in their foreheads signifieth their open Profession of Fidelity to the Father and the Son and God's gracious noting them for his own And it helps us to expound what the mark of the Beast was even some open signal obliging Profession of Idol Worship 2. And I heard a voice from heaven as the voice of many waters and as the voice of a great thunder and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps 3. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne and before the four beasts and the elders and no man could learn that song but the hundred and fourty and four thousand which were redeemed from the earth 2 3. The voice of many Waters signified the multituâ—â— of Converts that by the Gospel were gathered to this Church on Mount Sion who praised God with the 〈◊〉 of Harps or joyful Psalmody And it was new Psalms of Praise for Man's Redemption and the Grace of Christ which they sung as before God and the Cherubims and the holy Church which none of the Jews were fit to sing save the foresaid chosen saved number 4. These are they which were not defiled with women for they are virgins these are they which follow the Lamb whither soever he goeth these were redeemed from among men being the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb. 5. And in their mouth was found no guile for they are without fault before the throne of God 4 5. The Vision being of those in Heaven as the Precedents of the Christian Church at Jerusalem that should afterward succeed them they were the first-fruits of the Apostles Ministry described Act. 1. 2. 3. 4. who were eminent in Purity and Love free from Idolatry and Fornication as a People chosen out of the Jewish Nation unto Christ and as they were holy on Earth they are faultless and perfect now in Heaven 6. And I saw another angel flie in the midst of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth and to every nation and kindred and tongue and people 6. Whether the midst of Heaven have the Mystical senses that divers give or be only sent from Heaven to Earth I know not Some say it is called the Everlasting Gospel because it was decreed from everlasting some because it dureth to everlasting or tendeth to life everlasting By the Gospel some understand only the glad tydings of the Fall of the Roman Empire some the Doctrine of Reformation and tydings of the Fall of Popery and some the common Doctrine of Salvation by Christ as it was now more freely and universally to be published to the Gentile World 7. Saying with a loud voice Fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgment is come and worship him that made heaven and earth and the sea and the fountains of waters 7. Away with your Idols that are no Gods and turn to and fear the true and living God who made Heaven and Earth For the time is come that he will judge and destroy Idolaters Other expositions I omit 8. And there followed another angel saying Babylon is fallen is fallen that great city because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornification 8. Another part of my vision was another Angel c. implying a further revelation to me Whether it signifie also another sort of Preachers on Earth and who as some say the Albigenses and Waldenses or Luther Zuinglius or Illyricas and his century writers let them tell that know Babylon is here described and more fully after to be that great City that drew all nations unto Idolatry whether this were Rome as Heathen or Rome as Papal or Rome as containing both see my Advertisement 9. And the third angel followed them saying with a loud voice If any man worship the beast and his image and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand 10. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb 9 10. Those that partake of the sins of Idolatrous Babylon or Rome shall partake of her plagues and the Judgment that overthroweth her shall extend to all her companions in Idolatry and also the punishment in the life to come And Christ and his Angels will execute and behold it as just and good Some to save their charity say that damnation is not denounced to all that only have the Name of the beast or the Number but only to them that receive his Mark as his slaves and worship him and his Image But I think receiving his Name and its Number is included in receiving the Mark. But all my be pardoned to the penitent believers Whether this Angel be Luther Chemnitius Whittaker and such others I leave to the proof of the affirmers It s enough to me that this additional revelation and punishment is notified to John as by another Angel Though many think that only temporal punishment is here meant doubtless the same sin deserveth more 11. And the smoak of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever And they have no rest day nor night who worship the beast and his image and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name 11. Though temporal calamity be here included this seems plainly to mean Hell And the Mark of his Name is here made equal to His Mark verse 9. O the restless misery that is prepared for the impenitent 12. Here is the patience of the saints here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus 12. This misery of impenitent Idolaters and Enemies of Christ will shew the World how wise and happy the Saints were that by patient suffering did overcome and kept to the end the Commands of God and the Faith of Jesus Faith Obedience and Patience are all necessary to Salvation 13. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me Write Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them 13. Though it be always happy to be at Rest with Christ the sufferings of those times will be so great as will make it seem a sesonable blessedness to go to that Rest where they shall no more labour or suffer but receive the fruit of their labours and work performed for Christ on Earth Some make this to be but a promise of after-freedom from Persecution here The Text proveth a Blessedness for separated Souls before the Resurrection For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 henceforth signifieth from this time forward The Socinians therefore abuse the Text that make the Blessedness to be but Resting in a state of death till the Resurrection For life with God's service and acceptance in a time of Persecution is a
Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth 6. Upon this glad tidings I lookt and saw Christ in the likeness of a Lamb wounded and bloody as he was sacrificed which signified that it was by the Merit of Redemption that he had his power over all And he seemed to have seven Horns and Eyes for the exercise of Government by Judgment and Victory over his Enemies and Illumination of his Church and the full notice of all that concerneth his Government which is done by the Spiritual Powers or Angels and Ministers whom he sendeth forth from God into all the Earth Or as others by the manifold Gifts of the Holy Ghost which is his Agent or Advocate on Earth 7. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sate upon the throne 7. He that alone was worthy received Power from God both to open the Mysteries and execute them 8. And when he had taken the book the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb having every one of them harps and golden vials full of odours which are the prayers of saints 8. Note Who were the four Living Wights here ill translated Beasts when one was a Man was before enquired but its hard to know only they seem to signifie some Greater than the Elders Some Papists think they were the four first Patriarcks and the Elders the Councils It s more probable than so that they were all the sorts of Ministers that were entrusted with the first gathering of Churches and sealing the Gospel by Miracles as distinct from the fixed Church-Bishops called Elders That is that they were Apostles Prophets Evangelists and Miracle-workers as such But all is doubtfull 2. That both the Living Wights and the Elders were men on earth is plain by their work here described They are Priests that in the sacred Assembly do by office Speak for and Lead the Church in offering up the Common Praises to God and also the Prayers of the Congregation That there be any Angels that resemble this office in Heaven we cannot conclude from so obscure a Text. Hence we see 1. That Church Guides are the Worshippers of Jesus 2. Though we cannot hence prove that Gods praises must be used with harps and Musicall Instruments they that use such have a fairer pretence hence to prove them lawful as doing Gods will on earth as John saw it resembled in Heaven than any can shew to prove it unlawful 3. Ministers in offering up the Churches praise and prayers are submediators under Christ 9. And they sung a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation 10. And hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign on the earth 9.10 Note 1. Christ is to be praised in the Church with a new song or Praises suited to his works of Redemption and his Glory and not only with the Jewish Psalms and Worship though those Psalms also may be used 2. Though the Collective phrase of gathering out of every nation c. makes some think that it is an assembly of Glorified Saints in the heavenly Jerusalem called the General Assembly of the first born and the Spirits of the perfected just that is here primarily meant it seems more probable that it is the Church on earth alone And that it is the first ages by Faith and the following also by some experience of the Churches deliverance by Constantine that mention reigning on the earth The Saints departed indeed shall judge the World To be Kings and Priests to God is to be endowed with Power and Honour and Holyness and employed accordingly in Gods administrations and Holy Worship 11. And I beheld and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands 11. As I looked I seemed to hear innumerable Angels joyning with the Living Wights and Elders in the Praises of Christ for mans Redemption Note That this signifies the multitude of believers or of Ministers through all the World is not to be proved But that it is meant properly of Angels is most probable And it is to be noted that when the Living Wights are but four and the Elders but twenty four the Angels that praise Christ are millions and numberless So Heb. 12.24 Whence note that its ignorance that calls God more severe then merciful because it s but a few of this World that are sanctified and glorified when as the vast and glorious Regions above seem to Reason and by scripture to have so many millions of Angels that its like the damned are very few to them The greatest Kingdom is not near so great and glorious in comparison of one Jail and one Gallows as the Heavenly Regions are in comparison of this spot called Earth or the place of execution called Hell 12. Saying with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing 12. These Angels joined with the Churches in the Praises of Christ ascribing to him in their Praise all Power and Glory c. as deserved by his Redemption of the World by his death Note Those Angels that joyn with us in Christs praises and are present in our assemblies and Guardians of us and them and pitch their tents about us and bear us up in their hands and rejoice in our Conversion and are ministring Spirits for our good are not so ignorant of us and our concerns and our prayers as some imagine We have many ignorant men that think they know more of our case here below than the Angels do when they scarce know so much as may keep them from being seducers and deviders of the Church They are sure but ill Guardians who know as little of our affairs as these men think Christ saith that the least Christians have their Angels who behold the face of God And why are they called their Angels and what do they for them with God if they know not our condition and concerns And though this will not warrant Praying to them which themselves in this book seem to disown yet we ought not to think that mistake of those ancient fathers and Churches to be greater than it was who thought that as Pastors on earth offer up the Congregations prayers and praises to God so there is an answerable office of Angels to offer them as from them to Christ who offereth them to God the Father And who thought as a man might pray a Minister to pray for him so he might do an Angel though it be an errour one is no more Idolatry than the other 13. And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and
former life and the remaining corruption of our hearts and the daily faults that we are guilty of in our state of imperfection And knowing that thou forgivest none but penitent believers and bindest us to love and forgive others as ever we would be forgiven we confess and lament our manifold sins of corrupt nature and practice of ignorance and of knowledge of negligence rashness and presumptuous wilfulness The remembrance of them is our grief and shame we loath our selves for them and earnestly beg to be healed of them we cast our selves by believing Trust tho alas too weak on Jesus our Saviour his Merits and Intercession and thy Love and Mercy and promises in him desiring henceforth to be roled by him and sanctified by his Spirit and Grace And we unfeignedly love and forgive all those that have wronged us we beseech thee therefore charge not our sins upon us but acquit us from the everlasting punishment and all vindictive penalties in this life on Soul or Body And grant the same to all our brethren for whom we pray And because if thou keep us not we shall run on in guilt by new temptations and lose all that thou hast given us We lastly beseech thee to save us from all dangerous temptations either by Satans inward suggestions or outward snares by our own ill inclinations or worldly alâ—urements or by such sufferings as may be too strong for our faith hope and patience or would suppress our holy love and thankfulness and joyfull praise And save us from Satan from our selves our enemies and our friends that would tempt us to any evil and from the sin and misery and thy deserved judgments of which we are in danger And fortifie us with thy confirming comforting spirit And we beg all these mercies of thee to this end that we may employ them with all thy Saints in joyful praises of thy blessed Kingdom and Government in Heaven and Earth and in holy admiration of thy Power and all perfections and in glorifying thy Infinite Goodness and Blessedness with the glorified Society for evermore These are the desires of our Souls and the requests of our lips which we humbly and earnestly in Faith and Hope do present to thee our Heavenly Father by the motion of thy Spirit through Jesus Christ our Intercessor Lord and Saviour Amen Note Reader So perfect is the Method of the Lords Prayer that I had thought to have Anatomized it and set it before thee in a Scheme But I now write for the less learned that cannot well comprehend accurateness They that can may find it done already in my Latin Method of Theology and the lower sort may find such a brief and plain Exposition as such are capable of in my Family Catechism And in both the controversies hereabout resolved 14. For if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you 15. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses 14. Lest you should think that no qualification for pardon and other gifts are necessary in you I again repeat what selfish nature is loth to observe that tho God be your heavenly Father yet your love and forgiveness of your Brother is so necessary to his forgiving you that without it you shall not be forgiven For if you have not this in sincerity you are not God's children and he is called your Heavenly Father but as offering you his grace But if you have sincere Love with notable defects in your forgiving others God will correct you as Children and will not forgive you some sharp chastisements but make you know that you must love others if you will have the comfort of his love 16. Moreover when ye fast be not as the hypocriâ—es of a sad countenance for they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to fast Verily I say to you they have their reward 16. Do not for to be thought godly seem to be more humbled than you are nor shew that outwardly which should be a concealed secret fast such hypocrites shall have no better reward than the esteem and praise of men which they thus seek 17 18. But thou when thou fastest anoint thy head and wash thy face that thou appear not to men to fast but to thy Father which is in secret And thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly 17 18. But look thou for thine approbation and reward from God and hide from the notice of the world thy private humiliations tho publick humiliations of Churches and Nations and for open wrongs must be publickly shewn and God will openly reward thee 19. Lay not up for your selves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal 19. Note 1. By Treasure is meant that which a man most loveth and trusteth to for his supply and comfort and practically placeth his chief welfare in 2. By laying up is meant over valuing eagerly desiring and seeking and caring for That which rust moths and thieves can soon bereave you of is unfit to be your beloved trusted treasure 20. But lay up for your selves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through and steal 20. But by Faith place your happiness in heaven and on that lay out your care and love and labour and so use your wealth as God hath promised to reward in Heaven For that treasure is incorruptible inviolable and everlasting Note That tho it be our God and Saviour that layeth up our treasure in Heaven and saveth us freely by Grace yet it is we that are commanded to lay it up and save our selves subordinately by faith hope love and labour which qualifie us as fit receivers of it 21. For where your treasure is there will your heart be also 21. And by this you may know whether you truly place your Treasure in Heaven or on earth Not by your speculative opinion or words for what Hypocrite will not say that Heaven is better than Earth But by the bent of your hearts Your Love Care Trust and hope will be where your Treasure is That which you 1. highliest value practically 2. and most desire and chuse 3. and labour for tho with the greatest care and cost that 's it that is indeed your Treasure 22. The light of the body is the eye If therefore thy eye be single thy whole body shall be full of light 23. But if thy eye be evil thy whole body shall be full of darkness If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness how great is that darkness 22 23. As the eye seeth not for it self alone but for the whole body to guide its action so thy understanding or practical judgment is that superiour visive faculty that must guide all thy love and choice and life If therefore thy judgment be sound and thou knowest the difference between laying up a treasure in Heaven and
free pardon and life to all true believing accepters 29. But I say unto you I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine till that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers kingdom 29. Two difficulties here arise 1. Did not Christ drink with them after his resurrection Ans 1. Some say He drank no wine but water which was their Ordinary drink 2. Others answer The Kingdom of his Father began at his Resurrection 3. Others say it meaneth Shortly I shall leave you and drink no more with you 4. Others probably think he meant I shall no more keep a Passover or Sacrament with you 2. The other difficulty is How he will drink of it in the Kingdom of his Father 1. Some say Literally after the Resurrection on Earth 2. Some say that a thousand years before the end of the World all things shall be restored to the primitive Paradise state and Christ raigning on Earth shall drink of the fruit of the Vine new or renewed 3. Others say This will be after the Resurrection in the New Earth 4. But the usual and safest Exposition is that the Metaphor signifieth onely mutual Joy in Heaven 30. And when they had sung an hymn they went out into the mount of Olives 30. N. Whether this Hymn was that used by the Jews which were all the 113.114.115.116.117.118 Psalmes or one made for that use by Christ is uncertain But they all joyned and tell us how suitable Thanksgiving and singing Psalmes or Hymns at Sacraments and Feasts is 31. Then saith Jesus to them All ye shall be offended because of me this night For it is written I will smite the shepheard and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad 31. You will all be troubled at my Apprehension and be affrighted away from me as it is written c. 32. But after I am risen again I will go before you into Galilee 32. N. Christ oft fore-telling his Resurrection proveth his Truth why he would not appear in Jerusalem and to all but in Galilee and to few he gave us not the reason of it But he fore-knew the Jews rejection and would not force belief in them by fight 33. Peter answered and said to him Though all men shall be offended because of thee yet will I never be offended 33. Nothing shall affright me from thee N. His resolution was good But his self-confidence was bad 34. Jesus said to him Verily I say to thee that this night before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice 34. Before the time called Cocks crowing be past c. Note Christ knoweth before what mans free will will do 35. Peter said to him Though I should dye with thee yet will I not deny thee Likewise also said all the disciples 35. N. When men are resolved they are oft too insensible of their weakness and mutability 36. Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane and â—aâ—th to the disciples Sit ye here while I go and pray yoâ—der 37. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and very heavy 36.37 Q. Why did not Christ use to pray with his Disciples but by himself Answ 1. We know not whether he used it or not 2. He sang a Hymn with them at the Passover But his Case so differed from all other mens that except in Thanksgivings and Generals the same Prayer would not suit him and them 38. Then saith he to them My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death tarry ye here and watch with me 38. N. Christ took our Nature though not our Sin And Nature is averse to Death and sensible of its hurt And the sence of Gods Enmity to Sin though not to him was the chief part of his Suffering 39. And he went a little further and fell on his face and prayed saying O my Father if it be possible let this cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt 39. Note 1. Prostration was a humbling Posture but this Example binds us not to the same gesture 2. The first act of Mans Will is simple complacence in good and averseness to evil as such According to this as Christ was a Man he was averse to Death and Suffering as Man is else it would be no penalty And this is it that he expresseth First in his Prayer But the Second Act of Mans Will is about Ends and Means that stand in Competition and is called Choosing or Refusing when two things inconsistent stand in competition the better is to be chosen And according to this Christ formeth the Second Part of his Prayer Not as I will q. d. Thou hast given me a Nature which doth and must desire good and not evil which desireth that I may not Suffer But it is thy Will and my Consent to Suffer Therefore thy Will and not my simple Volition be done 40.41 And he cometh to the Disciples and findeth them asleep and saith unto Peter What could ye not watch with me one hour Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak 40. 41. Note Christ was to have no support from man in his Sufferings 2. Sleeping when we should Watch and Pray is a fault but such a one as may stand with Grace 3. Watching and Praying is Gods means appointed to save men from and in Temptation 4. The spirit of the Faithful is willing to do more good than they are able 5. The Flesh in Faithful Men may prevail against the Spirit in sins of natural infirmity for a time though not in gross Sins in the design and bent of heart and life 6. Christ tenderly excuseth his Servants infirmities 42. He went again the second time and prayed saying O my father if this cup may not pass away from me except I drink it thy will be done 42. I resign my will to submit to thine and I desire to fullfil it for which I came in Flesh 43.44 And he came and found them asleep again for their eyes were heavy And he left them and went away again and prayed the third time saying the same words 43.44 Ost speaking the same things in Prayer is meet for them that have the same causes and wants 45.46.47 Then cometh he to his disciples and saith to them Sleep on now and take your rest behold the hour is at hand and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners Rise let us be going behold he is at hand that doth betray me And while he yet spake lo Judas one of the twelve came and with him a great multitude with swords and slaves from the chief priests and elders of the people 45.46.47 Note To be hunted to death by the Chief Priests and Rulers to have a Multitude ready to serve them in it with armed Violence to be betrayed by One of his Disciples and forsaken by the rest was the case of Christ
his shewing unto Israel 80. And John with his increase of age and strength shewed great strength of the Spirit of God in him and he dwelt in the wilderness or say some in the hill Countrey of Judaea bred up in a life of holiness and mortification till the time that he sett upon his publick ministry of preaching the Kingdom of the Messiah and repentance and baptizing CHAP. II. 1. ANd it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed 2. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria 3. And all went to be taxed every one into his own city 1 2 3. Augustus decreed that all the Empire called the Roman world should be enrolled in their several Families and Cities That he might know the state of his Empire and how to tax them 4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea unto the city of David which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David 5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife being great with child 4 5. She was now marryed though called espoused 6. And so it was that while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered 7. And she brought forth her first-born Son and wrapped him in swadling cloths and laid them in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn 6 7. Note It should be rather in the stables than in the manger Had Joseph been a rich man its like he would have found better room 8. And there were in the same countrey shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night 8. Some one part of the night and some another by turns as is most likely 9. And lo the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid 10. And the angel said unto them Fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people 11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. 12. And this shall be a sign unto you ye shall find the babe wrapped in swadling cloths lying a manger 9 10. Glory is Light Christs birth is cause of universal joy 12. stable 13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying 14. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards men 13 14. Note Angels are the heavenly host Note Gods praise and Glory is the end of all his works Note Angels rejoiced at Christs birth and for mans redemption 14. In Christ the Redeemer God will be glorified in Heaven Peace will be made on Earth by this great Reconciler and Gods Love or Benevolence will be towards men Or Glory be to God in the Heavens through the Redeemer and Reconciliation or Peace on Earth to men that are the objects of Gods good will Q. Is it necessary or lawful to keep a day as holy in remembrance of Christs birth Ans 1. If any should appoint a weekly day for it it would be an usurping of the same power that hath already separated a weekly day for it it would be an usurping of the same power that hath already separateh a weekly day for commemorating the work of Redemption though specially for Christs Resurrection And it would seem an accusing Christs Law of insufficiency 2. And if any should make a yearly days observation necessary to the universal Church 1. They would usurp a power not given to any to make Laws for all the Church 2. And they would accuse Christs Law as imperfect But if particular Christians Churches or Countries voluntarily agree to celebrate yearly the memorial of Christs birth it is but what almost all the Churches on earth do and have done at least 1300 years And iâ—â—â—lawful to keep a yearly day of remembrance for aâ—y 〈◊〉 deliverance or mercy to the Church even in an Apâ—â—â—le But if any Christian think that it is an unlawful addition to the institution of the Lords day which Goâ— set a part for our commemorating the whole work of Redemption such shâ—uld not be forced to keep it against their Consciences but must avoid affronting them that do 15. And it came to pass as the angels were gone away from them into heaven the shepherds said one to another Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass which the Lord hath made known unto us 16. And they came with hast and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger 17. And when they had seen it they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child 18. And all they that heard it wondred at those things which were told them by the shephards 19. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart 20 And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen as it was told unto them 15 16 17 18. In a Stable 19. Regarded themâ— as tending to what was promised her 20. Angel are not first sent to Princes but to poor Shephards who must preach Christ 21. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child his name was called Jesus who was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb 21. Jesus is a Saviour He was circumcised as bound to keep the Law of Moses not as a seal of pardon of sin to him 22. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 22. To the Priest as in Numb 3.12.46 23. As it is written in the law of the Lord Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord 24. And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord A pair of turtle doves or two young pidgeons 23 24. See Levit. 12.6.8 25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon and the same man was just and devout waiting for the consolation of Israel and the holy Ghost was upon him 26. And it was revealed unto him by the holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord Christ 25. Note The Messiah was much expected at that time Note It is Just and Devout men that God specially favoureth by exâ—raordinary gifts of his Spirit 27. And he came by the spirit into the temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him after the custom of the law 28. Then took he him up in his arms and blessed God and said 29. Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word 30. For mine eyes have seen thy
ye have For he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee 5. Let your hearts be kept free from the love of Money and the sinful desires cares and fears and troubles which thence arise and be content with God's Allowance be it less or more for his Promise to Joshua is applicable to all the Faithful I will never fail thee nor forsake thee 6. So that we may boldly say The Lord is my helper and I will not fear what man shall do unto me 6. And as to our Dangers or Sufferings from men on the same account we may say as David did having the same Relation to God and the same Promises The Lord is my helper I will not fear man c. further my sin giveth me cause to fear that God may use them as the chastising Instruments of his Displeasure 7. Remember them which have the rule over you who have spoken unto you the word of God whose faith follow considering the end of their conversation 8. Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever 7 8. Remember your Bishops or Guides both the Dead and Living who have spoken to you the Word of God Remember what Doctrine they taught you and how faithfully they preached and owned it in suffering and consider what was the main end of all their Doctrine and Life even Jesus Christ who is and will be still the same and no new Gospel or Doctrine which Corrupters do cry up 9. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace not with meats which have not profited them that have been occupied therein 9. Be not carried about as Children in a strong Wind Ephes 4.14 with various Doctrines or such as are new and strange to the Church of God for Christ and his Gospel being but one and the same still your duty and interest lyeth in establishing your hearts in the Doctrine and Covenant of Grace through Christ which is your Strength and the Bread of Life and not to Judaize and turn back to the shadowy abolished Ceremonies in Sacrifices and difference of Meats which did not truly purifie save and profit those that used them 10. We have an altar whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle 10. We are not without a more holy and profitable Sacrifice and sacred Food than theirs even Christ who is The Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the World whose saving Sacrifice we feed on by Faith and commemorate in our Communion whose broken Body and his shed Blood they did not partake of who offered Beasts in Sacrifice in the Service of the Tabernacle as we now do but were employed about the shadows of it And those that stick still in these abrogated Rites have no Right to our Altar 11. For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin are burnt without the camp 12. Wherefore Jesus also that he might sanctifie the people with his own blood suffered without the Gate 11 12. For as the Beasts slain for Atonement whose Blood was brought into the Sanctuary was not to be eaten by the Priest but burnt without the Bounds of the Camp of Israel So Christ when he was to be offered to sanctifie the People with his Blood went without the Gates of Jerusalem to suffer signifying that as they rejected him as unworthy to live with them so he departed from them and their Political and Legal State 13. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp bearing his reproach 14. For here have we no continuing city but we seek one to come 13 14. So let us go out to him from the Jewish State and Ceremonial Law and also from the Heathen World and submit to the Reproach of the Cross which must be expected We must forsake both the Jewish Policy and the World or else we cannot follow Christ for the Christian Church is not fixed as the Jewish was to Jerusalem to one City nor have we any fixed state on Earth in which we may glory as our Home or abiding place but by faith in God's Promises through Christ we hope and seek for one to come even the new and heavenly Jerusalem 15. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his Name 15. Therefore instead of Jewish Sacrifices let us by Christ our great interceding High Priest offer daily to God the Sacrifice of Praise from a believing thankful heart and give thanks to him for Christ and all his Gifts and this hearty sincere Fruit of our Lips will be more acceptable than the Fruits of the Earth or any bloody Sacrifice of Beasts 16. But to do good and to communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased 16. But there is another sort of Sacrifice very pleasing to God also which you must not forget even Beneficence and Bounty doing all the good you can and communicating to the relief of those that need Note The name of Sacrifice and Altar as well as Priests used as here by allusion or similitude to those of old may lawfully be used as here they are and were by the primitive Christians even as the Lord's Day was called the Christian Sabbath It is no dishonour to Christ to say that we may offer Sacrifices acceptable unto God so it be but in subordination to his Sacrifice as our Gospel-worthiness is but subordinate to his Meritorious Righteousness 17. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you 17. God that hath made the Bishops or Pastors to be your guiding Rulers in Church-Affairs obligeth you to obey them and to submit your selves to their Government and not to live as unruly or in confusion for the charge of watching for your Souls is committed to them so far as belongeth to their Office by teaching publickly and privately and personally watching over the State and Conversation of every single Person to their power and instructing exhorting reproving comforting entrusted with the Administration of the Seals of God's Covenant and with your publick Church-Communion by judging of men's capacity and receiving or excluding binding or loosing by the power of the Keys And of all this they must give account to God which as it will be terrible to them if they be unfaithful so it will be to you if their faithfulness be without success which else will be to the joy of them and you And they have not any constraining power of the Sword and can govern and profit you only as voluntary by your own consent and therefore as you love your comfort and regard them and their Labours and Comfort obey them by obeying God's Word which they
which the superior World hath no real similitude but by fiction 6. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal and in the midst of the throne and round about the throne were four beasts full of eyes before and behind 6. Note Before the Tabernacle and the Temple there was a great broad Vessel of Water called a Sea for the Priests to wash in Exod. 20.18 1 Kings 7.23 signifying the Purity required in the Worshippers of God being as Crystal tells us that no spots or Hypocrisie is unseen to God Though some make this to signifie the multitude of Worshippers The four Beasts some say resemble the four Staâ—dards and Camps of Israel in the Wilderness or as others the four Evangelists But it is like to mean the Executioners by Providence and Miracles of Christ's Will and Power full of Eyes as knowing all the Affairs of the Sons of Men about which they are employed called Living creatures for their executive power 7. And the first beast was like a lion and the second beast like a calf and the third beast had a face as a man and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle 7. Note As these four agree with the Apparition in Ezekiel 1.10 in the main notwithstanding some small difference so it is observable which D. Hammond noteth from Aben Ezra that these were the Escutcheons on the four Ensigns or Standards of the Camp of Israel a Lion for the Camp of Judah a Man for the Camp of Reuben an Oxe for the Camp of Ephraim and an Eagle for the Camp of Dan And an Oxe and Calf are oft used for the same And these four are noted to be the chief in their several kinds the Lion among wild Beasts the Oxe among the tame and serviceable a Man among all Animals and an Eagle among Birds To conjecture what God would signifie by them to Israel must needs be uncertain I know nothing liker than an intimation of Duty and Prophecy that Israel should be victorious over their Enemies and valiant as a Lion wise and in Dominion as Man and should have a fertile and plenteous Land signified by the Oxe and be Seraphick and Divine in the holy Worship of God signified by the Eagle that mounteth Heaven-ward in her strength And it 's like such blessings are hereby signified to be conferred on the Church some fix the signification on Angels some on Ministers And less probable are their 's that think Peteâ— John Paul and Barnabas are meant or they that apply it to the four Evangelists or four Patriarchs 8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him and they were full of eyes within and they rest not day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come 8. Note The Beasts resembling the Standard-bearer in the Camp are likest to signifie both the Angels in Heaven who glorifie God's Attributes and serve him in the performance of his Promises to the Church and also the Apostles and Prophets and Evangelists and Pastors who do their part herein on Earth See Isa 6.2 of their wings 2. Holy holy holy may relate to the Trinity but certainly signifieth that the Holiness of God is that for which he is loved and praised by Angels and Saints His Holiness is his Perfection and Transcendency above all creatures being the end of all to whom they are to be devoted and consequently his perfect contrariety to all evil 3. The celebrating of the Praises of the most Holy God is the uncessant work of heavenly Spirits and most of the work of Ministers and Church-Assemblies on Earth 9. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne who liveth for ever and ever 10. The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne and worship him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their crowns before the throne saying 11. Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created 9 10 11. Note With the chief Angels concur all the heavenly Hâ—st in magnifying the Holy Eternal God as shining forth in the glory of all his works by him and for him by his efficient Will and for his complacential Will fulfilled they being all created preserved and ordered And this heavenly work is to be imitated by the Churches on Earth whose Pastors leading the People must concur in the Praises of the most Holy Everliving God And those Churches that are dry and scant in these Praises of God how well soever the Word be there preached are defective and unlike their Pattern These passages are best expounded in the three first Petitions of the Lord's Prayer Let thy Name be hallowed Thy Kingdom come and Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven Neither Heaven nor Earth must be left out in the Exposition CHAP. V. 1. ANd I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside sealed with seven seals 1. I saw a Roll called a Book in his hand who sate on the Throne written on both sides but the Roll was sealed up with seven Seals Note The Roll contained God's Decrees as they were to be fulfilled according to this Prophecy And it 's like they were seven Rolls together making one Book 2. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof 2. Note Every Angel or Man is not worthy or meet to be the Expositor and Messenger of God's Mysteries to Man 3. And no man in heaven nor in earth neither under the earth was able to open the book neither to look thereon 3. It was a work and trust too high for any meer creature in all the World None of them was worthy 4. And I wept much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book neither to look thereon 4. I lamented that the creatures should be found so unworthy and God's Mysteries be kept unknown 5. And one of the elders saith unto me Weep not behold the lion of the tribe of Judah the root of David hath prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof 5. One of the Elders that were at the Throne comforted me and told me that Christ who is called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Son of David and Root of Jesse was found worthy by the Dignity of his Person and his Merits by Man's Redemption to open to the Church all the Mysteries of God which it was meet for Man to know and to loose the Seals 6. And I beheld and lo in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts and in the midst of the elders stood a Lamb as it had been slain having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven
such as are in the sea and all that are in them heard I saying blessing honour glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever 13. And as all the World which was curst for mans sin was according to each Creatures capacity redeemed from that curse by Christ to be performed in due time so I seemed to hear all that part of the World that belonged to man to magnifie Christ and God by him for the Worlds Redemption Ascribing to him all perfection Blessing Honour Glory Power c. Note Whether there be any reasonable Creatures in the sea is unknown to us The reasonable Creatures praise God and Christ understandingly the rest demonstratively and objectively Those under the earth are the Antipodes on the other â—ide of the earth 14. And the four beasts said Amen And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever 14 And the four Living Wights who are as the four Cherubiâ—s mentioned in Ezekiel joined with the four and twenty Elders who answer the Jews Sanhedrims that is with the Churches in the praises of God and of the Redeemer Note If these four Cherubims signified only Angels it is no wonder that they joyn with the Church in the Praises of Christ when they are of the same society with us though the higher parts CHAP. VI. 1. ANd I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals and I heard as it were the noise of thunder one of the four beasts saying Come and see 1. When Christ opened the divine decrees in a noise like thunder I heard one of the four Living Wights or Cherubims calling me to come and see 2. And I saw and behold a white horse and he that sat on him had a bow and a crown was given unto him and he went forth conquering and to conquer 2. Note Some take this to be Christ going forth to convert men by the Gospel Others to be Christ beginning his Judgments on the Jews Others to be the Roman power by their conquests preparing for further execution on the Jews 3. And when he had opened the second seal I heard the second beast say Come and see 3. The second Cherub called me to see when the second seal was opend 4. And there went out another horse that was red and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth and that they should kill one another and there was given unto him a great sword 4. God proceeded further towards his dreadful executions and gave up the World and specially the Jews to divisions and unpeaceable tumults and to kill and ruin one another 5. And when he had opened the third seal I heard the third beast say Come and see And I beheld and lo a black horse and he that sat on him had a pair of ballances in his hand 5. God yet procâ—eded to the next judgment which was famine signified by one on a black horse with ballance to weigh food to shew its scarcity 6. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say A measure of wheat for a penny and three measures of barley for a penny and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine 6. A mans day wages for labor shall buy but bread enough for one man There shall be a scarcity of the necessary part of food specially in Judea 7. And when he had opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth beast say Come and see 8. And I looked and behold a pale horse and his name that sat on him was Death and hell followed with him and power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth to kill with sword and with hunger and with death and with the beasts of the earth 7.8 Judgment shall proceed from scarcity to death and ruins by famine wars and plagues which shall destroy a great part of the Jews at least 9. And when he had opened the fifth seal I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held 9. Note The heavenly Apparition relating to the Church on Earth useth the name of an Altar and I think justifieth the use of it now 2. The Souls of Martyrs live in Heaven and therefore so do other Saints which proveth the Immortality of Souls To be under the Altar is to be in the heavenly Communion with them that offer praise to God And to be commemorated at the Altar by the Church on Earth that prayeth for deliverance from Persecutors 3. There be not only Praises but Prayers in Heaven and that for Justice on Persecutors on Earth therefore they know that their Blood is not revenged 4. How then are miserable Persecutors like to scape when Heaven and Earth pray against them 10. And they cried with a loud voice saying How long O Lord holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth 10. Note This was not from uncharitableness but conformity to God's Holiness Justice and Truth The Revenge desired being the Vindication of God's Holiness and Truth which he had promised 11. And white robes were given unto every one of them and it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season until their fellow-servants also and their brethren that should be killed as they were should be fulfilled 11. They were clothed in White which then signified Righteousness and Dignity in acknowledgment of their Fidelity but the Revenge must be delayed till the rest were killed especially say some by the Jews that must kill more that on that Generation might come â—ll the righteous Blood shed from Abel till the last Note God oft delayeth his Judgments but while more and greater sins prepare for heavier Plagues One Reason why we are not presently avenged and delivered from Persecutors is because more must yet suffer before they are ripe for signal Vengeance Our Souls may be under the Altar in Heaven cloathed in White before that day of Revenge 12. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal and lo there was a great earth-quake and the sun became black as sack-cloth of hair and the moon became as blood 13. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs when she is shaken of a mighty wind 12 13. The great Calamities that were to follow on the Jews say some and on the World say others were so dismal that they were represented to me as the darkning of the Sun and the Moon looking like Blood and the Stars falling from Heaven as if Heaven and Earth were dissolving 14. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together and every mountain and Island were moved out of their place 14. And it was represented to me as the Dissolution of Heaven and Subversion of the Earth Note Some think
plagues were thus represented 8. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power and no man was able to enter into the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled 8. And the dreadfulness of Gods wrath as a consuming fire striking even his worshippers with fear and in the execution disturbing the Churches peace was represented to me by the filling of the Temple with smoke from the Glory of God c. CHAP. XVI ANd I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels Go your ways and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth 1. I heard a great Voice out of the Temple sending these angels to pour out the Vials and execute God's Wrath. 2. And the first went and poured out his vial upon the earth and there fell a noisom and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast and upon them which worshipped his image 2. Of the great Plague in wicked Commodus's Reign that killed in Rome alone two thousand a day and of the like in the Reign of several Persecutors even till Constantine's Reign and of the Blood-shed and Fire and the resemblance of this to the Plagues of Egypt See Dr. H. on the Text and Grotius before him Others say It is the Papists Torment of Conscience when Popery is fallen 3. And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea and it became as the blood of a dead man and every living soul died in the sea 4. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters and they became blood 3 4. That these signifie a progress of the same Judgment on the Idolaters is clear But whether by the Sea and the Rivers and Fountains signifie things so distinct as many think and which of their many conjectured Significations are right I cannot say 5. And I heard the angel of the waters say Thou art righteous O Lord which art and wast and shalt be because thou hast judged thus 5. The Angel that executed God's Judgments on the Idolatrous Nations performed it with Praise and Glory to God for his Justice on persecuting Idolaters Note The Angels in Heaven were not ignorant of what God thus did on Earth And as God's Mercy hindred not his Execution of Justice so their pity kept them not from triumphing over these destroyed Sinners and giving God the Glory of their Punishment 6. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets and thou hast given them blood to drink for they are worthy 7. And I heard another out of the altar say Even so Lord God Almighty true and righteous are thy judgments 6 7. Na. God and Angels will rejoyce in the terrible Revenge of the Blood of Saints 2. The Angel from the Altar signifieth the Consent of the Souls under the Altar and of the Church of holy Worshippers on Earth who pray for Deliverance 3. Were it never so certain that it is Idolatrous Heathen Rome that is here meant it consequently inferreth that if Papal Rome have equalled yea far exceeded them in shedding the Blood of Saints their punishment shall be as great or greater It is no small Aggravation of Papâ—l Blood-shed by Massacres Inquisitions Burnings c. that they father all on Christ himself and do it as Christians yea and in so many Ages make it the necessary Defence of their Kingdom And they shall find that God knoweth a Saint when Men call him a Heretick and will not be so mocked as to dis-own Christ's Sheep for such forged Marks 8. And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire 9. And men were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the name of God which hath power over these plagues and they repented not to give him glory 8 9. Some take this to signifie a great Drought and Dearth that came in the days of Commodus and after of Maximinus Many take the Sun here for Antichrist that calleth himself so Others for Governors Some for the King of Spain some for the German Emperor or some such Papal Luminary Some for the Scripture as tormenting Papists Some for Christ as sending forth his Word and Judgments I can go no further than the general sure sense That a greater Plague that fell on the Idolatrous Empire made them lay all the blame on the Christians and rage the more but cured not their Idolatry or Persecution 10. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast and his kingdom was full of darkness and they gnawed their tongues for pain 11. And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores and repented not of their deeds 10 11. The plain general sense of all this is to liken Idolatrous persecuting Rome and the suffering Christians to Pharaoh and the Israelites and liken God's Plagues on Rome to the Egyptian Plagues And to tell us that as Pharaoh's heart was hardned till Destruction fell on him and his so will be the Idolatrous Romans By the Seal of the Beast is meant Rome with the Imperial Power or Papal say many and by Darkness the Confusions there and Diminutions of their Glory In Heathen Rome these were many and great the Soldiers setting up and pulling down and killing Emperors till they set the Empire to Sale Emperors set up and warring against each other few dying a natural death Valerian taken captivated and made his Foot-stool by Sapâ—es and flead To be an Emperor was the next way to Murder or some odious disgrace and death by him that could overcome and kill him And Papal Rome was subdued by the Barbarians Other Expositions are many 12. And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates and the water thereof was dried up that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared 12. That this signifieth a further progress towards Idolatrous persecuting Rome's destruction and the Churches deliverance is clear but what Euphrates signifieth and what its drying up and what The Way of the Kings of the East Expositors greatly differ in Some take Euphrates literally some mystically some for the Turk some for the chief Champions of Antichrist some for the chief Strength and Garrison of Babylon some for the Pope's Riches and great Tributes and Revenues and some for the River Tibris in Rome and so for Rome it self And these take the drying of it up to be the ruin of Maxentius by Constantine destroyed in Tiber Others think the drying up to be the destruction of the Turks And so they vary in the rest But some think that this is but a further Assimilation of the Case to the Israelites when the Red Sea was dryed up for their escape and to prepare the way for Pharaoh's ruin and signifieth that the danger and impediments of the Christians deliverance were removed by the Overthrow of
For in one hour so great riches is come to nought 14 15 16 17. Rome's Pride and Sensuality found all the Countries money for all sorts of commodities whose Market ceaseth by her destruction 17. And every ship master and all the company in ships and sailers and as many as trade by sea stood afar off 18. And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning saying What city is like unto this great city 19. And they cast dust on their heads and cried weeping and wailing saying Alas alas that great city wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness for in one hour is she desolate 17 18 19. The Fall of the Pagan Power and Religion being the Political Life of the City is thus represented in Vision to John under the shew of the burning of the City-buildings as our Eyes saw London burning three days 1666. Septemb. 2 3 and 4th Or say others The Fall of Rome Papal was thus represented But others say that Rome Papal shall be thus really burnt and destroyed 20. Rejoice over her thou heaven and ye holy apostles and prophets for God hath avenged you on her 20. It was this same Roman Idolatrous Power which murdered the Holy Apostles and many Prophets that are now in Heaven And they shall rejoice in the vindictive justice of God And so shall the Church on earth Not as it is revenge on private enemies but as it is Gods publick deliverance of his Church and vindication of his truth and Cause and Glory 21. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great milstone and cast it into the sea saying Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down and shall be found no more at all 21. The Pagan Empire was never again restored for Julian did but begin to attempt it and was kill'd before he could so much as lay any foundations for it Yea Rome was never more the seat of the Empire much less of the Pagan Empire For Constantine did but as it were take up his quarters there for a short time and remove the seat to Constantinople And his Successours in the West had but the lesser part of the Empire and were sometimes at Rome and somtime at Millan and sometimes at Ravenna and after in France and Germany 22. And the voice of harpers and musicians and of pipers and trumpeters shall be heard no more at all in thee and no craftsman of whatsoever craft he be shall be found any more in thee and the sound of a milstone shall be heard no more at all in thee 23. And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee for thy merchants were the great men of the earth for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived 22 23. Thus as by the Emblem of a City totally ruined and deserted was the Fall of Pagan Rome represented to John And that you may know that it was not the burning and desertion of the material buildings that is meant he now tells you that by the merchants he meant the Nations that consented to and upheld her Idolatry and power 24. And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all that were slain upon the earth 24. God dealt thus severely with her because she had not only been the murderer of Apostles Prophets and the primitive Christians at Rome and abroad in all her Dominions in upholding her Idols but as Jerusalem had by imitating former persecutors justified them and so suffereth for all The considering of Dan. 7.11 Jer. 51.63 25.10 Ezek. 17.13 Ezek. 27.12 13. Will help to expound all this Others say It is Papal Rome and how the blood of Apostles and Prophets was found in her they tell us from Matth. 23.35 And how the blood of Saints will be found in her is easily proved CHAP. XIX 1. ANd after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven saying Halleluiah salvation and glory and honour and power unto the Lord our God 1. The Saints in Heaven and the Christians on earth gave Praise to God and glorified him for this great work 2. For true and righteous are his judgments for he hath judged the great whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornication and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand 3. And again they said Allelujah and her smoke rose up for ever and ever 2 3. They glorified God for holy and amiable justiceâ— and destroying the Mother of Idolatry and nest of Luxury and cruelty God will have great Glory by destroying the persecutors and wicked and in delivering his Saints and in the Freedom of the Gospel 4. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne saying Amen Allelujah 4. And the consenting Praises of the Church especially of Christian Jews was represented to me under the ost-mentioned similitude of the Temple-Worship where the Twelve Tribes were doubly represented by twelve Oxen and twelve Lions and four Cherubims were about the Mercy-Seat Jews and Gentile Christians praise God for the Fall of Babylon 5. And a voice came out of the throne saying Praise our God all ye his servants and ye that fear him both small and great 5. And God himself and his Ministers called to all his Church to joyn in these his Praises 6. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude and as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty thunderings saying Allelujah for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth 7. Let us be glad and rejoyce and give honour to him for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made her self ready 8. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linnen clean and white for the fine linnen is the righteousness of Saints 6 7 8. And the raising of the Catholick Church in numbers and extent and power to the visible Glory of Christ was represented to me by the Voice as of a great multitude c. saying Praise the Lord for his Kingdom is coming in Power and his Church shall be promoted by the Rulers of the Earth and the Kingdoms of the World shall be visibly the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ And Christ and his Church will appear to the World in Honour and Joy as Marriages use to be celebrated And the Catholick Church shall be clothed with the notes of Honour and Purity or Righteousness or shall publickly worship him in his instituted Ordinances 9. And he saith unto me Write Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage-supper of the Lamb And he saith unto me These are the true sayings of God 9. Happy are they that shall see the fall of Babylon and the Deliverance and Advancement of the Christian Church and shall
I fear perplexing the Readers and must not be so large I mention what I have done to tell you why I understand not the Revelations and cannot help it that I am no wiser than excellent Calvin nor than aâ— the Ancient Fathers though I disown their conceit of a future Antichrist at the end of the World I doubt not but many in blind zeal will call this my confessed Ignorance a warping towards Popery though I have long in my Writings against Popery confest the very same This I must bear from them that bear more from themselves and from whom the Church beareth more It 's a small thing for one man to be censured by those persons that censure hardlier almost all the Church of Christ on Earth But when I try whether they know any more than I I find little more than a believing that to be the sense of the Revelation which those good men say it is whom they most value Some will desire yet to know more of my own Opinion And I will freely tell it them I. I am much perswaded by impartial consideration of the Text that the Roman Imperial Power as the upholder of Heathen Worship of Devils Idols and themselves and a Captivaters of the Church of Jews and Gentiles was the first Beast and that Rome in that respect was Babylon and the Whore that made all Nations drunk with her pompous Idolatry And the whole current of the Book seemeth plainly to drive at this But many of the subordinate particulars I understand not II. Whether the Papacy be another Beast or Whore there meant and the Text mean two first Beastâ— and two Whores or the similitude notwithstanding so many dissâ—militudes and six hundred or seven hundred or a thousand years interruption make these two one or whether it be Antichrist that is the Beast I will neither affirm nor deny but see no evidence to prove the Affirmative III. What my Judgment is of Popery the Reader may fully see 1. In one Sheet enumerating its Errours 2. In a Book called The Safe Religion 3 In another called A Key for Catholicks 4. In two of the true Catholick Church against Johnson altas Terrel 5. In one called The Christian Religion certain without Popery 6. In one called Full and easie Satisfaction whiâ—h is the True Religion 7. One called Naked Popery Iâ— these satisfie not the Censurers Zeal him that is ignorant be ignorant and he that is wrathful be so still IV. I do judge of Popery by the knowledge of its particular Errours and Sins and not by the Revelations or any thing which I understand not If the Pope be the great Antichrist which I neither deny nor affirm because I know not as I have long ago confessed I think that it is formally as he is by claim the Vice-Christ Vicarius Christi and claimeth an Universal Soveraignty Ecclesiastical over the whole Church on Earth and not over a Nation only and that he began with that claim to which his many corruptions are joyned to make up a body of iniquity Were there no more to be said against that Church than 1. This claim of Universal Government 2. And the cherishing of Ignorance by forbidding the reading of the Scripture in a known Tongue without Licence and Latine Prayers and Service and an Ignorant Clergy 3. And the Inhumane Doctrine of Transubstantiation 4. And the vile corruptions of much of God's Worship 5. And their horrid Blood-guiltiness by which they do uphold their Kingdom called a Church I take those Popes and Papists who own all this to be liable before God to greater punishment than the Beast and false Prophet mentioned in the Revelations it being far worse to sin thus under the name of Christians and Christ's Vicar and holy Bishops than as Infidels and Heathens to whom as to Sodom it shall be easier in the day of Judgment than for these V. Therefore I judge that a Confederacy or Coalition with the Church of Rome in any of these sins or in the very form of a Church headed by a pretended Universal Head or Soveraign is to be abhorred by all sound Christians And I am glad that this Kingdom is sworn against all Foreign Jurisdiction Civil or Ecclesiastical though Union and Concord with all Foreign Churches must be as far kept as we are able not partaking of their sins But I have long agâ— in my Key for Catholicks proposed the desirable terms not for a Coalition but for neighbourly Peace that we may live in love and quietness and not as those that still take themselves bound to destroy each other VI. On these grounds I judge of Persons according to their Personal Guilt and not by the general name of Papists I abhor those that are wicked and that own the foresaid wickedness but not all that are called Roman Catholicks that live in the fear of God and in Charity I will try uncertainties by certainties and not deny Fundamentals in opposition to mens By-Opinions I am certain that I must love a Christian as such and that as much as in me lieth I must live peaceably with all men and avoid all unnecessary Division Wrath and Hatred and I am sure that Blessed are the Peace-makers for whatever Errour calleth them they shall be called the Children of God I am sure that I must unnecessarily speak evil of no man and that slandering and false-accusing are diabolical works and that â—he Wisdom is from beneath which causeth Envy and Strife and in a word that LOVE is Christ's Work and Character and Hatred the Devils But I am not sure that the Church of Rome hath these 1000 or 1300 years been the Whore and Babylon meant in these Texts nor that yet all Papists shall be tormented as worshiping the Beast or his Image c. I am sure that the Visible Church will have scandals and ambitious men and yet that its deliverance in Constantine's time and the following Ages was a wondrous mercy which Heaven and Earth did rejoyce in and praise God â—or And it was a great part of Christ's coming to Reign by Christian Princes and that the Kingdoms of the World were made the Kingdoms of Christ Therefore I dread the denying Christ these Kingdoms and reproaching even the best Ages of his Church on Earth as Antichristian lest I deny him to have any Church Visible at all or tempt men to Infidelity by saying that Christ is so little a King and came to so little a work in the World as to have no Church save the persecuted part till An. 300 and the Reformers since 1560 save a few latent persons Men will judge of the Workman by his work and of Physicians by their Cures And though it be honourable to save one Soul they will tempt men to dishonour Christ that call almost all his Church Antichristian I would not slander one man but should I mistake and slander millions for thirteen hundred years together how great were my guilt VII I dread the turning