only did he in Love cover them but also he revealed the deep and mysterious things to him What an encouragement is this for us poor sinful ones to turn to him from whom we have revolted and to take with us words and say take away all iniquity and receive us graciously or give good Hos 14. 1 4. So presently after Christ had upbraided all his Apostles for their Unbelief and hardness of heart because they believed not them that had seen him after he was risen he immediately adds Go ye into all the World and preach the Gospel to every Creature c. Mark 16. 14 15 20. So he was pleased to honour Peter greatly and make him an eminent Instrument for preaching the Gospel and converting many thousand Jews after he had called him Satan Mat. 16. 22. And after Peter had so often and foully denied his Master even with cursing and swearing c. Mat. 26. 69 74. Gal. 2. And this Consideration 1. may teach us not to be many Masters for in many things we offend all Jam. 3. 1 2. 2. It may also instruct us not to glory in Men nor idolize them for the most eminent Men of them are of like passions with others Jam. 5. 17 Acts 14. 13 15. 3. It shews unto us that they also needed Mercy as well as we Ps 5. 5 7. 4. It may incourage us to confess our Sins and hope in his Mercy 1 Joh. 1. 8 10. and not be discouraged because of our great unworthiness and many evils but to pray unto him and to expect his Mercy and Grace in waiting upon him and keeping his way Elias was a Man subject to like passions as we are and be prayed earnestly and God heard him Jam. 5. 17 18. and he was an eminent Man and one highly favoured of the Lord and who had many Visions vouchsafed unto him of the Lord Compare also Acts 14. 15. with 2 Cor. 12. 1 7. 4. I John not the first named Apostle but Peter was the first in order nay John was the last of the three named with Peter and James so Mark 5. 37. and ch 9. 2. and 14. 33. Gal. 2. 9. Nor one of the first called to follow Christ Peter and Andrew were before him Joh. 1. 40 43. Mat. 4. 18 21. nor the forwardest speaker but Peter was more forward and frequent in speaking when they were together it seems than he Acts 3. and ch 4. 8. c. And yet herein he was preferred before them all in having this Book or the Contents of it sent and signified to him And we may from hence learn that there are first that shall be last and last first as our Saviour said to Peter when he so forwardly told his Master they had forsaken all and followed him and demanded what shall we have therefore Mat. 19. 27 30. and ch 20. 16. So it was also true of Paul in some respects who was called after others yea last of all as one born out of due time He was in nothing behind or inferior to the very chiefest Apostles 2 Cor. 12 1 7 11 12. yea he laboured more abundantly than they all yet not he but the Grace of God which was with him 1 Cor. 15. 8 10. Let no Man boast that he was in the ministry before others for God may as much or more favour such as were later therein than those before them Mat. 20. 14 16. Nor lift up himself because he is more forward to speak but let every one be clothed with humility and as our Saviour saith to his Disciples he that is greatest among you shall be your Servant Mat. 23. 10 11. 5. I John That Disciple whom Jesus loved as he is often described to us Joh. 13. 23 25. and ch 19. 26. and ch 21. 7 20 24. It is not said that Disciple that loved Jesus though doubtless he loved him very much but whom Jesus loved with an high degree of Love and with a greater degree it seems than therewith he loved the residue of his Disciples though he loved them all with the same manner of Love to him are these Visions and this Revelation given He now testifies Love to those whom he peculiarly loves not as the World doth unto its Favourites Joh. 14. 27. Not in preserving them from afflictions and troubles Joh. 11. 3. but in manifesting himself and his secret to them Ps 25. 14. Joh. 14. 21 23. And many times the more any are beloved of him above others the more he prefers them before others in acquainting them with those things which are more hidden and mysterious So he appeared twice to Solomon who was beloved of his God 2 Sam. 12. 25. 1 Kings 11. 9. with Neh. 13. 26. So he vouchsafed many Visions unto Daniel who was a Man greatly beloved Dan. 9. 23. and ch 10. 11. And such a Vision of the Son of Man was shewed to him as was to his Apostle John In the close of which he is called O Man greatly beloved Dan. 10. 5 11. with Rev. 1. 12 17. Oh that we may so have and keep his Commandments that his Father may love us and he may love us and manifest himself to us and teach us all things Joh. 15. 9. and ch 14. 15 21 23. And unto John that Disciple whom Jesus loved is this Revelation sent even to him unto whom our Saviour committed his Mother and he took her unto his own home Joh. 19. 26 27. He in love laid that Burden upon him before and now reveals these Secrets to him And if thou draw out thy Soul to the hungry and satisfie the afflicted Soul especially such as hear and do the Word of God who are Christ's Mother and Brethren Luke 8. 20 21. Then shall thy light rise in obscurity and thy darkness shall be as the Noon-day Then shall thy light break forth as the Morning and the LORD shall guide thee continually c. Isay 58. 7 8 10 11. We have an account of his Relation to the seven Churches and so to all believers Who also am your Brother and Companion Not so to the Angels only but also unto all the Believers He is not ashamed to own them as Brethren and to call himself their Brother and Companion no nor Christ himself and therefore much less should John Heb. 2. 12 13. This was also the practice of the rest of the Apostles generally in their writings to the Churches all except the Apostle Jude But here we may take notice 1. When he thus calls himself even now when he is giving us an account of the Visions he received of the Lord in which he was preferred before them yet now he saith your Brother and Companion one that had the same Father and Mother the same Foundation of Faith matter of feeding hope of the Inheritance Eph. 4. 3 7 11. There is an aptness in such as are so favoured to be lifted up thorow the abundance of Revelations 2 Cor. 12 1 7. but it was not so with
him When he writes to the Believers of the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus Christ and the Requirings Instructions and Consolations thereof then he calls them little Children and my little Children 1 Joh. 2. 1. and ch 3. 18. and now when he is acquainting them with those high things that were revealed to him he intimately calls them Brethren It was much in Joseph when he was advanced to that height that he was next Pharaoh to say I am Joseph your Brother Gen. 45. 4. But this was more remarkable in John when he was so lifted up of the Lord and like unto our Lord Jesus when he was risen from the dead Go to my Brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my Father and your Father c. Joh. 20 17. Thus John saith not your Father and Head like the Man of Sin but your Brother Oh! if any of us be lifted up in the things of this World or in those more excellent appertaining to the Kingdom of Heaven let us not be exalted above measure thereby but own our selves as Brethren of such Believers before whom we are preferred in these things like him who though he were a King and a Prophet yet was a Companion of all them that feared the Lord and of them that kept his Precepts How poor and mean soever they were yet they were his Brethren and Companions Ps 122. 5. 8. with Ps 119. 63. 2. Observe whom he thus intimately calleth his Brethren and Companions and they are the Churches in Asia the Gentile-Churches and so we may learn 1. The great Mercy of God to us Gentiles John was one of the Natural Branches but by the Blood of Christ we Gentiles are made nigh and contrary to nature are graffed in amongst the Natural Branches and with them partake of the root and fatness of the Olive-tree and so are made Fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Household of God Rom. 11. 17 22. Eph. 2. 11 20. A great Mystery and wonderful Grace and Favour That the Gentiles should be Fellow-Heirs and of the same Body and partakers of his Promise in Christ by the Gospel They are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus there is neither Jew nor Greek c. Gal. 3. 26 29. and ch 4. 26 31. Oh that we may not be high-minded but fear Rom. 11. 20. and that we may walk worthy of God who hath called us unto his Kingdom and glory Eph. 3. and ch 4. 1. 1 Thes 2. 12. and may stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and not be again entangled with the yoke of bondage Gal 4. 26 31. and ch 5. 1. 2. Them he calls Brethren intimately of whom or of many or most of whom he was not the first Instrument of begetting them thorow the Gospel and to them he is Commanded to write and writeth what followeth It seems Paul was the first who planted the Gospel in Asia Act. 19. 10 12. and ch 20. 18 24. But on this account he mattered not who was the Instrument whether himself or others as 1 Cor. 15. 11. yet still I am your Brother and Companion So Paul would that the Colossians knew what great Conflict he had for them and for them at Laodicea and as many as had not seen his face in the flesh that their hearts might be comforted being knit together in love c. Col. 2. 1 4. Men may love them whom they suppose they have been Instruments of begetting thorow the Gospel because herein they have been honoured while they have too little love for others to whom others have been first Instruments of Good But it was not so with the Apostle 3. Your Brother Yet there were many faults amongst some of them which are reproved by our Saviour As Ephesus had left her first love Rev. 2. 4. Pergamus had them that held the Doctrine of Balaam and the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans v. 14 15. Thyatira suffered that Woman Jezabel which called her self a Prophetess to teach and seduce Christs Servants c. v. 20. Sardis had a name to live and was dead ch 3. 1. Laodicea was lukewarm v. 15 16 17. and yet to them he saith your Brother and Companion not in their evils but in the faith of Christ and a lover of them and a seeker of their good He did not presently cast them off or unbrother them because such evils were found with many of them But ownes himself as their Brother still And doth not Paul the same when he writes unto the Corinthians among whom were divisions and factions and who were more Carnal then Spiritual yet he still calls them Brethren See 1 Cor. 1. 10. 12. and ch 3. 1 5. and ch 5. 1 2. and ch 6. and ch 11. 17 33. 2 Cor. 12. 20 21. with ch 13. 11. so he calls the Galatians Brethren who were removed in some measure from him that called them into the grace of Christ unto another Gospel and turned aside to weak and beggerly elements after they had known God or rather were known of him Gal. 1. 6 8 11. and ch 3. 1 5. and ch 4. 8 11. and ch 5. 1 4. and gives this Instruction that if any Man did not obey their word by that Epistle they should note that Man and have no Company with him that he might be ashamed yet saith he Count him not as an enemy but admonish him as a brother 2 Thes 3. 14 15. so James calls them Brethren when he often and severely reproves Jam. 2 1 5 6. and ch 3. 10. and ch 4. 1 4. and well might John own them as his brethren when Christ still owned them as his Churches and calls these seven Churches Seven golden Candlesticks See Rev. 1. 12. 20. how might it shame us all that are so forward to cast off one another for miscarriages and how doth it reprove them that cast out as Heathen all that are not as they would have them to be Christ when all had forsaken him and fled from him and Peter had denied him with cursing and swearing yet sends this message to them go tell my Brethren Joh. 20. 17. Mat. 28. 10. Learn we of this Apostle who was herein a follower of the Apostle of our profession Jesus Christ 4. Your Brother and Companion Not the Brother and Companion of those false Teachers who did infest the Churches and endeavoured to infect them and to corrupt them from that simplicity in Christ Jesus to wit such as taught the Doctrines of Balaam or of the Nicolaitans nor the Brother of that Woman Jezabel nor of the Children of such false teachers and Doctrines for these are distinguished from the Churches by our Saviour and so are not of the Brotherhood Rev. 2. 14 15 20 23. Such are to be received by us or loved with peculiar manner of love When the Apostle John warns of false Prophets he exhorts Beloved let us love one another and not them with Brotherly love 1 Joh. 4. 1 6
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
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
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
so they on his behalf because he had begotten them thorow the Gospel yet some others did do so 2 Cor. 3. 1 3. see also 2 Cor. 8. 16 24. Phil. 2. 25 29. Col. 4. 10. 4. And however try all come they with never so goodly and specious pretences and this leads us unto another particular 2. Thou hast tried them and for this they are commended and therefore it is good for us to try them that bring a Doctrine to us though they say they are Apostles yea the rather to try them by how much the more they speak themselves for they are very suspitious who begin with a loud voice to proclaim their own goodness or exalt themselves He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own Glory Joh. 7. 18. Act. 5. 36. 2 Cor. 11. 13 20. To be sure they are unfaithful who make it their business to proclaim their own goodness Prov. 20. 6. It is good for us to try all things in those prophecyings we should not despise and not to receive without probation what they say who are and are known to us to be the Ministers of Christ and to have the lip of knowledg 1 Thes 5. 19 21. It was a noble and commendable thing in the Jews of Berea to search the Scriptures whether the things the true Apostles said were so or no Act. 17. 11 12. and when the Apostle writes to the Corinthians he saith unto them I speak unto wise men Judg ye what I say consider and prove whether it be right or no 1 Cor. 10. 15. and much rather should they be tried who are their own witnesses and concerning whom we have nothing to engage us to receive them but their own commendations of themselves and their own saying that they are Apostles Oh it is good for us to have our senses exercised to discern both good and evil Heb. 5. 14. Quest But some may say how may we try them that say they are Apostles and are not that we may find them and prove them liars Ans 1. If they pretend themselves to be Apostles in the first sense to wit extraordinary Ambassadours of Christ and that they have seen him and received some new Revelation from him not contained in the writings of the Apostles and Prophets or to have received their message immediatly from Christ it is easy to discern them and find out to be liars for the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ the twelve and Paul included were the last Apostles in this consideration 1 Cor. 4. 9. and Paul was the last man that saw Jesus Christ with bodily eys as he saith Last of all he was seen of me as of one born out of due time 1 Cor. 15. 8. and amongst those disciples and Apostles of Jesus Christ the law is bound up as the Prophet Isay prophetically saith speaking of Christ and in his person as is evident by comparing the scriptures Bind up the Testimony to wit as a Book is bound up when it is finished so as no more is to be added or put thereto seal the law among my disciples as a letter or other writing when it is sealed it is then concluded Isay 8. 16 18. with Heb. 2. 13. plainly giving us to understand that Christ hath so given forth the full of the testimony by the Apostles whom he chose as that there is no new or further revelation to be expected or received untill God shall send us Jesus again who now is preached to us And to this law and Testimony as thus bound up and sealed we are continually to have recourse and thereby in all things to be determined as to our faith and worship and if any man speak not according to his word we may be sure it is because there is no light in them Isay 8. 20. with 1 Joh. 4. 6. and at the conclusion of this book of the Revelation this is added to deter all from daring to pretend to any new or further Revelation For I testify together unto every Man that heareth the Words of the Prophecy of this Book If any Man shall adde unto these things God shall adde unto him the plagues that are written in this Book Rev. 22. 18. nay though they should come with signs and wonders yet they are to be rejected by us for our Saviour hath foretold that false Christs and false prophets should arise and shew great signs and wonders Mat. 24. 24. and concerning the Man of Sin the Apostle Paul saith whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders call'd lying â—not only because they are false for he may truly do great wonders but especially and fully because he doth them to confirm his lyes 2. Thes 2. 9 12. with Rev. 13. 13 14. need we have therefore to mind and consider and receive that caution which God gave to his people in former times If there arise among you a Prophet or Dreamer of dreams and giveth thee a sign or a wonder and the sign or the wonder come to pass whereof he spake unto thee saying Let us go after other Gods and serve them thou shalt not hearken unto the Words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams For the Lord your God proveth you â— Deut. 13. 1 3. nay though they have as it were angelical knowledge and an angelical life and conversation let them yet be an Anathema let them be accursed if they preach another Gospel besides that the Apostles those first trusters in Christ preached or the unfeigned believers received Gal. 1. 8 9. and ch 3. 1. and ch 5. 12. 2. If they say they are only ordinary messengers and Ministers of Christ and of the Church yet we may try them not only nor so much by their outward conversation for they may come in sheeps-clothing Mat. 7. 15. and appear very blameless in their lives amongst Men Phil. 3. 6. they may have a form of godliness upon them 2 Tim. 3. 1 5. But 1. If they confess not lift not up praise not magnify not Jesus Christ of Nazareth as already com'd in the flesh and the works finished in his own personal body they are false apostles â—alse prophets 1 Joh. 4. 1 3. 2 Joh. 7 9. 1 Cor. 16. 22. If they direct us to rejoyce in or come unto some other Person foundation Bread of life door of approach to God great and fundamental witness of God's love to sinners fountain of all spiritual blessings light High-priest mediatour besides Jesus Christ of Nazareth they are not of God and though they say they are apostles they are not so but are and are to be esteemed by us Liars 2. Or though they do confess the true Christ yet if they do it not in the words of the holy Prophets and apostles they are not of God 1 Joh. 4. 6. 2 Joh. 9. 11. yea if thou hast received and knowest Christs voice and knowest not theirs if it be a strange voice to thee reject it Joh. 10. 3 5 8. 1
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
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
Idol or vanity whatsoever but might know he is and there is none beside him that he is the true God and an everlasting King and who is perfect in knowledg and infinite in understanding To this purpose the Lord speaks in former times saying Let them bring forth and shew us what shall happen let them shew the former things what they be that we may consider them and know the latter end of them or declare to us things for to come Shew the things that are to come hereafter that we may know that ye are Gods Beâ—old ye are of nothing and your work of nought I have raised up one from the North c. Who hath declared from the beginning that we may know and before time that we may say he is righteous Behold my Servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my soul delighteth I have put my spirit upon him Isa 41. 22 26 29. and Chap. 42. 1. and Chap. 43. 9 12. and 44. 7. So again he speaks to the same purpose and â—aith I have declared the former things from the beginning and they went forth out of my mouth Because I knew that thou art obstinate c. I have even from the beginning declared it to thee before it came to pass I shewed it thee lest thou shouldst say mine Idol hath done them and my graven image and my molten image hath commanded them Isa 48. 3 6 8. In which he plainly signifies to us that his foresight of future things is so far from necessitating men to evil that he acquaints them with his foreknowledg to preserve them from Idolatry and to engage them to hearken unto and obey him And all other thoughts hereto concerning it are to be hated and abandoned by us Isa 48. 3 12. And as he revealed these things to John before they came to pass as a signal testimony of favour to him so by him they are revealed to us in love and for our good and profit that we might read and hear and keep the things written herein and so be blessed Chap. 1. 3. and foresee evils so as to hide our selves Prov. 22. 3. and Chap. 27. 12. Dan. 2. 19 22. Vers 2. And immediately I was in the spirit and behold a thronâ— was set in heaven and one sate upon it In this Verse we have to consider and speak unto 1. The account which the Apostle gives of the posture or condition he was in and immediately I was in the spirit 2. Of what was shewn unto him and he saw thorough the door vers 1. viz. 1. And behold a Throne was set in Heaven 2. And one sate upon the Throne 1. The account which he gives of the posture or condition he was in and immediately I was in the spirit He that said unto him Come up hither vers 1. did enable and capacitate him to give obedience thereto so when the Lord thus speaks to the Prophet Ezekiel saying Go get thee to them of the captivity unto thy people and speak unto them c. The Prophet then tells us how he was strengthened unto what was required of him as it follows Then the spirit took me up So the spirit lifted me up and took me away and I went in bitterness in the heat of my spirit but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me thâ—n I came to them of the captivity c. Ezek. 3. 11 12 14 15. And so more generally and ordinarily God doth enable and capacitate men and believers to what he requires of them his grace in due time doth bring salvation to all men Tit. 2. 11 12. Micah 2. 7. And he first works in men both to will and to do of good pleasure before he calls upon them to do all things without murmuring and disputing Phil. 2. 12 13 16. His word is with power And he doth accompany the Commandments he gives unto us with the light and influence of his blessed spirit Luk. 4. 32. 1 Thes 4. 1 2 8. And so he did here extraordinarily Dan. 10. 16 18 19. And immediately straightway or in an instant I was in the spirit not after an ordinary manner as all hearty believers may be said to be Rom. 8. 10. but after an extraordinary and visional manner he was in it in the spirit of Christ and so in Vision lifted up to or toward Heaven As the Prophet saith He put forth the form of an hand And the spirit lift me up between the earth and the heaven and brought me in the visiâ—ns of God c. Ezek. 8. 13. And again he saith Moreover the spirit lift me up Ezek. 11. 1. And afterward the spirit took me up and brought me in vision by the spirit of God c. vers 24. Or also I was in spirit to wit in his own as was noted on vers 1. of this Chapter and he might not know whether he was in the body or out of it as 2 Cor. 12. 2 3 4. Rev. 17. 1 2 3. See the Notes before on Chap. 1. ver 10. 2. We have an account given us of what was shewn unto him and he saw thorough the Door spoken of vers 1. viz. 1. And behold a Throâ—e was set in Heaven Not now began so to be for it was from the beginning A glorious high Throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary Jer. 17. 12. Thou O Lord remainest for ever thy throne from generation to generation Lam. 5. 19. Psal 93. 2. And he that sits on it lives for ever and ever Rev. 4. 9 10. He sits King for ever Psal 29. 10. But it was now shewn unto the Apostle and he saw it in vision there set which was from everlasting So the Prophet Isaiah in vision saw the Lord sitting upon a throne Isa 6. 1. And the Prophet Ezekiel had such a like vision in some respects as the Apostle John here had as in the following part we shall have frequent occasion to note And he also saw the likeness of a Throne Ezek. 1. 26. The appearance of the likeness of a Throne Ezek. 10. 1. Which throne is a seat of judgment and herein God sits as we may shew afterwards And as the Psalmist saith Thou satest in the Throne judging right or in rightâ—ousness Psal 9. 4. He is judg himself Psal 73. 7. And one that will do right Gen. 18. 25. Justice and judgment are the habitation or establishment of his Throne Psal 89. 14. And this throne is a throne of holiness and not of impurity or uncleanness Psal 47. 8. with which the throne of iniquity shall have no fellowship Psal 94. 20. Hence both in that Vision of Isaiah and in this of John the Seraphims there and the four living Creatures here cry concerning him that sits upon this Throne Holy holy holy c. Isa 6. 1 3. with Rev. 4. 8. And it is an high and glorious Throne one that is exalted above all other Thrones as the Prophet Isaiah saith I saw the Lord sitting upon a Throne
it is God in Christ who sits upon the Throne and who is there with his Father Rev. 3. 21. As he was in Christ reconciling the world to himself 2 Cor. 5. 19. So he is in him still 2 Cor. 12. 19. 1 Thes 5. 17. 1 Joh. 1. 7. And in and thorough him he doth all and hath respect to him in all the Administration of his Government Isa 42. 19 22. Henceforth the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son as they honour the Father And hath given him authority to execute judgment also because he is the Son of man Joh. 5. 18 22 27 2. What he saw about the Throne And there was a Rain-bow round about the Throne in sight like unto an Emerald Where consider we 1. What he in Vision saw And there was a Rain-bow 2. The likeness or similitude of it In sight like unto an Emerald 3. Where he saw this Rain-bow Round about the Throne 1. What he in Vision saw And there was a Rain-bow Rev. 10. 1. So it is also said concerning that Vision which Ezekiel saw As the appearance of the Bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain so was the appearance of the brightness round about Ezek. 1. 28. And this Bow was the token of his Covenant with every Creature as it is said God spake unto Noah and to his Sons with him saying Behold I will establish my Covenant with you and with your seed after you and with every living creature with you And God said this is the token of the Covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature with you for perpetual generations I do set my Bow in the cloud and it shall be for a token of a Covenant between me and the earth And the Bow shall be in the cloud and I will look upon it that I may remember the everlasting Covenant c. And God said unto Noah this is the token of the Covenant c. Gen. 9. 8 17. And so here the Apostle saw a Bow to signifie That he that sits upon the Throne is the faithful God who will certainly perform his Covenant and promise in whatever he hath spoken The Lord he is God the faithful God which keepeth Covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his Commandments c. Deut. 7. 9 10. 2 Chron. 6. 14. He is faithful that hath promised of which this Bow is a token And he hath manifested himself so to be in sending his Son in due time his love is herein manifested Rom. 5. 6 8. 1 Joh. 4. 8 9. And his faithfulness in keeping his Covenant and Oath he hath raised up an horn of Salvation in the house of his servant David as he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets which have been since the world began c. Luk. 1. 54 55 69 74. Act. 13. 23. And in being with Christ in trouble and delivering him out of it as he promised The promise which God made to the fathers he hath fulfilled in that he hath raised Jesus again Psal 89. 19 28 33. Joh. 8. 30. and Chap. 16. 32 33. Behold saith God I have given him for a witness to the people to wit of his love and faithfulness Isa 55. 4. He is the faithful and true witness thereof to wit that he will keep Covenant of which this Bow is the token Rev. 1. 5. and Chap. 3. 14. And which Covenant is now confirmed by the precious blood of Christ Mat. 26. 28. And so he will be faithful in whatever he hath promised for the good of men Isa 42. 6 7. Psal 25. 8. Joh. 16. 7 11. And especially he hath respect to them who are Christs to whom in and with Christ the Promises are made Psal 25. 9 10. Gal. 3. 16 29. Yea this is a Rain-bow to signifie to us that in a day of rain wrath affliction yet then he will be mindful of his Covenant for a day or time of rain signifies a day of affliction and distress As All the people sate trembling for the great rain Ezra 10. 10 13. The winter is past the rain is over and gone Cant. 2. 11. They have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day Ezek. 34. 12. That day is a day of wrath a day of trouble and distress a day of wastness and desolation a day of clouds and thick darkness Zeph. 1. 15 18. Joel 2. 1 2. Now this is a Rain-bow it is in the cloud in the day of rain as Ezek. 1. 28. so at first the Bow was placed in a cloudy day as it is said When I bring a cloud or make cloudy the cloud over the earth that the Bow shall be seen in the cloud and I will remember my Covenant c. Gen. 9. 14 16. And so in the most tempestuous time in the most stormy day while men are joined to all the living when out of the Throne proceed lightnings and thundrings c. as ver 5. When God threatens an universal deluge and destruction yet this Bow signifies and betokens his faithfulness in such a time When the Lord revengeth and is furious When he hath his way in the whirlewind and in the storm and the clouds are the dust of his feet When the mountains quake at him and the hills melt and the earth is burnt up at his presence When none can stand before his indignation none can abide in the fierceness of his anger his fury is poured forth like fire and the rocks are thrown down by him Yet then the Lord is good a strong-hold in the day of trouble and he knoweth them that trust in him Nah. 1. 2 6 7. When his aspect is very dreadful and he appears very terrible in his Providences yet he is a God that keepeth Covenant He is never so angry and furious as to forget that Hence Nehemiah thus addresseth himself to him O Lord God of Heaven the great and terrible God who keepeth Covenant c. Neh. 1. 5. And again Our God the great the mighty and terrible God who keepetâ— Covenant Chap. 9. 32. With whom also the Prophet Daniel agrees saying O Lord the great and dreadful God kâ—eping the Covenant c. Dan. 9. 4. In wrath he remembers that and in a day of wrath thus commands his servants to speak to the upright Say ye to the righteous it shall be well with him Isa 3. 1 10. Amos 9. 9 10. Rev. 3. 3 4. And will set a mark for safety and preservation upon the foreheads of them so as no evil shall befall them nor any plague come nigh their dwelling-place Ezek. 9. 14. Rev. 7. 1 2. 4. See how he speaks to his people in a day of darkness and gloominess The Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit For a small moment have I forsoken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee In a little wrath I â—id my face from thee for
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
praise or signifies praise as give God the praise or glory John 9. 24. and they loved the praise or glory of men more than the praise or glory of God Joâ— 12. 43. Mat. 6. 2. according to that Whoso offereth praise glorisieth me Psal 50. 23. and these two words praised and glorified are used as words of a like signification As thou hast praised the gods of silver and gold and the God in whose hand thy breath is and whose are all thy ways hast thou not glorified Dan. 5. 13. Now thus understanding the expression so it informs us That he that sits upon the throne is supremely the subject or object of the praise of the living creatures and only so in a religious sense as Moses saith to Israel He is thy praise and he is thy God c. Deut. 10. 21. And as Jeremy saith Thou art my praise chap. 17. 12 14. Psal 109. 1. And they give him praise when they say Holy c. ver 8. They then make his praise glorious Psal 66. 1 2. Or by glory we may understand an inwardly excellent esteem and high account which they have of this most excellent one they have an excellent opinion of him in their hearts and souls and from thence they render his praise glorious the high praises of God are in their mouth 1 Pet. 3. 15. Psal 34. 1 2. and Psal 106. 1 2 3. Heb. 11. 11. Rom. 4. 20 21. Or they give glory that is they ascribe unto him most excellent Majesty luster splendor brightness as he appears in this vision like a Jasper-stone ver 2. whereto the glory of God is compared Rev. 21. 11. See Luke 9. 31. Acts 22. 11. 2 Cor. 3. 7. with Exod. 34. 29 30. so whereas in Luke 9. 32. it is said Peter James and John saw Christs glory it is elsewhere thus expressed We were eye-witnesses of his Majesty 2 Pet. 1. 16 18. And men are exhorted to enter into the roâ—k and hide themselves for the glory of his Majesty Isa 2. 10 19 21. And of the Saints it is said They shall make known to the sons of men the glorious majesty of his kingdom Psal 145. 10 12. And Honour this they also give unto him as the four and twenty Elders likewise do ver 11. and all the Angels chap. 7. 11 12. and chap. 5. 11 12. and every creature which is in heaven and on the earth c. chap. 5. 13 14. And this Honour is much-what in signification like unto the former word glory and indeed by them both in general yea by all three is signified they give him worship or they herein oâ— hereby worship him as it is said They worshipped God saying Blessing and glory and honour be unto our God chap. 7. 11 12. and chap. 4. 10 11. and so here by honour particularly may be meant an ascribing divine worship and adoration unto him in their sacrifices of prayers praises and thanksgivings in and through Jesus Christ Isa 43. 23. For he that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father that hath sent him Joh. 5. 23. So the drawing nigh unto and honouring God both which are contained in one word to wit honouring him Compare Isa 29. 13. and Matth. 15. 7 8. with Mark 7. 6. is explicated presently to be a worshipping him Matth. 15. 8 9. Mark 7. 6 7. And indeed he only is the object of all religious honour and worship as our Saviour saith Thou shalt wâ—rship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Matth. 4. 10. and we are to honour him not doing our own ways nor finding our own pleasure nor speaking our own words Isa 58. 13. 14. and this honouring him contains in it an high esteem and acknowledgment of his infinite superiority above all creatures and created Beings whatever and also a sense of our inconceivable inferiority unto him and that we have nothing are nothing can do nothing but that he is the possessor of Heaven and Earth and all comes from him and therefore all glorious honour in our hearts and with our mouths is to be ascribed unto him 1 Chron. 29. 11-16 1 Sam. 2. 29 30. And thanks This also they render unto him for his goodness mercy and kindness towards them Hence we are oft called upon and provoked to give thanks unto the Lord because he is good for his mercy endureth for ever Psal 105. 1. and 106. 1. and 107. 1. and 118. 1. 29. and 136. 1 2 3-26 see Luk. 17. 16. and especially and principally thanks is to be given to him because he hath so loved the world as to give his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life John 3. 16. As it is said of Annah the Prophetess when she came into the Temple when Jesus was there she gave thanks likewise unto the Lord to wit fâ—r this wonderful love and mercy manifested in Christ Luke 1. 78 79. she not only gave thanks to the Lord but she did likewise as others also had done and spake of Jesus to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem Luke 2. 28-38 and so the Apostle doth saying Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift 2 Cor. 9. 15. yea and thanks were given by them unto God for that he had delivered them out of the power of darkness and translated them into the kingdom of his dear son Col. 1. 12 13. Rev. 5. 8 9. Psal 116. 3 8 9 c. yea thanks are to be given to him for all his mercies favours and blessings as the Psalmist saith Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not any of his benefits who forgiveth all thine iniquities and healeth all thy diseases who redeemeth thy life from destruction who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies c. Psal 103. 1 2 3 5. And the Apostle exhorteth us to give thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ Eph. 5. 18 20. And thus the living creatures come and thus should we come always into Gods Presence according to that Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise be thankful unto him and bless his name for the Lord is good his mercy is everlasting c. Psal 100. 4 5. and 95. 1 2. To which purpose also the Apostle exhorts saying Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God Phil. 4. 6. Col. 4. 2. 1 Chron. 23. 30. And this sacrifice of thanksgiving we should always offer in all our addresses to God by Christ as our Altar and High-priest as the Apostle saith By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name Heb. 13. 10-15 Thus Daniel three times a-day kneeled upon his knees and prayed and gave thanks before his God Dan. 6. 10. And thus the Apostle exhorts
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
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
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
this high honour at the hands of God thy Father as is intimated ver 12. It is the reward of his sufferings as the Prophet prophetically â—aith His reward is with him and recompence for his work before him Isa 40. 10. And as himself saith My judgment is with the Lord and my reward with my God Isa 49. 4 5. see the notes before on ver 2. He hath prevailed with God his Father to undertake and accomplish this great work here spoken of see the notes before on ver 5. He was faithful to him that appointed him in that hard and difficult work and therefore he was worthy as he saith to his Father I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do and now O Father glorifie me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee c. John 17. 4 5. And thou art worthy And dost infinitely deserve it at our hands that we should thus have thy â—igh praises in our hearts and mouths that we should sing unto thee a new Song and thy praise in the congregation of Saints for thy wonderful love to us thou hast laid infinite engagements and obligations upon us so to do for we are not our own but thou hast bought us with a precious Christ and and redeemed us unto God by thy blood therefore we ought to glorifie thee both in our body and spirit which are thine 1 Cor. 6. 19 20. And in so doing we give thee but according to the deserving of thine hands as Judg. 9. 16. according to thine excellent work yea Who can shew forth all his praises Psal 106. 1-3 And thou art worthy to wit able for this great work and business and none but thou Thou hast wisdom and skill to do it Col. 2. 3. thou hast seven eyes which are the seven Spirits of God and thou hast all power and authority for thou hast seven Horns ver 6. Matth. 28. 18. Phil. 2. 6-9 see notes before on ver 3. of this Chapter But what is he worthy to do To take the Book to receive authority and power to take the Book into thine hand in order to the opening it and making known Gods mind and will therein see the notes before on ver 7. And to open the seals thereof to unfold its mysteries and reveal its depths and to read it to John or any others of his Saints and cause them to understand the reading Nehem. 8. 7 8. Dan. 2. 18 23. see notes before on chap. 1. ver 3. which no creature in Heaven or Earth c. was able or worthy to do see notes on ver 3. and ver 4. We have nextly to consider the Reason or Reasons of his worthiness to do these things and to have this glory and honour ascribed and rendred to him by these Saints and holy Ones which follow in order to be considered and spoken unto by us 1. For thou wast slain â—hou even he before whom they prostrate themselves and who is the object of their divine and religious worship and adoration he was slain he who was and is the true God over all God blessed for ever Rom. 9. 5. Phil. 2. 6 8. Act. 20. 28. 1 John 3. 16. as we have ofâ— said in these notes He was put to death in the flesh and crucified thorow weakness 1 Pet. 3. 18. 2 Cor. 13. 4. He is Emmanuel God with us God-man and he that person who is the true God and eternal life 1 John 5. 20. was manifest in the flesh 1 John 1. 2. with with 1 Tim. 3. 16. and laid down his life for us according to the flesh or humane nature Wast slâ—in not only did he endure and suffer great things here before his hour came and was greatly abased though indeed all his life-time here he was poor and mean He was despised and rejected of men a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and in all points tempted like unto us yet without sin Luke 9. 58. Isa 53. 3 4 5. Heb. 2 17 18. and chap 4 14. But he was also put to death he was slain and slaughtered for us Matth. 21. 38 39. Luke 9. 22. Act. 2. 23. and 7. 52. and chap. 10. 39. and 13. 28. and he was slain both as a sacrifice for our sins Acts 7. 42. Rom. 4. 25. and as a Martyr for the Gospel preached by him see the notes before on chap. 1. ver 18. One drop of Christs Blood was not sufficient to purge away our sins and make peace for then the greatest part of what he endured was in vain and he suffered and under went needless pain and torments but Christ must needs have suffered and been put to death for us Act. 17. 2 3. And thou wast slain not only in the purpose and fore-ordainment of God as 1 Pet. 1. 20. Rev. 13. 8. but actually so Christ suffered for sinâ— the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh 1 Pet. 1. 19 20. and chap. 3. 18. Heb. 9. 26. though he was a Lamb a Lamb without blemish and without spot a meek innocent harmless one one that knew no sin nor ever did any yet he was brought as a Lamb to the slaughter and actually slain and killed for us 1 Pet. 1. 19. and chap. 2. 20 23. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Isa 53. 5 7. Acts 8. 32. Thou wa st slain not art slain no he liveth who was dead and behold â—e is alive for evermore he was dead and is alive Rev. 1. 18. and chap. 2. 8. He is raised from the dead and shall dye no more death hath no more dominion over him for in that he died he died unto sin once but in that he liveth he liveth unto God Rom. 6. 9 10. Act. 13. 32 34. see notes before on ver 6. of this Chapter Now for this Reason and upon this account Thou art worthy to take the Book c. because thou wast slain Worthy to receive all power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing from God the Father Rev. 5. 12. therefore doth his Father love him and hath so loved him as to give all things into his hand because he laid down his life that he might take it again Joh. 10. 17. with Chap. 3. 35. and 13. 3. Because he humbled himself and became obedient unto death the death of the Cross therefore also God hath highly exalted him and given him a name above every name c. Phil. 2. 8-10 Joh. 17. 4 5. Luk. 24. 25 26 27. Isa 53. 11 12. Heb. 2. 9 10. And on this account also he is worthy to be praised and glorified by all the Saints and holy ones and that at all times they should render praise honour and glory unto him because he was slain Rev. 5. 13 14. and Chap. 7. 10. He gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world To him be glory for ever and ever Amen Gaâ— 1. 4 5. He
7. and when he exhorts the believers to love one another he saith to them If there come any unto you and bring not this Doctrine to wit the Doctrine of Christ receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed for he that bids him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds 2 Joh. 5. 6 7 9 12. 3. We have an account of some Particulars in which he was their Brother and Companion not in any evils found amongst them as we have said but in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ 1. In tribulation or rather in the tribulation to wit of Jesus Christ as followeth for that refers to all the three And so it shews unto us In what tribulation he was their Brother and Companion to wit in that of Jesus Christ and not in any wherein they might suffer as fools or evil-doers justly from the hands of those amongst whom they lived And so we may learn 1. That the Apostle John and all the Churches were in tribulation for he was their Brother and Companion therein and also sympathized with them in theirs They were all in tribulation though not all alike in it And this is the outward Portion of them in this World as our Saviour said Prophetically In the World ye shall have tribulation Joh. 16. 33. And the Apostle told the Disciples they must thorow much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God Act. 14. 22. and Rom. 8. 35 36. manifold afflictions and Persecutions did attend the Apostles yea as the Apostle saith All that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution Mat. 10. 23 25. 2 Tim. 3. 11 13. Ps 34. 19. 1 Pet. 5. 9. Though Christ loveth his disciples yet he doth not now this way testify love to them in preserving them from tribulation Joh. 14. 27. But in love to them he now tries them 1 Pet. 4. 13. Heb. 12. 3 7. this is not to be looked for in this World by them that follow Christ Luke 12. 49 51. rest is not assured to them till the Lord Jesus be revealed from Heaven 2 Thes 1. 5 7. when there are new Heavens and a new Earth then God will wipe away all tears from their eyes and not before compleatly Rev. 21. 1 4. how are they mistaken who talk of Halcionian dayes here and reigning now on earth 1 Cor. 4. 8 12. And consider we this before that being fore-warned we may be forearmed Thus God dealt with all and with the Prophet also Jam. 5. 10 1 Pet. 4. 12 13. and he was their Companion namely in bearing and sympathizing with them As the expression is used Heb. 10. 33 34. He had Compassion on them weeping with them c. Rom. 12. 15 16. 2 Cor. 11. 28 29. he had member-like love to and feeling with them in their tribulation Learn we of him 1 Cor. 12. 12 26. Heb. 13. 1 3 4. 2. The tribulation in which he was their Brother and Companion was the tribulation of Jesus Christ To wit 1. Such affliction and tribulation as he endured from the hands of men the afflictions of Christ Col. 1. 24. for while Christ was here he was a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief And no marvel then thaâ— his followers be partakers of tribulation also Mat. 10. 24 25. Joh. 15. 20. he suffered for the Gospel's sake and as a Peace-preacher And they are made partakers of such tribulation even for Christ and and the Gospel's sake Joh. 15. 21. and ch 16. 1 4. 2 Tim. 1. 7 8. and ch 2. 3 8. Rom. 8. 28 29. Mat. 16. 24. Luk. 14. 26 27. This is the Believers proper tribulation the bonds of the Gospel Isay 66. 5. Mat. 5. 10 12. 2. The tribulation of Christ to wit that which Jesus Christ owned as his and therefore sympathized with them therein and took notice of their afflictions In all their afflictions he was afflicted Isay 63. 9. hence he saith Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Act. 9. 5. Heb. 2. 17 18. and ch 4. 15 16. he reckoneth that which was done unto his Brethren as done unto him Mat. 25. 45. Now here we may observe by way of Inference from what hath been said 1. In that he was their Companion in the tribulation of Jesus Christ and that they did indure tribulation for Christ's sake amongst many of whom were many miscarriages and faults for which afterward they are reproved So we may see that such believers as have faults may yet suffer for Christ and the Gospels sake so here see ch 2. 13 15 19 20 he may count such worthy of this grace and favour Phil. 1. 29. 30. 2. In that the Apostle was their Companion in tribulation and in compassion and fellow-feeling so it signifieth that the grace of God moves us to pity others of our Brethren when they are in affliction though we may be our selves in tribulation also and not so to pore and look upon our own things as to be forgetful of them Thus the Apostle when he tells the Philippians 't is given to you in the behalf of Christ not onely to believe but also to suffer for his sake yet he presently exhorts them look not every man on his own things but every one also on the things of others Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus c. Phil. 1. 29 30. with ch 2. 1 4 5. Heb. 13. 2 3. 1 Cor. 12. 25 26. nay many times God is ordering affliction to us that we might learn thereby and be fitted to pity others Jona 4. 7 11. It was a great commendation of the Churches of Macedonia and the efficâ—cy of the grace of God upon them that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the Riches of their liberality 2 Cor. 8. 1 2. And thus it would also be with us were the Grace of God yielded up to by us we should not only mind our own troubles but consider the trials and afflictions of others also Thus it was with this Apostle 3. When he was their Companion in the tribulation of Jesus Christ then this Book was sent and signified to him so else-where many times when his people have been in affliction God hath wonderfully appeared to them Act. 5. 19 20. At such a time he is nigh to them and graciously manifesting himself to them And this â—s for Comfort to all when they are in such a condition Isay 43. 1 2. 2 Cor. 1. 3 5. But to this we may speak further in due time 2. And in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ to wit he was their Brother and Companion therein and so they and he were in it 1 Thes 2. 12. Mat. 13. 38 43. Now here we may enquire and consider 1. What is this Kingdom of Jesus Christ And why so called 2. How are all hearty and unfeigned believers in this Kingdom 1. What is this Kingdom It is said to be that of Jesus Christ