curse of the law Joh. 12. 27 31. Gal. 3. 13. and ch 4. 4 5. Rom. 8. 32. 4. Manna was a sweet and pleasant food to eat delightful to the taste the taste of it was like wafers made with honey Exod 16. 31. So is Jesus Christ become thorow his personal abasement and sufferings in the vertue whereof he is raised again he is infinitely sweeter than honey and the honey-comb As the Lord signifies when he in viteth every thirster to come unto him hearken diligently unto me saith he and eat ye that which is good and let your soul delight it self in fatness Isay 55. 1 3 5. I sate down saith the spouse under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my taste Cant. 2. 3. Oh taste and see that the Lord is gracious He is so in himself whether men taste and perceive it or no but they prove him so to be whoso hear and learn of the Father as to come unto and eat him Ps 34. 8. with 1 Pet. 2. 3 4. Joh. 6. 56 57. 5. Manna came down with the dew of heaven Exod. 16. 13 14. when the dew fell upon the camp in the night the manna fell upon it Numb 11. 9. so Christ in and by his Gospel and spirit cometh down and so cometh down that a Man any man may eat thereof and not dye Deut. 32. 2 3. with Joh. 6. 33 50 63. and hence our Saviour said unto his disciples when he sent them forth to preach the Gospel he that heareth you heareth me And he that receiveth you receiveth me c. Luke 10. 16. Mat. 10. 40. Joh. 14. 21 23. Eph. 3. 17. 6. Manna was too much sleighted undervalued and loathed by them in process of time though at the first they admired thereat and said what is this Exod. 16. 15. yet afterward they murmured thereat and were discontented and said Our Soul is dried away there is nothing at all be sides this manna before our eyes Numb 11. 6. and ch 21. 5 And therefore the Lord was angry with them and sent fiery serpents amongst them Numb 21. 6. So Jesus Christ though he be a wonderful gift of Gods grace and an everlasting witness and commendation of God's love to us is yet rejected and despised of Men Isay 53. 2 4. he is disallowed indeed of Men 1 Pet. 2. 4. and of the builders also v. 7. and too much and too often by such as have formerly tasted his graciousness Gal. 4. 15. Rev. 2. 5. and ch 3. 3. whereby God is greatly provoked to anger And how shall they escape who neglect so great salvation Heb. 2. 1 3. But we shall adde no more hereto because these things are more fully spoken to and may be seen in Mr. Thomas Moore seniour his uncovering of mysterious deceits Page 115 117. 2. We come next to shew why Christ is here called hidden manna and that is 1. Because he is the mystery of that former Manna the secret thereof that was a type or figure of Jesus Christ as he is the secret of the Tabernacle and temple so it is here Ps 27. 4 5. and indeed Christ was the secret or hidden thing typed forth by the shadows of the law generally they had a shadow of good things to come but the body is of Christ Col. 2. 16 17. Heb. 10. 1. so here particularly the former manna typified or shadowed forth Jesus Christ as the bread of life Joâ— 6. 32 35. and so Christ may be called the hidden Manna with reference to that manna in the Pot that was kept in the holiest Exod. 16. 33 34. Heb. 9. 4. which was a type of Christ who died for all yea rather is risen again and who is gone up into Heaven it self Acts 2. 30. 1 Pet. 3. 21. Luke 24. 51. with Mark 16. 16. 2. Hidden manna Christ may be called possibly to denoâ—e the excellency of this manna as those things which are most rich and excellent are called hidden things so we read of treasures hid in the sand Deut. 33. 19. and hid treasures Job 3. 21. Prov. 2. 4. so hidden wisdome is the most excellent wisdom 1 Cor. 2. 7. and the hidden Man the most excellent 1 Pet. 3. 4. So Jesus Christ is the Manna infinitely more excellent than the former Manna was As will appear if we consider 1. That was called Angels food as it is written Man did eat Angels food Ps 78. 25. But Christ is said to be and is the bread of God Joh. 6. 33. 2. That was typical bread But Christ is the truth thereof My Father saith he giveth you the true bread from Heaven Joh. 6. 32. and as far as the truth exceedeth the type and the substance the shadow so far doth Christ excel and go beyond that manna 3. That was dead bread If it were kept long it would putrify and corrupt as it is said some of them kept of it until the morning and it bred worms and stank Exod 16. 20. But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13. 8. his blood is incorruptible blood 1 Pet. 1. 10. And he is raised again now no more to return to corruption Acts 13. 32 34. And is and abides for ever the true God and eternal life 1 Joh. 5. 20. and that manna was dead bread also in this respect it would not give life unto or quicken such as were dead But Christ is the bread of life for he cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world the dead World Joh. 6. 33 35. He causeth the dead to hear his voice and they that hear shall live Joh. 5. 24 25. he is the life Joh. 14. 6. 4. Though that came down from heaven yet it seems not from the highest Heaven but from the clouds as it is said He commanded the clouds from above and rained manna Ps 78. 24 25. and our Saviour saith Moses gave you not that bread from Heaven Joh. 6. 32. But Christ's Father giveth him who is the true bread from Heaven the highest Heaven and he came and cometh down therefrom Joh. 6. 32 33 38 42 50 51 58. 5. That would not preserve the eater from death but as our Saviour saith your Fathers did eat manna in the wilderness and are dead Joh. 6. 49 58. But Christ is the living bread that came down from Heaven If any Man eat of this Bread he shall live for ever whoso eateth his flesh and drinketh his blood hath eternal life and he wil raise him up at the last day he that eateth of this bread shall live Joh. 6. 50 51 53. 58 6. That manna was not prepared for all the World but for Israel and â—he mixed multitude that were with them in the wilderness Numb 11. 4 6. But Christ the bread of life is the Saviour of the World Joh. 4. 42. and the bread which he will give is his flesh which he hath given for the life of the World Joh. 6. 51. and he
32 33. Heb. 11. 17 19. The Apostle Paul to recover the Galatians from their wandrings sets before them that Christ is the Amen to him the promises are made and in him confirmed and with him assured to those that receive him So as in being Christ's they are Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise Gal. 3. 16 17 29. and 4. 28. and 5. 1. And so here Christ declareth himself to be the Amen to cure these of that Lukewarmness they were polluted with and assures them that in opening and giving entertainment to him he would come in to them and sup with them and they with him and that he that overcometh should sit with him on his throne Rev. 3. 14 20 21. Oh were this considered by us that God hath not spared his own Son but delivered him up for us all how would this make us confident that with him he will freely give us all things also how would this cause us to mount up with wings as Eagles to run and not to be a weary to walk and not saint and to encourage and engage us to listen to his counsel whom God hath given for a covenant to the people For the Lord God is a sun and shield he will give grace and glory no good thing will â—e with-hold from them that walk uprightly Rom. 8. 32. Ps 84. 10 12. The faithful and true witness This may be an explication of the Amen and shew us what is further meant by and contained in that expression These two words faithful and true may mean one and the same thing or we may say he is the faithful witness in that work whereto the Father appointed him hence the Apostle instructs the holy Brethren to consider the Apostle and High-priest of their profession who was faithful to him that appointed him namely in that hard and difficult work of humbling himself and becoming obedient to death the death of the cross Heb. 2. 9 18 and 3. 1 2. he is in his cross a faithful witness of the greatness and sincerity of the Fathers affection to us Isay 55. 3 4. who is meant by the faithful witness here spoken of may be plainly seen and wherein he is so firstly and fundamentally Rev. 1. 5. Jesus Christ the faithful witness and the first begotten of the dead And so 1. As he died for our sins by way of propitiation and as the peace-maker So he is a faithful witness of the Fathers love and that he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance he is the great sign and undoubted evidence of the heat and ardency of God's love towards us poor sinners even toward every poor sinful creature of Mankind in that by the grace of God he tasted death for every Man In this was manifested the love of God towards us because God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live thorow him The Father sent the Son the Saviour of the World 1 Joh. 4. 8 10 14. God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son c. Joh. 3. 16. This is the great sign of God's love to us and it is an evil and adulterous thing to seek after any other Mat. 12. 39. 1. Cor. 1. 22 24. and he is the faithful witness therein of the truth and faithfulness of the Father in performing his promises according to the tenour of them for he that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him freely give us all things also Isay 55. 3 4. Rom. 8. 32. Yea in what he hath sufâ—ered he is the faithful witness also of the freeness and ardency of his own love towards us his love was so fervent as that many waters could not quench it nor could the Floods drown it such was his grace that he laid down his life for us he died for all 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. and such the preciousness of his blood that in the vertue thereof he is raised again hath purged away our sins made peace slain the enmity broken down the middle-wall of partition between God and mankind taken out of the way all that was in it contrary to us abolished death and destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Devil and obtained into himself all Spiritual blessings in Heavenly things and confirmed a new Testament and Everlasting Covenant Oh what a faithful witness is he of the greatness and fervency of his own and his Fathers love And how powerful therefore is the view of him in his Cross to cure us of our Lukewarmness Do ye thus requite the Lord O foolish people and unwise Is he not thy Father that hath bought thee Oh how doth this love constrain us to love him and to cleave to him with full purpose Yea and to return to him when we have fallen by our iniquities for therein he shews us that he hath no pleasure in the death of him that dieth and so not in the death and destruction of poor wretched miserable blind naked lukewarm ones Oh! fear not to come unto and walk before him and be perfect Let not your hands be slack By this ye are saved if ye keep in memory what was at first declared to you unless ye believe in vain viz. that Christ died for our Sins according to the Scriptures and was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 1 4. O foolish Galatians saith the Apostle who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth that ye should not continue in running well but grow remiâ—s before whose Eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth crucified c. Gal. 3. 1. with ch 5. 7. 2. The faithful Witness and Martyr as a Peace-preacher who laid down his Life in testimony to the truth of that Gospel which he received from his Father and declared to us for to this end was he born and for this cause came he into the World that he should bear Witness to the truth Joh. 18. 37. And to this he did bear witness unto the death and sealed to the truth of that Gospel with his Blood This the Apostle Paul sets before Timothy to encourage him to fight the good fight of Faith that Jesus Christ witnessed a good Confession before Pontius Pilate when he knew what things he should suffer on that account 1 Tim. 6. 12 14. Away with this lukewarmness then and let us come unto and follow him whithersoever he goeth enduring bardness as good Souldiers of Jesus Christ 2 Tim. 2. 1 3 8. See Heb. 12. 1 3. 1 Pet. 2. 20 24. and ch 3. 17 18. And the true Witness In his Testimony in which he hath declared what he hath done and the Fathers love in him and that he is the Amen He is the truth it self and his word is the word of truth Prov. 8. 6 8. Ps 119. 160. 1 Joh. 5. 20. The true light now shineth 1
is that new thing which the LORD created in the earth a woman compassed a man Jer. 31. 22. with Gal. 4. 4. He fell into the ground and died John 12. 23 24. Now that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth he that descended is the same also that ascended c. Psal 68. 18. with Eph. 4. 8-10 And this is the first Branch of the Gospel of God That Jesus Christ our Lord the only begotten Son of God was made of the Seed of David according to the flesh Rom. 1. 1-3 2. The Root One that was hidden from the eyes of men as a root is under the ground So was it true of our Lord Jesus Christ in former times especially whereto respect is also here had He is the hidden wisdom of God 1 Cor. 2. 7. He was hidden under and as it were covered over with Types and shadows Col. 1. 26-27 and Chap. 2. 16 17. The Law had a shadow of good things to come but not the lively Image of the things c. Heb. 10. 1. He was as it were hidden under the dark Shadows Figures and Representations of the Law under the Tabernacle Temple Altar Propitiatory Sacrifices High-Priest Manna Brazen Serpent c. And when he was manifested in the flesh yet he was as a root out of a dry ground he had no form nor comeliness And when we shall see him saith the Prophet speaking prophetically of him there is no beauty in him that we should desire him He is despised and rejected of men a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and we hid as it were our faces from him he was despised and we esteemed him not Isa 53. 2 3. He being in the Form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God yet made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a Servant c. Phil. 2. 6-8 And even still he and his glorious excellencie is in a great measure hidden As to his Person we see him no more John 16. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 8. And in his Word and Gospeâ— he is a Treasure hid in a field Matth. 13. 44-46 Indeed we all with open face as in a Glass may behold his Glory as with respect to former dark witnessing of him 2 Cor. 3. 12-18 but yet it is but thorow a Glass darkly in comparison of seeing him face to face 1 Cor. 13. 8 9 10. Col. 3. 3. and Chapt. 1. 5 6. with 1 Tim. 1. 1. And He is the Root of David That is to say 1. One that was before him As the Root is in order before the residue of the Tree and before the Branches so Christ was before David both in Time and that as to his divine and eternal Generation He was glorious with the Father 's own self before the world was Prov. 8. 22-32 John 17. 5. He is the first-born of every Creature for by him were all things created that are in Heavon and that are in Earth And he is before all things and by him all things consist Col. 1. 15 16 17. He is over all God blessed for ever Rom. 9. 5. And he as the Lamb slain was fore-ordained before the world or Ages 1 Cor. 2. 7. 1 Pet. 1. 19 20. The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world Rev. 13. 8. And as he said of himself as with respect to Abraham Before Abraham was I am John 8. 56. 58. So also before David was he was and is for Abraham was before David And the works appertaining to the rest God hath prepared for us were finished in him virtually from the foundation of the world Heb. 4. 3. And he is before David and all holy Ones in dignity and excellency Joh. 1. 29 30 31. 2. The Root of David The foundation of his Faith and Hope as the Root is the foundation of a Tree Hence whereas it is said in one place The Root of the Righteous shall not be moved It is said in another The Righteous is an everlasting foundation Prov. 12. 3. with Chapt. 10. 25. And so indeed Jesus Christ is the foundation of all the Holy Ones and Prophets in former times As the Apostle signifies saying Ye are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets to wit upon that on which they also were built and which they ministerially laid Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone Eph. 2. 20-22 Christ as witnessed of by the Prophets was the Basis and Bottom-ground of their faith and confidence He was the Stone which the Builders refused which is become the head of the corner Psal 118. 22-24 with Matth. 21. 42. the Root of the matter Job speaks of Chap. 19. 25-28 The Root that bare them and not they it Rom. 11. 18. I will love thee O LORD my strength saith David The LORD is my Rock even the foundation on whom he was built Psal 18. 1 2. with Matth. 16. 18. and chap. 7. 24. Psal 110. 1. Heb. 10. 38. and chap. 11. 13-32-39 3. The Root of David In whom was life John 1. 4. who is the fountain of life Psal 36. 9. and living waters Jer. 2. 13. John 4. 14. in whom is spiritual life and sap for others and who in due time gives life preventingly to them that are dead in sins and trespasses yea unto the dead world John 1. 4. and Chap. 6. 33. He is the living stone to draw others unto himself that they might be bottomed and built upon him 1 Pet. 2. 4. and gives life and the â—â—culty of living to those that so hear and learn of the Father as to come unto him John 5. 24 25. and Chap. 6. 45-47 He is the true Vine of the Father's planting the Root of Righteousness the Receptacle of all spiritual Juyce and quickning Joâ—n 15. 1. He is full of Grace and Truth And of his fulness have all the holy Ones all the Prophets and Apostles received and Grace for Grace John 1. 14 15 16. And he is that Root that beareth fruit As it is said The Root of the Righteous yieldeth fruit Pro. 12. 11. John 12. 23 24. And makes them fruitful that are ingraffed into and abide in him I am the Vine saith our Saviour ye are the branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing John 15. 4 5. Those that be planted in this house of the LORD in which he dwells Joh. 2. 19-21 and cha 10. 4. shall flourish in the Courts of our God they shall bring forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and green Psal 92. 12-15 Phil. 1. 9 10. And hereby David was like a green Olive-tree he is the green Fir-tree from whom his and other holy mens fruit was found Psal 52. 8. with Hos 14. 8. Such as abide in him and in his Doctrine shall be as a tree planted by the waters and that spreadeth out her Roots by the River and
is called upon to hear c. See the Notes before on v. 3. and on ch 2. v. 7. And it was to be sent directly and expresly to the seven Churches in Asia the less many of whom it may seem were turned from Paul 2 Tim. 1. 15. yet Christ leaves them not but seeks their good Mat. 21. 35 36. Now he orders another to them Paul was an Instrument of preaching the Gospel to them at the first Acts 19. 10. And now he sends another to instruct admonish reprove comfort recover them He who is not willing that any should perish is more unwilling that any of those little ones that believe in him should perish Mat. 18. 14. One may plant and another water 1 Cor. 3. 5 8. One begin and another finish and all to help forward the Church Gal. 2. 9. To Ephesus which might be the chief City of Asia the less Smyrna not elsewhere mentioned in Scripture but in this Book nor Pergamus nor Thyatira but Acts 16. 14. nor Philadelphia Laodicea Col. 2. 1. and ch 4. 13 16. all of them chief Cities as some say Verse 12. And I turned to see the Voice that spake with me and being turned I saw seven Golden Candlesticks 1. In this Verse we have an account given unto us of the carriage and demeanour of the Apostle referring unto v. 10. and 11. He turned to see the Voice that spake with him He turned He was not regardless and careless thereof Zech. 5. 1. and ch 6. 1. And it is good for us to mind and set our hearts unto his words and sayings And though it were a mighty Voice as of a Trumpet and such an one as might have terrified and affrighted him and caused him to have run away and to have hid himself as they did Dan. 10. 6 7. yet he turned the Lord strengthened and emboldened him 2. We have here some beginning of what he in Vision saw which he was commanded to write in a Book v. 11. And being turned I saw seven Golden Candlesticks Where we may enquire and consider 1. What are the seven Candlesticks here spoken of 2. Why are they called and compared to Candlesticks 3. In what respects are they said to be Golden Candlesticks 1. What are the seven Golden Candlesticks here spoken of To this we need not nor shall enlarge our Lord doth plainly open to us what is signified to us thereby when he openeth this mystery and saith The seven Candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven Churches Rev. 1. 20. To wit the seven Churches in Asia whom the Apostle doth salute v. 4. and which are particularly named v. 11. 2. Why are these Churches called and compared to Candlesticks 1. Because they are to bear forth the light unto and before others to wit the word of life or Christ in the Gospel the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ and thus they were to shine forth and to be as lights in the World Phil. 2. 13 16. Luke 12. 35. 2 Cor. 4. 4. as in our Types the Candlestick was for the light Exod. 35. 14. Numb 4. 9. So Christ's Churches are Candlesticks to bear the light Prov. 6. 23. And this they are to do In Word and Confession Phil. 2. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 9. and ch 4. 10. Rom. 10. 9 10. This liberty Christ hath given them to be teachers of others and one of another according to their measure of knowledge and proportion of Faith to edifie one another on their most Holy Faith 1 Thes 5. 11. Heb. 3. 13. and ch 10. 23 25. and ch 4. 14. nay not only they may but they ought to hold forth the truth and be teachers 1 Tim. 3. 15. Heb. 3. 1. and ch 5. 12. And they are also to bear and shine forth this excellent light In Conversation to have their Conversation as becometh the Gospel of Christ Phil. 1. 27. to let their light so shine before men that they seeing their good works may glorifie their Father which is in Heaven And indeed in walking uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel they shall also shine as lights Phil. 2. 14 15. walk as Children of light Eph. 5. 8. The way of the just is as the shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day Prov. 4. 18. 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. and ch 3. 1. 16. This is the proper use of Candlesticks 2. They are called Candlesticks to denote that they are not light in themselves nor can enlighten others or be instruments of good one to another unless the Word of Christ be received and entertained by them they must continually hold forth that or else they can be of no usefulness as Candlesticks what use is the Candlestick of unless a light be in it A Candlestick without that cannot light others Truly they can do nothing without Christ though they are light yet it is not in themselves but in the Lord Joh. 15. 4 5. Eph. 5. 1. Col. 3. 16. If any say but the Angels are called and compared to Stars and they are light bodies and have the light abiding in them and so the Angels are always herein useful to give light but not the Churches which are Candlesticks To that I say These Metaphorical Expressions are not to be extended too far The most eminent Instruments and Ministers of Christ have nothing but what they have received and do receive from Christ the Sun of Righteousness The most eminent Instruments may say and confess as that famous Apostle of the Gentiles doth that they are not sufficient of themselves to think any thing as of themselves but their sufficiency is of God 1 Cor. 4. 2 7. 2 Cor. 3. 3 5. And though the Ministers are here called Stars yet the Prophets are called elsewhere Candlesticks Rev. 11. 4. And though here the Churches are called Candlesticks yet elsewhere the Saints in general are said to be the Light of the World Mat. 5. 14. and to be light in the Lord Eph. 5. 8. and are exhorted to shine as lights in the World Phil. 2. 15. but neither the one nor the other have light in themselves as of themselves but of the fulness of Christ they all receive and Grace for Grace Joh. 1. 14 16. 3. Candlesticks they are compared to to instruct us that their usefulness as such and as distinct Bodies and Societies one from another is but in this dark World as it were and while themselves also see but thorow a Glass darkly as in our Types of old 2 Chron. 13. 11. When the new Jerusalem shall come down from God out of Heaven the Glory of God shall lighten it and the Lamb shall be the light thereof Rev. 21. 23. and they shall not need such Mediums as now they do There shall be no night there and they shall need no Candle nor light of the Sun nor Moon Rev. 21. 24. and ch 22. 5 6. Isay 60. 1 3 19 20. The Sun of Righteousness shall then arise gloriously Mal. 4. 2. and
Man Rom. 5. 15 16. Acts 13. 37 38. Heb. 2. 17. and ch 7. 27. and ch 9. 12. and so he gave his Flesh for the Life of the World Joh. 6. 51. died for all even for all of Mankind that were dead 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. died for the Ungodly Sinners Unjust Ones indefinitely Rom. 5. 6 8. 1 Tim. 1. 15. 1 Pet. 3. 18. tasted death by the Grace of God for every Man and gave himself a ransome for all Men and is the propitiation for the Sins of the whole World 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. Heb. 2. 9. 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. 1 Joh. 2. 2. Is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the World the Son of God the Saviour of the World In whom God hath prepared Salvation before the Face of all people Luke 2. 10 11 30 31. Joh. 3. 16 17. and ch 4. 42 and ch 12. 47. 1 Joh. 4. 14. And as with respect to this end of his death the Scribes and Pharisees or Jews and Gentiles did not put him to death but God delivered him up to death for our Offences Rom. 4. 25. and ch 8. 32. And in these his sufferings and death he was alone of the People there was none with him Isay 63. 3. 1 Pet. 2. 24. And this end of his death is not imitable nor hath he herein set any one an example to follow his steps Joh. 17. 4. Heb. 10. 11 18 26. And these sufferings and this death on this account he once and but once actually endured and died in the end of the World no more to be iterated or repeated Heb. 9. 25 26. and ch 10. 10. And hereby he is become a good Foundation for every poor sinful Soul of Mankind Isay 28. 16. Joh. 1. 7. Acts 4. 11 12. 1 Pet. 2. 6 7. 2. He also in obedience to his Father died as a Peace-preacher and Martyr Rev. 1. 5. and ch 3. 14. To confirm and seal with his Blood the Gospel which he received from his Father and which he began to preach during his personal ministration as he saith To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the World that I should bear witness unto or be a Martyr for the truth Joh. 18. 37. And he witnessed this good Confession before Pontius Pilate 1 Tim. 6. 13. On this account his Enemies did persecute and seek to slay him before his hour was come Joh. 8. 37 40. In this respect God did not put him to death but was well-pleased with him Luke 4. 18. Joh. 8. 29. But the Jews with wicked hands did crucifie and slay him Acts 10. 38 39. As with respect to this end he died not for our Sins but for the truth and died directly for his Sheep for his Friends Joh. 10. 11 15 18. and ch 15. 13 14. And herein he hath left us an example that we should follow his steps and lay down our lives for the Gospel and so for the Brethren 1 Pet. 2. 20 23. 1 Tim. 6. 12 14. 1 Joh. 3. 16. His sufferings upon this account are not yet finished but they are still to be filled up till he comes again Col. 1. 20 24. 2 Tim. 2. 10. Heb. 11. 26. Acts 9. 4. 1 Pet. 4. 12 15. See more in Object of Love Pag. 22 23 24. 3. He died also as a Testator to ratifie and seal the New Testament and Everlasting Covenant of exceeding great and precious promises Hence his Blood is called The Blood of the New Testament Mat. 26. 28. Mark 14. 24. and the Blood of the Covenant Heb. 10. 29. And the New Testament is said to be The New Testament in his Blood Luke 22. 20. 1 Cor. 11. 25. And his Blood is called the Blood â—â— the Everlasting Covenant Heb. 13. 20. By his precious Death and Blood he hath sealed and ascertained the precious Legacies contained in his Will and Testament so as they shall be surely performed and accomplished according to the tenour of them If it may be a Man's Testament yet if it be confirmed no Man disanulleth or addeth thereto Gal. 3. 15. Now Christs Testament is confirmed by Blood for where a Testament is there must also of necessity be the death of the Testator For a Testament is of force after men are dead otherwise it is of no strength at all whilest the Testator liveth Heb. 9. 16 17. Now thus Christ hath confirmed his Testament which is propounded in the Gospel for the encouragement of all to encline their ear and come unto him and he promises he will forgive their Sins and pour out his Spirit upon them Isay 54. and ch 55. 1 3 6 7. Prov. 1. 22 23. And these promises are theirs and they are Heirs according to promise who exercise themselves unto Godliness which is profitable to all things having promise of the Life which now is and of that which is to come Gal. 3. 16 29. 1 Tim. 4. 8 9. These are the ends of that one death which Christ died and this death of his he now propounds unto and minds his Servant John of to strengthen and comfort him See also the notes on ch 2. v. 8. 2. And was dead not is dead but he is raised again and now liveth and Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more Dominion over him c. Rom. 6. 9 10. 1 Pet. 3. 18. 1 Cor. 15. 1 4 20. yea he was raised in that body of his flesh in which he died and was buried he was raised again the third day so as his Soul was not left in Hell neither did his flesh see Corruption Acts 2. 23 24 27 31 36 and ch 3. 14 15 and ch 4 10 12 32. and ch 5. 30 31. and ch 10. 39 40. and ch 13. 28 37. and ch 17. 3. And therefore when he was raised again to undeceive his Disciples who supposed that they had seen a Spirit he said unto them Behold my hands and my Feet that it is I my self it had not been he himself if he had not had his own Hands and Feet Handle me and see for a Spirit hath not Flesh and Bones as ye see me have And when he had thus spoken â—e shewed them his Hands and his Feet Luke 24. 34 37 40. Joh. 20. 20 28. And so he hath overcome and abolished death and him that had the power of it 2 Tim. 1. 8 10. Fear not he hath obtained the Victory and is giving it to us in and by the Gospel Ps 98. 1. Acts 2. 24. 1 Cor. 15. 55 57. There is now no hurt in death and therefore no reason for them that hear his voice and follow him to fear it for it shall 〈◊〉 separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 38 39. And he hath the Keys of it as afterwards followeth yea Death is theirs their gain and advantage 1 Cor. 3. 22. Eccles 7. 1. Phil. 1. 21. 3. And Behold I am alive for evermore Amen where consider we 1. He is alive for
of their evils though none be so blind as this Servant of the Lord or deaf as this messenger whom he hath sent Isay 42. 19 21. yet he is one who will by no means clear the guilty Exod. 34. 6 7. If I sin against thee then thou markest me and will not accquit me from mine Iniquity Job 10. 14. though he had largely declared those praise-worthy things found with them yet also he mentions and minds them of that for which he could not praise them but reprove and fault them and imitater of whom herein was the the Apostle Paul I am saith he A follower of Christ now I praise you Brethren that ye remember me in all things and keep the oâ—dinances as I delivered them to you but in the same ch he again saith unto them now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not shall I praise you in this I praise you not 1 Cor. 11. 1 2 17 22. Thus our Saviour demeaned himself towards Peter when he had made a good confession and right acknowledgment concerning him our Saviour said unto him Blessed art thou Simon Son of Jona c. But presently after when he was to be faulted he turned and said unto Peter Get thee behind me Satan thou art an offence unto me Mat. 16. 15 18. with v. 22 23. see also Rev. 2. 13 14 and v. 19 20. so here I have against thee as if he should say Though I am in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks clothed with a garment down to the foot and girt about the Paps with a Golden girdle as Rev. 1. 13. and am the Apostle and High-priest of your profession ever living to intercede for you Though I love you and am the propitiation for your sins yet I who am the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe I who am the Son of the Father in truth and love I who am alive and was dead in which I testified my love And I who am Almighty the first and the last and can do whatsoever I please yea and though there are so many commendable things in thee I have somewhat against thee Now here learn we 1. In that he saith I have against thee he who is love and Charity it self so he signifieth to us that his Charity doth not lead him to take no notice of our evils but rather to reprove and fault us when need is as he saith As many as I love I rebuke and chasten c. Prov. 3. 11 12. Heb. 12. 5 7. see the notes on Rev. 3. 19. and therefore let us not abuse his love and goodness or turn his grace into Lasciviousness nor say we shall have peace though we walk after the Imagination of our hearts c. Rom. 6. 1 2. Jude 4. Deut. 29. 19 20 21. 2. Nor let us think and conclude in our hearts that because we have done and suffered many things for his name sake that therefore this will plead our excuse though we sin against him or depart from him But know we he will have a quarrel against us and controversy with us notwithstanding the good things done by us or found with us if we do what is displeasing â—â—to him Gal. 3. 1 5. Luke 9. 62. Ezek. 33. 18. and ch 18. 28. Heb. 10. 38. 3. In that he saith I have against thee namely such an one as he is one who is so infinite in wisdom and so almighty and omnipotent it may engage us â—â— fear before him and to depart from iniquity Do we provoke the Loâ—d to anger Are we stronger then he 1 Cor. 10. 22. He is wise in heart and mighty in strength who hath hardened his heart against him and prospered Job 9. 4. If a poor Instrument only had against us he might mistake or not be able to harm us and therefore we should have no such cause to consider it But he is quick of sight and cannot be mistaken and strong to execute his word Joel 2. 11. Oh therefore be we not High-minded but fear 3. In that he saith I have against thee to wit against this Angel and Church so he gives us to understand That no â—ighness unto Christ whatever no priviledge he conferrs upon us will exempt us from his rebukes threatnings or judgments if we sin against him This is that the LORD spake saying I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me and before all the people I will be glorified Lev. 10. 1 3. though they be his Sons and his Daughters he will abhor them because of their provokings of him Deut. 32. 19 22 27. he will visit their iniquity with the rod and their transgressions with stripes Ps 89. 30 31 32. he hath a quarrel against these though they were his Church and people We may speak hereto a little particularly 1. I have against thee thee O Angel and so against any Bishops overseers or guides if their love to him be waxen cold or revoved from him If they sin against him he will not spare them though he holds the Angels in his right hand and doth therein prefer them before their Brethren and takes especial care of them to defend and protect them and none shall pluck them out of his hand yet he will have against them if they sin and wander from him A Moses Aaron Samuel so doing shall not escape But he will take vengeance of their Inventions Though the first was the mediatour of the first Testament A Prophet yea preferred before other ordinary prophets a king also The second an High-prist The third a Prophet and Judg Ps 99. 6 8. a David shall not go unpunished though an eminent Prophet and King a man after God's own heart 2 Sam. 12. Ps 51. yea though they were as the signet upon his right hand if they provoke him he will pluck them thence Jer. 22. 24. Let such then as are Angels of his Churches learn that though they are and seem to others to be somewhat even to be eminent ones in the Church yet God accepteth no Man's Person Gal. 2. 6 9. Let them therefore take heed of being puffed up lest being lifted up with Pride they fall into the condemnation of the Devil 1 Tim. 3. 6 7. let them even imitate him who kept under his body and brought it into subjection leâ—t when he had preached to others he himself should become a Reprobate 1 Cor. 9. 27. 2 Cor. 5. 8 11. Mat. 24. 48 51. 2. I have against thee O Church though thou hast been espoused to me and art one of the golden Candlesticks amongst whom I walk and in whom hath been my delight Ps 16. 2 3. my house my dearly beloved though after thou didst believe thou was Sealed with the holy spirit of Promise which is the earnest of the Inheritance Eph. 1. 13 14. and ch 4. 30. yet I have a quarrel against thee so the Lord saith in former times I have for saken mine house I have left mine heritage I have given
the law and obtained eternal redemption for us when we were in our filth and blood said unto us live when we were in woful misery when the Sorrows of death compassed us and the pains of Hell gat hold on us and we found woe and trouble yet then caused his goodness to pass before us and commended and discovered his love to us and overcame us as bullocks unaccustomed to the yoke and spake peace to us and quieted our fears removed our sorrows comforted our hearts delivered our souls from death our eyes from tears and our feet from falling that we might walk before him in the land of the living in whom still dwelleth and abideth all the fulness even all the fulness of the God-head bodily and in whom is all compleatness prepared for us Do we thus requite the Lord O foolish people and unwise Is he not our Father that hath bought us hath he not made and established us ask thy Father and he will shew thee thine elders the prophets and Apostles and they will tell thee do ye thus render to the Lord for all his benefits love and kindness as to forsake him and lightly or more lightly than formerly esteem the rock of your Salvation of the rock that begat you are ye so unmindful and have you forgotten God that formed you Deut. 32. 5 7 15 18. Is this your kindness to your friend that hath so loved you and made it known to you and still continues his goodness to you and waits upon you that he may be gracious unto you O remember the former days remember your affliction and misery the distress that sometimes you were in and what a joyful sound the Gospel was then unto you and how your hearts did burn within you in love to Christ his cross and sufferings and consider what a loss you are now come to and for this weep let your eye your eye run down with water weep and howl for such an unkind and unworthy return to him and give no rest to your eyes nor slumber to your eye-lids until you return to the days of your youth the love of your espousals surely the oneness of the Lord being seriously minded and considered by us would engage us to return to him from whom we have departed and to be â—ervent in unâ—eigned love to him Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and Soul and mind and strength and thy neighbour as thy self Deut. 6. 4 6. with Mark 12. 29 30. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of light with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth wherefore my Brethren let every Man be swift to hear c. Jam. 1. 17 18 19. 2. This is a great evil an evil that provoketh to leave the first love because in our abating in our love to Christ and leaving our first â—ervency of affection to him and his Gospel and people and the societies thereof we shall be very injurious and harmful to others and even by such remission of love secretly signify unto them that the longer we know Christ and the more acquainted we are with him the less amiable and desirable he is to us and the less delightful to us and therefore is he no more delighted in by us and so we lay a stumbling block in the way of the blind and give offence to the World and hinder others from seeking after and following the Lord when persons are zealous and â—ervent in their affection unto and pursuit after the Lord their zeal provokes very many 2 Cor. 9. 2. Thus it appeared in the spouses earnestness in seeking for and inquiring after and highly and delightfully valuing and setting forth the excellency comliness of her beloved while she was thus exercised this heat of love in her to Christ and following hard after him causeth the daughters of Jerusalem to enquire after him and to say whither is thy beloved gone O thou fairest among Women whither is thy beloved turned aside that we may seek him with thee Can. 5. 8 16. and ch 6. 1. love even hot and fiery love to Christ and the fruits thereof are strong as death as death is strong and overcomes the mightiest and stoutest so ardent love is proper to overcome others also even our enemies and to bring them in to Christ Cant. 8. 6 7. with Rom. 12. 19 21. when the believers did cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart and continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and were together continuing daily with one accord c. The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved Acts 2. 42 47. Joh. 13. 34 35. But now when the first love waxes cold and believers have little or less heart to Christ and his Gospel than formerly this puts a discouragement upon others and hinders them from seeking after him and strengthens them in their evil ways so much the Lord signifies in saying to his people in former times My people have forgotten me days without number why trimest thou thy way to seek love Therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways Jer. 2. 31 33. And indeed this decay of mens first love to Christ will be visible and evident to others it cannot be kept so secret but it will be seen and come abroad for such as leave their first love will leave their first works also as v. 5. 3. Abatement in the first love is a great evil a provoking evil in believers because those in Christ's Church have great advantage to grow and increase in love to him and to his Gospel and it is expected from them that they go on from strength to strength Ps 84. 4 7. and in beholding him with open face in the glass of the Gospel they are changed and metamorphosed into the same Image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. In giving diligence to the exceeding great and precious promises ministred in and with the Gospel they shall be made partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the World thorow lust and not only so but they may add to their faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness Brotherly-kindness and to Brotherly-Kindness Charity 2 Pet. 1. 4 7. these things may be in them and abound v. 8 Choice giâ—ts are now given to men to this purpose that they might not be as children tossed to and fro but truthing it in love might grow up into Christ in all things who is the head from whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the
edifying of it self in love Eph. 4. 11 15. 16. Col. 2. 19. for the increase of love in the Philippians the Apostle prayes saying This I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment Phil. 1. 9 10. Col. 1. 8 10. and this is taken notice of by way of commendation in the Thessalonians that their love did abound 2 Thes 1. 3. And indeed his Churches have great Advantage to grow in the love of him because they have frequent opportunities to hear of him of his sufferings of his love and loveliness of his Infinite perfection and everliving in the presence of God that their evil is the greater if they increase not therein Now then for such to go backward and not forward to decrease when they should increase this must needs be a provoking evil This was the evil reproved and complained of by the Lord in his Church in former times They have provoked the holy one of Israel to anger they are gone backward Isay 1. 4. and again Thus saith the Lord this thing commanded I them saying Obey my voice But they hearkened not nor enclined their ear they went backward and not forward Jer. 7. 21 24. and again thou hast forsaken me saith the Lord thou art gone backward therefore I will stretch out my hand against thee I am weary with repenting Jer. 15. 6. Josh 23. 8 12. By all which it doth in some measure appear that their leaving their first love was a great and provoking evil Vse 1. Seeing this was the charge he draws up against this Angel and Church let us examine our selves whether we be not guilty of this evil also whether there be not a decay and abatement of that heat of love and affection to Jesus Christ his sufferings and the glory which therethorow he is entered into and possessed of and his Gospel and people Say not we are not guilty hereof for we have works and labour and patience c. and therefore we are free from this provoking evil for thus Christ and not themselves saith of these Say not we are rich and increased with goods and therefore Christ hath not such a quarrel against us as he had against these for though you thus speak of your selves you may nevertheless be lukewarm Rev. 3. 16 17. But come to the light and remember the former days Oh is it not too much and a wearisome thing to us to hear the cross of Christ Gods love therein commended so much insisted on are we not ready to say there is nothing before our eyes save this Manna Numb 11. 5 6. Is this Manna so delightful to us as at first come we unto the light and see what manner of persons we are Eph. 5. 12 13. 2. Seeing this is the quarrel he hath against these that they had left their first love so he shews unto us That he desires and delights in this that his Churches should love him â—ervently It is pleasant unto him highly prized by him when they are hot zealous â—ervent in spirit love him with the whole heart This is that he calls for My son give me thy heart Prov. 23. 26. This is that which ravishes and unhearts him as it were and yet revives and chears him Cant. 4. 9 10. This love of theirs when it is hot and ardent doth even overcome and puffe him up as he saith turn away thine eyes from me for they have â—vercome me or puffed me up Cant. 6. 5. and to this love of the Lord doth he exhort as O love the Lord ye his saints Ps 31. 23. take heed unto your Souls that ye love the Lord your God Josh 23. 11. and they that do so shall prosper their soul shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not Ps 122. 6. And great peace have they that love his law and nothing shall offend them Ps 119. 165. and if any man love him the same is known owned and approved of him 1 Cor. 8. 3. he that loveth Christ shall be loved of his father and he will love him and will manifest himself unto him Joh. 14. 21 22 23. 3. And here we may see and take notice that how many good things soever his Churches or any in them have yet if their love to him his cross Gospel and people c. grows cold or decays and abates it will greatly provoke him to anger Though they have all knowledge faith gifts utterance c. and have not love they are displeasing to him and therefore keep thine heart with all keeping Prov. 4. 23. how displeasing was it to the Lord that Solomon who once loved the Lord 1 King 3. 3. did afterwards leave his first love and his heart was turned away from him The Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel who had appeared unto him twice 1 King 11. 1 3 6 9 1â— And this was a blot upon Amaziah he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord but not with a perfect heart 2 Chron. 25. 2. and though there be many infirmities found with a Man yet if his heart be perfect and he cleave in love unto the Lord they are graciously overlooked and covered by him 1 Kings 15. 17. and ch 16. 10 11 12. Verse 5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and Repent and do the first works or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou Repent In this verse we have to mind and consider 1. The good gracious and needful counsel given to this Angel and Church 2 A conditional threat denounced against them 1. The good gracious and needful counsel given unto this Angel and Church and this is expressed to us in three Branches 1. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen 2. And Repent 3. And do the first works 1. Branch Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen 1. We shall speak to this Branch of the counsel by way of explication 2. Note some Instructions that are contained and signified therein 1. We shall speak to this Branch of the Counsel by way of explication This Counsel hath reference to what goeth before as it appeareth by the word therefore And it seemeth to refer either 1. Unto what is said in the beginning of v. 4. I have against thee Remember therefore I who am the Son of the Father in truth and love and have manifested so much in laying down my life 1 Joh. 3. 16. and therefore speak out of love Rev. 3. 19. I that hold the seven stars and walk in the midst of the seven Golden candlesticks there is my constant path and walk and so see and observe how it is with you for mine eyes are as a flame of fire and all things are naked and manifest unto me Rev. 2. 1. Heb. 4. 12 13. and I that am Almighty and can do whatsoever
shall be remembred and fed on to all eternity even the flesh and blood of Christ by the spirits of just Men made perfect Rev. 5. 8 10. when he is gloriously married to those that have overcome they shall be called to the supper of the Lamb Rev. 19. 9. with Luke 14. 16 18. and on this meat they shall feed for ever Rev. 22. 1 3. Joh. 6. 27 51. see the notes before on v. 7 of this chapter And I will give him a white-stone Stones were used formerly in their judicatures when any one was acquitted and cleared in judgement there was given to him a white-stone in token of abâ—olution as a black one was given unto him that was condemned And so the meaning of this saying is that though such an one hath been brought and drawn before mens judgment-seats and hath been condemned by them yet when once they have overcome they shall from thenceforth be more blessed than ever they were before and shall be acquitted by God whose judgments shall stand Rev. 14. 13. Ps 16. 3. they shall return to God and be judged and justified by him he will then compleatly save the poor from those that condemn his Soul and their sins shall be â—ully and eternally blotted out when the times of refreshing are come from the presence of the Lord And he shall send us Jesus c. Eccles 12. 7. Ps 109. 31. Acts. 3. 19 20. Again these stones were used in mens being chosen to any honour or honourable place Acts 1. 26. so now those that have overcome when they have done so have a white-stone given to them To signify they are fully and compleatly chosen to that salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory their election now in this day may be made more firm and sure 2 Pet. 1. 12. and they may be more chosen Isay 48. 10. But then they shall be indeed and unalterably chosen unto his high honour to be Kings and priests unto God And these stones were used in numbring and account in former times Acts 1. 26. Rev. 13. 18. And he that overcometh shall have this white-stone given to him and shall be numbred with and be of the number of the Spirits of just men made perfect when he hath finished his course fought the good fight of faith and be of that blessed number that shall inherit that inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in the Heavens for them who are kept by the power of God thorow faith unto the salvation ready to be revealed in these last times 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. and indeed Christ will then gloriously give himself unto them who is the white one Cant. 5. 10. the chosen and precious stone of God 1 Pet. 2. 4 6. And he will be theirs for ever and then for ever they shall walk in Christ's uprightness and before him Isay 57. 2 and in him they shall be justified and in him they shall glory Isay 45. 17 25. And in the stone a new name written and so given unto them also truly now in this day they are all the Children of God who believe on the name of Jesus Christ they are now graciously reputed and called the Sons of God Joh. 1. 12. 1 Joh. 3. 1. Rom. 8. 14. but yet this is by faith which is the evidence of things not seen It doth not now appear what they shall be Gal. 3. 26. with Heb. 11. 1. they are yet still in the warfare and have many enemies and adversaries to oppose and withstand them many labours and combates But he will when they have overcome give them a new name in this white stone a name of victors and conquerours a name of overcomers when they dye in the Lord they shall rest from all their labours and combates Rev. 14. 13. 2 Tim. 4 7. and when they are raised in the resurrection of the just they shall have the name of Kings reigning gloriously with Christ Rev. 19. 12. Isay 32. 1. now indeed they are Kings but yet they reign not as they shall do then Rev. 5. 8 10. and ch 20. 4 6. they shall then judg the World and have power over the nations 1 Cor. 6. 1 3. Rev. 2. 26. and this new name of perfect victory and dominion they shall then have in this White-stone they shall then be actually and gloriously the Sons of God Rev. 21. 7. and that will be their new name that shall then be written so as it shall be seen and read of all men 2 Cor. 3. 2. And this is such a name Which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it none of the World now nay though themselves now receive it by faith and so in part know it yet not so compleatly and fully as the Apostle John saith Beloved now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear no not unto our selves what we shall be c. 1 Joh. 3. 1 2. Ps 31. 19. see more of this new name in the notes on Rev. 3. v. 12. Oh how might the consideration of all herein said strengthen us to endure hardness as good souldiers of Jesus Christ To fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life whereunto we are called that however now our names are cast out as evil for the son of Man's sake yet at the last we may be counted worthy to have this new name which none knoweth saving he that receiveth it 1 Tim. 6. 12. 2 Tim. 2. 3 5. 1 Cor. 9. 26 27. Eph. 3. 11. Verse 18. And unto the Angel of the Church in Thyatira write These things saith the Son of God who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire and his feet are like fine brass This Epistle as we see is directed unto and written for the Angel of the Church in Thyatira see the notes before on v. 1. It seems the Gospel was first planted here by the Apostle Paul Acts 16. Our Lord here in this verse thus describes himself These things saith the Son of God He had in that vision ch 1. 13. represented himself as the Son of Man and here he calls himself the Son of God for so indeed the Son of Man is the Son of God so he calls himself or confesseth himself to be both before the counsel of the Jews when the High-priest said unto him I adjure thee by the living God that thou tell us whether thou be the Son of God Jesus saith unto him thou hast said I am nevertheless I say unto you hereafter ye shall see the Son of Man c. Mat. 26. 63 64. with Mark 14. 61 62. Mat. 16. 13 16. Joh. 20. 31. Gal. 2. 20. And he is indeed the Son of God the Son of the Father in truth and love 2 Joh. 3. both 1. As with respect to his divine and eternal generation he being in the form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God Phil. 2. 6. he partakâ—s of the same divine nature and essence with the
Father and is over all God blessed for ever Rom. 9. 5. The true God and eternal life 1 Joh. 5. 20 21. 2. And he is the Son of God as he partook of our nature and is the Man Christ Jesus 1 Joh. 4. 14 15. And he is so called and is 1. As to his incarnation or being made flesh Joh. 1. 14. as the Angel saith to the Virgin The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the Power of the highest shall over shadow thee Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Luke 1. 31 32 33 35. That which was conceived in her was of the Holy Ghost and so of God Mat. 1. 18 20. God prepared him a Body Heb. 10. 5. The Lord herein created a new thing in the Earth a Woman hath compassed a Man Jer. 31. 22. 2. He is the Son of God his obedient Son one that obeyed and so honoured his Father and learned Obedience by the things which he suffered Heb. 5. 9. A Son honoureth his Father Mal. 1. 6. And Christ did always those things which pleased his Father Joh. 8. 28 29. And he became obedient to him unto Death the Death of the Cross Phil. 2. 6 8. Heb. 10. 5 8. 3. The Son of God one in whom he is infinitely delighted He received Honour and Glory when there came such a Voice unto him from the excellent glory both at his Baptism and at his Transfiguration saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased Mark 1. 11. and 9. 7. and ch 12. 6. 2 Pet. 1. 17. The Father loveth the Son and so loveth him that he hath given all things into his Hand Joh. 3. 35. and ch 10. 17. Mat. 11. 27. 4. He is the Son of God his first-born and so his Heir Ps 89. 26 27. He is his Son whom he hath appointed heir of all things the Inheritour of his holy Mountain Heb. 1. 2 3. Isay 65. 9. One who shall inherit all Nations Ps 82. 8. Yea all things that the Father hath are his Joh. 16. 14 15. 5. The Son of God one that is infinitely like unto him and that doth most perfectly resemble him the Son of the Father in truth and love 2 Joh. 3. His holy Child Acts 4. 27. The Image of the Invisible God 2 Cor. 4. 4. Col. 1. 13 14. The brightness of his Glory and the express Character of his person Heb. 1. 2 3. So as he that seeth him seeth the Father also He hath come a light into the World that whosoever believeth in him should not abide in Darkness in Ignorance of God Joh. 8. 12. and ch 12. 45 46. and ch 14. 6 7 9. For God hath shined forth the light of the knowledge of his Glory in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 4 6. And he is the Son of God compleatly and gloriously in the Nature of Man in his being raised from the dead He was in the Resurrection from the Dead determined to be the Son of God with Power Rom. 1. 4. The promise which God made unto the Fathers he hath fulfilled in that he hath raised up Jesus again As it is written thou art my Son this Day have I begotten thee Acts 13. 32 33. He is in this sense said to be the first born from the dead that in all things he might have the preeminence Rev. 1. 5. Col. 1. 18. And this consideration that Jesus is the Son of God may be of use to us 1. To shew unto us the great and wonderful love of God to mankind God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son 3. 16. In this was manifested the love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live thorow him the Father sent the Son the Saviour of the World 1 Joh. 4. 8 10 14. Rom. 8. 32. 2. Seeing Christ is the Son of God it may provoke us to hear him Mat. 17. 15. And to give the more earnest heed unto the things which we have heard because God in these last days hath spoken unto us by his his Son Heb. 1. 1 2. with ch 2. 1 2 3 3. We may see and perceive that this Son of God is more excellent than all others that are so called he is God's first born unto whom God hath given the preeminence in all things for it pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell Col. 1. 18 19. God hath anointed him with the Oyl of gladness above his Fellows Psal 89. 20 27. Heb. 1. Col. 2. 9 10. 4. Seeing he is the Son of God and so eminently the root of Sonship it shews unto us how we may become Sons To as many as received him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his name Joh. 1. 12 13. He that believeth on the Son is not condemned but hath everlasting life Joh. 3. 16 18 35 36. and ch 6. 40. 1 Joh. 5. 10 12. 5. The consideration hereof may encourage such as have the saith of our Loâ—d Jesus Christ to hold it fast and to hâ—ld fast the profession thereof Seeing we have a great High priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast the Profession Heb. 4. 13 14. Who is he that overcometh the World but he that believeth that Jesus is the son of God 1 Joh. 5. 4 5. 6. It sheweth unto us the sad and deplorable condition of such as rebel against and persist in their disobedience to him Seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to an open shame Heb. 6. 6. and chap. 10. 28 29. Oh Be we then wise all of us and kiss the Son lest he be angry and we perish from the way Ps 2. 10 12. Mat. 21. 37 41 43. Who hath his Eyes like unto a flame of Fire and his Feet are like fine Brass See the Notes before on ch 1. v. 14. and 15. Only here we may again note in general from this description of the Son of God in which he appears dreadful as considering the evils found with this Angel and Church namely their suffering Idolatrous and Antichristian Teachers among them That he is greatly displeased with and incensed against such as are false teachers and them who suffer such corrupt teachers amongst them also So also he appears terribly to the Angel and Church in Pergamos who were guilty of the like evil as these were See the Notes before on v. 12 15. And though there were great evils in other of these Churches as in Ephesus Sardis and Laodicea Yet he only appears terrible in the description of himself to these two Churches who had evil and corrupt teachers amongst them 2 Joh. 9. 11. Verse 19. I know thy Works and Charity and Service and Faith and thy Patience and thy Works and the last more than the first Or as some read it
taken in this Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ to signify such as seek after the things here below first of all and set their affections on things upon the earth of which the believers are admonished Col. 3. 1 2. and so they are distinguished from and opposed to them that dwell in Heaven by Faith and have their conversation in Heaven Phil. 3. 20. Rev. 13. 6 8. and ch 12. 12. And in a most full sense they are dwellers on the earth who savour the things that are here below however they may pretend to believe the Gospel such as riotous persons drunkards such as abuse the good creatures of God here below and abuse themselves with them As our Saviour signifies saying Take â—eed to your selves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfetting and drunkenness and the cares of this life and so that day come upon you unawares for as a snare it will come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth Luke 21. 34 35. and in this sense such live on the earth who walk in uncleanness or covetousness and such as are alive to the riches Honour Glory praise and friendship of this World and who demean themsâ—lves as if they should live here for ever and such as are enemies of and injurious unto them which have the word of God and Testimony of Jesus Christ and whose fear toward God is taught by the precepts and doctrines of Men see Rev. 6 10. and 11. 10. and ch 13. 12 14. and 17. 8. upon which dwellers of the earth so abiding all the woes denounced and threatned shall be executed Isay 26. 18 21. Rev. 8. 13. and ch 12. 12. Because they are worshippers of the beast c. Rev. 17. 2. And 2. By them that dwell upon the earth may also be signified more generally such as are in this World living Men as to us such as in their Mortal bodies are upon the earth and so the righteous are as well as the unrighteous for God hath made of one blood all nations of Men for to dwell on all the face of the earth To all whom the Lord speaks to when he saith all ye inhabitants of the world and dwellers on the earth see ye when he lifts up an ensign c. Isay 18. 3. with Rev. 14. 6. Dan. 4. 1. and ch 6. 25. Joh. 17. 15. and these may all be called dwellers on the earth both to distinguish them that dwell in the dust Isay 26. 19. and from the Spirits of just men made perfect who may be said in a more full sense to dwell in Heaven than any that are still in mortal bodies on earth though they may by faith dwell in Heaven also Rev. 13. 6. and ch 18. 20. Now upon both these in both considerations this hour of temptations here spoken of shall come 2. The end why it should come upon them and that is To try them namely 1. To prove them and to discover what manner of persons they are and whether they will at such a time be friends of or enemies to his Gospel and people thus he comes to try and prove men by persecutions and by false teachers and such as encline to and follow them all are in such a day proved such as are instruments of evil and affliction and such as suffer from them or are inticed by them Deut. 8. 2 14 16. 2. And he doth it while it 's called to day to purify them or give them occasion to purify themselves by those probations and discoveries he makes of them to themselves and others see the notes before on Rev. 2. v. 10 4. We have lastly to consider the promise it self viz I will keep thee I that am holy I that am true I will keep thee namely such as keep his Gospel and hold that â—ast So here Because thou hast kept the word of my patience I also will keep thee c. such as have and keep his word in the midst of their hearts and mouths like that Prov. 3. 21 26. and ch 4. 4 6. Isay 26. 2 3. such as let the things they have heard from the beginning abide in them they shall continue in the Son and in the Father 1 Joh. 2. 24. they shall abide in and under the gracious protection and defence of the Almighty 1 Joâ— 3. 24. his truth shall be their shield and buckler Ps 91. 4. Prov. 4. 13. and this might therefore engage us to keep his word and preserve us from listening unto and entertaining any strange voice what-soever Joh. 14. 21 23. 1 Pet. He will keep such from the hour of temptation or out of it while and as it may be for their good this he can do at his pleasure Acts 18. 10 11. Ps 105. 14 16. or however he will keep them from the evil of all no evil shall befal them Ps 91. 10 12. As the Lord saith when thou passest thorow the waters I will be with thee and thorow the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest thorow the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee Isay 43. 1 3. The gates of Hell shall not prevail against them that keep his word Mat. 16. 18. Ps 12. 6 7. Oh then be we incouraged and provoked to wait upon him and keep his word and way and then we need fear none evil whatever Ps 121. and 125. Rom. 8. 28 â—9 he hath the ordering of all temptations and times or hours of temptation and he is â—aithful who will not suffer them to be tempted above what they are able but will with the temptation make a way to escape and so keep them out of the hour of temptation 1 Cor. 10. 13. he knows how to deliver the Godly out of temptation as he did Lot though he met with much exercise and grief 2 Pet. 2. 6 9. he can hide us Ps 27. 4. 5. and 31. 20. Jer. 36. 26. yea though we are never so weak and have never so little strength as v. 8. yet he will be a strength to the poor a strength to the needy in his distress a refuge from the storm c. Isay 25. 4. and blessed is the Man whose strength is in him Ps 84. 4 5. Oh then hide we his word in the midst of our hearts and follow him in the regeneration so shall we never fall nor will he suffer our feet to be moved Ps 119. 165. and 66. 8 12. As our Saviour saith to his disciples and the Jews My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any Man pluck them out of my hand my Father which gave them me is greater than all and no Man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand c. Joh. 10. 27 30. 2 Joh. 9. 10. In this promise this also may be contained that he would so keep them from the hour of
slack to him that hates him whoever he be he will repay him to his face Thou shalt therefore keep the commandements of the Lord and if thou do the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware to thy Fathers Deut. 7. 9 10 12. Josh 1. 5 7. Numb 14. 8 9. Like whereto is that which Samuel said unto Israel The Lord will not forsake his people for his great names sake because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people then might some say our condition is so safe and sure that however we demean our selves we can never be cast off and though we may fall foully cannot fall finally Naâ— but notwithstanding all this saith he If ye still do wickedly ye shall be consumed c. 1 Sam. 12. 22 25. To the same purpose our Lord speaks here unto these Though as if he should say I have made such a promise to you yet hold fast what you have or else you will lose your crown notwithstanding that promise Like that also Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning if that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father and this is the promise that he hath promised us even Eternal Life 1 Joh. 2. 24 25. He is indeed and abides faithful who hath promised but if we sin willingly after the Knowledge of the truth received there remains no more Sacrifice for sin but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment and Fiery Indignation which shall devour the Adversaries Heb. 10. 23 26 29 36 38. See the notes before on verse 4. and verse 5. of this Chapter Now in that our Lord Jesus addeth this Counsel and Exhortation after that promise in verse 10. so it may be useful to us 1. To admonish us all to take heed and beware of high-mindedness Oh let us not be high-minded but fear for if God spared not the Natural Branches to whom pertained the Adoption and the Covenants and the Promises we have cause abundant to fear he will not spare us if we rebel against him notwithstanding any promises made to us Rom. 11. 20 22. with ch 9. 3 4. and Acts 3. 25. Let us not then say Thou Lord of thy goodness and by thy favour hast made our Mountain to stand so strong that we shall never be moved however we demean our selves but let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall Ps 30. 6 7. with 1 Cor. 10. 10 12. Happy is the Man that feareth always but he that hardens his heart shall fall into mischief Prov. 28. 14. 2. Having such promises let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and Spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 6. 14 17. and ch 7. 1. and not presume of Gods protection or preservation of us out of his way a wise man fears and departs from evil but the fool rages and is confident Prov. 14. 26. Deut. 29. 12 18 20 c. 3. Let us abide in Christ and in his Doctrine so will he keep us from the evil of all temptations whatsoever He that abides in him sins not he doth not commit sin nor miss his mark 1 Joh. 3. 6. And whosoever abides in the Doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and Son 2 Joh. 9. Col. 2. 6 8. To which end also let us mind and consider the next thing viz. 3. The reason why they should hold that fast which they had That no Man take thy Crown In which words he gives us to understand That there is a Crown which is called their Crown who have kept the word of Christ verse 10. Wherein also we may enquire and consider 1. What is this Crown here spoken of 2. How it is called theirs 1. What is this Crown here spoken of And to that we may say As it hath respect to the Angel directly so hereby is meant the glory of their service in the Gospel even such hearty Believers as were begotten unto and preserved in Christ by their diligent and faithful labouring in the Word and Doctrine with which they that are faithful teachers shall as it were cloth themselves as with an Ornament and bind them on them as a Bride doth Isay 49. 18. Those that are brought in by them instrumentally and preserved in the Faith will be their glory As with respect to such they will rejoyce in the Day of Christ that they have not run in vain nor laboured in vain Phil. 2. 16. and 4. 1. Hence the Apostle Paul saith for what is our Hope or Joy or Crown of rejoycing are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming For ye are our Glory and joy 1 Thes 2. 19 20. and the Apostle John thus speaks Now little Children abide in him that when he shall appear we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming 1 Joh. 2. 28. 2 Joh. 8. Heb. 13. 17. And thus understanding their Crown here so it shews to us that the proper and effectual way for Christ's Angels to keep their Crown and preserve them that hear them is by holding fast themselves the word of Christs patience Hence the Apostle saith to Timothy take heed to thy self and to the Doctrine continue in them for in so doing thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee 1 Tim. 4. 9 11 16. and exhorts him to hold fast the form of sound words which he had heard in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 1. 13 14. and ch 2. 2. and ch 4. 2 5. and warns him to beware of and to turn away from false Teachers and beseeches him to charge some that they taught no other doctrine beside that of Jesus Christ 1 Tim. 1. 3 15. and ch 2. 4 7. and 6. 3 5. Tit. 1. 9. and ch 2. 11 15. Acts 20. 28 32. and in these Epistles to the Seven Churches in Asia such Angels are commended and encouraged by Christ as did hold fast the faithful word and they are blamed who suffer'd evil teachers among them as Pergamos and Thyatira ch 2. Or as it may have respect to all believers to which we shall especially speak so there is a crown prepared for them A Kingdom prepared for them Compare Jam. 1. 12. with ch 2. 5. And this is sometimes called A Crown of Life Rev. 2. 10. they shall enter into Life eternal and so into the Kingdom Mark 9. 43 47. they shall reign in Life by one Man Jesus Christ Rom. 5. 17. Sometimes it is called a Crown of Glory Prov. 4. 9. Isay 28. 5. They are called to the obtaining the Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes 2. 14. 1 Cor. 1. 9. sometimes a crown of righteousness 2 Tim. 4. 8. with Jam. 1. 12. and Jam. 2. 5. sometimes an incorruptible crown which fadeth not away 1 Cor. 9. 25. with 1
Joh. 2. 8. His word was always true but the truth of it is now made more apparent in the preaching of the Gospel according to the Revelation of the Mystery His Record is true concerning all things there is no lye of it but he is a true witness in what he speaketh of God the Father himself the work of the Spirit Mankind Sin Righteousness Judgment Life Death and of what he is become and hath for us Gold tried in the Fire White Rayment and of the loathsomness of this Lukewarmness to him These things saith he who is holy he who is true Rev. 3. 7. He is true and worthy to be listened unto and believed by us in all his declarations promises discoveries requirings instructions reproofs threats c. a faithful and true witness who will not lye one who is faithful to the interest of our Souls Prov. 14. 5. A true witness who delivers Souls from their Transgressions wandrings lukewarmnesses who hath power to deliver from Sin Satan Fears Evils Dangers yea from the Wrath to come and is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him Prov. 14. 25. 1 Thes 1. 10. Heb. 7. 24 25. The beginning of the creation of God He is before all things and by him all things consist Col. 1. 17 18. The beginning both of the first and old Creation And that both 1. In giving a being to it when before it had none It was God's creation but made by him God created all things by Jesus Christ Eph. 3. 9. He is the Creator of the ends of the Earth that faints not neither is weary there is no searching of his understanding By him were all things created visible and invisible All things were created by him and for him Col. 1. 16. He knows how and hath understanding to help us when we are faint dead dry decaying He gives power to the faint and to them that have no might he increaseth strength Isay 40. 27 29. Ah Lord God saith the Prophet behold thou hast made the Heaven and the Earth by thy great power and stretched out arm and there is nothing too hard for thee Jer. 32. 17. What cannot he do that created all things And all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made Joh. 1. 1 3. He can restore heat and health and heal us of our wounds and cure our loathsome distempers when our bruise is incurable and wound grievous and we have no healing Medicines nor is there any to plead our cause that we may be bound up Jer. 30. 12 17. 2. And he is the maker of the creation of God when it was marred by Mans seeking out â—oolish inventiâ—ns The Earth and all the Inhabitants thereof were dissolved He beareth up the pillars thereof Ps 75. 3. He upholds all things by the word of his power Heb. 1. 3. The World was made by him preserved from perishing and upheld when it was marred spoiled and dissolved by the iniquity of Mankind Joh. 1. 10. And therefore though you have destroyed your selves and deserve to be rejected and cast off and out from his presence and favour for ever yet in him is your help neither is there Salvation in any other Acts 4. 12. Oh turn again to him from whom you have revolted he hath made peace by the Blood of his Cross by him to reconcile all things to himself Col. 1. 20. And he is the beginning of the new Creation thorow and by means of his personal abasement and sufferings the Captain of our Salvation was made perfect thorow sufferings Heb. 2. 10. In him there is a compleat Creation He is the beginning the first-born from the dead that in all things he might have the pre-eminence for it pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell Col. 1. 18 19. In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and in â—im we are compleat compleatly prepared for and furnished with all furniture who is the Head of all principality and power Col. 2. 9 10. In him our nature is restored again into the Image of God after a more glorious manner than ever it was made in the first publick man And so there is in him a compleat and perfect provision of all things that may tend to our being brought back to God in our own person so made new Creatures as every one is that is in him because he died for all and rose again Jam. 3. 9. Eph. 2. 10. 2 Cor. 5. 14 17. There is in him a justification from the guilt of our first sin and sinfulness so as that all that have sinned and are come short of the glory of God are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Rom. 4. 25. and 3. 23 24. and he hath obtained forgiveness of our personal sins gifts for Men yea for the rebellious also healing of our diseases decays deadnesses Gold to enrich poor wretched miserable ones White Rayment to cover our shameful nakedness Eye-salve to cure our blindness Spirit to quicken and enliven us and to put heat into and recover lukewarm-ones The last Adam was made a quickning Spirit to quicken those that were dead in trespasses 1 Cor. 15. 45. He hath by his Blood obtained eternal Redemption forgiveness of our Sins for ever and the recovery of our loss even of all the glory of God of which we came short by our sinning He hath restored that which he took not away Heb. 9 12. So as that in him there is help and salvation for us when we have rendred our selves vile and brought our selves into a loathsome condition He is the Fountain of Life of living waters of grace and truth the Treasury and Store-house of all Gods fulness for us that he may dispence to us thereof according to our various wants and capacities and that of his fulness we may receive and Grace for Grace Indeed he is the beginning and end of this new Creation the author and finisher of the Faith whose hands have laid the foundation and whose hands shall finish the building Rev. 1. 8 11. Zech. 4. 7 9. Heb. 12. 2. Verse 15. I know thy works see notes on chap. 2. verse 1. that thou art neither cold nor hot I would thou wert cold or hot He saw that their works were not perfect before him and thence saith and observeth That thou art neither cold nor hot not cold there was still some profession of the faith with them some seeking God waiting upon him and approaching to him they had not wholly left off all professed worshipping of him and calling upon his name they might still read and hear and pray and have some use of Christs ordinances among them and a form of Godliness upon them They had not professedly cast off the thing that was good but there was some warmth with them still And surely they did assemble themselves together for they were yet reckoned by Christ a
of Angels Chap. 5. 8 9 11 12. and all creatures before the living creatures and elders Chap. 5. 13 14. and the innumerable multitude which are clothed with white robes and had palms in their hands before all the Angels Chap. 7. 9 11. 3. Nor doth any such thing here necessarily appear as is supposed and taken for granted in the objection viz. that the living creatures do begin in the adoration of him that sits upon the Throne but when the living creatures give glory honour and thanks The four and twenty Elders fall down c. like that When the living creatures went the wheels went by or with them and when the living creatures were lift up from the earth the wheels were lift up for one spirit acted them both Ezek. 1. 19 20. and chap. 10. 16 17. so it is here They both together at the same instant worship him that liveth for ever and ever And in this Chapter the Elders are first described ver 4. And though in order of words the living creatures are first mentioned in this place though that proves not they are first in work it may be to instruct us that whenever the Church on Earth bows before him that sits on the Throne those that are present with the Lord joyn there with in their adoration also 4. The living creatures may in this place be mentioned in order of words before the Elders because the Apostle had from ver 6. been describing and speaking of them and so he would finish what he had to say of them before he would again speak of the Elders But we shall come to look into this Verse a little particularly in which we shall speak unto the Act or Acts of their worship as they are here declared to us for as to the object of it it is the very same and in the same words described with the object of the worship of the four living creatures To which we have spoken already in the foregoing Verse The four and twenty Elders fall down and worship These two phrases may signifie to us one and the same thing these two expressions here may both signifie the Worship and Reverence they give compare Matth. 15. 8. with Mark 7. 6. and Matth. 4. 9. with Luk. 4. 7. as the object is one and the same object though described to us in two branches Him that sate on the throne who liveth for ever and ever and both of them are joyned together in ver 9. Or we may say They fall down that is they do most submissively prostrate themselves before the great King of Heaven and Earth Mal. 1. 14. they fall down from their seats or thrones ver 4. and chap. 11. 16. and chap. 19. 4. signifying he is infinitely above them and his throne above theirs And worship to wit adore or religiously reverence him Isa 46. 6. and cast their crowns before the throne that is when they worship they lay a side their ornaments of glory and make themselves like ordinary persons as it were like their brethren that are on earth they make themselves as common persons as it were as their crowns may be said to be profaned and themselves consequently when they are cast to the ground Psal 89. 39. They sit down from their head-tires and crowns of glory in token of humility as they are instructed to do Jer. 13. 18. And thus they prostrate themselves not before an Image Idol or fellow-creature as Idolaters in former times both amongst his professed people and amongst the Heathen also did Isa 44. 15-20 and chap. 46. 10. Dan. 3. 5 7 10 15. and as too many in our days do but before him that liveth for ever and ever And their humble prostration of themselves before him that sits on the throne may thus be declared to us that are here below 1. To preserve us from making any Saints departed though never so excellent and glorious the objects of our religious adoration or from invocating or praying to them Rev. 19. 10. and chap. 22. 8 9. they do as it were by their acts of deep humility in falling down worshipping and casting their crowns before the throne actually say We are not worthy to receive religious worship but thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour c. Vers 11. They by removing their Diadems and taking off and casting down their crowns do as it were say We are not the He whose right it is to be worshipped as Ezek. 21. 26 27. but that appertains only to him that sits on the Throne and indeed He and He only is to be religiously worshipped and served by us Matth. 4. 10. 2. From the very humble adoration and prostration of those that dwell in Heaven which is more fully and significantly expressed and plainly declared to us here than that of the four living creatures we may learn That the neerer we are to and the more clearly we behold him that sits on the throne his glorious Holiness Almightiness and Majesty the more it will fill us with low thoughts of our selves and cause us to defile our Horn in the dust This here appears by the account given us of the exercise of the living creatures and of that of the Elders Of the former indeed it may be intimated to us that they do humble themselves in the presence of the Lord and in token thereof with two of their wings may cover their faces as we have said before in the notes on ver 8. but of the latter it is said They fall down before him that sate on the throne and worship him and cast their crowns before the throne so also in chap. 5. 14. of the living creatures it is only said they said Amen To which is presently added And the twenty four elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever And in chap. 11. 16. where the Elders are only mentioned it is said of them They fell on their faces and worshipped God Indeed where the Elders and living creatures are joyntly spoken of in their worship the same acts or exercises are affirmed of both as chap. 5. 8. and chap. 19. 4. but not so when they and the acts of their worship are distinctly mentioned The truth hereof we might also see in the holy and glorious Angels it is said of them Yea of all of them they fell before the throne on their faces and worshipped God Chap. 7. 11. see also Isa 6. 1 2 3. Ezek. 1. 11-23 see the notes before on ver 8. As also this may be seen in those holy Ones who are on earth in mortal bodies that the clearer sight and vision they have of him that sits on the throne and the neerer as it were they are to him the more their own imperfection shortness and wretchedness in themselves appears so as pride is hidden from them and they even loath themselves Thus it was with the holy man Job when he only heard of God by the hearing of the ear he carried
weep outwardly as they did nor did they well in so weeping yet his heart was even broken by means thereof Act. 21. 13. Oh put we on also bowels of mercies towards others and to that end cast we out that self-love that is so much found with us And look we not on our own things but on the things of others also that so we may weep with them that weep Rom. 12. 15 16 Phil. 2. 1-5 6. 3. In that the Apostle John doth record this matter viz. his weeping with the cause thereof and the Elders Prohibition in saying Weep not in which appears somewhat of the Apostles infirmity and how he was repressed and somewhat reproved for it so we may learn that he did not only record such things as in which he was lifted up but such things also as in which his infirmities appeared and which might cast shame upon him Thus also he tells us how he fell at the feet of the Angel to worship him which he ought not to have done and how he was blamed for it Rev. 19. 10. and Chapt. 22. 8 9. and Chap. 1. 17 18. Thus other holy Ones have done My feet were almost gone saith the Psalmist my steps had well nighslipt Thus was mine heart grieved and I was pricked in my reins so foolish was I and ignorant I was as a beast before thee my Soul refused to be comforted And I said this is my infirmity Psal 73. and 77. and 34 Title And very frequently when the Apostle Paul declares the exceeding abundant Grace of to our Lord Jesus towards him he then also repeats what a vile one he had been and what cause of shame and blame belonged to him Act. 22. and 26. Gal. 1. 1 Tim. 1. 12-16 Tit. 3. 3 4 c. and the like we might shew in manifold othet â—nstances and Examples recorded in Scrpture O Lord what Pride and unwillingness to take shame to our selves is found in us generally It may be well said of us Were they ashamed nay they were not at all ashamed neither could they blush Jer. 6. 15. we can freely and fluently enough and too fast speak of that which we judge may tend to lift us up and whereby we may exalt our selves But alas how backward and unwilling are we to confess our evils and infirmities or take shame to our selves How loath to turn at reproof or to acknowledge how we have been faulted and blamed by such as are faithful in the Lord O Lord help us to humble our selves in thine humblings of us that thou mayest exalt us in due time 2. We have to consider what the Elder said unto John to comfort him as with respect to another In which there is contained an excellent and substantial Reason why he should not weep Behold the Lion of the Tribe of Juda c. Where we may note in general for our usefulness and instruction 1. He doth not only say Weep not but shews him good Cause and Reason why he so said to him and why John should not weep as Dan. 9. 22. and so more generally we may say for all that God doth require of us or forbid us He propounds weighty Motives and Arguments to move us to do what is required and to avoid what is forbidden He doth not Command men to repent and believe but in shewing them good Reason for it to wit because Christ hath died for them and is risen again and there is repentance and forgiveness of sins in his Name for them Act. 3. 19-22-26 Rom. 10. 14 15. nor doth he reprove men for what is evil but in discovering to them the evil of that he reproves All things that are reproved are made manifest by the light for whatsoever doth make manifest is light wherefore he saith Awake thou that sleepest c. Eph. 5. 13 14. Jam. 4. 4 5 6. Rom. 12. 1. 2. The Elder doth not comfort the Apostle now by directing him unto himself as hath been before said but by directing him unto the Lord Jesus Christ who is the consolation of Israel Luk. 2. 25. And in whom there are such consolations as are proper to comfort them that are in any trouble 2 Cor. 1. 3-5 Those that are absent from the body are present with the Lord walking before him and filled with the knowledge of him Heb. 12. 23. And it is their delightful and joyful work to celebrate the praises of the Lamb and his praise-worthiness Rev. 5. 8 9. And there is that contained in him and declared in the Gospel which is proper and powerful to comfort all that mourn Isa 61. 1 2 3. and the Holy Spirit who is frequently called the Comforter doth comfort by testifying of Christ by glorifying Christ taking of his things and shewing unto us Joh. 14. 16-26 and Chap. 15. 26. and Chap. 16. 7-14 15. And the Lord directs and commands his Servants thus to comfort and speak to the hearts of his people Isa 40. 2-8 9. for God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in him Eph. 1. 3. In him it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell and in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and in him we are compleat Col. 1. 19. and Chap. 2. 9 10. unto him all things are delivered of the Father Yea all things that the Father hath are his Matth. 11. 27. Joh. 16. 14 15. 3. We may also take notice how the Elder doth describe Christ in such expressions as are sutable unto and agree with the Scripture of truth as we may see and shall shew afterward God willing And so also doth the Elder make use of the Scripture-Expressions and Sayings Rev. 7. 16 17. with Isai 49. 10. and Chap. 25. 8. Though he was in Heaven yet thus he speaks to shew unto us that his Word is for ever settled in Heaven as Psal 119. 89. And that we might keep the form of sound words therein contained in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 1. 13 14. and answer herewith them that are sent or send unto us Prov 22. 18-21 2 Tim. 3. 13-16 And always have recourse to the Law and to the Testimony as knowing whosoever speaks not according hereto though he should be or pretend to be a Messenger from Heaven there is no light in him Isa 8. 19 20. with Gal. 1. 8 9. But we shall now come to speak unto the words themselves Behold the Lion of the Tribe of Juda Hereby is certainly meant Jesus Christ as also appears in what follows ver 6-10 c. And he is said to be of Judah of the Tribe of Judah because he was of it according to the flesh being the Son and off-spring of David the fruit of his Loyns Rev. 22. 16. Isai 11. 1. Act. 2. 30. He was of the Seed of David according to the flesh Rom. 1. 1-3 2 Tim. 2-8 As plainly appears in that Geneaology Matth. 1. 3-6 It is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah saith
his Brother But he hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law Psal 49 6 7. with Gal. 3. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. And he hath redeemed all the saints and holy Ones unto God out of every kindred and tongue c. Rev. 5. 9. And Job signifies his Redeemer was God Job 19. 25 27. 3. By his upholding all things as after the Apostle had been saying By Christ God made the worlds he presently adds He upholdeth all things by the word of his power Heb. 1 2 3. The earth and all the Inhabitants thereof were dissolved he bears up the pillars thereof Psal 75. 2 3. He is before all things and by him all things consist and stand together in that good and comely order in which they are Câ—l 1. 16 17. 4. By his Providence and providential ordering and governing of all things Vnto us a child is born saith the Prophet unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulders and he shall be called Wonderful Counseller the mighty God c. Isa 9. 6 7. The Father henceforth judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the son that all men should honour the son c. Joh. 5. 22 23. with ver 19. Matth. 28. 18. 5. By his work of Resurrection that is the work of the Omnipotent God which no mere creature hath power to effect it is God that raiseth the dead 2 Cor. 1. 9. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you that God should raise the dead It is impossible for any mere creature to do it indeed and it may justly therefore be thought incredible that any of them should do it but nothing is too hard for God Act. 22. 8. Now this work of Omnipotency hath been and shall be wrought and effected by Christ He raised his own body John 2. 19 21. And all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth John 5. 28 29. He is the resurrection and the life John 11. 25. 2 Cor. 4. 14. 6. By his eternally judging all which is the work of God as it is said And to God the judg of all Heb. 12. 23. But he shall judg all by Jesus Christ whom he hath ordained the judg of quick and dead Rom. 2. 16. We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ 2 Cor. 5. 10. He shall sit upon the throne of his glory and before him shall be gathered all nations and he will give to every one according as his work shall be to those on his right hand eternal life and salvation of which he is the Author and those on his left hand shall be destroyed with everlasting destruction from his presence Matth. 25. 31-46 Rev. 22. 12. Act. 3. 15. Heb. 5. 9. 2 Thes 1. 6-9 and that he is the true God will also and further appear by the religious worship that is and ought to be given to him to which after Only here we may briefly say In that the lamb is the true God 1. This shews unto us how infinitely precious his personal abasement and sufferings are his blood is the blood of God Act. 20. 28. It is the precious blood of Christ who is over all God blessed for ever 1 Pet. 1. 19. with Rom. 9. 5. and therefore it is infinitely and eternally precious in it self and precious with his Father Prov. 17. 8. 1 Pet. 2. 4. Phil. 2. 6. 9. and unto them that believe 1 Pet. 2. 7. therefore we have good cause to glory only and always in his cross Gal. 6. 14. and to eat his flesh and drink his blood or otherwise we have no life in â—s his flesh is meat indeed and his blood is drink indeed being the flesh and blood of him who came down from Heaven and who is the Son of God by divine and eternal generation John 6. 32-35-42-51-53-58 2. It shews unto us his wonderful love in being so greatly abased for sinful fallen mankind Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though â—e was rich yet for our sakes he became poor that we thorow his poverty might be enriched 2 Cor. 8. 9. Herein perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us 1 John 3. 16. He could propose no real advantage or increase of glory or happiness to himself for â—e was in the form of God and thought it no robbery to be equal to God yet made himself of no reputation c. Phil. 2. 5-8 Here was greatness and freeness of love and charity indeed He sought not his own things 1 Cor. 13. 5. John 17. 4 5. 3. It shews unto us what a great High-priest we have even Jesus the Son of God who is mighty to save able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him neither is there salvation in any other He is a just God and a Saviour and there is none beside him Oh let us then look unto him and â—e saved and come with boldness to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need He is the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Isa 45. 21 24. with Phil. 2. 6-10 Isa 63. 1. with Act. 4. 12. Heb. 4. 14. 16. and chap. 7. 25 28. Tit. 2. 13. 4. It may admonish and warn us to take heed we despise not nor reject this mighty one Exod. 23. 21. If they escaped not who refused him that sâ—â—ke on earth much more shall not we escape if we refâ—se him that speaketh from Heaven Heb. 12. 25-29 As he is able to save so also to destroy Jam. 4. 12. Psal 2. 6-8-12 Rev. 6. 16 17. 5. Let it move and prevail with us all to kiss submit unto reverence and love him Psal 2. 12. To â—ow down unto and worship him Matth. 21. 37. Joh. â— 22 2â— And this leads us to the next particular viz. 2. Because he is very God God by nature he is and ought to be religiously worshipped and adored as these holy Ones here do Before we come to speak particularly hereto or demonstrate the truth hereof we may a little speak to this phrase before the Lamb which is in the Scripture-use and acception all one as to say they fell down to the Lamb or they worshipped the Lamb so the phrase is used as with respect to a false object of worship so it is said of Amaziah He set up the Gods of the children of Seir to be his Gods and bowed down himself before them c. 2 Chron. 25. 14. see Ezek. 14. 3 4 7. So the words of Satan to our Saviour are thus exprest by one Evangelist If thou wilt fall down and worship me By another thus If thou wilt fall down before me Compare Matth. 4. 9. with Luk. 4. 7. to signifie the falling down before any object religiously is to worship that object Compare also Rev. 19. 10. with chap. 22. 8. It is indeed Idolaâ—ry to fall down before a false object
that for ever which are usually given as part of divine worship to the true and eternal God and to him only see Rom. 1. 25. and 11. 36. Gal. 1. 5. Phil. 4. 20. 1 Tim. 1. 17. Jude 25. Rev. 7. 12. And this rendring of praise honour and glory is given unto the true God by Jesus Christ Rom. 16. 27. Ephes 3. 21. And as it appears these ascribings of praise c. are given to Jesus Christ Heb. 13. 21. 1 Pet. 4. 11. and chap. 5. 10. 11. and without controversie they are given to him in several places peculiarly and very fully as Christ who is over all God blessed for ever Amen Rom. 9. 5. To him be glory for ever and ever Amen 2 Tim. 4. 18. with vers 1. 22. To him be glory both now and for ever Amen 2 Pet. 3. 18. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen Rev. 1. 6. and Chap. 5. 12-14 and Chap. 7. 10. By all which we may see that the Lamb is also God by nature and therefore to be worshipped with Divine and religious worship and adoration And I have the largelier insisted hereon because there are too many that endeavour to cast him down from his excellency and would perswade that Christ is only an excellent creature 2. We have in the next place to consider what these holy one had when they with all humility prostrated themselves before the Lamb viz. Having every one of them harps and golden Vials full of odours or inceâ—se which are the prayers of Saints Where we have to consider 1. What they had Having every one of them Harps and golden Vials full of odours or incense 2. An Explication given us of these Harps and golden Vials what they are viz. Which are the prayers of Saints 1. What these holy ones had in this Visional representation Having every one of them Harps and golden Vials full of odours or incense Having every one of them Harps Harps were Instruments of Musick invented by Juball who was the father of them Gen. 4. 21. and the Harp was used frequently for mirth joy and gladness Gen. 31. 27. Isa 5. 12. and 23. 16. Joh. 21. 12. Hence it is called the pleasant harp Psal 81. 2. And the joy of the Harp Isa 24. 8. Yea it appears that by Harp is meant joy and gladness in that it is opposed to mourning by Job who saith My Harp also is turned to mourning Job 30 31. And when they had cause and occasion of mourning they laid them by that being an unseasonable time to use them in As it is said By the rivers of Babylon we wept when we remembred Zioâ— we hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof Psal 137. 1 2-4 with Prov. 25. 20. And with Harps when religiously used the people of God did with gladness and rejoicing celebrate the praises of the Lord. So David who was a cunning Player on it 1 Sam. 16. 16 23. resolves he would dâ— Psal 43. 4. and 57. 7 9. and 71. 22. and 108. 1-3 and 81. 2. and commends its use on the Sabbath-day to such an end Psal 92. 1-4 5. and provokes and excites others to praise the Lord with the Harp Psal 33. 2. and 98. 5. and 147. 7. and 150. 3. With these also the singers in former times were to praise the Lord and give thanks unto him 1 Câ—â—on 25. 1-6 and particularly thus with them they praised the Lord For be is good for his mercy endureth for ever 2 Chron. 5. 12. Thus here it is said of these holy ones they bad Harps that is prayers as in the latter end of the verse or praises they did with joy celebrate the praises of the Lamb they did rejoice in the Lord and joy in the God of their salvation and sound forth with merry hearts and gladness the praises of the Lamb who was slain as it follows in ver 9. Now here we may learn 1. In that they thus prostrate themselves before the Lamb having Harps that Christ is Jeâ—ovah the true God God by nature as we have seen in the former part of this verse and as appears in that it was Jehovah only whose praises the righteous in former times did celebrate and sound forth with Harps when they used them religiously Indeed the Heathen and false worshippers used them in praising their dead and false Gods Dan. 3. 5 7 10 15. but those that were upright would not join with them therein vers 17 18. 1 Chron. 13. 8. 2. We may here see the union and communion between the Holy ones in Heaven and the Saints on Earth they had every one of them Harps and they were as one in making one sound to be heard in praising and exalting not themselves or one another but in singing praises to their King with their Harps Psal 149. 1-3 2 Chron. 5. 12. Psal 133. these here below did not invocate and extol those above but they had all of them one object of praise to wit the Lamb and the twenty-four Elders had not the Harps and the four living Creatures the golden Vials but they had every one of both the Eâ—ders and living Creatures Harps and golden Vials c. See the Notes before on on Rev 4. 10. 3. In that it is said They had Harps which are Prayers c. so we may understand they were not outward material Harps but such as were more excellent and the truth of those typical ones in former times they had a worldly sanctuary but we a spiritual and heavenly one Heb. 9. 1. with Chap. 8. 1 2. â—hey had an Altar High Priest Sacrifice c. but we have the truth of their types Heb. 13. 10. Jeâ— 1. 17. their Harps indeed in former times were called Musical instruments of God 1 Chron. 16. 42. with ver 4 5. because by his appointment they were to worship him with them But ours are more excellent theirs were made by men of fiâ—r-trees 2 Sam. 6. 5. or Algum-tree 2 Chron. 9. 11. but these are made by the Spirit of God Ephâ—s 5. 18-10 Rom. 8. 26 27. and in a more excellent consideration are called Harps of God Rev. 15. 1 2. 4. We may here see who are the singers now not the Levites as in our types but the Saints as in the latter part of the verse Ephes 5. 18 19. Col. 3. 16. Cant. 2. 14. They that come to Christ whether Jews or Gentiles are a chosen gâ—neration a Royal Priesthood c. they are taken for Priests and Levites And in and with their giving thanks to him there is a voice of melody Isa 66. 20 21. Rev. 1. 5 6. 1 Pet. 2. 4. 9 10. But to this more on ver 9 10. And they had also golden Phials or cups aâ— some read it which are certain Vessels to contain liquor or any liquid thing in them so we read of a Phial or Box of Oyl in former times 1 Sam. 10. 1. with 2 King 9. 3. And in this Book we have
to the Serpent a subtle and vile Creature 2 Cor. 11. 3. Rev. 12. 9 14 15. and 20. 2. and Dragon c. Ps 91. 13. Rev. 12. 3 4 7 9 c. And wicked Men are like to Creatures that have no understanding Ps 32. 9. Man not abiding in Honour is like the Beasts that perish Ps 49. 12 20. Wicked Men are as natural brute Beasts made to be taken and destroyed 2 Pet. 2. 12. So they are called Serpents Vipers deaf Adders Dogs Foxes c. But having spoken so much to this Question we shall in the following part of the Verse speak nothing further concerning wicked Spirits and Men persisting wicked who are in some sort the most miserable of Creatures and it were better for them they had no being but shall confine our discourse unto every Creature that was made subject to Vanity not willingly 8. Rom. 20. 22. I mean the mute and brute Creatures 2. He gives unto us an account what he heard of or from them and that is declared 1. More generally saying of the four living Creatures and twenty four Elders it is said They had every one of them Harpes c. and they sung a new Song c. But it is not here said I heard them singing but saying and it is said of the Angels the Apostle heard them saying with a loud voice v. 11 12. but not so here We have no mention at all of their Voice but it is only said I heard them saying which might be and was without an Articulate Voice as to these Creatures generally we may say of them generally as the Psalmist doth of the Heavens and Firmament There is no Speech nor Language their Voice is not heard to wit in a full and proper sence though yet we read of the Voice of these mute and brute Creatures in another sence many times 2. More particularly they said Blessing and Honour and Glory and Power Blessing is well-speaking of or speaking good of or praising another And so usually when God is the object to bless signifies to praise or to speak well highly and honourably of him as Ps 34. 1 2. and 103. 1 2. and 115. 17 18. And indeed his name is to be praised blessed and spoken well of from the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same Ps 113. 2 3. and 18. 3. See Notes before on Verse 12. of this Chapter And Honour Worship and adoration Mat. 15. 8 9. Rev. 7. 11 12. See the notes before on ch 4. v. 9. And Glory Brightness Excellency Majesty Luke 9. 32. with 2 Pet. 1. 16. Isay 2. 10 19 21. See the Notes before on chap. 4. vers 9. And Power This belongs to him Psal 62. 10. and is to be voted ascribed and rendred to him See the Notes before on chap. 4. vers 11. 3. To whom doth every Creature which is in Heaven c. vote and ascribe Blessing and Honour and Glory and Power and that is here declared to us All these Creatures in these four parts or places of God's Dominion and Creation vote and ascribe these four Excellencies unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb even unto God and Christ See the Notes before on ch 4. v. 2. and on ch 5. v. 6. Now here note 1. None of these Creatures of these mute and brute Creatures take worship and adoration unto themselves or invite or call upon us to fall down and prostrate our selves before them They do not say Blessing and Honour and Glory and Power unto us or any of us but as it is said The depth saith it is not in me and the Sea saith it is not with me Job 28. 14. So these as it were say Divine Praise appertains not to us they say as it were why look ye so earnestly on us or any of us as Acts 3. 111 12. They are none of them upon the Throne and they after their kind direct us not to themselves but from themselves unto another the works of whose hands they are The Horses are Flesh and not Spirit not God Isay 31. 3. Ps 33. 17. and all these are Creatures and not the Creator who is only to be divinely worshipped ch 4. 11. The Title given to them to wit every Creature and the object of their Honour and Adoration namely not themselves but God and Christ shew us the desperate madness of them that adore religiously these Creatures or any of them and as the dumb Ass speaking with Mans Voice forbad the madness of the Prophet 2 Pet. 2. 16. So do these after their nature and kind the greater madness of them who worship them or any of them as many have done yea and things beneath these the works of their own Hands as Pictures Images and Vanities of their own inventions yet such-like abominable Idolatry hath been committed by Men Of the Gentiles it is said They changed the Truth of God into a Lye and worshipped and served the Creature more than or besides the Creator who is blessed for ever And they changed the Glory of the Incorruptible God into an Image made like to corruptible Man and to Birds and fourf-ooted Beasts and creeping things Rom. 1. 23 25. yea and such-like Iniquity was found with Gods professed people and with some of the chief ones amongst them there were some of them burnt Incense to Baal to the Sun and to the Moon and to the Planets and to all the Host of Heaven 2 Kings 23. 4 5. Yea the Prophet Ezekiel in Vision saw and behold every form of creeping things and abominable Beasts and all the Idols of the House of Israel pourtrayed upon the Wall round about And there stood before them seventy Men of the Ancients of the House of Israel with every Man a Censer in his Hand and a thick Cloud of Incense went up Ezek. 8. 9 12. And how many are there in our Days who are called Christians that fall down before the works of their own Hands Pictures and Images of Mens devising and making yea how apt are we all inordinately to love and idolatrously to esteem and secretly to confide in and expect help from these Creatures or some of them as Horses Money Herbs and Medicaments c. Isay 31. 1 3. Ps 147. 10. Eph. 5. 5. Col. 3. 5. Phil. 3. 19. But Ask now the Beasts and they shall teach thee and the Fowls of the Air and they shall tell thee Or speak to the earth and it shall teach thee and the Fishes of the Sea shall declare unto thee that they are not to be religiously worshipped Job 12. 7 8 9. They as it were say not unto us not unto us is religious worship due Yea the most noble and excellent Creatures to wit Saints and Angels disclaim it and signifie it appertains not to them as we have frequently said and seen before 2. None of the mute or brute Creatures worship one another no nor those Creatures which are much more excellent than themselves and
all most â—avourably concerning his poor Creatures for he is Charity 1 Cor. 13. 4 8. So with respect to the Heathen that have not heard distinctly of Christ if they according to the means vouchsafed do believe that God is and that he is a rewarder of them that seek him diligently they shall be accepted of him Act. 10. 34. Rom. 2. 26 29. Heb. 11. 6. Luke 12. 47 48. Jer. 49. 11. At the time of Mens ignorance God winketh at them â—ees and observes not Act. 17. 30. with Isay 42. 19 21. So he graciously excuses the evils of his Creatures in their infirmities so far is he from aggravating them as we are too apt to be thus when his People hearkened not the reason is given it was because of their anguish of Spirit and cruel Bondage Exod. 6. 9. So when Peter James and John slept and lost such an opportunity as they never had again our Saviour after he had meekly propounded a Question to them in which intimately he shews their evil and reproves them for it yet preâ—ently thus excuseth or extenâ—ateth it saying The Spirit indeed is willing but the Flesh is weak Mat. 26. 40 41. So with respect to Creatures that have no understanding It is said of the Ostrich She is hardned against her young ones as though they were not hers But then presently the Holy Ghost acquaints us with the reason thereof to wit because God hath deprived her of wisdom neither hath he imparted to her understanding Job â—9 13 16. And if God be so gracious in his interpretations of the doing of his poor Creatures here in general yea and puts the most savourable construction upon what the mute and brute Creatures do how much rather will he do so towards them that come unto him by Christ He will not break the bruised Reed Isay 40. 10 11. and 42. 1 4. not condemn them for what they do thorow weakness or violence of temptation Deut. 22. 23 27. Isay 35. 3 5. Rom. 7. 17 20. And if â—here be first a willing mind it is accepted according to that a Man hath and not according to that he hath not 2 Cor. 8. 12. He that reputes the mute and brute Creatures instâ—â—ct a calling to and waiting upon him and preserves them and provides for them and cloaâ—â—s the Grass of the Field will he not much rather hear them and fulfil their desires who call upon him who call upon him in truth preserve them and provide for and cloath them for they are much better and highlier valued by him than these mute and brute Creatures and will most graciously and charitably interpret all their sayings and doings Ps 145. 15 18 19. Mat. 6. 26 30. Luke 12. 5 6 7 24 28. 4. Yea we may take notice also that they render the same blessing honour glory and power unto the Lamb as unto him that sitteth upon the Throne Him God hath set over the works of his hands who by his grace tasted death for every Man and put all things under his feet All Sheep and Oxen yea and the Beasts of the Field the Fowls of the Air and Fishes of the Sea and whatsoever passeth thorow the Paths of the Sea Psal 8. 5 8. with Heb. 2. 7 9. And they vote and render the same excellencies to him as to him on the Throne whereto the four living Creatures say Amen v. 14. for he is one with the Father Joh. 5. 22 23. So the Palm-bearing Saints cryed with a loud voice saying Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb whereto all the Angels said Amen Rev. 7. 9 10. For indeed though as with respect to his human nature and as our Mediator the Father is greater than he Joh. 14. 28. yet according to his divine consideration he is equal with the Father Phil. 2. 6. And when he saith the Father is greater than all even than himself as the Son of Man yet then he presently adds I and the Father are one to wit according to his divine nature Joh. 10. 29 30. for he is indeed the true God and eternal Life He who gave himself for us is the great God and our Saviour Tit. 2. 15 14. See Notes before on v. 8. And therefore he is to be adored praised trusted in called upon lived unto c. by us And well might the inferiour Creatures vote and ascribe Blessing honour c. to him for so all the Saints and Angels also do as we have seen before v. 8 12. 4. How long do they vote and ascribe these things to him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb And that is for ever and ever even to all eternity so they do to him that sits upon the Throne for he shall sit upon it for ever and ever The Lord shall râ—ign for ever and ever Exod. 15. 18. Ps 10. 16. See 1 Chron. 16. 36. and 29. 10. Nehem. 9. 5. Ps 145. 1 2 21. Phil. 4. 20. 1 Tim. 1. 17. And unto the Lamb who is alive for evermore Rev. 1. 18. Ps 21. 4. and whose Throne is for ever and ever therefore shall he be praised for ever and ever Ps 45. 6. with v. 17. Gal. 1. 5. 2 Tim. 4. 18. 2 Pet. 3. 18. 1 Pet. 4. 11. Rev. 1. 5 6. Verse 14. And the four living Creatures said Amen And the twenty four Elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever In this Verse we have declared to us what was said and done by the four living Creatures and twenty four Elders as consequential to and following after that spoken in v. 13. 1. As with respect to the four living Creatures And the four living Creatures said Amen to wit unto that which was voted and ascribed unto him who sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever Now their saying Amen may inform and assure us 1. That the four living Creatures confirm the truth of that Doxology made by every Creature to wit that the Blessing and the Honour and the Glory and the Power ought of right to be given by all Creatures according to their nature and kind to him that sits upon the Throne and unto the Lamb and the same to him as to the Father and that for ever and ever So the word Amen is frequently a word of confirmation or setting the Seal as it were to the truth or rightness of that which is asserted pronounced or said as when our Lord saith I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore Amen this is a true and faithful saying Rev. 1. 18. Thus under the Law persons who were guilty said Amen to the curse confessing they were accursed ones by Nature and notwithstanding their own works of Righteousness for as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse Deut. 27. 15 26. with Gal. 3. 10. Numb 5. 22. Christ calls himself The Amen to wit the faithful and true witness and