An exquisite commentarie vpon the Reuelation of Saint Iohn VVherein, both the course of the whole booke, as also the more abstruse and hard places thereof not heretofore opened; are now at last most cleerely and euidently explaned. By Patrik Forbes of Corse.

CHAPTER 1. 2. 3.

THis Booke is the third part of the Euangelike Story, and hath the condition of the Church, from the A∣opstolike times, till the fi∣nishing of the mystery. It is for the most part Prophe∣ticall, and accordingly, vt∣tered in a stile agreeable to the maiesty of so high my∣steries, which were reuea∣led to the beloued disciple, and in goodly and conueni∣ent types, in one continuall trance exhibited: with commandement of sending a writen record thereof to the seuen. Churches of Asia, and vnder their names, the whole militant.

2 Of this it is, that besides the inscription, in the first three verses, the whole is an Epistle: whereof, the salu∣tation

is to the 9. of the first Chapter. The valediction in the last verse of all. The rest is a narration of things heard and scene, to the 6. of the last Chapt. Whence is the generall conclusion.

3 These things, for their distinct time, end, and ma∣ner of reuelation, are two, and accordingly, the parts of narration. The first, is of things which are, and which shall come heereafter, that is, which both, in propriety of story, then were existent, according to the constitution of these seuen Churches trewlie expressed, and for their particular instruction: and yet so, as the things to come are therein also reuealed, for that the promises or threat∣nings, to, and against each, according to the good or e∣uill, praised or taxed in them, are future: and for that, in these seuen Churches, the holy Ghost hath, in great depth of wisdome, so liuely paterned the diuers cases that may befall, as none euer hath beene, or in any age shall bee, which in one of these, as in a liuely example, may not clearely read her owne cause, and learne wis∣dome. Wherethrough it is, that this first part of narra∣tion, in the first three Chapters, for end and manner of reuelation, differeth from the second, in that, albeit in some respect, the first be of things to come, and for instru∣ction of the whole Church, yet it is properly, of things then existent, and first, for the vse of particular Churches: whereas the second thorow the rest of the booke, is on∣ly, of things which must bee done heereafter; and whose vse, is first and properly, for the whole militant Church, and therefore, to the perception thereof, Iohn behooued to goe vp to heauen, Chap. 4.

4 Before the first part is a goodly and glorious visi∣on of Christ, not acording to the proper verity of his person, but according to his presence and operation in, and towards his Church, and in speciall regard of these seuen of Asia: and therefore, commonly concerneth them all, as we see that from it are taken these properties

and attributes which are fit to expresse his particular dis∣pensation towards each, and seuerally applied, as in them he worketh.

5 The Church of Ephesus, is commended, in that shee hath such a presence of Christ, so painefull, power∣full, zealous, watchfull, patient, and constant a mini∣stry, that albeit the mystery of iniquity was working, and false teachers were busie to aduance it, yet they were so watchfully marked, and mightely resisted, that errour was borne downe, and truth helde place: but so, as at length, through falling from the first loue, a step was made to Apostasie. And therefore she is warned to re∣pent and doe the first workes vnder paine of remoouing the Candlesticke.

6 In the Church of Smyrna, errour and lies did so farre preuaile as heretikes durst blast of the name of the true Church, and depise the pouerty and abiect state of true professors, yea cruelly persecute and blaspheme the way of truth.

7 Pergamus is praised, that, albeit, shee dwelled where Satan his throne was: yet she kept God his name, but hauing this note of weakenes, that albeit they kept themselues pure, yet Idolatry and spirituall fornication was tollerated by them, euen the doctrine of Balaam and Nicolaus Against them and their followers, the Lord fighteth with the sword of his mouth.

8 Thyatira is praised for her workes and loue, and seruice, and faith and patience, and that her workes are more at the last then at the first. But hath this note of infirmity, that albeit she dranke not of Iezabel her cup, nor committed fornication with her, yea and was wax∣ing in loue and workes thereof, yet shee had not either the knowledge or the courage to challenge her whore∣dome as shee ought, but euen tolerated, that Whore, whom God will cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, euen the bed of torment, as also hee threatneth that hee

will cast into great affliction that commit fornication with her, except they repent, and kill her children with death.

9 In the Church of Sardis, if they could remember what they haue receiued and heard, they were happy: but vpon defect hereof they are taxed, that hauing a name that they liue they are dead, & that their works are not perfect in Christ his sight: Howsoeuer among them God hath his number, whose hearts and liues are answerable to their profession. To whom is promised that they shall walke with Christ in white. And the rest are warned to repent and watch; least he come vpon them in an howre that they know not,

10 Philadelphia hath an open dore set before her, in∣to which to enter for any humane aide, shee is of little strength, but what Christ openeth, none shal be able to shut; and what he shutteth, none shall be able to open: so that at the feet of this Church, notwithstanding her little strength, yet the enemies, are faine to bow and giue their names. And hereupon shee hath the promise to be e∣stablished as a pillar, not to goe out any more, and that on her Christ will write his name, &c. So as to haue this ho∣nour permanent to bee Christ his true Church, that new Ierusalem from heauen, which shall neuer be moued.

11 In Laodicea they thinke themselues so setled, gif∣ted, and strengthned as they become secure and vainely presumptuous. This bringeth in a cold indifferency, in matters of God his worship, men becōming Luke warme and neither cold nor hot, the very next sexe to plaine A∣theisme. Christ, for soueraigne medicine against this euill, calleth vp to his true riches, wisdome, ban∣quet, and hope of his throne whereto we attaine by fighting and ouer∣comming, as did our Head.

Notes

• Chap. 1. 19.