Matth. 28. 18. John 3. 35. with Chap. 10. 17 18. and Chap. 5. 20-22-27 Because he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross therefore also hath God exalted him Phil. 2. 6-8 9. Rev. 3. 21. Herein Judah prevailed above his Brethren 1 Chron. 5. 2. And by his Sacrifice and Mediation he thus prevailed with him that sate on the Throne he gave himself for us an Offering and a Sacrifice unto God for a sweet-smelling savour Eph. 5. 2. And in the virtue thereof now mediates And whatever he doth ask of God he will give it him he hears him always John 11. 22-41 42. having accepted his burnt-sacrifice he grants him according to his own heart fulfils all his Counsel and all his Petitions gives him his hearts desire and with-holds not the request of his lips Psal 21. 3-5 and 20. 1-3 And all the Keys are given to him the Keys of Hell and Death See notes on Chap. 1. ver 18. The Keys of the House of David so as he openeth and none shutteth and shutteth and none openeth See the notes before on Chap. 3. ver 7 and 8. And here the Keys to open this Book and loose the seven Seals thereof Verse 6. And I beheld and lo in the midst of the Throne and of the four living Creatures and in the midst of the Elders stood a Lamb as if it had been slaâ—n having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth In this Verse we have to consider for our usefulness 1. The Apostle's ready compliance with and obedience unto the Counsel of the Elder before given him And I beheld 2. The Person or Object which he saw And loe a Lamb stood as it had been slain 3. Where he saw this Lamb In the midst of the Throne and of the four living Creatures and in the midst of the Elders 4. What this Lamb had Having seven Horns and seven Eyes which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the Earth 1. The Apostles ready compliance with and chearful obedience unto the Counsel of the Elder before given to him And I beheld In ver 5. The Elder said unto him Behold that is See Compare 1 Chron. 7. 1. with 2 Sam. 7 2. And here saith he I beheld or looked Indeed he sometimes did so before he was called upon or commanded as Chap. 4. 1. and Chap. 14. 1-14 and 15. 5 c. But now especially it did behove him when he was so counselled and provoked and it was expected from him that he should look and accordingly it was readily found with him also that he looked And in the opening of the Seals particularly when he was called upon to see he then saw beheld or looked as Chap. 6. 1. 2-5-7 So did Ezekiel also and other Prophets Ezek. 1. 3 4. and Chap. 2. 8 9 c. And thongh this Elder was but a Fellow-Servant yet John did not therefore despise him knowing that he that receives whomsoever he sends receiveth Christ and he that receiveth him receiveth him that sent him John 13. 20. So it is also good and needful for us when we are called upon to behold God's Servant whom he hath upheld his Elect One in whom his Soul delighteth Esa 42. 1. and Chap. 45. 22. and 18. 3. that as we are prevented with power and capacity we obey the Call and Counsel and open our Eyes so shall we be satisfied with bread Prov. 20. 12 13. and if we do not we are guilty of Rebellion for it is a rebellious iniquity to have Eyes to see and yet not to see with them Jer. 5. 18-23 Ezek. 12. 2 3. and greatly provokes Christ to anger Hence he saith to his Disciples Perceive ye not yet neither understand have ye your hearts yet hardned having eyes see ye not Mark 8. 17 18. Matth. 13. 11-13 And if we make use of our eyes and look when we are called upon so to do we shall have more and more revealed to us Matth. 13. 11 12-16-18 Isa 32. 3. Dan. 2. 21 22. Yea though but a Messenger of Christ's call upon us so to do in his Name yet let us receive and obey his good counsel Matth. 10. 40. Luke 10. 16. And let us not say they are men also and subject to Infirmities and Passions but consider in whose Name and on whose Errand they come And believe we and obey his Prophets and Messengers so shall we prosper 2 Chro. 20. 20. Exod. 16. 2-7 8. 2. The Person or Object which he saw And loe a Lamb stood as it had been slain In ver 5. He is thus described The Lion of the Tribe of Judah c. But here he beheld a Lamb. The Lion is also a Lamb. But now here we may consider for our Instruction 1. The Object that he saw A Lamb. 2. We have an account how he saw him As it had been slain 3. The Posture in which he saw him stood 1. The Object it self which the Apostle John saw A Lamb. Now by this Lamb without controversie is meant and intended Jesus Christ the Son of God the Saviour of the world And this Title the Baptist had given unto him and made him known by to the Jews saying Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world This is he of whom I said After me cometh a man which is preferred before me Again looking upon Jesus as he walked he saith Behold the Lamb of God Joh. 1. 28 29 30 35 36. And this we shall have further occasion to shew 1. Now he hath this Title of A Lamb given unto him 1. To denote and signifie to us that he is that Lamb for a Burnt-offering that hath been slain for us as it doth after follow here in this place and Verse 9. He is the truth of our Types in former times Under the Law this was one thing which God gâ—ve in charge to his people Thou shalt offer upon the Altar two Lambs of the first year day by day continually the one Lamb thou shalt offer in the morning and the other Lamb thou shalt offer in the evening c. Exod. 29. 38 42. Numb 38. 3 4. Now of that typical Burnt-offering this Lamb to wit Jesus Christ is the truth who was slain in the morning virtually even from the foundation of the World Rev. 13. 8. He is that Lamb who verily was â—ore-ordained before the foundation of the world 1 Pet. 1. 20. the Hind of the morning Psal 22. Title and verse 1-16 That Lamb which God prepared himself for a Burnt-offering Gen. 22. 8 9-18 And he was manifested and actually slain in the evening of the world even in these last times 1 Pet. 1. 19 20. Once in the end of the world he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself Hebr. 9. 26. The Law had but a shadow of good things to come wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith
Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not but a body hast thou prepared me In burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure Then said I loe I come In the Volume of thy Book it is written of me to do thy will O God c. Hebr. 10. 1-4-7-9 John 1. 17. Col. 2. 16 17. Hebr. 9. 9-11 Or also with reference to the Lamb of the Passover the Paschal Lamb he may be here called A Lamb They were at that Feast to take a Lamb for an House or for 2 or three Houses and to kill it in the evening And this they were to keep as a feast by an Ordinance for ever or by a Statute of Eternity And the blood of that Lamb was to be to them for a token upon the Houses and when the Lord saw the blood he would pass over them and the plague should not be upon them Exod. 12. 3-14 Now the truth of this Type was Jesus Christ the Lamb here spoken of Christ our Pass-over hath been slain or sacrificed for us 1 Cor. 5. 7. He gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour Eph. 5. 2. And he hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law Gal. 3. 13. This is that Lamb of God who bare the sin of the World and still taketh away their sins in his daily mediation during the day of God's Grace by means whereof God passes over us and is propitious to us John 1. 29. with Exod. 12. 8 9-14 Heb. 1. 3. Psal 75. 2 3. 1 John 2. 2. 2. He is a Lamb to be fed upon by us as the Pashcal Lamb was in former times Exod. 12. 8 9-14 Christ our Passeover is sacrificed for us therefore let us keep the Feast hereby he is become and in him is a Feast for all people 1 Cor. 5. 7 8. Isa 25. 6. Mat. 22. 4. The Bread that he will give continually is his flesh which he hath given for the life of the world His flesh is meat indeed and his blood is drink indeed whoso eateth his flesh and drinketh his blood hath eternal life John 6. 50 51-56 57. And to signifie to us that he is the truth of the Passeover and Paschal Lamb Hence our Lord Jesus when he was eating the Passeover instituted his Supper at the same time which is the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ Matth. 26. 26-28 1 Cor. 11. 23-26 And indeed his flesh and blood are always to be fed upon by us in a believing mindfulness and remembrance and serious meditation on the greatness necessity and excellencie of his Sufferings and what he hath thereby done and obtained into himself and is become his and his Father's love in all commended Rev. 7. 16 17. And whoso eateth him even he shall live by him Joh. 6. 57. and shall be strengthned laying aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset him to run with patience the race that is set before him Hebr. 12. 1 2 3. with Exod. 12. 11. And as in former times the Paschal Lamb and the Sacrifices generally were to be without blemish otherwise they would not be accepted Exod. 12. 5. Lev. 1. 3. 10. and Chap. 3. 1 c. So Jesus Christ is a Lamb without blemish and without spot 1 Pet. 1. 19. one that knew no sin that did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth 2 Cor. 5. 19-21 1 Pet. 2. 20-22 he was holy harmless undefiled c. Heb. 7. 26. 3. He is a Lamb and so called to denote his great meekness in all his endurings and sufferings even in what he suffered from the hands of men also in which he was most unjustly proceeded against and with wicked hands crucified and slain when he was reviled he reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judged righteously 1 Pet. 2. 20-23 He was oppressed and he was afflicted yet he opened not his mouth he was brought as a Lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb so he opened not his mouth Isai 53. 7 8. with Act. 8. 32-35 Luke 10. 3. He did not cry nor lift up nor cause his voice to be heard in the streets but was gentle in all he endured and patient towards all Isai 42. 1 2. 2 Cor. 10. 1. And he is gracious and gentle in all the Administrations of his Government And he calls upon us to take his yoâ—e upon us and lâ—arn of him who is meek and lowly in heart so shall we find rest to our Souls Isai 42. 18-21 Matth. 11. 29. Rom. 15. 1-3 2. We have an Account how he saw him As it had been slain In which saying is signified to us 1. That this Lamb was slain he was so once and but once 1 Cor. 5. 7. Heb. 9. 25 26-28 In which expression is included and supposed the whole of his abasement and sufferings in that body which the Father had prepared for him In that he died he died unto sin once Rom. 6. 9 10. Christ once suffered for sins the just for the unjust 1 Pet. 3. 18. Heb. 7. 27. and Chap. 9. 12-27 28. and Chap. 10. 10. Of this our Lord spake prophetically before his hour was come saying The Son of man must suffer many things and be rejected of the Elders and chief Priests and Scribes and be slain c. Luke 9. 22. And though they found no cause of death in him yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain Act. 13. 28. Though he was a Lamb a spotless Lamb one that continually went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil for God was with him yet he was reviled he suffered and the Jews with wicked hands slew him and hanged him on a tree 1 Pet. 2. 20-23 Act. 2. 23. and Ch. 10. 38-40 And God brought him into the dust of death for our sins for God made him to be sin for us Psal 22. 15. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Isai 53. 5-10 He spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all Rom. 8. 32. Zech. 13. 7. Rom. 4. 25. Gen. 22. 8 9. The Cup he drank of was that which the Father gave him to drink John 18. 11. Oh wonderful Grace Oh unparallel'd love both in Father and Son John 3. 16. and Chapt. 4. 8-10 and Chap. 4. 8-10-12-14 2. As it had been slain Not now so Rev. 5. 9 12. He now liveth who was dead and he is alive for evermore Rev. 1. 18. and Chap. 2. 8 God brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus the great Shepheard of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting Covenant Heb. 13. 20. God raised him again having loosed the pains of death because it was not pâ—ssible he should be holden of it Act. 2. 24-36 Luke 9. 22. And he is raised again in that body of his flesh in which he he bare our sins to the tree and was crucified dead and buried his flesh did
blood but as is here said By thy blood not by the blood of any of the offerings or sacrifices which were commanded in and offered by the Law It is true indeed under the Law the blood of their Sacrifices did make a typical atonement for them for all their sins Lev. 6. 30. and Chap. 16. 15-34 But truly and really it was not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats could take away sin either from before the presence of God or out of their consciences Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not but a body hast thou prepared me In burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure then said I Lo I come in the volume of thy Book it is written of me to do thy will O God Heb. 10. 1-4-9 and Chap. 9. 9 13. No it 's by the blood of him whom they worship of him who is the true God and eternal life by which peace was made and redemption wrought for them Col. 1. 20. and hereby also they were bought unto God and washed from their sins and pollutions in their minds and consciences For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of en beifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh how much more shall the blood of Christ who thorow the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God Heb. 9. 13 14-22 and Chap. 10. 22. with Chap. 12. 24. Now here for our further usefulness we may enquire and consider 1. What is meant by and contained in this blood of Christ here spoken of by which they were redeemed unto God 2. How were these holy ones redeemed by it 1. To the first we may say that by the Blood of Christ we are to understand 1. The whole of his abasement and sufferings in that Body which the Father prepared for him and most directly his death or pouring out his soul unto death as here it is said Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood He even this glorious one took part with us of flesh and blood that he might die and thorow death destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil Heb. 2. 14. Blood and death are words of a like signification in Scripture compare Psal 72. 14. with Psal 116. 15. Sometimes indeed his blood is distinguished from his flesh as in Joh. 6. 53-56 and in the Supper 1 Cor. 11. 2â— 25. But here and elsewhere when it is mentioned alone it includes and contains all his Humiliation sufferings and death 1 Joh. 5. 6. and his blood is sometimes called the blood of his Cross because thereon he died and gave up the Ghost Col. 1. 20. and sometimes all his sufferings are supposed and contained in the word Cross because He humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the Cross Ephes 2. 13. with vers 15. Gal. 6. 14. 1 Cor. 1. 23. and Chop 2. 2. Phil. 2. 6 7 8. 2. And by his blood may also be meant the vertue and procurement thereof or what he hath thereby done and obtained into himself for us and is become So many times in Scripture that which is gotten procured or obtained by any thing is called by the name of that thing by which it was so gotten procured or obtained So a mans servant is called his money because he is obtained hired or bought with his money Exod. 21. 21. so that which is earned or gotten by work or labour is called by the name of labour or work Psal 127. 2. Isa 40. 10. and 49. 4. Jer. 4. 18. So the water which Davids three mighty men drew out of the Well of Bethlehem and brought unto David is called Blood because they gat it with blood as it were putting their lives into their hands for it as David saith Is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives 2 Sam. 23. 15-17 1 Chron. 11. 17-19 So that field is called the field of blood which was bought with blood or with the price of blood Mat. 27. 6-8 Act. 1. 19. see the fuller discovery pag. 112-114 And in this sense the Cross of Christ answers to the Gospel 1 Cor. 1. 17. with ver 18. For by the blood of his Cross he hath made peace Col. 1. 20. Obtained the forgiveness of our personal sins Ephes 1. 7. Col. 1. 14. received the spirit and all spiritual blessings Rev. 5. 6 12. Joh. 3. 35. with Chap. 10. 17 18. Confirmed a new Testament and everlasting Covenant of exceeding great and precious promises c. Mâ—t. 26. 28. Heb. 10. 29. and 9. 12. and Chap. 13. 20. Phil. 2. 8 9. Eph. 4. 8-10 with Psal 68. 10 18. 2. How were these holy ones redeemed by his Blood To that we may say 1. As to Christs redeeming men in himself so he carried his blood in the vertue of it into Heaven and presented it unto the Father as a price of redemption Not by the blood of goats and calves but by or with his own blood be entred in 〈◊〉 having obtained eternal redâ—â—ption Heb. 9. 12. with vers 7. And he thorow the eternal spirit offered himself in the vertue of his blood without spot or fault to God Heb. 9. 14. Every High-Priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices wherefore it is of necessity that this man our great High-Priest have somewhat to offer And he hath given himself his own body which was delivered for our offenceâ— and raised again for us an offering and a sacrifice to God as we have before said Heb. 8. 1-3 4. with Chap. 10. 10. Eph. 5. 2. 1 Tim. 2. 6. And so acceptable and well-pleasing was his gift and offering unto God that thereby he hath redeemed mankind from the curse of the Law drawn all men unto himself and God hath given him power over all flâ—sh and committed all judgment and government unto him that all men should honour the son c. Gal. 3. 13. Joh. 12 31 32. and Chap. 17. 2. Psal 2. 6-8-9-12 Joh. 5. 22 23. 2. As to the redeeming men in their own persons unto God he is tendring his blood unto them as a price to out-bid all other things and buy them off from their vanities Idols and vain conversation and so his blood answers to money though yet it infinitely exceeds it 1 Pet. 1. 18. 19. He puts his blood in and by his Gospel and himself as a price into the hands of men to redeem them from their evil and sinful thoughts ways and companions that they might count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledg of Jesus and go on to count them but dung that they might win him and be found in him Phil. 3. 7-9 Prov. 17. 16. He by his spirit so glorifies himself and renders his blood so precious in his Gospel that men might look unto him and be
Clouds Where let us mind and consider these things 1. The person here spoken of and that cometh He 2. Of what coming is here spoken and intended 3. How or in what manner he shall come 4. From whence or from what place he cometh 5. To what end or ends he cometh 1. The person that cometh He of whom we have a description before in v. 5 6. as we have seen even he that loved us and died for our Sins and who is raised from the dead to wit the Son of Man Dan. 7. 13. The Son of Man shall come in the Clouds of Heaven with Power and great Glory Mat. 24. 27 30. and ch 25 13. and ch 26. 64. with Mark 13. 26. and ch 14. 62. Luk. 21. 27. It is the Man Christ Jesus who hath made Peace for us and is our Peace that shall come and whom we are called upon to behold He doth not cease to be a man though he be not a mere man but this Man continueth for ever and very frequently when he speaks of his coming he calls himself the Son of Man Mat. 16. 27. Luk. 17. 24 26 30. 2. Of what coming doth he here speak We have intimated before that though he may and doth include his coming providentially and in his Judgments yet hereby is ultimately meant his glorious coming to take to him his great Power and reign and to judge the World in Righteousness as appears by what follows in that it is said Every Eye shall see him c. and by the Apostles vote in the latter end of the Verse like that He which testifieth these things saith Surely I come quickly Amen Even so come Lord Jesus ch 22. 17 20. But here we may consider there are two personal comings of our Lord Jesus Christ's 1. To take our nature and be abased that he might redeem us from the Curse of the Law and obtain Eternal Redemption in the nature of Man for us Of this he here speaks not for so he was come and gone before this as he saith I come forth from the Father and am come into the World Again I leave the World and go to the Father Joh. 16. 28. And before the time that this Book was sent and signified unto John he had come and finished the work which the Father gave him to do on Earth in the body of his Flesh and was gone up into Heaven and sate on the right hand of God Acts 1. 11. Joh. 17. 4 5. Act. 3. 20 21. 1 Pet. 3. 21 22. 2. He shall appear and come the second time Heb. 9. 28. He shall come again in his personal body Joh. 14. 3. God shall send us Jesus who hath been preached to us Acts 3. 20. and of this he here speaketh as hath been said See more concerning his coming on ch 2. v. 5. and ch 3. 20. 3. How or in what manner shall he come Answer 1. He shall come without Sin Heb. 9. 28. when he was here before though he knew no Sin yet God made him to be Sin for us 2 Cor. 5. 21. He himself in his own body bare our Sins to the Tree and suffered for them 1 Pet. 2. 24. and ch 3. 18. But when he shall appear the second time no Sin shall be imputed to him nor suffered for by him Nor shall there be any mortality or weakness upon him God hath raised him again from the Dead now no more to return to corruption Heb. 1. 3. Acts 13. 33 34. 1 Cor. 15. 1 Joh. 3. 5. Phil. 3. 21. 2. He shall then come in Glory as appears in the Doxology v. 6. To him be Glory Behold he cometh with Clouds he shall come in his glorious body Phil. 3. 21. This second appearing is called his glorious appearing Tit. 2. 13. He shall come in his own Glory and in his Fathers Mat. 24. 30. and ch 25. 31. Mark 8. 38. and ch 13. 26. Luke 9. 26. and in the Glory of his Angels all the Holy Angels shall come with him Mat. 16. 27. and ch 25. 31. Mark 8. 38. and he shall come with all his Saints The Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints The Lord shall come and all the Saints with him Jude 14 15. Zech. 14. 5. 1 Thes 3. 13. and with the Trump of God 1 Thes 4. 16 17. 1 Cor. 15. 52. 3. And he shall come visibly as afterwards followeth in this Verse 4. He shall come suddainly and unexpectedly The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night 2 Pet. 3. 10. 1 Thes 5. 2 4. Mat. 24. 43. Be ye therefore ready also for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not Luke 12. 39 40. Mark 13. 35 37. 4. From whence shall he come And that will be from Heaven from that glorious place where the Throne of God is 1 Thes 1. 10. and ch 4. 16. We look for the Saviour from Heaven Phil. 3. 20. 1 Cor. 15. 47. He shall not come from his glorious state but shall fit on the right hand of Power till all Enemies be destroyed Mat. 2â— 64. Ps 110. 1 2. Heb. 10. 12 13. But the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout c. 1 Thes 4. 16. 5. To what end cometh he And that is 1. To raise the dead that sleep in Jesus and change the surviving believers and they shall be all gathered together and caught up to meet the Lord in the Air and so shall be ever with him And they shall then bear the Image of the Heavenly 1 Thes 4. 16 17. 1 Cor. 15. 21 23 49. Phil. 3. 21. Mat. 24. 30 31. Mark 13. 25 27. Then shall the righteous be gathered together unto him and one unto another 2 Thes 2. 1. Ps 1. 5 6. 2. He shall come with them to destroy all the Horns of the Wicked and all them that oppose him Ps 75. 10. and 149. Dan. 7. 11 12. 2 Thes 1. 5 8. Rev. 11. 18. and ch 19. That will be the day of Perdition of Ungodly Ones 2 Pet. 3. 7. And all these things shall be dissolved 2 Pet. 3. 10 14. And the Devil bound up in the Bottomless-pit Rev. 20. 1 3. with Luke 8. 31. 3. He shall make all things new New Heavens and a New Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness Isay 65. 17 19. and ch 66. 22. 2 Pet. 3. 13. Rev. 21. 5. Then shall be the restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his Holy Prophets since the World began Acts 3. 20 21. Rom. 8. 21 22. Then the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun and the light of the Sun shall be seven-fold as the light of seven days Isay 30. 26. Then the face of the Earth shall be renewed Ps 104 30 31. and Ps 8. 3 4. 4. He will then inherit all Nations and give to his people to reign with him they shall reign on the Earth Rev. 5. 10. they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand
and turn from all their wandrings and departures unto Christ again who is the Green Fir-tree from whom all good fruit is found and without whom we can do nothing Hos 14. 8. Joh. 15. 1 6. Rev. 3. 3. The word of the beginning of Christ is the Foundation of Repentance from dead works and of Faith and of all gracious and spiritual Works and Operations Heb. 6. 1 2. and ch 9. 14. 4. In that he adds And do the first works after the two former Branches of the Counsel so we may learn that we should not simply remember and repent but also bring forth Fruits meet for and answerable to such remembrance and repentance as the Baptist saith to the Pharisees and Sadducees Mat. 3. 7 8. So the Apostle shewed first to them of Damascus c. that they should repent and turn to God and do works meet for repentance Acts 26. 19 20. God is indeed first working in us both to will and to do of good pleasure But still somewhat is required of us as he is thus preventing us namely to do all things without murmurings and disputings Phil. 2. 13 15. Heb. 13. 20 22. Be we then doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving our own selves Jam. 1. 22 25. 2. We have next to speak unto a conditional threat denounced against them Wherein we have to consider 1. The Threat or Commination it self I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy Candlestick out of his place 2. The condition Or else except thou repent 1. We have to take notice of and to consider the threat or commination it self In which also there is 1. That which preceeds and yet is in order to their Punishment I will come unto thee quickly 2. The Judgment it self directly threatned unto them And will remove thy Candlestick out of his place 1. That which precedes and yet is in order to their punishment I will come unto thee quickly I will come How so Is he not gone up into Heaven And must not the Heavens receive and contain him until the time of the Restitution of all things Acts 3. 21. yes surely But we may say 1. There are personal comings of his and they are two 1. His coming down from Heaven to be made and manifested in the Flesh and to be further abased for us that he might deliver us from that so great a Death as in which otherwise we must have perished for ever And that he might obtain for us Life and immortality so when the fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a Woman made under the Law that he might redeem them that were under the Law And he came down from Heaven not to do his own will but the will of him that sent him Gal. 4 4 5. Joh. 6. 40. So according to the end of his Father 's Mission he came into the World to be made Man wherefore when he cometh into the World he saith A Body hast thou prepared me Heb. 10. 5. And once in the end of the World he appeared to put away Sin by the Sacrifice of himself Heb. 9. 26. He was manifested to take away our Sins and make peace for us 1 Joh. 3. 5. Col. 1. 20. 1 Joh. 4. 9 10. And to that end he humbled himself and became obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross Phil. 2. 6 8. aswell as also He came to preach peace in a frail and mortal body Luke 4. 18 43. And to seal to the truth of the Gospel by his Blood Joh. 18. 37. And as with respect to both ends he came to be a Saviour to save that which was lost Mat. 18. 11. Luke 18. 10. Joh. 12. 47. Luke 9. 54 56. 1 Tim. 1. 15. So and in this consideration he hath come once and shall come no more Joh. 16. 10 28. Rev. 1. 18. Rom. 6. 9 10. 1 Joh. 5. 20. and ch 4. 2 3. 2. And he shall come again and appear the second time in his own personal body not in abasement and weakness as formerly but in Glory in his own Glory and in the Glory of his Father with all his Holy Angels Mat. 16. 27. Joh. 14. 3. Heb. 9. 28. Luke 9. 26. He shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the Voice of the Arch-Angel and with the Trump of God 1 Thes 4. 16. But of neither of these two personal comings doth this place speak See the Notes before on Rev. 1. v. 7. 2. There are other comings of Christ spoken of in scripture which are not personal but invisible spiritual and providential comings of his that is to say 1. His comings in his mercies word and ordinances in his gracious visitations of mens hearts and spirits so before he took our nature upon him he was in the World and came unto his own in the ministery of of his Prophets Joh. 1. 10 11. Thus it is said Wherefore when I came was there no man when I called was there none to answer c. that is he came in his word and called and knocked that they might have opened and given entertainment to him Isay 50. 2. Rev. 3. 20. And the Lord saith In all places where I record my name I will come unto thee c. Exod. 20. 24. with Mat. 18. 20. And If any man love me he will keep my word and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him Joh. 14. 21 23. But of his thus coming he here speaks not neither see notes on Rev. 3. v. 20. 2. He is also said to come judicially to execute judgments now in this day either to take men away out of this World by death as our Saviour saith Be ye ready for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not Luke 12. 40. Mark 13. 35. or to execute and inflict some judgment here as Rev. 2. 16. and ch 3. 3. and ch 16. 15. or to take away and remove some mercies he hath been vouch-safing to any thus we are here to understand it So it is said The Lord cometh out of his place to punish Isay 26. 21. Mica 1. 3. So he that is in the Heavens in his personal body can come unto us in his providences and judgments when he pleaseth Quickly that is 1. Easily lightly without difficulty if men repent not Mark 9. 39. Jer. 31. 28. Prov. 1. 24 29. 2. Quickly without delay speedily so v. 16. he would hasten his word to perform it as Jer. 1. 12. 3. Quickly unexpectedly and unthought of and so he would come as a thief when they were not aware and take away his mercy from them Rev. 3. 3. and ch 16. 15. Now in that he thus threatens to come to this Angel and Church we may learn 1. That he on whom we call is one that is without partiality in his judgments he is such an one as without respect of persons judgeth according unto every man's work Jam. 3. 17.
Thes 5. 21 24. and that is greatly for our encouragement and consolation 2. That false teachers and seducers endeavour to cause us to let go Christ's works that we may rejoyce in the works of our own hands or in something done by us in our own wiâ—dom and strength or to rejoyce originally in that effected in us by his Gospel or they would lead us to seâ—k and endeavour to perfect by the flesh or works of the law what was begun in us by the Spirit Gal. 3. 1 4 10 13. Rom. 4. 1 4 5. Eph. 2. 7. 8. 9 10. 3. In and unto our keeping Christ's works we must fight against all â—vil workers with the weapons of God's warfare and overcome as here he saith He that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end we must fight the good fight of Faith and so lay hold on eternal life 1 Tim. 6. 12. that we may keep the works of Christ unto the end as declared in his word and keep the commandment the Gospel we must endure hardness as good Souldiers of Jesus Christ 2 Tim. 2. 3 4. 2. We have in the next place to consider and speak unto the blessedness which is here assured to every such an one as overcometh and keepeth Christ's works to the end that is to say To him will I give power over the nations The blessedness here assured and promised by our Saviour is that which follows after and is consequential to overcoming and keeping Christ's works to the end to wit of their lives as v. 10. and it is not that they shall be ruling Bishops in and among the Gentiles while they are in mortal bodies as a learned Man would make us believe Though it is somewhat strange also that he should make such an interpretation of the words when-as the Blessedness here assured is not only to the Angels or clergy-Men as they speak but to the whole Church And spoken to the Churches indefinitely But it is that which they shall be made partakers of hereafter when they have finished their course and when they are raised again in the resurrection of the just and then shall all the promises be fulfilled to him that overcometh which are promised and mentioned in the close of every Epistle to each of these seven Churches as we have seen and may further see The Persons or those over whom he will give him power that overcometh c. are the nations or heathens Ps 2. 8. such as are distinguisht from Christ's redeemed ones out of which they are chosen Rev. 5. 9. and ch 7. 9. and so hereby may be meant all uncircumcised ones in heart even the whole world as distinguished from the Children of the first resurrection and Israel after the flesh with those joyned to them Rev. 20. 8 10. and ch 21. 23. 24. The Power he will give them over the nations is as followeth such power as Christ hath received to wit perfect conquest and victory power and authority over them they shall take them captives and rule over their oppressours Isay 14. 2. A glorious outward power over all nations shall be given to them so as the nations shall be subdued under their feet Ps 47. 3. The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning Ps 49. 14. then every one that now overcometh and keepeth Christ's works unto the end shall reign on earth they shall reign with Christ a thousand years Rev. 5. 8 10. and ch 20. 4 6. they shall judge the world 1 Cor. 6. 1 2. Then the Kingdom and dominion and greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdome Dan. 7. 18 27. the Saints as Princes shall rule in judgment Isay 32. 1. To him that overcometh Christ will grant to â—it with him on his throne Rev. 3. 21 22. Then indeed gloriously shall that be verified in the Israel of God which was spoken to Israel after tâ— flesh and in some first-fruits performed to them they shall reign over many nations but they shall not reign over them Deut. 15. 6. It is a faithful saying If we suffer with him we shall reign with him 2 Tim. 2. 11 12. Now the consideration of this may be of usefulness to us 1. To provoke us that seeing those that overcome and keep Christs works unto the end shall have power over the nations and Judge the World we should hold fast and keep his works and doctrine and not do the works of the flesh for he that doth them shall not inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God 1 Cor. 6. 9 11. Eph. 5. 3 6. Gal. â— 19 21. This might therefore prevail with us to fight the good fight and to resist unto blood striving against sin against Satan and the World and against all false and corrupt teachers who are of the World therefore speak theâ— of the World and the World hears them And who would beguile us of our reward Heb. 12. 4. 1 Joh. 4. 1 5. Col. 2. 3 9 18 22. 2. Seeing Christ will give him that overcometh such power it shews unto us that Christ hath not only received such power for himself â—o ruâ—e over the nations but also authority to give that power to others also As he saith unto his discipleâ— I appoint unto you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed to me Luke 22. 29 30. Mat. 20. 22. Rev. 3. 21 22. and ch 5. 9 10. 3. It may take us off from placing our affections on things here below and engage us that seeing when Christ shall appear we shall appear with him in glory we should seek after and set our affections on things above Cal. 3. 2 4. every one that hâ—â—h thiâ— hope in Christ purifieth himself even aâ— he is pure 1 Joh. 3. 2 3. 1 Pet. 1. 13. Heb. 11. 14 16. 4. It is proper and powerful to preserve the believers from fulling out amongst themselves or quaâ—â—â—lling one with another about the things here below so it is propounded to such an â—nd by the Apostle 〈◊〉 any of you having a matter against another go â—o law before the â—â—just 〈…〉 befoâ—â— the Saints 〈◊〉 do ye not know that the Saints shall judg 〈◊〉 World 1 Cor. 6. 1 2. So the Apostle Peter saith Love as brethren be pittiful be courteous not rendring evil for evil nor railing for railing but contrariwise blessing knowing that ye are thereunto called that ye should inherit a blessing 1 Pet. 3. 8 9 10. Luke 22. 24 29. 5. It may admonish and strengthen the believers to be without carefulness and solicitousness about the things appeartaining to the natural life and not first to seek after what they shall eat or what they shall drink but rather to seek after the Kingdome of God As our Saviour saith to his disciples Fear not little â—â—ock it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom and therefore be confident of it he will in and
in him prepared for all nations Mat. 2. 4 8. and ch 10. 37. and they who received not them that brought the word of reconciliation with them Mat. 10. 11 13. with Luke 10. 5 6. It is very unmeet unreasonable and unbecoming such a precious pearl as is Christ and his Gospel to reject them for nothing or after they have received to turn aside or forget how we have received and heard and to spot and defile our garments Thus worthy is here to be understood and yet they were rather counted meet or worthy than so indeed Luke 20. 35. and ch 21. 36. and under this head comes the being counted worthy Verse 5. He that overcometh the same shall be clothed in white raiment And I will not blot out his name out of the Book of life but I will confess his name before my Father and before his Angels In this verse is incouragement propounded to and set before others also besides those spoken of v. 4. even such as had let slip how they had received and heard and whose works were not perfect before God but defiled As well as also incouragement propounded to and set before them who had not defiled their garments v. 4. that they might patiently continue in well-doing and hold on their way In which verse we have to consider 1 The subject of the blessedness here promised He that overcometh 2. The blessedness it self promised and that in three branches 1. The same shall be clothed in white-raiment 2. And I will not blot out his name out of the book of life 3. But I will confess his name before my Father and before his Angels 1. The subject of the Blessedness here promised He that overcometh We shall speak to this both as with respect to those that had forgotten how they had received and heard and as the consequent thereof had defiled their Garments and as with respect to them that had not so done 1. As with respect to those that had forgotten how they had received and heard and thereby had defiled their garments so in that this incouragement is propounded to them also for it is spoken to all the Churches we may learn 1. That those who have been foiled by Satan and over whom iniquities have prevailed may again get the victory over them that led them captives they may overcome at the last who have formerly been overcome as Gen. 49. 19. even such while it is the day of God's grace and patience may again recover themselves who have been taken captive by Satan at his pleasure 2 Tim. 2. 26. And the way whereby they may recover themselves and prevail against their enemies and iniquities is before directed to in v. 3. Namely In calling to remembrance how they have received and heard and holding fast and repenting In returning and rest and with their Souls returning to their rest they should be saved Isay 30. 15. with Ps 116. 2 7. The word of God being again heartily embraced and retained they should be strong and overcome the wicked one and the World 1 Joh. 2. 14. and ch 5. 4 5. Rev. 12. 9 10. and should be delivered and preserved from their transgressions and iniquities Ps 119. 1 3. Gal. 5. 16 17. thereby those who have been worsted and who have fallen by their iniquites may yet quit themselves like Men and do valiantly Therefore this is said to all the Churches against whom Christ draws up a charge and with whom evils were found he that overcometh Thus it is said also to Ephesus which had left her first love To Pergamos and Thyatira amongst whom were false teachers To Laodicea which was become lukewarm ch 2. 4 7. and v. 14 17. and v. 20. 26. and ch 3. 15 21. To signify to us that they might again overcome in the light and strength of the grace of God which brings salvation to all Men such as have defiled their garments as the Church of Sardis had done may wash them again there is a fountain opened to this end and purpose Zech. 13. 1 and so it is said of some they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb Rev. 7. 13 14 and this consideration may encourage such wanderers backsliders and polluted ones to remember from whence they have fallen and not to say there is no hope Jer. 2. 25. for in returning to him he will return to them he will turn again and have compassion upon them and subdue their iniquities And will cast all their sins into the depths of the Sea Mal. 3 6 7. with Micah 7. 18 â—9 20. 2. In that it is said to these polluted ones and such encouragement propounded to and set before them after he had said If therefore thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee v. 3. So he shews unto us his lothness with the destruction of such as these and that he hateth putting away Mal. 2. 16. and therefore when he frames evil and devises a device against such yet he calls upon them to return from their evil ways Jer. 18. 6 11. and ch 3. 1 5 20. he hath no pleasure at all in the death of the wicked in the death of him that dieth but that he turn and live Ezek. 18. 23 31 32. Luke 15. wholly and is still more unwilling that any of those little ones who have tasted of his graciousness and been espoused unto him should perish Mat. 18. 11. 3. He that doth overcome and abides overcoming to death shall be thus blessed as here follows whatever he hath been him that cometh to Christ in this day he will in no wise cast out Joh. 6. 37. If they wash them and make themselves clean and put away the evil of their doings from before his eyes and cease to do evil and learn to do well c. whose sins have been as Scarlet and crimson he will pardon them and again receive them into his favour Isay 1. 10 18. all their former evils and out-turnings from him shall not be remembred against them As the Lord saith If the wicked will turne from all his sins that he hath committed and keep all my statutes and do that which is lawful and right he shall surely live he shall not dye All his transgressions that he hath committed they shall not be mentioned to him in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should dye saith the Lord God Ezek. 18. 21 23 27 28. and ch 33. 14 17 19 20. 2. Or we may look upon the subject of the blessedness here propounded to have reference to the few in Sardis which had not defiled their garments v. 4. yet to them also he saith yea it is immediately added to what he saith to them He that overcometh and so it affords us this instruction that it is needful for such as have abidden in Christ
up our contenâ—ment in our own aâ—â—â—ainments and receits which are indeed broken cisterns and so provoke him to anger his name is jealous and he cannot he will not endure it that we should give our loves to and take up our rest in any thing besides himself his jealousy when his love is abused or sleighted is cruel as the grave the coals thereof are coals of fire which hath a most vehement flame Cant. 8. 6. he cannot bear it that those that are espoused to him should cast their eyes upon and give the heart to other lovers and therefore when any do so the fire of his jealousy is kindled against them and he as here threatneth to cast them off Wo saith our Saviour to you that are rich for ye have received your consolation Luke 6. 24 25. he that fills the hungry with good things doth send the rich empty away Luke 1. 53. such he will abhor and vomit them out of his mouth as most loathsome persons to him Oh! how sad and calamitous is their condition who boast and witness of themselves that they are pure sinless perfect as to attainment There is a generation who are pure in their own eyes though yet they are not washed from their filthiness and Oh how lofty are their eyes and their eye-lids are lifted up wo unto them they have their happiness now their portion in this life and those that are in any measure like them are loathsome to Christ and the more loathsome the more they are like to them It was displeasing to the Lord that Job had such an overweening conceit of himself of his knowledge purity innocency though he was destitute of such light and advantages as are afforded to us and it brought forth evil fruit in him and that good Man when he was convinced of his evil was ashamed of himself and confesseth that he was vile and professeth he would lay his hand upon his mouth once saith he have I spoken but I will not answer yea twice but I will proceed no further And when his eye saw God he abhorred himself and repented in dust and ashes Job 40. 3 5. and 42. 4 6. This is a becoming thing for us to be low in our own eyes and to be sensible of our vileness brutishness and shortness in every matter and to acknowledge that when we have done all that is commanded us yet we are unprofitable Servants To confess with him that we are more bruitish than Man and have not the understanding of a Man that we have neither learned wisdome nor have the knowledge of the holy Prov. 30. 2 3. To this Man will he look that instead of boasting what he is and hath done and proclaiming his own goodness is poor and of a contrite Spirit and trembleth at his word that hath nothing to glory in but the Lord who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption Isay 66. 1 2. 1 Cor. 1. 29 31. But the proud the rich the full he knows afar off The foolish such as are vain-glorious boasters who commend themselves such shall not stand in his â—ight Ps 5. 5. with Ps 75. 4 5. His Eyes are upon the haughty that he may bring them down 2. Sam. 22. 18. Oh consider we this that Pride may be hidden from us and that we may not be wise in our own Eyes but viewing our selves in the Glass of the Lord's Body may take shame to our selves for Pride goeth before Destruction and an haughty Spirit before a fall Prov. 16. 18. and 8. 12. and 29. 23. were we but comparing our selves with that Object that is proposed to and set before us in the Gospel and viewing what is the breadâ—h and length and depth and height thereof and considering that love of Christ which passeth knowledge that peace of God which passeth all understanding and seeing what treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid in Christ Oh what cause should we see to be abased and to bewail our dimsightedness and shortness of understanding and see cause to complain of our great incompleatness in our selves and inconformity unto him yea to cry out of our uncleanness unlovingness barrenness leanness and witheredness 1 Cor. 13. 9 12. Indeed the Spirit that dwelleth in us as of us lusteth to envy and leads us to lift up our selves But he giveth more grace grace abounding and exceeding the corruption of our natural Spirit that our lofty looks may be humbled and our haughty hearts bowed down wherefore he saith God resisteth the proud but gives grace to the humble Jam. 4. 5 6. Humble we our selves therefore under the mighty hand of God or otherwise we shall never be fervent in Spirit in seeking the Lord and yielding up our selves unto him The Apostle saw it needful and profitable to give this admonition to every one of the Believers that they should not think more highly of themselves or of their parts gifts and attainments than they ought to think but to think soberly And this he gives unto them through the grace given to him and to that end he gives it that they might present their bodies as moved and strengthened by the mercies of God a living Sacrifice to him c. and not be conformed to this World but transformed according to the renewing of their mind c. Rom. 12. 1 3. Implying that if they had unâ—ober thoughts of themselves and did think of themselves above what is meet this would hinder them from an hearty yielding up themselves to the Lord as those alive from the dead and their Members as Instruments of Righteousness unto Holiness They would otherwise be apt to think and say as these did they had need of nothing and so expose themselves to wrath as here Because thou sayest I am rich rich in knowledge and utterance the unâ—ober taking notice hereof is very hurtful and pernicious and puffs Men up as is said 1 Cor. 8. 1. and makes them grow careless and negligent when opportunities are afforded to them for buying that Gold tried in the Fire and to despise and set light by those helps vouchsafed unto them of God And increased with Goods They intimate that time was when they were poor and had nothing but now they are enlarged and grown rich and their Substance is increased Time was when they were in Bondage to the Law or Rudiments of this World and were without Christ and God in the World but now they are the Temple of the Lord the Church of Christ they are not like others or like to what themselves sometimes were They have now excellent Ornaments they have a great gift of Prayer and can enlarge themselves therein they can speak freely and fluently for the truth so as to silence opposers and stop their mouths that they have nothing material to say They have much mortified their corruptions subdued their lusts cleansed their ways escaped the pollutions of the World and have put on bowels of Mercies Kindness
conversation in heaven Phil. 3. 17-20 And this sea here spoken of is said to be of glass clear as crystal 1. To denote unto us that in and through the precious blood of Christ as opened in the preaching of the cross to us we may see all things aright as in a glass clear as crystal And so the knowledg of the Lord is compared to the sea covered with waters Isa 11. 9. and this sea may be said to be like glass with allusion to the Laver or Sea in the tabernacle in former times as it is said Moses made the Laver of brass and the foot of it of brass of the looking-glasses of the women assembling which assembled at the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation Exod. 38. 8. only that sea was of brazen glasses this of glass clear as crystal more clear than our types Rev. 21. 11. For the Apostles now in preaching Christ crucified have used great plainness of speech and not as Moses who put a vail over his face c. to signifie the darkness and obscurity of his Ministration and now we all with open face as in a glass may behold the glory of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 12 13-18 In this red-sea of Christs blood we may perceive and behold the kindness and pity of God to manward which love of his is also compared to a Laver and called the Laver of regeneration Tit. 3. 4 5. God is love In this was manifested the love of God because that God sent his only begotten son into the world that we might live through him Herein is love to be always seen and perceived not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his son the propitiation for our sins 1 Joh. 4. 8 9 10. In this glass we may also see the vileness and odiousness of our sins unto God in that he hath so severely condemned them in the flesh of his own Son Rom. 8. 3. and there taken such vengeance on our inventions Isa 61. 2. and here we may see our selves as in a glass and what manner of persons we are Jam. 1. 23 24. and see what miserable ones we are by nature as the Apostle saith If one died for all we judg then were all dead dead at Law condemned to dye 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. yea and herein we may see the world the weakness and unprofitableness thereof by the cross of Christ the world is crucified unto him that glories in it and he unto the world Gal. 6. 14. Hereby the Holy Spirit doth convince the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment and doth teach the believer all things and guide them into all truth John 16. 8 11 14. Hence the Apostle determined to know nothing else among the believing-Corinthians in and unto all things save Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2 2. and chap. 1. 18 23 24. And this Sea is before the throne and so in the view of the four living creatures that they may therein behold God John 12. 45. and his and his Sons wonderful loving-kindness to the children of men and that they may see themselves in it And it is in the view of the Elders also that his personal abasement and sufferings may also be remembred and he admired praised and blessed by them Rev. 5. 8 9. And in the view of the Angels also into which blood and excellent sufferings they desire to look and pry as in a crystal glass Compare 1 Pet. 1. 11 12. with Jam. 1. 23 25. Rev. 5. 11 12. 2. This sea is of glass like unto crystal to denote its clearness and purity so it is said He shewed me a pure river clear as crystal c. Rev. 22. 1. and so the blood of Christ is said to be precious and incorruptible it being the blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. and so as referring to the sea or laver in former times this sea like unto crystal is the fountain opened to wash in to wash away our filth and uncleanness Zech. 13. 1. So the typical Laver or Sea was for the Priests to wash in as it is said by God to Moses Thou shalt make a laver of brass and thou shalt put water therein for Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet therein when they go into the tabernacle of the congregation they shall wash with water that they dye not Exod. 30. 18 21. and chap. 40. 30 32. 2 Chron. 4. 6. whereâ—o it seems David alludes when he saith I will wash mine hands in innocency so will I compass thine altar O Lord Psal 26. 8. So this sea John saw in vision is for the four living creatures who are priests unto God to wash in Rev. 5. 8 10. And thus always they should enter into the holiest and draw nigh unto the altar with a true heart having their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and their bodies washed with pure water Heb. 10. 19 22. Jam. 4. 8. Heb. 9. 13 15. with chap. 12. 24. and unless we be washed herein we can have no part with Christ John 13. 8. 1 John 1. 7. In this blessed sea those that had palms in their hands washed they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb Rev. 7. 9 14 15. and in this sea we may be baptized and washed as our fathers were baptized in the sea c. 1 Cor. 10. 4. And being washed herein all our sins shall be cast into the depths of the sea Mic. 7. 19 20. 2. The Apostle John gives us an account of what there was in the midst of and round about the throne And in the midst of the throne and round about the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind Where we may enquire and consider for our usefulness 1. What are these four living creatures here spoken of 2. Why they are said to be four 3. What is meant by in the midst of the throne and round about the throne 4. What is imported to us in this that they are said to be full of eyes before and behind 1. What are these four living creatures or living wights We read them indeed in our Translation Beasts but the word is not well translated so nor is it very proper to say one beast had the face of a man and another like an Eagle which is a fowl But we shall here and afterwards read the word living creatures with allusion to the four living creatures spoken of in Ezekiels visions chap. 1. and chap. 10 c. which in former Translations were rendered also beasts but in our last living creatures 1. Now by these living creatures are meant in general 1. Men and not spirits by nature some of Mankind of that kind of species of creatures as doth evidently appear in chap. 5. 8 9 10 c. 1. In that they with praise and thankfulness confess and acknowledg unto the Lamb that he had
Father and unto him he doth un-bosome all his Mind and Counsels Joh. 1. 18. and shews him all things that himself doth Joh. 5. 20. So here in this place This Revelation was first given to him Rev. 1. 1. And he only prevailed to take the Book sealed with seven Seals and to open it He only was worthy and able so to do Rev. 5. 1 5 6 8 9. He only fully and perfectly knows God and he hath declared and revealed him Joh. 1. 18. and ch 6. 46. And he hath given a gracious revelation of him to us in his VVord and VVorks 1 Joh. 1. 5. and ch 4. 8 9. And the consideration hereof might engage us to come unto him that we may know the Father to come to his Cross and Testimony for no Man knows the Father but the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Mat. 11. 25 27 28. Luke 10. 21 22. Joh. 12. 44 46. No Man cometh to the Father to the knowledge of the Father but by him Joh. 14. 6 7. God shineth forth the light of the knowledge of his glory in the Face of Jesus Christ who is the Image of the invisible God 2 Cor. 4. 4 6. Col. 1. 15. And he knows Men the thoughts and hearts of them He needs not that any should testifie of Man for he knows what is in Man Joh. 2. 24 25. See Notes before on ch 2. v. 23. Heb. 4. 12. He is perfect in wisdom and knowledge Mat. 9. 4. and ch 12. 25. yea indeed he knows all things Joh. 21. 15 17. There is no Creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened unto the Eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4. 13. And the consideration thereof might strengthen us to hold fast the Profession Heb. 4. 13 14. and also to come unto him who is perfect in wisdom and knowledge to reveal unto us the deep and secret things of his Law and Doctrine which though revealed in the Scriptures of Truth may still be secret to us Dan. 2. 20 23. And this shews to us that he is most meet and fit to govern Wisdom is very requisite to him that sits in the Seat of Government Hence it was the great and one thing desired by Solomon Give me saith he to the Lord Wisdom and Knowledge that I may go out and come in before this People for who can judge this thy People that is so great 1 King 3. 5 12. 2 Chron. 1. 7 12. But behold a greater than Solomon is here Mat. 12. 42. One on whose shoulders the whole Government is laid and who is the wonderful Counsellor Isay 9. 6. The Father hath committed all Judgment all the Government unto the Son And hath given him Authority to execute Judgment also because he is the Son of Man Joh. 5. 22 27. And if all Israel saw that the Wisdom of God was in Solomon to do judgment we may be well assured that our Lord Jesus Christ knows to do Judgment and will do it in whom not only the Wisdom of God is but who is the Wisdom of God 1 King 3. 28. with 1 Cor. 1. 24. The Queen of Sheba came from the uttermost part of the Earth to hear the Wisdom of Solomon but the Lamb infinitely excels him therein Mat. 12. 42. with 1 King 10. 1 8. And therefore he is worthy to be heard and feared by us 1 King 3. 8. This is the true Joshua even Jesus of whom the Son of Nun was a Type Deut. 34. 9. with Isay 42. 1 4. Mark 6. 2. And he hath power to give wisdom unto us also Prov. 8. 10 12 14. 4. And strength He is wise in heart and mighty in strength Joâ— 9. 4. with this ancient one is wisdom and strength with him is strength and wisdom Job 12. 12 13 16. with Rev. 1. 14. God hath laid help upon one that is mighty mighty in strength and wisdom Psal 89. 19. with Job 36. 5. And mighty indeed he is in strength 1. To bear the greatest Burdens Nehem. 4. 10. for he himself bare our sins in his own Body on the Tree 1 Pet. 2. 24. This Lamb of God bare the sin of the World Joh. 1. 29. Sin is an insupportable Burden for any mere Creature it sunk down the Devils from Heaven to Hell 2 Pet. 2. 4. with Jude 6. And brought death on Adam and all his Posterity from which no Man could redeem himself or his Brother Rom. 5. 12. with Ps 49. 6 8. The Psalmist cries out mine iniquities are gone over mine head as an heavy Burden they are too heavy for me Ps 38. 4. But now this Lamb was strong as that he could and did bear and stand under all our sins All we like Sheep have gone astray we have turned every Man to his own way and the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all Isay 53. 6. And he also laid and executed on him the judgment of the World Joh. 12. 27 31. Surely he hath born our griefs and carried our sorrows He was wounded for our transgressions bruised for our iniquities c. Isay 53. 4 5. and ch 63. 1 5. Mat. 26. 38 39. with Heb. 5. 7. He was made a Curse for us Gal. 3. 13. And endured the Cross all the curse and malediction due to us as the wages of our sinning against God Heb. 12. 2. And herein he grapled with all our Enemies that he might overcome them And hereby it appears that he was a strong one in that God laid such burdens upon him If we speak of strength loe he was strong Job 9. 19. for he is the mighty God Isay 9. 6. And he is the Man of God's right hand and the Son of Man whom he made strong for himself Ps 80. 17. And the love of our blessed Redeemer appeared to be exceeding strong in bearing and enduring these heavy burdens his love was strong as death many waters could not quench it neither could the floods drown it Cant. 8. 6 7. 2. And his strength wonderfully appeared in raising himself from the dead Joh. 2. 19 21. He laid down his life that he might take it again no Man took his life from him but he laid it down of himself he had power to lay it down and he had power to take it again Joh. 10. 17 18. He was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resorrection from the dead Rom. 1. 4. As also herein his wonderful strength appeared in vanquishing and overcoming all our Enemies he is the Lord strong and mighty the Lord mighty in battel Ps 24. 8. He bare even bare away the sins of many or of the multitude Isay 53. 12. He made purgation of our sins Heb. 1. 3. It was not possible that the blood of Goats and Calves could take away sin Heb. 10. 1 4 5. 8. and ch 7. 18. But what the Law could not do in that it was weak