A commentary upon the book of the Revelation Wherein the text is explained, the…A commentarie upon the book of the Revelation Wherein the text is explained, the…

for, if these motions be dangerous, and not always safe in private, as was formerly hinted, •uch more have they need to be adverted to in public before one forbear the following of some digested purpose to insist on some other thing but presently occurring, yet where some outward providence changeth the case from what it was in the speakers apprehension before his ⟨p. 474⟩coming to public, or where the matter suggested is pertinent both to the place of Scripture and pressing of the same purpose which the Preacher aimeth at, so as if it had offered in private, he would have embraced it before some things he had thought of, and the matter being such that he is not altogether unacquainted with, but hath clearness in the thing which is now presented before him; if also it hath with it some convincing proof and weighty expression of the thing which is in it self profitable; we conceive that that is not altogether to be slighted and neglected, but may warrantably and in faith be yielded unto, and embraced, as if it had been formerly thought upon, especially when the Lord hath been sought in private, and diligence hath been used; yet it hath there been a restraint as to the Lords furnishing of some apposite message till then there can no reason be given why the Lord may not suspend the answering of these prayers till the speaker come to public and then do it; and except this were, Ministers should never go to public how ever necessary their Call were, till first they had satisfaction about their particular message in private, which were too great a limiting of God, and unbecoming that dependence which His Ministers ought to have on Him, which daily experience doth prove not to be in vain; and seeing the message must come from the Lord, is it not alike as to the thing it self, whether He give it in private or in public?

for, if these motions be dangerous, and not alwayes safe in private, as was formerly hinted, •uch more have they need to be adverted to in publick before one forbear the following of some digested purpose to insist on some other thing but presently occurring, yet where some outward providence changeth the case from what it was in the speakers apprehension before his ⟨p. 474⟩coming to publick, or where the matter suggested is pertinent both to the place of Scripture and pressing of the same purpose which the Preacher aimeth at, so as if it had offered in private, he would have embraced it before some things he had thought of, and the matter being such that he is not altogether unacquainted with, but hath clearnesse in the thing which is now presented before him; if also it hath with it some convincing proof and weighty expression of the thing which is in it self profitable; we conceive that that is not altogether to be slighted and neglected, but may warrantably and in faith be yeelded unto, and embraced, as if it had been formerly thought upon, especially when the Lord hath been sought in private, and diligence hath been used; yet it hath there been a restraint as to the Lords furnishing of some apposit message till then there can no reason be given why the Lord may not suspend the answering of these prayers till the speaker come to publick and then do it; and except this were, Ministers should never go to publick how ever necessary their Call were, till first they had satisfaction about their particular message in private, which were too great a limiting of God, and unbecoming that dependence which His Ministers ought to have on Him, which daily experience doth prove not to be in vain; and seing the message must come from the Lord, is it not alike as to the thing it self, whether He give it in private or in publick?

neither can this he called a leaning to immediate and extraordinary inspirations, because by this, there is neither any new Doctrine approven, nor any new way of attaining the knowledge of the Lords mind commended, but only this, that Truths mediately revealed in the Word, and upon the matter known to the Preacher with the grounds and the reasons thereof, may be sometimes brought into the mind of the Preacher in public, which he did not think of in private, yet when presented to him they are in themselves as clear to him to be the truth, and able to bide the trial of the Word, and also fit and apposite for his present purpose as much, and it may be, more than what he had thought of in private; and can he be denied freedom now to choose to insist on these which he would have accounted a favour to have had presented to him in his secret Chamber? Sometimes also the Lord will think mere, that the Minister prosecute some point in its application beyond what he purposed in his private thoughts, and will put in edge upon him and give him liberty in the delivery thereof beyond ordinary, and furnish him with expressions suitable for the following thereof, and shall he straiten his own liberty which all Ministers are to pray for, and shun the pressing of that which is profitable upon his Hearers, even when he is fitted for it, because that was not presented to him in private? It cannot give him peace to despise that motion, when the judgement is convinced of the soundness and edifyingnesse thereof: for, in such things as are most profitable to people, and which therefore the spirit doth suggest, there is to the intelligent Minister an unquestionableness; and the question is not here, whether such a thing be truth or not; for we suppose that it is obvious, and if it be not so, there is then good ground to lay it by till in a due way it may be tried (for it is not like that at such a time the holy Ghost will propound matter, which is debatable, to be the subject of a Ministers present message for the edifying of people;) but the question is, whether the bringing forth of this truth now presented, the reproving of this sin, the pressing of this duty, &c. be pertinent and may not more usefully be brought forth at this time than suppressed? we conceive there can be no such difficulty here in this, but the decision thereof may be easy.

neither can this he called a leaning to immediate and extraordinary inspirations, because by this, there is neither any new Doctrine approven, nor any new way of attaining the knowledge of the Lords minde commended, but only this, that Truths mediately revealed in the Word, and upon the matter known to the Preacher with the grounds and the reasons thereof, may be sometimes brought into the mind of the Preacher in publick, which he did not think of in private, yet when presented to him they are in themselves as clear to him to be the truth, and able to bide the triall of the Word, and also fit and apposit for his present purpose as much, and it may be, more than what he had thought of in private; and can he be denied freedom now to choose to insist on these which he would have accounted a favour to have had presented to him in his secret Chamber? Sometimes also the Lord will think meer, that the Minister prosecute some point in its application beyond what he purposed in his private thoughts, and will put in edge upon him and give him liberty in the delivery thereof beyond ordinary, and furnish him with expressions suitable for the following thereof, and shall he straiten his own liberty which all Ministers are to pray for, and shun the pressing of that which is profitable upon his Hearers, even when he is fitted for it, because that was not presented to him in private? It cannot give him peace to despise that motion, when the judgement is convinced of the soundnesse and edifyingnesse thereof: for, in such things as are most profitable to people, and which therefore the spirit doth suggest, there is to the intelligent Minister an unquestionablenesse; and the question is not here, whether such a thing be truth or not; for we suppose that it is obvious, and if it be not so, there is then good ground to lay it by till in a due way it may be tried (for it is not like that at such a time the holy Ghost will propound matter, which is debatable, to be the subject of a Ministers present message for the edifying of people;) but the question is, whether the bringing forth of this truth now presented, the reproving of this sin, the pressing of this dutie, &c. be pertinent and may not more usefully be brought forth at this time than suppressed? we conceive there can be no such difficulty here in this, but the decision thereof may be easie.

Sometimes also a matter studied, may in the Lords wisdom be forgotten, and some other profitable matter offered in the room thereof, by which He sometimes necessitateth the insisting on this which may be by His blessing more useful than the other; It is recorded of Augustine by Poss. in his life, that being extraordinarily cutted short in his memory from his intended purpose, he was led abruptly and with vehemency to insist against the Manichean Error contrary to his purpose, and that palpably both to his own observation and to the observation of others, which made him thereafter at dinner express his confidence, that the Lord would evidence some design of His in that particular, which accordingly came to pass; for, a Manichean, beside Augustine's knowledge, being a Hearer, within some few days openly disclaimed that Error, and acknowledged that digression by the Lords blessing to have been•he mean of his conversion. And many such cases there are wherein the Lord may signify His mind of a message to a Minister at the instant of speaking, which ought not to be despised by him.

Sometimes also a matter studied, may in the Lords wisdom be forgotten, and some other profitable matter offered in the room thereof, by which He sometimes necessitateth the insisting on this which may be by His blessing more usefull than the other; It is recorded of Augustine by Poss. in his life, that being extraordinarily cutted short in his memory from his intended purpose, he was led abruptly and with vehemency to insist against the Manichean Errour contrary to his purpose, and that palpably both to his own observation and to the observation of others, which made him therafter at dinner expresse his confidence, that the Lord would evidence some design of His in that particular, which accordingly came to passe; for, a Manichean, beside Augustines knowledge, being a Hearer, within some few dayes openly disclaimed that Errour, and acknowledged that disgression by the Lords blessing to have been•he mean of his conversion. And many such cases there are wherein the Lord may signifie His mind of a message to a Minister at the instant of speaking, which ought not to be despised by him.

thus one may insist on some things that are less touched in these Epistles, they being more necessary now, and pass more shortly these questions that are most insisted on in these Epistles, because now not so edifying; and in so doing, the intent of the holy Ghost may be nearest attained, because it was upon that account of edification that Paul insisted much on some things because then their case required it, when he did more shortly pass over other things: in this also a Minister may have some respect to his own gift, as its most fitted for explaining of difficulties, instructing in positive truths and cases, convincing, wakening, or comforting, &c. and so one may more ordinarily follow one strain which would not be so pertinent to another, as it seemeth there hath been a difference in this respect between the sons of thunder and the son of consolation.

thus one may insist on some things that are lesse touched in these Epistles, they being more necessary now, and passe more shortly these questions that are most insisted on in these Epistles, because now not so edifying; and in so doing, the intent of the holy Ghost may be nearest attained, because it was upon that account of edification that Paul insisted much on some things because then their case required it, when he did more shortly passe over other things: in this also a Minister may have some respect to his own gift, as its most fitted for explaining of difficulties, instructing in positive truths and cases, convincing, wakening, or comforting, &c. and so one may more ordinarily follow one strain which would not be so pertinent to another, as it seemeth there hath been a difference in this respect between the sons of thunder and the son of consolation.

Further by occasion of this Angel's saying to John, thou must prophesy again, &c. It may be enquired if preaching over and over the same matter be allowable and useful? For answer we say, 1. That the end of preaching being edification, we conceive it is not unsuitable often to insist in the same things, even though they be known and understood by the hearers; because the end of preaching is not only to inform the judgement, and alway to bring some new increase to that, but to further conversion by the espousing of hearts to Christ, and holiness, by pressing the practising of known duties, and eschewing of known sins; and this being certain, that many who know the Doctrine of Faith and Holiness also, are yet defective in their practice, There is need therefore both in invitations, exhortations, expostulations, reproofs, &c. often to come over the same thing, especially where the Truths are material and concerning in their use, and the duties are slighted, or the sins followed in the place. In that case it ought neither to be grievous to the Minister to insist on the same things, as the Apostle speaketh, Philip. 3. nor yet be stumbled at by the people, although it will require deniednesse in both; yea, sometimes it may be more difficult for a Minister to get over his own inclination that aimeth to carry some new thing, and not again to carry the same message, which may both relish now less to himself and to the hearers than formerly it did, yet ought he not to think it grievous if it be safe for them. This we see the Prophets of old did with their hearers, using the Word as an hammer (as it is called by Jeremiah, 23.29.) by doubling strokes to bear that in, which at first took no impression: This way also the Lord followeth in the Gospel; How often presseth He the necessity of Repentance, the difficulty of entering to Heaven, what concerneth the abounding and hazard of hypocrisy, the necessity of His own suffering, of self-denial and bearing the Cross and other Truths, in themselves needful, and to the present hearers useful? This is also ⟨p. 476⟩used by the Apostles, who in their Preaching and Writing, insist again and again in the same things: and although often hearers itch after some new thing, yet are Ministers not to feed that humour. Chrysostom hath a notable expostulation with his hearers to this purpose on the 2 Thess. Chap. 2. hom. 3.

saith he, some hearers say, why should we come to Church, to hear the same things over and over? to these he saith, Are ye not ready to go to Theatres to hear the same things, to the running of horses to see the same things? &c. doth not (saith he) the same Sun rise again, and its light is not the worse? do we not use the same food for our bodies, and they are not the less wholesome? Or, if ye have often heard them, ought ye not then to profit by them, and the better to know them? Others again (saith he) when enquired in any thing, were ready to reply, we heard it but once: whereby he would bear out the necessity of repeating the same things, and the inexcusableness of a people that yet could neither endure it, nor profit without it. 2. We say, Ministers would do this, so as it may neither foster their own laziness nor become trivial and less savoury to the hearers, but in respect of his own liveliness and the weightiness of the manner of his proposing it, and in respect of these expressions and manner of following it, it would be so convoyed as being indeed a new Sermon, though an old matter: hence we set, that in the same matter our Lord Jesus multiplieth parables, and sometimes one way and sometimes another way presseth the same thing, as we see by the parable of the sower, Matth. 13. of the labourers, who were in their opinion first, yet made last, Chap. 20. of the marriage supper, and wedding garment, Matth. 22. of the foolish Virgins, Matth. 25. and many other ways. Paul also, Philip. 3. prefaceth to this, and giveth the reason of it, thereby to remove tastiness and itching from the hearers, or any prejudice against his practice which might mar the weight or fruit of the thing which he is to insist on; which practices, no question, may be laudably followed by Ministers both in the matter and manner; and Truths so preached ought to be received by the hearers as healthful to them to feed upon the second or third time, as if they had never formerly heard them; yea, thereby they ought to gather the necessity of their use-making of these Doctrines, Reproofs, &c. more now than if once only they had heard them, lest they constrain the proposing of them again unto them, and draw on more guilt by not making use of them now again and again repeated and pressed, than if they had heard them but once.

LECTURE I.

CHAP. XI.

Vers. 1. And there was given me a reed like unto a rod, and the Angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 2. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not: for it is given unto the Gentiles, and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Vers. 1. ANd there was given me a reed like unto a rod, and the Angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 2. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not: for it is given unto the Gentiles, and the holy city shall they tread under foot fourty and two moneths.

The Lord hath discovered the first part of the consolation against the two first woes, to wit, a comfortable outgate which the Church should have from under them, and a reviving again of the Gospel after that: a type and confirmation whereof, was John's eating of the little book; but seeing this is suspended until the sounding of the seventh trumpet, and it might be a doubt, what became of the Church till then, or if there were any during the time of Antichrists prevailing, In this Chapter to Verse 15. the estate of the Church in reference to that time, is particularly described: wherein is shown, that even then there should be a Church provided for by God, and that there should be Prophets and Preachers of the Gospel, although both Pastors and People should be few and in a low estate outwardly.

THe Lord hath discovered the first part of the consolation against the two first woes, to wit, a comfortable outgate which the Church should have from under them, and a reviving again of the Gospel after that: a type and confirmation whereof, was Iohn's eating of the little book; but seing this is suspended untill the sounding of the seventh trumpet, and it might be a doubt, what became of the Church till then, or if there were any during the time of Antichrists prevailing, In this Chapter to Verse 15. the estate of the Church in reference to that time, is particularly described: wherein is shown, that even then there should be a Church provided for by God, and that there should be Prophets and Preachers of the Gospel, although both Pastors and People should be few and in a low estate outwardly.

That this doth relate unto the condition of the Church under Antichrist, and belongeth to that time as contemporary with the fifth and sixth trumpets, will appear. 1. This belongeth to the state of the Church immediately preceding the last woe, or seventh trumpet, by which Antichrists fall beginneth; and it doth describe the estate of the Church for the forty two months immediately before his fall: and therefore must necessarily contemporate with his dominion and height, which doth immediately also for the same space of time proceed the seventh trumpet. 2. This part of the Prophecy holdeth forth that trial of the Church, when her Prophets prophesy in sackcloth, and have war with the beast: which trial endeth with the beasts prevailing over them, and their rising again and being taken up to heaven; but that trial, in the continuance of it, a thousand two hundred and threescore days, is the same with the beasts dominion, Chap. 13. and closeth with his begun fall: and therefore must belong to the same time. 3. These times of forty two months, one thousand two hundred threescore days, time, times, and half a time, &c. five times mentioned, Chap. 11, 12. and 13. being all of equal extent, must be understood to be contemporary one with another; for, that successively they should follow one another, cannot be thought, beside the agreeableness of the same matter and state of the Church under all of them, and the common beginning and rise which all of them have: but it is certain, that forty two months (Chap. 11.) relate to the Antichristian tyranny: therefore we must understand this giving of the outer Court to the Gentiles, and this prophesying for the like time, vers. 2. and 3. of the same also. 4. The measuring of the Temple and treading of the outer Court, do contemporate and belong to the same time; for, when the Temple is to be measured, the outer Court is cast out, & contra, the outer Court is left out, when the Temple is measured: and therefore seeing the leaving out of the outer Court belongeth to the time of Antichrist, That part of the measuring of the Temple must contemporate with it also: for, the describing of the Church, by comparing it to the Temple and to the outer Court, is not to distinguish the visible Church in respect of time successively;

That this doth relate unto the condition of the Church under Antichrist, and belongeth to that time as contemporary with the fifth and sixth trumpets, will appear. 1. This belongeth to the state of the Church immediately preceeding the last wo, or seventh trumpet, by which Antichrists fall beginneth; and it doth describe the estate of the Church for the fourty two months immediately before his fall: and therefore must necessarily contemporate with his dominion and height, which doth immediately also for the same space of time preceed the seventh trumpet. 2. This part of the Prophesie holdeth forth that triall of the Church, when her Prophets prophesie in sackcloth, and have war with the beast: which triall endeth with the beasts prevailing over them, and their rising again and being taken up to heaven; but that triall, in the continuace of it, a thousand two hundred and threescore dayes, is the same with the beasts dominion, Chap. 13. and closeth with his begun fall: and therefore must belong to the same time. 3. These times of fourty two months, one thousand two hundred threescore dayes, time, times, and half a time, &c. five times mentioned, Chap. 11, 12. and 13. being all of equal extent, must be understood to be contemporary one with another; for, that successively they should follow one another, cannot be thought, beside the agreeablenesse of the same matter and state of the Church under all of them, and the common beginning and rise which all of them have: but it is certain, that fourty two months (Chap. 11.) relate to the Antichristian tyranny: therefore we must understand this giving of the outer Court to the Gentiles, and this prophesying for the like time, vers. 2. and 3. of the same also. 4. The measuring of the Temple and treading of the outer Court, do contemporate and belong to the same time; for, when the Temple is to be measured, the outer Court is cast out, & contra, the outer Court is left out, when the Temple is measured: and therefore seing the leaving out of the outer Court belongeth to the time of Antichrist, That part of the measuring of the Temple must contemporate with it also: for, the describing of the Church, by comparing it to the Temple and to the outer Court, is not to distinguish the visible Church in respect of time successively;

but to distinguish some in it at the same time from others, that should be really differenced before God, as the Temple and outer Court used to be in respect of the ceremonial differences that were between these two; Beside, the scope formerly laid down, and other circumstances of the exposition being well considered, it will be found that the intention of the spirit is not to delineate the Christian Church from its beginning, but from this time of Antichrists rise, that contemporateth with the Prophets their prophesying in sackcloth.

but to distinguish some in it at the same time from others, that should be really differenced before God, as the Temple and outer Court used to be in respect of the ceremonial differences that were between these two; Beside, the scope formerly laid down, and other circumstances of the exposition being well considered, it will be found that the intention of the spirit is not to delineat the Christian Church from its beginning, but from this time of Antichrists rise, that contemporateth with the Prophets their prophesying in sackcloth.

The state of the Church then is two ways set down, First, More generally in respect of the condition of the Church her self, vers. 1, 2. Secondly, More particularly in respect of her Prophets, unto vers. 14. That by putting these two together, it may be seen what posture she was to be in. Both these descriptions are set down with allusion to phrases in the Old Testament. The state of the Church in respect of her self, during that time, is again two ways set out, 1. With reference to the true worshippers, vers. 1. 2. With reference to false and hypocritical corrupted worshippers, vers. 2. That we may understand it, there is a threefold allusion in the words. The first, is to the description of the material Temple, where there were (as we may gather from 2 Chron. 4.9. and what goeth before) three several courts, the one called the most holy, into which the high Priest, only once a year entered. The second without that, was called the court of Priests. The third is called the great court, or court of the people, which was without all, and next to the city: unto this court the multitude of professing worshippers had access at their solemn times: and this allusion holdeth forth, that as the inner court, being compared with the outer, was small: and as many had access to this, which were not admitted to the former; so, during this time, the number of true worshippers shall be few, though the multitude of nominal Professors shall be great, because the Lord will set apart some few to himself, and disown the rest, even as if under the Old Testament he had appointed the outer court to be divided from the inner, the greater part had been rejected, but the better part reserved; so shall it be in the Gospel-church at that time, some few like the Temple shall be ordered and set aside for himself, and the visible body of Professors left out without any such special care: which leaving, or casting out, we conceive to be the same, as not to be sealed, and so taken notice of by God, Chap. 7. And this measuring will be sound to belong to the same persons who are sealed.

The state of the Church then is two wayes set down, First, More generally in respect of the condition of the Church her self, vers. 1, 2. Secondly, More particularly in respect of her Prophets, unto vers. 14. That by putting these two together, it may be seen what posture she was to be in. Both these descriptions are set down with allusion to phrases in the Old Testament. The state of the Church in respect of her self, during that time, is again two wayes set out, 1. With reference to the true worshippers, vers. 1. 2. With reference to false and hypocriticall corrupted worshippers, vers. 2. That we may understand it, there is a threefold allusion in the words. The first, is to the description of the materiall Temple, where there were (as we may gather from

The second allusion of measuring respecteth that vision, Ezek. 40.41, &c. And it may signify, 1. the Lords putting a difference amongst Professors of that time; and that profession will not be sufficient to make men pass, but they must be tried and put to the touchstone; and that the Lord will do so. 2. It holdeth out the Lords setting apart of some for himself in opposition to others who are neglected; thus the land was to be measured, Ezek. 47.18. and for this cause Israel is often called the rod of Gods inheritance, Psal. 74. 2. Jer. 10.16, &c. as measured by to him, in opposition to all other Nations. 3. It signifieth a care and special oversight of the Lords in reference to these in the Temple beside others, as if he were building and preparing a house for them, even like a little Sanctuary to rest in during that time. Thus, measuring of the Temple here is opposed to the casting out of the outer court to the Gentiles, which is not to be measured, or so taken notice of by the Lord; and this agreeth with that, Chap. 12.14. of providing a place for the woman (i.e. the Church) during the same time. And lastly, this measuring of the Temple, is opposed to the opening of it, Chap. 15. And opening of it there being to be understood of an enlarged estate of the Church, and bringing of the Gospel to open light, This here must signify a secret retired state of the Church wanting that splendour and visibility of Ordinances which it had before this time, and which after the seven trumpets sounding it was to have.

The second allusion of measuring respecteth that vision, Ezek. 40.41, &c. And it may signifie, 1. the Lords putting a difference amongst Professors of that time; and that profession will not be sufficient to make men passe, but they must be tried and put to the touchstone; and that the Lord will do so. 2. It holdeth out the Lords setting apart of some for himself in opposition to others who are neglected; thus the land was to be measured, Ezek. 47.18. and for this cause Israel is often called the rod of Gods inheritance,

A third allusion is unto Daniels prophesying of Antiochus his making desolate of the material Temple, Dan. 7.13. and so the meaning will be, That as the Church of the Jews and their Sanctuary was tread upon, during such a time under Antiochus; so shall the visible face of the Church be abused and overrun by Antichrists followers during his tyranny over the same. Yet still will the Lord preserve a remnant as in that former case.

A third allusion is unto Daniels prophesying of Antiochus his making desolate of the materiall Temple, Dan. 7.13. and so the meaning will be, That as the Church of the Iews and their Sanctuary was tread upon, during such a time under Antiochus; so shall the visible face of the Church be abused and overrun by Antichrists followers during his tyranny over the same. Yet still will the Lord preserve a remnant as in that former case.