for he can take away their Talents from them Luke 19. 24 26. It 's his Spirit and he can recall it and then they will become Vessels in whom is no pleasure 2. The consideration of what hath been said may admonish their Brethren who are not in such office not to think too highly of the Angels of the Churches nor to glory in men for all things are theirs whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas c. 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. not to think of them above what is written that none of them be puffed up for one against another 1 Cor. 4. 1 2 6. For what have they but what is given to them And who then is Paul and who is Apollo but ministers c. 1 Cor. 3. 4 7. They have not the Spirit upon them but may so provoke Christ as that he may take it away from them 3. It may instruct them and us all whom to look to and unto whom we should lift up our Eyes and Souls when we have brought deadness and witheredness upon our selves even unto him who hath the seven Spirits of God still remaining and resting upon him and who is ready to give it to them that ask yea so to give or dispence it preventingly that we may ask Luke 11. 13. and if he will give none can hinder its being poured forth the Spirit like the wind breatheth where it listeth Joh. 3. 8. and though we are like unto dead bones yet he can put his spirit in us that we may live Ezek. 37. 11 14. 2. We have the account of his knowledge of them I know thy works see notes on ch 2. ver 2. That thou hast a name that thou livest and arâ— dead This was that which he did discern and take notice of in and by their works that they appeared to be something when they were nothing and so deceived themselves and others Gal. 6. 3. Jam. 1. 22. Thou hast a name a fame or good report amongst others So name often signifies in Scripture fame or report as we are come because of the name of the Lord for we have heard the fame of him Josh 9. 9. So An evil name is a bad report Deut. 22 14 19. and a good name is a good report Eccles 7. 1. and thus the word name is frequently used and accepted amongst us Or thou hast A name to wit renown so Men of name are called Men of renown Gen. 6. 4. and base Men are Men of no name or no renown Job 30. 8. 2 Sam. 7. 9 23. and ch 8. 13. So then when he saith thou hast a name it means thou art well reported of by others or thy renown is gone forth for thy beauty and worth as Ezek. 16. 1â— and in this sense thou art taken up into the lips of talkers they noâ— only think well of thee but they praise thee and speak highly and honourably of thee and thou hast got a good report and great renown not only among them that are without but especially amongst Christ's Churches and not only thou hadst but thou hast a name thou still hast it thou hast in former times so behaved thy self that thereby thou gat'st thee renown which is not usually soon gotten and thou still keepest it also Thou hast a name that thou livest not livedst but livest that thou still dost so even at this present when this Epistle is directed to thee he speaks not here of the life of their bodies for without doubt as to them they lived and were not dead for there is no work nor device nor knowledgâ— nor wisdom in the grave Eccles 9. 5 6. 10. Ps 6. 5. and 30. 9. and 88. 5 11. Isay 38. 18 19. But here he speaks concerning the life of their Spirits or Souls in a spiritual consideration Isay 38. 16. and ch 55. 3. of the life of their hearts Ps 22. 26. and so it is as if he should say thou hast gotten and retainest a renown by thy works and arâ— reported of by them that thou livest that thy Soul liveth That is to say Thou hast a name that thou livest In a more general consideration life in Scripture as opposed to death doth summarily comprehend all happiness and blessedness Rom. 6. 23. Joh. 10. 10. life signifies blessing as death doth cursing as it is said I have set before thee life and good and death and evil And again I have set before you life and death blessing and cursing therefore chuse life Life here comprehends good and blessing and so all happiness compare Deut. 30. 15. with v. 19. so here Thou hast a name that thou livest that is to say that thou art an happy and blessed people The Churches look upon thee O Angel to be in a very good condition that thou believest with the heart the word of Faith and makest confession with the mouth unto salvation that thou walkest with a right foot in the Gospel and art an useful and profitable instrument of good to others In short thou hast the report that thy state is very happy blessed and desireable thou hast-renown amongst others And they look on thee O Church as and report thee to bee a very flourishing society and happy thriving Church and congregation and what Church is so much spoken of so oft named and so greatly renowned as this Church of Sardis Oh! this is mentioned and reported to be an excellenâ— Congregation and preferred before many others More particularly Thou hast a name that thou livest that thou abidest in the lively knowledge of the only true God and of Jesus Christ whom he hath sent the Saviour of the World For this is life eternal saith our Saviour Joh. 17. 3. with 1 Joh. 4. 14. In this stands and consists the life of the Spirit hence that cry of the Psalmist give me understanding and I shall live Ps 119. 144. And on the other hand they who remain in ignorance of God are said to be alienated from the life of God Eph. 4. 18. And the man that wanders out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead Prov. 21. 16. But thou hast a name that thou walkest and abidest in the way of understanding and that thou art filled with all knowledge of Jesus Christ and him crucified and of God in him And so that thou understandest all things Prov. 28. 5. that thou art filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding That thou livest That thou art and abidest in the â—avour of God in whose â—avour is life Ps 30. 5 yea whose loving-kindness is better then life Ps 63. 5. Prov. 8. 34 35. in the light of whose countenance is life and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain Prov. 16. 14 16. thou hast a name that thou art in Christ and not only so but that thou walkest in him as thou hast received him and so art justified owned and approved not as to thy state only but as to
his Prophets or Angels may chuse and highly esteem of 1 Sam. 16. 6 7. his eyes are as a flame of fire and he searcheth the reins and hearts see the notes on ch 1. v. 14. and on ch 2. v. 23. one would have thought that such a Church had been approved of him and might well have been commended of others of whom he saith I know thâ— works and thy labour and thy patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evil and hast tried them which say they are Apostles and are not and hast found them liars and hast born and hast patience and for my names sake hast laboured and hast not fainted and yet notwithstanding all this I have against thee c. See notes on Chap. 2. Verse 1 5. 2 Cor. 10. 18. Verse 2. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to dye for I have not found thy works perfect before God In this Verse Christ gives gracious and useful counsel to this Angel and Church and lays down a Reason or Argument to ingage them to receive it We may from the former part of the Verse note in general 1. In that our Lord Jesus gives such good and useful Counsel and Instruction unto dead ones and such dead ones also that Christ is not willing that such as these who after they have been enlivened and quickened in their Spirits have again brought themselves into a miserable condition so as they are even become dead should perish and be lost for ever while it is called to day though their iniquity be very great and highly provoking to him yet he hath no pleasure none at all in the death of him that dieth he hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked of such wicked ones also as have left off to be wise and to do good but that such turn and live as he hath both said and sworn Ezek. 18. 23 31 32. and ch 33. 11. with Ps 36. 1 3 4 7. Luke 15. 24. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9 15. 1 Tim. 2. 4. He would have all men to be saved while the day of his grace and patience lasteth And hence when by his Apostle Jude he warns of some such ungodly ones as turned the grace of our God into lasciviousness and is saying of them they were trees without fruit whose fruit withereth twice dead plucked up by the roots yet he gives this instruction to the believers And of some have compassion making a difference and others save with fear pulling them out of the Fire c. Jude 4. 12 22 23. 2. In that he gives this good and profitable counsel to those who were dead in a Spiritual Consideration as we have seen so he signifies to us that his words are Spirit and Life unto such as these Joh. 6. 63. His Gospel with the Counsels Commandments and Instructions thereof is the word of life Phil. 2. 16. In and with this word he gives life preventingly to dead Souls Joh. 5. 21 25. 1 Cor. 15. 47. and is quickening them also who thorow their carnal mindedness have again brought death upon themselves and lost those things which have been wrought in them by the Gospel Eph. 5. 14. His word is with power Luke 4. 32. and while he calls he stretches forth his hand to enable men to turn at his reproofs and to receive and obey his Counsel Prov. 1. 24. He doth lighten their Eyes that they may not sleâ—â— the sleep of death Ps 13. 3. with Prov. 29. 13. He works powerfully in and with his word to the recalling converting and turning such to himself as have sold themselves for their iniquities and for their transgressions are put away and hence he thus speaketh to and expostulateth with such wherefore when I came was there no Man when I called was there none to answer Is mine hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem or have I no power to deliver Isay 50. 1 2 3 4. 1. From hence then we may note that when we say dead Men may receive God's Word Instruction and Counsel while it is to day we suppose not nor believe that Men have naturally free-will or power to turn or quicken themselves for to be sure dead Men have neither will nor power to any thing that is spiritually good but in such like sayings we conclude as we have good ground to do that God exerts and puts forth his power in and with his word to enable them to what he requires of them where the word of this great King is without doubt there is power Eccles 8. 4. hence he saith to his people in former times O thou that art named the house of Jacob is the Spirit of the Lord shortened though thou hast neither will nor power to turn thy self Jer. 31. 18 19. yet is not his Spirit the Spirit of power and might 2 Tim. 1. 7. Isay 11. 2. and is this spirit of his straitned towards thee to enable and strengthen thee Surely no Mica 2. 1. 7. 2. It may lead us highly to esteem the word of Christ to glorify the word of the Lord and not listen to or be deceived by them who call it the letter and a dead letter but to know it is the ministration of the Spirit and the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 6 8. Eph. 6. 17. The word of God is living and powerful or in-working Heb. 4. 12. It is able to quicken dead souls as the Prophet David confesses saying thy word hath quickened me And again with thy precepts thou hast quickned me Ps 119. 50 93. Eph. 2. 1 4. 5. 3. It may instruct them that have this word of the Lord and have it fitted in their lips to speak it Faithfully and not to make use of excellency of speech or of wisdom But to know the word of God is powerful and needs not the additions or mixtures of Man's eloquence or wisdom or the strength of their arguments or most powerful and perswasive demonstrations and reasons the plain preaching of the cross without wisdom of words is the power of God 1 Cor. 1. 17 25. and ch 2. 1 5. Col. 2. 3 8. If they had stood in my counsel saith the Lord and had caused my people to hear my words then they should have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings he that hath my word let him speak my word faithfully what is the chaff to the wheat saith the Lord. Is not my word like as a fire saith the Lord and like an hammer that breaks the rock in pieces Jer. 23. 22 30. 2 Cor. 2. 17. 4. It may provoke them that have it in their hearts to take fast hold of it and not let it go to keep it for it is their life life to their Soul Prov. 4. 13. with ch 3. 21 22. If it will quicken dead Souls without peradventure it will keep and preserve living ones in life
A Commentary OR AN EXPOSITION WITH NOTES On the Five First CHAPTERS OF THE REVELATION OF JESVS CHRIST By CHARLES PHELPES Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the Words of this Prophecy and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand Rev. 1. 3. LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chappel 1678. Academiae Cantabrigiensis Liber To them that have heard Jesus in his Gospel and know and believe that he is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the World Christian Reader and beloved Friend HAving in my Family according to my weak ability read over the Scriptures of the Apostles which precede this Book of the Revelation and coming at last unto this Book of prophecy I had many thoughts arising in mine heart whether I should adventure to meddle with it or undertake to read it as I had done the former Scriptures written since the manifestation of Christ or not Manifold discouragements were ready at hand and presented themselves to hinder me therefrom As to say 1. The appearing difficulty of the things therein contained 2. Mine own childishness not in age so much as in understanding the first and more fundamental things of the testimony of Jesus which is the Spirit of prophecy Rev. 19. 10. and too too great carnality and fleshly-mindedness of both which I was a little made sensible though too much defective therein 3. The strange and contrary apprehensions of those very few learned Men whose Writings I have each to other concerning the meaning of the Holy Ghost in this Book 4. My great aloneness and want of such helps and helpers in the Lord as with whom I might with profit comfort and confidence have conferred and by whom I might have been assisted These and such like considerations were before me and had much impression upon me so as while I mused on and consulted them simply I was almost determined to make no entrance into the reading of this Book But again on the other hand many arguments also contained even in the beginning of the Book it self did some of them encourage me to make some entrance into it and however to consider and read the three first Chapters which appear more easy to be understood and others in reading them emboldened me to make further progress thereinto as to instance some of them a little 1. The Title of the Book It is called The Revelation c. to import and signify that it is not a sealed Book now but an opened and revealed Book Indeed had it been like the words spoken unto Daniel Dan. 12. 4 9. Or like to that Book before it was opened spoken of Rev. 5. 1 2 3 4. Or like to what the seven Thunders uttered Rev. 10. 4. It had been great sawciness and high presumption in me to have intruded or curiously pryed into it But it 's Title is The Revelation c. Rev. 1. v. 1. and ch 22. 10. 2. The consideration whose this Book is carries motive in it to move us to look into it viz. It is Jesus Christ's ch 1. 1. one 's who is an admirable lover of us And it is his 1. Given to him who is the Saviour and upon whom the Spirit is put immeasurably for the good of all Men and especially of them that believe Given to him by God the Father when he was exalted in our nature to the right hand of God who then gloriously received gifts in the Man and for Men c. Ps 68. 18. Acts 2. 33. 2. And it was given unto him to shew viz. to bring forth into light that it might be understood Now this encouraged me to pray unto the Lord And to call in some of my friends to joyn with me in praying unto him and in his name to reveal mine eyes to behold these wondrous things of his Law Remembring what gracious promises he had confirmed by his precious blood and propounded in his Gospel to that end Joh. 14. 13 14. and ch 16. 23 24. 3. The minding to whom he was to shew it viz. unto his Servants even to the Churches with some of which there were faults and great ones also found ch 1. 1 4 ii and ch 22. 6 16. and the persons called upon to hear and understand it to wit he that hath an ear as at the close of every of the seven Epistles to the seven Churches in ch 2. and ch 3. c. contributed something towards mine undertaking to look into and consider this Book 4. The person unto whom he sent and signified it by his Angel viz. to his Servant John who bare witness c. Rev. 1. 1 2. one who was a Man subject to like passions with others and an unlearned and ignorant Man c. see the notes on Rev. 1. v. 9. This also was not unuseful to me 5. The blessedness pronounced indefinitely on him that readeth and on them that hear c. ch 1. 3. without the exclusion of any who desire to fear his name put strength and resolution into me to make some entrance into and progress in reading this Book And indeed the whole Preface contains forcible and plentiful encouragements to search diligently into this Book of prophecy and such as are not ordinarily if ever found in any other Book or Epistle in the Bible in the beginning thereof These and such-like considerations moved me to wave my discouraging thoughts and not to be impeded thereby But to put my foot into those waters and wade therein as God gave me opportunity and ability This I desire of thee that thou take no one thing I have said on trust from me because I have said it I have been harmed my self by so doing from others and oft seen cause to let go what I so received and may still further see cause so to do Be warned by my harme and read over and over again and weigh diligently with the Text and Testimony of Christ what thou readest And what consents to wholesome words therein embrace and hold fast and what dissents therefrom reject And what is doubtful let alone till further light or help be afforded And the Lord give his blessing to what is consonant to his word therein and discover to me and deliver me from all my mistakes and evils in heart and way And make these Notes as profitable to thee as they have been painful to me I mean to my flesh Eccles 12. 12. I desire to be Thy Servant in and for Christ Charles Phelpes AN EXPOSITION On the first CHAPTER OF THE REVELATION Chap. 1. Verse 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 THE Revelation of Jesus Christ This is the Title of this Book which is called by us The Revelation of St. John the Divine But not so well and properly or fully The Title
inhabits Eternity As if he should say The consideration of this one thing doth hugely conduce to the Believers being preserved from the errour of these Scoffers For say they where is the promise of his coming He hath promised to dissolve all these things and to make all things new new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness And this he hath promised long since to do in a little time Compare Hagg. 2. 6. with Hebr. 12. 26 28. But notwithstanding his promise all things continue as they were and therefore it is ridiculous to expect the accomplishment and performance of his promise But now the knowing and considering what a little time is with him that promised viz. that a thousand Years with him are as one Day with us and two thousand as two will greatly conduce to the preserving us from their mistakes and help us to know that though he be long-suffering yet the Day of the Lord will come and according to his promise he will make new Heavens and a new Earth 2 Pet. â— 8 10 13. So again the Prophet David some thousands of Years since thus prophesieth For yet a little while and the Wicked shall not be Yea thou shalt diligently consider his place and it shall not be But the meek shall inherit the Earth c. This promise of yet a little while is not yet fully performed though made so long time since as to us But alas it is but as three or four Days with the Lord Psal 37. 10 11. with Mat. 5. 5. See also Heb. 10. 37. How greatly have some learned Men lately mistaken about this Word shortly And how dangerous have been their mistake for from hence have proceeded such absurd mistakes as these That the Devil 's being bound that he should deceive the Nations no more spoken of in Revel 20. began in Constantine's time and then also was the first Resurrection And the thousand Years Reign of Christ and his Saints then also began which is nothing else as they dream but a time of Tranquillity and Halcyonian Days for serving God in this World which now is Whereas had they considered what shortly is with the Lord they would not hâ—ve begun so early with these things but have waited with Patience till the time come for the performance of these Prophecies See also Isay 54. 7. 8. 17. 2. Shortly as to the first of the things prophesied of and so of the following things successively like to that Gen. 41. 32. See further the Note on Verse 3. And he sent 1. This Revelation was given to Christ to shew unto his Servants but not immediately to be shewed by him to them but he doth it by his Angel So God in these last Days hath spoken to us by his Son but not all immediately by him but by the Holy Apostles also whom Christ sent into the World as the Father sent him into the World Joh. 17. 18 19. And yet by whomsoever he sends and speaks we do in receiving them receive him as he saith Verily Verily I say unto you He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me And he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me Joh. 13. 20. 2 Cor. 5. 20. 1 Thes 4. 8. He sent His faithfulness is herein assured to us he did not hide God's Righteousness within his Heart but declared God's Faithfulness and his Salvation c. Psal 40. 9 10. He was faithful in that hard and difficult work to him that appointed him He was not rebellious neither turned away back Isay 50. 5. 9. And he is so and remains so for ever Heb. 3. 1 2 6. He is the faithful and true Witness Rev. 1. 5. and Chap. 3. 14. A merciful and faithful High-priest in things pertaining to God Heb. 2. 17 18. And signified it Viz. 1. Declared it and made it known as Agabus signified by the Spirit that there should be great Dearth c. Acts 11. 28. And as Christ signified what manner of Death he should dye Joh. 10. 33. He made this known which was formerly hid 2. Notified it and set a Mark or Sign upon it as it were to denote the great weightiness of the things herein contained that we might seriously consider and give more earnest heed unto them By his Angel Which doth not mean the Holy Ghost For 1. He is never so called elsewhere and why should any conceive he is here so called unless some evident reason could be given for it 2. Because this Angel of Christ would not be worshipped by the Apostle John Rev. 19. 10. with Chap. 22. 8 9. Whereas the Holy Spirit is one God with the Father and Son and so to be worshipped by us For there are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Spirit and these three are one 1 Joh. 5. 7. And we are baptized in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost whose name is but one Mat. 28. 19. compare Isay 6. 1 3. 10. with Acts 28. 25. But this Angel here spoken of was one of those glorious invisible Spirits who are usually called by this name either Gabriel who was sent to Zacharia to tell him that his Wife should bear a Son even the Baptist who was Christ's Messenger to prepare his way Luk. 1. 11. 19. And who also was sent from God to the Virgin Mary to acquaint her that she should conceive in her Womb and bring forth a Son even Jesus ver 26 29 36. And who was also sent to Daniel a Man greatly beloved of the Lord as also was John to whom this Book was sent and signified that Disciple whom Jesus loved Dan. 8. 16 17. and Chap. 9. 21. or some other or more of those Holy and Elect Angels for sometimes the Word is used collectively to wit Angel signifieth Angels Compare Psal 34. 7. with Heb. 1. 14 As Servant and Servants are used indifferently Compare Mat. 22. 3 8 9. with Luk. 14. 17 21 23. and Mat. 21. 34 36. with Mark 12. 2. 5. and so we may learn that Christ hath by Inheritance obtained a more excellent name than the Angels Heb. 1. 4 14. they are the Angels and Messengers of the Son of Man whom he hath power to send and employ as he pleases Mat. 24. 30 31. 2 Thes 1. 7. All the Angels of God are commanded to worship him as their Lord who is Lord of all Heb. 1. 6. And that may comfort his Servants and encourage them to follow him and not fear Psal 34. 7 8 10. with 1 Pet. 2 3 4. Vnto his Servant John Not unto all his Servants but unto his Servant that by him it might be made known to the residue and particularly unto his Servant John that beloved Disciple here called his Servant A Title that hath been given unto and taken and gloried in by Holy-men formerly 2 Sam. 7. 19 20 27. 2 Chron. 6. 19 21. Psal 116. 16. Mal. 4. 4. Phil. 1. 1. Tit. 1. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 1. Jam. 1. 1. Jude
orders it for great good to them and others as Gen. 50. 20. 4 We may also see that all power is Christs both in Heaven and on earth so as none can go any further than he permits in afflicting his people Doubtless they that Banished John had malice enough to have killed him but he to whom all judgment and government is committed hindred them and as it were said Hitherto shall thou go and no further surely the wrath of man shall praise him and the remainder he will restrain Ps 76. 10. 5. We have to consider the cause and reason of his being in the Isle of Patmos and that was For the Word of God and for the Testimony of Jesus Christ for the explication whereof see notes on v. 2. But here note 1. He was not banished thither for being a Jew simply or such an account as those spoken of Act. 18. 2 3. Christians may be banished and yet not as Christians but suffer in a common calamity but it was not so here 2. Nor was he banished for evil doing for resisting or rebelling against the Authorities that were over him There is no cause to rejoyce in such sufferings but to be ashamed of them nor for evil-doing in a more general acceptation Let noneof you suffer as a Murtherer or as a Thief or as an Evil doer or as a Busy-body in other Mens matters saith the Apostle Peter Rom. 13. 1 3. Tit. 3. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 16 17. and ch 4. 15 16. Rev. 13. 10. 3. But his sufferings were for the Word of God and for the Testimony of Jesus Christ to wit for the Gospel because he had faithfully preached and declared that That which rendred him a meet Subject in Christ's Account to have this Revelation sent and signified to him v. 1 2. rendred him an Object of the Anger and Displeasure of the Emperor and was the cause of his banishment The LORD seeth not as Man seeth and herein his Sufferings and Tribulations were upon the same account as his Brethrens were not for trivial things and much less for doing evil or not doing what was good and he might lawfully do but for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake and so for the Gospel's sake like herein to Paul he endured bonds for Christ Phil. 1. 12 13. 2 Tim. 1. 11 12. He was in bonds for the Gospel Phil. 13. 2 Thes 1. 5. And so his sufferings were upon such account as in enduring which Men are pronounced Blessed and great encouragement is set before them to rejoyce herein Mat. 5. 11 12. Mark 8. 35. and ch 10. 29. Rejoyce saith Peter inasmuch as ye are made partakers of Christ's Sufferings that when his Glory shall be revealed ye also may be glad with exceeding Joy 1 Pet. 4. 13. And Instruction is given not to be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord But to partake of the Afflictions of the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 7 8 and ch 2. 1 3 8. And it is a gracious gift when Men are counted worthy to suffer for the Gospel and therefore it is matter of rejoycing Phil. 1. 27 29. Acts 5. 41. The sufferings false teachers avoided though they might suffer upon other accounts Gal. 6. 12 13 14. Verse 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day and heard behind me a great Voice as of a Trumpet In this Verse we have 1. The Condition or Posture he was in I was in the Spirit 2. The time when he was so On the Lord's Day 3. An account in general of what he heard And heard behind me a great Voice as of a Trumpet 1. The Condition or Posture he was in I was in the Spirit So ch 4. 2. and ch 17. 3. and ch 21. 10. Not only the Spirit was in him for so he is in all unfeigned believers And yet the Spirits being in a Man is diversly accepted in Scripture Sometimes and ordinarily as a Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge and for the acknowledgment of Christ and as a Spirit of Grace Supplication Adoption and Child-like boldness And so he is in them as a Ruler in an House to direct teach comfort admonish them c. Rom. 8. 11. 1 Cor. 3. 16. and ch 6. 19. Otherwise extraordinarily to fit them for Prophecy Government c. 1 Pet. 1. 11. Numb 27. 18. But that which he here saith is I was in the Spirit And there may be and is ordinarily as much difference between these two to wit the Spirits being in a Man and his being in the Spirit as between a Mans having Wine in him and being in Wine Though yet at some times also this Phrase of being in the Spirit is so taken as may be affirmed of all unfeigned Believers and little differing from the Spirits being in a Man Rom. 8. 9. And indeed Believers are in the Spirit both as to the life of their Spirits they live therein to wit the Spirit is the Spring Principle Quickener Maintainer and Presever of their Spiritual Life as in the Testimony He glorifieth Christ c. Joh. 6. 63. begetting them to a lively hope Rom. 15. 13. and comforting them and filling them with Joy Rom. 14. 17. with Joh. 16. 14 15. and ch 15. 26. and they in whom he dwelleth richly are in the Spirit as the way walking in him Gal. 5. 16 25. Rom. 8. 13 14. But here the Phrase signifieth some further thing to wit a being in the Spirit after an extraordinary manner so as that a Man is carried out of and above himself divinely transported and carried up of and filled with the Spirit so the voice said Come up hither ascend up thither and immediately I was in the Spirit See Notes on ch 4. v. 1 2. It is the same thing as is spoken by Paul of a Man in Christ whether in the Body or no he could not tell caught up in the Spirit into the sight of and fitted for the understanding high and mysterious things as the Spirits being in a Man and Christs being in him are used indifferently Rom. 8. 9 10 2 Cor. 12. 1 5 7. It is a being as it were out of the Body or out of a Mans self in the Spirit of the Lord and in his Spirit in the Spirit of his mind Acts 12. 9. and ch 10. 10. Hence oftentimes this being in the Spirit is expressed by lifting up or carrying as out of and above themselves as Ezek. 12. 14. and ch 2. 1 3. and ch 11. 1 24. and ch 37. 1. Persons are not meet for such Visions till they are out of and above themselves as it were 2. The time when he was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day that is so say 1. Either on such a Day as the Lord pleased thus to visit him in his day and time which he who is a God of Judgment was pleased to choose out and pitch upon to reveal these things to him in So his time and day may not be ours As Christ saith to his Mother Woman
of the commendable things in this Angel and Church In which we may note 1. That those who are not Apostles may yet say they are so though in so saying they are liers they may take to themselves such names as appertain not to them and give forth themselves to be what they are not so it was here Now according to the use of this word Apostles in scripture so we may take it in this place also to wit in a double sense 1. And most frequently by Apostles are meant the Apostles of Christ namely such as had seen the Lord Jesus in his personal body and received the Gospel immediately from him and were also immediately commissioned and Authorised by him after he was raised to go into all the World and preach the Gospel to every creature of all the nations for which they received power by the holy spirit 's being given unto them Act. 1. 2 8. The number of whom was twelve unto whom Paul was added afterward being the great Apostle of the Gentiles Gal. 2. 7. and he also saw the Lord and hereby proves he was an Apostle of Christ 1 Cor. 9. 1. as he oft calls himself in his Epistles and he only Peter excepted 1 Cor. 15. 7 9. Acts 9. 4 7 27. and ch 22. 6 14. Gal. 1. 1. c. so these might give forth themselves to be Apostles of Christ to wit of the number of his extraordinary Ambassadours like that said of them by the Apostle Paul such are false Apostles deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ 2 Cor. 11. 13. and they might pretend that what they declared they had immediately from Christ and therefore they would not be determined by the Apostles Doctrine They were neither of Paul nor of Apollo nor of Cephas but they were of Christ as some said among the Corinthians 1 Cor. 1. 12 13. 2. And the secondary Ministers are sometimes called Apostles so Barnabas was Act. 14. 14. And we read of the Apostles of the Churches not only such as might be sent by them but also such as were sent to them by the extraordinary ambassadors of Christ possibly 2 Cor. 8. 23. so Epaphroditus is called the Philippians Apostle or messenger Phil. 2. 25. and such also they or some of them might give forth themselves to be to wit to be owned and approved by the Churches in other parts and by the Apostles also And indeed we may take the word as it is sometimes used generally for Ministers of Christ and such as received and held forth the Gospel as where our Saviour saith The servant is not greater then his Lord nor the Apostle greater then â—e that sent him Joh. 13. 16. and so he signifieth that such as are not the Ministers of Christ and who come not with his word and Gospel may yet say they are the Apostles of Christ or of his or some of his Churches that so they may deceive others and herein they are like to the false Prophets in former times who gave forth themselves to be sent of God Jer. 14. 14 15. and ch 23. 22. and ch 27. 15. and ch 29. 9 21 23. and as there were false prophets among the people so there shall be false teachers among you saith the Apostle Peter 2 Pet. 2. 1. many false teachers there were amongst the Christians in the Apostles days some telling them except they were circumcised and kept the law of Moses they could not be saved Act. 15. 1. Gal. 3. 1 3. some saying there was no Resurrection of the dead or that the Resurrection was made or past already 1 Cor. 15. 12. 2 Tim. 2. 17 19. some teaching men to deny the Lord that bought them and so walking in and leading others into pernicious and lascivious ways and practises 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. Jude 3. 4 c. 1. Herein then we may see that evil teachers and false prophets are deceitful workers 2 Cor. 11. 13 15. and use a great deal of cunning craftiness Eph. 4. 14. and will pretend to speak what they believe not and be what they are not Mat. 24. 24. 2 Thes 2. 10. even such as preach another Jesus Spirit or Gospel may yet transform themselves into and call themselves the Apostles of Christ 2 Cor. 11. 1 4. with v. 13 15. therefore they are for their subtilty compared and likened to foxes Cant. 2. 15. Ezek. 13. 4 4. and to serpents 2 Cor. 11. 3. with Gen. 3. 1. Act. 13. 10. they will pretend and give out themselves to be the Apostles of Christ when they are not so but enemies to him and liers like unto Satan Joh. 8. 44. 1 Joh. 2. 22. and like him they may make some right acknowledgment to deceive Mark 1. 24. and ch 3. 11. Luke 4. 34. Act. 16. 16. and though the enemies of Christ and of his Cross and Gospel yet they may speak sometimes honourably thereof for their own ends as they did Act. 19. 13 15. 2. Seeing they may say they are Apostles and messengers of Christ who are not let us take heed to our selves lest such deceive and beguile us as our Saviour saith to his disciples take heed lest any Man deceive you for many shall come in my name saying I am and shall deceive many and again false Christs and false prophets shall rise and shall shew Signs and wonders to seduce if possible even the elect but take ye heed behold I have foretold you all things Mark 13. 5 6. 22 23. Luke 21. 8. 2 Thes 2. 2. Believe we not every spirit let us not be so foolish and simple as to be beguiled by mens good words or high boasts of themselves Rom. 16. 16 17. Indeed we are apt to receive such as come in their own name Joh. 5. 44 and to suffer them gladly and follow them who exalt themselves 2 Cor. 11. 13 15 20. But manifold admonitions are given to us to arme us against them and to engage us to look to our selves that no Man deceive us 1 Joh. 3. 7. 2 Joh. 7. 9. think not you cannot be deceived for it is possibe you may and many will be so Mat. 24. 4 5. nor conceit there is no danger in these deceivers for their heresies are dâ—mnable and destructive as is before said 3. Then also it is good and needful for us not to receive any strangers or such as are unknown to us as bringers or declarers of a doctrine without letters of commendation from such as we doe know and may confide in which was it seemes used and usual in former times So much may be signified in what Paul saith of Timothy in one of his epistles to the Corinthians Now if Timotheus come see that he may be with you without fear for he worketh the work of Christ as I also doe 1 Cor. 16. 10 12. so again need we as some others Epistles of commendation to you or of commendation from you thereby giving us to understand that though he needed none nor
the law and obtained eternal redemption for us when we were in our filth and blood said unto us live when we were in woful misery when the Sorrows of death compassed us and the pains of Hell gat hold on us and we found woe and trouble yet then caused his goodness to pass before us and commended and discovered his love to us and overcame us as bullocks unaccustomed to the yoke and spake peace to us and quieted our fears removed our sorrows comforted our hearts delivered our souls from death our eyes from tears and our feet from falling that we might walk before him in the land of the living in whom still dwelleth and abideth all the fulness even all the fulness of the God-head bodily and in whom is all compleatness prepared for us Do we thus requite the Lord O foolish people and unwise Is he not our Father that hath bought us hath he not made and established us ask thy Father and he will shew thee thine elders the prophets and Apostles and they will tell thee do ye thus render to the Lord for all his benefits love and kindness as to forsake him and lightly or more lightly than formerly esteem the rock of your Salvation of the rock that begat you are ye so unmindful and have you forgotten God that formed you Deut. 32. 5 7 15 18. Is this your kindness to your friend that hath so loved you and made it known to you and still continues his goodness to you and waits upon you that he may be gracious unto you O remember the former days remember your affliction and misery the distress that sometimes you were in and what a joyful sound the Gospel was then unto you and how your hearts did burn within you in love to Christ his cross and sufferings and consider what a loss you are now come to and for this weep let your eye your eye run down with water weep and howl for such an unkind and unworthy return to him and give no rest to your eyes nor slumber to your eye-lids until you return to the days of your youth the love of your espousals surely the oneness of the Lord being seriously minded and considered by us would engage us to return to him from whom we have departed and to be â—ervent in unâ—eigned love to him Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and Soul and mind and strength and thy neighbour as thy self Deut. 6. 4 6. with Mark 12. 29 30. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of light with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth wherefore my Brethren let every Man be swift to hear c. Jam. 1. 17 18 19. 2. This is a great evil an evil that provoketh to leave the first love because in our abating in our love to Christ and leaving our first â—ervency of affection to him and his Gospel and people and the societies thereof we shall be very injurious and harmful to others and even by such remission of love secretly signify unto them that the longer we know Christ and the more acquainted we are with him the less amiable and desirable he is to us and the less delightful to us and therefore is he no more delighted in by us and so we lay a stumbling block in the way of the blind and give offence to the World and hinder others from seeking after and following the Lord when persons are zealous and â—ervent in their affection unto and pursuit after the Lord their zeal provokes very many 2 Cor. 9. 2. Thus it appeared in the spouses earnestness in seeking for and inquiring after and highly and delightfully valuing and setting forth the excellency comliness of her beloved while she was thus exercised this heat of love in her to Christ and following hard after him causeth the daughters of Jerusalem to enquire after him and to say whither is thy beloved gone O thou fairest among Women whither is thy beloved turned aside that we may seek him with thee Can. 5. 8 16. and ch 6. 1. love even hot and fiery love to Christ and the fruits thereof are strong as death as death is strong and overcomes the mightiest and stoutest so ardent love is proper to overcome others also even our enemies and to bring them in to Christ Cant. 8. 6 7. with Rom. 12. 19 21. when the believers did cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart and continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and were together continuing daily with one accord c. The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved Acts 2. 42 47. Joh. 13. 34 35. But now when the first love waxes cold and believers have little or less heart to Christ and his Gospel than formerly this puts a discouragement upon others and hinders them from seeking after him and strengthens them in their evil ways so much the Lord signifies in saying to his people in former times My people have forgotten me days without number why trimest thou thy way to seek love Therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways Jer. 2. 31 33. And indeed this decay of mens first love to Christ will be visible and evident to others it cannot be kept so secret but it will be seen and come abroad for such as leave their first love will leave their first works also as v. 5. 3. Abatement in the first love is a great evil a provoking evil in believers because those in Christ's Church have great advantage to grow and increase in love to him and to his Gospel and it is expected from them that they go on from strength to strength Ps 84. 4 7. and in beholding him with open face in the glass of the Gospel they are changed and metamorphosed into the same Image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. In giving diligence to the exceeding great and precious promises ministred in and with the Gospel they shall be made partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the World thorow lust and not only so but they may add to their faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness Brotherly-kindness and to Brotherly-Kindness Charity 2 Pet. 1. 4 7. these things may be in them and abound v. 8 Choice giâ—ts are now given to men to this purpose that they might not be as children tossed to and fro but truthing it in love might grow up into Christ in all things who is the head from whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the
us see Judg. 8. 24 27. with Exod. 28. 4. 1 Cor. 10. 14 20. and indeed this Idolatry is spiritual fornication for therein the heart unchastly and trecherously departs from the Lord and God whose name is jealous and who is jealous cannot endure it Exod. 20. 5. And therefore he gives this charge to his people in former times Take heed to thy self lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee but ye shall destroy their altars break their images and cut down their groves for thou shalt worship no other God for the Lord whose name is jealous is a jealous God Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they go a-whoreing after their Gods and do sacrifice unto their Gods and call thee and thou eat of their sacrifice c. Exod. 34. 12 13 14 17. Deut. 4. 24. and ch 5. 9. and ch 6. 15. Josh 24. 19 20 23. 2. Or also by fornication in this place may be meant bodily and carnal uncleanness and filthiness of the flesh and Balaam did teach Balac to cast this stumbling-stone also before the Children of Israel to entice and tempt them to commit carnal fornication with the Moabitish Women and they too readily were enticed and polluted as it is said The people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab Numb 25. 1. of this the Apostle also speaks and saith neither let us commit fornication as some of them committed and fell in one day three and twenty thousand 1 Cor. 10. 8. And thus understanding fornication for the filthiness of the flesh also we may note for our usefulness 1. That spiritual and carnal fornication and uncleanness usually go together so it was in this instance as hath been said and as is said These caused the Children of Israel thorow the counsel of Balaam to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor Numb 31. 15 16. with ch 25. 2 3. And so it is said of mystery Babilon that she is the Mother of â—arlots and abominations of the earth and that with her the Kings of the earth have committed fornication And that she did corrupt the earth with her fornication both spiritual and carnal Rev. 17. 2 5. and ch 19. 2. Thus it is said of Judah in one place she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and stocks signifying her spiritual uncleanness In another it is said when I had fed them to the full then they commited adultery and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots houses They were as fed horses in the morning every one neighed after his neighbours wife And again The land is full of adulterers I have seen in the Prophets an horrible thing they committed adultery both carnal and spiritual Jer. 3. 9. with ch 5. 7 8. and ch 23. 10 11 13 14. with v. 27. And indeed when the hearts of men unchastly and adulterously depart from the Lord and they commit spiritual fornication they fit themselves thereby for all bodily and carnal evil also and provoke God to give them up thereto Whose pleaseth God shall escape from the Woman whose heart is snares and nets and her hands as bands but the sinners shall be taken by her Eccles 7. 26. Hos 2. 2 3. with ch 7. 3 4. 2. The way evil teachers walk in to draw believers from Christ is to preach such Doctrine or give such counsel as tends to gratify the flesh and many times to gratify it in this particular lust of uncleanness so it was with those false teachers the Apostle Peter speaks of who were like to if not the same with these Balaamites here mentioned They were lascivious persons and had eyes full of an adulteress and that cannot cease from sin beguiling unstable souls And they did allure thorow the lusts of the flesh thorow much wantonness those that were clean escaped from them that live in errour while they promised them liberty they themselves were the Servants of corruption c. 2 Pet. 2. 1 2 14 19. they turned the grace of our God into lasciviousness and did defile the flesh and entice others so to do also and as it here appears taught those that were in power and authority thus to debauch Christs disciples and to lay this stumbling-block before them to tempt them to commit fornication even outward and corporal also Jude 3. 4 8. Needful therefore it is for the believers to mortify thorow the spirit their members upon the earth daily and continually fornication uncleanness c. Col. 3. 5. to flee fornication 1 Cor. 6. 18 19. and not to let any Man deceive with vain words as if fornication were no great evil or but a venial sin for no whoremonger nor unclean person hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God But for this the wrath of God cometh upon the Children of disobedience Eph. 5. 3 6 7. 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. and to beware of false Prophets who come to them in sheeps-cloathing but are inwardly ravening wolves for if they listen to them and entertain their evil doctrines they wil cause them to go astray and walk in the broad way which leadeth to destruction Mat. 7. 13 15. Jer. 23. 10 16. there is no doctrine according to Godliness but the doctrine of Christ 1 Tim. 6. 3. all divers and strange doctrines tend to gratify the flesh Verse 15. So hast thou them also that hold the Doctrine of Nicolaitans which thing I hate To this we have said somewhat before on v. 6. of this chapter It is said of them that their Doctrine led to all uncleanness and filthiness But here we note in that Christ saith which I hate that evil doctrines are hateful to Christ and so they should be to us also and herein they are more hateful than evil practices because they directly tend to vitiate and corrupt the understandings of Men and if the eye be evil the whole body will necessarily be full of darkness and Men will fearlessly act all manner of iniquity Luke 11. 34. Verse 16. Repent or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the Sword of my mouth After our Saviour had drawn up his charge against this Angel and Church for having evil and corrupt teachers amongst them as we have seen before in the two former verses he now adds these words unto them In which we have to consider and speak unto these following things 1. A counsel or exhortation which he gives unto them Repent 2. A conditional threat or commination and that 1. With respect to this Angel and Church or else I will come unto thee quickly 2. With respect to the false teachers And will fight against them with the sword c. 1. A needful counsel and exhortation which he gives to this Angel and Church Repent Note 1. That Christ doth first convince Men of evil and draws up his charge
Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air 1 Cor. 15. 43 54. 1 Thes 4. 16 18. All this Generation of overâ—omers shall be above before they shall come down 2. This New Jerusalem shall come down from Christs God out of Heaven He saith not it is come down but cometh to denote the certainty thereof and the continually nearer approach of it As it is said of our Lord Jesus He cometh he cometh to judge the Earth Ps 96. 13. and 98. 9. The Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints Jude 14. Behold he cometh with Clouds Rev. 1. 7. that is he shall certainly come and that coming of his continually approacheth So it may be said of this New Jerusalem It cometh down out of Heaven c. And this is true 1. Of that glorious place so called for retaining these Blessed and Holy Inhabitants So John saith He carried me away in the Spirit to a great high Mountain and shewed me that great City the Holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God Rev. 21. 2 10. And though the Old Jerusalem may be built again by Men in its old place for and by the camp of the Saints even Israel and those that shall be joyned unto them as it is said Behold the days come saith the Lord that the City shall be built to the Lord from the Tower of Hanancel unto the gate of the Corner and the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the Hill Gareb and shall compass about to Goath and the whole Valley of the dead Bodies and of the Ashes and all the Fields unto the Brook of Kidron unto the Corner of the Horsegate towards the East shall be holy unto the Lord it shall not be plucked up nor thrown down any more for ever Which Prophesie was never yet fully accomplisht Jer. 31. 27 38 40. with Neh. 3. 1. and ch 2. 11 17. Zech. 14. 10. Isay 33. 20 21. with Mat. 24. 1 3. and Luke 21. 20. Zech. 12. 6. Yet I conceive the New Jerusalem this Holy City this Glorious Place and these Heavenly Mansions shall be prepared of God For we know saith the Apostle that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens yea may some say This building is eternal in the Heavens and shall never come down But their mistake will appear if the next Verse be but read and they pluck not one Scripture from another as too many do for it follows immediately For in this we earnestly groan desiring to be clothed upon with our House which is from Heaven or out of Heaven The very same Phrase there is used as here Compare 2 Cor. 5. 1 2. with Rev. 3. 12. So it is said of Abraham By Faith he dwelt in Tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob the heirs with him of the same promise for he looked for a City which hath Foundations whose builder and maker is God Compare Heb. 11. 9 10. with Rev. 21. 13 14 19. and of those Patriarchs it is said again But now they desire even now at this present day they desire a better Country that is an Heavenly Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God for he hath prepared for them a city Heb. 11. 16. with v. 13. and ch 13. 14. of this the Lord speaks by the Prophet Isay saying For behold I create new heavens a new earth and the former shall not be remembred nor come into mind But not only will he do so but he will also by his creative power make this new Jerusalem which is therefore called here by Christ the city of my God and this will be the praise of the whole earth and that in which they are especially called upon to rejoyce as it there follows But be you glad for ever in that which I create for behold I create Jerusalem a rejoycing and her people a joy Jerusalem is there distinguished from her people and â—ignifies that glorious place we have been speaking of Isay 65. 17 18. This shall come down out of Heaven See Mr. Joh. Horne in his Discourse concerning the New Heavens and Earth and New Jerusalem Pag. 45 47. And the glorious Inhabitants of this New Jerusalem even those which are written in the Lambs Book of Life Rev. 21. 27. shall come down out of Heaven The Lord my God shall come saith the Prophet and all the Saints with thee Zech. 14. 4 5. Jude 14. 15. They shall meet the Lord himself in the Air and come down with him and so shall be ever with him and shall reign with Christ on the Earth 1 Thes 4. 16 17. See Rev. 5. 8 10. Dan. 7. 27. They shall then inherit the Earth Mat. 5. 5. with Ps 37. 7 11. Judge the World 1 Cor. 6 1 2 3. Then the Saints of the most high shall take the Kingdom and possess the Kingdom for ever even for ever and ever Dan. 7. 18. And here we may see the fondness and foolishness of that saying and of those that use it in that sense What say they shall the Saints come down out of Heaven again Yes Christ the head of the Church shall do so and the Members also as is here said which cometh down out of Heaven from my God Rev. 21. 2 10. God shall send us Jesus Christ whom the Heavens must receive till the times of the restitution of all things and his Saints shall come and be with him Acts 3. 19. 21. with Joh. 17. 24. And yet God himself shall be with them gloriously for the name of this City shall be The Lord is there Rev. 21. 3. with Ezek. 48. 35. 2 Pet. 3. 12 13. Glorious things are spoken of thee O City of God Ps 87. 1 3. and 48. and 122. Then when he writes the name of the City of his God New Jerusalem upon him that overcometh he will make them of the Synagogue of Satan which say they are Jews and are not but do lye he will make them to come and worship before the Feet of every such an one and to know that he hath loved them See notes before on verse 9. And seeing we look for such excellent and glorious things how greatly doth it behove us to be diligent that we may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless 2 Pet. 3. 12 14. And to be of good courage and play the men for this City of our God as 2 Sam. 10. 12. fighting the good fight of Faith with the Spiritual Weapons of God's Warfare and laying hold on Eternal Life 1 Tim. 6. 12. And I will write upon him my new name either that new name given to him a name of perfect victory and conquest Ps 98. 1. or as his name is King of Kings Rev. 19. 16. so they shall be Kings of Kings of the Kings of the east even of Israel the natural Israel Rev. 16. 12. see notes on ch 2. 27 29 or his name
shall be put upon the victors and conquerors as the name of the Husband is upon the wife and so as his name shall be called the Lord our righteousness so this is the name wherewith she the Church shall be called the Lord our righteousness compare Jer. 23. 6. with ch 33. 16. Rev. 19. 7 8. Or as the Lord saith thou shalt be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord shall name thou shalt no more be termed forsaken neither shall thy land any more be termed desolate But thou shalt be called Hepzi-bah that is my delight is in her and thy land Beulah that is married for the Lord delighteth in thee and thy land shall be married Isay 62. 2 4. A name better then of Sons and Daughters Isay 56. 15 16. all this will he write upon them that overcome who hath the writers inkhorn by his side spoken of Ezek. 9. 2 4 11. and this honour shall all his Saints have Hallelujah Ps 149. see the notes before on ch 2. v. 17. Verse 14. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches see the notes before on ch 2. v. 7. Verse 13. And unto the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write see the notes before on ch 2. v. 1. These things saith the Amen the faithful and true witness the begininng of the creation of God We have from the beginning of this verse to the latter end of the eighteenth verse spoken in a Treatise called Needful Counsel and therefore might forbear to speak anything hereto But because these notes may be some-what uniform possibly some may read or hear these that have not that or a time or heart to do it therefore I shall more briefly write over again somewhat of that which is fore-printed in that book These things saith the Amen Thus our Lord begins to describe himself to this Angel and Church he is the Amen to wit he in whom all the promises of God are yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. ratified confirmed and sealed even by his precious blood which is the blood of the new Testament and everlasting covenant Mat. 26. 28. Heb. 10. 29. and ch 13. 20. Those great and precious promises ministred in the Gospel which pertain to life and godliness yea in which are contained and given all things for this life and that to come are not only assured by the word of God and confirmed by his oath which yet are two immutable things in which it is impossible for God to lye and therefore might quicken and encourage lukewarme ones to flee for refuge to lay hold on that hope set before them But also they are actually made firm by the blood of the Testator who is also in the vertue thereof raised and as the fore-runner entred into Heaven and is the mediatour of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions uâ—deâ— the first Testament they which are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance he mediateth and makes intercession for the taking away the iniquities of those that come unto God by him and that the contents of that â—ovenant may be dispenced to them according to their needs and capacities God hath promised and Christ hath actually said and is the Amen to them Rev. 1. 18. Heb. 8. 6. and 9. 15. It may seem in that Jesus Christ doth first describe himself by this title of the Amen that these lukewarme ones did not keep in believing remembrance the promises and the firmeness and immutability of them and certainty of their performance according to the tenour of them being ratified by such precious blood and ascertained by such a faithful and true witness and therefore they grew sluggish remiss and indifferent and there was great abatement of their former â—ervency either fearing they should be left in sufferings or not provided for or dispenced unto according to their wants and therefore to recover them he telleth them his name is the Amen The consideration hereof is powerful to stir up to diligence and to recover us from our decays to cause us that we shall not be slothful but diligent followers of them who thorow faith and patience inherit the promises Heb. 6. 10 20. To strengthen us to hold fast the profession of our Faith without wavering and â—o consider one another to provoke to love and good works not forsaking the assembling of our selves together Heb. 10. 22 25. To engage us to come out from among Men and to be separate and not to touch the unclean thing But to cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and Spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 6. 16 18. and 7. 1. If these exceeding great and precious promises given to the Apostles to minister and ministred by them in and with the glorious Gospel be in us received and entertained by us and abound if they be suffered to dwell richly in us and to have their perfect work so as we limit them not nor hold them in unrighteousness they make us that we shall not be idle or â—nfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they will provoke us to flee from and escape the corruption that is in the World thorow lust and besides giving all diligence thereto they will enable and stir us up to add to our Faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness Brotherly kindness and to brotherly-kindness charity To these things will these precious promises confirmed by such precious blood enliven and quicken us if they be suffered to dwell richly in us For hereby we shall be made partakers of the divine nature 2 Pet. 1. 4 9. Oh exercise we our selves to godliness to Christ who is the root and foundation of godliness for it is profitable to all things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4. 8. with ch 3. 16. How effectual were the promises with the partriaâ—chs in former times when they were not so confirmed as now to make them forsake their country kindred and Fathers house To confess themselves strangers and pilgrims on earth c. These believed caused Abraham the Father of the faithful not to consider his own body now dead neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb But was strong in Faith giving glory to God and being fully perswaded that what God had promised he was able to perform and therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him but for us also to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him who hath performed the promise made to the Fathers in raising Christ from the dead who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification Gen. 12. 1 3. Heb. 11. 13 16. Rom. 4. 16 25. with Acts 13.
is such raiment as is only to be had and bought of Christ and which the people may buy and wear as well as the Angel and hereby is signified to us righteousness as Rev. 19. 8. so Job saith I put on righteousness and it cloathed me Job 29. 14. And let thy Priests be cloathed with righteousness Ps 132. 9. Isay 61. 10. But now this righteousness which is the White Raiment is not our own righteousness according to the law Rom. 3. 19 20. But the white raiment here spoken of is 1. The righteousness of God without the law which Christ hath wrought and compleated in himself and is become who is Jehovah our righteousness Jer. 23. 6. and so he is compared to a garment and believers are instructed to put him on Rom. 13. 14. and as many as are baptized into Christ are said to have put on Christ Gal. 3. 27. Col. 3. 10. Eph. 4. 23 24. And Christ is and in him appears the righteousness of God and so he is become righteousness for us in taking our nature upon him and therein being made sin and a curse and so tasting death by the grace of God for every Man whereby righteousness is come God made him to be sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5. 21. If righteousness come by the law then Christ hath died in vain Gal. 2. 21. In which is implied that to the end he might bring in everlasting righteousness he must dye Dan. 9. 24 26. and he is raised again as the publick Man And so he is raised for our justification Rom. 4. 25. 1 Tim. 3. 16. 1 Cor. 1. 30. 2. By this White Raiment or those White garments are meant the fruits of this righteousness believed Jam. 3. 18. For this the Apostle prays for the Phillippians that they might be sincere and without offence being filled with the fruits of righteousness which fruits are by Jesus Christ received and believed in unto the Glory and praise of God Phil. 1. 9 10 11. and of these fruits there are some more inward and some more outward Those more inward and wrought in the Spirit of the mind by the Spirit in the Testimony in glorifying Christ and taking of his things and shewing unto us are Humility This is compared to a garment Be ye all cloathed with humility 1 Pet. 5. 4. Col. 3. 12. and this garment these needed to buy of Christ for they were lifted up with high thoughts and conceits of themselves we have seen v. 17. Zeal for God to be clad herewith as with a cloak Isay 59. 17. this was that also which this Angel and Church were destitute of they were Lukewarme and neither cold nor hot as we have seen before This was therefore needful to be bought by them in and with humility and unless that be put on this cannot be had by us for while Men have high thoughts of themselves and their attainments this disposes them to Lukewarmness and hinders them from being zealous Bowels of mercy kindness c. are also to be put on by his Angels and Churches not only outward acts of mercy but bowels of mercy Col. 3. 12. and these garments aptly follow and are joyned with zeal for when the love and loveliness of Christ is so known and believed and considered by us as to enflame our hearts with love to him together herewith also we are led and prevailed with to put on Bowels of mercies and to be tender-hearted unto all Meekness also is to be put on by them as a garment Col. 3. 12. The ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit which is in the sight of God of great price 1 Pet. 3. 1 5. and this is joyned with and put as the consequent of lowliness Eph. 4. 2. and of humbleness of mind Col. 3. 12. and meekness and lowliness of heart were conjoyned in our Saviour Mat. 11. 29. Prov. 13. 10. Jam. 3. 13 17. Charity also is to be put on by us above all things have â—ervent charity among your selves 1 Pet. 4. 8. above all these things put on charity which is the bond of perfectness Col. 3. 14. Let all your things be done with charity 1 Cor 16. 14. and indeed in putting on charity we put on all the other garments before spoken of In putting on this we shall put on humility for charity vaunts not it self is not puffed up 1 Cor. 13. 4. in putting on this we put on zeal and fervency hence it is called fervent charity 1 Pet. 4. 8. Cant. 8. 6 7. In putting on this we put on bowels of mercies kindness Charity suffers long and is kind 1 Cor. 13. 4. Luke 6. 27 38. see notes before on ch 2. v. 19. about charity And by the fruits of righteousness and so by those White garments are meant those more outward even the holding forth the word of life in word and conversation so as the grace of God in its efficacies and outward works may be seen and beheld of all Men Acts 11. 22. Phil. 2. 13 16. Mat. 5. 16. Col. 3. 5 9 15. 2. Why is this raiment said to be white and what is imported therein 1. In general we may say in this expression there is allusion and reference to the garments that the Priests and Levites did wear and in which they did minister Euod 28. 39 43. Lev. 16. 4 23. 2 Chron. 5. 12. and â—ow the Priest-hood being changed there is made of necessity a change also of the law Heb. 7. 12. we have an High-priest after the order of Melchisedeck and he is King of righteousness who hath brought in an everlasting righteousness and is cloathed therewith Isay 61. 10. and hath it to confer upon and cloath with all that are born of him Heb. 7. 1 2. 1 Joâ— 3. 6. and all that are born of and come to him are made Priests be they Jew or Gentile male or female 1 Pet. 2. 4 9. Rev. 1. 5 6. 2. More particularly this raiment is said to be White to note the purity thereof So those garments those white garments of the Priests in former times are said to be holy Lev. 16. 4 32. Ezek. 44. 16. 19. So clean and white and pure and white are put together To signify That whiteness and cleanness or purity do meet together here Rev. 19. 8. and 15. 6. and so this white raiment is holy 3. This raiment is white as the light Mat. 17. 2. shining and glistering Mark 9. 3. Luke 9. 29. such as being bought by his Angels and Churches and put on and found in is powerful to give light to such as have their understandings darkned and to discover and cure their errours and mistakes 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. 4. This Raiment is said to be white to signify to us that it is raiment of praise and beauty of rejoycing and gladness It betokens and occasions joy and rejoycing as black is a token of sadness or mourning Mal. 3. 14. So white of
and talking with him as Daniel saith Chap. 9. 22. 3. Consider we what the voice said in these following Branches 1. Come up hither not only come hither as Chap. 17. 1. and Chap. 21. 9 but come up hither And yet it seems not to contain so much in it as is contained in the same phrase Chap. 11. 12 for that appears to have respect to the ascending of their bodies to whom it was spoken But come up ascend up namely in Spirit that may be where the body is not 1 Cor. 5. 3. Col. 2. 5. So it is elsewhere said after the voice thus spake to John come hither he carried me in Spirit for it is without an Article Rev. 17. 1 3. and Chap. 21. 9 10. And it is as if he should say not only stand up as being now awakened and excited by this Trumpet from those dead things here on earth and Christ shall give thee light as Eph. 5. 14. But ascend up from all things here below from all these seen things good and evil mount up in spirit like an Eagle to Heaven Isa 40. 31. Come up unto me as if Christ should say unto him and as the LORD spake unto Moses concerning himself and Aâ—ron c. Exod. 24. 1. Mount up to the consideration and contemplation of things above So the believers are exhorted generally to do in an ordinary way Col. 3. 1 2 5. And though this voice spake to him and talked with him in and after an extraordinary way and manner yet there was an act of compliance required from the Apostle see Chap. 1. 12 as also was from Paul in order to his being converted though the Lord appeared to him and was converting him after an extraordinary manner yet not in an irresistible manner Hence he saith I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision Implying he might possibly have so been Act. 26. 19. with Exod. 4. 1 14. and Jona 1. 1 3. So here the Lord did not carry him up without any compliance or obedience on the Apostle's part but he raised his spirit to go up as Ezra 1. 9. and then commanded him Come up hither And this was a great honour done unto and favour conferred upon his Servant John If it be a great favour to a man when an earthly Prince or great man shall say unto him come up hither and such an one shall have honour in the presence of others Prov. 25. 7 with Luk. 14. 10. O how much greater and higher an exaltation is it to a Servant of Christ when the King of Heaven the King of Glory shall single him out from and herein prefer him before the residue of his Brethren in saying unto him come up hither even unto Heaven Oh now such have great need to take heed they be not exalted above measure and to consider by grace they are saved as well as others And to beware they despise not such as are not favoured like them herein 2 Cor. 12. 7 9. It was an excellent thing found with John when he was thus exalted above his brethren yet he then saith I John who also am your brother c. See Notes on Chap. 1. vers 9. But how could the Apostle give obedience to the call and commandment of this voice How could he come up thither or ascend unto Heaven Surely not in any power strength or ability of his own or by any wisdom or skill of his But he that spake to and talked with him strengthned him Dan. 10. 19. See Vers 2. And there is a way by which he extraordinarily and we ordinarily may ascend though we have no power of our selves so to do nor can devise a way how we might come up for no man hath ascended up to Heaven in any wisdom or strength of his own as is implied Prov. 30. 4. Joh. 3. 13. yet we may mount up and ascend by the help of that ladder spoken of Gen. 28. 11 12. the foot whereof is set upon the earth and the top of it reacheth up to Heaven And this ladder in the truth of it is the Son of man who fell into the ground and died for our sins John 12. 24. He descended into the lower parts of the earth into great and wonderful abasement and sufferings He humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the Cross And He who descended is the same also who ascended far above all things that he might fill and fulfill all things Eph. 4. 8 10. Psal 68. 18. This is the ladder we are speaking of as our Saviour also signifies when he saith Hereafter ye shall see heaven opened and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the son of man Joh. 1. 51. with Gen. 28. 11 12. He is the secret of the stairs Cant. 2. 14 upon which we may ascend into Heaven by faith and in spirit but we must always begin at the bottom which is upon the earth that we may so do and so go up gradually from one step to another we must begin at the humiliation sufferings and Cross of our blessed Redeemer we have liberty to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us thorow the veil that is to say his flesh Heb. 10. 19 20. Rom. 8. 34. 2. And I will shew thee things which must be hereafter This is that which the voice further spake unto him In which we may note 1. That our Lord Jesus Christ doth know things that shall come future things And this he must needs do for he knoweth all things John 21. 17. There is no creature that is not manifest in his sigâ—t but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4. 12 13. He is perfect in knowledg Compare Isa 42. 19. with Job 36. 4. Not only doth he know things that are things present as he also doth both the actions and thoughts of men the hearts of men which are deceitful above all things and the most secret thoughts and intents thereof and which is Gods peculiar to know 1 King 8. 39. with Matt. 9. 4. Mark 2. 6 8. Compare Jer. 17. 19. with Rev. 2. 23. For he is one with the Father over all God blessed for ever Joh. 10. 30. Rom. 9. 5. The consideration whereof might admonish us all to take heed and beware that we do not in our hearts hide and hold fast any iniquity or abomination whatsoever but cleanse our hands from sin and our hearts from double-mindedness Jam. 4. 8. If otherwise shall not he search it out For he knows the secrets of the hearts Psal 44. 18 22. But he also knows things which shall and must be hereafter before they come to pass So he knew before his hour came what things he should suffer and how he should be dealt withal and told his Dâ—sciples before hand saying unto them Behold we go up to Jerâ—salem and the son of man shall be betrayed unto
it is God in Christ who sits upon the Throne and who is there with his Father Rev. 3. 21. As he was in Christ reconciling the world to himself 2 Cor. 5. 19. So he is in him still 2 Cor. 12. 19. 1 Thes 5. 17. 1 Joh. 1. 7. And in and thorough him he doth all and hath respect to him in all the Administration of his Government Isa 42. 19 22. Henceforth the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son as they honour the Father And hath given him authority to execute judgment also because he is the Son of man Joh. 5. 18 22 27 2. What he saw about the Throne And there was a Rain-bow round about the Throne in sight like unto an Emerald Where consider we 1. What he in Vision saw And there was a Rain-bow 2. The likeness or similitude of it In sight like unto an Emerald 3. Where he saw this Rain-bow Round about the Throne 1. What he in Vision saw And there was a Rain-bow Rev. 10. 1. So it is also said concerning that Vision which Ezekiel saw As the appearance of the Bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain so was the appearance of the brightness round about Ezek. 1. 28. And this Bow was the token of his Covenant with every Creature as it is said God spake unto Noah and to his Sons with him saying Behold I will establish my Covenant with you and with your seed after you and with every living creature with you And God said this is the token of the Covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature with you for perpetual generations I do set my Bow in the cloud and it shall be for a token of a Covenant between me and the earth And the Bow shall be in the cloud and I will look upon it that I may remember the everlasting Covenant c. And God said unto Noah this is the token of the Covenant c. Gen. 9. 8 17. And so here the Apostle saw a Bow to signifie That he that sits upon the Throne is the faithful God who will certainly perform his Covenant and promise in whatever he hath spoken The Lord he is God the faithful God which keepeth Covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his Commandments c. Deut. 7. 9 10. 2 Chron. 6. 14. He is faithful that hath promised of which this Bow is a token And he hath manifested himself so to be in sending his Son in due time his love is herein manifested Rom. 5. 6 8. 1 Joh. 4. 8 9. And his faithfulness in keeping his Covenant and Oath he hath raised up an horn of Salvation in the house of his servant David as he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets which have been since the world began c. Luk. 1. 54 55 69 74. Act. 13. 23. And in being with Christ in trouble and delivering him out of it as he promised The promise which God made to the fathers he hath fulfilled in that he hath raised Jesus again Psal 89. 19 28 33. Joh. 8. 30. and Chap. 16. 32 33. Behold saith God I have given him for a witness to the people to wit of his love and faithfulness Isa 55. 4. He is the faithful and true witness thereof to wit that he will keep Covenant of which this Bow is the token Rev. 1. 5. and Chap. 3. 14. And which Covenant is now confirmed by the precious blood of Christ Mat. 26. 28. And so he will be faithful in whatever he hath promised for the good of men Isa 42. 6 7. Psal 25. 8. Joh. 16. 7 11. And especially he hath respect to them who are Christs to whom in and with Christ the Promises are made Psal 25. 9 10. Gal. 3. 16 29. Yea this is a Rain-bow to signifie to us that in a day of rain wrath affliction yet then he will be mindful of his Covenant for a day or time of rain signifies a day of affliction and distress As All the people sate trembling for the great rain Ezra 10. 10 13. The winter is past the rain is over and gone Cant. 2. 11. They have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day Ezek. 34. 12. That day is a day of wrath a day of trouble and distress a day of wastness and desolation a day of clouds and thick darkness Zeph. 1. 15 18. Joel 2. 1 2. Now this is a Rain-bow it is in the cloud in the day of rain as Ezek. 1. 28. so at first the Bow was placed in a cloudy day as it is said When I bring a cloud or make cloudy the cloud over the earth that the Bow shall be seen in the cloud and I will remember my Covenant c. Gen. 9. 14 16. And so in the most tempestuous time in the most stormy day while men are joined to all the living when out of the Throne proceed lightnings and thundrings c. as ver 5. When God threatens an universal deluge and destruction yet this Bow signifies and betokens his faithfulness in such a time When the Lord revengeth and is furious When he hath his way in the whirlewind and in the storm and the clouds are the dust of his feet When the mountains quake at him and the hills melt and the earth is burnt up at his presence When none can stand before his indignation none can abide in the fierceness of his anger his fury is poured forth like fire and the rocks are thrown down by him Yet then the Lord is good a strong-hold in the day of trouble and he knoweth them that trust in him Nah. 1. 2 6 7. When his aspect is very dreadful and he appears very terrible in his Providences yet he is a God that keepeth Covenant He is never so angry and furious as to forget that Hence Nehemiah thus addresseth himself to him O Lord God of Heaven the great and terrible God who keepeth Covenant c. Neh. 1. 5. And again Our God the great the mighty and terrible God who keepetâ— Covenant Chap. 9. 32. With whom also the Prophet Daniel agrees saying O Lord the great and dreadful God kâ—eping the Covenant c. Dan. 9. 4. In wrath he remembers that and in a day of wrath thus commands his servants to speak to the upright Say ye to the righteous it shall be well with him Isa 3. 1 10. Amos 9. 9 10. Rev. 3. 3 4. And will set a mark for safety and preservation upon the foreheads of them so as no evil shall befall them nor any plague come nigh their dwelling-place Ezek. 9. 14. Rev. 7. 1 2. 4. See how he speaks to his people in a day of darkness and gloominess The Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit For a small moment have I forsoken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee In a little wrath I â—id my face from thee for
eminently holy ones on earth are not Phil. 3. 12 15. 1 Cor. 4. 8. 2. Sitting is a resting-posture also and denotes their â—essation from their former works services and labours which occasioned weariness pain or grief to them so sitting is opposed to standing to minister c. where the Apostle saith Every priest standeth daily ministring and â—ffering oftentimes the same sacrifices which caâ— never take away sin but this man after â—e had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down c. Heb. 10. 11 12. Thus it is with these they are sitting and hereby it appears he speaks of the spirits of just men made perfect of the four living creatures it is said they rest not or they have no rest day or night and they have wings to flee to and fro for glorifying God which denotes their exercise and diligence see the notes after on ver 8. But these elders are sitting they rest from their labâ—urs and their works follow them as it 's said of the dead that dye in the Lord Rev. 14. 13. they have entred into peace and rest in their beds each one walking before him Isa 57. 2. they have entred into rest in their spirits and cease from their former works Heb. 4. 9. 10. while they were at home in the body they had plowing-work and sowing-work to do they did sow in tears they went forth weeping bearing precious seed Psal 126. 5 6. with 1 Cor. 4. 8 14. but now they are sitting and at rest as Zech. 1. 11. and this is another argument to evince and demonstrate to us that these elders are dead as to us 2. By their apparel clothed in white raiment or white garments What this white raiment is we have given some account before see the notes on chap. 3. ver 4 and 5. and ver 18. to wit the righteousness the everlasting righteousness which Christ hath brought in by his blood and the excellent fruits thereof all heavenly and divine vertues Dan. 9. 24. Phil. 1. 11. Christ is now gloriously become their robe and raiment Jer 23. 6. in the Lord they are justified and in him they glory Isa 45. 23 24. and they are perfectly conformed to Christ in their spirits Heb. 12. 23. there is no sin no spot no blemish in them Isâ— 57. 2. Indeed while they were here there were spots cleaving to them as in themselves considered for there is not a just man on the earth that doth gâ—od and sinneth not Eccles 7. 20. while here they were not perfect nor had attained Phil. 3. 12. 1 John 1. 7 9. and therefore they needed to suffer that word of exhortation To cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit as the Apostle Paul speaks including himself 2 Cor. 7. 1. Heb. 10. 22. Exod. 40. 30. with Psal 26. 8. and though now we are counselled to buy of Christ white raiment that we may have an interest therein Rev. 3. 18. yet here we have it not on in possession otherwise than by faith which is the evidence of things not seen Phil. 3. 8 9. Rom. 3. 22. But these elders are clothed in white raiment and so seen by the Apostle and so they are like the angels Mat. 28. 3. Acts 1. 10. Rev. 15. 6. and this white raiment is royal apparel Esth 8. 15. Isa 61. 10. a robe of judgment and government Dan. 7. 9. which shews to us that these elders have ruling-power And this white raiment is the apparel of those that are dead to us and therefore it is promised by our Lord Jesus to the victor to him that hath fought the good fight and finished his course and kept the faith and so died in the Lord He that overcometh saith Christ the same shall be cloathed in white raiment Rev. 3. 5. and so it is said of the souls of them that wâ—re slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held That white robes were given to every one of them Rev. 6. 9 11. and the like is affirmed of that innumerable multitude of all nations and kindreds c. which stood before the throne and before the Lamb they were clothed with white robes and these appear to be such as had finished their course and died in the â—aith because they have palâ—s in their hands in token of victory And it is further said of them Thâ—y have come out of great tribulation and have washed their robes in the blâ—â—d of the Lamb they shall hungeâ— no more neither thirst any more neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7. 9 14 17. And this is another argument to shew that these elders are such as are absent from the body and present with Christ 3. By the Ornament upon their heads And they â—â—d on their heads crowns of gold like Kings and Priests incorruptible crowns 1 Cor. 9. 25. for gold is the most incorruptible mettal and excellent glorious crowns full of lustre and majesty Psal 21. 1 3. And this shews that these Elders are Rulers and have some rule and judgment given to them And these Crowns are on their heads they are crowned with them and possessed of them The holy Ones on the Earth have a crown that is called theirs but not on their heads they may possibly lose it Hence such counsel and exhortation is given to them Hold that fast which thou hast that none takâ— thy crown See the Notes before on Chap. 3. Vers 11. But these Elders have been faithful unto the death and unto them is given the crown of life crowns of gold by him who sometimes wore a crown of thorns on his head Rev. 2. 10. with Joh. 19. 5. they have striven lawfully even unto blood and so are crowned 2 Tim. 2. 5. they have been tried and now in their spirits are possessed of the crown of life which God that cannot lye hath promised to them that love him Jam. 1. 12. They have finished their course and kept the faith and now in their spirits have the crown of righteousness 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. And this is another argument also to shew that these four and twenty elders are the spirits of just men made perfect even of the holy Prophets and Apostles who are our Rulers in and under the great Shepherd of the sheep the Lord Jesus Ver. 5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices And there was seven lamps of fire burning before the throne which are the seven spirits of God Here the Apostle gives unto us a further account 1. Of what proceeded out of the throne â—â—d out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thundrings and voices 2. Of what there was before the throne And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne which are the seven spirits of God 1. Of what proceeded out of the throne And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices By lightnings and
ascended up unto the right hand of God and received of the father the promise of the holy Spirit which also he hath shed forth and poured out upon his holy Apostles that by them the preaching might be fully known and they have used great plainness of speech and not as Moses who put a veiâ— over his face c. so as his Churches may all with open face behold the glory of the Lord c. 2 Cor. 3. 12 13 18. Act. 2. 17. and now they may arise and shine for their light is come Isa 59. 20 21. and chap. 60. 1 2. with Eph. 5. 14. and though among them that were born of women there had not risen a greater Prophet than John the Baptist Yet as our Saviour saith he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he Matth. 11. 11. the anointing which they have received abideth in them and they neâ—d not that any man teach them but as the same anointing teacheth them of all things and is truth and is no lye 1 John 2. 27. and thus we here understand this saying The living creatures the Church in the four quarters of the world were full of eyes full of quick-sighted men and full of understanding as hath been said and they are said to be full of eyes before and behind That is to say 1. Before To see and behold things before and so to behold Jesus Christ and him crucified who is before them and neerer to the throne than they Chap. 5. 6. They by faith see Jesus who by the grace of God tasted death for every man Heb. 2. 9. and herein perceive his love because he laid down his life for them 1 Joh. 3. 16. He is in the Gospel evidently set forth before their eyes as one who hath been crucified for them Gal. 3. 1. that they might rejoyce in him with joy unspeakable and â—ull of glory 1 Pet. 1. 8. and always sing that new song of praise and thanksgiving Worthy is the lamb that was slain c. Rev. 5. 8 9 10. and to see and behold the glory which he hath received and is possessed of in our nature 2 Cor. 3. 18. and that now he appears in the presence of God for them they are come to Jesus the Media tour of the new Testament and to the blood of sprinkling which speaketh better things than the blood of Abel Hebr. 12. 24. Rev. 5. 6. 2. And in Jesus Christ to behold him that sits on the throne For he that seeth him seeth the father also he that knoweth him knoweth him that sent him John 12. 4â— 45. and chap 14. 6 7. 2 Cor. 4. 4 6. to behold in and through him his wisdom power holiness and justice and his great and wonderful love to manwaâ—d which he hath manifested in sending his only begotten son into the world to be the propitiation for our sins that we might live through him 1 John 4. 8 10 14. and his peculiar love to them that believe in Christ John 14 21 23. and how he sits upon the throne ruling over all and ordering all things for their good especially who love God Psal 103. 19. and 29. 10 11. Rom. 8. 28 32. Now they do â—â—â—h these eyes by faith see the King in his glory as Moses also dâ—â—â— Isa 33 16 17. with Hebr. 11. 27. 3. To behold the thundrings and lightnings and voices all preparations to and executions of wrath and judgment they see when a storm is coming that they may enter into the rock and hide themselves in the dust for fear of the Lord and for the glory of his majesty Isa 2. 10. for all storms and tempests all judgments and testimonies of displeasure proceed out of the throne which is before them See the Notes before on ver 5. and they who have their conversation by faith in Heaven may behold Gods hand when it is lifted up and meditate terrour Isa 33. 17 18. The prudent foresee the evil and hide themselves but the simple pass on and are punished Prov. 22. 3. and chap. 27. 12. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him c. Psal 25. 13 14. 4. To behold future things which shall be hereafter so our Saviour promised his disciples That the holy Spirit should guide them into all truth and shew them things to come John 16. 13. and thus haâ—h he done in this book of the Revelation which God gave unto Jesus Christ to shew unto his servants things which must come to pass Rev. 1. 1. and chap. 22. 6 16. and so with their eyes which are before they may behold the destruction of Mystery Babylon and of all that are enemies to and persist in rebellion against Jesus Christ and his Gospel and People Rev. 11. 18. and chap. 14. 8 11. and chaâ— 18. 19. and the coming of Christ with Clouds Rev. 1. 7. his coming again to raise them that sleep in him in the first resurrection and delivering them from all evil and enemies compleatly and gloriously and granting them to sit with him in his throne and to reign with him on earth Rev. 5. 9 10. and chap. 20. 21 22. they may now by faith look upon these things that are not seen and which are now revealed as in former times they were not 2 Cor. 4. 18. Hence whereas the Prophet speaking of the glory to be revealed saith Since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear neither hath the eye seen O God besides thee what he hath prepared for him that waits for him The Apostle citeth that Scripture saying Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him But then he addeth hereto further and above what the Prophet had said But God hath revealed them to us by his spirit c. Compare Isa 64. 4. with 1 Cor. 2. 9 10 11. to signifie to us thâ—â— these things are now manifested to us as they were not in foregoiâ—â—imes though yet as with respect to these things it must still be remembred that their sight and knowledg hereof is by faith and but in part 1 Cor. 13. 9 12. and they are instructed that when these things begin to come to pass they should look up and lift up their heads for their redemption draws nigh Luk 21. 28. 2. And these four living creatures are also full of eyes behind to know see and discern things which are over and past As to say a a little 1. To see into the types and shadows of the Law which are accomplished and opened to us in and by Jesus Christ they were a shadow of things to come but the body is of Christ Col. 2. 17. and which things are now revealed to us by Christ and his Apostles in the Gospel which hath by them been preached according to the revelation of the mystery The Law came by Moses but grace and truth by Jesus Christ
in this place and those that follow And no man or none or not one for the word man is not in the Text here nor in verse 4. and the same word here translated no man is elsewhere translated none as Matth. 19. 17. Luke 18. 19. And in many other places And so we shall look upon it and speak to it here still understanding the word none as referring to meer Creatures and not to him that sits upon the Throne nor unto the Lamb verse 5 7 8 9 12. And so we may say None in Heaven not one there not the elders nor any of them though one of them did acquaint the Apostle John with one that had prevailed to do it to wit the Lion of the tribe of Judah the Lamb verse 5. 6. Yet he himself could not do it nor any of the Spirits of just Men made perfect though they are perfect in Spirit and present with the Lord and in a far better condition than those Saints which are at home in the Body and absent from Christ 2 Cor. 5. 6 8. Phil. 1. 22 23. Yet they were not able nor any of them to open this Book c. Indeed they have greater knowledge and understanding than any of the Saints which are here below and the Elders knew more than the Apostle John as appers in v. 5 And again When one of the Elders answered saying unto John What are these which are arrayed in white Robes and whence came they And I said unto him Sir thou knowest And he said unto me These are they which came out of great Tribulation and have washed their Robes and made them White in the Blood of the Lamb c. chap. 7. 13. 17. But yet they know not the Mind and Counsels of the Lord originally or perfectly or until or farther than they are revealed to them None knows the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Matth. 11. 27. Luke 10 22. 1 Cor. 2. 11. Nor any of the glorious and holy Angels though they are excellent Creatures and such as have great knowledge and understanding Hence it is said As an Angel of God so is my Lord the King to discern good and bad and my Lord is Wise according to the Wisdom of an Angel of God to know all things that are in the Earth 2 Sam. 14. 17. and verse 27. See also chap. 19. 27. Yet though they excel other Creatures in Wisdom and Knowledge they could not loose the Seals of this Book nor look therein they know indeed many things which the Saints in the Earth are unacquainted with and such things as the Apostle John marvelled at When I saw the Woman saith he I wondred with great admiration And the Angel said unto me Wherefore didst thou marvel I will tell thee the mystery of the Woman c. Rev. 17. 1 6 7-8 And one of the Angels said to him Come hither I will shew thee the Bride the Lambs Wife And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high Mountain and shewed me that great City the Holy Jerusalem c. chap. 21. 9 10. But though they know much more than Men yet we may say of this Roll as our Saviour sometimes doth in another case Of this Book knows no man or none no not the Angels of Heaven Matth. 24. 36. In which saying also our Saviour implies the Angels to be the most knowing Creatures yea though there are degrees amongst the Holy Angels and some more strong and excellent than other some as we have said on verse 2. Yet none of them presumed to undertake this great work none pretended to open this Book That strong Angelâ— spoken of verse 2. who made this Proclamation durst not adventure to unfold this perfectly sealed Book But this is the return made and account given after the Proclamation was sounded forth with a loud voice in which also inclusively his own unworthiness and inability is shewn None in Heaven not one of the Holy Angels was able to open this Book no not this Proclaimer not this strong Herald He propounds a question he could make no return unto nor any Archangel nor Creature whatever And in this respect also it may be said His Angels he charged with folly Job 4. 18. Nor in or on earth none there neither could open this Book no Creatures inferior to men they are brute unreasonable Creatures 2 Pet. 2. 2. 12. Jude 10. with Acts 25. 27. Such as have no understanding Psal 32-9 Dan. 4. 32 34. nor any Man whatsoever though God teacheth them more than the Beasts of the Earth and maketh them Wiser than the Fowls of Heaven Job 35. 10 11. Yet none of them could unfold this Roll not the learned they could not read it because they were unlearned nor the most learned because it was sealed as Isa 29. 11 12. The wisest and deepest Philosophers could not look into this Book nor the learnedest among men the thoughts of the wise were vain as to this matter and their wisdom foolishness with God 1 Cor. 3. 18 20. Where is the Wise where is the Scribe where is the Disputer of this World Hath not God made foolish the Wisdom of this World 1 Cor. 1. 19 20. â— They know not the thoughts of the Lord neither understand they his counsel Micah 4. 12. Nor the Wise Men or Wizards nor the Astrologers Star-gazers or monthly Prognosticators their Wisdom and Knowledge may pervert them but not enlighten them into the Knowledge of the Contents of this Book Isa 47. 10-13-15 No nor the living Creatures nor any Saints on Earth were worthy or able to open this Book nor is it good for them to be curiously intrudeing into things that are not revealed or which they have not seen Psal 131. 1. Sam. 6. 19. Col. 2. 18 19. As our Saviour â—aith to his Apostles It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power Acts 1. 6 7. Secret things belong unto the Lord our God but those things which are revealed unto us c. Deut. 29. 29 Indeed at the opening of every of the four first Seals one of the four living Creatures in order say Come and see but it is the Lamb that opens them all and not the living Creatures nor any of them chap. 6. 1 3 5 7. This Wisdom was not found in the Land of the Living as Job 28. 13. Nor amongst the Holiest Saints nor amongst the most excellently gifted guides on earth none of the best skilled or profoundest Interpreters could open this Book under consideration nor could the most Eagled-eyed or quick-sighted seers see or look into or read this Book Neither under the Earth No Creature or Creatures there neither could open this Book or look therein under which expression the Sea and Creatures therein may be included and comprehended Indeed in ver 13. the Creatures under the Earth and such as are in the Sea are distinguished
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
of God Psal 50. 16-23 and 147. 1 2-12 And these are the Singers in this place even the Saints and holy Onâ—â— Rev. 5. 8 9. 2. We have next to speak unto their act or exercise or what they did they sung a new song John wept by himself but here they all sing and that a new song What this new Song is is afterward declared to us 't is that in which they celebrate the praises of the Lamb acknowledging his praise-worthiness because he was slain c. The Lord was their song as Exod. 15. 2. Psal 118. 14. not in an evil sense as sometimes Christ and his servants were the song of evil men by way of derision and reproach Psal 69. 12. Job 30. 9. Lam. 3. 14. but in a good sense such as in which they praise him with their song Psal 28. 7. The Lamb is the subject of their commendation and exaâ—tation and the object of their praise as afterwards we may further shew It 's of him they sing as 2 Chron. 29. 25 27. and unto him they sing Psal 144. 9. And this is here and elsewhere called a new song 1. With respect to what went before and was more ancient as to say 1. It 's a new song as with respect to the first Creation In Rev. 4. 10 11. The twenty-four Elders fall down before him that sate on the throne saying Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created they there celebrate the praises of God for creating all things But this is a new song that which was natural was first and afterwards that which was spiritual 1 Cor. 15. 45 47. God hath created a new thing in the earth a woman hath compassed a man Jer. 31. 22. Christ is the new man the second man and last Adam Ephes 4. 24. Col. 3. 10. 1 Cor. 15. 45 47. and in him there is a new Creation Isa 42. 1-6-10 11. see notes on chap. 3. ver 14. 2. A new song as with respect to God's fore-ordaining and promising this Lamb. This Lamb was verily fore-ordained before the foundation or dejection of the world but was manifest in these last times 1 Pet. 1. 19 20. 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. This Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world in the purpose and fore-ordainment of God Rev. 13. 8. But now once in the end of the world he appeared to put a way sin by the sacrifice of himself Christ our Passeover and Paschal lamb hath actually been slain and sacrificed for us therefore let us keep the feast Heb. 9. 26. 1 Cor. 5. 7 8. The promise which God made to the Fathers he hath fulfilled in that he hath raised up Jesus who by the grace of God tasted death for every man Act. 13. 32 34-with Heb. 2. 9. Tit. 1. 1 2 3. 1 John 1. 1 2 3. Psal 40. 1 2 3. and 96. 1-10 and 98. 1-5 3. A new Song as to the cleerness of the Revelation of Christ and the things of Christ unto us that we should serve and glorifie Christ not according to the oldness of the letter but according to the newness of the spirit Rom. 7. 4-6 Thus the Apostle John â—aith A new Commandment I write unto you which thing is true in him and in you because the darkness is past and the true light now shinetâ— 1 Joh. 2. 7 8. The Spirit of Christ in the Prophets did testifie before-hand of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow but this he did more dark mysteriously But now there is given forth a Revelation of the mystery which in other Ages was not made known unto the Sons of men as it is now revealed unto his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit which they have also with great plainness preached to make all men see c. Ephes 3. 3-5-9 Col. 1. 23-25 2 Cor. 3. 6 7. And every scribe which is instructed into the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a man that is an house-holder which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old Matth. 13. 52. 2. This is a new Song in it self that is to say a fresh abiding lasting everlasting Song it is always new as the word is used by Job when he â—aith My glory was new or fresh in me and my â—ow was renewed in mine hand Job 29. 20. so it may be said of this Song as to the matter of it it is always new fresh and green And hereto we may apply that of the Apostle In that it is said to be new he hath made the first old nâ—w that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away Heb. 8. 13. But this which is new shall never decay or vanish away the blood of Christ is incorruptible 1 Pet. 1. 19. and the Gospel everlasting Rev. 14. 6. And this Song shall be always sung as here it is by the Elders in Heaven as well as by the living creatures on Earth Isa 25. and 26. 1 c. This is a new and living Song as it were Heb. 10. 20. new every morning Lam. 3. 22 23. it 's always fresh beautiful and abiding and not like the things appertaining to the first Creation Lift up your eyes to the Heavens and look upon the Earth beneath for the Heavens shall vanish away like smoak and the Earth shall wax old like a garment and they that dwell therein shall dye in like manner but Christ's righteousness is new and shall not wax old it shall not be abolished it shall be for ever and his salvation from generation to generation Isa 51. 6 7 8. and 50. 9. Heb. 1. 10 11. And therefore also 3. It is the most excellent Song the Song of Songs it being always new as Christ the new man hath the first-ship in all things Col. 1. 18. so new signifies principal Ezek. 37. 12. 2. The subject-maâ—ter of their Song or the Argument thereof Wherein we have to mind and consider 1. Their Doxology or rendring praise to the Lamb. saying Thou art worthy to take the Book and to open the seals thereof Herein is declared to us of whom and unto whom they sing and whose praises they celebrate they glorifie not themselves as Mystery Babylon doth Rev. 18. 7. for for men to search or proclaim their own glory is not glory Prov. 25. 27. and 20. 6. they commend not themselves 2 Cor. 5. 12. nor draw the eyes and hearts of others or one of another unto themselves but as it were say Look not unto us Cant. 1. 6. Act. 3. 12 nor do they herein glorifie any mere creature but they ascribe honour and praise to him unto whom of right it doth appertain and render his praise glorious who is in the midst of the throne Saying Thou art worthy c. Thou A person one person one individual person and a most excellent one the chiefest of ten thousands Art worthy hast merited and deserved
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
those that shall reign with him even all his Saints and holy Ones shall keep a perpetual Sabbath and sing forth Hallelujah's and it will then be their great delight to serve the Lord in his glorious Temple And this will be a righteous reign also there will then be no crying out nor complaining in the streets as too too often now there is but then a King shall reign in righteousness he hath prepared his throne for judgment and he shall judg the world in righteousness and minister judgment to the people in uprightness and Princes even these reigners with Christ shall rule in judgment Psal 144. 14 15. Isa 32. 1. with Psal 9. 7 8. and 67. 4. and 82. and 96. 11 13. and 98. 4 9. Micah 4. 1-5 Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will raise up unto David a righteous branch and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth In his days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely c. And then he will set up shepherds over them to wit Rulers and Kings these here spoken of which shall feed them and they shall fear no more c. Jer. 23. 4 5 6. The mountains shall bring peace to the people and the little hills by righteousness and the work of righteousness shall be peace and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever Psal 72. 1-3 4. Isa 32. 1 16. 17 18. 4. These Saints and holy Ones shall reign in wonderful glory lustre and splendor they shall then inherit the throne of glory 1 Sam. 2. 8. Psal 149. 5. The wise shall then inherit glory wisdom shall then give to their head an Ornament of grace and shall compass them with a Crown of glory Prov. 3. 35. and chap. 4. 7 9. Isa 24. 16 23. They are in this day called by the Gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 2 12. 2 Thes 2 13 14. 2 Pet. 1. 3. And it is assured to them that when Christ who is our life shall appear then shall also the Saints appear with him in glory Col. 3. 1-3 4. And in vision and as a confirmation of the truth hereof some to wit Mâ—ses and Elias have appeared in glory and in such glory and brightness as at the beholding whereof the disciples werefore afraid and fell on their faces c. Matth. 17. 1-7 Mark 9. 2-6 with Luk 9. 29 31 32. and the Apostle John saith The angel carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain and shewed me to wit in vision that great city the holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God having the glory of God and her light was like unto a stone most precious even like a jasparstone clear as crystal Rev. 21. 9 11. with chap. 4. 3 They that be wise shall then shine as the brightness of the firmaâ—ent and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever Dan. 12. 3. yea then shall the righteous shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father Matth. 13. 43. Jude 5. 31. They shall then be like to Christ when he shall appear for they shall see him as he is their vile body shall be changed and fashioned into the likeness of his glorious body and as they have born the image of the earthy so they shall also bear the image of the heavenly Phil. 3. 21. 1 Cor. 15. 48 49. 1 John 3. 1 2. Though now they lye among the pots as it were and are as the filth and off-scouring of all things yet they shall be as the wings of a Dove covered with silver and her feathers with yellow gold Psal 68. 13. And the hope of this glory which shall be partaken of by them is powerful to move and engage them to purifie themselves even as he is pure 1 John 3. 1-3 And to strengthen them to rejoyce inasmuch as they are made partakers of Christs sufferings and when they are reproached and defaâ—ed for the name of Christ for when his glory shall be revealed they also shall be glad with exceeding joy 1 Pet. 4. 12 14. Rom. 8. 17 18. For their light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for them a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory while they look not on the things that are seen but on the things that are not seen c. 2 Cor. 4. 16 18. Considering always there will be then degrees of glory And as one star differs from another in glory so also it will be in the resurrection from the dead Dan. 12. 3. Luk. 19. 15-19 1 Cor. 5. 41 42. 5. As to the duration of their Reign and Kingdom it shall be everlasting they shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 22. 5. The Saints of the most high shall take the Kingdom and possess the Kingdom for ever even for ever and ever Dan. 7. 18 27. But as to the Davidical Administration of it so it shall be a thousand years whether more strictly or largely taken I cannot determine as it is said They lived and reigned a thousand years And again They shall be Priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years Rev. 20. 1-3 4 6. 3. Where and over whom shall these holy ones so reign 1. Where shall they so reign and that is here expresly declared to us by these Saints viz. We shall reign on the earth Psal 25. 13. and 112. 2. So it is plainly said The Kingdom and dominion and greatness of the Kingdom not in but under the whole Heaven namely on earth shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high Dan. 7. 27. and Chap. 2. 35. And this appears also in that it is said The Kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into the holy Jerusalem which therefore certainly will be on earth as after we may shew Rev. 21. 10-24-26 and they shall reign with Christ but he shall reign on the earth and govern the nations upon earth Psal 67. 4. For the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his Father David which was not in the Heavens but on earth Isa 9. 6 7. Luk. 1. 32. Act. 2. 30 31 34. And hereby also it appears the Saints shall reign on the earth because it is said When the thousand years of their reign are expired Satan shall be loosed out of his prison and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth Gog and Magog to gather them together to battel the number of whom is as the sand of the sea and they went up on the breadth of the earth and compassed the beloved City to wit the children of the first Resurrection or the gloriously reigning Saints which very plainly shews they shall reign on the earth Rev. 20. 7 8 9. But now when with the Scripture we say they shall reign on the earth we intend not nor
have said both a glorious place and a glorious holy people As Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God saith Christ And I will write upon him the name of the City of my God new Jerusalem which cometh down out of Heaven from my God See the notes on Chap. 3. vers 12. So the Apostle John saith I John saw the holy City new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven prepared as a Bride adorned for her husband And again he saith There came unto me one of the seven Angels and talked with me saying Come hither I will shew thee the Bride the Lambs wife And he carried me away in spirit to a great and high mountain and shewed me that great city the holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven Rev. 21. 29 9 10. So here in this place as we have said before not only the four living Creatures but also the four and twenty Elders even the spirits of just men made perfect and which were in Heaven say We we who in our spirits are in Heaven shall reign on the earth see notes on Chap. 4. vers 4. Nor will it be any abatement or lessening of their glory so to do no more than it will be to the Lord Jesus who also shall descend or come down from Heaven as 1 Thes 4. 16. and they shall be with him and he with them as afterwards we shall shew Rev. 21. 1-3 Yea to signifie that their coming out of Heaven will be no abatement or diminution of their glory it is said by the Apostle John He shewed me that great City the holy Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven from God having the glory of God and her light was like unto a stone most precious even like a Jaspar-stone clear as crystal Rev. 21 10. 11-26 27. Over whom shall they so reign and that will be over the earth to wit over the Inhabitants thereof as it is said of the Lord Jesus with whom they shall so reign The Lord shall be King over all the earth Zach. 14. 9. with Psal 47. 2. So the word here translated â—on is elsewhere oft translated over as these few following instances of many do shew unto us viz. Mat. 25. 21 23. Rom. 9. 5. Eph. 4. 6. Rev. 2. 26. and Chap. 17. 18. and so looking on the word we may thus read this saying of these holy We shall reign over the earth to wit over the inhabitants thereof such as are saved from the perdition which will come upon the wicked and ungodly who remain enemies to and in rebellion against Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 7. and are in mortal bodies so earth frequently signifies the inhabitants thereof or such as live and dwell upon the earth good and bad as The Lord reigneth let the earth eâ—jâ—yce let the multitude of the isles be glad thereof Psal 97. 1. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all the earth Psal 98. 1. 4 5. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all the earth serve the Lord with gladness Know ye that the Lord he is God it is he that made us and not we our selves we are his people c. Psal 100. 1-3 And in this expression Israel also the surviving of that nation may be included and contained Psal 96. 1-3-6 and so as I conceive these holy Ones shall reign â—ver all the inhabitants of the earth over the surviving Israelites and over the saved oâ— preserved Gentiles though the Gentiles wilâ— be much more the inferior subjects According to that Prophesie He shall subdue the people under us and the nations or Gentilesâ— under our feet Now there as is usual the people when distinguished from the Nations or Gentiles signifie the people of Israel Psal 2. 1. with Act. 4. 25-27 and Chap. 26. 17 23 c. Now saith that place He shall subdue or reduce into order or under order the people to wit the Tribes of Israel and those that are one with them under â—s and the Gentiles or Nations under our feet namely they shall be in a much lower place of subjection under us than the people even under our feet as our foot-stool as it were Psal 47. 3-6-8 And so we may say a little more particularly 1. They shall reign over the natural Israel The Angel saith prophetically of Jesus The Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his Father David and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever And our Lord Jesus saith To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne Luk. 1. 32 33. with Rev. 3. 21. He will give unto every such an one such power and authority as he hath received of his Father Rev. 2. 26 27. Indeed Israel shall be next to the holy City the new Jerusalem or Tabernacle of God and the converted of the nations the strangers even such as convert to the Lord when Christ appears shall be joined to them and have inheritances with them Ezek. 47. 13-22 And these to wit the natural Israel and the converted Gentiles joined to them are called as I conceive the Camp of the Saints which will be next to and about the beloved City Rev. 20. 9. And these are the men especially and principally meant with whom and in the midst of whom the Tabernacle of God to wit the reigning Saints shall be for it appears that these Kings when they reign to wit the holy Jerusalem are called the Tabernacle of God in that it is said I John saw the holy City new Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven and I heard a great voice out of heaven saying Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men c. But who are these men especially with whom this Tabernacle shall be The Prophet informs us to wit the twelve Tribes of Israel I will place them saith the Lord â—o wiâ— Judah and Israel the two and the Ten Tribes and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore my tabernacle also shall be with them yea I will be their God and they shall be my people and the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctifie Israel when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore Rev. 21. 2 3. with Ezek. 37. 11-16-22-26 27 28. yea it may seem that Israel will have some rule over the Nations also Isa 60. 5 10. and Chap. 61. 4 6. But yet still the Saints which shall reign with Christ will be uppermost the Kingdom and Dominion and greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom c. Dan. 7. 27. Thus our Lord saith unto his Disciples I appoint unto you a Kingdom as my father appointed unto me that ye may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom and sit on Thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel Luk. 22. 28-30 Rev. 20. 4 6. with Dan. 7. 13-18 Psal 22. 28 29. and 122. 2.
2. 1. 1 Cor. 2. 8. He is the King and Fountain of it yâ—a he is the glory of the Israel of God Ps 24. 7 9. Luke 2. 32 And they are callled to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and shall appear in it Ps 84. 11 12. 2 Thes 2. 14. When Christ who is their Life shall appear then shall they also appear with him in glory Col. 3. 4. 2 Tim. 2. 10. They shall then have a glorious Body also their vile Body shall be changed and fashioned into the likeness of his glorious Body Phil. 3. 21. As they have born the Image of the earthy they shall also bear the Image of the heavenly 1 Cor. 15. 49. And they shall then have the glorious fulness of the Spirit of which now they have but a first-fruits Rom. 8. 23. And shall reign in glory he will then compass them with a Crown of glory Prov. 4. 7 9. 7. And Blessing This also the innumerable company of Angels acknowledges the Lamb to be worthy to receive And this we may look upon 1. More generally As blessing signifies all that is truly good and desirable as many times in Scripture it doth as Deut. 33. So good and blessing are used the one for the other Compare Deut. 30. 15. with v. 19. And so God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ Eph. 1. 3. with all the blessings of goodness As it is said Thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness Ps 21. 3. He is full of grace and truth Joh. 1. 14 16. In him dwelleth all the fulness of the God-head bodily And in him we are compleat Col. 1. 19. and 2. 9 10. In him there is the blessing of forgiveness Rom. 4. 6 7. with Eph. 1. 7. Col. 1. 14. In him is the blessing of righteousness Dan. 9. 24. Isay 45. 24. And he that hath clean hands and a pure heart c. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation Ps 24. 1 5. On him is the Spirit that great blessing Isay 44. 3. with ch 11. 2. and 42. 1. Joh. 3. 34. In him is the blessing of Life of eternal Life Deut. 30. 19. Here indeed God hath prepared for us and given to us the blessing even life for evermore Ps 133. 3. with 1 Joh. 5. 11 Joh. 1. 4. And in due season he shall gloriously receive the blessing of Abraham even the heavenly Country and Inheritance for himself and his Seed Gen. 28. 4. with Gal. 3. 16 29. And in him there is blessing for all the Nations and Families of the Earth Gen. 22. 18. and 26. 4. and ch 28. 14. Act. 3. 25. with Gal 3. 13 14. Psal 72 17. Isay 25. 6. Luke 2. 31 32. Mat. 22. 4 8. Luke 14. 16 17 21. 2. Or as blessing is taken more paticulary and strictly for praise or being well and honourably spoken of and for thanks So he is to be praised thanked and so blessed by us and by all especially by his Saints and holy ones 1 Tim. 1. 13. So blessing and giving thanks are used indifferently and put one for the other Compare Mat. 26. 26 27. and Mark 14. 22 23. with Luke 22. 19. and 1 Cor. 11. 24. Mark 8. 6 7 As also are to bless and praise As I will bless the Lord at all times his praise shall be continually in my Mouth Ps 34. 1. So usually to bless signifies to praise or speak well of as Ps 100. 4. and 103. 1 2 21 22. and 115. 17 18 c. Thus indeed we have cause abundantly and everlastingly to bless him even to give thanks unto him and to speak well of him and praise him with our whole hearts and souls he ought to be daily praised by us Ps 72. 15. for his wonderful pity and kindness towards us that love of his that passeth knowledge in dying for all rising and ascending c. As it is said God is gone up with a shout even he that first descended into the lower-parts of the Earth the Lord with the sound of a Trumpet Sing praises unto our God sing praises sing praises unto our King sing praises Sing ye praises with understanding or every one that hath understanding Psal 47. 6 7. and 68. 18 20. And for his amiableness in every respect He is altogether lovely no spot or blemish in him Cant. 5. 10 16. He is fairer than the Children of Men grace is poured into his lips therefore God hath blessed him for ever And therefore also saith the Psalmist I will make thy Name to be remembred in all Generations therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever Psal 45. 1 2 10. with v. 17. He is beautiful and glorious excellent and comly and there is none deserves on these accounts so much to be praised as he Isay 4. 2. with 2 Sam. 14. 25. And he hath power to bless us also and God having raised him sends him 1. Preventingly to bless all in their proper seasons and ages in turning every one of them from their iniquities Act. 3. 25 26. for him hath God exalted with his right hand a Prince and Saviour to give repentance to sinful and rebellious ones Act. 5. 31. And he comes by his Servants in his Gospel to open the Eyes of Jews and Gentiles and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of their sins c. Act. 26. 17 18. 2. And especially and with peculiar and following blessings he comes to bless them that believe as he blessed Abraham the Father of the faithful Heb. 7. 6. He forgives them their sins even as David describeth the blessedness of the Man to whom the Lord imputeth righteousness without works saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered c. Rom. 4. 5 7. Act. 10. 43. and 13. 39. He makes them accepted in himself who is Jehovah our righteousness Eph. 1. 3 6. They shall receive the blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of their salvation Ps 24. 5. with v. 1. He pours out his Spirit unto them and makes known his words unto them Prov. 1. 23. Isay 44. 3. Joh. 7. 37 38. And gives unto them eternal life and will in due season raise them up to the glorious enjoyment thereof for this is the will of him that sent him that every one that seeth the Son and believeth on him should have everlasting life and he will raise them up at the last day Joh. 6. 40 44. and 10 27 28. and 17. 2 3. 2. Of whom is the Lamb that was slain worthy to receive those excellent things before mentioned and in some little measure spoken to And to that we may say 1. He is worthy to receive them of God his Father and hath from him received all power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing