The book of the Revelation paraphrased; with annotations on each chapter. Whereby it is made plain to the meanest capacity:

The Annotations.

¹ Thus Grotius, Dr. Hammond, and most Interpreters ex∣pound these Words; this Prophecy containing a Discovery of things which were to come to pass, in a Succession of time one after another: of which it may be very appositely said, That they must come to pass shortly, when they are shortly, to begin to pass into Event; as an Army is said to be coming, when only the Van-Guard begins to appear. With which Interpretation these Words of Dr. Pocock agree (on Joel, pag. 145, 150.) Of those last things, which were to be done, or in doing, to the last of time in this world, St. John, by reason of the certainty of their being fulfilled in due time, saith, that they should be fulfilled, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or shortly come to pass.

² Michael and Gabriel are employed in Daniel; but in this Prophecy several Angels are made use of, but none by Name; which, together with the Humane Subor∣dinate Ministry, employed under them, are generally call∣ed by the Name of Angel in this Book. From this Verse we may observe the Order of Divine Revelation; which proceeds from God the Father, as the Fountain and Original; and is committed by him to Christ, unto whom all Power is given in the Church: by whom it is sent to his Servants, especially Ministers, by the Ministration of his Angels, who are under him, as their Head and Lord; and his Ministers, to whom the Prophecy is principally directed, are also stiled Angels, from their Ministring to him in this Prophecy, together with the Angels. See on, ver. 20.

2 Who bare record [i. e. hath testified and declared by his Preaching and Sufferings, vers. 9. and in this Book] of [Christ] the Word of God, [John 1.1. Chap. 19.13.] and of the Testimony of Jesus Christ [i. e. the ³ Gospel, 1 Cor. 1.6] and of all things that he saw ⁴ [concerning Christ while he abode on Earth; and afterwards in this, and the following Visions]

³ Called his Testimony, because it testified of him, decla∣red the Will of God; and was testified unto, or confirmed by his Miracles.

⁴ Here the Apostle plainly discovers himself to be the Wri∣ter of this Book, from many Characters peculiar unto him∣self; as that he had given Testimony (which is part of the Office of an Apostle in Scripture, Acts 1.8, 22, &c.) unto the Gospel of Christ, and to the Divinity of the Word of God, by his Preaching, and by his Sufferings for it; and that he had delivered many things concerning Christ, of which he had been a peculiar Eye-witness; which are now upon Record in his Gospel, in the like manner of Speech, and way of Assurance, John 1, 14.19, 35.

And moreover, this being a Preface to the whole Book of Visions he had already seen, these Words may very well refer unto them.

3 ⁵ Blessed [here and here after] is he that readeth [and expoundeth with diligence and understanding,] and they that hear [with at∣tention] the words of this Prophecy, and keep [in their Minds, observe, and practise] those things which are written therein; for the time [of their beginning to be successively compleated] is at hand [and therefore to be regarded; and the Consideration of it not to be put off unto a further Day, as the Jews were wont to do, Ezek. 12.21-28.]

⁵ The Divine Authority of the Revelation, the Author of the Book, and the Subject-matter of it, having been deliver∣ed in brief, in the foregoing Verses; St. John here declares the Fruit and Benefit which the Readers and Observers of it shall reap by it; and very probably gives an intimation, That it ought to be read in publick Assemblies; here being mention of one 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Reader; and of many, as it were, assem∣bled to hear him Read, and Interpret, according to the Cu∣stom of the Church. And without doubt, great is the bles∣sing attending the sober Study of this Book; and the due

Observation of the Correspondence betwixt it, and the Events foretold in it, must needs be a matter of extraordinary com∣fort, especially to those who shall be so happy as to live near the Times of its full completion; as Christ told Daniel, chap. 12. 12. And even what is not so fully understood, is never∣theless (according to the Example of Daniel, and of the Bles∣sed Virgin, Luke 2.19, 50, 51.) to be pondered upon, and kept in our Minds, lest we be found wholly ignorant of the great Truths contained in this Book, when the Times of their Consummation appear; and that thereby God may be wrought upon to make known unto us, what we do not understand; seeing he hath declared, That he that seeketh shall find, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. But chiefly the Blessed∣ness here pronounced belongs to those who practice accord∣ing to the pure and undefiled Rules of Christian Worship gi∣ven in this Prophecy.

4 John to the Seven ⁶ [Eminent] Churches in Asia, [the Less:] Grace [i. e. the free and undeserved Love and Assistance of God] be un∣to you, and ⁷ Peace [i. e.] all manner of Prosperity, especially Spiritual] from ⁸ him [or The] which is, and which was, and which is to come [i. e. the Eternal and Immutable God, Exod. 3.14. who can therefore reveal, and will certainly accomplish all which is here foretold, and which belongs unto his Church, from the beginning unto the end of Time:] and from the ⁹ Seven Spirits [i. e. the Holy Ghost or Spirit, Zach. 4.2, 6.] which are before his Throne [i. e. is present, and of Counsel with him who sits on the Throne, work∣ing and communicating Graces and Gifts, by its Operations, ac∣cording to his supreme Good Pleasure and Determination.]

⁶ The Seven Churches particularly mentioned in the 11th Verse, were the most eminent and flourishing of those which were under the peculiar Care and Government of John; up∣on which account they might be very well made choice of by the Holy Spirit, amongst many others, which were then pro∣bably planted in Asia Minor, now called Natolia. Some Tra∣vellers, (particularly the Ingenious Mr. Spoon) have remark∣ed

several Circumstances of their present Condition, an∣swerable to the Judgments denounced against them, in the following Epistles; which may render it something probable that they were immediately directed unto them; although the Arguments brought by Dr. Moor, and others, seem to me to carry with them a full Conviction, of what Grotius confesses, that the seven Asiatick Churches are but a Pattern, and Example of the sevenfold state and quality, successive temper and condition of the Universal Church, from the be∣ginning to the end of it; of which, perhaps (for it is not a thing unusual in Scripture) there may be some intimation in their Names, as Grotius has observed, which might pro∣bably have been made out more clearly, if we had a more par∣ticular account of the ancient History, and circumstances of those Churches; however that they are Mystical, and not bare∣ly Literal Epistles, I shall endeavour to prove by observations drawn from the Text it self, in my following Annotations; and shall not rest upon extrinsecal and more remote Argu∣ments, being sufficiently convinced of the frequent weakness of Reasoning upon such Topicks in these matters. But upon an impartial consideration of all circumstances, I cannot but be of opinion, That these seven Asiatick Churches represent the seven Periods, and Successions of the Ʋniversal Church; which in correspondence to the Creation (a Type of God's Transactions with his Church) is, according to the known Tradition of the Jews, after six thousand years of Labour and Imperfection, to enjoy a seventh of Peace, Holiness, and Perfection; from whence the Pythagoreans, whose Philoso∣phy came from the East, took their Doctrine of the perfection of this Number; which is in Scripture, and particularly in this Prophecy often made use of in what relates to Christ and his Kingdom; and is a perfect number, not upon an Arithmetical account (for the Number Six is the first perfect Arithmetical one) but upon a Mystical; in memory of God's having finished, and perfected his Works on the Seventb day; and of the Sab∣batical

Rest of the Church, in the Seventh Thousand Year of the World, after Six remarkable Periods of it from Christ's Resurrection, of which more hereafter on Chap. 20. 5. How∣soever thus much is certain; That what is contained in these E∣pistles, ought to be duly considered by all Churches; that so they may avoid the Faults therein reprehended, and the Pu∣nishments threatned in them; For what is therein written, is written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the World are come.

⁷ Peace, especially Spiritual, being the greatest of bles∣sings, is put in Scripture, to denote all manner of Prospe∣rity.

⁸ The That is; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Jehovah, who is Being it self; for these Words are an Explication of that Sacred Name. See the In∣terpreters on Exod. 3.14.

⁹ It is the Opinion of Mr. Mede, (Disc. 10.) and of Dr. Hammond, on the place, That by the Seven Spirits are to be understood Seven Angels: But besides that (as Grotius notes on the place) Spirits are distinguished from Angels in the Fifth Chapter; and that Chap. 4. 5. they are called the Seven Spirits of God; which is a Title not given to Angels in Scripture: it is not easily accountable, why Angels should be placed in the same rank, with the Persons of the Trinity, and that be∣fore the Son; and that Grace should be Prayed, and Wish∣ed for from them, when all good Gifts are said, by the Apo∣stle James, (Chap. 1. 17.) to come from above, from the Father of Lights; and there being no form of a Salutation, or Bles∣sing in Scripture in the name of a meer Angel (for the Angel- Gen. 48.15.6. is Christ, and not a created Angel) such an Inter∣pretation of these Words would give a greater Encouragement to Creature-Worship, than can be imagined to have been gi∣ven in this Prophecy, which is so severe against all Idolatry, and in which this very Apostle was twice reprehended for of∣fering to give Worship to an Angel. And therefore there be∣ing no necessity of interpreting the words in this Sense, it is

certainly the safest, and the truest way, in my Opinion, to understand them concerning the Holy Spirit, represented here by Seven Spirits, in respect of his Various, but Perfect Ope∣rations and Gifts (denoted by Seven, the Number of Perfe∣ction, as we have already noted, and shall declare more fully hereafter) to the Ʋniversal Church, in the Sevenfold successive State of it. Whereupon Zach. 4. the Seven Lamps at the 2d Verse, are at the 6th Verse said to be by God's Spirit; That is, from the Plenitude of the Holy Spirit, which in those Se∣ven Lamps diffused its Mighty and Perfect Operations. But although Angels are not to be placed before Christ, yet the Order of the Persons of the Blessed Trinity is not al∣ways observed in Scripture; not in that very Apostolick Benediction, 2 Cor. 13. where the Grace of Christ is placed first; and in this Form of Benediction, the Holy Ghost is put before Christ, because more was to be spoken concerning him afterwards, who was therefore more conveniently to be re∣served unto the last place.

5 And from ¹⁰ Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful Witness [of his Fa∣thers Will, and a Prophet worthy to be believed,] and the first begotten of [or first born from] the Dead [by his being first raised, which is a new Birth or a Regeneration, Acts 13.33.] and the Prince of the Kings of the Earth [i. e. the chief Ruler, and Dis∣poser of the Kingdoms of Men, especially the four Monarchies, which shall be broken to Peices, and consumed by his Kingdom, Dan. 2, 44.4, 17.] unto him that Loved us [unto the Death, John 15.13.] and washed us from our sins, in [or by] his own Blood [shed for them.]

¹⁰ Note here, the great Propriety of the Titles attributed to Christ; for he is said to be the faithful Witness, that the following Prophecy might be the more readily believed; and in Opposition to the Pretences of Antichrist to New Traditi∣ons, distinct from those delivered by him in his Gospel, the in∣tire

Revelation of his Father's Will. (2dly) His Resurrecti∣on is mentioned, because it was the chief Proof of his Divi∣nity, and the Ground of our Faith; and chiefly because that from thence is taken the Epocha, or the beginning of the Ac∣count of the Times and Seasons of this Prophecy. The other Titles plainly relate to the Efficacy of his Blood alone, to our Justification and Sanctification; and to our Praises due to him alone, in opposition to Merits and Satisfactions, Prayers to Saints and Angels, and the other Corruptions of the Op∣posite Antichristian Kingdom.

6 And hath made us Kings [to Reign on the Earth in his King∣dom, Dan 7.27. Rev. 5, 10.20, 6.] and Priests [to offer Spiri∣tual Sacrifices, 1 Pet. 2.9. Rev. 20.6.] unto God, and his Father, [and not unto Saints and Angels] to him [Christ] be Glory [i. e. Praise and Acknowledgment of his Perfections] and [Kingly] Do∣minion, for ever and ever, [in his Everlasting Kingdom, Dan. 2.44. Revel. 11.15.] Amen [So be it, and so it will be.]

7 ¹¹ Behold he cometh ¹² [i. e. he will as certainly come, as if we saw him now a coming] with Clouds [i.e. with Power, and great Glory, Dan. 7.13. Matth. 24.30.) and every Eye [of all Men] shall see him [coming,] and they also which pierced him [i. e. the Jews, shall see him, feel his Power, and acknowledge him, Isa. 40.5. Zach. 12.10. John 19.37.] and all Kindreds [Tribes, or People] of the Earth [i.e. of the wicked, worldly, and ¹³ Antichristi∣an Part;] shall wail because of him [their Judg, whom they had pro∣voked:] Even so ¹⁴ Amen, [i. e. this is a certain Truth, to be ex∣pected and desired.]

¹¹ This Verse relates to the coming of Christ in his King∣dom at the last Day, when the Jews, who crucified him, and all other his Enemies, shall appear, and be judged by him. And it is worth noting, That (according to the Precepts of Art, observed by the most Judicious Wri∣ters) we have here, from Verse 5. given us in short at the very entrance of this Prophecy, a brief Representation

of the chief End and Design of it, The Kingdom of Christ: of which, upon all fit Occasions we are presented with a short View; because it is the thing which all the Events Ty∣pified in this Book, were designed to produce; and as it were the Catastrophe of this 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of the World (according to Plotinus's Phrase) or of all the Transactions which have appeared on the Stage of it.

¹² A Form of Speech in use with the Prophets, denoting the Infallible certainty of what they foretold. Or, cometh, may here signifie, he beginneth to come; as Verse 1. See Dr. Pocock on Joel.

¹³ Earth is taken in this sense, sometimes in this Prophecy; as we shall see hereafter.

¹⁴ This Word, in Scripture, is put to affirm, that the thing will be, as well as to wish for it, and approve it.

8 [And do not doubt of the Truth, and Extent of this Pro∣phecy; for] I [Christ, who have revealed it] am Alpha ¹⁵ and O∣mega, the beginning and the ending [who am before all things, and shall abide after them for ever,] saith the Lord [Christ] which is, [or, The That is], and which was, and which is to come, the Almigh∣ty [as well as Eternal Jehovah, who can bring to pass the Words of this Prophecy, from the beginning of it, to the end of Time.]

¹⁵ These are the first and last Letters of the Greek Alpha∣bet; whereby the Beginning and Consummation of all Things, Times, and Seasons, is ascribed to Christ: as the incommuni∣cable Attributes of God also are, viz. his Name Jehovah, and his Almightiness. So that this Verse contains a plain Declara∣tion of the Divinity of our Saviour.

9 I John, who also am your Brother [in the same Faith] and Compa∣nion in tribulation [i. e. a Fellow-sufferer with you] and in the King∣dom

and patience [or patient ¹⁵ expectation of the Kingdom] of Je∣sus Christ [delayed unto the time of the end, Dan. 12.4-13. Rev. 10.4, 7.] was [in ¹⁷ Banishment] in the Isle that is called ¹⁸ Patmos, for [preaching] the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ [i.e. the Gospel.]

¹⁶ For so the words seem to signifie, and may very well be Translated, by a figure common in Scripture; for this Kingdom was to have begun in its full Power immediately at Christ's Resurrection, and was then expected by the Apo∣stles, Acts 1.6. but was still patiently to be waited for, until the time of the end to which it was deferred. Altho the words may more properly relate to the Patience of Christ; or to his own patient Expectation of his Kingdom, until the times agreed on with his Father. See Chap. 3.10.

¹⁷ In the time of Domitian, about the end of the year of our Lord 95, or the beginning of 96, as Chronologers gene∣rally agree.

¹⁸ Situate in the Archi-pelago, about 40 Miles from the Continent of Asia, towards Ephesus, in the Sea next to the Churches to which he wrote. And as Ezekiel and Daniel had their Visions when they were in Captivity; so also might it be, by way of Correspondence, Ordained by God, that John should receive this Prophecy in a place of Exile; Restraints, and places of Recess, and Retireme•• from the wicked World, affording the fittest dispositions, and op∣portunities for Divine Communications.

10. I was in the Spirit ¹⁹ [i. e. under the immediate Power of it] on the ²⁰ Lord's day, and ²¹ heard [that is, perceived in my Spirit, unexpectedly, and as it were from] behind me, a great voice, as of a Trumpet, [i. e. a very loud voice, as the sound of the Trum∣pets on the solemn Festivals, Psal. 47.5. or in the time of War, Zechar. 9.14. to raise my attention, and to encourage me; and to signifie that Judgments were to be denounced.]

¹⁹ That is, I was not in the Body, but in a Spiritual Ex∣tasie

or Rapture, under the immediate actings of the Spirit of God, representing things to my Soul, and not to my Senses, 2 Cor. 12.2.

²⁰ The First Day of the Week, or the Christian Sabbath, in∣stituted in Memory of Christ's Resurrection, and called, The Lord's Day (a Phrase never used in the New Testament, but with reference to this Day, and the Lord's Supper), because it was blessed and sanctified by Christ's Resurrection, and the De∣scent of the Spirit (intimated here, by John's saying, that he was then in the Spirit), and instituted, and set apart by his Au∣thority, as the Day in which his Worship was ordinarily and necessarily to be frequented by all Christians. And the Day is here punctually expressed (which is also exactly observed by Ezekiel and Daniel, for the benefit of the Church, which is to take notice of Times and Seasons), to shew that these Visi∣ons commence from Christ's Resurrection: For to that end on∣ly is the mention of this Day proper to this Prophecy; On which he might truly stile himself, The First Begotten of the Dead; and he that was dead, and is alive.. And according∣ly we are not to suppose, as some do, that he received this Prophecy on the Annual Day of the Resurrection; but that (according to the Decorum to be observed in Visions and Re∣presentations) the very Numerical Day, in which Christ arose, was, as it were, recalled, and represented unto him, as the Beginning of the Time allotted to the Actions of the whole Representation. And from its being said, That he was in the Spirit on that Day, it may be conjectured (seeing that every thing in this Prophecy has a mystical sense, which yet is the primary and most proper) that the Day of Pentecost, on which Christ gave the Gifts of the Spirit, was joyned in Vi∣sion and Representation with it; as the same Day may hap∣pen to be the King's Coronation and Birth day too.

²¹ Words of seeing, hearing, and the like, signifie in Scri∣pture, the Actions of the Inward Senses, as well as of the Out∣ward.

11 Saying; I ²² am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: And what thou seest [in this Vision] write in a Book, [for greater security and continuance, Job 19.23, 24.] and send it unto the seven ²³ Churches which are in Asia [the Less], unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and un∣to Pergamus, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadel∣phia, and unto Laodicea.

²² These solemn Titles of Christ's Divinity, are here repeat∣ed, not only for the greater Assurance of the Certainty of these Visions, but to signifie, by being placed immediately be∣fore the Command, to write to the Seven Churches; That these Epistles relate to what was to come to pass in the End of Time; and that they contain a Succession of Prophecy from the first to the last; and the solemn Appearance of Christ, which fol∣lows, and the whole Preface with which this Vision is intro∣duced, do make it highly probable, that they were designed for more than seven private Churches, of no very large Extent or Duration.

²³ That these Cities were all in being in John's Time, is past doubt; only it hath been questioned by some, whether there were Churches as yet Erected in all of them; which yet seems to be a groundless Scruple; seeing that the Apostle Paul so long before professes, that he had at Ephesus a great Door, and an Effectual one opened to him; and that the Word of God increased so mightily throughout all Asia, that he thought good to tarry amongst them for the space of three years, Acts 19.10, 20. and 20.18, 31. See Archbishop Ush∣er's Treatise, concerning the Original of Bishops, and Metropo∣litans; and of the Lydian, or Proconsular Asia.

12 And I turned to see [whose] the voice [was] that spake with me: And being turned, I saw seven golden ²⁴ Candlesticks [representing seven Churches.]

²⁴ Candlesticks are Symbols, or visible Hieroglyphicks of Churches; taken from the Candlestick with seven Branches,

and Lamps in it, under the Law; which was a Type of the Church, Exod. 25.31. Numb. 8.2. Whereby is signified their Duty of enlightning and instructing, by the purity of their Doctrine, and Example, whereby they become preci∣ous as Gold in the fight of God. See and compare Psalm 19.10. Matth. 5.14. John 5.35. Rom. 10.15. Philip. 2.15, 16. And most, especially the Candlestick, Zec. 4. gives great Light to the Candlestick in this Vision.

13 And in the midst ²⁵ of the seven Candlesticks, one like unto the Son of Man [i. e. Christ walking in the midst of them, to order them, as the Priests did the Lamps, Exod. 27.20, 21. and to protect, guide and watch over them, Levit 26.12. Matth. 18.20.28, 20. 2 Cor. 6.16.] cloathed [in the High-Priests Vestments] with a garment down to the foot [Exod. 28, 40.39, 27. Ezek. 9.2. Dan: 10 5.] and girt about the Paps with a golden girdle [of the Ephod, Exod 28, 8.29, 5. to deno••e his Royal Priesthood; a golden girdle being also the habit of Kings, anciently amongst the Eastern Nations, Job. 12.18.]

²⁵ Hence, perhaps, it was, that God commanded (Exod 25.37. and Numb. 8.2.) that the Lamps should be lighted on that part which was towards the midst, or middle Branch of the Candlestick; signifying thereby Christ, to whom we ought all to look for help, and from whom we have all our Light and Knowledge. See Ainsworth on Numb. 8.2.

14 His head ²⁶ and his hair were white like Wool, as white as Snow [noting his Eternal Wisdom and Authority, Dan. 7.9.] and his eyes were as a Flame of Fire [Penetrating all things by his Pro∣vidence, with quickness, power and terror, Dan. 10.6. Ezek. 1.27. Hebr. 4.12, 13.]

²⁶ Hence may be proved the Consubstantiality and Equality of the Son with the Father; the same Expressions being used in Daniel, concerning the Father.

15 And his Feet [especially when he comes to Judge his Church, Isa. 53.7.] like unto fine ²⁷ brass, as if they burned in a furnace [i. e. representing the stability, power, glory and terror of his actions and punishments, and that his Servants are to be pu∣rified and refined by sufferings, Dan. 10, 6.12, 10. Malach. ch. 3. and 4.] and his voice as the sound of many Waters [i. e. his word was powerful and terrible, like that of a raging multitude, signified by Waters, Dan 10.6. Psal. 93.4.]

²⁷ See Dr. Hammond, who seems to have given the true sense of these Words; wherein is represented a fiery flaming Appearance in Glory; taken from a flaming Fire, in which the lower part looks like Amber (which we translate Fine Brass), and the Flame, especially the upper part, is of a white colour.

16 And he had in his right hand [i. e. under his mighty power, direction and protection; in safety and great honour, Psal. 18.35. Je••em. 22.24. Cant. 8 6.] seven Stars [i. e. the Angels of the se∣ven Churches, ver. 20.] and out of his Mouth went a sharp two edged Sword [i e. his word, sharp, quick and powerful, for the destructi∣on of his Enemies, and the defence of his Friends, Eph. 6.17. Hebr. 4.12.] and his countenance [i. e. the manifestation of himself, Cant. 5.15. Psal. 4 6] was as the Sun shineth in his strength [at noon, in its greatest height and brightness; that is, very Glorious and of Majesty.]

17 And when I saw him [in this glorious and terrible appear∣ance,] I fell at his feet as dead [for fear:] and he laid his right hand [of power and support] upon me, saying unto me, fear not, I am the first and the last [i. e the E••ernal, Almighty God, who can sustain and strengthen thee, Dan. 8, 18.10, 10, 18.]

18 I am he that Liveth [i. e. the living God, the Fountain and Author of Life] and was dead [for your Sins:] and behold [now] I am alive [and that] for evermore. Amen [i. e. This is a certain Truth.] and [I] have the Keys of ²⁸ Hell [i. e. power over the state and place of separated Souls, to call them back or retain them when they are departed out of the Body;] and of Death [it self, to

keep men from it; and therefore fear not; for if you were real∣ly Dead, I could raise you up again. All which looks with a Full Eye on that great First Resurrection.] c. 20.

²⁸ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. See Hammond, on Matth. 11. and Bishop Pear∣son on the Creed.

19 [And upon this assurance, stand up upon thy Feet, and be of good Courage, and] Write [in a Book unto the seven Church∣es, as I before commanded thee, vers. 11.] the things which thou hast seen [already, ²⁹ in the representation of the seven Stars, and seven golden Candlesticks, vers. 12, 13, 16.] and ³⁰ [write also] the things which are [now in being in my present Apostolical Church,] and the things which shall be hereafter [successively to the very end of Time.]

²⁹ It is manifest from the next Verse, that this is the true sense of these Words; where it is expresly said, that the Seven Stars were Seen by him in his Right Hand; which are there∣fore the things he had Seen; and were written with the rest of the Preface, in a Book, to the seven Churches, verse 11.

³⁰ Here he is commanded to write the Epistles to the seven Churches; the first of which, viz. that to Ephesus, as we have there shewn, refers to the State of the then Apostolical Church, beginning at Christ's Resurrection; the others to the follow∣ing successive States of the Churches to the End of the World.

20 [Which things, present and future, are] the ³¹ Mystery [or the Prophetical and Mystical sense] of the seven Stars which thou sawest in my right hand [which are the things thou hast seen, and not the Mystery to be written concerning them;] and [write] the seven Golden Candlesticks [i e. the mystery or mystick sense of them also.] The seven ³² stars are [or signifie and represent, Gen. 41.26.] the Angels ³³ [or Pastors] of the seven Churches; and the seven Candlesticks which thou sawest, are the seven Churches [or, are ³⁴ seven Churches, that is Bodies of Christians under their several Pastors; as well those which are now, as those which shall be successively here∣after.]

³¹ These words, which are of the Accusative Case, and put by way of Apposition, plainly refer only to the things which are, and shall be; which are here said to be the Mystery, or mystical meaning of the seven Stars; which therefore are not referred to, as being not themselves the Mystery, but the things which were to be mystically explained in the following Epistles. And from hence also we are plainly given to under∣stand, that the Subject Matter of these Epistles is Mystical, and not barely Literal; and that they concern things future, as well as the present.

³² Here is explained what is meant by Stars and Candlesticks, whose further mystical meaning, as they relate to Churches then in being, and to future Successions of them and their Pastors, is largely delivered in the following Epistles.

³³ The Ministring Spirits, which attend on God, are call∣ed Angels, in Scripture, from their being employed as Messen∣gers in his Service: and therefore by the Angels of the Churches, must be meant the Pastors of them (which are here clearly distinguished from the Churches themselves), from their like Office of delivering God's Messages to the People, and put∣ting up their Prayers unto him; Upon which Account the Jewish Priest is called, The Messenger (or Angel) of the Lord of Hosts, (Malach. 2.7.) where Angel (that I may observe this by the way) is evidently taken collectively (as Dr. Po∣cock, on the Place, confesses) for the Succession of the whole Jewish Priesthood, comprehended there under the common Name of Levi, their Father, and spoken of as one Person; because they were all of the fame Stock, and all separated to the same Function. And as they are upon this Account call∣ed Angels; so are they called Stars, from their Office of en∣lightning, or instructing others. By Angels therefore in this, and the following Chapter, is meant, the Evangelical Ministry; represented by Angels (as all other Ministerial Agents are in this Prophecy), because the present World is subject to An∣gels, under Christ, the Head of them, and the Angel of the

Covenant; Whereas the World to come (that is, the Kingdom of Christ, at his last coming, as the Apostle speaks, Heb. 2.5.) is to be ruled by Christ and his Saints, and is not to be in subjection unto Angels.

³⁴ It is here said, That the seven Candlesticks, are, or signi∣fie seven Churches (for so it is in the Greek); not the seven Churches, which might seem to have determined them to the seven in Asia. The Epistles are indeed to be sent to the se∣ven Churches of Asia, ver. 11. But the mystical meaning of them, is not here said to belong to the Angels, or to the Seven Churches of Asia only, but to Seven Churches, and to the An∣gels of them; from whence it is plain, that they are prophe∣tical, relating to Seven Successions of the Ʋniversal Church. See Mr. Mede.

Notes

• Pag. 145. 150.
• Book 1. Disc. 52. and pag. 905. Doctor Moor's Exposition of the Epistle to the Seven Churches.