propagated from the Twelve Apostles as the Israelitish Church was from the Twelve Patriarchs And the Number 144000. is a square Number arising out of Twelve the square Root of it denoting the Apostolical Doctrine to be the Root Twelve times Twelve Thousand amounting to One Hundred and Forty Four Thousand and Foundation of the Church and that the pure Church is a square Body because 1. It can admit of no other Foundation than that of the Apostles as this square Number can admit of no other Root than Twelve that is it can be produced by no other Number multiplied into it self which is what is meant by a square Root in Arithmetick 2. Because the Church is to be built in all After-Ages upon this Doctrine multiplied by it self only as the square Number arises from the Root multiplied into it self And this is not to be accounted a groundless Fancy but is no small part of the Knowledge of the Eastern Nations in which Solomon and Moses were skilled who were wont to wrap up Mysteries in Hieroglyphicks and Numbers that they might be hid from the Vulgar and known only by Persons fitted and capacitated for them and at suitable Times and Opportunities it not being convenient that some Truths should lie exposed to all and at all Seasons And accordingly it hath pleased God for the same Reasons and that Humane Search and Diligence might be exercised and encouraged to make use of the same way of Concealment to shew that all Humane Knowledge is to be subservient to Divine and to his Church Whereupon he hath made frequent use of the Number Twelve in things pertaining to his People and the Church the Patriarchs being Twelve the Tribes Twelve the Gates of Jerusalem Twelve and the Apostles Twelve and the Measures of the New Jerusalem being adapted to this Number for the Reasons before hinted and for others which we shall have a fitter occasion to mention hereafter See the Notes on Chap. 1.20 and 20 4. By these sealed ones are meant a pure Apostolical Church preserved from the time of Constantine under the Calamities of the Empire and during the continuance of the Apostasy so as to be Witnesses against it but in a hidden and concealed Condition For 1. They are said to be sealed that is preserved as we have shewn but in a hidden Condition as the Law is commanded to be bound up and sealed Isa 8.16 and the Words of Prophecy to be closed up and sealed Dan. 12.4 9. And the Church is said to be a Spring shut up and a Fountain sealed Canticl 4.12 of which the Seven Thousand which God had reserved to himself in secret and had preserved from the Idolatry of Baal 1 Kings 19.18 are a Type 2. This sealing immediately follows the Downfall of Paganism under Constantine at the opening of the Sixth Seal in the former Chapter whereby is signified that some great danger was then near that Christ should seal and secure his True Church so soon after their Delivery from Persecution And the History of those Times clearly testifie that the True Spirit of Christianity soon decayed upon the Peace Honours Priviledges and Prosperity which the Church then enjoyed and that the excessive Veneration they had for Saints and Martyrs gave Rise to the Apostasie upon which the pure Church became sealed that is shut up and concealed and a stop was put to its appearance in that true spiritual Glory which it shall have under Christ's Kingdom for its degenerating by degrees into a Satanical Synagogue For sealing denotes also the Hindrances and Lets which Christ's Kingdom has met with by its being over-powered by the Apostasie which at last advancing to a Throne wholly covered and hid it in an obscure and sealed State no Church being at last visible but the Apostatized one 3. It appears from the Third Verse that the time of this sealing lasted from Constantine until the sounding of the first Trumpet i. e. until the Irruptions of the barbarous Nations after the Death of Theodosius the Great during which time the Apostolical Church was under a continual sealing i. e. it s Visible State was daily obscured and covered until at last by the destruction of the Empire and the rise of the Apostasy upon it it was closely sealed up in an invisible State 5 Of the 10 Tribe of Judah 11 were sealed twelve thousand Of the Tribe of Reuben 12 were sealed twelve thousand Of the Tribe of Gad 13 were sealed twelve thousand 10 The Number of each Tribe is particularised and determined to shew that the Members of God's pure Church are not chosen casually and at all Adventures but are determined by God and that out of every Tribe or part of the Catholick Church And the Numbers of each Tribe are equal viz. Twelve Thousand to each to shew that each particular Church is to be Apostolical in the profession of the entire and perfect Doctrine delivered to them and that they are to be firm and stable in themselves which is the (a) See the Notes on Chap. 20.4 Mystical signification of a Cubical (b) Dr. Moor's Cabbala Nicom Gerasen Arithmet Theolo apud Photii Biblioth pag. 459. Number such as the Chiliads or Thousands are out of which each Tribe consists 11 It is the Opinion of Mr. Mede that the Nature Qualities and Circumstances of the pure Church are included in the true Scripture-import and mystical meaning of the Names of the several Tribes which I shall therefore in submission to his Opinion insist upon more particularly because there is good ground in (c) Micah 1.14 Matth. 2.23 Rom. 2.29 Scripture for such Mystical Allusions taken from Names Judah is placed first because the Government was given to him in David and Christ came of that Tribe which for the Generality kept to the publick Worship of God and the Rightful Kingly Succession when the others had cast it of Hos 11.12 1 Chron. 5.2 Heb. 7.14 His Name signifies Confession or Praise Gen. 29 35.49 8. whereby is signified that the pure Church ought to pay a Eucharistical Service of Praise and Thanksgiving to God and confess him openly and publickly in his Worship 12 Reuben is the next because although he lost his Birth-right for defiling his Father's Bed Gen. 49.4 1 Chron. 5.1 yet he shewed great Courage together with Gad in that Noble Resolution they made of passing over Jordan ready Armed before their Brethren Numb 32. The Name signifies See the Son whom God out of his (a) Joseph Antiq. 1.19 Mercy sent when he saw and had a respect unto our Afflictions Gen. 29.32 Whereby is intimated that the Church ought to look up unto Christ in their afflicted State as God did upon them in their desperate Condition when he sent his Son to redeem them 13 Gad signifies a Troop as is plain from Gen. 30.11 compared with Gen. 49.19 called so because that being situated on the Borders of the Countrey it was to be always ready in Arms and so
wrath of the very Serpent 31 i. e. the Devil verse 9. 29 VVings denote Flight in Scripture Psalm 55.6 and a great Eagles VVings a swift and a safe Retreat joyned with tender Care Deut. 32.11 12. Isa 63.9 And here is an Allusion to Exod. 19.4 and Deut. 32.11 12. where God tells the Israelites that he had brought them out of Aegypt as on Eagles VVings Kings also and Kingdoms are represented by Eagles and VVings in (a) Ezek. 17.3 7. Dan. 7.6 Scripture whence the two VVings of an Eagle may be here appositely put to denote the Eastern and VVestern Divisions of the Roman Empire of which an Eagle is the known Ensign which by supporting and advancing the Visible Church secured also thereby the pure Church although in an obscure and wilderness-VVilderness-State in the midst of the growing Apostasy as Wheat amongst Tares over-topping it according to the Parable Matth. 13. And here is also a Note of the Time when this came to pass the most remarkable Division of the Empire being upon Theodosius's Death when the Two Antichristianizing Divisions of it by introducing a State of Christianity which counterfeited the True one so covered and hid the True Church under it that the Enemies which Satan raised up against it combated not True Christianity but the counterfeit of Antichristianism for it which grounded its pretence to Grandeur on the very Glorious Promises made to Christ's Kingdom and its Idolatry on Honour for Christ and his Saints Which made the Devil who found that the Storms he had raised against the Church fell upon his own Antichristian part the Church becoming soon invisible to throw out of his Mouth verse 15. a Flood thinking thereby to overwhelm her wheresoever she was 30 Upon this place it is fit to observe 1. That this is the very distribution of Time allotted to Antichrist Dan. 7 25.12 7. Which was distributed after this manner to shew the different States and Progress of Antichrist who arrived not to his Kingdom but by Steps and Degrees for he was about One whole Time or Three hundred and sixty Years before his Kingdom was established upon his prevailing in the Iconoclastick War and from thence continued about Two whole Times or Seven hundred and Twenty Years in a flourishing State of Supreme Power and Dominion until the Entrance of the Half Time at the Reformation 1517. when his Kingdom declined and was in a broken and divided condition signified by Half Time which is called the dividing of Time Dan. 7.25 See what hath been said on Chap. 10 6. 11 2 3 9 11. and what is discoursed upon the Rise of Antichrist on the following Chapters 2. There being in the 1260 Days of the Witnesses some Remarkable proportionable parts called Three Days and a half it is highly reasonable that the woman in the Wilderness should have such a sort of Time allotted unto her because she differs not from the Witnesses but only Notionally as hath been before observed And therefore 1260 Days having been allowed her at the 6th verse it may be rationally concluded that the Distribution of Time in this Verse answers to the Three Days and a half of the Witnesses because they are both of the same Extent Three Times and a half being the same with Three Years and a half and also because they may fitly denote the Time in which the Church in general typified by the Woman was narrowly preserved from Destruction whilst its Members the Witnesses were oppressed and lay dead in the Streets See the Notes on Chap. 11. 9 11. 31 Serpents are noted by Naturalists to be quick sighted and the Old Serpent is described as very subtile Gen. 3. from whence we may conclude that the True Church was now at this time so closely secured by God that it escaped the sight of the Dragon himself even when he took the Shape of a Serpent that is used his utmost Craft and Subtilty as well as Power and walked about seeking to devour her And from hence also it appears that Antichristianism had now so mightily prevailed as to be praedominant the Church being hid and overgrown by it as the Wheat in the Gospel by the Tares and that this was the very time when the Witnesses lay dead as to Power being anathematized and silenced and yet prophesied in Sackcloth i. e. in a Wilderness State and Condition in which a Church was nourished and preserved by God altho latent and almost invisible the sealed ones being now closely secured and the Worshippers retired into the inmost Recesses of the Temple which are Symbols representing one and the same thing according to divers Notions and Circumstances For our better understanding of this Chapter we may distinctly consider the Woman or Church under these divers Respects 1. As Apostolical during the pure state of the Church of Ephesus Ver. 1. 2. As in pain and watched by the Dragon that her Child might be devoured during the Persecutions of the Church of Smyrna Verse 2-4 3. As Delivered of a Child under Constantine Verse 5. 4. As bereft of her Child which was caught up to God Verse 5. Whereby is signified That Christ was not to appear long in the Glories of his Kingdom at that time but was to disappear after he had given but a short sight and glimpse of it 5. As persecuted by the Serpent stirring up the Barbarous Nations Verse 13. 6. As in a preparation to fly when the Two Wings were given her Verse 14. 7. As fled into the Wilderness Verse 6. and as bid there in an invisible State during the closest times of her Wilderness condition called Three Times and a half Verse 14. and Three Days and a half Chap. 11. 8. As persecuted by the Mahometan Inundation Verse 15 16. It may also here be fitly observed That this Chapter contains a plain Answer to the common (a) See the Preface to Morney du Plessi's Mystery of Iniquity Mr. Mede Disc 29.32 and pag. 649. And a Discourse of Bishop Sanderson concerning the Church Question of the Romanists Where was your Church before Luther For it was in an obscure state sometimes more Visible than at others and sometimes almost wholly invisible amidst the Apostacy as Wheat amongst the Tares 15 And the Serpent i. e. the Devil cast out of his mouth 31 water as a flood i. e. multitudes of Barbarous Nations after the Woman the Christian pure Church that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood i. e. to be destroyed in the common ruin 32 Water as a Flood signifies in this Prophecy a sudden and violent Inundation of many People and Nations which seem to be the Mahometan Nations described Chap. 6th because 1. They are said to be cast out of the Serpent's Mouth by which the pernicious and prevailing Imposture of their false Prophets Doctrine may be signified whereby he deceived the Nations as the Serpent did Eve by his Subtilty Speech and Doctrine being compared in Scripture (a) Prov. 18.4
Mede ou the place to the deep and flowing waters of a Man's Mouth and the Mahometans having been peculiarly described by their Subtilty as well as their Power and Force Chap. 9. 7 8 10 19. 2. Because this their violent and sudden Invasion like that of a Torrent or water as a Flood was just before the Death of the Witnesses at the second Council of Nice when the Woman was flying into her closest and most retired state answerable to that of the sealed or secured from the hurt of the Mahometan Locusts Chap. 9.4 for she was as yet visible to the Serpent when he cast the flood after her and was then flying into her invisible state the Church being as is plain from hence sometimes totally over-spread with thick darkness and at other times more or less Visible as the Sun is in cloudy days or the Stars in overcast Evenings when they can scarcely be discerned but by a piercing and stedfast Eye or through Telescopes 16 And the Earth i. e. the corrupt and apostatized part of the Church helped the Woman by opposing this inundation and the Earth 33 opened her Mouth and swallowed up the Flood which the Dragon cast out of his Mouth i. e. received and suffered the mischeif of their invasions 33 These words are taken from Numb 16.32 and allude to what has sometimes happened in Earthquakes in which Rivers have been swallowed up by the Earth And it may be observed that it is not said that the Earth swallowed the waters which might indeed denote the conversion of the Barbarous Nations and their incorporating into the Apostasy but that it swallowed up the Flood whereby the Mischief of the Waters or People is more properly signified which indeed fell severely as hath been observed on Chap. 9. on the Idolatrous Apostasy whilst the pure Church was sealed or secured and preserved from the hurt of the Locusts 17 And the Dragon was wrath with the Woman i. e. the pure Church and he went to make War by means of the Beast chap. 11 7. to whom he gave his Authority chap. 13.2 with the small remnant 34 of her seed i. e. the Witnesses who became visible by separating from the Apostasy chap. 11. which keep the Commandments of God purely and entirely without additions and corruptions and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ which is the Spirit of Prophecy chap. 19.10 i. e. are Witness Churches chap. 11.3 34 The Seed of the woman are plainly the Witnesses Chap. 11. which small Remnant was warred with and killed whilst the Church in general or the Woman was preserved by God CHAP. XIII The Text. 1 AND 1 John stood upon the 1 sand of the Sea and saw in Vision a 2 wild savage 3 Beast i. e. an Idolatrous cruel and persecuting Body of Men under a Chief Head rise up out of the 4 Sea i. e. taking its beginning out of the Commotions and Confusions of Nations and People Dan. 7.2 3 having seven 5 heads or Forms of Government Chap. 12 3.17 10 and ten horns or Kingdoms Chap. 5 6.12 3.17 12. and upon his horns ten 6 crowns or Diadems to denote their Soveraign Power and upon his heads the name of Blasphemy signifying that they were Idolatrous Governments Chap. 2.9 Annotations on CHAP. XIII 1 The most proper place to receive a Vision of a Beast rising out of the Sea 2 So the Word should be translated for it is of a distinct signification from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which also ought to be rendred Living Creature and not Beast 3 It appears plainly from Dan. 7.3 17 23. that this is the true (a) See Grotius on Dan. 7.3 Mat. 20.26 Moor's mystery of Iniquity Part 2. in the Word Beast Scriptural Notion of a Beast in general 4 This is taken from Dan. 7.3 where Four great Beasts or Kingdoms are represented as coming up out of the Sea upon which the Winds had striven whereby a Troublesome state of Affairs is aptly signified out of which Empires and Kingdoms have generally risen See num 6. 5 From hence it appears evidently that this Beast is the Roman Empire which was under seven Forms of Government See on Chap. 12 3. 17 10. 6 These Horns are the Kingdoms into which the Roman Empire was divided as appears from Chap. 17.10 which are here represented as Crowned to denote that this was the State of the Empire under which that Division should come to pass whereby it is distinguished from the State of the Empire given as Pagan in the foregoing Chapter where its Ten Horns are not Crowned For although Prophecy with Respect to the Vision in Daniel Chap. 7.8 generally represents the Fourth Beast or Roman Empire in its full and compleat Portraiture as well with Relation to what it was to be as to what it actually was at the time of each Vision yet that a distinction of the Times of its particular States and Conditions might he the better observed each Representation is generally diversified by some particular circumstances relating to it Whereupon the Ten Horns are represented as Crowned to shew that this was the Beast with which the Ten Kings were to receive Power From whence it appears that this Beast is the Papacy as is shewn on Rev. 17.12 which also rose out of the Sea or out of the Confusions of the Roman City and Empire when it was cast like a burning Mountain into the Sea Chap. 8.8 It being plain from (a) Morney du Plessi's Mystery of Iniquity pag. 81 85. Heidegger Histor Papatus pars 1. cap. 2. Bp. Overal's Convocat Book pag. 291 292. History that the Papacy rose upon the Ruines of the Empire which beginning with the the Invasions of the Northern Nations about 400 we may well date its first rising out of the Sea from about that time when (a) Epist ad Gaudentium in Prefat ad libr. Didym de Sp. S. where by the See thing Pot out of the North he understands the Northern Nations Jerom expected Antichrist whom (b) This is confessed by Bellarmine de Roman Pontif. 3. 5. See Mornay's mystery of Iniquity Downham of Antichrist B. 1. c. 3. Dr. Cressener's Append. to his Demonstrat of the Apocal. he and the Ancient Fathers believed should rise upon the Fall of the Empire which they took to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or that which withheld the Man of Sin 2 And the Beast which I saw was in its Body like unto a 7 Leopard which represents the Grecian Monarchy Dan. 7.6 and his Feet were as the Feet of a 7 Bear the Emblem of the Medo-Persian Monarchy Dan. 7.5 and his Mouth as the Mouth of a 7 Lion which was the Symbol of the Babylonian or Assyrian Monarchy Dan. 7.4 and the 8 Dragon i. e. the Pagan Roman Emperours Chap. 12. 3 9 13. gave him i. e. the Beast his 9 power i e. his Diabolical Arts and Forces to entice and constrain Men to Idolatry his 10 Seat or Throne i. e. his
interpreted thus to come and worship God before thy Feet according to a parallel place of the Apostle 1 Cor. 14.25 10 Because thou hast kept and observed the word 25 or precept of my patience i. e. of the Patience which I taught and practised especially in expecting with me the coming of my Kingdom and that in a low and mean condition I also will keep thee or this Church State entire from the hour or suddain and unexpected time of 26 Temptation or general Tryal which shall come upon all the World to try them that dwell on the Earth whether their Church States are pure or no and to purify some and destroy others Dan. 12.1 Malach. 3.2 3. 2 Pet. 2.9 1 Cor. 3 11.-15 25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a Precept or Doctrine of Patience in the sense that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Word is taken 1 Cor. 1.18 and to keep the Word as the Phrase is frequently used in John's Gospel is to observe that Precept and that chiefly with reference to a patient Expectation of Christ's Coming as the Phrase is taken 2 Thes 3.5 and Rev. 1.9 26 This I suppose is to be understood concerning the pouring out of the Vials as shall be endeavoured to be shewn when they come to be considered 11 Behold I come to try and judg them quickly or on a sudden after this period of the Church begins to appear hold that fast which thou hast received and kept that no man take 27 thy Crown i e. rob thee of that reward thou shalt have in my Kingdom 27 No Churches so perfect but that it is possible for them if left to themselves to be perverted and no Man so nigh the Goal but he may lose the Prize if he be not by the Grace of God made watchful and careful And here we are to observe that these Promises are taken from the New Jerusalem-state in Christ's Kingdom and that they are made after the most ample and plainest manner to this Church-state because of its greatest purity and patience in expecting that Kingdom and its fitness to receive it in the near approach of it in the New Jerusalem 12 For Him that overcometh the temptations of this poor and despised Church State will I make a 28 Pillar in the Temple of my God i. e. he shall be a Member of a strong fixt and stable Church State and he shall go no more out of it for it shall not be changed And I will write 29 upon him or upon this Pillar the Name of my God Jehovah and the Name of the City of my God The Lord is there Ezek. 48.35 which is 30 new Jerusalem i. e. the prefect Gospel State in Christ's Kingdom Hebr. 12.22 which cometh down out of Heaven from my God i. e. shall be established by God's more immediate Power and by abundant Manifestations of Gifts and Graces Ezek. 43.4 5 6 7 8. Gal. 4.26 see on Rev. 21.2 3. and I will write upon him my new Name Rev. 19.16.22 4. i. e. he shall be 31 a Member of my Kingdom who am King of Kings and Lord of Lords See before on verse 8. and Isa 56.5 Rev. 19.12 28 In allusion to the Two Pillars before Solomon's Temple called Iachin and Booz from their strength and stability 1 Kings 7.15 21. The Apostles also are called Pillars Gal. 2.9 and the Church the Pillar of Truth 1 Tim. 3.15 and Christians are compared to a Temple and its Stones or Pillars Eph. 2.21 1 Pet. 2.5 29 This may perhaps be an Allusion to the Inscriptions which were used to be put upon Pillars Hence the Title of the sixteenth Psalm is in the Greek rendred An Inscription upon a Pillar and Absalom's Pillar 2 Sam. 18.18 might have probably his Name graven on it 30 New is often in Scripture put for excellent or perfect And this State may be called New because the visible Glory of it did then first appear and it was a strange or new thing it being known or believed before by few 31 For to be called and to be are of the same import in the Hebrew Phrase 13 He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches 14 And unto the Angel of the Church of the 32 Laodiceans write these things saith the Amen 33 i. e. The God of Truth Isa 65.16 who will perform what he has promised 2 Cor. 1.20 and will in this period put a final end to all things the Faithful and True Witness who hath performed punctually what hath been hitherto promised by the Father and will go on to do so to the end although the Truths he hath delivered may seem never so incredible Chap. 1.5 the beginning 34 of the Creation of God i. e. of the First Creation of all things and of the New Creation or Constitution of things after the Resurrection of which he was the first Born from the Dead Col. 1.18 Rev. 1 5.21 1. 32 This State succeeds the Philadelphian State and therefore must be after the Thousand Years Kingdom of Christ or the New Jerusalem of which Philadelphia is a Type as appears from Verse 12. It seems to be a State in which there was a great Remissness of the extraordinary Zeal which was shewn in the former Succession during Christ's Kingdom and its Name denoting as Grotius remarks The Judging of the People it may from thence be probably concluded that it is that State during which the great Judiciary Act of Judging the People or Nations is to be performed Rev. 20 8-15 where occasion will be given of discoursing more largely of this Matter It was once a most Famous and Rich City as this Church-state is described to be at the seventeenth Verse but is now only a heap of Ruines and inhabited by none but wild Beasts so that Monsieur Spoon after all his search could not find out where its Church stood Christ having spewed it utterly out of his Mouth 33 Amen signifies Truth and denotes also the End or Conclusion and being put before what follows concerning the beginning of the Creation of God implies that what concerns the End of church-Church-states is the chief thing typified by this Church 34 Christ is said to be the beginning of the Creation of God 1. Because he was in the beginning with God when all things were made by him John 1.1 as being the first born of every Creature that is being above and before all Creatures whatsoever and the Cause of them Col. 1 15-17 2. because he was the beginning of the New Creation or Constitution of things under the Gospel Col. 1.18 2 Cor. 5.17 and the Author of the New Heavens and New Earth or the New and Excellent State of things in his Kingdom upon Earth And 3. because he is the Beginning the First Born from the dead Colos 1.18 which Title he here takes because this Church-Period extends until the End of all Earthly Things when follows the beginning of the New Creation or Constitution of
Peter Boyer's History of the Vaudois Printed at London 1692. The History of the Negotiation between the Duke of Savoy and the Countrey of Switzerland Printed at London 1690. Lettres sur les Matieres du Temps Tom. 3. Pag. 198. of Piedmont returned to their Countrey at the precise Term of Three Years and an half after their total dissipation For by an Edict dated Jan. 31. 1686. their Religion was forbidden upon pain of Death their Churches were ordered to be demolished and their Ministers to be banished which Edict was published in the Valleys April 11. and was put in Execution by the help of French Troops who attacked them on the 22d of the same Month and totally subdued them in the following Month of May when many of those poor people were killed and barbarously slaughtered and the miserable Remainders of them were permitted to depart who after a tedious March in the depth of Winter arrived at Geneva the December following of the same Year 1686. But about three years and a half after their dissipation they having in the mean while been kindly received by their Neigbours of Switzerland Geneva Holland and others and not suffered to be put in Graves by the Popish Nations round about them who appeared in their Favour All on a sudden they took an Vnanimous Resolution of returning into their Countrey and that at first against the Advice of their Friends who altogether despaired of their Success And accordingly about the beginning of September 1689. they passed the Lake of Geneva secretly and without the knowledge of that Government entred into Savoy with their Swords in their hands recovered their Ancient Possession and established themselves in it by the Month of April 1690. notwithstanding the Opposition of the Troops of France and Savoy Of whom they killed great Numbers with an inconsiderable Loss to themselves who were but a few in comparison of their Enemies Upon which the Duke of Savoy finding them to be encouraged and assisted by Forreign Princes recalled the rest of them and re-established them by an Edict dated June 4. 1690. with Liberty for the French Refugees to return with them three years and a half after their total dissipation in the End of October 1686. For although they were not Established by the Civil Power until the beginning of June a Month after the Expiration of the three years and a half yet they had regained their own Possessions and expelled the Strangers out of them by April and had received great Assistance in May just at the End of the forementioned term of Years Now although I must confess that there are many things very much to be taken notice of in this Account yet it cannot be the Resurrection here pointed at because the Sister Witness Church of France still lies desolate and dead in the Street of the great City and what hath already been performed in Favour of the Waldenses comes so much short of what may be justly thought to be meant by the Resurrection here foretold that I cannot look upon it but as a Providential Congruity if I may so call it and a Pledge and Earnest of a much greater Life and that of a more spiritual Nature than what hath yet happened unto them which I pray hope and humbly believe upon Prophetical Grounds in which I trust God has graciously assisted me not to be far off 38 This is plainly taken from Ezekiel's Description Chap. 37. of the Restauration of the Jews from Babylon and of what will come to pass at their final Restauration of which the former was but a Type Whereby is signified that God shall extraordinarily revive the Witnesses which are in a dead condition and mightily assist the Churches which are already raised to imperfect degrees of Life Gifts and Graces and so are consequently still in a Sackcloath and mournful Condition for the continuance of Judaism Paganism and Antichristianism in the World and the Imperfections of its own State so that they shall be seen and taken notice of by all as standing upon their Feet That is as being in a steddy Posture of Self Subsistence and Defence and that after an Eminent and most Conspicuous manner Zech. 14.4 39 For they shall stand upon their Feet an exceeding great Army according to what is prophesied of the Jews Ezek. 37.10 12 And they i. e. the Witnesses standing upon their Feet in a Posture of readiness and Preparedness heard a voice from Heaven 40 i. e. had an extraordinary call and a Divine impulse saying unto them come up hither unto a state of Security Purity and Glory and they ascended up to Heaven 41 i. e. enjoyed a pure and Holy church-Church-State in a bright Matt. 17 5. Acts 1 9. cloud i. e. in Glory and their Enemies 42 beheld them i. e. their great change and advancement was visible and notorious to all even to the Antichristian Apostasy 40 From hence and from what goes before it is manifest that this will be performed after an extraordinary manner by the more immediate power and assistance of God from whom the Spirit of Life came and all the Preparations and Abilities for the performance of this great Action 41 Their Church State is called Heaven in opposition to the Antichristian one which is called Earth and the World and because of the security from Persecution which should attend it and the Purity of its Doctrine and the Holiness of it and its Professors and the Glory Honour and Esteem it was to be in amongst Men especially Supreme Powers who are denoted by Heaven in this Prophecy Rev. 12.4 And a pure Church-State is called Heaven because it is a Resemblance of the Kingdom of Heaven as it shall be upon Earth and is an Exemplar of what is actually decreed performed and represented in Heaven in behalf of it before the Throne of God as appears from Chapters Fourth and Fifth 42 Here as well as in what goes before is a manifest Allusion to the Circumstances of the Ascension of our Saviour but with this difference that only the Apostles or chosen Witnesses beheld Christ's Ascent but here even the Enemies of the Witnesses are to testifie it it shall be so Notorious and Convincing to all 13 And the same hour i. e. about the same time but after their ascent Chap. 8.1 Num. 11. Chap. 9.15 was there a great * Earthquake i. e. a commotion and suddain change of thing in the World and especially in the Apostasy 43 and the 44 tenth part of the great City i. e. of the Roman Antichristian Kingdom ver 8. chap. 17.78 fell by the commotion change or Earthquake and in the Earthquake were slain 45 of Men seven thousand and the remnant or the remaining successions of Men to the Kingdom of Christ See chap. 2 24. 3 2. were affrighted at these Judgments and gave 46 Glory to the God of Heaven alone and not to Saints and Images as had been before done * As there was at our Saviour's Death and after his
which it came to be called the third part whereupon the Grecian Monarchy was cast to the ground it 's very Seat and Power becoming thereupon Roman Constantine (b) Cave's Introduct to the Lives of the Fathers vol. 2. pag. 13. Rycaut's Pref. to the Lives of the Popes commanding by a Law that it should be called New Rome and having Peopled it with the best Families he could draw from Old Rome and the Inhabitants of it being called Romans 13 Here is implied that the fourth Empire Subdued all the rest and bore Rule over all the Earth after it had Subdued the Grecian Monarchy which stood in competition with it according to what was foretold by Daniel chap. 2. 39 40. 7 7 19 32. 14 This refers to the Persecutions which fell upon the Christian Church by the Instigation of the Devil and his Instruments in the Roman Empire especially to their last and most cruel Effort in the ten Years Persecution under Dioclesian when the Woman was as it were teeming with a Glorious Church State in a Christian Empire which was brought forth under Constantine as a short Specimen and imperfect Representation of the Kingdom of Christ as hath been shewn on chap. 7 9.-17 5 And yet notwithstanding all his opposition Psal 2. she brought forth a 15 Manchild i. e. Christ reigned then as King and Lord of his Church and there was on Earth a lively and manly representation of him and his Kingdom for a short time Psal 2.7 8. Is 9 6.66 7 8. Acts 4 23.-30 who was to rule all Nations with a rod of Iron i. e. was to have an universal Kingdom Psalm 2 8-12 and her Child was caught 16 up unto God and to his Throne i. e. Christ and his Kingdom were advanced and his Church was in a State typical of his glorious Kingdom which yet not long continued Psal 110.1 15 Here the Kingdom of Christ is plainly set forth in Expressions chiefly taken from the second Psalm which contains a Description of it as all Interpreters agree And by the Man-child is meant 1. Christ himself who is said to be brought forth or born because he at this time obtained as King of his Church a Conquest over Paganism and a great increase to his Kingdom whereby he was begotten in the Phrase of the Psalmist Psalm 2.6 7 8. that is the holy Child Jesus was manifested and declared to be Lord and King 2. The Church and Christian Empire under Constantine may be called the Man-child as Cyrus is called the Lord's Christ or Messias Isa 45.1 because he was a Type of Christ and as Christians are said to be Christ's Body and to have Christ formed in them Gal. 4.19 And if the Roman Empire it self may in some sense as Grotius has well noted on Dan. 7.13 be not unfitly called an Image or Type of Christ much more may the Christian Empire under Constantine who was a greater Restorer of Christ's Kingdom than Cyrus was be styled a Mystical Christ and be an Emblem of his Glorious Kingdom on Earth 16 Christ after his Resurrection which is called his Birth in Scripture was taken up into heaven as we also shall be caught up thither 1 Thes 4.17 where the same word is used insomuch that this Phrase is taken from Christ's Ascent into heaven and alludes to it And its import may be 1. That Christ was then actually King of the Roman Heathen Empire which he had newly conquered signified by his being caught up to the Throne of God whereby some Ascents of his Throne in the Heavenly Places or Advancements of his Kingdom may be signified in which he was installed and inaugurated at his Ascension when he was caught up into Heaven 2. Hereby may be signified also the advancing of the Christian Religion to the Imperial Throne as Christ was advanced at his Ascension to the Throne of his Father at his Right Hand Psalm 110.1 But as Christ was of a sudden taken up in a Cloud out of the sight of the Apostles whilst they were looking on him Acts 1.9 so may also hereby be signified the short space of the continuance of the Roman Christian Empire Rev. 17.10 answerable to Christ's being seen of the Apostles only for Forty Days Acts 1.3 and the sudden depravation of Religion by a growing Antichristianism upon its advancement by Constantine whereby in a short time the true Primitive and Apostolical Christianity was obscured and could not be seen pure and unmixt which as (a) And on John 1.1 Grotius has noted on the place may be signified by being caught up to God those things being said in Scripture to be with God which are invisible and appear not unto Men. 6 And 17 or but yet it was not long before the Woman or Church thus delivered from Persecution and advanced in the Christian Empire * fled into the Wilderness 18 i. e. was in a secret and obscure state and condition in the midst of the encreasing Apostasy where she hath a place prepared by God i. e. she is secured by him that they 18 should feed her there or that she should be nourished and preserved there after a wonderful manner a thousand 19 two hundred and threescore days i. e. Years See chap. 11. 2 3. 17 When Christ was caught up to God and the Heavenly State he designed became thereupon invisible the Church soon retired into the Wilderness i. e. into an obscure and invisible State too as being bereft of that Presence and Power of Christ which was necessary to advance it into that perfect and heavenly State which his Kingdom requires Here the Flight which was after the War in Heaven is mentioned before it by a Prolepsis or Anticipation frequent in (a) Grot. in Gen. 1.27 Ecclus 48.1 Scripture and in this (b) See Pererius on the Revelations Grot. on Rev. 21.2 Prophecy the Holy Spirit being wont to hasten to the chief point it is about and to mention what intervenes of lesser consequence afterwards as is manifest from the History of the Creation where Paradise which was planted on the Third Day is not described until afterwards in the second Chapter and the full and particular Relation of the Creation of Mankind but briefly touched upon in the first Chapter is deferred unto the second which Figure is here observed to shew that the Man child Christ's Kingdom was not to succeed upon the Glorious Pre appearance of it Verse 5. and that the Church the Woman was to be in an obscure condition and that immediately after her Delivery and that she was presently to prepare for her Flight she being not to appear in Visible Glory until 1260 Years after it * So the Children of Israel went up in haste out of Aegypt Exod. 12.31 33 39. 18 This Type is taken from the Children of Israel's sojourning in the Wilderness after they had escaped out of the hands of Pharoah who is expresly called Psalm 74.13 14. Isa 51.9 the Dragon or Crocodile lying
of Antichrist upon whose destruction this Glorious Kingdom or Glorious State of Christs Kingdom is to begin And that there shall be a glorious state of Christs Church such as hath not hitherto been is a Truth so apparent in Scripture that those (b) Pocock on Micah pag. 24 29 32 42. who are most wary of interpreting the Scriptures to this Sense lest thereby any advantage might be given to the Jews cannot but confess that many Passages of the Prophets which relate to this State are not as yet clearly nor fully compleated but that they are still in fulfilling and more may be expected in the latter times which Dr. Pocock extends to the second Coming of Christ. And although we ought to be cautious how we administer occasion of hardening the Jews in their Infidelity by forcing Texts of Scripture to this Sense which may be meant concerning the first Coming of Christ yet the want of due distinguishing betwixt his first Coming in a way of Humiliation and Sufferings and his second Coming in Glory and that to erect a Kingdom upon Earth and under the Heaven as is expresly affirmed Dan. 7.27 Rev. 5.10 in a State of perfect Righteousness Peace and Prosperity has been no mean cause of Offence to the Jews and is the occasion of many Errors amongst Christians But that there shall be such a Kingdom of Christ which may be called his Mediatory Kingdom distinct from the Kingdom of Eternity of which the Man Christ Jesus is the Eternal King as he is united to the Eternal Word and from his Spiritual and Evangelical Kingdom will appear evident from these following Considerations 1. Because the many (a) Psalm 2.8 Isa 2 2-4 Micah 4.1 Mr. Mede Disc 25. 29. 36. Prophecies foretelling a Glorious Constant and uninterrupted Visibility and Vniversality of Christ's Church not yet accomplished do require such a Future State For the Church hath been seldom gloriously visible never constantly and uninterruptedly so neither hath it been at any time in possession of much above the sixth part of the known World so far hath it fallen short of the Vniversality prophesied of in Scripture 2. Many (b) Isa 11 6-9.65.17-25 Ezek. 48.35 Micah 4.3 Justin Mart. Dial cum Tryphon Dr. Burnet's Theor 4.5 7. Jurieu's accomplishm of prophec Tom. 2. Chap. 18 24. Grot. de Verit. Relig. Christ 5.18 Quaedam vero etiam definite sine conditione promissa si impleta nondum sunt adhuc possunt expectari Constat enim etiam apud Judaeos Tempus sive Regnum Messiae durare ad finem seculorum Prophecies relating to the Temporal and Spiritual Happiness of Christs Church are not yet at all fulfilled or only in part and therefore there must be some Future State in which they are to be accomplished Such as those which foretel its perfect peace prosperity holiness and the divine presence resting and remaining in it which can by no Art be so interpreted as to make out that they are already fulfilled 3. Many of the (c) Jurieu T. 3. Ch. 19. Types of the Old Testament prefigure and signifie such a State of Christ's Church and Kingdom such as Paradice the New World after the Flood the coming of the Israelites into Canaan out of Aegypt the Type of the Antichristian Apostasy their Return from their Captivity in Babylon into a peaceable possession of their Land the Kingdom of (a) 2 Sam. 7 8-29 and 23 3-8 See the Notes on Chap. 14.1 David in which he was established upon his Conquest over the Heathens and not until after many Troubles and Distresses wherein it was an Eminent Type of Christ's Kingdom as it proceeded from weak small and troublesome beginnings to strength and a lasting Peace after great Victories over the Sons of Belial and the Heathen Nations This Kingdom is also Typified by (b) Psalm 72. Solomon's Kingdom and his Marriage in the Book of Canticles and most eminently by the (c) See on Chap. 1.4 and what follows in the next Note Sabbatism or Rest of God in the seventh day after six for finishing his Works wherein the seventh Thousand Year designed for Christ's Kingdom is evidently prefigured for Christ's Kingdom being the main design of God to be accomplished in order to his Eternal Kingdom and the chief means conducing to it was the primary thing in his intention from the beginning and was not only foretold by all the Prophets but was prefigured by the (d) Ezek. Chap. 40 c. Heb. 8 5.9 9 10.10 1. Types which shall be perfectly and fully compleated in that State 4. (e) Dan. Chapters 2 and 7. 2 Thes 2.8 Burnet 's Theory B. 4. 8. Antichrist is not yet destroyed neither are the (f) Isa 11. and 14.1 2.25 8.56 8. Chap. 60.65 17-25 Ezek. 28 24-26.36 25-38 37 15-28 Hos 3.4 5. and Dr. Pocock on the place pag. 162. Zech. 9 9-17 10 5-12 and Chapters 12 13 14. Amos 9 11-15 Mic. 2.12 13. Rom. 11.2 Cor. 3.16 Grot. in Luc. 21.24 Mr. Mede Ep. 17. and pag. 891 Mons Jurieu's accomplishm of prophec Tom. 2 Chap. 17. Jews called nor is the (f) Isa 11. and 14.1 2.25 8.56 8. Chap. 60.65 17-25 Ezek. 28 24-26.36 25-38 37 15-28 Hos 3.4 5. and Dr. Pocock on the place pag. 162. Zech. 9 9-17 10 5-12 and Chapters 12 13 14. Amos 9 11-15 Mic. 2.12 13. Rom. 11.2 Cor. 3.16 Grot. in Luc. 21.24 Mr. Mede Ep. 17. and pag. 891 Mons Jurieu's accomplishm of prophec Tom. 2 Chap. 17. fullness of the Gentiles as yet come in nor are (a) Psalm 110.1 Cor. 15 24-29 Heb. 2 5-9 all things as yet subdued unto Christ all which yet according to plain Scripture are to come to pass some of them before Christ's Kingdom others before it be delivered up to the Father whence it is evident that this Kingdom is not yet come much less already past as some imagine 5. Christ is not yet come in his Glory and therefore his Kingdom is not yet come For the (b) Compare Isa 53. and 63. with many other places of Scripture For there are twenty Texts which speak of his Second Coming to Glory for one which speaks of his First Coming See Mons Jurieu and Dr. Burnet's Theory Scriptures evidently distinguish betwixt Two Comings of Christ the one in a State of Humiliation already past the other in a State of Glory and most commonly (c) Matth. 16 28.25.31 Luke 19 13 15.23 42. 2 Tim. 4.1 joyn his Second Coming and his Kingdom together 6. The Scriptures joyn the Resurrection and the Coming and Kingdom of Christ together Whence it is evident that this Kingdom is not come because the general Resurrection is not past For thus 1 Cor. 15.23 24. Christ's coming plainly refers to his coming to the Kingdom at the General Resurrection he having all the while from his Ascension sat at the Right Hand of the Father in the patient Expectation of this his Glorious Kingdom Psalm 110.1 Heb.
10.12 Rev. 1.9 7. There must be such a State in which all things even the inanimate parts of the Creation are to be restored to their pure primitive State that Christ's Redemption might be perfect and compleat For Christ died and made an Attonement and Reconciliation by his Blood that he might carry on the great work of Redemption through the several Ages of the World to its full perfection Now that (a) Rom. 8 19-24 1 Cor. 23 21 22. Redemption consisting in restoring whatsoever the First Adam lost there must be a Restitution of the whole Creation to its first State or else Christ's Redemption will not be perfect But of this more hereafter 8. If the General Resurrection and the Kingdom of Christ are the same then the Arguments from the Justice and Wisdom of God and all the other general Topicks which are commonly brought for the proof of the former will conclude as strongly for the latter to which may be added that it is agreeable to the Wisdom Justice and Goodness of God that he should reserve some Age of the World for his own entire Reign in Righteousness who had permitted the Devil and Antichrist to domineer in so many Ages of it and that his Son should be visibly glorified in the sight of that very Earth where he had been humbled even to the Death of the Cross and the last Act or Period of the Oeconomy of his Exaltation should be accompanied with the greatest Glory and Majesty as the last Act of his Humiliation was attended with the greatest Misery and Reproach and that his Saints who had undergone a long state of Misery and Persecution should inherit (a) Rom. 8 19-24 1 Cor. 23 21 22. the Earth in prosperity according to the promises of God and the Wicked should suffer in a Visible State of Shame and Ignominy and that for some long space of time and not only for a single Day of Judgment that Men might be deterred from sinning here by the length of the punishment and (b) Burnet's Theor. 4.5 by the dishonour of it which shall be notorious to the whole Creation whereas the Eternal State of the Damned is an hidden State besides which according to the general current of Scripture there must be a Visible Appearance of the Wicked and the Good at the general Retribution when God will display to the whole World the Reasons and Grounds of his procedures and the whole Scene and Contexture of his Providence that his Wisdom Justice and Goodness towards his Creatures might be seen acknowledged and admired by all of them to which the continuance of Mankind under a Visible State for some considerable time according to their Demerits in the Reverse of what they enjoyed here will very much contribute Psalm 73. Isa 65.13 25. Dan. 12.1 2. Phil. 2 9-11 9. It is agreeable (a) See Dr. Home 's Resurrection revealed lib 3. 5. to the wonted procedures of Almighty God that there should be a state of prosperity to his Church upon Earth For he hath generally in all Ages punished on Earth feirce Tyrants and Persecutors of his Church and given to it a general Rest after long and tedious Troubles Afflictions and Persecutions and that most commonly in the Churches Extremity whiCh is God's Opportunity and accordingly we may justly expect such a State upon the Destruction of Antichrist and that his Fall is not far off because the two special Witness-Churches of France and Savoy have been reduced to the utmost Extremity 10. The Oeconomy Dispensation or Fatherly Administration af this Kingdom which is God's Houshold is placed by the Apostle Ephes 1.10 in the Fullness of Times that is of All Time which not being as yet expired we may thence conclude that this Kingdom is not yet come For from the Consideration of Mark 1.15 Gal. 4.4 Ephes 1.10 and Isaiah 2.2 it seems there were as if a Line of Time in Scripture commencing from Christ's First Coming called the Fullness of Time and ending in his second Coming called the Fullness of Times or of all such Times 11. The Monarchick (a) See Dr. Beverley's Kingdom of Jesus Christ entring its Succession and Dan. 2 and 7. Image in Daniel is not yet broken to peices but continues in its Feet and Ten Toes under the Papacy and its Ten Kings and therefore the Kingdom of Christ is not yet come which is to destroy it VVhich Kingdom also as it is there described cannot be Christ's Evangelical Kingdom because that destroyed not Kingdoms but converted them nor his Kingdom of Eternity because according to Prophecy this Kingdom is to be under the Heaven and to fill the whole Earth Dan. 2. 12. Very many Texts of Scripture cannot possibly be explained at least in their Fullest and most compleat Sense and Latitude without supposing some such State For even the first and great Prophecy Gen. 3.15 concerning the bruising of the Serpents Head is not yet fully compleated nor will be until Christ's Second Coming when Sin and Death shall be utterly abolished 1 Cor. 15. Japhet's Tents according to Noah's Prophecy Gen. 9.27 have not been yet enlarged through the whole Extent of the Northern parts of the World neither hath God yet perswaded Japheth and Shem Gentile and Jew to live together in the same Tents or Church The Promises to (b) Dr. Homes Resurrect revealed B. 3. 2. Abraham as they are explained by the Apostles of such a Numerous Race as shall possess almost the whole VVorld are not fulfilled in their utmost Latitude as neither (a) Dr. Homes Resurrect revealed B. 3.2 some of Jacob's Prophecies to befal his Posterity in the last Days Gen. 49. particularly that Remarkable one Verse 10. for the universal and compleat gathering of the people both Jews and Gentiles into one Body is not as yet come to pass And who can say that the (b) Nâ—mb 24.17 Deut. 30 3 4 5.32 36 43. Psalm 2 8.22 27-31 45.47 7 8 9.49 14.67.68 22-35 72.86 9.110.149 Very many places in the Prophets already quoted The places in the New Testament which speak concerning Christ's Kingdom and the World to come of the Messias and Luke 19.11 12.23 42. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in thy Kingdom Acts 3 19-26 1 Cor. 15.24 c. Eph. 1.21 Heb 3 5-9 2 Peter 3.13 Revel 11.15 See a Treatise written by Alstecius entituled The Beloved City or the Saints Reign Mr. Archer of the Personal Reign of Christ Dr. Homes 's Resurrection Revealed Dr. Burnet 's Theory B. 4. Dr. Beverley against Mr. Baxter Monsieur Jurieu and Mr. Claude Oevres Posthâ—m Tom. 3. Le Ciâ—quieme Empire Prophecies contained in the places quoted in the Margent are as yet compleatly fullfilled or that the First (c) See Dr. Beverley on the Lords Prayer Mede Ep. 52. Petitions of the Lords Prayer can be well understood without the supposal of such a Kingdom 13. VVhen the Apostles had received power in which all necessary Gifts Knowledge as well as
THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION PARAPHRASED WITH ANNOTATIONS ON EACH CHAPTER Whereby it is made plain to the meanest Capacity DAN XII 4. Many shall run to and fro and Knowledg shall be increased HAB. II. 2. Write the Vision and make it plain upon Tables that he may run that readeth it LONDON Printed in the Year MDCXCIII THE PREFACE THere is scarce any part of Holy Writ which hath met with a more severe entertainment in the World than this Sacred Book For although it hath evident Characters of its Divine Authority and more Humane Testimony than any other Book of the New Testament yet upon the increase of the Millenary Controversies in the Church it was first called in question and then boldly and impiously rejected by that party whose Sentiments it oppposed until they had found out a way of reconciling it unto them Into such extravagancies will immoderate opposition transport men and a fond Love and heady Zeal for private Fancies and Opinions Neither have those who have endeavoured to illustrate and clear the difficulties of this Mysterious Book met with less gentle usage in these latter ages especially from those of our own Nation but have been commonly represented as Frantick Zealots and Crazed Enthusiasts or where such Characters could not be fastned on them they have been generally depressed in the World if their Sentiments proved contrary to what was most prevailing in it to the great discouragement of inquisitive Persons and to the mighty hindrance of Truth and Knowledg which never thrive better than under a gentle and moderate freedom And therefore I cannot but regret although it be to the Dishonour of my own Nation the hard fate of those two excellent Persons Mr. Potter and Mr. Mede the former of whom although admirably skilled in many abstruse parts of Learning yet lived and dyed in an obscure retirement in a remote corner of the Land whilst the other the Ornament of our Church and of the Age he lived in was never able so much as to keep a Horse for Health not State which was the heighth of his ambition And I wish I could say that we were grown more favourable to such disquisitions that so a considerable person of deep Thought and of great insight into Mysterious Truths upon whose Hypothesis the following Interpretation is chiefly grounded after much doubt and tryal of it might not be permitted to struggle with adversity and lie under the depressing circumstances of Restraint But alas I fear that like the Apostle Peter (a) Luke 9.33 when he desired the continuance of the Glory of Christ's transgfiuration upon this Earth we know not what we say when we wish that such men had met with greater advantages in the World as the present state of it is and that we ought not to seek (b) Jerem 45. great things for our selves or others whilst the Church is in a Sack-cloath State and Condition but that our Souls are to be suited to God's Dispensations and we are not to aim at high things in the times of publick calamities And whosoever makes this use of privacy and adversity may sooner meet with Divine Visitations and comforts in the most obscure corner and with Spiritual Illuminations in a Patmos or a Prison than amidst the greatest affluence of the enjoyments of this World and all the advantages of great Parts many Books and much Learning which too often swell the mind and puff up more than edifie whereas the chief qualifications next to Prayer and the Divine assistance to the attaining to Knowledg in this or any other part of Scripture are Humility Industry and Patience in searching and a ready submission to Convictions although they prove contrary to our former thoughts and our present interest For great application of Mind is necessary to search into the bottom of Mysterious Truths and a man who would understand the Will of God in this Prophecy must during the Study of it renounce Parties and Prejudices and divest himself of his former Principles although never so deeply rooted and never so seemindy rational and closely follow that Sense which appears to be the meaning of the Holy Spirit For God's Thoughts are not as our Thoughts and men of the greatest strength of Reason when they happen upon false Principles and too strictly adhere to them are of all others the most irreclaimable It were easy to shew that Alcasar who spent twenty Years in the Study of this Prophecy Ribera and other very Learned and Judicious Men amongst the Romanists had scarcely missed of many great Truths if they had not been of that Communion and that several truly great and good Men among the Protestants were misled by a too fond respect for some private Principles Such as were the impossibility that so gross an Idolatry and so Universal an Apostasy as is supposed in this Prophecy should ever be permitted to overspread the Face of the Visible Church which yet is supposed should actually come to pass towards the end of the Word by Ribera (a) Viegas Victorinus and most of the Ancient Fathers Alcas pag. 20. and other learned Papists chiefly upon the evidence which this Book afforded them And such also was their opinion of the necessity of an uninterrupted Succession in every Church and the impossibility of deriving it from one which was formally Idolatrous together with a greater Love for the outward Peace Unity and Prosperity of the Church than it is capable of during this imperfect State in which they seem to have rested without expecting one of a different Nature Which seem to be the chief prejudices upon which Grotius Mr. Thorndick Dr. Hammond and others espoused a groundless narrow and inconsistent Hypothesis contrary to the common Doctrine of Protestants and of the Churches of which they were Members and to the Scope and genuine sense of the words of this and other Prophetical Books of Scripture as hath been sufficiently shewn by Dr. Moor Dr. Cressener and several Divines of Foreign Churches Whereas Mr. Mede seems to have been rewarded by God with the best grounded the most consequential and the most comprehensive Hypothesis of any other for his great freedom of Mind impartial Search and universal Charity which were joyned in him with a rare and uncommon mixture of slowness and yet largeness of thought I am not ignorant that many excellent persons who have shaken off the fetters of Prejudice and Education and have too great Souls to he confined within the narrow compass of a Party or a private Interest are yet very a verse to the Writings of those who offer at the Interpretation of Prophetical Scripture if their sentiments seem to look with a too close and threatning Aspect upon the Age they live in because of the frequent falsity of such pretences and the ill influence they may have especially at some times and seasons upon the publick peace of Church and State And indeed they are not to be blamed for being cautious and
latest and best Chronologers after a doubt concerning it What else could Connect the Saracenick Wo with the Idolatry of the Christian Church as a Scourge to it and foresee that Mahomet a Counter-Antichrist to the Papal One should arrive to a Supremacy in the East soon after the Christian (c) See page 136 137. Chalifs or pretended Vicars of Christ had Usurped one of another Nature in the West What but (a) Is 41 21-29 44 6 7.45 21. Wisd 8. 1. that infinite Wisdom which reacheth from one end to another and doth sweetly Order all things could thus declare the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things which are not yet done and unite together so many distant Events in agreement with the Prophecies and Types of the Old Testament and the Truth of all Profane History and make them conspire to One End the Kingdom of his Son Let the Oracles of the Heathens shew any thing like this or the most daring Wit demonstrate and no less evidence ought to satisfy him of the contrary how this could otherwise come to pass And if this Book be of Divine Authoriâ—y why should the Divinity of our Saviour be doubted of Who is expressly called (b) See Chap. 1. 8 14.3 21.5 6 c. 17 14 19 9 10 12 13.20 6 12.21 6 7.22 6 13. God in it receives Divine Worship from Angels and Men and has the same Attributes given him with God the Father and is always represented in it as One with him For such plain Testimonies ought to outweigh the contrary prejudices which proceed chiefly from the Imperfection of our finite and limited Understandings and their utter inability to comprehend an Infinite Being But as this Prophecy is Instructive in great Truths so does it afford satisfaction also in many doubts For from hence men may learn not to be too much disquieted at great Changes and Revolutions in Churches and States and may the more readily be induced to submit to what is not evidently sinful in them because they are from God and that all such great Events are some way or other conducive to Christ's Kingdom God often makeing use of the Sins of Men to bring to pass the Wise and Good but Mysterious Counsels of his Will And from hence also much may be learnt with relation to the Government (a) Read the Epistes to the Seven Churches Chap. 2. and 3. And Chapters 5. 6. 7. 10. 13 18. 21 10-27 VVorship and Reformation of the Church and to the abating of the warm Contentions about them amongst Protestants for seeing that all Church States are as yet imperfect and like the Jewish Dispensation but Temporary Ordinances until the time of the Reformation in order to the Kingdom of Christ the best ought to bear with the worst because they themselves are but Imperfect and instead of violent Heats and Animosities should endeavour to shew each other the Pattern Form and Fashion of God's House the Apostolical Model frequently mentioned in this Prophecy that so they may all according to the expressions of Ezekiel (a) Chap. 43. 10-12 in whom there is a Type of Christ's pure Church whatsoever some triumphant VVriters may with scorn enough have said to the contrary be ashamed of what they have done and of their Iniquities and Deviations from it And in the mean time until God shall reveal even this unto them what should they do but in obedience to the Apostolical Precepts Bear one anothers Burthens please others rather than themselves in Honour Prefer one another do all their things in Charity and to edification and Peace as well as for Truth Decency and Order And let not any sincere and conscientious person of the Romish Communion be offended at some harsh expressions he may find in this Book for they are no other then the Holy Spirit makes use of to give them a true and just Idea of the deformity and odiousness of Idolatry Cruelty and Church Tyranny in God's sight that so they might be the more effectually deterred from them and to create in the minds of Protestants a due abhorrence of such Practises by Notions and Symbols apt to raise a just indignation against them which have also by God's Providence been so deeply imprinted in the minds of the Vulgar that all endeavours of some Learned Men to the contrary have been unsuccessful and sometimes of fatal consequence and why should men speak peace where God does not and give complemental Names to those whom the Holy Ghost hath stigmatized and made infamous So that if the Romish Church be Idolatrous Usurping and Cruel he bringeth not a railing accusation against it but speaketh the words of Truth and Soberness who applyeth to it the Titles of Beast Whore and Antichrist And altho this charge against the Church of Rome hath been managed by diverse arguments yet I think by none more successfully than by those which are taken from this Prophecy which I hope ingenuous Men of that Communion and many such are there of it will be pleased to read and consider for I dare promise them that they will meet with many (a) Especially Chapters 13. and 17. clear and unexpected Proofs in it and such as may give them satisfaction for I can truly say that I have experienced their efficacy for the removing of some of their Prejudices which I lay under As for the present performance altho I find upon a cursory review some mistakes and many Imperfections in it which cannot be avoided in a work of so great length and difficulty yet I can assure the Reader that the utmost sincerity hath been used and all the diligence possible amidst frequent indispositions of Body and many avocations And as for the main gounds upon which the Interpretation proceeds viz. The gradual defection of the Church the Antichristian Apostasy especially of the Romish Church and the future glorious Kingdom of Christ I hope that they have been fully and plainly proved in their several places (a) Read especially Chapters 2. 3. 7. 13. 17. 20. 21. 22. but other less material or abstruse things must take the common Fate of such disquisitions and all that I shall desire from the Reader is that he use diligence in search read the Book throughout and be true to his Convictions and then I Hope Pray and Believe that he will not miss of Satisfaction humbly desiring him to remember him in his Prayers who hath spared no Pains nor cost in this matter for his good God's Glory and the Promoting of Christ's Kingdom AMEN Even so come Lord Jesus THE Argument THis Book is a Dramatick Prophecy wherein is represented as in Visionary Scenes the great Events belonging to the Church of Christ from his Resurrection (a) Chap 1. 10. pag. 11. In Comaedia sive Tragaedia nequaquam Spectatur Tempus illud quo Actio datur sed potius tempus rei ipsius cujus datur Actio Alcas pag. 6. to the Delivery (b)
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Opposite representations in it Of which the Reader is here presented with a general Scheme the particulars which are very many being to be carefully observed and gathered out of the Book it self The Church of Ephesus (a) Chap. 2. 1-8 See pag. 20. 32. is contemporary with the four first Seals and reaches from the Resurrection A. D. 33. to the beginning of the Persecution under Dioclesian A. D. 303. The Church of Smyrna (b) Chap. 2. 8-12 in which the Synagogue of Satan arose is contemporary with the fifth sixth and seventh Seal and lasts until the sounding of the first Trumpet A. D. 437. The Church of Perganus (c) Chap. 2. 1â—-15 begins to Witness in Sackcloath at the entrance of the Apostasy A. D. 437. and is contemporary with the five first Trumpets and part of the Sixth and with the progress of the Apostasy to a Throne and the slaying of the Antipapal Witnesses by Excommunications and Persecutions until about the 12th Century or between A. D. 1100 and 1200. Then arose the Church of (d) Chap. 2. 18. c. Thyatira witnesing against the depths of Satanical Corruptions which continued during the first Slaying of the VVitnesses and the progress of the Mahometan Wo of the sixth Trumpet (a) Chap. 10. until the Reformation A. D. 1517. The Church of Sardis together with some low appearances of the Philadelphian State kept under by those of the Synagogue chap. 3. 9. are contemporary with the Reformation and are to last until some more perfect Church State shall appear of which if the Calculations (c) See the Notes on Chap. 10. 7. on Chap. 11. 2 11. frequently mention'd in the following Book prove true there will be some more than ordinary appearance about A. D. 1697. when the Beasts Months end The Philadelphian (d) Chap. 3. 7-13 State the Church of Thyatira (e) Chap. 2. 19. in its last works the undefiled (f) Chap. â— 4. Names in Sardis and those also of that State whom this Prophecy calls Them of the Synagogue chap. 3. 9. who shall come and unite themselves to the Church of Philadelphia carry on the whole series of things during the (g) See Chapters 14 Voices and the Vials from the rise of that Sate until the Glorious Millenium that is if the Calculations here advanced (b) Chap. 3. 1-7 prove true from A. D. 1697. until (a) See Chapters 14. and 16. A. D. 1727. and from 1727 to 1772. After the Millennium Satan is loosed for a short season Gog and Magog compass the City but are destroyed and all the Enemies of Christ are Judged and perfectly Subdued with which the Laodicean (b) Chap. 3 14-22 Chap. 20. State of the Church is cotemporary But besides these Synchronisms betwixt the Church Prophecy and the Book Prophecy it is very observable that there are very many Visions in the Book Prophecy which Synchronize one with another as is frequently observed in the Annotations of which here is given a short Specimen referring the Reader to the Book it self for a larger account of them Synchron 1. The Seals and many particulars in the twelfth Chapter are contemporary as will appear to any one who compares the sixth Chapter with the twelfth Synchron 2. The Barbarous Nations chap. 8. 7. entring as Gentiles into the outward Court the Worshippers in the inward Temple the Witnesses in Sackcloath and the Church actually flying into the Wilderness are also contemporary See Chapters 8. c. 11. c. 12. Synchron 3. The Beast rising out of the Sea coming into his Succession and into his forty two Months and the ten Kings receiving Power all one Hour with him are contemporary with the Extinction of the Western Empire upon the Sounding of the Third Trumpet because when the former Government was expired Another must needs immediately come into Succession Synchron 4. The Witnesses lying Dead and the Woman hid in the Wilderness from the face of the Serpent are Synchronous Synchron 5. The ending of the two Times the beginning of Half Time the Thunders Voices Uttered and then Sealed are contemporary See Chap. 10. Synchron 6. The full rising of the Witnesses the Fall of the tenth of the great City the passing away of the second Wo and the beginning of the seventh Trumpet to sound are contemporary with the End of the three Days and an Half of the three Times and Half and of the 1260 days and forty two Months which are in an equal Duration Synchron 7. The seventh Trumpet the Voices and the Vials the Judgment on the Whore the Beast and the False Prophet the Lamb's Wife making her self ready are contemporaries Synchron 8. The thousand Years of Sathan bound the first Resurrection the Blessed Participation of it the New Jerusalem the New Heaven and New Earth are contemporaries Synchron 9. The thousand Years expired Sathan Loosed the Gog and Magog are together in time Synchron 10. The Fire coming down from Heaven Sathan's casting into the Lake the Dead Judged and with Death cast into the Lake Synchronize with the White Throne the Laodicean Saints sitting down with Christ upon it The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Opposites are cheifly these The Kingdom of Christ and of his Saints The Kingdom of Satan carried on in the fourth or Roman Monarchy first as Pagan then as Antichristian The Church of Ephesus as Apostolical The Church of Ephesus having left its first Love Chap. 2. 4. Smyrna A Synagogue of Satan Chap. 2. 9. Pergamus and Antipas The Throne of Satan Balaam and the Nicolaitans Chap. 2. 13 14 15. the false Prophet Chap. 16 13. Thyatira The Depths of Satan Jezebel or the false Prophetess Chap. 2. 20 14. The undefiled names in Sardis Those of the Synagogue Chap. 3. 3 4 9. Philadelphia The Laodicean Luke-warmness The Lamb. The Dragon the Beast the other Beast with two Horns like a Limb. Chap. 13. 11. The Bride the Lamb's Wife chap. 19. 7. The Whore chap. 17. Christ's sealed ones and witnesses The Marked Slaves of the Beast chap. 13. 16. The great City the Holy Jerusalem the beloved City the Camp of the Saints c. 20 9.21.10 Babylon the great City reigning over the Kings of the Earth c. 17. and the City of Gog and Magog at the four corners of the Earth c. 20.8 Twelve the Apostolical Number c. 7.4 Twenty five the Antichristian name mark number c. 13. 18. Christ the King of Kings and Lord of Lords chap. 19. 16. The Kings of the Earth chap. 19. 19. The Armies which come in the Heaven with Christ c. 19.14 The Armies of the Kings of the Earth and their Nations Gog and Magog Chap. 19. 15 19. 20 8. ERRATA PAg. 6. l. 29. read 16. p. 9. l. 5. of the of this World p. 13. l. 16. r. denote p. 14. l. 24. r. full of p. 21. l. 16. r. Rom. 2. p. 27. l. 27. r. Goods p. 22. l. 32. r. 58. p. 41. l. 8. f. the r. that
belongs to those who practice according to the pure and undefiled Rules of Christian Worship given in this Prophecy 4 John to the Seven 6 Eminent Churches in Asia the Less Grace i. e. the free and undeserved Love and Assistance of God be unto you and 7 Peace i. e. all manner of Prosperity especially Spiritual from 8 him or The which is and which was and which is to come i. e. the Eternal and Immutable God Exod. 3.14 who can therefore reveal and will certainly accomplish all which is here foretold and which belongs unto his Church from the beginning unto the end of Time and from the 9 Seven Spirits i. e. the Holy Ghost or Spirit Zach. 4.2 6. which are before his Throne i. e. is present and of Counsel with him who sits on the Throne working and communicating Graces and Gifts by its Operations according to his supreme Good Pleasure and Determination 6 The Seven Churches particularly mentioned in the 11th Verse were the most eminent and flourishing of those which were under the peculiar Care and Government of John upon which account they might be very well made choice of by the Holy Spirit amongst many others which were then probably planted in Asia Minor now called Natolia Some Travellers particularly the Ingenious Mr. Spoon have remarked several Circumstances of their present Condition answerable to the Judgments denounced against them in the following Epistles which may render it something probable that they were immediately directed unto them although the Arguments brought by Dr. Moor and others seem to me to carry with them a full Conviction of what Grotius confesses that the seven Asiatick Churches are but a Pattern and Example of the sevenfold state and quality successive temper and condition of the Universal Church from the beginning to the end of it of which perhaps for it is not a thing unusual in Scripture there may be some intimation in their Names as Grotius has observed which might probably have been made out more clearly if we had a more particular account of the ancient History and circumstances of those Churches however that they are Mystical and not barely Literal Epistles I shall endeavour to prove by observations drawn from the Text it self in my following Annotations and shall not rest upon extrinsecal and more remote Arguments being sufficiently convinced of the frequent weakness of Reasoning upon such Topicks in these matters But upon an impartial consideration of all circumstances I cannot but be of opinion That these seven Asiatick Churches represent the seven Periods and Successions of the Vniversal Church which in correspondence to the Creation a Type of God's Transactions with his Church is according to the known Tradition of the Jews after six thousand years of Labour and Imperfection to enjoy a seventh of Peace Holiness and Perfection from whence the Pythagoreans whose Philosophy came from the East took their Doctrine of the perfection of this Number which is in Scripture and particularly in this Prophecy often made use of in what relates to Christ and his Kingdom and is a perfect number not upon an Arithmetical account for the Number Six is the first perfect Arithmetical one but upon a Mystical in memory of God's having finished and perfected his Works on the Seventb day and of the Sabbatical Rest of the Church in the Seventh Thousand Year of the World after Six remarkable Periods of it from Christ's Resurrection of which more hereafter on Chap. 20. 5. Howsoever thus much is certain That what is contained in these Epistles ought to be duly considered by all Churches that so they may avoid the Faults therein reprehended and the Punishments threatned in them For what is therein written is written for our instruction upon whom the ends of the World are come 7 Peace especially Spiritual being the greatest of blessings is put in Scripture to denote all manner of Prosperity 8 The That is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jehovah who is Being it self for these Words are an Explication of that Sacred Name See the Interpreters on Exod. 3.14 9 It is the Opinion of Mr. Mede Disc 10. and of Dr. Hammond on the place That by the Seven Spirits are to be understood Seven Angels But besides that as Grotius notes on the place Spirits are distinguished from Angels in the Fifth Chapter and that Chap. 4. 5. they are called the Seven Spirits of God which is a Title not given to Angels in Scripture it is not easily accountable why Angels should be placed in the same rank with the Persons of the Trinity and that before the Son and that Grace should be Prayed and Wished for from them when all good Gifts are said by the Apostle James Chap. 1. 17. to come from above from the Father of Lights and there being no form of a Salutation or Blessing in Scripture in the name of a meer Angel for the Angel Gen. 48.15.6 is Christ and not a created Angel such an Interpretation of these Words would give a greater Encouragement to Creature-Worship than can be imagined to have been given in this Prophecy which is so severe against all Idolatry and in which this very Apostle was twice reprehended for offering to give Worship to an Angel And therefore there being no necessity of interpreting the words in this Sense it is certainly the safest and the truest way in my Opinion to understand them concerning the Holy Spirit represented here by Seven Spirits in respect of his Various but Perfect Operations and Gifts denoted by Seven the Number of Perfection as we have already noted and shall declare more fully hereafter to the Vniversal Church in the Sevenfold successive State of it Whereupon Zach. 4. the Seven Lamps at the 2d Verse are at the 6th Verse said to be by God's Spirit That is from the Plenitude of the Holy Spirit which in those Seven Lamps diffused its Mighty and Perfect Operations But although Angels are not to be placed before Christ yet the Order of the Persons of the Blessed Trinity is not always observed in Scripture not in that very Apostolick Benediction 2 Cor. 13. where the Grace of Christ is placed first and in this Form of Benediction the Holy Ghost is put before Christ because more was to be spoken concerning him afterwards who was therefore more conveniently to be reserved unto the last place 5 And from 10 Jesus Christ who is the Faithful Witness of his Fathers Will and a Prophet worthy to be believed and the first begotten of or first born from the Dead by his being first raised which is a new Birth or a Regeneration Acts 13.33 and the Prince of the Kings of the Earth i. e. the chief Ruler and Disposer of the Kingdoms of Men especially the four Monarchies which shall be broken to Peices and consumed by his Kingdom Dan. 2 44.4 17. unto him that Loved us unto the Death John 15.13 and washed us from our sins in or by his own Blood shed for them 10 Note here the great
Souls to call them back or retain them when they are departed out of the Body and of Death it self to keep men from it and therefore fear not for if you were really Dead I could raise you up again All which looks with a Full Eye on that great First Resurrection c. 20. 28 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See Hammond on Matth. 11. and Bishop Pearson on the Creed 19 And upon this assurance stand up upon thy Feet and be of good Courage and Write in a Book unto the seven Churches as I before commanded thee vers 11. the things which thou hast seen already 29 in the representation of the seven Stars and seven golden Candlesticks vers 12 13 16. and 30 write also the things which are now in being in my present Apostolical Church and the things which shall be hereafter successively to the very end of Time 29 It is manifest from the next Verse that this is the true sense of these Words where it is expresly said that the Seven Stars were Seen by him in his Right Hand which are therefore the things he had Seen and were written with the rest of the Preface in a Book to the seven Churches verse 11. 30 Here he is commanded to write the Epistles to the seven Churches the first of which viz. that to Ephesus as we have there shewn refers to the State of the then Apostolical Church beginning at Christ's Resurrection the others to the following successive States of the Churches to the End of the World 20 Which things present and future are the 31 Mystery or the Prophetical and Mystical sense of the seven Stars which thou sawest in my right hand which are the things thou hast seen and not the Mystery to be written concerning them and write the seven Golden Candlesticks i e. the mystery or mystick sense of them also The seven 32 stars are or signifie and represent Gen. 41.26 the Angels 33 or Pastors of the seven Churches and the seven Candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven Churches or are 34 seven Churches that is Bodies of Christians under their several Pastors as well those which are now as those which shall be successively hereafter 31 These words which are of the Accusative Case and put by way of Apposition plainly refer only to the things which are and shall be which are here said to be the Mystery or mystical meaning of the seven Stars which therefore are not referred to as being not themselves the Mystery but the things which were to be mystically explained in the following Epistles And from hence also we are plainly given to understand that the Subject Matter of these Epistles is Mystical and not barely Literal and that they concern things future as well as the present 32 Here is explained what is meant by Stars and Candlesticks whose further mystical meaning as they relate to Churches then in being and to future Successions of them and their Pastors is largely delivered in the following Epistles 33 The Ministring Spirits which attend on God are called Angels in Scripture from their being employed as Messengers in his Service and therefore by the Angels of the Churches must be meant the Pastors of them which are here clearly distinguished from the Churches themselves from their like Office of delivering God's Messages to the People and putting up their Prayers unto him Upon which Account the Jewish Priest is called The Messenger or Angel of the Lord of Hosts Malach. 2.7 where Angel that I may observe this by the way is evidently taken collectively as Dr. Pocock on the Place confesses for the Succession of the whole Jewish Priesthood comprehended there under the common Name of Levi their Father and spoken of as one Person because they were all of the fame Stock and all separated to the same Function And as they are upon this Account called Angels so are they called Stars from their Office of enlightning or instructing others By Angels therefore in this and the following Chapter is meant the Evangelical Ministry represented by Angels as all other Ministerial Agents are in this Prophecy because the present World is subject to Angels under Christ the Head of them and the Angel of the Covenant Whereas the World to come that is the Kingdom of Christ at his last coming as the Apostle speaks Heb. 2.5 is to be ruled by Christ and his Saints and is not to be in subjection unto Angels 34 It is here said That the seven Candlesticks are or signifie seven Churches for so it is in the Greek not the seven Churches which might seem to have determined them to the seven in Asia The Epistles are indeed to be sent to the seven Churches of Asia ver 11. But the mystical meaning of them is not here said to belong to the Angels or to the Seven Churches of Asia only but to Seven Churches and to the Angels of them from whence it is plain that they are prophetical relating to Seven Successions of the Vniversal Church See Mr. * Book 1. Disc 52. and pag. 905. Doctor Moor's Exposition of the Epistle to the Seven Churches Mede CHAP. II. The Text. UNto the Angel or Evangelical Ministry Chap. 1. 20. of the Church of Ephesus that is now planted there and of that Period 1 of the Church which is mystically represented by it write these things saith he that holdeth the Seven Stars in his Right Hand who walketh in the midst of the Seven Golden Candlesticks i. e. Christ the Light of the World who is more immediately present with them to enlighten guide and support them Chap. 1. 13 16 20. Annotations on CHAP. II. 1 This I shall hereafter endeavour to make out to be the principal if not only drift of these Epistles from such Characters and Arguments as shall arise from the Text it self Very good Interpreters and particularly Grotius on Revel 1.11 have thought that the several Successions of the Church here represented are intimated in their very Names according to a way of Allusion made use of in Scripture as well as in Heathen Authors For thus the God of Ekron whose True Name is thought to have been Baal zebachim or the Lord of Sacrifices is called in derision Baal zebub or the Lord of Flies and Belzebul or the Dunghil God And the Prophet Micah 1.14 15. manifestly alludes to the Names of Cities calling Achzib a Lie as if its Name were derived from Cazab which in Hebrew signifies to Lie and the City Mareshah is threatned to be disinherited in allusion to its Name and Adullam is called the Glory of Israel perhaps says Doctor Pocock on the Place from its Situation its Strength or its Beauty or some other Reason probably taken from its Name as the others are although now unknown And such Paronomasia's or Allusions may be more frequent in Scripture than we think for by reason of our Ignorance in the Premitive Language and of the Story and Circumstances of the Places whose Names are alluded to 2
I know observe and approve Psalm 1.6 thy good works and thy labour 2 in the work of the Gospel in converting instructing and governing those whom thou art set over 1 Thes 5.12 1 Tim. 5.17 and thy patience and perseverance in it and under sufferings for it and how thou canst not endure or 3 bear with them which are evil in Life or Doctrine but castest them when they prove incorrigible out of the Church and thou hast tryed 4 them by the Gospel Gal. 1.8 1 John 4.1 by their Works Matth. 7.20 and by the Gift of discerning Spirits 1 Cor. 12.10 which say they are Apostles sent and commissioned to preach the Gospel and are not and hast found them liars or False Apostles Acts 20.29 30. and 15.1 24. 1 Cor. 15.12 2 Cor. 11.13 Gal. 1.6 1 and 2 Epist to Timothy 1 John 4.1 2 Labour also may here signifie a zealous and unwearied profession of the Gospel amidst the greatest Discouragements as the Word is taken 1 Cor. 15.58 3 These Words refer to the zealous Execution of Discipline for which the Church was at first very remarkable as appears from 1 Cor. 5. 1 Tim. 1.20 Tit. 3.10 2. John 10. 4 It appears from Scripture that there were many False Apostles foretold by our Saviour Matth. 24.11 and by the Apostle Paul in his Admonition to the Elders of the Church of Ephesus Acts 20.29 30. Who generally seem to have insinuated themselves into the good Opinion of the People by specious pretences of being Brethren and by creeping into their Houses and Assemblies unawares and privily and by communicating with them in their Feasts of Charity as appears from 2 Cor. 11.26 Gal. 2.4 1 Tim. 3.6 Jude 4.12 and from this place where they are said to pretend to be Apostles when they were not For the Hereticks seem to have acted more closely and subtily while the Apostles were living than afterwards which made i◠〈◊〉 task to try and detect them which yet the Apostolical Church did with great Zeal and Care by examining their pretences by the Doctrine they had received of Christ and by Gifts of discerning False Spirits as Clemens Romanus attests in his Epistle to the Corinthians And this place seems to determine this Succession of the Church to the Times of the Apostles the Pretence of being Apostles or Messengers sent and commissioned by God to preach New Doctrines being peculiar to that Age and made use of by Simon Magus and his Followers particularly by Cerinthus against whom John wrote his Gospel who pretended to New Revelations And it being not peculiar to Ephesus alone but to most other Churches we may reasonably conclude that by Ephesus is not understood that Church alone but the church-Church-State of the Apostolical Age which began on the Day of Pentecost next following the Ascension of our Saviour in the Thirty Third Year of our Lord about the Twenty Fourth Day of May as Bishop Pearson has stated the Aera of the Apostolical Church in his first Lecture on the Acts. From this place we may learn That strict care ought to be taken in trying and examining those who are to be sent to teach others and that the Canon of Scripture was setled by this Apostolical Church she having duly tried and rejected all other Pretenders to Apostolical Doctrines and that the first State of the Church was purely Apostolical 3 And yet thou hast born 5 Afflictions although thou canst not bear 5 with them which are evil and hast still patience 6 and for my Names sake i. e. for me and upon the Account of my Gospel hast laboured 6 in it and hast not fainted under it nor under thy sufferings for it Gal. 6.9 2 Thes 3.13 5 Such kind of Allusions are frequent in Scripture as Rom. 1.24 25 26 28. 6 This being a Repetition of what was said in the foregoing Verse seems to intimate that their Labour and Sufferings were Great and very Remarkable a Repetition sometimes denoting so much in Scripture 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat of 7 complaint against thee because thou hast left or 8 remitted and abated something of thy first 9 or former fervent and intense Love of me my Gospel and Kingdom 7 So the Phrase is taken Matth. 5.23 8 So this word is rendred by Grotius and Doctor Hammond and I think rightly And as Grotius thinks that Love and Desire may by way of Allusion be signified by the Word Ephesus so may also the Greek Word here made use of intimate some Remission or Coolness of their First Love by the same Figure which the Prophet Micah makes use of Chap. 1. 13 14. and which Grotius thinks the Apostle uses Rom. 1.17 28 29. where also in the 29th Verse there is a manifest Allusion to the Name Judah which signifies Praise Gen. 29.35 9 The First Love which the Prophet Jerem. 2.2 calls the Kindness of Youth and the Love of Espousals is usually very fervent but is wont soon to cool and abate in the best of Men. And accordingly the Church at first when as Hierom speaks the Blood of our Lord was warm and the Faith of the New Converts was Fervent was very Zealous in all its Duties and Offices as appears from the Acts of the Apostles particularly from Chap. 2 41-47 and Chap. 4 31-37 where we have a perfect Pattern of the First Love of the Apostolical Church in the Church of Jerusalem especially in their having all things common and calling nothing their own And yet in a very short space as soon as the Number of the Disciples and with them the Church-Revenue was multiplied there arose a murmuring of the Graecians against the Hebrews even in the Infant-Church as we read Acts 6. occasioned by the Pride of the Hebrews as Bishop Pearson has shewn in his Third Lecture on the Acts wherein as also in the Behaviour of Ananias and Saphira there are early Tokens and Types given of a Declension in the Church which proceeded so far as to this matter even in those First Times of the Gospel that Paul tells the Philippians Chap. 2. 21. of his Epistle to them supposed to be written about A. D. 59 or 62. that all Men sought their own and not the things of Jesus Christ For not only Demas forsook Paul out of Love to this present World but Mark grew weary of the Labour of the Gospel and went not with Paul and Barnabas to the work Acts 15.38 and Peter himself for fear of the Jews was guilty of Dissimulation Gal. 2.11 12. And the Galatians had generally departed from the True Notions they had received of Christian Liberty and a Working Faith Gal. 5.1 6 7. and were grown very remiss in their Acts of Charity Gal. 6.9 And the Churches mentioned in Scripture are frequently reprehended for great Enormites so that it is no wonder that the Churches in After-Ages proved guilty of them the Love of many waxing cold betimes as our Saviour foretold Matth. 24.12 and Paul complained 2 Tim. 1.15
and 4.16 But this Prophecy respecting principally the Apostacy which crept into the Visible Church by this passage is chiefly meant some degrees of it which were then advancing John at the close of his first Epistle written not long after the Revelations warning the Christians to keep themselves from Idols and the Mystery of Iniquity of which Worshiping of Angels was a part already working even when St. Paul wrote his second Epistle to the Thessalonians about the year 49. as some think or 53. according to Bishop Pearson from whose Opinion that of a Judicious Person well skilled in Scripture Chronology does not much differ who dates the Conception of Antichrist A. D. 55. which may very well be called an abating or remitting of Love a cleaving to the One God being so often described in Scripture by Metaphors taken from Chaste Love and Espousals and Idolatry being so often likened to its contrary Adultery and Fornication However it is certain That in the Times of the Apostles something was even then working which made way by degrees for the Following Apostacy Such perhaps were 1. A Natural Love of Quiet and Ease and Fear of Trouble and Displeasure whereby by Degrees their Zeal was abated which was the Fault of Mark and Peter who yet returned to their First Love and Works 2. An excessive Esteem for some Pastors for their Gifts to the despising of others which was the Cause of the Divisions in the Church of Corinth as appears from Paul's Epistles to them 3. A Domineering and ambitious Temper in the Pastors themselves which was the Fault of Diotrephes 3 John 9 10. 4. A Want of mutual forbearing one another the Jewish Christians Judging and Condemning the Gentiles and the Gentiles despising the Jewish 5. Divers False Opinions brought by the Jewish and Gevtile Converts into the Church especially with relation to Angels and Departed Souls which are the usual Subject of Paul's Epistles and of which he treats particularly 2 Thes 2. 1 Tim. 4.1 Col. 2. 6. And lastly God out of his infinite Wisdom permitted even in the pure Church of the Apostolical Age not only Errors and Heresies to arise through the Common Imperfections of Men and Churches but also a Foundation to be laid for the Grand Visible Apostacy which began very early and rose to a great heighth not long after the Departure of Paul from Miletum and that from amongst the Christians themselves as the Apostle plainly asserts Acts 20.28.30 And was to be carried on by some of them or by the man of sin that is by a Visible Body or Succession of Men under the pretence of Mystery and Godliness and of Antiquity and Apostolicalness as appears from 2 Thes 2. 1 Tim. 4.1 and from the second Verse of this very Chapter 5 Remember 10 therefore from whence or from what degrees of Love thou art fallen and repent and do the first Works with the like Zeal or else I will come unto thee quickly and that on a sudden and unexpectedly and will remove thy Candlestick 11 or Church out of its place and give it unto another Matth. 21.43 except thou repent 10 Here is laid down the True Way of Reforming the Church and of its escaping Destruction viz. by her considering wherein she hath deviated from the Gospel by which Rule the False Apostles were tryed Verse 2. and in repenting of or forsaking her Faults and in a zealous practice of her first good Works according to the Model of the Gospel And we have here given us two different States of the First Churches viz. of their First Love or Purity and of their Remission of it and Deviation from it 11 This Removal is not to be understood of the particular Church of Ephesus which is noted by Bishop Vsher to have continued and to have preserved its Metropolitical Preheminence entire until the time of Constantine whilst others of the Seven had been deprived of it And although there be not now at Ephesus so much as One Christian which Mr. Spoon looks upon as a fulfilling of this Prophecy yet the Judgment here threatned was to come quickly and must therefore refer to something more early than its present State And therefore Ephesus mystically here representing a Church-State the removing of its Candlestick must signifie its ceasing to be such a Church-State as it was before the Pure Primitive and Apostolical State of the Church degenerating by degrees and that very soon from its First Love and becoming a Synagogue of Satan in the following Succession and its Priviledges and Preheminences in the Kingdom of Heaven being taken from it and given to other Church-Successions according to the Denunciation of Christ Matth. 21.43 6 But yet notwithstanding this defect this thou hast commendable in thee that thou hatest so far art thou from suffering and conniving at the unclean deeds or practices of the 12 Nicolaitans which I also hate 12 A sort of impure Hereticks who about the year 80 or 90 after Christ much about the Time of Cerinthus taught that it was lawful to eat things sacrificed unto Idols and that Matrimony was a mere Humane Institution not obliging the Conscience and asserted the Lawfulness of Fornication and all manner of Vncleanness fathering their Doctrine as the Hereticks then were wont to do upon Nicholas one of the seven Deacons in the Acts from which Opinions and Practices the Church was as yet free although it afterwards fell into some of them and there were some even then who forbad Marriage which was one step to the increase of this Impurity of the Nicolaitans 1 Tim. 4.3 7 He that 13 hath an understanding ear let him hear attentively consider and understand what 14 the Spirit speaking by the Prophets saith by me in this Prophetical and Spiritual Epistle unto the Churches of God in all Ages and Successions of them for whose Uses it was written And to him or that person that overcometh the Remissness of Love which is to be found in this church-Church-State will I give to eat of the 15 Tree of Life which is in the Paradise of God i. e. the Enjoyment of a happy State in Christ's Kingdom Rev. 22.2 Ezek. 47.12 13 From this Verse it seems to appear that these Epistles are Spiritual and Mystical because the same Sentence is annexed to them which Christ makes use of at the Close of his Parables or Mystical Discourses to engage Attention and to teach That all men were not capable of understanding them but those who had their Minds duly exercised in Spiritual Things And the manner of speaking being here altered from what it was at the first Verse viz. from these things saith Christ into hear what the Spirit saith Hereby seems to be intimated that these are Spiritual and Prophetical Epistles spoken by the Divine Spirit in Christ which was to teach the Apostles all things and shew them things to come John 16.12 13. Part of which are here revealed relating not to the single Church of Ephesus alone but
to the Churches in the Plural that is all the several Periods and Successions of them 14 The Particle what refers not only to the following Sentence but to all which went before as appears from the Epistles to the Churches of Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia and Laodicea in which there is nothing that follows this Proverbial Sentence which must therefore have a reference to what preceded it 15 This Promise refers to the particular Overcomers of the Evil of each church-Church-State and not to the Churches themselves for as some Men may fall short of overcoming Vice and Error in a good church-Church-State so others may overcome the Evil of a bad one And the Promises to the several Overcomers are taken from the Descriptions given afterwards in the latter part of this Prophecy of the New Jerusalem or Kingdom of Christ which as they have promoted so shall their Reward be Now the Earthly Paradise was a Type of Christ's Heavenly Kingdom and to eat of the Tree of Life in the midst of that Paradise is to be refreshed and nourished with Divine Communications in the Kingdom of Christ in which the Saints and Overcomers shall Reign with him And here we are to take notice that the Rewards are suited to each particular State to be refreshed by eating in a State of Happiness being proper to those who are wearied with Labour and Sufferings and a Crown in the next Succession being the fit Reward of the Overcomers of a state of persecution It is also further fit to be observed That the Right of Primogeniture is not given to Ephesus but to Smyrna the Symbol of the afflicted Church-state which has the Crown of Life bestowed upon it the Symbol of Royal Dignity which of Right belongs to the First Born and the very Kingdom of the New Jerusalem is given to Philadelphia of which the Key of David and her Crown are the Symbols which seems to be shadowed out unto us in the Blessings of Jacob Gen. 49. which may by way of Allegory and as Typical be accommodated to the Mystical Israel the Church where the Precedency both in Dignity and Power is taken from Reuben the First Born because of his Instability and having defiled his Father's Bed which may be Typical of Ephesus's Early Departure from its First Love and of the Idolatrous Apostasie which crept into it betimes which is a spiritual Defilement in Scripture whereupon its Candlestick was removed out of its place that is it lost the Rank of priority it was to have in the Kingdom of Christ which was given to the next Succession of Smyrna for it's Constancy in Afflictions bur especially the New Jerusalem State coming down in the Philadelphian Succession 8 And unto the Angel Verse 1. of the Church in Smyrna 16 write these things saith the First 17 and the Last which was dead and is alive that is Christ the Eternal God who raised himself from the Dead 16 Smyrna is the next City of the seven Northward from Ephesus and about Forty Miles distant from it and it is still a Metropolitical See having yet no more than Two Churches of Greeks in it and One or Two of Armenians It 's Name may by a Figurative Allusion be derived from a Syriack word signifying Bitterness to denote the bitter persecutions of the Church under this State 17 These Attributes are made use of to encourage them to undergo their Sufferings as having been already experienced by Christ who was God and had vanquished Death for them 9 I know and approve thy good works in the propagating of my Kingdom and tribulation under persecutions and poverty or extream want by thy being spoiled 18 of thy Good but thou art really rich in Grace and in my Esteem and Favour and I know the blasphemy 19 i. e. Idolatry of them or that party that say they are Jews 20 that is boast themselves to be the pure Christians the true Worshippers of the one only God and art not truly so but are really and in God's Account the 21 Synagogue of Satan that is an Antichristian Congregation 18 As was usual in Times of persecution Heb. 10.34 19 Blasphemy is a Contumely or Reproach of God by attributing that to a Creature which is properly his whence in Scripture it is put to signifie Idolatry which is the highest Blasphemy See Isa 65.7 1 Maccab. 2.6 2 Maccab. 8.4 And this Blasphemy then appeared in the Reverence paid to Martyrs which was the Beginning of Idolatry 20 The Phrases and Expressions of this Mystical Book are taken from the Old Testament and the Jewish Oeconomy which was Typical of the Christian as the Apostle asserts 1 Cor. 10 1-4 the Type in this prophecy being constantly put for the Anti-Type or thing signified And therefore according to that usual Figure by Jews here must be understood Christians who are the mystical Israel or the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the True Israel as Justin Martyr calls them whose Glory and proper Priviledg it was to be the Worshippers of the One True God whilst all the World besides were guilty of Idolatry Now the Jews being wont to pride themselves in their priviledges those here represented are also said to say that they are Jews that is boast of it in allusion perhaps to the Name Judah which signifying Praise and Thanksgiving is here and by the Apostle Rom. 2 17-29 put to denote a Boasting Confession joyned with a seeking the Praise of Men as Grotius has noted on the place and as is obvious from the last verse of that Chapter as I before hinted Of which Pride of theirs there is an eminent instance in the very first Apostolical Church at Jerusalem Acts 6. where the Hebrews or Natural Jews who came from the Loyns of Abraham neglected or proudly despised the Hellenists or Proselyted Gentiles altho Jews by their Religion as well as themselves And therefore in proportion by Jews here must be meant those Christians who more than ordinarily boasted themselves to be the pure Worshippers of the True God only when yet they were really guilty of Idolatry For the word Jew as Grotius notes on Rom. 2.17 was then a word significative of their Religion rather than of their Nation and denoted as much as a Worshipper of the one God or one who confessed and acknowledged him as the word Judah is Explained by Philo and Interpreted by the LXX Gen. 29.35 21 Satan signifies according to the Original of the word the Great Adversary the Devil of whose Congregation these Pretending pure Christians are said to be and not of Christ's because by their Blasphemous or Idolatrous Practises they did indeed and in God's account Worship him and Propagate his Antichristian Kingdom But this was at first the Fault only of a few of them or of that Party that Valued themselves and Despised others calling themselves Jews or the only True or pure Israel of God it having always happened so from the beginning of God's Church that according to the Allegory insisted
on Gal. 4.25 29. the Corrupt Party hath stood most upon its Purity Honour and Preheminence and hath Persecuted and Despised the pure one Now the Church of Smyrna comprehending that Succession of the Church in which the great Persecutions happened and in which a Crown of Life was at last given them at the Empires becoming Christian The Blasphemy here reprehended refers chiefly to the latter State of that Succession when Honours and Riches Flowing into the Church corrupted the purity of their former poor and suffering condition and the reverence at first innocently paid to Martyrs and the introducing of Pagan Rites by degrees under pretence of winning the Heathens gave a great encrease to the growing Apostasy iniquity under the covert of a Mystery i. e. of Piety Religion and well meaning Zeal making daily progress in the Church until it arose to an Antichristian Synagogue or Congregation of a prevailing party amongst them Which phrase is made use of in opposition to the Title given the Jews in the Old Testament who are called Numb 31.16 The Congregation or Synagogue of the Lord which the corrupt party of this Succession had forfeited by its Antichristian or Satanical Innovations as the Jews also did upon their Apostasy under Jeroboam 2 Chron. 11.15 who are thereupon said to have Sacrificed unto Devils or Satan And it is worth Observation that the last degeneracy of the Jewish Church when as it appears from the Gospels it became a Satanical Synagogue consisted chiefly in vain Traditions in Affecting Titles Honours and Prehemency in neglecting the Spiritual Service of God and in expecting a present Worldly Kingdom of the Messias instead of a Future Heavenly State of it and of the Kingdom of God within us consisting in inward Righteousness and Peace and lastly in Cruelty and Persecution and in casting out of the Synagogue of the Lord the true and faithful Servants of Christ. Now in whatsoever Age of the Church there may be found such a Temper and Spirit Prevailing so much may it be said to have of the Synagogue of Satan in it Much of which was visible in this succession in the strifes amongst Bishops about the Superiority and the Prehemenency of their Sees in their rash Censuring and Excommunicating one another for slight Matters as appears evidently in the Behaviour of Pope Victor in the Oppositions made in this period to the Doctrine of the Antient Chiliasts and in the introducing a great number of Ceremonies Rites and Customs into the Church to bring over the Jews and Pagans to the Christian Religion 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer For behold the Devil 22 shall by evil Men as his Instruments cast some 23 of you who have the courage not to deny me into prison i. e. various and grievous Tortures and Persecutions that ye may be tryed fully whether ye be perfect and entire James 1.2 3. 1 Pet. 1.7 and you shall have Tribulation that is one most notable Persecution 24 ten days of years Be thou faithful unto the suffering of death and I will give thee a crown 25 of Life i. e. Freedom from Persecution Rewards and Honours 22 Persecutors do the Devils Work Eph. 2.2 and to him Justin Martyr frequently attributes the Pagan Persecutions because they were promoted and set on by his Instigation 23 For many fell away in the Times of persecution 24 Days in Prophetick account are frequently put for Years as is evident from Numb 14.34 Ezek. 4.6 and Dan. 9.24 where the Days of the Seventy Weeks are understood by most Interpreters of Years For a Day being the First and most Natural Measure of Time depending upon the constant and most known Revolution of the Sun is put in all Languages and particularly in the Hebrew to express indefinitely a length or continuance of Time as the Days of Herod signifie in Scripture the Time of his Reign and is limited to some certain continuance by circumstances or according to the Will of Him who makes use of it as it is by God in Scripture restrained to signifie a Prophetical Year as is evident from the places I have quoted against which Grotius has Objected nothing material as Dr. Moor has fully proved in his Mystery of Godliness Book 5. Chap. 15. Now the last and greatest Persecution of the Church under Diocletian lasting according to all Chronologers exactly ten Years It is evident that this place must refer unto it especially if we consider that the Vision of the Souls under the Altar which is Contemporary with this Succession immediately preceeds the great Earthquake or change of Things under Constantine and that no Example could be brought by Grotius or Dr. Hammond of a ten days Persecution in the Times to which they limit this passage and that Ten does not denote in Scripture a short time when put indefinitely but is always put for one of a long continuance it being as it were the plentitude of simple Numbers as is evident from Numb 14.22 Job 19.3 1 Sam. 1.8 Eccles 7.19 Furthermore seeing that the things referred to in this Prophecy being for the use of the whole Church ought to be illustrious parts of History and not References to something not Transmitted unto us with which shift Grotius puts off his Reader what more Notable part of History could be referred to than that of the ten Years Persecution which gave Date to the Aera Martyrum and is a most famous Character of Time exactly answering in its ten Years Duration to the Prophetical way of Accounting a Day for a Year and fit to be made use of by the Holy Ghost in Transmitting so remarkable a Period of the Church down to after Ages 25 A Crown denotes Regal and Triumphal Honours and a Crown of Life is opposed to the Deaths and Martyrdoms they had before Suffered And hereby is plainly set forth the Freedom from Persecution they Enjoyed under Constantine at the end of the Tenth Persecution which according to the Accurate Computation of Mr. Pagi in his Critical Annotations upon Baronius began Feb. 23. A.D. 303. and ended June 13th A. D. 313. when the famous Epocha was Instituted of the Churches Freedom from Persecution mentioned by Eusebius in his Chronicon and by the Author of the Alexandrian Chronicon From which Time we may date their Crown of Life Constantine daily proceeding to advance and secure the Church which enjoyed great Freedom bating only some short Persecutions particularly that under Julian until it came to its highest pitch of External Peace and Honour under Theodosius the Great who died at Milan A. D. 395. on Jan. 17. or Feb. 24. after he had given Paganism its deadly Blow by his Famous Defeat of Argobastes and Eugenius A. D. 394. 11 He that hath an Ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches Verse 7. And He i. e. that person who overcometh the Persecutions and Evils of this church-Church-State and perseveres unto the End in the Precepts of the Gospel
shall not be hurt of the second death but shall escape it Rev. 20.6 12 And to the Angel of the Church in Pergamos 26 write These things saith he who hath the sharp 27 Sword of the Word and the Spirit with two edges to inflict severe and sharp Judgments chap. 1.16 26 Pergamos is distant from Smyrna Northwards about five hundred and Forty Furlongs and there are in it now but a few Families of miserable Christians and but one Church although it was anciently the most Famous and Chief City of Asia the Less having been the Seat of the Attalidae who were rich and potent Kings and of the Roman Proconsuls For which Reason as well as in Allusion to its Name it may be put to denote here The exalted State of the Church High and Lofty Fabricks and Things being called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Asiaticks And because of its (a) Andr. Caesar in locum excessive Idolatry it is a fit Type of the Apostate state of this Succession in which the Apostasy was exalted to a Throne 27 Corruptions daily encreasing under this State the Styleis here changed and Christ is represented with a sharp sword in his Hand 13 I know thy good works and where thou dwellest even where Satan's 28 Seat or Throne is i. e. under the Dominion of the Antichristian Apostasy and I know that nevertheless thou holdest fast or retainest the profession of my Name and hast not renounced it by becoming Antichristian and hast not denied my Faith or Gospel no not even in those days or Times of Darkness and Cruelty wherein Antipas 29 i. e. the Opposers of Popery was my faithful Martyr or Witness who was flain by Decrees Anathemas and frequent Deaths among you or under your Jurisdiction where Satan or Antichrist dwelleth or has his constant Residence in great State and Power 2 Thes 2.4 9 28 The Apostasy is now called Satan's Seat or Throne because that upon the Churches Exaltation under the Christian Emperors a Worldly Kingdom and a Paganizing Christianity arose by degrees especially at Rome to such an heighth that it became at last to have a Supremacy or a Throne in it to which Satan's power in this World is likened in Scripture viz. Isa 14 12-14 Luke 10.18 John 12.31 With which the History of those Times agrees it being evident that from about the year 400. and odd the precise year I shall endeavour to determine hereafter when Satan's Synagogue seems to have arrived to its maturity that the Apostasy daily increased chiefly upon the Growth of the Papacy which came to have a Throne about the year 606 when Boniface the Third Usurped the Title of Vniversal Bishop 29 There might have been perhaps a Martyr of this Name at Pergamus although the Story of him related in the Greek Menologies is vehemently to be suspected as Grotius has well noted a Brazen Bull being not a Punishment amongst the Romans whose Laws were then observed at Pergamus and the Relations of those early Martyrdoms being justly called in question by some of the Learnedst Men of the Romish Church But howsoever the Names made use of in this Book having constantly a mystical signification this also must be understood after the same manner and it will then plainly denote The Opposer of the Pope that is by a Figure usual in this Prophecy the whole Body or succession of those who during this period witnessed against the Apostasy of that See a Catalogue of whom you may find in Illyricus Vsher and other Authors For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies against or contrary and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Old Word for Father from whence by a Reduplication of Letters comes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Pope or Holy Father for which consult what is said by the Etymoligists out of Eustathius And the Word Antipas is made use of and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because this was a Common Name which the others were not And because those Names would have given a too open intimation of the Mystery designed designed by them contrary to the Holy Secrecy and Reserve usually observed in this Prophecy 14 But yet I have a few or some little small things to object against thee because thou hast 30 there where thou dwellest and amongst you them or a prevailing Party that hold profess and practise the Doctrine Precept and Counsel of 31 Balaam i. e. the False Antichristian Prophet who taught Balack i. e. the Princes subject to Antichrist to cast a stumbling-block or an Occasion to commit Sin before the Children of Israel that is the Christians of that Age the Spiritual Israel to * eat things sacrificed unto Idols and to commit Spiritual Fornication which is Idolatry 30 Although the Apostate Church had the Throne that is the Antichristian Power and Preheminence yet the pure church-Church-State is here blamed for having them or that prevailing party amongst them although they could not help it because that it had not arrived to that perfection of Gifts and Graces as must necessarily have cast out the corrupt party by its power and efficacy Thus the Apostle blames the Corinthians 1 Cor. 5. and 2 Cor. 7. that they had not mourned that the incestuous person might be cast out from among them and for want of vehement Affections of godly Sorrow Desire Revenge c. by which alone they could approve and clear themselves in that matter 31 Concerning this wicked advice of Balaam who counselled Balack to draw the Israelites to Idolatry by enticing them with the Conversation of strange Women you may read the 22d 23d 24th 25th Chapters of Numbers and the 16th Verse of the 31st as also Micah 6.5 2 Pet. 2.15 and Jude 11. together with the Expositors on those places Whereby is plainly signified the wicked Counsel of the Antichristian Party especially of the Papacy which like Balaam pretends to Prophecy and Infallibility whereby the Secular Powers Represented by King Balack were perswaded to entice the people to Idolatry by worshipping Bread and Saints and Images So that this Period comprehends the Times in which these Doctrines were controverted and at last imposed and seems to reach until about the year 1100. when Antipas or the faithful Witnesses against these and other Errors which had been before slain by the Anathemas of several Councils and lay mostly concealed and hid within the Apostate Church began to unite into an open and visible Body and to appear under the Name of the Waldenses and Albigenses in a more direct Opposition to that Satanical or Antichristian Authority which had hitherto over-powered them Upon which as History testifies vast Numbers of all Ranks and Qualities united themselves unto them * To eat things sacrificed unto Idols as appears from the Apostles Discourse 1 Cor. 8. and 12. was accounted by the Corinthians no fault and was defended by them as Grotius notes upon the place by very subtile Distinctions not
unlike those used by the Papists in defence of their Idolatry and therefore by it may be here meant some lesser degrees and plausible Entrances of Idolatry such as the Honours given to Martyrs their Relicks and the like which they were more guilty of in this Succession than of downright Idolatry and is therefore placed first here before Fornication but is placed after it in the next Succession Verse 2. because flat Idolatry was then predominant in respect of which the other was but of a lesser Account and is therefore put after it 15 So hast thou also in which thou art not wholly inexcusable although it be against thy Will Vers 14. num 30. them that hold the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans 32 i. e. those who countenance and practise filthy Lusts which thing I hate and which therefore ought to have been cast out by thee though not by Power which thou hadst not yet by Mourning and Prayer and Eminence in Gospel-Graces 32 These Deeds which were abhorred by the Ephesine Succession of the Apostolical Church had by this Period gained many Teachers and Approvers And hereby is very probably meant those Encouragements which were given to Lust by corrupt Doctrines about Celibacy and Virginity and by Indulgences and Pardons for all manner of Sins which being at first only a prudent Relaxation of Discipline were in process of time so far corrupted first by the Martyrs and Confessors who granted them as Cyprian frequently complains to the Lapsi before Pennance performed or upon very easy ones and afterwards by the Negligence of following Ages still growing worse and worse that at last about the year 1100. they became Scandalous Dispensations for all sorts of Wickedness and Encouragements for Men to take up Arms against the Enemies of the Papacy and Christ's faithful Antipas or Opposers of it 16 Repent 33 therefore even of the few and small Faults thou hast and mourn and sorrow after the most earnest and fervent manner that these Offenders may be taken away from amongst you 1 Cor. 5. 2 Cor. 2. and 7. or else I will come unto thee 34 in Judgment indeed for these thy smaller Faults but so as not to 35 fight against and destroy thee quickly and on a sudden and will fight against and destroy them amongst you who hold these Doctrines with the Sword of my Mouth i. e. by my Gospel Threats and Judgments effectually denounced and executed even to utter Excision whilst thou shalt be visited with a Fatherly Correction and that only in case thou repentest not 33 The True Church is commanded to repent that is of its want of such an intense Zeal extraordinary Humiliations Fervent Prayers and Supplications as might have prevailed with God to cast those Errors and abominations out of the Church which Discipline is also called Mourning and Repentance by the Apostle in the places I have quoted and for want of this which is its small or few things Christ saith that he will come unto them in Judgment indeed but not in anger and with a Fatherly Correction to bring them to a thorough Reformation and Repentance 34 Christ speaks only to the pure Church because pure Churches are only accounted Churches in his Esteem although it has the same Name with the corrupt because that alone was visible 35 Here is an allusion to the slaughter of the idolatrous Israelites at the Command or by the mouth of God for joyning themselves to Baal-Peor upon the instigation of Balaam Numb 25.4 5. 17 He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches Verse 7. And To him that overcometh the Corruptions of this church-Church-State will I give to eat of or to partake of and be nourished by the hidden 36 Manna i. e. the secret Consolations of God's Spirit And I will give him a 37 white stone that is a Reward for his Victory and Absolution from the Censures and Excommunications he lies under and in the stone a new Name chap. 3 12. 19 16. written importing that they are Members of Christ's Kingdom Children of God and Heirs of Heaven Isa 62.2 and 65.15 Rom. 8.16 1 John 3.1 which no Natural or Carnal 1 Cor. 2 9-11 man of this Church-State knoweth the true Value of 1 John 3.2 saving he that receiveth it from me and hath experienced the Consolations of the Divine Mercy and Absolution Rom. 8.16 36 By Manna is meant the sweet Consolations which arise from the Knowledge of God and his Will in Christ the True Manna John 6. Which is called hidden in allusion to the Manna which was laid up in a Golden Pot and put in the Ark and kept in the most secret part of God's Temple the Holy of Holies Exod. 16.33 34. Heb. 9.4 Whereby inward and spiritual Comforts are signified enjoyed by the Saints in secret during their retired Worship at the Altar of Incense whilst they were under the Power of the Antichristian Supremacy So that the True Pergamus seems plainly to be the Type of the True Church under the Power of the Apostasy and of those faithful Christians who are in that Church but not of it wishing and expecting the Coming of Christ's Kingdom that they might be delivered from this their Sack-cloath and mournful Condition in which they are fed indeed with pleasant Food but as the Jews were with Manna in the Wilderness the Type of a desolate State 37 This is thought to be an Allusion to the Ancient Custom of acquitting Criminals by a White Stone and of giving Conquerors in the Games to which Paul frequently alludes a White Stone with their Names and the Value of the Prizes written on it which none was to look upon and know but those who won it Whereby may be meant the publick Acquittal Justification and Rewards which the faithful Christians of this Succession should receive in Christ's Kingdom But because the Allusions in this Prophecy are generally taken from the Jewish Customs and the Old Testament therefore it may not be altogether a groundless conjecture that here may be an Allusion to the Stones on the Oracular Breast-plate of the High-Priest which had the Names of the Children of Israel engraven upon them for a Memorial to signifie that Christ our High-Priest is always mindful of us and to put God in remembrance of his People to which End it is here said that Christ will give them a White Stone with their New Name of being Members of Christ's Kingdom the New Jerusalem written in it that thereby they might be in his remembrance and he might behold their purity denoted by a White Colour and shew mercy upon them and openly acknowledge and reward them in his Kingdom 18 And unto the Angel of the Church in 38 Thyatira these things saith the 39 Son of God who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire and his feet are like fine Brass Chap. 1.14 15. i. e. whose Providence is quick and penetrating and whose Judgments are pure and terrible to try the
Pretences and punish the Faults of this Succession and to purge and purifie it 38 Thyatira is distant from Pergamus about Forty Eight Miles and there is not now so much as One Christian Church in it Stephanus the Geographer tells us that this City which was before called Pelopea and Semiramis was named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and afterwards Thyatira by Seleucus Nicanor upon the News he received there of the Birth of a Daughter Which Name may therefore denote according to the Allusion observed in the other Names An idolatrous Daughter of an idolatrous Mother Jezebel who was as the Scripture Notes 1 Kings 16.31 The Daughter of Ethbaal the King of the Zidonians and therefore fit to represent the Woman described Chap. 17. of this Prophecy who was the Idolatrous Mother of the Apostate Daughter or Church of this Succession and the Daughter of Paganism as Jezebel was of Ethbaal the Zidonian 39 Christ here makes himself more plainly known than he had hitherto done and that by his Supreme Title the Son of God because that his Kingdom was now to arise more visibly out of the Apostasy and therefore to be owned and protected by him their Supreme Sovereign who was to destroy their Enemies and give them power over the Nations 19 I know thy Works in order to the propagating of my Kingdom and Charity or Love and Zeal towards me which thou hast not left or abated Verse 4. and Service in thy Ministry and towards the poor Saints Rom. 15.25 31. 2 Cor. 8.4 and Faith and Patience during the Corruptions and Persecutions of the Apostasy and 40 thy Works and the last works of the Church typified by this State to be performed by them at Christ's coming to his Kingdom Verse 25 26. to be more in Number and Quality then the first Works at their first remarkable Rising out of the Apostasy 40 Here their Works are twice mentioned and their last are said to be more than their first whereby is signified the the Faithful of this Succession whom we have supposed to be the Waldenses and Albigenses should towards the approach of Christ's Kingdom do things surpassing their first Works which yet were very great they having at first proselyted an incredible Number of all Ranks and Nations as appears from History and even the Confession of their Enemies for which see Vsher Thuanus and a late English Treatise 20 Notwithstanding I have a few or some little things against thee because thou sufferest 41 that Notorious Cursed woman 2 Kings 9 34. Jezebel 42 i. e. the Papal Apostasy which calleth her self a Prophetess i. e. pretendeth to and boasteth of Infallihility 43 and miraculous Gifts to teach and to seduce by her cunning Devices 2 Kings 9.22 my Servants professing Christianity to commit Spiritual Fornication by Idolatry and to eat things sacrificed unto Idols See Verse 14. 41 The True Church is blamed for suffering the Apostasy although they were kept under by its Power and Dominion because it was as yet so imperfect in its Gifts and Graces as not to be able utterly to cast out those Corruptions which cannot stand against the power of God's Word when it appears in its utmost Efficacy 42 A fit Type of the Romish Apostasy 1. for Idolatry 1 Kings 16.31 32. 2 Kings 9.22 2. for Cruelty and persecuting of God's Prophets or Witnesses that protested against Idolatry 1 Kings 18 4.19 2 10. 2 Kings 9.7 3. for stirring up Ahab or the Secular Magistrate to persecute God's Servants and to draw them to Idolatry by false witnessing against them 1 Kings 21.8 9 10 25 26. 4. for her Paint and Whorish Attire and her Witchcraft or subtile Allurements to entice to Idolatry and keep Men in her Communion and her impudent impenitence 2 Kings 9.22 30. and lastly for the manner of her Destruction which was so entire as that of the Apostasy will be Vers 27. that nothing remained of her but so much as might serve for a Monument of her Destruction 2 Kings 9 35-37 43 Which Doctrine began to be advanced in this Succession of the Church by the Schoolmen who appeared A. D. 1200. And perhaps Jezebel might have been one of the Prophetesses of Baal for we read 1 Kings 18.19 that an hundred of them eat at her Table it being probably their Office to provide for and Minister to the Prophets which may also be further conjectured from her conversing with them it being usual for the Disciples of the True Prophets to be seized with their Enthusiasms as Saul was when he was amongst the Prophets which might be imitated by the evil Spirits in the idolatrous Prophets 22 And I gave her space 44 to repent of her Fornications i. e. her Idolatry and she repented not 44 Which may be dated from the time of the more publick Appearance of the Witnesses under the General Name of Waldenses about A. D. 1100. or rather if we compare this place with its parallel Chap. 9.20 21. from the Inroads of the Turks into the Eastern Empire ending in the taking Constantinople A. D. 1453 until the Reformation A.D. 1517. when the Sardian State began at the appearing of Luther which great punishment of God upon the Eastern Empire for its Idolatry having not its due influence upon the Western God was pleased to raise up Princes who threw off the Romish Vsurpations and Corruptions and openly owned and protected the Reformation which is the Sardian State of the Church as it is favoured by Protestant Princes as that of Thyatira is the Type of the True Church under the Oppression of Popish ones that being the church-Church-State immediately following the foregoing Pergamenian State which was under the power of Satan's Throne in a hidden condition having in it Idolaters which it could not cast out because of the power of the prevailing part of the Church For Thyatira's suffering of the Woman was not a willing connivance but one arising from a necessity of the great Oppression she was under and the imperfectness of their church-Church-State for if it had been a voluntary connivance at Idolatry Christ would not have said that he had only a few or some small things against them Neither would this State have been approved by him so far as to bid them hold fast that which they had already And this space is typified by the time of Repentance which God gave Jezebel which was from Elijah's denouncing Judgment against her 1 Kings 21.23 until her Death accompanied with an impudent impenitence 2 Kings 9 30-37 22 Behold I will cast her into a Bed 45 of languishing Psalm 41.3 and them that commit Adultery with her by being Partakers with her in Idolatry Chap. 17.2 into great tribulation at the pouring out of the Vials chap. 16. except they repent 46 of their deeds 45 Instead of the Beds of her Whoredom and Idolatry alluding to Jezebel's Adultery And it is apparent that the Romish Church hath been in a languishing and decaying Condition ever since the appearing
full Glory may be understood by the Bright Morning-Star And therefore by the Morning-Star in this place is understood the Remnant or the rest of this Succession which shall last until the Succession of Christ's Kingdom begins and who shall as the Morning-Star riseth before the Sun give notice of his Approach by some more than ordinary works and Manifestations of it Which we hope and pray that the Lord will soon accomplish and if he has vouchsafed to his Servants any Knowledge of Times and Seasons it cannot be far off by raising the poor oppressed Churches of the Valleys who were the Morning-Star or the first Visible Body of Witnesses before the Reformation and we hope will arise and that speedily before Christ's Appearance in his Glorious Kingdom for they have hitherto shined according to their own Mysterious (a) Mr. Leger Histoir des Vaudois Device which is a lighted Taper in a Candlestick environed with Seven Stars in a dark place with this Motto Lux lucet in Tenebris amidst the Darkness of the Apostasie And may Christ give unto them and that quickly the Morning-Star of his Glorious Presence Amen Amen come Lord Jesus come quickly 29 He that hath an Ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches i e. this is a Mysterious Truth worthy the utmost Consideration CHAP. III. The Text. 1 AND unto the Angel of the Church in 1 Sardis write These things saith he that 2 hath the Seven Spirits of God see Chap. 1.4 and the Seven Stars Chap. 1.16 and 2 1. I know and observe thy Works that thou hast a Name 3 or a more than ordinary Repute that thou livest according to Christ's Doctrine and art zealous in the Outward Profession of it 4 and or but art indeed dead 5 as to the perfect Purity of Religion and its Life and Power over thy Faith and Manners Eph. 2.1 1 Tim. 5.6 2 Tim. 3.5 James 2.20 Annotations on CHAP. III. 1 Sardes or Sardis is distant about Thirty Three Miles from Thyatira Southward It was antiently as appears by its Ruines a Magnificent Splendid and Proud City as being the Seat of King Croesus for which Reason as well as from an Allusion to the Precious Stones of that Name which (a) Hist Lib. 37.8 Pliny asserts were called so from this Place as being first found there it may typifie a splendid and stately Church-succession which has a Name or a Repute in the World It is now as the Learned Doctor (b) Notit Septem Asiae Eccles pag. 133. Smith an Eye-witness testifies who could not but weep at the sight of it a most miserable Village inhabited only by Shepherds and Herdsmen and a few ignorant Christians without Church or Priest whereby may be providentially set forth the Real Deadness of this church-Church-state and the Desolation it is to suffer 2 Sardis is thought to be the Type of the Churches of the Reformation under the Favour and Protection of Reformed Princes in a condition of External Splendor Because 1. It succeeds that of Thyatira which is the Type of Reformed Churches under the Tyranny of Popish Princes to which State the Reformation succeeded begun by Luther A. D. 1517. 2. Because there is no mention made of Balaam or Jezebel or Nicolaitism in this Succession which shews that they had escaped from under the power of the Apostasy typified by them 3. Because the same Title is given to Christ here as is made use of in the Ephesine Succession the Type of the Apostolical Church whereby seems to be intimated that the Church began now to be Reformed according to the First Primitive and Apostolical Pattern only it is here Remarkable that it is not said that Christ holdeth the Seven Stars in his Right Hand but barely that he hath them to shew perhaps by the Omission of those Remarkable Words that they had departed from the True Apostolical Model which Christ had or held in his Right Hand that is had in great Honour Neither is this to be taken for a groundless and a loose Interpretation or a Licentious Fancy as Dr. Hammond calls the like Conjectures of Mr. Brightman seeing that in such a Concise Prophecy God whose Glory it is to conceal a thing Prov. 25.2 hath given us sometimes but slender hints or intimations of great Truths and that the Addition or taking away of but a Letter in a Name as in the Names of Abraham Sarah and Jeconiah for which see Grotius on Jerem. 22.24 is of great import in Scripture And of how much greater signification then may be the leaving out so material a part of Christ's Title in a Prophecy so brief and mysterious 3 From whence it appears that this Church has a Reputation in the World for its outward profession but is very much wanting in inward Life Truth and Holiness 4 So And frequently signifies in Scripture 5 Ephesus had only lost its First Love but this Church was really dead as to the True Spirit and Power of the Gospel and the perfect simplicity and purity of it 2 Be watchful in observing the Times and Seasons of Christ's coming Dan. 12.12 Matth 24 42-51 Rev. 16.15 and strengthen or uphold and sustain the things 6 which remain i. e. the necessary Truths which shall remain until Christ's coming and which thou hast kept entire but that are ready to die as to the Power and Life of them for I have not found thy works of Reformation according to the Gospel 7 perfect before God so as to be able to stand before the Glory of his Kingdom when it shall begin to appear or to endure the Severity of his Tryal whatsoever Esteem they may have amongst Men Luke 16.15 6 By 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the rest seems to be meant those Necessary Works and Articles of Belief which they had kept alive or entire and were to remain during the following Succession of the Church until Christ's Coming as being Necessary Truths which would endure Tryal and were essential to the being of it as a Church in which sense 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken in this Prophecy as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies in Authors the remaining or succeeding part of the Day 7 Filled up or compleated as the Rude Lineaments of a Picture are said to be filled up by a Painter when he comes to draw it to the Life See Hammond on Matth. 5.17 Here this Church is blamed for not carrying on the Reformation to its utmost perfection and for suffering necessary Truths to decay and be almost ready to die 3 Remember 8 therefore how i. e. with what Sincerity and Zeal thou hast received and heard the Doctrine of Truth at the beginning of the Reformation and hold fast what thou didst then receive and repent of thy Deadness Verse 1. thy Negligence and imperfections Verse 2. and thy Departure from the Principles thou hast received and heard If therefore thou shalt not watch 9 and wait for the
Kingdom of God Mark 15.43 I will come on thee as a Thief 10 i. e. unexpectedly and thou shalt not know by reason of not watching over the Times and Seasons which God has shewn unto his Servants what hour I will come unto thee in my Kingdom and discover thy Defects and Unsuitableness to it 8 Here they are called upon to look back upon the Model of their First Reformation which they had swerved from and to hold fast those Principles and to repent and amend what was faulty 9 Here is intimated as also in the second Verse that this Church was careless and slow to believe and expect Christ's second coming in his Kingdom before the Day of Judgment 10 This Phrase signifies in Scripture a sudden and a surprising Judgment as Matth. 24.42 43. Luke 22.39 40. 1 Thes 5.2 And here is intimated the sudden coming of the Kingdom of Christ upon this Church to its great surprize and amazement occasioned by its ignorance of the disagreeableness of its own State to it or it 's not knowing that it would have come so soon or that she should have been so entirely removed by its First Appearances 4 Thou hast a few Names 11 or excellent Persons Acts 1.15 even in Sardis although almost dead which have not defiled no not their Garments Jude 23 but have carefully avoided all the Corruptions of this State and have had their Works perfect before God and they shall walk with me in white 12 Garments i. e. be favoured by me and honoured in my Kingdom and be justified and declared righteous for they are in my sight worthy of it as having kept themselves white or undefiled 11 Excellent persons and therefore known by Name as Exod. 33.12 God is said to know Moses by Name that is after a special and particular manner Or it is a Metaphor either from Moses's taking the Names of the Children of Israel Numb 3.40 43.26 53 54. or from the High priests bearing their Names upon the Stones on his Breast-plate which being the Foundation Stones of the New Jerusalem Chap. 21. the Names written on them may be put to signifie Excellent Apostolical Members of the Church But here we are to note that these Excellent and undefiled persons were but a few and therefore it is dangerous to follow the Majority or Multitude of this Church according to what is observed concerning the Sardian (a) Boet. de Gemmis 2. 80. Stone that it hath but a very little of a pale or white colour mixt with its red 12 Or shining Garments Matth. 17.2 which were such as Kings used to wear and bestow upon their Favourites whereby also Chearfulness and Innocence is signified and Purity and Righteousness Eccles 9.8 Rev. 19.8 And from this Verse we may observe That this Church may be Communicated with without sin there being some of its Members although a few who remain in it without being defiled and that the whole Church is spoken to and is said to have those Exellent Names and the undefiled Names are not blamed for having or suffering the corrupt as in Pergamus and Thyatira which are manifest Indications that Sardis is not an Apostatical but a True and a Reformed Church 5 He that overcometh the Corruptions of this State the same shall be clothed in white Raiment Vers 4. Rev. 19.8 and I will not blot 13 out his Name out of the Book of Life i. e. he shall be enrolled amongst the Members of my Kingdom Dan. 12.1 Rev. 13 7.17 8.20 12 15.21 27.22 19. but I will 14 confess his Name before my Father and before his Angels i. e. I will make him be publickly acknowledged and commended at the last day 13 This Phrase occurs Exod. 32.32 Psalm 69.28 and seems to be taken from the Custom recorded Ezra 2.62 63. where we read That the Jews kept Registers of the Genealogies of their Priests in which if a man were not found he was put from the Priesthood as polluted It was also an antient Custom alluded to as some think in this place of Enrolling the Names of Citizens and Blotting them out of the Publick Registers when they had forfeited that Priviledge From whence also came the Custom of blotting Names out of the Diptychs of the Church But from whatsoever Custom the Phrase is taken it plainly relates to the Rewards which will be bestowed upon the Saints of this Church-Interval in Christ's Kingdom 14 Expressions taken from the Day of Judgment noting the Gracious Requital Christ will afford them for confessing his Name in greatest purity Matth. 10.32 Luke 12.8 6 He that hath an Ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches 7 And to the Angel of the Church in 15 Philadelphia write These things saith he that is holy or the Holy who will shortly erect a holy Church and Kingdom and he that is true or The True who will bring to pass what he has promised concerning his Church he that hath the Key 16 of David i. e. full power of disposing all things concerning his Kingdom he that openeth a Door to his People and no man shutteth against them and shutteth against his Enemies and no man openeth i. e. hath Sovereign and irresistible Power and will conduct his People through all Difficulties to such a Church-State as they shall never be deprived of by their Enemies 15 Sardis represents those Churches of the Reformation which have a Repute or Name in the World but want the inward Life and Spirit of the Gospel and Philadelphia seems to be the Type of the Reformed Churches which are low in Outward Strength and Esteem but very strict in observing Christ's Word and Commands which Characters I shall not venture to adapt to any particular Churches but leave them to the impartial consideration of all concerned as they may be gathered from the Text it self Philadelphia is distant about Twenty seven Miles from Sardis a City as Strabo notes never very Populous and Famous because it was subject to Earthquakes which yet withstood the Fury of the (a) Smith de Statu Sept. Eccles Turks with great Constancy and Gallantry when all the rest of Asia had submitted and has now (b) Spoon's Voyages in it Four Churches of Greeks and about Two Thousand Christians which are no contemptible Remarks as to our present purpose and would induce a Man to think that the Divine Wisdom has afforded us some faint Resemblances of the little outward strength or power of this church-Church-state and of its strict adherence to the Truth and of the Ample Reward God will afford it even in the Fate of the City from which it is denominated And if any thing be to be gathered from the Names of these Churches the Nature and Qualities of this State are plainly discovered in its Name Philadelphia signifying Brotherly Love as if this Church-State were to be established upon that Principle and not upon power outward splendor and superiority Luke 22 24-30 See Grotius on that place and
things in his Kingdom of Glory But of this more on the Three last Chapters 15 I know thy works and thy whole state and condition that thou art neither cold i. e. neither void of all zeal for that Philadelphian glorious State of my Kindom which is now withdrawn from the very new Earth Rev. 20.11 nor hot i e. nor fervently zealous for it according to the extraordinary Love which that State requires I 35 would that I may speak after the manner of men thou wert cold for then being destitute of all Love which is the Life of a Christian Church thou wouldest be in a deadly state and fitted for destruction or 36 hot for then the vehement flame of thy Love would have been irresistible â—nd unextinguishable and all things here below would have been utterly contemned in respect of me Cant. 8.6 7. 35 Christ does not wish that they were cold simply and absolutely but comparatively that they were rather so than in such a State of Indifferency which was dangerous to themselves and more troublesome and displeasing in some respects unto himself And the whole Expression is taken from the manner in which Men are wont to express themselves when any thing is displeasing unto them and is not to be too Rigorously insisted upon in every part of the Similitude 36 By Heat and Fire is meant Divine Love in Scripture and by Coldness on the contrary is meant the absolute privation of it which is the Death of the Soul whose Life consists in the Love of God and Christ This appears from several Expressions especially in the Book of Canticles where Chap. 8.6 7. the Spouse which is Christ's Church in its most lovely Philadelphian State in his Kingdom represents the Love it has for him by a strong vehement flame or heat such a one as can be kindled only from the Lord as the Words may be translated and which could not possibly be extinguished nor could be translated from him to any other but perfectly contemned and rejected all Earthly things when they stood in competition with him Now this being the Love which the Spouse had for Christ in its perfect State which is elegantly set forth in that Book the Heat which is here wanting in this Laodicean State must be such a fervent one as that was which was in the foregoing State which was vehement heavenly overcoming all Difficulties and preferring Christ and things above beyond all Earthly things whatsoever yea counting them as dross and dung when compared with Christ See Grotius and Dr. Patrick on Canticles 8.6 7. 16 So then or therefore after all this long debate within my self what I should do with thee which art so troublesome and uneasy to me this is the conclusion of the whole matter that because thou art 37 luke-warm and neither cold as some of the other Church-states were which I have therefore destroyed nor hot to the degrees of the state of the new Jerusalem so that I cannot pitch my Tabernacle any longer with thee nor take thee up unto me except thou overcomest the evils of this State by following my counsels and hearkning to my rebukes Rev. 20.11.21 2 3. I will I speak still after the manner of men because of your infirmity spew 38 thee out of my mouth i. e. I will wholly rid me of the uneasiness I have been under and will have neither thee nor any other Church-state any more upon Earth 37 By Lukewarmness is not meant an indifferency to all Religion but an indifference to that higher Heavenly State of Love and Glory which Philadelphia was raised to For it is plain from a diligent compare of this Prophecy that after the Philadelphian State of a Thousand Years there is to be another Church state which is called Rev. 20.9 The Camp of the Saints and the Beloved City which must be this State of Laodicea because it is the only one that remains after the Philadelphian and therefore its Lukewarmness must be such as is consistent with the Love of God for else the Members of it could not have been said to be loved by Christ Verse 19. and is only so in respect of the higher Fervors of the Philadelphian State which is the Holy (a) Canticl â— 6 7. Rev. 20 11.21 2 3. City which comes down from Heaven like a Bride with a most vehement Flame of Love for Christ her Husband and after a Thousand Years of True Glory was translated or fled away with Christ into Heaven into a Glorious State of Eternity whereas this State is described as being on the Earth Rev. 20.9 and as retaining too much Love to the Glories and Enjoyments of their Earthly State although the Lustre of the Presence of Christ manifested during the Thousand Years was withdrawn and as not having such a vehement Love for being with Christ as to contemn all the Gold and Riches which are mentioned in the next Verse and all the Worldly substance of its Earthly State for a Heavenly State with Christ which it would have done if it had had the Love of the Spouse in the Canticles 38 This is a Metaphor from lukewarm Water which provokes Vomiting and casts off from a sickly Stomach what loads it and is nauseous or uneasie to it and is used in Scripture (a) Levit. 18.25 28.20 22. Jerem. 9.19 Ezek. 36.13 to signifie the utter dispeopling of a Nation in which sense it seems here to be taken for the total removal of this and all other such like Church-States as being uneasie to Christ because of their imperfections who would now be no more contented with any State but a Heavenly Perfect and Vnchangeable one such a one as no Waters could quench nor any Floods drown and which was to be set as a Seal upon his Heart Canticl 8.6 7. And accordingly Christ is here representented as uneasie under this State rather than angry with it and as deliberating and at last resolving what to do with it which is intimated by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Illative Particle noting a Conclusion drawn from Premises deliberated of and considered and the Result is That he could not indeed destroy them in his Anger by Fire from Heaven as he would their Enemies the Nations Rev. 20.9 because he had a Love for them and they were not cold in their Love to him neither could he take them in the State they were in unto himself in Heaven and therefore he was at last resolved to spew all Earthly Church states out of his Mouth and have no more such upon Earth by reason of the Imperfections and Corruptions they were subject to when left to themselves and his more immediate presence was withdrawn from them 17 And this will I do because 39 thou sayest I am still as rich as I was before and in the possession of the same Glorious State and not only so but I am encreased with Goods and which is more have need of nothing but am in a perfect self-sufficient State
and knowest not such is the ignorance of Man when left to himself that thou art wretched or The wretched full of wants and defects and miserable or The miserable in a helpless condition and poor in grace and glory and blind or ignorant seeing not thy wants nor the remedy of them and naked or iâ— a shameful condition in respect of the former now the Bride and her Husband are retired and God dwelleth not with thee Rev. 20 11.21 2 3 4. 39 Here is shewn the Ground of their Lukewarmness and the Reason why Christ would spew them out because they thought that their present State was as Glorious as their former and as much to be chosen as that which had the full Glory of the New Jerusalem 18 And therefore I counsel thee out of my Love to thee verse 19. to buy or obtain and procure of me what I will freely give thee if thou will be sensible of thy own unworthiness and inability of thy self to procure it Isa 55.1 2. Gold tried in the fire i. e. the most precious and most pure Wisdom of my Kingdom in Heaven above Prov. 2 4.3 14. Zeck 13.9 Math. 13.44 45 46. 1 Pet. 1.7 that thou mayest be rich in good and perfect works before God Luke 12.21 1 Tim. 6.17 18. and white raiment i. e. unspotted and perfect Holiness such as is required in my Kingdom that thou mayest be Cloathed with my Righteousness Rev. 19.8 and the shame of thy nakedness or thy shameful nakedness do not appear when I come to Judgment Rev. 20 12-15 and anoint thy eyes with Eye-Salve i. e. with clear knowledg that thou mayst see and discern betwixt the dark and imperfect state thou art in and the glorious entire light and perfection of the former Rev. 21.23 24.22 5. 19 Thou art the Camp of my Saints upon Earth and the beloved City and therefore have I permitted the Nations to gather themselves to Battel against thee and to encompass thee Rev. 20.8 9. for as many as I Love and whom I Love I Love unto the end John 13.1 I rebuke as I have done thee for thy lukewarmness and chasten by afflictions as thou hast been by the coming up of Gog and Magog against thee Rev. 20.8 9. be zealous therefore after a higher and a more glorious state and that in Heaven and repent of thy lukewarmness for to this end have I rebuked and chastened thee 20 And to shew what Love I have for thee Behold and let it be taken special notice of I stand waiting with an unwearied patience at the door of the Heart and Conscience of each person amongst you and 40 knock or use frequent and loud importunities by the motions of my Holy Spirit Cant. 5.2 Prov. 1.20 if any 41 man or any one of the Saints of this beloved City for to them and concerning them I now speak and not of their Church State which I will certainly spew out of my Mouth hear and obey my 40 voice and all that I have loved will do so John 10.27 28 29.13 1. and open the door of his Heart by removing all wilful impediments I who have now withdrawn my glorious presence will come unto him and will sup with him and he with me i. e. I will dwell with him possessing his Soul with my Gifts and Graces and will communicate my self after a friendly and a familiar manner unto him in my Heavenly Kingdom Luke 14.15 John 14.20 23. Rev. 19 9.21 3. 40 40 It was the antient custom to knock and call aloud at the same time 41 Christ before spoke to the Church of Laodicea here he speaks to the Members of it to whom he promises higher and more intimate communications of himself altho he had resolved to ease himself of their imperfect Church State 21 To him or that person that overcometh the evils of this State by hearing and obeying my voice and opening unto me will I grant to sit with 42 me in my Throne in my Kingdom whilst I judg the Nations Satan Death and Hell and then to reign with me to all Eternity John 17 22-24 Rev. 20 8-15 even as I also overcame Temptations Sin Death and Hell and am 43 set down with my Father in his Throne in Heaven John 17.5 42 Here Christ and his Saints are represented as sitting in one and the same Throne in allusion to the Thrones of the antient Eastern Kings which were very large and in the form of a Bed or Couch so that many persons might sit in them at once Cant. 3.7 43 Mr. Mede (a) Pag. 905. observes on this verse that although the glorified Saints are said to sit here with Christ on his Throne that yet none but Christ God-Man is said to sit with the Father on his Throne because no Creature is capable of the priviledge of sitting on God the Father's Right Hand in his Throne that being a Godlike Royalty altogether incommunicable 22 He that hath an ear to hear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches CHAP. IV. The Text. 1 AFter this * first Prophetick Vision of the Seven Churches I looked or I was seeing 1 in a Prophetical Vision Dan. 4.10 and behold a door was opened in Heaven i. e. a Discovery was made of Divine secrets and the first voice or the former 2 voice of Christ which I heard at first Chap. 1.10 was as of a Trumpet i. e. full of Power and Authority Chap. 1.10 talking with me which said come up hither unto me to have a nearer access to and participation of Heavenly Secrets and I for none else can will shew thee in Symbols and representations things which must be hereafter in a Succession one after another Annotations on CHAP. IV. * The foregoing Vision contained in the Second and Third Chapters may be called The Church-Prophecy because that in it the several successive States and Periods of the Church from the beginning of it at Christ's Resurrection until the Kingdom of Christ and the End of all things are represented under the Types of Churches the most proper Emblem of them and that the following Vision which may be called the Book-Prophecy from its Events being represented in a Book with Seals to which this and the next Chapter are a Preface is of the same signification and extent shall be argued hereafter as occasion shall require and may at present be gathered from some Congruities observable in the Prefaces to each of them as that John is spoken to here by a Trumpet as he was in the former Preface in the first Chapter and is in the like Spiritual Extasie as he was then in which being Circumstances peculiar to these Two Visions may argue them to be of the like Nature and Import And here it is not improper to observe that in this and the following Chapter is chiefly contained 1. A Representation of the Throne Divine Consistory or Court of Judicature of Almighty God which is to pass Judgment upon the State of
things throughout the whole Prophecy 2. The setling and appointing of Christ the Lamb newly risen from the Dead to be the Supreme Governour and Director of all the Events which were to come to pass by giving him power to open the Book and loose the Seals of it 3. We have here a Pre-representation as there is upon all suitable occasions of the Thousand Years Kingdom of Christ the chief End of all the Visions given us in Two Doxologies sung by Angels and the Representatives of the Christian and Jewish Church who are as it were a Chorus to this Divine Drama as the Virgins Companions Watchmen and Shepherds are in the Book of Canticles which is a Sacred Dramatick Poem relating to Christ's Kingdom See Dr. Patrick 's Preface on the Song of Solomon and Dr. Beverley's Exposition of it 1 From whence Prophecies are called Visions and Prophets Seers in Scripture Hammond 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is put for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here and in other places of Scripture as John 1 15.15 18. 1 John 4.19 and this is the same with the first Voice of a Trumpet cap. 1.10 2 And immediately I was in the Spirit Chap. 1.10 and behold a Throne was set in Heaven i. e. God appeared as King and Judg Isa 6.1 Ezek. 1.26 Dan. 7.9 and one i. e. God the Father Chap. 5.7 sat on the Throne i. e. appeared in Majesty and as in Judgment 3 And he that sat was to look upon or was in appearance 3 and resemblance like a Jasper i. e. Glorious Rev. 20.11 and a Sardine 4 stone i. e. Glorious but Terrible Exod. 24.10 Ezek. 1.27 and there was a Rain-bow i. e. his covenant of mercy and peace and his mindfulness of it Gen. 9 11-16 Isa 54 8-10 Ezek. 1.28 round about the Throne so that it might always be in his remembrance in sight like unto an Emerald 5 denoting the never failing mercies of his Covenant and the most pleasant and precious promises of it and of his Kingdom 3 For he saw not God but only his Glory aâ—d such Appearances as denote his Attributes and Perfections Ezekiel 1.28 4 It is a Blood-coloured or Red Stone like Fire and therefore fit to denote the Justice and fiery Indignation of God Heb. 10.27 5 A Smaragd or Emerauld is a most precious Stone of a very pleasant and never fading Greenness the chief Colour in the Rainbow 4 And 6 round about the Throne were four and twenty Seats or Thrones and upon the Seats I saw the four and twenty 7 Elders i. e. the representatives of the Jewish Church 1 Chron. 24. Isa 24.23 sitting on Thrones as participating in Judgment and Government Dan. 7.9 22 26 27. Rev. 20.4 cloathed in white 8 raiment i. e. Priest's Vestments and they had on their Heads 8 Crowns of Gold i. e. Regal Ornaments Chap. 1 6.5 10.20 6. 6 They encompass the Throne as faithful Ministers and Servants to receive God's Commands and to shew their Nearness and Access unto him who was in the midst of them to protect assist and give his Commands unto them Matth. 18.20 7 The Church of Israel as it shall be advanced by Christ in his Kingdom being plainly called God's Antients or Elders by Isaiah Chap. 24.23 it seems evident to me that the four and Twenty Elders are here put for the Representatives of it in allusion to the Four and Twenty Heads of the Courses of the Priests instituted by David 1 Chron. 24. Elder in its General Notion signifying a Head or Governour amongst the Jews as appears from Gen. 50.7 And this Word Elder being by this time become familiar in the Church to signifie the Pastors or Governours of it why may not a Title used in the Christian Church be put to denote the Governours of the Jewish as on the contrary the Jewish Types are all along in this Prophecy put to denote the Christian Antitypes 8 8 The Jewish Church seems here to be represented 1. by their white Vestments which was the Habit of the Jewish Priests Exod. 28.39 40.39 27. and 2. by their Crowns whereby is denoted that they were a Royal Priesthood as they are called Exod. 19.6 and that they together with the Christian Church should reign with Christ 5 And out of the Throne of God the Father proceeded 9 lightnings and thunderings and voices denoting the Majesty of God and the Terror of his Laws and Judgments and of the appearance of his Kingdom and there were seven Lamps of Fire burning before the Throne which are the Symbols or Hieroglyphicks of the seven Spirits of God i. e. of the perfect warming and enlightning influences and operations of the Holy Ghost towards the Church Exod. 37.23 Ezek. 4.2 See the Notes on Rev. 1.4 12 20. 9 These Words are taken from the Dreadful Appearance of God upon Mount Sinai at the Delivery of the Law Exod. 19. and 20.18 20. and signifie God's Judgments in behalf of and upon his Church and especially the extraordinary breakings forth and signal comings of Christ's Kingdom whereby he shakes not the Earth only but the Heaven as they are set forth in Scripture by Metaphors primarily taken according to the Opinion of the Learned Theorist of the Earth from the last general Conflagration See and diligently com Haggai 2 6-9 Malach. 3.1 Psalm 18.13 Jerem. 25.30 Ezek. 1.13 Heb. 10 27-31 Heb. 12 18-29 6 And before the Throne there was a 10 Sea i. e. a large Vessel or receptacle 1 Kings 7.23 of Glass like unto Christal i. e. pure and transparent as that of the Tabernacle was Exod. 38.8 denoting Baptism and the purity it requires and the Blood of Christ by which we are washed and cleansed from our sins Rev. 7.14 and in the midst 11 of the Throne or just before it Ezek. 1.5 and round 11 about the Throne Numb 2.2 were four Beasts or living 12 Creatures representing the pure Apostolical Church of Christ in all parts of the World full of Eyes before and behind i. e. very circumspect and vigilant and skilled in the past and future state of Christ's Kingdom 10 The Laver or Brazen Vessel in the Temple for the Priests to wash in is called a Sea in Scripture as all Receptacles of Waters are of which see Exod. 30 18.38 8. by which is aptly represented the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Baptismal Lavers of the Antients which were very large 11 11 One of the Beasts might be probably placed before the Throne or in the midst of it and the other Three in just distances round about it probably one behind and two on each side of it in correspondence to the Description of Solomon's Throne 1 Kings 10.19 or according to the pitching of the Tents of the Israelites which are described Numb 2.2 as being over against and round about the Tabernacle that is encompassing it in a Square Figure as the Learned generally agree each of the Four Divisions being placed at the Four Points of it looking towards the Four
Cardinal Points of Heaven 12 For so the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ought to be translated as it is Ezek. 1.5 that so they may be the better distinguished from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Antichristian Beast These Four living Creatures are called Cherubims Ezek. 10.2 By which is meant Active Beings of an Angelical Nature employed in the Ministration of God's Providence as appears from their Description given by Ezekiel Now the Representations here given figuring something analogous to them in the Church they cannot be supposed to signifie any thing more properly than the pure Christian Church represented by the Apostles who were so extraordinarily active in the propagating of the Gospel into the Four Quarters of the World and were Twelve making up Four Ternaries of Living Creatures or Zealous Active Ministers of Christ according to the Number of the Four Ternaries of the Twelve Tribes under the Four Standards in the Wilderness For we are to take notice that this Representation of the Throne of the Majesty of God or this Theatre or Stage of the Apocalyptick Visions as Mr. Mede calls it exactly answers the Encampments of the Israelites God's Throne being here placed in the middle as the Tabernacle was there the Four and Twenty Elders next to answer the Station of the Priests and Levites and the Four Beasts at each Angle Diametrically opposite to each other against the Four Cardinal Points of the Wind representing Christians in the Four Quarters of the World in analogy to the Four Standards of the Camp of the Israelites having in them Figures of these Four Living Creatures taken from the Cherubims of the Chariot or Glorious Throne of Almighty God 1 Chron. 28.18 For which see Mr. * Pag. 437 594 917. Mede Dr. Hammond on the Place Grotius on Numb 10.15 and Mr. Ainsworth on Numb 2. where he has given us the Figure of the Encampments and has discoursed largely on them and Dr. ‖ De legibus Hebraeorum lib. 3. Dissertat 5. Spencer 7 And the first Beast or living creature was like a Lion 13 denoteing the Power and strength of the Gospel and Apostolical Ministry Gen. 49.9 Psal 103.24 and the second Beast like a Calf 14 or Ox denoting their Laboriousness and Usefulness Prov. 14.4 and the third Beast had the face of a Man 15 signifying Reason and Prudence and the fourth Beast was like a flying Eagle 16 noteing their activity and quick-sightedness into the Mysteries of the Gospel 13 This was the Standard of Judah on the East side compared to a Lyon Gen. 49.9 And the Qualities of these Living Creatures do denote the like Gifts and Graces required in the Ministry which were after an extraordinary manner eminent in the Apostles the Representatives of the Christian Church and of its State in the Kingdom of Christ to which this appearance relates 14 The Standard of Ephraim on the West side of the Camp who is resembled to an Ox Deut. 33.17 15 Reuben's Standard on the South side 16 The Standard of Dan on the North side 8 And the four Beasts had each of them six 17 Wings noteing their speed their Reverence in God s Presence and their humble sense of themselves Isa 6.2 about 18 him and they were full of Eyes within 19 to observe themselves as well as to be vigilant over others and they 20 rest not day and night but are constant and incessant in the Worship and Service of God Isa 60 11.62 6. saying Holy 21 Holy Holy i. e. infinitely and superlatively Holy Isa 6.3 Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Rev. 1.4 17 With Two they covered their Faces out of Reverence with Two their Feet or Nakedness out of a sense of their own shame and impurity and with Two they flew to execute God's Commands Isa 6.2 18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 round about them that is perhaps at several Distances on each side as the Israelites are said to encamp 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or round about the Tabernacle that is at distant Points of the several sides of the Square encompassing it So here each of the Living Creatures is said to have Six Wings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is on each side Three one against another one pair on their Shoulders with which they flew another on each of their Breasts stretched upwards to cover their Faces and the Third about their Hips to cover their less honourable parts or appearances Andreas Caesariensis reads as our common Copies do but if 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be to be joyned to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Grotius and Dr. Hammond think then their Exposition may be consulted as more commmodious 19 The inward Eyes of these Creatures were represented unto John the Figure or Appearance which was perhaps diaphanous being contrived accordingly 20 This was the Practice of the Apostolical Church as appears from Acts 2.42 46.20 31. Luke 2.37 2 Tim. 4.2 21 Here it is acknowledged by the Apostolical Church with the Joynt Consent of the Israelitish Church that God is a Supereminent Being and that he is to be worshipped incommunicably according to his most eminent and unparallell'd Holiness and perhaps the Divine Being in Father Word and Spirit may be intimated in the Threefold Repetition of the Word Holy But howsoever in this First Doxology the Lord God Almighty who is Father Son and Holy Ghost God blessed for ever is only mentioned and not the Lamb to shew that the Belief of One God who created all things is the First Fundamental Principle of Religion Christ as Redeemer the Lamb slain being not acknowledged and worshipped until the Second Doxology after he had appeared before the Throne of the Father and had received his Kingdom acccording to the Original Model of these Visions in the Book of Daniel where Chap. 7. the Son of Man is brought near to the Father and then had Dominion and Glory given him 9 And when soever these Beasts 22 or representatives of the Apostolical pure Church give or shall and are wont to give glory i. e. acknowledgment of God's glorious Majesty and Excellency and Honour to God's Authority and Preheminence and thanks for his bounty and gracious gifts to his Church to him that sat on the Throne who liveth for ever and ever i. e. to the Eternal and Living God not a dead Idol who will open his Kingdom of Eternal Life to all true Christians 22 At the fourth Verse the Twenty four Elders are placed before the Living Creatures to signifie the Primogeniture of the Jewish Church Here they are placed after them to signifie that the Truths here acknowledged were first clearly made known to the Christian Church and shall be at last communicated by them to the Jewish which shall be excited and provoked to Jealousie by them and shall at their Conversion joyn with them in an acknowledgment of these and all other Truths of Christianity 10 The four and twenty Elders or Heads of the pure Jewish Church testifying
their agreement with the Christian Church do fall down in great humility and submission before him that sat on the Throne and worship him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their Crowns before the Throne in token of Subjection and Homage saying 11 Thou art worthy and thou only O Lord to receive the Acknowledgement of Glory and Honour and Power for thou hast created all things by thy Power and for thy pleasure or Will the only Motive to it they are preserved in their Being and were at first created Nehem. 9.6 CHAP. V. The Text. 1 AND I saw in the Right 1 Hand of him that sate on the Throne i. e. of God the Father a 2 Book or Roll Ezek. 2.9 10. written within and on the back-side i. e. containing a long Series of Events 3 sealed with 4 Seven Seals to denote the Obscurity of the Prophecy and the Delay of its Accomplishment Dan. 12.4 Annotations on CHAP. V. 1 God held the Book in his Right Hand to shew his Power and his Readiness to deliver it 2 This Book seems to have consisted of seven several Rolls rolled up into one in the Form of a Cylinder (a) Poli Synops Hammond on Luke 4.17 and on the place Mede pag. 789 790 791. Mori Oper. Theol. pag. 21. ubi formam libri videas according to the Custom of the Antients having seven Labels sealed with seven Seals which being opened in order there appeared in each of them the Seulptures or Hieroglyphicks hereafter mentioned and the back side of the last Roll which is the outermost in rolling was written upon to shew that there was a long series of Events contained in this Book it being not the Custom of the Ancients to write on the back side of the Roll but when the inside could not contain all their Writing We may divide for Order and Memories sake the whole Prophecy of this Book into Two Tomes as Mr. Mede calls them the first of which contained in the foregoing Chapters may be called The (b) See on Chap. 4.1 Church Prophecy wherein Symbols of Churches then in being are used the Second which begins here may be called The Book-Prophecy because its Events are represented by Hieroglyphicks in a Book And both Prophecies are of the same Extent this latter reaching to the End of Time and determining and distinguishing Church Successions and Affairs as well as the former only with this difference that they are represented in the latter by future Occurrences and Circumstances of the Civil State and Empire that so the Times of their Accomplishment might be the better known and taken notice of by the illustrious Events represented in them For as it pleased God to describe and foretel by his Prophets the Fall of Babylon and other Events under several Symbols and Representations for the greater assurance of the Prediction as in Pharaoh's Dream Gen. 41.32 and that the thing might be the more deeply imprinted on Mens Minds by the Variety of the Figures by which they are described so hath the Divine Spirit upon the same account given divers Emblems of one and the same thing in this Prophecy 3 I shall here once for all endeavour to give the true import of Sealing which seems to have these several Acceptations in Scripture 1. It denotes a secret or an hidden Condition as we seal up things which we would keep secret 2. It denotes Security Thus the Stone at the mouth of Daniel's Den and our Saviour's Sepulchre were sealed with Seals 3. It signifies Hindrance and Restraint Thus God Job 37.7 is said to seal up the Hand of every man i. e. to hinder their Work by Storms and wet weather and to seal up the Stars Job 9.7 i. e. to restrain their Influences as Satan is said Rev. 20.3 to be shut up and to have a Seal set upon him to restrain him 4. Propriety is signified by sealing in Scripture from the Custom of sealing Goods and Servants when they were bought thereby to denote their propriety in them and to distinguish them from other Mens Servants Hammond on Eph. 4.30 5. Lastly From these and other Metaphors it often in Prophetical Scripture signifies the Obscurity of a Prophecy and the concealing of it in dark terms from the Generality of the People Isa 8.16 and the stopping or hindring the Events foretold by it so that sealing and writing and sealing and opening are opposed in prophetical Language to one another and signifie as much as concealing and revealing delaying the Accomplishment of a Prophecy and bringing it into effect See the Notes on Chap. 7.2 3 4. 4 With reference to the seven states of Christ's Church which were hindred from coming into event whilst the Book was sealed and were to be by degrees accomplished and discovered upon the gradual opening of each of them 2 And I saw a strong 5 Angel or a mighty one Psalm 103.20 proclaiming with a loud 5 voice after the manner of a Herald Dan. 3.4 who is worthy for Authority and Ability to open 6 the Book and to loose the Seals thereof i. e. to bring into event the things there delivered 5 5 To shew the Weight and Concern of the thing to be delivered as worthy to be heard of all Creatures 6 To open it by unsealing it or when it is unsealed 3 And no 7 man or no creature Isa 41.28 in Heaven i. e. neither Saint nor Angel nor in Earth nor under the Earth i. e. in the State of departed Souls from whence Christ was just come was able to open the Book i. e. to bring to pass the Events of it neither so much as to look thereon if it were opened that is of himself to understand foresee and govern the course of the Prophecy and conduct it into Event 7 Here by a Hebraism consisting in describing the whole by an enumeration of its parts is signified that no Creature whatsoever was able to open the Book or so much as to understand it of himself 4 And I wept * much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the Book neither to look thereon as fearing that I should not be shewn those things that were promised me Chap. 4.1 * This weeping seems to be rather from a Despair that things would not be carried on to the great Kingdom of Redemption as the Two Apostles Luke 24.21 were sorrowful least Christ was not he which should have redeemed Israel and were astonished as Mary also was John 20.13 15. because the Lord could not be found for which she wept For Christ is represented at the sixth Verse as just risen from the dead and therefore in congruity to that appearance what is here said must relate to the time before he appeared as risen which is also a Circumstance that confirms the fixing of the Epocha of this Book at the Resurrection 5 And one or the 8 first and chief of the 9 Elders or Representatives of the Jewish Church Chap. 4.4 saith unto me Weep
very favourable to the Christians 6 And I heard a Voice 13 in the midst of the Four Beasts i. e. from Christ in his Apostolical Church Chap. 5. 6. say A 15 Measure of Wheat for a penny and Three Measures of Barley for a penny i. e. let exact care be observed about necessary Food for eating and see thou hurt or diminish not the Oil and the Wine i e. let no Fraud be used in Drinks and 16 Medicines 15 A Famine cannot be here described because that scarcity could not be great where Barley and Wheat were not wanting nor even Wine and Oyl which are rather the Comforts of Life than the Necessaries And therefore this Verse refers to the strict Justice and diligent Care observed by Severus and Alexander about publick Provisions for which they are signally remarkable in History But this Voice being heard so remarkably amongst the Four Beasts that is as spoken by Christ who is represented as in the midst of them Chap. 5.6 seems to intimate something relating to Christ's Church and that very remarkable which I shall endeavour to explain by what is offered by Dr. Beverley a Person of deep thought and of great insight in these matters He thinks then that by the Ballances in the Rider's hand is figured Christ's weighing the Churches Purity in the exact Ballances of the Sanctuary according to what is prophesied of him by Ezekiel Chap. 25.9 10-25 that he the Prince shall take care in the New Jerusalem state there prefigured that their Oblations or Worship shall be exact according to the Old Standard of the Sanctuary from which they had swerved of which Worship or Daily Service Wheat Oyl and Wine are the Symbols they being the constant Attendants of the Daily Sacrifice as appears from Exod. 29.40 Numb 28.7 Barley also denoting the Christian Oblation in the Sacrament and their Praises and Thanksgivings because Barley was used in no Oblation except in that of the suspected Wife Numb 5.15 but in the Oblation of the First Fruits of their Harvest Lev. 23.9 which was a Type of the Christian Eucharistical Oblations as Mr. * Book 1. Disc 51. and in his Christian Sacrifice Mâ—de has shewn And 2dly He thinks that the whole Time of the Seals is as it were weighed in the Two Scales of this Ballance the one half of it being run out at the time when these Ballances appeared to wit A. D. 235. when Alexander Severus's Death put an End to this Seal for the first Seal beginning at the Resurrection A. D. 33. if you add to that 202 years the Moyety of the whole Seals the first half-Time will fall upon the year 235. the other half extending to 437 where he dates the beginning of the 1260 Years of the Apostasie which will be made out more fully in the Process of these Annotations 16 Wine and Oyl were also used in the curing of Wounds and for Medicines Isa 1.6 Luke 10.34 7 And when he had opened the fourth Seal I heard the Voice of the foâ—rth Beast 17 say come and see what Judgments God will bring upon the Heathen Empire for their impenitence 17 The Church continues still Apostolical because the Living Creature still speaks although the Thunder or mighty Power and Efficacy of the Gospel was departed from it And the Apostolical Ministry here calls upon him to consider the Obstinacy and Impenitency of the Pagan Empire notwithstanding the Gospel had been preached amongst them for so long a time and that therefore God had resolved utterly to destroy them after he had tried whether he could reclaim them by his severe Judgments amongst whom yet he preserved a Remnant of Christians to be a Holy Seed according to God's Denunciations in a parallel Case Ezek. 14 12-23 Now the voices of the living Creatures or of the Apostolical Representatives of the Christian Church still continuing we may reasonably conclude that the Ephesine or Apostolical Succession lasted during these four first Seals amongst the Apostolical Ministry of which Succession we may justly reckon not only the Apostles and Apostolical Men but the Primitive Writers and Witnesses of these times from Justin Martyr to Origen who by their Apologies exemplary Lives and Deaths and Learned Writings Justified the Christian Religion confuted Judaism and Paganism and called upon the Empire to Repent many of them foreteling its fall and the rise of Antichristianism upon it and speaking plainly concerning the Thousand Years Kingdom of Christ for which see Mr. Mede Dr. Burnet's Theory of the Earth and Dr. Cressener 8 And I looked and beheld a 18 pale Horse i. e. great slaughter and mortality and his Name that sat thereon was Death and Hell or the grave followed with him as his Attendant and power was given unto them over the fourth 19 part of the Earth i. e. the Roman Empire to kill with the Sword i. e. by War and with Hunger i e. by Famine and with Death i. e. by the Pestilence Jer. 9.21 and with the Beasts of the Earth 18 The State of the Empire from Maximin to Diocletian that is from A. D. 235. to A. D. 284. is here plainly Characterised For 1. Maximin was a Thracian whose Countrey lay Northward according to the Station of the Fourth Beast the Eagle 2. In that small space of time there were above Twenty Emperours not reckoning the Thirty Tyrants under Gallienus most of them very short-lived and coming to untimely Ends which is very appositely represented by Death's sitting upon a pale Horse instead of a Rider 3. Besides the persecution of the Christians the whole Roman Empire was then grievously harrass'd by Cruel and Barbarous Emperours by Civil VVars and Forreign Invasions the Persians and Asiatick Scythians breaking in upon the Eastern part of the Empire and the Goths about the same time invading the Western after a most terrible manner about the beginning of the Reign of Gallus A. D. 251. (a) Pagi in Baron or 252. as Zozimus observes 4. In this Period there was a dreadful Plague that lasted for Fifteen Years together which beginning in Aethiopia went through most of the Provinces of the Roman Empire upon the occasion of which Cyprian wrote his Books de Mortalitate and against Demetrian where that Holy Gospel-Witness attributes that Mortality to the impiety and persecution of the Pagans and not to the Innocent Religion of the Christians and seriously exhorts the Heathens to a speedy Repentance And there was a Famine also as Dionysius (b) Euseb 7.22 Alexandrinus testifies who lived at that time After which Desolations it was a frequent thing in those Countries for the Wild Beasts to ravage and to break in into their very Cities and commit great Slaughters which is a Judgment threatned in Scripture Lev. 26.22 Deut. 32.24 Ezek. 14.15 19 The Roman Empire seems to be called the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Fourth of the Earth because it was the Fourth Earthly Monarchy prophesied of by Daniel after which the Heavenly Kingdom was
should sometimes be overcome by its Emies but should at last overcome them whereby the State of the Church Militant and of the Future Victorious State of the Kingdom of Christ notwithstanding its many seeming Foils and Delays of Conquest is fitly typified 6 Of the Tribe of 14 Aser were sealed twelve Thousand of the Tribe of 15 Nepthali were sealed twelve Thousand of the Tribe of 16 Manasses were sealed twelve Thousand 14 Asher signifies blessed because he was the cause that his Mother was accounted happy and blessed Gen. 30.13 and because he lived in a fruitful and happy Soil Gen. 49.20 Deut. 33.24 Whereby is signified the Delight which Christ has in his Church the Fruitfulness of it and the Blessing which they enjoy who have God for their Lord Psalm 144 12-15 15 This is the Tribe in which our Saviour was very conversant his constant Residence being in Galilee and most frequently in Capernaum a City of Galilee in the Tribe of Nepthali as Mr. Mede has ingeniously observed upon which account Nepthali is placed before his Seniors and has received so great an Encomium from Moses Deut. 33.23 The Word signifies Gen. 30.8 very great and vehement wrestlings or Endeavours joyned with (a) Josepho 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Skill and Cunning or Fair Words Gen. 49.21 By which may be signified the frequent Wrestlings of the Church with God in Prayer Gen. 32 24-32 Hos 12.3 4 and their wrestling against Flesh and Blood and resisting the Wiles of the Devil and the Powers of Darkness with a prudent Simplicity joyning the Wisdom of the Serpent with the Harmlesness of the Dove 16 Manasseh signifies forgetting whereby is intimated that God makes all true Christians forget all their former Toil when he gives them Comfort and Joy in the Holy Ghost and that whosoever would follow him must forget and forsake all his Father's House and worldly Relations which seems to be the Gospel-import of the Words of Joseph Gen. 41.51 and the thing for which Levi is praised Deut. 33.9 7 Of the Tribe of Simeon 17 were sealed Twelve Thousand of the Tribe of 18 Levi were sealed Twelve Thousand of the Tribe of 19 Issachar were sealed Twelve Thousand 17 Simeon signifies Hearing whereby is noted that God hears the Prayers of his Church and the Hatred with which their Enemies hate them Gen. 29.33 18 Levi indeed had no portion in the Division of the Land as Dr. Hammond notes yet in Christ their Portion was as good as any Levi signifies joyned for the Church Christ's Spouse is to be joyned unto the Lord in Spirit and Fervent Affection and not unto Idolatrous Harlots which is the Spiritual meaning of the Book of Canticles Read Gen. 29.34 1 Cor. 6.16 17. Eph. 5 25-33 Deut. 33.9 19 Issachar signifies Gen. 30 17 18. a Hire or Reward given by God as appears from the Context from whence (a) Pag. 55. Philo makes him to be the Type of One whose Labours are Crowned and Rewarded by God and that as (b) Apud Rivetum in locum Jerome remarks with a great Compensation for slight and small Performances of no greater Value than Mandrakes by which the Rich Rewards which God bestows upon his Church for their imperfect Services may be not unfitly set forth 8 Of the Tribe of 20 Zabulon were sealed Twelve Thousand of the Tribe of 21 Joseph were sealed Twelve Thousand of the Tribe of 22 Benjamin were sealed Twelve Thousand 20 Zabulon signifies Dwelling Gen. 30.20 which was the Tribe upon the Borders of which our Saviour himself dwelt Matth. 4.13 from which place diligently compared with Isa 9.1 it may be gathered that they shall have the greatest share of Christ's Presence who have undergone the greatest Misery and Afflictions and that he will come and dwell with the ignorant but humble person rather than with self-conceited and proud Professors as Christ dwelt with the ignorant Galileans rather than at Jerusalem whether he went not but upon some solemn Occasions See Mr. Mede upon this place and Isa 57.15 John 14.23 Matth. 9.13 21 Joseph signifies He will add or adding Gen. 10.24 for God daily adds to his Church more Blessings and continues his Grace to those who pray unto him and use their own diligent Endeavours Gen. 30 22.49 22-26 Deut. 33 12-17 22 Benjamin signifies the Son of the Right Hand Genes 35.18 For the Church which was Benoni or the Son of Sorrows unto Christ as being purchased by his Sufferings and Blood is yet unto him and his Father a Benjamin that is much loved and regarded as the Phrase is interpreted Deut. 33.12 as near and dear to him as the Right Hand the most Honourable of the Two Upon which account the people of Israel are called the Men of God's right hand Psal 80.17 And we may observe that Dan is here wholly left out and Ephraim not mentioned by Name because they both soon apostatized to Idolatry it being a Custom amongst the Jews to leave out of their Genealogies and Chronologies the Names and Times of Wicked Persons as Er and Onan Judah's wicked Sons are omitted by (a) Antiq. 2.7 Vossius de Sibyllin Orac. cap. 1. Josephus when he reckons up his Posterity And altho they are mentioned in Ezekiel yet that was when the whole Church was purified and in its Jerusalem State whereas at this present time of Numbring Dan and Ephraim were the Types of the Apostasie and were therefore to be omitted and not to be mentioned but when the Righteous amongst them had been purified and the Wicked had been purged away by God's Judgments 9 23 After this Vision of the Apostolical Church secured and concealed I beheld and lo a great multitude which no man could number of all Nations and Kingdoms and People and Tongues i. e. the 24 Catholick Church of Christ's Kingdom Dan. 7.14 27. stood before the Throne and before the Lamb in communion with God and Christ in his Kiâ—gdom cloathed with white Robes denoting Honour and Purity and 25 Palms in their Hands denoting Victory over Persecutions and Temptations and the Triumphs of Christ's Kingdom 23 The following Vision is taken from the Descriptions given in this Prophecy of the New Jerusalem State in Christ's Kingdom to which only it can in propriety of Speech belong as appears from the many high Expressions made use of in it and from the Elders the Representatives of the Jewish Church having the Precedency which will not be until the New Jerusalem State And yet because that Kingdom is not to come until the Days of the Voice of the Seventh Angel who has not yet sounded therefore this Description cannot belong to the Kingdom it self but to some Typical Resemblance or Pre-appearance of it it being usual in this Prophecy as I have already observed for the Spirit to describe the several Praeludia or faint Resemblances and imperfect Appearances of Christ's Kingdom by the State of the Kingdom it self to shew what the Church ought and might have
arrived to and that his Kingdom should have appeared of Right at those times if a stop had not been put to it according to the determinate Counsels of God and Christ's Submission unto them Dan. 12.7 For the Kingdom of Christ which should have come in its Glory upon the Ascension of our Saviour was retarded by the Times allotted to Paganism and Antichristianism and was thereupon delayed until the Time of the End Dan. 12. Only Christ at some certain seasons puts in as it were his Claim to his Kingdom by some more than ordinary Appearances of it Now the Appearance here referred to seems to be plainly that of the Christian Church under the Christian Empire which was the next remarkable Event after the Fall of Paganism described at the close of the foregoing Chapter and was so glorious a one that it might justly be described by the State of the Kingdom it self Paganism having been overthrown by it the Church delivered from Persecution and exalted into an unexpected and sudden State of Prosperity and the Man of Sin withheld for some time 2 Thes 2.6 7. And yet becxuse this glorious State of things would not continue long in purity but would be soon corrupted by Pride and Ambition and by the bringing in of Pagan Rites into the Church under the Specious Pretences of a well-meaning Prudence and Zeal therefore it pleased God to give an intimation of this early Corruption by sealing a pure Church even before he gives the glorious appearance of the Visible Church that a competent Number of sealed Witnesses might be set apart and preserved betimes in purity and integrity before their Minds could be corrupted by the Glory and Honours of this Exalted Church and by the Mystery of iniquity which had been working in secret for a long time and was advanced to a Satanical Synagogue even in the foregoing times of Persecution 24 Whereby is pointed out the great Number of Professors in the Christian Empire 25 A Psalm is the Symbol of Victory amongst all Nations whence in Ezekiel's Vision of the Temple Ch. 40 and 41. Palm Trees are so often mentioned which signifie the Conquests True Christians are to make over Sin and Persecution and the Conquest they had now gained over Paganism 10 And cryed with a loud 26 Voice to denote the Affectionateness and the Publick Freedom of their Worship saying 26 Salvation be unto our God i. e. let the Glory of our Deliverance be ascribed unto him the sole Author of it Psalm 3.8 Hos 13.4 which sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb the sole Purchaser of it to them alone let it be given and not unto our own Merits or any Creature 26 26 Hereby also is intimated the Publick Freedem of Worship they enjoyed in the Christian Empire and their Deliverance from their Persecutors 11 And all the Angels stood round about the Throne and about the Elders and the four Beasts and fell before the Throne on their Faces and worshipped God i. e. all the whole Church consisting of Angels Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Jews and Christians Heb. 12 22-24 joyned in the Praise of God 12 Saying Amen Blessing and Glory and Wisdom and Thanksgiving and Honour and Power and Might be unto our God for ever and ever Amen Chap. 4 8-11.5 11-14 13 And one or the first of the Elders or Representatives of the Jewish Church now fully instructed by the Christian and one with it answered or said Matth. 11.25 saying unto me to excite my enquiry after a thing worthy of it and out of a desire to inform me what are these that are arrayed in white Robes and whence came they 14 And I said unto him Sir thou knowest for I do not and am desirous to be taught by thee And he said unto me these are they which came out of 27 the great Tribulation and have 28 washed their Robes i. e. their imperfect performances Luke 15.22 Rev. 19.8 and made them 29 white or pure and shining in the Blood of the Lamb Christ i. e. they are purified delivered and rewarded by Gods acceptance of their actions and sufferings upon Christ's Merits Isa 52.1 27 With reference to the New Jerusalem State this Tribulation noted with a double Greek Article The Tribulation The Great to shew the Remarkableness of it refers to the Days of extraordinary Trouble mentioned Dan. 12. Matth. 24. Mark 9. and Luke 21. which shall precede Christ's Kingdom perhaps at the pouring forth of the seventh Vial and the Earthquake attending it from which the Saints shall be delivered but with reference to the Christian Empire it has a relation to the Ten Days Tribulation under Diocletian mentioned Chap. 2.10 from which they were delivered by Constantine and to their Escape from out of the Great Day of God's Wrath against Paganism Chap. 6.17 28 These are the Saints and Martyrs who had white Robes given them Chap. 6.11 and were bid to tarry in expectation of Christ's Kingdom which they and their Successors here enjoy whereby is set forth the Advancement of the before Persecuted Church and of its Confessors and Witnesses 29 They are made White or Shining by his Blood as Wooll receives a more Noble and shining Colour by being died in Purple And here is an Allusion to Joshua's Change of filthy Garments and his putting on White and Clean Priestly Vestments as these Saints do here in Christ's Kingdom in which they are Priests unto God and Christ. 15 Threfore because they persevered under Persecution and trusted in Christ's Merits are they before the Throne of God in communion with him and under his particular care in a State of Prosperity and serve him 30 Day and Night i. e. continually and incessantly in his Temple of the New Jerusalem in the General Assembly and Church of the First-born and he that sitteth on the Throne i. e. God shall dwell among them or pitch his Tent amongst them i. e. they shall be his people and he will afford them his continual Presence Conduct aad Defence Isa 4. Ezek. 48.35 John 1.14 Rev. 3 12.21 3. 2 Cor. 6.16 Levit. 26.12 30 A Metaphor taken from the constant Service and Attendance of the Priests and Levites in the Temple some of which were always present in it Day and Night 1 Chron. 9.33 Psal 135.1 2. Luke 2.37 16 They shall hunger no more neither thirst any more that is they shall always enjoy God's Ordinances and his Gifts and Graces Isa 49.10 John 4.13.6 27. neither shall the 31 Sun light on them nor any scorching heat i. e. they shall be delivered from Persecutions and Sufferings Isa 49.10 Psalm 121.6 7. 31 The Jews express all manner of inconveniencies by Heat because of its Extremity in those Eastern parts both from the Sun and burning Winds Jonas 4.9 17 For the Lamb which is in or about the midst of the Throne i. e. Christ shall feed them and shall lead them as a good Shepherd Psalm 24.1 4. John 4 10-14 and 21 15-17 unto
the Eastern Empire the Kingly Power being extinguished and Narses made Governour of it for Justinian about A.D. 553. who being removed from his Government after sixteen Years Administration of it Longinus was advanced to it under the Title of Exarch of Ravenna A. D. 569. When the Consuls entirely ceased and the Authority of the Senate was abolished and Rome the Mistress of the World became a Dutchy and was subject to Ravenna at which time also the Kingdom of the Lombards who came Originally from Scanzia into Pannonia began in Italy which lasted until A. D. 756. after which Charles the Great who beat the Lombards out of Italy was created Emperour of the Romans by Pope Leo Dec. 25. A. D. 800. all which time Rome was under the Government of the Papacy as we shall see hereafter 13 And I beheld and heard an Angel flying to denote speed thorow the midst of Heaven i. e. in the meridian height of it that he might be seen and heard of all saying with a loud voice audibly and terribly Wo 27 Wo Wo to the Inhabitants of the Earth by reason of the voices of the Trumpets of the three Angels which are yet to sound 27 Here the extreme Misery which the Empire was to suffer by the Saracens and Turks Chap. 9.12 and the Apstasy Chap. 11.14 is foretold Under the Angels in this Chapter are included according to an Observation frequently made all those Faithful Servants of Christ who witnessed to his Truths and against the Rising Antichristianism in the Church during the Time and Course of the Trumpets and of the preparation to the sounding of them Such were amongst many others 1. Gregory Nyssen who was a married Man and wrote an excellent (a) Dr. Cave's Lives of the Fathers Vol. 2. in the Append. pag. 45. Epistle against Pilgrimages to the Holy Land 2. Gregory (b) Dr. Cave Vol. 2. pag. 322 326. Nazianzen who was so mightily offended with the Quarrels and Contentions of Bishops and Councils that he refused to come to a Synod at Constantinople saying That Experience had sufficiently taught him how little good was to be expected from Synods and then resigned his Bishoprick which he said he knew not whether to stile a Tyrannical or an Archiepiscopal Dignity and testified against the excessive State Power and Honours of the Clergy freely (c) Tom. 1. pag. 61 62. Orat. 1. adv Julian confessing That the Mischiefs of the Church in his Time proceeded from thence 3 Ambrose who was a stout Defender of Discipline (d) Cave 's Lives pag. 409 410. exercising it even upon the Great Emperour Theodosius who with an extraordinary Meekness and Penitence submitted unto it 4. (e) Dr. Cressener's Demonstrat of the Apocal. in Append. pag. 13. Jerome Theodoret Andreas Caesariensis Arethas and others who plainly testifie That Rome was to be the Seat of Antichrist as does also (a) Cressener ibid pag. 30. Augustine and Chrysostom (a) Cressener ibid. pag. 30. who were excellent Witnesses to many great Truths in this Succession the former (b) Augustin Epist ad Januar. lib. 2. Ep. 55. complaining exceedingly of the encrease of Ceremonies in his Time and confessing that a more than Jewish Servitude was brought in by them which Expression gives light to the Reason why the prevaling party of this Succession is called the Synagogue of Satan Ch. 2.9 Although it must be confessed that these and the other Great Men of this Period of the Church contributed much to the encrease of its Corruptions which the best of Men may do when God permits such Deviations from the Simplicity of the Gospel to prevail and doth not withhold Men from being carried away with them by his more than ordinary Restraints 5. Salvian Gildas and the other Authors who wrote concerning the Invasions of the Barbarous Nations and lived in those Times do loudly testifie against the Vices and Corruptions of them as also Gregory the Great who was a most Eminent Witness of the Approach of Antichrist in his Time as will be shewn in the beginning of the Annotations on the next Chapter as were also all those Excellent Persons who testified during the fifth and sixth Trumpet against the Worship af Images and other Corruptions for which God brought these Woes upon the Church See the Protestants who have gathered Catalogues of Witnesses and the laborious Collections of Monsieur Allix in his Accounts of the Albigenses and Waldenses CHAP. IX The Text. 1 AND the fifth Angel sounded and I saw a Star i. e. an 1 Angel or Minister of the Church Rev. 1.20 fall or fallen from Heaven unto the Earth i. e. Apostatized from a Christian Church state to a worldly Kingdom and to him was given by the Order and Disposition of events according to God's all-wise Disposals the Key of the bottomless Pit i. e. a Satanical Kingdom and an Antichristian Authority Rev. 2.24 Annotations on CHAP. IX 1 Here the Papacy is described 1. Because that which appeared is said to be a Star which is the Symbol of the Gospel Ministry Chap. 1.20 2. It is said to be the Star that was fallen from Heaven which cannot refer to Mahomet who never had any Place in Heaven i. e. any Place or Dignity in the Church or any Dignity at all from which he might be said to have fallen 3 This Star is said to have fallen from Heaven to Earth and then to have a New Dignity bestowed upon him whereby it is evident that the fallen Star mentioned Chap 8.10 cannot be here understood because that Star fell upon the Waters this upon the Earth and that was a Comet this a Star which fell from one Power to another whereas the other was in a burning and consuming Condition bereft of all Power 4. This fallen Star is said to have the Keys of the bottomless Pit given unto him that is a Satanical Authority consisting of a Synagogue a Throne and Depths of Satan which being proper to the Apostasy especially the Papacy ought here also to be understood concerning it For as according to the Observation of Dr. (a) Apud Poli Synops in locum Lightfoot the Keys of Heaven were given to Peter when a Door of Salvation was to be opened to the Gentiles by his Preaching and Erecting the first Christian Church so when the Christian World was about to fall as it were into its former Gentilism the Key of the bottomless Pit was given to Antichrist 5. This Star is said to be already fallen at the time that the Pit was opened and the Locusts that is the Saracens came out of it Now the Rise of the Saracens is placed by all Historians in A.D. 622. when the Aera of the Hegira or Flight of Mahomet began and the Rise of Antichristianism in the Latin Church as to the Point of Supremacy is generally placed by Protestants Sixteen Years before it when Boniface the Third A. D. 606. took the Title of Vniversal Bishop and Head of
(d) Hooker's Preface to Eccles Polit. over-weening Opinion for his own Discipline endeavouring every where to introduce it as Necessary and of Divine Original which yet was at first very imperfect the first (e) Synodic Gall. Reform Tome 1. page 16. Plat form of it as it is received in the Church of France having been altered and augmented in Three and Twenty Synods before it could be brought to that Model in which it now is which it must be confessed is very excellent and fit to be diligently perused by all whose Thoughts are employed in restoring Church-Discipline But yet to deal impartially I cannot think but that the Natural Severity of the Temper of this Great and Good Man to whose indefatigable pains and great Parts we are endebted for the true Sense of the Scriptures gave sometimes a Tincture to his Opinions or at least to his Expressions in the Praedestinarian Controversies which his Followers urged with too great warmth and harshness towards Dissenters in France and the Netherlands Neither have the (f) Histoire abregee de l' Europe Tome 1. page 528 663 667. Lutherans been less rigorous in imposing their Opinions who having retained several Errors as in the point of Consubstantiation Images Vbiquity and the like would not admit the Reformed to their Communion without their subscribing to some of those controverted Articles and denied them Churches in their Cities even when they were forced to retire unto them for succour in the heat of the last French Persecution In which seems to be some Relicks of that Spirit which at first much retarded the progress of the Reformation in Germany the Lutherans being then so wedded to their Opinion about the Sacrament that the (a) Sleidan 122 151. Confederates would not admit the Switzers and those that followed Zuinglius into their Leagues thinking their Assistances to be unlawful and that they would be as dismal in the Events as Confederacies with Idolaters in Scripture and the Ten Years Imprisonment of (b) Histor Carcerum per Pezelium Casparus Peucerus about the same Controversie shews that they did not afterwards much abate of their Rigor Furthermore I cannot but be perswaded that the many Wars and Confusions which the Reformation hath been engaged in which were (c) Mezeray 951 952. The Account of the Persecution of thâ— Vaudois Printed at Oxford often the Occasions of their Persecutions argue it to have fallen short in producing that Exemplary Patience and Resignation to the Cross which Christianity designed and which it at first wrought in the Primitive Christians And the many Errors and Divisions which sprung up with the Reformation plainly prove that there were many Tares mixt with it which yet God hath been pleased to make use of to many good Ends there being scarce any Erroneous Perswasion in Religion which hath not some Truth mixt with it and which was not occasioned by some Neglect in the Church which God by those Extreams punishes them for and calls upon them to reform Even the Extravagancies of (a) Sleidan page 52 79 83 90 96 190. Munster and the Boors to whose Demands Luther gave too sharp and bloody an Answer as his own Historian confesses have a mixture of some important Truths and the (b) Sleidan page 244. Antinomians who first appeared about A. D. 1538. seem to have been permitted to admonish the Reformers of more Exalted Thoughts of the Riches of God's free Grace in Christ which they seemed not at first sufficiently to admire as God by permitting the Extreams of Arminiauism on the other side calls upon Men to make use of their own hearty Endeavours when Morality decays and Men do not as much as they are able upon the pretence of Impotency which was the Plea of (c) Vossii Histor. Pelag. page 21 22. Pelagius who except in the point of Grace and those Controversies which depend upon it was for the most part Orthodox and of a very good Life and especially thereby admonishes warm Zealots to take care lest in the Heat of their Disputes about difficult and inexplicable matters they make God at least indirectly the Author of Sin and lessen the Extent of his Grace The Fifth-Monarchy-men upbraid the Reformation with its Ignorance in the Nature of Christ's Kingdom and their inordinate Zeal and furious Opposition of Civil Authority upon pretence of its contrariety to the Gospel ought to be an Admonisbment to Christian Magistrates to endeavour after a more Holy way of Government than the World hath yet arrived to Enthusiasm is permitted when Formality and Deadness in Devotion too much encrease And even the Behaviour of the Quakers may put Christians in remembrance of the Duties of Patience and bearing of Injuries and may be designed by Providence which makes use of the Sins and Follies of Men to Good Ends to witness against common Swearing and Perjury Deceit and Equivocation in point of Trade Pride and Superfluity in Cloaths Vain Complements Flattering and Swelling Titles and an Vnnecessary Vse of Words and Names taken from Idolatrous Opinions and Customs and those Plays and Sports which nourish Lightness and Debauchery The like Observation may be made upon the other Subdivisions amongst Protestants All of which carry something in them to upbraid the Reformation of its Imperfection and may be made use of to Excellent Ends it being as useful to the Church to consider what is good in them as to confute them and of greater benefit to the State to amend the Faults which occasioned them than to prosecute them with Rigor which hath been seldom (a) See Thuanus's Preface to his History successful 3. The Reformation is Imperfect in what relates to Christian Practice as not having been able to bring in Everlasting Righteousness and abundance of Righteousness with Peace Truth and Glory according to what is prophesied of Christ's Kingdom Dan. 9.24 Psalm 72. and 85. 4. Neither hath it arrived to the perfection of a Church-State as it is laid down in Scripture especially in the Model of the Church of Jerusalem given in the Acts of the Apostles which was the first Christian Church built according to our Saviour's Promise upon Peter and called The Church by way of Emphasis and Eminence as if it were the Pattern by which others were to be tried and modelled For the First Apostolical Churches are the Standard of all Reformation and not the following Churches even of the First Ages which degenerated very soon from their Primitive Purity and Simplicity But because the Particulars of the Defects of the Reformation as to this Head are too many to be considered as they ought to be in this place I shall leave them to a particular Treatise on that Subject only desiring the Judicious and Conscientious Readers to lay aside the great Fondness which the best of Men are wont to have for the Constitutions of the particular Churches of which they are Members and to consider impartially the several places of (a) Consider
the Mystical signification of what is delivered in the Law of Moses with relation to the Sanctuary God's Worship and his Priests particularly Exodus 28 29 30 Chapters Leviticus 10 8-11 and Chapters 21 and 22. Ezekiel 42 13 14.44 8-31 much of Ezekiel from Chapter 40 to the end Matth. 18 15-20 19 17.20 24-29 23 6-12 and Grotius on those places John 15 27.17 â—0-23 Acts 1 13-26 2 37-47 3 1.4 31-37 5 1-14 41 42.6 1-8 8 2.9 39.12 5.13 2 3 15.14.22 23 27. Chapter 15.16 2 4 5 25.20 7 11 27-36 Romans from Chapter 12 to the End of the Epistle First Epistle to the Corinthians from the First Chapter to the 15th and Chapter 16. most part of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians Galatians 2 and 6. Ephesians 2 19-22 Chapters 4th 5th and 6th the Epistle to the Philipppians the greatest part of the Epistles to the Colossians Tbessalonians Timothy and Titus Hebrews 5 12-14 and Chapters 6.1 2.12 14-29 and Chapter 13 the generality of the Epistle of James 1 Peter 2d Chapter to the End of the Epistle 2 Peter 1 3-21 and Chapter 2d and 3d most of the Epistles of John and Christ's Letters to the Seven Churches Which places diligently compared with what is prophesied of Christ's Kingdom in the Prophets and the Three last Chapters of the Revelations will furnish a Man with an exact Idea of the Church as it was designed by Christ with respect to Faith Discipline and Manners Scripture which treat of Matters relating to Church-Affairs and then to compare the State of the Churches now in being with what God requires in a pure Church and I am confident they will abate much of a too fond Dotage upon any particular Constitution or church-Church-State that is now in the World Of which Opinion also are the Honest and the Judicious of all Parties when some happy Conjunctures force them upon cool thoughts and peaceable Considerations which yet do not meet with their desired Success but in God's own Times and Seasons Which is remarkably evident in the Reformation of the Church of England which although begun by very good and great Men and carried on often very vigorously and successfully yet hath not been able to arrive to those Degrees of Perfection which even the first Reformers who planted it and watered it with their Blood (a) Reformatio Legum Ecclesiastic designed and (b) Preface to the Comminat Fox's Book of Martyrs edit ult Vol 3. page 67 105 107 120 121 137 362 374 385 400 403 411 412 427 442 537. Bishop Burnet's History of the Reformation edit secunda Tome 1. Praefat. pag. 147 148 189 262 300 303 315 364. in the Collect. pag. 160 178 182. Praefat. ad Vol. secund and page 44 59 67 71 72 73 75 79 80 95 96 101 104. ad 110 112 141 145 152 153 154 155 156 182 189 190 191 196. ad 202 218 219 304 339 376 377 387 390 394 395 396 397 398 399 406 407 420. Camdeni Elizab. ed. Amstelod pag. 26 in Praefat. 391 392. Sir Simon D' Ewes's Journal pag. 156-158 161 166 167 177 184 257 302 303 329 357-360 557 639. Bishop Stillingfleet's Preface to his Vnreasonableness of Separation the Discourses written lately about the Ecclesiastical Commission and the Convocation a Paper entituled Grievances of the Church of England supposed to be written by Archbishop Sancroft Letters of the English Reformers in the Library of Switzerland and Bishop Burnet's excellent Discourse of the Pastoral Care wished for But what through the inconstant Humour of a Vain and a Cruel Prince under whom it begun the Avarice and Dissentions of the Chief Ministers of rhe Court of King Edward the Sixth the short Reign of that Prince the contrary turn of Affairs in Q. Maries Days and the invincible prejudices of that great Princess Q. Elizabeth under whom it was settled who was against Alterations in the Church the glorious Work did not receive the last and finishing Hand of its Master-Builders but has ever since been hindered and retarded by several strange Occurrences but chiefly by the contrary struglings of two Parties ever since the Differences at Frankford whereby through mutual Animosities and immoderate Opposition the chief Obstacle to all Noble and Peaceable Designs things have sometimes rather gone back than forwards So that there is little hope of going on unto Perfection until the Times of Restitution begin to appear and God shall be pleased to dispose the Minds of Men by his over-ruling Providence to so necessary and so glorious an Undertaking 8 And the Voice which I heard from Heaven verse 4. spake unto me again and said go and take the little Book which is open in the hand of the Angel which standeth or stood upon the Sea and upon the Earth 9 And I went unto the Angel and said unto him Give me the little Book And he said unto me Take it and eat 14 it up i. e. commit it to Memory and keep it secret as yet Dan. 7 28.12 4 9. Ezek. 2 8.3 1-10 and it shall make thy Belly bitter because what is contained in it must be delayed for a longer time Dan. 8.26 27.10 14-16 but it shall be in thy mouth when thou prophesiest again Verse 11. sweet as honey as containing the sweet and glad tidings of Christ's Kingdom Psalm 19 10.119 103. Jerem. 15.16 Ezek. 3.3 14 To eat signifies to meditate and digest Divine Truths as appears from our Saviour's Discourse John 6. and withal to keep them close and secret as Mary did Luke 2.19 51 the Belly denoting in Scripture the most secret Thoughts and Cogitations of a Man By which is signified that Christ's Kingdom which had appeared but for a short time only so long as to be just seen open and whilst the Book could be taken into his hand and mouth should soon have a stop put to it and thereby create much Sorrow to all the true Servants of God but that it should again appear signified by being again in his mouth after it had been in his Belly in its Glory to the Joy and Comfort of them 10 And I took the little Book out of the Angels hand and eat it up and it was in my mouth sweet as honey and as soon as I had eaten it my belly was bitter i. e. I was really affected after the manner the Angel had foretold 11 And he i. e. the Angel said unto me Thou must 15 prophesie again i. e. foretel the coming of Christ's Kingdom Chap. 11.3 before of or against many 16 People and Nations and Tongues and Kings i. e. before the People and Rulers of the Kingdom of Antichrist 15 To prophesie as is shewn on Chap. 11.3 is to foretel the coming of Christ's Kingdom which it is said here John should do because he was to deliver more Prophecies concerning it and because it was to be actually performed by the Witnesses represented by John as the people of Israel of Old were by the Prophets who were
(a) Allix Du Pin de antiq Eccles Disciplin pag 23. 27. 82-96 from that of Rome and have witnessed in all Ages against the Apostasy (b) Allix Remark on Albig Chap. 19. on the Church of Piedm pag. 188. 207-210 286. Mede's Works 517 721. 722. Usher de Succession Eccles pag. 78. from the beginning of it always asserting the Pope to be The Antichrist and attributing to him the Characters of him given in this Prophecy of which they were diligent Readers Upon which Account alone their Adversaries having nothing else to object against them they were severely persecuted becoming thereby after a most remarkable manner Antipas Christ's faithful Martyr and Witness against the Papal Corruptions 3. These faithful Churches were placed by Providence like Candlesticks on a Hill being situated as Mr. Allix remarks amongst the Alps and Pyraenean Mountains that they might be exposed to the view of Four or Five Kingdoms all at once one of them being planted in Italy the very Seat of the Beast and shining there according to their own Motto and Device as a Light in the midst of the Aegyptian darkness of the Apostacy surrounding them and the other possessing the Southern parts of France that it might the better convey the Purity of the Gospel into Spain over the Mountains and into England and other places from the Sea-Coasts which was actually performed (a) Allix's Remaaks on the Albig pag. 222-237 by them with great success some Remains of their Doctrine continuing in Spain until the times of the Reformation and the Lollards and the Followers of Wickliff in England having been instructed by them 4. As no Churches can shew a fairer Account from the most early times of faithful VVitnesses against the Apostacy so can none parallel the Persecutions they have undergone from the Papacy or pretend to a better Title to prophecying in Sackcloath for 1260 Years being warred with by the Beast killed by him and lying dead in his great City than they can Insomuch that although the Title of Witnesses may be justly given to all the other Bodies of Christians who have testified through all Ages of the Church against Antichristian Corruptions yet they must be confess'd to have the Preheminence upon many Accounts but especially by reason of their Visibility and uninterrupted Succession from the Times of the Apostles their Constancy Zeal Courage and Success most Nations having received the purity of the Gospel from them their Sackcloath and mournful condition and their dreadful and unparallell'd sufferings from the Papacy under which they are still in a state of Death 5. But although these Churches are the most Eminent and most Conspicuous Body of Christians concerning which it can most properly be said that they have prophesied as Candlesticks or Churches regularly and orderly constituted in a continued Succession of Pastors and People and that by emptying the Oyl out of themselves into other Churches most of which owe the Reformation to them Yet they are not the only Body of Christians which are to be accounted VVitnesses and of whom it may be said that they shall prophesie 1260 Days For the Albigenses or Churches of Gaul are accounted one of the Witness-Churches which yet cannot shew an orderly continued Succession from the beginning of the Apostacy which is clear and uninterrupted only in the Succession of the Churches of Piedmont And all the faithful Christians in the Communion of the Apostacy but not of it who have through the Succession of all Ages witnessed against it are to be accounted Witness-Churches that is States or Successions of Faithful Witnesses as Church is used in the Vision of the Church-Prophecy For by the Two VVitnesses are meant as appears from the Notes on Chap. 2 12-29 and on Chap. 11.4 num 18. in general Two Successions of Faithful Christians witnessing from the Beginning of the Apostacy the one in the Communion of it typified by Pergamus the other in a distinct Communion from it typified by Thyatira the Emblem of those pure Reformed Churches which are under the power of Anti-christian Princes and are not Established by Laws and maintained by Reformed Magistrates as the Sardian and Philadelphian Churches are which rose out of the other Two Successions at the beginning of half Time and are still Witnesses but VVitnesses risen to an imperfect State altho under Reformed Princes Whereas the other are Witnesses still lying dead in the Streets of the City as the French Churches do or else risen only to some Favour and Protection but within and under the Dominion of Princes of the Apostacy as the Churches of Piedmont For during the space of Half Time until the Three Years and a Half are fully ended many of the Witness-Churches may lie dead and none will be raised to a perfect State by the Spirit of Life from God But as for those Churches of the Reformation who are under Reformed States they being already raised to Life cannot again return to Popery or be utterly extinguished by it because they having been raised by Christ cannot die again Only as to whatsoever remains of Antichristianism may be in any of them 6. God (a) Alcazer in locum pag. 420 421 439. hath ordained that the Persecutions of wicked and Antichristian Tyrants should sometimes end after three Years and a half in congruity to the three times and three years and a half of the continuance of Antichrist and to the Resurrection of our Saviour after three days this being the time in which the Church may have hope of deliverance according to the Type of Christ's deliverance from the Grave a longer continuance of Persecutions being apt to make the Church despond which expects according to Hosea 6.2 a Revival and Resurrection on the third day and is out of ordinary hopes if it last a day longer as Martha despaired of the Revival of Lazarus because he had been dead four days And thus it is observed that (b) Grot. in Dan. 7.25 Antiochus a Type of Antichrist oppressed the Jews for three years and a half and that the Persecution under (c) Alcazer pag. 420 421. Nero and that in (d) Poli Synops in Apoc. 11.19 England under Queen Mary and in the Netherlands under Duke D'Alva lasted for the same space of time That it was much (e) Jurieu's Pastor Let. Tom. 3. Let. 21. about that time from the Coronation of the late King James to the Arrival of King William into England and from the Revocation of the Edict of Nants October 12 22 1686. unto Their Majesties Coronation April 11 21 1689. when a Spirit of Zeal and Courage entred into the Protestants of France That it was about that time from Tyrconnel's entring upon the Government of Ireland Feb. 6 or 12. 1686 7. unto his Majesties signal Success in Ireland in July and August 1690. And lastly that the Protestants of the Valleys (a) See Monsieur Jurieu's Pastoral Letters An account of the Vaudois Printed at Oxford A. D. 1688.
Resurrection Matth. 27 51.28 2. 43 Which is called Earth in this Prophecy 44 By 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may be meant 1. The Tenth part of the City 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being understood and then it may denote Rome as under the Papacy which Mr. Mede supposes to be the Tenth part of Old Rome or rather because it is doubted whether Mr. Mede's Dimensions of Old and Modern Rome be exact some One most Notable Kingdom of the Ten into which the Western Roman Empire was divided as is observed on Chap. 17. Whereby the Kingdom of France may most peculiarly be denoted which was the Tenth part of the City that is the last of those Ten Kingdoms which arose out of the Ruines of the Roman Empire and gave their Power to the Beast as may be seen in the Catalogue of them given by the Judicious and Learned Author of the Book de (a) Pag. 17. Excidio Antichristi Or 2. By the Tenth of the City may rather be meant the whole Papal Jurisdiction called the Tenth because it is symbolized in Prophecy by Ten Toes Ten Horns Ten Kings united under the Papacy as will be shewn on Chap. 17. For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may signifie not the tenth part of the City but the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Decem-Principality the State of the Antichristian Jurisdiction or City after it came to have Ten Kings as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chap. 6.8 signifies not the fourth part of the Earth but the fourth Earthly Kingdom or Monarchy which is a Sense of the Phrase more comprehensive than the former and more suitable to the symbolical Genius of this Prophecy And it is said to fall that is to be ruined and destroyed in the Commotion as Babylon is said by the Prophets to be fallen or destroyed 45 In the Greek it is were slain Names of Men seven thousand By Names of Men as Dr. Moor observes may be meant Titles Dignities Offices and Orders of Men by which they are named and distinguished or the Men themselves who were Men of Name or Repute upon those and such like Accounts as Vile or Base Men on the contrary are called Men of No Name Job 30.8 And by seven Thousand of them being slain is meant that there shall be a Perfect Total and Solid Overthrow of the Popish Hierarchy and Jurisdiction which shall entirely be slain or cease to be what it was before which is signified by Seven a Perfect Number multiplied into a Thousand a Cubical Solid Number as 1 Kings 19.17 18. from whence this Expression is taken God saith that he had seven thousand left in Israel That is a perfect Number of pure Worshippers reserved entire in secret See Notes on Chap. 1 4. 7 4 5. 9 5. 20 4. 46 To give Glory to God is to confess their Faults and acknowledge the Righteousness and Justice of God in his Punishments as Achan did Josh 7. 19 20. and Nebuchadnezzar Dan. 4 34-37 and thereupon to Honour and Worship him after his own manner and to forsake their former Idolatry Rom. 1.21 25. 14 The second Wo 47 of the sixth Trumpet viz. Turkish Mahometism chap. 8 13 9 12 is past already and behold the third 47 Wo viz that of the sevenâ—h Trumpet upon Antichrianism chapters 14.15.16 cometh quickly 47 into event and execution after the second is past upon the sounding of the seventh Angel chap. 10 7. 11 15. 47 The First Wo is that of the Locusts or Saracens the Second of the Horsemen of Euphrates or the Turkish Mahometans the Third is the Wo of the seventh Trumpet or Angel upon Antichristianism which is largely related in some of the following Chapters And in this Verse is plainly asserted 1. That during or rather after the Earthquake and the Effects of it upon the Ascent of the VVitnesses into Heaven the second Wo or Turkish Mahometism should pass off and that more particularly from the Grecian Churches and their Empire or Imperial Seat For it is here said after the Vision of those Events that the second Wo is past that is it was then past in Vision and consequently was to pass off in the Event and Completion at the time immediately following the fulfilling of the foregoing Vision 2. That the Third Wo of the seventh Angel upon Antichristianism was to follow quickly upon the passing off of the second VVo that is upon its ceasing to be a Wo or a Scourge to Antichristianism for which End it was designed by God who will then inflict Woes of another Nature upon them And 3. That the Effects of the seventh Trumpet shall not take up any long time in their accomplishing but shall be performed with speed and of a sudden which may perhaps be the meaning of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for as a Judicious Person hath acutely observed the sixth Trumpet comes immediately after the Fifth as well as the seventh after the sixth and therefore it cannot be distinguished from the others by its immediate Succession which is common to them all but by the speed of its Motions and the quickness of its Events 15 And the seventh 48 Angel sounded and there were great or loud voices of acknowledgment of the Kingdom of Christ and of Thanksgiving for it in Heaven or in the Heavenly pure state of the Christian Church num 41. saying The Kingdoms of this World are becometh Kingdoms of our Lord God the Father and of his Son Christ and he shall reign for ever 49 and ever Dan. 2 44. 7 14 18 26 27. 48 Seven is a Number of Perfection and hath a reference in this Vision to the Kingdom of Christ which is here foretold should come upon the sounding of the seventh Angel and is to consist not in destroying but in reducing the Kingdoms of this World that is the several Civil Governments of it to a Constitution suitable to Christ's Gospel whereby they become his Kingdoms and in Christ's Reign over these Kingdoms thus modelled which shall be for ever and ever That is to the End of all succeeding time here upon Earth no other Empire or Kingdom being to succeed it 1 Cor. 15 24-29 But of this we shall have Opportunity to discourse more fully hereafter or the three last Chapters 49 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (a) Dr. Hammond on Matth. 24.3 and Luke 1.70 signifies in Scripture an Age of the VVorld or some eminent Period of it more particularly that of the Jewish Church and State and therefore by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seems here to be denoted the End of all the Periods or Divisions of Time consummated in that of the Messias which is called the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 VVorld or Age to come by the Jews 16 And the four and twenty 50 Elders or representatives of the Jewish Church chap. 4. 4 9 10 which sat before God on their seats in a posture of Authority as being to reign with Christ yet fell upon their Faces with great humility and reverence and worshipped God
upon this happy and glorious change of things 50 Here is an Acknowledgment of Praise and Thanksgiving to God according to the usual manner in this Prophecy as hath been before frequently observed and that made by the Twenty Four Elders the Representatives of the Jewish Church and by Voices in the former Verse which perhaps proceeded from the Four Living Creatures who are the Voices or Speakers in the sixth Chapter 17 Saying We give thee thanks O God Almighty which art and wast and art to come i. e. the Eternal Jehovah because thou hast taken 51 unto thee thy great or extraordinary power which hath been hitherto usurped by Satan Mahometism Antichistianism and the wicked Powers of this World and hâ—th reigned visibly and powerfully in Truth and Judgment without any rival 51 Here is declared the Succession of Christ's Kingdom as it is the manner to proclaim the Succession of Princes 18 And or although 52 the Nations or Gentiles that is the Paganizing Christians verse 2. were angry for being cast out of the visible Church which they had defiled and usurped verse 2. Psal 2. and 99.1 and or but 52 thy wrath 53 is come or is ready to be poured forth and executed upon the living and the time of the Dead is come that they should be Judged both good and bad according to their Deeds and that thou shouldst in that time of Judgment give reward unto thy Servants the Prophets or Witnesses of the Jewish Church or Ministers Dan. 12.3 and to the Saints or eminently holy Persons of the Christian Church and to all them that fear thy Name in every Nation according to the light and talents God hath given them Acts 10.2 34 35. small and great in Office or Graces who shall be rewarded according to what they have received and the use they have made of it Mat. 25. and shouldst destroy them of all sorts which destroy or corrupt the Earth by their Tyranny Wickedness and Antichristian Apostasy 52 In both these Senses the Article is used in Scripture according to its Acceptation in the Hebrew of the Old Testament Gen. 15 10.17 5. Job 17.10 Jerem. 11.17 and in several other places 53 This Verse relates to the Time of Trouble mentioned Dan. 12.1 and the great Battle Rev. 16. and the Resurrection and Judgment mentioned in the last Chapters which shall be particularly discoursed of in their proper places 19 And the Temple of God i. e. his pure Worship was opened in Heaven i. e. became visible in the Church and there was now seen in his Temple which before was measured sealed and shut up verse 2. the Ark 54 of his Testament i. e. the greatest Mysteries of Religion which were before obscured by Antichristianism were most clearly made known and there were lightnings and voices and thundrings and an Earthquake and great hail i. e. high and clear Manifestations and signs of Christ's Kingdom Mat. 24 Rev. 4 5.8 5. 54 The Ark of the (a) Numb 4.5 20. 1 Sam. 6.19 Exod. 25. Testament was always kept secret and covered and was to be seen only by the High Priest once a year whereby the Mysteries of Religion are Typified which the Angels desire to look into and were not Revealed unto them but by the Church 1 Peter 1.12 Ephes 3.10 Now these Mysteries called here the Ark of His that is Christ's Testament or New Covenant which were mightily obscured and perverted under the Reign of Antichristianism appear opened that is clearly manifested unto all Jews as well as Christians now united into One Body from whom also they had been for a long time hid by Types and Veils and a Judicial Blindness 1 Cor. 3 13-16 Rom. 11.25 Which Temple here opened and the Ark seen it are more fully and largely prophesied of by Ezekiel from Chapter the 40th to the End of his Prophecy CHAP. XII The Text. 1 AND * there appeared in vision a great wonder or prodigious sign portending great things in Heaven †or in the pure Primitive Church State a Woman i. e. the Church the Spouse of Christ Isa 54.1 2 Cor. 11.2 Eph. 5.32 cloathed or Environed wich the Sun beams shining all about her i. e. full of Communications of Glory Purity and Holiness from Christ the Sun of Righteousness Malac. 4.2 and the Moon 1 i. e. Antichristianism under her feet i. e. in comtempt and in subjection to her and upon her Head a Crown 2 of twelve 3 Stars representing the twelve Apostles chap. 1.20 Annotations on CHAP. XII * The Beast having been but just mentioned in the former Chapter Verse 7. the Holy Spirit doth here according to the Custom of Scripture which takes occasion from the bare mention of a thing to give a larger Account of it begin to set forth who he was and from whence he had his Original and how he came to be so powerful as to make War with and kill the Witnesses which Subject is prosecuted in this the following and the seventeenth Chapter And here we may observe that the Vision of the VVoman is Cotemporary with the Fifth Seal Chap. 6.9 when the pangs of Persecution were at the heighth the Child being brought forth in the Christian Empire in the next Seal †Heaven as hath been cursorily observed on Chap. 11.12 num 41. is not to be understood always in this Book only and perhaps not primarily of the Church-State on Earth but of the Archetype or State of it now in Heaven there seeming to be in Heaven a Kingdom of Christ and an Heavenly Tabernacle and Sanctuary which is an Archetypal and Exemplar State of what is to be performed on Earth in the Church Whereupon a Door was opened to John in Heaven Chap. 4 1. and the Temple of God was opened in Heaven Chap. 11.19 Which Interpretation will be much strengthned by a due Consideration of Hebr. 9. where the Apostle distinguishes betwixt a VVorldly (a) See Grotius on Heb. 9. and Mr. Dodwell of One Altar Sanctuary and a Heavenly one and calls the Jewish a pattern of things in the Heavens And there is also in this Book a Consessus Synedrium or Seat of Judgment in Heaven described in the Fourth and Fifth Chapters before which Satan as God and Prince of this VVorld was as it were tryed and after his Accusation of God's Servants and Defence of himself adjudged to be cast from the power of Godship which he had in those parts of the World which are concerned in this Prophecy Whereupon there is Joy in Heaven verse 12. upon the Brethrens being acquitted upon Satan's Fall from the Rule he had by God's Justice over the wicked World the Glory which accrued to God by his Wise and Holy Administrations and the present Advance of Christ's Kingdom Upon the increase of which the Saints may receive increase of Glory in that Heavenly Tabernacle which shall come down from Heaven in the New Jerusalem State 1 Worldly things because of their Mutability may be reprseented by the
amongst the Branches of the River Nile ready to devour the Israelites as the Dragon here stood before the Woman to devour her Child And here the Paucity and Obscurity of the Members of the pure Church upon the Growth and Increase of Antichristianism after the Empire became Christian is set forth by a Wilderness state or condition which is an obscure and retired but a safe (a) See Dr. Pocock on Hos 2.14 one to which Men betake themselves when they are threatned and pursued by Enemies as the Israelites in the persecution of Antiochus 1 Maccab. 2. 28 31. when the Gentiles had prophaned the Sanctuary fled into the Mountains and into the secret places of the Wilderness And yet as when the Israelites fled from Pharaoh into the Wilderness they soon murmured and apostatized from God so was the Church no sooner delivered from the persecutions of the Pagan Empire but the Antichristian and Paganizing Apostacy began to increase amidst which yet the pure Church was preserved although small in Number and in an obscure condition as the few true Israelites were amongst the Numerous Apostatizing ones in the Wilderness who were corrupted (b) Exod. 12.38 Numb 11.4 by the mixt Multitude of Idolaters who went up with them out of Aegypt as the Christian Church was by the Converted Pagans * This by a frequent Hebraism may signifie no more than that she shall be fed ot nourished as the Phrase is explained at the 14 verse But perhaps hereby may be meant the Two Witnesses from whom the Woman only differs as the Vniversal doth from all its Particulars or the Body from its Members taken collectively by whom the Church may be said to be preserved and maintained because of their Preaching the Word of God and distributing the hidden Manna as the Israelites were fed in the Wilderness with Manna and miraculous Food by the Hands of Moses and Aaron Two Old Testament Witnesses Numb 33.1 Psalm 77 20.78 52. 19 The Witnesses chap. 11.3 and the Woman have the same number of Days assigned them as being not really different one from the other only the Woman or Church in general is to be understood as the Mother and the Witnesses as the Seed and Children begotten as it were in the Womb of the Church in which they were Baptized and Regenerated And here it is fit to be observed 1. That a Day began first to be reckoned for a Year in the Wilderness Numb 14.34 whereby the like reckoning of a Day for a Year in this place is much enforced 2. That there were but just Forty Two Encampments of the Children of Israel in the Wilderness reckoned up in the 33d Chap. of Numbers whereby may be fitly typified the Forty Two Months of the Gentiles and the Twelve hundred and sixty days of the Woman which differ only as Solar and Lunar time do one from another as hath been shewn on the former Chapter sojourning together in the Wilderness as the Few true Israelites did with the Numerous Apostatizing ones in a latent obscure and almost invisible manner 3 From hence also may be illustrated the Epocha or beginning of the Twelve hundred and sixty days from A.D. 437. For as the (a) Exod. 12.40 Gal. 3.17 Israelites went out from Pharaoh into the Wilderness at the End of Four hundred and thirty years from the Promise and the Covenant renewed by Sacrifice so in correspondence to its Type may the Christian Church be well thought to have fled from the Dragon Antichristianizing the Church about the same time from Christ's coming to give the Promise of Salvation and to enact the New Covenant by the Sacrifice of himself upon the Cross 7 And there was War 20 i. e. enmity and opposition Eph. 6.12 in Heaven 21 and in the Christian Church and Empire Michael i. e. Christ Dan. 10.13 21.12 1. and his Angels i. e. the Christians in the Empire fought 22 against i. e. opposed and resisted the Dragon i e. the Devil and Paganism and the Dragon Fought to hinder the progress of Christianity and his 23 Angels i. e. the Pagans in the Empire 20 There has been always an Enmity betwixt the good and the bad in the Church the latter persecuting the former as Cain did Abel and Ishmael Isaac from whence the Apostle dates the Persecution of the Church the Woman with her Children and the Mother of us all Gal. 4 22-31 So that the Four hundred Years Affliction of Israel Gen. 15.13 may be very well dated from about that time 21 The Christian Church is vety appositely called by the Apostle Gal. 4.26 Jerusalem which is above or the heavenly Jerusalem by which also may be signified the Archetypal Church or Kingdom in Heaven mentioned on Verse 1. in the Administration of which there is something like a VVar betwixt good and bad Angels who are represented as fighting in Scripture Dan. 10.13 20 21. But here seemeth also to be pointed out unto us the downfall of Paganism in the Empire which had its deadly Blow given it by Theodosius the Great as hath been before observed Whence it also follows that this War is Contemporary with the Times of Constantine and Theodosius 22 An Expression taken from Dan. 10.13 20. 23 Such were Licinius Julian Argobastes and Eugenius the Roman Senate and all other Opposers of Christianity in the Empire 8 And prevailed not i. e. they were conquered and subdued neither was their place found any more in Heaven i. e. Paganism was cast out of the Church and Empire and lost all its power and Authority in it as being adjudged by him that sitteth on the Throne to have no longer continuance in it See num 1. and 21. 9 And the great Dragon was cast out of Heaven by Divine Sentence and out of the Christian Church and Empire that old Serpen i. e. cunning and subtile who had been used to deceit ever since the time of our first Parents Gen. 3. called the Devil i. e. the slanderer and calumniator of God to Men and of Men to God and Satan i. e. the Adversary and Accuser of Christians Job 1.9 Zech. 3.1 2. which deceiveth the whole World into Idolatry and Wickedness 1 John 5.19 he was cast out of a state of rule and dominion and reputed Godship in the Pagan Empire into the * Earth i. e. into a mean condition in respect of his former state and to rule in the Hearts of Earthly minded Men and of the Apostatizing part of the Church and his Angels i. e. his Agents and Instruments were cast out with him i. e. Paganism was destroyed in the Empire now become Christian * The State and Condition of the Dragon under Antichristian Idolatry may be very well express'd by his being cast from Heaven to Earth because Polytheism or the VVorship of many Gods being extirpated at the Overthrow of Paganism he was no more worshipped as a God in the Empire and the Worship of Saints and Angels succeeded to it an Idolatry inferiour to
the former which being perfectly and directly Satanical was a State of things more agreeable to the Devil which when he lost he might very well be said to be cast from Heaven to which the Pagans had exalted him in their Worship to Earth that is to an inferiour sort of Authority and Power in the VVorld and an Idolatry less Diabolical 10 And upon this Sentence and Judgment obtained in Heaven I heard a loud 24 Voice of praise and thanksgiving saying in Heaven and in the Church thus delivered and exalted now is come Salvation i. e. deliverance from Satan's Claim Power and Kingdom as a God upon Earth under the Divine Justice upon a faln World and from Persecution and strength i. e. the manifestation of God's Power in destroying his Enemies and the Kingdom of our God i. e. the glorious advancement of his Religion and the manifestation of the Power of his Christ in advanceing his Church for the accuser of our Brethren before God and in the time of Persecution under the Pagan Empire is cast 25 down or thrown down upon the Earth which accused 26 them before our God day and night i. e. was their indefatigable and inveterate enemy and false accuser 24 This Verse and the following contain an Epinicion or a Song of Thanksgiving to God upon the Conquest of Paganism and the (a) Chap. 7. n. 23. and n. 1. of this Chapter Appearance of Christ's Kingdom in the Empire now become Christian which yet lasted but for a short space before the Glory of it was Eclipsed by Antichristianism Chap. 17.10 Concerning the downfall of Paganism see Dr. Cave's Learned Introduction to the Lives of the Fathers of the Fourth Century 25 A Metaphor taken from wrestling as Grotius notes And here we may observe that when Idolatrous and wicked Men are cast out of Rule and Authority it may be very well said that the Devil is cast out because he acts and governs in and by them 26 Expressions taken from Job 1. and the 4th and Zech. 3. where the Scripture speaking according to the manner of Men represents Satan as accusing good and pious men before God Which he does by aggravating their real Faults and Imperfections and by exciting the Wicked Men of the World to raise False Accusations against them as they Notoriously did against the Primitive Christians see Dr. Cave's Primitive Christianity Part 1. Chap. 1-4 But perhaps this Accusation may relate to Satan's appearing at this Judiciary Tryal alledging the Faults of the Brethren and demanding that they might be delivered unto him the Executioner of God's Justice which he might urge was not yet satisfied 11 And they 27 i. e. our Brethren overcame him in this judiciary Tryal before the Throne of God and all his subtile arts and powerful instruments in the times of Persecution by the Blood of the Lamb i. e. by Faith in Christ's Blood and by his Merits and Passion alone and by the word of their Testimony i. e. by the Gospel which they Preached purely and Efficaciously and the Testimonies they had given under the four first Seals and because they Loved not their Lives no not unto the Death but despised them and willingly and chearfully laid them down for Christ and his Gospel's sake Chap. 4. 9 10 11. 27 In this Verse is shewn the Way how Paganism was overthrown which is in a manner contrary to that which Antichristianism makes use of viz. by the Blood and Merits of Christ alone and not of Saints by the preaching of the Gospel and not by Vnwritten Traditions and by the Christians chearful and patient Suffering not by Resistance VVars and Murther Chap. 11.7 Although perhaps the Chief and Principal Import of this Verse may be to set forth the Grounds and Just Proceedings of God against Paganism and of the Victory here mentioned which was obtained by the Blood of Christ the great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Fundamental and principal Cause who prevailed by his Blood to open the Seals which were so many preparatory Judgments to this End and by the Testimony of the Living Creatures the Gospel-Ministry and Witnesses of the Four First Seals and by their Deaths and Martyrdoms under the Fifth Seal after which ensued the Ruine of Paganism under the Sixth Seal 12. Therefore rejoyce ye Heavens and ye that dwell in them i. e. ye Angels and Saints whose joy encreases according to the advancements of Christ's Kingdom on Earth and ye good and heavenly minded Christians which are faithful Members of the Church now in an exalted state although but for a short time wo to the Inhabitants of the Earth i. e. the earthly minded and Antichristian part of the Empire and of the Sea i. e. the wicked multitude of the Empire Jude 13. for the Devil is come down from Heaven or his exalted State unto you upon the Earth having great wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short 28 time i. e. in respect of his former Reign 28 The Pagan Religion was overthrown by Theodosius the Great and made only some feeble Efforts under Arcadius and Honorius and Theodosius the Younger but with little Advantage and therefore that being at an End the short time here mentioned must be meant concerning the Antichristian Empire which Satan knew was to have an End and that in a short time in respect of the several Thousand Years of his past Reign in the World from the beginning of Idolatry 13 And when the Dragon i. e. the Devil saw that he was cast upon the Earth out of his former Empire and Dominion he Persecuted * the Woman i. e. the Church which brought forth the Man-child i. e. the Kingdom of Christ * Here the History of the VVoman is resumed and the Persecution here mentioned must relate to the Incursions of the Goths and other Barbarous Nations Chap. 8. because they are the only Persecutions which immediately succeeded upon the Dragons being cast upon the Earth by the Overthrow of Paganism which Judgments designed as a Chastisement by God were intended by Satan who stirred up those Nations by the permission of Providence as a Persecution upon the Church so that the Trumpets which are contemporary with this Persecution were Divine Judgments in the Hands of the Angels upon the Empire and the Antichristianizing Party but in the Designs of Satan a Persecution of the pure Church 14 And to the Woman i. e. the true and pure part of th Church were given i. e. prepared by God's Providence ver 6. two 29 wings of a great Eagle i. e. effectual means of a speedy and safe delivery from this Danger notwithstanding all difficulties and in despight of all oppositions that she might fly into the Wilderness i. e. be in an obscure invisible condition verse 6. into her place prepared of God verse 6. where she is nourished or preserved for a 30 Time and Times and half a Time chap. 10 6. 11 2 3 9 11. from the face or sight and
entirely destroyed at the Succession of the Christian Empire but that it recovered for a short time under Julian and was kept in some Life by the Pagan part of the Senate and those Heathens who continued in Office until the time of Theodosius and by the Emperour's connivance at their Religion all (b) Dr. Cave's Introduct to Vol. 2. of the Lives of the Fathers of them also having accepted of the Pontifical Stole and born the Office and Title of Pontifex Maximus or Chief Head of the Colledge of the Priests of the Heathens until Gratian who refused it and especially by the Heathen Customs and Rites which the Christians by degrees brought into the Church by which Paganism gradually and insensibly passed into Antichristianism and the Beast was kept alive and at last perfectly healed So that here is described the State of the Roman Empire as in its passage under the Christian Emperours from the sixth Head to the seventh in a bleeding and desperate Condition but in hopes of having its Wound cured And the State of the same Empire as actually healed is represented in the next Words when a Monarchy and Idolatry was introduced so like that under the sixth Head that its Rise is here described rather by the healing of an Old Wound than by the Succession of a New Head * Here is set forth the Extent of the Beast's Kingdom the whole World being said to be his Followers and Admirers which the Defenders of the Papacy make to be a Note of their Church who are wont as hath been well (a) Rivet Tom. 3. pag. 583. observed by the just Judgment of God to attribute those things imprudently to the Papacy which are the Apocalyptick Marks of Antichrist To wonder after him may also imply the implicit Faith and blind Devotion paid to the Papacy which is usually the Effect of a groundless Wonder and an Admiration of Mens persons And here we may observe that it is foretold that Defection from Truth shall be Vniversal 4 And they that wondred after the Beast which were a very great multitude worshipped the 10 Dragon or Roman Pagan Power or Monarchy which gave his power unto the Beast i. e. they obeyed a Roman Pagan Diabolical Power in an Antichristian Successor and they 15 worshipped and were subject unto the Beast i. e. the 16 Roman Empire under its seventh Head the Papacy as Imperial and Monarchick saying 17 Who is like unto the Beast in Eminency and Excellency who is 18 able to make War with him i. e. resist or withstand his Power 14 It was one and the same Roman Monarchy under the Dragon and the Beast because they had both the same Imperial Seat at Rome upon the continuance of which a Monarchy is continued in the Account of Prophecy and because they were both influenced by the same Draconick and Devillish Temper and Spirit whereby they became One Body the Dragon living in and being worshipped in the Beast Whence it is that the Beast has but one and the self same Body under all its Heads it being represented as One Beast with divers distinct Heads each of which Head also may be called a Beast by a Synecdoche or a Figure whereby what belongs to the whole may be attributed to an eminent part 15 To Worship denotes also (a) Grotius in locum Gen. 37.7 8. Subjection in Scripture because Subjects were wont to adore or prostrate themselves to their Princes and Superiors in the Eastern Countries As the Subjects also of the Popes do who are not approached unto without (b) Rivet Tom. 3. pag. 576 577. Fouli's Romish Vsurpat B. 1.4 Adoration and are placed on the (c) Ceremonial Roman Sect. 2. cap. 2. And Sir Paul Rycaut's Preface to the Lives of the Popes Altar after they are chosen to receive the Adorations of the Cardinals and others present 16 Beast absolutely taken signifies 1. The Roman Empire with all its seven Heads And 2. The State of the Roman Empire under the seventh Head and Eighth King the Papacy which is the general Acceptation of the Beast in this Prophecy 17 This is an Expression frequently made use of in (d) Exod. 15.11 1 Sam. 2.2 1 Chron. 17.20 Scripture to denote God's peerless and appropriated Supereminence and consequently his appropriated Worship And by it is very appositely set forth the (e) Rivet Foulis ubi supra extravagant prophane and blasphemous Titles and Prerogatives given to the Pope by his Followers who make as if he were something more than Humane calling him their (a) In Gloss extravag Rivet Tom. 3. pag. 518. confessed by Father Walsh the Author of the Controversial Letters and other honest Romanists God and Christ's Vicar and attributing to (b) See Mr. Dodwel's Fundamental Principle of Popery where it is proved that this must necessarily be the fundamental principal of their Communion although it be denied by some of them him Infallibility all which is signified here by this Phrase which is not unlike the blasphemous Expressions of Rabshekah 2 Kings 18. 18 This most (c) See Fouli's Romish Vsurpat Mr. Dodwell 's Considerat of present concernment Math. Paris Anno. 1245 Imperatorem Fredericum conculcavimus quis es tu qui nobis temere credis resistere Graseri Histor Antichrist pag. 176. Omnes Principes fortunam irritasse qui cum Papa certaruat Kings and Kingdoms have found to be true in their Contests with the Papal Omnipotency as some of their Admirers have called it 5 And there was given unto him by the Devil God permitting and ordering things accordingly upon mens willful blindness a mouth 19 speaking great things i. e. a Faculty of impudent lying and boasting concerning his own Power and Infallibility in Decrees Anathema's and the like and blasphemies i. e. Idolatrous Decrees and power was given unto him to continue 20 Forty and two Months of Years See on Chap. 11.2 19 This Phrase is taken from Dan. 7.8 11 20 25.11 36. where it is the Character of the Little Horn and the Antichristian King from whence it also appears that this Beast is an Antichristian one and that this also is a Mark of the Papacy clearly appears from their (d) See the Authors quoted on num 16. The Canon Law the Bullarium Romanum and the Authors who defend the Papacy and the Court of Rome extravagant Titles and Decrees and Pretences to Universal Power 20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (e) Grot. in Jac. 4.13 Mede in Locum when joyned with a word signifying any space of Time denotes in Scripture the continuance of it 6 And he opened his Mouth with great boldness and arrogance in Blasphemies or Idolatrous Expressions against God Dan. 7 25. to 21 blaspheme his Name or Essence and his 22 Tabernacle i. e. Christ's Humane Nature and his Church and them 23 that dwell in Heaven i. e. Saints and Angels 21 By making Images of God which is called Blasphemy or Idolatry in Scripture
were advanced unto and withal an open profession of the Witnesses on Earth that they were God's true Soldiers and Servants who used to (a) See Mr. Mede on the place and Grotius be marked in the Forehead and not marked Slaves of the Beast And by the mention of Christ's Sealed Number in this place is intimated the great difference there will be in the Issue and Event of Things betwixt Christ's Servants appearing thus in Glory and the marked Servants of the Beast just beforementioned in the former Chapter and withal according to that known Rule That Opposites when placed near one another illustrate each other hereby is much established the Interpretation of the Number of 666. there given 12 the Root of 144000. being an Anti-Number to 25 the Mark of the Beast signifying an Apostolical Body of Witnesses as that does an Anti-Apostolical one See the Notes on Chap. 7. num 9. and on Chap. 13.18 2 And I heard a Voice 4 from Heaven as the Voice of many Waters i. e. a loud and powerful one Chap. 1. 15. and as the Voice of a great 4 Thunder i. e. Terrible Chap. 4 5. 6 1. 10 3. and I heard the Voice of 4 Harpers harping with their Harps i. e. there was a great and powerful Appearance of Christ's Kingdom Chap. 11.15 4 4 4 Voices Thunder called so frequently Psalm 29. and in other places the Voice of God Musick and Singing are the constant Forerunners and Attendants of Christ's Kingdom as hath been frequently observed And it seems to me that this Vision relates to the Appearance of Christ's Kingdom upon the sounding of the seventh Angel when there were great (a) See Grot. on Rev. 5.8 Voices heard in Heaven saying the Kingdoms of the World are become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ and that it is Synchronous and contemporary with it it being very rational that the seven loud Voices so audibly heard in order in this Chapter should be no other than the Voices of the Seven Thunders mentioned Chap. 10 3-8 now unsealed or opened which were then sealed and not to be written or come into Event until the days of the Voice of the seventh Angel And here it may be observed that by the Voices and Musick is not only represented an Appearance of Christ's Kingdom upon Earth but that also they signifie the Joy which is in Heaven and in the Heavenly Tabernacle upon the Exaltation of Christ's Kingdom For if there be Joy in Heaven upon the Conversion of a Sinner it may well be supposed to be there also upon the great Advancements of Christ's Kingdom upon Earth And amongst all the Musick of the Temple perhaps (a) See Grot. on Rev. 5.8 Harps are here more particularly mentioned Because it is the Musical Instrument of Praise and Thanksgiving which was wont to be made use of in setting forth Great and Extraordinary Actions and was the particular Instrument which David was eminently skilled in and which was the occasion of his being brought to Court and fitted for the Kingdom which was the Type of Christ's Kingdom here represented And Thunder also may be here mentioned to shew that the seven Voices of this Vision were the several Openings or Vnsealings of the seven Thunders which were sealed Chap. 10.4 3 And they sung as it were a New Song i. e. the Song of Redemption by Christ's Blood alone which seemed to be New because it had not been taught nor heard openly during the Apostasy See Chap. 5.9 before the Throne of God Chap. 4. and before the Four Beasts or Living Creatures Chap. 4.6 and the Elders Chap. 4.4 i. e. the Doctrine of Redemption and those who sung and had taught it in the Church whilst they were upon Earth were approved of by God and the Divine Consistory which all along in this Prophecy appears as passing Judgment upon the Actions represented in it See Chap. 4.1 pag. 70. and no man could learn that Song but the Hundred Forty and Four Thousand i. e. none could fully understand and experience the Doctrine taught in that Song but those true Christ ans which were redeemed i. e. rescued and delivered by the Blood of Christ alone from the Earth i. e. from the Corruptions of Antichristianism 4 These are they which are not defiled with Whorish Women i. e. were not Members of Idolatrous Churches Ezek. 23. See Rev. 17.1 for they are Virgins and not Prostitutes as Jezebel and the Whore Chap. 17. and had kept themselves pure from all Idolatry and Antichristian Pollutions Psalm 45.14 Canticl 1.3 2 Cor. 11.2 these are they which 5 follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth i. e. were the Faithful Disciples of Christ and are now his more Immediate Attendants in the Heavenly State of his Kingdom here represented these were 6 redeemed from 7 among men being the first 7 fruits unto God and to the Lamb i. e. the choicest Members of his Church and the first partakers of the Glory of his Kingdom 5 A Metaphor taken from those Officers who are the constant Attendants of Princes or from the Disciples of Prophets concerning whom this Phrase is used in (a) Matth. 8.19 Luke 9.57 Scripture or rather from the Virgins the Companions of the Bride and Bridegroom Psalm 45.14 Matth. 25. Christ's Kingdom being likened to a Marriage-Supper Chap. 19.9 and his Attendants as a Bridegroom to Virgins Matth. 25. who are also the Chorus to the Marriage-Song of his Kingdom in the Book of Canticles And they are mentioned in opposition to the Followers and Worshippers of the Beast 6 As the First-born were wont to be under the Law Exod. 13 13.22 29. 7 First Fruits (b) Exod. 22.29 Numb 18.16 Jerem. 2.3 Zech. 2.12 James 1.18 See Mede on the place and the Commentators on these Texts were the First and the Choicest Offerings and whatsoever was separated from Prophane Vses to Holy ones Whereby is signified 1. The First Church of Choice Holy and Pure Christians which shall appear at the expiring of the Times of the Beast upon the first Succession of Christ into his Kingdom when as hath been before shewn on Chap. 10. num 13. the Thirty Years in Daniel which make the 1260 Years to amount to 1290. are to begin in the full and entire Resurrection of the Witnesses Who are said here to be redeemed by the Lamb or Christ alone in opposition to their own and others Merits and Antichristian Pardons and Indulgences and that from among Men i. e. from out of the World or the common State of Mankind or rather from the Antichristian Men of the Earth those Merchants Chap. 18 11-13 who bought and sold Men and Souls 2. Because in this Vision there is described not only the State of Christ's Church and Kingdom upon Earth but also the State of the Archetypal Kingdom in Heaven Hereby is also represented the first Glorious Appearance of the Members of it the Witnesses departed in the Lord who have the priviledge to be the
is signified the Preservation and Security of the Saints during the pouring forth of the Vials upon the Wicked Whereupon Fire is not here mentioned where the Sea is spoken of with relation to them And the Scripture seems to affirm that the Days of the last Great Tribulation which may perhaps refer to the Vials shall be shortned or cut off for the sake of the Elect Isa 10.22 Matth. 24.22 Rom. 9.28 7 By a usual Hebraism the most Excellent things are attributed to God in Scripture whence these Phrases Cedars of God Mountains of God and the like And by these Harps is signified such Heavenly Musick or Praise and Thanksgiving in this Representation of Christ's Kingdom as David the King a Type of Christ used in his Royal Palace and in the Service of the Temple called the Musick of God in (a) 1 Chron. 16.42 2 Chron. 7.6 Scripture Skill to play on the Harp being one of those Gifts which God bestowed on David to fit him for the Kingdom 1 Sam. 17.13 18. and in which the Prophets exercised themselves 1 Sam. 10.5 And so also at the passage over the Red Sea which is here alluded to the Women went out after Miriam with Timbrels Dances and Songs Exod. 15 20-22 3 And 8 they sung now in an happy and secure State the Song of Moses i. e. one of the same Spirit and Style with that which was sung by him Exod. 15. the (b) Deut. 34.10 Heb. 3.5 Eminent Servant of God and (b) Deut. 34.10 Heb. 3.5 Faithful in all his House and therefore a fit Type of these Faithful Witnesses and worthy to be imitated by them in a Song in Memory of Gods Judgments on Antichrist of whom the Aegyptians the Subject of Moses's Song were a Type and they sung the Song of the Lamb Christ sung Chap 5 8-14 saying Great as to the Power by which they are wrought Exod. 15.6 7. Rev. 5.12 and marvellous as to the Wisdom of them Exod. 15.11 Rev. 5.12 are all thy Works especially those wrought in our Deliverance Lord God Almighty glorious in Holiness doing Wonders Exod. 15.11 Rev. 4.8 just in punishing and true in performing thy promises are thy ways i. e. Proceedings and Actions Exod. 15.13 Deut. 42.4 thou King of Saints whom thou dost defend deliver and exalt Exod. 15.17 18. Rev. 5.9 8 As Moses and the Israelites also did on the Banks of the Red Sea Exod. 15. betwixt which Song and that of the Lamb Chap. 4 and 5. there is a very remarkable Congruity as is observed in the Paraphrase 4 Who of all the Creatures Rev. 5.13 shall not fear thee O Lord for thy Judgments Exod. 15 14-16 Jerem. 10.7 and glorifie thy Name i. e. Thee thy Excellencies and Perfections Exod. 15.3 11. for thou only art holy Exod. 15.11 Rev. 4 8. for all Nations shall come and worship before thee alone Exod. 15 14-16 Rev. 4 8-11 and 5.13 for thy Judgments are made manifest in the Glories of thy Triumphs over thy Enemies Exod. 15.6 7. Rev. 5.13 5 And after that Song and Vision I looked again or was in Vision and behold the 9 Temple or (a) Psal 28 2. 138 2. Grot. and Hammond on this place and on Acts 7.44 Oracle the most Holy Place of the Tabernacle of the Testimony i. e. of the Divine Habitation or Dwelling-place where God used to manifest and exhibit himself and give Testimony of his Presence and in which were the Two Tables the Witnesses of the Covenant betwixt God and his People which were to testifie what God required and testifie against them if they broke it Exod. 25.10 22.31 18 38 21. Numb 1.50 Deut. 31.6 Acts 7.44 in Heaven in the Heavenly Tabernacle and in the Pure Church See on Chap. 14 2. was opened i. e. there was a very high Appearance of an Exalted State of Christ's Kingdom in the Heavenly Tabernacle and a very great Manifestation of his Kingdom on Earth and Extraordinary Communications of God's Will aod Evidences of his Presence especially in 10 Judgments 9 The Temple of the Tabernacle denotes the Holy of Holies the most sacred part of it which is now opened to signifie some extraordinary manifestation of Christ's Kingdom there seeming to be many Gradual Openings and Visions of the several parts of the Temple according to the several Advances of Christ's Church and Kingdom unto its perfection For in the Vision of the Temple Opened Chap. 11.19 only the Ark of the Testament was seen which relates only to some particular great Mysteries concerning Christ's Redemption Whereas here the whole Inward Tabernacle of Testimony was discovered which had several (a) Heb. 9 1-5 other things in it besides the Ark whereby other Manifestations may be signified But although the Temple of Jerusalem be the primary Type alluded to yet Ezekiel's Visional Temple is the more immediate Type and the ultimate Prospect of all is upon God's dwelling in holy Souls especially in the New Jerusalem State by his Shecinah or special Presence and to God and the Lamb being the Temple into which all is at last resolved Rev. 21.3 22. 10 This I take as appears from the next Verse to be the principal intent of the Opening of the Temple of the Tabernacle at this time viz. That God's Will concerning the approaching Judgments ready to be executed was now plainly made known expressed here by the Opening of that place from whence the Divine Responses and Oracles were wont to be made under the Law and therefore the Angels come forth in the Habit in which the High-Priest was wont to come out of the Holy of Holies with an Answer from God 6 And the seven Angels or Ministers of God's Judgments came out of the Heavenly Temple having the seven Plagues Strokes or Punishments clothed in pure and white Linen Chap. 3.4 5. and having their Breasts girded with golden girdles i. e. they came out in the Habit of Priests and Kings to shew the Royal Priesthood of Christ's Kingdom and Heavenly Temple or Tabernacle out of which these Judgments proceed See Chap. 1 13 7 And one of the Four Beasts or the first of the Representatives of the Apostolical Church Chap. 4 6. 6 1. gave 11 unto the seven Angels seven golden Vials or Bowls 2 Chron. 4.22 Rev. 5.8 full not of Incense but of the 12 Wrath of God trodden cut of the Winepress of his Wrath out of which the Vial are filled Chap. 14 19 20. 15 1. 19 15. who liveth for ever and ever and therefore can and will punish the Wicked with an utter and an everlasting destruction Deut. 32 22-43 Heb. 10.31 11 The seven Angels had indeed the seven Plagues that is the Judgments and Punishments which were to be executed but besides the Materials if I may so speak of these Judiciary Plagues there is also something in God's severe Judgments which comes more immediately from the hand of God himself in which the very Essence and Formality of (a) Rom. 12.19 Heb.
Psalm 58.10 11. Matth. 7.2 6 For they of the Antichristian Profession Verse 2. have shed the * Blood of Saints i. e. Holy Men and Prophets i. e. Witnesses Chap. 6 9 10 11. 11. 3 18. and thou hast therefore given them Blood or Bloody Waters to drink for they are worthy i. e. this is a just Judgment upon them Judg. 1.7 1 Sam. 15.33 Isa 49.26 Obad. 16. * Hencc it seems to appear that this Vial is a Judgment on the Wicked raised to receive the Recompence of their shedding the Blood of the Saints because the principal Persecutors were already dead and therefore must be raised that they may partake of this Just Retaliation for otherwise the Number of them who will be then alive will be but small in comparison of those who are dead and the greatest Objects of God's Vengeance will escape the Punishment of this Last Day which is denounced in Scripture against all Ages and Generations of the World and not only that which shall be then in Being 7 And I heard another Angel out of the 9 Altar say in the Name of the Saints and Martyrs who lay under it Chap. 6.9 Even so it ought to be Lord God Almighty who art wonderful in thy Judgments true to thy Promises of avenging thy Saints Chap. 6.10 11. and righteous are thy Judgments in giving them Blood to drink for the Blood they had shed 9 The Angels are answered as it were by a Chorus of Saints of the First Resurrection who during the pouring out of the Vials are protected by God and are placed as it were at the Altar That is in a place of Safety and Refuge as the Altar was under the Old Law of which Zoar and Goshen were a Type 2 Pet. 2.9 8 And the Fourth Angel having power over Fire Chap. 14.18 poured out his Vial upon the 10 Sun and augmented his Heat and Power was thereby given unto him i. e. the Sun to 11 scorch the wicked men of the Earth with Fire i. e. grievously to annoy and afflict them Jonah 4.8 9. Matth. 13.6 21. 1◠As the Light of the Sun may be multiplied by Parelia and other Natural Causes to which the Prophet alludes Isa 30.26 So is it not difficult to conceive that its Heat may be Naturally augmented by the Dissolution or Dissipation of its Maculae upon the Encrease and breaking forth of those Fluctuating Vortexes of Fire which are in the Body of that Planet and are stronger and clearer at its Center than near its Circumference and by other Natural Causes not unknown to the Learned in such Studies And if the Heat of the Sun may be encreased by Natural Causes how much more by Supernatural ones ordering and conducting them and adding New ones 9 And the Antichristian and Wicked Men were scorched or set on fire with great 11 Heat i. e. they were extreamly afflicted and tormented in Body and 12 Mind and 13 blasphemed the Name of God which hath power over these foregoing and following Plagues to inflict or remove them and they 13 repented not to give him Glory i. e. they were finally 14 impenitent Heb. 6 6.10 26-31 12 17. Rev. 22.12 11 11 Here seems to be an Allusion to the violent scorching and fuffocating Heats of the Sun and the (a) Grot. in Jon. 4.8 9. Dr. Hyde 's Itiner Mundi pag. 146. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or burning heat of the Wind which usually accompany one another in the Eastern Climates which afflicted Jonah 1◠As Jonah also was much troubled and grieved in Mind as well as Body Chap. 4.6 3. 13 13 Thus Jonah also was displeased and very angry and wished for Death and repented not but excused his former Disobedience although he had been sharply punished for it Chap. 4.1 2 3 4 6 8 9. 14 There was no place of Repentance for them as being under the dreadful Doom pronounced by the Angel of the Vials who shewed John these things and said Let him that is filthy be filthy still Chap. 22.11 10 And the Fifth Angel poured out his Vial on the Seat or 15 Throne of the Beast i. e. on Rome the Seat of the Papacy Chap. 13 2.17 3. and his Kingdom i. e. his whole Jurisdiction was full of 16 darkness i. e. was in a most afflicted and disconsolate condition Exod. 10 21-23 Isaiah 8 19-22 and they 17 gnawed their Tongues for pain i. e. were extreamly impatient and furious under their Torment Isaiah 8.21 15 Hereby is signified that this Beast usurped Temporal State and Authority as having a Chief and Imperial City for his Throne or Place of Residence And it is observable that this and such like Phrases of a too Ominous signification crept into the Church by degrees notwithstanding the Opposition made to such Innovations and to the Affectation of Temporal Titles and Authority it being one Reason alledged by a Synod at (a) Euseb Eccles Hist 7.30 Antioch for their deposing Paulus Samosatenus that he affected State Secular Titles and Power and that he erected a Tribunal in the Church and a Stately Seat in it like that of the Temporal Magistrates which Pomp very much encreased afterwards as Vallesius on Eusebius observes 16 It is expresly affirmed in (b) Dan. 7 9-11 Rev. 18 8.19 3. Scripture that Rome shall perish by Fire for which Fate as Dr. (c) Theory of the Earth 3.10 Burnet hath most ingeniously observed Italy the Kingdom and Seat of the Beast is most peculiarly disposed by Nature by reason of the Sulphureousness of its Soil and its Fiery Mountains and Caverns And therefore if this particular Judgment upon the Seat of Antichrist be here intended by the Darkness may be aptly signified the Smoke of its Fire now in preparation to break forth which had been kindled and encreased in the Bowels of the Earth by the extream heat of the Former Vials according to the manner in which Dr. Burnet supposes the Conflagration will be brought to pass And here we may observe that by a peculiar Direction of Divine Judgment this Fire begins first at the Seat of Antichrist it being very reasonable and decorous as Dr. (a) Theory 3.10 Burnet speaks that the Grand Traitor and Head of the Apostasy should be made the First Example of Divine Vengeance From whence it may be supposed to spread it self through Italy the more immediate part of the Beast's Kingdom and so through his whole Jurisdiction and at last in the Vniversal Conflagration to which these Vials are as so many Dispositions through the whole Earth It is also observable that God's Judgments point out and are proportioned in their Kinds to Mens Sins Whence it may be conjectured that the Antichristian Kingdom was punished with Darkness even Natural Effects carrying along with them Intimations of Moral Reasons and Ends because of the gross and palpable Ignorance it had introduced as Aegypt was punished by hot Ashes of burnt Brick for their oppressing the Israelites at their Brick-Kills and had
And from hence it appears as also from the solemn words Verse 17. It is done which are plainly taken from the same passage in Ezekiel that the Judgments upon those wicked Nations are here referred to and this may probably be that signal Vengeance which shall fall upon them upon the passing away of the Old Earth by which as by a mighty Tempest of Thunder Lightning and prodigious Hailstones reserved by God against this time of Trouble and this day of Battel and War as Job speaks Chap 38.22 23. in the same Words used in this Chapter and by Daniel Chap. 12.1 they shall be scattered into the Four Corners of the Earth where they are to remain under the Effects of God's Wrath often set forth in Scripture by such Tempests until the expiring of the Thousand Years CHAP. XVII The Text. 1 AND there came with Authority and Commission from God one i. e. the first Chap. 16.2 of the seven Angels which 1 had the seven Vials and talked with me after a more familiar manner saying unto me Come hither i. e. nearer unto me to receive more clear and intimate communications of Knowledge and I will shew or point out and demonstrate unto thee the Judgment i. e. the foul 3 guilt Sentence and Destruction of the great 4 Whore i. e. the gteat Idolatrous City and Church that 5 sitteth upon many Waters that is ruleth over much people Verse 15 18. Annotations on CHAP. XVII 1 To shew that this Woman was one of the Enemies of Christ's Kingdom upon whom the Vials are to be poured and withal the chief of them with whom all the others were to fall 2 As being now about to give him a more clear description of the Beast than he had as yet received 3 So the Word signifies sometimes in Scripture as Ezek 7.23 Rom. 5.16 1 Tim. 5.12 4 The People Cities and Churches which Apostatize from the True God to Idolatry are called Whores in (a) Isa 1.21 Nahum 3.4 Ezek. 23. Rev. 2.20 Scripture for breaking their Covenant with God to whom they were thereby espoused from whence it is evident that a Christian City must be meant in this Chapter and not a Pagan which cannot be said to be a Whore or an Apostate City because Pagan Cities having never acknowledged the True God or been espoused unto him cannot be said to Apostatize from him And we may observe that there is here a Double Article in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to shew that this City was Eminent for Idolatry and that she had been before noted for it in this Prophecy that she had continued in it for a long time that her sin was great in it self and had been propagated through the large Extent of her Dominions whence she is called The Great Whore and The Whore as being the Chief and Metropolitan of the Idolatrous Cities and Churches the impudent Whorish Woman according to Ezek. 16.30 and Chap. 23. and the Jezebel Rev. 2.20 5 In Allusion to the situation of her Type Babylon which is called The Great City Dan. 4.3 and is described Jerem. 51.13 as dwelling upon many Waters that is situaated upon Euphrates which encompassed it and ran through it and the adjacent Countrey in Cuts and Rivulets 2 With whom i. e. by 6 whose sollicitations and example the ten Kings of the Earth verse 12. have committed spiritual fornication which is Idolatry Isa 23.17 and all the inhabitants or meaner people of the Earth i. e. of the Apostate Roman Empire have been drunk i. e. madly zealous and sottish y doteing Jerem. 51.7 with the wine of her Fornication i.e. her pleasing and intoxicating allurements to Idolatry 6 Or hereby may be signified that they Idolized her by worshipping her and calling her the Mother and Mistress of all Churches and attributing Infallibility to her as the Phrase is taken Jerem. 3.9 Ezek. 16 17.23 37. 3 So he i. e. the Angel carried me away in the Spirit chap. 1. 10. into the Wilderness 7 where the Woman the true Church was chap. 12. 6. and I saw a 8 Woman i. e. a City verse 18. and Church * sit on high and in an exalted state verse 9. upon a scarlet 9 coloured Beast i. e. the Roman Empire full of names or kinds of Blasphemies i.e. of all 10 manner of Idols and Idolatries and Idolatrous Titles and Offices having seven heads or successive forms of Government verse 9 10. and ten horns i. e. Kings verse 12. 7 The Wilderness was a proper place for him to see this Vision in 1. Because places of Retirement and Solitude are fittest for the Reception of Divine Illuminations and for Meditation and to signifie that a clear and distinct View of the Apostasy could not be taken but by one who had retired at some distance from it and from its bewitching pleasures and the Hurry and Noise which attended its City Church and Court 2. Because the Woman the pure Church being in the Wilderness he could best compare them and distinguish the one from the other 8 Churches and Cities are represented by Women in Prophecy (a) Isa 54.6 Jerrm 6.2 Ezek 16 30. and 23d Chap. as they are also in ancient Coyns and Pictures And although a City be here chiefly signified as is plain from Verse 18. yet because the Church is in the City and the foul and loathsome Crime of the City here reprehended is with relation to Church-Corruptions therefore that is to be understood and included in it * She sitteth on high on the Beast by which she is born up or exalted as Imperial Cities are by the Empires of which they are the Chief Seat 9 Scarlet Colour denotes Royal Authority as appears from Dan. 5. Matth. 27.28 and the Military Robe of the Roman Emperours was also of that Colour whereby is appositely signified the Tyrannical Cruelty of the Beast and that this Woman or City was seated in the Roman Empire and was the Imperial City of it 10 All which may be included in (a) See Chap. 2 9. 11 13. numb 45. Names of Blasphemies and is plainly fulfilled in the Numerous kinds of Idolatry and Idolatrous Offices in use under the Roman Antichristian Jurisdiction no other Beast being proper to carry a Whore or an Apostate Church but an Apostate one 4 And the Woman i. e. the Romish City and Church was arrayed in Purple 11 and Scarlet Colour i. e. arrogated to her self Imperial Power and Majesty and decked 12 with Gold and precious stones and Pearls i. e. was a pompous and worldly Church full of Pride and Riches having a golden Cup 13 in her hand i. e. tempting Baits and powerful motives ready at hand to entice worldly minds full of abomination 14 and filthiness of her fornication i. e. of abominable and loathsome Idolatry 11 Scarlet was the Habit of the Romans in VVar and Purple the Habit of the Emperours and Senate in Times of Peace as Grotius observes on the place whereby is signified that this was
Supremacy See on chap. 9. 1 2. and chap. 13. and at last shall go into 24 Perdition i. e. be utterly destroyed Rev. 19.20 Numb 24.24 2 Thes 2.8 and they that dwell on the Antichristian Earth throughout all its Territories shall wonder after the Beast i. e. be wonderfully taken with him follow him with an implicit Faith and Worship and be subject unto him See on Chap. 13. 3 4. And by his Admiters I mean those whose names are not written in the book if Life of the Lamb chap. 13. 8. slain from the beginning of the World i. e. those who are not living members of Christ's true Church chosen from all Eternity and purchased by the Blood of Christ the Eternal Sacrifice but of a New Apostate Church which yet pretends to be the Catholick and has introduced New Mediators and New Sacrifices all these shall with Wonder and Adoration admire when they behold with great Applause and with a superstitious Fear and Subjection the Beast that was a Draconick Idolatrous Power in its sixth Head the Emperours and is not as yet manifestly and apparently the same Imperial Draconick Power and yet is the same but in an Image or a Christian Disguise having introduced a Pagano-Christian Idolatry and a Mock Imperial Power under the pretence of a Christian Supremacy See on Chap. 13. 14 15. 23 23 23 This is as it were the Name (a) Dr. Moor on the place and his Synops Proph. and Character of the Beast taken from his different states and conditions whereby is signified that the Beast which he then saw carrying or supporting the VVoman or City of Rome was the Roman Empire which had been under an Imperatorial Power but was now under one which had been for some time advancing towards it and was just ready to ascend 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to it being just come forth out of the bottomless Pit which he went down to open Chap. 9. 12. and having exalted the Imperial City to the heighth of Ecclesiastical Dignity By which is plainly signified the Time when the Papacy attained its Supremacy from Phocas and exalted the Church of Rome above all Churches after it had been for some time in a weak and Infant state according to what hath been already discoursed on Chap. 9. 1 2. and Chap. 13. 24 Antichrist is called the Son of perdition 2 Thes 2.3 as Judas the Type of him also is John 17.12 because he brings perdition or destruction upon others and is himself as highly deserving it devoted by God to perdition and that a most exemplary and severe one Numb 24.24 9 And here is matter to exercise the mind which hath Mystical and Spiritual Wisdom Chap. 13. 18. The seven Heads are the Symbols and Representations of seven 25 Mountains on which the Woman i. e. the City and Church of Rome sitteth or is situated 25 This is a most evident description of Rome no other Imperial City being seated at the time when John saw this Vision for it is described as then actually reigning at the 18th Verse upon seven Mountains For (a) Du Fresne Constantinop Christian 1.8 9. Constantinople which indeed stands upon as many Hills was not then built and the Ancient Byzantium was not so situated but was afterwards enlarged to that compass by Constantine in imitation of Old Rome And the seven Heads have a double signification as other (a) Grot. in Heb. 9.11 Types have not unfrequently in Scripture For they have not only a reference to the seven Kings the moveable and successive Heads of the Beast but also to the seven Immovable Heads or Mountains on which the City of Rome was situated which are called Heads because they support the City which stands upon them as the seven Heads which are Kings did the Civil State of it which was kept up by the Majesty Government and Residence of them 10 And also there or they * to wit the Heads are or signifie seven 26 Kings or Forms of Supreme Idolatrous Government five are fallen already from the Soveraignty which they had exercised in their proper Successions and one 27 viz. the Government by Pagan Emperours is 28 now in being and the other 29 King but not Head or Idolatrous Government viz. the Christian Emperours is not yet come into Succession and when he cometh he must or ought to continue a 30 short space in comparison of the five first the Government now in being and that which is to succeed it * So the Words in the Original ought to be translated 26 Heads by a very apt Similitude signifie Supream Powers as being the Governing part of the Body signified by the Beast and accordingly seven Heads signifie here seven Kings i. e. Supream Governours or Governments as the Word is taken in Scripture Deut. 33.5 Dan. 7.17 23. And hereby the Roman Empire is undoubtedly signified which had seven successive kinds of supreme Government viz. Kings Consuls Decemvirs Dictators Tribunes Emperours Popes as (a) Cressener Demonstrat of the Apocal. lib. 3. Protestants generally reckon them up with great Reason from History For the Triumvirate was rather a Confusion than a Government and lasted not long and is rejected by (b) Lab. 21. Fenestella as no Magistracy 27 27 The Five first of these Governments were already past and abrogated at the Time of this Vision and are here only just mentioned and that altogether without any distinct Account of them their Time Names Difference or the Order of their Succession amongst themselves because they were of no further use to this Propheey then to shew that the One Head then in being was the sixth of the seven after five already past But although the distinct Order of the Succession of the Five Governments which were past be not here particularly specified whereby many doubts which might have been raised concerning them are obviated yet it is evident that the whole seven Governments were successive and not all together in being at one and the same time because the sixth King is represented as following Five already past and as One then in being to which another not yet come was to succeed which are plain Characters of an Orderly Succession 28 For John saw this Vision under Domitian a Pagan Emperour And from hence it is evident that the Ancient Pagan Rome is not the Beast because the Beast is the Eighth King Verse 11. but the Pagan Emperours are the Sixth to wit the King then in being the one that now is 29 The One King or Government in actual being when this Vision was seen was certainly that of the Pagan Emperours and therefore the other here mentioned must be the Christian Emperours because they are the only King or Government of Rome which immediately succeeded the Pagan Emperours And they are most appositely called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not only to signifie that they were the Government next in Succession to the former or distinct in Number from it but that they were as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
Men to reduce the several Divisions of the Roman Empire into Ten are not so successful as could be wisht Mr. Mede being forced to make the Greeks one of then and the Author of the Book de Excidio Antichristi confining them within the Rhine and the Danube So that I cannot but think upon further consideration that the True Account of this Division is with relation to the Image in Daniel the Book of the Revelations being nothing but a more full illustration by various Emblems of what is but briefly delivered in that Prophecy See the Annot. on Chap. 11 13. 12 3. 33 To wit at One Hour or Season made up of Two Half Hours beginning at A. D. 476. as hath been already fully discoursed on Chap. 8. 7. 13 These have 34 mind as to matters of Religion and shall give their power or Force and strength or Authority to the Beast to wit in Religious Matters and their Assistance and Arms on other occasions 34 Here is plainly foretold the strict Vnion there is betwixt the Papacy and the Popish Kings or Kingdoms and Governments and the Support Assistance and Authority they afford it which the Northern Nations were very Famous for at their first Settlement and Conversion 14 These shall make War with i. e. oppose and persecute the 35 Lamb i. e. Christ in his true Members and Faithful Witnesses Psalm 2 Acts 4.27 28. 9 4 and the Lamb shall overcome them by the high and powerful preaching of his Gospel Chap. 14 for he is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings and therefore able to vanquish them and erect his Kingdom Dan. Chap. 2. and 7. Psal 2. and they that are with him i. e his Followers when he comes to his Kingdom Chap. 14. 1. are called and chosen by his Grace to this Service and were his faithful Witnesses Servants and Soldiers unto Death 35 Hence it appears that these are Antichristian Kings or Powers there having been no Persecution in the Roman Empire by Pagan Powers since the Division of it by the Northern Nations 15 And he i. e. the Angel saith unto me i. e. instructed me in the further knowledge of the Mystery I had seen The Waters which thou sawest Verse 1. where the Whore sitteth are i. e. signifie 36 Peoples and Multitudes and Nations and Tongues i. e. the People of the Roman Empire Dan. 4.1 36 Here is shewn the Amplitude and vast Extent of the Jurisdiction of the Papacy a thing she so much boasts of 16 And the Ten Horns or Kings which thou sawest upon the Seventh Head of the Beast even these Kings shall at last hate the 37 Whore whom they had before loved and admired and shall make her desolate by forsaking her Communion and naked by stripping her of her Ornaments Verse 4. and Authority and by exposing her to shame Chap. 16. 15. and shall 38 eat her Flesh i. e. consume and devour her very Substance and Revenues Dan. 7.5 Psalm 27.2 and burn 39 her with fire i. e. destroy what is left of her 37 A Metaphor taken from the Vsage which Harlots often meet with from those who have been misled and abused by them who are wont at first to entertain a dislike of them then to hate them afterwards to take from them the Gifts they had bestowed on them and at last revenge themselves upon them by their utter Ruin From this Verse it may be observed 1. That no one of the Kingdoms or Principalities in Union with the Papacy shall be able to arrive to an Vniversal Monarchy but as all such Attempts have been hitherto vain so shall they still be so Because as they were at first Many Independent Soveraignties said to be Ten in allusion to the Ten Toes of the Image and Ten Horns of the Beast when they at first gave thei Power to the Beast Verse 13. So are they to remain so until they forsake her it being expresly here affirmed that the Ten Horns shall hate the Whore 2. That the Whore or Idolatrous Church of Rome shall fall by those very States and Kingdoms which had all along upheld her Which is to come to pass as is plainly asserted in the next Verse when the Words of God shall be fulfilled that is the Promises of God concerning the expiring of the Beast's Times shall be compleated according to what hath been already observed on Chap. 10. 6 7. When the Ten Kings which support the City and Church of Rome which sits on them withdrawing themselves from her the Tenth of that great City or the City and Jurisdiction consisting in the Account of Prophecy of Ten Principalities must needs fall too From whence also it plainly appears that the Fall of the Tenth part of the City mentioned Chap. 21. 23. refers to the Ten Kings deserting and forsaking her 38 A Phrase taken from Dan. 7.5 Psalm 27.2 signifying their taking away her very Substance Revenues and Dominions and converting what they had bestowed upon her to their own Use as Grotius interprets the place 39 A Phrase taken from Levit. 21.9 where it is commanded That the Daughter of a Priest guilty of Wheredom should be burnt with Fire 17 For God hath put in their willfully wicked hearts Rom. 1.26 2 Thes 2.10 to fullfil his Will and to agree Verse 13 and give their Kingdom and its power and strength unto the Beast by submitting unto him and being governed by him until the words of God by his Prophets and by his Apostle in this Vision Chap. 13. 5. shall be fullfilled i. e. until the Promises made by God concerning the Expiring of the Times of the Beast and the following Approach of Christ's Kingdom shall be fullfilled Dan. Chapters 2. and 7. and 12.7 See on Chap. 10.5 6.11 13. and Verse 16. of this Chapter num 37. 18 And the Woman which thou sawest is or signifies that remarkable great City which now 40 reigneth over the Kings of the Earth 40 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Regnant Imperial City now actually having and exercising at this present time Soveraignty over the Kings of the Earth Which is a plain and evident Character that Rome is here meant no other City being in Exercise of such Power at the Time when the Apostle saw this Vision It may not be unuseful to add here in the Close of this Chapter this short Digression concerning Antichrist that the Reader might have in one View the chief of what concerns him in Scripture especially the more plain and Doctrinal parts of it In order to which it may be observed 1. That about Two Years after Ezekiel's (a) Ezek. 40 c. Dan. 2. Lightf Works Tom. 1. pag. 132 133. Vision of the Temple and Throne the Babylonian Monarchy began upon the Conquest of Aegypt by Nebuchadnezzar which was the only Kingdom that opposed him Which Vision contained a Type of Christ's Glorious Church and Kingdom which was then to have come into Succession in place of the Jewish Temple and City then in
Candle shall shine no more at all in thee i. e. thou shalt be perpetual Darkness and Desolation without the least comfort Jer. 25.10 and the Voice of the Bridegroom and of the Bride shall be heard no more at all in thee i. e thy Polity and Society shall be no more propagated but shall utterly cease together with all the Joy of thy former Solemnities and Festivities Jerem. 7 34.16 9. and all this shall come upon thee for or because thy Merchants who proselyrted Souls to their destruction and made Gain of Godliness were the great 21 men of the Earth i. e. were Lordly Worldly Ambitious and Sensual and also because or for by thy Sorceries i. e. Idolatry and Superstition were all Nations deceived 21 See on Chap. 6.15 It is an Expression taken from Isa 23.8 where it relates to the Merchants of Tyre a Crowning or Imperial City and a Type of the Antichristian City whose Worldly and Ambitious Clergy are here signified 24 And in her was also found the guilt of the blood of Prophets or Witnesses and of Saints or Holy Persons and of all 22 that were slain upon the Earth i. e. she was found guilty of Persecution and Bloodshed as well as Idolatry and all which had been shed during the Times of Christianity was laid to her charge because she was the Off-spring of Persecuting Parents had approved her Fore-fathers wicked Deeds and had filled up the measure of their iniquities Jerem. 2.34 Matth 23.29 39. 22 This is to be understood in the sense our Saviour uses the like Expression concerning Jerusalem upon whom he charges all the Blood that had been spilt from Abel Matth. 23 29-39 See also Zech. 5 5-11 where the Land of Shinar or Babylon is represented as having the House and Basis or Foundation of all Wickedness in it as if she had been guilty of all manner of sins and all sinners were to be punished in the Lake of her Burnings See Note 19. CHAP. XIX The Text. 1 AND after 1 these things i.e. the things seen in the precedent Chapter I heard a great Voice of much people in Heaven i. e. of the innumerable Company which stands before the Throne and before the Lamb Chap. 7.9 saying 2 Alleluja i. e. Praise ye the Lord Salvation from all evils especially those suffered under Antichristianity and Glory and Honour and Power be ascribed unto the Lord our God and to him alone for he is the sole Author of all good Annotations on CHAP. XIX 1 From the First to the Tenth Verse there is a Vision of a Triumphant and Joyful Appearance in Heaven for the Judgment upon the great Whore described in the Two preceeding Chapters and for the Marriage of the Lamb and the near Approach of his Glorious Kingdom 2 This Word is first used Psalm 104.35 to express the Psalmist's Joy upon the prospect of the Accomplishment of his Prediction or Desire that sinners might be consumed out of the Earth And it is here also made use of accordingly upon the Judgment executed upon Antichrist God's Chief Enemy and upon a prospect of the Old Earth's being utterly consumed together with the wicked people of it and a New Earth's succeeding in its place 2 For true and righteous are his Judgements and therefore is he to be praised for he hath judged and punished the great whore or the Idolatrous City and Church which did corrupt and destroy Jerem. 51.25 the Earth with her Fornication or Idolatry and hath avenged the Blood of her servants at her hand i. e. hath rewarded her abundantly according to her demerits for shedding the blood of his Faithful Witnesses and Servants chap 18. 20. 3 And again or the second time they said Alleluja to testifie their Joy upon the sight of the smoke the sign and token of her everlasting burnings And her smoke rose up or was then in its ascent and that for ever and ever i.e. she was punnished with an everlasting Destruction 4 And the four and twenty Elders 3 and the Beasts i e. the representatives of the Jewish and Christian Church chap. 4. fell down and worshipped God that sat on the Throne saying Amen Allelujah i. e. there was a very great appearance and manifestation of Christ's glorious Kingdom and the justice of God's Judgments was acknowledged with Praise and Thanksgiving 3 The Elders of the Church of Israel are placed first in this Appearance of the Divine Confessus or Sanhedrim from whence it may be concluded that this was a Vision of the New jerusalem-Jerusalem-State in which the Israelites as the First Born are to have the Preheminence who according to all Prophecy and Rom. 11. are to be converted and restored to their own Land as hath been before observed And perhaps for this Reason also is the Hebrew word Allelujah here retained 5 And a voice 4 came out of the midst of the Throne from Christ See chap. 5 6. 7 17. saying by way of holy Excitement and Encouragement praise our God my God as well as yours John 20.17 Rev. 3.12 all ye his Servants and ye that fear and worship him both small and great i. e. of whatsoever Nation Quality and Condition ye are for God is no respecter of Persons Psalm 115.11 13. Acts 2 5.10 34 35. Gal. 3.28 4 This Voice seemes to be an Heavenly Excitement to all the Saints upon Earth Gentiles and Jews small and great of all Nations now converted to joyn with the Heavenly Assembly in rendring Praises to God 6 And immediately upon this efficacious Exhortation from out of the Throne I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude and as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty Thundrings i. e. there was a mighty appearance of Christ's Kingdom and powerful Communications from the Heavenly Throne to all his Servants upon Earth that fear'd him and Heaven and Earth joyned in praises saying Alleluja for the Lord 5 God Omnipotent now reigneth and that Gloriously Isa 4.23 5 These Words are taken from Isaiah 24 21-23 where it is prophesied That the Lord God of Hosts or the Lord God Omnipotent should Reign in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem and before his Ancients or Elders of the Christian Church and that Gloriously after he had punished and shut up in Prison the Kings of the Earth Which is a clear Proof that the Reign of God here mentioned has a Respect to the Reign and Kingdom of Christ after the punishment of the wicked Kings and Nations of the Earth Chap. 20. 7 Let us be glad and rejoyce exceedingly and give honour or praise Luke 17.18 to him alone For the Marriage 6 of the Lamb Christ with his Church 2. Cor. 11.2 Eph. 5.32 is now actually come in and by the coming of his Kingdom Psalm 45. Matt. 22 11.25 1-13 Luke 12.36 and his Wife hath made her self ready i. e. the new Jerusalem state is now coming down from God out of Heaven Rev. 21.2 6 Christ is represented frequently (a)
to gather them together from all parts to 28 Battel i. e. to oppose persecute and destroy Christ's Kingdom upon Earth the 29 number of whom is as the Sand of the Sea i. e. exceeding great Ezek 38.8 9 15 16. 26 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (a) Grot. in Matth. 5 7. Eph. 2.11 12. that is Gentiles or Aliens from the New Jerusalem State banished as it were from that happy Society into the Four Quarters or Corners of the Earth and living there as without God in the New World of the Messias beleiving indeed but as the Devils do with trembling which is a Spiritual Death who were typified by the Hamonah and Multitude of Nations Ezek. 38 8 9 15 16.39 11 16. who are to come up against the New Jerusalem in the latter Days after the Resurrection Conversion and Return of the Jews and their Vnion with the Gentiles into One Church as appears from Ezek. Chapters 36 37 38 39. Now whatsoever is meant by these Nations in Ezekiel it is plain that in this place they can be no other than some of those to whom the Thousand Years are here assigned who are the whole of Mankind and seeing that it cannot be supposed that the Saints of any kind can be possibly engaged in such a design against Christ's Kingdom as being the saved and healed the Living the Sons and Partakers of the first Resurrection and secured by Christ the Second Adam in a State of Righteousness who will lose none that are his as the first Adam did it will follow that by these Nations must be understood the remnant slain the rest of the Dead who lived not again or the Dead-Wicked raised to a state of Condemnation and continuing under the Awe and Terror of it during the Glories of Christ's Kingdom who are now stirred up by Satan their Head and Ringleader to attack the Camp of the Saints upon Earth whom he thought he might easily overcome now the more immediate Presence and Assistance of Christ was withdrawn from them And to this sense agree many Expressions in Ezekiel who calls them the Multitude or Nations of the Dead Chap. 39 8-17 and also the general scope of this Chapter which has a relation as is granted by all Interpreters to what will come to pass at the last Judgment and the Resurrection * In the Four Corners or Angles of the New Earth which is represented as a square City or Camp without which as it were at the Four Angles and Corners of it the Wicked are placed here and Chap. 22.15 in allusion to the Custom amongst the Jews of executing Offenders without the Camp and City and of excluding and excommunicating all unclean persons out of it Numb 5 1-4 Heb. 13.11 12 13. 27 This is a plain proof that these Nations are typified by the multitude of the Dead in Ezekiel who calls them Gog and the Land of Magog by which the (a) Ezek. 32 26.38 15.39 2. The Mogul-Tartars above the Wall of China are called so by the Arabian Writers Dr. Hyde Epist de mensuris Sinens See Mr. Mede pag. 574. and Ep. 41. Northern and Scythian Nations are understood in Scripture a Type of the Enemies of God's Church and Kingdom prophesied of in Old Time by the servants of God the Prophets of Israel under the Names of such Nations as were the Chief Enemies of the Jews in the particular Times of each Prophet Ezek. 38.17 So that Gog and Magog seems to denote the whole multitude of God's Enemies in each Age which admirably agrees with what hath been discoursed already to wit that these Nations are the Wicked dead of every Age of the World raised to Condemnation 29 This Battel is distinct from that at Armageddon which was before the Thousand Years Neither will it appear incredible that the Faln Angels and the Damned should again attempt such a Design and that after they had experienced the power of Christ's Wrath for a Thousand Years If we consider that the Devils retain the same Enmity against God notwithstanding their many Ages of Punishment and their Expectation of an Eternal Doom and that this Attempt was under the wise Permission and Order of Almighty God at a time when his more immediate Glorious Presence was withdrawn from the New Earth of his Saints and the Laodicean state of Coldness and Indifferency to the Glories of Christ's Kingdom began For the Wicked Nations as they went down to Hell according to the Expressions of Ezekiel Chap. 32.26 27. with their Weapons of War that is with the same Enmity to Christ in which they lived and laid their Swords under their Heads in a readiness to act the same Wickedness over again so are they raised with the same Passions only the more enraged for their Punishments and may very well be supposed out of Envy and Revenge for their long confinement under a State of Punishment and Infamy to engage in this Attempt 29 Although the Number of the Wicked who shall be raised to Condemnation will be very great yet there will not be any inconvenience to our Assertion from thence as if the Earth would be incumbred with so vast a Number of wicked persons because no very great space will be required for their confinement if that be true which is asserted by Sir William (a) See his Essay in Political Arithmetick concerning the Growth of the City of London Petty That half the Island of Ireland would afford not only Footing to stand upon but Graves to lye down in for the whole Number of Men now living and also for those that have died since the beginning of the World To which may be added that their Bodies shall be spiritual they being to partake of the spirituality of the Resurrection although not of the Purity and Blessedness of it 9 And they went up in Battle array 1 Kings 10.1 from the Quarters and Corners to which they were confined on the breadth of the Earth i. e. to assault the Kingdom of Christ which had spread it self over the whole Earth Isa 8 8.49 6. Psalm 72.8 and compassed or besieged the Camp 30 of the Saints who reign with Christ Verse 6. and the 31 beloved City i. e. they endeavoured to destroy Christ's Kingdom and the New Jerusalem State on Earth See on Chap. 21.2 3. and 32 or but Fire came down from God out of Heaven and devoured them i. e. they were suddenly and miraculously discomfited by God and most severe Judgments were inflicted upon them by God's fiery Wrath and Indignation Ezek. 38.22 23.39 6 9 10. 30 A Metaphor from the Camp of the Israelites in the Wilderness a Type of the Church and Kingdom of Christ See Ainsworth on Numb 2.27 31 Jerusalem is called God's Beloved Psalm 60 5.108 6. which was a Type of the New Jerusalem State the Holy City the Bride and Beloved of her Husband Chap. 21. 32 The Israelites are represented by Ezekiel Chap. 38.11 as living in unwalled Villages without Bars and Gates
12 the New things i. e. Graces and Blessings of my New Kingâ—om under which is comprised all that is really desirable and all the Promises made to the Churches Chapters 2 and 3. and I Christ God-Man 12 will be his God and Father as having begotten him to this New Life Eph. 2.10 and he shall be my Son i. e. the Promises of the New Covenant and the Priviledges of Adoption shall be bestowed upon him in the highest and fullest Sense of them Sâ—e on Verse 3. 12 12 Here is declared that the (a) Rom. 8. Restauration of all things and the Adoption to the Inheritance and Redemption of Bodies will be fully compleated only in the Kingdom of Christ who is the Father of the New World the World to come 8 But all the 13 fearful of the Antichristian State especially who dare not hold fast the Profession of their Faith without wavering but for fear forsake the assembling of themselves drawing back unto Perdition Heb. 12.23 25 38 39. and unbeleiving in the Promises of Christ's Coming because of his long delay and who upon that draw back from the true Faith and scoff at it Heb. 12 35-39 2 Pet. 2 and 3 Chapters the abominable and defiled in their Mind Conscience and Practises and to every good work reprobate Tit. 1.15 16. and murderers especially of the Witnesses and Saints Chap. 18.24 and Whoremongers who practise and advance Doctrines which promote uncleanness Chap 2.6 15 and Sorcerers who bewitch Souls Chap. 18.23 and Idolaters as the Antichristian Party are by way of Eminence and all Liars who belâ—eve and make a Lye especially the great one of Antichristianism Rev. 3.9 2 Thes 2.9 1 Tim. 4.2 shall have their part not in the first Resurrection to Blessedness and Holiness but in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second Death and that Eternal See on Chap. 20.6 10 14 15. 13 All sorts of Sinners are here understood but most especially the Antichristian to whom the Characters agree Antichrist being the Man of Sin and Shinar or Babylon which is Antichristian Rome being the very House and Base of all Wickedness Ezek. 5.8 11. Rev. 18.24 9 And there came unto me 14 one or the first and principal of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials full af the seven last plagues the very same who shewed me the Jâ—dgment of the Great Whore Chap. 17.1 and talked with me saying Come hither I will shew thee the (a) Chap. 19 7-9 Bride the Lamb's Wife i. e. the New Jerusalem State and thou shalt plainly and more distinctly see the Nature of it and the vast difference there is betwixt it and the Antichristian State which I before shewed thâ—e Chap. 17. 14 The same Angel that shewed him the Judgment on the great Whore shews him also the New Jerusalem State to manifest that the Destruction of Antichrist and the pouring forth of the Vials are highly and immediately preparatory to Christ's Kingdom 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit i. e. I was in a Spiritual Extasie and was carried in Vision Chap. 1 10.17 3. to a great and high mountain to denote the State of Christ's Church and Kingdom now become a Mountain Dan. 2.35 established in the Tops of the Mountains and exalted above the Hills and to shew that this was the City seen by Ezekiel when he was set upon a very high Mountain Isa 2.2 Ezek 40.2 and shewed me not the Antichristian City of the Whore Chap. 17.3 but that truly great City the (b) Burnet's Theory 4.9 general Assembly consisting of all true Believers and of the Spirits of all just men made perfect Heb. 12.22 23. the Holy and Heavenly Jerusalem the City of the Living God and not the impure Idolatrous City of the Whore descending out of Heaven i. e. the highest Heavens into the lower Regions of it Verse 2. from God by whom it was built and the Kingdom was set up Dan. 2.44 Heb. 11.10 16. 11 Having the Glory of God i. e. the 15 glorious Presence of Christ and of his Saints Matth. 17 2. John 1.14 Heb 1.3 and her Light (c) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or that which enlightned her was like unto a Stone most precious even like a Jasper Stone clear as Chrystal i. e. the Presence of Christ was (a) Of which the Jasper is an Emblem See Grot. on Chap. 4.3 and on this Verse firm and lastâ—ng dwelling and abiding in it and it was full of Glory Purity and Holiness See on Chap. 4 3. 15 For this is the most proper Representation of the Divine Glory of which the Glorious Appearances of Fire Light and Bright Clouds the Schekinah under the Old Testament were but faint Images and Types 12 And had a Wall great and high i. e it was under the immediate protection of Divine Omnipotency and those which were without were excluded from it Isaiah 26 1-5 60 18. Zech. 2.5 Rev. 22.15 and had twelve Gates for free access to all true Israelites or Saints and at the Gates Twelve Angels as Cherubims to guard this New Paradise that nothing which had not right to Life might enter therein Gen. 3.24 Ezek. 48.31 and Names written thereon which are the Names of the Twelve 16 Tribes of the children of Israel to shew that none but God's People the true Israelitism had a right to this New Jerusalem State See on Chap. 7 4-10 16 These are the very 14400 who were sealed Chap. 7. 13 On the East three Gates on the North three Gates on the South three Gates and on the West three Gates i. e. there were Twelve Gates answerable to the Twelve Tribes Three on each side of the Four square City towards each Corner of the Heavens to shew that the whole Israel of God or all true Believers from every quarter of the World have a right to the Kingdom of Heaven Luke 13.29 See Ezek. 48 31-35 14 And the Wall of the City which was the Security and Protection of it and excluded every thing which was unclean had Twelve Foundations and in them thâ— Names of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World to shew that the Kingdom and Church of Christ was secured and protected by the Apostolical Doctrine upon which it was built Jesus Christ the Lamb of God whose Blood is the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant by which all things are secured unto us ratified and confirmed being the chief Corner-stone Eph. 2 19-22 15 And he that talked with me i. e. the 17 Angel Verse 9. had a golden not a common Reed to shew that this was the glorious pure precious and refined State of the Church of which that measured by Ezekiel with a common Reed was but a Type Ezek. 40.3 to measure the Dimensions and Contents of the Holy 18 City or whole Visible Church which was now rescued out of the hands of the Heathens and Antichristian Enemies and might therefore be measured as being
agreeable to the pure and exact measure of God's Law whereas it was before left out as irregular and was not measured Chap. 11.2 and to measure the Gates thereof i. e. to declare who had right of access into it and the Wall thereof i. e. to shew and declare in what the defence and security of God's Church and Kingdom consists 17 The Temple Chap. 11.1 was measured by a Man but this City by an Angel that by a common Reed like a Rod this by a simple Reed but a Golden one to shew that this State which was the real accomplishment of Ezekiel's Visionary City and the full opening of the enclosed Temple was an Angelical State in which the Saints were Equal to Angels Math. 22.30 and that it was purged and purified as Gold in the Tryal of the Fire of the Last Day and that Christ had broken to peices the Heathen Nations by the Rod of his Power Psalm 2 9.110 2. and would now measure and rule by a Golden Reed as by a Golden Scepter the Emblem of Favour and Reconciliation amongst the Eastern Nations Esth 4 11.5 2.8 4. and would no more chastise and correct his Servants 18 The Temple only was measured before Chap. 11.1 2. and not the City but here there was no Temple Verse 22. and the whole City is measured in all the Dimensions of it to shew that the whole Visible Church was now Regular and Symmetral and was become a Living and Holy Temple unto God 16 And the City lieth foursquare to shew that the Church in Christ's Kingdom shall be 19 Universal a Body 20 well compact firm and immovable constant 21 perfect and always like it self in 22 perfect Peace and Repose and cannot receive the least 23 addition or diminution from what was once delivered unto it and the length is as large as the breadth i e. it was 24 exactly perfect and he measured the City with the Reed Twelve Thousand Furlongs to shew that it was perfectly 25 Apostolical and exactly agreeable to the measures of the Sanctuary of the Holy City 26 Jerusalem and wholly different from the Antichristian State of 26 Rome the 27 length and the breath and the heighth of it are equal i. e. it was 28 exactly agreeable with it self and entirely Apostolical in the whole and each part of it 19 Of which the Number Four is a Symbol taken from the Four Quarters of the World whereby the whole World is denoted in Scripture 20 Of which Nature are Buildings of Four square Stones and Armies drawn up in that Figure whence Quadratum agmen Corpus Quadratum and Turres Quadratae are used in Authors for strong Bodies and well compacted and firm Buildings and Armies and such ought the Church to be and shall be in Christ's Kingdom Isaiah 33 20. Psalm 78.69 Matth. 16.18 Heb. 12.27 28. Eph. 4.14 16. 21 Whence the Phrase Homo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 concerning a Perfect Just and Constant Man as a Square Figure or Cube is every way like it self turn it on which side you please and so ought the Church to be always constant to it self in all its Doctrines not mutable and inconstant 22 As a solid Square Cube or Dy is a Figure the most stable of any other which throw it which way you will always settles it self at last upon its own Basis and remains firm because its Basis is broad and equal 23 As a Square is altered from its own Figure into another by the least addition to it or diminution from it and thus the Church when it takes from or adds to the Faith once delivered to the Saints looses that perfection in which it was built at first by God and becomes irregular Upon which and other Reasons a Four square Figure is much in use in Scripture it being the Figure of the (a) See on Chap 4.6 Encampments round about the Tabernacle and of the Divine Consessus in this Prophecy of the (b) Exod. 27. ◠Altar (c) Exod. 28.16 Breast Plate and the most (d) 1 Kings 6.20 2 Chron. 3.8 Holy Place under the Law as also of many things belonging to (e) Ezek. 41 21.42 20 c. Vid. Grot. in locum Ezekiel's Visional Temple 24 As that is a perfect Square whose length and breadth are equal whereas if they were unequal it would be a Parallelogram or a Long Square which is less perfect than a Square See Mr. Potter Chap. 28. 25 For Twelve signifies Apostolicalness from the Twelve Apostles and a Thousand is a Number of perfection See on Chap. 7 4.20 4. Here being also a Concurrence of Number and Measure viz. of the Number Twelve with the Twelve Thousand Furlongs the Measure of the solid Content of this City hereby may be signified that in this State there will be an exact Concurrence of whatsoever God hath required by his Rules and Laws to the perfection of Church-States as things are known to be exactly just and equal when they are not only the same they were at first in Number but are agreeable to the Standard Weight and Measure 26 26 To shew that this City is more peculiarly described in opposition to the Roman Hierarchy the Perimeter of the Cube 1200 Furlongs is the Circuit of Jerusalem the Holy City as the Perimeter of the Cube Twenty Five Thousand Furlongs which 25 is the Root of the Number of the Beast is the Circuit of Rome and to the Twelve Gates Angels Tribes Foundations in the New Jerusalem do answer Twenty Five Gates Pastors Parishes Cardinals c. in the City of Rome Dr. Moor on this place and his Mystery of Godliness 5.16 and Mr. Potter's Interpret of the Number of the Beast 27 Hence it appears 1. That this is an (a) Potter Chap. 28. Equilateral Square the most perfect and the most capacious of all such Figures whereby the Perfection and the Vniversal Extent of Christ's Kingdom may be signified 2. That the City it self (b) Potter Chap. 2 3 4 c. is measured 1200 Furlongs from whence it follows that it is of a solid Cubical Figure like a Dy having Three Dimensions and that its Measures are solid Measures whereby they are made to agree with Ezekiel's Measures by Mr. Potter because nothing can measure a solid Figure but a solid measure Whereby the Firmness and Solidity of this Church State is set forth and also that it (a) Dr. Moor's Paraphrase on the place cannot be a City litterally understood and signifies not Walls and Houses but Men because there can be no City of such a Figure 28 Whereas the Antichristian State and all Human Models of Churches are disagreeable in themselves from one another and the exact Scripture-Measure and Rule 17 And he measured the 29 Wall thereof an hundred forty and four (b) A Cubit is the Oldest the most common and most famous Measure amongst the people of God whence it is put by way of Eminence for a Measure in general Jerem. 51.13 and
iâ— was the Measure of the Prophetick Temple and City in Ezekiel Cubits the Root of which is Twelve the Apostolical Number to shew that the Safety and Security of the Church consists in its conformity to the Doctrine and Discipline delivered by the Apostles Acts 2 42. See the Notes on Chap. 7 4.13 18. according to the measure of a Man i. e. this church-Church-State was highly 30 rational and exactly agreeable to the Intellectual Capacities of Mankind and such as Men of Understanding may find out when â—hey make use of that part of Wisdom by which the Roots of Numbers are extracted See on Chap. 13.18 that is the Angel to shew that this was a State of Men above this present mortal State in which the children of the Resurrection are made equal unto the (c) Grot. in loc Angels Luee 20 35 36. and that it was not Beastian or Antichristian but Angelical 29 The Wall is measured to shew that Apostolicism signified by Twelve the Root of its measure contains all things in it necessary to a Church as the Wall does inclose the whole City and is the fixt and unmovable Dimensions of it 30 Whereas the Antichristian State is irrational disagreeable in its self and from the Divine Rule in correspondence to its Root 25 which is a surd and irrational Number uneven and irregular in the Product arising from it as well as in its self See Mr. Potter and the Notes on Chap. 13.18 18 And the building of the Wall of it was 31 Jasper i. e. it was firm and impregnable and withal glorious Verse 11. and the City was pure Gold like unto clear Glass i. e. this was a precious and pure State and (a) The gawdy Whore had only External Ornaments but this State is transparent pure and clean within as well as without Forestus in locum See Chap. 4 6.15 2. throughly enlightned by God Verse 23. 31 This Stove is not to be subdued by the knocks of the Hammer but is so strong that it breaks all that strikes against it Dr. Moor. See Grot. on Chap 4.3 and Verse 11. 19 And the Foundations of the Wall of the City were garnished with all manner of 32 precious Stones to shew the Excellency of Christ the b corner-stone of this Spiritual Building and of the Doctrine of the Gospel upon which it was buiâ—t by his Apostles and the great variety and compleatness of the precious Gifts and Graces of this State The first Foundation was Jasper the second Saphire the third a Chalcedony the fourth an Emerald 32 The Precious Stones hereafter particularly mentioned are the same with those in the Breast-plate of the High-Priest (c) See Verse 14. and Braunius de Vestit Hebr. 2.26 Exod. 28.17 21. but placed in a different Order from them but for what Reasons I am not able to determine as I neither can precisely and positively the particular signification of each of them Only in general they may signifie 1. Perfection of Glory Prosperity and Happiness in the highest manner the Creation is capable of in its renewed State much beyond the choicest and most precious things of this World or even of Paradise it self whose Rivers flowed from the Land of Gold and Pearl 2. Perfection of Gifts and Graces Divine Presence and Illumination Doctrine and Truth and whatsoever else may be justly thought to be the true meaning of the Stones and the Vrim and Thummim in the Oracular Breast-plate of the High-Priest For which see the Commentators on Exod. 28. and 39. Lev. 8. Deut. 33.8 and Braunius de Vestit Sacerdot Hebraeor See also 1 Chron. 29.2 2 Chron. 3.6 Isaiah 54 11-14 Ezek 28.13 Tobit Chapters 13 and 14. and Dr. Moor's Paraphrase and other Commentators on this place 20 The fifth Sardonyx the sixth Sardius the seventh Chrysolite the eighth Beryl the ninth a Topaz the Tenth a Chrysoprasus the eleventh a Jacinth the twelfth an Amethyst i. e. this was a glorious State in which all true Israelites of the Twelve Tribes whose Names were engraven on the Twelve (a) See Ainsw on Exod. 28. Stones of the Breast-plate were joyned and united into one Body with the True Christians who kept and professed the Doctrine they had received from the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb Christ 21 And the Twelve Gates were Twelve Pearls every several Gate was of one Pearl to shew the inestimable value of the Gospel that one Pearl of great price and the pure 33 conversation and unity 34 of all who are to enter into Christ's Kingdom by him the only Door and Way to Eternal Life Matth. 13.45 46. John 10 1-14 and the Street of the City was pure Gold as it were transparent Glass i. e. the Conversation 35 of the Saints of this State was pure and incorrupt as refined Gold and sincere as if their Thoughts and Hearâ—s were transparent to each other and the very places of concourse were free from all manner of defilement contrary to what was in the Antichristian great City which was defilâ—d with Uncleanness and the Blood of the Witnesses which lay dead in the Streets of it Chap. 11.8 33 For they are of a White colour Grot. in loc 34 Pearls are called Vniones because they are always found united together and never separate from each other Plin. Histor 9. 35. 35 For the Street is the Forum Urbis as Grotius notes the publick place where Men meet and transact Business Moor 's Paraphr 22 And I saw no (a) Templi appellatione destinato abstinebant Christiani Grot. in Act. 7.48 Temple therein i e. no one particular place in which alone God would be worshipped and manifest his Presence as in the Temple of Jerusalem 1 Kings 8. for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple thereof i. e. do afford their Presence immediately and after a glorious manner in this State whereby each pious Soul becomes a Temple for God and Christ to dwell and manifest themselves in Exek 48.35 John 4 23.20 23. Acts 7 46-50 Rev. 3.20 23 And the City had no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it who were as it were ashamed anâ— confounded at the greater Glory of the Divine Kingdom and Presence Isa 24 23.60 19. for the 36 glory of God the Father the Fountain and Original of all Being whatsoever and of all Light Knowledge Life Love Grace and Comfort did lighten it by a Light communicated froâ— him and the Lamb Christ who is the Glory of God Light of Light and very God of very God is the light thereof by the Glory of the Godhead appearing illustriously in his Humane Nature See Verse 11. 36 God is not subject to the Son in this his glorious Kingdom 1 Cor. 15.27 and therefore he is said to be the Light of it and Christ the Son is said to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Lamp as shining by a Light communicated from the Godhead and residing in him who is the
13 I Christ come 14 quickly in Judgment to my Kingdom for the 15 Vials are now ready to be poured forth Blessed therefore and this admonition is at this time of all others the most seasonable when the severest Judgments of God are ready to be executed is he that keepeth the Sayings of the Prophecy of this Book See Chap. 1 3.3 11. 13 Here Christ himself speaks this being a Sacred Drama in which according to the Nature of such Representations several Persons are introduced and there are many interlocutory passages as is observable in the Song of Solomon which is a Dramatick Poem in the Form of a Pastoral Eclogue 14 This Epilogue or Conclusion seems to refer to some of the most important and remarkable passages of the whole Vision which it behoved all to take the chiefest notice of according to the Method observed in the first Chapter which is as it were a Prologue or Introduction to it And accordingly the sudden Coming of Christ to take Vengeance of his Enemies in the pouring forth of the Vials being one of the most remarkable Events foretold in this Vision is here again mentioned as it had been before Chap. 1.7 15 For it seems probable from Chap. 21.9 that this part of the Vision was seen and heard by John just before he had the Representation of the pouring forth of the Vials when the Admonition to keep and observe the Words of this Prophecy was most highly seasonable For by a close consideration of Chap. 17 1.19 7-11 21 9. it seems as if the first or principal Angel of the Vials which shewed John the Judgment of the Whore and the New Jerusalem gave him also this Conclusion at the same time aptly fitted to the time just before the pouring forth of the Vials when it was necessary that the Saints should not only have a comfortable View of the blessed State but also be assured of the sudden coming of it that they might be sustained under the dismal Tribulation then approaching whereupon they are again assured of his quick coming Verse 12. 8 And I John the Apocalyptick Apostle and Servant of Christ See on Chap. 21.2 saw these foregoing things relating to the New Jerusalem and heard the Voice of Jesus and of his Angel Verse 6 7. and 16 both saw and heard all the Sayings and Vision of this Book and therefore am worthy of belief as having been an Eye and Ear-witness of them And when I had heard and sâ—â—â— the glorious State of the New Jerusalem I fell 17 down to worship before the Feet of the Angel which shewed me these things and who had also brought me the glad tidings of a Judgment on God's Enemy the Whore Chap. 17.1 and of the Marriage-Supper Chap. 19 9. 1â— Although these Words have an immediate reference to â—hâ—â— had been seen just before yet they may also refer to all the 〈◊〉 going Visions of this Book 17 It is something difficult to determine whether this passage be the same with the former related Chap. 19 7-21 and only twice repeated to shew the Importance of the Matter and the great danger of falling into the sin of Idolatry although the Relation be something different from the former according to the manner of the Evangelists the latter of whom deliver some things more fully and compleatly than the former and the Two Representations although of the same thing are very different the one being upon the View of the New Jerusalem State in its full Glory and compleat Description the other Chap. 19. only upon the sight of the preparation of the Bride and her coming down out of Heaven 9 Then saith he unto me immediately in great haste and with great Zeal and Vehemency See Chap. 19 10 See thou do it not for I am thy Fellow-Servant and therefore am not to be worsh pped and the Fellow-Servant of thy Brethren the Prophets and of them which keep 18 the sayings of this Book i. e. I although an Angel of so great Rank and Ministry am yet but a Fellow-Creature with thee and the Holy Saints and Witnesses and their Fellow-Servant also in the New Jerusalem State in which you and they shall be equal unto Angels and therefore I am nâ—t to be worshipped Worship being due to Superiors not Equals Creatures and Servants See on Chap. 19.10 Worship therefore God and him alone Matth. 4.10 18 Here the Angel seems to intimate as if the sayings of this Book were a Caution against the Apostatical State and the Worship of Angels and also the Rule and Model of Divine Worship from the first Apostolical State of the Church typified by Ephesus to the highest State of it in the New Jerusalem according to which as he could not receive such Worship so ought not John also to have given it unto him And this passage also affords a clear proof of the Divinity of Christ in Humane Nature because Divine Worship is paid unto him all along in this Book 10 And he i. c. Christ Ver. 12 13 16 20. saith unto me Seal 19 not the Sayings of the Prophecy of this Book for the time of the completion of all the Sealings mentioned in this Book is now at hand 19 These words must refer to the times of the seventh Trumpet when all the Thunders were unsealed Chap. 14. just before the pouring forth of the Vials until when it could not properly be used it being expresly commanded that every one of the Thunders should be sealed 11 He that 20 is unjust let him be unjust still and he which is filthy i e. guilty of any other sin all of which defile a Man Mat. 15.18 Jam. 1 21.3 6 let him be filthy still and he that is righteous or justified let him be righteous still and he that is holy or sanctified let him be holy still i. e. the time and place of Repentance is no more to be found but he that is unjust and filthy will not repent and he that is just and holy shall continue so still 20 These words seem to have a respect to the Times just before the pouring forth of the Vials when those Men who had been proof against the preaching of the Everlasting Gospel were judicially delivered over to punishment because of the willful Obstinacy and Hardness af their Hearts whereupon they blasphemed and repented not See Chap. 16.9 12 And behold I come 21 quickly to Judgment in my Kingdom and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be good or bad Matth. 16.27 Rev. 10.18.20 12-15 21 This must be supposed to be spoken before the pouring forth of the Vials in which the Wicked receive their Reward in Punishments 13 I am Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End the First and the Last i. e. I am the Eternal God who as I gave Being to all things so do I put an end to them too and I am more especially shewing this my Divine Power in bringing all things to perfection