and this is first written to us that we might come unto and behold him who is the light of the World and in knowing and seeking whom we may understand all things Prov. 28. 5. and that he might look unto him that he might be strengthened against fears and this also was to be written for us that we knowing how great things he hath done for us and what an excellent one he is become might serve him without fear Luke 1. 75. and that he might look unto him as unto one that is able to perform his word in his threatnings and promises and written to us that we might know he is strong and faithful he is the almighty v. 8. 2. And the things which are The several works states and conditions of the Angels and Churches with the counsells Instructions commendations reproofes threats and encouragements given unto them For the encouragement of the good to hold on their way And for reproof admonition and reclaiming of the evil that they might turn from their Iniquities and every epistle for Instruction and admonition to all and for our instruction and learning they are written and of every one that hath an ear as may be seen afterwards in ch 2. and 3. 3. And the things which shall be hereafter which begin ch 4. 1. and so onward as to the sum and substance of them Verse 20. The mystery of the seven stars which thou â—awest in my right hand and the Seven Golden Candlesticks The seven stars are the Angels of the seven Churches and the seven Candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven Churches Here our Lord opens and explicates unto John what he had foreshewn to him after he had given that discovery of himself he opens the mystery The mystery c. 1. A mystery doth signify to us in general A secret thing and that which is not obvious to every capacity and in scripture it signifieth some excellent secret also and it may still retain the name after it is opened Col. 2. 2. and ch 4. 3. so we read of the mystery of Christ which was secret comparatively till he came into the World and not so clearly opened till the Spirit was poured forth upon the Apostles Rom. 16. 25 26. and this mystery was made known by Christ and God in him unto them By Revelation he made known the mystery unto them that by them it might be made known to us and they have so plainly declared it that when we read we may understand their knowledge in the mystery of Christ which in other ages was not made known unto the Sons of Men as it is now revealed unto his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit Eph. 1. 9 and ch 3. 3 4 5. 2. And indeed many times a mystery doth signify some secret thing set forth to us by some signes Symbols Shadows Parables c. so Christ was formerly typed forth under many types and Shadows as the mystery of Jacobs ladder of the sacrifices Rock Brazen-serpent Tabernacle Temple Ark Propitiatory High-priest c. was Jesus Christ as is manifested unto us now the mystery is opened 1 Cor. 10. 4. Col. 2. 17 with v. 2. Heb. 10. 1. Joh. 1. 52. and ch 2. 21. and ch 3. 14. So our Saviour setteth forth the Kingdom of Heaven in in many Parables which are called the mysteries of the Kingdom Mat. 13. 11. so here that which the Apostle saw was seven starrs and seven candlesticks and the mystery or secret hereof or that which was secretly signified hereby was the Angels and seven Churches See also the mystery of iniquity after such a manner set forth Rev. 17. 5 7. c. see the notes also after on ch 5. v. 8. Now here we may observe for our usefulness 1. In that our Lord here opens the mystery by his spirit so we may learn that Christ is the revealer of secrets and of hidden things unto us upon him resteth the spirit of the Lord the spirit of wisdom understanding c. and by this spirit he reveals mysterious things for the spirit searcheth all things even the depths of God 1 Cor. 2. 10 12. with Isay 11. 1 3. Eph. 3. 1 3. Luke 24. 44 46. and indeed he is in the bosom of the Father and knows all his mind and counsels Joh. 1. 18. and ch 10. 15. This whole revelation God gave unto Christ to shew c. v. 1. and ch 5. 1 9. This therefore might engage us when we are in the dark and see no light to come unto him as the interpreter Job 33. 23. when Daniel had seen the vision and sought for the meaning then Behold there stood before him as the appearance of a Man c. Dan. 8. 15 20. 2. In that he opens the mystery to John so it teacheth us that even the best of Men and those that have most understanding of and acquaintance with the word of God and Testimony of Jesus and have been declarers of the same see notes on v. 2. yet they have nothing but what is given them from above Joâ— 3. 27. flesh and blood cannot reveal further mysteries to them but they must be beholden to this interpreter otherwise they may say as Daniel did I heard but I understood not Dan. 12. 8. Mat. 16. 17. Joh. 1. 16. Eph. 4. 7. Ps 119. 18 125. And this might hide pride from such and keep them from glorying in God's presence as if they had not received 1 Cor. 2. 29 31. and ch 4. 7. See Dan. 2. 30. And it might preserve us from having Idolatrous esteems of Men or glorying in them 1 Cor. 2. 1 5. and ch 3 19 21. and ch 4. 1 6 7. 3. Seeing this mystery is opened to his servant John so it may instruct us that the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and to him that hath shall be given Indeed he herein prefers some of them before other some but yet still He giveth wisdom to the wise and knowledge to them that know understanding Ps 25. 14. Luke 8. 9 11. Dan. 2. 21 22. 4. In that it is given to John to write and to send to the Churches so he signifieth that all things are theirs whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas c. 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. He gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the Ediâ—ying of the Body of Christ c. Eph. 4. 10 11 12. The mystery of the seven Starrs which thou sawest in my right hand see the notes before on v. 16. And the seven Candlesticks See the notes on v. 12. The seven stars are the Angels here we may observe 1. He saith not nor means that the seven stars are to wit are transubstantiated into the Angels that is not the meaning hereof but they do signify to us the Angels The Angels are the secret thing represented by or signified under these signs or Symbols such sayings are
Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air 1 Cor. 15. 43 54. 1 Thes 4. 16 18. All this Generation of overâ—omers shall be above before they shall come down 2. This New Jerusalem shall come down from Christs God out of Heaven He saith not it is come down but cometh to denote the certainty thereof and the continually nearer approach of it As it is said of our Lord Jesus He cometh he cometh to judge the Earth Ps 96. 13. and 98. 9. The Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints Jude 14. Behold he cometh with Clouds Rev. 1. 7. that is he shall certainly come and that coming of his continually approacheth So it may be said of this New Jerusalem It cometh down out of Heaven c. And this is true 1. Of that glorious place so called for retaining these Blessed and Holy Inhabitants So John saith He carried me away in the Spirit to a great high Mountain and shewed me that great City the Holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God Rev. 21. 2 10. And though the Old Jerusalem may be built again by Men in its old place for and by the camp of the Saints even Israel and those that shall be joyned unto them as it is said Behold the days come saith the Lord that the City shall be built to the Lord from the Tower of Hanancel unto the gate of the Corner and the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the Hill Gareb and shall compass about to Goath and the whole Valley of the dead Bodies and of the Ashes and all the Fields unto the Brook of Kidron unto the Corner of the Horsegate towards the East shall be holy unto the Lord it shall not be plucked up nor thrown down any more for ever Which Prophesie was never yet fully accomplisht Jer. 31. 27 38 40. with Neh. 3. 1. and ch 2. 11 17. Zech. 14. 10. Isay 33. 20 21. with Mat. 24. 1 3. and Luke 21. 20. Zech. 12. 6. Yet I conceive the New Jerusalem this Holy City this Glorious Place and these Heavenly Mansions shall be prepared of God For we know saith the Apostle that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens yea may some say This building is eternal in the Heavens and shall never come down But their mistake will appear if the next Verse be but read and they pluck not one Scripture from another as too many do for it follows immediately For in this we earnestly groan desiring to be clothed upon with our House which is from Heaven or out of Heaven The very same Phrase there is used as here Compare 2 Cor. 5. 1 2. with Rev. 3. 12. So it is said of Abraham By Faith he dwelt in Tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob the heirs with him of the same promise for he looked for a City which hath Foundations whose builder and maker is God Compare Heb. 11. 9 10. with Rev. 21. 13 14 19. and of those Patriarchs it is said again But now they desire even now at this present day they desire a better Country that is an Heavenly Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God for he hath prepared for them a city Heb. 11. 16. with v. 13. and ch 13. 14. of this the Lord speaks by the Prophet Isay saying For behold I create new heavens a new earth and the former shall not be remembred nor come into mind But not only will he do so but he will also by his creative power make this new Jerusalem which is therefore called here by Christ the city of my God and this will be the praise of the whole earth and that in which they are especially called upon to rejoyce as it there follows But be you glad for ever in that which I create for behold I create Jerusalem a rejoycing and her people a joy Jerusalem is there distinguished from her people and â—ignifies that glorious place we have been speaking of Isay 65. 17 18. This shall come down out of Heaven See Mr. Joh. Horne in his Discourse concerning the New Heavens and Earth and New Jerusalem Pag. 45 47. And the glorious Inhabitants of this New Jerusalem even those which are written in the Lambs Book of Life Rev. 21. 27. shall come down out of Heaven The Lord my God shall come saith the Prophet and all the Saints with thee Zech. 14. 4 5. Jude 14. 15. They shall meet the Lord himself in the Air and come down with him and so shall be ever with him and shall reign with Christ on the Earth 1 Thes 4. 16 17. See Rev. 5. 8 10. Dan. 7. 27. They shall then inherit the Earth Mat. 5. 5. with Ps 37. 7 11. Judge the World 1 Cor. 6 1 2 3. Then the Saints of the most high shall take the Kingdom and possess the Kingdom for ever even for ever and ever Dan. 7. 18. And here we may see the fondness and foolishness of that saying and of those that use it in that sense What say they shall the Saints come down out of Heaven again Yes Christ the head of the Church shall do so and the Members also as is here said which cometh down out of Heaven from my God Rev. 21. 2 10. God shall send us Jesus Christ whom the Heavens must receive till the times of the restitution of all things and his Saints shall come and be with him Acts 3. 19. 21. with Joh. 17. 24. And yet God himself shall be with them gloriously for the name of this City shall be The Lord is there Rev. 21. 3. with Ezek. 48. 35. 2 Pet. 3. 12 13. Glorious things are spoken of thee O City of God Ps 87. 1 3. and 48. and 122. Then when he writes the name of the City of his God New Jerusalem upon him that overcometh he will make them of the Synagogue of Satan which say they are Jews and are not but do lye he will make them to come and worship before the Feet of every such an one and to know that he hath loved them See notes before on verse 9. And seeing we look for such excellent and glorious things how greatly doth it behove us to be diligent that we may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless 2 Pet. 3. 12 14. And to be of good courage and play the men for this City of our God as 2 Sam. 10. 12. fighting the good fight of Faith with the Spiritual Weapons of God's Warfare and laying hold on Eternal Life 1 Tim. 6. 12. And I will write upon him my new name either that new name given to him a name of perfect victory and conquest Ps 98. 1. or as his name is King of Kings Rev. 19. 16. so they shall be Kings of Kings of the Kings of the east even of Israel the natural Israel Rev. 16. 12. see notes on ch 2. 27 29 or his name
Chap. 14. 13 14-16 6. Seeing he took the Book in order to the opening it and did afterwards open it Chap. 6 c. So it shews unto us unto whom we should go that we may see and understand the contents of it namely unto this Lamb of God Indeed if the same had been said concerning this Book which the Voice said from Heaven Chap. 19. 4. viz. Seal up those things or as was said to Daniel Shut up the words and seal the Book And again The words are closed up and sealed Dan. 12. 4 9. then it had not been for us to have inquired into it As our Saviour said to his Apostles It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power Act. 1. 6 7. The secret things belong unto the LORD our God Deut. 29. 29. But the whole Book of the Revelation and that contain'd therein generally was given unto Christ to shew unto his Servants Rev. 1. 1. And this Book particularly was opened by Christ as afterwards followeth And those things that are revealed belong unto us and to our Children for ever Deut. 29. 29. Therefore let us come unto Christ the Light of the world that he may open our eyes that we may behold these wondrous things of his Law and not go to the worldly wise and prudent ones nor lean to our own understandings Matth. 11. 25-28 To him are we directed by God for upon him he hath put his Spirit that he may bring forth judgment to us Gentiles Isai 42. 1-6 7. And he calls upon us and invites us to come unto himself and there is that in him which may encourage us so to do for he is meek and lowly in heart and will not reject us or refuse to teach us because of our dulness and untractableness He will not strive nor cry nor cause his voice to be heard in the streets A bruised reed he will not break and smoaking flax he will not quench till he bring forth judgment unto victory Isa 42. 1-3 with Matth. 12. 19 20. and Chap. 11. 28 29. Vnto him the Lord GOD hath given the tongue of the Learned that he should speak a word in season to him that is weary Isa 50. 4 5. and he invites us to let him see our countenance and hear our voice Cant. 2. 14. John 14. 6 7. and Chap. 16. 23. Verse 8. And when he had taken the Book the four living Creatures and four and twenty Elders fell down before the Lamb having every one of them Harps and golden Vials full of Odours or Incense which are the Prayers of Saints In this Verse and the following Verse of this Chapter is declared to us that which ensued and followed upon the Lambs taking the Book among the Saints and Angels c. What Adoration praising and rejoycing there was amongst them And in this Verse particularly is declared to us 1. The humble Prostration and religious Adoration of the four living Creatures and the four and twentâ— Elders 2. What every one of these holy Ones had when they thus with all humility did prostrate themselves and worship 1. The humble Prostration and Religious Adoration of the four living Creatures and twenty four Elders And when he had taken the Book the four living Creatures and four and twenty Elders fell down before the Lamb. Where we have to consider for our usefulness 1. The time when they fell down and the occasion of their so doing When he had taken the Book 2. The Religious Action it self of the four living Creatures and four and twenty Elders They fell down 3. The Object of their Adoration Before the Lamb. 1. The time when they fell down and the occasion of their so doing And when he had taken the Book Wherein is intimated and signified to us 1. That this great Honour was given unto and glorious Action done by the Lamb in the view and sight of these holy Ones who were by faith or in their Spirits Inhabiters of Heaven or they were informed hereof and acquainted herewith in due season by the seven Spirits which the Lamb hath and which are sent forth into all the earth ver 6. And which are before his Throne Chap. 1. 4. and Chap. 4. 5. These holy Ones who are Inhabiters of Heaven are not in darkness but Children of the Light Eph. 5. 8. They are called out of darkness into his marvellous light 1 Pet. 2. 9. with Rev. 5. 8-10 They have an Vnction from the Holy One and they know all things 1 John 2. 20-27 And this Book in general was given to Jesus Christ to shew unto his Servants that are here below in mortal bodies Revel 1. 1. And much more are they acquainted with the Contents of it who are with the Lord and whose spirits are made perfect Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing but he revealeth his Secrets unto his Servants the Prophets and by them unto them that dwell on high Amos 3. 7. The Secret of the LORD is with them that fear him with the righteous and he will shew tâ—em his Covenant Psal 25. 14. Prov. 3. 32. Our Lord Jesus assured his Disciples That the Holy Spirit should teach them all things guide them into all truth and shew them things to coâ—◠〈…〉 6. and Chap. 16. 13-15 to wit in their keeping his commandments Joâ— 14. 15 17 21 23 26. that he should take of his things and shew unto them even of those heavenly things also or things above which he is now doing and will do Joâ— 16. 14 15. with chap. 3. 12. And these promises were not confined to the Apostles as may be seen in many places and passages of that discourse And the you there spoken of are not opposed to other hearty and unfeigned believers but to the world Joh. 14. 22 23. and chap. 16. 7 8 12 13 15. And though the Apostles were preferred herein yet wherein they were so it was for the especial good of the Churches 2 Cor. 4. 5 15. All things saith the Apostle are yours whether Paul or Apollo or Cepâ—as c. 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. Eph. 4. 8 11 13 14. unto the Believers it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven Mattâ— 13. 11 12. Oh then Blessed are they and blessed are their eyes for they see Matth. 13. 16 18. And how might the consideration hereof provoke us to come unto and follow Christ For he that followeth him shall not abide in darkness but shall have the light of life Joh. 8. 12. and chap. 12. 44 46. And to be led by and filled with the Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God And he that is spiritual judgeth or discerneth all things yet he himself is judged or discerned of no man 1 Cor. 2. 9 10 15 16. In that these holy ones fell down and sang as presently after follows when the Lamb had taken the Book and not when they had taken it
word and ordinances preserved amongst us else it were no such great Judgment to remove his candlestick out of any place Hence the Apostle saith What advantage then hath the Jew And what profit is there of circumcision much every way chiefly because unto them were committed the oracles of God Indeed on that account simply they are no better before God as to their gracious state But they have choice advantage thereby so to be Rom. 3. 1 2 9. and ch 9. 4. where he sets his Tabernacle amongst any people his soul shall not abhor them But he will walk amongst them Lev. 26. 11 12. 2 Cor. 6. 14 17. 1 Tim. 3. 15. It is a greater judgment to remove his candlestick then to take away the good things of this world from men however it be despised by us Ps 42. 1 3. and 63. 1 2. and 84. 11 12. and 27. 4. Amos 8. 11 12. 4. Seeing he threatens he will remove his candlestick out of its place not out of the World he shews unto us That he can take occasion by the evil of some to be merciful to others he will have a seed to serve him Ps 22. 30 31. He will set his Church in some other place when he took away his kingdom from his ancient people because of their unbelief he gave it unto others Mat. 21. 41 43. See what the Apostle saith As ye in times past have not believed God yet have now obtained mercy thorow their unbelief even so have these also now not believed that thorow your mercy they may also obtain mercy O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God Rom. 11. 30 32. 5. Seeing he can thus â—estify displeasure in removing his candlestick and will do so unless such repent let us examine our selves and whereinsoever we are guilty let us confess our iniquity and return to him from whom we have wandred and departed Hos 6. 1 2. and this leads us to the next thing viz. 2. The condition or else except thou repent The Judgment here threatned is not absolutely so but conditionally to wit if they still persist and go on in such iniquity and will not return therefrom to him so v. 16. 22. and ch 3. 3 16 19. see Amos 4. and 5. 1 4. Zeph. 1. and ch 2. 1 2 3. 1. Herein then we may see the equality of God's ways Ezek. 18. 21 27. As also herein we may see the nature of his threats while it is called today It is not that he may execute the Judgmeets but that he might awaken the threatned to Repentance Jona 2. 2 5. and ch 4. 2. Joel 2. 1 13. Rev. 3. 19. Therefore he gives this in charge to his Prophet Now therefore go to speak to the Men of Judah and to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem saying Behold I frame Evil and devise a Device against you Return ye now c. Jer. 18. 7 8 11. 3. It may encourage his Servants when he threateneth Judgments to give warning to the threatned because there is Mercy with him Ezek. 3. 17 21. and ch 33. 7 9. And to lift up a Cry for those so threatned Jer. 7. 16. and ch 8. 14. and ch 10. and ch 14. 7 12 21. and ch 15. 1 2. and ch 18. 1 11. Hos 5. 15. and ch 6. 1 2. Verse 6. But this thou hast that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans which I also hate After he had thus drawn up his charge against this Angel and Church and given good and needful Counsel to them and threatned to execute an heavy Judgment upon them unless they received and obeyed his Counsel he here again takes notice of somewhat further which was commendable in them and for which he doth approve them He will not overlook or forget any thing that is praise-worthy in them though he be angry and displeased with them Before we come to speak particularly to this verse we may note somewhat in general As 1. In that he saith but notwithstanding thou hast left thy first-love yet this thou hast not hadst simply but hast c. Something may be at present commendable amongst such as these who have abated in their first-love and unto whom he threatneth Judgment except they repent as we have noted before on verse 4. As Men attain not to the best at first but by degrees they grow in Grace So such as wander from Christ by degrees wither and grow worse and worse and are not worst at first they wax worse and worse 2 Tim. 3. 13. they proceed from evil to evil Jer. 9. 3. and by degrees go further and further off from Christ and suffer a decay of whath been wrought in them by the Gospel Take heed therefore we deceive not our selves nor flatter others in concluding all is well with our selves or them because we have not wholly cast off the things or all things that are good for this notwithstanding we may be in a bad decaying declining condition and if we grow not if we go not forward we shall go backward Jer. 7. 23 24. 2. In that he saith by way of commendation of them this thou hast that thou hatest he saith not the Nicolaitans but the Deeds of them so it may teach us that we should not hate with a positive hatred the persons of evil men but we may and ought to love pity and compassionate the persons of them whose deeds are evil and to be hated and in whom we cannot delight even as Christ and God in him doth most perfectly abominate iniquity He loveth Righteousness and hateth Iniquity Heb. 1. 9. Jer. 44. 4. Yet he loveth and pittyeth them that are evil and is not willing that any one should perish but that all should come to Repentance Joh. 3. 16. Eph. 2. 2 5. 2 Pet. 3. 9. so should it be with us also We should love our Enemies bless them that curse us do good â—o them that hate us and pray for them that despitefully use us and persecute us Mat. 5. 43 45. Luke 6. 27 36. We should love and increase and abound in love towards all Men and do good to all Men 1 Thes 3. 12. Gal. 6. 10. Indeed we should not so love them as to joyn in conâ—ederacy with them or delight in them and in their evil ways 2 Chron. 19. 2. 2 Cor. 6. 14. But yet we should pity and pray for and seek the good of and do good to them Prov. 29. 10. Our hearts desire and prayer to God for them should be that they may be saved Acts 26. 28 29. Rom. 9. 1. Ps 109. 4 5. 1 Tim. 2. 1 4 5. 3. That which he speaks concerning them by way of commendation is thou hatest their deeds or works which I also hate They were herein of the mind of Christ and like unto him such we should hate as he hates and because they are hateful to him Ps 139. 19 22. The fear of the LORD is to hate Evil Pride and Arrogancie and the
obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Heb. 10. 19 22. and ch 4. 14 16. By him they may come continually unto God Heb. 7. 24 25. and ch 13. 15 16. Joh. 14. 6. and where-ever they are none can shut this door or barre up his way no Man can do it Indeed by their iniquities they may provoke him to shut it up at and for some time as the Prophet saith Thou hast covered thy self with a cloud that our prayers should not enter Lam. 3. 8 40. 42. But no Man can shut the door Men may put his people into prison and make them fast therein with chains and bars But though their bodies cannot get out yet they may cry with their voice to him that hears the groaning of the prisoners Ps 102. 19 20. and 79. 11. and 142. 5 7. they may be banished from their habitations and native Countries but then their adversaries cannot stop or shut the passage to Heaven When David fled for â—ear of Saul to Achish or Abimelech King of Gath yet then he sought the Lord and he heard him and delivered him from all his fears Ps 34. title and v. 4 6. with 1 Sam. 21. 10 11. yea though they be in Hell as it were yet while it is called to day they may pour out their hearts to him as Jonah saith Out of the belly of Hell cried I and thou heardest my voice then he remembred God and his prayer came in unto him into his holy Temple Jonah 2. 2 7. Ps 116. 4 6. no Man can shut this door by all their laws â—dicts prisons banishments c. 4. He opens into the secrets and mysteries of his Kingdom opens Heaven and Heavenly things to them that turn from their iniquities as he saith to Nathanael Verily Verily I say unto you Hereafter ye shall see Heaven open and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man Joh. 1. 51. The secret of the Lord is with the righteous Prov. 3. 22. he brings them into the chambers Cant. 1. 4. and câ— 2. 14. and manifests himself to them and all things that he hath heard of his Father Joh. 14. 21 22. and ch 15. 15. and no Man can shut this door But they that follow on to know shall know the Lord whose going forth is prepared as the morning which all the Men of the World cannot possibly hinder Hos 6. 3. Acts 4. 11 13. To those that believe earthly things he will shew them heavenly things Joâ— 3. 11. with v. 3. see the notes on ch 4. v. 1. 5. He opens doors of utterance when he sees good and keeps them open during his pleasure and none shutteth But to this we shall speak on v. 8. 6. Yea in due season he will open the gates of his peoples graves and bring them out Ezek. 37. 12 13. for he hath that key too see the notes on ch 1. v. 18 And will open the gates into the new Jerusalem for them into which they shall enter Ps 118. 20. Isay 26. 1 3. As he saith Blessed are they that dâ— his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in thorâ—w the gates into the city Rev. 22. 14. Then indeed they shall have an abundant entrance into the everlasting Kingdom of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Joh. 14. 2 3. 2 Pet. 1. 10 11. and no Man shutteth against them that overcome none shall be able to hinder them or keep them from the reward of the inheritance Mat. 25. 21 23. And this conâ—ideration may be of usefulness to us 1. To shew unto us that seeing he hath the key and he openeth who died for us and is the true witness of his own and his Fathers love to us we are greatly beholden to him for by him and by him only we may have admission and entrance into God's house and Kingdome no Man cometh to the Father but by him Joh. 14. 6. Eph. 2. 13 18. And by him any Man may enter Joh. 10. 9. Prov. 9. â— 5. all the earth who are his by redemption are called upon to enter into his gates with thankesgiving and into his courts with praise to be thankful unto him and bless his name Ps â—5 1 3. and Ps 100. 1 4. 2. It may provoke and engage us to watch daily at his gates and â—â—it at the posts of his doors that we may find wisdome and so â—â—nd life and obtain â—avour of the Lord Prov. 8. 34. 35. Mat. 7. 7 8. 2. And shuteth and no Man openeth and this also he doth with the â—ey of David That is to say 1. He shutteth now when â—e pleases the door of the Tabernacle of David the door of God's Kingdom and no Man openeth some times he may and doth for trial shut for a little time that Men might be importunate knockers and during that time no Man can open But he will himself open to them that are importunate Luke 11. 5 13. and ch 18. 1 8. or for Mens transgressions and rebellions he may in part shut Lam. 3. 8 41 43. But when the day of grace is wholly ended and he hath done mediating or interceding for any when he hath finally shut the door with a firm purpose and resolution no more to open then there can be no admission As our Saviour saith When onâ—e the Master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the door and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door saying Lord Lord open to us Then he shall answer and say I know you not whence you are There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth c. Luke 13. 25 28. There will be then a great gulf fixed so as there will be no passing from one place or state to anotheâ— no not for ever Luke 16. 24 26. If he make a change and shut up or gather together then who can turn him away Behold hâ— breaketh down and it cannot be built again he shuts upon a Man and there can bâ— no opening Job 11. 10. and ch 12. 14. 2. And hereafter also he shutteth and no man openeth as he will do against the foolish virgins who took their lamps and took no oyl in their vessels while they went to buy the bridegroom came and the door was shut And when they came saying Lord Lord open unto us hâ— answered and said unto them Verily I say unto you I know not whence you are Mat. 25. 2 12. and he will hereafter shut the door against all such as are and remain enemies of and disobedient to the Gospel so as they shall not be admitted into his Kingdome There shall in no wise enter into the new Jerusalem any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or a lye Rev. 21. 27. he that doth not overcome shall then be shut out even the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liers c. Rev. 21. 7 8
shall be preferred before and be more eminent than others even in that Temple also for as one star differs from another in Glory so also will it be in the resurrection of the dead 1 Cor. 15. 41 42. He shall be preferred before little ones of whom yet is the Kingdom of Heaven and before such as have not had any considerable trials or opposition and so no such occasion to fight for our light affliction which is but for a moment works for us a farmore exceeding and eternal weight of Glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen c. 2 Cor. 4. 17 18. he that overcometh shall be exalted above others as the pillar is above the earth generally and as now their sufferings for Christ do abound so then also their consolations by Christ shall answerably abound 2 Cor. 1. 4 5 7. Rev. 22. 12. 2. A pillar By which the King will stand and with whom he will be present for ever as it is said in our types Behold the King stood by the the pillar in the Temple as the manner was 2 King 11. 4 14. 2 Chron. 23. 13. and Josiah stood by a pillar in the house of the Lord 2 King 23. 2 3. So the Tabernacle of God shall be with them that overcome and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them their God Rev. 21. 2 3 7. Joh. 17. 24. 3. More directly a pillar is a strong one though now he be never so weak and have never so little strength v. 8. he shall be a pillar a stable one established so as nothing shall prevail against him As the Lord saith to Jeremy Behold I have made thee this day a defenced city and an iron pillar c. and they shall not prevail against thee for I am with thee Jer. 1. 18 19. indeed now in this day he that abides in Christ sins not he keeps himself and the wicked one touches him not 1 Joh. 3. 6. with ch 5. 18. The gates of hell neither the power nor policy thereof shall not prevail against such an one Mat. 16. 18. Joh. 10. 27 29. But it is possible Men may not abide in Christ and then Satan and his instruments may get their advantage against them as hath been shewn before But hereafter they that overcome shall be like pillars gloriously they shall be so established that they shall not possibly depart or be removed from Christ or his Temple they shall be like the pillars in our types which were set in the porch of the Temple whereof the name of the one was called Jachin that is he shall establish and the name of the other Boaz that is in it is strength 1 King 7. 21. Then they that overcome and keep Christ's works to the end shall be stable for ever God will establish and in them shall be his strength Ps 87. 5. So as they shall go no more out no not for ever as here it presently followeth 4. A pillar on which Christ will write as also followeth presently after so in former times they did write some choice and excellent things of God's law upon their postes or pillars as it is said Thou shalt write these words upon the Posts of thine house and on thy gates Deut. 6. 4 9. and the Church is now called the Pillar of truth upon which the truth is so written that it may be seen and read of all Men they being manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ ministred by the Apostles written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in Tables of stone but in the fleshly Tables of the heart 1 Tim. 3. 15. with 2 Cor. 3. 2 3. so they shall be pillars hereafter gloriously as it is promised and covenanted by the Lord saying I will put my laws into their minds and write them in or upon their hearts Heb. 8. 10 11. with Jer. 31. 33 34. And saith Christ I will make him a pillar in the Temple of my God my God he calls him by way of Eminency and Excellency to distinguish him from and infinitely prefer him before all others who are called Gods The God of our Lord Jesus Christ is the Father of Glory 1 Cor. 8. 5 6. Eph. 1. 17. And his God because he is immediately originally and eternally and most compleatly and gloriously his and ours thorow and upon the account of him as Christ saith I ascend to my Father and your Father and to my God and your God Joh. 20. 17. Now Christ will make such an one as overcomes A Pillar in the Teâ—ple of his God even in the Church of Christ in its glorious estate The Church is now called the Temple being built upon and abiding in Christ as it is said ye are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-Stone In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an Holy Temple in the Lord Eph. 2. 20 21. 1 Cor. 3. 16. for ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them c. 2 Cor. 6. 16 17. And this Church will be the Temple of Christs God hereafter when he shall present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinckle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Eph. 5. 25 27. Which glorious Church or Temple is called by the Prophet Gods Holy Hill or The Hill of the Lord Ps 15. 1. and 24. 1 3. with Allusion to the Temple of God which was built on Mount Moriah 2 Chron. 3. 1. In this glorious Temple he shall hereafter be a Pillar not of or in this World for Christs Kingdom is not of this World Joh. 18. 36. But when the Mountain of the Lords House shall be established or prepared in the top of the Mountains and shall be exalted above the Hills and all Nations shall flow to it Isay 3. 2 3. Mica 4. 1 3. This is therefore a powerful motive and argument to engage us to fight the good fight of Faith and to resist unto Blood striving against Sin for in so doing we shall hereafter inherit Glory when shame shall be the promotion of Fools and Cowards Prov. 3. 35. with Rev. 21. 7 8. 2. And he shall go no more out namely out of this glorious Temple before spoken of no not for ever upon any Account whatever And so 1. They now go forth into the field of the World to call and bring Men into wisdoms house out of it as it is said she hath sent forth her maidens Prov. 9. 1 5. and the Master of the house said to his Servant go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city and again he said Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in that my house may be filled Luke 14. 21 23. Joh.
Nature Children of Wrath even as others as the rest of Mankind Eph. 2. 2 5. We our selves were sometimes foolish disobedient deceived serving divers Lusts and Pleasures living in Malice and Envy hateful and hating one another Col. 2. 12 13. 1 Pet. 4. 3. Tit. 3. 3 4 5. Oh let us shew all meekness to all men and pity and pray for them considering our selves Tit. 3. 2 3. Mat 18. 23 35. Are there not Sins with us even with us also against the LORD our God 2 Chron. 28. 10. and such we have been guilty of as others have been even such as are properly called our Sins our own Personal Sins against Light and Grace vouchsafed 3. Needful it is that we be washed from our Sins otherways we cannot be accepted of him who is of purer eyes then to behold Iniquity nor have admission into his presence here or Kingdom hereafter Unless we be washed we can have no part with Christ Joh. 13. 8. Without Holiness no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12. 14. The Unrighteous cannot inherit the Kingdom of God unless they be washed sanctified and justified in the name of the LORD JESVS CHRIST and by the Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 6. 9 11 Eph. 5. 3 7. Col. 3. 5 8. 4. He washed us from our Sins We could not wash our selves in any wisdom or strength of our own if we had washed our selves with Snow-water and made our Hands never so clean yet he would have plunged us into the Ditch our own Cloths would make us to be abhorred Job 9. 30 31. Though we had taken to us Nitre and much Soap yet our Iniquities would still have been marked before the LORD Jer. 2. 22. Isay 66. 17. Indeed he calls upon us to wash us and make us clean c. Isay 1. 16. But not in any Fountain or with any Water of our own but in the light and strength of his Grace But still he is the first and principal doer hereof and worker herein and unless he wash us we can have no part with him Joh. 13. 8. Hence the Psalmist begs of the Lord that according to the multitude of his mercies he would wash him thorowly from all his Iniquities and cleanse him from all his Sins That he would purge him with Hysop and he should be clean that he would wash him and he should be whiter then Snow Ps 51. 2 7. Oh the wonderful humility of Jesus Christ It was great condescension in him to wash his Disciples Feet Joh. 13. But how greatly doth his Humility appear that he would wash us from our Sins which are more filthy then the filthiest thing in this World ye know that he was manifested to take away our Sins and in him is no Sin 1 Joh. 3. 5 6. 5. He washed us from our Sins in his own Blood He is the Author of our washing and this is the way and means That he might do it it was needful he should partake of the Flesh and Blood and that he should dye for our Sins Gal. 1. 4. And rise again without which we should have been still in our Sins 1 Cor. 15. 16 17. No washing away of our Sins without Blood Without Blood-shedding there is no remission nor purgation of Sins Heb. 9. 22 23. Nor could there be any washing without his own Blood It was not possible that the Blood of Bulls and Goats could take away Sin Wherefore he came into the World in a Body prepared for him and laid down his Life and took it up again that he might become a Fountain in and thorow his own Blood for the washing us from our filth and uncleanness Heb. 10. 1 4. c. He hath made Peace for us by the Blood of his Cross Col. 1. 20. And obtained forgiveness of our following Sins Eph. 1. 7. And is become a Fountain for Sin and for Vncleanness Zech. 13. 1. He discovered the preciousness thereof to us in his Gospel 1 Joh. 5. 6. And washt us from the Dominion of Sin in our minds from our Ignorance and enmity Tit. 3. 3 5. Acts 26. 18. Joh. 9. 7 11 15. from the guilt of Sin in our Consciences Ps 51. 1 7. Acts 10. 43. and ch 13. 39. and from the service of our divers Lusts and Vanities Heb. 10. 22. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. 6. This was the fruit of his love He loved us and washed us from our Sins in his own Blood Oh infinite love it was in him that he should partake with us of the Flesh and Blood and shed his precious Blood and pour out his Soul to death for us that he might redeem us from our Iniquities and make known and evidence his Blood to us with the ends and vertues thereof and apply it to and sprinkle it upon us that our hearts thereby might be sprinkled from an evil Conscience and our Bodies washed with pure Water Heb. 10. 22. and ch 9. 14. This was the fruit of his love of his first-love fundamentally and of his following also Ezek. 16. 8 9. He gave himself for his Church that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of Water in the word And to this his love led him Eph. 5. 25 27. Oh! learn we of him thus to testifie love one to another If he our Lord and Master have washed us because he loved us we ought also to wash one anothers Feet for he hath given us an example that we should do as he hath done to us Joh. 13. 1 4 13 15. Oh let us not then hate one another in our hearts but let us rebuke one another in Love and not suffer Sin one upon another Lev. 19. 17. To this end consider him He hath loved us and washed us from our Sins in his own Blood To him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever Bless the LORD O our Souls who forgiveth all your Iniquities who healeth all the Diseases of your Soul who redeemeth the life of your Soul from Destruction c. Ps 103. 1 3 4. Verse 6. And hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father to him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever Amen In this Verse is laid down and declared to us what further Cause and Reason there is for such as are redeemed unto God to ascribe Glory and Honour unto the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ with the Doxology or giving praise it self unto him upon all these accounts mentioned v. 5 6. And hath made us Kings and Priests This is the consequent of his loving and washing us from our Sins c. v. 5. Vnto him who loved us and washed us and hath made us Kings c. Ezek 16. 9 12. 1 Cor. 6. 9 11. And herein it appears that he is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth as it shall be when he makes all things New For he hath made us Kings c. And is and shall be the Lord of Kings Dan. 2. 47. Some understand by this Phrase he hath
perform that spoken of ver 7 And of Him who sent and signified this Book by his Angels ver 1. So here we have an Account of the Person unto whom it was sent 1. By his name I John 2. By his Relation to the Churches who also am your Brother and companion 3. By some particular Account of the things wherein He was related to them In the tribulation and in the kingdome and Patience of Jesus Christ 4. By the Place where He was when this was sent and signified unto Him I was in the Isle that is called Patmos 5. By the cause or Reason of his Being there for the word of God and for the Testimony of Jesus Christ 1. He is described to us by his name I John so chap. 21. 2 and chap. 22. 8. thus He nameth Himself like Paul Gal. 5. 2. 1 Thes 2. 18. nay like to our Lord in this Book I Jesus ch 22. 16. He doth not add great and Honourable titles to himself and much less names of blasphemy such as the Man of sin takes to himself As Christ's Vicar and the High Priest and Head of the Church on earth c. But without any Honourable and much less Blasphemous Title doth He describe Himself As also do Paul Peter James Jude He was not desirous of Vain glory nor sought after praise of men Learn we of Him yea of Jesus whom He imitated who is meek and lowly in heart Mat. 11. 29. Oh what Humility was in Him Humble we our selves also and in due time He will exalt us 1 Pet. 5. 5 6. 1. He to whom this Revelation was sent and signified was John a mean man in this world and a tradesman none of the rich and Honourable of the world but a poor Fisher-man Mat. 4. 21. And one that went a-fishing after Christ was risen from the dead And so some Considerable time after he was an Apostle Joh. 21. 2. In the last times especially God and Christ have been staining the Pride of man's glory and will do it fully and compleatly at the last that no flesh may glory in his presence Christ did chuse the poor of this world to reveal his Mysteries to many or most of his disciples were fishers who were chosen by Him in his personal ministration to be Apostles Joh. 21. 2 3. And the Apostle of the Gentiles to whom this Grace was given to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ was as men speak by way of Reproach a Mechanick a Tent-maker And did work in his trade after he was an Apostle Act. 18. 2 3. and ch 20. 35. 1 Thes 2. 9. 2 Thes 3. 7 8. And yet what Visions and Revelations of the Lord were vouchsased to him 2 Cor. 12. 1 7. yea how greatly did our Lord himself humble himself He to whom this Revelation was imediately given was not only the Son of one espoused to a carpenter and the Reputed son of a carpenter Mat. 13. 55. But they said of him also is not this the Carpenter Mark 6. 3. The poor and mean ones of this world have the Gospel preached to them Luke 4. 18. and ch 7. 22. And they being faithful have the mysteries of the Kingdom opened to them Mat. 13. 11 16. Of a truth God is no respecter of persons Oh let us not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory with respect of persons Hearken my beloved Brethren hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised c. Jam. 2. 1 2 5. 2. I John none of the wise-men of this world not instructed into or acquainted with Philosophy or with the Heathens art science of this world which the Apostle calls vain deceit Col. 2. 8. And Science falsly so called 1 Tim. 6. 20. But he was a poor ignorant man As it is said The High Priest and wise ones of this world perceived that he was an unlearned and ignorant man an idiot Act. 4. 14. And so was Peter also the first-named Apostle usually and the Apostles generally to whom the Gospel was committed and the mysteries of the Kingdom made known I thank thee O Father saith Jesus Christ Lord of Heaven and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to Babes Even so father for so it seemed good in thy sight Mat. 11. 25 26. Luke 10. 21. with Mat. 13. 11 16. Though he be Lord of Heaven and Earth and therefore might reveal his secret to whom he pleases and imploy whom he pleaseth for bearing his name yet it hath pleased him to prefer Babes in this matter before the wife and learned ones You see your calling Brethren How that not many wise men after the flesh are chosen But God hath chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise c. That no Flesh might glory in his presence 1 Cor. 1. 20 26 29 30. And though some Wise-men after the Flesh may be chosen yet they must become Fools that they may be wise 1 Cor. 3. 18 20. Yea this they said of our Lord to whom this Revelation was given How knoweth this Man Letters having never learned Joh. 7. 15 16. Alas the Wisdom of this World is Foolishness with God and he that seemeth to be wise herewith must cease from his own Wisdom that he may be wise 1 Cor. 3. 18 20. Therefore let us not lean to our own Understanding nor glory in Wise-men Prov. 3. 5. and ch 23. 4. 1 Cor. 3. 21. and ch 1. 18 23 Col. 2. 8 9. c. 3. I John one that was subject to and polluted with like Infirmities and Evils as others one that had Sin in him and had sinned 1 Joh. 18. 10. that had in many things offended One that forbad such an one as cast out Devils in Christ's Name when he should not have so done Mark 9. 38 40. One that sought pre-eminence to the offence of many of the residue of the Disciples Mark 10. 35 41. One that would have called for Fire from Heaven to consume them that received not Christ for which Christ rebuked and sharply reproved him Luke 9. 51 56. One that with the rest had Indignation against that good Work of that good Woman who testified Love to our Lord Jesus Mat. 26. 7 8. One of them that watched not with Christ one Hour and thereby lost such an opportunity as he never had again Mat. 26. 40. One that with the rest was offended and left and forsook Christ in his great Afflictions and Sufferings Mat. 26. 31. 56. Joh. 16. 32. One with the rest whom our Saviour upbraided for his Unbelief and hardness of Heart after Christ's Resurrection Mark 16. 14. yet to this John who was formerly guilty of many Evils was this Book sent and signified So great is the Love of our Lord Jesus that it covers all their Sins who confess and forsake them so it did John's Evils And not
day saith Christ John 9. 4. he continually sought the good of Men and especial good of believers he did not fail noâ— was discouraged Joh. 8. 12. and ch 9. 5. Isay 42. 1 3 4. and he was patient under affliction and persecution when they condemned and killed him he did not resist Jam. 5. 6. Though he knew no sin yet when he was reviled he reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not 1 Pet. 2. 21 23. Though he could have destroyed them all yet he indured the contradiction of sinners against himself Heb. 12. 3. and he waited patiently for the Lord till he inclined his ear and heard him and brought him out of the horrible pit and out of the miry clay c. Ps 4. 1 2 3. 2. It is that patience which he is effecting in us by his Gospel which is called the Word of his patience See the notes on Rev. 3. v. 10. 2 Pet. 1. 4 6. In which he is discovering to us what Christ hath done and is become And this is called in this respect the patience of Christ 2 Thes 3. 5 and there are many Arguments contained in the Gospel which are proper and powerful to effect and maintain this patience in us thorow the Influence of the holy Spirit which doth accompany it as to say Herein is declared to us that Christ hath indured the Cross and overcome it and is now on the right Hand of the Throne of God and so hath abolished Death and all afflictions Heb. 12. 1 2 3. 2 Tim. 1. 8 10. and that he is become our rightful Lord and the author and orderer of all Afflictions to us Ps 39. 9. 1 Sam. 3. 18 and also herein is discovered to us his gracious end in all the tribulations he is permitting and ordering to us that all is for our good and profit that we might be partakers of his holiness here and of his glory hereafter Heb. 12. 1 10. 2 Cor. 4. 16 18 Isay 27. 8 9. Mark 10. 38. and herein also is set before us a Blessed hope to effect this patience hence it is called The patience of hope 1 Thes 1. 3. Rom. 2. 7. and the Apostle instricts the believers to rejoyce in hope and be patient in tribulation Rom. 12. 12. and ch 8. 24 25. Heb. 10. 34 36. Col. 1. 11. Now here noâ—e 1. He was in tribulation and patience Men may be so he was so and they were so and having access by faith into the grace of God in Christ tribulation worketh patience Rom. 5. 2 3 5. Jam. 1. 2 4 5. 2. He was in the Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ this is the way for us to possess our souls in patience by being in the believing mindfulness and consideration of his Kingdom and having a lively hope to be made partakers of it in due season If we hope for that we see not then do we with patience wait for it Rom. 8. 24 25. 2 Cor. 4. 16. 17 18. 4. We have the place where John was when this Revelation was sent and signified to him In the Isle that is called Patmos It may seem he was banished thither as appears by the next words for the word of God c. this he speaks of himself and so he signifies to us 1. That those that are dearly beloved of the Lord may be persecuted and expelled out of their own Countries for the Gospel's sake and driven from the places of their abode Act. 13. 50 51. so was David 1 Sam. 26. 19. Ezekiel ch 1. 1 Daniel ch 1. 1 6. so it is is said of those worthies They wandred about in Sheep skins and goat-skins being destitute afflicted tormented of whom the World was not worthy they wandred in deserts and in Mountains and in dens and caves of the earth Heb. 11. 37 38. so our Lord Jesus was driven from one place to another Joh. 10. 39 40. and ch 11. 53 55. and he doth signifie that his Brethren may be strangers and expelled out of their native Countrey or from their own habitations Mat. 25. 35 38 43 44. 1 Thes 2. 16 17. Heb. 13. 2 1 Pet. 1. 1. Nay that which added to John's affliction was that he was alone in a great Measure and separated from his Brethren and herein worse then Ezekiel or Daniel and like that Ps 102. 5 6. 1. Beloved think it not strange concerning such a fiery trial as this is for the name of afflictions have been accomplished in eminently holy ones in former times 1 Pet. 4. 12. and ch 5. 10. 2. Judge not according to outward appearance they may be most beloved that meet with sharpest afflictions in this World for Christ's sake and many times God singles out the strongst and most beloved for the greatest sufferings 1 Cor. 4. 11 13. It was a great infirmity found with the Prophet to conclude that he had washt his hands in vain Because all the day long he had been plagued and chasten'd every morning Ps 73. 1 3 13 14 22. 3. Set not your affections on your Countries or habitations nor seek for a continuing city here Col. 3. 2. Heb. 13. 13. In a moment you may be driven from your homes and places of abode Oh suffer the grace of God to crucify you to the World that you may hate and forsake all in comparison and for the sake of Jesus Christ Luk. 84. 26 27 33. 2. That often times those who are adversaries to the Gospel have the greatest spight at such as are teachers of others and go before them in the Word of the Lord and especially at the most eminent of them so it seems the Apostles generally were in affliction and under persecution when other believers endured no such thing yea when some of them talked of reigning the Apostle Paul saith I think that God hath set forth us the Apostles last as it were Men appointed to Death for we are made a spectacte to the World and to Angels and Men see 1 Cor. 4. 8 9 13. Acts 14. 5 7 19. and ch 17. 5. Eph. 3. 13. 3. When the Apostle John was in this Isle and thus banished he had these visions and Revelations of the Lord vouchsafed to him so it was with Ezekiel when he was in Captivity Ezek. 1. 1 3. and ch 40. 1. c. and with Daniel ch 1. 3 6. and ch 2. 14 25. and ch 4. 8. c. and ch 5. 10 13. and ch 7. and ch 8. c. where-ever we are he can reveal to us secret and hidden things none no person or place can shut out his Light and instruction from us or hinder us from his gracious presence and many times when his people are under eminent sufferings for his names sake he then draws neer unto them and manifesteth himself and his things to them his Blessings are on the heads of them that separate and separated from their Brethren Gen. 49. 26. and though their enemies think evil against them in persecuting and banishing them yet God
fathers Mat. 1. 1. Luke 1. 72 74. Acts 2. 30. But he was also the Son of Adam Luke 3. 24 38. and he is the first-born of every creature Col. 1. 15. the second Man who came into the room of the first Man and undertook for him when all Mand-kind was in his loins and so became the last Adam of whom the first was the figure 1 Pet. 1. 20. 1 Cor. 15. 45 47. Rom. 5. 14. and hence many times this title of the son of Man is given to him when the scripture speaketh of God's love to Man-kind As the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost Mat. 18. 11. To seek and to save that which was lost Indefinitely Luke 19. 10. The Son of Man came not to destroy Mens Souls but to save them Luke 9. 56. and ch 2. 10 11. as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness so must the Son of Man be lifted up For God so loved the World c. Joh. 3. 14 16. 17. The Son of Man was made lower than the Angels for a little while that he by the grace of God should taste death for every Man Heb. 2. 6 9. 3. This title is given unto him to instruct us that he was the heir of all that misery that appertained to Man-kind for and because of their first sin and sinfulness the inheritour of all that sad heritage of affliction Man brought upon himself and hence oftentimes he is called the Son of Man when his abasement and sufferings are spoken of The Son of Man was made a little while lower then the Angels Heb. 2. 6 9. The Son of Man had not whereon to lay his head Luke 9. 58. the Son of Man shall be betrayed unto the chief Priests and Scribes and they shall condemn him to death c. Mat. 20. 18 19. see also Mat 26. 2 24 45. Mark 8. 31. Joh. 8. 28. and ch 12. 23 27 31. 34. Isay 53. 1 10. Rom. 4. 25. 1 Peter 3. 18. 4. And he is called the Son of Man because he is the Heir and inheritour of all the glory that was given unto us and conferred upon us in the first Publick man and which by our Sinning we came short of he hath restored that which he took not away Rom. 3. 23. Psal 69. 4. he restored our nature in his person into the Image of God Jam. 3. 9. into perfect Innocency Integrity Immortality and eternal life 1 Joh. 3. 5. 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. 1 Joh. 5. 10 11. 1 Cor. 1. 30. And he hath obtained eternal redemption the inheritance of new Heavens and a new earth Heb. 9. 12. He in our nature and for us is Crowned with that Glory and Honour where-with the first Man Adam was and God hath set this Son of Man over the works of his hands and hath put all things under his feet though yet we see not all things put under But this shall be gloriously manifested in due time Compare Ps 8. 4 8. with Heb. 2. 5 6. Hence also when our Saviour saith The Sabbath was made for Man and not Man for the Sabbath he presently addeth and inferreth Therefore the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath As intimating he is Lord of all that was made for Man Mark 2. 27 28. This is the person whom he in vision saw 2. We have next to enquire and consider The place where he saw him or one like to him and that is In the midst of the seven Candlesticks Rev. 2. 1. that is to say there he saw him as the Son of Man as one who hath died and is risen again and who is a merciful and faithful High-priest as afterwards Heb. 2. 17 18. and ch 4. 14. 16. Rev. 1. 18. What these candlestikcs are and why they are called and compared unto candlesticks we have considered before See the notes on v. 12. But here we have to enquire and consider How the son of Man is said to be in the midst of the seven candlesticks 1. He is in the midst of his Churches as a King and governour he is Gods King whom he hath set upon his Holy Hill of Zion And so he is the King of Saints Ps 149. 2. â— Rev. 15. 3. Thus this phrase in the midst is applied to Kings as with respect to their subjects so Solomon the figure of Christ saith in his prayer to God O LORD my God thou hast made thy Servant King And thy Servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen 1 King 3. 6 8. so let us set a King in the midst of it Isay 7. 6. and The Prince in the midst of them Ezek. 46. 10. so is Christ in the midst of his Churches as a King To give laws unto them and rule and order them his gracious Kingdom ruleth over them and amongst them The LORD is their law-giver statute-maker and King Isay 33. 22. he is their only Rabbi Mat. 23. 8 10. the father of their spirits Heb. 12. 9. The Lord of their faith and consciences 1 Cor. 8. 6. Eph. 4. 4 5. The chief Shepherd and Bishop of their Souls 1 Pet. 2. 25. and ch 5. 5. Heb. 13. 20. He is the only Head of his Body the Church by whose Scepter the Word of his Kingdom they are to be ruled and governed and this Honour they are not to give unto any Man on Earth Col. 1. 18. and ch 2. 19. Mat. 23. 8 10. And they are his Kingdom and voluntary Subjects that have received and are to receive the Law from his mouth and to lay up his words in the midst of their hearts Job 22. 21 22. Eph. 3. 17. Deut. 33. 3. Psal 110. 1 4. And as a King he is in the midst of them to save and defend them from the evil of all he is ordering they demeaning themselves as his Candlesticks in bearing forth the light he is their King and he will save them Isay 33. 22. he is their refuge and strength a very present help in trouble and as such an one he is in the midst of them they shall not be moved Ps 46. 1 5. Hence that Sing O Daughter of Zion shout O Israel the King of Israel the LORD is in the midst of thee thou shalt not see evil any more The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty he will save thee he will rejoyce â—ver thee with Joy c. Eph. 3. 14 17. Cry out and shout thou Inhabitant of Zion trust in the Lord and be not afraid for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee Isay 12. 2 6. So Joel 2. 21 27. 2 Chron. 16. 9. 2. He is and his work in the midst of them is to sing the new Song the Song of Victory even praise unto our God to wit that he hath been slain and sacrificed for us 1 Cor. 5. 7. and that he is raised again and hath triumphed gloriously over all our Enemies His own right Hand and his Holy Arm
said of some They overcame Satan with the blood of the Lamb and with the word of their Testimony c. Rev. 12. 11. So the Apostle when he tells the believers that they wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers c. he then exhorts them to take unto themselves the whole armour of God and particularly The Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Eph. 6. 10 12 17. This word of God abiding in us we shall overcome the wicked one and the World 1 Joh. 2. 14. and ch 5. 4 5. 2 Cor. 10. 4 5 6. Jer. 23. 29. Tit. 1. 9 13. And that it is as a sharp two-edged Sword might be also of admonition to us to fear the word of the LORD Exod. 9. 20. and to tremble at it Isay 66. 5. for it is very sharp and if we provoke him to anger he will fight against us herewith For he is strong that executeth his word Joel 2. 11. and especially take we heed of entertaining ungodly and Antichristian teachers whose work it is to corrupt us from the Simplicity that is in Christ Jesus Ps 119. 161. see the notes on ch 2. v. 12. We have to consider the appearance of his face or countenance And his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength That is to say 1 His face as Dan. 10. 6 or his countenance was as the Sun wonderfully clear and full of Light it did inlighten the earth as it were It was clear as the Sun Cant. 6. 10. 2 Sam. 23. 4. as the Sun without clouds and in its greatest height and so indeed he is in the Gospel the light of the World Joh. 8. 12. and ch 12. 46. in comparison of whom all Instruments are but stars as in the beginning of this verse even the most eminent ones of them also Rev. 12. 1. In his face God hath shined forth the light of the knowledge of his Glory 2 Cor. 4. 4 6. and all things are discovered by his appearance in the glorious Gospel Eph. 5. 13 14. Joh. 3. 19. and together herewith he is very chearing and delectable to them that behold him and put their trust in him Truly the light is Sweet and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the Sun especially this Sun of righteousness For the LORD is a Sun c. Eccl. 11. 7. Ps 84. 10 11. and 67. 1. and Ps 4. 6. and hereafter he shall appear gloriously as such an one in the new Jerusalem That City shall have no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it for the glory of God shall lighten it and the Lamb shall be the light thereof Rev. 21. 22. and ch 22. 3 5. Isay 60. 19. yea and his face is as the Sun very â—ructifying to the beholding and believing Soul it fills it with the fruits of righteousness Deut. 33. 14. 2 Cor. 3. 18. 2. His face was as the Sun shineth to wit wonderfully glorious and full of lustre and splendour above the brightness of the Sun at Mid day Act. 26. 12. he is that Angel that came down from Heaven whose face was as it were the Sun Rev. 10. 1. So when he was transfigured his face did shine as the Sun and there he received Honour and Glory from the excellent Glory Mat. 17. 2. 2 Pet. 1. 16 17. and indeed God hath wonderfully glorified his Son Jesus in our nature even with the same Glory which he had with him before the World was Act. 3. 13. with Joh. 17. 5. he hath raised him from the dead and given him Glory that our Faith and hope might be in God 1 Pet. 1. 20 21. God hath given him Glory above all others with respect to him the most eminent Angels of the Churches are but stars There is one glory of the Sun another of the Moon and another of the stars but he as much yea far more excels them in Glory than the natural Sun doth the stars 1 Cor. 15. 41. and he hath worthily received this Glory as the four living creatures four and twenty elders and innumerable company of Angels doâ— acknowledge saying with a loud voice worthy is the Lamb that was sâ—ain to receive power and riches and Honour and Glory c. Rev. 5. 8 9 14 and this Glory he hath obtained in the Man and is entred into it thorow sufferings Luke 24. 25 27. That face of his that was spit upon and beaten is now as the Sun in his strength and in due season he shall appear in his Glory In his own glory and in the Glory of his Father and in the Glory of his holy angels Ps 102. 16. Mal. 4. 2. Mat. 16. 26. Luke 9. 26. and those also that come unto him his Church who are now clothed with him Rev. 12. 1. shall shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father Mat. 13. 43. They that love him shall be as the Sun when he goeth forth in his might Judg. 5. 31. 3. His countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength very dreadful terrible and formidable unto his enemies so in Dan. 10. 6. it is thus read His face was as the appearance of lightening and so we read of the Suns smiting and beating Ps 121. 6. Jona 4. 8. and the Sun signifiâ—th tribulation and temptation as the Sun shall not light on them nor any heat Isay 49. 10. Rev. 7. 16. and the Sun hath looked upon me Cant. 1. 6. and whereas our Saviour saith in his parable when the Sun was up they were scorched he thus explicates it afterwards when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word c. compare Mat. 13. 6. with v. 21. and this understanding of the expression may also be taken in as appeareth by what followeth Vers 17. And when I saw him I fell at his feet as dead and he laid his right hand upon me saying unto me fear not I am the first and the last Here he beginneth to acquaint the Apostle John who the glorious person was which he saw in vision And in this verse the Apostle doth declare unto us 1. What effect that had upon him which he visionally saw 2. What the Son of Man did and said unto him to strengthen him 1. What effect that had upon him which he visionally saw and when I saw him I fell at his Feet as dead When I saw him namely in Vision see notes on v. 12. in Spirit see notes on v. 10. he saw not his personal body only this extraordinary Revelation was given unto him Now 1. Here we may observe that he saw before he fell Christ Jesus did strengthen him to see and behold in Vision that which he commanded him to write and who goeth to a Waâ—fare at any time at his own charges â— he will enable and strengthen us to what he calls us and in waiting upon him and keeping his way he will not leave us nor forsake us Acts 26. 16 17. 2. We
miss of the Blessedness here spoken of see the notes on ch 3. v. 5. The Children of the Kingdom may and many of them will be cast out into utter-darkness where shall be weeping and gâ—ashing of teeth Mat. 8. 12. Many will say at the last day unto Christ Lord Lord we have Prophesied in thy name and in thy name cast out Devils and in thy name done many wonderfulthings and then he will profess unto them he never knew them Mat. 7. 22 23. And others then shall stand without and knock saying Lord Lord open unto us And Christ will answer and say unto them I know you not whence you are Then shall they begin to say we have eaten and drunk in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets But he shall say I tell you I know you not whence you are c. Luke 13. 25 28. Let none therefore lift up himself by this that he is an Angel or member of such or such a Church for so he may be and yet in conclusion have no inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God Nor is the Blessedness here spoken of assured to him that hath overcome but to him that overcometh that continues so doing for otherwise if a Man puts his hand to the plow and looks backs he is unfit for the Kingdome of God Luke 9. 62. Men may have run well and suffered many things and endured a great fight of affliction and yet all may be in vain to them in conclusion Gal. 3. 1 5. and ch 5. 7 11. Heb. 10. 32 35. As for such as turn aside to their crooked paths however they might begin well The Lord will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity Ps 125. 5. Ezek. 33. 13 18. But to them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for Glory Honour and immortality he will render eternal life Rom. 2. 7. they are the blessed persons who take to them the whole armour of God that they may be able to withstand in the evil day and having overcome all yet stand and keep their ground Eph. 6. 10 13 18. He saith the Lord that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my Son but the fearful and unbelieving c. shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. 7 8. He that endureth to the end the same shall be saved Mat. 10. 22. he will present them holy unblameable unrebukable in his sight who continue in the faith grounded and â—etled and are not moved away from the hope of the Gospel Col. 1. 22 23. 1 Cor. 15. 58. Rev. 14. 13. Prov. 4. 13. And together with the former To him that overcometh Though he hath been formerly foiled and prevailed against by sin Satan or the World Though he hath left his first love and treacherously departed from Christ yet if again he bethink himself consider his ways and turn his feet to the Lord's Testimonies and yet takes unto him the whole armour of God and fights against his enemies to the death all his former evils and out-turnings shall not be remembred against him nor mentioned unto him Ezek. 18. 21 23 27 28. and ch 33. 14 16 19 20. 1 King 8. 47 49. see the notes on Rev. 3. v. 5. Yea with the two former senses we may also say To him that overcometh may denote unto us the time after when he shall be made a partaker of the blessedness here assured to wit when once he hath done fighting and is become a compleat conquerour having no more enemies to grapple with or contend against But unto this we may speak more in what followeth afterwards Vse Seeing then this is in all the Epistles to these seven Churches the undoubted subject of the blessedness promised and all is assured To him that overcometh it may be of this usefulness to us To engage and prevail with us to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might To put on the whole armour of God that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil that we may be able to stand in the evil day and having overcome all to stand Eph. 6. 10 13 18. To be valiant for the truth Jer. 9. 3. and to resist our enemies our spiritual enemies unto blood even while we are in this world for so long we have ungodliness and Worldly lusts in our selves and others to deny Tit. 2. 11 12. think we not our selves secure but let us abide under the banner of Christ endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace that we may be terrible as an army with banners Cant. 2. 5. and ch 6. 4. hold we fast the faith the word of faith so may we overcome the wicked one 1 Joh. 2. 14 1 Pet. 5. 8 9. with Jam. 4. 7. and the World 1 Joh. 5. 4 5. And be preserved from and obtain the victory over that Sin that dwelleth in us and those fleshly lusts that war against the soul 1 Joh. 3. 6 9. Joh. 8. 31 36. Gal. 5. 16 17. and if we have been overtaken or worsted by our enemies yet remember how we have received and heard and hold fast and repent Rev. 3. 1 3. remember from whence we are fallen and repent and do our first works Rev. 2. 5. that we may not fail of his grace and to that end consider Christ hath overcome Rev. 3. 21. his right hand and his holy arm hath gotten him the victory Ps 98. 1. and thorow him we may do valiantly our help stands in his name Ps 20. 5. and 60. 12. Prov. 18. 10. and thorow him God giveth us the victory 1 Cor. 15. 1 3 55 57 58. and we read of many that by him have overcome the wicked one and his instruments 1 Joh. 2. 14. and ch 4. 4 5. and ch 5. 18. who overcame by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death Rev. 12. 11. and in token of victory have now palmes in their hands Rov 7. 9 17. of many that had gotten the victory over the beast and over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name Rev. 15. 2. of such as were more then conquerours thorow him that loved them Rom. 8. 31 32 37. Oh then seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses laying aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us let us run with patience the race that is set before us Looking unto Jesus the author and â—inisher of the faith who for the joy set before him endured the cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest we be wearied and faint in our minds we have not yet resisted unto blood striving against sin Heb. 12. 1
his promises Isay 55. 4. Luke 1. 69 71. Acts 13. 23 32 33 34. 2. And the true and faithful witness in all his sayings and promises and threats Prov. 8. 6 8. Joh. 14. 6. 2 Joh. 3. Eph. 1. 13. Prov. 14. 27. And who hath sealed to the truth of the Gospel with his precious blood Isay 50. 4 6. Joh. 18. 37. 1 Tim. 6. 13. see the notes on ch 1. v. 5. and on ch 3. v. 14. 2. Our Lord Jesus further describeth himself to us by what he hath viz. He that hath the keys of David To have the keys of David signifies that he hath that ensign of power and Authority spiritually and in truth of which David's was a â—ype and so hereby he gives us to understand that he is the King of Israel As Nathanael saith to him Rabbi thou art the Son of God thou art the King of Israel Joâ— 1. 49. The key of David may be and surely is more than the key of the house of David which God promised in the type to lay upon the shoulder of Eliakim Isay 22. 22. for though he had a robe yet he was under the King over the houshold v. 15. 22. But by his having the key is meant that he reigns over the house of Jacob and Israel that is to say he hath the supreme Authority given to him over the Church or Israel of God Luke 1. 32 34. And so over the Church of the living God now As the Tabernacle of David signifies As it is said when God did visit the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his name then God did return and build again the Tabernacle of David which was fallen down c. Acts 15. 14 16. And so he is the law-giver Isay 33. 22. The only head of the Church Col. 1. 18. and hereafter The Lord God will give him gloriously the throne of his Father David on earth Isay 9. 6 7. and 16. 9 7. and ch 24. 23. As it is said Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a righteous branch and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth Jer. 23. 5 6. and ch 33. 15 17. and 30. 9. Hos 3. 5. Ps 67. 14. see notes after on v. 21. and he hath this key to open or shut as after follows to which we shall there speak Now here we may learn for our usefulness in that it is said he hath the key of David 1. That he who hath the key of David and so is the head of the Church the King of Israel is one only person one individual person and the Church hath not two heads one in heaven and another in the earth And it was the work of all the holy gifted Men in former times even of Peter also to direct the believers not unto themselves or any mere Man but unto Christ as the head That they might grow up into him in all things which is the head the only head even Christ Eph. 4. 8 14. 15. They hold not the head who worship Angels whether the ministring Spirits or any Bishops or overseers of the Churches though they be or pretend themselves to be the most eminent of them Col. 2. 18 19. The Apostles disclaimed having dominion over the Faith of the believers as too high a thing for them And if they had it not who is he that dare presume in his heart to challenge command or accept it 2 Cor. 1. 24. 2. That he hath the key of David even he that is holy he that is true So we may see This one and only head of the Church is a most excelent one worthy of this high Glory and Honour He is not like unto him that pretends himself to be the head of the Church on earth he is holy and pure in all the holy one 1 Joh. 2. 20. he who is the King of Saints is only holy Rev. 15. 3 4. where-as that false pretender and presumptuous arrogater is the Man of sin the wicked one 2 Thes 2. 4 8. And the head of the Church is true also even truth it self Joh. 14. 6. whereas that proud usurper and such as listen to and are deceived by him speak lies in hypocrisy 1 Tim. 4. 1 2. and his coming was after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that pâ—rish 2 Thes 2. 8 10 11. 3 That he hath the key of David this shews unto us what power and Authority Christ hath obtained by his precious blood He is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first-born from the dead that in all things and amongst all persons he might have the preeminence Col. 1. 18 19. yea he is exalted at Gods right hand in the Heavenly places far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not only in this World but also in that which is to come and God hath put all things under his feet and given him to be head over all things to the Church which is his body Eph. 1. 19 23. All power is given unto him both in Heaven and on earth Mat. 28. 18. now to receive and make free all that so hear and learn of the Father as to come to him Joh. 8. 35 36. And hereafter he will come again and receive them to himself that where he is they may be also Joh. 14. 2 3. and ch 17. 24. Phil. 2. 6 8 9. 4. And therefore it may provoke and engage us to honour the Son as we honour the Father Joh. 5. 22 23. To kiss him and submit our selves to his gracious government Ps 2. 12. and own him as our only Rabbi As our Saviour saith to his disciples Be not ye called Rabbi for one is your master even Christ and all ye are Brethren Mat. 23. 8 10. This is contained in the unity of the Spirit that there is one Lord and but one one faith c. 1 Cor. 8. 6. Eph. 4. 3 5. Oh that none of us may worship the â—east and his image nor receive his mark in our forehead or in our hand lest we drink of the wine of the wrath oâ— God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence oâ— the holy Angels and in the presence of the lamb Rev. 14. 9 10 11 12. and ch 15. 1 2 3 4. 5. We may from hence learn and hereâ—â— is shew'd unto us from whom it is that any have any subordinate power in the Church of God namely that it is given to them and they receive it from him as he saith to Peter I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven And whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven And whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven Mat. 16. 19.
and as also he saith unto all the Apostles to whom he gave the same power as he did unto Peter Verily â— say unto you whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven Mat. 18. 18. with Joh. 20. 21 23. Mat. 28. 18. Eph. 4. 7 8. 3. He here describes himself by what he doth and that in two branches He that openeth and no Man shutteth and shutteth and no Man openeth 1. He that openeth and no Man shutteth He that openeth namely 1. The door into the Tabernacle of David now namely into his own house the Church of the living God as before is said yea as he hath the key to open the door hereinto so he is the door also by whom any man may enter in into the house or fold of Christ Joh. 10. 9. and to that end and purpose that there might be a way thereinto and the door might be opened for every poor sinful one of the Gentiles also as well as of the Jews therefore he hath made peace by the blood of his cross broken down the middle-wall of partition that was between God and us and between Jew and Gentile and took out of the way all that was in it contrary to us nailing it to his cross Eph. 2. 13 16. Col. 1. 20. and ch 2. 13 15. and so hath made a new and living way and opened a door of which he hath the key that Men might there-thorow come unto God Heb. 10. 19 10. And he is himself the way by who many Man may come unto God Joh. 14. 6. and he hath preached peace the Gospel of peace and glad-tidings of good things To make known the door of life and way of peace to them afar off and to them that were nigh even to us Gentiles and to the Jews that they might come in to the house and be made of the houshold of God in a pecâ—liar consideration Eph. 2. 17 20. and mediates in the vertue of his blood and sacrifice that he might still keep open the door for the entrance of poor sinners And to the end Men might see and enter there thorow he unstops the deaf ears of Men and opens the eyes of the blind that they may hear the glad tidings of the Kingdom and see in some measure what he is presenting to them even himself Isa 42 1 6 7. hence he saith Look unto me all the ends of the earth and be ye â—aved Isay 45. 22 And saith Behold me â—ehold me to a nation that was not called by his name Isay 65. 1. And those who turn at his reproofs shall enter into the Church of God thorow this door of which he hath the key thorow the strait gate Luke 13. 24. And he hath the key to loose Mens sins and remit them to them and by him all that believe are justified from all things from which Men could not be justified by the law of Moses Mat. 16. 19. and ch 18. 18. with Joh. 20. 21 23. Acts 13. 38 39. To him give all the Prophets witness that thorow his name whosoever believes in him shall receive the remission of sins Acts 10. 43. And no Man shutteth namely not the door for admission into this house of God while he keeps it open indeed Men in and by their evil glosses interpretations and laws do shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against Men and occasion much hurt to them that listen unto them and are perverted by them against whom our Saviour denounces a wo and first against them on this account Mat. 23. 13. Luke 11. 52. But still while Christ holds it open it is in it self in Heaven and in his Testimony open and in rejecting them and listening to Christ Men may enter in their shâ—tting up notwithstanding they cannot put an end to the day of Gods grace and patience nor to the mediation of Jesus Christ But any Man in forsaking these foolish ones and their pernicious instructions may live and come into the house Prov. 9. 3 6. hence our Saviour presently after he had said Wo to you Lawyers for ye have taken away the key of knowledge ye entred not in your selves and them that were entring in ye hindred or forbad When there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people in so much that they trâ—d one upon another he began to say to his disciples first of all in the hearing of the multitude Beware ye of the leaven or doctrine of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy Luke 11. 52. with ch 12. 1. with Mat. 16. 6 12. they do what they can to hinder Men and do forbid them but yet the door is open until he turn the key and he is saying to Men Hearken not to the words of these Prophets they make you vain they speak a vision of their own heart and not out of the mouth of the Lord Jer. 23. 16. Beware of false Prophets that come unto you in sheeps-clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves Mat. 7. 13 15. and in Christ's Testimony the door is open that doth assure Men that to him that is joyned to all the living there is hope Eccles 9. 4. and they that hear his word and turn to him in his turning of them shall be made fellow-citizens with the Saints c. And so 2. To them that by him do enter into the house he opens the gates that they may now by Faith enter there thorow into the strong city and meet with salvation and satisfaction As our Lord Jesus saith I am the by me if any Man enter in he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture Joh. 10. 9. To them he gives eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any Man pluck them out of his hand Joh. 10. 27 29. and he saith to his servants Open ye the gates that the righteous nation that keepeth the truths may enter in Isay 26. 1 3. he will shew them his marvelous kindness in a strong city Ps 31. 21. and 48. 3 14. and they shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of his house and he will make them drink of the river of his pleasures now by Faith and in a first fruits of the Spirit Ps 36. 7 8. with 1 Pet. 1. 6 8. And no Man shutteth while he openeth no creature shall be able to separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus who love him nor to take away their joy from or bereave or deprive them of their satisfaction in him Rom. 8. 28 39. John 16. 22. 3. He opens and holds open the door for their approach to God so as they have boldness liberty to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus by that new and living way which he hath consecrated thorow the veil that is his flesh And having him an High-priest over the house of God That they may therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that they may
very displeasing to him in his Church this Samaritanisme in which men serve the Lord and their own Gods also and indeed it is reputed by him as not fearing him at all 2 King 17. 32 34. his grace instructeth moveth and strengâ—heneth us to love and â—leave to him with all our heart Soul mind and strength Mark 12. 29 30. But when the heart is divided then shall Men be found faulty Hose 10. 2. But here we might for our usefulness propose these two Questions Quest 1. Whether Seeing this faithful counsellour wisheth that they were either Cold or Hot it be alike to him which of them they were Or whether it were all one to him whether they were Cold or Hot Ans No surely he is not indifferent herein he would rather they were hot in buying the truth and giving hearty entertainment to him and therefore he counsels them To buy of him Gold tried in the fire that they might be rich v. 18. and therefore he rebuketh and chasteneth them that they might be zealous and repent v. 19. and therefore he standeth at the door and knocketh that they might open unto him receive and entertain him heartily v. 20. nor was it alike to the Prophet when he reproves the Israelites for halting between two opinions whether they followed God or Baal for he earnestly desired they might heartily and sincerely follow the Lord God of Israel and to that end prayeth Hear me O Lord hear me that this people may know that thou art the Lord God and that thou hast turned their heart back again 1 King 18. 37. and the like we may say of Joshua ch 24. 15. Christ is in the bosome of the Father and knows his heart and thoughts and hath revealed that God is not willing that any Man should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9. and he and Christ Jesus are one And therefore the Amen the faithful and true witness is not indifferent whether his Churches and those in them be cold or hot but he is one that hath pleasure in uprightness and loveth that those in his Church should cleave to him with full purpose and be wholly and altogether his To whose mind also the Apostle Paul was framed when Agrippa said Almost thou perswadest me to be a Christian I would to God saith he that not only thou but all that hear me were both almost and altogether such as I am and not so indifferent as Agrippa was Acts 26. 29. And this the Apostle also desired with understanding as knowing God's good-will towards all Men was that they should heartily receive the love of the truth had he been of the mind of some Men that God hath a secret will concurring with the destruction of the greatest part of Mankind in a personal consideration he could never in faith have poured out such a wish to God for all them that heard him but knowing God is love and that he hath manifested himself so to be in giving his Son by his grace to taste death for every Man from hence his hearts desire and prayer to God for them was that they might be saved from their iniquities as Rom. 10. 1 3. and therefore thus Christ speaks to shew how abominable their present temper was to him Quest 2. Whether it were better for the Churches or those therein to be cold then lukewarme It is better without controversy to be hot and â—ervent in Spirit in seeking and serving the Lord and diligently pursuing the things of his Kingdom but whether it be better for Luke-warme ones to be cold Ans Truly properly and fully it is not better to be cold than Lukewarm for neither is good But it is worse to be lukewarm in Gods Vineyard and more abominable to him and in his account who judgeth righteously than to be cold And so to be cold is not so bad in some respects as to be Lukewarme For 1. The iniquity of Lukewarmness in his Churches is more provoking in his sight because the clouds do more abundantly raine rain upon them that come into and frequent the assemblies of God's people than upon those who are cold and come not amongst them and they oft drink in the rain that cometh upon them they have more advantages given to them than others and more opportunities to hear and be acquainted with the excellency of Christ and the enriching nature of that Gold tried in the fire and therein and therewith to see the vileness of their sins and vanity of their idols that they might turn to God from them and have their hearts drawn off from all other objects and united to Christ hence those that are among his people do oft in their evils overpass the deeds of the wicked Jer. 5. 21 28. 2 Chron. 33. 9 10 and oftimes this is declared as an aggravation of the iniquity of God's people that they sin under such advantages and in the enjoyment of such nighness means and opportunities Therefore the Lord saith concerning the Priests and Prophets yea in mine house I have found their wickedness Jer. 23. 11. and 11. 14 15. Isay 66. 4. and answerable to the greatness of their iniquity as being thus aggravated answerable will be their judgments so persisting yea and more swiftly will God proceed against them especially now when more clear light than formerly is vouchsaâ—ed he that was grieved fourty yeers with his people in former times was provoked after three yeers in latter because of the unfruitfulness of those in his vineyard to say cut it down why cumbreth it the ground so here he threatneth he will spue them out of his mouth and accordingly he may so have done with this Church long since Thou Capernaum saith our Saviour that art exalted to Heaven shall be brought down to hell for if the mighty works which have been done in thee had been done in Sodom it would have remained untill this day But I say unto you it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in that day of judgment than for you Mat. 11. 20 34. That earth which drinks in the rain that oâ—t comes upon it and yet beareth briars and thorns is rejected and nigh unto cursing whose end is to be burned Heb. 6. 8. 2. It is worse to be lukewarm in Gods Vineyard than cold because those that are cold may sooner be made sensible of their condition and fall down under reproofs and be made to perceive the sadness of the state they abide in or have brought themselves into by their departure than lukewarm-ones when persons are lukewarm they are ready to say Aha we are warm we have seen the Fire Blessed be the Lord for we are rich they are highly conceited of their good condition and say they are hot enough already They are in a good temperate condition and need not to come neerer the Fire seest thou a Man wise in his own Eyes there is more hope of a Fool than of him Prov. 26. 12. The
the defiling his Sanctuary when persons are serving their Idols and sowing to the Flesh and yet come the same day into his Sanctuary and appear to take delight in approaching to him as if they were delivered to do those abominations Or as if the Grace of God heard and in some measure received by them gave them encouragement to serve Sin or follow their vanities from which indeed it comes to redeem them and to that purpose brings Salvation to all men Ezek. 23. 38 39. Jer. 7. 9 11. Tit. 2. 11 12. Oh how lothsome displeasing and provoking is this to him who hath deserved so well at our hands that we should be for him only and give him and none other our loves and who loves truth in the inward parts he well knows not how to bear with or endure such evil and unkind requitals or to away with such a lothsome temper as is that of lukewarmness to him And so much he gives us to understand in what follows Verse 16. So then because thou art Lukewarm and neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth In this sharp rebuke and threatning the faithful and true witness signifieth to us the loathsomeness and unbearableness of this temper or distemper of theirs unto himself It was such and so grievous to him that he could not away with it though they were not cold but there was still some form of Godliness and Profession of Religion upon them they seemed to be religious and made mention of the God of Israel and called themselves of the Holy City and stayed themselves upon the God of Israel yet this was not in truth nor in Righteousness as Isay 48. 1 2. Their Religion was vain and they more odious in this condition to him than if they had been quite cold like that Isay 1. 11 16. To what purpose is the multitude of your Sacrifices to me saith the Lord I am full of the Burnt-offerings of Rams When you come to appear before me who hath required this at your hands to tread mâ— Courts Bring no more Vain Oblations Incense is an abomination to me The new Moons and Sabbaths the calling of Assemblies I cannot away with it is Iniquity or grief even the solemn meeting Your new Moons and your appointed Feasts my Soul hateth they are a burden to me I am weary to bear them And when you spread forth your hands I will hide mine Eyes from you yea when you make many prayers I will not hear you your hands are full of Blood Like whereto also is that Amos 5. 12 21 27. This was greatly provoking to him that they were so lukewarm and did not buy the truth with a parting with their Abominations and Idols So here he threatneth he will spue them out of his Mouth because they were lukewarm A Metaphor taken from lukewarm meat that is displeasing and burthensome to the Stomach or rather from lukewarm water which is loathsome and offensive and causeth vomiting And it is as if he should say I will abhor you and cast you out and you shall be cut off from my Congregation I will not keep you in my mouth to plead for you or to speak a good word for you but you shall be cut off from among my people and Churches Your temper is so loathsome and grievous to me that it were more bearable to me you did not tread my courts at all You had better never profess to wait upon me than under that profession to hide and keep close and make provision for your sins and Idols he that killeth an ox is as he slew a Man he that sacrificeth a Lamb as if he cut off a dogs neck he that offereth an oblation as if he offered swines blood he that burneth incense as if he blessed an Idol while Men chuse their own ways and their Soul delighteth in their abominations Isay 66. 3. Ezek. 14. 3 11. and therefore he threatneth to abhor them and vomit them out of his mouth unless they did receive timely admonition and repent v. 19. Lev. 18. 25 28. In which he signifieth to us 1. That his Churches and People are especially in his Mouth as they are in his heart to love them and to delight in them and in his hand to hide protect and defend them from their Enemies and from all evil so also in his mouth he takes up their names into his Lips and makes intercession for them especially Ps 16. 3 4. Heb. 7. 25. yea though they are lukewarm and are thereby become offensive and loathsome in their temper yet he doth not presently reject them but pleads for them as his Church and that they may be so continued he hates putting away from this nighness Mal. 2. 16. he is slow to anger and it is his work his strange work his act his strange act to cast such forth out of his house and vomit them up and therefore he saith not I have spued thee out of my mouth but I will do it namely if they did still so abide and persist He remembers for such the kindness of their youth the love of their espousals when they have forsaken him the Fountain of living Waters and hewed to themselves Cisterns broken Cisterns that can hold no water and when they have forgotten him days without number Jer. 3. 2 13 32. This Church of Laodicea was not always in this sad and abominable condition but it was sometimes hot and â—ervent and was so taken with Christ and his love and loveliness that the Apostle Paul did joyfully behold their order in first seeking the Kingdom of God and its Righteousness and the stedfastness of their Faith and therefore this exhorts them as ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk in him rooted and built up in him and stablished in the Faith as ye have been taught c. Col. 2. 6 7. Christ was so precious to them that thorow their beholding belief of and delight in his preciousness they were made a Church of his and called out of the state condition and good fellowship of the World into him and unto fellowship with him and were bottomed and built upon him and begotten by him to a lively hope of his mercy and this still Christ remembreth and for such he maketh Intercession though they are become unlovely and unpleasant till they are put out of his house yea when they have fitted themselves for being cast out such is the graciousness of this faithful and true witness that he interposed himself for them whiâ—e and as it may be for their good that further patience and forbearance may be exercised towards them and further means used that they may in the light and strength of his grace recover themselves and turn unto him from whom they have revolted and backsliden So when the Lord of the vineyard came three yeers seeking fruit on the figtree that was planted in his vineyard and found none and was so greatly incensed that he gave order
shall not see when heat cometh but her leaf shall be green and shall not be careful in the year of drought neither shall cease from yielding fruit Psal 1. 1-3 with Jer. 17. 7 8. And in being and abiding in this Root David was holy being united to and reckoned after him for if the Root be holy so also are the branches Psal 86. 2 with Psal 89. 19. and Rom. 11. 16. 4. The Root of David as to the Kingdom The Bottom-ground Cause and Reason of all the Promises thereto appertaining In him all the Promises of God are Yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. To Abraham and his Seed were the Promises made He saith not And to Seeds as of many but as of one and to thy Seed which is Christ Gal. 3. 16. with Gen. 17. 6. He is the sure Mercies of David Isa 55. 3. with Act. 13. 34. 2 Sam. 23. 4 5. And when all seemed to fail and God's faithâ—ulness appeared not as Psal 89. 38-46 yet he was a Root in the ground still with whom he would not break his Covenant Psal 89. 28 29 34-37 Job 14. 8 9. As the Root lives when the Tree and Branches may wither and decay or be cut down or lopt off And as it is said of Nebuchadnezzar Hew down the tree and cut off the branches shake off his leaves and scatter his fruit nâ—vertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth which did signifie his Kingdom should be sure to him Dan. 4. 13-15 23-26 So it is here The Scepter did not depart from Judah nor a Law-giver from between his feet till Shiloh came c. See Gen. 49. 9 10. Here The LORD sware in truth unto David he will not turn away from it of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy Throne Psal 132. 11. with Act. 2. 30. Luke 1. 31-33 And he is oft called David Jer. 23. 5 6. and Chap. 33. 15-17 c. And he was David's Lord as our Saviour saith David himself said by the Holy Gâ—ost The LORD said unto my Lord Mark 12. 35-37 And he was and is God's King whom he hath set upon his holy Hill of Zion Psal 2. 6 7. Rom. 15. 12. 5. The Root of David directed unto by him that we Gentiles also might trust in him and kiss and submit to him Psal 2. 6 7-12 This is that Root of Jesse whom David also lifted up as an Ensign to the people that thereto the Gentiles might seek and his rest is glorious Isa 11. 10. Rom. 15 10-12 It was the great business and design of David to glorifie Christ and lift him up as also to him all the Prophets gave witness Act. 10. 43. as may be seen in many Psalms written by him as Psal 2. and 16. and 20. and 21. and 22 and 34. and 40. and 45. and 47. and 68. and 69. and 110. and 117. and 118. c. to the end we Gentiles also might glorifie God for his mercy As it is written For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles and sing unto thy Name And again he saith Praise the LORD all ye Gentiles and land him all ye people And again Esaias saith There shall be a Root of Jesse and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles in him shall the Gentiles trust Rom. 15-911 12. with Psal 18. 49. and Psal 117. 1 2. Vse 1. That he is the Root the consideration of it may engage us to come unto him in the drawings of the Father to come unto him the living stone that elect precious corner Stone the sure foundation 1 Pet. 2. 4-6 with Isai 28. 16. As Christ saith All things are delivered to me of my Father Come unto me all yet hat labour and are heavy laden I will give you rest and the rest of this Rooâ— is glorious Matth. 11. 27-28 29. with Isai 11. 10. It is the great design of God to glorifie him to this end and purpose that we might run unto him Isa 55. 5. And the Spirit and the Bride say Come And let him that heareth say Come Rev. 22. 16 17. even they say Come to this Root as there appears John 6. 44 45. 2. What hath been said of his being the Root the Root of David shews unto us how we may be enlivened quickned and established to wit by being united unto and firmed in him rooted and built up in him and established in the faith of him Col. 2. 6 7-9 Eph. 3. 16 17-19 Yea when we by being carnally minded and living after the flesh are become dead yet still he is the Root in whom is life for us See Notes on Chap. 3. ver 1. For as the Father hath life in himself so also hath he given to the Son to have life in himself John 5. 25 26. Hos 14. 1-5-8 3. The believing mindfulness hereof also is proper and powerful to preserve them from high-mindedness that are in him Of God ye are in Christ Jesus saith the Apostle who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Satisfaction and Redemption that no flesh might glory in his presence but as it is written He that glorieth may glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 29-31 Boast not saith the Apostle Paul but if thou boastest consider this thou bearest not the Root but the Root thee Rom. 11. 18. Thou standest by faith in him be not high-minded but fear ver 10. He bears thee up and makes thee to stand and what hast thou that thou didst not receive from him 1 Cor. 4. 7. Rom. 3. 25. 27 Phil. 3. 1 2 3-9 4. We may hereby see and perceive that God hath given to him the pre-eminence in all things and amongst all persons for in him it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell Col. 1. 18 19. He is exalted and extolled and made very high who was as a root out of a dry ground Isa 52. 13 14. with Chap. 53. 1 2. God hath highly exalted and glorified him as also appears evidently in that which is affirmed of him in what follows viz. This most excellent and glorious One this Lion of the Tribe of Judah the Root of David hath prevailed to open the Book and to loose the seven Seals thereof He hath prevailed to do it he is the true Israel that had power with God or behaved himself Princely with him yea he had power and prevailed Gen. 32. 25-28 and Hos 12. 4-6 with Isa 49. 3. And he hath prevailed to do this by his Blood his precious Blood whereby he overcame our Enemies and therein evidenced himself to be the Lion of the Tribe of Judah And this is confessed and acknowledged afterwards by the four living Creatures and twenty four Elders c. ver 8 9-12 For by his death he got himself the Victory as is before said Col. 2. 14-15 Heb. 2. 14 15. And on the account thereof and as the consequent thereof all power is given unto him yea all things are given unto him
is Lord of all Psal 8. 5-7 with Heb. 2. 7-9 Act. 10. 36. He hath wonderful lustre and splendor far above the brightness of the Sun at Mid-day Act. 22. 11. with Chap. 26. 13 14. Luke 9. 30 32. with Mark 9. 5 6. Rev. 1. 16. The Spirit of Glory rests upon him as here also followeth 1 Pet. 4 14. with Isai 11. 1-3 and 42. 1. 7-8 His rest is Glory Isai 11. 10. And to the obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ we are called by the Gospel 2 Thes 2. 14 And all this glory and infinitely more than we can conceive much more express hath he received and obtained by his precious blood as may be seen in this Verse He hath suffered and is perfectly glorious through his Sufferings John 13. 31 32. Luke 24. 26 Phil. 2. 8 9. Heb. 2. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 11. And in his Glory he shall appear and be manifested in due time Luke 9. 26. Tâ—t 2. 13. And then they that look for him and in a patient continuance of well-doing having been seeking it shall behold his Glory and partake of it and appear with him in it John 17. 24. Rom 2. 7. Col. 3. 3 4. 1 John 3. 2 3. 3. Horns also signifie Government and Kingdoms as he shall give strength unto his King and exalt the Horn to wit the Kingdom of his Anointed 1 Sâ—m 2. 10. And the ten Horns out of this Kingdom are ten Kings or Kingdoms that shall arise Dan. 7. 24. sealed also Rev. 17. 3 7 12 So Christ is the Kingdom and his Kingdom is exalted and shall so appear gloriously in due season On his head are many Crowns Rev. 19 12. He hath most perfect rule and government given unto him his Kingdom ruleth over all Psal 103. 19 The Father hath committed all judgment rule and government unto him John 5. 22 13. A King he is indeed higher than Agag and his Kingdom is exalted Num. 24. 7. He is King of Nations a great King over all the Earth Psal 47. 1 2-67 The LORD reigneth let the earth rejoyce let the mult tude of the Isles be glad thereof Psal 96. 1-10 and 97. 1. And he is King of Sainâ—s Rev. 15. 3. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 17. 14. and chap. 19. 16. By him Kings reign and Princes dâ—cree justice By him Princes rule and Nâ—blâ—s even all the Judges of the earth Prov. 8. 15 16. This is Gods King whom he hath set upon his holy Hill of Zion Psal 2. 6. And to a gracious end hath he committed all government to hâ—m that all men should honâ—ur him John 5. 22 23. And in due sâ—ason the â—ord God shall give unto him gloriously the throne of hâ—s Fathâ—r David and he sâ—all reign over the House of Jacob for ever aâ—d of his Kingdom there shall be no end Isa 9. 6 7. Luke 1. 32-34 Jer. 33. 15-17 21. And he may be said to have seven Horns with respect to the seven Churches to wit all power or power in its perfect on to deliver and defend them from and to dispense to them and satisfie them with good all glory to conâ—er upon them and Kingdom to possess them of if they hold fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope firm to the end Heb. 3. 6. And seven Horns as they signifie all power which is in this place the direct meaning of them as it is said before with respect unto the seven Seals to wit to open them when none else could do it verse 2. 4. 2. And seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth These also the Lamb which hath been slain hath namely Seven eyes to wit infinite Knowledge and Understanding Or he is perfect in Knowledge Jon 36-3 4. with Isa 42. 19. For eyes signifie understanding Eph. 1. 18. And great is our LORD who was crucified for us and of great power he hath seven Horns as we have seen also of his understanding there is no number or it is infinite Psal 147. 5. with Rev. 11. 8. Or Eyes signifie Knowledge Num. 5. 13. and chap. 16. 14. See the the notes before on chap. 4. ver 6. and ver 8. These seven eyes are upon this elect precious stone Zeoh 3. 8 9. and chap. 4. 10. with Isa 28. 16. and 1 Pet 2. 4. 6. So as he perfectly knows all things John 21. 15. All things above in Heaven he knows his Father perfectly As the Father knoweth me saith he even so know I the Father yea none else knows him originally fully and perfectly John 10. 15. Matth. 11. 27. Luke 10. 22. No man hath seen God at any time the onely begotten Son is in the bosom of the Father and he hath seen and knows him I know him saith Jesus and if I should say I know him not I shall be a liar c. John 1. 18. and chap. 8. 55. For he hath the seven Spirits of God as presently follows and the spirit searcheth all things even the depths of God 1 Cor. 2. 10. And as he hath all power to open the Seals so also he hath all knowledge and understanding to look into and read the Book of Gods Mind and Counsels which no Creature in Heaven or Earth or under the earth could do verse 2-4 5. And so he knows all the dwellers in and inhabiters of Heaven the holy and glorious Angels and he knows how to imploy them for they are all of them ministring spirits unto him Heb. 1. 6-14 And the Saints and holy ones of mankind and upon them his eyes are for good Job 36. 7. But what are these eyes of his here spoken of Unto him it may be said as Job sometimes doth Hast thou eyes of flesh or seest thou as man seeth Job 10. 4. No surely But we have here an explication given to us of these eyes viz. That they are the seven spirits of God See the notes before on chap. 1. verse 4. even that one eternal spirit that proceedeth from the Father John 15. 26. And hereby he knoweth all things 1 Cor. 2. 10. For God hath not given the spirit by measure unto him John 3. 34. He being by the right hand of God exalted hath received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit Acts 2. 33. And on him resteth the Spirit of the LORD the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding the Spirit of Counsel and Might the Spirit of Knowledge and of the Fear of the LORD and he is quick of understanding Isa 11. 1-3 And of these seven Spirits it is said in this place They are sent forth into all the earth So as hereby he not onely knows all things that are above but all things below also They are sent forth by Christ as he saith I will send the Holy Spirit John 15. 26. and chap. 16. 1. And they are sent into all the Earth or World like that They are the eyes of the LORD which run to and froâ— throw
those that shall reign with him even all his Saints and holy Ones shall keep a perpetual Sabbath and sing forth Hallelujah's and it will then be their great delight to serve the Lord in his glorious Temple And this will be a righteous reign also there will then be no crying out nor complaining in the streets as too too often now there is but then a King shall reign in righteousness he hath prepared his throne for judgment and he shall judg the world in righteousness and minister judgment to the people in uprightness and Princes even these reigners with Christ shall rule in judgment Psal 144. 14 15. Isa 32. 1. with Psal 9. 7 8. and 67. 4. and 82. and 96. 11 13. and 98. 4 9. Micah 4. 1-5 Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will raise up unto David a righteous branch and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth In his days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely c. And then he will set up shepherds over them to wit Rulers and Kings these here spoken of which shall feed them and they shall fear no more c. Jer. 23. 4 5 6. The mountains shall bring peace to the people and the little hills by righteousness and the work of righteousness shall be peace and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever Psal 72. 1-3 4. Isa 32. 1 16. 17 18. 4. These Saints and holy Ones shall reign in wonderful glory lustre and splendor they shall then inherit the throne of glory 1 Sam. 2. 8. Psal 149. 5. The wise shall then inherit glory wisdom shall then give to their head an Ornament of grace and shall compass them with a Crown of glory Prov. 3. 35. and chap. 4. 7 9. Isa 24. 16 23. They are in this day called by the Gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 2 12. 2 Thes 2 13 14. 2 Pet. 1. 3. And it is assured to them that when Christ who is our life shall appear then shall also the Saints appear with him in glory Col. 3. 1-3 4. And in vision and as a confirmation of the truth hereof some to wit Mâ—ses and Elias have appeared in glory and in such glory and brightness as at the beholding whereof the disciples werefore afraid and fell on their faces c. Matth. 17. 1-7 Mark 9. 2-6 with Luk 9. 29 31 32. and the Apostle John saith The angel carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain and shewed me to wit in vision that great city the holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God having the glory of God and her light was like unto a stone most precious even like a jasparstone clear as crystal Rev. 21. 9 11. with chap. 4. 3 They that be wise shall then shine as the brightness of the firmaâ—ent and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever Dan. 12. 3. yea then shall the righteous shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father Matth. 13. 43. Jude 5. 31. They shall then be like to Christ when he shall appear for they shall see him as he is their vile body shall be changed and fashioned into the likeness of his glorious body and as they have born the image of the earthy so they shall also bear the image of the heavenly Phil. 3. 21. 1 Cor. 15. 48 49. 1 John 3. 1 2. Though now they lye among the pots as it were and are as the filth and off-scouring of all things yet they shall be as the wings of a Dove covered with silver and her feathers with yellow gold Psal 68. 13. And the hope of this glory which shall be partaken of by them is powerful to move and engage them to purifie themselves even as he is pure 1 John 3. 1-3 And to strengthen them to rejoyce inasmuch as they are made partakers of Christs sufferings and when they are reproached and defaâ—ed for the name of Christ for when his glory shall be revealed they also shall be glad with exceeding joy 1 Pet. 4. 12 14. Rom. 8. 17 18. For their light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for them a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory while they look not on the things that are seen but on the things that are not seen c. 2 Cor. 4. 16 18. Considering always there will be then degrees of glory And as one star differs from another in glory so also it will be in the resurrection from the dead Dan. 12. 3. Luk. 19. 15-19 1 Cor. 5. 41 42. 5. As to the duration of their Reign and Kingdom it shall be everlasting they shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 22. 5. The Saints of the most high shall take the Kingdom and possess the Kingdom for ever even for ever and ever Dan. 7. 18 27. But as to the Davidical Administration of it so it shall be a thousand years whether more strictly or largely taken I cannot determine as it is said They lived and reigned a thousand years And again They shall be Priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years Rev. 20. 1-3 4 6. 3. Where and over whom shall these holy ones so reign 1. Where shall they so reign and that is here expresly declared to us by these Saints viz. We shall reign on the earth Psal 25. 13. and 112. 2. So it is plainly said The Kingdom and dominion and greatness of the Kingdom not in but under the whole Heaven namely on earth shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high Dan. 7. 27. and Chap. 2. 35. And this appears also in that it is said The Kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into the holy Jerusalem which therefore certainly will be on earth as after we may shew Rev. 21. 10-24-26 and they shall reign with Christ but he shall reign on the earth and govern the nations upon earth Psal 67. 4. For the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his Father David which was not in the Heavens but on earth Isa 9. 6 7. Luk. 1. 32. Act. 2. 30 31 34. And hereby also it appears the Saints shall reign on the earth because it is said When the thousand years of their reign are expired Satan shall be loosed out of his prison and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth Gog and Magog to gather them together to battel the number of whom is as the sand of the sea and they went up on the breadth of the earth and compassed the beloved City to wit the children of the first Resurrection or the gloriously reigning Saints which very plainly shews they shall reign on the earth Rev. 20. 7 8 9. But now when with the Scripture we say they shall reign on the earth we intend not nor
they are doubtless in a like expression in this Chapter See the Notes before on v. 3. 7. Round about the Throne as his Servants to minister unto him Indeed all are his Servants Ps 119. 91. though not willingly or acceptably as Heb. 12. 28 yet he serves himself of them as Jer. 34. 9 10. with v. 16. Ezek. 34. 17. And so all the evil Angels are his Servants or he serves himself of them And they can do nothing to the vexation or exercise of his People or Creatures until he give permission or permissive commission to them Job 1. 11 12. and 2. 5 6. Mat. 8. 28 33. with Mark 5. 11 12. But these holy Angels are his Servants cheerfully and delightfully doing his Commandments Ps 103. 18 20. And that they are his Servants is signified by their being about the Throne Ps 76. 11. and 89. 7. And in Rev. 7. 11. they are said to stand about the Throne as also Rev. 8. 2. Now this standing shews to us that they are Servants compare Jer. 52. 12. with 2 King 25. 8. 1 King 10. 8. All these Angels are his Ministers or Servants to minister unto him and to receive Commandments from him Ps 104. 4. Heb. 1. 7. Dan. 7. 10. Are they not all ministring Spirits Heb. 1. 4. And these Ministers of his who sit upon the Throne have been and are diversly imployed by him as is signified to us in the Scripture whereto we may speak a little particularly As to say 1. They have been sent forth and imployed to make known and reveal the mind and will of God So the Law was given by the disposition of Angels Act. 7. 53. Gal. 3. 19. that word was spoken by Angels Heb. 3. 2. And they have declared the Gospel to Men in former times so it was an Angel that spake to Abraham and said In thy Seed shall all the Nations of the Earth be blessed Gen. 22. 9 15 18. and 28. 12 14. And it was an Angel that shewed unto Zacharias glad tidings concerning John the Baptist the Messenger that went before the Face of the Lord to prepare his way Luke 1. 11 19. And that said to the Virgin Mary Thou shalt conceive in thy Womb and bring forth a Son and shalt call his Name Jesus Luke 1. 26 35. Mat. 1. 20 24. And when he was born an Angel said unto the Shepherds Fear not for behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy which shall be to all People c. Luke 2. 9 11 14. And they first declared his Resurrection from the dead unto the Women Mat. 28. 2 5 6. Mark 16. 5 7. Luke 24. 4 7. with v. 23. And when he was taken up into Heaven they inform his Disciples of his coming again and that he shall so come in like manner as they had seen him go into Heaven Act. 1. 9 11. And this Book of the Revelation was sent and signified by an Angel to Christ's Servant John Rev. 1. 1. and ch 22. 6 16. 2. They have been imployed in contending with Satan and being instrumental to assist the Servants of the Lord against him Zech. 3. 1 2. with Jude 9. and 2 Pet. 2. 11. 3. They have been instrumental towards the healing of bodily diseases and distempers Joh. 5. 4. 4. They have been sent and imployed to inform the Servants of the Lord in several things of which they were ignorant and to acquaint them with many difficult and mysterious things Zech. 1. 9 19. and ch 3. 3 4. and 4. 4 7 14. and ch 5. and ch 6 c. Rev. 17. 1 6 7. and ch 21. 9. and ch 22. 8 16. 5. To direct safeguard and prosper them in their journeys and to keep them in all their ways Gen. 24. 7 40. Ps 91. 11 12. 6. To observe the demeanours of his People and Servants in their Assemblies and how they behave themselves in the House of God 1 Cor. 11. 10. 1 Tim. 5. 21 22. 7. To give good counsel to Persons and to direct them unto what may be for their good Gen. 16. 7 11. Act. 10. 7 22. and to restrain and keep back from evil and iniquity Numb 22. 22 35. and to discover to Men their sins and transgressions and reprove and threaten them for them that they might turn from them Judg. 2. 1 4 5. 8. To execute judgments on God's people for their iniquities and provocations 1 Chron. 21. 12 18 30. and on those who are enemies unto and persecuters of them Ps 35. 5 6. 2 Chron. 32. 21. Rev. 15. and ch 16. Act. 12. 23. 9. To carry the Souls of the Saints at their decease into the Bosome of Abraham Luke 16. 22 23. 10. And they shall gather together his Elect from the four Winds from one end of Heaven to the other and gather the Tares to be burnt in the Fire So shall it be in the end of this VVorld The Son of Man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend and them which do iniquity and shall cast them into a Furnace of Fire c. Mat. 24. 31. and ch 13. 40 43. see also Mat. 16. 27. and ch 25. 31 32. 2 Thes 1. 7 9 10. This is some little account of their Ministry and we may have occasion to speak somewhat further hereto afterwards Vse Seeing these glorious Creatures are about the Throne and are Servants unto him that sits thereon It may be useful to us 1. To shew unto us that he is a great and mighty King that hath such excellent Servants and such an innumerable company of them such holy heavenly and glorious Servants waiting upon him and ministring to him these declare his glory Ps 19. 1. In the multitude of People is the King's honour Prov. 14. 28. And this excellent multitude of Subjects and Ministers shew forth the Honour and Majesty of him whose Kingdom ruleth over all Ps 103. 19. Mat. 16. 27. Mark 8. 38. Luke 2. 5 9. Mal. 1. 14. He hath thousand thousands ministring unto him and ten thousand times ten thousand standing before him Dan. 7. 10. These holy Angels are all ministring serving Spirits that do his pleasure Heb. 1. 14. with Ps 103. 20 21. If there was no spirit left in the Queen of Sheba when she saw the attendance of Solomon's Servants or Ministers c. 1 King 10. 5. 2 Chron. 9. 4. How might it even swallow us up and cause us to admire at his excellent Greatness Rule Dominion and Kingdom who hath such Servants ready to do his will and pleasure the least and meanest whereof is more excellent not only than Solomon's chiefest Servants but than Solomon himself also Psal 8. 3 4. Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed nor so excellent as one of these 2. It informs us to whom we should come if we need the help and assistance of the Angels not unto them but unto their Lord and Master they are Servants and not their own Masters nor may
far above them to wit the Saints and glorious Spirits or Angels They do not say The blessing and the honour and the glory and the power unto the living Creatures or Elders or innumerable company of Angels or any of them nor to the Virgin Mary or any Saint deceased whatever Surely if living Men yea living Saints may invocate and religiously worship the Virgin Mary or any Saint or Angel much rather might these do so there is a far greater dis-proportion between mute and brute Creatures and the Saints and Angels and a much wider difference than there is between one Saint and another or than between Saints and Angels And if it be too great boldness and presumption for living Saints to come immediately to Christ and to God by Christ as some groundlesly and dangerously dream and conceit and therefore in their voluntary humility they address themselves to Christ by Saints deceased or Angels being notwithstanding their plea for and pretence of humility vainly puft up with their fleshly mind and not holding the Head Christ Jesus Col. 2. 18 19. How much greater pride and sauciness would it be in these mute and brute Creatures to pass by the Saints and Angels in their Doxologies and Adorations And how much more becoming their low and inferiour state and condition to call to the Saints and Angels in their Addresses of this nature as Job 5. 1. and desire them to mediate for them or to worship them immediately seeing Saints are much better than the Fowls of the Air Mat. 6. 26. with Luke 12. 24. much better than Sheep c. Mat. 12. 12. But yet these inferiour Creatures call not in to their assistance the Saints or Angels as Mediators Oh! let us not be more brutish than these Câ—eatures which have no understanding But let us continually and only come unto God by the one and only Mediator the Man Christ Jesus who gave himself a Ransome for all Men 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. Heb. 7. 25. Joh. 14. 6. Heb. 13. 5 3. Directly and expressly they say Blessing and the honour c. unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb As they are called upon by the Psalmist saying Bless the Lord all his works in all places of his Dominion Ps 103. 22. And as is said concerning them All thy works shall praise thee O Lord Ps 145. 10. So the Apostle was here strengthened extraordinarily to hear them The Heavens declare the glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy work Day unto Day uttereth speech and Night unto Night sheweth knowledge Ps 19. 1 2 3. The Beasts of the Field shall honour me saith the Lord the Dragons and the Owls or Ostriches Isay 43. 20. All his works praise and shall praise him in seeking to him as those that have their sole dependance on him and preservation and provision from him The Eyes of all wait upon him and he gives them their Meat in due season He openeth his hand and satisfieth the desire of every living thing Ps 145. 10. with v. 15 16. The innumerable creeping things in the Sea as well as the Beasts of the Earth and Fowls of the Air These all wait upon him that he may give them their Meat in due season that he gives them they gather he openeth his hand they are filled with good Psal 104. 10 17 25 28. He provideth for the Raven his food his young ones cry to God Job 38. 41. Thus the Psalmist calls upon the Creatures generally to praise the Lord. Praise ye him saith he Sun and Moon praise him all ye Stars of Light praise him ye Heavâ—nâ— of Heavens and ye Waters that be above the Heavens Praise the Lord from the Earth ye Dragons and all Deeps Fire and Hail Snow and Vapours stormy Wind fulfilling his Word Mountains and all Hills fruitful Trees and all Cedars Beasts and all Cattel creeping things and flying Fowl c. Ps 148. See the Song of the three Children in Apocrypha v. 35 59. And all Creatures are called upon to rejoice and sing praise before and glorifie the Lamb Let the Heavens rejoice and let the Earth be glad let the Sea roar and the fulness thereof Let the Field be joyful and all that is therein then shall all the Trees of the Wood rejoice before the Lord for he cometh for he cometh to judge the Earth c. Ps 96. 11 13. and 98. with Ps 75. 3. and Heb. 1. 3. 1. Then we may learn from hence that God leaves not himself without witness to any All God's Creatures shew forth his glory and glorifie him that we might be led to know that there is a God a great a good and gracious God He left not himself without witness towards the Gentiles but did them good and gave them Rain from Heaven which is a teacher of righteousness Joel 2. 23. and fruitful seasons filling their hearts with Food and gladness Act. 14. 17. That which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them for the invisible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal power and God-head c. Rom. 1. 19 20 21. Job 12. 7 9. Deut. 4. 19. Yea the Apostle saith The Gospel was preached in every Creature under Heaven Col. 1. 23. Ps 19. 1 2 3 6. with Rom. 10. 14 15 18. Isay 40. 26 28. Ps 145. 9 10. 2. In that what these mute and brute Creatures do according to their Nature and Kind and by Instinct is thus reputed as their saying Blessing and honour and glory and power c. We may see the graciousness of God in his Interpretations He doth put the most favourable and charitable construction upon the saying and doings of his Creatures that may be He here reputes and interprets what these Creatures do by natural Instinct to be a glorifying and honouring him because he hath given no more to them When the young Lions roar after their Prey he calls it their seeking their Meat from God Ps 104. 21. and saith The young Ravens cry unto God Job 38. 41. and that all Creatures wait upon him Ps 104. 12 27. and 145. 10 15 16. So he interprets Childrens being brought to him a coming to him Mat. 19. 13 14. Mark 10. 13 14. Luke 18. 15 16. Deut. 11. 1 2. and reputes them graciously as Believers Mat. 18. 2 6. as such as receive the Kingdom Luke 18. 17. as such as humble themselves Mat. 18. 4. See Ps 71. 5 6. with Ps 22. 9 10. So when Persons in imminent and eminent danger cry out for help and deliverance and are even forced to seek to him he interprets it in the best sense and saith Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble and he saveth them c. Ps 107. 8 31. 1 Tim. 2. 15. Jonah 1. 14 16. He is no hard or austere Master though wicked and slothful Servants so say but interprets
crooked pathes Ps 56. 1. and 57. 1 4. They have a fight of afflictions to undergo from the World from them who are set on fire even the sons of men whose teeth are spears and arrows and their tongue a sharp sword Heb. 10. 32 34. with Ps 57. 4. If their fair means and flatteries will not prevail with Christs disciples to leave his way and have fellowship with them in their unfruitful works of darkness they will then bend their bow and make ready their arrow upon the string that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart Ps 11. 1 2 4. Indeed the men of the World are to be loved and pittyed and the good of their souls to be sought and endeavoured But in their evil ways and designs they are to be opposed hated and resisted by us and that is the way to be instruments of good to their souls whereas should they comply with them and consent to them they would more strengthen them in their evil wayes that none would return there from 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. and ch 3. 1. Jer. 2. 33. and ch 23. 13 14. They that forsake the law praise the wicked but such as keep the law contend with them and so dispraise discommend and shew their dislike of them Prov. 28. 4. And they have also in contending for the faith of the Gospel to contend with such as have a form of Godlinâ— upon them but deny the power thereof 2 Tim. 3. 5. Even false prophets and deceitful workers such as say they are Apostles and are not but do lye and those that are deceived and beguiled by them for such consent not to wholesome words but make it their work to oppose them and to cause others to turn away their ears from the truth and to turn them to their fables so the Apostle John speaking of false prophets and acquainting the believers that many such were gone forth into the World he signifieth that the believers did and did do well to oppose and fight against them and that they had overcome them also ye are of God little Children saith he and have overcome the false prophets They are of the World therefore speak they of the World c. 1 Joh. 4. 4 5. Jude 3. 4. 3. They have Satan also the God of this World to contend with and fight against and therefore they need to watch to stand fast in the faith to quit themselves like Men and be strong 1 Cor. 16. 13. Be sober be vigilant saith the Apostle Peter Because your adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour whom resist stedfast in faith 1 Pet. 5. 8 9 Jam. 4. 7. we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers against the rulers of the Darkness of this World against spiritual wickedness or wicked spirits in high places Eph. 6. 12. The work of Satan and his Angels is to tempt and turn aside from the right ways of the Lord those that are walking therein or to stir up his instruments to raise persecution against the Disciples of Christ and by all means this tempter is tempting the believers that he might move them from the faith of Christ 1 Thes 3. 1 5 6. and whether he speaks fair or foul whether he be transformed into an Angel of light or appear like himself yet still he is a murderer Joh. 8. 44. his end in all is destruction and his name signifies what he is and what he aims at and intends For his name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon but in the greek tongue he hath his name Apollyon that is to say A destroyer Rev. 9. 11. he cometh not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy Joh. 10. 10. To pervert the right ways of the Lord and to turn men from the Faith Acts 13. 8 10. and especially he is filled with rage against and seeks the ruine and destruction of such as are delivered out of his Kingdom of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of God's dear Son 1 Pet. 5. 8. this is a powerful and politick enemy they have therefore to resist sted fastly in the faith lest they be circumvented and destroyed by him 5. They have weapons to fight withal for the Faith against their spiritual enemies both defensive and offensive armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left is prepared for them and to be put on by them that being therewith armed they might not turn back in the day of battle Ps 78. 9. and the weapons of their warfare are not carnal not material and outward swords and bows or such-like weapons for alas these are weak and their enemies will deride at them but their weapons are spiritual and so mighty thorow God 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. not by might nor by power but by the spirit of the Lord of hostes they may do valiantly thorow him they may push down their enemies thorow his name they may tread them under that rise up against them Zech. 4. 6 7. the good fight is the fight of faith that is that which is to be fought for as is before said and that is that which is to be fought with whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world and this is the victory that overcometh the World even our faith 1 Joh. 5. 4 5. The Gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth Rom. 1. 16. 6. They have a crown proposed to and set before them to engage and encourage them to play the men to oppose and fight against their enemies even unto blood Men that here fight they do it for a fading reward they do it to obtain a corruptible crown but we an incorruptible I therefore so run not as uncertainly so fight I not as one that beats the ayre But I have fought the good fight saith the Apostle Paul I have kept the Faith But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection c. 1 Cor. 9. 26 27. henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which the Lord the Righteous judge will give me at that day And not to me only but to all them also that love his appearing 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. In being faithful to the death he will give us a crown of life Rev. 2. 10. and this leads us to the next thing viz. 2. The subject of the Blessedness hereafter spoken of is He that overcometh he saith not To the Angels or Churches will I give to eat of the tree of life and yet it is before said what the spirit saith unto the Churches But when he comes to describe the subject of the blessedness he saith not to them or to the Churches but changeth the Phrase and saith To him that overcometh and so he saith unto all the seven Churches Rev. 2. v. 11 17 26 29. and ch 3. 5 6 12. and v. 21 22. Men may be members of any of the Churches and yet
And they shall reign over all the nations of the saved and such as will not subject themselves unto Christ and his glorified Saints shall be destroyed As it is said The nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish yea those nations shall be utterly wasted Isa 60. 12 14. Dan. 7. 14 27. Thus our Lord promiseth and saith He that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give power over the nations That is I will give him the heathen for his inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession and he shall rule them with a rod of iron as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers even as I received of my father Rev. 2. 26 27 with Psal 2. 8 10. and Rev. 19. 15. Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world 1 Cor. 6. 2. But unto this particular we shall not further inlarge here 4. When and with whom shall these Saints and holy ones so reign To this we shall speak a little distinctly and particularly And so 1. When shall they so reign To this we have often intimately given answer before namely that they shall not so do while they are in mortal bodies nor on the earth in this corruptible state but when God according to his promise shall make all things new And so we say again they shall not reign as is here spoken of till the dead in Christ are raised again to wit in the resurrection of the just when none but the righteous ones shall be raised Luk. 14. 14. There is an order in the resurrection as the Apostle gives us to understand Indeed There will be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust As in Adam all dye so in Christ shall all be made alive But every man in his own order Christ the first-fruits he is raised long before the rest of the dead and hath been so above Sixteen hundred years already Afterwards they that are Christs at his coming and they only and so they also will be raised long before the rest of the dead namely a Thousand years whether more strictly or largely taken and more Rev. 20. 4 12. Then or after the end when will be the second and general resurrection 1 Cor. 15. 21 22 23 24. with vers 5. Now then at Christ's coming the dead in Christ shall be raised and the surviving of that body changed As the Apostle saith Them which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him for this we say unto you by the word of the Lord that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep for the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the voice of the Arch-Angel and with the trump of God And the dead in Christ shall rise first to wit before the rest of the dead and before the living Saints are changed and caught up Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up c. In order whereto they shall be changed In a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed 1 Thes 4. 14 17. with 1 Cor. 15. 51-53 Then shall that which was prophesied of so long since be fulfilled Thy dead men shall live with my dead body shall they arise awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust c. namely They shall then sing gloriously that song there mentioned Isa 26. 19. with Chap. 25. and 26. 1-5 And that they shall then reign when they are raised from the earth and not before is signified to us by the Apostle John in his relation of what he saw in vision I saw saith he the souls of them that were beheaded c And they lived to wit revived as we have said before and reigned a thousand years This is the first resurrection Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection en such the second death hath no power but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign a thousand years Rev. 20. 4. 6. And this surely is the first resurrection not in order of time only but also the best resurrection as the first Robe is the best Luk. 15. 22. or the chief Mark 6. 21. and so it is called a better Resurrection to wit than the second and general because they that have part in it shall reign on the earth whereas the rest of the dead shall not so do Heb. 11. 37. The time then when they that are Christs shall reign on the earth will be after they are raised in the first and better Resurrection according to what our Saviour saith They that shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage neither can they dye any more for they are equal unto the angels and are the children of God being the children of the resurrection They that shall be accounted worthy to inherit and judg that world are such only as shall be accounted worthy to obtain the Resurrection from the dead from the rest of the dead which all shall not be nor any but the Children of God Luk. 20. 35 36. with Heb. 2. 5. This honour and happiness the Church of the first-born of the first-born from the dead which are written in Heaven shall arrive at and be made partakers of Heb. 12. 23-28 with Col. 1. 18. and Rev. 1. 5 6. And so much also may well be contained in and collected from that part of the song of Hannah in which she saith He raiseth up the poor out of the dust and lifteth up the beggar from or out of the dunghil to set them among princes and to make them inherit the throne of glory 1 Sam. 2. 8. with Psal 113. 6 8. It is true indeed these words He raiseth up c. do certainly refer to his exalting persons sometimes in this day out of their low abject condition unto glory But it is true also that he most fully raiseth them out of their graves out of the dust of the earth to this glorious dignity we are speaking of and lifteth them up from the gates of death Isa 26. 19. John 3. 14. Jer. 9. 22. Psal 9. 13. Nor doth that hinder the interpretation given that she and the Prophet speak in the present time and say He raiseth up and lefteth for in such like words the Resurrection from the dead is also spoken of and mentioned in Scripture as may be seen John 5. 21. 2 Cor. 1. 9 10. And in that they shall reign after they are raised from the dead This shews unto us the excellency and perpetuity of their Kingdom and Glory Dan. 7. 27. The great ones of this world who are advanced to the highest dignity and Empire are still in mortal bodies and must needs dye What man is
he that liveth and shall not see death shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave Selah Psal 89. 48. I have said saith God concerning Kings and Potentates of this world ye are Gods and all of you are the children of the most high But ye shall dye like men and fall like oâ—e of the Princes Psal 82. 6 7. Isa 14. 18. And when they dye they shall carry nothing away their glory shall not descend after them Psal 49. 16 17. But these holy reigners we are speaking of shall not reign till after they are raised up from the dead and so out of the first death and on such the second death hath no power Rev. 20. 4 6. And so they can dye no more death hath no more dominion over them Luk. 20. 35 36. and therefore they shall possess the kingdom for ever even for ever and ever Dan. 7. 18. Death shall never put an end to their glory as it doth to the glory and government of the high ones of this world but they shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 22. 4 6. Oh how might the consideration hereof engage us not to be desirous of vain-glory but in a patient continuance in well-doing to seek after glory and honour with immortality Rom. 2. 6 7. and to be looking not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seeâ— for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal 2 Cor. 4. 18. Oh! seek we after and set we our affection upon the things above and not on things on the earth for we are dead and our life is hid with Christ in God when Christ our life shall appear then shall we also appear with him in glory c. Col. 3. 1-4 1 Cor. 9. 25 27. And this leads us to the next enqâ—iry viz. 2. With whom shall these holy Ones so reign And to that we may say 1. They shall be and reign with Jesus Christ our Lord when sorrow had filled the hearts of his disciples because of his departure from them he then to comfort them said unto them In my fathers house are many mansions I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also Joh. 14. 2 3. And thus addresses himself to his Father in their hearing and for their encouragement and consolation Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory John 17. 24. Them that sleep in Jesus God will bring with him and the survivers of that body also for the dead shall be raised and the living changed and all shall be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall they ever â—e with the Lord 1 Thes 4. 14-17 Then all shall be gathered all that are his I mean together unto him whereever they are they shall be gathered unto him from the four winds from one end of Heaven to the other 2 Thes 2. 1. with Matth. 24 30 31. And when Christ who is their life shall appear then shall they also appear with him in glory Col. 3. 4. The Lord my God saith the Prophet shall come and all the Saints with thee Zech. 14. 4-9 and then gloriously they shall sit with him on his throne Rev. 3. 4 21. so the Apostle Paul saith It is a faithful saying for if we be dead with Christ we shall also live with him if we suffer we shall also reign with him 2 Tim. 2. 11 12. And the Apostle John saith I saw thrones and â—hey sate upon them and judgment was given unto them c. And they lived and reigned with Christ c. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years Rev. 20. 4 6. They shall not reign before or without Christ as some have fondly and groundlesly imagined but with him as in that vision of Daniel is also signified to us where first of Christ it is said I saw in the night-visions and behold one like the son of mâ—n came with the clouds of Heaven and came to the ancient of days and they brought him near before himâ— and there was given to him dominion and glory and a kingdom that all people nations and languages should serve him his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom c. And when Daniel asked one the truth of all this he told him and made him know the interpretation of the things viz. The Saints of the most high shall take the kingdom and possess the kingdom for ever c. to wit when Christ doth and with him Dan. 7. 13 14 16 18 27. And that they shall reign with Christ and be ever with him this will render their state most excellent comfortable and desirable 1 Thes 4. 17 18. Now indeed the Bridegroom is absent from them and they have great cause of mourning on that account Mat. 9. 15. Now they groan being burdened for they walk by faith not by sight But then he will see them again and their heart shall rejoice and their joy none shall take from them 2 Cor. 5. 2-9 The name of the holy City shall then be the Lord is there Ezek. 48. 35. Indeed now when they depart out of the body and are present with the Lord it is far better for them than to be at home in the body and absent from the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 5-8 Phil. 1. 23. Rev. 14. 13. But then when they are raised again and have the adoption the redemption of the body and the body and soul reunited and personally present remaining and reigning with the Lord it will be best of all Phil. 1. 20 21. 1 Thes 1. 10. when they awake to wit in the Resurrection of the righteous they shall be satisfied with Gods Image to wit with Christ who is the Image of the Invisible God and with that dominion and rule which with him they shall then receive and partake of Psal 17. 15 with Col. 1. 14 15. and Gen. 1. 26-28 And in that they shall reign with Christ this also confirms the truth of what these holy ones here say namely they shall reign on the earth to which we have spoken somewhat before for Christ shall reign on the earth I know saith Job that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth whom I shall see for my self and mine eyes shall behold Job 19. 25 27. with Zech. 14. 4 5 9. He shall sit upon the throne of his Father David which was indeed the throne of the Lord but not in Heaven but on the Earth as before we have said Psal 132. 11. with Act. 2. 30. Isa 9. 7. and 16. 5. Jer. 33. 21. Luke 1. 32. He shall judg the