Now then, Jesus Christ having taken this book into his hand to open and expound, is applauded unto by the general consent and voices of the whole Church: for say they, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof. Wherein they do all with common consent, give their voices unto Christ, acknowledging him to be the only fit person in Heaven or earth, to take upon him the function of opening a book so closed, ⟨p. 74⟩so clasped, so shut, so sealed; and they do yield a reason of their proceedings, because (say they) thou wast killed, and hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Meaning hereby, that he was put to death, to pay the price of our redemption, in whom all believers, both Jews and Gentiles are saved. Their reason then is this: he that hath died, and risen again, and is now exalted far above all principalities and powers, &c. is the most fit instrument to open and interpret this book: but thou O Christ the Lamb of God, art such an one; therefore thou of all others art most meet to take the matter upon thee, and to enter into this business. Further, they amplify their reason thus:1 that he hath made us of slaves and servants, Kings: and of profane persons, Priests unto the most high God. And last of all, that we shall reign upon the earth. Not meaning hereby, that we shall reign as earthly Kings, or only enjoy an earthly Kingdom. For out of all doubt the Saints shall reign with Christ in the Heavens for evermore. But here is mention made of reigning in the earth, because after this life Gods Children shall have the fruition and inheritance both of Heaven and earth; that is ⟨p. 75⟩to say, that new Heaven and new Earth, 2wherein dwelleth righteousness: for the Heavens and the earth being redintegrated and purged from corruption, shall be the portion of the Saints, and the habitation of the Elect for evermore.
Now then, Jesus Christ having taken this booke into his hand to open and expound, is applauded unto by the generall consent and voyces of the whole Church: for say they, Thou art worthy to take the booke, and to open the seales thereof. Wherein they do all with common consent, give their voyces unto Christ, acknowledging him to be the onely fit person in Heaven or earth, to take upon him the function of opening a booke so closed, ⟨p. 74⟩so clasped, so shut, so sealed; and they do yeeld a reason of their proceedings, because (say they) thou wast killed, and hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Meaning hereby, that he was put to death, to pay the price of our redemption, in whom all beleevers, both Jewes and Gentiles are saved. Their reason then is this: he that hath died, and risen againe, and is now exalted farre above all principalities and powers, &c. is the most fit instrument to open and interpret this booke: but thou O Christ the Lambe of God, art such an one; therefore thou of all others art most meete to take the matter upon thee, and to enter into this businesse. Further, they amplifie their reason thus:1 that he hath made us of slaves and servants, Kings: and of prophane persons, Priests unto the most high God. And last of all, that we shall raigne upon the earth. Not meaning hereby, that we shall raigne as earthly Kings, or onely enjoy an earthly Kingdome. For out of all doubt the Saints shall raigne with Christ in the Heavens for evermore. But heere is mention made of raigning in the earth, because after this life Gods Children shall have the fruition and inheritance both of Heaven and earth; that is ⟨p. 75⟩to say, that new Heaven and new Earth, 2wherein dwelleth righteousnesse: for the Heavens and the earth being redintegrated and purged from corruption, shall be the portion of the Saints, and the habitation of the Elect for evermore.
- 1Verse 10.
- 22 Pet. 3.12
