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

CHAP. XXI.

The Text.

1 ¹ AND I saw a New ² Heaven, and a New Earth [i. e. the Seat of the Kingdom of Christ, wherein the Saints Reign with him a Thousand Years, Chap. 20.4, 6. 2 Pet. 3. Isa. 65, 17.66, 22. Matth. 19.28. Acts 3.19.] for the first Hea∣ven, and ² the first Earth [i, e. the Heavens and the Earth which are now, 2 Pet. 3.7.] were ³ passed away [with a great Noise, burnt up, and dissolved by Fire, 2 Pet. 3.10, 11, 12.] and there was no more ⁴ Sea.

Annotations on CHAP. XXI.

¹ Here, according to the custom of the Sacred Writers, a particular Account is given of the Generations (as the Scri∣pture speaks, Gen. 2.4.) of the New Heaven, and New Earth, which he had before, (Chap. 20 11.) seen fly away, at the Consummation, and End of all things, when Christ shall deliver up his Kingdom to the Father, 1 Cor. 15.24, 28. it be∣ing usual (as appears from Gen. 2.) for the holy Penmen to give a particular Description afterwards, of what they had before either briefly hinted, or only described in general; who are wont also to pursue the matter they have in hand, quite throughout, before they resume its more particular conside∣ration; as appears from the former Chapter; where the du∣ration; of the Kingdom of Christ is continued from its begin∣ning

in the Resurrection of the Saints, to its End, in the De∣struction of Death, his last Enemy; and to the flying away of the very New Heavens and Earth; when Christ's Mediatory Kingdom being at an end, the Eternal Kingdom of God, All in All, is to succeed.

² The preceding Vision plainly relating to the Resurrecti∣on, and the last Day of Judgment; the New Heavens, and Earth here described, must accordingly be understood, con∣cerning those mentioned by the Apostle Peter, 1 Ep. 3.13. which are to succeed the general Conflagration of the present Heavens and Earth, to be dissolved at the very first Appear∣ance of Christ at his second Coming; who is to be manifested, or revealed in Flames of Fire: It being very(a) plain from Doctrinal Scripture, that the present World shall be burnt before the end of all things; and probably at Christ's very first co∣ming to his Kingdom; to which Conflagration there will be many preceeding Dispositions and Preparations; which are called the Signs of Christs Coming, in Scripture; and are pro∣bably the Vials in this Prophecy before insisted on, Chap. 16.

This New(b) Heaven and Earth, which are to arise out of the Remains of the Old ones, as out of a Second Chaos; are no other than the Seat of the Kingdom of the Blessed Mil∣lennium, in which the Saints are to Reign with Christ, Chap.

20. because (according to the plain words of the Apostle Peter) it is that New Heaven and Earth in which Righteous∣ness is to dwell; i. e. Righteous Saints are to Reign in Holiness and Righteousness during the Day of Judgment, which is a Day of the Lords, consisting of a Thousand Years; which is as plain a Description of the Blessed Millenium, as can well be given: of which Truth also the following Verses will administer many Proofs.

³ The very word made use of by the Apostle Peter (2 Ep. 3.10.) concerning the passing away of the Heavens of this World, at the general Conflagration. For it is to be ob∣served, that the Scriptures make mention of Three Worlds:

(1.) The World before the Flood; reaching from the be∣ginning of the Creation, to its perishing by Water. Which the Apostle(a) Peter calls the Heavens and Earth of Old, the World that then was, and the Old, or Original World; con∣cerning which see the(b) ingenious Theory of the Earth.

(2.) The present World, reserved for fire, called in(c) Scri∣pture the Heavens and Earth which are now; this present evil World; and this VVorld, by way of Contempt, and to distin∣guish it from the world to come.

(3.) The New(d) Heavens, and New Earth; called in

Scripture, the VVorld to come, that VVorld, the VVorld of the Resurrection from the Dead, and the Kingdom of God, and of the Son of Man at his coming: which is to succeed, when(a) the Form, Fashion, and Disposition of the parts of this VVorld shall pass away, and be changed, upon its dissolution by fire; and there shall be a Restitution, Regeneration, Delive∣ry, Redemption, and Restauration of all things in the Natural, as well as Moral VVorld, into the Primitive State, from which they had fallen by Sin.

⁴ This is a very surprising confirmation of Doctor Bur∣net's Hypothesis, viz. That the VVorld shall be restored to its Primitive Paradisiacal State, in which there was no Sea; and that the Sea shall be devoured by the Conflagration: which lat∣ter is also alluded to by the Prophet Amos (Chap. 7.4.) where he supposes, that Fire shall devour the great Deep; of which it had already eaten up, or devoured a part in Vision.

And the VVicked being separated by God from the Righ∣teous, now strictly united into one Body, and living together in perfect Peace and Unity; it seems to be very congruous there should be No Sea in that State; which as it is the Type of unquiet multitudes; so also is it an hinderance to the mutual communication of Men one with another.

And here it may be convenient to give a brief Account of the Series, and Order of things, according to Scripture; from the Time of the Approach of Christ's Kingdom, until the End, and Delivery up of it to God.

(1.) Antichrist will fall, as soon as ever the Months of the Beast are expired; and Mahometanism, which was designed as a Scourge to it, shall consequently afterwards cease to be a VVo to the Christian VVorld. See Chapter 9, 12.11, 2, 3, 14.

(2.) The Jews also will be restored to their own Coun∣trey, after the fullfilling of the Times of the Gentiles; i. e. at the End of Antichristian Times, Matth. 21.24.

(3.) There will be Days of Great Tribulation; and imme∣diately after them, there will be many signs of Christ's coming, and of the End of the VVorld; and very great Preparations for the general Conflagration, Matth. 24.3, 29. Mather de Signo Filii Hominis. Dr. Burnet's Theory, B. 3. Chap. 10, 11, 12.

(4.) Then will appear some Extraordinary Sign of the Son of Man in Heaven; upon which, all the Tribes of the Earth shall mourn, and the Son of Man shall be seen coming in the Clouds of Heaven, Matth. 24.30.

(5.) As soon as ever Christ shall appear, the Dead will be raised, and the Earth and Heavens of this present World, will at the same time be dissolved by Fire; in which, the Wick∣ed, Living, and Raised, are punished;(a) Vengeance being to be taken on them, and they suffering Perdition in, and by this Conflagration of the Heavens and Earth, which were kept in store, and preserved by God for the perdition of ungod∣ly men; and that not only of the wicked men of that Gene∣ration

which shall be then alive; but of all who have died in their sins: it being plain, that our Saviour bids all, of every Generation watch, least that Day surprize them; and that he supposes that Sodom and Gomorrah, which were set forth for an Example of Eternal Fire, should suffer again in the Day of Judgment; and that all which repent not, must pe∣rish,(a) (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) after the like manner with the Galile∣ans, and those on whom the Tower of Siloam fell; that is, by sudden, Bodily Judgments; which can happen to all impeni∣tents only at this General Judgment by Fire.

(6.) The whole Antichristian State, will be utterly annihila∣ted, at the first appearance of Christ: Satan will be bound for a Thousand Years: and the Wicked will not be consumed in the Conflagration, but having Bodies capable of undergo∣ing it, will be brought thereby into a state of Confinement; and that, as it were, in the(b) Ends, and Corners of the New Earth, during the whole space of the Blessed Millennium, Rev. 20.

(7.) The Bodies of the Dead Saints being raised, are caught up into the Air; and the Saints which come with Christ, appear in them, together with him in the Heavens; and probably continue with him there in Glory, during the Thousand Years: the Heavens being purged, and purified, as it were, by Fire; and the(c) Evil Spirits falling down like Light∣ning from the Air, which had been so long possessed by them; whereby these High and Heavenly Places are, as it were, pre∣pared

for the Reception of Christ and his Saints. For Righ∣teousness must dwell in the New(a) Heavens, as well as the New Earth; and the whole Creation groans, and waits for this Redemption.

But this shall be further made out, as occasion offers, up∣on the following parts of this Vision.

(8.) The Living Saints will be(b) purged and purified as Gold and Silver, and many of them shall be saved at this Day, with great Difficulty; but all shall be preserved by God (who knoweth how to deliver the Godly, as he did Lot, and the Three Children in the Fiery Furnace, which are Types of this Last and Great Deliverance, 2 Pet. 2.9.) in the general Con∣flagration; and their Bodies being changed, they shall Reign with Christ on the New Earth, the(c) former being unfit, through the Vanity and Corruption it is subject to, for such a purpose.

And this is that State of the Earth, which it earnestly ex∣pects, and groaneth after; and for which it was designed by God; who seems to declare by the Prophet Isaiah, (Chap. 45.17, 18.) that he created it not in vain; or to be such a Chaos, and subject to so much Vanity, (Rom. 8.20.) as it now is; but to be inhabited by the Mystical Israel of all the Earth, (Isa. 45.17, 21, 22.) who shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting Salvation.

(9.) All this will come to pass at the very beginning of Christ's Coming (whose Proceedings will be very sudden and swift, Malach. 3.5. 1 Cor. 15.52.) in which(a) the Wicked shall be burnt up, and trod down, and be as Ashes under the Soles of the Feet of the Saints, lying at the Footstool of Christ's Throne; whilst the Living Saints Reign with him on the New Earth, and the Raised Saints in the New Heavens.

(10.) At the End of the Thousand Years, upon Christ's with∣drawing some of his more immediate Presence and Glory; Satan will stir up the Wicked Nations (who had been all that while in a State of Contempt and Punishment, Malach. 4.1-4.) to endeavour to destroy Christ's Kingdom on Earth; upon which he will catch up his Saints into the Air, and give them incorruptible Bodies; and the whole Body of Saints, with Christ their Head, shall finally Judge the wicked world; and the New Heavens and Earth shall disappear, and fly away; the Son shall deliver up his Kingdom to the Father; and the Saints shall remain with him to all Eternity; whilst Satan, and all the Wicked, remain in the Lake for ever; which is a place of Punishment; represented as a Lake, made out of the Liquefaction, and Dissolution of the present Earth, burnt with Fire.

And this is a brief Scriptural Account of this great Trans∣action; against(b) which, although many Objections may be raised; yet there are few which may not be as plausibly alledged against the Day of Judgment, as it is usually under∣stood by Divines.

2 And ⁵ I John [the Apoc••lyptick Apostle, unto whom Christ had sent, and signified, and shewn things to come, thereby testi∣fying, that I was a Servant of his, and greatly beloved by him, Rev. 1 1. Dan. 9, 23.10▪ 7, 11, 19.] saw [and let it be observed diligently, for these words are true and faithful, Verse 5.] the ⁶ Holy City [or Polity of Saints,] New Jerusalem [above, the Mo∣ther of us all, Gal. 4.26. Heb. 11, 10, 16.12, 22, 23.] coming down [with Christ into the Regions of the Air, 1 Thes. 4.14-18. See on Chap. 19.7, 8, 9, 14.19.20, 4.] from God [the Father,] out of Heaven [before whose Throne it had hitherto been, in va∣rious degrees of Exaltation. See on Chap. 12, 1.14, 1.] prepa∣red, [and arrayed in Christ's Righteousness,] as a Bride adorned for her Husband [which is the Lamb Christ; that he might pre∣sent to himself a Glorious Church, not having Spot or Wrinkle; and at last perfectly unite it to God in his Eternal Kingdom, Eph. 5.26, 27. Rev. 19.7, 8, 9]

⁵ He does not say simply, as in the former Verse, I saw, but I John saw; by that Emphatical Expression shewing the great Importance of the Vision, and likewise more earnestly affirm∣ing the Truth of that, which was to be of so great use and con∣solation to the Saints: hereby imitating the Beloved Prophet Daniel, who frequently makes use of the same Phrase, upon the like Occasions.

⁶ From a due compare of this place, with the places quoted in the Paraphrase, it appears,

(1.) That the Holy City is no other than the Bride, or Saints, those Armies which come with Christ in the Air to Judgment in his Kingdom; the very They, who sit in Thrones, and Reign with him a Thousand Years, Chap. 20.4. as hath been before proved, and often observed.

(2.) That this New Jerusalem is in the New Heavens, or Heavenly Places of the Air, as they are called in Scripture; into which the Saints come, or descend from Heaven with

Christ, as hath been before observed, and consequently, that the New(a) Heavens, and New Earth, are the Seat of the Thousand Years Reign of Christ; and the Saints the Inhabi∣tants of it; because they are here represented as coming in∣to it, as into a place newly prepared for them by God, Verse 1.

(3.) That this New Jerusalem State coming down from God, is the Kingdom of Christ, in its Highest, and most Exalted State; which had been hitherto represented in this Vision, as before the Throne of God, in divers States and Degrees of Exaltation; according as Christ's Kingdom increased, and his Enemies were subdued by God the Father; at whose Right Hand he was to sit in a patient Expectation of this Kingdom, until all his Enemies were made his Footstool: which being now performed, he comes down from God out of Heaven, with his Bride, or Church purified, and perfectly sanctified, into his glorious Kingdom, in the New Heavens, and New Earth, the Seat of the Blessed Millenni∣um. For thus (Heb. 12.22. compared with Rev. 14.1.) the Saints first come unto Mount Sion, and then, unto the City of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem; or the Archetypal State of Christ's Kingdom in Heaven (to which there is one always correspondent on Earth) the Metro∣polis of the Christian Worship (which had its Original from thence, Heb. 12.25. and of which it is a Pattern, Heb. 9.1.) the True Temple built without hands, where our hopes is, and of which we are Citizens; and which is the Bride, the Lamb's Wife, and the Mother of all True Chri∣stians, Gal. 4.26.

3 And I heard a great Voice out of Heaven [proclaiming a great Truth, and shewing me a New and Extraordinary Thing, which had never been before;] saying, Behold [with thine eyes and hear with thine ears, and set thy heart upon all that I shall shew thee, Ezek. 40, 4.44, 5.] the Tabernacle of G d [i. e. the King∣dom of Heaven, of which the Tabernacle was a Type. See the Notes on Chap. 13.6 15, 5.] is [now] with ⁷ men [in the New Heaven, and New Earth, into which it is come down from God out of Heaven, Verse 2.] and he [i. e. God,] will ⁸ dwell [or Taber∣nacle, a second time, John 1.14] with them [in a State of Glory, Ezek. 37.26-28.] ⁹ and they shall be his [sanctified, Ezek. 37.28. 1 Thes, 5.23. Rev, 19.8.] People, and God himself shall be with them [in Christ; by peculiar, extraordinary, perpetual, and Glorious Manifestations of Presence, and Conduct;] and be their God [to sanctifie them wholly, and then to unite them unto himself in his Kingdom of Eternity, John 17.19, 21. 1 Cor. 1.8▪ 1 Thes. 5, 23.]

⁷ It comes down from God, and is with Men; and there∣fore a State in the highest Heavens cannot be here meant; for it is not said, that it Ascends, or that the Tabernacle of Men is with God; but that the Tabernacle of God is with Men.

⁸ God in Christ had dwelt with Men before, in a State of Humiliation; and his Glory appeared but to some few cho∣sen ones (for the World knew him not, and his own did not receive him, John 1.10, 11.) and that only at some transi∣ent Manifestations of it, such as the Transfiguration on the Mount; but now very great and glorious(a) appearances of Divine Majesty and Presence, are promised; to be continu∣ed for evermore in Heaven, after a Thousand Years duration in

the New Heaven, and New Earth, which are to fly away into Eternity, Ezek. 37.26.

⁹ Expressions taken from the Covenant made with Abraham, Gen. 17.7, 8. and the New Covenant mentioned Jerem 31, 31-34. 32, 40- 44. Ezek. 36.26, 27.37, 26, 27, 28 Heb. 8. whereby is shewn, that the Promises of that Cove∣nant are not fully accomplished but in the Glorious King∣dom of Christ; the Minister of the Sanctuary, and of the true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not Man; which comes down from Heaven in this Vision. Compare Heb. 8. with the first Verses of this Chapter.

4 And God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes [i. e. shall re∣move all Causes and Occasions of Sorrow, Is. 25.8.60, 20.] and there shall be no more death [or it shall be destroyed by Christ▪ Is 25.8 1 Cor. 15.26, 54.] neither Sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain [i. e. it shall be a state of(a) Indolency, free from pain and want:] for the former things [of the first Heaven, and first Earth, the World of the first Adam, i. e. Sin, Diseas••s, Want, Satan, and his wicked Agents, Hell, and Death;] are passed away [out of the Limits of the first Heaven, and first Earth.]

5 And he that * sat on the [white] Throne [i. e. Christ, whom I had seen sitting on his own distinct Throne, at the delivery up of the Kingdom, Chap. 20.11.] said, behold [for it is a thing much to be observed,] I [am now about to] make all things new [i. e. to make a New Heaven, and a New Earth, and to renew, and fully sanctifie Humane Nature, John 17.19.] And he said unto me ¹⁰ Write; for these Words are true and faithful [i. e. the New Things declared by me, in these Words, are now ready to be made by me; whereby all my Words, Promises, and Declarations, will receive a full com∣ple••ion; and will appear to be True and Infallible.]

* There are Three Thrones ascribed to Christ in this Pro∣phecy,

(1.) The Throne of the Father; in which Christ sits with him, from the Resurrection, until the Appearance of his own Throne in his Kingdom, Chap. 3.21.

(2.) Christ's own Throne, or the Throne peculiar to his Hu∣mane Nature in his Glorious Kingdom; called, his Throne, Chap. 3.21. and the Throne of the Lamb, Chap. 22.3.

(3.) The White Throne, Chap. 20.11. in which Christ appears at the last Judicial Act of his Kingdom j•• ••hen he is about to deliver it up to his Father. Which app••••••••••ce having been seen but just before (although it be after this in Time, and in the Order of Completion) is here referred to; to shew, that the same person, whom he had by way of Pro∣lepsis, or Anticipation (a Figure frequent in this Prophecy) seen dissolving all things; was now to appear as making all things New; the same Christ being the Omega, and End, who shall dissolve all things; and the Beginning, or Alpha, who is the Efficient Cause of the New Creation, the New Heaven and New Earth; and of(a) the Generation of Saints, the people which shall be created to inhabit it.

¹⁰ To write, is to bring into Effect, as hath been often(b) observed before; whereby is signified, that all the New things he had promised and declared in his Word, were just ready to be made hy him.

6 And he said unto me, ¹¹ It is done [i. e. what I was about to do is now performed; I have now sanctified and renewed my Servants, and delivered the Creation from its Vanity, Corrupti∣on, and Bondage:] I [the Eternal Word in Humane Nature,] am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End [of Prophecy; who made all things in the beginning, and have now created them a∣new; and am therefore able to say, it is done, Chap. 1, 8.3, 14.] I [who am able,] will [also] give unto him [i. e. unto the Saints of all Ages,] that is a thirst [i. e. that earnestly desire the full glo∣ry of m•• Kingdom;] of the Fountain of the Water of Life [i e. full and lasting Communications of Grace and Glory, to all the Li∣ving in this New Jerusalem, Isa. 4 3. John 4, 10, 14.7, 37.] freely [i. e. out of my mere Grace and Favour, Isa. 55.1, 2.]

¹¹ Christ here, at the completion of what he was to do for his Servants, uses the same Expression he had before used (Chap. 16.17.) after the Destruction of his Enemies by the Vials: which may thereupon he lookt upon as(a) Monu∣mental Inscriptions upon Two Pillars, placed, as it were, at Two remarkable Boundaries of Prophecy; of which, the one respects Christ's making his Enemies his Footstool; the other the Blessed State, and Lot of the Saints, at the End of Days mentioned Dan. 12.13.

7 He that overcometh [i e all of each Church-State who over∣come the Temptations of it. See Chapters 2, and 3.) shall inhe∣rit [as Sons,] all ¹² [the New] things [i. e. Graces and Blessings of my New King••om; under which is comprised all that is re∣ally desirable; and all the Promises made to the Churches, Chapters 2, and 3.] and I [Christ, God-Man,] ¹² will be his God [and Father, as having begotten him to this New Life, Eph. 2.10.] and he shall be my Son [i. e. the Promises of the New Cove∣nant, and the Priviledges of Adoption shall be bestowed upon him, in the highest, and fullest Sense of them. S••e on Verse 3.]

^{12 12} Here is declared, that the(a) Restauration of all things, and the Adoption to the Inheritance, and Redemption of Bodies, will be fully compleated only in the Kingdom of Christ, who is the Father of the New World, the World to come.

8 But [all] the ¹³ fearful [of the Antichristian State especially, who dare not hold fast the Profession of their Faith without wa∣vering, but for fear forsake the assembling of themselves, draw∣ing back unto Perdition, Heb. 12.23, 25, 38, 39.] and unbeleiving [in the Promises of Christ's Coming, because of his long delay; and who upon that draw back from the true Faith, and scoff at it, Heb. 12.35-39. 2 Pet. 2 and 3 Chapters] the abominable [and defiled in their Mind, Conscience, and Practises, and to every good work reprobate, Tit. 1.15, 16.] and murderers [especially of the Witnesses and Saints, Chap. 18.24.] and Whoremongers [who practise and advance Doctrines which promote uncleanness, Chap, 2.6, 15] and Sorcerers, [who bewitch Souls, Chap. 18.23.] and Ido∣laters [as the Antichristian Party are by way of Eminence,] and all Liars [who bel••eve, and make a Lye, especially the great one of Antichristianism, Rev. 3.9. 2 Thes. 2.9. 1 Tim. 4.2.] shall have their part [not in the first Resurrection to Blessedness and Holiness, but] in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the se∣cond Death [and that Eternal. See on Chap. 20.6, 10, 14, 15.]

¹³ All sorts of Sinners are here understood, but most e∣specially the Antichristian, to whom the Characters a∣gree; Antichrist being the Man of Sin, and Shinar, or Ba∣bylon, which is Antichristian Rome, being the very House, and Base of all Wickedness, Ezek. 5.8, 11. Rev. 18.24.

9 And there came unto me ¹⁴ one [or the first and principal,] of the seven Angels, which had the seven Vials full af the seven last plagues [the very same who shewed me the J••dgment of the Great Whore, Chap. 17.1] and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the

(a) Bride, the Lamb's Wife [i. e. the New Jerusalem State; and thou shalt plainly, and more distinctly see the Nature of it, and the vast dif∣ference there is betwixt it, and the Antichristian State which I be∣fore shewed th••e, Chap. 17.]

¹⁴ The same Angel that shewed him the Judgment on the great Whore, shews him also the New Jerusalem State; to ma∣nifest that the Destruction of Antichrist, and the pouring forth of the Vials, are highly, and immediately preparatory to Christ's Kingdom.

10 And he carried me away in the Spirit [i. e. I was in a Spiritual Extasie, and was carried in Vision, Chap. 1, 10.17 3.] to a great and high mountain [to denote the State of Christ's Church and Kingdom, now become a Mountain, Dan. 2.35. established in the Tops of the Mountains, and exalted above the Hills; and to shew that this was the City seen by Ezekiel, when he was set upon a very high Mountain. Isa. 2.2. Ezek 40.2.] and shewed me [not the Antichristian City of the Whore, Chap. 17.3. but] that [truly] great City [the(b) general Assembly, consisting of all true Belie∣vers, and of the Spirits of all just men made perfect; Heb. 12.22, 23.] the Holy [and Heavenly] Jerusalem [the City of the Living God, and not the impure Idolatrous City of the Whore,] descend∣ing out of Heaven [i. e. the highest Heavens, into the lower Regions of it, Verse 2.] from God [by whom it was built, and the King∣dom was set up, Dan. 2.44. Heb. 11.10, 16.]

11 Having the Glory of God [i. e. the ¹⁵ glorious Presence of Christ, and of his Saints, Matth. 17:2. John 1.14. Heb 1.3] and her Light(c) [or that which enlightned her.] was like unto a Stone most precious, even like a Jasper Stone, clear as Chrystal [i. e. the

Presence of Christ was(a) firm and last••ng, dwelling and abiding in it; and it was full of Glory, Purity, and Holiness. See on Chap. 4 3.]

¹⁵ For this is the most proper Representation of the Di∣vine Glory; of which the Glorious Appearances of Fire, Light, and Bright Clouds, the Schekinah under the Old Te∣stament, were but faint Images and Types.

12 And had a Wall great, and high [i. e it was under the immediate protection of Divine Omnipotency, and those which were without, were excluded from it, Isaiah 26.1-5. 60, 18. Zech. 2.5. Rev. 22.15.] and had twelve Gates [for free access to all true Israelites, or Saints,] and at the Gates Twelve Angels [as Cherubims to guard this New Paradise, that nothing which had not right to Life, might enter therein, Gen. 3.24. Ezek. 48.31.] and Names written there∣on, which are the Names of the Twelve ¹⁶ Tribes of the children of Isra∣el [to shew that none but God's People, the true Israelitism, had a right to this New Jerusalem State. See on Chap. 7, 4-10.]

¹⁶ These are the very 14400, who were sealed, Chap. 7.

13 On the East three Gates, on the North three Gates, on the South three Gates, and on the West three Gates [i. e. there were Twelve Gates, answerable to the Twelve Tribes; Three on each side of the Four square City, towards each Corner of the Heavens; to shew, that the whole Israel of God, or all true Believers, from eve∣ry quarter of the World, have a right to the Kingdom of Hea∣ven, Luke 13.29. See Ezek. 48.31-35.]

14 And the Wall of the City [which was the Security and Pro∣tection of it, and excluded every thing which was unclean,] had Twelve Foundations, and in them th•• Names of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb [slain from the Foundation of the World; to shew that the

Kingdom and Church of Christ was secured and protected by the Apostolical Doctrine, upon which it was built; Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, whose Blood is the Blood of the Everlasting Co∣venant, by which all things are secured unto us, ratified, and con∣firmed, being the chief Corner-stone, Eph. 2.19-22]

15 And he that talked with me [i. e. the ¹⁷ Angel, Verse 9.] had a golden [not a common] Reed [to shew that this was the glorious, pure, precious, and refined State of the Church, of which that measured by Ezekiel, with a common Reed, was but a Type, Ezek. 40.3.] to measure the [Dimensions, and Contents of the Ho∣ly] ¹⁸ City [or whole Visible Church, which was now rescued out of the hands of the Heathens, and Antichristian Enemies; and might therefore be measured, as being agreeable to the pure and exact measure of God's Law; whereas it was before left out as irre∣gular, and was not measured, Chap. 11.2.] and [to measure,] the Gates thereof [i. e. to declare who had right of access into it▪] and the Wall thereof [i. e. to shew, and declare, in what the defence and security of God's Church and Kingdom consists.]

¹⁷ The Temple (Chap. 11.1.) was measured by a Man, but this City by an Angel; that by a common Reed, like a Rod; this by a simple Reed, but a Golden one; to shew that this State (which was the real accomplishment of Ezekiel's Visionary City, and the full opening of the enclosed Temple) was an Angelical State, in which the Saints were Equal to An∣gels, Math. 22.30. and that it was purged and purified, as Gold in the Tryal of the Fire of the Last Day; and that Christ had broken to peices the Heathen Nations, by the Rod of his Power (Psalm 2, 9.110, 2.) and would now measure and rule by a Golden Reed, as by a Golden Scepter, (the Emblem of Favour and Reconciliation amongst the Eastern Nations, Esth. 4, 11.5, 2.8, 4.) and would no more chastise and correct his Servants.

¹⁸ The Temple only was measured before (Chap. 11.1, 2.) and not the City; but here there was no Temple, (Verse 22.)

and the whole City is measured, in all the Dimensions of it; to shew, that the whole Visible Church was now Regular and Symmetral, and was become a Living, and Holy Temple unto God.

16 And the City lieth foursquare [to shew that the Church in Christ's Kingdom, shall be ¹⁹ Universal; a Body ²⁰ well compact, firm, and immovable; constant, ²¹ perfect, and always like it self; in ²² perfect Peace and Repose; and cannot receive the least ²³ addition, or diminution, from what was once delivered unto it:] and the length is as large as the breadth [i, e. it was ²⁴ exactly per∣fect;] and he measured the City with the Reed, Twelve Thousand Fur∣longs [to shew that it was perfectly ²⁵ Apostolical; and exactly a∣greeable to the measures of the Sanctuary of the Holy City ²⁶ Je∣rusalem, and wholly different from the Antichristian State of ²⁶ Rome;] the ²⁷ length, and the breath, and the heighth of it are equal [i. e. it was ²⁸ exactly agreeable with it self, and entirely Apostolical, in the whole, and each part of it.]

¹⁹ Of which the Number Four is a Symbol, taken from the Four Quarters of the World, whereby the whole World is de∣noted in Scripture.

²⁰ Of which Nature are Buildings of Four square Stones, and Armies drawn up in that Figure; whence Quadratum ag∣men, Corpus Quadratum, and Turres Quadratae, are used in Authors for strong Bodies, and well compacted and firm Build∣ings, and Armies; and such ought the Church to be, and shall be in Christ's Kingdom, Isaiah 33 20. Psalm 78.69. Matth. 16.18. Heb. 12.27, 28. Eph. 4.14, 16.

²¹ Whence the Phrase Homo 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, concerning a Perfect, Just, and Constant Man; as a Square Figure, or Cube, is e∣very way like it self, turn it on which side you please; and so ought the Church to be always constant to it self in all its Doctrines; not mutable and inconstant.

²² As a solid Square, Cube, or Dy, is a Figure the most stable of any other; which, throw it which way you will, always settles it self at last upon its own Basis, and remains firm; because its Basis is broad and equal.

²³ As a Square is altered from its own Figure into another, by the least addition to it, or diminution from it: and thus the Church, when it takes from, or adds to the Faith once de∣livered to the Saints, looses that perfection in which it was built at first by God, and becomes irregular. Upon which, and other Reasons, a Four square Figure is much in use in Scripture; it being the Figure of the(a) Encampments round about the Tabernacle, and of the Divine Consessus in this Prophecy; of the(b) Altar,(c) Breast Plate, and the most(d) Holy Place under the Law; as also of many things belonging to(e) Ezekiel's Visional Temple.

²⁴ As that is a perfect Square, whose length and breadth are equal; whereas if they were unequal, it would be a Pa∣rallelogram, or a Long Square; which is less perfect than a Square. See Mr. Potter, Chap. 28.

²⁵ For Twelve signifies Apostolicalness, from the Twelve A∣postles; and a Thousand is a Number of perfection, See on Chap. 7, 4.20, 4.

Here being also a Concurrence of Number and Measure;

viz. of the Number Twelve, with the Twelve Thousand Fur∣longs, the Measure of the solid Content of this City; hereby may be signified, that in this State, there will be an exact Con∣currence of whatsoever God hath required by his Rules and Laws to the perfection of Church-States; as things are known to be exactly just and equal, when they are not only the same they were at first in Number; but are agreeable to the Stan∣dard Weight and Measure.

^{26 26} To shew that this City is more peculiarly described in op∣position to the Roman Hierarchy; the Perimeter of the Cube 1200 Furlongs, is the Circuit of Jerusalem, the Holy City, as the Perimeter of the Cube Twenty Five Thousand Furlongs (which 25 is the Root of the Number of the Beast) is the Circuit of Rome: and to the Twelve Gates, Angels, Tribes, Foundations in the New Jerusalem, do answer Twenty Five Gates, Pastors, Parishes, Cardinals, &c. in the City of Rome. Dr. Moor on this place, and his Mystery of Godliness, 5.16. and Mr. Pot∣ter's Interpret. of the Number of the Beast.

²⁷ Hence it appears,

(1.) That this is an(a) Equilateral Square, the most perfect, and the most capacious of all such Figures; whereby the Perfe∣ction, and the Ʋniversal Extent of Christ's Kingdom, may be signified.

(2.) That the City it self(b) is measured 1200 Furlongs; from whence it follows, that it is of a solid, Cubical Figure, like a Dy,

having Three Dimensions; and that its Measures are solid Mea∣sures (whereby they are made to agree with Ezekiel's Mea∣sures, by Mr. Potter) because nothing can measure a solid Fi∣gure but a solid measure. Whereby the Firmness, and Soli∣dity of this Church State is set forth; and also that it(a) cannot be a City litterally understood, and signifies not Walls, and Hou∣ses, but Men; because there can be no City of such a Fi∣gure.

²⁸ Whereas the Antichristian State, and all Human Models of Churches, are disagreeable in themselves, from one another, and the exact Scripture-Measure and Rule.

17 And he measured the ²⁹ Wall thereof, an hundred forty and four(b) Cubits [the Root of which is Twelve, the Apostolical Num∣ber; to shew, that the Safety and Security of the Church con∣sists in its conformity to the Doctrine and Discipline delivered by the Apostles, Acts 2 42. See the Notes on Chap. 7, 4.13, 18.] according to the measure of a Man [i. e. this Church-State was high∣ly ³⁰ rational, and exactly agreeable to the Intellectual Capacities of Mankind, and such as Men of Understanding may find out, when ••hey make use of that part of Wisdom by which the Roots of Numbers are extracted. See on Chap. 13.18.] that is the Angel [to shew, that this was a State of Men above this present mortal State, in which the children of the Resurrection are made equal unto the(c) Angels, Luee 20 35, 36.] and that it was not Beastian, or Antichristian, but Angelical.]

²⁹ The Wall is measured; to shew that Apostolicism (signi∣fied by Twelve, the Root of its measure) contains all things

in it necessary to a Church; as the Wall does inclose the whole City; and is the fixt and unmovable Dimensions of it.

³⁰ Whereas the Antichristian State is irrational; disagreeable in its self, and from the Divine Rule; in correspondence to its Root 25, which is a surd and irrational Number, uneven and irregular, in the Product arising from it, as well as in its self. See Mr. Potter, and the Notes on Chap. 13.18.

18 And the building of the Wall of it was ³¹ Jasper [i. e. it was firm, and impregnable, and withal glorious; Verse 11.] and the City was pure Gold, like unto clear Glass [i. e. this was a precious and pure State, and(a) throughly enlightned by God, Verse 23.]

³¹ This Stove is not to be subdued by the knocks of the Ham∣mer, but is so strong, that it breaks all that strikes against it: Dr. Moor. See Grot. on Chap 4.3. and Verse. 11.

19 And the Foundations of the Wall of the City, were garnished with all manner of ³² precious Stones [to shew the Excellency of Christ, the (b) corner-stone of this Spiritual Building, and of the Do∣ctrine of the Gospel, upon which it was bui••t by his Apostles; and the great variety and compleatness of the precious Gifts and Gra∣ces of this State:] The first Foundation was Jasper, the second Saphire, the third a Chalcedony, the fourth an Emerald.

³² The Precious Stones hereafter particularly mentioned, are the same with those in the Breast-plate of the High-Priest,(c)

(Exod. 28.17, 21.) but placed in a different Order from them; but for what Reasons I am not able to determine; as I neither can precisely and positively the particular significati∣on of each of them. Only in general they may signifie,

(1.) Perfection of Glory, Prosperity, and Happiness; in the highest manner the Creation is capable of, in its renewed State, much beyond the choicest, and most precious things of this World; or even of Paradise it self, whose Rivers flow∣ed from the Land of Gold and Pearl.

(2.) Perfection of Gifts and Graces, Divine Presence and Illumination, Doctrine and Truth; and whatsoever else may be justly thought to be the true meaning of the Stones, and the Ʋrim and Thummim in the Oracular Breast-plate of the High-Priest. For which see the Commentators on Exod. 28. and 39. Lev. 8. Deut. 33.8. and Braunius de Vestit. Sacer∣dot. Hebraeor. See also 1 Chron. 29.2. 2 Chron. 3.6. Isaiah 54.11-14. Ezek▪ 28.13. Tobit, Chapters 13, and 14. and Dr. Moor's Paraphrase, and other Commentators on this place.

20 The fifth Sardonyx, the sixth Sardius, the seventh Chrysolite, the eighth Beryl; the ninth a Topaz, the Tenth a Chrysoprasus, the eleventh a Jacinth; the twelfth an Amethyst [i. e. this was a glorious State, in which all true Israelites of the Twelve Tribes, whose Names were engraven on the Twelve(a) Stones of the Breast-plate, were joyned, and united into one Body with the True Christians, who kept and professed the Doctrine they had received from the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb Christ.]

21 And the Twelve Gates were Twelve Pearls, every several Gate was

of one Pearl [to shew the inestimable value of the Gospel, that one Pearl, of great price; and the pure ³³ conversation, and unity ³⁴ of all who are to enter into Christ's Kingdom, by him the only Door, and Way to Eternal Life, Matth. 13.45, 46. John 10.1-14.] and the Street of the City was pure Gold, as it were transparent Glass [i. e. the Conversation ³⁵ of the Saints of this State was pure and incorrupt, as refined Gold; and sincere, as if their Thoughts and Hear••s were transparent to each other; and the very places of concourse were free from all manner of defilement; contrary to what was in the Antichristian great City, which was defil••d with Uncleanness, and the Blood of the Witnesses, which lay dead in the Streets of it, Chap. 11.8.]

³³ For they are of a White colour. Grot. in loc.

³⁴ Pearls are called Ʋniones, because they are always found united together, and never separate from each other. Plin. Hi∣stor. 9. 35.

³⁵ For the Street is the Forum Urbis, as Grotius notes; the publick place where Men meet, and transact Business. Moor's Paraphr.

22 And I saw no(a) Temple therein [i e. no one particular place in which alone God would be worshipped, and manifest his Pre∣sence, as in the Temple of Jerusalem, 1 Kings 8.] for the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb, are the Temple thereof [i. e. do afford their Presence immediately, and after a glorious manner in this State; whereby each pious Soul becomes a Temple for God and Christ, to dwell, and manifest themselves in, Exek. 48.35. John 4▪23.20, 23. Acts 7.46-50. Rev. 3.20.]

23 And the City had no need of the Sun, neither of the Moon to shine

in it [who were as it were, ashamed, an•• confounded at the grea∣ter Glory of the Divine Kingdom, and Presence, Isa. 24, 23.60, 19.] for the ³⁶ glory of God [the Father, the Fountain, and Origi∣nal of all Being whatsoever, and of all Light, Knowledge, Life, Love, Grace, and Comfort,] did lighten it [by a Light commu∣nicated fro•• him,] and the Lamb [Christ, who is the Glory of God, Light of Light, and very God of very God,] is the light thereof [by the Glory of the Godhead, appearing illustriously in his Humane Nature. See Verse 11.]

³⁶ God is not subject to the Son in this his glorious King∣dom, 1 Cor. 15.27. and therefore he is said to be the Light of it; and Christ the Son is said to be the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or the Lamp; as shining by a Light communicated from the God∣head, and residing in him, who is the brightness of his Father's Glory, and the express Image of his Person. See Bishop Pear∣son on the Creed, and Dr. Bull's Defensio Fidei Nicaenae.

24 And the ³⁷ Nations of them which are(a) saved [i. e. those Li∣ving Remaining Saints, who shall have escaped the Sword of Christ's Mouth; and the Fire for the Perdition of the Ungodly, Isa. 4 2-5.45, 20.60, 3, 11. See the Notes on Chap. 20.6.] shall walk in the Light of it [i. e. shall partake of the Glories of the New Jerusalem, in the New Heaven, where Christ and the Dead raised incorruptible, Reign together, Isa. 2, 5.60, 2, 3. See the Not s on Chapter 20.4] and the Kings [and Priests,] of the [New] Earth [i e. the Saints living upon the New Earth, and reigning with Christ a Thousand Years, Chap. 20, 6.21, 1.] do bring their Glory, and Honour into it [i. e. acknowledge all their Glory and Happiness to be derived from that State above,

and shall at last be caught up into it. See on Chap. 20. Psalm 68, 29.62, 10. 1 Thes. 4.17.]

³⁷ Called Nations of the saved, to distinguish them from the Wicked Nations, Chap. 20.8. the Slain, and Dead, kil∣led by the Sword of Christ's Mouth, and devoured by Fire from Heaven, Chap. 19, 21.20, 8, 9. See the Notes on the former Chapter.

It is acutely observed by Mr.(a) Mede, That the State of the New Jerusalem, and the State of the Nations, which shall walk in the Light thereof, are different; as is plain, because the Nations, and Kings of the latter, walk in the Light of the former, and bring their own Glory to it, as to a State diffe∣rent, and distinct from it: by the former of which seems plainly to be meant the Jerusalem above, which comes down from God out of Heaven, with Christ, and his Saints, into the New Heaven; and by the latter, the Camp of the Saints upon Earth; those Living, Remaining Saints, who shall dwell in the New Earth for a Thousand Years, partaking of the Glories, and Happiness of the Sain••s above with Christ, who Reign in the New Heavens, as in a Palace of Glory; from whence the Divine Light transfuses it self upon the Saints be∣low; who walk and rejoyce in it, being directed and in∣fluenced by it; until by Degrees (those Assistances, and powerful Communications being abated and withdrawn) they began to be too much in love with their State upon Earth, and did not so earnestly long to be caught up to be with Christ for ever: Whereupon Satan was loosed, and the wicked Nations drew together against them: Which is the Laodicean State of the Church, described in the Third Chap∣ter;

and will appear to be the true meaning of this place, to any one who will diligently compare it with what hath been discoursed on the former Chapter.

25 And the ³⁸ Gates of it shall not be shut at all by day [but shall be open continually, Isa. 60.11.] for [although Men shut their Gates at Night; yet] there shall be no night there [and therefore the Gates need never be shut; because God and the Lamb are the Light of it, Verse 23.]

³⁸ This seems to refer to the Free Communications there shall be in this State, betwixt the Saints upon Earth, and the Saints above in the Heavenly Jerusalem, with Christ; who may(a) perhaps, descend sometimes upon Earth, and ascend again to Heaven, according to what is typified by Jacob's Mystical Ladder, Gen. 28.12.

26 And they [i. e. the ³⁹ Kings of the Earth,] shall bring the glo∣ry and honour of the Nations into it [i. e. the whole Body of the re∣maining and Living Saints, who are the saved of the Nations, shall acknowledge all their Glory to be from this Heavenly New Jerusalem, and shall at last be caught up into it, Verse 24.]

³⁹ The Body of Saints upon Earth, are a Kingdom of Saints; which, to shew the Universality of them, and the Polity, which will be in that State, are represented as Nae∣tions, under Kings, as Heads and Governours.

17 And there shall in no wise enter into it any [the least] thing

[whatsoever,] that defileth [i. e. it shall be a State of perfect Ho∣liness, Isaiah 35.8.] neither [any thing] whatsoever [that] work∣eth abomination [or Idolatry,] or maketh a Lye [i. e. the great Lye of Antichristianism,] but they which are written in the Lamb's Book of Life [i. e. none shall enter into this State, but those who are a∣mongst the Living, and are either raised to Life, or are alive, and remain unto the Coming of the Lord. See the Notes on Chap. 20.

Notes

• (a)

  Luke 17.26-31. But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, &c. Even thus shall it be in the Day when the Son of Man is revealed, i. e. (to make good the parallel) in the very self same Day in which he is revealed. 2 Thess. 1.7, 8. 2 Pet. 3.10, 12.

  See Dr. Burnet's Theory, B. 3. and 4. Mather de Signo Filii Homin. 2. 5.
• (b)

  Dr. Burnet's Theory, B. 4. 3, 8.
• (a)

  2 Ep. 2, 5.3, 5, 6. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• (b)

  Burnet's Theory, B. 1. and 2. and the Append, to the 4th Book.
• (c)

  2 Pet. 3.7. Rom. 8.19-24. Gal. 1.4. John 12, 31.14, 30. 1 Cor. 2.6, 8. 2 Cor. 4.4. Mather de Signo Fil. Homin. 1. 2.
• (d)

  2 Pet. 3.13. Heb. 2.5. Eph. 1.21. Luke 20.34-38. and Chap. 17.
• (a)

  1 Cor. 7.31. Psalm 102.26. 2 Pet. 3. Psalm 104.30. Matth. 19.28. Acts 3.21. Rom. 8.19-24. Mather de Signo, &c. 2.5. Burnet's Theory.
• (a)

  2 Thes. 1.8, 9. 2 Pet. 3.7.
• (a)

  Luke 13.3, 5. Matth. 11.24. Jude 7.
• (b)

  See the Opinions of the Ancients about Limbus Patrum, in Bp. Usher's answer to the Jesuit.
• (c)

  Luke 10.18. Eph. 6.12.
• (a)

  2 Pet. 3.13. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Rom. 8.22, 23.
• (b)

  Malach. 3.1-3. 1 Cor. 3.10-16.
• (c)

  Rom. 8.19-24. Burnet's Theory, 4.7-9.
• (a)

  Malach. 4.1-4. Psalm 110.1.
• (b)

  See Dr. Beverley's Ʋniversal Christian Doctrine of the Day of Judgment.
• (a)

  Dr. Burnet's Theory, 4.3, 8.
• (a)

  Burnet's Theory, 4.7.
• (a)

  Dr. Burnet's Theory, 4.7
• (a)

  Psalm 22.27-31.102, 18.
• (b)

  See on Chap. 19.9.
• (a)

  See on Chap. 3.12.
• (a)

  Rom. 8.
• (a)

  Chap. 19.7-9.
• (b)

  Burnet's Theory, 4.9.
• (c)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• (a)

  Of which the Jasper is an Emblem. See Grot. on Chap. 4.3. and on this Verse.
• (a)

  See on Chap 4.6.
• (b)

  Exod. 27.••.
• (c)

  Exod. 28.16.
• (d)

  1 Kings 6.20. 2 Chron. 3.8.
• (e)

  Ezek. 41, 21.42, 20, &c. Vid. Grot. in locum.
• (a)

  Potter, Chap. 28.
• (b)

  Potter, Chap. 2, 3, 4, &c.
• (a)

  Dr. Moor's Paraphrase on the place.
• (b)

  A Cubit is the Oldest, the most common, and most famous Measure amongst the people of God; whence it is put by way of Eminence, for a Measure in general, Jerem. 51.13. and i•• was the Measure of the Prophetick Temple, and City in Ezekiel.
• (c)

  Grot. in loc.
• (a)

  The gawdy Whore had only External Ornaments; but this State is transparent, pure, and clean, within, as well as without. Forestus in locum. See Chap. 4, 6.15, 2.
• (c)

  See Verse 14. and Braunius de Vestit. Hebr. 2.26.
• (a)

  See Ainsw. on Exod. 28.
• (a)

  Templi appellatione destinato abstinebant Christiani. Grot. in Act. 7.48.
• (a)

  Isa. 45.20. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Sunt ilii ex Gentilium reliquiis quos Diluvium Ignis, non inundaverit. Innelliguntur, ni fallor, qui cladem illam in Christi 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 saturam evaserint, quando venturus est ad hostes Ecclesiae suae perdendos. Mede's Works, pag. 915.
• (a)

  Ep. 20.
• (a)

  Et si in nonnullis solenniis se praesens sistat Christi numen, circumstantibus An∣gelorum turmis, &c. Burnet. Theor. Tellur. lib. 4. 7.