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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A86457	An exposition, or, A short, but full, plaine, and perfect epitome of the most choice commentaries upon the Revelation of Saint John. Especially of the most learned and judicious authors, as Bullinger of Helvetia, Francis Iunius, Thomas Brightman, Aug. Marlorate, Aug. de Civitate dei, but especially (among many) the excellent and learned David Pareus. With severall remarkable notes, observations, and doctrines very profitable. / As it was for the most part delivered by way of commentary in the parish-church of Sutton-Valence, Kanc [sic]. By Hezekiah Holland Anglo-hibernus, Minister of the Gospell at Sutton-Valence.	Holland, Hezekiah, fl. 1638-1661.	1650 (1650)	Wing H2426; Thomason E606_1; ESTC R5543	143,079	206

the overcommers chap. 2.28 as is expounded he being the morning starre Vers 17. And the Spirit and the Bride say come That is the Spirit in every Saint sayes come Every Saint having the Spirit longs after Christ so David Psal 42.2 As the heart pants after the water brookes that hot and therefore dry or thirsty creature so doth my soule after thee O God And the Bride or Church longs after Christ to be fully gloryfied by him and to live ever with her husband the Church Militant Cant. 8. vers last cals for Christ saying be like the Roe that nimble creature and come in haste The coming of Christ is fearfull to the wicked but the regenerate long for him Let him that heareth say come As the Bride doth Truly the reading and hearing this book will make every spiritual man say come Lord Jesus such sweetnesse is here Let him that is a thirst come That is the qualification required in the commers come to me for redemption salvation glory if athirst for a thirsty man is fit to drink of the fountain of water of life Now he that is athirst is he that has the Spirit crying to Christ to come to perfect him and the Church in glory And whosoever will Being qualified and a thirst none else can come these the father draweth Let him take the water of life freely Being a thirst and drawen by the Father The invitation is generall Isa 55.1 Hoe all but note the qualification that thirst come ye to the waters but note God worketh in us to will and do Phil. 2.13 whosoever commeth then God draweth Vers 18. For I testifie This depends upon vers 7. blessed are they that keep the words of this Prophecy now he threatens those who any way corrupt or abuse it Sure Antichristian falsifyers of the truth are here meant For I also testify or testifie together sayes the Greek Because the Angel had spoken now Christ confirmes the Angels testimony witnessing also with the Angel Vnto every man that heareth Not the Pope excepted If any man shall adde By false interpretations as 2 Peter 3.16 adulterating the Text. Let the Papists take heed how they mingle traditions and lyes with the Text. Vnto him God shall adde the plagues To wit not only the seven last plagues but to be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone for ever with the dragon and false Prophet chap. 19 20. O Arrius and Engedinus where are ye O Popelings and Hereticks take heed Vers 19 If any man shall take away from the words of this Prophecy God shall take away his part out of the Book of life c. To the adders he will adde plagues to the takers away he sayes hee 'll take away his part out of the book of life That is what part he seemes to have or will utterly condemne him one day Indeed they may be said to take away from the Book that deprave it allow not of it sleight it or the like The overcommers were promised choyce rewards in the seven Churches these deprayers shall have no share with them nor with the glorious Bride in heaven Some have denyed Saint James his Epistle some this book through mistake not malice being otherwise true Christians and are not to be comprehended here Luther doubted of James many ancient Christians through weaknesse of the authority of this most Divine book on whom I dare not doubt but God had mercy But note not only the integrity but perfection of Scripture is hence proved since nothing is to be added away then with traditions the written word is perfect and only to be followed to salvation Deut. 4.2 Moses gives the same command let no man adde by which it is plain the holy Scriptures of the Old-Testament were full enough and perfect to salvation Now our Saviour not John takes this passage from Moses and other things in this book are taken from the Prophets everywhere To note the perfect agreement of the New-Testament and Old and also to shew how this Book sayes my Pareus is a summe of holy Scripture Well we must not depend upon Revelations but the written Word By this Christ proved himself and his death to his disciples Luke 24.27 see my Glimps of Christs Love pag. 57. Vers 20. He that testifieth these things saith surely I come quickly c. They be the words of Christ not of Iohn who testified and revealed this Prophecy to Iohn being the true and faithfull Witnesse chap. 3.14 who promises to come quickly to confute those who make a mock of his coming to judgment 2 Pet 3.2 3 4. and to stirre us to patience and watchfulnesse And truly if when Iohn writ this book Christ promised to haste then now he is even at the door many Jews are daily converted the Gospel much spread Antichrist manifested and spiritually killed by the Witnesses forsaken by the Kings of the earth or many of them nay and Christ has powerfully reigned by the Reformation of many Kingdomes in matters of Religion We expect to hear of Romes literall desolation but the utter ruine of Turke and Pope we expect not till the seventh Viall be poured out into the aire or the seventh Angel sound at the last day other things are most fulfilled and we hope God for the Elect sake will hasten his coming Surely I come 'T is an asseveration confirming his promised coming to comfort the godly and to stir them up to watchfulnesse and patience in well doing and ill suffering Vers 21. Even so come Lord Jesus Sayes Iohn after all the most joyfull glorious things in the Prophecy the Beast and Dragon in the Vision cast into the lake of hell longing for the consummation of glory Indeed Christ is the good Ahimaaz 2 Sam. 18.27 that brings true and good tydings here in this life but cheifly hereafter of perfect redemption which all the creation groanes for and perfect glory for the Elect. Or Iohn may be understood to desire Christ to hasten Antichrists destruction to hasten comforts to Syon and lastly to come to judgment to condemne the Dragon and Beast and deliver the Saints redeeming their bodies out of their graves consummating them in glory Thus the Spirit in all the Saints teaches to long after Christ and say come Lord Jesus come quickly even so Amen Hanc epitomen praecipuorum Commentariorum supra Revelationem JOHANNIS unàcum annotatiunculis quibusdam feliciter peregi 30 Martii 1650. Ann aetat meae 31. Trinitati gloria sempiterna Amen FINIS

ages as Luther have thus spiritually undone and devoured poperie and the beast severall Kingdomes of late in some measure being enlightened and Antichrist there destroyed by the witnesses and faithfull Ministers of Christ notwithstanding all the plots armes threatnings of the Adversaries So then as the witnesses have as it were weapons so they are not carnall but spirituall Vers 6. These have power to shut heaven that it rain not c. Alluding to the Ministery of Elias 1 King 17.1 this is not to be taken literally for then there should be no rain during Antichrists kingdom which according to the letter is false Spiritually the witnesses by the power of the keyes shut heaven so that the raine of grace doth not mollifie the hearts of opposers and contemners either the spirituall rain of the Cospel comes not to them or works not upon they trusting in merits pilgrimages masses thus the word hardens accidentally though it soften the heart of the Elect. Here also may be thought on the imprecations of the Saints against the utter enemies of the Church as Antichrist which with God is of great force They have power over waters to turne them into blood c. Alluding to Moses and Aaron turning the waters of Egypt into blood So when the spirituall Pharaoh of Rome kept the Church in spirituall bondage God raised up witnesses as Mofes and Aaron to gain home his people but upon Antichrists refusall the witnesses by their sighes teares prayers procured great famines pestilences which have been common upon the adversaries for the contempt of the word thus also the witnesses spiritually smite the earth with plagues Where observe the reason and cause of great punishment by famine plague war was contempt of the word and witnesses thus the word and witnesses accidentally bring miseries Vers 7. Moreover when they have finished their testimonie c. The preaching of the Gospel is called a prophecy and a testimony of Christ and the Truth Which when the witnesses shall have finished for before Antichrist shall not overcome them and then only them not their testimony for the Gospel cannot perish the beast arising out of the bottomlesse pit out of which the locusts came chap. 9. v. 3. and Antichrist or the Pope too shall make war with them and kill them the war here is by disputations in behalfe of Antichrists Sermons branding the witnesses as hereticks seducers by councels condemning the witnesses by excommunications and buls cursing and casting them out by force by fire and faggot and the like not by the word of truth for so the witnesses shall kill Antichrist and the Locusts or the goodnesse of the cause Thus Jerom of Prague was overcome and Wickcliffes bones were taken up and burnt so was John Husse destroyed after he had prophecyed even literally 42 moneths for from the first time he began to maintain Wickcliffes opinions being Anno. 1412. to his martyrdom were precisely say his friends 1260 dayes or two and forty moneths Now though some famous witnesses were put to death suddenly after their finishing their testimonie and so the beasts treading down the holy city to be a time larger then that of the witnesses whereas the text gives both the same space of 42. moneths or 1260. dayes remember that the two witnesses in their successours revived and prophecyed again vers 11. So God has not lest himself without a witnesse to this houre nor will not till the Peast ceaseth to tread under foot the holy city or give over tyrannising at least Vers 8. And their dend bodies shall lye in the street of the great city c. This must not be quite taken literally for the bodies of the witnesses were burnt and needed no buriall but as the Church of Rome is the great city consisting of many Kingdomes and is spiritually called Sodom because of her uncleannesse among the Clergie and other sins and as Rome is spiritually called Egypt in respect of the spirituall slavery she keeps the people as Egypt did Israel and in respect of the thousands of Idols of Rome like that most Idolatrous Egypt and as Rome spiritually crucified Christ not because Pilate a Roman and the souldiers did it though that is somewhat but because Christ is recrucified at Rome and in the Idol of the Masse where they of Rome say they crucifie him daily as being say they bodily present but especially because she spiritually crucifies Christ in his members and is as wretched and as ready to do it as Ierusalem that literally did it So spiritually their carcases lie unburied that is their names are cursed and exposed to shame their books burnt condemned and not suffered to be bought their friends abused and their very houses made jakes Thus the great city or Church of Rome is in respect of her Idolatry tyranny over the people darknesse in the matters of saving faith obstinacy in matters of obedience to the witnesses and word contempt of God and his messengers and judgements notwithstanding the pure water of life is become puddle to them and other judgments meant by the waters turned into blood called spiritually or allegorically Egypt Vers 9. And they of the People tongues shall see their dead bodies c. To wit all those that adhered to Antichrist should applaud their King Abaddon and see with joy the dead bodies of the Saints cast forth as dung into the street in the fore quoted sense Three days and an half If the Popish Councel of Constance where many of several nations met be the kin●ed and people that rejoyced over the witnesses as our Iohn Fox thinks then by three days and an half may be understood three years and an half for so long that Councell sate Now days sometimes signifie years as Ezek. 4.6 each day for a year However the witnesses shall be exposed to reproach but for a short time this is for the comfort of the Saints and in the first place for Iohn that he might not be troubled Ver. 10. And the inhabitants of the earth shall rejoyce over them c Meaning those servants of Antichrist called inhabitants of the earth as having nothing to do with Heaven 'T is bad to do ill worse to rejoyce in it Now behold 't is come to passe in a strange manner that men in killing them shal tink they do God service 'T is said during the Antichristian councell of Constance publick shows and feasts were kept at the burning of Martyrs And the Romish locusts when they condemne a Saint to the fire use to feast gratulate each other and send presents one to another Well Lazarus saw Dives in hell in torment in the Parable The reason follows Because these two Prophets tormented the inhabitants of the earth The word Prophet here is taken in a large sense sometimes in Scripture to prophecy is to interpret here 't is to preach c. Here remember what Ahab said to Elijah thou troublest Israel when he was the troubler of Israel Indeed the little book

polluted to them and become by a just judgement but as muddy and puddle to them being hid to them that be lost Hence the Angel of the waters ver 5. who to wit poured out his Vial in the Vision on the waters praises God for the equity of his judgement giving them blood to drink spiritually for that Scripture was puddle to them which is pure water in it self for that the Doctors were besotted given to delusions and traditions So that their People compared to the creatures in the sea do spiritually die wanting the true waters of comfort who shed the blood of the Saints really Perchance suddainly the sea of Rome may litterally become blood by Protestants opposing her and when the Kings shall hate the whore chap. 17 17 18. and burn her Ver. 6. For they are worthy Evil works are perfectly evil and deserve punishment but good works are always imperfect nay if never so good debts to the Creator therefore deserving no reward but have it out of free mercy and promise But enough to ver 7. which is easie The Angel from out of the Altar was mentioned chap. 14 18. who said thrust in thy sickle and here praises God to which place I referre the Reader and for brevity sake have done with these seven verses Vers 8. And the fourth Angel poured out his Vial upon the Sunne In the Vision this may be as well called the Angel of the Sun as well as the others of fire and water they are called so because of their pouring out their Vials on the Sun Water Earth and because God perchance by these gathers the Saints at the last day to himself and casteth the wicked into hell fire The Sunne notes the holy Scripture by which our dark minds are enlightned as the world is by the Sun God by way of a judgement is said to give the Sun to the bright Scripture making it in the latter days much more clear piercing scorching the consciences or because the Antichristian notwithstanding shall by a just judgement have strong delusions beleeve a lie and not receive the knowledge of the truth or repent unto salvation but continue in unbelief malice envy noted by their being scorched Thus the Vial is poured out upon the Sunne giving more light to the envy of the marked ones who for madnesse gnawed and bit themselves having yet no mind nor grace ro recant Now had the Vial been litterally poured out on the waters formerly or now on the Sun the punishment had been common to all not proper to Antichristians noted by the men as the text intends Vers 9. And men were scorched c. to wit the marked ones Thus the word as a fire burns though chiefly 't was intended for salvation no wonder then there appeared before-hand smoak in the Temple or heaven noting the blindnesse of Antichristians obstinacy and Gods wrath upon it hindring their coming into heaven Observe men yet repented not though God send his Word and Judgements to call to repentance nay though they knew God had power over the plagues yet they returned not to him but hardened their hearts The Popelings though they be scorched by this light as by a fire yet will not for their Riches Honour and Ambition-sake take notice of it to amendment of life to give God the glory to wit of the justnesse of the punishment inflicted 2. Of the truth of the Gospel discovered 3. Or their recovery desired Vers 10. And the fifth Angel poured out his Vial upon the seat of the Beast and his Kingdome waxed dark Upon the preaching of the Word to Antichrists Seat and Kingdome for the noise of the truth by books and preaching hath reached thither his Courtiers subjects and self-continuing obstinate God by a further judgement darkens them more and more punishing one sinne by another as Rom. 1.26 which darknes begins every day to be more manifest Here is an allusion to the litteral Egyptian darknesse but this is to be spiritually taken for the darknesse of the mind the profoundest Doctors of Rome are fools in the saving matters of faith by a just judgement of God So that Gospel which naturally brings light to them that sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death by accident brings more darknesse upon these And they gnawed their tongues Noting the extream rage of Antichristians against God and truth For paine Or grief because Rome is declining and grown to be a kingdome of darknesse Blasphemed the God of heaven In that they condemn the Gospel of Christ for heresie and the true Preachers for hereticks Repented not But taught their marked ones they were in the right and light though ver 8. and 9. they rage and are mad at the Sunne of light which they cannot darken nor will acknowledge to be true but who is more blind then those that will not see Object How can Ministers inflict plagues or poure out Vials Answ They communicate in the work of God as Co-workers they preach the Gospel upon contempt of which the Lord for them punisheth the obstinate and contemners as is noted chap. 11. about the witnesses smiting the earth largely ver 5 6. Vers 12. And the sixth Angel poured out his Vial upon the great river Euphrates and the water thereof was dried up c This Vial and the former have been pouring out a great while Babylon had two strong fences the wals which were one of the wonders of the world very thick and high Then secondly the great river run thorough it as I noted out of Solinus in my quoted book pag. 109. which was greater strength to the city then the wals being very deep Cyrus and the besiegers despairing of the wals make many deep ditches and whiles the Babylonians riot and feast within securely scorning and contemning the besiegers they brought the river Euphrates into those ditches or channels and so enter into Babylon as it were on dry ground and took it The mystical Babylon hath in stead of wals Emperours Kings Princes to defend her inwardly Rome the mystical Babylon hath tythes first-fruits Peter-pence indulgences and the like in stead of Euphrates which the Kings of the East alluding to Cyrus and Darius Kings of the Medes and Persians who are East of Babylon and caused the literal Euphrates to be diverted that is Christian Kings Princes Ministers People for they are from Christ who is the Angel of the East chap. 7.2 and the day-spring from on high Luke 1.78 who visited us who shall divert Euphrates of Rome throw down her riches and bestow them towards the maintenance of Schools Gospel-teachers these the Ministers first preached against as against Peter-pence Absolution-money and the like and other revenues Emperours and Kings have better imployed diverting them and their course from Rome witnesse King Henry the eighth in England so in time Rome will be more feaseable when her Riches and Honour cease more and more This the sixth Vial means And Anonymus two hundred and seventy years

notes the utter desolation of Rome and her stately Palaces and Temples before the end of all things for Satyrs and Devils appear in Deserts and wild places and these birds inhabit ruinous Towns and Castles such as Rome must be and a just punishment upon her Idols and Temples hell is the Devils hold properly so that this shall be a fearful place where the Pope Cardinals Bishops and Clergy sinned and feasted luxuriously now Devils shall dance commonly Vers 3. For they have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication c. All Nations have that is many Nations all Christendom and more Now here spiritual fornication is meant because she is a City chap. 17. vers last with whom the Kings here mentioned could not commit literal fornication 't is called wine because pleasing to corrupt nature as all sin all heresie is and enticing overtaking one as wine unawares called wrath because it causeth Gods wrath So here is the true reason of Romes desolation her damnable Idolatry so that the place is justly punished for the sin committed therein And the Merchants of the earth To wit Cardinals Bishops and the like who only have leave to trade in holy wares of Masses Indulgences Pardons Peter-pence spiritual riches and soules of men vers 13. which old Rome never traded with Are waxen rich By most unlawful means which brings a judgment as spiritual whordom damnable Idolatry deceit thus heaping up riches living by this means delicately luxuriously dishonestly for by this means these spiritual Merchants called Princes of the earth vers 23. could buy any temporal merchandise of common Merchants Now certainly all things are vendible at Rome any sin to be forgiven for money by the spiritual Merchants Vers 4. And I heard another voice saying come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins c. So Jerem. 51.6 45. 1. Here is commission to separate from Rome in heart and bodily and any thing that is Antichristian 2. God hath and ever had a people in Babylon though at least spirituall captives yet elected and to be saved 3. The means of salvation is to be laid hold on and to flie to the Word and Christ to wit out of Babylon 4. If we partake not of the sins of Babylon nor of her punishments shall we lest we partake of her sins and of her plagues 5. Because our corrupt natures are easily enticed to sin fly out of her Indeed travellers who really are not for Rome must uncover the head and bow the knee by force at Masses which is too much connivence even adoration therefore be not there fly out of Babylon lest God be angry and ye partake of her plagues Vers 5. And her sins have reached unto heaven Abels blood and the Sodomites sins called to heaven in a metaphor for vengeance Sin is of a crying nature especially spiritual whoredom noted by her sins being of a more wicked and heinous nature then ordinary And God hath remembred her iniquities Fully to punish them otherwise God remembred Rome before though he for many reasons forbore her The Jesuites confesse that Rome shall be wasted by ten Kings before the coming of Antichrist pray examine why she is to be wasted because of her Idolatry therefore Antichrist that causes men to commit by counsel from the Dragon this great abomination is come O Jesuites see the cause of your Cities ruine is your beloved Idolatry and Fornication Ver. 6. Reward her even as she hath rewarded you reward to sin is due which the godly shall in time see done to Rome when she is wasted at what time they are bid to reward her that is to rejoyce at her punishment being Christs great enemy for they are not to reward her otherwise neither need they for God is said to have done it in her overthrow by the Angel before the godly are bid to reward her or rejoyce The Saints approving Christs judgement at the last day is called their judging the world So the godly's rejoycing here is called their rewarding Babylon Reward yee Ye of the ten Kings who are converted and against Rome ye Preachers also teach that she is to be rewarded so private revenge is not here thought on And give her double according to her works c. That is a very sore and sufficient reward of punishment for so the word double is used Esay 40. vers 2. comfort Jerusalem to wit after her captivity because I have rewarded her double for her sin that is abundantly enough thus Rome is to be rewarded yet according to her works as she hath afflicted the Saints so she shall be sorely afflicted the Lord remembers his peoples miseries and tormentors to return both double the one of joy the other of punishment O Ireland how canst thou escape Vers 7. How much she hath glorified her self and lived in pleasure c. Saying she was Christs only Spouse the Catholique Church the Apostolique Sea the Pope Christs Vicar condemning all the Saints for Hereticks calling her self the head of all Churches a Queen by so much sorer punishment she shall be afflicted as by a law of equality Now never was such a boasting Church as Rome Saying I sit a Queen Not only in her heart but in her Sermons writings and actions I sit Noting her pride and security as if she were unmoveable A Queen Noting her self-confidence and usurping authority above all Churches Thus Antichrist exalteth himself 2 Thes 2.4 above all that is called God whether Angels or Magistrates for both are so called Thus in a parenthesis the sons of God or Judges great men Magistrates took the daughters of men being faire or ravished them taking them by force being mens sons of power and without controul and gyants were gotten Apostates for so the word in Hebrew may be rendred Gen. 6.2.4 from God and Religion then arose God not blessing those unlawfull courses of marriages which occasioned the flood Thus Magistrates are called Gods above whom Antichrist exalteth himself as above Emperours Kings Churches and Councils as is noted I am no widow As by a Queen is noted the pride pompe riches state power of Rome So by her being no widow is meant her being Christs supposed Spouse for so she calls her self and her extraordinary boasted of honour and pomp which abounds at Rome and that perswades them there that God loves them as Ephraim boasted foolishly Hos 12.8 I have found me out much riches when indeed Christs Church is denominated from her affliction Esa 54.11 O thou afflicted and riches and pompe are more companions of the wicked Job 21. to vers 15. I shall see no sorrow This is Romes language Yet many Kingdomes and people have revolted from this proud harlot so her sorrow increases and some of the ten Kings have long since begun to hate her Vers 8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day death and sorrow c. That is suddainly swiftly She delighted in pleasure

6. Act. 3. Vers 1. And after these things I heard a great voyce of much people in heaven THe occasion of this praising God is from vers 20. of chap. 18. Where the heavenly voyce bids the Saints rejoyce as here they do Now 't is usuall in this book as in a comedy or tragedy to bring in harpers or musick to delight the spectatours Hence it is remarkable after Romes destruction men shall rejoyce on earth for Gods just vengeance on her before the day of Judgment For though John heard the voyce as in heaven yet it noted also joy on earth among the Saints After these things After the scarlet coloured City was burnt for so both women chap 17.3 4. and City are arayed chap. 18.16 and the Merchants riches partly burnt partly made uncapable of sale After the common Merchants of Nations had bewailed the City for now they cannot trade with the spiritual Merchants of Rome with gold pearle for Masses pardons nor could the spirituall Merchants being impoverished reach the price of fine linnen pearle after these things as in the last five Visions a chore of singers appear praising God Because Antichrists blasphemy Idolatry is destroyed in part so the cause of the rejoycing is good To vers 10. and 11. things being indifferent plain and to be understood by the reading with adding some few notes I 'le passe them by From vers 1. Allelujah that is praise the Lord being an Hebrew word by which all the quire of Heaven both of Old and New-Testament praise the Lord. Note the sweet concord of both Churches under the Law and Gospel now in Heaven Also perchance hence may be noted that the Hebr. tongue used in Paradise and by our Saviour on earth mixt with the Syriack after the resurrection shall be the tongue to celebrate God in Heaven perchance here may be thought on the Jews Hallelujahs whose tongue this is after their fuller conversion according to Rom. 11. Vers 2. It becomes us all to take notice and praise God for the equity of his judgments upon his and our enemies as Antichrists Vers 3. Hell is below for the smoake ascended here is noted also the eternity of Romes judgment for ever and ever Vers 4. After the former rejoycings the 24. Elders or Jewish Church and the four Beasts alluding to the Apostles see chap. 4. succeed in the praysing God saying Amen So that none but he who sate upon the throne is worshipped not one worships another and he for ever by succession of companies which is to be noted Vers 5. Another voyce inviting to more prayses is heard out of the throne by which is noted its being from heaven and it was not the voyce of him that sate on the throne because the voyce invites to praise him also the two companies had ceased their song so this was Christs voice who as Mediatour cals God his God saying praise our God it seemes they had ascribed to God salvation that is the power of saving acknowledging salvation to be from him but greater motives for praise remaine then their deliverance from Antichrist and his judgment and their salvation to wit the Lambs marriage which all his servants of more or lesse faith children or men that feare him so the Catholique Church is here comprehended must praise him for I hence observe it is our duty to praise God and take notice of his love that his will ought to be done by us in earth as 't is in heaven Vers 6. Now follow the praises by all the people of God in heaven and earth as it were compared to waters because of multitude chap. 17.15 and noyse and to thunder filling heaven and earth i th ecchoes thus John heard it noting the exceeding joy and prayses of both Churches Militant and Triumphant see chap. 14.2 where the like noyse of praise is heard Now this Song belongs to the time a little before Christs coming to judgment as will appear Because the Lord hath reigned that is by subduing the enemies as Antichrist had declared powerfully himself to be God Vers 7. For the marriage of the Lamb is come c. The betrothing between Christ and his Church is in this world by faith and the word preached the word wooes the Church for Christ faith imperfectly embraces him the consummation of the marriage is at the last day when Christ and the Church shall for ever be together enjoying one another perfectly there she shall as a wife enjoy him here only as a Virgin betroathed She hath made her selfe ready to wit for glory but to her it was given to be clothed in white linnen ver 8 to wit by Christ by whom and with whom as with fine linnen she is clothed being her self naked Ezek. 16.8 It was given Noting her natural nakednesse of grace and righteousnesse but through Christs endeavours as a Bride to trim her self but is much nay most helped by Christ to be dressed as Brides are by others for here both dressings are meant of grace but especially of glory so she must needs be a most glorious spouse being dressed with Christ Vers 9. Write As a most remarkable comfortable note Blessed are they that are called internally and effectually to the marriage of the Lamb begun here and perfected hereafter Sure eye hath not seen nor eare heard nor hath it entred into mans heart to conceive the joy banquet attire and graces of this marriage and friends truly invited Now against the Papists if they be blessed that are invited assurance of heaven is to be had here for this is one of the true sayings of God to wit that t is given to the Bride to be clothed in fine linnen therefore there is no Predisposition in her and that they are blessed who are in this world invited having heaven in part upon earth Vers 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him c. The Angel's who talked with him Abraham civilly worshipped Angels as Travellers Gen. 18. and was blamelesse which may perswade that this worship offered by John was religious because forbidden Now John had seen Angels before now and heard them speak yet never offered to worship till now either being now over-joyed about the comforts of the Lamb and his spouse for which discourse for this Angel had familiarly talked with him a great while by way of thanks he would have worshipped him or perchance supposing he had been Christ To be brief Iohns weaknesse is here shewed and the Angels faithfulnesse since Iohn confesses in writing his errour as Moses shews his original Matthew his calling impartially it shews that these men were inspired by God who were the Writers of these books And since the Angel refuses the worship for two reasons 1. Because he was Iohns fellow servant 2. Because God was only to be worshipped therefore no worship neither douleia nor latreia for they are indifferently used for the same worship is due to Saints or Angels So that as the Angels refuse it so