The book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which were to come to pass; and Jesus Christ sent and signifyed it by his angel to his servant John. And now by revelation, hath opened the mystery contained in said book unto his servant John Rogers, who hath explained the same for the edification and comfort of his church and people, after a long and dark night of apostacy; the explanation being made so plain, that the eye of every spiritual reader may see how exactly things have come to pass, as they were foretold of by the prophecy of this Book: and may see by it all things which are yet to come, not only to the end of this world, but to the finishing of the world to come.

AN EXPOSITION Upon the Book of the REVELATIONS.

CHAP. I.

Verse 1.

THE Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant John,

Who was required to write them in a Book and to send it to the seven Churches of Asia, as in v. 11. Accordingly John attended his order, as appears v. 4.

Verse 2. Who bear record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Verse 3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophesie, and keep those things which are written therein, for the time is at hand.

In this third verse there is a blessed Promise, both to the reader and hearer of the prophesie of this Book, when they

take heed to keep those things which are written therein; which Verse shews it is not a seal'd Book but may be read and understood by God's Church, tho' fast seal'd up and not to be understood by the false Church, as appears, Isai. 29.11, &c. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a Book that is sealed, which men deliver unto one that is learned, saying, read this I pray thee, and he saith, I cannot for it is sealed: and 〈…〉〈…〉 is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, read this I pray thee, and he saith, I am not learned. And the Rea|son why neither the learned nor unlearned in the Church can read the Book, is shewed in the 13th and 14th Verses. Where|fore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this People draw near me with their Mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have remo|ved their Heart far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men, Therefore I will add to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder, for the wisdom of their Wisemen shall perish, and the understand|ing of the prudent shall be hid. But the prophesie of this Book is not sealed up from God's Church, as is to be seen by the Book it self, chap 22.10. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophesie of this Book.

Verse 4. John to the seven Churches which are in Asia.

This is the Superscription of his Book by intimating to whom he directs it to;

Grace be unto you, and peace from him which is, and which was, and which is to come.

Thus he Salutes them in that grace and mercy which they were made partakers of from God the Father under these terms, to wit, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come, &c.

Quest. Why doth John declare God the Father in these terms?

Answ. Because he declared himself so to John before, as ap|pears in v. 8. of this Chap. I am Alpha and O mega, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

2dly. Quest. Why doth John say

And from the seven spirits which are before his throne

Seeing the spirit of God is but one?

Answ. He expresseth it as in the vision he saw it before the throne of God, as it appears in the 4th Chap. of this book, 5th Verse. And there was seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God; thus John followeth the Vision and writeth things as they were revealed to him, calling the holy Spirit of God as he saw it, by the number SEVEN, tho' it be but one eternal Spirit in it self; yet as it is distributed by measure to seven Churches, it bears the name Seven. But I purpose to speak more fully to this in the fol|lowing part of the Chapter, when I come to speak of the se|ven Stars, and the seven golden Candle-sticks.

Verse 5. And from Jesus Christ who is the faith|ful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, &c.

Thus it appears, that grace and mercy was extended from these Three to the seven Churches, to wit, from God the Fa|ther, and from the Spirit, and from Jesus Christ the son of the Father, who is the faithful witness of these things contained in this book of the revelation; and the first begotten of the dead to life again, by the resurrection of his body which was crucified on the cross: And tho' these are three discoveries of God, yet they are in union but one God. And this Jesus Christ is the Prince of the Kings of the earth, who hath lo|ved us and washed us from our sins in his own Blood, this is to be understood through the sanctification of the Spirit which purifies the heart and inward parts of a sinner, according to David's words, Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Psal. 51.7.

Verse 6. And hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and do|minion for ever and ever, Amen.

Verse 7. Behold he cometh with clouds, and e|very eye shall see him, and they also which pier|ced him, and all the kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him, even so, Amen.

Verse, 8. I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almightie.

Yea he is both God and man, as appears Rom. 9.5. And of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all God blessed forever. Amen.

Verse 9. I John, who also am your brother and companion in tribulation, &c.

This is an evidence that God's faithful children (while in this world) are companions with John in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ; and John's patience is a president for us who are in the kingdom of Jesus Christ and in this troublesome world, to be patient in tribulation, that thereby we may gain experience.

I was (saith he) in the Isle that is called Patmos.

Here he gives us an account where he was when he had this vision revealed to him, it was upon an Island, no doubt but where he was retire for the word of God, and for the tes|timony of Jesus Christ. Here it appears that this book of the Revelation is a record of the word of God, and of the tes|timony of Jesus Christ to his servant John.

Verse 10. I was in the spirit on the Lords day.

This was the Lords day of the Revelation of the things contained in this Book, and John was the person that was to tarry till Christ did come and make them known to him, as appears by what the Lord Jesus hinted to Peter long before the time was come, even when he gave Peter that solemn charge to feed his lambs & sheep, bidding Peter follow him; upon which charge given to Peter, and Peter seeing John following, he queries of Jesus concerning John, what was for him to do, as is to be seen, Joh. 21.20. &c. Then Peter turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; Peter seeing him, saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee, follow thou me: Then went this saying abroad among the bre|thren, that this disciple should not die; yet Jesus said not unto him, no shall not die, but if I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee. From hence we may observe that the Lord Jesus hinted to Peter that he had a work also for his servant John to do, tho' then not understood by the brethren who thought he should not die, but now the Lords day of the Re|velation of what is contained in this book is come, for John

hath now tarried till the Lord is come, as appears, in the 18th and 19th verses, I am he that liveth and was dead, &c. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.

Some have groundlesly and scripturelesly imagined this re|velation to be on a first day of the Week, but seeing no such thing is revealed in the book, neither is it a material thing to the opening of the history it self, it is altogether fruitless; for reason it self will tell us, that it contained some considera|ble time more than one day, for John wrote those visions as he saw and heard them, as throughout the book it self appears; as for instance, Chap. 10.4. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write, and I heard a voice from heaven, saying to me, seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. Thus the Lords day of revelations and visions which John saw, continued till he had accomplished the writing of them.

Verse 11. Saying I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, and, What thou seest write in a book, and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia, &c.

This is the voice of the Authority of the Majesty of God, requiring and commanding John to write in a Book this visi|on which should be set before his eyes, and to send it to the aforesaid Churches.

Verse 12. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.

This great voice speaking behind the Apostle caused him to turn about,

And being turned, I saw seven golden candle|sticks;

These seven golden candlesticks, represented to him the seven churches of Asia, to whom he was to write to. Now the reason why they are represented to him by candlesticks, is, because candlesticks hold up the light, to give light to all that are in the house, and God's Church are the light of the world, Mat. 5.14, 15. Ye are the light of the world; a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid, neither do men light a candle

& put it under a bushel; but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house. It is said of John the Baptist, that he was a burning and a shining light, Joh. 5.35. And the golden candlestick in the temple, with the seven lamps, did represent the mystical or spiritual church of Christ in u|nion with the spirit of God, under the ministration of the law for the whole nation of Israel was adopted of God as a figure, under the old testament or ministration of the law written on stone: Yet they were not all Israel that were of Israel, for he only was esteemed to be of the Church of Christ, who was A Jew inwardly, and that only to be the circumcision which i•• inwardly in the heart, by the spirit of God, and not outwardly in the flesh. And therefore the golden candlestick in the temple with the seven lamps, did represent the spiritual Israel under that ministration, which was only in union with the spirit of God, and was then the light of the world; for the seven lamps then burning in the temple, did represent the seven spirits of God, for tho' it was but one candlestick yet it had a shaft and six branches which made seven, equal with the number of the lamps; so that that candlestick only held the light of the world, through the oyl of God's spirit, which caused the lamps over, or upon the candlestick, to give light to the world; and this figure in the temple did represent the whole spiritual church of Christ in that nation under the old testa|ment; who was the light of the world. And this number seven in this book is mystical, and comprehends the whole of every thing it measures: As for instance, the seven golden can|dlesticks which is the seven churches, comprehends all the churches of Christ in the world; and the seven stars compre|hends not only the seven angels or ministers of the seven churches of Asia, but all the ministers of Christ's churches throughout the whole world. And the seven spirits of God, tho' it is but one spirit in its self, and is unmeasurable, yet it being given by measure to the seven churches, it bears the name seven, to comprehend the full distribution of it bestowe•• on all churches

Verse 13. And in the midst of the seven candle|sticks, one like unto the Son of man, cloathed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

This Vision which John saw like the Son of man in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, is a representation of the divine presence of God with his Churches, in union with his beloved Son Jesus Christ, whose delight is to be with the sons of men, Prov. 8.31. 2 Cor. 6.16. I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And whereas he saw him clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden gir|dle of strength and truth, as is written of him. Psal. 93.1. The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty, the Lord is clo|thed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself.

Verse 14. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow.

Thus John saw him in the vision, as he is the Ancient of days, the father and creator of all things, the whiteness of his hair was to set forth his fatherly age, according to the vision of Daniel, 7.9. The hair of his head was like the pure wooll, And in this place it is said to be as white as snow, which is to set forth his grave, fatherly Majesty in the Person of Jesus Christ.

And his eyes were as a flame of fire;

Quick to discern all Things, the sight of whose eyes pierceth through all things, Heb. 4.13. Neither is their any creature that is not manifest in his sight, but all things are naked and o|pen unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Verse 15. And his feet like unto fine brass as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Thus did John in the vision behold the terrible Majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ, who treads all his enemies under his feet, as was shewed to John in Chap. 10.2. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the earth. And his voice was most terrible even as the sound of many wa|ters: Psal. 93.4. The Lord on high is mightier thon the noise of many waters, yea, than the waves of the Sea.

Verse 16. And he hath in his right hand seven stars.

This number seven stars comprehends all his Ministers, and how they are all upheld & supported by the right hand of his power.

And out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword.

This is to represent the word of his power, to shew how terrible that Sentence is that proceeds out of his mouth, even as a sharp two edged Sword, to execute judgment upon his enemies. Heb. 4.12. For the word of God is quick and pow|erful, and sharper than any two edged sword.

His countenance was as the sun shining in his strength.

Thus terrible was the Majesty of his countenance to behold, 1 Tim. 6.16. Who only hath immortality, dwelling in that light which no wan can approach unto, whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Verse 17. And when I saw him I fell at his feet as dead; and he la•• his right hand upon me, say|ing unto me, fear not, I am the first and the last.

Thus glorious and terrible was the Majesty of the Lord Jesus, too terrible for John to behold, who fell at his feet as dead; but the Lord Jesus laid his right hand upon him, speaking comfortably to him, saying fear not, I am the first and the last, saith he: He is the first in his divine Nature, for he is the everlasting Father before all things; but in his humane nature he is the seed and offspring of David, and cal|led the last Adam, 1 Cor. 15.45. The last Adam was made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quickning Spirit.

Verse 18. I a•• he that liveth and was dead.

This is to be understood in our nature; as he was Man he laid down his Life, for he had power to lay it down and to take it up again, as he was the last Adam a quickning Spirit: for he is the Resurrection and the Life; and saith he to John.

I was dead, and behold, I am alive for ever more. Amen.

This is a clear Testimony of the Resurrection of the same Body that was dead, but changed into a most glorious Bo•• after the Resurrection.

And he hath the Keys of Hell and of Death;

And in the last day will open the Graves of Death and Hell, that the dead may come forth unto his Judgement Seat.

Verse 19. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.

The things which he had seen was the seven golden Can|dlesticks, and the glorious Majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of them, with the seven Stars in his right hand: And the things which were was the present State of the seven Churches: And the things which were to be hereafter, doth not only contain the things of this world to the end thereof, but to the finishing of the world which is to come.

Verse 20. The Mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven gol|den candlesticks; the seven stars are the Angels of the seven Churches, and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven Churches.

This is the opening of the Mystery of the seven Stars, and of the seven golden Candlesticks.

CHAP. II.

The first CHURCH.

Verse 1.

UNto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus write these things, saith he that holdeth the seven Stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the Seven golden Candlesticks.

John directs this his first Epistle to the Angel or Minister of the Church of Ephesus, according to the requirement of the Lord, as appears in the first Sentence of this Verse, who

is one of the seven Stars in the right hand of the Lord Jesus who walketh in the midst of the seven Churches, who knows the State both of the Minister and Church, having the one in his right hand, and walking in the open view of the other.

Verse 2. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and thou hast tryed them which say they are Apostles and are not, and hast found them Lyars.

The Lord signifies unto the Angel of this Church, how he takes notice of all his vertues, his works and his labour, and patience and how that he could not bear with them that were evil, and had tryed them which said they were Apostles and were not, and had found them lyars.

Verse 3. And hast born, and hast patience, and for my names sake hast laboured and hast not fainted.

Thus God takes notice as well of the good things done as he doth of the evil, commending them for the one, and threatning them for the other, if not repented of in time: To this end, that they may be encouraged to hold fast that which is good, and to be forewarned of the danger of that which is evil, these good things found in the elders of this Church, are those very things which Paul left in Charge with them the last time that ever they saw his face, as may be seen Acts 20.17. to the end of the Chapter. He there charged them to take heed to themselves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost had made them overseers. He fore|warns them of wolves entering in among them, which caused them to trie them which said they were Apostles but were not, he sets before them his diligent labour on a spiritual and temporal Account, how his hands had ministred not only for his own necessities but for the relief of others also, shew|ing them that so they ought to labour, and that it was the doctrine of Christ, that settled Elders should rather be given than receivers, tho Apostles had Power to forbear work, be|cause of their differing State from settled Elders, being a tra|velling

Ministry, 2 Thes. 3.8, 9. The Apostle thus fore|warning them to labour with their hands as he had done for an example unto them. They were at this time found praise worthy in this matter also, I know thy works and thy labour, &c. and for my names sake hast laboured and hast not fainted.

Verse 4. Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Yet notwithstanding the Lord saw all these good things before mentioned in this Church, yet he had somewhat against them for that they had left their first love; for this decay in love was a very dangerous thing in this Church; for love is the golden oyl which causeth the lamps to burn and give light.

Verse 5. Remember therefore from whencethon art fallen and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will re|move thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

The Lord puts this church in remembrance how they had fallen from their first love, and exhorts them to repent of their fall, and to do their first works, threatning them with speedy judgment if they did not repent of this their de|cay in love. Shewing them what would be the woful effects of this their fall, if their were not timely repentance. The use of the candlestick is to hold the light, but if the light go out, the candlestick is of no use, but to be re|moved o•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of its place, and God's church is the light of the World, and that divine love that dwells in them is the gol|den oyle that causeth the light to burn, or shine in his temple or house which is his church, Zech. 4.12. and a decay in love causeth the light to burn dim, and a total fall from love is a star fallen from heaven to the ea••, and a lamp that gave a glorious light is now gone out, and this love that once gave them a clear light to see that they were translated from death unto life; they falling totally from it, their lamp is gone out, and they are left in total darkness; and their candlestick is removed out of its place, which once held a glorious light, and they know not whether they go because darkness hath blinded their eyes: this is the state of all that retain not the

love of God in their hearts, for God is love, & he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, & God in him; yea God is light also and in him is no darkness at all, and if we have fellowshi•• with him we shall abide in the light as he is in the light.

Verse 6. But this thou hast that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicholaitans, which I also hate.

This Church is commended in that they had a principle 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hatred against the deeds of these Nicholaitans, what their deeds were was well known to this church, they being i•• their day and time; and they were such deeds as God di•• hate also: it is probable the name Nicholaitans did arise from the broacher of that corrupt doctrine whatsoever it was in the 14th verse of this chapter, it is compared to the doc|trine of Baalam, who taught Balack to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to sacrifice unto Idols, and to commit fornication, this was such like corrupt doctrine to stumble the church of God.

Verse 7. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches,

This is the first voice of the Spirit of God to the first church calling to every ear to hear what the spirit saith to the churches according to Christ's words, Mar. 13.37. What I say unto you say unto all, watch.

To him that overcometh will I give to eat o•• the Tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.

This is a promise which is made to such as shall overcome through faith, by the obedience of the gospel of Jesus Christ But we see the angel of this church was in danger of being overcome and not of overcoming, by reason of a decay in lo•• except speedy repentance did follow this admonition: A pro|mise is made to him that shall overcome, that he shall eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God which tree did figure the ministration of the gospel of Jes•• Christ, or the glad tidings of salvation to the sinner through faith in him. So also the tree of Knowledge in the midst 〈◊〉〈◊〉 paradise, or the garden of God, did represent the ministration of the righteous law of God to us by the first Adam; unde•• the ministration of the law, our justification is only and 〈◊〉〈◊〉

one by our own perfect obedience thereunto: for when Adam transgrest, he received the sentence of death by the ••w, and the tree of life was guarded with a flaming sword ••hat the justice of the law might be executed upon him for ••is sin. But the ministration of the gospel is to justifie the ••ngodly, that they may come at the tree of life only through ••he free grace and voluntary mercy of God by Jesus Christ: ••ut sins committed after God hath extended his grace & mer|••y to the sinner, by his free pardon, and after sanctification, ••uch fins are dangerous sins, especially if they becommitted a|gainst the law of faith, for they are a denyal of God, and against his free grace in Christ, that man is happy, that pas|••eth out of a sinful state into a righteous state, but if after ••e passeth out of his righteous state into a sinful state a second time, he is twice unhappy, for he is become a tree twice dead and plucked up by the roots; his last state is worse than the first, for it had been better for him not to have known the way of righteousness, than after he hath known ••t to turn again as the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire, he thus falling away from the grace of God, there is no renewing him again to repentance. The ministrati|on of the law is to magnifie God in his justice upon the sinner, And the ministration of the gospel is to magnifie God in his free grace and mercy, for his forbearance of the sinner, in ac|quitting him.

The second CHURCH.

Verse 8. And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write these things saith the first and the last, which was dead and is alive.

This second Epistle John is ordered to write to the angel of the church of Smyrna, by order from Jesus Christ, mentioning both his natures under the name of the first and the last; the first is, as he was God from all eternity, the last as he was the second or last Adam in our nature, which was dead, and is a|live, he expresseth himself thus to them, in a way of comfort, they being unreproveable, and in a blameless state; he sets before them the great love of God to mankind, who took not

hold of angels, but took hold of the seed of Adam, and so became one in union with Christ and in token of love to mankind suffered death for finners, and was raised to life again for our justification, and thus was he dead and is alive, and this church feeling in themselves the vertuous effects of those things operating in them, which made them a living and faithful church, for by his vertuous death and resurrection, they became dead to sin, and were now a living Church, as he said to them, I was dead but am alive, so could they co-ecch•• and say, we were dead in sin, but we are now alive with thee, and are partakers of thy divine nature which was the first, e|ven from all eternity, by which nature we have escaped the corruption which is in the world through lust, and shall live and reign with thee for ever.

Verse 9. I know thy works and tribulation and poverty, but thou art rich, and I know the blas|phemy of them which say they are Jews and are not but are of the synagogue of Satan;

I know thy works saith Christ, this is a comfortable word when it is spoken in way of commendation as it is to this Church, who laboured under great tribulation for Christ's sake, who did answer to Christ's sufferings, who suffered for their sakes, Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Tim. 3.12. We may see here that the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, for saith he, I know thy works and tribulation and poverty, they were brought into this poverty by affliction for Christs sake; who though he was rich, yet for their sakes became poor, and was obedient to the death of the cross: yet this their poverty in tribulation was their gain, for their poverty was such as is spoken of Mat. 5.3. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the king|dom of heaven; and therefore saith Christ to them but tho•• art rich, for they indeed were heirs of the kingdom of heaven and it is he that giveth us richly all things to enjoy, and so had he enriched this church in faith, love, and righteousness; and as Christ saith unto them, I know thy works and tribulation, so likewise saith he to them, I know the blasphemy of then which say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan, thus he intimates to them, as he hath the know|ledge

of their state and condition, their uprightness and inte|grity, and will reward them according to their works: So likewise he hath the knowledge of the state and condition of hypocritical Professors, who pretend to be that which in|deed they are not; they pretend to be Jews, to be my Church, when indeed they are not inwardly as they outwardly pretend: I am he that searcheth the heart and reins, and will reward them according to their works; they indeed make clean the outside of the cup and platter by outward pretences of holiness, but he is a Jew which is so inwardly; they say they are Jews, that is, my Church, but they are not, but are the synagogue of Satan, a church of hypocrites.

Verse 10. Fear none of those things which thou ••halt suffer: behold the Devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tryed, and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer, saith Christ: This is a word of encouragement not only to this Church, but to every one that hath an ear to hear, as in the end of this Epistle will evidence: For these seven Churches comprehend all Churches, and every Christians state and con|dition whatsoever. Behold (saith Christ) the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tryed: God is wont thus to try his children by their accuser; thus was Job tryed in the furnace of affliction; thus God purifies his church, as in the seventh Chapter of this Book 14th Verse, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb. And saith Job, When he hath tryed me, I shall come forth as gold: And Job did not miss of his expectation, as is written of him, ••am. 5.11. We count them happy which endure: Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

And ye shall have tribulation ten days: Thus Christ com|forts his Church by shewing them that their Adversary the Devil that casts them into Prison shall be limitted, that they may possess their Souls in patience, seeing their tribulations are bounded, and their Adversary limitted.

Ye shall have tribulation ten days: Here is a certain Num|ber of days mentioned to measure a certain limitted time of their Tribulation known to God; tho' the measured time by ten days is not known to the Church.

Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a Crown of Life: Here the Lord exhorts them to continue faithful i•• their tribulation to the death, making them an absolute pro|mise to reward them with an everlasting crown of life.

Verse 11. He that hath an ear let him hea•• what the spirit saith unto the Churches, he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

This is the second voice of the Spirit of God to the se|cond Church calling to every ear to hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches. He that overcometh shall not be hu•• of the second death, saith the Lord: As here is a promise made to those that overcome, that they shall not be hurt o•• the second death, so implicitly it carries in it a threatning a|gainst them that shall be overcome of being hurt by the se|cond death; there cannot be a second death but there mu•• be a resurrection between the first death and the second: th•• first death is the punishment of original Sin, which sin ca•• by the woman, 1 Tim. 2.14. And Adam was not deceived, b•• the Woman being deceived was in the transgression. The p••|nishment of this original Sin is the death of the Body, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 written, Dust thou art, and to dust shalt thou return; this i•• the first death and is executed on man in this life for the of|fence of one, Rom. 5.12. By one man Sin entered into the Wor•• and Death by Sin, and so death passed upon all men. Si•• death came thus by one man over all men, so there will be•• resurrection by one man, 1 Cor. 15.22. For as in Adam all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 even so in Christ shall all be made alive. And after this resurrection shall every man be judged according to their own works. Re•• 20.13, 14. And the sea gave up the dead, which were in i•• and death and Hell delivered up the dead which were in the•• ••nd they were judged every man according to their works, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire; this is the second death.

The third CHURCH.

Verse 12. And unto the angel of the Church in ••argamus write these things, saith he which hath ••he sharp sword with two edges.

John is order'd to write the third Epistle to the Angel of the ••hurch in Pargamus, in the name of him who hath the sharp word with two edges; which sword proceeds out of his ••outh, and is a token of his displeasure, and a threatning of ••dgment by war against the Nicholaitans.

Verse 13. I know thy works, and where thou wellest, even where Satan's seat is, and thou oldest fast my name, and hast not denyed my ••ith even in those days wherein Antipas was my ••ithful Martyr, who was slain among you where ••atan dwelleth.

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's ••at is. The Lord signifies to this Church, that he knows ••hat their works are, and considers their whole State and ••ndition upon all accounts; how their dwelling is where ••tans seat is. By Satan's seat we are to understand that ••ower which Satan makes use of against God's Church; as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Instance, Chap. 13.2. And the Dragon gave him his power, ••d his seat, and great Authority. Satan is the great Adver|••ry of God's Church, and is wont to make use of that power ••hich God hath set up to execute judgment and justice a|••ong the inhabitants of the earth, to act in matter of wor|••ip, so as to turn their sword against Christ's Church for ••t attending their Superstitious worship, established by the ••ragon under colour of worshipping the true God. And the welling of this Church was where Satan had gotten into ••e seat of judgment, and by reason of the blindness of the ••wer which God had set up as temporal judges, they tur|••d their sword against this Church, for not attending their ••perstitious worship. God gives this Church to know that ••e considers their works, and how their dwelling was where

the sear of persecution was, and how they had held fast his Name, and had not denied his faith, in those days wherein Antipas a faithful Martyr of his was slain. This was a re|markable time of persecution well known to this Church which was some considerable time before this epistle w•• sent to them, for saith the Lord, in those days wherein Antipa•• was my faithful Martyr.

Verse 14. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doct|rine of Balaam, who taught Balack to cast a stum|bling block before the children of Israel, to ea•• things sacrificed unto Idols, and to commit for|nication.

In the former verse the Lord took notice of those com|mendable things in this Church, which was praise worthy so in this verse he shews his dislike against those thing which he sees to be evil. In this verse the Lord shews th•• this Churches State is para••el with Israels of old; for wh•• Balack was out of hopes of prevailing against Israel 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the sword, through the counsel of Balaam he caused Isra|el to offend God, by eating things sacrificed unto Idols, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by committing fornication; so likewise when Satan sa•• that he could not overcome this Church, by the sword 〈◊〉〈◊〉 persecution, he then endeavours to make entrance in upon them by false teachers, as in the next verse.

Verse 15. So hast thou also them that hold th•• doctrine of the Nicholaitans, which thing hate.

What this doctrine was, was well known by this Church they being corrupted by it, what histories say it was is un|certain, and therefore would be superfluous to mention, and not likely to arise by Nicholas one of the seven Deacons who by the Church was a man of good report; but rather by some other Nicholas, and fathered upon Nicholas the De••|con for the better transport of it, to deceive the Church 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Satan's advantage: But as Satan did prevail against Israel b•• that Wile, to procure God's wrath against themselves b•• bringing Destruction upon their own heads, so did he the

like to some of this Church, who had imbrac'd this corrupt doctrine hateful in the sight of God: But God doth here ••in his tender mercy forewarn and threaten, but gives them time of repentance as in the next verse appears.

Verse 16. Repent or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Verse 17. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.

This is the third voice of the Spirit of God to the third Church, calling to every one that hath an ear to hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.

To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden Manna.

This hidden Manna is the true bread of life, by which our spiritual life is nourished and fed, represented by the outward Manna that Israel was nourished with in the Wilderness. Joh. 6.48, 49. I am the bread of Life; your Fathers did ••at Manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is Gods faithful promise to those that overcome, that they shall be so fed from Heaven with this hidden Manna, that they shall not starve and die, but their spiritual Life shall be so nourished that they shall hunger no more.

And I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

This white Stone is given to him that overcometh, and is a token of his justification in respect of his Warfare, as a valiant Soldier of Jesus Christ, who in faith|fulness to his Kings Interest, hath hazarded his own Life, and having overcome, hath in the Stone a new name which before he could not have, because it is the name of one that hath overcome in the Battle, or the name of him that ••hath gotten the Victory, which name he could not have before he had overcome, and it is a present bestowed upon him by his King, and his new name which is the name of

him that overcometh, he had it not before he had overcame and it is a new name not written on the Stone, but in the Stone, so that no man knoweth the name saving he the receiveth it by his conquest.

The fourth CHURCH

Verse 18. And unto the Angel of the Church in Thiatira write these things saith the Son o•• God, who hath his Eyes like a flame of Fi•• and his Feet are like fine Brass.

John is ordered to write this fourth Epistle to the Church in Thiatira, by order of the Son of God, in the Majesty of his terrible looks, whose Eyes are as a flame•• Fire, beholding all things, and his Feet are as fine Brass, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 if they burned in a Furnace; who treads all his Enemies 〈◊〉〈◊〉 der his Feet.

Verse 19. I know thy works and charity and service, and faith, and thy patience, a•• thy works, and the last to be more than t•• first.

The Son of God declares to this Church, that he know and taketh Notice of those excellent Vertues, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sees in them, to wit, their charity and service, their fai•• and patience, and their increase in these graces, so th•• the last is more than the first. These things wherein th•• were worthy of praise, he first mentioneth to them, th•• they may be encouraged in the way of well doing; a•• tho' he sees all these good things in them which are com|mendable, yet saith he in the following Verse,

Verse 20. Notwithstanding, I have a fe•• things against thee, because thou sufferest th•• woman Jezabel, which calleth her self a Pro|phetess, to teach and to seduce my servants

commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto Idols.

Thus the Son of God blames this Church, as being faulty for suffering false teachers among them, to teach and seduce his servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacri|ficed unto Idols; comparing them to Jezabel, who taught the Children of Israel to go a whoring from God, and to eat of the sacrifices offered to her Idols, which became a great snare to Israel, and brought sore Judgments upon them: The Lord parallels this Churches State to be like theirs, and in the same danger of destruction.

Verse 21. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not.

Thus the Son of God, whose Eyes are as a flame of Fire and beholds all things, makes use of the State of Jezabel as a president to forewarn this Church, to take heed & repent in time, considering what was the issue & effect of her wickedness, after she had a space of time afforded her to repent, and repented not of her whoredoms; the Lord therefore anointed Jeh•• to execute Judgment upon her in a terrible manner, who trod her under foot, and the Dogs eat her: This president is set before them to move them to repen|tance in time, and not to delay the same, lest he whose feet are as fine brass, execute the same Judgment upon them, by treading them under his feet.

Verse 22. Behold I will cast her into a bed, and they that commit Adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

Thus the Son of God carries on the relation of the cor|ruption that was gotten into this Church, paralelling it with the state of Jezabel, under the similitude of a married wife committing Adultery, for the Church of Christ is married to him, Rom. 7.4. Ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ, that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead; and therefore the Apostle James calls such Adulterers and Adul|teresses:

So that this Church of Thiatira that was married to Christ, and breaking Covenant with him by whoredom. It is termed Adultery; I will cast her into a bed, saith he•• this is a figurative speech, like to a temptation by the simi|litude of an Adulteress upon a bed, to tempt and invite to whoredom with her; and therefore he sets before thi•• Church the eminent danger they were in, by reason of this corrupt Doctrine crept in among them by the wile of the Devil, to ensnare them and others. And saith he, Behold I will cast her into a bed. This Her is the subverted part of this Church, which is compared to Jezabel, by reason of he•• false Doctrine, and they that commit Adultery with her into great tribulation. This is God's threatnings against them, except they repent of their deeds in time.

Verse 23. And I will kill her children with death.

That is, the children begotten by this Adulteress, com|pared to Jezabel; that is to say, the subverted part of this Church, which is gone a whoring from God: And thus he speaks after the similitude of the seduc'd Israelites of old who were begotten by the whoredom of Jezabel and were kill'd by Jehu in the house of Baal, which we•• children begotten in Adultery, and were such as the Prophe•• Isaiah speaks of, Isa. 57.3. But draw near hither ye sons of the Sorceress and the seed of the Adulterer and whore: and as Jehu saith, 2 Kin. 9.22. When Joram saw Jehu, he said, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it peace, and Jehu answered, What peace, so long as the whore|doms of thy mother Jezabel, and her Witchcrafts are so many This Jehu was the minister of God to execute judgment up|on those children begotten in Adultery; who were seduc•• by Jezebel's prophets, whom Elijah slew. And here the So•• of God threatens the whoredom that was committed in this Church with the like Judgment, except they repent in time forewarning them of their danger, by setting before them what came upon their predecessors in the like case: and saith he whose eyes are as a flame of Fire

And all the Churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts, and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

This is the voice of the Son of God to all the Churches in general; how he will give to every one of them accor|ding to their works.

Verse 24. But unto you I say.

This is spoken to the Six Churches, and unto the rest in Thyatira, that is, to that part of this Church also, which is not corrupted with this Doctrine, as in the following words appears; to wit,

As many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depth of Satan, as they speak:

That is, as these Seducers speak, but the Son of God hath such piercing eyes, that he sees the whole depth of Satan in his wily working to deceive the Churches by this doct|rine, which no doubt was carried on under fair pretences to beguile the Churches, as he had beguiled Eve, and there|fore said the Son of God to the six Churches, and to so many of this Church which had not drank in this Doct|rine,

I will put upon you none other burden.

Verse 25. But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come.

This coming is his coming in Judgment, against these Seducers and their bastard children begotten in Adultery, which he will kill with death, as he killed those false Prophets by Jehu; and Ahabs seventy sons, and all the house of Ahab, with all Jezabel's bastard children in the Spiritual Whoredom in the Church of God, under the first Covenant, so that this is a general Exhortation to all the faithful Children of God, to hold fast their integrity till he come, and execute his Judgment upon such as profess his name in words, and outward pre|tences of holiness; and so deceive the Churches of God: But the Son of God whose eyes are as a flame of fire, sees ••into their reius and hearts, and will give unto every one ac|cording to their works.

Verse 26. And he that overcometh and keep|eth my works unto the end, to him will give power over the nations.

Verse 27. And he shall rule them with a ro•• of iron.

The Son of God makes a promise to those that thro•• Faith and Patience overcomeeth, and keepeth his works unto the end, that he will give them power over the nations; this is to be understood a spiritual power thro' a victory obtained by Faith in the Son of God, in the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that there shall be no gainsaying against their doctrine they having overcome thro' their testimony, and patient suffering, so as that there is nothing that hath been hide but what shall be revealed; so that all their adversaried are forc'd to subject and yield to them in their testimony on the behalf of the son of God; and thus they rule the•• with a rod of iron, which they are not able to resist, having broken all their bands asunder, and cast away all their cord•• and will now rule with this rod of iron;

And as the vessels of a Potter shall they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 broken to shivers,

By the power given to them by the Son of God, wh•• received it from his Father; and this breaking to piece shall be the breaking of the union, which the nations a•• united to in false worship, according to Christ's words, Lu•• 12.51. Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on the earth? I tell you nay, but rather division.

Verse 28. And I will give him the morning star.

That is, he shall be the gloriousest of all the seven stars i•• my right hand, so that he shall excell in glory and brightness and shall be as a token of the day dawning, after a lo•• dark night of Apostacy in the Church,

Verse 29. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.

This is the fourth voice of the Spirit of God, calling 〈◊〉〈◊〉 every one that hath an ear, to hear what the Spirit of God saith to the Churches.

CHAP. III.

The fifth CHURCH.

Verse 1.

ANd unto the Angel of the Church in Sardis write these things, saith he that hath the se|ven Spirits of God, and the seven Stars, I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead.

This is the fifth Epistle which John is ordered to write unto the Church of Sardis, by order from him who hath the seven Spirits of God and the seven Stars, and therefore most absolutely hath a perfect knowledge of the State of the Angel of this Church, seeing he hath the seven Stars in his right hand; so that this Minister, or Angel, must of necessity be upheld by him, or of necessity must fall, and what a man hath in his right hand he hath a perfect view of it; and the state of this Church must needs be known by him whether it be living or dead; for he hath the seven Spirits of God, that is, he hath the fulness of the spirit without measure; and it is he that giveth it, & he that taketh it away: It is a talent given by him to his own servants to improve, as appears, 1 Cor. 12.7. The manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal: But if they to whom it is given make no profitable improvement, he is wont to take it from them; Mat. 25.28. Take therefore the talent from him; that is, from him that made no improvement of it. That which made this Church a living Church, was a measure of these seven spirits of God bestowed upon them to profit withal; and he that hath the seven Spirits of God, knows to whom he bestows it upon, and from whom he takes it a way; and he testifieth, that this Church hath a name to live and is

dead, and his testimony is true; it is the Spirit that quick|eneth or maketh a living Church or Member: And if th•• Spirit of God be taken away, the Church or Member from whom it is taken away is dead: And this was the state o•• this Church, thou hast a name that thou livest and are dead.

Verse 2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain that are ready to die.

And in the 4th verse it appears, that there was but a fe•• names in this Church, but what had defiled their garments so that the greatest number had a name to live but was dead; they had sinned that sin unto death. which the Apostle John speaks of, 1 Joh. 5.16. He that hath the seven Spirit•• of God, exhorts that remnant to watch, and to strengthe•• the things which were remaining that were ready to die: for saith he,

For I have not found thy works perfect be|fore God.

This testimony of this imperfection, is a sad character o•• such as make an outside show and great pretences of holiness and thereby get a name in this world of being a living Church, when indeed they are dead; for this was the state of this Church.

Verse 3. Remember therefore how thou ha•• received and heard.

Thus the Lord puts them in mind, how they had hea•• the glad tidings of their Salvation, and received the spiri•• of Adoption from him who hath the seven Spirits of God and exhorts them to hold fast their own Salvation, and not to let it go; for saith Christ in another place, What would it advantage a man if he should gain the whole world, and lost his own soul; or what shall a man give in exchange for hi•• soul: And therefore exhorts them to repent of their imper|fections; for in the foregoing verse saith he, For I have no•• found thy works perfect before God. Thus he accuses the•• with hypocrisy, and that they had thereby got a name to live, when indeed they were dead, and therefore exhorts them to repent in time, and to be upon their watch; for saith he,

If therefore thou shalt not watch; I will come on thee as a chief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

This is a threatning of sudden and unlook'd for Judgment that should be executed upon them when they least think of it. Luke 21.35. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth; watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the son of man. Thus the Lord forewarneth them what would be the event of their woful state, except they repent of their works and watch; for these that have a name to live and are dead, are the evil servant which shall say in his heart, my Lord delayeth his coming, and shall begin to smite his fellow servants; yea, they are those foolish virgins that have not kept oyl in their vessels, and their Lord coming suddenly findeth them sleeping; and therefore saith Christ to this Church and to all others in their state, Watch ye therefore; for ye know neither the day nor hour wherein the son of man ••ometh. And he that doth not repent and watch, the Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not ware of; and shall ••ut him off, and appoint him his portion with hypocrites; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Verse 4. Thou hast a few Names even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments.

This verse sheweth that there was but a few Names in this Church but what had defiled their garments; and this few he promiseth them, that

They shall walk with him in white, for they are worthy.

What is intended by these white garments is opened in the 19th Chapter, 7th and 8th verses. For the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made her self ready. By the Lamb is intended he that hath the seven Spirits of God, chap. 5, 6. and by his wife is intended his Church; and having made her self ready, is, she hath put on her wedding

garment which is granted to her, that she should be arrayed in fine linen clean and white; and by this fine linen is intend|ed the righteousness of the Saints, which is granted them thro' the Faith of the Son of God. And there was but a few names in Sardis but what had defiled their garments, and these few saith Christ, shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy: But the other and the greater part of this Church had been arrayed in the like rayment, clean and white before they had defiled them; but not having kept their garments clean, they are not counted worthy, but shall be esteemed as he that had not on his wedding garment. When the king came in to see his sons marriage, and beheld one of the guests which had not on his wedding garment, he said unto his servants, bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, Mat. 22.11, &c.

Verse 5. He that overcometh (saith the Lord) the same shall be cloathed in white raiment.

This victory by overcoming is by Faith in him that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven Stars in his right hand, who always gives the victory to the men of Faith 2 Tim. 4.7, 8. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness. This crown of righteousness is the white garment which those that overcome are arrayed in; and none but them that overcome can keep their garments clean, Chap. 7.14. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and have made the•• white in the blood of the lamb. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution, 2 Tim. 3.12. These light afflictions which are but for a moment, is as the furnace to separate the dross from the metal; and those that thus overcome in tribulation, the same shall be thus cloathed in this white raiment of righteousness.

And I will not blot out his name out of the book of life.

This is spoken as a Captain, that hath a list of the names of his soldiers: So, Christ here speaketh as if he had a list of the names of his soldiers enrolled in heaven; and those that prove cowards in his warfare, he blots out their names out of his book of life; and those that overcome he will not blot out their names, but he will confess them before his Father and before his holy Angels: And those whose names are blotted out of the Book of Life, are those which have a name to live and are dead; for if they have no name in the Book of Life, they must of necessity be dead; and those that see their names in the Book of Life are living warriours, listed in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foun|dation of the world.

Verse 6. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.

This is the fifth voice of the Spirit of God, calling to every one that hath an ear, to hear what the spirit saith into the Churches.

The sixth CHURCH.

Verse 7. And to the angel of the Church is Philadelphia, write these things, saith he that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 holy he that is true, he that hath the Key of David, he that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth,

John is ordered to write this sixth Epistle to the Church of Philadelphia, by him that is holy and true.

Quest. Who is this that is holy and true, that orders John to write this Epistle?

Answ. It is God and our Lord Jesus Christ, who saith ••e shall be holy for I the Lord your God am holy, Lev. 19.2. John 18.37. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I unto the World, that I should hear witness unto the truth, every ••ne that is of the truth heareth my voice. And the Reason why the Lord Jesus Christ expresseth himself under these

terms, is, because it is an Epistle directed to a Church which was holy and true, being made partakers of his holiness, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Spirit of truth. And he that hath the Key of David that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth & no m•• openeth, is the Son of God, who hath the Key of his heaven|ly Fathers House, and treasure, and this was fore prophes•• of him, by Isaiah in the days of Hezekiah King of Judah, t•• prophet who prophesied figuratively of Christs Glory in his Fathers house, by the turning out of Shebna (who was tr••••••surer: Isai. 22.15. compar'd with the 20.21. &c.) And p••••••ting in Eliakim into his place. And saith the prophet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall be a father to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 house of Judah, and the Key of the House of David will I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon his shoulder, so he shall open and none shall shut, and shall shut and none shall open: But Jesus Christ who is the Son and Offspring of David, hath all the glory of h•• Fathers house, which was figured out under this figure p••|phetically: But he being now come, and entered into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 glory of his heavenly Fathers house, hath the key of all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heavenly treasure; and he openeth and no man shutte•• and shutteth and no man openeth; for he hath the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 where the treasure is, which eye hath not seen, nor ear hear neither hath it entered into the heart of man, the things wh•• God hath prepared for them that love him, 1 Cor. 2.9.

Verse 8, I know thy works, behold I have before thee an open door.

He that is holy, and he that is true, testifieth to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Church, that he knows their Works, and he justifieth t•• in their Works, saying,

For thou hast a little strength, and hast k•• my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold I have set before thee an open door, and no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 can shut it.

This Church being holy and true, he that is holy and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath opened to them the door wherein his Father's trease is to be seen by them, and no man can shut it from them.

Verse 9. Behold I will make them of the syn•• gogue of Satan, which say they are Jews and are not, but do lie.

And therefore saith he that is holy, in the foregoing verse, signifying to this Church his knowledge of their good works and how that he had set before them an open door, that they might have a view of the glory of his Fathers house, ••s a token of his reward of their good works, he tells them ••n this verse what he would do to hypocritical Professors, that pretended to be Jews, that is to say his Church, when indeed saith he, they are not, but the synagogue of Satan, and therefore he threatens to unvail them, and to let it be known that they are liars to their open shame and confusion:

Behold (saith he) I will make them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 come and to worship before thy feet, and to know that have loved thee.

Verse 10. Because thou hast kept the word of any patience, I also will keep thee from the hour ••f temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth.

This verse contains a promise and a threatning, a promise 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this Church, because they had kept the word of his pati|ence to keep them from the hour of Temptation, that should ••me upon all the world, and this hour of Temptation is a ••reatning to all the World to try them that dwell on the ••th: which is a certain judgment which God threatneth ••em with, and promiseth to keep this Church from being ••rmed by it, this seems to be a time like the destruction of ••e old world or Sodom, but Noah and Lot was preserved, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 like that judgment which God threatned by the Apostle ••ter, 2 Pet. 2.1. &c. Here God tells of false teachers, that ••ould arise and through Covetousness with feigned words ••ey shall make Merchandize of you; this must needs be ••e synagogue of Satan. By reason of whom the way of ••uth shall be evil spoken of saith he, whose judgment now ••f a long time lingreth not saith the Apostle. This seemeth

to be like that temptation which was to come upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the world to try them that dwell upon the earth; and then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 compareth it to the destruction of the old world, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 deliverance of Noah, and to the destruction of Sodom, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the deliverance of Lot; intimating, how at such a Judgment God knows how to deliver the righteous, and to pu•• the wicked.

Verse 11. Behold I come quickly; hold the fast which thou hast, that no man take t•• crown.

This verse contains a promise of speedy coming; that to execute the Judgment (spoken of in the foregoing ve•• upon all the world, and to the great comfort of his Chur•• by keeping them from that hour of temptation. And sa•• he, Hold that fast which thou hast; that is, my word 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my name, spoken of in the 8th verse. That no man take 〈◊〉〈◊〉 crown, saith he; that is, if thou holdest fast my word 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my name patiently, until this hour of temptation co•• thou shalt be crowned with victory.

Verse 12. Him that overcometh will I m•• a pillar in the temple of my God.

The Temple is the Church or House of God, 1 Tim 15. Heb. 3.6.2 Cor. 6.16. And those that overcome 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pillars in this House or Temple of God.

And he shall go no more out.

That is, he shall be a perpetual pillar of the Church.

And I will write upon him the name of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God, and the name of the city of my God, whi•• is the new Jerusalem.

This name of God written upon him, is to signify t•• he is God's servant, and the name of the city of God being written upon him, is to signify he is a citizen of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God; which name alludeth from the earthly Jerusalem which was called the city of God.

And I will write upon him my new name.

This new name is the name of him that overcometh.

Verse 13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches.

This is the sixth voice of the Spirit of God, calling to every one that hath an ear, to hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches.

The seventh CHURCH.

Verse 14. And unto the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans, write these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the begin|ning of the Creation of God.

This is the 7th and last Epistle, to the seventh and last Church which John is order'd to write unto. Saith the Amen. This is a conclusive word (from him who orders John to write) and carries in it, So be it. The Son of God is the faithful and true Witness, chap. 1.5. The beginning of the creation of God; Joh. 1.1. compared with the 14th verse. Col. 1.15. &c.

Verse 15. I know thy works that thou art neither cold nor hot.

This is the testimony that is testifyed to this Church, by him who is the faithful and true Witness, who knows their works, and giveth them a faithful and true testimony what state they are in; that is, neither cold nor hot, which is very unsavoury, and like to be spued out of his mouth.

I would (saith he) thou wast either cold or hot.

Verse 16. So then, because thou art luke|warm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Verse 17. Because thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.

In this verse he gives them the reason why he will spue them out of his mouth; for they are in such an unsavoury state, that they are no ways teachable, because they think they are that which indeed they are not; they are such as Christ in his doctrine saith, Wo unto you that are rich; that is, so in their conceit, but in reality it is not so. But saith the faithful and true Witness,

But thou knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and na|ked.

Thus was this Church deceived in themselves, and was got into a most wretched and miserable condition; for they were poor, but thought themselves to be rich; they were blind, but conceited they saw; naked, but thought they were cloathed; they had no faith to enrich them, and knew it not; they gloried in their own wisdom, but were unacquainted with the state of wisdom's children; they were not cloathed with the righteousness of the saints, but knew it not; they conceited they saw, but had not the eye of Faith, but was spiritually blind.

Verse 18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold ••ryed in the fire that thou mayest be rich.

This gold is that precious Faith that the Apostle Peter speaks of, 1 Pet. 1.7. That the tryal of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, tho' it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tried with fire.

I counsel thee to buy of me gold that thou mayest be rich. They are indeed happy that take this counsel, that they may be rich in that faith which works by love.

And buy of me white rayment that thou mayest be cloathed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.

This white rayment is the righteousness of the saints, chap. 19.18.

And anoint thine eyes with eye salve that thou mayest see.

This eye salve is the Spirit of God, that enlightens the eyes of the understanding. I counsel thee, saith the Lord Jesus, to buy of me these things; yea, he alone is the hea|venly Merchant who is able to supply this Church, and all others with this heavenly treasure; for he hath all his heavenly fathers treasure in his own hand, and if we will be supplied with these things, we must sell all that we have of our own, to purchase these things to fit us for his kingdom.

Verse 19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent.

The Lord acquaints this Church, that his rebukes and chastising of them was in love and mercy, and not in judg|ment; and therefore he exhorts them to repent.

Verse 20. Behold I stand at the door and knock.

This is at the door of the heart, by the voice of his chastisements, that the King of Glory may come in: And it is spoken by the similitude of a man knocking at the door of his house desiring it may be opened unto him, that he may enter in. And the saints Bodies is the House or Temple of God, and Christ stands knocking and calling many times at his Temple or House door, saying, Behold I stand at the door and knock:

If any man hear my voice and open to me, I will come in and will sup with him, and he with me.

He that opens the door for him to come in, will have a joyful house, and a merry supper, for he is a blessed companion, and will make a merry heart when he comes into his Temple. 1 Cor. 3.16. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God.

Verse 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am sit down with my father in his throne.

This is a wonderful and gracious promise made unto this Church by the Son of God, to encourage them and all others to fight the good sight of Faith, that we may be counted worthy to sit down with him in his throne, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he hath overcome and is set down with his father in h•• throne, in the kingdom and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given unto the people of the saints of the most high, whose kingdom is an ever|lasting kingdom, and all dominions shall obey him.

Verse 22. He that hath an ear, let him hea•• what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.

This is the seventh voice of the Spirit of God, to eve•• one that hath an ear, to hear what the Spirit saith unto t•• Churches: This is the voice of the seven Spirits of God speaking to the seven Angels of the seven Churches, a•• to the seven Churches.

And the Lamb of God hath seven horns, and seven eye which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth chap. 5.6. His seven horns sheweth, that he hath all pow|er both in heaven and earth. And his seven eyes sheweth that he hath the Spirit of God without measure in the fulness thereof, and sees all things. And the seven State in his right hand comprehends all his Ministers. A•• the seven golden Candlesticks which he walks in th•• of, comprehends the full and compleat number of all •• Churches that ever was or ever shall be.

CHAP. IV.

The first Vision of the seven Churches being ended, a second Vision of future things is made known to John as followeth.

Verse 1.

AFter this I looked, and behold a door was opened in heaven, and the first voice which heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me, which said, come up hither, and will shew thee things which must be here|after.

This verse sheweth us, that after John's first Vision was ••nded, he looked and behold a door was opened in heaven, ••nd the first voice which he heard was as it were of a trum|••et talking with him, inviting him to go up into heaven, promising him to shew unto him things that was afterward ••o come to pass.

Verse 2. And immediately I was in the Spi|rit (saith he.)

That is, in such a spiritual frame, being prepared of God ••o behold, and to make a report of what was to be made known to him. And saith he,

Behold a throne was set in heaven.

This was the throne of God Almighty, Isai. 66.1. Acts ••7.49.

And one sat on the throne.

He that sits on this throne is God Almighty, even Jesus Christ the Creator of all things, Rom. 9.5. 1 Tim. 6.15. Which in his times, he shall shew who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

Verse 3. And he that sat, was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone; and the•• was a rainbow round about the throne, in sigh•• like unto an emerald.

Thus John beheld him on his Throne, in his king•• Majesty and Glory, shining like precious stones.

Verse 4. And round about the throne we•• twenty four seats, and upon the seats I sa•• twenty four elders sitting, cloathed in whi•• rayment; and they had on their heads crown of gold.

These twenty four Elders do represent the twelve Elde•• of the twelve Tribes of Israel, and measures the whol•• Church of the Jews. And the twelve Apostles measure the whole Church of the Gentiles, for the saints s••ll judg•• the world, 1 Cor. 6.2. These twenty four Elders ha•• crowns of gold on their heads, to shew they sit with Chr•• in Judgment. These twenty four Elders are represented t•• John by the twelve gates of the city of the new Jerusale•• and the twelve foundations thereof. Chap. 21.12, 13, 14. At the gates twelve Angels, and names written thereon, whi•• are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Isra•• and the twelve foundations in them, the names of the twel•• Apostles of the Lamb, which comprehend the twenty foo•• Elders. And their being cloathed in white, doth repres•• their righteous state in Judgment. Chap. 19.8. And to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, cle•• and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Verse 5. And out of the throne proceed•• lightenings, and thunderings, and voices.

These lightenings, thunderings and voices, are to set forth the fearful and dreadful Sentences of God's Judgments pro•• ceeding from the throne of his Justice against this wick•• world, by sword, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wall be seen in opening the Seals.

And there were seven lamps of fire burning ••efore the throne, which are the seven Spirits ••f God.

These seven burning lamps, were figured by the seven ••mps in the Temple, upon the golden candlestick, which ••ve light in the Temple; for it is the seven Spirits of ••od that causeth the seven burning lamps, or that is the ••ght of this Church, and causeth them to be the light of ••e world, Mat. 5.14.

Verse 6, 7, 8. And before the throne there ••as a sea of glass, like unto christal.

This vision of the sea of glass before the throne, is to ••t forth the place that those saints got into, when they ••me out of their wilderness state, as is to be seen, Chap. 15.••3. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: ••d them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over ••s image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, and on the sea of glass, having the harps of God; and they ••g the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of ••e Lamb▪ saying, Great and marvellous are thy works Lord ••od Almighty, just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. ••hus they stand before the throne on the sea of glass, prai|••ng the King of Saints, who sits on the throne of God ••mighty, as Israel did when they had obtained deliverance ••ut of Egypt, through the mighty power of God by the and of Moses.

And in the midst of the throne, and round ••bout the throne, were four beasts full of eyes ••efore and behind.

These are the cherubims or Angels of God, who are ••is Ministers, attending in and about his throne, ready to ••xecute his Judgments; being shewed to John in the Vision ••ke four living creatures according to the number of the our winds of the heavens, and in number according to ••he four sore Judgments of God, which they are executi|••ners of; seeing every ways both before and behind, and within; and they were represented to John in the Vision.

The first like a Hon, the second like a cal•• and the third had a face like a man, and th•• fourth like a flying eagle.

Like a Lion, who is the fiercest among wild beasts; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Calf or Ox, who is servicable for the use of man; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 third had a face like a man, who is wiser than the be•• of the field; and the 4th like a flying Eagle, who is sw•• in motion, every way fit for the service of God, attend•• about his throne like faithful Ministers. And they h•• no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy Lord God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

And they had each of them six wings.

These holy Angels were not always represented alike, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the sixth chap. of Isai. 2, 3. They are represented to hi•• with six wings, as they are here,

One crying to another, Holy, holy, holy the Lord God of hosts.

And in the first chap. of Ezek. 6. and 10. verses, they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 represented to him having four wings, and their faces w•• in the same similitude as is mentioned in this book; to w•• the face of a man and the face of a lion on the right 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and they four had the face of an ox on the left side, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 face of an eagle. And the Cherubims in the Temple 〈◊〉〈◊〉 each of them but two wings, 2 Chron. 3.11. And as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 twenty four Elders doth represent both the Church of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Jews and the Church of the Gentiles, so doth the num•• four beasts, represent in this place all the innumerable 〈◊〉〈◊〉 titude of Angels.

Verse 9, 10, 11. And when those beasts gi•• glory, and honour, and thanks, to him th•• sat on the throne who liveth for ever and ev•• the twenty four elders fall down before hi•• that sat on the throne, and worship him th•• liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crown before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy

••rd, to receive glory, and honour, and power; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thou hast created all things, and for thy ••easure they are and were created.

Here John saw in this vision, both Angels and Men wor|••pping him that sat on the throne, ascribing glory, and ho|••ur, and power, to him who had created all things, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whose pleasure they are and were created; beholding ••e twenty four Elders falling down before him, and cast|••g their crowns before the throne.

CHAP. V.

Verse 1.

ANd I saw in the right hand of him that sat upon the throne, a book written ••ithin.

This Book which John saw in the right hand of him ••at sits upon the throne, contains the history of the things ••vealed to John in this book of the Revelation; and ••hat is contained in the book will be seen in going over ••e book.

And on the back side sealed with seven seals.

This book being sealed on the back side with seven seals, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to signify that what was written therein, was God's se|••et knowledge of all those things therein contained; for ••he number seven measures a perfection of whatsoever it ••xpresseth; even the whole of every thing it measures; and ••n this place measures a perfect secresy of all things written ••n this book, it not being known what was therein con|••ained by any man in heaven, nor on the earth, neither un|••er the earth.

Verse 2. And I saw a strong Angel, pro|••laiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof.

Verse 3. And no man in heaven, nor earth, neither under the earth, was able open the book, neither to look thereon.

Verse 4. And I wept much because no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was found worthy to open, and to read the b•• neither to look thereon.

Here is three things to be taken notice of. The fi•• how John saw a strong Angel proclaiming with a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 voice by way of enquiry, Who (saith he) is worthy to the book, and to loose the seals thereof. Secondly, we•• no man in heaven nor in earth, neither under the earth, able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And this Johns great lamentation, because no man was found w•• to open and to read the book, neither to look thereo••

Verse 5. And one of the elders saith 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me, weep not, behold, the lion of the tribe Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed open the book, and to loose the seven 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thereof.

This verse doth shew, that one of the Elders did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 comfortably to John, saying to him, Weep not, beho•• lion of the Tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath pr••••|ed to open the book: and to loose the seven seals th•• This root of David is Jesus Christ in his Divine Na•• Chap. 22.16. I am the root and the offspring of David this verse Jesus Christ is compared to a lion in his Di•• Nature.

Verse 6. And I behold, and lo in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the throne, and of the four beasts, and the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it•• been slain, having seven horns, and seven e•• which are the seven Spirits of God sent for into all the earth.

In this verse Jesus Christ is represented to John, as he the Lamb of God, and that only Sacrifice for Sin, even

nature. Having seven horns: These seven horns measures to him all power, both in heaven and in earth. And ••n eyes which are the seven Spirits of God, measures out ••im a perfect sight of all things, by the Spirit of God, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 present, and to come; for the seven eyes are the seven ••its of God, which shews he hath not the Spirit by mea|•••• but the fulness thereof. Sent forth into all the earth, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he; that is, out of his fulness, his church is made par|•••• of a measure of the same spirit, John 1.16. And of fulness have all we received, and grace for grace, Col. 1.〈◊〉〈◊〉 For it pleased the Father, that in him should all fulness 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Joh. 3.34.

Verse 7, 8, 9, 10. And he came and took 〈◊〉〈◊〉 book out of the right hand of him that sat ••n the throne.

••nd when he had taken the book, the four ••sts and twenty four elders fell down before 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lamb, having every one of them harps, and ••den viols full of odours, which are the pray|of saints.

••nd they sung a new song, saying, thou art ••thy to take the book, and to open the ••s thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast re|med us to God by thy blood, out of eve|•••••• kindred and tongue, and people, and na|••:

And hast made us unto our God, kings, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 priests, and we shall reign on the earth.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 these foregoing verses, there is several observable ••gs to be taken notice of. The first is, that though ••man in heaven nor in the earth, nor under the earth, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 able to open the Book, yet the Lamb of God came 〈◊〉〈◊〉 took the book out of the right hand of him that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on the throne. And secondly, when he had taken the ••k, the four Beasts and four and twenty Elders

fell down before the Lamb; as is written, Heb. 1.6. let all the Angels of God worship him. Phil. 2.9, &c. thirdly, we may observe, that these that fell down b•• him, had every one of them harps, which were to forth his praises, in setting forth his worthiness to take book, and to open the seals thereof; and how there given to every one of them viols full of odours, which the prayers of Saints; and this was figured out under law, Lev. 16.17. Luk. 1.10. And the whole multitude of people were praying without at the time of incense. For•• the prayers, and praises of the wicked, are an abomi•• to the Lord, yet the prayers and praises of the righ•• are as sweet incense offered before him. And fourthly may observe, that the golden viols that was given to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one of them full of incense, as in the 8th verse, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prayers of saints, which did contain the song sung is 9th verse, praising God for their redemption, by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Lamb. And fifthly, we may observe, it was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 song that they sung, ascribing worthiness unto the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of God, who was slain, and hath redeemed us with blood to God; and not only so, but hath made us 〈◊〉〈◊〉 our God kings, and priests, and we shall reign on the ear••

Verse 11, 12. And I beheld, and heard voice of many Angels round about the thr•• and the Beasts, and the Elders, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ber of them was ten thousand times ten t•• sand, and thousands of thousands.

Saying with a loud voice, worthy is the L•• that was slain, to receive power, and riches, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wisdom, and strength, and honour, and g•• and blessing.

We may observe in these two foregoing Verses, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in this Vision beheld and heard, the voices of many 〈◊〉〈◊〉 about the throne, and the Beasts, and the Elders, no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but it was the numberless multitudes of Angels, f•• expresseth them after the maner as Daniel doth, D•• 10. Thousand Thousands ministred unto him, and ten tho••

••mes ten thousand stood before him. Thus John beheld and ••eard the innumerable multitude of Angels ascribing all ••orthiness to the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, riches, ••isdom, strength, and glory and blessing.

Verse 13, 14. And every creature which is ••n heaven and on the earth, and under the ••arth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are ••n them; heard I saying, blessing, and honour, ••nd glory, and power, be unto him that fitteth on ••he throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and e|••er.

And the four Beasts said Amen, and the four ••nd twenty Elders fell down and worshipped ••im that liveth for ever and ever.

Here we may observe, that God hath exalted his Son, and ••ade him equal with himself, according to what is writ|••n, Phil. 2.10, 11. That at the name of Jesus, every kne•• ••ould how, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things ••nder the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Je|••s Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

CHAP. VI.

Verse 1.

ANd I saw when the Lamb opened one of the Seals, and I heard as it were the noise ••f thunder, one of the four beasts saying, come ••nd see.

Here we are informed, that John saw when the Lamb ••pened one of the seals; and how that he was invited by ••id beast to come and see.

Verse 2. And I saw, and behold a wh•• horse, and he that sat on him had a bow, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a crown was given unto him.

This bow and crown is to shew that he is going fo••

Conquering and to conquer:

And that he shall have the victory. And who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 warriour is, is shewed in the 19th Chapter of this book. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his white horse, and many crowns, after he had gotten 〈◊〉〈◊〉 victory, this 6th Chapter 2d verse, &c. doth set forth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 preparation, and the beginning of his war, and after 〈◊〉〈◊〉 manner he carries it on to conquer and subdue the natio•• to wit, by sword, by famine, pestilence and wild beasts, wh•• are his four sore Judgements, sentences to be executed him that sits upon the throne: And in the 19th Chapter is set forth in his victorious acts, by having the conqu•• as in verse 11, 12, 13. And I saw heaven opened, and be•• a white horse, and he that sat upon him was called faith and true, and in righteousness he doth judge and make w•• His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were m•• crowns: And he had a name written, that no man knew 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he himself: And he was cloathed in a vesture dipt in blo•• and his name is called the Word of God.

Here are three observable things. First, his many cro•• doth shew his great conquest, as being King of kings; in the 16th verse. And Secondly, his vesture being di•• in the blood of his enemies. And Thirdly, he is call by his name, to shew who he is; to wit, his name is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 led the Word of God, which word was made flesh, Joh. 1.〈◊〉〈◊〉 And the great conquest which he had, is shewed in the 17•• verse, and 18th verse, where the fouls of the heaven 〈◊〉〈◊〉 invited to come and to eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of hors•• and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men both free 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bond both small and great.

Verse 5. And when he had opened the seco•• seal, I heard the second Beast say, Come a•• see.

Here John is invited by the second Beast to come and ••ee.

Verse 4. And there went out another Horse ••hat was red.

This red Horse doth represent a Sentence from the throne ••f God, that there shall be Wars among the Inhabitants of ••e earth, as a Judgment executed upon them for their ••ickedness, and therefore it is said in the verse,

And power was given to him that sat there|••n, to take peace from the earth, and that they ••hould kill one another, and there was given un|••o him a great Sword.

This is the beginning of Sorrows among the Inhabitants of ••is wicked World; according to the testimony of our ••ord, Matt. 24.6, 7, 8. For Nation shall rise against nati|••a, and Kingdom against Kingdom, and there shall be Eamines, ••d Pest••lences, and Earthquakes in divers places, all these are ••e beginning of Sorrows.

Verse 5. And when he had opened the third ••eal, I heard the third Beast say, Come and ••e, and I beheld, and loe a black Horse and he ••hat sat on him had a pair of Ballances in his ••and.

Verse 6. And I heard a voice in the midst of the ••ur Beasts, saying, A measure of wheat for a ••eny, and three measures of Barley for a peny, ••nd see thou hurt not the Oyl and the Wine.

We may observe, that at the opening of the third seal, ••e third beast invited John to come and see, and then ••e beheld a black horse, and he that sat on him had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pair of bal••ances in his hand. This is to represent a ••ntence of famine from the throne of God; as if corn ••as so scarce that they weighed it with ballances. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A mea|••ure of wheat for a peny, and three measures of barly for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 peny.

This is to shew the great scarcity of corn, by re•• whereof the famine is great.

And see thou hurt not the oyl and the wine. This imp•• a great scarcity, by reason whereof no damage or i•• ought to be done to the oyl or to the wine; or no f•• or deceit in the measure of it, whereby any may be w•• ed or defrauded thereby.

Verse 7, 8. And when he had opened 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fo•• beast say, come and see.

And I looked, and behold a pale horse, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his name that sat on him was death, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 followed with him; and power was given 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them over the fourth part of the earth, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with sword, and with hunger, and with de•• and with the beasts of the earth.

Here we have an account, that at the opening of fourth seal, the 4th beast invited John to come and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and how he beheld a pale horse, and how that his name 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sat on him was death, and hell followed with him.

This is to represent the sentence of death from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that sat on the throne, which was executed by pest•• diseases or plagues, by sickness, to cut off the inhabit•• of the earth by death for their wickedness.

Thus we may see in the opening of these four sea•• the Lamb of God, how God is wont to punish the w•• ed world by his four sore judgments, when they go in sin, by oppression and persecution, as will appear in opening of the next seal. Here we have an account 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that power was given to them, that is to the four be•• over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sword and with hunger, and with death, and with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beasts of the earth, even with God's four sore Judgme••

Verse 9. And when he had opened the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seal, I saw under the altar the souls of th•• that were slain for the word of God, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the testimony which they held.

In the opening of this fifth seal, we may see what the ••orld had been doing which provoked the Lord to exe|••te those judgments upon them: For when the Lamb ••ened the 5th seal, John saw under the altar the souls of them ••ich were slain for the word of God, and for the testi|••ony which they held.

The Altar was the place where they were wont to offer ••ean beasts a sacrifice to the Lord; but these were those ••t offered up their lives a sacrifice to the Lord; for they ••ere slain for the word of God, and for the testimony ••hich they held. For saith John, I saw under the Altar 〈◊〉〈◊〉 souls of them that were slain. The Soul is many times ••ken for the Body, as in the 16th chapter of this Book ••ird verse, And every living soul died in the sea; as also ••cts 2.31. He seeing this besore, speake of the resurrection 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, that is, in the ••ave, as Davids was, who saw corruption.

Verse 10. And they cryed with a loud voice, ••ying, how long, O Lord, holy and true, dost ••ou not judge and avenge our blood on them ••at dwell on the earth.

This sheweth that the blood of Gods saints cries for ••ngeance; and tho' God's patience is extended for a time wards sinners, yet they shall not escape his hand.

Verse 11. And white robes were given to ••ery one of them.

All Gods persecuted & suffering Saints are here represented John in this vision, as slain and lying under the Altar, and they came out of great tribulation, and thereby were ••rifyed by the fire of affliction.

It is said, white robes were given to every one of them, ••is written, Chap. 7.14. These are they that came out of ••at tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them ••ite in the blood of the Lamb. And it was said unto ••em, that they should rest yet for a little season. This is an ••wer to their cries who cried and said, how long, O Lord, ••ly and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on ••em that dwell on the earth. The Answer of God to ••em is,

That they should rest yet for a little sea•• until their fellow servants also, and their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thren that should be killed as they were, sho•• be fulfilled,

This is an exhortation to God's suffering servants u•• their persecution, to be in the exercise of patience u•• their sufferings, until the Iniquity of their persecuton fully ripe: For he that letteth will let, until he be taken•• of the way, and then shall that wicked be revealed, who•• Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 destroy with the brightness of his coming, 2 Thes. 2.7, 8.

In the opening of the four Seals past, is shewed how 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God's four sore Judgments had been executed upon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for their wickedness. And in the opening of the fifth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shews the cries of God's suffering Saints under their per•• tions; whose cries came up to heaven, they crying and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ing, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not ju•• and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tho' God's hand had been visiting the world, yet they wo•• not see nor learn instruction, according to what is wri•• Isai. 26.11. Lord when thy band is lifted up, they will not but they shall see, and be ashamed, for their envy to•• thy people. In the opening of the next Seal will appe•• great and dreadful day of the Lord upon the wi•• world.

Verse 12. And I beheld when he had open the sixth Seal, and lo there was a great ean•• quake.

This is to express the great and dreadfulness of this day.

And the Sun became black as sackcloth of h•• and the Moon became as blood.

Verse 13. And the Stars of Heaven fell u•• the earth even as a figtree casteth her untim•• figs when she is shaken of a mighty Wind.

All this is to set forth God's dreadful and terrible Ju•• ments upon the enemies of his church. In this great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dreadful day of the Lord, all light and joy being taken 〈◊〉〈◊〉

〈◊〉〈◊〉 wicked, it is set forth by the Sun being black as Sack|••oth of hair, and by the Moon's being turned into blood, ••d falling of the Stars, all which is to set forth this black ••d dark day of destruction and desolation; as if all the ••ight lights of heaven were darkned over them. Such a day 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this was threatned against Babylon of old, by the prophet ••aiah, which came upon her at her destruction, Isai. 13.9, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 11. Behold the day of the Lord cometh cruel, both with ••ath and fierce anger, to lay the land deso••ate, and he shall ••stroy the sinners thereof out of it: for the stars of heaven and ••e constellations thereof shall not give their light, the Sun ••all be darkned in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause ••er light to shine: And I will punish the World for their evil, ••nd the wicked for their iniquity, and I will cause the arrogan|••y of the proud to cease, and I will lay low the haughtiness of ••he terrible.

The like destruction was prophesied of by Ezekiel, and after ••ame upon Fgypt; Ezek. 32.7, 8. And when I shall extinguish ••hee, or put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the ••ars thereof dark; and I will cover the sun with a cloud, and ••e moon shall not give her light; and all the bright Lights ••f heaven will I make dark over thee, and set darkness upon thy and, saith the Lord God.

The like Great Day of God's Wrath was before prophesied of by our Saviour upon Jerusalem and Judeath; which was executed upon them at the destruction thereof by the Romans. Luk. 21.24, 25, 25. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all natons, and Jeru|salem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, and there shall b•• signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea, and the wave, ••oaring, mens hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.

Verse 14. And the heaven departed as a Scroll when it is rolled together, and every Mountain, and Island were moved out of their places.

This is to set forth their dreadful confusion, as if the whole frame of heaven and earth were out of its frame of order, by measuring their confusion by the heavens, as if it

were like a Scroll when it is rolled together, and by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 earth as if every mountain and Island were ••ved out their places.

Verse 15. And the kings of the earth, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great men, and the rich men, and the chief c•• tains, and the mighty men, and every bon•• m•• and every free man, hid themselves in the d•• and in the rocks of the mountains.

Verse 16. And said to the mountains 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him that fitteth on the throne, and from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wrath of the Lamb.

Hos. 10.8. And they shall say to the mountains, cover us•• to the hills, fall on us. This was foretold what should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at the destruction of Samaria, Luk. 23.30. This place for told what should be at the destruction of Jerusalem.

Verse 17. For the great Day of his wrath come, and who shall be able to stand?

The opening of this 6th seal expresseth a period of time w•• iniquity was fully ripe, even such a time spoken of, Joel 3.14, 15. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; co•• you down for the press is full, the fats overflow, for their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 edness is great, multitudes, multitudes in the valey of de•• the Sun and the Moon shall be darkned, and the Stars shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 draw their shining.

In the opening of the Seals all things revealed in this b•• of the Revelation is opened, and made known by Ch•• to his church, and yet these judgments spoken of in the pening of these six Seals is oftentimes fulfilled, as Christ sa•• Mat. 24.34. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pass till all these things be fulfilled: For as there is a time 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ saith, Mat. 24.6. compared with the 8th verse, A•• ye shall hear of wars, and rumours of wars; see that ye be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is not yet: all these are the beginning of sorrows.

Thus Christ shows there is a beginning of sorrows and that the end of them is not yet, for they shall co••

••nue for some time before the end of them cometh, which is ••me great overthrow of the wicked, by a tenible de|••ruction, such as was the destruction of the Jews by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••mans, or such a destruction as was upon the Roman Empire 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Constantine the great, which were great and dreadful ••ays of God's Judgments upon the wicked, to their utter ••verthrow. Thus it is always at the opening of the sixth Seal; for the great Day of God's wrath always cometh at ••e opening of this sixth Seal, and who then is able to stand before his wrath, and the wrath of the Lamb. Now by ••is great everthrow of the wicked, God's wrath is appeased, ••d his Spirit is quieted, and now stops his hand, having ••unished the wicked; as will appear in the following ••hapter.

CHAP. VII.

Verse 1.

ANd after these things I saw four Angels standing on the four corners of the earth, olding the four winds of the earth, that the wind ••hould not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, ••or on any tree.

Here we have an Account what followed after those things ••poken of in the foregoing Chapter. These four Angels ••ere the executioners of God's Judgments, and were now ••opt from any further execution, 'till the servants of God ••ere sealed in their foreheads, as will appear in the two ••ollowing Verses; for John saw them holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, ••or on the sea, nor on any tree.

What is intended by the blowing of the wind, is to be seen in these following Scriptures; Jer. 39.46. And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of the ••heaven, and will scatter them towards all those winds, aud

there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 come. Jer. 18.17. I will scatter them as with an east wi•• before the enemy. Jer. 51.1, 2. Behold I will raise up again Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them th•• rise up against me, a destroying wind, &c. for in the day 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••rouble they shall be against her round about. Dan. 7.2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 saw in my vision by night, and behold the four winds of th•• heaven: strove on the great sea. So that by the blowing o•• the winds is represented wars and commotions, and the hold|ing of the winds a stop of those commotions and trouble And these four Angels are the four spirits of the heaven which go forth from standing before the God of the whole earth Zach. 6.5, 6. and are the executioners of God's Judg|ments.

Verse 2, 3. And I saw another Angel as|cending from the east.

This is the Son of Righteousness, who ariseth with heal|ings in his wings, having the seal of the living God; for i•• is he alone that sealeth us unto the day of Redemption with his holy Spirit.

And he cried with a loud voice to the fou•• Angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, to stop their hand, till the se•• vants of God were sealed.

And by the earth and sea, and the trees, is intended th•• inhabitants of this world, chap. 12.12. Wo to the inhabite•• of the earth, and of the sea. Chap. 17.15. The waters wh•• thou sawest where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multi|tudes, and nations, and tongues. Ezek. 20.46. compar•• with the 47th verse, Son of man, &c. prophecy against th•• forrest of the south field, &c. I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree, &c. And all faces from the south to the north shall be burnt therein.

And as the Storms of wind is wont to do hurt at sea by the destruction of Ships, and on the earth by blowing down houses and trees, so the Storm of War is destructive to Man|kind.

Now after the wrath of him that sitteth on the throne, ••nd the wrath of the Lamb had been executed, to the great ••rrour and amazement of the enemies of the Church of ••hrist, by a great overthrow, the servants of God are seal'd •• their foreheads, that the Church of God may be exalted bove the top of the mountains: But before the opening of ••he sixth seal, they were under great sufferings by persecu|tion, as appears by John's seeing their souls under the Altar sain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held; but now judgment is executed upon their perse|••utors, even a full cup of God's wrath is powred out upon ••hem, and now he exalts his Church under the denomination ••f sealing a select number, as in the 4th verse, John in his Vision.

Verse 4. Heard the Number of them which ••re sealed, and there were sealed an hundred ••nd forty and four thousand, of all the tribes ••f the children of Israel; (that is) twelve thou|••and of every tribe,

Mentioned in this Chapter. Under the sealing of this num|••er of a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the ••ibes of the Children of Israel, is comprehended all the ••aled ones, as may be seen in Chap. 14.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. And I ••oked, and ••o a Lamb stood on Mount Sion, and with him an undred forty and four thousand, having their fathers ••ame written on their foreheads, &c. And they sung as it ••ere a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, ••nd the elders; and no man could learn that song but the hun|••red and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from ••e earth: These are they which were not defiled with women, or they are virgins: These are they which follow the Lamb ••hithersoever he goeth: These were redeemed from among men, ••eing the first fruits unto God, and in their mouth was found ••o guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God, Chap. 9.4.

Verse 9. After this I beheld, and lo a great ••ultitude which no man could number, of all

nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues stood before the throne and before the Lam•• cloathed with white robes, and palms in the•• hands.

The white robes was to represent their righteous state, an•• palms in their hands to shew their Victory.

Verse 10. And cried with a loud voice, say|ing, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon th•• throne, and unto the Lamb.

Thus they ascribe their Salvation and Victory to him th•• sits on the throne and to the Lamb.

Verse 11, 12. And all the Angels stood round about the Throne, and about the Elders, and th•• four beasts, and fell before the throne on the•• faces and worshipped God, saying, Amen, blessing and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our Go•• for ever and ever, amen.

And thus all the Angels that stood round about the thro•• fell before the throne on their faces and worshipped God, a•• cribing blessing, and glory, and Wisdom, and thanksgiving and honour, and power, and might to God for ever and ev•• Amen.

Verse 13. And one of the Elders answered saying unto me, what are these which are arrayed in white robes, and whence came they.

Verse 14. And I said unto him, Sir, th•• knowest. And he said unto me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and ha•• washed their robes, and made them whi•• in the blood of the Lamb.

Thus the Church of Christ is represented to John in •• state of puritie and holiness, after their great tribulation, which was shewed in the opening of the fifth Seal, how they

saying, how long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge ••nd a venge our Blood on them that dwell on the earth: But ••ow the day of their deliverance is come, and the destruction ••f their Enemies, by a dreadful overthrow from the throne of God.

Verse 15. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day & night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

These are they that serve him in his temple, that is in their inward man in Spirit and in truth. for their bodies is the ••emple of God, and he dwelleth in them. 2 Cor. 6.16.

Verse 16, 17. They shall hunger no more, neithes thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat,

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 way all tears from their eyes.

Thus Gods Church is comforted with their everlasting ••oy and happiness to all Eternity.

Thus it appears that at the opening of the sixth Seal, the ••utter destruction of the enemies of God's Church cometh up|on them, and is the period of their glory and happiness, who before sat as a queen, saying in her heart, I am a queen and ••am no Widow, and shall see no sorrow, chap. 18.7. Thou say|est, I shall be a lady for ever, I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children, Isai. 47.8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death and mourning, and famine, and she shall be utterly burnt with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her, chap. 18.8. But these two things shall come to thee, in a moment, in one day the loss of children and widow|hood, they shall come upon thee in their perfection, Isai. 47.9.

But on the contrary, as at the opening of the sixth Seal cometh the destruction of the wicked; so cometh the Salva|tion and happiness of the righteous, for they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the Sun

light on them nor any heat. For as they under their persecu|tions and sufferings, were hungering and thirsting after right|eousness, now they are filled, they are safe under the shad•• of the almighty, from the burning heat of the Sun, now the shall feed in the ways, and their pasture shall be in all high p••|ces, they shall not hunger not thirst, neither shall the beat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead th•• even to springs of water shall be guide them. Isai. 49.9, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Yea this is the day spoken of, The Lord is thy keeper the L•• is thy shade, the Sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the M•• by night, the Lord shall preserve thee from evil, for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wipe away all tears from their eyes. This shews that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lamb shall feed them by his own pastures, and lead them•• living fountains of Waters, even such fountains as th•• which are spiritually thirsting after; Yea, the Lamb w•• give them such water as is spoken of in John 4.13, 14. Jes•• answered and said unto her, whosoever drinketh of this w•• shall thirst again, but whosoever shall drink of the water t•• I shall give him, shall never thirst, but the water that I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lasting life. This is such water which is spoken of in J•• 7.37, 38, 39. If any man thirst let him come unto me and dr•• be that believeth on me as the scripture hath said, out of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ly shall flow rivers of living water; but this spake he of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rit which they that believe on him should receive.

What is discovered in the opening of these six Seals, is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 complished often times in the world, and they measure 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as six working days, and after the opening of the seven Seal it will be as a new week begins, and as it is here exp•• how at the opening of the sixth Seal was the finishing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or period of time, that is the utter overthrow of the ene•• of Gods Church, and a time of her deliverance, she being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in a flourishing State; a state of purity and holiness, havi•• some respite for a time, by reason of the destruction of th•• enemies, untill there shall be an apostatizing or falling aw•• in the Church, and so Antichrist get a head again, little 〈◊〉〈◊〉 little, till she come to be so numerous as to joyn in un•• with the powers of this world, which God hath set up 〈◊〉〈◊〉

••o justice and Judgment among the inhabitants of the earth but they being deluded by Antichrist or the Apostatized Church, taking her to be the true, because the god of this world hath blinded their eyes, they joyning in with her, and she prescribing laws and ordinances to the powers of this world, pretending to them how God ought to be worshipped, and by these laws and ordinances they persecute the true Church for the false, and take the false for the true, as we shall see in the following part of this book. And so I shall proceed to the next Chapter.

CHAP. VIII.

Verse 1.

ANd when he had opened the seventh Seal there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

In the opening of all the six Seals, there was a discovery made to John of extraordinary things that immediately ap|peared, but upon the opening of this seal, only silence in the court of heaven, because in the opening of the six seals, the judgments of God were executed upon the wicked, and be|fore the opening of the seventh Seal, the church hath her deliverance, and is in a flourishing state, so that at the open|ing of the seventh Seal, there is only silence, it being a period of time, and matters ended in the court of heaven.

In the foregoing chapter, we have an account of those that were sealed out of every tribe there mentioned, & after that a great multitude which no man could number, out of all na|tions, and kindreds, and tongues, and people stood before the thone, and before the Lamb.

This vision sheweth the state of the church in the primitive

time, even its flourishing state; and the first verse of t•• Chap. is the conclusion of that history of opening the S•• and another history begins, more particularly about the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the church of Christ, beginning at its flourishing state, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so continuing till it is apostatized and wholly degenera•• from God. The Lamb of God having thus loosed the se•• Seals, we have now an open book to read and what is con•• ned therein, will be proclaimed by the found or the trum|pet.

Verse 2. And I saw the seven Angels whi•• stood before God, and to them were given seve•• trumpets.

John doth not say he saw seven Angels standing befo•• God, as if this was the first right of them, but that he sa•• the seven Angels which stood before God, as speaking 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Angels spoken of before, in this book of the revelation and that now in this present vision, he saw seven trumpet given to the seven angels which he had before seen standing before God: So that these seven angels appear to be the seven Angels or seven stars in the right hand of him that always 〈◊〉〈◊〉 walking in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; a•• doth comprehend all his faithful ministers of this flourish ing church, and the seven trumpets given to them, do•• shew that they are they that founds God's judgements, and other things, before the, come to pass, or proclaim the•• before the execution of them, and is no other thing, t•• what the prophets were wont to do under the old testament, as for instance, Amos. 3.6, 7. Shall a trumpet be blown in the city and the people not be afraid, surely the Lord God will b•• nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the p•• phets. Ezek. 32.2. and third verses compared with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 venth verse. If the people of the land, take a man of their coast and set him for their watchman, if when he seeth the sword or ming upon the land he blow the trumpet and warn the people: ••o thou son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel, therefore thou shalt bear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. Hos. 8.1. Set the trumpet to thy mouth, he shall come as an eagle against the house of the Lord, because they have transgressed my Covenant. And the seven priests

that went before the ark of God, with seven trumpets, which did sound the downfall of Jericho, which is an evident figure of what is here spoken of, of these seven Angels with their seven trumpets. In going over this book we shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 what they did proclaim by the found of the trumpet, by what fol|lowed the found of them.

Verse 3. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer, and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar, which was before the throne.

This was the service of the High Priest only, under the law, to offer incense upon the golden Altar which was be|fore the mercy Seat. And doth shew that this Angel was the Lord Jesus Christ himself, who maketh intercession for us, in that it is said, and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the Prayers of all Saints. This was figured out under the Law, as is spoken of Zechariah the High Priest, Luk. 1.10. And the whole mul|titude of the people were praying without at the time of in|tense. And here it is spoken of Christ our great High Priest.

Verse 4. And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God, out of the angels hands.

This shews, that Jesus Christ our Intercessor or Advocate, causes the cryes and prayers of God's Servants to come up before him as sweet Incense.

Verse 5. And the Angel took the Censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth:

This verse sheweth that as the prayers and cries of the Saints, mentioned in the foregoing verse came up before God, through the intercession of Jesus Christ, which intercession is signified by his offering the incense with their prayers. And his filling the Censer with fire of the altar, and casting it into the earth, is to shew his executing Gods fiery judg|ments

upon the Inhabitants of the earth, for the Injury 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to his church, whose cries and prayers was heard, and ju•• ment executed upon their oppressors.

A•• there were voices, and thunderings, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lightenings, and an earthquake:

The casting of the fire of the altar into the earth, doth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 present God's angry judgments executed upon the wick•• and the voices doth shew their outcries, that they were frigh•• ed thereby; and his judgments are compared to thund•• and lightnings, and the earthquake, is to setforth their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bling at the said Judgments, Isai. 29.6. Thou shalt be vi•• of the Lord of Hosts, with thunder and with earthquake. T•• time when these judgments were executed, sounded by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 two first trumpets, was in the time of the persecuting 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thenish Empires of Rome: for the trumpets sounded w•• was written in the seal'd book: and therefore the seals 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be opened before the seven Angels could sound what 〈◊〉〈◊〉 written therein.

Verse 6. And the seven angels which had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

Thus God is wont to forewarn before he executes his ju•• ments, as he did to Nineveh, and to Pharaoh, to Samaria•• Jerusalem.

Verse 7. The first angel sounded, and there 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lowed hail & fire mingled with blood, & they w•• cast upon the earth, & the third part of the tr•• was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

This first trumpet sounds those judgments discovered the opening of the first four Seals, and they are here represent|ed by hail and fire mingled with blood, and cast upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 earth, aluding from the fire taken from the altar, spoken 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the 5th verse, And the Angel took the censer, and filled 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with fire of the Altar, and cast it into the earth: This fire 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Altar being cast into the earth, doth represent God's 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gry judgments inflicted upon the enemies of his Church as may be seen in the opening of the 5th Seal, chap. 6.9, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 And when he had opened the fifth Seal, I saw under the altar 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Souls of them that were slain for the word of God and for 〈◊〉〈◊〉

testimony which they held, and they cried with a loud voice, say|ing how long O Lord holy and true, dost thou not judge and a|venge our blood on them that dwell on the earth. Compare this with the third, fourth, and fifth verses, of this Chapter, & ••t appears that Jesus Christ their Advocate and Intercessor, appeared to make intercession for them, by offering much in|cense with the prayers of all Saints; and then filled the cen|ser with fire of the Altar, and cast it into the earth, which represented the execution of those Judgments, opened in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 first Seals, and in the sixth Seal, and proclaimed by the two first trumpets, and executed in the time of the reign of the Heathenish persecuting Emperours of Rome, till their ut|ter destruction came upon them, as by the next trumpet will appear.

Verse 8. And the second Angel sounded, & as ••s it were a great mountain burning with fire was ••ast into the sea, and the third part of the sea became blood.

Verse 9. And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea and had life died; and ••he third part of the Ships were destroyed.

The effects which followed both these trumpets, doth new very great judgments were executed on the earth, and ••a, by great effusion of blood, both upon the earth, and sea, which denotes the Inhabitants thereof. And by a great mountain which was cast into the sea, doth set forth some treat destruction of some dominion; which must needs be ••he overthrow of the heathenish Empire of Rome by Con|stantine the great: for it is a six seal, opening or finishing judgment, for it was discovered in the opening of the sixth ••al, as by these following scriptures appear, by the burning mountain. Babylon was of old called a great mountain, ••ech. 4.7. Who art thou O great mountain before Zerubbabel. ••er. 51.25. Behold I am against thee O destroying mountain, ••ith the Lord, which destroyest all the earth, and I will stretch ••ut mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, ••nd make thee a burnt mountain. Isai. 13.2. List ye up the ••anner upon the high mountain. Thus old Babylon was ter|••ed a mountain, because she was exalted very high; her

dominion was very great. But at this second trumpet, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sea; and the third part of the sea became blood. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shews, that in these great Storms and Commotions, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great Dominion was destroyed, being cast down in her do•• nion; for the sea doth represent dominion, yea great m•• tudes of people, chap. 17.15. compared with chap. 13. Which beast is the Roman Empire, rising out of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tuds of peoples; which shews the casting down and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 destruction of some great dominion, and great effusion 〈◊〉〈◊〉 blood in her dominion.

Now the four Angels who in the former Chapter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 forbidden to hurt the earth or the sea, or any tree, till 〈◊〉〈◊〉 servants of God were sealed in their forehead, hath 〈◊〉〈◊〉 executed those judgments upon the earth, and upon the•• and upon the trees.

This second trumpet founded the great day of Go•• Wrath; such a day as was prophesied against Babylon, Jer•• 25. Behold I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith •• Lord, &c. and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mount•• And the trumpet founded her overthrow by the Pro•• Jeremiah, as in the 27th verse, Blow the trumpet among 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nations, prepare the nations against her. So here upo•• found of this second trumpet, a great mountain bu•• with fire was cast into the sea, which is the utter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 throw of the heathenish Empire of Rome by Constant•• even as God overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the red 〈◊〉〈◊〉 And her overthrow is exprest in the opening of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seal, as Babylon's and Egypt's was, as may be seen by t•• Scriptures, Isai. 13.10, 13. Ezek. 32.7, 8. compared 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Rev. 6.12, 13, 14.

Verse 10, 11. And the third Angel founde•• and there fell a great star from heaven, bu•• ••ing as it were a lamp; and it fell upon the thi•• part of the rivers, and upon the fountains 〈◊〉〈◊〉 waters, and the name of the star is called wormwood; and the third part of the waters

became wormwood, and many men died of the waters because they were made bitter.

By a great star, we are to understand Ministers of the Gospel, that had been in a great light. And by falling from heaven doth note to us, that they did not keep their station in heaven. And burning as it were a lamp, doth note to us, the li•• they were in, before it was quenched, after the similitud•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 falling star, which causeth a light stream with it 〈…〉〈…〉 ••lling upon the waters was soon quench'd. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ing upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; these rivers, and foun|tains of waters, are those fountains spoken of in the se|venth chap. verse 17. The Lamb which is in the midst of the throve shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living foun|tains of waters.

And the name of the star is called worm|wood.

This shews it was a bitter star, and defiled the third part of these rivers and fountains of waters; that is, they corrupted the wholsome doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, by which his church had been nourished, fed and quickened: And upon their fall from heaven taught here|tical doctrine, which was as bitter waters, and they that drank in their corrupt doctrine, died from that spiritual life which before they lived in, when they were nourished by those living waters; but now this bitter star falling upon the third part of the rivers, and fountains of waters, they be|came bitter; and many men died of the waters because they were made bitter.

The author to the Hebrews cautioneth that Church with this danger, Heb. 12.15. Looking diligently, lest any man fall from the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. This bitter star falling from heaven upon the third part of the rivers, and fountains of living waters, by which the Church before was nourished; but now being made bitter by the fall of this star, many in the Church decay and die, by drinking in these bitter waters, or corrupt doctrine. Now that flourishing Church which we read of in the fo•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Chapter, after the opening of the sixth seal, and before th•• opening of the seventh seal, begins to fall away and apost•• tize from it's first purity, by drinking in this corrup•• doctrine.

Thus was it of old, when the Shepherds of Israel di•• backslide; Ezek. 34.19. And as for my flock, they eat th•• which ye have trodden with your feet, and they drink th•• which ye have fouled with your feet.

Verse 12. And the four 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Angel founded and the third part of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 smitten, an•• the third part of the moon, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 third part 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the stars, so as the third part of them wa•• darkened, and the day shone not for a third par•• of it, and the night likewise.

In the two foregoing Verses, we had an account 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the bitter waters, by reason of a great star falling fro•• heaven, which star fell upon the third part of the river•• and fountains of waters, and the third part 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them became wormwood, and many men died of the w•• zers because they were made bitter. Thus many in t•• Church drinking in heretical doctrine from such Minister as fell away from their heavenly state, and so come 〈◊〉〈◊〉 decay, wither and die.

And thus darkness followed and began to come upon the Church, which is represented to John by the thi•• part of the sun being smitten, and the third part of th•• moon, and the third part of the stars; so as that a thi•• part of them were darkned, and the day shone not for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 third part of it, and the night likewise.

Thus John is shewed after what manner the church di•• decay and wither, and fall from it's first state, even 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wandring stars, to whom is reserved the blackness and dar•• ness for ever, Jude 13. Thus it appears, that as a thi•• part of the waters were made bitter, which measures cor|ruption in doctrine, and a decay in the church, so equal|ly did darkness follow or come upon the church; that is a thi•• part of the waters were made bitter, so likewise a third part 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the lights of heaven were darkned, & when a total falling a wa•• ••mes, then total darkness will follow & come upon the Church

Mic. 3.6. Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark over you that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. Amos 8.9. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord God, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.

Verse 13. And I beheld, and heard an Angel fly through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Wo, wo, wo to the inhabiters of the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three Angels which are yet to sound.

These three trumpets which are yet to sound, were proclaimed by an Angel flying through the midst of hea|ven with a loud voice, to the three wo trumpets, to the inhabitants of the earth. This Angel was a minister of Jesus Christ, ordered by him to make proclamation, before the founding of these trumpets, to shew woful things would follow the found of every one of them upon the inhabitants of the earth. And what those woes be will be seen when we come to the sound of those trumpets, and see what followed them.

CHAP. IX.

Verse 1.

ANd the fifth Angel founded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth.

This star doth represent the ministers of the Churches, and its falling from heaven unto the earth, doth shew their falling away from a heavenly state, to an earthly and carnal state, even a total apostatizing.

And to him was given the key of the bot|tomless pit.

The giver of this key is the Angel of this pit, spoken of in the 11th verse of this Chapter; And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, and his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is Apollion; that is, a destroyer.

Verse 2. And he opened the bottomless pit.

In the 20th Chapter of this book, second and third verses, we read of the Devil's being cast into the botom|less pit, and shut up in it, that he should deceive the nati|ons no more. But I am now treating of the opening of this bottomless pit, by that old Serpent, called the Devil and Satan, to the end he may deceive the nations; and upon his opening of it.

Arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace.

This smoke is to blind the eyes of the understanding and to cast a vail of darkness upon the hearts of all peo|ple.

And the sun and the air were darkened, by reason of the smoke of the pit.

This is to shew, that by reason of this great smoke of delusion and heresy, coming out of this pit, the very sun|shine of the Gospel is now darkned, and heresy, supersti|tion and darkness hath now got the upper hand.

Verse 3. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth.

These locusts doth represent the false antichristian ministry, coming out of the smoke that cometh out of the bottomless pit upon the earth. These locusts are a mischievous crea|ture both to men and beasts, in that they devour the fruits of the earth, and the grass, and so bring famine both upon man and beast, they being such a mischievous creature, are the most suitablest beast to set forth the false prophets by, who are very hurtful and injurious, both to men's souls and bodys.

And unto them was given power, as the scor|pions of the earth have power.

As Christ saith, Doth men gather grapes of thorns, or ••gs of thistles? This power was given them by their king Apollion, a destroyer, who goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, 1 Pet. 5.8.

Verse 4. And it was commanded them, that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

This sheweth to us, that they were not locusts in sex or kind, for it is the nature of those beasts to hurt the grass of the earth, and every green thing, and the trees; but the Spirit of God makes use of this sort of vermin, to repre|sent to John the numberless multitude, and mischievous nature of Antichrist, locusts being the fittest sort of crea|ture to set them forth by in the two forementioned respects; for this book saith, the Devil deceiveth the whole world, and it is these only that they hurt on a spiritual account, that have not the seal of God in their forehead; them they can deceive and delude to their utter destruction; and the Apostle John faith, The false prophets are of the world, and the world beareth them. These locusts are false prophets that come out of this smoke on the earth, and draws multitudes after them like bands of locusts; and the scrip|tures hath foretold us that they shall make merchandize of the people, and that they have an heart exercised with covetous practices; cursed children, having forsaken the right way, and have gone astray, following the way of Balaam, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. And Christ faith, Beware of false Prophets, that come to you in sheeps cloathing, but inwardly they are ravenning wolves. And the Prophet Isaiah compareth them to greedy dogs, which can never have enough; shepherds that cannot under|stand, every one seeks for his gain from his quarter, Isai. 56.11. And faith Ezek. 34.2, 3. Wo be to the shepherds of Israel, that do seed themselves; ye eat the fat, and ye cloath you ••th the w••o!.

Well may this be called a wo trumpet, and all this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 chief follow the found of it.

Thus these locusts are both numerous and hurtful, th•• they hurt not the grass, neither any green thing, nor th•• trees, as locusts in their kind do; but these hurt only those 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which have not the Seal of God in their foreheads, that is, th•• delude & oppress the world; they delude them with their fal•• doctrine, and oppress them in eating the fruits of other mensl•• bours as the locusts do. yea, they would deceive the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 elect, if it were possible; but it is impossible to decei•• those which have the seal of God in their foreheads It is these that procure God's Judgment by their locusts like oppression) upon themselves, and upon the rest of the world whom they deceive, who have not the seal of God in their foreheads; but as for God's Elect, they are in safe|ty in the time of his judgments, when they are abroad 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the earth, as appears in the seventh Chap. verse 3. H•• not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have s•• the servants of our God in their foreheads. And in th•• verse it is said they were to hurt only those men whi•• have not the seal of God in their foreheads. These 〈◊〉〈◊〉 those in whom the god of this world hath blinded the mi•• of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ should shine unto them, 2 Cor. 4.4.

Verse 5 And to them it was given, that they should not kill them, but that they should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tormented five months.

Here we see that they were not to kill them which h•• not the Seal of God in their foreheads, but only hurt, an•• torment them, that is with their false doctrine, which lead•• them into no true peace, nor rest, and with their oppression. But they come to that head in process of time, that they killed the two witnesses, as in the 11th chap. 7. verse. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that useendeth out of the bottomless pit, shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. But these that have not the Seal of God, they only torment them five months; these five months doth measure all the time of these locusts continuance: for five months is the time of the continuance of locusts, and doth measure the whole time of these locusts that doth come out of the smoke of the bottomless pit,

and torment these men which have not the Seal of God in their foreheads: whom they torment, not only by their ex ••ortion, violence and oppression, and in devouring of the fruits of mens labours, by laying heavy rates and payments upon them and easing themselves, by laying them thus on other ••ens shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers, Mat. 23.4. but also they torment them with their false doctrine, and false worship, as appears, chap. 14.11. And they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image. Thus they torment them that they have no rest ••ay nor night, for their false doctrine can lead to no true peace of conscience: for they neither know, nor can teach any free|dom from sin, or how men shall attain to a blameless estate before God, as those which are sealed have attained to, Chap. 14.5. And in their mouth was found no guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God. Rom 6.〈◊〉〈◊〉. Being then made free from sin, we became the servants ••f righteousness. verse 22. But now being made free from sin, ••nd become servants of God. But this innocent state of ••ighteousness, they know nothing of.

And their torment was as the torment of a sorpion when he striketh a man.

Thus the oppressions of these false teachers or locusts, ••orment men as when a scorpion striketh a man, which ••oth import, they are grievous tormentors all the time of their continuance; yea, they bring men into a miserable state and condition of perplexity, as we see by the testimony ••f the scriptures; when the apostatized Church and the ••arthly powers come into a union together, they soon bring themselves into great distress and calamity, as is to ••e seen, Mic. 3.11, 12. The heads thereof judge for reward, & the priests thereof teach for hire, & the prophets thereof divine for money; and therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem become heaps. Thus they bring themselves into destruction and great distress, thro' their covetousness and greediness of gain. Jer. 8.3. Death shall rather be chosen than life, by the residue of all that remain of this evil family.

Verse 6. And in those dayes shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

Thus their wickedness brings such terrible Judgments 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them, that they are weary of their own life, and wait f•• death but it cometh not; for they cannot die to sin under t•• doctrine, which teacheth them that there is no freed•• from Sin on this side the grave; so that they are terrif•• and tormented with the fear of God's wrath and ete•• Judgment.

Thus are they distress'd with fears and torments, with perplexity, that death is chosen rather than life in th•• days of apostacy: When the fruit of their vain labours 〈◊〉〈◊〉 meth upon them, even distress and anguish, then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they call to the mountains and rocks to fall upon the•• to hide them for fear of the Lord, and for the glo•• of his Majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly th•• earth.

Verse 7. And the shapes of the locusts, a•• like unto horses prepared unto battel.

This is to shew that they are warriors under the ba•• of their king Apollion, that is, a destroyer.

And on their heads were as it were cro•• like gold.

But not really gold, for they are but counterseits; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 those twenty four elders spoken of in Chap. 4.4. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 real crowns of gold on their heads, being made kings 〈◊〉〈◊〉 priests unto God by Jesus Christ, who loved them, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 washed them from their fins in his own blood: But th•• were but counterfeits, being but pretended Elders of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Church of Jesus Christ, when indeed they were Elders 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ly of the false Church, spoken of in Chapter 17. Arr•• in purple and scarlet colour, gilded with gold and preci•• stone, and upon her forchead was a name written, My•• Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and ahominations 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the earth. And saith John, I saw her drunken with the bl•• of saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 John saw these locusts to have crowns on their heads li•• gold: They were crown'd with these crowns by the g•• of this world, who hath blinded them with the smoke th•• came out of the bottomless pit, opened by his Angels with his key delivered unto them. They were indeed Stars 〈◊〉〈◊〉

••ven, but he drew them down from thence with his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and cast them down to the earth, Chap. 12.4. And ••w he hath made them kings and priests, under his ban|••, to fight against the saints of Jesus, by persecution; ••d their kingdom and glory is only of this world, for ••e false church faith, I am a queen, and snall see no sor|••w.

And the faces of these locusts were as the ••ces of men.

For indeed they were men, and not really locusts in kind 〈…〉〈…〉, but comparatively.

Verse 8. And they had hair as the hair of ••omen.

This is to show their deformity from the state of Christ's ••nisters; for it is a shame for a man to wear long hair like woman, for her hair is given her for a vail. 1 Cor. 11.14, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Doth not even nature it self teach you, that if a man have ••g hair it is a shame unto him? But they had hair as the ••ir of women;

And their teeth were as the teeth of lions.

This is to thew that they were prepared with teeth to ••our like lions. 2 Tim. 4.17. And I was delivered out the mouth of the lion. Thus they devour Christ's ••ock.

Verse 9. And they had breast-plates, as it ••re breast-plates of iron.

Which is to shew that they were substantially harnessed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the battel against the saints, by the powers of this world.

And the sound of the wings of these locusts, ••as as the found of chariors, and many horses ••nning to battel.

This is to show they are numberless like locusts, having ••eat power on their side, even like an army well prepared ••ith chariots and many horses, that are running to the ••ttel with great boldness and considence of victory.

Verse 10. And they had tails like unto ••corpions, and there were stings in their tails.

So that it was dangerous going after or following them; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 doth shew how they were armed and prepared for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 battel, so that they were prepared to fight both before 〈◊〉〈◊〉 behind, under their king Apollion;

And their power was to hurt men 〈◊〉〈◊〉 months.

This five months measures the whole time of th•• mystical locusts, by the time of real locusts in kind; which we may see Antichrist hath a limitted time of th•• continuance.

Verse 11. And they had a king over the•• which is the angel of the bottomless pit, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

And in Chap. 12.9. he is said to be a Dragon, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Serpent called the Devil and Satan, who deceiveth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whole world.

Thus we have an account of the falling away of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 true Church, and the rising of the false Church, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 going on till they were come to great power and str•• being prepared for the battel under their king Apolly•• This Church is called, Mystery Babylon, the mother of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lots, Chap. 17.5. It is this Church which is called, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man, and the great city, v. 18. And the woman which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sawest, is that great city which reigneth over the king•• the earth. This is she that it is said of in Chap. 18.•• And in her was found the blood of the prophets, and of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and of all that were slain upon the earth.

In the foregoing Verses of this Chapter, we have a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on of Apollyon a destroyer, and his kingdom; begin•• the great Apostacy of the Gentile Church, which ap•• cy might possibly begin soon after the time of Const•• the great, and so continued till Antichrist came to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great power and strength in the world, even to a great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and dominion; and the true Church of Christ gone 〈◊〉〈◊〉 captivity, into this Mystical Babylon, even into a wilder•• of sorrow and affliction, where she is nourished from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (these mystical five months of the locusts time) cloath •• in sackcloth; which five months measures the whole 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Antichrist's reign.

••ere followeth the second Wo trumpet, with the Account of what followed it.

Verse 12. One wo is past, and behold there ••ome two woes more hereafter.

These are the three woes spoken of in chap. 8.13. Wo, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, wo to the inhabiters of the earth, by reason of the three ••ices of the trumpet of the three Angels which are yet to found. ••he first of these three was the proclamation of the open|••g of the bottomless pit, out of which pit there arose a ••eat smoke, and out of the smoke came the locusts, or A|••llyons Army like innumerable locusts, and became a great ••ngdom, and in battel did overcome the saints, and did kill ••em as appears in the following part of this book, chap. 11. And when they shall have finished their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ony, the beast that a|••ndeth out of the bettomless pit, shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 war against them, ••d shall overcome them, and kill them, chap. 13.7. ••d it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and ••overcome them. And now followeth the second wo trumpet.

Verse 13. And the sixth Angel founded, and ••heard a voice from the four horns of the golden ••tar which is before God.

The sixth angel sounded his trumpet in the time that mis|••al Babilon is in her great glory, and hath gotten great ••minion, and sa•• in her heart, I am a queen and shall see 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sorrow; but a second wo is coming speedily upon the ••und of this trumpet, for a great Army is a preparing ••ough the atonement made by Jesus Christ, for to slay ••hird part of Apollyons Army.

And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which before God. We read of this golden Altar in chap. 8.3. And ••other Angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden cen|••••••, and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was

before the throne, this is an allusion from the golden A•• which we read of in Exod. 30.10. And Aaron shall make 〈◊〉〈◊〉 attonement upon the horns of it once in a year, with the blood the sin offering of atonement, once in a year shall be make 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tonement upon it, throughout your generations. So that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 voice which spake to the angel which had the sixth trum•• came from the four horns of this golden altar, and upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 four horns of this altar the attonement was wont to be m•• by the blood of the sin-offering, so that this was the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of attonement and came from the Lord Jesus Christ our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 high priest; for no man was to be in the temple when 〈◊〉〈◊〉 high priest was within making attonement, as is to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lev. 16.17, 18. And there shall be no man in the tabernacle the congregation, when he goeth in to make an attonement, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and be shall go out unto the altar and make an attonement 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it, and shall take the blood of the bullock and of the Goat, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 put it upon the horns of the altar round about. So that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 voice came from the place of attonement, which attonement was made by Jesus Christ the great high priest of our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fession: for it came from the four horns of the Golden A•• which was before God: and it was directed to the A•• which sounded the sixth trumpet.

Verse 14. Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four Angels whi•• are bound in the great river Euphrates.

Here are several things to be observed from this verse; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 first is, the voice came from the four horns of the golden altar. And secondly, it was directed to the angel which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ht sixth trumpet. And thirdly, the voice commanded 〈◊〉〈◊〉 required him to loose the four angels that was bound in the great River Euphrates.

First, We are to consider, the four horns of the Altar from whence the voice came, pointed every ways, both north, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 south, east, and west.

Secondly, We shall find that the voice that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 directed to the angel which had founded the sixth trumpet, did command him to loose the four Angels that was bound in the great river Euphrates. And,

Thirdly, That these four angels did represent to John, how tha•• every quarter they were bound in the great River Eu|phrates. And

Fourthly, It is necessary to know what is intended by their being bound in the great River Euphrates. Euphrates was a river that did belong to old Babylon, as may be seen, Jer. 51.60. &c. And their being bound in said River, doth shew that they were bound under the power and Dominion of Mystical Babylon, even under Apollyons doctrine and de+lusions: but after that this angel had sounded the sixth trum|pet, which was to give notice what was to follow, and that which followed was a command to him that had sounded that is the sixth Angel, to loose the four Angels, that they might be prepared at an hour, and a Day, and a month, and, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 year thus to be ready at all times to make war, against such as worship Devils, and Idols of Gold and Silver, &c. as ap|pears in the two last verses of this chap. but that which followed the found of the foregoing trumpet, that is the fifth trumpet, was the coming forth of the locusts, and became a kingdom, whose king was Apollion, but that which followed this sixth trumpet, is an army prepared to engage war against Apollyon's army, and to destroy a third part of them. Possibly here is mentioned a certain number for an uncertain; and this army were such as were bound in the great river Euphrates before the sixth Angel sounded; but upon his sounding, they are loosed in every quarter, and prepared to be in a readiness, at the pouring out of the sixth viol; for then the great river Euphrates will be dried up, as may be seen in Chap. 16.12. And the sixth Angel pow|ered out his viol upon the great river Euphrates, and the waters thereof were dried up; that the way of the kings of the east night be prepared.

This alludes from the destruction of old Babylon, by the Meads and Persians, who came out of the east, and by trench|es dryed up the great river Euphrates, by which means her destruction came; for by that means they entred the city, and so took it. And her power and great dominion is ex|press'd by the similitude of many waters, Jer. 51.13. O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thy end is come, and the measure of thy coverousness. Thus the

greatness of her dominion, and power, is express'd by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 similitude of many waters; and her destruction is set 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by drying them up, as in the 36th and 37th verses of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 same Chapter, Therefore thus saith the Lord, behold I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will •• up her sea, and make her springs dry, and Babylon shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heaps. And Chap. 50.38. A drought is upon her waters, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they shall be dryed up: for it is the land of graven 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and they are mad upon their idols.

But this Chapter I am treating upon, is not speaking 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the utter destruction of mystical Babylon, but loosing select army, which before was bound under her power 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dominion; but now is prepared to be in a readiness for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make war against her, or Apollyons army or kingdom, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the next verse.

Verse 15. And the four Angels were loose•• which were prepared for an hour, and a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and a month, and a year, for to slay the this part of men.

Here we may observe, that this army is prepared to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in a readiness at every occasion; and that they were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as were before bound in the great river Euphrates, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are now loosed from that bondage, by a voice that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the four horns of the golden altar, which is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God; and that the four horns of the golden altar was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 place where atonement was wont to be made by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 blood of the sin offering, hath already been proved 〈◊〉〈◊〉 scripture testimony; and that the river they were bound 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was the river Euphrates, which was a river that did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 long to old Babylon, and that it alludes from that rives•• evident, and that waters in scripture doth hold forth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 minion and great power is evident; as may be seen, Is•• 7, &c. Now therefore behold the Lord bringeth upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the waters of the rivers strong and many, even the king 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Assyria, and all his glory, &c. As also in this book, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 17.15. The water: which thou sawest where she where 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tong••. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whore is the false Church, which hath all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 power 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Men and Devils on her side, so that she fitteth upon many waters, and her name is Mystery Babylon the great. And this select army is prepared to be in a readiness at an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, who were before bound under her power, and kept in subjection under her dominion, still this voice of deliverance, from the place of atonement, or from the four horns of the Golden Altar which was before God, where our great High Priest Jesus Christ makes atone|ment for us; by whose commandment they were set at liber|ty, and prepared for the destruction of a third part of mysti|••al Babylon, being an army mustered up by the Lord Jesus for to sight a spiritual battel, or bear a testimony against her worshipping of Devils, and Idols of Gold, and of Sil|••er, &c. and against her murders, and sorceries, and forni|••ations, and thefts; and to denounce Gods Judgments against ••uch things. And thus this army is mustered and prepared ••y our Lord Jesus Christ, as he prepared an army against old Babylon, in order to her destruction; as may be seen, ••ai. 13.3, 4. I have commanded my sanctified ones, &c. The Lord of hosts mustereth the hosts of the battle. Verse 17. Be|••old, I will ••ir up the Medes against them. And in verse ••9, saith he, And behold the glory of the kingdoms, the ••eauty of the Chaldeans excellency, shall be as when God ••vorthrew S••dom. Isai. 44.27, 28. That saith to the deep be ••ried, and I will dry up thy rivers that saith of Cyrus, he ••s my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure. Thus the Lord of old dried up the deep waters of Babylon, and made way for Cyrus whom he had anointed to subdue na|tions, and to deliver his Church and People out of their ••aptivity, as appears, Isai. 45.1, 2, 3. and 13. v. For the ••ledes and Persians were bound under the Power of old Babylon, till God loosed them from under her power, ••nd prepared them for her destruction, and for the delive|••ance of his people by the hand of Cyrus, whom he pre|••ared, sanctifyed and girded for that work and service; from which figure this loosing, and preparing, for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, alludes from.

And thus the Prophets did sound the trumpet of Israel's ••eliverance, and their enemies destruction; as this Angel which had the sixth trumpet did.

Verse 16. And the number of the army 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand; and I heard the number of them.

From hence we may observe, that this select army 〈◊〉〈◊〉 listed under Christ's banner, who had prepared them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the battel; for John heard the list or number of the ho•• men; but as for the lift or number of Apollions army, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 have no account of them, for they were enemies to Chri•• and his army, as appears by the last battel they fought where both armies may be seen, Chap. 19.13. &c. And saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse, and he th•• sat upon him was called faithful and true, and in righteous•• he doth judge and make war: his eyes were as a flame of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and on his head were many crowns, and he had a na•• written that no man knew but he himself; and he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cloathed in a vesture dipt in blood, and his name is cal•• the Word of God. And the armies which were in been followed him upon white horses, cloathed in fine linen, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and clean. These armies comprehend this select army I am now treating upon, and the 19th verse of the same Chap|treats of Apollyon's army spoken of in the foregoing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of this Chapter I am treating upon; and is thus expre•• Chap. 19.19. And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that sat on the horse, and against his army.

These be the two armies this Chapter is setting forth but it is treating only of the preparation or first beginning of the war.

Verse 17. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breast-plates of fire, and of jacinct, and bring stone; and the heads of the horses were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the heads of lions, and out of their mouth issued fire, and smoke, and brimstone.

In this vision John gives us an account, after what man|ner the horses appeared unto him in the vision, and th•• that sat on them; they had breast-plates of fire, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 jacinet, and b••mstone. Fire and brimstone is an unwonted

armour, and according to reason will not defend the shot; but when we shall come to shew how the battels were fought by these two armies, it will appear the only armour. Jacinct is a precious stone, as may be seen, Chap. 21.20. And as it is described by writers it is of a waterish or smokey colour. The precious stone doth represent to us, that they had on the breast-plate of righteousness.

And the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions. This is to shew their courage and boldness.

And out of their mouths issued fire, and smoke, and brim|stone, These are terrible destructive things; and she weth, that the destruction of their enemies was by that which came out of their mouths; and that their breast-plates, and that which came out of their mouths by which their enemies were killed was the same, excepting the jacinct (which is a precious stone) which is put in the place of the smoke, it being of a waterish smokey colour, and is to represent them to have the breast-plate of faith and right teousness; and the fire and brimstone is to shew, that God was a wall of fire round about them, as he was of old to them that had deliverance out of old Babylon, as these had deliverance out of mystical Babylon, Zech. 2.5, &c. For I saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round a|bout, &c. Deliver thy self, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. So that this breast-plate of fire and brimstone did represent that God who is a consuming fire was their defence.

Verse 18. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

This destruction of the enemies of God, and of his Church, which was by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone which issued out of their mouths, shews that they were like a hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaff, and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left, Zech. 12.6. For they are God's battel an and weapons of war; for with them will be break in pieces the nations, and with them will

he destroy kingdoms, and with them will he break in pieces the horse and his rider, and with them will he break in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the chariot and his rider, Jer. 51.20, 21, &c.

Verse 19. For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails; for their tails were like unto serpents, & had heads and with them they do hurt.

Here it is said their power is in their mouth, which shews as before was said, the destruction of their enemies was by the fire, smoke and brimstone, which issued out of their mouths; all which shews they were mystical things, and are not to be understood after a carnal manner; for her is two Armies mentioned in this Chapter; the Angel of the bottomless pit, whose name is a destroyer is king of the one; and the other army was those that were bound in the great river Euphrates, which doth allude from the river of old Babylon, but are now upon the sounding 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the sixth trumpet delivered from under her power and de|minion, as Israel of old was from under the power and dominion of old Babylon, and prepared for the destruction of the wicked. And the execution they did, proceeded out of their mouths: So that they are two mystical armies, & are prepared to fight a mystical battel, such a battel as such ••|riers are wont to fight; for this army of Apollyons which ascended out of the bottomless pit, was prepared against the Saints, as may be seen Chap. 11.7. The beast that ascea••|eth out of the bottomless pit, shall make war against them, that is, against the two witnesses; and this army is prepared against Apollyons, to be in a readiness, at an hour, and at a day, &c. And their testimony that issueth out of their mouth, is compared to fire, smoke and brimstone; for it is a mystical battel, such a battel as Christ's soldiers were wont to fight; as for instance, 1 Cor. 15.32. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not at all. These beasts were such Locusts as these which are here spoken of, and the war is such a mystical war, as the Apostle saith in another place, I have fought a good sight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, 2 Tim. 2.3, 4. Thou there|fore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No

man that warmth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. He that overcometh in such a battel as this is, is a good soldier of Jesus Christ; Mat. 10.34, 35. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth, I came not to send peace but a sword; for I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother. Thus temporal relations are divided in this battel; when the father is one of this select army, and the son one of the destroyers army, the father is against the son, and the son against the father, and the daughter against her mother, and the mother against her daughter.

This Apollion and his army in this warfare, warreth against the saints by persecution, there being out few such counsellors among them as Gamaliel was, Acts. 5.38, 39. And now I say unto you, refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought, but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it, lest hap|ly ye be found even to fight against God.

And whereas it is said of this select army, that their power is in their mouth; this is no new thing; but that which hath always appeared in this warfare; that is, that the enemies of God's Church hath ever been destroyed by that which came out of the mouths of the saints, who warred against their enemies and oppressors. As for instance, all those Judgments which came upon Egypt, were de|nounc'd by the mouth of Moses, before they were executed on the Egyptians; for God was always wont (as appears by the testimony of the Scriptures) to denounce his Judg|ments by the mouth of this select army, before the execu|tion of them, as appears throughout the books of the old testament, Hosea 6.5. Therefore I have hewed them by the Prophets, I have stain them by the words of my mouth. Jer. 51.20, 21. Thou art my battel ax, and weapons of war, for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms, and with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider, and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider. 2 King. 1.10. And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I he a man of God, let five come down from heaven and consume thee and thy fifty;

and there came down fire from heaven and consumed him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his fifty.

Thus the destruction of the enemies of God, came 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the mouths of his Servants the Prophets, before th•• were executed; Chap. 11.5. And if any man will hurt then fire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their enemies••. It is by the word of their testimony that they overcome in this battel, not loving their lives unto the death, and by denouncing God's Judgments before they are executed, as appears, Jer. 5.14. Behold, I will make my words in th•• mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. Thus they always warred against Apollyons army, and the Judgments followed as the tail which comes after, for it is said their tails had heads like Serpents, and with them they do hurt; that is, they hurt their enemies by giving them a mortal wound, like a serpent, which always follows the word of their testimony; for it is said, out of their mouths issued fire, and smoke, and brimstone, that by these there was the third part of men killed, so that it was a serpentine wound that they gave them, being mortal; and this killing or destruction came upon Apollyons army, as is to be seen in the two following verses.

Verse 20. And the the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues, yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship Devils, and Idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood, which neither can see nor hear, nor walk.

Here we have an account in this verse, that altho' testi|mony was born against Idolaters, by the mouth of God's servants, and the Judgments of God executed upon them for their Idolatry and Persecution which always accompa|ny it; yet they repented not of their Idolatry; that is to say, those that remained and were not killed with those forementioned plagues; as is said, Isai. 26.11. Lord, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see, but they shall see and be ashamed for their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 towards thy people.

Verse 21. Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

This verse sheweth us, as they repented not of their Idolatries; so likewise they repented not of their murders, that is, their persecution, or murdering the saints; for it is said of this false Church, Chap. 18.24. For in her was found the blood of the prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. This last sentence, to wit, all that were slain upon the earth, is to be understood, all that were slain by persecution, were murdered by this Church.

Neither repented they of their sorceries; that is, of their false doctrine, by which they bewitched the people, as Paul saith, Who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, Gal. 3.1. Chap. 18.23. For by thy sorceries were all nations deceived; that is to be understood by her false doctrine, she deceived all nations.

Neither repented they of their fornication: That is to be understood of their spiritual whoredom; for this Church which this Chapter is treating upon, was not only the Synagogue of Satan, coming out of the bottom|less pit, but the mother of harlots or fornications; as is to be seen, Chap. 17.5.

Neither repented they of their thefts: For tho' the saints took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, Heb. 10.34. yet that did not excuse these Apollyons of their thefts in ta|king their goods from them, Joh. 7.7. In the first part of this Chapter we have an account what followed the sound of the fifth trumpet, to wit, the apostatizing of the true Church, and the rising out of the smoke of the bottomless pit the false Church, and becoming a great and a strong army under their King Apollyon. And in the latter part of this Chapter we have an account what followed the sound of the sixth trumpet, to wit, a voice came from the four horns of the golden altar, which was from the place of attonement, to the Angel which had the sixth trumpet say|ing to him, loose the four Angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates; the loosing of these four Angels, doth

represent the loosing of God's Elect from under the b••|dage and darkness of mystical Babylon in every Quarter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that they might be prepared to war against her, by that word of their testimony, which testimony of theirs against her did cause great persecution. I do suppose that this Chapter which gives us an account of the great and g••|neral apostacy of the Church, to the rising up of many witnesses against her Apostacy, may measure time, begin|ning some considerable time after Constantine the great, to the time of her persecution against the first Reform|ers.

CHAP. X.

Verse 1.

ANd I saw another mighty Angel come down from heaven.

This word another, is to inform us that he saw another Angel besides that Angel which sounded the sixth trum|pet, and besides the four Angels which represented God's Elect, which was loosed by order from a voice that came from the 4 horns of the golden altar which was before God: for this golden altar was before the throne, Chap. 8.3. And the throne of God was in heaven. Chap. 4.2. And be|hold a throne was set in heaven: So that this mighty Angel having done the office of the high Priest in making at|tonement, he now comes down from heaven in great ma|jesty and glory: for he was

Cloathed with a cloud, and a rainbow was upon his head.

This rainbow on his head, did shew that he was the messenger of the Covenant of Grace made with God's Church, by whom we have atonement; for the rainbow

was the token of the Covenant of Gods grace made with Noah and all the earth, after the destruction of the old world, Gen. 9.13. I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall ••e for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. This Covenant doth represent the Covenant of Grace which God makes with his Church, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ, by whom God's wrath is appeased, and his everlasting kindness is extended to them, as may be seen, Isai. 54.8, 9 In a little wrath did I hide my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy redeemer; for this is as the waters of Noah unto me, for I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.

And his face was as it were the sun.

Thus his majestical Countenance was as terrible to behold ••s the sun,

And his feet as pillars of fire,

Who is now coming down from heaven to tread all the enemies of his Church under his fiery feet.

When he opened the seven seals, he appeared as a lamb, and as if it had been slain; but now he appeareth in ma|jesty and in great glory, like a consuming fire, or like a roaring lion, who makes all the beasts of the field to tremble.

Verse 2. And he had in his hand a little book open.

This little book was opened in the opening of the seven ••eals, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the number seven is a perfect number, and mea|sures the whole of every thing it expresseth by this num|ber seven. And this little book contains a very short pro|phetical hystory of the state of the Church, from the time of the sounding of the sixth trumpet, to the utter over|throw of Antichrist, and happy state of the true Church; or from the time that the false Church sat as a queen in glory, to the sounding of the seventh trumpet, which is the third and last two trumpet to the inhabiters of the earth, and the most joyful trumpet to the Church of Christ,

And he set his right foot upon the sea, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his left foot on the earth.

This doth shew plainly who he is, who hath put all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 under his feet, 1 Cor. 15.25. For he must reign till be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 put all enemies under his feet. Thus it appears that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mighty Angel is the Lord Jesus Christ, who opened 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seals, and cometh with an open book in his hand to J•• after he had made an attonement for his Church, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ing their oppressions and great sorrows under spirits Egypt, or Apollyons Kingdom; he now comes down from heaven in his great Majesty and Glory, with an open 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in his hand; which contains a sad history of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 state of his Church: And he sets his right foot upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sea, and his left foot on the earth, to thew his great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 jestical power and dominion, who hath all things 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his feet, and is come down from heaven to deliver 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Church as he did of old, Exod. 3.7, 8. I have surely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 affliction of my people which are in Egypt, & have heard 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & am come down to deliver then out of the hand of the Egyth••

Verse 3. And cryed with a loud voice, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 when a lion roareth.

Thus the Lord did of old, when he had a con•••••••••• with the nations, Jer. 25.30. The Lord shall your from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and writer his voice from his holy habitation; he shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tily roar upon his habitation, he shall give a shout 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Joel. 3.16. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth •••• shake, but the Lord will be the hope of his people. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 8. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 spoken, who can but prophecy?

These were things which followed the second we tr•••• pet against the inhabitants of the earth.

And when he had cried, seven thunders ••|tered their voices.

Seven is a number which measures the whole of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thing that it measures. And God's Judgments are set 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by thunder frequently in Scripture, 2 Sam. 22.14, 15. 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Lord thundred from heaven, and the most high uttered 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••oice, and he sent out arrows and scattered them. Isai. 29. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of hosts, with thunder and ••th earthquake. Chap. 8.5. And the angst took the censes and filled at with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth, and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great earthquake. From he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 we may observe, that God is wont to express the execution of his Judgments ••ader the name of thunder, and that his angry voice is compared to the roaring of a lion.

And when he had cryed, seven thunders ut|tered their voices.

These seven thunders measures the compleat Judgments of God, executed upon the enemies of his Church, which followed the loud cry of their 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Verse 4. And when the seven thunders had attered their voices I was about to write, and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thun|ders uttered, and write them not.

What these seven thunders uttered, was not contained in the little book which was open, but uttered other things, which were not to be opened, but to be sealed up; for they uttered the severe Judgments of God upon the enemies of his Church, and these Judgments are always reserved and kept secret in Gods own breast, they are fast sealed up from the knowledge of Men and Angels, and not known till the execution of them come, so that they ut|tered only secret things that John was not to write, Mat. 24.50. The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour when he is not ware of, and shall cut him asunder. 1 Thes. 5.1, 2, 3. But of the times and seasens, brethren, ye have no need that I write un|to you; for your selves know perfectly, that the ••ay of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night; for when they 〈…〉〈…〉 peace and safety, then sudden destruction someth upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉

And God's Judgments are measured by seven as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other things, Lev. 26.18. If ye will not for all this he•• unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your 〈◊〉〈◊〉 verse 24, And I will punish you yet seven times for your 〈◊〉〈◊〉 27.28. verses, And if ye will not for all this hearken unto 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but walk contrary to me; then I will walk contrary to you 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so, in furie, and I, even I, will chastize you even seven time for your Sins. Those Judgments that came upon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 world, and upon Sodom, was so fast seal'd up, and o•• known by God, that they knew nothing of them, but we•• eating and drinking, buying and selling, building and plan••|ing, until the time of the execution of them to their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 destruction. Thus God's judgments are wont to come up•• the wicked as a theif in the night, as is abundantly decla•• in scripture: his judgments are known by none but him|self, till they are executed, they are secret things, not to be known, chap. 16.15. Behold I come as a thief. And God saith unto the wicked in chap. 3.3. I will come on thee as a th•• and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee; the•• judgments are fast seal'd up from the knowledge of the Wicked, Luk. 21.35. For as a Snare shall it come on all the•• that dwell on the face of the whole earth. God hath give man the knowledge of his law; that is not seal'd from him but is revealed to us and to our children to know; but th•• times and Seasons of the execution of the breach of th•• law, is fast seal'd up, and known only by God, Deut. 29.2•• The secret thing: belong unto the Lord our God: but they things which are revealed (that is the Law of God) bel•• unto us, and to our children for ever, that we may do all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 words of this law.

Verse 5, 6, 7. And the Angel which I saw stand upon the sea, and upon the earth, lifted up his hand to heaven,

And sware by him that liveth for ever an•• over, who created heaven and the things th•• therein are, and the earth and the things th•• therein are, and the sea and the things which are therein, that there should be time 〈◊〉〈◊〉 longer.

But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the ••aystery of God should be finished, as he ••ath declared to his servants the proph|ets.

In the foregoing verse John gives us a relation of what ••e saw and heard, he saw the forementioned mighty angel, which stood upon the Sea, and upon the earth, and how he ••••fted up his hand to heaven, and sware by the creator of all ••hings, that there should be time no longer, than till the seventh Angel shall begin to sound: for the seventh Angel 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the last and finishing prophesy, and sounds the third and ••aft wo trumpet, to the inhabiters of the earth; as is to ••e seen, Chap. 8.13. Wo, wo, wo, to the Inhabiters of the earth, ••y reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels which are yet to sound. So that time shall be no more to the ••nemies of the Church, when the seventh Angel shall begin to sound, for then cometh the utter destruction and period of their time, and the end of all their glory. So that then the mystery of God must needs be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. This seventh angel which ••ath the seventh trumpet is the finishing or last prophesie of all things; as is to be seen, chap. 11.15. For the seventh Angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Verse 8. And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again.

The first speaking of this voice from heaven to John, was in the 4th verse; saying to him, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not: but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 saith to him now speaking a second time from hea|ven.

Go and take the little Book which was o|pen in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the Sea, and upon the earth.

This little book is an open revelation to John, and con|tains a history of the future state of the Church, which

John is to publish and make known, but not the thing uttered by the seven thunders, for them were the sec•• judgments of God executed upon the enemies of his Chur•• at such times as they are promising themselves peace and safety.

Verse 9. And I went unto the Angel, and said unto him, give me the little book, and he said unto me take it, and eat it up, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall make thy belly bitter, but shall be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thy mouth sweet as honey.

The voice that came from heaven and said to John 〈◊〉〈◊〉 take the book, was the voice of God the Father, it bei•• handed to John by the Son of God, who had received 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from God the Father, and opened the Seal of it, and de••|vered it to John, and bid him eat it, and told him what should be the effect of eating of it, to wit, bitter in his belly, but sweet in his mouth as honey.

Verse 10. And I took the little book out of the Angels hand, and eat it up, and it wa•• in my mouth sweet as hony, and as soon a•• I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

Thus John found it as the Angel had told him: it was very defirable to John to know what was contained in th•• little book; but when John had eaten it, that is, had th•• revelation of it by Jesus Christ, and come to understand by it, the sad, miserable and afflicted state of the Church it was bitter in his belly; he having now a new revelant on of future things, made known to him by Jesus Chris•• he is in a capacity to prophecy again.

Verse 11. And he said unto me, thou must prophecy again, before many peoples, and na|tions, and tongues, and kings.

The next Chapter contains the whole prophecy of the little book. And the time when it began, was when 〈◊〉〈◊〉 false Church was in her highest and greatest glory, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Church of Christ in a poor, afflicted, and bewildered

State, and the Prophecy continues to the end of the world, even to the finishing of all things, which the last two trumpets sound.

CHAP. XI.

In the foregoing Chapter we have an account, how that a mighty Angel came down from Heaven, and he had in his hand a little book open; and how that John took the book out of the Angels hand, and eat it up; which was to signify, that John was inspired by the Spirit of God, to write a prophetical history of the Church, or of what was contained in the little book, from that time forward.

Verse 1.

ANd there was given me a reed like unto a rod.

This measuring Reed given to John, doth represent to us, that John was called to measure something that he was capacicated to do: and is now called to go about the work is followeth; and the Angel stood, saying, Rise. This angel was Christ as in the former chap. did appear, and now calls John

To rise and to measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship there|in.

This is intended the real temple or house of God, that Solomons temple was a Figure of, that John is here called to measure, and the Antitype of that Altar which Solomon built, and the true worshippers of God, he is here required to measure, who worshippeth him in his holy temple; and therefore it is needful to know, what is intended by this temple, and this altar, and who are the true worshippe•• therein: for all this John is required to measure, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more. The type of this temple Solomon built, which was but a figure of the temple that John is to measure, Acts 〈◊〉〈◊〉 47, 48. But Solomon built him an house, how best, the most big dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Thus it appears that the most high dwelleth not in a house or temple mad with hands: for the true tabernacle is that which the Lod hath pitched, and not man; and this temple, tabernacle, or house, is his church which John is to measure: as ap|pears by scripture testimony, Heb. 3.6. But Christ as a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 over his own house, whose house are we, 1 Tim. 3.15. If 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tarry long that thou mayst know how thou oughtest to beh•••••• thy self in the house of God, which is his church. 2 Cor. 6.16. Ye are the Temple of the living God, as God hath said, I will dwell in them, 1 Cor. 6.19. 1 Pet. 2.5. Eph. 2.22. Thus it appears that it is the saints bodys that is here inten|ded to be the temple that is to be measured by John. And secondly, the after was to be measured with the temple, and having thus shewed what temple he was to measure, the next i the altar upon which they offered all their Sacrificed by which attonement was made, this was a type of Christ upon whom we offer all our Sacrifices by faith, this Altar was also to be measured with the temple, and thirdly these that worshipped therein, that is in the temple of God, thus he was to measure the temple of God, and the Altar, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them that worship therein, and no more, and all this alludes from those figures under the law, and points from them to the things signified by them under the Gospel, and under this denomination all the true worship, and true worship|pers of God are comprehended; and measured with the sai•• measuring reed, being in the line of the true worship of God and no more, in the next place, here ariseth a question, Wh•• are we to understand by worshipping in the temple, seeing 〈◊〉〈◊〉

other worship is to be measured within the line of true worship? To which I answer, it is the saints bodys that is the temple of God, as before hath been proved, and not a body of sin, as may be seen, 1 Cor. 3.16, 17, 18. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you: if any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy, for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are; let no man deceive himself, saith the Apostle; that is, to think that God may be worshiped in a body of sin, for a body of fin is not God's temple; for the temple of God is holy, and God is only to be worshipped in his temple 〈◊〉〈◊〉 For God is a spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth, Joh. 4.24. Phil. 3.3. For we are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit, and rejoyce in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the ••lesh;

Verse 2. But the court which is without the temple cast out, and measure it not, for it is given unto the Gentiles.

For as in the foregoing verse John was required to mea|sure them that worshiped in the temple, so likewise in this verse, he is forbidden to measure the court which is with|out the temple, for it (saith he) is given to the Gentiles. In this book the name Jews carries in it the true worshipers of God, and the name Gentiles the false; as thus appears, Chap. 2.9. I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews and are not, but are of the synagogue of satan. Chap. 3.9. Behold I will make them of the synagogue of satan, which say they are Jews and are not, but do lie.

Thus the name of the true worshipers are derived from the Jews, because they were God's people under the first Covenant: And the name of the false worshipers who wor|••••••p in the outward court, is derived from the name Gen|••••es, to distinguish the true from the false; and therefore ••••ith he, But the court which is without the temple east: ••t, and measure it not, for it is given unto the Gentiles. When John was thus required according to the vision, to measure the true Church, and the true worship of God, and the true worshipers, it was in the time when the false Church was in her greatest glory, where with she glorifyed

her self, under great pretences of worshipping God, wh•• it was all but a form of godliness, in observing days, assem|bling themselves together, and multiplying prayers with the mouth and lips; and all done in the outward court, not being done in spirit and in truth in the inner man, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be cast out, and not to be measured within the line of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 worship, for this name Gentiles doth imply the false Church, which persecutes the true, as appears in the following words,

And the holy city shall they tread under foot;

Alluding from old Babylon, who trod Jerusalem under foot, they being Gentiles.

By the holy City we are to understand the true Church alluding from Jerusalem the city of David so called, to w•• the holy city, Mat. 4.5. Neh. 11.8. Isai. 48.2. Isai. 32.1. which the Gentiles or false Church treads under foot; for both temple, altar and city, here spoken of, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the temple, altar and city where David dwelt; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that city Jerusalem, was a figure of the Church; and the Church of Christ frequently 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the name Jerusalem, al|luding from that city, as appears by Scripture testimony Chap. 21.9, 10. And there came unto me one of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Angels, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride th•• lambs wife; and he shewed me that great city, the holy 〈◊〉〈◊〉 salem. Chap. 21.2. And John saw the holy city, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, prepared 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a bride adorned for her husband.

Thus it appears, that the holy city is the true Church and the Gentiles the false, which treadeth the true under foot; and the time of their treading the holy city under foot, is forty and two months, being measured by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which rules the night, because the Gentiles are children of the night, and of darkness. But more may be said a this hereafter.

Verse 3. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophecy a thou|sand two hundred and sixty days, cloathed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sackcloth.

Here are several things to be observed from this verse: The first is God's promise to give power to his two witnesses, to prophecy; and secondly, What are we to understand by prophecy? I answer, it is the gift of God, as in the foregoing words, I will give power unto my two witnesses, or I will give unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophecy. So that it appears, none can prophecy but by the gift of God, that is, by the gift of his spirit, for prophecy comes by the revelation of God's spirit; for no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost, 1 Cor. 12.3. for it is the spirit of God that reveals him to us to be the Lord; for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of pro|phecy, Chap. 19.10. And thirdly, the time here spoken of their prophecy, is a thousand two hundred and sixty days, which time, reckoning thirty days to a month, makes just forty and two months, which measures the same time that the Gentiles tread the holy city under foot, spoken of in the foregoing verse; for the time of these witnesses pro|phecy is measured by the day which is ruled by the sun, because they are children of light and of the day; but the Gentiles are children of the night and of darkness, and their time is measured by months or moons. And the fourth thing is their sad and mournful state in the time of this prophecy, which is signified by their being cloathed in sackcloth. And fifthly, let us inquire, Who these wit|nesses be, and why they are called two? Why they are called two, is shewed in the fourth verse; these are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. The Church of Christ is called an olive tree under the first testament, as plainly appears in Jer. 11. comparing the 15th verse with the 16th. What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath committed lewdness with many, &c. The Lord called thy name a green olive tree, fair and of goodly fruit. Thus it appears the olive tree did figure the Church, as is to be seen also in Rom. 11.24. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is mild by nature, and wert graffed in contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree. Thus both the Church of the Jews under the first testament, and the Church of the Gentiles under the new testament,

are compared to an olive tree; so that it appears evident|ly, that the Church of Christ is intended by shore witnesses not only by the two olive trees, but also by the two can|dlesticks; for the Church of Christ under the old te ta|ment was represented to Zechariah by a golden candlestick, Zech 4.2. And he said unto me what seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold. And also the seven Churches of Asia were represented to John by the seven golden candlesticks, Chap. 1.20. The seven golden candlesticks are the seven Churches.

Thus it appears that these witnesses are the Church of Christ; for the olive tree and the candlestick figured no|thing else in the Scripture but the Church; so that they are very plainly described to be the Church of Christ And sixthly, why are they called two witnesses? I an|swer, in several respects; for under the law of Moses, two witnesses or three was to establish the matter, Deut. 19 15. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses shall the matter be established. And tho' the Church be many witnesses, yet for several reasons they are express'd by the number two, that being a sufficient proof under the law; and for several other reasons as herein.

Verse 4. These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

They are called two olive trees and two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. They are two in re|spect of the two natures in union. The oyl doth figure the Spirit of God which is divine; and the stock and branches doth figure the humane nature of Christ, and his Church: And thus in their testimony they are two joint witnesses in every thing they witness to; and therefore their witness is called a prophecy; as for instance, Rom. 8.16. The spirit it self in us is one, and its bearing witness with our spirit, makes two joint witnesses, to confirm to us that we are the children of God. And it is said they are two prophets and the two candlesticks, in respect of the two restaments they did testify under, measuring the Church of the Jews under the first testament to be one olive tree, and

one candlestick; and the Church under the new testament to be the other olive tree and candlestick, which makes two live trees and two candlesticks, standing before the God of the earth, Zech. 4.2. I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of Gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps. This candlestick with the seven lamps upon it, did repre|present the Church under the old testament: Compare this with the 11th and 12th verses, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick, and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again and said unto him, What he these two olive branches, which thro' the two golden pipes empty the golden oyl out of themselves. Verse 14. Then said he, these are the two anointed ones, that stand by the God of the whole earth. And these two anointed ones that stood before the God of the whole earth, was Zerubbabel the Governour, and Joshua the high Priest, who were types of Christ, and were two witnesses under that ministration, who stood before the God of the whole earth, and did represent that union that is between Christ and his Church, they being compared to two olive trees, and two branches, which thro' the two golden pipes empty the golden oyl out of themselves; that is, they were feeders and nourishers of the Church, and types of Christ, who is the chief and great Shepherd, the one of his kingly office, the other of his priestly office; but the two anointed ones in the my ste|ry that stands before the God of the earth, is Christ and his Church, who are the two anointed ones. Heb. 1.9. Therefore God, even thy God, hath amo••nted thee with the oyl of gladness above thy fellows. 2 Cor. 1 21. Now he which sta|blished us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God. Thus Christ and his Church are the two anointed ones, and the two witnesses which stand before the God of the earth.

But the Church under the old testament was called but one candlestick: the use of the candlestick is to hold the light; and the candlestick that holds the seven lamps, if there be no oyl they can give no light, therefore the olive tree that yields the oyle standing by the candlestick, which candlestick holds up the seven lamps, which hath seven

pipes to feed the seven lamps; thus it causeth the lamps to give a continual light; thus the mystery of the two natures of Christ is held forth by this figure: The can|dlestick with its seven lamps holds forth the Church; and the olive tree holds forth Christ's humane nature with his Church, and the golden oyl his divine nature; so that as the oyl that flows from the olive tree, and feeds the lamps, and causeth them to give a continual light; so the Spirit of Christ that flows from himself into his Church, or members, feed and nourish them, so that they become the light of the world: So that Jesus Christ the true olive tree, and his Church in union with him, are the two witnesses that always stand before the God of the earth, and bear witness to the truth: Thus the Spirit and the Bride are cal|led two olive trees, and two candlesticks, because under two ministrations, to wit, under the old testament and under the new: And thus they stand before the God of the earth, and are the light of the world, bearing witness to the truth which is revealed in them by the Spirit of truth; and therefore their witness is by prophecy, so that Christ and his Church thus in union are called two prophets, and two witnesses; Joh. 18.37. For this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Chap. 1.5. And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness. Acts 1.8. But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem and in Judea, and in Sa|maria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. Thus God gives power unto his witnesses; as also in Acts 5.32. And we are his witnesses of these things, and so is also the holy Ghost whom God hath given to them that obey him: Here are the two witnesses spoken of in union, to wit, they with the holy Ghost which is in them; for the witness of the holy Ghost which is in them, is the witness of Jesus Christ with his Church; and that which they witness to is that which God hath revealed to them by his Spirit, so that their testimony is by the Spirit of prophecy, 1 Job. 2.20. compared with the 26th and 27th verses, bearing wit|ness to the truth, against all false worship set up in the world by the institution, laws and appointments of men,

the darkness and ignorance that is in them, through the blindness of their hearts; as appears Mat. 10.18. And ye shall be brought before kings and governours for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

Verse 5. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and de|voureth their enemies.

This is to set forth 〈…〉〈…〉 of God against 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that hurt his ele••e, alluding from what was done by blijah, when the king of Israel sent a captain of fifty with his fifty for Elijan; and when he came to him he said unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, come down; and Elijah answered and said unto the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume thee and thy fifty; and there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty, 2 King. 1.9 10.

And if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

That is, by the fire that cometh out of their mouth; for God is wont always to denounce his Judgments by the mouth of these witnesses, before he executes them, as he did by the mouth of Elijah. And such warriers as Elijah was, is shewed in the 9th Chap. 18. verse. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the breast ne which issued out of their mouths.

Verse 6. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their pro|phecy.

This is an allusion from the prayer of Elijah, who prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And this judgment of famine came upon Israel for the hurt done to the servants of God, in the reign of Ahab king of Israel; and not only this famine, but the utter destructi|on of Ahab and all his house, and all Baals Priests, and worshippers of Baal, were utterly destroyed in a just judg|men for the hurt done to the servants of God: And this was done in such a time as this was; for then the

two witnesses did prophecy in sackcloth, and the true Church was trodden under foot by Jezabel, who had the same measure after measured to her, who was after trod|den under foot her self, and eaten up of dogs. But these having power to shut up heaven that it rain not, doth hold forth a mystery in it, altho' it be an allusion from that judgment executed from the mouth of Elijah (1 King. 17.1. And Elijah said unto Ahab, as the Lord Lord God of Israel liveth, there shall not be dew nor rain these years but according to my word,) in that God thus shut heaven at his request, that it rained not for three years and six months in that time of false and fruitless doctrine; for there can be no heavenly showers to cause the earth to yield her increase, under the teaching of a false ministry; for in such a time there is a drought, for a false ministry are clouds without water, Jude 12. Amos 8.11, 12, 13. Behold the days come faith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing of the words of the Lord; and they shall wan|der from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it; in that day shall the fair virgins & young men faint for thirst. For all the heavenly showers of fruitfulness is by the prophecy that comes by the Spirit of God, and not by a vision of the immagination of a mans own heart, but by the prophecy of the two witnesses, which is the Spirit and the Bride, out of whose belly flows rivers of living waters, and watereth the earth; for they only are the light of the world. And faith the Apostle,

These have power over water to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues as often as they will.

This is an allusion from what Moses and Aaron did in Egypt, who turned the waters of Egypt into blood, and smote the Egyptians with all those great plagues, in a just judgment for the oppression and cruelty done to the disraelites: And this prophecy is to shew, that God is the same God, ready to execute his judgments on them that hurt his witnesses, as if it were done at their will. And

whereas it is said they have power over waters to turn them to blood, it doth speak a mystery; for as the doctrine of the two witnesses, which is the word of their prophecy, doth teach love, patience, and self denial, to love ••ur enemies, and to do good to them that have us: So the doctrine of the teachers of the false Church, which they pretend to be to the glory of God, is to shed the blood of all those that will not conform to their laws of wor|ship, and prescribed rules of the same, under pretence of punishing hereticks, and thus to destroy all those that will not drink of the waters of the fountain of their doctrine; which waters shall be turned into blood, and they themselves made to drink of it; as in Chap. 16.5, 6. And I heard the Angels of the waters say. Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and which wast, and shalt be, because thou hast thus judg|ed, for they have shed the blood of saints. and Prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink for they are worthy.

Verse 7. And when they shall have fini|shed their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit, shall make war against them, and shall overcome them and kill them.

In the third verse of this chapter the Lord promised to give power unto these two witnesses in their sad and afflict|ed state, and that they should prophecy under their mourn|ful and sackcloth attire, a thousand two hundred and sixty days. Now in this verse is shewed what will be the effect of their testimony, to wit, When they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them. This beast is Antichrist 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the false Church: Mention is made of the rising of this ••east out of the bottomless pit in the fore part of the ••nth Chapter, under the name of locusts, having a king over them whose name is Apollyon, that is, a destroyer. And here in this verse we have an account of the aforesaid beast making war against these two witnesses upon the finishing of their testimony: These two witnesses were de|scribed who they were, by plain descriptions in the fourth verse, to wit, Christ and his Church in union, who bear

a true and faithful testimony before the God of the earth the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit, 〈◊〉〈◊〉|ing their testimony, make war against them. This beast coming out of the bottomless pit, is to describe the rising of An|tichrist, or the false Church, and making war against the true Church, which is in union with Christ: Up•• hearing the witnesses faithful testimony against their false doctrine, they make war against the witnesses and over|come them, and kill them; thus the war began upon the faithful and true testimony given by Christ and his Church against the doctrine and practice of the false Church. To like example we find under the old testament, that su•• an unjust war began upon the like testimony against Apol|lyons Ministry, as is to be seen, Mic 3.5. Thus faith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry peace; and he that putteth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into their mouth, they even prepare war against him.

Verse 8. And their dead bodys shall lye is the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom, and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

As the the true and faithful Church and Spouse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ, was called the hoty City in the second verse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the false Church which ascended out of the bottomless pit is come to be so great and numerous, that she 〈◊〉〈◊〉 called the great City; and in the street of this great city which is spiritually called Sodom, and Egypt, & where all our Lord was crucified, is the dead bodys of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seen to lye, when they by persecution had killed them because of their testimony against their pride Sodom like and against her oppression Egypt like, and against her per|secution like, where also our Lord was crucified. Thus the Gentiles tread the holy city under foot, or the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Church the true. The reason why the false Church is spirits ally called Sodom, and Egypt, and where also our Lord 〈◊〉〈◊〉 crucifyed, is to shew her unholy state: And the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Church called the holy City trodden under foot, is to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her holy and afflicted state.

Verse 9. And they of the people, and kin|dreds, and tongues and nations, shall see their ••ead bodys three days and a half, and shall not suffer their dead bodys to be put in ••raves.

In the foregoing verse it is said their dead bodys shall ••e in the street of the great city: And in this verse it is ••id, And they of the people, and kindreds, and tongues, and nations, shall see their dead bodys three days and an ••alf, and shall not suffer their dead bodys to be put in ••raves. This sheweth plainly the great City here spoken ••f, doth not intend a city builded with hands, in some par|••••cular country or place; but doth intend simply the false church, wherever she is; for tho' it is said, the dead bodys shall lye in the street of the great city, yet it is said, they of the people, and kindreds and tongues, and ••tions, shall see their dead bodies, and shall not suffer their dead bodys to be put in graves; so that this city 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so large, that it comprehends the situation of all the Gentiles, which tread the holy City under foot, and all those locusts that came out of the bottomless pit; for it is said, the beast that ascended out of the bottomless pit killed them. And in the last verse of the foregoing Chap|ter, the Angel told John after he had eaten the little book, that he must prophecy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues and kings: Accordingly John is now upon the work of prophecy, and shewing by his pro|phecy how that they of the peoples, and kindreds, and tongues, and nations, shall see their dead bodys three days ••nd an half.

This prophecy contains a great mystery; for the three ••ays and an half measureth the same time of the forty ••nd two months, or the thousand two hundred and sixty days; all measures one and the same time, and doth com|prehend the whole time of the Gentiles treading the holy City under foot, or the thousand two hundred and sixty days that the two witnesses prophecy in sackcloth, and the three days and half that their dead bodys is seen to lye 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the street of the great city or mystical Babylon, doth

measure one and the same time; for the forty and two most reckoning 30 days to a month, contain just one thous•••••• two hundred and sixty days; and saith our Saviour, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there not twelve hours in a day? Joh. 11.9. So that three days and an half contain forty and two hours, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the same number with the months, and the months 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the same number of days, and the days make the same 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ber of months; and all measures the same time in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mystery; and in Chap. 12.6. And the woman fled into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they should feed her there a thousand, two hundred, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 days. This also is the same time of the prophecy of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 witnesses in sackcloth; for this woman in her wilderness state, measures the same time with the witnesses, for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 witnesses are Christ and his Church in Uni•••••• or the Spirit and Bride in union, which makes two witnesses and the holy city is the Church, and the woman is the church as also, chap. 12.14. And unto the woman wore give two wings of a great Eagle, that she might flee into the wild••••|ness, unto her place where she is nourished for a time, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 times, and half a time. This is likewise the same time with the other aforementioned, for a time is a thousand, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 times is two hundred, & half a time is sixty, as also in Chap. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.5, 6. &c. And there was given him a mouth speaking gr•••••• things and blasphemys, and power was given him to contin•• forty and two months. This is the same forty and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 months spoken of in the second verse of this chapter, all the•• numbers measures the self same time, for the holy city b••|trod under foot of the Gentiles, forty & two months alludes from Jerusalem of old being trod under Foot of the Gentiles, wh•• Israel was in Captivity in old Babylon. And whereas it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 said of the Beast. And power was given him to make war 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Saints forty & two months. This was the rulers & Government of this world, that was in union with the false Church and persecuted the true; and it was the same forty and tw•• months, that the Gentiles trod under foot the holy city both measured one and the same time.

Verse 10. And they that dwell upon th•• earth shall rejoyce over them, and shall ma•••• merry, and shall send gi•••••• one to another, be|cause

these two prophets tormented them that well on the earth.

In the foregoing verses we have an account, how the ••d bodys of the witnesses did lye in the streets of the ••at city, spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, and where ••r Lord was crucified, that is, in the territories of the false ••hurch; for as the true Church is called the holy city, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the false Church is here measured by Sodom and Egypt, ••d where our Lord was crucified: This is to describe ••er to be in a contrary state than the state of holiness, ••en where all uncleanness and pride is committed, and ••e place where all oppression is, and where all persecuti|on is, under the donomination of the place where our Lord ••as crucified; and how that the people, and kindreds, ••nd tongues, and nations, which comprehend all sorts of ••he inhabitants of the earth, should see their dead bodys, ••ut shall not suffer them to be put in graves; and the ••son why will appear in this verse, which shews it was to insult over them, by keeping them under their feet, and triumphing over them (as is said) and they that dwell upon the earth; this is to be understood earthly carnal ••en shall rejoyce over them; this is something like what the Philistines did when they had overcome Sampson, they brought him forth in the open view to make themselves sport; so it is said of these earthly dwellers, And they shall rejoyce over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; as is written of such a generation, Heb. 11.36. And others had tryal of cruel mockings. All this is to set forth their great joy and gladness over their conquest, and the victory they have gotten, by overcoming the two witnesses of the God of the earth, which is Christ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 union with his Church, because these two prophets tor|••ented them that dwell upon the earth; that is, the testimony of the spirit of Christ in and with his Church, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a tormenting doctrine to them that dwell upon the earth. Thus Christ and his Church being two witnesses, they are described by the number two; as two olive trees, two candlesticks, and two prophets, alluding from God's dealing with his Church under the first testament by two

prophets, namely, Elijah and Elisha, who were restorm 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the true worship of God in the Jewish Church, and the ••••|struction of the enemies of God's Church; and as Zern••|babel and Joshua, who were compared to two olive 〈◊〉〈◊〉 who were nourishers of God's Church under the Babylons captivity; and as Moses and Aaron who were deliv•••• of God's Church by the good hand of God, out of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Egyptian bondage.

Thus these under the first testament were two v•••••••• prophets, as it were three pair of them, who were type of these witnesses under the new testament.

In this book under the denomination of them that d•••••••• on the earth, is intended the false Church, or Gentiles, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 earthly carnal men; and they that dwell in Heaven, is in|tended the true Church, as appears in Chap. 12.12. R•••••••• ye heavens and ye that dwell in them: wo to the inhabiters of the earth and the sea, for the Devil is come down 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you.

It is needful before entry be made on the next verse, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 take a summary account what hath been the state of the true Church and the false, since that great apostatizi•••• mentioned in this book; beginning at the sound of the third trumpet, a star was seen to fall from heaven, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 feil upon the third part of the rivers and upon the fountain of water. By these waters we are to understand wholso•••• doctrine, by which the Church was nourished: And the star falling from heaven, doth denote a falling of the ministry from their heavenly station; and thereby imbi••••|ing in a great measure these living fountains by which the Church was before nourished; so that now there is a ••••••••••|ing and dying from that spiritual life which before 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lived in; and thereupon the glorious light of the G•• was much eclipsed, which was proclaimed by the soun•• of the next or fourth trumpet, and measured by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 moon and stars being in part darkned: And upon the so••••|ing of the fifth trumpet, a total falling away was represent•• by a star falling from heaven to the earth; and that the•• upon the bottomless pit was opened, and that the sun•• air was darkned with the smoke that came out of it: A•• which sheweth, that by this great apostacy, the glorio••

••light of the Gospel was quite 〈…〉〈…〉 or put out, and tha•• darkness did overspead the 〈…〉〈…〉 of inquity aid so work at that time, that the false Church ••lid so increase to be so numerods, that they are represent|ed to be like locusts.

And thus the true Church was consumed in a wilder|ness state, being mixed with the false; so that we have ••o account that any testimony was born against the false Church, or those locusts, till after the sound of the sixth trumper, and the•• we have an account of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 number that was loosed from under the doctrine and dominion of mystical Babylon, by atonement made by Jesus Christ the High Priest, a voice calling to the Angel which had the sixth trumpet to loose the four Angels bound in the great river Euphrases; and upon this voice from the place of atonement they were loosed, and prepared to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a ••eadiners for war by the testimony of their mouths as is said of them; after, if any man will hurt thom, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pro|ceedeth our of their mouth, and dev••ureth their enemies; they being also called the holy city, and two witnesses, as they are in union with Christ, prophecying in sackcloth. And the false Church is called the beast that a•• out of the bottomiess pit, that made war against them, and the great city spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, and where our Lord was crucified.

Thus the true Church is described to be in a poor, low, miserable, and perishing state, and the false Church in great pomp, and very numerous making war against he witnesses, and overcoming them, and killing them; thus wasting and consuming them, so that there is nothing to be seen in the street of mystical Babylon or the false Church, after they have killed the witnesses, but dead bodies; there is to life of Godliness to be seen in her street, all her pre|tended worship is external things; it is all dead service and vain worship, works of their own hands. But the Lord is coming upon them speedily as a thief in the night, while they are rejoycing and making merry themselves over the dead bodies of the witnesses, which stood before the God of the earth, and are the golden candlesticks which hold

up the light to the world; but now being killed by the false Church, their dead bodies lie in her street, not being put in graves, the earth being now covered with darknes•• and the people with gross darkness.

But the last foregoing verses, to wit, the 7th, 8th, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 10th, doth contain a great mystery; for upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 apostacy, or falling away of the true Church, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sing up of the false out of the bottomless pit, the fa•• did so multiplp and increase, that they became a gr•• kingdom in the world; and the true Church went into th•• wilderness, being bewilder'd with the superstition, here•• and hypocrisy of the false Church; so that she 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her testimony, and then the false Church got the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hand in war against her; and thus was she overcome and killed mystically in her testimony, being despised, underva|lued, and trodden under foot, v. 2. The false Church thus warring against her testimony, did overcome her and did kill her, for the testimony of the true Church ever was, and is, and will be, by the revelation of the Spirit of Christ; and her ministers preaching is all by the revela|tion of the spirit of Christ which dewlleth in them (G•• 1.11.12.2 Cor. 14.29, 30.) and openeth their understanding to understand the Scriptures. But the ministers of the fall•• Church, preach only feigned words which they study 2 Pet. 2.3. Even the magination of their own heart, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the revelation of Gods spirit, Jer. 23.21. Jer. 14.14. Ezek. 13.2, 3.

And thus the false Church got the upper hand, by over|coming the true Church; and thus was she killed in the mystery. And by their dead bodies lying in the street of the great city, is to shew, that as the true Church did de•• and die, and the false Church did rise up in her room, there was no life nor spirit of truth in her; so that nothing was to be seen in her street but the dead bodies of the witnesses; for there remained only a form of godliness which she upheld and carried on, being only an outwa•• shew of worshiping God, the worshipers being all dead in sin, and in a polluted state of uncleanness; and all that th•• do is only an imitation of the saints, of what they saw ex|ternally

with their carnal eyes, and heard with their carnal ears; so that in the street of this great city, or territories of the false Church, is to be seen nothing but the dead bodies of the saints, for there is no spirit nor life of righ|teousness in them; for as the body is dead without the spirit, so all their works of worship is done without the works of faith, so that it is all only like the dead bo|dies of the saints, when the life and spirit is gone out of them; for could the inside of this Church be seen, it would appear like Sodom and Egypt, and as bad as the Jews which crucified our Lord, and therefore her name is de|rived from them, and Babylon; and when her fall shall come, then it will be seen what was in her inside when he was in her pomp and glory; to wit, her body was then the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit; as may be seen in Chap. 18.2. for all that she doth is to be ••en of men externally, as preaching, praying, singing holy men's psalms, and practising the ordinances of Christ after one fashion or other, and observing of Sabaths and holy days, Col. 2.16. Gal. 4.10, 11. And all this proceeding from a sinful and polluted inside; so that in the street or territo|ries of the false Church is only dead bodies, finely arrayed outwardly; being deck'd with silver, and gold, and procious stone, Chap. 17. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 So that she is become a glorious Church in the sight of the world, great and beautiful, alluring both kings and all the inhabitants of the earth to joyn in with her; as may be seen, Chap. 17.2. So that she hath both rulers and judges to support and uphold her in what|soever kingdom or country she is in, as may be seen, Chap, ••7.3.

And whereas it saith, And they of the people, and kin|dreds, and nations, shall see their dead bodies, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. By seeing their dead bodies, is intended that dead form of godliness before mentioned, which they behold and see with their carnal eyes, which is here represented by the dead bodies of the saints, they having killed the living saints: For ••he false Church always glories in the outward form of Godliness; for that is that which they will not have bu|tied,

which was represented to John by their not suffering the dead bodies to be put in graves: For it is only the spirit and life of Christianity that the old serpent called the Devil and Satan strikes at, who decerves the whole world, Chap. 12.9. but he is blinding the eyes of the kings and judges of the earth, by suggesting into them, to main|tain and uphold the form, or dead body, without the life; for he knows that that is all that judges can do; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this means he knows he can war against the life and spi•• of Christianity, and bring all the world to attend, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 worship the form without the life: And thus it is the dear body only that the false Church rejoyces over, and make them selves merry with, & this is the course of life that both th•• mother of harlots and her daughters leads, even to this day; for it was, and is the spirit of life in the saints that dot•• always torment them that dwell upon the earth, and not the bodies of the saints without the spirit; for the saints testimony was always against the false Churches form without the spirit of life in it; and the false Church is wont always to persecute the true Church, for refusing to attend her form, or image of Godliness; for the judges of the earth can bring all the inhabitants of the earth is their territories to attend their form of Godliness, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 worship the image of Godliness which they set up, as none but the true Church refuses, or suffers under them a•• evil doers: for the world will hear the false prophets th•• scripture saith, but they will not hear the true saith th•• scripture; and therefore by this saith the scripture we know•• the false from the true: And by this direction, the scripture tells us, we may know what spirit the prophet is in, whether in the Spirit of God, or in the Spirit of the World, for if he comes in the Spirit of the world, then the world will hear him, but if he comes not in the Spirit of the world, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the world will not hear him, for the world knoweth him not saith the scripture, 1 Joh. 3.1. Therefore the world knoweth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not, because it knew not him. 1 Joh. 4. comparing the fir•• verse with the fifth and sixth verses. Beloved, believe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God. Beca•• many false prophets are gone out into the world, they are of 〈◊〉〈◊〉

world, therefore speak they of the world, and the world beareth them; We are of God, he that knoweth God heareth us, he that is not of God, heareth not us, hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of errour.

Thus we have an account of the sad afflicted state of the Church of Christ, under her great sufferings and of long continuance.

Verse 11. And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

This time here expressed by three days and an half, doth measure the whole time of the Churches sorrowful and afflicted state, and the time of the false Churches insulting and triumphing over them; the state of the true Church be|ing like the state of Israel of old, when Jerusalem was trodden under foot of the Gentiles, and Israel under the power and dominion of old Babylon; and the City, Tem|ple, and Altar being all trodden under foot, and Israel that was in captivity compared unto the valley of dry bones, Ezek. 37, which dry bones was said to be the whole house of Israel; as in the 11th verse.

Thus the spiritual Israel of God is express'd to be under the same circumstances, to wit, killed, and their dead bodys to ly in the street of the great city, and after three days and an half the spirit of life entered into them, and they stood upon their feet. Thus it was said of Israel of old in captivity, in the 5th verse, Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones, behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live. And thus it is exprest of the true and faithful Church of God, how that the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their ••eet: This is the day of their salvation and deliverance. This is the time of putting off their sackcloth garments. Now they that have been long trod under foot stand on their feet, and it is said great fear fell on them that saw them; and well it might, for the effect of their fear will be speedy destruction that is coming upon them.

Verse 12. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, come up hither.

Thus their comforts increase, they are not only set up•• their feet by the spirit of life from God entering into them but they are now invited into heaven out of the reach 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their Enemies: This is to set forth their advancement 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dignity from one degree of exaltation to another.

And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud and their enemies beheld them.

This was a very solemn and awful sight for their enemie•• to behold, to see those whom they had been persecuting and accusing for hereticks, pestilent fellows, sowers of sedition troublers of the common wealth; yea, esteemed of them to b•• the filth and offscouring of all things, pretending themselves to be the true Church; and now to behold and see them whom they had thus despised to be favourites of hea|ven, and to be advanced into such great glory; this is a dreadful day for them to behold.

Verse 13. And the same hour was there are great earthquake.

And well might this great earthquake be upon these ene|mies of Gods Church, to see them whom they had been treading under their feet, now ascend up into heaven in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cloud in their open sight; but it is a joyful day to God elect, and a day of trembling to their enemies, to behold their advancement. And the same hour was there a gre•••• earthquake,

And the tenth part of the city fell.

Thus we see that when the time comes that the tru•• church shall rise and stand up on her feet, and be advanced into a higher degree of glory, then the false Church most fall.

In the 8th verse this city was called spiritual Sodom and Egypt, and where our Lord was crucified, and in the 17th Chapter, comparing the 6th verse with the 18th, and the will shew this city to be intended the false Church; Verse And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the the saint and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. Verse 18, A••

the woman which thou sawest is that great city; and this great city is the mother of harlots; as in the 5th verse. And her daughters have their habitation in the same city, for the city is so great that it contains all the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea, Chap. 12.12. for in this city or territories of the false Church, was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth, Chap. 18.24.

And in the earthquake were slain names of men seven thousand.

By names of men, we are to understand those names of titles that was put upon the heads and leaders of this false Church, which were names of dignity, in naming themselves with those names which the Spirit of God had put upon his ministers and officers of his Church. And the number seven we are to under|stand, measures the whole of every thing that it expresseth by that number; so that whereas it saith, And in the earth|quake were slain names of men seven thousand, is not to be understood their persons were slain, but is to be under|stood all those names of titles, which was falsely imposed upon her ministers and Church officers, which did properly belong only to the true Church; for before this time, the mountain of the false Church was exalted above the moun|tain of the true Church, but now the mountain of the true Church is exalted above the mountain of the false; so that all those names which men imposed upon the false Church, while they were under a delusion taking the false for the true, and the true for the false; but now the mountain of the house of the Lord being exalted above the top of the mountains, it now appears that the false Church had only the names of men, and was not the true Church, but was a cheat; so that all those names of honour and dignity, put upon her by men, who took her for the true Church, are now, upon the rising of the true Church and ascending into dignity, all those names of men are slain at once, and she discovered to be a cheat, that was so renowned for the true, and exalted with names of dignity, piety, vertue, learning, and whatsoever else was ascribed unto her in way of praise or commendation, it being all only names of men imposed

upon her; for it is not him whom men commends that is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth; but now all those names of men are slain at once, to her utter shame and confusion, who were adorned with those titles that did be|long only to the Church of Christ; and so by imitation of the true Church, they deceived the world.

And the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Thus we are now come to the period of the false Church, and to the glory and advancement of the true: Now we are come to the end of the sixth trumpet, which was the second wo trumpet.

Verse 14. The second wo is past and behold the third wo cometh quickly.

Verse 15. And the seventh Angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven.

In the 12th verse we had an account, how God did visit his Church in her low state, their bodies lying dead in the street of the great city, or within the territories of the false Church, he not only breathing into them the spi|rit of life, and setting them on their feet, but also advanc'd them into a high state of dignity, inviting them up into heaven; and now we hear their voices in heaven,

Saying, the kingdoms of this world are be|come the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Thus they render praise and thanks unto God, in that he had subdued the kingdoms of this world, and brought them into subjection to himself, and unto his Christ, that is, his anointed, whom he hath anointed to be King of kings and Lord of lords, who shall reign for ever and ever.

Verse 16. And the twenty four elders which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces and worshiped God.

These twenty four elders do represent the state of all saints who shall sit in judgment with God, to judge the world.

And they are twenty four in number, because twelve of them doth represent the twelve gates of the holy city, being the twelve heads of the twelve tribes of Israel, or twelve sons of Jacob, and the twelve Apostles who are the twelve foundations of the said city, which make twenty four Elders, which comprehend both the Elders of the primi|tive Church of the Jews, and the Elders of the primitive Church of the Gentiles.

And the twenty four elders fell upon their faces and worshiped God, in consideration that he had taken to him|self his great power and reigned.

Verse 17. Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come, because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

Verse 18. And the nations were angry.

That is, with God's Church.

And thy wrath is come.

That is, by their anger against thy Church they have angred thee, and thy wrath is come.

And the time of the dead that they should be judged.

This comprehends the end of the world, and the resurrection of the body, and answers to the cry of those that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held; Chap. 6.10. How long, O Lord, holy, and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth.

Thus the witnesses cry, who were slain for the testimo|ny which they held: And now the time is come that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward ••nto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to ••hem that fear thy name, both small and great, and should|est destroy them which destroy the earth. These that destroy the earth, are the locusts that came out of the ••moke of the bottomless pit, whose king in the Hebrew ••ngue is called Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath ••is hame Apollyon, and in our tongue, a Destroyer.

Verse 19. And the temple of God was opened in heaven.

This temple of God is his Church, 2 Cor. 6.16. For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them. And in the 12th verse of this Chapter it is said, And they ascended up to heaven in a cl••. This ascending up into heaven, is into a higher degree•• glory; and by this temple being opened in heaven, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to discover what was to be seen in it, which was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the false Church, that is, the Ark of God's testament which is the spirit of Christ dwelling in his Church o•• Temple; Rom. 8.10. And if Christ be in you; for it is th•• indwelling of Christ that makes the body God's temp••e•• and the testament of God here spoken of, is a writing writ|ten on the fleshly tables of the hearts of those that are members of his Church, 2 Cor. 3.3. Written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart. This temple, and this ask of the testament, and the testament itself, was figured out by that pattern which was made by Moses in the wilderness; and the figure of this New Testament, written upon the heart by the Spirit of God; the sigure of it was written on two tables of stone by the finger of God, and before the Church of God was ad|vanced into an higher degree of Glory, which is said ascending up to heaven; this ark of the testament was not known to be in her, till now the temple is opened in heaven, that the ark might be seen to be in it, the Church of God being now raised, and advanced into heaven, being the temple of God; this temple is opened, and the ark of God's testament is seen in this temple. God having th•• discovered his Covenant with his Church, he now thunders down his judgments upon their enemies, which is expect by lightening, and voices, and thundrings, and an earthquake, and great hail. These judgments follow the seventh and last trumpet, which is the finishing prophecy; as may be seen, Chap. 10.7. But in the days of the voice of the seven•••• Angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, 〈…〉〈…〉 servants th••

prophets. Compare this with the 15th verse of this Chapter, And the seventh Angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The Kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and be shall reign for ever and ever. This is the finishing of all things foretold of by the Prophets.

CHAP. XII.

This Chapter consists of two Visions that the A|postle John saw, one of the Church, beginning at the primitive Jewish Church of Christ, and continued until the Church went into the wilderness; As also a vision of the great red dragon from his first being such a one, and his great dominion over the whole world, which he got by usurpation; and his continual enmity against the woman, or Church of Christ, and her seed.

Verse 1.

ANd there appeared a great wonder in hea|ven, a woman cloathed with the sun, and the moon under her feet.

This woman is the Church of God; and her being cloathed with the sun, doth shew that she is the light of the world, Mat. 5.14. And she being thus adorned with the glorious light of the sun, which rules the day, and swallows up the light of the moon; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so much more ex|cellent in brigh••••••••, that the moon is said to be under her feet as useless.

And upon her head a crown of twelve stars.

The crown of twelve stars doth represent the twelve sons of Jacob, which that Church was crowned withal, Jacob was represented to Joseph by the Sun, and his mo|ther who was under subjection to Jacob by the Mo••, and Joseph with his eleven brethren to Twelve Stars, Gen. 37.9. For these twelve stars are twelve Angels, or the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel, Chap. 21.12. And at the gates twelve Angels, and names written there••, which are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Verse 2. And she being with child, cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be deli|vered.

This woman was with child by her covenanted husband, as is written. Isai. 54.5. For thy maker is thy husband, the Lord of hosts is his name. Jer. 2.2. Thus saith the Lord, I remember the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espos|sals. Ezek. 16.8. Now when I passed by thee and looked upon thee, behold thy time was the time of love, and I spread my skirt over thee; and covered thy nakedness; yea. I swore unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord, and thou becamest mine.

Thus was the woman with child, and her Maker 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her husband that begat this child that this woman trava••|ed withal, and pained to be delivered; and when her time was fully come, as appears, Gal. 4.4. And when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his son 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a woman, made under the law.

Verse 3. And there appeared another wonder in heaven, and behold a great red dragon.

It is said both these wonders was seen in heaven. The w••|mans heavenly station was seen by her excellency in lighted glory, as the sun is seen in the open firmament of heaven, her conversation being in heaven. And the Dragons ••e••|venly station was his usurped power and dignity which he by usurp••ion had advanc'd himself into, having g••|••

all the glory and dominion of this world: Thus he had ••vanc'd himself into heaven, as was said of old Babylon, Isai. 14.13, 14. For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ••scond•• into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God, I will ascend above the height of the clouds, I will ••e like the most high. And he appeared to John in his bloody colour in the vision, a great red dragon. His red colour was to shew him to be a murderer from the beginning: John 8.44. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth. 1 Joh. 3.8. For the devil sinneth from the beginning. And he appeared

Having seven heads, and ten horns, and se|ven crowns on his heads.

His seven heads and seven crowns on his seven heads, doth shew him to be crowned with all the dominion of this world; for the seven heads doth measure the whole dominion of this world, and the seven crowns doth shew that he is crowned therewith, and the ten horns doth shew that he hath many persecuting powers arising out of these heads, Luk. 4.5, 6.

Verse 4. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth.

By his tail drawing a third part of the stars of hea|ven, is his allurements and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, after riches, honour, and pleasures of this world•• and by the third part of the stars of heaven being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 down to the earth is ministers and professors of Chri••anity who was in a heavenly ••arion, but by those foremention'd allurements and drawing temptations, did apostati••e and fall away from their heaven|ly state to an ea••hly and carnal state; for the Devil goeth about like •• roaring Hon, seeking whom he may de|••our.

And the dragon stood before the woman, which was ready 〈…〉〈…〉 for to devour her child as 〈…〉〈…〉.

This dragon having had such success, in overcoming our first parents, and since casting down so many of the stars of heaven unto the earth, he now stands ready to devour that promised seed of the woman (which was to bruise his head) as soon as it should be born, destroying the male Children in ••gypt, and by Herod the king, and at all other opportunities.

Verse 5. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron and her child was caught up unto God and to h••s throne.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 child is the son of God, as in the figure by Da|vid is shewed, in the second Psalm, 7th, 8th, and 9th verses, Th••u a••t my son, this day have I begotten th••e; ask of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and I will give thee the heathen for ••hine ••tance, and the utt••st parts of he earth for thy poss••ssion, thou s••alt break them with a rod of iron, thou sha•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them in pr••, like a po•• vess••l. Compare this with the 13th Chapter of the Acts, ver••e 33. As it is written in the second Psals, Th••u ••rt my son, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 day ••ve I begotten thee.

And her child was caught up unto God & to his throne. This was after his resurrection and ascension into Glory, who ov•• him that had the power of death, that is, the devil, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2.14. for he is the Son of God, and heir of his Fathers Kingd••n, H••b. 1.2. compared with the 8th verse, But unto the son he saith, Thy throne O God is for ever and ever, a seepter of rightcous••ss is the seepter of thy kingdom. Compare this with Chap. 19.15, 16. And he s••all rule the•• with a red of iron, and he treadeth the wine press of the fier••|ness and w••h of aimighty God; and he hath on his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and on his th••gh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Verse 6. And the woman fled into the wil|derness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thou|sand two hundred and sixty days.

This woman having brought forth the man child, and his father having taken him up to heaven, and exalted him by setting him on his own throne, in great dig••ity and honour, we have heare also an account what did after become of the woman that brought him forth, how that she fled into the wilderness, even as the Church did of old, a••d how the hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there. As God fed his Church with Angels food in the wilderness; so he also feeds this his Church in her wilderness state, with the true manna from heaven. Her wilderness state is here measured by days, which are ruled by the sun which she is cloathed with, and measured my|stically by a thousand two hundred and threescore days. This verse which speaks of the woman's flight into the wilder|ness, is to ••hew her future state, after her child was caught up unto God and to his throne, and is spoken by a foreknowledge of her future state, and not in the proper place as it i••poken of in the 14th verse of this Chapter, but is in this place foretold of before the time of her go|ing into the wilderness. And this thousand two hu••ed and threescore days, here spoken of, is the same time spo|ken of in Chap. 11.••. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophecy a thousand two hundred and threescore days clo••thed in sackcloth.

Verse 7. And there was war in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his an|gels.

This war was carried on by Christ and his soldiers, against the Devil and his soldiers, and did immediately fol|low upon the childs ••cention into heaven, and contiau|ed until the glorious light of the gospel did so shine in the world, that it gave such a blow to satans kingdom of darkness, that it was much weakened; the dragon and his angels fought by cruel persecution, the dragon having all the kingdoms and powers of this world on his side, both Jew and Gentile, even all the Roman Empire, thus be fought in heaven, even in great dignity and power.

And Michaels army fought by the word of their testimony, and by the blood of the lamb, and loved not their lives unto the death, as in the 11th verse. This war continued until the sound of the second trumpet, or until the overthrow of the heathenish Empire of Rome.

Verse 8. And prevailed not, neither w•• there place found any more in heaven.

But the dragon did not prevail but lost his heavenly ••|tion by the glorious light of the Gospel, and by t•• sword of Constantine under Christ's banner; so that t•• dragon lost his heavenly dignity, which he had in th•• heathenish Roman power; as appears in the following verse.

Verse 9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil and Sata••, which deceiveth the whole world, he was cast into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

By the great dragon being cast out, was by the over|throw of the heatheninsh Empire, which that old ser•• called the Devil and Satan gave power, unto, to make was against the saints by persecution; but he was cast out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 losing his heavenly station by the sword of God in the han•• of Constantine; which overthrow was sounded by the soun•• of the second trumpet.

Verse 10. And I heard a loud voice saying i•• heaven, Now is come salvation and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the pow•• of his Christ.

This loud voice in heaven, was the voice of the Chur•• of God, saying in heaven, Salvation and strength is co•• and the kingdom of our God and his Christ. By his Christ we are to understand is intended that man child that th•• woman brought forth, being the son of God, who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 anointed to be king in his Fathers throne; And 〈◊〉〈◊〉

having shewed salvation to his Church, by his great strength and kingly power, in giving the dragon and his kingdom such a great overthrow by the sword of Con|••antine, so that one of his seven heads was wounded ••nto death; for until this time the dragon was in hea|ren, having the heathenish Roman Empire under his do|••ninion and delusions, by whom he persecuted the woman until the time of said Constantine; for say they,

The accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and ••ight.

This was the joy and consolation of Gods Church and People, to see their adversary the devil cast down (by their anointed king and saviour, now brought forth by the wo|man, and crowned in his fathers throne•• who before was wont to accuse them before their God day and night, as he did Job, who was a perfect and upright man, one that feared God and ascewed evil, yet was accused of the Devil to serve God for his own advantage and profit, for the sake of worldly gain, Job 1.9, 10, 11.

Verse 11. And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb.

That is, they were redeemed from their bondage and sla|very unto fin and satan, by the precious blood of the 〈…〉〈…〉 of God; and thus they overcame him by the blood 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••he Lamb, having redemption thereby from sin and satan, who before had the dominion over them, but now having re|demption by the blood of Jesus Christ, they war against him,

By the word of their testimony

Against his false doctrine, by which he deceives the whole world, as in the 9th verse.

And they loved not their lives unto the ••eath.

That is, they bore a testimony against his false doctrine to the loss of their own lives, for the sake of him that redeemed them with his precious blood, and thus they

suffered under the kingdom of satan, from the time that the man child was taken up into heaven, and into God's throne, to the time that the Lord Jesus Christ overthrew the kingdom of satan in the heathenish Empire of Rome by the sword of Constantine; so that the great dragon and, his kingdom fell at once, like Pharoh and his host in the red sea. Thus was satan cast down from heaven, and his angels with him, unto the earth; as in the following verse.

Verse 12. Therefore rejoyce ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.

This is to express the great joy of the Church now triumphing in heaven, over their adversary the devil, who hath been so long insulting over them by cruel and un|merciful persecutions and tortures.

Wo to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea:

By the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea, is intended the ungodly and wicked world.

For the devil is come down unto you, ha|ving great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Thus the dragon seeing and considering, that though he could deceive and overcome the whole world, yet he could neither deceive nor overcome the man child tha•• was ascended into heaven into his fathers throne, and that he was son and heir to all that his father had, and had overcome him in battle; upon consideration of these things his wrath was great, knowing his time was but short.

And now what followeth is upon the sound of the third trumpet, and reacheth to the sound of the sixth trum|pet.

Verse 13. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth,

By the kingdom of God, and by the power of hi•• Christ.

He persecuted the woman which brought forth he man child.

This is by a new assault; and the manner how he ma|••geth this persecution will be seen in the following part of this chapter.

Verse 14. And to the woman were given ••wo wings of a great eagle, that she might ••lee into the wilderness.

This is a spiritual wilderness here intended. This place mentioneth the womans flight into the wilderness in it's proper place, after her long warfare and great sufferings by pers••cution under the Roman heathenish Empire, but now takes her flight into the wilderness from the face of the ••erpent, as Israel did of old from the face of Pharaoh, as is here spoken by an allusion, Exod. 19.4. Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I have you on eagles ••ings, and brought you unto my self, Deut. 32.11. As an ••ugle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spread|••h abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings, ••o the Lord alone did lead him.

As the Lord was present to comfort his Church in her great sufferings under those persecutions unjustly inflicted ••n her by the dragon, under the heathenish Empire of ••ome, so likewise the Lord is a present help to his Church in her wilderness state, there to prepare a place for her, where she is nourished as Israel was of old, in the time of her abode in the wilderness; so is this Churches time before determined as Israels was, and is here measured by a time, and times, and half a time. By a time is a thousand, and times is two hundred, and half a time is sixty: This is a very sorrowful time with the true Church, as Israels was in the wilderness: This is the time of the two witnesses prophecying in sackcloth: This is the time of her great Apostacy, and a mixture with the false Church ••ho is always in a wilderness state, Chap. 17.3. So he ••ried me away in the spirit into the wilderness and I saw a ••oman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast. This woman is the ••lse Church, with whom the true is mixt and bewilder'd ••s appears in the 18th Chapter, verse 4. Come out of her ••y people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye ••ceive not of her plagues.

Thus there is a mixture in this wilderness state, be|tween the false Church and the true; and thus it was with Israel in the wilderness, Numb. 11.4. And the ••xt multitude that was among them, fell a lusting, and the chil|dren of Israel also wept again and said, Who shall give 〈◊〉〈◊〉 flesh to ••at? And why it comes to be so will be seen by what followeth.

Verse 15. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of th•• flood.

Thus he begins with new stratagems (having gottes a wounded head) to carry away the woman by craft and de|ceit, with his poisonable serpentine heresies and false doct|rine to deceive, as a flood of waters to carry away the woman therewith, by reproaching the way of truth and sound doctrine, and reviling those that profess the same, accusing them with all manner of evil falsely to make them odious, and to be hated of all men. Thus by these stra|tagems he persecutes the Church in the wilderness, and by feigning flatteries, to entice her to worldly pleasures an•• carnal delights, after riches, honours, and pleasures of thi•• world. All these things he casts out of his mouth as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 flood of water, to carry her away therewith, thinking 〈◊〉〈◊〉 drown her thereby with destruction and perdition.

Verse 16. And the earth helped the woma••

By the earth is intended the earthly minded, or t•• children of this world; not that they did it designedly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 help the woman for they know her not, 1 Joh. 3.1. but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is spoken here by the similitude of a flood of water, th•• breaks forth and is like to carry away much people; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the dryness of the earth drinking it in so fast that it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their help, by which means they escaped the destruction 〈◊〉〈◊〉 otherwise would have happened to them. Thus it hap|pened in the mystery; for the water which the serpe•• cast out of his mouth as a flood, are pleasant waters 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the worldly minded, who would willingly enjoy heav•• and eternal happiness, so that they might but enjoy t••

pleasures and delights of this present world the mean time; so that the serpents doctrine of heresie and delusion, which came out of his mouth to carry away the woman, was all drank in by earthly minded men, and she thereby escaped, not being carried away by it.

And thus the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the serpent cast out of his mouth,

To carry away the woman therewith; which said water as a flood cast out of his mouth, was false doctrine, here|sie and lies, which the earthly minded people of the world readily opened their mouth and drank it in: And thus were they deceived therewith even the whole world, as in the 9th verse of this Chapter; but the woman escaped it.

Verse 17. And the dragon was wrath with the woman.

When he saw that those forementioned stratagems would not prevail, then he

Went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

This remnant of her seed which he persecutes, are those which are most circumspect in keeping the commandments of God, and maintaining the testimony of Jesus Christ. And in the following Chapter we shall have an account how he carries on this war of persecution against the rem|nant of the womans faithful seed; the manchild having escaped his hands, by being taken up to God and to his throne, he now makes war against the remnant of her faith|ful seed, as is written 2 Tim. 3.12. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suff•• persecution.

CHAP. XIII.

Verse 1.

ANd I stood upon the sand of the sea.

Thus it appeared unto John in his vision, as if he stood on the sand of the sea; so that he had a fair prospect to behold the face of the waters.

And I saw a beast rise out of the sea.

This beast is the kingdoms of this world, and more par|ticularly the Roman kingdom, who had rule at that time. And by the waters is meant peoples and multitudes, and nations and tongues, as appears Chap. 17.15. Jer. 51.53. And by the heads of the boast is meant the dominion of this world: And the number seven measures the whole dominion or government of this world: And the ten horns is to express many kingly powers that ariseth out of the seven heads; for it is said in Chap. 17.9, 10. The seven heads are seven mountains, and the seven mountains represent all th•• dominion and dignity of this world: And there are seven kings, and the seven kings measures all the visible domi|nion of this world; and in the 12th verse of the 17th Chapter it is said, the ten horns are ten kings, that is, there are many kings that ariseth out of the seven heak, and where a king is there is power; for whereas it is said, and upon his horns ten crowns, which is to shew the ten kings or horns are crown'd with power. And upon his heads the names of blasphemy; and this was to shew that the powers of this world in heathenism and antichristi|anism, hath been wont to reproach both God and his taber|nacle, or Church, as in the 6th verse.

Verse 2. And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion.

Thus God represents the kingly powers of this world by the most fiercest wild beasts, who are fierce and strong, and able thereby to destroy and overcome the beasts of the earth. And the Prophet Daniel Chap. 7. saw the like vision of the four Monarchs, represented to him by the like fierce beasts; but Daniel prophecied in the first Monarch, and John in the time of the last. Now these kings and powers were set up by God to do justice and judgment among the inha|bitants of the earth. And this beast here spoken of is not yet represented to John of a scarlet colour, because its power is of God, according to Paul's testimony, Rom. 13.1, &c. Let every soul be subject to the higher powers; for there is no power but of God, the powers that are ordained of God. This Apostle is speaking of the same power that John is prophecying of, to wit, the Roman kingdom then ruling.

And the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

The beast receiving his power from the dragon, and ex|••cising it, becomes a scarlet coloured beast, as doth appear in Chap. 17.3. for we read of this dragon and his power in Chap. 12.3. And behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns on his heads. This dragon is that old serpent called the devil and satan, Chap. 12.9. Yea, he is the God of this world, 2 Cor. 4.4. Joh. 14.30. And was a murderer from the beginning, Joh. 8.44. and therefore may well be called the red dragon. This dragon offered to give to our Saviour all his dominion and glory here spoken of, upon condition that he would fall ••ewn and worship him, Luk. 4.5, 6, 7. but he refuseth to purchase it upon those terms; but the beast receiveth it of him: And the dragon thus giving to the beast his power, and his seat, and great authority, he now becomes a persecuting power, by this power derived from the dragon, and there|by establisheth false worship.

Verse 3. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death.

This was one of the seven heads of the dragon which he gave to the beast; for that power which is derived from God is not to be wounded, but is to continue to the worlds end: Now if the dragon had not the dominion of this world, he could not be the god of it. 2 Cor. ••.4. And this wound was given him by the glorious light of the Gospel, after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, being spread among the Gentiles, and by the sword of God put into the hand of Constantine, to the overthrow of that persecuting power, derived from the dragon, and i•• the hand of the Romish heathenish power, who stood to mai••|tain the worshipping of idols, and b••asphemed God and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heave•• under whose power the ten first persecutions was ca•• on. And this overthrow was upon the sound of the second t••m|pet.

And his deadly wound was healed.

And the healing of this wound was by the ••lling away of the true Church, and by the rising up of the false, by which antichrist got a head, and by this means the deadly wound was healed, for now the false Church was taken for the true, and the true for the false; and thus the dragons pow|er was revived and his head healed, and all the world wondred after the beast; for now all the world concluded it was a Christian power that ruled, for the dragon d••|veth the whole world, Chap. 12.9.

Verse 4. And they worshipped the drago•• which gave power to the beast, and they wor|shipped the beast.

This is to be understood thus: The power which the dragon gives the beast is given under pretennce of setting up the true worship of God, and requiring all people to attend it: The children of this world being in darkness, take the ordinances, institutions, doctrines and command|ments of men, to be the true worship of God, Mat. 15.〈◊〉〈◊〉. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the

commandments of men. Is••••. 29.13. And their fear towards 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is taught by the precepts of men. Thus they worship the dragon that gives power to the beast, by setting up forms of worship to whom God has given no such power, for he hath made them only ministers of the Law. And thus they come to worship the beast, in obeying him in his institutions of worship, when as it is not in the pow|er of kings or governours of this world, to set up the true worship of God, for they cannot regenerate one man by making him a new creature: For unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth, Psal. 50.16. When ye come to be seen before me, Who hath required this at your hand to tread my courts? Isai. 1.12. compared with the 15th verse, And when ye spread forth your hands, I will ••de mine eyes from you; yea, when ye multiply prayer I will not hear; your hands are full of blood: For it is only those that are regenerated, and so become new creatures by being born of God, that can worship him; Joh. 4.24. God is a Spirit, and they they that worship him must worship 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in spirit and in truth, Phil. 3.3. For we are the cir|••••••sion which worship God in the spirit. So that no man un|der the power of sin can worship God in spirit and in truth; so that all unregenerate men, worship they know not what, Joh. 4.22. Rom. 14.17, 18. For the kingdom of God is righteousness and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost; for he that in these things serveth Christ, is acceptable to God, and approved of men. So that whatsoever is set up by man in way of worship, pretending to worship God is from the power of the dragon, and is but a del••ding form or image of worship; by which the inhabitants of the earth are de|luded by the dragon, and by this wile. He persecutes the true worshippers of God, that worship him through the gift of his own Spirit, which he hath given them to worship him with, in faith and love; which faith and love is his own gift, given to us by his own Spirit to worship him with; according to what is written, 2 Cor. 4.13. We having the same spirit of faith: For it is the Spirit that gives us faith, and without faith it is impossible to

please God (Heb. 11.6.) or to worship him: So that all pretended worship to God set up by man, is only worship|ing the dragon and the beast, and no true worship to God, but a provocation to him; for it is done only with the mouth and lips, and acts of the creatures own acting, and not done in the spirit of truth but in obedience to the commandments and doctrines of men; saying, who is li•• unto the beast? as if they should say, who can withstand the commandments of a king? who is able to make 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with him?

Thus the dragon and the beast can keep in subjection the whole world under false worship, they not seeing the invisible God, who only is to be worshipped and feared above all: So that it looks to them who are the worshipers of the dragon and the beast, who is able to withstand the whole world, when as this is the victory that ••••••|meth the world, even our faith, 1 Joh. 5.4.

Verse 5. And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things, and blasphe|mies.

This gift was given him by the dragon, to speak great threatnings to all that would not subject to his ordinan|ces, commandments and institutions of worship, reproach|ing or blaspheming the saints for refusing subjection there|unto; for tho' the saints are few in number, yet they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the light of the world, Mat. 5.14. For their fear towards God, is not taught by the commandments of men.

And power was given unto him, to conti|nue forty and two months.

This time of persecution is measured by the moon, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 months, because antichrist rules in the night, and in da••|ness, they being children of the night, and of darkness and this power which was given unto him to make war with the saints, was a limited time to him by God, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prest by forty two months, but it doth not belong to us to know the times and seasons, which the father hath p•• into his own power, Acts 1.7. But it is a limitted time to him, to make war with the saints, which time is expre•• by 42 Months, this is the 42 months spoken of in chap. 11.2.

it is said the Gentiles shall tread the holy city under foot, that is these Antichrists, in conjunction with the Magistra|tical powers of this world: for the holy city is God's Church, which the Gentiles, or these Antichristians tread under foot, chap. 21.9.10. And there came unto me one of the seven Angels, and talked with me saying, come hither, I will shew thee the Bride the Lambs wife, and he shewed me that great city the ••ty Jerusalem.

Verse 6. And he opened his mouth in blas|phemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

By blaspheming his tabernacle is his Church, which is the true tabernacle of God, which he hath pitched and not man. Heb. 8.2. for in this tabernacle is God's habitation and dwelling place, which was figured out by that tabernacle pitched in the wilderness. And by them that dwell in hea|ven, is the Saints, whose conversation is in heaven, Phil. 3.20.

Verse 7. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints.

This power was given him by the dragon.

And to overcome them.

This speaks of such a time when Antichrist rules in great pomp and glory and did overcome the saints, for this was the time when the false Church said in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow, at this time the true Church was troden under foot of the Gentiles. And this beast that did ascend out of the earth,

Did overcome them, and kill them; and power was given unto him over all kindreds and tongues and nations.

This also speaks of the power that the Roman kingdom had given him by the dragon, in the times of Antichristi|anism, as will appear in the following verse.

Verse 8. And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him.

By the dwellers upon the earth is meant earthly, worldly and carnal men; for such shall worship him:

Whose names are not written in the book of life, of the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

This is to distinguish the worshippers of the beast from the children of God, whose names are inrolled in the lambs book of life, being redeemed by his precious blood▪ And these are they which worship God in spirit and •• truth, and follow the lamb whithersoever he goeth, Chap. 14.•• These were bought from among men.

And whereas it saith, the lamb slain from the foundati|on of the world; this is spoken of Gods fore-ordination, which he purposed in himself before the foundation of th•• world, that he should be slain at that time when he was slain, as is written, 1 Pet. 1.18, 19, 20. Ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, but with the prec••o••s blood of Jesus Christ, as of a lamb without blemish, and with|out spot, who verily was fore-ordained before the founda|tion of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.

Verse 9. If any man have an ear, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him hear.

This voice is calling for attention, both to what hath been spoken already, and to that which followeth.

Verse 10. He that leadeth into Captivity.

This is meant the persecuting power, that makes wa•• against the Saints, and did overcome them; as in the seventh verse, and so leading them into captivity, th•• themselves shall be overcome, and

Go into Captivity; he that killeth with the sword, must be killed with the sword.

This is to be understood, that as persecutors kill the Saints with the sword of persecution, so likewise the•• themselves shall be killed with the sword of God Justice.

Here is the pa••ence and faith of the Saints

That is they are killed with the sword, but patiently ••ough faith endure it, Jam. 5 6. Ye have condemned and ••ed the just, and he doth not resist you.

The following part of this Chapter will give us an ac|••unt after what manner antichrist did act, and after what ••nner it came to get its head healed, and how the mystery 〈◊〉〈◊〉 iniquity did work and overspread the world, and how ••d after what manner false worship was set up, and how is yet carried on, and not yet purged by the dissenters from ••e Church of Rome, because they cannot yet count ••e number of the beast ••nd therefore cannot yet get the ••ctory over the number of his name, but remain yet with ••im in the wilderness, Chap. 17.3. So he carried me away in ••e Spirit into the wilderness, and I saw a woman sit upon ••scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having ••en heads and ten horns. But those that have gotten ••e victory over the beast, are come out of a wilderness ••te, and stand on a sea of glass, singing praises to God ••r their victory, Chap. 15.2. And I saw as it were a sea ••f glass, and them that had gotten the victory over the ••ast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the ••mber of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of God. These only sing the song of victory.

Verse 11. And I beheld another beast coming ••p out of the earth.

The former beast rose out of the sea, but this out of ••he earth; for this is the same beast that we read of in the 9th Chapter, which rose out of the bottomless pit, ••d also in Chap. 11.7. And when they shall have finished their ••estimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit all make war against them, and shall overcome them and kill ••em. This is the same antichrist, tho' it is represented 〈◊〉〈◊〉 John by rising out of the earth in a more honourable ••ppearance than ••ocusts, that are a mischievous beast both ••o men and cattle, by devouring the fruits of the earth; out this latter part of this Chapter, sheweth the wily working of the dragon to heal his wounded head.

The first beast as it rose out of the s••, or out of the

multitude of the people, was the powers which we•• ordained of God to govern the inhabitants of the earth, by justice and equity, and this power was given them of God only to be ministers of the Law, to punish evil doers; but the dragon giving him power, they became persecutors of God's Church. But this beast came up 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the earth,

And he had two horns like a lamb.

And acts wilely in and by the dragons power, ne•• having had any power from God; for it is a descripti•• of the first rising of antichrist and false prophets to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a head, that they got into an union and conjunc•• with the powers which God set up, appearing and 〈…〉〈…〉 sheeps cloathing, pretending to come in a lamb like spirit, for tho' antichrist and false prophets did multiply and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 like multitudes of locust, as in Chap. 9th, yet they could not presently get to such a head as to rule the Church and common wealth, which here the two horns doth represent to us, as being Christ's Vicar on earth, appearing as the lamb of God; but rising out o•• ••he earth, as by the vi••|on doth appear to us, it is a ••nterfeit lamb, and n•• from heaven, but earthly and carn••, rising out of the earth and his two horns is to set forth his usurped power ove•• Church and Common wealth.

And he spake as a dragon.

For this beast was the dragons mouth to deceive both Church and and common wealth, by pretending to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lamb, though a counterfeit false prophet; yea, such 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one as comes under this curse which Christ pronounceth against the false prophets, Luk. 6.26. Wo unto you w•• all men shall speak well of you; for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Thus these come to be in such credit and honour is the world, and to come to such a head and power as the first beast was in, under whom the ten first persecutions was carryed on. The rising up of this beast was upo•• the sound of the fifth trumpet.

Verse 1••. And he exerciseth all the powe•• of the first beast before him, and causeth th••

••arth, and them that dwell therein, to wor|••ip the first beast whose deadly wound was ••ealed.

Thus the false Church and the worldly government co|••ing into an union and conjunction together, by this ••eans the dragons power that was wounded to death is ••ow healed by the dragons persecuting power being now received again by the powers which God hath set up to be ministers of the law, thus the false church makes use of the wor|••lly powers to be their foundation, to uphold them in wealth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 honour, and in prosperity, and to turn their sword against ••he true Church; and all this is done by the wily working ••f the dragon in his ministers, as if they were ministers ••f Christ. And thus they come to exercise all the power of the first beast before him; for the false prophets are of the world, therefore speak they of the world, and the world hear|••th them, 1 Joh. 4.5. And thus they come to deceive the powers which God hath set up to govern the world, and thus they become persecutors.

And causeth the earth and them that dwell therein to wor|••ip the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed; for now the false Church and the false prophets appearing to the worldly judges to be the true Church and true prophets, they now become Anticrists vassals, having the honour to judge on their behalf, who prescribes a form of wor|ship, or makes an image of Godliness to the worldly Judges; and they make laws to maintain the same, and thus they cause the earth, and them that dwell therein, to worship the first beast, and so consequently the dragon, from whom they derive their power, whose deadly wound is thus ••healed.

Verse 13. And he doth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven ••n the earth in the sight of men.

Thus this impostor is set forth as if he doth great wonders to deceive, for he is called the false prophet, Chap. 19.20. And the beast was taken, and with him the false pro|phet, that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceiveth them.

Thus this beast came up out of the earth like a lamb ••ven in sheeps cloathing. And it is said, he maketh fir•• come down from heaven on the earth i•• the sight of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 This is spoken alluding from what was done under ••h•• law, from the fire that came down from heaven upon th•• prayer of Aaron, Elijah, and Solomon, (Lev. 9.24.1 King 18.38.2 Chron. 7.1.) and devoured the sacrifices; and so i•• spoken of this false prophet, who by imitation of th•• saints, deceive the inhabitants of the earth, by his lying miracles which he doth in the sight of the beast, or the powers of this world; whenas he only offers strange f•• before the Lord, by which he deceiveth them that dw•• on the earth, as Nadab and Abihu did, which the Lor•• commanded them not; our Lord also foretold of the•• things, Mat. 24.24. For there shall arise false Christs, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, in|somuch that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. And what greater signs and wonders can there b•• done to deceive, than to stand or kneel in publick as|semblies, and under a pretence make long prayers, with seeming earnestness, under pretence of worshiping God, M•• 23.14. Mat. 6.5. Isai. 57.7. And by preaching feig•• words to deceive. 2 Pet. 2.3. And through covetousness 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they with feigned words make merchandize of you; for the•• are the things that satans ministers are wo••t to do 〈◊〉〈◊〉 deceive the world with, that they may follow them.

Verse 14. And deceiveth them that dwe•• on the earth.

That is earthly men.

By means of those miracles which he ha•• power to do in the sight of the beast.

That is to say in the sight of the first beast, or th•• Rulers of this world which God set up for his minister of justice, to govern the world by justice and equity.

Saying to them that dwell on the earth, tha•• they should make an image to the beast whi•• had a wound by a sword, and did live.

And thus was the image to be made as followeth, to ••it, by them that dwell on the earth; that is, by the chil|dren of this world, being counterfeit Christians; and the ••mage which they make is a prescribed form of Godline••s 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as is written, 2 Tim. 3.5. Having a form of Godliness, ••ut denying the power thereof; from such turn away) pre|scribing to kings and rulers, what ministers shall teach, ••nd how ordinances shall be attended, and what ministers shall administer them, and what holy days shall be kept, and what forms of prayer shall be used, and a prescription to said rulers in all things else, how and after what man|ner God shall be worshiped; and this the Spirit of God calls an image, it being attended by the doctrines and com|mand••ts of men, and imposed upon the world by kings governours, and rulers, who are now become vassals to the false Church and false ministers, to support them, and turn their sword against the flock of Christ.

Verse 15. And he had power to give life to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

This image of the beast did excell all the former ima|ges that were under the Romish heathenish Empire; for then they worshipped dead images, which could not speak; but this image could both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship it should be killed: For here was the image of Christ's Church, Ordinances and Ministers, tho' they were not so really, which could both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship this image of the beast should be killed; the same punishment that Nebuchad|••ezzers was, Dan. 3.6.

Verse 16. And he caused all both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to give a mark in their right hand, or in their fore|heads.

This is to shew a general act of requirement to all sorts and degrees of persons whatsoever to yield obediencce, and to worship said image; which image is a prescribed form of Godliness. And to give a mark in their right hand or foreheads, is an evident token of a manifestation of their subjection to be seen openly by which they may be known to be worshipers of the said Image.

Verse 17. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, o•• the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

This verse doth shew that judgment without mercy was to be executed on them that had not one of these three cha|racters, to wit, the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name; for such an one was neither to buy nor to sell, that is, he was not to have any concern in religious matters, contrary to that prescribed form, either to teach, or to hear, or to administer any of the ordinances of Christ, or to do any thing contrary to that prescribed form of worship or image of the beast; yea, it is said in the 15th verse, That as many as would not worship the image 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the beast should be killed. By the mark may be intended h•• sworn servants; and having the name of the beast, is such•• one, that is so by his profession, professing himself to be on•• of his worshipers, and so bears his name by profession, bear|ing the name of one that worshipeth the beast and hi•• image. And he that hath the number of his name, is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 observer of all his institutions and forms of worship what|soever, in the whole number of them.

Verse 18. Here is wisdom

(Saith the Apostle John,) yea, it is wisdom indeed for he that hath this wisdom here spoken of, hath under|standing

To count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man.

And none but by the wisdom of God can count it; for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is able to distinguish and to number the beast's wors•• from the true worship of God; for the worshiping of 〈◊〉〈◊〉

••east is the number of a man; for it is all taught by the commandments and precepts of men; and therefore it is ••he number of the beast, being an image to be worshiped, ••et up by him in his name; and therefore it is called, the number of his name, or the number of the beast: For saith the ••postle, it is the number of a man, and therefore not of God. Now those that attain to this wisdom, to count the num|••er of the beasts worship, and thereby to come out of their wilderness state, where this beast is, and the false Church. Chap. 17.3. So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness, and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured ••east full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten ••orns. Such I say as come out of this wilderness state, and stand before the throne of God, come to get the victory Chap. 15.2. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and ••r his image, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God; and they sing the ••ong of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb. Thus as Moses got the victory over the Egyptians, and the Lamb of God over all these his enemies; so these likewise thro' him, got the victory over the beast, and over this image, and over his name, and over the number of his name; and it appears that this sea of glass which they ••tood upon, was before the throne of God. Chap. 4.6. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto chrystal. And the throne of God and of the Lamb is in the holy ••ity, the new Jerusalem, Chap. 22.3. And there is the ••ea of glass, as is to be seen Chap. 21.18. And this city 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pure gold like unto clear glass, Chap. 21.21. and so is ••he street of it, Chap. 21.21. And every one that is born ••f God, and hath gotten the victory over the beast, and ••ver his image, and over his mark, and over the number 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his name, is come out of the wilderness, and is come ••o this holy city, where the throne of God and of the ••amb is, and shall see his face. Heb. 12.22. But ye are ••ne unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, ••e heavenly Jerusalem. Chap. 22.4. And they shall see his ••ce, and his name shall be in their foreheads.

And his number is 666.

And by this number is all his false worship numbered by; for the worshipers thereof never come to any rest; for it is like the six days labour without a Sabbath and therefore it is the most suitablest number to number him by. Chap. 14.11. And they have no rest day nor night who worship the be••st and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his n••.

Thus it appears that no number is so suitable to number the image of the beast by; for the worshipers thereof never come to keep a sabbath of rost; so that his number must be numbered by sixes; and no other number will num|ber the number of this beast right, according to his state and condition; for if it be hundreds it is six, and if it be tens it is six, and if it be unites it is six; for they never come to the number seven, which measures rest and perfection, so that it cannot exceed sixes; but the saints who worship God, shall rest with him; Chap. 14.12, 13. Here is the patience of the saints, here are they that keep the com|mandments of God, and the faith of Jesus, that they may rest from their labour, and their works do follow them.

The Apostle John doth here express the number of the beast by a certain number himself, yet exhorts him tha•• hath understanding to count the number of the beast, shew|ing that it is the number of a man; and it is a very necessa|ry thing to have wisdom to number it, or else how shall we know how to shun it; for knowing the number of it we can count it by a mystical knowledge of it; for it con•• all the visible pretended worship in the world, set up b•• antichrist; so that it is a very uncertain and imperfect num|ber. And tho' John numbers it by a certain number suita|ble to the nature of it, yet he exhorts us to count it, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 we may know it, for it contains all acts, precepts, laws, edicts, doctrines, ordinances and institutions, made by the inhabitants of the earth, relating to matters of worship under pretence of worshiping God. This is the number o•• the beast for it is the number of a man; and sometime they are more in number, and sometimes less, as man 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them up and put them down; yet they are numbred by th•• number which is most suitable to their nature, which

566, for it cannot exceed sixes; for it is altogether imper|fect, and therefore cannot be measured by seven.

Now we are come to the end of the fifth trumpet, and ••ntering upon the sound of the sixth trumpet.

CHAP. XIV.

We have had an account in the former part of this book, that after the great spreading of the Gospel, that was by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, and their successors among the Gentiles, that there followed a very great apostacy and degene|rating from the truth, and a rising of antichrist and false prophets, and overspreading the world; so that by them the true Church was trodden under foot; and the false taken for the true, and the true for the false; so that the true Church bath prophesied in a sad and mournful state all this time of antichrists reign, even whilst the false Church hath been arayed in purple, and scarlet colour, and decked with gold, and precious stone, and pearls; even all this time hath the true Church prophecyed in a mournful and sad state, cloathed in sackcloth, and trodden under foot by the false Church: But it is certain, that the time is coming, that the false Church shall go into perdition and destruction, and that the true Church shall arise and stand upon her feet,

to the great terror of her enemies; a relation whereof will begin in this Chapter of her rising and standing, and of the false Churches falling to her utter ruination and destruction.

Verse 1.

ANd I looked, and lo a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred and forty and four thousand, having his father•• name written in their foreheads.

This lamb doth set forth Jesus Christ, to be the redeem|er, or lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world, and this company with him, doth represent all his redeem|ed ones, as appears in Chap. 22.4. Chap. 9.4. And his standing on mount Sion with the hundred and forty & four thousand, is to shew and set forth their unmoveable stand|ing; even on the mountain of God, it alluding from the mount upon which the city of David stood, who was a type of Christ; and the Spirit of God in the Scripture doth sometimes set forth the unmoveable standing of such as stand by faith, by expressing their standing by this un|moveable mountain, as in Psal. 125.1. They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion which cannot be moved, but abideth for ever; and so the author to the Hebrews, Heb. 12.2••. But ye are come unto mount Sion, and to the city of the living God.

Thus he speaks because they were come to God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 faith, and so stood upon the mountain of God's strength being citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, which stands 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the spiritual mount Sion; and the' here is a certain num|ber named, yet these do represent all God's faithful saints; and as we have an account in the former Chapter of the beasts vassals, that had his mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, to shew whose they were, and whom they worship, so these have the lambs fathers name written i•• their foreheads, to show whose they are, and whom the worship.

This book doth frequently allude from those temporal figures under the first testament, to express spiritual things by which they figured, for they were not all Israel that were of Israel; so that this number is exprest to be those that were sealed in the seventh Chap. of this book, verse 4. And I heard the number of them which were sealed, & there were sealed a hun|dred and forty and four thousand. This number doth mea|sure the whole number of God's elect, standing on mount Sion with the lamb, being sealed in their foreheads, or his fathers name written there, to shew whose they are, and whom they worship, standing on the mount of God Al|mighty; but the false Church standeth on the seven moun|tains or dominion of this world, Chap. 17.9. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth.

Verse 2. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder; and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps.

This is to set forth the praises of this heavenly host, praising God with innumerable voices, like the noise of many waters, and as the voice of great thunder. This is to set forth their great joy and consolation after their great sufferings, who now shine forth in the world as lights, tho' they had been long trod under foot of the Gentiles.

Verse 3. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne; and before the four beasts and the elders, and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

This new song was the song of victory, they having ob|tained deliverance from the power of their enemies. And now standing on mount Sion with the Lamb of God, and being seal'd with his holy Spirit, they thus sing before his throne, and before the four beasts, or holy Angels, and the elders which are twenty four in number, whose names may

be read, being written on the twelve gates of the new Jerusalem, and the twelve foundations of that city: And no man could learn that song, saith he, but the hundred a•• forty and four thousand which were redeemed from t•• earth. This is to be understood by the precious blood of the Lamb, which standeth with them on mount Sion; see it is the song of their redemption from sin, and from the wrath of God, and from the power of their persecut••; and therefore not to be learned by any out of that state, which they are in.

Verse 4. These are they which are not de|filed with women, for they are virgins.

Yea, such as are fit to be espoused to Christ, for they have not defiled themselves with whoredom with the beast, but have kept their virginity.

And follow the Lamb whithersoever he go|eth.

For they are his redeemed ones, being redeemed from among men by his precious blood from their vain conver|sation; and these being those that first separated from wor|shiping the beast and his image, and it being upon the rising & standing up of the true Church, after so long a time of apostacy, they are said to be the first fruit unto God, and to the Lamb.

Verse 5. And in their mouth was found no guile, for they are without fault before the throne of God,

Thus it appears that in their mouth was found no guile, that is, no hypocritical paryers, by flattery pretending to honour God with their mouth and lips, as hypocrites do when their heart is far from God. But in these were fou•• no guile, for they are without fault before the throne of God. This is in the time of the sixth trumpet.

This fore part of the Chapter now gone through, speaks particularly of a vision that John had of the appearing of the Lamb of God, and his company, and standing upon the mount Sion; these are the two witnesses which stand before the God of the earth, and two prophets, and is

their mouth was found no guile, for they are without ••uit before the throne of God. And now the Apostle is ••tering upon the discovery of another vision which he had which followed the above said vision.

Verse 6. And I saw another Angel flie in the ••nidst of heaven, having the everlasting Gos|pel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth.

He calls this another angel, in respect that it repre|sents the first preaching of the everlasting Gospel, after so long a time of apostacy, and upon the true Churches ••irst rising and coming out of her wilderness strate; for before this time, even in the time of the false Churches glory, there was only false and fruitless doctrine preach'd, by the beast that came out of the earth with two horns like a lamb, which did represent the rising up of the false pro|phets. But now there did appear ministers that did preach the gospel of God openly, as by the vision is held forth, ••ying in the midst of heaven, that is, by open, publick pro|clamation, as saith Christ, Mat. 10.27. And what ye hear in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that preach ye upon the house tops. The vision of this An|gel preaching the everlasting Gospel, unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, doth hold forth, that as there was a time when the dragon did deceive the whole world, by bringing them to worship the image of the beast, even all both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond; so now the time is come, that the everlasting Gospel is now begun to be preached to all nations, and the mystery of iniquity is now 〈…〉〈…〉 discovery, and by preaching the gospel to them that dwell on the earth, is meant to earthly men, even to such as worship the beast and his image. This was in the time of the first reformers.

Verse 7. Saying with a loud voice, fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come, and worship him that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

This verse contains the matter of the Gospel which said Angel did preach, saying with a loud voice to the wor|shipers of the beast and his image, fear God and give glo|ry to him; signifying to them, that the hour of his judg|ment is come, and therefore exhorts them to worship him that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Verse 8. And there followed another Angel saying, Babylon is fallen is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

This verse is to shew what followed the preach|ing of the everlasting Gospel, to wit, the fall of Babylon; and by Babylon's fall we are not to understand any visible city to fall, but the false Church; for her situation is among all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, where the gospel was preached, as in the foregoing verse. To every nation, kindred and tongue; for as the name of the true Church of Christ is derived from Jerusalem where the temple and alta•• was erected; so the false Churches name is derived from old Babylon, who took Jerusalem and led them into Capti|vity; so that both the true Church & the false bear the name of a woman, and a city, but it is the members of each Church that is intended. And the reason of her fall is ren|dred, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. By the wine of her fornication which she made all nations to drink of, is intended her begui|ling them by her false worship, they drinking in her false doctrine, and so joining in with her fornication. And thus by her enticing allurements to her false worship, brought all nations under the wrath of God; for both the king•• and the inhabitants of the earth have been alway wont to be deceived by the false Church; and so to join in with her in her fornication, as appears Chap. 17.2. With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

Verse 9. And the third Angel followed them, saying with a loud voice if any 〈…〉〈…〉 the beast and his ••mage, and receive his mark in his forehead or hand,

Verse 10. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture, into the cup of his indigna|tion; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone, in the presence of the holy Angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.

From hence we may note, how God threatens his severe judgments with a loud voice, since his Church begins to arise and stand upon her feet, saying, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture, into the Cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone, in the presence of his holy Angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. This is to express his fiery anger against them, and to set forth their perpetual tor|ment, in the presence of those holy angeis and of that Lamb which we before read of standing on mount Sion; and he expresseth their torment to be as if it were with burning fire and brimstone.

Verse 11. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Thus God makes open proclamation beforehand, of the ••ternal punishment which he hath before determined to ••flict upon false worshipers to all eternity; so that they shall have no rest day nor night, for the smoke of their tor|ment ascendeth up for ever & ever, saith he. Thus all false worshippers are threatned, who flatter God with their mouth and lips by customary prayers, to be seen of men; and

solemn meetings attended with dead services, and obser|vations of Sabbaths, all being done only by an outside shew, while the inside is defiled with sin; all this is but worshiping the beast and his image, making clean only the outside of the cup and platter, being all but dead service, and a provocation and aggravation to God's anger, by which those forementioned torments and everlasting pu|nishments of a restless state are procured, and yet done under pretence of worshiping God.

Verse 12. Here is the patience of the saints, here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

The apostle having in the foregoing verse shewed what terrible judgments he had denounc'd against the worshipe•• of the beast and his image, is now come, as will appe•• in the two following verses, to set forth the great reward that shall be given to the saints.

Here is the patience of the saints, saith he, here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus: As if he should say, here I will give you an account what will be the effect and fruit of the patient suffering of the saints, and of them that keep the commandments of God & the faith of Jesus; for I heard what their reward shall be by a voice from heaven.

Verse 13. And I heard a voice from heave•• saying unto me, Write, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth, yea•• saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labour, and their works do follow them.

We may note from hence, that as the saints labo•• under great persecution and sufferings, patiently, in the exercise of faith, even unto death; they thus dying in the Lord, from henceforth, yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.

The following part of this Chapter sheweth the execu|tion of Gods judgments upon the enemies of his Church by the similitude of a vintage, which followeth the harvest

〈◊〉〈◊〉 as the true Church is now rising, so the false Church 〈◊〉〈◊〉 now falling.

Verse 14. And I looked and behold a white ••loud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto ••he son of man.

This is Jesus Christ: And

Having on his head a golden crown,

Is to set him forth in his kingly power: And

Having a sharp sickle in his hand,

Is to shew he was prepared to reap; Luk. 21.27. And ••hen shall they see the son of man coming in the clouds, with ••er and great glory. This place of scripture, with ma|••y other like places, hath no relation to the great & last day of ••gment, but hath relation to great times of judgments 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ers are come to be ripe in sio, and the Lord Je|sus ariseth to plead the cause of his suffering saints, after his great patience hath been exercised towards their perse|••utors; and at such a time as this he is coming to plead their cause, and to execute judgment upon their enemies; ••s for instance, the Apostle Peter speaks of s••ch a time as this prophetically, 2 Pet. 2.1. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, &c. Verse 3. And thro' covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandize of you, whose judg|ment now of a long time lingereth not, &c. shewing in his following words, how God spared not the old world, but saved Noah, and turned the cities of Sodom and Go|morrha into ashes, and delivered just Lot: And by this president he goes on to shew, the Lord knoweth how to ••eliver the godly, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished; that is, as the old world ••as punished, and likewise Sodom.

Verse 15. And another Angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle and ••eap; for the time is come for thee to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

By the temple we are to understand the Church. And his crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, to thrust in his sickle and reap, for saith he, the time is come for thee to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe: This was a prevailing cry, that came from the Angel that came out of the Temple or Church to the Lord Jesus Christ, to execute this judgment on the behalf of his suffering saints, seeing the time of judgement was now come.

Verse 16. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his fickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.

The next will be the vintage that will follow.

Verse 17. And another Angel came out of the temple, which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

This angel is said to come out of the temple, which is in heaven. This alludeth from the inner Court, which is called the holiest of all, which was the place of God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 habitation between the Cherubims, where the high Priest was only to enter, so that this denotes to us, that this Angel was Jesus Christ also, and his sharp sickle is to gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, as will ap|pear in the following verse; for the Angel that came out of the temple, doth shew that the first sickle wa•• to reap the earth, and the angel that came out from the altar, doth shew that the other was a sharp sickle to gather the clusters of the vine of the earth.

Verse 18. And another Angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire, and cry|ed to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.

His coming out of the altar may denote that he w•• one that did minister about the altar, and that th•• altar was the same altar spoken of in Chap. 6.9, 10. I sa••

under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the ••ord of God, and for the testimony which they held: And ••hey cryed with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy ••nd true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them ••hat dwell on the earth. He thus hearing the loud cries of them ••hat suffered martyrdom, he now on their behalf cries with a ••oud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, thrust in thy ••harpsickle & gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for ••her grapes are fully ripe, & according to his intercession it was done. And whereas it is said, he had power over fire, that is, the fire of the altar where he ministred, which represented God's wrath. It might be so said in respect of his prevailing intercession, so that God's fiery indignati|on was executed on them, under the denomination of his thrusting in his sickle into the earth, and gathering the ••vine of the earth, and casting it into the great wine press of the wrath of God; as also in the former part of this book, the execution of God's wrath is held forth by the Angels filling the censer with fire from the altar, as is to be seen Chap 8.5. And the Angel took the censer, and filled it with fire from the altar, and cast it into the earth. The casting this fire into the earth, doth denote the execution of Gods judgments as well as reaping the earth, and gather|ing the clusters of the vine of the earth.

Verse 19, 20. And the Angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great wine press of the wrath of God.

And the wine press was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the wine press even to the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

And whereas it is said, And the angel thrust in his sickle ••to the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, is to shew the execution of God's judgments upon the inhabitants of the earth, by cutting them ••own, they being ripe in sin: And casting it

into the great wine press of the wrath of God, is to set forth the execution of his fiery indignation upon them. And the wine press was trodden without the city, saith the Apostle. Thus the Spirit of God makes use of these simi|litudes; for they were wont to tread the wine press with|out the city, and this agrees with the destruction of the Canaanites whose great overthrow was without their cities: And also when the nations gathered themselves against ••|hoshaphat, their great overthrow was without their cities: And the prophet Joel alludes from the destruction of these heathen, to set forth a great day of destruction that was to come upon the enemies of God's Church, Joel 3.12. Let the heathen be wakened and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat, for there will I sit to judge the heathen round about.

This valley of Jehoshaphat was the place where Jehosha|phat and Judah assembled to bless the Lord, for their great deliverance by the destruction of their enemies, 2 Chron. 20.26. And this prophet Joel in the next verse expresseth this destruction upon the heathen, which he prophetically fortells of, after the same manner as is spoken of in this Chapter of the Revelations. Verse 13. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; come get ye down, for the press is full, the fats overflow, for their wickedness is great.

And blood came out of the wine press even to the hors•• bridles. This is to set forth the great effusion of blood by reason of the great and wonderful slaughter, by the simi|litude of the red wine that cometh out of the wine press, even to the horse bridles. This seemeth to speak as if this treading was by the trea••ing of horses even in a war|like posture, and that the blood did come up to the horse bridles, for a thousand and six hundred furlongs. This con|tains two hundred English miles, to set forth the great and wonderful destruction that God made upon the ene|mies of his Church, even to the utter overthrow of them, according to the prophecy of the prophet, Isai. 63.1, &c. Who is this that cometh from Edom with dyed garments, from Bozra, &c. Edom and Bozra is express'd as enemi•• of God's Church. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel and

〈◊〉〈◊〉 thy garments like him that treadeth the wine fat? I have ••roden the wine press alone, and of the people there was none ••ith me; for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample ••hem in my fury, and their blood shall be sprinkled on my ••arments, and I will stain all my rayment; for the day of ••engeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is ••come.

All this is under, and followeth the sixth trumpet, and was discovered in the opening of the sixth seal. And as in this Chapter hath been discovered the destruction of the false Church by a harvest, and vintage, so in the sixteenth Chapter it will be represented by the pouring out of the seven viols of God's wrath; and in the 18th Chapter by the burning of a great City, & in the nineteenth Chapter by open war, to her utter destruction, and final end.

CHAP. XV.

In the former Chapter we bad an account of the Lamb and his virgin company, standing on mount Sion; and also the first preaching of the everlasting Gospel, after her great aposta|cy; and so the advancement of the true Church will go on, to her everlasting glory.

Verse 1.

ANd I saw another sign in heaven great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

By another sign is to fignify besides those going before; and this sign being seen in ••eaven, is to shew it was where Gods throne is. And whereas it is said, great and marvellous, it is shewed wherein it was great and marvellous in the following words, to wit, seven••|gels having the seven last plagues, for in their is filled up the wrath of God. In Chap. 8.2. it is said, And I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the seven angels which stood before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. These seven angels which founded the seven trumpets of God, was to give notice of what was to follow, as hath already been shewed in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 part of this book; and they were the ministers that were in the time of the primitive Church, that by the found of the trumpet it was foretold what was to come to pass; but these seven Angels which hath the seven vi••|ols of the seven last plagues, are the ministers of the Church after she cometh out of her wilderness state, and standeth on mount Sion with the Lamb; and the number seven measures all the faithful ministers, and the work of these ministers is to pour out the wrath of God against the false Church&false ministers, and against the power that stands up to defend & maintain the said false Church and ministers by this means to persecute the true Church, and this perse|cuting power is called the power of the beast, received from the dragon, which is the devil. And these seve•• Angels denounce all God's Judgments to the utter ruinatr••|tion and destruction of the false Church, as Moses and As|ron did upon the Egyptians; and therefore these plague•• denounced by these seven Angels are said to be the seven last plagues, for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

Verse 2. And I saw as it were a sea of glas•• mingled with fire, and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

This sea of glass is to shew the place of the standing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God's Church, after they come out of their wilderness start••

••o snow that they stand where they have a fair prospect to behold God fitting on his throne of majesty, over all powers and dominions whatsoever: This standing is on the spiritual mount Sion, where the spiritual city of the spiri|tual David is, or in the street of the spiritual Jerusalem, where the throne of God is, and the lamb is, Chap. 21.21. And the street of the city was pure gold, as if it were transparent glass. Compare this with Chap. 4.6. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal. And this throne which this sea of glass was before, was in the spiritual mount Sion, where the throne of the spi|ritual David sits, and them that had gotten the victiory over the beast. This is to be understood over the persecu|ting powers of this world, and over his image. By this image we are to understand that form of Godliness which is set up by this persecuting power; and over his mark, which imports that we bear no such Character as his worshipers do; but are of the number that comes under this following blessing of Christ's, Mat. 5.11, 12. Blessed are ye when men shall revils you and persecute you, & shall say all man|•••••• of evil against you falsely for my sake, rejoyce & be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. These here spoken of which Christ blesseth, hath not the mark of the beast; for all men speak well of them, saith Christ, Luk. 6.26. But these are such as are spoken of Chap. 22.4. And they shall see his face, and his name shall be in their forehead. And whereas it faith, over the number of his name, it intends all the institutions and forms of worship, and all things of that nature set up by man, in the whole number of them. Thus John saw those that had gotten the victory over all false worship set up by humane invention, stand on the sea of glass having the harps of God. This is to shew their joy and victory over all that power that sets up false wor|ship, which is set up by the dragon and the beast, that is, by the devil and men, which is not of God, but set up by him that deceiveth the whole world.

Verse 3. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the lamb, say|ing,

Great and marvellous are thy works, O Lon•• God Almighty, just and true are thy ways, tho•• king of saints.

Thus as Moses got the victory over the Egyptians, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 15.1, &c. Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 unto the Lord, and spake saying, We will sing unto the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for be hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath he thrown into the sea; the Lord is my strength and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and he is become my salvation; he is my God and I will pre•• him an habitation, my fathers God, and I will exalt him; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lord is a man of war, the Lord is his name. And thus a Moses and Israel got the victory over their enemies 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Egyptians, so here is set forth the victory that the Lamb 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God and his Church hath gotten over their enemies standing on the sea of glass, or on mount ••Sion which cannot be moved, rejoycing in victory, and saying in th•• following verse,

Verse 4. Who shall not fear thee, O Lor•• and glorify thy name, for thou only art holy, f•• all nations shall come and worship before th•• for thy judgments are made manifest.

Thus they sing the song of the Lambs victory over the Churches enemies; saying, All nations shall come 〈◊〉〈◊〉 worship before thee, for thy Judgments are made man•• Thus upon the consideration of those forementioned j••|ments executed upon the enemies of his Church, even 〈◊〉〈◊〉 those which worshiped the beast and his image, whose j••|ments were set forth in the foregoing Chapter, by re•• the earth, and gathering in the vintage of the vine of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 earth, and casting it into the great wine press of the wr•• God, so that blood came out of the wine press even un•• horse bridles, for the space of two hundred miles.

Verse 5. And after that I looked, and be•• the temple of the testimony in heaven w•• opened.

And whereas he faith, After that (that is, after the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 going vision contained in the fore part of this Chap••

I loo••ked; saith he, and behold the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was ••pened. The opening of the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven, doth shew it had been shut in the time of Antichrist's reign 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for then false worship was advanc'd, but now the temple is opened: This is the true tabernacle of witness, yea, the temple of God's habitation; for all other tem|ples are the temples of Idols, and are but a lie; but Christ and his Church bear a true testimony before the God of the whole earth; and now that prophecy of Isaiah is like to be fulfilled, which saith, Isai. 2.2. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's House ••hall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 For here the Spirit of the Lord alludes from the temple, tabernacle and testimony, which were but figures under the first testament or ten commandments; for the outward tem|ple or tabernacle were but figures of the Church; and the figurative testimony was that writing which was writ|ten on the tables of stone, Exod. 40.20. And he took and put the testimony into the ark. Exod. 31.18. Two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. Now this writing written on the two tables of stone, which did contain the ten commandments, was the sigurative part, as it was the testimony: But the testimo|ny here spoken of, is the testimony of Jesus Christ, im|mediately from heaven in his Church or temple; and this is the temple or tabernacle here spoken of, now opened in heaven, as by these Scriptures appear, 1 Cor. 6.19. What, know ye not that your body is the temple of the holy Ghost. 1 Cor. 3.16. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God. Heb. 9.11. But Christ being come, an high Priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building. Heb. 8.2. A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle which God hath pitched, and not man. And behold, faith John the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: So that these things here spoken; are the heavenly things themselves; and this testimony is the testi|mony

of God from heaven, spoken by his own Son, in the heavenly temple or tabernacle, which is his Church, but the figurative testimony was a testimony spoken on earth, and was by the mini|stration of Angels, and written on stone, and put into a tabernacle made with hands, as by these Scriptures appears Heb. 12.25. For if they escaped not who refused him th•• spake on earth (to wit, on mount Sinai.) Heb. 2.2. For i•• the word spoken by Angels was stedfast. Acts. 7.53. Who have received the Law by the disposition of Angels. Gal. 3.19. Wherefore then serveth the law? it was added because of transgression, 'till the seed should come; and it was ordained by Angels. And after this written on stone, and put into a tabernacle made with hands, called the tabernacle of the test|••mony, because this testimony written on stone was put intoit•• & theark made with hands was called the ark of the testimony 〈◊〉〈◊〉 because the testimony written on stone was put into it, Exod 38.21. Exod. 25.16. Exod. 31.7. All these things being but a body of figures, or a patern of heavenly things; but the things figured out by them, are spoken of in this boo•• of Revelation, to wit, the heavenly things themselves; f•• this testimony is the testimony of God from heaven, sp•• ken by his Son in the heavenly temple or tabernacle, whi•• is his Church. Heb. 8.8, &c. to the end of the Chapte•• 1 John 2.27.

Verse 6. And the seven Angels came out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the temple, having the seven plagues, cloath|ed in pure and white linen, and having the•• breasts girded with golden girdles.

These are the seven Angels which John saw in the fir•• verse of this Chapter in heaven; but here we have a m•• particular account how they came out of the temple in hea|ven after it was opened, that is, out of the Church of Christ these are the ministers of the Church after she comes ou•• of her wilderness state, and the number seven measures the•• all: These have the seven last plagues, and will be the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ter ruination and overthrow of antichrist, by whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉

••ill pour out the seven vials of his wrath, and fiery in|••ignation upon the enemies of his Church, even upon all ••alse worshipers: And their being cloathed in pure and white linen, is to shew their priestly garments of righte|••usness; Chap. 7.14, 15. These are they that came out of great ••ribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the lamb, therefore are they before the throne of God, ••nd serve him day and night in his temple. Chap. 19.8. For the white linen is the righteousness of the saints. They are the ministers of God appointed to execute his righteous judg|ments. And having their breasts girded with golden gir|••les of truth, fittingly becoming their ministration; for these ••re the antitype of those Priests which did minister in the temple made with hands, and are girt about the paps with a golded girdle, like unto their high Priest Christ ••jesus; Chap. 1.13. And in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, one like unto the Son of Man, cloathed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. Eph. 6.14. Stand therefore, having your 〈◊〉〈◊〉 girt about with truth. Thus they are every ways fitted for their ministration.

Verse 7. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven Angels, seven vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

These four beasts do represent the holy Angels, and are mentioned in Chap. 4.6, 7. And round about the throne were four beasts. They are said to be round about the throne, because they are compared to the four winds, or spirits of the heavens; Zech. 6.5. And the Angel answered and said unto me, these are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven Angels, seven golden vials full of the wrath of God. Thus this beast delivers the vials into the hands of the seven Angels; ••nd the seven vials are said to be full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever; this is to set forth the execution of the wrath of God Almighty, by pouring out a full cup of his wrath upon false worshippers, or the false church, who hath a golden cup in her hand, full of abomi|nations

and filthiness of her fornication; but now seven golden cups full of the wrath of God, is to be poured out upon her, in which is the wrath and indignation of God Almighty. After this manner God was wont of old to threaten his Judgments, as may be seen, Jer. 25.15. Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the na|tions to whom I send thee to drink it, Psal. 75.8. Isai. 51.17. Job. 21 21.

Verse 8. And the temple was filled with smoke, from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of these se|ven Angels were fulfilled.

This seems to be an evident allusion from what follow|ed the setting up of the tabernacle and temple, which were patterns of heavenly things; Exod. 40.34, 35. Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, and Moses was not able to enter into the tens of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 1 King. 8.10, 11. And it came to pass when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister, be|cause of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord. Now that seems to be an evident allusi|on from this vision, that appeared in the figurative taber|nacle or temple, for the smoke or cloud is the same; for it ariseth from the burning incense, as may be seen, Lev 16.13. And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat, that is, upon the the testimony; and this testimony was the ten commandments written on stone.

The temple being thus filled with smoke from the glo|ry of God, and from his power, was a token of God's merciful presence with his Church; as appears in the figure here above mentioned; for it is said at the dedication of th•• temple which Solomon built, when the priests were come out of the holy place, the cloud filled the house of the Lord so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud for the glory of

Lord had filled the house: And the same is said at the ••ring up of the tabernacle that Moses set up, which was token of Gods presence with Israel his Church, tho' ••ey were but the patterns of heavenly things; and it is ••e said of the heavenly things themselves, that the tem|〈◊〉〈◊〉 was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and ••om his power, and no man was able to enter into the ••mple, till the seven plagues of the seven Angels were ••lfilled, which is just the same with the figures; and it ••as God's promise to Israel to manifest his presence in ••he cloud, or smoke, it being both one thing intended, it being caused by the burning incense, Lev. 16.13. And he ••all put the incense upon the fire before the Lord, that the ••oud of the incense may cover the mercy seat. Compare this with the second verse of this Chapter, For I will appear in be cloud upon the mercy seat: So that this was a token of God's merciful presence with his Church, while the seven Angels was pouring out the vials of his wrath upon their enemies; for these seven Angels were the ministers or mes|sengers of God's Churches, and the antitype of those Priest's that ministred in the temple that Solomon built; and none was to enter into the temple to minister there but the priests; so that whereas it is said, And no man was able to outer into the temple till the seven plagues of the seven An|gels were fulfilled; for none was to enter in but these seven that came out, that were the priests, that ministred in the temple. This is the true temple of the tabernacle of testi|mony, even the antitype of that testimony written on stone, to wit, the testimony of the Son of God in his Church, by his holy Spirit, as is written, 2 Cor. 3.3. Not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart, with the spirit of the living God.

From hence we may observe, that the Apostle John had the true temple of the tabernacle of the testimony set before him, by the figures that was under the first testament; for Gods Church is the true temple of the tabernacle of testi|mony, figured by those patterns made by Moses and Solo|mons order, by the directions they had from God; and upon the rising up of the true Church, after so long a time

of her being trod under foot of the Gentiles, as in Chap. 11.2. ••od is now raising her up, according as was before prophecyed of her, Amos 9.11. In that day will I raise up the tabernaele of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof, and I will raise up his ruins, and will build it as in the days of old. And as it is shewed in this Chapter the opening of Gods temple, and the ministers of his Church coming forth out of his temple with the vials of his wrath, to be poured out upon the false Church, to her utter ruination and destruction, as will appear in the following Chapter.

CHAP. XVI.

Verse 1.

ANd I heard a great voice out of the tem|ple, saying to the seven Angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

In the last verse of the foregoing Chapter, we have an account how that the temple was filled with smoke, from the glory of God and from his power; and that no man was able to enter into his temple till the seven plagues were fulfilled. Now faith John in this verse, And I heard a great voice out of the temple. This voice therefore must needs be the voice of God, seeing no man was able to enter in: And the voice was a command, saying to the seven Angels, go your way, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

Verse 2. And the first went and poured out his vial upon the earth.

By the earth and sea in this book is intended the chil|dren of this world, who are the worshipers of the beast ••d his image, and the effect of this vial of God's wrath ••s as followeth.

And there fell a noysom and grievous fore ••pon the men which had the mark of the beast, ••nd upon them which worshiped his image.

This plague seems to be an allusion from one of Egypts ••agues. Exod. 9.10. And they took ashes of the furnace, and ••ey stood before Pharaoh, and Moses sprinkled it up towards ••aven; and it became a boil, breaking forth with blains upon ••un and beast. And tho' the pouring out of this vial of God's wrath be express'd only by a noisome and grievous ••re upon the worshipers of the beast and his image, yet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may comprehend many sore judgments inflicted on them, ••eing express'd after the manner of Isai. 1.6. From the sole 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the foot even unto the head, there is no foundness in it, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores. But these expressions are to set forth the many Judgments of God in|••licted one upon the back of another.

It may be needful in the going over the pouring out of these seven last vials, which tends to the utter over|throw of all false worship, set up by humane invention, under the name of worshipping the beast and his image, to shew after what manner there is a Concurrence in the ••ounding of the seven trumpets, and the execution of the seven vials. But we are to consider, that the Angels that ••ounded the trumpets, were the ministers of the primitive Churches; and these that pour out the vials, are the mini|sters of the Churches that were separated from mystical Babylon, the mother of harlots, or from some of her daughters since, and for this separation have suffered perse|cution from those Judges which have committed forni|••ation, either with the mother, or with some of her daughters; for both mother and daughters bears one and ••he same name, to wit, mystery Babylon; for both mother and daughters are one body, and one spirit, and differ only in their outward form of Godliness: And so doth the true Church, both mother and daughters bear one and the same

name, to wit, Jerusalem, as appears Isai. 66.10, 11, 12. Re|joyce ye with Jerusalem, &c. that ye may suck and be satisfyed with the breasts of her consolation, &c. ye shall be born upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. Gal. 4.26. But Je|rusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. Chap. 21.2. compared with the 9th and 10th verses. That which followed the sound of the first trumpet, is to be seen in Chap. 8.7. The first Angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth, and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. This comprehends the great Judgments that was inflicted on the heathenish persecutors of the Church, before the reign of Constantine the great. And the pouring forth of this vial of God's wrath is upon the Antichristian Churches, being poured out upon the earth, as the other was cast upon the earth; and the reason why the word cast upon the earth is used in the sounding of the trumpets, is because those Judgments was represented by filling the censer with fire of the altar, and casting it into the earth; as is to be seen, Chap. 8.5. And the reason why the word pouring out is used in the execution of the seven last vials, is because the execution of those judgments was represented, by pouring out a full cup, or vial of God's wrath, upon the enemies of his Church. Chap. 15.7. compared with Chap. 16.1.

Verse 3. And the second Angel poured out his vial upon the sea, and it became as the blood of a dead man, and every living soul died in the sea.

The first vial carried in it a torture and torment of the bo|dy, with noisome and grievous sores, but at the pouring out of this vial upon the sea, or upon the multitude of the people that are worthipers of the beast & his image, seems to be set forth in a more terrible manner, to wit, And the second Angel pour|ed out his vial upon the sea, & it became as the blood of a dead man. This seems to set forth great mortality, comparing the ••a to the blood of a dead man. This seems to set forth great effusion of blood, & saith he Every living soul died in the sea. This seems to be an allu|••

from one of Egypts plagues; Exod. 7.20. Moses and ••on did so, as the Lord commanded, and be lift up the rod 〈◊〉〈◊〉 smote the waters that were in the river, in the fight of ••rao••, and in the sight of his servants, and all the waters ••t were in the river were turned into blood, and the fish that ••re in the river dyed, and the river stank. Thus their wa|••s being turned into blood, did foreshew the great mor|••lity that should follow, even as this vial doth, set forth ••eat mortality and destruction, by the sea becoming like ••e blood of a dead man, let us compare this vial with ••e second trumpet, Chap. 8.8. And the second Angel sound|〈◊〉〈◊〉, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire, was ••t into the sea, and the third part of the sea became blood. This mountain burning with fire being cast into the sea, ••as the great overthrow of the Romish Heathenish Empire, ••y Constantine the great.

Verse 4. And the third Angel poured out ••is vial upon the rivers, and fountains of waters, and they became blood.

By these rivers, and fountains of waters, is intended Anti|chists•• body doctrine whose doctrine was, that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be kil|led, that is, that so many as would not subject to that form of godlyness, set up by human invention and pre|scription; should neither buy nor sell, that is, not to be suffered to have any concern in religious matters: This hath been the doctrine and practice of Antichrist; but now God hath commanded the third Angel, to pour out a vi|al of his wrath upon these rivers and fountains of waters, and to make the false Church her self drink of them, to wit, the effect and fruit of their bloody doctrine, according to what is written, he that killeth with the sword, must be killed by the sword, and again it is said, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 saw her drunken with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus, but now the third Angel pouring out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters, they are become blood, prepared for her to drink, as appears in the three following verses.

Verse 5, 6, 7. And I heard the Angel of the waters say, thou art righteous O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus:

For they have shed the blood of the saints, and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink: for they are worthy.

And I heard another out of the 〈…〉〈…〉 say, even so Lord God almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

And well might this angel out of the altar acknow|ledge God's righteous Judgments, in this matter; who had been seeing, and hearing, what is written chap. 6.9, 10. And I saw under the altar, the souls of them that were slain, for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held, and they cried with a loud voice saying, how long O Lord holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on then that dwell on the earth. In the primitive time of the chur|ches purity, they were nourished with good and wholsome doctrine; even with fountains of living waters, such as Christ speaketh of, Joh. 7.38. He that believeth on me as the scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. And as the prophet Isaiah saith, Isai. 49.10 For be that hath merci•• on them, shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. But this false church shall be made to drink of the fruit of her own bloody doctrine, as is written, Isai. 49.26. And I will feed them that oppress thee, with their own flesh, and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with new wine. In the next place let us com|pare the third trumpet, with this third vial, chap. 8.10, 11. And the third Angel sounded, and their fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters, and the name of the star is called wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood, and many men died of the waters be|cause they were made bitter. This Angel sounded what fol|lowed in the church, after Constantines time, how that af|••er

the Church came to enjoy peace, and great tranquilli|••y, there was a falling away from their heavenly station, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a great measure; so that, that good and wholesome doctrine, which in her purity was rivers and fountains of living waters, to nourish the church with; but is now in a great measure imbittered, by the fall of this star from Heaven, or by the fail of ministers from their Heavenly Station in a great measure, so that there is a mixture of false doctrine, by reason of which a third part of those rivers and fountains of living waters is become wormwood, by the fall of this bitter Star; so that many in the church come to die, (by drinking in this bitter and corrupt doct|rine) from that spiritual life which before they lived in, so that the sound of this trumpet is to give notice that there was an apostatizing, or falling away in the church, by reason of false doctrine, but at the pouring out of this vial, the rivers and fountains of waters are become altoge|ther corrupt, and bloody doctrine, by a total apostacy.

Verse 8. And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun, and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

Whereas it is here said, And the fourth Angel poured out his vial on the sun; the sun being the very element of fire, it is said, and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire, this is to be understood, those that worship the beast, and his image, shall have this vial of God's siery in|dignation executed upon them, according to what is written, Mal. 4.1. For behold the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea and all that do wicked|ly shall be stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. The sun being the most glorious light in the firmament of heaven, the scripture is wont to make use of it to express spiritual light by, Mal. 4.2. But unto you that fear my name, shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings. And to compare this fourth vial, with the fourth trumpet, chap. 8.12. And the fourth angel sounded, and a third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars, so as that the

third part of them was darkned. Thus by the third part the lights of heaven being darkned, is to set forth how th•• spiritual darkness was growing, and increasing upon t•• Church, after corrupt and unsound doctrine was drank 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as appears by what followed the third trumpet, and at t•• sound of the fifth trumpet, all spiritual light was darkne•• being held forth by the smoak that came out of the bo•• less pit, by which the Sun and air was darkned, chap. 9.1. A•• thus as spiritual light is set forth by the visible light of th•• Sun, at the sound of the fourth and fifth trumpet, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the air was darkned, which did represent that spiri•• light was darkned, so that darkness overspread the chur•• so here it is exprest and set forth how that the fourth A•• gel poured out his viol on the Sun, so that the Sun 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ning forth clearly discovered their darkness to their g•• shame, by which means the worshippers of the beast w•• scorched with fire, from that which the spirit of God ma•• use of, to set forth that spiritual light and comfort of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ople, promising them protection, from any such judgment chap 7.16. They shall hunger no more neither third any 〈◊〉〈◊〉 neither shall the Sun light on them nor any heat, Isai. 49.10. Th•• shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor 〈◊〉〈◊〉 smite them, Psal: 121.6, 7. The Sun shall not smite th•• day nor the moon by night, the Lord shall preserve thee from 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Verse 9. And men were scorched with gre•• heat, and blasphemed the name of God whi•• hath power over these plagues, and they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pented not to give him glory.

And whereas it is said, and men were scorched 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great heat, is to set forth the effect of the punishment 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this vial, by reason of the clear light of the sua-〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the glorious gospel breaking forth upon them to the•• utter shame and confusion. Thus all these four vials 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to set forth the many judgments of Gods wrath in•• upon false worshipers, by what means soever they are in flicted. And whereas it is said, And they blasphemed th•• name of God which hath power over these plagues; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that doth not walk with God by a good conversat•• may be said to blasphome, or reproach the name of G••

And they repented not to give him glory, that is, these plagues and sore Judgements of the vials of Gods wrath, did not bring them to repentance.

Verse 10. And the fifth Angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast, and his kingdom was full of darkness, and they knawed their tongues for pain

This Angel pouring out his vial upon the seat of the beast, is to be understood upon the seat or place of Judg|ment, where the Antichristian power sits to judge, whick power is derived from the dragon, spoken of in chap. 13.2. And, he dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great au|thority, and saith the text his kingdome was full of darkness, this is to be understood, that kingly power derived from the dragon, from whence all persecution ariseth, or any Judgments by a secular power, about religious matters, which belongs only to Christ and his church to judge of. This vial of God's wrath being poured out upon the seat or kingdom of antichrist, did discover to them to their great shame and confusion; how they had usurped a power to judge in religious matters, which did belong only to Christ, & his Church, and not to them, for their lawful power from God impowered them only to be ministers of the law for these things are wont to be hid from the wise and prudent &c. Mat. 11.25. For the kingdom of the dragon is full of darkness, and it cannot judge in religious and spiritual mat|ters. And to set forth the great judgments that was inflict|ed upon them, by this vial, it is said and they gnawed their tongues for pain.

Verse 11. And blasphemed the God of hea|ven because of their pains and their sores, & repented not of their deeds.

This word blasphemy, is properly reproach, for they re|proached the God of heaven in going on in their evil cour|ses, notwithstanding the many judgments inflicted upon them, as a witness against them, from heaven, and yet they repented not.

And now let us compare the fifth trumpet, with this fifth

vial, poured out upon the seat of the beast; chap. 9. And the fifth Angel sounded and I saw a Star fall from hear unto the earth. This doth represent unto us a total fa•• and a general Apostacy in the church, and Antichrists 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sing out of the smoak of the bottomless pit, so that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fifth trumpet sounding, was to foreshew the rising of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beast, or antichrist. And this fifth vial is poured out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the seat of the same beast, for its destruction.

Verse 12. And the sixth Angel poured 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his vial upon the great river Euphates, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 water thereof was dryed up, that the way 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the kings of the east might be prepared.

This is an evident allusion from the destruction of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Babylon by the Meads and Persians, who came out of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 east, and dried up her waters, as appeareth by Script•• restimony, Jer. 51.28. Prepare against her the nations, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the kings of the meads, the captains thereof, and all the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lers thereof, and all the land of his dominion. Isai. 45.〈◊〉〈◊〉 Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cirus whose right be I have holden to subdue nations before him. Isai. 46.11. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ling a ravenous bird from the cast, the man that executeth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 counsel, Isai. 13.17. Behold I will stir up the Medes aga•• them. Isai. 44.27, 28. That saith to the deep be dry, an•• will dry up thy rivers, that saith of Cirus, he is my sheph•• and shall perform all my pleasure. Jer. 50.38. A drought upon her waters, and they shall be dried up. Jer. 51.36. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry. All the threatnings of destruction was against old Babylon; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Euphrates was a river in Babylon, as may be seen, Jer. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 61, &c. And Jeremiah said to Serajah, when thou come•• Babylon, and shalt see and shalt read all these words, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 And it shall be when thou hast made an end of reading 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 midst of Euphrates; and thou shalt say, And thus shall Ba•• lon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bri•• upon her. Thus God threatens mystical Babylons destru•• on, by an allusion from old Babylons destruction, wh•• was accomplished by drying up of the river Euphra••

And thus it is said of mystical Babylon, And the sixth Angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates, and the water therof was dried up. By the drying up ••f her water, is intended her power is gone, alluding from what was done of old, by the drying up of the river Euphrates, by which means old Babylons defence was gone; ••o that the kings of the east had entrance into the city suddenly, and took it. And as the Lord did thus prepare 〈◊〉〈◊〉 army before hand for the destruction of old Babylon, ••s all those forementioned prophecies did before testify: So ••hall we here find, in the prophecy of this book, that upon the ••ound of the sixth trumpet, there was an army prepared for the destruction of this mystical Babylon, to be in a readiness upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pouring out of the sixth viol upon Euphrates, that upon the drying up of her waters, they may enter in ••pon her as a thief in the night, as they entered into old Babylon, Dan. 5.30, 31. In that night was Belshazer the ••ing of the Chaldeans slain, and Darius the Median took ••e kingdom. Chap. 9.13. And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth Angel which ba•• ••e trumpet, loose the four angels which are bound 〈…〉〈…〉 the treat river Euphrates: And the four angels were loosed ••ich 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prepared for an hour, and a day, & a month, and a year, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to slay the third part of men, and the number of the ••y of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand, and I heard the number of them.

And what is here spoken of concerning what follow|ed the sound of the sixth trumpet, is parallel with the ••ircumstances of old Babylon; for in all quarters of the world, they were for a time bound under her power, and ••ominion, till the kings of the east were loosed from under her ••ower and dominion, and were prepared for her destructi|on: So here these four Angels, which represented all peo|ple in every quarter, was bound in the great river Euphra|••s, that is, under her power, and dominion till they were ••oosed, by the Angel that had the sixth trumpet, and was thus prepared for her destruction, as the kings of the eas•• were prepared and mustered up by God, as these are.

Verse 13. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs, come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

By this vision of three unclean spirits coming out of the mouth of the dragon, that is, out of the mouth of the devil; and out of the mouth of the beast, that is, out of the mouth of the anticristian power, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, that is, out of the mouth of all false prophets. This is to shew what is in their in|side, notwithstanding all their fair pretences (to the world) of holiness; for the false Church makes clean the outside of the cup and platter, for she is arrayed outwardly in purple, and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and pre|cious stone, and pearls; she is thus garnished outward|ly with external things of pretended Godli|ness, honouring God with their mouths and lips, while their hearts are after their covetousness: And thus they are outwardly beautifyed and garnished; but notwithstanding these outward pretences that they cover themselves with it is a covering, but not with God's Spirit, for John saw an unclean spirit come out of every one of them, lik•• frogs; for in a vision a man must see some likeness; for though the devil is a spirit, yet John saw him in his vision to be a dragon: And these three unclean spirits like frogs in the next verse they are shewed to be the spirits of Devils and they are represented to John like frogs, upon the dry|ing up of the great river Euphrates, for then these th•• frogs appeared to shew what was in the inside of the dra|gon, and what was in the inside of the beast, and wh•• was in the inside of the false prophet; for all the world worshiped the dragon, thinking him to be God, and th•• beast or power of antichrist to be the magistratical pow|er set up by God, to establish his worship, when as it was set up only by the dragons power, and the world take•• the false prophet to be the true, and faithful ministers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ, as appears Joh. 4.5, 6. They are of the world, them ••fore speak they of the world, and the world heareth th••

We are of God; be that knoweth God heareth us, he tha•• is not of God heareth not us; hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. And thus the dragon hath deceived the whole world: Chap. 12.9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.

But now the waters or power of mystical Babylon, be|ing dryed up and gone, these three frogs appear, or rather three unclean spirits: for they are the spirits of devils: And now at the destruction of these three Impostors, it appears what was in them all this time of their fair pre|tences of holiness, by which all the world was deceived by a cheat; for their inside was only the habitation of devils and unclean spirits; and now her downfal comes, it appears what she was, and it will be believed for ever after; for this is mystery Babylon the great city or false Church, which rules over the kings of the earth, Chap. 18.2. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a sage of every unclean, and hateful bird. Thus at her fail she ap|pears what she was inwardly.

Verse 14. For they are the spirits of devils working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battel of the great day of God Almighty.

For they are the spirits of devils working miracles, saith the Apostle; that is, lying miracles to deceive, being a cheat, under pretence of holiness; and this mystery of iniquity did work in that beast arising out of the earth with two horns like a lamb, which we read of in Chap. 13.14. And he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast. And these miracles were done by the insti|gation of the unclean spirit that was in him, to deceive the beast or the kings of the earth: And these three un|clean spirits, are but the spirit of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 casted three

in respect of the 3 operations of its working in the dragon, and in the beast, and in the false prophets and these are the spirits that go forth unto the kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them ••o the battel of the great Day of their own dest••tion and overthrow, by engaging war against him that sat on the white horse, and against his army, to wit, the saints, Chap. 19 19. A•• I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their arm••, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

Here we may see, that this battle was stirred up by the spirits of devils, working miracles to deceive, and so going forth unto the kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the battel of the Great Day of God Almighty, who will come upon them as a thief, as appears in the next verse.

Verse 15. Behold I come as a thief, blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his gar|ments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Here is a good watch word to all that are wise hearted, Behold I come as a thief, saith he; as much as if the Lord should say, I shall come unlooked for, unexpected, when least thought of; blessed is he that watcheth, and keep|eth his garment. This is the garment of righteousness; for those that will not be found cloathed with this garment, will be found naked, and his shame will appear.

And this coming of our Lord as a thief, follows 〈◊〉〈◊〉 apostacy, as the apostle saith, 2 Thes. 2.3. For that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall no•• come, except there come a falling away first; forse it was with the Church of Sardis, before the Lord threat••el to come upon them as a thief.

Verse 16. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue, Ar|mageddon;

Which is in our tongue, This the place of the battel.

Verse 17. And the seventh Angel poured out his ••ail into the air, and there came a great v••ce out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

〈…〉〈…〉 seventh and last vial of God's wrath, pour|ed out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the air, and is the utter overth•• of anti|christ, even his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 breathing in the air.

A•• there came a great voice out of the temple of 〈…〉〈…〉 from the throne, saying it is done. This voice was the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of God speaking out of the temple, which is his Church, who was the Judge which sentenced these Judgments, and ordered the execution of them, and now 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from his throne, saying, It is done; and in the next verse is shewed the fearful Judgments that follow|ed.

Verse 18. An there were voices.

This imports fearful Outcries.

And thunders and lightenings.

This imports the execution of fearful and dreadful judg|ments, that followed this vial, poured out into the air, for thunderings and lightenings is seen and heard in the air.

And there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake and so great.

This is to set forth the great fear and trembling that these Judgments put the inhabitants of the earth into, so that the like had not been since men were upon the earth. That is since those men that saw it were upon the earth, for at the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans there was such great tribulation, as never was before, since the world began to that time, no nor never will be, for it followed the sheding of the blood of the son of God. Mat. 24.21. And was at the opening of the sixth seal, as this and all such like judgments always come at for it is a faithing judgment as the old worlds was and Sodo••.

Verse 19. And the great city was divided in|to three parts.

This great city is the mother of Harlots.

And the cities of the nations fell.

These cities of the nations are her daughters, which are national Churches, succeeding the church of Rome.

And great Babylon came into remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

Upon the execution of these Judgments, the great city comes to be divided into three parts. And a city divided against it self cannot stand. And the cities of the nations that were stirred up by the spirits of Devils, to engage in this war against the Lamb, and against his army fell. And great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierce|ness of his wrath, and she is made to drink it.

Verse 20. And every Island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

By the Islands being fled away, and the mountains not found, doth shew the utter overthrow of the antichristi|an power and dominion, for as the Islands was exalted above the waters, and the mountains above the lower parts of the earth; so antichrist's power given him by the dragon, was exalted over the inha••itants of the world, both by sea and land, until this great overthrow hath put it down.

Verse 21. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent.

This is to set forth the greatness and terribleness of God's Judgments, inflicted or executed upon them, by this great hail, even as God did of old upon the Canaanites, Josh. 10.11. And it came to pass as they fled from before Israel and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the Lord cast down great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from heaven upon them, unto Azekah, and they di|ed, they were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which died with h••il stones, then they which the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Israel slew with the sword.

And men blasphemed God because of the ••lague of the hail.

This shews that these Judgments did not reform them, ••ho' it did destroy them.

What the seventh trumpet sounded was the finishing of prophecy, which extended to the end of this world, Chap. 11.5. And the seventh Angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world 〈◊〉〈◊〉 become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.

The pouring out of these seven vials, is in the time of the sixth trumpet.

And as to the pouring out the seven last vials of God's wrath, they do extend to the utter destruction of the beast and the false prophet, and to the binding of satan and ••utting him up in the bottomless pit; and therefore what we shall further read in this book of the beast and of the false prophet, and mystery Babylon, relating to their de|struction, is the effects of this execution done upon them, by the pouring out of the seven last vials of God's wrath; for then God made mystery Babylon the great drink the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath, to her utter overthrow.

CHAP. XVII.

Verse 1.

ANd there came one of the seven Angels, which had the seven vials, & talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither, I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore.

This was one of the seven Angels which we read of in the foregoing Chapter, which poured out the seven last vi|als of God's wrath, which came to John and talked with him, saying, Come hither: As much as if he should say, Come, go along with me, I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore; by this judgment is intended her condem|nation and destruction, and by the great Whore is intended the false Church which is not Christ's Spouse but a harlot, & by her

Sitting upon many waters,

Is to shew she is supported and upheld by the body of the people, or by the children of this world, as is opened in the 15th verse, And be ••ith unto me, the waters which thou sawe•• where the whore s••tteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

Thus as the true Church is reviled, reproached, and persecuted by the world, so the false Church is spoken well of, and supported, and upheld by the world; and thus they have the glory and praise of the world, ac|cording to what is written in 1 Job. 4. and the first verse; compared with the 5th and 6th verses. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, be|cause many false prophets are gone out into the world; they are of the world therefore speak they of the world, and the wor•• ••eareth them. We are of God; he that knoweth God hear•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉, hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spi|rit of error, saith the Apostle John; so that the character he giveth us to know the false prophets by, is the worlds hearing them. And the character to know the Spirit of the true Prophets by is the world's refusing to hear them.

Verse 2. With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication.

Thus it appears, that as the kings of the earth is wont to persecute the true Church; so here it appears that they join in union with the false Church, by combina|tion, so that it is said they commit fornication with her.

And the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornica|tion.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 the wine of her fornication is her false doctrine•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the inhabitants of the earth have drunk is, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 have been made drunk, as saith the prophet Isai. 29.9. ••pared with the 13th and 14th verses. They are drunk, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with wine, they stagger but not with strong drink: 〈…〉〈…〉 this people draw near me with their mouth, 〈…〉〈…〉 do honour me, but have removed their 〈…〉〈…〉 from me, and their fear towards me is taught by 〈…〉〈…〉 of men; there •• I will add to do a mar••ellous 〈…〉〈…〉 this people, even a marvellous work and a 〈◊〉〈◊〉; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 understanding of their prudent men shall be bid.

Thus by drinking in the doctrine of false prophets, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are like dru••ken men, that think to worship God by 〈…〉〈…〉 of Godliness, according to what was before writ|••••••, 2 Tim. 3. first and second verses compared with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 verse. In the last days perillous times shall come; for 〈…〉〈…〉 lovers of their own selves, &c. having a form 〈…〉〈…〉, but denying the power thereof, from such turn 〈◊〉〈◊〉. They not knowing that inward powerful operati|•••• of the working of the spirit of God, which worketh 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the saints, by strengthening them with might 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man, against the power of sin. Eph. 3.16, 20, 〈…〉〈…〉 would grant you according to the riches of his glo|•••• to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with might by his spirit in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man. N••w unto him that is able to do exceeding 〈◊〉〈◊〉, above all that we ask or think, according to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that worketh in us.

Verse 3. So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness.

From hence we may note, that the false Church is in a wil|••erness state.

And I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet co|loured beast.

This woman is the false Church; and the scarlet coloured beast 〈◊〉〈◊〉 she sits upon, is the rulers of this world, as they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 received power from the dragon, Chap. 13.2. And the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great au|thority.

And by this means he comes to be a persecuting power, and to be stained with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus. And it's being

Full of names of Blasphemy,

Is to shew it's setting up of Idolatry and false worship in its heathenish state, by which the name of God is re|proached or blasphemed in its so doing. And it's

Having seven heads, and ten horns,

Doth shew it to be the same beast that rose out of the sea; Chap. 13.1. And I saw a beast rise out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the names of blasphemy. This beast represented the Romish kingdom, with all the succeeding persecuting powers, as will appear by comparing this with the prophecy of Daniel, Chap. 7.7, &c. who prophecied of the four monarchs of the world, by a vision which he had of four beasts rising out of the sea, and the fourth which was the Roman Empire or Monarch, had ten horns, even as John here expresseth the Roman king|dom, which was in being in his time, the ten horns be|ing the last kingdom of antichrist, as will appear in the following part of this Chapter; and the number ten is to express many persecuting powers, that shall arise out of these seven heads of the Dragons dominion or jurisdiction, & is ex|prest by ten, to set foth many; as for instance, Job. 19.2. These ten times have ye reproached me. Gen. 31.7. And your fa|ther hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times. Num. 14.22. And have tempted me now these ten times. Neh. 4.12. And they said unto us ten times. Thus it ap|pears to be a Scripture phrase to set forth many.

Verse 4. And the woman was arrayed in purple and Scarlet colour.

She came to be of this colour by reason that her gar|ments was stained with the blood of Saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus, as in the sixth verse, chap. 18.24. And in her was found the blood of the prophets and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

And she was decked with gold, and preci|ous stone and pearls.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 thus was she decked harlot like, to allure her Lovers, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yet this is to shew her outward pretences of holi|••••••••, in garnishing her outside, by making clean the out|•••••••• of the cup and platter, she is fairly gilded outward|•••••••• with fair pretences of worshipping God, after the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 manner as the false Church did of old, Isai. 1.11. By ••erving her Sabbaths, and her solemn meetings, and in ••ing many prayers in publick assembly's, attending pre|••ded Gospel Ordinances. And thus gloriously she appears ••wardly with her golden cup in her hand full of her abomi|nations and filthiness of her fornication. This golden Cup in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hand full of Abominations and filthiness of her for|nication, is to allure the inhabitants of the Earth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 drink in her false doctrine, by which she beguiles 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whole world to commit fornication with her, for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prophets are of the world, and they speak of the world 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the world heareth them, 1 Joh. 4.5. Thus she hath the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 world on her side, in what kingdom or country 〈◊〉〈◊〉 she is in, and so hath her daughters also, both 〈◊〉〈◊〉, governours and people to assist her in her form of ••••••ship.

Verse 5. And upon her forehead was a ••ame written, MISTERY BABYLON THE ••REAT.

This her name Mystery Babylon, is derived from Old Babylon, who trod Jerusalem of old under her foot, and de|••••••oyed the temple and altar, and laid all desolate. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this Mystery Babylon or false church is wont to tread 〈◊〉〈◊〉 new Jerusalem, or holy city, to wit, the church of Christ ••••der her feet, chap. 11.2. For it is given unto the Gentiles 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the holy city shall they tread under foot. Which said 〈◊〉〈◊〉 city is the bride the lambs wife, as may be seen 〈◊〉〈◊〉 21.2. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her husband. And as the Church of Christ is com|••red to a holy city, so this mystery Babylon the great

is compared to an unholy city, Chap. 11.8. And the dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, whi•• spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, and where also 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lord was crucified. Compare this with the last verse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this 17th Chapter, And the woman which thou sawest is th•• great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. Th•• this great whore is

The mother of harlots and abominations o•• the earth.

This mother of harlots is the Church of Rome; and he•• daughters are the persecuting powers that arise afte•• her, which are supported by the dragons ten horns which did arise out of his seven heads, Chap. 12.3. compa•• with Chap. 13.2. And behold a great red dragon, havi•• seven heads and ten horns. And the dragon gave him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 power, and his seat, and great authority.

Thus the false Church hath the dragons power to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her, in persecuting the true Church, and spouse of Chr•• under pretence of being the false. And thus hath 〈◊〉〈◊〉 made herself drunk with the blood of the saints; as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the following verse.

Verse 6. And I saw the woman drunken wit•• the blood of the saints & martyrs of Jesus; a•• when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

Sometimes this false Church is called by the name 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a woman, and sometimes by the name of a city, yet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 intends the false Church; and as it is here said, I saw 〈◊〉〈◊〉 woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 blood of the martyrs of Jesus, so it is said in Chap. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 24. And in her was found the blood of the prophets, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of saints; and of all that were slain upon the earth. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 comprehends both mother and daughters; for they are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of one generation, and their Judgment shall be alike, Chap•• 16.6. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets and thou hast given them blood to drink, for they are worth And when I saw her I wondred with great adm••nat••••••. Here we have an account of Johns wonderful 〈◊〉〈◊〉,

when he beheld this woman, who was so fine|•• arrayed outwardly with pretences of worshiping God, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to see her drunken with the blood of the saints and ••tyrs of Jesus.

Verse 7. And the Angel said unto me, ••herefore didst thou marvel, I will tell thee ••e mystery of the woman, and of the beast ••at carrieth her, which hath seven heads and ••n horns.

The forepart of this verse contains a question, which ••e Angel did ask John, which question is, wherefore 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thou marvel? and the other part of the verse, con|••••ins a promise that the angel made to John, to tell him ••e mystery of what he saw in the vision of the woman, ••d of the beast that carryeth her, which hath seven ••ads and ten horns, but the angel doth not enter up|•••• the opening of the said mysterys in the following ••erse, but gives John an account of the beast that rose ••t of the bottomless pit, in the first place, and its go|ing into perdition, which was the rising and fall of ••ichrist; the rising thereof is spoken of in the 9th ••apter, like locusts, and in the 13 chapter, 11 verse, ••ke a lamb with two horns, but spake like a dragon, but ••e beast that carryeth the woman, rose out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, which was the world|•••• governours set up by God, which Antichrist or this Whore got into conjunction & union with; as will appear in ••e following part of this chapter, they being deceived by her, ••nd thereby taking her to be the true church, and so joy|••ing in with her.

Verse 8. The beast that thou sawest, was, ••nd is not, and shall ascend out of the bot|••omless pit, and go into perdition.

Thus far this verse sheweth the rising and fall of anti|christ, or the false church, which rose out of the bot|tomless pit, and got into a union with the kingly, or Ma|gistratical powers of this world, which was set up of

God, represented to John in the vision to rise out the sea, (that is out of the multitude of people, as verse 15.) having seven heads, and ten horns; but the ••••|ther that rose out of the bottomless pit, the angel t•• John of it's going into perdition, that is upon the pour out of the seven last vials of God's wrath, upon the ••••••|mies of his Church, to the utter destruction of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 church, as in the foregoing chapter is shewed, and they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dwell on the earth shall wonder whose names were not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ten in the book of life, from the foundation of world. By them that dwell on the earth is intended children of this world, who are in an unregenerated 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and therefore have not their names written in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of life, they not being those that were chosen in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the foundation of the world: for they are th•• that did worship the beast spoken of in chap. 13.8. And that dwell upon the earth, shall worship him, whose 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not written in the book of life of the lamb slain from the f••••••|dation of the world. By the lamb being slain from the fo••••|dation of the world, is intended God's fore-ordination the lamb's being slain, as is written, 1 Pet. 1.20. Who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was fore ordained before the foundation of the world, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 manifest in these last times for you. These were the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that were not redeemed by Christ, that did wonder 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they did behold the beast that was and is not; for they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Antichrist and the false prophets, which were in union 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the secular powers of this world, to be the true 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Christ. And yet is, (saith he,) that is, the beast 〈◊〉〈◊〉 after it rose out of the earth, chap. 13.11. And I held another beast rise out of the earth. This is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 besides that, that rose out of the sea, and is after•• led the false prophet, chap. 19.20. compared with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 13.13, 14. and in chap. 13.12. it is said, And he exerc•• all the power of the first beast before him. The first beast be•• him was the Romish Empire under heathenism, as it recei•• power from the dragon, to maintain the heathenish 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shipping of Idols; but this beast that riseth out of earth with two horns like a lamb, is the rising of Antichrist, and false prophets, and getting to such a 〈◊〉〈◊〉

••f power given them from the dragon, as to rule both ••vil, and Ecclesiastical affairs, which his two horns doth present, and so coming into conjunction and union with ••he civil, magistratical, or kingly powers of this world, ••ough the subtilty of the serpent, who deceiveth the whole world, by causing this beast that rose out of the ••rth, to make an image, or prescribe a form of Godli|••ess to the first beast, or kingly power, who causeth all the world to worship said image, or attend said form of Godliness; & so persecutes the saints (who worship God in spi|rit in truth) for refusing to worship said image, or for refu|sing to attend said form of Godliness, as appears in Ch. 13.1., &c. the 11th verse, sheweth his rising out of the earth; and the 12th verse sheweth his exercising all the power of the first beast before him, which was the Romish power ••der Heathenism, by which his deadly wound was healed which God had given him by the hand of Constantine, who before that wound maintained heathenish Idols, and ••elly persecuted the Church of Christ; but through the ••ilty of the serpent, who raised up antichrist and false prophets, the wound was healed; for said antichrist and false prophets, by lying signs and wonders of pretended Godliness deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, that is, the whole world, as ap|••pars Chap. 13.13, 14: Saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword and did live. Thus this image was made to the kingly powers, which was the Romish Empire; and this image was a prescription of worship, or form of Godliness, to said beast, or to the magistratical powers of this world, to maintain and defend, according to what was before ••ten, 2 Tim. 3.5. Having 1 form of Godliness, but de|••ying the power thereof: from such turn away. and in chap. 13.15, sheweth that all that would not worship the said image, or attend the said form of Godliness, should be ••illed.

Thus the wound was healed, by the rising up of Anti|christ in the Room of Heathenism, and so raising and ear|ring on persecution, against the church of God, as the heathens had done before,; for this Antichristian power that rose out of the earth, joyn'd in with the Magistra|tical

or Kingly powers of th•• world, both 〈…〉〈…〉 from the dragon, and so both becoming 〈…〉〈…〉 power in union together, until the pouring 〈…〉〈…〉 vials of God's wrath, to the utter destruction of Antichrist and then it may truly be said, the beast that 〈…〉〈…〉 out of the bottomless pit, is gone into perditions and therefore is not. But the civil or Magistratical power is yet remaining, only deprived of the Dragon's power, so that it may be said, and yet is, for tho' the persecuting power is not, yet the kingly power is yet remaining, for they both in union were but one persecuting power: for this persecuting power became a persecuting power, by reason of Antichrist or the false Church joyning in union with the kingly power, or rather the kingly power joyning i•• with them, taking them for the true Church, and thus is reckoned in with the kingly power as it is in union with it, to be of the seven kings, tho' it is really eight be|cause its power is wholly derived from the dragon; and nothing from God, as appears verse 11. and the beast that was, and is not, even he is the 8th, and is of the seven, & goeth into perdition. And in the next verse the Angel will begin to open to John the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carrieth her, according to his promise, in the seventh verse.

Verse 9. And here is the mind which hath wisdom, the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth.

In this verse the Angel begins to tell the mystery of the beast and of the woman to John, according to his promise is the seventh verse, And here is the mind that back wisdom saith the Angel: that is, the mind which hath wisdom to under|stand this mystery, of the beast, and of the woman, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I am now entering upon to tell thee. The seven heads are seven mountains, by this number seven is measured the whole of every thing that is exprest by this number; so that these seven heads of this beast, is said to be seven mount|ains: these heads or mountains, measures the whole domi|nion of the dragons usurped power over the whole world

••d it also measures the whole dominion of the powers ••f this world, set up by God. And this woman or false Church, is upheld and supported wholly by that power de|rived from the dragon, in the hands of the kings and judg•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the earth, who have power given them by God, to ••e ministers of the Law, and thereby to punish evil doers, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 13.1, &c. And they have also received Power from the dragon, as appears, Rev. 13.2. And the dragon gave 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his power, and his seat, and great authority. Thus they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by two Powers, to wit, the same persons; and thus the woman or false Church here spoken of, sits on the seven mountains, or is supported by the dragons seven heads, Chap. 12.3. And behold a great red dragon, having seven heads. Luk. 4.5, 6, 7.

Verse 10. And there are seven kings.

These seven kings measures all the kingly powers of this world, for it is a perfect number, and measures the whole of every thing it expresseth by the number seven.

Five are fallen (saith he.)

This is to measure the time past, in which a certain number of the seven are come to their end; so that there is but two more;

And one (of the two saith he) is, and the other is not yet come.

That which was then in being, was the Roman hea|thenish kingdom, which did uphold Idolatry, and perse|cuted the true Church of Christ, and after the anichristian power did overcome 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and killed 〈…〉〈…〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chap. 73.7 〈…〉〈…〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 come, that 〈…〉〈…〉

Continue but a short space.

For the seventh and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 king here spoken of is the last persecuting power; for every one of these seven kings mea|sures the dragons whole power, in that time and age of the world that the said king doth reign in, they being his ministers so far as they act under his power; for every king here mentioned, measures all the persecuting powers in the world, in the time of that kings continuance: As

for instance, one king measures the whole kingdom of Egypt; and secondly, one king measures the whole king|do•• of Assiria; and thirdly, one king measures the whole kingdom of the Chaldeans; and fourthly, one king mea|sures the whole kingdom of the Medes and Persians; and fifthly, one king measures the whole kingdom of G••|cia; and sixthly, one king measures the whole kingdom of the Romans; and seventhly and lastly, one king mea|sures the many persecuting powers that shall arise after the Romish kingdom, spoken of in the 14th verse of the Chapter, These shall make war with the lamb, and the le•• shall overcome them. This is the seventh and last persecu|ting king, which is exprest by ten horns, which is said 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be ten kings as in verse 12.

Verse 11. And the beast that was, and i•• not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven and goeth into perdition.

This is the beast that rose out of the bottomless p•• or out of the earth, with two horns like a lamb, spoke•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the 8th verse of this Chapter, compared with Chap. 1•• 7. and with Chap. 13.11. This is antichrist, and false pro|phets, that comes in sheeps clothing like a lamb with •• horns; and is reckoned to be the eighth king, to distingu•• it from the other seven kings, because they were power set up by God, and after received power from the d•• to persecute the Church of Christ; but this beast that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ascend out of the bottomless pit, is an Impostor, a Ch•• whose power is wholly and alone derive from the dragon, to deceive and persecute the true and faithful Church of Christ by it's usurped power, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 horns: But this beast shall go into perdition; and it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 reckoned to be of the seven kings, only because of it's 〈◊〉〈◊〉 junction and union which it got into with the secu•• power, to aid and support it, and thereby to persecute t•• true Church.

Verse 12. And the ten horns which the sawest, are ten kings, which have received 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kingdom as yet, but receive power as kings of hour with the beast.

These ten horns is the seventh and last king, or perse|cuting powers. And this number ten is a scripture ••hrase used to express many, that is, to express an uncer|••ain number by a certain; as for instance, Neh. 4 12. They ••ud unto us ten times from all places. Dan. 1.20. He found them ten times better. Job. 19.2. These ten times have ye re|proached me. Numb. 14.22. Because all these men — ••ve tempted me now these ten times. Rev. 2.10. Ye shall ••ve tribulation ten days. Zech. 8.23. Ten men shall take ••old, &c. Lev. 26.26. Ten women shall bake your bread &c. Rev. 11.13. The tenth part of the city fell, &c.

These kings, represented to John in the vision by ten 〈◊〉〈◊〉, have received no kingdom as yet, saith the Angel to John; that is, had received no kingdom in his time, but receive power as kings one hour with the beast saith he; that is, they receive power from the dragon with the persecuting beast, that rose out of the earth with two 〈◊〉〈◊〉 like a lamb, or with antichrist the false Church; and the one hour is to shew its continuance is but a short time.

Verse 13. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

These have one mind, saith he; that is to aid and sup|port the false Church, or antichrist; and therefore are but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 king as it were, under the dragon; for they have one wind, and therefore are but one united power, for the defence of his interest.

And shall give their power and strength to the beast, saith he. This is to the beast that rose out of the bottomless ••it, or out of the earth, to aid and assist the said beast, or false Church against the Church of Christ by persecution, taking antichrist or the false Church for the true, and the ••ve for the false. Thus the dragon deceives the magi|stratical or secular powers, set up by God to be ministers ••ly of the law.

Verse 14. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them; for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they

that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Here it appears, that this is the last kingdom of anti|christ, and that it's kingdom is but short, though it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 war with the lamb, it's reign with the beast is meas•• but by one hour, to shew the shortness of it's time of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the lamb, for the lamb shall overcome, faith 〈◊〉〈◊〉 angel to John.

Verse 15. And he saith unto me, the water which thou sawest where the whore sitteth, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 peoples, and multitudes, and nations. a•• tongues.

This is to shew that the false Church hath the whole world on her side; for the multitudes of the people and compared to waters, that she sits upon, so that she ha•• not only the magistratical powers to support her, they being deceived by her, and thereby committing fornication with her, and so persecuting the true Church, but after the inhabitants of the earth are made drunk with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of her fornication.

Verse 16. And the ten horns which thou saw|est upon the beast, these shall hate the whore and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

These are the ten horns which gave their power 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the beast, and made war with the lamb, whose kingdom is joyned in with the beast or antichrist; but it is but for a short time, being exprest but by one hour, to stew the shortness of the time. These ten kings are in this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 day, and time, that hate the great whore, the church of Rome, the mother of harlots, & will at last make her desola•• naked, and will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. Th•• expressions are to set forth their enmity again•• her, and how they shall be her destruction. Yet not notwith|standing, they are for a little time warring against the lamb and his army, which is his church, who are h•• chosen and faithful ones, who are separated both from

••e mother of harlots and from her daughters: for|••th the mother of harlots and her daughters, are al|ways supported by the powers of this world, for they ••ways become national churches: when they go a who|••g from God, so that the kings of the earth commit ••ication with such a church, and the Inhabitants of the earth are made drunk with the wine of her fornica|tion; and at such a time as this, God calls his church and people to come out of her, and to be separated from her, as appears, chap. 18.4. Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, & that ye receive ••it of her plagues.

Verse 17. For God hath put it in their hearts, to fulfill his will.

That is to execute judgment upon the great whore the mother of harlots.

And to agree and give their kingdom unto the beast.

That is, God will let or suffer them to agree, and to give their power and strength to the beast, that is to antichrist, or to support the false church.

Until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

And then judgment shall be executed by them, both a|gainst the mother of harlots, and against her daughters and until that time, these powers or ten horns have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast, or to antichrist the false church, the whores daughters, and shall make war against the lamb and his church, by perse|cuting them, as the Jewish powers did of old (in fellow|ship with the false church) persecute the true prophets as appears by Stephen's testimony, Acts 7.52. which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted, and they have stain them which shewed before of the coming of the just one of whom ye have keen now the betrayers and murderers. Yet these Jews said, Mat. 23.30. If we had been in the days of our fathers, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. But these were their mothers daughters, whose Mother had been put away for her whoredom, as appears,

Isai. 5c.1. Where is the bill of your mothers divorcement whom I have put away? Thus it appears that the whores daughters are as much deceived as their mother, and did put the Lord of life and glory to death, but had they known it, 1 Cor. 2.8. They would not have crucified the Lord of glory. The like we see in this chap. that these ten horns hate the whore spoken of in the 5th verse and yet make war with the Lamb, & they that are with him as appears in the 14th verse, but the lamb and his army shall get the victory, as appears in the 13 and 14 verses of this chapter.

Verse 18. And the woman which tho•• sawest, is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

This great city was spoken of in chap. 11.8. And their dead bodies shall he in the street of the great city, which spi|ritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord 〈◊〉〈◊〉 crucified, thus as the true Church of Christ, is called the bride the lambs wife, chap. 21.9, 10. So the false church is called a harlot, and as the true church of Christ is compa|red to a holy city even the new Jerusalem, the city of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wing God, where the throne of God and of the lamb is, a•• where no unclean thing can enter into said city. So the false church is compared to a city likewise, which is spiritually called Sodom, that is for it's uncleanness, and Egypt, that is because of her oppressions, and where our Lord was cruci|fied, that is, because of her persecutions. And she is said to reign over the kings of the earth, because they are decei|ved by her, and thereby ruled by her, to persecute the true Church, in shedding the blood of the saints, and martyrs of Jesus, under her power, and in her territories, as appears in Chap. 11.8, 9. compared with Chap. 18.24. And then dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, &c And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that are slain upon the earth.

CHAP. XVIII.

In the first verse of the foregoing Chapter, we have an account, that one of the seven Angels which had the seven viols, came to John and talked with him, saying unto him, Come hither, I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great Whore. But we are to note, that her Judgment is not shewed to John, till we come to view this Eigh|teenth Chapter, which sets forth her judgment under the denomination of the destruction of a great city, in a most fearful and dreadful man|ner; for this Eighteenth Chapter gives us a relation, after what manner John saw her Judg|ment in the vision which he saw concerning her destruction.

Verse 1.

ANd after these things.

These are the things spoken of in the foregoing Chap|ter.

I saw another Angel.

This is another Angel, and not that Angel which shew|ed the things contained in the foregoing Chapter.

Come down from heaven (saith he.)

This gives us an account from whence this Ange•• came.

Having great power.

This shews us, that his great power was from hea|ven.

And the earth was lightened with his glo|ry.

This shews that he was an Angel of light, and that the inhabitants of the earth were enlightened with his glorious light.

Verse 2. And he cryed mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul Spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

We may observe, that the foregoing verse, sheweth that a glorious Angel of light came down from heaven with great power; and that the earth was lightned with his gl••, and this verse ••forms us, that he made a mighty Proclamation with a strong voice, of the fall of mystical Babylon, and that this glorious light which did lighten the earth, ••ow discovers or makes manifest that this m••stery Babylon the great, that was so arrayed outwardly in purple and ••ca••le•• colour, and decked with gold and preciou•• stone, and pearls. Now by the light of this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Angel she appears inwardly to be the habitation of devils, and the hold of every unclean spirit, and to be a ••age of every unclean and hateful bird.

Verse 3. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication; and the Kings of the earth have commited fornicati|on with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

This verse gives us the reason of her destruction.

Verse 4. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, come out of her my people,

••at ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ••e receive not of her plagues.

This verse gives us an account of God's call to his people to come out of her, and not to partake of her sins, that thereby they may not receive of her plagues. This 〈◊〉〈◊〉 like the Angels call to Lot, that he might not perish 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the city of Sodom; for this city is 〈…〉〈…〉 or like the call of Israel out of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, for this city is spiritually called Egypt, and where also our Lord was crucified; for this city is Sodom-like for uncleanness, and Egypt like for oppression, and like the persecuting Jews (who crucified our Lord) for persecution. There are the si••s that God's people are here exhorted not to partake with her, lest they partake with her in her plagues.

Verse 5. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembred her ini|quities.

This ••rse expresseth the greatness of her sins, and how God remembreth her iniquities, that is, her injustice and ••vant of equity.

Verse 6. Reward her even as she reward|ed you.

This is spoken as if it were in the hands of God's people, to reward her for her iniquities, who had so great|ly oppressed them.

And double unto her double, according to her works, in the cup which she hath filled, fill to her double.

This is spoken of the cup of her fury of injustice and oppression, which she filled and made the saints to drink of; but now that they shall fill the cup double to her, that is, give her a double reward.

Verse 7. How much she hath glorified her|self, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her.

This shews that her glory wherewith she glorifyed her|self is now remembred, and sorrow is given in the room thereof, and in the room of her living deliciously, tor••ment is her portion.

For she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

Thus in her prosperity she glorifyed her self like a queen, and was not in sorrow like a widow, and the•• did not think of her coming to see sorrow.

Verse 8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day.

Thus it happeneth to her, that when she cries pea•• and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon her;

Death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burnt with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

Verse 9. And the kings of the earth who have committed fornication, and lived delici|ously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning.

This verse sets forth the lamentation of the kings of the earth, who were guilty of committing whordom, and living deliciously with her, shewing how they shall be|wail and lament her.

Verse 10. Standing afar off, for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city; for in one hour is thy judgment come.

This verse sets forth the fearfulness and suddenness of her destruction; so that the kings of the earth stood afar off for fear of her torment, saying, for in one hour is her judgment come.

Verse 11. And the merchants of the earth shall weep, and mourn over her; for no man buyeth her merchandize any more.

As in the foregoing verses, it is said, the kings of the ••th did bewail and lament for her; so in this verse it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 said, the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn ••er her. By the kings of the earth, and merchants of ••e earth is intended earthly men, that glorifyed them|selves, and lived deliciously with her. Thus her mer|••hants bewail the loss of their profits, which they had by her, set forth by the similitude of temporal merchan|dizing.

Verse 12. The merchandise of gold and sil|••er, and precious stones, and of pearls, and ••ne linen, and purple; and silk, and scarlet, and all thyne wood, and all manner vessels of ••ory, and all manner vessels of most precious ••ood, and of brass, and iron, and marble.

Verse 13. And cinnamon, and odours, and ••ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and charets, and slaves, and souls of men.

Verse 14. And the fruits that thy soul lust|ed after, are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly, are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

These three verses, treateth on the ware of their mer|chandise, to set forth their Spiritual Merchandizing by temporal similitudes, for as the woman contains a my|stery, as appeareth in the foregoing chapter and seventh verse, so doth this city, and the merchandizing here spo|ken of; for the woman and city is one, as appears in the foregoing Chapter and last verse. And the woman which thou sawest, is that great city, which reigneth over the Kings of the earth. And this city hath a spiritual name, Chap. 11.8. Which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lord also was crucified. And the woman and the city

is called great Babylon. Thus the false Church is set forth by the same similitude that the true Church is only the true Church is set forth by a woman, that is a wife, living in wedlock. But the false Church is set forth by a woman, that is a harlot, living in fornicati|on. The true Church is called the holy city but the false Church by a city of uncleanness; the one to be the city of God, where his throne is, the other to be the ha|bitation of Devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, so that the inhabitants of this great city, comprehends t•• whole body of sin. As the Church of Christ which is h•• body is a sanctifyed body, being clea•• from sin; so that righteousness dwells in the bo|dy of Christ, which is his Church; but sin dwells 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the body of sin, for there is but two bodies and two sp••|rits; so that the territories of this city is so large, that it contains the whole body of sin; so that every unfaithful soul, or unsanctifyed soul, is an inhabitant of this city for it is the scituation of the people that make the city; and these merchants here spoken of, are such mer|chants spoken of in the 2 Pet. 2.3. And through coveto••s|ness with feigned words shall they make merchandise of you.

Verse 15. The Merchants of these things which were made rich by her,

This Her is Mystery Babylon, or this great city, that did enrich these Merchants, that so much bew•• her destruction by reason of the loss of their merchan|dizing; these

Shall stand afar off for fear of her torment weeping and wailing.

Verse 16. And saying alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linnen, and i•• purple, and scarlet, and deckt with gold, and precious stones, and pearls.

This is the same clothing, and decking, which the woman had, mentioned in the 4th verse of the foregoing chap|ter.

Verse 17. For in one hour so great riches is ••ome to nought.

This is to set forth her sudden destruction as in a mo|••ent being measured by an hour,

And every Ship Master, and all the compa|••y in ships, and sailors, and as many as traded by se•• stood afar off.

Verse 18. And cried when they saw the ••oke of her burning, saying, what city is ••ike unto this great city.

Verse 19. And they cast dust on their heads, and cried weeping and wailing, saying, ••as, alas, that great city, wherein were made ••ich all that had ships in the sea, by reason of her costliness; for in one hour is she made de|solate.

These foregoing verses sets forth the great lamentation of leasaring men, that were enrich'd by her, they were such as ••he allowed to buy and sell in her territories, they be|ing the Inhabitants of the earth and of the sea, and not dwellers in heaven, thus we have an account of the great lamentation and sorrow of the kings of the earth, ••nd the merchants of the earth, and as many as traded by sea, to behold the destruction of this great city, e|ven by all such who were enrich'd by her, and these were such only who were inhabiters of the earth and the sea.

Verse 20. Rejoyce over her thou heaven.

By the heaven is meant the church of God.

And ye holy Apostles and prophets, for God hath avenged you on her.

This is a day of great joy and rejoycing, to the dwel|lers in heaven, and to the holy apostles and prophets, ••a the angel calls to the heaven to rejoyce over her judgment, and overthrow, upon the consideration that

God hath avenged you on her saith the angel, the like joy was to the dwellers in heaven, when the great Dra|gon was cast out of his heavenly station, and the man-child that was to rule all nations with a rod of lion, was caught up to God and to his throne, as may be seen, chap. 12.12. Therefore rejoyce ye heavens, and ye tha•• dwell in them, wo to the Inhabiters of the earth and of the sea. Thus we see there is great joy in the church of God, whose dwelling is in heaven, at the fall of mistical Babylon; but great sorrow, weeping and wailing, and la|menting, by the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea, even by the kings of the earth, who committed fornicati|on with her, and by the merchants of the earth, and sea-faring men, that were inrich'd by the abundance of her delicacies: for they were such as were allowed to buy and sell, they being such as had the mark, or name of the beast, or the number of his name; but such as were dwellers in heaven, were not allowed to buy or to sell, for these were such as had no•• given a mark in their hand, or in their forehead, the truth of which may be seen, chap. 13.17. And no man might buy or sell save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast or the number of his name.

Verse 21. And a mighty Angel took a stone, like a great milstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, thus with violence shall that great city Babilon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

This verse giveth us an account of the Action of a mighty angel, in the presence of John, to set forth the Judgment and destruction of the great city Babilon, the false church, the mother of harlots, by casting a stone like a great milstone into the sea, and withal saying, thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

Verse 22, 23. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters,

••all be heard no more at all in thee: and ••o crafts man, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more all in thee; and the ••ound of a milstone shall be heard no more ••at all in thee;

And the light of a Candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the ••bridegroom and of the bride, shall be heard no more at all in thee.

Thus far of these two verses, are to set forth her ••utter destruction and desolation, so that there shall never be heard in her any more joy or mirth, neither shall there ever any more be found any crafts men in her of any craft whatsoever, neither shall the sound of a mil|stone be heard in her any more, neither shall the light of a candle ever shine in her any more, neither shall the voice of the bridegroom, and of the bride be heard any more at all in her.

For thy merchants were the great men of the earth, for by thy sorceries were all nati|ons deceived.

Here is two reasons given why all these Calamities came upon her, the one is, For thy merchants were the great men of the earth. These great men of the earth, were great oppressors in their Merchandizing, being such merchants as the apostle foretold of 2 Pet. 2.2. comparing the first verse with the third, But there were false proph|ets also among the people, even as there shall be false teach|••s among you. and through coveteousness shall they with feigned words make merchandize of you: whose judgments now of a long time lingereth not, so these merchants that merchandized in the same manner, as the Apostle Peter here prophetically foretold of, saying, whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, accordingly this 18th chap. is shewing the Judgment according to his Prophecy for Peter in the 5th verse and 6th verse of the same chapter measures the Judgment of those false teachers, which he foretold of, that should make merchandize of the people, b••

by the overthrow of the old world and by the overthrow of Sodom, the old world sunk like the g••ea•• stone tha•• the angel threw into the sea, and said thus shall Baby••o•• sink and rise no more at all; and as Ab••aham stood and did behold the smoke of Sodom and Gomon••a, as the smoke of a great furnace, so it is said the kings of the earth shall wail and lament when they see the smoke of her burning. And the second thing is, for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. Let sorceries is her false doctrine, by which all nations have been deceived for saith our Saviour, they shall deceive the very Ele•• of God if it were possible: for she appeared to John with her golden cup in her hand, full of the abomination•• and filthiness of her fornication, so that the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication, and thus hath she bewitched the nations, and poysoned them, that they should not obey the truth but be|lieve lies.

Verse 24. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

Thus it appears not to be the outward city of Rome, for in that city was not found all that were slain upon the earth, but in this mystical citie all were slain that were slain upon the earth: for the territories of this city is so large, that every unsanctified soul is an inhabi|tant, either in that part of it which is called Sodom, or else in that part which is called Egypt, or else of the persecuting part of it: for it is divided into these three parts, so that in the persecuting part of it, was found the blood of the prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth, for there is but two situations that comprehends the dwelling of the whole race of mankind; Eph. 2.19. Now therefore ye are no more stran|gers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. This is the holy city that all sanctified souls dwell in with God and the Lamb; and the great ci|ty which we have been treating upon comprehends all the rest of all mankind, and is the habitation of Devils

and the hold of every foul spirit, verse 2. with whom they have their dwelling.

CHAP. XIX.

Verse 1.

ANd after these things.

To wit, after the things spoken of in the foregoing chapter, concerning the judgment, condemnation and over|throw of mystical Babylon the great whore, or false church.

I heard a great voice of much people in hea|ven.

This voice was the voice of the church of Christ, whose dwelling is in heaven,

Saying, Allelujah,

That is, praise the Lord.

Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power unto the Lord our God.

Verse 2. For true and righteous are his judgments; for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the whole earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

Verse 3. And again they said, Allelujah.

This again is the second time that they said Allelu|jah, that is, praise the Lord.

And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

This is the smoke of the burning of the great whore or false Church, set forth by the burning of a great city And the words for ever and ever, is to set forth her per|petual torment, and in the 20th verse it is said, And th•• beast was taken, and with him the false prophet, and that these both were cast alive into a lake of fire, burning with brimstone. And in Chap. 20.10. it is said, And the devil th•• deceiveth them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimston•• where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tor|mented for ever and ever. This will be the punishment o•• the false Church, and of the beast, which are the perse|cuting powers of this world, and the false prophets portio•• with the devil.

Verse 4. And the four and twenty Elde•• and the four beasts, fell down and worshipe•• God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen, Al|lelujah.

The names of these four and twenty elders, are writte•• on the twelve gates, and on the twelve foundations o•• the holy city, new Jerusalem, and where the throne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God, and the throne of the lamb is; as may be seen 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chapter 22. comparing the first and second verses with th•• third, And there shall be no more curse, but the thro•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God and of the lamb shall be in it. Thus it appears, th•• the throne of God and of the Lamb is in the midst 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this city, which is his bride or Church. And these fou•• and twenty elders were spoken of in Chap. 4.4. And rou•• about the throne were four and twenty seats, and upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seats I saw four and twenty Elders, ••itting cloathed in whi•• raiment, and they had on their heads crowns of gold. A•• the names of these elders and after what manner they fit rou•• about the throne, is to be seen and read in Chap. 21.12, 1•• And at the gates twelve Angels, and names written ther•• which are the names of the twelve tribes of the childr•• of Israel. Here is the names of twelve, of these elder•• which are the twelve Sons of Jacob. These are the twel•• stars, that the Jewish Church, or Woman, that brough forth the man child was crowned withal, here called twel••

••agels, verse 14. And the wall of the city had twelve ••undations, and in them the names of the twe••ve Apostles 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the lamb. Here are the names of the other twelve ••ders, upon whose foundation is built the Gentile Churches, ••h. 2.20. And are built upon the foundations of the Apo|••s, which make the four and twenty. And thus their ••ts are round about the throne; for the throne of God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the midst of the city, and the doors, and the foun|••ations are round about the city.

And the four beasts. These four beasts represent the ••ur spirits of the heavens, Zech, 6.5. They are the An|••els of God. Thus the four and twenty elders, and the ••our beasts, who represent all the saints, and all the holy Angels, falling down and worshiping God, that sits on the ••rone, saying, Amen, that is, verily so let it be, this ••as ascribing to God his Justice for judging the great Whore ••llelujah, or praise the Lord. This is to ascribe praise ••o God for his Justice upon the great whore.

Verse 5. And avoice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God all ye his servants, and ••e that fear him, both small and great.

This verse sheweth us, that upon the four and twenty eders, and the four beasts falling down, and worshiping God that sat on the throne, a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God all ye his servants, and ye that fear him both small and great.

Verse 6. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the the voice of mighty thun|derings, saying, Allelujah, for the Lord God Om|••ipotent (or Almighty) reigneth.

The voice of this great multitude like many waters, and like mighty thunderings, was in answer and obedience to that voice, that came out of the throne, saying, praise ••ur God all ye his servants, and ye that fear him both ••all and great. Accordi••ly all his ervants, and them that feared him, both small and great lift up their voices, saying, Allelujah, that is, praise the Lord: For the Lord

God omnipotent reigneth; that is, the Lord God Almighty reigneth, who had now by his kingly power subdued the enemies and persecutors of his Church and people, in that he had judged the great whore, who was drunken wi•• the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the mar|tyrs of Jesus.

Verse 7. Let us be glad, and rejoyce, and give honour to him, for the marriage of the lamb is come, and his wife hath made her+self ready.

This was the joy and voice of that great multitude spoken of in the foregoing verse as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings; say|ing one to another, let us be glad, and rejoice, yea it wa•• the voice of all the servants of the lord, and of the•• that feared him, both small and great, saying, also fo•• the marriage of the lamb is come, and his wife hath•• made her self ready, all these things are prophetically foretold of, and will surely come to pass upon the over|throw of the great whore, or false Church, which doth corrupt the whole earth with her fornication. This pro|phecy doth foretell of her judgment, and how it will be when God shall avenge the blood of his servants at her hand, and what a glorious state the Church of Christ will then be in, prepared even as a bride to meet her hus|band; and till this time come, the true Church and faith|ful spouse of Christ, who separate themselves from this harlot, will be persecuted by the secular powers, who are in union with this harlot, or false Church; either with the mother or with the daughters, taking the false fo•• the true Church. And many of the people of God will be mix'd, and bewilder'd with this false Church till her judgment come, as appears in the 4th verse of th•• foregoing Chapter; and these that separate from her, and lead a godly life, shall suffer persecution, (•• Tim. 3.12.) by this false Church; as appears all along throughout this book, and by the testimony of all the holy Scriptures; for the false Church ever keeps in union with the secula•• powers, as appears by the testimony of this book.

Verse 8. And to her was granted, that she ••hould be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white. for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints.

And to her was granted. This Her is the Wife, or Church of Christ the Lamb of God; As appears in the foregoing verse, That she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and ••ite; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. This her white garment is to set forth her righteous ••ate; as is here express'd in the last sentence of the verse, ••o wit, the fine linen clean and white is the righteousness ••f the saints. Thus the Church or Wife of Christ, is pre|••tred and presented to him, as he is the lamb of God, who gave himself for it, as is written, Eph. 5.25, 26, 27. Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and ••eanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he night present it to himself a glorious Church, not having ••ot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be ••ly and without blemish.

Verse 9. And he said unto me, blessed are they which are called unto the marriage sup|per of the lamb; and he saith unto me, these are the true saying of God.

The four part of this verse pronounceth a blessing to them that are invited to this marriage supper of the Lamb; and the later part of the verse containeth the Angels evi|dence to John that these are the true sayings of God.

Verse 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him, & he said unto me, see thou do it not, I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the ••estimony of Jesus; worship God, for the testi|••ony of Jesus, is the spirit of prophecy.

In this verse the Apostle John gives us an account, how he fell down at the Angels feet to worship him, but was ••buked by the Angel for so doing in these words, saying,

see thou do it not, signifying also to John, that he w•• his fellow servant, and of his brethren that had the test••+mony of Jesus, advising him to worship God, and also g••+ving John an account, that the testimony of Jesus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the spirit of prophecy. This Scripture evidenceth, th•• no man can truly testify that Jesus is the Christ, as a•• peareth also in the first of the Cor. 12.3. No man 〈◊〉〈◊〉 say, that Jesus is the Lord, but by the holy Ghost; th•• is, he cannot say so in truth, knowingly, that he is th•• Lord, but by the revelation of the holy Ghost; Mat. 1•• 15, 16, 17. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am And S••mon peter answered and said, thou art the Christ, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 son of the living God, and Jesus answered and said 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him, Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my father which is in heaven.

The following Verse is the beginning of a new Vision.

Verse 11. And I saw heaven opened.

This opening of heaven is, that John may see wha•• is going forward in heaven.

And behold a white horse, and he that sa•• on him was called faithful and true.

By his sitting on the white ••orse, is to shew that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is both a judge and a warrior, Judg. 5.10. Speak ye the ride on white Asses, ye that sit in Judgment.

And in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

John doth give us an an account that in this heave••|ly vision he say a white horse, and he that sat u•• on him was called faithful and true; and that in rig|teousness he doth judge and make war. Here is tw•• things to be observed;

The first is, He that sat upon the white horse is called ••ithful and true; this shews us that he is faithful and ••ue.

And secondly, That in righteousness he doth judge and make war; this sheweth us that he is both a judge and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 warrior, and that he judgeth in righteousness, and hath ••st grounds to make war.

Verse 12. His eyes were as a flame of ••ire.

This is to set forth his majestical looks, and piercing ••es, terrible to behold.

And on his head were many crowns.

This sheweth that he is King of kings, and Lord of ••rds, as in the 16th verse.

And had a name written, that no man knew but he himself.

This written name of his, is a secret mysterious name, that is known to no man but he himself, whose name is written in the following verse.

Verse 13. And he was cloathed with a vesture dipt it blood.

This is to represent to us his victorious acts, as if his resture were dipp'd in the blood of his enemies.

And his name is called the word of God.

This is the written name that no man knows but he himself; for it is the name of the Son of God in his di|vine nature, even that word which made the world, and after was made flesh, Joh. 1.14. And yet the world knew him not, Joh. 1.10. Yea, it is the invisible God, which no man hath seen at any time, Joh 1.38.1 Tim. 6.16. Whom no man hath seen, nor can see, but to whom the Son shall reveal him. This is the same warrior spoken of in Isai. 63.1, &c. Who is this that cometh from Edom with died garments, from Bozra; this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou ••red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that tread|eth

the wine fat? I have troden the wine press alone, and of the people there was none with me; for I will tread them in my anger, and trample them in my fury, and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my rayment.

Thus was God represented to the prophet, like a war|rior coming from Edom; that is from the slaughter of the enemies of his Church, as a victorious man of war, whose garment is stained with the blood of his enemies; for the day of vengeance is in my heart, saith the Lord, and the year of my redeemed is come. And answerable to this, it is said in the second verse of this Chapter, for true and righteous are his Judgments, for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her for|nication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

Verse 14. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, cloath|ed in fine linen, white and clean.

By heaven is intended the dwelling place of the saints; and the armies is intended the saints and servants of the Lord; and by following him is to be understood, that they followed the Word of God, that unknown name to the children of this world; and their sitting upon white horses, is to shew that they sit in judgment with the judge that rode on the white horse, and are warriors with him; and their being cloathed in fine linen, white and clean, is to set forth their righteous, holy, and sanctifyed state.

Verse 15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; and he treadeth the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of almighty God.

This sharp sword is the word of his power; for his name is called the word of God, Heb. 4.12. For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two

••ed sword. Chap. 2.16. Repent, or else I will come unto 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mouth. Chap, 1.16. And out of his mouth went a sharp 〈◊〉〈◊〉 edged sword, that with it he should smite the nations. ••his sword is to shew, that by the spirit of his mouth, ••d by the brightness of his coming, he shall consume ••e man of sin, spoken of in the following part of this Chap|••er, as also in 2 Thes. 2.8, 9. And then shall that wicked be wealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of ••it mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming, ••en him whose coming is after the working of Satan, with ••ll power, and signs, and lying wonders. And he shall rule ••hem with a rod of iron. This is to set forth the strength of the Scepter of his kingdom, a rod of strength, that cannot be broken, Psal. 2.9. Thou shalt rule them with a ••od of iron, thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters ••essel. This is spoken of David's Scepter, under the type of Christ who subdued the nations, and ruled them with a strong rod of government.

And he treadeth the wine press of the fierceness of almighty God. This is to shew, as the treader of the grape treads them under his feet, so this warrior treadeth his ene|••ies under his feet, he executes the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God upon the enemies of his Church, Isai. 63.3. I have troden the wine press alone, and of the people there was none with me; for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury.

Verse 16. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of Lords.

Thus it appears, as mystery Babylon the great, the mother of fornications and abominations of the earth, who ruled over the kings of the earth, who hath com|mitted fornication with her: Her name was written on her forehead, that it might be known who she was; so this king and great warrior hath his name written on his vesture, and on his thigh, that it may be read and known who he is, to wit, king of kings, and Lord of lords, the Supream over all kings, and Lord over all lords, whose

name in his divine nature is the Word of God; Rom•• 9.5. And of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, wh•• is over all, God blessed for ever, Amen. 1 Tim. 6.15. Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Poten|tate, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Chap. 17.14. These shall make war with the lamb. and the lamb shall over|come them; for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with him are called and chosen, and faith|ful.

Verse 17. And I saw an Angel standing in the sun.

This imports in open view; even in the open firma|ment of heaven.

And he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of hea|ven, come and gather your selves together, un|to the supper of the great God.

Thus John in his vision saw an Angel standing in the open view of all the fowls of heaven, inviting them to a supper which the great God prepared for them. This is to set forth the great slaughter that this king and warrior had made upon his enemies.

Verse 18. That ye may eat the flesh of Kings, and the flesh of captains and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sat on them; and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

The foregoing verse having shewed the invitation of the fowls of heaven to a supper prepared for them by the great God. This verse sheweth what they were to sup•• upon, to wit, upon the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sat on them; and the flesh of all men both free and bond, both small and great. This is to shew the great slaughter that was made by him whose name is called the Word of God; a name that

to man knew but he himself: And he hath on his vesture 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on his thigh a name written to express his king|•••• and lordly domimon over all kings, and to set forth ••is great victory and conquest in battle; he is not only ••iled king of kings, and Lord of lords; but also his victorious acts are set forth by ••he great slaughter that he hath given his enemies in slaying their kings, and their captains, and their mighty men, and their horses, and them that sat on them; yea, a great slaughter upon ••ll men, both free and bond, both small and great.

Verse 19. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered to|gether, to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

This verse declaies who were his enemies that ingaged war against him, to wit, the beast that mystery Babylon rode upon, that great whore the false Church: And this beast was the persecuting powers of this world, that sup|ported and upheld said false Church, but persecuted the trae. And these kings of the earth are the kings of this world, that have committed fornication with this false Church in joining in with her, being deceived by her; and these armies are the inhabitants of the earth, that are drunken with the wine of her fornication; these are they that are gathered together to make war against him whose name is called the Word of God; for these are they that worship the beast and his image, and have given a mark in their right hand or in their forehead; that is, they yielded obedience to the image, or form of worship, set up by the kingly or magistratical powers of this world. And the armies in heaven that followed the word of God, are the saints and servants of God, that will not worship the beast nor his image; that is, they are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, and worshipeth the God that made heaven and earth, in spirit and in truth; and will not observe that form of Godliness set up by the kings and judges of this world, and carried on by them under the name of worshiping God, when as it is only the commandments

and doctrines of men, being the invention of that old se•• pent called the devil and satan, Chap. 12.9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the devil and satan, which deceiveth the whole world.

Thus the whole world is deceived with this form o•• Godliness, or image of the beast; but they that dwel•• in heaven refuse to attend it, by reason of which, pers••|cution ariseth against them, sometimes to the loss of their lives, sometimes to imprisonment, and taking away th•• goods, with other punishments, under pretence of making disturbance and giving offence; and this it is that occasi|oneth this war and great battel.

Verse 20. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracle•• before him, with which he deceiveth them tha•• had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image, these both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

The foregoing verse sheweth that the battel was set in array by him that sat on the horse, whose name is called the Word of God, with his heavenly army And the beast, & the kings of the earth also, set the battle in array, with their armys, being the inhabitants of the earth, and this verse giveth us an account, that the beast was taken, that is in a snare, and with him the false prophet, that wrought miracles before him, with which he decei|veth them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his Image, and also that both the beast and the false prophet were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone: By the beast is intend|ed the persecuting powers of this world, or those that support the whore or ralse church, who received their power to persecute from the dragon, and by their armies is intended those that stood on his side, to assist him in this battle, to wit the kings of the earth, with their armies, these were they that stood to assist the beast, or the persecuting powers, against him that sat on the

••se, as appears also in chap. 17.12, 13, 14. And the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 horns, which thou sawest, are ten kings, these have one ••nd, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast, these all make war with the lamb, and the lamb shall overcome them, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he is Lord of lords & king of Kings. And by the false prophet ••at is taken or ensnared with the beast, is that beast that ••se out of the earth with two horns like a lamb and he ••ke as a dragon, this beast represents the false proph|ets, that comes in sheeps clothing like a lamb with two ••s; which two horns sets forth his antichristian po|••er both his ecclesiastical power, and his magistratical ••wer, which he hath in the hands of the kings of the ••th, to assist him, both powers proceeding from the ••agon, this is the false prophet here spoken of, which ••th represent all false prophets, and thus it appears that the false prophets in union with the kings of the earth who engage war against the Lamb, and against his army for the defence of the false church, and false worship, taking it for the true, and persecuting the true, taking it for the false, for it is said that this false prophet ••ought miracles before the beast, by which he deceived ••em that had received the mark of the beast, and them ••at worshipped his image. These miracles that the false ••ophet or false prophets did, or do, to deceive earthly men with, is by their lying signs and wonders to deceive; inso|••uch as if it were possible they would deceive the very ••dect. And these signs and wonders, or lying miracles to de|ceive, are their pretences of Godliness, to wit, their long prayers, Matth. 23.14. For ye devour widows houses, and for a pretence make long prayers, therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. This is one lying sign and wonder that hypocrites are wont to act and do, in publick assemblies ••d in the open view of men, as appeareth Matt. 6.5. con|trary to the Doctrine of Christ taught to his disciples in the first part of said verse, and in the following verse. ••his is one lying sign and wonder to deceive, by drawing ••igh to God with their mouths, and honouring him ••ith their lips, while their hearts is far from him, and

thus they make clean the outside of the cup and platter as appears, Mat. 23.25. But within they are full of extort•• on and excess, compare this with the 28th verse, even so y•• also outwardly appear righteous to men; but within ye ar•• full of hypocrysie and iniquitie, This is another lying sign•• and wonder to deceive, as appears 2 Tim. 3.5. Having 〈◊〉〈◊〉 form of Godlyness but denying the power thereof, from such turn away. This form of Godliness is the image of the bea•• and this form of Godliness is another lying sign and won|der to deceive, and doth comprehend the whole frame o•• the image of the beast: for these that the apostle her•• prophetically foretold of, denieth the power of Godliness, for the Power of Godliness is that power that strength|eneth the saints with might in their inner man, against the power of sin, it being the spirit of God, by which the children of God are made free from sin, Eph. 3.16. compa|red with Rom. 6.18, 20. That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthned with might by hi•• Spirit in the inner man; being then made free from Si••, ye became servants of righteousness, but now being made fre•• from sin, and become servants to God ye have your fruit unto holyness, and the end everlasting life. Joh. 8.34, 36. Whoso|ever committeth sin is the servant of sin, if the son therefore shall make you free ye shall be free indeed, 1 Joh. 5.18. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not, but he that is begot|ten of God keepeth himself and that wicked one touchet•• him not. This power of God manifested in the saints, in destroying the works of the devil, and setting them free from sin, they deny. And these false prophets are those teachers spoken of in the 2 Pet. 2. comparing the first verse with the third, But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, and through coveteousness shall they with feigned wonds make mer|chandise of you. This is another lying sign and wonder, o•• a miracle wrought before the beast, in teaching feigned words of Godliness, by which they make a gain, or mer|chandise of the people, And thus they make fire come down from heaven in the sight of men, by which they deceive them that dwell on the earth, or earthly minded men, by

••ason of those miracles, and lying signs and wonders, of ••etended Godliness, which they do in a formal way to ••ceive, according to what is written, 2 Cor. 11.13, 14, 15. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming ••emselves into the apostles of Christ, and no marvel for Satan ••emself is transformed into an angel of light; therefore it is a great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the mini|••ers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. These are the characters given us by Christ, and his ••oly apostles to know false prophets by, which measures ••ll false prophets. These both (saith he) by these both is intended the beast and the false prophet, and by the beast is intended that power that supports the great whore, or ••lse church, which are the persecuting powers of this world, and by the false prophet is intended all false prophets, for all is spoken in the singular number, as thus appears, the great red dragon measures all devils, the beast measures all ••ersecuting powers, that upholds the false church, the false ••ophet measures all false prophets mystery Babylon the great the mother of harlots, measures all false churches in that one ••me, as Jerusalem which is above measures all the true churches of christ under that name, chap. 21.9, 10. Come lither I will shew thee the bride the lambs wife, and he ••ewed me the great city the new Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, compare this with Gal. 4.26. But Je|rusalem which is above is the mother of us all. These both were cast alive saith he, that is the beast, and the false prophet, were taken as in a snare captives by him that sat on the white horse, these both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone, this is to set forth their eternal punishment, into which lake of fire, after them the devil shall be cast into, for he hath a long|er time in this world than they have, as may be seen in the following chapter, verse 10. And the devil that deceiveth them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And until this time come, the earthly powers and false church will continue in a union and ingage war against Christ and his church by persecution.

Verse 21. And the remnant were slain wi•• the sword of him that sat upon the hor•• which sword proceeded out of his mouth, and a•• the fouls were filled with their flesh.

The foregoing verse gave us an account, that the be•• was taken, and with him the false prophet, that wrou•• miracles before him; and that those both were taken, a•• caft alive into a lake of fire burning with brimsto•• for these are the leaders of the people that cause the•• err, Isai. 9.16.

Thus it appears that these were taken captives, a tormented in a lake of fire burning with brimstone, wh•• they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ev•• Chap. 20.10. It is to be noted, that it doth not say, th•• these were slain with the sword that proceeded out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the mouth of him that sat on the horse, but that th•• were both cast alive into the lake of fire burning wi•• brimstone: But this verse gives us an account that t•• remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat on t•• horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth, and a•• the fouls were filled with their flesh. And whereas it sait•• And the remnant were slain with the sword of him th•• sat on the horse, which sword proceeded out of h•• mouth; that is, mystically slain by the word of his pow•• they were so slain that there was no remainder left ally•• all was now utterly slain and vanquisht, so that now th•• beast & false prophet is gone into perdition, & destruction a their aid and armies are mystically slain, and consum•• by the sword or spirit of his mouth, who sat upon t•• white horse, to the utter destruction and ruination of t•• enemies of Gods Church; so that now we are come •• the end of the beast or persecuting powers, and to th•• overthrow of the false prophet; so that there is no no more false prophets left to deceive any more; and th•• great whore or false Church is utterly burnt up and co•• ••med by this great conquest and slaughter; so that the is nothing left but their dead carcases for the fouls •• heaven to feed and sup upon; for he that sat on the whi••

••rse hath with the rod of his mouth smitten the kings •• the earth, and their armies, that stood to aid and assist ••e persecuting powers and false prophets, against him ••hose name is called the word of God, but unknown 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them; but he with the breath of his lips hath slain ••em, and given rest and quietness unto his Church and Peo|•• from all their enemies; and now having come to the ••th and utter destruction of mystery Babylon the great ••hore, or false Church we shall in the next place come 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the resurrection and glorious flourishing state of the ••ue Church, and marryed Wife, or Spouse of Christ. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 next will be the devils chaining up.

CHAP. XX.

Verse 1.

And I saw an Angel come down from heaven having the key of the bottom|••ess pit, and a great chain in his hand.

In the latter part of the foregoing Chapter, we had an ••ount of the utter overthrow of Antichrist, and all his ••erents; and now are entering upon an account that is ••en us concerning the dragon that old serpent which is ••e devil and satan.

And I saw an Angel come down from hea|••en, (saith he.)

An Angel is a messenger, and heaven is God's throne, ••i. 66.1. Thus saith the Lord, the heaven is my throne. ••us it appears, that this messenger or Angel came from ••e throne of God, having the key of the bottomless pit, ••d a great chain in his hand. The next verse will shew

us the use of the great chain, and after the use of t•• key, and the bottomless pit.

Verse 2. And he laid hold on the drago•• that old serpent, which is the devil and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tan, and bound him a thousand years.

Thus it appears that the chain was to chain up th•• devil for a limited time; and he is described to be th•• old serpent, because he beguiled Eve, and so gave o•• first parents a mortal wound, they being stung by hi•• that had the power of death.

Verse 3. And cast him into the bottomle•• pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upo•• him.

Thus we see the key was to lock him up in the bottomle•• pit: And as to this bottomless pit, we have an account of •• in Chap. 9.1.2. And I saw a star fall from heaven unto the eart and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit, & he opene•• the bottomless pit, and there arose a smoke out of the pit, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air wer•• darkened by reason of the smoke. This star falling fro•• heaven to the earth, doth set forth the apostatizing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the true Church, who fell from her heavenly station 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an earthly and carnal state. And to this star that fe•• from heaven to the earth, was given the key of the bo•• tomless pit; for this falling star was a fit instrument fo•• the devil to open this bottomless pit of heresie and de••|lusion, to deceive the whole world; so that the smok•• that arose out of it, darkened the sun and the air. By th•• sun and the air being darkened by the smoke that rose ou•• of the bottomless pit, is to signify, that by reason of th•• apostacy, the glorious light of the Gospel, which befor•• did shine gloriously, was now quite darkened, and ant•• christ arose or came out of the smoke like locusts, th•• was the beast that ascended out of the bottomless pit•• And the beast with two horns like a lamb that rose ou•• of the earth, did represent the false prophets, and antichrist getting head and power.

And set a seal upon him. Thus was his thousand years sentence sealed, speaking after the manner of men, Dan. 6.7. Mat. 27.66.

That he should deceive the nations no more.

That is, in the time of this thousand years of the saints ••igning with Christ, as he had before done by open|ing this bottomless pit of heresie and delusion, by which ••e had deceived the nations, till now he himself is shut up in it a prisoner from deceiving the nations, where he ••ust be kept,

Till the thousand years be fulfilled, and ••fter that he must be loosed for a little sea|son.

As in the seventh, eighth, and ninth verses of this Chap|ter, And shall go out to deceive the nations, &c. But it will be by another kind of stratagem.

Verse 4. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them.

John here declares three things which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 saw in his ••ifion. The first is, he saw thrones; and secondly saith he, ••d they sat on them, not declaring who they were that ••t on them; neither could he till the vision had made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 known to him who they were; and thirdly, Judgment 〈◊〉〈◊〉 given unto them, saith he, for judgment belongs to them that sit upon thrones.

And I saw the souls of them that were be|••eaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had re|ceived his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands.

This is a plain description that they were the saints ••d servants of God, that were be headed for the wit|••ess of Jesus, and for the word of God, and his faithful Church, in that they had not worshiped the beast, neither

his image, neither had received his mark upon their fore|heads, or in their hands. And a second thing is,

And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

So that it appears it was the Church of Christ, that sat upon them thrones; and that now judgment was gi|ven unto them. And this thousand years reign with Christ is the thousand years that the devil is chain'd and lock't up in the bottomless pit a prisoner; and this thousand years begins when the beast or the antichristian powers and the false prophet, which represents all false prophets) are said to be taken, that is in a snare, and cast alive in|to a lake of fire, burning with brimstone, and all their adherents slain with the sword of him that sat upon the white horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth whose name is called the Word of God, as in the two last verses of the foregoing Chapter: And the very next thing in the first second and third verses of this Chapter, is shewed the chaining up of the devil in the bottomless pit. This is the time of this thousand years of the Churches reigning with Christ.

Verse 5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years are finished. This is the first resurrection.

By the rest of the dead is intended, those that were bodi|ly dead shall not live again until the thousand years be finished; for it will be after these thousand years that the resurrection of the body will be; and the truth of this will appear towards the end of this Chapter: This is the first resurrection saith the Apostle; this first resurrection 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is interested in but only the Church of Christ, for saith the Apostle, but the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished; which imports it is such a resurrection, that only those that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast neither his image, neither had receiv'd his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands, that shall come to this happy enjoyment, to

••ive and reign with Christ in the time of this thousand years; and that the rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years shall be finished; and it is called the first resurrection, in respect that the saints are partakers of a twofold resurrection, that is to say, a resurrection out of a state of sin, into a state of holiness; and this is a re|surrection that goes before the resurrection of the body, spoken of by our saviour, Joh. 5.25. Verily, verily I say unto you, the hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the son of God, and they that hear shall live. Eph. 2. comparing the first verse with the sixth, And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. And hath raised us up together, and made us to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This is the first resur|rection, which all saints have a part in. But this pro|phecy hath relation to a time of a general resurrection of the Church of Christ, after a long time of their death and sorrow; and of their flourishing state that shall follow for the space of a thousand years in this world. As to their death, it may be thus considered: The Church of Sardis did so decay and dye from that spiritual life that they were once in, that they had a name to live when in truth they were dead, Chap. 3.1. And after this we read of a star that fell from heaven, which the third trumpet gave notice of, and it fell upon the third part of the ri|vers, and upon the fountains of waters, and so imbittered them, that many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter; this was by drinking in corrupt doctrine, which this falling star brought into the Church, by rea|son of which many in the Church decayed and dyed from that spiritual life which before they lived in, when they were nourished with living fountains of water, which was good and wholesom doctrine. Thus death and darkness came upon the Church, and great miseries and afflictions fol|lowed; so that she came to be troden under foot, and pro|phesied a long time cloathed in sackloth; and their dead bodys was seen to lye in the street of the great city, which was spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, and where also our Lord was crucifyed; and her enemies did rejoyce

over her, and did overcome her, and did kill her: This was her death. But we are now come to such a time and age of the world, that all her enemies are now subdued, and the day of her rising, living, and reigning with Christ is come, and will continue a long time, that is for the space of a thousand years. The prophet Ezekiel did prophesie of th•• very resurrection of the church under the type of the Jews captivity in Babilon, and their return into their own land, Ezek. 37. comparing the fore part of the chapter with the 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, So I pr••|phesiea as he c••mmanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceeding great army, then he said unto me, Son of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these bones are the whole house of Israel, behold they say our bones are dried, and our hope is lost, we are cut off for our part, prophesy therefore & say unto them, thus saith the Lord God, behold O my people I will open your graves, & cause you to come out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel, and ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my peo|ple, and brought you up out of your graves, and shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your land. This propnesie speaks of the churches coming out of her captivity, oppressions, and sorrows, and of this first and general resurrection, into this happy and holy state which John here saw in his vision.

Verse 6. Blessed and holy is he, that hath part in the first resurrection.

••ere is two things to be noted, the first is, they are in a blessed state of holiness that have part in the first re|〈…〉〈…〉 and therefore

On such the second death hath no power.

Herein their blessedness consists, in respect that the second death hath no power. And they cannot have part in the first resurrection, till they are delivered, and risen out of a state of sin, and are come into a state of holiness and all this must be on this side the grave, for the second death is inflicted after the resurrection of the body, as may be seen in the 13 and 14 verses of this chapter.

But they shall be priests of God and of ••rist••

All that are risen with Christ have a part in this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 resurrection, and so are become a royal priesthood, ••d an holy nation, 1 Pet. 2.9. But ye are a chosen gene|••tion, a royal priesthood, an holy nation. Chap. 5.10. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 made us unto our God Kings and priests, and we shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on earth.

And shall reign with him a thousand years.

This relates particularly to this prophecy, speaking to ••em that shall see, and be in the enjoyment of that ••essed day of the Churches reigning with Christ; a ••ousand years, by enjoying his divine presence and pro|••ction, from all their enemies, as he appeared in his di|••ine presence, as a warrior riding on a white horse, ••hose name was called the word of God, to conquer ••d subdue all their enemies, and by faith they warred un|〈◊〉〈◊〉 him till they became conquerers, and got the victo|••y over all their enemies by faith.

Verse 7. And when the thousand years are expired, satan shall be loosed out of his ••rison.

By this verse it appears that the devils thousand ••rs imprisonment, and the churches thousand years reign with Christ is one and the same time.

Verse 8. And shall go out to deceive the ••ations, which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog.

Thus it appears that the devil is no sooner let loose, but is immediately in mischief, contriving to destroy the church of God, by deceiving the nations that a•• in the four quarters of the earth, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 stirring them up to bat|tle, against the church of God, which did happen to their utter destruction,. And the spirit of the Lord in this ••ace, seems to allude from the stock of Japheth the ••on of Noah, by these two names Gog and Magog, both ••in this proph••e, and also by the prophet Ezekiel, who

prophesied of this first general resurrection of the church and also of this battle against the church, Gog was th•• chief prince of Meseck, and Tubal, who were two of Ja••|pheth's sons, Gen. 10.2. compared with Ezek. 38.3. A•• also Ezek 39.1. And Magog was one of Japheth's sons. Gen. 10.2. and the 5th verse ••heweth that by the sons o•• Japheth, were the Isles of the Gentiles divided in thei•• lands, every one after their tongue, and Gog was the chie•• prince of Meseck, and Tubal, the Sons of Japheth, and Ma|gog was one of Japheth's sons, and the title of the land was put upon him, Ezek. 38.2. Thus Gog was the chie•• prince, and Magog had the title of the land; and Gomer was another of Japheth's sons, who was the Father of Togar••|mah as appears, Gen. 10.3. compared with Exek. 38.6, By these the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands every one after his tongue, after their families in their nations, as in the 5th verse. The earth being thus replenished by the stock of Japheth, so that the isles of the Gentiles was divided in their lands. This may be the rea|son why the spirit of the Lord alludes from them, to ex|press this great army by, which the devil stirs up against the church of God, under the name of Gog and Ma|gog, to express and set forth this great army by which the devil here deceives, and gathers together, to cut off the church of God. Thus we see the devil is no sooner out of his prison, but goes out to deceive all the nations, which are in the four quarters of the earth,

To gather them to battle.

Against the church of God, even a numberless army as the sand of the sea.

Verse 9. And they went upon the breadth of the earth.

This sets forth the numberless army, by their going upon the breadth of the earth.

And compassing the camp of the saints about and the beloved citie.

To wit, the new Jerusalem, the city of the living God; but they met with a hurtful success, for

Fire came down from God out of heaven ••d devoured them.

Thus as the old world was destroyed by water, so hath ••od determined to destroy this wicked world by fire, Pet. 3.5, 6, 7. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth ••ding out of the water, and in the water, whereby the ••orld that then was, being overflowed with water perished, ••t the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same ••nd are kept in store, res••rved unto fire, against the day of ••dgment and Perdition of ungodly men. This is the last ••struction in this life of mankind.

Verse 10. And the devil that deceived them ••as cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and ••hall be tormented day and night for ever and ••ever.

This Them that the devil deceived, was the nations, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wit, Gog and Magog, in stirring them up to cut off ••e camp of the saints, the city of God; and this was ••he devils last enterprize; for now the time of his torment ••s come, and he is cast into the lake that burns with ••re and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet ••re; and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. By the beast and false prophet, is intended the per|••cuting powers, and the false prophets, which are in uni|〈◊〉〈◊〉 together. And the devils time in this world, is to ••be above a thousand years longer, then theirs, as by this prophecy doth appear.

Verse 11. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the ••arth and the heaven fled away, and there was ••ound no place for them.

And I saw a great white throne. Here is two things to ••e observed: The first is, this throne which was great ••oth set forth the greatness of him that sat upon it:

And the second is, it was a white throne; this is t•• set forth the glorious Majesty of him that sat on it.

And he that sat on it, from whose face the earth an•• the heaven fled away, and there was found no place fo•• them. Here is three observable things: The first is, th•• majesty of him that sat on the throne was most terrible yea, it is set forth to be so terrible, that the earth an•• heaven fled away from before his face: And secondly what are we to understand by the earth and heaven fly|ing away; we are to understand the dissolution of th•• earth and the heaven which are now in being, as the scripture doth plentifully shew us, 2 Pet. 3.10, 11, 12. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise•• and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein, shall be burnt up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manne•• of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and god|liness, looking for and bastening unto, the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, Heb. 1.10, 11, 12.

And there was found no place for them. This sheweth to us, the nulliating both the earth and the heavens that now are in being. And there was found no place for them. This sheweth that then this world will be come to its end, and be no more.

Verse 12. And I saw the dead small and great, stand before God.

This shews us that it is God Almighty, that sits on this great throne; and that we are now come to the vi|sion of the great and last day of judgment, where all must appear before the judgment seat of God Almighty, both small and great, to give an account of the deeds done in the body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. This is a very awful and dreadful day, to be considered by all the sons and daughters of Adam, that are yet on this side the grave; to consider the

at terror of the Lord, this mighty Judge, that will ••s a most doleful and dreadful sentence of eternal dam|••ion to every guilty soul, that shall at that day stand ••ore his great and glorious majesty, sitting on the throne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his judgment seat; for this will be their sentence, De|••t from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and his angels.

And the books were opened.

These books are the books of Conscience, that shall be witness against the guilty; the accuser will be a man's 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thoughts, the witness will be his own conscience, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 accordingly the Judge will pass sentence.

And another book was opened, which is the ••ok of life.

This is a book of Justification, thro' faith in the blood 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Lamb of God, for where remission of sins is, there ••ains no longer any guilt upon the conscience. And ••ch as these that have obtained remission of sins, their ••es are written in this book of life; and to these, the ••ng and judge will say, Come ye blessed of my father, in|••it the kingdom prepared for you, &c. And these shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into everlasting life and happiness, yea, into endless 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and glory.

And the dead were judged out of those ••ings which were written in the books, ac|••ding to their works.

This is to set forth the justice and equity that shall be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in this court of heaven, to every man according to is works, here express'd under the similitude of a true ••cord of things, being written in a book, that a true ••d just accompt may appear at the day of reckoning.

Verse 13. And the sea gave up the dead ••ich were in it, and death and the grave ••livered up the dead which were in them.

This is to set forth the certainty of the resurrection the body; so that all that were buried in the sea, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 now gave them up; and all that death had taken

away out of the land of the living, and those that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 graves had received, they now deliver them up to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Judge.

And they were judged every man accordi•• to their works.

This is to set forth the equal justice done to every 〈◊〉〈◊〉 according to his works.

Verse 14. And death and hell were c•• into the lake of fire. This is the seco•• death.

By death and hell, is intended such as were dead in th•• sins, at the same time when they died bodily, they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 having a part in the first resurrection; so that death a•• hell intends all those whose names were not written 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the book of life; these are cast into a lake of fire; t•• is the second death. Thus it appears, that the death 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the body is the first death; and that eternal punishm•• set forth by the lake of fire, is the second death.

Verse 15. And whosoever was not fou•• written in the book of life, was cast into t•• lake of fire.

By not being found written in the book of life, is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vended such as were not dead to sin, and so had not rec•• ved the quickening spirit of God to quicken them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 life before they departed this life; and so had no part 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the first resurrection, they not having been risen with Ch•• out of a state of sin, before the first death, or death 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the body; so that all such as these shall be cast into the la•• of fire.

CHAP. XXI.

Verse 1.

ANd I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth ••ere passed away, and there was no more 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

In the 11th verse of the foregoing chapter, John in his ••on saw the earth, and the heaven, that now is in be|〈◊〉〈◊〉, when it fled away; and there was found no place for ••m, now in this verse he declares how that he saw a new ••ven, and a new earth, for saith he, the first heaven and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 first earth were passed away; that is, this visible hea|〈◊〉〈◊〉 and earth that is now in being, then will be dissolved 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cease to be any more. And a new world will then be|••ted, and this is plentifully declared 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other places of ••ipture, as these following places of scripture may suf|〈◊〉〈◊〉 to evidence the truth of it, Isai. 65.17. For behold I ••ate new heavens and a new earth, and the former shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not be remembred, neither come into mind. Isai. 56.22, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as the new heavens, and the new earth, which I will ••ke, shall remain before me saith the Lord, so shall your ••nd and your name remain. 2 Pet. 3.13. Nevertheless we ••ccording to his promise look for new heavens, and a new ••arth. Heb. 2.5. For unto the angels hath he not put in ••ubjection the world to come, whereof we speak. Eph. 1.20. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Which he wrought in Christ Jesus, when he vaised him ••rom the dead, & set him at his own right hand in the heavenly ••aces, far above all principality, and power, and might ••nd every name that is named, not only in this world, but

also in that which is to come. Mat. 12.32. But whoso•• speaketh against the holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiv•• him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. The scriptures with many more, evidenceth, that the who•• creation shall be delivered from the bondage of corrupt on, into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

And there was no more sea, saith the apostle John, all th•• I shall say to this is, 2 Pet. 1.20. Knowing this first, th•• no prophesie of the scripture is of any private interpretatio•• from this evidence of scripture, I take the apostle John words, to intend nothing else, but as they are spoken, to w•• and there was no more sea, that is, after this world sha••|be ended.

Verse 2. And I John saw the holy city new Jerusalem coming down from God out o•• heaven, prepared as a Brid•• adorned for he•• husband.

In the foregoing verse John saw a new heaven and new earth, after the heaven and the earth that now 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was passed away, and in this verse he saw the holy ci•• ty new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned to meet her husband; this i•• to shew that the church of Christ is come from God, t•• enter into the enjoyment of her inheritance, to enjoy th•• works of God's hand, which is prepared for her; for th•• new creation is made to be the inheritance of the saint•• under Christ, who is the second Adam, and is the heir o•• God, being his only begotten son, and his first born, an•• is the head and husband of this bride coming from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned to meet he•• husband. As to his being God's first born son, appear•• Rom. 8.29. That he might be the first born among many bre|thren. And as he is the first born son of God. So he i•• heir of God, to wit, of this new creation, Heb. 1.1, 2. G•• hath in th••e last days spoken to us by his son, whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath appointed heir of all things. Heb. 2.5. For unto th•• Angels, hath he not put into subjection the world to com•• whereof we speak. But unto his son he hath determined

〈◊〉〈◊〉 put into subjection the world which is to come; and ••e is now the heir of it. And the children of God, are ••int heirs with him, of this new creation, Rom. 8.17. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. And for the proof that he is the bridegroom of ••his bride that came from God out of heaven, to live 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the possession of this new creation with the Lord Je|••us (who is her head and husband) doth appear in the ••iath verse of this Chapter; for the Angel said to John, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride the lambs wife. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 name new Jerusalem is derived from Jerusalem of old, which was a figure of her; for this new Jerusalem is th•• city of the living God, as appears, Heb. 12.22. But ye are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem; for in this holy city is the throne of God, and of the lamb, chap. 22.3. But the throne of God ••d of the lamb shall be in it.

Verse 3. And I heard a great voice out of ••eaven, saying, behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself ••hall be with them, and be their God.

The foreg••ang verse sheweth us, that the holy city new ••usalem, came from God out of heaven, prepared as a ••ide adorned for her husband, after the new creation was prepared for her to be her inheritance, now in this verse John declares how he heard a great voice out of heaven ••ying, behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them. A tabernacle is a tent to dwell in, ••ed this tabernacle of God, that is to say the name of it, is derived from the tabernacle which Moses pitched in the wilderness, where God's presence was seen with his people in that figure, but this is the true tabernacle which God ••ath pitched and not man, he having prepared himself ••n house, an habitation in this new creation, that he may ••well with them, declaring that they shall be his people, ••nd that God himself will dwell with them, and be their God, for this is the true tabernacle and an antity••e of that

tabernacle which Moses pitched in the wilderness, but th•• tabernacle which God hath pitched, and not man, is t•• saints bodies, which is God's tabernacle to dwell in, 2 C•• 6.16. For ye are the temple of the living God, as God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 said I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will their God, and they shall be my people. Thus God pro•• seth how that they shall enjoy his presence in this new c•• ation.

Verse 4. And God shall wipe away a•• tears from their eyes, and there shall be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neithe•• shall there be any more pain, for the form•• things are passed away.

This verse contains five gracious promises which G•• makes to his people, the first is, that God will wipe aw•• all tears from their eyes, the second is in this new creation there shall be no more death, and thirdly neither sorrow, an•• fourthly nor crying; and fifthly a promise is here made that there shall be no more pain, and lastly God declaret•• to them, how that the former things are passed away; th•• is the things of this world, will then be all past an•• gone.

Verse 5. And he that sat upon the thron•• said, Behold I make all things new: And h•• said unto me, write; for these words are tru•• and faithful.

This He that saith to John, Behold I make all things ne•• is he that John spake of in the 11th verse of the foregoing Chapter, saying, And I saw a great white throue, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven 〈◊〉〈◊〉 away: That is, this visible heaven and earth that is now in being. But now he that sat on the throne, saith, Be|hold I make all things new; and also gives John 〈◊〉〈◊〉 charge to write these things, testifying to him, that these words are true and faithful. And this charge to John, to Write these things, and God's testimony to the truth o•• them, i•• that we should give the more heed to them.

Verse 6. And he said unto me, It is done•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 am Alpha and Omega.

This is a confirmation of the truth of God's purpose concerning these things, as if they were already done; for ••th John, he saith unto me it is done; that is, God ••t sat upon the throne said so; and further saith, I am ••pha and Omega,

The Beginning and the end.

Thus God signifieth to John, that he is both first and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, so that none can hinder or stop God's purpose con|••ing these things, relating to the saints ever|••ing inheritance, according to Pauls testimony, Eph. 1.〈◊〉〈◊〉. In him also we have obtained an inheritance, being ••destinated according to the purpose of him, who worketh 〈◊〉〈◊〉 things after the counsel of his own will. This working 〈◊〉〈◊〉 things after the counsel of his won will, relates to ••ese things in particular, concerning his own works, and ••dates to nothing acted or done by the creature.

I will give unto him that is athirst, of the ••untain of the water of life freely.

This is God's free and voluntary promise to encourage 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sons and daughters of men to come and be partak|〈◊〉〈◊〉 of this blessed promise; making an absolute promise 〈◊〉〈◊〉 every one that thirsteth, to give unto him the fountain 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the water of life, and that freely.

Verse 7. He that overcometh shall inherit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 things; and I will be his God, and he ••all be my son.

That is, my heir; for the son is the fathers heir. Here 〈◊〉〈◊〉 another gracious promise which God makes to every 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that overcometh; that is that he shall inherit all ••ings; that is, all things that are here spoken of and promised by God.

Verse 8. But the fearful and unbelieving, ••d the abominable, and murderers, and whore|••ongers, and sorcerers, and Idolaters, and all

lyers, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.

As in the foregoing verse God makes gracious promise to those that overcome, that they shall inherit all the happy things before promised, so on the contrary 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this verse he threatens the fearful (that is the guilty and unbelievers, and the abominable, and murderers, a•• whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all ly•• that they shall have their part in the lake which burn•• with fire and brimstone, which is the second death; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this second death is an eternal Judgment. And thus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are come to the end of the prophecy of this world, a•• to the finishing of the new creation, or the world to co•• which will be the everlasting inheritance of the sai•• with gracious promises made to those that shall overcom•• and also threatnings made to the wicked that presume 〈◊〉〈◊〉 live in sin.

And now followeth another Vision relating to t•• state of the Church of Christ, concerning i•• flourishing state in this world, after its long o•• pression and distresses.

Verse 9. And there came unto me one of the seven Angels, which had the seven vials full 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the seven last plagues, and talked with me, say|ing Come hither I will shew thee the bride th•• lambs wife.

From hence we may observe, that this Angel was o•• of the seven Angels which had the seven vials full of t•• seven last plagues. These plagues were the judgments 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God executed upon the great whore or false Church, a•• this Angel was one of them that executed the last ju•• ments that were executed. And when the work was ov•• so that her destruction was come, one of the execution•• comes now to shew John the happy state of the t••

••hurch and Spouse of Christ, and what glorious time•• ••ould now follow the downfall of Antichrist, and the ••ing and advancement of the true Church. So in like ••anner one of the seven Angels that had the seven vials ••me to John and shewed him the pomp and glory that the ••eat whore the false Church was in, and withal shewed ••m her utter destruction and overthrow. And his coming 〈◊〉〈◊〉 John was in like manner as this Angel doth, as is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be seen Chap. 17.1, &c. There came one of the seven ••gels, which had the seven vials, and talked with me, say•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Come hither, I will shew unto thee the Judgment of the ••eat whore, &c. So he carried me away in the spirit into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wilderness, &c. But into a great and high mountain, ••ew him the true Church, as in the next verse ap|••reth.

Verse 10 And he carried me away in the Spi|••it to a great and high mountain, and shewed ••e that great city, the the holy Jerusalem, de|••ending out of heaven from God.

In the like manner did the Angel to John, in shewing him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 false Church, as may be seen Chap. 17.3. So he carried 〈◊〉〈◊〉 away in the spirit into the wilderness, and I saw a woman 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphe|〈◊〉〈◊〉, having seven heads and ten horns. From hence we may ••serve, that the Angel carried John to a great and high ••untain to shew him the true Church: This mountain ••the mountain of God's strength, that this city stands upon, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ saith, A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid, ••at. 5.14. And secondly, we may observe that the Angel 〈◊〉〈◊〉 John into the wilderness to see the false Church, 〈…〉〈…〉 saw her sitting upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of ••es of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten hor•• ••m hence we may observe, that the false Church is in the ••ilderness; that is, she is in a bewildered state. Secondly, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 saw her sitting upon a scarlet coloured beast: The scar|〈◊〉〈◊〉 coloured beast is the persecuting powers of this world, which supports and upholds her. And we may ••ther con|••er, that John saw the true Church, descending from God

out of heaven. But John saw the false Church coming out of the smoke of the bottomless pit, Chap. 9.3. and out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the earth, Chap. 13.11. Thus it appears, that the tr•• Church was born of God, and so came from God; and th•• the false Church came out of the earth, and therefore 〈◊〉〈◊〉 earthly. The true Church is compared to a great city un|der the name of new Jerusalem, which name is derive•• from Jerusalem the city of David, so the false church is also compare•• to a great city under the name of great Babilon, which name isderiv•• from old Babylon, the oppressor of God's Church, Chap. 17.18, compared with Chap. 18.21. And the woman whi•• thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the earth. And a mighty Angel took up a stove, like a great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 stone, and cast it in to the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall the great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no mo•• Now we are come to see the utter destruction of the fal•• Church: And in the next place we shall come to see the glo•• and everlasting happiness of the true Church.

Verse 11. Having the glory of God, and he•• light was like unto a stone most precious, eve•• like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.

Having the glory of God, saith the Apostle; that is, Go•• hath glorifyed her with his own glory. And her light 〈◊〉〈◊〉 like unto a stone most precious, even like a Jasper stone, cl•• as crystal. Thus the true Church ariseth after the fall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the great whore and her daughters, in great splendor an•• brightness, her light being set forth like a precious sto•• as clear as crystal, as Christ saith to his Church, Ye 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the light of the world, Mat. 5.14.

Verse 12. And had a wall great and high.

This wall great and high is to set forth the Salvati•• of God, by which she is secured, preserved, protected, a•• defended, by the strength and power of God Almighty, Is•• 26.1, 2. In that day shall this song be sung, In the land 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Judah we have a strong city, Salvation will God appoint f•• walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates that the righteo•• nation which keepeth the truths may enter in.

And had twelve gates.

These twelve gates are to set forth the first entrance in•• the city.

And at the twelve gates twelve Angels, and ••mes written thereon, which are the names of ••e twelve tribes of the children of Israel.

These twelve Angels are the twelve sons of Jacob, which ••ere the Elders of the twelve tribes of Israel, who had the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 entrance into the city. And therefore the 12 gates re|••sented the twelve tribes of Israel.

Verse 13. On the east three gates, on the forth three gates, and on the south three gates, ••d on the west three gates.

These twelve gates represented the twelve tribes of Israel, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 appears in the foregoing verse, by their names written ••on.

Verse 14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve Apostles of the lamb.

These twelve foundations that the wall stands upon, are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the twelve Apostles of the Lamb; as appears by their ••es written therein, Eph. 2.19, 20. Now therefore ye are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the ••ts, and of the houshold of God; and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself ••ing the chief corner stone. This was Pauls writing to the relieving Gentiles, signifying to them, that now upon their conciliation to God by Jesus Christ, they are no longer ••angers nor foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are now come to be of the houshold and family of God ••th Israel, and are built upon the foundations of this city.

Verse 15. And he that talked with me, had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 golden Reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the walls thereof.

The golden reed which is to measure the city, is the ••pirit of God, which only can measure these spiritual ••ings; and the golden reed was to measure the city, and the ••ates thereof, and the wall thereof, even the whole, and e|very part of it.

Verse 16. And the city lieth fore square, an•• the length is as large as the breadth, and the me•• sured the city with the reed, twelve thousa•• furlongs the length, and the breadth, and th•• height of it are equal.

The latter part of this verse as it is here translated, do•• not seem to agree with the mystery it holds forth, for as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had twelve gates, so at the twelve gates were twelve angel which was the twelve elders of the twelve tribes of Isra•• which the gates did represent, and the twelve foundation did represent the twelve Apostles which were twelve elde•• more. And the whole measure of the city, in all dimension doth represent the hundred and forty four thousand seal•• ones, spoken of in the 7th chapter. Twelve thousand being sealed out of every tribe for they are the jasper precio•• stones that the city are built with. And I have seen t•• latter part of the verse thus translated as some copies rea•• And he measured the city with the reed, a hundred forty fo•• thousand furlongs, the length, and the breadth, and the heig•• of it are equal, this is in all dimensions, which doth agr•• with the mystery it doth hold forth, for the city is the se•• led ones, for these sealed ones measures the whole church 〈◊〉〈◊〉 city here spoken of, as in chap. 14.1. compared with chap. 22.4. And I looked and lo a lamb stood on the mount Sion, a•• with him an hundred and forty four thousand, having 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fathers name written on their foreheads. And they shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his face and his name shall he in their forehead: for twelve thousand out of every tribe, makes this number, and by the number is the whole city measured, for on this mount Si•• doth this city stand, for its name is derived from mou•• Sion, the city of David, and upon this mount Sion stood a•• the sealed ones with the lamb, chap. 14.1. compared with Heb 12.22. But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto t•• city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem; For it is th•• visible things under the first covenant, or national Church of the Jews, that were the types and figures of these spiritual thing•• and therfore their names are taken from those things under the fi•• Co••enant or national Church of the Jews; as for instance the inward Jew, Rom. 2.29. The Israel of God, Gal. 〈◊〉〈◊〉

〈◊〉〈◊〉 The circumcision of the heart, Rom. 2.29. If ye be Christ's 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are ye Abrahams seed, Gal. 3.20. The true tabernacle, ••b. 8.2. Ye are the temple of God, 1 Cor. 3.16. The holy 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 the new Jerusalem, Rev. 21.2. Thefree woman, Gal. 4.30. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are lively stones, 1 Pet. 2.5. And there was seen in his temple the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his testament, Rev. 11.19. Ministers of the new Coven|〈◊〉〈◊〉, 2 Cor. 3.6. Written on the fleshly tables of the heart, 2 Cor. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 3. Our passover is sacrificed for us, 1 Cor. 5.7. Thus these ••mes with many more, are derived from the original figures 〈◊〉〈◊〉 types of spiritual things, held forth under the national ••urch of Israel.

Verse 17. And he measured the wall thereof, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hundred and forty four cubits, according to ••he measure of a man, that is of the Angel.

And he measured the wall (that is, the thickness or breadth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the wall) an hundred and forty and four cubits. This ••all standing upon twelve foundations, which are the twelve Apostles, the breadth of the wall is express'd to be twelve ••es twelve, which makes just an hundred and forty four, twelve to every foundation; so that the whole measure of ••is holy city runs upon the number twelve; for it is the inha|••tants that makes this city; & it is the city of the great king.

Verse 18. And the building of the wall of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was of jasper.

This jasper was a precious stone that this city was ••ilt with; yea, of living jasper stones, which measures ••d represents the hundred and forty and four thousand sealed ••es, twelve thousand out of every tribe, which represents 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the citizens, even the whole city; for the building of God's city or temple must be with that which is most ••ecious, 1 Pet. 2.5. Ye also as lively stones are built up a ••itual house. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cor. 3.12. Now if any man build upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones. These scriptures al|••udes from the temple built by Solomon, which was a type of God's house.

And the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

Which imports not drossy, but pure gold. This is to set forth the purity, glory and splendor of God's Church or

city, with its perfections, vertue and purity. When th•• Church did apostatize, and fall from her state of purity the Spirit of God did express her state by contrary things as may be seeen by these Scriptures, Isai. 1.21. How is the faithful city become an harlot, &c. Thy silver is become dros•• thy wine mixt with water. Jer. 6.28, &c. They are all grie|vous revolters, walking with slanders; they are brass and iron they are all corrupters, &c. reprobate silver shall men ca•• them. Ezek. 22.18. Son of man, the house of Israel is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me become dross, all they are brass and tin, and iron, and lead in the midst of the furnace, they are even the drosses 〈◊〉〈◊〉 silver.

Verse 19, 20. And the foundation of the wall of the city was garnished with all manner of preci|ous stones, &c.

In these two verses is mentioned twelve precious ston•• which the foundations of this city is garnished with, i•• having twelve foundations, and every foundation garnish|ed with a several sort of precious stone. By these precious stones is intended the twelve Apostles of the lamb.

Verse 21. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, every several gate was of one pearl.

These gates or pearls were the twelve elders of the tribes of Israel, every one of them set forth by a several pearl.

And the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

This is to set forth how glorious the Church or city of God is within, (Psal. 45.13.) where God's throne is, and the throne of the Lamb, before whose throne there is a sea of glass, as may be seen Chap. 4.6. And before the throne, there is a sea of glass, like unto christal. And upon the destruction of that great city called mystery Babylon, and the repairing of this holy city, which was troden under foot, as appears Chap. 11.2. These that had gotten the victo|ry over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, John saw standing on this sea of glass, having the harps of God, and singing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, just and true are thy ways, thou king of saints, Chap. 15.1, 2.

Verse 22. And I saw no temple therein, for the Lord God Almighty, and the lamb are the temple of it.

Thus the Church hath its dwelling in God, for God and the lamb are the temple of it. Thus God's people dwell in God, and God in them: They are the city of God, so that God dwelleth in them; and God Almighty and the lamb is their temple; so that their dwelling is also in God, ac|cording to Christ's word's, Joh. 14.20. At that day ye shall know, that I am in my father, and you in me, and I in you. This is the blessed union that is between Christ and his Church, God in his people.

Verse 23. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of the Lord did lighten it, and the lamb is the light thereof.

This verse doth set forth that excellent light that the Church of Christ enjoys, and is in, when she is in a state of purity and holiness; for then she lives in the enjoyment of that light, which doth so much excel the light of the sun and moon, so as that they are spoken of as altogether use|less. After this manner doth the prophet Isaiah set forth the glorious light of the Lord so much to excel the light of the sun and moon, as to shame and confound them, when he shines forth in his Church, Isai. 24.23. Then the noon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Sion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. This is the Jerusalem, the city which this prophet speaks of, alluding from the figure, Isai. 60.1, 2, 3. compared with the 19th and 20th verses. Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee; for behold darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people, but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee; and the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising; the sun shall be no more thy light by day, neither for brightness shall the moon

give light unto thee, but the Lord shall be unto thee an ever|lasting light, and thy God thy glory; the sun shall no more go down, neither thy moon withdraw it self, for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light. All these Scriptures are to set forth the great glory of the Church, when she shall arise in the beauty of holiness, then will the Lord arise and shine upon her, far more excellently than all the bright lights of heaven.

Verse 24. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it, and the kings of the earth do bring their glory & honour into it.

This verse sheweth how that through the glorious state of the church shining so excellently, by reason of her vertues, beauty, and holiness, so that the nations which are saved shall walk in the light of this city, and her glory shall be so seen that the kings of the earth shall set so light by their h••|nour and glory that this world doth afford them, that they shall bring it into this city, esteeming the honour and glo|ry of it so far to excell the fading and perishing honour and glory of this world, so that they shall bring their glo|ry and honour to this city.

Verse 25. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day, for there shall be no night there.

By the gates not being shut at all by day there being no night there, is to shew that the gates stand open continually; as a token of God's rich mercy and grace, as if he stood with open arms to embrace, and to receive all into this holy city, that will come, out of their sins, and come into a state of holiness, that thereby they may have free enterance into his love and favour.

Verse 26. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

This is to set forth the excellent state and glory of this ci|ty, above all the glory and honour of this world, so that the nations of the earth shall see it, and bring their glory and honour to it, to honour it therewithall, which is to shew the unvaluable glory and honour of it, above the honour and glory of this world, which they shall set light by.

Verse 27. And there shall in no wise enter into it, any thing that defileth, neither whosoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie, but they which are written in the lamb's book of life.

Here is two things to be observed, the first is, tho' the gates of this city stand open, north south, east, and west, as ••token of God's mercy and rich grace to the world, yet no|thing is suffered to enter in, that defileth, neither whosoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie. And secondly, It must be only such as have liberty from the lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world, for they must obtain fa|vour from the lamb of God, to have enterance in, by having their names written in his book of life; so that by the lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, they may have free enterance into this city of the living God, the great king, which city is the bride the lambs wife, which he hath purchased with his own blood, Eph. 5.26, 27. That 〈◊〉〈◊〉 might sanctifie and cleanse it, with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself, a glorious church, ••ot having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing but that it should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 holy and without blemish.

CHAP. XXII.

Verse 1.

ANd he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as chrystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the lamb.

This pure river of water of life, is the spirit of the living God, proceeding out of the throne of God, and of the lamb, the throne of God and of the lamb is but one throne, chap. 12.5. And her child was caught up unto God and to his throne. chap. 3.21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my father in his throne, and this throne of God and of the lamb,

is in this holy city, spoken of in the foregoing chapter, as may be seen in the 3d verse of this chapter, And there shall be n•• more curse, but the throne of God, and of the lamb shall be in it. And this city is the church of God.

Verse 2. In the midst of the street of it.

Thus the angel shewed John this pure river of water of life which proceeded from the throne of God, and of the lamb, which is in the midst of the street of this city. From hence we may note, that God's throne is in his church, and that his pure living and quickening spirit is no where to be seen but in the midst of the street of this city, which is in his church, for if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his. Rom. 8.9.

And of either side of the river was there the tree of life.

Our Lord Jesus is this tree of life, and was first figured by the tree of life, which was in the midst of paradise, or the garden of eden. Gen. 2.9. And Christ makes a promise to him that overcometh to give him to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God, chap. 2.7. This pro|mise alludes from this figurative tree of life, in the midst of the garden of eden, Gen. 2.9. unto Christ himself, who was figured out by it, it is the water of life that causeth this tree of life to spring up, and grow out of the earth, for as this water of life doth set forth the spirit of God, so doth the tree of life set forth the second Adam, to be a quickning spirit, the lord from heaven originally, and those that eat of the fruit of it, are quickned by it, through the life and sap of it, which is the spirit of the living God, even as the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil did yield the knowledge of good and evil to Adam, and to all his po|sterity who are the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the Antitype of it, which shews the work of the law written on their hearts, by which they shall be judged, and rewarded according to their own works, whether good or evil, so on the other hand if he had taken and eat of the tree of life, it would have afforded unto him the quickening spirit of life, to have lived for ever, Gen. 3.22, 23. but the tree of the knowledge, of the righteous law of God, ministred t•• ••im death and condemnation, but

The tree of life which beareth twelve man|••er of fruits, and yieldeth her fruit every month.

In the Antitype is Jesus Christ, and believers are branches ••grafted into him by faith, who receive life and nourish|ment from him, who is the root and stock; whose roots wants no moisture, being watered with the fulness of this pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, for he hath the ••ness of the spirit without measure, Joh. 3.34. Coll. 1.19. And this tree beareth twelve manner of fruits, and yieldeth her fruit every month, this sets forth the excellency of the ••ee, above all other trees, in that it not only beareth varie|ty of fruit, but also yieldeth its fruit every month; what wonderfull invitation is here to the hungry, and to the thirsty soul, for here is a city whose street is plentifully fur|nished with meat and with drink; whose gates stand open, north, south, east, and west, inviting the hungry and the thirsty soul, to come and to eat and drink; the inhabitants also crying and calling, and saying, H•• every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters, and he that hath no mony, come ye buy ••d eat, yea come, buy wine and milk without mony and without price; wherefore do ye spend mony for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not, hearken diligent|ly unto me and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul de|light it self in fatness, encline your ear and come unto me, hear and your soul shall live, Isai. 55.1. &c. Jesus stood and cried saying, if any man thirst let him come unto me and drink, he that ••e••eveth on me as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters, Joh. 7.37, 38. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. Joh. 6.35. Whosoever shall drink of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Joh. 4.14. And the Spirit and the bride say come, and let him that heareth say come, and let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will let him take of the water of life freely.

Thus excellent is the tree of life, for it will afford us the bread of life; and this pure river of water of life will

afford us such drink, that we shall never thirst more, for those that eat of the fruit of the tree of life shall never hun|ger; and those that drink of this pure river of water of lif•• (which is clear as cristal) shall never thirst any more. For the fruit of this tree is the fruit of righteousness, and the water of this pure river of life is the water of holiness and sanctification, for the purification from sin; and blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness; for here is that meat and drink that will satisfy their souls.

And the leaves of the tree were for the heal|ing of the nations,

Both temporally and spiritually. Thus it appears, all that this tree bears is vertuous, for it grows on either fide of the river of the water of life, so that it wants no moisture, therefore its leaves shall not wither, but be green and vertu|ous, for the healing of the nations; for the leaves are the leaves of the tree of life, and nothing proceeding from it can wither or ••e, for it is altogether vertuous; so that the leaves are for the healing of the wounded soul, both tempo|rally and spiritually, yea, the wounds of the broken hearted shall it heal, for the tree of life is Jesus Christ, and the leaves of the tree have the vertue of the tree; and whosoe|ver toucheth but the border of his garment, with the finger of faith shall be healed. Luk. 8.43. &c. A woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living on the physicians, neither could be healed of any, came behind him and touched the border of his garment, and immediately her issue of blood stanched: And Jesus saith unto her, be of good comfort, thy faith hath made thee whole. Rom. 15.4. What|soever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we thro' patience and comfort of the scriptures, might have hope. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to day, and for ever, Heb. 13.8. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man co|meth shall he find faith on the earth, Luk. 18.8. This want|ing faith in us is all the danger of wanting present help in time of need, and our wanting of faith, is because we do not keep a good conscience, by which the mystery of faith is kept, 1 Tim. 3.9.

Verse 3. And there shall be no more Curse.

That is, as was executed upon Adam for his transgressi|••, while he was in the garden of God, where the tree of life was, but did not eat of it; but all the inhabitants of this city have eaten of it, and therefore there shall be no more curse.

But the throne of God and of the lamb shall ••e in it.

That is, in this city; so that by his kingly power he will keep it, and alone rule in it,

And his servants shall serve him.

Verse 4. And they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads.

Here is two things to be observed in this verse: The first is, the inhabitants of this city, who are the servants of God, shall see his face; for his throne is in it, for thus it is written, that the pure in heart shall see God, Mat. 5.8. and no impure thing can have admittance into this city, as appears in the last verse of the foregoing chapter; secondly, his name shall be in their foreheads, that is in the foreheads of the citizens of the new Jerusalem, the city of God, and the ••ame of God being in their foreheads, is to characterism them, that it may be known whose servants they are, this promise is made to all that shall overcome, chap. 3.12. Him that over|••eth will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, thus he that overcometh shall be a support and strengthener to his church, and he shall go no more out, for a pillar standeth al|ways in the church to support it. And I will write upon him the name of my God. This name is to describe whose ser|vant he is. And the name of the city of my God, saith he, that is thus written upon him. This is a citizen of the new Je|rusalem, which said Jerusalem cometh down out of heaven from my God. Thus God's servants have his name in their foreheads, that it may be known whose servants they are, as well as the worshipers of the beast was known by their ha|ving the mark of the beast in their right hand, or in their foreheads, that it might be known whose servants they were and whom they worshiped.

Verse 4. And there shall be no night there,

and they need no candle, neither light of the su•• for the Lord God giveth them light.

This is the happy state of God's church in its purity, f•• for they enjoy that light which doth far excell either sun 〈◊〉〈◊〉 moon, or any other created light, for God is to them a f•• more excellent light, 1 Joh. 1.5, 6, 7. This then is the me••|sage which we have heard of him and declare unto you, tha•• God is light, and in him is no darkness at all: if we say we hav•• fellowship with him, and walk in darkness we lie, and do no•• the truth, but if we walk in the light as he is in the light, w•• have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Chri•• his son cleanseth us from all sin. Joh. 8.12. Then spake Jesu•• again unto them saying, I am the light of the world, he tha•• followeth me, shall not walk in darkness but shall have the ligh•• of life.

And they shall reign for ever and ever.

This is a promîse of the duration and happiness of thei•• kingdom.

Verse 6. And he said unto me, these sayings are faithful and true.

This is an affirmation to confirm the faithfulness and truth of these things, for that end that they may be the better cre|dited.

And the Lord God of the holy prophets, sent•• his angel to shew unto his servants, the things which must shortly be done.

The Apostle John here restifieth to us, how that the Lord God of the holy prophets, sent his angel to shew unto his servants, the things which shortly must be done. We are to understand, it hath not relation to the accomplishing of the whole matter of this book; but to such things which were to be done, in every age, for this book of prophesie, speaks of things to be done from the time of the writing of the book of this prophesie, to the end of the world, so that there are things to be done in every generation, and these words. The things which must shortly be done, speaks to God's children in every age, that they may be watchful, and pre|pared,

looking for the accomplishing of those things which ••re to be done in their age and time, and therefore may be ••id shortly to be done, and yet speak to God's people in every age; as for instance, Mark. 13.30. Verily I say ••nto you, that this generation shall not pass till all these ••ings be done. So that it might be said to that genera|••on, these were the things shortly to be done; and so might 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be intimated concerning the state of every Church in Asia, ••o whom this book was sent, that there were things shortly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be done that did belong to the state of every one of those Churches, and from that time to the end of the world; for ••hings are always shortly to be done to them, that are in ••ing a little before they are done.

Verse 7. Behold I come quickly.

This is not intended Christ's coming at the great and last ••ay of Judgment, but his speedy coming for the help of ••is elect in their distresses; as for instance, Psal. 40.1, 2. I ••ited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined unto me, and ••d my cry; he brought me up also out of an horrible pit. Thus the Lord came quickly and helped David by bringing ••m out of some great difficulty that he was in. Heb. 10. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 38. For yet a little while and he that shall come, will come, ••d will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if ••y man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. ••ese to whom the author writes were at the time of his ••ting under persecution; as appears in the foregoing verses, ••d his writing to them is for that end, that they might ••t faint under their present tribulation, encouraging them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be in the exercise of patience, as in the foregoing verse; ••nifying to them, that it would be but a little while be|••re the Lord Jesus would come to relieve them out of their ••sent distresses. And we may see how the Lord Jesus ••reatened the Church of ••phesus, that if they did not re|••ent he would come quickly, and remove their candlestick out ••f his place, Chap. 2.5. And in verse 16, he threatens ••me of the Church of Pargamus, that if they did not re|••nt, he would come unto them quickly, and fight against ••hem with the sword of his mouth; and also threatens the Chuch of Sardis, if they did not watch, he would come on

them as a thief. And he promiseth the Church of Philade•• Phia to come quickly, exhorting them to hold that fast whi•• they had, Chap. 3.11. Thus this coming quickly relates 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the present time of Christ's coming, either in judgment 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mercy, according to the state he finds his servants in.

Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of th•• prophecy of this book (saith the Apostle;)

For they that keep the prophecy of this book, will pa|tiently wait for the coming of the Lord, according to wh•• is written, Luk. 12.43. compared with verse 45, 46. Bless•• is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so d••|ing. But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, my lo•• delayeth his coming, the lord of that servant will come in a d•• when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is n•• ware, and will cut him in sunder.

Verse 8. And I John saw these things, an•• heard them; and when I had heard and seen, fell down to worship before the feet of the A••|gel which shewed me these things.

Here is two things to be observed in this Verse: The fi•• is, John's affirmation of the truth of these things, in the words, saying, And I John saw these things, and heard the•• And the second is, the account that John here gives of him|self, how that when he had heard and seen these thing he fell down to worship before the feet of the Angel which shewed him these things.

Verse 9. Then saith he unto me, See thou d•• it not, for I am thy fellow servant, and of th•• brethren the prophets; and of them which kee•• the sayings of this book; worship God.

Here is four things to be observed in this verse: Th•• first is, the Angels reproving of John for falling down t•• worship before his feet, in these words, saying, See thou d•• it not: And secondly, the reason he gives John why h•• ought not to do it, is given in these words, For I am (sait•• he) one of thy fellow servants, and of thy brethren the pro|phets; this is the reason he gives John, signifying to him

••at he is but his equal, that is to say his fellow servant ••nd one of his brethren the prophets: And the third thing ••o be observed is, how this servant and prophet of the Lord ••ives John an account that he is one of them that doth keep the sayings of this book: And fourthly, exhorts John to worship God, which doth import, he only ought to be worshiped, who is God the Creator, and not the creature.

Verse 10. And he saith unto me, seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand.

Here is two things to be observed from this verse: The first is, the charge that the Angel gives John (when he had made known these things to John) not to seal them, in these words, saying, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Thus it appears, that John was required to dis|close these things upon his knowledge of them. And the second thing is, the reason which is given him why he should not seal them, for saith the Angel, The time is at hand. Thus it appears, that John was required forth with to make publication of them upon the consideration that the time was at hand; so that the seven churches of Asia, to whom they did concern, might be warned to prepare themselves for those things which were then at hand.

Verse 11. He that is unjust let him be unjust still, and he which is filthy let him be filthy still, and he that is righteous let him be righteous still, and he that is holy let him be holy still.

By the following verse the reason will be seen why the Angel saith thus concerning the state of the unjust and un|holy, and concerning the state of the righteous and holy.

Verse 12. And behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man ac|cording as his work shall be.

And behold I come quickly, saith the Lord. Here he gives warning of his speedy coming, to the unjust, and to the filthy, and to the righteous, and to the holy; and that he will bring his reward with him to give unto every one

of them according as his work shall be. And thus at his coming, he will reward the unjust and unholy according as their work shall be: And to the righ|teous and holy according to their work. This coming quickly is in judgment to the wicked, & with a good reward to the righteous; so that the Lord here speaks unto the un|just, after this manner, when I come with my reward, let him be unjust still, for the day of his grace is now past, and so let it be with the unholy, for he likewise hath outgone the day of his grace, and therefore if the unjust and the fil|thy, will run the hazard of such an unjust and filthy state, I will come quickly upon them with my reward; and this is to forewarn the unjust and filthy of the great Hazard they stand in, while in that hazardable state. And to encourage the righteous and holy so to continue that they might not lose their reward. But to take this saying in short it carries with it implicitly, as if the Lord should say to the unjust & filthy, to the righteous and holy, even to them all, Behold I come quickly to reward every one of you according to your work and as I find you, so I will reward you, and so you shall ever remain, in that state I find you in at my coming; so your reward shall be, and in that state shall you remain, that is, the unjust under the reward of the unjust, and the filthy under the reward of the filthy, and the righteous under the reward of the righteous, and the holy under the reward of the holy. And this coming quickly is such a coming as he foretold of to several of the churches of Asia, Chap. 2.5.16. Repent or else I will come unto you quickly. 25. v. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. chap. 3.3. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come on thee. chap. 3.11. Behold I come quickly, hold that fast which thou hast. Mat. 24.50, 51. The Lord of that servant shall come in a day, when he looketh not for him, and in a hour that he is not ware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the Hypocrites, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Matt. 25.6. And at midnight there was a crie made, behold the. bridegroom cometh.

Thus the Lord is wont to forewarn, and to tell of his ••oming before he cometh, that the unjust and the filthy may ••e fore-warned of the danger they are in while in that state ••at they may repent before it be too late, and that the righteous and the holy may be sensible of their righteous 〈◊〉〈◊〉 holy reward, by being put in mind of it, that thereby ••y may be encouraged to continue so in well doing, un|〈◊〉〈◊〉 this sudden and quick coming of the Lord, to execute judgment on the one, and to deliver the other.

Verse 13. I am Alpha and Omega, the be|ginning and the end, the first and the last.

This is to back the foregoing verse, by shewing that there was none before him, neither shall there be any that shall ••ome after him, to hinder him in his purpose of rewarding ••oth the Just and unjust according to their works.

Verse 14. Blessed are they that do his com|mandments, that they may have right to the ••ee of life, and may enter in through the gates ••to the city.

••this verse he pronounceth a blessing to them that do his com|mandments, and in the next place he sheweth wherein the ••essing consists, for in so doing they may have right to the ••ee of life, and may have entrance in through the gates in|••o the city, for these are the just and holy, that do his com|mandments; for it appears in the foregoing chapter and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 verse, that there shall in no wise enter into it any thing ••t defileth, neither whosoever worketh abomination or ••keth a lie.

Verse 15. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, ••d whoremongers, and murderers, and Idolaters, ••d whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

From this verse we may understand, that all that are with|••ut the holy city, are in a polluted and defiled state; and all ••at are within the holy city, are in a sanctifyed and holy ••ate. From hence we may understand, that all mankind

are in one of these two states; that is, either in a state o•• sin, or in a state of righteousness; and that by being in the holy city, doth measure the whole Church of God, and by being without, doth measure the whole world.

Verse 16. I Jesus have sent mine Angel to testify unto you these things in the Churches: I am the root and offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

This verse contains the testimony of Jesus Christ to three things: His first testimony is, that he sent his Angel to testify these things in the Churches. Thus it appears that this book was sign'd to (at the end of it) by Jesus Christ himself, to confirm the truth of it. And secondly, he testify that he is both the root & offspring of David: Thus he de|clares himself to be God and Man; for if he be the roo•• and offspring of David, David must be a branch of of his root. And if he be the offspring of David, then of necessity David must be the root of him. Thus it appears that he is both David's Lord, and David's Son. And thirdly, he de|clares himself to be the bright and morning Star; this re|lates to his ministerial office, for the ministers of the seven Churches are represented in the likeness of stars; but the Lord Jesus is the most excellent and brightest star of all the ministers; and promiseth in Chap. 2.28. To him that overcometh and keepeth his works to the end, to give him the morning star; That is, he shall be the brightest star in all the Churches.

Verse 17. And the spirit and the bride say come, and let him that heareth say come, and let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will let him take of the water of life freely.

This verse consisteth of most gracious invitations, both by the spirit and by the bride, who are one in union, that is Christ and his church, expresseth a full and free invitation to all to come into the holy city, to drink of the water of life, and that freely. And secondly withall bids him that

heareth this invitation to invite others to come. And ••|ly declares that it is left to the free liberty, to whosoever will come, and take of the water of life freely.

Verse 18. For I testifie unto every man that heareth the words of the prophesy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.

This verse contains a severe threatning, to every man that hears the prophesy of this book, that if any man shall add unto the things therein contained, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.

Verse 19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

This verse likewise contains a severe threatening against any that shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, how that God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and also out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Verse 20. He that testifyeth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen.

This is a gracious promise to all those that are looking and waiting for his coming for their help, when they are in trouble and distress for his sake; but it will be a de|structive coming to the wicked that are not ware of it: This coming is a mystical coming, and not a personal and visible coming, (as will be at the great and last day of Judgment when every eye shall see him) but such a coming as is proved by Scripture testimony in the seventh verse of this Chapter. And to this gracious promise to all that are looking and waiting for his coming, ac|cording

to his promise, John makes reply by way 〈◊〉〈◊〉 request, in these words,

Even so come Lord Jesus.

Verse 21. The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

This is the Authors conclusive salutation to the Church|es, to whom he writes these things. Amen: Or, Even 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be it.

FINIS.