had saved out of Egypt Jude 5. And spared not 〈◊〉 natural branches but shewed his severâ—ty against them in breaking them off because of their unbelief Rom. 11. 20 22. Yea such was his Holiness that he would by no means clear the guilty how near soever they were to him as Moses saith This is that the Lord spake saying I will be sanctified in them that come nigh unto me c. Lev. 10. 1 3. Moses and Aâ—â—on among his priests and Samuel among them that call upon his name They called upon the Lord and â—e answered them Thou answeredst them O Lord our God thou wast a God that forgavest them though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy hill for the Lord our God is holy Psal 99. 5 6 9. And holy he was in devising a means that his banished should not be expelled from him He was holy in chusing Christ to be our Mediator and Saviour Isa 49. 7. in sending him into the world in remembrance of his holy Covenant Luke 1. 49 72. in condemning our sin in the flesh of his own Son as hath been said before Psal 22. 1 2 3. Rom. 8. 3 32. and he was ever merciful to man ward He remembred us in our low estate for his mercy endureth for ever Psal 136. 23 24. His tender mercies and his loving-kindness have been for ever of old Psal 25. 6 7. And as he was holy so also he is holy in both respects as he saith I am the Lord I change not therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed Mal. 3. 6 7. Hence when the Apostle had been admonishing the believers not to charge God foolishly not to say they were tempted of God or he was the author of their sin he then assures them on the contrary That every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the father of lights with whom saith he is no variableness neither shadow of turning He is the same that ever he was in holiness and graciousness of affection to mankind Jam. 1. 13 16 17. And such an one he is to come and will be for ever He will never be reconciled to impenitent unholy ones Without holiness no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12. 14 16. As Moses saith concerning Analek The Lord hath sworn that he will have wars with Amalek from generation to generation The same also may be said of all that remain unsanctified ones Exod. 17. 16. Though he be a God of salvations though he be gracious and merciful long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth yet he will wound the head of his enemies and the â—airy scalp of such as go on still in their trespasses He will by no means clear the guilty Psal 68. 18. 21. with Exod. 34. 6 7. He is of one mind and who can turn him Job 23. 13. Rev. 21. 27. And therefore let none of us deceive our own selves or be deceived by others as if we should find God hereafter otherwise than he â—â—â—s and hath manifested himself to be for he is to come the same that he was and is Eph. 5. 5 7. Gal. 6. 7 8. and chap. 5. 19 20 21. Amos 8. 7. And he is to come gracious and merciful so that if the wicked forsake his way and the man of iniquity his thoughts and return to the Lord he will have mercy c. Isa 55. 1 4 7. And the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him and his righteousness unto childrens children to such as keep his Covenant and to those that remember his commandments to do them Psal 103. 17 18. Luke 1. 50. Lord God Almighty Thus the living creatures also say and acknowledg him to be that sits upon the Throne of his holiness even the Father Word and Holy Spirit see the notes before on chap. 1. ver 8. This one God is of all might and power and able to do whatsoever he pleases and not like the gods and idols of the Heathens Psal 115. 3 8. and 135. 5 6 7 c. He is the Lord God Almighty who hath made the heaven and the earth and all things by his great power and stretched-out arm and there is nothing too hard for him Jer. 32. 17 19. and who upholdeth all things by the word of his power He is Almighty he can bless yea in the seed of Abraham Isaac and Jacob hath prepared blessing for all the nations and families of the earth Gen. 28. 3 14. who can give mercy to sinners yea and to such sinners also as by their iniquities have sold themselves Gen. 43. 14. Isa 50. 1 2 3. and he is good to all Job 22. 17 18. Psal 145. 9. and one that will defend protect and enrich such as come unto or return to him as Eliphaz saith If thou return to the Almighty thou shalt be built up yea the Almighty shall be thy defence or gold and thou shalt have plenty of silver Job 22. 23 26. They that dwell in the â—ecret of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty Psal 91. 1 2. 2 Cor. 6. 17 18. and who is able to destroy and will destroy with an everlasting destruction his implacable enemies The Lord God Almighty will destroy them that destroy the earth Rev. 11. 17 18. and chap. 16. 7 14. and chap. 19. 15. And the consideration of his Almightiness might both admonish us not to stretch forth our hand against him or strengthen our selves against the Almighty for who ever hardned himself against him and prospered Job 15. 25. and chap. 40. 2. and engage us to seek unto him betimes and make supplications to the Almighty Job 8. 5. and chap. 22. 23. for he can do every thing for us and no thought can be withholden from him Job 40. 2. with chap. 42. 2. He can pardon our iniquities and give all good to us Isa 50. 1 3. Numb 14. 17 18. Power belongs to him and also with him is mercy Psal 62. 8 11 12. And it might encourage us to walk before him and to be perfect Gen. 17. 1. and shews unto us the brutishness and unreasonableness of the thoughts and reasonings of such wicked ones who while they acknowledg him to be Almighty yet speak of him as if his hand were shortned or he wanted power What is the Almighty say they that we should serve him And what profit should we have if we pray unto him And again they say unto God Depart from us and what can the Almighty do for them or to them Job 21. 14. 16. and chap. 22. 17. whereas they might most reasonably say What cannot the Almighty do for or to them Wo to him that striveth with his Maker Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it What makest thou or thy work He hath no hands Isa 45. 9. and in the living creatures
I have bestowed upon you labour in vain Gal. 1. 2 6. and ch 3. 1. and ch 4. 11. yea that is called the temple of God in which the man of sin sits as God shewing himself that he is God 2 Thes 2. 4. see the notes before on ch 1. 12. Let this be considered and minded by us 2. We have the person described from whom this Epistle comes and who giveth charge These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand who walketh in the midst of the seven Golden Candlesticks Here he to wit Christ describes himself as he had done before with a little change See the notes before on ch 1. v. 13. and v. 16. and that for the encouragement and consolation of them in coming unto and walking before him and for admonition and warning unto them that they might not so evilly behave themselves as to grieve and offend him In general we may note thus he was to write These things saith he not say I â—ven Jesus Christ the Lord. Though John was the Instrument who first received and was to write and send this Epistle yet the message comes from Christ and as the holy Prophets did in former times usually thus speak unto the people Thus saith the Lord as Ezek. 33. 1 11 25 27. with many other places so here To every one of the Churches John was commanded thus to write these things saith Christ in those manifold Descriptions he gives of himself and so the residue of the Apostles of the lamb spake unto the Churches by the word and in the name of the Lord This we say unto you by the Word of the Lord 1 Thes 4. 15. If any man think himself to be a Prophet or spiritual let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord 1 Cor. 14. 37. And I have received of the Lord that which I also delivered unto you 1 Cor. 11. 23. and ch 7. 10 12 25. and it is good for his servants to go with his words and in his name and authority Ezek. 3. 10 11 12. 1 Cor. 15. 1 3. and not in their own name or name of the Church or Man of sin and with his words as the Lord saith he that hath my word let him speak my word faithfully what is the chaff to the wheat saith the Lord Jer. 37. 27 29. 1 Cor. 2. 12 13. and seeing what the holy Prophets and Apostles wrote were the commandments of the Lord it might engage us to be mindful thereof and to give â—arnest heed thereto and to receive their word not as the word of Men but as it is in truth the word of God that it may work effectually in us 2 Pet. 3. 1 2. and ch 1. 19 21. 1 Thes 2. 13. with v. 2. and 9. He who holdeth the seven stars in his right hand see notes on ch 1. v. 16. he holdeth them fast so this same word is translated in v. 13. and v. 25. and ch 3. 11. he holdeth them fast in his right hand which is powerful as is said Thy right hand O LORD is become glorious in power thy right hand O LORD hath dashed in pieces the enemy Exod. 15. 6. his right hand and his holy arme hath gotten the victory Ps 98. 1. and with his right hand which is full of righteousness yea which is called the right hand of his righteousness Ps 48. 10. Isay 41. 10. with which right hand he saveth them which put their trust in him from those that rise up against them Ps 17. 7. with Ps 31. 19 his power and faithfulness is engaged for them and for the Preservation of them from evil and enemies in their walking before him and holding forth the light of the glorious Gospel in word and conversation yea he upholds them with the right hand of his power and Righteousness when he is reproing and faulting them Now in that it is said He holdeth them in his right hand we may learn 1. That they especially have many enemies who thrust sore at them that they might fall As our Saviour saith to his disciples when he sent them forth to preach the Gospel ye shall be â—ated of all Men for my names sake Mat. 10. 7 22. see the notes before on ch 1. v. 9. They have no sufficiency of themselves as of themselves to defend or secure themselves from their many and powerful enemies on the side of their oppressours there is power but they have no comforter nor any power against their enemies who are stronger then they Eccles 4. 1. Ps 142. 4 6. They are as lambs in the midst of wolves poor helpless shiâ—tless creatures Mat. 10. 16 17. Their defence is of him unto whom all power is given both in Heaven and on Earth Ps 7. 10. Mat. 28. 18 20. he will give unto them and preserve them with the â—â—ield of his Salvation in their shining as lights and his right hand will hold them up as Ps 18. 35 Though their own Arme cannot save them yet his right hand and his Arme is imployed and exercised for their safety and security Ps 44. 3 4. And the consideration of this that he holdeth them in his right hand may be of great consolation to them to comfort and strengthen their hearts against the discouragement of their own weakness and many and manifold potent and politick enemies Isay 41. 10. and help them to say as he did The Lord GOD will help us therefore shall we not be confounded Isay 50. 7 10. and to walk in the strength of the LORD God and make mention of his Righteousness of his only Ps 71. 16. And for caution to them to admonish and warn them not to provoke him to angerâ— for he who holds them in his right hand can also throw them out if they rebel against him yea though they were as the signet upon his right hand yet he will pluck them thence as Jer. 22. 24. he can with-draw his right hand and not exert it for their help and Salvation as they complain Ps 74. 11. and as the profit also signifieth in saying not only He hath drawn back his right hand But also he stood with his right hand as an Adversary and slew all that were pleasant to the eye Lam. 2. 3 4. Oh sin not then against him by whom only you are held and held fast Who walketh in the midst of Seven golden Candlesticks not only is in the midst of them see notes on ch 1. v. 13. But he also walketh converseth hath his way and path there As God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them 2 Cor 6. 16. Lev. 26. 12. and here he walketh with delight while they are upright before him Thus when the Daughters of Jerusalem enquire of the spouse whither is thy beloved gone O thou fairest among women she answers My beloved is gone down into his Garden to the Beds of Spices to feed in the Garden c.
Essence with the Father or else that is not truly affirmed by Solomon which were high Blasphemy to conceive and utter and lying against God for he spake as he was moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1. 20. with 1 Kings 9. 3. And so much also may be imported in this saying of the Son of God I am he which searcheth the Reins and Hearts As if he should say I am he that Jehovah spoken of of whom it is said I Jehovah search the Heart and try the Reins even to give unto every Man according to his ways c. For all the Prophets gave witness to me Jer. 17. 9 10. with Acts 10. 43. A convincing and concluding argument that Christ is the true GOD GOD by Nature yea by reason of the Personal and Hypostatical Union between the two natures in that one person He who is our mediator the Man Christ Jesus knoweth all things God hath given the Spirit unto him without measure and the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God Joh. 3. 34. and Rev. 5. 6. with 1 Cor. 2. 10. 2. The consideration hereof may instruct and provoke us to wash our Hearts from wickedness and not to suffer vain thoughts to lodge within us Jer. 4. 14. Not only to cleanse our Hands from Sin but our Hearts also from double-mindedness Jam. 4. 8. and not to content our selves with making a fair face in the flesh or with a blameless conversation before men though it is good to have an honest conversation amongst all Men according to the Instructions and Operations of the grace of God Tit. 2. 10 11 13. The Hypocrites in Heart may appear specious among Men while yet their Reins and Hearts may be very wicked as our Saviour saith to the Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites Ye appear righteous unto Men but within ye are full of Hypocrisie and iniquity Mat. 23. 25 28. And ye are they which justifie your selves before Men but God knoweth your hearts for that which is highly esteemed amongst Men is abomination in the sight of God Luke 16. 14 15. We may sit before him as his people and hear his words and delight therein and yet our hearts may go after our uncleanness or covetousness or idolatry Ezek. 33. 30 33. Jer. 22. 17. Men may speak fair and yet there may be seven abominations in their hearts Prov. 26. 24 25. But if it be so with us he perfectly knoweth it He seeth not as man seeth for Man looketh upon the outward appearance but the Lord looketh â—n the Heart 1 Sam. 16. 7. Oh then let the word of Christ dwell richly in us hide we that in our hearts that we sin not against him Encline we our hearts to do his Statutes always that his Testimonies may be the rejoycing of our hearts Col. 3. 16. Ps 119. 11 80 111 112. Jer. 16. 15. Remember and consider he searcheth the Reins and Hearts If you have therefore any inward and secret lustings after divers and strange Doctrines doth not he know it If you are kept from outwardly hearing them and yet your Hearts itch after other Teachers or you inwardly turn aside to other Doctrines besides the Doctrine of Christ If you lust and covet after such Teachers and Instructions which cause to err though upon some by-respects you go not to their Assemblies nor hear them yet his Eyes are in every place and he is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Heb. 4. 12. Prov. 15. 3. and ch 6. 21 25. and ch 7. 3 25. If we forget the Name the Doctrine and Gospel of our God or stretch out our hands to another God shall not God search this out for he knoweth the secrets of the hearts Ps 44. 20 21. with Acts 9. 15 16. Oh so demean we our selves and keep we our hearts with all diligence as those that wisely consider he trieth our hearts and none can hide himself in secret places that he should not see him 1 Thes 2. 3 4. Job 31. 1 9. Jer. 23. 24. walk we before him and be we perfect Gen. 17. 1. 3. This might also instruct us to pray unto him that knoweth the hearts of all Men Acts 1. 24. to search us and know our hearts to try us and know our thoughts and to see if there be any wicked way in us and to lead us out of it into the way everlasting Ps 139. 1 23 24. And let us not be discouraged from thus doing because of his Omniscience and All-seeing eye But so let us call to mind and consider his wonderful and unspeakable loving-kindness manifested unto us in his abasement and sufferings that that may encourage us at all times and in all cases and conditions to commit our selves to him as it did the Prophet David Examine me O Lord saith he and prove me try my reins and mine heart but what emboldned him thus to pray unto God It followeth presently for thy loving kindness is before mine eyeâ— Ps 26. 2 3. He knows us better than we know our selves and hath more love for us than we have for our selves fear we not therefore to be searched into by him for he doth it for our good and profit that we might be made partakers of his holiness 1 Joh. 3. 20. 21. Ps 17. 1 2 3. Deut. 8. 2 16. 4. It may encourage the Believers if their heart condemn them not to appeal unto him who searcheth the hearts when they are â—landered and falâ—ly accused by Men as the holy Men of God have done in formâ—r times upon this account So David O Lord my God if I have done this thing if there be Iniquity in mine Hands If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me Let the Enemy persecute my Soul Judge me O Lord according to my Righteousness for the righteous God trieth the Hearts and Reins Ps 7. 1 11. and 17. 1 3. So Jeremiah but thou O Lord knowest me thou hast seen me and tried mine heart pull them out like Sheep for the slaughter Jer. 12. 1 3. and ch 15. 15 17. and ch 18. 20. Though yet it is not good for any to be hasty in desiring the woful day upon any Jer. 17. 16. and Ch. 18. 20. 5. The consideration of this that he searcheth the Reins and Hearts may encourage us also to hold fast the Faith and the Profession thereof without wavering as the Apostle saith All things are naked and opened unto the Eyes of him with whom we have to do seeing then that we have a great High-prist who is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our Profession Heb. 4. 13 14 16. In this we may be comforted and quieted that though we know not what the Devil and his Instruments are intending or devising yet the Son of God is perfect in knowledge Jer. 11. 18 20. In this the righteous comfort themselves when their Enemies did bend their Bows and make ready their Arrows upon the
evident Sign that should immediately come to pass and whereby they might know the Desolation thereof was nigh viz. When saith he ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with Armies then know that the Desolation thereof is nigh Then let them which are in Judea flee to the Mountains c. Matth. 24. 1 29. Mark 13. 1 26. Luke 21. 5 21 c. And now if this Book we are now speaking of did contain the same business it could not properly be called A sealed Book because in a great measure it was opened before by our Lord Jesus to the Apostles in general and also to the Apostle John particularly Mark 13. 3. Seeing also our Lord as I conceive had spoken more plainly there of the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Signs thereof than can be supposed he doth here as may appear by considering and comparing the three Evangelists fore-referred to But now this Book is still a sealed Book after the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ and after his pouring forth the Holy Spirit upon his Apostles Therefore this Book refers principally unto some other Matter and Place 3. And it still and farther appears that this Book doth not directly much less onely contain the Mind and Purposes of God concerning the Destruction of Jerusalem c. because of that said to the Apostle John when he had taken and eaten up the little Book viz. Thou must Prophecy again before or against as the Word is translated Rom. 2. 2. many Peoples and Nations and Tongues and Kings chap. 10. 10 11. Implying that his former Prophecy was not against or concerning Jerusalem and the Jewish Nation onely nor directly but against many Peoples and Nations and Tongues and Kings the word many though in the last place may indifferently agree to all there being not so much as a Comma between the several words Now that former Prophecy of his there intimately pointed to is contained in this Book under present consideration Indeed the judgments contained in this sealed Book might fall heavy upon some and many particular Jews but not upon Jerusalem it self or that Nation for that and it were judged before as hath been often said and in a good measure as I conceive proved 4. The Prophet Daniel as directed by the Holy Ghost had fore-written fully of Jerusalem and the Jewish Nation in his Prophecy whereto our Saviour refers in speaking of the Signs that preceded the Destruction of that City c. Matth. 24. 15 21. And this especially respects the Gentiles and not at all the Destruction of Jerusalem as is before said And so we may say This Book contains in it as I conceive the Mind of God and his Counsels and Purposes concerning this World in general or the Roman Empire which was then over the whole Worldâ— or the known and habitable part of it see Mr. Mede as appears Luke 2. 1. As the little Book chap. 10. respects the Church especially And therefore this former is called A Book the latter A little Book as being less than this and not so comprehensive and large as is before noted And so we shall look upon and speak unto this former Book in this chap. 5. in what follows as containing Gods Mind Counsels and Purposes concerning the Roman Empire which was then greatly stretched forth and very vast large and comprehensive But now in that in this Book is fore-written things which must be hereafter so we may learn from hence That all things are naked and opened to the All-seeing Eyes of him with whom we have to do In his Book All things are written which in continuance are fashioned and fulfilled Psal 139. 16. The things which must come to pass are laid up in store with him and sealed up among his treasures Deut. 32. 34. Behold it is written before me saith the Lord Isa 65. 6. See the Notes before on chap. 4. verse 1. 2. We have next to enquire and consider Where did the Apostle see this Book And that is In the right hand of him that sate on the Throne It was in his hand that sate upon the Throne All is written before him before it be opened or made known to us or the contents thereof executed And we may hereby see and understand his infinite fitness and meetness to govern in that all things are written before him that sits on the seat the supream seat of judgement Psal 9. 4. The Lords Throne is in Heaven his Eyes behold c. Psal 11. 4 5. Men that are upon the throne here below cannot fore-see future things and therefore cannot so govern but that in some cases they may see good reason to wish they had done otherwise Because of their nescience of things which after come to pass they may sometimes erre and mistake or not do so well as otherwise they might have done But he seeth and knoweth all things Job 36. 4 5. And this Book was in the hand of him that sate and sits for ever upon the Throne And so it may give us to understand That this Book is such an one as in which is contained his Government of and over the world as hath been formerly said It is in his hand as the supreme Governour The little Book is in the hand of a mighty Angel whereby may be meant our Lord Jesus Christ who in this Chapter is said to be in the midst of the Throne And yet his right foot is upon the Sea and his left foot upon the Earth for God hath crowned him as the Son of Man and Head of the Church with glory and honour and set him over the works of his hands and put all things in subjection under his feet though yet we see not all things put under him Rev. 10. 2 3. with chap. 5. 6. Hebr. 2. 7 8 9. Eph. 1. 21 22. But this Book is in the hand of him that sits on the Throne yea this Book is said to be in the right hand of Him to signifie 1. His Almighty power who sits upon the Throne to perform all that is written therein in his right hand of power Mark 14. 62. Luke 22. 69. In his right hand whereby he hath spanned the Heavens Isa 48. 12 13. and nothing is too hard for him Jer. 32. 17. 27. In his right hand whereby he hath formerly conquered enemies as it is said Thy right hand O Lord is become glorious in power thy right hand O Lord hath dashed in pieces the enemy Thou stretchedst out thy right hand the earth swallowed them Exod. 15. 6. 12. Psal 98. 1. which hand is called his mighty hand Deut. 5. 15. and chap. 7. 8 19 c. with which he strengthened the Captain of our salvation so as the enemy did not exact upon him But though the Devil and his Instruments thrust sore at him that he might fall yet the Lord helped him The right hand of the Lord did valiantly the right hand of the Lord was exalted Psal 118. 11-13-16 with Psal 89. 19-22 And
people righteously and govern the nations upon earth Selah Psal 67. 3 4 7. and 82. 5 8. And all the earth is called upon to make a joyful noise before the Lord for he not goeth or sitteth in Heaven but cometh to wit down from Heaven for he cometh to judg the earth he shall judg the world with righteousness and the people with his truth Psal 96. 11 13. and 98. 4 9. and 47. Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will raise up unto David a righteous branch and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth In his days Judah the two Tribes shall be saved and Israel the ten Tribes who were then captives and so remain unto this day shall dwell safely And this is his name whereby he shall be called THE LORD OVR RIGHTEOVSNESS Jer. 23. 5 6. and Chap. 33. 14 15-17 The Lord my God shall come and all the Saints with thee And the Lord shall be King over all the earth In that day there shall be one Lord and his name one Zech. 14. 5-9 And therefore because he shall reign on the earth and they with him they also shall reign on the earth as is here with joy and rejoicing affirmed by these redeemed ones 2. And they shall reign one with another who are children of God If children then heirs heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ if so be they suffer that they may also be glorified together Rom. 8. 16 17. As they shall be gathered together unto him to Christ I mean so also one to another in a personal consideration and shall not be separated one from another any more 2 Thes 2. 1. now they are scattered one from another upon several accounts The wise and gracious sowâ—r soweth the good seed the children of the Kingdom over all his field of the world for the good of the world that by them Gods way might be known upon the earth and his saving health among all Nations Mat. 13. 24-38 with Psal 67. 1-3 And by their being thus disposed many of them never see the faces of one another in the flesh Col. 2. 1. sometimes they are scattered one from another by persecution so it is said There was a great persecution against the Church which was at Jerusalem and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea c. Act. 8. 1 3 4. Many times the wolf cometh and scattereth the sheep one from another Joh. 10. 12. Sometimes and too often they are sundred one from another by contentions strifes and animosities It is the work of sin and satan to sow discord between brethren and to separate chief friends one from another Jam. 4. 1-5 Rev. 12. 10. so it is said of these two eminently holy ones Paul and Barnabas the contention was so sharp between them that they departed asunder one from the other Act. 15. 39. And so also they are removed one from another by death Isa 38. 11. but then compleatly and gloriously there will be the congregation of the righteous when they are raised and reign with Christ Psal 1. 5. The son of man shall send his Angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds from one end of Heaven to the other Mat. 24. 31. And them that sleep in Jesus God will bring with him 1 Thes 4. 13 14. The dead shall not reign on earth before the living All these holy ones saith the Apostle having obtained a good report thorow faith received not the promise God having provided some better things for us that they without us should not be made perfect Heb. 11. 39 40. And they of Christs which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep for the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the voice of the Arch-angel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air And so shall we ever be with the Lord 1 Thes 4. 15-17 And that in this glorious reign one shall not be before or after another the Apostle signifieth when he saith I would to God ye did reign that we also might reign with you thereby giving us to understand that as they shall reign with Christ as is before said so also one with another 1 Cor. 4. 8. this honour shall all Christs Saints have together Psal 149. 4 5-9 2 Tim. 2. 11 12. Vse 1. Now from what is here said in vers 9 10. we may see what is the new song so oft spoken of in Scripture as Psal 33. 1-3 and 40. 1-3 and 96. 1. and 98. 1-4 9. and 149. Isa 42. 1-10 to wit it is that which contains the contents of the Testimony of Jesus as we have said to wit what he hath done for us sinful creatures of mankind what he is now doing and what he will do 2. Here we may also see who are the true singers of the new song such as lift up the Horâ— that Horn of Salvation which God hath raised up in the house of his servant David this Horn is the praise of all these Saints 1 Chron. 25. 3-5 with Psal 148. 14. and Luk. 1. 69. And they first render glorious the sufferings of Christ and merrily and skilfully sing of and sound forth the preciousness of his blood saying Thou wast slain c. These are they who rightly sing and make melody with grace in their hearts unto the Lord even these redeemed ones Ephes 5. 18 19. Col. 3. 16. and these are called upon to give thanks unto and praise the Lord as it is said O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good for his mercy endureth for ever let the redeemed of the Lord say so whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy and gathered them out of the lands from the East and from the West and from the North and from the South even out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation Psal 107. 1-3 with Rev. 5. 9. and Chap. 14. 2 3. 4 5. 3. From this particular branch of the new song to wit We shall reign on the earth we may see That these redeemed ones having access into the grace of God rejoice in hope of the glory to be revealed Rom. 5. 2. and Chap. 12. 11. holding fast the beginning of the confidence they also hold fast the rejoicing of the hope and have that as an anchor of the soul both sure and stedfast c. Heb. 3. 6. with vers 14. and Chap. 6. 18-20 Psal 89. 15 16. 4. The consideration of the assurance of the faith and hope of these holy ones that they shall reign on the earth may preserve us from those scoffers who say where is the promise of his comeing and strengthen us notwithstanding their scoffs to
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
as opposed to the Kingdom of Sin Satan c. yea and as preferred above and opposed to the Kingdom of men my Kingdom is not of this world saith he Joh. 18. 36. But this Kingdom is that special Government in and by which he confers his peculiar love and favour to those that are in it namely to those who are translated from under the power of darkness into it Col. 1. 13. The beginning of this Kingdom and means by which it is brought unto us and rules over us is the Marriage of our Nature to the Divine Nature in the person of the Word the Son of God and his abasement therein as it is said The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a certain King which made a Marriage for his Son c. Mat. 22. 1 4. It consists in the destruction of all our Spiritual Enemies which is and shall be accomplished by him who was delivered for our Offences and raised again for our Justification Mat. 12. 28 29. Luke 1. 69 75. and in all Spiritual and Eternal Riches and Blessings which Christ hath by means of his Blood obtained for us Mat. 22. 2 4. and ch 13. 44. This Kingdom is not Meat and Drink but Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. Mat. 6. 33. Life Eternal Life and to reign in Life is the sum of the Riches and Priviledges of this Kingdom Compare Mark 9. 43 45. with v. 47. Rom. 5 17. which he is now giving unto them by Faith and will hereafter gloriously possess them of that come unto and follow after him in the Regeneration And of this Kingdom there is an increase and in it there are degrees Isay 9. 6 7. As to say 1. There is the gracious and spiritual administration of ' it which is now brought unto us in the Gospel which is called The Gospel and Word of the Kingdom Luke 9. 2. with v. 6. In which the glad tidings of this Kingdom are declared to all where the Scriptures are vouchsafed and Gospel is preached Luke 10. 9. Mat. 22. 2 8. And by which Gospel the Kingdom is brought nigh unto them Luke 10. 9 11. And whereby he is turning them from the Power of Satan unto God Acts 26. 18 23 And in and by which Word and Spirit therein he rules in the Hearts and Societies of them that submit to this Scepter and kiss the Son Rom. 1. 5. and ch 6. 17 18. Col. 3. 16. whereby he more moulds them into his likeness Mat. 13. 33. acquaints them with its Mysteries Mat. 13. 11. fills them with its glad-Tidings Riches and Priviledges Luke 8. 1. and ch 6. 20. Therein is also the Davidical and Glorious Administration of it when Christ will destroy all the wicked opposers of him and their Hornes Ps 75. 2 8 10. and make all things new and reign in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem and before his Ancients gloriously Isay 24. 23. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David Luke 1. 32 33. Isay 9. 6 7. And to him that overcometh he will grant to sit with him in his Throne Rev. 3. 21. and ch 5. 9 10. Isay 32. 1. 1 Cor. 4. 8. 3. There will be also in this Kingdom that administration which will be wholly Divine when God shall be all in all 1 Cor. 15. 28. which is not yet manifested 1 Joh. 3. 1 2. Now this is called The Kingdom of Jesus Christ 1. Because it is obtained for us and brought unto us by him who hath been abased for us and is risen again and ascended up on high and hath led Captivity Captive who hath delivered us from our Enemies and will in due time destroy them and hath obtained and is possessed of all things for us Luke 11. 20. Mat. 22. 2 4. Heb. 9. 12. 2 Pet. 1. 11. 2. And this Kingdom is administred by him now graciously and spiritually and shall be hereafter Davidically and Gloriously Ps 2. 6 7 8 12. 2. How are all hearty and unfeigned Believers in this Kingdom 1. They are brought into it by a Birth from above Verily Verily I say unto thee saith our Saviour except a Man be born of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Joh. 3. 3 5 7. In this Birth they are delivered from the Power of Darkness and translated into the Kingdom of God's dear Son Col. 1. 13. thorow the discovery of the Grace of God to Man-ward by the Spirit in lifting up the Son of Man in the Gospel they are made willing to suffer the loss of all things and to count them but Dung that they may win Christ and be found in him Mat. 18. 1 4. and ch 19. 24. and 21. 31. And in so doing and abiding they are in Obedience and Subjection to this Kingdom 2. They are in the participation of it by Faith and in Hope and so partake of the Riches and Priviledges thereof Rom. 14. 17. they are justified by Faith and have Peace with God thorow our Lord Jesus Christ by whom also they have access by Faith into the Grace and Favour of God and rejoyce in hope of his Glory Rom. 4. 5 7. and ch 5. 1 2. Christ is made of God to them Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption and by Faith they are made partakers of the Glory that shall be revealed 1 Cor. 1. 30. 1 Pet. 5. 1. Believing in Christ they now rejoyce with Joy unspeakable and full of Glory receiving the end of the Faith even the Salvation of the Soul and by Faith they are raised up together and sit with Christ in Heavenly Places 1 Pet. 1. 8 9. Eph. 2. 5 6. 3. They are in the protection of his Kingdom though now they walk in the midst of trouble he will revive them and stretch forth his Hand against the Wrath of their Enemies and his right Hand shall save them Ps 138. 7. So Kingdom answers to Power and in this Kingdom Christ exerciseth his special Power for preserving the Subjects of it Col. 1. 13. Herein they are delivered from all Evil who are and abide in it for this King hath all Power Mat. 6. 13. The King hereof is the mighty God Isay 9. 6. Ps 84. 3 4 10 12. Truly He that abideth in Christ who is called the Kingdom Mark 11. 9. 10. with Mat. 21. 9. sinneth not but he is so preserved that the wicked one toucheth him not 1 Joh. 3. 6 9. with ch 5. 18. and so shall not be removed but be as Mount Zion Ps 125. 1 2. Their King will command deliverances for them Ps 44 4. Rev. 12. 10 12. Such as are and abide in this Kingdom shall never fall as the Apostle Peter gives us to understand when he saith If ye do these things ye shall never fall Why so For so an entrance shall be ministred unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord
shall their consolations abound by Christ Jesus Joh. 14. 18. 2 Cor. 1. 5 6 7. And as a girdle was used and is still for strength to strengthen one for any work or business Hence these and such-like sayings she girdeth her loins with strength Prov. 31. 17. they that stumble are girt with strength 1 Sam. 2. 4. the mountains are girded with power Ps 65. 5 So our Jesus our High-priest is girded with strength and power As the Father and figure of Christ saith It is God that girdeth me with strength and Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle Ps 18. 32 39. He hath destroyed our enemies in their first worke his own right Hand and his holy arme hath gotten him the victory Ps 98. 1. and he is impowered to do it in the second God hath clothed him with his Robe and strengthened him with his girdle and committed the Government into his Hand Isay 22. 21 22. all power is given unto him both in Heaven and on Earth he is mighty to save his Israel to the uttermost and to destroy his and their enemies Ps 93. 1 4. Mat. 28. 18 20 and this also appeareth to be meant by his being girt about with a Golden girdle that he is strengthened to destroy all his and his Churches implacable enemies Therefore it is said the seven Angels which came out of the Temple having the last plagues were thus girt as our High-priest was in this vision They had their Brests girded with Golden girdles Rev. 15. 1 6. Oh how might this strengthen and help us to rejoyce in our High-priest who as thus clothed and girt is the Minister of the Sanctuary and true Tabernacle which the Lord hath pitched and not Man Heb. 8. 1 2. who will be faithful unto them in edifying them in faith and love in leading them into all truth In ordering them and taking away their iniquities In fitting them for holding forth the light that they may be Instruments of his praise In rendring acceptable their spiritual Sacrifices In saving and defending them from evil and enemies and destroying them that incensed against him and them in due time Consider him Verse 14. His Head and his Hair were white like Wooll as white as Snow and his eyes were as a flame of fire Here the Apostle gives us a further account of the visional appearrance of the Son of Man which he saw and which he was commandded to write 1. As to his Head and Hairs They were white as Wooll or like a sleece as white as Snow 2 As to his eyes which were as a flame of fire And both Instructive to us 1. As to his Head and Hairs they were white as Wool or like a white sleece as white as snow where let us enquire and consider 1. What may we understand by his Head and his Hairs 2. How are they said to be white as Wooll as white as Snow 1. What may we understand by his head and his hairs Surely hereby is not meant that Head c. of his personal body for this was a visional discovery and sometimes his Head is said to be as the most fine Gold which is not white yellow to signify the preciousness and Rich and enrishing excellency of it And his locks black as a Raven to signify the comliness and strength thereof or his strength c. Cant. 5. 10 11. But here 1. By his Head may be signified his infinite Wisdom and Understanding whereby he knows all things and how to order the Government of the World and how to order and rule his Churches as the Head and governour thereof Gen. 3. 15. As the Head is the seat of Wisdom of the eyes Metaphorically as well as of the eyes of the Body even of the eyes of the understanding The eyes of a wise Man are in his head and receive information direction and guidance from that part where the understanding is seated Eccles 2. 14. The head was that part on which the Oyl was poured in former times on the High-priest Exod. 29. 7. Ps 133. 2. And God hath anointed his head with Oyl Ps 23. 5. with the holy Spirit Acts 10. 38. On him doth rest the Spirit of the LORD the Spirit of Wisdom and Vnderstanding c. Isay 11. 1 3. and ch 42. 1. and ch 61. 1. yea he is anointed therewith above all his fellows Heb. 1. 9. God hath not given him the Spirit by measure Joh. 3. 34. so as he is perfect in Wisdom and knowledge Isay 42. 1 19. with Job 36. 4. Col. 2. 3 9 10. 2. And then by his Hairs may be meant that which proceeds out of his head to wit his thoughts and purposes concerning all things which are the result and issue of his Infinite and unsearchable Wisdom and Understanding as hairs proceed out of the natural head and are maintained and increased therefrom so his thoughts proceed from his head his perfect Wisdom and Knowledge so visions of the head and thoughts are put together and as signifying the same thing Dan. 4. 5. and ch 2. 28 29. Or by Hairs may be meant his law and Doctrine as Moses saith my Doctrine to wit that which he received from the Lord shall drop as the rain As the small rain or hair as the Word signifieth upon the tender herb Deut. 32. 2. so thoughts and law are opposed and yet answer the one to the other where the Psalmist saith I hate thoughts but thy law do I love Ps 119. 113. 2. Or by Head may be signified to us his rule and government as the head was that part on which the Crown was set 2 Sam. 12. 30. Ezek. 16. 12. So God hath set a Crown of pure Gold on his head Ps 21. 3. for the sufferings of Death he is Crowned with glory and honour Heb. 2. 9. The High-priest was Crowned in former times Exod. 29. 6. Lev. 8. 9. so also is our High-priest who is King of righteousness and King of peace Heb. 7. 1. God's King whom he hath set upon his holy hill of Zion Ps 2. 6. who is King of nations And therefore he hath on his Head many Crowns Rev. 19. 12. And King of Saints Rev. 15. 3 4 yea he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings Lords are his Servants and Kings his Subjects Rev. 17. 14. and ch 19. 16. All power is given unto him both in Heaven and in Earâ—h And all judgment and government is committed to him of the Father over all things and over his Church Isay 9. 6. and ch 22. 21 22. Joh. 5. 22. And then by his hairs may be meant his counsells and purposes thereabout 2. How are his head and his hairs said to be white as wooll or like a white fleece as white as Snow They are said to be 1. To signify his Antiquity or Ancientness and that his Wisdom and government is of old and all his thoughts and purposes and counsels c. He is Alpha the first from everlasting to everlasting he
with-hold his blessed Spirit from them as hath been said 2. He hath them in his right hand To signify to us that he hath preferred these for choice work as vessels of Honour and imployes them in the most excellent service even to serve him with their spirit in his Gospel Rom. 1. 9. They are vessels of Honour sanctified and made meet for their Masters use 2 Tim. 2. 21. Thus having in the right hand doth signify in scripture the giving preeminence unto such above others Gen. 48. 13 20. and the being placed at the right hand doth denote that such are exalted to honour 1 King 2. 19. and so it is in this business He hath or holds as ch 2. 1. with Heb. 12. 28. them in his right hand To give us to understand that his power is engaged for them in their holding forth the word of life to save them from all evil and enemies whatsoever he hath them in that hand wherewith he hath destroyed the Devil as to his first work for his own right hand hath gotten him the victory Ps 98. 1. Exod. 15. 6 12. and with which hand he saveth them that put their trust in him Ps 17. 7. and will destroy all his and their enemies in due season his hand shall find out all his enemies his right hand shall find out those that hate him Ps 21. 8 9. herewith he will save them that are faithful with him Ps 108. 6. and hold them up and uphold them even with the right hand of his righteousness Ps 139. 10. Isay 41. 10. Joh. 10. 27 28. and indeed those that go before others in the word of the Lord need the exercise of his glorious power for them and on their side for holding them up in their goings and strengthening them to their services and saving them from their enemies for they are Men wondred at and especially hated and Satan and his instruments seek by all means to discourage and destroy them Mat. 10. 22. 1 Cor. 4. 9 13. See notes on v. 9. 4 They are in his right hand in which is eternal life length of days is in his right hand even life for evermore Prov. 3. 16. with Ps 21. 4. and this he will give unto them who by a patient continuance in well-doing seek for Glory Honour and Immortality Rom. 2. 7. and this may incourage and strengthen them now to hold on their way and shew forth the praises of him who hath committed to them the Word of Reconciliation for in due time they shall reap this life everlasting if they saint not Gal. 6. 6 8. see notes on ch 5. v. 1. 2. We have next to consider what proceeded out of his mouth and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged Sword namely His Word or the words of his mouth very sharp like a Sword with two mouths or edges as is said The word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword Heb. 4. 12. and Christ saith concerning his Father he hath made my mouth like a sharp Sword c. Isay 49. 1 2. Now his word is As a sharp two-edged Sword to searching all the thoughts and intents of the heart and to discern what all are whether they are for him or against him Yea to search as the High-priests under the law did in the sacrifices which were brought them whether those that pretend to be for him be so or no Rev. 2. 23. To this purpose the Apostle speaks saying The word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of of Soul and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is a diâ—cerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Heb. 4. 12 13. This word makes manifest the secrets of the heart of Men in their attending to it as the Apostle signifieth If all prophecy and there come in one that believeth not or one unlearned he is convinced of all he is judged of all and thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest c. 1 Cor. 14. 24 25. This word is even like him whose word it is and who is also called the word of God seeing and searching into the inward parts of the belly discerning those things most hidden and which are furthest off from our sight and inspection Act. 2. 23 37. This word of our great High-Priest will cut us down the Back-bone as it were and lay us open and find us out if we appear to be his disciples and are not so indeed but only cleave to him and his people with flatteries yea it doth discover and make manifest all and that to a gracious end while it is called to day that Men might awake and stand up from the dead and so consider themselves and their ways as to turn their feet unto his Testimonies Jam. 1. 22 23 24. 2. As a sharp two-edged Sword To fight with against his enemies or pretended friends that grieve his good spirit and rebel against him so as even to slay them therewith as I have hewed them by my prophets I have slain them by the Words of my mouth Hos 6. 5. herewith he will fight against his Angels and Churches if they sin against him and entertain such teachers and doctrines amongst them as tend to the turning them away from the faith and especially he will fight against evil teachers therewith Thus he describes himself to the Angel of the Church in Pergamus These things saith he who hath the sharp Sword with two edges I know thy works c. But I have a few things against thee because thou hast here them that hold the Doctrine of Balaam So hast thou also them that hold the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans which thing I hate repent or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the Sword of my Mouth Rev. 2. 12 13 14 16. Or more generally when his people are guilty of great abominations and persist therein and repent not thereof he will use this sharp Sword against them with this Word which is as a Sword the prophet Ezekiel came to destroy the City Ezek. 43. 3 and the Lord saith to Jeremy Behold I have put my words in thy mouth See I have this day set thee over the nations and over the Kingdoms to root out and to pull down and to destroy and to throw down c. Jer. 1. 8 10. and in due season he will slay all the wicked whether in or out of the Church As it is said He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked Isay 11. 4. Rev. 19. 15 21. And herewith also he will defend from danger build and plant all those that follow him and cleave unto him with full purpose Jer. 1. 10. and seeing his word is as a sharp two-edged Sword it may instruct us to take it and make use of it that we may overcome all our enemies As it is
bearing the Judgment of the World he hath cast Satan the Prince of the World out of his principality Joh. 12. 31. and all power is given unto him both in Heaven and on Earth Mat. 28. 18 20. 2 Cor. 1. 9 10. Joh. 5. 27. and ch 3. 35. with ch 10. 17. Because he humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the Cross therefore also hath God highly exalted him and given him a name above every name c. Phil. 2. 6 7 8 9 10. And seeing he hath and hath thus obtained the Keys of Hell and Death it may be of much usefulness unto us as to say a little 1. Herein we may see the preciousuess of the sufferings and blood of Christ 1 Pet. 1. 19. 2. It may admonish us not to have idolatrous esteems of Men make not great Men your arme for Men of low degree are Vanity and Men of high degree are a Lye to be laid in the Ballance they are alike lighter than Vanity Ps 62. 9. How high or great soever they are they are Men and not God Isay 31. 3. therefore trust not in them nor in the most learned skilful and mâ—st experienced Physicians for they have not the Keys of Hell and Death if he will not with-draw his anger the proud helpers do stoop under him Job 9. 13. What Man whether wisest or greatest or strongest or richest or healthithiest is he that liveth and shall not see death shall he deliver his Soul from the Hand of Hell Ps 89. 48. and 146. 3 4. 3. This consideration may encourage his Servants not to be afraid of their Enemies for not they but he hath the Keys Acts 26. 17. All power is given unto me both in Heaven and on Earth Go ye therefore Disciple all the Nations c. saith our Saviour unto his Apostles Mat. 28. 18 20. Heb. 2. 14 15. 1 Cor. 15. 58. 4. Fear him so as not to provoke him Luke 12. 4 5. Exod. 23. 21. for our breath is in his hand and the Keys of Hell and Death are in his hand Ps 107. 10 12. 5. Pray unto and seek help of him and in his name and come unto God by him to whom should a people seek but to their God When we fall down and there is none to help us yet in crying to him he can save us out of our Distresses and bring us out of Darkness and the shadow of Death and break our bands asunder For he hath broken the Gates of Brass and cut the Bars of Iron in sunder Isay 8. 19. Psal 68. 18 20. and 107. 13 16. Jer. 30. 12 18. 6. It may comfort them that wait upon him and keep his way that though they must dye yet he liveth and hath the Keys of Hell and Death and will in due season open their Graves and bring them forth and make them partakers of everlasting Life Joh. 6. 40. and ch 11. 25 26. 1 Thes 4. 15 18. 2 Cor. 4. â—2 14 17. These things our Lord sets before his Servant John when he was as dead and greatly afraid to revive him and to strengthen him and encourage him against his fearâ— And let us learn from hence 1. When we are â—ainting and fearful to look unto Jesus and consider his Blood and the Glory he hath received therethorow as these things are discovered to us in the Gospel as the Apostle exhorts saying laying aside every weight and the Sin which doth so easily beset us let us run with patience the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of the Faith who for the Joy set before him endured the Cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God For consider him lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds Heb. 12. 1 3 4. and ch 3. 1 2. The Gospel is the word of life the spirit of life is in it Phil. 2. 16. that will quicken us again Ps 119. 50 93. That is proper to bind up the broken-hearted who are broken and shattered with sorrow or fear Isay 61. 1 2. Luke 4. 18. Oh consider we not our selves or any goodness or worthiness of ours but consider his first love manifested in his laying down his life for us and the glory he hath received and shall appear in give more earnest heed to the things we have heard that we may encourage our selves in the Lord 1 Sam. 30. 6. Joh. 6. 63. 1 Joh. 4. 14 18 19. Christ comforts not John immediately though he was as dead but declares the word of life to him 2. Or when we see others surprized with fear or overwhelmed with grief with this Gospel lift up the hands that hang down Rom. 1. 16. Isay 40. 1 2 9. Verse 19. Write the things which thou hast seen and the things which are and the things which shall be hereafter This charge and commandment he giveth to him again he had given John such a like command before v. 11. and now reneweth it to signify to us the weightiness of the things to be written and that they might be conveyed to the Churches and for us and for our use and benefit in these latter days For whatsoever was written aforetime was written for our learning Rom. 15. 4. and who shall hinder us from looking hereinto That charge in v. 11. and this here are given in general some other are more particular as ch 14. 1â— and ch 19. 9. c. This charge and commandement he gives to him after he had strengthened him Dan. 10. 17 19. his yoke is easie and his burthen is light Mat. 11. 30. 1 Joh. 5. 3. and indeed he had given such a discovery of himself before that there was no cause for John to fear for he who thus enjoyned him was able to stand by him and save him It was the LORD that spake who could but prophesy and write Amos. 3. 8. It was the first and the last that gave this charge to him Josh 1. 7 9. Jer. 1. 8 19. Write saith Christ to him but what should he write some thus read it the things which thou hast seen both the things which are and the things which shall be hereafter summing them up in two Branches or particulars and hereby signifying as if John had seen all he was to write before his charge was given to him which doubtless he had not and therefore we shall look upon the word 's as we have them rendred to us and as a commandment to write three things viz. 1. The things which thou hast seen namely in vision as v. 11. and so what he had seen from v. 12. to this verse not all he had foreseen but what he had now seen in which our Lord doth give a brief discovery of himself of his death resurrection everliving and his Glory Power and Majesty Christ first shews him this that it might be instructive to him to look unto Jesus that he might be enlightened Ps 34. 5 8.
the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemy Jer. â— 12. 7 8. Amos. 3. 2. If God spared not the natural branches take heed also lest he spare not thee Rom. 11. 20 21. Rev. 3. 2 3. and v. 16. but to this we may further speak afterwards 2. We have the matter or reason of the charge or quarrel particularly declared and laid down Because or that thou hast left thy first love This was that he had against them and therefore he was angry with them though good and commendable things were found with them 1. He had not against them here that they walked in rioting and drunkenness and run with others to the same excess of riot they were not clothed with this undecent and dishonest cloathing with these works of darkness Rom. 13. 11 12. It is most abominable for his Churches or any in them to abuse themselves herewith or to abuse the good creatures of God and admonition had been formerly given to this Church not to be drunk with wine wherein is excess which it seems had had good effect on them Eph. 5. 17 18. and Judgment is threatned to such by our Saviour who overcharge their hearts with surfetting and drunkenness Luke 21. 34 36. But for these evils he threatens them not nor had he a quarrel against them for walking in uncleanness nay they hated such deeds v. 6. so well had they minded and observed those cautions and Instructions given them by the Apostle Paul Eph. 5. 3 6. Col. 3. 5 6. 1 Cor. 3. 16 17. and ch 6. 9 11. Gal. 5. 19 21. 2. Nor hath he against them that they were walking in covetousness which is Idolatry Col. 3. 5. Eph. 5. 5. and the root of all evil 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. and for which he reproves and threatens destruction to his people in former times Jer. 6. 10 13. and ch 8. 7 10. Ezek. 33. 31 32. nor for fashioning themselves to the fashions of this evil World in the Pride of apparel for which they are threatned Isay 3. 15 26. And which becomes not persons prosessing godliness 1 Tim. 2. 9 10. nay they are not charged with committing or acting any evil but they are reproved for omitting or abating in that which was good This was also the great and provoking evil of Laodicea that she was become luke-warm and her love to Christ was greatly decreased and lessened This one evil was charged upon the first the last of the seven Churches Though the last it seems was most deeply guilty hereof ch 3. 15 17. Consider this If thou knowest no evil by thy self that thou hast acted or committed yet art thou not hereby justified but mayest be that notwithstanding justly reproved and punished 3. Nor doth he say thou hast no love nor any works or labour thereof But he had before acknowedged to their praise that they had works and labour c. v. 2 but their evil was they were without and destitute of their first love though they had some still without all perad venture 2. And so that which he hath against them is Because they had left their first love where let us enquire and consider for our usefulness 1. What was their first love which they had left 2. How had they left their first love 3. Shew that this is such an iniquity as provoketh the Lord to anger 1. What was their first love which they had left To this we may say their first love here meant was not their first love as Children of Adam or as walking in their natural estate for then they walked according to the course of this World according to the prince of the power of the air the spirit that worketh rulingly prevailingly in the Children of disobedience Eph. 2. 1 2. then they loved and and adored Diana Act. 19. 27 28. but the love here spoken of was their love in the spirit Col. 1. 8. even that love which was effected and produced in them by the holy spirit in the Testimony of Jesus in his glorifying Christ and taking of his things and shewing unto them whereby their hearts were reconciled unto him and enflamed with love to him And so we may say 1. This first love here spoken of hath for its principle seed Gods first love commended to us in the cross of Christ as declared in the Gospel for the cross of Christ his abasement and sufferings in the vertue whereof he is raised again is the first great fundamental universal commendation of the love of God and Christ to us poor sinners and ungodly ones of mankind And that which is first to be declared to men when they are in trespasses and sins dead to reconcile their hearts this is the ministery of reconciliation to wit that God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself not imputing their trespasses to them but making him to be sin for them who knew no sin 2 Cor. 5. 19 21. This is the water or that in which is the water to regenerate men even to beget them to the faith love of God That God so loved the World as to give his onely begetten Son and that which our Saviour preached first of all in order to the regeneration of Nicodemus Joh. 3. 3 5 9 16 and to the Samaritans Joh. 4. 42. this Paul first of all preached unto the Corinthians when they were gentiles carried away unto dumb Idols even as they were led and while they were walking in the Service of the vile affections and lusts of the flesh To the begetting them to faith and love 1 Cor. 15. 1 4. with ch 12. 2. and ch 6. 9 11. and ch 4. 15. and to the Galatians he did evidently set forth Jesus Christ and him crucified before them in the gospel and therein the grace of God to sinners unjust ones and enemies that their hearts might thereby be turned to the Lord Gal. 4. 13. with ch 3. 1. and ch 1. 6. and indeed this is the incorruptible seed of which a Man may be born again even the word of God which hath been made flesh and which liveth and abideth for ever 1 Pet. 1. 23 25. hereby men are begotten to the love of God in Christ even from the knowledg and belâ—ef of his first love to us as the Apostle John saith love is of God and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God for God is love But how and wherein doth his love appear and that he is love In this was manifested the love of God towards us because God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live thorow him Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins And â—e have known and believed the love that God hath to us in sending his Son the Saviour of the World God is love c. Hereby is our love made perfect we love him because he first loved us
he is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work and shall be blessed in his Deed Jam. 1. 22 25. By this ye are saved to wit from Sins and Errours if ye hold fast what was preached unto you unless ye have believed in vain to wit how that Christ died for our Sins according to the Scriptures and was buried and rose again c. 1 Cor 15. 2 4. If that ye have heard from the beginning remain in you ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father 1 Joh. 2. 24. By all which it appears that that from whence they were fallen was from the believing view and mindfulness of the Cross of Christ and his first love therein commended For as a Man cannot heartily love Christ till his love be known and believed so neither will there be a decay or abatement of the first love until there be some departure by an evil heart of unbelief from the Grace of Christ 2. We come to note some Instructions from this Branch of the Counsel As 1. In general we may note that when Christ's Churches or any particular Members thereof have left their first-love and fallen from and forgotten his Sufferings and his love therein commended yet he doth not presently forget them or their first-love to him or his first love to them but remembers that and them still and gives good Counsel to them while it is called to day Jer. 2. 1 3 31 32. and ch 3. 1. He calls upon them to return to him from whom they have fallen by their iniquities Hos 14. 1 4. Rev. 3. 1 3 15 19. He still waits upon such that he may be gracious unto them Isay 30. 8 18. Hos 11. 4 8. though his well-pleased delightful love towards them should cease or fail yet while it is the day of his Grace and Patience while they are joyned to all the living his compassions fail not Lam. 3. 22 23. His Charity never faileth 1 Cor. 13. 8. He is good for his Mercy endureth for ever Ps 106. 1 3. Hence it is that he giveth good and needful Counsel to such as these 2. More particularly from hence we may note and observe 1. That those that have been begotten thorow Christ's Cross and his love therein commended as declared in the Gospel unto the unfeigned and fervent love of him may fall from their first and former high esteeming and prizing of that precious Blood and first love they may forget it and forget how precious it was to them when it was at first proclaimed unto them and seen and believed by them Thus we may see in our Types of old how much and how oft did the Church of God in former times forget their deliverance out of Egypt which was a Type of Christ's redeeming us by his Blood in which God's love was commended to them They soon forgat his works and his wonders that he had shewed them Ps 78. 7 11. They remembred not the multitude of his Mercies they soon forgat his works they waited not for his Counsel They soon forgat God their Saviour which had done great things in Egypt wondrous things in the Land of Ham Ps 106. 7 13 21 22. Of the Rock that begat them they were unmindful and forgat God that formed them Deut. 32. 18. Hos 13. 4 6. and ch 14. 1. And this is written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the World are come Heb. 3. 7 14. And how guilty of forgetting the preciousness of the Blood of Christ and Grace therein commended were the Churches of Galatia Gal. 3. 1. with ch 1. 6. and ch 4. 15 17. with v. 11 and ch 5. 2 4. Heb. 2. 1 3. 2 Pet. 1. 9. And indeed the Churches and particular believers thorow their listening to and siding with that Sin that dwelleth in them are apt so to do and too oft do so when they are come to some rest peace and excellent ornaments hence such admonitions and intimations are given in such a consideration Deut. 6. 10 12. Beware lest when thou hast eaten and art full that then thine heart be lifted up and thou forget the Lord thy God which brought thee forth out of the Land of Egypt Deut. 8. 11 14. Jesurun waxed fat and kicked thou art waxed fat thou art grown thick thou art covered then â—e forsook God which made him and lightly esteemed the Rock of his Salvation Deut. 32. 13 15. After they had rest they did evil before thee c. Neh. 9 28. They were filled and their heart was exalted therefore have they forgotten me Hos 13. 4 6. Rev. 3. 17 20. Judg. 3. 11 12. and 5. 31. and ch 6. 1. Ezek. 16. 4 7 10 14 15 16. Vse 1. Examine we our selves whether we be not also guilty of this great and root-iniquity are we not saying when we hear the first things of the Gospel and God's love therein declared as they did Behold what a weariness is it And ye have snuffed at it saith the Lord of Hosts Mal. 1. 13. Do we not say in our hearts The Table of the LORD is polluted and the fruit thereof even his meat is contemptible Mal. 1. 12. or like them Numb 11. 5 6. 2. Seeing we may and are too apt to forget the precious Blood of Christ and preciousness thereof and his first love therein commended it shews unto us that we need to be oft put in remembrance thereof by the Ministers of Jesus Christ 1 Tim. 2. 4 7. But to this after 2. We may further note that the forgetting the preciousness of Christ's Cross and the love therein demonstrated as declared in the Gospel is the cause of our departure from Christ and leaving of our first-love to him This appears by the reference this hath to the former verse thou hast left thy first-love remember therefore c. Thus in former times this is rendred as the cause of Israel's many evils their forgetfulness of God's wondrous works as it is said How oft did they provoke him in the Wilderness and grieve him in the desart yea they turned back and tempted God and limited the Holy one of Israel They remembred not his hand nor the day when he delivered them from the Enemy Ps 78. 40 42. c. and 81. 6 8 10. Jer. 2. 31 33. His first love was that as we have seen which did beget love in them unto him it is the â—corruptible seed And therefore the forgetting and falling from this in any measure is the cause and reason of our want or decay of love to him Were this kept in hearty mindfulness we should be preserved from such decrease or abatement of love 1 Cor. 15. 1 3. Christ is the living Bread that came down from Heaven If any Man eat of this Bread he shall live for ever and the Bread which he will give is his Flesh which now he hath given for the Life of the World Joh. 6. 51 56 58. 3. The way and means to recover such as
1 Pet. 1. 17. And therefore 2. Flatter we not our selves as if because we are made so nigh unto him and so favoured and priviledged by him he would not thus come unto us but let us wisely consider his dealings with his people in former times for they are written for our admonition And every one that hath an ear is called upon to hear what the spirit saith unto the Churches See v. 7. 17 29. and ch 3. v. 6. 22. 3. Make we haste and delay not to turn unto him when we we have backslidden from him Ps 119. 59 66. Mat. 5. 25. and ch 24. â—â— 2. We have the end of his coming declared to us and therâ—â—n the Judgment directly threatned And will remove thy candlestick out of his place That is to say 1. He would take away their fellowship in the Gospel and break their Church in pieces so as there should be no longer a Church in Ephesus A candlestick is a Church as is before declared to us like that complained of bewailed in former times He hath violently taken away his Tabernacle as it were of a garden he hath destroyed his places of the assembly The Lord hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion Lam. 2. 6. he would so break them in pieces that there should not be a cluster left Mica 7. 1. either by taking away those that were more upright among them and so or otherwise scattering them one from another and causing them that were left to sit alone because of his hand as Jer. 15. 17. like that the anger or the face of the Lord hath divided them Lam. 4. 16. and thus he would deal with them in Testimony of displeasure to the Angel also as well as to the Church more generally and to others among whom they were set Eccles 4. 10 12. he would even take away the hedge thereof and it should be eaten up and break down the wall thereof and it should be trodden down and so make way for the wild beasts to come in amongst them Isay 5. 1 4. with Ps 80. 12 13. 2. He would take away the light of the Gospel from them so as they should not have it amongst them as hitherto they had had he would take away the Kingdom of God from them and his word and ordinances as he threatned to do and did at last with the Church of Israel because they rejected Christ and put away the word of God from them Mat. 21. 41 43. Acts 13. 46. The candlestick is the place in which the light is set and by removing the former he would deprive them also of the latter and take away from them those gifts and that knowledge that had been vouchsafed to them and not improved by them as our saviour saith From him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath Mat. 13. 12. The talent or talents might be taken away from the Angel and that in testimony of displeasure not to himself only but unto them also Mat. 25. 29. and so he would deprive them of those helps that formerly they had had And even send a famine amongst them of hearing the words of the Lord and command the clouds that they rain no rain upon them even shut the mouths of his ministers so as they should no longer prophesy unto them Amos 8. 11 12. Isay 5. 6. Ezek. 3. 25 26. Micah 2. 6. 3. And as the consequent and concomitant of both the former he also himself would depart from them and not dwell and walk in and amongst them For he is and walketh in the midst of the Golden candlesticks v. 1. Exod. 20. 24. Mat. 18. 20. But when the candlestick is removed and taken away then he would be gone and leave them also according to that Be thou instructed O Jerusalem lest my soul depart from thee c. Jer. 6. 8. And then nothing but cause of lamenâ—ation mourning and woe will follow as he saith to his people in former times Woe also unto them when I depart from them and for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of my house I will love them no more Hos 9. 12 15. He will go far off from them Ezek. 8. 6. Jâ—r 23. 33 39. he will forsake his house and leave his heritage and give the dearly beloved of his soul into the hands of her enemies Jer 12. 7 8 9. Now in that he so severely threatneth this Angel and Church and that on the account before spoken to so he signifieth unto us 1. That it is a very great and provoking iniquity to leave our first love to Jesus Christ and to withdraw or abate in our affection to him and so in some measure to forsake him Thus when the Lord is declaring to Jerusalem that he remembers the kindness of their youth the love of their espousals and signifying that now they had left that he thus expresseth the heynousness of that Iniquity which was the root of their other evils Be astonished O ye heavens at this and be horribly afraid be ye very desolate saith the Lord c. Jer. 2. 2 3 12 13. Mat. 10. 37 38. So again he saith Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful and hast forgotten God that formed thee and when the Lord saw it he abhorred them because of the provoking of his sons and of his daughters Deut. 32. 15. 18 19. So here he gives us to understand how provoking an evil it is to him to leave the first love and let slip the principle thereof by the judgments he threateneth to execute upon them so persisting and how many good things soever otherwise there were with them 2. In that he saith I will remove thy candlestick So he intimates to us that he can righteously unchurch his churches and cast them out of his house for their evils and love them no more Hos 9. 15. he can abhor his sons and daughters and cast them off because of their provokings Deut. 32. 19 23. he is not tied to their persous but if they forsake him he will also forsake them 2 Chron. 15. 2. It is a faithful saying if we deny him he also will deny us 2 Tim. 2. 11 13. see how he dealt with his people in former times Behold Israel after the flesh because of unbelief they are broken off and thou standest by faith be not high minded but fear behold therefore the goodness and severity of God on them which fell severity but towards thee goodness if thou continue in his goodness otherwise thou also shall be cut off saith the Apostle to the Church at Rome Jer. 7. 3 12. Ps 78. 57 61. 1 Sam. 4. 7 11. Rom. 11. 20 21. Mat. 21. 41 4. 3. In that he threatneth this as a judgment and severe testimony of his displeasure so it may instruct us That it is a great mercy blessing and advantage to have his Church and candlestick continued in a place and to have his
affliction Isay 48. 10. every branch in him that beareth fruit he purgeth even by afflictions also that it it may bring forth more fruit Joh. 15. 2. with Isay 27. 8 9. Thus he taketh away their dross and tynne Prov. 25. 4. The fining pot is for silver and the fornace for Gold But the Lord trieth the heart and to that end hath placed his fire in Zâ—on and his fornace in Jerusalem Prov. 18. 3. with Isay 31. 9. Deut. 4. 34. And though as he had said before he shall cast some of you into prison yet here he saith not that some of you but ye indefinitely may be tried To which we shall speak afterwards Only here we may mind for ouâ— usefulness considering what is the gracious work of Christ in trying and his end in tempting to wit to prove and purify that we have good reason to count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations knowing that the trial of the faith worketh patience and if we lack wisdom so to count let us ask of God who giveth liberally unto all Men Rom. 5. 2 5. Jam. 1. 1 5 6. 1 Pet. 1. 6 7 8. 3. The extent of their sufferings â—s to the time is also to be considered by us And ye shall have tribulation ten days And ye shall have tribulation He had said before The Devil shall cast some of you into prison But here it is not said And some of you but ye indefinitely shall have tribulation as also before we noted briefly that ye may be tried And thus it is here expressed either to signify to us 1. That though all should not be cast into prison yet all should be tried and should have tribulation and trouble some in one kind and some in another some might have it in reproachful words and language in cruel mockings as Heb. 11. 36. In being laught at and derided in the evil words or gestures of ohters and the being mockt and derided is a persecution Gen. 21. 9 10. with Gal 4. 29. 1 Pet. 4. 13 14. or in being threatned Acts 4. 29. or in being persecuted actually and expelled and chased from their habitations Mat. 25. 35. or in being spoiled of their goods Heb. 10. 34. many other ways they might be in tribulation some in one trouble and some in another though all of them were not cast into prison in the same time 2. Or though not all cast into Prison yet ye shall all be tried namely when some of you are shut up in prison this is a trial to the rest as when the Apostles and their fellow-labourers were in Affliction then Satan was endeavouring to move the residue of the believers from the â—aith so much the Apostle signifies when he saith I desire ye faint not at my tribulatioon for you which is your glory Eph. 3. 13. so he sent Timotheus to the Church of the Thessalonians to establish and comfort them concerning their â—aith that no Man saith he should be moved by these afflictions to wit which he and his fellow-labourers endured as appears by what follows for your selves know that we are appointed thereunto for this cause I sent to know your faith lest by some means the temper have tempted you c. 1 Thess 3. 1 3 4 5. And at such a time God is trying and proving them that are not in such adversity as their Brethren are whether they be stedâ—ast and unmovable or whether they will own and be kind to their suffering Brethren 3. Or ye shall have tribulation though not all at prison at once by sympathzing with your Brethren in their Imprisonment and affliction as the Apostle saith to the Hebrews ye endured a great fight of affliction how so partly whilest ye became companions of them that were reproached and afflicted Heb. 10. 32 33 34. Thus the Apostle saith if one member suffer all the members suffer with it 1 Cor. 12. 25 26. and exhorts another Church to weep with them that weep and to be of the same mind one towards another Rom. 12. 15 16. Heb. 13. 1 3. 2 Cor. 11. 29. Isay 63. 9 And this was a great evil in some they were at ease in Zion and were not grieved for the affliction of Joseph Amos 6. 1 3 5 6 7. Ten days that is as it seems ten yeers for so many times in Prophetical speaking a day signifies a yeer Numb 14. 34. as the Lord saith to Ezekiel lye upon thy right side and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah fourty days I have appointed thee each day for a yeer Ezek. 4. 5 6. and so a day is many times used in this Book for a yeer or days for yeers as ch 11. 2 3 9 11. and ch 12. 6. And he that too rashly could say the fourty and two months and a thousand two hundred and threescore days signify three yeers and a half Rev. 11. 2 3. yet durst not take these ten days strictly nor in Rev. 11. 9 11. But here we may learn 1. That our times are in Gods hand even the times of tribulation and affliction also Ps 31. 13 15. he hath determined the times before-appointed Acts 17. 26. and the Adversaries of his people cannot prolong their affliction beyond his pleasure he saith to his peoples enemies hitherto ye shall go and no further he puts bounds to the sufferings of those that wait upon him and keep his way Dan. 12. 11 12. Rev. 11. 2 3. So the Lord said unto Abraham thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs and shall serve them and they shall afflict them four hundred years Gen. 15. 13. Acts 7. 6. and so he told the Prophet That the two Tribes should serve the King of Babilon seventy yeers and after seventy yeers he would visit them and perform his good word towards them in causing them to return into their own land Jer. 25. 8 12. and ch 29. 10. there is a determined time beyond which the enemy shall not afflict his people 2. Ten days Though prophetically taken for yeers as before yet it is but a little time And so many times after they have suffered a while a little time here he gives them some rest and peace Acts 9. 31. And how long soever his peoples sufferings are they are but a little time as compared with eternity and with the duration of their misery who are and abide enemies unto Christ his Gospel and sincere disciples or in comparison of the everlastingness of their Joy and blessedness that abide faithful to the death Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory saith the Apostle Paul 2 Cor. 4. 17 18. Ps 37. 10. yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry Heb. 10. 37. Isay 54. 7 8. Behold mind and consider all this who is your adversary and false accuser the Devil The end of your sufferings that ye may be tried
and they that hear it in hearing shall live they shall never see death Joh 5. 25 with ch 8. 51. It is able to build them up and to give them an inheritance among all them that are sanctified Acts 20. 32. hence David saith I will never forget thy precepts for with them thou hast quickned me Ps 119. 93. 1 Joh. 2. 24 25. 2 Joh. 9. But we come to look into and speak unto the words more particularly In which we shall look upon and consider 1. The counsel which our Lord gives unto this Angel and Church in two branches Be watchful This appears to be a general head of instruction encluding all afterwards counselled unto or it is needful therereto And so Be watchful become waking or awake or as some former translations read it Be awake how long wilt thou sleep O sluggard Prov. 6. 9. so watching is opposed to sleep As let us not sleep as do others but let us watch 1 Thes 5. 6. Thus our Saviour when he comes to the Disciples and finds them all asleep saith Watch c. namely awake from your drowsiness and sleepiness Mat. 26. 40 41. It is high time to awake out of sleep when persons have brought themselves into such a miserable condition as this Angel and Church had done like to that awake to righteousness and sin not for some have not the knowledge of God I speak this to your shame 1 Cor. 15. 134. Now then from hence we may note for our Instruction and usefulness 1. That these who were in a wretched miserable condition were yet asleep and secure and dreamed that their condition was good enough they thought themselves to be free from danger and the subjects of Christ's favour and well-pleasedness they might even lye a-bed and sleep they thought for they had a name among the Churches that they lived though indeed and in truth they were dead thus also it was with Laodicea v. 17. This Angel and Church were like to Jonah in former times when the ship was like to be broken and all in it ready to perish he was gone down into the sides of the ship and he lay and was fast asleep thus it was with these Jonah 1. 4 6. they were like to them that lye down in the midst of the Sea or as he that lieth asleep upon the top of a mast in the very mouth of danger and destruction and yet insensible of it unacquainted with it or unwilling so to be Oh dreadful case Oh deplorable condition Prov. 23. 34 35. they might think their mountain was so strong setled that they should never be moved they should never be in adversity Ps 30. 6 7. That God had so engaged himself to them and their condition was thereby so immoveable that they needed not to fear any evil but might laugh at calamity and destruction Rom. 11. 20 22. Though they had not been led by the Spirit and so were not his sons as to their demeanour yet such impudence might be found with them as to say as they did thou art our Father thou art the guide of our youth Jer. 3. 4. Though we should cease in our Son-like demeanour unto and affection and imitation of him yet he can never cease to be a Father unto us a dangerous presumption and hurtful conclusion so to imagine Deut. 32. 17 19 22. and ch 29. 18 20. Oh be we not thus high-minded but fear Rom. 11. 20 22. or Because they had gotten a name and were well reported of and greatly renowned among the Churches or by the Angels thereof hence they might grow careless and confident that all was well with them Oh take we heed that we be not so deceived our Brethren our Overseers may be deceived and mistaken or upon some by respect possibly they may flatter us and so destroy us As it is said O my people they which call thee Blessed cause thee to erre And they that are blessed of them are destroyed Isay 3. 12. and ch 9. 16. Margin But Christ cannot be deceived or mocked nor doth he accept persons nor take rewards walk we before him and be we perfect Gen. 17. 1. Oh what a â—ad thing will it be in conclusion if we should be secure whilest our course is evil how many are there that are at â—ase and confident of the goodness of their condition who yet are very miserable and when they are convinced of their evil by the spirit of God say it is noâ— he neither shall evil come upon us like them spoken of Joâ— 12. 6. they that provoke God are secure and so continue many of them till they go quick into destruction while they cry peace and safety sudden destruction comes on them as travail on a Woman with Child and they shall not escape Oh that we may not sport our selves in such self-deceivings Jer. 5. 12. 1 Thes 5. 3. Amos 6. 1 7. 2. Or he may signify that their slothfulness sleepiness and security brought them into this condition that though they had a name that they lived yet they were dead yet a little sleep a little slumber a little folding of the hands to sleep so shall thy poverty come as one that travaileth and thy want as an armed Man Prov. 6. 10 11. and ch 24. 33 34. while Men slept the enemy came and sowed his tares as Mat. 25. By this means Satan got his advantage against them hence our Saviour faith Why sleep ye rise and pray lest ye enter into temptation Luke 22. 46. If Men give way to spiritual sleep they may quickly sleep themselves into the sleep of death as Ps 13. 3. Oh therefore let us not love sleep lest we come to poverty but open we our eyes wide that we may be satisfied with bread Prov. 20. 13. Luke 21. 34 36. 1 Pet. 4. 7. 3. In that our Saviour saith to these sleepy ones Be watchful or be awake so he gives us to understand That the way to be recovered out of that sad condition they had brought themselves into was to a-awake out of sleep to cast off their drowsiness and security whereto he is preventing and enabling Men by his calls and arm therein and therewith stretched out as we have said before when they are fast asleep and securely reposing themselves as if the evil should not overtake nor prevent them Loe then he sends forth his voice and that a mighty voice then he rouzes and knocks at the door of their hearts as it is in v. 16. 20. and even saith to them as the ship-master did unto Jonah when he was fast asleep in that great storm what meanest thou O sleeper arise call upon thy God c. Jonah 1. 6. Awake thou that sleepest arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light Eph. 5. 14. Awake to righteousness and sin not c. 1 Cor. 15. 34. And when he is thus speaking unto us and knocking loudly at our hearts then it is good for us to cast off our
have received Christ Jesus the Lord walk in him rooted and built up in him and stablished in the faith as ye have been taught c. Col. 2. 6 7 8 and how Jealous was he lest the Corinthians should listen unto or entertain any other Gospel besides that they had preached and the believers had received see 2 Cor. 11. 1 2 3 4. Then from hence we may conclude that when any would perswade us to listen unto and embrace some other doctrines they are not therein led of God such a perswasion comes not of him that calleth the believers Gal. 4. 7 8. with ch 1. 6 7. But it comes from Satan whose work it is to turn them from the Faith if he can possibly do it Acts 13. 7 12. The Holy Ghost instructs his Children not to meddle with them that are given to change Prov. 24. 21. Christ calls upon his to hold fast what they have and not to be turned therefrom by any specious pretences or pretenders whatsoever The Apostles have written no new commandment unto us but an old commandment which is also new as to the declaration of the actual accomplishment of that in the personal body of Christ which was prophesyed of from the beginning and as to the revelation of those things which were formerly more hidden and mysterious 1 Joh. 2. 7 8. 2. We may also note again if we consider the persons to whom this counsel and exhortation is given That those who have kept the word of Christ need to be counselled and exhorted still to hold it fast so it was here our Lord who is holy and true faith v. 8. thou hast kept my word and hast not denied my name and v. 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience c. and now he still exhorts them hold that fast which thou hast so oft-times commandments of like nature are given to them who have kept the word of God and Testimony of Jesus Christ 1 Joh. 2. 24. 2 Joh. 6. 9 yea this is the burden as we have said that he layeth upon such and no other burden will he lay upon them but that which they have already they hold fast untill he comes see the notes on ch 2. v. 24. and v. 25. and the hearty believers need still to be thus exhorted and to suffer the word of exhortation And that 1. Because all the time they are in this present evil World they have ungodliness to deny and enemies always to fight against whose work it is if possible to turn them away from the truth and to turn them to fables 1 Pet. 5. 8 9. Heb. 12. 4. Tit. 2. 11 12. they need to be provoked to keep with all diligence and to hold fast with all their might given them even with both hands as they speak the word of Christ because they have so many subtil watchful potent enemies both without them and within them who are continually endeavouring with all their might and main and assaying all means to remove them from the grace of Christ unto another Gospel and to steal away the word of God from them 1 Cor. 16. 13. 2 Tim. 1. 12 14. 2. Because the word of Christ is the word of life the word of salvation his words are Spirit and life Joh. 6. 63. in them is the life of the Soul and Spirit Oh then they need to be daily stirred up and exhorted to take fast hold of instruction and not let it go to keep it for it is their life Prov. 4. 13. Sardis by letting slip and forgetting how she had received and heard became dead though she had a name that she lived Rev. 3. 1 3. and the Gospel of Christ is the power of God to Salvation to every one that believeth they are kept thereby thorow faith unto the Salvation ready to be revealed in these last days unto that inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in the Heavens c. Rom. 1. 16. 1 Pet. 1. 4 5 6. 3. Because though we have formerly received and kept his word yet unless we hold it fast to the end all will be in vain and unprofitable to us we shall not be presented holy unblamable unrebukable in his sight unless we continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved from the hope of the Gospel Col. 1. 22 23. unless we be herein faithful to the death we shall not at last receive the crown of life Rev. 2. 10. He that endureth to the end the same shall be saved But he that puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the Kingdome of God Luke 9. 62. Mat. 10. 22. 1 Cor. 15. 58. Gal. 6. 9. Heb. 12. 3. Oh then that we may continue holding fast his word and in a patient continuance in well-doing seek for Glory Honour and Immortality that he may in conclusion render to us eternal life Rom. 2. 7. and to move and provoke us so to do let us diligently consider also that which next followeth namely 3. In that our Lord Jesus gives this useful and needful counsel after that promise he makes to them in v. 10. I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world c. So we may learn to know the nature of those exceeding great and precious promises Ministred to us in the Gospel that they are not made to any person or persons in a personal consideration but they are made to such manner of persons they are originally immediately and everlastingly made to and confirmed in Christ Jesus Gal. 3. 16 17. and secondarily unto them that come unto and abide in Jesus Christ Gal. 3. 16 29. but if a Man abide not in him he is cast forth as a branch Joh. 15. 6. If the righteous Man draw back God's Soul shall have no pleasure in him Heb. 10. 37 38. Ezek. 3. 20. and 18. 24. and ch 33. 13. God not only promised but sware also that he would bring the Israelites whom he redeemed out of Egypt into the land of Canaan But because of their unbelief and disobedience they entred not that notwithstanding As it is said by himself Doubtless ye shall not come into the Land concerning which I swarâ— to make you dwell therein c. Numb 14. 30 32. So God covenanted unto David concerning Solomon that he would establish the throne of his Kingdome over Israel for ever And this was done by a covenant of Salt an incorruptible perpetual covenant and yet because of his and Rehoboam's evil ten tribes were broken off 1 Chron. 22. 9 10. with 2 Chron. 13. 5. and 1 Kings 11. 11. see also 1 Sam. 2. 29 30. Ps 125. Isay 26. 2 4. he is the faithful God which keeps covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments and repays them that hate him to their face to destroy them notwithstanding any promise or covenant he hath made to or with them he will not be
the defiling his Sanctuary when persons are serving their Idols and sowing to the Flesh and yet come the same day into his Sanctuary and appear to take delight in approaching to him as if they were delivered to do those abominations Or as if the Grace of God heard and in some measure received by them gave them encouragement to serve Sin or follow their vanities from which indeed it comes to redeem them and to that purpose brings Salvation to all men Ezek. 23. 38 39. Jer. 7. 9 11. Tit. 2. 11 12. Oh how lothsome displeasing and provoking is this to him who hath deserved so well at our hands that we should be for him only and give him and none other our loves and who loves truth in the inward parts he well knows not how to bear with or endure such evil and unkind requitals or to away with such a lothsome temper as is that of lukewarmness to him And so much he gives us to understand in what follows Verse 16. So then because thou art Lukewarm and neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth In this sharp rebuke and threatning the faithful and true witness signifieth to us the loathsomeness and unbearableness of this temper or distemper of theirs unto himself It was such and so grievous to him that he could not away with it though they were not cold but there was still some form of Godliness and Profession of Religion upon them they seemed to be religious and made mention of the God of Israel and called themselves of the Holy City and stayed themselves upon the God of Israel yet this was not in truth nor in Righteousness as Isay 48. 1 2. Their Religion was vain and they more odious in this condition to him than if they had been quite cold like that Isay 1. 11 16. To what purpose is the multitude of your Sacrifices to me saith the Lord I am full of the Burnt-offerings of Rams When you come to appear before me who hath required this at your hands to tread mâ— Courts Bring no more Vain Oblations Incense is an abomination to me The new Moons and Sabbaths the calling of Assemblies I cannot away with it is Iniquity or grief even the solemn meeting Your new Moons and your appointed Feasts my Soul hateth they are a burden to me I am weary to bear them And when you spread forth your hands I will hide mine Eyes from you yea when you make many prayers I will not hear you your hands are full of Blood Like whereto also is that Amos 5. 12 21 27. This was greatly provoking to him that they were so lukewarm and did not buy the truth with a parting with their Abominations and Idols So here he threatneth he will spue them out of his Mouth because they were lukewarm A Metaphor taken from lukewarm meat that is displeasing and burthensome to the Stomach or rather from lukewarm water which is loathsome and offensive and causeth vomiting And it is as if he should say I will abhor you and cast you out and you shall be cut off from my Congregation I will not keep you in my mouth to plead for you or to speak a good word for you but you shall be cut off from among my people and Churches Your temper is so loathsome and grievous to me that it were more bearable to me you did not tread my courts at all You had better never profess to wait upon me than under that profession to hide and keep close and make provision for your sins and Idols he that killeth an ox is as he slew a Man he that sacrificeth a Lamb as if he cut off a dogs neck he that offereth an oblation as if he offered swines blood he that burneth incense as if he blessed an Idol while Men chuse their own ways and their Soul delighteth in their abominations Isay 66. 3. Ezek. 14. 3 11. and therefore he threatneth to abhor them and vomit them out of his mouth unless they did receive timely admonition and repent v. 19. Lev. 18. 25 28. In which he signifieth to us 1. That his Churches and People are especially in his Mouth as they are in his heart to love them and to delight in them and in his hand to hide protect and defend them from their Enemies and from all evil so also in his mouth he takes up their names into his Lips and makes intercession for them especially Ps 16. 3 4. Heb. 7. 25. yea though they are lukewarm and are thereby become offensive and loathsome in their temper yet he doth not presently reject them but pleads for them as his Church and that they may be so continued he hates putting away from this nighness Mal. 2. 16. he is slow to anger and it is his work his strange work his act his strange act to cast such forth out of his house and vomit them up and therefore he saith not I have spued thee out of my mouth but I will do it namely if they did still so abide and persist He remembers for such the kindness of their youth the love of their espousals when they have forsaken him the Fountain of living Waters and hewed to themselves Cisterns broken Cisterns that can hold no water and when they have forgotten him days without number Jer. 3. 2 13 32. This Church of Laodicea was not always in this sad and abominable condition but it was sometimes hot and â—ervent and was so taken with Christ and his love and loveliness that the Apostle Paul did joyfully behold their order in first seeking the Kingdom of God and its Righteousness and the stedfastness of their Faith and therefore this exhorts them as ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk in him rooted and built up in him and stablished in the Faith as ye have been taught c. Col. 2. 6 7. Christ was so precious to them that thorow their beholding belief of and delight in his preciousness they were made a Church of his and called out of the state condition and good fellowship of the World into him and unto fellowship with him and were bottomed and built upon him and begotten by him to a lively hope of his mercy and this still Christ remembreth and for such he maketh Intercession though they are become unlovely and unpleasant till they are put out of his house yea when they have fitted themselves for being cast out such is the graciousness of this faithful and true witness that he interposed himself for them whiâ—e and as it may be for their good that further patience and forbearance may be exercised towards them and further means used that they may in the light and strength of his grace recover themselves and turn unto him from whom they have revolted and backsliden So when the Lord of the vineyard came three yeers seeking fruit on the figtree that was planted in his vineyard and found none and was so greatly incensed that he gave order
Psal 103. 17 18 19. 2. We have an account given us of what there wâ—s before the throne And there wâ—re seven lamps of fire burning bâ—fore the throne which are the seven spirits of God 1. What these lamps of fire are is here declared and explicated to us to wit the seven Spirits of God namely that one eternal spirit which proceedeth from the Father and the Son See the Notes before on Chap. 1. Vers 4. 2. Now these lamps are said to be seven 1. With allusion and respect to our types in former times as the Lord saith to Moses Thou shalt make the seven lamps c. Exod. 25. 37. and Chap. 37. 23. Numb 8. 2. 2. And with respect to the seven Churches which are called Candlesticks to enlighten them without which they cannot be of any use they cannot shine as lights in the world Rev. 1. 4. 12 13 20. and Chap. 2. 1. Phil. 2. 13 14 15 16. 3. Now these seven lamps are said to burn before the throne 1. With respect to him that sits upon the throne and so to signifie to us 1. That he dwelleth in the light that no man can approach unto 1 Tim. 6. 16. He is in the light 1 Joâ—n 1. 4 5. And the light dwelleth with him Dan. 2. 22. And that his throne was like the fiery flame Dan. 7. 9. 2. To signifie to us that by those lamps he beholds all things these lamps which are the seven Spirits of God being his eyes see Rev. 5. 6. with Dan. 10. 6. The Lords throne is in heaven his eyes behold Psal 11. 4. even his holy and blessed Spirit Hence that question of the Psalmist Whither shall I go from thy spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence If I ascend up into heaven thou art there if I make my bed in â—ell behold thou art there c. Psal 139. 1 7 14 The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good Prov. 15. 3. To shew himself strong on the behalf of those whose hearts are perfect towards him and so they are here upon the living creatures ver 6. for good 2 Chron. 16. 9. Psal 34. 15. 1 Pet. 3. 12. yea and his eyes are upon the sinful ones also and he pondereth all their goings Prov. 5. 21. Amos 9. 8. his eyes are like a flame of fire or like lamps of fire Compare Rev. 1. 14. with Dan. 10. 6. And he searcheth the hearts and reins and will give to every one according as their works shall be See the Notes before on Chap. 1. Vers 14. and Chap. 2. Vers 18. and Vers 23 3. These seven Lamps buâ—ning before the throne may denote to us the terribleness of his appearance and aspect Dan. 10. 6. Psal 66. 5 7. Thus it is said The ancient of days did sit whose garment was white as snow His throne was like the fiâ—ry flame and his wheels as burning fire a fiery stream issued and came forth from before him Dan. 7. 9 10. Heb. 12. 29. Deâ—t 4. 24. 2. These seven Lamps which are the seven Spirits of God the eyes of the Lord may be said to burn before the throne with respect to those about the throne to signifie that his spirit remains amongst them whereby also the living creatures are full of eyes as vers 6. and vers 8. and Chap. 5 6. Hag. 2. 6 7. to enlighten them continually that in his light they may see light and may judg and discern all things Psal 36. 9. 1 Cor. 2. 15 16. his spirit doth enlighten the eyes of the understandings of them that dwell and have their conversation in Heaven his eyes preserve knowledg amongst them Prov. 22. 12. with 2 Cor. 4. 6. so as they are like the appearance of lamps Ezek. 1. 13. The Lord is their lamp and he will lighten their darkness 2 Sam. 22. 29. with Psal 18. 28. In and by this light they come to the view and â—ight of heavenly things Heb. 2. 9. with Joâ— 12. 45. Heb. 12. 22 24. even by his word and spirit for the commandment is a lamp and the law light Prov. 6. 23. And oh how delightful and pleasant is this light to them truly this light is sweet Prov. 13. 9. Eccles 11. 9. 1 John 2. 20. And this he sends forth unto them to lâ—ad and guide them that they may walk with a right foot in the Gospel and not turn aside to the right hand or to the left Psal 43. 3. Prov. 4. 18 19. and to save them from all evil and enemies and from the fear of evil Psal 27. 1. and hereafter gloriously their righteousness shall go forth as brightness and their salvation as a lamp that burneth Isa 62. 1. And this might therefore engage such to see to it that they refuse not him that speaketh and revealeth such excellent things to them Heb. 12. 25 28 29. But as they are children of light and such as amongst whom his spirit remains that they walk as children of light even walk in the spirit that they may not fulfil the lusts of the flesh but be filled with the fruit of the spirit Eph. 5. 8. Gal. 5. 16 23 26. Ver. 6. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal And in the midst of the throne and round about the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind In this verse the Apostle gives unto us a further discovery 1. Of what there was further before the throne in Heaven 2. Of what there was in the midst of and round about the throne 1. Of what he saw and there was further before the throne in Heaven And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal What is this sea of glass or what is meant thereby is very difficult to conclude and there are almost as many minds as men speaking concerning it Some conceiving it to be the world some the Jewish Nâ—tion some one thing and some another Therefore I might say as he did I was afraid and feared to shew you mine opinion Job 32. 6. But having I trust obtained some help of God I shall adventure to propound my thoughts also 1. I conceive then that by this sea of glass c. here spoken of may be meant Gods defence and salvation of his people the four living creatures after spoken of his invironing them about with his saving defence and protection from those who seek the destruction of them even their potent and spiritual enemies Thus Sea is used in Scripture for a great defence and safeguard Thus when the Lord speaks of the great strength and security of No he saith it was situate among the rivers and had the waters round about it whose rampart was the sea And hereby also her strength was infinite Nah. 3 8 9. So when he threatens to destroy Babylon he saith I will dry up her sea that great defence of hers Jer. 5â— 36. And because Tyrus was situate in
be idle and unimployed but that they should keep it holy unto the Lord Exod. 16. 23. and chap. 20. 8. To this purpose the Psalmist thus speaks Return unto thy rest O my soul for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee But how should he behave himself when he was returned to his rest Would he cease from all manner of service and exercise no surely but he thus presently resolves I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living Psal 116. 7 9. Act. 9. 31. And they have no rest from this spiritual exercise day and night that is continually they are exercised therein not as if they enjoyed no natural rest and sleep for their bodies but day and night signifies without leaving off or ceasing from this work and labour of theirs they did habituate themselves therein and thereto as it is said of the singers they were imployed in that work day and night 1 Chron. 9. 33. And as it is said of the righteous man His delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law he doth meditate day and night Psal 1. 1 2. Josh 1. 8. and as that was called the continual burnt-offering which was offered continually every morning and evening Numb 28. 3 6. these have no rest that is they hold not their peace as Isa 62. 1. but continue unweariedly to celebrate him and shew forth his praises who sitteth upon the Supreme Throne of Government That is to say 1. They have no rest saying to wit in their approaches to the throne of grace and praying to him his elect cry unto him day and night they pray always and do not faint Luk. 18. 1. with vers 8. As it is said I have set watchmen upon thy walls O Jerusalem which shall never rest never hold their peace day nor night ye that are the Lords remembrancers keep not silence and give him no rest or silence till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth Isa 62. 1 6 7. they are continually pouring out their hearts unto him 1 Thes 5. 17. 1 Tim. 5. 5. and so they have continual need to do because of their manifold wants and weaknesses and because of him who accuseth them before God day and night Rev. 12. 10. This prayer is a part of their Armour and they ought to continue therein and watch in the same with thanksgiving both for themselves and for others also Eph. 6. 10-18 Col. 4. 2 3. and sometimes the whole worship of God may be called by or included in this word Prayer 1 Pet. 4. 7. and the house of God is said to be an house of prayer Isa 56. 7. Mat. 21. 13. Mark 11. 17 18. 2. And they have no rest day and night but are continually praising and glorifying him amongst themselves and unto and before others shewing forth his praises who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light 1 Pet. 2 8. And as the Psalmist resolves he would do I will bless the Lord at all times saith he his praise shall be continually in my mouth my soul shall make her boast in the Lord the humble shall hear thereof and be glad Psal 34. 1 2 8. so by Jesus Christ these living creatures do continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God that is the fruit of their lips confessing to his name Heb. 13. 15. especially and principally with their hearts and mouths they glorifie him and give thanks unto him for his unspeakable gift that he hath so loved the world as to give his only begotten son 2 Cor. 9. 15. Rev. 5. 9 10. and also for all his blessings and benefits in and thorow him Psal 103. 1 2 4. and therefore are they delivered from the hand of their enemies that they might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of their life Luk. 1. 74 75. and to this end they have wings given them and they are full of eyes within that they might be imployed in this exercise he prepares them for their work and service 2. We have also to consider and speak unto the subject-matter of their exercise or that about which they are unweariedly exercised viz saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come In which we may take notice in general 1. That they are not incessantly exercised in praying unto or celebrating the praises of or in worshipping the Angels those glorious ministring spirits no there is this caution given to us Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels intruding into those things which he hath not seen c. Col. 2. 18 19. Rev. 19. 10. and chap. 22. 8 10. nor were they imployed in invocating or worshipping any of the Saints departed any of the four and twenty Elders ver 4. or the Virgin Mary but they worshipped and glorified the one and only true God here called Lord God Almighty that sate on the throne who liveth for ever and ever ver 9. even Jehovah no men are to be religiously worshipped as Peter whose successor the man of sin pretends himself to be saith Stand up I my self also a man Act. 10. 26. It was the great iniquity of the Gentiles that they worshipped and served the creature more than or besides the Creator who is blessed for ever Amen Rom. 1. 23 25. with 1 Cor. 3. 11. and much less did these living creatures prostrate themselves to Images Pictures and Idols confounded be all they that serve graven Images that boast themselves of Idols Worship him all ye Gods saith Psal 97. 7. Isa 42. 8. and chap. 45. 16 17 25. Hos 10. 1 2. This Superstition and Idolatry God hath expresly forbidden in the second Commandment Exod. 20. 4 5. and saith Idolaters shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 8. and without namely without the holy and heavenly City are Idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a lye Rev. 22. 15. Isa 45. 16-24 2. Nor do these living creatures in their incessant service celebrate their own praises or boast of themselves or seek their own glory John 7. 18. but they cover their faces as polluted ones with two of their wings as is before said and even thereby actually say as the Spouse sometimes doth Look not upon us because we are black Cant. 1. 6. Indeed most men will proclaime every one his own goodness but they were faithful ones they preached not themselves nor sought glory of men but they preached and glorified Christ Jesus the Lord and God in him Prov. 20. 6. 2 Cor. 4. 5. The object of their adoration or he whose praise they render glorious is him that liveth for ever and ever as ver 9. He is their praise and he is their God as Deut. 10. 21. Jer. 17. 14. And as here immediately followeth to which we shall God willing speak somewhat particularly saying Holy
unto the lamb for ever and ever by every creature c. whereto the living creatures say Amen chap. 5. 12 13 14. and by all the Angels chap. 7. 11 12. He hath power to do what he pleaseth as it is said Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in Heaven and in the Earth in the Seas and in all deep places Psal 115. 3 4. and 135. 6. Matth. 6. 13. 1 Chron. 29. 11 12. He hath power to help and to cast down power to save and to destroy to give or to withhold 2 Chron. 25. 8. Jam. 4. 12. To do every thing that consists with his infinite holiness see notes before on ver 8. and no thought can be withholden from him Job 42. 2. and he can and doth uphold all things by the word of his power Hebr. 1. 3. Psal 75. 3. and 55. 22. But here especially as it may seem and as is before said Power answers to thanks in ver 9. and so power belongs to him also with him is mercy Psal 62. 11. He hath power to extend mercy to unworthy undeserving and ill-deserving ones as hâ— hath manifested in raising up such an Horn of salvation in the house of his servant David in preparing a body for Christ in the womb of the Virgin Luk. 1. 35. In being with him in trouble with him his hand hath been established his arm also hath strengthened him so as the enemy hath not exacted upon him nor the son of wickedness afflicted him Psal 89. 21-23 though Satan and his instruments thrust sore at him yet the Lord helped him the right hand of the Lord did valiantly the right hand of the Lord was exalted c. Psal 118. 10-13-16 and the working of the might of his power wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality c. Eph. 1. 19 20 21. Psal 118. 16-18 Thorow whom his power is great for saying redeeming and forgiving any sinners though never so great that turn at his reproofs come at his calls and obey his counsels Numb 14. 17. Isa 50. 1 2 3. And on such-like accounts we have cause to give thanks unto him and sing of and praise his power Isa 45. 8-10 Psal 59. 16. and 150 1 2 3. 2. We have also to consider the Reason or Reasons of the Elders rendring praise glory and honour unto him For thou hast created all things c. This hath respect either unto the first and old Creation or also unto the new unto both which we may speak a little 1. As with respect to the first in which act of his Creation he gave a being to all creatures by his word which before had none Gen. 1. 1-21-27 He said Let there be light c. and it was so And in this work of Creation the three persons who are but one God 1 John 5. 7-9 did concur and co-operate To us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him 1 Cor. 8. 6. By Christ were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers all things were created by him and for him Col. 1. 16. All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made John 1. 1 2 3. Ephes 3. 9. Heb. 1. 1 2 3. and ver 8 10. And all the Host of the Heavens to wit rhe Angels Sun Moon and Stars c. were made by the spirit of the mouth of the Lord Psal 33. 6. And Elihu saith The Spirit of God hath made me and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life Job 33. 4. and chap. 26. 13. Psal 104. 30. Isa 40. 13-18-26 And in this work of Creation appears his glory and honour his work herein is honourable and glorious Psal 111. 3. The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handy-work Psal 19. 1-6 Isa 40. 26. Herein appears and is manifested 1. His infinite power and that he can do all things Ab Lord God saith the Prophet Behold thou hast made the Heaven and the Earth by thy great power and stretched-out arm and there is nothing too hard for thee Jer. 32. 17-27 The Lord is the true God he is the living God and an everlasting King he hath made the earth by his power Jer. 10. 10-12 and chap. 51. 15. And therefore he can extend help to us in every case and condition Lift up your eyes on high and behold who hath created these things that bringeth out their host by number he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might for that he is strong in power not one faileth Why sayest thou O Jacob and speakest O Israel my way is hid from the Lord and my judgment is passed over from my God Isa 40. 26 27 28. Job 38. and chap. 39. and chap. 40. and chap. 41. and chap. 42. 2-5 Psal 89. 8 9-11-13 2. And herein also appears his infinite wisdom and unsearchable understanding that he is mighty in wisdom Job 36. 5. O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all Psal 104. 24. The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth by understanding hath he establish'd the Heavens by his knowledg the depths are broken up c. Prov. 3. 19 20. He hath established the world by his wisdom and stretched out the Heavens by his discretion Jer. 10. 12. and chap. 51. 15. Psal 136. 5. And therefore also glory and honour appertain to him as the Apostle saith Now unto the King eternal or of ages or worlds the only wise God be honour and glory for ever and ever Amen 1 Tim. 1. 17. And thus we should also glorify him in trusting in him at all times and pouring out our hearts unto him as knowing and believing The creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not nor is weary there is no searching of his understanding Isa 40. 26 27 28-31 Jude 25. 3. And herein is also manifested his goodness and mercy that he is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works Psal 145. 8 9. He by wisdom made the Heavens for his mercy endureth for ever and stretched out the earth above the waters for his mercy endureth for ever who made great lights for his mercy endureth for ever The Sun to rule by day for his mercy endureth for ever Psal 136. 1-4-9 The earth is full of his mercy and riches Psal 104. 24. and 119. 64 and 8. 1 2 4 5. and 89. 1-12 13. and 33. 5. yea indeed his Being and Godhead and all his glorious Attributes are manifested by the works of his Creation that all might glorify him The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal power and Godhead so that they are without excuse because
with this right hand he will subdue and conquer still all his enemies His right hand shall find out those that hate him Psal 21. 8-11 And yet with this right hand in which this Book is he will save all them from evil who hearken unto and put their trust in him Psal 17. 7. Cant. 2. 6. and chap. 8. 6. Isa 49. 6. Psal 139. 10. This Book is in his right hand of power who hath prepared and established his Throne in the Heavens and whose Kingdom ruleth over all Psal 103. 19. 2. It is in the right hand of his righteousness and faithfulness Isa 41. 10. The just Lord will do no iniquity even in his foreknowledge or judgings Zeph. 3. 5. Deut. 31. 26-29 with chap. 32. 3-5 He is excellent in power and in judgement and in plenty of Justice He will not afflict Job 32. 23. All that is contained in this Book is full of righteousness It is in his right hand which is full of righteousness and in all He will be known in the Palaces of Zion for a Refuge and Sanctuary Psal 48. 3-10 One he is who will righteously and faithfully perform all which is in this Book not one thing of it shall fail as Isa 34. 2-5 16. Jer. 25. 18. He will certainly perform all written therein and he will righteously also do it He is not like unto them whose right hand is a right hand of falshood Psal 144. 8. 11. or in whose right hand is a lie Isa 44. 20. But he is the righteous Lord who loveth righteousness Psal 11. 7. and in righteousness he doth judge and make war Rev. 19. 11. It 's in the right hand of him that sits in the throne judging right Psal 9 4. 3. In his right hand May also possibly denote to us the excellency and preciousness of its contents or how highly it is valued by him that sits upon the throne As those persons or things which are preferred to or more excellent than others are taken into or placed on the right hand Isa 48. 13 14 17 18. 1 Kings 2. 19. And hereby also may be meant and signified the safety and secrecy of the Contents of this Book To which more after 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 that is It was written within and without As Back-side is opposed to within And as it is in a Roll when rolled up The inmost part is that within and the other that on the back-side for so their Books were formerly in Rolls rolled up together whereto respect is had when it is said The Heaven departed as a Book or Scroll when it is rolled together Rev. 6. 14. And many times in Jer. 36. The same thing is sometimes called the Roll of a Book sometimes a Book as may be seen in comparing verse 2 4 6. with verse 8. 10 11 13. and verse 14. with verse 18. and verse 23 27 28 29. with verse 32. See Ezra 6. 1. And in that this Book or Roll is said to be written within and on the back-side or without So we may thereby understand that it was perfected and filled up It was ordinary to write but on the fore-side or within But this Book was fully written or filled up with Writing on both sides yet so as to to leave room or place for the Seals His work herein and in all things is perfect Deut. 32. 4. And so it was like unto that Roll given to Ezekiel Of which it is said When I looked behold an Hand was sent unto me and lo a Roll of a Book was therein and he spread it before me and it was written within and without and there was written therein lamentations and mourning and wo Ezek. 2. 8 9 10. And in that it is said to be written perfectly while it was in the right hand of him that sate on the Throne and before it was taken out So we may learn that what was written in the Volume or Roll of this Book was not of Mans Writing but the Writing was the Writing of God as Exod. 32. 16. It was Written with the Finger of God as Exod. 31. 18. To wit with the Holy Spirit compare Luke 11. 20. with Matth. 12. 28. And so it was very excellent and all in it true no mistake or error therein for the Spirit is the Spirit of Truth yea the Truth John 15. 26. 1 John 5. 6. 2. He also declares to us somewhat of the Sealing of this Book It was Sealed with seven Seals that is to say it was most perfectly sealed As the word seven is a number of perfection and so oft used in this Book and in many other places See the Notes after on verse 6. of this Chapter And we may not conceive that the Seals were altogether in one place at the opening of this Book or Roll but in seven several places For if all had been together at the top or opening of it all must have been losed or opened at once and before any part of the Roll or Book could be lookt into or read but so it was not sealed but the seven Seals were in seven places and opened one after another as it is said The Lamb opened one or the first of the Seals and he opened afterward the second Seal and after that the third c. chap. 6. 1 3 5 7. 9 12. and chap. 8. 1. So as at the opening of every one of the seven Seals in order the Roll or Book is farther opened and some new matter appears and is discovered as may be seen in chap. 6. 1. 3. 5 c. And this Book or Roll may be said to be sealed 1. As sealing signifies authorizing a thing and making it valid and authentick or giving power or force thereto So the Letters or Decrees of Kings were sealed and so ratified established and authorized So Jezebel wrote Letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his Seal 1 Kings 21. 8. And the Letters which Ahasuerus gave Haman authority to write in his name were sealed with the Kings Ring Esth â— 10 12. And what was so sealed no man might reverse Esth 8. 8 10. Matth. 27. 65 66. So this Book was sealed it â—ad the authority of God upon it and power was with it and it was made sure and confirmed that he will certainly perform and accomplish it Isa 44. 26. The contents thereof are unalterable and unchangeable and it 's hâ—ghly valued by him as before Deut. 32. 34. 2. This Book was sealed with seven Seals that is compleated made an end of and finished so as no more was to be added to it As it is with a Letter when it is sealed up then there is no more to be put into it And as it is said to the same purpose Bind up the Testimony seal the Law among my Disciples Isa 8. 16. And whosoever shall add unto the things therein contained God will add
unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book And if any man shall take away from the words of the Book of this Prophecy God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life and out of the Holy City and from the things which are written in this Book chap. 22. 18 19. 3. This Book is sealed with seven Seals and so secured from danger As those Persons whom he would preserve from evil had a mark set upon them Ezek. 9. 4 6. Or were sealed for safety and preservation Rev. 7. 3 8. and chap. 9. 4. So this Book had the Seals or Seal of the Living God upon it as chap. 7. 2. So as it shall not be destroyed or consumed as that Roll or Book was spoken of in Jer. 36. 2. 23. But he will preserve it from this generation for ever And so much also is implied in what is said of it before viz. That it is in the right hand of him that sits upon the Throne and so out of the reach of all evil danger and enemie whatsoever none is able to pluck it out of the right hand of the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for he is infinitely greater than all Creatures whatever as John 10. 27 -29 30. 4. And most especially and directly this Book is said to be sealed with seven seals to give us to understand that it is shut up hidden and secret so that if it had been delivered to one that is learned saying Read this he would answer I cannot for it is sealed as Isa 29. 11 12. So it is said to Daniel But thou O Daniel shut up the words and seal the Book even to the time of the end And again Go thy way Daniel for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end Dan. 12. 4 8 9. And as the voice from Heaven said to the Apostle John when he was about to write Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered and write them not Rev. 10. 4. So we are here to understand it principally This Book was shut or closed up so as no meer Creature was able to open it or to read it or look thereon or therein as it follows verse 2 3 4. And so sealed is opposed to open and signifies shut up or secâ—et as Jer. 32. 11 14. And this Book was shut up as with a Seal as it is Job 41. 15. Or shut up and sealed as Cant. 4. 12. Rev. 22. 10. It was even hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ as Eph. 3. 9. Most surely and perfectly closed up and hid as it were in the right hand of power of him that sate upon the Throne as we have seen before so as the most glorious and potent Creatures in Earth or in Heaven could not loose the Seals or look therein Verse 2. And I saw a strong Angel proclaiming with a loud voice who is worthy to open the Book and to loose the Seals thereof The Apostle John in this verse doth farther declare unto us 1. What was farther discovered to him and he saw to wit in Vision And I saw a strong Angel 2. What he saw concerning this strong Angel and that is propounded to us 1. More generally Proclaiming with a loud voice 2. More particularly the subject matter of this Proclamation by way of challenge Who is worthy to open the Book and to loose the Seals thereof 1. What was farther discovered unto the Apostle John And he saw to wit in Vision And I saw saith he a strong Angel It was an Angel that he saw which words denote not the nature of this Person but his Office though very likely he was one of those glorious Creatures which are most frequently so called yet as to their nature they are Spirits such as have not Flesh and Bones as Men have though sometimes they have appeared like Men. Of the Angels he saith Who maketh his Angels Spirits and his Ministers a Flame of Fire Heb. 1. 7. Luc. 24. 39. But this word Angel signifies to us here his Office and Mission He came not thus to Proclaim or Preach without being sent as Rom. 10. 15. Are they not all Ministring Spirits sent forth to Minister for them who shall be Heirs of Salvation Heb. 1. 14. They are his Ministers also that do his Pleasure Psal 103. 19 21. and Psal 104. 4. They are his Messengers who sit upon the Throne He sent his Angel and delivered his Servants that trusted in him Daniel 3. 28. He sent his Angel and shut the Lions Mouths that they did not hurt Daniel chap. 6. 22. He sent his Angel and delivered Peter out of the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the People of the Jews Acts 12. 9 11. Gen. 24. 7. 40. High Angels behold the Face of Christs Father which is in Heaven and attend to know his Will and do his Commandments Psal 103. 20. They run not before they are sent but wait his time and obey his Commands And hereby it doth appear that this Angel here spoken of was sent by him that sits upon the Throne that sits King for ever to make this following Proclamation And this is said to be a strong Angel surely to signifie to us that there are degrees amongst them in strength and some of them are stronger and mightier than other some Indeed all those glorious Spirits are mighty and excel other Creatures in strength as is signified to us when the Prophet saith Bless the Lord ye his Angels that excel in strength or mighty in strength Psal 103. 20. So whereas it is said in one place The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels or the Angels of his power 2 Thes 1. 7. In other places it is said simply He shall come with his Angels Matth. 16. 27. And all the Holy Angels with him Matth. 25. 31. Which signifies all the Holy Angels are mighty and powerful but yet it seems some of them do excel others in strength and power as some of them do excel others in dignity and as there are some called Thrones Dominions Principalities so some are called Powers Col. 1. 16. 1 Pet. 3. 22. As also some amongst the evil ones are so called Col. 2. 15. And as it is amongst men though all are rational Creatures yet some are much more rational than others are so it seems it is here Some are mightier than others and this here particularly is said to be a strong Angel So we read of a mighty or strong Angel Rev. 10. 1. Though that seems to mean the Angel of Gods presence to wit Christ and of an Angel having great power chap. 18. 1. And of a mighty or strong Angel chap. 18. 21. But how strong or mighty soever they or any of them are yet he that sits upon the Throne is higher than the highest of them and mightier than the strongest of them for he is the Lord God Almighty that can do every thing Rev.
the Apostle Heb. 7. 14. And indeed Christ is the He unto whom principally Jacob had respect when he prophetically saith Gen. 49. 8. Judah thou art he whom thy Brethren shall praise His Brethren to wit the Saints and holy Ones For whosoever shall do the will of Christ's Father which is in Heaven the same is his Brother c. Matth. 12. 50. Heb. 2. 11 12. Now these Brethren of his shall praise him He is the Praise the Subject-matter of the Praise of all his Saints even of the Children of Israel the Israel of God Psal 148. 14. Hence also that Exhortation Let the Children of Zion be joyful in their King let them praise his Name in the dance let them sing praises unto him c. Psal 149. 2 3. with Zech. 9. 9. and Matth. 21. 4 5. his Fathers Children bow down before him to wit as many as receive him even such as believe on his Name for all these are born of God who is his Father also and most fully As he saith I ascend to my Father and your Father to my God and to your God Joh. 1. 12 13. with Chap. 20. 17. 1. Joh. 3. 1. with Rev. 5. 8 9. like that Blessing wherewith Isaac blessed Jacob when he said Be Lord over thy Brethren and let thy Mothers Sons bow down to thee Gen. 27. 29. And he hath this Title given unto him by the Elder here to wit The Lion of the Tribe of Juda To shew that he was aimed at pointed unto by that Lyon whereto Judah is compared by Jacob in his Prophecy which had especial respect to the last days in which Christ who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation or dejection of the world was manifested 1 Pet. 1. 20. with Gen. 49. 1. For to him all the Prophets gave witness Act. 10. 43. And so we shall speak unto this Title given to Christ by this Elder as it hath reference to that Prophesie and no otherwise viz. in Gen. 49. 9. Judah is a Lyons whelp And this signifies to us 1. His stoutness As it is said the stout Lyons whelps Job 4. 11. And as it is said of valiant stout-hearted ones he that is valiant whose heart is as the heart of a Lion 2 Sam. 17. 10. so we may say concerning Jesus Christ he was one that was stout and bold indeed as a Lion Luke 9. 51. with Prov. 28. 1. He gave his back to the smiters and his cheeks to them that plucked off the hair he hid not his face from shame and spitting he set his face like a flint as knowing he should not be ashamed Isa 50. 5 6-9 And though he knew what great sorrows and sufferings he should endure for our sakes and sins and what mighty and numerous enemies he had to grapple withal yet he was not â—aunted nor discouraged but when his hour was even come he saâ—â—h to his Disciples Arise let us go hence to wit into the Garden where 〈…〉 ed as even saying by this action 〈◊〉 â—s â—ea◠〈…〉 who will contend with me Let us stand together Who is 〈◊〉 Adversary let him come near to me Behold the Lord GOD will help me who is he that shall condemn me John 14. 31 and chap. 18. 1-4 with Isai 50. 8-10 Psal 128. 6-13 14. So stout-hearted and Lion-like was he that he hardned himself against all he should meet with and endure The Cup which my Father hath given me to drink saith he shall I not drink it Joh. 18. 11. Heb. 10. 5-9 Isai 43. 1-3 2. A Lions whelp Compared hereto also to denote his great strength as well as courage As it is said A Lion which is strongest among beasts and turneth not away for any Prov. 30. 30. And as it is said of Saul and Jonathan they were stronger than Lions 2 Sam. 1. 23. so may we truly say of Christ He is one that is great in strength God herein laid help upon One that was Mighty Psal 89. 19. This Child hath been born for us is Wonderful Counsellour the mighty God Isai 9. 6. He came travelling in the greatness of his strength mighty to save us from the hand of our Enemies and from all that hated us Isai 63. 1 2. with Luke 1. 70 71. This is that horn of Salvation that mighty powerful Saviour which God hath raised up for us in the house of his Servant David Luke 1. 68 69. and Chap. 2. 40. This was he that was stronger than the strong man armed who hath come upon him and overcome him Luke 11. 20 21 22. 1 John 3. 5-8 3. A Lions whelp To tear and devour As it is said Like a Lion that is greedy of his prey and as it were a young Lion lurking in secret places Psal 17. 12. But to this we may speak more afterwards From the prey my Son thou art gone up This is also spoken of Judah the Son of Jacob in the Type and of Christ the Son of Jacob also in the truth who is principally the Lion of this Tribe Now herein is implied 1. That Jesus Christ came down to the Prey He came to take a spoil and to take a prey as Ezek. 38. 12 Namely He descended into the Battle like a Lion to lay hold on the prey as Isai 5. 29. to destroy all his and our Enemies as to their first work As it is said of Jacob He shall be as a Lion among the Beasts of the Forest as a young Lion among the flocks who treadeth down and teareth in pieces and none can deliver Mica 5. 8 9. So he came down from Heaven into the Battle 1 Sam. 26. 10. to prevail against his Enemies to devour the prey and divide the spoyl as Gen. 49. 27. For this purpose was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil 1 John 3. 5-8 Luke 1. 69-74 Forasmuch as the Children were partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same that through death that death which by the Grace of God he tasted for every man he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil Heb. 2. 14. with ver 9. And he came down to save and deliver us who were become a prey to Satan He was made of a woman made under the Law to redeem them that were under the Law Gal. 4. 4 5. with Rom. 3. 19. He tasted death that through death he might also deliver them who through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage the bondage of the Devil Heb. 2. 9-15 He came down to rescue us out of the hands of the oppressor and to deliver us out of the power of all our Enemies Luke 1. 72 73 74. 2. And from the prey he is gone up He is gone up with ashout the LORD with the sound of a Trumpet sing praises to God sing praises sing praises unto our King sing praises Psal 47. 1. 5-6 He who descended into the lowest parts of the Earth is
now ascended up on high and hath led Captivity captive Psal 68. 18. with Eph. 4. 8-10 His right hand and his holy Arm hath gotten him the victory Psal 98. 1. He hath spoiled Prineipalities and Powers and made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in himself Col. 2. 15. He hath overcome and prevailed mightily against his Enemies Rev. 3. 21. And he hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us Gal. 3. 13. He hath given a resolution to that Question and done that which was impossible for all Creatures Shall the Prey be taken from the Mighty But thus saith the LORD even the Captivity of the Mighty shall be and now as to the Ground-work of it hath been taken away and the prey of the terrible delivered Isa 49. 24 25. He hath cast out the Prince of this world out of his Principality that he had gotten over mankind and drawn all men unto himself to be under his gracious Government that through him the world might be saved Joh. 12. 31 32. with Chap. 3. 16 17. and Chapt. 5. 22 23. Psal 118. 6-20-24 And from the Prey he is gone up into Heaven into Heaven it self having finisht the work in his own body which the Father gave him to do and is glorified with the Father 's own Self with the Glory which he had with him before the world was 1 Pet. 3. 22. Hebr. 9. 24. John 17. 4 5. And he is gone up to Ariel the Lion of God as the Altar in former times was called Isai 29. 1-6 Ezek. 43. 15. A Type of Christ who is the true Altar and Sacrifice Heb. 9. 14 And unto him who hath appeared to be the LORD strong and mighty the LORD mighty in battle the everlasting doors of Heaven are set open and the King of Glory in our nature is entred in and hath taken possession thereof Psal 24. 7 8 9 10. and Psal 118. 19-21 And he hath obtained eternal redemption forgiveness of sins for ever Heb. 9. 12. with Eph. 1. 7. and Heb. 10. 12. And all Grace and Truth all Power and Spirit John 1. 14-16 as is declared in the following Verse to this we are speaking to And now we have an Altar this Ariel this Lion of God that by him we might offer up the Sacrifice of praise to God continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks unto his Name Hebr. 13. 10-15 16. He stooped down he couched as a Lion and as an old Lion This is still to be understood as it is applied to a Lion and to a Lion and as it follows his going up from his Prey And so it signifies That after our Lord Jesus had taken the Prey he lay down as it were After he had purged our sins abolisht our death and overcome all our Enemies in and by himself redeemed us from the curse of the Law and obtained eternal redemption for us by his Blood he sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Heb. 1. 3. Rev. â— 2â— Heb 9. 12. This Man after he had offered one Sacrifice for sins for ever sate down on the right hand of God Heb. 10. 11 12. He entred into rest and ceased from these his works as God did from his Heb. 4. 10. And as it is said of the Lions when they have roared after their Prey and sought their meat of God they then lay them down in their dens Psal 104. 21 22. So it is said of Israel which was a Type of Christ Hos 11. 1. with Matth. 2. 15. Behold the people shall rise up as a great Lion and lift up himself as a young Lion he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey and drink of the blood of the slain But then it is implied he should lie down and take his rest Numb 23. 24. And again He couched he lay down as a Lion and as a great Lion Numb 24. 8 9. So our powerful and victorious Lion having vanquisht his Enemies is entred into rest He for the joy set before him endured the Cross despising the shame and is now set down on the right hand of the Throne of God Heb. 12. 2. 1 Pet. 3. 22. having all power given to him both in Heaven and on Earth and is God's King whom he hath set down upon his holy hill of Zion Matth. 28. 11. Psal 2. 6. Zech. 6. 12 13. Who shall rouze him up that is to say none shall to do it And as it is said of Israel when mention is made of his King to wit That he shall be higher than Agag â—ho shall stir him up viz. none shall be able to do it Num. 24. 7-9 None to be sure shall divest or dispossess our Mighty One of his Rest Rule Glory and Power and whosoever provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own Soul for his wrath and terrour is as the roaring of a Lion Prov. 19. 12. and Chap. 20. 2. Gen. 49. 9 10. Of the increase of his Kingdom and peace there shall be no end Isaâ— 9. 6 7. Luke 1. 33-38 His Kingdom is an evealasting Kingdom and his Dominion endureth for ever Psal 145. 10-13 Oh! this is that Lion that is infinitely better than Sampson's for he is raised again from the dead and is gone up into Heaven and is on the right hand of God and out of him comes sweetness indeed that which is better than honey and the Honey-comb wherewith our Souls may be delighted Judg. 14. 14-18 Isa 55. 1-3 Prov. 24. 13 14. And like as a Lion and as a young Lion roaring on the prey when a multitude of shepheards is called forth against him he will not be afraid of their voice nor abase himself so will he fight for Mount Zion c. Isa 31. 4 5. His face is continually towards the righteous Ezek. 41. 19. with Psal 92. 12 13. And like a Lion he will both tread down and tear in pieces his enemies if they go on still in their trespasses and none can deliver Mica 5. 8 9. Hos 5. 14. and Chap. 13. 7 8. And yet in seasonably submitting to him they shall find mercy for the Lion is a noble generous Creature Amos 5. 19. And this Lion of the Tribe of Juda is very merciful Hebr. 2. 17. and Chap. 5. 1-2 The Root of David This is a further description of our Lord Jesus Christ In which the Elder hath respect unto that Prophesie In that day there shall be a Root of Jesse Isa 11. 10. who was the immediate father of David Matth. 1. 6. And our Lord himself thus also describeth himself saying I Jesus am the Root of David Revel 22. 16. He is the Root 1. One that hath been planted oâ— put as it were into the earth As we know a Root is placed in the earth Job 1. 4 8. Isa 37. 31. So our Lord Jesus who was in the beginning with God yea who was God the Lord from Heaven was made flesh John 1. 1-3 14. He
not see corruption Act. 2. 30-32 And he was raised for our justification Rom. 4. 25. And the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob the God of our Fathers hath glorified his Son Jesus as here also appears in that it is presently added He hath seven Horns and seven Eyes c. Act. 3. 13. Eph. 1. 19-22 1 Pet. 3. 18. 22. And the tidings hereof are glad tidings for us that he is raised and glorified Act. 13. 32-38 39. 1 Cor. 15. 1-3 4. 12-20 3. But though he be not now slain nor was when this Revelation was sent and signified unto John yet he appeared in this Vision unto him and was beheld by him as a Lamb that had been slain his appearance was such as thereby it might be seen he was so dealt with that he had been slaughtered and put to death he appeared as it were bloody with his deaths wounds and marks upon him though he was raised again from the dead and was wonderfully glorified in the nature of man Thus also he appeared to his Disciples after his Resurrection from the dead Jesus stood in the midst of them and saith unto them Peace be unto you But they were terrified and affrighted and supposed they had seen a Spirit And he said to them why are ye troubled and why do thoughts arise in your hearts Behold my hands and my feet that it is I my self c. That is he shewed them his hands and his feet that were pierced with Nails wherewith he was crucified or fastened to the Cross or Tree he shewed to them those wounds and marks made by the Nails that thereby they might know that it was he himself and not a Spirit or any other Person Luke 24. 36-40 with Matth. 27. 35. and Psal 22. 16. And another time he shewed to them his hands and his side his hands as before that were pierced and so the holes of the Nails and his side that was pierced with the Spear of the Souldier Then were the Disciples glad when they saw the Lord for hereby they knew that it was he himself and none other But Thomas was not with them when Jesus came The other Discâ—ples therefore said unto him we have seen the Lord. But he said unto them Except I shall see in his hands the print of the Nails and put my finger into the print of the Nails and thrust mine hand into his side I will not believe And after eight days again his Disciples were within and Thomas with them then came Jesus and saith Peace be unto you Then saith he to Thomas Reach hither thy finger and behold my hands and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side and be not faithless but believing John 20. 20-25-27 28. with Chap. 19. 34. Whereby it evidently appears that there was the print of the Nails in his hands and the hole of the Spear in his side after he was raised again an infallible sign that he was raised again in that self-same body in which he was crucified and that his flesh did not see corruption Act. 1. 3. and Chap. 2. 32. So he is evidently set forth in the Gospel before our eyes as one that hath been crucified with his great abasement sorrows and sufferrings Gal. 3. 1. Yea the Preaching of the Gospel is called the Preaching of the Cross or of Christ crucified 1 Cor. 1. 17. with ver 18. and ver 23. And the Apostle saith he determined to know nothing else among the Corinthians save Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2. 2. Gal. 6. 14. And in the Supper of the Lord his Body is spiritually and mystically presented to us as broken and his Blood as shed or poured forth for us 1 Cor. 11. 23-26 So hereafter he shall appear with his deaths wounds as it were And they shall look on him who was pierced Zech. 12. 10. with Rev. 1. 7. and John 19. 34-37 And when one shall say unto him What are these wounds in thine hands Then he shall answer those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends Zech. 13. 6 7. And when he comes to tread down his enemies in his anger and trample them in his fury then he shall come as one that hath been slain with died Garments and when it shall be said unto him Wherefore art thou red in thine Apparel and thy Garments like him that treadeth in the Wine-fat Then he shall Answer I have trodden the Wine-press alone and of the people there was none with me c. Esai 63. 1-3-6 Let this be considered by us 3. The Posture in which the Apostle saw him stood Which may denote and signifie to us these things viz. 1. His being delivered out of his great afflictions and troubles and set upon firm ground as it were In the day of his great sorrows and sufferings he found no place for the sole of his feet Hence he cries out unto his Father Save me O God for the waters are come in unto my Soul I sink in deep mire where there is no standing Psal 69. 1 2-9-14-21 He had then no foot-hold as it were but now God had brought him out of that horrible pit out of the miry clay and set his feet upon a Rock upon firm and hard ground Psal 40. 1 2-6 So in another Vision the Apostle looked and lo a Lamb stood upon the mount Sion upon a firm and immoveable Rook that cannot be moved Rev. 14. 1. with Psal 125. 1. and Psal 2. 6. 2. He stood As a Ruler and Governour as the great Shepheard As it is said Prophetically of him He shall stand and feed or Rule in the strength of the LORD in the Majesty of the Name of the LORD his God Mica 5. 2-4 John 4. 22. So he is said To stand in the Congregation of the Mighty viz. to judge among the Gods Psal 8. 2. See Isai 61. 5. with Rev. 7. 17. 3. As the Consequent of the former He stood to save and assist his Servants and Followers having now all Power and Authority as follows in this Verse So it is said At that time shall Michael the Prince stand up the great Prince which standeth for the Children of thy people And at that time thy people shall be delivered Dan. 12. 1. So when Stephen was witnessing a good Confession and a little before he was stoned He looked up stedfastly into Heaven and saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God And said Behold I see the Heavens opened and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God Act. 7. 55 56. And so more generally he shall stand at the right hand of the poor to save him from those that condemn his Soul Psal 109. 30 31. And he knows how to succour and compassionate them for he is a Lamb that hath been slain Hebr. 2. 17 18. and Chapt. 4. 14 15. and Chapt. 12. 1 2 3. 4. Stood praying or interceding for this is a praying postute 1 King 8. 14 22. Mark 11. 25.
of their evils though none be so blind as this Servant of the Lord or deaf as this messenger whom he hath sent Isay 42. 19 21. yet he is one who will by no means clear the guilty Exod. 34. 6 7. If I sin against thee then thou markest me and will not accquit me from mine Iniquity Job 10. 14. though he had largely declared those praise-worthy things found with them yet also he mentions and minds them of that for which he could not praise them but reprove and fault them and imitater of whom herein was the the Apostle Paul I am saith he A follower of Christ now I praise you Brethren that ye remember me in all things and keep the oâ—dinances as I delivered them to you but in the same ch he again saith unto them now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not shall I praise you in this I praise you not 1 Cor. 11. 1 2 17 22. Thus our Saviour demeaned himself towards Peter when he had made a good confession and right acknowledgment concerning him our Saviour said unto him Blessed art thou Simon Son of Jona c. But presently after when he was to be faulted he turned and said unto Peter Get thee behind me Satan thou art an offence unto me Mat. 16. 15 18. with v. 22 23. see also Rev. 2. 13 14 and v. 19 20. so here I have against thee as if he should say Though I am in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks clothed with a garment down to the foot and girt about the Paps with a Golden girdle as Rev. 1. 13. and am the Apostle and High-priest of your profession ever living to intercede for you Though I love you and am the propitiation for your sins yet I who am the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe I who am the Son of the Father in truth and love I who am alive and was dead in which I testified my love And I who am Almighty the first and the last and can do whatsoever I please yea and though there are so many commendable things in thee I have somewhat against thee Now here learn we 1. In that he saith I have against thee he who is love and Charity it self so he signifieth to us that his Charity doth not lead him to take no notice of our evils but rather to reprove and fault us when need is as he saith As many as I love I rebuke and chasten c. Prov. 3. 11 12. Heb. 12. 5 7. see the notes on Rev. 3. 19. and therefore let us not abuse his love and goodness or turn his grace into Lasciviousness nor say we shall have peace though we walk after the Imagination of our hearts c. Rom. 6. 1 2. Jude 4. Deut. 29. 19 20 21. 2. Nor let us think and conclude in our hearts that because we have done and suffered many things for his name sake that therefore this will plead our excuse though we sin against him or depart from him But know we he will have a quarrel against us and controversy with us notwithstanding the good things done by us or found with us if we do what is displeasing â—â—to him Gal. 3. 1 5. Luke 9. 62. Ezek. 33. 18. and ch 18. 28. Heb. 10. 38. 3. In that he saith I have against thee namely such an one as he is one who is so infinite in wisdom and so almighty and omnipotent it may engage us â—â— fear before him and to depart from iniquity Do we provoke the Loâ—d to anger Are we stronger then he 1 Cor. 10. 22. He is wise in heart and mighty in strength who hath hardened his heart against him and prospered Job 9. 4. If a poor Instrument only had against us he might mistake or not be able to harm us and therefore we should have no such cause to consider it But he is quick of sight and cannot be mistaken and strong to execute his word Joel 2. 11. Oh therefore be we not High-minded but fear 3. In that he saith I have against thee to wit against this Angel and Church so he gives us to understand That no â—ighness unto Christ whatever no priviledge he conferrs upon us will exempt us from his rebukes threatnings or judgments if we sin against him This is that the LORD spake saying I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me and before all the people I will be glorified Lev. 10. 1 3. though they be his Sons and his Daughters he will abhor them because of their provokings of him Deut. 32. 19 22 27. he will visit their iniquity with the rod and their transgressions with stripes Ps 89. 30 31 32. he hath a quarrel against these though they were his Church and people We may speak hereto a little particularly 1. I have against thee thee O Angel and so against any Bishops overseers or guides if their love to him be waxen cold or revoved from him If they sin against him he will not spare them though he holds the Angels in his right hand and doth therein prefer them before their Brethren and takes especial care of them to defend and protect them and none shall pluck them out of his hand yet he will have against them if they sin and wander from him A Moses Aaron Samuel so doing shall not escape But he will take vengeance of their Inventions Though the first was the mediatour of the first Testament A Prophet yea preferred before other ordinary prophets a king also The second an High-prist The third a Prophet and Judg Ps 99. 6 8. a David shall not go unpunished though an eminent Prophet and King a man after God's own heart 2 Sam. 12. Ps 51. yea though they were as the signet upon his right hand if they provoke him he will pluck them thence Jer. 22. 24. Let such then as are Angels of his Churches learn that though they are and seem to others to be somewhat even to be eminent ones in the Church yet God accepteth no Man's Person Gal. 2. 6 9. Let them therefore take heed of being puffed up lest being lifted up with Pride they fall into the condemnation of the Devil 1 Tim. 3. 6 7. let them even imitate him who kept under his body and brought it into subjection leâ—t when he had preached to others he himself should become a Reprobate 1 Cor. 9. 27. 2 Cor. 5. 8 11. Mat. 24. 48 51. 2. I have against thee O Church though thou hast been espoused to me and art one of the golden Candlesticks amongst whom I walk and in whom hath been my delight Ps 16. 2 3. my house my dearly beloved though after thou didst believe thou was Sealed with the holy spirit of Promise which is the earnest of the Inheritance Eph. 1. 13 14. and ch 4. 30. yet I have a quarrel against thee so the Lord saith in former times I have for saken mine house I have left mine heritage I have given