for ever 17. These are like Wells that have no Water having a barren Profession that will not save them Clouâ—s that seem to be for fruitful Rains but are only for tempestuous Whirlwinds or Hurricanes dark in themselves both now and for ever as well as troublesom and hurtful to others 18. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity they allure through the lust of the flesh through much wantonness those that were clean escaped from them who live in errour 18. For when they boast of their extraordinary knowledge of Angels and other unknown things as the Hereticks described by Ireneus Epiphanius c. then did and withal make fleshly licentiosness to be Christian Liberty their vain boasting words are but to serve their fleshly lust alluring by base lasciviousness some who were quite come off from Heathenish and Jewish Errours 19. While they promise them liberty they themselves are the servants of corruption for of whom a man is overcome of the same is he brought in bondage 19. They tell the simple that flesh-pleasing and lust is part of their Christian Liberty and that we are ignorant that know not such things when under all these promises of Liberty they are the slaves of lust themselves being conquered by them and in bondage to them 20. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are again intangled therein and overcome the latter end is worse with them than the beginning 20. For if after they have been convinced of the Heathen abominations and filthy practices and have renounced them in Baptism and forsaken them and joyned in the Communion of Saints by the acknowledgment of Christ and the Christian Verity they shall again return to the practising of the same sins on pretence of Knowledge and Christian Liberty and so be overcome their end will be more sinful and miserable than was their Heathen state of ignorant pollution 21. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness then after they have known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them 21. For their sin and misery had been less if they had never known the way of Righteousness revealed by the Gospel of Christ than after they have known it to forsake the owning or practice of the Commands of holy and righteous living which they received Note Sins against present or former knowledge in great instances have dangerous aggravations as coming from contempt of God or odious depravation of Judgment after 22. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb The dog is turned to his own vomit again and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire 22. But it is with them according to the Proverb The Dog c. Their Natures were not renewed by the Holy Ghost and made Holy or Divine they were Dogs though they had disgorg'd their vomit and Swine though they were washt No wonder then if temptation draw them to return to their vomit and to the mire of filthy sin again Note What sort of men these here described were is not agreed on by all Expositors But thus much seemeth clear 1. That they were professed Christians 2. That they lived in sensuality and fornication 3. That they taught that these were lawful and the use of them was Christian Liberty 4. That to make this good they joyned with some Sect-Masters that boasted of more knowledge than the Apostles and their followers had as most Hereticks do 5. That yet they did not wholly separate from the Christian Churches nor the Churches cast out them as they ought For they are said to feast with them to be spots and blemishes to them And Rev. 2. 3. shews that too many Churches had such among them and did tolerate them and that whole Societies were in danger of being corrupted by them and the Churches threatned to be punished for having such Members 6. Whatever name some put on them its plain they were those that are called Nicolaitans in Rev. 2. 3. Qu. What if Bishops Priests and People should become such debauched covetous Sensualists and also set against serious godliness and seek the reproach of it as Hypocrisie and Fanaticism and the silencing and excommunicating of the most godly Ministers and People and so become a Gnostick or Nicolaitan Church Ans Forsake their local Communion if you can have better and if you cannot do not approve or commit any of their sin nor own any uncapable of the Ministry by Heresie or open enmity to Godliness but either worship God only in private or protest against their sin when you joyn with them only in good CHAP. III. 1. THis second epistle beloved I now write unto you in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance 2. That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour 1 2. This second Epistle with the former I write to you as to those that are pure from the evils which I describe but have need to be remembred of what you have learned from the Prophets and been commanded by us the Apostles of Christ 3. Knowing this first that there shall come in the last dayes scoffers walking after their own lusts 4. And saying Where is the promise of his coming for since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation 3 4. And I here first remember you that as you have been foretold in the last days before Christ's coming there shall arise unbelievers that shall make a mock at the promise of his coming and thereby harden themselves in a fleshly wicked life saying How long shall we stay ere we see Christ come What 's become of the promise of it which you so long awed men with It 's long since the Fathers who you say Believed in him were dead and none of them are risen again nor yet see Christ come the World continueth as it did from the Creation 5. For this they willingly are ignorant of that by the word of God the heavens were of old and the earth standing out of the water and in the water 6. Whereby the world that then was being overflowed with water perished 7. But the heavens and the earth which are now by the same word are kept in store reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men 5 6 7. For it must be long of themselves if men professing Christian Knowledge do not know what a change was once made since the Creation that God's Word made the Heavens and the Earth and that this Earth being partly in the Water and partly out of it separated from Seas and Clouds by this Water the world of men that lived in the days of Noah were drowned But by the same Will and Word of
they are lovely so approved and loved his Humanity more as it grew more in act and habit toward perfection CHAP. III. 1. NOW in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cesar Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene 2. Annas and Cajaphas being the high-priests the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness 1 2. Note A Tetrarch is the Governour of the fourth part of a Province or large Country Whether Annas and Caipahas were both High Priests by corruption at once or exercised it by turns or being yearly chosen one had it one part of the year and the other succeeded him or whether Annas is so called for his power with or over the High Priest by affinity and interest or whether Annas though so called had another sort of Government distinct from the Priesthood Expositors are not agreed But it 's certain that the High Priesthood was greatly corrupted and usually bought of the Romans 3. And he came into all the countrey about Jordan preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins 3. Preaching Pardon to all true Penitents and telling them that publick deliverance from their National Calamity was at hand to be offered them if they would prepare for it by Repentance 4. As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet saying The voice of one crying in the wilderness Prepare ye the way of the Lord make his paths straight 5. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be brought low and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough ways shall be made smooth 6. And all flesh shall see the salvation of God 4 5 6. Prepare your selves for the Kingdom of God in which he will raise the humble and the oppressed and take down the proud and the oppressors and will bring in Justice and Reformation into an unrighteous wicked World and the Saviour of the World shall appear and his Salvation be proclaimed and wrought throughout the Earth 7. Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him O generation of vipers who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come 8. Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance and begin not to say within your selves We have Abraham to our father for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham 7 8. Do you think to scape the wrath that is coming on you by an hypocritical Repentance and the Ceremony of Baptism Shew that you truly repent by your reformed lives and presume not on your being Abraham's Seed For God that can make Man of Stones can of the Gentiles raise a Seed of Believers to Abraham 9. And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the tree every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire 9. God is â—ntring into Judgment with you and will â—ut down wicked and fruitless Hypocrites for the fire 10. And the people asked him saying what shall we do then 11. He answereth and saith unto them he that hath two coats let him impart to him that hath none and he that hath meat let him do likewise 10 11. Love others as your selves and see them not suffer in want while you have supply for them and can spare it from your plenty Prefer their necessity before your fulness or superfluity 12. Then came also Publicans to be baptized and said unto him Master what shall we do 13. And he said unto them Exact no more than that which is appointed you 12 13. Excise or Tax-gatherers 14. And the souldiers likewise demanded of him saying And what shall we do And he said unto them Do violence to no man neither accuse any falsly and be content with your wages 14. Live not as Souldiers use to do by violence to the poor people that cannot resist them and by false accusing and robbing and plundering Note He meaneth not that it is enough to Salvation to amend the crimes of their lives without a renewed holy heart but that this also must be done 15. And as the people were in expectation and all men mused in their hearts of John whether he were the Christ or not 16. John answered saying unto them all I indeed baptize you with water but one mightier then I cometh the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with fire 15 16. See on Matth. 3. Note The great and peculiar work and notification of Christ was his sending the Holy Ghost on his Disciples 17. Whose fan is in his hand and he will throughly purge his floor and will gather the wheat into his garner but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable 18. And many other things in his exhortatation preached he unto the people 17 18. Who will winnow you throughly and will gather and save all true Believers and burn the Unbelievers in fire unquenchable Note Christ that is a Saviour is the severe destroyer of his obstinate Enemies 19. But Herod the tetrarch being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Phiâ—ips wife and for all the evils which Herod had done 20. Added yet this above all that he shut up John in prison 19 20. Note John would not sorbear the faithfull discharge of his office in reproving a wicked King to save his liberty or life 2. To imprison and persecute his reprover was wicked in Herod above all his former wickedness 21. Now when all the people were baptized it came to pass that Jesus also being baptized and praying the heaven was opened 22. And the holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape-like a dove upon him and a voice came from heaven which said Thou art my beloved Son in thee I am well pleased 21 22. Note Baptism with his own Prayer were the means thus miraculously approved by God in which he will bear witness to his Son from Heaven Note The descent of the Holy-Ghost on Christ with Gods vocal Testimony was a fit investiture of him in the office of the Captain of our Salvation who was to mark out his Soldiers with the same gift of the Holy-Ghost and his adopting word 23. And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age being as was supposed the son of Joseph which was the son of Heli 24. Which was the son of Matthat which was the son of Levi which was the son of Melchi which was the son of Ianna which was the son of Joseph 25. Which was the son of Mattathias which was the son of Amos which was the son of Naum which was the son of Eli which was the son of Nagge 26. Which was the son of Maath which was the son of Mattathias which was the son of Semei which was
was imprisoned 25 Then there arose a question between some of Johns disciples and the Jews about purifying 25. N. What the dispute was is uncertain 26. And they came unto John and said to him Rabbi he that was with thee beyond Jordan to whom thou barest Witness Beheld the same baptizeth and all Men come unto him 26. On this occasion they told John how the People flockt to the Baptism of Christ 27 John answered and said A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven 28 Ye your selves bear me witness that I said I am not the Christ but that I am sent before him 27. This doth but confirm what I said of him His Power is from Heaven I pretend to none such as his 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom but the friend of the bridegroom which standeth and heareth him rejoyceth greatly because of the bridegrooms voice this my joy therefore is fulfilled 29. It is he that is the King and Saviour of the Church I am but his Friend that rejoyce in his Kingdom and Success 30 He must increase but I must decrease 30. His Kingdom and Glory must increase to perfection but my preparatory Ministry will soon end 31 He that cometh from above is above all he that is of the earth is earthly and speaketh of the earth he that cometh from heaven is above all 21. He came from Heaven and therefore is above us all We that are but Men inhabitants of Earth though so far as God inspires us we speak his word yet being of earthly mold speak and do like our selves in a human earthly manner But he that cometh from Heaven doth excel us all 32 And what he hath seen and heard that he testifieth and no man receiveth his testimony 33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his Seal that God is true 32. Wee tell you what God teacheth us in our several measures but he telleth you that which he hath seen and heard in Heaven And yet the most reject his Testimony but they that truly receive it by Faith do in believing him believe God himself that cannot lie 34. For he vvhom God hath sent speaketh the vvords of God for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him 34. He that is thus sâ—nt from Heaven by God speaketh Gods own Words fully and infallibly as fully known to him and is not like us and other Prophets that have but our limited measures of the spirits for some particular revelation and use 35. The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand 35. The Love of the Father to the Son is transcendent and he hath delivered lapsed Man and all this World into his hand or power as Redeemer Lord and Administrator of all 36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the vvrath of God abideth on him 36. He that believeth Christ to be the Son of God and Saviour of the World and with Trust giveth up himself to be taught ruled and saved by him hath a right to everlasting Life by the Covenant of Grace and the beginning of it by the Holy Ghost in him and shall shortly have the full possession But he that by Unbelief rejecteth Christ and his offered Grace shall not see this blessed Life but the wrath of God for his unpardoned Sin and aggravated Guilt abideth on him CHAP. IV. VVHen therefore the Lord knovv hovv the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more Disciples than John 2. Though Jesus himself baptized not but his Disciples 3. He left Judea and departed again into Galilee 1. They knowing that which he knew would exasperate them to avoid Persecution he removed to Galilee till his time came 4. And he must needs go through Samaria 5. Then cometh he to a City of Samaria which is called Sychar neer to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his Son Joseph 6. Now Jacobs well was there Jesus therefore being wearied with his Journey sat thus on the Well and it was about the sixth hour 4 5.6 N. Christ travelled all on foot and had a Body wearied with Travel the sixth hour was noon 7. There cometh a Woman of Samaria to draw Water Jesus saith unto her give me to drink 8. For his Disciples were gone away unto the City to buy meat 9. Then saith the Woman of Samaria unto him how is it that thou beinq a Jew askest drink of me vvhich am a Woman of Samaria For the Jevvs have no dealings vvith the Samaritans 7 c. N. Christ was not so much for separation as the other Jewâ— 10. Jesus ansvvered and said unto her if thou knevvest the gift of God and vvho it is that saith to thee give me to drink thou vvouldest have asked of him and he vvould have given thee living Water 10. N. It was usual to call a running spring living water Christ meant more but she understood him not 11. The Woman saith unto him Sir thou hast nothing to dravv vvith and the Well is deep From vvhence then hast thou that living Water 12. Art thou greater than our Father Jacob vvho gave us the Well and drank thereof himself and his Children and his Cattle 11. N. They made their Honour of Jacob the pretence for not going to Jerusalem he being before Solomon's Temple 13. Jesus ansvvered and said unto her vvhosoever drinketh of this Water shall thirst again 14. But vvhosoever drinketh of the Water that I shall give him shall never thirst But the Water that I shall give him shall be in him a vvell of Water springing up into everlasting life 13. That which I call water is the Spirit of Grace which will give men everlasting satisfaction and joy and leave them no fleshly or unsatisfyed desires 15. The Woman saith unto him Sir give me this Water that I thirst not neither come hither to dravv 15. The ignorant mistaking Gods Grace to be what it is not may ask it so for carnal ends 16. Jesus saith unto her go call thy Husband and come hither 17. The Woman ansvvered and said I have no Husband Jesus said unto her Thou hast vvell said I have no Husband 18. For thou hast had five Husbands and he vvhom thou novv hast is not thy Husband In that saidst thou truly 16. It was not delusoâ—y Equivocation that Christ calls well saying but meant only that Truth not commonly known it 's like 19. The Woman saith unto him Sir I perceive that thou art a Prophet 20. Our Fathers vvorshipped in this Mountain and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place vvhere Men ought to vvorship 19 20. I perceive by thy knowing secrets that thou art a Prophet tell me then whether you Jews or we that follow our eldest Fathers be in the right about the Place of Worship N. This is the use of ignorant carnal people to start some Controversie about Circumstantials or Ceremonies
2. Ministers that are to require Confession and Promises of obedience to Christ from offenders in order to their Restoration must lead the way in the same themselves if they scandalously sin 3. The great evidence of our Love to Christ must be in serving the Church and Souls 18. Verily verily I say unto thee When thou wast young thou girdest thy self and walkedst whither thou wouldest but when thou shalt be old thou shalt stretch forth thy hands and another shall gird thee and carry thee whither thou wouldest not 18 19. Thou wast at thy free dispose c. But here after others shall bind thee and carry thee to Prison against thy will and also unto death By these words he signified that he should be Martyred 19. This spake he signifying by what death he should glorifie God And when he had spoken this he saith unto him Follow me 19. Follow me in labour and fufferings unto Glory 20. Then Peter turning about seeth the Disciple whom Jesus loved following which also leaned on his breast at supper and said Lord which is he that betrayeth thee 21. Peter seeing him saith to Jesus Lord and what shall this man do 20. What shall become of John 22. Jesus saith unto him If I will that he tarry till I come what is that to thee Follow thou me 22. What is that to thee how long he shall live if it were till my coming or if he live till he see my Catholik Church setled under my proper Government when the Jews Law and Policy are fully dissolved at the destruction of their Temple and Nation 23. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren that that Disciple should not die yet Jesus said not unto him He shall not die but If I will that he tarry till I come what is that to thee 23. Note A false Tradition may pass amongst Christs own Disciples by misunderstanding in some things 24. This is the Disciple which testifieth of these things and wrote these things and we know that his testimony is true 24. This is John the Disciple who was an Eye and Ear witness of all this and who wrote this History of Christ And whose testimony the Church doth justly receive as true Note Though some take these words to be the Bishops of Asia that published Johns Gospel at whose request they say he wrote it about thirty two years after Christs Resurrection yet it is no less probable that the words are his own and that we know signifieth only its well known to the Churches 25. And there are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the world it self could not contain the books that should be written Amen 25. Though this History be written to Record divers things which others have omitted yet altogether are far from containing all the Miracles that Christ did which were so many that should they all be written the many and great Volumns would as it were overload the World Note 1. That therefore it is not to be matter of offence if any one Evangelist pass by divers particulars 2. That though multitudes of Christs Words and Miracles may be unknown to us as much is Recorded as he would have taken as needful to the notice of the Church through all Generations And none of his Laws or Promises the objects of our Obedience and Faith are omitted yea all that is essential to Christianity is contained in Baptism or a very narrow room 3. It is in vain to pretend Oral Tradition for any needful thing omitted in the Scripture Records though the Essentials and greatest practical Matters of Religion are most certainly delivered us both ways even by the Scriptures and by the Universal publick practice of the Churches THE ACTS of the HOLY APOSTLES Note That this History written by Saint Luke is not to be supposed to contain all the Miracles Preaching and Success of all the Apostles but only the History of Peter and Paul and some few others their Companions and that but for a short space of time not mentioning what the other ten Apostles and their helpers did in other parts of the World nor what Peter and Paul did to the end of their lives supposed to be ten years after the ending of this History yea Peters History is here Recorded but for a far shorter time than Pauls with whom Luke Travelled And though this History of Luke have more infallibility than other History of Church affairs since written yet all other credible notice of matter of Fact and Church Practice from the beginning is of great use to us and not to be dispised CHAP. I. THE former treatise have I made O Theophilus of all that Jesus began both to do and teach 2. Until the day in which he was taken up after that he through the holy Ghost had given commandments unto the Apostles whom he had chosen 1. I wrote the Gospel History as a Record of Christs Birth Miracles and Doctrinâ— reaching to the day of his Ascension after he had by breathing on his Disciples given them the Holy Ghost and their Comissions 3. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs being seen of them forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God 3. That their Faith should not waver but have full assurance he shewed himself to them by unquestionable manifestation at several times in the forty days space in which he abode on Earth before his Aseention Instructing them in the matters of his Kingdom 4. And being assembled together with them commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the promise of the Father which saith he ye have heard of me 5. For John truly baptized with water but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost not many days hence 4 5. And when he was among them he bid them wait at Jerusalem for the great Gift of the Father even the Holy Ghost the Promise of which ye have heard of me which shall be your full solemn initiation into your Apostolical and Extraordinary Ministry and a few days hence you shall receive Note The Holy Ghost given by Christs breathing on them was not a meer Title Name or Relation buâ— yet it was not that full effusion which they were to have after his Ascension but a previous earnest of it to shew them from whom the fuller Communication was to come differing from this later as his own Resurrection Victory differed from his Ascension Majesty and Kingdom They were not to set upon the Publick Ministry without this necessary previous qualification nor should any now take up the ordinary Ministry without holy suitable qualifications by Christs Spirit 6. When they therefore were come together they asked of him saying Lord wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom-to Israel 6. They were now in hope of Earthly Dominion and said wilt thou now deliver Israel from Captivity
22. N. The History of his Cure and their Plotting his death for it is here past over and supposed But Christ knew their malicious design 24. Judge not according to the appearance but judg righteous judgment 24. Judge not by outward shews and worldly mens opinions but according to the evidence of truth 25. Then said some of them of Jerusalem is not this he whom they seek to kill 26. But lo he speaketh boldly and they say nothing to him Do the Rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ 25. Do they suffer him because they believe him to be Christ 27. Howbeit we know this man whence he is but when Christ cometh no man knoweth whence he is 27. N. They knew his visible Originals but they knew not his heavenly nature and glory 28. Then cried Jesus in the Temple as he taught saying ye both know me and ye know whence I am and I am not come of my self but he that sent me is true whom ye know not 29. But I know him for I am from him and he hath sent me 28. Ye know my visible Originals But you know not my Heavenly Father who sent me But I know him for I c. 30. Then they sought to take him but no man laid hands on him because his hour was not yet come 31. And many of the people believed on him and said when Christ cometh will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done 30.31 His Miracles convinced some against all prejudices and objections 32. The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him and the Pharisees aâ—d cheif Priests sent Officers to take him 33 Then said Jesus unto them yet a little while I am with you and then I go unto him that sent me 34. Ye shall seek me and shall not find me and where I am thither ye cannot come 32. c. The Pharisees and Priests thought persecuting necessary to keep people from believing on him And Christ told them it 's but a little while till I shall be out of the reach of your malice 35. Then said the Jews among themselves whither will he go that we shall not find him Will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles and teach the Gentiles 36. What manner of saying is this that he said ye shall seek me and shall not find me and where I am thither ye cannot come 35. Will he go to those Jews who are dispersed abroad the World or what meaneth he 37. In the last day that great day of the feast Jesus stood and cried saying if any man thirst let him come unto me and drink 38. He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters 39. But this he spake of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive for the holy Ghost was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified 37. In the last and great day of that Feast Christ proclaimed the promised gift of the Spirit under the name of Rivers of living Waters to all that should truly believe on him That is when he was glorified for till then the Holy Ghost for the operation of these eminent gifts was not given 40. Many of the people therefore when they heard this saying said of a truth this is the Prophet 41. Others said this is the Christ But some said shall Christ come out of Galilee 42. Hath not the Scripture said that Christ cometh of the seed of David and out of the town of Bethleem whence David was 43. So there was a division among the people because of him 40. His Words and Works inclined many to believe in him but they could not answer objections from his Originals 44. And some of them would have taken him but no man laid hands on him 44. N. God hindereth bad men from doing what they would do and they know not how he doth it 45. Then came the officers to the cheif Priests and Pharisees and they said unto them Why have ye not brought him 46. The Officers answered Never man spake like this man 45 46. God made Christs words effectual at the present to convince and restrain them from violence 47. Then answered them the Pharisees are ye also deceived 48. Have any of the Rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him 49. But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed 47. 48. N. The vain respect to men of reputation and power is a usual cause of unbelief and disobedience to God 2. They rightly judged that ignorance is the cause of error and deceit but they falsly thought their literal knowledge with prejudice and worldly minds had been a safe state 50. Nicodemus saith unto them he that came to Jesus by night being one of them 51. Doth our law judg any man before it hear him and know what he doth 50.51 Nicodemus bearing a good will to Christ stopt them by a common rule of Justice that by the Law no man should be condemned till he be heard speak for himself and the Case be well tried 52. They answered and said unto him art thou also of Galilee Search and look for out of Galilee ariseth no Prophet 53. And every man went into his own house 52. N. 1. They give him a scorn instead of a good answer 2. And then how poor a reason satisfieth them against all the Miracles and Doctrine of Christ because Galilee was a contemned Country where Christ dwelt though he was born at Bethlehem of Davids line 3. One mans words may sometimes divert a persecution CHAP. VIII JEsus went unto the mount of Olives 2. And early in the morning he came again into the Temple and all the people came unto him and he sate down and taught them 1. N. 1. He left the City at Night lest they should surprize him 2. He chose the Temple as a place of Gods Consecration and of best opportunity for auditors 3. The Jews used to let them teach who professed themselves to be teachers 4. His sitting in teaching is not an obligatory example to us but an indifferent circumstance 3. And the Scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery and when they had set her in the midst 4. They say unto him Master this woman was taken in adultery in the very act 5. Now Moses in the law commanded us that such should be stoned but what sayest thou 3. N. That the last Verse of the foregoing Chapter and the eleven first Verses of this Chapter were not in divers of the old Books in the Greek and divers of the most credible Fathers have them not or take them for Apocryphal and so do many Protestants besides Beza So that it is uncertain to us whether it be any part of Gods word But we have enough besides of which we may be certain Suppose the Text current it seems they would have drawn Christ into a snare by getting him either to speak against the
That there is a God whom we offended to whom he reconcileth us and who gave him to us in love and that his word is true and that by the Word and by the Holy Ghost he sanctifieth and prepareth us for Heaven 38. And he commanded the chariot to stand still and they went down both into the water both Philip and the eunuch and he baptized him 39. And when they were come up out of the water the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip that the eunuch saw him no more and he went on his way rejoycing 38 39. The Angel or Power of God caught away Phillip Note A Converted man hath great cause of rejoycing The Gospel proclaimed much more heartily received is matter of great joy 2. The Tradition of Abassia where is a great Empire of Christians is that they received the Christian Faith by this man who was the Queens Lord Treasurer And some Learned men conjecture that it was rather by Frumentius and Edesius and that it was Abassia that was by Historians miscalled India But if these first brought in Church Government by a Bishop the Eunuch might bring Lay Christianity before 40. But Philip was found at Azotus and passing through he preached in all the cities till he came to Cesarea CHAP. IX ANd Saul yet breathing out threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord went unto the high Priest 2. And desired of him Letters to Damascus to the synagogues that if he found any of this way whether they were men or women he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem 1. Ignorant zeal made Saul set himself to destroy the Chrstians and sought to the High Priest for Power and travelled toward Damascus to do it that he might find them out and bring them in Bonds 3. And as he journeyed he came near Damascus and suddenly there shined round about him a light from Heaven 3. God the father of Light useth to shew himself to man by Light external and internal and so doe his Angels when the Devil is the Prince of Darkness 4. And he fell to the Earth and heard a voice saying unto him Saul Saul why persecutest thou me 4. The Power of God went forth with that Light and cast him to the ground c. Note 1. Love and Mercy in Christ expostulate with a blinded furious Sinner in order to his Conversion 2. But till Power had cast him down the Expostulation came not God can soon lay proud Prosecutors on the Earth and tame them and make them fear and hear 3. Whatever is done against Christians for any thing that Christ commandeth them he taketh as done against himself If we are bound by the Law of Christ to Preach to Pray to edifie each other to live a Holy life and we be reviled scorned called all manner of evil names imprisoned fined banished or murdered for this Christ will judge the doers of it as doing it against him 5. And he said Who art thou Lord And the Lord said I am Jesus whom thou persecutest It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks 5. Note Did wicked Prosecutors know Christ it would restrain them from persecution But the subtile Devil hath taught Hypocrite Christians to prosecute him as by his own Authority and Commission and in his own name and for his Church that is themselves 2. Christs Servants should no more doubt of their seasonable vindication when persecuted for their duty than if Christ was pesonally persecuted in their stead 3. O how terrible will it at last prove to Persecutors that they have kickt with their bare feet against the Pricks or Thorns of Gods displeasure Who hath hardened himself against him and hath prospered Or who hath Conquered the Almighty 6. And he trembling and astonished said Lord what wilt thou have me to do And the Lord said unto him Arise and go into the city and it shall be told thee what thou must do 6. Note God can make the firercest Persecutor tremble And then O how they are changed ready to do any thing that God will bid them which before they Persecuted And if the change be true this will hold and come to practice 2. O then what need have proud Persecutors to be cast down and how great a mercy to them it may prove 7. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless hearing a voice but seeing no man 7. Note In Act. 22.9 it is said they that were with him saw the Light and were afraid but heard not the voice of him that spake The sence of both is they saw the Light and heard the sound which its like was a Thunder or like it but heard not the voice or words of Christ which in that sound were uttered to him nor saw any similitude of Christ Though we have only Pauls witness of this his after life of labour suffering and Miracles proveth it to be true 8. And Saul arose from the Earth and when his eyes were opened he saw no man but they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus 8. This stroak of blindness was to convince him of the blindness of his Persecuting fury 9. And he was three days without sight and neither did eat nor drink 9. Note This was some conformity to Christs being three Days and Nights in the darksom Grave 10. And there was a certain Disciple at Damascus named Ananias and to him said the Lord in a vision Ananias And he said Behold I am here Lord. 11. And the Lord said unto him Arise and go into the street which is called Straight and inquire in the House of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus for behold he prayeth 12. And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him that he might receive his sight 10. Ananias was a Christian appointed by God to this work on Saul 2. Praying was next to resolved obedience and submission the first fruits of Sauls Conversion 13. Then Ananias answered Lord I have heard by many of this man how much evil he hath done to thy Saints at Jerusalem 14. And here he hath authority from the chief Priests to bind all that call on thy name 13. Note Ananias objecteth what he had heard of Sauls as rendring his conversion improbable 15. But the Lord said unto him Go thy way for he is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name before the Gentiles and Kings and the Children of Israel 16. For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my names sake 15. Obey me who know man and my own decrees and object not former things against me I have chosen him c. 17. And Ananias went his way and entred into the House and putting his hands on him said Brother Saul the Lord even Jesus that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest hath sent me that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the holy Ghost 17. God hath made known to me what
Forms or Humane Canons it will be no cover for the sin 4. It is the Faith first delivered to the Churches by the Apostles that corrupters deprave and we must contend for and must be the Test of our several differences 5. Keep Faith and Religion sound among its Professors and it will overcome the World 4. For there are certain men crept in unawares who were before of old ordained to this condemnation ungodly men turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ 4. For there are crept in by little and little as in the dark some men that Christ had before told us should â—rise or God decreed to condemn for their sin ungodly men that though they did seem Christians have turned the Doctrine of God's Grace in Christ into a Doctrine and Practice of Lasciviousness and Licentiousness and denying Jeâ—us Christ who is the only Lord God and our Lord or the only God and our Saviour c. Note 1. One of Satan's chief ways against the Church and Religion is to corrupt it by Heresies 2. Corrupters creep secretly into the Church at unawares and do not openly bring in all at once 3. Though God ordain or decree no man's sin he both decreeth and foretelleth their condemnation for sin 4. It is ungodly mâ—n that are usually the great corrupters of the Church and Doctrine 5. Libertinism looseness and sensuality are the usual dangerous ways of such corruptions as being the way most suitable to man's corrupt Nature and which will have most followers 5. I will therefore put you in remembrance though ye once knew this how that the Lord having saved the people out of the land of Egypt afterwards destroyed them that believed not 5. As the Israelites perished in the Wilderness for Unbelief after all their miraculous deliverances from Egypt so shall revolters perish notwithstanding their Baptism and fair beginnings 6. And the angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day 6. And the Angels that stood not in their integrity but fell by sin God hath shut up as it were Prisoners in Chains though they go about all the Earth with temptations in certain expectations of fuller condemnation at the great day of Judgment 7. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities about them in like manner giving themselves over to fornication and going after strange flesh are set forth for an example suffering the vengeance of eternal fire 7. As Sodom c. were by fire from Heaven utterly destroyed by God's revenging Judgment 8. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh despise dominion and speak evil of dignities 8. So these Hereticks dreaming of high Wisdom are turned to fleshly lusts and to despise Government and speak contemptuously or reproachfully of Superiors as if Christ hath freed men from Humane Rule and made all equal and all things lawful when yet they deny even Christ himself in some Essentials of his Person or Office 9. Yet Michael the archangel when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses durst not bring against him a railing accusation but said the Lord rebuke thee 9. Yet Michael the chief Angel contending with a Principal Devil about the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple Zech. 3. durst not bring railing accusation but appealed to God Note 1. There are differences and superiorities among the Angels and Devils It seems by Dan. 10.13 21. that Angels have their several earthly Provinces in charge and that Michael was Prince of the Jews 2. The badness and vanity of Malignants will not justifie railing accusation against them when it may not be used against Devils yet their evil must be detected that it may be frustrated 3. By the Body of Moses some understand his buried Body which Satan would have idolized and others his Body in the Basket which Satan would have had drowned But by Zech. 3. it is more like to be the Temple Law and Jewish Policy called the Body of Moses as the Church is called the Body of Christ 10. But these speak evil of those things which they know not but what they know naturally as brute beasts in those things they corrupt themselves 10. But these pretending to know what they do not speak evil of the things which they know not being proud and ignorant of their ignorance but what natural sense or reasonableness constraineth them to know their lust prevaileth against it and they live in debauchery as if they knew it not to be evil Note It 's the common mark of erroneous men to be confident where they mistake and to censure and speak evil fiercely of that which they never understood and to sin against that knowledge which they have or easily might have 11. Wo unto them for they have gone in the way of Cain and ran greedily after the errour of Balaam for reward and perished in the gain-saying of Core 11. Woe to them for they have imitated Cain in offering God a faithless Sacrifice and envying and persecuting them that do better And they are covetous worldlings that like Balaam would do evil for reward or gain And they have imitated Core in opposing Moses and Aaron Magistrates and Apostles and shall perish as they did 12. These are spots in your feasts of charity when they feast with you feeding themselves without fear clouds they are without water carried about of winds trees whose fruit withereth without fruit twice dead plucked up by the roots 12. These are the disgrace of your Love-feasts and Communion which they turn into a Sensual Feast not fearing prophanation of excess Hypocrites like empty Clouds that water not the Earth but carried about with the winds of worldly Interest or Seduction like fruitless Trees twice dead and rooted up by Apostasie from their first profession Note It is a wonder that the Apostle no more reproveth them for admitting such to their Communion as it seemeth by these words they did 13. Raging waves of the sea foming out their own shame wandring stars to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever 13. Unquiet fierce and raging persons who while they pour out ill words of others do but foam out their own shame Teachers they will needs be as Stars to the Churches but they are but Erratick Stars or Comets that shall end in endless darkness to themselves while they boast of Light to others 14. And Enoch also the seventh from Adam prophesied of these saying Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints 15. To execute judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him 14 15. Note 1. It 's like this Prophecy of Henoch was received by Tradition 2. This description sure is not of the
them nor any heat 15 16. Note It is not the least difficulty in this Book to know when it speaketh really of what is done in Heaven and when of what is done on Earth and when of both This Text seemeth to speak chiefly of what is really done in Heaven To expound it only of the Liberty that came to the Christians after the Destruction of Jerusalem is improbable when the ten Persecutions succeeded To expound it of the Advancement of the Church by Constantine must make it to speak only of the Species of Christians that formerly suffered and of no individual persons but those that were then alive and is hardly believed by them that believe the reported Voice from Heaven Hodié venenum funditur in Ecclesiam and that know how quickly Papacy and Church-Corruption sprang out of it And yet to exclude all inferior Church-mercies from this Vision seemeth also unsafe 17. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes 17. The Churches on Earth shall have some Times of quiet Assembling and learning of Christ and his Ministers the pure Word of Life and Religion shall flourish and God shall give them some Respite and Intermission or Ease from Persecution under Vespasian and Titus But this is but a small Fore-tast of the heavenly Glory wherein these words shall be fulfilled where indeed they shall go out of God's Temple no more and shall have all Tears wiped away CHAP. VIII 1. ANd when he had opened the seventh seal there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour 1. There was a little space after the opening of the seventh Seal before I saw or heard the Revelation of it 2. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God and to them were given seven trumpets 2. Seven Angels were appointed to publish as by Trumpet the Judgments following Some think that the Temple-Worship is here described where the people without prayed in silence while the Priest within officiated and the Trumpets sounded Which the following words favour 3. And another angel came and stood at the altar having a golden censer and there was given unto him much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne 3. Another Angel represented the High Priest whose Office was to offer Incense at the Altar and to offer up Prayers for the People To which use he had a Golden Censer and a Golden Altar to shew the honour of the Christian Ministry and Worship which is all accepted through Christ's Intercession 4. And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the saints ascended up before God out of the angel's hand 4. And God received as grateful the Prayers of his People as offered by the Ministers and by Christ 5. And the angel took the censer and filled it with fire of the altar and cast it into the earth and there were voices and thundrings and lightnings and an earthquake 5. And upon the Acceptance of the Saints Prayers followed the kindling of God's avenging Judgments on the Earth 6. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound 6. Then did the Messengers of God's Judgments prepare to publish or sound them forth 7. The first angel sounded and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood and they were cast upon the earth and the third part of trees was burnt up and all green grass was burnt up 7. And the Judgment published by the first Angel began with Destruction on the Countries such as usually accompany Wars which lay wast Land and Houses 8. And the second angel sounded and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea and the third part of the sea became blood 9. And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea and had life died and the third part of the ships were destroyed 8 9. That no place should escape the next degree of Judgment was represented by a Mountain of Fire cast into the Sea which turned the third part of the Sea into Blood c. signifying increased Wars and Bloodshed by Sea and Land The particular Signification Expositors are utterly disagreed in Dr. H. taketh it for the Bloodshed by Insurrections in Galilee Others for the Barbarians ruining the Roman Empire Others for Heresies in the Church Others for the Bishops Strife for Superiority 10. And the third angel sounded and there fell a great star from heaven burning as it were a lamp and it fell upon the third part of the rivers and upon the fountains of waters 11. And the name of the star is called wormwood and the third part of the waters became wormwood and many men died of the waters because they were made bitter 10 11. And next the Jugdment was the infecting of the Rivers and Waters with mortal Bitterness by a Star from Heaven that was mortally bitter falling into them This signifieth the further extensive progress of the Punishment Some take this for the Fall of a great Captain of the Jews And some for one of their false seducing Prophets And some for the Fall of the Western Empire And some for Arrius Some for Pelagius Some for Mahomet and some for Hereticks in general 12. And the fourth angel sounded and the third part of the sun was smitten and the third part of the moon and the third part of the stars so as the third part of them was darkned and the day shone not for a third part of it and the night likewise 12. On the Sounding of the fourth Angel the progress of the Judgment was represented to me as the darkning of the third part of th Sun Moon and Stars signifying the fall of some great Powers Ecclesiastical or Civil Some expound it of Vespasians's destroying a third part of the Cities of Judea Some of the beginning of the Siege of Jerusalem Some of Totila's sacking of Rome Some of the Corruption of Prelacy before Popery Some of Arrianism Some of the general Corruption of the Church by Popery Lira takes the four Angels to be the four Hereticks as he doth the four Beasts to be the four Patriarchs 13. And I beheld and heard an angel flying thorow the midst of heaven saying with a loud voice Wo wo wo to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels which are yet to sound 13. This punishment extended but to a third part But I heard an Angel flying in the midst of Heaven lowdly crying wo wo wo for the greater plagues that were yet to some Some expound this out of Josephus of one Jesus Son of Ananias that for many years before the siege went about pronouncing this wo Others divers other waies CHAP. IX 1 ANd the fifth angel sounded and I saw a
in their foreheads signifieth their open Profession of Fidelity to the Father and the Son and God's gracious noting them for his own And it helps us to expound what the mark of the Beast was even some open signal obliging Profession of Idol Worship 2. And I heard a voice from heaven as the voice of many waters and as the voice of a great thunder and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps 3. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne and before the four beasts and the elders and no man could learn that song but the hundred and fourty and four thousand which were redeemed from the earth 2 3. The voice of many Waters signified the multituâ—â— of Converts that by the Gospel were gathered to this Church on Mount Sion who praised God with the 〈◊〉 of Harps or joyful Psalmody And it was new Psalms of Praise for Man's Redemption and the Grace of Christ which they sung as before God and the Cherubims and the holy Church which none of the Jews were fit to sing save the foresaid chosen saved number 4. These are they which were not defiled with women for they are virgins these are they which follow the Lamb whither soever he goeth these were redeemed from among men being the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb. 5. And in their mouth was found no guile for they are without fault before the throne of God 4 5. The Vision being of those in Heaven as the Precedents of the Christian Church at Jerusalem that should afterward succeed them they were the first-fruits of the Apostles Ministry described Act. 1. 2. 3. 4. who were eminent in Purity and Love free from Idolatry and Fornication as a People chosen out of the Jewish Nation unto Christ and as they were holy on Earth they are faultless and perfect now in Heaven 6. And I saw another angel flie in the midst of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth and to every nation and kindred and tongue and people 6. Whether the midst of Heaven have the Mystical senses that divers give or be only sent from Heaven to Earth I know not Some say it is called the Everlasting Gospel because it was decreed from everlasting some because it dureth to everlasting or tendeth to life everlasting By the Gospel some understand only the glad tydings of the Fall of the Roman Empire some the Doctrine of Reformation and tydings of the Fall of Popery and some the common Doctrine of Salvation by Christ as it was now more freely and universally to be published to the Gentile World 7. Saying with a loud voice Fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgment is come and worship him that made heaven and earth and the sea and the fountains of waters 7. Away with your Idols that are no Gods and turn to and fear the true and living God who made Heaven and Earth For the time is come that he will judge and destroy Idolaters Other expositions I omit 8. And there followed another angel saying Babylon is fallen is fallen that great city because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornification 8. Another part of my vision was another Angel c. implying a further revelation to me Whether it signifie also another sort of Preachers on Earth and who as some say the Albigenses and Waldenses or Luther Zuinglius or Illyricas and his century writers let them tell that know Babylon is here described and more fully after to be that great City that drew all nations unto Idolatry whether this were Rome as Heathen or Rome as Papal or Rome as containing both see my Advertisement 9. And the third angel followed them saying with a loud voice If any man worship the beast and his image and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand 10. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb 9 10. Those that partake of the sins of Idolatrous Babylon or Rome shall partake of her plagues and the Judgment that overthroweth her shall extend to all her companions in Idolatry and also the punishment in the life to come And Christ and his Angels will execute and behold it as just and good Some to save their charity say that damnation is not denounced to all that only have the Name of the beast or the Number but only to them that receive his Mark as his slaves and worship him and his Image But I think receiving his Name and its Number is included in receiving the Mark. But all my be pardoned to the penitent believers Whether this Angel be Luther Chemnitius Whittaker and such others I leave to the proof of the affirmers It s enough to me that this additional revelation and punishment is notified to John as by another Angel Though many think that only temporal punishment is here meant doubtless the same sin deserveth more 11. And the smoak of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever And they have no rest day nor night who worship the beast and his image and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name 11. Though temporal calamity be here included this seems plainly to mean Hell And the Mark of his Name is here made equal to His Mark verse 9. O the restless misery that is prepared for the impenitent 12. Here is the patience of the saints here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus 12. This misery of impenitent Idolaters and Enemies of Christ will shew the World how wise and happy the Saints were that by patient suffering did overcome and kept to the end the Commands of God and the Faith of Jesus Faith Obedience and Patience are all necessary to Salvation 13. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me Write Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them 13. Though it be always happy to be at Rest with Christ the sufferings of those times will be so great as will make it seem a sesonable blessedness to go to that Rest where they shall no more labour or suffer but receive the fruit of their labours and work performed for Christ on Earth Some make this to be but a promise of after-freedom from Persecution here The Text proveth a Blessedness for separated Souls before the Resurrection For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 henceforth signifieth from this time forward The Socinians therefore abuse the Text that make the Blessedness to be but Resting in a state of death till the Resurrection For life with God's service and acceptance in a time of Persecution is a
which maketh me the easilyer believe Epiphanius that John was first banished into Patmos in the reign of Claudius and there wrote part of the Book at least For though some of it might be written of things past it s hardly credible that most of it should be such This Verse hath many Expositions Many say it speaketh not of individual Kings but of seven sorts of Government viz. Kings Consuls Decemvirs Dictators Tribunes Military and Emperours and the Pope they make to be the seventh and eighth But so much is said against this as I cannot answer As 1. That it is not meer Power but Idolatrous and Persecuting Power that the Text describeth And none of these persecuted save the Emperours nor were they so Idolatrous as Athens and other places 2. That the meer Imperial Power as the Pillar of Idolatry is plainly made the Beast therefore not the five antecedent 3. That indeed these five were no Supreme Power for that was only in the Senate which had the Legislative Power till violence ravisht them of it which when it did the Consuls Decemvirs Tribunes had but a part No nor the Emperours long or oft These were not several Sovereigns but parts of the Supreme as the Tribuni Plebis were and some of them very short And the Pontisices Maâ— might as well be named as some of them And who the seventh and eight Head were is said with so great difficulties difference and confusion as would be tiresome to repeat The Papists Opinions about a future Antichrist and theirs that apply all to Mahomet I will not repeat They that expound it of particular Câ—sars also are opposed by many hard Objections Some of them apply all to the seven Emperours that the Christians were first troubled by viz. Claâ—aius Nâ—â—s Galâ—a Oâ—io Vitellius Vespasian Titus and Domitian the eighth But three or four of these persecuted not Some think that seven here signifieth not a determinate number but many They seem the same with the seven Heads chap. 13. And if the ten Horns signifie not precisely just ten why should the seven I that understand it not may say it is as probable as some of these that this be the sense it being the time of the Fall of the Beast and Whore that I am speaking of there shall be at that time seven Caesars alive at once of whom Dioclesian Constantius Chlorus Galerius Maximianus Severus and Galerius Maximinus are faln at the time when Constantine is destroying Idolatry Constantine is the sixth who is then in being Licinius is after to be used as one of them seeming then a Friend The bloody Dioclesian who with Max. Herculius laid down the Rule is one of the seven and together will by the Devil's instigation attempt again to be the eighth but to his own perdition Whether Maxentius pass only for a partial Usurper after or pass for the eighth rather than Dioclesian I let pass Both Licinius and Maxentius continued but a short space 12. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten Kings which have received no kingdome as yet but receive power as kings one hour with the beasts 12. Say some they are twelve Heathen Kings that are not full Kings but tributary to Rome Say others they are the Gothish and other extraneous Kings that are not in the Empire but are consederates Some say it is the Tyrants that have headed the Devil's Kingdom in seven several Ages But this is a vain Popish Evasion That ten Kings were dependent on Pagan Rome is clear and that ten or more of the Barbarians broke the Christian Empire But which is meant is the doubt 13. These have one mind and shall give their power and strength unto the beast 14. These shall make war with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them for he is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings and they that are with him are called and chosen and faithfull 13 14. The ten Idolatrous dependent Kingdoms shall assist and support the Roman Pagan Empire with their Power and Strength But Christ who overcometh Rome will overcome them also for he is over all Kings and Kingdoms and will help the Christian Army under Constantine Or say others ten Kings shall give their Power to the Pope and make War against Christ that is his Doctrine and Worship and Christ and the Reformers shall overcome them But these cannot be the same barbarous Kingdoms of Goths c. forementioned but mostly others 15. And he saith unto me The waters which thou sawest where the whore sitteth are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues 15. This Idolatrous Roman Power ruleth over many great and populous Nations of the Earth Or as others the Papal Idolatrous Power is upheld by many Nations even all the Empire 16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast these shall hate the whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her flesh and burn her with fire 16. The ten Nations that before upheld the Roman Idolatry shall turn against her and be the Instruments of her destruction The Britains Gauls Germans and divers others first fought with Constantine against the Pagans and many more of them after turned Christians Or say others the foresaid Goths Vandals c. shall overthrow the remnant of Pagans in Rome Or say others The Reformation shall be wrought by Princes that have forsaken Popery Whether it speak only of destroying the Idolatrous Roman Power or of destroying the Houses or City it self is controverted The latter is not yet performed nor the first as to the Papacy 17. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will and to agree and give their kingdom unto the beast until the words of God shall be fulfilled 17. God hath so over-ruled them and all their hearts that eventually they shall serve the Pagan Empire say some or the Papal Power say others till the time that God will pull them down as he foretold Note God can so order things that all his Judgments shall be executed by sinners without causing any one of their sins 18. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth 18. It is certainly Rome that then reigned It is certain then that Pagan Imperial Rome was at that time the Beast on which the Whore sate And certain that Pagan Idolatry was it that then made Rome the Whore But whether besides this Christian Imperial Rome under Constantine or under the Western Emperours after or Imperial Constantinople or Rome as the Popes Seat before 606 or after only or when be the Whore And whether their very differen sort of sin make them two or three whores or the concord in general or similitude make Pagan and Papal Rome to be the same whore as meant in this Text these and other are the doubts But the certain part must not be doubted of CHAP. XVIII 1. ANd after these things I saw another angel come down from
take on them to know more 21. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls every several gate was of one pearl and the street of the city was pure gold as it were transparent glass 21. If there shall be any state on this side eternity which answereth this glorious representation how much more will the perfected glorious triumphant Church answer it 22. And I saw no temple therein for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it 22. Some expound this of liberty to serve to God in every place as well as in Temples who yet would destroy them as conventiclers that do so But the Text seemeth to mean that this new Jerusalem is the perfect state which is above our instituted lower means God will be our All. 23. And the city had no need of the sun neither of the moon to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof 23. Prophetical Hyperbolies and Allegories may put as high terms as these for a state of meer reformation and Church prosperity But seeing that it must be a force and not an exposition which so restraineth it without proof we must believe that it hath a higher accomplishment 24. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it 24. And those that shall be converted out of all nations of the Gentiles shall as well as Abraham and the Christian Jews lay up and find a treasure with Christ in the new Jerusalem Note They that expound this of the Thousand years Reign of raised Martyrs at Jerusalem and they that expound it of a peculiar Jewish Church there after the Jews Conversion say that the Nations round about shall not have the same Confirmation and Glory as the New Jerusalem but be liable to Tryals still Dr. Ham. who expounds it of the Churches prosperity after Constantine's Success giveth these Reasons 1. Because the New Jerusalem descendeth from Heaven Ans 1. So it may to Judgment and yet return to Heaven 2. Or rather the New Heaven and Earth shall be open as one An immortal Glory in the New Earth after the Resurrection may be the New Jerusalem 2 He argueth from Gal. 4.26 as if the Jerusalem above were only the Church Militant But that we deny 25. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day for there shall be no night there 26. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it 25 26. There shall be no danger of the entrance of Enemies or Traytors But all worldly glory and blessings by Saints referred to this end shall there be found in the transcendent perfect state 27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie but they which are written in the Lambs book of life 27. Sure this proveth that it is somewhat better than the thousand years after Constantine that is here meant For alas how much abomination and deceit entred in that time what hatred false accusations worldliness pride cruelty and contention 2. Note None but Saints cleansed from gross sin will be found written in the Lambs Book of Life It is a vile slander on the Orthodox Doctrine of Election that we say the Elect may be saved how wickedly soever they live when we say that it is one Decree of God that electeth men to be holy obedient persevere and be saved CHAP. XXII 1. ANd he shewed me a pure river of water of life clear as crystal proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 1. By this some understand Baptism that bindeth all to Purity Some the Gospel not muddied by Usurpers corrupt Canons And some the Spirit in greater measure And some the heavenly influence for illumination and life for ever All these in their seasons may be expected 2. In the midst of the street of it and of either side of the river was there the tree of life which bare twelve manner of fruits and yielded her fruit every month and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations 2. As in the prosperous Church militant everlasting life is open and given to all accepters by the Doctrine of the Apostles and continually represented and conferred in the Sacraments and by the Word the Spirit of Christ accompanying his Ordinances the Preaching of the Word is for the healing of the unbelievers and unconverted So in the New Jerusalem where the end of all his is attained the Glory is represented by the means that are past that brought them thither by which men were sanctified and the Nations healed the means being eminently though not formally in the attained end But the better the Church is on Earth the more it thus resembleth the New Jerusalem 3. And there shall be no more curse but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it and his servants shall serve him 4. And they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads 3 4. Thus it appeareth that the New Jerusalem is a state of Immortality by the Tree of Life and freedom from the Curse or all punishment for sin and the very Throne of God and Christ shall be visibly in it and they see God's face And though somewhat tending to all this be in the Church militant this seemeth a description of the Church triumphant 5. And there shall be no night there and they need no candle neither light of the sun for the Lord God giveth them light and they shall reign for ever and ever 5. There shall be no want of knowledge nor need of Ministers Teaching Scripture or such means For God will be to them above and instead of these and they shall reign for ever And what more can be hoped for by man Why should forced Expositions darken this 6. And he said unto me These sayings are faithful and true And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done 6. As Christ Matth. 24. told them of such devastations as that generation should see and yet adjoyneth the signs of the end of the World just so doth he by this Revelation shew John the Fall of Pagan Babylon and the Churches deliverance and yet shortly annex a thousand years after and then the end of the World All was to be shortly but not shortly equally with the first parts But it is not to be said that he almost past by the things that were shortly to be done and said almost all of the Papal Rome The certainty of the Revelation is the hope and joy of firm Believers 7. Behold I come quickly blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book 7. Think not that I delay my coming as slack of performing my Promise Some of this will be quickly done
by reason of whom malignant enemies will take Occasion to speak evil of Christianity and make a reproach of truth and godliness as if we were all like this scandalous Sect. 3. And through coveteousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not and their damnation slumbereth not 3. Note 1. That its wordly covetous men who are most to be suspected to be Traytors to the Church as Judas was against Christ for for what will ye give me 2. All their seducing confident harangues to this end are but false and feigned words 3. Their business is to sell Souls to the Devil for their own wordly Benefice Gain or Honour as Judas did his Master 4. God is hasting to judge such men with speed as he did Judas when his gain was too hot to hold and he hanged himself for betraying the innocent 4. For if God spared not the angels that sinned but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgment 5. And spared not the old world but saved Noah the eighth person a preacher of righteousness bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly 4.5 Note 1. These Angels were not in a fixed immutable state but mutable by free will 2. Their own sin was the cause of their misery 3. For it they were cast down to hell that is a state of misery reserved for more though they are said to be the Powers of the air and to rule in the Children of disobedience 4. There they have their Prince and Kingdom 5. Pride and Malice against God and man and wickedness is their quality warring against Christ and his Kingdom 6. Tempting men to sin is their imployment 7. Their way against the Church is by LYING MALICE and MURDER in which wicked men are their slaves and instruments 8. So far as men yield to sin by their temptations they fall into the fuller power of them both for further temptations and execution by Gods permission 6. And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes a condemned them with an overthrow making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly 6. And with fire from Heaven destroying Sodom and Gomorrah and the adjacent villages both men and houses that the history of them and the stinking lake that now possesseth the place might be a warning to the ungodly 7. And delivered just Lot vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked 8. For that righteous man dwelling among them in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds 7 8. Note 1. Lot is called Just from the tenor of his life though after he fell into very great sin 2. Just men are grieved at the over-spreading wickedness of the times and places where they live specially their filthiness and their rage against the Just 3. God will deliver the Just from the Wicked and from his Judgments on them 9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished 9. We may well trust that God who as he is just and a hater of sin and a lover of righteousness so knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations so far as that they should not be conquered by them though they be tryed and to reserve the wicked and oppressing Enemies to a full vindictive punishment at the day of Judgment though they prosper and triumph now 10. But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise government Presumptuous are they self-willed they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities 10. Note Dr. Hammond who supposeth this spoken of the Gnosticks would sure think it a heinous aggravation if Governours themselves should prove Borborites or Gnosticks and walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and suppress Piety by power To use Dignities for sin is worse than to despise them or speak evil of them for being evil though this also is bad and must be avoided 2 The Dr. thinks that the Dignities here meant are Apostles I rather think it is Civil Rulers 11. Whereas angels which are greater in power and might bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 11. Whereas the blessed Angels which have more power than Men when they plead against Devils themselves do it not by railing accusation as the instance in Zechary shews 12. But these as natural brute beasts made to be taken and destroyed speak evil of the things that they understand not and shall utterly perish in their own corruption 12. But these are like wild brute Beasts whom all men seek to destroy for their hurtfulness and do speak evil in proud ignorance of Doctrines Practices and Persons which they understand not do stir up men against themselves and shall be destroyed in their sin 13. And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day-time spots they are and blemishes sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you 14. Having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin beguiling unstable souls an heart they have exercised with covetous practices cursed children 13 14. They shall be doubly punished for living in unrighteousness and sensual riot in the Light of the Gospel and Profession of Christianity You admit such to feast with you even as if they were of your Societies at Love-feasts and Sacraments but they are disgraceful spots and blemishes in your Assemblies and a dishonour to the Christian name Their unclean hearts have ungoverned eyes fed with enticing objects of lust and let in the impressions of filthy pleasure into their imaginations deceiving themselves and sporting away their own Souls while they allure and deceive others Their imaginations and minds are so habited to such filthy vice that they cannot cease from it being unstable and by the power of sensuality cannot obey their own convictions And where lust raigneth covetousness ruleth to maintain it They are such as God's Word doth pronounce accursed whatever they profess 15. Which have forsaken the right way and are gone astray following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor who loved the wages of unrighteousness 16. But was rebuked for his iniquity the dumb ass speaking with mans voice forbad the madness of the prophet 15 16. Covetousness hath drawn them from the right way of Truth and Godliness and they stray in the way of Balaam the Son of Beor whom the Hire that bribed him to do evil was prevalent with to attempt it But he that by reason of the love of Money and Hâ—nour could not see the evil of his own way was rebuked by a dumb Ass whom God made speak to evince and forbid the madness of such a Prophet 17. These are wells without water clouds that are carried with a tempest to whom the mist of darkness is reserved