32 living Fountains of Waters i. e. perpetual Comforts and Refreshments Isa 12 3. John 7.38 and God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes i. e. remove all Causes and Occasions of Sorrow 32 So the Jews call Fountains continually bubling and springing up Canticl 4.15 John 4 10. CHAP. VIII The Text. 1 AND when he i. e. Christ had opened the seventh Seal there was silence 1 in Heaven about the space of * half an hour i. e. there was a short respite from the commotions which followed upon the Sounding of the Trumpets Annotations on CHAP. VIII 1 The Metaphors here are taken from the (a) Mr. Mede Hammond on Luke 1.1 Ainsworth on Lev. 16.12 13. Temple-Service which shews that Church-Affairs are here typified as well as those of the Empire in which at the offering of Incense the People prayed without in the Court in private whilst the Priest offered the Incense which Prayers were very short and the whole Service performed in silence whereas the offering of Sacrifice the first part of their Service was accompanied with Singing Musick and Trumpets 2. Chron. 29.25 * See on Ver. 7. Num. 11. 2 And I saw the seven Angels which stood 2 before God as ready to execute his Pleasure and to them were given by God's appointment seven 3 Trumpets to denounce seven Judgments 2 These are expresly called Angels and not The Spirits of God whereby they are distinguished from the Seven Spirits Chap. 1.4 And by these Seven standing before God is denoted the Preparedness of the several Instruments and Means required to the executing of God's Judgments by the Seven Trumpets and also the Majesty of the Divine Presence is expressed by them in allusion to the Custom of the Eastern Kings from whose Rites many of the Descriptions in Scripture are taken who had Seven Princes who saw their Faces or stood before them and were the Chief in their Kingdoms Esther 1.14 Grotius on Matth. 18.10 3 Here is an Allusion also to the Temple Service where it was the Custom to blow with Trumpets after the Oblation of Incense as appears from Ecclus 50.15 16. strict Silence being observed before it as here the Angels have Trumpets given them to prepare to sound but sound not until the Incense was offered Angel signifies in this Prophecy not only the Angelical Spirits but also the subordinate Ministers employed under them here upon Earth as has been before shewn on Chap. 1.1 20. And therefore here may be meant by this Angel the Emperour Theodosius who is the Chief Person concerned in this Vision as we shall shew hereafter whose Prayer at the Head of his Army before the Battel with Eugenius is very remarkable in History and also the whole Christian Church which joyned with him in Prayer to God upon that great Occasion Angel being taken Collectively in this Book for all the several Instruments made use of in it 3 And another Angel or Ministring Spirit representing the Persons employed in the like service on Earth came and stood at or by the Altar of incense Exod. 30.1 having a Golden Censer or Vessel to hold Incense Levit. 16.12 Hebr. 9.4 and there was 4 given unto him much Incense Levit. 16.12 13. Rev. 5.8 that he should Offer it with the Prayers of all Saints 5 or Holy Chrians upon the Golden Altar of Incense Exod. 30 3 6 7.40 26. which was 6 before the Throne of God 4 Here may be an Allusion to a Custom in the Jewish Service of bringing the Odors to the Priest by others Exod. 27.20 See Maimonides in Ainsworth on Levit. 24.2 5 Here is also an Allusion to the High Priests offering Incense in the Temple while the People called here All Saints i. e. the Holy and Peculiar People of God prayed in the Outward Court And by what is here delivered and in the former Verses is intimated that the daily Publick Sacrifice of pure Worship which was wont to be performed in the Outward Court should cease and was about to be contracted into a retired and a silent one signified by the Silence Vers 1. and the Incense-Worship which was within the Temple and that although the Saints or Holy People were as yet without in the Outward Court not yet trodden down by Antichristian Defilements that nevertheless it would not be long but about half an hour or a short space before that also which was a Type of the Visible Church and its Worship should be polluted by them concerning which Allusion and the Grounds of it see more on Chap. 11.1 6 As the Altar of Incense in the Temple was before the Mercy-seat Exod. 30.6 7.40 26. 4 And the smoak of the Incense Chap. 5.8 which came with the Prayers of the Saints ascended up before God out of the Angels hand i. e. they were grateful and acceptable unto him through the Merits and Intercession of Christ Psal 141.2 Acts 10.4 5 And the Angel took the censer which was now empty the Incense being consumed and their Prayers ended and filled it with fire from the Altar of 7 Sacrifice or Burnt-Offerings and cast it i. e. dispersed God's Judgment and fiery Indignation Ezek. 10.2 Luke 12.49 upon the Earth i. e. the Roman Empire and there were 8 Voices and Thundrings and Lightnings Chap. 4.5 and an Earthquake i. e. extraordinary Commotions in the Empire and great Manifestations of Christ's Kingdom Chap. 6.12 7 For there was a continual Fire on the Altar of Sacrifice but none on the Altar of Incense See Ainsworth on Exod. 30.8 and on Lev. 6.12 13. This Service was performed in the Temple but the Fire was taken off the Altar of Burnt Sacrifice in the Outward Court to shew that God's Judgments represented by Fire which denotes in Scripture any destructive thing came upon them by Reason of the Gentilism or Antichristian Pollutions of the Outward Court or Visible Church 8 The other Seals having been distinguished by some notable Events in the Empire it is reasonable to think that this is so too and there is none which agrees better to it than the Wonderful Victory (a) Sâ—â—aâ— Hist 5.25 Sozom. 7.24 Howel 's History Part 2. pag. 427 of Theodosius over Eugenius A. D. 395. Because 1. It follows in order the Event foretold in the sixth Seal this Victory giving the Deadly Blow to Heathenism and perfecting what was begun by Constantine and some of his Successors under that Seal 2. Because the following Trumpets denoting the fall of the Empire began to produce their Effects not long after this Defeat So that it exactly corresponds as a middle Event with the foregoing and following ones 3. The Vengeance of God fell extraordinarily upon the Pagans and their Defeat by a wonderful Tempest was miraculous as Claudian the Heathen Poet confesses and as the Soldiers who were present at the Battel told (b) 〈◊〉 â—iâ—itat Dâ—i 5.26 Augustine which is very naturally expressed by Fire cast by an Angel from Heaven upon Earth Fire being a general
10 28-31 See Dr. Tho. Goodwin's Discourse of the Punishment of Sin in Hell Hell Torments is thought to consist Now this Wrath of God the Sting of his Punishments and the very Gall of them is here given to the Angels by One of the Four Living Creatures that is by the First of them as One generally signifies in this Prophecy whose Voice was as Thunder and who had the very Purity and Power of the Gospel and that in Golden Vials to signifie the Purity and Holiness of God's Judgments and that they were executed upon the Prayers of Saints of which Golden Vials and Incense are an Emblem Chap. 5. 8. 12 The Wicked with their sins are cast as Grapes of Sodom Deut. 32.32 33. into the Winepress of God's Wrath trod by Christ Chap. 19 15. as Redeemer and out of that VVine are these Vials filled Whereby is signified that the Just Vengeance and Recompence of God is executed upon them by Christ as the Demerit and Consequence of their sins for the Blood of his Servants they had shed and as the Vials of the Prayers of the Saints Chap. 5.8 are full of Odors by Vertue of Christ's Intercession so are these full of the VVrath of God upon the Intercession of Christ for his oppressed Saints 8 And the Temple was 13 filled with 14 Smoak from the Glory of God and from his Power i. e. there were setled Manifestatiâ—ns of God's powerful and Glorious Presence in a blessed State Ezek. 43 4-6 and 15 or but no man or no Creature was able to enter into the Temple i. e. God's Glorious Presence could not be enjoyed in its highest Manifestations Ezek. 48 35. Rev 21.3 23 24. till the Seven Plagues of the Seven Angels were fulfilled i. e. until the perfect Destruction of the Wicked whose Sins 16 hinder God's Presence Ezek. 43.9 13 The Constant (a) Exod. 43.34 35. Lev. 16.2 Numb 9 15-23 1 Kings 8 10-13 2 Chron. 7 1-4 Ezek. 43 1-9 Manifestations of God's Presence are signified in Scripture by a Cloud covering and filling the Tabernacle and Temple whereby God took as it were possession of them who is represented in Ezekiel as filling the House or Temple with his Glory when he came to dwell in the midst of his people for ever Ezek. 43.5 7 9. Whereby is signified that the New Jerusalem State was near its Settlement in the Blessed Milennium when God will dwell with Men and he and the Lamb shall be the Temple of the City Rev. 21.2 3 22 23. 14 Light (b) See on Chap. 3. num 36. and Bright Fire are the proper Emblems of God who is Love but when Smoak appears with it there is intimated some Darkness in the Dispensation referred to and Mixtures of VVrath and Displeasure as in this place because God's VVrath was not as yet executed the Glory of God represented by Light and Bright Clouds in the Old Testament filled the Temple with Smoak and not Light there being as yet a Contest betwixt the VVrath Jealousie and Justice of God and his Enemies to be destroyed whose Defilements represented by Smoak Chap. 9. 2. and Sins were the Cause that God's Anger smoaked against them for otherwise Fury is not in the Lord Isa 27.4 15 An Allusion to what is related concerning Moses Exod. 40.35 whereby is expressed the great Terror of this Time of Vengeance which no Created Beings not even the Angels themselves are able to bear this being the (a) Isa Chapters 24 25 26 27. Dan. 12.1 Matth. 24.21 29 30. Mark 13.19 Luke 21.23 24. Rev. 3 10.7 14.16 18. Time of such Trouble as never was called The Great Temptation The Great Tribulation and the Great Earthquake in Scripture which was to be shortned for the Elect's Sake and will be so very Terrible that they are pronounced Blessed by Daniel Chap. 12.12 who shall wait and come to the End of those Days when the Blessed Millennium shall begin Which perhaps may be prefigured by (b) Exod. 24 12-18 Mose's not being able to go up into the Mount until after six Days and his being called up into it by God on the seventh Day the (c) See the Notes on Chapt. 20.4 Type of the seventh Thousand Year or the Sabbatical Millennium And from hence it may be observed that although there shall be several Manifestations of God's Presence and Openings of the Temple after the End of the Beasts Months upon the Entrance of which the Temple was shut up and at the Expiring of which it must consequently be opened that yet nevertheless the highest State of it in which God and the Lamb are the Temple consisting in perfect Tranquillity and Serenity without any smoak of Anger from God's Glory shall not be enjoyed until the Vials are poured out which will not be if the Beast's Months end at 1697 until A. D. 1772. when the 75 Years which are added to the Times of Antichrist by Daniel Chap. 12. will be expired as hath been frequently observed 16 This was signified by the several gradual (a) Ezek. 8.4 6.9 3.10 4 15-19 11 23. Removals of the Glory of God and its departure from the Temple in Ezekiel and his not returning into it so as to fill it and inhabit in it for ever until he had consumed the wicked Idolaters and their Abominations in his Anger Ezek 39 11-29.43 1-9 CHAP. XVI The Text. AND I heard a great Voice or a powerful Command full of Authority and about a most important matter out of the Heavenly Temple of Christ's Kingdom the Original and Arche-type of his Kingdom upon Earth Chap. 15.1 8. saying to the seven Angels or Ministerial Instruments of God's Will who undertake nothing without a special Command Go your ways with all speed and swiftness and by Virtue of my Commission and pour out the very Dregs of the Vials of thr Wrath of God upon the 1 Earth Annotations on CHAP. XIV 1 This Chapter relating wholly to things Future is thereupon very obscure it being doubtful whether it is to be interpreted in a Mystical Sense as most Interpreters have done or in a Litteral one with reference to the Great Conflagration of the World plainly asserted by the Apostle (a) 2 Ep. 3. Peter and generally acknowledged as a great Truth In the former way of Interpreting Earth Sea Rivers and the other parts of the World on which the Vials are poured are to be understood only concerning the several Members of the Antichristian Kingdom signified by them but in the latter they are to be taken Litterally and the Vials are to be supposed as so many Gradual Preparations to the General Dissolution of the World by Fire To the clearing of which Question it may be observed 1. That these Vials are filled out of the Blood which came out of the Winepress of God's Wrath as appears from Chap. 14.19 20. compared with the first Verse of this Chapter Whence it will follow if that Observation be true That these Vials must
not for thy own sake or the sake of the Church which thou fearest will be deprived of what is contained in this Book for behold the Lyon 10 of the Tribe of Judah i. e. Christ Gen. 49.9 Heb. 7.13 14. who is also the root of David Isa 11.1 10. Rom. 15.12 hath prevailed with the Father by his Blood and Merits to open the Book and to loose the seven Seals thereof Vers 2 4. i. e. to declare what is in it and to accomplish it 8 For so One seems to signifie in this Prophecy as also it does Dan. 10.13 Gen. 1.4 Matth. 28.1 9 The Jewish Church having been entrusted with the Oracles and Prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the Kingdom of Christ it is very proper that their Ministry should be here made use of to declare unto John the import of what had been delivered therein concerning the Merits and Power of Christ in revealing and erecting his Kingdom and therefore Christ is here described by Titles taken from what relates to the Jews as the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah because he came from that Tribe which is resembled to a Lyon in Scripture and the Root of David because he proceeded from his Stock as from a Root 10 No Creature whatsoever as Man signifies Verse 7. and Isa 41.28 was able to open this Book or look into it but only Christ by Vertue of his Merits whereby that extravagant Knowledge which is ascribed unto Angels and Saints in the Romish Church and their Mediatorship is plainly exploded as appears also from the 11th 12th 13th and 14th Verses 6 And I beheld with great concern and expectation and lo on a sudden in the midst of the Throne i. e. just before it and next unto it and of the Four Beasts and in the midst of the Elders i. e. betwixt God the Father and his Church stood 11 in a posture of Defence as Mediator and Advocate and in a readiness to receive his Kingdom Dan. 7.13 14. a Lamb i. e. Christ John 1.29.36 as it had been newly stain and just risen from the dead having seven Horns 12 i. e. perfect Regal Authority especially over the sevenfold State of the Church and seven Eyes signifying perfection of Knowledge and Providential Administrations Zech. 3.9 which are or represent the seven Spirits of God i. e. the perfect Operations of Gods Spirit Zech. 4.6 10. See on Rev. 1.4 sent forth into all the Earth to superintend dispose and conduct all things 2 Chron. 46.9 Isa 11.2 11 From Christ's being here represented as just risen from the dead with the Signs of his Sufferings fresh and bleeding it may be gathered that the Epocha of these Visions is to be taken from Christ's Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven as we have observed before on Chap. 1.10 And he is represented as standing to denote that he was not as yet in possession of his Kingdom which was due to him at his Resurrection as the Psalmist plainly affirms Psalm 2 7 8. but that he stood ready to receive it to which end he was brought unto the Father as appears plainly from Dan. 7.13 14. 12 Horns being the Weapons of Beasts they are put to signifie Strength and Power in Scripture as Psalm 75.5 10. and in Daniel and this Prophecy they denote Kings and their Regal Power as the Scripture interprets it self Dan. 8.20 21. Rev. 17.12 7 And he i. e. Christ being now entring upon his Kingly Office came to the Father being brought near before him to receive his Kingdom Dan. 7.13 14 and took the Book * out of the Right Hand of him that sate upon the Throne i. e. received his Kingdom from the Father and power to reveal and execute what was contained in that Book concerning it * This answers to Dan. 7.14 where upon his being brought to the Father a Kingdom is given him of which this Book is a Symbol as being the Book of the Kingdom of Christ only we are to take notice that the Book is sealed the Kingdom being not to appear but by steps and degrees according to the opening of the Seals until the seventh Trumpet of the seventh Seal during which time Christ was to sit in the patience and expectation of his Kingdom at the Right Hand of God until his Father made his Foes his Footstool according to Psalm 110.1 and 1 Cor. 15.25 27. 8 And when he had taken the Boâ—k the four Beasts and four and twenty Elders i. e. the Christian and the Jewish Church perceiving th t all Power was now given unto him of the Father fell down before the Lamb to worship him bearing every one of them Harps to praise him and golden Vials or Bowls to hold Incense in 2 Chron. 4.22 full of 13 Odours which are i. e. signifie the Prayers Psalm 141.2 of Saints i. e. of the living Creatures and Elders and all Saints and Members of the pure Church in his Kingdom Rev. 20.4 13 The Ascent of the Incense signifies the Ascent of Prayers to Heaven and the Odour of it their Acceptableness with God for which see Dr. Hammond on the place and on Luke 1.10 And here Christ appearing for his Saints as in his Kingdom makes them Priests to God by giving them Incense See Chap. 8.3 4.20 6. 9 And they sung a new Song of 14 singular Love and Gratitude upon the occasion of Christ's Redemption and Kingdom saying Thou art worthy and thou alone Verse 23. to take the Book and to open the Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God i. e. to be his Servants and Worshippers by thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation to be a Catholick Church and Kingdom 14 In this sense this Word is taken Psalm 33.3 Isa 42.9 10. But it is rather called a New Song here because it will have been for a long time out of use during the Apostacy which will have perverted the Doctrine of Redemption and Kingdom of Christ therein celebrated of which Kingdom there is here given an Appearance and Representation signified by Musick and Harps which are the Attendants of it in this Prophecy Songs and Musick being not made use of in it but upon some such Pre-appearance until the Apostasie is at an end as if during the Absence of the Bridegroom Mourning were more suitable for the Church 10 And hast made us unto the Service and Glory of our God Kings and Priests i. e. a Priestly Kingdom Chap. 1.6 and we shall reign 15 in the Earth in thy Kingdom Rev. 20.4 15 From hence it is plain that Christ's Kingdom is to be upon Earth Rev. 20.4 11 And I beheld or was still in Vision and I heard the Voice of many Angels round about the Throne and round about the Beasts and the Elders i. e. the whole Church consisting of Angels and Men Christians and Jews Heb. 12.22 23 24. and the number of them i. e. of the Angels was ten tbousand times ten thousand and thousands of
agreeable to the pure and exact measure of God's Law whereas it was before left out as irregular and was not measured Chap. 11.2 and to measure the Gates thereof i. e. to declare who had right of access into it and the Wall thereof i. e. to shew and declare in what the defence and security of God's Church and Kingdom consists 17 The Temple Chap. 11.1 was measured by a Man but this City by an Angel that by a common Reed like a Rod this by a simple Reed but a Golden one to shew that this State which was the real accomplishment of Ezekiel's Visionary City and the full opening of the enclosed Temple was an Angelical State in which the Saints were Equal to Angels Math. 22.30 and that it was purged and purified as Gold in the Tryal of the Fire of the Last Day and that Christ had broken to peices the Heathen Nations by the Rod of his Power Psalm 2 9.110 2. and would now measure and rule by a Golden Reed as by a Golden Scepter the Emblem of Favour and Reconciliation amongst the Eastern Nations Esth 4 11.5 2.8 4. and would no more chastise and correct his Servants 18 The Temple only was measured before Chap. 11.1 2. and not the City but here there was no Temple Verse 22. and the whole City is measured in all the Dimensions of it to shew that the whole Visible Church was now Regular and Symmetral and was become a Living and Holy Temple unto God 16 And the City lieth foursquare to shew that the Church in Christ's Kingdom shall be 19 Universal a Body 20 well compact firm and immovable constant 21 perfect and always like it self in 22 perfect Peace and Repose and cannot receive the least 23 addition or diminution from what was once delivered unto it and the length is as large as the breadth i e. it was 24 exactly perfect and he measured the City with the Reed Twelve Thousand Furlongs to shew that it was perfectly 25 Apostolical and exactly agreeable to the measures of the Sanctuary of the Holy City 26 Jerusalem and wholly different from the Antichristian State of 26 Rome the 27 length and the breath and the heighth of it are equal i. e. it was 28 exactly agreeable with it self and entirely Apostolical in the whole and each part of it 19 Of which the Number Four is a Symbol taken from the Four Quarters of the World whereby the whole World is denoted in Scripture 20 Of which Nature are Buildings of Four square Stones and Armies drawn up in that Figure whence Quadratum agmen Corpus Quadratum and Turres Quadratae are used in Authors for strong Bodies and well compacted and firm Buildings and Armies and such ought the Church to be and shall be in Christ's Kingdom Isaiah 33 20. Psalm 78.69 Matth. 16.18 Heb. 12.27 28. Eph. 4.14 16. 21 Whence the Phrase Homo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 concerning a Perfect Just and Constant Man as a Square Figure or Cube is every way like it self turn it on which side you please and so ought the Church to be always constant to it self in all its Doctrines not mutable and inconstant 22 As a solid Square Cube or Dy is a Figure the most stable of any other which throw it which way you will always settles it self at last upon its own Basis and remains firm because its Basis is broad and equal 23 As a Square is altered from its own Figure into another by the least addition to it or diminution from it and thus the Church when it takes from or adds to the Faith once delivered to the Saints looses that perfection in which it was built at first by God and becomes irregular Upon which and other Reasons a Four square Figure is much in use in Scripture it being the Figure of the (a) See on Chap 4.6 Encampments round about the Tabernacle and of the Divine Consessus in this Prophecy of the (b) Exod. 27. ◠Altar (c) Exod. 28.16 Breast Plate and the most (d) 1 Kings 6.20 2 Chron. 3.8 Holy Place under the Law as also of many things belonging to (e) Ezek. 41 21.42 20 c. Vid. Grot. in locum Ezekiel's Visional Temple 24 As that is a perfect Square whose length and breadth are equal whereas if they were unequal it would be a Parallelogram or a Long Square which is less perfect than a Square See Mr. Potter Chap. 28. 25 For Twelve signifies Apostolicalness from the Twelve Apostles and a Thousand is a Number of perfection See on Chap. 7 4.20 4. Here being also a Concurrence of Number and Measure viz. of the Number Twelve with the Twelve Thousand Furlongs the Measure of the solid Content of this City hereby may be signified that in this State there will be an exact Concurrence of whatsoever God hath required by his Rules and Laws to the perfection of Church-States as things are known to be exactly just and equal when they are not only the same they were at first in Number but are agreeable to the Standard Weight and Measure 26 26 To shew that this City is more peculiarly described in opposition to the Roman Hierarchy the Perimeter of the Cube 1200 Furlongs is the Circuit of Jerusalem the Holy City as the Perimeter of the Cube Twenty Five Thousand Furlongs which 25 is the Root of the Number of the Beast is the Circuit of Rome and to the Twelve Gates Angels Tribes Foundations in the New Jerusalem do answer Twenty Five Gates Pastors Parishes Cardinals c. in the City of Rome Dr. Moor on this place and his Mystery of Godliness 5.16 and Mr. Potter's Interpret of the Number of the Beast 27 Hence it appears 1. That this is an (a) Potter Chap. 28. Equilateral Square the most perfect and the most capacious of all such Figures whereby the Perfection and the Vniversal Extent of Christ's Kingdom may be signified 2. That the City it self (b) Potter Chap. 2 3 4 c. is measured 1200 Furlongs from whence it follows that it is of a solid Cubical Figure like a Dy having Three Dimensions and that its Measures are solid Measures whereby they are made to agree with Ezekiel's Measures by Mr. Potter because nothing can measure a solid Figure but a solid measure Whereby the Firmness and Solidity of this Church State is set forth and also that it (a) Dr. Moor's Paraphrase on the place cannot be a City litterally understood and signifies not Walls and Houses but Men because there can be no City of such a Figure 28 Whereas the Antichristian State and all Human Models of Churches are disagreeable in themselves from one another and the exact Scripture-Measure and Rule 17 And he measured the 29 Wall thereof an hundred forty and four (b) A Cubit is the Oldest the most common and most famous Measure amongst the people of God whence it is put by way of Eminence for a Measure in general Jerem. 51.13 and
Souls to call them back or retain them when they are departed out of the Body and of Death it self to keep men from it and therefore fear not for if you were really Dead I could raise you up again All which looks with a Full Eye on that great First Resurrection c. 20. 28 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See Hammond on Matth. 11. and Bishop Pearson on the Creed 19 And upon this assurance stand up upon thy Feet and be of good Courage and Write in a Book unto the seven Churches as I before commanded thee vers 11. the things which thou hast seen already 29 in the representation of the seven Stars and seven golden Candlesticks vers 12 13 16. and 30 write also the things which are now in being in my present Apostolical Church and the things which shall be hereafter successively to the very end of Time 29 It is manifest from the next Verse that this is the true sense of these Words where it is expresly said that the Seven Stars were Seen by him in his Right Hand which are therefore the things he had Seen and were written with the rest of the Preface in a Book to the seven Churches verse 11. 30 Here he is commanded to write the Epistles to the seven Churches the first of which viz. that to Ephesus as we have there shewn refers to the State of the then Apostolical Church beginning at Christ's Resurrection the others to the following successive States of the Churches to the End of the World 20 Which things present and future are the 31 Mystery or the Prophetical and Mystical sense of the seven Stars which thou sawest in my right hand which are the things thou hast seen and not the Mystery to be written concerning them and write the seven Golden Candlesticks i e. the mystery or mystick sense of them also The seven 32 stars are or signifie and represent Gen. 41.26 the Angels 33 or Pastors of the seven Churches and the seven Candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven Churches or are 34 seven Churches that is Bodies of Christians under their several Pastors as well those which are now as those which shall be successively hereafter 31 These words which are of the Accusative Case and put by way of Apposition plainly refer only to the things which are and shall be which are here said to be the Mystery or mystical meaning of the seven Stars which therefore are not referred to as being not themselves the Mystery but the things which were to be mystically explained in the following Epistles And from hence also we are plainly given to understand that the Subject Matter of these Epistles is Mystical and not barely Literal and that they concern things future as well as the present 32 Here is explained what is meant by Stars and Candlesticks whose further mystical meaning as they relate to Churches then in being and to future Successions of them and their Pastors is largely delivered in the following Epistles 33 The Ministring Spirits which attend on God are called Angels in Scripture from their being employed as Messengers in his Service and therefore by the Angels of the Churches must be meant the Pastors of them which are here clearly distinguished from the Churches themselves from their like Office of delivering God's Messages to the People and putting up their Prayers unto him Upon which Account the Jewish Priest is called The Messenger or Angel of the Lord of Hosts Malach. 2.7 where Angel that I may observe this by the way is evidently taken collectively as Dr. Pocock on the Place confesses for the Succession of the whole Jewish Priesthood comprehended there under the common Name of Levi their Father and spoken of as one Person because they were all of the fame Stock and all separated to the same Function And as they are upon this Account called Angels so are they called Stars from their Office of enlightning or instructing others By Angels therefore in this and the following Chapter is meant the Evangelical Ministry represented by Angels as all other Ministerial Agents are in this Prophecy because the present World is subject to Angels under Christ the Head of them and the Angel of the Covenant Whereas the World to come that is the Kingdom of Christ at his last coming as the Apostle speaks Heb. 2.5 is to be ruled by Christ and his Saints and is not to be in subjection unto Angels 34 It is here said That the seven Candlesticks are or signifie seven Churches for so it is in the Greek not the seven Churches which might seem to have determined them to the seven in Asia The Epistles are indeed to be sent to the seven Churches of Asia ver 11. But the mystical meaning of them is not here said to belong to the Angels or to the Seven Churches of Asia only but to Seven Churches and to the Angels of them from whence it is plain that they are prophetical relating to Seven Successions of the Vniversal Church See Mr. * Book 1. Disc 52. and pag. 905. Doctor Moor's Exposition of the Epistle to the Seven Churches Mede CHAP. II. The Text. UNto the Angel or Evangelical Ministry Chap. 1. 20. of the Church of Ephesus that is now planted there and of that Period 1 of the Church which is mystically represented by it write these things saith he that holdeth the Seven Stars in his Right Hand who walketh in the midst of the Seven Golden Candlesticks i. e. Christ the Light of the World who is more immediately present with them to enlighten guide and support them Chap. 1. 13 16 20. Annotations on CHAP. II. 1 This I shall hereafter endeavour to make out to be the principal if not only drift of these Epistles from such Characters and Arguments as shall arise from the Text it self Very good Interpreters and particularly Grotius on Revel 1.11 have thought that the several Successions of the Church here represented are intimated in their very Names according to a way of Allusion made use of in Scripture as well as in Heathen Authors For thus the God of Ekron whose True Name is thought to have been Baal zebachim or the Lord of Sacrifices is called in derision Baal zebub or the Lord of Flies and Belzebul or the Dunghil God And the Prophet Micah 1.14 15. manifestly alludes to the Names of Cities calling Achzib a Lie as if its Name were derived from Cazab which in Hebrew signifies to Lie and the City Mareshah is threatned to be disinherited in allusion to its Name and Adullam is called the Glory of Israel perhaps says Doctor Pocock on the Place from its Situation its Strength or its Beauty or some other Reason probably taken from its Name as the others are although now unknown And such Paronomasia's or Allusions may be more frequent in Scripture than we think for by reason of our Ignorance in the Premitive Language and of the Story and Circumstances of the Places whose Names are alluded to 2
unlike those used by the Papists in defence of their Idolatry and therefore by it may be here meant some lesser degrees and plausible Entrances of Idolatry such as the Honours given to Martyrs their Relicks and the like which they were more guilty of in this Succession than of downright Idolatry and is therefore placed first here before Fornication but is placed after it in the next Succession Verse 2. because flat Idolatry was then predominant in respect of which the other was but of a lesser Account and is therefore put after it 15 So hast thou also in which thou art not wholly inexcusable although it be against thy Will Vers 14. num 30. them that hold the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans 32 i. e. those who countenance and practise filthy Lusts which thing I hate and which therefore ought to have been cast out by thee though not by Power which thou hadst not yet by Mourning and Prayer and Eminence in Gospel-Graces 32 These Deeds which were abhorred by the Ephesine Succession of the Apostolical Church had by this Period gained many Teachers and Approvers And hereby is very probably meant those Encouragements which were given to Lust by corrupt Doctrines about Celibacy and Virginity and by Indulgences and Pardons for all manner of Sins which being at first only a prudent Relaxation of Discipline were in process of time so far corrupted first by the Martyrs and Confessors who granted them as Cyprian frequently complains to the Lapsi before Pennance performed or upon very easy ones and afterwards by the Negligence of following Ages still growing worse and worse that at last about the year 1100. they became Scandalous Dispensations for all sorts of Wickedness and Encouragements for Men to take up Arms against the Enemies of the Papacy and Christ's faithful Antipas or Opposers of it 16 Repent 33 therefore even of the few and small Faults thou hast and mourn and sorrow after the most earnest and fervent manner that these Offenders may be taken away from amongst you 1 Cor. 5. 2 Cor. 2. and 7. or else I will come unto thee 34 in Judgment indeed for these thy smaller Faults but so as not to 35 fight against and destroy thee quickly and on a sudden and will fight against and destroy them amongst you who hold these Doctrines with the Sword of my Mouth i. e. by my Gospel Threats and Judgments effectually denounced and executed even to utter Excision whilst thou shalt be visited with a Fatherly Correction and that only in case thou repentest not 33 The True Church is commanded to repent that is of its want of such an intense Zeal extraordinary Humiliations Fervent Prayers and Supplications as might have prevailed with God to cast those Errors and abominations out of the Church which Discipline is also called Mourning and Repentance by the Apostle in the places I have quoted and for want of this which is its small or few things Christ saith that he will come unto them in Judgment indeed but not in anger and with a Fatherly Correction to bring them to a thorough Reformation and Repentance 34 Christ speaks only to the pure Church because pure Churches are only accounted Churches in his Esteem although it has the same Name with the corrupt because that alone was visible 35 Here is an allusion to the slaughter of the idolatrous Israelites at the Command or by the mouth of God for joyning themselves to Baal-Peor upon the instigation of Balaam Numb 25.4 5. 17 He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches Verse 7. And To him that overcometh the Corruptions of this Church-State will I give to eat of or to partake of and be nourished by the hidden 36 Manna i. e. the secret Consolations of God's Spirit And I will give him a 37 white stone that is a Reward for his Victory and Absolution from the Censures and Excommunications he lies under and in the stone a new Name chap. 3 12. 19 16. written importing that they are Members of Christ's Kingdom Children of God and Heirs of Heaven Isa 62.2 and 65.15 Rom. 8.16 1 John 3.1 which no Natural or Carnal 1 Cor. 2 9-11 man of this Church-State knoweth the true Value of 1 John 3.2 saving he that receiveth it from me and hath experienced the Consolations of the Divine Mercy and Absolution Rom. 8.16 36 By Manna is meant the sweet Consolations which arise from the Knowledge of God and his Will in Christ the True Manna John 6. Which is called hidden in allusion to the Manna which was laid up in a Golden Pot and put in the Ark and kept in the most secret part of God's Temple the Holy of Holies Exod. 16.33 34. Heb. 9.4 Whereby inward and spiritual Comforts are signified enjoyed by the Saints in secret during their retired Worship at the Altar of Incense whilst they were under the Power of the Antichristian Supremacy So that the True Pergamus seems plainly to be the Type of the True Church under the Power of the Apostasy and of those faithful Christians who are in that Church but not of it wishing and expecting the Coming of Christ's Kingdom that they might be delivered from this their Sack-cloath and mournful Condition in which they are fed indeed with pleasant Food but as the Jews were with Manna in the Wilderness the Type of a desolate State 37 This is thought to be an Allusion to the Ancient Custom of acquitting Criminals by a White Stone and of giving Conquerors in the Games to which Paul frequently alludes a White Stone with their Names and the Value of the Prizes written on it which none was to look upon and know but those who won it Whereby may be meant the publick Acquittal Justification and Rewards which the faithful Christians of this Succession should receive in Christ's Kingdom But because the Allusions in this Prophecy are generally taken from the Jewish Customs and the Old Testament therefore it may not be altogether a groundless conjecture that here may be an Allusion to the Stones on the Oracular Breast-plate of the High-Priest which had the Names of the Children of Israel engraven upon them for a Memorial to signifie that Christ our High-Priest is always mindful of us and to put God in remembrance of his People to which End it is here said that Christ will give them a White Stone with their New Name of being Members of Christ's Kingdom the New Jerusalem written in it that thereby they might be in his remembrance and he might behold their purity denoted by a White Colour and shew mercy upon them and openly acknowledge and reward them in his Kingdom 18 And unto the Angel of the Church in 38 Thyatira these things saith the 39 Son of God who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire and his feet are like fine Brass Chap. 1.14 15. i. e. whose Providence is quick and penetrating and whose Judgments are pure and terrible to try the
thousands i. e. innumerale Heb. 12.22 12 Saying with a loud Voice and suitable affection worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive the Acknowledgment and Possession of power and Authority over all things especially his Church Matth. 11.27.28 18. John 17.2 and of Riches i. e. the inheritance of all things Heb. 1.2 and of Wisdom to govern his Church as being the Eternal Wisdom of his Father Prov. 3.16 and of strength to conquer his Enemies and honour from all Creatures and glory from his Father John 17.1 5. and blessing from Angels and Saints and all creatures Psalm 145.10 11. Psalm 148. 13 And every 16 Creature Phil. 2.10 which is in Heaven and on the Earth and under the Earth and such as are in the Sea and all that are in them heard I saying Blessing and Honour and Glory and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb i e. to God the Father and his Son Christ for ever and ever 16 Even inanimatt Creatures are frequently in Scripture called upon to praise God by a common Figure usual to all Authors and Nations that because they would praise him if they could and are the Objects and Occasions of Praise to Angels and Men and are under the command of God and subservient to his Glory and his Churches good and because the very Order and Beauty of the Creatures especially as they shall be in the Restitution of all things is a Real and Virtual Praising of God And all Creatures Saints and Angels themselves are here brought as making this Acknowledgment to signifie that God and Christ are the alone Objests of Worship and not any Creature whatsoever Exod. 20.4 5. 14 And the four Beasts i. e. the Christian Church said Amen to this new Song i. e. consented and approved of it And after the Christian Church to shew that they received the clear and explicit Knowledge of Chrisi from the Christian Church and to testifie the Agreement there is betwixt the Old and New Testament the Four and Twenty Elders i. e. the Jewish Church fell down and worshipped him 17 that liveth for ever i. e. God the Father 17 Here it is to be observed that as the Christian Church began Chap. 4.8 9. with Hymns and Worship to God the Father so the Jewish Church here Ends after they had joyned with the Christian Church in Praises and Acts of Worship to Christ who has the same Worship here given him with the Father with an Act of Worship to the Father to shew that as all things are Of Him so are they also To Him and His Glory and that the Kingdom is to be delivered up unto him and that all things are to be subject unto him who is All in All 1 Cor. 15 24-28 which is signified by their falling down and worshipping him in token of their Obedience and of the Subjection of all things unto him all Creatures also are as themselves bowing or being subject unto him in the sense that they praise him Psal 2.10 11. CHAP. VI. The Text. 1 AND Christ being now possessed of the Right to his Kingdom and his sole and absolute Power and Dominion having been acknowledged by all Creatures in the former Chapter I saw or was in a Vision when the Lamb i. e. Christ having now the Right and Administration of the Affairs of his Kingdom opened 1 one i. e. the first Chap. 5. 5. of the Seals i. e. he revealed what was before hid and accomplished what was represented under each Seal and I heard as it was the noise or a Clap of 2 Thunder i. e. a powerful and a terrible Voice and efficaciously productive of its Effects See on Chap. 1. 10. 3 one i. e. the first of the four Beasts or the Apostolical Ministry saying Come and see and consider the Mysterious Sculpture which is to be seen in the first Roll of the Book and the great Event represented by it Annotations on CHAP. VI. 1 The Seals are as so many Stops and Delays to Christ's Kingdom and the opening of them signifies not only the making of the Visions known wnich before were concealed whereupon Prophecy is called a sealed Book but also the Effect of every Vision as the Prophet Ezekiel Chap. 12.23 Phrases it or the several Steps and Advances made towards the Kingdom of Christ this being the Book of Christ's Kingdom whirh he opened as King with Power and Authority and by actually effecting the things signified in their due and proper times 2 Hereby is signified the great Power and Efficacy which accompanied the first preaching of the Gospel whence Mark 3.17 James and John are called the Sons of Thunder and the utmost Force of God's Power is called the Thunder of God's Power Job 26.14 3 One as is usual in this Prophecy signifies the first of the Beasts like a Lyon whose Station being in the Eastern part of the Jewish Camp hereby is signified the coming forth of the Gospel from Jerusalem which is in the Eastern parts of the World whence the Gospel was first preached and the first Apostolical Church gathered according to the Prediction of the Prophets Isa 28.16 Micah 4.2 Acts 2.41 2 And I saw and behold I perceiv'd engraven on the first Roll a white 4 Horse signifying the pure and merciful power and conquest of the Gospel Dispensation Psal 45.4 and he 5 i. e. Christ that sat on him i. e. who had the Power and management of that Dispensation had a Bow 6 i. e. the Gospel Psal 45.5 and a Crown was given unto him as King and Conqueror and he went forth from Jerusalem Mic 4.2 conquering 7 by the efficacy of his Gospel and his Ministers and to conquer by degrees untill the completion of his Kingdom Psal 2 6.-8 4 Horses being a swift and warlike Creature according to the admirable Description of them given in Job Chap. 39. the Scripture does signifie by them some active and powerful Dispensation of his Providence brought to pass by his Angels and Ministers the Nature and Quality of which is denoted by the divers Colours attributed to those Horses as appears plainly from Zach. 1.8 10.6.2 3.10 3. Now the Dispensation here pointed at being that of Christ's Kingdom a (a) Bochart Hieros 2.7 white Horse is attributed unto him 1. to denote his Power Princes and Honourable Persons being used to Ride and that on White Beasts whilst Inferiours went on Foot as appears from Judg. 5.10 Eccles 10.7 2. To signifie the Mercifulness of his Conquest Psalm 45.4 Zech. 9 9.10 3. it being usual for Conquerors to ride on white Horses on the Days of Triumph Rev. 19.11 14. 5 That Christ is hereby signified is evident from Rev. 19.11 12 13. compared with Psalm 2. and 45. from whence these Symbols are taken 6 As an Archer with his Bow according to the Description given by the Psalmist 7 12.11 2. first menaces and threatens at a distance before he shoots so Christ first appeared with a peaceable
the former which being perfectly and directly Satanical was a State of things more agreeable to the Devil which when he lost he might very well be said to be cast from Heaven to which the Pagans had exalted him in their Worship to Earth that is to an inferiour sort of Authority and Power in the VVorld and an Idolatry less Diabolical 10 And upon this Sentence and Judgment obtained in Heaven I heard a loud 24 Voice of praise and thanksgiving saying in Heaven and in the Church thus delivered and exalted now is come Salvation i. e. deliverance from Satan's Claim Power and Kingdom as a God upon Earth under the Divine Justice upon a faln World and from Persecution and strength i. e. the manifestation of God's Power in destroying his Enemies and the Kingdom of our God i. e. the glorious advancement of his Religion and the manifestation of the Power of his Christ in advanceing his Church for the accuser of our Brethren before God and in the time of Persecution under the Pagan Empire is cast 25 down or thrown down upon the Earth which accused 26 them before our God day and night i. e. was their indefatigable and inveterate enemy and false accuser 24 This Verse and the following contain an Epinicion or a Song of Thanksgiving to God upon the Conquest of Paganism and the (a) Chap. 7. n. 23. and n. 1. of this Chapter Appearance of Christ's Kingdom in the Empire now become Christian which yet lasted but for a short space before the Glory of it was Eclipsed by Antichristianism Chap. 17.10 Concerning the downfall of Paganism see Dr. Cave's Learned Introduction to the Lives of the Fathers of the Fourth Century 25 A Metaphor taken from wrestling as Grotius notes And here we may observe that when Idolatrous and wicked Men are cast out of Rule and Authority it may be very well said that the Devil is cast out because he acts and governs in and by them 26 Expressions taken from Job 1. and the 4th and Zech. 3. where the Scripture speaking according to the manner of Men represents Satan as accusing good and pious men before God Which he does by aggravating their real Faults and Imperfections and by exciting the Wicked Men of the World to raise False Accusations against them as they Notoriously did against the Primitive Christians see Dr. Cave's Primitive Christianity Part 1. Chap. 1-4 But perhaps this Accusation may relate to Satan's appearing at this Judiciary Tryal alledging the Faults of the Brethren and demanding that they might be delivered unto him the Executioner of God's Justice which he might urge was not yet satisfied 11 And they 27 i. e. our Brethren overcame him in this judiciary Tryal before the Throne of God and all his subtile arts and powerful instruments in the times of Persecution by the Blood of the Lamb i. e. by Faith in Christ's Blood and by his Merits and Passion alone and by the word of their Testimony i. e. by the Gospel which they Preached purely and Efficaciously and the Testimonies they had given under the four first Seals and because they Loved not their Lives no not unto the Death but despised them and willingly and chearfully laid them down for Christ and his Gospel's sake Chap. 4. 9 10 11. 27 In this Verse is shewn the Way how Paganism was overthrown which is in a manner contrary to that which Antichristianism makes use of viz. by the Blood and Merits of Christ alone and not of Saints by the preaching of the Gospel and not by Vnwritten Traditions and by the Christians chearful and patient Suffering not by Resistance VVars and Murther Chap. 11.7 Although perhaps the Chief and Principal Import of this Verse may be to set forth the Grounds and Just Proceedings of God against Paganism and of the Victory here mentioned which was obtained by the Blood of Christ the great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Fundamental and principal Cause who prevailed by his Blood to open the Seals which were so many preparatory Judgments to this End and by the Testimony of the Living Creatures the Gospel-Ministry and Witnesses of the Four First Seals and by their Deaths and Martyrdoms under the Fifth Seal after which ensued the Ruine of Paganism under the Sixth Seal 12. Therefore rejoyce ye Heavens and ye that dwell in them i. e. ye Angels and Saints whose joy encreases according to the advancements of Christ's Kingdom on Earth and ye good and heavenly minded Christians which are faithful Members of the Church now in an exalted state although but for a short time wo to the Inhabitants of the Earth i. e. the earthly minded and Antichristian part of the Empire and of the Sea i. e. the wicked multitude of the Empire Jude 13. for the Devil is come down from Heaven or his exalted State unto you upon the Earth having great wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short 28 time i. e. in respect of his former Reign 28 The Pagan Religion was overthrown by Theodosius the Great and made only some feeble Efforts under Arcadius and Honorius and Theodosius the Younger but with little Advantage and therefore that being at an End the short time here mentioned must be meant concerning the Antichristian Empire which Satan knew was to have an End and that in a short time in respect of the several Thousand Years of his past Reign in the World from the beginning of Idolatry 13 And when the Dragon i. e. the Devil saw that he was cast upon the Earth out of his former Empire and Dominion he Persecuted * the Woman i. e. the Church which brought forth the Man-child i. e. the Kingdom of Christ * Here the History of the VVoman is resumed and the Persecution here mentioned must relate to the Incursions of the Goths and other Barbarous Nations Chap. 8. because they are the only Persecutions which immediately succeeded upon the Dragons being cast upon the Earth by the Overthrow of Paganism which Judgments designed as a Chastisement by God were intended by Satan who stirred up those Nations by the permission of Providence as a Persecution upon the Church so that the Trumpets which are contemporary with this Persecution were Divine Judgments in the Hands of the Angels upon the Empire and the Antichristianizing Party but in the Designs of Satan a Persecution of the pure Church 14 And to the Woman i. e. the true and pure part of th Church were given i. e. prepared by God's Providence ver 6. two 29 wings of a great Eagle i. e. effectual means of a speedy and safe delivery from this Danger notwithstanding all difficulties and in despight of all oppositions that she might fly into the Wilderness i. e. be in an obscure invisible condition verse 6. into her place prepared of God verse 6. where she is nourished or preserved for a 30 Time and Times and half a Time chap. 10 6. 11 2 3 9 11. from the face or sight and
constant Attendants of the Lamb in his Heavenly Tabernacle and the first partakers of that exalted State of his Kingdom here Visionally represented by Mount Zion 5 And in their mouth was found no 8 guile i. e. they were not found guilty of the great Lye of Antichristianism and Idolatry for they are without Fault before the 9 Throne of God i. e. they are acquitted and justified by God although they had been condemned and anathematized by Antichrist 8 Idols are called Lyes in (a) Jerem. 16.19 Am. 2.4 Grotius and Mede on the place Scripture and Lying as Grotius observes on the place is a constant Concomitant of Idolatry and hereby this Apostolical Number of Christ's Followers are distinguished from those which belonged to Antichrist whose Religion is but an Image or Counterfeit of Christ's and is thereupon also justly called a Lye 9 Hence it appears that this is the Vision of some exalted State of Christ's Heavenly Kingdom seen as before the Throne of God or the Divine Sanhedrim and Court of Judicature coming down as it were on Mount Zion where the Witnesses who are the 144000. who had been killed by the Beast appear and are as it were adjudged by God as worthy the exalted State they enjoy with Christ and which they had obtained under his Conduct and for his Sake which Appearance shall have also as hath been all along observed a parallel one on Earth in the Philadelphian State of the Church 6 And I saw 10 anoth r Angel or Gospel-Ministry Chap. 1. 1 20 fly in the midst of Heaven to denote the Swift Publick and Universal Public tion of the Gospel of the Kingdom Chap. 8.13 having committed unto him 2 Cor. 5.19 the 11 Everlasting Gospel of the Kingdom spoken by the Mouth of all his Prophets since the World began which was to bring in Everlasting Righ eousne s Dan. 9.24 Acts 3 21-26 Rev. 16.7 to preach unto all them tha dwell on the Earth and to 22 every Nation of Pagan Mahometan and Antichristian Gentiles and Kindred or Tribes of Israeli es and Tongue or the various People of several Languages amongst them and People i. e. to the whole multitude of each 10 There being no Angel mentioned before but only a Voice Verse 2. By another Angel here must also be understood another Voice which Word imports Vtterance of Doctrine as John the Baptist is called The Voice of one crying in the Wilderness And this Voice is here called an Angel because it was pronounced by an Angelical Voice or Speaker who was seen whereas the former was only heard so that this is another or a distinct Voice or Angel from the former Whereby a certain Order of Voices is plainly represented which being also Seven in Number and distinctly reckoned up may very well be accounted the seven Thunders opened into loud and distinct Voices 11 The Gospel of Christ's Glorious Kingdom being the main Subject and Scope of these Visions it must therefore be here referred to which is called Everlasting 1. Because it was the Doctrine or Mystery designed by God from everlasting praefigured in all the Types of the Old Law and preached or spoken by the Mouth of all the Prophets since the World began by which Phrase Eternity is signified in Scripture See Acts 3 21-26 Rom. 16.25 26. 1 Cor. 2.7 Rev. 10.7 2. Because it was to bring in the Everlasting Righteousness mentioned Dan. 9.24 or the way of becoming Righteous in the Account of God by Christ alone which will then be fully manifested to be no New Doctrine as the Apostasy at the Beginning of the Reformation asserted it to be but the way which was from Everlasting and shall be until the End of all Things I think it may not be unfit to observe in this place That the Apostasy that it might be a perfect Antichristian Counterfeit of Christ's Kingdom did pretend to a New Gospel called the (a) Bishop Stillingfleet of Idol Chap. 4. p. 238-246 Eternal Gospel containing many Extravagant and Blasphemous Opinions and asserting that the Scriptures contained not the Gospel of the Kingdom but were to give way to a New Gospel which should take place in A. D. 1260. Six Years after the preaching of it which Gospel was so much favoured by the Popes and the Court of Rome that a Book written against it was burnt by their Order And although they were at last forced to burn the Eternal Gospel also yet it was done secretly and with much unwillingness 12 This is a Pleonasm or a Figure wherein by a Redundant Accumulation of many Particulars is expressed the preaching of the Everlasting Gospel for the bringing in of all Nations whereby Ethnicks or Gentiles of all sorts are meant in Scripture and of all the Tribes of Israel to the Kingdom of Christ according to Hosea 6 1-3 Matth. 24.14 Rom. 11.25 26. which is to be near the End when the Deliverer shall come out of Sion and after Two days in the Third Day which Dr. Pocock on Hosea extends even to the End of the World but others with more Reason to the End of (a) See on Chap. 11. 9 11. Antichristian or Gentile Times when Christ's Kingdom shall appear and they who have known something of Christ's Kingdom shall follow on to know the Lord more fully and perfectly by the preaching of this Everlasting Gospel Hos 6.3 7 Saying with a loud Voice i. e. after a zealous and most powerful manner fear God and not Idols Isaiah 8.12 13. and give Glory to him alone and not to Creatures Angels and Saints for the Hour or precise time and appointed Season of his Judgment Government or 13 Kingdom and of his Judgments on all manner of Idolatry Pagan and Antichristian which he will no longer wink at is come and worship him therefore the Creator of all things that made Heaven 14 and Earth and the Sea and the Fountains of Waters of the Great Deep Gen. 7.11 13 So Judgment often signifies in the Old Testament as Psalm 72.1 2. and in other places of Scripture 14 The Heathens worshipped all the parts of Nature even the Seas Rivers and Fountains as is clearly proved by (b) De Idolatr Vossius which the Antichristian (b) Dr. Moor's Mystery of Iniquity part 2. lib. 1.17 Bishop Stillingfleet's Fourth Conference concerning Idolatry Apostasy also having imitated in appointing Tutelar Saints and Angels to most of the parts of the Creation and in introducing a Worship which is but an Image or a New Model of Paganism Do their Idolatries may be here meant 8 And there followed another 15 Angel or Gospel-Ministry saying i. e. preaching and denouncing this great Truth 16 Babylon i. e. Antichristian or Papal Rome is 17 fallen is fallen i. e. will as certainly fall in a short time as if it were a ready fallen that great City of a large Juri diction and Head of the Roman Empire because she made all Nations drink of the Wine of the 18 wrath
bright 29 cloud of Glory to denote the Majesty Justice and Purity of Gods Judgments and upon the Cloud one 30 sate like unto the Son of Man i. e. Christ Chap. 1.13 Dan. 7.13 John 1.14 having on his head a Golden 31 Crown denoting his Kingdom and Conquests Chap. 6.2 and in his hand a sharp 31 Sickle to reap the World swiftly and speedily Joel 3.4 13. Matth. 13.30 36-43 28 The two former Verses contained evidently a Declaration of a Blessed State of the Dead in the Lord immediately to ensue which State being the next thing in order to be performed seems to be here set forth by Metaphors made use of to the same purpose by the Prophet Joel and our Saviour in the places quoted in the Paraphrase on the Text as shall be endeavoured to be shewn from what the Words of the Text shall suggest 29 Here Christ is represented as coming in his Kingdom to Judgment according to the Descriptions frequently given of it in the Gospels Luke 21.27 Matth. 24 30.26 64. Dan. 7.14 30 This posture also denotes Judicature and Government Joel 3.12 Matth. 19.22 to which answers his coming sitting on a White Horse as he does here on a White Cloud in the parallel place to this Rev. 19.11 31 In Rev. 19. he hath also many Crowns upon his Head which are a known Emblem of Regal Power and Conquest And as he had a Crown at his first going out to propagate the Gospel Chap. 6.2 so is he here also represented with a Golden one to shew the Glory of the Kingdom in which he is now established 32 This is the Instrument of Reapers with which they not only cut down the Corn but also gather it together according to our Saviour's Parable Matth. 13. and it is sharp to denote the speed which will be then used Joel 3.4 15 And another a sixth * Angel and Voice came out of the Temple crying with a loud Voice i. e. earnestly Luke 18.7 Rev. 6.10 to him that sate on the Cloud i. e. to Christ Thrust in we humbly pray thee thy Sickle and reap for the time is come for thee the Lord of the Harvest the Judge of the World which raiseth the Dead and quickneth them Matth. 9.38 John 5.21 22. to reap for the 33 Harvest of the Earth or Field of the World is * ripe i. e. all things are ready and the time appointed for gathering the Children of the Kingdom is now just at hand Matth 13.30 38. John 4.35 Mark 4.29 (a) The Day of the Lord is near Joel 3.14 * This Angel or Angelical Company for Angel is taken collectively in this Prophecy is not a Gospel-Ministry because it does not denounce any thing as the others had done but seems to denote the Attendants of Christ the Angels who are the Reapers Matth. 13.29 and the Shout the Voice of the Arch-Angel which shall accompany him at the last Day and they cry out unto him from his Heavenly Temple to expedite that Blessedness which had been so long delayed and which the Saints so eagerly long after and the whole Creation groans for Rom. 8.22 23. 2 Cor. 5.1 2.4 5. 33 Harvest is plainly taken in a good sense in the places quoted in the Paraphrase and where it is common to the good and bad as Matth. 13. they are distinguished from one another as Tares and Wheat and even in Joel 3.13 from whence this Expression is taken Vintage is peculiarly appropriated to the Wicked and may be very well distinguished from the Harvest which may relate to God's bringing or gathering together his People Verse 1.7 and his mighty ones Verse 11. who seem to be the same with the Armies of Heaven the Angels and the Saints which shall accompany Christ at this great Day of his Kingdom Rev. 19.14 And therefore the reaping of both these at the last Day being so plainly distinguished in Scripture it is fit also that it should be so here also * Ripe that is fully ripe White to the Harvest and therefore looks as if it were dried or withered as the Word also imports because of the long delay and expectation of Christ's Kingdom 16 And he that sate on the Cloud i. e. Christ thrust in his Sickle on the Earth and the Earth was immediately reaped of its 34 Wheat i. e. the Just were gathered together at the first Resurrection Matth. 13.30 38 48. Rev. 20.5 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thes 4 13-18 34 The Saints and Godly are understood saith Mr. Brightman on the place by the Corn or Wheat of this Harvest who are compared to it by our Saviour Matth. 13.30 38. and are here represented saith he as falling of their own accord before the Sickle through the great ripeness of them Now seeing that almost (a) Poli Synops in Apocal. pag. 1098 in fin all Interpreters agree that these Words have a reference to the last Judgment described by the same Metaphors in Dan. 7. and Math. 13. it is highly probable that hereby is meant the gathering together of the Saints departed in Christ by the first Resurrection fitly called the reaping of the Earth of its Wheat as it consists in the gathering together of the Bodies and Dust of Saints which are all that is precious and of any Value in it and the gathering of them and those who remain alive out of this Wicked Antichristian Earth into a New Heaven and a New Earth which is the proper meaning of (b) Metere est ex hac Vita colligere Menoch Tirinus in locum Falx homines a Terra demet it ut Ecclesiae inserantur Grot. in locum Reaping in Scripture and because this is to be done in a moment 1 Cor. 15.51 52. therefore is the Sickle represented as sharp to denote the extraordinary quickness of this Action But of this see what is largely discoursed on the Three Last Chapters 17 And another Angel i. e. the Seventh and last came out of the Temple which is in Heaven i. e. another Angelical Company of Reapers who were to bind 35 together the Wicked in order to destruction Matth. 13.41 he also having a sharp Sickle to cut 36 down and gather together the wicked ones for a swift Destruction Verse 14 35 For such this Angel may very well be supposed to be by the Description here given of him and consequently the Angel Verse 15. must mean the Reapers who were to gather the Wheat or the Children of the Kingdom together 36 For this is the Use of a Sickle as well as to gather 18 And 37 another Angel came out from the Altar of Burnt Offerings on which there was Fire continually Levit. 6.9 Rev. 6.9 which had power over fire i. e. God's Judgments in order to execute them Rev. 8 5.11 5 and cryed with a loud cry that the Blood of the Souls under the Altar might be speedily and fully avenged upon the Wicked Rev. 6.9 10 11. to him that had the sharp Sickle saying Thrust in thy sharp Sickle
Psalm 58.10 11. Matth. 7.2 6 For they of the Antichristian Profession Verse 2. have shed the * Blood of Saints i. e. Holy Men and Prophets i. e. Witnesses Chap. 6 9 10 11. 11. 3 18. and thou hast therefore given them Blood or Bloody Waters to drink for they are worthy i. e. this is a just Judgment upon them Judg. 1.7 1 Sam. 15.33 Isa 49.26 Obad. 16. * Hencc it seems to appear that this Vial is a Judgment on the Wicked raised to receive the Recompence of their shedding the Blood of the Saints because the principal Persecutors were already dead and therefore must be raised that they may partake of this Just Retaliation for otherwise the Number of them who will be then alive will be but small in comparison of those who are dead and the greatest Objects of God's Vengeance will escape the Punishment of this Last Day which is denounced in Scripture against all Ages and Generations of the World and not only that which shall be then in Being 7 And I heard another Angel out of the 9 Altar say in the Name of the Saints and Martyrs who lay under it Chap. 6.9 Even so it ought to be Lord God Almighty who art wonderful in thy Judgments true to thy Promises of avenging thy Saints Chap. 6.10 11. and righteous are thy Judgments in giving them Blood to drink for the Blood they had shed 9 The Angels are answered as it were by a Chorus of Saints of the First Resurrection who during the pouring out of the Vials are protected by God and are placed as it were at the Altar That is in a place of Safety and Refuge as the Altar was under the Old Law of which Zoar and Goshen were a Type 2 Pet. 2.9 8 And the Fourth Angel having power over Fire Chap. 14.18 poured out his Vial upon the 10 Sun and augmented his Heat and Power was thereby given unto him i. e. the Sun to 11 scorch the wicked men of the Earth with Fire i. e. grievously to annoy and afflict them Jonah 4.8 9. Matth. 13.6 21. 1◠As the Light of the Sun may be multiplied by Parelia and other Natural Causes to which the Prophet alludes Isa 30.26 So is it not difficult to conceive that its Heat may be Naturally augmented by the Dissolution or Dissipation of its Maculae upon the Encrease and breaking forth of those Fluctuating Vortexes of Fire which are in the Body of that Planet and are stronger and clearer at its Center than near its Circumference and by other Natural Causes not unknown to the Learned in such Studies And if the Heat of the Sun may be encreased by Natural Causes how much more by Supernatural ones ordering and conducting them and adding New ones 9 And the Antichristian and Wicked Men were scorched or set on fire with great 11 Heat i. e. they were extreamly afflicted and tormented in Body and 12 Mind and 13 blasphemed the Name of God which hath power over these foregoing and following Plagues to inflict or remove them and they 13 repented not to give him Glory i. e. they were finally 14 impenitent Heb. 6 6.10 26-31 12 17. Rev. 22.12 11 11 Here seems to be an Allusion to the violent scorching and fuffocating Heats of the Sun and the (a) Grot. in Jon. 4.8 9. Dr. Hyde 's Itiner Mundi pag. 146. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or burning heat of the Wind which usually accompany one another in the Eastern Climates which afflicted Jonah 1◠As Jonah also was much troubled and grieved in Mind as well as Body Chap. 4.6 3. 13 13 Thus Jonah also was displeased and very angry and wished for Death and repented not but excused his former Disobedience although he had been sharply punished for it Chap. 4.1 2 3 4 6 8 9. 14 There was no place of Repentance for them as being under the dreadful Doom pronounced by the Angel of the Vials who shewed John these things and said Let him that is filthy be filthy still Chap. 22.11 10 And the Fifth Angel poured out his Vial on the Seat or 15 Throne of the Beast i. e. on Rome the Seat of the Papacy Chap. 13 2.17 3. and his Kingdom i. e. his whole Jurisdiction was full of 16 darkness i. e. was in a most afflicted and disconsolate condition Exod. 10 21-23 Isaiah 8 19-22 and they 17 gnawed their Tongues for pain i. e. were extreamly impatient and furious under their Torment Isaiah 8.21 15 Hereby is signified that this Beast usurped Temporal State and Authority as having a Chief and Imperial City for his Throne or Place of Residence And it is observable that this and such like Phrases of a too Ominous signification crept into the Church by degrees notwithstanding the Opposition made to such Innovations and to the Affectation of Temporal Titles and Authority it being one Reason alledged by a Synod at (a) Euseb Eccles Hist 7.30 Antioch for their deposing Paulus Samosatenus that he affected State Secular Titles and Power and that he erected a Tribunal in the Church and a Stately Seat in it like that of the Temporal Magistrates which Pomp very much encreased afterwards as Vallesius on Eusebius observes 16 It is expresly affirmed in (b) Dan. 7 9-11 Rev. 18 8.19 3. Scripture that Rome shall perish by Fire for which Fate as Dr. (c) Theory of the Earth 3.10 Burnet hath most ingeniously observed Italy the Kingdom and Seat of the Beast is most peculiarly disposed by Nature by reason of the Sulphureousness of its Soil and its Fiery Mountains and Caverns And therefore if this particular Judgment upon the Seat of Antichrist be here intended by the Darkness may be aptly signified the Smoke of its Fire now in preparation to break forth which had been kindled and encreased in the Bowels of the Earth by the extream heat of the Former Vials according to the manner in which Dr. Burnet supposes the Conflagration will be brought to pass And here we may observe that by a peculiar Direction of Divine Judgment this Fire begins first at the Seat of Antichrist it being very reasonable and decorous as Dr. (a) Theory 3.10 Burnet speaks that the Grand Traitor and Head of the Apostasy should be made the First Example of Divine Vengeance From whence it may be supposed to spread it self through Italy the more immediate part of the Beast's Kingdom and so through his whole Jurisdiction and at last in the Vniversal Conflagration to which these Vials are as so many Dispositions through the whole Earth It is also observable that God's Judgments point out and are proportioned in their Kinds to Mens Sins Whence it may be conjectured that the Antichristian Kingdom was punished with Darkness even Natural Effects carrying along with them Intimations of Moral Reasons and Ends because of the gross and palpable Ignorance it had introduced as Aegypt was punished by hot Ashes of burnt Brick for their oppressing the Israelites at their Brick-Kills and had
Isa Chap. 54. and 62. Hos 2. Psalm 45. the Book of Canticles and Bp. Patrick's Preface to it in Scripture as a Bridgegroom and the Church as his Spouse and Wife to whom he is actually married when his Kingdom appears in its Glory as is plainly asserted Chap. 21.2 The Time from his Death and Resurrection until then being rather the Time of betrothing or Espousals than of Marriage Consider Canticles 3.11 and the Mystical Sense of the Captive Spouse Deut. 21 10-14 which may perhaps have some reference to this matter 8 And to her was granted 7 by Christ in virtue of his Death Eph. 5.25 26. that she should be arrayed in fine Linen clean and white or bright and Royal 8 Garments see on chap. 3.4 For the fine Linen is i. e. signifies the 9 Righteousness of the Saints who now come down from Heaven with Christ in his Kingdom chap. 21.2 7 Her Nuptial Garments and Ornaments are here said to be Granted or Given unto her to shew that all the Righteousness we have is of Free Gift and Grace even the preparing or making our selves ready by putting on Christ's Righteousness by Faith which as subjected in our Faculties may be called Our Righteousness whereby we become perfect through the Comliness which God puts upon us Jerem. 23.6 Ezek. 16.14 Zech. 3.4 Rom. 3. and 10.3 4. Phil. 2.12 13. 8 See Grotius on the place Christ was now about to present his Church without spot or wrinkle Ephes 5. and therefore is she cloathed in fine white Linen of which sort also Royal Robes were wont to be whereby is signified that the Saints were now to Reign with Christ. 9 By 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is meant in Scripture the (a) Grot. in Matth. 22.11 Luke 1.6 and Hammond on Rom. 8.4 Rom. 2.26 Precepts of the Law and Holy Actions conformable to those Precepts in which sense it is here taken which are said to be given unto the Saints to shew that the Justification and also the inherent Holiness of Saints is wholly from Christ our Righteousness and is given and communicated unto them out of his Fullness 1 Cor. 1 30.15 10. Gal. 2.20 John 1.16 Doctor Hammond's Interpretation of these Words The Ordinances of the Sanctuary cannot possibly be true because the Holy Spirit expresly says that the fine Linen which the Priest used when he went into the Sanctuary which is here alluded to is that is signifies which is the constant meaning of that word in this Prophecy Righteousness and therefore the fine Linen it self cannot be here meant but the Righteousnesses of Saints signified by those Ordinances of the Sanctuary 9 And he i. e. an Angel chap. 22. 8. saith unto me write this Truth and seal it not for it will immediately be brought into effect see on chap. 5 1.10 4. blessed are they which are 10 called unto the Marriage Supper of the Lamb which is the Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 22.2 and he i.e. the Angel saith unto me (a) Or these true words are of or from God these 11 are the true sayings of God i. e. certain infallible and most important Truths as incredible and as inconsiderable as they may seem to men 10 The Righteous Saints who are called the Wife of the Lamb that is the Church of Saints collectively taken in the Two foregoing Verses come down with Christ out of Heaven as is evident from comparing those Verses with Chapt. 21.2 and therefore by the called in this Verse seems to be meant the Saints who shall then be alive upon Earth who are said to have but a part in the first Resurrection Chap. 20.6 and are represented here only as Guests bidden but not as the Companions and Followers of the Bridegroom See on Chap. 20.6 11 These being not ordinary Scripture-Truths but of an high and Prophetick Nature therefore a particular Asseveration of the Truth of them is here used that they might gain belief the more easily and to ascertain the Revelation of them as the Angel particularly asserts the Truth of Daniel's Visions Dan. 8 26.10 21.11 2. And this Phrase is afterwards twice used upon the same account in this very Prophecy Chap. 21 5.22 6. 10 And I being transported 12 with the Vision I had seen of the glorious state of Christ's Kingdom fell through incogitancy and surprise at his i. e. the Angel Feet to Worship 13 him And he i. e. the Angel said immediately with 14 great Zeal and in great haste to prevent me as soon as he could I am thy fellow 15 Servant and therefore am not to be Worshipped Worship being to be given to Superiors and not Equals not to Angels who are but Fellow Servan s and Fellow Creatures with Men and Ministring Spirits to the great God and I am the Fellow Servant of thy Brethren the Prophets and Witnesses chap. 12 17. 22 9 that have received the Testimony of Jesus in his Gospel chap. 1. 2. Worship therefore * God and him alone and not his Servants and Instruments whatsoever their Excellencies and Perfections may be for they are but your Fellow Creatures And even as to their Ministrations and Offices they are not Superior to you for the 16 Testimony of Jesus which your Brethren the Witnesses have from the Scriptures concerning things future chap. 1. 1 2 3. is of the same esteem and value with immediate Prophecy it self because that the very 16 Spirit and Life of Prophesy consists in the Communication of it from Christ and it matters not as to the value of the Prophecy or of the Persons who recive it whether it come from the Testimony of Christ in Scripture or from immediate Revelation And therefore seeing that thou and thy Brethren here received the Testimony of Christ you are equal unto us although you have it not immediately from Christ but by our Ministration or from his Apostles and Disciples chap. 1. 1-4 22 6. 12 This Action seems to be chiefly (a) Of this Nature are many Actions of the Patriarchs thought to be by Justin Martyr who calls them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dial. cum Tryphon pag. 364 371. Symbolical and is transferred as in a Figure to the Apostle to teach and represent unto us under the Person of the Apostle himself that the best men are very apt to he surprized and drawn by the Example of others and by false pretences into Creature-Worship and that such Worship is unlawful let the pretences be never so plausible and that the only way to avoid all manner of Idolatry is to keep to the Precept here given of Worshipping God alone See on Chap. 22.8 9. 13 As being an Angel employed in a great Ministry and upon the most pleasing and most grateful Message of shewing him the New Jerusalem-State consisting of Gentiles and Jews his Countreymen Brethren and Kinsmen for whom the Apostle Paul could have wisht himself accursed from Christ Rom. 9.3 united together and reigning with Christ in his Kingdom 14 All this seems to be included
in the broken and abrupt form of speech here made use of by the Angel 15 Here is declared that Angels and Men are Fellow-Creatures and shall be Fellow-Servants in the New Jerusalem-State the World to come which shall not be subject to Angels and in which there shall be an Equality betwixt them and Saints the Members of it and that they shall joyn together in the Worship of Christ Luke 20.36 Heb. 1 6.2 5. * That is Jesus the Word of God who is God and One with the Father and is accordingly worshipped in this Prophecy Chap. 5. and. 22.3 and in other places 16 16 Here the Angel delivers a most excellent Axiom wherein we are taught 1. That the principal thing to be attended to in Prophecy is Whether it be the Testimony of Christ or no That is whether it be delivered in Scripture which principal Character is here called The Spirit of Prophecy that is the Life and Soul of it which animates it and gives it its true Value and Esteem in the Sense that Spirit is often opposed to Letter and Flesh in Scripture 2 Cor. 3.6 2 That the Sense of Prophetical Scriptures given from a compare of Scripture with Scripture is when it evidently appears to be so of equal Credibility with the Prophecy it self because it is the Spirit of the Letter of it 3. That Interpreters of prophetical Scriptures when their Interpretations are confirmed are worthy of a Prophet's Reward because they have the Spirit of prophecy Matth. 10.41 11 And I saw Heaven 18 opened for a glorious appearance of Christ and behold a white Horse the Emblem of Christ's Royalty and Glory from his Resurrection to his second coming in his Kingdom chap. 6. 2. and he that sate upon him i. e. Christ was called faithful 18 and true to his Promises and his Friends and in Righteousness i. e. Truth and Peace he doth Judg 19 his People Psal 96.10 13. Is 11 1-9.32 16. and make 19 War with his Enemies Is 11.4 17 To shew that the Heavens shall open when the King of Glory appears Psalm 24 7-10 Matth. 24.30 And this Appearance which is the second Vision in this Chapter is that of Christ's coming in his Kingdom to Judgment and is the same with that Chap. 14.14 as will plainly appear to any who considers the Circumstances and Description of both 18 He is said to be Faithful and True because of his appearing in his Kingdom according to his promise which Atheists Antiscripturists and those of the Antichristian Party had called in question still asking with those Scoffers 2 Pet. 3. where is the promise of his coming 19 19 Hence it appears that the great Battle of Armageddon is by way of Judgment wherein the Enemies of Christ and of his Kingdom are represented as (a) Ezek. 32.27 and Chap. 38. Rev. 20. Warriors in Arms who when conquered were wont as Captives of War to be judged by and receive Sentence from the Conquerour as appears from Jerem. 52.9 12 His Eyes were as a flame of 20 Fire penetrating and judging of all things after a quick and terrible manner chap. 1.14 2 18. and on his head were many 21 Crowns to denote the amplitude of his Dominions his many Conquests and the several Exercises of his Regal Office especially now in his glorious Monarchy and Kingdom Psal 72 8-20 Rev. 14.14 and he had a Name 22 written that no man knew but he himself i. e. his Essence and Nature as God Incarnate and his Will Counsels Judgments and Rewards c uld not be fully known nor comprehended by any Creature and not at all after a saving manner but by them to whom he should reveal them Judg. 13.18 Job 11.7 8. Psalm 36.6 Matth. 11.27 Rom. 11.33 34. 1 Cor. 2 6.-16 1 John 3.2 20 Christ is to be revealed in flaming (a) Thes 1 8.2 8. fire when he comes to Judgment in his Kingdom and therefore his Eyes are represented as a flame of fire to signifie his Discerning Judgment and All-seeing Wisdom which he will then most peculiarly manifest 21 Christ had a Kingdom from his very Resurrection and has had all along many Conquests over his Enemies in the Administration of it and is therefore very fitly represented with many Crowns as David a Type of Christ put on his Head the Crowns of the several Kings conquered by him 2 Sam. 12.30 1 Chron. 20.2 See also 1 Maccab. 11.13 He has also many Crowns because of his Kingdom as the Eternal Word and as Mediator which he hath administred under the Father ever since his Resurrection represented by the first Seal and as he now enters upon the Administration of his Glorious Kingdom as he is also King of Kings and Lord of Lords he hath all the Crowns of the Kingdoms of the Earth belonging unto him and now as it were put upon his Head 22 His Name Emmanuel God made Flesh or God in our Nature seems to be here more particularly understood as being peculiar to him as distinct from the Father and the Spirit Judg. 13.18 Isa 9.6 Prov. 30.4 13 And he was cloathed with a vesture dipt in the Blood of his Enemies Psal 68.23 Is 63 1-6 and his Name is called or he is the Word 23 of God John 1.1 23 That is the Eternal Word of God by whom God spake when he made the World and spake also to our Fore-fathers under the Old Testament and unto us in the Gospel And he may also be called The Word because in him the whole Word of God Prophecies and Promises are Yea and Amen that is constant and not changeable punctually fullfilled unalterably confirmed and ratified 2 Cor. 1.19 20. See Grot. on Joh. 1.1 Bishop Pearson on the second Article of the Creed and Dr. Bull 's Defensio Fidei Nicaenae 14 And the Armies which were in Heaven i. e. Christ's mighty Angels and the Saints which shall accompany them when he comes to Judgment in his Kingdom Dan. 4 35. Zech. 14.5 Matth. 22.7 1 Thes 4.14 1 Cor. 15. Phil. 3.29 2 Thes 1.7 Jude 14.15 See the Notes on Rev. 14 14 15. and chap. 20. and on verse 11. of this Chapter followed him upon white 24 Horses as Companions and Partakers with Christ in his Glory and his Kingdom cloathed in fine 25 Linen white and clean i. e. they were Justified and Sanctified by the Righteousness and Holyness of Christ imputed unto them See on verse 8. 24 This Battle is a Judgment as appears from Verse 15. So that these Armies of Heaven must be the Angels and the Saints who shall come with Christ in Judgment to his Kingdom with glorified Bodies as the Scriptures quoted in the Paraphrase do plainly declare and they are represented as on White Horses to shew the Glory they shall appear in and their joynt Rule and Reign with Christ it being the custom for Kings Favorites Nobles and Rulers to be clad in White Garments and ride on White Beasts as hath been already observed on Rev.
manner and restrained from all sorts of Mischief but because he was to be let loose after the thousand years therefore he is said to be only shut up in the bottomless pit and is not cast into the Lake until afterwards when he is made utterly uncapable of any manner of power or Action against God and his Kingdom for the least season and that to all Eternity And here end the first Triumphs and Conquests of Christ in his Kingdom which begins with the reducing of his Enemies viz. Antichrist the Wicked Nations and the Devil so as to make them his Footstool whom his Father had been subduing for him from his Ascension as is evident from Psalm 110.1 1 Cor. 15.25 5 The duration of this Season is no where determined in Scripture and therefore cannot be positively assigned only if the Tradition of the seven Thousand Years duration of the World prove true it must comprehend that space of Time which will be found wanting to compleat the 7000 Years after the Expiration of the 1000 Years of Christ's Kingdom 4 And I saw 6 Thrones i. e. solemn and glorious preâ—arations for Rule and Judgment Dan. 7.9 and 7 they i. e. the Saints of the most High who come with Christ Chap. 19.14 Dan. 7.13 18 21 22 26 27. Zech. 14.5 1 Thes 4.14 sat 8 upon them i. e. were invested in a Regal and a Judicial Office and 9 Judgment i. e. Power of Governing Sentencing and Punishing was given unto them who sat on the Throne by God and Christ Dan. 7.22 27. and I saw the separate 10 souls of them or of the Persons that we e beheaded for the Witness of Jesus and for the Word of God i. e. the Souls of the Martyrs under the Pagan Emperour of Rome Rev 6.9 10 11. and 11 I saw also the 12 Souls of them which had not worshipped the Beast neither his Image neither had received his Mark upon their foreheads or in their hands i. e. the Faithful Witnesses killed by Antichrist Chap. 6 11. 11 7. 13 15 16. and they i. e. all these Saints and Martyrs 13 lived again in Spiritual and Heavenly Bodies 1 Cor. 15 42-50 and 14 reigned with 15 Chr st a 16 thousand Years 6 This Representation is taken from Dan. 7.9 in allusion to the (a) Mede's Works p. 762. Grot. in Matth. 19.28 Thrones or Seats of the Jewish Consistory or rather in the Opinion of (a) Mede's Works p. 762. Grot. in Matth. 19.28 Grotius to the ancient Custom of the Jews amongst whom the Princes of the Tribes were wont to sit with the King ih publick Assemblies And accordingly This Court of Christ's Kingdom and Grand Assizes of the Day of Judgment is represented as having many Thrones as 1. The Throne of God the Father Dan. 7.9 2. The Throne of Christ in which he was enstated Dan. 7.13 14 upon the Judgment passed upon Antâ—ehrist to shew that Christ's Glorious Kingdom begins not until after that Judgment and Destruction as in this Prophecy the Thousand Years do not enter until after the Battle of Decision which is also called a Judgment Chap. 19. 3. Many Thrones of Saints Dan. 7.10 18 22 26. where the Saints are called The Judgment and are said to he set in Judgment and many Thrones to be set down pitched or erected as the Word ought to be translated at the 9th Verse which Thrones do not belong to the Angels who are not represented as sitting but standing as Ministring and Assisting Spirits 1 Kings 22.19 Is 6.1 Dan. 7.10 7 By a diligent compare of Dan. 7.13 18 c. with Rev. 19.14 17. and this Verse it will plainly appear that the Saints those Armies of Heaven who come with Christ in the Clouds to Judgment are the They here referred to the very They Dan. 7.13 where the like Phrase is used who come with the Son of Man upon the Clouds of Heaven to whom Thrones a Kingdom and a Judicatory are ascribed in (a) Matth. 19.28 Luke 22.30 1 Cor. 6 1-4 Scripture over the Wicked Angels and the World and who have here Thrones given them as a Reward for their Attendance upon Christ in the foregoing Battle to whom alone yet the Victory is ascribed Chap. 19.21 8 To sit upon a Throne denotes in Scripture a continuance in an undisturbed possession of Soveraignty and Dominion with a Right of Judicature as Expositors of the Creed have shewn on the Article concerning Christ's sitting on the Right Hand of the Father 9 This Word signifies Rule and Government in Scripture as well as a Judicial Power Gen. 15 14.19 9.1 Sam. 4.18 Psalm 72.1 2. 10 From this place it may be observed 1. That these were the Souls of the very Martyrs whom he had seen before under the Altar Chap. 6 9-11 the same Expressions being used in both places 2. That they were particularly the Martyrs under the pagan Roman Emperours because they are said to have been beheaded which was a (b) Grot. in locum Roman Punishment 3. That the Soul is Immortal and sleeps not in its separate State because they cry with a loud Voice have Robes given unto them and are admonished to rest for a little season 6 9-11 11 These are distinguished from the former by the interposition of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or And and are evidently as appears from comparing this place with Rev. 6.11 the Witnesses martyred under the Reign of the Beast or Antichrist who were to fill up or compleat the Number of Martyrs and then to Live and Reign together with the Martyrs under the Pagan Emperours 12 Pareus supposes an Ellipsis in this place which may be thus supplied 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. although separate Souls are often spoken of in Scripture in the Masculine Gender Luke 16 19-31 13 They lived that is in their Persons in Bodies suited to the State of the Blessed Milennium for this cannot refer to the Souls here-mentioned which lived before as hath been already observed See also the Notes on the following Verse 14 This as well as almost all the other Expressions in the New Testament concerning the Great Day of Judgment is taken chiefly from Daniel who in the second and seventh Chapters of his Prophecy foretells that during the Times of the Fourth Kingdom evidently proved by several (a) Mede 's Works pag. 711. Dr. Moor'â— Sâ—â—ps Proph 2.13 Dr Gressener s Demonstr B. 2. 6-8 and the Append. Authors to be the Roman the God of Heaven should set up a Kingdom which from small beginnings or an Infant-State likned by Daniel to a (a) Mr. Mede 713 743 c. Stone should by a Divine and Supernatural Power increase so far that at last in the Days of the Ten Kings who are the Ten Toes of the Feet of the Great Image Dan. 2.43 44. it should become a Mountain filling the whole Earth that is a Vniversal and an Everlasting Kingdom after it had put an end to all other Kingdoms particularly that
13 I Christ come 14 quickly in Judgment to my Kingdom for the 15 Vials are now ready to be poured forth Blessed therefore and this admonition is at this time of all others the most seasonable when the severest Judgments of God are ready to be executed is he that keepeth the Sayings of the Prophecy of this Book See Chap. 1 3.3 11. 13 Here Christ himself speaks this being a Sacred Drama in which according to the Nature of such Representations several Persons are introduced and there are many interlocutory passages as is observable in the Song of Solomon which is a Dramatick Poem in the Form of a Pastoral Eclogue 14 This Epilogue or Conclusion seems to refer to some of the most important and remarkable passages of the whole Vision which it behoved all to take the chiefest notice of according to the Method observed in the first Chapter which is as it were a Prologue or Introduction to it And accordingly the sudden Coming of Christ to take Vengeance of his Enemies in the pouring forth of the Vials being one of the most remarkable Events foretold in this Vision is here again mentioned as it had been before Chap. 1.7 15 For it seems probable from Chap. 21.9 that this part of the Vision was seen and heard by John just before he had the Representation of the pouring forth of the Vials when the Admonition to keep and observe the Words of this Prophecy was most highly seasonable For by a close consideration of Chap. 17 1.19 7-11 21 9. it seems as if the first or principal Angel of the Vials which shewed John the Judgment of the Whore and the New Jerusalem gave him also this Conclusion at the same time aptly fitted to the time just before the pouring forth of the Vials when it was necessary that the Saints should not only have a comfortable View of the blessed State but also be assured of the sudden coming of it that they might be sustained under the dismal Tribulation then approaching whereupon they are again assured of his quick coming Verse 12. 8 And I John the Apocalyptick Apostle and Servant of Christ See on Chap. 21.2 saw these foregoing things relating to the New Jerusalem and heard the Voice of Jesus and of his Angel Verse 6 7. and 16 both saw and heard all the Sayings and Vision of this Book and therefore am worthy of belief as having been an Eye and Ear-witness of them And when I had heard and sâ—â—â— the glorious State of the New Jerusalem I fell 17 down to worship before the Feet of the Angel which shewed me these things and who had also brought me the glad tidings of a Judgment on God's Enemy the Whore Chap. 17.1 and of the Marriage-Supper Chap. 19 9. 1â— Although these Words have an immediate reference to â—hâ—â— had been seen just before yet they may also refer to all the 〈◊〉 going Visions of this Book 17 It is something difficult to determine whether this passage be the same with the former related Chap. 19 7-21 and only twice repeated to shew the Importance of the Matter and the great danger of falling into the sin of Idolatry although the Relation be something different from the former according to the manner of the Evangelists the latter of whom deliver some things more fully and compleatly than the former and the Two Representations although of the same thing are very different the one being upon the View of the New Jerusalem State in its full Glory and compleat Description the other Chap. 19. only upon the sight of the preparation of the Bride and her coming down out of Heaven 9 Then saith he unto me immediately in great haste and with great Zeal and Vehemency See Chap. 19 10 See thou do it not for I am thy Fellow-Servant and therefore am not to be worsh pped and the Fellow-Servant of thy Brethren the Prophets and of them which keep 18 the sayings of this Book i. e. I although an Angel of so great Rank and Ministry am yet but a Fellow-Creature with thee and the Holy Saints and Witnesses and their Fellow-Servant also in the New Jerusalem State in which you and they shall be equal unto Angels and therefore I am nâ—t to be worshipped Worship being due to Superiors not Equals Creatures and Servants See on Chap. 19.10 Worship therefore God and him alone Matth. 4.10 18 Here the Angel seems to intimate as if the sayings of this Book were a Caution against the Apostatical State and the Worship of Angels and also the Rule and Model of Divine Worship from the first Apostolical State of the Church typified by Ephesus to the highest State of it in the New Jerusalem according to which as he could not receive such Worship so ought not John also to have given it unto him And this passage also affords a clear proof of the Divinity of Christ in Humane Nature because Divine Worship is paid unto him all along in this Book 10 And he i. c. Christ Ver. 12 13 16 20. saith unto me Seal 19 not the Sayings of the Prophecy of this Book for the time of the completion of all the Sealings mentioned in this Book is now at hand 19 These words must refer to the times of the seventh Trumpet when all the Thunders were unsealed Chap. 14. just before the pouring forth of the Vials until when it could not properly be used it being expresly commanded that every one of the Thunders should be sealed 11 He that 20 is unjust let him be unjust still and he which is filthy i e. guilty of any other sin all of which defile a Man Mat. 15.18 Jam. 1 21.3 6 let him be filthy still and he that is righteous or justified let him be righteous still and he that is holy or sanctified let him be holy still i. e. the time and place of Repentance is no more to be found but he that is unjust and filthy will not repent and he that is just and holy shall continue so still 20 These words seem to have a respect to the Times just before the pouring forth of the Vials when those Men who had been proof against the preaching of the Everlasting Gospel were judicially delivered over to punishment because of the willful Obstinacy and Hardness af their Hearts whereupon they blasphemed and repented not See Chap. 16.9 12 And behold I come 21 quickly to Judgment in my Kingdom and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be good or bad Matth. 16.27 Rev. 10.18.20 12-15 21 This must be supposed to be spoken before the pouring forth of the Vials in which the Wicked receive their Reward in Punishments 13 I am Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End the First and the Last i. e. I am the Eternal God who as I gave Being to all things so do I put an end to them too and I am more especially shewing this my Divine Power in bringing all things to perfection
in my Kingdom and thereby putting an end to Prophecy whose main scope and design was with reference unto it See on Chap. 1 8.21 6 14 Blessed 22 in Christ's Kingdom Dan. 12.12 See on Chap. 14.13 are they that (a) The King's M S. reads 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is wash their garments do his Commandments i. e. are now found and appear to have kept them that they may have right by virtue of the Covenant of Grace and upon their appearing in the fine (a) The King's M S. reads 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is wash their garments white Linnen of Christ's Righteousness See on Chap. 19.7 8. to the Tree of Life i. e. to the incorruptibility of the new Jerusalem State verse 2. and many enter in through the Gates of the City i. e. be admitted into that State See on chap. 21.6 12 21. 15 For without this blessed State in the four corners of the new Earth see on chap. 20.8 are Dogs i. e. the Members of the Antichristian (b) A Dog is thought by the best interpreters to signify a Sodomite Deut. 23.18 Canes qui Supra cap. 21.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut Hebrei exponunt id quod est Deut. 23.18 Grot. in Locum Sodom chap. 11.8 and those who are without the Covenant Matt. 15.26 Profane Bruitish and Persecuting Apostates Matt. 7.6 2 Pet. 2.22 and Sorcerers and Whoremongers and Murtherers and Idolaters and whosoever liveth and maketh a Lie i. e. all wicked Persons but especially the Antichristian Party to which these Characters eminently agree see on Chap. 21.8 27. 16 I Jesus have sent my Angel from the beginning (c) Chap. 1.1 of this Prophecy all along to this present conclusion of it to testify unto you John and all my other Servants chap. 1.1 these things in the Churches i. e. in or concerning the seven Successions of my Church see the Notes on chap. 1.4 and on chap. second and third I am the root and the off-spring of David i. e. the Messias proceeding from David as from a root to whom the Kingdom (d) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was Promised see on chap. 5.5 and the bright and morning Star which only dawned in the Church Succession of Thyatira but now shews in full brightness at the succession of my Kingdom see the Notes on chap. 2.28 17 And the Shirit speaking to and in the several Successions of the Church chap. 2. and 3. and makeing intercession for the Saints Rom. 8.26 27. and the Bride i. e. the Saints chap 19.7 8.21 2 say come Lord Jesus come quickly in thy Kingdom And let him that heareth and obeyeth the words of this Prophecy say joyning as in consort come Lord Jesus And (a) These are Christ's Words and are a kind of Antiphon◠in ths Divine Anthem or Sacred Dialogue wherein Christ in Answer to the Saints says as it were if you so desire my coming I will not be backward in inviting you let him say I that is a thirst come let him that is a thirst for the comforts and refreshments of the new Jerusalem State see on chap. 21.6 come And whosoever will or has a sincere desire for these times of full refreshments let him take the Water of Life freely for the incorruptibility of this State is of my free grace and favour chap. 21 6.22 1. 18 For I Christ verse 20. testify and declare (b) All this is frequently the import of the word Testifie in Scripture openly with the greatest earnestness zeal and holy Asseveration as with an Oath John 13.21 Rom. 1.9 Acts 18.5 unto every man of what (c) Nullo excepto pontifice vel concilio Paraeus in loc quality or dignity soever that heareth the words of the Prophecy of this Book that it is a Book of so great perfection and life that if any man shall (d)(d) Elegans est allusio in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grot. in Loc. add unto these things contained in this Book of Revelations and by consequence to any other part of Scripture by 22 Traditions and rash (e) Rashly to be the Authority of a false Interpretation of Scripture is to take God's Name in vain in a high degree Mr. Mede This is the last authoritative Prophecy that is likely to come from Heaven to be a rule of Faith to the Church and whosoever shall go about to infuse any other expectations into men than usually are agreeable to these Visions God shall bring on him the Judgments here denounced against his greatest Enemies and so in like manner whosoever shall derogate from the authority of this Prophecy or occasion mens not receiving the admonition of Christ here contained in every part thereof God shall cast him off c. Dr. Hammond's Paraphr or wilfully false Interpretations God shall add unto him besides the retributions of his ordinary Justice and Wrath the dreadful plagues that are written in this Book 22 Here is a change of Persons and John speaks whose words plainly refer to the admittance and entrance of the Saints into the new Jerusalem State and therefore must have respect to the times after the Pouring forth of the Vials when the Wicked were shut out of the City 19 And if any man shall take 23 away as the Antichristian Party hath even the Scriptures themselves from the words or authority of this of Prophecy God shall take away his part and the Book of Life i. e. he shall not be found written in the Book of Life among the Living in the New Jerusalem and out of the Holy City from which he shall be debarred and excommunicated and from the Things promises and blessings which are written in this Baok 23 As the Antichristian Party hath done 20 He which testifies these things i e. Christ who is Truth it self saith surely believe it for it is a certain and infallible Truth I come quickly i. e. all my comings are unexpected and by Surprize I begin very suddenly after the date of this Vision to bring it into effect I hasten all things to an end in the just and due time and am now just upon coming to put an end to this and all other Prophecies being not slack in performing them as some men count slackness 2 Pet. 3.9 Amen saith John the beloved Apostle and Servant of Christ in the Name and Person of Angels and Saints his fellow Servants even so be it come Lord Jesus in thy Kingdom come quickly 21 The 24 Justifying Sanctifying and efficaciously operative Grace Proceeding from the undeserved Love Favour and Assistances of our Lord God Jesus Christ our Saviour and anointed Prophet Priest and King be with you all Churches and Saints to whom this great Prophetical Epistle is Written Amen So be it and so it will certainly be 24 This whole Book of Prophecies being as it were one entire Epistle Monitory to the Church of God throughout all Ages of the World it is concluded as it was begun according to the custom of the Apostles with the usual Form of Valediction in their Epistles AMEN AMEN COME LORD JESUS COME QUICKLY FINIS