resurrection For they are worthy Not in respect of merits and works but of free grace for they are worthy whom Christ esteems his Sons and hath made worthy So Christ calls them Heb. 2.13 Behold me and the children God hath given me Vers 5. I will not blot out his name out of the book of life Since the names of the Elect are said to be written in heaven that is they are sure and certain of eternal life observe two things 1. Believers obtain not salvation by chance but were elected of God through Christ from eternity and known from them that perish 2. That the Elect are certain of life none can pluck them on t of Gods hand God is said to have books metaphorically for he needs none but doth all things by his foreknowledge counsell and judgement he is said to have three books in Scripture one of Providence wherein he hath set down how every thing shall come to passe when the wicked are destroyed who are equally written here with the righteous they may be said to be blotted out of his book Gods second book is of Predestination and eternal life out of which none can be blotted His third is of the general judgment of which t is said the books were opened ch 20. I will confesse his name an honour beyond thought to be called by name as it were before the Throne and Angels and to be acknowledged publickly This might stirre up in us a care to get the first white garments of grace that we may enjoy these of glory and this glorious acknowledgement I omit ver 6. being easie Vers 7. Vnto the Angel of the Church in Philadelphia write Some conceive this to be Quadratus a disciple of the Apostles whom Eusebius mentioneth Ignatius wrote to these Philadelphians That is holy because he is in himself holy and made to us of God sanctification And true constant in keeping promise and loving truth hating falsehood and hypocrisie As this is an argument of Christs being God out of Isa 6. so t is an Argument that the Pope is Antichrist calling himself not only holy but holinesse and whereas Christ cals himselfe but a great high Priest in Hebr. 4. the Pope cals himself the greatest high-Priest shewing himself not to be Christs vicar but the successor of the Pagans Arch-flamens or Priests Who hath the Key of David or of the house of David to wit the Church by Key power is noted for Christ hath an absolute power over the Church as Lord and head of it and hath committed the ministerial power and keyes to the Apostles and their Successours He openeth and no man shutteth to wit the doore of grace and heaven and Scripture men are already blind in the things of God yet he may for further punishment darken them more and more No man shutteth because none can hinder his from entring in at his opened doore or can pluck them out of his hand He shutteth and no man openeth because whosoever is not elected and drawn by Christ can never enter this proves Christs deity for the Apostles ministerially doe it Matth. 18 and Eliakim as high-Priest Isa 22.22 but Christ absolutely Vers 8. I know thy works I approve thy good works Christ praises his good parts to encrease them particularly because he had kept his word and not denied his name in the former he commends the sincerity of his doctrine in the latter his constant Profession of the same before the adversary But least this holy teacher should be lifted up to think he did ought by his owne strength Christ tels him he set before him an open door that is 't was by Christs power that the Church over which he was Pastor embraced the truth For thou hast a little strength outward help and assistance or any what in thy self without me so that t is Christ that opens Christ had opened a door in Sardis and gathered a Church which though the Pastor had little outward means or help he would so defend that none should shut or overthrow it Sometimes by an open door is meant an occasion or opportunity of doing good Our Apostle said there was a door opened to him in Troas so t is Christ prepares the hearts of the People to receive him t is he that preserves the People that do receive him Christ hath opened a door in many Kingdomes though Antichrist did his devoire to shut it Vers 9. I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan this is a tacit answer to an objection that might be made for since both unbelievers of Jews and Gentiles opposed it might be questioned how this Church could stand and not be shut to which Christ answers I will make them or give them c shewing his power above theirs so comforting the Pastor also it might comfort him thus that if these unbelievers did molest him Christ did but use their innate malice to teach him and the Church patiently to relie on him and that it should prove good to them Synagogue of Satan The Jews called themselves so from Judah which in Hebrew signifies to praise as if they had been the Praisers of God but they lyed being enemies to Christ and of the Synagogue of Satan so then hypocrites vainly brag of their glorious titles I will make c Here is comfort that these opposing Iews should in time be converted and reverence him as their Pastor and worship God both which are noted in these words shall worship before thy feet as a dog fawning on one This notes the insufficiency of man to convert himself t is God makes also t is not the minister I will make says Christ note also the mercy of God those of the Synagogue of Satan shall worship Christ not only comes by persuasive but effectual means of grace to gaine man who is averse to and blind in every thing of God naturally and so gains the will not forcing it which after works freely through the means of grace Vers 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience Christ out of a fatherly love and mercy promises a reward to obedience be cause he had kept his Word the reward was that he would deliver him either in the approaching persecution of the Emperour Trajan See Plin lib. 10. Ep. 97. that he commanded the accused Christians to be put to death or in regard of the persecutions of Antichrist which troubled these and all the world From the houre this comforts the Pastor that it was but a short trial and therefore the more chearfully to be undergone To try them This notes the use and end of affliction that 't was not for destruction but trial and salvation Which dwell upon the earth God tries hypocrites as well as his faithful People the one shew their constancy and faith in trial the other their corruption in Apostacy Thus the chaffe is winnowed from the wheat Vers 11. I come quickly here is another use of comfort since Christ will come quickly to destroy
expressed in that he offered up the Incense with or to the prayers of the Saints Thus by prayer Christ offering up the Incense of the application of his passion unto it the Saints may get the assurance of Christs death and consequently of eternall life Now upon Christs offering himself up for us and upon the preaching of the Gospel comprehended under the word voyces there followed the thundering of Tyrants the lightnings of Heresies you see they be dangerous and the great earthquake of Antichrist spoken of chap. 6.12 where observe that this part of the Vision agrees with that in chap. 6. Christ at the Altar giving seven Trumpets to seven Angels here resembles Christ on the white horse there The thundering here after the voyces or preaching of the Word and the fire of the Altar sent or Spirit given to the Church resembles Christ on the Red horse The lightning which burnes destroyes and makes look pale as experience testifyes resembles CHRIST on the pale and black horse of sicknesse and heresie Vers 6. The Angels prepared themselves to sound To wit now after that Christ had sent his spirit till then the Apostles were not to departed from Jerusalem nor these Angels to sound Thus then the seven Seals and Trumpets agree and perhaps the voyals for Christ signifyed the same thing to John under severall formes Vers 7. The first Angelsounded and there followed haile By this expression the contradictions and persecutions of the enemies of the Gospel are set forth for as haile is hurtfull to green Corne so is opposition and gainsaying unto young beleevers fire and blood resemble persecution and banishments which happened to the Disciples when the Gospel began to be preached from Penticost and forward as the Acts of the Apostles witnesse it has allusion to the seventh plague of Egypt and agrees with the first Seal by this means most of the Apostles and cheif Teachers in the Primitive time meant by trees were burnt up or destroyed And divers even very many Saints as green grasse being weaker then the trees were consumed at least bodily This may teach all sincere Teachers to expect at least haile that is contradiction it s well if not fire and blood let us be however like the trees planted by the water side Psal 1. Vers 8. And the second Angel sounded and as it were a great mountaine burning with fire c. This Mountain I beleeve not to be immediatly the devil as some think but the Roman Empire for he began not to burne with envy against the Church now but was a murderer from the beginning perchance stirred up to do this mischeif by the devil Now the Kings and Emperours or Empires are mountaines is said chap. 6.14 being higher then ordinary but what high mountaine was in the world now in this sense but the Roman Empire The Sea is the gathering together of waters and by it either the world or Church is understood Now the Roman Empire violently rushed in upon both and in the Church with fiery rage oppressed many thousand Saints witnesse the many persecutions Thus the Church was the red horse red with the blood of Martyrs Many in the Church bodily were destroyed understood by creatures dying in the sea And the third part of the ships were destroyed That is many Teachers who under Christ were able to manage the Sea or Church see the skill that ought to be in the Ministers of the Gospel but their souls were not lost though they were bodily destroyed since Christ was aboard but here is comfort not all but the third part of the sea was blood also the Sea quencheth fire so the Church through Christ shall have the victory at last And perchance it might be spoken because the Roman Empire should embrace the faith of Christ as Constantine did Thus the mountains was swallowed up with the sea but by this means Antichrist was neerer home Vers 10. And the third Angel sounded and there fell a great star from heaven Here as Chap. 6. are denoted all Arch-hereticks who for many years after the Apostles deformed the Church but especially here is signifyed the Apostacy of the Bishops of Rome as it were falling by degrees For indeed above thirty Bishops before Sylvester for the most part shined as starres in heaven and suffered martyrdom for Christ But after peace brought in by Constantine t is pitty such fair weather should do hurt the Roman star like the Babylonian Lucifer or the devil himself began to lift up himself above his fellow Ministers Sylvester is said to be the first that much degenerated burdening the Church with Heathenish rites and ordinances On the third part of the Rivers By Rivers I understand the Bishop successor of Sylvester and other Teachers from whom divine doctrine ought to flow to others By fountains I understand the Scriptures by waters the comforts and doctrines of Scripture infected The starre was called Warmewood From the effects of it because it did imbitter Thus also did Arrius that Heretick imbitter the Rivers partly by force partly by cunning that who drank did indanger their salvation here is an allusion to the waters of Marah this bitternesse continued untill Gregory Too too long had it pleased God otherwise yet here is comfort since but the third part of either was infected Vers 12. And the fourth Angel sounded and the third part of the Sunne Was smitten In the sixth Seal there is a totall Ecclips threatned the Sun should be as dark as sack-cloth of haire that is very dark but here only the third part of the Sun is smitten yet the apparitions much agree or as the pale horse noted the sickly estate of the Church of which see the exposition so somewhat of the same thing is here foretold the Sun shadows out the cheif Prelates as Pope Cardinal who ought to shine forth in life and doctrine the Moon which receives her light from the Sun signifies other inferiour depending orders as Priests and Curates The stars being lesse in light signifie the layity thus Annonimus upon the place all which grew sickly pale and dime in the matters of Christ yet here is comfort only the third part for Antichrist was not yet lifted up into his seat Vers 13. And I beheld and heard an Angel flying thorough the midst of heaven John saw this Angel fly in the midst of heaven which noted some notable Minister living in the Church or Kingdome of grace who spoke of the miseries of the Church ensuing 't is conceived Gregory Bishop of the Church of Rome was meant by this Angel who as a heavenly Herauld foretold of the grievous calamities to befall the Church by Antichrist witnesse his Epistles to the Emperour Mauritius Woe Woe Woe noting the three following Trumpets or many great miseries ensuing To the inhabitants of the earth Noting earthly-minded-men and hypocrites contradistinct to Saints whose names being written in heaven were more happy Note how Muck-wormes and Hypocrites are called
inhabitants of the earth but Saints as they have their Original from so their conversation in heaven CHAP. IX Act. 1. continued NOw follows the fift and sixt Trumpets the fift prefiguring the dissipation of the Western Europian Churches by Antichrist The sixt the destruction of the East by the means of the false Prophet Mahomet and the Turks after him these began to blow together as it were of which histories sufficiently testifie Vers 1. The first Angel sounded and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth who this Angel or Minister was is not certainly known perchance the said Gregory upon whose preaching this starre fell but the star notes some notable Bishop falling from the heavenly truth to earthly traditions and doctrines of divels certainly as Christ did not signifie the divel by this starre fallen long since of which therefore Iohn needed not to be informed so certainly 't was not Luther a poor Monk who had little and left nothing behind him except footsteps of Reformation The starre notes some notable Prelate long before him who began to ruine the West as Mahomet did the East and 't was none but the Pope of Rome signified by the star chap. 8. ver 10. who burning as a Lampe that is clearly and gloriously as the Bishops of Rome did at first yet did fail at last and together with Arrius not Mahomet who neither was one of the stars of heaven that is of the Ministers of the Church nor did ever shine being a wretched villain always imbittered the waters by falfe doctrines traditions heresies Now to whom or what Ecclesiastical person can this be applied but to the Anti-christian Apostacy of the Bishops of Rome Gregory as all know makes him to be Antichrist that should affect the title of Universal Bishop Boniface the third his successor three years after his decease was declared by Phocas the intruder as all agree universal Pope chief Priest or Bishop of Bishops Behold the Star though this is not to be applied to Boniface alone who sate not on the chayre scarce a yeare but to his Successors the whole Series of Popes The Key of the bottomlesse pit by Key power is meant for he that hath the Key of the house hath the power of the house Now the Pope says he hath the power of hell or the bottomlesse pit to damn whom he will and to deliver whom he will thus he is the Angel of the bottomlesse pit ver 11. God permitting the divel tempting Phocas gave him this power behold the man Christ then though he gave the first Bishop of Rome and all other the Key that is power of binding and loosing casting forth and receiving in according to the word yet the Pope having thrown away Christs Key he makes use of Satans usurped one This his triple Crown can prove whereby his power over heaven earth and hell is meant but enough his practice makes him known Where note Christ hath the Key properly as head of the Church and Mediatour the Pope usurpingly and deceitfully as Angel of the bottomlesse pit not of the Church or sinke of hell also God suffers the sin by it to punish another sinne to wit for not receiving the knowledge of the truth see 2 Thes 2.10 11. and Rom. 2.24 26. Vers 2. And he opened the bottomlesse pit and there arose a smoke out of the pit Hell and the doctrine thereof was shut up by the Prophets and Apostles who led men to the true fountaines out of the snares of Satan but the Pope has opened it to the destruction of poore souls behold the smoke of the pit I mean the Popes black divinity worshipping of Images forgivenesse of sins by Masse Pennance Almes Pilgrimages of which the Volumes and practice of Papists sufficiently testifie Now as smoak doth hurt the eyes darken the aire cause things not to be seen as they are so doth the doctrine of Papists And the Sun and the Aire was darkned by reason of the smoke of the pit Christ the Sun of righteousnesse was obscured formerly in part by Hereticks but after the fall of this star much more as the times after Boniface the third make known the Aire signifying the Church as receiving light from the Sun as the Church doth from Christ was darkned and no wonder for if the doctrine of Christ be darkned how shall the Aire or Church have light Thus 't is plaine though the Papists professe they know God yet in works they deny him Note that some by Aire understand the Scripture which conveys the light of the Sunne as the Scripture doth the light of Christ which was much darkned by Popish doctrines and expositions If the Aire signifie the Church yet Christ had the sealed ones and consequently a Church notwithstanding this darknesse among the Papists Vers 3. And there came Locusts out of the smoke After the falling of the Star First the bottomlesse pit was opened there the Angel of the bottomlesse pit takes the Keyes to wit absolute authority upon him Secondly there followed smoak to wit divellish doctrines Thirdly the darkning of the Sunne and Ayre Christ and the Church Fourthly follows the generation of the locusts they are small creatures having little wings by which they lift up themselves a little from the earth and seem rather to leap then to fly but in some parts of the world there be some have bigger bodies God plagued Egypt with an Army as it were of locusts John the Baptist did eat them as well as wild honey Pray mark do not the Monks Fryeryes and religious Orders as they call them come out of the gulfe of the sea of Rome sure not by Christs authority or his word the opening of the pit brought them so then the Goths army cannot be here understood which came not out of the pit but the Popish Clergy who seem to be holy to fly a little from the earth but indeed are as the locusts gorbellied devourers and earthly some are greater behold the Bishops and Cardinals And as the Baptist did eate locusts so some have fed on those as I may so say but with this difference to their destruction Who as locusts skip in the Summer sing and delight in ease but the Romish Clergy where are greater troops then of Locusts Where then of Fryers What creatures destroy more then the Locusts Who more then the Romish Clergy who devoure widowes houses gather infinite riches without labour build Colledges palaces but as the Locusts do good neither to God nor man If it be objected that these cannot be understood of the Romish Clergy because vers 4. these cannot hurt the sealed ones but Antichrist and his instruments shall kill the two Witnesses Chap. 11. ver 7. I answer they may kill them yet not hurt them in this sense the outward killing of which in its place may befall the Saints not the inward hurting of the soule for they are sealed by election redemption And power was given them as the
Lords Vers 18. That yee may eate the flesh of Kings c. Who by the unclean spirits chap. 16.14 were to be gathered to Armageddon Both the Kings of the earth suppose Persians Tartarians Indians and those of the ten Kings who forsooke not the Whore who shall be a feast for birds indeed for hell for the Lord shall overtake these his enemies combining against him and utterly destroy them for ever I meane the judgment day shall overtake them for they shall warre against him and last in some sort till then And the flesh of horses and of them that sit on them c. So it is after a battel but here at the last day though all shall be destroyed yet only the Beast and the Kings shall be cast into hell not the horses together with their Armies which being plain in vers 19. I passe Vers 20. And the Beast was taken alive c. The Beast and false Prophet here are one as the Beasts chap. 13. v. 1. 11. are one for the false Prophet is but Antichrist as a Deceiver together with the Cardinals and Clergy of Rome as chap. 13. v. 11. who hath two hornes as a Lamb and doth wonders in the sight of the Beast as this doth here and the Beast is Antichrist as a secular Prince as I have noted chap. 13. and are but one Beast called by John chap. 13. vers last They shall be cast alive into hell either because being taken alive at the last day they shall only be made incorruptible changed and cast into hell-fire and never dye a temporal death or because they shall alwayes live in hell in torment and never die a living death or dying life however by a double punishment he shall be plagued as a secular wicked Prince and as a false deceiving Prophet the Lord having long since begun to destroy Antichrist by the preaching of the word as by the spirit of his mouth 2 Thes 2.8 now finally casts him into the lake of fire and his friends thus the brightnesse of Christs coming shall destroy Antichrist 1. By preaching 2. By this spiritual not proper slaughter or destruction in hell Vers 21. And the remnant were slaine with the sword of him that sitteth upon the horse c. Alluding to Ezek. 39.15 Go ye cursed Now as literally Gog and Magog were slaine and birds eat their flesh so shall allegorically this be fulfilled in the destruction of Antichrist after such a manner as the last judgment requires for the Devil shall have enough and hell shall be even filled with reprobates by reason of this Armageddon CHAP. XX. Preface to Vision 7. or last Act. 1. Vers 1. And I saw an Angel come down from heaven having the Key of the bottomlesse pit and a great chaine in his hand THis Vision is in some sense the recapitulation of all the former and concludes the marriage of the Lamb and history of the Church from Christs incarnation to the last day or the consummation of all things the Angel is Christ who came down from heaven being incarnate for us being the womans seed and to bruise the Serpents head having the Key that is power of hell and death chap. 1.18 or the bottomlesse bit and that by right not as Antichrist who usurps it And I saw Noting the order of the Vision not the order of the events for after the day of judgment now mentioned chap 19. there shall follow no binding and loosing Satan so that here is not a continuation of history and times observed A great chaine in his hand Noting Christs omnipotency and power above and over Satan a chaine of providence shewing how Christ by his Birth Passion Burial Resurrection Ascention sending the spirit cheifly preaching by the Disciples bound up and hindred Satans tempting the world to Idolatry of which see my Glimps of Christs love page 48. and margin Vers 2. And he laid hold on the Dragon c. In the Vision this is the battle betwixt Michael and the Dragon chap. 12. v. 9. there he is bound from accusing the brethren and cast out of heaven and Church and packt into the earth wildernesse heathens and dry places here lest he seduce the Nations keeping them from beleeving being but almost the same with the former So Satan was not so bound the thousand yeers absolutely for he tyrannized by the Romane Emperours over the Saints in the red horse chap. 6. and overspread the face of the Church with Heresie in the black horse chap. same v. 5. but in respect of seducing the Nations Now since the thousand yeers began many Nations have beleeved which Satan could not hinder Thus Christ beheld Satan fall like lightning Luke 10.18 thus the Prince of this world was judged John 16.11 when Christ in earth And he bound him a thousand yeers Though from Christs Nativity Satans Kingdome began to be ruined yet his death and resurrection did him most hurt but the Jewes much hindred the calling of the Gentiles with any great efficacy till the ruine of the Temple from which time chiefly the thousand yeers of Satans binding are reckoned being Anno 73 according to my Pareus who conceives them to be ended anno 1073. when Gregory the seventh a Monke and a Magician poysoning Alexander the second invaded his chaire at Rome and so the divel began to be let loose by him who gave himselfe to all manner of loosenesse yet from the Angels descent or Christs incarnation Satan began to be bound for then temples idols oracles were forsaken fell down and were silent as histories testifie See Master Smiths arrow against Atheists Thus however Satans loosing hath been 577 years or thereabout Vers 3. And cast him into the bottomlesse pit and set a sea upon him that he should deceive the People no more Into hell and confirmed him there as with his seal now though truly Satan had been cast into hell from his fall according to Peter and Jude yet he had more liberty to range abroad then after Christs incarnation for a thousand years after which he was To be let loose a little season No doubt from the expiration of a thousand years after the Angels descent to the end of the world Satan shall be loosed called A little season either in respect of God with whom a thousand years are but as one day or in respect of years past since the Creation or of eternity or in respect of the Scripture wont who cals the Generation since Christ the last houre Now Satan is to be let loose to manifest his rage against the Church to increase his future torment 2. For the triall of the Saints 3. Justly I mean in respect of Gods punishment upon the nations to seduce them that will not beleeve the truth unto salvation Act. 2. Vers 4. And I saw thrones and they that sate upon them and judgement was given unto them c. The former act answered to ch 6. about Christs riding on the white horse and to ch 12.
to the things that were written Gods Word as it is the rule of our life so it shall bee of our judgement According to their works Good or bad but the just are not judged or saved because of their works Good or bad works are known to all and by them as open testimonies shall all be judged The good works of Saints Christ wrought in them yet hee 'l reward them for what he has wrought O blessed Jesus work thy work in us Vers 13. And the sea gave up her dead which were in her c. Sentence being pronounced all the Elements give up their dead the Water those that were drowned the Earth those that were buried whether Saints bodyes or Reprobates but the Saints so long before the rest that they might meet Christ and the rest of their brethren in the Aire and come to see and approve Christs judgment of the wicked by Hell I understand how the damned shal appear to receive their final sentence who are called dead because they were dead in sin and once bodily dead By death I understand the grave or the earth as before the effect of death All that were burnt eaten by birds of the Aire or fishes of the Sea shall appear the Angels shall gather the ashes of the Elect from the four corners of the earth Vers 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire That is the devil who brought death and caused destruction or enticeth to hell Thus death shall be swallowed up in victory 1 Cor. 15.54 in vers 10. by an anticipation of time the devil was said to be cast into the lake of hell which indeed was but now fulfilled This is the second death Or eternall death The first was a temporall death if it may be called one or rather a separating man by sin from God Vers 15. Is easie All but the elect are damned being not written in the book of life If any man demand why so oft this book speaks of the last judgment 'T is answered because the Saints my be comforted and patiently endure persecution for a while This Act answers the harvest and vintage chap. 14. latter end And to the seventh Viall of the haile chap. 16.21 and to chap. 19.20 concerning the armyes of the Kings of the earth together with the Beast and the Kings casting into the lake of Hell CHAP. XXI Being the seventh Vision continued AFter the Renovation if not destruction of the world the heavenly glory is shewed to John under a twofold simile First As a glorious bride adorned Secondly As a most excellent choyce City which is set forth by things which are most rare and precious to man to give a glimps of the Saints glory in the glorious heaven Vers 1. And I saw a new Heaven The devils and the reprobates being cast into hell being mentioned Now follows the description of the Saints glory And I saw Iohn as Moses saw the promised land sees heaven before death into which Paul was wrap'd and heard unspeakable things A new heaven Esay foretold of a new heaven and earth chap. 65.17 which began to be accomplished after the shaking heaven and earth Heb. 12.26 by a Reformation by Christ and the Apostles when all things became new men became new creatures here the new heaven may signifie the Churches glory in heaven with Christ and the earth the bodies of the Saints most glorious Master Brightman applies the latter to the glorious condition of the Church after the Jews Conversion which cannot hold though we expect their Conversion but do not beleeve it to be tyed to Judaea as he supposes who in some measure are daily gained to the faith The Millenaries apply this to their golden age of whose opinion in part Augustine confesseth he once was but our Saviour tels us of no such brave time in earth towards the end but says when the Sonne of man comes shall he find faith in earth and though Rome shall be burnt yet both Antichrist and Gog shall rage to the end Concerning the new heaven and earth though I almost stagger in the point I will follow the most common opinion notwithstanding what elsewhere I have said in this book concerning the dissolution of all things and by a new heaven and new earth prophesied by Esay and in some sense fulfilled by the renewing of the Church I understand the renewed condition of heaven and earth literally to be fulfilled according to Esay and Peter 2.3 13. The substance whereof shall not be utterly abolished but the corruptible qualities and it shall be pure bright glorious Thus the first heaven and earth were passed away being not vanished quite for substance but quality being to be renewed and purified by fire A new heaven and a new earth c. John saw not the very glory of heaven which eye hath not seen but types and similies of it And the sea was no more According ro corrupt qualities and rolling with waves as now but made solid and in a globe though I know no use of these things unlesse to remaine as monuments of the great works of God and of his Power and to be renewed as having in their nature and course faithfully served their Creator as a reward for their service being delivered from bondage into the liberty of the sonnes of God according to their capacity And perchance the heavens may not as now compasse the earth or move there being no use of it But the brightnesse and lustre thereof shall be much augmented as of the Sun and Moon Vers 2. And I saw the holy City Here is the glory of the renewed Church shewed to Iohn after he had seen the renewed world and indeed this renovation of the Church seems distinct from that of heaven and earth renewed therefore one cannot be well the other or the new heaven and new earth the glorified condition of the Church for t is said And I saw as distinct from the former Let the Reader perpend this also Iohn seems to insert his name to confirm it saying I Iohn saw the Holy City Ierusalem Meaning the Church which the Scripture cals Ierusalem A City Because of its choyce and rare building such was Ierusalem built by Salomon more rare is this which is not built of common stones but as Esay 54.13 which I may apply in some sense here the Citizens are Saints who know one another as Citizens do She is called holy Because glorious in heaven and perfectly holy so appearing to Iohn in the Vision she in some sort is holy here below for Christ sanctifies her washing her by water regenerates her by faith and the spirit The old Ierusalem was polluted this is new newly glorified in heaven in the Vision perfect holy Coming down from heaven So chap. 3.12 noting her original to be from God this must not be understood of local motion her abode is heaven as chap. 12. vers 1. a woman in heaven but here is noted her heavenly grace and
ages as Luther have thus spiritually undone and devoured poperie and the beast severall Kingdomes of late in some measure being enlightened and Antichrist there destroyed by the witnesses and faithfull Ministers of Christ notwithstanding all the plots armes threatnings of the Adversaries So then as the witnesses have as it were weapons so they are not carnall but spirituall Vers 6. These have power to shut heaven that it rain not c. Alluding to the Ministery of Elias 1 King 17.1 this is not to be taken literally for then there should be no rain during Antichrists kingdom which according to the letter is false Spiritually the witnesses by the power of the keyes shut heaven so that the raine of grace doth not mollifie the hearts of opposers and contemners either the spirituall rain of the Cospel comes not to them or works not upon they trusting in merits pilgrimages masses thus the word hardens accidentally though it soften the heart of the Elect. Here also may be thought on the imprecations of the Saints against the utter enemies of the Church as Antichrist which with God is of great force They have power over waters to turne them into blood c. Alluding to Moses and Aaron turning the waters of Egypt into blood So when the spirituall Pharaoh of Rome kept the Church in spirituall bondage God raised up witnesses as Mofes and Aaron to gain home his people but upon Antichrists refusall the witnesses by their sighes teares prayers procured great famines pestilences which have been common upon the adversaries for the contempt of the word thus also the witnesses spiritually smite the earth with plagues Where observe the reason and cause of great punishment by famine plague war was contempt of the word and witnesses thus the word and witnesses accidentally bring miseries Vers 7. Moreover when they have finished their testimonie c. The preaching of the Gospel is called a prophecy and a testimony of Christ and the Truth Which when the witnesses shall have finished for before Antichrist shall not overcome them and then only them not their testimony for the Gospel cannot perish the beast arising out of the bottomlesse pit out of which the locusts came chap. 9. v. 3. and Antichrist or the Pope too shall make war with them and kill them the war here is by disputations in behalfe of Antichrists Sermons branding the witnesses as hereticks seducers by councels condemning the witnesses by excommunications and buls cursing and casting them out by force by fire and faggot and the like not by the word of truth for so the witnesses shall kill Antichrist and the Locusts or the goodnesse of the cause Thus Jerom of Prague was overcome and Wickcliffes bones were taken up and burnt so was John Husse destroyed after he had prophecyed even literally 42 moneths for from the first time he began to maintain Wickcliffes opinions being Anno. 1412. to his martyrdom were precisely say his friends 1260 dayes or two and forty moneths Now though some famous witnesses were put to death suddenly after their finishing their testimonie and so the beasts treading down the holy city to be a time larger then that of the witnesses whereas the text gives both the same space of 42. moneths or 1260. dayes remember that the two witnesses in their successours revived and prophecyed again vers 11. So God has not lest himself without a witnesse to this houre nor will not till the Peast ceaseth to tread under foot the holy city or give over tyrannising at least Vers 8. And their dend bodies shall lye in the street of the great city c. This must not be quite taken literally for the bodies of the witnesses were burnt and needed no buriall but as the Church of Rome is the great city consisting of many Kingdomes and is spiritually called Sodom because of her uncleannesse among the Clergie and other sins and as Rome is spiritually called Egypt in respect of the spirituall slavery she keeps the people as Egypt did Israel and in respect of the thousands of Idols of Rome like that most Idolatrous Egypt and as Rome spiritually crucified Christ not because Pilate a Roman and the souldiers did it though that is somewhat but because Christ is recrucified at Rome and in the Idol of the Masse where they of Rome say they crucifie him daily as being say they bodily present but especially because she spiritually crucifies Christ in his members and is as wretched and as ready to do it as Ierusalem that literally did it So spiritually their carcases lie unburied that is their names are cursed and exposed to shame their books burnt condemned and not suffered to be bought their friends abused and their very houses made jakes Thus the great city or Church of Rome is in respect of her Idolatry tyranny over the people darknesse in the matters of saving faith obstinacy in matters of obedience to the witnesses and word contempt of God and his messengers and judgements notwithstanding the pure water of life is become puddle to them and other judgments meant by the waters turned into blood called spiritually or allegorically Egypt Vers 9. And they of the People tongues shall see their dead bodies c. To wit all those that adhered to Antichrist should applaud their King Abaddon and see with joy the dead bodies of the Saints cast forth as dung into the street in the fore quoted sense Three days and an half If the Popish Councel of Constance where many of several nations met be the kinâ—ed and people that rejoyced over the witnesses as our Iohn Fox thinks then by three days and an half may be understood three years and an half for so long that Councell sate Now days sometimes signifie years as Ezek. 4.6 each day for a year However the witnesses shall be exposed to reproach but for a short time this is for the comfort of the Saints and in the first place for Iohn that he might not be troubled Ver. 10. And the inhabitants of the earth shall rejoyce over them c Meaning those servants of Antichrist called inhabitants of the earth as having nothing to do with Heaven 'T is bad to do ill worse to rejoyce in it Now behold 't is come to passe in a strange manner that men in killing them shal tink they do God service 'T is said during the Antichristian councell of Constance publick shows and feasts were kept at the burning of Martyrs And the Romish locusts when they condemne a Saint to the fire use to feast gratulate each other and send presents one to another Well Lazarus saw Dives in hell in torment in the Parable The reason follows Because these two Prophets tormented the inhabitants of the earth The word Prophet here is taken in a large sense sometimes in Scripture to prophecy is to interpret here 't is to preach c. Here remember what Ahab said to Elijah thou troublest Israel when he was the troubler of Israel Indeed the little book
this purpose was that chap. 6. vers 10. how long of which see the exposition 'T is time therefore that thou raigne and be angry with them for ever By Nations here I understand all enemies what ever with whom the 24 Elders desire Christ to be angry in those words thy wrath is come or let thy wrath come And the time of the dead c. Or the resurrection to wit is come But surely Christ revealed this to them in heaven otherwise 't is very secret That they should be judged There the righteous must be acquitted however must appear before the tribunal and the wicked be condemned That thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the Prophets c. To wit of eternall life a reward out of free gift not debt so the Apostle the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternall life Rom. 6. vers last And though God has promised life eternall is not a debt neither is God a debter but to himself but enough The 24 Elders seem to make two sorts of people of them that were to be judged some who were to be destroyed others to be rewarded these three sorts 1 The Prophets comprehending Patriarches Apostles Evangelists 2. The Saints to wit Confessours Martyrs who opposed Antichrist 3. The fearers of Gods name comprehending all other servants of God Great and small c. All have the reward alike and perchance a like reward So St. Paul seems to say a crown of righteousnesse sayes he is laid up for me and not only for me but for all those that love his appearance Because in another book I have touched this point and in this page I le name the choise proofes of each side and shew the more probable opinion 'T is said one is the glory of the Sun another of the moon 1 Cor. 15.41 and so shall be the resurrection therefore one Saint in heaven is to outshine another Answ As Peter Martyr fol. 579. there is nothing said of the glory of heaven only as one star outshines another so the bodies in the resurrection shall much differ in glory from them as they are now sowen in corruption as vers 42. speaks note 't is not said so shall it be after the resurrection to wit in heaven but so is the resurrection therefore that place proves nothing Now to this place I annex that of Math. 22.30 on the other part We our Saviour sayes wee shall be like the Angels of God in heaven now the Angels have but one and the same glory But secondly 't is said every one must receive according as he has done in the body 2 Cor. 5.10 and it shall be more tolerable for Sodom in the day of judgment then now if there be differences in punishments why not in rewards of glory Answ Because punishments are for desert rewards out of mercy who has promised to give the last as to the first even every one a penny Matth. 20.13.13 Thirdly but the Angels differ in dignity there be thrones principalities therefore we shall perchance in glory for we shall be like them Answ At the day of the resurrection when we shall be like them all those offices which were for the use and service of the Saints and Church shall be done away as well as tongues which were for the building the Church according to 1 Cor. 13.10 so then all shall be alike Answ 2. Archangel and perchance these forequoted are different kindes to which Christ doth not say we shall be like now the Angels differ not But I rather retain the first answer Fourthly in my fathers house Christ sayes are many mansions Ioh. 14.2 Answ Many not divers for all shall shine as the Sun Mat. 13.43 Now nothing shines more therefore all shal be very glorious yet alike glorious Thus that in Dan. 12.3 doubtlesse is meant for they that be wise are teachers in that place who instruct as the Hebrew has it and they that turne many to glory are Teachers too now the same labourers are to have the same not a differing reward every one his penny therefore Daniel says they shall shine as the firmament or heaven of stars which is all one not as the stars among themselves but gloriously as the stars Fifthly there is a greater and a lesse in the kingdome of heaven Matth. 5.19 A ruler over ten cities and a ruler over five Luke 19.19 and t is said he that sows bountifully shall reap bountifully 2 Cor. 9.6 therefore there be differences of reward Answ all these quoted places are to be applyed to the Kingdome of grace not of glory and therefore prove nothing The more carefully the Saints imploy their talent here below the sooner they are preferred in the Church and the greater the preferment And the more one sows or gives to the Saints the more temporal blessings God gives him or the more grace but enough The more probable opinion is easily discovered Christ promises that all his shall be with him and consequently partake of the same glory and if the twelve Apostles shall sit upon thrones so the twenty foure Elders do nay all the Saints shall judge the world 1 Cor. 6.2 and be glorified together Rom 8.17 But enough for a digression I hope no transgression Ver. 19. And the Temple of God was opened in heaven c. There is no Temple in heaven but the Church triumphant is here meant the opening it is the manifestation of its perfect glory which shall be after the day of judgement of which Iohn was even now speaking which is now hid and kept secret And the Ark of the Testament was seen Meaning Christ for the Ark in the Temple typified him who was formerly seen in earth in forme of a servant but now after the great day in perfect glory And there were lightnings thundrings voyces c. Here is a Preparation to the fourth vision and the lightnings are the punishments to befal the wicked at the last day God shall raine upon the wicked fire and brimstone storme and tempest Psal 11.6 these things signifie the conspiracy of the elements to take vengeance on the wicked and may come litterally to passe at the last day CHAP. XII Vision 4. Act. 1. Vers 1. And there was seen a great signe in heaven TO John in a vision great in regard of the events A signe to wit a woman clothed with the Sunne Some read it a wonder because the woman was wonderfully clothed and delivered To omit the story of Eve and the serpent and Mary with Christ persecuted by Herod which are here as it were represented doubtlesse this woman is the Church for women as the Church are weak depending on their husbands fruitful she is in heaven partly because she appeared so to John also the Church hath both her original and conversation in heaven This vision begins as it were of Christs birth Clothed with the Sunne Because the Church is clothed with Christ who is the Sunne of righteousnesse the Church
behold sorrow She gave her self to gluttony and luxury behold famine She burnt Martyrs behold fire burning her seat and Palaces She said I shall see no sorrow behold her destruction in one day For strong is the Lord who judgeth her Therefore though her territories be large though the City be very great and strong yet stronger is the Lord who can and will bring this judgment upon her by the victorious armie of the converted Kings who shall throw fire into her and consume her Vers 9. And the Kings of the earth shall bewaile her and lament for her c. To wit who are contradistinct to Saints and had lived deliciously with her in committing fornication as perchance Spaine the Emperour such of the ten as remaine with the Pope and are enemies to the truth of the Gospel They shall lament her 1 Because they cannot commit any longer Idolatry at Rome that beloved but whorish City 2 Because they cannot riot any longer within the City Vers 10. Standing afarre off for feare of the torment saying Alasse c. God shall strike a fear into them that they shall not dare to approach near to help her though they are sorry they cannot sin any more with her Afarre off as farre perchance as their own countryes though t is wonder they are so daunted that they send not to help her by some army to rescue her from burning though they be destroyed as at Armageddon of old Josiah was Vers 11. And the Merchants of the earth shall weep 1. Kings 2 Merchants shall mourn for her meaning spiritual traders in the Romish sea who only can buy and sell as chap. 13.17 For no man buyeth her merchandise any more To wir her Pardons Absolutions which shall be discovered to be abominable rotten and false in the city to be sold however no more being burnt Vers 12. The Merchandise of gold and silver and of precious stones c. See Ezek. 27. where Tyres destruction then a famous mart-town is foretold and this Catalogue of wares there mentioned also the neighbouring nations who brought their Merchandise to Tyre there mentioned to which here is a plain allusion Now by Romes ruine the spirituall Merchants could not vent their ungodly wares of pardons c. Nor could gaine riches enough to buy Merchandise as formerly from other nations as horses from France Gold and Silver from Spaine Sheep from England Beasts from Germany all nations furnished Rome with souls being subject to the Arch-flamen of Rome So here is noted the nations from their Merchandise who furnished Rome with wares as Brightman hath observed the spirituall Merchants could not reach to buy these commodities Rome being destroyed nor common Merchants or nations so well vent them Rome being burnt for brevity sake I omit the Catalogue Wherein observe the heathenish Rome never did traffique for souls of men though she did for slaves but here Rome deals for both expresly slaves and souls of men Sure here Popish Rome is meant most ungodly domineering over souls by threatning Purgatory by pardons masses the summe is Romes destruction shall hinder the spiritual merchandise of the soules and estates of all nations which a long while hath flowed to Rome for which the Romane spiritual merchants shall grieve Vers 14. And the fruits which thy soule lusted after To wit the cates and delicates the spiritual fathers or Clergy of Rome riotously filled their tables with Are departed from them c. Or perished by Romes perishing Vers 15. The Merchants of these things which were waxed rich c. To wit souls and other merchandise shall lament namely Merchants Ship-masters Masters-mates Pilots Partners and common seamen shall lament that is Cardinals and those who are even equall with them Arch-bishops Bishops Abbots Monks and all spirituall sea-men that have an oare in Peters boat shall lament and as the kings mentioned stand afarre off in regard of help but near enough in heart if they durst help saying alas alas pittying the great revenues of their Arch-bishopricks Cardinalships now lost Hence as mourners they cast dust on their heads as in old time they did because of Romes desolation the rest is plain to ver 20. Only observe the cause of the lamentation is not their sins and Idolatry which brought the judgments but their temporall losses and their revenues and honours Vers 20. Rejoyce over her thou heaven c. Formerly she shed the blood of Saints Prophets Apostles Now those Inhabitants of heaven may rejoyce because their cruell enemy and Christs is destroyed This should teach us to rely upon Christ who will one day destroy our enemies and give us occasion of rejoycing chap 6.10 The Saints cry O Lord holy and just how long Here they are bid rejoyce because God has avenged them and suppressed Antichrist and blasphemy Vers 21. And a mighty Angel took up a stone like a mill-stone c. Whether this Angel represented Christ since he took up the milstone as it had been a feather and speaks by a similitude of Romes overthrow for from Christ come Antichrists judgments I dispute not 't was another Angel that enters the stage as it were representing Babylons overthrow wherein consider 1. A mil-stone is not easily removed nor Babylon easily destroyed 2. A mil-stone is cast downe by force so Babylon 3. The Mil-stone is cast into the sea so Babylon shall be burnt by fire 4. The Mil-stone cast into the sea is covered never recovered so Babylon shall be utterly desolated and never built Vers 22. The voyce of harpers shall be heard no more At feasts in thee nor flute for dancers not trumpet for civil meetings nor war nor crafts-men whether Physician Lawyer nor husband-man nor miller but it shall be a meer desolation Vers 23. Nor lights shall shine any more in thee Convenient for night season Nor bridegroom nor bride shall be in thee Therefore no procreation of children therefore Romes desolation shall be consummated Because thy Merchants were great men of the earth To wit Cardinals Arch-bishops here is the grand cause of Romes desolation including other her Merchants sold damnable wares if this were understood literally it were a weak reason because thy Merchants were great men therefore comes thy destruction No but because thy great Cardinals Bishops sold cursed and abominable spirituall wares of Purgatory Pardons Therefore Rome is to be destroyed for her Idolatry false doctrine riot the consequent of riches For her sorceries Or false doctrines compared oft to bewitching or enticing wine have deceived the Christian world Vers 24. And in her was found the blood of Prophets c. The old Rome caused Apostles to be slain the new Popish Rome Prophets or Teachers as chap. 11. In her Either because the doctrine which caused their blood to be shed was from Rome or because she gave commission to slay the Saints who were slain in other places and kingdomes as England God plagues Rome as the Originall cause of all this CHAP. XIX Vision
Boniface the third but Satan being let loose Ann. 1073. Gregory 7. raged with both swords spiritual and civil deposing the Emperour Henry forbidding marriage of Priests advancing Idolatry Now comes in the grand Idol of Transubstantiation and Purgatory called by Pareus the god of forces out of Dan. 11.38 because by the meanes of it and Purgatory the Popes became rich and all their forces were employed to confirme this Idol it being also the strength and nerve of Popery In the first Millenary the flourishing Churches of the East indeed became adulterate but Mahometisme though it also began in the thousand yeers hath infinitely more spread after Satans loosing by which meanes the Nations have been much deceived Now the judgment upon Satan Gog and Antichrist follow in the last act And fire came down from heaven and devoured them The first Gog and his Army fell partly upon the mountains of Israel by the Macchabes here followes the last destruction of Gog and Magog some notable judgments shall overtake them before or to be sure however at the day of judgment these judgments are set out by fire a mercilesse Element so Psal 11.6 God shal rain upon his enemies fire brimstone alluding to Ezek. 38.22 where Gog's destruction is set forth perchance as relating to the last day of vengeance and that by fire Thus the old Goggish war and the new somwhat agree This fire from heaven is the sharp sword which proceeded out of Christs mouth Chap. 19.21 to devour or slay the Adversary Vers 10. And the divel that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire c Master and servants are tormented for ever but doubtlesse Satans punishment shall be greatest as the seducer of them to wit of the nations upon whom the whore sitteth chap. 17 15. who through Satan deceives them and Gog and Magog with all their forces Princes and retinue under the Turk and Kings of the earth which I the rather mention because here is mention made not only of Satan and them as of Gog and Magog whom he deceived but of the Beast and false Prophet suffering in the lake whom he also deceived the Nations then or inhabitants of the earth are deceived chiefly by Antichrist and Satan after the thousand yeers and Gog and Magog with their adherents distinctly from them thus we have an Eastern and Western Antichrist Vers 11. And I saw a white throne Here is the description of the day of judgment which I observed in this Congregation was after every Vision after some sort expressed except in the first which being a peculiar Vision omits it and after follows the joyful marriage of Christ and the Church with the description of the heavenly Palace or new Jerusalem which Master Brightman mistaking applys it to this life A great white throne and one that sate on it Great because set up for the general judgment of all white because of its celestial splendor and majesty it is the white cloud mentioned chap. 14.14 he that sate on it was Christ to whom God hath committed all judgment John 5.22 From whose face the earth and heaven fled away c. Being not able to endure his Majesty yet they shall not depart as a scrowle till the judgment be past And there place was found nowhere Most say the renovation of all things shall be and that only the fashion of the world that is the outward forme and corruptible qualities shall be destroyed and so the earth shall be found no more as it was but shall be made most beautifull and glorious being to be delivered into the glorious Liberty as far as 't is capable of the sons of God Rom 8. being to be freed from corruption and bondage But few shew good reasons for this renovation except that the Saints might contemplate on the creation renewed which they in heaven shall know to perfection though this be altogether consumed now since all the sons of men shall be in heaven or hell to what purpose shall the renovation be It is some may say for the Saints somtimes to visite delight in and live but their mansions are prepared in heaven These shall be changed if Philosophy could bear that interpretation into nothing having served the creatures for the creators pleasure as they were created out of nothing or shall be exchanged for the heaven of heavens Now perchance to be delivered out of corruption is liberty enough for this whole creature Man excepted But we expect new Heavens and new Earth that is the glorious heavenly condition of the Church above in perfect glory and the bodies of the Saints which are earth consummated Sea shall be no more c. 21.1 We scarce hear of ' its renovation or use why then should Heaven and Earth be renewed without their fellow Element But I referre the reader till anon to the most learned discourse of Dr. Hackwill upon this subject towards the end of his most delightsome book of Gods preserving the world and governing of it Vers 12. And I saw the dead small and great Meaning those who had died from Adam to the last day but now raised up by the power of Christ but those who are found alive at the last day shall be judged also being lesse in number then the said dead who now are quickened through Christ Small and great Great men and beggars men and children It seems John saw children in the stature of children though then made capable of understanding their sentence but most beleeve we shall be of a full stature to which the Apostle alludes till we come to a full man the stature and fulnesse of Christ Ephes 4.13 For as in Paradise the type of heaven Adam was created perfect in stature and of a ripe choyce age So 't is thought it shall be in heaven Such was Christ so the young man appeared in Christs grave as typing out the resurrection Mar. 16.5 but enough And I saw the dead Yea and living to be judged who shall be changed in a moment and I beleeve the false Prophet or Beast shall be so found and after changing be cast alive into the pit as chap. 19.20 Standing before That is brought to judgment The guilty standing ready to be condemned who are already condemned and the Saints standing in Christs presence to be absolved who were formerly in soul in blisse and absolved but here perfect misery and joy is expected And the Books were opened alluding to humane courts not as if God wanted books The Reprobates own conscience will be an open book against them God forgets not their impieties Perchance the Scripture may be produced against those who knew them and disobeyed them according to that saying The words which I spake shall judge at the last day John 12.48 then Hereticks will answer for abusing the book of God And another Book was opened The book of all those that were elected and redeemed to life through Christ Jesus And the dead were judged Sentence was pronounced According
this lake have not their names written in the book of life chap. 20.15 therefore the lake is hell Now though things are spoken here as yet to come being a Prophecy yet in the order of the Vision the wicked were before in hell chap. 20.10 14 15. and the Saints in glory Vers 9. And there came unto me one of the seven Angels What Iohn heard and saw generally is now ended Here followes perchance a kind of a special Vision or the glory of heaven more opened then hitherto I will shew thee the Bride the Lambs wife Here is noted the familiarity of the Angel with Iohn by which we may guesse they desire none of his worship I will shew thee Formerly Iohn saw her in the Wildernesse now he shall Visionally see her in glory Vers 10. And he carried me away in the Spirit It should seem to be indeed another Vision To a great high mountaine Iohn had hitherto been in the wildernesse as chap. 17. where this Angel shewed him the Whore and perchance having turned aside now returnes to him to shew him the Lambs wife Another like sight farre then the former in the Wildernesse Iohn saw a strange Whore From this high mountain high mysteries of the Church gloryfied And she shewed me a great City The Angel promised to shew Iohn the Lambs wife and now presents him with this sight for indeed the Church in glory is both the Lambs wife and City of God A Bride because of her marriage and ornaments A City because of her most magnificent building comely order invincible strength to last for ever Her Maker and Founder was God Heb. 11.10 this City only has foundation A great City In respect of her largenesse full of Saints and Angels So the glorious condition of the Church seemed to Iohn like a fair City which argues that whatsoever one may require to make up a compleat City is found beyond thought in the Church triumphant honour riches multitude learning or knowledge order all things convenient for that state see chap. 18.22 what Babylon shall want as musick trumpets harpes which this City shall abound with The holy Ierusalem The old was unclean this perfectly holy being according to the order of the Vision in perfect blisse Called Ierusalem because of her everlasting peace for so the word in Hebrew signifies under which is comprehended all manner of happinesse Coming down from God out of heaven So in the Vision Noting her descent and Original from God who is her husband who elected her through Christ Vers 11. Having the glory of God and her shining was like unto a stone most precious c. As if her situation and aire were commended She enjoyes that unaccessible light of Gods Majesty and presence And her light far beyond Sun and Moon was like to precious stone even a Jasper excellent in vertue good against poyson like a Christ all that is most bright and no wonder since God was the light of it vers 23. By these stones the bright majestique light of heaven is set forth excelling and comforting or driving away ill if possible any should be there and hence the precious stones and gemmes are mentioned by which not only the choycenesse of the City is set forth because most pleasing and precious to men but the imcomparable vertues in them shew the most incomparablenesse of God to the Church who is all to them and the Author of these vertues in the stones of which somewhat anon and must have them in a most plentiful measure in himself Vers 12. And had a wall alluding to a City Now the wall is the safeguard and protection of God The safeguard of heaven depends upon the wall of Gods omnipotency Great Being thick and broad therefore strong High Therefore not to be scaled Had twelve gates Meaning the doctrine of the Gospel or twelve Apostles by which heaven is opened to us At the gates twelve Angels Gallant Porters meaning the Fathers Prophets and Apostles who by preaching shewed us the way to the City And names writen thereon The names of the twelve Tribes of Israel noting the gathering of the spiritual Israel thither and perchance the literal seed Vers 13 On the East three Gates c. I seek no mystery here but look on the allusion to Ezek. 48.30 where such a City is described by which is meant the Church of the New Testament gathered from East West North South that is from all corners of the world Such is the represented Church above Vers 14. And the wall of the City The foundation is Christ 't is said to be twelve because the twelve Apostles by their preaching laid the foundation Christ for honour sake the names of the twelve are written upon the foundation because so fully laid by them because they if there be differences of glory as Christs right hand and left hand seeem to prove shall excel others in the Kingdom of glory doubtlesse the laborious Saint Paul is to be reckoned among them The Apostles of the Lamb Christ for so in their Epistles they stile themselves Vers 15. And he that talked with me One of the Angels of the seven Vials ver 9. and chap. 17. 1. who said come and I will shew thee Had a golden Reed to measure the City Not as chap. 11. v. 1. concerning reformation but only to acquaint John with the largenesse and figure of this City to describe the same to us So 't is Ezek. 40.3 4 5. where the Lord and now Christ by the Angel talking with John perchance who poured his Vial on the aire as chap. 16.17 setting the Prophet on a high Mountain as the Angel doth John here ver 10. sheweth him a City and Christ measuring it A golden Reed Because to measure so precious and glorious a City Vers 16. And the City lyeth foure square c. Which form is most solid and perfect the Longitude and Latitude being equal consisting equally of elect this notes the firmenesse of the City the largenes of the City is shewed in v. 16 17. to confirme what multitudes of Saint and Angels as Citizens are there being larger then the old Jerusalem but after that form nay larger then the literal Babylon which was one of the greatest Cities of the world being 66. miles compasse whose wals were one of the worlds wonders yet the wals of this are stronger and higher being not to be vanquished or conquered as Babylon and the old Jerusalem were I seek no mystery here According to the measure of a man Which measure the Angel used as he might say the City is so large according to the common measure of men which the Angel used John saw the City out of heaven when it was measured yet not in earth and it was only measured to shew every way the largnesse and majesty of that mystical City above Vers 18. And the building of the wall was of Iasper Babylons walls were choyce yet but of Brick Sand Pitch but this wall is of
Jasper a precious stone I see no more here but the most happy everlasting life of Saints set forth The City was pure gold This metal we chiefly-esteem therfore the Holy Ghost sets forth the glorious condition of the Church or City by it pure Gold is without drosse if tryed in the fire it comes forth without any such shewing the most pure estate of the Church above Like to Chrystall Or clear Glasse the matter is solid Gold the form bright as Glasse or Chrystal so it is as a golden City shining in glory not really but to stirre us up to seek after this heavenly Ierusalem which farre exceeds all these precicious things to which it is as it were compared Vers 19. And the foundation of the wall The matter of the wall and City is mentioned the foundation is very precious being of precious stones stones are for foundations preous stones for this being Christ laid by the twelve Apostles whose names were upon the foundations the foundations were all of whole Pearles or Gemmes which were Pillars of the wall as it were thus the foundations were garnished with pearles or precious stones The first was a Iasper Clear and green which the Papists say signifies Peter who did shew a lively flourishing love towards Christ indeed Peter being first converted is usually first named but the same order of mentioning the Apostles by the Evangelists is not observed alwayes and 't is conceived all loved him and dyed for him as well as Peter Iohn only excepted perchance who was the beloved Disciple writ most of love therefore this of the Papists proves little neither is it said the Apostles were the foundations but their names were written upon them doubtlesse the preciousnesse of the stones set-forth the preciousnesse of Christ the foundation and the Gospel preached by the the twelve so the stones set forth the choycenesse of him that sate upon the throne ch 4.3 which is a plain sense The second a Saphire being skie-coloured it aswageth lust 't is wonder saies my Pareus that Writers apply not this to Iohn who only lived unmarried the Papists apply it to Andrew but since the order of reckoning the Apostles is not alwayes the same we hence can certainly gather little But this observe if the twelve had their names upon the foundations then had John before his death and why may not the Beast like a flying Eagle resemble John chap. 4.7 who though alive had written his Gospel where he sores aloft like an Eagle about Christs Divinity See the exposition on that chap. 4 7. I see little hindring The third a Chalcedony A kinde of a Carbuncle of a purple colour good against black choler that is sadnesse and fear Now the foundation Christ and the Doctrine of the twelve Apostles both teach love as in the first stone chastity in the second and expel all base fear as in the third stone The fourth an Emerauld A most pleasant green colour refreshing the sight good against poyson and the falling sicknesse Now the foundation Christ is most pleasing and cordial The fifth a Sardonix Resembling in part a mans nayle and the colour 't is good against pride so is the foundation Christ and the twelve Apostles doctrine The sixth a Sardius Of a dark red colour it emboldens sharpens the wit The seventh a Chrysolite c. Being good against shortnesse of breath the Papists apply them to the Apostles but for brevity sake I omit them Christ compleatly comprehends what 's in them to perfection who is the true foundation of the heavenly Ierusalem the Apostles have their names written upon the foundation because they confirmed the foundation Christ with their blood Vers 21. And the twelve Gates were twelve Pearles c. Christ is the only Gate he is the way door and life but because by the ministry of the twelve Apostles we come to Christ hence the City is said to have twelve Gates now the Doctrine of the Apostles leading to Christ is more precious then Gold or Pearles who in heaven shall shine with the brightnesse of Christ like glorious Pearles And the street of the City was pure Gold Now followes the inward beauty of the City there are many streets in a City and a Market-place or place of meeting I see nothing else here but the whole course of the Saints in heaven is most uncorrupt and pure their walking or motion and meetings comprehended by streets are righteous and pure as Gold our meetings below are full of corruption and the purest Church and members sinful therefore the state of this life is not here meant Transparent Glasse Is the Cities unutterable brightnesse Vers 22. And I saw no Temple in the same Solomons glistering Temple was a type of Christs spiritual Church heaven shall need none preaching and all outward exercises of Religion shall cease in this world our weaknesse needs these helps then God will not be served with external worship Christ shall give up his ministerial Kingdom by which he now governs the Church 1 Cor. 15.24 and God according to the Essence in three persons shall be all in all each one then shall be taught of God Ier. 31.34 None need say know the Lord all imperfection shall be laid aside 1 Cor. 13.10 and tongues which were only to build up the Church faith and hope which were to lay hold on Christ which now in the Vision they enjoy only charity remains So when I speak of meetings or motion ver 21. I mean no such as these but conceive they may move and not alwayes in heaven sit stand stil or rest in one place which were improbable For the Lord Almighty is the Temple of it Here the Saints praise him in Temples there they shall immediatly rejoyce in him and keep a perpetual Sabbath to him serving him day and night before the throne so they shall rejoyce in God as in a Temple God in heaven is insteed of a Temple chap. 11.19 the Temple of God was open in heaven meaning the triumphant Church who were Gods Temple in earth now he is the Saints Temple in heaven Vers 23. The City hath no need of Sunne nor Moon to shine in it c. T is not said the Sunne and Moon were not for as Esay hath it The Moon shall shine as the Sunne and the light of the Sunne shall be seven fold for a recompence for their unwearied former pains chap. 30 26. speaking of the renovation of all things But God and the Lamb as equal in light and glory shall be the light of the City and shall obscure the other lights which shall remain glorified as monuments of Gods mercy power and wisedome but the city shall not need them having the father of lights there where also every Saint shall shine as the Sunne for ever O glorious City But observe that Esay is partly to be understood of the great light of knowledge and grace under Christs spiritual Kingdom in respect of the dark clouds of the