A plain explanation of the whole Revelation of Saint John Very necessary and comfortable…A plaine explanation of the vvhole Revelation of Saint John Very necessary and comfortable…

An effect of this binding and shutting up of Satan, is set down, namely, in that there were Thrones, that is (as he expoundeth it afterward) that life, and that glory which the Children of God had, namely, to live and reign with Christ, which is not meant of the life to come, but only understood of that life of God which consisteth in godliness, righteousness, and true holiness; of those honours, and that credit which the Children of God should have: who are described what they are, namely, those that should suffer for the Gospel, for the witness of Jesus, which had not worshipped the Beast, neither received the mark of the Beast; to wit, professed service to the Beast, either publicly or privately, and these are they that lived the life of God. Where we see that God provided ⟨p. 123⟩for his Church in the beginning, lest it should be overcharged and overthrown at the first: and therefore howsoever they, even then, by the malice of the Devils substitutes, sustained great troubles and afflictions, yet God moderates them so, as they might notwithstanding be able to stand, suffering them to have no greater troubles, then he vouchsafeth them strength, and gives them means of standing, to wit, by withdrawing the power and force of Satan from pursuing them: for according to their strength, so God sends trial to his Children.

An effect of this binding and shutting vp of Sathan, is set downe, namely, in that there were Thrones, that is (as he expoundeth it afterward) that life, and that glory which the Children of God had, namely, to liue and raigne with Christ, which is not meant of the life to come, but onely vnderstood of that life of God which consisteth in godlinesse, righteousnesse, and true holinesse; of those honours, and that credit which the Children of God should haue: who are described what they are, namely, those that should suffer for the Gospell, for the witnesse of Iesus, which had not worshipped the Beast, neither receiued the marke of the Beast; to wit, professed seruice to the Beast, either publiquely or priuately, and these are they that liued the life of God. Where wee see that God prouided ⟨p. 123⟩for his Church in the beginning, lest it should be ouercharged and ouerthrowne at the first: and therefore howsoeuer they, euen then, by the malice of the Diuels substitutes, sustained great troubles and afflictions, yet God moderates them so, as they might notwithstanding be able to stand, suffering them to haue no greater troubles, then he vouchsafeth them strength, and giues them meanes of standing, to wit, by withdrawing the power and force of Sathan from pursuing them: for according to their strength, so God sends triall to his Children.