church_n that_o be_v write_v unto_o what_o a_o plain_a and_o manifest_a account_n be_v there_o to_o he_o that_o compare_v the_o epistle_n in_o their_o prophetical_a sense_n with_o the_o intervall_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_n lie_v in_o that_o order_n that_o these_o church_n be_v range_v this_o be_v a_o satisfactory_a reason_n and_o worthy_a the_o spirit_n that_o write_v these_o epistle_n but_o whether_o they_o be_v range_v in_o this_o order_n because_o that_o a_o letter-carrier_n go_v from_o patmos_n his_o first_o journey_n will_v be_v to_o ephesus_n and_o then_o to_o smyrna_n and_o so_o in_o order_n till_o he_o come_v to_o laodicea_n whether_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o prophecy_n regard_v that_o in_o the_o dictate_v of_o his_o letter_n though_o alcazar_n the_o jesuit_n be_v for_o it_o i_o can_v but_o suspend_v my_o judgement_n and_o that_o not_o without_o a_o smile_n but_o of_o this_o ataxy_n more_o particular_o anon_o 3._o four_o if_o it_o be_v demand_v why_o just_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n be_v write_v to_o neither_o more_o nor_o less_o especial_o that_o in_o thyatira_n according_a to_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o epiphanius_n be_v than_o not_o found_v but_o after_o the_o write_n of_o these_o epistle_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o give_v a_o satisfactory_a answer_n in_o the_o literal_a sense_n for_o to_o say_v this_o book_n of_o the_o apocalypse_n affect_v the_o number_n seven_o and_o that_o because_o it_o run_v upon_o the_o number_n seven_o altogether_o in_o the_o ensue_a part_n of_o the_o book_n which_o be_v prophetical_a it_o therefore_o for_o conformity_n sake_n choose_v this_o number_n in_o write_v to_o the_o church_n though_o literal_o understand_v seem_v but_o a_o meager_a mean_a and_o trifle_a account_n a_o design_n unworthy_a the_o holy_a spirit_n that_o dictate_v this_o book_n but_o the_o use_v this_o number_n seven_o all_o over_o be_v rather_o a_o intimation_n that_o the_o book_n be_v prophetical_a all_o over_o and_o that_o these_o epistle_n be_v also_o a_o prophecy_n according_o as_o we_o have_v explain_v they_o and_o take_v they_o so_o the_o answer_n be_v plain_a and_o obvious_a viz._n the_o number_n seven_n be_v here_o choose_v out_o as_o symbolical_a it_o be_v the_o note_n of_o universality_n whence_o the_o pythagorean_n as_o i_o above_o note_v call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d wherefore_o seven_o and_o no_o more_o than_o seven_o church_n be_v write_v unto_o as_o stand_v for_o the_o seven_o intervall_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n of_o all_o five_o if_o it_o be_v demand_v why_o these_o seven_o church_n rather_o than_o any_o other_o which_o in_o all_o likelihood_n may_v have_v the_o same_o virtue_n and_o vice_n that_o these_o be_v commend_v and_o tax_v for_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v write_v in_o the_o very_a notation_n of_o their_o name_n every_o name_n be_v significative_a of_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_n in_o that_o successive_a interval_n of_o time_n that_o this_o or_o that_o church_n so_o name_v stand_v for_o and_o in_o such_o order_n as_o they_o be_v repeat_v six_o if_o one_o require_v a_o reason_n why_o christ_n be_v describe_v by_o hold_v the_o seven_o star_n in_o his_o right_a hand_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o of_o sardis_n why_o the_o same_o description_n in_o both_o or_o why_o in_o either_o in_o the_o literal_a sense_n it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o find_v any_o peculiar_a reason_n but_o in_o the_o prophetical_a sense_n already_o declare_v it_o be_v obvious_a for_o the_o seven_o star_n signify_v all_o the_o pastor_n whether_o in_o present_a existence_n or_o succession_n and_o ephesus_n be_v the_o beginning-state_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v both_o very_o seasonable_a and_o methodical_a to_o represent_v the_o first_o founder_n sustainer_n and_o continuer_n thereof_o by_o this_o emblem_n lo_o i_o be_o with_o you_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o this_o again_o be_v hint_v at_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o sardis_n be_v with_o evident_a proportion_n and_o analogy_n to_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n there_o represent_v for_o the_o church_n of_o sardis_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o beginning_n again_o or_o the_o emerge_n of_o the_o true_a church_n or_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n out_o of_o the_o power_n and_o kingdom_n of_o antichrist_n 4._o seven_o why_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n of_o all_o other_o church_n shall_v be_v commend_v for_o their_o try_v false_a apostle_n why_o may_v not_o other_o church_n be_v attaque_v by_o they_o and_o also_o discover_v they_o as_o well_o as_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n the_o solution_n of_o which_o problem_n be_v easy_a in_o this_o mystical_a sense_n of_o the_o epistle_n that_o place_n the_o ephesine_n interval_n within_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o the_o rest_n on_o this_o side_n of_o they_o eight_o if_o any_o one_o demand_n why_o it_o be_v say_v to_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n more_o than_o to_o any_o other_o church_n be_v thou_o faithful_a unto_o death_n and_o i_o will_v 11._o give_v thou_o the_o crown_n of_o life_n and_o again_o he_o that_o overcome_v shall_v not_o be_v hurt_v by_o the_o second_o death_n in_o the_o literal_a sense_n it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a to_o find_v any_o peculiar_a reason_n why_o this_o may_v not_o as_o well_o be_v say_v to_o the_o church_n in_o pergamus_n where_o there_o be_v kill_v for_o religion_n it_o seem_v by_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o martyr_n antipas_n ay_o but_o there_o be_v no_o obtain_v the_o crown_n of_o life_n there_o in_o any_o peculiar_a sense_n but_o the_o crown_n of_o life_n that_o be_v the_o imperial_a crown_n be_v give_v to_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o primitive_a martyr_n under_o the_o ten_o persecution_n to_o who_o also_o according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o first_o resurrection_n belong_v which_o be_v here_o oblique_o glance_v at_o according_a to_o the_o mode_n of_o the_o apocalyptick_a style_n that_o love_v to_o hint_n thing_n by_o ellipse_n in_o that_o promise_n he_o that_o overcome_v shall_v not_o be_v hurt_v by_o 6._o the_o second_o death_n imply_v thereby_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o first_o resurrection_n nine_o if_o any_o one_o will_v again_o object_v more_o particular_o against_o the_o ataxy_n of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o be_v range_v neither_o according_a to_o the_o merit_n nor_o congeneracy_n of_o their_o condition_n pretend_v that_o it_o have_v be_v far_o better_a to_o have_v join_v the_o two_o irreprehensible_a church_n together_o smyrna_n and_o philadelphia_n against_o who_o there_o be_v no_o complaint_n at_o all_o and_o than_o ephesus_n sardis_n and_o laodicea_n against_o who_o there_o be_v no_o complaint_n of_o eat_v thing_n offer_v unto_o idol_n and_o afterward_o pergamus_n and_o thyatira_n in_o which_o church_n alone_o there_o be_v if_o any_o one_o i_o say_v contend_v that_o this_o method_n have_v be_v more_o exact_a true_o in_o the_o literal_a sense_n it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o frame_v a_o handsome_a and_o satisfactory_a answer_n especial_o if_o he_o urge_v that_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o method_n as_o well_o as_o the_o god_n of_o order_n but_o in_o this_o mystical_a or_o prophetical_a sense_n the_o answer_n be_v solid_a and_o exquisite_a and_o muchwhat_a the_o same_o that_o be_v give_v to_o the_o like_a difficulty_n more_o general_o propound_v before_o namely_o that_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n be_v name_v in_o that_o order_n the_o successive_a intervall_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_n be_v to_o proceed_v in_o of_o which_o these_o asiatic_a church_n be_v but_o the_o symbol_n or_o hieroglyphic_n and_o therefore_o those_o two_o intervall_n of_o time_n which_o take_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o beast_n and_o the_o false_a prophet_n viz._n the_o intervall_n of_o the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n and_o of_o thyatira_n must_v come_v after_o ephesus_n and_o smyrna_n because_o till_o the_o expiration_n of_o those_o two_o intervall_n idolatry_n have_v not_o again_o reentered_n the_o apostatise_v church_n and_o the_o three_o follow_a intervall_n of_o sardis_n philadelphia_n and_o laodicea_n be_v the_o intervall_n of_o the_o true_a church_n elapse_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o domineer_a idolatry_n and_o therefore_o we_o hear_v no_o more_o in_o they_o of_o thing_n sacrifice_v unto_o idol_n nor_o of_o any_o jezabel_n and_o philadelphia_n which_o be_v the_o most_o holy_a and_o the_o most_o glorious_a interval_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v to_o appear_v on_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v not_o to_o be_v name_v according_a to_o her_o dignity_n but_o according_a to_o her_o succession_n in_o time_n towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o world_n as_o she_o be_v here_o range_v but_o of_o this_o more_o than_o enough_o because_o we_o have_v
better_a and_o therefore_o very_a few_o there_o be_v that_o will_v either_o attempt_v the_o amend_v of_o their_o own_o life_n or_o the_o encourage_n other_o so_o to_o do_v when_o notwithstanding_o it_o be_v plain_a according_a to_o the_o prophetical_a sense_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o philadelphia_n that_o there_o will_v be_v a_o time_n when_o righteousness_n and_o true_a holiness_n will_v have_v a_o most_o glorious_a reign_n upon_o earth_n but_o those_o that_o be_v averse_a from_o this_o belief_n be_v usual_o averse_a also_o from_o believe_v any_o certitude_n in_o the_o exposition_n of_o prophecy_n they_o will_v not_o forsooth_o be_v so_o presumptuous_a as_o to_o pretend_v they_o can_v understand_v they_o especial_o such_o as_o either_o chastise_v the_o abominable_a wickedness_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n or_o such_o as_o promise_v time_n transcendent_o better_a which_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o hypocrisy_n much_o like_o that_o of_o ahaz_n when_o the_o prophet_n bid_v he_o ask_v a_o sign_n of_o the_o lord_n his_o god_n but_o he_o good_a modest_a hypocrite_n will_v not_o ask_v a_o sign_n neither_o will_v he_o tempt_v the_o 12._o lord_n the_o meaning_n whereof_o be_v that_o he_o will_v not_o amuse_n nor_o distract_v his_o thought_n nor_o render_v himself_o more_o obnoxious_a by_o take_v notice_n of_o a_o supernatural_a evidence_n against_o the_o natural_a sentiment_n and_o persuasion_n of_o his_o own_o carnal_a mind_n under_o who_o government_n he_o be_v resolve_v to_o be_v and_o not_o be_v dissettled_a by_o the_o inlet_n of_o any_o high_a light_n the_o application_n be_v very_o easy_a and_o obvious_a 17._o and_o last_o admit_v the_o prophetical_a meaning_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o laodicea_n it_o be_v of_o great_a use_n for_o the_o establish_n our_o faith_n in_o that_o grand_a point_n that_o this_o terrestrial_a scene_n will_v have_v a_o end_n and_o that_o at_o the_o close_a of_o all_o christ_n will_v visible_o come_v in_o judgement_n to_o reward_v all_o man_n according_a to_o their_o work_n that_o he_o will_v judge_v both_o the_o quick_a and_o the_o dead_a according_a to_o the_o orthodox_n sense_n of_o the_o apostolic_a doctrine_n to_o all_o which_o we_o may_v add_v that_o as_o the_o exposition_n of_o these_o seven_o epistle_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n be_v in_o a_o manner_n as_o convince_a as_o any_o other_o vision_n in_o the_o whole_a apocalypse_n so_o they_o be_v far_o more_o easy_a and_o reach_v the_o main_a design_n in_o a_o less_o compass_n of_o word_n and_o have_v not_o that_o operosenesse_n of_o synchronism_n necessary_o hang_v on_o they_o as_o the_o other_o have_v for_o the_o clear_n of_o the_o sense_n but_o be_v only_o seven_o intervall_n manifest_o succeed_v one_o another_o who_o bound_n so_o far_o as_o thing_n be_v pass_v be_v easy_o determinable_a and_o we_o know_v that_o the_o interval_n of_o sardis_n end_v where_o that_o of_o philadelphia_n begin_v and_o laodicea_n be_v the_o close_a of_o all_o which_o facility_n and_o comprehensiblenesse_n must_v needs_o improve_v the_o usefulnesse_n of_o these_o exposition_n very_o considerable_o and_o there_o want_v nothing_o but_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o name_n to_o be_v add_v for_o the_o easy_a applicability_n of_o the_o event_n to_o each_o interval_n i_o will_v for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o reader_n brief_o furnish_v they_o that_o have_v no_o skill_n in_o the_o original_a language_n with_o the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o name_n of_o all_o the_o seven_o church_n aforehand_o 18._o ephesus_z therefore_o with_o a_o allusion_n to_o the_o greek_a word_n ephesis_fw-la signify_v desire_n the_o first_o move_v principle_n that_o drive_v on_o a_o activity_n for_o the_o attain_v the_o main_a scope_n we_o aim_v at_o but_o with_o a_o allusion_n to_o aphesis_n it_o signisy_n remissness_n for_o which_o this_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v 4._o blame_v or_o else_o allude_v again_o to_o aphesis_n it_o signify_v the_o start_n or_o let_v loose_a the_o racer_n at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o race_n which_o agree_v very_o fit_o with_o this_o ephesine_n interval_n which_o be_v the_o begin_n of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o providence_n concern_v the_o same_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n smyrna_n signify_v myrrh_n intimate_v the_o bitter_a affliction_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n under_o the_o ten_o pagan_a persecution_n pergamus_n signify_v sublimity_n or_o exaltation_n intimate_v the_o raise_n of_o the_o church_n out_o of_o her_o former_a deject_a and_o afflict_a condition_n under_o the_o aforesaid_a persecution_n into_o a_o glorious_a triumph_n over_o paganism_n as_o it_o fall_v out_o upon_o the_o conquest_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a it_o signify_v also_o or_o prefigure_n the_o enormous_a haughtiness_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o that_o interval_n thyatira_n in_o allusion_n to_o thygatira_n a_o daughter_n intimate_v the_o more-then-ordinary_a womanishness_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o that_o interval_n but_o in_o allusion_n to_o thyateria_n altar_n of_o incense_n or_o sweet_a odour_n it_o signify_v the_o more-then-ordinary_a frequentness_n of_o burn_v the_o bless_a protestant_a martyr_n with_o fire_n and_o faggot_n in_o this_o period_n which_o cruelty_n though_o it_o be_v abominable_a in_o respect_n of_o that_o bloody_a and_o barbarous_a church_n that_o commit_v it_o yet_o the_o suffering_n of_o those_o holy_a martyr_n in_o this_o manner_n out_o of_o fidelity_n to_o christ_n and_o his_o truth_n be_v a_o sacrifice_n of_o sweet_a odour_n to_o he_o and_o very_o grateful_o accept_v of_o he_o sardis_n in_o allusion_n to_o sarda_n or_o lapis_fw-la sardius_n the_o same_o that_o carnalina_n signify_v the_o imperfect_a and_o carnal_a condition_n of_o that_o interval_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n that_o be_v call_v sardian_n philadelphia_n which_o signify_v charity_n in_o general_n and_o particular_o a_o more_o special_a love_n to_o they_o of_o the_o true_a household_n of_o faith_n intimate_v the_o reign_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o love_n for_o god_n be_v 16._o love_n and_o he_o that_o abide_v in_o love_n abide_v in_o god_n and_o god_n in_o he_o this_o be_v that_o illustrious_a reign_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o millenniall_a empire_n of_o love_n when_o the_o christian_a life_n shall_v take_v place_n and_o opinion_n and_o persecution_n shall_v be_v do_v away_o and_o last_o laodicea_n signify_v a_o popular_a political_a or_o externally-legal_a righteousness_n the_o outward_a form_n of_o the_o former_a philadelphian_a state_n but_z as_o in_o old_a age_n the_o spirit_n much_o decay_v though_o the_o outward_a figure_n of_o the_o body_n muchwhat_a the_o same_o it_o signify_v also_o the_o arraign_v and_o judgeing_a of_o the_o people_n that_o be_v the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n when_o christ_n shall_v come_v to_o judge_v both_o the_o quick_a and_o the_o dead_a because_o this_o be_v to_o be_v perform_v at_o the_o close_a of_o this_o laodicean_n interval_n 19_o the_o significancy_n of_o the_o name_n of_o these_o seven_o church_n reckon_v always_o in_o such_o a_o order_n as_o that_o seven_o intervall_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n of_o all_o answer_v exact_o in_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n both_o to_o these_o name_n in_o this_o order_n they_o be_v reckon_v and_o to_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n as_o they_o be_v orderly_o describe_v in_o the_o seven_o epistle_n to_o they_o be_v a_o plain_a demonstration_n to_o they_o that_o be_v not_o extreme_o refractory_a especial_o if_o you_o add_v the_o certainty_n that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o prophetical_a meaning_n of_o these_o epistle_n as_o be_v make_v good_a in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o chapter_n of_o the_o ensue_a book_n i_o say_v it_o be_v a_o plain_a demonstration_n that_o our_o exposition_n be_v true_a as_o well_o as_o so_o easy_a and_o comprehensible_a and_o therefore_o of_o a_o universal_a usefulnesse_n as_o well_o to_o the_o illiterate_a as_o the_o learned_a which_o i_o hope_v reader_n will_v be_v a_o sufficient_a excuse_n for_o the_o author_n that_o he_o have_v either_o invite_v thou_o to_o the_o pain_n of_o read_v or_o give_v himself_o the_o trouble_n of_o compile_v this_o present_a treatise_n farewell_n a_o prophetical_a exposition_n of_o the_o seven_o epistle_n send_v to_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n from_o he_o that_o be_v and_o be_v and_o be_v to_o come_v siracides_n ch._n 59_o he_o that_o give_v his_o mind_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o most_o high_a and_o be_v occupy_v in_o the_o meditation_n thereof_o will_v seek_v out_o the_o wisdom_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_n and_o be_v occupy_v in_o prophecy_n a_o prophetical_a exposition_n of_o the_o seven_o epistle_n send_v to_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n chap._n i._n a_o preparation_n towards_o the_o mystical_a or_o prophetical_a interpretation_n of_o the_o seven_o
have_v forget_v what_o he_o be_v about_o bring_v in_o a_o large_a vision_n consist_v of_o seven_o part_n wherein_o there_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o prophetical_a but_o only_o the_o reproof_n or_o praise_n the_o commination_n or_o promise_n to_o a_o few_o particular_a church_n this_o be_v not_o according_a to_o the_o steady_a order_n and_o method_n of_o divine_a wisdom_n especial_o in_o this_o book_n than_o which_o there_o never_o be_v nor_o ever_o will_v be_v any_o thing_n more_o accurate_o write_v 10._o and_o he_o have_v in_o his_o right_a hand_n 16._o seven_o star_n methinks_v it_o be_v extreme_o harsh_a to_o conceit_n that_o these_o seven_o star_n be_v mere_o the_o seven_o bishop_n of_o any_o seven_o particular_a church_n of_o asia_n as_o if_o the_o rest_n be_v not_o support_v nor_o guide_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o christ_n or_o as_o if_o there_o be_v but_o seven_o in_o his_o right_a hand_n but_o all_o the_o rest_n in_o his_o left_a such_o high_a representation_n can_v be_v appropriate_v to_o any_o seven_o particular_a church_n whatsoever_o but_o seven_o must_v signify_v all_o in_o both_o coexistence_n and_o in_o succession_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v a_o sense_n worthy_a so_o sublime_a a_o book_n as_o this_o of_o the_o apocalypse_n and_o correspondent_a to_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o septenaries_n that_o occur_v in_o this_o book_n of_o prophecy_n they_o signify_v a_o entire_a succession_n of_o some_o seven_o thing_n or_o other_o which_o they_o be_v bring_v in_o to_o represent_v 11._o the_o seven_o star_n be_v the_o angel_n 20._o of_o the_o seven_o church_n and_o the_o seven_o candlestick_n which_o thou_o same_v be_v the_o seven_o church_n though_o according_a to_o the_o literal_a sense_n these_o seven_o church_n and_o the_o seven_o angel_n be_v easy_o applicable_a to_o those_o particular_a seven_o church_n of_o asia_n above_o specify_v yet_o i_o can_v but_o conceive_v that_o he_o not_o call_v they_o here_o the_o 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the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n have_v that_o force_n with_o i_o that_o though_o i_o can_v not_o myself_o produce_v such_o a_o continue_a mystical_a or_o prophetical_a sense_n which_o will_v be_v all_o along_o easy_a and_o natural_a yet_o i_o can_v not_o but_o vehement_o suspect_v that_o there_o be_v some_o such_o sense_n though_o it_o be_v not_o in_o my_o power_n to_o reach_v it_o but_o if_o i_o have_v through_o the_o divine_a assistence_n light_n on_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o be_v both_o continual_o coherent_a important_a and_o according_a to_o the_o analogy_n of_o the_o prophetical_a style_n i_o hope_v this_o preparation_n will_v even_o extort_v the_o belief_n thereof_o from_o the_o reader_n but_o such_o as_o it_o be_v i_o shall_v now_o present_v to_o his_o view_n chap._n iii_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesine_n church_n 1._o it_o be_v intimate_v out_o of_o the_o last_o verse_n of_o the_o forego_n chapter_n that_o the_o omission_n of_o the_o appropriate_a the_o seven_o church_n to_o asia_n by_o name_n be_v a_o fair_a invitation_n to_o we_o to_o suspect_v a_o more_o large_a and_o release_v sense_n of_o this_o vision_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n and_o indeed_o this_o releasement_n be_v more_o free_a in_o the_o greek_a copy_n then_o in_o our_o english_a translation_n for_o the_o original_a run_v thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o seven_o candlestick_n 20._o which_o thou_o see_v be_v seven_o church_n not_o the_o seven_o church_n which_o in_o the_o literal_a sense_n one_o may_v be_v prone_a to_o imagine_v to_o be_v none_o other_o than_o those_o situate_a in_o asia_n minor_fw-la but_o this_o division_n of_o the_o church_n into_o seven_o in_o the_o mystical_a sense_n be_v rather_o distributio_fw-la ex_fw-la adjunctis_fw-la then_o è_fw-la subjectis_fw-la the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n in_o its_o succession_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n be_v cast_v into_o seven_o intervall_n according_a to_o seven_o notorious_a qualification_n or_o condition_n thereof_o for_o so_o we_o say_v the_o primitive_a church_n the_o apostatise_v church_n the_o reform_a church_n etc._n etc._n denote_v not_o their_o place_n but_o rather_o their_o time_n and_o quality_n which_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o prophetic_a style_n if_o it_o be_v to_o express_v they_o will_v exhibit_v as_o so_o many_o church_n distinct_o situate_a 2._o but_o beside_o this_o it_o be_v far_a to_o be_v note_v that_o the_o omission_n of_o the_o appropriate_a these_o seven_o church_n to_o asia_n do_v also_o fair_o quit_v the_o mystical_a interpreter_n of_o give_v any_o account_n of_o the_o signification_n of_o that_o name_n it_o be_v omit_v in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n which_o i_o think_v worth_a the_o note_n tâ—â—â—_n all_o pretence_n of_o cavil_v may_v be_v take_v from_o they_o that_o may_v haply_o prove_v less_o satisfy_v with_o our_o give_v a_o account_n of_o that_o greek_a name_n from_o a_o hebrew_n allusion_n though_o their_o cavil_v to_o the_o more_o judicious_a i_o hope_v will_v seem_v altogether_o groundless_a 3._o nor_o last_o do_v the_o return_v of_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n by_o name_n in_o these_o epistle_n write_v to_o they_o determine_v the_o vision_n sole_o and_o adequate_o to_o those_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n topical_o understand_v forasmuch_o as_o the_o name_n of_o all_o those_o church_n at_o least_o by_o a_o easy_a allusion_n have_v a_o appellative_a signification_n and_o manifest_o denote_v their_o quality_n and_o condition_n as_o we_o shall_v see_v in_o the_o process_n of_o our_o exposition_n 4._o first_o therefore_o of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n which_o christ_n salute_v after_o this_o manner_n unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n write_v these_o thing_n say_v he_o that_o hold_v the_o seven_o star_n in_o 1._o his_o right_a hand_n and_o who_o walk_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n that_o by_o angel_n according_a to_o the_o apocalyptick_a style_n all_o the_o agent_n under_o their_o presidency_n be_v represent_v or_o insinuate_v i_o have_v already_o note_v and_o it_o be_v so_o frequent_a and_o obvious_a in_o the_o apocalypse_n that_o none_o that_o be_v verse_v therein_o can_v any_o way_n doubt_v of_o it_o wherefore_o christ_n his_o writing_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n in_o this_o mystical_a sense_n be_v his_o writing_n to_o all_o bishop_n pastor_n and_o christian_n in_o this_o first_o apostolical_a interval_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o particular_o in_o this_o epistle_n to_o this_o church_n i_o mean_v in_o the_o mystical_a sense_n thereof_o he_o recommend_v himself_o to_o they_o under_o the_o character_n of_o he_o that_o hold_v the_o seven_o star_n in_o his_o right_a hand_n and_o who_o walk_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n the_o sense_n strip_v of_o this_o prophetical_a pomp_n be_v that_o i_o be_o he_o that_o support_v all_o my_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n and_o all_o that_o labour_n for_o the_o interest_n of_o my_o kingdom_n from_o this_o time_n for_o ever_o i_o be_o present_a with_o they_o and_o uphold_v they_o as_o he_o say_v at_o the_o first_o sound_n of_o the_o church_n go_v you_o therefore_o and_o teach_v all_o nation_n 20._o baptise_v they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n and_o of_o the_o son_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n teach_v they_o to_o observe_v all_o thing_n whatsoever_o i_o have_v command_v you_o and_o lo_o i_o be_o with_o you_o always_o even_o unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n he_o be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o church_n wherever_o two_o or_o three_o be_v gather_v together_o in_o his_o name_n he_o walk_v through_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o seven_o intervall_n of_o the_o church_n the_o seven_o golden_a
stage_n but_z if_o thou_o strive_v so_o as_o to_o get_v the_o victory_n in_o the_o way_n i_o have_v instruct_v thou_o i_o will_v translate_v thou_o to_o that_o heavenly_a kingdom_n most_o natural_o and_o proper_o so_o call_v where_o thou_o shall_v sit_v down_o and_o drink_v of_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o vine_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o my_o father_n as_o i_o 29._o after_o i_o have_v overcome_v ascend_v up_o to_o heaven_n into_o those_o glorious_a mansion_n and_o there_o sit_v down_o at_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god_n so_o he_o that_o overcome_v the_o temptation_n and_o encumbrance_n the_o pleasure_n and_o enticement_n of_o this_o low_a world_n will_v i_o cause_v to_o sit_v down_o with_o i_o in_o the_o heavenly_a place_n at_o the_o last_o day_n which_o monition_n be_v the_o more_o seasonable_a by_o how_o much_o more_o near_o the_o approach_n of_o that_o great_a day_n be_v for_o i_o shall_v come_v visible_o to_o judgement_n in_o the_o very_a next_o thunder_n to_o the_o siege_n of_o gog_n and_o magog_n when_o i_o will_v transform_v your_o vile_a body_n into_o the_o similitude_n of_o my_o glorious_a body_n that_o you_o may_v be_v fit_a companion_n for_o i_o in_o heaven_n for_o ever_o behold_v i_o show_v 54._o you_o a_o mystery_n you_o shall_v not_o all_o sleep_n yet_o you_o shall_v all_o be_v change_v that_o mortality_n may_v be_v swallow_v up_o of_o life_n this_o be_v a_o great_a and_o stupendous_a promise_n but_o thou_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v speak_v by_o he_o that_o be_v the_o amen_o the_o true_a and_o faithful_a witness_n and_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o both_o will_n and_o can_v carry_v on_o all_o his_o design_n to_o the_o very_a end_n amen_n 13._o he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n to_o hear_v let_v he_o hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v unto_o 22._o the_o church_n from_o the_o epiphonema_n come_v here_o last_o as_o in_o all_o these_o four_o last_o epistle_n one_o may_v haply_o raise_v this_o objection_n as_o if_o this_o sense_n of_o the_o promise_n immediate_o precede_v it_o be_v not_o political_a or_o prophetical_a enough_o but_o mere_o theological_a the_o promise_n be_v to_o be_v perform_v in_o the_o other_o world_n and_o therefore_o not_o the_o proper_a object_n of_o prophecy_n which_o concern_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o stage_n of_o this_o earth_n and_o that_o this_o therefore_o be_v against_o our_o profess_a rule_n but_o i_o answer_v that_o though_o the_o promise_n of_o obtain_v heaven_n after_o this_o life_n upon_o the_o death_n of_o the_o body_n be_v mere_o a_o theogicall_a promise_n and_o of_o a_o thing_n more_o spiritual_a and_o invisible_a and_o not_o to_o be_v see_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o this_o earth_n yet_o this_o promise_n of_o obtain_v heaven_n at_o the_o resurrection_n and_o general_a day_n of_o judgement_n it_o be_v the_o day_n of_o that_o great_a and_o visible_a assize_n wherein_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o saint_n shall_v appear_v in_o glorify_v body_n may_v well_o be_v range_v in_o the_o same_o order_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o promise_v immediate_o precede_v the_o epiphonemata_fw-la of_o each_o epistle_n and_o to_o be_v accomplish_v visible_o in_o this_o life_n for_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o promise_n in_o brief_a be_v this_o that_o as_o christ_n after_o his_o suffering_n his_o death_n and_o passion_n ascend_v visible_o into_o heaven_n for_o heaven_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o throne_n of_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n and_o so_o heaven_n become_v also_o christ_n throne_n so_o those_o of_o laodicea_n who_o upon_o the_o mortification_n of_o their_o lust_n shall_v attain_v to_o the_o state_n of_o life_n in_o the_o new_a birth_n shall_v ascend_v visible_o into_o christ_n throne_n that_o be_v into_o heaven_n in_o the_o open_a view_n of_o they_o that_o shall_v be_v leave_v here_o on_o the_o earth_n and_o in_o the_o inferior_a region_n of_o the_o air_n sentence_v to_o that_o everlasting_a fire_n prepare_v for_o the_o devil_n and_o his_o angel_n this_o be_v a_o plain_a and_o obvious_a sense_n of_o this_o promise_n and_o such_o as_o the_o place_n of_o the_o epiphonema_n require_v and_o be_v in_o my_o judgement_n no_o mean_a ratification_n of_o the_o true_a and_o literal_a sense_n of_o that_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n touch_v the_o visible_a resurrection_n and_o glorification_n of_o our_o body_n and_o their_o ascension_n into_o the_o heavenly_a region_n against_o such_o as_o will_v whiffle_v away_o all_o these_o truth_n by_o resolve_v they_o into_o a_o mere_a moral_a allegory_n thus_o consonant_a every_o way_n be_v the_o interpretation_n of_o these_o epistle_n both_o to_o themselves_o and_o to_o the_o apostolic_a truth_n chap._n x._o a_o recapitulation_n of_o the_o main_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o mystical_a or_o prophetical_a exposition_n of_o the_o seven_o epistle_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n by_o way_n of_o solution_n of_o difficulty_n touch_v the_o say_a epistle_n and_o their_o circumstance_n otherwise_o hardly_o or_o not_o at_o all_o to_o be_v solve_v 1._o as_o in_o natural_a hypothesis_n those_o be_v account_v true_a that_o solve_v the_o phaenomena_n of_o nature_n the_o most_o natural_o and_o easy_o and_o especial_o if_o such_o as_o be_v no_o otherwise_o solvible_a then_o upon_o the_o propose_a hypothesis_n so_o that_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n i_o mean_v especial_o of_o any_o considerable_a portion_n thereof_o aught_o to_o be_v esteem_v true_a that_o can_v solve_v the_o most_o difficulty_n that_o may_v be_v raise_v concern_v the_o same_o or_o the_o context_n precedent_n or_o subsequent_a thereto_o and_o if_o all_o still_o the_o more_o certain_a and_o if_o unsolvible_a otherwise_o there_o be_v still_o the_o more_o assurance_n of_o undeniable_a demonstration_n now_o how_o near_o this_o mystical_a or_o prophetical_a exposition_n of_o these_o epistle_n approach_n to_o the_o clearness_n of_o this_o case_n i_o will_v leave_v to_o the_o reader_n to_o judge_v after_o he_o have_v consider_v the_o solution_n of_o the_o question_n easy_o raise_v out_o of_o the_o epistle_n themselves_o or_o the_o precedent_a chapter_n and_o not_o easy_o answer_v nor_o at_o all_o satisfactory_o at_o least_o most_o of_o they_o but_o upon_o the_o hypothesis_n we_o have_v go_v 2._o as_o first_o if_o a_o man_n inquire_v why_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n after_o he_o have_v so_o express_o give_v notice_n that_o this_o book_n of_o the_o apocalypse_n be_v to_o show_v unto_o his_o servant_n thing_n that_o be_v to_o come_v and_o call_v it_o plain_o a_o book_n of_o prophecy_n 3._o shall_v start_v so_o unexpected_o from_o the_o title_n and_o intend_a subject_n as_o to_o write_v no_o less_o than_o seven_o epistle_n to_o certain_a church_n that_o have_v nothing_o considerable_a of_o prophecy_n in_o they_o before_o he_o deliver_v any_o prophecy_n proper_o so_o call_v but_o only_o promise_v and_o commination_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v do_v this_o with_o as_o great_a pomp_n and_o as_o high_a a_o preamble_n as_o he_o do_v when_o he_o begin_v so_o famous_a prophecy_n as_o those_o of_o the_o seven_o seal_n and_o the_o open_a book_n but_o according_a to_o our_o hypothesis_n the_o answer_n be_v easy_a viz._n that_o though_o these_o seven_o epistle_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n have_v a_o literal_a sense_n yet_o they_o be_v also_o a_o parable_n or_o prophecy_n and_o of_o as_o high_a concern_v for_o both_o matter_n and_o extent_n of_o time_n they_o reach_v from_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o seal_n and_o open_a book_n and_o that_o they_o be_v usher_v in_o with_o this_o great_a pomp_n on_o purpose_n to_o give_v we_o notice_n thereof_o second_o a_o man_n will_v be_v prone_a to_o inquire_v why_o the_o spirit_n dictate_v letter_n unto_o the_o church_n in_o asia_n and_o not_o rather_o to_o the_o church_n in_o europe_n asia_n and_o africa_n for_o certain_o the_o church_n have_v disspr_v itself_o into_o all_o these_o quarter_n of_o the_o world_n by_o that_o time_n as_o if_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n be_v a_o respecter_n of_o person_n for_o these_o be_v not_o the_o letter_n of_o john_n but_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o our_o answer_n be_v ready_a at_o hand_n that_o for_o the_o significancy_n of_o the_o word_n asia_n to_o comport_v also_o with_o the_o significancy_n of_o the_o name_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n asia_n alone_o be_v pitch_v upon_o but_o according_a to_o the_o prophetical_a sense_n the_o true_a catholic_n church_n be_v write_v unto_o under_o such_o distinct_a condition_n as_o she_o be_v to_o vary_v into_o unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o partiality_n nor_o acception_n of_o person_n in_o this_o three_o if_o a_o man_n demand_v touch_v the_o order_n or_o precedency_n of_o these_o seven_o