church of Christ in Ephesus yet I presume on good grounds that most or the greatest part of Ephesus cryed up Great was Diana of the Ephesians and though there were churches of Christ in Rome Corinth Smyrna Pergamus and other places mentioned in Scripture yet we know by good history that the National Worship and Religion was Ethnick unto Jupiter Mars Sol Venus c. yet indeed I confess a Church may be called the National church as that of Ephesus of England of France of Scotland c. in respect of the church constituted and made up of members or persons of that Nation but herein we have no difference the controversie is not about words but things really differing among themselves as when they affirm every individual and singular parochial church of England to be particular churches of Christ as parts of the whole and the whole to be the National church of England constituted of its singular parts If all England Scotland France be the church what room is left for the world and the profane therein The church may be denominated of England Scotland France c. but not all England Scotland France to be the church there is great difference in those expressions but of this I shall say no farther at present Having done with the Inscription or direction To the Angel of the Church of Ephesus the next thing is write for the better observation of the things that follow These things saith he that holdeth the seven Stars in his right hand who walketh in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks That the church of Ephesus and the rest may know from whom this subsequent message comes tell them that it is from him that holdeth and keepeth in his fatherly hand of protection his faithful Ministers and Pastors which are as stars in the Firmament of his churches for glory Peruse the sixteenth verse of the first chapter more fully to this purpose And who walketh that is is in active posture ready to observe all the doings whether good or evil of all his churches and therefore he is said to walk in the midst of his seven golden candlesticks consult more at large with v. 13. 20. of c. 1. From Christ's posture of walking in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks or the seven Asian churches note That Christ is very intent with an eye of providential observation and that for their good over all his faithful churches This is not the time of his sitting on the Throne of judging the world but of walking in the midst of his golden candlesticks viewing the order of his churches and to see whether they are proficients under the means of grace according to that of the Canticles cap 6. 11. I went down into the garden of Nuts to see the fruits of the Valley and to see whether the Vine flourished and the Pomgranâ—tes budded Christ is now viewing his churches graces taking delight therein and to encourage them to perseverance that the crown may be unto them that overcome and also takes a special notice of their backslidings and lays them before their eyes in the deceitfulness thereof that they may loath them and return unto their God by a holy repentance And this is but a confirmation of his promise at his departure left as his last comforting Legacy with his afflicted church Matth. 28.20 That though he was ascended into the highest heavens yet in his providential eye over them and by his Spirit teaching directing counselling supporting and comforting them he would be ever with them unto the end of the world Verse 2. I know thy works and labour and thy patience and how thou canst not forbear them which are evil and hast examined them which say they are Apostles and are not and hast found them Lyars Verse 3. And hast born and hast patience and for my names sake hast laboured and hast not fainted In the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I have seen thy works for the better and more perfect taking knowledge of them Our knowledge is mixt and joyned with much imperfections and at best is but a mixt act of our understanding and affections and so to know a thing by a human capacity is to understand it and the nature thereof in the highest notion that its capable of comprehension and often by reason of the darkness in the understanding the affections or will are misplaced and so become erroneous and sinful for a mind not well informed or an ignorant soul can very hardly be a good or a godly one for without this light the judgement and affections will be often led astray to that which is only good in appearance and to contemn that which in it self is really good and perfect but here is no fear of imperfection of knowledge in this person Christ who is one with the Father God from everlasting and therefore all our works are patent and open before him his judgement or affections cannot be misled to approve of things and works that should not or disapprove of works that are worthy to be approved He is God and cannot be deceived on any false pretences he sees our works as they are in themselves and in the very nature of them with all their circumstances We see and know things by mediums mixtly weakly and imperfectly He sees and knows things simply absolutely and most perfectly the eye it self cannot want sight nor the Sun want light neither can the Creator of all things in this present temporal world or his church this spiritual world be ignorant of any of his or their handy works Christ sees and knows the works of the church of Ephesus fully what are approvable and what are disapprovable in them Hence Note That Christ is a most just and equal censurer of his churches works He forbids to call darkness light or light darkness he tells the church of Ephesus that he knows their works of travel patience and sufferance for his Name sake and so places his favourable aspect and complacency thereon and yet what is evil in them he cannot bear without a reproof as 't is defection or failure in its first love and ardent affections which the church of Ephesus bore to Christ and his Truths at their first conversion or entertainment of the Gospel amongst them vers 4. Christ also tels the church of Sardis and Laodicea that he knows their works but in another tone not of approbation but of reproof and censure he said to Sardis cap. 3. 1. I know thy works for thou hast a name that thou livest but thou art dead and in verse 15. he falls upon Laodicea and tells them I know thy works that thou art neither cold nor hot I would thou wert cold or hot Christ will not palliate or lay cushions under great ones elbows and prophesie smooth things unto them nor to the churches that bears them whilst they are most rotten in the root and heart Had not God a controversie of old with his Israel for this
only indeed was temporary and necessary alone for the first plantation of the Christian faith it will as well follow that Pastors Teachers and Elders are defunct because some of their first primitive and extraordinary gifts are ceased also But secondly I am of opinion that what is necessarily essential to denominate an Apostle did not consist solely in being eye-witnesses of Christ's life death and resurrection or of power of miracles for others of the Disciples might be partakers in those gifts and were so equally with themselves and yet no Apostles and Paul that wanted much of the accomodation of witnessing unto the life death and resurrection of Christ though supplyed by a miraculous sight from heaven none can deny but was the great Apostle and light unto the Gentiles Lastly In the affirmative I assert the true essentials of an Apostle does consist in his Call and Commission to that work and function Christ calls the first twelve Matth. 10.1.5 which were only denominated Disciples and from their mission unto the lost sheep of Israel they were then first baptized into the name of Apostles and so having taken their names from their office as men sent it soon became their proper appellations Now I say it is a right mission and commission that gives a being and essentially unto an Apostle Christ he was the first author that commissionated unto this office in that of Matth. 10. his commission was more strict and of narrower jurisdiction but in Matth. 28.19 it was much enlarged for in the first they were only to go to the lost sheep of Israel and not in the way of the Gentiles but in the second they were commanded to go and Disciple all Nations and to preach the Gospel to every creature Now as they were sent on this great Embassie for Christ and by Christ so they send others to go on with the same work Matthias was the first we read of Acts 1. that they chose into the place of Judas After that Paul and Barnabas Acte 13.2 3. were chosen and separated unto this work and sent unto the Gentiles and so might be truly called the Apostles of the Gentiles They again with the rest of the Apostles in their several Provinces went about gathering and constituting churches and ordaining Elders and officers in every church and those political churches made up of Officers and Elders and Members were the true Delegates of the Apostles and the center of all just power and authority and they again from this delegated power commissionates others and sends them forth as the Apostles of Christ by vertue of that power committed unto them to disciple the Gentiles and unconverted Nations abroad in the world for this was the then practise unless we affirm that all churches were planted and all Nations converted by the Apostles themselves in their days that we read of in history were afterward converted to the faith and became famous churches The Apostles were men but of one generation and to ascribe to them that work were to make them eviternal Though their Doctrine continue yet their persons are translated and gone to their Fathers and this propagation of the faith and work of conversion must be carried on from generation to generation till all the Elect be called in and we all come to a perfect man and unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ and this must necessarily be done by Apostolical men and officers For I would have the ingenious to consider that the offices of Elders Pastors Teachers Helps and Governments are but relative Functions and have their being only dependant and limited to their relations and churches they are neither Elders Pastors nor Governents without their own churches therefore it is very necessary that there must be other officers universally commissionated to preach the Gospel to the unconverted Gentiles and these are properly called Apostles of Christ authorized by the church of Christ unto this service Joseph of Arimethea as antiquity testifies was our English Apostle which was sent by the church unto our Nations conversion Dionisius Areopagita was the Apostle unto France James unto Spain Anthony unto Italy Thomas unto Italy and so others unto other Nations And when christianity was almost lost and obliterated here in England by the incursions of barbarous Nations Gregory the Bishop of Rome not yet Antichistianized some centuries of years after sent here Austin as an Apostle and a Restorer of their almost lost faith and christian profession So likewise when our churches send men to convert the Gentile Nations of America and elsewhere as private Disciples they cannot go for how can they preach unless they be sent as Officers to wit as Pastors Elders Teachers or Governents they cannot for they are relations only to their own churches therefore they must go as Apostles which is only sutable to so general and universal work And if it be objected That if the Apostolical offices must continue as necessary to do the full work of Christ and his church why not the gifts of healings miracles tongues c. I answer There is no necssity for it for they were only added because of unbelief and to confirm the truth of that doctrine which was first delivered unto the Saints Secondly I am not sensible what great inconveniencies will follow upon it if it were admitted that such gifts of miracles healings c. are still continued by Christ unto his church though not so clear and ordinary as in the first churches I have read of Tertullian and after him Cyprian about the second century who provokes their adversaries to the tryal of the truth of their profession by miracles by bringing persons possessed with divels into their assemblies which if they should not be effected and made to confess themselves to be divels and Christ to be the Son of God then they were content to suffer M. Baxter gives us a farther account out of Athanasiâ— Austin and many of the Fathers that there was a continuation of miracles in their days and attested to by so many and honest witnesses that they were credible to reason page 63. upon that question in his book of Infidelity and in that part of the book of the sin against the holy Ghost page 15. speaking of casting out divels Of which sort saith he some think that really they did so by the power of God as we may do now by fasting and prayer somtimes To this purpose consider what the prayers and appeals of God's people have strangely and miraculously perfected and produced at the hands of God of late and within our memories in divers examples which is now too long to rehearse Some have been restored to health and miraculously recovered when there was no hope others dispossessed of evil spirits that had palpably vexed and possessed them and that only by the prayers of faith of somg odly persons I shall only give one instance I heard it related by a faithful messenger of Christ in a publique
end blasphemed and raised a most false report touching his resurrection and affirmed That his Disciples came and stole him away out of his Sepulcher and that he was not indeed risen as they affirmed but conveyed away closely by them that he might be deified And this the unbelieving perverse Jews say unto this day Their malice stops not here against the Head but also falls foul upon his members and churches in succeeding ages We see how maliciously they fall upon Stephen in Act. 7. and how zealous Saul himself was whiles an unconverted Jew against the Disciples at Damascus Acts 9. What uproars did the Iews raise and what provocations did they use to incense the Magistrates and chief Governours against the Apostles and Disciples of Christ in every place and City These Asiatique churches were not free of their clamours or their invectives against the christian profession Paul met them at Antioch Acts 13.45 and at Iconiâ—m Acts 14.2.19 who stoned Paul and at Thessolonica Acts 17.5 an uproar was risen by the Iews by reason of him at Corinth he was drawn before Gallio at the Iudgement seat by the envie of the Iews Acts 18.12 and at Ephesus he found the same malicious dealings from the Iews Acts 19.9 he found some of the same Blasphemers there that were in the church of Smyrna and Philadelphia Rev. 3.9 that spoke euil of that way of the christian faith before the multitude Yea the very heathens themselves were more friendly to the christians then the Iews the professed people of God witness the entertainment of Paul amongst the Athenians Acts 17. the carriage of Gallio Festus Felix and Agrippa towards him Pilate a Roman Prefect would wash his hands from the death of Christ whiles the Iews the visible people of God cryed out Crucifie him At Malta amongst the Barbarians Paul was almost deified Acts 28.6 But when at Ierusalem and amongst the Iews they would haue torn him to pieces Acts 21. and 23.12 O strange That zeal perverted should so rage in fury against the truth of God and his Christ These Iews did not only occasionally oppose the faith of Christ and the publishers thereof but of set purpose did go to every City and place where it was taught for to oppose and suppress it if they could else possibly they could not be found in so various places and Cities and at so far distance one from the other doing their parts and venting their malice against it Object But some may say That those that raised blasphemies in the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia were not properly Iews by blood but such as say they were Iews and are not but do lie cap. 3. 9. I answer Indeed they were not worthy to be called Iews who had many eminent priviledges peculiar to their Nation our Apostle Paul could boast that he was an Ebrew of the Hebrews and Rom. 3.1 2. they had much advantage every way chiefly Because unto them were committed the Oracles of God and the word of peace and reconciliation by Christ was first to be preached unto them then next unto the Gentiles Mat. 10.5 And indeed they were not worthy of the name of Iews that had such great and glorious priviledges and yet so averse unto the Truth Yet secondly I say they must needs be the same Iews of the same blood and progenie that opposed persecuted and blasphemed Paul and other true churches of Christ also with those found blaspheming reviling and persecuting in Smyrna and Philadelphia being so like one the other in their cursed practises But lastly I answer Though they say they are Iews yet indeed are not for he is not a Iew that is one outward but he is a true Iew a true Israelite of God that is one inward It is not he that tals and boasts of his carnal priviledges and birth-right as from Abraham and does not the works of Abraham is a Iew but such an one is a true spiritual Iew that walks in the steps of faithful Abraham but for those reviling persecuting Iews they were rather to be termed Rabshekahs and Barbarians then Iews for their circumcision was become unto them by reason of their impieties and blasphemies against the truth uncircumcision and therefore not worthy to be called Iews Iust as a nominal christian when turned antichristian and a blasphemer and persecutor of the true profession of Christ who will think him worthy of the name of christian And though he arrogates to himself that name and Title and says as the Iews here did he is a christian who will not say unto him he is not but a lyar and a Barbarian or at best an antichristian But if it were demanded What were the blasphemies of those Jews against the church of Smyrna and Philadelphia c. I answer as before Doubtless their blasphemy was Bicernis or two-fold The one horn thereof strook directly at Christ The other at the churches and his members This appears by Acts 19.9 when Paul preached in the Jews Synagogues Christ and his Doctrine divers were hardned and believed not but spoke evil of that way before the multitude First They would blaspheme the Master and say that he was a deceiver and cast out Divels by Beelzebub and a destroyer of their Laws and Customs which they had from Noses And next That his Disciples and Followers were seditious and perverters of all Magistracy and Governments and also amongst themselves unclean using promiscuous lusts as the Nicolaitans were denying the holy Laws of God so by these Diabolical artifices to bring them into contempt with the whole world and so under the rod of persecution and tribulation See the charge of Tertullian the Orator of the Jews against Paul Acts 24.5 6 c. tending partly to this effect and the Jews perceiving the heresies of the Nicolaitans Gnosticks and others of like unclean practises to creep in among the churches were bold to reproach them as all such and of the same unclean judgements and practices with the former Consider the words of Epiphanius to this purpose out of M. Baxter's book of Infidelity page 131. Which sort of men says he Satan seems to have fitted and sent for a reproach and stumbling block to the church of God and having put on themselves the names of christians that for their sakes the Nations being offended should abhor the profit of the church of God and should refuse the truth declared to them because of their savage wickedness and incredible vileness that I say their frequent vilanies being taken notice of they might perswade themselves that those are such that are of the holy church of God and so may turn away their ears as I said from the true doctrine of God or at least beholding the dishonesty of a few might cast the same reproaches upon all c. These doubtless were the advantages that the Jews took to blaspheme the churches of Christ with and so to make Christ's doctrine and followers seem abominable whiles some that were
to them and as apt to hear them as they you But I confess you have those christian societies and churches among you that are as Lillies shining in graces among those Thorns and unfruitful Nations and to retard our reformation in church and ordinances till all be squared and hewn fit for this work or before the Magistrate compels all unto this work is a vain expectation seeing that there is so much of that old leven of our ancestors National Churches National Officers Birth priviledges and Ordinances on that account c. still remaining in the hearts of most amongst us that it will not only render the work of a full reformation in this generation most difficult but the attempt thereof rather dangerous and prejudicial not only to the faithful in this Land but generally to the cause of Christ in all the reformed Nations round about us Witness the intemperate zeale of many that lived in the days of the first reformation who became a reproach and a shame in their irregular attempts about this work Though they had good hearts and desired and aimed at good and just things yet they prosecuted it not justly for to denominate a good action or work The thing it self desired and attempted must not only be a good and honest thing in it self as a full reformation to God's word is but it must have other honest circumstances in it also 1 The time when must be considered in such a time when God and a clear providence calls unto it 2 The manner how must be considered in a peaceable maner it is to be endeavoured and promoted as the work of the spirit of peace not with wars tumults and rebellions against Magistrates which is as the sin of witchcraft So that the best action may lose its reward and the atempters thereof suffer justly for the unjust prosecution thereof It is a sure rule to christians that they are to do no evil that good may come thereof We are not to sin against the Laws of God nor his Ordinance of Magistracy unless cases of inevitable necessity where God will rather have mercy then Sacrifice to promote any just end or good whatsoever for we are bound to walk by the rule of God's commands and precepts not of events and providences Therefore all ye faithfull ones of this land be wise and sober in this your way of temptation stop not the current of God's reformation by your precipitate and irregular actings be you still and you shall see the salvation of our God You see the main hinderance of this full work amongst us even the old leven of false worships derived and left unto us from our ancestors God will remove this more and more by steps and degrees and that more generally and will enlarge the Tents of Jacob among us if we provoke not God by our sins towards him But to expect a total reformation never look for it until the day Star shall arise with an incomparable glory In the interim let us walk honestly and soberly like children of the Light serving and fearing God and honoring the King and then God will make them unto us Nursing Fathers and Nursing Mothers And most happy and blessed are the people that have their portion and lot in such a Land Object But after all this an Objection may be risen The church of Pergamus had those among them that held and maintained the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans and practised spiritual and corporal adulteries so held the church of Corinth Thyatira had the doctrines of Jezabel Galathia the Jewish doctrine of circumcision and many other great corruptions were among those primitive churches as drunkenness denying the resurrection incest eating things offered unto Idols and the obscenity of the Nicolaitans Yet these are still called the churches of Christ his seven candlesticks his faithful ones called and elect And are not then our Parochial churches our National churches as truly churches of Christ as those were And are they not as sound in doctrine and practises as those first primitive christians and churches were and so deserve the Name of churches of Christ faithful elect and called as well as they 1 I Answer We are to look unto the first institution of all churches if they are gathered and planted by the Ministry of the Gospel and Spirit they are truly churches of Christ elect and called though in process of time the envious one sowed plentifully among the good Wheat his Tares and Darnel as among those of Corinth Pergamus and others in the Primitive time yet I believe Christ had but a few things against theirs in respect what he has against ours they were but corrupt in part ours all leprous they lost but some members we the very vitals For I much question whether our National churches were of this Gospel structure as those primitive churches were at the first seeing we read in History of their civill institution and beginning being so divided or ordained by the politique Laws of the Nation Yet withall I say we had the sincere faith of Christ here preach'd amongst us presently after if not in the very Apostles days by Joseph of Arimathea as Historians testifie this good seed was almost lost among us but again revived by the providence of God in after ages but held captive and low under the Tyranny of Antichristian darkness yet doubtless God had here and elswhere his invisible church and elect ones Our succession to the Apostles is by cleaving to their doctrines and so we own a succession from them but not a visible succession of churches for so we have sayled under the Antichrists raign and tyranny over us and to plead that our parochial Societies are churches of Christ is but at best to plead that our Hundreds or Counties are churchdivisions Presbyteries or Ecclesiastique Jurisdictions also being of the same civil institution with the former But some write that Dionysius Pope of Rome was the first divider and institutor of Parishes about Anno 267. and brought into England by Honorius Bishop of Canterbury as learned Master Selden in his Book de Decimis testifies 2 I Answer If our churches were right in their first institution gathered by the word and spirit we have as really lost the very being of our churches under Antichrist's raign as the churches of Corinth Pergamus Ephesus Smyrna c. under the Saracenical tyranny and Mahometanism And therefore there is as great need to call our churches out of Babylon and to restore them from Antichristianisme as Pergamus c. of the miserable captivated Asian churches from Turcism and Mahometanism unless we grant that the whore of Babylon had the keeping and was the preserver of the Ordinances of the true Spouse and had the power of the Keys committed unto her And therefore the authority that many churches pretend unto by succession of churches is but a sorry one and at the best but Antichristian and Popish Lastly I Answer That it is not corruptions in
remisness and inconstancy in the truth to wit the honour and reverence which their sincere profession acquired from the churches and all persons round about them Hence Note Observ That those churches that hold fast the truths of christ with most constancy and courage in the times of tryal become the most honourable and worthy of a crown of any people in the world Who but Philadelphia was worthy that the obstinate Jews enemies unto the truth should come and bow and worship before her She kept close to the word of Christ's patience therefore none shall take away her crown her honour shall still remain among the churches as long as any churches shall endure If we tread in the steps of faithful Philadelphia and hold fast and go on manfully in the profession of the faith God will make the formal Jews of our times the high pretending catholique churchmen to bow and worship before our feet Is not our name I mean the name of England grown honourable among the Nations their friends abroad and terrible unto their enemies And how comes this to pass but by means of the faithful in the land that held fast and maintained with courage and constancy the word of Christ's patience among us in an hour of temptation and tryal when the Prelatical fire of persecutions were on foot If we hold fast to Christ and persist in his truth and doctrine none shall be able to take away our crown but if we flag in our duties to him our crown will be the less and our honour will soon flag also When Israel kept close to God and reformed up unto his holy pattern in the Mount God made them famous among the Nations and a burdensome stone to all that medled with them but when they departed from God by their evil and abominable courses God gave them up into the hands of their enemies and led them into the Land of captivity and since for their obstinacy in iniquity they have quite lost their crown and become a dispersed people and a reproach among all Nations where they live And this is according to that good advice given by godly David as his last Legacy to his wise son Solomon in 1 Chron. 28.9 which is applicable to every faithful soul And thou Solomon my son Know thou the God of thy Father and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing minde for the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the Imaginations of the thoughts If thou seek him he will be found of thee but if thou forsake him he will cast thee off for ever Verse 12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God and he shall go no more out And I will write upon him the Name of my God and the name of the City of my God which is new Jerusalem which cometh down out of heaven from my God And I will write upon him my new Name In the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He that overcometh The Nominative case is put absolutely by a defect of a Preposition to of or for which is an Hebraisme the words are thus to be read As for him that overcometh I will make a pillar c. Agreeable to this are those places Rom. 8.3 For what was impossible to the Law by an Hebraism ought to be read as for or touching the impossibility of the Law and Psalm 18.30 Jehovah his way is perfect which we read The way of God or As for God his way is perfect The same reading is in Rev. cap. 2. 26. The reward of him that overcometh is double 1. I will make him a Pillar in the Temple of my God and he shall go no more out 2. Christ sets upon him a threefold Name The Name of his God The Name of New Jerusalem and His own new Name This allusion of a Pillar is taken up by the Spirit from those two Brazen Pillars in Solomon's Temple which was a Type of the true Temple and church of Christ and so nothing was made or placed therein in vain though they seemed small but did typifie and signifie somwhat to us Solomon called his two pillars which he erected by two remarkable Names 1 Kings 7.21 The right Pillar by the name of Jâ—hin and the left by the name of Boaz The one signifying He will stablish and the other In it there is strength So in the Antitype those overcoming Saints that Christ makes Pillars in the Temple of his God have these two qualities or properties put upon them establishment and perpetuity both in their spiritual strength and graces and also in their new church state which cometh down from heaven and lest any should think that those new Pillars of the Temple of God might fail as those of Solomon's did when they were broken and the brass thereof carried away by Nebuchadnezzar into Babel Jer. 52.17 there is another additional property put upon them then that of perpetuity and strength even of eternity in those words And he shall go no more out After the conquering Saints are taken into this holy Temple there is no fear of being turned out of possession of it no Nebuchadnezzar shall ever come and break them in pieces or carry them by force into captivity The Nebuchadnezzars of the world have always hitherto under several forms of Beasts and Governments carryed away and broken to pieces the weak and infirm pillars of the visible church fot indeed they were given into their hands by God to be overcomed and trodden under foot by them Rev. 11. but having at last overcommed by suffering and patience Christ will raise them up again to become Pillars in his New Temple that shall never go out any more and will make them other gates persons then ever formerly they were for he will write upon them the name of his God and what is that Jehovah Shaddai The Lord the mighty God and the name of the new Jerusalem which cometh down from heaven and his own new Name Phil. 2.9 All intimating their glorious state and dignity that Christ will put them in possession of in that new church-state which is promised them before the ultimate day of judgement which shall never perish nor any more be taken from them But on this more hereafter From the words I will make him a pillar in the Temple of my God Note Observ The over-coming Saints of Christ shall be made most honourable in the New Jerusalem the new Temple of God the new Church state that Christ will restore on earth before the end of all prophesied of Rev. 21.1 c. They are made pillars and pillars in the church are honourable James and John are called pillars great eminent Apostles and those were placed in the porch of Solomon's Temple for the great ornament and glory thereof They sit on Thrones judging the Nations round about They are made Kings and Priests unto their God And what more honourable then those high callings to the eye of men of
both small and great Rev. 19.18 and this is to be executed by the sword that proceeded out of his mouth v. 21. and how this can be effected by the word of his mouth I know not otherwise then by moving and working powerfully on the hearts of such instruments as God shall command and employ to take the material sword in hand for the ruine of antichrist and to effect this work of wrath and judgement Collate to this the Notes on the two precedent verses 14 15. And his face shone as the Sun shineth in his strength This shows farther the resplendency of this vision His face is likened to the Sun in his glory There was much and great glory in this vision and yet all this is but like the Sun in his glory If it were the glory of ten thousand Suns united in one yet would be short of the essential glory of the Son of God it is neither expressible nor comprehensible by any of all the creatures but here is presented by things beneath its excellency that according to man's weakness we may perceive a little of his glory for no man yet ever could see the glory of God and live Hence Note That the execution of Justice and Judgement is a glorious administration Christ's face shone as the Sun in his strength when he was about to call his delinquent and offending churches to an account for their backslidings in chap. 10. v. 1. 3. his face was as it were the Sun in that appearance also but then presently followed thunders and voices as when a Lion roareth to denote unto us when Christ was going forth with terrible judgements upon the world his carriage and appearance therein was most glorious and it is said in Exod. 15.6 upon the destruction of Pharaoh and his host in the red Sea Thy right hand O God is become glorious in power thy right hand hath dashed in pieces the enemy and in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee The acts of God's power and justice do shine so clearly in the world that they dazle mens eyes and hearts and makes them tremble before God So likewise it is amongst the children of men not any Magistrates Commonweals or Nations are more honourable shining and dreadful to their enemies then such as keep close to the rules of Justice and judgement against offenders Never was Solomon more glorious in all his reigne then when he executed justice between the two Harlots and called for the Sword to decide the controversie How honourable was Phineas and what a high reward he got for executing justice and judgement It was an old saying Fiat Justitia ruat Coelum If our chief Magistrates keep close to Justice in our Land and Common-weal our Nation will shine as the Sun in its strength none of the Nations round about will be able to look us in the face for the power and glory of the Lord will be upon us Verse 17. And when I saw him I fell at his feet as dead then he laid his right hand upon me saying unto me fear not I am the first and the last Verse 18. And I am alive but I was dead and behold I am alive for evermore Amen And I have the Keys of hell and death When John had taken a view of this appearance of the Son of man and of that great and dreadful Majesty and Glory that he appeared in it struck him as dead at his feet Hence Note That the sight of Divine glory is the most effectually and humbling sight When the Prophet Isaiah had a sight of this glory he could cry out I am a man undone and of unclean lips for mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of hosts Isa 6.5 When a soul comes to see this glory it brings him to a true sight of his own worthlesness and to an abhorrency in his own eyes There is no greater or more efficacious way to take off our hearts from the creature then to behold the vast disproportion between the glory of God and our poor selves All flesh is as grass and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field Isa 40.5 6. and why Because the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together And when Job had a sight of this glory he cryed out Job 42.5 Now mine eyes see thee I abhor my self and repent in dust and ashes Observ 2 That Revelations of Divine glory are dreadfully glorious They struck John as dead There did but Angels appear in an inferiour glory unto Gideon and Manoah and made those Worthies quake Judg. 16. 13. Apparitions of glory works strongly upon the spirits and quickly overwhelms them And if the glory of the creatures is so resplendent how is the glory of God to be born who dwells in the light which no man can approach unto 1 Tim. 6.16 Paul could not behold that glorious light that shined about him Acts 9. but was strucken to the ground and blinded with it In the Earth Heavens and World we may behold the glory of God in part and as in a glass but his essential glory as it is himself wherein he makes his habitation is that light which no man can approach to or comprehend and live and therefore when it is but left out to appear but in some likeness or similitude of man Fire or the like it works such terrible effects upon the beholders of it Abraham fell to the ground when he had this glory appeared to him Gen. 17.3 The three Disciples when they had but a taste of this glory at the Transfiguration in the Mount they fell upon their faces to the earth Now the reasons that the appearance of Divine glory is so dreadful are First Because the Majesty of God is partly in those visions and the luster that accompanies it is too high and burdensom for mortal eye Secondly That it may breed an awe and reverence in us of and unto the Divine Majesty When Israel saw the lightning and heard the Thunder in the Mount all the people in the Camp trembled Exod. 19.16 Thirdly It is to prepare a soul for entertainment of what God hath to speak unto it Our souls are quite out of temper by reason of lusts cares fears and the world to have converse with God This prepares them for this Divine communion Quest Here a question may be made whether the blessed heavenly Spirits Angels or blessed Souls or glorified persons after the resurrection shall or do see the essential glory of God Though it were granted mortal eye cannot see this glory yet those blessed glorified creatures may I answer That I am swayed for the negative My reasons are Because God's essential glory is himself and God is invisible and that glory inaccessible and no farther and in no other way to be seen and comprehended by any created being then himself thinks good to propound it in and this hath
murther rather then cure and save alive Object But you will object How is the justice of God vindicated if he smites both godly and ungodly together for the sins of the wicked among them I answer If the godly in a church do connive freely tolerate or wink at the sins of the wicked they are come partakers with them also therein so also justly in their judgments and miseries The churches and faithfull in Pergamus and Thyatira were justly visited by God for suffering the doctrines of Balaam Nicolaitans and Iezabel among them and righteously wrapt up in one common calamity with the Balaamites and Nicolaitans But secondly if the faithful in a Church do protest declare against and endeavour as much as in them lies and by all lawful means for the purging out of the evil and erroneous persons and doctrines among them they have done their duty towards God and delivered their souls from guilt Though the common calamity and judgment of God on the wicked may reach these too without any derogation to divine justice for it toucheth not them as a judgment but as tryals and for other good ends of God Jeremiah Daniel Ezekiel and other faithful servants of God suffered very much in the Caldean captivity yet not as for their own sins but for other especial ends of God But very often God doth and will save his faithful ones as wheat amongst the chaff by a temporal salvation in the midst of judgments and destruction of wicked ones round about God will call out righteous Lot from Sodom and will provide Noah an Ark when he comes with flames of fire or flouds of desolating waters on the wicked world did not God's persevering providence and special mark of grace appear in this Nation in preserving and keeping many precious graines of Wheat amongst all our chaff in this late day of our winowing and tribulation And many whereof as it were were taken by the hand by God as righteous Lot and Noah and Arks provided for them by God to pass from Sodome and the wicked world over the flouds into a land of rest the Mountains of Ararat I mean the wildernesses of America And so indeed the faithful witnesses of Christ by the Dragon 's powring out of flouds of persecution after them fled into the wilderness and were there preserved for some times until the day of wrath was over Therefore when you see your faithful Lots Noahs c. fly from you or called by God to places of security look then for desolating times Isa 26.20 21. When our Halcâ—â—n birds as Swallows c. fly from us it is a signe of approaching winter So when good and godly men are removed out of their places or driven into corners then observe it as a true Prognostick Judgment and Indignation is nigh at hand Observ 5. When God is wrath with a people he turns his sweetest mercies into the most terrible judgments The word of God's mouth which is the staff and comfort of his people he can turn unto the voyce of Trumpets and as the roaring of many waters for terribleness When we keep close unto Christ then all things are ours Friends Servants Riches children and our Tables are mercies to us But when we are become enemies to Christ by evil works then Friends Servants Riches Children our Tables and all are become snares unto us When the King frowns on us all his Courtiers and Nobles will do it also Whilst God is our Friend all the whole creation will serve us freely but if he frowns all will conspire and rebel against us His Angels whom he formerly commanded for our safety to pitch their Tents about us will then be commanded to come with slaughter weapons against us When a mans wayes please the Lord hee maketh his enemies to be at peace with him Prov. 16.7 Babylon could never have hurt Zion till Zion had offended When Pergamus Thyatira and the rest of the offending Asian churches forsaked God instead of the powerful sword of Christ's mouth or word of grace in convincing them of sin and mortifying their corruptions or speaking comfortably to them he sends forth another word a word of judgment and indignation commanding their adversaries to go forth with their destroying weapons either of War Pestilence or Famine to sweep them off from the land of the living that their place should be no more found O therefore let us be sure to keep God our friend Vers 17. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden Manna and will give him a white Stone and in the Stone a new name writen which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it He that is wise and hath an understanding heart amongst you let him consider those premonitions which I have so often inculcated lest the judgments threatned for your sins overtake you and therefore hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden Manna as if Christ had said although I will come against the wicked ones in the church of Pergamus and fight against them with the sword of my mouth yet to him that overcometh that is that opposeth and escapeth the temptations of those pernicious doctrines amongst them and keep themselves undefiled therein to them will I give to eat of the hidden Manna Here some difficulty or interpretation offers what is meant by this hidden Manna many assert it to be Christ which is that invisible food received by faith according to John 6.32 33 34. which cometh down from Heaven and there typified forth by Manna but saving due reverence to the learned that goes that way I cannot joyn with them singly in that Interpretation for First It is here called hidden Manna or strange Manna not as yet undiscovered now Christ was the known and manifest spiritual food and Manna unto all believers and so that of John 6.3 is brought thereby to verifie it and allude therunto Secondly Every believer hath Christ already as his spiritual food and Manna and therefore it is but a surplusage and tautologie to promise that as a crown and reward to the conquering faithful ones which they enjoy already even from their first day or in their lowest state of faith therefore surely it must be somwhat more then Christ spiritually eaten by faith Manna was the food that came down from Heaven that God gave to his children of Israel in the wilderness Exod. 16.14 15. c. And as Antiquity and Iewish Rabbies testifie in the eating thereof is represented all sorts of meat to the taste that the appetite or curiosity could wish for and therefore it was a fit Type for to represent Christ by who was the true bread of life that could fill and answer all our necessities and that he that should eat thereof should never hunger more but this is a hidden Manna a strange secret bread of life not yet
made known by enjoyment that is here promised it is but a variation of the former promises of a crown of life ver 10.11 and to eat of the tree of life in the midst of the Paradise of God and ver 18. And I will give unto him the morning Star and write the name of my God upon him and put on him the white rayment c. all these are but various expressions of the future eternal blessedness that the conquering Saints shall enjoy after the resurrection And therefore this hidden Manna that is here promised to them to eat is the enjoyment of Christ in such a hidden manner in that day that it far passes our understanding for the excellency and the glory thereof whose eating and participating will be then in a far higher Key and on a more spiritual account then now we can possibly in the state of weakness enjoy and comprehend and therefore it is here called the hidden Manna and as another additional degree of blessedness to this hidden Manna there is annexed And will give him a white Stone and in the Stone a new Name written which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it Some take this Stone to be the Stone of free absolution and free justification by Christ as having allusion to that ancient practise among those Common-weals that were govern'd by a Democrasie as Athens Sparta c. who when any person was accused of a crime they that absolved and acquitted him cast into the pot a white Stone and they that condemned him cast in a black Stone and so according to the number of the Stones the person was either acquitted or convicted and that this was their judicious custome Ovid testifies in his 15. Book of Metamor Mos erat antiquis niveis atrisque lapillis His damnare reos illis absolvere culpâ So in allusion to this practise say they there is a free absolution and acquittance given to them that overcome by Christ and a white Stone given them wherein there is a new Name written that no man knoweth but he that receiveth it that is say they it is new and strange to the knowledg of those that have it not or are in the state of nature and no man hath any certain knowledge thereof but he that receives it But this is not all that is promised to the conquering christian for the white Stone of absolution and adoption he hath in the very first day that he undertakes his christian combate by faith for he can make no progress at all in this spritual conflict unless he hath first received the white Stone of justification absolution and adoption by faith And though indeed no man knoweth the name and nature of this Stone savingly but he that receiveth it and so indeed unto the unregenerate and unbelievers this Stone hath a new name and nature written thereon that they can have no certain knowledg of But unto a believer and the faithful christian combatant this white Stone of absolution and justification is no new thing unto them at all for this white Stone that is here promised is but an additional promise of other tearms and variableness of expressions of that blessedness that the overcoming christians shall enjoy in the world to come therefore as unto them it hath a new name also and this expression hath rather allusion to that practice of the Ancâ—ents who were accustomed to give a certain white Stone with some such Inscription in it as Detur Vincenti to those that got the victory in plays and games And this the Ancients accustomed as Aretus testifies and we as yet retain some practises answerable thereunto as when we set up a silver sword for the Master or conquering Fencer a golden Ring for the best Dancer a golden Cup for the best Racer or Shooter or a Golden Ball for the best Runner These are as several prizes set forth for him that overcometh in their respective games and pastimes amongst men To which the spirit here does allude and promiseth him that overcometh in his christian combate the white Stone wherein there is a new Name written as a prize of his victory and conquest and it is such a stone that there is a new Name written therein that is First There is such an excellent glory in this white Stone or prize of victory that is as yet most strange and secret and that never mortal eye yet saw and so unspeakable that the heart of man cannot conceive the glory thereof for the Name of God is written on it and of the City of God and of the new Ierusalem that comes down from Heaven cap. 3. 12. and no man can perfectly know or describe this glorious new State and Crown of life or this prize of inestimable glory this white Stone wherein this new name is written but those that shall receive it in the last day We know what manner of men we are at present but we know not what manner of men we shall be that day before it be revealed to us we know now but in part darkly as in a glass by medium figures and resemblances as a crown of life white rayment hidden manna white stone new name and the like but then we shall know it as we are known Secondly This white Stone or prize of glory is said here to have a new name written on it in respect of the strangeness of the dispensation thereof And this is Christ's own new name which the world is yet ignorant of cap. 3. 12. little do the world think to see the despicable and afflicted state of Christ and his Saints that he hath another new Name for himself and them that no man knew but he himself cap. 19. 12. and what is that new Name Peruse the subsequent verses and you shall find His eyes were as a flaming fire and on his head were many crowns and he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood and his name is called the word of God and out of his mouth goeth a sharp two edged sword that with it he should smite the Nations and he shall rule them with a rod of Iron and he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a Name written KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS And the same new Name is here written upon the conquering Saints and they are made co-partners with Christ in this his Kingdom see the 26. and 27. vers of this cap. and cap. 3. 12. Is it not a strange and new thing think you for the poor afflicted broken and despised christians to receive this white Stone or price of victory to sit down with Christ in his Throne and to rule the Nations with a rod of Iron This is indeed a new thing and a new Name both to themselves and others also and yet it is here promised as a prize crown and reward of their faithful perseverance and conquest which when they receive it they shall fully know and comprehend it but as yet it is a new