outward Garment only which might be put off and then the names are laid aside also which are only so engraven but even upon his heart As the Apostle saith I have you in my heart for God is my record how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ In and with such bowels as were begot by and like unto Christs bowels towards them Phil. 1. 7 8. as if he would thereby signifie to us that Christ's bowels and bowelly affection was so towards them that he indeed had them in his heart he carries them in his bosom Isay 30. 11. he loveth them with peculiar manner of love who from his first love known and believed do love him Indeed he loveth all Men while it is called to day and is not willing that any Man should perish but that all should come to repentance as he hath brightly manifested in tasting Death for every Man and as may be seen in his being a light to them in due time that he might be for Salvation to them that thorow him they might be saved and in being the mediatour between God and them making intercession for them and procuring long suffering which is and is to be accounted Salvation 1 Joh. 3. 16. 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. 2 Pet. 3. 9. 15. But he loveth them that love him because he first loved them with another manner of love with a delightful well-pleased love all his delight is in the Saints that are in the earth and in the excellent ones Prov. 8. 17 Ps 16. 2 3. as the Father hath loved him so he loveth them Joh. 15. 9 13. and ch 14. 21 23. he loveth them and beareth them on his heart and breast when and that is always he appeareth before God and on his breast-plate which is righteousness Isay 59. 17. Eph. 6. 14 he forgiveth them and clotheth and adorneth them and hath bowelly affection and hearty love to them They are engraven upon his heart which is the seat of love as is also intimated in that earnest desire of the spouse Set me as a seal upon thine heart engrave me thereon for love is strong as death Cant. 8. 6. 7. and all these who are loved with this distinguishing and delightful love of Christ are also accepted unto the father in him and the Father loveth and will love them Eph. 1. 6. Joh. 16. 27. And they being thus in and on the heart of Christ they are and shall be in his mouth also for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh Mat. 12. 34. they are in his mouth Rev. 3. 16. their sorrows indeed shall be multiplied that hasten after another or give gifts unto another High-priest and mediatour Their drink-offerings of blood will he not offer nor take up their names into his lips but because his delight is in the saints that are in the earth he will offer and render acceptable their sacrifices and take up their names into his lips Ps 16. 2 4. 1 Pet. 2. 4 5. Heb. 7. 25. and ch 9. 15. Joh. 17. 9 20. c. And because they are in his heart he will impart his mind to them 1 Cor. 2. 16. Judg. 16. 15. The secret of the Lord is with them and he will shew them his covenant Ps 25. 10 14. he will manifest himself and the mysteries of his Kingdom to them which he will not do unto the World Joh. 41. 21 22. Rev. 1. 11. and ch 2. 7 11 17 29 c. and ch 22. 16. And they being engraven on his heart his arme is engaged for them to bear them and to deliver them from evil and from the fear of evil in their hearkening unto him and they are in and engraven in his hand so as he will not forget them but whatever he openeth his hand to do so he will behold them and have such respect to them that shall work together for good to them that love him and none shall pluck them out of his hand Cant. 8. 6. Isay 49. 15 16. John 10. 27 28. Rom 8. 28 39. Yea he is a son and shield and will give grace and glory and no good thing will he with hold from them that walk uprightly Ps 84. 10 12. Joh. 14. 12 14. And in the brest-plate of judgment and on the heart of the High-priest in our types of old he did bear the judgment of the Children of Israel before the Lord continually either to figure out that our Jesus our great High-priest doth sympathize with his people in all their judgments and occasions of sorrow and sadness In all their afflictions he was afflâ—cted he knoweth how to have compassion on them and to pity and succour them in all their temptations and trials Isay 63. 9. Heb. 2. 17 18. Or rather as Moses the Mediatour of the first Testament was by the appointment of God to put in the Brest-plate of judgment which was upon Aaron's heart the Vrim and the Thummim which signify lights and perfections And therein he was to bear the judgment of the Children of Israel upon his heart before the Lord continually which Vrim and Thummim gave a most perfect light in any difficult matter to him that enquired thereat and without which they would not determine in those things which were doubtful and difficult Ezra 2. 63. Neh. 7. 65. Hereby it seems God revealed his mind and counsel in former times and when they enquired thereat the Person enquiring was to stand before the High-priest with his face towards the Brest-plate of judgment and as is observed by some a most perfect light shone upon the letters that were all upon the Breast-plate in order one after another whereby the mind of God was made known and revealed and the enquirer had thereby judgment and discerning given to him Numb 27. 21. Exod. 28. 30. Levit. 8. 8. 1 Sam. 28. 6. and hereby in general was signified that the High priest then by the Vrim and Thummim was to teach Jacob God's Laws and Israel his judgments Deut. 33. 8 9 10. So now our High-priest is he that hath the Vrim and the Thummim upon his Breast plate of Righteousness that in looking thereupon on the Righteousness he hath brought in and compleated and the means whereby he hath so done to wit his abasement sufferings and death and his resurrection from the dead as these things are declared to us in the Gospel or word of the Beginning of Christ we might be guided into all truth and have an understanding in all things and so be fitted to go on to perfection They who are dull of hearing and unacquainted with these first things and unskilful in the word of his righteousness are babes and cannot discern both good and evil but they who are skilful herein are fitted for the receiving the knowledge of all things needful to be now known by them 1 Cor. 1. 18 23. 2 Tim. 2. 7 8. Heb. 5. 11 14. and ch 6. 1. He is the light of the World a most
destruction of such vile ones and that he hath no pleasure at all in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his ways and live as he hath both said and sworn Ezek. 18. 23 31 32. and ch 33. 11. And it might also move and prevail with us to be like-minded after his example even to love our enemies to bless them that curse us to do good to them that hate us and to pray for them which despitefully use us and persecute us that we might be the Children and imitaters of him Mat. 5. 44 46. Prov. 29. 10. 4. We have here also propounded to us the end why he gave her space viz. To repent of her fornication not to continue in her sin but to turn there from unto him The goodness of God leadeth to repentance Rom. 2. 4. he is long-suffering because he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9 15. It is not in favour to mens sins but in love to their Souls that he forbears them Ezek. 18. 31 32. And therefore he calls upon us to turn unto the Lord because he â—â— gracious and merciful slow to anger and of great kindness c. Joel 2. 11 13. It is therefore an abuse of God's goodness and patience to think and conclude that he delighteth in sin or likes our evil ways because he is long-suffering to sinners Mal. 2. 17. Ps 50. 17 22. And yet how often do Men thus pervert what is right Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily therefore the hearts of the Sons of Men are fully set in them to do evil Eccles 8. 11. Mat. 24. 48 49. Rom. 6. 1 2. 2 We have an acccount given unto us of Jezabel's continued evil notwithstanding such space of repentance was given to her And she repented not or and she would not repent from whence we may note 1. That those to whom he is long-suffering and that to a gracious end may abuse his goodness and frustrate to themselves his gracious end and cordial intention towards them therein they whom the goodness of God leadeth to repentance may after their own hardness and impenitent hearts treasure up to themselves wrath against the day of wrath Rom. 2. 4 5. when he hath been patient towards them and during his patience hath been calling them and stretching forth his hand to them yet they may refuse and give no due regard but either reject his grace or turn it into wantonness Prov. 1. 20 24 28. They whom he would convert and is converting may not be converted as it is said We would have healed Babilon but she was not healed Jer. 51. 8 9. They may either willingly wink with the eye and say our ways are good and equal and so abuse his goodness as to conclude their innocency because he is long-suffering to them Jer. 2. 35 37. or because he is silent towards them and holds his peace they may think he is altogether such an one as themselves Ps 50. 17 21 22. or they may say where sin abounded grace abounded much more let us then sin and continue in sin that grace may still abound and be magnified and God's righteousness and mercy be more abundantly commended and illustrated in still pardoning and forgiving our transgressions Rom. 3. 5 8. and ch 5. 21. with ch 6. 1. or they may think their state is so fixed and that they are the subjects of such immutable and unchangeable love that God will still be merciful to them and continue them in his favour though they kill steal commit adultery swear falsly and burn incense to other Gods Jer. 7. 4 8. of which dangerous and presumptuous thoughts the Lord warns saying Lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood And it come to pass when he heareth the words of this curse or oath which the Lord made with them that he might establish them for a people to himself that he blest himself in his heart saying I shall have peace though I walk in the imagination or stubbornness of mine heart to add drunkeness to thirst c. Deut. 29. 18 20. with v. 13. Rom. 11. 20 22. or at last they may come to such an height of stubbornness and impudence as to say we will do what is good in our own eyes or whatsoever goeth forth out of our own mouths Jer. 44. 3 5. 16. and ch 6. 16 17. need we have therefore to exhort one another and be exhorted one by another daily while it is called to day lest any of us be hardned thorow the deceitfulness of sin Heb. 3. 12 13. 2. That this was Jezabel's iniquity that she repented not or would not repent she might have so done in the light and strength of God's grace for though no man hath power or sufficiency in and of himself to do or think any thing that is spiritually good yet while God is patient towards and calling upon Men he also stretcheth forth his hand unto them to inable them unto what he requireth of them Prov. 1. 22 23 24. Mica 2. 7. while he gives space of repentance he also giveth the grace of repentance to them his grace doth bring salvation to all Men Tit. 2. 11. 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. Acts 26. 18 22. God hath exalted Christ with his right hand a Prince and Saviour for to give repentance and forgiveness of sins even unto rebellious ones also Acts 5. 31. And it is therefore their own sin and wilful iniquity who repent not while God suffereth long and is kind towards them hence our Saviour did upbraid some because they repented not Mat. 11. 20 22. and ch 12. 41. and thus reproves the chief Priests and Pharisees and saith The Publicans and the harlots believed John But ye when ye had seen it repented not afterwards that ye might believe him they had the same means and grace vouchsafed and it was therefore their own wilful iniquity that they did not repent also Mat. 21. 31 32. Verse 22. Behold I will cast her into a bed and them that commit Adultery with her into a great tribulation except they repent of their deeds Here the Son of God denounceth and threatneth judgment against Jezabel and her companions except they repented Where consider we 1. This commination or threat is ushered in with this note of attention to his Angels and Churches Behold In which he speaks not to Jezabel but unto this Angel and Church and unto all the Churches and so he would give us to understand That it is good and needful for Christ's Servants and so for the Lords people to consider the judgments which he threatneth or executeth upon evil doers to the end they may receive admonition and turn away from any evils that are reproved in them To wash their feet their goings and affections in the blood of the wicked Ps 58. 10 1â— and 64. 7 10. And it will be an aggravation of
High-priests in former times to wit the Cloths of Service to do service in the Holy place and the Holy Garments for Aaron to minister in the Priests Office Exod. 39. 41. When the High-priest went into the Holy Place to make atonement by Blood-shedding he put on the Linnen-Garments and afterward he put them off and put on his Garments in which continually he ministred in the Priests Office Garments for beauty and glory Lev. 16. 4 23 24. Exod. 28. 1 3. Now to answer hereto In former times our High-priest might appear in Linnen because he had not actually made Peace and Atonement by his Blood but now he hath done it and is become glorious in his Apparel he hath now Garments for beauty and glory If it be said the Girdle in Daniel's Vision and this in John's is the same he was then girded with fine Gold of Vphaz Dan. 10. 5. And here he is girt with a golden Girdle and therefore also the Raiment is the same To this I only say here the Girdle doth signifie his Righteousness and Faithfulness and so it might denote to us that though he had not yet made the Atonement by his Blood yet he was righteous and faithful God's righteous Servant who would do it in due time But though he had the Girdle yet he might not be or appear glorious in his Apparel because the work was not finished though he was always faithful But now he hath finished the work the Father gave him to do in his own Personal Body he is glorified Joh. 17. 4 5. Isay 11. 5. 1 Pet. 1. 21. And so Aaron and his Sons had Garments holy Garments to Minister in for beauty and Glory that were beautiful fair and pleasant and glorious splendid rich and full of lustre Exod. 28. 1 3. So our high priest Jesus the Son of Man he is clothed with the Garments of beauty the beauty of holiness Ps 110. 3. Heb. 7. 26. and Glory the God of our fathers hath glorified his Son Jesus Acts 3. 13. I will saith he greatly rejoyce in the LORD my soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath clothed me with the Garments of Salvation he hath covered me with the Robe of righteousness as a Bridegroom decketh himself as a priest with ornaments And as a Bride adorneth her self with her Jewells Isay 61. 1 2 10 11. he is now become beautiful and glorious in his apparel as the Prophet signifieth when he Prophetically saith In that day seven Women shall take hold of one Man even of this one Man saying we will wear our own apparel only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach We would be called Christians notwithstanding and not Heathens Pagans Infidels In that day shall the Branch of the Lord be beauty and Glory Compare Isay 4. 1 2. with Exod. 28. 2. Now then as the High-priest in former times did bear the names of the Children of Israel in two stones upon the shouldiers of his Ephod which Ephod was a part of his Raiment for a Memorial to or as some translations read it for a remembrance of the Children of Israel Exod. 28. 6 12. and ch 39. 6 7. so our High-priest who hath born our sins on his body on the tree now bears the names of them that so hear and learn of the Father as to come unto him upon his shouldiers before the Lord that they might always be had in remembrance before him he presents them in his raiment and Righteousness and so the memory and name of the just is Blessed but the name of the wicked shall Rot Prov. 10. 7. The righteous shall be in everlasting Remembrance Ps 112. 6. and he beareth their names upon his shoulders for a memorial to his Israel that they may Remember and rejoyce in this that their High-priest carrieth their names upon his shoulders and presents them in the body of his flesh thorow death holy unreprovable and unrebukeable in his sight they continuing in the Faith grounded and settled c. Col. 1. 22 23 he presents their names and persons for so names doe signifie even Persons Acts 1. 15. Rev. 3. 4. and renders them accepted in himself who is the beloved one Eph. 1. 6. Jude 24. that they may rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of Glory in this that they who cannot present themselves in themselves nor appear immediately before God are presented notwithstanding by their great High-priest and upon his shoulders they are made the righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5. 21. they are in Christ Jesus and he of God is made unto them Righteousness 1 Cor. 1. 30. and he is entred not into the holy place made with hands which are the figures of the true but into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for them for them especially who come unto God by him on their behalf and in their stead and representing their persons Heb 9. 24. and ch 8. 1 2. he is one who is Beautiful and glorious in his apparel in the eyes of the Lord And his Garments are of his own making as Mediatour as the Garments of Aaron were made by Moses the Mediatour of that Testament Exod 28. 1 2 3 39 40. and on the shoulders thereof he beareth them up and carrieth them and presents them before the Lord Deut. 32. 11 12. Isay 46 3 4. yea their names are graven in stones in precious stones Exod. 28. 9 11. to signify they shall be had in remembrance for ever before the Lord for so much the graving or engraving of them may signifie A perpetual presentation and memorial of them as when Job is declaring the root of the matter he not only desireth that what he spake were written nor onely that they were printed in a book but also that they were graven with an iron-Pen and laid in the rock forever Job 19. 23 24. So much is also intimated in what the Lord speakes to Zion when she said My LORD hath forgotten me Can saith he a Woman forget her sucking child that she should not have compassion on the son of her Womb yea they may forget yet will I not forget thee But what assurance doth he give her of this It followeth Behold I have graven thee upon the palmes of my hands thy walls are continually before me Isay 49. 14 16. To this it may seem the spouse referreth when she prayeth of and to her beloved Set me as a seal upon thine arme Cant. 8. 6. Engrave me upon thy shoulders Again in former times the typical High-priest did in the breast-plate of judgment bear the names of the Children of Israel upon his heart for a memorial before the Lord continually whose names were engraven in twelve stones and all upon his heart Exod. 28. 13. 29. and ch 39. 8. 14. To signifie his tender and cordial love and compassion to them So our merciful and gracious High-priest beareth the names of his Israel on his heart not upon some
us as many secretly are saying in their hearts who walk in crooked paths and such particularly also who deal proudly and contemptuously against the righteous Job 34. 21 28. Ps 11. 1 4. and 10. 8. 12 14. and Ps 94. 1 9. Ezek. 9. 9. for there is nothing hidden from him 2. To exhort his Churches and every one of us to walk before him and to be perfect Gen. 17. 1. For the Eyes of the LORD are in every place beholding the evil and the good Prov. 15. 3. 1 Chron. 28. 8 9. He seeth not as Man seeth but he looketh upon the Heart 1 Sam. 16. 7. Oh therefore let us so receive his Grace to purpose that we may in Sincerity say as he did Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that I love thee Joh. 21. 17. Hell and Destruction are open before him how much more then the hearts of the Children of Men Prov. 15. 11. and ch 17. 3. Be ye then clean ye that bear the Vessels of the Lord 2 Cor. 6. 16 18. for he is amongst you who hath such Eyes he knoweth your hearts and works Prov. 5. 21. 3. To encourage them to hold fast the profession of their Faith without wavering This is the use the Apostle makes of this consideration there is no Creature saith he 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 seeing then that we have a great High-priest that is passed into the Heavens let us hold fast our profession Heb. 4. 13 14. The Eyes of the LORD run to and fro thorowout the whole Earth strongly to hold with them whose hearts are perfect towards him 2 Chron. 16. 9. Ps 34. 9 15. And therefore the consideration hereof is proper and powerful to strengthen them to hold forth the word of life in word and Conversation and not to fear them that are their Adversaries nor their fear Prov. 22. 11 12. For though they know not what devices they are devising against them yet their High-priest doth Jer. 11. 18 20. Ps 33. 18. And he is watching for their good and espying and beholding what is acted secretly against them to disappoint the devices of the crafty and to cover his Servants and Followers Isay 4. 5. 2. His Eyes are as a Flame of Fire which noteth also the terribleness of him against such as are and persist Enemies and in Enmity unto him and that so remaining he will destroy them and render to every one according to their works So when he cometh to make War and to smite the Nations and destroy the Beast and false Prophet he is thus described In Righteousness he doth judge and make War his Eyes were like a Flame of Fire Rev. 19. 11 13. c. And thus also he describes himself to the Angel of the Church in Thyatira when he threatneth Destruction to the false Prophetess and her Children yea and to any of his Churches in case they turn aside to crooked paths and afterward signifieth what Power is given to him to break the Nations in pieces as ch 19. These things saith the Son of God who hath his Eyes like unto a Flame of Fire ch 2. 18 23 27. And indeed this is the effect of the former as to such as reject abuse or turn from his Grace he makes a diligent search into the hearts and reins that he may punish such according to their works and set his Eyes upon them for evil if they so persist till the decree bring forth and the Day pass as the Chaff Amos 9. 1 4. As they cannot escape his all-searching Eye so neither can they escape Destruction who will not have this Man to reign over them and he is no respecter of persons but so also he will deal with his Churches or any in them in case they sin against him and all the Churches shall know that he searcheth the Reins and Hearts and will give to every one of them according to their workâ— Rev. 2. 18 23 29. Behold Isâ—ael after the Flesh Deut. 4. 23 26. And as the Apostle saith if God spared not the natural Branches take heed lest he spare not thee Rom. 11. 21 22. 1 Cor. 10. 9 11. So he who hath his Eyes like unto a Flame oâ— Fire threatneth that he will remove the Candlestick from Ephesus come unto Pergamos with his sharp Sword come as a Thief on Sardis and spue Laodicea out of his mouth except they did repent ch 2. 5 12 16. anâ— ch 3. 3 16 19. Ps 99. 3 8. Isay 33. 14 15. And the consideration hereof may be of usefulness to us to admonish us to take heed that we sin not against him lest he be angry with us and sharpen his Eyes upon us as the Lord saith Beware of â—im and obey his Voice provoke him not for he will not pardon your Transgressions for my name is in him Exod. 23. 20 21. but to demean our selves â—s those in his House and Holiness becomes his house for ever Heb. 3. 6. Ps 93. 5. And it may encourage us in exercising our selves unto Godliness to expect his protection over us and destruction of our Enemies For if we do indeed obey his Voice and do all that he speaks then the Lord will be an Enemy to our Enemies and an Adveriary unto our Adversaries and he will go before us and in due time bring us into and give us possession of the Heavenly Canaan Exod. 23. 22 23. Deut. 9. 3. Verse 15. And his Feet like unto fine Brass as if they burned in a Furnace and his Voice as the sound of many Waters Here we have still and further an account given us of what the Apostle saw in this Vision and which he was commanded to write 1. His Feet like unto fine Brass as if they burned in a Furnace Somewhat like unto what is said of the living Creatures their Feet sparkled like the colour of burnished Brass Ezek 1. 7. Daniel saith his Hands and his Feet were like to polished Brass Dan. 10. 6. And this first Branch of the Description of him in this Verse is also conjoyned unto His Eyes being like unto a Flame of Fire in Rev. 2. 18. And much what the same instructions signified by this as by that And surely by his Feet as here or Hands and Feet as in Daniel are meant his works ways and goings the Feet being the Instruments of going or walking in any way whatsoever and these are said to be 1. Like unto fine Brass or polished Brass that is clear purely bright free from all pollution or defilement as Brass or some other mettal purified in the fire His ways of mercy are clean from all unrighteousness and impurity whatsoever He is gracious and full of compassion slow to anger of great Mercy he is good unto all his tender Mercies are over all his works And yet still The Lord is righteous in all his ways Ps 145. 8 9 17 18. His ways
the law and obtained eternal redemption for us when we were in our filth and blood said unto us live when we were in woful misery when the Sorrows of death compassed us and the pains of Hell gat hold on us and we found woe and trouble yet then caused his goodness to pass before us and commended and discovered his love to us and overcame us as bullocks unaccustomed to the yoke and spake peace to us and quieted our fears removed our sorrows comforted our hearts delivered our souls from death our eyes from tears and our feet from falling that we might walk before him in the land of the living in whom still dwelleth and abideth all the fulness even all the fulness of the God-head bodily and in whom is all compleatness prepared for us Do we thus requite the Lord O foolish people and unwise Is he not our Father that hath bought us hath he not made and established us ask thy Father and he will shew thee thine elders the prophets and Apostles and they will tell thee do ye thus render to the Lord for all his benefits love and kindness as to forsake him and lightly or more lightly than formerly esteem the rock of your Salvation of the rock that begat you are ye so unmindful and have you forgotten God that formed you Deut. 32. 5 7 15 18. Is this your kindness to your friend that hath so loved you and made it known to you and still continues his goodness to you and waits upon you that he may be gracious unto you O remember the former days remember your affliction and misery the distress that sometimes you were in and what a joyful sound the Gospel was then unto you and how your hearts did burn within you in love to Christ his cross and sufferings and consider what a loss you are now come to and for this weep let your eye your eye run down with water weep and howl for such an unkind and unworthy return to him and give no rest to your eyes nor slumber to your eye-lids until you return to the days of your youth the love of your espousals surely the oneness of the Lord being seriously minded and considered by us would engage us to return to him from whom we have departed and to be â—ervent in unâ—eigned love to him Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and Soul and mind and strength and thy neighbour as thy self Deut. 6. 4 6. with Mark 12. 29 30. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of light with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth wherefore my Brethren let every Man be swift to hear c. Jam. 1. 17 18 19. 2. This is a great evil an evil that provoketh to leave the first love because in our abating in our love to Christ and leaving our first â—ervency of affection to him and his Gospel and people and the societies thereof we shall be very injurious and harmful to others and even by such remission of love secretly signify unto them that the longer we know Christ and the more acquainted we are with him the less amiable and desirable he is to us and the less delightful to us and therefore is he no more delighted in by us and so we lay a stumbling block in the way of the blind and give offence to the World and hinder others from seeking after and following the Lord when persons are zealous and â—ervent in their affection unto and pursuit after the Lord their zeal provokes very many 2 Cor. 9. 2. Thus it appeared in the spouses earnestness in seeking for and inquiring after and highly and delightfully valuing and setting forth the excellency comliness of her beloved while she was thus exercised this heat of love in her to Christ and following hard after him causeth the daughters of Jerusalem to enquire after him and to say whither is thy beloved gone O thou fairest among Women whither is thy beloved turned aside that we may seek him with thee Can. 5. 8 16. and ch 6. 1. love even hot and fiery love to Christ and the fruits thereof are strong as death as death is strong and overcomes the mightiest and stoutest so ardent love is proper to overcome others also even our enemies and to bring them in to Christ Cant. 8. 6 7. with Rom. 12. 19 21. when the believers did cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart and continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and were together continuing daily with one accord c. The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved Acts 2. 42 47. Joh. 13. 34 35. But now when the first love waxes cold and believers have little or less heart to Christ and his Gospel than formerly this puts a discouragement upon others and hinders them from seeking after him and strengthens them in their evil ways so much the Lord signifies in saying to his people in former times My people have forgotten me days without number why trimest thou thy way to seek love Therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways Jer. 2. 31 33. And indeed this decay of mens first love to Christ will be visible and evident to others it cannot be kept so secret but it will be seen and come abroad for such as leave their first love will leave their first works also as v. 5. 3. Abatement in the first love is a great evil a provoking evil in believers because those in Christ's Church have great advantage to grow and increase in love to him and to his Gospel and it is expected from them that they go on from strength to strength Ps 84. 4 7. and in beholding him with open face in the glass of the Gospel they are changed and metamorphosed into the same Image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. In giving diligence to the exceeding great and precious promises ministred in and with the Gospel they shall be made partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the World thorow lust and not only so but they may add to their faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness Brotherly-kindness and to Brotherly-Kindness Charity 2 Pet. 1. 4 7. these things may be in them and abound v. 8 Choice giâ—ts are now given to men to this purpose that they might not be as children tossed to and fro but truthing it in love might grow up into Christ in all things who is the head from whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the
us see Judg. 8. 24 27. with Exod. 28. 4. 1 Cor. 10. 14 20. and indeed this Idolatry is spiritual fornication for therein the heart unchastly and trecherously departs from the Lord and God whose name is jealous and who is jealous cannot endure it Exod. 20. 5. And therefore he gives this charge to his people in former times Take heed to thy self lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee but ye shall destroy their altars break their images and cut down their groves for thou shalt worship no other God for the Lord whose name is jealous is a jealous God Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they go a-whoreing after their Gods and do sacrifice unto their Gods and call thee and thou eat of their sacrifice c. Exod. 34. 12 13 14 17. Deut. 4. 24. and ch 5. 9. and ch 6. 15. Josh 24. 19 20 23. 2. Or also by fornication in this place may be meant bodily and carnal uncleanness and filthiness of the flesh and Balaam did teach Balac to cast this stumbling-stone also before the Children of Israel to entice and tempt them to commit carnal fornication with the Moabitish Women and they too readily were enticed and polluted as it is said The people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab Numb 25. 1. of this the Apostle also speaks and saith neither let us commit fornication as some of them committed and fell in one day three and twenty thousand 1 Cor. 10. 8. And thus understanding fornication for the filthiness of the flesh also we may note for our usefulness 1. That spiritual and carnal fornication and uncleanness usually go together so it was in this instance as hath been said and as is said These caused the Children of Israel thorow the counsel of Balaam to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor Numb 31. 15 16. with ch 25. 2 3. And so it is said of mystery Babilon that she is the Mother of â—arlots and abominations of the earth and that with her the Kings of the earth have committed fornication And that she did corrupt the earth with her fornication both spiritual and carnal Rev. 17. 2 5. and ch 19. 2. Thus it is said of Judah in one place she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and stocks signifying her spiritual uncleanness In another it is said when I had fed them to the full then they commited adultery and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots houses They were as fed horses in the morning every one neighed after his neighbours wife And again The land is full of adulterers I have seen in the Prophets an horrible thing they committed adultery both carnal and spiritual Jer. 3. 9. with ch 5. 7 8. and ch 23. 10 11 13 14. with v. 27. And indeed when the hearts of men unchastly and adulterously depart from the Lord and they commit spiritual fornication they fit themselves thereby for all bodily and carnal evil also and provoke God to give them up thereto Whose pleaseth God shall escape from the Woman whose heart is snares and nets and her hands as bands but the sinners shall be taken by her Eccles 7. 26. Hos 2. 2 3. with ch 7. 3 4. 2. The way evil teachers walk in to draw believers from Christ is to preach such Doctrine or give such counsel as tends to gratify the flesh and many times to gratify it in this particular lust of uncleanness so it was with those false teachers the Apostle Peter speaks of who were like to if not the same with these Balaamites here mentioned They were lascivious persons and had eyes full of an adulteress and that cannot cease from sin beguiling unstable souls And they did allure thorow the lusts of the flesh thorow much wantonness those that were clean escaped from them that live in errour while they promised them liberty they themselves were the Servants of corruption c. 2 Pet. 2. 1 2 14 19. they turned the grace of our God into lasciviousness and did defile the flesh and entice others so to do also and as it here appears taught those that were in power and authority thus to debauch Christs disciples and to lay this stumbling-block before them to tempt them to commit fornication even outward and corporal also Jude 3. 4 8. Needful therefore it is for the believers to mortify thorow the spirit their members upon the earth daily and continually fornication uncleanness c. Col. 3. 5. to flee fornication 1 Cor. 6. 18 19. and not to let any Man deceive with vain words as if fornication were no great evil or but a venial sin for no whoremonger nor unclean person hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God But for this the wrath of God cometh upon the Children of disobedience Eph. 5. 3 6 7. 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. and to beware of false Prophets who come to them in sheeps-cloathing but are inwardly ravening wolves for if they listen to them and entertain their evil doctrines they wil cause them to go astray and walk in the broad way which leadeth to destruction Mat. 7. 13 15. Jer. 23. 10 16. there is no doctrine according to Godliness but the doctrine of Christ 1 Tim. 6. 3. all divers and strange doctrines tend to gratify the flesh Verse 15. So hast thou them also that hold the Doctrine of Nicolaitans which thing I hate To this we have said somewhat before on v. 6. of this chapter It is said of them that their Doctrine led to all uncleanness and filthiness But here we note in that Christ saith which I hate that evil doctrines are hateful to Christ and so they should be to us also and herein they are more hateful than evil practices because they directly tend to vitiate and corrupt the understandings of Men and if the eye be evil the whole body will necessarily be full of darkness and Men will fearlessly act all manner of iniquity Luke 11. 34. Verse 16. Repent or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the Sword of my mouth After our Saviour had drawn up his charge against this Angel and Church for having evil and corrupt teachers amongst them as we have seen before in the two former verses he now adds these words unto them In which we have to consider and speak unto these following things 1. A counsel or exhortation which he gives unto them Repent 2. A conditional threat or commination and that 1. With respect to this Angel and Church or else I will come unto thee quickly 2. With respect to the false teachers And will fight against them with the sword c. 1. A needful counsel and exhortation which he gives to this Angel and Church Repent Note 1. That Christ doth first convince Men of evil and draws up his charge
his peoples evil if when they see God's hand lifted up against other they fear not so as to depart from iniquity Jer. 3. 7. I have saith the Lord cut off the nations their towers are desolate c. I said to his own nation surely thou wilt fear me thou wilt receive instruction Zeph. 3. 5 8. Amos 4. 10 11. 2. We have next to consider his threatning of judgment and that 1. Against Jezabel for she was the principal evil-doer I will cast her into a bed Bed is not here to be taken for a place of refreshing and comfort as many times it is elsewhere Job 7. 13. But for a sick-bed as it were a bed of languishing sorrow and affliction Ps 41. 3. So as she should be chastened with pain upon her bed and the multitude of her bones with strong pain as Job 33. 19 21. so usually sick diseased or lame persons were laid upon beds and are so still Mark 2. 4 9. and ch 6. 55. and so it is as if our Lord Jesus should say I will smite her with great diseases and afflictions and make her keep her bed and hinder her from going about to injure others whom you suffer to teach and seduce my Servants and this he would do to a gracious end both unto her self and others also while it is the day of his grace and long-suffering Job 33. 19 21 29 30. Or I will cast her into a bed even cut her off from the land of the living and send or cast her into the grave where she shall lye and sleep a-bed in the midst of the slain as it is said in Ezek. 32. 24 25. 2 Chron. 16. 14. Or I will cast her into a bed namely into Hell whereinto all the wicked and so all fornicators and wicked teachers and seducers shall be turned except they repent of their deeds Ps 9. 17. so we read of A Bed in Hell Ps 139. 8. And all liers shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 8. 2 Pet. 2. 1 4. Now in that he saith I will cast her into bed we may learn 1. That the Father hath committed unto Christ all judgment and he hath authority to execute judgment both now and for ever Because he is the Son of Man Joh. 5. 22 27 29. all afflictions and death it self are his he hath the keys of Hell and Death see the notes on ch 1. v. 18. he doth rebuke and chasten Rev. 3. 19. and ch 14. 14. 1 Cor. 11. 32. And therefore we should fear before him Ps 2. 10 12. and seek help of him when we are in afflictions and lift up our hearts with our hands unto him in the Heavens Lam. 3. 37 40. Mat. 9. 2 6. and in so doing he who hath torn will heal us he who hath smitten will bind us up Hos 6. 1 2. 2. That many times the Lord writes Mens sins upon their punishments see the notes before on v. 16. The fornicatours commit their sins upon beds hence the whorish Woman saith I have deckt my bed with coverings of tapestry with carved works with fine linnen of Aegypt I have perfumed my bed with myrrh Aloes and cynamon come let us take our fill of love c. Prov. 7. 16 18. so it is said of Israel The Babilonians came to her into the bed of love and they defiled her with their whoredoms Ezek. 23. 17. and here he threatens he will cast this adulteress into a bed even into everlasting destruction in conclusion if she did not repent Rev. 14. 8 10. and ch 16. 4 5 6. and ch 18. 16. 3. We may here take notice of his great displeasedness with fornicatours even with spiritual fornicatours also who persist in such abominable iniquity he will not spare them but will execute judgment on them and send them them to hell if they turn not therefrom idolaters shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 8. and ch 22. 15. their feet go down to death their steps take hold on hell Prov. 5. 5. be we therefore admonished to flee from idolatry 1 Cor. 10. 14. 20. 4. When he cometh to execute judgments and when there is wrath he will begin with them that have enticed and deceived others and punish them most severely so God threatens to deal severely with mystery Babilon because by her sorceries she did deceive all nations and the inhabiters of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication Rev. 17. 2 3 5. and ch 18. 2 6 17 23. and the Lord in former times threatens that his hand shall be upon the Prophets that see vanity because even because they seduced his people Ezek. 13. 8 10. and the Apostle Peter saith of those false teachers who privily brought in damnable heresies that their judgment lingred not and that their damnation slumbred not and that for them the mist or blackness of darkness was reserved for ever 2 Pet. 1. 3 15 17. Jude 8 13. as their work hath been to corrupt and destroy others so their end shall be according thereto 2 Cor. 11. 1 13 15. Rev. 11. 18. 2. The Son of God doth also threaten judgment against Jezabell's companions and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation here he openeth to us what was meant and intended before by Bed to wit great tribulation in which Jezabel that seduced them shall share first but not only For they that partake of her sins shall also partake of her plagues Rev. 18. 4. he will cast into great tribulation those that commit adultery with her even spiritual adultery also with stocks and stones Jer. 3. 9. and ch 13. 27 and ch 23. 13 14. And thus will he deal with them whoever or what-ever they be who defile themselves with her though they be the greatest and most honourable in the World Rev. 17. 2. and ch 13. 27. and ch 19. 18 21. or though any of his Servants or Children turn aside unto folly and commit fornication he will not spare them but will abhor his Sons and daughters because of such provokings Deut. 32. 17 18 19. They shall know that he searcheth the reins and hearts and will give unto every one of them according to their works v. 23. Thus the Lord saith unto his people in former times Take heed to your selves lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God and make you a graven image the likeness of any thing which the Lord thy God hath forbidden thee For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire even a jealous God he will utterly destroy you if ye be guilty of such-like iniquity Deut. 4. 15 26. If ye forsake the Lord and serve strange Gods then he will turn and do you hurt and consume you after he haâ—h done you good Josh 24. 19 20. he will cast them that commit Spiritual adultery into great tribulation both now
Church of his a Golden Candlestick that did in some measure receive and bear forth the light yea there might appear with them a great deal of fervency in their outward professions and behaviours of themselves They were not cold Nor hot Not zealous verse 19. not fervent in Spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12. 11. their hearts did not burn within them Luke 24. 32. they were not enflamed with love to him and the things of his Kingdom Or as considering the scope of the place they were not hot that is they did not so value Christ and the things above where Christ sits at the right hand of God that durable riches and Righteousness in Christ as to buy them with a relinquishing and selling all that they had They did not so highly value Jesus Christ that pearl of great price as to part with their Sins and Idols and to go on to count all but loss and dung that they might be made partakers of him to hate Father and Mother Wife and Children yea and their own lives also for Christ's sake and to take up their Cross and follow him That this is here meant by hot appears by the counsel he gives them I counsel thee to buy of me Gold c. v. 18. And by the reason and end of his rebuking and chastening them that they might be zealous and exercise their zeal in buying v. 19. And by his knocking v. 20. he was not readily received but the door was shut against him and other persons or things were preferred to him and he was fain to stand and knock for admission till his head was filled with dew and his locks with the drops of the night as Cant. 5. 2. This was the heat they were destitute of they did not forsake all for Christ Jesus they were as silly doves without heart professedly waiting upon God but still retaining sin in their hands or double-mindedness in their hearts Hos 7. 11. or they were seeking their own things their own praise honour glory name or to establish a righteousness to themselves and though they might appear to be and might be zealous yet not in a good matter Gal. 4. 18. They were like to a Man that hearing of an excellent commodity at such a mart or market goes thereto he is not so cold as to stay at home But takes so much pains as to go to the place where it may be had and looks upon and likes it and hears delightfully what is spoken in commendation of it But yet he is not so hot as to come up to the price of it though he be willing to part with something he hath not such an high estimate of and affection to it as to prefer it before all other things and to purchase it how dear soever it be Truly such an one though he be not cold yet he is not hot such a Man is hot that is resolved to have such a commodity whatever it cost him in such a sense they were hot They were not so cold as wholly to desist from a professed waiting at wisdom's posts but they sate before God as his people and heard his words and it might be as a lovely and pleasant song to hear what was spoken in the praise and commendation of that gold tried in the fire c. v. 18. But still their hearts went after their covetousness or pride and high thoughts of themselves they conceited themselves to be rich and increased with goods and therefore did not forsake all they had for Christ Ezek. 33. 31 32. Oh let us search and try our hearts in the light of God's testimony and see if we also be not such manner of persons as these were the Testimony of Christ is a faithful glass that gives a true and impartial discovery of all things and persons It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Heb. 4. 12. therein let us examine our selves and not trust to our own hearts or lean to our own understandings for the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked and he that trusteth therein is a fool our wisdom and understanding will pervert us and make us believe we are hot when indeed we are but Lukewarm Oh let us then come to the light of the Lord and therein view our selves our hearts and ways and as therein our Lukewarmness is discovered let us cleanse our selves therefrom in the light and strength of the grace of God which bringeth Salvation to all Men 2. Cor. 7. 1. This is the iniquity the provoking iniquity of those in God's Church that they are not hot for though they cannot heat themselves but must be heated with a coal from his altar yet unto and in their turning at his reproofs and letting go the things faulted and discovered to be â—vil and unprofitable he would pour out his Spirit unto them and make known his words which are as fire and would even make their hearts burn within them Prov. 1. 23. with Jer. 23. 29. Luke 24 32. the light of Israel would be as a fire unto them And this is that he expects from those in his Church not only that they be not cold but that they be hot not only that they hear pray assemble confer approach to him and have a name among the Churches that they live which they may have while yet they are dead Rev. 3. 1. But that they have such an estimate of Christ and his things as to count all other things but vile and unprofitable in comparison of him that they be so hot as to buy the truth with selling all that they have and when notwithstanding all his excellency and graciousness they are still destitute of this heat and ardency of affection to him Oh this incenseth him against them and so much is signified to us in that which followeth viz. I would thou wert cold or hot as if he should say I cannot away with this temper or distemper of thine as v. 16. it is very offensive and provoking to me and therefore I wish thou wert rid of thy loathsome temper and wert either cold or hot It is somewhat like to what Elijah saith to the Israelites Why halt ye between two opinions If God be God follow him but if Baal then follow him 1 King 18. 21. or like to the saying of Joshua If it seem evil to you to serve the Lord in sincerity and truth with a putting away the Gods which your Fathers served câ—use you this day whom ye will serve whether the Gods which your Fathers served or the Gods of the Amorites c. Josh 24. 14 15. as if he should say do not make a shew of serving the Lord while together therewith you do indeed serve your idols But either be hot in serving him only and sincerely and put away and renounce your Idols or else be cold and leave off all your professed waiting on him and follow such other Gods as you shall chusâ— This neutrality and indifferency is
that smiteth us and seek the Lord of hosts and in so doing he will heal our backslidings and love us freely and he will be as the dew unto us and will cause us to grow and blossome as the lilly Hos 14. 1 2 3 4 5. and ch 5. 15. with ch 6. 1 2 3. And repent This is the other branch of the exhortation which the faithful and true witness gives to this Angel and Church as a further direction to them how they might avoid the judgment threatened and is needful to be joyned with the former and this is added to that to shew unto us what zeal he had been speaking of namely of such as is joyned with repentance unto salvation not to be repented of 2 Cor. 7. 10. with repentance from dead works from such as will not profit them that are exercised in them Heb. 6. 1 2. and also to signify to us that to the end they might be zealous it was requisite and needful they should repent and change their minds and let go their high thoughts and conceits of themselves which led them to say We are rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing as v. 17. For if these vain evil and sinful thoughts were suffered to lodge and abide in them they would hinder them from â—eâ—vently seeking after the knowledge and enjoyment of Jesus Christ and promoting the things of his Kingdom Jer. 4. 14. Prov. 26. 12 16. and ch 27. 7 8. Therefore in love to their Souls he calls upon them and exhorts them to repentance and also provokes them thereâ—o by his convincements rebukes and chastisments because he was not willing they should perish but that they should come to repentance Jer. 18. 8 11. see the notes before on the word Repent in ch 2. v. 5. and v. 15. Verse 20. Behold I stand at the door and knock If any Man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me In this verse we have these things to consider a and speak unto 1. A call of our Lord 's to this Angel and Church Behold I stand at the door and knock 2. A gracious incouragement to engage them to listen thereto and obey it 1. A call of our Lord's Behold This is a note of attention to stirr them vp and â—waken them to attend and mind what he saith and indeed by what follows it may appear that they were sleeping in carnal security as the spouse saith I sleep it it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh saying open to me Cant. 5. 2. or as it is said of the virgins they all slumbâ—ed and slepâ— Mat. 25. 5 6. And so indeed Men may be in his Church in a secuâ—e condition when they are greatly blame worthy and neer to danger see notes before on v. 2. and especially they are thus apt to be either when they were thus highly conceited of themselves or when they have a name amongst others and are famous in the congregation persons of renown and yeâ— now when they were thus secure and in a sleepy slâ—mbring condition Christ being willing they should sleep the sleep of death rouzes them up and awakens them Ps 13. 3. 1 Cor. 15. 34. Eph. 5. 14. he now calls unto and upon them as followeth I The Amen in whom all the promises of God are yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. and if we be Christs then are we Abrahams seed and heirs according to promise Gal. 3. 29. the faithful and true witness of his own and his Faâ—hers love c. seâ— v. 14. Sâ—and or have stood standing is a more seâ—led posture than walking Ps 1. 1. and signifies as much as abiding or continuing and is opposed to overthrow as the wicked are overthrown and are not But the house of the righteous shall stand to wit continue or remain Prov. 12. 7. and so the counsel of the Lord that shall stand Prov. 19. 21. So here Christ had continued and did abide seeking their good At the door to wit the door of the heart Cant. 5. 2. Ps 24. 7 9. so it is said The Lord opened the heart of Lydia as a door is opened Acts 16. 14. at this door Christ stood that it might be opened to him as after That so also the door of the lips might be opened Ps 141. 3. Micah 7. 5. for with the heart Man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation Rom. 10. 9 10. And knock to wit with earnestness and importunity call and solicite as it were knocking is an high and further degree than asking or seeking and denotes the earnestness of the action and agent Mat. 7. 7. Luke 11. 9. and he knocks with his voice as it is said It is the voice of my beloved that knocketh to wit calls loudly and earnestly upon and unto me Cant. 5 2. Now here we may note 1. That when persons have high conceits of themselves it occasions them to shut out Christ to shut the door of the heart against him and sit loose from him when God's people said they were Lords then they also said we will come no more unto thee then they forsook the fountain of living waters and hewed them out cisterns broken cisterns that could hold no water Jer. 2. 12 13 31. Then like Jerusalem of old they trust in their own beauty and play the harlot trecherously departing from the Lord as a wife from her husband and receiving some other into the bed of love and shut the door against him Ezek. 16 9 15-16 and it is probable such an evil was found with the spouse upon the account of her too delightfully viewing and too much taking notice of and pleased with the fruits she had brought forth for after she had been saying Let my beloved come into his garden and eat hiâ— pleasant fruits And Christ saith I am come into my garden my sister my spouse I have gathered my myrrh with my spice c. then she presenly disposes her self to a sleeping posture and shuts the door upon him Cant. 4. 16. and ch 5. 1 2. Take we heed then of thinking unsoberly of any thing we have received brought â—orth or done Rom. 12. 3. and ch 11. 20. Ps 30. 6. 2. We may here observe and take notice of the wonderful and admirable graciousness of Christ to such as shut the door against him as to all the Churches that were faulty Rev. 2. 4 5. and ch 3. 3. here he stirs them up and awakes them and even saith Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead Eph. 5. 12 14. Because he is not willing they should perish Mat. 18 11. he seeks for entrance again and when they go astray like lost sheep he seeks them up again and is restoring their Souls Ps 23. 3. and 119. 176. and rowzes not calls softly as if he mattered not whether he were heard or no but knocks and makes a loud noise Loe he
creâ—â—es darkness he makes peace and creates evil He the Lord doth all these things Isa 45. 7. as he saith Shall there be evil in the city and the Lord hath not done it Amos 3. 6. Verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth Psal 58. 9 11. Amos 4. 6 12. though he tempteth no man to what is sinfully evil nor can he be tempted therewith He is not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness Jam. 1. 13 14. Psal 5. 4 6. yet he is the orderer of all afflictions and judgments not only of those which come more immediately from his own hand 1 Cor. 11. 29 32. but of such also as wherein Satan and evil men may be instruments so when by Gods permission Satan inflicted many evils upon Job and stirred up the Sabeaâ—s and Caldeans to fall upon and take away his substance and slay his servants with the edg of the sword c. yet Job saith The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away blessed be the name of the Lord. And the Holy Ghost addeth In all this Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly Job 1. 12 22. And when again by Gods permission Satan smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown he saith to his wife What shall we receive good at the band of God and shall we not receive evil unto which also is immediately subjoined In all this Job did not sin with his lips Job 2. 7 10. and chap. 10. 2 3. Isa 10. 5 6. 2 Cor. 12. 7. And therefore 2. All lightnings and thunderings all afflictions and evils of judgment and punishment proceeding out of the throne they are ordered to us in righteousness He sitteth in the throne judging in righteousness Psal 9. 4. In righteousness he doth judg and make war Rev. 19. 11. When clouds and darkness are round about him righteousness and judgment are the habitation or establishment of his throne Psal 97. 2. and 89. 14. He is excellent in judgment and in plenty of juâ—tice Job 37. 23. Psal 7. 12. Hence it is said by the Angel of the waters Thou art righteoâ—s O Lord which art and wast and shalt be because thou hast judged thus And another Angel out of the altar said Even so Lord God Almighty true and righteous are thy judgments Rev. 16. 5 7. and chap. 19. 2. And this being considered may instruct us always to ascribe righteousness to our Maker Job 36. 3. as the Prophet doth when he had been severely judging his people O Lord righteousness belongeth unto thee but unto us confusion of faces c. Dan. 9. 7 14. and to the same purpose that good man speaketh saying Howbeit thou art just in all thou hast brougâ—t upon us for thou hast done right but we have done wickedly Neh. 9. 32 33. It 's not meet for us to endeavour to disannul his judgment or to condemn him that we may be righteous Job 40. 8. though indeed to the end we may ascribe righteousness to him it is needful we humble our souls and suffer pride to be hidden from us as it is said of the Princes of Israel and the King They â—umbled themselves and said The Lord is righteous 2 Chron. 12. 6 7. and the consideration hereof may also engage us to search and try our ways and turn unto him Lam. 3. 37 40. To judg our selves and take shame to our selves and to acknowledg we have righteously deserved whatsoever is inflicted on us or further threatned to us and if we would judg our selves we should not be further judged 1 Cor. 11. 31. and to turn from our iniquities that we may understand his truth Daâ— 9. 13 14. for that is his end in all the ordering of his judgments and cloudy and dark days unto us and therefore at such a time he exhorts to turn unto him with all the heart which we cannot do unless we turn from the things that are reproved and put away our abominations out of his sight Joel 2. 2 12 13. with Jer. 4. 1. and Acts 26. 18. and this being minded also would take us off from fretting our selves against instruments and help us to cease from anger and forsake wrath and not fret our selves in any wise to do evil Psal 37. 7 8. but in patience to possess our souls Thus it is recorded of David how that when he was in great affliction and Sâ—imei helped forward his affliction greatly whereby some of Davids followers were so provoked to anger that they would have taken off his head this now quieted the heart of that holy man and kept him from fretting himself in any wise to do evil That this affliction was ordered to him by him that sits on the throne So let him curse saith he because the Lord hath said unto him Curse David c. 2 Sam. 16. 7 10 12. He was dumb and opened not his mouth because the Lord did it Psal 39. 9. and the consideration hereof also may provoke us to lift up our hearts with our hands to God in the heavens in a day of darkness and gloominess in a tempestuous day To whom should a people seek but to their God Lam. 3. 37 41. to which purpose is that exhortation Come let us return unto the Lord for he hath torn and â—e will heal he hath smitten and he will bind us up Hos 5. 14 15. and chap. 6. 1 2. Isa 8. 20. Thus it is good to demean our selves in every day of affliction and wrath though here directly he speaks of such judgments and testimonies of displeasure as come more immediately from him that sits on the throne Psal 97. 4 7. 3. They proceed out of the throne about which is the rain-bow Let that be remembred by us so as in all he will ever be mindful of his Covenant his Covenant of Mercy And so we may learn that the Lord is not only righteous in all his ways but also merciful and gracious in all his works Psal 145. 8 9 17. And is and will be nigh unto all them â—hat call upon him to all that call upon him in truth He will fulfil the desâ—re of them that fear him he also will hear their cry and will save them He will answer them in the secret place of thunder Psal 145. 18 19. with Psal 81. 7. He hath given his Son fâ—r a Covenant of the people to establish the earth and through him and for his sakâ— while it is called to day he is good to all loving to every man even in all the storms he is ordering even while they are joyned to all the living for the bow was a token of the Covenant between him and every living creature Gen. 9. 12 16. Joâ— 33. 14. 30. And his mercy is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him and his righteoâ—sness upon childrens children to such as keep his Covenant and to those that remember his commandments to do them the Lord hath prepared his thronâ— in the Heavens
the whole earth Zach 4 10. And these seven Eyes which are the seven Spirits of God are sent forth 1. In general to discern all things and discover them unto him what is done here below Though he dwelleth on high yet he humbleth himself to behold not only the things that are in Heaven but the things that are in the Earth also Psal 113. 4 6. His Eyes behold his Eye-lids try the Children of Men Psal 11. 4. The Eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good Prov. 15. 3. And these Eyes of his even the seven Spirits of God do as it were return an account to him of what is done here below like that Zach. 1. 9-11 that he may order the Government of God over the World graciously and righteously Psal 139. 7 8-12 He is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened to the Eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4. 12. 14. Job 34. 21. Jer. 32. 19. 2. To enlighten the eyes of them that dwell therein To this end God hath put his Spirit upon Christ and he that giveth breath unto the people that are upon the earth giveth spirit also to them that walk therein Isa 42. 1-5-7 He is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world John 1. 9. And especially he doth open their eyes who have the Gospel plainly and faithfully preached to them The Spirit of the Lord is upon Christ because he hath anointed him to preach the Gospel to the poor to preach recovering of sight to the blind Luke 4. 18. To open their eyes even the eyes of Jews and Gentiles and to turn them from darkness to light c. Acts 26. 18-23 The poor and deceitful man meet both together herein the LORD lighteneth both their eyes Prov. 29. 13. Psal 146. 8. And to them that turn at his whol some reproofs he will pour out his spirit unto them and make known his words unto them Prov. 1. 23. And they shall know more and more abundantly who thus follow on to know the LORD to wit â—n returning unto him continually from all their iniquities and vanities Hosea 5. 15. and chap. 6. 1-3 Dan. 9. 13. Matth. 13. 11 12. Dan. 2. 2 22. 3. To be with assist and bless them that heartily believe in and follow him The Eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth strongly to hold with them whose heart is perfect towards him 2 Chron. 16. 9. Job 36. 7. And as it is said concerning the Land of Canaan the same may be applied to the people whom the LORD hath chosen for his own inheritance They are a people for whom the LORD their GOD careth the Eyes of the LORD their GOD are alwayes upon them from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year Deut. 11. 12. To Watch for their good Psal 34. 12-15 To behold their troubles afflictions and exercises and to keep them from evil and seasonably to deliver them Psal 102. title and ver 18 19. Exod. 3. 7. And however he permits or orders it to the outward man yet behold the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him upon them that hope in his mercy to deliver their soul from death Psal 33. 18 19. Zach. 12. 4. Such shall certainly find Grace in his eyes at all times and in every condition Gen. 6. 8. 4. And these seven eyes of his to wiâ— the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth do behold the evil also and what their evil projects designs and actions are how deeply soever they dig to hide their counsels and actions from him Though they say God hath forgotten he hideth his Face he will never see yet herein they speak falsly for he doth see he beholdeth mischief and spite to require it with his hand Psal 10. 11-14 15. and 94. 5-8 Though they endeavour to hide themselves never so closely yet he will set his Eyes upon them that rebell against him for evil and not for good Amos 9. 1-4 8. He rules by his power for ever his eyes behold the nations let not the rebels exalt themselves Psal 66. 7. and Psal 139. Verse 7. And he came and took the Book out of the right hand of him that sate upon the throne We have seen before that when Proclamation was made by that strong Angel ver 2. None in Heaven nor in Earth neither under the Earth no meer Creature was able or worthy to open the Book neither to look thereon ver 3. which occasâ—oned the Apostle John to weep or lament much ver 4. whereupon an elder was sent to speak good and comfortable words to him telling him The Lion of the tribe of Judah c. had obtained power to open it and to loose the Seal thereof ver 5. And he beheld this most excellent and glorious one ver 6. And now the Apostle acquaints us with what he farther saw and that as the elder had foretold and according to that visional appearance ver 6. so here was some performance c. And he came to wit unto him that sate upon the throne somewhat like unto that spoken by the Prophet Daniel concerning him I saw in the night Visions and behold one like the Son of man came to the ancient of days Dan. 7. 13. He who had formerly come down from Heaven not to do his own will but the will of him that sent him even to lay down his life and give himself for our sins John 3. 13. and chap. 6. 38 41. with Gal. 1. 4. When he had finished that work which the Father gave him to do on earth he then left the world and went unto his Father again John 13. 3. and chap. 16. 28. and 17. 11 13. To receive all power from him and with him And took the Book out of the right hand of him that sate upon the throne Took it not to eat it as Rev. 10. 8-18 I mean not to prophesie as formerly in his personal ministration but he took it to open it to John that by him it might be shewed to Christs Servants more generally as afterwards also he did open it as chap. 6 c. He received power to reveal and make known the things contained in this Book and this upon the account of his having humbled himself to death the death of the Cross and to execute the things in this Book which was sealed with seven Seals Now in this seventh verse we may note for our usefulness 1. As this verse may refer to ver 5. where the Elder saith The Lion of the tribe of Judah hath prevailed to open the Book c. and accordingly he now came That he doth and will confirm the word of his Servants and perform the counsel of his messengers as Isa 44. 26. Though his messengers cannot perform his
comes to pass that the Saints sacrifices of prayers and praises are so acceptable and sweet in the nostrils of God not because of the absolute perfection of them but because they are sanctified by the Spirit and full of and perfumed with the incense of the Intercession of Jesus Christ Isa 56. 7. Heb. 4. 14-16 Vers 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 unto God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation In this Verse we have to consider and speak unto 1. The act or exercise of these Holy Ones And they sung a new song 2. The subject-matter of this new song Wherein we have to considâ—r 1. Their Doxology or ascribing praise and glory to the Lamb saying Thou art worthy to take the Book and to open the seals thereof 2. The Reason or Reasons of his worthiness to do these things and to have this glory ascribed and rendred to him by-them For thou wast â—lain and hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation 1. The act or exercise of these Holy Ones with their Harps c. And they sung a new song Where let us a little consider 1. The persons that sung 2. Their act or exercise it self 1. The persons that sung they the four living creatures and four and twenty Elders ver 8. or the Saints ver 8. These were the Harpers these the Singers here spoken of even the holy and righteous Ones and they are oft called on to sing unto the Lord and give thanks unto him Psal 30. 4. and 32. 11. and 33. 1 2 3. and 149. 1 2 3. Indeed men generally are called upon to sing unto the Lord as it is said Sing unto the Lord all the earth 1 Câ—ron 16. 23. Make a joyful noise unto God all ye Lands sing forth the honour of his name make his praise glorious Psal 66. 1 2. and 68. 32. and 96. 1 2. and 98. 1-4 5. and Psal 100. 1 2. But how can all men be called upon to sing or how can they meetly do it who believe not the Argument of the Song To which I say 1. There is good reason and cause for all so to do because Christ hath died for all yea rather is risen again 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son c. for God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved John 3. 16 17. and chap. 4. 42. And Christ hath given his flesh for the life of the world and given himself a ransom for all John 6. 51. 1 Tim. 2. 4-6 In which the goodness of the Lord is manifested the love pity and kindness of him that â—its upon the throne and of the Lamb that he is good unto all and loving unto every man and hence all are called upon to come before his presence with singing Tit. 3. 4. Heb. 2. 9. Psal 100. 1 2 3 5. and 145. 8 9 1 Chron. 16. 23 24. Psal 113. 1 2 3. 2. In due time this is made known to all as they come to years of discretion in some measure I mean that the Lord is good to all Psal 50. 1. Prov. 8. 1-4-6 Rom. 1. 19 21. Christ is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into â—he world John 1. 9. and 8. 12. And especially he is discovering his grace and love to all that have the Scriptures amongst them and the Gospel preached to them that all might hear so as it may be said Have they not heard yes verily Rom. 10. 18 19. John 5. 25. Jam. 1. 19. And usually when they are called upon to sing praise unto the Lord the reason and reasons why they should so do are propounded therewith as Psal 47. 1-5 6. and 68. 4. 10 11 18-20-32 and 96. 1-10 and 98. 1-4 5. 3. Herewith God is giving his saving-grace that all might hear believe and sing praise and it is wholly their own fault if they do not these things The grace of God saving or that bringeth salvation to all men hath appeared Tit. 2. 11. The â—our now is when the dead in sins and trespasses â—ear the voice of the Son of God that they might hear in hearing and live John 5. 25. and 1. 6 7. and chap. 6. 27 29 32 33 49 50. Rom. 8. 6 8-13-17 and therefore all may be called upon to praise the Lord for his goodness c. Psal 107. 8-15-21-31 But yet especially and most frequently the Saints and righteous ones are called upon excited and exhorted so to do because 1. They not only may but do know the joyful â—ound and so the good cause and reason why they should sing forth the honour of his name 1 John 5. 20. that the soul be without knowledg it is not good Prov. 19. 2. and God hath no pleasure in fools in such as so remain though he hath pity towards them Eccles 5. 1-4 and 7 5. But the Saints have an understanding they know and believe the love wherewith God hath loved them and all men in sending his Son the Saviour of the world 1 John 4. 14 -16 And therefore they especially are called upon to sing praises as it is said Sing ye praises with understanding or every one that hath understanding Psal 47. 5 6. 7. and 89. 15 16. 1 Cor. 14. 15. 2. And thorow the knowledg and belief of God's Testimony they are made in Christ and he is theirs 1 Cor. 1. 30 31. and 3. 23. they have tasted that the Lord is gracious 1 Pet. 2. 3. and are filled with joy and peace in believing they rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory c. 1 Pet. 1. 8 9 10. though all the days of their afflictions are evil yet they have a merry heart and so a continual feast Prov. 15. 13 15. and is any man merry let him sing Psalms Jam. 5. 13. Blessed are the people that know the joyful â—ound they shall walk O Lord in the light of thy countenancâ— in thy name they shall rejoyce all the day c. Psal 89. 15 17. and 132. 9 16. and 30. 4 5. Hab. 3. 16-19 3. It is a becoming decent thing for them to sing praise as it is said Rejoyce in the Lord O ye righteous for praise is comely for the upright Prâ—ise the Lord with the Harp sing unto him a new song play skilfully with a loud noise Psal 33. 1 3. It 's not comely for â—thers so to do who wilfully abide in their ignorance and disobedience unto the wicked God â—aith What hast thou to do to declare my statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy mouth seeing thou hatest instruction c. But whâ—so offereth praise saith the Lord glorifieth me and to him that disposeth his way will I shew the salvation
Ascension c. And he bare witness Of all things which he saw Not only with Bodily Eyes though of that also he bare witness as of the things that were done to Christ by the Souldiers Joh. 19. 22 25. and of his being raised of which he was an Eye-witness also 1 Joh. 1. 1. and of divers of his Miracles Joh. 20. 30 31. But which he saw likewise with the Eyes of his Understanding Eph. 1. 18. and indeed summarily this expression All things which he saw contains all he bare witness of Ps 131. 1 2. He did not intrude into things he had not seen as those do who are vainly puft up with their fleshly mind and who hold not the Head Col. 2. 18 19. He did not boast of things without his measure of other mens labours or sight 2 Cor. 10. 13 15. But saith he That which we have heard which we have seen with our Eyes which we have looked upon and our hands have handled of the Word of Life That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you 1 Joh. 1. 1 3. And we have seen and do testifie that the Father sent the Son the Saviour of the World Of the World the whole World distinct from Believers Of the World that lieth in Wickedness 1 Joh. 4. 13 14. with Ch. 2. 2. and Ch. 5. 19. So Ananias saith to Saul Thou shalt be Christ's Witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard Acts 22. 14 15. Yea to the same purpose Christ speaketh to him and saith I have appeared to thee to make thee a Minister and a Witness both of these things which thou hast seen and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee Act. 26. 16. Oh thaâ— we may be imitaters of the Apostle John herein and think and act soberly according to the measure of the knowledge and proportion of Faith given to us Now this account may be given to us of what he bare witness before this Book was shewed to him to wit Of the Word of God c. Not only to shew the excellency of his exercise and service and wherein he was Christ's Servant v. 1. and to declare unto us his faithfulness but also to direct us that before we may have the usefulness of and acquaintance with the things contained in this Revelation of Jesus Christ we should first always give diligent heed unto and heartily believe and keep in believing remembrance those things he bare witness unto before these Visions and Revelations of the Lord were vouchsafed to him Namely the first great and fundamental things of Gods Law and Doctrine the word of the beginning of Christ which is the Foundation of all gracious and Spiritual Operations and of all Doctrines Heb. 6. 1 2. they who are unacquainted with or let slip those first things cannot understand these things which are mysterious deep and hard to be understood Heb. 5. 11 14. Luk. 8. 1. 10. Joh. 3. 12. 2. How did he bear witness of the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus Christ and of all things which he saw He did bear witness thereof 1. By his verbal preaching of these great things of God's Law he did believe them with his Heart and so set to his Seal that God is true in his Testimony of his Son Joh. 3. 33. and did make Confession of them with his mouth to the Salvation of himself and others that heard him Rom. 10. 8 10. with 1 Tim. 4. 16. He that saw these things bare record and his record is true and he knoweth that he saith true that we might believe Joh. 19. 35. Thus our Saviour when raised from the Dead after he had opened the Scriptures to his Disciples and opened their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures he then informes them that they must be his witnesses to bear witness of the great Contents of the Gospel to wit of Christ's Death and Resurrection c. And how they must bear witness and record of these things namely by going into all the World and preaching the Gospel to every Creature of all the Nations He said unto them Thus it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the Dead the third day and that Repentance and Remission of Sins should be preached in his name unto all Nations beginning at Jerusalem And ye are witnesses of these things Luk. 24. 32 44 47 48. with Mark 16. 15. And this preaching of the Cross though it be to them that perish foolishness yet it is an excellent way of witnessing unto Christ when it is without excellency of Speech or of Wisdom It is the Power of God 1 Cor. 1. 17 18 23 24. Rom. 1. 15 16. And by using and delivering the Ordinances of Christ 2. And he bare witness of the Word of God c. by writing also after the Holy Ghost was poured down from on high upon the Apostles which is a blessed and sanctified means for dispersing the knowledge of these excellent things to such as he was not personally withall and for perpetuating them and conveying them to such as were then unborn or uncapable of knowing them as we may further see on Verse 11. This way also even by writing He bare record These are written saith he that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his name Joh. 19. 35. with Chap. 20 30 31. This is the Disciple which testifieth of these things and wrote these things and we know that his Testimony both ways is true Joh. 21. 24. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you And these things write we unto you that your joy may be full 1 Joh. 1. 1 3 4. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal life c. 1 Joh. 5. 13. with Chap. 4. 13. 14. 3. And he bare witness of them by a patient enduring Afflictions and Persecutions for the Word of Christ as he saith in Verse 9. I John who am your Companion in Tribulation was in the Isle which is called Patmos for the word of God and for the Testimony of Jesus Christ He was a faithful Martyr or witness by partaking of and taking patiently the Afflictions of the Gospel So Paul also bare witness of Christ and his Testimony by a patient enduring the Persecutions and Tribulations he met withal both from the people and Gentiles as is signified to us by what Christ said to him The Lord stood by him and said Be of good chear Paul for as thou hast testified of me at Jerusalem so must thou bear witness also at Rome Acts 13. 11. And herein John was an imitater of our Lord Jesus who witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate and therein hath he left us an Example that we should follow his steps 1 Tim. 6. 16. with 1 Pet. 2. 20 21 23.
Jesus 2 Pet. 1. 10 11. Now here we may observe for our Instruction 1. That Believers may be in tribulation and in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ together their being now in his Kingdom doth not exempt them from tribulation though such shall be kept from evil nor doth their suffering Tribulation the Tribulation of Christ exclude them his Kingdom But of such Sufferers we may say Behold we count them happy that endure Jam. 5. 11. when our Saviour saith Blessed are ye Poor for your's is the Kingdom of God he presently adds Blessed are ye when men shall hate you and when they shall separate you and shall reproach you and cast out your names as evil for the Son of man's sake Rejoyce ye in that day and leap for Joy for behold your reward is great in Heaven Luke 6. 20 23. Men may receive the Word in much Affliction and yet with Joy of the Holy Ghost which is one of those things in which the Kingdom consists 1 Thes 1. 6. with Rom. 14. 17. Ps 91. 1 4. 2. Those that believe are Brethren in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and here they may rejoyce together they are called in one hope of their calling and Heirs of the Kingdom which God hath promised to them that love him though they are the Poor of this World Eph. 4. 4. Jam. 2. 1 5. Though they are poor here and destitute of the things appertaining to the Kingdom of this World yea and in Tribulation also yet they are Joynt-heirs with Christ Here the Rich and the Poor meet together 3. Those that are within this Kingdom may have and are in a capacity to have Mysteries opened to them to some more to some less according to his good pleasure but to them that are without without the Kingdom these things are in Parables Mark 4. 11. 4. The Kingdom they are Brethren and Companions in is the Kingdom of Jesus Christ that which Christ hath obtained for them and is the King of They are beholden to Christ for it that no Flesh might glory in his presence or be puffed up one above another 2 Pet. 1. 11. 3. And patience of Jesus Christ This is the third particular in which he was their Brother and Companion Where consider we also 1. What is this patience of Jesus Christ here spoken of 2. Why is it called the patience of Jesus Christ 1. What is this patience of Jesus Christ here spoken of 1. It is a patient continuance in well doing enduring therein even to the end and not being weary or fainting in our minds Rom. 2. 7. Gal. 6. 9. receiving the Word of the Kingdom and bringing forth fruits with Patience with Perseverance Luke 8. 15. Those that are thus patient are distinguished from and preferred before such as begin well but are afterwards weary letted or driven back by any means Gal. 3. 3. and ch 5. 7. Luke 8. 13 14. with v. 15. And so also it is a patient continuance in holding forth the profession of the Faith without wavering Heb. 10. 23 25. Holding forth the Word of life and therein seeking the good of and being patient towards all Men in so doing Phil. 2. 16. Rev. 2. 3. 2 Tim. 2. 23 24. The Servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men apt to teach patient in meekness instructing them that oppose themselves 1 Thes 5. 14. And especially seeking the good of them that are of the Houshold of Faith Rom. 15. 1 5. Gal. 6. 9 10. And continuing in prayer watching thereunto and therein with all perseverance praying always and not fainting or being out-evill'd Luk 18. 1. Eph. 6. 18. Col. 4. 2. And in opposing such as are gain-sayers to the truth striving for the saith of the Gospel and in nothing terrified by its Adversaries Phil. 1. 27 28. Rev. 2. 2. 2. This patience is also to be exercised in a meek and quiet induring tribulations and afflictions thus when our Saviour acquaints his disciples what hard usage they shoud meet with in the World he thus exhorts them In your patience possess ye your souls Luke 21. 16. 18. and the Apostle Paul exhorts Be patient in tribulation Rom. 12. 12. and gloried in the Thessalonians in the Churches of God for their patience in all their persecutions and tribulations which they endured 2 Thes 1. 4. Jam. 5. 10. which patience is not an insensibleness of the affliction or being like a stock or a stone for this is blockishness or stupidity rather then patience and no vertue but a vice like that reproved they cry out when he bindeth them Joh. 36. 13. thou hast stricken them but they have not grieved Jer. 5. 3. who was so patient as our Lord Jesus Ps 40. 1. and yet he was sensible of his afflictions Ps 22. 1 2. he offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears Heb. 5. 7. but this patience is opposed to pride Eccl. 7. 8. and to fretting and striving Ps 27. 7 8. 2 Tim. 2. 23 24 and so it is to be exercised towards God in an humble and meek bearing his Hand and not hastening deliverance from under it out of his way 1 Pet. 5. 5 6. and towards men in not fretting against them in our hearts Ps 37. 1 7. nor reviling them or rendring railing for railing 1 Pet. 2. 20 22. and much less resisting their evil with force and violence for all that thus take the Sword shall perish by the sword Rev. 13. 9 10. and ch 14. 12. thus Patience is to be exercised in induring tribulation Jam. 1. 2 3 4. Heb. 10. 36. 3. And this patience of Jesus doth also consist in a waiting for the Lord for his teaching direction consolation and salvation as the Psalmist instructs rest in the LORD and wait patiently for him Ps 37. 7. and which the Prophet commends to us in saying It is good that a Man should both hope and quietly wait for the Salvation of the LORD Lam. 3. 26. and so to wait for the Lord from Heaven 1 Thes 1. 10. Even as the Husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth and hath long patience for it Jam. 5. 7 8. Rom. 8. 25. not taking up short in any thing here but expecting and looking for him till he cometh that when he appeareth we may say Loe this is our God we have waited for him and he will save us This is the LORD we have waited for him we will be glad and rejoyce in his Salvation Isay 25. 9. Phil. 3. 20 21. and Blessed are all they that wait for him Isay 30. 18. 2. Why is this called the patience of Jesus Christ 1. Because it is such-like patience as he exercised while he was here he continued in well-doing he went up and down doing good Acts 10. 38. It was his meat and drink to do the will of him that sent him and to finish his work John 4. 34. I must work the works of him that sent me while it is
he being made to us Wisdom and Righteousness and Holiness and Redemption we may according as it is written glory always and all of us in the Lord and triumph in Christ Jesus against all charges and condemnations and against all our fears discouragements and unworthinesses 1 Cor. 1. 29 30 31. 2 Cor. 2. 14. And girt about the Paps with a Golden Girdle The High-priest in former times when he put on and wore his Garments for Beauty and Glory had also and was girded with the curious Girdle of Ephod which was made of Gold c. And herein it did differ from the other Priests Girdles and from the High-priests other Girdle Lev. 16. 4. Exod. 28. 4 8. And the use of this Girdle was to bind all together and make them sure that the names of the Children of Israel might be presented upon the Shoulders of the Ephod before the LORD and to gird the Brest-plate upon his Brest that the names of the Children of Israel might lye near to his heart and to bear their Judgment c. The use of it is expressed Moses put upon Aaron the Coat and girded him with the Girdle and clothed him with the Robe and put the Ephod upon him and he girded him with the curious Girdle of the Ephod and bound it unto him therewith Lev. 8. 7. Exod. 29. 5. So our High-priest is girded also with a curious Girdle with fine Gold of Vphaz Dan. 10. 5. And this signifieth to us his Righteousness and Faithfulness according to that Righteousness shall be the Girdle of his Loyns and Faithfulness the Girdle of his Reins Isay 11. 1 5. And as a Girdle was for Ornament in former times when it was made of rich and curious matter thus when God declares the comeliness he put upon Jerusalem this was part of it that he girded her about Ezek 16. 10. Thus when he speaketh of the lovers of Jerusalem and that which rendred them desirable of her and comely in her Eye amongst other things he saith they were girded with Girdles upon their Loins Ezek. 23. 12 15. Isay 3. 24. And thus also the High-priest's Girdle in our Types was for Beauty and Glory Exod. 28. 2 4. So the Righteousness and Faithfulness of the Son of Man is the curious Girdle where with he is girded adorned and beautified Isay 61. 10. He is thereby beautiful and glorious in the Eyes of the LORD He was faithful and loved Righteousness and hated Iniquity therefore God his God hath anointed him with the Oyl of gladness above his Fellows because he loved Righteousness and hated Iniquity more than his Fellows Heb. 1. 8 9. with Exod. 29. 5 7. Isay 49. 3 4 5. Of him God saith my righteous Servant when he speaketh of his great sorrows and sufferings which he endured and abasement whereto he was abased for us according to the will and commandment of his Father Isay 53. 1 5 10 11. And on this account he is glorious and beautiful in himself and to them that believe the Testimony of Jesus he is precious 1 Pet. 2 6 7. And they are instructed to consider the High-priest of their Profession who was faithful to him that appointed him even unto the Death who was not rebellious neither turned away back but for the Joy set before him endured the Cross despising the shame c. And who will therefore be undoubtedly faithful for the future Heb. 3. 1 2. Isay 40. 5 10. Heb. 12. 2. Moses verily was faithful as a Servant but Christ who was faithful to him that appointed him will still be so as a Son over his own house Heb. 3. 1 6. Their Advocate with the Father is Jesus Christ the righteous 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. One who will appear on their behalf plead and maintain their cause their righteous cause Ps 140. 12. with Righteousness shall he judge the Poor and reprove with Equity for the meek of the Earth Isay 11. 4 5. He is one who hath compleated and brought in everlasting Righteousness in being delivered for our offences and in his Resurrection c. And is and will be true and faithful to the interest of his Churches in whatsoever appertaineth to him or concerneth him to do In what he hath suffered and undergone he is the faithful and true Witness of his everlasting faithfulness to his Candlesticks and People Rev. 1. 5. And ch 3. 14. and sendeth this to all the Churches and would that every one that hath an ear should hear this That he who hath the Key of the house of David is he that is holy he that is true Rev. 3. 7 10 13. with this girdle of Righteousness and faithfulness his raiment is girded and made sure and stedfast so as he will not fail so as he will not fail to bear them up and present his Israel's Names and Persons upon his shoulders to his Father and present them in his righteousness righteous as he righteous 1 Joh. 3. 7. and he will gird them close to his heart and bear their names upon it in delightful and Cordial love he will set and preserve them as a seal upon his heart and will bear their judgment and be a perfect light unto them in their darkness that look unto him Micha 7. 8 9. and will bear and take away their iniquities in all their holy things he ever liveth to this purpose and for their sakes he sanctifieth himself that they may be sanctified Heb. 7. 25. Joh. 17. 18. yea he will performe all things for them and perfect whatever concerneth them Ps 138. 8. he is â—aithful who will confirm them unto the end that they may be blameless in his day 1 Cor. 8. 2. he is true to them yea he is the truth it self and is girded with truth as with a girdle Eph. 6. 14. And he is girt about the Paps with this Golden Girdle To signify to us that he is and will be faithful to them in giving to them and nourishing them with the sincere Milk of the Word that they may grow thereby that they may grow in grace and in the knowledge of himself and in all Heavenly and Divine vertues he will faithfully nourish and cherish them And though a Woman may forget her sucking Child so as she hath not such compassion on the Son of her Womb as to draw out the Brest to it yet he will not forget them that come unto and follow him his girdle of faithfulness is placed about his papps 1 Pet. 2. 2 3. Isay 49. 14. here they may and shall undoubtedly have Milk that encline their ear and come unto him without Money and without Price Isay 55. 1 2 3. And in all their tribulations and trialls he will faithfully comfort them with the milk of his consolations and they may suck and be satisfied with his brests as one whom his Mother comforteth so will he comfort them Isay 66. 10. 13. he will not leave them comfortless but as their tribulations and sufferings abound so also
Essence with the Father or else that is not truly affirmed by Solomon which were high Blasphemy to conceive and utter and lying against God for he spake as he was moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1. 20. with 1 Kings 9. 3. And so much also may be imported in this saying of the Son of God I am he which searcheth the Reins and Hearts As if he should say I am he that Jehovah spoken of of whom it is said I Jehovah search the Heart and try the Reins even to give unto every Man according to his ways c. For all the Prophets gave witness to me Jer. 17. 9 10. with Acts 10. 43. A convincing and concluding argument that Christ is the true GOD GOD by Nature yea by reason of the Personal and Hypostatical Union between the two natures in that one person He who is our mediator the Man Christ Jesus knoweth all things God hath given the Spirit unto him without measure and the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God Joh. 3. 34. and Rev. 5. 6. with 1 Cor. 2. 10. 2. The consideration hereof may instruct and provoke us to wash our Hearts from wickedness and not to suffer vain thoughts to lodge within us Jer. 4. 14. Not only to cleanse our Hands from Sin but our Hearts also from double-mindedness Jam. 4. 8. and not to content our selves with making a fair face in the flesh or with a blameless conversation before men though it is good to have an honest conversation amongst all Men according to the Instructions and Operations of the grace of God Tit. 2. 10 11 13. The Hypocrites in Heart may appear specious among Men while yet their Reins and Hearts may be very wicked as our Saviour saith to the Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites Ye appear righteous unto Men but within ye are full of Hypocrisie and iniquity Mat. 23. 25 28. And ye are they which justifie your selves before Men but God knoweth your hearts for that which is highly esteemed amongst Men is abomination in the sight of God Luke 16. 14 15. We may sit before him as his people and hear his words and delight therein and yet our hearts may go after our uncleanness or covetousness or idolatry Ezek. 33. 30 33. Jer. 22. 17. Men may speak fair and yet there may be seven abominations in their hearts Prov. 26. 24 25. But if it be so with us he perfectly knoweth it He seeth not as man seeth for Man looketh upon the outward appearance but the Lord looketh â—n the Heart 1 Sam. 16. 7. Oh then let the word of Christ dwell richly in us hide we that in our hearts that we sin not against him Encline we our hearts to do his Statutes always that his Testimonies may be the rejoycing of our hearts Col. 3. 16. Ps 119. 11 80 111 112. Jer. 16. 15. Remember and consider he searcheth the Reins and Hearts If you have therefore any inward and secret lustings after divers and strange Doctrines doth not he know it If you are kept from outwardly hearing them and yet your Hearts itch after other Teachers or you inwardly turn aside to other Doctrines besides the Doctrine of Christ If you lust and covet after such Teachers and Instructions which cause to err though upon some by-respects you go not to their Assemblies nor hear them yet his Eyes are in every place and he is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Heb. 4. 12. Prov. 15. 3. and ch 6. 21 25. and ch 7. 3 25. If we forget the Name the Doctrine and Gospel of our God or stretch out our hands to another God shall not God search this out for he knoweth the secrets of the hearts Ps 44. 20 21. with Acts 9. 15 16. Oh so demean we our selves and keep we our hearts with all diligence as those that wisely consider he trieth our hearts and none can hide himself in secret places that he should not see him 1 Thes 2. 3 4. Job 31. 1 9. Jer. 23. 24. walk we before him and be we perfect Gen. 17. 1. 3. This might also instruct us to pray unto him that knoweth the hearts of all Men Acts 1. 24. to search us and know our hearts to try us and know our thoughts and to see if there be any wicked way in us and to lead us out of it into the way everlasting Ps 139. 1 23 24. And let us not be discouraged from thus doing because of his Omniscience and All-seeing eye But so let us call to mind and consider his wonderful and unspeakable loving-kindness manifested unto us in his abasement and sufferings that that may encourage us at all times and in all cases and conditions to commit our selves to him as it did the Prophet David Examine me O Lord saith he and prove me try my reins and mine heart but what emboldned him thus to pray unto God It followeth presently for thy loving kindness is before mine eyeâ— Ps 26. 2 3. He knows us better than we know our selves and hath more love for us than we have for our selves fear we not therefore to be searched into by him for he doth it for our good and profit that we might be made partakers of his holiness 1 Joh. 3. 20. 21. Ps 17. 1 2 3. Deut. 8. 2 16. 4. It may encourage the Believers if their heart condemn them not to appeal unto him who searcheth the hearts when they are â—landered and falâ—ly accused by Men as the holy Men of God have done in formâ—r times upon this account So David O Lord my God if I have done this thing if there be Iniquity in mine Hands If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me Let the Enemy persecute my Soul Judge me O Lord according to my Righteousness for the righteous God trieth the Hearts and Reins Ps 7. 1 11. and 17. 1 3. So Jeremiah but thou O Lord knowest me thou hast seen me and tried mine heart pull them out like Sheep for the slaughter Jer. 12. 1 3. and ch 15. 15 17. and ch 18. 20. Though yet it is not good for any to be hasty in desiring the woful day upon any Jer. 17. 16. and Ch. 18. 20. 5. The consideration of this that he searcheth the Reins and Hearts may encourage us also to hold fast the Faith and the Profession thereof without wavering as the Apostle saith All things are naked and opened unto the Eyes of him with whom we have to do seeing then that we have a great High-prist who is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our Profession Heb. 4. 13 14 16. In this we may be comforted and quieted that though we know not what the Devil and his Instruments are intending or devising yet the Son of God is perfect in knowledge Jer. 11. 18 20. In this the righteous comfort themselves when their Enemies did bend their Bows and make ready their Arrows upon the
string that they might privily shoot at the upright in Heart and were saying unto them If the Foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do The Lord say the upright is in his Holy Temple the Lords Throne is in Heaven his Eyes behold his Eye lids try the Children of Men Ps 11. 1 3 4. Jer. 18. 22 23. See the notes before on ch 1. v. 14. 2. All the Churches shall know that he searcheth the Reins and Hearts by the Judgments which he will execute on Seducers and Idolatrous-ones Now they shall know it in some measure The Lord is known by the Judgments he executeth the Wicked is insuared in the work of his own hands Ps 9. 6. His Judgments are as the light that goeth forth Hos 6. 5. And by his present Judgments he doth many times make himself known to be one that searcheth the Hearts and trieth the Reins in that he severely punisheth and testifies displeasure against such as appear outwardly to be right worshippers as Jezebel and her Paramours might do as it appeareth by this description he gives of himself and yet inwardly consult to cast him down from his excellency reject his sayings and worship some other God besides God in Christ or set up some stumbling-block of Iniquity before their Eyes or in their Hearts See Ezek. 13. 9 10. c. and ch 14. 3 8. to the end his people may not secretly pollute his name or confederate with such evil teachers or doers Ezek. 39. 6 7. nor listen to such false teachers Ezek. 14. 8 11. But wash their feet in the blood of the wicked Ps 58. 9 10. Acts 5. 1 14. and hereafter they shall fully know that he is he which searcheth the reins and hearts when the wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the nations that forget God Ps 9. 16 17. Then there will be the revelation of the righteous judgment of God he will then bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the heart Rom. 2. 5 6. 1 Cor. 4. 5. We have nextly to consider the impartiality of Christ in his retributions and rewards and I will give to every one of you according to his works Not only will I thus deal with Jezabel her companions and Children But I will give to every one of you according to your works as if Christ should say he will thus render unto every Man even according to his works The work of a Man will he render unto him and cause every Man to find according to his ways Job 34. 11. shall not he render to every Man according to his works Prov. 24. 12. Ezek. 7. 27. Ps 62. 12. Rom. 2. 6. But not only will he thus deal with every Man but also he will give to every one of and in his Churches according to their works 1. He will give to every one of the Angels of the Churches according to their works for all that is sent to the Churches is expressly directed to every Angel to be by him communicated to the Church Now he exactly takes notice of the works of those messengers of their doings who labour amongst and are over their Brethren in the Lord and he will render unto every one of them according thereto As the Apostle Paul saith of himself and his fellow-labourers We must all appear before the judgement-seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his Body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10. 2. And he will give to every one of them according to their deeds for he is one who without respect of persons judgeth according to every Man's work 1 Pet. 1. 17. he will impartially render to every one of these also for he is no respecter of persons nor taker of rewards to blind his eyes withal And he will give to every one of both the Angels and Churches according to their works be they good or evil and not according to their Persons or professions he will bring every work into judgment with every secret thing whether it be good or bad Eccles 12. 14. and according thereto he will reward them in the day of judgment That is unto those who have received and held fast Christ's works which he wrought for them and in them and in a patient continuance in well-doing have been seeking Glory and Honour and immortality he will render eternal life But unto them who have been contentious and have not obeyed the truth but obeyed unrighteousness he will render in dignation and wrath Tribulation and anguish upon every Soul of Man that doeth evil for there is no respect of Persons with him Rom. 2. 6 7 8 11. But thus he will render to every Man according as their works shall be Rev. 22. 12. and not according to what they now are unless he continue the same When a righteous Man turneth away from his righteousness and commits iniquity shall he live all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned in his trespass that he hath trespassed and in his sin that he hath â—inned in them shall he dye And if the wicked will turn away from all his sins and do that which is lawful and right he shall surely live he shâ—ll not dye All his transgressions that he hath committed they shall not be montioned unto him In his righteousness that he hath done he shall live Ezek. 18. 21 28. and ch 33. 12 19. Now from hence we may note for our instruction 1. That there shall be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust for this necessarily precedes the eternal judgment in which he will reward all men according to their deeds so we have an account given first of the resurrection and then it is said they were judged every Man according to their works Rev. 20. 11 13. Heb. 6. 2. All that are in their graves shall hear the voice of the Son of Man and shall come forth they that have done good to the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation Joh. 5. 27. 28 29 Acts 24. 15 16. 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. 2. That Then Christ will be the Judge he is ordâ—ined to be the judg of quick and dead Acts 10. 42. Every knee shall bow to him and every tongue shall confess to God So that every one shall give an account of himself to God Rom. 14. 9 10 12. Mat 25. 30 31. and then he will bring every work into judgmeâ—t Eccâ—s 12. 14. 3. He even Christ will then render to every one according to his works as our Saviour saith The Son of Man shall come in theâ— Glory of his Father with his Angels And then he will reward every Man according to his works Mat. 16. 27. And he will judge them according to the ruâ—e of the glorious Gospel Rom. 2. 16. Mark 16. 16. 4. Then it shall most â—â—â—arly appâ—ar thâ—â— he 〈◊〉 the
reins and hearts according to the scope of â—his pâ—ace â—er 32. â—â— Aâ—â— the end of seducers and of those that have been seduced and polluted by them shall be according to their works 2 Cor. 11. 15. and ch 5. 10. Verse 24 and Verse 25. But unto you I say and unto the rest in Thyatira as many as have not this Doctrine and which have not known the depths of Satan as they speak I will put upon you none other burden But that which ye have already hold fast till I come In these two verses our Saviour after he had declared how he would deal with Jezebel and her Paramours and Children and what effect these judgments he would execute upon them should have upon the Churches c. v. 20 23. here addresses himself to them who had kept themselves unspotted from their pollutions Wherein note in Generall That when Christ is angry with and threatens evil Men and seducers and such evil ones in his Churches as are polluted by them or have fellowship in any unfruitful work of darkness yet still he hath love for and speaks friendly and kindly unto those whose hearts are upright before him and â—ound in his testimonies he is not like unto us when some have displeased us we are apt to be angry with all but when he is angry with evil speakers and doers and though he gives a dreadful description of himself v. 18. yet he is still graciously affected towards and speaks gently and loveingly unto those who who keep themselves pure So it appears here in these two verses and in what follows presently so also in ch 3. 2 4. when he saith to the Angel and Church in Sardis generally I have not found thy works perfect before God And threateneth If thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee yet then presently he speaks to the hearts of such as were perfect before God Thou hast a few names which have not defiled their garments anâ— they shall walk with me in white for they are worthy so when he had been declaring the great iniquities and transgressions of his people in former times and threatning heavy judgments against them therefore yet then he chargeth his servants say unto the righteous that it shall be well with him for they shall eat the fruit of their doings Isay 2 and ch 3. 1 10. and when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah c. he remembred Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow Gen. 19. 29. 2 Pet. 2. 9. how might this therefore engage us so to receive his grace that bringeth salvation to all men that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we may live soberly righteously and godly in this present World considering in so doing he will receive us and will be a Father to us how angry soever he be with others 2 Cor. 6. 14 18. and how may it comfort those who are upright-hearted and strengthen them not to fear though the earth be moved and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea for God will be their refuge and strength and will never leave them nor forsake them however angry he be with or how much soever he threatneth and punisheth others amongst whom they live see notes on ch 3. v. 4. more particularly in these two verses we have to consider and speak unto these things 1. The persons unto whom he speaketh kindly 2. What he saith and speaketh unto these Persons 1. The Persons unto whom he now speaketh kindly And they are thus described to us by way of distinction from and opposition unto those fore-spoken of But unto you I say and unto the rest in Thyatira as many as have not this Doctrine and which have not known the depths of Satan as they speak Vnto you I say These persons are distinguished from those that follow and it appears that hereby are meant those that went before this Church their Ministers Bishops or overseers for in the beginning of every Epistle Christ directs himself to the Angel as we have said and seen before and though the word Angel be used in the singular number to denote the unity that ought to be in them in the faith of Christ and profession thereof yet there might be and it doth appear plainly by this expression there was more than one Minister over the Churches see notes on ch 1. v. 20. so when the Apostle writes to the Church of the Philippians at Philippi he thus directs it To all the Saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi with the Bishops c. As signifying to us they had more than one Bishop or overâ—eer over that Church Phil. 1. 1. and so it appears there were several in the Church of Ephesus Acts 20. 17. with v. 28. see also Tit. 1. 5. and so Servants in one Evangelist is Servant in another Mat. 22. 4. with Luke 14. 17. Ps 34. 7. it appears evidently enough in this place that there was more then on single person in each Church to watch over it as also where it is said when Paul and Barnabas had ordained them not one elder in every Church but elders in every Church c. Acts 14. 23. and so undoubtedly it appears there was more than one Elder in a Church by what the Apostle James saith Is an sick among you let him call for the elders of the Church and let them pray over him And unto the rest in Thyatira namely to the residue of the Believers in that Church who were not in such office as those before spoken of were Which have not this doctrine To wit of Jezabel that evil pernicious doctrine Some were preserved and kept themselves pure from her polluting and pernicious Doctrine while others were defiled therewith see the notes on ch 3. v. 4. so when the Apostle Paul saith The Spirit speaketh expresly that in the last days some will depart from the Faith giving heed to seducing Spirits c. 1 Tim. 4. 1. he signifieth to us that all the believers would not do so Some would not follow those strangers who came to remove them and did remove others from the grace of Christ unto another Gospel and these shall judge those that transgresâ— and abide not in the doctrine of Christ And he directeth Timothy and us all how we may be preserved from erroneous Spirits saying Take heed unto thy self and unto the doctrine continue in them for in doing this thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee 1 Tim. 4. 16. 2 Tim. 3. 13 14 15 16. 1 Joh. 2. 24 25 26. And which have not known the depths of Satan as they speak In this he giveth us to understand 1. That they had depths in their evil and abominable doctrines as they called them so they spake and boasted of mysterious things which they thought were not easily or readily understood by others they had cunningly devised fables and might
this word of Christ was and is to be held fast And that is here expressed to us till I come to wit until Christ comes either till he comes to them particularly to remove them out of the Land of the living Luke 12. 40. And so they should be faithful herein unto death as was the Apostle Paul 2 Tim. 4. 6 7 8. Heb. 11. 13. Rev. 3. 11. See the notes before on Verse 10. of this Chapter Or Vntil he come to wit to take to him his great power and reign according to that I give thee charge that thou keep the Commandment without spot unrebukeable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Tim. 6. 13 15. But how should they do so By constantly keeping it themselves until death and committing the same to others also that it may be preserved amongst them Ps 78. 3 4 6 7. 2 Tim. 2. 2 3. 2 Pet. 1. 12 15. Now in that he thus speaketh and saith unto them I will put upon you none other burden but that which ye have already hold fast till I come We may learn from hence 1. That in saying I will put none other burden upon you so he signifieth to us That he doth put a burden upon them that are his Faithful Disciples and Followers he doth put some weight or burden upon them that is to be born by them that which is grievous to the flesh and in and by which that is kept down that it cannot run whither it would or do what it pleaseth and best likes Mat. 11. 28 29. 2. In that he saith none other burden so he gives us to understand that he did not put that as a burden upon them that they should enquire into the seducers depths of Satan as they speak for that might be hurtful to them In former times God charged his people to take heed unto themselves that they were not snared by following after Idolaters And that they should not enquire after their Gods saying How did these Nations serve their God c. Deut. 12. 30 32. And we are commanded to go from the presence of a foolish man when once we perceive not in him the lip of knowledge Prov. 14. 7. and ch 19. 27 Many do much mistake and abuse that saying of the Apostle Try all things as if hereby liberty were given to them to hear all false teachers whatever whereby many become a prey unto Foxes and embrace and follow pernicious ways whereas the Apostle gives that exhortation not unto all but only to such as had received the Apostles word not as the word of men but as it is in truth the word of God which also wrought effectually in them 1 Thes 1. 3 6. and ch 2. 13. And again that exhortation of the Apostles gives none such undue liberty as too many take but it is to be considered by us as relating unto what goes before viz. despise not prophesying to wit such speakings of the word of Christ as are to edification and exhortation and comfort 1 Corinth 14. 1 3. And then adds try or prove all things c. Namely in those prophesyings we should not despise we are not to take all on trust which they say but to search the Scriptures whether the things delivered therein be so or no and hold fast what is good 1 Thes 5. 19 21. with Acts 17. 11 12. But this gives us no liberty to search into the depths of Satan or to be heaping to our selves teachers after our own lusts 2 Tim. 4. 3 4. It is a commendation of those upright ones in Thyatira both Teachers and those that were taught in this Verse 24. They have not known the depths of Satan as they speak And our Lord lays no such burden upon them as to seek after the knowledge thereof this is the Character Christ gives of his Sheep A Stranger will they not follow but will flee from him for they know not the Voice of Strangers all that ever came before me are Thieves and Robbers but the Sheep did not hear them Joh. 10. 4 5 8 27. Christ lays upon his sincere followers no other burden but to hold fast what they have He would not have them receive or listen unto any new Doctrine for the word of his grace is able to build them up and to give them an Inheritance among them that are sanctified Acts 20. 32. And the Apostle saith the anointing you have received of him to wit the things they had heard from the beginning abideth in you and ye need not that any Man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things c. 1 Joh. 2. 20 24 27. And the Apostle Paul saith though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed As we said before so say I now again If any Man preach any other Gospel to you then that ye have received let him be accursed Gal. 1. 6 8 9 10. 3. In that he saith I will put upon you none other burden but that which ye have already hold fast c. to wit the word and doctrine of Christ as hath been said So he gives us to understand that his Yoke is easie and his Burden is light Mat. 11. 29 30. It is not like that of which the Apostle saith neither we nor our Fathers were able to bear Acts 15. 10. Nor like to the Lawyers burdens or the Scribes and Pharisees who loaded men with burdens grievous to be born and themselves did not touch the burdens with one of their fingers Luke 11. 46. with Mat. 23. 4. Nor like the burden of Sin and Satan which however they seem sweet and easie to the Flesh yet they wound and break the heart and Spirit and expose men to the wrath of God both present and eternal Rom. 6. 21 23. and ch 5. 21. 2 Tim. 2. 26. Heb. 2. 15. But his burden is a sweet and easie one indeed to the heart and soul Mat. 11. 29. His Commandments are not grievous 1 Joh. 5. 3. His ways are ways of pleasantness and all his paths are peace Prov. 3. 16 17. his doctrine is a good doctrine his words are gratious Prov. 4. 2. Luke 4. 18 22. with Psal 45. 2. And his mouth hath spoken truth and wickedness is an abomination to his lips Prov. 8. 6 8. And his word is a powerful word Psal 29. 4. Luke 4. 32. The Gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth Rom. 1. 16. Thereby God is working in them both to will and to do of his good pleasure what he requires of them that they may do all things without murmurings and disputings Phil. 2. 12 15. And his words are the words of eternal life he that keepeth them shall never taste death but have eternal life Joh. 5. 24 25. and ch 6. 68. and ch 8. 51. 4. In that he saith hold that fast which ye have
to chuse the good and refuse the evil for of such is the Kingdome of Heaven as our Saviour saith Mat. 19. 13 14. Mark 10. 13 14. Luke 18. 15 16. Mat. 2. 16 18. with Jer. 31. 15 16 17. Gen. 17. 7 8 12 14. 2. We come next to consider and shew that it is possible that some Mens names may be blotted out of the Book of life And so indeed 1. Men's names may be blotted out of the general Book of life and are so if they continue in their ignorance of God or disobedience to his Gospel till the day of God's patience beat an end towards them So the Lord saith Whosoever hath sinned against me him will I blot out of my book Exod. 32. 33. And the Psalmist imprecates thus Let them be blotted out of the Book of the living and not be written with the righteous Ps 69. 28. For though he who descended into the lower parts of the earth who by the grace of God tasted death for every man be now ascended up on high and hath led captivity captive and received gifts for Men yea for the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them yet he will wound the head of his enemies and the hairy scalp of such an one as goes on still in his trespasses Ps 68. 18 21. his Spirit will not always strive with Men nor will he still hold open the door but will rise up and shut it and then there will be no more opening Gen. 6. 3. Luke 13. 25 26. This may therefore admonish us all to strive to enter in at the strait gate to seek the Lord while he may be found and call upon him while he is â—igh Luke 13. 24. Isay 55. 6 7. 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. Heb. 3. 7 8. 2 Pet. 3. 15. Eccles 9. 10. 2. Yea mens names may be blotted out of the special Book of life and out of the Holy City and our Saviour saith If any man shall take away from the words of the Book of this Prophesie God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life and out of the Holy City and from the things which are written in this Book Rev. 22. 19. If a Man abide not in Christ he is cast forth as a Branch and is withered and Men gather them and cast them into the Fire and they are burned Joh. 15. 6. And it 's in this place supposed that if those who had defiled their Garments or if those who had not defiled them did not overcome to the end their names should be blotted out for this is the peculiar blessedness of him that overcometh that his name shall not be blotted out to which after O let none of us then speak peace to our selves in any evil way though our names are written in the Book of life for they that forsake the Fountain of living waters shall be written in the Earth though formerly they were written in Heaven Jer. 17. 13. Deut. 29. 18 20 Ezek. 13. 9 10. 3. But this is the blessedness of him that overcometh whether of him that hath not let slip how he received and heard and so hath not defiled his Garments And of him that hath done so and yet is seasonably recovered their names shall never be blotted out of the Book of life but all happiness is assured to them as may be seen in ch 2. 7 11 17 26. and ch 3. 12 2â— and ch 21. 7. So far will he be from blotting out their names out of the Book of Life that he will hereafter gloriously write upon them the name of his God and the name of the City of his God new Jerusalem which cometh down out of Heaven from his God and his new name See notes after on Verse 12. How might the consideration hereof cause them to rejoyce because their names are written in Heaven Luke 10. 21. And still provoke them to fight the good fight of Faith to resist unto blood striving against sin Satan and the World and to that end to have and hold fast the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ for whatsoever is born of God overcometh the World and this is the victory that overcometh the World even our Faith who is he that overcometh the World but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God 1 Tim. 6. 12. Heb. 12. 4. 1 Joh. 5. 4 5. Eph. 6. 10 12 18. considering also what follows viz. 3. But I will confess his name before my Father and before his Angels Now herein is signified to us 1. That he that doth not overcome to the end Christ will not confess his name but he will deny him hereafter that in this day either thorow fear or flattery turned aside from the Faith or profession thereof As our Saviour saith whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father with his holy Angels Mark 8. 38. Luke 9. 22 26. whosoever shall deny him before Men him also will Christ deny before his Father which is in Heaven Mat. 10. 33. And before the Angels of God Luke 12. 9. he will deny them saying I know you not or I know not this or these Men or Man As Peter was said to deny his Master in saying I know him not compare Luke 22. 57. with ch 13. 24 28. this is a Faithful saying for if we be dead with him we shall also live with him But if we deny him he also will deny us 2 Tim. 2. 11 12. And Oh how sâ—d a thing will that be to be denied and disowned of the Lord of Glory in that day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God! Oh that it may be seriously and seasonably considered by us 2. But he will confess his name that overcometh whoever he be or whatever he hath been before his Father and before his Angels that is he will own them for his then manifestly he will publickly own them in that day Indeed now all his delight is in the Saints that are in the earth c. And he doth take up their names into his lips Ps 16. 3 4 he bears their names upon his heart and upon his arme and theâ—ein answers unto the highpriest's bearing the names of the Children of Israel in former times Exod. 28. But this is matter of faith to us But hereafter he will publickly and visibly own them and say they are mine and thus he will do before his Father and before his Angels Whosoever saith our Saviour shall confess me before Men him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven Mat. 10. 32. And before the Angels of God Luke 12. 8. Hâ— will then say to every such an one Well done good and Faithful servant c. Mat. 25. 21. c. He will set them on his right hand Matth. 25. 31 33 34. And therefore how might the consideration hereof
very displeasing to him in his Church this Samaritanisme in which men serve the Lord and their own Gods also and indeed it is reputed by him as not fearing him at all 2 King 17. 32 34. his grace instructeth moveth and strengâ—heneth us to love and â—leave to him with all our heart Soul mind and strength Mark 12. 29 30. But when the heart is divided then shall Men be found faulty Hose 10. 2. But here we might for our usefulness propose these two Questions Quest 1. Whether Seeing this faithful counsellour wisheth that they were either Cold or Hot it be alike to him which of them they were Or whether it were all one to him whether they were Cold or Hot Ans No surely he is not indifferent herein he would rather they were hot in buying the truth and giving hearty entertainment to him and therefore he counsels them To buy of him Gold tried in the fire that they might be rich v. 18. and therefore he rebuketh and chasteneth them that they might be zealous and repent v. 19. and therefore he standeth at the door and knocketh that they might open unto him receive and entertain him heartily v. 20. nor was it alike to the Prophet when he reproves the Israelites for halting between two opinions whether they followed God or Baal for he earnestly desired they might heartily and sincerely follow the Lord God of Israel and to that end prayeth Hear me O Lord hear me that this people may know that thou art the Lord God and that thou hast turned their heart back again 1 King 18. 37. and the like we may say of Joshua ch 24. 15. Christ is in the bosome of the Father and knows his heart and thoughts and hath revealed that God is not willing that any Man should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9. and he and Christ Jesus are one And therefore the Amen the faithful and true witness is not indifferent whether his Churches and those in them be cold or hot but he is one that hath pleasure in uprightness and loveth that those in his Church should cleave to him with full purpose and be wholly and altogether his To whose mind also the Apostle Paul was framed when Agrippa said Almost thou perswadest me to be a Christian I would to God saith he that not only thou but all that hear me were both almost and altogether such as I am and not so indifferent as Agrippa was Acts 26. 29. And this the Apostle also desired with understanding as knowing God's good-will towards all Men was that they should heartily receive the love of the truth had he been of the mind of some Men that God hath a secret will concurring with the destruction of the greatest part of Mankind in a personal consideration he could never in faith have poured out such a wish to God for all them that heard him but knowing God is love and that he hath manifested himself so to be in giving his Son by his grace to taste death for every Man from hence his hearts desire and prayer to God for them was that they might be saved from their iniquities as Rom. 10. 1 3. and therefore thus Christ speaks to shew how abominable their present temper was to him Quest 2. Whether it were better for the Churches or those therein to be cold then lukewarme It is better without controversy to be hot and â—ervent in Spirit in seeking and serving the Lord and diligently pursuing the things of his Kingdom but whether it be better for Luke-warme ones to be cold Ans Truly properly and fully it is not better to be cold than Lukewarm for neither is good But it is worse to be lukewarm in Gods Vineyard and more abominable to him and in his account who judgeth righteously than to be cold And so to be cold is not so bad in some respects as to be Lukewarme For 1. The iniquity of Lukewarmness in his Churches is more provoking in his sight because the clouds do more abundantly raine rain upon them that come into and frequent the assemblies of God's people than upon those who are cold and come not amongst them and they oft drink in the rain that cometh upon them they have more advantages given to them than others and more opportunities to hear and be acquainted with the excellency of Christ and the enriching nature of that Gold tried in the fire and therein and therewith to see the vileness of their sins and vanity of their idols that they might turn to God from them and have their hearts drawn off from all other objects and united to Christ hence those that are among his people do oft in their evils overpass the deeds of the wicked Jer. 5. 21 28. 2 Chron. 33. 9 10 and oftimes this is declared as an aggravation of the iniquity of God's people that they sin under such advantages and in the enjoyment of such nighness means and opportunities Therefore the Lord saith concerning the Priests and Prophets yea in mine house I have found their wickedness Jer. 23. 11. and 11. 14 15. Isay 66. 4. and answerable to the greatness of their iniquity as being thus aggravated answerable will be their judgments so persisting yea and more swiftly will God proceed against them especially now when more clear light than formerly is vouchsaâ—ed he that was grieved fourty yeers with his people in former times was provoked after three yeers in latter because of the unfruitfulness of those in his vineyard to say cut it down why cumbreth it the ground so here he threatneth he will spue them out of his mouth and accordingly he may so have done with this Church long since Thou Capernaum saith our Saviour that art exalted to Heaven shall be brought down to hell for if the mighty works which have been done in thee had been done in Sodom it would have remained untill this day But I say unto you it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in that day of judgment than for you Mat. 11. 20 34. That earth which drinks in the rain that oâ—t comes upon it and yet beareth briars and thorns is rejected and nigh unto cursing whose end is to be burned Heb. 6. 8. 2. It is worse to be lukewarm in Gods Vineyard than cold because those that are cold may sooner be made sensible of their condition and fall down under reproofs and be made to perceive the sadness of the state they abide in or have brought themselves into by their departure than lukewarm-ones when persons are lukewarm they are ready to say Aha we are warm we have seen the Fire Blessed be the Lord for we are rich they are highly conceited of their good condition and say they are hot enough already They are in a good temperate condition and need not to come neerer the Fire seest thou a Man wise in his own Eyes there is more hope of a Fool than of him Prov. 26. 12. The
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
the Soul cannot be good Prov. 19. 2. Hence he instructs us to cry after knowledge and to lift up our voice for understanding Prov. 2. 1 2 3 6. and calls upon all the ends of the earth to look unto him and be saved Isay 45. 22. and ch 65. 1 2. Thus I have briefly put down somewhat of that which is more fully largely and distinctly spoken unto on this v. 18. in the Treatise caled Needful counsel and desire that may be more minded and diligently considered by them that have it in their hands Verse 19. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten Be zealous therefore and repent This is that which the Amen the faithful and true witness adds after he had faulted threatned and given wholesome and Needful counsel to this Angel and Church The Lord will not cast off for ever but though he cause grief yet he will have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies For he doth not afflict willingly or from his heart nor grieve the Children of Men Lam. 3. 31 33. though for their iniquity he was wroth and smote them he hid himself and was wroth and they went on frowardly in the way of their heart yet though he saw their ways he healed and restored comforts unto them Isay 57. 16 18. he thus speaks to these that they might not faint in their sighing and say there is no hope he hath forgotten to be gracious Therefore to preserve or deliver them from such-like thoughts or conclusions he acquaints them with the graciousness of his heart toward them and shews his loathness with their destruction and that it was in love to their Souls he had been so chiding and chastening them even as he said to his people in former times In one place I will cast them out of mine house I will love no more In another and afterwards he thus speaks to them How shall I give thee up Ephraim how shall I deliver thee Israel how shall I make thee as Admah my heart is turned within me my repentings are kindled together c. Hos 9. 15. and ch 11. 4 8 9. see also Jer. 31. 18 19 20. So he now acquaints this Angel and Church that it was his love to them that led him to be reproving them for their evils and threatning to cast them out of his mouth and that he had a gracious end towards them herein And that we might know and consider that in love and faithfulness he convinces us of and rebukes us for our follies and wandrings Now in this verse we have to consider 1. An assertion or affirmation of the faithful and true witness As many as I love I rebuke and chasten 2. Good and wholsome counsel and exhortation given unto them from the former Be zealous therefore and repent 1. An assertion or affirmation of the faithful and true witness wherein consider we 1. The subjects concerning whom he speaks As many as I love who are they 1. Generally all Mankind with a love of pity and compassion while it is called to day and this he hath undeniably-manifested in his great abasement and sufferings for them herein perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us 1 Joh. 3. 16. The love of Christ was and is for ever herein commended and demonstrated and herein to be discerned because this one this single and singular person died for all even for all of Mankind who were dead condemned to dye and dead in sins and trespasses 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. Tit. 3. 3 4. and therefore and therethorow all nations and peoples are called upon to praise him Because his merciful kindness is great toward them Ps 117. 1 2. and he that seeth the Son seeth the Father also Joh. 12. 45. he so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son Joh. 3. 16. he gave him by his grace to taste death for every Man Heb. 2. 9. and thorow Christ he is gracious and full of compassion slow to anger and great in mercy The Lord is good and loving to all and his tender mercies are over all his works he is kind to the unthank-ful and evil Psal 145. 8 9. Matth. 5. 44 46. But 2. He loves them that love him with peculiar manner of love Prov. 8. 17. Joh. 14. 21. with a love of wellpleasedness The Lord takes pleasure in them that fear him in them that hope in his mercy he is nigh to all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth Ps 147. 16 11. and 145. 18 19. and he is rich in the streams of his pity and compassion toward them The same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him Rom. 10. 12. As a Father pitieth his Children the Lord pitieth them that fear him Ps 103. 11 13. Jam. 5. 10 11. And of both these we may understand it though especially of the latter 2. That which is here affirmed concerning as many as he loves viz. I rebuke and chasten I rebuke namely convince them of their evils and reprove them for them as the Lord saith I have been a rebuker of them all Hos 5. 2. and chasten viz. Inflict judgments and punishments upon them Ps 6. 1. and 38. 1. and usually in this order he proceeds he first â—hews them with his prophets and slays them with the words of his mouth and then his judgments are as the light that goeth forth Hos 6. 3 5. Micah 6. 8 10 11. Job 33. 13 18. and so indeed he doth rebuke and chasten when need is as many as he loves he rebukes the simple who love their simplicity and scorners who delight in scorning and fools that hate knowledge Prov. 1. 20 23. his Spirit is convincing and reproving the World of sin of righteousness and of judgment Joh. 16. 8 11. and he doth also chasten visit and and try them Job 7. 17 18. 1 Cor. 10. 13. and especially and more frequently he doth rebuke and chasten his own people Ps 73. 13 15. he that chastiseth the heathen shall not â—e correct to wit his own people Ps 94. 8 10. every branch in Christ that beareth fruit he purgeth that it might bring forth more fruit Joh. 15. 2. Ps 94. 12 13. and 11. 5. Prov. 3. 11 13. And this may be useful to us to inform us 1. That seeing as many as he love she rebukes and chastens all such may and do need to be rebuked and chastened even such also as he loves with peculiar manner of love for in many things they offend all Jam. 3. 2. There is not a just Man upon the earth that doth good and sinneth not Eccl. 7. 20. 2 Chron. 6. 36. It is only when need is that they are in heaviness thorow many temptations and trials either to correct and punish them for some evils committed by them or some good omitted or to purge out of them some polluting thing that sticks close to them or preserve them from some
high and lifted up Isa 6. 1. The Lord hath prepared his Throne in the Heavens and his Kingdom ruleth over all Psal 103. 19. And it is a Throne full of glory luster and majesty A glorious high Throne Jer. 17. 12. Yea and for our comfort and encouragement it is a Throne of mercy and grace this Throne is upholden by mercy Prov. 20. 28. and we may therefore come boldly to this Throne the throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace for seasonable help Heb. 4. 14 16. with Chap. 8. 1 2. This Throne was set in heaven for there is Gods Throne The Lords Throne is in Heaven Psal 11. 4. Yea that is his Throne Thus saith the Lord the Heaven is my Throne Isa 66. 1. Hence our Saviour admonishes his Disciples not to swear by Heaven because it is Gods Throne Mat. 5. 34. And saith He that shall swear by Heaven sweareth by the Throne of God and by him that sitteth thereon Mat. 23. 22. And from hence Stephen sheweth That the most High dwelleth not in Temples made with hands because Heaven is his Throne Act. 7. 47 49. with Isa 66. 1 3. And because he hath prepared his Throne in the Heavens his Kingdom ruleth over all He doth according to his will in the Army of Heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth And none can stay his hand or say unto him what dost thou Psal 103. 19. Dan. 4. 17 25 32 35 37. With this the righteous comfort themselves when the wicked did bend their bow and make ready the arrow upon the string that they might privily shoot at the upright in heart and said If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do The Lords Throne say the upright is in heaven Psal 11. 1 4. And though the wicked ones say is not God in the height of heaven And â—ow doth God know can he judg thorough the dark cloud Job 22. 12 14. Yet that is no let or hindrance to him Though the Lords Throne be in heaven yet his eyes behold the children of men Psal 11. 4. He hath looked down from the height of his Sanctuary from Heaven did the Lord behold the Earth c. Though therein he humbleth himself Psal 102. 19 21. with Psal 113. 4 5 6. And he that dwelleth and sitteth in the Heavens will laugh at all those who oppose him and his Christ the Lord shall have them in derision c. Psal 2. 1 4 5. with Psal 29. 10. 2. And one sate upon the throne Even the Lord God Almighty vers 8 10 11. He it is that fits upon it that fits King upon it and that for ever Psal 29. 10. For to sit upon the Throne is to reign rule and govern compare 1 King 3. 6. with 2 Chron. 1. 8. As also is shewn before See Notes on Chap. 3. ver 21. but that we here observe it that one to wit the Almighty sits on the Throne the supreme Throne of Government Indeed the word one is not expresly in the Text but necessarily implied the word sate being of the singular number and so we shall look on the words that one or he sitteth on it even he who is called as is before said the Lord God Almighty ver 8. But is it not said by the Amen to wit by Christ I overcame and am set down with my father in his Throne Rev. 3. 21. And is it not frequently affirmed of him that he is on the Throne and on the right hand of the Throne of Majesty Heb. 1. 3. and Chap. 8. 1. and Chap. 12. 2. Yes certainly but He and the Father and the Eternal Spirit are one For there are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one one God Joh. 10. 30. 1 Joh. 5. 7 9 10. See the Notes after on vers 8. And though Christ is sometimes represented as in the midst of the Throne to signifie this Lamb which hath been slain is the abiding Sacrifice and Mediator between God and men as Chap. 5. 6. and Chap. 7. 17. Yet he is also on the Throne who is the Son of God and it is called the Throne not Thrones of God and of the Lamb Chap. 22. 1. with Zach. 6. 12 13. And so it is this one God Father Word and holy Spirit sate and sits upon this Throne this supreme seat of glorious Majesty and all-ruling Government and none else not the living Creatures they are indeed in the midst of and round about the Throne but not on it ver 6. But they give glory honour and thanks to him that sate on it ver 9. Not the Elders for though they sit upon four and twenty Thrones yet they are round about this Throne and not one of the Elders sits upon this but they also fall down before him that sits on the Throne ver 4. and 10 11. nor the Angels though they are glorious Creatures and are called Thrones Dominions Principalities and Powers yet none of them sit upon this most high Throne but they are round about the Throne Chap. 5. 11. And they fall before the Throne on their faces and worship God Chap. 7. 11. Yea no Creature no meer Creature whatsoever is on this Throne for he only sits upon it who hath created all things and for whose pleasure they are and were created ver 10 11. And saith the Apostle every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and 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 Chap. 5. 13. By which it is evidently manifested that no Creature whatever no not the Virgin Mary sits upon this Throne but all Creatures are distinct from and infinitely inferiour unto him that sits upon it this most excellent and glorious one who liveth for ever and ever And to this end the Psalmist imprecates judgments upon such as were confederate against God and his â—idden ones that they might know that he whose name alone is Jehovaâ— is the most High over all the earth Psal 83. 2 16 18. And the consideration hereof might help Zion to rejoice in their King and strengthen them against all occasions of sadness and discouragement because their God reigneth and not Satan nor any of their enemies Isa 40. 9. and Chap. 52. 7. And engage and encourage them to worship him only and to trust in him at all times and pour out their hearts unto him and not to fear what their enemies can do unto them in waiting upon him and keeping his way Psal 62. 8 11. 2 King 19. 15. Isa 37. 16. Yea all people are called upon to sing praises unto God Because he is King of all the earth God reigneth over the heathen God sitteth upon the Throne of his holiness c. Psal 47. 1 6 8. Vers 3. And he that sate
from one another but not so here And therefore they may be intended in this Phrase And however they were unable to open this Book as also were all Infernal Spirits to wit the Devil and his Angels Though they are very subtle and wise yet this wisdom was not found with them nor any of them In short this is the Account given of all Creatures beginning from the highest and most excellent unto the lowest and most miserable None in heaven nor in earth nor under the earth was able to open the Book c. 2. What is the account that is given of all Creatures whatsoever And that is None was able to open the Book neither to look thereon That is none could loose the Seals of this Book and so open it And so could not look thereon or therein to read it that he might know and understand the things therein contained for himself or for his own good and profit And so could not reveal it to others or so read it as that others might hear and understand it ver 2. and ver 4. None was able 1. There is an Ability of Wisdom Knowledge Skill c. So whereas it is said in one place Thou shalt provide out of all the people able men c. And Moses chose able men out of all Israel it is said in another speaking of the same business Take ye wise men and understanding compare Exod. 18. 21 25. with Deut. 1. 12 13. So Solomon prays Give thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people that I may discern between good and bad for who is able to judge this thy so great people To wit without wisdom and understanding 1 Kings 3. 9-12 In this sense Nebuchadnezzar demands of Daniel Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen and the interpreâ—ation thereof That is Hast thou wisdom and knowledge to do it Dan. 2. 20-22 with ver 26. See also Dan. 4. 18. Rom. 15. 14. Now in this consideration none was able none had wisdom or skill enough for this work as hath been said before None could find out this work yea though a wise man should think to know it yet he should not be able to find it Eccl. 8. 17. Job 4. 18. Dan. 4. 18. 2. There is an Ability of Strength and Power As it is said of the sons of Obed-Edom and their Brethren they were able men for strength c. 1 Chron. 26. 8. They had power or might to do great things But in this sense also there was no creature was able to loose the seals of this Book c. as Rev. 15. 8. Indeed our Saviour saith to his Disciples Ye be not able to do that thing which is least and therefore not so great a thing as this here spoken of Luk. 12. 26. 2 Cor. 3. 4 5. nor had this strong Angel who made the Proclamation nor any of the mighty Angels power and strength to undertake and accomplish this very hard and difficult work 3. There is an ability of Authority a lawful power or right to do such or such a thing or not to do So it may be said of Men or Angels they cannot do that they cannot righteously do or which they may not lawfully do So Joseph saith How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God Gen. 39. 9. In this sense it is said of God he cannot lie he cannot be tempted with evil because he can do no iniquity or unrighteousness Tit. 1. 2. Heb. 6. 18. James 1. 13. with Gen. 18. 25. He is indeed Almighty but he is indeed also Holy Almighty Holy See the Notes before on chap. 4. ver 8. Now in this respect also none was able to open this Book none had Authority given unto them from Him that sate on the Throne to do it and they could have no power or authority thereto except it were given them from above We read of an Angel chap. 18. 1. that had great power or authority given unto him but not of any created being that had this authority given him to open this Book or to look thereon nor did any so much as pretend thereto as appears by this Account here 4. As is here signified to us there is also an ability of merit or worthiness but thus also no creature was able to wit worthy no one of them had merited such an high favour at the hands of God See ver 2. and ver 4. Indeed the Lamb was able in this sense to wit worthy to take the Book and to open the Seals thereof because he was slain c. ver 5 9 12. but this was only peculiar to him Luk. 3. 16. See Notes on ver 2. Ver. 4. And I wept much because none was found worthy to open and to read the Book neither to look thereon In this Verse is declared to us what effect the inability of all creatures or the account given thereof had upon the Apostle John with the reason thereof and renewing and repeating their unworthiness or inability And I wept much or lamented greatly c. Wherein we may for our usefulness note in general 1. That even the most eminent of Gods servants may and at sometimes do weep here While they are in this world they may sometimes weep sore and tears may be on their cheeks as Lam. 1. 2. This is the day of Jacobs trouble Jer. 30. 5-7 Thus our Saviour speaking to his Disciples saith â—lessed are ye that weep nâ—w Luk. 6. 21. and In the world ye shall have tribulation and again Verily verily I say unto you that ye shall weep and lament but the world shall rejoyce and ye shall be sorrowful c. John 16. 20. 33. Indeed they are exhorted instructed and strengthened to rejoyce in the Lord Phil. 3. 1-3 to rejoyce evermore 1 Thes 5. 16. to rejoyce in the Lord alwayes Phil. 4. 4. And this they may do also when they have or judge they have occasions of sadness administred to them they may be as sorrowful and yet alwayes rejoycing 2 Cor. 6. 10. they may greatly rejoyce even then when they are in heaviness thorow divers temptations yet then believing they may rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1. 6 7 8. 2 Cor. 4. 16 17 18. as on the one hand even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful Prov. 14. 13 14. so on the other though all the days of Gods afflicted ones be evil yet they may have a merry heart mean time and so a continual feast Prov. 15. 15. when their belly trembles and their lips quiver and rottenness enters into their bones c. And although the Figtree doth not blossom neither is there any fruit in the Vines c. yet they may rejoyce in the Lord and joy in the God of their salvation Habak 3. 16-18 These two may well consist together But though they do alwayes rejoyce in Christ Jesus and in those things which are not seen which are eternal 2 Cor.
weep outwardly as they did nor did they well in so weeping yet his heart was even broken by means thereof Act. 21. 13. Oh put we on also bowels of mercies towards others and to that end cast we out that self-love that is so much found with us And look we not on our own things but on the things of others also that so we may weep with them that weep Rom. 12. 15 16 Phil. 2. 1-5 6. 3. In that the Apostle John doth record this matter viz. his weeping with the cause thereof and the Elders Prohibition in saying Weep not in which appears somewhat of the Apostles infirmity and how he was repressed and somewhat reproved for it so we may learn that he did not only record such things as in which he was lifted up but such things also as in which his infirmities appeared and which might cast shame upon him Thus also he tells us how he fell at the feet of the Angel to worship him which he ought not to have done and how he was blamed for it Rev. 19. 10. and Chapt. 22. 8 9. and Chap. 1. 17 18. Thus other holy Ones have done My feet were almost gone saith the Psalmist my steps had well nighslipt Thus was mine heart grieved and I was pricked in my reins so foolish was I and ignorant I was as a beast before thee my Soul refused to be comforted And I said this is my infirmity Psal 73. and 77. and 34 Title And very frequently when the Apostle Paul declares the exceeding abundant Grace of to our Lord Jesus towards him he then also repeats what a vile one he had been and what cause of shame and blame belonged to him Act. 22. and 26. Gal. 1. 1 Tim. 1. 12-16 Tit. 3. 3 4 c. and the like we might shew in manifold othet â—nstances and Examples recorded in Scrpture O Lord what Pride and unwillingness to take shame to our selves is found in us generally It may be well said of us Were they ashamed nay they were not at all ashamed neither could they blush Jer. 6. 15. we can freely and fluently enough and too fast speak of that which we judge may tend to lift us up and whereby we may exalt our selves But alas how backward and unwilling are we to confess our evils and infirmities or take shame to our selves How loath to turn at reproof or to acknowledge how we have been faulted and blamed by such as are faithful in the Lord O Lord help us to humble our selves in thine humblings of us that thou mayest exalt us in due time 2. We have to consider what the Elder said unto John to comfort him as with respect to another In which there is contained an excellent and substantial Reason why he should not weep Behold the Lion of the Tribe of Juda c. Where we may note in general for our usefulness and instruction 1. He doth not only say Weep not but shews him good Cause and Reason why he so said to him and why John should not weep as Dan. 9. 22. and so more generally we may say for all that God doth require of us or forbid us He propounds weighty Motives and Arguments to move us to do what is required and to avoid what is forbidden He doth not Command men to repent and believe but in shewing them good Reason for it to wit because Christ hath died for them and is risen again and there is repentance and forgiveness of sins in his Name for them Act. 3. 19-22-26 Rom. 10. 14 15. nor doth he reprove men for what is evil but in discovering to them the evil of that he reproves All things that are reproved are made manifest by the light for whatsoever doth make manifest is light wherefore he saith Awake thou that sleepest c. Eph. 5. 13 14. Jam. 4. 4 5 6. Rom. 12. 1. 2. The Elder doth not comfort the Apostle now by directing him unto himself as hath been before said but by directing him unto the Lord Jesus Christ who is the consolation of Israel Luk. 2. 25. And in whom there are such consolations as are proper to comfort them that are in any trouble 2 Cor. 1. 3-5 Those that are absent from the body are present with the Lord walking before him and filled with the knowledge of him Heb. 12. 23. And it is their delightful and joyful work to celebrate the praises of the Lamb and his praise-worthiness Rev. 5. 8 9. And there is that contained in him and declared in the Gospel which is proper and powerful to comfort all that mourn Isa 61. 1 2 3. and the Holy Spirit who is frequently called the Comforter doth comfort by testifying of Christ by glorifying Christ taking of his things and shewing unto us Joh. 14. 16-26 and Chap. 15. 26. and Chap. 16. 7-14 15. And the Lord directs and commands his Servants thus to comfort and speak to the hearts of his people Isa 40. 2-8 9. for God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in him Eph. 1. 3. In him it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell and in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and in him we are compleat Col. 1. 19. and Chap. 2. 9 10. unto him all things are delivered of the Father Yea all things that the Father hath are his Matth. 11. 27. Joh. 16. 14 15. 3. We may also take notice how the Elder doth describe Christ in such expressions as are sutable unto and agree with the Scripture of truth as we may see and shall shew afterward God willing And so also doth the Elder make use of the Scripture-Expressions and Sayings Rev. 7. 16 17. with Isai 49. 10. and Chap. 25. 8. Though he was in Heaven yet thus he speaks to shew unto us that his Word is for ever settled in Heaven as Psal 119. 89. And that we might keep the form of sound words therein contained in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 1. 13 14. and answer herewith them that are sent or send unto us Prov 22. 18-21 2 Tim. 3. 13-16 And always have recourse to the Law and to the Testimony as knowing whosoever speaks not according hereto though he should be or pretend to be a Messenger from Heaven there is no light in him Isa 8. 19 20. with Gal. 1. 8 9. But we shall now come to speak unto the words themselves Behold the Lion of the Tribe of Juda Hereby is certainly meant Jesus Christ as also appears in what follows ver 6-10 c. And he is said to be of Judah of the Tribe of Judah because he was of it according to the flesh being the Son and off-spring of David the fruit of his Loyns Rev. 22. 16. Isai 11. 1. Act. 2. 30. He was of the Seed of David according to the flesh Rom. 1. 1-3 2 Tim. 2-8 As plainly appears in that Geneaology Matth. 1. 3-6 It is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah saith