14. Joh. 5. 28 29. Actâ— 24. 14. 1 Cor. 15. 26. But now the second death here spoken of more particularly is that 1. Which shall be executed on Men not for their sinning in Adam nor for their partaking necessarily of filth and pollution but for their own personal Sinnings against light and grace vouchsafed and extended to them thorow the one and onâ—ly mediatour Jesus Christ who gave himself a ransom for all And so for their willing ignorance of God unbelief and disobedience to his Gospel and goodness by all means witnessed to them Then there shall be no occasion for the use of that Proverb the fathers have eaten Sowr grapes and the Childrens teeth are set on edge But the Soul that sinneth personally and impenitently it shall dye Jer. 31. 29 30. Ezek. 18. 1 4 23. Rom. 2. 4 6. and ch 1 18 21 28. Joh. 3. 16 18 19 36. he that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16. 15 16. he will in flaming fire take vengeance on them that know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thess 1. 8 9. he will then execute Judgment upon and convince all that are ungodly of all their ungodly deeds and hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him Jude 14. 15. the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and Idolaters and all liers shall have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 8. Eph. 5. 3 6. 2. Their Judge and he that shall condemn them and adjudge them to the second death will be the Lord Jesus who died and rose for them God hath ordained him the Judge of quick and dead Acts 10. 42. and ch 17. 30 31. We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10 11. Mat. 25. 30 41. Joh. 5. 22 27. Rom. 14. 9 10 11. Isay 45. 22 23 24. 3. The rule according to which he will judge them will be not the law as they fell under it in Adam but the Gospel So the Apostle saith both as with respect to them that have sinned without the law or Doctrine of the Lord and as with respect to them that have sinned in the law That God shall judg the secrets of them by Jesus Christ according to the Gospel Rom. 2. 11 12 16 Joh. 12. 47 50. Isay 30. 33. 4. The time when they shall be adjudged to this second death will be after they are raised out of the first after that the Judgment Heb. 6. 2 3. and ch 6. 27. All that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of Man and shall come forth they that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation Joh. 5. 28 29. Rev. 20. 14 16. It is therefore called the wrath to come 1 Thess 1. 8 10. 5. It will be so dreadful and terrible both on Soul and Body Mat. 10. 28. that there will be no mixture of mercy in it now in the hand of the Lord there is a cup and the wine is red It is full of mixture and he poureth out of the same but the dreggs thereof all the wicked of the earth shall wring out and drink Ps 75. 8. they shall not then have so much as a drop of water to cool their tongues when they are tormented in that flame Luke 16. 24 25 26. Rev. 14. 10. yea then the Lord will laugh at their calamity and mock when their fear cometh When their fear cometh as desolation and their destruction as a whirlewind when distress and anguish cometh upon them then they shall call upon him but he will not answer they shall seek him early but they shall not find him for that they hated knowledge and did not chuse the fear of the Lord Prov. 1. 24 26 32. 6. As to the duration of it it will be to all eternity both on Soul and Body Mat. 10. 28. there shall never be a dissolution of Soul and Body any more for the first death and Hell shall be destroyed 1 Cor. 15. 26. being cast into the lake of fire which is the second death Rev. 20. 14. And so their torment will be eternal and without any intermission The smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever And they have no rest day nor night who worship the beast c. Rev. 14. 11. the breath or spirit of thâ— Lord like a stream of brimstone shall kindle that fire that is unquenchable Isay 30. 33. with Mat. 3. 11 12. Luke 3. 17. they shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power 2 Thess 1. 8 9. Then shall the King say to them on his left hand Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Mat. 25. 41. and ch 18. 8. 7. Herein they shall have this as a worm gnawing upon them to all eternity The remembrance of what Christ suffered for them and how he redeemed them from the curse of the Law and obtained eternal life into the nature of Man for them and his grace brought salvation to them whereby they might have been saved from their sins and been delivered from this wrath to come And that they slighted and rejected this Saviour and his salvation hated instruction and their heart despised reproof they hated knowledge and did not chuse the fear of the Lord But by observing lying vanities they forsook their own mercy Prov. 1. 24 31 32. and ch 5. 12 13 Jona 2. 8. that they fled from him transgressed and spoke lies against him who redeemed them Hos 7. 13. denied the Lord that bought them and so brought upon themselves swift destruction 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. that they lost their own Souls Mat. 16. 26. and put away from them and judged themselves unworthy of everlasting life Acts 13. 46. The remembrance hereof will be terrible and inconceivably tormenting to them which it would not be if Christ had not given himself a ransome for them or if there had been no eternal life prepared for them or it might not have been had by them But this will be the worm that never will dye That when God had no pleasure in their destruction none at all and Christ was gathering them as an hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and the holy Spirit was opening their eyes and turning them from darkness to light yet notwithstanding all they would not come to Christ but loved darkness rather then light they would not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved but loved their sins and vanities more then Christ Therefore they shall go into everlasting punishment 2 Thes 2. 10 12. Joh. 3. 19. see Mr. Tho. More senior his discourse of the Precious blood of Christ ch 11. Now of this Second death he
necessary conâ—equence deny that Christ is raised again or that say the resurrection is made or past already 1 Cor. 15. 12 34. 2 Tim. 2. 17 19. with 1 Tim. 1. 19. 20. Now these Children are such whom the Son of God threatens and of whom he saith I will kill them with death he here by death he means not nor intends the first death only or directly for it is appointed unto Men unto all both good and bad once to dye to dye that death Heb. 9. 27. what man is he that liveth and shall not see death shall he deliver his Soul from the grave Ps 89. 47 48. But he will kill them with the second death destroy them with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power he will not only kill them with grief here Jam. 2. 6 9. and ch 4. 2. But he will cut them off and destroy them for ever if they continued such manner of persons and did not repent them of and turn from such evil doctrines and deeds Now here we may note in that our Lord Jesus thus threatneth and I will kill her Children with death 1. That Christ hath power to cast both Body and Soul into and destroy them in hell Mat. 10. 28. Luke 12. 5. he will in the last day say to them on his left hand depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels and these shall go away into everlasting punishment Mat. 25. 41 46. and this might therefore ingage us to fear before him Luke 12. 4 5. and to hold fast grace whereby we may serve him acceptably with reverence and Godly fear for our God is a consuming fire Heb. 12. 28 29. Exod. 23. 21. 2. In that he saith I will kill her Children so we may note that false and Idolatrous teachers and seducers are not barren But too oft they bring forth and have many too many Children many follow the pernicious ways of these false teachers who privily bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them whereby the way of truth is evil spoken of 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. many saith Christ shall come in my name and shall or will deceive many and many false Prophets shall rise and will deceive many Mat. 24. 4 5 11. 24 25. many by means of false Prophets go in at the wide gate and walk in the broad way that leadeth to destruction Mat. 7. 13 15. and especially in these last times many are corrupted by seducers and deceivers as it is said now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter days some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and doctrines of Devils 1 Tim. 4. 1. and by mystery Babilon particularly many are deceived for all nations have drunk of the wiâ—e of her fornication and the Kings of the earth have committed fornication with her Rev. 17. 2 5. and ch 18. 3 23. 3. The Children false teachers and seducers bring forth and which continue such shall be destroyed by Christ as it is said They have dealt trecherously against the Lord for they have begotten strange Children now shall a month devour them with their portions Hos 5. 7. with Zech. 11. 8. these Children they bring forth to the murderer Hos 9. 13 16. The Lord will not have mercy upon them for they be the Children of whoredoms Hos 2. 2 5. The heresies of false teachers are Heresies of destruction damnable Heresies and they who receive and follow them bring upon themselves also destruction in conclusion 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. 2. We have declared to us the effect of his threats against and judgments executed upon that Woman Jezabel her Paramours and Children And all the Churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and heart In which we may note for our instruction and usefulness 1. That the Son of God searcheth the reins and hearts 2. That all the Churches shall know he doth so by the judgments which he will execute upon seducers and idolatrous ones so persisting 1. That Christ who is the Son of God searcheth the reins and hearts The reins to wit the affections lusts and desires and hearts that is to say the cogitations understandings judgments c. These two words the reins and hearts comprehend the whole inward Man the whole Soul or Spirit He searcheth the reins and hearts namely he diligently enquireth thereinto he makes a diligent search or secret search Jer. 2. 34. he searcheth them as with candles Zeph. 1. 12. and by searching he seeth the inward thoughts wills and affections so whereas it is â—aid in one place thou seest the reins and the hearts in another it is said thou seest the reins and the heart compare Jer. 11. 20. with 20. 12. or he knoweth the heart and reins Jer. 17. 9. with v. 10. The Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts 1 Chron. 29. 9. he knoweth the secrets of the heart all the secret thoughts lusts turnings and windings thereof all things are naked to him as is imported to us in that description he gives of himself v. 18. who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire see the notes before on ch 1. 14. there is not a thought in our heart not a lust itching desire in our reins but he perfectly searcheth it out and knoweth it altogether Ps 139. 1 4 13. so it is said of Jesus that he perceived the thoughts of Men Luke 5. 22. that he knew their thoughts Luke 6. 8. that he perceived the thoughts of their hearts Luke 9. 47. and ch 11. 17. Mat. 9. 4. he knew all Men and needed not that any should testify of man for he knew what was in man Joh. 2. 24 25. he knoweth the hearts of all men Acts 1. 24. with v. 6. yea also the thoughts of the wise 1 Cor. 3. 19. yea he knoweth all things There is no creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do Joh. 21. 17. with Heb. 4. 11 13. Yea Hell and destruction are before the Lord how much more then the hearts of the Children of men Prov. 15. 11. with Job 26. 6. And this may be useful to us 1. To shew unto us that Christ is Jehovah see the notes on ch 1. v. 8. he is the true God and eternal life 1 Joh. 5. 20. see the notes on ch 5. v. 8. For this is Gods peculiar to know and declare unto Man what is his thought Amos 4. 13. with Mat. 9. 4 5. This is peculiar to the most high God to know the hearts of Men as Solâ—mon saith Thou thou only knowest the Hearts of all the Children of Men which Christ the Son of God also doth as is said Compare 1 Kings 8 39. and 2 Chron. 6. 30 with Joh 21. 17. and Acts 1. 24. Now either Christ is Jehovah one in
blood but as is here said By thy blood not by the blood of any of the offerings or sacrifices which were commanded in and offered by the Law It is true indeed under the Law the blood of their Sacrifices did make a typical atonement for them for all their sins Lev. 6. 30. and Chap. 16. 15-34 But truly and really it was not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats could take away sin either from before the presence of God or out of their consciences Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not but a body hast thou prepared me In burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure then said I Lo I come in the volume of thy Book it is written of me to do thy will O God Heb. 10. 1-4-9 and Chap. 9. 9 13. No it 's by the blood of him whom they worship of him who is the true God and eternal life by which peace was made and redemption wrought for them Col. 1. 20. and hereby also they were bought unto God and washed from their sins and pollutions in their minds and consciences For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of en beifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh how much more shall the blood of Christ who thorow the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God Heb. 9. 13 14-22 and Chap. 10. 22. with Chap. 12. 24. Now here for our further usefulness we may enquire and consider 1. What is meant by and contained in this blood of Christ here spoken of by which they were redeemed unto God 2. How were these holy ones redeemed by it 1. To the first we may say that by the Blood of Christ we are to understand 1. The whole of his abasement and sufferings in that Body which the Father prepared for him and most directly his death or pouring out his soul unto death as here it is said Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood He even this glorious one took part with us of flesh and blood that he might die and thorow death destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil Heb. 2. 14. Blood and death are words of a like signification in Scripture compare Psal 72. 14. with Psal 116. 15. Sometimes indeed his blood is distinguished from his flesh as in Joh. 6. 53-56 and in the Supper 1 Cor. 11. 2â— 25. But here and elsewhere when it is mentioned alone it includes and contains all his Humiliation sufferings and death 1 Joh. 5. 6. and his blood is sometimes called the blood of his Cross because thereon he died and gave up the Ghost Col. 1. 20. and sometimes all his sufferings are supposed and contained in the word Cross because He humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the Cross Ephes 2. 13. with vers 15. Gal. 6. 14. 1 Cor. 1. 23. and Chop 2. 2. Phil. 2. 6 7 8. 2. And by his blood may also be meant the vertue and procurement thereof or what he hath thereby done and obtained into himself for us and is become So many times in Scripture that which is gotten procured or obtained by any thing is called by the name of that thing by which it was so gotten procured or obtained So a mans servant is called his money because he is obtained hired or bought with his money Exod. 21. 21. so that which is earned or gotten by work or labour is called by the name of labour or work Psal 127. 2. Isa 40. 10. and 49. 4. Jer. 4. 18. So the water which Davids three mighty men drew out of the Well of Bethlehem and brought unto David is called Blood because they gat it with blood as it were putting their lives into their hands for it as David saith Is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives 2 Sam. 23. 15-17 1 Chron. 11. 17-19 So that field is called the field of blood which was bought with blood or with the price of blood Mat. 27. 6-8 Act. 1. 19. see the fuller discovery pag. 112-114 And in this sense the Cross of Christ answers to the Gospel 1 Cor. 1. 17. with ver 18. For by the blood of his Cross he hath made peace Col. 1. 20. Obtained the forgiveness of our personal sins Ephes 1. 7. Col. 1. 14. received the spirit and all spiritual blessings Rev. 5. 6 12. Joh. 3. 35. with Chap. 10. 17 18. Confirmed a new Testament and everlasting Covenant of exceeding great and precious promises c. Mâ—t. 26. 28. Heb. 10. 29. and 9. 12. and Chap. 13. 20. Phil. 2. 8 9. Eph. 4. 8-10 with Psal 68. 10 18. 2. How were these holy ones redeemed by his Blood To that we may say 1. As to Christs redeeming men in himself so he carried his blood in the vertue of it into Heaven and presented it unto the Father as a price of redemption Not by the blood of goats and calves but by or with his own blood be entred in 〈◊〉 having obtained eternal redâ—â—ption Heb. 9. 12. with vers 7. And he thorow the eternal spirit offered himself in the vertue of his blood without spot or fault to God Heb. 9. 14. Every High-Priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices wherefore it is of necessity that this man our great High-Priest have somewhat to offer And he hath given himself his own body which was delivered for our offenceâ— and raised again for us an offering and a sacrifice to God as we have before said Heb. 8. 1-3 4. with Chap. 10. 10. Eph. 5. 2. 1 Tim. 2. 6. And so acceptable and well-pleasing was his gift and offering unto God that thereby he hath redeemed mankind from the curse of the Law drawn all men unto himself and God hath given him power over all flâ—sh and committed all judgment and government unto him that all men should honour the son c. Gal. 3. 13. Joh. 12 31 32. and Chap. 17. 2. Psal 2. 6-8-9-12 Joh. 5. 22 23. 2. As to the redeeming men in their own persons unto God he is tendring his blood unto them as a price to out-bid all other things and buy them off from their vanities Idols and vain conversation and so his blood answers to money though yet it infinitely exceeds it 1 Pet. 1. 18. 19. He puts his blood in and by his Gospel and himself as a price into the hands of men to redeem them from their evil and sinful thoughts ways and companions that they might count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledg of Jesus and go on to count them but dung that they might win him and be found in him Phil. 3. 7-9 Prov. 17. 16. He by his spirit so glorifies himself and renders his blood so precious in his Gospel that men might look unto him and be
he that liveth and shall not see death shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave Selah Psal 89. 48. I have said saith God concerning Kings and Potentates of this world ye are Gods and all of you are the children of the most high But ye shall dye like men and fall like oâ—e of the Princes Psal 82. 6 7. Isa 14. 18. And when they dye they shall carry nothing away their glory shall not descend after them Psal 49. 16 17. But these holy reigners we are speaking of shall not reign till after they are raised up from the dead and so out of the first death and on such the second death hath no power Rev. 20. 4 6. And so they can dye no more death hath no more dominion over them Luk. 20. 35 36. and therefore they shall possess the kingdom for ever even for ever and ever Dan. 7. 18. Death shall never put an end to their glory as it doth to the glory and government of the high ones of this world but they shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 22. 4 6. Oh how might the consideration hereof engage us not to be desirous of vain-glory but in a patient continuance in well-doing to seek after glory and honour with immortality Rom. 2. 6 7. and to be looking not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seeâ— for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal 2 Cor. 4. 18. Oh! seek we after and set we our affection upon the things above and not on things on the earth for we are dead and our life is hid with Christ in God when Christ our life shall appear then shall we also appear with him in glory c. Col. 3. 1-4 1 Cor. 9. 25 27. And this leads us to the next enqâ—iry viz. 2. With whom shall these holy Ones so reign And to that we may say 1. They shall be and reign with Jesus Christ our Lord when sorrow had filled the hearts of his disciples because of his departure from them he then to comfort them said unto them In my fathers house are many mansions I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also Joh. 14. 2 3. And thus addresses himself to his Father in their hearing and for their encouragement and consolation Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory John 17. 24. Them that sleep in Jesus God will bring with him and the survivers of that body also for the dead shall be raised and the living changed and all shall be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall they ever â—e with the Lord 1 Thes 4. 14-17 Then all shall be gathered all that are his I mean together unto him whereever they are they shall be gathered unto him from the four winds from one end of Heaven to the other 2 Thes 2. 1. with Matth. 24 30 31. And when Christ who is their life shall appear then shall they also appear with him in glory Col. 3. 4. The Lord my God saith the Prophet shall come and all the Saints with thee Zech. 14. 4-9 and then gloriously they shall sit with him on his throne Rev. 3. 4 21. so the Apostle Paul saith It is a faithful saying for if we be dead with Christ we shall also live with him if we suffer we shall also reign with him 2 Tim. 2. 11 12. And the Apostle John saith I saw thrones and â—hey sate upon them and judgment was given unto them c. And they lived and reigned with Christ c. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years Rev. 20. 4 6. They shall not reign before or without Christ as some have fondly and groundlesly imagined but with him as in that vision of Daniel is also signified to us where first of Christ it is said I saw in the night-visions and behold one like the son of mâ—n came with the clouds of Heaven and came to the ancient of days and they brought him near before himâ— and there was given to him dominion and glory and a kingdom that all people nations and languages should serve him his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom c. And when Daniel asked one the truth of all this he told him and made him know the interpretation of the things viz. The Saints of the most high shall take the kingdom and possess the kingdom for ever c. to wit when Christ doth and with him Dan. 7. 13 14 16 18 27. And that they shall reign with Christ and be ever with him this will render their state most excellent comfortable and desirable 1 Thes 4. 17 18. Now indeed the Bridegroom is absent from them and they have great cause of mourning on that account Mat. 9. 15. Now they groan being burdened for they walk by faith not by sight But then he will see them again and their heart shall rejoice and their joy none shall take from them 2 Cor. 5. 2-9 The name of the holy City shall then be the Lord is there Ezek. 48. 35. Indeed now when they depart out of the body and are present with the Lord it is far better for them than to be at home in the body and absent from the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 5-8 Phil. 1. 23. Rev. 14. 13. But then when they are raised again and have the adoption the redemption of the body and the body and soul reunited and personally present remaining and reigning with the Lord it will be best of all Phil. 1. 20 21. 1 Thes 1. 10. when they awake to wit in the Resurrection of the righteous they shall be satisfied with Gods Image to wit with Christ who is the Image of the Invisible God and with that dominion and rule which with him they shall then receive and partake of Psal 17. 15 with Col. 1. 14 15. and Gen. 1. 26-28 And in that they shall reign with Christ this also confirms the truth of what these holy ones here say namely they shall reign on the earth to which we have spoken somewhat before for Christ shall reign on the earth I know saith Job that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth whom I shall see for my self and mine eyes shall behold Job 19. 25 27. with Zech. 14. 4 5 9. He shall sit upon the throne of his Father David which was indeed the throne of the Lord but not in Heaven but on the Earth as before we have said Psal 132. 11. with Act. 2. 30. Isa 9. 7. and 16. 5. Jer. 33. 21. Luke 1. 32. He shall judg the
Man Rom. 5. 15 16. Acts 13. 37 38. Heb. 2. 17. and ch 7. 27. and ch 9. 12. and so he gave his Flesh for the Life of the World Joh. 6. 51. died for all even for all of Mankind that were dead 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. died for the Ungodly Sinners Unjust Ones indefinitely Rom. 5. 6 8. 1 Tim. 1. 15. 1 Pet. 3. 18. tasted death by the Grace of God for every Man and gave himself a ransome for all Men and is the propitiation for the Sins of the whole World 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. Heb. 2. 9. 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. 1 Joh. 2. 2. Is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the World the Son of God the Saviour of the World In whom God hath prepared Salvation before the Face of all people Luke 2. 10 11 30 31. Joh. 3. 16 17. and ch 4. 42 and ch 12. 47. 1 Joh. 4. 14. And as with respect to this end of his death the Scribes and Pharisees or Jews and Gentiles did not put him to death but God delivered him up to death for our Offences Rom. 4. 25. and ch 8. 32. And in these his sufferings and death he was alone of the People there was none with him Isay 63. 3. 1 Pet. 2. 24. And this end of his death is not imitable nor hath he herein set any one an example to follow his steps Joh. 17. 4. Heb. 10. 11 18 26. And these sufferings and this death on this account he once and but once actually endured and died in the end of the World no more to be iterated or repeated Heb. 9. 25 26. and ch 10. 10. And hereby he is become a good Foundation for every poor sinful Soul of Mankind Isay 28. 16. Joh. 1. 7. Acts 4. 11 12. 1 Pet. 2. 6 7. 2. He also in obedience to his Father died as a Peace-preacher and Martyr Rev. 1. 5. and ch 3. 14. To confirm and seal with his Blood the Gospel which he received from his Father and which he began to preach during his personal ministration as he saith To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the World that I should bear witness unto or be a Martyr for the truth Joh. 18. 37. And he witnessed this good Confession before Pontius Pilate 1 Tim. 6. 13. On this account his Enemies did persecute and seek to slay him before his hour was come Joh. 8. 37 40. In this respect God did not put him to death but was well-pleased with him Luke 4. 18. Joh. 8. 29. But the Jews with wicked hands did crucifie and slay him Acts 10. 38 39. As with respect to this end he died not for our Sins but for the truth and died directly for his Sheep for his Friends Joh. 10. 11 15 18. and ch 15. 13 14. And herein he hath left us an example that we should follow his steps and lay down our lives for the Gospel and so for the Brethren 1 Pet. 2. 20 23. 1 Tim. 6. 12 14. 1 Joh. 3. 16. His sufferings upon this account are not yet finished but they are still to be filled up till he comes again Col. 1. 20 24. 2 Tim. 2. 10. Heb. 11. 26. Acts 9. 4. 1 Pet. 4. 12 15. See more in Object of Love Pag. 22 23 24. 3. He died also as a Testator to ratifie and seal the New Testament and Everlasting Covenant of exceeding great and precious promises Hence his Blood is called The Blood of the New Testament Mat. 26. 28. Mark 14. 24. and the Blood of the Covenant Heb. 10. 29. And the New Testament is said to be The New Testament in his Blood Luke 22. 20. 1 Cor. 11. 25. And his Blood is called the Blood â—â— the Everlasting Covenant Heb. 13. 20. By his precious Death and Blood he hath sealed and ascertained the precious Legacies contained in his Will and Testament so as they shall be surely performed and accomplished according to the tenour of them If it may be a Man's Testament yet if it be confirmed no Man disanulleth or addeth thereto Gal. 3. 15. Now Christs Testament is confirmed by Blood for where a Testament is there must also of necessity be the death of the Testator For a Testament is of force after men are dead otherwise it is of no strength at all whilest the Testator liveth Heb. 9. 16 17. Now thus Christ hath confirmed his Testament which is propounded in the Gospel for the encouragement of all to encline their ear and come unto him and he promises he will forgive their Sins and pour out his Spirit upon them Isay 54. and ch 55. 1 3 6 7. Prov. 1. 22 23. And these promises are theirs and they are Heirs according to promise who exercise themselves unto Godliness which is profitable to all things having promise of the Life which now is and of that which is to come Gal. 3. 16 29. 1 Tim. 4. 8 9. These are the ends of that one death which Christ died and this death of his he now propounds unto and minds his Servant John of to strengthen and comfort him See also the notes on ch 2. v. 8. 2. And was dead not is dead but he is raised again and now liveth and Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more Dominion over him c. Rom. 6. 9 10. 1 Pet. 3. 18. 1 Cor. 15. 1 4 20. yea he was raised in that body of his flesh in which he died and was buried he was raised again the third day so as his Soul was not left in Hell neither did his flesh see Corruption Acts 2. 23 24 27 31 36 and ch 3. 14 15 and ch 4 10 12 32. and ch 5. 30 31. and ch 10. 39 40. and ch 13. 28 37. and ch 17. 3. And therefore when he was raised again to undeceive his Disciples who supposed that they had seen a Spirit he said unto them Behold my hands and my Feet that it is I my self it had not been he himself if he had not had his own Hands and Feet Handle me and see for a Spirit hath not Flesh and Bones as ye see me have And when he had thus spoken â—e shewed them his Hands and his Feet Luke 24. 34 37 40. Joh. 20. 20 28. And so he hath overcome and abolished death and him that had the power of it 2 Tim. 1. 8 10. Fear not he hath obtained the Victory and is giving it to us in and by the Gospel Ps 98. 1. Acts 2. 24. 1 Cor. 15. 55 57. There is now no hurt in death and therefore no reason for them that hear his voice and follow him to fear it for it shall 〈◊〉 separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 38 39. And he hath the Keys of it as afterwards followeth yea Death is theirs their gain and advantage 1 Cor. 3. 22. Eccles 7. 1. Phil. 1. 21. 3. And Behold I am alive for evermore Amen where consider we 1. He is alive for
2 3 4. 2. We have nextly to consider the promise it self and blessedness therein contained which is propounded unto the Churches and to be heard by every one that hath an ear assured and ascertained to him that overcometh as his undoubted portion I will give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God Where we have to consider and speak unto 1. The person promising I 2. The promise will give 3. The thing promised to eat of the tree of life 4. The place where this tree is and where he shall eat it which is in the midst of the Paradise of God 1. The Person promising I to wit Jesus Christ he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand and walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks v. 1. hence we may note The promises are Christ's to give and he hath power to bless us and make us partakers of all the blessings promised To Christ are the promises made and in him confirmed Gal. 3. 16 17. In him all the promises of God are yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. he hath by his blood confirmed them and hath power to perform and fulfil them hence also he speaks in such-like language to others of the Churches as I will give to eat of the hidden Manna and I will give him a white-stone and in the stone a new-name written Rev. 2. 17. To him will I give power over the nations c. v. 26. 28. see also ch 3. 5 12 21. The Father so loveth the Son because he laid down his life for us that he might take it up again that he hath given all things into his hand Joh 3. 35. with ch 10. 17. All things are delivered unto him of the Father Mat. 11. 27. And all power and Authority is given unto him to give what is good to give to Men repentance both grace space of repentance Acts 5. 31. Rev. 2. 21. To give forgiveness of sins to them that believe Acts 5. 31. and ch 10. 43. and ch 13. 39. To give unto them the power to become the Sons of God Joh. 1. 12. To pour forth his spirit unto them and make known his words Prov. 1. 23. To give them peace Joh. 14. 27. To pour forth unto them the spirit of grace and supplication Zech. 12. 10. To give unto them eternal life Joh. 10. 27 28. and ch 17. 2. and they that are Christ's are Abraham's seed and heires according to promise Gal. 3. 29. he hath now all to give who loved us and gave himself for us this is matter of great instruction and consolation to us and might move and prevail with us to come unto him continually and in so doing he will give us rest Mat. 11. 27 28 29. 2. The promise will give in which is signified unto us 1. The time when he will give this that is here promised and that follows mens overcoming and is consequential thereto he will give as is here promised after men have totally and finally overcome hence when he describes the subject of the blessedness here promised he doth it in the present time To him that overcometh But when he propounds the blessedness it self he doth it in time to come I will give and in such-like language he speaks to all these Churches as Rev. 2. 7 17 26 29. and ch 3. 5 6 12. and v. 21 22 and so it is like that of the Apostle ye have need of patience that after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promise Heb. 10. 36. To them who are faithful unto the death he will give a crown of life Rev. 2. 10. Indeed now in this day and before they have overcome he doth give unto the believer all things that pertain to life and Godliness thorow the knowledge of himself that they may overcome he sends them not to warfare at their own charges and in their overcoming he is filling them with joy and peace in believing Rom. 15. 13. Though now they see him not yet believing they rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory receiving the end of their faith even the salvation of their Souls 1 Pet. 1. 8 9. now their spirit is life for righteousness sake and in coming unto him the living-stone they are made lively stones their souls do live Joh. 6. 35 40 51 55 57. Rom. 8. 10. Gal. 2. 20. 1 Pet. 2. 3 5 But that which here and elsewhere he promises to these Churches is future and which follows their having overcome Then these promises shall be fulfilled to them in spirit when their spirits are made perfect when they will be in a far better condition then now they are Isay 57. 2. 2 Cor. 5. 6 8. Phil. 2. 21 22. Rev. 14. 13. and the most full and glorious performance hereof will be when the body is raised and the soul and body reunited even in the first resurrection the resurrection of the just and from thence for ever Rom. 8. 23 25. Jam. 5. 7 8. And so our Lord Jesus doth signify that there is after we have overcome after this earthly house of our Tabernacle is dissolved a future and more glorious state to be entred into and enjoyed immediately after we dye in spirit and in the first resurrection and thence to all eternity in soul and body and otherwise why should we fight or go to or undertake this warfare If in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15. 19. but there is a World to come Luke 20. 35 36. Eph. 1. 21. Heb. 2. 5. a life to come 1 Tim. 4. 8. and he that overcometh shall inherit in the World to come the life to come even everlasting life Mark 10. 29 30. and he shall not be hurt of the second death the wrath to come Rev. 2. 11. with 1 Thes 1. 10. And this our Lord would now have us to mind and consider even what is to come after we have finished our course to mind this especially that we may not faint but continue to the end looking not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal but the things that are not seen are eternal 2 Cor. 4. 13 14. and ch 5. 1 8. Heb. 11. 13 16 24 26. 2. We may nextly consider in the promise the freeness of it I will give what is freer then a gift It is a reward indeed but it is not of debt or from any desert of the overcomer but of grace All is of grace from first to last from the foundation to the top-stone Zech. 4 7. to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace but of debt But to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousness Rom. 4. 4 5. wages and gift are opposed the one to the other The wages of sin is death but
20. 1 Thes 4. 16. and in him in our nature dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead and in him we are compleat Col. 2. 9 10. And herein we may see the preciousness of his bloâ—d and the compleat satisfaction he hath given to the Justice of God Phil. 2. 8 9 10. 2. In that Heaven is called Paradise a place of delight and pleasure of joy and gladness so we may learn That Christ is entred into the fulness of joy in our nature and it was the view and consideration hereof that strengthned him to suffer He for the joy set before him indured the cross despising the shame Heb. 12. 2. he that once met with much sorrow and sadness he that was a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief whose heart was broken with reproach and who was full of heaviness Isay 53. 3 5. Ps 69. 20. is now entred into and filled with joy unspeakable joy inconceivable and full of glory Mat. 25. 21 23. He is entred into not into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but into Heaven it self and is in the presence of God In whose presence is fulness of Joy and at whose right hand are pleasures for evermore Heb. 9. 24. with Ps 16. 11. and Acts 2. 28. 3. In that Heaven is called paradise as referring to and as the truth of Eden at first and he is called the tree of life of whom the first tree of life was a figure so we may take notice that there is a new creation of which Christ is the beginning Rev. 3. 14. and a more excellent one then that was at first Christ is that new thing which the Lord hath created in the earth Jer. 31. 22. the second Man and the last Adam And he is an infinitely more excellent one then the first which was the figure of him Rom. 5. 14. The first Man was of the earth earthy The second the Lord from heaven 1 Cor. 15. 47. The first natural the second spiritual The first was made a living soul the last is a quickening spirit to quicken dead souls and beget new creatures 2 Cor. 5. 17. 1 Cor. 15. 45 46. The first tree of life was earthy But now the Son of God is become the tree of life in the nature of Man in whom God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly things or places Eph. 1. 3. And instead of an earthly paradise there is now an Heavenly one which Christ hath prepared for us and into the enjoyment and possession whereof he as our fore-runner and in our nature is entred Joh. 14. 1 3 4. Heb. 6. 20. How excellent is thy loving-kindness O God! Ps 36. 7 9. 4. He that overcometh shall eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God and thereto enter into this Paradise assoon as ever he hath overcome Luke 23. 43. now they who with the heart believe are rejoycing with joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1. 8. But then not onely joy shall be in them but they shall enter into joy the joy of their Lord Mat. 25. 21 23. In spirit assoon as dissolved when they are absent from the body they shall be present with the Lord And in due season in Soul and body re-united Ps 36. 7 9. when they have overcome they shall go into paradise a more excellent one then the first into the Heavenly oâ—chard where there are many trees of the Lord trees of righteousness But Christ is the only tree of life and of this tree only they shall eat In the first Paradise there was no tree forbidden to be eaten of but one but in the second there is none allowed but one not the virgin Mary nor any Saint or Angel But Jesus Christ one who is the only true vine and tree of life And because he lives therefore they that eat of him shall live also Verse 8. And unto the Angel of the Church in Smyrna write These things saith the first and the last which was dead and is alive Here begins a second message sent to the second named Church ch 1. 12. and as in the first message or Epistle so in this also we have in this verse to consider 1. The person or persons for whom this message or Epistle is to be written and to whom to be sent unto the Angel of the Church in Smyrna write To which we shall speak nothing but desire the notes on v. 1. may be considered 2. The Person from whom it comes thus described to us These things saith the first and the last see notes on ch 1. v. 8. and v. 11. Which was dead and is alive To which we have spoken somewhat be fore see the notes on ch 1. v. 18. Onely here we may a little further note 1. He that was dead is a most excellent person the first and the laâ—t was dead so in ch 1. 11. he said I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last c. And saith John I turned to see the voice that spake with me and being turned I saw one like to the Son of Man v. 12 13. the first and the last became the son of Man and so humbled himself therein and further for us So again in ch 1. 17 18. it is said He said unto me I am the first and the last I am he that was dead God was made manifest in the Flesh 1 Tim. 3. 16. unto us a child is born unto us a Son is given And his name shall be called Wonderfull Counsellour the mighty God c. Isay 9. 6. The word that was in the beginning with God and that was God By whom all things were made and without him was nothing made that was made this word was made flesh Joh. 1. 1 3 14. And this most glorious one died for us he was put to death in the flesh 1 Pet. 3. 18. He being in the form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God yet he emptied himself and took on him the form of a Servant and was made in the likeness of Men And being found in fashion as a Man He humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the Cross Phil. 2. 6 7 8. And this shews the admirably excellent loving-kindness of the Father to the World of Man-kind and his lothness with the destruction thereof In that he sent forth and so greatly abased such an infinitely glorioâ—s one that thorow him the World might be saved God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son Joh. 3. 16. And the like love of Jesus Christ is herein evidenced herein perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us 1 Joh. 3. 16. And herein his blood appears to be precious blood for it is the blood of God of Christ who is over all God blessed for ever Act. 20. 28. 1 Pet. 1. 19. with Rom. 9. 5. And herein we may see our redeemer
gracious regard to them and will favour them with the favour of his people and visit them with his Salvation and discriminate them from such as wander out of the way of understanding though they be but one of a city and two of a family yet he will take notice of and take them c. Jer. 3. 14. so when he purposed the destruction of Jerusalem yet he commands a mark to be set on the foreheads of them that did sigh cry for all the abominations that were done in the midst thereof Ezek. 9. 2 5. Rev. 7. 1 3. Though he sift his profest people among all nations like as corn is sifted in a sieve yet shall not the least grain not the weakest upright one fall on the earth when all the sinners of his people shall dye by the Sword Amos. 9. 9 10. he will not cast away or correct in hot displeasure any that are upright when he comes to plead with the same Church or people Though he will not exempt them from suffering persecution for the Gospel's sake yet he will take special notice of them Deut. 4. 4. yea though they are never so few of one Noah and Lot Gen. 7. 1. 2 Pet. 2. 5 8. of a Caleb and Joshua when he is provoked to anger by all the residue of his people Numb 14. 24 30 38. and ch 32. 11 12. Though there be but a few gleaning grapes left as the shaking of an olive tree two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough four or five in the outmost fruitful branches therereof yet he will not destroy or lose them but have a gracious respect to them Isay 17. 6. and ch 24. 7 14. 1. This may therefore provoke us to give diligent heed to keep our garments unspotted and to be stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the works of the Lord as knowing our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15. 58. to seek the Lord to seek righteousness and â—eekness that we may be hid in the day of the Lord's anger Zeph. 2. 3. To watch and pray always that we may be accounted worthy to escape all those things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man Luke 21. 36. 2. It may preserve such from and strengthen them against their fears As the Lord saith Fear not thou worm Jacob and ye few Men of Israel I will help thee c. Isay 41. 14. Jer. 39. 19 18. they might think being so few that they should not be respected or taken notice of by Jesus Christ but that he would deal with them as with the rest But as Abraham saith That be far from thee to do after this manner to slay the righteous with the wicked and that the righteous should be as the wicked that be far from thee shall not the Judge of all the earth do â—ight Gen. 18. 32 25 32 when he is wroth with and threatens destruction upon the sinners of his people yet then he takes care of those that are upright-hearted amongst them and gives this charge say ye to the righteous it shall be well with him though he be but one Isay 3. 10. when sudden destruction comes upon others then that day shall not overtake them as a thief 1 Theâ— 5. 3 5. as here If thou shalt not watch I will come on theâ— as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee But thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments and with them I will deal otherwise 3. We may here see that the seven spirits of God are upon Jesus Christ and that thereby he is full of knowledge and quick of understanding The others had a name that they lived and might so think of themselves But he saith of the generality thou arâ— dead and here thou hast a few names c. Heb. 4. 11 13. Rev. 2. 23 24. The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good Prov. 15. 3. he perfectly knows both the one and the other and looks not on the outward appearance as Men do But he seeth the heart 1 Sam. 16. 7. Prov. 17. 3. and ch 21. 2. 2. We have next to consider the assurance of the happiness of these â—ew persons or a gracious promise concerning them They shall walk with me in white and so should not the rest in case they continued and persisted in that evil condition they were in This here assured and promised includes and contains the blessedness of the life to come especially though it may take in also that enjoyable in this life in some measure Now herein is intimated to us 1. That these few persons were at one with Christ there was an agreement between Christ and them and they were such as were well-pleasing in his sight this is signified to us in that it is here said they shall walk with me for how can two walk together except they be agreed Amos 3. 4. So in one place it is twice said Enoch walked with God Gen. 22. 24. In another he pleased God Heb. 11. 5. 2. In that it is here said and assured they shall walk with me in white even with Christ so we may learn that Christ is in white garments To which after 3. Expresly herein Christ promiseth they shall walk with me in white that may mean they shall abide with Christ in white as what is read in one place He that followeth Christ shall not walk in darkness is in another whosoever believes on him should not abide in darkness Compare Joh. 8. 12. with ch 12. 46. 1 Joh. 2. 10 11. And so the blessedness assured to these few upright ones is suitable to their vertuous demeanour they had walked in the light which is said to be white as opposed unto black ways or ways of darkness Mat. 17. 2. with Prov. 2. 13. and they shall walk in white saith Christ that shall be their reward See Ps 11. 1 2 3. And particularly we may say in that he saith they shall walk with me in white 1. They shall be and be arrayed as Priests 2 Chron. 5. 13. they being clothed upon with the righteousness of Christ and the fruits thereof shall now be Priests unto God and Christ 1 Pet. 2. 4 9. Yea though they are of the Gentiles yet he will also take of them for Priests and for Levites who have come unto and walked in Christ and have not gone astray when their Brethren went astray Isay 66. 10 20 21. Ezek. 44. 15 19. And hereafter they shall be so when they are removed out of the land of the living in Spirit Rev. 5. 9 10. and ch 6. 11. and gloriously in Soul and Body in the first Resurrection Rev. 20. 4 6. 2. In white that is in Holy Garments Rev. 19. 11. Lev. 16. 4. He will â—anctifie them thorowout in their whole Spirit Soul and Body 1 Thes 5. 23. Joh. 17. 19. and hereafter compleatly
still to abide in him or else they are not the subjects nor will be made partakers of the blessedness here spoken of unless they be faithful to death they will not have the crown of life ch 2. 10. hence this saying is not only added in the close of those Epistles written to the Churches that were faulty and faulted but to such also as were not so and against whom our Lord had no exception As to the Church in Smyrna to those upright ones in the Church in Thyatira to the Church of Philadelphia To these all who are not reproved or however not the first and the last but greatly commended he still saith To him that overcometh c. ch 2. 8. 11. v. 24. 26. and ch 3. 7 12. Though Christ had said to these few names in Sardis they shall walk with me in white for they are worthy v. 4. yet it 's only assured to them as abiding faithful and enduring to the end Mat. 10. 22. and ch 24. 13. As the Lord saith when I shall say to the righteous that he shall surely live If he trust to his own righteousness and commâ—â—iniquity all his righteousness shall not be remembred but for his iniquity that he hath committed he shall dye for it Ezek 33. 13 18. and ch 18. 24 26. and 3. 20. see notes on ch 2. 10. and ch 3. 11. and as what we have said as with respect to them who had forgotten and let slip how they had received and heard and had defiled their garments may encourage and provoke them to turn to him from whom they had revolted So this also as it is spoken to them who had let the word of Christ dwell richly in them and had not defiled their garments it may encourage them to continue in their good way and admonish them not to depart from him unto the fellowship of whom they are called not to be highminded but fear for the goodness of God his peculiar goodness is to them that continue in his goodness otherwise they also should be cut off Rom. 11. 20 22. they are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus and now the just shall live by Faith but if he draw back if he by an evil heart of unbelief depart from the living God his Soul shall have no pleasure in him Gal. 3. 26 29. with Heb. 3. 12. and ch 10. 38. 1 Cor. 10. 12. 2. We have also to consider The blessedness it self promised and assured to him that overcometh and propounded both to such as had and to such as had not defiled their garments that they might overcome to the end And this in three Branches that is to say 1. The same shall be clothed in white raiment to wit in the righteousness of Christ Isay 61. 10. In the Lord they shall be justified and in him they shall glory Isay 45. 25. And they shall be perfectly conformed to the image of Christ In Spirit when they are absent from the body and in due season in Soul and body re-united even in the resurrection from the dead the first resurrection Rev. 6. 9 11. and ch 19. 8 9. see notes before on v. 4. Now here he signifies to us In that this Branch of blessedness and what follows is thus propounded and assured to him that overcometh indefinitely and indifferently even to such as had and to such as had not polluted their garments That in the eternal judgment such as have sometimes demeaned themselves unworthily and yet afterwards have considered their ways and turned their feet to God's testimonies shall even be dealt with and honoured as the rest that have abidden faithful and have not so turned out from Christ Jesus Thus he speaks to the Church in Laodicea which was become luke-warme and he threatens to spew her out of his mouth and she was generally polluted and none but polluted ones in her yet to that Angel and Church he saith To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne Rev. 3. 15 16 21. So 〈◊〉 speaks to them in the Church of Thyatira in which Church it â—â—â—ms some had not the Doctrine of Jezabel but held fast Christ's Doctrine and some were polluted with the doctrine of that evil and false prophetess yet to all he saith to all the Churches and all in them He that overcometh shall be thus and thus blessed and alike blessed see ch 2. 23 29. there is not here or any-where to any of these Churches one reward propounded to some in one Church and another to others in the same Church or one thing promised to one overcomer and another thing to others but the same to all he that overcometh shall inherit all things Rev. 21. 7. And let not them who have continued faithful and who have not defiled their garments murmur or be discontented or troubled hereat because he will give to those who have been foiled and yet have overcome at last even as he will unto them Is it not lawful for him to do what he will with his own why should their eye be evil because his is good Mat. 20. 11 16. Luke 15. 25 32. Nor let any of us say let us turn aside and return to evil ways and because where sin abounded grace abounded much more let us then continue in sin that grace may abound Rom. 5. 20 21. and ch 6. 1 2. for in so doing we may provoke him to cut us off in such our departure from him our times are in his hand and he may and there is abundant cause to fear he will take away our breath and cut us off in such wickedness Ps 94. 23. Deâ—t 29. 18 20. And then we are gone for ever and shall be punisht with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord 2 Thes 1. 8 10. or if he so deal not with us but spare our lives and thorow his grace that brings salvation to him that is joyned to all the living we be recovered yet he may break our bones and cause the terrour of him who is the almighty to fall upon us Ps 51. 8. he may permit and order the sorrows of death to compass us and the pains of Hell to get hold of us Ps 116. 37. and may remember such iniquity against us till we dy and his judgments may never depart from us as long as we remain in this World 1 Sam. 3. 14. 2 Sam. 12. 10 14. Isay 22. 14. but let the consideration of what hath been said provoke and encourage wanderers and backsliders to return to him from whom they have fallen by their iniquities and cause us all to admire at the riches of the Lords goodness towards vâ—le sinful and polluted ones David who sinned so greatly in the matter of Vriah shall be a Prince hereafter And the house of David as God as the Angel of the Lord being while the day of grace lasted washt in that fountain which is opened for the house of David c. Zech. 12. 8.
redeemed them unto God by his blood In which is implied that he had dyed or as is there exprest was slain and was risen for them and gave himself a ransom to God for them as he hath done for all men 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. 2 Pet. 2. 1. Gal. 3. 13. and ch 4. 4 5. but not so for the Angels for he took not on him the nature of angels or laid not hold on Angels Heb. 2. 16. Luke 2. 10 11. and in that place also it is said by the living creatures Thou hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood that is he had redeemed or bought them through the discovery of his precious blood in the Gospel from their vanities and vain conversation as Acts. 20. 28. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. like that which is said of the hundred forty and four thousand they were redeemed from the earth they were redeemed from among men Rev. 14. 3 4. 2. They were also redeemed out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation chap. 5. 9. which cannot be affirmed of the Angels those ministring spirits 3. They also acknowledg to the praise of the Lamb Thou hast made us unto our God kings and priests and we shall reign on the earth chap. 5. 10. like that said chap. 1. 5 6. and chap 20. 6. which shews them to be men and not Angels by nature for these kings priests and reigners are such as shall be raised from the dead before they so reign or are gloriously kings and priests as doth evidently appear in Rev. 20. 4 5 6. 4. These living creatures are distinguished from the Angels Rev. 5. 10 11. yea from all the angels and the angels are said to be about them chap. 7. 11. and chap. 5. 11. and they are distinguished from all ther creatures from every creature which is in heaven and in the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea and all that are in them Rev. 5. 13 14. therefore it most evidently appears that these living creatures are some of mankind 2. And they are also signified to be not the spirits of just men made perfect which are dead to us but to be such as are alive in mortal bodies as hath been said before See the Notes on vers 4. of this Chapter And this appears by the name given to them in that they are always called living ones or living creatures when they are named with the Elders and so generally in Scripture the living are such as live to and with us Hence the Earth of this world is oft-times called the land of the living Job 28. 13. Psal 27. 13. and 52. 5. and 56. 13. and 116. 9. and 142. 5. Isa 53. 8. Jer. 11. 19 c. And many times the living are distinguished from and opposed to thsoe that are dead to us Numb 16. 48. Ruth 2. 20. Eccles 4. 2. Luk. 24. 5. Rom. 14. 9 c. And these living creatures also appear to be such as have not yet finished their course nor rested from their labours because it is said of them vers 8. They have wings and they have no rest day and night whereas of the Elders it is said They are sitting upon their seats or thrones as those that have entred into rest Vers 4. 3. And as distinguished from the Elders as these living creatures are in many places so they appear to be such as are younger than the Elders and younger ones as compared to them unto whom they should submit in the Lord and for his sake 1 Pet. 5. 5. Heb. 13. 7. even the spiritual children of the Prophets Acts 3. 25. and Apostles as many times the Apostles call the Believers to whom they write their children and little children as 1 Cor. 4. 15 16. Gal. 4. 19. 1 Joh. 2. 1. 18. 28. and 3. 17 18 c. As having believed on Christ and God by him thorow their word John 17. 20 and so they are those which are called the seeds seed as Isa 59. 21. And so by these living creatures here spoken of And particularly I conceive are meant the Church of the living God that part of it I mean which is on earth for both the Saints which are in Heaven and those that are on earth are but one family Eph. 3. 15. which is by faith come unto mount Zion and unto the city of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem c. Heb. 12. 22 23. The Church of Christ on Earth in general as a body the mystical body of Christ united by a spiritual and unseen bond even by the spirit of faith unto Christ as their only head and husband Eph. 5. 25 32. Col. 1. 18. and by the spirit of love one to another as members of the same spiritual body Eph. 4. 25. And in this Church there may be had in this place principal but not only respect to the faithful upright painful and laborious teachers angels or overseers amongst them who watch for the souls of others vers 8. And these all hearty and unfeigned believers in the Church on earth and as the Church are the living the living that shall praise him and make known his truth to them that are on the earth Isa 38. 18 19. the seed that shall serve him and whom he will preserve which shall be counted to the Lord for a generation Psal 22. 30 31. And this may also appear to be meant by the four living creatures by that in Psal 68. 10. which we read Thy congregation hath dwelt therein The seventy two Interpreters usually called the seventy and whose translation our Saviour and his Apostles very frequently make use of thus render it Thy living creatures have dwelt therein using the same word which the Apostle doth here and elsewhere frequently in this book which also shews that by these four living creatures are meant Gods congregation on earth his Church the body of Christ or that part of it which is on earth in a general and conjunct consideration And this understanding of the four living creatures to signifie the Saints on earth as a body and in a general consideration affords Answer to the Objections of some against the sense given and may deliver and preserve us from the mistakes of others concerning these living creatures For say some Object 1. That the hundred forty and four thousand sealed Saints in Chap. 7. 4 8. And the great multitude of the Gentile believers mentioned also in Chap. 7 9 10. are distinguished from the living creatures in that same Chapter Vers 11. And that the hundred forty and four thousand in Chap. 14. 1 3. sing a new song before the four living creatures therefore surely they are distinct from them and the four living creatures mean not the whole Church of Christ upon earth Answ What hath been already said gives Answer unto this Objection however in some good measure For 1. We look upon the four living creatures to signifie as is said the Church here in general and as a woman and
mention made of the Phials of the wrath of God called elsewhere the cup of the Wine of his wrath Rev. 15. 7. with Chap. 14. 10. and Chap. 16. 19. Now of these Holy Ones it is said they had every one of them Phiâ—ls And these are said to be golden Phials namely precious and excellent ones as Gold is the most excellent metal and golder pleasant also to behold c. see the notes on the word Gâ—lâ—en in chap. 1. ver 12. and chap. 3. ver 18. And these Phials are said to be full of Odours To which after 2. We have the explication of these things Which are the prayers of Saints viz. not the odours but these Harps and golden Phials are so to wit they signifiâ— to us or hereby are meant and intended the prayers of Saints as the words is and are frequently mean as much as signifieth or signifie 1 Cor. 10. 4. See the notes on Chap. 1. 20. Now of these Harps and golden Phials it is here said that they are to wit signifie the prayers of Saints In which Expâ—ication 1. There may be signified to us that these four living Creatures and twenty-four Elders are Saints or holy ones for these Harps and Phials they have they are theirs and they are the prayers of Saints These excellent ones are all so even holy to the Lord as ver 9. they are redeemed unto God by the precious blood of Christ And ver 10. they are Priests As they are of mankind as we have seen before See Notes on Chap. 4. ver 4. and ver 6. So they are Saints like that Psal 16. 3. Such as are cloathed with fine liâ—nen clean and white the former by â—aith the latter perfectly in spirit which is the righteousness of Saints Joh. 17. 17. 2 Thes 2. 13. Jude v. 1. Rev. 14. 3-5 And these here called Saints are some of them of the Gentiles also for they are redeemed out of every kindred and tongue c. ver 9. for such of the Gentiles who with the heart believe in Jesus Christ are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow-citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God Eph. 2. 17-19-20-22 1 Cor. 14. 33. 2. The Harps and Vials are Prayers But not any Prayers 1. Not the prayers of the wicked which are an abomination to the Lord Prov. 15. 8. and Chap. 28. 9. Isa 1. 10-14-15 2. Nor of appearingly righteous ones who are hypocrites though some of them for a pretence make long prayers and think to be heard for their much speaking Mat. 23. 14. Mark 12. 14. Mat. 6. 7-8 3. Nor such prayers of good men in the main who pray not as believers or according to his will Mat. 20. 20-22 Who ask and receive not because they ask amiss to consume upon their lusts Jam. 4. 1-3 Or regard iniquity in their hearts when they pray unto God Psal 66. 18 19. 4. Nor only the prayers of the most eminent ones in the Church or such as are presented by the Bishops c. but in general they are the prayers of Saints and of them not as Apostles Bishops c. but as Saints The prayer of the upright though not presented by any Bishop here is his delight And he heareth the prayer of the upright Prov. 15. 8 29. The effectual â—ervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much though he be no Bishop and though he be a man subject to passions Jam. 5. 16-18 But what are we to understand by Prayers in this place Most frequently hereby we are to understand and hereby are meant the pourings out of the heart to God in the name of Jesus Christ according to his will for the desiring and obtaining what is good or deprecating evil and so possibly the expression may be so taken here But then it may be objected and said How can the twenty-four Elders be said to have prayers when as you conclude them to be the spirits of just men made perfect To which I may answer and say 1. By their prayers we may understand such as were made by them while they were in morâ—al bodies and which were not then nor are yet fully answered as Psal 7. 9. and 14. 7. and 53. 6. Isa 64. 1 c. their former prayers shall not all of them be fully answered until God shall send us Jesus again c. When the Lord shall appear in his glory he will regard the prayer of the destitute and not despise their prayer This is written for the generations to come c. Ps 102. 12-16-17-18 And when they die their works follow them Rev. 14. 13. 2. Or also we may say though their spirits are perfect yet they wait and may in a sort pray for the Adoption to wit the redemption of the body and the compleatment of their happiness in soul and body Rom. 8. 23. And so it is said of the Souls under the Altar that were perfect in spiriâ— They cried with a loud voice saying How long Lord holy and true dâ—st thou not judg and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth Rev. 6. 9-11 Aâ—d the Spirit and the Bride say come to wit come Lord Jesus Rev. 21. 17 20. 2. Or sometimes by Prayers we are to understand praises or soundings forth the praises of the Lord Psal 72. ult with ver 30. So of Hannaâ— it is said She prayed unto the Lord and said My heart rejoiceth in the Lord mine horn is exalted in the Lord c. In all which prayer she asks not one Petition nor desires any thing but lauds and celebrates the praises of the Lord and there prayer doth evidently signifie praise and thanksgiving 1 Sam. 2. 1. 10. See also Neh. 11. 17. 1 Cor. 14. 15-17 And so here by prayers I conceive are directly meant praises and laudings of the Lamb. 1. Because they are in this Vision called compared unto and represented by Harps which were Musical Instruments of praising and blessing the Lord with joy and gladness as we have before said and seen 2. By the account given us of their prayers in vers 9. wherein it is said They sing a new song saying c. and desire nothing or ask no petition but with joy and singing render and ascribe glory honour praise and thanksgiving to the Lamb which was slain c. 3. The same also further appears by that in Chap. 14. 2 3. where it is said I heard the voice of â—arpers harping with their Harps and they sung as it were a new song before the Throne c. And in Chap. 15. â— 3. the Apostle saw some surely the spirits of just men made perfect having the Harps of God And they sing the song of Mâ—ses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb saying Great and marvellous are thy woâ—ks Lord God Almighty just and true are thy ways thou King of Saints Who shall noâ— fear thee and glorifie thy name c In both which places where Harps are mentioned they ask no petition
And they shall reign over all the nations of the saved and such as will not subject themselves unto Christ and his glorified Saints shall be destroyed As it is said The nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish yea those nations shall be utterly wasted Isa 60. 12 14. Dan. 7. 14 27. Thus our Lord promiseth and saith He that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give power over the nations That is I will give him the heathen for his inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession and he shall rule them with a rod of iron as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers even as I received of my father Rev. 2. 26 27 with Psal 2. 8 10. and Rev. 19. 15. Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world 1 Cor. 6. 2. But unto this particular we shall not further inlarge here 4. When and with whom shall these Saints and holy ones so reign To this we shall speak a little distinctly and particularly And so 1. When shall they so reign To this we have often intimately given answer before namely that they shall not so do while they are in mortal bodies nor on the earth in this corruptible state but when God according to his promise shall make all things new And so we say again they shall not reign as is here spoken of till the dead in Christ are raised again to wit in the resurrection of the just when none but the righteous ones shall be raised Luk. 14. 14. There is an order in the resurrection as the Apostle gives us to understand Indeed There will be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust As in Adam all dye so in Christ shall all be made alive But every man in his own order Christ the first-fruits he is raised long before the rest of the dead and hath been so above Sixteen hundred years already Afterwards they that are Christs at his coming and they only and so they also will be raised long before the rest of the dead namely a Thousand years whether more strictly or largely taken and more Rev. 20. 4 12. Then or after the end when will be the second and general resurrection 1 Cor. 15. 21 22 23 24. with vers 5. Now then at Christ's coming the dead in Christ shall be raised and the surviving of that body changed As the Apostle saith Them which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him for this we say unto you by the word of the Lord that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep for the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the voice of the Arch-Angel and with the trump of God And the dead in Christ shall rise first to wit before the rest of the dead and before the living Saints are changed and caught up Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up c. In order whereto they shall be changed In a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed 1 Thes 4. 14 17. with 1 Cor. 15. 51-53 Then shall that which was prophesied of so long since be fulfilled Thy dead men shall live with my dead body shall they arise awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust c. namely They shall then sing gloriously that song there mentioned Isa 26. 19. with Chap. 25. and 26. 1-5 And that they shall then reign when they are raised from the earth and not before is signified to us by the Apostle John in his relation of what he saw in vision I saw saith he the souls of them that were beheaded c And they lived to wit revived as we have said before and reigned a thousand years This is the first resurrection Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection en such the second death hath no power but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign a thousand years Rev. 20. 4. 6. And this surely is the first resurrection not in order of time only but also the best resurrection as the first Robe is the best Luk. 15. 22. or the chief Mark 6. 21. and so it is called a better Resurrection to wit than the second and general because they that have part in it shall reign on the earth whereas the rest of the dead shall not so do Heb. 11. 37. The time then when they that are Christs shall reign on the earth will be after they are raised in the first and better Resurrection according to what our Saviour saith They that shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage neither can they dye any more for they are equal unto the angels and are the children of God being the children of the resurrection They that shall be accounted worthy to inherit and judg that world are such only as shall be accounted worthy to obtain the Resurrection from the dead from the rest of the dead which all shall not be nor any but the Children of God Luk. 20. 35 36. with Heb. 2. 5. This honour and happiness the Church of the first-born of the first-born from the dead which are written in Heaven shall arrive at and be made partakers of Heb. 12. 23-28 with Col. 1. 18. and Rev. 1. 5 6. And so much also may well be contained in and collected from that part of the song of Hannah in which she saith He raiseth up the poor out of the dust and lifteth up the beggar from or out of the dunghil to set them among princes and to make them inherit the throne of glory 1 Sam. 2. 8. with Psal 113. 6 8. It is true indeed these words He raiseth up c. do certainly refer to his exalting persons sometimes in this day out of their low abject condition unto glory But it is true also that he most fully raiseth them out of their graves out of the dust of the earth to this glorious dignity we are speaking of and lifteth them up from the gates of death Isa 26. 19. John 3. 14. Jer. 9. 22. Psal 9. 13. Nor doth that hinder the interpretation given that she and the Prophet speak in the present time and say He raiseth up and lefteth for in such like words the Resurrection from the dead is also spoken of and mentioned in Scripture as may be seen John 5. 21. 2 Cor. 1. 9 10. And in that they shall reign after they are raised from the dead This shews unto us the excellency and perpetuity of their Kingdom and Glory Dan. 7. 27. The great ones of this world who are advanced to the highest dignity and Empire are still in mortal bodies and must needs dye What man is