Apokalypsis apokalypseos, or, The revelation revealed being a practical exposition on the revelation of St. John : whereunto is annexed a small essay, entituled Quinto-Monarchiæ, cum Quarto Omologia, or, A friendly complyance between Christ's monarchy, and the magistrates / by William Hicks ...

Verse 2. Who bare Record of the Word of God, and of the Testimo∣ny of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

You have in the words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Who witnessed a Re∣cord, or bare a sure Testimony; and that of three things. First, Of the Word of God. Secondly, Of Jesus Christ. Thirdly, Of All things that he saw. Wherein two senses or Interpretations offer themselves to the view: Whether this Record be to be taken singly, as Iohn was an Evangelist, and bare testimony of the Di∣vinity of the Word, as one with God, and that Word was God, Iohn 1.1. and this Word was made flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, and so bare record of all the acts and miracles which he saw this divine person do, and perform, through the whole course of his life here beneath. Or secondly, Whether this Record of the

Word of God, and the Testimony of Jesus Christ, and of the things which he saw, be to be understood of the Truth of the Word of God in this book of Prophesies, which Jesus Christ did testifie unto, and was made apparent by Visions unto John. Indeed I shall willingly admit of both senses; and I am of opinion, the Spirit of God in this verse aims at both, for adding the better authority and credit to the truth of this book of Prophesies; and though the Go∣spel of Iohn was not written when this Revelation was given, yet by his constant preaching, he might well be seen to bear Record of the Word of God, and of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

1. From the first sense, Note, That they that are the faithful Publishers or Preachers of the Word of God, and of Jesus Christ, gets best credit and reputation to all other their relations.

2. Another Note is, That they are fittest to receive Visions, or Prophesies from God, that bears the faithfullest Record of the Word of God, and of Jesus Christ. Iohn was now a prisoner, and under banishment, for the Testimony of Jesus, when he received those Revelations. Paul as a reward of his faithfulness in his Mini∣stery, and Apostleship, had even here an irradiation, and taste of the heavenly glory, when he was wrapt up in the third heavens. The Prophets of old, Ezekiel, Daniel, Ieremiah, &c. received those visions of God, high and excellent ones, because they were faithful witnesses of the Word of God, and publishers of it unto others; and the reason hereof is, because they whose minds are most conversant with God, and exercised in his Word, are fittest Instruments to receive and know the mind of God; for omne simi∣le, gaudet simili: Every like desires communication with its like.