An exposition of the seven epistles to the seven churches together with a brief discourse of idolatry, with application to the Church of Rome / by Henry More ...

CHAP. X.

A Recapitulation of the main Evidences of the truth of this Mysticall or Pro∣pheticall Exposition of the Seven E∣pistles to the Seven Churches of Asia, by way of Solution of Difficulties touching the said Epistles and their Circumstances, otherwise hardly or not at all to be solved.

1. AS in natural Hypotheses those are accounted truest that solve the Phaenomena of Nature the most naturally and easily, and espe∣cially if such as are no otherwise sol∣vible then upon the proposed Hypo∣thesis: so that meaning of Scripture, I mean especially of any considerable portion thereof, ought to be esteem∣ed truest that can solve the most Dif∣ficulties that may be raised concern∣ing the same, or the Contexts pre∣cedent or subsequent thereto; and if all, still the more certain; and if un∣solvible otherwise, there is still the

more assurance of undeniable De∣monstration. Now how near this Mysticall or Propheticall Exposition of these Epistles approches to the clear∣nesse of this case, I will leave to the Reader to judge, after he has consi∣dered the Solutions of the Questions easily raised out of the Epistles them∣selves, or the precedent Chapter, and not easily answered, nor at all satisfactorily, at least most of them, but upon the Hypothesis we have gone.

2. As first, If a man enquire why the Spirit of Prophecy, after he has so expresly given notice that this Book of the Apocalypse is to shew unto his servants things that are to come, and called it plainly a Book of Prophe∣cies, should start so unexpectedly from the Title and intended subject, as to write no lesse then seven Epi∣stles to certain Churches, that have nothing considerable of Prophecy in them, before he deliver any Pro∣phecies properly so called, but onely Promises and Comminations; and

that he should doe this with as great Pomp and as high a Preamble as he does when he begins so famous Pro∣phecies as those of the seven Seals, and the opened Book. But according to our Hypothesis the Answer is easie; viz. That though these seven Epi∣stles to the seven Churches of Asia have a Literal sense, yet they are also a Parable or Prophecy, and of as high concern for both matter and extent of time (they reaching from the be∣ginning of the Church to the end of the world) as the Prophecy of the Seals and opened Book; and that they are ushered in with this great Pomp on purpose to give us notice there∣of.

Secondly, A man would be prone to enquire why the Spirit dictates Letters unto the Churches in Asia, and not rather to the Churches in Europe, Asia and Africk. For certain∣ly the Church had disspred it self in∣to all these Quarters of the world by that time. As if the Spirit of Truth were a respecter of persons. For these

are not the Letters of John, but of the Holy Ghost. But our Answer is ready at hand, That for the signifi∣cancy of the word Asia to comport also with the significancy of the names of the Seven Churches, Asia alone was pitched upon. But, according to the Propheticall sense, the true Ca∣tholick Church is writ unto under such distinct Conditions as she was to vary into unto the end of the world. So that there is no Partiality nor Ac∣ception of Persons in this.

Thirdly, If a man demand touch∣ing the order or precedency of these Seven Churches that are writ unto: What a plain and manifest account is there to him that compares the Epi∣stles in their Propheticall sense with the Intervalls of the Church Catho∣lick lying in that order that these Churches are ranged? This is a sa∣tisfactory reason, and worthy the Spirit that wrote these Epistles. But whether they are ranged in this or∣der, because that a Letter-carrier going from Patmos, his first journey

will be to Ephesus, and then to Smyr∣na, and so in order till he come to Laodicea; whether the holy Spirit of Prophecy regarded that in the dicta∣ting of his Letters, (though Alcazar the Jesuite be for it,) I cannot but sus∣pend my judgement, and that not without a smile. But of this Ataxie more particularly anon.

3. Fourthly, If it be demanded why just Seven Churches in Asia are writ to, neither more nor lesse, (especi∣ally that in Thyatira, according to the acknowledgement of Epiphanius, be∣ing then not founded, but after the writing of these Epistles,) it is hard to give a satisfactory answer in the Literal sense. For to say this Book of the Apocalypse affects the number Seven, and that, because it runs up∣on the number Seven altogether in the insuing part of the book, which is Propheticall, it therefore, for Con∣formity sake, chuses this number in writing to the Churches though lite∣rally understood, seems but a meagre, mean and trifling account, a design

unworthy the Holy Spirit that dicta∣ted this Book. But the using this number Seven all over is rather an intimation that the Book is Propheti∣call all over, and that these Epistles are also a Prophecy, accordingly as we have explained them. And taking them so, the Answer is plain and ob∣vious, viz. The number Seven is here chosen out as Symbolicall, it being the note of Universality; whence the Pythagoreans, as I above noted, call it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Wherefore Seven (and no more then Seven) Churches are writ un∣to, as standing for the seven Inter∣valls of the Church from the begin∣ning to the end of all.

Fifthly, If it be demanded why these seven Churches rather then any others, which in all likelihood may have the same Vertues and Vices that these are commended and taxed for: The reason of this is writ in the very Notation of their Names, e∣very Name being significative of the Condition of the Church Catholick

in that successive Intervall of time that this or that Church so named standeth for, and in such order as they are repeated.

Sixthly, If one require a Reason why Christ is described by holding the seven Stars in his right hand in the Epistles to the Churches of Ephesus and of Sardis, why the same de∣scription in both, or why in either: In the Literal sense it will be hard to finde any peculiar Reason; but in the Propheticall sense already decla∣red it is obvious. For the seven Stars signifie all the Pastours, whether in present existence, or succession. And Ephesus is the beginning-state of the Church; and therefore it is both very seasonable and methodicall to re∣present the first Founder, Sustainer and Continuer thereof by this Em∣blem; Lo, I am with you to the end of the world. And that this again is hin∣ted at in the Epistle to the Church of Sardis, is with evident Proportion and Analogy to the Affairs of the Church there represented. For the

Church of Sardis is as it were the beginning again or the emerging of the true Church or Kingdome of Christ out of the Power and King∣dome of Antichrist.

4. Seventhly, Why the Church of Ephesus, of all other Churches, should be commended for their try∣ing false Apostles. Why might not other Churches be attaqued by them, and also discover them, as well as the Church of Ephesus? The Solution of which Probleme is easie in this My∣sticall sense of the Epistles, that pla∣ces the Ephesine Intervall within the Apostles times, but the rest on this side of them.

Eighthly, If any one demand why it is said to the Church of Smyrna, more then to any other Church, Be thou faithfull unto death, and I will give thee the Crown of life; and a∣gain, He that overcometh shall not be hurt by the second death: In the Li∣teral sense it will be very hard to finde any peculiar Reason why this might not as well be said to the

Church in Pergamus, where there was killing for Religion, it seems, by the mention of the Martyr Antipas. I, but there was no obtaining the Crown of life there in any peculiar sense; but the Crown of life, that is, the Imperial Crown, was given to the Sufferings of the Primitive Martyrs under the Ten Persecutions: to whom also, according to the opinion of the ancient Church, the Promise of the first Resurrection belonged. Which is here obliquely glanced at, (according to the mode of the Apo∣calyptick style, that loves to hint things by Ellipses,) in that Promise, He that overcometh shall not be hurt by the second death; implying thereby, that he shall be made partaker of the first Resurrection.

Ninthly, If any one will again ob∣ject more particularly against the A∣taxie of the Churches, that they are ranged neither according to the me∣rit nor congeneracy of their Condi∣tions, pretending that it had been far better to have joyned the two

irreprehensible Churches together, Smyrna and Philadelphia, against whom there is no complaint at all; and then Ephesus, Sardis and Laodicea, against whom there is no complaint of eat∣ing things offered unto Idols; and af∣terwards Pergamus and Thyatira, in which Churches alone there is: If any one, I say, contend that this me∣thod had been more exact; truly, in the Literal sense it will be hard to frame an handsome and satisfactory answer; especially if he urge that God is the Authour of Method, as well as the God of Order. But in this Mysticall or Propheticall sense the Answer is solid and exquisite, and much-what the same that was given to the like Difficulty more generally propounded before, namely, That the Churches of Asia are named in that order the successive Intervalls of the Church Catholick were to pro∣ceed in, of which these Asiatick Churches are but the Symbols or Hie∣roglyphicks. And therefore those two Intervalls of time which take in the

Reign of the Beast and the False pro∣phet, viz. the Intervalls of the Church of Pergamus and of Thyatira, must come after Ephesus and Smyrna, be∣cause till the expiration of those two Intervalls Idolatry had not again re∣entred the Apostatizing Church. And the three following Intervalls of Sar∣dis, Philadelphia and Laodicea, are the Intervalls of the true Church e∣lapsed out of the hands of dominee∣ring Idolatry; and therefore we hear no more in them of things sa∣crificed unto Idols, nor of any Jeza∣bel. And Philadelphia, which is the most holy and the most glorious In∣tervall of the Church that is to ap∣pear on the face of the earth, is not to be named according to her Dignity, but according to her Suc∣cession in time, toward the latter end of the world, as she is here ranged. But of this more then enough, be∣cause we had touched of it in the general before.

5. Tenthly, Why is Christ in his Description before the Epistle to

the Church in Pergamus set out by a two-edged sword, coming, suppose, out of his mouth, (according to the Ellipticalnesse of the Apocalyptick style?) what reason in the letter can be given of that? for (especially if this Supplement be made) it cannot respect the slaying of Antipas with the sword. What peculiar thing then in this Church of Pergamus is there to require this Description? Truly no∣thing at all appears in the Letter. But in the Propheticall sense it is very proper, The Waldenses and Albigen∣ses in this Intervall assaulting the Church of Rome, or at least defend∣ing themselves and their pure Faith, so signally by this weapon, I mean, by the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; though them∣selves died so many thousands of them in the field by the sword for the Faith they thus defended.

And in the eleventh place, The Description of Christ before the E∣pistle to the Church in Thyatira, And his feet like fine brasse, (as if they bur∣ned

in a furnace;) (for that Supple∣ment is to be understood out of his Description in the first Chapter, as before:) But now what peculiar significancy has this Description, or what congruity to any thing in the Church of Thyatira Literally under∣stood? surely none. But in the Pro∣pheticall sense it is very expressive of those lower members of Christ's bo∣dy, his Church here on earth, of their invincible Zeal, and Patience, and Sincerity of Affection, such as did abide the most fiery Trialls that could be put upon them, and made them stand at the Stake amongst bur∣ning Faggots with the flames about their ears, and never flinch for it: As has been noted in the interpretation of that Epistle. This was the state of that Intervall of the Church.

Twelfthly, In a Book that is so full of AEnigmaticall Involutions, and Coverings upon Coverings, where he calls the Churches Golden Candle-sticks, and the Bishops or Pastours Stars and Angels, even then when

he interprets and offers to be more plain; that the same Authour should so openly and plainly mention any one by name as he does the Martyr Antipas, if there were not some far∣ther Mysterie in it, would be a great difficulty, and hardly to be digested by the more sagacious and curious. I must confesse I have often wondred at this naming Antipas by name, till I understood a farther sense thereof, such as we have rendred in the expo∣sition of that Epistle.

6. In the thirteenth place, One might well demand why Christ ex∣presses a greater disgust against the Church of Laodicea then that of Sar∣dis. For though the former is said to be luke-warm; yet the other, ma∣king a great show of life, is notwith∣standing declared to be dead. That Christ should be more enraged against Luke warmnesse then Hypocrisy, and threaten it more deeply then the o∣ther, I will spew thee out of my mouth, (which is quite to cast a thing away, never to be resumed again,) must

seem marvellous to the considerate. Certainly, if there were not some greater matter in it, the Spirit of Christ would not speak so severely onely to follow a Metaphor. But in the Propheticall sense the Solution is easie, that passage being predictive of the Extermination of the Church from the face of the earth at the close of the world, as I have expoun∣ded it.

In the fourteenth place, It may be demanded, why so affectedly and re∣peatedly in every Epistle that phrase is used, I know thy works, without any variation or omission. Which seems a thing but of small importance in the Literal sense of these Epistles: but in the Propheticall it seems on pur∣pose so repeated, to intimate an Allu∣sion in Asia to the Hebrew word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, (as if 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 was intended on purpose to answer to 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) that Asia may also be significant as well as the names of the Seven Chur∣ches: which they all being, it is a shrewd presumption this repetition

was for some such design as has been declared. Whereas the Literal sense can give no account thereof.

Fifteenthly, Alcazar himself is much stumbled, that the Spirit of God should be thought to take notice of any one particular Woman in the Church of Thyatira, and so call her by the name of Jezabel, as is ordina∣rily supposed. And indeed these things are too little for the majesty of this writing of the Apocalypse. But how can we help it in the Literal sense, if we will interpret with constancy and coherency? But in the Propheticall sense there is no such incongruity. The Object is worth the Spirit's taking notice of in this kinde; this Jezabel being that painted Woman of Rome, intoxica∣ting the Kings of the earth with the Cup of her spiritual Fornications, as has been shewn upon the Text.

7. Sixteenthly, It seems very strange that that Promise of ruling o∣ver the Nations, and receiving the Morning-star, (which doubtlesse are

Politicall Promises,) should be made to the Church in Thyatira, more then to that in Pergamus, or Ephesus, and others. What Victories or Domini∣on did the Church in Thyatira in Asia get over the Nations more then other Churches? This is an hard knot in the Literal sense. But in the Pro∣pheticall it is loosned at the first sight. For the Closure of the Intervall of the Church of Thyatira brings in the time wherein whole Nations revol∣ted from the Pope and his idolatrous Church, and professed the Reformed Religion, and so in these parts got the Pontifician party under them.

Seventeenthly, In the Epistle to the Church in Philadelphia there is mention made of a mighty Tempta∣tion that is to come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth, touching which he saith, Behold, I come quickly. Why should this be said to the Church of Phila∣delphia more then to any other of the Churches here specified? There are not the least footsteps of reason to be

found in the Literal sense. But in the Propheticall sense the thing is plain. For the Intervall of Philadelphia be∣ginning in the last Vial, wherein that mighty and terrible Earthquake is to happen, the great Temptation, what it is, is plainly thence understood, and how in respect of this Philadelphian Church it will come quickly, she commencing but in the very same Vial that this is to happen under.

Eighteenthly, Why upon this Phi∣ladelphia, a private Asiatick Church, should the name of the City of God, the new Jerusalem which cometh down out of Heaven from God, (the very same that is expressed Apoc. 21.) be said to be written? This title were too big and turgent for any private Church, were it not a Type or Symbol of some greater matter. But by the Propheticall interpretation this diffi∣culty is quite removed. For the In∣tervall of the Philadelphian Church is co-incident with the times of the new Jerusalem, (mentioned at the end of the Apocalypse,) and of the Millen∣niall

Empire of Christ upon earth.

8. Nineteenthly, The Curious may be prone to enquire, why the Church of Laodicea in those times should ac∣count her self so hugely and extraor∣dinarily rich, increased in goods, and to have no want of any thing. And truly why this should be her estate rather then any of the Churches spe∣cify'd, from the Literal ground we can fetch no reason. But admitting the Propheticall sense, and that this is the last Intervall of the Church of Christ, it will naturally so come to passe: For this Laodicea will be left Heir to all the Riches of her Sister Philadel∣phia, to Peace, Prosperity, Purity in Worship, abundance of natural Knowledge, universal skill in the In∣terpretations of the Prophecies, and what-ever good thing there is be∣longing to the Church, saving the Life and Spirit which Philadelphia carried along with her into the o∣ther world. How easily then and naturally, or rather necessarily, does this Description of the Church of

Laodicea fall upon the last Intervall?

And, lastly, It is a Question ex∣tremely obvious to demand, Why that phrase, He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear, which our Sa∣viour so often is found to adde at the end of his Parables to the people, should be used here so repeatedly in every Epistle, they being no Parables, but Epistles sent to each of those Se∣ven Churches in Asia respectively: And then, why this Epiphonema is sometimes the last close of the Epi∣stle, sometimes not. To which Pro∣bleme there is no tolerable Solution in the Literal sense of these Epistles. But supposing a Mysticall or Prophe∣ticall sense, there was a necessity of affixing this Epiphonema, to shew there was a farther sense intended then that of the Letter: and also, that sometimes this Epiphonema should come last of all, (as in the four last Epistles,) that the Promise to the Conquerour, to him that overcomes, might be more certainly understood to be of a proper Propheticall or Po∣liticall

sense, not merely Theologicall, Moral or Spiritual; as has been a∣bundantly declared in the Exposition.

9. We might have drawn many more Questions and Solutions from the consideration of the Letter, and of this Hypothesis we go upon, to shew its solidity and fitnesse, but that we hold it needlesse, having produ∣ced so many already: which jointly considered, with the perpetuall easi∣nesse and naturalnesse of the whole Exposition of all the Epistles, and the exact Correspondency of the Names of the Churches to the Events of the successive Intervalls of the true Catholick Church which they repre∣sent, one would think they should not fail fully to satisfie any unprejudiced Peruser of our Exposition of these E∣pistles, touching the truth thereof. But I am abundantly taught by Experi∣ence, that both the finding out, and receiving of Divine Truths found out by others, is a special gift of God. And therefore to him alone be the Glo∣ry for ever and ever,

Amen.

Notes

• Apoc. 1. 1, 3.
• Apoc. 2. 10, 11.
• Apoc. 20. 6.
• Apoc. 2. 12.
• Apoc. 2. 18.