Revelation 12

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Surely, the wrath of man shall praise you, and the remainder of wrath you shalt restrain, Psalm 76:10. By which it is more than hinted, that there is a World of Rage and Malice in the hearts of wicked men, which fain would, but cannot vent itself, because the Lord restrains, or…

But how much more skilful and industrious is Satan to ensnare and destroy Souls? The Devil makes a Voyage as well as you; he has his Baits for you, as you for the Fish: he has his Devices and Wiles to catch Souls, 2 Corinthians 2:11. Ephesians 6:11. He is a Serpent, an old Serpe…

An Advocate is a Person appointed and chosen to plead before a Court of Justice against a Charge or Accusation, and by his Pleading to bring off his Client with Honor, or to defend one who is charged with a Crime, from the Condemnation and Death which might be due to it. So our…

A humble confidence, for it is not in himself, but in Christ, and this boasting is good: my soul shall make her boast in God, says David. Oh! they have only warrant to boast and to triumph even before the victory, that do it in that style, and may give a challenge to all the wor…

Why, by setting his instruments a-work to crucify him. And as he dealt with the head, so with the members (Revelation 12:12): the devil has great wrath, for he knows he has but a short time. When his kingdom begins to totter and shake, then he stirs up all his wrath, and inflame…

Some are loath to embrace Godliness for fear it will be a stain to their Reputation, and bring them out of favor with great men: you see how it does raise a persons renown, it makes him precious in Gods sight, he is a Jewel. Believers in regard of their mystical union with Chris…

The word is, subtile Stratagems. Satan is called the Old Serpent, Revelation 12:9. Though he has lost his Holiness, he has not lost his Policy: his snares are so Cunningly laid, that without the Guidance of Gods Fear we cannot escape them.

The Greek word slanderer signifies Devil. This is the Devils proper Sin, he is the accuser of the Brethren, Revelation 12:10. He does not commit Adultery, but he bears false Witness.

3. You offend God, and draw public hatred. It is the Devil's work to be the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10). The Devil does not commit adultery, does not break the Sabbath, nor dishonor parents; these are not laws given to him.

For censurers are always looked upon as the pests of the world. It is the Devil's business, his proper work (Revelation 12:10): he is called the accuser of the brothers. The Devil does not commit [reconstructed: adultery], break the Sabbath, dishonor parents, but he will slander…

If God be honored, if the kingdom of Christ be advanced by our sufferings, we are victorious. (Revelation 12:11) They overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives to the death. That is an overcoming indeed to die in the qu…

And when wicked men or devils would hurt this their charge, they rise up in their might (Daniel 10:20). Gabriel and Michael join against the Prince of Persia (Revelation 12:7); Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon, and his Angels, and overcame. When Balaam hankered a…

And (Revelation 21:8) they have their portion with the devil in the Lake of Fire. 3 Deceivers and seducers are of the devil, who is the deceiver (Revelation 12:9 and 20:12), the old serpent that deceived Eve, and deceives the whole world: they that deceive the souls of men are l…