Selected quad for the lemma: love_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
love_n	abide_v	commandment_n	keep_v	7,539	5	7.0952	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A57377	Clavis Bibliorum The key of the Bible, unlocking the richest treasury of the Holy Scriptures : whereby the 1 order, 2 names, 3 times, 4 penmen, 5 occasion, 6 scope, and 7 principall parts, containing the subject-matter of every book of Old and New Testament, are familiarly and briefly opened : for the help of the weakest capacity in the understanding of the whole Bible / by Francis Roberts ...	Roberts, Francis, 1609-1675.; Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666.	1648 (1648)	Wing R1583; ESTC R20707	139,238	403

therefore is probable he wrote it at Ephesus Zauch Prolegom in 1. Ioan. p. 6. Iohn lived after the other Apostles and wrote after them Occasions I. Iohn observed that in his daies there were many hereticall Teachers Seducers which he cals Anti-christs and by a propheticall spirit foresaw that afterwards there would arise many more Epiphanius reckon● up these before and in Iohn's dayes viz. 1. Simonians 2. Menandrians 3. Saturnilians 4. Basilidians 5. Nicolaitanes of whom Rev. 2. 6. Gnosticks 7. Carpocratians from Carpocrates in Asia who taught men must sinne and do the will of all the devils otherwise they could not enter into heaven 8. Cerinthians and Merinthians from Cerinthus and Morinthus who denyed Christs divinity said he was not before Mary that he was a meere man 9. Habionits who held the same heresie 10. Nazaraei that urged Moses law See Epiphan in Panario l. 1. Tom. 2. II. Iohn took notice of divers carnall believers who made great profession of knowledge faith and piety towards God who yet lived ungodly to the scandall of the Gospel III. Finally Iohn considered how necessary it was to encourage true believers in faith and promote them to assurance of their interest in eternall life These gave Iohn Occasion of writing this Epistle by way of remedy Scope The blessed Apostle Iohn in this Epistle principally levels at these three ends 1. To detect and confute hereticall and Anti-Christian Seducers and warne the believers against them and their false Doctrine These things have I written to you concerning them that seduce you 1 John 2.26 particularly and especially proving That Christ is true and eternall God against Corinthians and Hebionites c. 1. That Christ is true man and assumed true flesh against Cerdonians Manichees Priscillianists and Valentinians which by a Propheticall spirit he foresaw would follow c. 4. That Iesus is the true Christ the promised Messiah against Iew● and Nazarites c. 2. That the Father Word and holy Ghost are three true distinct Persons of one essence against Sabelli●ns c. c. 5. That they that are born of God ought not nay as such cannot commit sin and such as do not righteousnesse are of the devill not of God against the Carpocratians c. 3. 2. To stirre up all that professe to know God and believe in him that they walk in light not in darknesse 1. Iohn 1.5 6 7. as Christ walked that they keep the Commandements especially abound in love 1 Iohn 2.4 5 6. and all along the Epistle 3. To provoke true believers to growth in faith and grace and to help forward their assurance of their interest in eternall life This last end is clearly professed in 1 Iohn 5.13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Sonne of God that yee may know that yee have eternall life And therefore it is most singularly observable of this sweet and precious Epistle what a multitude of Marks Signs or Discoveries of believer's spirituall State are here plainly and purposely laid downe for this end more then in any other so short a piece of Scripture in the whole Bible Which Signes are here reduced to severall heads and set downe for the help and comfort of the Readers in some of which at least the weakest if a sincere Christian may find abundant soule-refreshing and heart-establishment I. Evidences Signes or Discoveries of Gods love to us 1. Christs being sent to lay down his life for us that we might live by him 1 Iohn 3.16 and 4.9 10. 2. Adoption That we should be called the sonnes of God 1 Iohn 3.1 3. Our not loving the world nor the things of the world inordinately 1 John 2.15 16 17. 4. Our love to God which is an effect or reflexive beame of Gods love to us 1 Iohn 4.19 II. Evidences or Signes of our Regeneration Sonneship c. 1. That the world knoweth us not 1 Iohn 3.1 2. True believing that Jesus is the Christ 1 Iohn 5.1 3. Not committing sin 1 Iohn 3.9 and 5.18 Especially in respect of that great sin of sins The wicked one toucheth him not 1 John 5.18 4. Hope if not assurance that we shall be conforme to God in his glorious appearing 1 Iohn 3.2 3. 5. In hope of glory purifying our selves as God is pure 1 Iohn 2.3 6. Overcoming erroneous hereticall spirits 1 Iohn 4.1 4. 7. Overcoming the world by faith 1 Iohn 5.4 5. 8. Doing of righteousnesse 1 Iohn 2.29 and 3.10 9. True love of the brethren 1 Iohn 3.10.14 and 4.7 III. Evidences or Signes that we are of the truth of the true number of Gods people 1. Having an unction from the holy one teaching us all things 1 Iohn 2.19 20 27. 2. The Testimony of an upright heart or conscience 1 Iohn 3.19 20 21. 3. Perseverance with the faithfull in Christ and the truth 1 Iohn 2.19.27 IIII. Evidences or Signes of being in light not in darknesse in life not in death 1. Having the Sonne 1 Iohn 5.11.12 2. Loving and not hating our brother 1 Iohn 2.9 10 11. and 3.14 15. V. Evidences or Signes of the true knowledge of God 1. Keeping his Commandements 1 Iohn 2.3 4. 2. Denyall of sinne 1 Iohn 3.6 3. Mutuall love of one another 1 Iohn 4.7 8. VI. Evidences or Signes of our love to God and Iesus Christ. 1. The casting out of base feare 1 Iohn 4.18 2. Not loving the world and things in the world inordinately 1 Iohn 2.15.16 3. Keeping of his Commandements and his Word chearfully 1 Iohn 2.5 and 5.3 4. Opening our bowels of compassion to brethren in need 1 Iohn 3.17 and 1 Iohn 5.1 1 Iohn 4.11 12 20 21. VII Evidences or Signes of our Communion with God and Iesus Christ. 1. His spirit given us 1 Iohn 3.24 and 4.13 2. The Truth 's abiding in us 1 Iohn 2.24 3. Confessing that Jesus is the Son of God 1 Iohn 4.15 4. Not doing sinne 1 Iohn 3.6 8. 5. Love to God and dwelling therein 1 Iohn 4.16 6. Walking in light not in darknesse 1 Iohn 1.5 6 7. 7. Walking as Christ walked 1 Iohn 2.6 8. Keeping his Words and Commandements 1 Iohn 2.3 4 5. and 3.23 24. 9. Brotherly love 1 Iohn 4.12 VIII Finally Evidences or Signs of true brotherly love or love of Gods children 1 Joh. 5.1 2. 1. Knowing of God 1 Iohn 4.7 8. 2. Loving of God 1 Iohn 5.1 2. 3. Keeping Gods Commandements 1 Iohn 5.2 4. Not loving in word and in tongue but in deed and in truth 1 Iohn 3.18 5. Reall compassion to our brother in need yea even hazzarding our life for him in some cases 1 Iohn 3.16 17. By these Evidences Signes or Characters of our spirituall Estate clearly laid downe in this Excellent Epistle the weak in faith may become strong in Assurance and the strong may become stronger yea all that truly believe in the name of the Son of God if the fault be not their owne may hereby come to know that they have eternall life

Mediatour and the salvation of sinners by him is the very substance marrow soule and Scope of the whole Scriptures As many passages not obscurely intimate unto us What are the whole Scriptures but as it were the spirituall swadling-cloathes of the Holy child Iesus 1 Christ is the truth and substance of all the types and shadows 2 Christ is the matter and substance of the Covenant of Grace under all administrations therof under the Old-Testament Christ is veyled under the New Covenant Revealed 3 Christ is the Center and meeting place of all the Promises for in him all the promises of God are yea and they are Amen 4 Christ is the thing signified sealed and exhibited in all the Sacraments of Old or New Testament whether ordinary or extraordinary 5 Scripture Genealogies are to lead us on to the true Line of Christ. 6 Scripture Chronologies are to discover to us the times and seasons of Christ. 7 Scripture lawes are our Schoole-Master to bring us unto Christ the Morall by correcting the Ceremoniall by Directing and 8 Scripture Gospel is Christs light whereby we know him Christs voice whereby we heare and follow him Christs cords of love whereby we are drawn into sweet union and Communion with him yea it is the power of God unto Salvation unto all them that believe in Christ Iesus Keep therefore still Jesus Christ in your eye in the perusall of the Scripture as the end Scope and substance thereof For as the Sunne gives light to all the heavenly bodies so Jesus Christ the Sunne of righteousnesse gives light to all the holy Scriptures 2. Still remember how Iesus Christ is revealed in Scripture gradually in Promises and Covenants till the noon day of the Gospell shined most clearly Especially in these more remarkeable Periods of time 1 To Adam immediately upon his fall most obscurely and imperfectly 2. To Noah more clearly then to Adam 3. To Abraham Isaac and Iacob more clearly then to Noah 4. To Moses and Israel at Mount Sinai more clearly then to Abraham 5. To David and his seed more clearly then to Moses 6. To Israel after the Babylonish captivity more clearly then to David 7. To the Church under the N. Testament the N. Covenant is laid open more clearly then to all others For 1 God is a God of order and he makes knowne his gracious contrivances orderly 2 Christ and salvation by him are treasures too high and precious to be disclosed all at once to the Church 3 The state of the Church is various she hath her infancy her youth and all the degrees of her minority as also her riper age and therfore God revealed Christ not according to his own ability of revealing but according to his Churches capacity of receiving 4 This gradual revealing of Christ suits well with our condition in this world which is not perfect but growing on to perfectiō fully attainable in Heaven only Now this gradual unveiling of the Covenant and promises in Christ is to be much considered throughout the whole Scripture that we may see the wisedome of Gods Dispensations the Imperfection of the Churches Condition here especially in her minority and the usefulnesse of comparing the more dark and imperfect with the more clear and compleat manifestations of the mysteries of Gods grace in Christ. 3. Well compare the texts you would understand with the Context and note the coherence For though some Scriptures are laid downe in certain independing Aphorismes like an heap of gold rings or distinct Jewels as most part of the Proverbs yet the generality of the Scriptures is concatenated or linked together part with part like a golden chaine intwisted or woven together like a curious silken web one thing so depending upon another as that they mutually help to the interpreting of one another Consider therefore still the coherence and dependance otherwise you will runne into a thousand misunderstandings As where it is said If the righteous scarcely be saved where c. A weak Christian perhaps is discouraged hereby thinks he shall scarce ever come to heaven now the context clears it for the Apostle speaks that judgement or affliction must begin at the house of God Gods people and thence argues to the certainty of wicked mens greater punishments so that here scarcely be saved is to be understood not of spirituall and eternal salvation from hell but of temporall salvation from temporall afflictions and persecutions from which the righteous shall not be free 4. Compare dark places with clearer what is in one place veyled is in another oft-times unveyled As with Parables conferre the exposition with visions the Interpretation with laws the explication thereof c. For as Augustine hath observed In those things that are plainly laid downe in Scripture are found all things containing faith and manners and places obscure are to be illustrated by those that are manifest 5. Explaine those places wherein any matter or subject of Divinity is touched only occasionally or accidentally with sundry other places wherein it is handled and insisted upon purposely and professedly which are the very seate and chief fountain of the Argument As if you would understand Iames c 2. touching justification by works as well as faith where justification is spoken of more accidentally compare it with the Epistle to the Romans c. 2 3 4 c. wherein justification is purposely and fully handled So if you would truly understand any texts about the matter of Creation consult with places where the Creation is professedly handled as in Gen. c. 1. and c. 2. and Psal. 104. 6. Parallel Types with Anti-Types or things typified The Types more familiarly lead us to the understanding and apprehending of things typified and consequently more firmly fix them in our memories The Anti-types more evidently unfold and unveyle the Types unto us As the Type of the brazen Serpent paralleld with Christ the truth The Type of Mannah and water out of the Rock with the Anti-type Christ whose body and bloud are meat and drinke indeed c. 7. Carefully ponder what Prophecyes and Promises are already actually fulfilled and what remain further to be fulfilled in their season For so farre as any Scripture clearly testifies the fulfilling of any of them so farre we have a clear and undoubted Commentary upon them As Isa. 7.14 fulfilled and so cleared Matth. 1.22 23. So Exod. 12.46 fulfilled and cleared Iohn 19.26 So Isa 61.1 2. fulfilled and cleared Luk. 4.18 19.21 with many such like And where Prophecyes or Promises are found to be yet unfulfilled we shall thereby be incited to study them and the intended time of their Accomplishment exercising faith and prayer thereupon 8. Finally Parallel heedfully the Old and New Testament together and specially all those places in the Old Testament which are in any respect alledged in the New Testament whether 1 the phrase and words only or 2 the sense and matter

wherein true felicity is to be found and this he showes 1. Particularly declaring what are the degrees and meanes of happinesse so farre as a man may attaine thereunto in this imperfect life c. 7. to c. 12.8 2. Summarily in the close of the whole Book c. 12.8 to the end This Book is an undeniable Argument of Solomons repentance after his Relapse and consequently of his salvation Song of Songs 3. HIs Nuptiall Book treating of the spiritual Contract and Marraiage betwixt Christ and his Church called the SONG OF SONGS which was Solomons c. 1.1 and CANTICLES because of all Solomons Songs which were 1005. 1 King 4.32 This was the choycest and most excellent the matter thereof being one of the sweetest spirituall mysteries viz. the Churches spirituall espousals to and Communion with Jesus Christ that great mystery Eph. 5.32 Scope of this Song is under the Metaphor or Allegory of lovers upon Contract and intending marriage to shadow out to us that sublime spirituall happy union and Communion betwixt Christ and his Church inchoate in this life more imperfectly with the Iewes more perfectly with the Gentiles Consummate in the life to come This is carried on dialogue-wise betwixt Christ and his Church His friends and her Damosels being the foure speakers especially the two first As is the Custome of a Bridegroome and a Bride Principall parts of this Song of Songs I. The Inscription denoting the 1 kind of writing 2 Excellency 3 and Penman of it c. 1.1 II. The substance of the Song Streaming out a Torrent of spirituall love betwixt Christ and the Church laid down Dialogue-wise in a familiar Colloquy betwixt 1 Christ as the Bridegroome 2 The Church as the Bride and 3 the friends of them both rejoycing in the marriage All in a continued Allegory Herein are particularly 1. The Ardent desires of the Church after Christ as impatient of his absence with Christs acceptance thereof c. 1. ver 2. to 9. 2. The Reciprocall invitatory Commendations of one another and the mutuall gratulations and contentment of Christ and the Church in one another c. 1.9 to the end of c. 2. 3. The Churches renewed desires night and day at home and abroad in the City in the fields as it were to bring Christ neerer to her self c. 3.1 to 6. yea rather to have her selfe brought immediately to the full enjoyment of Christ in heaven v. 6. to the end 4. Christ most affectionately Prayseth his Church in her Members professing himselfe ravished with her faith graces and spirituall beauty c. 4.1 to 15. which is amplified 1. By the Churches selfe-denying acknowledging all her graces to come from Christ as the fountaine v 15. 2. By her Prayer for his influence to make her as a Garden of spices more and more fruitfull and for his presence to accept her fruit v. 16. 3. By Christs satisfying her desires comming into his Garden Accepting the fruits thereof and welcoming his friends c. 5.1 5. The Churches Spirituall Desertion in Christs withdrawing himselfe from her Where are I. The occasion of it Her carnall Scurity c. 5.2.3 II. The Manner of it withdrawing yet leaving some quickning grace behinde him v. 4 5. III. The Consequents of it in respect of 1. The Church her selfe v. 4 5 6. 2. The Watchmen abusing her ver 7. 3. The Daughters of Ierusalem whom she charged to signifie her distresse to her beloved ver 8. This charge is amplified 1 Partly by the inquiry of the Daughters of Ierusalem what Christ is ver 9. 2 Partly by the Churches Patheticall description of Christs transcendent excellencies ver 10. to the end 3 Partly by the inquiry of the daughters of Jerusalem after Christ c. 6.1 4 Partly by the Churches declaring to them where Christ was viz. He was now returned and gone down into his Garden c. 6.2 5 Partly by her affectionate complacency in Christ returned ver 3. 6. Christs sweet and consolatory deportment towards his Church after her Desertion and his returne to her Wherein 1. He assures her she is as precious in his eyes and as deare to his heart as ever c. 6.4 to 11. 2. He declares his desire after the Spirituall Spring of the Churches graces after the winter of her afflictions ver 11. 3. He discovers the Rapture of his ravished affections to her most sweetly inviting her to himselfe ver 12 13. most highly commending her throughout c. 7.1 to 8. and promising his presence and what he will do for her that she may become most delightfull to him v. 8.9 7. Finally the Church reciprocates her utmost affection to Christ for his love And this I. More Generally c. 7.10 II. More Particularly Her desire 1 That Christ and she may go together to view their Husbandry whether their plants did flourish and fructifie viz. The Gospel thrive ver 11 12 13. 2 That she may enjoy Christ most intimately and familiarly c. 8. 1 2 3. 3. That the Daughters of Jerusalem may not disturbe him ver 4. 4. That it may be considered what she hath forgone and undergone for Christs love ver 5. 5. That Christ would give her a fuller 1 Confirmation of his love setting her as a seale upon his heart and a fuller 2 Manifestation or evident assurance therof Setting her as a Seale upon his Arme strengthning helping her c. and this because she beares to Christ an invincible and unquenchable love ver 6 7. 6. That the Gentiles called A little Sister may be called and incorporated into the Church with the Jewes ver 8 9 10. This is amplified by Christs common care of both as one Vineyard kept by himselfe not by others as Solomons was ver 11 12. Christ teaching his Spouse her duty To her neighbours in publishing and bearing witnesse to his Truth To himselfe in Prayer and Thanksgiving ver 13. III. The Conclusion of the Song containing the Churches most Ardent Desire after Christs second coming that the marriage betwixt Christ and her selfe may be compleatly consummated in Heaven those Mountaines of spices c. 8.14 III. THE PROPHETICALL BOOKS THus farre of Books Historicall and Doctrinal Now to the Books Propheticall For distinction sake they are called PROPHETICALL because the matter of them is principally Propheticall though many Historical and Doctrinal passages are also inserted in them all along as there are many prophecies of things to come dispersed up and down the other Books which yet are principally Historical and Doctrinal These Prophetical Books are in all 16 Lamentations being counted an Appendix to Ieremiah they may be considered 1. According to the times of their prophecy and writing 2. According to their Order as set in our Bibles They are not placed in our Bibles in that method and Order as they were at the first spoken and written by the prophets I. According to the times wherein they were first prophesied and written These times are for most part discovered in the beginning of the severall Prophesies and of such we may determine certainly

Order of the Patriarchs that as Death by reason of sinne had Reigned over the six first Fathers Adam Seth Enos Cainan Mahalelel Iared but could not touch the seventh Enoch so death shall Reigne ove● the world 6000 yeeres which shall so long continue but in the 7000. yeeres eternall life shall begin and death shall be swallowed up in Victory 4. But others best of all understand here as the Text seems evidently to carry it Enochs verbal Prophecie which though not written yet Iude received by Tradition or rather by Revelation of the same spirit of God by which Enoch prophecyed and here recorded as part of the Divine Canon Obj. 3. Jude alleadges other Apostles sayings ver 17. Therefore seemes rather to be a Disciple of the Apostles then an Apostle himselfe especially seeing he cals not himselfe an Apostle but the servant of Jesus Christ ver 1. And therefore this Epistle not authenticall Ans. 1. Though it could be proved Iude was no Apostle yet it therefore followes not his Epistle is not Authenticall Mark and Luke not Apostles yet the three Books they wrote are of unquestionable authority The authority of Books of Scriptur are not from the Penmen writing them but from the Spirit of God inditing them 2. Daniel cites Ieremiah Dan. 9.2 Ezekiel cites Daniel Ezek. 14.19 Were they therefore not Prophets but Prophets Disciples Peter alleadgeth Pauls Epistles 2 Pet. 3.15 16. Was Peter therefore no Apostle but onely a Disciple 3. Iudes alleadging the other Apostles deroga●es not from the authority of his Epistle but proves that Iude wrote after both Paul and Peter in whose Epistle these predictions are extant 1 Tim. 4.1 c. 2 Tim. 3.1 2 Pet. 2.1 c. 4. Finally though Iudas here call not himselfe an Apostle that argues not therefore he was not an Apostle Iames in his Epistle Iohn in his three Epistles Paul in his Epistle to the Philippians and in both his Epistles to the Thessalonians superscribe not themselves Apostles were they therefore no Apostles But Iudas here stiles himselfe the brother of Iames and that 's full as much as if he had stiled himselfe an Apostle for the texts are expresse that Iudas the Brother of Iames was one of the twelve Apostles See Luk. 6.16 Act. 1.13 Obj. 4. But Iude the Apostle taught in Persia and therefore had he written this Epistle he would rather have written it in the Persian then Grecian tongue Ans. 1. It s not infallibly certain that Iude was in Persia when he wrote this Epistle 2. No necessity of the Apostles writing in the language of the people with whom they then lived Matthew lived among the Ethiopians Paul at Rome when he wrote some of his Epistles yet they wrote not in Ethiopick or Latin but in Greek Greek being then the most common language in the world the Holy Ghost would have Greek to be the Originall language for New Testament as the Hebrew especially for the Old And Iudes Epistle is Catholique or Generall and therefore was written in Greek the generall tongue When and Where this Epistle was written is uncertaine Some think this Apostle was in Persia or Asia Minor when he wrote it viz. A yeere before he dyed and that he there dyed anno 68. after Christ. Niceph. l. 4. c. 40.44 Probably he wrote after both Paul and Peter to whose writings he seems to have reference v. 17. the whole Epistle is as an Abstract of Peters second Epistle Occasion seems from the current of the Epistle to be those abominable heresies of the Simonians Nicolaitanes Gnosticks c. abounding in those times times who held Sin to be indifferent womē al things to be common c. Oecumen Epiphan in Haeres Gnostic Sec. Iud. 3.4 Scope To warne all the faithfull in those times of the cursed and detestable Hereticks and Seducers that were cunningly crept in among them that they contend earnestly for the truth against all their damnable errours and Heresies and for purity and holinesse of life against all their impure lustfull licentious and ungodly p●actices Iude 3 4 8 10 20 21. Principall parts To this end are I. Inscription of the whole Epistle expressing 1. Penman who wrote this Epistle 2. Parties to whom it was written 3. The Salutation of them ver 1 2. II. The substance of the Epistle wherein are laid down 1. The maine Proposition or Exhortation To contend earnestly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints ver 3. There being so many lascivious hereticall men crept in among them ver 4. 2. Arguments enforcing this exhortation upon them against these lascivious Heritiques demonstrating the damnablenesse and destructivenesse of their wayes 1. By examples of Gods vengeance for like impieties and impurities in former times viz. Upon Israel for unbeliefe ver 5. Upon Angels for Apostacy ver Upon Sodom and Gomorrha c. For their lusts ver 7. These examples he applyes to these Seducers 1. Describing them by their 1. Uncleannesse ver 8. 2. Despising and reproaching Magistrates ver 8 9. 3. Impudency in reviling what they know not ver 10. 4. Bruitish intemperance in carnall pleasures ver 10. 5. Cruelty to their brethren 6. Covetousnesse 7. Seditiousnesse ver 11. 8. Epicurisme in meats and drinks ver 12. 9. Hypocrisie 10. Instability 11. Deadnesse and Barrennesse to all good fruit ver 12. 12. Wrathfulnesse 13. Shamefull uncleannesse 14. Levity and inconstancy ver 13. 2. Threatning them in generall with woe ver 11 in particular with eternall destruction ver 13. 2. By Testimonies 1. Of Enoch ver 14.15 To which he adds further descriptions of their viciousnesse ver 16. 2. Of the Apostles themselves v. 17 18. where he further describes these Heretiques by their Separation from Church assemblies by their want of Gods Spirit v. 9. 3. Hortatory Directions by way of Remedy for 1. Mutuall edification 2. Prayer v. 20. 3. Love of God ver 21. 4. Different course to be taken by them in recovering severall persons from seducements v. 22 23. 5. Zeale against all impurity v. 23 III. Conclusion of the whole Epistle with adoxology to God who is able to keep them without spot and blamelesse c. v. 24 25. III. THE PROPHETICAL BOOK Viz. THE Revelat. THE PROPHETICAL BOOK of the New Testament prophetically foretelling what shall be the future condition of the Church of Christ in all ages to the end of the world is the REVELATION OF JOHN THE DIVINE This may well be called a Propheticall Book For 1 The Holy Ghost himselfe divers times stiles it A Prophecy Rev. 1.3 and 7.10 18.19 2 And the nature of the Book is chiefly Propheticall as the Series of the Book implyes and also some passages plainly testify that it treats of things which must shortly come to passe Rev. 1.1 and things which shall be hereafter Rev. 1.19 Title This book in Greek is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. The Apocalypse or Revelation of John the Divine whereby are indigitated to us both the

that sweet compound of love It was Moses his honour who was Gods peculiar favourite to be Penman of the first Book of the Old Testament And it was Iohn's honour who was Christs peculiar favourite to be Penman of the last Book of the New Testament oh what divine love and favour is made known unto the Church in all the volumes between the Armes of these two favourites 6. Finally God counts them blessed soules that read heare and keepe the words of this Prophecy Blessed is he that readeth and they that heare the words of this Prophecy and keep these things that are written therein Rev. 1.3 A blessed Book that renders them blessed who are practically versed in it The time when this Revelation was written was when Iohn was banished into the I le that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the Testimony of Iesus Christ Rev. 1.9.10 Iohn was banished into Patmos by that cruell persecutor Domitian in the fourteenth yeare of his Reigne saith Hieron Catal illustr vir in vit Ioan. Domitian reigned in all but fifteen years as Helvic observes and his fourteenth yeare was in the ninety fourth yeare after Christ Helvic in Chronol in the ninety sixth after Christ saith Pareus Prolegom in Apocal. c. 5. This Book is conceived to be written after all the Books of the New Testament Occasion of this Revelation seemes to be this Iohn being banished into the I le Patmos Rev. 1.9 10. doubtless gave himselfe to prayer and sacred meditations about the affairs of Christ and his Church whereupon Iesus Christ appeared to his beloved disciple in a spirituall ravishment showing him what was his pleasure both touching the present Churches of Asia and touching his whole Church to the end of the world thus comforting him and commanding Iohn to write his visions for the comforting of them Scope of this book is Generally To make knowne by Iohn unto the Churches both the things that then were and that should be thereafter Rev. 1.19 Particularly 1 To informe the Church of the many sharp conflicts she should have with Satan and his instruments especially Hereticks persecuting Tyrants and Anti-Christ himselfe that so she might not dream only of Halcyon dayes but might prepare more and more for the worst of stormes 2 To discover and point out in lively Colours that grand Anti-christ that the Church might run and read and most infallibly know who he is 3 As also to support and comfort the Church and all the faithfull over all their tribulations with the hopes of the utter overthrow of Anti-christ and all their enemies of their owne joyfull triumphs over them and of the happy condition which the Church shall afterwards enjoy partly in this world but chiefly in the world to come Though this book be most obscure and intricate yet these things may somewhat facilitate the understanding of i● If we shall 1. Keep the maine scope of the Book still in our eye 2. Compare the passages and phrases of the Revelation with those of other Prophecies as Rev. 11.4 with Zech. 4.3 11 14. Rev. 10.9 10. with Ezek. 2.8 and 3.3 Rev. 4.6 7 8. with Ezek. 1.5 6 7 8. Rev. 20.8 with Ezek. 18.2 and 39.1 Rev. 21.15 with Ezek. 40.3 c. 3. Parallel with this Prophecy the subsequent Histories after Iohn's time the Histories of the Roman Empire and Church which testify clearly what cruelty and persecutions the Romane Emperours successively raised up against Christians with what subtilty and fraud the B. of Rome did by degrees through the folly cowardise negligence c. of the Emperours step up into their throne and subjugate not onely Rome the Seate of the Empire but also the whole Empire it selfe to his dominion and pleasure whence we may derive not a little light to see what is meant by the opening of the Seals The Stars falling from heaven to earth The beast speaking great and blasphemous things The beast and false Prophet The image of the beast And the whore riding upon the beast with seven heads and ten hornes and ruling in the city on the seven hils c. 4. Consider prudently the experience of later and present times how accurately doth the description of the Beast and scarlet whore agree to the Papacy of the Locusts to the Romane Clergy and of the Frogs comming out of the mouth of the Dragon the beast and the false Prophet to the Iesuites and Romane Emissaries compassing sea and land and creeping into Kings palaces to gather them together to the warre of the great day of God almighty 5. Finally if we shall diligently read meditate and pray that the holy spirit who revealed these things to Iohn would reveale their sense and meaning to us These things may help us to untie many knots and render many difficulties easie Principall parts In the Book of Revelation are chiefly considerable 1 The Preface 2 The Substance of the Book and 3 The Conclusion The Preface which is ● Generall in reference to the whole Prophecy noting the Matter Author Penman and Profit of this Book c. 1. ver 1 2 3. 2. Speciall or particular in reference to the seven Churches of Asia Minor and in them to the whole Catholick Church figured by them wherein are 1. A Nomination of persons writing and written to 2. The Salutation 3. And a glorious Description of Jesus Christ ver 4. to 9. The Substance or Body of this Propheticall Book c. 1. v. 9. to c. 22. v. 6. Wherein is contained a Narration of the State of the Church I. Militant on earth c. 1. v. 9. to c. 20. v. 11. II. Triumphant in heaven c. 20. v. 11. to c. 22. v. 6. The Condition of the Church Militant is declared 1. For present what it was when Iohn wrote the Revelation c. 1. v. 9. to c. 4. v. 1. 2. For future what it should be till the judgement day c. 4. v. 1. to c. 20. v. 11. I. Uision I. Touching the State of the Church then present viz. The Asian Churches principally are laid downe two things viz. 1. A Preparation to the discovery of it by A Vision of seven Golden Candlesticks and seven Starres This is Iohn's first vision And here we have a description both of Iohn who had the vision as also of the vision it selfe both in respect of the 1 Forme of it The 2 Effect it had upon Iohn and the 3 Consequents ensuing thereupon viz. The Comforting of John Command to write the vision and the Interpretation of the vision c. 1. v. 9. to the end of the chapter 2. A Narration or Description of the Condition of Christs Church then present and this in Seven distinct Epistles directed to the seven Angels of those seven Asian Churches viz. 1. Of Ephesus c. 2. v. 1. to 8. 2. Of Smyrna c. 2. v. 8. to 12. 3. Of Pergamus c. 2. v. 12. to 18. 4. Of Thyatira c. 2. v. 18. to the end of the chapter 5. Of Sardis c. 3 1. to 7. 6.