speak very favourably of it and very ingeniously call it a harmless opinion not directly or indirectly striking or undermining any the fundamentals of the Faith But to proceed In this last Scripture take notice 1. What therein is promised as a peculiar reward to them that abide temptations with or for Christ and it is a Kingdom Christ's Kingdom my Kingdom vers 30. compare this with Rev. 11.18 and Rev. 20.4 2. Christ appoints unto them a Kingdom as his Father had appointed to him a kingdom but the Father as is on all sides agreed appointed not a particular kingdom for Christ after the ultimate judgement in the supernal heavens for it is affirmed on all hands that Christ then and there shall deliver up the Kingdom the power and ruling into the hands of the Father that God may be all in all according to that of 1 Cor. 15.24 28. Now in a Kingdom there are relations persons to rule and persons ruled to wit Christ and his Saints to rule and unbelievers to be ruled but in the highest heavens there is nothing to be made subject to Christ and his Saints no unbeliever or unclean thing must enter thereinto the blessed Angels the ministring Spirits being only subject to Christ Heb. 1.13 14. Neither can this be meant of Christ's spiritual Kingdom wherein Believers then were and in all ages formerly and therefore cannot be meant of this Kingdom promised and prophesied of in this Scripture Besides the spiritual Kingdom of Christ is called often by John the Kingdom oâ— patience wherein the Saints endure temptations afflictions and tryals which Christ here mentions and so cannot with the least reason signifie the Kingdom of Reward which Christ promiseth as the effects crown result and reward of that enduring and patience 3. Eating drinking and such actions are unsutable actions and expressions to signifie the glory of the highest heavens but very sutable to express Christ's glorious Kingdom here on earth for it is promised as a Paradice and a Tree of life therein Rev. 2.7 22.2 And it is such a high spiritual eating and drinking it being as yet a hidden Manna unto us that we cannot possibly comprehend the excellency thereof but under Types and Figures meet for our capacities 4. The conquering Saints are to sit on Thrones to judge the twelve Tribes of Israel In Christ's spiritual Kingdom this was never yet done but such were rather judged and trampled under foot by the powers of the world and Antichrist and in the supremest ultimate glory there is nothing to be judged neither persons nor things for that is the Father's Throne wherein Christ shall lay down all Authority and himself be also subject unto the Father as that 1 Cor. 15.24 25 28. Therefore this Kingdom here meant which Christ calls My Kingdom and My Throne is yet to come here on earth before the ultimate day of judgement and the Saints highest state of glory in the supreamest heavens which is the Father's Throne Object But some will object That this which is called Christ's Kingdom is also the same with the Father's Kingdom and not distinct from it but one and the same and to this purpose urge that Scripture Matth. 26.29 I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the Vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom Now that which you interpret to be the Son's Kingdom is here called the Father's Kingdom and therefore one and the same Answ I answer 'T is true The Son's Kingdom is called in Scripture the Father's Kingdom for divers reasons 1. Because the Father gives it to Christ and therefore he is called Psal 2.8 His King 2. Because the Father and the Son are one by an unspeakable Union and so the Kingdom of the Son may be called the Kingdom of the Father that is the Kingdom of God for Father is often ascribed in Scripture to the Godhead as that of John 17.3 This is life eternal that they know thee to wit the Father to be the only true God c. And by reason of the union of both natures in one person Christ it is called Eph. 5.5 The Kingdom of Christ and of God and The Throne of God and the Lamb Rev. 22.3 in the holy City the New Jerusalem So that Christ as man as one with the Father or God reigns in this happy millenary Kingdom and so may be also called the Father's Kingdom wherein he will drink his new wine with his faithful ones before the ultimate day of judgement so this makes not at all against the distinct Kingdoms of the Father and Christ which is before asserted and plainly evidenced from divers Scriptures Let the industrious enquiring Reader read more at large in D. Homes M. Maton and M. Mede hereon and vers 12. of this chapter But for a more full explicating and opening the Truth of this point understand That Christ's Kingdom in Scripture hath a diverse acceptation First Christ is King by right of creation Heb. 1.2 and this is his natural Kingdom which he hath as one God with the Father from everlasting Secondly Christ is King by right of Purchase as the first he rules and governs all the Kings and Nations of the world and so is King of Kings But by the second he governs more especially his church and people and this he does as God-man and is properly called Christ's Mediatory Kingdom And this his Mediatory Kingdom hath in it divers periods some more lowly some more exaltant and triumphant Christ was a born King witness the Magi's enquiry after him that was born King of the Jews and their majestique presents of Gold Myrrh and Frankincense but his power was then but obscure and low which appeared afterwards somwhat more radiant in imposing his commands doctrines and ordinances upon his followers and disciples but this was but dark and somwhat lowly also as an Heir in his minority After his Resurrection and Ascension he commands his Agents and Ambassadors to negotiate the great affairs of his Kingdom in his absence by the help and concomitancy of his Spirit with them and this is therefore called Christ's Spiritual or Ministerial Kingdom which is to continue unto his second coming the great work wherein is to preach the Messias and his Doctrine of Faith and his second coming but this is mixed too with a great deal of affliction trouble and obscurity But there is another period of this Mediatory Kingdom of Christ which is most glorious and triumphant and that is at his last appearance when all these low dispensations shall be done away when he shall reigne and none shall let All other periods were mixed with much tears and sorrow but in this they shall be quite wiped off In this last period there is given him not only as God but as man or rather as God-man Dominion and Glory and a Kingdom that all people Nations and Languages should serve him Dan. 7.14 and Psal 2.8 Ask â—f me and I
Prophesies then they that went before us and no discredit to them be they ever so Godly and Learned I have observed that some and no mean Ones that are gone before on this Theme are not without their Maculae and Defects and more especially in that they have appeared of too private and narrow a Spirit in their Interpreting and applying the Prophesies of this Book unto their own times Interests and Designs as if the Actions and Revolutions of every petty City and Commonweal yea the ends Designs and Periods of every Person that Divine Providence exalts in Power and Authority somwhat beyond the common boundaries of the ordinary Lords and Rulers of the Nations were Comprised Predicted Fore-told and Prophesied of in this Book of Revelations and so by this means makes strange and wilde Applications of the Visions and Mysteries of this Book And where this conceit works strongly it will work madly too when once it is elevated to that height and gets a power then there must be no opposing of those Ends and Designs that such Opinionists pretends as just Collections from the Prophesies of this Book which they interpret according to their own Fancies and have only a Being as wilde Chymeras in their own deceived Imaginations This is that Rock whereon some have formerly made Shipwrack and perished thereon and others now adays are Sayling with a full gale towards the same Charybdis and if God in Mercy prevent not will thereon split and perish also But to return Here I shall give an answer Cui bono or to what ends I undertook this Exercitation on this Book of the Revelation This last the Discovery of this dangerous Rock was not the least End that I set before me in this undertaking Which Ends for better satisfaction I shall here more particularly set down in Order 1. My first was next Gods Glory and the advancement of his Truth for the keeping the Saints feet streight in not stumbling by a false Interpreting and Applying of this Book of Prophesies and in vainly endeavouring the setting up of the Kingdom of Christ before the time and in the pulling down all Authority that oppose such Pretenders to their own utter ruine and undoing without Repentance 2. That Christs true Saints may be comforted and supported under all their Afflictions and Persecutions in this World by the consideration of Christs own True and Real Kingdom which is to come Not this of Weakness which is partly Spiritual partly Carnal but that of Power and great Glory when all his â—nemies shall be made his Foot-stool and broken and ruled by his Rod of Iron which will be at the great Day of his Appearance and coming in the Clouds and not before 3. In Profiting my self and others My self in Writing others in Reading As it was once said by Augustine Prodest scribendo scribendo prodest We having all as Aquinas testifies longing desires conjungi cum suo principio to be conjoyned with our principle 4. To redeem the time having spent many precious hours and days in folly and been examples unto others in evil doing So there is all reason we should redeem the time and God calls in this day of light both from my self and all others that we should be patterns unto others in well doing if that possibly we may redeem the lost time of our youth and folly Lastly That God may have his ends and glory in the work of our Creation we being born not alone for our selves but for the work of our generation to serve God therein faithfully in all the relations that he calls us to God hath not sent us into this world to spend away all our precious days in sports pastimes and follies or about the more profitable affairs of this present world as the custom of too too many is but to sacrifice some competent part thereof unto the service of our God and Christ that our friends neighbours relations and posterity may take encouragements and examples by us to live more unto the praise of God and their Creator Having thus laid down my ends in this undertaking I have this more to acquaint thee with This Exercitation being sent forth as my First-born in this kinde in publique unto the world the second being intended also on this whole Book of Divine Prophesies if God doth continue but his wonted mercies and encouragements thereunto This first is more Practical and Doctrinal and therefore I have herein followed a method with Observations and Notes which the second will not so commodiously admit the great work of that being to demonstrate the truth of each Prophesie and how the Mysteries Figures and Characters thereof are to be interpreted understood and applyed to their proper times periods States Interests and revolutions represented by them But this first being more practical and treating of divers Questions that are under dispute now in these days I thought it fit to let this see the light in the first place to try how it will taste upon the pallates of the godly ingenious for if it savours well with them it will suffice and be a farther encouragement unto the second I know I shall not please all in this Writing neither was there ever a Writer with whom all have been satisfyed for according to the Poet Ad captum Lectoris habent sua fata Libelli Books do either hit or miss As the Readers Judgement is Neither indeed was it in my thoughts to endeavour the satisfacton of all well knowing that there are some so prepossessed with prejudice or at least so wedded to their own conceits that it were the greatest unreasonableness and servility in the World to captivate ones reason to the satisfaction of their overweening folly It was also far beneath my Designe to accommodate my Writings to the popular applause and as the Tragedian says Populo ut placerent who commonly weigh not the matter by the truth and Scriptural reason but by their own irregular fancies and affections and therefore am far from their humour who Nil rectum reputant nisi quod placuit sibi ducunt Next I shall acquaint the ingenious Reader That if any of my conclusions recede from the truth of Scriptures I could willingly wish all such an abortion in the very birth But if any thereof seem only to discede from the common received Opinions let the Ingenious consider So long as they are Warranted by the Authority of Scripture and Reason I hope I shall not want a Protector or a sufficient Defence and Apologie I have no more to add in this way of Apologizing unto the Reader but if he be a friend unto the Truths herein discussed I wish him a farther increase of Divine light If he be malevolent thereunto all the harm I wish him is a better Spirit and a more enlightned Judgement If he be supine and negligent I wish him to add diligence and prayers to God for a right enquiry If he be ignorant I wish him a greater measure of true
the compellation Observ That all Christ's servants are brethren and fellow-feelers in all conditions whether good or evil And this flows from that root of union being all baptized into one Spirit and made members of one mystical body so that what good soever falls to any one of Christ's members the whole body is partaker of the joy of it When the lost sheep or the lost groat in the parable was found there was a general rejoycing for it Come saith the good man rejoyce with me for I have found my lost sheep If any evil befal to any member there is mutual mourning for it for there is as I may so say the same stream of blood running in all their veins being members of the same Body Nay and not only a sympathy between the members but also between their head Christ and them for he takes notice of all that is done unto them as done unto himself whether good or evil In as much as ye have not done it unto one of these ye have not done it unto me but having done it unto one of these you have done it unto me Matth. 25.45 This informs all in power how dangerous it is to cast contempt on the Saints of Christ and much more to lay affliction on them But here John was not only under tribulation himself for the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ but also his Brethren the seven Churches of Christ to whom he wrote were fellow sufferers with him for it was under that Tyrant Domitian who raised the second great persecution against the Christians between the years of Christ 97. and 99. as Eusebius witnesseth and doubtless it reached not only unto John the chief Apostle or Minister of those Churches but that they were sharers in his affliction also or else he would not have called himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 companion or fellow commoner in sufferings with them From which observe Observ 2. Whensoever tribulation or persecution do seize on any of the eminentest lights or ministers of God's churches then be sure the interiour christians or members shall not go free themselves but be sufferers also The churches now in this time of patience and tribulation must not think to be greater or freer then their master 's own flock was in the time of his abode on earth for then according to that prophesie of Isaiah The Shepherd was smitten and the flock were dispersed and fled Therefore let all his members not think to have a greater priviledge of exemption when they are in the same condition that those sheep of his own calling was in his time on earth From John's condition here of Affliction and Tribulation being a great Apostle and one of the chiefest of the twelve observe Observ 3. That when persecution arises it takes hold first on the eminentest lights and choisest members of Christ's church Satan in his designs strikes high first at Christ next at his Apostles after that at the chief Pastors and Teachers of the Gospel if so possible he might hinder the progress of it Observ 4. As a corrolary from this note That it is a rash and dangerous thing to judge of the condition of christians according to their outward afflictions John was here a man of tribulation and under banishment yet the beloved Disciple of Christ The world presently judges those are none of God's people for they are afflicted discountenanced imprisoned banished c. and I could wish that none but the world did judge so This is the way to condemn the righteous and let the guilty go free Of persons of such judgement I demand Was John that was in banishment and under tribulation or Domitian's Courtiers in prosperity and outward pomp nearest or dearest unto God Was Ezekiel Daniel Mordecai and the three children in the Babylonish captivity less righteous or more ungodly then King Zedekiah who at that time lived in state and sin in the land of Judah Or was Jeconiah more beloved of God dwelling at Jerusalem who was a despised broken Idol Ier. 22.28 then those dear children of God in Babylon who waited under a long and hard captivity Was not Paul with his fetters about his heels dearer unto God then Agrippa with his crown on his head sitting in the Throne to condemn him Shall we number the Apostles the Martyrs in the primitive times and since when they were imprisoned stoned sawed asunder burnt tormented and slain amongst and in the catalogue of transgressors Is not this to condemn Christ himself who is made a man of sorrows for our sakes In short those that are under great tribulation may be dear and beloved children of God when those that are in great prosperity may be both hated obstinate enemies unto him Observ 5. Another observation hence is That in the lowest and most afflicted condition of God's church and people God makes out unto them the greatest discoveries of himself in light and truth and comfort God here discovers unto Iohn under tribulation and banishment this excellent book of Prophesies for the comfort of his people unto the end of all Unto the children of Israel when they were in a strange land and under captivity and deprived of all their ordinances peculiar to their Temple then God sends them an Ezekil and Daniel even in Babylon with visions of God to comfort them and support their spirits in all their afflictions to preserve them from Idolatry amongst Idolaters and to discover all false Prophets that came with false hopes unto them to deceive them It is not banishment nor fetters nor prisons can keep off the special presence and discoveries of God from his afflicted ones when they are lowest he is highest in grace and mercy towards them when we are deepest in afflictions God comes in with his greatest consolations Thou remembredst us in our low estate saith the Psalmist Let the godly comfort themselves in this that in their prisons fetters or Banishments God will provide for them his discoveries of mercy grace and consolation to bear up their spirits under all extremities In these words In the Kingdom and patience of Iesus Christ Here is some difficulty of interpretation Indeed Kingdom in Scripture is of divers acceptation somtimes it is taken for the coming of Christ in spirit somtimes for the doctrine of the Gospel but chiefly for his tryumphant reigne at the day of his last appearance and I conceive it is here to be taken in this latter sense for the state of affliction and tribulation in the Scripture is never called a Kingdom and how unsutable it is unto it all know though they are said to overcome and to be more then conquerors herein for the Kingdom is bestowed as a reward and crown to the faithful holding out in this condition consult Reu. 2.7 and the tenth and that which is bestowed as the result and reward of their faithfulness under tribulation which is the kingdom can in no good sense be interpreted to be faithfulness
Name written that no man knoweth but he that receiveth it The Note hence is Observ That God hath reserved and treasured up unspeakable glory for his conquering Saints It is a new Name that no man knoweth a hidden Manna a spiritual participating of Christ that is above our understanding a new and joynt power given to us by and with Christ that we at present are uterly ignorant of yea it is such a prize of glory that eye hath not seen ear hath not heard or the heart of man cannot comprehend And therefore in 2 Cor. 4.17 it is called a most excellent and eternal weight of glory and therefore here in this 2. and 3. cap. this prize this crown of glory is set forth under various and divers figures and resemblances which are sensible and apt for our capacities as ver 7. under the Tree of life in the Paradice of God ver 10. under the expression of the Crown of life ver 17. of the hidden Manna and white Stone and new Name ver 26. of power over the Nations and of the morning Star in cap. 3. ver 5. under the name of white Rayment and Book of life ver 12. of a Pillar in the Temple of God the Name of God and the City of God and in ver 21. of sitting on the Throne with Christ in his Throne as Christ hath already sate down on the Father's Throne All these expressions are taken up by the Spirit to represent unto us the inestimable weight of glory that is set forth as a prize and treasured up by God for all faithful persevering and overcoming christians And therefore let us all so run as we may obtain Use But by the way here is an Use of Reproof upon such that would now at present catch at the Crown before the coronation day You must first overcome before you raign unless you will raign without Christ it is a hidden Manna a new Name it is not meat for this corrupt world nor a work for this generation It is a white Stone wherein a new Name is written that yet no man knoweth it is not a dispensation for this corrupt age it is an excellent and eternal weight of glory reserved for the new World the Golden age the new Jerusalem the new Heaven and Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness and this will be produced in God's appointed time by the almighty power and arm of Christ who is the great captain conductor and leader unto this glorious day and therefore al such as pretend to lead and advance to this day otherwise then by a placid submission to the providential dispensations of God in the world they only set up stumbling blocks for themselves and their followers to fall by They that will rule with Christ must overcome with Christ they that will sit with him in his Throne must first pass to it as he did by a conquest over sufferings and temptations 2 Tim. 2.12 Rom. 8.17 If we suffer with Christ we shal raign with Crist for this crown is gotten by the way of the cross but to seek it by Swords Pistols Rapines and Blood-sheds you may obtain a crown and Kingdom in the World from the Prince that ruleth in the Ayr and the children of the World but never from the Lambe that sitteth on the Throne O therefore returne to this true Lamb of God and his Lamb-like condition or else he will become a Lyon against you and for your highmindedness and sins of rebellion and blood will come against you quickly and fight against you by the Sword of his mouth O kiss the Son least he be angry Vers 18. And unto the Angel of the Church of Thyatira write These things saith the Son of God who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire and his feet like fine brass Here it is evident who â—t is all along that gives these premonitions to each church it is Christ the Son of God who in the former verses is called the Spirit for his spiritual appearance in the likness of the Son of man In the first cap. from vers 13. to 16. this Son of God that appeared unto John in the likness of the Son of Man in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks gives a general discovery of himself unto John in all his attributes as God and Man as King Priest and Prophet as the Saviour and Preserver of his church also as a just Judge and avenger of his enemies But now when Christ appears with the particular charges against each church he takes as it were his attributes asunder and cloaths himself with that attribute which is most suitable for the present condition of the church that he is to deal with To the churches of Ephesus and Smyrna which were the most sound and sincere he appears under the attributes of a merciful Father who was dead and is alive ver 8. and of a gracious preserver of his church ver 1 who holdeth the seven Stars in his right hand But now unto the churches of Thyatira and Pergamus which were more debauched and unsound Christ manifests himself in a far different resemblance and posture having a Sword with two edges proceeding out of his mouth in his appearance towards the church of Pergamus and here unto Thyatira like one that hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire and his feet like fine or burning brass This is a posture of indignation and wrath for eyes sparkling like fire betokneth wrath and feet like fine brass readiness of execution Here Christ from head to feet is presented in a fiery colour This is Christ's posture when he goes out in judgments against a church or Nation when he goes out to war against his enemies he puts on this fiery posture Rev. 19.11 12 13. See more hereon cap. 1. ver 14 15. Observ That when Christ goes out in judgment against a people his appearance is very dreadful The Prophet Malachi speaking of the coming of Christ when he comes who may abide the day of his coming and who shall stand when he appeareth For he is like the Refiner's fire and shall sit as a Refiner and purifier of silver cap. 3. 2 3. A Refiners fire is the hottest it melts purges consumes and is terrible such a fire is Christ in his judgments When he comes to destroy Antichrist and his Kingdom Paul says 2 Thess 1.8 He shall come in flames of fire Have not most of our western Nations as Germany France England Scotland c. seen this terrible appearance of Christ of late in his judgments among us who hath laid many Kingdoms and Nations almost in the dust destroy'd many ancient Families Houses Cities Townes and Countries by the Sword and yet who layes it to heart And yet Christ will be more terrible for the great day of his wrath is at hand and who will be able to stand Rev. 6.17 The great ones of the earth that are found fighting against him shall that day call for the Rocks and
the Sinagogue of Satan The words in the Greek copy are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Beza's Version reads them Prebebo eos qui sunt ex Synaga Satana The Verb is in the Present tense I give and not in the Future and what is given Those that call themselves Jews I give or I yeild is put in the present tense either for the more certain denotation of the certainty of the good promised to come in the future for so the latter clause doth intimate I will make them that they shall come and worship c. Or else Secondly it denotes unto us that God did at that present time make some of the Iews to submit themselves unto his church as it were a taste and first fruits or as a pawn and earnest of their more full general and universal call and subjection to the Scepter of Iesus Christ which should ensue in future ages which the latter clause of this verse is full unto whereof more hereafter I formerly she wed on cap. 2. ver 9. how those Iews that are only so by lineage and descent do lye when they cal themselves Iews and are not To call ones self a Iew in those days when John wrote this Revelation was as much as to profess and to arrogate to themselves that they were the seed of Jacob and had Abraham to their Father and were the Israel of God the only people of God his peculiar Inheritage to whom the promises appertained the children of the Kingdom to whom the Oracles of God were committed and all others Aliens and Barbarians in respect of them who alone had the priviledges of the children a holy Nation the Lord's Portion who alone had the Temple Divine Ordinances Worship and clear Visions of God Now when those persons that boasted themselves of those priviledges yet persecuted reviled and blasphemed Christ and his churches as they did that of Smyrna cap. 2. 9. They cease to be true Iews and make a lye when they call or profess themselves Iews true Israelites of God when indeed they are children of the Divel and of the Sinagogue of Satan for his works and counsels they do really execute and performe they do synagere work together plot study and execute one and the same thing and therefore worthy to be denominated his Disciples of this infernal Colledg and Synagogue and not of Christ's church colledg or of the Society of Iesus Hence Note Observ That many are apt to call and boast themselves to be true Jews true Israelites of God true Christians that in truth are not for their evil works and blasphemies both towards Christ and true Christians doth evidently shew that they do lye in their Profession and Indeed are not true inward Jews and Christians but of the Synagogue of Satan You would have thought it strange to hear of a Sinagogue of Satan an University as it were for the Divel set up among the holy people of God his own Inheritance and yet it was most true John Baptist could have called them a generation of Vipers and Christ more plainly the children of the Divel for his works they did do and John here a Synagogue of Satan and that most deservedly for their contumelious reproaches and oppositions against the Gospel of Christ and true Believers We have a true counterpane of these carnal Jews among the christian churches in those days who call themselves christians and children of the Kingdome and yet only fit to be cast into utter darkness They crack of the Temple of God of Ministry of Ordinances of true Visions of God and the truth and yet who more enemies to the truth and to true godliness They are just like the Iews of old that boast of Abraham to be their Father and that they are Israelites as from Jacob and yet are ready with the Iews to crucifie the Lord of life in his Saints and followers They think it enough with their elder Brethren the Iews to have Abrahams and Iacobs to their Ancestors and Progenitors but for Abraham's faith or Jacob's spirit in wrestling with God let that alone for them that will They think it safe enough to be of Israel according to the flesh to be born in a christian Nation or church and to have some external badges and priviledges of children as Baptisme or the like then all is well whilst the weightiest things of the Law and the most substaintial parts of Religion they let ly by and contemn And what are all their arrogating Titles when truth is wanting but a kind of blasphemy and a lye I know the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews and are not cap. 2. 9. for indeed he is not a Iew which is one outwardly in circumcision of the flesh but he is a Iew which is one inwardly whose heart is circumcised and is one in the spirit Rom. 2.28 There were two sorts of people that did call themselves Iews and were not but did lye 1. The Samaritans 2. They of Iudea and Ierusalem and both by their perverse carriages to Christ and the truth did blaspheme and dishonour the honourable name of a Iew. So among christians there are two sorts that wound this honourable name of christians who call themselves christian churches and are not but do wrong and blaspheme the honourable name of church and christians I mean the Romish Popish Synagogue and many of the pretended reformed churches The first like the Iews of old cry out The Temple of the Lord The Temple of the Lord O The Church The holy Catholique Church The Chaire of Peter The infallible Chair of Peter We are the only Spouse of Christ no salvation without our jurisdiction and yet who greater blasphemers reproachers and persecutors of the true christian churches and Saints then they And seeing they will not part with the Title of the church let them keep it but is such a one as is here mentioned the church or Synagogue of Satan not of Christ and as long as their Idolatries continue she will ever be a Babel not a Bethel counterfeit Iews no real spiritual ones christians only in Title and shew not in truth notwithstanding all their high pretentions and claimes to the contrary 2. So many of the pretended reformed christians cry out We are of the reformation we are baptised we are of the Lutheranes confession we are of the Calvinists and yet no Papist more blind more ignorant more vile more profane or greater enemies to Christ in the power of godliness The names titles and honour of christians they love they esteem they expect and yet who vainer who more profane more ungodly or less deserve it then they They are only nominal christians outward Iews but to the inward spiritual Iew who more strangers to it then they Let them therefore look to it notwithstanding their high and honourable affected titles least the spirit of God shall declare the very truth and manifest to all true christians that they are only seeming Iews and do lye
over all the Nations and Kingdoms of the earth by his rod of Iron during the thousand years and this is that which is called Christ's own special Throne Rev. 3.21 and Christ's own Kingdom which he hath purchased and merited by his death which Kingdom after the destruction of the new raised enemies of the church miraculously by fire from heaven in the Gogigan war at that time when they encompassed the Saints of the most High and the beloved City about the finishing of their millenary Imperial reigne on earth I say that that Kingdom shall then expire and be delivered up by Christ unto God even the Father But in the Fathers kingdom both Christ and them shall reigne for ever and ever Rev. 22.5 And observe that Christ's kingdom and the Father's are diversa but not contraria or rather that Christ's kingdom is but the morning prelude prodromus or first part of that everlasting one of God even the Father Christ's millenary kingdom was for Ruling Judging and Reigning over the obstinate enemies of his until all by his rod of Iron are brought subject to him and destroyed that opposed him and so shall have an end when that work is done and delivered up unto God even the Father whereupon begins that heavenly one of the Father's wherein the Son himself shall be also subject unto him that put all things under him 1 Cor. 15.28 so that thereby there will be no loss to the Saints in the expiration of this of Christ's Mediatory and Judicial kingdom when they are translated into a more glorious and heavenly Kingdom and City whose Builder is God and wherein there shall be no more curse but the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it and his servants shall serve him Rev. 22.3 The great work in this New Jerusalem is praise and Hallelujahs to the most high and beatifical Vision as it is in the fourth verse and they shall see his face and his Name shall be in their foreheads all tears sorrow and the curse shall be quite wiped off in this new heaven-like state of the Father's Kingdom which were not from all persons in the former of the Son 's happy millenary Kingdom for though Satan was bound therein that none was found to hurt in all that holy mountain or that happy Kingdom yet still subject under it there remains the Nations of the four quarters of the world during the whole term of that holy Imperial reigne or else whom had the Saints to reigne over and govern during that time And otherwise How possibly could they convene as the sands of the Sea-shore to make war against the holy city under Gog and Magog cap. 20. 8. by the instigation of Satan let loose among them And if those Nations shall still remain as evident they shall during the Saints dominion and Empire doubtless though Satan and they shall be restrained from opposing the peace and quiet of the Saints in their Reign and Kingdom yet they shall not be so restrained as to be void of corruptions sins and impieties among themselves which therefore are not void of the curse as respecting themselves nor consequently of tears and sorrow and death the most due wages of sin Neither shall I ever think it reasonable to conceive that Gog and Magog and their numberless followers in that war against the camp of the Saints and the beloved City were all innocent sinless creatures all the time of the Saints Imperial reign over them for doubtless they had sins enough and wicked dispositions sufficient within or else they would not be so ready unto the entertainment of Satan's delusions and promoting his designs against their Lords and Rulers the holy Saints of Christ towards the latter end of their Reigne and in casting off their bonds if possibly they could In short I conceive Satan and they during the Saints Imperial Reigne to be bound up from open opposing hurting or violating the peace comfort or interest of the Saints but not so as Satan should not tempt the Nations subject unto the Saints that they thereby should be free from sin which will be alone the priviledge and prerogative only of the reigning Saints and therefore I am of opinion that the Saints thousand years Empire is but the beginning and first fruits of their happy new church-state and heavenly city that comes down from God and is transitory and shall pass away after all things are made subject unto Christ But another more glorious shall immediately succeed in the room thereof which is from God even the Father and is everlasting and this city had no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof Rev. 21.23 and to conclude this I am of the minde notwithstanding That Christ's Kingdom and the Father's do only differ in the administration and in the equality of glory but not in glory it self both are sinless both sorrowless both deathless both glorious but herein they differ That that of the Sons is a Kingdom of Justice and judgement which shall have an end and therefore less glorious then that of the Father's though in it self most glorious but that of God the Father's is a Kingdom of praises and Hallelujahs to the most High endless and everlasting Grant O God that thy poor servant may be kept faithful unto thee and become a true Philadelphian overcoming his temptations in this life that he may be made at last a pillar in thy New Temple a partaker in the great hopes of the Saints in the Kingdom of the Son and of God even the Father Amen And I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the City of my God which is new Ierusalem which cometh down from heaven from my God and I will write upon him my new Name There is a threefold name to be written on the conquering Saints of Philadelphia of God of the new Jerusalem and the new Name of the Son This name shall be set upon the overcoming Saints to denote whose they are as the followers of the Beast and Antichrist have the mark of Antichrist and the Beast upon them Rev. 13. that they may be known and manifest so God's peculiar chosen ones have also his mark upon them to declare forth unto others whose they are And this name herein promised is not the ordinary name of God that the Saints bear this present time of holy godly or the like for this is to be written on in the future that all may see it without hesitating or doubting that they are God's in that time when that new Jerusalem comes down from heaven The Saints had always and at all times the name of God and Christ upon them being called godly christians c. But here is a new name of Christ and God to be written on them which formerly they were unacquainted with and what is that name of God but El-Shaddai
is under it and having plucked up the rotten prop the building thereon must needs fall to ground and come to nought Cum tollitur causa tollitur effectus and instead of this broken reed let the faithful soul comfort and support it self in patience with the hopes of Christ's true and real Kingdom wherewith John was affected and supported Rev. 1.9 which shall come in glory and great power and none shall say as now Lo here is Christ or there is Christ but he shall be most evident and perspicuously glorious Lo He cometh in the clouds and every eye shall see him and they that pierced him and every one shall mourn because of him v. 7. This Kingdom of Christ is not advanced by any capricious whimsies of ours but is brought to light in power and great Majesty where Christ comes with his Armies and myriads of Angels and raised Saints Rev. 19.14 20.4 to take the Kingdom unto himself when Antichrist and all his adherents are destroyed by the appearance of the Lord Christ then shall they fly unto the Rocks and the Mountains and call to them to fall upon them to hide them from the presence of the Lamb that sitteth on the Throne and then all the Kingdoms of the world shall become the Kingdoms of our God and his Christs and he shall reign for ever and ever Hallelujah Amen And for a conclusion of all let the faithful ones of Christ hearken to the often repeated admonition of the Spirit in the last verse Vers 22. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches He that is an understanding christian among you let him consider what graces the Spirit hath set forth to their imitation and approved of by various encouragements and promises of rewards and what sins and faults he hath reproved and menaced with dreadful judgements in each and every one of those seven Asian churches that he may avoid the one and embrace the other that so his portion may fall in the land of the living What was written to them was written for our example and if we be found in their conditions we shall receive our rewards accordingly for every one shall receive according to his works O Lord Christ that has moved the heart of thy servant to make these things known unto the children of men let him be a learner himself at the foot-stool of thy grace and blessed be thy holy Name that hath gone thus far with thy poor servant O let his own words be imprinted in his own heart Keep him humble Lord that he be not lifted up in his own eyes lest whiles he comes a Teacher unto others he himself becomes a cast-away O Lord Christ Give thy servant power from thy self to overcome his temptations that he may sit with thee in thy Throne even as thou hast overcome and art set down in thy Fathers Throne Pardon O Christ not only the faults of this undertaking but the many sins and errours of all his life O cover him and them with thy white rayment and then he shall walk in white before thee and at thy appearance his nakedness shall not appear Remember O Lord thy Church and People among us for good O let them hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches That thy Name may be gloriously exalted within our days That thy Truth may run to and fro and be increased and that all be kept and preserved within the compass of their duty both towards God and Man That so we may have sweet smelling Gardens holy Assemblies within our Land where the Lord may take delight to dwell in Hear O Lord thy poor servant for thy wonted mercies sake in and thorow the Son of thy own love to whom with thy Self and holy Spirit one Eternal Ever-living Lord God be all glory dominion praise and power for ever and for ever Amen Δοξὰ μονῷ τῷ Θεῷ FINIS
go undiscovered that deserve such Titles better themselves or at least wise so to raise a Scar-crow to drive away the fearful and dis-ingenious from a full enquiring into the Truths of God that would discover the vanity and folly of their opposers But no more of this And here by the way I shall not be ashamed to acquaint you with one mistake of mine who once thought as most men do that God in his Providential disposing the Kingdoms oâ— this world and in exalting men of low degreâ— into the Throne of Princes and throwing down great Princes and their Progenies into the state of slaves it was only to manifest his Soveraignty over the Kingdoms of this world to give them to whom he pleaseth but more maturely considering the All-wise ordering hand of God in such great Transactions I have found the issue in all Ages to be very advantagious to the Church of God and the result of all such State-shakings and Revolutions to be in mercy towards his Church and People When God broke the great Caldeo-Assyrian Monarchy and transferred it to the Medio-Persian how vvonderfully and by vvhat strange providence did God raise Cyrus his servant or instrument for that work Who was exposed to be destroyed by the command of his Grandsire Astyages whiles an Infant upon pretence of some fatal Prophesie yet preserved and brought up amongst Shepherds as his Story goes that afterwards he became most providentially the great deliverer of God's people the Jews from their Assyrian bondage Moses the great Captain of Israel we are sure trod almost the same path under a strange providence of Preservation that at last he became the deliverer of Israel from their Aegyptian thraldome When Saul was set by who was of a Kingly Presence and by the Head and Shoulders above his brethren David was called from the Sheep-cot to the Throne the issue whereof was the exaltation of Israel and the downfal of their enemies If we shall but reflect since Christ's coming in the flesh on the example of Constantine the Great Son unto Helena a Brittish Lady who through many glorious and eminent Victories and Services was at last advanced to the Imperial Seat and how he at last became as a Temporal Saviour to the Church of Christ and Destroyer to the Kingdom of the Dragon is most marvellous to consider It is worth further the taking notice of how wonderfully God in late ages raised the Spirits of some obscure persons as Martin Luther and his Associates of the first Reformation with some other Reformed Ministers since that they have made the great Hierarchy of Rome to shake with their Power so that many Christian Princes then and since began to hate the Whore with the Wine of whose Fornications they were made drunken and now begin not only to hate her but to make her desolate and naked and to eat her flesh But yet that age was but the first fruits or Prodromus not the consummation of the work for she having since lifted up her head and endeavoured to cover her nakedness and to cure her self of her great Wound received but all in vain for her period drawing nigh God exasperates her sore more and more and makes those Horns those Princes that were once her strong Supporters to fall off from her and to hate her Indeed the first Reformers took off her outward garments and showed her nakedness in her false Doctrine and partly in her false Worship and then began to eat her Flesh in taking off some of her pompous Revenues but yet the main Work was left undone to its appointed time For as this great City rose not in one day but gradually so will also her ruine be by several Measures or Vials of God's wrath poured out upon her until the consummation of her ruine come with fire both Material and Analogical the one the fire of God's Word first destroying quite her false Worship which daylie goes on in perfecting the other God's fire of War and Judgements destroying quite up her outward State and Policy that her place be no more found And to the bringing about this great end God works very variously somtimes in moving on the hearts of Princes and so makes them willing unto this work somtimes in laying aside Princes of ancient and potent Families and raising up meaner and lower Persons on their Thrones as he most wonderfully hath done of late among our selves to whom he gives Hearts Spirits and Gifts meet for this great work and lastly in over-ruling the designs of others that though they go about to seek themselves and to advance their own Dominion and Power of Ruling yet the All-wise providence of God knows how so to order them as to bring about his predesigned end For I cannot believe that they will be all pious good Princes and right in their ends that shall be employed about this work for they are the ten Horns or ten Kings that receive power one hour with the Beast and were Members of him that shall destroy the Whore and burn her with Fire Rev. 17.12.16 I am of the minde that few conclude that Hen. 8. and some other Princes were so justifiable in their ends in expelling the Authority of Antichrist as they should have been and yet God employed them as his Instruments in this Work and when they have done his business God knows how to lay them by and all such self-ended persons as useless or at least make them but as Gibeonites or Hewers of Wood in the House of the Lord. Lastly Your Worship may be pleased to take notice that some conceive those and the like Interpretations of dark Prophesies to be but the issues of distempered brains and of little certainty To whom I answer Seeing that this is a Book that hath the publique impress of the Spirit in it and left as it were as its last Legacy of this sort in the Church of Christ I profess soberly I know not what tolerable sense to set on this Book of the Revelation if it be not for an historical discovery under Types and Figures of all the Changes and Revolutions with their Periods and Issues that should befal the Church of God and their Oppressors and Enemies until the end of all I confess there may be some difference in Interpreting and in not rightly Applying some of the several Characters Periods and Visions of this Book and in other circumstantial parts thereof and wherein I fail I entreat not only your Worship but all others to remember my weakness and our common attribute Humanum est errare and especially being amongst such Prophetical deeps and difficulties which may well plead for his failings who is conscious of his insufficiencies for so high and difficult an undertaking Yet this I dare be bold to say that the substantial part of this Prophesie is here cleared and discovered And if any receive light hereby to the better understanding the dark Mysteries thereof give me leave to say with Daniel cap.
and some others of suspected credit and of obscure note as Dorotheus Dionisius Eusebius Caius do oppugne it yet Epiphanius was so passionate friend to it that he reckons them among Heretiques that did reject it and Justin Martyr and Ireneus of sounder judgement and of singular piety did not only approve this book as canonical but wrote commentaries on it 2. Whatsoever that Caius was that fathers the Apocalyps on Cerinthus on whose report all his followers were misled yet the relation it self holds not any resemblance of truth for Ireneus Tertullian and Epiphanius who write very largely of the heresies of Cerinthus and his successors yet never mentions that he held this opinion of Chiliasme or the Kingdom of Christ on earth which they could not be ignorant of therefore this story of Caius concerning him and his Apocalyps is Apocryphal and a meer figment on purpose devised by the adversary to lessen the authority of this book see more at large hereof in D. Homes lib. 3. chap. 3. sect 3. Further if Cerinthus was the Author of this book doubtless he would have besprinkled it with some other of his errors that were peculiar to him as that of the creation of the world by Angels denying of the Divinity of Christ and affirming his generation to be only of the seed of Joseph and Mary as is testified by M. Baxter's book of Infidelity treating of the heresies of Cerinthus Carpocrates and their followers page 129. c. But in this book of the Revelation there is not one word to this purpose but rather the contrary strongly confirmed in many places thereof as the subsequent discourse thereon will manifest And lastly If it were granted that Cerinthus held and expected a riotous and luxuriant Millenary which is now disproved yet this of the Apocalyps hath not the least intimation thereof but of a Millenary of rest and joy in a higher and more spiritual key then ever the Church enjoyed on earth heretofore there is great difference between an earthly sensual reigne and to reigne on earth Saints may be on earth and yet be most spiritual so they may have a Kingdom here on earth and yet a most spiritualized and heavenly one which is fully confirmed in the 21 and 22 chapters of this book And so I have answered the first ground of suspecting the divine authority of this Apocalyps Secondly Hierome the great Antagonist of this book writeth that many learned men spake very sharply against this book and the whole matter thereof as not becoming the gravity of an Apostle being only a common history of things shaddowed under dark figures and hard kind of speeches I answer Rather it becomes and savours the excellency and authority of an Apostle being directed to the then seven famous Churches of lesser Asia carrying in it all along the spirit of Prophesie and the very steps sentences and figures of the old Prophets being full of pregnant testimonies of the Divinity of Christ and of this perfecting of the work of our Redemption and Salvation by his continual Intercession and providential acts of gubernation of his Church to the end of the world I confess the book in the figures and expressions thereof is dark and mysterious but that is not strange in prophetical writings as in Daniel Ezekiel c. It seemed good to God to set us on diligence to enquire into the dealings of God with his Church and people and not to over-slip the judgements of Gods providence which are reserved in God's infinite wisdom unto their appointed times of discovery that from generation to generation his people and Church may be comforted and supported unto the end of all Thirdly Dionisius aforesaid Bishop of Alexandria reasons very slightly against the divine authority of this book when he saith That it doth not suit with the gravity of an Apostle to cast up so oft his own name since in his Gospel he never nameth himself but only pointeth it out by some modest marks as these The Disciple whom Jesus loved But here in this Book in his Visions and Conferences with the Angel he hath never done with these kind of words I John This reason moved Dionisius to think that this book was rather set out by some other in his name then by himself I answer This opposition is but weak for he that writes a History or matters of Doctrine as the Gospel is mixed of both he need not often insert his own name for the truth of that depends on its present verity and other apparent circumstances witnessed unto by the spirit of God in miracles and its operations on the hearts of Believers But it is far otherwise with the Writers of Prophesie for that receives authority by the Author who is known to be a Prophet for in every Prophesie that foretelleth things to come we must enquire first who revealed it and then to whom it was revealed that the person being known to be a Prophet and to have divine Revelations we may give credit to it for otherwise who would give credence or faith to any of the Prophetical predictions or books of the Prophets before they saw them accomplished and fulfilled As to instance in the Prophet Jeremiah who maketh mention of his name at least a hundred times and the Prophet Isaiah how oft doth he repeat these words Isaiah the son of Amos And in Daniel's Prophesie we shall find his name more then threescore times repeated yea ye shall find I Daniel about nine times from the seventh to the tenth chapter and Paul when his Apostleship was called in question by some false Brethren and to shew the excellency of his Ministry how often shall you read I Paul an Apostle not of men nor by men but of Jesus Christ And why should it be accounted strange when John mentions not his name above five times in this whole book and with that modesty that none might doubt of the truth of this Prophesie Having wiped off the objections that have cast jealousies and suspicions on these divine Revelations I shall in the next place endeavour to clear the divine authority thereof and add some testimonies for that end and I doubt not but that being cleared there is no true christians but will receive this Book of Prophesies but as the Oracles of God The testimonies are of two sorts either from without or secondly within the said book Those from without are the general consent of the churches of Christ in all ages excepting in the heat of contest amongst some violent persons to the receiving of them into the Canon The Councels of Laodicea the third Councel of Carthage and the Councel of Toletan 5. cap. 16. decreed it to be received as holy and divine Scriptures Secondly it was so received by most of the ancient Orthodox Fathers as Justin Martyr Tertullian Cyril Epiphanius Lactantius Ireneus Augustine and many others and so this book is often quoted by them as of divine authority in their writings I shall
evident that he appointed Pastors and Elders and other Officers over those churches by his Apostolical authority as Paul and other Apostles had done in their respective Provinces and this is somwhat clear in that he received from God those several preadmonishments wich he is commanded to write and to deliver to the Angels of those churches as unto his peculiar charge and children begotten of him in the Lord who in the time of the Emperour Domitian about the year of Christ 84. wherein fell the second great persecution against the Christians Iohn was forced and banished from his church at Ephesus to Pathmos a Mediterranean Island and one of those called Cyclades wherein he himself testifies cap. 1. 9. that he received his Revelation during the time of his banishment Lastly I conceive the Title of this book The Revelation of Iohn the Divine to be a superadded Title and not Iohn's own and yet of great antiquity given it by some primitive well-meaning christians My reasons for this opinion is that the Title 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Divine was not peculiar to Iohn more then the rest of the Apostles at the time of his writing the Revelation it being written some years before his Gospel but his Gospel was written after his return from banishment as Eusebius Prideaux history pag 27. and other Ecclesiastique writers testifie and for writing so divinely of the Word which was God in his Gospel as is declared he justly acquired the Title of Iohn the Divine and not for the Revelations which was written before it Another reason that justifies this opinion is that the first verse in the first chapter looks as Iohn's own Title written by himself to wit The Revelation of Iesus Christ which God gave unto him c. and which was signified by his Angel unto his servant Iohn Wherein he only modestly nominates himself by the Title of Christ's servant Iohn and without any other eminent superadded Title as Iohn the Divine which hath swayed my reason that that first Title was given unto him for honours sake and not took up by him himself Having done with the authority and also with the Author of this book I come to the third thing proposed to be considered to wit the scope matter and designe of the whole book which I shall handle but compendiously and more general that I may not preoccupy my subsequent discourse This book of the Revelation is a book of Prophesies wherein is a discovery of all such notable events and alterations as should happen to the church of Christ and her enemies from her first rise unto the end of all set out and described in Hyerogliphique and Prophetical visions which Christ hath signified unto his servant Iohn and it containeth in it two general parts 1. An admonitory Epistle which is directed to the seven Churches of Asia minor which is the subject of the three first chapters 2. A general discourse of all the alterations which generally do concern or relate to the church of Christ from Iohn's time to the latter day which is comprised from the fourth chapter to the end of the book 1. In the Epistle there is to be taken notice as in the preface thereof first the immediate Author from whom this admonition comes and the whole of the Revelation and that is Jesus Christ cap 1. 1. and 11. Secondly To whom it was given and delivered and that was Iohn vers 9. Thirdly To whom it was sent and directed and that was particularly to the seven Churches of Ephesus Smyrna Pergamus Thyatira to Sardis Philadelphia and Laodicea cap. 1. v. 11. and cap. 2. 3. throughout Fourthly In this monitory Epistle is to be considered what faults and errors they are admonished and reproved of Fifthly The threats laid out against them for non-amendment Sixthly and lastly The approbation of their well-doings and of their faith with an exhortation unto perseverance therein ◠In the second general part or discourse concerning the great alterations that happens to the church of Christ and its adversaries these most remarkable things offer themselves to the observant eye 1. An historical relation under the visions of seven sealed books or sealed prophesies in the 4 5 6 7 and 8 chapters which principally concern the various successes combustions confusions and ruine of the heathenish Roman Empire and in the middest of their highest confusions yet take notice of the providential preservation of the church of Christ under it hottest persecutions and though mightily conspiring its ruine yet preserved fenced and sealed by God 2. In part of the eighth and in the whole ninth chapter under the visions of the seven Trumpets there is an alarum sounded forth to the ruine of the then degenerated Roman Christian Empire by a seven-fold order of plagues the four first being not so terrible as the three last being entituled the three Wo-Trumpets 3. You may observe as it were a digression in the prophesie after the plague of the sixt being the second wo-Trumpet was poured out in the ninth chapter and the description of the seventh and last Wo-Trumpet set off to another place where the wisdom of the Spirit found it more conveniently to refer it and in the tenth chapter to fall upon the prophesie of the little book which is as a preface and entrance unto the prophesie and discovery of the events and destinies that should befal to Christ's church until the end 4. In the eleventh chapter you may observe how therein there is a peculiar visible and full discovery of the state and progress of the church of God even from the time of this prophesie unto the later day and you may farther observe that this vision of the open book which principally relate to the church of Christ in this eleventh chapter do most necessarily concur and connex with all other the visions and prophesies of the Revelation concerning the secular powers under the Seals and Trumpets for both do concur together though under several characters and visions 5. In the twelfth chapter there is as it were a retrogranation to a more particular ample and fuller discovery of the persecuted and afflicted state of the church of Christ under the Kingdom of the grear red Dragon concurring with the prophesie of the six Seals under the idolatrous heathenish Roman Empire until she had brought forth her man-childe and the Dragon cast down and destroyed yet she was not so freed from her afflicted state but she was glad to fly into the wilderness where the Dragon sends his floods after her of persecutions besides errors and heresies to overwhelm her if he could 6. You may observe in the visions of the thirteenth chapter the Dragon being dethroned how he substitutes in his room the ten horned Beast the secular Roman Empire divided into ten Kingdoms which persecutes the woman being entred into the wilderness and does the work of the Dragon and of the former heathenish Empire against her Yet that 's not all there is
another two horned Beast joyntly raging and reigning with the former at one and the same time which doth as much mischief to her as that secular Beast it self doth being the Ecclesiastique and Pseudo-prophetical Beast or Antichrist it self who is the former Beasts great chaplain Prophet and Vicar general who under pretence of Christ and Christian Religion having two horns like a Lamb yet exercises the cruelty of the Dragon and sets up again other under specious titles the late abolished heathenish Idolatry and tyrannous persecuting Government like that of the Dragons and so healeth the wound given to the first Beast This Beast's tokens qualities and characters are herein described that they that have wisdom may know and shun them 7. In the fourteenth chapter is observable how during the reigne of this antichristian beast the faithful followers of the Lamb by their continual publishing of the sincere Gospel of Christ they bring ruine and desolation upon spiritual or mystical Babylon the antichristian state and seat set forth under the cry of the three Angels but more particularly in the 15 and 16 chapters in the visions of the Vials and the effusions thereof are the particular gradual and final ruines of the anti-christian Beast with all the churches enemies more fully set forth and manifested at the pouring out whereof the church of Christ being freed and delivered from all anti-christs oppressions and idolatrous pollutions she sings her tryumphant song the song of Moses 8. In the seventeenth chapter that those precedent prophetical Visions and Discoveries may not seem improbable the Spirit it self gives the interpretation of the mystery of the great whore of Babylon sitting upon a scarlet coloured beast of seven heads and ten horns The Beast is the Roman Empire divided under ten Kings or Kingdoms The woman harlot is the great City to wit Rome it self which the Jesuites themselves cannot deny as in the preface hereof is more fully manifested which reigneth over the Kings of the earth the mother City of all spiritual fornications By this taste of the Spirit 's interpretation it plainly appears that the whole Book of Visions are to be applyed and explained historically and that every mysterie opens others to the discovery even of the whole 9. In the 18 and 19 chapters is but a more solemn reiterating of the execution of Gods wrath against the antichristian state with the horror anguish and utter desolations that should befal it and all the Churches combined enemies whereupon the Church being now freed from all dangers gives praise power and glory unto God And in chap. 20. enjoys that happy sabbath of rest that glorious reigne on earth for a thousand years that great day of judgement beginning with the first resurrection and determined with the last and universal resurrection of all the dead when all Christs enemies shall be taken and cast into hell to be tormented for evermore and the Saints translated into the glorified estate that heavenly City the new Jerusalem the spouse of Christ which came down from heaven to reigne with him for ever and ever 10. In 21 and 22 chapters you may observe the glorious description of this new glorified Church-state which came down from heaven set forth by most excellent metaphors and figures wherein all spiritual delicacies in a far higher pitch then the church ever yet enjoyed on earth set forth unto us by such resemblances figures as is now most glorious to our capacities and fittest to express such heavenly and spiritual matters whereupon follows a conclusion of the properties of that glory but never of the glory it self and so of the whole prophesie with a confirmation of the verity and truth thereof until the accomplishment of all These things being cleared and premised and having laid down a brief view of the scope and designe of the whole I come by Gods assistance and with a spirit of sobriety and with awe and reverence to open in the next place the mysteries of the book it self Remove not the stone well laid THE REVELATION Revealed Chap. I. Verse 1 2 3. Ver. 1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass and he sent and signified it by his Angel unto his servant John Ver. 2. Who bare Record of the word of God and of the Testimony of Jesus Christ and of all things that he saw Ver. 3. Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophesie and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand HAving formerly by way of Introduction premised some things and amongst the rest who is the Author of this Revelation and that is Jesus Christ and therefore here it is called The Revelation of Iesus Christ because he as the Mediator of his Church received it from the bosome of the Father in an unspeakable manner and made it known by his servant Iohn for the good and comfort of his servants the Church and Saints of God from this word or Title 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Revelation you may observe Observ 1. That this is a book of Truths and Prophesies not hidden and sealed but made known and revealed for the comfort and edification of the church of Christ It is a Revelation of things and passages which must shortly come to pass verse 3. And how with reason could a blessing be promised to the keeping of the words of this Prophesie if it were not known what was to be read heard and kept We have further the testimony of the Spirit for it cap. 10. v 8. That the little book was an open book wherein is contained the great revolutions of the Church until the end of all and in chap. 22. v. 10. there is a positive command not to seal the prophesies of this book for the time is at hand Observ 2. From the Author of the Revelation Jesus Christ observe That all good things that God hath in his counsel determined to bestow and give unto his Church he doth give and bestow them in by and thorow Jesus Christ He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world the same yesterday to day and for ever He was the Angel of the Covenant and the keeper of Israel of old and is the same to us for ever It was he that bruised the Serpents head in the beginning upon our parents first transgression and it is he that is more then conqueror over all the powers of darkness now and for ever He was the same spiritual rock and way of salvation to the Patriarchs of old as he is now unto us and none ever did or shall come to the father or receive good from him but in by and thorow the Son who is the true light that lightneth every one that cometh into the world so that if Christ be yours then all is yours whether things present or things to come for Christ is God's 1 Cor. 3.22 23. Lastly
he is the high Steward and great Dispenser in God's Kingdom All power is given unto him in heaven and in earth Observ 3. That that Prophesie which comes from so sure an Author as Jesus Christ must infallibly be true and come to pass for he is and always was the great Prophet of his Church it was he that gave visions and Prophesies to the Prophets Isaiah Ieremiah Ezekiel Daniel somtimes by his ministring spirits the Angels somtime by himself in the appearance of the likeness of the son of man Ezek. 1. v. 26. And all know that their prophesies stood sure and were accomplished in their respective seasons But as unto the stedfastness and faithfulness of this book of Prophesies see what Christ himself testifies in Rev. 3.7 14. and in ch ult v. 6. These things saith the Son of God who is the faithful and true witness therefore of most sure performance in God's appointed seasons From the words which God gave unto him to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass Observe 1. That Christ's servants are very privie to Gods counsels and knows much of his designes This Christ hath verified First From that ground of union which is between Christ and his members for being once become his members or servants then they in Christ and Christ in them and according to that 1 John 2.20 They have an unction from him that is holy and they know all things so that they that have the Son have the Father also for they both are one in will counsel power and essence John 17.21 22. And the secrets of the Lord are with those that fear him 2. They know much of the mind of God in all the combustions changes and revolutions of this world Many think that they come by chance ill fortune or for want of foresight in management of State affairs but the servants of God know that the hand of God is in all those revolutions and State-shakings and that there can no evil befal unto the City but that there is the providence of God in it directing and over-ruling it unto its end so that they do foresee that this change and that alteration in the world will come too and can rightly conclude that all tend as in a chain of providences to bring about God's great end in the exaltation of Christ's Throne and the pulling down his enemies Observ 2. God reserved the more full revelation of all things concerning the changes and revolutions of the Church and State and the end of all unto the day of Christs exaltation in glory Christ on earth was not so glorious as Christ in heaven he had not so full commission to send out so much of his Spirit while he was on earth as when he was in heaven John 7.39 So in like manner it is no sin to say that God had not communicated unto Christ's manhood whiles here on earth the compleat knowledge of times and seasons and the end of all for he is said to grow in knowledge and therefore according to his manhood whiles here on earth might be ignorant in some things But yet it is clear the Father revealed it to him when he ascended into heaven that he might reveal it to his Church as the due reward of all his sufferings chap. 5. 9. Thou art worthy to take the Book and open the Seals thereof for thou wast slain c. Which must shortly come to pass See vers 3. on these words The time is at hand And he sent and signified it by his Angel unto his servant John From these words you may observe That God reveals these Prophesies not immediately from himself but mediately and by instruments First God gives this Revelation to Christ Christ gives discovery partly himself and partly gives commission to his Angels for the same Thirdly The Angels instruct John Fourthly John directeth the same to the seven Churches And fifthly From the seven Churches they are left to all the Churches of Christ for information unto the end of the world The infinity of God and the finiteness of creatures are not compatible therefore God uses instruments sutable to our capacities for discovery of his mind Observ 2. From the Messenger or Angel by whom partly this prophesie was sent Observe That Christ employs Angels in great services for his Church Angels were the first publishers and preachers of Christs birth an Angel tells the Apostles that Christ should return in that manner they had seen him go up to heaven Acts 1.11 Angels tells Abraham and Lot what God would do to Sodom Christ tells John Rev. 22.16 That he sent his Angels to testifie those things in the Churches The Angels are made ministring spirits for the service of the church and their service is more manifest in these particulars 1. They inform us of God's will and God of our ways they ascend and descend Zac. 1.11 Gen. 18.19 2. They oppose the enemies of Christ and his Church Rev. 12.7 Dan. 10.20 Numb 21.22 3. They execute the judgements of God upon his enemies Exo. 12.23 Gen. 19.11.13 c. Isa 37 36. Rev. 16. throughout 4. They defend the godly both against wicked men wicked spirits and wicked practises Rev 7.1 2 3 c. Psal 34.7 and 91.11 Gen. 32.1 2. 2 King 6.14 15 c. 5. Next after the spirit of Christ they comfort the afflicted in their distresses Luke 1.30 Acts 10.4 and 27.24 Dan. 6.10 11 12. Luke 22.43 6. They are God's reapers and gatherers of God's elect at the end of the world Mat. 24.31 From the person to whom this prophesie was sent and revealed by the Angel under this relation of his servant John what this Iohn was is made fully to appear in the preliminary discourse unto the Title it was Iohn the brother of Iames our Lord's kinsman the beloved disciple a great Pillar and Apostle in the Church of Christ and yet he is here described under the title and relation of servant not only so by right of creation but of redemption special right covenant and service From which observe That to be related to Christ by way of service is a higher priviledge then any outward relation to him Better be Christ's bondman then his kinsman inward priviledges are more honourable then carnal Mary was happier in carrying Christ in her heart then in her womb Iohn glories more to be Christ's servant then his cosin Mat. 12.47 48 c. Christ professeth that they are his kindred who shall do the will of his father and he that is related to Christ in grace and faith is as sure of his love and acceptation as any of his nearest friends or kinsmen Observ 2. It is man's greatest honour to be Christ's servant It was a curse upon Cain Gen. 9. to be a servant of servants but to be Christ's servant is not only free but noble Iohn though he was a great pillar a prophetical Apostle the darling Disciple yet Christ calls him but his servant Paul
under tribulation the condition it self one thing cannot be the cause and the effect too as a faithful holding out under persecution is the cause causa dispositiva the kingdom or reigning is as the fruits and effects therefore not one and the same so that the interpretation or sense of this verse runs thus I Iohn your brother and sharer or companion in tribulation with you for the hopes in that kingdom which is to be revealed by Jesus Christ at his second coming and for which I and you and all Christ's faithful ones wait for in patience and longing desirings through Jesus Christ our Lord. From whence this Note ariseth Observ That all Christ's faithful ones ought to wait with patience under all afflictions and tribulations for the day of their release by the coming of the Lord Jesus and his Kingdom This is the Kingdom of patience and suffering not of reigning and tryumphing Some of Christ's disciples would needs have the kingdom presently in that their question Is this the time that thou wilt restore the Kingdom unto Israel But Christ answered It is not for you to know the time and seasons you are to occupy employ your talents till I come Of the souls beheaded for the testimony of Jesus How long Lord is their continual cry Their work is with prayers and tears to wait upon God for deliverance they set not the world on fire by wars and bloodshed the proper works of Satan and his members they are to wit the Saints or at least should be of meek placid and peaceable spirits easily to be entreated when they are reviled not to revile when they are stricken not to strike again yea to pray even for their very enemies and to such persons in God's appointed time he will fulfil that promise The meek shall inherit the earth This sets a check upon the turbulent ones of this age the soundness of whose spirit I question being opposite to the former characters of Christ's spirit who conceive they go about to pull down Antichrist when they raise commotions rebellions and bloodsheds in states and Common-wealths and endeavour the ruine of the Soveraign Magistrates thereof when as indeed the prosecution of the work against Antichrist is rather hindered then furthered hereby for hereby they weaken and divert the hands of Soveraigns from that work in as much as in them lieth for antichrist is to fall by the hands of those Princes and Powers of the world from whom it had its first rise Rev. 17.16 and therefore all should rather add to their helping hands in assisting those Christian Magistrates they live under rather then disturb or oppose them in this work and for those that are otherwise minded let them be here companions with John Wait for his coming in faith and patience and stand still and they shall see the salvation of our God Observ 2. Another note hence riseth That the contempletion of the coming of the Kingdom of Christ is the great prop and stay of the spirits of all Christ's faithful ones under all their afflictions and tribulations Iohn here comforts himself and the Churches with those thoughts in the next place he often inculcates this contemplation on them that should be tryed and come under tribulation Christ would give them as the guerdon of all their sufferings this Kingdom described under several names of the crown of life v. 10. Manna which is hid and white stone v. 17. the Tree of Life v. 7. Power over Nations v. 26. and to rule with a rod of iron v. 27. and lastly Christ himself by the name of Morning Star v. 28. And indeed what can more support the spirits of afflicted Saints then to know there is a crown laid up for them and dominion that shall last for ever after the progress of a short afflicted life here and therefore the Apostle Paul accounted the afflictions of this present life not worthy of the glory which should be revealed unto us Rom. 8.18 Was in the Isle called Patmos Whether John fled there voluntarily to avoid persecution or banished there as most ancient Writers affirm I shall not contend but sure he was in this Island called Patmos by reason of the great persecutions in Domitian's days about Anno Christi 97. This Island was one of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea now called Archipelago scituated between the lesser Asia and Greece now under the command of the Grand Seignior and in the way going up from the Mediterranean unto the Hellespont and Constantinople This Island was famous for nothing so much as for this entertainment of our Apostle Iohn in his exile being one of those barbarous Islands into which the Romans did use to send their malefactors and exiles and here in this Island amongst the Barbarians Iohn received these Visions and Revelations wherein observe Observ That God does not tye himself in the discoveries of himself unto the holiness of places The Rabbins have a rule amongst them and they hold it for truth That God never spake unto the Prophets out of the holy Land but this is contradicted in the Prophets Ezekiel and Daniel who received their visions at Babylon by the River Chebar in Chaldea Ezek. 1.1 2. God did here pass by the holy Land the holy Temple the holy City and gave those Visions of God in Chaldea and pours out his spirit in Babylon Whiles Iohn conversed about Ierusalem and those holy places Iohn had not any Visions but when in Patmos amongst Barbarians he had these high and glorious Revelations God is not tyed to places in a dungeon in prison as unto Paul and others In a Babylon as unto Ezekiel Daniel and the three children God pours down his Spirit into the hearts of his servants and raiseth them up unto a height of Prophesie Observ 2. That God often in the most obscurest and barbarous corners of the earth doth raise up glorious Instruments for his service It was once a question Can any good come out of Nazareth Much more may it be said Can any good come out of Egypt of Rome of Babylon of Patmos The answer was Come and see so I say come and see a glorious prophet in Patmos a Moses in Egypt a church of saints in the house of Nero in Babylon an Ezekiel a Daniel in Caldea God can raise up instruments most serviceable unto his name and glory in the most profane and idolatrous places and this is from that unlimitted spirit of God that bloweth where it listeth see more hereon in chap. 2. v. 13. For the Word of God and the Testimony of Iesus Christ This shows the cause of Iohn's exile because he professed faithfully the Word and the Testimony of Jesus Christ Hence observe That the Saints faithful profession of God and Christ moves the rage of Christ's and their enemies against them Iohn here became a fugitive and exile in Patmos for this faithful testimony and this is no more then what Christ foretold of before his passion that his
and catholique instructions in his mouth The divel or the divelish preacher answered him that whilst he preached good and sound doctrine unto his auditors and they were not followers of it he had his end even the aggravation of their condemnation for their neglect inproficiency and contempt of such good doctrine surely how this odd designe should come into the divel 's head I know not being a liar from the beginning and the truth abideth not in him nor will confess it no further then he is compelled to do it by an over-mastering divine power this were indeed to destroy his own Kingdom and God never sends the evil spirits to be the messengers to provoke to break off from sins to live to God holiness and works of reformation his very nature is contrary to such works and therefore is the great hinderer not the promoter of them This is another mark to discern of what spirits visions are of Thirdly Another distinguishing mark is That in respect those visions and raptures of spirit carries with them a terribleness in the strange apparitions therein they leave a high and strange impression of spirit upon the parties under them and those that are from God leaves always behind them when they are passed away a holy awe and reverence of the divine Majesty and glory and a contempt of themselves and their own worthlesness Isaiah the Prophet when he saw the Lord and had discoveries of his glory he could call out Wo is me for I am undone I am a man of unclean lips for my eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts Isa 6.5 Iob also confesseth cap. 42. 5 6. Now mine eyes seeth thee I abhor my self and repent in dust and ashes The sight of divine glory and majesty doth always humble in that it brings to sight our own worthlesness even in our best attainments in respect of it which causeth a godly sorrow Now the contrary spirit brings contrary fruits and effects as pride vain-glory c. and therefore not difficult to be differenced in their operations Fourthly Visions extasies or raptures of the Divine Spirit though often they may much grieve and trouble their spirits that are under them as in Dan. 7.15 and 8.27 and take away their senses for the present and their strength and comliness and make them as it were faint dead dumb and breathless as in Daniel cap. 10. 8. 15. 17. verses and as Iohn in verse 17. at the vision of Christ he fell at his feet as dead and in the examples of Zachariah Paul c. yet after they are passed they have no impairing in the parts either of their bodies or souls but rather a greater glory put upon them as Moses whose face did shine coming from the presence and visions of God Paul grew a most eminent light and the highest of all the Apostles after he was strucken as dead with his converting vision Acts 9. Iohn here receives great and high revelations from Christ after he was stricken as dead at his feet by the glory of the vision God is no hard master none were ever losers to be his instruments in this sort for unto such he commonly adds greater additions of parts grace and glory But on the other side by the evil spirit's raptures or possessions many have not only lost the due temperature of their reason and understanding and so become altogether besotted and wittols but have also their bodies impaired by the hard service of their master Hence it is that as it is reported and commonly by experience seen of witches and such wretched creatures that are truly bewitched by the spirit of delusion and have given up themselves as servants to his will have the faculties of their souls so impaired and hurt by his possessions and daylie disturbing of them he being an Apollyon or destroyer from the beginning that being broken in their reasons they conceive in their raptures that they are transformed into strange shapes of cats dogs hares c. and in an instant to be transported and carried into far places distant and in and out to houses though the doors were shut things in themselves above the efficiency of any creature and contradictory to nature and all its works and unless persons of such belief makes two Omnipotents it can never stand Indeed the true ground hereof and of all their confessions in this kind proceeds from hence that the divel from whom they have their frequent extasies and raptures hath so befooled them in their understandings that they do verily believe those things to be really done and acted which the divel does represent unto them in their extasies and trances and so when they are out of them having lost their reasons believes and often confesses them to be of truth though many of them be impossibilities in nature without a miracle and had never a being further then in the fancies of their confused and disturbed brains This is the reward of the divel 's instruments in this kind Fifthly and lastly If all these former distinguishing marks fail for a hypocrite may go very far in complying with the signs of God's word yet herein he cannot deceive to wit in the truth of his vision or revelation in the event thereof this will be sure to try him whether his vision be from God or not Events discovers visions and distinguishes prophets Jer. 28.9 The prophet which prophesieth of peace when the word of the prophet shall come to pass then shall the prophet be known that the Lord hath truly sent him and this is according to that of Deut. 18.21 22. The question is How we shall know whether a vision be from God or not Look to the event if it comes to pass it is of God if not it is a lie Jeremiah prophesied against Jerusalem Hananiah and other false prophets the contrary Jer. 28.2 3 4. Ahab feared not to go against Ramoth Gilead whiles Zedekiah the false prophet told him Go and prosper 1 Kings 22. but when the words of Micaiah proved true to Ahab in his destruction then the false prophets were confounded and Zedekiah ran into an inner chamber to hide himself 2 Kings 22.25 Object But hath not the divel often foretold the truth of events Yes but not with that clearness as the divine Spirit does he leaves no hesitation or doubting on which side the overthrow will be The Beast together with the false Prophet and their adherents must be taken and destroyed the Saints must remain the conquerors Satan in his predictions is but as a good guesser or conjecturer at best to keep his credit good with his complices he gives out his predictions in riddles or aenigma's as of old in the Oracles at Delphos Aio te Aeacides Romanos vincere posse Or that of Croesus Croesus Halyn penetrans magnam pervertet opum vim Both which may be taken in a diverse sense which the constructors took in advantage as to themselves and so proved to both fatal in not
in part to come written without that is plain for discovery open to the view All which imports that Iohn was to write of the then present state of Affairs and of the churches which was plain and open and as of things that are and also of the future state of things which are as a book written within sealed and secret in respect of their futurity 2. Another Note hence is That God's true Prophets and faithful Ministers will commend no more to the observation of their churches as visions from God then what they have really seen and hath been discovered from God unto them They are not to come with the word of the Lord in their mouth and pretend visions from God like the false prophets in Ier. 14 whiles their mouths and hearts are full of lying vanities Iohn writes no more then what he saw to the seven churches nor discovers no more then what he saw was then present or should come to pass in after time What we haue seen and heard saith the Apostle we speak and are bold to preach and to commend unto you Christ's Ministers should press no more then what they are assured are experienced truths I doubt me every opinion concerning outward forms of Government Discipline and the like will not at last appear to be visions of God which some do now a days so hotly contend for it may be one day said unto such hot-spurs Boanerges sons of Thunder who required such things at your hands whiles you let the greatest works as of love righteousness and judgement lie prostrate at your feet as if they did not concern you Vers 20. The mysterie of the seven Stars c. Christ in the last verse to make things plain unto John and to give him a taste of the discovery of those mysteries in his book interprets the mystery of the vision of seven Stars and of the seven Candlesticks presented unto his sight in the precedent 12 and 16 verses and he calls it the mysterie of seven Stars and candlesticks because indeed unto John it was a secret and hidden thing what those figures of stars and candlesticks did mystically mean or represent and unto John it would be still a mysterie if Christ himself had not here interpreted Hence Note That this book of Revelations is made clear obvious and manifest by a diligent observation and a right applicationof the mystical characters and figures of each vision Christ himself in this verse hath made the first enterance and essay on this account He tells us that the seven Stars in his right hand and the seven golden candlesticks do mystically represent the seven Angels or Messengers of his churches and the seven candlesticks the churches themselves In the seventeenth chapter Christ is more large in interpreting the mysterie of Babylon the great the mother of harlots c. All which connotes unto us Observ That the wise observant christian may attain unto the revelation and discovery of the mysteries of this book of Prophesies by the help of the Spirit of God upon a diligent enquiry thereinto The Spirit says often in the second and third chapters Let him that hath an ear hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches and in chap. 13. vers 18. Here is wisdom let him that hath wit count the number Here is the mind that hath wisdom cap. 17. v. 9. so that it is for him that hath an ear an intelligent understanding ear and wisdom a wise heart to consider that is fit and capable to open and apply aright the mysteries of this book It is a mystery therefore difficult to all but unto the spiritualized eye and unto the mind that hath wisdom but it should not therefore be accounted presumption in such to undertake this essay seeing it hath pleased Christ to give us the first fruits himself in opening the mysteries of the vision of the seven stars and the seven golden candlesticks which is as an enterance into the whole and since he hath interpreted unto us that by the seven stars are meant the seven Angels of the churches by the seven golden candlesticks the seven famous Asian churches by the woman arrayed in scarlet the mother of harlots in the seventeenth of the Revelations to be the great City that reigneth over the Kings of the earth and the Beast with seven heads and ten horns to signifie a Government Empire or Kingdom on seven Mountains where the great harlot reigneth under ten Kings why should it be thought strange rash or presumptuous to interpret the rest of the mystical figures and hyeroglyphick characters of this book according to their natural and genuine tendency and as they are opened and applyed in other prophetical writings by one and the same Spirit of Prophesie whose wisdom it was ever from the beginning to represent the risings progress and downials of the great Empires and Kingdoms of the word by such dark and mysterious figures and representations unto God's servants his Prophets And conceive one great reason of this dark and mysterious carriage of the Spirit is That the Intendments of God towards the Powers and Kingdoms of the world may be revealed and made known but unto few such as have spirits sutable and wills to conform to the will of God in all things for if those great events and revolutions of State were made vulgar and known unto all it would raise innumerable combustions in the world and great sufferings and afflictions to the children of God from those Powers that they live under for whose sakes these great concussions and subversions of States and Kingdoms do come to pass that Christ's and their Interest may be exalted at the last 2. Note That it is the Spirit of Christ in his Word that makes known and opens the secrets of all Divine mysteries unto his servants Christ discovers unto John those mysteries of stars c. It is this Spirit that searcheth into the deep things of God He shall take of mine as Christ saith John 16.15 and shall show it unto you and hence he is called the Comforter because he makes the love of the Father and the grace of Christ which was before-hand hid in the bosome and counsel of God manifest unto poor souls and so sheds abroad the love of God in their hearts by faith The discovery of Divine mysteries are too high a work for the ablest and wisest person in his natural capacity without the help of Christ's Spirit for they are spiritually not carnally to be discerned But to proceed The mysterie of the seven stars Christ interprets to be the Angels of the seven churches Stars in all prophetical writings do signifie persons of eminency and honour and in Heraldry it is accounted the most noble sort of blazoning peculiar alone to the Armory of Princes The Angels of the seven churches or rather Messengers for so the Greek word signifies because they come with the best message and news that ever came to man to wit the glad tydings of
way is never like to win the prize Heaven is set forth as a crown and reward of our faithfulness though not for the merit of the work but according to the work it is freely given as wicked works shall not pass unpunished neither shall good works or our faithfulness towards Christ pass unrewarded Every one shall receive according as he hath done in the flesh whether good or evil And he that hath fought the good fight of faith and perseveres therein under all afflictions and that even to death he is the true christian conquerour and for him is laid up the crown of eternal life The true militant christian must not look for the crown if he turn's back to the enemy and that which is most admirable herein is that the method of obtaining this crown is far different from that of obtaining worldly crowns they are got by over-mastering and surviving the enemy but the christians crown is gotten by suffering and dying the christians cross and the crown kiss each other And to set you right that seek after and contend for this crown First Understand what this crown of life is It is not only the translation of the soul after death into the supernal heavens that is not so properly called life but that blessed state which soul and body shall enjoy after the resurrection of the just and therefore it is called a crown of life that is life given most eminently which is the most desirable blessing of all things as being one of the chiefest gifts of the blessed Saints in the resurrection and so part is put for the whole and therefore it is here called a Crown of life To denote unto us first That that blessed state of life which the Saints shall then enjoy will be a most honourable state and so it is often set forth by a kingdom in Scriptures Luk. 22.29.12.32 Rev. 3.21 Secondly That it is an endless estate Thirdly That it is a state gotten by conquest and as a prize set unto a race 1 Cor. 9.24 Fourthly That it is a most glorious estate and a living crown and that that will continue to all eternity Secondly In the next place understand how this crown of eternal life is rightly to be obtained every suffering will not do it The cause must be good that makes a Martyr it must be for Christ and that in faithfulness Secondly The heart must be upright for Christ therein It is not vain-glory or worldly applause or obstinacy in private opinions that will weigh the least to make a Martyr it must be in the uprightness of your hearts and that you can appeal unto God with the Psalmist Psal 44.21 and say The Lord knoweth the secrets of the heart Yea for thy sake are we slain all the day long Lastly This suffering must be out of love unto God and his glory or else all in vain as Paul said 1 Cor. 13.3 If I give my body to be burned and have not love it profiteth me nothing There may many die for Christ and yet not out of love to Christ obstinacy of mind and formal profession may do much in that particular but a true zeal to God and his glory makes the Holocost a sweet smelling Sacrifice and the crown of life its reward Observ The last Observation from these words is Sufferings and afflictions are but the opening the door to a Christians happiness The most happy estate of the worldling is but vanity and the most suffering state of a christian is a crowning when the christian suffereth the loss of all things for righteousness sake he aboundeth then in greater measure of graces yea when he suffereth death it self it is gain unto him for he hath only left thereby a world of troubles sin and vanities for a crown or life and glory For if our hopes were only in this life we were of all men most miserable Therefore be thou faithful unto the death and thou shalt have a crown of life Vers 11. Let him that hath an ear hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death The Spirit doth often inculcate in this and the next chapter this charge and duty on the judicious and enlightened christian to take notice what the Spirit of Christ in this spiritual appearance saith unto the churches To avoid repetition see more on this on verse 7. of this chapter But he that overcometh that is that abideth constant and faithful unto Christ and his truths under all temptations and tribulations and so a faithful christian overcometh it is he that shall not be hurt of the second death that is the second death mentioned in 21 chap. Rev. ver 8. and 20.14 In that Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone for evermore shall not touch him Negatives in Scripture strongly evince the enjoyment of the contrary as Thou shalt not be hurt of the second death that is thou shalt surely live thou shalt taste of the Tree of life in the midst of the Paradise of God and a crown of life shall be thy portion It is here called the second death in respect the first death is but a partial punishment of the wicked but the second death is that when the first death and hell shall deliver up the dead were in them and they shall be cast into the Lake of fire cap. 20. 13 14. there is a first life and a second life that we shall enjoy the first life is that that we now at present enjoy the life of grace the second life we shall be made partakers of at the resurrection of the just The life that the soul in heaven enjoys is but a partial life and incompleat in respect of that at the resurrection as the punishment of the wicked under the first death either spiritual or corporal is but partial so the glory of the elect is but partial and incompleat now in heaven in respect of that that will be revealed at the resurrection Abraham now doth not know us and Jacob is ignorant of us neither do the faints departed know our wants nor are touched with our infirmities Their condition is happy but what it is we know not but this we are sure of at the resurrection we shall know as we are known and see as we are seen and this is eternal life and the crown of life that is so often promised to the Saints in Scripture So then there is a first death and a second death the first death is but a partial punishment for the wicked but the second death is the compleat execution of divine wrath upon them in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone for evermore Observ The Observation from the words are That the constant faithful and persevering Christian is secured from all dangers of death whatsoever Tribulations in this life and death it self does him no hurt that tries him refines him and renders him glorious into the hands of his Creator Hell
or habitation is his Throne or his castle as the Law term has it therein he exercises his commands freely either by his Paternal or Magisterial authority and he hath better title to this Soveraignty it being natural moral then any Soveraign hath to theirs in the world 2. There are therein its subjects who obey more freely in respect of their more divine Oeconomy then any Prince's Subjects whatsoever Thirdly A man's most private designes and transactions are agitated therein Fourthly A man therein lives goes in and out and no place be it ever so pleasant is so complacent to a man as the place of his own habitation be it never so homely and therefore a man will not spare to spend all his strength wit or wealth to defend his house place of habitation against all pretenders of right thereunto Therefore these metaphors of a Throne Seat House or Habitation are fitly taken up by the Spirit of God to signifie unto us the power of Satan in the wicked and ungodly which in Scriptures are called his strong holds and habitations for in them he commands and acts freely being as a Father Lord and Master to us the children of disobedience for his servants and children ye are to whom ye obey and they obey freely and without any regret as dutiful children and servants to such a Father and Master even the Prince that ruleth in the Ayre even the Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience Ephes 2.2 there he makes his habitation there he lives and transacts the highest designes of his Kingdom of darkness there he takes his delight to dwell and takes that pleasure in this place of his habitation that before he will forego it or lose an inch of his possession the stronger man in the Gospel must first come even Christ in his Spirit of Grace and that after much strugling contending between flesh and spirit and that Christ shall be sure to make his Title clear and evident by Faith and the great charter of the Gospel before he will be dispossessed of his ancient free-hold Tenures yea his love or rather pernitious desire to his old habitation is such that after he is dispossessed thereof by Christ that if he can get or make a re-entry into his lost possession by his diabolical Stratagems and Temptations he comes in with seven fold worser spirits then the first to make good his right and re-entry if he may and the condition of that house is far more miserable then at the first O therefore watch and be prepared with the armory of Christ to oppose the assaults of Satan ye believing and enlightened souls and though he sometimes may foyl you yet let him not overturn you though he may endeavour to come into your soul yet let him not have quiet possession for greater is he that is with us then he that is against us Resist the Divel and he will flee from you and through Christ we shall have Victory Note hence Observe That Satan rules as absolute Lord and Soveraign over the unbelieving and disobedient They are his house the place of his dwelling his Throne his Kingdom his Seat and if that were not enough to describe their malignity and Satan's Soveraignty over them they are called Satan himself v. 10. The better to manifest Satan's Seat Throne and Habitation in and over the ungodly consider the contrary The Seat Throne and Habitation of God Though God in his infinite nature is illocal infinite and incomprehensible as unto any place or form yet metaphorically is said to be in a place that is from whence he in any special manner doth manifest his glory power grace and goodness So God is said to come depart and return in Scriptures when he specially manifests himself in grace mercy and answers to his people or unto any particular believing Soul and when God withdraws that appearance of mercy grace and glory nor hears the Prayers of his people but goes out in Judgments against them then he is said to depart to be gone and return into his place Hos 5.15 I will go and return to my place till they acknowledg their Offence God is said to have three special places of habitation Seats or Thrones in Scriptures 1. Heaven is his Throne and his dwelling place Isa 66.1 1 Kings 8.30 2. The hearts of the Saints is his Throne and dwelling place Isa 57.15 1 Jo. 3.24 3. The Church or Christ Zion is the habitation and Tabernacle of his glory Psal 132.13 The Church is the place where God communicates himself and gives his answers unto his people And therefore in 1 Tim. 3.15 it is called the House of God and often in Scriptures the Kingdom of God These are the special habitations of God Satan hath also three special places of habitation and dominion in Scriptures 1. In Hell over the damned spirits And therefore he is called the Prince of darkness and the Angel of the bottomless Pit 2. The hearts of the wicked and unbelievers is the Seat and habitation of Satan Ephes 2.2 3. His Throne is amongst the societies of the wicked they are his Synagogue v. 9. where his Doctrines are transacted and maintained and they are his Seat and Throne from whence all his wicked and pernitious Edicts do proceed against God and Godliness Psal 2.2 3. Therefore in this verse the Spirit sayes to the Church of Pergamus I know that thou dwellest in a place where Satan bears rule in all Idolatries wickednesses and hatred to God and his truths without controulment and yet to thy praise and comfort be it that thou holdest fast my Name and hast not denied my Faith that is that thou dost constantly profess my Truth and hast not been drawn to deny my Gospel or Doctrine of Faith not in those very hot and persecuting days wherein Antipas my faithful Martyr was slain in that City of yours by those Tyranical persons there in whom Satan dwelleth and prevaileth There is no farther difficulty in those words only understand that Antipas as Aretus testifies and some others of Antiquitie was the Pastor or Bishop to this Church of Ephesus yet others say he was only an Assistant to the Church However this blessed St. Antipas Policarpus and some others were the first Martyrs to the Gospel of Christ after the Apostles in the raign of Trajan From the words thus explained Note Obs 2. That the godly by the providence of God are disposed and mingled amongst the most vilest and wicked in the World The Church of Christ is likened to a Lilly amongst Thorns by the Wise-man in the Canticles Where the Synagogue and Throne of Satan was God had planted those Asiatick Churches Righteous Job saith of himself that he was a brother to Dragons and a companion to Owles Chap. 30.29 And holy David's soul was vexed by sojourning in Mesech and dwelling in the Tents of Kedar Psal 120.5 Honest hearted Joseph had his habitation amongst the Idolatrous Egyptians and there
the more glory it will be capable of and filled with hereafter Every Vessel shall have his fulness in glory but every one acording to its capacity as there is a glory in the Stars Moon and Sun and one differing from another in glory yet every one hath their fulness So in the Kingdom o◠glory when God giveth to every one according to his works every one shall have the reward of their works eternal happiness but some shall sit upon twelve Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel all shall be shining Stars but some of a greater Magnitude then others But to proceed For I have not found thy works perfect before God It was not a legal perfection that Christ could not find in Sardis he did never seek for that absolute perfection in them that would be in vain seeing they were so full of Imperfections But yet this intimates that the faithful christians and their works may be perfect before God although they are not found perfect in Sardis yet may be found perfect in others that are more sound and godly For the clearing of which understand that sometimes in Scripture perfection is taken for sincerity and uprightness as Gen. 17.1 Walk before me be thou perfect that is upright sincere as Iob 1.1 he was a man that was perfect and upright one that feared God and eschewed evil he was a plain simple man honest at the heart in this sense the works of Sardis were not perfect before God they were not honest sincere and upright according to his will they were Hypocritical in name shew and appearance only not in truth and sincerity Secondly Perfection may be taken 1. As respecting our justification Or 2. Our sanctification The first of these in a strict sense is a compleat perfection for the Saints are compleat in Christ their head as unto justification and from all sin and the guilt thereof there is not one sin left which is not washed away by his blood in this respect they are perfect By one offering Christ hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 10.14 Then Secondly There is a perfection of sanctification and holiness And that is 1. In the respect of the beginnings and parts thereof 2. In respect of the prevailing degree thereof 3. In respect of the aimes thereof 4. In respect of the duration and perseverance of it 5. In respect of others First the Saints in this life have a perfect beginning of holiness as to its parts because it begins in every part they are sanctified throughout in soul body and spirit 1 Thes 5.23 though every part be not throughout sanctified by reason of the imperfection of mediums by which they are sanctified yet they are sanctified in every part throughout in understandings wills affections desires memories thoughts and hearts Secondly They have every grace in their souls not only in the truth thereof but in the prevailing degree thereof as when faith love patience humility c. overcome infidelity hatred impatience pride and other their opposite vices and evils So when this work of sanctification is begun in all parts thereof it may be said a perfect work in beginning and when it comes to the prevailing degree thereof it may be called a perfect work having prevailed against its contrary Thirdly They are likewise perfect in respect of their aims and desires God accepts the will for the deed and he that aims and strives for perfection God accepts as perfect though mixed with much imperfections Christ could not find the works of Sardis perfect in this sense neither Fourthly They are likewise perfect in respect of their duration Apostacy from the faith and truth will loose the honor of perfection and makes their crown to wither when a righteous or perfect man turneth to iniquity all the righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned Ezek. 18.24 Fifthly In respect of others the Saints are perfect souls compare them unto the guilded out side formal christians and they are gold and perfect in respect of them and so Christ could not find the works of Sardis perfect before him as those of Ephesus Smyrna c. Hence Note first Observ 1. The great cause that our works are not perfect but defective before God is for want of honest sincerity in them Sardis was blamed for this very thing and for want of this grace she carried a fair name that she lived in her pretended graces but she was dead there was no sincerity and truth in them If we suppose a man to worship God in all his Ordinances and avoid all outward evil yet if there be double-heartedness in his spirit all is cast off by God as abominable Sincerity is that that gives perfection to every grace it is the very truth and spirit of every grace as when we believe we must believe sincerely when we love we must love sincerely and cordially when we sorrow or repent it must be done sincerely that is truly fully without any mixture or hypocrisie for a double minded man God doth hate Sincere quasi sine cera without wax without composition and as the word here beares it in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I have not found thy works full there was somwhat wanting within to make them compleat and perfect without this ingredient grace of sincerity all our duties are but as sounding Brass and a tinckling Cimbal But add sincerity unto the least and most imperfect of our duties and they will become in the esteem of God most perfect God accepts a Lamb from Abel offered in sincerity rather then clouds of Incense and thousands of Sacrifices from a wicked and profain Cain Yea if it be but a widdows mite or some Goats hair coming from one that is sincere God looks upon it as a rich present and calls the presenter thereof perfect Truth of grace and sincerity is our perfection here but in the world to come we shall have perfection in the highest degree as well as the perfection of sincerity and truth of grace in this life therefore let us so walk before God as becometh perfect ones Observ 2. It is the Saints duty that they aim and press after perfection in all their graces works and duties The church of Sardis was worthily blamed for want of this perfection her works were not full and entire there was somwhat wanting and therefore blame-worthy and imperfect First They are to press after the perfection of justification by faith and evidenced by love and works and so make their election and justification sure unto their own souls and manifest it unto others also Secondly To seek after perfection in all graces and parts of christianity in souls bodies and spirits to be perfect intire wanting nothing Ja. 1.4 as ye abound in every thing in faith and utterance and knowledg and all diligence see that ye abound in this grace also to wit charity 2 Cor. 8.7 There must not one necessary grace be wanting in true Saints though
when they call themselves so and that they are not of the true christian church but of the Synagogue of Satan See more hereon cap. 2. vers 9. Behold I will make them that they shall come and worship before thy feet and they shall know that I have loved thee These words contain a promise to the church of Philadelphia that Christ would make those enemies of hers the blaspheming Iews to come and worship before her feet that is would make them to submit to the Scepter of Iesus Christ and to worship him in the presence of Philadelphia which for her purity and soundness may pass for a type and figure of the true church of Christ before whom these carnal formal Iews shall fall low and worship Object But if it be demanded Whom shall they be made to worship I answer First God in Christ whom they have blasphemed and dishonoured the sole object of Divine worship which Philadelphia and the true church do honour and obey Secondly They shall civilly worship and reverence Philadelphia and the true church for the honour that Christ hath put upon her and so will think it an honour indeed to come under the same profession worship and discipline with the christian church And when I have done this saith Christ they shall know that I always loved thee and that thou wert most dear unto me Now this Prophesy and promise was never fulfilled unto Philadelphia in the full extent thereof only we read of some few of the malignant Iews given by Christ to the church of Philadelphia and others of that age but how this promise was fulfilled in the Latitude thereof it cannot enter into my understanding to comprehend For when ever did those perverse Iews that for their notorious malignity against Christ and the truth were justly called the Synagogue of Satan come and worship or bow down before the feet of Philadelphia Or when did they submit to the worship of the the churches of Christ only but in some first fruits and that before this was written to Philadelphia And when did the Iewish Sinagogue of Satan even to this day ever since become the true church of Christ more then some few scattering persons that were converted to the faith inconsiderable to the fulfilling of this promise Or when did ever God make it it eminently appear to them that the christian churches were the only beloved people and societys in the eye of God above all others in the world Seeing those things were never yet acomplished according to the fulness of this promise surely there is yet a time to come when there shall be a more universal call of the Iewish Synagogue into holy Philadelphia or the christian church then ever yet have been to this present day A Note hence will rise Observ That God will not only make the natural obstinate Iews but also their true counterpanes the nominal seeming Christians to come and bow before the true Spouse of Christ before the latter day This is confirmed from this verse wherein it is promised by Christ that the obstinate Iews should come in and worship before the feet of the church of Philadelphia but towards Philadelphia in the latter this was never as yet performed in the extensiveness of this Scripture as is above manifested therefore as yet to come to pass before the feet of the true Philadelphia the holy church of Christ And not only the natural Iews shal come in submit and joyn to the holy church of Christ but al formal birth christians shall also either come in and worship before this true church or else shall at least wise reverence this true holy church as the only beloved of Christ for the glory of the Lamb will be upon her and the Nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it and for her greater honour the Kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it Rev 21.23 And it is but just that God's true church and people should have a day too as well as their adversaries had theirs We know how that the great and lofty ones of the world have put all possible reproaches and afflictions on the Saints of God and churches of the purest judgment but yet the time is at hand that they shall be convinced and shall know the Saints to be the only beloved of God and the great interest and stay of Kingdomes and then the greatest Monarch will be glad to take hold on the skirt of a Jew to come under the protection of this holy church for their God is the Lord of Hosts Quest. And if any one ask when this shall be Answ When the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in and all Israel shall be saved Rom. 11. When Christ shall appear again for the restoring of his Kingdome then the Kingdome and Dominion and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given unto the people of the Saints of the Most High Dan. 7.27 then shall all come and worship before Philadelphia the glorious new united christian church of Jews and Gentiles And this shall be the true Sion the dwelling place of God's glory whereunto all Nations shall flock and worship before it and become one with it or otherwise shall be made bow unto the Iron Scepter of Christ whereby he will make all the Nations of the earth to submit to his Soveraigne Authority and fall and worship before his feet Rev. 19.15 Vers 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience I also will keep thee from the houre of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth That for which Philadelphia is commended for by Christ is for keeping the word of his patience This hath either respect to Christ or unto the church as if Christ had said because thou hast kept the word of my patience that is the word and doctrine which with a great deal of patience I have taught the world and with a like patience Preached it from time to time or else the effect being put for the cause Because thou hast kept the word of my patience that is the word of my Gospel which enjoineth and worketh patience Either or both of these senses may aptly be raised and entertained from these words without any prejudice unto the truth and intention of the Spirit in these words or 2. as respecting the Church of Philadelphia This word as it was the word of Christ's patience which he taught patiently the word is for many generations so it was received and kept by her with patience and constancy for which she had the reward of being kept from the hour of temptation Quest But whither was Philadelphia so saved and kept from the hour of temptation that fell upon all other her Sister churches that she was so freed that she was not touched by it Answ It is not probable that Philadelphia went free when the ten days of persecution under the Emperours
Kings Priests and Judges Yea the name of God of Christ and the new Jerusalem is written upon them and therefore sure most honourable Little do the high ones of this present generation with their counterfeit and mock-honour think that the now poor despicable Saints of Christ whom they so much scorn and trample under-foot are those for whose sakes the world is preserved from flaming fires and that one day shall become the only Kings Rulers and Princes thereof maugre all the malice of Satan and all their antichristian enemies in the world to the contrary If the great and honourable persons of the world did but verily believe that the Saints of Christ should one day become so honourable in the presence of the whole world they would more esteem them then they do as Heirs born unto so great a Kingdom It is the common and not unwise practise of politique courtiers when their old Soveraign or Prince is upon declining they adore and worship the next Heir or reputed Successor as the rising Sun as the nearest step to their preferments And will ye not be so wise ye sons of men to make good your interest with the rising Heirs and children of this great ensuing Monarch Three of the great Monarchs of the world are dead and we have seen their graves the fourth is sick with age if not even at deaths door having one foot in his grave already for his weakness and infirmity being but as an Image of the first Beast or of himself when he was in his youth under his Caesarian Heads and Empire And the fifth is drawing nigh having already poured out many Vials of ruine upon the fourth to make way for the appearance of himself this heavenly one And think ye is it not good and honest policy to come under the skirts of the câ—â—rtiers of this great and heavenly Prince to become one in faith manners discipline and interest with them that when he appeareth ye may joyntly reigne with him and them in his new and heavenly Kingdom It will be the first step unto honour and your rising to become one in interest with the now despicable and vilified Saints of Christ for though at present they differ nothing from servants yet know they will be one day heirs of all Observ 2. That Christ's new restored Church-state new Temple new Ierusalem that comes down from heaven shall never perish but be established for ever Though some would have these words to be made pillars in the Temple of God and to go out no more to signifie the stability of the faith of the elect whereunto I cannot wholly assent for though I grant that the faithful as Philadelphia are made pillars for their stability in the faith and strength of grace in the Temple of God and their faith is so confirmed to them that they never need to fear of utter failing or perishing yet there is more promised in this verse then a meer confirmation of the elect from non-falling away for the next coherent words do connote so much when Christ promises to write the name of the new Jerusalem and the new name of Christ upon them to be made pillars in the faith and to be established therein was always a continued promise and always performed to the church in all ages but the name of the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven and the new name of Christ which are annexed hereunto were never yet made good unto the church but hath reference unto a more glorious future church-state on earth spoken of Rev. 21 1. I saw a new heaven and a new earth which in vers 10. is called the great City the holy Ierusalem descending out of heaven from God which on the subsequent words of this verse shall more evidently be explained But to return This new church-state new Temple is to continue to perpetuity yea for everlasting they that enter thereinto are made firm as pillars not to be removed they that enter into the gates of the present visible Temple may again be removed ejected and lose their station for being not rooted in the faith yea and the Temple it self as those seven Asian Temples removed overthrown and extirpated for their iniquities But they that enter into this holy new Temple that comes down from heaven they are made pillars therein and shall never go forth more until Christ lays down his Kingdom unto the Father and God shall be all in all Not as some vainly object against the expectant tryumphing Saints That they shall reign for the term of a thousand years and then their kingdom shall cease But the truth is that when Gog and Magog shall be destroyed and all Christ's open enemies cast into the bottomless Lake of fire about the end of the Saints tryumphant thousand years Rev. 20.10 then that Kingdom which Christ during all that former happy millenary ruled and reigned in as Mediator and God-man which properly is called his Throne and his Kingdom shall be devolved and swallowed up by a more glorious Kingdom and the Saints translated in the highest heavenly glory which for the most excellent and God-like properties thereof is called in 1 Cor. 15.24 The Kingdom of God even the Father and wherein all Ordinances shall cease for Iohn in Rev. 21.22 saith And I saw no Temple therein for the Lord God almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it and in chap. 22. v. 5. describing further this glorious state he saith And there shall be no night there and they need no candle neither light of the Sun that is those ordinances or the like thereunto we now enjoy for the Lord God giveth them light and they shall reigne forâ—ver and ever They do therefore vainly cavil that say That Christ shall utterly and altogether cease to reigne in his Headship over his church tryumphant from that of 1 Cor. 15.24 where it is said When he shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God even the Father when he shall have put down all Rule and all Authority and power And in v. 28. And when all things shall be subdued unto him then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him that God may be all in all Now the Apostles meaning was not that Christ should cease to be Head of his church and so ever or at any time to cease to rule over them as the members of his body mystical whereof he himself is Head but when all his enemies are put under his feet and all Rules Powers and Authorities in the world are by him utterly vanquished and put down and when the last enemy death shall be destroyed and death and hell cast into the Lake of fire Rev. 20.14 after the general and last judgment of the dead then I say Christ shall deliver up to God even the Father his former Mediatory and Judiciary Kingdom whereby he ruled and reigned not only over his holy faithful ones by his Laws and ordinances but also
will sup with him and he with me then a spiritual participating of Christ in his Ordinances in this life The words have respect unto futurity and the other life as the next verse intimates and that of Luke 13.29 Then shall they come from the East and West North and South and shall sit at Table in the Kingdom of God And when is that time But in that day when Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the faithful shall appear in the Kingdom of Christ and all the wicked thrust out of doors vers 28. And this is that which Christ intimateth in Matth. 26.29 to his Disciples after his last Supper That henceforth he would not drink of this fruit of the Vine until that day when he should drink it new with them in his Fathers Kingdom Christ will again feast communicate and entertain mutual fellowship with his Disciples before the ultimate end though not in a carnal and sensual manner yet in a more heavenly and spiritual manner and therefore it is called New Wine in respect it is received not in the old common way but in a more singular and spiritual way and manner it is called new as Jerusalem that comes down from God is called new in respect of its perfection the old being passed away And that day when this heavenly Supper or Feast will be is when that Royal Nuptial feast is prepared at that wedding mentioned Rev. 21.2 9. for the heavenly Bride the Lamb's wife when Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the faithful shall sit at Table together with Christ in his most glorious and happy Millenary Reigne and Kingdom and I can see no inconvenience why this should not be so literally understood it being a sure rule in interpreting Scriptures That we are not to depart from the plain literal sense thereof unless there be some evident cause to the contrary as being contrary to the coherence against the Analogie of faith or some other more plain and express Scriptures But this sense accords and harmonizes with a full consort of other Scriptures and therefore Piscator well observes upon this of Matth. 26.29 Quare non videtur hoc intelligendum de Vino quod una cum Discipulis biberet Dominus post Resurrectionem suum Nam etsi per dies illos quadraginta sese illis subinde ostendit atque etiam cum iis edit nulla tamen potus sit mentio nec moris erat apud Judaeos bibere Vinum in Prandiis ac Coenis quoâ—idianis sed tantum in solemnioribus Conviviis Though it is mentioned that Christ did eat with his Disciples after his resurrection before he ascended yet there is no mention of drinking this new wine which was reserved for the day of his Kingdom which was not then in being for he told his Disciples that he was then a going to prepare a place a Kingdom for them John 14.2 wherein they should sup with him have fellowship with him and sit on his Throne and Reigne with him as the procedure of the next verse will manifest Verse 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my Throne even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his Throne Christ here adds a third reason to the luke-warm Laodiceans to come unto him it being by way of reward a Throne Christ tells the sons of Zebedee Matth. 20.23 That to sit on his right hand and on his left is not his to give but he having since by his death purchased this power into his hands for all power is given unto him in heaven and in earth Matth. 28.18 He has a just right to dispose and grant to sit with him in his Throne to all his conquering Saints Christs Throne here and the Father's are contradistinguished as two distinct Thrones and not one and the same Subordinata or diversa non sunt contraria My Throne and the Father's Throne carries a variety not a contrariety in them The Son is not the Father neither is the Father the Son So neither is the Son's Throne the Father's Throne nor on the other side the Father's Throne the Son's Throne Christ will have his Throne as God-man here on earth wherein himself and members shall have a share though inferiour unto the Head for they shall reigne on earth Rev. 5.10 and the Father has his Throne the highest heaven of glory Psal 11.4 Isa 66.1 whereâ—n Christ is set down Col 3.1 and this cannot be called Christ's Throne properly as his own for Christ's Kingdom or Throne is a Throne of executing judgment and righteousness and breaking all his enemies as a Potters vessel with a rod of Iron cap. 2.27 2 Pet. 3.13 Now this cannot be commodiously applyed to the Father's Throne which Christ at present enjoyeth in the highest heavens that is the Holiest of Holies into which Christ is entered a place only meet for Angelical hallelujahs and spirits of men made perfect not for ruling reigning judging and breaking his obstinate enemies which he as man must do on earth But more of this hereafter Only hence Note Observ That the time is yet to come when Christ is to have a Throne of his own on which together with him the overcoming Saints shall sit and reigne on earth That this Throne is to commence in futurity is plain from Christ's promise made here to the overcoming Saints long after Christ's ascension into the Father's Throne and that it shall be here on earth is plain from cap. 5. 10. where the Elders triumphant song does clear it Thou hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reigne on earth compared to chap 20 v. 11. and that of Matthew 5.5 Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth all is in the future tense for I am sure experience shews they have not yet inherited the earth for they have in all past times complained We have been strangers and Pilgrims and in all ages hitherto afflicted distressed and persecuted as servants and never as yet inherited the earth that is become the only Lords as the true heirs and proprietors thereof and therefore yet to come I shall only add that of Luke 20.28 29 30. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations and I appoint unto you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me That ye may eat and drink at my Table in my Kingdom and sit on Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel I see no inconvenience of understanding these words literally as unto the general scope thereof according to that ancient rule Non est a litera seu propria Scripturae significatione recedâ—ndum nisi evidens aliqua necessitas cogat Scripturae veritas in ipsa litera periclitari videatur And by the way take notice That there are many godly learned men both in our own Nation and others also that though they take not up this opinion as their own nor cannot wholly comport with it in their judgment yet