his church for the service thereof God first fills them with his Spirit When John was but upon entring upon his prophetical office God ravishes him with his Spirit and fills him therewith to fit him for this office When men in the Apostles days were to be chosen but for the lowest services in the Church as for the over-sight of the poor and the like yet they must be men full of the holy Ghost and wisdom Acts 6.3 Much more then for the highest places as Prophets Pastors Teachers and Elders c. It is said Paul and Barnabas were filled with the holy Ghost and therefore to be separated unto the work Acts 11.24 and 13.2 The Offices of the churches of Christ are for those that have the Spirit of Christ in them in some fulness of it those places are not for such as are filled with the spirit of envie covetousness pride the world contention ignorance and antichristian lording such have not the spirit of Christ in them it may be well said of such that they run for profit here and the like but the Lord sent them not Jer. 14.14 and 23.21 They flatter themselves and think they are called and sent of God because God hath given them some common acquired gifts and parts yet want all the especial graces of the Spirit as meekness self-denial contempt of this world humility bowels of compassion ready to forgive sound knowledge in the truth and holiness and righteousness in their lives and conversations they that want those graces in the truth of them are neither fit for those high functions in the church nor can satisfyingly perswade themselves or others that they are called unto it Let this be as a memento to all such that climbe over the walls into those holy Functions and are well satisfied with a call from men when they were never called of God I say let all such fear and tremble lest God spew them all our together with their flocks that would have it so in his wrath for ever John was rapt in Spirit on the Lord's day 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Greek Whether this day be here called the Lord's day for the great discoveries of those visions made unto John upon this day or because it was the Lord's day for the assembling of the Saints to perform their services unto God it being the same day with that which the Apostles call the first day of the week and our christian Sabbath I shall not much contend but rather am enclined unto the latter for these two reasons First Because the great work of Christ's resurrection on that day wherein he was manifested Lord and Conquerour over hell and Satan purchased it that Title of the Lords day Secondly Because the observation of the Sabbath with all christian publique services were transferred to that day and so is called the Lord's day 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or according to the Scottish dialect the Kirks day the Churches day because they held their assemblies and performed their publique services upon that day Hence note Observ That the Lord's day or the day of the great and publique assemblings of the Saints is the fittest time for God's highest discoveries of Grace and Truth John received here on this day his high irradiations of spirit and Prophesies This is God's great Market day wherein there is a constant and mutual Exchange or Bartering of heavenly and divine commodities the Saints come with the returns of their improvements of mercies in praises prayers and thanksgivings God gives out in return farther supplies of grace and greater measure of knowledge in his ways and truths Therefore sure most happy most knowing and most gracious are those Saints that are most found in this way O! this should make all of us that are not in this way to wail for it as David in his absence and exile from the church of God that being the special habitation of God's glory Psal 96.6 and to breath after it even as the Hart brayeth after the fountain streams for this is the day of the Saints assemblings wherein the Angel comes down the Angel of the New Covenant Christ in spirit to stir upon the waters of Bethesda upon the hearts and affections of all his people When John was in this rapture of spirit on the Lord's day then he heard behind him a mighty voice as it were of a Trumpet loud and terrible The Trumpet being a warlike Instrument whose sound is to prepare unto Battel and to the terror of the adversary God's publique admonitions are so unto his church it not only prepares his own unto repentance but is also of terrible signification unto all his impenitent enemies But here comes in a question fit to be discussed John had here his raptures of spirit extasies and heard a great voice as of a Trumpet The Quere will be How shall we know Divine raptures extasies or visions from diabolical For Satan is God's Ape and hath his raptures possessions strange apparitions sounds and voices also For answer first know that God's visions are given either in the sleep as unto Jacob when he saw a ladder reaching from earth to heaven and Angels ascending and descending in Gen. 28. but such are more properly called Divine Dreams Or secondly When the person is awake as here when Iohn was at Patmos on the Lord's day doubtless either in God's services or holy contemplations he received those visions and raptures of spirit and those extasies or raptures of spirit do cause a great alteration upon the person that receives them he is as it were taken out of himself that is in this posture and frame and therefore it is called a rapture or extasie quasi extra se raptus being in that posture not master of the faculties of his own soul which are wholly in the power and motions of the Spirit that acts them and this is common to both sorts of raptures whether from the good or evil spirit Now to discern what spirit moves in such raptures or visions observe first Whether the person passive or that is under such raptures of spirit were always or for the most part of their lives faithful witnesses unto the word of God and of Jesus Christ such have not only the promise of the holy Spirit to teach them all things 1 Iohn 2.27 but to be preserved against the evil one in their bodies souls and spirits Secondly Observe the matter of their visions in such raptures whether it be to denounce God's judgments against sinful practises or not for surely Satan will never be divided against himself if we will believe our Saviour for so his kingdom could not stand though I have read a story in some old Popish Mass-monger that the divel once in the shape of a Priest preached a very catholique sermon but being discovered by some Saint in presence it seems one of an excellent endowment in discerning spirits asked him how durst Satan to appear in that presence with so sound holy
another two horned Beast joyntly raging and reigning with the former at one and the same time which doth as much mischief to her as that secular Beast it self doth being the Ecclesiastique and Pseudo-prophetical Beast or Antichrist it self who is the former Beasts great chaplain Prophet and Vicar general who under pretence of Christ and Christian Religion having two horns like a Lamb yet exercises the cruelty of the Dragon and sets up again other under specious titles the late abolished heathenish Idolatry and tyrannous persecuting Government like that of the Dragons and so healeth the wound given to the first Beast This Beast's tokens qualities and characters are herein described that they that have wisdom may know and shun them 7. In the fourteenth chapter is observable how during the reigne of this antichristian beast the faithful followers of the Lamb by their continual publishing of the sincere Gospel of Christ they bring ruine and desolation upon spiritual or mystical Babylon the antichristian state and seat set forth under the cry of the three Angels but more particularly in the 15 and 16 chapters in the visions of the Vials and the effusions thereof are the particular gradual and final ruines of the anti-christian Beast with all the churches enemies more fully set forth and manifested at the pouring out whereof the church of Christ being freed and delivered from all anti-christs oppressions and idolatrous pollutions she sings her tryumphant song the song of Moses 8. In the seventeenth chapter that those precedent prophetical Visions and Discoveries may not seem improbable the Spirit it self gives the interpretation of the mystery of the great whore of Babylon sitting upon a scarlet coloured beast of seven heads and ten horns The Beast is the Roman Empire divided under ten Kings or Kingdoms The woman harlot is the great City to wit Rome it self which the Jesuites themselves cannot deny as in the preface hereof is more fully manifested which reigneth over the Kings of the earth the mother City of all spiritual fornications By this taste of the Spirit 's interpretation it plainly appears that the whole Book of Visions are to be applyed and explained historically and that every mysterie opens others to the discovery even of the whole 9. In the 18 and 19 chapters is but a more solemn reiterating of the execution of Gods wrath against the antichristian state with the horror anguish and utter desolations that should befal it and all the Churches combined enemies whereupon the Church being now freed from all dangers gives praise power and glory unto God And in chap. 20. enjoys that happy sabbath of rest that glorious reigne on earth for a thousand years that great day of judgement beginning with the first resurrection and determined with the last and universal resurrection of all the dead when all Christs enemies shall be taken and cast into hell to be tormented for evermore and the Saints translated into the glorified estate that heavenly City the new Jerusalem the spouse of Christ which came down from heaven to reigne with him for ever and ever 10. In 21 and 22 chapters you may observe the glorious description of this new glorified Church-state which came down from heaven set forth by most excellent metaphors and figures wherein all spiritual delicacies in a far higher pitch then the church ever yet enjoyed on earth set forth unto us by such resemblances figures as is now most glorious to our capacities and fittest to express such heavenly and spiritual matters whereupon follows a conclusion of the properties of that glory but never of the glory it self and so of the whole prophesie with a confirmation of the verity and truth thereof until the accomplishment of all These things being cleared and premised and having laid down a brief view of the scope and designe of the whole I come by Gods assistance and with a spirit of sobriety and with awe and reverence to open in the next place the mysteries of the book it self Remove not the stone well laid THE REVELATION Revealed Chap. I. Verse 1 2 3. Ver. 1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass and he sent and signified it by his Angel unto his servant John Ver. 2. Who bare Record of the word of God and of the Testimony of Jesus Christ and of all things that he saw Ver. 3. Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophesie and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand HAving formerly by way of Introduction premised some things and amongst the rest who is the Author of this Revelation and that is Jesus Christ and therefore here it is called The Revelation of Iesus Christ because he as the Mediator of his Church received it from the bosome of the Father in an unspeakable manner and made it known by his servant Iohn for the good and comfort of his servants the Church and Saints of God from this word or Title 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Revelation you may observe Observ 1. That this is a book of Truths and Prophesies not hidden and sealed but made known and revealed for the comfort and edification of the church of Christ It is a Revelation of things and passages which must shortly come to pass verse 3. And how with reason could a blessing be promised to the keeping of the words of this Prophesie if it were not known what was to be read heard and kept We have further the testimony of the Spirit for it cap. 10. v 8. That the little book was an open book wherein is contained the great revolutions of the Church until the end of all and in chap. 22. v. 10. there is a positive command not to seal the prophesies of this book for the time is at hand Observ 2. From the Author of the Revelation Jesus Christ observe That all good things that God hath in his counsel determined to bestow and give unto his Church he doth give and bestow them in by and thorow Jesus Christ He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world the same yesterday to day and for ever He was the Angel of the Covenant and the keeper of Israel of old and is the same to us for ever It was he that bruised the Serpents head in the beginning upon our parents first transgression and it is he that is more then conqueror over all the powers of darkness now and for ever He was the same spiritual rock and way of salvation to the Patriarchs of old as he is now unto us and none ever did or shall come to the father or receive good from him but in by and thorow the Son who is the true light that lightneth every one that cometh into the world so that if Christ be yours then all is yours whether things present or things to come for Christ is God's 1 Cor. 3.22 23. Lastly
GULLELMUS HICKS GEN. ATATâ—S 〈◊〉 1658. Though Thou no Prophet art nor Prophets Son Without their Spirit this could ne're be done Though Brightman Napeir Mede are gone to rest Their Sp'rite yet liues redoubled in thy Breast Yee that have cast th' Apocalyps to ground Because so dark mysterious and profound Why take it up againe and use this Glasse T will then no longer for a Mystriè passe D Loggan del et sculp ἈΠΟΚΆΛΥΨΙΣ ἈΠΟΚΆΛΥΨΕΩΣ OR The Revelation Revealed Being a Practical EXPOSITION On the Revelation of St JOHN Whereunto is annexed a small Essay Entituled Quinto-Monarchiae Cum QUARTO ὉΜΟΛΟΓΊΑ OR A Friendly Complyance BETWEEN Christ's Monarchy AND THE MAGISTRATES By William Hicks Gent. Somtime of Wadham Colledge in Oxon Now living near the Mount in Cornwal Dan. 2.28 There is a God in heaven that revealeth Secrets and maketh known uâ—… the King what shall be in the latter days Rev. 1.3 Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Propheâ—… and keep those things which are written herein for the time is at hand A Deo principium Dabit Deus his quoque finem LONDON Printed by J. Macock for Daniel White and sold at his Shop at the Seven Stars in St Pauls Churchyard 1659. To the Right Worshipful Sr Richard Chyverton Late Lord Mayor of the Honourable City of LONDON SIR I Take the boldness to present unto You this Essay on the Revelation of S. John and I hope for this my Address and for prefixing your most worthy Name to this Discourse I shall not be judged either unseasonable or presumptuous Considering not only the great Honour and Devotion I bear to your most Worthy Name and Person but being also bound in Gratitude to Revive the Memory of that most Generous and Noble Family of the Chyvertons of Kerris your Worthy Kinsmen To whom I being obliged by so many real Benefits and neer Relations that I knew not how to manifest a better Retaliation then by a Revival of their most Worthy Memories in the Dedication of this Discourse to your Worships Protection who is the only Surviving Branch of that Ancient and Truly Generous Family of the Chyvertons of our County of Cornwal But by the way I shall take leave to assure you being not altogether ignorant of the ends and ayms that most men lay before themselves in such Dedications that it was least in my intention to affix hereunto your Honourable Name thereby to add a countenance to any private opinions of mine much less was it in my eye to raise an esteem upon my weak endeavours by insinuating the least complyance in your Worships judgement in many things I have written herein let them stand or fall according to the Truth and Reason therein manifested I quite disclaim any such pretences in having any Interest in my Plea for this my Application unto your Worthy Self But if the least measure of the Truth of God be herein found I trust it will be no dishonour to your Self nor to the greatest amongst men that such walk under the countenance of your Authority and great Names But what herein shall justly appear heterodox and dissentaneons from the Word of God let it not have the least approbation or countenance from man but let it rather be as an abortive birth and dye for ever never to have a resurrection more Thus having wiped off the sinister Interpretations for this Application In the next place be pleased to take a view of what is here tendered when the urgency of your great and important affairs will permit it being an Interpretation on part of the Book of John's Divine Prophesies wherein God's various dealings with his Church and people as also with the Empires of the world under whose power they come under are under most lively Prophetical Representations and Hyerogliphique Figures discovered and made known even from the time of the giving of that Prophesie unto the end of the world And you know 't is a common Custome amongst most men to get a Prognostication in the ending of the old year to inform themselves of the Accidents and Events that are likely to be in the ensuing year Lo now about the end of this year I present You with this first part of this Divine Ephemerides composed by the skilfullest Astronomer that ever was There is now no need of upholding that wretched practice of running to the Wizards or Star-gazers to know the Events and Successes of Churches States and Kingdoms We have here a full Discovery from himself who created the Stars and knows their course and calls them all by their Names who looseth the bands of Orion and binds up the influence of the Pleiades Men may conjecture and their conjecture fail they talk of the heavens but never were there for a full discovery but here then the Lord of Heaven and Earth and he that created the Seas telling and foretelling Signs and Wonders not for a day or a moneth or a year but for many years even until the end of the World not only the events of our present old year but the accidents also of the New year that is of the other life The Mathematicians of this world never dream'd of that great day wherein a thousand years should make up but one great and glorious day Only this Book the Saints great Almanack reports this and therefore I believe it Aristotle could not conceive that the World should end because he never understood how it did begin but behold a greater then Aristotle is here Christ hath taught of the end and given Notes and Signs to discern this end I doubt not but you will perceive and finde how singular useful the knowledge of these Prophesies will be to all persons but especially to such as have their hands much employed in the great Affairs of the World so that when their Lord and Master cometh with ten thousands of his Angels to call them to an account of their Stewardship how comfortable then will the contemplation be that they in their several Generations have employed their Interests Power and Authority in the World for Christ and his people against Antichrisâ— and its Adherents Those Christian Worâ—thies that have already long since fallen asleep with those that are alive at Christs second coming that have engaged on this account wiâ— be sure then to have an Euge bone Serve to be their portion and they that have ruled here for Christ shall then rule and reigne with him for ever But I desire not to be mistaken in this that I judge all is Antichrist that many in these days call Antichrist I know there is a true real Antichrist an opposite state to Christ and Truth under the Visor of Christ and Truth It is not every difference in Judgement or Religion that makes up Antichrist indeed oâ— late I finde it a State-knack of several parties and factions to brand their adversaries with those odious stiles of Antichrist Heretiques c. that they may
light and sound knowledge If he be spiritually judicious and learned I wish him to search and enquire diligently true Berean-like whether things are so or not and declare it forth unto others So shall he deliver his own soul and his Brothers also from the snares of death To all which as the Close of all I say Amen Who am Kerris in Cornwal Nov. 1. 1658. Thine In all Christian services William Hicks The Preface GOD spake at sundry times in old time to our Fathers after a diverse manner by his Servants the Prophets but now in these later dayes hee speaks unto us by his Son and his Ambassadours the Apostles and Ministers of Christ And hee that would desire to know the minde of God towards his people and Church may by the blessing of God and the Spirit of Grace moving on his endeavours in searching meditating and inquiring into the Word of God both Old and New not only finde out that Treasure where out floweth both New and Old things that will make his soule wise unto salvation but also hee shall finde a treasure of wisedom that will replenish his soule whiles here beneath in all the changes of this World with a great deale of Peace and Comfort For what will add greater hopes or be a surer prop to a soule in the time of its Affliction and mourning then to fore see know and be assured next to its interest in Christ of the day of it's deliverance This hath been the Ordinary portion and Lot of every soule that is truly Interessed in Christ Jesus thorow their severall Generations for the Servant must not look to be greater then his Master Christ entered into his glory by Sufferings Temptations sorrows and the way of the Crosse his members must drink the same cup with him whiles here militant though not to the same measure nor to the same ends for herein they are not made mighty to bear his sufferings were to give satisfaction to Divine Justice that hee that knew no sin might be made sin for us that we thereby might become the Sons and Children of God Our sufferings are for the Exercise of our graces and to fullfil the remainder of the sufferings of the Mysticall Body of Christ in our selves in our Journying towards our Celestial Canaan And this hath not only been the portion of particular members but of the whole Body the true Church of God in all ages as appeares by the History thereof Yet notwithstanding our gracious God to manifest his Fatherly oversight and faithful providence and goodness which hee without Intermission dispenseth towards his Church and people hath often for a Comfort to the Godly and warning to the wicked not only delivered them from their oppressours and set them above them but so prefixed the time of their distresses and deliverances that both they and their enemies themselves in observing the events must needs acknowledge the All-wise hand of Gods providence to the one for good to the other in wrath and Judgment God hath promised hee will not be angry with his for ever God hath his accesses and his recesses his comings in and his withdrawings towards his Church Some are conditional as if we keep with God hee will be found of us but if we forsake him he will forsake us Some again are absolute and out of Soveraignty as that I will be found of them that sought me not c. Yet however Gods purpose of doing good to his Church is so stedfast and unalterable that though many of them run upon the performance of some precedent conditions or qualifications in his people yet he will in faithfulness perform his promises towards them in their deliverance either by making them a fit people for so great a mercy by working the condition in them and so will make them a willing people in the day of his power or otherwise rather then any of the promises shall fall to ground unaccomplished will do it absolutely of his good will and pleasure 1. Before the Floud God gave 120. years respit to the old World before he would execute his Judgment upon them Gen. 6.3 When this time was expired his Spirit would contend with them no longer but God came with the Floud and destroyed all living except Noah and what was with him in the Ark. 2. God declared to Abraham that his seed should bee a stanger in a Land that was not theirs in Aegypt and should serve them and they should afflict them for 400. years but withall that Nation whom they should serve hee would judge and afterwards they should come out with great substance Gen. 15.13 14. c. Which promise God did fulfill most faithfully unto them in its due time and after the expiration of the said Terme hee brought out his people with a mighty and strong Arme in drowning the Host of Pharaoh in the red Sea 3. To that Captivity in Babylon God sets a period of 70. years Jerem. 29.10 when that time was accomplished God stirred up the Spirit of Cyrus King of Persia to let the people go 4. To Daniel God shewed that 70. weeks viz. weeks of years being 490. years were to bee determined in which time the Messias should come and be cut off and at length the City of Jerusalem destroyed Dan. 9.24 25 26. verses And how all these things were fully accomplished is most evident to every one that knows any thing of Gods dealings towards his Church and people 5. In like manner there is a certain time set and determined upon the Church of God in the new Testament how long she shall be exposed to persecution and when she shall be delivered from it which is expressed in the Prophet Daniel 7.25 and the 12.7 They the Saints shall be given unto the fourth Beasts hand untill a time times and the dividing of time Which Prophesie of Daniel does answer that of Rev. 12.14 The Woman which is the Church of God shall be in the Wilderness and trodden under foot by the power of the Beast for a time times and half a time which is to say as it is explained in the sixth verse of the same Chapter 1260. dayes or years which terme for the comfort of the Saints the power of the Beast cannot exceed For he that hath set a bound and period to all Kingdoms and Empires in this World hath said it hither thou shalt go no farther And that Angel in the Prophet Daniel 12.7 held up his right hand and left hand to Heaven and sware by him that liveth for ever that it should be but for a time times and half It being then clearly evinced that God will in his appointed time visit his Church with sure mercy and having prefixed in all ages the time and continuance of their Distresses and persecutions and that in the day of his visitation he will come with a certain deliverance to his people and ruine to his enemies it is matter of great Joy comfort to his
much every way both to every particular soule and to the whole Church of Christ First if there were no more in it but the detecting and making manifest of the Antichristian whore or state and the pollutions thereof and so give a warning to all Gods people to come out of her and not to partake of her iniquities least they be partakers of her plagues Is it not a blessing to keep their souls undefiled from Antichrists pollutious and to be delivered from judgments due thereunto Was it not a great blessing for Lot to be fore told and delivered out of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah So is it not a singular blessing and mercy unto us and the Church of Christ to be delivered and freed from the divine wrath that is gone out against spirituall or misticall Babylon 2. Is it not a great priviledge and blessing to the people of God to know the catastrophe and result of all their troubles and to have a sure word of Prophesie for their deliverance from the oppressions and cruelties of their enemies and that they shall one day triumph over them to their vtter ruine and destruction Is not this able to beat up their Spirits in all their fiery Tryals to see that their deliverance draweth nigh Is it not a blessing in the day of affliction in the day of mourning to be kept faithfull witnesses unto our God And though Satan and his deputized Antichrist have power over us to overcome and afflict us yet we are these that are sealed in the foreheads with the mark of the Lamb 3. Is it not a blessing to know that Antichrists raign is but 42. moneths a certain definite time which is now drawing to its period Is it not a blessing to know that the time of the woman in the Wilderness and the witnesses mourning in sackcloth the treading down the true Church of Christ and the Professours thereof is but for 1260. dayes which term is also neer expiring Is it not a great blessing after all the troubles and afflictions of the Church and Saints here on earth to be assured that Christ their head with Myriads of his Angels and Saints departed will appear to the finall destroying of all their enemies and giving them peace and rest causing them to raign on earth Lastly is it not a great blessing to have a promise of the enjoyment and Communion of Christ and his glorified Saints here on earth for a thousand years When mortality shall put on immortality when we shall see and know all the mysteries of God in Christ as we are seen and known when that which is perfect is come that which is imperfect shall be done away when we shall see no longer in a glass through weak and dark ordinances but then we shall see face to face when all our ordinances will be in a higher and more spiritual key when sorrow sin and death shall be swallowed up of victory when we shall walk in the light of the new Ierusalem the Lambs Wife that comes down from Heaven wherein dwelleth true righteousness And shall all those things be discovered in this Book of the Revelation with a promise thereof and of blessedness to all those that keep the words of this Prophesy and yet will any be so stupid to conclude that this is a dry useless book That treats of Christianity from its very rise to the consummation thereof full fraught with aboundance of usefull Observations to steer our feet aright in our militant course here untill we shall all come to the full stature of Christ And whereas some say it is a most difficult Book to interpret and that many able Expositors have come off with loss in their studies about it I answer first that all things to the sluggard indeed are difficult The pith marrow and substance of the Revelations is not to be found out by a coursary reading thereof it is not obvious to every ey And this is intimated in that 3. vers of Chap. 1. wherein is observable that blessedness is entailed to reading hearing and keeping the words of the Prophesy it is not a bare reading or hearing that will entitle to this blessedness but it must be keeping treasuring up pondering and digesting before it will produce the happy fruits of blessedness Indeed there are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the depths for Elephants to swim in as well as shallows for Lambs to wade thorough in the Word of God as God hath dispensed various gifts and abilities in his Saints so God hath sowne in his Word several measures of truth sutable thereunto none may complain for want to exercise their Spirits in The weakest may see so much as shall make him wise unto salvation and the highest capacity can attain no more and when it hath done all yet it must needs confess that it is not omniscient but that there are some misteries in the Word of God that will be still misteries unto it until the day of the Revelation of Christ shall come wherein hee will teach us all things It was a saying of Prospers Parvuli magni fortes infirmi Habent in Scripturis unde alantur satientur No age so young which Scripture doth not fit There 's milk for Babes and meat for stronger wit 2. It is difficult to all such that are not versed in the old and modern Romane Histories not knowing how to apply the figures and representations of this Prophesy to their several times and periods Neither knoweth how to distinguish the times of the revolutions and changes but confound several things spoken of diverse States one with another Not observing where mention is made of the secular or civil state and whereof the ecclesiastick conceiving that the Revelation is as a continued History or Relation of events succeeding one another in the same order and cause as the visions are reveiled in And for want of due observation herein many interpreters have stumbled and so confounding perverting and disturbing the whole method and harmony of the Revelation in making several epacts and periods of time so placing things which must come to pass after the destruction of Babylon and the Beast before it Whereas the passages of the Revelation are so related one to the other though written in order one after another that many thereof do concur in one and the same time so that hee that goeth about to describe them in order of time as they lye in the book in order of place without the observation of the methd oharmony and connexion which is to be observed in all the passages of this book falling under the same syncronisme or concurrencies of times indeed to such this Book of the Revelation must needs remain full of difficulty mistery and obscurity And so the whole order of the Revelation together with themselves are rendred in-extricable and confounded Whereas indeed the Spirit of God in this Book as a wise and well versed Historian is wont to do in the description of
shall be for a time times and half And the Son of God in the Revelation 13.14 hath shewed that the Beast and false Prophet shall have power over the Saints for 42. moneths and that the time of the woman in the Wilderness and the time of the witnesses Prophesying in sackcloth to be 1260. dayes These things saith the Amen the faithfull and true witness who would not then believe him Seeing that Antichrists raign and the time of the Saints mourning is in the Eternall decree of God limited and prefixed and that which the Angel and the Son of God do testifie with a great oath we have no reason to doubt of but that they will come to pass in their several periods and appointed seasons Again against the definite demonstration of the last times and seasons and the great changes and revolutions held forth in this Book of the Revelation two Scriptures offers themselves that of our Saviours to his Disciples in Mark 13.32 speaking of the last day and of his second comming But of that day and houre knoweth no man no not the Angels which are in Heaven neither the Son but the Father the other is that of the Act. 1.7 Wherein Christ answereth his Disciples question wilt thou at this time restore again the Kingdom unto Israel And hee said unto them it is not for you to know the time and the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power so the objection lyes thus If no man no not Christ the Son of Man nor the Angels of Heaven knows the last day but that times and seasons are left alone in the power of the Father how then commeth it to pass that there is a discovery of times and seasons and of the last day it self and end of all made out unto John in this Revelation by Christ himself I answer first we must know that in Christ there was two natures distinct and unconfounded to make up one Person of a mediatour and the property of each nature did remain entire unto each hee was true God and true Man and as hee was Man or the Son of Man it is no derogation at all unto him to affirm that he knew not all things and that according to the understanding of Man to be ignorant of some things and so of the last day But to affirm it as he is God being one in Counsel nature and essence with the Father from all eternity it would be no less then blasphemy to affirm it for shall the Creatour of all things be ignorant of his handy-work 2. It was not the injunction or command of his Father on him whiles he conversed here on earth to discover unto the World what should happen in the latter dayes Of the same comfort is that Scripture Mark 10.40 being an answer to the Sons of Zebedee to sit on his right hand or his left was not his to give yet in Revel 3.21 he promiseth to him that overcommeth that he shall sit down with him in his Throne This Scripture gives a fair light to an interpretation of the former for whiles he was here beneath perfecting the work of our redemption here on earth the Revelation was not given unto him from the Father to discover times and seasons nor to give Thrones Powers and Kingdoms into the hands of his Saints untill after his resurrection when all power was given unto him by the Father and all things were then given into his hand by right of purchase And this is that that is clearly intimated in the Revel 5.9 c. When none was found worthy to open the Book then the 24. elders before the Throne sang a new song saying thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seales thereof for thou wast slain and hath redeemed us to God by thy bloud of every kindred tongue people and Nation The opening of this book being as it were referred to the merit of his death and passion so that it should not seem strange that he knew not the day of his second comming neither having not as yet suffered nor entered into his glory The Revelation of all things being reserved by the Father for Christ unto that day 3. That place of the Acts 1.7 is nothing to the purpose It was not for his Disciples to know then the fittest and most meet time which God thought good at that time not to make known to restore the Kingdom unto Israel he doth not answer them that he will not restore the Kingdom unto Israel But it was not now fit for them to know the time and season thereof Christ here speaks of de tempore Tempestivo of the opportune and fit time and seasons which the Father does reserve in his own power and will not reveale unto his people 4. I answer that in this essay I do consider the time of the rise progresse and period of Antichrist and other the great events Syncronizing with the same in an Indefinite and more general way not in an exact definite precise day and hour here I only consider the years in a more general way which now the Father hath not reserved as a secret in his own power but revealed them to us by his Son in this of the Revelation and other books of God Lastly accounting it as labour lost to answer the vain interpretations and glosses of the allegorizing and Chymical Scripturists to wit the Familistical Notionists who can extract quidlibet ex quolibet and so make the Revelation indeed a mistery and book sealed to the wisest Christian therefore I shall not at all meddle with them when as they interpret according to the mistical fanâ—ies of their own confused brains and not according to the least measure of sound knowledge For indeed if this book be not opened according to the Prophetical visions with their peculiar characters rightly applied to their several times and seasons we shall not know what tollerable sence or exposition to set upon it It is well that the Spirit of God it self doth clearly discover and demonstrate in the 17. Chap. the beast with seven heads and ten horns to be a government or Empire that should arise under ten Kings And that mistery of Babylon the great and the woman sitting upon many waters to be that great City scituated upon seven hils and which doth raign over the Kings of the earth Now if the Spirit of God it self hath holpen us with this key to unshut in part the misteries of the Revelation it should not be accounted presumption in us to fall on the same method in opening the rest of the Prophetical representations and figures of this book when as the Spirit of God hath given us some first fruits thereof it self as sure footsteps to tread in From which discovery of the Spirit we may as from a watch-tower take a full veiw of the rest of the Revelation and so a scanding of the whole book otherwise in it self inaccessible And that thy Servant O Christ who
earth shall wail because of him Even so Amen He cometh with Clouds This is a Graecism that is In the Clouds This verse hath an Index or an Asterisme before it Behold to show that it is very remarkable what is here expressed being as the general proposition unto the whole Revelation Christs coming in the clouds in power and glory to set up his Kingdom here on earth before the ultimate judgement This hath relation to Zachary 12.10 and promised in Matth. 26.64 and 24.30 and Acts 1.9 c. Several Interpretations offer here to the consideration Some would have it here meant that at the time of Christ's passion this Scripture was fulfilled in these first fruits of the Jews conversion in Acts 2. that were the crucifyers of Christ being pricked to the hearts because of him and of the evil by them done unto him and so mourned over him Though indeed it is granted that that prophesie in Zach. 12. is partly fulfilled in that of the first fruits of the Jews conversion who truly mourned for him whom they had pierced Iohn 19.37 yet Iohn here in this prophesie and in this verse long after Christ's ascension re-inforces and takes up the same relation to be fulfilled at Christ's second coming in the clouds therefore that of Zach. 12. was never compleatly accomplished to this day Secondly These small numbers of the first effusion of the Spirit after Christ's passion cannot with any sound reason answer that general and universal mourning promised of in Zach. 12. where the several families of David of Nathan of Levi of Simeon c. and all the families that remain shall all mourn apart or joyntly as they did at Hadimmon in the valley of Megiddon Thirdly That prophesie of Zachary 12. could not wholly relate to the time of Christ's passion or little after because in the day of the fulfilling of that prophesie he would make the Governour of Judy like an hearth of fire in the wood and like a torch of fire in the sheaf and they shall devour all the people round about and the Lord shall save the Tents of Judah c. ver 6 7. and that in ver 8 and 9. God would in that day make the feeble of the house of Judah as David for strength and of the house of David as the Angel of God and that God would in that day seek to destroy all that came against Jerusalem But in how contrary low and weak condition Ierusalem and Iudah was in at the time about Christ's passion being then under the Roman yoke and ever since have been under a miserable afflicted estate as all histories testifie And how unsutable such a condition is with the fulfilling of the aforesaid prophesie let the wise consider Therefore sure this coming of Christ must be intended of his second coming future to his Ascension for he was ascended long before this Revelation was given This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven Acts 1.11 Others again apply the time of this mourning and looking upon Christ whom they had pierced wholly to be the time of the last and ultimate judgement of the wicked when as they say all they that crucified him and all his enemies shall mourn and wayl for anguish and tremble before him But this cannot be the whole or main sense of the Spirit herein nor altogether according to the time thereof for these reasons First Because this time or day of mourning is not of mourning to desperation as that ultimate mourning of the wicked is but it is a godly sorrow or mourning that leadeth unto repentance compare it to Zach. 12.10 11. It is as one mourning for his only son or as that mourning was for good Josiah slain at Megiddo out of bowels of love and compassion not of horrour and desperation as the former is 2. Another reason is because in this day of mourning there is promised that God would pour out the Spirit of Grace and Supplications upon the Inhabitants of Judah and Ierusalem Zach. 12.10 unto which this verse does relate but in that day of God's executing his last wrath on the wicked is no time of pouring out of grace nor the spirit of supplications therefore to me it clearly follows that seeing the Prophet Zach. 12.10 and John in this seventh verse both prophesie of one and the same personal appearance and coming of Christ in the clouds especially intends the conversion of the Iews of them that pierced him and that before the ultimate judgement of all for then there is no time of repentance or conversion 3. The third reason is from the words And all the kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him Even so Amen If it were to be understood here only that all the kindreds of the earth should see Christ's coming and wail for dread or horrour as the wicked at the ultimate judgement day then John would never set such a heavie Amen to it So it shall be seeing himself and all the Saints departed likewise do expect and rest in hope for the sight of this his second coming unto their joy and comfort Therefore the conclusion or observation that arises hence and as a right Interpretation of this verse is Observ That Christ will appear again in the clouds to be seen of all to the conversion of his ancient people the Iews the destruction of all his enemies and the restauration of all things before the end of all And this conclusion and interpretation flows from these grounds or reasons First from the very genuine sense of the words themselves in this verse Every eye shall see him gloriously coming in the clouds As ye have seen him going so shall ye see him come Acts 1.9 We see him now by the eye of Faith in heaven but then by the eye of the body Faith and sight are two distinct things 2 Cor. 5.7 all do not now see him by faith but then all and every eye shall see him coming in the clouds to perform a double work the one in a wonderful manner to cause the Iews that pierced him to look on him and mourn even to a holy repentance whose conversion will be so wonderful that it wil be as a Nation born in one day Isa 66.8 And this is no more then was done formerly towards Paul Christ miraculously appearing to his conversion and which he intimates must likewise follow afterwards to Israel in that that God shewed him this grace first Secondly That all his obstinate enemies may look upon him and mourn and wail even to desperation for that their ruine and the day of God's great wrath is coming on them for it is the work of Cnrist's appearance not only to destroy all his anti-christian adversaries 2 Thes 2.8 9. but also to the joy comfort and exaltation of his Church 2 Pet. 5.4 Now this cannot be the work of the end of all and ultimate judgement
because this of Christ coming in the clouds here is set as the general result and the main proposition of the whole of the Revelation wherein the great designe is to set forth Christ to come and the glorious estate of his Church here on earth before the ultimate end as will appear hereafter To demonstrate this a little plainer I set these Queries out of Zach. 12. collated with this place and that of Matth. 24.30 1. Was ever Iudah or Ierusalem since that Prophesie made to her enemies a cup of trembling Was she ever a burdensome stone to the whole earth to cut them in pieces Have ever the Governours of Iudah been like an hearth of fire amongst the wood and and like a torch of fire in a sheaf devouring all the people round about Or Were they ever since that Prophesie of Zachary in that strength that the feeble amongst them were as David and the house of David as Elohim c. Peruse the History of the Iews and consider whether you can find the least accomplishment thereof I next quere when was ever that eminent effusion of the Spirit of grace and supplication poured out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Ierusalem that they should look on him whom they had pierced and mourn for him with great bitterness each family mourning apart Was this done at Christ's passion by the obstinate Iews his crucifiers They derided him Or was this fulfilled by the small number of the Iews his Disciples the eleven who fled at his suffering They did not pierce him Or was this fulfilled upon those mourners in Acts 2 They saw him not when they mourned nor with their families apart nor saw him in the clouds and thereupon mourn for him and therefore as yet the main of this Prophesie is to be fulfilled Lastly Is this to be referred to the last resurrection or ultimate judgement I ask Is that a day of repentance of mourning and of grace That is a day of judgement unto the wicked and then Christ's dispensatory Kingdom of Grace is at an end 1 Cor. 15.24 Therefore to be brief and not to exceed due bounds I assert That here by seeing Christ coming in the clouds by every eye and by them that pierced him and that all kindreds of the earth should wail because of him is meant by John as Zachary meant namely that all the Tribes both Iews and Gentiles should see Christ coming in the clouds with glory as man before the end of all to the Iews and all his Elect with grace and godly repentance to the all other his enemies with horrour and confusion consult Jer 25.5 6. Zach. 2.10 11 12. Isa 2. throughout Object But here it may be objected That you make divers comings of Christ to judgement the one to the conversion of the Iews and the restauration of his Church to a glorious State and Reigne in the destruction of their enemies and another or second coming again before the final end of all things to execute the ultimate judgement But this is contrary to Scripture which mentions only of two comings of Christ the first in the flesh in the time of the Gospel and the last at the day of judgement to execute the wrath of his Father on all his impenitent enemies and the refusers of his Gospel I answer Christ's coming in Scripture is variously taken somtimes for his first coming in the flesh somtimes in Spirit of grace power and miracles but lastly and most eminently to judgement And in this his last coming there are several remarkable periods and events In the beginning and morning of this great day he comes to convert the Jews restore the kingdom unto Israel and to the church of Christ and to destroy antichrist and all the Saints enemies not utterly finally but of all power and dominion over the Church which is quite taken off by Christ and a sure chain or tye laid on their spirits of malice and on their Ring-leader Satan himself that there is none can hurt during this glorious reigne in Gods holy mountain This Restauration is the work of the morning of the day But the wotk of the evening of this day is the universal resurrection of the dead and to give final sentence on all the enemies of Christ that opposed him and his Kingdom and to give them their portions with the divel and his angels in that lake of fire that burneth for evermore see more at large hereof in chap. 20. So that there is not two last comings of Christ but two remarkable acts or events in this his last coming to wit in the morning and evening of this great day of his appearance Verse 8. I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending saith the Lord which is and which was and which is to come even the Almighty Here the Divinity of Christ is plainly asserted who counts it no robbery to be equal with God and to take his attributes unto himself And that the person here intended by the Spirit is Christ is clear from the precedent verse the same person that came with clouds and was pierced is the same here described who is the Alpha and Omega and this is most evident by collating it to verse 11. and 17. where he that is the first and the last who was dead but now alive commands John to write what he saw and that was Christ verse 1. Christ is here called the Alpha and Omega which are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet and which is and which was and which is to come even the Almighty Out of which description of his person Note Observ That Christ is one and the same infinite almighty and eternal God of himself with the Father from everlasting By him all things were made in the beginning and without him nothing was made and by him all things shall end This eternal Word or Christ was with God from everlasting and this Word was God and therefore takes unto himself the essential and absolute incommunicable properties of God unto himself and therefore this is a most express Scripture if there were not any more of this consort in the word of God wherein it abounds to â—ay low the reasons of the greatest pretenders to reason in the world the reasonless Arrianized Socinians of these times who deny the Divinity or Godhead of Christ Collate with this to this purpose verses 4 and 5. of this chapter Verse 9. I John even your brother and companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ was in the Isle called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ John in this verse describes his condition and the place wherein he was when he received this Revelation using the loving and common Christian compellations of brother and companion in tribulation the word in the original is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a fellow commoner or fellow-sharer in affliction From whence by the way observe from
of all your adversaries yea it is the way and method that Christ builds his Church by by the way of the cross and sufferings Sanguis Martyrum semen Ecclesiae The Martyrs blood was God's seed-plot of his Church and Truth There is no promise that God's Saints shall be freed from Tryals but there is a faithful promise that they shall not sink under it for he will lay no more on them then they are able to bear If God calls any to witness his truth by tribulation and persecution he gives them hearts of courage and constancy to bear it he administers sutable strength unto the temptations the strong in faith have stronger tryals then the weak yet both are preserved by a divine supply and influence that neither perish under them Peter is desired by Satan to be winnowed as wheat yet Peter shall be still Peter a Rock for Christ hath prayed for him Job is given into the hand of Satan to be touched in al that he has and is dear unto him yet Job by this means is preserved and made an everlasting example of faith and patience to all generations to come The divel receives loss by afflicting Christ's churches for they grow the better for it as Gold by the Refiners fire loses its dross so the Saints are more resplendent in their graces in the times of sufferings and less corrupt and earthy then in prosperity as these and former days witness The worst that the divel can cast on them is death and that is gain unto them and an entrance unto a crown of life Observ 2. Another Note is That wicked tyrannical men in the imprisonments and persecutions of the Saints of Christ are said to do the work of the divel We well know that the divel himself did not cast those poor persecuted Saints of Smyrna into prison but they were divellish and wicked men who were as the Instruments of Satan to do his work and set his designs in execution O sad to consider When men open their mouths against the Saints in blasphemies and reproaches their mouths are only Satans Organs that he belches out his malice by when they lift up their hands against them in loading them with persecutions and tribulations they are but Satans wheels whereby he moves and acts all his vilanies yea and are called Satan himself Consider seriously this all ye that lift up your tongues and hands against the Saints of God and tremble Observ 3. Another Note is God's ends and the divel 's are far different in laying afflictions and tribulations on the Saints God's end is That they may be tryed not destroyed as gold is cast into the Refiners fire that it may come forth more purified so God's Saints are cast into the fire of tribulations that they may be purged from their dross kept closer and more undefiled unto him then before The divel 's end is that they may not only be broken under affliction and tribulation and therefore he is termed Apollyon a Destroyer because he delights in the destruction and ruine of the godly but also he aims and intends thereby to vilifie the truth of God and if possibly he can to bring the Professors of the truth by heaping afflictions on them to impatience and become wayward towards God and his truth and as Job's wifes advice was unto her husband to bring him unto a desperate condition to curse God and die This is Satans designe in afflicting the godly either that they thereby may become Dastards and Apostates unto the Truth that both the truth and godly may be vilified and scandalized or else that they may provoke God by their foolish wayward and impatient carriage under it and so provoke God to become their adversary and to chastise them for it Satan doth indeed desire to winnow us as wheat but sure not for our good not to cleanse away our Tares and â—arnel from us but to destroy us and undo us if he may but our comfort is Christ hath prayed for us that we shall not fail but hath given us also spiritual weapons to oppose his fiery darts and to silence the Tempter in all his soul destroying temptations for ever Gon desires by afflicting us to try our faith and keep us closer to him that so we may become his approved children as it is in Heb. 12. Deut. 8.16 Satan is on another pin he desires thereby to draw us further from God and God also from us if he may by provoking him against us by our untoward carriages under the rod. O Lord lay no more on us nor give power to Satan to touch us farther then thou hast given us strength and ability from thy self to resist or bear with patience and so we pray Lead us not into temptatation Object But some may say God tempteth no man according to Isa 1.13 How then say you that God tempts and the divel tempts I answer First Indeed God that is the Author of all good cannot be the Author of evil as evil is a sin and an obliquity to his holy and righteous Laws for he is God and unchangeable holiness it self and therefore he never presents seducements or motions to sin This is the proper work of Satan and their own lusts and far from the nature of the unchangeable holiness of God But secondly God tempts as temptation is taken for tryal and so tries the obedience and faith of his children by divers temptations and afflictions as he did Abraham Moses c. Object 2. But again you will say Does not God in his inevitable Decrees and Providences cast us necessarily upon the objects and temptations unto sin therefore may be said to be author of them and to tempt thereunto I answer It was God's providence that the wedge of gold lay in Achans way and it was the purpose and decree of God from everlasting that Judas should betray his innocent master and it was by God's providence that Bathsheba was presented naked to David's eye yet this doth not at all make God the author of sin nor render Achan Judas or David the less culpable for their sins for God's secret Decrees and providential dealings with and towards his creatures are no rules of duty unto us nor render us more excusable for our failings for God does neither enforce our wills either physically or morally by urging or enclining them to act in sinful ways or by counselling or perswading thereunto for that as I said before is against his holy Nature and so tempteth no man but when we are drawn aside it is by our own lusts and concupiscences God is free from the charge thereof otherwise then as the Sun that casts his efficacious beams on a stinking dunghil makes it send forth unsavoury vapours the nearest cause is the intrinsique corruption of the dunghil the Sun is only a more remote cause he only sends forth as it were its providential heat whereby the dunghil is enflamâ—d and so sends forth from its corrupted wombe most
were Ezekiel Daniel and others of Gods precious children in Babylon amongst the Caldeans It is the common lot of the godly to be amongst Briars and Thorns that will nothing but scratch and tear them and therefore it should be no strange thing nor too great a vexing burden unto us that God and providence hath disposed of our habitations amongst the ungodly For hereby 1. God hath the greater glory from us 2. We are kept closer to him 3. Our Graces shine more eminently as Stars in a frosty night shine clearest and Fishes in the saltest Seas are sweetest so we keep our savor the better for it and our Graces are more enlivened 4. Our Conversations it sutable to Gods word may be a means of their conversion amongst whom we live Obs 3. To a Godly soul to have its habitation amongst the wicked is a Soul vexing grief Righteous Lot was vexed with the filthy conversation of the Sodomites 2 Pet. 2.7 Though God hath disposed this in his providence yet it is an affliction and for the present grievous Wo is me saith David that I sojourn in Mesech and that I dwell in the Tents of Kedar with a barbarous profane people that were like to the posterity of Mesech and Kedar O what a burden it was to Moses and to all true Israelites to dwell amongst the Egyptians How did the poor captive Israelites weep when they were in Caldea by the River of Chebar And what a burden it is still for honest believing Souls to dwell amongst a profane and wicked multitude Where they cannot stir out of doores or converse but with very few but that they shall hear God profaned his Name blasphemed his Truths and Scriptures slighted vilified derided and jested at his Saints and Faithful ones either spitefully treated openly persecuted or at least closely undermined to bring the rod of affliction upon them Therefore among the truly godly the society and cohabitation of the Saints is most desirable but of the wicked most grievous and loathed Obs 4. God hath the more special eye of care and providence over his people that have their habitations amongst the wicked and ungodly Though they dwell where Satan's Seat and Throne is yet God holdeth them as the seven Stars in his right hand verse 1. and he knoweth their works of tribulation and where they dwell and therefore is present with sutable grace and strength from himself for their support and comfort Thou remembrest us said David in our low estate Where Christ's Church hath the greatest enemies God will shew himself their greatest friend where his Saints are most afflicted and straitned there he will supply with a greater measure of grace and enlargement In Babylon of old among the inveterate enemies of God and his Israel God sent an Ezekiel Daniel Ezra c. choice men and Prophets of God for their comfort and consolation So we often see in the most barbarous and wicked places of the World that God sends there the greatest soundest and clearest light to his servants that dwels amongst them Ephesus Smyrna Pergamus c. places of Idolatry and cruelty and where Satan's seat was had their Angels and Martyrs that shined in true faith and godliness The Churches of Christ of late years have shined more eminent in faith and holiness in Switzerland in Saxony in Savoy and the barbarous corners of the Pyrenean mountains and Alpes then other places of the World and so in England and Scotland under the Antichristian and persecuting Bishops of late the Saints then living under them did shine more eminent in their graces then now they do in this their day of prosperity and many then were more faithful Martyrs unto the truth of Christ then now they are for the more high Satan and his instruments are against the Saints God's care over them is the more intense and the measure of his graces the more enlarged towards them Obs 5. That it is the Saints great duty and their highest glory to hold fast their faith and profession of the truth in the worst times and amongst the worst of people The Church at Pergamus is approved for holding fast Christ's Name and Faith amongst them in whom Satan did bear sway and in such a time when Antipas was Martyred and suffered death for the same profession It is an easy matter to carry a full sail of profession when the soft gale of prosperity bloweth neither is it any difficult matter for an hypocritical heart to seem godly with the godly to be sober with the sober or to be righteous amongst the righteous But the spirit of a man is then tried when his habitation is amongst the ungodly that can keep himself sound amongst their corruptions upright and perfect amongst the unrighteous and untainted with their follies and sweet as Fishes in the Brackish Ocean The three faithful children would not bow in Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar's Image though death it self attended them Be thou faithful unto the death and thou shalt have a Crown of life Many will follow Christ in smiling times or when the State does countenance Christ and godliness this is to follow Christ for the loaves sake But when Christ is hurried to Pilat's Hall of Judgment his formal followers will forsake him yea Peter himself may deny him weak Christians may stumble and draw back when Pillars of the Church as Peter fall so fouly He is the only approved Christian that will hold his profession fast before the face of Nero and Dioclesian as the virum victoriae which St. Austin mentions and at the Stake can freely with Stephen forgive his enemies and commend his spirit unto his God Jo Hus Hierom of Prague the poor Waldenses and our later Christian Martyrs as Bradford Philpot Glover c. in our English Marian days hath with Antipas for their constant witnessing unto the truth and faith of Christ attained the ever-living and honorable names of faithful Martyrs of Christ and that most justly in that they suffered in the worst of times when Antipas was slain that is in a persecuting bloody age when many godly persons burnt at the Stake and amongst the worst sort of people the wicked Antichristian Tyranizing and bloody Prelates for holding fast the profession of the truth and faith in such ungodly times and amongst such a divelish crew amongst whom Satan had his Throne sway and full Dominion they justly shall ever live in the memory and hearts of all the faithful as Reverend Martyrs unto Christ and his truth Thus for a man to be a Lot in Sodom never touched with Sodom's wickedness to keep himself pure and sincere and undefiled in the midst of a crooked generation to shine as a light in the midst of darkness this brings honor both to God and man Obs 6. The graces of well approved and faithful Christians departed are to be set forth as patterns and examples to the living both for encouragement and imitation Antipas is here set as an example of
them is charity its precedency lies in this 1. In that it perfumes and enlivens all the other graces faith it self is dead without it And to suppose a faith without love is to suppose a man without a soul The gifts of prophesies tongues and miracles are but barren and usless things without this 2. This hath for its object both God and Man we exercise our faith and hope only towards God and his promises but our charity is extended both towards God and Man And therefore love is called Rom. 13.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the fulfilling of the Law it is the whole sum and hinge on which the commandements turn In this one word charity both the Tables of the decalogue are abridged 3. It excells in that it is the greatest note of our interest in God and Christ Faith is that giveth right unto the promises but love is that giveth life to faith It is the very soul of all our graces If we gave our bodies to be burnt for Christ and had not charity it will profit nothing 1 Cor. 13.3 By this we know that we are passed from death to life because we love the Brethren 1 John 3.14 and Ia. 1.12 The Crown of life is promised to them that love God and Rom. 8.28 Love is made the very discovery of effectual calling and election 4. Love excells in that it is the perfection of the Law it is the very end of the Commandments 1 Tim. 1.5 and were Love but perfect in us it would make us perfect Keepers and Observers of the Law both towards God and Man Love knits the Members of Christs Body together and so perfects his Body It unites us to God and so maketh the perfecting of divine love in us 1 John 4.12 17. and here it is we are commanded twice to put on love above all things 1 Pet. 4.8 and Col. 3.14 but once above all things to take the shield of faith 5. And lastly when faith hope patience and all other graces ceases charity abideth Love is not only a portion for the Saints in this life but in the other also then we shall love God and Christ when faith and hope ceaseth therefore justly did Christ in this place and the Apostle in 1 Cor. 13.13 give it the precedency above al other Graces of the Spirit 2. Love brings forth another grace service external worship and obedience him whom we love we obey we serve we honour and worship The service of love is most intense and effectual When Christ communed with Simon Peter John 21. and asked him thrice Simon Son of Jonas lovest thou me Yea Lord thou knowest it saith Peter Christ answered feed my sheep The more love that Peter manifested the more service and duty was put upon him Services that we perform to God not out of love but formality or custome are but as scabbed or lame Sacrifices under the Law which the Lord hated Right ends in our services are First Love and zeal to God's glory Secondly Love to the obedience of God's commandments Thirdly Love to the edification of others These ends makes us a true and sincere worship love goeth through all and is the fulfilling of the Law 3. Thyatira is approved for her faith made lively and effectual by love True faith is never seperated from love they go hand in hand together but love hath the precedency for the reasons aforesaid though faith is first in order of nature for faith is that grace that gives the first being unto a christian but love is the perfection of that being There must be first a knowledge of God and assent unto his truths which is the first act of faith before we can love that God or his Truths but withal I say there is so inseperable union between these two graces no sooner hath faith a being and a body but love comes to animate it to make it sound lively and perfect Observ hence Note That it is not a bare opinion or entertainment of the truth that is a true lively faith but that that worketh by love Many will one day say we have prophesied in thy Name taught in thy Name cast out devils in thy Name professed and beleived thy truths and yet the Lord will say unto them I know you not and all for want of this grace of love towards God and his Saints A sound and true faith contains in it these three principal ingredients that gives the very form and being to it First A sound distinct knowledge of the thing believed I know and am perswaded saith Paul Rom. 14.14 Persons that are ignorant of Gods promises and of the word of eternal life can never believe aright Secondly A firm perswasion strongly assuming the heart As a sound believer must not be an ignorant soul so must he not be a wavering-minded man but must have an undeceivable certainty and truth in that he does believe Thirdly A confident resting and rejoycing with satisfaction unto the Soul surely looking to enjoy that it does beleive True faith hath these four acts and degrees in it 1. Knowledge 2. Assent 3. Adherence and 4. Assurance A believer may have the three first acts and want the latter and a sound beleiver and a justified person Though God for causes to himself known may never give the grace of Assurance yet that faith that only knows God distinctly to be a God of salvation in his promises to repentant sinners through Christ and so takes him and adheres unto him in the love and truth thereof doubtless that soul shall never be a cast-away though God's presence of assurance and joyful satisfaction be never manifested unto him If we be saved it is enough though God reserves his comfortable presence and inward love for us unto another world 4. Thyatira hath another excellent grace and that is Patience or sufferance with patience as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 carries it in the Greek A wicked man may suffer affliction but not suffer with patience without murmuring swearing or blaspheming as the godly doth The wicked may haue patience perforce and unwillingly when he cannot help it the afliction being above his reach to remedy but the godly is patient as it is an effect of love because he loveth much he is ready to suffer much with constancy and patience as Jacob served two seven years hardship for his beloved Rachel so a faithful soul is ready to suffer all afflictions chearfully and with much patience all the years of his life because he loves God and Christ and so accounts the afflictions of this life not to be valued with the glory that shall hereafter be revealed to all those that love God 5. Thyatira was a growing fruitful church her latter works were more then her first done upon better grounds and better principles From whence Note Observ That the gracious works of the more grown Christians doe exceed those of the younger sort in soundness The Neophites or young Christians may be more zealous
is impossible Dan. 7.13 14. The Kingdom is said to be given to Christ which in vers 22. and 27. is said to be given unto the Saints they are so reciprocal and so united that what is done by the one is said to be done by the other they are so far from being tearmed contraria that they are hardly diversa though I shall grant the Saints subordinate unto Christ yet what is predicated of the one is often predicated of the other in Scriptures and therefore it is no hard saying to assert that believers under Christ their head and as his members and by his donation and assistance shall do his own peculiar work as subordinate instruments unto himself for Qui facit per alium facit per se and so may the Saints have power over the Nations and rule them with a rod of Iron till they be broken as a Potter's vessel and this interpretation stands with best reason for though our late Bibles have included all the 27. v. in a Parenthesis saving the last clause thereof as if it were on purpose to cut it off from having any applicatory reference to the conquering Saints in the 25. and 26. v. and to be reserved solely applicable unto Christ but surely such Interpreters could not have a righteous intention in such a service for in the best Greek copies as Stephanus and others there is not a tittle or stroak of a Parenthesis but the continued speech in the 25 and 26. verses it is to the overcoming christian and so continued as a farther addition in the 27. verse until the latter clause thereof come in even as I have received of my Father which makes it plain For what had Christ received of his Father Power over the Nations to rule over them with a rod of Iron and to breake them in pieces as a Potter's vessel Psal 2.9 Rev. 19.15 as if he had said even as I have received this power and dominion of my Father over the Nations so will I give it to him that shall overcome and get the victory over all false ways and practises and he shall be co-partner with me in this my Throne and Kingdom cap. 3. 21. The intention of the Spirit being cleared in these words to be the conquering Saints to whom power is given over the Nations to rule them with a rod of Iron and to break them in pieces as a Potter's vessel Next I shall enquire what the power is that is given them First It is such a power whereby they shall judge the Nations so our new Annotations have it Secondly It is such a power that they thereby shall get victory and subdue all theirs and the truth's Enemies so Bishop Hall on the place Thirdly It is such a power whereby they shall break all the obstinate Enemies of Christ to peices as a Potter's vessel The first is confirmed from 1 Cor. 6.2 Mat. 19.28 Jude 14.15 The second and third are confirmed from this vers and Psal 2. compared to Rev. 19.18 19. c. where Christ and his Armies powers out the full Vials of divine wrath upon all their obstinate enemies to the utmost Again This power over the Nations and ruling by a rod of Iron and breaking them in pieces as a Potter's vessel must needs be understood of a corporal breaking ruling and overpowering and not a spiritual So that spiritual is a strange worke to a rod or Scepter of Iron Christs golden Scepter of his word is the only instrument to make the Nations bow to his spiritual Kingdom but for the refusers thereof he hath another Scepter in another day to be exercised on them a rod of Iron and force whereby he will destroy the mighty ones of the earth that are his enemies and will dash them in pieces like a Potters vessel to the making the Kings and Judges of the earth wise and to kiss the Son lest he be angry Psal 2.10 11. Hence Note Observ That Christ's faithful Saints have a day to come to judg rule and reigne over the Nations as well as now to suffer under them Though this be the day of their sufferance and patience yet there is a kingdom joyned to it cap. 1. 9. Though John was a brother and companion to the seven churches in tribulation and patience yet he was too in the hopes of the kingdom to be revealed This Kingdom was never yet fulfilled to the Saints of God but still rather the contrary hitherto the Nations of the world break the Saints and churches of Christ by their iron Scepters of force and power Both Mahometanes and Popish Antichristian Rulers and Princes not sparing Christ's little flock but breaking them in pieces as a Potters Vessels and therefore it is most equitable that they shall have a day too as a reward of their faithfulness and sufferance wherein they shall lead captivity captive and give their enemies the same measure that they formerly meted forth unto the Saints for they are worthy 2. This kingdom as yet hitherto was not given to the Saints nor yet will be for this power over the Nations and this rod of iron is put into their hands as the result of their perseverance in the truth at the second coming of Christ as in the last precedent verse is declared Hold fast till I come and in that day when Christ comes to him that overcometh he will give power over the Nations c. Now this was promised long after Christ's first coming in the flesh and also after his special coming in the spirit and therefore yet there will be a day when he will come again to fulfil this promise before the ultimate end of all and for any to expect this rule over the Nations by the rod of iron before Christ comes and appears in the clouds to the performance of this great work they may reigne but without Christ they may get power over the Nations but not in Christ's way or his giving Hence another Note arises Observ 2. That it is Christ alone that gives power into the hands of his Saints over the Nations They are not to catch at it themselves This time is Christ's spiritual and his intercessory kingdom and if we fight with or use any other weapons therein then are spiritual we may lose the benefit of his second kingdom which is reserved as a reward of our obedience under the first kingdom He that walks spiritually and soberly under the first of grace and spirit doubtless the second also will be his portion otherwise he is in danger to lose both his comforts here and his portion hereafter in the other kingdom also Verse 28. And I will give him the morning Star This is an additional degree of happiness to the overcoming Saints in that day when they shall judge and rule the Nations with a rod of iron In ver 17. it is called Hidden Manna and a white stone wherein a new Name is written and formerly a Crown of life and the Tree of
life in the Paradise of God c. all being variety of expressions to set forth the great and excellent glories of the other world Christ did formerly promise the participation of himself in that his glorious kingdom to the conquering Saints under the Types of Hidden Manna Tree of Life and in this verse as the morning Star Christ is the bright morning Star First Because he then brings comfort with him to his afflicted churches Secondly He brings light with him to his ancient people the Jews that now sit in darkness and in the shadow of death Rom. 11.25 2 Pet. 1.19 This morning Star is the same with that Sun that rises in Malachy 4.2 with healing in his wings and must of necessity signifie Christ's personal appearance again as the greatest part of the crown and reward of his faithful ones and for the healing enlightning and conversion of his ancient church and people the Jews Hence Note Observ That Christ will appear again to the comfort of his afflicted Gentile churches and to the enlightning and conversion of his ancient people the Jews before the ultimate end of all and general judgement Because then is a day of total destruction not an appearance for the conversion of them that are in unbelief That is the time when the Saints receive their utmost glory not striving ruling and over-powring the Nations Christ then delivers up all power unto the Father 1 Cor. 15.24 therefore that is no day to give power into their hands over the Nations In the day of ultimate judgment Gog and Magog and all the churches enemies are caught and cast into the Lake of fire and brimstone for evermore cap. 19. 20. Therefore it is no day of ruling over them for that day then will be past and over To conclude the Saints temporal reigne begins with the appearance of this Morning Star and ends with the final destruction of all the wicked but their heavenly glory shall never end And for the conclusion of this chapter Vers 29. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches Let the wise intelligent christian consider and ponder what the Spirit saith to each of these churches and from the often repetition of the Spirits memento in these words take this conclusion That Christ's Doctrines and Prophesies cannot be too often inculcated upon the hearts and memories of his people CHAP. III. Verse 1. And unto the Angel of the Church in Sardis write these these things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God and the seven Stars I know thy works that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead CHrist proceeds with his charge against the church at Sardis superscribed unto the Angel or chief Minister of that church for the reasons before specified chap. 2. v. 1. Write these things saith he that hath the Spirits of God and the seven Stars I cannot joyn unto their Interpretation that makes the seven Spirits and the seven Stars to be all one to wit Christ's seven Angels of his Churches which he carries in his hand cap. 1. 20. so it would seem a tautologie whilst a more convenient sense may be found applicable to it to wit These things saith he which hath the seven Spirits of God that is the Spirit of God in his sevenfold graces and perfections for the number seven in all Prophetical writings doth intimate perfection as cap. 1. 5. and 4. 5. and this sevenfold spirit of perfection being Christ's own spirit and being sent by him and at his disposal and therefore Christ may be truly verified to have the seven Spirits of God or the sevenfold operating Spirit of God as well as the seven Stars in his hand and disposal Hence Note Observ That the Spirit of grace and a gratious Ministry are the special inseparable gifts of Christ towards his Churches They are inseparable companions where the one doth go the other is present also If Christ comes with seven Stars in his right hand he comes with the seven Spirits in his left hand to that people also A true Ministry and the Spirit are never separated Though I should not ty up God to those means only yet ordinarily it is in vain to expect Christ in the Administration of the Spirit without the Ministerial Adminstration of his Stars and Angels They are as it were the Charioteers of the Spirit The Word is the Spirit 's Vehiculum or Chariot but the Ministers thereof are those that carry and support this Chariot on the shoulders never think that the Spirit the glory of this Chariot will come or rest in our Temples unless it be brought unto us by the feet of those Stars those beautiful ones that bring the glad tidings of peace God hath so linked together in his all-wise decrees and predeterminations the concatenation of subordinate causes or mediums unto salvation that ordinarily one cannot be effected without the other and so we are saved by faith in Christ through the sanctification of the spirit and word One will not doe this work without the concurrence of the other but when Christ comes with them joyntly together either to a particular Soul or Church he makes them of a wilderness and a land of darkness a Goshen and a land of light And happy is that people to whom Christ so cometh with his seven Spirits and his seven Stars with his gracious Spirit and spiritual Ministry and for such whose lot is fallen in such a Land I say their lot is fallen in a goodly Heritage But what is the reason that Christ here appears under this representation of one that hath the seven Spirits of God and the seven Stars I Answer Christ is upon discovery of the hypocritical defections of the church of Sardis and thererefore he needs to appear not only under a searching piercing and spiritual administration as one that can search the reines and hearts cap. 2. 23. and as one that hath the seven spirits of God or the sevenfold searching Spirit of God which knoweth the hidden things of man but also under a lightsom administration of the seven Stars for a further discovery and conviction of their hypocritical practises and therefore the church of Sardis's hidden hypocrisies and inward rottenness being searched out by the Spirit of God and made manifest by the true light and Ministry of the seven Stars Angels or Ministers of the word he falls upon them with his charge against them and tells them I know thy works that thou hast a Name that thou livest and art dead Hence by the way Note Observ That Christ's spiritual Ministry in the hands of his Ministers and Embassadors can try the secret and hidden things of man The spiritual man saith the Apostle judgeth all things and is judged of none And if a private spiritual member may judge Judicio discretionis then surely much more the publique Embassadors and authorised Ministers of Christ they can try by the Word and Spirit whither our works profession
in the time of his coming in the maner of his coming in the disposition of his coming it is to destroy and spoil When Christ said unto the man that had not the Wedding Garment Friend how camest thou in hither without thy Wedding Garment Take him bind him hand and foot and cast him into utter darkness This was an act of a dreadful Judge in cap. 1. ver 14 15. Christ eyes and feet were like unto flames of fire he had fiery judgments in his hands against his churches which destroyed and dissolved them for their sins and transgressions It was Christ that sent the miserable desolating judgments on the Jews by Titus and continues it over them until this day It is Christ that sends the sword and blood unto the Nations round about for their iniquities It is Christ that goeth forth on his red Horse of judgments to War against Babylon the Beast and false Prophet and all their cursed complices and adherents Rev. 19 We may conceive and conceive amiss when we think that it is man that blows these coals of War and contentions in the world but it is Christ that doth it Luk. 12.49 I am come to send fire on the earth and Mat. 10.34 I come not to send peace but a sword for I am come to set a man at variance against his Father and the daughter against her mother and the daughter in Law against her mother in Law and a mans foes shall be they of his own houshold And this fire hath been kindled among us and other neighbour Nations and who is able to put it out unless it be Christ to whom power is given to compose all our differences and dissentions who hath the Key of David and opens and no man shuts and shuts and no man opens If Christ opens the sluce and door of his desolating judgments who can shut it up or keep them back But if he shuts the door of his wrathful judgments and sets a stop unto the current and progress of them who can open it For it is he alone that can treat War and all the miseries thereof and can again produce the happy fruits of tranquility and peace Object But if any one should unadvisedly Object This were an evil to affirm that Christ sends the sword and war into the world or think it harsh that he that is the Lamb of God should put on such a fiery posture abhorrent to his meek and peaceable nature or say it is not strange for the wicked to do this work or to see fire come forth from a bramble Judg. 9.15 this were but ordinary but to see fire come out from the Vine from Christ this is most strange and abhorrent to their understandings I answer As Christ is the Lamb slain so also he is the Judge of all the earth and a Judge you know must have his Sheriffs the Executioners of his Judgments and Sentences So Christ takes the Sword War Famine and Pestilence they are the Executioners of Christ's Judgments against the delinquent wicked ones of the world and so he uses them lawfully and justly And for such as will not kiss the Son obey him fear him and love him he can be angry with them though they be the Kings the great ones and Judges of the earth Psal 2.10 11 12. Christ can raise up Cyrus Nebuchadnezzar Heathen Kings and call them his Servants and make them his Instruments to do his works of Judgments against his rebellious Prophets and send them forth as Ottoman Mahomet Selimus c. to be just Executioners of Gods wrath upon dead formal and luke warm christians and therefore I say unto all such as have but the least spark of grace and true life in them hold fast be watchful and repent or else Christ will come upon thee suddenly as a thief both with his particular temporal Judgments and with his eternal also Vers 4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments and they shall walke with me in white for they are worthy It may be first demanded who the person is that hath these few names in Sardis Doubtless it is meant of the Angel Pastor or Minister of the church who principally receives this charge and to whom the whole is directed to be made known unto the church to and over which the Holy Ghost had made him Overseer Pastor or Angel Thou hast that is under thy charge a few Names even in Sardis Names are here put for Persons Act. 1.15 The number of the Names that is of men or persons that were in one place were about an hundred and twenty and Rev. 11.13 it is said that in the Earth quake were slain of men seven thousand in the Greek it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The names of men that were slain were seven thousand And I conceive this word Names is not used by the Spirit simply to denote the persons of men as thus Thou hast a few persons in Sardis which have not defiled c. but also to demonstrate the quality of the persons they were a few Names that is a few persons of Name and Quality they were Names of men or men of Name of excellent spirits tempers weight and quality for they had not defiled their garments they were not so much as outwardly tainted by the common wickedness and iniquities of Sardis And those poor souls shall walk with me in white To walk with Christ is to be sharer and partaker with him in his Heavenly enjoyments With whom we walk we communicate with him enjoy his discourse councel presence familiarity friendship and all other comforts whatsoever that is possibly to be enjoyed by him And they shall not only so walk with Christ but they shall walk with him in white A white raiment was usually set by antiquity on the acquited innocent absolved person but a black on the guilty and condemned This hath some allusion to the former white Stone which was given either to the conquering or to the innocent absolved Saint So to walk with Christ in white is no more then to partake with Christ either a free absolution at the last day o◠to be with him as white innocent conquering Saints at the resurection for they are worthy that is those pure undefiled souls are accepted by me as worthy of such happinesses Note hence from the person that had these few names in Sardis Observ 1. That Christians of the best Quality and Name are under the charge and oversight of their Pastors and Angels Thou hast a few names in Sardis Christ is the supream ruling teaching and influencing head over his church but the Pastor or Minister is the subordinate organical head to every particular church And so the hand or eye cannot say unto the head I have no need of thee a body without a head will be but a trunck unfit for lively motion So a church without a Pastor or Minister may be a body but very liveless and useless
when they call themselves so and that they are not of the true christian church but of the Synagogue of Satan See more hereon cap. 2. vers 9. Behold I will make them that they shall come and worship before thy feet and they shall know that I have loved thee These words contain a promise to the church of Philadelphia that Christ would make those enemies of hers the blaspheming Iews to come and worship before her feet that is would make them to submit to the Scepter of Iesus Christ and to worship him in the presence of Philadelphia which for her purity and soundness may pass for a type and figure of the true church of Christ before whom these carnal formal Iews shall fall low and worship Object But if it be demanded Whom shall they be made to worship I answer First God in Christ whom they have blasphemed and dishonoured the sole object of Divine worship which Philadelphia and the true church do honour and obey Secondly They shall civilly worship and reverence Philadelphia and the true church for the honour that Christ hath put upon her and so will think it an honour indeed to come under the same profession worship and discipline with the christian church And when I have done this saith Christ they shall know that I always loved thee and that thou wert most dear unto me Now this Prophesy and promise was never fulfilled unto Philadelphia in the full extent thereof only we read of some few of the malignant Iews given by Christ to the church of Philadelphia and others of that age but how this promise was fulfilled in the Latitude thereof it cannot enter into my understanding to comprehend For when ever did those perverse Iews that for their notorious malignity against Christ and the truth were justly called the Synagogue of Satan come and worship or bow down before the feet of Philadelphia Or when did they submit to the worship of the the churches of Christ only but in some first fruits and that before this was written to Philadelphia And when did the Iewish Sinagogue of Satan even to this day ever since become the true church of Christ more then some few scattering persons that were converted to the faith inconsiderable to the fulfilling of this promise Or when did ever God make it it eminently appear to them that the christian churches were the only beloved people and societys in the eye of God above all others in the world Seeing those things were never yet acomplished according to the fulness of this promise surely there is yet a time to come when there shall be a more universal call of the Iewish Synagogue into holy Philadelphia or the christian church then ever yet have been to this present day A Note hence will rise Observ That God will not only make the natural obstinate Iews but also their true counterpanes the nominal seeming Christians to come and bow before the true Spouse of Christ before the latter day This is confirmed from this verse wherein it is promised by Christ that the obstinate Iews should come in and worship before the feet of the church of Philadelphia but towards Philadelphia in the latter this was never as yet performed in the extensiveness of this Scripture as is above manifested therefore as yet to come to pass before the feet of the true Philadelphia the holy church of Christ And not only the natural Iews shal come in submit and joyn to the holy church of Christ but al formal birth christians shall also either come in and worship before this true church or else shall at least wise reverence this true holy church as the only beloved of Christ for the glory of the Lamb will be upon her and the Nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it and for her greater honour the Kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it Rev 21.23 And it is but just that God's true church and people should have a day too as well as their adversaries had theirs We know how that the great and lofty ones of the world have put all possible reproaches and afflictions on the Saints of God and churches of the purest judgment but yet the time is at hand that they shall be convinced and shall know the Saints to be the only beloved of God and the great interest and stay of Kingdomes and then the greatest Monarch will be glad to take hold on the skirt of a Jew to come under the protection of this holy church for their God is the Lord of Hosts Quest. And if any one ask when this shall be Answ When the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in and all Israel shall be saved Rom. 11. When Christ shall appear again for the restoring of his Kingdome then the Kingdome and Dominion and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given unto the people of the Saints of the Most High Dan. 7.27 then shall all come and worship before Philadelphia the glorious new united christian church of Jews and Gentiles And this shall be the true Sion the dwelling place of God's glory whereunto all Nations shall flock and worship before it and become one with it or otherwise shall be made bow unto the Iron Scepter of Christ whereby he will make all the Nations of the earth to submit to his Soveraigne Authority and fall and worship before his feet Rev. 19.15 Vers 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience I also will keep thee from the houre of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth That for which Philadelphia is commended for by Christ is for keeping the word of his patience This hath either respect to Christ or unto the church as if Christ had said because thou hast kept the word of my patience that is the word and doctrine which with a great deal of patience I have taught the world and with a like patience Preached it from time to time or else the effect being put for the cause Because thou hast kept the word of my patience that is the word of my Gospel which enjoineth and worketh patience Either or both of these senses may aptly be raised and entertained from these words without any prejudice unto the truth and intention of the Spirit in these words or 2. as respecting the Church of Philadelphia This word as it was the word of Christ's patience which he taught patiently the word is for many generations so it was received and kept by her with patience and constancy for which she had the reward of being kept from the hour of temptation Quest But whither was Philadelphia so saved and kept from the hour of temptation that fell upon all other her Sister churches that she was so freed that she was not touched by it Answ It is not probable that Philadelphia went free when the ten days of persecution under the Emperours
Domitian Trajane c. reach'd the rest of the neighbour Asian churches but she had her portion also of affliction and tryals under them ten persecutions But it seems by the Spirit 's expression here her portion herein was not so large as others had and therefore as to her it is called an hour of temptation a small particle of time respecting the former ten days that went over Smyrna cap. 2. 10. Quest How then is it said here that she is kept or saved from this hour of temptation Answ It is as if Christ had said I will deliver thee from the hour of temptation Now Christ is said to save or deliver from the hour of temptation several manner of ways First That the temptation or tryal should not at all touch them this was not promised to Philadelphia Secondly That though it should come upon them yet they should not suffer or quail under it but should overcome the temptation or calamity manfully by receiving strength from Christ to undergo it Thirdly That though they should suffer under this hour of tryal yet it shall not so reach them as to undo their eternal state and condition this is sealed secured and kept safe by Christ Fourthly They are saved and delivered from this hour of temptation comparatively as unto others there is no more laid upon them then they are able to bear it is but an hour a taste of affliction whiles others pass under ten burning days of tryals In these three latter senses Philadelphia may be said to be kept safe from the hour of temptation either from failing under it or loosing by it in their eternal estate or comparatively unto others Hence Note Observ That though the Saints may suffer in a day of tryal yet they receive little loss by it but raâ—her gain and profit It is but for a tryal and refinement of their graces not for a destruction of them It is but for an hour not for an age and though the common calamity or hour of temptation should so reach them as to deprive them of this life as often it does yet know there are saved and delivered from the judgments and evil of the temptation they are above that they are eternaly marked by God and not one of them shall be lost but shall be gathered and made up as his Jewels from out of the Ashes of the world In the execution of God's judgments God looks with a distinguishing and considering eye upon all persons that he toucheth therewith his eye distinguisheth between the pretious and the vile Psal 34.15 16. The eys of the Lord are upon the righteous and the face of the Lord is against them that do evil that when the hour of temptation is coming upon the whole world Christ is then taking a special care for his in saving them and sealing them from the evil of that hour In Rev. 7.3 when Christ sent forth his four destroying Angels a special charge was in the first place given them saying Hurt not the Earth neither the Sea nor the Trees till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads and so they went presently on to the sealing and securing of the servants of God before they went on with their destroying weapons compare Ezek. 9.4 c. hereunto O the goodness of our God who hath a special care of us and eye towards us in the common calamities of the world who will either preserve us as Israel in a Goshen or as Christ himself was in Egypt whilst the Herods of the world doe wrack their cursed malice upon the Infants of Judea for Christ's sake And so our temptation will be but for an hour as respecting others and if it reaches us further and seizes our persons and the relations most dear unto us be assured and know it is but an hour of temptation and we shall be delivered from it and become more then conquerors through Christ Master Brightman on this verse that makes the reformed church according to Calvine the counterpane of this of Philadelphia that the reformed church asserts the conterpane as the type formerly had is to have an hour of temptation a more grievous affliction far above all others yet a short one and is to come to pass by the Romish Antichrist in the West and the Turkish Mahometane in the East but yet herein the church shall get the victory And I am thus far of opinion with Master Brightman that before the great Battel of Almighty God and destruction of Antichrist the true church of Christ shall more eminently and signally be slain and trod under foot by her Antichristian enemies then at present she is For this is the day of striving and only of indeavouring to bring forth and Antichrist still hinders and prevails for it was given him all the time of his raign to make War with the Saints and to prevail Rev. 13.7 but before the end of his raign and about the finishing the Testimony of the faithful witnesses of Christ the Beast that ascendeth out of the Bottomless Pit and shall make war against them and not only overcome them but kill them Rev. 11.7 8. c. And their dead bodies shall ly in the street of the great City for three days and a half as the reproach and scorn of all their enemies and the expectancy of this signall day of affliction over the churches of Christ before the utter overthrow of the Antichristian Beast it far more conduces to the good of the churches of Christ then an over-hasty expectancy thereof that every one may be prepared by faith and holiness and remain unmovable in that day it being still the usual Method of Christ after great and signal calamities and afflictions to come with salvation joy and rest unto the church of God for he himself by the way of the cross entered into his glory Therefore you Saints think it not strange when such an hour of temptation cometh over you Christ will save and keep you from it and ye shall be conquerors at the last and shall raign on earth Rev. 5.11 To proceed to the next words Which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth This hour of temptation that was to come upon all the world is not to be understood of all the world indefinitely but in a limited sense as that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son c. that is the world that Christ died for his holy church and members for it is evident whatsoever the Arminâ—â—n and Universalist saith to the contrary that by the world here is meant the churches of Christ dispersed in Asia and else where for Christ never sends a day or hour of tryal on the wicked world for what need he so to do for they are neither regenerate nor under grace and therefore have no graces to make tryal of either by way of quickning strengthening or confirming so that when Christ promises to Philadelphia that he
remisness and inconstancy in the truth to wit the honour and reverence which their sincere profession acquired from the churches and all persons round about them Hence Note Observ That those churches that hold fast the truths of christ with most constancy and courage in the times of tryal become the most honourable and worthy of a crown of any people in the world Who but Philadelphia was worthy that the obstinate Jews enemies unto the truth should come and bow and worship before her She kept close to the word of Christ's patience therefore none shall take away her crown her honour shall still remain among the churches as long as any churches shall endure If we tread in the steps of faithful Philadelphia and hold fast and go on manfully in the profession of the faith God will make the formal Jews of our times the high pretending catholique churchmen to bow and worship before our feet Is not our name I mean the name of England grown honourable among the Nations their friends abroad and terrible unto their enemies And how comes this to pass but by means of the faithful in the land that held fast and maintained with courage and constancy the word of Christ's patience among us in an hour of temptation and tryal when the Prelatical fire of persecutions were on foot If we hold fast to Christ and persist in his truth and doctrine none shall be able to take away our crown but if we flag in our duties to him our crown will be the less and our honour will soon flag also When Israel kept close to God and reformed up unto his holy pattern in the Mount God made them famous among the Nations and a burdensome stone to all that medled with them but when they departed from God by their evil and abominable courses God gave them up into the hands of their enemies and led them into the Land of captivity and since for their obstinacy in iniquity they have quite lost their crown and become a dispersed people and a reproach among all Nations where they live And this is according to that good advice given by godly David as his last Legacy to his wise son Solomon in 1 Chron. 28.9 which is applicable to every faithful soul And thou Solomon my son Know thou the God of thy Father and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing minde for the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the Imaginations of the thoughts If thou seek him he will be found of thee but if thou forsake him he will cast thee off for ever Verse 12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God and he shall go no more out And I will write upon him the Name of my God and the name of the City of my God which is new Jerusalem which cometh down out of heaven from my God And I will write upon him my new Name In the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He that overcometh The Nominative case is put absolutely by a defect of a Preposition to of or for which is an Hebraisme the words are thus to be read As for him that overcometh I will make a pillar c. Agreeable to this are those places Rom. 8.3 For what was impossible to the Law by an Hebraism ought to be read as for or touching the impossibility of the Law and Psalm 18.30 Jehovah his way is perfect which we read The way of God or As for God his way is perfect The same reading is in Rev. cap. 2. 26. The reward of him that overcometh is double 1. I will make him a Pillar in the Temple of my God and he shall go no more out 2. Christ sets upon him a threefold Name The Name of his God The Name of New Jerusalem and His own new Name This allusion of a Pillar is taken up by the Spirit from those two Brazen Pillars in Solomon's Temple which was a Type of the true Temple and church of Christ and so nothing was made or placed therein in vain though they seemed small but did typifie and signifie somwhat to us Solomon called his two pillars which he erected by two remarkable Names 1 Kings 7.21 The right Pillar by the name of Jâ—hin and the left by the name of Boaz The one signifying He will stablish and the other In it there is strength So in the Antitype those overcoming Saints that Christ makes Pillars in the Temple of his God have these two qualities or properties put upon them establishment and perpetuity both in their spiritual strength and graces and also in their new church state which cometh down from heaven and lest any should think that those new Pillars of the Temple of God might fail as those of Solomon's did when they were broken and the brass thereof carried away by Nebuchadnezzar into Babel Jer. 52.17 there is another additional property put upon them then that of perpetuity and strength even of eternity in those words And he shall go no more out After the conquering Saints are taken into this holy Temple there is no fear of being turned out of possession of it no Nebuchadnezzar shall ever come and break them in pieces or carry them by force into captivity The Nebuchadnezzars of the world have always hitherto under several forms of Beasts and Governments carryed away and broken to pieces the weak and infirm pillars of the visible church fot indeed they were given into their hands by God to be overcomed and trodden under foot by them Rev. 11. but having at last overcommed by suffering and patience Christ will raise them up again to become Pillars in his New Temple that shall never go out any more and will make them other gates persons then ever formerly they were for he will write upon them the name of his God and what is that Jehovah Shaddai The Lord the mighty God and the name of the new Jerusalem which cometh down from heaven and his own new Name Phil. 2.9 All intimating their glorious state and dignity that Christ will put them in possession of in that new church-state which is promised them before the ultimate day of judgement which shall never perish nor any more be taken from them But on this more hereafter From the words I will make him a pillar in the Temple of my God Note Observ The over-coming Saints of Christ shall be made most honourable in the New Jerusalem the new Temple of God the new Church state that Christ will restore on earth before the end of all prophesied of Rev. 21.1 c. They are made pillars and pillars in the church are honourable James and John are called pillars great eminent Apostles and those were placed in the porch of Solomon's Temple for the great ornament and glory thereof They sit on Thrones judging the Nations round about They are made Kings and Priests unto their God And what more honourable then those high callings to the eye of men of
Kings Priests and Judges Yea the name of God of Christ and the new Jerusalem is written upon them and therefore sure most honourable Little do the high ones of this present generation with their counterfeit and mock-honour think that the now poor despicable Saints of Christ whom they so much scorn and trample under-foot are those for whose sakes the world is preserved from flaming fires and that one day shall become the only Kings Rulers and Princes thereof maugre all the malice of Satan and all their antichristian enemies in the world to the contrary If the great and honourable persons of the world did but verily believe that the Saints of Christ should one day become so honourable in the presence of the whole world they would more esteem them then they do as Heirs born unto so great a Kingdom It is the common and not unwise practise of politique courtiers when their old Soveraign or Prince is upon declining they adore and worship the next Heir or reputed Successor as the rising Sun as the nearest step to their preferments And will ye not be so wise ye sons of men to make good your interest with the rising Heirs and children of this great ensuing Monarch Three of the great Monarchs of the world are dead and we have seen their graves the fourth is sick with age if not even at deaths door having one foot in his grave already for his weakness and infirmity being but as an Image of the first Beast or of himself when he was in his youth under his Caesarian Heads and Empire And the fifth is drawing nigh having already poured out many Vials of ruine upon the fourth to make way for the appearance of himself this heavenly one And think ye is it not good and honest policy to come under the skirts of the câ—â—rtiers of this great and heavenly Prince to become one in faith manners discipline and interest with them that when he appeareth ye may joyntly reigne with him and them in his new and heavenly Kingdom It will be the first step unto honour and your rising to become one in interest with the now despicable and vilified Saints of Christ for though at present they differ nothing from servants yet know they will be one day heirs of all Observ 2. That Christ's new restored Church-state new Temple new Ierusalem that comes down from heaven shall never perish but be established for ever Though some would have these words to be made pillars in the Temple of God and to go out no more to signifie the stability of the faith of the elect whereunto I cannot wholly assent for though I grant that the faithful as Philadelphia are made pillars for their stability in the faith and strength of grace in the Temple of God and their faith is so confirmed to them that they never need to fear of utter failing or perishing yet there is more promised in this verse then a meer confirmation of the elect from non-falling away for the next coherent words do connote so much when Christ promises to write the name of the new Jerusalem and the new name of Christ upon them to be made pillars in the faith and to be established therein was always a continued promise and always performed to the church in all ages but the name of the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven and the new name of Christ which are annexed hereunto were never yet made good unto the church but hath reference unto a more glorious future church-state on earth spoken of Rev. 21 1. I saw a new heaven and a new earth which in vers 10. is called the great City the holy Ierusalem descending out of heaven from God which on the subsequent words of this verse shall more evidently be explained But to return This new church-state new Temple is to continue to perpetuity yea for everlasting they that enter thereinto are made firm as pillars not to be removed they that enter into the gates of the present visible Temple may again be removed ejected and lose their station for being not rooted in the faith yea and the Temple it self as those seven Asian Temples removed overthrown and extirpated for their iniquities But they that enter into this holy new Temple that comes down from heaven they are made pillars therein and shall never go forth more until Christ lays down his Kingdom unto the Father and God shall be all in all Not as some vainly object against the expectant tryumphing Saints That they shall reign for the term of a thousand years and then their kingdom shall cease But the truth is that when Gog and Magog shall be destroyed and all Christ's open enemies cast into the bottomless Lake of fire about the end of the Saints tryumphant thousand years Rev. 20.10 then that Kingdom which Christ during all that former happy millenary ruled and reigned in as Mediator and God-man which properly is called his Throne and his Kingdom shall be devolved and swallowed up by a more glorious Kingdom and the Saints translated in the highest heavenly glory which for the most excellent and God-like properties thereof is called in 1 Cor. 15.24 The Kingdom of God even the Father and wherein all Ordinances shall cease for Iohn in Rev. 21.22 saith And I saw no Temple therein for the Lord God almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it and in chap. 22. v. 5. describing further this glorious state he saith And there shall be no night there and they need no candle neither light of the Sun that is those ordinances or the like thereunto we now enjoy for the Lord God giveth them light and they shall reigne forâ—ver and ever They do therefore vainly cavil that say That Christ shall utterly and altogether cease to reigne in his Headship over his church tryumphant from that of 1 Cor. 15.24 where it is said When he shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God even the Father when he shall have put down all Rule and all Authority and power And in v. 28. And when all things shall be subdued unto him then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him that God may be all in all Now the Apostles meaning was not that Christ should cease to be Head of his church and so ever or at any time to cease to rule over them as the members of his body mystical whereof he himself is Head but when all his enemies are put under his feet and all Rules Powers and Authorities in the world are by him utterly vanquished and put down and when the last enemy death shall be destroyed and death and hell cast into the Lake of fire Rev. 20.14 after the general and last judgment of the dead then I say Christ shall deliver up to God even the Father his former Mediatory and Judiciary Kingdom whereby he ruled and reigned not only over his holy faithful ones by his Laws and ordinances but also
God of power and strength that shall be set upon them And when will it be but in that day when the new Jerusalem comes down from God out of heaven Rev. 21.2 Then the weakest Saint shall be as David and the house of David as Elohim Zach. 12. 2. The second name that is put upon them is that of the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven They shall not only visibly appear to have God's name and nature upon them but they shall also visibly appear to be citizens of that new Jerusalem that comes down from God and if it comes down from God and from heaven then surely it is meant of an estate here on earth and not in the supernal heavens as many dream of concerning this place and that of Rev. 21.2 That Jerusalem which is above and is celestial that abides and is fixed and shall not descend nor come down but this Jerusalem is to come down and to be with men Rev. 21.3 and God will dwell with them it were bâ—t a superfluous promise for God to tell the blessed in heaven he would dwell with them there that was beyond all doubt and therefore it must be here meant That the Tabernacle of God is with men when Christ comes before the last day to the great restauration of his church on earth And this new city and church-state is called by Christ The City of my God because God is the builder of it and it is said to come down from heaven and from God because the rise and dignity thereof shall be so great and wonderful that all shall acknowledge the power of God in the erecting thereof and that his hand did wholly rear it for God will have all the glory of it 3. Christ will write his own new Name upon them and what is that but that name mentioned in Rev. 19.16 King of kings and Lord of lords and this corresponds with that name in Phil. 2.9 which God had given Christ which is above every name at which name every knee should bow of things in heaven things in earth and things under the earth and in Heb. 2.8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet But now we see not yet all things put under him Surely Christ as yet had never this new name put upon him though he is exalted above the heavens into glory But we see not yet all things put in subjection under his feet nor yet every knee on earth to bow unto him or to worship him five parts in six of the world being Pagans or Mahometans that do not so much as take notice of him therefore sure not bow unto him and among professed christians how few do sincerely bow unto him all the godly know Neither as yet hath that new name of Kâ—ng of Kings and Lord of lords been put upon him as Mediator and God-man I grant that by vertue of his death and mediation all Kings in the world reigne and decree justice and as God he is the supreme Lord and King of kings But this is not all he must as Man be King of kings and Lord of lords and he must rule and reigne in another mode and posture then ever hitherto he hath done We have known him hitherto only as a Lamb and as a man of sorrows ruling by his spiritual Laws and Ordinances in and over his Saints only but we shall know him yet again with another new name written on him that no man knew but himself with his head crowned with many crowns and out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword that with it he should smite the nations and he shall rule them with a rod of iron Rev. 19.12.15 The Nimrods of the world have hitherto reigned and trodden under-foot the holy city of God and Christ hath been hitherto King of the Jews in Title only when Christ came first in the flesh he was only King of the Jews in jure in right and in God's purpose and decrees but never in possession and in esse Christ in his first coming was as an heir under years in the form of a servant though Lord of all which will be compleatly manifested at the accomplishment of his full age at his second coming he was promised and prophesied to be King of the Jews and so acknowledged not only by the three Wise men that offered to him in his swadling clouts Gold Myrrhe and Frankincense but by himself also and by that inscription on his cross though ironically set thereon by Pilate and the Jews yet by divine ordination it was written Jesus of Nazareth King of the Iews And this Kingly power of his shall one day be manifested when he will arise and take the iron Scepter of power and force in his hand to destroy all his enemies and opposers of his kingdom He then will make it appearâ— that he was he that was born King of the Jews and then will become King of Kings and Lord of lords And this new name of his he will write upon his faithful followers As he shall reigne and triumph over all the powers of the world so they shall be compartners and sharers with him in the honour and glory of this Kingdom they shall be taken into the fellowship of this glory and shall sit with him on his Throne as Kings judging the nations of the world Rev. 3.21 From the words Note Observ That God will make his Church most glorious and triumphant here on earth before the end of all He will put his own name upon her she shall be God-like in power strength and glory she shall have the name of the new Ierusalem that cometh down from God written on her that for her strength and glory is described in Rev. 21. To have her walls and gates strong and high and of precious stones built on the foundation of the twelve Apostles and the new name of Christ set upon ber As Christ shall be then King of kings so she shall be the Queen-city of the world Rome or Babylon shall be no longer the Empress of the Universe she shall lye in dust and ashes and become the habitation of Owls and Satyrs whiles this new Ierusalem or new church-state shall become the great city of the living God wherein his glory and light shall more eminently appear then in any other Society ever hitherto in the world All other Monarchies were but partial in respect of this Nebuchadnezzar's and the Persians reached but part of Asia Alexander's but a little further then theirs The Roman Caesars though farther in the West then the former yet not so extensive in the East as theirs The Spanish Mahometan Turkish Persian Tartarian and the rest of the Monarchies that are now a foot in the world the several branches heads or horns of the latter former Roman Beast are but small in respect of this universal Monarchy the church shall enjoy before the end of the world here on earth This mountain shall be set on the top of all other
mountains Christ and his Saints shall be the universal Monarchy in the world He and they shall rule the Nations not one of them but all of them with a rod of iron which never as yet was fulfilled but rather the contrary and therefore to be expected in its due time and season Quest But the great question and doubt is whether this Triumphant state of the church shall be here on earth or in the supernal heavens as some would have it Answ I answer The new Ierusalem or new church-state is to come down from God out of heaven as aforesaid and therefore sure not in heaven Secondly It is a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness according to 2 Pet. 3.13 now righteousness or justice is properly in earth among living Saints and is given unto them as an additional promise of future happiness in heaven above there was no fear to miss it or needed any promise for the confirmation of it Thirdly In this new State Christ shall rule the Nations with a rod of iron now surely 't is well known there are no Nations in heaven to be ruled with a rod of iron and therefore it must be on earth Fourthly This new city was measured by the Angel Rev. 21.17 and it was found according to the measure of man that is of the Angel one hundred forty and four cubits and how this finite measure can suit with the infiniteness and immeasurableness of the supernal heavens let the wise consider therefore surely it must be meant of an estate on earth Fifthly In verse 24. it is said That the Kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour unto it now this cannot be said of the supernal heavens for they can bring no addition unto that 6. To this new state there is promised That God will wipe off all sorrow and tears and that there shall be no night there Now this were superfluous to be promised and added to the supernal heaven the habitation of Gods glory and therefore it must be fulfilled to a new church state here on earth Seventhly and lastly How unreasonable would it be to describe the invisible heavens above with rivers with streets and with trees therein sutable only to an estate here on earth as this is in Rev. 22.1 2. And this is that Jerusalem which is above that Paul speaks of Gal. 4.26 which is the mother of us all it is called heavenly and from above because of its divine original and of its right of inheritance and it is said to descend or come down from God because God's singular power and mercy shall gloriously appear in building this new city And this new heaven or heavenly church state shall be on earth according to Rev. 21.1 and understand that subordiâ—ata non sunt contraria There may be a heaven on earth and yet a heaven above there may be a church triumphant on earth and yet in heaven also And therefore to close with that of Rev. 5.11 which is very downright and positive for the earth to be the place of the Saints triumphant reigne And we shall reigne on earth Quest But another question may be made whether this Imperial reigne of the Saints shall be after the general resurrection and judgment or before Answ I answer after the particular resurrection of the Saints and before the ultimate end of the judgment of the Nations and wicked of the world the Saints shall first arise and come with Christ and meet him in the clouds and be joyned to the Saints that are then alive which at the sounding of Christ's trump and in a moment shall be changed and made immortal as their brethren the raised ones are and they shall reigne a thousand years and over whom but over the unbelieving Nations of the world And this is Christ's great day of judgment and the day of his reigne wherein himself with his Saints and members do reign over and judge the wicked of the world wherein a thousand years is but as one day with God and this he does before the ultimate act of all for towards the evening of this great day God suffers Satan to gather together all the wicked of the world as the sand of the Sea shore under the conduct of Gog and Magog to endeavour the ruine of these immortal Saints if it were possible Rev. 20.8 9. but they are all taken in that enterprize with their leader Satan and cast into the lake of everlasting fire and presently thereon follows the general resurrection and judgement of all and all that were not found written in the book of life were cast into that lake of fire which is the second death And I would willingly demand of all that are contrary minded to what end should this new Jerusalem come down from heaven after the general judgement or after the ultimate end of all when all the elect Saints of God shall be translated into heaven into the Kingdom of God even the Father They that should conceive that the new Jerusalem or church state should descend unto the earth after all the Saints are carryed by Christ unto his long before prepared mansion even into that heavenly place where himself shall be and so we also shall be for ever with the Lord 1 Thes 4.17 John 17.24 I should judge them to want some Hellebore or rather true light from above to enlighten their dark understandings in this particular and therefore sure the time of the Saints triumphant reigne is to be here on earth before the ultimate end and general judgement of all the world From the words Which shall come down from heaven from my God Observe Observ 2. That that glorious new Church-state that the Saints shall enjoy or otherwise That the â—aints Imperial reigne shall be most eminently conspicuoâ—â— and openly known and acknowledged by all the Nations of the world Now the great question is Who are the true church or the only Saints in the world This question then will be cleared and put out of doubt and not till then wholly but in part according to the several measures of outward tokens and characters which may be counterfeit and hypocritical but then there shall be no deceit no hypocrisie shall lye hid the name of God will be writ upon them and of the new Jerusalem and of the Son of God and it will be so eminently obvious to all beholders and so plainly demonstrated in the operations and effects thereof as if the very name had been written in their foreheads and surely it must needs be so for this new city comes down from God he being the builder of it and John saw by a prophetical Vision this new City coming down from God out of heaven Rev. 20.2 And if it were already come down from God as some of those days do vainly dream of it would surely be known and acknowledged both by the godly and ungodly also by the godly as being the especial workmanship of his own hand only
in which their souls would delight Neither can they be ignorant thereof being to be sharers and compartners in that Kingdom though differing from one another in judgements and opinions the weak christian shall be a partner therein as well as the strong and therefore all of this sort must needs know it if it were come down from heaven on earth already 2. In the next place the wicked and ungodly of the world must needs then take notice of it also for there is written thereon the name of God of new Jerusalem and the new name of the same all signifying power strength and glory which they must needs be sensible of and feel the effects thereof unto their pain if the time were at hand that they should rule and break them as a Potters vessel as in cap. 2. v. 27. with a rod of iron That Kingdom that comes down from heaven from God shall surely be seen and acknowledged of all and especially coming with thaâ— power and glory as the day of the Saints triumphant reign does being ushered in with the most glorious appearing of the morning 〈◊〉 Christ in the clouds with myriads of his Angels and raâ—â—â—d Saâ—â—â—s that none can possibly be ignorant of it Therefore that I may deal plainly with those that would have the Saints to reigne before their Leader Head and King appears 't is much to be doubted that their spirits are not right with their master's spirit who was meek peaceable ready to suffer under the powers of the world not drawing the sword to free or revenge himself or his followers but checked Peter for it when he attempted it on Malchas and the rest that laid hands upon him Christ well knew that his Kingdom was not of this world of this age of sin and corruption and therefore his way was not to enter upon it by swords and blood but by suffering and patience and so entered into his glory and they that go another way may build a city but not such a one as comes down from God out of heaven whose builder is God they may erect a city whose builder is man and on whose gates and walls are written their own names not of God or of Christ's nor of the new Jerusalem they may build a Babel not a Bethel a Kingdom wherein the Beast may reign in not Christ and his Saints a Kingdom of weakness and imperfection whereby they themselves and all that trust thereunto may be justly involved into utter ruine and misery for trusting to the weak arm of flesh and leaving off their hopes in the living God and of that everlasting new city promised to the conquering suffering patient Saints and not to the heady rebellious or precipitant ones of the earth and whereon the name of God of the new Jerusalem and the new name of Christ is written and inscribed so plain and so evident that he that runneth may read it and say at the time when it descends that this is the Spouse the Lamb's wife the great city the holy Ierusalem that came down from God which shall be so universal and conspicuous for light and glory that all Nations of the earth that are saved shall walk in the light thereof and bring their glory to it and this city had no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof Rev. 21.23 Vers 13. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches If it be demanded why these words are so often inculcated at the end of each particular Epistle to the several churches I answer What was written to them was not only peculiarly relating unto themselves but unto all others to take notice of also unto the ends of the world coming under the same conditions with themselves according to that of Paul Rom. 15.4 It was not only written for them but for our instruction also And therefore let the wise christian consider what the Spirit saith unto the churches Ver. 14. And unto the Angel of the church of the Laodiceans write these things saith the Amen the faithful and true witness the beginning of the creation of God The seventh and last of Christ's monitory Epistles is written to the chief Minister or Pastor of the church of the Laodiceans which was Archippus as some say mentioned Coloss 4.17 not far from Philadelphia in the lesser Asia It was called Laodicea from Laodice wife of Antiochus who built it in honour of his wife and called it according to her name Laodicea which name in the Greek signifies as much as Commandress Princess or Dictatrix of the people The nature and disposition of this church was somwhat agreeable to the nature of her name She conceived her self to be a glorious church a Princess amongst the rest of her Sister churches for so in vers 17. she vaunts her self to be rich to be increased with goods and to want nothing But when the Spirit of Christ brought her to the tryal she was found wretched miserable poor blinde and naked Hence by the way Note Observ That God does often in his providence ordain names to persons and places sutable and well comporting with their natural dispositions and qualities Christ was called Jesus because he was the Saviour of the world Ioshua had a name also from the same root he being also a temporal Saviour unto Israel leading them into the land of Canaan saving and delivering them from the hands and fury of the Canaanites the ancient inhabitants of the holy Land Many examples are found of the like kinde as Iohn whose name and nature both were gracious Chrysostome he was an eloquent golden mouthed Father and he had a name sutable to his nature Many more of the like kinde will offer themselves to the observant eye but these shall suffice 2. For places and churches Rome was called Roma from Romulus from some old word of the like sound which signifies strength Babylon from Babel confusion Philadelphia had a beloved name and she was a beloved church Laodicea had a vain-glorious name and she was a vain-glorious church much boasting of her spiritual riches whiles miserable poor and naked These things saith the Amen c. Christ is here described under a threefold property 1. As the Amen 2. As the faithful and true witness 3. As the beginning of the Creation of God These three properties are taken out of the general description of Christ in the preliminary Epistle to the seven churches in the first chapter First he is called the Amen out of the eighteenth verse of the first chapter to denote unto us Observ That what Christ promiseth and predicteth in this book of Prophesies must surely come to pass And that the truth hereof may not fail he adds another property taken out of chap. 1. v. 5. He being the faithful and true witness Now what this Amen hath promised predicted and said in these prophesies must
speak very favourably of it and very ingeniously call it a harmless opinion not directly or indirectly striking or undermining any the fundamentals of the Faith But to proceed In this last Scripture take notice 1. What therein is promised as a peculiar reward to them that abide temptations with or for Christ and it is a Kingdom Christ's Kingdom my Kingdom vers 30. compare this with Rev. 11.18 and Rev. 20.4 2. Christ appoints unto them a Kingdom as his Father had appointed to him a kingdom but the Father as is on all sides agreed appointed not a particular kingdom for Christ after the ultimate judgement in the supernal heavens for it is affirmed on all hands that Christ then and there shall deliver up the Kingdom the power and ruling into the hands of the Father that God may be all in all according to that of 1 Cor. 15.24 28. Now in a Kingdom there are relations persons to rule and persons ruled to wit Christ and his Saints to rule and unbelievers to be ruled but in the highest heavens there is nothing to be made subject to Christ and his Saints no unbeliever or unclean thing must enter thereinto the blessed Angels the ministring Spirits being only subject to Christ Heb. 1.13 14. Neither can this be meant of Christ's spiritual Kingdom wherein Believers then were and in all ages formerly and therefore cannot be meant of this Kingdom promised and prophesied of in this Scripture Besides the spiritual Kingdom of Christ is called often by John the Kingdom oâ— patience wherein the Saints endure temptations afflictions and tryals which Christ here mentions and so cannot with the least reason signifie the Kingdom of Reward which Christ promiseth as the effects crown result and reward of that enduring and patience 3. Eating drinking and such actions are unsutable actions and expressions to signifie the glory of the highest heavens but very sutable to express Christ's glorious Kingdom here on earth for it is promised as a Paradice and a Tree of life therein Rev. 2.7 22.2 And it is such a high spiritual eating and drinking it being as yet a hidden Manna unto us that we cannot possibly comprehend the excellency thereof but under Types and Figures meet for our capacities 4. The conquering Saints are to sit on Thrones to judge the twelve Tribes of Israel In Christ's spiritual Kingdom this was never yet done but such were rather judged and trampled under foot by the powers of the world and Antichrist and in the supremest ultimate glory there is nothing to be judged neither persons nor things for that is the Father's Throne wherein Christ shall lay down all Authority and himself be also subject unto the Father as that 1 Cor. 15.24 25 28. Therefore this Kingdom here meant which Christ calls My Kingdom and My Throne is yet to come here on earth before the ultimate day of judgement and the Saints highest state of glory in the supreamest heavens which is the Father's Throne Object But some will object That this which is called Christ's Kingdom is also the same with the Father's Kingdom and not distinct from it but one and the same and to this purpose urge that Scripture Matth. 26.29 I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the Vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom Now that which you interpret to be the Son's Kingdom is here called the Father's Kingdom and therefore one and the same Answ I answer 'T is true The Son's Kingdom is called in Scripture the Father's Kingdom for divers reasons 1. Because the Father gives it to Christ and therefore he is called Psal 2.8 His King 2. Because the Father and the Son are one by an unspeakable Union and so the Kingdom of the Son may be called the Kingdom of the Father that is the Kingdom of God for Father is often ascribed in Scripture to the Godhead as that of John 17.3 This is life eternal that they know thee to wit the Father to be the only true God c. And by reason of the union of both natures in one person Christ it is called Eph. 5.5 The Kingdom of Christ and of God and The Throne of God and the Lamb Rev. 22.3 in the holy City the New Jerusalem So that Christ as man as one with the Father or God reigns in this happy millenary Kingdom and so may be also called the Father's Kingdom wherein he will drink his new wine with his faithful ones before the ultimate day of judgement so this makes not at all against the distinct Kingdoms of the Father and Christ which is before asserted and plainly evidenced from divers Scriptures Let the industrious enquiring Reader read more at large in D. Homes M. Maton and M. Mede hereon and vers 12. of this chapter But for a more full explicating and opening the Truth of this point understand That Christ's Kingdom in Scripture hath a diverse acceptation First Christ is King by right of creation Heb. 1.2 and this is his natural Kingdom which he hath as one God with the Father from everlasting Secondly Christ is King by right of Purchase as the first he rules and governs all the Kings and Nations of the world and so is King of Kings But by the second he governs more especially his church and people and this he does as God-man and is properly called Christ's Mediatory Kingdom And this his Mediatory Kingdom hath in it divers periods some more lowly some more exaltant and triumphant Christ was a born King witness the Magi's enquiry after him that was born King of the Jews and their majestique presents of Gold Myrrh and Frankincense but his power was then but obscure and low which appeared afterwards somwhat more radiant in imposing his commands doctrines and ordinances upon his followers and disciples but this was but dark and somwhat lowly also as an Heir in his minority After his Resurrection and Ascension he commands his Agents and Ambassadors to negotiate the great affairs of his Kingdom in his absence by the help and concomitancy of his Spirit with them and this is therefore called Christ's Spiritual or Ministerial Kingdom which is to continue unto his second coming the great work wherein is to preach the Messias and his Doctrine of Faith and his second coming but this is mixed too with a great deal of affliction trouble and obscurity But there is another period of this Mediatory Kingdom of Christ which is most glorious and triumphant and that is at his last appearance when all these low dispensations shall be done away when he shall reigne and none shall let All other periods were mixed with much tears and sorrow but in this they shall be quite wiped off In this last period there is given him not only as God but as man or rather as God-man Dominion and Glory and a Kingdom that all people Nations and Languages should serve him Dan. 7.14 and Psal 2.8 Ask â—f me and I