Revelation

He is not only 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of the same nature and essence with the Father. So Athanasius, Basil, Chrysostom: 1. Is God the Father called Almighty, so is Christ (Revelation 1:8), 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Almighty. 2. Is God the…

All power is given to him. Christ has three keys in his hand, the key of the grave, to open the graves of men at the resurrection; the key of heaven, to open the kingdom of heaven to whom he will; the key of hell (Revelation 1:18), to lock up the damned in that fiery prison. To…

And he is, the text says, 〈in non-Latin alphabet〉, King of Kings. He has a preeminence of all other Kings, he is called the Prince of the Kings of the Earth (Revelation 1:5), 〈in non-Latin alphabet〉 — He must needs be so, for by him Kings reign (Proverbs 8:15). They hold their c…

Christ is fit to be Judge, as he partakes both of the manhood and Godhead. 1. Of the manhood: being clothed with the human nature, he may be visibly seen of all: it is requisite the Judge should be seen (Revelation 1:7). Behold he comes with clouds, and every eye shall see him.

2. Jehovah, a word that properly sets out God's eternity; a word so dreadful, that the Jews trembled to name or read it, therefore used another word Adonai, Lord. Jehovah contains in it time past, present, and to come (Revelation 1:4): which is, and which was, and which is to co…

All that are of God, as they have Christ for their captain (Hebrews 2:10), so holiness is the white color they wear. 5. Holiness is our honor, holiness and honor put together (1 Thessalonians 4:4), dignity goes along with sanctity (Revelation 1:6). He has washed us from our sins…

7. God is the best Father because he never dies, (1 Timothy 6:16) Who only has immortality. Earthly fathers die, and their children are exposed to many injuries, but God lives forever; (Revelation 1:8) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the last. God's crown has no successo…

He made this day (Psalm 118:24): "This is the day which the Lord has made." Arnobius and the current of expositors understand it of our Christian Sabbath, and it is called the Lord's Day (Revelation 1:10). As it is called the Lord's Supper, because of the Lord's instituting the…

Here is a meditation fit for our first entrance into a Sabbath, God's holiness: the contemplation of this would work in us such a frame of heart as is suitable to a holy God: it would make us then reverence his name, hallow his day: while we are musing of the holiness of God's n…

6. Shut up the Sabbath evening with repetition, singing of psalms and prayer: beg that God would bless the Word you have heard; but I hope your practice herein will prevent my further speaking. Could we but thus spend a Sabbath, we might be in the Spirit on the Lord's Day (Revel…

1. Is God the Father omnipotent, so is Jesus Christ. He is [illegible], the Almighty (Revelation 1:8). He creates (Colossians 1:16).

(1.) The Kingdom of Heaven is a place of honor; there are the glorious triumphs and sparkling crowns. In other kingdoms there is but one king, but in Heaven all are kings (Revelation 1:6). Every saint glorified is a partaker of the same glory as Christ does (John 17:22): The glo…

If the fetters of sin be broken off, and we walk at liberty in the ways of God (Psalm 119:45): I will walk at liberty — this is a blessed sign we are pardoned. Such as are washed in Christ's blood from that guilt, are made kings to God (Revelation 1:6); as kings they rule over t…

(2.) In choosing sinners to a participation of the fruits of his love (Ephesians 1:3, 4, 5, 6). The love of the Son, is fixed signally on his actual giving himself to die for us (Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:25; Revelation 1:5). What balances these persons have got, to weigh thes…

Chap. 5:20. And we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ, this is the true God and eternal life. Rev. 1:8. I am Alpha, and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Ver. 11. I am Alpha and Ome…

And (3) By their celebration is he glorified in the world: And therefore, (4) As he has made blessed promises to his people, to grant them his presence and to bless them in their use: So (5) Being the tokens of the marriage relation that is between him and them, with respect to…

Quest. 19. What is an instituted Church of the Gospel? A society of persons, called out of the world, or their natural worldly state, by the administration of the Word and Spirit, to the obedience of the faith, or the knowledge and worship of God in Christ, joined together in an…

By this 'power of death' is meant not so much bodily death as that eternal death to which, as the proper punishment of sin, its guilt binds us over. This power of his is not that of the Judge in sentencing to death or casting men to hell, which is Christ's own royal prerogative…

First, the priests, whether they be male or female, they are all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28). Yes, every member of this spiritual house are made kings and priests to God the Father (Revelation 1:6). Yes, and the whole Church united into a body, is a chosen generation, a royal…

To all such as walk in this Gospel faith and order, the Lord Jesus has promised a greater manifestation of his presence, and Spirit (John 14:26). And John in the Island of Patmos found it (Revelation 1:9, 10). Yes, and to all them that love him and keep his commandments, the Fat…

1. The unspeakable love of Christ in offering himself and his own blood for us. See (Galatians 2:20; Revelation 1:5; 1 John 3:16; Ephesians 5:26, 27). There being no other way whereby our sins might be purged and expiated (chap. 10:5, 6, 7), out of his infinite love and grace he…

The Church, or the souls and consciences of men, were really cleansed, purified and sanctified with an internal spiritual purification (Ephesians 5:25, 26; Titus 2:14). It was washed in the blood of Christ (Revelation 1:5), and is thereby cleansed from sin (1 John 1:7). And Heav…

To them that look for him. But the Scripture is plain and express in other places, that he shall appear to all; shall be seen of all, even of his enemies (Revelation 1:7). And the work that he has to do at his appearance, requires that so it should be.

This state of things is now changed under the Gospel. It is one of the principal priviledges of Believers, that, being made Kings and Priests to God by Jesus Christ, this distinction as to especial gracious access to God is taken away (Revelation 1:5; Ephesians 2:18; Romans 5:2)…

Without it we shall fall into one of the extremes mentioned, both of which are attended with dangers ruinous to profession: See Habakkuk 2:1, 2, 3, 4. With respect to these things the days of the Gospel are the time of the Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:9). H…

And the Holy Spirit rested on him in all variety of his gifts and operations, especially those of spiritual light, wisdom and understanding (Isaiah 11:2, 3). And in allusion to this candlestick with its seven lamps, is called the seven Spirits that are before the throne of God (…

He willingly, and voluntarily, out of his own abundant goodness and love took upon him to make atonement for us, wherein he was our surety. And accordingly this undertaking is ascribed to that love which he exercised herein (Galatians 2:12; 1 John 3:16; Revelation 1:5). And ther…

For in God we live, move, and have our being. He is hereby Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and end of all (Revelation 1:11), because he is [illegible], the living one, ver. 18. And this life of Christ is the foundation of the efficacy of all his mediatory…

What the Prophet spake of the vision he saw, the Apostle applies to the Person of Christ, for the reasons before mentioned: [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], He that shall come, is a periphrasis of Christ, frequently used and applied to him. Once it is used to express his eternity (R…

The whole management of Christ's kingly office in relation to the Church, is prescribed to Christ by God. God reveals to him what shall be done in the world, what acts he shall perform for the Church, and gives him a history of all that was to be done upon the stage, together wi…

Christ has but one wife or spouse (Canticles 6:9). The Catholic Church indeed is but one; namely the whole company of God's elect in heaven, in earth, dead, now living, and not yet born: But as there is the Church Catholic, which is but one; so there are particular and visible c…

[illegible]. 1. In pursuit of this matter of Metropolitanes, he proceeds next to take notice of one observation of mine in these words. 2. To this end he informs sect. 2. that in the New Testament there is in sundry places mention made of Church [illegible] number, as Galatians…

But Corinth was such a City, and this Epistle was so addrest to it — that Corinth was such a Metropolis was apparent, and is not denyed, as to the politicall acceptation of it; and if it were so also in the Ecclesiastick, there is no farther difficulty; and if my supposing and n…

The God-man, Jesus Christ, and mere man express the whole human race. The things to be said concerning the theology of Jesus Christ — "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3) — and concerning that knowledge which He had and has through the…

The same economy continues even after His glorious exaltation to the right hand of the Father. From where He testifies that He received from the Father that solemn Apocalypse which He published not by the breath of the Spirit alone, but with a living voice from heaven (Revelatio…

Your Lord. This word Jehovah notes out his being eternal, infinite, beginning and ending of all things (Exodus 3:14; Revelation 1:8). By this it appeareth, this law appertaineth to all, because he is the Lord of all.

Either we must not know, and not be born again to this piece of excellency, or else we must have this peculiar commandement to humble us, and in this point to drive us to Christ, afterward also, be a rule and square to us of the same. Fourthly, the Apostles in taking this day, a…

2. This error thwarts the glory of the grace of God; for it is an error that strikes at the richest and most radiant diamond of the crown of the glory of Christ, it hangs election and the effectualness of God's decree as to effectual calling, faith, justification, and perseveran…

Now we shortly add this third, of kin to the former, that believers, and such as are fled to Christ for refuge, would look on his sufferings as come under for them; and these same Scriptures which we cited to confirm these, will confirm this. The reason why we would have you con…

And (1 Timothy 1:15) this is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Jesus Christ came to the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief. And John heartily, (Revelation 1:7) to him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, etc. But they that e…

And yet this were a most natural, proper, and kindly exercise for believers; even like the work of those, who say, Salvation to our God, that sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb (Revelation 7:10). To Him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, etc. (Revelat…

But when He is executor of His own testament, and by His Spirit makes the application, what is, or can be wanting? We shall say no more, but that here it is clear, that we have a living Mediator as Himself says (Revelation 1:18): I was dead, and am alive, and live for evermore.…

It is Christ that died, indeed, rather that is risen again, etc. This way of justification makes Christ's death wondrous lovely, and it is on this that the song of the redeemed is founded (Revelation 1:5). To him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and ha…

There is nothing among men readily less cared for, than a ministry; some would have none at all; others would have them of such a stamp, as would please and humor them; But our Lord has received gifts to give to men; And he that poured out such gifts on the apostles and others,…

I leave it to the experience of the godly, if Jeremiah his singing of praise in one verse, (Jeremiah 20:13) and his cursing of the day that he was born on, in the next verse, verse 14, the order of Scripture being of divine inspiration, does not speak God's dispensation in this…

Verse 15. His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. Revelation 1:16. His countenance as when the Sun shines in his strength. All the beauty of God is put forth in Christ.

4. The Scripture nowhere speaks of any love of God in Christ to man, but such as is efficacious in saving; any other love is lip-love, not real; and so to allege this one place, without authority of the Word, is petitio principii, a begging of the question; for the love (Ezekiel…

He is at God's right hand, and we are in his hands (John 10:28), and all his enemies are under his feet, who then can pull us out? (Revelation 1:18) says Christ, I have the keys of hell and death. The key is still in the Scripture phrase the ensign of power and authority.

Now not only Christ's soul (as theirs) lives to cry, but his whole person; for he is risen again, and lives to intercede for ever. In (Revelation 1:18), Christ appearing to John, when he would speak but one speech that should move all in him, he says but this, I am he that lives…

Therefore verse 33 of that Acts 2, Peter giving an account how it came to pass that they were so filled with the Holy Ghost, says, that Christ having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, had shed him forth on them; which receiving is not to be only understood…

These are as it were the saints' wages; but besides, the great reward is to come, an eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). Christ makes all his subjects kings (Revelation 2:10): I'll give you a crown of life. This crown will be full of jewels, and it will never fade (1 P…

They are not of the world, though they live here, yet, they trade in the heavenly country. The world is a place where Satan's throne is (Revelation 2:13), a stage on which sin every day acts its part; now such as are called are in, but not of, the world. Quest. To what does God…

12. We glorify God by being zealous for his name (Numbers 25:11): Phinehas has turned my wrath away, while he was zealous for my sake. Zeal is a mixed affection, a compound of love and anger; it carries forth our love to God, and anger against sin in a most intense manner: zeal…

God will not be in any man's debt; (Malachi 1:10) Who has kindled a fire on my altar for nothing? 2. God lets men go on in sin and prosper, that he may leave them more inexcusable, (Revelation 2:21) I gave her space to repent of her fornication. God adjourns the sessions, spins…

3. You who have love to God, keep it flaming upon the altar of your heart. Love, as fire, will be ready to go out (Revelation 2:4). You have left your first love.

Therefore we must imitate Christ, who became obedient to the death (Philippians 2:8). The crown is set upon the head of perseverance (Revelation 2:26). He that keeps my works to the end, to him will I give the morning star.

This decay of grace I shall show in two particulars. 1. The lively actings of grace may be suspended (Revelation 2:4): You have left your first love. Grace may be like a sleepy habit; the godly may act faintly in religion, the pulse of their affections may beat low.

When gray hairs shine with golden virtues, this is a crown of glory. The church of Thyatira was best at last (Revelation 2:19). I know your patience and your works, and the last to be more than the first.

But the holiness of God is pure, like wine from the grape; it has not the least dash or tincture of impurity mixed with it. 2. A more unchangeable holiness: the saints though they cannot lose the habit of holiness (for the seed of God remains), yet they may lose some degrees of…

Through the bright mirror of his own essence he has a full idea and cognizance of all things; the world is to him Corpus diaphanum, a transparent body. He makes a heart-anatomy; he is [illegible] (Revelation 2:23). I am he which searches the reins and the heart.

By a lie in our words we deny the truth, by a lie in our profession we disgrace it. Not to be what we profess to God is telling a lie; and the Scripture makes it little better than blasphemy (Revelation 2:9). I know the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and are not.

Satan has a kingdom; he got his kingdom by conquest; he conquered mankind in Paradise. He has his throne (Revelation 2:13): "You dwell where Satan's throne is"; and his throne is set up in the hearts of men. He does not care for their purses but their hearts (Ephesians 2:2).

He who is truly sanctified cannot fall from that state. Indeed seeming holiness may be lost; colors may wash off; Sanctification may suffer an eclipse (Revelation 2:4): You have left your first love; but true Sanctification is a blossom of eternity (1 John 2:27): The anointing w…

And (verse 10). He has not rewarded us according to our iniquities. God has deferred his wrath, and given us space to repent (Revelation 2:21). God is not like a hasty creditor, that requires the debt, and gives no time for the payment.

Thus you see how the meditation of Heaven would be a means to bring us there. 18. The last means for obtaining the Heavenly Kingdom is, perseverance in holiness (Revelation 2:10). Be you faithful to death, and you shall receive the Crown of Life.

Where God pardons he purifies. As in the inauguration of kings, with the crown there is the oil to anoint: so when God crowns a man with forgiveness, there he gives the anointing oil of grace to sanctify (Revelation 2:17): "I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new n…

Quest. 17. Which are the principal institutions of the Gospel to be observed in the worship of God? Answ. (1.) The calling, gathering and setling of Churches with their Officers, as the seat and subject of all other solemn instituted worship. (2.) Prayer with thanksgiving. (3.)…

And to give more strength hereunto, our Lord Jesus Christ in the revelation that he made of his mind and will personally after his ascension into Heaven, insisted principally about the condition, order and preservation of particular Churches; not taking notice of any of his disc…

Quest. 41. What is the discipline of the Church? Answ. It consists in the due exercise of that authority and power which the Lord Christ in and by his Word has granted to the Church, for its continuance, increase, and preservation, in purity, order, and holiness, according to hi…

Secondly, offences against that mutual love which is the bond of perfection in the Church, if pertinaciously persisted in (Matthew 18:16, 17). Thirdly, false doctrines against the fundamentals in faith or worship, especially if maintained with contention, to the trouble and dist…

(4) To admit them being approved into the order and fellowship of the Gospel in the Church. Acts 8:20, 23; Titus 1:10; Revelation 2:2; Jeremiah 15:19; Acts 18:26; 1 Thessalonians 2:7, 8, 11; Acts 9:29, 27; Romans 14:1. Qu. 50 What is the duty of the whole Church in reference to…

Qu. 6. May not such an estate of faith and perfection in obedience be attained in this life, as wherein believers may be freed from all obligation to the observation of Gospel institutions? Answ. No! For the ordinances and institutions of the Gospel being inseparably annexed to…

Qu. 8. How many we sanctify the name of God in the use of Gospel institutions? Answ. 1. By a holy reverence of his sovereign authority appointing of them. 2. A holy regard to his special presence in them. 3. Faith in his promises annexed to them. 4. Delight in his will, wisdom,…

And by this his long experience and observation he has his set and composed machinations (2 Corinthians 2:11), his methods of temptations (Ephesians 6:11) which are studied and artificially molded and ordered — even such systems and methods of them as tutors and professors of ar…

As in the sacraments, the bread conveys whole Christ and the wine also whole Christ, so in the word every promise conveys whole Christ. And if you can say as the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2:6, 'This thing I have — that I hate sin, and every sin as God hates it, and because…

But his own, God gives up to him but as prisoners to a jailer, as a magistrate may do his child to commit him; who has not a power over his prisoner to do anything with him, but only by appointment, for a time, with a limited commission, and therefore cannot put him on the rack…

Which shows us clearly the truth of Gods word, which says of Christ, that he reigns in the middle among his enemies. Howsoever they rage, and seek to blot out his name, and to root out his kingdom, yet despite their throats, he will rule in the middle of their kingdoms, and ther…

If we frequent devised forms of worship in prayer or praise, we shall lay a stumbling block before a weak brother, and cause him to fall. Woe be to them that follow the way of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel (Revelation 2:14; Jude…

In this case it is not only lawful but expedient, yes necessary that we should testify to them that good persuasion which we have concerning their state and condition with the grounds thereof, as the Apostle does in this place. So in like case testified our Savior himself concer…

The words we so render, are [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], and sometimes [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], singly, as (1 Thessalonians 5:23). [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] and [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], are indefinitely used to this end (ch. 3:6; ch. 4:14; Revelation 2:25; ch. 3:11). S…

For it does not become the greatness and goodness of God to call his own people to sufferings for his Name, and to his glory, and therein the loss of their lives many times, with all enjoyments here below; and not propose to them, nor provide for them, that which shall be infini…

To deny the continued accomplishment of this promise, and that on any pretence whatever, is the venom of infidelity. If therefore they have an irrevocable divine institution; if Christ be present in their administrations, as he was of old (Revelation 2:1), there can be no abatem…

Who makes reckoning of corn that sheds before harvest? It was the glory of the church of Thyatira, her last works were more than her first (Revelation 2:19). Perseverance carries away the garland; a true Christian does not only set out in the race, but hold out; The righteous al…

Sechem yields to be circumcised for Dinah's sake, because he loved her; and Jacob endured his seven years service for Rachel's sake: so will love make us obey God cheerfully in things contrary to our natural inclination. Love and labor are often coupled in Scripture; and those t…

In the evangelical covenant, the promises that are made are not made to any work or virtue in man, but to the worker: not for any merit of his own person or work, but for the person and merit of Christ. For example, it is a promise of the Gospel (Revelation 2:10): Be faithful to…

Remember the place where you are is the place of his feet (Isaiah 60:13). Act faith upon the omniscience of God: 'All the churches shall know that I am he that searches the heart and tries the minds, and will give to everyone according to their works' (Revelation 2:23). 'All thi…

The wild beasts and boars of the forest will attempt to break down the hedges of the Lord's Vineyard, how much more if any breach be left in the hedges? If therefore you would make a sure Reformation, make a perfect Reformation; lest Christ have this controversy with England, Ne…

And those proud idolaters (Isaiah 65:4) are reproved not only for eating swine's flesh, but because the broth of such abominable things was in their vessels. And Christ from Heaven reproves those two churches of Pergamus and Thyatira for eating meat sacrificed to idols (Revelati…

5. Apostacy. Jer. 6. 28. They are all grievous revolters, Reprobate silver shall one call them, because the Lord hath rejected them. This made God remove his golden Candlestick from the Church of Ephesus, because she had left her first Love, Rev. 2. 4. And if apostacy will make…

Christ has but one wife or spouse (Canticles 6:9). The Catholic Church indeed is but one; namely the whole company of God's elect in heaven, in earth, dead, now living, and not yet born: But as there is the Church Catholic, which is but one; so there are particular and visible c…

Here is some good number imported. To the Angel of the Church of Smyrna, that is, to the Pastors thereof collectively taken, Christ says, The Devil shall cast some of you into prison (Revelation 2:10), which (if not only yet) principally is spoken to the Pastors, though for the…

But it may be said, what need we any more writing, what need we any truer proof, or testimony? The learned Doctor in his Dissertations, Dissert. 4. cap. 5. has abundantly discharged this worke, and proved the seven Bishops of the seven Churches mentioned (Revelation 2–3) to have…

Yet the Midianites also offered sacrifices to it along with the Moabites. For they employed their snares against the Israelites who were sacrificing to it; and they did so with Balaam as their instructor (Numbers 31:15, 16); and in the New Testament, the enticements to fornicati…

But that every assembly which is called a particular church from some particular place where it assembles can fail with the passage of time, Scripture teaches; and that particular churches have in fact failed, events confirm. For the Holy Spirit testifies that some churches, wit…

Strength is, when according as the good or evil is, there lacks no earnestness of affection (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37). Here is forbidden the least remission or weakness (Revelation 2:4). Uprightness is, when the affection loves, desires, etc. in a single heart, only becau…

And, O, what massive consolation have such words as these, in them; and what confidence may believing sinners have to come to this Mediator; that is a mother, a father, a brother, and a parent, that has begotten us out of His own bowels; and in some respect, (as we are believers…

And though the godly do steadfastly believe their salvation is in a castle, above losing; yet in reason, sin bringing broken bones, (Psalm 51:10), a sad cloud, the damming up of a spring of Christ's love spread abroad in the heart, a temporary hell in the soul, it must be sorrow…

No man whatever mettle he be of, the finest of men can come, or has power to come to me, and to believe on the only begotten Son of God, except the Father who sent me draw him. We know Christ was much to extol his Father, his Father was ever in his esteem an eminent one, as (Mat…

He that does the will of my heavenly Father, the same is my brother, etc. (1 Corinthians 9:24). So run, that you may obtain (Revelation 2:2). I know your works and your labor (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

I know not better how to express it, than from (Revelation 1:14-15), in the description of our blessed Savior, His eyes were as a flame of fire. It is true, the eye is lightsome, but it does not burn, they are not hot, but the eyes of Christ is as a flaming heat; and the meaning…

Caesar after his victories, in token of honor had a chair of ivory set for him in the Senate, and a throne in the theater; the Saints having obtained their victories over sin and Satan, shall be enthroned with Christ in the Empyrean Heaven. To sit with Christ, denotes safety, to…

A man can no more by the power of nature reach Christ, than an infant can reach the top of the pyramids, or the ostrich fly up to the stars. See your need of Christ's anointing and teaching (Revelation 3:18). 2. Go to Christ to teach you (Psalms 25:5): Lead me in your truth, and…

As here he puts his grace upon the saints, so shortly he will put his glory upon them. This is comfort to the poorest Christian, perhaps you have scarce a house to put your head in, yet you may look up to heaven and say, There is my house, there is my country; and I have already…

2. Comfort to the godly in regard of their salvation (2 Timothy 2:19). The foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, the Lord knows who are his: God's counsel of election is unchangeable: once elected and for ever elected (Revelation 3:5). I will not blot his name out of…

Perhaps once we were mounted into higher orbs, we did [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], set our hearts on things above, and speak the language of Canaan, but now our minds are taken off of Heaven, we dig our comfort out of these lower mines, and with Satan compass the earth: a sign w…

Thus God adopts us into the family of heaven; and God in adopting us does two things: 1. He ennobles us with his name; he who is adopted bears his name who adopts him (Revelation 3:12): I will write on him the name of my God. 2. God consecrates us with his Spirit: Whom he adopts…

3. I grant, true believers, though they do not fall away actually and lose all their grace, yet their grace may fail in the degree, and they may make a great breach upon their sanctification. Grace may be moritura, not mortua — dying but not dead (Revelation 3:2): Strengthen the…

God will make his sword drunk with the blood of apostates. 4. The promises of mercy are annexed only to perseverance (Revelation 3:5). He that overcomes, shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life.

The covenant of grace brings preferment. Our nature is now more ennobled, we are raised to higher glory than in innocency, we are advanced to sit upon Christ's throne (Revelation 3:21), we are by virtue of the covenant of grace nearer to Christ than the angels. They are his frie…

It was good advice Calvin gave to Melancthon, that he should not so affect the name of moderate, as to lose all his zeal. To be cool and silent, when God's blessed truths are undermined or adulterated, is not moderation, but lukewarmness, which is to God a most hateful temper (R…

Resp. They have greater honor than is conferred on the princes of the earth; They are precious in God's esteem; (Isaiah 43:4) Since you were precious in my eyes, you have been honorable; the wicked are dross (Psalm 119:119), and chaff (Psalm 1:4), but God numbers his children am…

These are lamps without oil, whited sepulchers, like the Egyptian temples, which had fair outsides, but within spiders and apes. The Apostle speaks of true holiness (Ephesians 4:24), implying, there is a holiness which is spurious and feigned (Revelation 3:1). You have a name to…

In serving your masters you serve Christ, and he will not let you lose your labor, you shall receive the reward of the inheritance. From serving on earth, you shall be taken up to reign in heaven, and shall sit with Christ upon his throne (Revelation 3:21).

They are conquerors over the world, and being victors they now have palm branches. 3. They sit upon the throne with Christ (Revelation 3:21). When Caesar returned from conquering his enemies, there was set for him a chair of state in the senate, and a throne in the theatre.

As the herb Heliotropium turns about according to the motion of the sun; so a godly man's actions do all move towards the glory of God. 11. If we would obtain the heavenly Kingdom, let us keep up fervency in duty, What is a dead form without the power (Revelation 3:16)? Because…

Hypocrites soon give over doing God's Will; like the chrysolite which is of a golden color, in the morning it is very bright to look on, but towards evening it grows dull, and has lost its splendor: We should continue in doing God's Will, because of that great loss that will bef…

Is there any such joy as to have the golden banner of Christ's love displayed over us? Is there any such honor as to sit upon the throne with Christ (Revelation 3:21)? O then long for the celestial kingdom.

Hence, justification in reference to this, is the denial of any such obligation, or the judge's freeing of the person under trial, from the law, a delivering him out of its hands, a removal of condemnation from him, so (Romans 8:1): There is therefore no more condemnation to tho…

In the celebration of Gospel ordinances, God in Christ proposes himself in an intimate manner to the believing soul, as his God, and reward; and his love in Christ, in an especial manner in some ordinances. So does Christ also exhibit himself thereunto (Revelation 3:20): "Behold…

First, The inward principle of our obedience, our faith and love which are to be preserved from decay (Revelation 2:4, 5). I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love; remember therefore from where you are fallen, and repent, and do your first works (Revel…

And not only so, but delivers them up to Satan — that being the consequence of it, which therefore, because it implies the former, is put to express the whole proceeding. Which delivery of him to Satan was not a giving him a commission to carry him on to more sin, for the end pr…

It pleased Lombard also to interpret this place: How often would I have gathered your children, and you would not? thus: So many as I have gathered together, I did it by my effectual will, you being unwilling. Object. III. Revelation 3:20. I stand at the door and knock, if any s…

But if they be meek, and gentle, peaceable, and willing to be instructed, inquiring after truth, it being discovered by the true Spouse (whom God has enlightened to direct them,) we contemne not those daughters; but rejoice in their fellowship, tender them as lambs of Christ, th…

When this is generally the frame of the mind, when it has such an unreadiness to holy duties as that it either neglects them, or is cold and formal in the performance of them. This was the temper of Laodicea (Revelation 3:15). She did enough outwardly to satisfy herself; but in…

(Hebrews 6:1) We read of dead works: and indeed all a man's works are such, until he come to a true faith in Christ; his most affectionate prayers, yes, his highest reformations are but dead works; though a person afflict (not his body only, but) his very soul; yet God will take…

This is certainly one part of a Christian's work, and his warfare is within his own heart, with the pride, hardness, unbrokenness, and other distempers thereof. Some professors indeed find no hard work with their own hearts, they think they have all things, and have need of noth…

Comfort without Christ, is but like a shadow without substance, or worse. Many there be that catch at, and take hold of Promises, that do miss of Christ, and hence have nothing, when they think they have all things (Revelation 3:17). Among the rest that might be named, I shall m…

Ans. It is one thing what a man may do, and yet be an unregenerate person really and in the sight of God, who knoweth the heart; and another thing to be visibly so in the view of men, and in their rationall judgement. For it is granted, that a man may be and do outwardly and vis…

And this teaches us to lay aside all self-love and pride of heart, and to practice the duties of humility, as the apostle exhorts the Philippians in the same place: and that shall we do when we begin to cast off that high opinion which every man by nature conceives of himself, a…

I say [truly righteous] to exclude the hypocrite, who has a form, and slight tincture of piety, but knows not the grace of God in truth (Colossians 1:6). He has nothing of religion but the name (Revelation 3:1), and religion often suffers by him: But he who is really righteous,…

He made it after his image, he redeemed it with Christ's blood, &c. Well then, God that made such a body, such a soul, deserveth love; He that made the Soul, has most right to dwell in it; 'tis a curious house of his own framing: But he will not enter by force and violence, but…

Objection 5. Christ says (Revelation 3:4) that the faithful in the Church of Sardis shall walk with him in white: for they are worthy: therefore believers merit. Answer: Every believer is worthy to walk with Christ: yet not worthy in himself, but in Christ, to whom he is united,…

For all this may be, and probably is, the fruit of his love and care for your soul. Revelation 3:19: Whom I love, I rebuke and chasten. How much better is it to have an idolized enjoyment taken from you in mercy, than if God should say concerning you, as he said of Ephraim in Ho…

There are two sorts of men to whom this trial does belong. The first are those, who have a name they live and yet are dead, like the Church of Sardis (Revelation 3:1). The second to whom this belongs, are those who are dead indeed.

That which is attributed to this Church, is, that it was once a most pure, excellent, flourishing, and mother-Church; all, it seems, in the superlative degree. I will not contend about the purity, excellency, or flourishing of that Church; the boasting of the superlativeness of…

This passage certain people adduce in vain to prove that the Jews were accustomed to make use of the rite of baptism, when the philosopher is most plainly speaking of Christians. Even in (Revelation 3:9), by "Jews" the Holy Spirit Himself understands none other than Christians.…

Here is forbidden the contrary, as no feeling (Ephesians 4:17; Zephaniah 1:12). In zeal forbidden, want of true zeal (Revelation 3:15). Zeal for evil (Matthew 10:21).

Thus the gospel calls not to an empty house that wants meat, but to a banqueting house where Christ is made ready as the cheer, and there wants no more but feasting on Him: so it's set out under the similitude of eating and drinking (John 6:57), He that eats me, even he shall li…

An eighth expression is that of opening to Christ, (Song of Solomon 5:2) Open to me my dove, etc. (Revelation 3:20) Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man open the door to me, etc. (Acts 16) it's said, the Lord opened the heart of Lydia: when the Word comes, sinners' h…

For we have not only the Mediator, and His satisfaction to look upon in this soul-travel, but also the contrivance of the Covenant, called in the former words, the pleasure of the Lord; who, while we were enemies gave His Son, and was content to want Him for a time (to speak so)…

3. It implies the Mediator's fitness for this service, that He is furnished, fitted, and qualified for, as well as taken up with, the justifying of sinners, and setting them free before the throne of God. He has a full purse (to speak so) to pay their debt; therefore He bids sin…

And though the godly do steadfastly believe their salvation is in a castle, above losing; yet in reason, sin bringing broken bones, (Psalm 51:10), a sad cloud, the damming up of a spring of Christ's love spread abroad in the heart, a temporary hell in the soul, it must be sorrow…

2. And those who will not be invited, he must draw them, rather than want them: he draws with compassion, as being overcome with love; for his bowels are moved for Ephraim (Jeremiah 31), he draws while his arms bleed. 3. And does not only knock, but he stands and knocks (Revelat…

Verse 3: Incline your ear to me, and hear, and your soul shall live, and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Then a soul dies a soul's death — he is lean, he eats dirt, he has no bread — while he comes to Christ (Revelation 3:18): I coun…

5. How long he seeks; how long a night-rain wet his locks and hair! How long a night is it, he stands at the church door knocking? (Song of Songs 5:1; Revelation 3:20). There be many hours in this night; since he was preached in Paradise, and yet he stands to this day, how gladl…

Christ with a great condescension took upon him the office of his Father's Ambassador to the Church, to promote the Covenant of Reconciliation between God and man, and make offers of it in preaching the Gospel, and he it is that does by his Spirit persuade the elect, and does ma…

(Psalm 32:6) Hence says David, verse 7. You are my hiding place, you shall preserve me from trouble: Some way or other God will attest and testify the integrity of his praying servants before the world: Thus he dealt in the case of Job: God's children may be long concealed from…

For it is a manifest beguiling when a man persuades himself that he is somewhat, when in deed he is nothing. Such men are well described in the third chapter of Revelation in these words: You say: I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, and do not know how…

Christ was even consumed with the zeal of God's house (John 2). The angel of the Church of Laodicea is blamed, because he is neither hot, nor cold (Revelation 3). He is accursed of God, that does the work of God negligently (Jeremiah 48).

The Church of Laodicea, thought shee was rich, and increased with goods, and had neede of nothing: whereas shee was wretched, and miserable, andpoore, and blind, and naked. Apoc 3:17. And so the skarlet strūpet thought her selfe a Queene, and that shee was out of all daunger of…

Who would not be willing to serve a prince that is given to mercy and clemency? God is represented with a rainbow round about him (Revelation 4:3), an emblem of his mercy. Acts of severity are rather forced from God; justice is his strange work (Isaiah 28:21).

To make sinners tremble, let them think of these three things: The torments of the damned are without intermission, without mixture, and eternal. 1. Without intermission; their pains shall be acute and sharp, and no relaxation; the fire shall not be slackened, or abated (Revelat…

Use 3. Of Exhortation. Let us hallow and sanctify God's name: did we but see a glimpse of God's glory, as Moses did in the rock; the sight of this would draw adoration and praise from us; could we see God face to face, as the angels in heaven do, could we behold him sitting on h…

Psalm 57:10: God's mercy is great above the heavens. Psalm 108:4: God is represented as a king, and a rainbow was about his throne (Revelation 4:2-3). The rainbow was an emblem of mercy.

Nothing he commands but is for our interest and benefit: O then kiss the Son! Why do the elders throw down their crowns at the feet of Christ, and fall down before the Lamb (Revelation 4:10-11), but to testify their subjection, and to profess their readiness to serve and obey hi…

So when a gracious soul has done any duty, he desires that the glory of all may be given to God (1 Peter 4:11): That in all things God may be glorified. This is to do God's will as the angels, when we not only advance God's glory, but design his glory; the angels are said to cas…

Quest. 53. What are the ends of all this dispensation and order of things in the Church? Answ. The glory of God, the honor of Jesus Christ the Mediator, the furtherance of the Gospel, the edification and consolation of believers here; with their eternal salvation hereafter (Reve…

Q. Had this world a beginning by creation, or was it from everlasting? A. The scripture in many places, and especially in the first of Genesis does declare that the world was not from everlasting, but had a beginning by the Lord's creating of it (Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 4:11; P…

What solemn outward and as it were visible transactions of worship are required thereunto, we know not. And, it may be, the representation of God's Throne, and his worship (Revelation 4, 5), wherein the Lamb in the midst of the Throne has the principal part, may not belong only…

Thirdly, we must give God glory in all his creatures, because he is the creator of them all. So in the Revelation the twenty-four elders fall down before him, and say, You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor, and power: giving this reason, for you have created all thi…

For the first, see (1 John 3:8): the Devil sins from the beginning, Satan is still a sinning, and his whole life a continued act of apostasy. So the good Angels, are always doing, they rest not day and night (Revelation 4:8). Surely 'twill be a matter of great advantage to exerc…

The passage mentioned by the Doctor, concerning the Epistle of Dionysius to the Church of [reconstructed: Gortyna] in Crete, is very little to his purpose: neither does he call [reconstructed: Philip] the Bishop of that Church, the Bishop of all the other Churches in Crete, as t…

All creatures therefore, as such, and each according to the capacity and disposition with which they are endowed, celebrate the Creator and serve Him (Psalm 145:10): "All Your works shall praise You, O Lord;" and therefore, by personification (kata prosopopoiian), the Psalmist m…

When Abraham is willing that glory to the Lord should be written with the ink of his son Isaac's blood; and the Martyrs, that their pain may praise God, they then level at the right end; for that must be the most perfect intention, that comes nearest to the most perfect. This is…

3. This beauty to men and angels is a high beauty. Angels have eyes within and without (Revelation 4:6), to behold the beauty of the Lord, and it takes up their eyes always to behold his face; and there is no beauty of truth they desire more to behold — [in non-Latin alphabet] (…

First, the word "all" is, in materiâ necessariâ, in a necessary matter, taken for all and every one: "God made all nations of one blood" (Acts 17:26); "He knows the hearts of all men" (Acts 1:24); "All have sinned" (Romans 3:12; Romans 5:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Timothy 4:10; J…

Now love is seen in admiring the excellencies of that glorious being whom we love, and ascribing all to him, as being deeply affected with his goodness. (Revelation 4:10) The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that lives for ever…

And the words themselves have that affinity in signification, which is frequently seen among the Hebrew Roots, differing only in the transposition of one letter. And the description of him who sat above the Cherubims of Providence, Ezek. 1:10. is the same with that of John (Reve…

The making therefore of all things depends on a mere Soveraign Acts of the will and pleasure of God. So the whole creation makes its acknowledgement, Revelation 4:11. Chap.

II. These words are a notable forme of giving thanks and praise to God: for when the heauenly creatures are said to give thanks to God, they doe it to this effect, Rev. 4. 9. 11. you are worthie, O Lord, to receiuehonour, and glorie, and power. Againe, Phil. 4. 6.

Nor shall there be any envying one another's happiness, (though one star differ from another in glory) but everyone shall bear his part in the lower or higher praises of God, (as one says) with a harmonious variety in perfect symphony: certainly that unfading crown of glory shal…

8. This holy violence brings rest; motion tends to rest (Hebrews 4:9): There remains a rest for the people of God. Indeed, there is a motion which does not tend to rest: they who are violent in a way of sin, shall never have rest (Revelation 4:8): They rest not day and night. Su…

But God's workmen have a much harder task than they. Hence they are set forth in Scripture by the laborious ox (1 Corinthians 9:9; Revelation 4:7). Some derive the word deacon from a word that signifies dust, to show the laboriousness of their employment, laboring till evening,…

Ib. 51. Revelation 4:4. A Presbyter, according to the proper meaning of the New Testament, is he to whom our Savior Christ has communicated the power of spiritual procreation. Out of twelve patriarchs issued the whole multitude of Israel according to the flesh.

There are no passions in the glorified and perfectly meekened ones, who stand before the throne, but such as are pure and unmixed fire for the everlasting praises of God. Hence showers of influences eternally rain on them night and day without ceasing (Isaiah 6:2, 3, 4; Revelati…

2. Our righteousness from the time forward shall not only be inherent; for the righteousness of God is an everlasting righteousness (Daniel 9:24), and how that robe of Christ's surety-righteousness shall in the state of glory, be laid by as an old useless garment, and the robe o…

Does not David bless the Lord who sent Abigail to meet him with a counsel of peace? Then must these confluences and co-existences of things be written in the Lord's book, and so decreed (Psalms 139:16), and from the Creator God, as the efficient, and for God and his glory, as th…

Hence that (wise as an Angel of God) and also the fulness of God in their affections teaches us that wideness of heart is expressed in continual acting, and so in multiplied breathings of God: and Angels do not walk and run only, but fly with wings, cheerfully to do the Lord's w…

And where there is perfect satisfaction without satiety, there is blessedness for ever. So the Holy Spirit affirms of the four living creatures in the Revelation; They rest not day nor night, saying, holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty (Revelation 4:8). They are continually exerc…

Man was made for two ends; to glorify God, and to enjoy him. Now our crown of glory must be laid at God's feet; as the elders, (Revelation 4:10) saying, You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor, and power. All our desires must give place to this, that he may be glorif…

1. With his goodness. The creation is nothing else but an effusion of the bounty and goodness of God, he made the world not that he might be happy, but that he might be liberal, he made the world not by necessity, but at his pleasure (Revelation 4:11). You have created all thing…

Oh what a good master have we! When the saints are crowned, they cast their crowns at the Lamb's feet (Revelation 4:10). We hold all by his mercy (Luke 17:10).

2. Wherein God expresses his mercy to them in creation and providence. 1. In creating them: it was great mercy, that being infinitely perfect in himself from all eternity, and so not needing anything, he took the creatures out of nothing, which therefore could merit nothing, and…

Whenever the grace of Christ is wrought in the heart as a principle of duty, you shall find the soul, when it is most carried out, with a "yet not I" in the mouth of it: "I live, yet not I"; "I labored more abundantly than all, yet not I" — self is disclaimed, and Christ most ad…

And this is that which is mentioned in Zechariah 4, which has the two Olive Trees, or the two anointed Churches of Jews and Gentiles, standing by it, receiving light from it, to communicate to others: they empty the golden oil out of themselves, which they receive from the Candl…

Answ. Self-searching is a reflect act upon the state (and such acts are more spiritual than direct acts) and therefore it should be the work of all, to try, under what reign they are, whether of the first or second Adam. And whereas Angels cover their faces and their feet with w…

Third, God must defend all his glory with the same necessity, except the Scripture make some exception of some glory which he must preserve, as dearer to him than some other glory, which is unwarrantable to say, and if God must, by necessity of nature, and as God, because natura…

But who lives for God, who sleeps, who wakes, who eats for God and his Glory? And they who make themselves their last end, idolatrously put self in the room of God, who only is the last end of all (Romans 11:36; Revelation 4:11; Proverbs 16:4), and as good make self the first Au…

Ephesians 1:9, 11. Revelation 4:11. The being, existence, and natural circumstances of all creatures, being an effect of the free counsel and pleasure of God, all that belongs unto them must be ultimately resolved thereinto.

And where there is perfect satisfaction without satiety, there is blessedness forever. So the Holy Spirit affirms of the four living creatures in the Revelation: they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty (Revelation 4:8). They are continually exerc…

The Philosopher says, Motion tends to rest. Indeed there is a motion which does not tend to rest; they who walk with their sins shall never have rest, Revelation 4. 8. They rest not day and night: But they that walk with God, shall sit down in the Kingdom of God, Luke 13. 29. As…

There is no sleep in Hell. What would the damned give for one hour's sleep, Revelation 4.8. They rest not day nor night.

There also you shall meet with thousands and ten thousands that have gone before us to that place; none of them are hurtful, but loving and holy; every one walking in the sight of God, and standing in his presence with acceptance for ever. In a word, there we shall see the elder…

Those which declare all things to be equally easy to him, and nothing difficult; There is nothing too hard for you (Jeremiah 32:17; 2 Chronicles 14:11; 1 Samuel 14:6). Those which ascribe all power to him, by the titles of Almighty, All-sufficient (Genesis 17:1; Revelation 4:8,…

1. With humility and thankfulness to own and acknowledge, and admire and bless God as the author and original of our being, as the spring and fountain of all the blessings and good things that we enjoy. If we do but consider what these words signifie, that God is the first cause…

You are therefore not to cast off the duties, but your resting in these duties. You are not to cast them away, but to cast them down at the feet of Jesus Christ, as they did their crowns (Revelation 4:10-11). Saying, if there be any good or graces in these duties, it's yours, Lo…

The humble soul knows no landlord but Christ, and is only Grace's humble tenant: there is none to him but the Lord Jesus with his rich ransom of blood (1 Timothy 1:16, 17). So there is much humility in heaven: if it were possible that tears could be in heaven, the humble saints…

First, it gives us to understand them very clearly, not only believe that they are true, but we understand plainly the meaning of them; by faith we understand the world was made (Hebrews 11:3), and faith is the evidence of things not seen: by faith Abraham saw Christ's day; we k…

There is nothing which that book of Psalms more tumbles up and down (repeating it very often again, and again) than this clause, Praise the Lord: indeed his Psalms of humiliation, which he begins with sobs and tears, he ends with praise. A worthy pattern to follow: the more freq…

Yet some understand it of the souls both of believers and unbelievers, which are both sentenced by God, as supreme judge, immediately when a man dies, every man to his place — the souls of believers to heaven, of unbelievers to hell. (3) Because the saints departed, together wit…

How does this make heaven ring of the saints' praises? They sing Hallelujahs to Christ their Savior (Revelation 5:9). They sang a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals; for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood.

His scepter (Hebrews 1:8), A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom. 3. His escutcheon, or coat of arms, he gives the Lion in his arms (Revelation 5:5), The lion of the tribe of Judah. And he is, the text says, 〈in non-Latin alphabet〉, King of Kings.

If a man redeem another out of debt, will not he be grateful? How deeply do we stand obliged to Christ, who has redeemed us from hell and damnation (Revelation 5:9): And they sang a new song, saying, you are worthy to take the book, and open the seals, for you were slain, and ha…

Many are full of murmurings and discontents, but seldom do they bring glory to God by giving him the praise due to his name. We read of the saints having harps in their hand (Revelation 5:8): the emblem of praise: many have tears in their eyes, and complaints in their mouth, but…

Christ takes the dross out of our prayer, and presents nothing to his Father but pure gold. Christ mingles his sweet odors with the prayers of the saints (Revelation 5:8). Think of the dignity of his person, he is God; and the sweetness of his relation, he is a Son.

Psalm 71:8. Let my mouth be filled with your praise, and with your honor all the day. Revelation 5:13. Blessing, honor, glory and power be to him that sits upon the throne. Blessing God is honoring of God.

There is much ascribed to Christ's intercession, but his intercession had not prevailed with God for the forgiveness of one sin, had he not shed his blood. It is worth our notice, that when Christ is described to John as an intercessor for his church, he is represented to him in…

Now whereas he is the head and King of the Church, the next immediate and special law-giver of it appointing to it all his ordinances, and its whole worship, as it becomes him who is Lord of the house, the institutions of the Gospel worship are his most especial commands. And in…

Nor can any thing be more mysteriously glorious, than the furniture of his person as Mediator, with all fullness of power, wisdom and grace for the accomplishment of his work (John 1:16; Colossians 1:18, 19; Chapter 2:9; Philippians 2:5, 6, 7, 8, 9). The work that he wrought in…

This the whole Scripture testifieth to, namely, a real communication of glory to Christ by the Father after his ascension which he had not before. See Luke 24:16; John 17:24; Acts 2:33; Acts 5:31; Romans 14:9; Ephesians 1:20, 21, 22, 23; Philippians 2:9, 10, 11; Hebrews 1:3; Cha…

The partition wall is broken down, and the gates of the new Jerusalem are set open to all comers upon the Gospel invitation. This is frequently taken notice of in the Scripture; see Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; John 11:51, 52; John 12:32; Acts 11:18; Acts 17:30; Galatians 5:6; Eph…

But there is no ground to conceit or fancy such distinct places in heaven above; yes, it is contrary to the Scripture so to do: for the residence of the holy angels is before and about the throne of God. So are they always placed in the Scripture (Daniel 7:10; Matthew 18:10; Rev…

In the close of the whole they affirm, that the obtaining of everlasting salvation by Christ, was not an act antecedent to his entering into Heaven, as the word seems to import, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], having obtained; but it was done by his entrance itself into that Holy P…

He was sent of God into the World on this great errand, for this great work; and he returned not to him, he appeared not in the presence of him that sent him, until he had fulfilled it, and was ready in all things to give an account of it to the eternal glory of God. In this his…

With express respect hereunto, the Apostle Peter affirms, that we were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:18). And Christ is not only called the Lamb of God, which takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29), tha…

This same Jesus is our Savior in every state and condition, the same on the Cross and the same at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Hence he is still represented in Heaven as a Lamb slain (Revelation 5:6). And all apprehensions to the contrary are destructive to the whole f…

(2.) The representation of his death, oblation and sacrifice for us, which gives power, life and efficacy to his intercession. From there he appears in the midst of the Throne as a Lamb that had been slain (Revelation 5:8). Both these are required to make his intercession sacerd…

And when they were to publish the birth of the Messiah, they begin on this manner, glory to God in the highest heavens, peace on earth. And John in his vision heard the angels about the throne, crying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb, etc. to receive power, riches, and stre…

7. From that [with ten thousand of Saints] At Christ's appearance his train shall consist of multitudes of Saints and holy Angels. Now they are but as two or three berries upon the top of the uppermost bough, scattered here and there, as God has work and service for them to do,…

The saints departed pray to God by giving thanks to him for their own redemption and for the redemption of the whole Church of God upon earth. Revelation 5:8-9: The four beasts and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, and they sang a new song: You are worthy to take…

I had rather be environed with armies of armed men, and compassed round about with drawn swords, and instruments of death, than that the least praying saint should bend the edge of his prayers against me, for there is no standing before the prayers of the saints. You may see thr…

The whole frame of providence is for one entire design. It is one entire book with seven seals (Revelation 5:1). The beginning of a book as well as the middle has relation to the end.

It's the peculiarity of grace that commends it to the souls of believers, and makes it wonderful to them; that God should have taken notice of them that were by nature separate from God as well as others; that their case being common, his love should be peculiar, is indeed just…

That which is a great ground of thankfulness for election, effectual calling, justification, etc. is because these mercies are peculiar; even so that which makes the redeemed thankful for redemption, is because they are redeemed and bought when others are left. Hence is that son…

Third, because without this, people can never love Christ; for it is this benefit of justification, and pardon of sin, that much engages them to love and praise him. Because (say and sing the redeemed, Revelation 5:9) "You have redeemed us to God by your blood, you are worthy to…

This way of justification makes Christ's death wondrous lovely, and it is on this that the song of the redeemed is founded (Revelation 1:5). To him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests to God, and his Father, to him be glo…

It is of as many as are justified — the iniquities of such He bore, and of no more. 2. It serves to provoke you that have gotten in Christ this privilege, to be very thankful; this is it that makes the song of praise heartsome (Revelation 5:9): "You have redeemed us to God by yo…

3. Of two equally disposed and fitted for conversion, though none be fitted aright, he calls one of mere grace, and not the other. 4. Grace is so great that, (Revelation 5:11) when ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, are set on work to sing, (verse 12) W…

All these say Christ is no niggard of grace. And 4. can they not wear and out-spend their harps, who fall down before the Lamb (Revelation 14) and (Revelation 5:8) who with a loud voice, praise the grace of God. Verse 12: For ever and ever?

So (Deuteronomy 10:20): "You shall fear the Lord your God, and serve him." Christ expounds it (Luke 4:8) exclusively: "You shall serve only the Lord," because it is the prerogative of God to be worshipped, as it is a prerogative of grace to be the ransomed and redeemed of God (D…

And the Apostle affirmes this of his humane nature, (as was said) for he speaks of that nature that was tempted here below. And therefore the Lambe that was slaine, and so the man Christ Jesus, is Revelation 5:6 said to have seven eyes, as well as seven hornes; which seven eyes…

Our enemy is vigilant and strong, it is enough for us, that our Redeemer is merciful and faithful in succoring the tempted, and able to master the tempter, and defeat all his methods. Christ has conquered him both as a Lamb and as a Lion (Revelation 5:5, 8). The notion of a Lamb…

Oh fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken, ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to have entered into his glory. 6. The redemption of the church by Christ is the talk and discourse we shall have in heaven, the angels and glorified spir…

But now all are indifferently received. Some expound this place generally, that the Gentiles shall be priests: that is to say, shall offer themselves to God; for so the scriptures in many places calls all by the name of a royal priesthood: (Exodus 19:6), (1 Peter 2:9), (Revelati…

But he who pays a man's debt for him, and so delivers him from slavery, cannot be said to purchase an estate for him, merely because he sets him at liberty, so that henceforth he has an opportunity to get an estate by his own labor. So that according to this scheme, the saints i…

Revelation 5:5-6 — And one of the elders said to me, Weep not; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals. And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in…

The continuation of all your mercies and comforts, outward as well as inward, is the fruit of his Intercession in Heaven for you. For look, as the offering up of the Lamb of God a Sacrifice for sin, opened the door of mercy at first; so his appearing before God as a Lamb that ha…

In which words Pseudo-Dionysius, Gregory, and Aquinas, with sundry of the schoolmen, have coined a distinction of angels into ministrantes, those that minister to God, and assistentes, those that stand before him. Whereas the whole intendment of the expression is, that all the a…

Secondly, their several employments also did greatly differ. The work of Angels was immediately to attend the Throne of God, to minister before him, and to give glory to him, and to execute the commands of his Providence in the government of the works of his hands (Psalm 68:17;…

But as the Sacrifices of Beasts could not have been before the entrance of sin, so it may be evidenced that they were instituted from the foundation of the world, that is presently after the entrance of sin. Christ is called the Lamb of God, Johnn 1:29. which he was in reference…

And since the reformation, the church's persecutions have been beyond all that ever were before. Though some parts of God's church sometimes have had rest, yet to this day, for the most part, the true church is very much kept under by its enemies, and some parts of it under grie…

If God shut up a man, who can open (Job 12:14)? As there was none found in heaven or earth, that could open the seals of that book (Revelation 5:5), so is there no opening by the hand of the most able and skillful ministry, those seals of hardness, blindness and unbelief, thus i…

2. That Christ by the blood of his cross has made peace between God and the Brasilians, who so lived and died without the Gospel; that Christ has satisfied upon the cross for their sins against the Law, and borne their sins in his own body on the tree; that Brasilians being dead…

2. Our righteousness from the time forward shall not only be inherent; for the righteousness of God is an everlasting righteousness (Daniel 9:24), and how that robe of Christ's surety-righteousness shall in the state of glory, be laid by as an old useless garment, and the robe o…

For 2. There should have been there no new heaven nor new earth, no chair of estate, no high lifted up throne for the power of the kings of the earth, who has loved us, and washed in his blood. Nor 3. Should there have been any new song, nor any such redeemed musicians, who sing…

And according to the prospect which we have of that glory, ought our admiration to be. And this admiration will issue in adoration and thanksgiving; whereof we have an eminent instance and example in the whole church of the redeemed (Revelation 5:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14). They san…

This is that love of Christ wherein he is glorious, and wherein we are by faith to behold his glory. A great part of the blessedness of the saints in heaven, and their triumph therein, consists in their beholding of this glory of Christ, in their thankful contemplation of the fr…

Our Lord Jesus was more admired for his controlling and commanding the unclean spirits, than for any other of the cures he wrought: Unruly passions are unclean spirits, legions of which some souls are possessed with, and desperate outrageous work they make: The soul becomes like…

He is therefore called the Lamb of God, for his meekness, and patience, and inoffensiveness, and even in his exaltation, he retains the same character. One of the elders told John (Revelation 5:5) that the Lion of the tribe of Judah would open the sealed book; and I beheld (says…

This indeed is called a reward, but it is the reward of another manner of righteousness then our own; were it that there were no other righteousness but our own, though our own should be true righteousness, the reward would never come to this height; but this is first the reward…

Jesus Christ is of mighty renown, he is a King; he has a kingly title, High and mighty (Isaiah 57:15). 2. He has his Insignia Regalia, his ensigns of royalty, Corona est insigne Regiae potestatis; His crown (Revelation 6:2), his sword (Psalm 45:3), Gird your sword upon your thig…

This is the Grand Assizes; the greatest appearance that ever was: now Adam shall see all his posterity at once. We must all appear; the greatness of men's persons does not exempt them from Christ's tribunal; kings and captains are brought in trembling before the Lamb's throne (R…

Why what shall we be? Every son of God shall have his crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4), and white robes (Revelation 6:11). Robes signify dignity, and white signifies sanctity.

3. As to the outward manner of this judgement it shall be with solemnity and great glory (2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8, 9, 10, Jude 14, 15, Daniel 7:9, Revelation 20:4, 5). And this shall be partly for the demonstration of the glory and honor of Jesus Christ, who has been so despised,…

But in the glorious presence of God, when we shall behold him as the Lord Christ does in the most eminent manner face to face, it cannot be understood what need or use we can have of words to express ourselves to God, in prayers or praises. And the souls of men in their separate…

These therefore he promised he would come and destroy; and the faith of the Church concerning this his coming was, that he that should come, would come, and would not tarry. The description of this coming of Christ is given us (Revelation 6:7, 8, 9, 10). (3.) After this arose a…

(3) It is a difficult, glorious and great fruit or effect of faith, not to repine at, but to glorify God in his patience towards a wicked, provoking generation of sinners. Even the souls of the saints in Heaven seem to express a little too much haste in this matter (Revelation 6…

But God's word says to the contrary. For the souls of the godly lie under the altar, and cry, How long Lord Jesus (Revelation 6:9)? Dives in soul did suffer the woe and torments of hell: and Lazarus had joy in Abraham's bosom (Luke 16:23).

11. God calls them a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6). 1. They are kings, they have their throne (Revelation 3:21) and white robes (Revelation 6:11). Robes signify their dignity, and white their sanctity.

7. Angels are brought to judgment. None are exempted, at the great day you shall see those glorious creatures bound with chains of darkness; the kings and captains are brought in trembling before the Lamb's Throne (Revelation 6:20), and great as well as small appear before that…

The saints departed pray generally for the state of the whole Church. Revelation 6:9-10: I saw under the altar the souls of them that were killed for the word of God, and they cried: How long, Lord, holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the e…

The first chapter of Ezekiel contains an admirable scheme of providence; there you may see the living creatures who move the wheels — that is, the great affairs and turnings of things here below — coming to Christ, who sits upon the throne to receive new orders and instructions…

It abides not with him all that dark and lengthy night, or space after death, in which their bodies rest in the grave, which is termed man's long home: and, The days of darkness are many (says Solomon); no, he rewards them in the evening of the day, besides what he will add to i…

Worldly sorrow, says the Apostle, works death. And if it works your death, it works your damnation also; for Hell follows that pale horse (Revelation 6:8). If a believer dies, there is no danger of Hell to him, the second death has no power over him; but woe to you if it overtak…

If the head Christ be not complete without the body, the members of the body cannot be complete without one another. The souls of them that were slain for the word of God cry under the altar for vengeance on them that dwell on the earth, as (Revelation 6:9-10). How long, O Lord…

If God would but show to you how great a thing his Law is, and all the threatenings which are revealed therein, you would account your estates, and lives and all your comforts as little and poor in comparison of that Law. Hence in (Revelation 6:9), I saw under the Altar the soul…

Now this expression I find Christ makes use of in the setting out the misery of the destruction of the Jews by the Romans afterwards, in Luke 23:30. And so I find the Holy Ghost in expressing the misery of the Antichristian party, when the wrath of God should come out upon them,…

You can tell what to do now, you have your wills, and pride it, and stout it out now, but what will you do in the day of visitation, when God's solemn day and this feast comes? Oh! what can they do but as the great and mighty men, Revelation 6, they cry to the hills to fall upon…

It seems they spent their time in it from day to day, without ceasing, 'till the Spirit came down in a wonderful manner upon them, and that work was begun which never ceased, 'till the world was turned up-side down, and all the chief nations of it were converted to Christianity.…

But more eminently was this glorious change in the Empire owing to the power of God's Word, the prevalence of the glorious Gospel, by which Constantine himself was converted, and so became the instrument of the overthrow of Heathen Empire in the East and West. The change that wa…

Use, 1. It may make us wonder that men and women think so little of sin; there are many that will scoff at a challenge or threatening for sin; but let me say it, that mountains of lead, yes, though all this world were turned into one mass, or lump of lead, it should not be so he…

Yet suppose the hardest befall me, I know what to do; as the unjust steward resolves on a way, beforehand, how to swim through his necessities (Luke 16:4). The Lord acts judgment and what they shall pray in the time of their extremity, who now spit at all praying and religion; t…

Christ riding on his horse of the Gospel, and strength of free grace, is swift and speedy, and has excellent success. (Revelation 6) He went out 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, both conquering, and that he might conquer. Christ shoots not at the rovers, to come short, or beside the m…

To illustrate this by the help of the former comparison begun; If as Abel's blood cries, so also it proves that Abel's soul lives to cry; that both his cause cries and himself lives to follow it: So that the cry of Abel's blood is seconded with the cry of Abel's soul that lives,…

And seeing this whole man both body and soul was tempted, and that (as the Text says) he is touched with a feeling in that nature which is tempted, it must therefore be in the whole man, both body and soul. Therefore when as we reade of the wrath of the Lambe, as Revelation 6:16…

So when God glorifies his wisdom and power, in delivering his people from their Enemies, and ensnaring them in the works of their own hands, a double note of attention is affixed to that double work of Providence, Psalm 9:16 higgaion slah. So at the opening of every seal which c…

The Church being to be delivered, Haman must be hanged. This you have fully set out (Revelation 6:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17). It is the fall of heathenish tyranny, by the prevailing of the Gospel, which you have there described.

They all aim to bring men into hell, which is an eternal enemy where it prevails. This attends the workings and successes of those other adversaries to consume and destroy, if it were possible, the whole inheritance of Christ (Revelation 6:8). All these are enemies to Christ in…

God leaves not either the measure or the time, the degree or the continuance of any affliction in the hand of Satan or his adherents. We read (Revelation 6:10) that the souls under the Altar cry, 'How long, Lord, how long?' They cry to God how long — they knew that he only had t…

While it's said, he has a crown, hereby is not signified any material crown, but majesty and glory, as Psalm 21:3, You set a Crown of pure Gold on his head, etc. And so Christ conquering on the white horse (Revelation 6:3) is said to have a crown: And (Revelation 19:12) it's sai…

This is a long time of the church's trouble and affliction, and is so spoken of in scripture, though it be spoken of as being but for a little season, in comparison of the eternal prosperity of the church. Hence the church, under the long continuance of this affliction, cries ou…

He only would be an eased and painless man, and seeks not to be free of blaspheming God. See Balaam's, and the rich man's desire (Numbers 23:10; Luke 16:24; Revelation 6:15, 16, 17). 3. True it is, we love not moral influences; and to be actors in holiness, that spoils and robs…

To us workers of iniquity (Matthew 25:11; Luke 13:25, 26). And second, some prayer flows from fleshly despair, and not from the spirit (Revelation 6:16): Mountains and rocks fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sits on the throne. And third, the enemies of David cry…

So the devils' quarrel is not with their own apostasy, but with the holy Lord's dispensation; are you come [illegible] to torment us? and (which is another fault) before the time (Matthew 8:29). Nor can we move questions concerning the decrees and deep dispensations of God, but…

As to those prayers against his enemies, which we find in some of his Psalms, and which sometimes sound a little harsh, surely they did not proceed from any such irregular passion, as did in the least clash even with the evangelical laws of meekness: we cannot imagine, that one…

But Christ's holy religion, though for some ages it was utterly destitute of all secular supports and advantages, and was assaulted on all hands by the most vigorous attacks of its daring and most implacable enemies, yet it has strangely weathered its point, and is in being, and…

It's appointed for all men once to die, and after that the Judgment. Revelation 6:8. And I looked, and behold a pale Horse, and his name that sat on him was Death: and Hell followed him. Ah it makes a sudden and strange alteration upon mens conditions, to be pluckt out of house,…

1. Temporally upon persons, kingdoms, nations and countries, a type whereof you have (Isaiah 63:1-6). As he did it upon the old Roman world (Revelation 6:16), and this also he does two ways. 1. By calling out here and there an eminent opposer, and making him an example to all th…

He endures the vessels of wrath with much long-suffering (Romans 9:22). While the gospel is administered in the world, he is patient toward the men of it — until the saints in heaven and earth are astonished and cry out 'How long?' (Psalm 13:1–2; Revelation 6:10) — and those men…

Whose blood being yet unavenged, cries for the coming of our Savior to judgment, to the end they being restored to their bodies again may have full fruition of the joys long looked for, and may be revenged of the world, as the Revelation of John declares. Where God comforts them…

As his law binds all, so all that continue in impenitency, and the neglect of his grace, are subject to the curse of the law: It is general to all transgressors; Cursed is every one, etc. And if God should lay their sins home to their consciences, and speak to them in his wrath,…

If the righteous be scarcely saved, or with difficulty, where shall the sinners and ungodly appear? (1 Peter 4:18). See how they run away, and would fain hide themselves (Revelation 6:15), etc. In the day of eternity, (that long, everlasting day) then when they are in hell, they…

1 They will be exceeding great and terrible, such as will make the stoutest hearts to quake and tremble: If the writing of Mene, Mene, Tekel, etc. made a change in Belshazzar's countenance, and trouble in his thoughts, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees s…

He comes forth of the Myrtle trees in the bottom (his lowly people, in a low condition) with the Red horse following him (Zechariah 1:8). Upon this account he [illegible] broke the old Roman Pagan Empire (Revelation 6:13, 14, 15, 16, 17), and will as fearfully destroy the Antich…

1. Every saint shall be a King: There are some that aspire after earthly scepters, as if here were the place of the saints' reign: then surely, the Church of God should not be militant upon earth, but triumphant. But, behold the honor of the saints, they shall be all Kings! (tho…

This Resolution will vanish. 2. Resolution against sin may arise from fear of future evil; an apprehension of death and Hell, (Revelation 6:8). I looked, and behold a pale horse,and his name that sate on him was death, and Hell followed after him?

And do you think he would let his Inheritance be wrested out of his hands? A godly man will not only dispute for the Word, but die for it, Revelation 6. 9. I saw under the Altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God. 6. He shows his love to the Word by preferring…

His eyes will be as a flame of fire, Revelation 1.14. Christ is represented with a bow, and a crown, Revelation 6.2. Give me leave to allude.

What were the bloody endeavors of the Heaven and Earth of that state for the suppression thereof is known to our children. The issue of the whole in the accomplishment of this promise, shaking those heavens and Earth to pieces, I before pointed at from (Revelation 6:12, 13, 14,…

They must die, either by a sudden, sullen, or desperate death (Psalm 89:48), which though it is to a child of God a sweet sleep, yet to the wicked it is a fearful curse proceeding from God's wrath, from which like a lion he tears body and soul asunder, death comes hissing upon t…

They shall have the heavenly nectar and ambrosia, the spiced wine, and juice of the pomegranate (Song of Solomon 8:2). This royal supper of the Lamb will not only satisfy hunger, but prevent it (Revelation 7:16). They shall hunger no more.

Sorrow is the evil spirit that haunts us; the world is a Bochim: Rachel wept for her children; some grieve that they have no children, and others grieve that their children are undutiful. Thus we spend our years with sighing; 'tis a valley of tears: but death is the funeral of a…

Indeed they shall be made like Christ's glorious body (Philippians 3:21). 2. The bodies of the saints, when they arise, shall be free from the necessities of nature, as hunger and thirst (Revelation 7:16). They shall hunger no more.

This crown is not lined with thorns, but hung with jewels; it is a never-fading crown (1 Peter 5:4). 2. The saints in Heaven have their robes; they exchange their sackcloth for white robes (Revelation 7:9). I beheld a great multitude which no man could number, clothed in white r…

So when we speak of the kingdom of heaven, we must draw a veil, we cannot set it forth in all its brilliant beauty and magnificence; gold and pearl do but faintly shadow it out (Revelation 21); the glory of this kingdom is better felt than expressed. 1. They who inherit this kin…

It was prophesied of such as were brought home to Christ (Psalm 18:44), As soon as they hear of me they shall obey me. 7. We do God's Will as the Angels in Heaven, when we do it constantly; the Angels are never weary of doing God's Will, they serve God day and night (Revelation…

Matthew 8:11. I say to you, that many shall come from the East, and West, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. Revelation 7:9. I beheld and lo a great multitude, which no man could number of all nations, kindreds, people and tongues, stood…

For herein we see him by faith yet vested with the office of the priesthood, and continuing in the discharge of it. This makes heaven a temple, as was said, and the seat of instituted worship (Revelation 7:15). Hence in his appearance to John, he was clothed with a garment down…

But I must not too far digress. The command of God, the love and care of Christ towards his Church, the ends of God's patience and long-suffering, the future manifestation of his glory in the salvation of believers and the condemnation of those that are disobedient, the necessit…

And Solomon says (Proverbs 29:18), "Where there is no vision, there the people are made naked," that is, their sins lie open before God; and by reason thereof they themselves are subject to his wrath and indignation. Now Christ was crucified naked, that he might take away from u…

7. From that [with ten thousand of Saints] At Christ's appearance his train shall consist of multitudes of Saints and holy Angels. Now they are but as two or three berries upon the top of the uppermost bough, scattered here and there, as God has work and service for them to do,…

And as a host they are said to pitch their tents round about them that fear him; and are in a continual conflict with the evil angels to prevent their designs in the behalf of Christ, whom they acknowledge as their head by their worship of him. Christ orders them to take care to…

If Sutcliffe's rule hold, we may not read it so, but thus, To know them labouring among you. So (Revelation 7:14) [in non-Latin alphabet], These are they who come out of great tribulation. Many places of this kind there are, which I need not cite.

For the things that are said of one and the other, and their issue, are in no wise consistent. In that battle (Revelation 11), the Church of God conflicts with her enemies in sorrow, sackcloth, and blood: but in the other the matter is represented exceedingly otherwise; the Chur…

We will lend an ear to a practical point of doctrine, and will some way aim to mind it; if we be bidden pray, we will pray; if we be commanded to mortify sin, we will endeavor it, and so in other duties; but who minds this as a duty, when we are called of God, to admire, and pra…

Consider, and compare them with the multitude of reprobates that are even in the visible Church, they are few, yet if you will consider them in themselves, they are many. And it's most true that is spoken, Revelation 7:9, I saw a number which no man could number. If we look sinc…

3. It's a difficulty to the Church and people of God, to think on such great confusions as are in the world; there are but few judicatories that are for Christ; but few governors higher or lower that do consult his honor or regard him; It's others that have the throne and court,…

Since then this is his design in all the chastisements inflicted on his own people, and since he only by his grace can make it infrustrably take effect, let him have our hearty allowance and approbation to carry it on vigorously and successfully, and let us pray more frequently…

But 1. Christ has strewn the way to heaven with blood and wars, and forbids us to censure his sad patrimony, in that the servants are no worse than the Lord, and flower of all the martyrs; though blood has been, and must be the rent and income of the crown of the noble King of K…

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many Angels round about the Throne, and the beasts, and the Elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands (Revelation 5:12), saying worthy is the Lamb. (Revelation 7:9) After this, I beheld,…

Indeed I grant, if those of the family of faith, be considered by themselves, they are many (Matthew 8:11): I say to you, that MANY shall come from the East and from the West, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. Nay they are innumerable (R…

But some childishly descant here upon the sign of the Cross: others refer it to the preaching of the Gospel: and both of them, as I take it, are wide from the mark. For he rather seems to allude to that which was done at the going forth and deliverance of the people: as Moses de…

The Seals of Princes were the distinguishing Marks of Princes: And thus God's Seal is spoken of as God's Mark. Revelation 7. 3. Hurt not the Earth, neither the Sea, or the Trees, 'till we have sealed the Servants of our God in their Foreheads; together with Ezekiel 9. 4. Set a M…

But after this harvest and its gleanings were over, the rest were blinded and hardened; the gospel had little success among them, and the nation was given up, and cast off from being God's people, and their city and land was destroyed by the Romans in a terrible manner. And we r…

Though the man Christ Jesus is the highest of all creatures in heaven, yet he as much excels them all in humility, as he does in glory and dignity; for none sees so much of the distance between God and himself, as he does. And though he now appears in such glorious majesty and d…

But yet this is not so precisely respected neither, but that the Apostle withal intimates the necessity of the sufferings of Christ, as to the whole effect of it towards the Elect. Now these sons thus to be brought to glory are said to be many; not all absolutely, not a few, or…

And though there be other uses of sealing, yet we conceive that which is aimed at here is, 1. To show the church is not common, but well kept and sealed, so that none can trouble believers' peace without Christ's leave, who has sealed them by his Spirit to the day of redemption…

3. It is a tree of long continuance, and keeps long green; hence (Psalm 92:12, 14) it is said of the righteous, they shall flourish like the palm tree; therefore (Joel 1:12) it is an evidence of great drought, when the palm tree withers. 4. They were looked on as most fit to be…

1. This is a spiritual life: it is opposite to that animal life which we live now. Here we hunger and thirst; but there we shall hunger no more (Revelation 7:16). There is the marriage supper of the Lamb, which will not only satisfy hunger, but prevent it.

For the first three hundred years after Christ, the church was for the most part in a state of great affliction, the object of reproach and persecution, first by the Jews, and then by the Heathen. After this, from the beginning of Constantine's time, the church had rest and pros…

S. 63. [reconstructed: 37]. Revelation 7:3. In the forehead nothing more plain to be seen than the fear of contumely and disgrace. For which cause the scripture (as with great probability it may be thought) describes them marked of God in the forehead, whom his mercy has underta…

Heaven's glory upon the soul is so transparent, that bread and hunger had no influence upon Moses for forty days, when he was in the mount with God, and then rays and influences of glory could not but be sweetly received on the soul. It's clear in such as stand and live before t…

2. Our righteousness from the time forward shall not only be inherent; for the righteousness of God is an everlasting righteousness (Daniel 9:24), and how that robe of Christ's surety-righteousness shall in the state of glory, be laid by as an old useless garment, and the robe o…

And what influences must be there, when each having six wings, they cease not night nor day to cry one to another, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, Almighty, which was, and which is to come, the whole earth is filled with his glory (Revelation 4:8; Isaiah 6:3). The glorified…

9. It cannot be denied but this very way which the Lord has taken in denying of his influences to the eternal standing of Adam, and to law-doing and law-living is the most excellent course, and that flesh and blood dare not to appear to countermand herein either infinite wisdom,…

We put not off the Humane, when we put on the Divine Nature; nor are we then freed from the sense, though we be delivered from the sting and curse of them. Grace does not presently pluck out all those Arrows that sin has shot into the sides of Nature, 2 Corinthians 7:5. When we…

This is the end of sealing — men set their seals on what they appropriate and desire to keep safe for themselves. So evidently in this sense the servants of God are said to be sealed, Revelation 7:4 — marked with God's mark as his peculiar ones. This sealing answers to the setti…

He hid an hundred Prophets in a Cave, 1 Kin. 18:4. The Angel is commanded before he poured his Vial of curses on the earth, to seal the Saints of God on their fore-heads, Revelation 7:3. Which was signum salutare a mark of safety: however God will look to the Spiritual safety of…

They fly to God's grace in Christ for daily pardon (1 John 1:9). They are ever washing their garments in the Lamb's blood (Revelation 7), and every day are cleansing themselves from the filthiness and defilement they contract by sin (John 13:10). He that is washed, needs not sav…

Thus we read of our Lord Christ, that he spent whole nights in prayer (Luke 16:12). It is said of the glorified saints in heaven, that they praise God continually (Revelation 7:15): "They are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple, and he that sits on…

3. Another object of comfort is our happy estate in heaven which puts an end to all our miseries. God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes (Revelation 7:19). There shall be no more death nor sorrow, nor crying nor any pain (Revelation 21:4).

Hunger is a sharp sauce. The Lamb's supper shall not only satisfy hunger, but prevent it (Revelation 7:16): They shall hunger no more! Third, it will be a great supper in regard of the company invited.

The king of Israel and the king of Judah sat clothed in their robes (2 Chronicles 18:19); the robe was of scarlet, or velvet lined with ermine, sometimes of a purple color, sometimes of an azure brightness. Thus the saints shall have their robes (Revelation 7:9): I beheld a grea…

After a few showers that fall from our eyes we shall have a perpetual sunshine. In heaven the bottle of tears is stopped (Revelation 7, last verse): God shall wipe away all tears. When sin shall cease, tears shall cease.

We must be wayfarers before we are those who have arrived; heaven is a place of rest (Hebrews 4:9): there remains a rest for the people of God. No more wrestling there, for then we have overcome the enemy; the saints in glory are set forth with palms in their hands (Revelation 7…

Jesus Christ has provided a sponge to wipe off the tears of the saints. Here the Spouse is in sable, it being a time of absence from her husband: But in heaven Christ will take away the spouse's mourning; he will pull off all her black and bloody robes, and will clothe her in wh…

Answer: The Law and Covenant of Works is a rule of everlasting righteousness, and so may be called an everlasting righteousness containing precepts of the Law of nature intrinsically good, such as to know, love, fear, and trust in him as the only true God: and in this sense it i…

The Beasts and the Elders stand round about the Throne — saying, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom, etc. (Revelation 7:15) Therefore are they before the Throne, and serve him night and day in his Temple, and he that sits on the Throne shal…

Now this must be given to Christ by promise (Galatians 3:16). Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made, he says not, and to seeds, as of many, but as of one, and to your seed, which is Christ: He cannot well mean mystical Christ, that is, Christ and all his, for they a…

If the seed were taken for Christ Mystical, the Apostle must say, The Law was added because of transgression, until the seed should come: that is, until Christ Mystical, his Church should come in the flesh, which is nonsense. 3. Whether the promise be of Canaan, and of life eter…

3rd Fruit. The purification of our holy things. It is Christ's work in heaven, not only to present his own prayers to his Father, but he prays over our prayers again (Revelation 8:3): Another angel came, having a golden censer, and there was given to him much incense, that he sh…

Murderers shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: this is the second death. We read of fire mingled with blood (Revelation 8:7). Such as have their hands full of blood, must undergo the wrath of God.

(3) Acts 2:42; 1 Timothy 4:5. (4) Revelation 8:3, 4; Hebrews 4:14, 15, 16; Chap. 6:20; Chap. 10:20, 21, 22. (5) John 14:13; Chap. 15:16, 22, 26; Ephesians 3:14, 15.

In this general sense even the prayers of the saints might be typified and represented in that daily burning of incense which was used in the sanctuary. But it must be granted that this incense is distinguished from the prayers of the saints, as that which is in the hand of Chri…

It is his intercession that is the cloud of incense which covers the Ark and mercy-seat. This gives a continual sweet savor to God from his oblation, and renders acceptable all the worship of the Church in their approaches to him (Revelation 8:3). These things did God instruct t…

This represented prayer (Psalm 141:2), and was always accompanied with it (Luke 1:9, 10). This also was a type of the continual efficacy of the intercession of Christ (Revelation 8:4). But this was the most solemn representation of it.

He bore it in the expiation he made of all sin; and takes it away in the sight of God. And (3) he adds of the incense of his own mediation to them, that they may have a sweet savour in their offering to God (Revelation 8:3). On this foundation it is that God has graciously desig…

Now by Christ's intercession his satisfaction is applied to our persons, and by consequent the defect of our works is covered and removed, and they are approved of God the Father. In a vision Saint John saw an angel, standing before the altar with a golden censer full of sweet o…

You may see throughout the whole Scripture, and especially in the Book of the Revelation, what a powerful influence they have into all the revolutions of providence: before the opening of the seven seals, we read of golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the saint…

Hence darkness and a sad eclipse, and decay of light and knowledge in the church, was the immediate forerunner of Anti-Christ, with all his idolatries and superstitions. For the third part of the sun, moon, and stars were smitten and darkened under the fourth trumpet, and then A…

The being of the world is maintained by them from sinking, according to the Jews' saying, sine stationibus non subsisteret mundus; (standing in prayer was their usual prayer-gesture.) And that they have actually such a force is evident (Revelation 8:3-4): An Angel has a golden c…

It was a speech of a learned man, If there be but one sigh come from a gracious heart, it fills the ears of God so that God hears nothing else. Yes, that's observable in Revelation 8:3, about this altar of incense, And another Angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden c…

It is spoken of as a sign and evidence, that the time to favor Zion is come, when God's servants are brought by their prayerfulness for her restoration, in an eminent manner, to shew that they favor her stones and dust; in the 13th and 14th verses of this Psalm, You shall arise,…

When God is reckoning up his own people, he leaves out those that have been noted for idolatry. As among the tribes that were sealed (Revelation 8) those idolatrous tribes of Ephraim and Dan are left out, and in the genealogy of Christ (Matthew 1) those princes that were chiefly…

5. It flows from this, that our prayers are heard, though there be much infirmity in them; and that they are not cast back in our faces as dung, but are made savory to God — it is through the efficacy of his intercession. We have a type of this (Revelation 8:4-5), where John see…

He procures nothing by his intercession, but through the virtue of that blood which he offered in a sacrifice to satisfy justice, and therefore in improving of his intercession, this method must be followed; there must first be a betaking of ourselves to his satisfaction, as the…

1. That his Intercession be acknowledged as the fountain, and procuring cause of that liberty and liveliness, and so we are to carry a stopped mouth before God, and not to boast of it; for (as we showed) the pouring out of the Spirit is a special fruit of Christ's Intercession;…

Hebrews 13:15. Let us by him (as our High Priest) offer the sacrifice of praise (then of prayers also) to God continually. The offering is the Priest's, as well as the people's (Revelation 8:3), and far more here, because Christ by his office, is the only immediate person who ma…

Second, he carried this his blood into the holy of holies — namely the heavens (Hebrews 9:12) — where he appears (verse 24) and there also prays in the force of that blood. The type of those prayers was the cloud of incense made by the high priest, as it is expressly interpreted…

And the Apostle sweetly expresses how the Lord Jesus prays for us (Romans 8:34): "Who is he that condemned? it is Christ that died, yes rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us," so that the Lord Jesus Christ takes up o…

1. In our best desires, endeavors, actions, we must labor to feel our own defects: that we do not the good we should, nor in that manner we ought. 2. We must labor to have even our best works, (our alms, prayers, etc.) covered with the righteousness of Christ: for it is the swee…

The returns and answers of all your prayers and cryes to Heaven for the removing of your afflictions, or supply of your wants, are all procured and obtained for you by Jesus Christ. He is the Master of your requests; and were it not that God had respect to him, he would never re…

What is my voice and countenance, might she say (for proud unbelief is exceedingly humble, and subtle, when it's opposing, and thwarting with Christ's call) indeed (says he) your voice is sweet; there is no music in the world so pleasant to me, as the prayer of a poor believer.…

5. All the promises are yea and amen in Christ (2 Corinthians 1), and so must the promise of perseverance be (Jeremiah 31:39, 40; Isaiah 54:10; Isaiah 59:21), and so the promise of influences of grace to persevere. 6. Christ's undertaking as High Priest, Advocate, and Intercesso…

Such as these, (Isaiah 33:10) Your eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that cannot be taken down, the stakes thereof shall not be removed, nor the cords broken. It is spoken of the Church in the times of the Gospel, whose state hitherto has been most distur…

These were the sufferings of those times; we shrink at every thing, at every scorn and frown. As for after times, it pleased God to stir Constantine a Christian Emperor, and then the Church had some rest; to which some apply that place, Rev. 20:2 Satan was bound a thousand years…

Incense is prayer (Psalm 141:2): Let my prayer come before you as incense. Jesus Christ is the Golden Altar, whereon that incense is offered (Revelation 8:3, 4), even that Altar which is always before God (Revelation 9:13). As by being the former, he makes our persons accepted;…

As the moon when it shines brightest has a dark spot in it: how many grains should we want, if Christ did not put his merits into the scales? Our duties, like good wine, do relish of a bad cask: the angels pouring sweet odors into the prayers of the saints (Revelation 8:3) shows…

Alas, that we are no oftener in such a solemn manner, as at this day before the Lord! We may here allude to that which is spoken (Revelation 8): we there read that there was silence in heaven half an hour, and then follows an earthquake. It's sad to consider, that there has been…

Intimating that all had defilement cleaving to them, by reason of imperfections in those who were concerned in them. And for this reason we are to seek acceptance through Christ for our best duties; and the very prayers of the saints, must come through his hands, and be offered…

In the old [reconstructed: Testament] men might bring their sacrifices, but still the priest must offer them; so must we here. And the reason is given in Revelation 8, because the prayers that come from us savor of the flesh from which they come, and the Angel of the Covenant mi…

2. Paul knew it, by receiving new supply to bear the want of that he sought in prayer; he is answered that is more heavenly after prayer. 3. Liberty and boldness of Faith, is a sign of an answered prayer: The intercessor at the right hand of God, cannot lose his own work; his sp…

Grace is not only singly in the saints, but grace and peace must be multiplied on them. 4. The standing and prorogated intercession and advocation of Jesus Christ, every day, upon occasion of new committed sins (1 John 2:1-2), and the golden altar that has been hot these 1600 ye…

Christ has not fair weather when he goes to sea (Matthew 8:23-24). Yet his journey is lawful: when Christ is upon acts of his priesthood, and stands at the great high altar with his censer of gold, to offer up the prayers of the saints to God, he casts fire with the same censer…

Isaiah says of his own and the people's righteousness, that it is but as a menstruous cloth (Isaiah 64:6). The prayers of the saints must be performed with sweet odors, before they can ascend up sweet and savory into the nostrils of God (Revelation 8:3-4). And Paul said of himse…

Ejus adesse intolerabile, ejus abesse impossibile: To bear it will be intolerable, to avoid it will be impossible. And these hell-torments are for ever; have no period put to them (Revelation 9:6). They shall seek death and shall not find it.

Eternity is a sea without bottom and banks. After millions of years there's not one minute in eternity wasted; and the damned must be ever burning, but never consuming, always dying, but never dead (Revelation 9:6). They shall seek death, but shall not find it.

Peccatum transit actu manet reatu — sin at first shows its color in the glass, but afterwards it bites like a serpent. Those locusts (Revelation 9:7) were an emblem of sin: on their heads were crowns like gold, and they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the…

1. It may administer matter of wonder to us how any soul is saved. How may we admire, that Satan, this Abaddon, or Angel of the Bottomless Pit (Revelation 9:11), this Apollyon, this Soul-devourer, does not ruin all mankind? What a wonder is it that some are preserved, that neith…

In all false worships the Devil is served either directly, or obliquely, either by consequence or in the intention of the worshippers, from there those expressions, table of Devils (1 Corinthians 10:21), they sacrificed to Devils and not to God (Deuteronomy 32:17). You gratify S…

Persecutors are murderers. Bloody Papists are in the Scripture charged with Murder on this account: it is said of them, they repented not of their murders (Revelation 9:21), namely of their murdering the saints of God for their religion, for the truth's sake; and because they wo…

And as they are in equipage with former Pagans, so likewise with all modern aliens. The Turk himself being not excepted, who is loosed from the east, to punish them (Revelation 9:13, 14, 15), and is not half so much aimed at in the book of God's counsels, which the Lamb has unse…

Jeroboam ordained priests for the Devils which he had made (2 Chronicles 11:15). And so the Papists in like manner, it is said, they repented not of worshipping Devils (Revelation 9:20). Hence Rome is called an habitation of Devils, and foul spirits (Revelation 18:2), and their…

Secondly, it must be remembered also (which was intimated before) that if fundamental corruptions be professed in with impenitency and obstinacy, then God may disannul the covenant on his part, and give a bill of divorce to such a people (Jeremiah 3:8). Now experience and the Sc…

There is nothing so fearful as the wrath of God: one would think that that which these poor people should desire here should be dreadful enough, to have the mountains fall upon them, and the hills to cover them: Oh! but 'tis not so dreadful as God's wrath; take all the terrors i…

He is the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10). The king of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue has his name Apollyon (Revelation 9:11). He is the Arch-destroyer, and destroys all in relation to the man Christ and his Chu…

And it may be this is he who is called [in non-Latin alphabet] (Job 18:13), the first-born of death, or he that has right to the administration of it. They term him also [in non-Latin alphabet], that is, [in non-Latin alphabet], the waster or destroyer: and [in non-Latin alphabe…

What, is Satan become a savior? What salvation can we expect from him, whose name is Apollyon, and Abaddon (Revelation 9:11), both which signify a destroyer. Shall we send to the wolf to save the sheep?

Has their cup of wrath one drop of honey in it? Oh remember, after the golden crowns, and women's hair, come the lion's teeth (Revelation 9:8). Thus I have answered the first part of the objection: I shall lose all my pleasures in sin.

Their preachings, sermons, and books of devotion, they look all this way. Hence those who interpret the locusts that came out of the bottomless pit (Revelation 9:2) to be the friars of the Romish Church, who are said to torment men, so that they should seek death and not find it…

That which check'd Ioseph, was the Thoughts of a Sin-revenging God. When the delights of sin Tickle, let the Thoughts of God come into mens Minds, that he is both the Spectatour and the Iudge, and after the Golden Crowns and Womens Hair come the Lions Teeth, Revelation 9:8. This…

Christians, search where you will, there is no serious answer to that grand question, which is the great scruple of the fallen creature (Micah 6:7): how to appease angry justice. And we are told of those locusts who are seducing spirits which come out of the bottomless pit (Reve…

Prisons, common jails, are the worst places to live in ('tis a noisome pestilential air) but hell is worse than the worst of prisons. 2 Hell is called the bottomless pit (Revelation 9:11), and elsewhere frequently: The Devil is the Angel of the bottomless pit; 'tis a pit into wh…

He sinned from the beginning, and continues sinning to this day; and they that do imitate him in his work are his children as much as if they were begotten of him (John 8:44) — you are of your father the devil, and his works, his lusts, you will do. He was and is a murderer; he…

This made their drudges even weary of their lives, as never seeing an end of their misery, nor knowing what would become of their souls. And it is that which is called by John in the [illegible], the torment of a scorpion when he stings a man (Revelation 9:6): that men shall see…

He showed Judas first the silver bait, and then struck him with the hook. This is the reason why sin has so many followers — because it shows the best first; first the golden crowns, and then come the lions' teeth (Revelation 9:7-8). But God shows the worst first; first he presc…

Incense is prayer (Psalm 141:2): Let my prayer come before you as incense. Jesus Christ is the Golden Altar, whereon that incense is offered (Revelation 8:3, 4), even that Altar which is always before God (Revelation 9:13). As by being the former, he makes our persons accepted;…

3. Heretics and false teachers who yet profess to believe in God Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, to hold also the Scriptures the word of God, may yet teach such doctrines that they may be justly styled false prophets, apostates, idolaters, blasphemers, as diver…

Sin first courts, and then kills: 'Tis first a Fox, and then a Lion: Whomsoever sin kisss, it betraies. Those Locusts in the Revelations, are the perfect Hierogly phicks and emblems of sin; On their heads were as it were Crowns like gold, and they had hair as women, and their te…

This word ever burns hotter than the Fire. At death all our worldly sorrows die; but the torments of Hell are as long-lived as Eternity, Revelation 9.6. They shall seek death, and shall not find it.

He turns the heart whichever way it pleases him; Men may change our minds, by giving us better reasons for things than we discerned before, and may alter our judgments and opinions by strength of reason, or affection to the contrary, but no man is able to change the heart but on…

If we could have our hearts more fixed upon the Jerusalem above, how would all worldly things disappear, and be as nothing in our eye. We read of an angel coming down from heaven, who did tread with his right foot on the sea, and with his left foot on the earth (Revelation 10:2)…

(2.) Great reason we should be heavenly in our thoughts, affections, conversation, if we consider what a blessed kingdom Heaven is; it is beyond all hyperbole; earthly kingdoms do scarce deserve the names of cottages compared with it. We read of an angel coming down from heaven,…

He it was that spake and swore by himself. For when a mere Angel swears, he swears always by one greater than himself according to the rule of our Apostle in this place (Daniel 12:17; Revelation 10:5, 6). Secondly, it may be enquired when God did thus swear: [⟨in non-Latin alpha…

4. But as every fullness is not all fullness, so every fullness is not the fullness of the Godhead; therefore, to me it's as much as the elect are drawn to Christ as the choicest, the rarest among all. 2. So among all choice things and all relations, he is the first and most emi…

Therefore we ought in no way to suffer the law to reign in our conscience, and much less the Pope with his vain threatenings and terrors. Indeed he roars mightily as a lion (Revelation 10), and threatens to all those that obey not his laws, the wrath and indignation of almighty…

They that must convert others, it is meet they should be effectually converted. John must first eat the book and then prophesy (Revelation 10:9). And they that would be first Ministers of the Gospel, must first themselves eat the book of God.

And again (Romans 9:1): I say the truth in Christ, I lie not. And if you would yet have an example somewhat more perfect, we may see it in the practice of a holy angel (Revelation 10:6): The angel stood upon the sea, and upon the earth, and lifted up his hand to heaven, and swor…

3. For swearing or vowing (Genesis 22:14): I have lift up my hand to the most high God, that is, sworn. So (Revelation 10:5): The Angel lift up his hand and swore. So of God (Psalm 106:26): Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness; that i…

Again, if Paul called the words of all the Prophets, Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs, why then did not the Prophets in their own language pen them with musical accents, as well as the Psalms of David and Asaph? Besides, if the words of all the Prophets were spiritual songs,…

They had their day of creation, and their day of operation, so long as they continue — that is their day; for the day and night are the distinction of all this time here below, and serve as so many stops and stays, in which each thing is appointed for its being and working. And…

Answer 5: He is said to regard sin who does not regard the threatenings of God against sin. We read of seven thunders uttering their voice (Revelation 10:3). How many thunders in Scripture utter their voice against sin!

10. All the promises of the Gospel are first (as it were) promised to Christ; the Gospel is put over in his hand. Jesus is the Angel (Revelation 10:1), clothed with a Cloud, and a rainbow on his head (verse 2), and has in his hand a little book open; the Testament, and the book…

Christ Jesus, not David (Zechariah 9:10), shall speak peace to the heathen, and his dominion shall be even from sea to sea, and from the river, even to the ends of the earth. The Angel and Creator of angels, who set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot upon the earth (…

Oh to think when you have been millions of years in your sorrows, then you are no nearer your end of bearing your misery than at the first coming in; Oh I might once have had mercy and Christ, but no hope now ever to have one glimpse of his face, or one good look from him any mo…

3. The world shall have an end (says the Covenant) and time shall be no more. By him that lives for ever and ever, who created heaven and earth (says this Angel-witness, Revelation 10:6), that is most true. Time shall be no more.

Is an oath warranted by the word of God, under the New Testament, as well, as under the Old, in matters of weight, and moment? Yes. (Hebrews 6:16; Isaiah 65:16; Galatians 1:20; Romans 1:9; Romans 9:1; 2 Corinthians 1:18, 23; 2 Corinthians 11:31; 2 Corinthians 12:19; 1 Thessaloni…

Resp. 1. Be holy persons: in the sacrifices of thanksgiving, whoever did eat thereof, with their uncleanness upon them, were to be cut off (Leviticus 7:20), to typify how unpleasing their praises and thank-offerings are who live in sin. 2. Praise God with humble hearts, acknowle…

After the great abuse of the Lord's Supper in that Church, the Apostle recalls them again to the observation of it, according to the institution of Christ. And after the defilement of all the ordinances of the Gospel, under the Anti-Christian apostacy, yet the Temple and the Alt…

Know (worthy Sir) that the departure from the faith of Jesus the Christ, is a cause of so many Schisms, and Heresies maintained in the earth. Disdain not therefore to read a little Treatise, called the Difference between the Christian, and Antichristian Church, Delineated accord…

2. That we may not hazard the Truth: When Errors go away without control, 'tis a mighty prejudice both to the present and the next age. The dwellers upon Earth rejoiced when God's Witnesses were under hatches, and there was none to contest with them (Revelation 11:10). Fools mus…

Again (Revelation 18:16) it is said, that the ten horns, which be ten kings, shall hate the whore, and make her desolate and naked, which must not be understood of heathenish Rome, but of popish Rome: for whereas in former times all the kings of the earth did submit themselves t…

And wo to that man, whoever he be, upon whom the prayers of New-England shall fall, it were better for that man that a mill-stone were hanged about his neck, and he thrown there with into the midst of the sea. It is said concerning the Witnesses (Revelation 11:5), if any man hur…

It is foretold that God shall do this great and good work, even by those Kings, who have before subjected themselves to Antichrist. 5. That which I now draw from Ezekiel's vision, is no other but the same which was showed to John (Revelation 11:1-2), a place so like to this of E…

Neither must we think that all the calamities of the Church are now overpast. Who can be assured that that hour of greatest darkness, the killing of the witnesses is past, and all that sad prophecy (Revelation 11) fulfilled. And if some be not much mistaken, it is told (Daniel 1…

Hence Rome is styled Sodom, Egypt, Babylon, as being indeed the very sea that receives into her channel all the filthiness of all the Pagans that were before. Hence the Scripture calls the Papists Gentiles (Revelation 11:4): the outward court, the visible Church is given to the…

Hence the fourth doctrine is this: that the rule of Reformation in religion, is the will and Word of God. He that will reform aright, must reduce, and bring all things back to that rule: when John was to measure the Temple, and to reform the Church, there was a Reed given to him…

Although that which is foretold in these two chapters, and namely in the fourth and fifth verses of this chapter, was in part fulfilled when the people of God returned from captivity in Babylon at the end of seventy years: yet we must not limit the place to that time only, but m…

2. The future promised advancement of the Kingdom of Christ is an event unspeakably happy and glorious. The Scriptures speak of that time, as a time wherein God and his Son Jesus Christ will be most eminently glorified on earth; a time, wherein God, who till then had dwelt betwe…

What they evidently seek, is to bring to pass as general a compliance as possible of Christians of all denominations, intreating that the desire of concurrence and assistance, contained in the Memorial, may by no means be understood, as restricting to any particular denomination…

And (Isaiah 9:6) it's said, that "The government shall be upon his shoulders, and of the increase of his government there shall be no end". And (Revelation 11:15) it is proclaimed, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ". All these, and…

This Blood therefore cries from Heaven, it is next to God who sits Judge there, it cries in his very ears; whereas the cry of blood from the ground is further off, and so though the cry thereof may come up to Heaven, yet the blood itself comes not up there, as Christ's already i…

Thus a time, or Jewish year, stood for three hundred and sixty years; times, or two Jewish years, stood for seven hundred and twenty years; and half a time, or half of a Jewish year, stood for one hundred and eighty years; so that the time, times, and half a time, (Daniel 7:25;…

Oppressors, and hypocrites, enjoy many rights of the Church, which must be taken from them: Rome and her adherents, shall not have so much left, as the name or title, appearance or show of a Church. The outward court they have trodden down and defiled, shall be quite left out, i…

And the ministering Angels shall come and perfuming his body shall lay it up with the ancient Fathers; where it is to be kept many days without putrefaction, as Hector's Body was (in Homer) after he was slain by Achilles. And it is not unlikely but that they may allude somewhat…

All streights and destructions have somewhat alike in them, wherein they may seem to agree; but it does not from there follow, that one is intended in the Prediction of another. It is further urged, The effects of the last weeks, are parallel with the Antichristian Persecution d…

2. He has a crown and glory as Mediator, in respect of the power, authority and glory with which he is invested, as God's great deputy, and anointed upon the holy hill of Zion, having power and a rod of iron, even in reference to enemies; and seeing this is not of his mother's p…

This also is exactly fulfilled in the same church. — It was foretold, that Antichrist would not suffer the bodies of God's people to be put into graves: Revelation 11:8-9. "And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, — and they — shall not suffer their dead…

The Man whose Name is the Branch--He shall build the Temple of the Lord, even he shall build the Temple of the Lord--And what the Temple that Christ builds, is, the Apostle tells us, Heb. 3:3, 6. The Temple that Ezekiel in his vision was bid to observe the measures of, as it was…

Heaven is ready, but we are not fully ready; the barn is fit to receive the corn, but the corn is not yet fit to be gathered into it. But for this self same thing God is now working us (2 Corinthians 5:5), he is every day at work, by ordinances, and by providences, to perfect hi…

I know and am persuaded that Christ shall again be high and great in this poor withered and sunburned kirk of Scotland, and that the sparks of our fire shall fly over sea and round about to warm you and other sister churches, and that this tabernacle of David's house that is fal…

God has set us out to be men of contention to the whole earth: those that are censors of morals, whose office is to tax public abuses, will be looked upon as men of strife — we might justly suspect ourselves if this were not the portion of our cup. This spirit certainly acts man…

Why did Ahab hate Micaiah, and call Elijah his enemy but because they were the faithful reprovers of his wickedness, and never prophesied good concerning him, but evil (1 Kings 22:8; 21:20)? Why did the inhabitants of the earth rejoice when the witnesses were slain, but because…

There is in the life of a Christian a convincing light, that shows the deformity of the works of darkness, and a piercing heat, that scorches the ungodly, which stirs and troubles their consciences, and this they cannot endure, and hence rises in them a contrary fire of wicked h…

A wicked man is loath to be troubled. God's witnesses are the world's torment (Revelation 11:10): They tormented them that dwelt on the earth. A man that is bodily blind, would have a fit guide; but these wretchedly blind sinners, nothing so troublesome and hateful to them, as o…

And surely the matter of Moses' Song (Exodus 15) might justly yield fit matter for the like doxology (or thanksgiving) upon the like occasion: as the like did fall out in the year 88. Rome being spiritual Egypt (Revelation 11:8), and the Pope with his prelates resembling Pharaoh…

(Acts 7:54) When they heard these things they were cut to the heart. Because it is a witness to accuse, a judge to condemn, an executioner to torment such poor creatures, as I might make all these good in particulars, it's said (Revelation 11:10) that when the two witnesses were…

There was an [illegible] for the space of two hours: Great is Diana of the Ephesians. So they dealt with the two [reconstructed: witnesses] (Revelation 11:10) — they were never content before they were removed; they could not have their [reconstructed: hearts] in quiet, as long…

There you have the rochets of the prelates of this land, hung up of late with other garments of their adherents rolled in blood. There is a place reserved for the remaining spoils of the great whore, when she shall be burned and made naked, and desolate (Revelation 11). Never an…

Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hand (Isaiah 19:29). All the Kingdoms of the world are the Lord's, and his Son's, and he reigns in them by his Word and Gospel, as the seventh Angel sounds (Revelation 11:15). All the Gentiles are his (Isaiah 60:1-4, Malachi…

(3.) From Covenant prayers and church prayers — contrary to (1 Samuel 12; Psalm 28:9; Psalm 67:1-2; Psalm 103:4-5). (4.) From the blessing of the Lord's Covenant-presence, who dwells in the Nation, in the Kingdom (Psalm 135:21, Psalm 132:13-14, Revelation 11:15, Isaiah 19:25, Is…

Q. 1. If multitudes and people externally covenanted with God, though not internally, whom the Lord calls his people and chosen by him (Deuteronomy 7:6, Deuteronomy 10:15), be the rightly constituted and visible church, as Mr. Thomas Hooker grants, then kingdoms must be his visi…

2. The Anabaptists from these places say none are to be baptized, but such as are so in Covenant, and as have these promises fulfilled in them, in whom the Lord has wrought a new heart, and a new spirit; and that there is no external covenanting under the New Testament. But then…

The Chaldean Paraphrase expounds his hand to be his power and command, which extends to the Euphrates, as is promised (Exodus 23:31; Numbers 34:3), but fulfilled in David and Solomon (1 Kings 4:8). Solomon reigned from the Sea of Sodom, the Red Sea, to the Mediterranean Sea, and…

And a Day of Judgement must come that so the Lord's faithful ones may be rewarded for all that they have done or suffered for God and for the Lord Jesus Christ. For then God will give reward to them that fear His Name, small and great (Revelation 11:18). And they that have suffe…

But on the supposition, that forever and ever refers to the punishment of the wicked in common, the Doctor thinks that that phrase is obviously capable of being understood of a limited duration. His reasons are, That [in non-Latin alphabet] in the singular number almost perpetua…

Revelation 12:16. The Earth helped the woman against the flood of the Dragon, which that it was the multitudes of earthly people, none doubts. That an earthquake or shaking of the Earth, are popular commotions, is no less evident from Revelation 11:13. where by an earthquake gre…

But it may be observed that if any appeared to oppose God's work in those great temporal deliverances; or if there were any of his professing people, that on such occasions lay still, and stood at a distance, and did not arise and acknowledge God in his work, and appear to promo…

He that was born after the flesh, persecuted him that was born after the Spirit. The dragon is described with seven heads and ten horns (Revelation 12:3). He plots with the one, and pushes with the other.

While there is a Devil and a wicked man in the world, never expect a charter of exemption from trouble; and how many fall away in an hour of persecution? Revelation 12:3-4: There appeared a great red dragon, having seven heads, and ten horns; and his tail drew the third part of…

The sufferings of the primitive saints did honor God, and make the Gospel famous in the world: What would others say, See what a good master they serve, and how they love him, that they will venture loss of all in his service. The glory of Christ's kingdom does not stand in worl…

[illegible], I am ready to be offered up: not only the sufferings were ready for Paul, but he was ready for the sufferings. Origen chose rather to live despised in Alexandria, than with Plotinus to deny the faith, and be great in the prince's favor (Revelation 12:11). Many say t…

Galcanus Marquess of Vico, parted with a fair estate to enjoy God in his pure ordinances: When a Jesuit persuaded him to return to his Popish religion in Italy, promising him an huge sum of money: Says he, "Let their money perish with them, who esteem all the gold in the world w…

The wicked are subtle, having borrowed their skill of the old Serpent; they dig deep to hide their counsels from God, but he sees them, and can easily counterwork them. The Dragon is described with seven heads (Revelation 12:3), to show how he plots against the church. But God i…

Ignatius called his chains his spiritual pearls, and did wear his fetters as a bracelet of diamonds. This is to carry it as God's children when we obey his voice, and count not our lives dear so that we may show our love to our heavenly Father; they loved not their lives to the…

1. What a world of corruption is mingled with grace; grace is apt to be stifled, as the coal to be choked with its own ashes: Grace is often like a spark in the sea, it is a wonder it is not quenched: It is a wonder sin does not do to grace as sometime the nurse to the child, ov…

3. We must prefer God's glory before estate: gold is but shining dust, God's glory must weigh heavier: If it comes to this, I cannot keep my place of profit, but God's glory will be eclipsed; here I must rather suffer in my estate, than God's glory should suffer (Hebrews 10:34).…

First, his abilities to forge and invent false reasonings and arguments to overthrow our faith are (as they must needs be conceived to be) exceedingly great: who for his knowledge is called 'the wise one,' as well as Satan for his malice, and for his subtlety in outwitting us, a…

But in these of Satan, that is the issue he mainly drives all to, and it is made the foot and burden of all those his accusations, and is as the scope and argument that runs through the whole of that his charge against us. And in respect to this his misrepresenting our estates a…

No, but all their preservation and success, their deliverance and eternal salvation depended merely on the care and power of their merciful High Priest. It was through his blood, the blood of the Lamb, or the efficacy of his sacrifice, that they overcame their adversaries (Revel…

In the old testament when open idolatry took place in all Israel, God said to Elijah, I have reserved seven thousand to myself that never bowed knee to Baal: and the like is and has been in the general apostasy under Antichrist. Saint John says, that when the woman fled into the…

When a man yields to Satan, no wonder that Satan lets him alone (Luke 11:21). The goods are in peace, because the Devil's possession is not disturbed; he rages most when his kingdom is tottering (Revelation 12:12). Please the worst natures, and they will not trouble you: there i…

Though Popery reigned and overspread the face of the earth for many hundred years, yet in the midst thereof God reserved a people unto himself that truly worshipped him. And to this effect the Holy Spirit says that the dragon, which is the devil, caused the woman — that is, the…

And the thing it self speaks, for if there ought to be public assemblies for the worship of God, if this be a duty, it is necessary that there be places to meet in. It is true, the Lord commanded the Jews to demolish the Heathen Temples of the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 12:2, 3), b…

The Devil in his actings against the Church in the times of the New Testament, he did appear at first almost like himself in the shape of a great red dragon, in the Roman Pagan emperors. But when Michael and his angels overcame, and overthrew him in this appearance (Revelation 1…

Sometimes their rage proves their own ruin, and the Church's safety; as the leech bursts itself sometimes, and saves the patient. The very earth, whereby is meant the carnal world, is said to help the woman the Church, by swallowing up the flood which the dragon casts out of his…

And some of your children though with the loss of their own lives, yet they have been a means to keep you, and us all from the hand of the murderer, to keep the city and the kingdom from being overrun with tyranny, idolatry, and all kind of profaneness, and it may be worth the l…

The prophecies of future glorious times of the Church are often introduced with a prayer of the Church for her deliverance and [illegible], prophetically uttered; as in Isaiah 51:9, &c., chapter 63:11, to the end, and chapter 64 throughout. In order to Christ's being mystically…

In that battle (Revelation 11:7), the Beast makes war with the Witnesses, and OVERCOMES THEM, AND KILLS THEM: the same is foretold (Daniel 7:21), "I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them." And (Revelation 12:7), "And it was given to him t…

Moreover, Smalcius denies far too shamelessly that any mention of this promise is made in the New Testament. The serpent is the devil (2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9, 14; 20:2); the wicked are a brood of vipers (Matthew 3:7); they are of their father the devil (John 8:44);…

Yet I do not say, it is his proper right, because Satan sins in tempting any to sin; yet the temptation, as it falls passively on the sons of disobedience, is a work of divine justice, and as it falls on the saints, an act of spotless, and holy dispensation, for most just reason…

Now to the end that this common Gospel-sin may be the better seen in all its spots, consider: 1. What is in Christ the drawer. 2. What is in grace, by which sinners are drawn. 1. In Christ the drawer: there are many drawers suiting us — the world is the tail of the great red Dra…

When the devil comes into the church of God, like a wolf into the flock, they oppose and resist him. Therefore there is said to be war in heaven, that is in the church between Michael and his angels, and the devil and his angels (Revelation 12:7). And there was war in heaven, Mi…

For he is the father of lying and the enemy of Christian liberty: therefore he torments us every moment with false fears, that when our conscience has lost this Christian liberty, it should feel the remorse of sin and condemnation, and always remain in anguish and terror. When t…

Further that the church is barren, it is declared by the signe, because she neither brings forth child, nor beares. Desolate] that is, without husband in appearance, by reason of the cross and affliction, and without children: because at the first the Christian church was constr…

Our life is short and tedious, and our time is as a shadow that passes away — Come therefore and let us enjoy the pleasures that are present (Wisdom 2:1, 5-6). And hence it is that some spend their time in eating and drinking, and going gorgeously, and faring deliciously every d…

In prophetic language one day stands for a year, a Jewish month (of thirty days) for thirty years, and a Jewish year (of three hundred and sixty days) for three hundred and sixty years. Thus a time, or Jewish year, stood for three hundred and sixty years; times, or two Jewish ye…

In this she seems to be a type of the Gentile church, and also of every sincere convert. Ruth was the mother of Christ's line; he came of her posterity; so the church is Christ's mother, as she is represented in Revelation 12. Ruth forsook all her natural relations, and her own…

Such was the mighty power and deep policy used by Pharaoh to destroy Gods Israel, that to the eye of reason, it was as impossible to survive it, as for crackling thorns to abide unconsumed amidst devouring flames; by which Emblem, their miraculous preservation is expressed, Exod…

Ministers have found more kindness and respect from strangers, than their own people that are more obliged to them, Mark 6:4 A Prophet (says Christ) is not without honor, save in his own Countrey, and among his own Kin, and in his own House. Sometimes by the hands of Enemies, as…

It is the observation of philosophers that the sun is eclipsed by the interposition of the moon, the moon coming between the sun and our sight. Beloved, the sun of your comforts comes to be eclipsed by the moon, which is made an emblem of the world (Revelation 12:9). Now if the…

Satan is the sworn enemy of Christ, the adversary that openly, constantly, avowedly opposes him in his throne (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8). And he exerts his enmity by temptations (1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:5), accusations (Revelation 12:10), persecuti…

And many other Testimonies of the like importance might be collected out of them. We have also a surer word for our own satisfaction, in the Application of this place to Satan in the Divine Writings of the New Testament: as (2 Corinthians 11:3), (2 Timothy 2:14), (Romans 5:11, 1…

This holds forth these things: 1. That there is an excellent courage and boldness, with which the believer is furnished beyond others; he is bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1), both in duties and sufferings. 2. That there is in believers an undauntedness of spirit, and an unconquera…

Now this last is to be here understood. Again, by mother here, is not understood his natural mother, but it must be taken in a spiritual sense for one of two, either, 1. For the Church Catholic, which being mother to Christ mystical, may be said to be mother to him, as (Revelati…

Such precious truths as these, Christians, you are to gather, and seal them up among your treasures, and you will find that such a treasure will furnish your minds with saving knowledge, fortify your hearts against errors and oppositions, satisfy your spirits in all doubts and o…

13. It is here worthy to be observed, that at this time, in Solomon's reign, after the temple was finished, the Jewish church was risen to its highest external glory. The Jewish church, or the ordinances and constitution of it, is compared to the moon, in Revelation 12:1. "And t…

It is evident by this, that these great revolutions and shakings of the nations, whereby the thrones of kingdoms and armies were overthrown, and every one came down by the sword of his brother, were to prepare the way for the coming of him who is the desire of all nations. The g…

"And the kingdom shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High," Daniel 7:27. This suffering state of the church is in scripture represented as a state of the church's travail, John 16:20-21 and Revelation 12:1-2. What the church is in travail striving to bring for…

The chaff is a very worthless thing, the Husbandman cares not what becomes of it, and of as little worth are wicked men, Prov. 10. 20. The heart of the wicked is little worth. The heart is the principal part of the man, and yet that's but chaff, no worth in it; his lands, his cl…

Which should put us to self-denial, and to be less wedded to the love of ourselves, and more to love the Lord's Word, Law and Testimonies (Psalm 119:11, 47, 72, 97, 127, 128, &c.), to love Jesus Christ, his cause and Gospel more than our own life (Matthew 16:25, 26), than houses…

Or else Satan runs himself out of breath in some civil commotions. The Remonstrants in the low-countries quite overturned their cause, when they began to raise tumults and troubles everywhere, so those under the conduct of Muncer in Germany, did but run themselves violently like…

When our Lord Jesus is described in his majesty, riding prosperously, the glory he appears in is truth, and meekness, and righteousness (Psalm 45:4). The courage of those who overcome this great red dragon of wrath and revenge, by meek and patient suffering, and by not loving th…

That true Christianity has all along met with a great deal of opposition and contradiction in this world. I purpose not to enter into a particular disquisition of that which has been, and is spoken against religion, nor do I undertake at present to show how false and unreasonabl…

Thus are errors and false religions propagated; strip them of their supports, and they fall to the ground of course; but on the contrary, the Christian religion was planted and preserved not only without, but against secular force, recommended and upheld by its own intrinsic tru…

Lastly, it is Heaven already to join with the people of God in communion: The Scripture calls the Church of God, and Church communion, Heaven. And therefore where there is a promise of God to restore his Church, and recover it from thraldom and misery, Isaiah 65:17 Behold, says…

The complaint of Job might have been your, ch. 16:11 God has delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked; this would have been grievous indeed. Although they send a flood of reproaches after you, as Rev. 12:15 the Dragon cast out of his mouth a f…

They saw indeed its pale face, but not its sting and dart. There is also a lawful contempt of death: we freely grant, that in two Cases a believer may contemn it; first, when it is propounded to them in a temptation, on purpose to scare them from Christ and duty, then they shoul…

He does not care for their purses but their hearts (Ephesians 2:2). Satan is served upon the knee (Revelation 13:4): "They worshipped the dragon" — that is, the Devil. Satan's empire is very large; the most kingdoms in the world pay tribute to him.

For these two, Grace and Works, do divide the ways of our relation to God, being diametrically opposite, and every way inconsistent (Romans 11:6). Of this Covenant the Lord Christ was the Mediator from the foundation of the world, namely, from the giving of the first Promise (Re…

This expression is sometimes used absolutely for the original of the world in its creation; for the absolute beginning of time and all things measured by it (Ephesians 1:4; Matthew 25:34; John 17:24; 1 Peter 1:20). Sometimes from what immediately succeeded on that beginning (Mat…

And therefore are we required to keep the word of his patience (Revelation 3:10), or to abide in the faith of those things concerning which he exercises patience in the world. So is it said with respect to the judgements which God in his own time will execute on the Antichristia…

The thing which they desired was suited to the holiness, righteousness, and faithfulness of God, and wherein he had designed to glorify himself in his appointed season (Revelation 19:1, 2, 3). But the time of it seemed long to them; therefore to glorify God herein is a fruit of…

Therefore God would send them strong delusions to believe lies, that all they might be damned which believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. And Saint John, All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life (Reve…

Again, it serves for caution, to prevent mistakes: Christians, look to your sanctification (Psalm 4:3). Know that God has set apart him that is godly for himself: the Beast's worshippers have the Beast's mark (Revelation 13:16). So also God's children are stamped with his seal a…

And this we find now in experience to be true, for the see of Rome never flourished until the empire decayed and the seat thereof was removed from the city of Rome. Again, Revelation 13 makes mention of two beasts: one coming out of the sea, whom the Papists confess to be the he…

Indeed a known harlot may afterward remain a wife and be so termed — yet after the bill of divorcement is given she ceases to be a wife, though she can show her marriage ring. Now the Church has received the bill of her divorcement in the written word, namely 2 Thessalonians 2 a…

But the Court which is without the Temple leave out, and measure it not: for it is given to the Gentiles, and the holy City shall they tread under foot forty and two months." This time of two and forty months, must be expounded by (Revelation 13:5), where it is said of the Beast…

For God has accursed it to be a snare, and so it has proved accordingly. It has shed much precious blood, which the Earth will not cover, and it is conceived by very learned men, that the Sign of the Cross is that special mark of the Beast (Revelation 13:16). But all our Writers…

Instead of making Pagans turn Christians by it, they did transform Christian churches into Anti-Christian. It was this fleshly wisdom that was the means to conjure up those two venomous beasts, the Church and Pope of Rome (Revelation 13). 4. It proceeds from a spirit of folly an…

Mr. Lowman doesn't think with others, that by the seventh that was to continue a short space, which would not be properly one of the heads of the Beast, is meant Constantine and the other Christian Emperors; (for he thinks they are reckoned as properly belonging to the sixth hea…

XII. Next in Bellarmine comes the succession of bishops in the Roman church; the same argument holds among the Mohammedans with regard to the caliphate. Ancient Rome likewise had its own supreme pontiffs, whose title, name, place, office, and spirit that Bellarmine's bishop has…

Men come to Zion, and follow Christ in ones and twos of a whole Tribe (Jeremiah 3:14). They go to hell in thousands; a whole earth (Revelation 13) worships the Western Beast; and the Eastern Leopard has the far greatest part of the habitable world; Indians and Americans worship…

Zephaniah 3:10: From beyond the river of Ethiopia, my suppliants, even the daughters of my dispersed shall come. 4. Their names are particularly enrolled in the Lamb's book of life (Luke 10:20; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 20:15). As citizens of some famous incorporation, or sena…

Answer: I will show a third. Paul says, that before the end, there shall be a departure (2 Thessalonians 2), and this departure is general in all nations (Revelation 13:16), and after a thousand years there shall be the first resurrection (Revelation 20:5), and this resurrection…

Such was the mighty power and deep policy used by Pharaoh to destroy Gods Israel, that to the eye of reason, it was as impossible to survive it, as for crackling thorns to abide unconsumed amidst devouring flames; by which Emblem, their miraculous preservation is expressed, Exod…

In the New Testament it is no where used, but for that religious worship which is due to God alone. And when it is remembered of any that they did ⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩, or perform the duty and homage denoted by this word, to any but God, it is remembered as their idolatry (Re…

Besides, it may be they are pleased with that description that is in it of the New Jerusalem, which some Judaizing Christians of old wrested to a restauration of the earthly City of Jerusalem, and the renewed observation of the Law of Moses. Thus the Author of the Questions and…

Christ is called the Lamb of God, Johnn 1:29. which he was in reference unto the Sacrifices of old, as 1 Peter 2:18, 19. whence he is represented in the church, as a Lamb slain, Revelation 5:6. or giving out the efficacy of all Sacrifices to his church. Now he is said to be a La…

This is a contrivance of the devil to turn the ministry of the Christian church into a ministry of the devil, and to turn these angels of the churches into fallen angels, and so into devils. In the tyranny, and superstition, and idolatry, and persecution, which he sets up, he co…

Rev. 3:5 and 22:19. They who truly have their names written in the Book of Life, are God's true Saints, that have saving grace: as is evident by Rev. 13:8. And all that dwell on the Earth, shall worship Him, whose Names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from…

3. Puts him to learn by experience new things to day, and to will and decree them fixedly in time, concerning which yesterday and before the world was, he was not fixed in his will to do determinatly any thing, for fear of fatal necessity. For 4. God had either fixed a decree co…

Thus when the devil was silenced in his oracles (as it is well known he was upon the setting up of Christianity in the world) his mouth was opened in lies and slanders; and being forced to quit his pretensions to a deity, he appears bare-faced, as a devil, a false-accuser. The R…

Mahomet, though he industriously adapted his religion, to the sensual appetites of men, whose reason only, and not their lusts, could object against it, yet he obtained no strength, nor interest at all, till by a thousand artifices he had got the power of the sword, and with it…

See in Dan. 7. there is mention made of a cruel Tyrant that should make War with the Saints, and should persecute Gods people, that devoured and brake in pieces, yet there were some that should bear out all, that should have the Kingdom given them, and God should reward them glo…

Fourthly, an afflicted condition gives opportunity for much exercise of grace, it calls forth whatever grace there is in the heart to the exercise of it. Rev. 13:10 St. John speaking of the sufferings of the Saints, Here (says he) is the faith and the patience of the Saints; her…

The truth is, if we have any assurance left us of any thing in the world, that we either see or hear, feel or taste and so consequently that we are alive, and not other men, the poor Indians who worship a piece of red cloth, are not more gross idolaters than they are. 2. All tha…

I desire the Apologist to tell me what he thinks of this piece thus perfected, with all its lineaments and colours by the pencil of that skilful man; and what beautiful aspect he supposes it to have. Let the Reader, to prevent further trouble in perusing transcriptions of this k…

And this power of the Dragon was given over to the Beast and false Prophet. The anti-christian power, succeeding into the room of the Paganish, the Pope and counsels of the Emperors and Senate, it was quickly confirmed that none should be suffered to live in peace, who received…

A good report, is a great security against open violence. 2. To destroy the church, under the pretense of the church; as the beast in Revelation pushed with the horns of the Lamb (Revelation 13:11). It was a proverb, All evil began in the name of the Lord; In Nomine Domini incip…

We cannot be men without patience; passion does unman a man, it puts him beside the use of reason; we cannot be martyrs without patience, patience makes us endure (James 5:10). We read (Revelation 13:2) of a beast like a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and the…

2. In respect of outward manifestation: God first manifests and declares him, before he laid one stone in this building (Genesis 3:15). The seed (says he) of the woman shall break the serpent's head: in that was laid the first stone of this building: then was the Lamb slain [in…

Neither does Christ answer them that they lied, but that he knew them not although they had done such miracles; and thereupon he grants there can be no necessary argument taken from true miracles to prove the truth of doctrine. So Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 1…

You dwellest where Satan has his throne; and that such a one as no earthly Prince may compare; few Kings are enthroned in the hearts of their subjects, they rule their bodies, and command their purses, but how oft in a day are they pull'd out of their thrones by the wishes of th…

The Greek word signifieth a furnace wherein goldsmiths try metals; even so the Lord by afflictions trieth what metal men are made of, whether they be gold or dross, whether they be silver, or lead onely. The faith and patience of his servants are hereby put to the trial: therefo…

First, for the world as container — generally for the whole fabric of heaven and earth with all things in them contained, which God created in the beginning (Job 34:13; Acts 17:24; Ephesians 1:4); and distinctly, first for the heavens and all things belonging to them distinguish…

And herein his Intercession consists, being nothing (as it were) but his oblation continued. He was a Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8); now his Intercession before his actual oblation in the fullness of times, being nothing but a presenting of the en…

That shaking was only for vengeance upon an old cursed, and not for the bringing in of a new blessed state. The vials of God's wrath having crumbled the heavens and Earth of Pagan Rome into several pieces, and that empire being removed as to its old form, by the craft of Satan i…

But the Scripture knoweth but one way for the salvation of God's people, whether they lived in the times afore the comming of Christ in the flesh, or since, and that is by the Lord Jesus Christ, and faith in him (Acts 15:11, John 8:56). The vertue & value of his death and obedie…

But though the furnace of affliction discovered some dross in him (as it will in the best of men), yet he came forth as gold. In this furnace also grace is manifested: it is said (Revelation 13:10): 'Here is the patience and faith of the saints,' that is, here is the trial and d…

To this I answer, first I never had much esteem among great men; no, in every age of the world very few gave credit to me; and now being come (almost to the end of my travels) into the last and worst age, I could expect no other usage than what I meet with. How should I have man…

Because we are justified from eternity, only we are said by Paul to be justified by faith, in that by faith we come to the knowledge and assurance of the state of election, and of justification, and God's act of not imputing sin to us, which acts were passed upon us from eternit…

This made Job pass over such grievous assaults as never any, that we read of, ever endured the like (James 5:10). When the Holy Spirit speaks of the victory which the Saints have gotten, he says: "Here is the patience of the Saints," implying, that through their patience they ov…

His day, his hour, in the Scripture principally denote his passion: and that which he saw surely he believed, or else the father of the faithful was more diffident than Thomas, the most incredulous of his children. Fifthly, by these following and the like places of Scripture: Ch…

Not free indeed, until the Son make us free, so that this idol of free-will, in respect of spiritual things, is not one whit better than the other idols of the heathen: though it look like silver and gold, it is the work of men's hands, it has a mouth, but it speaks not, it has…

Is not the requiring of an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience to the church or any man, a destroying of liberty of conscience and reason also? Yes. (Romans 10:17; Romans 14:23; Isaiah 8:20; Acts 17:11; John 4:22; Hosea 5:11; Revelation 13:12, 16-17; Jeremiah 8:9…

Has the Pope any power, or jurisdiction over magistrates, in their dominions, or over any of their people? No (Revelation 13:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:4). Well then, do not the Papists err, who maintain, that the Pope of Rome, as Pope, has full power by divine right, over the who…

(4) Because, while Christ was on earth, the disciples dreamed of a worldly kingdom, and for a time, even after his resurrection, they did believe it (Acts 1:6). (5) Because, before the day of Christ is at hand, there shall be a falling away of the visible church from the true or…

In Deo quadam dulcedine delectatur anima, imo rapitur, Aug. Now the saints spend their years with sighing, they weep over their sins and afflictions; then their water shall be turned into wine; then the vessels of mercy shall be filled and run over with joy; they shall have thei…

Ecclesiastes 1:8: all things are full of labour. Some labour in the mine, others among the muses: God has made a law — in the sweat of your brows you shall eat bread: but death gives a believer a Quietus est; it takes him off from his day-labour (Revelation 14:13). Blessed are t…

The enemies may set up their standard, but Christ will set up his trophies at last. Revelation 14:18, 19: And the angel 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, and blood came out of the wine-press…

The breath of the Lord kindles that fire; and where shall we find engines or buckets to quench it? And the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever, and they have no rest night nor day (Revelation 14:11). Thank original sin for all.

1. In riches (Revelation 21:21): the gates of pearl, and the streets of pure gold, and as it were transparent glass. 2. In tranquility; it is peaceable, the white lily of peace is the best flower of a prince's crown: Pax una triumphis innumeris melior — No divisions at home, or…

The devil is full of spite against mankind: this red dragon will spit fire in men's faces. 3. The torment of hell abides forever (Revelation 14:11). The smoke of their torment ascends up forever and ever (Mark 9:44).

Affliction is the iron shoe, but mercy is mixed with it; here is the foot dipped in oil. But the torments of the damned have no mixture (Revelation 14:10): They shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture. No mixture of mercy.

Popish teachers teach the people nonsense and blasphemy; they cause the people to pray without understanding, to obey without reason, to believe without sense; it is a damnable religion. Therefore worshiping the beast, and drinking the cup of God's indignation are put together (…

Our heavenly Father will love for ever, but he will not contend for ever. The torments of the damned are for ever (Revelation 14:11). The smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever: the wicked shall drink a sea of wrath, but God's children only taste of the cup of affli…

Unsubmissiveness is a reproach, but a cheerful resignation of our will to God sets a crown of honor upon the head of religion, it shows the power of the Gospel, which can charm down the passions, and melt the will into God's will. Therefore in Scripture submissive patience is br…

Q. 1. What does God require of us in our dependance on him, that he may be glorified by us, and we accepted with him? Answ. That we (a) worship him (b) in and by the ways of his own appointment. (a) Matthew 4:10. Revelation 14:7. Deuteronomy 6:13. chap. 10:20. (b) Leviticus 10:1…

Is there yet any other consideration that may stir up believers to a holy and religious care about the due observation of the institutions of the Gospel? Yes, namely that the great apostasy of the Church in the last days, foretold in the Scripture, and which God threatens to pun…

Now, when these sorts of men shall bee so farre from repenting of all the evill that they have done to the servants of the Lord Jesus, in this kind, that they still persevere in persecuting them for the truth they deliver, (as the Jewes did of old the Lord Jesus, and their own P…

A man that is dead, knows what shall be his estate eternally: if he died a wicked person, that is, an unrepentant sinner, his state shall be according in eternal torment: if he died having repented of his sins, then he shall rest with God in his kingdom. Revelation 14:13. Blesse…

The world cries out, Glorious times! but a righteous man has an eye of discerning, he can see when the wicked [reconstructed: make void] God's law, and when religion is crucified by such as cry Hosanna to it. He is wise to keep from the contagion of the times (Revelation 14:2).…

The monsters of Africa came from the unnatural commixtures of the beasts running wild in the deserts; so when men had once broken through the hedge, mingling their own fancies with the Word of God by an unnatural production, they brought forth such monstrous and absurd opinions.…

'Tis sad to take offence, but worse to give it, all the mischief that ensues will be reckoned to your score; surely men would be more tender in this point, if they did but think of the punishment that sensibly overtakes the disturbers of a well ordered society. Again observe, th…

Luke 16:25-26; John 3:36; Revelation 22:14-15; Revelation 21:7-8; Matthew 8:11. Nay, we find the contrary: Revelation 14:13 says that they that die in the Lord are said to rest from their labors, which cannot be true if any of them go to purgatory. And to cut off all evasions, i…

Argument 4. Further, it may much conduce to your willingness to die to consider that by death God often times hides his people out of the way of all temptations and troubles upon earth. Revelation 14:13: 'Write: from henceforth, blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.' It is…

I say, it either has in it, or appertaining to it, all that has been wrought for it, either in it, or by it. (Revelation 14:13) Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord: [And their works do follow them] — they go to Heaven with them, and after them. And in what subject else is…

The Lord will have his people to have no communication with Rome at all, whatever our popish prelates may pretend for union and reconciliation with her. The Lord has said, if any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, that man…

Hence Rome is called the Mother of Harlots (Revelation 17:5). And pure worshippers, who follow the Lamb wherever he goes, are called virgins (Revelation 14:4). Hence the Lord professes in the sanction of the second Commandment, I am a jealous God; now the object of jealousy is c…

All things were created by him and for him, and by him all things consist, and he is the head of the body the Church, and therefore the conservation and government of all things shall be subservient to the Church, which is the body of this governing head. The chief seat of Chris…

And the terms used in the interpretation of this vision are such, that scarcely any can be devised more strong, to signify an absolute universality of dominion over the inhabitants of the face of the earth (verse 27): And the kingdom and dominion, and the GREATNESS OF THE KINGDO…

And (Hebrews 5:7), he offered prayers, and [illegible], humble supplications of the poor, or oppressed, that make their address to one who can help them: he put in to God a humble petition, and a bill to his Father, as an overwhelmed man, and he offered this bill, [illegible], w…

All these say Christ is no niggard of grace. And 4. can they not wear and out-spend their harps, who fall down before the Lamb (Revelation 14) and (Revelation 5:8) who with a loud voice, praise the grace of God. Verse 12: For ever and ever?

Hebrews 11:13: All these [in non-Latin alphabet], died in the Faith, they are named and told by the head. Revelation 14:4: [in non-Latin alphabet], these are three times in one verse — these are they that are not defiled with women, — these are they that follow the Lamb, whereve…

And is it not a far more bitter death to be dead in sin, than to be dead in the body, when it is a living soul in God's sight? Then, blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, for even so says the Spirit, that never spoke words of falsehood (Revelation 14:13). I say therefore, i…

For it is the privilege, yea the happiness of a righteous man, so to have his sins covered with the robes of Christ his righteousness, as that they shall never be uncovered to his shame (Psalm 32; Isaiah 43:25). Again, it may hence be proved; in that sanctification in death, is…

Christians are the Followers of Christ: And they are so, as they are obedient to that Call of Christ, 'Matthew 11:28, 29. Come to me, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of Heart. They follow him as the Lamb; 'Revelation 14:4. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoe…

1 John 2:28: And now little children abide in him; that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. In order to persons being blessed after death, it is necessary not only that they should once be in him, but that they should die in…

All other people are miserable, but that people whose God is the Lord. The world is divided into two societies: there are the people of God, the little flock of Jesus Christ, that company we read of in Revelation 14:4; and there are those that belong to the kingdom of darkness,…

Fourth, this is still manifest in his acts, in his present state of exaltation in heaven. Indeed in his exalted state he most eminently appears in a manifestation of those excellencies on account of which he is compared to a lion; but still he appears as a lamb (Revelation 14:1)…

Every Believer (take it in which sense you will,) has his Watch-Tower as well as Hbbkuk: and give me leave to say, it's an Angelical employment to stand upon it, and behold the consent of Gods Attributes, the accomplishment of his Ends, and our own happiness in the works of Prov…

He smites the earth with the rod of his mouth, and slays the wicked with the breath of his lips (Isaiah 11:4). And these are attended with the sword of his power and Providence (Psalm 45:3; Revelation 19:15), or his rod (Psalm 2:8), or sickle (Revelation 14:18). In these things…

(4.) The things mentioned (Apocalypse 21:27) are effects of this work of Christ in and towards his church, not the work itself here expressed, as the first view of the place will manifest. § 12 He adds, In the other prophets, the restoration of the Christian church from the Baby…

Such a total rest is the sole privilege of the saints. Thus only blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth, indeed says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them (Revelation 14:13). When the saints die, they rest from their l…

The second thing we are to observe for use, is from the commendation of this Song, being for its excellency A Song of Songs: and it is this, that, the Believer has the choicest [reconstructed: Song], and most excellent mirth in the world; not such songs or joy as the world has,…

7. Thus also the Lord makes the study of his Word delectable, when both the judgment and affections, are jointly wrought upon: and to show that all the believer's conditions may be matter of a sweet song to him, whereas some things, if plainly laid down, would not be so cheerful…

When the day of God's indignation does come, and he makes such slaughter among his enemies, that the earth does stink with their carcasses, and the mountains do melt with their blood (Isaiah 34:2-3). When God treads the winepress of his wrath without the city, and the blood come…

The delightful rolling of these divine truths in the mind, help the soul to walk in the sweetest paradise of contemplation. These mysterious marrow-rich truths are like that song that none could learn but the 144,000 that are redeemed from the earth (Revelation 14:4). Or like th…

The people being settled there, their posterity continued there from age to age afterwards: and being, as it were, by natural walls, as well as by God's grace, separated from the rest of the world, never partook of the overflowing corruption. These especially were those virgins…

For he speaks with presupposal of the doctrine of Christ, known also to Timothy; and he adds, through the faith which is in Christ. 14. 14. (Revelation 14:6) St. John peculiarly terms the doctrine that teaches salvation by Jesus Christ, Evangelium aeternum, an eternal Gospel; be…

2. That Christ by the blood of his cross has made peace between God and the Brasilians, who so lived and died without the Gospel; that Christ has satisfied upon the cross for their sins against the Law, and borne their sins in his own body on the tree; that Brasilians being dead…

What streets of gold the rich citizens walk in with their feet (Revelation 21)? The structure of the new Jerusalem, the twelve ports, the foundation of the wall, garnished with all manner of precious stones, the building of the wall of Jasper, what a bride the Lamb's wife is, as…

And what influences must be there, when each having six wings, they cease not night nor day to cry one to another, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, Almighty, which was, and which is to come, the whole earth is filled with his glory (Revelation 4:8; Isaiah 6:3). The glorified…

The meek and quiet soul is through grace a conqueror over these enemies, their fiery darts are quenched by the shield of faith, Satan is in some measure trodden under his feet, and the victory will be complete shortly, when he that overcomes shall sit down with Christ upon his t…

Christ rides prosperously, because of meekness (Psalm 45:4). Now it is the character of all the saints, that they follow the Lamb (Revelation 14:4), as a lamb, they follow him in his meekness, and are therefore so oft called the sheep of Christ. This is that part of his copy whi…

We have cause to bless God that we might be with Gods people, though in caves, and woods, and banished from all; we have much more cause to bless God when we can be with them thus publiquely, and peaceably, and can go from Gods house, to our own houses, and have communion there;…

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11:2-3: I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ; and I fear, lest by any means as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. An…

Not that a truly regenerate person is always in the same cheerful temper of obedience, he may sometimes find an indisposition and weariness of soul, but his weariness is his burden, he is weary of his weariness, he prays, weeps, uses all means to regain that alacrity and freedom…

The Vulgar Latine rendets it by Iustificationes; from the inclusion of Ius, Iustum in the signification of it. In the new Testament it is used, Luke 1:6, Romans 1:32, chap. 2:26, chap. 5:16, chap. 8:4, Hebrews 9:1, ver. 10, Revelation 15:4, chap. 19:8. And in no one place does i…

The points that might be drawn hence are many, for a taste take these. That Jesus Christ is Master and Lord, [in non-Latin alphabet], King of nations (Jeremiah 10:7) and King of Saints (Revelation 15:3), or as the Apostle in one place, Head over all things to the Church (Ephesia…

The introduction to all these astonishing judgments was this, Christ appears as the Angel of the Covenant, with a golden censer in his hand, and with much incense of his own merits and mediation, and offers it up with the prayers of all saints, upon the golden altar which was be…

Objection 7. But the souls under the altar cry to God, and their blood is not avenged: their blood, and their graves in their kind, make supplications before the throne for justice, yet the enemies prosper. Answer. Has not the Lord appointed a time for fighting, and suffering, a…

Now Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints; and the blood of one of Them cries louder than the blood of all Man-kind besides. Now from this I argue, If the blood of a Saint cries so, what must the blood of the King of Saints (as Christ is called, Revelation…

Title, and v. 1, 2, 3. So Moses and the people with him, Exodus 15. when God had delivered them from Pharaoh, how do they exalt him in a song of thanksgiving, which for the elegancy and spirituality of it, is made an Emblem of the doxologies given to God in glory by the saints!…

The Scepter then of the Kingdom of Christ is a scepter of righteousness, because all the laws of his Gospel are righteous, holy, just, full of benignity and truth (Titus 2:11, 12). And all his administration of grace, mercy, justice, rewards and punishments, according to the rul…

The commendation suits with his works, as if there were none of them, but what are adorned (as it were) with excellent gold rings, there being much glory, grace, wisdom and skill shining in them all, they are honorable and glorious (Psalm 111:3). Indeed, great and marvelous are…

We say every thing is mutable; but who meditates upon it? The world is resembled to a sea of glass mingled with fire (Revelation 15:2). Glass is slippery, it has no sure footing: and glass mingled with fire is subject to consume.

The Lord shall be King, and it is added over all the earth, not only over a few churches, but over all nations. Christ will show himself in the largeness of his power, not only as King of Saints (Revelation 15:3), but as King of Nations (Jeremiah 10:7), as head to the Church, bu…

Then atheists and blasphemers, the debauchees and profane scoffers of the age, will have their mouths stopped with an irresistible conviction; will have all their vile calumnies visibly confuted; their hearts filled with unspeakable horror, and their faces with everlasting shame…

And if you take these ways, by this you shall come to choose Moses Choice. O that now in my winding up of all, by all that has been said, some soul or other may have cause to bless God in being inclined to choose the same Choice: If you would choose Moses Choice, use Moses argum…

But O, what transcendent Joy, indeed, ravishing, will ove-run the hearts of Saints, when after so many Conflicts, Temptations, and Afflictions, they arrive in glory, and are harbour'd in Heaven, where they shall rest for ever! 2. Thessalonians 1:7. The Scripture says, They shall…

3. Object. The metaphor taken from nurses is often used, and applied to God, and to God's ministers. 1. Answer. The using of a thing by way of comparison and resemblance does not simply justify it: take the parable of the unjust steward, and of a thief (Luke 16:1, etc.; Revelati…

(2 Corinthians 10:5) And he has his royal scepter, (Psalm 110:3) which is called the rod of his strength. And he has his subjects, and they are the saints, (Revelation 15:3) King of saints. And he has his laws and constitutions; we read of the law of faith, and the law of libert…

Cain could say, his punishment was intolerable, but could not say, it was unjust; though greater than he could bear, yet not greater than he did deserve. God will not argue the case with men merely as a sovereign, but as a judge, who proceeds not by will only, but by rule: many…

Object. 6. We are called upon by David himself to sing new songs (Psalm 96:1) and oft elsewhere, and such as had gifts then used them for inditing and singing new songs, as Asaph, Heman, Ethan, etc. The four beasts (Revelation 5:9) and the 144,000 followers of the Lamb did sing…

And the saints, those noble choristers, shall take down their harps from the willows, and join in concert with the angels, praising and blessing God. Revelation 15:2-3: I saw them that had gotten the victory over the Beast, having the harps of God, and they sing the song of Mose…

The only wise God. Revelation 15:4. For you only are holy.

1. David was a King, So is Christ adorned with Regal power, he is a King to govern his people, Revelation 15.3. and to conquer his enemies, Psalm 110.1.2.

(2) It is evident from Deuteronomy 32:39, where the Lord speaks of himself, I, even I am he, and there is no God with me. (3) Because God is Omnipotent, and so cannot be hindered by any other in his working (Revelation 15:3). (4) It is evident from Christ's words to the young ma…

God says not, no affliction shall befall his children, but no evil; the hurt and poison of it is taken away. Affliction to a wicked man has evil in it, it makes him worse; it makes him curse and blaspheme (Revelation 16:9). Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the n…

The godly pray more (Psalm 130:1). The wicked blaspheme more (Revelation 16:9). Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chrysostom: the hurt and malignity of the affliction is taken away. Affliction to a wicked man has evil in it; it makes him worse (Revelation 16:9). Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God: but no evil befalls a child of God, h…

(Psalm 90:11) Who knows the power of your anger? The angel never poured out his vial but some woe followed; (Revelation 16:3) when the bitter vials of God's wrath are poured out, damnation follows. Dives cries out, O I am tormented in this flame; (Luke 16:24).

A wicked man frets and fumes, and is like a wild bull in a net. He in affliction blasphemes God; (Revelation 16:9). Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God.

What scorn will he cast upon this saucy dust? These spiteful worms that have only malice enough to snarl, and can go no further; if the great men of the earth tremble, shall the bondmen go free (Revelation 16:15)? But chiefly upon this occasion would I commend to you, the exampl…

If so be that being clothed, we shall not be found naked. In this verse he gives a wholesome caution by the way; and withal insinuates, why he used the word clothed upon, in the fore-going verse, thus, speaking of the glory of such a separate soul, even because it is absolutely…

And so the Papists in like manner, it is said, they repented not of worshipping Devils (Revelation 9:20). Hence Rome is called an habitation of Devils, and foul spirits (Revelation 18:2), and their factors, and emissaries are called the spirits of Devils (Revelation 16:4). They…

In discoursing his disciples of the troubles at the destruction of Jerusalem, which was a type of the trouble preceding the end of the world, he adds a discourse of what shall be at the end of the world, in the last attempt of the enemies of the Church, for verse 29 he says imme…

Witness their doctrine in the point of vilifying the Scriptures, and in point of free-will, and of justification by works, of the Pope's supremacy, of the sacrifice of the Mass, of worshipping of images, etc. In regard of which, and such like, the Holy Ghost says, that their rel…

These things plainly show, that the time is coming when the whole world of mankind shall be brought into the Church of Christ; and not only a part of the Jews, and a part of the Gentile world, as the first-fruits, as it was in the first ages of the Christian Church; but the full…

4. It seems to be signified in Prophecy, that after the Reformation Antichrist should never prevail against the Church of Christ any more, as he had done before. I can't but think, that whoever reads and well considers what the learned Mr. Lowman has written on the five first Vi…

He persecutes the woman that brought forth the man-child (Revelation 12:13). He goes forth in his instruments to gather the kings of the earth, and the whole world, to the great battle of that great day of God almighty (Revelation 16:14), and makes war with the Lamb (Revelation…

By which three meanes, the Iesuites have preuailed much in Princes courts, in these latter daies. Apoc 16:14. Thirdly, in the glorious outside of holinesse of life and conuersation, in not sparing the bodie, by whipping of themselues, as Baals priests lanced themselues till the…

(3.) Or if neither of these had been your Lot, but you had been emptied by the womb of nature into this little spot of the Earth which is Christianized by profession, but nevertheless for the most part over-run by Popish Idolatry, and Antichristian delusions; what unhappy men an…

Wicked men quarrel with God, and are filled with discontent against him. So the Scripture describes them, Revelation 16:9 They were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which has power over these plagues. But Godly men to whom afflictions are sanctified, the…

The violence done to me and my flesh, be upon Babylon shall the inhabitant of Zion say, and my blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea shall Jerusalem say (Jeremiah 51:35). In this day great Babylon must come into remembrance (Revelation 16:19, 20). 2. The discerning trial, that s…

The Scepter then of the Kingdom of Christ is a scepter of righteousness, because all the laws of his Gospel are righteous, holy, just, full of benignity and truth (Titus 2:11, 12). And all his administration of grace, mercy, justice, rewards and punishments, according to the rul…

Observe, if Satan thinks to have such an advantage upon a holy man, as to make him blaspheme when he is in pain, do you think pain will be an advantage to your repentance? It is said, that at the pouring out of the fourth Vial (Revelation 16:9), when God did smite the inhabitant…

Putting off the clothes is an evidence of betaking themselves to rest, as keeping them on, is a sign of watching, as in (Nehemiah 4:23). None of us put off clothes, [reconstructed: except for] washing; Hence keeping on of the clothes is borrowed, to set out spiritual watchfulnes…

I told you we must make a treasure of this refined gold of Scripture-truths, but I rather understand this of the tried gold of precious graces, especially faith, which being tried in the furnace of affliction is much more precious than gold that perishes: this indeed makes the s…

A certain very late expositor (Mr. Lowman), who explains the five first vials in the sixteenth chapter of Revelation, with greater probability perhaps than any who went before him, explains the fifth vial, which was poured out on the seat of the beast, of what came to pass in th…

Ans. The conscience of devils and the damned is awakened either penally or sinfully; these may be distinguished here; the conscience as penally wakened by the Judge, primarily gnaws and torments itself for sin as punished; I have sinned says Judas, and he casts down the seven pi…

The Spirit is a Pilot and a Steersman acting and moving in the Saints, directing, counselling, enspiring in all actings: it's easy to know the spirit's leading by what it drives at. For they are the spirits of devils working miracles, which go forth to the Kings of the earth, an…

Nor can we move questions concerning the decrees and deep dispensations of God, but we must fall upon the Almighty to defend our own sin; the damned in hell eternally rail against the decrees of holy and spotless justice, and his decrees of giving to them life and being, and den…

When his kingdom begins to totter and shake, then he stirs up all his wrath, and inflames his instruments; as dying beasts bite hardest. So (Revelation 16:14), we read of the spirits of devils that go forth to the kings of the earth, to stir them up against the saints. If you co…

1. The Godly are kept from impatience. When the Wicked are under Gods black Rod, they either faint or fret, Revelation 16:9. Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God: but the Godly are silent under the Rod, Levit. 10:3.

For our light affliction which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Use 1. For Information, that God's righteous judgments are matter of praise and thanksgiving; an angel is brought in speaking (Revelation 16:5): "You are righteous,…

When Herod was so wicked as to assume glory to himself, which of right is God's, the Angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not glory to God (Acts 12:23). When God will judge, the Angels will execute the judgment written: The Angels executed destruction from the Lord again…

3 This will be the sad effect of these torments, [reconstructed: final] and eternal impenitency, and despair, even to cursing and blaspheming: he that dies impenitent, continues so for ever, and impenitency is attended with blasphemy (Isaiah 8:21-22). They shall pass through it…

And this it does to cross and thwart God and his design, who and which is set upon the happiness of his people. 7. Sin is contrary to, and set against the glory of God, and all that should and would give glory to him, or has any tendency to that end: Confession of sin and repent…

You will rejoice the generation of the righteous; indeed, there will be joy in Heaven — God and angels will be glad and rejoice at your return (Luke 15). 'Tis their sin, and greatly aggravated (Revelation 16:9), that they repented not to give him glory. Sin dishonors, but repent…

And still this is added at the end of every instance, "Yet you have not returned to me." (Revelation 16:11) They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and sores, and they repented not. (Daniel 9:13) All this evil is come upon us, yet made we not our prayer, etc.

The saints are the children of the Most High, and such as shed their blood shall pay dearly for it. Revelation 16:6: You have given them blood to drink, for they are worthy. Second, God looks upon his children as persons of honor.

When Paul preached against Diana, all the city was in an uproar: we preach against men's Dianas, those sins which bring them in pleasure and profit, this causes an uproar. 3. From the malice of Satan: the ministers of Christ come to destroy his kingdom, therefore the old serpent…

3. Heretics and false teachers who yet profess to believe in God Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, to hold also the Scriptures the word of God, may yet teach such doctrines that they may be justly styled false prophets, apostates, idolaters, blasphemers, as diver…

Second, the wrong or injustice of not punishing any sin or sins does not arise from any natural obligation but from consideration of an affirmative positive act of God's will, by which he has purposed to do it. Fourth, he adds: no one can be called just for using his own right o…

Upon a sick bed a person is more fit to exercise impatience, than Repentance. We read, that at the pouring out of the fourth Vial, when God did smite the Inhabitants, and scorched them with fire; They blasphemed the Name of God, and repented not, (Revelation 16:9). So when the L…

4. The wicked shall not only be forced to behold the Devil, but shall be shut up in the Den with this roaring Lion, and he shall spit fire in their faces. 5. The wicked shall hear the language of Hell, Revelation 16.9. Men were scorched with heat, and blasphemed the Name of God.

Now there be two main hindrances of this work that must be removed: the first whereof is, 1. Real, the Great River Euphrates, the strength and fullness of whose streams does yet rage so high, that there is no passage for the Kings of the East to come over; therefore this must be…

Christ with his heavenly host was engaged in that battle; and therefore it is said (Judges 5:20): "They fought from Heaven, the stars in their courses fought against Sisera." The work of God therefore in this victory and deliverance that Christ and his host wrought for Israel, w…

He has a golden scepter to rule his people, but an iron rod to break his enemies. Revelation 17:12, 14: The ten horns you saw are ten kings; these shall make war with the Lamb, but the Lamb shall overcome them; for he is King of Kings. The enemies may set up their standard, but…

Q. Who are the members of that Church? A. Only they and all they that are effectually called to be true believers in Christ (Revelation 17:14; John 15:19). Q. What are the parts of the catholic Church?

First on carnal reason, on which he chiefly works in this sort of temptations, the strength whereof lies in false reasonings, wherein, if in anything, he has the advantage. First, his abilities to forge and invent false reasonings and arguments to overthrow our faith are (as the…

Among which marks of the Beast, Is not the decree of Pope Innocentius the third? (Decret. Gregor. lib. 3. tit. 42. cap. 3.) as Doctor Willet in his Synopsis Papismi de baptismo infantium citeth: That whereas Circumcision (by the commandement of God) was conferred upon the infant…

He has mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardens: 'tis not from the fore-sight of our wills receiving or rejecting grace proposed, for then man's will would be made a superior cause to an act in God. 4. In this matter of Reprobation, Preterition, and Praedamn…

Again (Revelation 18:16) it is said, that the ten horns, which be ten kings, shall hate the whore, and make her desolate and naked, which must not be understood of heathenish Rome, but of popish Rome: for whereas in former times all the kings of the earth did submit themselves t…

But I ask, have not the Kings of the earth hitherto for the most part, set themselves against the Lord, and against his Christ? And how then shall all those prophecies hold true, except they be co-incident with (Revelation 17:16-17), "And that time is yet come, when God shall pu…

And if you look into our own histories of England, how few shall you find! It was prophesied of them, that they should give both [in non-Latin alphabet] both their force of arms, and their power of laws to the Beast, to serve the Pope's interest (Revelation 17:13). And according…

Although that which is foretold in these two chapters, and namely in the fourth and fifth verses of this chapter, was in part fulfilled when the people of God returned from captivity in Babylon at the end of seventy years: yet we must not limit the place to that time only, but m…

And (Revelation 12:7), "And it was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them." But in the issue of that last and great battle, which the Church shall have with her antichristian enemies, the Church shall OVERCOME THEM, AND KILL THEM; (Revelation 17:14), "The…

The same figure of speech is by no means unusual in the New Testament: "Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them" (Matthew 28:19); and the opposite form, "O namely [illegible] Homer — "He has a way beside the road, and the birds of heaven devoured it" (Luke 8:5); and, "I am…

He persecutes the woman that brought forth the man-child (Revelation 12:13). He goes forth in his instruments to gather the kings of the earth, and the whole world, to the great battle of that great day of God almighty (Revelation 16:14), and makes war with the Lamb (Revelation…

Others to some carnal, fraudulent, oppressive course, whereby they are spotted by the world. The whore of Babylon propounds her abominations in a golden cup (Revelation 17:4), and the great motive here is, "All this will I give you." Though the Devil comes not in person to us wi…

The like was done in other cases, as to Ezekiel in his trance (Ezekiel 2:1): Son of man arise, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you. So to the apostle John (Revelation 17:18): When I saw him, I lay at his feet as dead; and he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not,…

Such was the mighty power and deep policy used by Pharaoh to destroy Gods Israel, that to the eye of reason, it was as impossible to survive it, as for crackling thorns to abide unconsumed amidst devouring flames; by which Emblem, their miraculous preservation is expressed, Exod…

That 1. He was designed to (Psalm 89:27). And accordingly he is 2. Made Lord of Lords and King of Kings (Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16; 1 Timothy 6:15). And 3. He exercises dominion answerable to his title (Revelation 6:16; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 18:16, 17, 18, 19, 20…

4. Gold and all external riches, are empty things to a spiritual discerner of Christ's worth; as it were, a new sort of gold must be invented, or imagined, to shadow forth the excellencies of Christ, gold itself is but an insufficient and dark shadow to represent him; whoever lo…

See (Jeremiah 52:12-13). But the most fearful instances of God's terrible voice by fire are yet to come: Thus God will speak by fire to Spiritual Babylon, which may easily be proved to be Rome, from (Revelation 17:18). She being the then great city, which reigned over the kings…

The persecutions with which the Protestants in one kingdom and another have been persecuted by the church of Rome, have in many respects been far beyond any of the Heathen persecutions which were before Constantine the Great, and beyond all that ever were before. So that Antichr…

3. Puts him to learn by experience new things to day, and to will and decree them fixedly in time, concerning which yesterday and before the world was, he was not fixed in his will to do determinatly any thing, for fear of fatal necessity. For 4. God had either fixed a decree co…

What floods of heresy have been poured out in city and country, which have overflowed the banks, not only of religion, but civility. Ignatius calls error, the invention of the devil; and Bernard calls it a sweet poison: Men's ears like sponges have sucked in this poison: Never w…

He comes forth of the Myrtle trees in the bottom (his lowly people, in a low condition) with the Red horse following him (Zechariah 1:8). Upon this account he [illegible] broke the old Roman Pagan Empire (Revelation 6:13, 14, 15, 16, 17), and will as fearfully destroy the Antich…

Now that which is the end of prayers poured out for magistrates ought to be the end propounded by the magistrate in his duty, but the Apostle commands prayers to be made for magistrates for that end, ergo it lies upon the magistrate to see to it, of which the reader may see more…

Its body was like a dragon, and it had seven heads and ten horns. It made great havoc of children, and yet it was governed by a woman (Revelation 17:3). This monster propounded conditions to men; and such men as loved their lives more than their souls, accepted of those conditio…

If [in non-Latin alphabet] here mean all men, the apostle in direct contradiction to himself in this very expression, means that he himself, and all the other apostles, as well the rest of mankind, did corrupt the word of God. Revelation 17:1: I will show to you the judgment of…

This then is the [in non-Latin alphabet] of the Heaven and Earth of the nations. Now this is evident, from that full prediction which you have of the accomplishment hereof (Revelation 17:12, 13, and 16). Verse 12: the kingdoms of the West receive power at one hour with the Beast.

Compare with this (1 John 4:1, 2, 3). For confirmation, consider what is foretold by John; (Revelation 17:12, 16, 17), that the kings of the earth, shall eat the flesh of the whore, and burn her with fire. All which are foretold, as blessings to be conferred upon the Church.

(5) Because, the Lord has promised, that Magistrates under the Gospel, shall be nursing fathers to his Church (Isaiah 49:23). And shall make the Whore desolate, naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire (Revelation 17:16). Quest. 4.

(2) His coming is after the manner of Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:9). (3) As to his name, he calls himself a Christian, but in very truth is an adversary to Christ, and by consequence one who denies Jesus to be the Christ (Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:19; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; 1…

Q. 3. Wherein chiefly consists the outward providence of God towards his Church? A. In three things, first, in (a) causing all things to work together for their good; secondly, in (b) ruling and disposing of kingdoms, nations, and persons, for their benefit; thirdly, (c) in aven…

Q. 3. Wherein chiefly consists the outward providence of God towards his Church? A. In three things, first, in (a) causing all things to work together for their good, secondly, in (b) ruling and disposing of kingdoms, nations, and persons, for their benefit; thirdly, (c) in aven…

Such as make a God of pleasure, let them read but two scriptures (Ecclesiastes 7:4): The heart of fools is in the house of mirth. And (Revelation 18:7): How much she has lived deliciously, so much torment give her. Sugar laid in a damp [reconstructed: place] turns to water: so a…

The Jews say, that in every misery that befalls them, there is Uncia Aurei Vituli, an ounce of the golden calf in it. Revelation 18:4: Come out of her my people, that you not be partakers of her sins, and that you do not receive of her plagues. Idolatry lived in cuts men off fro…

In particular, Death is a voider to take away all his earthly comforts — it takes away his sugared morsels; no more drinking wine in bowls, no more mirth or music (Revelation 18:22): the voice of harpers and musicians shall be heard no more at all in you. The sinner shall never…

Knowing the Son of man shortly will come to judge the world: and then they which be ashamed of him, and his words, in this sinful and adulterous generation, of them will the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with all his holy Angels (Mark 8:38). Fou…

For the Gospel is at present so stated in the world, at least many parts of it, that great multitudes make more benefit by a pretence of it or what belongs to it, and have greater secular advancements and advantages thereby, than they could possibly by the utmost of their dilige…

Secondly, on this rejection of them, they were nigh to cursing; that is, they were so ordered and disposed of, as that the destroying curse of God's might came upon them; God had now anathematized them, or devoted them to destruction; and hereupon he gave them up to all those wa…

(3.) On this supposition, all reformation of an apostatized church, is utterly impossible. But it is our duty to heal even Babylon itself by a reduction of all things to their first institution, if it would be healed (Jeremiah 51:9), and if not, we are to forsake her, and reform…

Again, do not haunt with the wicked, and suffer your souls to enter into their secret evil societies, may be absolutely destroyed root and branch: Sodom was condemned with an overthrow. 'Tis seasonable advice, come out of her my people, lest you partake of her plagues (Revelatio…

Revelation 18:4. And I heard another voice from heaven say, Go out of her my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and receive not of her plagues. In the former chapter Saint John sets down a description of the whore of Babylon, and that at large as he saw her in a visi…

And so the Papists in like manner, it is said, they repented not of worshipping Devils (Revelation 9:20). Hence Rome is called an habitation of Devils, and foul spirits (Revelation 18:2), and their factors, and emissaries are called the spirits of Devils (Revelation 16:4). They…

Thus they that did so rejoyce to expect preferment, they are gone now, Oh! the world is at an end with them, and they mourn one to another because of the loss of such things as these are: and long may they mourn upon this ground. We reade in Revelation 18. these kind of people j…

A time of great and universal joy throughout the earth, when from the utmost ends of the earth shall be heard songs, even glory to the righteous, and God's people shall with joy draw water out of the wells of salvation, and God shall prepare in his holy mountain, a feast of fat…

It seems also pretty manifest that after that event that is chiefly intended in the Prophecies of Antichrist's Destruction, there will be some remains of the Romish Church. This appears by that most particular and large description of that destruction, Revelation 18. There it se…

We do, by our unthankfulness, darken and obscure the freedom of grace, that by this Gospel is preached to us; and there needs no other evidence of it but this; that many are to this day as ignorant of the way of justification of sinners, and as removed from, and as great strange…

The earth is given to the hand of the wicked. 4. Indeed, it is not only the slaughterhouse and shambles where Christ was slain, but all the martyrs and witnesses of Jesus were butchered here; for it is said of Babylon (Revelation 18:24), And in her was found the blood of prophet…

And so the skarlet strūpet thought her selfe a Queene, and that shee was out of all daunger of downefall, when shee was alreadie fallen. Apoc 18:2, 7. indeed this corruption is so naturall, that euen the regenerate themselues, who are in part sanctified, are tainted therewith:…

Hosea 4:15. Though you Israel play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend, and come not you to Gilgal, neither go you up to Beth-aven. Revelation 18:4. Come out of her my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you partake not of her plagues. Proverbs 14:7. Go from…

And accordingly he is 2. Made Lord of Lords and King of Kings (Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16; 1 Timothy 6:15). And 3. He exercises dominion answerable to his title (Revelation 6:16; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 18:16, 17, 18, 19, 20; Psalm 2:8, 9; Isaiah 60; Micah 5:7, 8, 9…

In one day all is gone. It is added as an aggravation of Babylon's downfall, that her judgments shall come upon her in one day (Revelation 18:8): "Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death and mourning and famine, and she shall be utterly burnt with fire, for strong is…

She being the then great city, which reigned over the kings of the earth. Babylon's burning with fire you may read, (Revelation 18:8-10, etc.). Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine, and she shall be utterly burnt with fire; for strong is t…

This also is fulfilled in the church of Rome. —It was foretold, that he should sell the souls of men, Revelation 18:13. where, in enumerating the articles of his merchandise, the souls of men are mentioned as one. This also is exactly fulfilled in the same church.

When God comes into his holy temple, all the earth will keep silence, (Habakkuk 2:20). The nearer we approach to Antichrist's ruin, God will give out more light, (Revelation 18). Babylon fell when the earth was enlightened with the Angel's glory; light will increase towards the…

These are they who come to a fearful end, yea many times in this life; as Esay 50:11 Behold, all ye that kindle afire, that compass about yourselves with sparks, walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that you have kindled, this shall ye have of my hand, ye shall lie…

The pleasure will quickly go off, but the sting will remain behind. I tasted but a little honey on the top of my rod (said Ionathan) and I must die, 1 Samuel 14:43. Thirdly, In fact, that's not all; but the Lord proportions wrath according to the pleasures souls have had in sin,…

But none of these instances are comprehensive of the case inquired after; so that for a close of them, I say, for a man to withdraw or withhold himself from the communion external and visible of any Church or Churches, on the pretension and plea, be it true or otherwise, that th…

And then verse 16 branches it into those three that are indeed the base anti-trinity that the world worships: the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. The soul of man unconverted is no other but a den of impure lusts, wherein dwells pride, uncleanness,…

When once he begins to set forth, the old prophecies are accomplishing apace; and however little preparation there seems to be for this work, it comes apace. It is said of the Antichristian state, Her plagues shall come upon her in one day. (Revelation 18:8) And of the Jews it i…

From compassing the earth (Job 1), a place defiled with sin (Isaiah 24:5), given to the children of men (Psalm 115:16). Here God will show his bounty to all his creatures, to beasts, and all kind of men; it is sometimes the slaughter-house and shambles of the saints, they are sl…

(Psalm 52:6): "The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: Lo, this is the man that made not God his portion." (Revelation 18:20): "Rejoice over Babylon, you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her." When the word of God is fulfilled, surel…

So that hereby we become guilty of other men's sins, and we are like sooner or later to resent and regret this very grievously; indeed (though we ourselves may be saved at last) it will certainly pain us to think that any went to Hell, in whose sins we had a head or hand, and it…

Let me here take occasion to offer to your view some sins which are especially said to be the devil's sin, and they that do them are of, work for, and are like to, and called devils. 1 Murder, especially soul-murder, of which Antichrist the devil's son is hugely guilty, in makin…

Sin has turned angels of light into devils of darkness; morning stars into the darkness of hell. It may be said of hell, as the Scripture speaks of Rome (Revelation 18:2), it is become the habitation of devils, the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hatef…

There is no pleasure the adulterer can take in his lusts then, the drunkard in his cup, the covetous worldling in his wealth — they are out of date, the season is gone, the applause of the proud, and the pomp of the great ones is out of season; only the guilt and filth of sin re…

3. The forethoughts of sufferings would make them lighter when they come; the suddenness of an evil adds to the sadness; this was ill news to the fool in the Gospel, (who reckoned without his host) this night shall your soul be required of you. This will be an aggravation of Bab…

3. Heretics and false teachers who yet profess to believe in God Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, to hold also the Scriptures the word of God, may yet teach such doctrines that they may be justly styled false prophets, apostates, idolaters, blasphemers, as diver…

Neither can it be said that only final unbelief is the only meritorious cause of damnation to such as hear the Gospel. For beside final unbelief there is also a contrariety between the murders, sodomies, etc. of professors and the Law for which they suffer in hell eternally (Rev…

Hence we must be mortified to every thing created which the Lord may take from us. 14. And upon this account there is required a deadening of our hearts to shipping and trading with diverse mighty nations, as we see in the case of Tyre (Ezekiel 27), of Babylon (Revelation 18:11-…

Or in Revelation 13:3 ('All the world wondered after the beast'), which few would take as meaning every individual person on earth? That 'all nations,' an expression of equal breadth with 'the world,' is to be understood in like manner is apparent from Romans 1:5; Revelation 18:…

The Lord will proportion a sinner's torment to his pleasure. Revelation 18:7, How much she has lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her.

So will God say to the wicked, come down from all your pomp and glory, sit in the dust, nay, sit among the damned, and there grind at Mill. The Lord will proportion torment, to all the pleasure the wicked have had, Revelation 18:7. How much she hath lived deliciously, so much to…

This then must also be removed; and because as you saw before it is so rivetted and cemented into, and with all the orbs of the nations, heaven and earth, that they must be shaken, and brought [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], before it can be effected. 2. The second thing he has to…

Indeed, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be Holiness to the Lord of Hosts, and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them and seethe therein; and in that day there shall be no more a Canaanite in the house of the Lord of Hosts (Zechariah 14:20-21). In fact, this a…

Neither by King, nor Parliament, nor Armies, for (Zechariah 4:6): Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord. When Babylon is to be destroyed (as the work is even now on the wheels in Britain) (Revelation 18:21): A mighty Angel took up the great millstone, and t…

Are the purest churches under heaven subject both to mixture and error? Yes (1 Corinthians 13:12; Revelation 2 and 3; Revelation 18:2; Romans 11:18-22). Well then, do not the Papists err, who affirm that the church cannot err, neither in matters absolutely necessary, neither in…

Is a virgin afraid to be matched into the crown? Now is but the contract, at death is the marriage-supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). What hurt does death do but take us from among fiery serpents, and place us among angels?

I told you before what a glorious palace they shall have; but a man may starve in a house if there be no cheer. The saints at Death shall have a royal banquet, shadowed out in Scripture by a marriage supper (Revelation 19:9). Bullinger and Gregory the Great understand by that ma…

Resp. In subduing us to himself, and in restraining and conquering his and our enemies. Now of Christ's regal office, (Revelation 19:16) And he has on his vesture, and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords. Jesus Christ is of mighty renown, he is a King;…

That soul who has tasted how sweet the Lord is, should long for a fuller enjoyment of him in Heaven. Has Christ put this ring of assurance on your hand, and so espoused you to himself, how should you long for the marriage supper of the Lamb, (Revelation 19:9). O Christian, think…

He has the key of justice in his hand, to lock up whom he will in the fiery prison of Hell; and he has the key of mercy in his hand, to open Heaven's gate to whom he pleases. This is the name engraved upon his vesture, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16). He sits…

A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom. 3. He has his crown royal (Revelation 19:12). On his head were many crowns; he has his Iura Regalia, his kingly prerogatives; he has power to make laws, to seal pardons, which are the flowers and jewels belonging to his…

White robes denote three things: 1. Their dignity; the Persians were arrayed in white, in token of honor. 2. Their purity; the magistrates among the Romans were clothed in white, ergo called candidati, to show their integrity: Thus the queen, the Lamb's wife, is arrayed in fine…

They shall reign for ever and ever. (2.) A royal feast: It is called, The marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9), which Bullinger and Gregory the Great understand of the magnificent supper prepared in the Kingdom of Heaven. A glorious feast it will be in respect of the fo…

All the torments of this life are but Ludibrium & Risus, a kind of sport to hell-torments; what is a burning fever, to the burning in hell? It is called the wrath of the Almighty (Revelation 19:15). The Almighty God inflicts the punishment, therefore it will be heavy; a child ca…

Secondly, they may disturb and hinder her peace and proceedings; but Thirdly, they shall in the end be restrained, as in (Revelation 19:20): And the beast was taken, and with him the false Prophet that wrought miracles before him, &c. These both were cast alive into a lake of fi…

See (Colossians 2:15). And because outward force and opposition is always used by the world in the defence of the interest of Satan, he will also sometimes apply the outward sword for the destruction of his stubborn adversaries (Isaiah 63:1, 2, 3; Revelation 19). This therefore…

And by his Spirit he makes his Disciples to carry on the same work until the Covenant was fully declared (Hebrews 2:3; see John 1:17, 18). And the whole ministry of Angels in the giving of this Covenant, was merely in a way of service and obedience to Christ, and they owned them…

Even the terror and the glory of it, with the vengeance which shall be executed in it, are proposed as the matter of highest consolation to believers, as indeed they are, on many accounts not here to be insisted on. See Isaiah 35:3, 4; Luke 21:31; Revelation 19:7; 2 Timothy 4:8;…

But here is no such declaration made, and so no provision laid in against idolatry. For when one speaks in the name of God, not as from God, but as God, who would judge but divine honor and religious worship were due to them, which yet are not to Angels however gloriously sent o…

Even the souls of the saints in Heaven seem to express a little too much haste in this matter (Revelation 6:9, 10, 11). The thing which they desired was suited to the holiness, righteousness, and faithfulness of God, and wherein he had designed to glorify himself in his appointe…

2 Use. Praise the Lord whenever this work is accomplished; not I, but grace; it must not be ascribed to our works, or to any power that is in ourselves, but to God's mercy, Christ's merits, and the Spirit's efficacy. There is God's grant; To her it was granted to be covered with…

The variety of his Providences gives us matter for new songs and compositions. What volleys of joyful shouts? what hallelujahs to God do we find upon the ruin of Antichrist (Revelation 19:1-3). God calls for praise out of the throne, verse 5, and the Church returns it, verse 6-7.

But if every particular church be the wife of Christ, how many hundred wives should he have? 1. If the Church of Israel (Jeremiah 2:2), the Church of Corinth (2 Corinthians 11:2), the Jewish Church (Revelation 19:7), be the spouse and wife of Christ, there is no reason but other…

And if that be but a crumb that the great master of the family casts to a dog, you should never then bless yourselves in the enjoyment of a little of the world. But though the Assyrian may be called the King of Princes in regard of his power over some great men, yet most properl…

And secondly, the day of God's feast, that time when God does execute his wrath upon wicked men is the day of a feast to God. In (Revelation 19:17, 18), an Angel cried with a loud voice to all the fowls that fly in the heavens, Come, and gather yourselves together to the supper…

A time wherein the world shall be delivered from that multitude of sore calamities that before had prevailed (Ezekiel 47:20), and there shall be a universal blessing of God upon mankind, in soul and body, and in all their concerns, and all manner of tokens of God's presence and…

And they must suppose so; for they suppose, that immediately after the sufferings the Church shall endure in that war, she shall arise, and as it were ascend into Heaven; that is, as they interpret it, the Church shall be directly advanced to her latter-day rest, prosperity and…

No image of God must be made, because he is a Spirit, nor of Christ, because pictures and images are teachers of lies, neither those, nor any other such should be suffered in the Church or at home, because we are instructed sufficiently in the Gospel. Forbidden in the second par…

2. It has influence to obstruct folk's giving him credit, which is of the very essence of faith; so then, where he is not esteemed of, he is not, he cannot be believed on; the former says, that we will not marry him, this says, we will not trust him, nor trust the reality of his…

Sinful men have been stricken with fear at the sight of them; they are persons of a more excellent country than the earth. John the Apostle did overvalue an angel (Revelation 19; Revelation 21), and fell down to worship him. 2. Angels elect and chosen, never lost their birth-rig…

Position 2. The Scripture and all the ordinances are but created things, and not the ultimate object of our faith, and highest and completest love, that is reserved to God in Jesus Christ. Indeed, the most perfect we read of, Paul a chosen vessel stood in need of comfort from Ti…

2. Christ was never weaker and lower than now, and never more glorious in his working (Isaiah 63:2): "Why are you red in your apparel, and your garments like one that treads in the wine-press?" (Revelation 19:15): he himself was trodden on in the wine-press, and the fierceness a…

He obtained it from pagans and idolaters, not from Christ. The angel deprecates and detests it (Revelation 19:10): "And I fell at his feet, to worship him, and he said to me, see you do it not, for I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren, that have the testimony of Jesus;…

Now from the [illegible], God will be distinguished by his jealousy, that he will not endure any partners in his worship. It is against examples (Revelation 19:10 and 22:8). When I had heard, and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel, which showed me these th…

See Exodus 6:3 then he was known to them by his name Jehovah, in giving being by his Providences to the mercies promised. Thus when Christ shall give his people the last and greatest deliverance from Antichrist, he shall shew himself to his people in a vesture dipt in blood, and…

Kings of armies shall fly apace and shee that taries at home shall divide the spoyle (Psalm 68:12). All opposers though Nations and Kingdomes shall perish and be utterly destroyed (Isaiah 60:12; Revelation 19:18). God will not exalt any creature to a pitch of opposition to himse…

Is it not said, that he shall do so? So doing is he described in the Revelation with glory and power (Revelation 19:11, 12, 13, 14), from Isaiah 63:2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Who should this work more become, or belong to than him, who was persecuted and opposed by them?

(4.) From the time and place of his appearance, which was upon the first entrance of the people into Canaan, and the first opposition, which therein they met withal; so engaging his presence with his Church in all things which oppose them in their way to eternal rest. (5.) From…

While it's said, he has a crown, hereby is not signified any material crown, but majesty and glory, as Psalm 21:3, You set a Crown of pure Gold on his head, etc. And so Christ conquering on the white horse (Revelation 6:3) is said to have a crown: And (Revelation 19:12) it's sai…

So also (Psalm 45:14) and (Psalm 119:63), "I am a companion of all that fear you," etc. And this title is given them for these two reasons: 1. Because there is jointness and communion among them, in all their interests, both of duties and privileges, and also in sufferings, etc.…

3. What is the scope of these allegories, in other Scriptures, as that of Psalm 45, that of planting a vineyard (Matthew 21), that of marriage (Matthew 22), (which none can deny) is meant of espousing spiritually. (See this same allegory of marriage, Jeremiah 3, Hosea 2-3, Ezeki…

2. If the same allegories in other places of Scripture, will bear solid doctrines concerning Christ, his covenant, faith, etc. even such as are in plain Scriptures; then must this Song do the like, seeing it is the word of God, tending to the same scope with these. But it is cle…

When God treads the winepress of his wrath without the city, and the blood comes out of the winepress even to the horses' bridles (Revelation 14:20). In a word, when the Lord shall come forth upon his white horse with his armies, and shall destroy the Beast, and all the powers o…

This was the first thing of the nature that ever was done in the world; and it was a great thing that God did towards further advancing this great building of redemption. There had been before occasional prophecies of Christ, as was shown; but now the time drawing nearer when th…

They were all forerunners of the great prophet. The main end why the spirit of prophecy was given them was, that they might give testimony to Jesus Christ, the great Redeemer, that was to come; and therefore the testimony of Jesus, and the spirit of prophecy, are spoken of as th…

It is represented as a battle; it is called the battle of the great day of God Almighty. There will be some way or other a mighty struggle between Satan's kingdom and the church, and probably in all ways of opposition that can be; and doubtless great opposition by external force…

I answer, all that will be found in the King's House without Grace when the King comes in to see the Guests, are doubtless Reprobates. If it be questioned, whether by the Wedding-Garment be meant true Piety, or whether hereby is not intended moral Sincerity, let the Scripture in…

What streets of gold the rich citizens walk in with their feet (Revelation 21)? The structure of the new Jerusalem, the twelve ports, the foundation of the wall, garnished with all manner of precious stones, the building of the wall of Jasper, what a bride the Lamb's wife is, as…

The Devil has ever shown a mortal spite and hatred towards that holy Book, the Bible: He has done all that has been in his power to extinguish that light, and to draw men off from it: He knows that it is that light by which his kingdom of darkness is to be overthrown. He has had…

As to those prayers against his enemies, which we find in some of his Psalms, and which sometimes sound a little harsh, surely they did not proceed from any such irregular passion, as did in the least clash even with the evangelical laws of meekness: we cannot imagine, that one…

But to them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but contradict it, and rebel against the light and laws of it, being resolved to obey unrighteousness, to them he will render, with a just and Almighty hand, indignation and wrath, the effect of which will be such trib…

As the Tree falls at Death and Judgment, so it lies for ever. If in Heaven, there you are a Pillar, and shalt go forth no more, Revelation 3:12. If in Hell, no Redemption from there, but the smoke of their torments ascends for ever and ever, Revelation 19:3. REFLECTION.

This also renders him graceful: by his whiteness, he fulfilled the law, by his redness he satisfied justice: this is our beloved, O you daughters of Jerusalem. 3. His endearing excellency in the administration of his kingdom, is hereby also expressed: He is white in love and mer…

Thus he sets out his whole communion with his church under this allusion: and that most frequently. The time of his taking the church unto himself, is the day of his marriage, and the church is his bride, his wife (Revelation 19:7-8). The entertainment he makes for his saints, i…

He speaks only of those, whom Christ loved antecedently to his dying for them, whereof his love to them was the cause; who they are is manifest (John 10:15; John 17:17). And those on whom by his death he accomplished the effects mentioned, of washing, cleansing and sanctifying b…

The canker that breeds in the rose is the cause of its perishing; and corruptions that breed in men's souls, are the cause of their damning. Sin without repentance brings the second death (Revelation 20:14), that is, mors sine morte, Bernard, a death always dying. Sin's pleasure…

4. Original sin without repentance exposes to hell and damnation. This is the second death (Revelation 20:14). Two things in it:

1. Bonds and chains (2 Peter 2:4). 2. The worm (Mark 9:44), this is the worm of conscience, and the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15) — other fire is but painted to this. 2. This house of hell is haunted with devils (Matthew 25:41).

The dead are cited as well as the living. Men when they die, avoid the censure of our law-courts, but at the last day, the dead are cited to God's tribunal (Revelation 20:12). I saw the dead small and great stand before God.

Response. Yes, all that are in the graves shall hear Christ's voice, and shall come forth (Acts 24:15). There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust (Revelation 20:12). I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God.

So inconceivable and torturing is God's wrath that the wicked call to the rocks and mountains to fall on them, and hide them from it (Revelation 6). The hellish torments are compared to a fiery lake (Revelation 20:15); other fire is but painted in comparison of this: And this la…

(John 12:48) The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him at the last day. We read of the opening of the books (Revelation 20:12). This is one book God will open, the book of Scripture, and will judge men out of it.

But to an awakened conscience, there is no such burden as sin, when a man seriously weighs with himself the glory and purity of that majesty which sin has offended, the preciousness of that soul which sin has polluted, the loss of that happiness which sin has endangered, the gre…

So they whose hearts are a whoring after the world, neither desire Christs comming, nor love his appearing. That we may therefore shew and approve our selves to bee the true Spouses of Christ, desire his hasty comming, and say, as (Revelation 20:20) Even so come Lord Jesus, come…

Question. How should we lead this temporal life, that we may rise to glory, after death? Answer. This, Saint John teaches us, Revelation 20:6. Blessed and holy is he that has his part in the first resurrection: for, on such the second death has no power. We must therefore labor…

For 3. As to the outward manner of this judgement it shall be with solemnity and great glory (2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8, 9, 10, Jude 14, 15, Daniel 7:9, Revelation 20:4, 5). And this shall be partly for the demonstration of the glory and honor of Jesus Christ, who has been so despi…

God doth so call as draw, John 6:44. Conversion is styled a Resurrection, Revelation 20:6. Blessed is he that has part in the first Resurrection; that is a rising from sin to grace.

And the second is as well taken for the grave, as for hell. (Revelation 20:14) Death and are cast into the lake of fire. Now we can not say, that hell is cast into hell, but the grave into hell.

Again from that [ordained, or forewritten] observe, God has his books and registers, wherein the persons, behaviors, and eternal estates of all men are recorded. At the Day of Judgment, these books shall be opened (Revelation 20:12). Therefore it should be our care to be able to…

3. Will you fear men or devils who have a God to restrain them? The great Dragon and general of the serpents' seed is under a binding power, who can bind him not only a thousand years but a thousand ages (Revelation 20:2). Have his seed more force to resist Almightiness than the…

And as there has been nothing as yet, with regard to the flourishing of religion, and the advancement of Christ's kingdom, of such extent as to answer the prophecies, so neither has there been any thing of that duration, that is foretold. The prophecies speak of Jerusalem's bein…

And this second destruction of Antichrist, or rather extirpation of his remains, together with the complete extirpation of all remains of Mahometanism, Heathenism and Heresy through the world, and the finishing stroke towards the overthrow of Satan's visible kingdom on earth, an…

And this discrimination or differencing has these four steps. 1. There is a differencing in God's purpose in respect of the end, while all men are alike before him, some are designed to eternal life, others not; therefore Matthew 25:34 it is said, "Come, you blessed of my Father…

Zephaniah 3:10: From beyond the river of Ethiopia, my suppliants, even the daughters of my dispersed shall come. 4. Their names are particularly enrolled in the Lamb's book of life (Luke 10:20; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 20:15). As citizens of some famous incorporation, or sena…

Answer: I will show a third. Paul says, that before the end, there shall be a departure (2 Thessalonians 2), and this departure is general in all nations (Revelation 13:16), and after a thousand years there shall be the first resurrection (Revelation 20:5), and this resurrection…

For as he will deny anything in justice that denied to Dives a drop of water to cool his tongue (Luke 16:24-25), so he will recompense anything in mercy, that will recompense a cup of cold water (Matthew 10:42). This integrity in judgment without partiality is signified by the w…

And doubtless the Evidences that will be made use of in their Trial, will be such as will be best fitted to serve the Ends of the Judgment; namely the Manifestation of the righteous Judgment of God, not only to the World, but to Men's own Consciences. But the Scriptures do abund…

He then, above all other times, will appear as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, in infinite greatness and majesty, when he shall come in the glory of his Father, with all the holy angels, and the earth shall tremble before him, and the hills shall melt. This is he, spoken of in R…

(8.) The consideration of the great day, shod move your bowels of pity for them. O remember that Text, Revelation 20. 12, &c. I saw the dead small and great stand before God.

God will not let them rest, nor obtain their purposes: the story of Haman must be acted over again; their hearts shall be stirred up to their own ruin. This (Revelation 20:8) is the frame of perishing Babylonians, in the day of Zion's restoration. The reasons are, 1. because at…

They look upon the church of Christ as a feeble people, that has no visible power or defence, and therefore easy to be destroyed; this encourages them to their work; who or what can deliver them out of their hand? With this resolution they come upon the breadth of the earth, and…

The giants that were in those days, in all likelihood, got themselves their renown by their great exploits against Heaven, and against Christ and his church, the remaining sons of God that had not corrupted themselves. We read, that just before the world shall be destroyed by fi…

And so the apostles were, as it were, in subordination to Christ, made foundations of the Christian church. See Ephesians 2:20 and Revelation 20:14. 3. Here is an appointment of Christian baptism.

All these shall now rise from the dead. The graves shall be opened everywhere in all parts of the world, and the sea shall give up the innumerable dead that are in it, Revelation 20:13. Now all the inhabitants that ever shall have been upon the face of the earth, from the beginn…

So in that day when the great trump shall sound, bone shall come to his bone, and the graves shall not be able to hold them a minute longer. Both sea and earth must render the dead that are in them (Revelation 20:13). When the seed appears above ground again, it appears much mor…

3. Puts him to learn by experience new things to day, and to will and decree them fixedly in time, concerning which yesterday and before the world was, he was not fixed in his will to do determinatly any thing, for fear of fatal necessity. For 4. God had either fixed a decree co…

These were the sufferings of those times; we shrink at every thing, at every scorn and frown. As for after times, it pleased God to stir Constantine a Christian Emperor, and then the Church had some rest; to which some apply that place, Rev. 20:2 Satan was bound a thousand years…

Ep. 16. Eighthly, in reproaches and sufferings there are riches of glory both before the day of Judgement and after: riches of glory before; if so be that opinion of some be true (which I dare not altogether deny) of Christs coming to reign in the world here before the day of Ju…

Ah! I have cause to fear and tremble, lest God has left me under that Curse, Revelation 20:11. Let him that is filthy, be filthy still. I fear I am become as that myrie place, Ezekiel 47:11▪ that shall not be healed by the streams of the Gospel, but given to salt, and cursed int…

When the soul is turned out of doors, when it is cited to appear before the tribunal of God, then we give up our account. But especially at the great day: (Revelation 20:12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; that is, the book of co…

In the same hour came forth fingers of a mans hand, and wrote upon the Plaister of the Wall of the Kings Palace, and the King saw part of the hand that wrote: then the Kings countenance was changed. We read of Gods Book, Revelation 20:12. The books were opened: and his Bag, Job…

Many profess faith and love; but if it be not verified in practice, they are not accepted with God (1 Peter 1:17): "If you call on the father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work." And (Revelation 20:12): "I saw the dead, small and great, stand be…

All the passages of your lives wherever you have been, will be called over. They are all written down in a book (Revelation 20:12). The Jews have an apprehension that the angels write down all the works of men, and will produce them at the day of Judgment.

And in particular young men who have walked in the ways of their own hearts, must hold up their guilty hands before the bar of divine justice in that day. I saw the dead small and great stand before God, and the dead were judged according to their works (Revelation 20:12). So th…

It should therefore prevail with you for your direction in this world — you will be judged by it then, it stands you in hand to be ordered by it now. Revelation 20:12: The books were opened, and the dead were judged out of those things written in their books according to their w…

His exceeding great power, according to the [illegible] of his mighty power in you that believe, as [illegible] wrought in Christ in raising him up from the dead. Hence the working of grace is called a resurrection (Revelation 20:6; John 5:20). The dead shall hear the voice of t…

It is true, God sometimes to shew his power and the strength of his hand, useth a sharp ax, and strikes a fearful blow, by which he cuts them down at once, but for the most part he does it by divers judgments successive. And it is to be observed that every thing which God does t…

God will reward the merciful man hereafter, though not for his works, yet according to his works. Revelation 20:12: I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were opened, and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, accordi…

Here take notice of two things: 1. The process in law (Revelation 20:12): "The books were opened." It is a metaphor taken from the manner of our courts of judicature, where there is the whole process, every circumstance traversed, and the witnesses examined.

The third thing to come, is, His Charge read: I will reprove you, and set your sins in order before you (Psalm 50:21). As God has a bottle for tears, so he has a book to register men's sins (Revelation 20:12). The books were opened.

3. If infants be born without sin, as Anabaptists teach, they die, and go either to Heaven — and so Christ took not on him their nature, and is not their Savior — or they go to everlasting torment, and yet never sinned, which is repugnant to Divine Justice; or to some third plac…

Answer: The Law and Covenant of Works is a rule of everlasting righteousness, and so may be called an everlasting righteousness containing precepts of the Law of nature intrinsically good, such as to know, love, fear, and trust in him as the only true God: and in this sense it i…

Though he has lost his sanctity, yet not his knowledge: Though he has lost his breastplate, yet not his headpiece. He has wit enough to deceive the Nations, Revelation 20.3. His understanding is nimble, and being compared with ours, is like the swift flight of an Eagle, compared…

1. It is Sulfurous, it is mixed with brimstone, Revelation 21:8. which is unsavory and suffocating. 2. It is unextinguishable; though the wicked shall be choked in the flames, yet not consumed, Revelation 20:10. And the Devil was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where t…

All good men shall be judged though not condemned (Matthew 25:34). And all wicked men (Revelation 20): the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them, and they were judged every man according to their works. No, the angels…

3. The saints at death shall not only have a sight of God, but shall enjoy the love of God; there shall be no more veil on God's face, nor his smiles checkered with frowns, but God's love shall discover itself in all its radiant beauty and fragrant sweetness. Here the saints pra…

Lumen actuat colores: Light adorns and gilds the world: What were the world without light, but a prison? The heavenly inheritance is irradiated with light: Christ as a continual sun enlightens it with his beams (Revelation 21:23). 2. To an inheritance incorruptible: It does not…

The wicked stumble at a Savior, and suck death from the tree of life. 4. Without being new creatures, we cannot arrive at heaven (Revelation 21:27). There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defiles.

The kingdom God gives his adopted sons and heirs excels all earthly monarchies: 1. In riches (Revelation 21:21): the gates of pearl, and the streets of pure gold, and as it were transparent glass. 2. In tranquility; it is peaceable, the white lily of peace is the best flower of…

If a physician could give you a prescription to keep you from dying, what sums of money would you give? At the Resurrection Christ will give the saints such a prescription (Revelation 21:4). There shall be no more death.

A father may be fallen to decay, and have nothing to leave his son but his blessing; but God will settle an inheritance on his children, and an inheritance no less than a kingdom; (Luke 17:32) It is your Father's good pleasure to give you a kingdom. This kingdom is more glorious…

On the Sabbath we are doing angels' work, our tongues are tuned to God's praises. This Sabbath on earth is a shadow and type of that glorious rest and eternal Sabbath we hope for in heaven, when God shall be the temple, and the Lamb shall be the light of it (Revelation 21:22-23).

Heaven is the extract and quintessence of happiness. It is called a kingdom (Matthew 25:34) — a kingdom for its riches and magnificence: it is set out by precious stones, gates of pearl (Revelation 21). There is all that is truly glorious, transparent light, perfect love, unstai…

If a Cardinal put his red hat upon the head of a murderer going to execution, he is saved from death. But let all impenitent murderers read their doom (Revelation 21:8). Murderers shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: this is the second death.

The painter going to draw the picture of Helena, as not being able to draw her beauty to the life, drew her face covered with a veil. So when we speak of the kingdom of heaven, we must draw a veil, we cannot set it forth in all its brilliant beauty and magnificence; gold and pea…

(1.) A stately palace. 1. It is large and has several stories; for the dimensions of it, it is twelve thousand furlongs (Revelation 21:15), or as it is in some Greek copies, twelve times twelve thousand furlongs, a finite number put for an infinite; no arithmetician can number t…

What glory can God have by a proud, ignorant, profane heart? 3. If God should pardon and not sanctify, then that should enter into heaven that defiles, but (Revelation 21:27): "Nothing shall enter that defiles." Then God should settle the inheritance upon men before they are fit…

Moses slighted the honors of Pharaoh's Court, having an eye to the recompense of reward (Hebrews 11:26). Saint Paul who had a vision of glory, and Saint John who was carried away in the Spirit, and saw the holy Jerusalem descending out of heaven, having the glory of God in it (R…

There are two things which obstruct man's happiness, and till they are both of them removed from him, he remains altogether hopeless of it, namely his guilt and his pollution: the former has armed the law against him to his condemnation, and the latter has made him actually and…

After the great abuse of the Lord's Supper in that Church, the Apostle recalls them again to the observation of it, according to the institution of Christ. And after the defilement of all the ordinances of the Gospel, under the Anti-Christian apostacy, yet the Temple and the Alt…

And (3) By their celebration is he glorified in the world: And therefore, (4) As he has made blessed promises to his people, to grant them his presence and to bless them in their use: So (5) Being the tokens of the marriage relation that is between him and them, with respect to…

(1) Matthew 10:2; Luke 10:1; Galatians 1:1; Acts 1:26; Acts 6:3; Acts 14:23. (2) John 20:21, 22, 23; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 2:20; Revelation 21:14; Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5, 7. (3) Matthew 28:18, 19, 20; 2 Corinthians 11:28; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:2; Colossians 4:17.

Teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you, and lo I am with you even to the end of the world. In them is the Tabernacle of God with men, and he dwells among them, and they are his people (Revelation 21:3). The promise of Christ being, that where two or th…

2. Everlasting and eternal. First, the state of the Elect in heaven, and their glory there, is not subject to corruption, or the least alteration; as appears in that notable and lofty description of the heavenly Jerusalem, Apocalypse 21:14, and from the 10th verse, to the 21st:…