crooked pathes Ps 56. 1. and 57. 1 4. They have a fight of afflictions to undergo from the World from them who are set on fire even the sons of men whose teeth are spears and arrows and their tongue a sharp sword Heb. 10. 32 34. with Ps 57. 4. If their fair means and flatteries will not prevail with Christs disciples to leave his way and have fellowship with them in their unfruitful works of darkness they will then bend their bow and make ready their arrow upon the string that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart Ps 11. 1 2 4. Indeed the men of the World are to be loved and pittyed and the good of their souls to be sought and endeavoured But in their evil ways and designs they are to be opposed hated and resisted by us and that is the way to be instruments of good to their souls whereas should they comply with them and consent to them they would more strengthen them in their evil wayes that none would return there from 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. and ch 3. 1. Jer. 2. 33. and ch 23. 13 14. They that forsake the law praise the wicked but such as keep the law contend with them and so dispraise discommend and shew their dislike of them Prov. 28. 4. And they have also in contending for the faith of the Gospel to contend with such as have a form of Godlinâ— upon them but deny the power thereof 2 Tim. 3. 5. Even false prophets and deceitful workers such as say they are Apostles and are not but do lye and those that are deceived and beguiled by them for such consent not to wholesome words but make it their work to oppose them and to cause others to turn away their ears from the truth and to turn them to their fables so the Apostle John speaking of false prophets and acquainting the believers that many such were gone forth into the World he signifieth that the believers did and did do well to oppose and fight against them and that they had overcome them also ye are of God little Children saith he and have overcome the false prophets They are of the World therefore speak they of the World c. 1 Joh. 4. 4 5. Jude 3. 4. 3. They have Satan also the God of this World to contend with and fight against and therefore they need to watch to stand fast in the faith to quit themselves like Men and be strong 1 Cor. 16. 13. Be sober be vigilant saith the Apostle Peter Because your adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour whom resist stedfast in faith 1 Pet. 5. 8 9 Jam. 4. 7. we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers against the rulers of the Darkness of this World against spiritual wickedness or wicked spirits in high places Eph. 6. 12. The work of Satan and his Angels is to tempt and turn aside from the right ways of the Lord those that are walking therein or to stir up his instruments to raise persecution against the Disciples of Christ and by all means this tempter is tempting the believers that he might move them from the faith of Christ 1 Thes 3. 1 5 6. and whether he speaks fair or foul whether he be transformed into an Angel of light or appear like himself yet still he is a murderer Joh. 8. 44. his end in all is destruction and his name signifies what he is and what he aims at and intends For his name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon but in the greek tongue he hath his name Apollyon that is to say A destroyer Rev. 9. 11. he cometh not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy Joh. 10. 10. To pervert the right ways of the Lord and to turn men from the Faith Acts 13. 8 10. and especially he is filled with rage against and seeks the ruine and destruction of such as are delivered out of his Kingdom of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of God's dear Son 1 Pet. 5. 8. this is a powerful and politick enemy they have therefore to resist sted fastly in the faith lest they be circumvented and destroyed by him 5. They have weapons to fight withal for the Faith against their spiritual enemies both defensive and offensive armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left is prepared for them and to be put on by them that being therewith armed they might not turn back in the day of battle Ps 78. 9. and the weapons of their warfare are not carnal not material and outward swords and bows or such-like weapons for alas these are weak and their enemies will deride at them but their weapons are spiritual and so mighty thorow God 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. not by might nor by power but by the spirit of the Lord of hostes they may do valiantly thorow him they may push down their enemies thorow his name they may tread them under that rise up against them Zech. 4. 6 7. the good fight is the fight of faith that is that which is to be fought for as is before said and that is that which is to be fought with whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world and this is the victory that overcometh the World even our faith 1 Joh. 5. 4 5. The Gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth Rom. 1. 16. 6. They have a crown proposed to and set before them to engage and encourage them to play the men to oppose and fight against their enemies even unto blood Men that here fight they do it for a fading reward they do it to obtain a corruptible crown but we an incorruptible I therefore so run not as uncertainly so fight I not as one that beats the ayre But I have fought the good fight saith the Apostle Paul I have kept the Faith But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection c. 1 Cor. 9. 26 27. henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which the Lord the Righteous judge will give me at that day And not to me only but to all them also that love his appearing 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. In being faithful to the death he will give us a crown of life Rev. 2. 10. and this leads us to the next thing viz. 2. The subject of the Blessedness hereafter spoken of is He that overcometh he saith not To the Angels or Churches will I give to eat of the tree of life and yet it is before said what the spirit saith unto the Churches But when he comes to describe the subject of the blessedness he saith not to them or to the Churches but changeth the Phrase and saith To him that overcometh and so he saith unto all the seven Churches Rev. 2. v. 11 17 26 29. and ch 3. 5 6 12. and v. 21 22. Men may be members of any of the Churches and yet
the wilderness The voice of the LORD maketh the Hindes to calve and discovereth the forrests c. Ps 29. 3 9. his voice is powerful for he is strong that executeth his word Joel 2. 11. and therewith he doth cause the earth to melt Ps 46. 6. makes desolations v. 8. makes warrs to cease v. 9. quiets troubles Ps 93. 3 4. heals diseases Ps 107. 20 Mat. 8. 8. Punishes and breaks in pieces enemies Isay 30. 31. and ch 66. 6. and will in due time destroy mystery Babilon and hereafter it shall appear gloriously to be a mighty powerful and almighty voice for therewith he shall raise the dead and move and remove all these seen things his voice formerly shook the earth but he hath promised saying Yet once more I shake not the Earth onely but also Heaven Hagg. 2. 6. Heb. 12. 20. Joh. 5. 28 29. This might admonish us therefore to hear it as the Holy Ghost saith To day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts Heb. 3. 7 8. 3. His voice is as the sound of many waters To wit dreadful and terrible in his Judgments Joel 2. 11. It is a voice of trembling of fear and not of peace Jer. 30. 5. Isay 17. 12 13. That which causeth fear in his people also as the prophet saith O LORD I have heard thy speech and was afraid and when I heard my belly trembled my lips quivered at the voice rottenness entered into my bones and I trembled in my self that I might rest in the day of trouble Habb 3. 2 16. and with his voice he shall roar and put his enemies in fear whether such as are open ones or such as are secret also whether within or without the Church Joel 3. 16. So as the Sinners in Zion shall be afraid and fearfulness shall surprize the Hypocrites Isay 33. 10 14. Yea his Voice in and with his Gospel is very terrible also to all who remain in their Impenitence and Unbelief or depart from the living God by an evil heart of Unbelief Mark 16. 15 16. 2 Cor 5 8 11. It proclaimes to us that the Lord Jesus Christ shall in dâ—â— time be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming Fire taking Vengeance on them that know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus who shall be punished with everlasting Destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power 2 Thes 1. 7 8 9. Verse 16. And he had in his right hand seven Stars and out of his Mouth went a sharp two-edged Sword and his Countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength The Apostle still continues to give us an account of what he saw in this visional discovery of the Son of Man That is to say 1. Of what he had in his right hand And he had in his right hand seven Stars 2. Of what proceeded out of his mouth And out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged Sword 3. Of the appearance of his countenance And his countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength 1. Of what he had in his right hand And he had in his right hand seven Stars Where let us enquire and consider for our usefulness 1. What these Stars are and why they are called and compared to Stars 2. What is imported to us in this that he hath them in his right hand 1. What are these Stars and why are they called and compared to Stars What they are is explicated to us in v. 20. To which we shall speak â—urther God willing when we come there But they are called and compared to Stars 1. To teach us that they are Creatures of God Gen. 1. 16. created in Christ Jesus Eph 2. 10. and therefore not to be worshipped by us with religious worship no mere Creature is to be worshipped by us with divine worship and adoration and so not the Stars in any consideration Deut. 4. 16. but he is to be sought unto and worshipped by us that made the seven Stars Amos 5. 8. No Saints or Angels are to be worshipped by us with Religious or Divine Adoration though they are excellent Creatures of God The Apostle Peter rejected this Honour as not belonging unto him because he was a Man See Acts 10. 25 26. and ch 14. 11 15. Rev. 19. 16. and ch 22. 8 9. nor are they to be owned by us as our Rabbi or as having Dominion over our Faith which Honour the Apostles disclaimed as that which was too high for them and only appertaining unto our Lord Jesus and God in him Mat. 23. 8 10. 2 Cor. 1. 24. We should not have our fear towards God taught by their Precepts or Traditions Isay 29. 13. with Mat. 15. 7. 9. This Command goes along with the Everlasting Gospel as faithfully preached Fear God and give Glory unto him and worship him that made the Heaven and so the Stars c. but the Stars are not to be worshipped by us Rev. 14. 7 8 9. 2. Stars they are called to signifie unto us that their Work and Office is ministerially and instrumentally to give light to others Gen. 1. 16 17. So the Stars are called Stars of light Ps 148. 3. their work is to shine Joel 2. 10. So the Angels and Messengers are also set as the light of the World to shine forth the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God Mat. 5. 14 16. 2 Cor. 4. 3 4. To preach and declare the Gospel in and amongst the Churches and unto the world also and that both in word and conversation Tit. 1. 7 9. and ch 2. 7. 1 Tim. 3. 1 7. 3. They are named Stars to inform us that they receive their light from the Sun the Fountain of Light the Sun of Righteousness they are light in the Lord Eph. 5. 8. they have no sufficiency of themselves to think any thing as of themselves 2 Cor. 2. 5. what have they that they have not received 1 Cor. 4. 6 7. The LORD who is a Sun is their light to enlighten them Ps 27. 1. with Ps 84. 11. Mat. 10. 8. Rom. 1. 5. 1 Pet. 4. 10. Eph. 4. 7 11. and why then should any of them lift up themselves or be lifted up by others as if they had not received what they have 1 Cor. 4. 1 7. 4. Stars they are compared to to denote unto us that their work of bearing forth the light is in this dark world the Lord hath given the Stars for a light by night Jer. 31. 35. so they are called The Stars of the twilight Job 3. 9. So now this is the work of the Angels of those that oversee and go before others in the word of the LORD hereafter all these weak and imperfect lights shall cease Whether there be Prophecies they shall fail whether there be Tongues they shall cease whether there be knowledge it shall vanish away for we know in part and we Prophecy in part but when
all the honourable of the Earth Isay 2. 10. c. and ch 23. 8 9. and ch 13. 10 12. and ch 24. yet some of these may and will submit themselves to and worship Christ truly and so escape the Wrath to come Psal 22. 27. but such as abide in their opposition to him and minding earthly things shall wail for ever Isay 60. 12. Luke 21. 34 36. Isay 24. 17 18. 4. We have the breathing vote and desire of the Apostle and of all that are taught and led of God even so amen Rev. 22. 20. So the Holy Men of God formerly have desired O that the Salvation of Israel were come out of Zion Psal 14. 7. and 53. 6. Make haste my beloved c. Cant. 8. 14. Oh that thou wouldest rent the Heavens that thou wouldst come down c. Isay 64. 1. And in latter times they who had received the first-fruits of the Spirit did groan within themselves waiting for the adoption the redemption of their bodies and to that end they did look for the Saviour from Heaven the Lord Jesus Rom. 8. 23. with Phil. 3. 20 21. The Spirit and the Bride say come And let him that heareth say come even so come Lord Jesus Rev. 22. 17 20. The Gospel of Christ doth teach them who believe it to wait for God's Son from Heaven whom he raised from the dead 1 Thes 1. 10. to look for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Tit. 2. 11 13. To be looking for and hasting unto the coming of the Day of God 2 Pet. 3. 11 14. and for this the Apostle here longs and breaths even so Amen These Words are true and faithful Rev. 21. 1 5. and ch 22. 6 7. Verse 8. I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending saith the Lord which is and which was and which is to come the Almighty Here we have an account given us of the infinite excellency of the person speaking and his ability for accomplishing what is spoken of him v. 7. Why should it be thought a thing incredible that he should effect it We may first here enquire and consider who the person here speaking is Some understand it of the Father because this person is so described as he is v. 4. where doubtless he is intended because he is distinguished from the Spirit and from Jesus Christ as before is said But I conceive and judge that the person here speaking in this 8 th Verse is Jesus Christ 1. Because he is the person generally speaking in this Book by his Angel or Angels to whom it was given to that end to shew c. v. 1. Rev. 22. 16. 2. Because the first part of the description here to wit that he is Alpha and Omega is elsewhere given of him without Controversie in this Book So expressly v. 11 13. and ch 22. 12 13. Nor doth that hinder us to understand it of Christ because he is described as the Father is for he and the Father are one Joh. 10. 13. 1 Joh. 5. 7. 3. It appears also that this is spoken of and by Christ because it seems these 8 and 9 Verses refer to Verse 1. The eighth Verse declares to us to whom this Revelation was given to shew to his Servants to wit to Jesus Christ who here saith of himself I am Alpha and Omega c. And v. 9. shews unto us to whom he sent and signified it to wit unto his Servant John And so we shall look upon this Verse as containing the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in which he gives a description of himself unto us I am Alpha and Omega These two are the first and last Letters of the Greek Alphabet and signifie as here it followeth the beginning and the ending Or as in v. 11. the first and the last and both are used in ch 22. 13. I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end the first and the last Now from hence we may note in general 1. That God hath sanctified all Tongues for declaring to us the things of Christ and of God in him to the end that all Nations and Tongues might come unto the knowledge of the truth So after the Lord had given Authority and Commission to his Apostles to go into all the World and preach the Gospel to every Creature of all the Nations he did fit them thereto by pouring forth his Spirit upon them and thereby enabling them to speak with other Tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance Mark 16. 15 17. Acts 1. 8. and ch 2. 1 8 12. And the Angel had the everlasting Gospel to preach unto every Nation and Kindred and Tongue c. Rev. 14. 6. 2. In that he doth explicate and interpret these words saying I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end the first and the last So he shews that it is good for the Preachers of the Gospel to use great plainness of Speech that they may be understood 2 Cor. 3. 12. 1 Cor. 14. 1 13. so often-times Hebrew Words c. are interpreted So Emmanuel God with us Mat. 1. 23. Eli Eli Lamasabacthani that is to say My God My God why hast thou forsaken me Mat. 27. 46. Jesus for he shall save c. Mat. 1. 23. Messias which being interpreted is the Christ Joh. 1. 41. c. It is good to speak plainly to edification and exhortation and comfort and not to affect hard words or sayings or when there is need for the use of them to interpret them 1 Cor. 14. 27 28. I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending End sometimes signifies dissolution or ceasing to be Luke 22. 37. and sometimes perfection or fulfilling 1 Tim. 1. 5. and in both senses it may be in various respects as to divers things applied unto our Lord Jesus He is the beginning and end of the first Creation He is the beginning of it He was in the beginning with God all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made Joh. 1. 1 3. By him God made the Worlds Heb 1. 2. and ch 11. 3. By this Word of the LORD were the Heavens made yea God created all things by Jesus Christ Ps 33. 6. Eph. 3. 11. and by him all these things shall be dissolved 2 Pet. 3. 4 5 10 13. We have both put together as his work in Heb. 1. 10 12. And thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the Foundation of the Earth and the Heavens are the works of thine Hands They shall perish but thou remainest and they all shall wax old as doth a Garment and as a Vesture shalt thou fold them up and they shall be changed c. He is the Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending or perfecter of the New Creation He is the beginning the first-born from the dead that in all things he might have the Preeminency for in him it hath pleased all the fulness of
perform that spoken of ver 7 And of Him who sent and signified this Book by his Angels ver 1. So here we have an Account of the Person unto whom it was sent 1. By his name I John 2. By his Relation to the Churches who also am your Brother and companion 3. By some particular Account of the things wherein He was related to them In the tribulation and in the kingdome and Patience of Jesus Christ 4. By the Place where He was when this was sent and signified unto Him I was in the Isle that is called Patmos 5. By the cause or Reason of his Being there for the word of God and for the Testimony of Jesus Christ 1. He is described to us by his name I John so chap. 21. 2 and chap. 22. 8. thus He nameth Himself like Paul Gal. 5. 2. 1 Thes 2. 18. nay like to our Lord in this Book I Jesus ch 22. 16. He doth not add great and Honourable titles to himself and much less names of blasphemy such as the Man of sin takes to himself As Christ's Vicar and the High Priest and Head of the Church on earth c. But without any Honourable and much less Blasphemous Title doth He describe Himself As also do Paul Peter James Jude He was not desirous of Vain glory nor sought after praise of men Learn we of Him yea of Jesus whom He imitated who is meek and lowly in heart Mat. 11. 29. Oh what Humility was in Him Humble we our selves also and in due time He will exalt us 1 Pet. 5. 5 6. 1. He to whom this Revelation was sent and signified was John a mean man in this world and a tradesman none of the rich and Honourable of the world but a poor Fisher-man Mat. 4. 21. And one that went a-fishing after Christ was risen from the dead And so some Considerable time after he was an Apostle Joh. 21. 2. In the last times especially God and Christ have been staining the Pride of man's glory and will do it fully and compleatly at the last that no flesh may glory in his presence Christ did chuse the poor of this world to reveal his Mysteries to many or most of his disciples were fishers who were chosen by Him in his personal ministration to be Apostles Joh. 21. 2 3. And the Apostle of the Gentiles to whom this Grace was given to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ was as men speak by way of Reproach a Mechanick a Tent-maker And did work in his trade after he was an Apostle Act. 18. 2 3. and ch 20. 35. 1 Thes 2. 9. 2 Thes 3. 7 8. And yet what Visions and Revelations of the Lord were vouchsased to him 2 Cor. 12. 1 7. yea how greatly did our Lord himself humble himself He to whom this Revelation was imediately given was not only the Son of one espoused to a carpenter and the Reputed son of a carpenter Mat. 13. 55. But they said of him also is not this the Carpenter Mark 6. 3. The poor and mean ones of this world have the Gospel preached to them Luke 4. 18. and ch 7. 22. And they being faithful have the mysteries of the Kingdom opened to them Mat. 13. 11 16. Of a truth God is no respecter of persons Oh let us not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory with respect of persons Hearken my beloved Brethren hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised c. Jam. 2. 1 2 5. 2. I John none of the wise-men of this world not instructed into or acquainted with Philosophy or with the Heathens art science of this world which the Apostle calls vain deceit Col. 2. 8. And Science falsly so called 1 Tim. 6. 20. But he was a poor ignorant man As it is said The High Priest and wise ones of this world perceived that he was an unlearned and ignorant man an idiot Act. 4. 14. And so was Peter also the first-named Apostle usually and the Apostles generally to whom the Gospel was committed and the mysteries of the Kingdom made known I thank thee O Father saith Jesus Christ Lord of Heaven and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to Babes Even so father for so it seemed good in thy sight Mat. 11. 25 26. Luke 10. 21. with Mat. 13. 11 16. Though he be Lord of Heaven and Earth and therefore might reveal his secret to whom he pleases and imploy whom he pleaseth for bearing his name yet it hath pleased him to prefer Babes in this matter before the wife and learned ones You see your calling Brethren How that not many wise men after the flesh are chosen But God hath chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise c. That no Flesh might glory in his presence 1 Cor. 1. 20 26 29 30. And though some Wise-men after the Flesh may be chosen yet they must become Fools that they may be wise 1 Cor. 3. 18 20. Yea this they said of our Lord to whom this Revelation was given How knoweth this Man Letters having never learned Joh. 7. 15 16. Alas the Wisdom of this World is Foolishness with God and he that seemeth to be wise herewith must cease from his own Wisdom that he may be wise 1 Cor. 3. 18 20. Therefore let us not lean to our own Understanding nor glory in Wise-men Prov. 3. 5. and ch 23. 4. 1 Cor. 3. 21. and ch 1. 18 23 Col. 2. 8 9. c. 3. I John one that was subject to and polluted with like Infirmities and Evils as others one that had Sin in him and had sinned 1 Joh. 18. 10. that had in many things offended One that forbad such an one as cast out Devils in Christ's Name when he should not have so done Mark 9. 38 40. One that sought pre-eminence to the offence of many of the residue of the Disciples Mark 10. 35 41. One that would have called for Fire from Heaven to consume them that received not Christ for which Christ rebuked and sharply reproved him Luke 9. 51 56. One that with the rest had Indignation against that good Work of that good Woman who testified Love to our Lord Jesus Mat. 26. 7 8. One of them that watched not with Christ one Hour and thereby lost such an opportunity as he never had again Mat. 26. 40. One that with the rest was offended and left and forsook Christ in his great Afflictions and Sufferings Mat. 26. 31. 56. Joh. 16. 32. One with the rest whom our Saviour upbraided for his Unbelief and hardness of Heart after Christ's Resurrection Mark 16. 14. yet to this John who was formerly guilty of many Evils was this Book sent and signified So great is the Love of our Lord Jesus that it covers all their Sins who confess and forsake them so it did John's Evils And not
what have I to do with thee mine hour is not yet come Job 2. 4. And to his Brethren My time is not yet come but your time is alway ready Joh. 7. 6. He knowes the fittest day for every purpose and thing but this is a great part of Man's misery he knows not the opportune season Eccl. 9. 12. Or 2. On the Lords Day The Sabbath-day or day of rest that seventh part of time set apart and sanctified for more solemnly waiting upon him and thereto ceasing from our own works And this may be called the Lord's Day 1. Because at first God took up his rest in Jesus Christ our Lord and was refreshed and therefore set apart the seventh day as a token thereof had he not found out this ransome and had not Christ interposed himself and undertook to work redemption for us there had been no Sabbath for us to have observed his undertaking to do what the Father appointed to him at first and actually performing and accomplishing it in due time is the ground and reason of this days being set apart and sanctified Gen. 2. 2 3. with Heb. 4. 3 4. Exod. 31. 16 17. with Joh. 5. 19 22. Hence the Preface to all the Commandments and particularly to their remembring to keep holy the Sabbath-day was that he brought them out of the Land of Egypt which was a Type of the redemption wrought in and by Jesus Christ Exod. 20. 2 8. 2. It is the Lord's Day also that of which Jesus Christ the Son of Man is the Lord and actually so become as he hath died for us and is risen again and hath restored our loss whereby he is become the rightful Lord of all that was made for Man even for the good of Man Ps 8. 4 9. with Heb. 2. 6 9. and particularly of this Day as our Saviour saith The Sabbath was made for Man and not Man for the Sabbath therefore the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath Mat. 12. 8. Mark 2. 27 28. 3. It is the Lords Day because we should herein be exercised to the Consideration and Remembrance of what Christ hath suffered and done for us and is become that he by the Grace of God tasted Death for every Man and is risen from the Dead for their justification and is become the one and only Foundation of Faith and Hope for us poor Sinners The Stone which the Builders refused is become the head of the Corner This is the LORDS doing it is marvellous in our Eyes This is the day which the LORD hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it To such an end should this Day be set apart that we may be glad in his work in redeeming us from the curse of the Law and triumph in the works of his hands Ps 118. 2 4. Ps 92. Title and Verse 1 4. Isay 28. 12. And it is a Sign that he doth sanctifie us and shews how we may be sanctified and now be entring into rest not by works of righteousness that we have done or can do but by believing in and coming unto Jesus Christ Exod. 31. 13 14. Rom. 4. 5. Tit. 3. 4. Mat. 11. 27 28. Heb. 4. 3. Isay 58. 13. And on this Day we should be exercised unto the consideration of that rest which remaineth for the people of God which in due season Christ will give unto them Acts 3. 19 20. Heb. 4. 3 8. 2 Thes 1. 5 6. And indeed to such an end should this day be set apart and that we should do no servile work thereon for works of Piety Mercy and Necessity they are Sabbath-day works but it should not be prophaned with common and ordinary words or works Isay 58. 13. Neh. 10. 31. and ch 13. 15 22. Jer. 17. 21 27. Men may pretend to a great deal of zeal and strictness in observing it and yet not be exercised to the consideration of Christ as the ground and end of it yea they may be so far from that that they may be Enemies to him and his Gospel Joh. 5. 16 18. and ch 7. 22 23. and ch 9. 14 16. On this Day he heard this Voice which might be an encouragement and provocation to us to keep it holy and therein to remember the Lord's Death and what he hath thereby done for us and obtained and is become and the love of both Father and Son therein commended to us 3. We have an account in general given to us of what he heard on that day And heard behind me a great Voice as of a Trumpet And heard behind me like what Ezekiel saith I heard behind me a Voice of a great rushing Ezek. 3. 12. like that saying also Isay 30. 21. At such a time and in such a manner as he least expected not before him but behind him or ever he was aware he was thus unexpectedly favoured Gen. 28. 10. A great Voice as of a Trumpet So he heard also ch 4. 1 2. And before the little Book was given unto him ch 10. 3 4. Doubtless this loud Voice was to awaken him and prepare him to give earnest heed to what was spoken and to signifie the weightiness of what he was about to speak that it was no vain thing but somewhat of great importance and concernment and that which was worthy to be heard minded and considered by him and us To such end and purpose he sent out his Voice and that a mighty Voice And it behoves us all seeing the matter of what was then spoken is recorded and preserved on record that we should diligently bow down our Ears hereto and hear these words of the wise and not lightly or heedlesly pass it over as if it were not worthy our most serious meditation and consideration Verse 11. Saying I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last And what thou seest write in a Book and send it to the Seven Churches which are in Asia unto Ephesus and unto Smyrna and unto Pergamos and unto Thyatira and unto Sardis and Philadelphia and unto Laodicea In this Verse the Apostle gives unto us a more particular account of what he heard In which we have to consider 1. A description of him that speaketh I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last 2. A charge and commandment given to the Apostle In which also we have 1. The Subject matter of what he should write and send what thou seest 2. What he commands him to do with this write in a Book and send it 3. To whom unto the seven Churches which are in Asia c. 1. A Description of him that speaketh I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last The latter opens the Former as we have seen See the notes on v. 8. I am the first and the last so v. 17. ch 2. 8. and ch 22. 13. The King of Israel as is said Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel and his Redeemer the LORD of Hostes I am the first and I am the last c. Isay
us as many secretly are saying in their hearts who walk in crooked paths and such particularly also who deal proudly and contemptuously against the righteous Job 34. 21 28. Ps 11. 1 4. and 10. 8. 12 14. and Ps 94. 1 9. Ezek. 9. 9. for there is nothing hidden from him 2. To exhort his Churches and every one of us to walk before him and to be perfect Gen. 17. 1. For the Eyes of the LORD are in every place beholding the evil and the good Prov. 15. 3. 1 Chron. 28. 8 9. He seeth not as Man seeth but he looketh upon the Heart 1 Sam. 16. 7. Oh therefore let us so receive his Grace to purpose that we may in Sincerity say as he did Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that I love thee Joh. 21. 17. Hell and Destruction are open before him how much more then the hearts of the Children of Men Prov. 15. 11. and ch 17. 3. Be ye then clean ye that bear the Vessels of the Lord 2 Cor. 6. 16 18. for he is amongst you who hath such Eyes he knoweth your hearts and works Prov. 5. 21. 3. To encourage them to hold fast the profession of their Faith without wavering This is the use the Apostle makes of this consideration there is no Creature saith he that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened unto the Eyes of him with whom we have to do seeing then that we have a great High-priest that is passed into the Heavens let us hold fast our profession Heb. 4. 13 14. The Eyes of the LORD run to and fro thorowout the whole Earth strongly to hold with them whose hearts are perfect towards him 2 Chron. 16. 9. Ps 34. 9 15. And therefore the consideration hereof is proper and powerful to strengthen them to hold forth the word of life in word and Conversation and not to fear them that are their Adversaries nor their fear Prov. 22. 11 12. For though they know not what devices they are devising against them yet their High-priest doth Jer. 11. 18 20. Ps 33. 18. And he is watching for their good and espying and beholding what is acted secretly against them to disappoint the devices of the crafty and to cover his Servants and Followers Isay 4. 5. 2. His Eyes are as a Flame of Fire which noteth also the terribleness of him against such as are and persist Enemies and in Enmity unto him and that so remaining he will destroy them and render to every one according to their works So when he cometh to make War and to smite the Nations and destroy the Beast and false Prophet he is thus described In Righteousness he doth judge and make War his Eyes were like a Flame of Fire Rev. 19. 11 13. c. And thus also he describes himself to the Angel of the Church in Thyatira when he threatneth Destruction to the false Prophetess and her Children yea and to any of his Churches in case they turn aside to crooked paths and afterward signifieth what Power is given to him to break the Nations in pieces as ch 19. These things saith the Son of God who hath his Eyes like unto a Flame of Fire ch 2. 18 23 27. And indeed this is the effect of the former as to such as reject abuse or turn from his Grace he makes a diligent search into the hearts and reins that he may punish such according to their works and set his Eyes upon them for evil if they so persist till the decree bring forth and the Day pass as the Chaff Amos 9. 1 4. As they cannot escape his all-searching Eye so neither can they escape Destruction who will not have this Man to reign over them and he is no respecter of persons but so also he will deal with his Churches or any in them in case they sin against him and all the Churches shall know that he searcheth the Reins and Hearts and will give to every one of them according to their workâ— Rev. 2. 18 23 29. Behold Isâ—ael after the Flesh Deut. 4. 23 26. And as the Apostle saith if God spared not the natural Branches take heed lest he spare not thee Rom. 11. 21 22. 1 Cor. 10. 9 11. So he who hath his Eyes like unto a Flame oâ— Fire threatneth that he will remove the Candlestick from Ephesus come unto Pergamos with his sharp Sword come as a Thief on Sardis and spue Laodicea out of his mouth except they did repent ch 2. 5 12 16. anâ— ch 3. 3 16 19. Ps 99. 3 8. Isay 33. 14 15. And the consideration hereof may be of usefulness to us to admonish us to take heed that we sin not against him lest he be angry with us and sharpen his Eyes upon us as the Lord saith Beware of â—im and obey his Voice provoke him not for he will not pardon your Transgressions for my name is in him Exod. 23. 20 21. but to demean our selves â—s those in his House and Holiness becomes his house for ever Heb. 3. 6. Ps 93. 5. And it may encourage us in exercising our selves unto Godliness to expect his protection over us and destruction of our Enemies For if we do indeed obey his Voice and do all that he speaks then the Lord will be an Enemy to our Enemies and an Adveriary unto our Adversaries and he will go before us and in due time bring us into and give us possession of the Heavenly Canaan Exod. 23. 22 23. Deut. 9. 3. Verse 15. And his Feet like unto fine Brass as if they burned in a Furnace and his Voice as the sound of many Waters Here we have still and further an account given us of what the Apostle saw in this Vision and which he was commanded to write 1. His Feet like unto fine Brass as if they burned in a Furnace Somewhat like unto what is said of the living Creatures their Feet sparkled like the colour of burnished Brass Ezek 1. 7. Daniel saith his Hands and his Feet were like to polished Brass Dan. 10. 6. And this first Branch of the Description of him in this Verse is also conjoyned unto His Eyes being like unto a Flame of Fire in Rev. 2. 18. And much what the same instructions signified by this as by that And surely by his Feet as here or Hands and Feet as in Daniel are meant his works ways and goings the Feet being the Instruments of going or walking in any way whatsoever and these are said to be 1. Like unto fine Brass or polished Brass that is clear purely bright free from all pollution or defilement as Brass or some other mettal purified in the fire His ways of mercy are clean from all unrighteousness and impurity whatsoever He is gracious and full of compassion slow to anger of great Mercy he is good unto all his tender Mercies are over all his works And yet still The Lord is righteous in all his ways Ps 145. 8 9 17 18. His ways
that which is perfect is come that which is in part shall be done away 1 Cor. 13. 8 9 10. Then they shall not teach every Man his Neighbour and every Man his Brother saying know the Lord for all shall know him from the least to the greatest Jer. 31. 34. Heb. 8. 11. 5. Stars they are to acquaint us that now their work is to rule in and amongst the Churches so it is said God made two great lights the greater light to rule the Day and the lesser light to rule the Night and to rule over the Day and over the Night Gen. 1. 16 18. The Moon and the Stars to rule by Night Ps 136. 9. So should these Angels do and be such as should rule not as the Princes of the Gentiles do and lawfully may over their Subjects Mark 10. 42. not to have Dominion over the Faith of any or as Lords over the Flock of Christ 2 Cor. 1. 24. 1 Pet. 5. 1 3. but in speaking to them the word of God as his word with all Authority and therewith instructing admonishing reproving counselling c. And being Examples and Patterns unto others in Word and Conversation in Charity in Spirit in Faith in Purity Heb. 13. 7 17 24. 1 Tim. 3. 4 5 6. and ch 4. 10. and ch 5. 17. Mat. 24. 45. Tit. 2. 11 15. And so for order in and about Assemblies and Assemblings appointing Times Places c. 6. Stars God hath made use of to fight against his and his Peoples Enemies as it is said They fought from Heavens the Stars in their courses fought against Sisera Judg. 5. 20. So God makes use of these also having fitted and furnished them with gifts and skil to fight against Satan and his Instruments to which the Apostle exhorts Timothy saying fight the good fight of Faith 1 Tim. 6. 12. And the Apostle speaking of himself saith I have fought the good fight I have finished my course I have kept the Faith â— Tim. 4. 6 7. and the Weapons of their Warfare are not carnal but mighty thorow God to the pulling down strong-holds casting down Imaginations c. 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. Eph. 6. 10 11 12. 7. The Stars are not clean in the sight of God of the Holy Lord God Job 25. 5. So it may also be said of the Angels of the Churches and of the most pure of them while here In many things they offend all Jam. 3. 2. they are subject to like passions as others are as it is said of Elias and too often polluted therewith Jam. 5. 17. for there is not a just Man upon the Earth that doth good and sinneth not Eccles 7. 20. and therefore they are not to be worshipped or sacrificed unto as hath been said Acts 14. 15. but they need an High-priest aswel as any others and to come continually by the Laver unto the Altar Ps 2â— 8. 8. They are called and compared to Stars to teach them that they should be Inhabiters of Heaven and mind heavenly things they are chosen of God to have and should have their Conversation in Heaven and so above others however in degree So they especially should dwell above in their Faith Hope Desires Delight Exercise Expectation that they may be Patterns and Examples unto others to be imitated by them as the Apostle saith Brethren be followers together of me and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example for our Conversation is in Heaven from whence also we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Phil. 3. 17 20. So the Stars are called the Stars of Heaven Job 22. 12. Isay 13. 10. Nahum 3. 16. To the Stars are the twelve Apostles of the Lamb compared who had their dwelling on high Rev. 12. 1. and so should the Angels of the Churches have they should have their delight in and hold forth the Heavenly Word the Gospel with the Holy Ghost come down from Heaven 1 Pet. 1. 12. Heb. 12. 25. 9. Stars also they are called to signifie that God may be so provoked by their evils or by the Iniquities of others as to with-hold or with-draw the light from them and so render them unuseful and unprofitable to others So he threatneth as with respect to those natural lights The Stars of Heaven and the Constellations thereof shall not give their light And the Stars shall with-draw their shining Isay 13. 10. Joel 2. 10. So also from these Spiritual Stars he may take away his Holy Spirit and those gifts he hath been giving to them or their utterance in Testimony of displeasure to themselves or others unto whom they have formerly mâ—â—â—stred and held forth the light Ps 51. 11. Isay 5. 6. and ch 29. 10. Ezek. 3. 26. yea and it is possible that these Stars may by their Sin fall from and in God's Judgment be cast down from Heaven So we read in this Book that the Stars of Heaven fell unto the Earth Rev. 6. 13. and ch 8. 10. and ch 9. 1. and that the Dragon's Tail drew the third part of the Stars of Heaven and did cast them unto the Earth Rev. 12. 4. and this consideration might admonish them not to be high-minded but fear and others of their Brethren also to have their Conversation as becometh the Gospel of Christ Mica 2. 6. 10. They may also be called Stars to mind them of the Glory that shall be given unto and conferred upon them in their being faithful unto the death though yet this glory may be differently given to them for one Star differeth from another in glory so also it shall be in the Resurrection of the dead 1 Cor. 15. 41 But yet when the chief shepherd shall appear they shall all of them receive a Crown of life which â—adeth not away 1 Pet. 5. 5. Then they that be wise or teachers shall shine as the brightness of the firmament And they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever Dan. 12. 3. and the mindfulness hereof is propet and powerful to provoke them and prevail with them to be stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as they know their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. In such like respects the Angels are called and compared to stars in this vision 2. What is imported to us in this that he hath them in his right hand 1. He who hath the seven Spirits of God hath these seven stars to fill enlighten fit and furnish them that they may be instruments of his praise and shine as light in the World Rev. 3. 1. To give wisdom and understanding unto them and pour out his spirit unto them that hereby they may be profitable unto others 1 Cor. 12. 1 7. Yea though they be dead and withered yet he hath the holy spirit in the immeasurable fulness thereof to dispense unto them and to revive and re-enlighten them as Rev. 3. 1 2. Or also if they sin against him he can take away or
for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people for unto you Men is born a Saviour Luk. 2. 10 11. so here Christ setteth not before John to comfort and strengthen him somewhat peculiar unto himself or something in which he was preferred before others but that which is proper to comfort any in any tribulation or trial whatsoever for these glad-tidings of the Gospel are proper to comfort all that mourn 2 Cor. 1. 3 5. Isay 61. 1 2 3. Christ setteth his first love which he hath manifested in laying down his life for us and taking it up again to imbolden him and strengthen him against his fear There is no fear in love saith this Apostle but perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment he that feareth is not made perfect in love 1 Joh. 4. 16 18 19. and so our Saviour takes the same course to strengthen the Church of Smyrna These things saith the first and the last which was dead and is alive I know thy Works and tribulation and Poverty c. Fear none of those things that thou shalt suffer Rev. 2. 8 9 10. Christ here sets not before John his being an Apostle or a preacher of the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus or that he had cast out Devils in his name and in his name had done many wonderful workes he doth not mind him of or strengthen him with any of his own good Signes Frames Marks Qualifications Changes or alterations or any thing within him or done by him nor with any secret thing But sets before him his death Resurrection everliving c. to strengâ—hen his heart and remove his fears and and to revive and quicken him That which is true for every Man and to be declared and preached to every Man he puts to the Rememberance and consideration of him and doth as it were say to him as Paul did to Timothy to strengthen him in the grace in Christ against his fears and discouragements Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my Gospel 2 Tim. 2. 1 8. For indeed that which is proper to comfort all that mourn is that also fundamentally wherewith he comforts them that mourn in Zion and gives them beauty for ashes the Oyl of joy for mourning the garment of praise for the Spirit of heaviness Isay 61. 1 2 3. Oh that this may be considered by us that their consolations of God may not be small with us that we may not have some secret thing with us Job 15. 11. but that in all our fears and distresses we may Remember the years of the right hand of the most high that we may Remember the works of the LORD even his wonders of old Ps 77. 7 11. with Ps 118. 15 22 23. 2. Now when Christ was in Heaven and when he vouchsafed this vision unto his servant John he minds him of and seâ—s before him his sufferings resurrection and reviving that these might not be forgotten by him when Christ was thus lifting him up and exalting him that the Lord's death might always be remembred by him 1 Cor. 11. 23 26. so in vision he appears in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures and in the midst of the elders as a lamb that had been slain and many times in this book he is called a Lamb and the Lamb that the whole family and househould of God in heaven and in earth might with thankfulness remember and consider and make mention of this that he was slain c. Rev. 5. 6 9 11 12. This also was discourst of in the vision when Christ was transfigured by Moses and Elias who appeared in Glory and speak of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem Luk. 9. 30 31. and lest the Apostle Paul should be exalted above measure thorow the abundance of the Revelations so as to forget the sufficiency of this grace of Christ there was given to him a thorn in the flesh the messenger of Satan to buffet him 2 Cor. 12. 7 9. Oh that this Precious Blood may never be forgotten or undervalued by us how-ever Christ be lifting us up for by this we are saved if we keâ—p in memory what hath been preached to us unless we have believed in vain viz. how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures c. 1 Cor. 15. 1 3 4 5. c. More particularly he setteth before him these things 1. I am he that liveth Though thou art dead yet I live he is alive he hath life in himself and this the Father hath given to him in our nature Joh. 1. 4. And as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them even so the Son quickneth whom he will For as the Father hath life in himself so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself Joh. 5. 21 26. This last Adam was made and is a quickening Spirit 1 Cor. 15. 45. The Spirit of life resteth upon him And he is become the fountain of life Ps 36. 9. and he hath power to give life to those that are dead in any consideration whatsoever Joh. 5. 21. and ch 6. 33. so he saith to the Angel of the Church in Sardis These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God I know thy works that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead But though that Angel and Church generally were dead yet the spirit was upon Christ to enliven them and quicken them again Rev. 3 1 2. Though he was crucified thorow weakness yet he liveth by the power of God 2 Cor. 13. 4. This he now propounds to his Servant John to revive and strengthen him In this Job comforts himself when God stript him of his Glory and took the Crown from his head and destroyed him on every side when he put his Brethren far from him and his acquaintance were estranged from him when those that dwelt in his house and his maidens counted him for a stranger and â—he called his Servant and he gave him no answer when his breath was strange to his Wife yea young Men despised him all his inward friends abhorred him and they whom he loved were turned against him c. yet saith he I know that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth c. Job 19. 6. 19. 25 26. and on this account the Psalmist â—ejoyceth and signifieth that hereby the great things he had been speaking of should be effectâ—d and accomplished The LORD liveth and blessed be my rock and exalted be the God of the rock of my Salvation 2 Sam. 22. 44 47 50. Ps 18. 46. so when he had been speaking and prophecying of the glorious Majesty of the Kingdom of Christ and that all nations and Kings should fall down before and worship him
Cant. 6. 1 3. And here he walketh to deliver them from their Enemies and to observe what their demeanour and behaviour is Deut. 23. 14. Lev. 26. 11 12 14. Verse 2. I know thy Works and thy Labour and thy Patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evil and hast tried them which say thâ—y are Apostles and are not and hast found them Liars Our Lord having before given a Description of himself unto them as we have seen here he begins to shew unto us and give us an account of this Angel and Church and of many good and commendable things that had been â—nâ— were in them 1. In that he takes notice of those things commendable in this Angel and Church which afterwards he faults and threatens so it may instruct us that we should not so pry into pore upon or observe the evils of others as to overlook or take no notice of what is praise-worthy in them but we shoulld observe that and acknowledge it also for their encouragement and provocation unto and in that which is good Thus our Saviour when he is discoursing with the Woman of Samaria who was a poor ignorant sinful creature an Adultress and Idolatress yet when she speaks and confesseth the truth our Saviour presently commends that in her Jesus said unto her thou hast well said I have no Husband Jâ—h 4. 17. So though Jehu departed not from the Sins of Jeroboam c. yet the Lord observes wherein he had done well and said unto him because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine Eyes c. 2 King 10. 29 30. and when Jehu the seer severely reproves Jehoshaphat for helping the ungodly and loving them that hate the Lord c. he adds nevertheless there are good things found in thee c. 2 Chron. 19. 2 3. 2. In that he first takes notice of what was good in this Angel and Church before he reproves them so it may be for our instruction and imitation thus also he doth in v. 13 14 16. and v. 19 20. Reproofes are grievous and hard to be born and therefore they need to be wise Reprovers who reprove others Prov. 25. 12. Correction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way Prov. 15. 10. He that rebuketh a Man afterwards shall find favour but at present it seems he shall not Prov. 28. 13. needful therefore it is to walk in Wisdom having our Speech always with Grace seasoned with Salt Col. 4. 5 6. Thus here our Saviour doth usher in his needful and healthful reproofes with taking notice first of all that was commendable in this Angel and Church that so his reprooâ—es might meet with and find obedient Ears A bruised Reed he will not break and the smoaking Flax he will not quench Isay 42. 1 3. Oh learn we of him who was meek and lowly in heart and take we his yoke upon us Matt. 11. 29 30. So the Apostle Paul in writing to the Church at Corinth first mentions what was commendable in them and thanks God on their behalf before he reproves them for those manifold evils that were amongst them 1 Cor. 1. 1 10 c. But we shall speak a little more particularly to the verse I know thy works works they had even works of faith such as were produced and brought forth by the faith they had received the word of saith 1 Thes 1. 3. and ch 2. 13. Gal. 5. 6. Jam. 2. 14 17 18. all other works are unacceptable â—o him for without faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11. 6. Now by knowing is here especially meant and generally in these epistles to the seven Churches as much as and the same with taking notice of their workes or observing them and the nature of them indeed many times to know signifieth to see behold discern and understand and so he knoweth all things Joh. 21. 17. but this is not onely nor directly here meant sometimes it signifies to own and approve as the Lord knoweth to wit approveth the way of the righteous Ps 2. 6. the Lord knoweth them that are his that is he is well pleased with them 2 Tim. 2. 19. If any Man love God the same is known owned approved of him 1 Cor. 8. 3. so also it is taken Joh. 10. 14. Act. 15. 18. Rom. 8. 28 29. and in many other places But we cannot so understand the expression here fully and in some epistles not at all as ch 3. 1. and v. 15. But in all these Eptstles unto the seven Churches I know is directly I take notice of and observe thy works So the word is elsewhere also accepted as I knew thee in the wilderness Hos 13. 5. thou hast considered my trouble thou hast known to wit taken notice of or considered as before my soul in adversity Ps 31. 7. I know Ephraim that is I take notice of their doings Hos 5. 3. so Rom. 2. 4. so here most fully and properly it is to be taken in these messages or epistles Now here we may note 1. That he doth not approve or reprove not justify or condemn until he first considereth mens works therefore after he describes himself he thus begins to all these Churches I know thy works Rev. 2. 9 13 19. and ch 3. 1. 8 15. The ways of a Man are before the eyes of the Lord and he pondereth all his goings Prov. 5. 21 by him actions are weighed 1 Sam. 2. 3. so he saith concerning Sodom and Gomorrah before he resolveth to destroy them I will go down now and see whether they have done according to the cry which is come up unto me and if not I will know Gen. 18. 21. he is excellent in power and in judgment and in plenty of justice Men do therefore fear him Job 37. 23 24. and this is for instruction to us that we should do nothing rashly 2. In that he saith I know thy workes so he sheweth unto us what he doth amongst the Churches he takes of them and that for their good to encourage the good and admonish and reprove the evil he loves them and therefore rebukes them that need it and when it is needful and good for them Lev. 19. 17. Rev. 3. 19. so the Lord saith I know Ephraim and Israel is not hid from me Hos 5. 2 4 he observes the Angels also whether they labour in the word and doctrine and fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life or no hence the Apostle when he provokes and stirrs up Timothy to these things he uses this as a motive thereto I give thee charge in the sight of God and before Jesus Christ and again I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ preach the word be instant in season and out of season c. as signifying Jesus Christ doth take notice of the demeanour of such to whom he hath committed the word of reconciliation 1 Tim. 6. 12 14. 2 Tim. 4. 1 5. and he knows
and takes notice of such Mens works who have a name amongst the Churches that they live while yet they may be dead ch 3. 1 2. In that he saith I know thy works their workes who have had means so he may signify to us that in this sense he doth not as it were know Mens works until he hath prevented them with his grace bringing Salvation to them which he doth all Men in due time and season as they come to years of discretion Tit. 2. 11. 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. he is no hard or austere Master to reap where he hath not sown or gather where he hath not strawn however wicked ones think and speak concerning him Mat. 25. 26. he first fashioneth Mens hearts alike and then he considereth all their works Ps 14. 2. and 33. 15. But especially he knows and takes notice of his Churches and of their workes As is signified in that Parable where it is said Behold these three yeers I come seeking fruit Luke 13. 7. To them much is given and therefore of them much is and will be required Luke 12. 48. Isay 5. 2 4. Mat. 21. 33 37. 4. He here signifieth what he knows or takes notice of thy works not their words or profession simply not their faith or opinions only but of their works what doth it profit my brethren though a Man to say he â—ath faith and have not works can faith save him faith if it hath not works its proper works is dead being alone c. Jam. 2. 14 17 26. Men may profess they Know God and yet in works deny him being abominable and disobedient and unto every good work reprobate Tit. 1. 16. or they may have works and they not perfect before God and so unacceptable to him Rev. 3. 2. or works and not the first works as it was with this Angel and Church v. 5. But of these to wit of his Churches works he takes notice and according thereto either approveth or condemneth The father on whom we call is one who without respect of persons judgeth according to every Man's work and not according to his person 1 Pet. 1. 17. and so he will do hereafter also shall not he render to every Man according to his works Prov. 24. 13. To them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for Honour and Immortality he will render eternal life But unto them whoever they are that are contentious and doe not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness indignation and wrath tribulation and anguish upon every soul of Man that doth evil For there is no respect of persons with God Rom. 2. 6 11. And saith he who â—ath his eyes like unto a flame of fire All the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reines and hearts and I will give unto every one of you according to your works Rev. 2. 23. and ch 22. 12. Men may talk much and have a great deal of notional knowledg in those things thaâ— are most excellent and yet not have a good understanding for A good understanding have all they that do Ps 111. 10. Men may believe the Gospel of Christ and yet believe in vain 1 Cor. 15. 2. Men may have the truth and yet hold and detain it in unrighteousness Rom. 1. 18. Oh therefore let every one of us be swift to hear the word of truth And be we doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving our own selves so look we into the perfect law of liberty and continue therein that we be not forgetful hearers but doers of the work that we may be blessed in our deed Jam. 1. 19 25. Phil. 2. 12 16. And thy labour like that Remembring your labour of love or Charity 1 Thes 1. 2 3. Produced by the charity of God in Christ and exercised in works of love and charity both to the saints and men of the World also Eph. 1. 15. according to that Instruction As ye have therefore opportunity do good to all Men especially to them that are of the houshold of Faith Gal. 6. 10. and that prayer The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one towards another and towards all men 1 Thes 3. 12. Eph. 4. 31 32. and ch 5. 1 2. and this labour of love is to be exercised in holding forth the light of the glorious Gospel in word and confession 1 Cor. 3. 8. 1 Tim. 4. 10. and ch 5. 17. and in works of mercy love and charity in giving forgiving lending c. and in prayer Col. 4. 12. This is a labour and travel it causeth pain and weariness to the flesh to be exercised in speaking praying visiting administrating to the necessities c. Here note 1. With this Angel and Church there was labour yea they had laboured and not fainted v. 3. Gal. 6. 9. they did continue in the work and labour of love love was with them in some measure still so as to cause them to labour in the Lord. Men may labour and yet be reproved as here nay as the Apostle saith though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and have not Charity it profiteth me nothing 1 Cor. 13. 3. Men may give all and yet it will not avail if Charity be wanting or if it be abated and their love waxt cold they may be reproved or punished though they labour Mat. 24. 12 13. 2. In that Christ saith I know thy labour so we may see Christ taketh notice of the labour of love found in his Angels and Churches or any of them he is not unrighteous to forget their work and labour of love which they shew towards his name c. Heb. 6. 10. Mat. 25. 34 40. Mal. 3. 16. he takes notice of whatever labour or service of love his grace is producing though they that labour should forget he is not unmindful And being stedfast in the faith unmoveable from the hope of the Gospel always abounding in the work of the Lord their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15. 58. Mat. 10. 41. no not towards enemies Therefore the holy Ghost saith if thine enemy hunger give him bread to eat And if he be thirsty give him water to drink for thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head and the Lord shall reward thee Prov. 25. 21 22. Luke 6. 35. yea how secretly soever we exercise charity he sees and takes notice of it And this may deliver or take us of from desires of vain-glory Mat. 6. 1 3. Act. 10. 31. this might satisfy and quiet us that he takes notice of and remembreth any labour of love that is done to his name see the notes after on v. 9. And thy patience even thy patient enduring the tribulations and afflictions thou meetest withal for the Gospels sake This is that they must expect who will follow after Christ they shall suffer persecution 2 Tim. 3. 12. and therefore they have need of patience that they may endure and not resist the evil nor
freâ— against the instruments of affliction to them Rom. 12. 12. Heb. 12. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 20. Ps 37. 1 7. Rev. 13. 10. Patience also is to be exercised in hearing the word of truth and continuing in the workes and labour fore-spoken of Act. 26. 3. Rom. 2. 7. and in waiting for the Lord Ps 37. 7 and enduring what God lays upon them for their follies Heb. 12. 1 8 16. 1 Pet. 2. 20. This he takes notice of and approves amongst those whom afterwards he faults for their follies and these three first things mentioned to wit their workes labour and patience are the same with those commmended in the Church of the Thessalonians of which Paul saith Remembring without ceasing your work of faith and labour of love and patience of hope c. 1 Thes 1. 3. see more of patience in notes on ch 1. v. 9. and ch 3. v. 10. And how thou canst not bear them that are evil 1. By them that are evil we may understand either those who were evil teachers who brought divers and strange Doctrines amongst them Heb. 13. 9. such as did not consent to wholsom words the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Doctrine according to godliness 1 Tim. 6. 3 5. and such are called evil workers Phil. 3. 1 3. And evil Men and seducers are joyned together 2 Tim. 3. 13. and indeed such as these who deny the truth of the Gospel as preached by Christ and his Apostles and bring another Doctrine they are evil and their deeds are evil and hence Timothy is instructed to withdraw himself from such 1 Tim. 6. 3 5. and the believers are warned not to receive such into their house nor bid them God-speed for he that biddeth them God-speed is partaker of their evil deeds 2 Joh. 8. 11. Heb. 13. 7 9. false teachers bring in damnable heresies 2 Pet. 2. 1. their word doth eat as doth a canker or Gangrene 2 Tim. 2. 17 19. and the sheep will not hear them Joh. 10. 8 10. they come to kill steal and to destroy evil doctrines are as dangerous and hurtful as evil practices yea indeed they lead them that receive them into crooked paths and pernicious ways 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. and such evil ones these could not endure As it is said of Christs sheep the sheep follow him for they know his voice And a stranger will they not follow but will flee from him Joh. 10. 4 5. see Rev. 2. v. 13 15. and v. 19 20. And we are instructed to go from the presence of a foolish man when we perceive not in him the lips of knowledg and to cease to hear the Instructions which cause to erre from the words of knowledg Prov. 14. 7. and ch 19. 27. 2 Or by them that are evil may also be meant such as were sinful and vitious in their lives and conversations and such evil ones also they could not bear They did observe that counsel given unto this Church by the Apostle Paul Be ye not partakers with them and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them Eph. 5. 3 7 11. they did not sit and keep company with drunkards and profane ones they could not bear them like that Ps 26. 3 5. and 119. 115. and 139. 19 22. and indeed it is unbecoming the Churches to have fellowship with such evil ones also for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness and what concord hath Christ with belial wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you c. 2 Cor. 6. 14 16 18. now from hence we may note for our Instruction 1. That though they had works of faith and labour of love yet they could not bear them that were evil Men may have love and the labour thereof and love and be kind to enemies and evil-doers namely they may love them with a love of pity and compassion and yet not bear or be able to endure them so as to have fellowship with them or to accompany or countenance them in evil Men may have charity and yet not endure evil-workers evil and corrupt teachers or such as are seduced and corrupted by them for charity rejoyceth not in iniquity but rejoyceth in the truth 1 Cor. 13. 6. so Thyatira is commended for charity and yet reproved for suffering false teachers see the notes on v. 19. and 20. and they may pity and do good to such as are vitious polluted persons in their ways and practises and yet hate their ways and not endure intimate fellowship with them hence the Apostle exhorts If thine enemy hunger feed him If he thirst give him drink but then Dehorts Be not overcome of evil Be as kind to them otherwise as you will or can but still touch no unclean thing Rom. 12. 20 21. Indeed true love and charity worketh no evil to ones neighbour It leads not to commit Adultery or to keep company with others in any unfruitful work of darkness It is hatred to our neighbours not to rebuke them if there be opportunity for it and they will hear Prov. 9. 7 8. but to suffer sin upon them And much more still it is so when we strengthen or countenance them in their evil ways Rom. 13. 8 10. Lev. 19. 17. Jer. 23. 14. Ps 139. 19 22 2. Though they had patience and could patiently endure affliction yet they could not bear them that were evil Tribulations and persecutions were an easier burden to them then evil persons or their evils their evils were more irksom to them then affliction or they were the greatest affliction they would chuse affliction rather then sin contrary to that Job 36. 21. so the Ps cries out woe is me that I sojourn in Mesech that I dwell in the tents of Cedar Ps 120. 5. so unto these it was even an unbearable weight an unsupportable burden to bear them that were evil It was very grievous and hateful to them as is said of them particularly in v. 6. thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans even as an abominable thing 1 Jer. 44. 4. They could not bear nor endure false teachers false Doctrines very zealous against such also the Apostle was as it appears by the titles he gives them and what he saith concerning them Beware saith he of Dogs beware of evil-workers beware of the concision Phil. 3. 1 3. I would they were even cut off which trouble you Gal. 5. 10 12. Oh that such a temper were more found with us also as was with these for which they are approved and commended Though we should pity pray for and do good and be kind to all as we have opportunity and capacity yet we should not endure their evils much less encourage or strengthen them therein And hast tried them which say they are Apostles and are not and hast found them liars Herein still we have a continuance
Tim. 6. 3 5. Prov. 14. 7. Verse 3. And hast born and hast patience and for my name sake hast laboured and hast not fainted Here he goeth on still To declare what was commendable in this Angel and Church of Ephesus And hast born This hath reference to the bearing of burdens though as is before said they could not bear them that were evil yet they could and did bear burdens otherwise so as thereby pain and grief was occasioned them Thou hast born namely the burdens one of another as we are all instructed and exhorted to doe Bear ye one another's Burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ Gal. 6. 2. with ch 5. 14. we should not be severe in censuring them when they are overtaken with a fault but consider our selves lest we also be tempted but we should be meek towards them and with a spirit of meekness restore them Gal. 6 1 2. Born to wit one anothers Infirmities especially the strong are to bear the Infirmities of the weak in which they see not their liberty in indifferent things and not to please themselves but their neighbours for their good to edification Rom. 14. and ch 15. 1 2. 1 Cor. 8. 8 13. and ch 9. 19 22. and to bear the griefs one of another in tender compassion one toward another and so their temptations and trials which are called and compared to burdens Rom. 12. 9 15 16. 1 Cor. 10. 13. and ch 12. 13 26. and also thou hast born even the burdens of the needs and necessities one of another so as to relieve such as were poor and needy which poverty is a great burden Gal. 6. 2 13. Phil. 2. 2 6. Oh that that mind were also more with us to consider one another Heb. 10. 24. and to sympathize one with another as members one of another Eph. 4. 25 32. and as stones in a building to support one another 1 Pet. 2. 4 5. 1 Thes 5. 14. Act. 20. 35. Or thou hast born to wit persecutions for the sake of Christ as the Apostle saith I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus Gal. 6. 17. they had born this burden which appears great and heavy and hard to be endured Mat. 20. 12. which is called a bearing of the cross Luk. 14. 27. This is irksome to us naturally and therefore is called fire Luk. 12. 49. a fiery trial or burning 1 Pet. 4. 12. and that which even breaks the heart Ps 69. 20. with Ps 89. 50. And hast patience now at this time thou hast it and not only so in former times and in speaking of it and mentioning it twice in the commendation of them it seems it was very remarkable in them that is to say they had and did at present continue in well-doing and enduring afflictions and in waiting for the coming again of Christ see notes on ch 1. v. 9. and ch 2. 2. and ch 3. v. 10. And for my name sake hast laboured and hast not fainted what their labour was is before spoken to v. 2. only here we shall note two things 1. It was for his name sake they had laboured 2. They had not fainted 1. It was for his name sake they had laboured what his name is we shall not here speak to particularly but refer that to v. 13. But here we say 1. For Christ's name sake may be for namely this was that which was the motive and argument to prevail with them to labour that which set them on work was the good report of Christ in the Gospel from hence they were prevailed with to labour in the work of the Lord as the word for is used Phil. 3. 7. 2 Cor. 4 5. and indeed were the love of Christ more known and believed by us it would strengthen and engage us to labour and suffer reproach 2 Cor. 5. 14. 15. 1 Tim. 4. 10. It would open our lips and hands also unto others 2. For Christs name sake may also mean for promoting it that others might know it to make it known for the good of others as 1 Cor. 9. 19 23. that the word of the Lord might run and be glorified and not for their own name praise repute 1 Thes 2. 4 6. Act. 15. 26. 2 Thes 3. 1. But that the name of the Lord might be so declared adorned and made known that all the people might praise him Ps 67. 1 2 3. and knowing his name might put their trust in him Ps 9. 10. To this end they had laboured and endured much pain and grief and manifold occasions of sorrow and sadness 2. And hast not fainted Though it might occasion weariness and grief unto them Ps 126. 5 6. yet they still held on their way and fainted not were not so tired or wearied as to give over Heb. 12. 1 3. Gal. 6. 9. 2 Thes 3. 13. they did abide in the labour and work of the Lord and induring affliction for his name sake and did not â—aint Verse 4. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee because or that thou hast left thy first love Having first of all shewed what had been and was at present commendable in this Angel and Church he now makes his exception and draws up a charge against them as it were In which let us mind and consider for our usefulness 1. The charge generally laid down and signified 2. And particularly the mattter or reason of it 1. The charge generally laid down and signified nevertheless or but I have against thee I have against thee namely a matter of charge or indictment The form of speech is elsewhere used as Mat. 5. 23. that thy Brother hath somewhat against thee Mark 11. 35. forgive if ye have ought against another so also Act. 19. 31. and elsewhere Now in that after he had commended them he here begins nevertheless or But so we may observe and learn from hence 1. That there may have been in former times and at present there may be many good and commendable things in those against whom notwithstanding there may be just exception and they may be greatly faulty for other things even by God and Christ This we might see in many particular persons who were reputed good Men. Moses and Aaron and Samuel though all holy Men in the main yet such evils were found with them as for which God punished them against the two former God testified displeasure in not suffering them to enter into the good land Numb 12. 10 12. and concerning them all it is said Moses and Aaron among his priests and Samuel among them that call upon his name They called upon the Lord and he answered them thou answered'st them O Lord our God thou wast a God that forgavest them though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions Ps 99. 6 8. David was a Man after God's own heart save in the matter of Vriah 1 King 15. 5. Solomon was beloved of his God who appeared to him twice nevertheless even him did out-landish Women cause to sin Neh.
13. 26. The heart of Asa was perfect all his days notwithstanding he was guilty of several evils Chron. 15. 7. with ch 16. 8 9. c. There were good things found in Jehoshaphat and yet for some evils of his wrath was upon him from before the LORD 2 Chron. 19. 2. 3. Hezekiah was a good Man yet after he was recovered of his Sickness he rendred not again according to the benefit done unto him for his heart was lifted up therefore there was wrath upon him c. 2 Chron. 29. 2. c. and ch 30. and ch 31. with ch 32. 24 26. and we might shew the truth of this in manifold other particular Instances And the same we may also say of Churches Judah ruled with God and was faithful with the most holy and yet The LORD hath also a Controversy with Judah Hos 11. 12. with ch 12. 2. In the Church of Corinth were many commendable things 1 Cor. 1. 2 9. and ch 11. 2. and yet there were many evils found therein 1 Cor. 1. 10 15. and ch 3. 3 5. and ch 6 c. see also Heb. 6. 2 10. with ch 3. 12 13. and ch 5. 11 14 and ch 10. 25 27. Rev. 2. 13 14. and v. 19 20. so here I know thy works and labour and patience and how thou canst not bâ—ar them that are evil c. nevertheless he had a controversy with them and such an one as if they did not repent he threatens he will take away their candlestick from them Vse 1. This may then give us occasion to suspect our selves and to search and try our hearts and ways continually especially when his Judgments are amongst us Though the grace of God hath much efficacy upon us or any of us yet he may have a controversy with us that notwithstanding Lam. 3. 13 40. 42. we may not be polluted with gross evils and yet we may be so with those which are more commendable among Men and nothing less offensive and provoking to God as Jehu destroyed Baal and yet served the golden calves 2 King 10. 15 16 25 29. we may hate rioting and drunkenness chambring and wantoness swearing cursing Pastime c. and it is well if we do so and yet be guilty of Pride Wrath Covetousness c. Luke 18. 11 12. with ch 16. 14 15. we may speak against Prodigality and make a boast of improving our talents and yet hoard up for our selves and be unfaithful with the unrighteous mammon Luke 16. 8 12. nay we may have works labour patience c. and yet have left our first love as it was with this Angel and Church and so expose our selves to the displeasure of Christ Oh be we not high-minded but fear pass we the time of our sojourning in fear looking diligently that we fail not of the grace of God 2. This consideration may keep them who have good things in them from being many masters for in many things they offend all Jam. 3. 1 2. Oh be not censorious or forward to Judg others though there be many commendable and praise-worthy things in you and more then in others and such as are approved by him who holdeth the starrs the seven starrs in his right hand and walketh in the midst of the seven Golden Candlesticks v. 1. for notwithstanding all this he may have a quarrel against us There may be with us even with us also sins against the LORD our God 2 Chron. 28. 9 10. and as dead flies cause the Oyntment of the Apothecary to send forth a stinking Saviour so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour Eccles 10. 1. 2 Chro. 19. 2 3. 3. Seeing such may be faulty that have so many commendable things in them take heed of relying too much upon Signs markes and qualifications Oh had our sign-mongers so many good Marks of their sincerity and such good evidences and Assurances for Heaven as these had and they so approved and commended not by some Godly Minister or ministers as they speak nor by the Apostle John or an Angel but by Christ himself who is the true and faithful witness yea the truth it self how confident would they be of their good and happy condition yea how would their Ministers and leaders confirm and strengthen them in the assured perswasion of the blessedness of themselvs and of their spiritual estate and even say we will pawn our souls for yours that your condition is very safe and good and that you are accepted of God had they such works labour patience such zeal as that they could bear them that are evil such wisdom and circumspection as to try them who say they are Apostles and are not and to find them liers Oh how over-confident would they be that all is and will be well with them and yet there may be something sound amiss with them for all this which if not repented of and removed may provoke Christ to cast them out of his house and love them no more see also what is said of and to the Angel and Church in Pergamos in this Rev. 2. 13 14. I know thy works and where thou dwellest even where Satans Seat or throne is and thou holdest fastâ— my name and hast not denyed my faith even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr who was slain among you where Satan dwelleth A very high commendation of them considering in what times and places they lived But saith he notwithstanding all this I have a few things against thee c. see the notes no v. 13 14. and v. 19 20. of this chapter 4. If he hath an exception against these what may he have against many of us that want these things how greatly come many short of those that are here reproved Luke 10. 39 40. And of those Rev. 2. 13 14. and v. 19 20. may it not be said we are without works and labour even barren and unfruitful in the knowledg of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ It cannot be said of many amongst us that they cannot bear them that are evil but rather they cannot bear them that are good especially if they be such as are faithful reprovers of them Prov. 15. 10 12. are not too many amongst us companions of fools and riotous persons Prov. 13. 20. and ch 28. 7. And not like him who though he was a great Person in this world saith thus of himself I am a companion of all them that fear thee and that keep thy precepts Ps 1â—9 63. 2. We may further note in that he saith Nevertheless I have against thee That though Christ takes notice of whatsoever is good and commendable in his Churches yet also he minds and takes notice of the evils they are guilty of and polluted with Indeed he is slow to anger and backward to deal with Men according to their ways and exercises charity and mercy to all especially towards those that are in his Church But yet notwithstanding he takes notice
things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ and be found in him Phil. 3. 4 9. and as is said of Ruth she loved her Mother-in-law and thus exprest it when she said to her Thy sister is gone back Return thou after her And Ruth said Intreat me not to leave thee for whither thou goest I will go and where thou lodgest I will lodg thy people shall be my people and thy God my God c. Ruth 1. 15 18. with ch 4. 15. and it also leads to follow Christ thorow afflictions trials reproaches persecutions c. and to endure any thing for the beloved Love is strong as death the coals thereof are coals of fire which hath a most vehement flame many waters cannot quench love neither can the floods drown it Cant. 8. 6 7. By the first love of Christ our love is made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of Judgment there is no fear in love but perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment he that feareth is not made perfect in love 1 Joh. 4. 16 17 19. the spirit of love is love is opposed unto the spirit of fear and cowardice 2 Tim. 1. 7 8. This is the first love which is usually very intense and hot in the days of mens first knowing believing in and being espoused unto Jesus Christ and God in him As the Lord saith I Remember thee the kindness of thy youth the love of thine espousals when thou wentest after me in the wilderness in a land that was not sown Israel was holiness unto the Lord c. Jer. 2. 1 5. and the Apostle declares how highly Christ was prized by the Galatians and how welcomely the Gospel and its declarers were received at the first when Christ crucified was evidently set forth before their eyes and the grace of God in him Ye received me saith the Apostle as an Angel of God even as Christ Jesus for I bear you record that if it had been possible you would have plucked out your own eyes and have given them to me Gal. 4. 13 15. with ch 3. 1 5. 57. so the Apostle speaking unto the Thessalonians sheweth what entrance the Gospel had among them how effectually it wrought producing the work of faith and labour of love and patience of hope and they became followers of the Lord having received the word in much affliction and yet with joy of the Holy Ghost and they turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his son from Heaven c. 1 Thes 1. and ch 2. 13. Thus also he saith to the Hebrews call to Remembrance the former days in which after ye were illuminated ye endured a great fight of afflictions partly whilest ye were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions and partly whilest ye became companions of them that were so used For ye had compassion on me in my bonds and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing of your selves that ye have in Heaven a better and an enduring substance Heb. 10. 32 34. such-like â—fficacy the Gospel also had upon these Ephesians at the first and such ardent love they had to Christ therein preached among them so as they turned from Diana the former object of their love and worship unto Christ The name of the Lord Jesus was so magnified among them that many that beleeved came confessed shewed their deeds many also of them which used curious arts brought their books together and burned them before all men and they counted the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of â—ilver which are about six thousand two hundred and fifty pounds in our account as some judge so mightily grew the word of God and increased Acts 19. 17 20. Eph. 2. 2 7 11. This was their first love 4. Yea this love is also exercised and shewed forth in loving his Word and Gospel as is before intimated in which he and his love are set forth and discovered to us Ps 119. 47 48 97 98 113 127 128 140 163 167. as our Saviour saith He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me And again If any Man love me he will keep my word Joh. 14. 21 24. And hereby we do know we know love approve delight in him if we keep his Commandments He that saith I know him and keepeth not his Commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him but whoso keepeth his Word in him verily is the love of God perfected Hereby know we that we are in him 1 Joh. 2. 3 5 8. and ch 5. 2 3. And this love is also exercised and evidenced towards the Brother-hood so as to love them with a pure heart â—ervently 1 Pet. 1. 21 22. To delight in and have them as our Companions and to delight in the Fellowship and Societies of them as our Brethren Thus it is said of the Believers in former times They connued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and Fellowship and all that believed were together c. Acts 2. 41 47. and ch 4. 23 24 32. Thus when the Apostle exhorts the Hebrews Let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works not forsaking the assembling of our selves together To move them also hereto he saith Call to remembrance the former days in which ye were illuminated as signifying their first love was exercised in loving one another and in assembling themselves together And the Remembrance and Consideration thereof was proper and powerful to cause them to return thereto again Heb. 10. 23 25. with v. 32. Thus when the Gospel was first received by these Ephesians it produced in them love to all the Brethren See Eph. 1. 13 15. Col. 1 4. 1 Thes 2. 13. and ch 4. 9. And every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him If a man say I love God and hateth his Brother he is a liar for he that loveth not his Brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen 1 Joh. 4. 19 21. and ch 5. 1. Yea this love is also exercised in loving and pittying all men in loving our Enemies blessing them that curse us doing good to them that hate us and praying for them that despitefully use us and therefore our Saviour exhorts and instructs them that hear unto these things Luke 6. 27 36. His love known and believed moves to seek the good of the Souls of all and to sound forth the word before them to hold forth the word of life in word and conversation Joh. 4. 28 29. Rom. 1. 8. Tit. 3. 3 5. with Acts 9. 20 22. and ch 2. 46 47. 1 Thes 1. 7 8. and ch 3. 12. Prov. 29. 10. Phil. 2. 12 16. Now this was the first love they had left that â—ervency and intensiveness of love to Christ and God in him his Cross Person Gospel and one to another and to
all men which was at first begotten and produced in them by his first love manifested unto and known and believed by them 2. How had they left thiâ— their first love Or in what sense or after what consideration had they left it To which we say They had not so left it as if they had none to Christ and one another for such a thing would be wholly and altogether inconsistent with those many good and commendable things before taken notice of by our Saviour in them v. 2 3 6. But in some measure their love was waxt colder than it was at first Mat. 24. 12. And they were not so â—ervent and ardent therein as sometimes and at first they had been somewhat of the same evil was found with these as was with the Church of Laodicea of which it is said thou art neither hot nor cold though not in so great a degree Rev. 3. 15 16. There was a decay and abatement of their love some remission and lessening of the inflamedness thereof as the word left here properly signifies to wit a remission of their love like that also complained of in others though it seems not in so great a measure or degree Thus saith the LORD I remember the kindness of thy youth thy first love but afterwards it was otherwise with them Hence it is said hear the word of the Lord what iniquity have your Fathers found in me that they are gone far from me c. Neither said they where is the Lord that brought us up out of the Land of Aegypt Jer. 2. 1 5 6 12. And it might in some measure be said to these as the Apostle doth to the Galatians where is now the blessedness you spake of Gal. 4. 13 15. They had in some sort departed from their rest as the Pâ—almist intimates he had done Ps 116. 1 7. and gadded about to change their ways too much wandring from Mountain to Hill and forgetting their resting-place their place to lye down in Jer. 2. 33 36. and ch 50. 6. they were not now so valiant for the truth as formerly they had been Jer. 9. 3. not so inflamed with love to Jesus Christ and one another the sufferings of Christ and what he hath thereby effected and obtained into himself were not so highly prized by them and therefore not so operative and effectual in them as at first but they were come to some loss and had suffered a decay of those things formerly wrought in them by the Glorious Gospel 2 Joh. 8. Oh how precious was this Manna to them at the first they then cried out by way of Admiration What is this they then with earnestness prayed Lord evermore give us this Bread Christ was then wonderfully precious to them and highly valued by them they did then so cleave to him in love as that they preferred him before all other things though never so gainful and amiable And the Word of God mightily grew among them Acts 19. 17 20. they then desired no other Foundation of their Faith and Hope no other Witness of God's Love no other Bread of Life or Door of Approach to God but Jesus Christ and him crucified and so the Flesh of Christ which was given for the life of the World But alas now their Hearts were in some measure removed from him and they did not so closely cleave unto him as formerly nor were so forward to undergo Afflictions for him and his Gospels sake not to endure hardness as good Souldiers of Jesus Christ 2 Tim. 2. 1 3. They had left their first-love and though they had works yet not the first v. 5. 3. We come in the next place to shew and demonstrate that this is such an iniquity as provoketh the Lord to anger to leave the first-love This is a great evil and so it will appear to be if we consider 1. Because the Principles or Seed of which this first-love was begotten and Object on which it was placed abide the same the Seed thereof is not like the Seed of this World which is perishing and corruptible and therefore all begotten of it is like unto it for all Flesh is as Grass and all the Glory of Man as the Flower of Grass the Grass withereth and the Flower thereof falleth away But this Seed is incorruptible the Word of the Lord endureth for ever and this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto us 1 Pet. 1. 23 25. the Blood of Christ is precious and incorruptible blood and therefore it is opposed to corruptible things 1 Pet. 1. 19. And it is an Everlasting Commendation of the love of God to us Rom. 5. 8. and the Gospel of Christ is an Everlasting Gospel therein are contained the Words of Eternal Life Rev. 14. 6. Joh. 6. 68. And so Jesus Christ is the same and his years fail not He is Jesus Christ the anointed Saviour the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 1. 12. and ch 13. 8. There is no Iniquity in him and therefore he remaineth for ever The Servant to wit of Sin abideth not in the house for ever but the Son abideth ever Joh. 8. 34 35. Oh what an Iniquity is it then to lessen our love to and esteem of him Or to let slip the Remembrance of his Love in redeeming us What Iniquity have your Fathers found in me saith the LORD that they are gone far from me and have walked after vanity and are become vain neither said they where is the LORD that brought us up out of the Land of Egypt That led us thorow the Wilderness thorow a Land of Deserts and Pits c. Hath a Nation changed their Gods which yet are no Gods But my People have changed their Glory for that which doth not profit Be astonished O ye Heavens at this and be horribly afraid be ye very desolate saith the Lord for my People have committed two evils they have forsaken me the Fountain of living Waters and hewed them out Cisterns broken Cisterns that can hold no Water O Generation see ye the Word of the Lord. Have I been a Wilderness unto Israel a land of Darkness wherefore say my people we are Lords we will come no more â—nto thee Jer. 2. 1 5 6 10 13 31. and ch 17. 13. and ch 18. 13 15. what an evil is this to depart in any measure from him Lord saith Peter to whom shall we go thou hast the words of eternal life and we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ the Son of the living God Joh. 6. 66 68 69. Oh foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth c. where is the blessedness the excellency the love and loveliness of Christ you formerly spake of Is not he as worthy still as ever to be fervently loved and heartily delighted in by us who humbled himself for us and became obedient to death the death of the cross and who thereby hath redeemed us from the curse of
are fallen unto and preserve them in their former and fervent love is to put them in remembrance of what he hath done for them and how he hath testified love to them in their low estate Hence he here saith Remember So Rev. 3. 2 3. Jer. 2. 1 6. Do ye thus requite the Lord O foolish people and unwise Remember the days of old c. Deut. 32. 5 7. By this ye are saved recovered again out of any distemper as Isay 38. 20. if ye hold fast and keep in memory As it is brought to and put into your remembrance How that Christ died was buried and rose again according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 1 3. Heb. 3. 6 14. These things are not only proper and powerful at first to reconcile the heart to God but also to recover it from all its wandrings The Apostle therefore puts the Galatians in remembrance thereof when they were removed from him that called them into the Grace of Christ Gal. 3. 1 5. And that any man suffers a decay of those things wrought in him is because he is a forgetful hearer Jam. 1. 22 25. The remembring and considering what he hath done will be powerful to restore us from all our wandrings and out-turnings from him Hence Samuel saith to the people turn not aside from following the LORD but serve him in truth with all your heart for consider how great things he hath done for you 1 Sam. 12. 20 21 24. Ps 63. 5 8. And that we may remember these things Christ hath promised that his Spirit shall be our Remembrancer Joh. 14. 26. And this is that which the Spirit here puts to the remembrance of this Angel and Church verse 7. and his Servants in preaching the Gospel for it is the preaching of the Cross or of Jesus Christ and him crucified 2 Pet. 1. 12 15. and ch 3. 1 2. with 1 Cor. 1. 18 23. Of these things the Apostle Paul was the Remembrancer of Timothy Remember saith he that Jesus Christ of the Seed of David was raised from the Dead according to my Gospel and thus chargeth him Of these things put them in remembrance 2 Tim. 2. 8 14. And his Ordinances especially that of the Supper of the Lord are to mind us of Christ and are appointed and to be observed that we may remember the Lord's Death and his wonderful Grace to us that we might remember that Christ our passe-over hath been slain and sacrificed for us and God's love his first-love manifested therein Luke 22. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 23 25. Cant. 1. 3 4. 2. Branch of the Counsel he gives to them is and repent not simply remember for that a Man may do after a sort and yet go on still in his evil and back-sliding ways but remember and repent that is change thy mind and way Isay 55. 7. Be zealous and amend Rev. 3. 17 19. Mat. 21. 29 30 32. mourn and be grieved that you should thus unkindly requiâ—e him and lessen your love to him who hath so greatly testified his love to us Be afflicted and mourn and weep let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into heaviness Jam. 4. 5 8 9. Be filled with Godly sorrow for your leaving your first love and this works and is included in repentance unto salvation not to be repented of 2 Cor. 7. 9 10. acknowledge and confess your evil as it is reproved and discovered As the Lord saith Only acknowledge thine iniquity that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God and hast scattered thy ways unto strangers c. Jer. 3. 12 13. If they shall bethink themselves and repent saying we have sinned and have done perversly c. 1 King 8. 47. And Repent namely turn from what is reproved unto him from whom you have in any measure revolted both from deadly and dead works so what is read in one place Repent is in another place turn 1 King 8. 47. with 2 Chron. 6. 37. see Jer. 18. 8. and ch 36. 3 7. And these two are put together Repent and turn from all your transgressions c. Ezek. 18. 30 32. and when Christ sent Paul to open the eyes of Jews and Gentiles and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God In pursuance of this commission he shewed unto them that they should repent and turn to God c. Acts 26. 17 18 20. And whereas it is said in the Prophet of the Men of Nineveh God saw their works that they turned from their evil way It is thus expressed by our Saviour They repented at the preaching of Jonas To shew unto us that repentance includes a turning to God from the evils reproved Jona 2. 8 10. with Mat. 12. 41. Rev. 2. 22. and ch 9. 20 21. hence it is called Repentance from dead works Heb. 6. 1 2. Now in that he further counselleth and repent so he signifieth unto us 1. That when persons are fallen from him by their Iniquities yet he is again calling them to repentance Mat. 9. 13. 1 Tim. 1. 15. yea such also as have left their first love and back-slidden from him unto such he saith repent and turn from your idols and turn your faces from all your abominations Ezek. 14. 6. O Israel return unto the Lord thy God for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity Hos 12. 6. and ch 14. 1. so he calls upon them that had left the kindness of their youth the love of their espousals and saith unto them Thou hast played the harlot with many lovers yet return to me saith the Lord turn O backsliding Children saith the Lord for I am married unto you c. Jer. 2. 2. with ch 3. 1 14 22. and 4. 1. The like counsel and call he also gives to the residue of the seven Churches which had sinned against him or backsliden from him Rev. 2. 16. and ch 3. 3. and v. 19. and therefore he calls them to repentance because he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9. and so much he hath both said and sworn Ezek. 33. 11. As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live And thence calls and exhorts turne ye turn ye for why will ye dye O house of Israel Ezek. 18. 23 30 32. Mal. 3. 6 7. Mat. 18. 11 14. with Luke 15. 1 10. 2. In that he first saith to this Angel and Church Remember from whence thou art fallen to wit from God's grace in Christ to sinners and then adds repent so he signifieth to us That the believing mindfulness remembrance and consideration of the death of Christ for sinners and of the love of God his first love therein commended to us is proper and powerful to work repentance in us not to be repented of It is the goodness of God that leadeth to repentance Rom. 2. 4. It is the Gospel
of Christ the Glad tidings of the Kingdom that moves men to repent and turn to God Hence whereas one Evangelist saith The Apostles departed and went preaching the Gospel another saith they went out and preached that Men should repent Luk. 9. 2 6. with Mark 6. 13. Thus when Paul was sent to turn the Jews and Gentiles from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God and to the end they might repent and turn to God he declared the Gospel to them saying none other things than those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come to pass That Christ should suffer and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead and should shew light to the people and to the Gentiles In which God's love is firstly and wonderfully manifested Acts. 26. 18 23. It is the beholding him who hath been crucified for us as he is evidently set forth before our eyes in the Gospel that turns the heart to him from all its wandrings and backslidings fills it with godly sorrow hence it is said They shall look upon me whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his Son and shall be in bitterness for him as one that is in bitterness for his first born Zech. 12. 10 14. and ch 13. 1. remember therefore and repent Rev. 3. 2 3. Jer. 3. 12 14. Joel 2. 13 14. 3. In that he saith remember and repent so he signifieth to us That the end of our Remembring the Lord's death and the love therein commended should be that we might consider our ways and turn our feet to his testimnies wherein soever they have been turned therefrom Ps 119. 59. we should not so remember as they did of whom it is said when he slew them then they sought him and they remembred that God was their rock that begat them nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth and they lied unto him with their tongues For their heart was not right with him c. Ps 78. 34 37. But we should remember his name that good report given of him and receive and keep his law Ps 119 55. We should in such manner and to such an end remember him that we might turn to him from all our transgressions As the Lord saith to his people in former times remember these O Jacob and Israel for thou art my Servant I have formed thee thou art my Servant O Israel thou shalt not be forgotten of me I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions and as a cloud thy sins return unto me for I have redeemed thee Isay 44. 21 22. Thus should we remember the loving-kindness of the Lord that we may repent and turn unto him and return to our first love and not so remember it as to abuse his goodness and turn his grace into Licentiousness Rom. 6. 1 3. Ps 50. 21. Deut. 29. 19 20. 4. In that he gives this counsel to them and saith And repent so he giveth us to understand That though we have sinned against him and backsliden from him yet we may possibly lawfully and successfully repent and turn to him while it is the day of his grace There is in the name of Christ repentance preached to the worst of sinners even to Jerusalem and such-like heynous transgressors Luke 24. 47. And God hath exalted Christ with his right hand a Prince and Saviour for to give repentance both the grace of repentance in turning men from their Iniquities Acts 3. 26. and space of Repentance also Rev 2. 21. Acts 5. 31. he is seasonably and graciously turning sinners even backsliding ones also without which they cannot possibly repent As is signified in what Ephraim speaks Turn thou me and I shall be turned for thou art the Lord my God Surely after that I was turned I repented and after that I was instructed I smote upon my thigh c. Jer. 31. 18 19. his grace in due season doth bring Salvation to all men Tit. 2. 11. And while he is calling upon men and commanding them to repent as he doth all men every-where Acts 17. 30. he exerts his power and stretcheth forth his hand to enable men and impower them to what he requires of them Prov. 1. 19 24. Isay 50. 1 2. he is no hard man or austere master however wicked ones think of him or represent him to be he doth not reap where he hath not sown nor gather where he hath not strawn but giveth liberally to all men and upbraideth not Jam. 1. 5. And such as these may successfully repent for there is forgiveness with him of the Sins reproved Lam. 3. 40. Hos 14. 1 4. He hath received Gifts for Men yea for the rebellious also Ps 68. 18. He is not only exalted to give Repentance but also Forgiveness of Sins Acts 5. 31. and ch 13. 38 39. Joh. 6. 37. And this shews unto us the preciousness of the Blood of Christ and that he hath redeemed us from the Curse of the Law It opened no Door of Repentance but clapt the Curse upon us But God hath found out a ransome his Justice is satisfied and his Truth fulfilled Gal. 3. 10 13. Ps 85. 10. Rom. 3. 25. 1 Joh. 2. 2. In that he saith before I have against thee and after or else I will come c. He signifieth to us that it is of necessity that such as have back-sliden from him do return from their Iniquity unto him Otherwise it will in conclusion be their ruine They must turn or dye Ezek. 18. 30 32. and ch 33. 11. they must come to repentance or perish 2 Pet. 3. 9. Except such repent they will all perish as our Saviour saith to some Luke 13. 3 5. See further the notes on verse 16. 3. Branch of the Counsel And do the first works This is a further part of that good useful and needful Counsel our Saviour gives to these he did take notice before that they had works and labour c. verse 2. But here he intimates to us they were not the first-works not so excellent and acceptable as the first were and though their present works might be such as were good and right in themselves and so approved yet they were not perfect before God as Rev. 3. 3. Yea though they might be right in the sight of the Lord as to the matter of them yet not done with a perfect heart and therefore reprovable 2 Chron. 25. 2. But here he doth exhort and counsel them to do the first works These were such it seems as were well-pleasing in his sight Heb. 13. 21. And from these they were declined and did not do them Surely the first works and so all acceptable works unto him are such 1. As are done in Union with Jesus Christ as the Apostle saith We are his Workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before prepared that we should walk in them Eph. 2. 10. Acceptable works they are which
word and ordinances preserved amongst us else it were no such great Judgment to remove his candlestick out of any place Hence the Apostle saith What advantage then hath the Jew And what profit is there of circumcision much every way chiefly because unto them were committed the oracles of God Indeed on that account simply they are no better before God as to their gracious state But they have choice advantage thereby so to be Rom. 3. 1 2 9. and ch 9. 4. where he sets his Tabernacle amongst any people his soul shall not abhor them But he will walk amongst them Lev. 26. 11 12. 2 Cor. 6. 14 17. 1 Tim. 3. 15. It is a greater judgment to remove his candlestick then to take away the good things of this world from men however it be despised by us Ps 42. 1 3. and 63. 1 2. and 84. 11 12. and 27. 4. Amos 8. 11 12. 4. Seeing he threatens he will remove his candlestick out of its place not out of the World he shews unto us That he can take occasion by the evil of some to be merciful to others he will have a seed to serve him Ps 22. 30 31. He will set his Church in some other place when he took away his kingdom from his ancient people because of their unbelief he gave it unto others Mat. 21. 41 43. See what the Apostle saith As ye in times past have not believed God yet have now obtained mercy thorow their unbelief even so have these also now not believed that thorow your mercy they may also obtain mercy O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God Rom. 11. 30 32. 5. Seeing he can thus â—estify displeasure in removing his candlestick and will do so unless such repent let us examine our selves and whereinsoever we are guilty let us confess our iniquity and return to him from whom we have wandred and departed Hos 6. 1 2. and this leads us to the next thing viz. 2. The condition or else except thou repent The Judgment here threatned is not absolutely so but conditionally to wit if they still persist and go on in such iniquity and will not return therefrom to him so v. 16. 22. and ch 3. 3 16 19. see Amos 4. and 5. 1 4. Zeph. 1. and ch 2. 1 2 3. 1. Herein then we may see the equality of God's ways Ezek. 18. 21 27. As also herein we may see the nature of his threats while it is called today It is not that he may execute the Judgmeets but that he might awaken the threatned to Repentance Jona 2. 2 5. and ch 4. 2. Joel 2. 1 13. Rev. 3. 19. Therefore he gives this in charge to his Prophet Now therefore go to speak to the Men of Judah and to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem saying Behold I frame Evil and devise a Device against you Return ye now c. Jer. 18. 7 8 11. 3. It may encourage his Servants when he threateneth Judgments to give warning to the threatned because there is Mercy with him Ezek. 3. 17 21. and ch 33. 7 9. And to lift up a Cry for those so threatned Jer. 7. 16. and ch 8. 14. and ch 10. and ch 14. 7 12 21. and ch 15. 1 2. and ch 18. 1 11. Hos 5. 15. and ch 6. 1 2. Verse 6. But this thou hast that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans which I also hate After he had thus drawn up his charge against this Angel and Church and given good and needful Counsel to them and threatned to execute an heavy Judgment upon them unless they received and obeyed his Counsel he here again takes notice of somewhat further which was commendable in them and for which he doth approve them He will not overlook or forget any thing that is praise-worthy in them though he be angry and displeased with them Before we come to speak particularly to this verse we may note somewhat in general As 1. In that he saith but notwithstanding thou hast left thy first-love yet this thou hast not hadst simply but hast c. Something may be at present commendable amongst such as these who have abated in their first-love and unto whom he threatneth Judgment except they repent as we have noted before on verse 4. As Men attain not to the best at first but by degrees they grow in Grace So such as wander from Christ by degrees wither and grow worse and worse and are not worst at first they wax worse and worse 2 Tim. 3. 13. they proceed from evil to evil Jer. 9. 3. and by degrees go further and further off from Christ and suffer a decay of whath been wrought in them by the Gospel Take heed therefore we deceive not our selves nor flatter others in concluding all is well with our selves or them because we have not wholly cast off the things or all things that are good for this notwithstanding we may be in a bad decaying declining condition and if we grow not if we go not forward we shall go backward Jer. 7. 23 24. 2. In that he saith by way of commendation of them this thou hast that thou hatest he saith not the Nicolaitans but the Deeds of them so it may teach us that we should not hate with a positive hatred the persons of evil men but we may and ought to love pity and compassionate the persons of them whose deeds are evil and to be hated and in whom we cannot delight even as Christ and God in him doth most perfectly abominate iniquity He loveth Righteousness and hateth Iniquity Heb. 1. 9. Jer. 44. 4. Yet he loveth and pittyeth them that are evil and is not willing that any one should perish but that all should come to Repentance Joh. 3. 16. Eph. 2. 2 5. 2 Pet. 3. 9. so should it be with us also We should love our Enemies bless them that curse us do good â—o them that hate us and pray for them that despitefully use us and persecute us Mat. 5. 43 45. Luke 6. 27 36. We should love and increase and abound in love towards all Men and do good to all Men 1 Thes 3. 12. Gal. 6. 10. Indeed we should not so love them as to joyn in conâ—ederacy with them or delight in them and in their evil ways 2 Chron. 19. 2. 2 Cor. 6. 14. But yet we should pity and pray for and seek the good of and do good to them Prov. 29. 10. Our hearts desire and prayer to God for them should be that they may be saved Acts 26. 28 29. Rom. 9. 1. Ps 109. 4 5. 1 Tim. 2. 1 4 5. 3. That which he speaks concerning them by way of commendation is thou hatest their deeds or works which I also hate They were herein of the mind of Christ and like unto him such we should hate as he hates and because they are hateful to him Ps 139. 19 22. The fear of the LORD is to hate Evil Pride and Arrogancie and the
is strong he is the first and the last a mighty Saviour he is who is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe he is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him and therefore fear we not to come unto and follow after and abide in him Isay 41. 4. and ch 44. 6. with this place 2. He is the first and the last which was dead and he only died for our sins by way of propitiation and as the publick man he himself and and he only bare our sins in his own body on the tree 1 Pet. 2. 24. 1 Joh. 4. 10 14. Isay 63. 3. one died for all even for all that were dead and but one 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. nor shall ever any other dye on this account as never any before or besides him hath done nor shall he be abased any more He being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over him for in that he died he died unto Sin once Rom. 6. 9 10. And therefore if his sacrifice be rejected there remains no more sacrifice for sins But a certain fearful looking for of Judgment and â—iery Indignation which shall consume the Adversaries Heb. 10. 26 29. he is the last Adam none other as the publick man is to follow him to dye suffer and satisfie for our sins and therefore take we heed of provoking him to leave mediating â—or us for how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation 1 Cor. 15 45. Exod. 23. 21. Ps 2. 12. Heb. 2. 1 3. And is alive He liveth and was dead and â—e is alive for evermore and of the truth hereof he gave many infallible evidences he shewed himselâ— alive after his passion by many infallible proofs being seen of his disciples forty days speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God Act. 1. 3. This is witnessed of him that he liveth Heb. 7. 8. even by the holy Apostles as the Apostle Peter signifieth and by the holy spirit The God of our Fathers saith he raised up Jesus him hath God exalted with his right hand a Prince and Saviour and we are his witnesses of these things and so is also the Holy Ghost c. Acts 5. 30 32. and 25. 19. see notes on ch 1. v. 18. Verse 9. I know thy works and Tribulation and Poverty but thou arâ— rich And I know the blasphemy of them who say they are Jews and are not but are the Synagogue of Satan In this verse we have an account given us of what our Lord knew or took notice of and that both 1. With respect to this Angel and Church 2. With respect to others 1. As with respect to this Angel and Church c. wherein consider in general He that was dead and is alive he knows c. As he knows God and the things of God Joh. 10. 15. Rev. 5. 1 12. So he knows and takes notice of what is commendable or reprovable amongst his Churches â—say 11. 1 3. Joh. 2. 24 25. and ch 21. 17. Acts 1. 24. Heb. 4. 13. see the notes on v. 23. of this chapter I know thy works I take notice of them see the notes before on v. 2. and the works of this Angel and Church were such as were perfect before God hence we may again note as we have done before on v. 2. That though we take no notice of or know not of any good work any work of faith or labour of love yet Christ observes and will not be unmindful 1 Cor. 15. 58. Heb. 6. 9 10. So he saith to the Angel of the Church in Thyatira I know thy works and Charity and Service and thy works v. 19. yea though those works be done in the greatest secrecy and kept from the eyes of others and though our own left-hand doth not know what our right-hand doth yet still they are manifest to him and minded by him even any work of piety or charity that is done by us he seeth in secret and himself will reward openly so his eye was upon Nathanael when he thought none had taken notice thereof Nathanael saith unto him whence knowest thou me Jesus said unto him-when thou wast under the figtree I saw thee Joh. 1. 47 51. he observes his people exercising themselves to godliness when the generality of the professed Church is so profane as to say It is vain to serve God and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinances Then they that â—eared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord hearkned and heard and a Book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought on his name and they shall be mine saith the Lord c. Maâ— 3. 14 18. And when he shall sit on the throne of his glory he shall say to them on his right I was hungry and ye gave me meat I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger and ye took me in Then shall the righteous answer him saying Lord when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee or thirsty and gave thee drink c. They speak as if they knew not or took no notice of any such thing But yet he knew it as appears by what follows The King shall answer and say unto them Verily I say unto you Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my Brethren ye have done it unto me Mat. 25. 31 34 40. and ch 10. 41 42. The consideration whereof might both preserve us from charging our memories with what we do knowing it is had in remembrance in the sight of the Lord Acts 10. 31. and also preserve us from desires of vain-glory or doing what we do to be seen of men in doing which we shall have no reward of our Father which is in Heaven And it might engage us to do what we do in the greatest secrecy we may knowing he knows and will see in secret and reward and recompence whatsoever work or labour of love is so shewed to his name in the resurrection of the just Mat. 6. 1 5 8. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Luke 14. 14. And when they dye their works shall not dye or be forgotten but they shall rest from their labours and their works shall follow with them Rev. 14. 13. Heb. 11. 4. And Tribulation This is that also which our Lord knew and took notice of as with respect to this Angel and Church and that which his disciples shall meet with and have in this world Joh. 16. 33. all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution Acts 14. 22. 2 Thes 1. 4. 2 Tim. 3. 11 12. see the notes before on ch 1. v. 9 Yea though Christ reproves not this Angel and Church for any thing nor finds any fault with them yet there were some who did though unjustly find fault with them and were Instruments of affliction to them and made them sad whom Christ had not
but indefinitely that ye may be tried both that Satan might try them yea and that the Lord Jesus Christ might try them also though upon a different account and to a different end and so we may say a little particularly 1. The Devil shall cast some of you into prison when he is permitted that he may tempt and try you and indeed his work and end in and by himself and instruments is to use all means if possible to remove them from the way of the Lord he doth tempt them to evil and thrusts sore at them that they might fall Thus he did to the captain of our Salvation he tempted him to the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life Mat. 4. Luke 4. Ps 118. 13. Heb. 2. 18. and ch 3. 1. The prince of this World came but had nothing in him Joh. 14. 30. Christ was in all points tempted like unto us yet without sin Heb. 4. 14. and thus will he do to his followers as he did to their captain even tempt them to all that is evil and to turn them away from the truth hence the Apostle was so careful of and watchful over the Thessalonians and sent to know their faith lest by some means the tempter had tempted them and their labour were in vain 1 Thess 3. 1 5. Especially in times of tribulation and affliction he is tempting he knows how irksome persecution is to us Heb. 12. 11. and he is therefore trying whether he can turn them aside who are going right on their way telling them that in letting go their faith or the profession thereof and having fellowship with others in their unfruitful works of darkness they shall have their lives continued to them and live happily and merrily and have all that heart can wish Ps 11. 1. Heb. 11. 35. Luke 4. 6 or on the other hand threatning further troubles and loss of liberty c. Heb. 11. 36. or else tempting them to impatience and fretfulness both against the Lord and those that are instruments of affliction to them or to envy their fulness prosperity ease c. Isay 8. 19 21. Ps 37. 1 8. Prov. 23. 17 18. And we are to apt to listen to him to save our lives hence our Saviour saith unto his disciples whosoever will save his life shall lose it But whosoever will lose his life for my name sake shall find it Mat 16. 23 25. Joh. 12. 25 26. 1. Seeing then he will try and tempt let the word of Christ dwell richly in us for by the Word of his lips we may keep us from every path of the destroyer Ps 17. 4. 1 Joh. 2. 13 14. and 4. 4. and 5. 4 5. Rom. 1. 16. Eph. 6. 10 12. 2. Let us not love the World nor the things thereof but in coming unto Christ let us forsake all that we may be his disciples indeed yea let us hate our own lives also and not count them deer to our selves Luke 14. 26 27. Acts 20. 24. they that overcame Satan loved not their lives to the death Rev. 12. 10. I four hearts be set upon the things here below or for saving our lives he will be too hard for us 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. Mat. 10. 25 26. 2. That ye may be tried namely of the Lord he is also trying you yea he is so doing when Satan is afflicting you As Job acknowledged and said when he was in Satan's hand and he sorely vexed him yet saith he when God hath tried me I shall come forth as Gold Job 1. and ch 2. with ch 23. 10. Indeed he tempts no Man to evil Jam. 1. 13 17. But out of love he doth try Job 7. 17 18. Ps 11. 5. 1. He doth try namely prove you and search you Jer. 11. 20. and ch 17. 10. and this he doth not that he may know us but discover us to our selves as it is said This he said to prove or try Philip for he himself knew what he would do Joh. 6. 6. He needeth not that any should testify of Man for he knows what is in Man Joh. 2. 24 25. But he doth try us that we may know what we are he doth try as the Goldsmith tries mettalls to prove and discover whether they be right or counterfeit As the Psalmist saith Thou O God hast proved us thou hast tried us as Silver is tried thou layedst affliction upon our loyns thou hast caused Men to ride over our heads Ps 66. 10 12. So it is said he tryes by false Prophets If there shall arise among you a Prophet or dreamer of dreams and giveth thee a Sign or wonder and the sign or the wonder come to pass whereof he spake unto thee saying let us go after other Gods thou shalt not hearken to the word of that Prophet or dreamer for the Lord your God proveth you to know whether ye love the Lord your God c. Deut. 13. 1 4. 1 Cor. 11. 19. Deut. 8. 2. So God lest some of the nations that thorow them he might prove Israel Judg. 2. 21 22. and ch 3. 1 4. In times of peace and prosperity and when we meet with no exercises we are ready to say We shall never be moved as Ps 30. 6 7. or as Peter did I will lay down my life for thy sake Joh. 13. 37 38. or as the disciples generally now we believe that thou camest forth from God Joh. 16. 30 32. But when he orders trials unto us and comes to prove us we appear then to be other manner of persons than we formerly thought our selves to be As it is said of Hezekiah God left him to try him that he might know all that was in his heart then he appeared to be another Man than he thought himself to have been 2 Chron. 32. 25 31. with Isay 38. 3. And so did David Peter and the residue of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus and thus he doth try and prove us that he may do us good at the latter end Deut. 8. 14 16. 2. And he doth try also even purify and purge them from their mixtures and pollutions that cleave to them Dan. 11. 35. and thus also he tries them as the Goldsmith doth his mettall when he throws it into the fire namely refines it as it is said I will bring the third part thorow the fire and will refine them as silver is refined and will try them as gold is tried Zech. 13. 9. So purified made white and tried are put together as Words of a like signification and opposed to doing wickedly Dan. 12. 10. And thus Christ doth try to wit purify his people according to that He is like a refiners fire and like fullers sope and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver and he shall purify the Sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silvor Mal. 3. 2 4. yea and thus he is trying them when they are in tribulation he is chusing them in the fornace of
which he hath promised to them that love him compare Jam. 1. 12. with ch 2. 5. that is to say hereby is meant eternal life in the Glorious enjoyment thereof they shall reign in life to all eternity Prov. 4. 7. 8 9. 2. Christ can and will give this Crown of life to him that is faithful unto death he can do it for God hath given us eternal life and this life is in his Son 1 Joh. 5. 11. The Father hath given all things into his hand into his possession and dispose Joh. 3. 35. He asked life of him and he gave it him even length of days for ever and ever Ps 21. 3 4. And he will assuredly do it for he delights to do the will of God And this is the will of him that sent him that every one that seeth the Son and believeth in him should have everlasting life and he will raise him up at the last day Ps 40. 8 with Joh. 6. 40. How might this engage us to faithfulness Rom. 2. 6 7. Jam. 1. 12. 2 Tim. 3. 3 4 5. Verse 11. He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the Churches see the notes before on v. 7. he that overcometh see notes on v. 7. shall not be hurt of the second death We have spoken to all the former part of this v. in v. 7. foredirected to and shall only speak somewhat to this last clause which is affirmed of every one that overcometh low and high rich and poor wise and unwise together he shall not be hurt of the second death In which is intimated and signified to us 1. That he may be hurt or injured of the first death I mean he may have his life taken away injuriously from him And so before that he may have his goods taken away and be spoiled of them and he may be persecuted both by reproachful words and also actually so and be chased from friends and habitations and be deprived of his liberty and cast into and kept in prison and be severely handled and cruelly and despitefully used as we have seen before on v. 9 10. which persecutions the Apostle calls killing and deaths Rom. 8. 35 36. 1 Cor. 15. 30 31. 2 Cor. 4. 10 12. and ch 11. 23. In such respects they may be hurt as it is said Rev. 11. 5. If any Man will hurt or injure them fire proceedeth out of their mouth And if any Man will hurt or injure them he must in this manner be killed Acts 27. 10. Ps 35. 4 26. So the Prophet saith they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things and imagine deceits all the day long Ps 38. 12. Tribulation and affliction are hurtful to the outward Man and very grievous even reproach is so Ps 69. 20. And much rather to be imprisoned and spoiled of the things appertaining to the natural life or to be tortured or injuriously condemned and put to death Thus they may be hurt of the first death while they are in their warfare and even to the consummation or conclusion thereof Obj. 1. If any one should say It appears none can or will hurt them from that question of the Apostle Peter's who is he that will harm you if ye be followers of that which is good 1 Pet. 3. 13. Ans I answer That doth not suppose that none will harm them or vex them or evilly entreat them But either 1. Who is he that will do it namely what or who is he as compared to the Lord whose eyes are over them who is he that will imploy himself in such a work v. 12. like that which the Prophet speaks in the person of Christ he is neer that Justifieth me who will contend with me who is mine adversary Behold the Lord God will help me who is he that shall condemn me Isay 50. 7 9. which words imply not that Christ had no adversary or none to contend with or condemn him But that they were inconsiderable and not worthy to be taken notice of in comparison of the Lord GOD who justified and helpt him In such a like sense we may also understand that If God be for us Who can be against us Rom. 8. 31 39. Or 2. Who is he that will harm you What manner of persons are they none but vile persons and such as have cause to be ashamed of their deeds such as are unaccountable or can give no good account for what they do absurd unreasonable Men 1 Pet. 3. 13 16. 2 Thess 3. 3. In both these senses we may take it But not as if they might not harm them in the sense we are speaking of they may evilly entreat and injure them and so much is implied in the next verse But and if ye do suffer for righteousness sake happy are ye And be not afraid of their terrour c. 1 Pet. 3. 13 14. And though God will bring good out of evil and cause all to work together for good to them that love God c. Rom. 8. 28. yet still wickedness proceedeth from the wicked and that is no thank to their enemies that he causeth the wrath of man to praise him nor do they mean so Isay 10. 5 7. nor is this the way to effect it Jam. 1. 19 20 21. So that still it appears that now of the first death they may be injured or hurt in the sence that is before declared and as is intimated in these words 2. But that which is here affirmed is he shall not be hurt of the second death Where let us inquire and consider for our usefulness What is this second death To which we may say more Generally 1. It is called the second death with respect to Men not to the Devil and his Angels for it is that which was at first prepared for them who kept not their first estate but left their own habitation and unto which they are reserved in everlasting chains of darkness to the Judgment of the great day Mat 25. 41. 2 Pet. 2. 4. Jude 6. Rev. 20. 10 14. 2. And therefore it appears The second death is not that which was threatned against man in case he eat of the forbidden fruit Indeed God said In the day thou eatest thereof in dying thou shalt dye Gen. 2. 17. But this death Christ hath tasted for every Man Heb. 2. 9. And abolished it 2 Tim. 1. 10. Otherwise we must have perished in it for ever our spirits should have been banished from the favour and presence of God and our bodies turned to and remained in corruption there had been no resurrection of the dead 1 Cor. 15. 20 22. But this death as is said Christ hath overcome and abolished And thus it is appointed to Men once to dye namely this first death as Christ hath taken the sting out of it Heb. 9. 27. and in due time all shall be raised out of it and no man shall perish in it for ever and in due time also he will destroy it Hos 13.
to cause them to fall doth without doubt proceed from hatred and evil-will towards them 1 Joh. 2. 10. and this evil should be avoided by us as the Apostle exhorts Let us not judge one another any more but judge this rather that no Man put a stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in his Brothers way Rom. 14. 13 21. and these teachers it seems like Balaam taught the rulers to lay by their practises commands or edicts such stumbling-blocks to cause others to fall as too too many now also do in our days Ps 12. 1 3. great need we have therefore to love the law of Jehovah that we may have great peace and nothing may offend us Ps 119. 165. 3. We have an account given to us before whom Balaam taught Balac to cast a stumbling-block and that was before the Children of Israel the people of God Though he was convinced that they were God's people an happy people and had spoken highly and honourably of them as is before said yet he counsels Balac to lay a snare for them false Prophets have the greatest spite at the Israel of God Mat. 7. 15. 2 Cor. 11. 2 3. and herein they are led by Satan 1 Pet 5. 8 9. Balaam would have prevailed with God to have cursed Israel Deut. 22. 3 5. and therefore went from mountain to hill but when he could not he gave bad counsel to Balac to tempt and allure them to sin for for while God beholds no iniquity in Jacob nor perverseness in Israel there is no enchantment against Jacob neither was there any divination against Israel Numb 23. 21 23. but by drawing them to sin this way he prevailed against them for God is not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness neither shall evil dwell with him the foolish shall not stand in his sight he hateth all the works of iniquity Ps 5. 4 5 6. so these evil teachers here spoken of gave evil counsel to the heathenish powers to turn aside the way of the upright ones the Disciples of Jesus Christ our Lord. 4. The stumbling-block Balaam counselled Balac to cast before the Children of Israel to cause them to fall and provoke God was 1. To eat things sacrificed to Idols 2. To commit fornication 1. To eat things sacrificed to idols to images which thing is not absolutely sinful or sinful in it self for an idol is nothing in the World and those things that are eaten are the good creatures of God and therefore whatsoever is sold in the shambles that eat saith the Apostle asking no question for conscience sake For the earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof But if any Man say unto you this is offered in sacrifice to idoâ—s eat not c. 1 Cor. 10. 19 25 28. for if you then eat it is offensive to others and may entice others to or strengthen them in evil and may be ensnaring to ones self for the Heathen idols were their Gods which were nothing indeed 1 Cor. 8. 4. and such things as were insensible Ps 115. 4. and 135. 15. 1 Cor. 12. 2. But ultimately the Devil was sacrificed to as the Apostle saith the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to Devils and not unto God And I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils 1 Cor. 10. 20. Deut. 32. 16 17. Rev. 9. 20. and in such sacrificing the idol and Devil were blessed as it were Isay 66. 3. and therefore as is said though the eating things sacrificed to idols was not sinful in it self absolutely yet if they said it was offered to idols then we are commanded not to eat or forbidden to eat lest we offend and scandalize others in so doing 1 Cor. 8. tot and ch 10. 28 32. yea and lest we our selves be harmed polluted and ensnared thereby This was the first branch of Balaam's evil counsel to Balac he taught him to cast a snare before the Children of Israel to eat things sacrificed to idols and so these teachers amongst the believers in the Church of Pergamos did teach the Roman powers to lay such a stumbling-block before this Angel and Church that thereby they might draw them in to joyn with them in their idolatry And so now in our days too many there are who entice and urge others to comply with them in those things which are not absolutely unlawful or forbidden that they may still and further encroach upon and corrupt them Good therefore it is for us to abstain from all intimate fellowship or familiarity with such evil ones and false worshippers lest we harme our selves or others thereby as the Lord warned his people in former times saying take heed to thy self that thou be not snared by following them and that thou enquire not after their Gods saying how did these nations serve their Gods even so will I do likewise Deut. 12. 30 32. 1 Thes 5. 22. 2 Cor. 6. 14 17. and ch 7. 1. and because Israel observed not this good counsel given them they fell into much evil and greatly provoked the Lord as it is said they were mingled among the beathen and learned their ways and they served their idols which were a snare unto them yea they sacrificed their Sons and Daughters unto Devils c. Ps 106. 35 40. yea it is good for us to avoid intimate familiarity with all evil workers and not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers not to follow vain persons Prov. 12. 11. To make no friendship with an angry Man and with a furious Man not to go lest we learn his ways and get a snare to our Soul Prov. 22. 24 25. not to be amongst wine-bibbers amongst riotous eaters of flesh Prov. 23. 20 35. and ch 28. 29. 2. And to commit fornication hereby may either be meant 1. Spiritual fornication to wit Idolatry and that is called adultery and fornication in God's professed people It is called adultery so of Judah it is said It came to pass thorow the lightness of her whoredome that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and with â—â—ocks Jer. 3. 8 9. so again it is said they have committed adultery and blood is in their hands and with their idols have they committed adultery Ezek. 23. 37. And frequently idolatry is called fornication Thus it is said Jehoram made high places in the mountains of Judah and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication and compelled Judah 2 Chron. 21. 11. so Ezek. 16. 15 34. Rev. 9. 20. and ch 17. 2 4. and ch 18. 3 9. and so we may in this place well take fornication to mean idolatry for so it is said They called the people of Israel to the sacrifice of their Gods and the people did eat and bowed down to their Gods and Israel joyned himself to Baal Peor Numb 25. 2 3. And thus it shews unto us as was before noted That it is a dangerous hurtful and ensnaring thing to comply a little with idolaters for that will be a snare to
And thy last works more than the first Here as before we have noted he first of all takes notice of the things that were commendable in his sight and before him See notes on ver 2. And in that this is added after that terrible description he had given of himself so he gives us to understand That though his Eyes are like a flame of fire and his feet like fine brass yet he approves and encourages whatsoever is good and approvable in his Churches they might say Alas if he thus appear who can stand Or what can be approved before him who can stand before this holy Lord God that is of such a piercing inspection and so terrible in his Eyes and Feet Truly the Sinners in Zion may be afraid and the Hypocrites surprized with fear But such as receive his Grace or wherein soever they receive it to purpose need not be afraid his appearing so dreadful is not to discourage or hinder them from doing good but to deter them from what is evil Isay 33. 14 16. Yea therefore we should hold fast Grace whereby we may serve him acceptably with reverence and godly fear because our God is a consuming Fire Heb. 12. 28 29. So when he appears terrible unto Pergamos yet he would not have them think that he will be unrighteous to forget any good thing in them He appears not thus to be a terrour to good works but to evil Rev. 2. 12 13. with Rom. 13. 1 3 4. Nay though he sees all things yet who is so blind as this Servant of the Lord or deaf as this his Messenger whom he hath sent Who is blind as he that is perfect and blind as the Lords servant seeing many things but he observes them not c. Isay 42. 19 21. He is not severe to mark his Churches Infirmities and weaknesses but he appears dreadful with his Eyes and Feet towards such as sin willingly and particularly towards such as suffer false Teachers among them I know thy works See the Notes before on Verse 2. and Verse 9. And Charity This is indeed the work of Faith Faith worketh by Love Charity Gal. 5. 6. Charity it is distinguished from Brotherly kindness 2 Pet. 1. 7. And is a free manner of love flowing forth towards and fastening upon persons not because of any thing lovely in them but from an higher Reason and Motive though it may be and is to be exercised towards Brethren also in a peculiar consideration yet it springs from some higher Reason than any thing found in and with them We may say originally and most fully and perfectly God is Charity and the cause of it in us he loved us even the World of Mankind when there was nothing lovely or amiable in us even when we were dead in Sins and Trespasses and manifested his love and himself to be Charity in sending his only begotten Son into the World to be the propitiation for our Sins that we might live thorow him Joh. 3. 16. 1 Joh. 4. 8 9 10 14. And love or Charity in us is from or of him namely from the knowledge and belief of his Charity to manward and that he is Charity 1 Joh. 4. 7 8. And it is to be exercised towards men in loving our Enemies blessing them that curse us c. Mat. 5. 44. In loving all Men and abounding and increasing in love towards them 1 Thes 3. 12. Gal. 6. 10. And towards Brethren Col. 3. 13 14. 2 Thes 1. 3. above all things saith the Apostle Peter have â—ervent Charity among your selves 1 Pet. 4. 8. and all our things are to be done with it 1 Cor. 16. 14. the fruits of it are declared to us in 1 Cor. 13. 4 5 8. Charity suffereth long so doth God in Christ who is Charity He is long-suffering towards unworthy sinful ones Exod. 34. 6. Ps 86. 15. 1 Tim. 1. 16. and Charity is effecting long-suffering in us also 2 Cor. 6. 6. and that with long suffering we should forbear one another in love Eph. 4. 2 3. Col. 3. 12. And is kind all the time of its long-suffering so of God it is said He is slow to anger and of great kindness Neh. 9. 17. Joel 2. 13. Jona 4. 2. He is long-suffering and abundant in goodness Exod. 34. 6. So this Charity leads us to be like our heavenly Father in some measure even to be kind unto the evil and unthankful Mat. 5. 44. 45. and if our enemy hunger to feed him if he thirst to give him drink Rom. 12. 9 10. and to be kind one towards another tender-hearted Eph. 4. 32. Charity envieth not it doth not grudg at the good or prosperity of another whether inward or outward it hath not an evil ey thereat indeed the spirit which dwelleth in us lusteth to envy and leads us to repine and be troubled at the good and flourishing estate of others of which evil we are oftentimes warned Jam. 4. 4 6. Ps 37. 1. and 72. 3. 1 Cor. 3. 3 this envying proceeds from our wisdom Jam. 3. 14 16. and from desires of vain glory Gal. 5. 26. But charity envieth not but leadeth us to rejoyce in the good and prosperity of others Ps 4. 6 7. Charity vaunts not it self or boasts not it self it proclaims not its own goodness as the most of Men do Prov. 20. 6. It knows we have nothing but what we have received and preserves us from boasting of our givings or doings and to do what we do in secret that our left hand may not know what our right hand doth Judg. 7. 2. 1 Cor. 4. 7. Luke 18. 11. Mat. 6. 1 2 3 4. Charity is not puffed up not blown up like a bladder by any thing it hath received or doth knowledge even the knowing our knowledge puffeth up but charity doth not so but edifieth 1 Cor. 8. 1. 2 Cor. 12. 6 9. Luke 18. 11. Doth not behave it self unseemly uncomely shamefully which is the effect and consequent of the former when men are puft up it leadeth them to a shameful behaviour of themselves to be many masters Jam. 3. 1. to render evil for evil c. But charity doth not so Charity seeketh not her own profit case praise advantage So Christ did not who is the Son of the Father in charity but though he was rich for our sakes and not for his own he became poor that we thorow his poverty might be inriched 2 Cor. 8. 9. and the Apostle exhorts the believers that they look not every one on his own things but every one also on the things of others and that the same mind that was in Christ might be also in them Phil. 2. 2 3 5 6. And the Apostle Paul saith I please all Men in all things not seeking mine own profit but the profit of many that they may be saved And then exhorts the believers Be ye followers or imitaters of me even as I also am of Christ 1 Cor. 10. 23 24 33. and ch 11. 1.
Charity is not easily provoked to wit to anger or exasperated though it may be angry yet it is slow thereto It is not easily or readily provoked either upon a small or frivolous account or to exceed the bounds of sobriety Jam. 1. 18 20. he that is soon angry dealeth foolishly Prov. 14. 17. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle and easy to be intreated Jam. 3. 17. Thinketh no evil surmizeth no evil when it is provoked Isay 42. 17 20. Rejoyceth not in iniquity not in speaking or doing any Prov. 8. 7 8 or not in the iniquity of others But it leadeth Men to be grieved for the evils of others because they keep not the word of God Ps 119. 136 158. Jer. 9. 2. and ch 4. 18 19. But rejoyceth in or with the truth It leadeth Men to rejoyce in Christ Jesus who is the truth Phil. 3. 1 3. with Joh. 14. 6. and in the word of truth the Gospel of our Salvation Eph. 1. 13. and that others walk therein As the Apostle John saith I rejoyced greatly when the Brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee even as thou walkest in the truth I have no greater joy than to hear that my Children walk in truth 2 Joh. 3. 4. Charity beareth all things all burdens put upon it in seeking anothers good beareth the burdens of others and therein fulfill's the law of Christ Gal. 6. 2. It leads the strong to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please themselves Rom. 15. 1 3. and it leads to cover all the sins of Men so as may tend to the seeking their good Charity will cover the multitude of sins Prov. 10. 12. with 1 Pet. 4. 8. It bears all things so as it still rejoyceth not in iniquity but rejoyceth in or with the truth Rev. 2. 2. Believeth all things which God hath spoken or testified Acts 24. 14. and all things concerning the good of another so as not rejoycing in iniquity It leads Men to take all in the best sence they can and to put the best construction on every thing Hopeth all things And so in meekness instructing them that oppose themselves if God at any â—iâ—e will give them repentance unto the acknowledging of the truth 2 Tim. 2. 25 26. Heb. 6. 4 9. Indureth all things all afflictions and sufferings it meets with in seeking the good of others many waters cannot quench love neither can the flouds drown it Cant. 8. 6 7 8. Charity never faâ—leth Towards the proper objects thereof so doth not God's charity when he cannot delight in us or be wel-pleased with us yet he is very pittiful and of tender mercies towards us And it is of the Lords mercy that we are not consumed even because his compassions fail not when his delight in us doth For the Lord will not cast off for ever while Men are joyned to all the living But though he cause grief he will have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies Lam. 3. 22 31 32 33 39. And it leads us also when Brotherly-kindness fails to put on and have in usefulness charity which is the bond of perfectness Col. 3. 10 12 13. and by what hath been said of charity we may be led to see our great shortness in it and and want of it and to take shame unto our selves and be provoked to follow after charity 1 Cor. 14. 1. And to that end consider we the charity of God and that he is charity and hath manifested himself so to be in sending his Son the Saviour of the World every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God for God is charity 1 Joh. 4. 7 8 10 14 16 17. And walking in charity is the most excellent way whereby we may be instruments of profit and good to others for though we speak with the tongues of Men and Angels and have not charity we are sounding brass and a tinkling cymball and though we bestow all our goods to feed the poor and though we give our Bodys to be burned both which we may do and have no charity it profiteth us nothing 1 Cor. 12. 31 with ch 13. 1 2 3. And service or administration which is the fruit and effect of charity and the labour of love 1 Cor. 13. 4. Luke 6. 35 36. and this may betaken more largely for any service of love expressed or exercised towards others Joh. 13. 1 3. c. Mat. 20. 26 28. Gal. 5. 13. or more strictly for administring to the necessities of others Rom. 15. 31. In which sense it is to be taken in those words of the Apostle For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the Saints but is abundant also by many thankes-givings unto God 2 Cor. 9. 1 12. This service contains in it any service of love or charity towards men or Brethren for unto all men we should do good as we have opportunity but especially unto them that are of the houshold of Faith Gal. 6. 10. 1 Thes 3. 12 13. 1 Cor. 9. 23 24. And faith either the word of Faith which they had received and did hold fast though there were corrupt teachers amongst them as it is said by way of commendation concerning Pergamos v. 13. of which faith Christ is the Lord the author and finisher Jam. 2. 1. Heb. 12. 2. yet it is their Faith also not in the former considerations but as they have embraced and owned it and did still retain it 1 Joh. 5. 4 5. their most holy Faith which they received in believing and did hold fast and hold forth before others also Hab. 2. 4. Jude 20. 21. what the faith in this consideration is may be seen before in the notes on v. 13. of this chapter Or Thy Faith even their hearty closing with and believing the word of Faith the Gospel and so believing on Christ who is therein preached and evidently set forth before our eyes Their believing with the heart the things reported therein and walking thereby Rom. 1. 16 17. 2 Cor. 5. 7. Heb. 10. 38. Or Thy Faith thy fidelity and faithfulness their being and continuing constant to Christ notwithstanding the many trials and temptations they met withal to turn them aside therefrom 2 Thes 3. 3 4. Rom. 3. 3. And thy patience see notes on ch 1. v. 9. and ch 2. v. 2 3. And thy works and or even the last more then the first or And thy last works more then the first even their works of Faith and labour of love these works of theirs did not decrease or decay but there was an increase in their works They did still abound in the work of the Lord and in those good works to which they were created in Christ Jesus which God had ordained that they should walk in them 1 Cor. 15. 58. Eph. 2. 10. 1 Tim. 5. 10. They did grow and become fruitful in good works so as their last were more then the first
of this World and how doth she cry up her self to be the only true catholick Church and how boasts she of her unity succession number antiquity infallibility c. Rev. 17. 3 5. and ch 18. 7 16. 6. And lastly This whorish Church is here compared to Jezabel of old and called Jezabel to signify the miserable end and conclusion thereof so abiding and continuing as afterwards followeth 2 King 9. 32. 35. Rev. 2. 21 23. and sad and miserable will be the conclusion of mystery Babilon her plagues shall come in one hour death and mourâ—ing and famine and she shall be utterly burnt with fire for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her Rev. 18. 5 8 10 16. 21. and ch 19. 1 2 3. Now in that this is the Charge he draws up against this Angel Because thou sufferedst that Woman Jezabel So we may note from hence 1. That it is an evil thing in Christ's Angels and Churches to suffer false teachers to teach amongst them and their doing so is very displeasing to him and dangerous to themselves 2 Joh. 9. 11. 2 Cor. 15. 12. 2 Cor. 11. 1 3 19 20. See the notes on ver 14. Yea though his Angels and Churches have not been corrupted or polluted by their Instructions which cause to err from the words of knowledge yet he is angry with his people for suffering such amongst them as we have seen before in ver 13 14. Nay though this is the last Branch of the commendation of this Angel and Church that their last works were more than their first Yet he immediately subjoyns thereto notwithstanding I have a few things against thee because thou sufferest that Woman Jezabel to teach c. Some may say though we do give entertainment unto and suffer false teachers amongst us yet we still hold fast the forme of sound words and abound in good works Well though all this be true yet the same Christ saith of this Angel and Church he saith it who perfectly knows all things Nevertheless all this he was angry with them and draws up this charge against them 2. In that Christ had before commended this Angel and Church for their Charity and Service or Administration and now blames and reproves them for suffering this false Prophetess among them so he plainly signifies to us and gives us to understand that it is no Charity nor service of love to suffer false Teachers Nay it is opposite to love and the service thereof so to do It is hatred to them to suffer Sin upon them and to strengthen them in their lies and errors Lev. 19. 17. And it 's hatred to our selves though we be not ensnared by them for thereby we are partakers of their evil deeds 2 Joh. 10. 11. And it 's hatred unto others because by occasion of our suffering them they may entertain their evil Doctrines and either be hindred from receiving the Gospel or be removed therefrom after they have given entertainment to it It is a fruit of Charity to forbid and hinder false teachers what we can lawfully so much the Apostle signifieth to us when he saith to Timothy I besought thee to abide still in Ephesus that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other Doctrine to wit beside the Doctrine of Christ To which he adds by and by Now the â—â—d of the charge is Charity c. even Charity towards them and others also 1 Tim. 1. 3 5. Oh! say some and too many I cannot but be charitable towards them and think well of them though in some things they dissâ—nt from the Doctrine of Christ Alas thou mistakest who so speakest It is not Charity however thou callest it but hatred to them Jer. 23. 15. But it is an old trick of the Devil 's to call evil good and good evil that the evil may be embraced and the good rejected and abhorred by us 2. Christ gives a more particular account of Jezabel's Evil and therein intimately of his Angels and Churches evil in permitting and suffering her And this is propounded to us 1. By what she said of her self which calleth her self a Prophetess This was the evil of Jezabel and is so of other false Teachers to profess themselves to be what they are not even true Teachers or Ministers of Christ If she were a Prophetess she was a bad one and somewhat like the Prophetess Noadiâ—h that did what she could to hinder the building of Jerusalem Nehem. 6. 9 14. She calleth her self a Prophetess either so in an extraordinary sense and so prophesying signifieth predicting or fore-telling future things Thus in former times many false Prophets pretended to Prophecy 1 Kings 22. 10 12. Jer. 5. 31. and ch 14. 13 14. and ch 27. 9. And thus our Saviour tells his Disciples that there would arise false Prophets and they would shew great signs and wonders c. Mat 24. 11 24. Or rather more ordinarily she called her self a Prophetess that is a Teacher of others and such an one as pretended to speak unto Edification and Exhortation and Comfort See 1 Cor. 14. 1 3. In this sense Teachers answer to Prophets 2 Pet. 2. 1. and this it seems the Word Prophetess doth here signify because of what follows viz. to teach c. and how many false teachers both of the Male and of the Female Sex are there in our days that call themselves Christ's Ministers who yet are led by the Spirit of errour and delusion Jer. 23. 21. Ezek. 13. 2 4. See the Notes on Verse 2. need we have therefore to look to our selves that we be not corrupted by them from the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus they come in their own name and exalt themselves and men are more ready to give entertainment to them than unto those sent by Christ Mat. 7. 15. 1 Joh. 4. 1 6. with 2 Joh. 7. 8. Joh. 5. 44. 2 Cor. 11. 1 3 13 20 21. 2. We have an account given us of the evil work of this Woman Jezabel which is to teach and seduce my Servants c. Where consider we 1. What her act her evil act was To teach and seduce to teach things which she ought not to teach and which Christ's Servants ought not to receive Tit. 1. 11. Christ doth not teach his Servants to commit Fornication nor would he have them to learn this Lesson but this is the work of Evil Teachers of such as consent not to wholesome words the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Doctrine which is according to Godliness 1 Tim. 6. 3 5. He gives them good Counsel and wholesom Instructions even to worship God in Spirit and in Truth Joh. 4. 22 24. as he â—aith Hear the Instruction of a Father for I give you good Doctrine for sake you not my Law Prov. 4. 1 2. He neither teacheth his Servants any such evil Lesson nor would have them receive it from any other but cautions them there-against and saith Learn not the way of the Heathen for the
his peoples evil if when they see God's hand lifted up against other they fear not so as to depart from iniquity Jer. 3. 7. I have saith the Lord cut off the nations their towers are desolate c. I said to his own nation surely thou wilt fear me thou wilt receive instruction Zeph. 3. 5 8. Amos 4. 10 11. 2. We have next to consider his threatning of judgment and that 1. Against Jezabel for she was the principal evil-doer I will cast her into a bed Bed is not here to be taken for a place of refreshing and comfort as many times it is elsewhere Job 7. 13. But for a sick-bed as it were a bed of languishing sorrow and affliction Ps 41. 3. So as she should be chastened with pain upon her bed and the multitude of her bones with strong pain as Job 33. 19 21. so usually sick diseased or lame persons were laid upon beds and are so still Mark 2. 4 9. and ch 6. 55. and so it is as if our Lord Jesus should say I will smite her with great diseases and afflictions and make her keep her bed and hinder her from going about to injure others whom you suffer to teach and seduce my Servants and this he would do to a gracious end both unto her self and others also while it is the day of his grace and long-suffering Job 33. 19 21 29 30. Or I will cast her into a bed even cut her off from the land of the living and send or cast her into the grave where she shall lye and sleep a-bed in the midst of the slain as it is said in Ezek. 32. 24 25. 2 Chron. 16. 14. Or I will cast her into a bed namely into Hell whereinto all the wicked and so all fornicators and wicked teachers and seducers shall be turned except they repent of their deeds Ps 9. 17. so we read of A Bed in Hell Ps 139. 8. And all liers shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 8. 2 Pet. 2. 1 4. Now in that he saith I will cast her into bed we may learn 1. That the Father hath committed unto Christ all judgment and he hath authority to execute judgment both now and for ever Because he is the Son of Man Joh. 5. 22 27 29. all afflictions and death it self are his he hath the keys of Hell and Death see the notes on ch 1. v. 18. he doth rebuke and chasten Rev. 3. 19. and ch 14. 14. 1 Cor. 11. 32. And therefore we should fear before him Ps 2. 10 12. and seek help of him when we are in afflictions and lift up our hearts with our hands unto him in the Heavens Lam. 3. 37 40. Mat. 9. 2 6. and in so doing he who hath torn will heal us he who hath smitten will bind us up Hos 6. 1 2. 2. That many times the Lord writes Mens sins upon their punishments see the notes before on v. 16. The fornicatours commit their sins upon beds hence the whorish Woman saith I have deckt my bed with coverings of tapestry with carved works with fine linnen of Aegypt I have perfumed my bed with myrrh Aloes and cynamon come let us take our fill of love c. Prov. 7. 16 18. so it is said of Israel The Babilonians came to her into the bed of love and they defiled her with their whoredoms Ezek. 23. 17. and here he threatens he will cast this adulteress into a bed even into everlasting destruction in conclusion if she did not repent Rev. 14. 8 10. and ch 16. 4 5 6. and ch 18. 16. 3. We may here take notice of his great displeasedness with fornicatours even with spiritual fornicatours also who persist in such abominable iniquity he will not spare them but will execute judgment on them and send them them to hell if they turn not therefrom idolaters shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 8. and ch 22. 15. their feet go down to death their steps take hold on hell Prov. 5. 5. be we therefore admonished to flee from idolatry 1 Cor. 10. 14. 20. 4. When he cometh to execute judgments and when there is wrath he will begin with them that have enticed and deceived others and punish them most severely so God threatens to deal severely with mystery Babilon because by her sorceries she did deceive all nations and the inhabiters of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication Rev. 17. 2 3 5. and ch 18. 2 6 17 23. and the Lord in former times threatens that his hand shall be upon the Prophets that see vanity because even because they seduced his people Ezek. 13. 8 10. and the Apostle Peter saith of those false teachers who privily brought in damnable heresies that their judgment lingred not and that their damnation slumbred not and that for them the mist or blackness of darkness was reserved for ever 2 Pet. 1. 3 15 17. Jude 8 13. as their work hath been to corrupt and destroy others so their end shall be according thereto 2 Cor. 11. 1 13 15. Rev. 11. 18. 2. The Son of God doth also threaten judgment against Jezabell's companions and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation here he openeth to us what was meant and intended before by Bed to wit great tribulation in which Jezabel that seduced them shall share first but not only For they that partake of her sins shall also partake of her plagues Rev. 18. 4. he will cast into great tribulation those that commit adultery with her even spiritual adultery also with stocks and stones Jer. 3. 9. and ch 13. 27 and ch 23. 13 14. And thus will he deal with them whoever or what-ever they be who defile themselves with her though they be the greatest and most honourable in the World Rev. 17. 2. and ch 13. 27. and ch 19. 18 21. or though any of his Servants or Children turn aside unto folly and commit fornication he will not spare them but will abhor his Sons and daughters because of such provokings Deut. 32. 17 18 19. They shall know that he searcheth the reins and hearts and will give unto every one of them according to their works v. 23. Thus the Lord saith unto his people in former times Take heed to your selves lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God and make you a graven image the likeness of any thing which the Lord thy God hath forbidden thee For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire even a jealous God he will utterly destroy you if ye be guilty of such-like iniquity Deut. 4. 15 26. If ye forsake the Lord and serve strange Gods then he will turn and do you hurt and consume you after he haâ—h done you good Josh 24. 19 20. he will cast them that commit Spiritual adultery into great tribulation both now
and for ever if they continue therein namely such as trecherously depart from the Lord as a wife from her husband after they have been espoused to him yea in some respect their evil may be greater then Jezabel's and thus will he deal with all who continue guilty of this evil he will render indignation and wrath tribulation anguish unto every Soul of Man that doeth evil whatever he hath done formerly unto the Jew first and also to the Gentile for there is no respect of persons with God Rom 2. 8 11. Oh then Let us have no fellowship with such unfruitful works or workers of darkness for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness And what communion hath light with darkness and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols Eph. 5. 11. 2 Cor. 6. 14 16. Prov. 13. 20. If any Man defile the Temple of God him will God destroy 1 Cor. 3. 16 17. 3. But we may also take notice of this that Christ threatneth them not absolutely but conditionally except they repent of their deeds where also 1. He signifieth to us that while it is called to day the greatest and most notorious sinners may repent and turn to the Lord and find mercy with him There is forgiveness with him that he may be feared plenteousness of redemption that he may be hoped in by such Ps 130. he gives space and grace of repentance unto rebellious ones such was Jezabel and her companions see the notes on v. 20. and v. 21. 2 Pet. 3. 9 25. Ezek. 14. 6. This may therefore preserve us from concluding what will be the future state of such as are at present guilty of and polluted with spiritual fornication or adultery Mat. 21. 29. 2. The end of Christ and God in him in threatning judgments is that such polluted ones might repent and turn unto him from all their fins and abominations Jer. 18. 8 11. Rev. 9. 20 21. and ch 16. 9 10 11. 3. If such will not repent and turn iniquity will at last be their ruine Luke 13. 3 5. see the notes before on the word Repent on v. 5. and v. 16. of this chapter Verse 23. And I will kill her Children with death and all the Churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts and I will give unto every one of you accoring to your works In this verse we have to consider and take notice of these things 1. A further threat expressed and I will kill her Children with death 2. The effect hereof even of his threats and judgments on that woman Jezabel her Paramours and Children And all the Churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts 3. A signification and declaration of Christ's impartiality in his retributions and rewards and I will give unto every one of you according to your works 1. We have a further threat expressed and therein still a further intimation of Christ's displeasure against Jezabel And I will kill her Children with death The Subjects of our Lord's threat are Her Children Not the Children brought forth by natural generation or not them in that consideration or on that account for though they are not therefore the Children of God in a peculiar consideration they which are the Children of the flesh these are not the Children of God Joh. 1. 13. Rom. 9. 8. yet Children are the beritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is his reward the reward of his abasement and sufferings Ps 127. 3. they are graciously given by him Gen. 33. 5. and they are born unto him Ezek. 16. 20. with v. 36. and being baptized into the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost and so brought into the congregation of Christ of such little ones is the Kingdom of God Mat. 19. 13 14. Mark 10. 13 14. and unto the Children in this sence he is vouchsafing means and discovering his goodness when they come to the use of understanding Ps 14. 2. and 36 7. and 107. 8 15 21 31. and he doth not willingly afflict nor grieve the Children of Men Lam. 3. 32 33. Nor are the Children here spoken of the Children of the Church namely such as they have been instruments of begetting thorow the word of truth the Gospel of our salvation for the seed of his Church is blessed he will pour his spirit upon her seed and his blessing upon her off-spring Isay 45. 3. for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord and their off-spring with them Isay 65. 23. and in due season all that see them shall acknowledge them that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed Isay 61. 9. and ch 54. 13. Prov. 11. 21. But here by Children we are to understand the Children of whoredomes of their spiritual whoredoms and fornications such as are begotten by evil doctrines see v. 23. worshippers and practises Children that are corrupters who have forsaken the Lord and provoked the holy one of Israel to anger who are gone away backwards a Isay 1. 1 4. the seed of evil doers the Children of the sorceress the seed of the adulterer and the whore the Children of transgression and seed of falshood Isay 14. 20. and ch 57. 3 5. with 2 Joh. 9. such Children whose Mothers have played the harlots and they that conceived them have done shamefully strange Children such as are begotten of divers and strange doctrines Hos 2. 2 5. with ch 5. 7. with Heb. 13. 7 9. such as are either born of the doctrines of Devils in a more gross consideration of most hellish doctrines and so are Children of the Devil Children of hell 1 Tim. 4. 1. with Acts 13. 10. Mâ—t. 23. 15. or of the doctrines of Men Col. 1. 11. which in some sort may also be said to be the doctrines of Satan and they who are born of them to be of the evil one as our Saviour said unto Peter get thee behind me Satan for thou savourest the things that be of men implying that the savouring Men's things in opposition to the doctrine of Christ about his sufferings and resurrection makes Men to be of Satan Mat. 16. 21 23. and in such a sense they who are born of Men's doctrines in which they oppose the weighty matters of God's law they are of Satan and are originally of their Father the Devil Joh. 8. 41 44. so those who are born of the doctrine of the Pharisees in and by which they shut up the kingdom of Heaven against Men are the Children of the devil as they also are who are born of this doctrine that Christ died not for all nor tasted death by the grace of God for every Man but only for the elect c. such are therein of Satan these new Pharisees are like to the old ones Mat. 23. 13 15. and they are the Children of the evil one who are born of the doctrine of the Saducees who say there is no resurrection of the dead and so by
string that they might privily shoot at the upright in Heart and were saying unto them If the Foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do The Lord say the upright is in his Holy Temple the Lords Throne is in Heaven his Eyes behold his Eye lids try the Children of Men Ps 11. 1 3 4. Jer. 18. 22 23. See the notes before on ch 1. v. 14. 2. All the Churches shall know that he searcheth the Reins and Hearts by the Judgments which he will execute on Seducers and Idolatrous-ones Now they shall know it in some measure The Lord is known by the Judgments he executeth the Wicked is insuared in the work of his own hands Ps 9. 6. His Judgments are as the light that goeth forth Hos 6. 5. And by his present Judgments he doth many times make himself known to be one that searcheth the Hearts and trieth the Reins in that he severely punisheth and testifies displeasure against such as appear outwardly to be right worshippers as Jezebel and her Paramours might do as it appeareth by this description he gives of himself and yet inwardly consult to cast him down from his excellency reject his sayings and worship some other God besides God in Christ or set up some stumbling-block of Iniquity before their Eyes or in their Hearts See Ezek. 13. 9 10. c. and ch 14. 3 8. to the end his people may not secretly pollute his name or confederate with such evil teachers or doers Ezek. 39. 6 7. nor listen to such false teachers Ezek. 14. 8 11. But wash their feet in the blood of the wicked Ps 58. 9 10. Acts 5. 1 14. and hereafter they shall fully know that he is he which searcheth the reins and hearts when the wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the nations that forget God Ps 9. 16 17. Then there will be the revelation of the righteous judgment of God he will then bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the heart Rom. 2. 5 6. 1 Cor. 4. 5. We have nextly to consider the impartiality of Christ in his retributions and rewards and I will give to every one of you according to his works Not only will I thus deal with Jezabel her companions and Children But I will give to every one of you according to your works as if Christ should say he will thus render unto every Man even according to his works The work of a Man will he render unto him and cause every Man to find according to his ways Job 34. 11. shall not he render to every Man according to his works Prov. 24. 12. Ezek. 7. 27. Ps 62. 12. Rom. 2. 6. But not only will he thus deal with every Man but also he will give to every one of and in his Churches according to their works 1. He will give to every one of the Angels of the Churches according to their works for all that is sent to the Churches is expressly directed to every Angel to be by him communicated to the Church Now he exactly takes notice of the works of those messengers of their doings who labour amongst and are over their Brethren in the Lord and he will render unto every one of them according thereto As the Apostle Paul saith of himself and his fellow-labourers We must all appear before the judgement-seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his Body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10. 2. And he will give to every one of them according to their deeds for he is one who without respect of persons judgeth according to every Man's work 1 Pet. 1. 17. he will impartially render to every one of these also for he is no respecter of persons nor taker of rewards to blind his eyes withal And he will give to every one of both the Angels and Churches according to their works be they good or evil and not according to their Persons or professions he will bring every work into judgment with every secret thing whether it be good or bad Eccles 12. 14. and according thereto he will reward them in the day of judgment That is unto those who have received and held fast Christ's works which he wrought for them and in them and in a patient continuance in well-doing have been seeking Glory and Honour and immortality he will render eternal life But unto them who have been contentious and have not obeyed the truth but obeyed unrighteousness he will render in dignation and wrath Tribulation and anguish upon every Soul of Man that doeth evil for there is no respect of Persons with him Rom. 2. 6 7 8 11. But thus he will render to every Man according as their works shall be Rev. 22. 12. and not according to what they now are unless he continue the same When a righteous Man turneth away from his righteousness and commits iniquity shall he live all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned in his trespass that he hath trespassed and in his sin that he hath â—inned in them shall he dye And if the wicked will turn away from all his sins and do that which is lawful and right he shall surely live he shâ—ll not dye All his transgressions that he hath committed they shall not be montioned unto him In his righteousness that he hath done he shall live Ezek. 18. 21 28. and ch 33. 12 19. Now from hence we may note for our instruction 1. That there shall be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust for this necessarily precedes the eternal judgment in which he will reward all men according to their deeds so we have an account given first of the resurrection and then it is said they were judged every Man according to their works Rev. 20. 11 13. Heb. 6. 2. All that are in their graves shall hear the voice of the Son of Man and shall come forth they that have done good to the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation Joh. 5. 27. 28 29 Acts 24. 15 16. 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. 2. That Then Christ will be the Judge he is ordâ—ined to be the judg of quick and dead Acts 10. 42. Every knee shall bow to him and every tongue shall confess to God So that every one shall give an account of himself to God Rom. 14. 9 10 12. Mat 25. 30 31. and then he will bring every work into judgmeâ—t Eccâ—s 12. 14. 3. He even Christ will then render to every one according to his works as our Saviour saith The Son of Man shall come in theâ— Glory of his Father with his Angels And then he will reward every Man according to his works Mat. 16. 27. And he will judge them according to the ruâ—e of the glorious Gospel Rom. 2. 16. Mark 16. 16. 4. Then it shall most â—â—â—arly appâ—ar thâ—â— he 〈◊〉 the
already so he intimates to us that Satan and his Instruments more generally and more particularly false teachers would pluck away Christ's Gospel from us if possibly they could Mat. 13. 19. Luke 8. 12. Acts 13. 8 10. â—need therefore we have to take fast hold of Instruction and not let it go to keep it for it is our life and to hold it fast till he come that being faithful unto death we may in due season receive the Crown of Life Prov. 4. 13. and ch 7. 1 5. See the notes on Chap. 3. Verse 3. and Verse 11. Verse 26. And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give power over the Nations In this Verse and the two following we have great and gracious promises propounded to and set before this and the rest of the Churches and which every one that hath an Ear is called upon to hear Wherein consider we 1. The subject of that which is here and afterwards promised 2. That which is promised and assured unto every such an one 1. The subject of that which is here and afterwards promised And he that overcometh See the notes before on Verse 7. and on Chap. 3. Verse 5. And keepeth my words unto the end His Work is honourable and glorious and his Righteousness endureth for ever He hath made his wonderful works to be remembred Psal 111. 2 3 4. The works of Christ which are to be kept by us unto the end are 1. The works which he hath wrought and accomplished for us in his own personal body which the Father prepared for him his personal abasement and sufferings wherein he humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the cross Phil. 2. 6 8. of which he saith as to his suffering work on earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do Joh. 17. 4. and whereby he hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us Gal. 3. 13. purged away the guilt of our first sin and sinfulness from before the presence of God Heb. 1. 3. 1 Joh. 3. 5. Abolished and overcome that first death which was the wages of that first sin and sinfulness and delivered us in himself from it 1 Cor. 15. 57. 2 Tim. 1. 10. 2 Cor. 1. 10. and hath destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Devil For this purpose was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil and he hath done the work which the Father sent him to do he hath bound the strong Man cast out the prince of this world Heb. 2. 14. 1 Joh. 3. 8. Joh. 12. 31. he hath taken out of the way all that was in it contrary to us Oh that Men would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the Children of Men For he hath broken the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron in sunder Ps 107. 15 16. and he hath by his blood in the vertue whereof he is raised again obtained eternal redemption Heb. 9. 12. a restoration of our nature in his person into the image of God and so into perfect innocency integrity and immortality and into dominion over the works of God's hands and recovered our loss into himself having obtained for us the forgiveness of our personal sins Acts 13. 38 39. brought in everlasting righteousness Dan. 9. 24. Ps 98. 1 3 4. received the immeasurable fulness of the Spirit that he might bring forth judgment to us Gentiles Joh. 3. 24. Isay 42. 1. and ch 11. 1 3. and is possessed of eternal life in our nature for Man-kind 1 Joh. 5. 10 11. In him God hath blessed us with all Spiritual blessings in Heavenly things In whom it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell Eph. 1. 3. Col. 1. 19. and ch 2. 6 10. These works which he hath wrought accomplished for us should always be kept in memory by us that we might be glad thorow his work and triumph in the works of his hands in which his loving-kindness is wonderfully manifested to us Ps 92. 1 4 5. and 40. 5 8. and 118. 22 25. 2. And the works which he is now doing both in Heaven with the Father for us in which he is the one and only mediatour between God and Men making intercession for transgressors 1 Tim. 2. 5. Isay 53. 12. and ever liveth to make intercession for them that come to God by him as their advocate Heb. 7. 24 25. and ch 9. 14 15. 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. And what he is doing from Heaven in the name of the Father and fulness of the anointing of the holy Spirit to us as a Testimony of God's goodness to all Men in their proper seasons and ages And as the Apostle of the Believers profession 1 Tim. 2. 6. Heb. 3. 1. 3. And what he will do hereafter viz. give rewards to his Servants the Prophets and to his Saints and them that fear his name small and great and destroy them that destroy and corrupt the earth Rev. 11. 17 18. Isay 45. 16 17. 23 25. These are to be held fast and kept in faith and hope and to be rejoyced in at all times by us And he that doth truth cometh to the light that his works may be made manifest that they are wrought in God Joh. 3. 21. Isay 26. 12. and these works of his are to be kept in our mouths and to be declared to others also that they knowing them may come unto him and put their trust under the shadow of his wings accoring to that Give thanks unto the Lord call upon his name make known his deeds among the people sing unto him sing Psalms unto him talk of all his wondrous works 1 Chron. 16. 8 9. Ps 105. 1 5. declare among the people his doings Ps 9. 11. and 77. 12. Isay 12. 14. And also by Christ's works are meant what he worketh and effecteth in us by his Gospel the work of Faith and labour of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ c. 1 Thes 1. 3 5 6. for the Gospel being heartily received worketh effectually in them that believe 1 Thes 2. 13. he it is that worketh all our works in us and perfects what concerns us even by his Gospel which is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth Isay 26. 12. Ps 138. 8. with Rom. 1. 16. his works even these works of his also are to be held fast by us to the end until we come to lay down our lives Mat. 10. 22. that we may dye in the Faith Heb. 11. 13. Rev. 14. 13. Now herein is intimated and signified to us 1. That the works of Christ as declared in and effected by his Gospel may be kept by us unto the end notwithstanding all opposition whatsoever for he is faithful by whom we have been called to the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord 1 Cor. 1. 8 9. 1
more their light neither for brightness shall the Moon give light unto them but the Lord shall be unto them an everlasting light and their God their Glory Isay 60. 19 20. The light of the new Jerusalem shall be like unto a stone most precious like a Jasper-stone clear as Crystal and the City had no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it for the Glory of God did enlighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof Rev. 21. 10 11 23 25. This going forth of his is indeed prepared as the morning Hos 6. 3. then fully and gloriously they shall see light in his light Ps 36. 9. they shall see as they are seen and know as they are known 1. Cor. 13. 8 11. all ignorance and darkness shall be expelled from them for ever and they shall see the face of God and the Lamb and his name shall be in their Fore-heads and there shall be no night there and they need no Candle nor light of the Sun for the Lord God giveth them light Rev. 22. 4 6. and then the days of their mourning shall be ended and they shall have fulness of joy and coelestial pleasure Isay 60. 20. Eccles 11. 7 8. 4. And now in this morning when he gives them the morning-Star they shall have the Dominion Psal 49. 14. 2 Sam. 23. 3 4. Namb. 24. 17. Verse 29. He that hath an Ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches See the notes before on Verse 7. of this Chapter AN EXPOSITION On the Third CHAPTER OF THE REVELATION Chap. 3. Verse 1. And unto the Angel of the Church in Sardis write These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God and the seven Stars I know thy Works that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead THIS Epistle we see is directed unto the Angel of the Church in Sardis See Notes on Ch. 2. Ver. 1. In which we have to consider in this first Verse 1. The Description our Lord Jesus gives of himself to them 2. The Account of his knowledge of them 1. The Description he gives of himself to them in two particulars These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God even that one Holy and Eternal Spirit See notes before on Ch. 1. Ver. 4. Now our Lord hath these seven Spirits of God 1. By his Merit he hath obtained them by his Blood into the Nature of Man in his person Rev. 5. 6 9 12. The Father so loveth the Son because he laid down his life for us that he might take it again that he hath given all things into his hand Joh. 3. 34 35. with ch 10. 17. Because he was his Servant he hath put his Spirit upon him Isay 42. 1. and ch 11. 1 2 3. And so 2. Upon the account aforesaid he hath the Spirit by the gift and donation of the Father he hath given the Spirit without measure to him Joh. 3. 34. With this Ohl of gladness he is anâ—inted above his Fellows Heb. 1. 9. Acts 10. 38. and ch 4. 27. And this promise of the Holy Spirit he received of the Father being by the right hand of God exalted Acts 2. 33. whereby he knows all things Rev. 5. 6 12. and hath given forth the full of the Testimony Isay 61. 1 2 3. Luke 4. 18. Joh. 3. 34. 3. He hath the seven Spirits of God to-dispense to others or to withhold or withdraw from others as he pleaseth If Men provoke him and vex his holy Spirit he can take it away from them or not give it to them though he be â—low to anger Ps 51. 11. Gen. 6. 3. with 1 Pet. 3. 18 20. And he can and doth dispence of this blessed Spirit to Men in the means he vouchsaâ—es to glorifie himself to them and therein and therewith to convince the World of Sin of Righteousness and of Judgment and to open their blind Eyes and bring forth Judgment to them Isay 42. 1 7. and ch 45. 22. Joh. 16. 7 14. He is become a quickening Spirit to quicken dead souls even such also as are become so after they have been enlivened by him Joh. 6. 33. 1 Cor. 15. 45. Hos 14. 1 5. And will pour ouâ— his Spirit abundantly and make known his words unto them whoever they are or whatever they have been who turn at the reproofs of his Instruction Joh. 15. 26. Prov. 1. 22 23. And the seven Stars he hath them also See the notes on Chap. 1. 16. and 20. and Chap. 2. Verse 1. These he hath in his right hand and holdeth them â—e hath them in his hand as the Clay is in the hand of the Potter Jer. 18. 2 6. to fill them if he sees good and their works be perfect before God with his blessed Spirit Acts 2. 32 33. yea though they have a name that they live and are dead yet he hath the immeasurable fulness of the Spirit to reprove them for and convince them of their wandrings and back-slidings from him and to strengthen them to turn at his reproofes Prov. 1. 21 23. though they have deserved to be cast out and utterly forsaken yet if in the light and strength of God's grace they purge themselves from their pollutions he can pardon their sins and dispense his Spirit to them and they shall be Vessels unto Honour sanctified and made meet for their Masters use and prepared to every good work 2 Tim. 2. 20 21. In their returning again they shall yet stand before him Jer. 15. 19. And though they are dead yet he is the life hath life in himself to quicken whom he will Joh. 14. 6. and ch 5. 21 26. He abides and remains the Fountain of living waters Jer. 2. 12 13. and ch 13. 17. Or if they provoke him he can withdraw his Spirit from them Isay 63. 9 10. And though at present they are vessels of Honour he can make them vessels of Dishonour Jer. 22. 24. Rom. 9. 21. 1 Tim. 3. 6. He hath the seven Stars and he hath the seven Spirits of God and if by Mens continued-in rebellions they provoke him to take away his Holy Spirit from them Ps 51. 11. there is no man hath power over the Spirit to retain the Spirit Eccles 8. 11. And this may be of usefulness unto his Angels and Messengers 1. To preserve them from being lifted up with Pride if they be preferred before others in their Gifts Knowledge Utterance Service c. for not they but Christ hath the Spirit resting upon him and of him and of his fulness they receive he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers Eph. 4. 7 11. Joh. 1. 16. Who made thee to differ saith the Apostle and what hast thou that thou didst not receive Now if thou didst receive why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received 1 Cor. 4. 7. And let such take heed that they provoke him not to anger Exod. 23. 21.
his Prophets or Angels may chuse and highly esteem of 1 Sam. 16. 6 7. his eyes are as a flame of fire and he searcheth the reins and hearts see the notes on ch 1. v. 14. and on ch 2. v. 23. one would have thought that such a Church had been approved of him and might well have been commended of others of whom he saith I know thâ— works and thy labour and thy patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evil and hast tried them which say they are Apostles and are not and hast found them liars and hast born and hast patience and for my names sake hast laboured and hast not fainted and yet notwithstanding all this I have against thee c. See notes on Chap. 2. Verse 1 5. 2 Cor. 10. 18. Verse 2. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to dye for I have not found thy works perfect before God In this Verse Christ gives gracious and useful counsel to this Angel and Church and lays down a Reason or Argument to ingage them to receive it We may from the former part of the Verse note in general 1. In that our Lord Jesus gives such good and useful Counsel and Instruction unto dead ones and such dead ones also that Christ is not willing that such as these who after they have been enlivened and quickened in their Spirits have again brought themselves into a miserable condition so as they are even become dead should perish and be lost for ever while it is called to day though their iniquity be very great and highly provoking to him yet he hath no pleasure none at all in the death of him that dieth he hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked of such wicked ones also as have left off to be wise and to do good but that such turn and live as he hath both said and sworn Ezek. 18. 23 31 32. and ch 33. 11. with Ps 36. 1 3 4 7. Luke 15. 24. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9 15. 1 Tim. 2. 4. He would have all men to be saved while the day of his grace and patience lasteth And hence when by his Apostle Jude he warns of some such ungodly ones as turned the grace of our God into lasciviousness and is saying of them they were trees without fruit whose fruit withereth twice dead plucked up by the roots yet he gives this instruction to the believers And of some have compassion making a difference and others save with fear pulling them out of the Fire c. Jude 4. 12 22 23. 2. In that he gives this good and profitable counsel to those who were dead in a Spiritual Consideration as we have seen so he signifies to us that his words are Spirit and Life unto such as these Joh. 6. 63. His Gospel with the Counsels Commandments and Instructions thereof is the word of life Phil. 2. 16. In and with this word he gives life preventingly to dead Souls Joh. 5. 21 25. 1 Cor. 15. 47. and is quickening them also who thorow their carnal mindedness have again brought death upon themselves and lost those things which have been wrought in them by the Gospel Eph. 5. 14. His word is with power Luke 4. 32. and while he calls he stretches forth his hand to enable men to turn at his reproofs and to receive and obey his Counsel Prov. 1. 24. He doth lighten their Eyes that they may not sleâ—â— the sleep of death Ps 13. 3. with Prov. 29. 13. He works powerfully in and with his word to the recalling converting and turning such to himself as have sold themselves for their iniquities and for their transgressions are put away and hence he thus speaketh to and expostulateth with such wherefore when I came was there no Man when I called was there none to answer Is mine hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem or have I no power to deliver Isay 50. 1 2 3 4. 1. From hence then we may note that when we say dead Men may receive God's Word Instruction and Counsel while it is to day we suppose not nor believe that Men have naturally free-will or power to turn or quicken themselves for to be sure dead Men have neither will nor power to any thing that is spiritually good but in such like sayings we conclude as we have good ground to do that God exerts and puts forth his power in and with his word to enable them to what he requires of them where the word of this great King is without doubt there is power Eccles 8. 4. hence he saith to his people in former times O thou that art named the house of Jacob is the Spirit of the Lord shortened though thou hast neither will nor power to turn thy self Jer. 31. 18 19. yet is not his Spirit the Spirit of power and might 2 Tim. 1. 7. Isay 11. 2. and is this spirit of his straitned towards thee to enable and strengthen thee Surely no Mica 2. 1. 7. 2. It may lead us highly to esteem the word of Christ to glorify the word of the Lord and not listen to or be deceived by them who call it the letter and a dead letter but to know it is the ministration of the Spirit and the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 6 8. Eph. 6. 17. The word of God is living and powerful or in-working Heb. 4. 12. It is able to quicken dead souls as the Prophet David confesses saying thy word hath quickened me And again with thy precepts thou hast quickned me Ps 119. 50 93. Eph. 2. 1 4. 5. 3. It may instruct them that have this word of the Lord and have it fitted in their lips to speak it Faithfully and not to make use of excellency of speech or of wisdom But to know the word of God is powerful and needs not the additions or mixtures of Man's eloquence or wisdom or the strength of their arguments or most powerful and perswasive demonstrations and reasons the plain preaching of the cross without wisdom of words is the power of God 1 Cor. 1. 17 25. and ch 2. 1 5. Col. 2. 3 8. If they had stood in my counsel saith the Lord and had caused my people to hear my words then they should have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings he that hath my word let him speak my word faithfully what is the chaff to the wheat saith the Lord. Is not my word like as a fire saith the Lord and like an hammer that breaks the rock in pieces Jer. 23. 22 30. 2 Cor. 2. 17. 4. It may provoke them that have it in their hearts to take fast hold of it and not let it go to keep it for it is their life life to their Soul Prov. 4. 13. with ch 3. 21 22. If it will quicken dead Souls without peradventure it will keep and preserve living ones in life
Churches Heb. 4. 12 13. Ps 33. 15. All the Churches shall know saith Christ that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts and I will give to every one of you according to your works see notes on ch 2. v. 23. hence he saith to every one of the Churches I know thy works that is he takes notice of them and considers of what nature or kind soever they be see notes on ch 2. 1. and the consideration hereof may be useful to us 1. To preserve us from or purge out of us those foolish blasphemous and Athestical thoughts whereby Men think to hide their doin the dark from his all-seeing eye Thus some wickedly reasoned thorow their ignorance and blindness as it seems in that the Lord saith can any hide themselves in secret places that I shall not see them Do not I fill Heaven and Earth saith the Lord Jer. 23. 24. Isay 29. 15. Thus again it is said Is not God in the height of Heaven and behold the height of the stars how high are they and thou sayest how doth God know can he Judge thorow the dark cloud Thick clouds are a covering to him that he seeth not c. Job 22. 12 14. and ch 24. 15 17. and ch 34. 22. 2 It might also and would be powerful to preserve us from putting forth our hand to iniquity were it considered by us that he searcheth into and knoweth all our works and why wilt thou my Son saith the holy Spirit be ravisht with a strange Woman For the ways of a Man are before the eyes of the Lord and he pondereth all his goings Prov. 5. 20 21. Ps 44. 20 21. Job 31. 1 4. O then walk we before him and be we perfect see notes on ch 2. v. 23. 2. Herein is affirmed that Christ did not upon search find their works perfect before God they might be and it appears they were perfect before Men before the Angel or Angels and Churches Because they had a name amongst them that they lived as before v. 1. others thought and spake highly honourably of them to their hurt and prejudice it seems But here our Lord Jesus he who is holy he who is true deals faithfully with them and undeceives them and others concerning them and saith Thy works have not been found by me perfect before God and his open rebuke and conviction was better than secret love or their Brethren's high commendations of them Faithful were the wounds of this Friend Prov. 27. 5 6. Ps 141. 5. But may not the same be said of all believers works Are any of their works perfect before God Is there not imperfection in them all To that we may say they are not compleatly perfect not so according to the strictness of the law or letter for there is not a just Man upon the earth that doth good and sinneth not Eccl. 7. 20. there are iniquities cleaving to their holy things and so to their best works doings and performances So as if God should strictly observe the failings and imperfections cleaving to them he might wipe them our and reject them Exod. 28. 38. with 1 Pet. 2. 5. Neh. 13. 14 22 31. But yet Blessed is the Man to whom the Lord will not impute sin Rom. 4. 5 8. and Ps 32. 1 2. Blessed are the perfect or undefiled in the way who walk in the law of the Lord Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek him with the whole heart They also do no iniquity they walk in his ways Ps 119. 1 2 6. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit such God justifies not as to their persons only but also as to their works and who then shall condemn them Rom. 8. 1 33 34. A Man's works may be said according to the rule of the Gospel to be perfect when they are done in union with Jesus Eph. 2. 10. and so are produced by the Faith of the Gospel which faith worketh by love and these two are the new creature Gal. 5. 6. with ch 6. 15. when they proceed from the grace of God which brings salvation to all Men known and heartily believed whereby the heart is purified and body washt with that pure water so as according to the teachings thereof denying ungodliness and worldly lusts they walk soberly righteously and godly in this present World Looking for that blessed hope c. Tit. 2. 11 14. and the end of this conversation is that God in all things may be glorified thorow Jesus Christ and therein the good of Men and Brethren is endeavoured and pursued 1 Pet. 4. 11. 1 Cor. 10. 32 33. see the notes on ch 2. v. 5. and thus the works of the weakest as well as of the strongest may be perfect before God for whosoever abideth in Christ sinneth not 1 Joh. 3. 6. Verse 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent If therefore thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee The former part of this verse contains in it a gracious direction which our Lord gives to this Angel and Church and it refers to what goes before as is evident In v. 1. he had said thou art dead and here Remember therefore to the end thou mayest be revived quickned enlivened and comforted and it 's like to that Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen see notes on ch 2. v. 5 and so that here directed to is like to what the Psalmist provokes his Soul unto when the sorrows of death compassed him Return saith he unto thy rest O my Soul for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee to wit in that thy rest Ps 116. 3 7. or like to what Jonah relaâ—es when my Soul fainted within me I remembred the Lord and my prayer came in unto thee into thine holy Temple Jonah 2. 4 7. that which did enliven them at the first when they were dead in sins and trespasses was also powerful to revive them again even Christ as declared in the Gospel and so the Gospel of Christ which is the word of life Phil. 2. 16. Or this may have reference unto the former part of v. 2. Be watchful and strengthen the things that remain which are ready to dy But how should they do that thus Remember therefore â—ow thou hast received and heard c. the weakness of God even the foolish preaching of Christ crucified is stronger than Men It is the power of God whereby thou mayest be enabled to strengthen those dying things Rom. 1. 16 17. 1 Cor. 1. 17 22 25. Or this direction instruction may have reference to the latter clause of v. 2. or to Christ himself as convincing them of and reproving them for what was amiss in them I have not found thy works perfect before God Remember therefore c. like that ch 2.
persist therein he will wound the hairy scalp of such an one whoever he be or whatever he hath been that goes on still in his trespasses Ps 68. 18 21. 1. Then here we may see how provoking it is to Christ to let slip how we have received and heard how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation Heb. 2. 1 3. Because Israel was unmindful of the rock that begat them and forgat God that formed them when the Lord saw this he abhorred them because of the provoking of his Sons and of his Daughters Deut. 32. 18 20. If a Man abide not in Christ he is cast forth as a branch c. Joh. 15. 6. 2. We may here see the impartiality of Christ in his dealings with his Churches he will not spare them if they sin against him and continue in their provocations of him as hath been said ch 2. 5 23. he is one who without respect of person judgeth according to every man's work 1 Pet. 1. 17. Do we then provoke the Lord to anger 1 Cor. 10. 22. Job 41. 8 10. 3. And yet we may see his slowness to anger and his unwillingness with the destruction of such as have forgotten him and how they have received and heard though he saith he will come as a thief yet he gives them warning before he so comes and therein he doth not like a thief and saith to the Prophet If thou giveâ—â— not the wicked Man warning nor speakest to warn him from his wicked way to save his life his blood will I require at thine hand Ezek. 3. 18 and ch 33. 6 8 11. Verse 4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments and they shall walk with me in white for they are worthy In this verse we have propounded to us to consider 1. A commendable account which our Saviour gives of some amongst them Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments 2. An assurance of their happiness or a gracious promise concering them And they shall walk with me in white 3. The reason thereof for they are worthy 1. A commendable account which our Saviour gives of some amongst them Thou hast a few names in Sardis which have not defiled their garments Thou hast not only hadst but still hast A few names that is to say persons for so names signify persons sometimes Acts 1. 15. Rev. 11. 13. and here this word may be used to give us to understand that Christ doth as it were know them by name and takes especial notice of them as Exod. 33. 12 17. Which have not defiled their garments It seems then the rest and greatest part had so done But these had not By their garments may be meant the same with their righteousness or their works v. 2. And so righteousness or works are compared to garments as Job 29. 14. Isay 59. 6. Ps 132. 9. see the notes on v. 18. of this Chapter Now then the garments with which the belivers are cloathed are 1. The righteousness of Christ that everlasting righteousness which he hath brought in by his blood Dan. 9. 24. as it is said he hath clothed me with the robe of righteousness Isay 61. 10. this righteousness they receive by faith and have it to appear before God in Phil. 3. 9. Rom. 3. 20 22. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Jer. 25. 6. and though this righteousness this garment cannot be so defiled as to hurt it or damnify it in it self yet it may be defiled in some such sort as God himself and his name are said to be polluted As ye say wherein have we polluted thee in that ye say The table of the Lord is contemptible Mal. 1. 7. so again Pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts and sacrifices Ezek. 20. 30. So the righteousness of Christ may be said to be polluted or defiled by us when we seek to establish a righteousness of our own Rom. 10. 3. or adde a righteousness of our own to his as if the righteousness of Christ were incompleat or insufficient to render us acceptable in the sight of God and therefore we must adde thereto or joyn therewith something of our own workings and doings of which we are admonished and warned by the preacher Be not righteous overmuch Ecâ—l 7. 16. so in former times If they did lift up their tool upon God's altar of stone they did thereby pollute it Exod. 20. 25. and excellency of speech or of wisdom added to the Gospel makes the cross of Christ of none effect 1 Cor. 1. 17 18. and ch 2. 1 2 5. and this adding our works of righteousness to Christ's proceeds from a secret jealousy and fear leâ—t his righteousness would fail or deceive us in conclusion and so declares we have base unworthy low and dishonourable thoughts of that righteousness which God hath prepared and accepted Rom. 3. 21 22. Or the righteousness of Christ may be deâ—iled by us when while we seek to be justified by Christ we our selves are found sinners and so by means of us others are ready to charge Christ with being the minister of sin though indeed he is not so and far be it from any to think or speak so Gal. 2. 16 18. we may be said to pollute his immaculate righteousness when we boast thereof and make as if we had that to glory in in Gods presence and are â—ound notwithstanding and under that pretence to act and commit such things as displease him and cause his name to be blasphemed by others 2. Or by those garments may be meant the fruits of his spirit and righteousness believed and received such as Bowels of mercies kindness humbleness of mind c and these may be defiled more grossly when Men are walking in the gross lusts of the flesh as when persons appear merciful and pittiful to others and pretend much love and yet walk in the lust of uncleanness of which latter the Apostle warns when he exhorts to the former Be ye followers of God as deer Children and walk in love as Christ also hath loved us But fornication and all uncleanness c. lâ—t it not be once named among you as becometh Saints Eph. 5. 1 3. Or Men defile their garments or works when they pretend to a great deal of humility and under that pretence debase themselves to hell in sitting with evil company Isay 57. 8 9. Or when they pretend zeal for the glory of God and an indeavour of Mens good and yet have fellowship with them in their unfruitful works of darkness when-as this is the High-way to harm our selves and others also and not to be instruments of good to any Prov. 9. 5 6. Eph. 5. 11. Jer. 23. 14. But it appears that this Angel and Church had not so defiled their garments or not openly so because it 's said thou hast a name that thou livest v. 1 and much less had these upright ones amongst them so defiled theirs
Or Men may be said in a more plausible and spiritual way to defile their garments as when they are wise in Christ and leaning to their own wisdom and understanding of which we are admonished Prov. 24. 3. and ch 3. 5. and in following which and leaning whereto Men defile the Temple of God and set up an idol therein as it were to the provoking the eyes of the Lord's glory and making the cross of Christ of none effect as before is said 1 Cor. 1. 17. and ch 2. 1 5. and 3. 16 19. or when Men do what they do and shew forth love and exercise mercy out of covetousness or that they may in rich themselves in so doing Eph. 5. 1 3 5. or to establish a righteousness to themselves thereby and think to cover themselves with their works Rom. 9. 30 33. Isay 57. 12. and 59. 6. or when they are seeking after the praise of Men and do their works to be seen of Men or are pursuing their desires of vain-glory or the friendship of this world which is enmity with God Mat. 6. 1 18. and ch 23. 5. Gal. 5. 26. Jam. 4 4. or walking in anger wrath pretending in so doing they are zealous for Christ and his Gospel whereas the wrath of Man works not the righteousness of God Jam. 1. 20 26. and ch 3. 13 16 17. Now of these few names in Sardis it is here said by way of commendation of them they had not defiled their garments in either consideration unto them Christ did not herein impute iniquity Ps 33. 1 2. Now then from this commendable account our Saviour giveth of these few Persons in Sardis we may observe for our instruction 1. That in times of defection when many or most in the Church of Christ become degenerate as Jer. 2. 21. it is oft-times found that all are not polluted but some keep themselves pure and continue unspotted so it was here in this fair-fac't Church So when all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth and the earth was corrupt before God and the Sons of God too generally transgrest yet Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord him God saw righteous before him in that generation Gen. 6 and ch 7. 1. so when the Men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly there was a just Lot among them Gen. 18. 2 Pet. 2. 5 8. and in Ahab's days when the Prophet thought he was left alone yet the Lord saith I have left me seven thousand in Israel all the knees which have not bowed to Baal and every moâ—th which had not kissed him 1 King 19. 14 18. So when the Lord greatly complains of his people and saith I have nourished and brought up Children and they have rebelled against me yet then the Prophet saith Except the Lord of hosts had left unto â—s a very small remnant we should have been as Sodom and we should have been like to Gomorrah Isay 1. 2 9. And when the natural branches were generally cut off yet there was a remnant of upright ones a Remnant according to the election or out-chusing of grace Rom. 11. 1 4 6. Rev. 2. 24. and ch 18. 4. Vse 1. This shews one reason why the rest who have polluted themselves and defiled their garments are not presently consumed Rom. 9. 29. Thus saith the Lord As the new wine is found in the cluster and one saith Destroy it not for a blessing is in it So will I do for my Servants sake that I may not destroy them all Isay 65. 7 8. had there â—een but ten righteous Men in Sodom he would not have destroyed it for the tens sake And though there were not yet upon Lot's making intercession for Zoar it was not overthrown with the other cities Gen. 18. 32. and 19. 19 20. so here I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee But as some read thou hast a few names even in Sardis c. and therefore he would not so suddenly hasten the destruction thereof 2. These few may judge the rest as it is said The Righteous Men they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses Ezek. 23. 45 These shall shew their causeless departure from or forgetfulness of Christ and his things For even at the same time and under the same means some were undefiled in the way when others turned aside out of it 2. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis c. hence we may note that in times of defection and Apostacy usually the greatest part are corrupted and turned aside by Satan A little leaven leavens the whole lump 1 Cor. 5. 8. By the springing up of one root of bitterness oft-times many are defiled Heb. 12. 15 17. Men are too forward and ready to follow the bad examples of others especially when their leaders go astray and wander out of the way of understanding Oh how much hurt do they do to the flock O my people saith the Lord they which lead thee or call thee blessed cause thee to erre and destroy the way of thy paths Isay 3. 12. and ch 9. 16. when they depart out of the way they cause many to stumble at the law Mal. 2. 6 8 9. when Prophet and priest are profane then they cause others to err and from them profaneness goes forth into all the land Jer. 23. 9 10 11 13 14 15. Vse 1. Needful it is therefore for such to be clean who bear the vessels of the Lord Isay 52. 11. and to be examples of the believers in word in conversation in charity in spirit in purity 1 Tim. 4. 12. In all things to shew themselves patterns of good works Tit. 2. 7 8. 1 Pet. 5. 1 3 4. 2. It is good and needful for us therefore to receive that instruction to be followers of our leaders and of one another as they or others are of Christ Jesus 1 Cor. 11. 1. so to imitate others as we may be followers of them and of the Lord also 1 Thes 1. 6 8. and no otherwise And not to hearken to the words or bad examples of any which tend to make us vain and to corrupt us from the simplicity which is in Christ Jesus Jer. 23. 16. Prov. 6. 12 13. nor to follow a multitude to do evil Exod. 23. 2. But be followers of God as dear Children Eph. 5. 1 and if the leaders grow evil or negligent to say to them Take heed to the ministry which ye have received in the Lord that ye fulfil it Col. 4. 17. and by all means have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them Eph. 5. 11. 16. 3. We may further observe from hence in that our Lord takes such notice of these few in Sardis which had not defiled their garments and speaks so graciously concerning them That though the upright ones in his Churches and amongst his people be never so few yet he hath a
gracious regard to them and will favour them with the favour of his people and visit them with his Salvation and discriminate them from such as wander out of the way of understanding though they be but one of a city and two of a family yet he will take notice of and take them c. Jer. 3. 14. so when he purposed the destruction of Jerusalem yet he commands a mark to be set on the foreheads of them that did sigh cry for all the abominations that were done in the midst thereof Ezek. 9. 2 5. Rev. 7. 1 3. Though he sift his profest people among all nations like as corn is sifted in a sieve yet shall not the least grain not the weakest upright one fall on the earth when all the sinners of his people shall dye by the Sword Amos. 9. 9 10. he will not cast away or correct in hot displeasure any that are upright when he comes to plead with the same Church or people Though he will not exempt them from suffering persecution for the Gospel's sake yet he will take special notice of them Deut. 4. 4. yea though they are never so few of one Noah and Lot Gen. 7. 1. 2 Pet. 2. 5 8. of a Caleb and Joshua when he is provoked to anger by all the residue of his people Numb 14. 24 30 38. and ch 32. 11 12. Though there be but a few gleaning grapes left as the shaking of an olive tree two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough four or five in the outmost fruitful branches therereof yet he will not destroy or lose them but have a gracious respect to them Isay 17. 6. and ch 24. 7 14. 1. This may therefore provoke us to give diligent heed to keep our garments unspotted and to be stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the works of the Lord as knowing our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15. 58. to seek the Lord to seek righteousness and â—eekness that we may be hid in the day of the Lord's anger Zeph. 2. 3. To watch and pray always that we may be accounted worthy to escape all those things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man Luke 21. 36. 2. It may preserve such from and strengthen them against their fears As the Lord saith Fear not thou worm Jacob and ye few Men of Israel I will help thee c. Isay 41. 14. Jer. 39. 19 18. they might think being so few that they should not be respected or taken notice of by Jesus Christ but that he would deal with them as with the rest But as Abraham saith That be far from thee to do after this manner to slay the righteous with the wicked and that the righteous should be as the wicked that be far from thee shall not the Judge of all the earth do â—ight Gen. 18. 32 25 32 when he is wroth with and threatens destruction upon the sinners of his people yet then he takes care of those that are upright-hearted amongst them and gives this charge say ye to the righteous it shall be well with him though he be but one Isay 3. 10. when sudden destruction comes upon others then that day shall not overtake them as a thief 1 Theâ— 5. 3 5. as here If thou shalt not watch I will come on theâ— as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee But thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments and with them I will deal otherwise 3. We may here see that the seven spirits of God are upon Jesus Christ and that thereby he is full of knowledge and quick of understanding The others had a name that they lived and might so think of themselves But he saith of the generality thou arâ— dead and here thou hast a few names c. Heb. 4. 11 13. Rev. 2. 23 24. The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good Prov. 15. 3. he perfectly knows both the one and the other and looks not on the outward appearance as Men do But he seeth the heart 1 Sam. 16. 7. Prov. 17. 3. and ch 21. 2. 2. We have next to consider the assurance of the happiness of these â—ew persons or a gracious promise concerning them They shall walk with me in white and so should not the rest in case they continued and persisted in that evil condition they were in This here assured and promised includes and contains the blessedness of the life to come especially though it may take in also that enjoyable in this life in some measure Now herein is intimated to us 1. That these few persons were at one with Christ there was an agreement between Christ and them and they were such as were well-pleasing in his sight this is signified to us in that it is here said they shall walk with me for how can two walk together except they be agreed Amos 3. 4. So in one place it is twice said Enoch walked with God Gen. 22. 24. In another he pleased God Heb. 11. 5. 2. In that it is here said and assured they shall walk with me in white even with Christ so we may learn that Christ is in white garments To which after 3. Expresly herein Christ promiseth they shall walk with me in white that may mean they shall abide with Christ in white as what is read in one place He that followeth Christ shall not walk in darkness is in another whosoever believes on him should not abide in darkness Compare Joh. 8. 12. with ch 12. 46. 1 Joh. 2. 10 11. And so the blessedness assured to these few upright ones is suitable to their vertuous demeanour they had walked in the light which is said to be white as opposed unto black ways or ways of darkness Mat. 17. 2. with Prov. 2. 13. and they shall walk in white saith Christ that shall be their reward See Ps 11. 1 2 3. And particularly we may say in that he saith they shall walk with me in white 1. They shall be and be arrayed as Priests 2 Chron. 5. 13. they being clothed upon with the righteousness of Christ and the fruits thereof shall now be Priests unto God and Christ 1 Pet. 2. 4 9. Yea though they are of the Gentiles yet he will also take of them for Priests and for Levites who have come unto and walked in Christ and have not gone astray when their Brethren went astray Isay 66. 10 20 21. Ezek. 44. 15 19. And hereafter they shall be so when they are removed out of the land of the living in Spirit Rev. 5. 9 10. and ch 6. 11. and gloriously in Soul and Body in the first Resurrection Rev. 20. 4 6. 2. In white that is in Holy Garments Rev. 19. 11. Lev. 16. 4. He will â—anctifie them thorowout in their whole Spirit Soul and Body 1 Thes 5. 23. Joh. 17. 19. and hereafter compleatly
make us set light by any present confession of the great ones of this World and preserve us from seeking after their approbation Rom. 2. 7. Mal. 3. 16 18. 1 Joh. 3. 1 3. and strengthen us to endure patiently whatever we may suffer for Christs sake and the Gospels To set our faces like a flint as knowing if we partake of the afflictions of the Gospel now and though our names be cast out as evil for the Son of Man's sake and we be made the filth of all things yet if we lose our lives for his sake we shall find them hereafter For the Son of Man shall come in the Glory of his Father with his Angels And then he will reward every Man according to his works Mat. 16. 25 27. and how might it engage us to mortify our members which are upon the earth Col. 3. 4 5. and to resist unto blood striving against sin Heb. 12. 4. 2 Tim. 2. â—1 Verse 6. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches see the notes before on Chap. 2 Verse 7. Verse 7. And unto the Angel of the Church in Philadelphia write These things saith he that is holy he that is true he that hath the keys of David he that openeth and no Man shutteth and shutteth and no Man openeth After the commandment and direction given to John to write and unto whom see the notes before on ch 2. v. 1. Our Lord describes himself 1. By what he is These things saith he that is holy he that is true 2. By what he hath He that hath the key of David 3. By what he doth He that openeth and no Man shutteth and shutteth and no Man openeth 1. By what he is These things saith he that is holy he that is true And so 1. The holy one or He that is holy that is to say 1. He that is pure from all and all manner of uncleanness and pollution so holy is opposed to filthy Rev. 22. 11. and holiness is opposed to all filthiness of the flesh and Spirit to all uncleanness 2 Cor. 7. 1. 1 Thes 4. 7. So he was and is holy he was holy and clean in taking our nature upon him of which he partook by a wonderful work of new creation The Holy Ghost came upon the virgin and the power of the highest did over-shadow her therefore that holy thing that was born of her is called the Son of God Luke 1. 35. he was God's holy Child Acts 4. 27. Though he was born in the likeness of sinful flesh yet he knew no sin Rom. 8. 4. with 2 Cor. 5. 21. and he was holy in all his conversation in the World He did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth when he was reviled he reviled not again c. he loved righteousness and hated iniquity 1 Pet. 2. 19 22. Heb. 1. 9. he always did those things that pleased his Father Joh. 8. 29. 2. The holy one God's holy Child Jesus whom he anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power Acts 4. 27. with ch 10. 38. and who is consecrated unto God from common and profane uses God hath set apart for himself and for peculiar use and service this most excellent one that is holy Ps 4. 3. so holy and profane or common are opposed Ezek. 22. 26. and ch 44. 23. Heb. 10. 29. so he was chosen from among the people and set apart by his Father Ps 89. 19. And that 1. To work redemption for us and that by bearing our sins in his own body on the tree and suffering and dying for them which he hath done and he only none in Heaven or earth was able to do this work for us but himself and there was none else appointed to it but this was God's holy one who died for our sins according to the scriptures and rose again the third day according to the scriptures Ps 16. 10. Acts 4 27. and ch 3. 14. 2. To open our eyes the eyes of our understanding and to turn us from darkness to light c. To which end God hath anointed him with his holy Oyl Ps 89. 20. even with his holy Spirit Acts 10. 38. As he saith Behold my Servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my Soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles and again I will give thee for a covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles to open the blind eyes to bring forth the prisoners c. Isay 42. 1 16 8. Luke 3. 22. Acts 2. 23. The Spirit of the Lord was upon him because the Lord anointed him to preach the Gospel to the poor to heal the broken-hearted to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind c. Luke 4. 18. and to be the giveâ— of wisdome to the wise To be the Apostle of the believers profession to declare at first and continually unto them Gods name that the love wherewith he hath loved them may be in them c. Joh. 17. 26. Heb. 3. 1. 3. The holy one the High-priest The word of the oath which was since the law made the Son High-priest who is consecrated for evermore Heb. 7. 28. he hath offered up an acceptable sacrifice for us and now makes intercession for transgressours and everlives to make intercession for them that come to God by him Isay 53. 12. Heb. 7. 25. To take away the iniquities of their holy things and mediate the new Testament for them that the called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance Exod. 28. 38. with 1 Pet. 2. 5. Heb. 9. 14 15. such an High priest became us who is holy harmeless undefiled separate from sinners and made higher than the Heavens c. Heb. 7. 25 26 28. 3. He that is Holy to wit in his work to sanctify and holify others As it is said sanctify your selves therefore and be ye holy for I am the Lord your God I am the Lord which sanctify you Lev. 20. 7 8. Indeed he doth Baptize them with the holy Spirit which are not eventually Baptized Mat. 3. 11 13. But especially he sanctifies himself for the sakes of believers that they also may be sanctified thorow the truth Joh. 17. 17 19. he gave himself for his Church that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Eph. 5. 25 27. see more about the word holy in the notes on ch 4. v. 8. 2. He that is true that is the true and Faithful witness and that 1. In his cross and sufferings by way of propitiation He is the true witness of the love of the Father and of himself Joh. 3. 16 17. Rom. 5. 6 8. 1 Joh. 3. 16. and ch 4. 8 10. Mat. 12. 39. and of God's faithfulness in performing
and ch 22. 15. Mat. 7. 22 24. Eph. 5. 3 5 6. Col. 3. 5 6. Gal. 5. 20 21. 1 Cor. 6 9 11. Vse 1. Seeing he shutteth It shews unto us that the door into the Tabernacle of David was opened for and open to all as is intimated before in that it is first said he openeth a door cannot be shut against them for whom it was never opened But he hath made a way for all to come to himself Wisdom haâ—h builded her house she hath â—ewâ— out her seven pillars she hath killed her killing she hath mingled her wine she hath also furnished her table she hath sent forth her maidens she crieth upon the â—ighest places of the city whoso is simple let him turn in hither c. Prov. 9. 1 4 5. God our Saviour would have all Men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 2. 4 5. but to this we have said somewhat before 2. In that he saith he shutteth not hath shut from eternity So he signifieth to us that he hath not so tied his hands before Men were born but that now if Men come not while the door is open he shutteth in the present day wo to him that striveth with his maker Let the Potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it what makest thou or thy work he hath no hands Isay 45. 9. The door is indeed open now in this day and held open until he rises up out of his place of mercy for such as at last provoke him thorow their wickedness to rise up and shut it Isay 26. 21. Luke 13. 25. Mens states were not fixed in a personal consideration before they were born nor are they so while they are joyned to all the living Joh. 5. 23 24. Eccles 9. 4. But they that live may thorow the grace of God which bringeth Salvation to all Men live to him that died for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. and this is God's will concerning them for he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9 15. 3. In that he saith he shutteth and no man openeth so it shews unto us that the Man of sin cannot open when he shutteth nor remit their sins whom he retains in Heaven he cannot remit his own sins and therefore not the sins of others none can deliver out of Christ's hands none can open when he or where he shuts Job 12. 14. they who have any authority have it from him they have their keys under and from him and not against him Mat. 16. 19. and therefore let us not have idolatrous esteems of Men Prov. 29. 25. 4. Let the consideration hereof now move and prevail with us to strive to enter in at the strait gate for when once the Master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the door none can open Luke 13. 24 28. Let us labour therefore to enter into his rest lest any Man â—all after the same example of unbelief Heb. 4. 11. Oh let us now receive his grace to purpose for now is the accepted time now is the day of Salvation that we may be born of water and the Spirit and so may enter into the Kingdom of God 2 Cor. 6 1 2. Isay 55. 6 7. Eccl. 12. 1 5. and 9. 10. Joh. 3. 5 7. and content not our selves that we are in the outward court but let us so receive his grace that we may be of and abide in the true sanctuary Mat. 8. 11 12. Verse 8. I know thy works Behold I have set before thee an open door and no Man can shut it for thou hast a little strength and hast kept my word and hast not denied my name After he had given a description of himselfe in Verse 7. He now addeth this concerning this Angel and Church In which we have 1. An account of his knowledge concerning them I know thy works 2. His gracious use of the key as with respect to them which he calls on them to behold Behold I have set before thee an open door and no Man can shut it 3. The reason thereof For tâ—ou hast a little strength and hast kept my word and hast not denied my name 1. An account of his knowledge concerning them I know thy works see the notes before on ch 2. v. 2. and v. 9. and v. 19. Only here we may adde that considering how he commends this Church and blames them for nothing so when he saith I know thy works it may enclude also that he did own and aprove them Though in describing himself v. 7. he saith these things saith he that is holy yet here I know thy works he knows the works of them with a knowledge of approbation though he be holy and none holy as he whose hearts are upright with him This might be a discouragement to us and make us say as they did who is able to stand before this holy Lord God 1 Sam. 6. 20. Or as the Prophet I say when the Cherubims cried one to another Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of hosts Then said he wo is me for I am undone Because I am a Man of unclean lips c. Isay 6. 1 3 5. But now to the end we might not be discouraged or â—aint in our sighing he who is holy here faith I know thy works he himself is made unto the hearty believers holiness 1 Cor. 1. 30. with Exod. 28. 36 38. and he takes away their iniquities Isay 6. 5 7. and the iniquity of their works who come unto God by him and walk in the light as he is in the light Eph. 2. 10 1 Pet. 2. 5. Heb. 7. 25. 1 Joh. 1. 6. and he doth present them in the body of his flesh thorow death holy unblameable and unrebukeable in his sight who continue in the â—aith grounded and setled and are not moved from the hope of the Gospel Col. 1. 22 23. he is sanctifying and clâ—ansing them with the washing of Water in the word Eph. 5. 25 27. So that this needs be no encouragment that he is Holy for though he be so though his name be holy and he dwells yet in the high and holy place yet with him also that is of a contrite and humble Spirit to revive the Spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones Isay 57. 15. 2. His gracious use of the key as with respect to them which he calls on them to behold Behold I have set before thee an open door and no Man can shut it We have in the former verse spoken to the door and his opening it in several particulars and here only we adde that which is not spoken unto viz. I have set before thee an open door an open door wide open to do good to others to propagâ—â—â— and found forth the Gospel a door of utterance liberty and opportunity to publish and preach the glad-tidings
he doth not despise the day of small things Zech. 4. 10. Behold he is great and despiseth not any he is mighty in strength and wisdom Job 36. 5. he shall feed his flock like a shepherd he shall gather his lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosome Isay 40. 11. Abruised reed shall he not break and the smoaking flax shall he not quench he shall bring forth judgment unto truth Isay 42. 3 4. he saith strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees say to them that are of a fearful heart be strong fear not Isay 35. and charges Peter first of all as he loved him to feed his Lambs before he saith feed my sheep Joh. 21. 15 17. and by his Spirit exhorts the believers to comfort the feeble-minded and support the weak which the strong ought to do 1 Thes 5. 14. Rom. 15. 1. of such as have but little strength he takes notice and speaketh comfortably to them their hearts being upright before him and is most tender of and compassionate towards them What a Comfort is this for poor weak and infirm ones and how may it strengthen them to hold on their way that they may be stronger and stronger and to grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Joh. 17. 9. Psal 84. 4 5 7. And thou hast kept my word and hast not denied my name See notes on chap. 2. v. 13. and v. 25. And on chap. 3. v. 11. Only here we shall note 1. That those who have but a little strength may keep his word in their hearts and so also they shall be fitted to their Lips So did this Angel and Church of whom our Lord saith Thou hast a little strength he affirms the same by way of commendation of those weak ones which he doth of his Apostles in his Address to his Father concerning whom he saith They have kept thy Word Joh. 17. 6. We may keep his Word and shall do so if we let it abide in us 1 Joh. 2. 24. Col. 3. 16. And indeed the Gospel of Christ is the power of God the Power and Arm of God is put forth in it to enable weak ones to keep it and hold it fast in despight of the Devil and his Instruments 1 Joh. 2. 12 14 24. Rom. 1. 16. Therethorow he gives gives power to the faint and to them that have no might he increaseth strength when the Youths faint and be weary and the young men utterly fall they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength Isay 40. 29 31. If they have but what they have if they do but receive it and retain it to purpose and have it in usefulness he will not be wanting to them To him that hath shall be given and he shall have more abundantly Mat. 13. 13. As our Saviour said to the Apostles when they said unto him Increase our Faith the Lord saith If ye had Faith as a Grain of Mustard seed ye might say to this Sycamine-tree be thou plucked up by the Root and be thou planted in the Sea and it should obey you As if he should say if ye had but what ye have though it were never so little ye should remove impediments and do excellent things Luke 17. 5 6. The weak might then say I am strong Joel 3. 10. 2. In that he saith Thou hast kept my word and hast not denied my name So he gives us to understand that they were indeed lovers of him For saith our Saviour He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him And again If any Man love me he will keep my word c. Joh. 14. 21 23. Whoso keepeth his word in him verily is the love of God perfected Hereby know we that we are in him saith 1 Joh. 2. 3 5. Joh. 15. 9 10. Men may pretend love to Jesus Christ but it is but in word and in tongue unless his word be held fast in the midst of our hearts and mouths 2 Joh. 9. Joh. 14. 24. And we have here conjoyned an affirmation and denial thou hast kept and hast not denied to denotâ— their greater integrity and uprightness herein and the wâ—â—ghtiness hereof as also ch 2. v. 13. Joh. 1. 20. 3. To such as these he will set and keep an open Door while he hath work for them to do that the word of the Lord may have free course and how little strength soever they have they shall go in and out and find pasture he will set the Door not a little but wide open and that he can do though they meet with persecution and though they should be in Prison and under restraint He can cause that to happen rather to the furtherance of the Gospel as Phil. 1 12 14. Vnto everyone that hath shall be given and he shall have abundance Mat. 25. 29. When a Man's ways please the Lord he will make his Enemies to be at Peace with him Prov. 16. 7. Verse 9. Behold I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan which say they are Jews and are not but do lye Behold I will make them to come and worship before thy Feet and to know that I have loved thee In this Verse our Lord assures this Angel and Church that in due season he will make their Enemies to bow down themselves to them and to know and acknowledge what now they will not Wherein consider we 1. The Persons concerning whom ke speaks who are described 1. By our Saviour them of the Synagogue of Satan 2. By the Title they took to themselves though falsly which say they are Jews and are not but do lye 2. What he assures concerning them and that in two particulars that is to say 1. I will make them I will make them come and worship before thy Feet 2. And I will make them I will make them know that I have loved thee 3. The note of Attention doubled Behold Behold 1. The persons concerning whom he speaks who are described 1. By our Saviour them of the Synagogue of Satan where Christ hath his Church too oft the Devil hath his Synagogue See notes on ch 2. v. 9. Our Lord may here and ch 2. 9. call them the Synagogue of Satan 1. Because they were gathered together not by Christ but by Satan Isay 54. 15. And by such things as the God of this World commendeth corruptible earthly worldly things such as name praise repute to establish a righteousness of their own Mat. 6. 2 18. Isay 65. 2 4. Or the riches and honour of this World they did mind earthly things as Phil. 3. 17 19. They were a distinct company from the Church of Christ in Philadelphia and might be like them in former times who said stand by thy self come not near me for I am holier than thou Isay 65. 4 5. Luke 18. Such as did separate themselves from
shall be put upon the victors and conquerors as the name of the Husband is upon the wife and so as his name shall be called the Lord our righteousness so this is the name wherewith she the Church shall be called the Lord our righteousness compare Jer. 23. 6. with ch 33. 16. Rev. 19. 7 8. Or as the Lord saith thou shalt be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord shall name thou shalt no more be termed forsaken neither shall thy land any more be termed desolate But thou shalt be called Hepzi-bah that is my delight is in her and thy land Beulah that is married for the Lord delighteth in thee and thy land shall be married Isay 62. 2 4. A name better then of Sons and Daughters Isay 56. 15 16. all this will he write upon them that overcome who hath the writers inkhorn by his side spoken of Ezek. 9. 2 4 11. and this honour shall all his Saints have Hallelujah Ps 149. see the notes before on ch 2. v. 17. Verse 14. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches see the notes before on ch 2. v. 7. Verse 13. And unto the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write see the notes before on ch 2. v. 1. These things saith the Amen the faithful and true witness the begininng of the creation of God We have from the beginning of this verse to the latter end of the eighteenth verse spoken in a Treatise called Needful Counsel and therefore might forbear to speak anything hereto But because these notes may be some-what uniform possibly some may read or hear these that have not that or a time or heart to do it therefore I shall more briefly write over again somewhat of that which is fore-printed in that book These things saith the Amen Thus our Lord begins to describe himself to this Angel and Church he is the Amen to wit he in whom all the promises of God are yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. ratified confirmed and sealed even by his precious blood which is the blood of the new Testament and everlasting covenant Mat. 26. 28. Heb. 10. 29. and ch 13. 20. Those great and precious promises ministred in the Gospel which pertain to life and godliness yea in which are contained and given all things for this life and that to come are not only assured by the word of God and confirmed by his oath which yet are two immutable things in which it is impossible for God to lye and therefore might quicken and encourage lukewarme ones to flee for refuge to lay hold on that hope set before them But also they are actually made firm by the blood of the Testator who is also in the vertue thereof raised and as the fore-runner entred into Heaven and is the mediatour of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions uâ—deâ— the first Testament they which are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance he mediateth and makes intercession for the taking away the iniquities of those that come unto God by him and that the contents of that â—ovenant may be dispenced to them according to their needs and capacities God hath promised and Christ hath actually said and is the Amen to them Rev. 1. 18. Heb. 8. 6. and 9. 15. It may seem in that Jesus Christ doth first describe himself by this title of the Amen that these lukewarme ones did not keep in believing remembrance the promises and the firmeness and immutability of them and certainty of their performance according to the tenour of them being ratified by such precious blood and ascertained by such a faithful and true witness and therefore they grew sluggish remiss and indifferent and there was great abatement of their former â—ervency either fearing they should be left in sufferings or not provided for or dispenced unto according to their wants and therefore to recover them he telleth them his name is the Amen The consideration hereof is powerful to stir up to diligence and to recover us from our decays to cause us that we shall not be slothful but diligent followers of them who thorow faith and patience inherit the promises Heb. 6. 10 20. To strengthen us to hold fast the profession of our Faith without wavering and â—o consider one another to provoke to love and good works not forsaking the assembling of our selves together Heb. 10. 22 25. To engage us to come out from among Men and to be separate and not to touch the unclean thing But to cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and Spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 6. 16 18. and 7. 1. If these exceeding great and precious promises given to the Apostles to minister and ministred by them in and with the glorious Gospel be in us received and entertained by us and abound if they be suffered to dwell richly in us and to have their perfect work so as we limit them not nor hold them in unrighteousness they make us that we shall not be idle or â—nfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they will provoke us to flee from and escape the corruption that is in the World thorow lust and besides giving all diligence thereto they will enable and stir us up to add to our Faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness Brotherly kindness and to brotherly-kindness charity To these things will these precious promises confirmed by such precious blood enliven and quicken us if they be suffered to dwell richly in us For hereby we shall be made partakers of the divine nature 2 Pet. 1. 4 9. Oh exercise we our selves to godliness to Christ who is the root and foundation of godliness for it is profitable to all things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4. 8. with ch 3. 16. How effectual were the promises with the partriaâ—chs in former times when they were not so confirmed as now to make them forsake their country kindred and Fathers house To confess themselves strangers and pilgrims on earth c. These believed caused Abraham the Father of the faithful not to consider his own body now dead neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb But was strong in Faith giving glory to God and being fully perswaded that what God had promised he was able to perform and therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him but for us also to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him who hath performed the promise made to the Fathers in raising Christ from the dead who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification Gen. 12. 1 3. Heb. 11. 13 16. Rom. 4. 16 25. with Acts 13.
2. 5. By this voice he first knocks at their hearts and puts to their remembrance what they have heard and let slip who have wandred out of the way of understanding 1 Cor. 15. 1 3. Gal. 4. 13 17. and at the doors of the hearts of men generally as they come to the use of understanding Prov. 8. 1 4 6. 2. And the voice of his Rod and Judgements either threatned or in some measure executed also the voice of trembling of fear and not of peace Jer. 30. 5. Mica 6. 9. Of which the Prophet speaks saying When I heard my Belly trembled my Lips quivered at the voice rottenness entred into my bones c. Hab. 3. 2 16. And again The great day of the Lord is near it is near and hasteth greatly the voice of the day of the Lord the mighty Man shall cry there bitterly Zeph. 1. 14 18. Jer. 4. 15. with which voice he was speaking to this and other faulty Churches Rev. 2. 5. and ch 3. 3 15 16 19. And both the voice of his word and rod is as the sound of many waters See notes on Rev. 1. v. 15. The Act requisite about this object is to hear this his voice as it 's here said If any Man hear my voice To wit that which is here called for is attentively to hear and to hear with understanding his voice See notes on ch 1. v. 3. Now herein is signified to us 1. In that he saith If any Man â—ear that he in due time sends forth his voice to men as before is said and to them also that forsake him that they might hear even to such as have sold themselves for their iniquities and who are put away for their transgressions he calleth and proclaims his goodness and graciousness to them and so knocks at their hearts that they might give entertainment to him Jer. 3. 1 5 8 12. Isay 50. 1 2. And this shews his great lothness and unwillingness with the destruction of them 2. When he sends forth his voice to them he expects from them that they incline their Ear thereto and hear what he is speaking to them Hence he saith Hear for I will speak of excellent things and the opening of my lips shall be right things Prov. 8. 4 6. Hearken diligently unto me Encline your Ear and come unto me hear and your Souls shall live Isay 55. 1 3. Mat. 12. 50. All ye Inhabitants of the World and dwellers upon the Earth when he blows a Trumpet hear ye Isay 18. 3. Wherefore my beloved Brethren saith the Apostle let every man be swift to hear Jam. 1. 18. Luke 8. 21. 3. It is here supposed and signified to us that it is possible men may not hear when his voice is to them in that it is said if any man hear Yea it is too too frequently found that they to whom he speaks â—o turn a deaf Ear unto him as is signified to us in what he speaks of his people in former times This thing commanded I them saying obey my voice c. But they hearkened not nor enclined their Ear. I sent unto you all my Servants the Prophets daily rising up early and sending them yet they hearkened not unto me nor enclined their Ear but hardened their Neck Jer. 7. 23 16. He may cry and call even lift up his voice unto them and yet they may and too many do stop their Ears and refuse to hearken to him Ps 81. 8 11. Zech. 7. 11 13. Heb. 3. 7 15. Ps 58. 5. And in their thus stopping their Ear they add Rebellion to their Sin Jer. 5. 21 23. Ezek. 12. 2 3. and greatly provoke him to anger and to testifie his dislike of and displeasure with them Mat. 13. 12 13 14 15. 4. It is also supposed that any man may hear his voice in due time for he both speaks unto them and his word is with power Luke 4. 32. Mica 2. 7. His voice is a mighty voice as the sound of many waters Rev. 1. 15. The voice of the Lord is powerful The voice of the Lord is full of Majesty Ps 29. And herewith he opens Mens Ears to hear before he expects from them or requires of them that they hear As our Saviour saith The hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live Joh. 5. 25. Isay 42. 18 20. He prevents all as they come to years of capacity so as every man might hear his voice Jam. 1. 18 19. Job 33. 16. Though no man is necessitated thereto yet all are in due season capacitated thereto by Jesus Christ And therefore he thus here speaks and saith if any man hear my voice c. 2. The second thing requisite is and open the Door Namely of the heart as we have seen This is further required of and needful for any man that he may be made a partaker of the blessedness here propounded and spoken of Obj. But is it not Christs work to open this Door Is it not said of Lydia whose heart the Lord opened that she attended unto the things spoken Acts 16. 14. Answ Yes certainly it is his work firstly and preventingly his grace doth bring Salvation to all in due time Tit. 2. 11. But then he requires of us that we open unto him Phil. 2. 13 15. So it is his work to open the eyes Isay 42. 1 5. But then he saith to us Look unto me and be ye saved Isay 45. 22. The Lord hathmade the seeing Eye but yet he calls upon us Open thine Eyes and thou shalt be satisfied with Bread Prov. 20. 12 13. It is his work to unstop the Ear Isay 35. 5. The Lord hath made the hearing Ear Prov. 20. 12. But then it 's required of us that we encline our Ear and come unto him Isay 55. 1 3. And indeed so much is signified in the Scripture objected that though he prevents with power yet somewhat is then required of and expected from us for thus it should be read whose heart the Lord opened to attend c. Acts 16. 14. Now here we may note comparing these words with the former 1. That before he expects we should open the door he first signifies we should hear Hearing is the one thing and first thing needful to all that is required of us Luke 10. 39 42. To our believing How shall men believe in him of whom they have not heard Rom. 10. 14. Acts 15. 7. Joh. 5. 24. To our coming to Christ encline your Ear saith he and come unto me Isay 55. 1 3. Joh. 6. 45. To our receiving instruction hence he first saith hear and after receive my Instruction and not Silver Prov. 8. 6 8 10. Joh. 6. 45. To our loving the Lord our God with all our heart and soul and mind and strength and our neighbour as our selves Deut. 6. 4 5. 2. In that he adds this after the former so he instructs us that though hearing
a moment but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy upon thee For this is as the waters of Noah unto me for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go ever the earth so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee nor rebuke thee for the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed but my kindness shall not depart from thee neither shall my Covenant be removed saith the Lord. O thou afflicted tossed with tempest and not comforted behold I will lay thy stones with fair colours c. Isa 54. 6 10 17. 2. Consider we in the next place the sight likeness or similitude of this Bow In sight like unto an Emerald See Exod. 28. 18. Ezek. 27. 16. Rev. 21. 19. Which is a stone of an amiable goodly and gloriâ—ious green colour and such an one as the eye of man is delighted with and pleased to look on and yet never satisfied with looking as some say it being so wonderfully delightful As indeed all green things are grateful to the eye but this excelleth all other And so surely this betokeneth and signifieth to us the nature of this Covenant of which the Bow is the token That it is a Covenant of Peace as it is said Neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed saith the Lord Isa 54. 10. Ezek. 32. 25. and Chap. 37. 26. Grounded on the peace atonement and reconciliation which Christ the Saviour of the World hath made by the Blood of his Cross Col. 1. 20. And in which is contained all peace good blessing and prosperity and assured unto them whose feet are guided into and walking in the way of peace Psal 29. 11. A Covenant of Grace Rom. 4. 16. A Covenant of Mercy as it is said To perform the mercy promised and to remember his holy Covenant the Oath which he sware to our father Abraham c. Luk. 1. 72 74. Mercy is joined with it and annexed to iâ— Deut. 7. 9. Neâ— 9. 32. and Chap. 1. 5. Dan. 9. 4 c. It s original and the first motive for making it was Mercy that was the Alpha the Author of it Mercy is the sum and subject-matter of it and Mercy the Omega and end of it Neh. 9. 31 32. Isa 54. 8 10. It is a most gracious and pleasant Covenant of free forgiveness righteousness grace and blessing to every one that with the heart believeth that God hath raised Christ from the dead To him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted to him for righteousness Even as David describeth the blessedness of the man to whom the Lord imputeth righteousness without works Rom. 4. 4 5 6. This Covenant is propounded to men generally in the Gospel Hence when the Lord had been largely speaking of his Covenant in a cloudy day and concluding thus This is the beritage of the servants of the Lord and their rigâ—teousness is of me saith the Lord. He then makes this Proclamation Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money come ye buy without money and without price why do ye spend money for that which is not bread Hearken diligently unto me Encline your ear and come unto me hear and your soul shall live And I will make an everlasting Covenant with you the sure mercies of David Behold I have given him for a witness c. Isa 54. 6 17. and Chap. 55. 1 3 4 7 8. And this Covenant is made with and sure to all them that believe To Christ give all the Prophets witness that thorough his Name whosoever believeth in him shall receive the forgiveness of their sins and all things that pertain to life and godliness Act. 10. 43. and Chap. 13. 38 39. and Chap. 20. 32. 2 Pet. 1. 2 4. This is not such a Covenant as the old one was that said The man that doth these things shall live by them Rom. 10. 5. That was a fiery Law a dâ—eadful one to look on And so terrible was the sight that Moses said I exceedingly fear and quâ—ke As we know the sight of fire is very terrible formidable and hurtful to the eyes Deut. 33. 2. with Heb. 12. 18 21. But this is wonderfully delectable and amiable to the eye of the enlightened understanding Rom. 10. 6 9 10. It is like an Emerald in sight of a lovely glorious goodly green colour pleasant to behold and contemplate taking attracting and enamouring the eye of the soul of the diligent beholder of it Let this be considered by us 3. Mind we also where he saw this Rain-bow in sight like unto an Emerald and that is round about the Throne There it is and there it shall abide and the Covenant of which it is a token as it is said The Covenant of my peace shall not be removed saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee Isa 54. 10. Hence the Psalmist saith I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations For I have said Mercy shall be built up for ever thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very Heavens Psal 89. 1 2. and 100. 5. and 117. 1 2. His faithfulness is unto all generations Psal 119. 89 90. 89. 28. But what may we learn from the Bow 's being thus placed 1. It is round about the Throne to signifie that the token and memorial of his Covenant is so round about his Throne his Covenant of Mercy his gracious Covenant made with his Son for the good of men and in and thorough him with those who thorough grace believe That in all the administration of his government and execution of judgment he will be righteous and faithful in keeping and performing it It shall come to pass saith God when I make cloudy the cloud over the earth that the Bow shall be seen in the cloud and I will remember my Covenant And the Bow shall be in the cloud and I will look upon it that I may remember the everlasting Covenant c. Gen. 9. 14 16. And this is acknowledged to his praise He â—â—th remembred his Covenant for ever which he commanded to a thousand generations Psal 105. 8. 106. 44 45. He hath given meat to them that fear him He will ever be mindful of his Covenant He hath sent redemption to his people He hath commanded his Covenant for ever Psal 111. 5 9. This Covenant or the memorial of it is round about the Throne as it is said O Lord God of Hosts who is a strong Lord like unto thee or to thy faithfulness round about thee Psal 89. 8. So that whenever he opens his eyes to see or which way soever he looks he still beholds this Bow this is always before his eyes which run to and fro throughout the whole earth so as he will strongly hold with them whose heart is perfect towards him 2 Chron. 16. 9. And so he
eminently holy ones on earth are not Phil. 3. 12 15. 1 Cor. 4. 8. 2. Sitting is a resting-posture also and denotes their â—essation from their former works services and labours which occasioned weariness pain or grief to them so sitting is opposed to standing to minister c. where the Apostle saith Every priest standeth daily ministring and â—ffering oftentimes the same sacrifices which caâ— never take away sin but this man after â—e had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down c. Heb. 10. 11 12. Thus it is with these they are sitting and hereby it appears he speaks of the spirits of just men made perfect of the four living creatures it is said they rest not or they have no rest day or night and they have wings to flee to and fro for glorifying God which denotes their exercise and diligence see the notes after on ver 8. But these elders are sitting they rest from their labâ—urs and their works follow them as it 's said of the dead that dye in the Lord Rev. 14. 13. they have entred into peace and rest in their beds each one walking before him Isa 57. 2. they have entred into rest in their spirits and cease from their former works Heb. 4. 9. 10. while they were at home in the body they had plowing-work and sowing-work to do they did sow in tears they went forth weeping bearing precious seed Psal 126. 5 6. with 1 Cor. 4. 8 14. but now they are sitting and at rest as Zech. 1. 11. and this is another argument to evince and demonstrate to us that these elders are dead as to us 2. By their apparel clothed in white raiment or white garments What this white raiment is we have given some account before see the notes on chap. 3. ver 4 and 5. and ver 18. to wit the righteousness the everlasting righteousness which Christ hath brought in by his blood and the excellent fruits thereof all heavenly and divine vertues Dan. 9. 24. Phil. 1. 11. Christ is now gloriously become their robe and raiment Jer 23. 6. in the Lord they are justified and in him they glory Isa 45. 23 24. and they are perfectly conformed to Christ in their spirits Heb. 12. 23. there is no sin no spot no blemish in them Isâ— 57. 2. Indeed while they were here there were spots cleaving to them as in themselves considered for there is not a just man on the earth that doth gâ—od and sinneth not Eccles 7. 20. while here they were not perfect nor had attained Phil. 3. 12. 1 John 1. 7 9. and therefore they needed to suffer that word of exhortation To cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit as the Apostle Paul speaks including himself 2 Cor. 7. 1. Heb. 10. 22. Exod. 40. 30. with Psal 26. 8. and though now we are counselled to buy of Christ white raiment that we may have an interest therein Rev. 3. 18. yet here we have it not on in possession otherwise than by faith which is the evidence of things not seen Phil. 3. 8 9. Rom. 3. 22. But these elders are clothed in white raiment and so seen by the Apostle and so they are like the angels Mat. 28. 3. Acts 1. 10. Rev. 15. 6. and this white raiment is royal apparel Esth 8. 15. Isa 61. 10. a robe of judgment and government Dan. 7. 9. which shews to us that these elders have ruling-power And this white raiment is the apparel of those that are dead to us and therefore it is promised by our Lord Jesus to the victor to him that hath fought the good fight and finished his course and kept the faith and so died in the Lord He that overcometh saith Christ the same shall be cloathed in white raiment Rev. 3. 5. and so it is said of the souls of them that wâ—re slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held That white robes were given to every one of them Rev. 6. 9 11. and the like is affirmed of that innumerable multitude of all nations and kindreds c. which stood before the throne and before the Lamb they were clothed with white robes and these appear to be such as had finished their course and died in the â—aith because they have palâ—s in their hands in token of victory And it is further said of them Thâ—y have come out of great tribulation and have washed their robes in the blâ—â—d of the Lamb they shall hungeâ— no more neither thirst any more neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 9 14 17. And this is another argument to shew that these elders are such as are absent from the body and present with Christ 3. By the Ornament upon their heads And they â—â—d on their heads crowns of gold like Kings and Priests incorruptible crowns 1 Cor. 9. 25. for gold is the most incorruptible mettal and excellent glorious crowns full of lustre and majesty Psal 21. 1 3. And this shews that these Elders are Rulers and have some rule and judgment given to them And these Crowns are on their heads they are crowned with them and possessed of them The holy Ones on the Earth have a crown that is called theirs but not on their heads they may possibly lose it Hence such counsel and exhortation is given to them Hold that fast which thou hast that none takâ— thy crown See the Notes before on Chap. 3. Vers 11. But these Elders have been faithful unto the death and unto them is given the crown of life crowns of gold by him who sometimes wore a crown of thorns on his head Rev. 2. 10. with Joh. 19. 5. they have striven lawfully even unto blood and so are crowned 2 Tim. 2. 5. they have been tried and now in their spirits are possessed of the crown of life which God that cannot lye hath promised to them that love him Jam. 1. 12. They have finished their course and kept the faith and now in their spirits have the crown of righteousness 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. And this is another argument also to shew that these four and twenty elders are the spirits of just men made perfect even of the holy Prophets and Apostles who are our Rulers in and under the great Shepherd of the sheep the Lord Jesus Ver. 5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices And there was seven lamps of fire burning before the throne which are the seven spirits of God Here the Apostle gives unto us a further account 1. Of what proceeded out of the throne â—â—d out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thundrings and voices 2. Of what there was before the throne And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne which are the seven spirits of God 1. Of what proceeded out of the throne And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices By lightnings and
four living creatures spoken of in Ezekiel 1. 10. which also are called living creatures as we have said see the notes before on ver 6. of this chapter Indeed herein also there is dissimilitude between those and these Every one of those in Ezekiel had four faces but not so of these in this book But however there is an agreement between the faces of those and these 3. Or as some say They have these likenesses and are resembled to these four creatures to signifie their excellency above all others here below for a Lyon is the most excellent creature among the wild beasts Prov. 30. 30. The Ox or Bullock amongst tame beasts the king of them as some say Deut. 33. 17. whereto painful Ministers are compared Deut. 25. 4. with 1 Cor. 9. 9. 1 Tim. 5. 18. Prov. 14. 4. And the face of an Ox in one place is said to be the face of a Cherub in another Ezek. 1. 10. with chap. 10. 14. A man the most excellent of Gods Creation here below and made a little lower than the angels Psal 8. 4 5. and an Eagle the most excellent or king amongst fowls Job 39. 27 30. And though it may appear ridiculous to some that they have these four likenesses for this cause to shew their excellency above others because the face of a man is joined with the other three likenesses yet that may seem no more strange or ridiculous than that a King is joined and mentioned together with a Lyon Greyhound and He-goat Prov. 30. 29 31. And however this Church and Congregation of Christ these four living creatures are more excellent than any others upon the earth The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour Prov. 12. 26. The lover of God is the most excellent one Luke 1. 3. A man of understanding of which these living creatures are full ver 6. and ver 8. is of an excellent spirit Prov. 17. 27. These living creatures have the pre-eminence above all here whether persons or societies Psal 45. 9. Cant. 6. 9 10. 4. Or some suppose as Dr. H. that by these four likenesses here spoken of there is some representation of God toward the children of men given to us his slowness to the Ox his anger to the Lyon his swiftness to the Eagle his mercy and kindness to the man and so to instruct us that he is slow to anger and swift to show mercy or as it is said of him The Lord is gracious and merciful slow to anger and of great kindness and repents him of the evil Joel 2. 12 13. and as Jonah also acknowledgeth though he was angry I knew saith he that thou art a gracious God and merciful sâ—â—w to anger and of great kindness and repentest thee of the evil Jon. 4. 2. Exod. 34. 6 7. 5. To which we may also add That as the four Camps of Israel of old had the Ensigns of their fathers and bare their names Numb 2. 2. c. so these four likenesses of the living creatures may have respect to the Ensign of Christ their Father whose name is the everlasting Father Isa 9. 6. and whose seed they are the children which God hath given unto him Heb. 2. 13. with Isa 8. 18. and whose name they bear or have some resemblance and bear forth some representation of him Acts 9. 15. and chap. 15. 14. 1 Cor. 12. 12. and so like a lyon as Christ is called the lyon of the tribe of Judah Rev. 5. 5. A strong and mighty one that turneth not away for any Prov. 30. 30. Like to a calf as he is called the fatted calf Luke 15. 23 27. 30. Or ox or lamb as ox and lamb are put together Rev. 5. 6. Jer. 11. 19. to signifie he hath been slain or sacrificed for us Lev. 16. 6 11 27 The face of a man as Christ is called the Son of man Rev. 1. 13. and chap 14. 14. having partaken with us of flesh and blood and being made flesh and who is and hath manifested himself undeniably to be a friend to and lover of mankind Tit. 3. 4. And like to an Eagle to bear up his people Exod. 19. 4. and as the Eagle stirreth up her nest â—luttereth over her young spreadeth abroad her wings taketh them beareth them on her wings so the Lord alone doth bear his c. Deut. 32. 11 13 with Mâ—t. 23. 37. or also like to a flying Eagle hasting swiftly to help his people and deliver them from and destroy their enemies 6. Or they may have these likenesses with respect to four notable times succeeding one another or to four notable works in those successive times Rev. 6. 1 8. Ver. 8. And the four living creatures had each of them six wings about him and they were full of eyes within and they rest not or have no rest day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come In this verse we have a further account given of the four living creatures 1. By what each one of them had about him And the four living creatures had each of them six wings about him 2. By their in ward furniture And they were full of eyes within 3. By their incessant service for glorifying him that sits on the throne And they have no rest day and night saying Holy Holy Holy c. 1. By what each one of the living creatures had about him And the four living creatures had each of them six wings about him Where we may observe by the way That one living crâ—aâ—ure was not preferred really before another as to their situation and being placed they are all in the midst of the throne and round about the throne As to their eyes they are all of them full of eyes before and behind ver 6. As to their wings each one of the â—our living creatures had six wings about him And as to their in ward furniture service and doxology c. ver 8. one Church in one part or quarter of the world is not to command or bear rule over the rest of the Churches of Christ as Mystery Babylon would perswade us that she hath of right authority over all other Churches in the world Indeed she doth actually sit upon a scarlet-coloured Beast and reigns over the kings of the earth Rev. 17. 3 18. but this is her evil and great iniquity and she assumes and arrogates to her self such power as was never given her of Christ as it is said of the Man of sin He opposeth and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he as God sits in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God 2 Thes 2. 3 8. But this is his wicked usurpation for he only who is the first-born from the dead is the head of the body the Church Col. 1. 18. and chap. 2. 19. Eph. 4. 15 16. They had each of them six wings surely here is allusion to that vision of Isaiah 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
holy holy Holy they first of all acknowledg and confess him to be that is to say One that is infinitely pure in himself and of purer eyes than to behold sin with approbation as the Prophet signifies saying Art thou not from everlasting O Lord my God mine holy One Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil and canst not look on iniquity Hab. 1. 12 13. there is none holy as the Lord 1 Sam. 2. 2. Joâ— 4. 16 19. 1 Sam. 6. 20. he is holy essentially his essence is holiness Hence whereas it is said in one place The Lord God hath sworn by his holiness It is thus said in another The Lord God hath sworn by himself Compare Amos 4. 2. with chap. 6. 8. He is not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness neither shall evil dwell with him Psal 5. 4 6. Let no man then say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth he any man Jam. 1. 13 17. he loveth righteousness and hateth iniquity sin is most abominable and hateful to his infinitely pure nature Jer. 44. 4. he will do no iniquity himself Zeph. 3. 5. Job 34. 17 19. nor can he like or approve it in others and he hath most clearly and comfortably manifested his infinite purity and holiness and hatred of and severity against sin in the cross of Christ in that he took such vengeance on it in his Son who was such a glorious and excellent one he caused his sword to awake against the man his fellow Zech. 13. 7. and who was so neerly related to him his only begotten Son He spared not his own his proper son but delivered him up for us all Rom. 8. 3 32. and who was also a most innocent one a lamb without blemish and without spot 1 Pet. 1. 19. one that knew no sin that did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth and yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he put him to grief when but the guilt of our sins was imputed to him and this proceedeth from his holiness as is signâ—fied in Christs expostulation with his father My God my God saith he why hast thou forsaken me why art thou so far from helping me and from the words of my râ—aring O my God I cry in the day-time but thou hearest not and in the night-season and am not silent But thou art holy one of such pure eyes that thou canst not behold iniqâ—ity and such an hater of it that thou must punish it where-ever thou findest it O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel Psal 22. 1 2 3. Rom. 8. â— Isa 61. 1 2. Exod. 34. 7. 1. Then this shews unto us the great and dangerous error and evil of them that say God is the Author of sin and moves and enclines men thereunto when-as indeed sin proceeds not from him mens evils are none of his doings but whosoever committeth sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinneth from the beginning but for this purpose was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil such as do not righteousness nor love their brethren are not therein of God buâ— the children of their father the Devil Mica 2. 7. John 8. 44. 1 John 3. 8 10. little are they acquainted with the cross of Christ who reason with such unprofitable and wicked talk and monstrously are they mistaken of the holy One of Israel who attribute that to God which is the work of the Devil 2. That he is holy and none holy as the Lord this shews to us the reason why the living creatures cover their faces with two of their wings viz. because of his infinite purity and holiness before whom the Heavens are not pure the stars not clean and who chargeth his Angels with folly Job 15. 16. and chap. 25. 4 6. and chap. 4. 17 18. Hence even the Seraphims with two wings cover their face and with two their feet and they cry one unto another Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts c. Isa 6. 1 2 3. and the living creatures the Cherubims with two of their four wings cover their bodies Ezek. 1. 11 23. and the Prophet when he saw this holy One crys out Wo is me for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips c. Isa 6. 5. and when Job's eye saw him he abhorred himself though there was none like him in the earth a perfect and an upright man c. And he repented in dust and ashes Job 42. 5 6. with chap. 1. 1 8. and chap. 2. 3. The consideration hereof may engage us to be holy in all manner of conversation as he is holy who hath called us 1 Pet. 1. 14 16. to come out from among men and to be separate and touch no unclean thing that he may receive us 2 Cor. 6. 14 17 18. Josh 24. 19 24. so the Lord in former times saith to his people Ye shall be holy for I the Lord your God am holy Lev. 19. 2 4. otherwise we cannot have fellowship with him now Psal 5. 4 5 6. nor see him hereafter with joy and comfort for without holiness no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12. 14. and in our hearts words and actions we should sanctify him Compare Isa 8. 13. with 1 Pet. 3. 15 16. Isa 5. 16. and chap. 29. 23. holiness becomes his house for ever Psal 93. 5. the living creatures then give glory unto him when they acknowledg him to be glorious in holiness Compare Exod. 15. 11. with Rev. 4. 9. 2. Holy He is in his work in sanctifying and holifying those that come unto God by him as he saith I am the Lord which sanctifie you and I the Lord which sanctifie you am holy Lev. 20. 7 8. and chap. 21. 8. Ezek. 37. 28. It is the work of the very God of peace to sanctifie the believers throughout in their whole spirit soul and body 1 Thes 5. 23 24. yea and he doth sanctifie them who rebel against him though they not yeilding up unto him are not eventually sanctified as he purges them that are not purged Ezek. 20. 12 13. with chap. 24. 13. And for the sake of believers Christ doth sanctifie himself that they also may be sanctified through the truth John 17. 19. Jude 1. And this also might engage us to be holy separated from sin and devoted unto God as it is said Sanctifie your selves therefore and be ye holy for I am the Lord your God I am the Lord which sanctifie you Lev. 20. 7 8. and chap. 11. 44 45. 3. Holy He is that is merciful and gracious and so in this respect he only is holy namely originally essentially and most perfectly so Rev. 15. 4. so Holy as it is render'd with us is merciful or bountiful or gracious Psal 145. 17. And thus many times the Holy One of Israel is said to be the Redeemer of Israel Isa 41. 14. and chap. 43. 3 14. and
also saying Lord God Almighty they also give thanks to him that sits on the throne and whereas they give thanks to him the Elders say Thou art worthy to receive power Compare ver 9. with ver 11. He who is Holy is also the Lord God Almighty and can do all things which are acts of power and might he is holy and therefore he cannot sin for that is an act of moral weakness and impotency he cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth he any man Jam. 1. 13. he cannot lye Tit. 1. 2. Hebr. 6 18. Hearken unto me saith Elihu ye men of understanding far be it from God that he should do wickedness and from the Almighty that he should commit iniquity for the work of a man shall he render unto him and cause every man to find according to his ways yea surely God will not do wickedly neither will the Almighty pervert judgment Job 34 10 12. with Gâ—n 18. 25. Doth God pervert judgment or doth the Almighty pervert justice Job 8. 3. and chap. 35. 13. He is Holily Almighty and Almightily Holy When once he hath resolvedly cast off or reprobated any with a fixt purpose to be no more gracious to such an one he cannot then shew mercy to that person for that would be a contradiction to his unchangeable justice and truth and he cannot deny himself 2 Tim. 2. 13. but such an one shall feel the wrath of the Almighty Job 21. 20. And just and true are his ways who is the Lord God Almighty Rev. 15. 3. and chap. 16. 7. but while men are joyned to all the living there is hope and he can have mercy upon them Eccles 9. 4. 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. 2 Pet. 3. 9. And indeed he is Almightily merciful to mankind while it is called to day Jer. 3. 15. Job 22. 17 18. Psal 78. 19 21. and he who is Almighty will not so pervert justice as to cast away a perfect man such an one as he so graciously reputes and accepts in the beloved Job 8. 3-20 for that also would be a contradiction to his immutable justice and truth and the Lord God Almighty is the King of Saints and as his works are great and marvellous so his ways are just and true Rev. 15. 3. Gen 18. 23 25. Which was and is and is to come This is the interpretation of the word Jehovah as we have said before Chap. 1. 4. which word comprehends all time the time to come the time present and the time past and so this shews unto us That he that sits upon the throne is from everlasting to everlasting God and of each of the three persons in the divine Essence we may say He is Jehovah was Jehovah and is to come Jehovah and that each and every of them was Almighty is Almighty and is to come Almighty and yet these three are one God as hath been said To this we shall speak no further because we have spoken thereto already see the notes before on chap. 1. ver 4. and ver 8. Verse 9. And when those living creatures give or shall give glory and honour and thâ—nks to him that sate on the throne who liveth for ever and ever In this Verse there is respect had to that going before ver 8. and unto that following in ver 10. which as we see depends on this in construction as it refers to that going before in ver 8. so it explicates and shews unto us what the living creatures do in their former acknowledgments and confessions namely when they say Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come then they give glory honour and thanks c. as it relates unto that in ver 10. so God willing we shall speak to it after Now in this Verse we have to consider and speak unto 1. The Object of their Adoration and Religioâ—s Worship Him that sate on the throne who liveth for ever and ever 2. Their act or exercise about or towards this Object supposed they give glory and honour and thanks 1. The Object of their Adoration and this is expressed in two Branches 1. Him that sate on the throne Him but one ver 2. one God though there are three persons in the Divine essence as we have said yet these three are one 1 John 5. 7 9. Matth 28. 19. and this one sate and sits upon the throne he is a great King one that is Lord of Heaven and Earth Mal. 1. 14. Acts 17. 24. Whose kingdom rulâ—th over all Psal 103. 19. and who is alone upon the supreme seat of Government Psal 9. 4. unto whom the highest and most glorious creatures in Heaven are infinitely inferior for he is the King of Heaven Dan. 4. 37. as also are the highest Gods on Earth amongst them he judgeth and governeth Psal 82. 1-6 He is the most high for evermore and doth according to his will in the Army of Heaven and amongst the inhabitants of the earth and none can stay his hand or say unto him What doest thou Dan. 4. 17-24 25 32 34. Psal 92. 8. And he that sits on this throne is holy and the Lord God Almighty vers 8. This is the object the only object of their Worship and Adoration see the notes before on vers 2. and vers 8. of this Chapter 2. We have the object of their Worship further described to us viz. Who liveth for ever and ever He liveth hath life in himself John 5. 26. and of himself Who hath first given to him and it shall be recompenced for of him are all things Rom. 11. 35 36. who is life essentially his life is himself Hence whereas Jehovah even the Lord Christ saith in one place I have sworn by my self In another place it is thus rendred As I live saith the Lord. Compare Isa 45. 23. with Rom. 14. 11. and many times he is called the living God Psal 42. 2. and 84. 2. to distinguish him from and infinitely prefer him before and oppose him to all other persons and things and so he is called by way of distinction from and opposition unto all false gods or other objects of some mens worship to all Idols Psal 106. 28. Jer. 10. 4-10 to all false and dead gods He is the living and true God 1 Thes 1. 9 10. to all men yea to the most excellent Saints Acts 14. 14 15. to all uncertain riches 1 Tim. 6. 17. to all dead works or works of righteousness of our own Heb. 9. 14. This is oft the form of his Oath As I live c. Numb 14. 21-28 c. and others also have and ought thus to swear as it is said Thou shalt swear the Lord liveth in truth c. Jer. 4. 2. and chap. 12. 16. and chap. 16. 14 15. and in many other places and with him is the fountain of life Psal 36. 9. He who is the Lord of Heaven and Earth who sits upon the throne giveth unto all life and breath and all things
of Angels Chap. 5. 8 9 11 12. and all creatures before the living creatures and elders Chap. 5. 13 14. and the innumerable multitude which are clothed with white robes and had palms in their hands before all the Angels Chap. 7. 9 11. 3. Nor doth any such thing here necessarily appear as is supposed and taken for granted in the objection viz. that the living creatures do begin in the adoration of him that sits upon the Throne but when the living creatures give glory honour and thanks The four and twenty Elders fall down c. like that When the living creatures went the wheels went by or with them and when the living creatures were lift up from the earth the wheels were lift up for one spirit acted them both Ezek. 1. 19 20. and chap. 10. 16 17. so it is here They both together at the same instant worship him that liveth for ever and ever And in this Chapter the Elders are first described ver 4. And though in order of words the living creatures are first mentioned in this place though that proves not they are first in work it may be to instruct us that whenever the Church on Earth bows before him that sits on the Throne those that are present with the Lord joyn there with in their adoration also 4. The living creatures may in this place be mentioned in order of words before the Elders because the Apostle had from ver 6. been describing and speaking of them and so he would finish what he had to say of them before he would again speak of the Elders But we shall come to look into this Verse a little particularly in which we shall speak unto the Act or Acts of their worship as they are here declared to us for as to the object of it it is the very same and in the same words described with the object of the worship of the four living creatures To which we have spoken already in the foregoing Verse The four and twenty Elders fall down and worship These two phrases may signifie to us one and the same thing these two expressions here may both signifie the Worship and Reverence they give compare Matth. 15. 8. with Mark 7. 6. and Matth. 4. 9. with Luk. 4. 7. as the object is one and the same object though described to us in two branches Him that sate on the throne who liveth for ever and ever and both of them are joyned together in ver 9. Or we may say They fall down that is they do most submissively prostrate themselves before the great King of Heaven and Earth Mal. 1. 14. they fall down from their seats or thrones ver 4. and chap. 11. 16. and chap. 19. 4. signifying he is infinitely above them and his throne above theirs And worship to wit adore or religiously reverence him Isa 46. 6. and cast their crowns before the throne that is when they worship they lay a side their ornaments of glory and make themselves like ordinary persons as it were like their brethren that are on earth they make themselves as common persons as it were as their crowns may be said to be profaned and themselves consequently when they are cast to the ground Psal 89. 39. They sit down from their head-tires and crowns of glory in token of humility as they are instructed to do Jer. 13. 18. And thus they prostrate themselves not before an Image Idol or fellow-creature as Idolaters in former times both amongst his professed people and amongst the Heathen also did Isa 44. 15-20 and chap. 46. 10. Dan. 3. 5 7 10 15. and as too many in our days do but before him that liveth for ever and ever And their humble prostration of themselves before him that sits on the throne may thus be declared to us that are here below 1. To preserve us from making any Saints departed though never so excellent and glorious the objects of our religious adoration or from invocating or praying to them Rev. 19. 10. and chap. 22. 8 9. they do as it were by their acts of deep humility in falling down worshipping and casting their crowns before the throne actually say We are not worthy to receive religious worship but thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour c. Vers 11. They by removing their Diadems and taking off and casting down their crowns do as it were say We are not the He whose right it is to be worshipped as Ezek. 21. 26 27. but that appertains only to him that sits on the Throne and indeed He and He only is to be religiously worshipped and served by us Matth. 4. 10. 2. From the very humble adoration and prostration of those that dwell in Heaven which is more fully and significantly expressed and plainly declared to us here than that of the four living creatures we may learn That the neerer we are to and the more clearly we behold him that sits on the throne his glorious Holiness Almightiness and Majesty the more it will fill us with low thoughts of our selves and cause us to defile our Horn in the dust This here appears by the account given us of the exercise of the living creatures and of that of the Elders Of the former indeed it may be intimated to us that they do humble themselves in the presence of the Lord and in token thereof with two of their wings may cover their faces as we have said before in the notes on ver 8. but of the latter it is said They fall down before him that sate on the throne and worship him and cast their crowns before the throne so also in chap. 5. 14. of the living creatures it is only said they said Amen To which is presently added And the twenty four elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever And in chap. 11. 16. where the Elders are only mentioned it is said of them They fell on their faces and worshipped God Indeed where the Elders and living creatures are joyntly spoken of in their worship the same acts or exercises are affirmed of both as chap. 5. 8. and chap. 19. 4. but not so when they and the acts of their worship are distinctly mentioned The truth hereof we might also see in the holy and glorious Angels it is said of them Yea of all of them they fell before the throne on their faces and worshipped God Chap. 7. 11. see also Isa 6. 1 2 3. Ezek. 1. 11-23 see the notes before on ver 8. As also this may be seen in those holy Ones who are on earth in mortal bodies that the clearer sight and vision they have of him that sits on the throne and the neerer as it were they are to him the more their own imperfection shortness and wretchedness in themselves appears so as pride is hidden from them and they even loath themselves Thus it was with the holy man Job when he only heard of God by the hearing of the ear he carried
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
when they knew God they glorified him not as God neither were thankful c. Rom. 1. 19 20 21. 2. And as with respect to the new Creation he hath created all things in Jesus Christ The Lord hath created a new thing in the earth a woman hath compassed a man Jer. 31. 22. and Christ is the beginning of the new ' Creation of God also Rev. 3. 14. In whom there is a dinner prepared and all things are now ready Matth. 22. 2-4 Luk. 14. 17. And if any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things are passed away and behold all things are become new and all things are of God 2 Cor. 5. 14-17 18. He prepared a body for Christ laid our sins and trespasses upon him delivered him up for our offences and raised him from the dead for our justification and hath exalted him and set him on his own right hand in the Heavens and blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ Jesus He loveth the son and hath given all things into his hand because he laid down his life that he might take it up again and all things that the Father hath are his Ephes 1. 3. John 3. 35. with chap. 10. 17. and chap. 16. 14 15. and in due season he will by Jesus Christ make all things new Rev. 21. 1-5 But to this we shall add no more here because we shall have more apt occasion to speak to it God assisting in chap. 5. 8 9 10. But shall especially take these words and look upon them as referring unto the first Creation and agreeing with chap. 10. 6. and chap. 14. 6-8 2. And for tby pleasure or will they are and were created This is a further reason why the Elders acknowledg he is worthy to receive glory and honour and power or a further branch of the former reason And herein is declared to us the Reason and End why all things are and were created to wit for his will and pleasure For as of him and thorow him so to him are all things To whom therefore be glory for ever Rom. 11. 35 36. For him are all things and by him are all things Heb. 2. 10. And by Christ were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth All things were created by him and for him Col. 1. 16. And for thy pleasure they are namely they subsist or consist in that order in which they are they are upheld by him in Christ and by his Providence even by his divine Power Wisdom and Goodness during his pleasure and for his pleasure he preserves them O Lord thou preservest man and beast how excellent is thy loving-kindness O God! Psal 36. 5 6 7. He disposeth the whole world Job 34. 12-17 and his counsel thereabout shall stand and he will do all his pleasure Isa 46. 10. He doth according to his will in the Army of Heaven and among the Inhabitants of the Earth and none can stay his hand or say unto him What doest thou Dan. 4. 35. Col. 1. 16 17-20 And were created to wit all things were made for his pleasure The Lord hath made all things for himself Prov. 16. 4. Quest But now what is his will and pleasure for which all things are and were created This is needful to be enquired intâ— and considered by us Answ Unto that we may give Answer and say 1. As with respect unto all creatures below and inferiour to man as they were created and are for his praise in their several stations and places and according to their natures and beings Psal 148. 3-10 and 150. 6. so they were made and are for mans use and service so in his first Creation God gave man dominion over the fish of the Sea and over the fowl of the air and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth Gen. 1. 26 28-30 31. And after man by sin had lost that Dominion and Lordship our Lord who was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world hath restored this dominion again into the nature of man in himself Psal 8. 3-8 9. with Hebr. 2. 6-8 9. And thorow him Gods tender mercies are over all his works for the good of mankind while it is called to day Psal 145. 8 9 and 85. 10-12 and 68. 18 19. And hence after the Lord smelled a savour of rest in the sacrifice offered by Noah a type of the sacrifice of Christ Ephes 5. 2. He said unto Noah and his Sons The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every fowl of the air upon all that moveth on the earth and upon all the fishes of the Sea into your hand are they delivered every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you even as the green herb have I given you all things Gen. 9. 1 2 3. Col. 1. 20. Ephes 5. 20. 1 Tim. 4. 4 5. 2. As with respect to that part of his Creation which is rational even mankind for of intelligent creatures to wit Angels we shall not speak directly so we may say his will or pleasure in creating and preserving them was 1. Not to sin against him or be disobedient unto him who was and is their creator and preserver He is not a God not such a God as hath pleasure in wickedness Psal 5. 4. that is not his will or pleasure The lusts of sinful men and the will of God are opposite and contrary one to another as the Apostle signifieth saying That we no longer should live to the lusts of men but unto the will of God for the time past of our lives may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles where the Apostle gives us to understand That the living to the lusts of evil men is a working the will of the Gentiles who knâ—w not God but serve Devils and not the doing the will of God 1 Pet. 4. 2 3. with 1 Thes 4. 5. and 1 Cor. 10. 20. And so the doing and finding our own pleasure is opposite to the doing his and delâ—ghting our selves in him Isa 58. 13 14. And the doing his will and loving the world the lusts of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are set against and the one contrary to the other 1 John 2. 15 16 17. Sâ—n is an abominable thing to him which he hates Jer. 44. 4. And he that doth it is of the Devil and not of God and the lusts of the Devil he doth do and not the will of the most pure God John 8. 44. He that committeth sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinneth from the beginning whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God neither he that loveth not his brother but he is manifest to be herein a child of the Devil 1 John 3. 8-10 If we say we have fellowship with God and walk in darkness we lye and do not the truth 1 Joh. 1. 5 6. Indeed in just
and severe judgment and as a Testimony of high displeasure unto men when they will not listen unto or be ruled by him but rebel against the light vex his holy Spirit hold the Truth in unrighteousness will not hearken unto him will none of him receive not the love of the truth to be saved thereby and persist in such-like stubborn iniquity he at last gives them up to their own hearts lusts Psal 81. 8-12 13 14. gives them up to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient Rom. 1. 18-28 sends them strong delusion to believe a lye c. 2 Thes 2. 10 11 12. takes away his grace from them and his spirit shall not always strive with them Matth. 13. 11 12-15 Gen. 6. 3. But it was not his end in creating them that they should sin against him nor did he punish sin with sin in mans first disobedience in eating of the forbidden fruit for he had not fore-sinned or offended And that he thus at any time punisheth sin it evidently shews unto us that it was not his will or pleasure they should so sin because he is so angry with and so punisheth men for their sin and wickedness as Elihu saith Far be it from God that he should do wickedness and from the Almighty that he should commit iniquity for the work of a man shall be render unto him and cause every man to find according to his ways yea surely God will not do wickedly neither will the Almighty pervert judgment Job 34. 10-12 Shall not the judg of all the earth do right Gen. 18. 25. And when he thus gives up men he doth not tempt them to evil but withdraws or withholds his grace and spirit which they have abused and offered despite unto Matth. 13. 12 Psal 51. 11. Hos 2. 5-9 Nor doth he thus deal with any until they have provoked him with an high hand and he is as it were non-plust and knows not what other course to take with them and is even put upon it thus to say What could have been done more what shall I do unto thee Isa 5. 1-4-7 Hos 4. 13-17 with chap. 6. 4 5 6-11 Jer. 9. 7. Let no man then say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth he any man but every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed Then when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death Do not err every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning Jam. 1. 13-17 He that sits upon the throne is holy glorious in holiness his glory and beauty is holiness he is one of purer eyes than to be hold iniquity as he hath most clearly and comfortably manifested in the Cross of Christ see the notes before on ver 8. and that it was not his will that men should sin or continue to sin is also evidenced to us in that when they had sought out many inventions and were deceived by the Devil he sent his Son to save men from their sins and so to destroy not his own works but the works of the Devil even sin and its fruits 1 John 3. 8. And Christ gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world and this was according to the will of God and our Father Galit 1. 4. Oh that then we may abominate and abhor such horrid and blasphemous sayings as these are viz. That God is the Author of sin and that men do sin by his impulse c. knowing that he is a most perfect hater of sin and never created men to sin nor doth he preserve them here to this end This was not nor is his will and pleasure for which they are and were created Christ came into the world to do the will of him that sent him and it was his meat and drink to do it John 4. 34. and chap. 5. 30. and chap. 6. 38. And he always did those things that pleased him John 8. 28 29. But he never did sin neither was guile found in his mouth be loved righteousness and hated iniquity 1 Pet. 2. 22 23. Heb. 1. 9. Therefore to do or commit sin is none of his Fathers will or pleasure but that which is contrary thereto Jer. 7. 31. and chap. 32. 32-35 But contrariwise Christ came to destroy sin as hath been said and to deliver men therefrom that they should not serve it but that being dead to sin they might live to righteousness 1 John 3. 8. 1 Pet. 2. 24. and chap. 3. 18. and chap. 4. 1 23. 2 Cor. 5. 15. And this was and is Gods will and pleasure Rom. 5. and chap. 6. 1 2 3-6 2. Nor was it his will and pleasure in creating men nor is it his will in preserving them while it is the day of his grace and patience towards them that any of them should be eternally miserable and therefore he reprobated none before they were created nor before they had sinned against him fury is not in him naturally towards his creatures Isa 27. 4. but he hath a desire to the work of his hands Job 14. 15. Psal 138. 8. Job 10. 3. Though he may be angry and wrathfully displeased with men yet he is never so until men kindle his anger against them or provoke him thereunto as Moses saith The Lords anger was kindled the same time c. Numb 32. 9 10-12 And again Tâ—ey will turn away thy sâ—ns from following me that they may serve other Gods so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you and destroy thee suddenly Deut. 7. 4 And the Lord saith Ye have kindled a fire in mine anger which shall burn for ever Jer. 17. 4. and many other places of Scripture speak the same language or to the same purpose God is a righteous judg and God is angry every day Psal 7 11. but he is moved and provoked thereto from some outward cause He is indeed the Father of mercies he delighteth therein 2 Cor. 1. 3. Mica 7. 18. He is rich in grace and the fountain of mercy that proceeds and comes forth out of his bowels yea his mercies are his bowels Luke 1. 78. Jam. 5. 11. He is the God of love yea love it self to manward as he hath manifested himself to be in sending his Son the Saviour of the world 2 Cor. 13. 11. 1 John 4. 8-10-14 He is the God of grace the God of all grace 1 Pet. 5. 10. but he is never called the God of wrath or hatred his wrath or positive hatred proceeds from some external cause or reason And therefore he never willed any of his creatures to eternal destruction but for sin which was not his pleasure or will they should commit as we have before shewed Everlasting fire was no otherwise prepared for any
Who is Apollo but Ministers c. So then neither is he that planteth any thing neither he that watereth but God that giveth the increase 1 Cor. 3. 5-7 What hast thou that thou didst not receive And if thou didst receive why shouldest thou glory as if thou hadst not received it 1 Cor. 4. 7. 2 Cor. 4 5-7 2. To preserve us from trusting or glorying in them or having Idolatrous esteems of them this was a great evil found with the Corinthians as the Apostle signifies saying While one saith I am of Paul and another I am of Apollo are ye not carnal To cure them whereof he adds Who then is Paul c. 1 Cor. 1. 12 13. â—and Chapt. 3. 1-5 21 23. And these things Brethren I have trâ—nsferred my self and to Apollo in a figure for your sakes that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written that no one of you be puffed up for one against another 1 Cor. 4. 6 7. Why should we look earnestly on them as if by their own power or holiness they could do any thing Act. 3. 12. when as without Christ they can do nothing Joh. 15. 2-5 3. The consideration of this that they may be Instruments of Instruction and Consolation to us who are not Authors of it may help us not to despise them because they are but Instruments but to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake 1 Thes 5. 12 13. And to count them worthy of double honour especially such as labour in the Word and Doctrine 1 Tim. 5. 17. For he that heareth them that bring Christ's Doctrine heareth him and he that receiveth them receiveth him and he that receiveth him receiveth him that sent him and he that despiseth despiseth not man but God who also hath given to them his Holy Spirit Luk. 10. 16. Math. 10. 39 40. 1 Thes 4. 2-8 It s true they are men and not GOD but it is as true they are labourers together with God and therefore in taking heed to themselves and to the Doctrine and continuing in them they shall both save themselves and them that hear them and may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith they themselves have been comforted of God 1 Tim. 4. 16. 2 Cor. 1. 3 4. Let no man therefore esteem lightly of them Rom. 10. 15. 4. We may further also Note In that the same Mesâ—enger is not now sent as was before ver 2. That one Messenger may occasion grief and another may be employed to comfort such as are in heaviness and sadness All are Gods Servants and one may be employed in one service and another in another Paul plants and Apollo waters 1 Cor. 3-5 6 7. The Apostle Paul first preached the Gospel in Asia Acts 19. 10. And after John had a Command given him that what he saw he should write in a Book and send to the seven Churches in Asia to instruct admonish reprove comfort them See the Notes before on Chap. 1. ver 11. let none of us therefore despise any of God's Messengers yea though they be not so excellent as some others are but wisely consider that they also work the work of the Lord even as the more eminent oneâ— also do 1 Cor. 16. 10 11. 2 Cor. 8. 18-22-24 2. We have next in order to consider what the Elder said unto the Apostle to comfort him and that is propounded to us 1. By what he said unto the Apostle John as with respect unto himself Weep not Wherein we have signified to us 1. That there was somewhat of Infirmity in the Apostles weeping and lamentation as hath been before noted or else the Elder would not thus have forbidden him to weep In some cases and upon some occasions they may weep and mourn As the Apostle James saith Be afflicted and mourn and weep let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy into heaviness Jam. 4. 9. But at sometimes they may causlesly or unseasonably lament So Nehemiah c. said unto all the people This day is holy unto the LORD mourn not nor weep neither be ye sorry for all the people wept Neh. 8. 9 10 11 12. And Mary Magdalene thorow her nescience and slowness of heart to believe stood without at the Sepulchre weeping and the Angels say unto her Woman why weepest thou John 2â— 9-12-16 and Paul saith unto some What mâ—an ye to weep and to break mine heart Act. 21. 13. even the most holiest and most eminent Saints while here are subject to infirmities and weaknesses We are men of like passions with you saith Paul concerning himself and Barnabas Act. 14. 14 15. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are though he was a very eminent Prophet Jam. 5. 17. And here it seems this excellent Apostle did in a great measure weep causlesly or not upon a good ground And many times our weeping may be the fruit of our ignorance or unbelief or forgetfulness and unmindfulness of the excellency of Jesus Christ and those Consolations in and by him 2. But yet we may see the Lord is very pitiful and of very tender mercies and therefore though the Apostle did weep in a great measure causlesly yet he sends a Messenger to speak good words and comfortable words to him to say unto him Weep not and to inform him of or to put to his remembrance what might comfort him and wipe away his tears or deliver him from his sorrow He is not like unto us who are evil if we see another mourn causlesly we are ready to shut up the bowels of oâ—r compassion from him and to say Who would bemoan you or turn a side to comfort you seeing you have no good cause to weep You may even weep on still But who is blind as this most excellent one Seeing many things but he observes them not Isa 42. 19 20. He is not ready to observe Infirmities or quick to anger But he is ready to sympathize with and compassionate his grieved Servants when they wholly or in a great measure mourn causlesly Psal 145. 8. Judg. 10. 16. In all their afflictions and not in some of them only he is afflicted c. Isa 63. 9 He can have compassion on the ignorant in their weepings and them that are out of the way so merciful and comâ—assionate an High Priest is he Heb. 2. 17. and Chap. 5. 2. When Mary Magdalene wept through her infirmity and unbelief our Lord did not say to her Weep on but he then saith to her Woman why weepest thou whom sâ—ekest thou and further saith to her and calls her Mary and so comforts her and turns her sorrow into joy John 20 9-15 16. Animitator of whom in some good measure was the Apostle Paul when some wept causlesly and blame worthily yet he was greatly affected therewith and afflicted therefore What mean you saith he to weep and to break mine heart though he did not
words nor give a being to them yea though some of them may die yet his words shall not fall to the ground Gen. 26. 3. Your Fathers where are they saith the Lord and the Prophets do they live for ever But my Words and my Statutes which I commanded my Servants the Frophets did they not take hold of your Fathers Zech. 15. His word that goeth out of his mouth shall not return unto him void but it shall accomplish that which he pleaseth and it shall prosper in the thing whereto he sends it Isa 55. 10 11 12. Whatever he hath spoken or promised by any messenger is or shall be accomplished in due time and according to the tenor thereof his faithfulness may be clearly and comfortably seen in that he hath raised up an Horn of Salvation for us in the House of his Servant David As he spake by the mouth of his Holy Prophets which have been since the World began Luke 1. 55 56 68-70-75 And therefore this may encourage his Servants to speak what he commands them because he is strong and faithful to execute his word Exod. 7. 2. Deut. 18. 18. Jer. 23. 28 29. and chap. 1. 7 12 17. And not to do as Jonah did chap. 1. 1-3 and chap. 4. 1 2 3. But to know his words are true and faithful Rev. 21. 5. and chap. 22. 6. And also it might prove and provoke us to believe in the LORD our God so shall we be established and to believe his Prophets so shall we prosper 2 Chro. 20 20. Whatsoever Messenger he sends with his Word blessed is he that believeth for there shall be a performance of those things that are spoken Luk. 1. 45. And God is many times greatly displeased in Scripture with such as have not believed his words brought by his Messengers because of the appearing improbability or difficulty of the accomplishment of what was so spoken See 2 King 7. 1 2 19 20. Psal 78. 19 21. So Zacharias was stricken dumb and was not able to speak for a season because he believed not the Angels words Luke 13. 20. And though the things he sends his Messengers to declare unto us be marvellous in our eyes should they also be marvellous in the eyes of the Lord of Hosts Zech. 8. 1-6-15 2. As this Verse relates to Ver. 6. So we may see and know who came and took the Book The person is there described to us He came The Lamb that had been slain and who stands as such an one in the midst of the Throne And it is upon the account of his Sufferings Sacrifice and Mediation that he hath thus prevailed therefore doth his Father love him and so loves him that he hath given all things into his hand because he laid down his life that he might take it up again and therefore he shews all things to him that himself doth John 10. 17 18. with Chap. 3. 35 and Chap. 5. 20. His blood is so precious with his Father that it hath wonderfully prospered with him 1 Pet. 1. 19. and Chap. 2. 4. with Prov. 17. 8. Phil. 2. 6-8 9 10. Hereby he hath seven Horns and seven Eyes even perfect Power and Knowlege given unto him ver 6. And upon the account of the preciousness of his blood he came and therefore it is said He hath prevailed to open the Book v. 5. But we shall have further and more direct occasion to speak of this on ver 9. 3. In that it is said He came and took the Book c. when none in Heaven nor Earth nor under the Earth durst undertake it so we may learn That God hath given to him the pre-eminence in all things and amongst all persons Col. 1. 18. He that cometh from above is above all He that cometh from Heaven is above all John 3. 31. He is exalted and extolled and made very high Isa 52. 13. Above all Saints and Angels as it doth appear He is the Head of his Body the Church who is the beginning the first born from the dead Col. 1. 18. And he is the Head of all Principality and Power Col. 2. 9 10. He is made so much beter than the Angels as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than they Heb. 1. 3 4 6-13 Rev. 5. 11 12. 4. In that he came and took the Book so it may give us to understand That he was called hereto by him that sate on the Throne and had by him this Glory and Honour confer'd upon him To this business also we may apply that saying of the Apostle None taketh this honour to himself but he that was called of God So also Christ glorified not himself but he that said unto him Thou art my Son c. Heb. 5. 4 5. The God of our fathers hath herein glorified his Son Jesus Act. 3. 13. And so indeed he was called to all his work and service Behold saith God my Servant whom I uphold I the LORD have called thee in righteousness and will hold thine hand c. Isa 42. 1-6 7. And our Lord Jesus saith Listen O Isles unto me and hearken ye people from far the LORD hath called me from the womb from the bowels of my Mother hath he made mention of my Name c. Isai 49. 1-3 and Chap. 41. 1 2. For as our Mediator the Father is greater than than he John 14. 28. 5. In that he came and took the Book c. so we may see his Interest in and freeness and familiarity if I may so speak with him that sits on the Throne and that he will deny him nothing nor with-hold any thing from him John 11. 22 41 42. He was greatly mistaken who said to Bathsheba Speak I pray thee unto Solomon the King for he will not say thee nay 1 King 2. 17-23 But God hath taken up such infinite well-pleasedness in his Son that he will never turn away his face Prov. 8. 30 31. Ask of me saith God to Christ and I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession Psal 2. 6 7 8. He may do what he pleases with him have what he pleases take what he pleases for all things that the Father hath are his John 16. 15. And as our Saviour also saith to his Father All thine are mine and mine are thine And on that account as one that hath a rich and inconceiveable interest in him thus makes known his pleasure Father I will c. John 17. 9 10-24 How might this then encourage us seeing we have such a great High-Priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God to come with boldness to the Throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 14-16 1 John 2. 1 2. considering also that if we abide in Christ and his words abide in us we may ask what we will and it shall be done unto us John 15. 7. and
nay when they had actually signified their unworthiness and inability hereto vers 2 3. So may we learn from hence That the saints and holy ones may and have principally and mainly to rejoyce and worship Christ for his works And in and for such works of his as in which their inability and unworthiness is discovered or made to appear like that thou LORD â—â—st made me glad thorow thy work I will triumph in the works of thine hands Psal 92. 4 5. his work is honourable and glorious and his righteousness endureth for ever He hath made his wonderful works to be remembred c. Psal 3. 1 4 9. So presently after even in the next verse it is said They sing a new song saying thou wast slain in which their vileness is discovered for he died for us ungodly ones sinners and enemies 1 Pet. 3. 18. Rom. 5. 6 8 9. And hast redeemed us to wit from our vain conversation from the earth and from amongst men Rev. 5. 9. with 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. and Rev. 14. 3 4. others principally trust and rejoyce in themselves Luke 18. 11 12. rejoyce in the works of their own hands Act. 7. 41. proclaim their own goodness Prov. 20. 6. Rom. 10. 2 3. But of him are the believers in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto them wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption that according as it is written He that glorieth let him glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 29 31. they are instructed and strengthned to rejoyce in Christ Jesus always Phil. 3. 1 3. and 4. 4. Hab. 3. 16 18. Isay 45. 24 25. He that doth truth cometh to the light that his works may be made manifest that they are wrought in God they go unto God as to the gladness of their joy without whom it would be but heaviness Joh. 3. 21. Rev. 2. 26. Psal 43. 3 4. This makes them glory not in appearance only but in heart and triumph always That Christ hath died yea rather that he is even risen again who is at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for them Rom. 8. 32 34 39. 2 Cor. 2. 14. Psal 118. 22 25. And on this account all are called upon and there is good cause and reason for them to rejoyce and sing praise O clap hands all people shout unto God with the voice of triumph God is gone up with a shout the LORD with the sound of a trumpet sing praises to God sing praises sing praises unto our King sing praises Psal 47. 1 7. 3. In that they thus adore and sing when he had taken the Book and before he had opened it though in order to its opening so it shews to us That it is matter and cause of rejoycing in it self and should be so to us when this great and glorious one begins and undertakes a good work and before it be compleated and accomplished for we may be very confident of this thing that when he begins a good work he will perform and finish it also Phil. 1. 3 6. Thus how did many holy ones rejoyce when Christ was born into the world yea when he was conceived by the Holy Ghost and before he was born though that was but the beginning of that great work which he was to accomplish in his own personal body on earth which was not finished therein untill three or four and thirty years after Luk. 1. 40 45 67 79. and Chap. 2. 20 25 26 32 36 38. How little is the Kingdom of Heaven at first It is but like a grain of Mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field which indeed is the least of all seeds but at last it becomes the greatest amongst Herbs so that the Birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof Matth. 13. 31 33. How small soever the beginning of a thing be yet when he undertakes it he will not fail nor be discouraged until he hath perfected whatever appertains to him to do Isay 42. 1 4. Cant. 2. 1. with Isay 27. 4 5. when his hands lay the foundation his hands also shall finish the building Before him the greatest mountains shall become a plain and he shall bring forth the head-stone thereof with shouting grace grace unto it And therefore who hath despised the day of small things What unworthy unbelieving ones are they who so do Zech. 4. 6 7 10. with Neh. 4. 2 3. and Joh. 2. 20. O then that laying aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us we may run with patience the race set before us let us look unto Jesus who was both the Author and finisher of the faith Heb. 12. 1 2. Who is the Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end the first and the last Rev. 1. 8 11 17. and Chap. 22. 13. He â—ainteth not nor is weary how difficult soever the work be and how long time soever it takes for the finishing it Isa 40. 28. Psal 138. 7 8. Luke 21. 28. As Joshua and Caleb said unto the people If the Lord delight in us then he will bring us into this land and give it us how many obstacles or difficulties soever stand in the way Only rebel ye not against the LORD c. Numb 14. 8 9. The pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in the hands of this Lamb and when he begins to open though it be sealed with seven seals yet he will perform it Isa 53. 10. and Chap. 63. 1. and Chap. 9. 7. Let us then live by the faith of him 4. In that it is said when he had taken the Book they fell down and Sung vers 9. herein is signified to us that the great cause and occasion of their worship and rejoycing lies in this that the Book was now taken into and was in the hands of the Lamb there was no such rejoycing when the Book was in the right hand of him that sate on the throne Then it was so far off as it were from all creatures that none durst presume to come near to him in order to the opening of it and therefore the Apostle wept much But now the four living creatures and four and twenty Elders rejoycingly worship because their kinsman their friend their Mediator had it So we may say more generally this is matter and cause of joy and gladness to us not simply that all fulness is in God or in the divine nature But that all is now by means of his pretious blood put into the hands of Christ that in him it hath pleased all the fulness to dwell Col. 1. 18 19. and Chap. 2. 9 10. for of his fulness we may receive and grace for grace Joh. 1. 14 16. God dwells in that light that no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see 1 Tim. 6. 16. there is no coming to him but by Christ Joh. 14. 6. no having his power engaged for us but in and through Christ Hence when our Saviour
sent his Apostles into all the world to preach the Gospel to every creature of all the nations to encourage them hereto He saith not to them All power is in the hands of God simply But all power is given unto me go ye therefore c. Matth. 28. 18 19. And tells his Disciples when the Holy Spirit came he should glorifie him for he should take of his things and shew unto them All things saith he that the Father hath are mine therefore said I he shall take not of the Fathers things as his simply but of mine and shall shew unto you John 16. 14 15. Matth. 11. 27 28 29. It is by him we may believe in God who hath â—raised him from the dead and given him glory that our faith and hope might be in God without which it could not have so been 1 Pet. 1. 20 21. It is by him we may come with boldness to the throne of God's grace and this may embolden us so to do that we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins c. Heb. 4. 14. 16. and chap. 10. 19-22 and chap. 13. 10-15 1 John 2. 1 2. And let us not think in our thus rejoycing and worshipping we rob him that sits on the throne of that honour that appertains to him for it is his own work and device to put all things into the hands of his Son for us he devised this device that his banished should not be expelled from him 2 Sam. 14. 14. All things are of God as with respect to this new Creation 2 Cor. 5. 14-18 He made a marriage for his Son and prepared and made ready all things in him for us Matth. 22. 2-4 This is the Lords doing to lay him the foundation of our faith and hope and to prepare him the rest for our weary spirits and the refreshing that we might keep Sabbath in him Psal 118. 22 23. with Isa 28. 12-16 Col. 1. 19. Job 33. 24. And it is his work to lift up Christ that we might look unto him and be saved Isa 42. 1 2 to glorifie his Son that we might run unto him because of the Lord his God Isa 55. 4 5. to draw to Christ and teach us him that we might so hear and learn of the Father as to come unto him John 6. 44 45. And he that believeth on Christ believeth not on him only nor ultimately but on him that sent him and he that seeth him seeth him that sent him John 12. 44 45. nay we are so far from robbing him of his honour in thus doing that if we do not so we then indeed rob him of it The father hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son as they should honour the Father he that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father that hath sent him Joh. 5. 22 23. They have not the love of God in them who receive him not that is come in his Fathers name Joh. 5. 42 43. and Chap. 8. 23 42. they truly serve him who kiâ—s the Son Psal 2. 10 12. They are the circumcision and right worshippers of God who rejoyce in Jesus Christ Phil. 3. 1 3. with Joh. 4. 22 24. It is in and thorow him the Father will be glorified as our Saviour saith whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son If ye shall ask any thing in my name I will do it Joh. 14. 13 14. And that is for the glory of God whereinsoever the Son of God is glorified Joh. 11. 4. 2. We have nextly to speak unto the Adoration it self of these holy ones The four living creatures and four and twenty Elders fell down That is to say hereby is signified to us 1. They did fall down to worship as frequently to such an end they did fall down this was their Religious Action As the worship to a false Object is intended by or joyned with this Act as it is said he maketh a god and worshippeth it he maketh it a graven Image and falleth down thereto Isay 44. 15 19. and Chap. 46. 6. Dan. 3. 5 10 15. So John saith of himself I fell down to worship before the feet of the Angel Rev. 19. 10. and Chap. 22. 8 9. And this gesture was also used in the worship of the true object of worship As Moses saith I fell down before the Lord and again Thus I fell down before the Lord forty days and forty nights as I fell down at the first c. Deut. 9. 18 25. And the four and twenty Elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever Rev. 5. 14. and Chap. 19. 4. And so we are here to understand it They fell down and worshipped the Lamb or they fell down to worship before the Lamb viz. with a divine and religious worship as will further appear in the later end of this verse And so we may learn from hence that not only the Saints on earth but the holy Ones in Heaven also are still worshippers and give Divine Adoration to the true object of worship as we have seen before see the notes on Chap. 4. vers 9 10. And possibly the four living creatures are here first named in this Adoration because the greater or first part of the things contained in the sealed Book were to be transacted on earth And so in Chap. 6. 1 8. the four living creatures are mentioned alone without the Elders As on some what a like account the twenty four Elders are mentioned alone when the voices were heard in Heaven and the Kingdoms of this world became Christs Rev. â—â— 15 16. 2. That they fell down denotes also their great humility in their worship they did humbly prostrate themselves to intimate what an infinite distance there was between him whom they worshipped and themselves who were the worshippers and their inconceiveably great inferiority to him And so it may instruct us at all times to humble our selves in the presence of the Lord Jam. 4. 10. To worship and â—ow down and kneel before the Lord our Maker Psal 95. 1 6. So the holy Ones of God have worshipped him both with all humility of mind as the Apostle saith he did Act. 20. 19. And also with outward expressions of lowliness and Humility as in kneeling before him c. so did Solomon 1 Kings 8. 54. The Prophet Daniel that man greatly beloved of God Dan. 6. 10. The Apostle Peter Act. 9. 40. Paul Act. 20. 36. and Chap. 21. 5. Ephes 3. 14. yea and our Lord Jesus unto his Father Luk. 22. 41. And though we are not tyed up to this or that Gesture yet it is good and becoming us creatures at all times to worship him with Reverence and godly fear Isay 57. 15 16. Heb. 12. 28 29. Psal 89. 6 7. 3. The Object of their Religious worship before the Lamb who is described to us before
this high honour at the hands of God thy Father as is intimated ver 12. It is the reward of his sufferings as the Prophet prophetically â—aith His reward is with him and recompence for his work before him Isa 40. 10. And as himself saith My judgment is with the Lord and my reward with my God Isa 49. 4 5. see the notes before on ver 2. He hath prevailed with God his Father to undertake and accomplish this great work here spoken of see the notes before on ver 5. He was faithful to him that appointed him in that hard and difficult work and therefore he was worthy as he saith to his Father I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do and now O Father glorifie me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee c. John 17. 4 5. And thou art worthy And dost infinitely deserve it at our hands that we should thus have thy â—igh praises in our hearts and mouths that we should sing unto thee a new Song and thy praise in the congregation of Saints for thy wonderful love to us thou hast laid infinite engagements and obligations upon us so to do for we are not our own but thou hast bought us with a precious Christ and and redeemed us unto God by thy blood therefore we ought to glorifie thee both in our body and spirit which are thine 1 Cor. 6. 19 20. And in so doing we give thee but according to the deserving of thine hands as Judg. 9. 16. according to thine excellent work yea Who can shew forth all his praises Psal 106. 1-3 And thou art worthy to wit able for this great work and business and none but thou Thou hast wisdom and skill to do it Col. 2. 3. thou hast seven eyes which are the seven Spirits of God and thou hast all power and authority for thou hast seven Horns ver 6. Matth. 28. 18. Phil. 2. 6-9 see notes before on ver 3. of this Chapter But what is he worthy to do To take the Book to receive authority and power to take the Book into thine hand in order to the opening it and making known Gods mind and will therein see the notes before on ver 7. And to open the seals thereof to unfold its mysteries and reveal its depths and to read it to John or any others of his Saints and cause them to understand the reading Nehem. 8. 7 8. Dan. 2. 18 23. see notes before on chap. 1. ver 3. which no creature in Heaven or Earth c. was able or worthy to do see notes on ver 3. and ver 4. We have nextly to consider the Reason or Reasons of his worthiness to do these things and to have this glory and honour ascribed and rendred to him by these Saints and holy Ones which follow in order to be considered and spoken unto by us 1. For thou wast slain â—hou even he before whom they prostrate themselves and who is the object of their divine and religious worship and adoration he was slain he who was and is the true God over all God blessed for ever Rom. 9. 5. Phil. 2. 6 8. Act. 20. 28. 1 John 3. 16. as we have ofâ— said in these notes He was put to death in the flesh and crucified thorow weakness 1 Pet. 3. 18. 2 Cor. 13. 4. He is Emmanuel God with us God-man and he that person who is the true God and eternal life 1 John 5. 20. was manifest in the flesh 1 John 1. 2. with with 1 Tim. 3. 16. and laid down his life for us according to the flesh or humane nature Wast slâ—in not only did he endure and suffer great things here before his hour came and was greatly abased though indeed all his life-time here he was poor and mean He was despised and rejected of men a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and in all points tempted like unto us yet without sin Luke 9. 58. Isa 53. 3 4 5. Heb. 2 17 18. and chap 4 14. But he was also put to death he was slain and slaughtered for us Matth. 21. 38 39. Luke 9. 22. Act. 2. 23. and 7. 52. and chap. 10. 39. and 13. 28. and he was slain both as a sacrifice for our sins Acts 7. 42. Rom. 4. 25. and as a Martyr for the Gospel preached by him see the notes before on chap. 1. ver 18. One drop of Christs Blood was not sufficient to purge away our sins and make peace for then the greatest part of what he endured was in vain and he suffered and under went needless pain and torments but Christ must needs have suffered and been put to death for us Act. 17. 2 3. And thou wast slain not only in the purpose and fore-ordainment of God as 1 Pet. 1. 20. Rev. 13. 8. but actually so Christ suffered for sinâ— the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh 1 Pet. 1. 19 20. and chap. 3. 18. Heb. 9. 26. though he was a Lamb a Lamb without blemish and without spot a meek innocent harmless one one that knew no sin nor ever did any yet he was brought as a Lamb to the slaughter and actually slain and killed for us 1 Pet. 1. 19. and chap. 2. 20 23. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Isa 53. 5 7. Acts 8. 32. Thou wa st slain not art slain no he liveth who was dead and behold â—e is alive for evermore he was dead and is alive Rev. 1. 18. and chap. 2. 8. He is raised from the dead and shall dye no more death hath no more dominion over him for in that he died he died unto sin once but in that he liveth he liveth unto God Rom. 6. 9 10. Act. 13. 32 34. see notes before on ver 6. of this Chapter Now for this Reason and upon this account Thou art worthy to take the Book c. because thou wast slain Worthy to receive all power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing from God the Father Rev. 5. 12. therefore doth his Father love him and hath so loved him as to give all things into his hand because he laid down his life that he might take it again Joh. 10. 17. with Chap. 3. 35. and 13. 3. Because he humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the Cross therefore also God hath highly exalted him and given him a name above every name c. Phil. 2. 8-10 Joh. 17. 4 5. Luk. 24. 25 26 27. Isa 53. 11 12. Heb. 2. 9 10. And on this account also he is worthy to be praised and glorified by all the Saints and holy ones and that at all times they should render praise honour and glory unto him because he was slain Rev. 5. 13 14. and Chap. 7. 10. He gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world To him be glory for ever and ever Amen Gaâ— 1. 4 5. He
saved that they might run unto him from all other things Joh. 16. 14 15. with Isa 45. 22. and Chap. 55. 5. and to them that believe he is precious By his blood they are redeemed or washed from their iniquities Rev. 1. 5 6. with this place And they thorow the spiritual discovery of this blood of God are purchased and bought unto God Act. 20. 28. Psal 74. 2. 1 Cor. 6. 19 20. and Chap. 7. 23. Hos 3. To which we have spoken somewhat before and therefore shall add no more to it here 3. Out of or from amongst whom were these redeemed unto God and that is here declared unto us Out of every kindred and tongue and people c. Now in speaking unto this Particular we shall 1. Enquire and consider what is meant by Every kindred and tongue and people c. 2. Note some instructions that may be useful and profitable unto us 1. What is meant by Every kindred and tongue and people and nation And to that we may say It doth appear in this and other places that by these expressions in this Book however we are to understand such of mankind as are distinguished from the Saints and holy ones who are redeemed or chosen out of them Compare this eighth verse with verse 9 and verse 10 such as shall wail when Christ shall appear in his glory see notes on Chap. 1. vers 7. so it is said of that great multitude of Palm-bearing Saints that it was out of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues Chap 7. 9-15-17 and they are such as are distinguished from Christs witnesses Chap. 11. 7-9 such as over whom power was given to the Beast Chap. 13. 7 such as are distinguished from those that are redeemed from the earth and from amongst men Chap. 14. 3-5 6 7. such as upon whom the Whore sits as it is said by the Angel to John Come hither I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great Whore that sits upon many waters And this Explication is given us in that Chapter The waters which thou sawest where the Whore sitteth are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues Chap. 17. 1. with vers 15. so that it appears by these expressions we are to understand the whole world which lieth in wickedness both of Jews and Gentiles out of which the hearty believers are chosen Joh. 15. 19. with 1 Joh. 5. 19 20. or the dwellers on the earth even such as in their hearts delights and affections dwell on the earth earthly-minded persons such as savour the things which are here below such as are but men not yet born from above Compare this place with Chap. 14. 3 4. and Chap. 13. 6 7 8. 2. We come now to note some Instructions from hence as to say 1. That these Saints and holy ones were sometimes of the kindreds and tongues c. they were sometimes of the world this is implied in that it is here acknowledged by them with thankfulness to the Lamb Thou hast redeemed us out of every kindred c they were chosen now out of the world but that signifies they were sometimes of it as John 15. 19. and chap. 17. 6. And as the Apostle speaks of both believing Jews and Gentiles that they were in former times dead in sins and trespasses and were by nature children of wrath even as others as bad as the worst Eph. 2. 1-4 they were sometimes darkness and under the power of Satan and so in the state condition and fellowship of this world John 5. 24. 1 John 3. 14. Col. 1. 13. And the same may be said of the Saints now living that sometimes they were not a people not an elect or redeemed people as he saith both with respect to Jews and Gentiles I will call them my people which were not my people and her beloved that was not beloved c. Rom. 9. 23 24 26. 1 Pet. 2. 9 10. And the consideration hereof may be useful to the now living redeemed ones 1. To hide pride from them and keep them low in themselves remembring what manner of persons they themselves sometimes were even in as sad a condition as others of the world now are Eph. 2. 9 11. As the Apostle saith to some If thou being a wild olive-tree wert graffed in amongst them and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive-tree Boast not c. Rom. 11. 17 18. So God minds Jerusalem of her former mean and miserable condition to take her down and to hide pride from her Ezek. 16. 1-7-16-22 And when Israel brought their first-fruits they were to acknowledg their former low and sad state to keep them low Deut. 26. 1-4 5 6. and chap. 16. 12. 2. And it may lead them who have received mercy to be pitiful meek and gentle towards others that are still of the world To this purpose the Apostle Paul thus chargeth Titus Put them in mind to be gentle shewing all meekness to all men for we our selves also were sometimes foolish disobedient deceived serving divers lusts and pleasures living in malice and envy hateful and hating one another Tit. 3. 2 3. Exod. 22. 21. and 23. 9. Deut. 16. 11 12. and to shew love and mercy to those that are in affliction Deut. 15. 7-12-15 2. In that they thus confess to the Lamb thou hast redeemed us we may learn that he was not only slain and wrought redemption in himself for men but it is he that redeemeth men in their own persons unto God in due time not only hath he wrought all our works for us but he works all our works in us also Isa 26. 12. He comes to bless us in turning every one from his iniquity Act. 3. 26. He opens mens eyes and turns them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God Isa 42. 1-6 7 8. Act. 26. 16 18-22 23. He makes himself manifest in due season unto them that asked not after him that they might look unto him the price of whom is above Rubies and beâ—sâ—ved and redeemed from all their evils and abominations unto God to serve the living and true God Rom. 10. 20. Isa 45. 22. and chap. 65. 1. He gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works â—it 2. 11 14. And such as are so redeemed as these were have no cause to sacrifice to their own net but to thank Christ Jesus the Lord who is the Alpha and the Omega the author and finisher of the â—aith 1 Tim. 1. 12-15 By grace ye are saved thorow faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast for we are his workmanship c. Eph. 2. 8 9 11. 3. In that these holy Onâ—s thâ—s sing and acknowledg to the Lamb thou hast redeemed or bought us so as it shews unto us their former sad condition as before we have said Mica 6. 4. It
in the second and general resurrection Rev. 20. 12 c. 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. John 5. 21. 3. And the seed of the righteous before spoken of even all their children that were according to the Lords Ordinance and Institution brought into the family of Abraham or Church of Christ whether by circumcision as formerly or by baptism as since the resurrection and ascension of Christ and who dyed in infancy or before they came to the use of understanding shall reign on the Earth Indeed for such as whose circumcision or baptism was carelesly or willingly neglected when there was an opportunity they are cut off from the congregation of the Lord as it is said The uncircumcised man-child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised that soul shall be cut off from his people he hath broken my covenant Gen. 17. 14. Josh 5. 5 6. But as for the rest that have been brought into the congregation of the Lord according to his order they shall inherit this honour and blessing Gen. 17. 7. 9. The soul of the fearer of the Lord shall dwell at ease and his seed shall inherit the earth Psal 25. 12 13. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord that delighteth greatly in his commandments His seed shall be mighty upon earth the generation of the upright shall be blessed Psal 112. 1 2. To this purpose are the words spoken by the Lord to comfort Rachel When she was weeping for her children because they were not Thus saith the Lord refrain thy voice from weeping and thine eyes from tears for thy work shall be rewarded saith the Lord and they shall come again from the land of the enemy to wit death 1 Cor. 15. 26. and there is hope in thine end saith the Lord that thy children shall come again to their own border to wit into the land of Canaan when it is made new Jer. 31. 15 17. with Matth. 2. 16 18. of such is the Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 19. 14. Mark 10. 14. Lukâ— 18. 16. But we shall here add no more to that first particular 2. How shall the persons before spoken of reign or of what reigning is here and elsewhere spoken meant and intended and what is contained therein To this we shall give answer and say 1. It is a reigning as kings as is here plainly signified thou hast made us unto our God kings and we shall reign c. they shall have great authority judgment and government committed to them when Christ as King shall reign in righteousness they as Princes shall rule in judgment Isa 32. 1. Indeed it is still Christs Throne his Kingdom and Dominion Rev. 3. 21. Dan. 7. 27. He shall have the pre-eminence as he hath highly deserved and merited Col. 1. 18. He will then gloriously appear to be Gods first-born higher than these kings also Rev. 1. 5 6. Psal 89. 26 27. But they are by God called to the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord 1 Cor. 1. 8 9. And hereafter unto these Saints of the most high shall be given the Kingdom and Dominion c. Dan. 7. 27. they shall sit as kings on the throne of Jesus Christ Rev. 3. 21. they shall judg to wit govern the world namely in such a sense as is answerable unto though far more excellent and glorious than the judgment and government of Judges Princes and Potentates now see 1 Cor. 6. 1 2 4. they shall reign every one of them authoritatively as our Lord Jesus signifies in the Parables he speaks to this business wherein he saith to his faithful servants I will make thee ruler over many things or persons as things many times includes persons Matth. 25. 21 23. with 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. so it is said It came to pass that when he to wit Christ was returned having received the kingdom then he commanded his servants to be called to him c. Then came the first saying Lord thy pound hath gained ten pounds and he said unto him Well thou good servant have thou authority over ten cities and unto another he said Be thou also over five cities Luke 19. 15 17 19 27. To this purpose also the Apostle John speaks saying And I saw to wit in vision thrones for these kings to sit upon and they sate upon them and judgment to wit rule and government as the word frequently signifies was given unto them and they lived and reigned c. to wit as kings upon thrones Rev. 20. 4. with Psal 122. 4. And thus here Every one of the Saints having Harps and golden Phials c. melodiously sing saying Thou hast made us unto our God kings and we namely every one of us shall reign c. Revel 5. 8 10. And this will further appear also in what follows to be spoken unto by us 2. It is such a reigning also as will be free from persecution and trouble from all molestation and disquietment from enemies they shall then delight themselves in the abundance of peace Psal 37. 7 11. In the days of Christ the true Solomon the righteous shall flourish and abundance of peace till there be no moon Psal 72. 7. For Satan shall then be bound during the thousand years of this glorious and peaceable reign whose work it hath been and will be until that time to accuse the brethren and deceive the world to disquiet and persecute the accused Saints I say with the Scripture He shall be bound and cast into the bottomless pit and shut up and a seal set upon him that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years should be fulfilled c. Rev. 20. 1 3. with chap. 12. 9 10. And then the oppressor shall be broken in pieces indefinitely considered Psal 72. 3 4. The extortioner shall be at an end the spoiler cease and the oppressors shall be consumed out of the land or earth Isa 16. 4 5. Psal 37. 10 11. Then indeed compleatly God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying c. Rev. 21. 1 2 4 The Sun shall no more light on them nor any heat and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 16 17. And this consideration detects and refutes that fond mistake of a learned man Dr. H. on chap. 1. 6. as if this reign began in Vespasian's days c. in which there was not such hot persecution as before and as in Domitian's but some comparative tranquillity yet with persecution whereas the reign which is the hope of the Saints is such an one as is without persecution and not to be enjoyed till the suffering-time be over and past and is therefore spoken of as consequential thereto as the Apostle saith If so be that we suffer with him that we may also be glorified together for I reckâ—n that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us Where the
Apostle doth clearly distinguish between their suffering-time which he signifies to be now in this present time and that of their being glorified which will not be till their suffering-time be over nor in soul and body till all things are made new new Heavens and a new Earth c. as is intimated in the place we are referring to Rom. 8. 17 18. 23. so again he saith it is a faithful saying If we suffer we shall also reign with him where also their reigning is spoken of as future to their suffering and both shall not be in the same time 2 Tim. 2. 11 12. And indeed if times of comparative tranquility may be called reigning-times then these Saints or the Saints might have said We have reigned for it is said in Act. 9. 31. then had the Churches rest throughout all Judea Galilee and Samaria c. But they spoke of it as future we shall reign c. yea and then also the Apostle Paul would not so sharply and severely have upbraided the Corinthians as he doth for certainly they had great rest tranquility and freedom from persecution and liberty for a quiet assembling themselves to worship God And therefore if Dr. H's sayings were true they might laudably have said We do reign But see how the Apostle checks and upbraids them for so thinking notwithstanding they enjoyed Halcionian-days Now ye are full saith he nâ—w ye are rich ye have reigned as kings without us and I would to God ye did reign c. Intimating to us that however they imagined and conceited yet they did not reign as Kings indeed whatever tranquility or immunity from sufferings they enjoyed for their better brethren were still persecuted reviled and defamed which none of the Saints shall be when their reigning-time comes 1 Cor. 4. 8 10 13 14. Nor did the time of this reign begin in Constantines time as says Dr. H. for these who were now alive in mortal bodies and who say We shall reign c. did not live until his Empire nor did all the Saints in his days sit upon thrones and reign as kings but generally they remained subjects and the most of them poor ones also nor were all the Saints during his reign or under the Empire of the succeeding Emperours wholly free from all persecution and molestation from their enemies as they shall assuredly be when they shall reign as kings in the sense here intended and meant yea and when they shall thus reign they shall be free yea for ever free from all infirmity sickness pain grief death c. Luk. 20. 35 36. Rev. 21. 1-4 But to this we shall not further enlarge in this place 3. Yea and also this Reign shall be a most religious and righteous reign It shall be a religious reign they shall all the time of their glorious reign worship God in the height of perfection they shall serve him day and night in his temple Rev. 7. 15 17. the high praises of God shall then be in their mouths Psal 149. Holiness becomes the house of the Lord for ever Psal 93. 5. and these reigners shall not only or simply be blessed but holy also Rev. 20. 6. Into the new Jerusalem the holy City shall in no wise enter any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh an abomination or a lye but they which are written in the Lambs book of life Rev. 21. 27. The Lamb shall be in it and his servants shall serve him Rev. 22. 1-3 14 15. Indeed if this Kingdom were such an one as some say Cerinthus dreamt it should be as it is reported thus of him The opinion of Cerinthus was this That the Kingdom of Christ should be here on the earth and look what he himself being very carnal lusted after for the pampering of his paunch the same he dreamed should come to pass to wit the satisfying of the belly and the things under the belly with meats drinks marriages festival-days sacrifices and slaughters for oblations whereby he imagined he should conceive greater joy and pleasure Eusebius Book 7. Chap. 24. I say if it were such an one as in which the reigners should enjoy all carnal pleasures and delights and be satiated therewith it were not worthy desiring hoping or waiting patiently for but such thoughts are to be abhorred by us concerning it It 's true indeed it shall be upon the Earth as here it is said and as we shall shew God willing and it 's good for us to take away the precious from the vile and not to throw away the wheat with the chaff but it shall not be such a Kingdom as he is said to have dreamt it shall be for the then reigners shall hunger no more neither thirst any more after corporal meat and drink Rev. 7. 15 16. neither shall they marry nor be given in marriage any more Luk. 20. 35 36. Indeed Israel after the flesh or the natural Israel c. during that time will build and plant eat and drink and marry c. Isa 65. 20-25 but not so the children of the first resurrection who shall then gloriously reign but then their delightful exercise shall be to serve God in his Temple continually and with their heavenly and divine Song to celebrate his and the Lambs praises and so it is here said Thou hast made us unto our God Priests and we shall reign c. to wit not as Kings only but as Priests whose continued work was to bless the Lord and to lift up their hands in his sanctuary or in holiness c. Psal 134. they were an holy people to the Lord more holy than the residue of that nation generally and more holy than that Tribe generally to wit than the Leviteâ— Numb 16. so it shall be with these reigners I have sometimes wondered why Kings and Priests were thus conjoyned in severalâ— places as 1 Pet. 2. 9. Rev. 1. 5 6. and chap. 5. 10 c. And surely this is one reason on which we are insisting because these Kings when they reign shall reign as Priests also and shall be a most religious holy heavenly people and sometimes when their reigning is spoken of they are only called Priests as they shall be Priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him c. Rev. 20. 6. And again this glorious Kingdom is sometimes called a Sabbatism or a keeping of a Sabbath and so this Kingdom may be called a Sabbatical Kingdom Heb. 4. 8 9. to denote the perpetual holiness of it A Sabbath was not only a cessation from all manner of servile work but it was set apart by God for more solemn waiting upon and worshipping him and therefore the Lord commanded his people to remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy Exod. 20. 8. and they were not to do their own pleasure thereon to wit on Gods holy day but to call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable c. Isa 58. 13. So when this Kingdom of Christ shall come then
they do any thing or go any-where but what and where their Lord pleaseth it is good for us therefore to pray to God in the Name of Christ to send us them if it be good before him and by them to inform direct or preserve us c. Gen. 24. 40 42. So Manoah intreated the Lord and said O my Lord let the Man of God to wit the Angel which thou didst send come again to us and teach us c. And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah and the Angel of God came again to the Woman c. Judg. 13. 8 9. VVhen Peter was in Prison Prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him and in due season the Lord sent his Angel and delivered him out of the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the People of the Jews Act. 12. 5 11. So our Saviour saith Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father and he will presently give me more than twelve Legions of Angels Mat. 26. 53. This course â—et us also take if we need their Ministry let us not pray to or religiously worship them for they are Servants Gods Ministers But let us pour out our hearts to him who is a refuge for us and unto whom all are Servants VVhen the Apostle John fell down to worship before the Feet of the Angel he said unto him See thou do it not for I am thy fellow-Servant He was a Servant and therefore not to be religiously worshipped Rev. 22. 8 9. 3. It may also inform us how we may have their Ministry for our good and that is by coming unto and abiding in Christ Jesus He that dwelleth in the secret of the most high in Christ the Mercy-seat shall lodge under the shadow of the Almighty under the wings of the â—â—erubims of glory which do overshadow the Propitiatory or Mercy-seat Ps 91. 9. with Exod. 25. 20. Ps 80. 1. Heb. 9. 5. Because thou hast made the Lord my refuge the most high and not these high ones thine habitation There shall no evil befall thee nor any plague come nigh thy dwelling-place for he shall give his Angels a charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways They shall bear thee up in their hands lest thou dash thy foot against a stone Ps 91. 9 12. And this leads to the next 2. And round about the living Creatures and the Elders The same also is said of all the Angels And all the Angels stood round about the Elders and the four living Creatures ch 7. 11. Now 1. Round about the living Creatures and Elders may signifie that the living Creatures and Elders are come unto the Angels the Elders are made perfect in spirit and present with the Lord and with the holy Angels 2 Cor. 5. 7 8. Phil. 1. 23. Heb. 12. 22 23. Rev. 18. 20. And the living Creatures by â—aith dwell and have their conversation in Heaven Rev. 12. 12. and ch 13. 6. Phil. 3. 20. They are come unto Mount Zion and unto the City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem and to an inâ—â—merable company of Angâ—ls Heb. 12. 22. 2. Round about them may also denote that the Angels are ministring Spirits unto them and so sent forth and imployed by Christ Heb. 1. 14. for so much round about doth import when spoken of Persons as we have seen before and this will still more plainly appear if we consider that said of â—ll the Angels in ch 7. 11. to wit that they stand about not the Throne only but the Elders and living Creatures also and standing is frequently the posture of Ministers or Servants 1 King 10. 5. 2 Chron. 9. 4. Ps 135. 2. the Church of the living God is called to the fâ—llowship of Gods Son to a Partnership with him being married to him that is raised from the dead Rom. 7. 4. 1 Cor. 6. 17. 2 Cor. 11. 2. Rev. 19. 7 8. And herein in a general consideration preâ—erred before the Angels though not simply or singly so The Church of the living God is preferred before Apostles Prophets c. as such and before Angels for they are Servants of the Church also as it is the Spouse of Christ Hence they are called Servants and all things are the Churches whether Paul or Apollâ— or Cephas c. 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. with Rev. 19. 10. and ch 22. 9. 2 Cor. 4. 5. Ezra 7. 24. And so the Angels ministred unto Israel it may seem in the wilderness Ps 78. 25. 1 King 19. 5 7. Yea Are they not all ministring Spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be Heirs of Salvation Heb. 1. 14. 3. Round about them may give us to understand that they make known to the Angels the things of Christ they are nearer to the Lamb and between them and the Lamb so it is said To the intent that now unto the Principalâ—ties and Powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God Eph. 3. 10. To this end also it may seem the Angels frequent the Assemblies of Believers when they assemble together to Pray and Prophecy 1 Cor. 11. 10. And they desire to look into those things which are now reported to us by them that have Preached the Gospel to us with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven 1 Pet. 1. 11 12. 4. Round about them as a Camp to enclose them and camp about them And this is often signified to be their work and service as to the Saints here below especially in times of danger or fear The Angel of the Lord encampeth about them that fear him and delivereth them Ps 34. Title and ver 4 7. Gen. 32. 1 2. and they do sometimes deliver them from judgments Psal 91. 1 3 11. and from dangers and mischiefs which their Enemies intend them 2 King 6. 17. and many times out of danger Gen. 19. 15 16. Numb 20. 16. Dan. 3. 28. and ch 6. 22. Act. 5. 19. and ch 12. 7 11. And the consideration hereof may be useful to us 1. To engage us to fear and trust in the Lord as we have said before Ps 34. 7 8 10. and 91. 9 10 11. 2. It may strengthen his Saints against occasions of fainting and cause them to be quiet from fear of evil for the holy one of Israel will be as is good their defence this innumerable company of Angels are ministring Spirits sent forth and imployed for their good and these are more and more strong and powerful more wise and watchful than their Enemies how potent wise or vigilant soever they are As King Hezekiah said to Judah Be strong and couragious be not afraid nor dismayed for the King of Assyria nor for all the Multitude that is with him for there be more with us than with him with him is an Arm of Flesh but with us is the Lord our God to help us c. And he hath thousand thousands of these heavenly Spirits ministring unto him for the
also Ps 33. 1 2 3. and 98. 1 2 3 4 5. and 149. 1 6. 3. With a loud or great voice denotes their instantness and earnestness as those that would hear nothing that might hinder or wave them from praising and extolling the Lamb. Thus we have this Phrase used concerning the Jews who were so earnest to have Christ crucified that they would hear nothing to the contrary They were instant with loud voices requiring that he might be crucified and the voices of them and of the Chief Priests prevailed Luke 23. 23. So these Angels were so instant with their loud voices as if they resolved herewith to excell and out-voice them who consult to cast down Christ from his excellency Ps 62. 2 4. And that all might give unto him the glory due unto his Name and worship him and none but Christ and God in him and no false object of worship Rev. 14 6 7 8 9 10. But What do they say with their loud voice and where do they say it 1. What do they say with their loud or great voice Answ To that we may here in general say 1. They say or speak right and true things that which came out of their Lips was right before God as Jer. 17. 16. They might say as the Angel doth Rev. 22. 6. These sayings are faithful and true And therefore they might liâ—t up their voice like a Trumpet So the Lord himself saith I have not spoken in secret in a dark place of the Earth I the Lord speak righteousness I declare things that are right Isay 45. 19. They might be Heralds and Proclaimers of the truth with the loudest voice that could be 2. And it was good news they proclaimed glad tidings of great joy to all People of Mankind as Luke 2. 10 14. Even the Contents of the Gospel And so they might well and rejoiâ—ingly lift up their voice According to that O Zion that bringest good tidings get thee up into the high Mountain O Jerusalem that bringest good tidings lift up thy voice with strength lift it up be not afraid c. Isay 40. 9. So our Lord Jesus when he declared the glad tidings of the Kingdom made Proclamation thâ—reof with a loud voice He stood and cryed saying If any Man thirst let him come unto me and drink Joh. 7. 37 38. and ch 12. 44 47. Sad news may be whispered out as 2 Sam. 12. 19. And they that bring in damnable heresies denying the Lord that bought them do it many times privily and in secret 2 Pet. 2. 1. But the Gospel ought to be proclaimed on the House-tops Luke 12. 3. on the high Mountains Isay 52. 7 8. Nahum 1. 15. And so that which this innumerable company of Angels said with a loud voice was both true and good A faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation 1 Tim. 1. 15. So it is said of Wisdom Doth not Wisdom cry and Vnderstanding put forth her voice She standeth in the top of high places by the Way in the places of the Pathes she cryeth at the Gates c. But what doth she so loudly and openly cry and proclaim She tells us to wit good and right things Hear saith she for I will speak of excellent things and the opening of my Lips shall be right things Prov. 8. 1 2 6 c. and ch 9. 2. Where do they say this or speak with their loud voice And that is About the Throne So here it is said I heard the voice of many Angels round about the Throne c. and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice they knew it would be no offence or grief of heart to him that â—ate thereon to hear the high praises of the Lamb in their mouths VVhen the whole multitude of the Disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen saying Blessed be the King that cometh in the Name of the Lord c. It seems some of the Pharisees were offended thereat and displeased therewith for they said unto Jesus Master rebuke thy Disciples c. Luke 19. 37 38 39. But though this innumerable multitude of Angels say with a loud voice worthy is the Lamb c. And joyfully harmoniously and with a loud noise round about the Throne on every side of it as it were cause their voice to enter into the Ears of him that sate upon the Throne it was not displeasing or dishonouring to him but that which tended to the honouring and glorifying him God hath committed all judgment to the Son that all should honour the Son as they honour the Father He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father that hath sent him Joh. 5. 22 23. When the Son of God is exalted and extolled the Father is also glorified for he devised this blessed means and found out this ransome 2 Sam. 14. 14. Job 33. 24. He prepared himself this Lamb for a Burnt-offering Gen. 22. 8 14. He sent him into the World to be the propitiation for our sins He delivered him up for us all and raised him again for our justification and made him the Head of the Corner This was the Lords doing He gave him glory c. All things are of God 2 Cor. 5. 18. All that then is for the glory of God wherein the Son of God is glorified Joh. 11. 4. He is glorified in the Son Joh. 14. 13. He is served when the Son is kissed Ps 2. 11 12. So when Christ was born and one Angel celebrates his praises and declares his praise-worthiness suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly Host praising God and saying Glory be to God in the highest c. Luke 2. 10 14. and ch 19. 37 38. 2. We have an account of what they said more particularly with their loud or great voice to wit VVorthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing Whence we may note in general that when the Angels praise the Lamb they mention not any favour done for them by him as the living Creatures and Elders do as with respect to themselves v. 8 9 10. Luke 2. 10 11. Heb. 2. 16. More particularly consider we 1. The Person of whom they speak and whom they praise 2. What they say of him by way of praise and exaltation 1. The Person of whom and not to whom as the Saints v. 7 10. they speak and whom they praise the Lamb that was slain not themselves but one who hath by in heritance obtained a more excellent Name than they for this Lamb is the Son of God Heb. 1. 4 7. Joh. 1. 29 34 36. these Sons of the Mighty give unto him glory and strength they give unto him the honour of his Name Psal 29. 1 2. And herein in substance they join with the Saints See the Notes before on v.
there we have only three places mentioned for it is said None in Heaven nor in Earth nor under the Earth In which last expression the Sea is also included All which do encline so to understand it which I have therefore mentioned But yet because as here rendred they are distinctly mentioned here and there may be a distinct consideration of these two and else where also though very rarely we have such a distribution-made As it seems there is in Psal 135. 6. Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in Heaven and in the Earth in the Seas and in all deep places Therefore I shall briefly speak to them distinctly And so And under the Earth to wit under the face or superficies of it and so distinguished from every Creature on the Earth And under the Earth there are Deeps or deep places Psal 95. 4. and 148. 8. Gold Silver Brass and all Metals and Minerals Job 28. 1 3 5. Stones and precious Stones Job 28. the pretious things and hidden treasures Deut. 33. 16. Job 3. 21. Prov. 2. 4. Roots of Trees Grass c. Job 14. 8. Dan. 4. 15 23. VVorms Mica 7. 17. Vapours Psal 148. 8. and 135. 6 7. Jer. 10. 13 and 51. 16. And those that are buried there-under c. 4. And such as are in the Sea That is also full of Gods riches as the Psalmist saith O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all the Earth is full of thy riches so is this great and wide Sea wherein are things creeping innumerable both small and great Beasts Psal 104. 24 25. therein are Fishes in abundance Gen. 1. 26 28. Psal 8. 8. Job 12. 8. And of these some have Scales and Fins and they were legally clean and some had none and they were legally unclean Lev. 11. 9 12. Deut. 4. 19 10. and creeping things as before which sometimes enclude Fishes sometimes are distinct there-from Gen. 1. 20 21. with 1 King 4. 33. So we read of the Sea-Monsters Lam. 4. 3. and the Dragons in the Sea as Isay 27. 1. there go the Ships and there is that Leviathan whom God hath formed to play therein Psal 104. 26. Job 41. therein also are Fowls which with us are called Sea-birds and Sea-fowls and are mentioned with the Fishes Gen. 1. 20 21. So the waves of the Sea Exod. 15. 19. Job 9. 8. the â—and of the Sea Job 6. 3. and treasures hid therein And in the Sea are Pearls c. Deut. 33. 19. and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the Sea Psal â— 8. 3. The Apostle makes a general Repetition of what he had foresaid saying And all that are in them not some of the Creatures in Heaven on the Earth under the Earth and in the Sea or some of all sorts but all that are in them in which he speaks somewhat like to that Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet for in that he put all in subjection under him be left nothing that is not put under him Heb. 2. 6 8. And this gives us occasion to propound and give Answer to a Question or two that might arise from that which is here said Namely Quest But are wicked Men and wicked Spirits included in the every Creature and all that are in them and do or shall they also say Blessing and Honour and Glory and Power unto him that sits on the Throne and to the Lamb c Answ 1. To the first part of this question we say surely they are encluded also in the every Creature here spoken of for the Apostle here speaks as generally and universally as may be in so few words And every Creature which is in Heaven and on the Earth and under the Earth and such as are in the Sea and all that are in them heard I saying c. And therefore as I judge wicked Spirits and wicked Men cannot reasonably be excluded 2. To the second question or second part of the question we may say certainly wicked Men and Spirits do not chearfully and heartily and so not acceptably say Blessing c. unto him that sits upon the Throne c. But yet the Devils though against their wills do obey and make some right acknowledgments of God and Christ The Devils believe there is one God and tremble Jam. 2. 19. The Damâ—sel possessed with the Spirit of Divination said concerning Paul and his Companions These Men are the Servants of the most high God c. whereby it appears the Evil Spirit did know and intimately acknowledge that he was not but there was one that was the most high God above all evil Sprits whatever Acts 16. 16. though yet the Devil desires and seeks to be worshipped as God So the Devils cried out saying What have we to do with thee Jesus thou son of God Mat. 8. 29. And unclean Spirits when they saw Christ fell down before him and cried saying Thou art the Son of God Mark 3. 11 12. And the Legion of Devils or the Man possessed therewith fell down before Jesus and with a loud voice said What have I to do with thee Jesus thou Son of God most high I beseech thee torment me not Luke 8. 27 32. And the People were all amazed insomuch that they questioned among themselves saying what thing is this what new Doctrine is this for with authority commandeth he even the unclean Spirits and they obey him Mark 1. 24 27. And so we may say of wicked Men also for all are his Servants Ps 119. 91. They though not willingly and chearfully yet against their wills do after a sort not acceptably Heb. 12. 28. worship him Acts 17. 25. They profess to know God who in works deny him being abominable and disobedient and to every good work reprobate Tit. 1. 16. And in due season all shall render and ascribe Blessing and Honour c. unto him that sits upon the Throne and unto the Lamb So the Lord saith I have sworn by my self the word is gone out of my Mouth in Righteousness and shall not return that unto me every Knee shall bow every Tongue shall swear Isay 45. 23. with Rom. 14. 11 12. And because Christ Jesus humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the Cross therefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name above every name That in the name of Jesus every Knee should bow of things in Heaven and things on Earth and things under the Earthâ— and that every Tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father Phil. 28 11. All they that go down to the Dust shall bow before him Ps 22. 27 29. Prov. 16. 4. And indeed Wicked Spirits and Men may well be included and reckoned amongst such Creatures as are brute and have no understanding because they so degenerate from their Primitive Glory and Excellency and the latter will not be made clean and renewed So the Devil is called and compared
far above them to wit the Saints and glorious Spirits or Angels They do not say The blessing and the honour and the glory and the power unto the living Creatures or Elders or innumerable company of Angels or any of them nor to the Virgin Mary or any Saint deceased whatever Surely if living Men yea living Saints may invocate and religiously worship the Virgin Mary or any Saint or Angel much rather might these do so there is a far greater dis-proportion between mute and brute Creatures and the Saints and Angels and a much wider difference than there is between one Saint and another or than between Saints and Angels And if it be too great boldness and presumption for living Saints to come immediately to Christ and to God by Christ as some groundlesly and dangerously dream and conceit and therefore in their voluntary humility they address themselves to Christ by Saints deceased or Angels being notwithstanding their plea for and pretence of humility vainly puft up with their fleshly mind and not holding the Head Christ Jesus Col. 2. 18 19. How much greater pride and sauciness would it be in these mute and brute Creatures to pass by the Saints and Angels in their Doxologies and Adorations And how much more becoming their low and inferiour state and condition to call to the Saints and Angels in their Addresses of this nature as Job 5. 1. and desire them to mediate for them or to worship them immediately seeing Saints are much better than the Fowls of the Air Mat. 6. 26. with Luke 12. 24. much better than Sheep c. Mat. 12. 12. But yet these inferiour Creatures call not in to their assistance the Saints or Angels as Mediators Oh! let us not be more brutish than these Câ—eatures which have no understanding But let us continually and only come unto God by the one and only Mediator the Man Christ Jesus who gave himself a Ransome for all Men 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. Heb. 7. 25. Joh. 14. 6. Heb. 13. 5 3. Directly and expressly they say Blessing and the honour c. unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb As they are called upon by the Psalmist saying Bless the Lord all his works in all places of his Dominion Ps 103. 22. And as is said concerning them All thy works shall praise thee O Lord Ps 145. 10. So the Apostle was here strengthened extraordinarily to hear them The Heavens declare the glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy work Day unto Day uttereth speech and Night unto Night sheweth knowledge Ps 19. 1 2 3. The Beasts of the Field shall honour me saith the Lord the Dragons and the Owls or Ostriches Isay 43. 20. All his works praise and shall praise him in seeking to him as those that have their sole dependance on him and preservation and provision from him The Eyes of all wait upon him and he gives them their Meat in due season He openeth his hand and satisfieth the desire of every living thing Ps 145. 10. with v. 15 16. The innumerable creeping things in the Sea as well as the Beasts of the Earth and Fowls of the Air These all wait upon him that he may give them their Meat in due season that he gives them they gather he openeth his hand they are filled with good Psal 104. 10 17 25 28. He provideth for the Raven his food his young ones cry to God Job 38. 41. Thus the Psalmist calls upon the Creatures generally to praise the Lord. Praise ye him saith he Sun and Moon praise him all ye Stars of Light praise him ye Heavâ—nâ— of Heavens and ye Waters that be above the Heavens Praise the Lord from the Earth ye Dragons and all Deeps Fire and Hail Snow and Vapours stormy Wind fulfilling his Word Mountains and all Hills fruitful Trees and all Cedars Beasts and all Cattel creeping things and flying Fowl c. Ps 148. See the Song of the three Children in Apocrypha v. 35 59. And all Creatures are called upon to rejoice and sing praise before and glorifie the Lamb Let the Heavens rejoice and let the Earth be glad let the Sea roar and the fulness thereof Let the Field be joyful and all that is therein then shall all the Trees of the Wood rejoice before the Lord for he cometh for he cometh to judge the Earth c. Ps 96. 11 13. and 98. with Ps 75. 3. and Heb. 1. 3. 1. Then we may learn from hence that God leaves not himself without witness to any All God's Creatures shew forth his glory and glorifie him that we might be led to know that there is a God a great a good and gracious God He left not himself without witness towards the Gentiles but did them good and gave them Rain from Heaven which is a teacher of righteousness Joel 2. 23. and fruitful seasons filling their hearts with Food and gladness Act. 14. 17. That which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them for 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 God-head c. Rom. 1. 19 20 21. Job 12. 7 9. Deut. 4. 19. Yea the Apostle saith The Gospel was preached in every Creature under Heaven Col. 1. 23. Ps 19. 1 2 3 6. with Rom. 10. 14 15 18. Isay 40. 26 28. Ps 145. 9 10. 2. In that what these mute and brute Creatures do according to their Nature and Kind and by Instinct is thus reputed as their saying Blessing and honour and glory and power c. We may see the graciousness of God in his Interpretations He doth put the most favourable and charitable construction upon the saying and doings of his Creatures that may be He here reputes and interprets what these Creatures do by natural Instinct to be a glorifying and honouring him because he hath given no more to them When the young Lions roar after their Prey he calls it their seeking their Meat from God Ps 104. 21. and saith The young Ravens cry unto God Job 38. 41. and that all Creatures wait upon him Ps 104. 12 27. and 145. 10 15 16. So he interprets Childrens being brought to him a coming to him Mat. 19. 13 14. Mark 10. 13 14. Luke 18. 15 16. Deut. 11. 1 2. and reputes them graciously as Believers Mat. 18. 2 6. as such as receive the Kingdom Luke 18. 17. as such as humble themselves Mat. 18. 4. See Ps 71. 5 6. with Ps 22. 9 10. So when Persons in imminent and eminent danger cry out for help and deliverance and are even forced to seek to him he interprets it in the best sense and saith Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble and he saveth them c. Ps 107. 8 31. 1 Tim. 2. 15. Jonah 1. 14 16. He is no hard or austere Master though wicked and slothful Servants so say but interprets
And this Christ knew and took notice of and did approve and commend them for and this for our imitation also that we might grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and might abound in every good word and work 2 Pet. 3. 18. 2 Thes 2. 15 17. Verse 20. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee see the notes before on v. 4. and on v. 14. Because thou sufferest that Woman Jezabel which calleth her self a Prophetess to teach and to seduce my Servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols In this verse we have the charge which our Saviour draws up against this Angel and Church And this he doth 1. More generally Because thou sufferest that woman Jezabel 2. He gives a more particular account of her evil and therein intimately of theirs in their permitting and suffering her And that 1. By what she said of her self which calleth her self a Prophetess 2. By her evil work To teach and seduce my Servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols 1. We have the charge more generally drawn up against this Angel and Church Because thou sufferest that Woman Jezabel Thou sufferest that is thou permittest and forbiddest her not so suffering and forbidding are opposed the one unto the other see Mat. 3. 14 15 and ch 19. 14. or thou forbiddest her not with rebukes for when we rebuke any we may be said not to suffer them see Mat. 19. 13. with v. 14. The evil of this Angel and Church was not that Jezabel taught false doctrine simply But that they did not forbid or hinder her that they did not rebuke her sharply and so stop or muzzel her mouth and not suffer her to vent her erroneous and destructive doctrines amongst them Tit. 1. 10 13. So God is said not to suffer what he straitly forbids As the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee to hearken unto observers of times and unto diviners Deut. 18. 14. that is he hath strictly forbidden thee so to do And yet they might possibly be guilty of such an iniquity though their God suffered them not so to do Jer. 32. 35. Now this was the evil found with this Angel and Church not that they commanded or encouraged her so to do or that she taught evil doctrines simply But they did not forbid or make it their work to hinder her by their convictions sharpe rebukes and prohibitions of her but did even tolerate her so to do That Woman Either hereby we may understand some one particular person or rather some congregated society as it seems or framed assembly that was gathered together but not by Christ or in his name Isay 54. 15. like unto if not the same with the synagogâ—e of Satan mentioned before v. 9. and ch 3 9. Some idolatrous Church appears to be meant and intended hereby Because the word Woman in the Book of this Prophecy frequently signifies either the Church of Christ as ch 12. 1 4 6 13 16 or mystery Babilon the man of sins whore ch 17. 3 9 18. or any other idolatrous or whorish society or congregation ch 14. 3. And so else-where the word Woman doth signify some Church or religious society as Cant. 1. 8. and ch 5. 9. Ezek. 23. 2. Jezabel so is this woman called with allusion to Jezabel the wife of Ahab in former times and so to denote unto us 1. That this Jezabel here spoken of was some idolatrous and antichristian congregation that was amongst the Church in Thyatira and that worshipped some false object of worship or the true God after a false manner as afterwards also appeareth by the account given of her doctrine and so this framed congregation was like to Jezabel of old who was one that worshipped Baal and had Prophets of the groves that eat at her table 1 King 16. 31 33. and ch 18. 19. And like to her was this woman herein And like unto if not in the beginning the same with mystery Babilon which hath in her right hand a golden cup full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication Rev. 17. 1 2 5. for in the Apostles days that mystery of iniquity did begin to work though it was not so revealed as it hath been since 2 Thes 2. 3 7 8. 2. This whorish society is called and compared to Jezabel of old to give us to understand that they were enemies unto and full of cruelty against the true Prophets and Servants of the Lord as was Ahab's wife 1 King 18. 4 13. and ch 19. 1 2. and ch 21. 7. c. and this is also true of mystery Babilon the great whore they have shed the blood of Saints and Prophets Rev. 16. 6. that woman was drunken with the blood of the Saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus Rev. 17. 6. and ch 18. 24. and ch 19. 2. how many thousands and ten thousands hath this Mother of harlots and her confederates murthered and shed the blood of yea they hold it to be a meritorious work to kill and destroy Hereticks and such they account all them to be who will not hold communion with them or commit whoredom and spiritual fornication with them 3. This woman is likened to Jezabel in former times to signify the witch-crafts they make use of both more spiritually and more grossly also 2 King 9 22. more spiritually all false and antichristian teachers are witches Gal. 3. 1. and those Antichristian Christians use it also more grossly many of them The coming of the Man of sin is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders 2 Thes 2. 8 10. And by the forcerers both spiritual and carnal of mystery Babilon were all nations deceived Rev. 18. 23. To Jezabel of old is this Antichristian society likened here because she gave forth her self to be a Queen such an one was Ahabs wife indeed 1 King 16. 31. so mystery Babilon is too generally acknowledged as and gives forth her self to be a queen she ruleth over the Kings of the earth Rev. 17. 18. and by her sitting upon the Scarlet-coloured Beast and ruling she lives dâ—liciously and before the approach of her ruine and irrecoverable destruction she will say in her heart I sit a Queen and am no Widow and shall see no sorrow Rev. 18. 6 7. with Isay 47. 6 7. 5. This framed idolatrous congregation is also called Jezabel because as Jezabel of old did paint her face and tire her head 2 King 9. 30. so did these evil and false worshippers and so Idolatrous ones generally to gain love from others and to draw them in to commit fornication by their appearing beauty and amiableness they cloath themselves with crimson and deck themselves with ornaments of Gold and even rent their faces with painting that they make themselves fair Jer. 4. 30. Ezek. 23. 40 44. And how doth mystery Babilon paint her face and deck her self with the riches and bravery
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