A commentary, or, An exposition with notes on the five first chapters of the Revelation of Jesvs Christ by Charles Phelpes.

Verse 12. Saying with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

In this Verse we have a further account given to us of the voice of the innumerable company of Angels, which the Apostle saith he heard, v. 11. And this is propounded to us,

• 1. More generally, [Saying with a loud, or great, voice.]
• 2. More particularly, we have an account given us what they said with their loud voice, [Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.]

1. More generally, [Saying with a loud, or great, voice.]

1. Saying,] to wit, all of them: There was but one imployed in v. 2. to make that Proclamation, and he enough to silence, and non∣plus himself, and all the Angels, and all other Creatures: But here all of them with one voice join together, and all little, or ••ew e∣nough, to celebrate his praises, who is exalted above all blessing and praise, N••••em. 9. 5. So when one Angel said to the Shepherds, Be∣hold

I bring you glad tidings of great joy which shall be to all People, &c. Suddenly there was with the Angel a Multitude of the Heavenly Host, prai∣sing God and saying, glory be to God in the highest▪ on Earth peace, &c. Luk. 2. 10, 13. All the Angels of God are to worship him, Heb. 1. 6.

2. [Saying with a-voice;] with an Articulate voice: It is said of the four living Creatures, and Elders, they had every one of them Harps, and golden Phialls, &c. and they sung a new Song, saying, thou art wor∣thy, &c. But of the Angels only, they said, &c. Though the Angels praise and glorifie him, yet the Saints have greatest cause to sing forth the honour of his Name, and make his praise glorious: for he is their Brother, their Husband; and they his Spouse, &c. The Saints begin here in celebra∣ting the praises of the Lamb, and they only sing the new Song, which these say, or some part of it. So when the Angels are called upon to praise the Lord, Ps. 148. 2, 5. the Saints are exhorted to sing unto the Lord a new Song, to praise his Name in the Dance: to sing praises unto him with the Timbrel and Harp: For the Lord taketh pleasure in his People &c. Let the Saints sing aloud, &c. Ps. 149. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6.

3. [Saying with a loud, or great, voice;] One Angel can speak with a very loud voice: that Angel that spake to Abraham out of Hea∣ven, that one Angel, caused him to hear his voice on Earth; which are at a very great distance one from another, Gen. 22. 11, 15. with Ps. 103. 11. that one Angel in v. 2. of this Chapter, proclaimed with a loud voice, so as to cause all Creatures in Heaven, and Earth, and under the Earth, to hear. See also Rev. 19. 17, 18. But what an ex∣ceeding loud voice must the voice of such an innumerable company of them conjoined be, when all of them cry mightily! as Rev. 18. 2. It must needs be a loud voice indeed—And so,

1. They said, [with a loud, or great, voice,] not with a low and little one, as those Creatures do who peep and m••tter, Isay 8. 19. they did not speak out of the Ground, their speech was not low out of the Dust, nor their voice as of those that have a familiar Spirit, Isay 29. 4. but their voice was full of power and might, as those that were directed and enabled by the Spirit of the Lord, (as Mica 3. 7, 8.)

2. With [a loud voice,] denotes their unanimous joy and glad∣ness, and rejoycing in, and being well-pleased with what they say: when Men are sad and troubled, either they cannot speak, as Ps. 77. 4. their words are swallowed up, Job 6. 2, 3. or the•• speak with a low voice: As it is said, I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heavi∣ness and sorrow:—And thou shalt speak out of the Ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the Dust, and thy voice shall be as of one that hath a

Familiar Spirit, out of the Ground. (It seems then, that those that have Familiar Spirits, and Wizards, &c. are full of heaviness and sor∣row.) Isay 29 2, 4. But when they are merry and joyful, they make a loud noise, and speak with a loud voice usually, Exod. 32. 17, 18. Hence we have such exhortations: Sing aloud unto God our strength, make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob, Ps. 81. 1. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the Earth, make a loud noise, and rejoice, &c. A loud noise is a joy••ul one, Ps. 98. 1, 4. And if there was such joy in Heaven amongst these glorious Spirits, in celebrating the praises of the Lamb, who took not hold on the nature of Angels; how much rather should we rejoice, and render his praise glorious upon the loud Harp, who took our nature upon him, and was made sin for us, and gave his flesh for the life of the World; and rose again for our justification, and who is entred into Heaven it self, there to appear in the presence of God for us! As here the living Creatures and Elders do, in v. 8, 10. And as it is said, Let thy Saints shout for joy, Ps. 132. 9, 16. And again, Sing aloud unto God our strength, make a joyful noise unto the God of Ja∣cob. Take a Psalm, bring hither the Timbrel, the pleasant Harp with the Psaltery, &c. Ps. 81. 1, 2. See also Ps. 33. 1, 2, 3. and 98. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. and 149. 1, 6.

3. With a loud, or great, voice,] denotes their instantness, and ear∣nestness; as those that would hear nothing that might hinder, or wave them from praising and extolling the Lamb. Thus we have this Phrase used concerning the Jews, who were so earnest to have Christ cruci∣fied, that they would hear nothing to the contrary: They were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified: and the voices of them, and of the Chief Priests prevailed, Luke 23. 23. So these An∣gels were so instant with their loud voices, as if they resolved here∣with to excell, and out-voice them who consult to cast down Christ from his excellency, Ps. 62. 2, 4. And that all might give unto him the glory due unto his Name, and worship him, and none but Christ, and God in him, and no false object of worship, Rev. 14 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

But, What do they say with their loud voice? and where do they say it?

1. What do they say with their loud, or great, voice?

Answ. To that we may here in general say,

1. They say, or speak, right and true things: that which came out of their Lips was right before God, (as, Jer. 17. 16.) They might say as the Angel doth, Rev. 22. 6. These sayings are faithful and true: And therefore they might li••t up their voice like a Trumpet. So the

Lord himself saith; I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the Earth: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right, Isay 45. 19. They might be Heralds and Proclaimers of the truth, with the loudest voice that could be.

2. And it was good news they proclaimed, glad tidings of great joy to all People of Mankind, as Luke 2. 10, 14. Even the Contents of the Gospel: And so they might well, and rejoi••ingly lift up their voice: According to that; O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high Mountain: O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid, &c. Isay 40. 9. So our Lord Jesus, when he declared the glad tidings of the Kingdom, made Proclamation th••reof with a loud voice: He stood and cryed, saying, If any Man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink, Joh. 7. 37, 38. and ch. 12. 44, 47. Sad news may be whispered out, (as 2 Sam. 12. 19.) And they that bring in damnable heresies, denying the Lord that bought them, do it many times privily, and in secret, 2 Pet. 2. 1. But the Gospel ought to be proclaimed on the House-tops, Luke 12. 3. on the high Mountains, Isay 52. 7, 8. Nahum. 1. 15. And so, that which this innumerable company of Angels said with a loud voice, was both true, and good; A faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptati∣on, 1 Tim. 1. 15. So it is said of Wisdom: Doth not Wisdom cry, and Ʋnderstanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the Way, in the places of the Pathes: she cryeth at the Gates, &c. But what doth she so loudly and openly cry, and proclaim? She tells us, to wit, good and right things: Hear, saith she, for I will speak of excellent things, and the opening of my Lips shall be right things, Prov. 8. 1, 2, 6, &c. and ch. 9.

2. Where do they say this, or speak with their loud voice?

And that is, About the Throne: So here it is said; I heard the voice of many Angels round about the Throne, &c. and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: they knew it would be no offence, or grief of heart to him that ••ate thereon, to hear the high praises of the Lamb in their mouths. VVhen the whole multitude of the Disciples began to rejoice, and praise God with a loud voice, for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the Name of the Lord, &c. It seems, some of the Pharisees were offended thereat, and displeased therewith: for they said unto Jesus; Master, rebuke thy Disciples, &c. Luke 19. 37, 38, 39. But though this innumerable multitude of An∣gels say with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb, &c. And joyfully,

harmoniously, and with a loud noise, round about the Throne, on eve∣ry side of it, as it were, cause their voice to enter into the Ears of him that sate upon the Throne; it was not displeasing, or dishonouring to him, but that which tended to the honouring, and glorifying him. God hath committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honour the Son as they honour the Father: He that honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the Father that hath sent him Joh. 5. 22, 23. When the Son of God is ex∣alted and extolled, the Father is also glorified: for he devised this blessed means, and found out this ransome, 2 Sam. 14. 14. Job 33. 24. He prepared himself this Lamb for a Burnt-offering, Gen. 22. 8, 14. He sent him into the World to be the propitiation for our sins: He delivered him up for us all, and raised him again for our justifica∣tion: and made him the Head of the Corner: This was the Lords do∣ing; He gave him glory, &c. All things are of God, 2 Cor. 5. 18. All that then is for the glory of God, wherein the Son of God is glori∣fied, Joh. 11. 4. He is glorified in the Son, Joh. 14. 13. He is served, when the Son is kissed, Ps. 2. 11, 12. So when Christ was born, and one Angel celebrates his praises, and declares his praise-worthiness; suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly Host, prai∣sing God and saying, Glory be to God in the highest, &c. Luke 2. 10, 14. and ch. 19. 37, 38.

2. We have an account of what they said more particularly with their loud, or great voice, to wit, [VVorthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.]

Whence we may note in general, that when the Angels praise the Lamb, they mention not any favour done for them by him, as the living Creatures and Elders do, as with respect to themselves, v. 8, 9, 10. Luke 2. 10, 11. Heb. 2. 16. More particularly consider we,

• 1. The Person of whom they speak, and whom they praise.
• 2. What they say of him by way of praise and exaltation.

1. The Person of whom (and not to whom, as the Saints, v. 7, 10.) they speak, and whom they praise, [the Lamb that was slain;] not themselves, but one who hath by in heritance obtained a more ex∣cellent Name than they: for this Lamb is the Son of God, Heb. 1. 4, 7. Joh. 1. 29, 34, 36. these Sons of the Mighty give unto him glory, and strength; they give unto him the honour of his Name, Psal. 29. 1, 2. And herein in substance, they join with the Saints. [See the Notes before on v. 6. of this Chapter.]

2. What they say of him by way of praise and exaltation, to wit,

[VVorthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, &c.]

Wherein let us consider for our instruction and usefulness,

• 1. What the Lamb is worthy to receive.
• 2. Of whom he is worthy to receive these things.
• 3. VVherefore is he worthy to receive them?

1. VVhat is the Lamb that was slain worthy to receive? And that is,

1. Power,] namely, to do what all Creatures could not do, to wit, to open the Book of God's Counsels and Purposes: [See the Notes before on v. 5.] And so power with God as a Prince to prevail with him, he being indeed the true Israel, Hos. 12. 3, 4.

Power,] to open the Eyes of the blind, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, Isay 42. 1, 6, 7. He is a Prince, and Saviour, to give repentance to sinful and re∣bellious ones, Luke 24. 47. Act. 5. 31.

Power,] to pardon and forgive sins,; to give forgiveness unto such as turn at his reproofs: Herein the Power of God is exercised, Numb. 14. 17, 20. And the Son of Man hath power to forgive sins on Earth, Mat. 9. 6. Mark 2. 10. to forgive many, and great, sins, Luke 7. 47, 48. Thorow this Man is preached to us the forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses, Act. 10. 43. with ch. 13. 38, 39.

Power,] to heal diseases, those of the Soul, Ps. 103. 1, 3. Mat. 13. 15. and of the outward Man also, Mat. 10. 1. Luke 4. 36. and ch. 5. 17.

Power,] to make them Sons that come unto him: To as many as re∣ceived him, to them he gave power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name, Joh. 1. 12. And to give eternal life to them that hear his voice, and follow him: God hath given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as God hath given him, Joh. 10. 27, 28. and ch. 17. 2, 3. and to save to the utmost all that come unto God by him, Heb. 7. 24, 25.

Power,] over all the power of all Creatures: He is the Head of all Principality and Power, Col. 2. 10. God hath raised him from the dead, and set him on his own right hand in the heavenly places: far above all Principality and Power, and Might, and Dominion, &c. Eph. 1. 20, 21. He hath power over the good Angels, 1 Pet. 3. 22. And over the evil ones also: And he gave power to his seventy Disciples over all the

power of the Enemy, Luke 10. 17, 19. And he hath power over all the power here below: He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Rev. 1. 5, 6. and ch. 17. 14. And this might engage us therefore to believe and trust in him, Joh. 14. 1. Psal. 2. 6, 7, 12.

Power,] all power to save them that hear his voice, and follow him, Joh. 10. 27, 29. He is able to save, to the uttermost, them that come unto God by him, Heb. 7. 25. to help and deliver them from their Enemies and Adversaries, Act. 18. 9. and ch. 26. 17. And to dispense all things to them that pertain to life and godliness, Joh. 17. 2, 3. 2 Pet. 1, 3. And in the glorious exercise of his power he shall appear, when he shall take to him his great power and reign, Mat. 24. 30. and ch. 26. 64. Rev. 11 16, 18.

2. And Riches.] That is to say,

1. The Riches which are here below, for these are his also: the Gold and the Silver are his, Hag. 2. 8. The Earth is the Lords, even the Lord Christs, and the fulness thereof, Ps. 24. 1. with 1 Cor. 10. 26, 28. with v. 21. God hath Crowned him with glory, and honour; and made him to have dominion over the works of his hands, and hath put all things under his feet: all Sheep, and Oxen, yea, and the Beasts of the Field, the Fowl of the Air, and the Fish of the Sea, and whatsoever passeth thorow the Pathes of the Sea, Psal. 8. 5, 6, 8. with Heb. 2. 6, 9. Ps. 50. 11, 12. And the consideration hereof might engage us to come unto, and follow him in the regeneration: for there shall be no want to them that fear him: The young Lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they that seek the Lord (Christ) shall not want any good thing, Ps. 34. 8, 10. with 1 Pet. 2. 3, 4. This is one great thing that Men are afraid of, that if they cleave to the Lord with full purpose, and follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, they shall not be provided for of the things here below, but shall be redu∣ced unto necessity and poverty: But this is a mistake, and groundless fear: for all things are delivered to him of the Father, Mat. 11. 27, 28. And in exercising our selves to godliness, we exercise our selves to that which is profitable to all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4. 8. with ch. 3. 16. 1 King. 3. 10, 13. with ch. 10. 23. Hence the wisdom of God, to wit, Jesus Christ, invites Men, to receive her instruction, and not Sil∣ver; and Knowledge rather than choice Gold: And to engage them so to do, she propounds this as a powerful Motive and Argument; Riches are with me, Prov. 8. 10, 18. In her left hand are Riches, Prov. 3. 12, 16. He is a Sun and Shield; he will give grace and glory: no

good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly, Ps. 84. 11, 12.

2. Riches,] such as are more excellent than all that are here be∣low, such as are spiritual and eternal: namely, Riches of Goodness, Rom. 2. 4. He hath indeed been rich in good works, (1 Tim. 6. 18.) his goodness was so great towards us, that he died for us, and rose a∣gain: his kindness was infinitely great in becoming our Saviour, Tit. 3. 4. And he is good to all: such was his grace and goodness towards us, that though he was rich, for our sakes he became poor; that tho∣row his poverty we might be enriched, 2 Cor. 8, 9. He hath Riches of Mercy; and being rich therein, he hath Riches of Patience and long-suffering towards impenitent ones, while it is called to day, Rom. 2. 4. because he is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance, 2 Pet. 3. 9, 15. And according to the riches of his mercy, quickens them who are dead in sins and trespasses, Eph. 2. 4, 5. and remits, and pardons their sins, who thorow his Name be∣lieve in him, Eph. 1. 7. with Act. 10. 43. and his mercy endures un∣to eternal life, Jude 21. Rom. 9. 23. Riches of Righteousness, Prov. 11. 4. He hath, by his blood, brought in everlasting righteousness, Dan. 9. 24, 26. And his Name is Jehovah our righteousness, Jer. 23. 6. Riches of Wisdom and Understanding: In him are hid all the trea∣sures of wisdom and knowledge, Col. 2. 3. Yea all the riches and ful∣ness of grace, and spiritual blessings are treasured up in him, Joh. 1. 14, 16. Eph. 1. 3, 7. Col. 1. 19. and ch. 2. 9, 10. 1 Pet. 3. 7. and riches of glory, Joh. 17. 5. Eph. 3. 16. Phil. 4. 19. 2 Thes. 2. 14. And these are the true Riches, Luke 16. 11. As Christ is said to be; the true Light, the true Bread, the true Vine: that is, they are the most excellent Riches, more excellent than these which are here be∣low, Heb. 10. 34. As will appear if we consider,

1. The excellent nature of them, they are spiritual, but the other earthly and natural, Rom. 15. 27. 1 Cor. 9. 11. and ch. 15. 44, 46. These true Riches are such as the holy Spirit is directing us to, and glo∣rifying before us, Joh. 16. 14, 15. whereas our own wisdom, which is sensual and devilish, is leading us to labour to be rich here below, and to lay up for our selves treasures on earth, Jam. 3. 15. with Prov. 23. 4. And the true Riches are such as are proper to enrich the Souls and Spirits of Men, how poor soever they are, as to these outward riches, Prov. 24. 4. 2 Cor. 6. 10. Jam. 2. 5. Rev. 2. 9.

2. The true Riches are certain and durable, Heb. 10. 34. where∣as the other are called, and are, uncertain Riches, 1 Tim. 6. 17, 18. and such as are but for a moment. Wilt thou set thine Eyes on that

which is not? for Riches certainly make to themselves wings, they flee like an Eagle toward Heaven, Prov. 23. 4, 5. And at furthest, they will leave us at death, Ps. 49. 16, 17. Luke 12. 19, 20. Riches are not for ever, Prov. 28. 24. And on this account the Holy Ghost ad∣monisheth them that be rich in this World, not to be high-minded, nor trust in these Riches, because they are uncertain: But contrary∣wise, to do good therewith, and to be rich in good works, &c. 1. Tim. 6. 17, 18. But the true Riches which the Lamb hath worthily receiv∣ed, are certain and permanent: Riches and Honour are with me, saith Wisdom, yea durable Riches, Prov. 8. 10, 18, 22, The things that are seen are temporal; but the things that are not seen are eternal, 2 Cor. 4. 17, 18.

3. The Riches here below are empty, and unsatisfying: Vanity of Vanities, saith the Preacher, Vanity of Vanities; all is Vanity, Eccles. 1. 2. He that loveth Silver shall not be satisfied with Silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity, Eccles. 5. 10. These Riches will not satisfie Mens Souls, nor fill their Bowels, Ezek. 7. 19. Eccles. 2. 8, 11. Hab. 3. 5. Men in labouring for these things, labour for that which will not satisfie, Isay 55. 2. But now, these excellent Riches of Christ are such as will indeed satisfie, and give compleat con∣tentment to the Soul: He will cause them that love him to inherit substance, and he will fill all their treasures, Prov. 8. 19, 21. They shall be satisfied with favour, Deut. 33. 23. with Prov. 8. 32, 35. He that cometh to him shall never hunger, and he that believeth on him shall never thirst, Joh. 6. 35. Mat. 5. 6. And how can they but be sa∣tisfied, who have the Lord, the possessor of Heaven and Earth, for their Shepherd and Portion, Ps. 23. 1, 3. and 73. 25, 96. and 119. 57. and 142. 5. with Isay 61. 7. Jer. 10. 16. The Almighty to be their Gold! Job 22. 24, 26.

4. The Riches which are here below are unprofitable, they will not profit us in a day of wrath, Prov. 11. 4. they will not deliver Men from the wrath of God, Ezek. 7. 19. Zeph. 1. 18. Will he esteem thy Riches? no, not Gold, &c. Job 36. 18, 19. nor will they obtain his favour: though a Man would give all the substance of his House for his love, it would utterly be contemned, Cant. 8. 7. nor will they purchase, or procure his Spirit, Act. 8. 18, 20. Though a Man could gain the whole VVorld, yet he may lose his own Soul, and so be mi∣serable forever, Mat. 16. 26. But the true Riches which the Lamb hath worthily received, and is possessed of, will stand us instead, and be of advantage to us, when we most stand in need of help and com∣fort:

Righteousness, which answers to Riches, will deliver from death and wrath, Prov. 11. 4, 6. and ch. 10. 2. Even that of Christ, and God in him: And so, the knowledge of God in Christ, Prov. 11. 9. that is a treasure indeed, Col. 2. 3. yea, this is life eternal, to know him the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, Joh. 17. 3. Eccles. 7. 12. 1 Tim. 4. 8. with ch. 3. 16.

5. Nay, the Riches here below are usually hurtful, and too often very hurtful to Men, thorow their Idolatrous esteem thereof, and lust thereto, Eccles. 5. 13. The cares of this World, and the deceitfulness of Riches, &c. entring in, choak the Word, and it becometh unfruitful, Mark 4. 19. So our Saviour saith, How hardly shall they that have Riches en∣ter into the Kingdom of God, Mark 10. 23, 25. 2 Pet. 1. 5. VVe are very apt to pollute our selves therewith, to trust in them, covet after them, be high-minded in our enjoyment of them, or place our hearts and affections upon them; and by these things hurt and harm our selves, 1 Tim. 6. 17. Ps. 62. 10. But there is a Treasure to be desi∣red, worthy to be desired; and which lawfully, and with God's al∣lowance, and therefore without prejudice, or pollution, we may de∣sire, Prov. 21. 20. that Treasure in the Heavens that faileth not, Luke 12. 33. that Treasure hid in a Field, Mat. 13. 44. to wit, Jesus Christ, and those Riches of Life; Grace, and Glory which are trea∣sured up in him for Mankind. VVe may covet earnestly these best things, the Lord himself, and his unsearchable Riches, which are preached, and commended to us in the Gospel, Eph. 3. 8, 9.

Oh then! if we would be rich indeed, come we unto, and follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, Jam. 2. 1, 5. Come we unto him, and buy we of him Gold tried in the Fire, that we may be made rich, Rev. 3. 18. his Disciples and hearty followers are such as are rich in∣deed, how poor soever they are among Men, Luke 6. 20. 2 Cor. 8, 9. Rev. 2. 9.

3. And Wisdom,] Counsel is his, and sound Wisdom, Prov. 8. 12, 14. In him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom, Col. 2. 3. Christ crucified is the Wisdom of God, 1 Cor. 1. 23, 24. And he is full of Wisdom: on him rests the Spirit of VVisdom and understanding, &c. Isay 11. 1, 3. So as he knows all things, (2 Sam. 14. 20. Eccles. 7. 12.) he knows God the Father, and he only, originally, immediate∣ly, and perfectly, Joh. 8. 55. and ch. 10. 15. He is in the Bosome of the Father; and unto him he doth un-bosome all his Mind and Coun∣sels, Joh. 1. 18. and shews him all things that himself doth, Joh. 5. 20. So here in this place; This Revelation was first given to him, Rev. 1.

1. And he only prevailed to take the Book sealed with seven Seals, and to open it: He only was worthy, and able so to do, Rev. 5. 1, 5, 6, 8, 9. He only fully and perfectly knows God, and he hath declared and revealed him, Joh. 1. 18. and ch. 6. 46. And he hath given a gra∣cious revelation of him to us in his VVord and VVorks, 1 Joh. 1. 5. and ch. 4. 8, 9. And the consideration hereof might engage us to come unto him, that we may know the Father; to come to his Cross and Testimony: for no Man knows the Father but the Son, and he to whom∣soever the Son will reveal him, Mat. 11. 25, 27, 28. Luke 10. 21, 22. Joh. 12. 44, 46. No Man cometh to the Father, to the knowledge of the Father, but by him, Joh. 14. 6, 7. God shineth forth the light of the knowledge of his glory in the Face of Jesus Christ, who is the Image of the invisible God, 2 Cor. 4. 4, 6. Col. 1. 15. And he knows Men, the thoughts, and hearts of them: He needs not that any should testi∣fie of Man; for he knows what is in Man, Joh. 2. 24, 25. [See Notes before on ch. 2. v. 23.] Heb. 4. 12. He is perfect in wisdom and knowledge, Mat. 9. 4. and ch. 12. 25. yea indeed, he knows all things, Joh. 21. 15, 17. There is no Creature that is not manifest in his sight, but all things are naked and opened unto the Eyes of him with whom we have to do, Heb. 4. 13. And the consideration thereof might strengthen us to hold fast the Profession, Heb. 4. 13, 14. and also to come unto him, who is perfect in wisdom and knowledge, to reveal unto us the deep and secret things of his Law and Doctrine, which though revealed in the Scriptures of Truth, may still be secret to us, Dan. 2. 20, 23. And this shews to us, that he is most meet and fit to govern. Wisdom is very requisite to him that sits in the Seat of Go∣vernment: Hence it was the great and one thing desired by Solomon; Give me, saith he to the Lord, Wisdom and Knowledge, that I may go out, and come in before this People: for who can judge this thy People that is so great? 1 King. 3. 5, 12. 2 Chron. 1. 7, 12. But behold a greater than Solomon is here, Mat. 12. 42. One on whose shoulders the whole Government is laid, and who is the wonderful Counsellor, Isay 9. 6. The Father hath committed all Judgment, all the Government, unto the Son: And hath given him Authority to execute Judgment al∣so, because he is the Son of Man, Joh. 5. 22, 27. And if all Israel saw, that the Wisdom of God was in Solomon to do judgment; we may be well assured, that our Lord Jesus Christ knows to do Judgment, and will do it, in whom not only the Wisdom of God is, but who is the Wisdom of God, 1 King. 3. 28. with 1 Cor. 1. 24. The Queen of Sheba came from the uttermost part of the Earth to hear the Wisdom

of Solomon, but the Lamb infinitely excels him therein, Mat. 12. 42. with 1 King. 10. 1, 8. And therefore he is worthy to be heard and feared by us, 1 King. 3. 8. This is the true Joshua, even Jesus, of whom the Son of Nun was a Type, Deut. 34. 9. with Isay 42. 1, 4. Mark 6. 2. And he hath power to give wisdom unto us also, Prov. 8. 10, 12, 14.

4. And strength,] He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength, Jo•• 9. 4. with this ancient one is wisdom and strength: with him is strength and wisdom, Job 12. 12, 13, 16. with Rev. 1. 14. God hath laid help upon one that is mighty, mighty in strength and wisdom, Psal. 89. 19. with Job. 36. 5. And mighty indeed he is in strength,

1. To bear the greatest Burdens, (Nehem. 4. 10.) for he himself bare our sins in his own Body on the Tree, 1 Pet. 2. 24. This Lamb of God bare the sin of the World, Joh. 1. 29. Sin is an insupportable Burden for any mere Creature: it sunk down the Devils from Hea∣ven to Hell, 2 Pet. 2. 4. with Jude 6. And brought death on Adam, and all his Posterity, from which no Man could redeem himself, or his Brother, Rom. 5. 12. with Ps. 49. 6, 8. The Psalmist cries out, mine iniquities are gone over mine head, as an heavy Burden, they are too heavy for me, Ps. 38. 4. But now, this Lamb was strong, as that he could, and did bear and stand under all our sins: All we like Sheep have gone astray, we have turned every Man to his own way, and the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all, Isay 53. 6. And he also laid and exe∣cuted on him the judgment of the World, Joh. 12. 27, 31. Surely he hath born our griefs, and carried our sorrows: He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, &c. Isay. 53. 4, 5. and ch. 63. 1, 5. Mat. 26. 38, 39. with Heb. 5. 7. He was made a Curse for us, Gal. 3. 13. And endured the Cross, all the curse and malediction due to us as the wages of our sinning against God, Heb. 12. 2. And herein he grapled with all our Enemies, that he might o∣vercome them. And hereby it appears that he was a strong one, in that God laid such burdens upon him. If we speak of strength, loe he was strong, Job 9. 19. for he is the mighty God, Isay 9. 6. And he is the Man of God's right hand, and the Son of Man, whom he made strong for himself, Ps. 80. 17. And the love of our blessed Redeemer appeared to be exceeding strong, in bearing and enduring these heavy burdens: his love was strong as death: many waters could not quench it, neither could the floods drown it, Cant. 8. 6, 7.

2. And his strength wonderfully appeared, in raising himself from the dead, Joh. 2. 19, 21. He laid down his life that he might take it a∣gain: no Man took his life from him, but he laid it down of himself:

he had power to lay it down, and he had power to take it again, Joh. 10. 17, 18. He was declared to be the Son of God in power, ac∣cording to the Spirit of holiness, by the resorrection from the dead, Rom. 1. 4. As also herein his wonderful strength appeared, in van∣quishing and overcoming all our Enemies, he is the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battel, Ps. 24. 8. He bare, even bare away, the sins of many, or of the multitude, Isay 53. 12. He made purgation of our sins, Heb. 1. 3. It was not possible that the blood of Goats and Calves could take away sin, Heb. 10. 1, 4, 5. 8. and ch. 7. 18. But what the Law could not do in that it was weak thorow the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh, Rom. 8. 3. And he hath overcome and abolished Death, taken the sting out of it, 2 Tim. 1. 10. Rev. 3. 21. He hath, as to himself, been Death's Death, swallowed it up into victory, Hos. 13. 14. Isay 25. 7. And hath destroyed him that had the power of Death, that is, the Devil, Heb. 2. 9, 14, 15. Mat. 12. 29. Mark 3. 27. Luke 11. 22. With his strong Arm he hath scattered his Enemies, Ps. 89. And he hath gone up with a shout, in to∣ken of victory and conquest, the Lord with the sound of a Trumpet: Sing praises unto God, sing praises; sing praises unto our King, sing praises, Psal. 47. 5, 7. 68. 18. and 98. 1. Col. 2. 15.

3. Strength,] to bear and uphold all things: The Earth and all the Inhabitants thereof were dissolved: He bears up the Pillars there∣of, Ps. 75. 3. He upholdeth all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins. It is by him that all things consist, and stand together in that good order in which they are, Col. 1. 17, 20. He is the very Basis and Foundation on which all things stand: And on the shoulders of this strong one is the government of the whole World laid: for the Father judgeth no Man, but hath committed all judgment to the Son, Isay 9. 6. Joh. 5. 22. And he doth stand and rule in the strength of the Lord, Mica 5. 2, 5.

And by his strength he had power with God, Hos. 12. 3. He gave himself a Ransome for all, and hath redeemed them from the Curse of the Law, 1 Tim. 2. 6. with Gal. 3. 13. and ch. 4. 4, 5. He hath drawn all Men unto himself from under the first Judgment and Prin∣cipality of Satan, Joh. 12. 32. And hath obtained eternal redempti∣on, Heb. 9. 12. Forgiveness of our personal sins, Eph. 1. 7. Act. 13. 38. And all gifts for Men, yea for the rebellious also, Ps. 68. 18. A recovery of our loss, Ps. 69. 4. And an Inheritance of new Hea∣vens, and a new Earth, Eph. 1. 14. And is a Prince and Saviour, to

give repentance, and the forgiveness of sins, Act. 5. 31. And bears away the iniquities of those that come to God by him, Isay 53. 11. And hath by his strength such power with God, that he denies him nothing, Joh. 11. 22, 41, 42. So here; when none was able to open the Book, then appeared this Lion; and he came and took it out of his hand: He is the strongest among Beasts, as here the living Crea∣tures are translated, Prov. 30. 30.

5. And he sends the Rod of his strength, his Gospel, out of Zion, Ps. 110. 2. And goeth forth herewith conquering, and to conquer, Rev. 6. 1, 2. 2 Cor. 10 4, 5. And this Gospel of his is the power of God to Salvation to every one that believeth: though it be to them that perish foolishness, yet to them that are saved it is the power of God, Rom. 1. 16. with 1 Cor. 1. 18, 23, 24. And is able to save them to the utmost that come unto God by him: for the salvation and preservation of whom, his strength and ability is engaged and exercised, Heb. 7. 25. with Joh. 10. 27, 28, 30.

6. And in due season, he will by his great strength be the Death of the first Death, and destruction of the Grave, as with respect to all: And is able to subdue, and will subdue all things to himself, Hos. 13. 14. Phil. 3. 21. Isay 63. 1, 3. He will raise all out of their Graves by his mighty strength, and cause them to appear before his Judg∣ment-sea••, Jo••. 5. 28, 29. and 12. 32. 2 Cor. 5. 10. And in short, execute his Word in whatever he hath spoken, promised, or threat∣ned, Joel 2. 12. Mat. 28. 18.

And the consideration of his great strength, may,

1. Admonish us to take heed and beware we provoke him not to anger: He is mighty in strength,—who ever hardned his heart against him, and prospered? Job 9. 4. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousi••? are we stronger than he? 1 Cor. 10. 22.

2. Instruct and engage us, to betake our selves to him as our strength, and have him for it: To defend us from evil; he is a refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble, Ps. 46. 1. So the Psalmist saith, In God is my salvation, and my glory, the Rock of my strength, and my refuge is in God, Ps. 62. 7. He is a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, &c. Isay 25. 4. and 12. 3. O then! trust we in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength, Isay 26. 3, 4. Ps. 9. 9, 10. Nahum 1. 7. As also to betake our selves to him as our strength, to enable and strengthen us to all our services: Therefore the Aposte and his Fellow-labourers did both labour and suffer reproach, because

they trusted in the living God, the Saviour of all Men, especially of them that believe, 1 Tim. 4. 10. And the Prophet saith, I will walk in the strength of the Lord God, and will make mention of thy righteous∣ness, even of thine only, Ps. 71. 16. And saith the Apostle Paul, I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me; though he was not sufficient of himself to think any thing as of himself, Phil. 4. 11, 13. with 2 Cor. 3. 5, 6. Blessed is the Man whose strength is in him, Ps. 84. 5. And that we may have our strength in him, needful it is for us to know the Gospel of peace, and glad tidings of good things: Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound, they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance:—For thou art the glory of their strength, Ps. 89. 15, 17. 1 Chron. 29. 12. Isay 40. 29, 30, 31. Ps. 68. 35.

5. And Honour,] from God his Father; it was and is his Father first that honoureth him, Joh. 8. 54. that had, and hath a most high and honourable esteem, and account of him; though he be indeed dis∣allowed of Men, yet is he chosen of God, and precious, 1 Pet. 2. 4. He hath conferred great honour upon him, and given an honourable Testimony of him: Honour and Majesty hath he laid upon him, Psal. 21. 5. with Joh. 8. 54. Our Nature in his Person, and so the Man Christ Jesus was infinitely honoured, in being Personally united to the Divine Nature, in the Person of the VVord, the Son of God, Mat. 22. 2. So that he is Emanuel, Isay 7. 14. Mat. 1. 23. And God gave him honour, in begetting him after a wonderful, and inconceiv∣able way and manner, Luke 1. 35. And in bearing witness of him: He received from God the Father honour,—when there came a voice to him from the excellent glory: This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, 2 Pet. 1. 17. God honoured him also, in being with him, and owning, and strengthening him, when he was generally de∣spised, and rejected of Men, Joh. 8. 54. with Isay 53. 3. In laying our sins upon him, and delivering him to death for the offences of all. He crowned him with honour, that he by the grace of God should taste death for every Man, Heb. 2. 9. with Isay 49. 6. And hath up∣on the account of his sufferings honoured him: for the sufferings of death he hath crowned him with honour, Heb. 2. 9. with Ps. 91. 15. He hath raised him again from the dead, Rom. 1. 4. And laid him as a good foundation of Faith and Hope for Mankind, 1 Pet. 2. 4, 6. Isay 28. 16. The Stone which the Builders refused, and disallowed, is be∣come the Head of the Corner: This is the Lord's doing, &c. Psal. 118. 22, 23. And he is the fountain of all grace and spiritual blessings:

God hath given him the preeminence in all things: for in him it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell, Col. 1. 18, 19. And he is the Bread of Life; the Door of approach unto God; the true Vine, &c. And he h••th preferred him above all; above the glorious Angels: He hath by Inheritance a more excellent Name than they, Heb. 1. 4, 14. Above Moses, the Mediatour of the Old Testament, Heb. 3. 1, 6. Above Aaron, the typical High Priest, Heb. 5. 4. 7. He is the first-born, higher than the Kings of the Earth: the Prince of the Kings of the Earth, Col. 1. 18. with Psal. 89. 27. Rev. 1. 5. and 17. 14. 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 which is above every Name, Phil. 2. 8, 10. Eph. 1. 20, 21. And hath put all things under his feet, though yet we see not all things put under them, Psal. 8. 5, 8. with Heb. 2. 6, 8, 9. Eph. 1. 22. And in due season, his Horn shall gloriously and vi∣sibly be exalted with honour, Psal. 112. 9. with Psal. 145. 5. 14.

And Honour] from all Creatures, Divine Honour, even Religi∣ous and Divine VVorship, Isay 29. 13. with Mat. 15. 8, 9. [See notes before on v. 8.] And particularly by all Men: God hath com∣mitted all Judgment to him, that all Men should honour the Son, as they honour the Father; they should honour him in hearing his word, and believing on him that sent him, Joh. 5. 22, 24. with 2 Pet. 1. 17. and Mat. 17. 5. and by all his Saints, as here he is, v. 8. 10. A Son honoureth his Father, Mal. 1. 6. And they that hear his word, and believe on him, are the Children which God hath given him: And it is but meet and reasonable therefore, that they should honour him, not doing their own wayes, nor finding their own pleasure, nor speaking their own words, Heb. 2. 13. Isay 58. 13. [See Notes before on ch. 4. v. 9.] And he hath gotten him honour upon that crooked Serpent Leviathan, the Devil, (as God did on Pharaoh, Exod. 14. 17, 18.) In that he hath bound that strong one: thorow Death destroyed him that had the power of Death; and is destroying, and will destroy him as to his second, in due season, Psal. 110. 1. Heb. 10. 11, 12.

Oh then! seeing he is worthy to receive honour, let us honour him, in preferring him before our chiefest joy, and loving him more than our nearest Relations in this World, Mat. 10. 37, 38. with 1 Sam. 2. 29, 30. Luke 14. 26, 27, 33. Let us kiss him, come unto, and follow him in the regeneration, Ps. 2. 12. Joh. 12. 26. Let us ho∣nour him with our substance, and with the first-fruits of our increase, Prov. 3. 9. Considering that honour is with him, and he hath

power to give and dispense it to others, and will honour them that honour him, Prov. 3. 13, 16. and 4. 8. and ch. 8. 6, 18.

6. And glory,] This is near in signification to the former expression, as is said before; [see Notes on ch. 4. v. 9.] And he is indeed wor∣thy to receive glory; to be highly and honourably este••med; To re∣ceive lustre, beauty, splendo••, and majesty in the nature of Man: The God of our Fathers glorified his Son Jesus, Act. 3. 13. He here∣in glorified him, in begetting and making, or creating him his Son, Jer. 31. 22. In acknowledging him to be his Son, 2 Pet. 1. 17. In being with him, and strengthening him unto, and in all his services and sufferings, Joh. 17. 1. In appointing him, and giving him by his grace to die for our sins, to taste death for every Man, Joh. 12. 23, 24. and ch. 13. 31. Heb. 2. 9. In raising him from the dead for our justification, Act. 3. 13, 15. And giving all glory to him upon the account of his sufferings, Joh. 17. 4, 5. 1 Pet. 1. 19, 21. He hath a glorious Body, Phil. 3. 21. Act. 22. 11. He is a spiritual Man, and hath an heavenly Image, 1 Cor. 15. 44, 48. A glorious Dominion and Lordship over all Creatures; God hath Crowned him with glory, and put all things under his feet, Ps. 8. 4, 8. with Heb. 2. 6, 9. A glorious fulness of all grace and truth, Joh. 1. 14, 16. with Col. 1. 18, 19. and ch. 2. 3, 9, 10. The spirit of glory rests upon him, Isay 11. 1. In him is redemption, righteousness, eternal life, yea all things that the Father hath are his, Joh. 16. 15. But to this we shall have af∣terwards further occasion to speak in the last particular here attributed to the Lamb, viz. Blessing. He is gone, and received up into glory, 1 Tim. 3. 16. Act. 7. 55. And is set down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, Heb. 1. 3. and ch. 8. 1. where he is, and remains a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech: He glorified not him∣self to be made an High Priest, but he that said unto him, Thou are my Son, this day have I beg••tten thee, Heb. 5. 4, 5. And God hath gi∣ven this glory unto him, to be a Covenant of the people, a Light of the Gentiles, to open the blind Eyes, &c. And to be the Apostle of the Believers Profession, Isay 42. 6, 8. Heb. 3. 1, 3. And in due sea∣son he shall appear in glory, Ps. 102. 16. In his own glory, in his Father's glory, and in the glory of the holy Angels, Mat. 16. 27. Mark 8. 38. Luke 9. 26. And shall sit upon the Throne of his glory, Mat. 25. 31. and 19. 28.

And he is worthy to receive glory from all his Angels, and Saints, 1 Chron. 16. 28, 29. Ps. 29. 12. and 96. 7, 8. with Heb. 1. 6.

And he hath power to give glory unto, and confer it upon others,

upon them that come unto, and follow him in the regeneration, Mat. 19. 28, 29. He is the Lord of glory; as the owner and professor of it; so the giver and dispencer of it, both now and hereafter, Jam. 2. 1. 1 Cor. 2. 8. He is the King and Fountain of it; y••a, he is the glory of the Israel of God, Ps. 24. 7, 9. Luke 2. 32 And they are callled to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, and shall appear in it, Ps. 84. 11, 12. 2 Thes. 2. 14. When Christ who is their Life shall appear, then shall they also appear with him in glory, Col. 3. 4. 2 Tim. 2. 10. They shall then have a glorious Body also: their vile Body shall be changed, and fashioned into the likeness of his glo∣rious Body, Phil. 3. 21. As they have born the Image of the earthy, they shall also bear the Image of the heavenly, 1 Cor. 15. 49. And they shall then have the glorious fulness of the Spirit, of which now they have but a first-fruits, Rom. 8. 23. And shall reign in glory: he will then compass them with a Crown of glory, Prov. 4. 7, 9.

7. And Blessing.] This also the innumerable company of Angels acknowledges the Lamb to be worthy to receive: And this we may look upon,

1. More generally; As blessing signifies all that is truly good and desirable, as many times in Scripture it doth, as Deut. 33. So, good and blessing are used the one for the other, Compare Deut. 30. 15. with v. 19. And so God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ, Eph. 1. 3. with all the blessings of good∣ness; As it is said: Thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness, Ps. 21. 3. He is full of grace and truth, Joh. 1. 14, 16. In him dwel∣leth all the fulness of the God-head bodily: And in him we are com∣pleat, Col. 1. 19. and 2. 9, 10. In him there is the blessing of for∣giveness, Rom. 4. 6, 7. with Eph. 1. 7. Col. 1. 14. In him is the blessing of righteousness, Dan. 9. 24. Isay 45. 24. And he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart, &c. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation, Ps. 24. 1, 5. On him is the Spirit, that great blessing, Isay 44. 3. with ch. 11. 2. and 42. 1. Joh. 3. 34. In him is the blessing of Life, of eternal Life, Deut. 30. 19. Here indeed God hath prepared for us, and gi∣ven to us the blessing, even life for evermore, Ps. 133. 3. with 1 Joh. 5. 11 Joh. 1. 4. And in due season he shall gloriously receive the blessing of Abraham, even the heavenly Country and Inheritance, for himself and his Seed, Gen. 28. 4. with Gal. 3. 16, 29. And in him there is blessing for all the Nations and Families of the Earth, Gen. 22. 18. and 26. 4. and ch. 28. 14. Act. 3. 25. with Gal 3. 13,

14. Psal. 72 17. Isay 25. 6. Luke 2. 31, 32. Mat. 22. 4, 8. Luke 14. 16, 17, 21.

2. Or as blessing is taken more paticulary and strictly, for praise, or being well and honourably spoken of; and for thanks: So he is to be praised, thanked, and so blessed by us, and by all, especially by his Saints and holy ones, 1 Tim. 1. 13. So, blessing, and giving thanks, are used indifferently, and put one for the other. Compare Mat. 26. 26, 27. and Mark 14. 22, 23. with Luke 22. 19. and 1 Cor. 11. 24. Mark 8. 6, 7 As also are, to bless and praise: As, I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall be continually in my Mouth, Ps. 34. 1. So usually, to bless, signifies to praise, or speak well of, as Ps. 100. 4. and 103. 1, 2, 21, 22. and 115. 17, 18, &c. Thus indeed we have cause abundantly, and everlastingly, to bless him, even to give thanks unto him, and to speak well of him, and praise him with our whole hearts and souls: he ought to be daily praised by us, Ps. 72. 15. for his wonderful pity and kindness towards us, that love of his that passeth knowledge, in dying for all, rising, and ascending, &c. As it is said; God is gone up with a shout, even he that first de∣scended into the lower-parts of the Earth, the Lord with the sound of a Trumpet: Sing praises unto our God, sing praises; sing praises unto our King, sing praises:—Sing ye praises with understanding, or every one that hath understanding, Psal. 47. 6, 7. and 68. 18, 20. And for his ami∣ableness in every respect: He is altogether lovely, no spot or blemish in him, Cant. 5. 10, 16. He is fairer than the Children of Men, grace is pour∣ed into his lips, therefore God hath blessed him for ever. And therefore also saith the Psalmist, I will make thy Name to be remembred in all Ge∣nerations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever, Psal. 45. 1, 2, 10. with v. 17. He is beautiful and glorious, excellent and comly; and there is none deserves, on these accounts, so much to be praised as he, Isay 4. 2. with 2 Sam. 14. 25.

And he hath power to bless us also; and God having raised him sends him,

1. Preventingly, to bless all, in their proper seasons and ages, in turning every one of them from their iniquities, Act. 3. 25, 26. for him hath God exalted with his right hand a Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to sinful and rebellious ones, Act. 5. 31. And he comes by his Servants in his Gospel, to open the Eyes of Jews and Gentiles, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the pow∣er of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of their sins, &c. Act. 26. 17, 18.

2. And especially, and with peculiar and following blessings, he comes to bless them that believe; as he blessed Abraham the Father of the faithful, Heb. 7. 6. He forgives them their sins; even as Da∣vid describeth the blessedness of the Man to whom the Lord imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered, &c. Rom. 4. 5, 7. Act. 10. 43. and 13. 39. He makes them accepted in himself, who is Jeho∣vah our righteousness, Eph. 1. 3, 6. They shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of their salvation, Ps. 24. 5. with v. 1. He pours out his Spirit unto them, and makes known his words unto them, Prov. 1. 23. Isay 44. 3. Joh. 7. 37, 38. And gives unto them eternal life, and will in due season raise them up to the glorious enjoyment thereof: for this is the will of him that sent him, that every one that seeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have everlasting life, and he will raise them up at the last day, Joh. 6. 40, 44. and 10 27, 28. and 17. 2, 3.

2. Of whom is the Lamb that was slain worthy to receive those excellent things before mentioned, and in some little measure spoken to? And to that we may say,

1. He is worthy to receive them of God his Father; and hath from him received all power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing; as he is the Mediator between God and Men, the Man Christ Jesus: He hath given all to him, and con∣ferred all upon him in the Nature of Man, Joh. 3. 35. All things are delivered to me of my Father, saith he, Mat. 11. 25, 27. Mat. 28. 18. Col. 1. 19. And he hath ascended up on high, he hath led Captivity Captive, he hath received gifts in the Man, for Men, yea for the re∣bellious also, Psal. 68. 18. To this purpose the Psalmist speaks at large, saying; Thou hast given him his hearts desire, and hast not with∣holden the request of his lips: for thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness, thou settest a Crown of pure Gold upon his Head. He asked life of thee, thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever: His glo∣ry is great in thy salvation, Honour and Majesty hast thou laid upon him; for thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceed∣ing glad with thy countenance, Ps. 21. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. with Joh. 17. 4, 5.

Obj. But how can it be said, he is worthy to receive these things of the Father, when he had received all these things of him before this?

Answ. 1. As to his receiving them from his Father, it is certa••nly true he had received them all before this time: But yet, he may be

acknowledged to be worthy to receive them, even to receive what he hath already; not so much respecting the time as the thing, to wit, his merit and worthiness: And so they set to their Seal, as it were, to what God hath done: even as before in this Chapter, 5. the four living Creatures, and twenty-four Elders say, thou art worthy to take the Book, when he had taken it before, v. 7, 8, 9. And yet it is thus expressed to us.

2. But this saying also may have, and certainly hath respect to the Doxology of the Saints and Angels, or to their ascribing and ren∣dring praise to the Lamb; and this leads us to the next thing, viz.

2. He that was slain is worthy to receive these excellencies from his Creatures, especially from the Saints and Angels: not that they can add any thing to him really: for in him it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell: and all things that the Father hath are his, Col. 1. 19. Joh. 16. 14, 15. But they give these things to him, when they ascribe and render to him these things, and acknowledge his me∣rit and worthiness, and so render his praise glorious, as is said before: [see Notes on ch. 4. v. 9. and v. 11.]

3. Upon what account do they acknowledge the Lamb worthy to receive these excellencies; And that is, because he was slain. Indeed, these words [the Lamb that was slain,] are a description of the Per∣son whom they celebrate, and whose praise they render glorious: And so they direct us to one Person; and to one that was, not is, slain; to distinguish him from, and prefer him before all others that may be so called, from other Lambs or Persons so called, Luke 10. 3. for they that were slain are so still, Rev. 6. 9, 10. But he, this most excellent Lamb, is not so: He liveth, who was dead, and is alive for evermore, Rev. 1. 18. and 2. 8. [See the Notes before on v. 6.]

But these words also lead us to the Reason wherefore they acknow∣ledge the Lamb to be worthy to receive all these excellent things, name∣ly, because he was slain: And so,

1. He is worthy to receive, and hath received all from God the Fa∣ther upon the account of his Personal abasement and sufferings; his blood was so precious, it being the blood of God, 1 Pet. 1. 19. with Act. 20. 28. The Father loveth the Son, because he laid down his life that he might take it again, that he hath given all things into his hand, Joh. 3. 35. with ch. 10. 17. Heb. 2. 9. Phil. 2. 7, 8, 9.

And from all the Saints and holy ones of Mankind, [see the Notes before on v. 9] And from all the Angels; as here.

But why should the Angels thus glorifie him on this account, seeing

he took not their Nature, nor tasted Death for them?

Answ. 1. Because herein God's will was done, and that they re∣joice in, and glorifie him for: for Christ came down from Heaven, not to do his own will, but the will of him that sent him, Joh. 6. 38. Psal. 103. 20.

2. Because it was for our good, that we might be brought to God, 1 Pet. 3. 18. They are full of Charity, and that leads Persons not to seek, or rejoice in their own good only, but also in that which tends to the good of others, 1 Cor. 13. 5. Phil. 2. 2, 4, 6. Hence when Christ came, and was born into the World the Saviour of Mankind; they rejoice herein, and glorifie God on the account hereof, Luke 2. 10, 14. and ch. 15. 7, 10.