especially of them that believe and whose Grace brings Salvation to all men 1 Tim. 4. 10. Tit. 2. 11. Act. 26. 18. And the faithful Martyr who laid down his life in defence and confirmation of the truth to this end was he born and for this cause he came into the World that he should bear witness to the truth and he witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate Joh. 18. 37. 1 Tim. 6. 12 13. And the first begotten of the dead or first-born from the dead as Col. 1. 18. One who died and was in the heart or belly of the earth and was born from the dead this is a birth Act. 13. 32 33. yea the first-born from the dead in his Resurrection that in all things he might have the pre-eminence Herein he was mightily declared and determined the Son of God Col. 1. 18. Rom. 1. 3 4. and ch 8. 29. He was raised before any others Mat. 27. 53. He is the first-fruits of them that sleep 1 Cor. 15. 20 23. who left the rest of the dead behind him and in due time they shall be born and raised also as is implied in that he is said to be the first-born Isay 26. 19. and he is the first fruits of them that sleep in him whose Image they shall bear as they have born the Image of the earthly 1 Cor. 15. 45 48. Whose vile bodies shall be changed and fashioned into the likeness of his glorious Body Phil. 3. 21. and who shall be raised before the rest of the dead Therefore also are they called the first-born Heb. 12. 23. and as the first-fruit is holy so also shall the lump be A glorious Church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing but holy and without blemish Rom. 11. 16. Eph. 5. 25 27. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection Rev. 20. 4 5 6. And the Prince of the Kings of the Earth His name is King of Kings Rev. 17. 14. and ch 19. 16. And he is the Ordainer Ruler and Disposer of them as the Earth now stands By him Kings reign and Princes decree Justice By him Princes rule and Nobles even all the Judges of the Earth Prov. 8. 15 16. He is gone up into Heaven and is on the right hand of God Angels Authorities and Powers being made subject to him God hath exalted him and given him a name above every name 1 Pet. 3. 22. Phil. 2. 6 9 10. And this shews unto us the preciousness of his Blood for it is upon the account thereof he is so highly exalted in our nature Phil. 2. 6 9. and it may instruct the great-ones of the Earth to worship him as the Psalmist saith Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the Earth kiss the Son c. Ps 2. 6 7. 10 12. Col. 4. 1. Yea therefore God hath committed all Judgment to him that all men should honour him as they honour the Father Joh. 5. 22 23. and this consideration may instruct us whom we should obey first of all even him who is higher than the highest of all Creatures Act. 4. 17 20. and ch 5. 28 29. And it may strengthen us to wait upon him and keep his way for he can and will preserve us in so doing and punish our Enemies whoever they are Mat. 28. 18 20. Col. 2. 6 10. Ps 105. 14 15. and it may preserve us from judging one another Jam. 4. 12. And he is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth hereafter God hath made him his first-born higher then the Kings of the Earth Ps 89. 27. Isay 41. 1 2. Unto the Angels God hath not put into subjection the World to come but he hath done so unto Jesus who by the Grace of God tasted death for every one him he hath raised from the dead and set him at his own 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 Heb. 2. 5 9. with Eph. 1. 18 22. He is the Maker of those Holy Kings who shall reign on the Earth Rev. 1. 6. and ch 5. 10. From him they shall receive Laws and rule under him Isay 33. 17 22. and ch 32. 1. And all Kings shall serve and obey him Ps 22. 27 28. and 67. 4. and 47. 6 7. and 72. 8 12. and 82. 8. and 86. 9. and 138. 4. Rev. 17. 14. and ch 21. 24. From this excellent one also he desires Grace and Peace unto the Churches even from him who died yea rather is risen again unto whom all Power is given not only in this World but also in that to come And thus far is the Salutation Now followeth the Doxology or rendring of Praise and Glory to him Vnto him that loved us when we were in our Sins and before he washed us Ezek. 16. 4 5. He had great love to us when we were dead in Sins Eph. 2. 4 5. He then loved us and gave himself for us Gal. 2. 20. Gave himself for our Sins Gal. 1. 3 4. He loved us and gave himself for us an offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour 1 Joh. 3. 16. Eph. 5. 2. And made known this love to us and caused his goodness to pass before us when we were Ungodly-ones and Enemies in our minds by wicked works Eph. 2. 4 5. Col. 1. 21 22. And by these Bands of a Man and Cords of Love over-came us and prevailed with us to love him because he first loved us Hos 11. 4. 1 Joh. 4. 16 17 19. and in the knowledge and belief of his first-first-love being prevailed withal to love him he loved us with peculiar manner of love Behold what manner of love hath he bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! As the Father hath loved him so hath he loved us 1 Joh. 3 1. Joh. 14. 21 23. and ch 15. 9. 10. To him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever even to all Eternity Amen Rev 5 8 10. and for and thorow his love to us unworthy undeserving and ill deserving-ones He washed us from our Sins in his own Blood Oh wonderful love 1. Sin is a filthy thing a nasty noisome loathsome thing in it self and in the account of them who judge righteous Judgment This is signified in such sayings as these Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit 2 Cor. 7. 1. When the LORD shall have washed away the filth of the Daughter of Zion c. Isay 4. 4. Ezek. 36. 25. They are therefore rightly called Fools who make a mock at Sin Prov. 10. 23. and ch 14. 9. 2. When he loved us and before he washed us we were in our Sins and Filth we had our Conversation amongst the Children of Disobedience in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by
1 Joh. 4. 7 10 14 16 17 19. and ch 5. 1. And here-thorow were these Ephesians quickened to the love of God in Christ at first as it is said But God who is â—ich in mercy for or thorow his great love wherewith he loved us even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us c. Eph. 2. 4 5. This is the original and principle of the first love here spoken of 2. This love thus begotten is first placed on him that begat even on the Lord Jesus Christ and God in him because of his first love to us 1 Joh. 4. 19. and ch 5. 1. yea because of his love and loveliness his love is better then winâ— and because of the Savour of his good Oyntments his name is as Oyntment poured forth therefore do the virgins such as are not defiled with Women with whorish societieâ— anâ— congregâ—â—ions love him the upright love him from the Remembrance of his love Cant. 1. 2 3 4. with Rev. 14. 3 4. And because of his beauty and glory his excellency and comeliness for their escape Isay 4. 2. he is firstly the object of their love though now they see him not with their bodily eyes as the Apostles did yet thâ—y love him 1 Pet. 1. 8. Eph. 6. 24. To this the saints are exhâ—â—ted O Love the Lord ye his saints Ps 31. 23. Oh worthy for ever is hâ— to be beloved who so loved uâ— when we wâ—re such filthy polluted ones as to give himself for us Rev. 1. 5 6. Gal. 2. 20. Hence the Apostle when he is triumphing in God's love in not sparing his own Son but delivering him up for us all and in Christs love to us in dying yea rather in rising again c. he addes I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 32 34 39. Thereby it was begotten and thereby maintained and there-thorow fixed on that most excellent Object even Jesus Christ and God in him and such as love him are the called according to purpose Rom. 8. 28. His love and loveliness causeth them that know and believe it to cleave to him with full purpose to pant after him that they may more know him win him and be found in him It causes them to run unto him and follow him hard and to long and wait for his appearing and coming again Ps 42. 1 2. and 63. 1 4 8. Isay 55. 5. 2 Tim. 4. 8. 3. This love thus begotten and fixed upon this most excellent object is inward intense and fervent It is not in word and tongue only but indeed and in truth 1 Joh. 3. 18. Too too many there are who draw nigh to him with their mouth and honour him with their lips while yet their hearts are far removed from him but all such worship is in vain Isay 29. 13. with Mat. 15. 8 9. But this first love here intimately commended to us by Christ is such as is with all the heart like that our saviour saith in answer to the scribe Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind and with all thy strength Mark 12. 28 30. Deut. 6. 4 5. Hence Christ is oft thus called by the spouse He whom my soul loveth Cant. 1. 7. and ch 3. 1 2 3 4. This love is with the heart as distinguished from and opposed to that pretence of love or that feigned love found with too many this is love without dissimulation Rom. 12. 9. love in sincerity or with incorruption Eph. 6. 24. and this love is also with the whole heart as distinguished from and opposed to dividedness of heart towards him and also towards other persons or things which is found with many as it is said their heart is divided now shall they be found faulty Hos 10. 2. too many there are who are double-minded who have a soul and a soul whose hearts are full of doublemindedness who in some measure love Christ and together also love somewhat else before or equal to him and so love him not with such a love as is well pleasing to him for no man can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will hold to the one and despise the other Mat. 6. 24. Luk. 16. 13. and he that loveth Father or Mother more than Christ is not worthy of him he that loveth Son or Daughter more than he is not worthy of him Mat. 10. 37. Luke 14. 24 26. but the first love here spoken of is such as leads one to be and abide for Christ and not to be for another man or object Hos 3. 3. and so inward intense and ardent is this love as that it leads to hate what is reproved our sins and vanities or otherwise it is but love with dissimulation when love is without dissimulation it leads to abhor that which is evil Rom. 12. 9. This is the nature of this love that it causeth a Man to abstain from deny and mortify all that which is displeasing to the beloved And hence whereas in giving the law the right worshipping of God is expressed in four commandments by God to wit Thou shalt have no other Gods but me Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image c. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain c. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy c. Exod. 20. 3 11 Deut. 5. 7 15. they are all summed up in this afterwards Deut. 6. 4 5. and by our saviour Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy mind c. Mat. 22. 36 38. Luke 10. 26 27. to signify to us that the hearty love of him includes and leads to an abstaining from and fleeing from whatsoever is forbidden by him and indeed he that doth evil hateth Christ who is the light of the World and if any Man love the World the love of the Father is not in him Joh. 3. 20. 1 Joh. 2. 15. yea so intense this love is as that it moves and prevails with him in whom it is to prefer Christ before all and forsake all for his sake the riches honour glory name and praise of this World and those things most gainful and dear unto them even their former good things confidences Wisdom Righteousness relations c. Luke 14. 16 26 33. and ch 9. 59 62. Mat. 13. 44 46. as the Apostle saith of himself But what things were gain to me those I counted loss for Christ yea doubtless and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all
edifying of it self in love Eph. 4. 11 15. 16. Col. 2. 19. for the increase of love in the Philippians the Apostle prayes saying This I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment Phil. 1. 9 10. Col. 1. 8 10. and this is taken notice of by way of commendation in the Thessalonians that their love did abound 2 Thes 1. 3. And indeed his Churches have great Advantage to grow in the love of him because they have frequent opportunities to hear of him of his sufferings of his love and loveliness of his Infinite perfection and everliving in the presence of God that their evil is the greater if they increase not therein Now then for such to go backward and not forward to decrease when they should increase this must needs be a provoking evil This was the evil reproved and complained of by the Lord in his Church in former times They have provoked the holy one of Israel to anger they are gone backward Isay 1. 4. and again Thus saith the Lord this thing commanded I them saying Obey my voice But they hearkened not nor enclined their ear they went backward and not forward Jer. 7. 21 24. and again thou hast forsaken me saith the Lord thou art gone backward therefore I will stretch out my hand against thee I am weary with repenting Jer. 15. 6. Josh 23. 8 12. By all which it doth in some measure appear that their leaving their first love was a great and provoking evil Vse 1. Seeing this was the charge he draws up against this Angel and Church let us examine our selves whether we be not guilty of this evil also whether there be not a decay and abatement of that heat of love and affection to Jesus Christ his sufferings and the glory which therethorow he is entered into and possessed of and his Gospel and people Say not we are not guilty hereof for we have works and labour and patience c. and therefore we are free from this provoking evil for thus Christ and not themselves saith of these Say not we are rich and increased with goods and therefore Christ hath not such a quarrel against us as he had against these for though you thus speak of your selves you may nevertheless be lukewarm Rev. 3. 16 17. But come to the light and remember the former days Oh is it not too much and a wearisome thing to us to hear the cross of Christ Gods love therein commended so much insisted on are we not ready to say there is nothing before our eyes save this Manna Numb 11. 5 6. Is this Manna so delightful to us as at first come we unto the light and see what manner of persons we are Eph. 5. 12 13. 2. Seeing this is the quarrel he hath against these that they had left their first love so he shews unto us That he desires and delights in this that his Churches should love him â—ervently It is pleasant unto him highly prized by him when they are hot zealous â—ervent in spirit love him with the whole heart This is that he calls for My son give me thy heart Prov. 23. 26. This is that which ravishes and unhearts him as it were and yet revives and chears him Cant. 4. 9 10. This love of theirs when it is hot and ardent doth even overcome and puffe him up as he saith turn away thine eyes from me for they have â—vercome me or puffed me up Cant. 6. 5. and to this love of the Lord doth he exhort as O love the Lord ye his saints Ps 31. 23. take heed unto your Souls that ye love the Lord your God Josh 23. 11. and they that do so shall prosper their soul shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not Ps 122. 6. And great peace have they that love his law and nothing shall offend them Ps 119. 165. and if any man love him the same is known owned and approved of him 1 Cor. 8. 3. he that loveth Christ shall be loved of his father and he will love him and will manifest himself unto him Joh. 14. 21 22 23. 3. And here we may see and take notice that how many good things soever his Churches or any in them have yet if their love to him his cross Gospel and people c. grows cold or decays and abates it will greatly provoke him to anger Though they have all knowledge faith gifts utterance c. and have not love they are displeasing to him and therefore keep thine heart with all keeping Prov. 4. 23. how displeasing was it to the Lord that Solomon who once loved the Lord 1 King 3. 3. did afterwards leave his first love and his heart was turned away from him The Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel who had appeared unto him twice 1 King 11. 1 3 6 9 1â— And this was a blot upon Amaziah he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord but not with a perfect heart 2 Chron. 25. 2. and though there be many infirmities found with a Man yet if his heart be perfect and he cleave in love unto the Lord they are graciously overlooked and covered by him 1 Kings 15. 17. and ch 16. 10 11 12. Verse 5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and Repent and do the first works or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou Repent In this verse we have to mind and consider 1. The good gracious and needful counsel given to this Angel and Church 2 A conditional threat denounced against them 1. The good gracious and needful counsel given unto this Angel and Church and this is expressed to us in three Branches 1. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen 2. And Repent 3. And do the first works 1. Branch Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen 1. We shall speak to this Branch of the counsel by way of explication 2. Note some Instructions that are contained and signified therein 1. We shall speak to this Branch of the Counsel by way of explication This Counsel hath reference to what goeth before as it appeareth by the word therefore And it seemeth to refer either 1. Unto what is said in the beginning of v. 4. I have against thee Remember therefore I who am the Son of the Father in truth and love and have manifested so much in laying down my life 1 Joh. 3. 16. and therefore speak out of love Rev. 3. 19. I that hold the seven stars and walk in the midst of the seven Golden candlesticks there is my constant path and walk and so see and observe how it is with you for mine eyes are as a flame of fire and all things are naked and manifest unto me Rev. 2. 1. Heb. 4. 12 13. and I that am Almighty and can do whatsoever
conversation in heaven Phil. 3. 17-20 And this sea here spoken of is said to be of glass clear as crystal 1. To denote unto us that in and through the precious blood of Christ as opened in the preaching of the cross to us we may see all things aright as in a glass clear as crystal And so the knowledg of the Lord is compared to the sea covered with waters Isa 11. 9. and this sea may be said to be like glass with allusion to the Laver or Sea in the tabernacle in former times as it is said Moses made the Laver of brass and the foot of it of brass of the looking-glasses of the women assembling which assembled at the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation Exod. 38. 8. only that sea was of brazen glasses this of glass clear as crystal more clear than our types Rev. 21. 11. For the Apostles now in preaching Christ crucified have used great plainness of speech and not as Moses who put a vail over his face c. to signifie the darkness and obscurity of his Ministration and now we all with open face as in a glass may behold the glory of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 12 13-18 In this red-sea of Christs blood we may perceive and behold the kindness and pity of God to manward which love of his is also compared to a Laver and called the Laver of regeneration Tit. 3. 4 5. God is love In this was manifested the love of God because that God sent his only begotten son into the world that we might live through him Herein is love to be always seen and perceived not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his son the propitiation for our sins 1 Joh. 4. 8 9 10. In this glass we may also see the vileness and odiousness of our sins unto God in that he hath so severely condemned them in the flesh of his own Son Rom. 8. 3. and there taken such vengeance on our inventions Isa 61. 2. and here we may see our selves as in a glass and what manner of persons we are Jam. 1. 23 24. and see what miserable ones we are by nature as the Apostle saith If one died for all we judg then were all dead dead at Law condemned to dye 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. yea and herein we may see the world the weakness and unprofitableness thereof by the cross of Christ the world is crucified unto him that glories in it and he unto the world Gal. 6. 14. Hereby the Holy Spirit doth convince the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment and doth teach the believer all things and guide them into all truth John 16. 8 11 14. Hence the Apostle determined to know nothing else among the believing-Corinthians in and unto all things save Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2 2. and chap. 1. 18 23 24. And this Sea is before the throne and so in the view of the four living creatures that they may therein behold God John 12. 45. and his and his Sons wonderful loving-kindness to the children of men and that they may see themselves in it And it is in the view of the Elders also that his personal abasement and sufferings may also be remembred and he admired praised and blessed by them Rev. 5. 8 9. And in the view of the Angels also into which blood and excellent sufferings they desire to look and pry as in a crystal glass Compare 1 Pet. 1. 11 12. with Jam. 1. 23 25. Rev. 5. 11 12. 2. This sea is of glass like unto crystal to denote its clearness and purity so it is said He shewed me a pure river clear as crystal c. Rev. 22. 1. and so the blood of Christ is said to be precious and incorruptible it being the blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. and so as referring to the sea or laver in former times this sea like unto crystal is the fountain opened to wash in to wash away our filth and uncleanness Zech. 13. 1. So the typical Laver or Sea was for the Priests to wash in as it is said by God to Moses Thou shalt make a laver of brass and thou shalt put water therein for Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet therein when they go into the tabernacle of the congregation they shall wash with water that they dye not Exod. 30. 18 21. and chap. 40. 30 32. 2 Chron. 4. 6. whereâ—o it seems David alludes when he saith I will wash mine hands in innocency so will I compass thine altar O Lord Psal 26. 8. So this sea John saw in vision is for the four living creatures who are priests unto God to wash in Rev. 5. 8 10. And thus always they should enter into the holiest and draw nigh unto the altar with a true heart having their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and their bodies washed with pure water Heb. 10. 19 22. Jam. 4. 8. Heb. 9. 13 15. with chap. 12. 24. and unless we be washed herein we can have no part with Christ John 13. 8. 1 John 1. 7. In this blessed sea those that had palms in their hands washed they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb Rev. 7. 9 14 15. and in this sea we may be baptized and washed as our fathers were baptized in the sea c. 1 Cor. 10. 4. And being washed herein all our sins shall be cast into the depths of the sea Mic. 7. 19 20. 2. The Apostle John gives us an account of what there was in the midst of and round about the throne And in the midst of the throne and round about the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind Where we may enquire and consider for our usefulness 1. What are these four living creatures here spoken of 2. Why they are said to be four 3. What is meant by in the midst of the throne and round about the throne 4. What is imported to us in this that they are said to be full of eyes before and behind 1. What are these four living creatures or living wights We read them indeed in our Translation Beasts but the word is not well translated so nor is it very proper to say one beast had the face of a man and another like an Eagle which is a fowl But we shall here and afterwards read the word living creatures with allusion to the four living creatures spoken of in Ezekiels visions chap. 1. and chap. 10 c. which in former Translations were rendered also beasts but in our last living creatures 1. Now by these living creatures are meant in general 1. Men and not spirits by nature some of Mankind of that kind of species of creatures as doth evidently appear in chap. 5. 8 9 10 c. 1. In that they with praise and thankfulness confess and acknowledg unto the Lamb that he had
comes to pass that the Saints sacrifices of prayers and praises are so acceptable and sweet in the nostrils of God not because of the absolute perfection of them but because they are sanctified by the Spirit and full of and perfumed with the incense of the Intercession of Jesus Christ Isa 56. 7. Heb. 4. 14-16 Vers 9. And they sung a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the Book and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation In this Verse we have to consider and speak unto 1. The act or exercise of these Holy Ones And they sung a new song 2. The subject-matter of this new song Wherein we have to considâ—r 1. Their Doxology or ascribing praise and glory to the Lamb saying Thou art worthy to take the Book and to open the seals thereof 2. The Reason or Reasons of his worthiness to do these things and to have this glory ascribed and rendred to him by-them For thou wast â—lain and hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation 1. The act or exercise of these Holy Ones with their Harps c. And they sung a new song Where let us a little consider 1. The persons that sung 2. Their act or exercise it self 1. The persons that sung they the four living creatures and four and twenty Elders ver 8. or the Saints ver 8. These were the Harpers these the Singers here spoken of even the holy and righteous Ones and they are oft called on to sing unto the Lord and give thanks unto him Psal 30. 4. and 32. 11. and 33. 1 2 3. and 149. 1 2 3. Indeed men generally are called upon to sing unto the Lord as it is said Sing unto the Lord all the earth 1 Câ—ron 16. 23. Make a joyful noise unto God all ye Lands sing forth the honour of his name make his praise glorious Psal 66. 1 2. and 68. 32. and 96. 1 2. and 98. 1-4 5. and Psal 100. 1 2. But how can all men be called upon to sing or how can they meetly do it who believe not the Argument of the Song To which I say 1. There is good reason and cause for all so to do because Christ hath died for all yea rather is risen again 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son c. for God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved John 3. 16 17. and chap. 4. 42. And Christ hath given his flesh for the life of the world and given himself a ransom for all John 6. 51. 1 Tim. 2. 4-6 In which the goodness of the Lord is manifested the love pity and kindness of him that â—its upon the throne and of the Lamb that he is good unto all and loving unto every man and hence all are called upon to come before his presence with singing Tit. 3. 4. Heb. 2. 9. Psal 100. 1 2 3 5. and 145. 8 9 1 Chron. 16. 23 24. Psal 113. 1 2 3. 2. In due time this is made known to all as they come to years of discretion in some measure I mean that the Lord is good to all Psal 50. 1. Prov. 8. 1-4-6 Rom. 1. 19 21. Christ is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into â—he world John 1. 9. and 8. 12. And especially he is discovering his grace and love to all that have the Scriptures amongst them and the Gospel preached to them that all might hear so as it may be said Have they not heard yes verily Rom. 10. 18 19. John 5. 25. Jam. 1. 19. And usually when they are called upon to sing praise unto the Lord the reason and reasons why they should so do are propounded therewith as Psal 47. 1-5 6. and 68. 4. 10 11 18-20-32 and 96. 1-10 and 98. 1-4 5. 3. Herewith God is giving his saving-grace that all might hear believe and sing praise and it is wholly their own fault if they do not these things The grace of God saving or that bringeth salvation to all men hath appeared Tit. 2. 11. The â—our now is when the dead in sins and trespasses â—ear the voice of the Son of God that they might hear in hearing and live John 5. 25. and 1. 6 7. and chap. 6. 27 29 32 33 49 50. Rom. 8. 6 8-13-17 and therefore all may be called upon to praise the Lord for his goodness c. Psal 107. 8-15-21-31 But yet especially and most frequently the Saints and righteous ones are called upon excited and exhorted so to do because 1. They not only may but do know the joyful â—ound and so the good cause and reason why they should sing forth the honour of his name 1 John 5. 20. that the soul be without knowledg it is not good Prov. 19. 2. and God hath no pleasure in fools in such as so remain though he hath pity towards them Eccles 5. 1-4 and 7 5. But the Saints have an understanding they know and believe the love wherewith God hath loved them and all men in sending his Son the Saviour of the world 1 John 4. 14 -16 And therefore they especially are called upon to sing praises as it is said Sing ye praises with understanding or every one that hath understanding Psal 47. 5 6. 7. and 89. 15 16. 1 Cor. 14. 15. 2. And thorow the knowledg and belief of God's Testimony they are made in Christ and he is theirs 1 Cor. 1. 30 31. and 3. 23. they have tasted that the Lord is gracious 1 Pet. 2. 3. and are filled with joy and peace in believing they rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory c. 1 Pet. 1. 8 9 10. though all the days of their afflictions are evil yet they have a merry heart and so a continual feast Prov. 15. 13 15. and is any man merry let him sing Psalms Jam. 5. 13. Blessed are the people that know the joyful â—ound they shall walk O Lord in the light of thy countenancâ— in thy name they shall rejoyce all the day c. Psal 89. 15 17. and 132. 9 16. and 30. 4 5. Hab. 3. 16-19 3. It is a becoming decent thing for them to sing praise as it is said Rejoyce in the Lord O ye righteous for praise is comely for the upright Prâ—ise the Lord with the Harp sing unto him a new song play skilfully with a loud noise Psal 33. 1 3. It 's not comely for â—thers so to do who wilfully abide in their ignorance and disobedience unto the wicked God â—aith What hast thou to do to declare my statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy mouth seeing thou hatest instruction c. But whâ—so offereth praise saith the Lord glorifieth me and to him that disposeth his way will I shew the salvation
the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemy Jer. â— 12. 7 8. Amos. 3. 2. If God spared not the natural branches take heed also lest he spare not thee Rom. 11. 20 21. Rev. 3. 2 3. and v. 16. but to this we may further speak afterwards 2. We have the matter or reason of the charge or quarrel particularly declared and laid down Because or that thou hast left thy first love This was that he had against them and therefore he was angry with them though good and commendable things were found with them 1. He had not against them here that they walked in rioting and drunkenness and run with others to the same excess of riot they were not clothed with this undecent and dishonest cloathing with these works of darkness Rom. 13. 11 12. It is most abominable for his Churches or any in them to abuse themselves herewith or to abuse the good creatures of God and admonition had been formerly given to this Church not to be drunk with wine wherein is excess which it seems had had good effect on them Eph. 5. 17 18. and Judgment is threatned to such by our Saviour who overcharge their hearts with surfetting and drunkenness Luke 21. 34 36. But for these evils he threatens them not nor had he a quarrel against them for walking in uncleanness nay they hated such deeds v. 6. so well had they minded and observed those cautions and Instructions given them by the Apostle Paul Eph. 5. 3 6. Col. 3. 5 6. 1 Cor. 3. 16 17. and ch 6. 9 11. Gal. 5. 19 21. 2. Nor hath he against them that they were walking in covetousness which is Idolatry Col. 3. 5. Eph. 5. 5. and the root of all evil 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. and for which he reproves and threatens destruction to his people in former times Jer. 6. 10 13. and ch 8. 7 10. Ezek. 33. 31 32. nor for fashioning themselves to the fashions of this evil World in the Pride of apparel for which they are threatned Isay 3. 15 26. And which becomes not persons prosessing godliness 1 Tim. 2. 9 10. nay they are not charged with committing or acting any evil but they are reproved for omitting or abating in that which was good This was also the great and provoking evil of Laodicea that she was become luke-warm and her love to Christ was greatly decreased and lessened This one evil was charged upon the first the last of the seven Churches Though the last it seems was most deeply guilty hereof ch 3. 15 17. Consider this If thou knowest no evil by thy self that thou hast acted or committed yet art thou not hereby justified but mayest be that notwithstanding justly reproved and punished 3. Nor doth he say thou hast no love nor any works or labour thereof But he had before acknowedged to their praise that they had works and labour c. v. 2 but their evil was they were without and destitute of their first love though they had some still without all perad venture 2. And so that which he hath against them is Because they had left their first love where let us enquire and consider for our usefulness 1. What was their first love which they had left 2. How had they left their first love 3. Shew that this is such an iniquity as provoketh the Lord to anger 1. What was their first love which they had left To this we may say their first love here meant was not their first love as Children of Adam or as walking in their natural estate for then they walked according to the course of this World according to the prince of the power of the air the spirit that worketh rulingly prevailingly in the Children of disobedience Eph. 2. 1 2. then they loved and and adored Diana Act. 19. 27 28. but the love here spoken of was their love in the spirit Col. 1. 8. even that love which was effected and produced in them by the holy spirit in the Testimony of Jesus in his glorifying Christ and taking of his things and shewing unto them whereby their hearts were reconciled unto him and enflamed with love to him And so we may say 1. This first love here spoken of hath for its principle seed Gods first love commended to us in the cross of Christ as declared in the Gospel for the cross of Christ his abasement and sufferings in the vertue whereof he is raised again is the first great fundamental universal commendation of the love of God and Christ to us poor sinners and ungodly ones of mankind And that which is first to be declared to men when they are in trespasses and sins dead to reconcile their hearts this is the ministery of reconciliation to wit that God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself not imputing their trespasses to them but making him to be sin for them who knew no sin 2 Cor. 5. 19 21. This is the water or that in which is the water to regenerate men even to beget them to the faith love of God That God so loved the World as to give his onely begetten Son and that which our Saviour preached first of all in order to the regeneration of Nicodemus Joh. 3. 3 5 9 16 and to the Samaritans Joh. 4. 42. this Paul first of all preached unto the Corinthians when they were gentiles carried away unto dumb Idols even as they were led and while they were walking in the Service of the vile affections and lusts of the flesh To the begetting them to faith and love 1 Cor. 15. 1 4. with ch 12. 2. and ch 6. 9 11. and ch 4. 15. and to the Galatians he did evidently set forth Jesus Christ and him crucified before them in the gospel and therein the grace of God to sinners unjust ones and enemies that their hearts might thereby be turned to the Lord Gal. 4. 13. with ch 3. 1. and ch 1. 6. and indeed this is the incorruptible seed of which a Man may be born again even the word of God which hath been made flesh and which liveth and abideth for ever 1 Pet. 1. 23 25. hereby men are begotten to the love of God in Christ even from the knowledg and belâ—ef of his first love to us as the Apostle John saith love is of God and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God for God is love But how and wherein doth his love appear and that he is love In this was manifested the love of God towards us because God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live thorow him Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins And â—e have known and believed the love that God hath to us in sending his Son the Saviour of the World God is love c. Hereby is our love made perfect we love him because he first loved us
things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ and be found in him Phil. 3. 4 9. and as is said of Ruth she loved her Mother-in-law and thus exprest it when she said to her Thy sister is gone back Return thou after her And Ruth said Intreat me not to leave thee for whither thou goest I will go and where thou lodgest I will lodg thy people shall be my people and thy God my God c. Ruth 1. 15 18. with ch 4. 15. and it also leads to follow Christ thorow afflictions trials reproaches persecutions c. and to endure any thing for the beloved Love is strong as death the coals thereof are coals of fire which hath a most vehement flame many waters cannot quench love neither can the floods drown it Cant. 8. 6 7. By the first love of Christ our love is made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of Judgment there is no fear in love but perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment he that feareth is not made perfect in love 1 Joh. 4. 16 17 19. the spirit of love is love is opposed unto the spirit of fear and cowardice 2 Tim. 1. 7 8. This is the first love which is usually very intense and hot in the days of mens first knowing believing in and being espoused unto Jesus Christ and God in him As the Lord saith I Remember thee the kindness of thy youth the love of thine espousals when thou wentest after me in the wilderness in a land that was not sown Israel was holiness unto the Lord c. Jer. 2. 1 5. and the Apostle declares how highly Christ was prized by the Galatians and how welcomely the Gospel and its declarers were received at the first when Christ crucified was evidently set forth before their eyes and the grace of God in him Ye received me saith the Apostle as an Angel of God even as Christ Jesus for I bear you record that if it had been possible you would have plucked out your own eyes and have given them to me Gal. 4. 13 15. with ch 3. 1 5. 57. so the Apostle speaking unto the Thessalonians sheweth what entrance the Gospel had among them how effectually it wrought producing the work of faith and labour of love and patience of hope and they became followers of the Lord having received the word in much affliction and yet with joy of the Holy Ghost and they turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his son from Heaven c. 1 Thes 1. and ch 2. 13. Thus also he saith to the Hebrews call to Remembrance the former days in which after ye were illuminated ye endured a great fight of afflictions partly whilest ye were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions and partly whilest ye became companions of them that were so used For ye had compassion on me in my bonds and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing of your selves that ye have in Heaven a better and an enduring substance Heb. 10. 32 34. such-like â—fficacy the Gospel also had upon these Ephesians at the first and such ardent love they had to Christ therein preached among them so as they turned from Diana the former object of their love and worship unto Christ The name of the Lord Jesus was so magnified among them that many that beleeved came confessed shewed their deeds many also of them which used curious arts brought their books together and burned them before all men and they counted the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of â—ilver which are about six thousand two hundred and fifty pounds in our account as some judge so mightily grew the word of God and increased Acts 19. 17 20. Eph. 2. 2 7 11. This was their first love 4. Yea this love is also exercised and shewed forth in loving his Word and Gospel as is before intimated in which he and his love are set forth and discovered to us Ps 119. 47 48 97 98 113 127 128 140 163 167. as our Saviour saith He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me And again If any Man love me he will keep my word Joh. 14. 21 24. And hereby we do know we know love approve delight in him if we keep his Commandments He that saith I know him and keepeth not his Commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him but whoso keepeth his Word in him verily is the love of God perfected Hereby know we that we are in him 1 Joh. 2. 3 5 8. and ch 5. 2 3. And this love is also exercised and evidenced towards the Brother-hood so as to love them with a pure heart â—ervently 1 Pet. 1. 21 22. To delight in and have them as our Companions and to delight in the Fellowship and Societies of them as our Brethren Thus it is said of the Believers in former times They connued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and Fellowship and all that believed were together c. Acts 2. 41 47. and ch 4. 23 24 32. Thus when the Apostle exhorts the Hebrews Let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works not forsaking the assembling of our selves together To move them also hereto he saith Call to remembrance the former days in which ye were illuminated as signifying their first love was exercised in loving one another and in assembling themselves together And the Remembrance and Consideration thereof was proper and powerful to cause them to return thereto again Heb. 10. 23 25. with v. 32. Thus when the Gospel was first received by these Ephesians it produced in them love to all the Brethren See Eph. 1. 13 15. Col. 1 4. 1 Thes 2. 13. and ch 4. 9. And every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him If a man say I love God and hateth his Brother he is a liar for he that loveth not his Brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen 1 Joh. 4. 19 21. and ch 5. 1. Yea this love is also exercised in loving and pittying all men in loving our Enemies blessing them that curse us doing good to them that hate us and praying for them that despitefully use us and therefore our Saviour exhorts and instructs them that hear unto these things Luke 6. 27 36. His love known and believed moves to seek the good of the Souls of all and to sound forth the word before them to hold forth the word of life in word and conversation Joh. 4. 28 29. Rom. 1. 8. Tit. 3. 3 5. with Acts 9. 20 22. and ch 2. 46 47. 1 Thes 1. 7 8. and ch 3. 12. Prov. 29. 10. Phil. 2. 12 16. Now this was the first love they had left that â—ervency and intensiveness of love to Christ and God in him his Cross Person Gospel and one to another and to
I please and so can destroy you if you rebel against me I have against thee call to mind therefore from whence thou art fallen so ch 3. 2 3. I have not found thy works perfect before God Remember therefore c. It is high time for us to remember and consider and to reflect and look back when such an one hath a quarrel with us and draws up a charge against us If it were an ering sinful Man that had against us we might suppose or suspect that he hath a quarrel against us out of hatred prejudice or mistake or we might think we need not fear or matter what he saith It might be a small thing with us to be judged of Men or of man's judgment 1 Cor. 4. 3. But he is a most excellent one in every consideration And therefore he may say as the Lord speaks to Job wilt thou also disanul my judgment wilt thou condemn me that thou mayest be Righteous Job 40. 18. Remember therefore 2. Or therefore may refer to the latter part of v. 4. To which after Remember from whence thou art fallen This expression from whence may signify unto us 1. From what degreee of love thou art fallen and so it answers to that v. 4. thou hast left thy first-love Remember this and so it may be needful and good to remember what efficacy the grace of God had upon us at first and how precious and pleasant then it was to us To Remember what was the blessedness that we then spake of Gal. 4. 17. Heb. 10. 32 34. How our hearts were reconciled to God enflamed with love to Christ how our hearts did even burn within us as Luke 24. 32. God remembers and makes known his remembrance of the first-love that it might be remembred by us Jer. 2. 1 3. But though this be a truth and needful it is for us to remember this yet also there may be somewhat else intended hereby which will also include this and which leads to the leaving the first love to wit 2. Remember from whence thou art fallen namely from the root principle and seed of thy first love that is to say from his first love and the manifestation thereof to wit the Abasement and sufferings of Christ declared in the Gospel in which is evidenced to us the love of God and that he is love 1 Joh. 4. 8 10. and whereby they were begotten to the love of him for every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God for God is love 1 Joh. 4. 7 9 14 16 19. Eph. 2. 2 4 5. This kindness and love of God to manward is the washing of regeneration or laver of the new-birth Tit. 3. 4 5. this love of God caused them to run well at first even to run unto Christ Gal. 3. 1. with ch 1. 6. and ch 5. 7. In the sufferings and cross of Christ God hath commended and doth wonderfully and unspeakably commend his love his first love to the World of Mankind God so loved the Word that he gave his only begotten Son Joh. 3. 16. Rom. 8. 32. God commendeth his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us Rom. 5. 5 8. And herein the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ was admirably demonstrated in that he being rich for our sakes he became poor and he humbled himself and became obedient unto Death the Death of the Cross 2 Cor. 8. 9. Phil. 2. 6 8. And how joyful news was this when declared at first It is well called Gospel glad-tidings good-tidings of great joy to all people the glad-tidings of the Kingdom Luke 2. 10 11. and ch 8. 1. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the World to save Sinners 1 Tim. 1. 15. and that he was raised again for our Justification We declare unto you glad-tidings saith the Apostle How that the Promise which was made unto the Fathers God hath fulfilled the same in that he hath raised up Jesus again Acts 13. 32 33. And Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us and obtained into himself Eternal Redemption and all Spiritual Blessings Gal. 3. 13 14. Heb. 9. 12. Mat. 22. 3 4. and came and preached Peace to us who were afar off Eph. 2. 13 17. This believed turned their hearts to the Lord delivered them from their fears and aâ—frightening despairing thoughts and begat in them â—ervent love to him and then they said they would no more transgress but would walk before the Lord in the Land of the living and bethought themselves what they should render to him for all his benefits Ps 116. 8. c. Jer. 2. 20. But from hence they were fallen even from the mindfulness and believing consideration of his first love manifested in laying down his life and tasting Death by the Grace of God for every man Heb. 2. 9. And that this is the fundamental meaning of this from whence appears if we consider 1. That upon somewhat a like occasion and account a like Counsel is given to the Church of Sardis for the recovery thereof Our Lord exhorts and instructs that Angel and Church to remember how they had received and heard Rev. 3. 2 3. How not only the manner but matter also compare Luke 8. 18. with Mark 4. 24. Luke 10. 26. to signifie unto us that That Angel and Church had let slip and forgotten what was first delivered to them and received by them and that their forgetfulness thereof was the fundamental cause of their deadness and evil as here also it was And thereto Christ recalls them that they might strengthen the things that remain and were ready to dye See notes on Rev. 3. v. 3. 2. It so appears also if it be duly considered by us what this Counsel here given refers to namely the latter part of verse 4. as hath been said thou hast left thy first love remember therefore from whence thou hast fallen which hath occasioned and caused this abatement and lessening thereof there is some root-iniquity that hath caused this remission and decay of thy first love to him and that is thy forgetting his first love and the manifestation thereof So Rev. 3. 2 3. 3. It so appeareth also by this because he that loveth not in whole or in part knoweth not considereth not God for God is Love He minds not or le ts slip the consideration hereof that God is Charity and that herein is manifested the love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live thorow him 1 Joh. 4. 8 10. And on the other hand he that abideth in Christ in the believing mindfulness of his being manifested and the end thereof and his faithfulness to him that appointed him sinneth not misseth not his Mark erres not from his way 1 Joh. 3. 5 6 9. 3 Joh. 11. Whoso looketh into the perfect Law of Liberty and continueth therein
flow from unfeigned faith in him even from the hearty mindfulness and high-prizing of the precious Blood of Christ and the love therein commended to Sinners It is Faith even the Word of Faith believed that worketh by Love Gal. 5. 6. and so also produceth as the consequent thereof good works Heb. 10. 24. 1 Thes 1. 3 5. and ch 2. 13. The principle of those works which are acceptable to God is not our own wisdom or any thing in our selves or because it is our duty simply but the Grace of God his free-free-love manifested in the gift of his Son to be the Saviour of the World 2 Cor. 1. 12. The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation to all Men hath appeared teaching us that denying Vngodliness and Worldly Lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present World Tit. 2. 11 12. This Gospel and good news being heartily embraced doth powerfully operate to the denying and abhorring what is evil and to the doing what is well-pleasing in his sight Joh. 15. 2 6. 1 Joh. 3. 6. Now their works could not be the first because they were as we have before seen fallen in some measure from Christ and from the high prizing of his Cross and his love and kindness therein manifested and commended 2. The first works also appear to be such as are done in â—ervent and inflamed love to Jesus Christ and in love and charity to Men hence called the work and labour of love begotten by and exercised in the love of and unto Christ and also exercised towards Men and Brethren Heb. 6. 9. 1 Thes 1. 3. And this love is the fulfilling of the Law Rom. 13. 10. and all without it is nothing as the Apostle saith though I have the gift of Prophesie and understand all Mysteries and all Knowledge and though I have all Faith so that I could remove Mountains and have not Love or Charity I am nothing And though I bestow all my Goods to feed the Poor and though I give my Body to be burned and have not Love or Charity it profiteth me nothing 1 Cor. 13. 1 3. Gal. 5. 13 14. And this exhortation is given Let all your things be done with Love or Charity 1 Cor. 16. 13. Now their works could not be the first works because they had left their first-love 3. The first works are such as of which Christ is the Omega and end also and God in him A Man may do many things good in themselves and yet to a wrong end it may be to establish a Righteousness to himself Rom. 10. 2 3. and all such works will not profit or avail to the rendring us acceptable in the sight of God Isay 57. 12. Thus the Jews sought after Righteousness as it were by the works of the Law in which they sinned against the end of the Law Jesus Christ and stumbled and took offence at that stumbling-Stone and Rock of Offence not submitting themselves to the Righteousness of God Rom. 9. 30 31 33. and ch 10. 1 4. After such a manner also the Galatians were snared by those Evil-workers that came amongst them after they had begun to run well and were called into the Grace of Christ by listening to those Spiritual Witches that came amongst them they sought to perfect by the Flesh what was begun by the Spirit Gal. 1. 6. and ch 3. 1. and ch 5. 1 4. Or the end of what a Man doth may be that he may have praise of Men as it is with the Hyppocrites when they give alms it is that they may have Glory of Men when they pray that they may be seen of Men when they fast they so do it that they may appear unto Men to fast Mat. 6. 2 6 16. And thus our Saviour saith of the Scribes and Pharisees All their works they do for to be seen of Men Mat. 23. 2 5. And of this evil end the Apostle warns in saying Be not desirous of Vain-glory Gal. 5. 26. But now the first or best Luke 15. 22. works are such as in which a Man knowing that Christ hath brought in Everlasting Righteousness and that all is prepared in him he doth therefore in all aim at his Glory and therein at the good of Men and especial good of Believers as the Apostle exhorts Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the Glory of God Give none Offence neither to the Jews nor to the Gentiles nor to the Church of God Even as I please all Men in all things not seeking mine own profit but the profit of many that they may be saved 1 Cor. 10. 31 33. and ch 11. 1. Phil. 1. 20 21. 1 Cor. 9. 22. Now from this Branch of the Counsel we may also briefly note some Instructions As 1. In that he had before intimated that they had at first when the Gospel was preached to and received by them a first and servent love and now also intimates that they had first works so he gives us to understand that when God's love in Christ to Sinners is so known and believed that it turns the Heart to him and begets love unto him it will also produce works good and acceptable works such as are well-pleasing in his sight So much the Apostle signifies as with respect to the Thessalonians when he saith Ye received the word of God which ye heard of us not as the word of Men but as it is in truth the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe It wrought so effectually in them that it wrought Love in them and the work of Faith and Labour of Love c. 1 Thes 2. 13. with ch 1. 3 10. 1 Joh. 3. 16 18. Gal. 5. 6. 2. In that he saith And do the first works so he signifieth to us that though there may be works with us yet not such as are approved of him nay though they may be right and good in themselves yet they may not proceed from the Faith nor be done in Fervent Love and Charity nor may we aim at Christ at his Glory and the promoting the things of his Kingdom as the end and to be sure if we have leâ—t our first-love and that be waxed cold and if we have abated in our former high prizings of the precious sufferings and Blood of our Gracious Redeemer and the love therein discovered our works will also be defective as it was with these Come we to the light Joh. 3. 21. 3. In that he saith Remember and repent c. so he signifieth to us that the way to do the first works is to remember Christ's works and to repent and turn to him again from whom we have revolted and back-sliden for as he hath wrought all our works for us so it is he also that must work them in us Isay 26. 12. Phil. 2. 12 15. They must needs be dead works imperfect unacceptable works unless such as have left their first love remember how they have received and heard
Father and is over all God blessed for ever Rom. 9. 5. The true God and eternal life 1 Joh. 5. 20 21. 2. And he is the Son of God as he partook of our nature and is the Man Christ Jesus 1 Joh. 4. 14 15. And he is so called and is 1. As to his incarnation or being made flesh Joh. 1. 14. as the Angel saith to the Virgin The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the Power of the highest shall over shadow thee Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Luke 1. 31 32 33 35. That which was conceived in her was of the Holy Ghost and so of God Mat. 1. 18 20. God prepared him a Body Heb. 10. 5. The Lord herein created a new thing in the Earth a Woman hath compassed a Man Jer. 31. 22. 2. He is the Son of God his obedient Son one that obeyed and so honoured his Father and learned Obedience by the things which he suffered Heb. 5. 9. A Son honoureth his Father Mal. 1. 6. And Christ did always those things which pleased his Father Joh. 8. 28 29. And he became obedient to him unto Death the Death of the Cross Phil. 2. 6 8. Heb. 10. 5 8. 3. The Son of God one in whom he is infinitely delighted He received Honour and Glory when there came such a Voice unto him from the excellent glory both at his Baptism and at his Transfiguration saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased Mark 1. 11. and 9. 7. and ch 12. 6. 2 Pet. 1. 17. The Father loveth the Son and so loveth him that he hath given all things into his Hand Joh. 3. 35. and ch 10. 17. Mat. 11. 27. 4. He is the Son of God his first-born and so his Heir Ps 89. 26 27. He is his Son whom he hath appointed heir of all things the Inheritour of his holy Mountain Heb. 1. 2 3. Isay 65. 9. One who shall inherit all Nations Ps 82. 8. Yea all things that the Father hath are his Joh. 16. 14 15. 5. The Son of God one that is infinitely like unto him and that doth most perfectly resemble him the Son of the Father in truth and love 2 Joh. 3. His holy Child Acts 4. 27. The Image of the Invisible God 2 Cor. 4. 4. Col. 1. 13 14. The brightness of his Glory and the express Character of his person Heb. 1. 2 3. So as he that seeth him seeth the Father also He hath come a light into the World that whosoever believeth in him should not abide in Darkness in Ignorance of God Joh. 8. 12. and ch 12. 45 46. and ch 14. 6 7 9. For God hath shined forth the light of the knowledge of his Glory in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 4 6. And he is the Son of God compleatly and gloriously in the Nature of Man in his being raised from the dead He was in the Resurrection from the Dead determined to be the Son of God with Power Rom. 1. 4. The promise which God made unto the Fathers he hath fulfilled in that he hath raised up Jesus again As it is written thou art my Son this Day have I begotten thee Acts 13. 32 33. He is in this sense said to be the first born from the dead that in all things he might have the preeminence Rev. 1. 5. Col. 1. 18. And this consideration that Jesus is the Son of God may be of use to us 1. To shew unto us the great and wonderful love of God to mankind God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son 3. 16. In this was manifested the love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live thorow him the Father sent the Son the Saviour of the World 1 Joh. 4. 8 10 14. Rom. 8. 32. 2. Seeing Christ is the Son of God it may provoke us to hear him Mat. 17. 15. And to give the more earnest heed unto the things which we have heard because God in these last days hath spoken unto us by his his Son Heb. 1. 1 2. with ch 2. 1 2 3 3. We may see and perceive that this Son of God is more excellent than all others that are so called he is God's first born unto whom God hath given the preeminence in all things for it pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell Col. 1. 18 19. God hath anointed him with the Oyl of gladness above his Fellows Psal 89. 20 27. Heb. 1. Col. 2. 9 10. 4. Seeing he is the Son of God and so eminently the root of Sonship it shews unto us how we may become Sons To as many as received him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his name Joh. 1. 12 13. He that believeth on the Son is not condemned but hath everlasting life Joh. 3. 16 18 35 36. and ch 6. 40. 1 Joh. 5. 10 12. 5. The consideration hereof may encourage such as have the saith of our Loâ—d Jesus Christ to hold it fast and to hâ—ld fast the profession thereof Seeing we have a great High priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast the Profession Heb. 4. 13 14. Who is he that overcometh the World but he that believeth that Jesus is the son of God 1 Joh. 5. 4 5. 6. It sheweth unto us the sad and deplorable condition of such as rebel against and persist in their disobedience to him Seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to an open shame Heb. 6. 6. and chap. 10. 28 29. Oh Be we then wise all of us and kiss the Son lest he be angry and we perish from the way Ps 2. 10 12. Mat. 21. 37 41 43. Who hath his Eyes like unto a flame of Fire and his Feet are like fine Brass See the Notes before on ch 1. v. 14. and 15. Only here we may again note in general from this description of the Son of God in which he appears dreadful as considering the evils found with this Angel and Church namely their suffering Idolatrous and Antichristian Teachers among them That he is greatly displeased with and incensed against such as are false teachers and them who suffer such corrupt teachers amongst them also So also he appears terribly to the Angel and Church in Pergamos who were guilty of the like evil as these were See the Notes before on v. 12 15. And though there were great evils in other of these Churches as in Ephesus Sardis and Laodicea Yet he only appears terrible in the description of himself to these two Churches who had evil and corrupt teachers amongst them 2 Joh. 9. 11. Verse 19. I know thy Works and Charity and Service and Faith and thy Patience and thy Works and the last more than the first Or as some read it
make us set light by any present confession of the great ones of this World and preserve us from seeking after their approbation Rom. 2. 7. Mal. 3. 16 18. 1 Joh. 3. 1 3. and strengthen us to endure patiently whatever we may suffer for Christs sake and the Gospels To set our faces like a flint as knowing if we partake of the afflictions of the Gospel now and though our names be cast out as evil for the Son of Man's sake and we be made the filth of all things yet if we lose our lives for his sake we shall find them hereafter For the Son of Man shall come in the Glory of his Father with his Angels And then he will reward every Man according to his works Mat. 16. 25 27. and how might it engage us to mortify our members which are upon the earth Col. 3. 4 5. and to resist unto blood striving against sin Heb. 12. 4. 2 Tim. 2. â—1 Verse 6. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches see the notes before on Chap. 2 Verse 7. Verse 7. And unto the Angel of the Church in Philadelphia write These things saith he that is holy he that is true he that hath the keys of David he that openeth and no Man shutteth and shutteth and no Man openeth After the commandment and direction given to John to write and unto whom see the notes before on ch 2. v. 1. Our Lord describes himself 1. By what he is These things saith he that is holy he that is true 2. By what he hath He that hath the key of David 3. By what he doth He that openeth and no Man shutteth and shutteth and no Man openeth 1. By what he is These things saith he that is holy he that is true And so 1. The holy one or He that is holy that is to say 1. He that is pure from all and all manner of uncleanness and pollution so holy is opposed to filthy Rev. 22. 11. and holiness is opposed to all filthiness of the flesh and Spirit to all uncleanness 2 Cor. 7. 1. 1 Thes 4. 7. So he was and is holy he was holy and clean in taking our nature upon him of which he partook by a wonderful work of new creation The Holy Ghost came upon the virgin and the power of the highest did over-shadow her therefore that holy thing that was born of her is called the Son of God Luke 1. 35. he was God's holy Child Acts 4. 27. Though he was born in the likeness of sinful flesh yet he knew no sin Rom. 8. 4. with 2 Cor. 5. 21. and he was holy in all his conversation in the World He did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth when he was reviled he reviled not again c. he loved righteousness and hated iniquity 1 Pet. 2. 19 22. Heb. 1. 9. he always did those things that pleased his Father Joh. 8. 29. 2. The holy one God's holy Child Jesus whom he anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power Acts 4. 27. with ch 10. 38. and who is consecrated unto God from common and profane uses God hath set apart for himself and for peculiar use and service this most excellent one that is holy Ps 4. 3. so holy and profane or common are opposed Ezek. 22. 26. and ch 44. 23. Heb. 10. 29. so he was chosen from among the people and set apart by his Father Ps 89. 19. And that 1. To work redemption for us and that by bearing our sins in his own body on the tree and suffering and dying for them which he hath done and he only none in Heaven or earth was able to do this work for us but himself and there was none else appointed to it but this was God's holy one who died for our sins according to the scriptures and rose again the third day according to the scriptures Ps 16. 10. Acts 4 27. and ch 3. 14. 2. To open our eyes the eyes of our understanding and to turn us from darkness to light c. To which end God hath anointed him with his holy Oyl Ps 89. 20. even with his holy Spirit Acts 10. 38. As he saith Behold my Servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my Soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles and again I will give thee for a covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles to open the blind eyes to bring forth the prisoners c. Isay 42. 1 16 8. Luke 3. 22. Acts 2. 23. The Spirit of the Lord was upon him because the Lord anointed him to preach the Gospel to the poor to heal the broken-hearted to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind c. Luke 4. 18. and to be the giveâ— of wisdome to the wise To be the Apostle of the believers profession to declare at first and continually unto them Gods name that the love wherewith he hath loved them may be in them c. Joh. 17. 26. Heb. 3. 1. 3. The holy one the High-priest The word of the oath which was since the law made the Son High-priest who is consecrated for evermore Heb. 7. 28. he hath offered up an acceptable sacrifice for us and now makes intercession for transgressours and everlives to make intercession for them that come to God by him Isay 53. 12. Heb. 7. 25. To take away the iniquities of their holy things and mediate the new Testament for them that the called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance Exod. 28. 38. with 1 Pet. 2. 5. Heb. 9. 14 15. such an High priest became us who is holy harmeless undefiled separate from sinners and made higher than the Heavens c. Heb. 7. 25 26 28. 3. He that is Holy to wit in his work to sanctify and holify others As it is said sanctify your selves therefore and be ye holy for I am the Lord your God I am the Lord which sanctify you Lev. 20. 7 8. Indeed he doth Baptize them with the holy Spirit which are not eventually Baptized Mat. 3. 11 13. But especially he sanctifies himself for the sakes of believers that they also may be sanctified thorow the truth Joh. 17. 17 19. he gave himself for his Church that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Eph. 5. 25 27. see more about the word holy in the notes on ch 4. v. 8. 2. He that is true that is the true and Faithful witness and that 1. In his cross and sufferings by way of propitiation He is the true witness of the love of the Father and of himself Joh. 3. 16 17. Rom. 5. 6 8. 1 Joh. 3. 16. and ch 4. 8 10. Mat. 12. 39. and of God's faithfulness in performing
in heart Mat. 11. 28 29. Oh how many evils of theirs doth he thorow his love overlook and pass by Who is so blind as this Servant of God's or deaf as the Messinger whom â—e â—ath sent Isay 42. 2 3 19 20. Prov. 10. 12. with 1 Cor. 13. 4. And they are instructed and exhorted to account that the long-suffering of our Lord exercised towards them also is Salvation to wit that theyâ— may so receive and retain the love of the truth that they may be saved thereby from their sins and vanities and so be saved from Wrath the Wrath to come thorow him 2 Pet. 3. 15. with 2 Thes 2. 10. and 1 Thes 1. 10. And with what patience is he instructing them though they are dull of hearing and unteachable untractable ones and doth not presently leave them nor is weary of well-doing towards them and thorow him God his Father is a God of patience towards unworthy ones Rom. 3. 25. and ch 15. 5. 3. It is called the word of his patience because it effect such-like patience in them in that receive it to purpose as is found in him even the patience of Jesus Christ See notes on ch 1. v. 9. It effects in them a patient continuance in well doing Rom. 2. 7. Luke 8. 15. Continuing in the Faith grounded and setled and not being moved from the hope of the Gospel 1 Cor. 15. 58. Col. 1. 22 23. and in bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit Gal. 6. 9. and seeking the good of others 2 Tim. 2. 23 25. And to that end being patient towards all Men 1 Thes 5. 14 15. and also it effects in them patience in enduring afflictions even laying aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset them to run with patience the race set before them Heb. 12. 1. In patience possessing their Souls whatever trials or afflictions they meet withal not being moved thereby to take offence at Christ or at his Gospel not fretting against them who are Instruments of evil to them Luke 21. 19. Ps 37. 1 7 8. and patience in waiting for his Salvation Jam. 5. 7. and this Gospel is effecting this patience in the hearty believer thereof 1. By setting before them the great endurings and sufferings of Jesus Christ and his patience therein hence it is called the patience of Jesus as is before said Rev. 1. 9. So the Apostle when he exhorts the Believers to run with patience the race set before them instructs them to this end to look unto Jesus who for the joy set before him endured the Cross despising the shame c. To consider him who endured such contradiction of Sinners against himself lest they should be wearied and faint in their minds Heb. 12. 1 3. And the Apostle James also directs to his patience in suffering that the Believers might imitate him saying ye have condemned and killed the â—ust and he doth not resist you Be patient therefore Brethren unto the coming of the Lord Jam. 5. 6 7. If we do well and suffer for it and take it patiently this is acceptable with God for even hereunto we were called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that we should follow his steps 1 Pet. 2. 20 21 22. 2. By shewing to us and directing us into the love of God manifested in sending his Son the Saviour of the World This way is the Gospel effecting patience in us having access into the Grace of God we rejoyce in tribulations also Knowing that tribulation worketh patience because the love of God is shed abroad in our â—earts by the holy Spirit for while we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the Vngodly Rom. 5. 2 5 6. Hence the Apostle thus prays The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ 2 Thes 3. 5. And this love this first love of God known and believed frames the heart to the love to the perfect and sincere love of God which casts out of us all fear which hath torment helping us to judge and be perswaded God intends our good in all he is ordering and so frames us to and begets patience in us 1 Joh. 4. 16 19. with 1 Tim. 6. 11. And his love effects charity in us towards Men and Brethren and so leads us to be patient towards all Hence the Apostle saith to Timothy thou hast known my Charity Patience c. 2 Tim. 3. 10. Tit. 2. 2. 3. And this word is effecting patience in us and doth operate and effect it in the hearty believer thereof by propounding and setting before us the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Tit. 2. 10 13. Hence it is called the patience of hope of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 1. 3. And if we hope for that we see not then do we with patience tarry foâ— iâ— Rom. 8. 24 25. To this purpose the Apostle James speaks be patient Brethren unto the coming of the Lord Behold the Husband-man waiteth for the precious fruit of the Earth and hath long patience for it until he receive the early and latter Rain Be ye also patient for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh Jam. 5. 7 8. Ps 37. 7 11. 2 Pet. 1. 4 â— were we more rejoycing in hope we should be more patient in tribulation Rom. 5. 1 3. and ch 12. 12. 2 Cor. 4. 14 18. This was that word of Christs patience which they had kept and for the keeping whereof Christ commends them and sets such encouragement before them 2. We have a gracious promise and blessed encouragement propounded and made to this Angel and Church I also will keep thee from the houâ— of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the Earth Wherein let us a little enquire and consider 1. From what he promises to keep them from the hour of temptation 2. The extent of this hour Which shall come upon all the World 3. The end of its coming To try them that dwell upon the Earth 1. From what he promises to keep them From the hour of temptation Now this hour of temptation may either signifie 1. A time of great tribulation and persecution for the Gospels sake which was ere long to ensue under the Roman Emperours So whereas in one Evangelist it is said when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word by and by they are offended It is thus rendred by another In time of temptation they fall away signifying to us that a time of persecution for the Gospel is a time of temptation Compare Mat. 13. 21. with Luke 8. 13. So such a time is called A fiery trial 1 Pet. 4. 12. and trial of cruel mockings and scourgings Heb. 11. 36. And the Apostle Paul speaking of the afflictions he endured from the Jews calls them temptations Acts 20. 19. And our Lord makes use of this word when he speaks of all the
32 33. Heb. 11. 17 19. The Apostle Paul to recover the Galatians from their wandrings sets before them that Christ is the Amen to him the promises are made and in him confirmed and with him assured to those that receive him So as in being Christ's they are Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise Gal. 3. 16 17 29. and 4. 28. and 5. 1. And so here Christ declareth himself to be the Amen to cure these of that Lukewarmness they were polluted with and assures them that in opening and giving entertainment to him he would come in to them and sup with them and they with him and that he that overcometh should sit with him on his throne Rev. 3. 14 20 21. Oh were this considered by us that God hath not spared his own Son but delivered him up for us all how would this make us confident that with him he will freely give us all things also how would this cause us to mount up with wings as Eagles to run and not to be a weary to walk and not saint and to encourage and engage us to listen to his counsel whom God hath given for a covenant to the people For the Lord God is a sun and shield he will give grace and glory no good thing will â—e with-hold from them that walk uprightly Rom. 8. 32. Ps 84. 10 12. The faithful and true witness This may be an explication of the Amen and shew us what is further meant by and contained in that expression These two words faithful and true may mean one and the same thing or we may say he is the faithful witness in that work whereto the Father appointed him hence the Apostle instructs the holy Brethren to consider the Apostle and High-priest of their profession who was faithful to him that appointed him namely in that hard and difficult work of humbling himself and becoming obedient to death the death of the cross Heb. 2. 9 18 and 3. 1 2. he is in his cross a faithful witness of the greatness and sincerity of the Fathers affection to us Isay 55. 3 4. who is meant by the faithful witness here spoken of may be plainly seen and wherein he is so firstly and fundamentally Rev. 1. 5. Jesus Christ the faithful witness and the first begotten of the dead And so 1. As he died for our sins by way of propitiation and as the peace-maker So he is a faithful witness of the Fathers love and that he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance he is the great sign and undoubted evidence of the heat and ardency of God's love towards us poor sinners even toward every poor sinful creature of Mankind in that by the grace of God he tasted death for every Man In this was manifested the love of God towards us because God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live thorow him The Father sent the Son the Saviour of the World 1 Joh. 4. 8 10 14. God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son c. Joh. 3. 16. This is the great sign of God's love to us and it is an evil and adulterous thing to seek after any other Mat. 12. 39. 1. Cor. 1. 22 24. and he is the faithful witness therein of the truth and faithfulness of the Father in performing his promises according to the tenour of them for he that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him freely give us all things also Isay 55. 3 4. Rom. 8. 32. Yea in what he hath sufâ—ered he is the faithful witness also of the freeness and ardency of his own love towards us his love was so fervent as that many waters could not quench it nor could the Floods drown it such was his grace that he laid down his life for us he died for all 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. and such the preciousness of his blood that in the vertue thereof he is raised again hath purged away our sins made peace slain the enmity broken down the middle-wall of partition between God and mankind taken out of the way all that was in it contrary to us abolished death and destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Devil and obtained into himself all Spiritual blessings in Heavenly things and confirmed a new Testament and Everlasting Covenant Oh what a faithful witness is he of the greatness and fervency of his own and his Fathers love And how powerful therefore is the view of him in his Cross to cure us of our Lukewarmness Do ye thus requite the Lord O foolish people and unwise Is he not thy Father that hath bought thee Oh how doth this love constrain us to love him and to cleave to him with full purpose Yea and to return to him when we have fallen by our iniquities for therein he shews us that he hath no pleasure in the death of him that dieth and so not in the death and destruction of poor wretched miserable blind naked lukewarm ones Oh! fear not to come unto and walk before him and be perfect Let not your hands be slack By this ye are saved if ye keep in memory what was at first declared to you unless ye believe in vain viz. that Christ died for our Sins according to the Scriptures and was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 1 4. O foolish Galatians saith the Apostle who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth that ye should not continue in running well but grow remiâ—s before whose Eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth crucified c. Gal. 3. 1. with ch 5. 7. 2. The faithful Witness and Martyr as a Peace-preacher who laid down his Life in testimony to the truth of that Gospel which he received from his Father and declared to us for to this end was he born and for this cause came he into the World that he should bear Witness to the truth Joh. 18. 37. And to this he did bear witness unto the death and sealed to the truth of that Gospel with his Blood This the Apostle Paul sets before Timothy to encourage him to fight the good fight of Faith that Jesus Christ witnessed a good Confession before Pontius Pilate when he knew what things he should suffer on that account 1 Tim. 6. 12 14. Away with this lukewarmness then and let us come unto and follow him whithersoever he goeth enduring bardness as good Souldiers of Jesus Christ 2 Tim. 2. 1 3 8. See Heb. 12. 1 3. 1 Pet. 2. 20 24. and ch 3. 17 18. And the true Witness In his Testimony in which he hath declared what he hath done and the Fathers love in him and that he is the Amen He is the truth it self and his word is the word of truth Prov. 8. 6 8. Ps 119. 160. 1 Joh. 5. 20. The true light now shineth 1
the Soul cannot be good Prov. 19. 2. Hence he instructs us to cry after knowledge and to lift up our voice for understanding Prov. 2. 1 2 3 6. and calls upon all the ends of the earth to look unto him and be saved Isay 45. 22. and ch 65. 1 2. Thus I have briefly put down somewhat of that which is more fully largely and distinctly spoken unto on this v. 18. in the Treatise caled Needful counsel and desire that may be more minded and diligently considered by them that have it in their hands Verse 19. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten Be zealous therefore and repent This is that which the Amen the faithful and true witness adds after he had faulted threatned and given wholesome and Needful counsel to this Angel and Church The Lord will not cast off for ever but though he cause grief yet he will have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies For he doth not afflict willingly or from his heart nor grieve the Children of Men Lam. 3. 31 33. though for their iniquity he was wroth and smote them he hid himself and was wroth and they went on frowardly in the way of their heart yet though he saw their ways he healed and restored comforts unto them Isay 57. 16 18. he thus speaks to these that they might not faint in their sighing and say there is no hope he hath forgotten to be gracious Therefore to preserve or deliver them from such-like thoughts or conclusions he acquaints them with the graciousness of his heart toward them and shews his loathness with their destruction and that it was in love to their Souls he had been so chiding and chastening them even as he said to his people in former times In one place I will cast them out of mine house I will love no more In another and afterwards he thus speaks to them How shall I give thee up Ephraim how shall I deliver thee Israel how shall I make thee as Admah my heart is turned within me my repentings are kindled together c. Hos 9. 15. and ch 11. 4 8 9. see also Jer. 31. 18 19 20. So he now acquaints this Angel and Church that it was his love to them that led him to be reproving them for their evils and threatning to cast them out of his mouth and that he had a gracious end towards them herein And that we might know and consider that in love and faithfulness he convinces us of and rebukes us for our follies and wandrings Now in this verse we have to consider 1. An assertion or affirmation of the faithful and true witness As many as I love I rebuke and chasten 2. Good and wholsome counsel and exhortation given unto them from the former Be zealous therefore and repent 1. An assertion or affirmation of the faithful and true witness wherein consider we 1. The subjects concerning whom he speaks As many as I love who are they 1. Generally all Mankind with a love of pity and compassion while it is called to day and this he hath undeniably-manifested in his great abasement and sufferings for them herein perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us 1 Joh. 3. 16. The love of Christ was and is for ever herein commended and demonstrated and herein to be discerned because this one this single and singular person died for all even for all of Mankind who were dead condemned to dye and dead in sins and trespasses 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. Tit. 3. 3 4. and therefore and therethorow all nations and peoples are called upon to praise him Because his merciful kindness is great toward them Ps 117. 1 2. and he that seeth the Son seeth the Father also Joh. 12. 45. he so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son Joh. 3. 16. he gave him by his grace to taste death for every Man Heb. 2. 9. and thorow Christ he is gracious and full of compassion slow to anger and great in mercy The Lord is good and loving to all and his tender mercies are over all his works he is kind to the unthank-ful and evil Psal 145. 8 9. Matth. 5. 44 46. But 2. He loves them that love him with peculiar manner of love Prov. 8. 17. Joh. 14. 21. with a love of wellpleasedness The Lord takes pleasure in them that fear him in them that hope in his mercy he is nigh to all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth Ps 147. 16 11. and 145. 18 19. and he is rich in the streams of his pity and compassion toward them The same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him Rom. 10. 12. As a Father pitieth his Children the Lord pitieth them that fear him Ps 103. 11 13. Jam. 5. 10 11. And of both these we may understand it though especially of the latter 2. That which is here affirmed concerning as many as he loves viz. I rebuke and chasten I rebuke namely convince them of their evils and reprove them for them as the Lord saith I have been a rebuker of them all Hos 5. 2. and chasten viz. Inflict judgments and punishments upon them Ps 6. 1. and 38. 1. and usually in this order he proceeds he first â—hews them with his prophets and slays them with the words of his mouth and then his judgments are as the light that goeth forth Hos 6. 3 5. Micah 6. 8 10 11. Job 33. 13 18. and so indeed he doth rebuke and chasten when need is as many as he loves he rebukes the simple who love their simplicity and scorners who delight in scorning and fools that hate knowledge Prov. 1. 20 23. his Spirit is convincing and reproving the World of sin of righteousness and of judgment Joh. 16. 8 11. and he doth also chasten visit and and try them Job 7. 17 18. 1 Cor. 10. 13. and especially and more frequently he doth rebuke and chasten his own people Ps 73. 13 15. he that chastiseth the heathen shall not â—e correct to wit his own people Ps 94. 8 10. every branch in Christ that beareth fruit he purgeth that it might bring forth more fruit Joh. 15. 2. Ps 94. 12 13. and 11. 5. Prov. 3. 11 13. And this may be useful to us to inform us 1. That seeing as many as he love she rebukes and chastens all such may and do need to be rebuked and chastened even such also as he loves with peculiar manner of love for in many things they offend all Jam. 3. 2. There is not a just Man upon the earth that doth good and sinneth not Eccl. 7. 20. 2 Chron. 6. 36. It is only when need is that they are in heaviness thorow many temptations and trials either to correct and punish them for some evils committed by them or some good omitted or to purge out of them some polluting thing that sticks close to them or preserve them from some
and severe judgment and as a Testimony of high displeasure unto men when they will not listen unto or be ruled by him but rebel against the light vex his holy Spirit hold the Truth in unrighteousness will not hearken unto him will none of him receive not the love of the truth to be saved thereby and persist in such-like stubborn iniquity he at last gives them up to their own hearts lusts Psal 81. 8-12 13 14. gives them up to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient Rom. 1. 18-28 sends them strong delusion to believe a lye c. 2 Thes 2. 10 11 12. takes away his grace from them and his spirit shall not always strive with them Matth. 13. 11 12-15 Gen. 6. 3. But it was not his end in creating them that they should sin against him nor did he punish sin with sin in mans first disobedience in eating of the forbidden fruit for he had not fore-sinned or offended And that he thus at any time punisheth sin it evidently shews unto us that it was not his will or pleasure they should so sin because he is so angry with and so punisheth men for their sin and wickedness as Elihu saith Far be it from God that he should do wickedness and from the Almighty that he should commit iniquity for the work of a man shall be render unto him and cause every man to find according to his ways yea surely God will not do wickedly neither will the Almighty pervert judgment Job 34. 10-12 Shall not the judg of all the earth do right Gen. 18. 25. And when he thus gives up men he doth not tempt them to evil but withdraws or withholds his grace and spirit which they have abused and offered despite unto Matth. 13. 12 Psal 51. 11. Hos 2. 5-9 Nor doth he thus deal with any until they have provoked him with an high hand and he is as it were non-plust and knows not what other course to take with them and is even put upon it thus to say What could have been done more what shall I do unto thee Isa 5. 1-4-7 Hos 4. 13-17 with chap. 6. 4 5 6-11 Jer. 9. 7. Let no man then say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth he any man but every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed Then when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death Do not err every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning Jam. 1. 13-17 He that sits upon the throne is holy glorious in holiness his glory and beauty is holiness he is one of purer eyes than to be hold iniquity as he hath most clearly and comfortably manifested in the Cross of Christ see the notes before on ver 8. and that it was not his will that men should sin or continue to sin is also evidenced to us in that when they had sought out many inventions and were deceived by the Devil he sent his Son to save men from their sins and so to destroy not his own works but the works of the Devil even sin and its fruits 1 John 3. 8. And Christ gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world and this was according to the will of God and our Father Galit 1. 4. Oh that then we may abominate and abhor such horrid and blasphemous sayings as these are viz. That God is the Author of sin and that men do sin by his impulse c. knowing that he is a most perfect hater of sin and never created men to sin nor doth he preserve them here to this end This was not nor is his will and pleasure for which they are and were created Christ came into the world to do the will of him that sent him and it was his meat and drink to do it John 4. 34. and chap. 5. 30. and chap. 6. 38. And he always did those things that pleased him John 8. 28 29. But he never did sin neither was guile found in his mouth be loved righteousness and hated iniquity 1 Pet. 2. 22 23. Heb. 1. 9. Therefore to do or commit sin is none of his Fathers will or pleasure but that which is contrary thereto Jer. 7. 31. and chap. 32. 32-35 But contrariwise Christ came to destroy sin as hath been said and to deliver men therefrom that they should not serve it but that being dead to sin they might live to righteousness 1 John 3. 8. 1 Pet. 2. 24. and chap. 3. 18. and chap. 4. 1 23. 2 Cor. 5. 15. And this was and is Gods will and pleasure Rom. 5. and chap. 6. 1 2 3-6 2. Nor was it his will and pleasure in creating men nor is it his will in preserving them while it is the day of his grace and patience towards them that any of them should be eternally miserable and therefore he reprobated none before they were created nor before they had sinned against him fury is not in him naturally towards his creatures Isa 27. 4. but he hath a desire to the work of his hands Job 14. 15. Psal 138. 8. Job 10. 3. Though he may be angry and wrathfully displeased with men yet he is never so until men kindle his anger against them or provoke him thereunto as Moses saith The Lords anger was kindled the same time c. Numb 32. 9 10-12 And again Tâ—ey will turn away thy sâ—ns from following me that they may serve other Gods so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you and destroy thee suddenly Deut. 7. 4 And the Lord saith Ye have kindled a fire in mine anger which shall burn for ever Jer. 17. 4. and many other places of Scripture speak the same language or to the same purpose God is a righteous judg and God is angry every day Psal 7 11. but he is moved and provoked thereto from some outward cause He is indeed the Father of mercies he delighteth therein 2 Cor. 1. 3. Mica 7. 18. He is rich in grace and the fountain of mercy that proceeds and comes forth out of his bowels yea his mercies are his bowels Luke 1. 78. Jam. 5. 11. He is the God of love yea love it self to manward as he hath manifested himself to be in sending his Son the Saviour of the world 2 Cor. 13. 11. 1 John 4. 8-10-14 He is the God of grace the God of all grace 1 Pet. 5. 10. but he is never called the God of wrath or hatred his wrath or positive hatred proceeds from some external cause or reason And therefore he never willed any of his creatures to eternal destruction but for sin which was not his pleasure or will they should commit as we have before shewed Everlasting fire was no otherwise prepared for any
his face and his name shall be in their fore-heads c. He subjoyns thereto Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the Prophecy of this Book Rev. 21. and ch 22. 1 6 7 14. To signify to us that such an one shall be compleatly delivered hereafter from all evil and made a partaker of all blessedness and happiness 2. We have nextly propounded to us the reason of their blessedness especially For the time is at hand Now especially they are blessed because of the nigh approaching of the things contained in this Book to wit comparatively to former times because the time is at hand Rev. 22. 7 10. That they may keep themselves pure and not be spotted with the spots that are not of his people as he saith Behold I come as a Thief to wit suddenly and unexpectedly Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his Garments lest he walk naked and they see his shame Rev. 16. 15. And because there shall be a speedy performance of the happiness therein promised that they might be engaged not to cast away but hold fast their confidence and in patience possess their souls For yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry Heb. 10. 35 37. And now especially blessed Because it is the time of the end and that which was formerly sealed up is not so now but opened Therefore encouragement is now given to us to look into this Book and in so doing we may expect his presence with us and blessing upon us compare Dan. 12. 8 9. with Rev. 22. 7 10. For the time is at hand Namely It is so in God's account See notes on v. 1. That time in which Christ came into the world and finished the work the Father gave him to do in his own personal body is called The end of the world or worlds Heb. 9. 26. And those days the last days Heb. 1. 1 2. And the pouring forth of his spirit which was said to be fulfilled in the day of Pentecost was said to be in the last days Act. 2. 17. and that time was the last time or hour 1 Joh. 2. 18. and so the time was at hand as compared with former times And this Phrase At hand doth not necessarily denote such a speedy accomplishment of the things spoken of as some would perswade us as may be seen in some instances as when the Lord commands Moses to write a Song for the Children of Israel and therein to declare the Evils and Miseries that would come upon them in the latter days for their iniquity Certainly he hath therein ultimately respect to the Kingdom of God's being taken from them and their being desolated by the Romans in these last days for their rejection of Christ Though evils in the beginnings and so successively came upon them all along when they forsook God and under these sad evils they still remain in these latter of the last times in which we live which are about three thousand years since that Song yet thus it is said in that Song To me belongeth Vengeance and to recompence their Foot shall slide in due time for the Day of their Calamity is at hand and the things that shall come upon them make hast Deut. 31. 19 29. and ch 32. 21 35 43. Thus again when the Lord by the Prophet Isay declares the Destruction that should come upon Babilon It is said Howle ye for the day of the Lord is at hand It shall come as Destruction from the Almighty And yet though that day or time was then said to be at hand it was near about two hundred years before the Kingdom was translated to the Medes and Persians which is the first thing here prophesied of as is said Behold I will stir up the Medes against them and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the Womb c. Isay â—3 1 6 17 18. And ultimately that Chapter may be a Prophesie of the Destruction of Mystery Babylon which is not yet fulfilled as appears by what is said in v. 19 20. compared with Jer. 50. and ch 51. 1 26 64. and Rev. 18. 1 21. for many Prophesies have divers fulfillings at divers times And that which is said in this Verse is a great encouragement to look into read hear and keep the things written in this Book to which we may speak further afterwards Thus far is the Preface Verse 4. John to the seven Churches in Asia Grace be unto you and Peace from him which is and which was and which is to come and from the seven Spirits which are before his Throne Here followeth the Inscription and Salutation of them to whom this Book was to be sent This Revelation was to shew unto Christ's Servants things that must shortly come to pass but it was not given immediately to them as to John It was sent and signified to him v. 1. in trust 1 Cor. 4. 1 2. And here begins his faithfulness according to the trust reposed in him In Verse 1. It is said To shew unto his Servants and here is shewn unto us who are meant thereby to wit the Churches And therefore John directs it to them even to the seven Churches and not only to the Angels though including them also So whereas in ch 22. 6. it is said The Lord God of the Holy Prophets sent his Angel to shew unto his Servants the things that must shortly be done In v. 16. it is thus I Jesus have sent mine Angel to testifie unto you these thing in the Churches To signifie to us that they are they whom he means and intends by his Servants And yet also every one that hath an Ear is called upon to hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches as may be seen in Rev. 2. 7 11 17 29. and ch 3. 6 13 22. In Asia to wit the less which Churches are particularly and by name mentioned to us in verse 11. Now in this Verse we have 1. The Apostle's Vote and Desire for the Churches 2. From whom he desires such Blessings to be vouchsafed to them The Apostles Vote and Desire for the Churches whom he salutes Grace unto you and Peace like to that voted by the Apostles in their Epistles generally for the Churches unto whom they write Grace unto you To wit the free Love and Charity of God towards us in abasing and exalting his Son in our nature for us In this was manifested the love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live thorow him 1 Joh. 4. 9 10 14. And Christ by the grace of God tasted Death for every man Heb. 2. 9. And by the Grace of God we are justified freely thorow that Redemption in Christ Jesus even all that have sinned and are come short of the Glory of God Rom. 3. 23 24. And his Grace in preparing forgiveness of Mens Personal Sins the gift of Righteousness and Eternal Life in Christ for them Rom.
made us a Kingdom of Priests to wit A Kingdom or Holy Nation now to offer up spiritual Sacrifices And that no more is meant here and in ch 5. 8 10. To which I say 1. It is true he hath so made them that come unto him in the drawings of the Father He hath washed them and made them a Kingdom of Priests as Exod. 19. 4 5. A Royal or Kingly Priesthood 1 Pet. 2. 4 5 7 9. But 2. Sure this is not all that is meant by this expression It is very dangerous to add to or take away from the words of the Book of this Prophesie ch 22. 18 19. And therefore we shall look upon the words as they are exprest To wit He hath made us Kings not now to reign as we shall doe hereafter for now they are sufferers with Christ To them that may now be applied I have seen Servants upon Horses and Princes walking as Servants upon the Earth Eccl. 10. 7. Indeed some there are who conceit and dream that now they are full now they are rich they have reigned as Kings without the residue of their Brethren but this is but in their own Imagination Unto some such it may be said I would to God ye did reign that we also might reign with you for herein one shall not prevent another but they shall be glorified together This Honour all his Saints and Holy Ones shall have together 1 Cor. 4. 8. Rom. 8. 16 18. Ps 149. 9. they may be Kings who yet have actually received no Kingdom Rev. 17. 12. So it is with these they are Kings though they now reign not as they shall do For these he hath prepared a Kingdom Mat. 25. 34. In my Fathers House saith Christ are many Mansions I go to prepare a place for you Joh. 14. 2 3. Mat. 20. 23. Mark 10. 40. 1 Cor. 2. 9. Heb. 11. 16. 2. He is preparing and working them for this self-same thing they are the Vessels of Mercy whom he hath before prepared unto Glory Rom. 9. 23. And so he hath made us Kings that is to say 1. He hath begotten us of Royal Seed in a Spiritual Consideration of the Seed of the Kingdom as 2 Kings 11. 1. and ch 25. 25. He hath begotten us with the Word of truth the Word of the Kingdom as the Gospel is called because hereby the Kingdom is discovered and brought nigh to us Luk. 10. 9 11. And they are begotten to the Kingdom that heartily receive it and are the Children of the Kingdom Mat. 13. 19 38. and so heirs of it Rom. 8. 17. Jam. 2. 5. They are â—â—rn of Water and of the Spirit of the free and immense love of God to the World of Mankind as manifested by the Spirit in lifting up the Son of Man in the Gospel and so are delivered from the Power of Darkness and translated into the Kingdom of the Son of God's Love Joh. 3. 3 5 7. Col. 1. 13. They are born of the kindness and love of God to Man-ward which is manifested in Christ's tasting Death for every Man and being raised again for their justification And so are begotten to a lively hope by the Resurrection of Christ from the dead to an Inheritance incorruptible and undefiled c. Tit. 3. 4 5. 1 Pet. 1. 3 5. 2. He hath washed us from our Sins in his own Blood as before Gal. 5. 19 20. He gave himself for his Church that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word that he might present it to himself a glorious Church c. Eph. 5. 5 25 27. and so he is making them partakers of his Holiness without which no Man shall see the Lord Heb. 12. 14. Rev. 21. 27. he is baptizing them still and further with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Tit. 3. 4 7. Mat. 19. 29. Rev. 5. 9 10. 3. He is anointing them with Holy Oyl even with his Spirit with the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation with the Spirit of Grace and Supplication and by this Spirit he is sealing them to the Day of Redemption and giving this to them as an earnest of the Inheritance 2 Cor. 1. 21 22. Eph. 1. 13 14. and ch 4. 30. as David was anointed King before he reigned so they have an unction from the Holy one 1 Joh. 2. 20 21 27. 4. He is clothing them with the Robe of Righteousness Isay 61. 10. and with the fruits of Righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the Praise and Glory of God Phil. 1. 11. with the fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5. 22 23. Eph. 5. 9. that so an entrance may be ministred to them abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Mat. 5. 5 9. 2 Pet. 1. 5 11. 4. He hath appointed to them a Kingdom Luk. 22. 29. and is giving it to them in the gracious and spiritual administration of it and by Faith possessing them of the Riches and Priviledges thereof which are not Meat and Drink but Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. they have received the first-fruits of the Spirit Rom. 8. 23. they are receiving the Kingdom that cannot be shaken Heb. 12. 28. though they are as having nothing yet by faith they are as possessing all things 2 Cor. 6. 10. and they shall reign on the Earth Rev. 5. 8 10. And Priests He hath also made them Spiritual Priests 1. By a birth from himself they are the Children whom God hath given to him who is the everlasting Father Heb. 2. 13. Isay 9. 6. And as in former times those who were born of Aaron were Priests Exod. 28. 1 40 41. so now those and those only who are born of Jesus Christ the only High-priest are made a Spiritual House an Holy Priest-hood 1 Pet. 2. 4 5 9. And that they may minister unto the Lord 2. He washeth them cloathes them anoints them as answering unto our Types Exod. 29. 4 5. and ch 28. 40 41. and ch 40. 12. 16. 3. And thus fitted and prepared they are Priests to minister unto God and to offer Sacrifices not bodily Sacrifices as formerly but Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 5. To offer unto him broken and contrite hearts Ps 51. 17. Isay 66. 1 3. To present their bodies unto him a living Sacrifice holy acceptable a reasonable service Rom. 12. 1. To pray unto him and pour out their hearts before him Ps 62. 8. and 141. 2. Rev. 5. 8. To offer up the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving unto God continually the Calves or Fruit of their Lips Ps 50. 14. and 107. 22. Heb. 13. 15. To shew forth his praises who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light 1 Pet. 2. 5 9. and not forget to do good and to communicate for with such Sacrifices being offered by Christ God is well-pleased Hos 6. 6. Heb. 13. 16. Phil. 4. 18. To him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever Vnto
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
what have I to do with thee mine hour is not yet come Job 2. 4. And to his Brethren My time is not yet come but your time is alway ready Joh. 7. 6. He knowes the fittest day for every purpose and thing but this is a great part of Man's misery he knows not the opportune season Eccl. 9. 12. Or 2. On the Lords Day The Sabbath-day or day of rest that seventh part of time set apart and sanctified for more solemnly waiting upon him and thereto ceasing from our own works And this may be called the Lord's Day 1. Because at first God took up his rest in Jesus Christ our Lord and was refreshed and therefore set apart the seventh day as a token thereof had he not found out this ransome and had not Christ interposed himself and undertook to work redemption for us there had been no Sabbath for us to have observed his undertaking to do what the Father appointed to him at first and actually performing and accomplishing it in due time is the ground and reason of this days being set apart and sanctified Gen. 2. 2 3. with Heb. 4. 3 4. Exod. 31. 16 17. with Joh. 5. 19 22. Hence the Preface to all the Commandments and particularly to their remembring to keep holy the Sabbath-day was that he brought them out of the Land of Egypt which was a Type of the redemption wrought in and by Jesus Christ Exod. 20. 2 8. 2. It is the Lord's Day also that of which Jesus Christ the Son of Man is the Lord and actually so become as he hath died for us and is risen again and hath restored our loss whereby he is become the rightful Lord of all that was made for Man even for the good of Man Ps 8. 4 9. with Heb. 2. 6 9. and particularly of this Day as our Saviour saith The Sabbath was made for Man and not Man for the Sabbath therefore the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath Mat. 12. 8. Mark 2. 27 28. 3. It is the Lords Day because we should herein be exercised to the Consideration and Remembrance of what Christ hath suffered and done for us and is become that he by the Grace of God tasted Death for every Man and is risen from the Dead for their justification and is become the one and only Foundation of Faith and Hope for us poor Sinners The Stone which the Builders refused is become the head of the Corner This is the LORDS doing it is marvellous in our Eyes This is the day which the LORD hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it To such an end should this Day be set apart that we may be glad in his work in redeeming us from the curse of the Law and triumph in the works of his hands Ps 118. 2 4. Ps 92. Title and Verse 1 4. Isay 28. 12. And it is a Sign that he doth sanctifie us and shews how we may be sanctified and now be entring into rest not by works of righteousness that we have done or can do but by believing in and coming unto Jesus Christ Exod. 31. 13 14. Rom. 4. 5. Tit. 3. 4. Mat. 11. 27 28. Heb. 4. 3. Isay 58. 13. And on this Day we should be exercised unto the consideration of that rest which remaineth for the people of God which in due season Christ will give unto them Acts 3. 19 20. Heb. 4. 3 8. 2 Thes 1. 5 6. And indeed to such an end should this day be set apart and that we should do no servile work thereon for works of Piety Mercy and Necessity they are Sabbath-day works but it should not be prophaned with common and ordinary words or works Isay 58. 13. Neh. 10. 31. and ch 13. 15 22. Jer. 17. 21 27. Men may pretend to a great deal of zeal and strictness in observing it and yet not be exercised to the consideration of Christ as the ground and end of it yea they may be so far from that that they may be Enemies to him and his Gospel Joh. 5. 16 18. and ch 7. 22 23. and ch 9. 14 16. On this Day he heard this Voice which might be an encouragement and provocation to us to keep it holy and therein to remember the Lord's Death and what he hath thereby done for us and obtained and is become and the love of both Father and Son therein commended to us 3. We have an account in general given to us of what he heard on that day And heard behind me a great Voice as of a Trumpet And heard behind me like what Ezekiel saith I heard behind me a Voice of a great rushing Ezek. 3. 12. like that saying also Isay 30. 21. At such a time and in such a manner as he least expected not before him but behind him or ever he was aware he was thus unexpectedly favoured Gen. 28. 10. A great Voice as of a Trumpet So he heard also ch 4. 1 2. And before the little Book was given unto him ch 10. 3 4. Doubtless this loud Voice was to awaken him and prepare him to give earnest heed to what was spoken and to signifie the weightiness of what he was about to speak that it was no vain thing but somewhat of great importance and concernment and that which was worthy to be heard minded and considered by him and us To such end and purpose he sent out his Voice and that a mighty Voice And it behoves us all seeing the matter of what was then spoken is recorded and preserved on record that we should diligently bow down our Ears hereto and hear these words of the wise and not lightly or heedlesly pass it over as if it were not worthy our most serious meditation and consideration Verse 11. Saying I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last And what thou seest write in a Book and send it to the Seven Churches which are in Asia unto Ephesus and unto Smyrna and unto Pergamos and unto Thyatira and unto Sardis and Philadelphia and unto Laodicea In this Verse the Apostle gives unto us a more particular account of what he heard In which we have to consider 1. A description of him that speaketh I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last 2. A charge and commandment given to the Apostle In which also we have 1. The Subject matter of what he should write and send what thou seest 2. What he commands him to do with this write in a Book and send it 3. To whom unto the seven Churches which are in Asia c. 1. A Description of him that speaketh I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last The latter opens the Former as we have seen See the notes on v. 8. I am the first and the last so v. 17. ch 2. 8. and ch 22. 13. The King of Israel as is said Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel and his Redeemer the LORD of Hostes I am the first and I am the last c. Isay
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
are fallen unto and preserve them in their former and fervent love is to put them in remembrance of what he hath done for them and how he hath testified love to them in their low estate Hence he here saith Remember So Rev. 3. 2 3. Jer. 2. 1 6. Do ye thus requite the Lord O foolish people and unwise Remember the days of old c. Deut. 32. 5 7. By this ye are saved recovered again out of any distemper as Isay 38. 20. if ye hold fast and keep in memory As it is brought to and put into your remembrance How that Christ died was buried and rose again according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 1 3. Heb. 3. 6 14. These things are not only proper and powerful at first to reconcile the heart to God but also to recover it from all its wandrings The Apostle therefore puts the Galatians in remembrance thereof when they were removed from him that called them into the Grace of Christ Gal. 3. 1 5. And that any man suffers a decay of those things wrought in him is because he is a forgetful hearer Jam. 1. 22 25. The remembring and considering what he hath done will be powerful to restore us from all our wandrings and out-turnings from him Hence Samuel saith to the people turn not aside from following the LORD but serve him in truth with all your heart for consider how great things he hath done for you 1 Sam. 12. 20 21 24. Ps 63. 5 8. And that we may remember these things Christ hath promised that his Spirit shall be our Remembrancer Joh. 14. 26. And this is that which the Spirit here puts to the remembrance of this Angel and Church verse 7. and his Servants in preaching the Gospel for it is the preaching of the Cross or of Jesus Christ and him crucified 2 Pet. 1. 12 15. and ch 3. 1 2. with 1 Cor. 1. 18 23. Of these things the Apostle Paul was the Remembrancer of Timothy Remember saith he that Jesus Christ of the Seed of David was raised from the Dead according to my Gospel and thus chargeth him Of these things put them in remembrance 2 Tim. 2. 8 14. And his Ordinances especially that of the Supper of the Lord are to mind us of Christ and are appointed and to be observed that we may remember the Lord's Death and his wonderful Grace to us that we might remember that Christ our passe-over hath been slain and sacrificed for us and God's love his first-love manifested therein Luke 22. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 23 25. Cant. 1. 3 4. 2. Branch of the Counsel he gives to them is and repent not simply remember for that a Man may do after a sort and yet go on still in his evil and back-sliding ways but remember and repent that is change thy mind and way Isay 55. 7. Be zealous and amend Rev. 3. 17 19. Mat. 21. 29 30 32. mourn and be grieved that you should thus unkindly requiâ—e him and lessen your love to him who hath so greatly testified his love to us Be afflicted and mourn and weep let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into heaviness Jam. 4. 5 8 9. Be filled with Godly sorrow for your leaving your first love and this works and is included in repentance unto salvation not to be repented of 2 Cor. 7. 9 10. acknowledge and confess your evil as it is reproved and discovered As the Lord saith Only acknowledge thine iniquity that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God and hast scattered thy ways unto strangers c. Jer. 3. 12 13. If they shall bethink themselves and repent saying we have sinned and have done perversly c. 1 King 8. 47. And Repent namely turn from what is reproved unto him from whom you have in any measure revolted both from deadly and dead works so what is read in one place Repent is in another place turn 1 King 8. 47. with 2 Chron. 6. 37. see Jer. 18. 8. and ch 36. 3 7. And these two are put together Repent and turn from all your transgressions c. Ezek. 18. 30 32. and when Christ sent Paul to open the eyes of Jews and Gentiles and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God In pursuance of this commission he shewed unto them that they should repent and turn to God c. Acts 26. 17 18 20. And whereas it is said in the Prophet of the Men of Nineveh God saw their works that they turned from their evil way It is thus expressed by our Saviour They repented at the preaching of Jonas To shew unto us that repentance includes a turning to God from the evils reproved Jona 2. 8 10. with Mat. 12. 41. Rev. 2. 22. and ch 9. 20 21. hence it is called Repentance from dead works Heb. 6. 1 2. Now in that he further counselleth and repent so he signifieth unto us 1. That when persons are fallen from him by their Iniquities yet he is again calling them to repentance Mat. 9. 13. 1 Tim. 1. 15. yea such also as have left their first love and back-slidden from him unto such he saith repent and turn from your idols and turn your faces from all your abominations Ezek. 14. 6. O Israel return unto the Lord thy God for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity Hos 12. 6. and ch 14. 1. so he calls upon them that had left the kindness of their youth the love of their espousals and saith unto them Thou hast played the harlot with many lovers yet return to me saith the Lord turn O backsliding Children saith the Lord for I am married unto you c. Jer. 2. 2. with ch 3. 1 14 22. and 4. 1. The like counsel and call he also gives to the residue of the seven Churches which had sinned against him or backsliden from him Rev. 2. 16. and ch 3. 3. and v. 19. and therefore he calls them to repentance because he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3. 9. and so much he hath both said and sworn Ezek. 33. 11. As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live And thence calls and exhorts turne ye turn ye for why will ye dye O house of Israel Ezek. 18. 23 30 32. Mal. 3. 6 7. Mat. 18. 11 14. with Luke 15. 1 10. 2. In that he first saith to this Angel and Church Remember from whence thou art fallen to wit from God's grace in Christ to sinners and then adds repent so he signifieth to us That the believing mindfulness remembrance and consideration of the death of Christ for sinners and of the love of God his first love therein commended to us is proper and powerful to work repentance in us not to be repented of It is the goodness of God that leadeth to repentance Rom. 2. 4. It is the Gospel
evil way and the froward mouth do I hate saith Wisdom Prov. 8. 13. Let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his Neighbour and love no false Oath for all these are things that I hate saith the LORD Zech. 8. 17. Deut. 12. 31. and ch 16. 22. He hateth Wickedness even all and all manner of Iniquity And we should be like-minded after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ and hate it also Ps 5. 5 7. Heb. 1. 9. Rom. 15. 7. 4. Thou hatest the Deeds of the Nicolaitans Though he speaks not here of their Doctrines yet afterwards he doth in verse 15. It was an hateful Doctrine and their Deeds were hateful also divers and strange Doctrines produce and bring forth evil and abominable works The Gospel of Christ only in which is contained wholesome words is a Doctrine according to Godliness 1 Tim. 6. 3. And those who from the heart obey it are made free from Sin Rom. 6. 17 18. 1 Thes 2. 13. with ch 1. 9 10. Now are 〈◊〉 clean saith our Saviour thorow the word that I have spoken to you Joh. 15. 3. Anâ— therefore we may be sure that they do not heartily believe the Gospel who walk in crooked paths his words doe good to them that wâ—lk upâ—â—ghtly Mica 2. 7. Ps 17. 4. Blessed are the undefiled in the way who walk in the law of the Lord They also do no Iniquity they walk in his way Ps 119. 1 3 9 11. But now an evil 〈◊〉 brings forth â—vil fruiâ— wormewood and gall Deut. â—9 18 19. Heb. â—2 15. 16. 1 Tim. 6. 3 5. Jude 3 8. 2 Pet. 2. 1 3. Needful therefore it is â—or uâ— to reject their divers and strange doctrines Heb. 13. 8 9. to go from the presence of those foolish ones in whom we perceive not the lip of knowledg Prov. 14. 7. and ch 19. 27. not to hearken to the wâ—rds of such Prophets for if we doe they will make us vain for they speak a vision of their own hearts not out of the mouth of the Lord Jer. 23. 9 10 14 16. and ch 50. 6. Eph. 4. 13 15. Our Saviour signifies to us that the Doctrine of the Pharisees was Hypocrisy and thâ—nce and therefore also their workes were hypocritical Mat. 16. 6 12. with Luke 12. 1. and Mat. 23. Those Doctrines which say it is no mortal but a venial sin to commit fornication lead others to pollute themselves therewith Those Doctrines in which Men say it is lawful to worship or serve Images To adore the bread and wine when consecrated That say Christ died not for all Men and all he died for shall be saved with an everlasting Salvation that mens states were fixed in a personal consideration before they were born And that the one and least part of Men cannot possibly perish and the other and greatest part cannot possibly be saved That once in Christ and ever in Christ necessarily That there is no resurrection from the dead c. are hateful Doctrines and bring forth hateful works and deeds and many times men hold fast or return to evil Doctrines that they may go on securely in their evil ways As the Apostle Paul saith The time will come when they will not endure sound Doctrine but after their own lusts heap up to themselves teachers having itching ears And they shall turn away their ears from the truth and will be turned to fables 2 Tim. 4. 2 3 4. 2 Pet. 3. 2 3 4. Isay 30. 10 11. Jer. 5. 21. Mic. 2. 11. Hos 4. 9. We come now to speak more particularly unto this verse Thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans c. What these Nicolaitans were or what were their hateful deeds is not so shewn unto us in scripture that I can their find it out There is not particular account given us therein either of their Doctrines or works But as is generally supposed and said Their Doctrine was such as in which they held that Women and wives were common and accordingly they did shamelesly give themselves over to walk in the lust of the flesh and to commit all uncleanness with greediness like to those amongst us who are called Ranters Now then here note In that they are called Nicolaitans it appears that even in the Apostles time there were hereticks and evil workers amongst the Churches not only did they prophesy that there should be such in succeeding ages as the Apostle Paul saith Of your selves shall Men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them Acts 20. 29 30. â—o Peter saith As there were false Prophets among the people so there will be false teachers among you c. 2 Pet. 2. 1. and ch 3. 3 4. 2 Tim. 4. 3 4. But also there were such in their times in those most pure times and yet the Apostles were more infallible judges than ever were since many false Prophets did then go forth into the world 1 Joh. 4. 1. 2 Joh. 7. there were then many Antichrists 1 Joh. 2. 18 22. There were some that said there was no resurrection of the dead 1 Cor. 15. 12. some said the resurrection was made or past already 1 Tim. 1. 20. and 2 Tim. 2. 14 19. some taught others to deny the Lord that bought them 2 Pet. 2. 1. some told the believers that unless they were circumcised and kept the law of Moses they could not be saved Acts 15. 1. some taught and seduced Christs servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to Idols Rev. 2. 14 20. And so here is mention made of a pernicious sect even the Nicolaitans and this name is twice in this chapter given them by our Saviour which may be the common name by which they were called in those times And if there were so many sects and and heresies in their times I mean in the Apostles days yea and in our Saviours also how can we expect to be free therefrom in these last and worst times in which we live 2 Tim. 3. 1 5 12 13. and how ridiculous unreasonable is it to think that the Man of sin should now rid the Church of all such were he acknowledged the head of the Church and infallible Judge seeing also there are so many sects heresies and divisions amongst them that give such honour to him which appertains not to him at all It is far more reasonable to believe and it is certainly true that if men should give to him that blasphemous honour which he challengeth the Church would be so far from being without sectaries and hereticks that there would be none else therein 2 Thes 2. 1 4 10 12. 2. We may also note in that these are called Nicolaitans That evil teachers and workers do love to be called by and would own themselves as the followers of good men for it seems these were called Nicolaitans after Nicolas the proselyte who was a good Man for ought we read of him Acts 6. 5 7. so the Jews did stiffely plead
And thy last works more than the first Here as before we have noted he first of all takes notice of the things that were commendable in his sight and before him See notes on ver 2. And in that this is added after that terrible description he had given of himself so he gives us to understand That though his Eyes are like a flame of fire and his feet like fine brass yet he approves and encourages whatsoever is good and approvable in his Churches they might say Alas if he thus appear who can stand Or what can be approved before him who can stand before this holy Lord God that is of such a piercing inspection and so terrible in his Eyes and Feet Truly the Sinners in Zion may be afraid and the Hypocrites surprized with fear But such as receive his Grace or wherein soever they receive it to purpose need not be afraid his appearing so dreadful is not to discourage or hinder them from doing good but to deter them from what is evil Isay 33. 14 16. Yea therefore we should hold fast Grace whereby we may serve him acceptably with reverence and godly fear because our God is a consuming Fire Heb. 12. 28 29. So when he appears terrible unto Pergamos yet he would not have them think that he will be unrighteous to forget any good thing in them He appears not thus to be a terrour to good works but to evil Rev. 2. 12 13. with Rom. 13. 1 3 4. Nay though he sees all things yet who is so blind as this Servant of the Lord or deaf as this his Messenger whom he hath sent Who is blind as he that is perfect and blind as the Lords servant seeing many things but he observes them not c. Isay 42. 19 21. He is not severe to mark his Churches Infirmities and weaknesses but he appears dreadful with his Eyes and Feet towards such as sin willingly and particularly towards such as suffer false Teachers among them I know thy works See the Notes before on Verse 2. and Verse 9. And Charity This is indeed the work of Faith Faith worketh by Love Charity Gal. 5. 6. Charity it is distinguished from Brotherly kindness 2 Pet. 1. 7. And is a free manner of love flowing forth towards and fastening upon persons not because of any thing lovely in them but from an higher Reason and Motive though it may be and is to be exercised towards Brethren also in a peculiar consideration yet it springs from some higher Reason than any thing found in and with them We may say originally and most fully and perfectly God is Charity and the cause of it in us he loved us even the World of Mankind when there was nothing lovely or amiable in us even when we were dead in Sins and Trespasses and manifested his love and himself to be Charity in sending his only begotten Son into the World to be the propitiation for our Sins that we might live thorow him Joh. 3. 16. 1 Joh. 4. 8 9 10 14. And love or Charity in us is from or of him namely from the knowledge and belief of his Charity to manward and that he is Charity 1 Joh. 4. 7 8. And it is to be exercised towards men in loving our Enemies blessing them that curse us c. Mat. 5. 44. In loving all Men and abounding and increasing in love towards them 1 Thes 3. 12. Gal. 6. 10. And towards Brethren Col. 3. 13 14. 2 Thes 1. 3. above all things saith the Apostle Peter have â—ervent Charity among your selves 1 Pet. 4. 8. and all our things are to be done with it 1 Cor. 16. 14. the fruits of it are declared to us in 1 Cor. 13. 4 5 8. Charity suffereth long so doth God in Christ who is Charity He is long-suffering towards unworthy sinful ones Exod. 34. 6. Ps 86. 15. 1 Tim. 1. 16. and Charity is effecting long-suffering in us also 2 Cor. 6. 6. and that with long suffering we should forbear one another in love Eph. 4. 2 3. Col. 3. 12. And is kind all the time of its long-suffering so of God it is said He is slow to anger and of great kindness Neh. 9. 17. Joel 2. 13. Jona 4. 2. He is long-suffering and abundant in goodness Exod. 34. 6. So this Charity leads us to be like our heavenly Father in some measure even to be kind unto the evil and unthankful Mat. 5. 44. 45. and if our enemy hunger to feed him if he thirst to give him drink Rom. 12. 9 10. and to be kind one towards another tender-hearted Eph. 4. 32. Charity envieth not it doth not grudg at the good or prosperity of another whether inward or outward it hath not an evil ey thereat indeed the spirit which dwelleth in us lusteth to envy and leads us to repine and be troubled at the good and flourishing estate of others of which evil we are oftentimes warned Jam. 4. 4 6. Ps 37. 1. and 72. 3. 1 Cor. 3. 3 this envying proceeds from our wisdom Jam. 3. 14 16. and from desires of vain glory Gal. 5. 26. But charity envieth not but leadeth us to rejoyce in the good and prosperity of others Ps 4. 6 7. Charity vaunts not it self or boasts not it self it proclaims not its own goodness as the most of Men do Prov. 20. 6. It knows we have nothing but what we have received and preserves us from boasting of our givings or doings and to do what we do in secret that our left hand may not know what our right hand doth Judg. 7. 2. 1 Cor. 4. 7. Luke 18. 11. Mat. 6. 1 2 3 4. Charity is not puffed up not blown up like a bladder by any thing it hath received or doth knowledge even the knowing our knowledge puffeth up but charity doth not so but edifieth 1 Cor. 8. 1. 2 Cor. 12. 6 9. Luke 18. 11. Doth not behave it self unseemly uncomely shamefully which is the effect and consequent of the former when men are puft up it leadeth them to a shameful behaviour of themselves to be many masters Jam. 3. 1. to render evil for evil c. But charity doth not so Charity seeketh not her own profit case praise advantage So Christ did not who is the Son of the Father in charity but though he was rich for our sakes and not for his own he became poor that we thorow his poverty might be inriched 2 Cor. 8. 9. and the Apostle exhorts the believers that they look not every one on his own things but every one also on the things of others and that the same mind that was in Christ might be also in them Phil. 2. 2 3 5 6. And the Apostle Paul saith I please all Men in all things not seeking mine own profit but the profit of many that they may be saved And then exhorts the believers Be ye followers or imitaters of me even as I also am of Christ 1 Cor. 10. 23 24 33. and ch 11. 1.
And this Christ knew and took notice of and did approve and commend them for and this for our imitation also that we might grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and might abound in every good word and work 2 Pet. 3. 18. 2 Thes 2. 15 17. Verse 20. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee see the notes before on v. 4. and on v. 14. Because thou sufferest that Woman Jezabel which calleth her self a Prophetess to teach and to seduce my Servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols In this verse we have the charge which our Saviour draws up against this Angel and Church And this he doth 1. More generally Because thou sufferest that woman Jezabel 2. He gives a more particular account of her evil and therein intimately of theirs in their permitting and suffering her And that 1. By what she said of her self which calleth her self a Prophetess 2. By her evil work To teach and seduce my Servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols 1. We have the charge more generally drawn up against this Angel and Church Because thou sufferest that Woman Jezabel Thou sufferest that is thou permittest and forbiddest her not so suffering and forbidding are opposed the one unto the other see Mat. 3. 14 15 and ch 19. 14. or thou forbiddest her not with rebukes for when we rebuke any we may be said not to suffer them see Mat. 19. 13. with v. 14. The evil of this Angel and Church was not that Jezabel taught false doctrine simply But that they did not forbid or hinder her that they did not rebuke her sharply and so stop or muzzel her mouth and not suffer her to vent her erroneous and destructive doctrines amongst them Tit. 1. 10 13. So God is said not to suffer what he straitly forbids As the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee to hearken unto observers of times and unto diviners Deut. 18. 14. that is he hath strictly forbidden thee so to do And yet they might possibly be guilty of such an iniquity though their God suffered them not so to do Jer. 32. 35. Now this was the evil found with this Angel and Church not that they commanded or encouraged her so to do or that she taught evil doctrines simply But they did not forbid or make it their work to hinder her by their convictions sharpe rebukes and prohibitions of her but did even tolerate her so to do That Woman Either hereby we may understand some one particular person or rather some congregated society as it seems or framed assembly that was gathered together but not by Christ or in his name Isay 54. 15. like unto if not the same with the synagogâ—e of Satan mentioned before v. 9. and ch 3 9. Some idolatrous Church appears to be meant and intended hereby Because the word Woman in the Book of this Prophecy frequently signifies either the Church of Christ as ch 12. 1 4 6 13 16 or mystery Babilon the man of sins whore ch 17. 3 9 18. or any other idolatrous or whorish society or congregation ch 14. 3. And so else-where the word Woman doth signify some Church or religious society as Cant. 1. 8. and ch 5. 9. Ezek. 23. 2. Jezabel so is this woman called with allusion to Jezabel the wife of Ahab in former times and so to denote unto us 1. That this Jezabel here spoken of was some idolatrous and antichristian congregation that was amongst the Church in Thyatira and that worshipped some false object of worship or the true God after a false manner as afterwards also appeareth by the account given of her doctrine and so this framed congregation was like to Jezabel of old who was one that worshipped Baal and had Prophets of the groves that eat at her table 1 King 16. 31 33. and ch 18. 19. And like to her was this woman herein And like unto if not in the beginning the same with mystery Babilon which hath in her right hand a golden cup full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication Rev. 17. 1 2 5. for in the Apostles days that mystery of iniquity did begin to work though it was not so revealed as it hath been since 2 Thes 2. 3 7 8. 2. This whorish society is called and compared to Jezabel of old to give us to understand that they were enemies unto and full of cruelty against the true Prophets and Servants of the Lord as was Ahab's wife 1 King 18. 4 13. and ch 19. 1 2. and ch 21. 7. c. and this is also true of mystery Babilon the great whore they have shed the blood of Saints and Prophets Rev. 16. 6. that woman was drunken with the blood of the Saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus Rev. 17. 6. and ch 18. 24. and ch 19. 2. how many thousands and ten thousands hath this Mother of harlots and her confederates murthered and shed the blood of yea they hold it to be a meritorious work to kill and destroy Hereticks and such they account all them to be who will not hold communion with them or commit whoredom and spiritual fornication with them 3. This woman is likened to Jezabel in former times to signify the witch-crafts they make use of both more spiritually and more grossly also 2 King 9 22. more spiritually all false and antichristian teachers are witches Gal. 3. 1. and those Antichristian Christians use it also more grossly many of them The coming of the Man of sin is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders 2 Thes 2. 8 10. And by the forcerers both spiritual and carnal of mystery Babilon were all nations deceived Rev. 18. 23. To Jezabel of old is this Antichristian society likened here because she gave forth her self to be a Queen such an one was Ahabs wife indeed 1 King 16. 31. so mystery Babilon is too generally acknowledged as and gives forth her self to be a queen she ruleth over the Kings of the earth Rev. 17. 18. and by her sitting upon the Scarlet-coloured Beast and ruling she lives dâ—liciously and before the approach of her ruine and irrecoverable destruction she will say in her heart I sit a Queen and am no Widow and shall see no sorrow Rev. 18. 6 7. with Isay 47. 6 7. 5. This framed idolatrous congregation is also called Jezabel because as Jezabel of old did paint her face and tire her head 2 King 9. 30. so did these evil and false worshippers and so Idolatrous ones generally to gain love from others and to draw them in to commit fornication by their appearing beauty and amiableness they cloath themselves with crimson and deck themselves with ornaments of Gold and even rent their faces with painting that they make themselves fair Jer. 4. 30. Ezek. 23. 40 44. And how doth mystery Babilon paint her face and deck her self with the riches and bravery
thou in Heaven but he and there was none on earth that thou didst desire besides him Ps 73. 25. this gift was then a precious stone a stone of grace in thine eyes Prov. 17. 8. all other things were undervalued and lightly esteemed by thee in comparison hereof Oh Remember this Yea and Remember how in or after what manner thou hast received and heard how efficacious then this joyful sound was upon thee and how it turned thee to God from idols to serve the living and true God 1 Thes 1. 6 9. and how when he had broken thy yoke and burst thy bands thou saidst I will not transgress Jer. 2. 19 20. by this precious blood displayed before thee in the Gospel thou wast redeemed from thy vain conversation thereby thon wast redeemed from the earth and from among men 1 Pet. 1. 17 19. Rev. 5. 9. and 14. 4 5. thou didst escape the pollution of the World thorow the knowâ—edge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 2. 2â— and then resolvedst that seeing he had delivered thy Soul from death thine eyes from tears and thy feet from falling thou wouldst walk before the Lord in the land of the living Ps 116. 7 9 16 17. when his loving-kindness was first before thine eyes this prevailed with thee to walk in his truth and to come out from amongst Men and be separate Ps 26. 3 8. sin was rendred so exceeding sinful to thee in the cross of Christ as that thou saidst how shall I live any longer therein Rom. 6. 1 4 and all idols so unsatisfying and unprofitable that thou criedst out what have I any more to do with idols Hos 14. 1 8. then the Gospel wrought effectually in thee 1 Thes 2. 13. then thou hadst the work of Faith and labour of love for the Gospel came not to thee in word only but in power c. 1 Thes 1. 3 5. then it begat in thee love enflamed love to him delight in him contentment with him desires after him high praises and commendations of him readiness and cheerfulness in suffering for him confident dependance on him and expectation of all things pertaining to the life that now is and that to come from him such was the kindness of thy youth and love of thy espousals that thou wast then holiness to him given up and dedicated to him and couldest follow him thorow the wilderness thorow a land of deserts and of pits c. Jer. 2. 1 2 5. with Heb. 10. 32 34. 1 Thes 1. 5 6. Deut. 32. 10 12. This he directs and calls upon them now to Remember even how they had received and heard 2. We come now to speak unto the Act or exercise whereto he directs and exhorts this Angel and Church Remember now this doth signify either 1. Remember that is keep and retain in memory as 1 Cor. 15. 2. that these things may not run away from you as water out of a leaking vessel Heb. 2. 1. So the Lord commanded his People Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy that is keep this always in your minds Exod. 20. 8. with Deut. 5. 12. Or 2. Remember that is recall or bring it back to your minds And so here we are to understand it for they had forgot how they had received and heard as it plainly appears by what is said in General and particularly by what follows viz And hold fast so remembring signifies a considering of the former things as Isay 43. 16 18. Or bringing again to mind as remember this bring it again to mind Isay 46. 8 9. Or a recalling or making a thing to return to our hearts as Lam. 3. 20 21. or a setting it before ones face or a setting it before ones face or in ones view for as forgetting is a casting behind ones back so opposite thereto Remembring is a setting a person or thing before ones face and so in ones sight that it may be always lookt upon and viewed Ezek 23. 25. and thus here we are to understand the expression thou hast forgotten how thou hast received and heard O call to remembrance these first and former things We â—ome now briefly to note some instructions from this branch of the direction because we have spoken to the same before see the notes on ch 2. v. 5 1. Herein is signified to us in that he saith Remember c. that they had forgot and we are too apt to forget how we have received and heard to suffer a forgetfulness of the precious blood of Christ and love therein commended and what Blessedness we did at first partake and speak of Gal. 4. 13 15. with ch 3. 1. hence that admonition we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard lest at any time we should let them slip for how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation Heb. 2. 1 3. and ch 10. 32 34. 2. The forgetting and letting these things slip out of our minds is a great and provoking iniquity and that which leads into all other evils and brings into a dying and dead condition This iniquity was that which brought deadness on this Angel and Church and was the reason of the imperfection of their works before God as is here intimated to us As the Apostle saith By this ye are saved if ye keep in memory c. So we may say on the contrary this is the high way to bring destruction upon our selves if we forget the sufferings of Christ and the love of both Father and Son therein manifested and everlastingly demonstrated to us and to expose our selves to the displeasure of God 1 Cor. 15. 9 4. Heb. 2. 1 2 4. 3. The calling to remembrance how we have received and heard is the way to be recovered out of our sad condition and evils when we are dead and our works imperfect before God Gal. 1. 6. and ch 3. 1 5. and ch 4. 12 16. Thus the Apostle when he admonishes the Hebrews not to cast away their confidence and is setting before them the great danger of drawing back and departing from the living God by an evil heart of unbelief he then exhorts them to call to remembrance the former days in which they were illuminated as that which was proper to recover and preserve them from such transgressions as they were polluted with or inclined unto in any measure Heb. 10. 38. Ps 77. 10 11. and 42. 6 7. Such is the graciousness faithfulness of Christ to such forgetful hearers as that when they have forgotten how they have received and heard and forgotten him days without number yet while it is called to day he is their remembrancer by his Spirit who hath the seven Spirits of God Joh. 14. 26. So the Lord in former times was to his people when they forsook him and lightly esteemed the rock of their salvation when of the Rock that begat them they were unmindful and had forgotten God that formed them Then he saith to them Remember
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
to cut it down that it might no longer cumber the ground this gracious vine-dresser stepped in and pleaded for it Lord let it alone this yeer also till I shall dig about it and dung it that it may bring forth fruit and so still be continued in that ground Luke 13. 6 8. So when he complains of and to his people Thou hast been weary of me O Israel thou hast not honoured me with thy Sacrifices but thou hast made me to serve with thy Sins thou hast wearied me with thine Iniquities Yet he addeth I even I am he which blotteth out thy Transgressions for mine own names sake and will not remember thy Sins Isay 43. 22 25. Though they were not so fervent as to give him no rest though they did not weary him in crying after wisdom and lifting up their voice for understanding as those that would take no denial but instead thereof were weary of him yea and found him so much unpleasant work as to weary him with their Transgressions in hiding and covering them and washing and cleansing them from them yet he continued to be gracious and merciful to them he knows not how presently to reject them but when he speaks against them he doth earnestly remember them still and his bowels are moved and stirred towards them yea when he threatens to give up to destruction because they are bent to back-slidings from him and though called to the most high do not at all exalt him yet he crieth out as one full of good bowels towards them Jam. 5. 11. How shall I give thee up howshall I deliver thee as one that well knows not how to do it Mine heart is turned within me my repentings are kindled together I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger For I am God and not Man the Holy One in the midst of thee c. And thus gracious is he towards such unworthy backsliding ones for his own goodness and because he remembers the kindness of their youth Hos 11. 1 9. Jer. 31. 18 20. Nay when he puts them away from their former â—ighness to him yet he doth not presently give them a Bill of Divorce but is calling unto them to return to him and proclaiming his graciousness and readiness to receive them again and stretching forth his hand toward them though they have treacherously departed from him as a Wife from her Husband and played the Harlot with many Lovers taking in Strangers into the Bed of Love instead of their Husband Isay 50. 1 2. Jer. 3. 1 20 22. he is not quick to vomit them out of his mouth who are so unpleasant and loathsome to him that he well knows not how to keep them in he cannot easily put them from among the Children or cast them out from being of his congregation but is still stretching out his hand to such rebellious ones while it is called to day to draw and strengthen them to come to him and to embrace them in returning Isay 65. 2 4. Oh the infinite graciousness and kindness of this faithful and true witness and of the Father in him Oh that we may never abuse such goodness or turn such grace into wantonness That we may never despise the riches of his patience forbearance and longsuffering towards us but may so know consider and take notice of his goodness and of its tendency and operation that we may be zealous and repent for if still our hearts be set in us to do evil and we continue in our provocations because sentence is not speedily executed this will provoke him at last to execute what he threatneth he will wound the head of his enemies and the hairy scalp of such as go on still in their trespasses neglecting and lightly esteeming him who is the God of Salvation who hath prepared for us and is discovering and exercising to us such salvation in and thorow Jesus Christ Ps 68. 18 19 21. and this leadeth us to the next 2. But though he be slow to anger and of great kindness and ready to repent him of the evil threatned yet in their still continuing in this distemper after such a gracious counsel given v. 18. such rebukes and chastisments used v. 19. and such wonderful condesension and patience exercised v. 20. he will at last spue them out and vomit them up as his Church unson them unchurch them cease to plead for them as his Church cast them out of his vineyard into the field of the World So when he looked for grapes and behold wild-grapes he then saith and threatneth that he will take away the hedge of his vineyard and it shall be eaten up and break down the wall thereof and it shall be trodden down and he will lay it wast it shall not be pruned nor digged but there shall come up briars and thornes and he threatens that he will command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it Isay 5. 1 6. So the vine-dresser saith If after his digging about and dunging the fruitless figtree it shall bring forth fruit well but if not after that the Lord should cut it down he would not always intercede for it if it still after further means used remained barren and unfruitful Luke 13. 9. he can take away his Kingdom and remove the candlestick out of its place Mat. 21. 43 44. Rev. 2. 5. Behold Israel after the flesh If God spared not the natural branches take heed lest he also spare not thee Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God on them which fell severity but toward thee goodness if thou continue in his goodness otherwise thou also shalt be cut off Rom. 11. 20 23. he can cast them out of his house that are in it and will do so if they persist in rebelling against him and love them no more but forsake them and cast them off for ever Hose 9. 15. 1 Chron. 28. 9. of a truth God is no respecter of persons he is not tied to any Man's person but Christ is the Amen To him are the promises made and in him they are confirmed sure to all the seed who are born of the Spirit and led by the Spirit for as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God In him all the promises of God are yea and Amen and if we be Christ's then are we Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise But if a Man that hath been ingraffed into him abide not in him he is cast forth as a branch and withereth and Men gather them and they are cast into the fire and burned Joh. 15. 16 6. in abiding in him is safety and security none can pluck them out of his hand or mouth that hear his voice and follow him as he is drawing them and working in them both to will and to do of good pleasure but beware of him saith God and obey his voice provoke him not for he will not pardon your transgressions for my name is in him
be needful and the first thing requisite yet not the only thing required if Men be hearers only they will deceive their own selves Ezek. 33. 30 32. hence the Holy Ghost commands Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only Jam. 1. 19 22 26. this is the description given of him that received seed into the good ground he is such an one as heareth the word and understands it which also beareth fruit and bringeth forth c. Mat. 13. 18 23. hearing is first required of us in order unto some other thing as is here signified to us 3. In that he saith If any Man hear my voice and open the door So he gives us to understand That we should then only open the door when we hear his voice To him the porter openeth and the sheep hear his voice and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out and the sheep follow him for they know his voice and a stranger will they not follow but will flee from him for they know not the voice of a stranger Joh. 10. 3 5. The beloved saith Open to me my sister my love my dove my undefiled And saith the spouse I rose to open to my beloved and my hands dropped with myrrh Cant. 5. 2 5. I opened to my beloved v. 6. My Son saith the wisdom of God give me thine heart Prov. 23. 26. Though others call never so loudly and alluringly yet shut them out cease to hear the instructions that cause to erre from the words of knowledge Prov. 19. 27. we should be so far from opening our hearts to such voices as that we should stop and shut our ears against them leâ—t they deceive our hearts with their good words and fair speeches Rom. 16. 17 18. 4. In saying if any Man hear my voice and open c. So he signifies that though the generality who are called and spoken to do refuse so to do yet he will take it kindly if any Man if but one particular person obey his voice and be not rebellious like the rest Ezek 2. 8. he will come in to him he will take them one of a City and two of a family and will bring them to Zion Jer. 3. 14. Oh then think not Christ will reject because of the paucity or fewness say not I will do as others do But know if thou art alone in this exercise thou shalt be blessed in thy deed Joh. 6. 51. and 7. 17. and ch 10. 9. and ch 12. 26. see the notes before on v. 4. of this chapter 5. Yea if any Man how vile sinful ungrateful soever he hath been him that overcometh he will in no wise cast out Joh. 6. 37. So our Saviour saith If any Man thirst any of you officers that are sent to apprehend me let him come unto me Joh. 7. 32 37. Isay 55. 1 7. If any Man hear my voice and open the door â—ow lukewarme soever he hath been how much or how long soever he hath barred the door against me and taken others into the chamber of his heart though he hath been guilty of the greatest evils and have been like Sodom and Gomorrah yet in hearkening unto him he will pardon and take away all his iniquity and receive him graciously Isay 1. 10 14. Hos 14. 1 4. Oh then let no former unworthiness of thine hinder or discourage thee But while he calls and knocks open the door unto him and no longer stand out or harden thine heart against him but awake and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light Heb. 4. 7. Eph. 5. 13 14. and and to engage move and prevail with us so to do let us consider that which here followeth which is propounded as a motive and argument to perswade and prevail with us to suffer the word of exhortation and to hear his voice and open the door namely 2. The Blessedness assured to every such an one as doth hear his voice and open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me Now here note in general 1. As this Blessedness contained in those gracious promises is propounded to them by Christ before they return so it shews unto us That in preaching the Gospel to any it should be so declared as therewith the exceeding great and precious promises should be ministred and propounded to Men while they shut out Christ Thus doth our Lord to them who were ignorant of him and enemies to him Verily Verily I say unto you he that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation Joh. 5. 24 25. and ch 6. 27 35 51 58. Prov. 1. 20 23. and ch 8. 32 35. 2 Pet. 1. 4. So in former times when the Lord had been largly declaring the blessedness of the Servants of the Lord and promising great things to them he then saith Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters hearken diligently unto me c. Isay 54. 13 17. and ch 55. 1 3 6 8. Mat. 5. 2. As this blessedness is assured to him that hears and opens so we may learn That if we be Christ's then are we Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise Gal. 3. 16 29. though the promises are propounded to all in the Gospel yet all are not of them Heb. 6. 16 19. Rom. 4. 12 16. But such as exercise themselves to godliness for that is profitable to all things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4. 7 8. It is a very evil and provoking thing to assure the promises are theirs and they the heirs of them who shut out Christ and walk in evil and crooked paths for whosoever walks thererein shall not know peace see what the Lord threatneth â—nto those false prophetesses that cried peace peace and promised happiness to the wicked Ezek. 13. 18 22. But we shall speak particularly to that here assured to them that hear Christs voice c. I will come in to him The coming he here speaks of is not personal for so he was never in any but in the womb of the virgin indeed so he came into that womb and into the world and here went up and down in a mortal body doing good preaching the Gospel c. And when he had finisht the work the Father gave him to do on the earth and had died for our sins and was buried and rose again he after some few days left the World and ascended up into heaven Joh. 16. 28. and ch 17. 11. and 20. 17. Acts 1. 9 11. and he is in heaven 1 Pet. 3. 22. Heb. 9. 24. and ch 4. 14. and no Man ever saw him with bodily eyes since Paul 1 Cor. 15. 1 8. Joh. 16. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 8. and the heavens must receive him until the times of restitution of all things Acts 3. 21. and then he shall come again which yet he is not 1 Thes 4.
ascended up unto the right hand of God and received of the father the promise of the holy Spirit which also he hath shed forth and poured out upon his holy Apostles that by them the preaching might be fully known and they have used great plainness of speech and not as Moses who put a veiâ— over his face c. so as his Churches may all with open face behold the glory of the Lord c. 2 Cor. 3. 12 13 18. Act. 2. 17. and now they may arise and shine for their light is come Isa 59. 20 21. and chap. 60. 1 2. with Eph. 5. 14. and though among them that were born of women there had not risen a greater Prophet than John the Baptist Yet as our Saviour saith he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he Matth. 11. 11. the anointing which they have received abideth in them and they neâ—d not that any man teach them but as the same anointing teacheth them of all things and is truth and is no lye 1 John 2. 27. and thus we here understand this saying The living creatures the Church in the four quarters of the world were full of eyes full of quick-sighted men and full of understanding as hath been said and they are said to be full of eyes before and behind That is to say 1. Before To see and behold things before and so to behold Jesus Christ and him crucified who is before them and neerer to the throne than they Chap. 5. 6. They by faith see Jesus who by the grace of God tasted death for every man Heb. 2. 9. and herein perceive his love because he laid down his life for them 1 Joh. 3. 16. He is in the Gospel evidently set forth before their eyes as one who hath been crucified for them Gal. 3. 1. that they might rejoyce in him with joy unspeakable and â—ull of glory 1 Pet. 1. 8. and always sing that new song of praise and thanksgiving Worthy is the lamb that was slain c. Rev. 5. 8 9 10. and to see and behold the glory which he hath received and is possessed of in our nature 2 Cor. 3. 18. and that now he appears in the presence of God for them they are come to Jesus the Media tour of the new Testament and to the blood of sprinkling which speaketh better things than the blood of Abel Hebr. 12. 24. Rev. 5. 6. 2. And in Jesus Christ to behold him that sits on the throne For he that seeth him seeth the father also he that knoweth him knoweth him that sent him John 12. 4â— 45. and chap 14. 6 7. 2 Cor. 4. 4 6. to behold in and through him his wisdom power holiness and justice and his great and wonderful love to manwaâ—d which he hath manifested in sending his only begotten son into the world to be the propitiation for our sins that we might live through him 1 John 4. 8 10 14. and his peculiar love to them that believe in Christ John 14 21 23. and how he sits upon the throne ruling over all and ordering all things for their good especially who love God Psal 103. 19. and 29. 10 11. Rom. 8. 28 32. Now they do â—â—â—h these eyes by faith see the King in his glory as Moses also dâ—â—â— Isa 33 16 17. with Hebr. 11. 27. 3. To behold the thundrings and lightnings and voices all preparations to and executions of wrath and judgment they see when a storm is coming that they may enter into the rock and hide themselves in the dust for fear of the Lord and for the glory of his majesty Isa 2. 10. for all storms and tempests all judgments and testimonies of displeasure proceed out of the throne which is before them See the Notes before on ver 5. and they who have their conversation by faith in Heaven may behold Gods hand when it is lifted up and meditate terrour Isa 33. 17 18. The prudent foresee the evil and hide themselves but the simple pass on and are punished Prov. 22. 3. and chap. 27. 12. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him c. Psal 25. 13 14. 4. To behold future things which shall be hereafter so our Saviour promised his disciples That the holy Spirit should guide them into all truth and shew them things to come John 16. 13. and thus haâ—h he done in this book of the Revelation which God gave unto Jesus Christ to shew unto his servants things which must come to pass Rev. 1. 1. and chap. 22. 6 16. and so with their eyes which are before they may behold the destruction of Mystery Babylon and of all that are enemies to and persist in rebellion against Jesus Christ and his Gospel and People Rev. 11. 18. and chap. 14. 8 11. and chaâ— 18. 19. and the coming of Christ with Clouds Rev. 1. 7. his coming again to raise them that sleep in him in the first resurrection and delivering them from all evil and enemies compleatly and gloriously and granting them to sit with him in his throne and to reign with him on earth Rev. 5. 9 10. and chap. 20. 21 22. they may now by faith look upon these things that are not seen and which are now revealed as in former times they were not 2 Cor. 4. 18. Hence whereas the Prophet speaking of the glory to be revealed saith Since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear neither hath the eye seen O God besides thee what he hath prepared for him that waits for him The Apostle citeth that Scripture saying Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him But then he addeth hereto further and above what the Prophet had said But God hath revealed them to us by his spirit c. Compare Isa 64. 4. with 1 Cor. 2. 9 10 11. to signifie to us thâ—â— these things are now manifested to us as they were not in foregoiâ—â—imes though yet as with respect to these things it must still be remembred that their sight and knowledg hereof is by faith and but in part 1 Cor. 13. 9 12. and they are instructed that when these things begin to come to pass they should look up and lift up their heads for their redemption draws nigh Luk 21. 28. 2. And these four living creatures are also full of eyes behind to know see and discern things which are over and past As to say a a little 1. To see into the types and shadows of the Law which are accomplished and opened to us in and by Jesus Christ they were a shadow of things to come but the body is of Christ Col. 2. 17. and which things are now revealed to us by Christ and his Apostles in the Gospel which hath by them been preached according to the revelation of the mystery The Law came by Moses but grace and truth by Jesus Christ
Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not but a body hast thou prepared me In burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure Then said I loe I come In the Volume of thy Book it is written of me to do thy will O God c. Hebr. 10. 1-4-7-9 John 1. 17. Col. 2. 16 17. Hebr. 9. 9-11 Or also with reference to the Lamb of the Passover the Paschal Lamb he may be here called A Lamb They were at that Feast to take a Lamb for an House or for 2 or three Houses and to kill it in the evening And this they were to keep as a feast by an Ordinance for ever or by a Statute of Eternity And the blood of that Lamb was to be to them for a token upon the Houses and when the Lord saw the blood he would pass over them and the plague should not be upon them Exod. 12. 3-14 Now the truth of this Type was Jesus Christ the Lamb here spoken of Christ our Pass-over hath been slain or sacrificed for us 1 Cor. 5. 7. He gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour Eph. 5. 2. And he hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law Gal. 3. 13. This is that Lamb of God who bare the sin of the World and still taketh away their sins in his daily mediation during the day of God's Grace by means whereof God passes over us and is propitious to us John 1. 29. with Exod. 12. 8 9-14 Heb. 1. 3. Psal 75. 2 3. 1 John 2. 2. 2. He is a Lamb to be fed upon by us as the Pashcal Lamb was in former times Exod. 12. 8 9-14 Christ our Passeover is sacrificed for us therefore let us keep the Feast hereby he is become and in him is a Feast for all people 1 Cor. 5. 7 8. Isa 25. 6. Mat. 22. 4. The Bread that he will give continually is his flesh which he hath given for the life of the world His flesh is meat indeed and his blood is drink indeed whoso eateth his flesh and drinketh his blood hath eternal life John 6. 50 51-56 57. And to signifie to us that he is the truth of the Passeover and Paschal Lamb Hence our Lord Jesus when he was eating the Passeover instituted his Supper at the same time which is the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ Matth. 26. 26-28 1 Cor. 11. 23-26 And indeed his flesh and blood are always to be fed upon by us in a believing mindfulness and remembrance and serious meditation on the greatness necessity and excellencie of his Sufferings and what he hath thereby done and obtained into himself and is become his and his Father's love in all commended Rev. 7. 16 17. And whoso eateth him even he shall live by him Joh. 6. 57. and shall be strengthned laying aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset him to run with patience the race that is set before him Hebr. 12. 1 2 3. with Exod. 12. 11. And as in former times the Paschal Lamb and the Sacrifices generally were to be without blemish otherwise they would not be accepted Exod. 12. 5. Lev. 1. 3. 10. and Chap. 3. 1 c. So Jesus Christ is a Lamb without blemish and without spot 1 Pet. 1. 19. one that knew no sin that did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth 2 Cor. 5. 19-21 1 Pet. 2. 20-22 he was holy harmless undefiled c. Heb. 7. 26. 3. He is a Lamb and so called to denote his great meekness in all his endurings and sufferings even in what he suffered from the hands of men also in which he was most unjustly proceeded against and with wicked hands crucified and slain when he was reviled he reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judged righteously 1 Pet. 2. 20-23 He was oppressed and he was afflicted yet he opened not his mouth he was brought as a Lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb so he opened not his mouth Isai 53. 7 8. with Act. 8. 32-35 Luke 10. 3. He did not cry nor lift up nor cause his voice to be heard in the streets but was gentle in all he endured and patient towards all Isai 42. 1 2. 2 Cor. 10. 1. And he is gracious and gentle in all the Administrations of his Government And he calls upon us to take his yoâ—e upon us and lâ—arn of him who is meek and lowly in heart so shall we find rest to our Souls Isai 42. 18-21 Matth. 11. 29. Rom. 15. 1-3 2. We have an Account how he saw him As it had been slain In which saying is signified to us 1. That this Lamb was slain he was so once and but once 1 Cor. 5. 7. Heb. 9. 25 26-28 In which expression is included and supposed the whole of his abasement and sufferings in that body which the Father had prepared for him In that he died he died unto sin once Rom. 6. 9 10. Christ once suffered for sins the just for the unjust 1 Pet. 3. 18. Heb. 7. 27. and Chap. 9. 12-27 28. and Chap. 10. 10. Of this our Lord spake prophetically before his hour was come saying The Son of man must suffer many things and be rejected of the Elders and chief Priests and Scribes and be slain c. Luke 9. 22. And though they found no cause of death in him yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain Act. 13. 28. Though he was a Lamb a spotless Lamb one that continually went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil for God was with him yet he was reviled he suffered and the Jews with wicked hands slew him and hanged him on a tree 1 Pet. 2. 20-23 Act. 2. 23. and Ch. 10. 38-40 And God brought him into the dust of death for our sins for God made him to be sin for us Psal 22. 15. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Isai 53. 5-10 He spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all Rom. 8. 32. Zech. 13. 7. Rom. 4. 25. Gen. 22. 8 9. The Cup he drank of was that which the Father gave him to drink John 18. 11. Oh wonderful Grace Oh unparallel'd love both in Father and Son John 3. 16. and Chapt. 4. 8-10 and Chap. 4. 8-10-12-14 2. As it had been slain Not now so Rev. 5. 9 12. He now liveth who was dead and he is alive for evermore Rev. 1. 18. and Chap. 2. 8 God brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus the great Shepheard of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting Covenant Heb. 13. 20. God raised him again having loosed the pains of death because it was not pâ—ssible he should be holden of it Act. 2. 24-36 Luke 9. 22. And he is raised again in that body of his flesh in which he he bare our sins to the tree and was crucified dead and buried his flesh did
ver 13. and therefore shall speak the more briefly here He is in the midst of them Namely visibly and conspicuously presenting himself in the view of them as a Lamb that hath been slain that so They might always see know and consider that this most mighty and glorious One is akin to them having been made partaker with them of flesh and blood without which he could not have been thus slain Heb. 2. 11-14 He hath taken our nature into union of person with the Divine nature and is married unto it Matth. 22. 2. And this is the Root and Foundation of all he hath done for us poor sinners of mankind and of what he hath obtained into himself for us and of that perfect and compleat preparation which is in him for us Matth. 22. 2-4 And those that so hear and learn of the Father as to come unto and believe in him are members of his Body of or out of his flesh and out of his bones Eph. 5. 30. And he may say to them as David bid Zadok and Abiathar the Priests say concerning himself unto the Elders of Judah Ye are my Brethren ye are my bones and my flesh 2 Sam. 19. 11 12. with Heb. 2. 11-13 And they may say unto and concerning him what the men of Judah said concerning David The King is near of kin to us ver 42. He is indeed a friend that loveth at all times and a Brother that is born for Adversity Prov. 17. 17. Oh this is our Goel our Kinsman and Redeemer to whom the right of Redemption appertained Lev. 25. 48 49. Ruth 2. 20. and Chap. 3. 9. and 4. 14. with 1 Tim. 2. 6. Gal. 3. 13. and Chap. 4. 4 5. And thus the four living Creatures may continually be minded of by his thus standing and abiding in the midst and view of them that they may at all times rejoyce with joy unspeabable in the belief thereof 1 Pet. 1. 6-8 And he is in the midst of them as a Lamb that had been slain that they might never be unmindful or forgetful of his precious blood but that it should be always highly valued and prized by them 1 Pet. 1. 19. Of this the Spirit of Christ which was in the Prophets did bear witness and testifie before-hand 1 Pet. 1. 11. Act. 17. 2 3. and Câ—ap 26. 22-23 Luke 24. 25-27 44-46 this the Apostles also have now more plainly and revealedly proclaimed and shewed the excellencie of 1 Cor. 1. 17 18-23 Gal. 3. 1. and Chap. 6. 14. And this is here in the view and sight of the four living Creatures That they might in Christ's sufferings and death see his love which passeth knowledge Ephess 3. 19 with 1 John 3. 16 2 Cor. 8 9. And the infinite lâ—ve of the Father who spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all of which great and wonderful love the Holy Spirit beareth witness in the blood of Christ John 3. 16. 1 John 4. 8-14 and Chap. 5. 6. That therein they might see the vileness of their sins which is highly discovered in the Cross of Christ wherein God hath severely condemned and judged against sin and shewn the odiousness and hatefulness thereof unto himself Rom. 8. 3 32. and Chap. 6. 2 3 4. That they might see and remember whereby peace and attonement was made for their sins to wit by the blood of the Cross of Jesus Christ Col. 1. 20. with Lev. 6. 30 And whereby forgiveness of following sins is now in Christ for us In him we have redemption thorow his blood even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of God's Grace Eph. 1. 7. Col. 1 14. For without blood-shedding there is no remission Heb. 9. 22. And whereby there is a way opened for their approach unto God we have liberty to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus By a new and living way which he haeh consecrated for us thorow the veil that is to say his flesh c. Heb. 10. 19 20 That they might come unto and seed on him by faith for the Bread that he will give us is his flâ—sh which he hath given for the life of the world And except we eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood we have no life in us John 6. 51-53-57 That they might come unto his blood as the blood of sprinkling that their hearts thâ—reby might be sprinkled frrom an evil Conscience and their Conscience from dead works to serve the living God and that they might in their whole man be thereby redeemed from their vain conversation Heb. 10 22. and Chap 12. 24. 1 Pet. 1. 19. Rev. 1. 5. and Chap. 5. 9. And he is in the view of them that are Inhabiters of Heaven that thereby they might be apted and occasioned to sing that new Song spoken of in this Chapter ver 8 and 9 and 10. and Chap. 14. 3. 3. And he stood and stands in the midst of the twenty four Elders Also that his pretious and excellent sufferings may never be forgotten by them but they also may sing that new Song ver 8-10 they who are present with the Lord are with this blood of sprinkling The Apostle therefore thus speaks The Spirits of just men made perfâ—ct and Jesus the Mediator of the New Testament or Covenant and the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel Joyning all these together and he that comes to the first comes to the latter also even to Jesus and to this excellent and incorruptible Blood Heb. 12. 23 24. 1 Pet. 19. 20. In the midst of these two viz. of the four â—â—ving Creatures and four and twenty Elders he stands for all his delight are in the Saints that are in the earth and in the excellent Ones Psal 16. 2 3. 2 Cor. 5. 6-8 Phil. 1. 21-23 See Notes on Chap. 1. ver 13. 4. We are now to consider what this Lamb had Having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven Spirits God sent forth into all the earth 1. Having seven Horns This word sâ—ven as is generally noted and has been often said is a number of perfection and so it appears to be used in Scripture So the seven locks of Sampson's heaâ— may mean all the locks thereof Judg. 16. 3. And so evidently they do mean afterwards for it is said Dâ—lilah câ—lled for a man and she caused him to shave off the seven lâ—câ—s of his hâ—ad wâ—ich is the same with shaving him or cutting off all his locks compare Judâ— 16. 19. with ver 17. Thus also it is to be understood when it is said He shall deliver thee in six troubles yea in sâ—ven there shall no evil touch tâ—eâ— Job 5. 8 19. Wâ—sdom â—ath builded hâ—r house she hath hâ—wn out her sâ—ven Pillars â—o wit all her Pillars Prov. 91. Thâ—re arâ— sâ—ven abâ—minations in his heart to wit the Persection thereof rov 26 25 And in this sense this number is very freqâ—ently usâ—d in
sent his Apostles into all the world to preach the Gospel to every creature of all the nations to encourage them hereto He saith not to them All power is in the hands of God simply But all power is given unto me go ye therefore c. Matth. 28. 18 19. And tells his Disciples when the Holy Spirit came he should glorifie him for he should take of his things and shew unto them All things saith he that the Father hath are mine therefore said I he shall take not of the Fathers things as his simply but of mine and shall shew unto you John 16. 14 15. Matth. 11. 27 28 29. It is by him we may believe in God who hath â—raised him from the dead and given him glory that our faith and hope might be in God without which it could not have so been 1 Pet. 1. 20 21. It is by him we may come with boldness to the throne of God's grace and this may embolden us so to do that we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins c. Heb. 4. 14. 16. and chap. 10. 19-22 and chap. 13. 10-15 1 John 2. 1 2. And let us not think in our thus rejoycing and worshipping we rob him that sits on the throne of that honour that appertains to him for it is his own work and device to put all things into the hands of his Son for us he devised this device that his banished should not be expelled from him 2 Sam. 14. 14. All things are of God as with respect to this new Creation 2 Cor. 5. 14-18 He made a marriage for his Son and prepared and made ready all things in him for us Matth. 22. 2-4 This is the Lords doing to lay him the foundation of our faith and hope and to prepare him the rest for our weary spirits and the refreshing that we might keep Sabbath in him Psal 118. 22 23. with Isa 28. 12-16 Col. 1. 19. Job 33. 24. And it is his work to lift up Christ that we might look unto him and be saved Isa 42. 1 2 to glorifie his Son that we might run unto him because of the Lord his God Isa 55. 4 5. to draw to Christ and teach us him that we might so hear and learn of the Father as to come unto him John 6. 44 45. And he that believeth on Christ believeth not on him only nor ultimately but on him that sent him and he that seeth him seeth him that sent him John 12. 44 45. nay we are so far from robbing him of his honour in thus doing that if we do not so we then indeed rob him of it The father hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son as they should honour the Father he that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father that hath sent him Joh. 5. 22 23. They have not the love of God in them who receive him not that is come in his Fathers name Joh. 5. 42 43. and Chap. 8. 23 42. they truly serve him who kiâ—s the Son Psal 2. 10 12. They are the circumcision and right worshippers of God who rejoyce in Jesus Christ Phil. 3. 1 3. with Joh. 4. 22 24. It is in and thorow him the Father will be glorified as our Saviour saith whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son If ye shall ask any thing in my name I will do it Joh. 14. 13 14. And that is for the glory of God whereinsoever the Son of God is glorified Joh. 11. 4. 2. We have nextly to speak unto the Adoration it self of these holy ones The four living creatures and four and twenty Elders fell down That is to say hereby is signified to us 1. They did fall down to worship as frequently to such an end they did fall down this was their Religious Action As the worship to a false Object is intended by or joyned with this Act as it is said he maketh a god and worshippeth it he maketh it a graven Image and falleth down thereto Isay 44. 15 19. and Chap. 46. 6. Dan. 3. 5 10 15. So John saith of himself I fell down to worship before the feet of the Angel Rev. 19. 10. and Chap. 22. 8 9. And this gesture was also used in the worship of the true object of worship As Moses saith I fell down before the Lord and again Thus I fell down before the Lord forty days and forty nights as I fell down at the first c. Deut. 9. 18 25. And the four and twenty Elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever Rev. 5. 14. and Chap. 19. 4. And so we are here to understand it They fell down and worshipped the Lamb or they fell down to worship before the Lamb viz. with a divine and religious worship as will further appear in the later end of this verse And so we may learn from hence that not only the Saints on earth but the holy Ones in Heaven also are still worshippers and give Divine Adoration to the true object of worship as we have seen before see the notes on Chap. 4. vers 9 10. And possibly the four living creatures are here first named in this Adoration because the greater or first part of the things contained in the sealed Book were to be transacted on earth And so in Chap. 6. 1 8. the four living creatures are mentioned alone without the Elders As on some what a like account the twenty four Elders are mentioned alone when the voices were heard in Heaven and the Kingdoms of this world became Christs Rev. â—â— 15 16. 2. That they fell down denotes also their great humility in their worship they did humbly prostrate themselves to intimate what an infinite distance there was between him whom they worshipped and themselves who were the worshippers and their inconceiveably great inferiority to him And so it may instruct us at all times to humble our selves in the presence of the Lord Jam. 4. 10. To worship and â—ow down and kneel before the Lord our Maker Psal 95. 1 6. So the holy Ones of God have worshipped him both with all humility of mind as the Apostle saith he did Act. 20. 19. And also with outward expressions of lowliness and Humility as in kneeling before him c. so did Solomon 1 Kings 8. 54. The Prophet Daniel that man greatly beloved of God Dan. 6. 10. The Apostle Peter Act. 9. 40. Paul Act. 20. 36. and Chap. 21. 5. Ephes 3. 14. yea and our Lord Jesus unto his Father Luk. 22. 41. And though we are not tyed up to this or that Gesture yet it is good and becoming us creatures at all times to worship him with Reverence and godly fear Isay 57. 15 16. Heb. 12. 28 29. Psal 89. 6 7. 3. The Object of their Religious worship before the Lamb who is described to us before
his Brother But he hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law Psal 49 6 7. with Gal. 3. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. And he hath redeemed all the saints and holy Ones unto God out of every kindred and tongue c. Rev. 5. 9. And Job signifies his Redeemer was God Job 19. 25 27. 3. By his upholding all things as after the Apostle had been saying By Christ God made the worlds he presently adds He upholdeth all things by the word of his power Heb. 1 2 3. The earth and all the Inhabitants thereof were dissolved he bears up the pillars thereof Psal 75. 2 3. He is before all things and by him all things consist and stand together in that good and comely order in which they are Câ—l 1. 16 17. 4. By his Providence and providential ordering and governing of all things Vnto us a child is born saith the Prophet unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulders and he shall be called Wonderful Counseller the mighty God c. Isa 9. 6 7. The Father henceforth judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the son that all men should honour the son c. Joh. 5. 22 23. with ver 19. Matth. 28. 18. 5. By his work of Resurrection that is the work of the Omnipotent God which no mere creature hath power to effect it is God that raiseth the dead 2 Cor. 1. 9. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you that God should raise the dead It is impossible for any mere creature to do it indeed and it may justly therefore be thought incredible that any of them should do it but nothing is too hard for God Act. 22. 8. Now this work of Omnipotency hath been and shall be wrought and effected by Christ He raised his own body John 2. 19 21. And all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth John 5. 28 29. He is the resurrection and the life John 11. 25. 2 Cor. 4. 14. 6. By his eternally judging all which is the work of God as it is said And to God the judg of all Heb. 12. 23. But he shall judg all by Jesus Christ whom he hath ordained the judg of quick and dead Rom. 2. 16. We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ 2 Cor. 5. 10. He shall sit upon the throne of his glory and before him shall be gathered all nations and he will give to every one according as his work shall be to those on his right hand eternal life and salvation of which he is the Author and those on his left hand shall be destroyed with everlasting destruction from his presence Matth. 25. 31-46 Rev. 22. 12. Act. 3. 15. Heb. 5. 9. 2 Thes 1. 6-9 and that he is the true God will also and further appear by the religious worship that is and ought to be given to him to which after Only here we may briefly say In that the lamb is the true God 1. This shews unto us how infinitely precious his personal abasement and sufferings are his blood is the blood of God Act. 20. 28. It is the precious blood of Christ who is over all God blessed for ever 1 Pet. 1. 19. with Rom. 9. 5. and therefore it is infinitely and eternally precious in it self and precious with his Father Prov. 17. 8. 1 Pet. 2. 4. Phil. 2. 6. 9. and unto them that believe 1 Pet. 2. 7. therefore we have good cause to glory only and always in his cross Gal. 6. 14. and to eat his flesh and drink his blood or otherwise we have no life in â—s his flesh is meat indeed and his blood is drink indeed being the flesh and blood of him who came down from Heaven and who is the Son of God by divine and eternal generation John 6. 32-35-42-51-53-58 2. It shews unto us his wonderful love in being so greatly abased for sinful fallen mankind Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though â—e was rich yet for our sakes he became poor that we thorow his poverty might be enriched 2 Cor. 8. 9. Herein perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us 1 John 3. 16. He could propose no real advantage or increase of glory or happiness to himself for â—e was in the form of God and thought it no robbery to be equal to God yet made himself of no reputation c. Phil. 2. 5-8 Here was greatness and freeness of love and charity indeed He sought not his own things 1 Cor. 13. 5. John 17. 4 5. 3. It shews unto us what a great High-priest we have even Jesus the Son of God who is mighty to save able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him neither is there salvation in any other He is a just God and a Saviour and there is none beside him Oh let us then look unto him and â—e saved and come with boldness to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need He is the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Isa 45. 21 24. with Phil. 2. 6-10 Isa 63. 1. with Act. 4. 12. Heb. 4. 14. 16. and chap. 7. 25 28. Tit. 2. 13. 4. It may admonish and warn us to take heed we despise not nor reject this mighty one Exod. 23. 21. If they escaped not who refused him that sâ—â—ke on earth much more shall not we escape if we refâ—se him that speaketh from Heaven Heb. 12. 25-29 As he is able to save so also to destroy Jam. 4. 12. Psal 2. 6-8-12 Rev. 6. 16 17. 5. Let it move and prevail with us all to kiss submit unto reverence and love him Psal 2. 12. To â—ow down unto and worship him Matth. 21. 37. Joh. â— 22 2â— And this leads us to the next particular viz. 2. Because he is very God God by nature he is and ought to be religiously worshipped and adored as these holy Ones here do Before we come to speak particularly hereto or demonstrate the truth hereof we may a little speak to this phrase before the Lamb which is in the Scripture-use and acception all one as to say they fell down to the Lamb or they worshipped the Lamb so the phrase is used as with respect to a false object of worship so it is said of Amaziah He set up the Gods of the children of Seir to be his Gods and bowed down himself before them c. 2 Chron. 25. 14. see Ezek. 14. 3 4 7. So the words of Satan to our Saviour are thus exprest by one Evangelist If thou wilt fall down and worship me By another thus If thou wilt fall down before me Compare Matth. 4. 9. with Luk. 4. 7. to signifie the falling down before any object religiously is to worship that object Compare also Rev. 19. 10. with chap. 22. 8. It is indeed Idolaâ—ry to fall down before a false object
39. No the promotion of these holy Ones was not of themselves or of man but he who is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1. 5 6. whose name is King of kings Rev. 17. 14. and 19. 12 16. thus advanced them It was he whom they religiously worship that raised up these poor ones out of the dust and lifted up these needy ones out of the dunghil that he might set them with Princes with the Princes of his people Psal 113. 7 8. 1 Sam. 2. 8. and therefore he is higher than they and hath in all things the pre-eminence Col. 1. 18. Psal 89. 26 27. for without all contradiction the less is blessed and exalted of the better Heb. 7. 7. and none need to be offended at their dignity for their honour and kingdom is not from hence John 18. 36. no say they but thou the great God and our Saviour hast made us unto our God Kings c. Now he conferred this honour upon them and made them Kings 1. By a birth from himself who is the everlasting Father and begetter of Kings Isa 9. 6 7. These are the children whom God hath given him Heb. 2. 13. And if children then Heirs Heirs of God and joynt-heirs with Christ Rom. 8. 17. they are born of the right seed of the seed of the kingdom in a spiritual consideration 2 King 11. 1. and 25. 25. even of the Gospel the Word and Gospel of the Kingdom Luk. 10. 9 11. Matth. 4. 23. and 13. 19-38 and chap. 24. 24. and so are Heirs of the Kingdom Jam. 2. 5. they are born of water and the spirit of the free and immense love of God to the world of mankind as it is manifested by the spirit in lifting up the Son of man in the Gospel in which birth they are delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of Gods deer Son John 3. 3 5 7-16 with Col. 1. 13. they are born of incorruptible seed to an incorruptible inheritance 1 Pet. 1. 3 5. with ver 23. This is the fundamental and first thing requisite to their being made and in which they are made Kings namely being born of seed-royal As in this world none are Heirs to an Hereditary Kingdom but such as are so by birth whatever excellent endowments and accomplishments soever they have and how beautiful amiable or well-deserving soever they are or appear to be yet if they be not of the seed-royal they must not inherit but it would be an heinous iniquity in them to aspire to the Kingdom and though persons be or appear to be never so mean crooked deformed c. yet if they be born of the right seed they are Kings by Inheritance so it is here those who are Kings in a spiritual and heavenly consideration are such as are born not of bloods not of the law of works not of mens doctrins or traditions but of the love of God manifested in Christ and made known in the Gospel as preached by Christ and his holy Apostles 1 Pet. 1. 23-25 with 1 Joh. 4. 7 8-10 14. Joh. 1. 12 13. For what saith the Scripture Cast out the bond woman and her son for the son of the bond-woman shall not be heir with the son of the free-woman So then brethren we are not children of the bond-woman but of the free Gal. 4. 30. 31. 2. He hath washt them from their sins in his own blood without which they can have no inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God Rev. 1. 5 6. Gal. 5. 19-21 Eph. 5. 5 6. 1 Cor. 6. 9-11 Or as here they say Thou hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation and hast made us unto our God Kings c. Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Therefore he is redeeming them and hath redeemed from the Earth and from among men and from all iniquity and purisying them unto himself peculiar ones zealous of good works Rev. 14. 3 4. and 21. 27. He is saving them with the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which he sheds on them abundantly thorow Jesus Christ That being justified by his grace they might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life Tit. 3. 5-7 Heb. 12. 14. Mat. 19. 29 3. He is anointing them with holy oyl even with his holy Spirit with the spirit of wisdom and revelation with the spirit of grace and supplication with the spirit of adoption and child-like boldness and is sealing them herewith and giving his spirit to them as an earnest of the inheritance Ephes 1. 13 14. and 4. 30. As David was anointed King some considerable time before he reigned so now these have received an unction from the holy one while they are under sufferings and persecution and before the time of their reigning comes 1 Sam. 16. 12 13. with 2 Sam. 2. 4. and 3. 1. and Chap. 5. 1 5. 2 Cor. 1. 21 22. He is anointing them with the same oyl of gladness wherewith God hath anointed him whose throne is for ever and ever though as to the degree he is anointed therewith above his fellows as he hath highly deserved to be Heb. 1. 8 9. 1 Joh. 2. 20-27 Psal 105. 15. Act. 11. 26. 4. He is clothing them by faith with the garments of salvation and covering them with the robe of righteousness Isa 61. 10. and with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of God Phil. 1. 11. with the fruit of the spirit to wit love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance that they may inherit the Kingdom of God Gal. 5. 22 23. with ver 19-21 Eph. 5. 9. And if these things be in them and abound they make them that they shall neither be idle nor unfruitful in the knowledg of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ But so an entrance shall be ministred unto them abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1. 4-8-11 Mat. 5 5-9 5. And thus prepared and fitted he appoints unto them a Kingdom as his Father hath appointed unto him That they may eat and drink at his table in his Kingdom and sit on Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel Luk. 22. 28-30 Mat. 25. 34-40 and Chap. 19. 28 29. and they are by faith and in hope receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved Heb. 12. 26-28 And though they are as sorrowful yet always rejoicing as poor yet making many rich as having nothing and yet possessing all things 2 Cor. 6. 10. Jam. 2. 5. And Priests He hath also made them spiritual Priests even such as are redeemed unto God by the blood of the Lamb out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation In former times the typical Priests were not of every people and nation but only of the people of Israel nor of every kindred or tribe of that Nation but only of the