as we limit them not nor hold them in unrighteousness they make us that we shall not be idle or â—nfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they will provoke us to flee from and escape the corruption that is in the World thorow lust and besides giving all diligence thereto they will enable and stir us up to add to our Faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness Brotherly kindness and to brotherly-kindness charity To these things will these precious promises confirmed by such precious blood enliven and quicken us if they be suffered to dwell richly in us For hereby we shall be made partakers of the divine nature 2 Pet. 1. 4 9. Oh exercise we our selves to godliness to Christ who is the root and foundation of godliness for it is profitable to all things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4. 8. with ch 3. 16. How effectual were the promises with the partriaâ—chs in former times when they were not so confirmed as now to make them forsake their country kindred and Fathers house To confess themselves strangers and pilgrims on earth c. These believed caused Abraham the Father of the faithful not to consider his own body now dead neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb But was strong in Faith giving glory to God and being fully perswaded that what God had promised he was able to perform and therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him but for us also to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him who hath performed the promise made to the Fathers in raising Christ from the dead who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification Gen. 12. 1 3. Heb. 11. 13 16. Rom. 4. 16 25. with Acts 13.
Joh. 2. 8. His word was always true but the truth of it is now made more apparent in the preaching of the Gospel according to the Revelation of the Mystery His Record is true concerning all things there is no lye of it but he is a true witness in what he speaketh of God the Father himself the work of the Spirit Mankind Sin Righteousness Judgment Life Death and of what he is become and hath for us Gold tried in the Fire White Rayment and of the loathsomness of this Lukewarmness to him These things saith he who is holy he who is true Rev. 3. 7. He is true and worthy to be listened unto and believed by us in all his declarations promises discoveries requirings instructions reproofs threats c. a faithful and true witness who will not lye one who is faithful to the interest of our Souls Prov. 14. 5. A true witness who delivers Souls from their Transgressions wandrings lukewarmnesses who hath power to deliver from Sin Satan Fears Evils Dangers yea from the Wrath to come and is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him Prov. 14. 25. 1 Thes 1. 10. Heb. 7. 24 25. The beginning of the creation of God He is before all things and by him all things consist Col. 1. 17 18. The beginning both of the first and old Creation And that both 1. In giving a being to it when before it had none It was God's creation but made by him God created all things by Jesus Christ Eph. 3. 9. He is the Creator of the ends of the Earth that faints not neither is weary there is no searching of his understanding By him were all things created visible and invisible All things were created by him and for him Col. 1. 16. He knows how and hath understanding to help us when we are faint dead dry decaying He gives power to the faint and to them that have no might he increaseth strength Isay 40. 27 29. Ah Lord God saith the Prophet behold thou hast made the Heaven and the Earth by thy great power and stretched out arm and there is nothing too hard for thee Jer. 32. 17. What cannot he do that created all things And all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made Joh. 1. 1 3. He can restore heat and health and heal us of our wounds and cure our loathsome distempers when our bruise is incurable and wound grievous and we have no healing Medicines nor is there any to plead our cause that we may be bound up Jer. 30. 12 17. 2. And he is the maker of the creation of God when it was marred by Mans seeking out â—oolish inventiâ—ns The Earth and all the Inhabitants thereof were dissolved He beareth up the pillars thereof Ps 75. 3. He upholds all things by the word of his power Heb. 1. 3. The World was made by him preserved from perishing and upheld when it was marred spoiled and dissolved by the iniquity of Mankind Joh. 1. 10. And therefore though you have destroyed your selves and deserve to be rejected and cast off and out from his presence and favour for ever yet in him is your help neither is there Salvation in any other Acts 4. 12. Oh turn again to him from whom you have revolted he hath made peace by the Blood of his Cross by him to reconcile all things to himself Col. 1. 20. And he is the beginning of the new Creation thorow and by means of his personal abasement and sufferings the Captain of our Salvation was made perfect thorow sufferings Heb. 2. 10. In him there is a compleat Creation He is the beginning the first-born from the dead that in all things he might have the pre-eminence for it pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell Col. 1. 18 19. In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and in â—im we are compleat compleatly prepared for and furnished with all furniture who is the Head of all principality and power Col. 2. 9 10. In him our nature is restored again into the Image of God after a more glorious manner than ever it was made in the first publick man And so there is in him a compleat and perfect provision of all things that may tend to our being brought back to God in our own person so made new Creatures as every one is that is in him because he died for all and rose again Jam. 3. 9. Eph. 2. 10. 2 Cor. 5. 14 17. There is in him a justification from the guilt of our first sin and sinfulness so as that all that have sinned and are come short of the glory of God are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Rom. 4. 25. and 3. 23 24. and he hath obtained forgiveness of our personal sins gifts for Men yea for the rebellious also healing of our diseases decays deadnesses Gold to enrich poor wretched miserable ones White Rayment to cover our shameful nakedness Eye-salve to cure our blindness Spirit to quicken and enliven us and to put heat into and recover lukewarm-ones The last Adam was made a quickning Spirit to quicken those that were dead in trespasses 1 Cor. 15. 45. He hath by his Blood obtained eternal Redemption forgiveness of our Sins for ever and the recovery of our loss even of all the glory of God of which we came short by our sinning He hath restored that which he took not away Heb. 9 12. So as that in him there is help and salvation for us when we have rendred our selves vile and brought our selves into a loathsome condition He is the Fountain of Life of living waters of grace and truth the Treasury and Store-house of all Gods fulness for us that he may dispence to us thereof according to our various wants and capacities and that of his fulness we may receive and Grace for Grace Indeed he is the beginning and end of this new Creation the author and finisher of the Faith whose hands have laid the foundation and whose hands shall finish the building Rev. 1. 8 11. Zech. 4. 7 9. Heb. 12. 2. Verse 15. I know thy works see notes on chap. 2. verse 1. that thou art neither cold nor hot I would thou wert cold or hot He saw that their works were not perfect before him and thence saith and observeth That thou art neither cold nor hot not cold there was still some profession of the faith with them some seeking God waiting upon him and approaching to him they had not wholly left off all professed worshipping of him and calling upon his name they might still read and hear and pray and have some use of Christs ordinances among them and a form of Godliness upon them They had not professedly cast off the thing that was good but there was some warmth with them still And surely they did assemble themselves together for they were yet reckoned by Christ a
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
the Soul cannot be good Prov. 19. 2. Hence he instructs us to cry after knowledge and to lift up our voice for understanding Prov. 2. 1 2 3 6. and calls upon all the ends of the earth to look unto him and be saved Isay 45. 22. and ch 65. 1 2. Thus I have briefly put down somewhat of that which is more fully largely and distinctly spoken unto on this v. 18. in the Treatise caled Needful counsel and desire that may be more minded and diligently considered by them that have it in their hands Verse 19. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten Be zealous therefore and repent This is that which the Amen the faithful and true witness adds after he had faulted threatned and given wholesome and Needful counsel to this Angel and Church The Lord will not cast off for ever but though he cause grief yet he will have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies For he doth not afflict willingly or from his heart nor grieve the Children of Men Lam. 3. 31 33. though for their iniquity he was wroth and smote them he hid himself and was wroth and they went on frowardly in the way of their heart yet though he saw their ways he healed and restored comforts unto them Isay 57. 16 18. he thus speaks to these that they might not faint in their sighing and say there is no hope he hath forgotten to be gracious Therefore to preserve or deliver them from such-like thoughts or conclusions he acquaints them with the graciousness of his heart toward them and shews his loathness with their destruction and that it was in love to their Souls he had been so chiding and chastening them even as he said to his people in former times In one place I will cast them out of mine house I will love no more In another and afterwards he thus speaks to them How shall I give thee up Ephraim how shall I deliver thee Israel how shall I make thee as Admah my heart is turned within me my repentings are kindled together c. Hos 9. 15. and ch 11. 4 8 9. see also Jer. 31. 18 19 20. So he now acquaints this Angel and Church that it was his love to them that led him to be reproving them for their evils and threatning to cast them out of his mouth and that he had a gracious end towards them herein And that we might know and consider that in love and faithfulness he convinces us of and rebukes us for our follies and wandrings Now in this verse we have to consider 1. An assertion or affirmation of the faithful and true witness As many as I love I rebuke and chasten 2. Good and wholsome counsel and exhortation given unto them from the former Be zealous therefore and repent 1. An assertion or affirmation of the faithful and true witness wherein consider we 1. The subjects concerning whom he speaks As many as I love who are they 1. Generally all Mankind with a love of pity and compassion while it is called to day and this he hath undeniably-manifested in his great abasement and sufferings for them herein perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us 1 Joh. 3. 16. The love of Christ was and is for ever herein commended and demonstrated and herein to be discerned because this one this single and singular person died for all even for all of Mankind who were dead condemned to dye and dead in sins and trespasses 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. Tit. 3. 3 4. and therefore and therethorow all nations and peoples are called upon to praise him Because his merciful kindness is great toward them Ps 117. 1 2. and he that seeth the Son seeth the Father also Joh. 12. 45. he so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son Joh. 3. 16. he gave him by his grace to taste death for every Man Heb. 2. 9. and thorow Christ he is gracious and full of compassion slow to anger and great in mercy The Lord is good and loving to all and his tender mercies are over all his works he is kind to the unthank-ful and evil Psal 145. 8 9. Matth. 5. 44 46. But 2. He loves them that love him with peculiar manner of love Prov. 8. 17. Joh. 14. 21. with a love of wellpleasedness The Lord takes pleasure in them that fear him in them that hope in his mercy he is nigh to all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth Ps 147. 16 11. and 145. 18 19. and he is rich in the streams of his pity and compassion toward them The same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him Rom. 10. 12. As a Father pitieth his Children the Lord pitieth them that fear him Ps 103. 11 13. Jam. 5. 10 11. And of both these we may understand it though especially of the latter 2. That which is here affirmed concerning as many as he loves viz. I rebuke and chasten I rebuke namely convince them of their evils and reprove them for them as the Lord saith I have been a rebuker of them all Hos 5. 2. and chasten viz. Inflict judgments and punishments upon them Ps 6. 1. and 38. 1. and usually in this order he proceeds he first â—hews them with his prophets and slays them with the words of his mouth and then his judgments are as the light that goeth forth Hos 6. 3 5. Micah 6. 8 10 11. Job 33. 13 18. and so indeed he doth rebuke and chasten when need is as many as he loves he rebukes the simple who love their simplicity and scorners who delight in scorning and fools that hate knowledge Prov. 1. 20 23. his Spirit is convincing and reproving the World of sin of righteousness and of judgment Joh. 16. 8 11. and he doth also chasten visit and and try them Job 7. 17 18. 1 Cor. 10. 13. and especially and more frequently he doth rebuke and chasten his own people Ps 73. 13 15. he that chastiseth the heathen shall not â—e correct to wit his own people Ps 94. 8 10. every branch in Christ that beareth fruit he purgeth that it might bring forth more fruit Joh. 15. 2. Ps 94. 12 13. and 11. 5. Prov. 3. 11 13. And this may be useful to us to inform us 1. That seeing as many as he love she rebukes and chastens all such may and do need to be rebuked and chastened even such also as he loves with peculiar manner of love for in many things they offend all Jam. 3. 2. There is not a just Man upon the earth that doth good and sinneth not Eccl. 7. 20. 2 Chron. 6. 36. It is only when need is that they are in heaviness thorow many temptations and trials either to correct and punish them for some evils committed by them or some good omitted or to purge out of them some polluting thing that sticks close to them or preserve them from some
creâ—â—es darkness he makes peace and creates evil He the Lord doth all these things Isa 45. 7. as he saith Shall there be evil in the city and the Lord hath not done it Amos 3. 6. Verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth Psal 58. 9 11. Amos 4. 6 12. though he tempteth no man to what is sinfully evil nor can he be tempted therewith He is not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness Jam. 1. 13 14. Psal 5. 4 6. yet he is the orderer of all afflictions and judgments not only of those which come more immediately from his own hand 1 Cor. 11. 29 32. but of such also as wherein Satan and evil men may be instruments so when by Gods permission Satan inflicted many evils upon Job and stirred up the Sabeaâ—s and Caldeans to fall upon and take away his substance and slay his servants with the edg of the sword c. yet Job saith The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away blessed be the name of the Lord. And the Holy Ghost addeth In all this Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly Job 1. 12 22. And when again by Gods permission Satan smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown he saith to his wife What shall we receive good at the band of God and shall we not receive evil unto which also is immediately subjoined In all this Job did not sin with his lips Job 2. 7 10. and chap. 10. 2 3. Isa 10. 5 6. 2 Cor. 12. 7. And therefore 2. All lightnings and thunderings all afflictions and evils of judgment and punishment proceeding out of the throne they are ordered to us in righteousness He sitteth in the throne judging in righteousness Psal 9. 4. In righteousness he doth judg and make war Rev. 19. 11. When clouds and darkness are round about him righteousness and judgment are the habitation or establishment of his throne Psal 97. 2. and 89. 14. He is excellent in judgment and in plenty of juâ—tice Job 37. 23. Psal 7. 12. Hence it is said by the Angel of the waters Thou art righteoâ—s O Lord which art and wast and shalt be because thou hast judged thus And another Angel out of the altar said Even so Lord God Almighty true and righteous are thy judgments Rev. 16. 5 7. and chap. 19. 2. And this being considered may instruct us always to ascribe righteousness to our Maker Job 36. 3. as the Prophet doth when he had been severely judging his people O Lord righteousness belongeth unto thee but unto us confusion of faces c. Dan. 9. 7 14. and to the same purpose that good man speaketh saying Howbeit thou art just in all thou hast brougâ—t upon us for thou hast done right but we have done wickedly Neh. 9. 32 33. It 's not meet for us to endeavour to disannul his judgment or to condemn him that we may be righteous Job 40. 8. though indeed to the end we may ascribe righteousness to him it is needful we humble our souls and suffer pride to be hidden from us as it is said of the Princes of Israel and the King They â—umbled themselves and said The Lord is righteous 2 Chron. 12. 6 7. and the consideration hereof may also engage us to search and try our ways and turn unto him Lam. 3. 37 40. To judg our selves and take shame to our selves and to acknowledg we have righteously deserved whatsoever is inflicted on us or further threatned to us and if we would judg our selves we should not be further judged 1 Cor. 11. 31. and to turn from our iniquities that we may understand his truth Daâ— 9. 13 14. for that is his end in all the ordering of his judgments and cloudy and dark days unto us and therefore at such a time he exhorts to turn unto him with all the heart which we cannot do unless we turn from the things that are reproved and put away our abominations out of his sight Joel 2. 2 12 13. with Jer. 4. 1. and Acts 26. 18. and this being minded also would take us off from fretting our selves against instruments and help us to cease from anger and forsake wrath and not fret our selves in any wise to do evil Psal 37. 7 8. but in patience to possess our souls Thus it is recorded of David how that when he was in great affliction and Sâ—imei helped forward his affliction greatly whereby some of Davids followers were so provoked to anger that they would have taken off his head this now quieted the heart of that holy man and kept him from fretting himself in any wise to do evil That this affliction was ordered to him by him that sits on the throne So let him curse saith he because the Lord hath said unto him Curse David c. 2 Sam. 16. 7 10 12. He was dumb and opened not his mouth because the Lord did it Psal 39. 9. and the consideration hereof also may provoke us to lift up our hearts with our hands to God in the heavens in a day of darkness and gloominess in a tempestuous day To whom should a people seek but to their God Lam. 3. 37 41. to which purpose is that exhortation Come let us return unto the Lord for he hath torn and â—e will heal he hath smitten and he will bind us up Hos 5. 14 15. and chap. 6. 1 2. Isa 8. 20. Thus it is good to demean our selves in every day of affliction and wrath though here directly he speaks of such judgments and testimonies of displeasure as come more immediately from him that sits on the throne Psal 97. 4 7. 3. They proceed out of the throne about which is the rain-bow Let that be remembred by us so as in all he will ever be mindful of his Covenant his Covenant of Mercy And so we may learn that the Lord is not only righteous in all his ways but also merciful and gracious in all his works Psal 145. 8 9 17. And is and will be nigh unto all them â—hat call upon him to all that call upon him in truth He will fulfil the desâ—re of them that fear him he also will hear their cry and will save them He will answer them in the secret place of thunder Psal 145. 18 19. with Psal 81. 7. He hath given his Son fâ—r a Covenant of the people to establish the earth and through him and for his sakâ— while it is called to day he is good to all loving to every man even in all the storms he is ordering even while they are joyned to all the living for the bow was a token of the Covenant between him and every living creature Gen. 9. 12 16. Joâ— 33. 14. 30. And his mercy is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him and his righteoâ—sness upon childrens children to such as keep his Covenant and to those that remember his commandments to do them the Lord hath prepared his thronâ— in the Heavens
saved 1 Thess 4. 2 3. with Acts 26. 18. His will is evidenced in Christ to be good-will towards men Luke 2 10-14 Isa 49. 6. Luke 2. 30-32 Acts 13. 47. And that such as repent and believe the Gospel should have everlasting life This is the will of him that sent Christ that every one that seeth the son and believeth in him should have eternal life and he will raise him up at the last day to the glorious enjoyment thereof John 3. 15 16. and chap. 5. 24. and chap. 6. 40. And the good Lord whose will is good Rom. 12. 2. fill us with the knowledg of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding that we may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing being fruitful in every good work and encreasing in the knowledg of God strengthened with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience and long-suffering c. Col. 1. 9 10 11. Ephes 5. 14-17 Rom. 12. 1 2. Matth. 12. 50. The End of the Fourth Chapter REVEL Chap. V. verse 1. Vers 1. And I saw in the right hand of him that sate on the Throne a Book written within and on the back-side sealed with seven Seals WE have in the former Chapter seen and according to my great weakness considered the Account which the Apostle John gives of the Heavenly Theatre in which is described to us the Imperial Session of him that sate and sits for ever upon the Throne or supream Seat of Government whose Kingdom Ruleth over all Persons and Things in Heaven and in Earth and under the Earth and whose Dominion is an everlasting Dominion and the Four and twenty Elders and the Four Living Creatures as the Representatives of the Church of the Living God in Heaven and in Earth in a general Consideration the whole Family of Christ Now in this Chapter the Apostle gives us an account of what he farther saw in Vision concerning a Sealed Book with the Opener and opening thereof in general with what followeth thereupon and which Book is particularly opened afterwards as is declared to us in Chap. 6 c. Now in this First Verse we have to consider 1. What the Apostle John farther saw A Book 2. Where he saw this Book In the right hand of him that sate upon the Throne 3. What he saw of or concerning this Book and that is 1. Somewhat of the Writing of it it was Written within and on the back-side 2. Somewhat of the Sealing of it Sealed with Seven Seals 1. What the Apostle farther saw And I saw a Book There is mention made of several Books in this Revelation of Jesus Christ All the things which Jesus Christ by his Angels sent and signified unto the Apostle John he was commanded to Write in a Book and send it unto the Seven Churches in Asia Chap. 1. 2. and Chap. 22. 7 9 10 18 19. So also herein there is mention made of the Book of Life Chap. 3. 5. and 20. 12 15. And of the Lambs Book of Life Chap. 13. 8. and 17. 8. and Chap. 21. 27. And of other Books distinct from the Books of Life Chap. 20. 12. But there are two Books spoken of and mentioned in this Revelation which may most fully and properly be called Books of Prophecy the one whereof is that here mentioned and the other is spoken of in Chap. 10. 2 8 9 10. And the Sum or Contents of these two Books is declared to us in this Book of the Revelation from this place to the end of it Now then it doth evidently appear that this Book spoken of in this place is not the Word of the beginning of Christ for that was not then Sealed but it had been before that time opened by the Holy Apostles they had Preached the Gospel according to the Revelation of the Mystery before this time Rom. 16. 25 26. Eph. 3. 3 4 9. Col. 1. 25 26. And the Apostle John particularly had born record of the Word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ before the things contained in this Book of the Revelation were sent and signified to him See the notes before on Chap. 1. v. 1. and v. 2. But this Book here mentioned doth in general contain in it the Mind Counsels and Purposes of God concerning future Things Actions and Events which should come to pass from and after that time unto the end of this World with the order of their fulfilling and accomplishment and something of the World to come What the Contents of this Book are is I conceive in general declared to us by the Holy Ghost viz. Chap. 4. 1. Things which must be hereafter as also plainly appears in the opening of the Seven Seals under the Seventh whereof the Seven Trumpets sound and when the last of the Seven sounded then great voices in Heaven say The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall Reign for ever and ever chap. 6. and chap. 8. 1 2 7 8 10 12 and chap. 9. 1 13. and chap. 11. 15 18. This Book then is a Book of his Mind Counsels and Purposes who sits upon the Supream Throne of Judgment concerning the things that must come to pass or be hereafter from that time with the order of them And this Book here spoken of is called 1. A Book simply whereas that which is mentioned in Chap. 10. 2 8 9 10. is called A little Book and thereby it appears that this Book is more large and comprehensive than that 2. This is said to be A Book sealed with seven Seals whereas that which is spoken of chap. 10. 2. Is An open Book To which afterwards Now some as Dr. H. Dr. L. look upon this Book as containing Gods Secret Counsels Purposes and Decrees concerning Jerusalem and the Jewish Nation directly â—and upon the matter wholly with the Judgments to be executed thereupon and the Destruction thereof Their great mistake wherein appears 1. By what We have formerly said and shewn viz. That Jerusalem was destroyed before the Apostle John had these Visions or the Contents of this Book in general sent and signified to him for the Martyr Antipas was slain as is acknowledged generally after the Destruction of Jerusalem and yet before John received these Visions and Revelations from the Lord. See the Notes before on chap. 2. verse 13. 2. And besides that our Lord Jesus had formerly plainly foretold his Disciples of and acquainted them with the Destruction of Jerusalem of the Temple City c. And declared to them very clearly and openly the Signs and Fore-runners thereof while he was with them upon the Earth He then told them there should not be left one Stone upon another which should not be thrown down And had fore-told them as the Forerunners thereof that his Disciples should hear of Wars and rumours of Wars but the end was not yet And that there should be Famines and Pestilence and Earth-quakes And â—oreshewed unto them one
is Lord of all Psal 8. 5-7 with Heb. 2. 7-9 Act. 10. 36. He hath wonderful lustre and splendor far above the brightness of the Sun at Mid-day Act. 22. 11. with Chap. 26. 13 14. Luke 9. 30 32. with Mark 9. 5 6. Rev. 1. 16. The Spirit of Glory rests upon him as here also followeth 1 Pet. 4 14. with Isai 11. 1-3 and 42. 1. 7-8 His rest is Glory Isai 11. 10. And to the obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ we are called by the Gospel 2 Thes 2. 14 And all this glory and infinitely more than we can conceive much more express hath he received and obtained by his precious blood as may be seen in this Verse He hath suffered and is perfectly glorious through his Sufferings John 13. 31 32. Luke 24. 26 Phil. 2. 8 9. Heb. 2. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 11. And in his Glory he shall appear and be manifested in due time Luke 9. 26. Tâ—t 2. 13. And then they that look for him and in a patient continuance of well-doing having been seeking it shall behold his Glory and partake of it and appear with him in it John 17. 24. Rom 2. 7. Col. 3. 3 4. 1 John 3. 2 3. 3. Horns also signifie Government and Kingdoms as he shall give strength unto his King and exalt the Horn to wit the Kingdom of his Anointed 1 Sâ—m 2. 10. And the ten Horns out of this Kingdom are ten Kings or Kingdoms that shall arise Dan. 7. 24. sealed also Rev. 17. 3 7 12 So Christ is the Kingdom and his Kingdom is exalted and shall so appear gloriously in due season On his head are many Crowns Rev. 19 12. He hath most perfect rule and government given unto him his Kingdom ruleth over all Psal 103. 19 The Father hath committed all judgment rule and government unto him John 5. 22 13. A King he is indeed higher than Agag and his Kingdom is exalted Num. 24. 7. He is King of Nations a great King over all the Earth Psal 47. 1 2-67 The LORD reigneth let the earth rejoyce let the mult tude of the Isles be glad thereof Psal 96. 1-10 and 97. 1. And he is King of Sainâ—s Rev. 15. 3. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 17. 14. and chap. 19. 16. By him Kings reign and Princes dâ—cree justice By him Princes rule and Nâ—blâ—s even all the Judges of the earth Prov. 8. 15 16. This is Gods King whom he hath set upon his holy Hill of Zion Psal 2. 6. And to a gracious end hath he committed all government to hâ—m that all men should honâ—ur him John 5. 22 23. And in due sâ—ason the â—ord God shall give unto him gloriously the throne of hâ—s Fathâ—r David and he sâ—all reign over the House of Jacob for ever aâ—d of his Kingdom there shall be no end Isa 9. 6 7. Luke 1. 32-34 Jer. 33. 15-17 21. And he may be said to have seven Horns with respect to the seven Churches to wit all power or power in its perfect on to deliver and defend them from and to dispense to them and satisfie them with good all glory to conâ—er upon them and Kingdom to possess them of if they hold fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope firm to the end Heb. 3. 6. And seven Horns as they signifie all power which is in this place the direct meaning of them as it is said before with respect unto the seven Seals to wit to open them when none else could do it verse 2. 4. 2. And seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth These also the Lamb which hath been slain hath namely Seven eyes to wit infinite Knowledge and Understanding Or he is perfect in Knowledge Jon 36-3 4. with Isa 42. 19. For eyes signifie understanding Eph. 1. 18. And great is our LORD who was crucified for us and of great power he hath seven Horns as we have seen also of his understanding there is no number or it is infinite Psal 147. 5. with Rev. 11. 8. Or Eyes signifie Knowledge Num. 5. 13. and chap. 16. 14. See the the notes before on chap. 4. ver 6. and ver 8. These seven eyes are upon this elect precious stone Zeoh 3. 8 9. and chap. 4. 10. with Isa 28. 16. and 1 Pet 2. 4. 6. So as he perfectly knows all things John 21. 15. All things above in Heaven he knows his Father perfectly As the Father knoweth me saith he even so know I the Father yea none else knows him originally fully and perfectly John 10. 15. Matth. 11. 27. Luke 10. 22. No man hath seen God at any time the onely begotten Son is in the bosom of the Father and he hath seen and knows him I know him saith Jesus and if I should say I know him not I shall be a liar c. John 1. 18. and chap. 8. 55. For he hath the seven Spirits of God as presently follows and the spirit searcheth all things even the depths of God 1 Cor. 2. 10. And as he hath all power to open the Seals so also he hath all knowledge and understanding to look into and read the Book of Gods Mind and Counsels which no Creature in Heaven or Earth or under the earth could do verse 2-4 5. And so he knows all the dwellers in and inhabiters of Heaven the holy and glorious Angels and he knows how to imploy them for they are all of them ministring spirits unto him Heb. 1. 6-14 And the Saints and holy ones of mankind and upon them his eyes are for good Job 36. 7. But what are these eyes of his here spoken of Unto him it may be said as Job sometimes doth Hast thou eyes of flesh or seest thou as man seeth Job 10. 4. No surely But we have here an explication given to us of these eyes viz. That they are the seven spirits of God See the notes before on chap. 1. verse 4. even that one eternal spirit that proceedeth from the Father John 15. 26. And hereby he knoweth all things 1 Cor. 2. 10. For God hath not given the spirit by measure unto him John 3. 34. He being by the right hand of God exalted hath received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit Acts 2. 33. And on him resteth the Spirit of the LORD the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding the Spirit of Counsel and Might the Spirit of Knowledge and of the Fear of the LORD and he is quick of understanding Isa 11. 1-3 And of these seven Spirits it is said in this place They are sent forth into all the earth So as hereby he not onely knows all things that are above but all things below also They are sent forth by Christ as he saith I will send the Holy Spirit John 15. 26. and chap. 16. 1. And they are sent into all the Earth or World like that They are the eyes of the LORD which run to and froâ— throw
sent his Apostles into all the world to preach the Gospel to every creature of all the nations to encourage them hereto He saith not to them All power is in the hands of God simply But all power is given unto me go ye therefore c. Matth. 28. 18 19. And tells his Disciples when the Holy Spirit came he should glorifie him for he should take of his things and shew unto them All things saith he that the Father hath are mine therefore said I he shall take not of the Fathers things as his simply but of mine and shall shew unto you John 16. 14 15. Matth. 11. 27 28 29. It is by him we may believe in God who hath â—raised him from the dead and given him glory that our faith and hope might be in God without which it could not have so been 1 Pet. 1. 20 21. It is by him we may come with boldness to the throne of God's grace and this may embolden us so to do that we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins c. Heb. 4. 14. 16. and chap. 10. 19-22 and chap. 13. 10-15 1 John 2. 1 2. And let us not think in our thus rejoycing and worshipping we rob him that sits on the throne of that honour that appertains to him for it is his own work and device to put all things into the hands of his Son for us he devised this device that his banished should not be expelled from him 2 Sam. 14. 14. All things are of God as with respect to this new Creation 2 Cor. 5. 14-18 He made a marriage for his Son and prepared and made ready all things in him for us Matth. 22. 2-4 This is the Lords doing to lay him the foundation of our faith and hope and to prepare him the rest for our weary spirits and the refreshing that we might keep Sabbath in him Psal 118. 22 23. with Isa 28. 12-16 Col. 1. 19. Job 33. 24. And it is his work to lift up Christ that we might look unto him and be saved Isa 42. 1 2 to glorifie his Son that we might run unto him because of the Lord his God Isa 55. 4 5. to draw to Christ and teach us him that we might so hear and learn of the Father as to come unto him John 6. 44 45. And he that believeth on Christ believeth not on him only nor ultimately but on him that sent him and he that seeth him seeth him that sent him John 12. 44 45. nay we are so far from robbing him of his honour in thus doing that if we do not so we then indeed rob him of it The father hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son as they should honour the Father he that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father that hath sent him Joh. 5. 22 23. They have not the love of God in them who receive him not that is come in his Fathers name Joh. 5. 42 43. and Chap. 8. 23 42. they truly serve him who kiâ—s the Son Psal 2. 10 12. They are the circumcision and right worshippers of God who rejoyce in Jesus Christ Phil. 3. 1 3. with Joh. 4. 22 24. It is in and thorow him the Father will be glorified as our Saviour saith whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son If ye shall ask any thing in my name I will do it Joh. 14. 13 14. And that is for the glory of God whereinsoever the Son of God is glorified Joh. 11. 4. 2. We have nextly to speak unto the Adoration it self of these holy ones The four living creatures and four and twenty Elders fell down That is to say hereby is signified to us 1. They did fall down to worship as frequently to such an end they did fall down this was their Religious Action As the worship to a false Object is intended by or joyned with this Act as it is said he maketh a god and worshippeth it he maketh it a graven Image and falleth down thereto Isay 44. 15 19. and Chap. 46. 6. Dan. 3. 5 10 15. So John saith of himself I fell down to worship before the feet of the Angel Rev. 19. 10. and Chap. 22. 8 9. And this gesture was also used in the worship of the true object of worship As Moses saith I fell down before the Lord and again Thus I fell down before the Lord forty days and forty nights as I fell down at the first c. Deut. 9. 18 25. And the four and twenty Elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever Rev. 5. 14. and Chap. 19. 4. And so we are here to understand it They fell down and worshipped the Lamb or they fell down to worship before the Lamb viz. with a divine and religious worship as will further appear in the later end of this verse And so we may learn from hence that not only the Saints on earth but the holy Ones in Heaven also are still worshippers and give Divine Adoration to the true object of worship as we have seen before see the notes on Chap. 4. vers 9 10. And possibly the four living creatures are here first named in this Adoration because the greater or first part of the things contained in the sealed Book were to be transacted on earth And so in Chap. 6. 1 8. the four living creatures are mentioned alone without the Elders As on some what a like account the twenty four Elders are mentioned alone when the voices were heard in Heaven and the Kingdoms of this world became Christs Rev. â—â— 15 16. 2. That they fell down denotes also their great humility in their worship they did humbly prostrate themselves to intimate what an infinite distance there was between him whom they worshipped and themselves who were the worshippers and their inconceiveably great inferiority to him And so it may instruct us at all times to humble our selves in the presence of the Lord Jam. 4. 10. To worship and â—ow down and kneel before the Lord our Maker Psal 95. 1 6. So the holy Ones of God have worshipped him both with all humility of mind as the Apostle saith he did Act. 20. 19. And also with outward expressions of lowliness and Humility as in kneeling before him c. so did Solomon 1 Kings 8. 54. The Prophet Daniel that man greatly beloved of God Dan. 6. 10. The Apostle Peter Act. 9. 40. Paul Act. 20. 36. and Chap. 21. 5. Ephes 3. 14. yea and our Lord Jesus unto his Father Luk. 22. 41. And though we are not tyed up to this or that Gesture yet it is good and becoming us creatures at all times to worship him with Reverence and godly fear Isay 57. 15 16. Heb. 12. 28 29. Psal 89. 6 7. 3. The Object of their Religious worship before the Lamb who is described to us before
that for ever which are usually given as part of divine worship to the true and eternal God and to him only see Rom. 1. 25. and 11. 36. Gal. 1. 5. Phil. 4. 20. 1 Tim. 1. 17. Jude 25. Rev. 7. 12. And this rendring of praise honour and glory is given unto the true God by Jesus Christ Rom. 16. 27. Ephes 3. 21. And as it appears these ascribings of praise c. are given to Jesus Christ Heb. 13. 21. 1 Pet. 4. 11. and chap. 5. 10. 11. and without controversie they are given to him in several places peculiarly and very fully as Christ who is over all God blessed for ever Amen Rom. 9. 5. To him be glory for ever and ever Amen 2 Tim. 4. 18. with vers 1. 22. To him be glory both now and for ever Amen 2 Pet. 3. 18. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen Rev. 1. 6. and Chap. 5. 12-14 and Chap. 7. 10. By all which we may see that the Lamb is also God by nature and therefore to be worshipped with Divine and religious worship and adoration And I have the largelier insisted hereon because there are too many that endeavour to cast him down from his excellency and would perswade that Christ is only an excellent creature 2. We have in the next place to consider what these holy one had when they with all humility prostrated themselves before the Lamb viz. Having every one of them harps and golden Vials full of odours or inceâ—se which are the prayers of Saints Where we have to consider 1. What they had Having every one of them Harps and golden Vials full of odours or incense 2. An Explication given us of these Harps and golden Vials what they are viz. Which are the prayers of Saints 1. What these holy ones had in this Visional representation Having every one of them Harps and golden Vials full of odours or incense Having every one of them Harps Harps were Instruments of Musick invented by Juball who was the father of them Gen. 4. 21. and the Harp was used frequently for mirth joy and gladness Gen. 31. 27. Isa 5. 12. and 23. 16. Joh. 21. 12. Hence it is called the pleasant harp Psal 81. 2. And the joy of the Harp Isa 24. 8. Yea it appears that by Harp is meant joy and gladness in that it is opposed to mourning by Job who saith My Harp also is turned to mourning Job 30 31. And when they had cause and occasion of mourning they laid them by that being an unseasonable time to use them in As it is said By the rivers of Babylon we wept when we remembred Zioâ— we hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof Psal 137. 1 2-4 with Prov. 25. 20. And with Harps when religiously used the people of God did with gladness and rejoicing celebrate the praises of the Lord. So David who was a cunning Player on it 1 Sam. 16. 16 23. resolves he would dâ— Psal 43. 4. and 57. 7 9. and 71. 22. and 108. 1-3 and 81. 2. and commends its use on the Sabbath-day to such an end Psal 92. 1-4 5. and provokes and excites others to praise the Lord with the Harp Psal 33. 2. and 98. 5. and 147. 7. and 150. 3. With these also the singers in former times were to praise the Lord and give thanks unto him 1 Câ—â—on 25. 1-6 and particularly thus with them they praised the Lord For be is good for his mercy endureth for ever 2 Chron. 5. 12. Thus here it is said of these holy ones they bad Harps that is prayers as in the latter end of the verse or praises they did with joy celebrate the praises of the Lamb they did rejoice in the Lord and joy in the God of their salvation and sound forth with merry hearts and gladness the praises of the Lamb who was slain as it follows in ver 9. Now here we may learn 1. In that they thus prostrate themselves before the Lamb having Harps that Christ is Jeâ—ovah the true God God by nature as we have seen in the former part of this verse and as appears in that it was Jehovah only whose praises the righteous in former times did celebrate and sound forth with Harps when they used them religiously Indeed the Heathen and false worshippers used them in praising their dead and false Gods Dan. 3. 5 7 10 15. but those that were upright would not join with them therein vers 17 18. 1 Chron. 13. 8. 2. We may here see the union and communion between the Holy ones in Heaven and the Saints on Earth they had every one of them Harps and they were as one in making one sound to be heard in praising and exalting not themselves or one another but in singing praises to their King with their Harps Psal 149. 1-3 2 Chron. 5. 12. Psal 133. these here below did not invocate and extol those above but they had all of them one object of praise to wit the Lamb and the twenty-four Elders had not the Harps and the four living Creatures the golden Vials but they had every one of both the Eâ—ders and living Creatures Harps and golden Vials c. See the Notes before on on Rev 4. 10. 3. In that it is said They had Harps which are Prayers c. so we may understand they were not outward material Harps but such as were more excellent and the truth of those typical ones in former times they had a worldly sanctuary but we a spiritual and heavenly one Heb. 9. 1. with Chap. 8. 1 2. â—hey had an Altar High Priest Sacrifice c. but we have the truth of their types Heb. 13. 10. Jeâ— 1. 17. their Harps indeed in former times were called Musical instruments of God 1 Chron. 16. 42. with ver 4 5. because by his appointment they were to worship him with them But ours are more excellent theirs were made by men of fiâ—r-trees 2 Sam. 6. 5. or Algum-tree 2 Chron. 9. 11. but these are made by the Spirit of God Ephâ—s 5. 18-10 Rom. 8. 26 27. and in a more excellent consideration are called Harps of God Rev. 15. 1 2. 4. We may here see who are the singers now not the Levites as in our types but the Saints as in the latter part of the verse Ephes 5. 18 19. Col. 3. 16. Cant. 2. 14. They that come to Christ whether Jews or Gentiles are a chosen gâ—neration a Royal Priesthood c. they are taken for Priests and Levites And in and with their giving thanks to him there is a voice of melody Isa 66. 20 21. Rev. 1. 5 6. 1 Pet. 2. 4. 9 10. But to this more on ver 9 10. And they had also golden Phials or cups aâ— some read it which are certain Vessels to contain liquor or any liquid thing in them so we read of a Phial or Box of Oyl in former times 1 Sam. 10. 1. with 2 King 9. 3. And in this Book we have
is the first begotten of the dead who loved us and gave himself for us c. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen Rev. 1. 5 6 2. And hast redeemed us to God by thy blood ouâ— of every kindred and tongue and people and nation Where consider we 1. What Christ further did for and to them upon the account whereof he is to be glorified by them And â—ast redeemed us unto God 2. By what means he did this By thy Blood 3. Out of or from amongst whom he so redeemed them Out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation 1. What Christ further did for and to them upon the account whereof he is to be glorified and for which all these holy ones here spoken of do praise and laud him And hast redeemed us unto God We may here for our usefulness enquire and consider Of what redeeming or buying do the Saints here speak and mean To which we may give answer and say 1. There is a Redemption wrought for men without them in and by Jesus Christ our Lord whereby he hath redeemed them unto himself from under the first judgment and condemnation Rom. 5. 18. and from perishing for ever in that first death which was the wages of that disobedience of the first publick man in whom all sinned and from whom they come forth into the world naturally and necessarily polluted and defiled Rom. 5. 12 15 19. When the fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law to redeem them that were under the Law even all mankind for they were all fallen under it both Jews and Gentiles and become subject and obnoxious to the judgment of God Gal. 4. 4 5. with Rom. 3. 9-19 And he hath redeemed them from the câ—rse of the Law being made a curse for them Gal. 3. 13. He gave himself a ransome and price of redemption for all men 1 Tim. 2. 6. And he hath redeemed them in and by himself for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ Rom. 3. 22-24 He hath bought them who by denying him bring upon themselves swift destruction 2 Pet. 2. 1. Redeemed them who transgress and speak lies against him Hos 7. 14. Deut. 32. 6. He hath bought all men with a precious price and his they are Psal 100. 1-3 He hath died for all and is raised again and hath purged away the guilt of their first sin and sinfulness from before the presence of God Abolished their first death and will in due time dâ—stroy it and hath destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Devil Heb. 2. 9-14 and Chap. 1. 3. He hath born the judgment of the world and cast out the Prince of this world out of his Principality which he had gotten over mankind and hath drawn all men unto himself to be under his authority and Lordship Joh. 12. 31 32. To this end he both died and rose and revived that he might be the Lord c. Rom. 14. 9. And to a gracious end hath he died for all and thus redeemed them that they which live should not henceforth live to themselves but unto him that died for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. Henceforth the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son as they honour the Father Joh. 5. 22 23. In this sense he is the Redeemer and Saviour of all men and he hath also obtained eternal redemption for them Heb. 9. 12. 1 Joh. 5. 10 11. Luk. 24. 46 47. But this Redemption is not here directly spoken of and though it be fundamentally supposed and included yet it is so rather in the former expression viz. Thou wast slain 2. There is a Redemption also which he is now working during the day of his grace and patience wherein he is buying men in their own persons of both these the Apostle in other expressions speaks saying God was in Christ to wit when one died for all and rose again reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses to them This was that which he was working and wrought for men without them in the person of Christ and before it be preached to them and is the same with that first Redemption we have been speaking of and then it presently follows in the next verse We pray in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God this is a following work which in the preaching and by the discovery of the former he is working in men and is the same with that redeeming we are now speaking of 2 Cor. 5. 19 20. and so he who is the redeemer of men in the former sensâ— is teaching them to profit and leading them by the way they should go and so redeeming them in their own persons who yet hearken not to hâ—s Commandments but deprive their souls of good Isa 48. 17 18. And he doth redeem them who yield up themselves to him and are not disobedient to the heavenly call he doth buy them off themselves he gives himself to them for them as a man gives himself to a maid for her that they might be his and be married to him who is raised from the dead and he might be theirs their head and husband Ephes 5. 25 26. And so he râ—deems them from all their iniquities and delivers them from or chuses them out of this present evil world and purifies them unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Tit. 2. 14 Gal. 1. 4. and of this redeeming he here directly speaks as plainly appears by all the context to which we shall not here speak further because we shall have apt occasion to mention it again and speak further to it in what follows There is also a Redemption which he will glâ—riously effâ—ct and accomplish hereafter but of that we shall not speak here any thing further Now between Christs redeeming men in the two former considerations there are several differences and dissimilitudes some of which we may briefly mention and which have been intimated in what we have spoken As to say 1. As to the effecting the former there was nothing required of men but it was done for them without them in and by Jesus Christ Gal. 3. 13. 2 Cor. 5. 14 15 19. But as to the latter there is something required of them as God is working in them both to will and to do of good pleasure viz. to look unto Christ and be saved to be reconciled unto God Phil. 2. 12-16 Isa 45. 21 22. 2 Cor. 5. 19 20. 2. The first is for all men 1 Tim. 2. 6. for the world of mankâ—nd 2 Cor. 5. 19. and so all are bought with a price 2 Pet 2. 1. Gal. 4. 4 5. with Rom. 3. 19. In the second sense all are not redeemed though in due time Christ be redeeming them
yet too many close their eyes lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and should be converted and Christ should heal them Mâ—t. 13. 15. By observing â—â—ing vanities they forsake their own mercies Jon. 2. 8. Prov. 17. 16. 2 Thes 2. 10. 3. The fiâ—st was that which was effected at once when Christ died for all and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14 15 19. 1 Tim. 2. 6. Gal. 3. 13. The second not so but at several times in several ages such as were afterwards redeemed from their vain conversation were not so in former time time was when they who are now or were formerly a redeemed people in time past were not so and they that now are not redeemed unto God may thorough the grace of God â—e so hereafter while it is called to day 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. with Chap. 2. 9 10. and 4. 3. But to this we may speak more in the latter end of this verse 4. The first was effected by a price given to God 1 Tim. 2. 6. He gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice unto God for a sweet-swelling savour Ephes 5. 2. Tit. 2. 14. Heb. 9. 12 14. But the second is by a price tendered unto us and put into the hands of men in due season in which the grace of God brings salvation to all men Phil. 3. 4-7-9 Tit. 2. 11. Prov. 17. 16. But to this also we may speak further 5. Those who are only redeemed or bought in the first sense are and remain but the subjects of the love of pity and compassionate kindness and benevolence Isa 63. 9. Tit. 3. 4. But they that are redeemed in the second are also the subjects and objects of delightful and well-pleased love of love of complacency they are Saints and holy ones as here vers 8. And all his delight is in the Saints that are in the earth and in the excellent ones Psal 16. 3. And the not distinguishing between these two that effected in Christ and that which he is effecting in men and doth effect in them that believe is the reason and cause of so great mistake and confusion in mens understandings about and expressings of these things 2. By what means did he redeem them By thy blood And so 1. Not by keeping the Law or by his doing what is contained therein and commanded thereby though yet he always did those things which pleased his Father Joh. 8. 28 29. and 4. 34. But if righteousness could have come by the law even by his keeping of it then Christ died in vain Gal. 2. 21. He had without doubt fully and perfectly kept the Law when he cried out thrice O my Father if it be possible let this cup pass from me c. Mat. 26. 39 42 44. And thus he cried out not because he was unwilling to drink it for he did delight to do the will of his God yea his Law was in the midst of his heart Psal 40. 6 8. Heb. 10. 5 8. with Joh. 18. 11. But for instruction to us even to shew unto us that though he loved righteousness and never transgressed at any time his Fathers commandment yet that notwithstanding or any thing else the cup could not possibly pass from Christ but he must drink it or we must have drank it and perished by it Without shedding of blood there was no remission Heb. 9. 22. and therefore Christ must needs have suffered that he might redeem and buy us of God and that he might redeem us unto God Act. 17. 2 3. What the law could not do in that it was weak thorow the flesh God sent his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin the flesh Rom. 8. 2 3 32. Luk. 24. 25-27 And if we were not redeemed by Christs keeping the Law much less were we so by our own keeping it or by any works of righteousness that we could do Tit. 3. 3 4. Rom. 3. 19 20-22 As many as are of the works of the law are under the curse c. Gal. 3. 10 11-13 14. and Chap. 2. 16-19-21 2. By blood they were redeemed not by might or strength simply though yet it is also true his right hand and his holy arm got him the victory Psal 98. 1. God lâ—id help upon one that was mighty Psal 89. 19. But the ground-work of our redemption was in abasement and sufferings to wit of the Son of God in the nature of man and therein fiâ—stly and fundamentally his strength and power was exercised and evidenced even in his weakness and humiliation 1 Cor. 1. 23-25 In redeeming his people out of Egypt his glorious power and mighty arm wrought wonderfully and brightly appeared He redeemed them thereout by his greatness and mighty hand simply Deut. 9. 26. 1 Chron. 17. 21. Psal 136. 11 12. But he hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us for it is written cursed is every one that is hanged on a tree This work was effected thorow his being crucified and so not by strength simply but rather through weakness For he was crucified thorow weakness Gal. 3. 13. with 2 Cor. 13. 4. And thorow death he hath destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Devil Heb. 2. 14 15. And the preaching of the Cross of the weakness of Christ and God is the power of God for redeeming us unto himself 1 Cor. 1. 17 18-23-25 If power simply and strength of arms would have redeemed us Christ needed not to have been abased for us as he hath been 3. He hath redeemed us unto God by blood not by money not by gold or silver Though in this world and amongst men ordinarily the ransom of a mans life are his riches Prov. 13. 8. And though under the Law the Children of Israel were to give every man a ransome for his Soul unto the Lord to wit half a shekel after the shekel of the Sanctuary to make an atonement for their souls Exod. 30. 12-15 16. and Chap. 21. 30. yet we were redeemed of God without money Isa 52. 3. with Chap. 53. Will he esteem thy riches no not gold nor all the forces of strength A great ransome of this nature could not deliver us Job 36. 18 19. They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to God a ransome for him for the redemption of their soul is precious c. Psal 49. 6 7 8. And we were redeemed unto God from our vain conversation not with corruptible things as silver and gold with respect whereto our Redeemer was poor Mat. 17. 27. Luk. 8. 3. and Chap. 9. 58. Joh. 6. 15. but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot 1 Pet. 1. 18 19 20. Pâ—il 3. 4-7-9 4. He hath redeemed us to God by blood but not by any