Prelections Upon Revelation, Chapter 5
¶ The fyfte Chapter.
AFter that vision was shewed vntounto S. Iohn whereby was shewed the glorye of Goddes maiestie, that we might know from what foundatiō this prophecie was drawne, in the nexte place is taughte, by meanes of what mediatour, the knowledge of so secreate thinges could come vntounto the Churche. For the vision which is set forth in this Chapter doth teach, that it is onelye Christ which can open vntounto men the secreate will of his father. For he is the onelyonly doctor of his Churche, whiche hathe brought the truth vntounto vsus from heauen that is of so great distans from earth, whose voice also his heauenly father hathe commaunded vsus to heare.
Vers. 1.
And I saw a booke in the right hande of him that satte vponupon the throne writen within and without sealed with seuen seales. &c.
THis booke conteyneth the whole will of God which is set forthe to bee knowne of men, especiallye those decrees of his purpose which concerne, the disposition of his Church in this last age of the world, as it is manifest by the next chapter. Whereby we vnderstand that there be some secreats of Gods will which bycause they are not cōtayned in this booke of his reuealed will, it is wickednesse for men to seake to know thē. I will say moreouer they labour all in vaine to knowe those thinges which God of purpose would hauehave to be hidd, wherefore heare must needes fall down a great portion of the scoole diuinitie, whiche is occupyed in searchinge out those thinges onelyonly, whiche God by no meanes hathe vouchsafed to make knowne vntounto mē. Moreouer we are admonished, that the decrees of God, concerning the gouerning of his Church, are so certayne, that they are registred in a booke, that we should not thinke that anie thing falleth vponupon the Church by fortune or chaunce, or beside the will of God. And whereas this booke us written within and withoute, it signifieth, that it conteyneth the narration of manie and diuers thinges, which coulde not be expressed in two or thre leaues, but scarsely be conteyned in a whole booke written all ouer. This booke is sealed with seauen seales, that is to say it is closed vp on eueryevery side so that although it be written both with in and without. Yet nothing can be red thereof before the seales be opened. For the number of seauen as we hauehave shewed before, signifieth fullnesse & perfection. Finally in that this booke is seene to be in the hande of him that sitteth vponupon the throne, we are taught that the disclosing of Gods secreates, cannot be attayned vntounto by mans witte excepte God him selfe teach the same to vsus by his hand. When God therefore holdeth the booke in his righte hande, which afterward the lambe dothe open, hee signifieth, that the knowledge of all misteries, doth flowe frō him alone through our Lord Iesus Christ.
Vers. 2.
And I saw a mightie Aungell, which preached with a loude voice, who is worthie to open the booke and lose the seales thereof. &c.
THat all the world mighte more certeynly and manifestlye know, that Christ onelyonly is the interpretour of the heauenlye will of God his father, a mightie aungell is sente forthe, which with a lowde voice shoulde proclayme to all creatures in heauen and earth, if any hauehave any opinion of there own excellencie and dignity, whether they be worthy to open yt booke and to loose the seales thereof.
Vers. 3.
And none could neither in heauen, nor in earth nor vnderunder the earth open the booke neither looke thereon. &c.
THere was not founde such worthines in any creature, that they could either open the booke or see any thing therein. And if the merites of no creature are so much worthie, as that they may attayne to yt knowledge of Gods wille: how much lesse shall they be able to performe his commaundemente, and to purchase euerlasting life? That hee reherseth the creatures that are in heauen, in earth, and vnderunder the earth, he doth it to amplifie the matter. For if heauenly creatures are vnworthy, much more vnworthtie are earthly creatures, or suche as are vnderunder the earth.
Vers. 4.
And I wept verie much bycause none was found worthie to open the booke or to read the booke neither to looke thereon. &c.
WHen as Saincte Ihon knewe by inspiration of yt holye ghost, that the knowledge of those thinges whiche were conteyned in that booke, was verie proffitable and necessarie for the Churche, and yet there was none, founde amonge Aungells or men whiche coulde make him pertaker thereof, he burst out into weeping, and grieuously complayned that none was founde, whiche was worthie to open this booke or at the lest to looke vponupon it. The godly affection of the Apostle towarde the Church is here commended vntounto vsus, in that he testifieth by his weeping, what desire he had to promote the same vntounto all necessarie knowledge, so that he wept so aboūdautly bycause he thought for the time, that the knowledge of this booke had bene denied him. What shall we then say vntounto those men, vntounto whome when as the care of instructinge the Churche is committed, yet thy followe there owne pleasure, and are so farre of from being grieued at the ignoraūce of there flocke, yt they thē selues through there ydlenesse and sloughtfullnesse do nurish amonge them dame ignorance the mother of all mischiefe. And with what spirite shall wee say that the popish prelates are ledd, when they are grieued at nothing more, then if the Church of God obteyne knowledge of those thinges, which the goodnes of God hathe apointed for her vse. This trulye is the spirite of Antichrist, that hee should forbidde those thinges to be knowne which the holye ghost hath deliuered to that entente they should bee knowne. where as S. Ihon testifieth that he wept exceadingly, because those thinges were kept from the knowledge of the Churche for a time that she might better vnderstande by whose benefite she obtayned the knowledge of them at the length.
Vers. 5.
And one of the elders sayed vntounto me weepe not. &c.
THe Lord suffered not his seruaunt to be long vexed for the want of that thing which by any meanes should be proffitable vntounto him, but when he had first shewed yt all other meanes did fayle, he bringeth forth our onelyonly mediatour by whose meanes, that whereof S. Ihon did almost despeyre should be be performed. For they that thrist after ye knowledge of good things (as he hath promised) shall at length be satisfied. Wherfore one of the 24. elders is sente vntounto him, to comforte him, declaring that one was now sound, that should open the seales of the booke, reade it, and also make the Church partaker of it.
Weepe not. &c. As if he should saye, this vision was not therfore shewed thee, that thou shouldest vexe thy mind thereby with immoderate sorrow but this rather was the meaning of the holy ghost, to admonish the that this treasure is opened vntounto the proffite of the Church by the benefite of Christ alone. Here let the Church learne worthily to esteme the knowledge of these misteries, seing it is purchased vntounto her by no other meanes, but by the mediation of Christ alone.
Beholde the Lyon of the tribe of Iuda, the roote of Dauid hath obteyned to open the booke, and to lose the seuen seales thereof. &c. He reportethe a matter worthie bothe to bee maruailed and also diligently cōsidered, that onelyonly Christ toke in hande and accomplished a worke of such difficultie whiche could be brought to passe by none other meanes. Wherefore he calleth it his victory not vnworthily, bycause none durst take ye enterprise in hande but he. But let vsus here see with what cō mendations he setteth forthe the vertue and power of Christ. First he calleth him a lyon of the tribe of Iuda, secondlye the roote of Dauid and last of all the conqueror of so harde an enterprise. That he calleth him the lyon of the tribe of Iuda, hee alludeth doubtlesse, to the olde prophecie of the patriarke Iacobe concerning his sonne Iuda: that hee should be as a lyon terrible to his enemies, so that euen when hee was a slepe no man durst awake him. Nowe what dignitie or prerogatiue so euer God gaue vntounto that tribe, it is certayne it was for this onelyonly ende, to set forth the glorie of Messias which should arise out of that tribe. Wherefore the whole tribe was as a lyons whelpe terrible to their enemies, but especially Christ whiche was borne of that tribe, may chaleng this honour vntounto him, that as a conquerour and triumpher ouer all his enemies, hee sitteth in heauen on high. He calleth him the roote of Dauid to shew that it is he whom the scriptures pronounceth to be the sonne of Dauid. Esaye truly magnifieth a rodd that shoulde springe out of the drie stocke of Isay the Father of Dauid, vpō which the spirite of vnderstanding, wisedome, counsell, prudence, and feare of the Lord, shall rest that worthely wee maye acknowledge that it is he, whome it behoueth onelye to open these heauēly misteries vntounto vsus. When he therefore with these commendations, setteth forthe his fearfull power, and wonderfull wisedome, he declareth that he onelyonly is worthy, which shoulde obtayne the victorie of so harde a conquest.
Vers. 6.
Then I beheld and …o in the middest of the throne, and of the 4. beasts and in the middest of the elders, stood a lambe as though he had bene killed which had 7. hornes & 7. eyes which are the spirits of God sent into all the world &c.
ANd when as one of the elders had spoken these thinges, by and by (saieth he) I saw a lambe in the middest of the throne as though hee had bene slaine whiche toke vponupon him to open this booke, which lambe he sheweth by manye circumstances to hauehave signified Christ. First that he did apeare vnderunder y• shape of a lambe, whome Ihon Baptist magnifieth to be apointed of god the lābe which shold take away the sinne of the world, by the sacrifice of his death. But it is meruail that he was shewed in the forme and shape of a lambe, whome one of the elders a litle before had sayed to be a Lyon. But thus wee must aunswere: that Christ is a lyon againste his enemies, and a lambe that hee mighte yelde that obedience to his father, by which he should deserue to be the redeamer of the world. Moreouer, that this inuincible force and strengthe painted forthe vnderunder the figure & shape of a lyon, neuer shewed it selfe forthe more happely, then in the sacrifice of his deathe, by whiche hee most strongly subdued the deadly enemies of mankinde, the deuill, death, sinne, and hell: Furthmore the lambe apeareth in the middest of the throne, that the equalle of the diuine glorie he hath with the father might be shewed. Away therfore with the cursed impietie of the heretiques, which pratleth yt Christ is not equall with the father, when as S. Ihon sawe him in the middest of the throne, and of the 4. beastes and 24. elders, by which figures the greatest maiestie & glorie of the mightye God is described. Hee semeth as thoughe he had bene slaine, bycause by the price of his death, he obteyned this in comparable dignitie to his manhod, that he might be worthie which should open the secreate misteries of Gods counsell to men. Besides this he hath seuen hornes and seuen eyes, by ye hornes no doubt is signified his full strength & power, for althoughe he shew him selfe meke and gentle, vnderunder the shape of a lambe, yet he hath might enough whereby he is able to breake and ouercome, the force and strength of all his aduersaries. The misterie of the seuen eies, S. Ihon him selfe expoundeth, to signifie seuen spirites, which are sent into the whole earth, that is the perfect wisedome of the holy ghost, by which Christ doth gouern his Church which is spread ouer the face of the whole world. Let vsus not feare therefore to become subiect to Christ which is indued with so great power, that nothing is able to resist him and moreouer furnished with so wounderfull prouidence, that he guideth and disposeth al thinges, in all places to the safegard of his Church.
Vers. 7.
And he came and toke the booke out of the right hand of him that sat vponupon the throne. &c.
CHrist whiche is the lambe of God, slaine from the beginning of the world, is found worthie alone, which shoulde open and read this booke. Whiche when it was testified sufficiently by the voice of an Aungell, he could hauehave rested & bene contente withe that praise whiche was graunted to him of all things, if he were no rather desirouse of our helth and saluation, then of his owne glorie. Christ therefore came out of the bosome of his father and out of the middes…e of the throne, an interpretor of Gods diuine will and pleasure, and for our instruction hath opened the booke whiche he tooke oute of the right hand of him that sat vpō the throne, which being opened he expoundeth it vntounto vsus.
Vers. 8.
And when he had taken the booke, the 4. beastes and 24. elders fell downe before the lambe hauing euerie one harpes and golden vials full of odoures, which are the praiers of ye saincts. &c.
WIth what thankefullnesse of minde we oughte to receiue this benefite of Christ, we are taught by ye example of the beasts, of the elders, of the Angels & of all ye creature of god. So much more our vnthankefullnesse is to bee lothe…, whiche when we are those to whose cōmoditie and health this whole benefite is referred, yet as though this thing did verie litle or nothing at all touche vsus, we neither shew our selues thankefull to the aucthor of this benefite, neither doe greatlye esteme ye benefite it selfe. But it behoueth vsus to cōsider, by what meanes they prepare themselues to sing forth the praises of God. They fall downe vponupon their faces before yt lambe, aswell the 24. elders as the 4. beastes, and doe offer vntounto him diuine honour. For it is he whō all the aungels of God, are commaunded to worship. For no creature whiche is not God can take this honour, without great sacriledge, this lābe of God therefore is God whome all the Aungels doe worship. Moreouer by this gesture they testifye there modestie and submission, that they are no otherwise fit to set forth the praises of Christ, then if they acknowledge thē selues altogether vnworthie of so great honour. They hauehave eueryevery one harpes, wherby the cō sent and harmonie might be the greater, by which they shewe that all there strength, and the inwarde affections of there minde, doe agree with there tongue in celebrating and magnifying the praises of God. Moreouer they hauehave golden vials full of odoures, which are the praiers of the saincts, as he him selfe expoundeth it. For the Church which is the congregation of the saincts, offereth to God a swete smelling sacrifice, when she poureth oute vntounto Christ, prayers, & supplications for the health of the whole bodie and euerie member of the same. For so yt prophete of old time did sing in ye 141. Psal. let my prayer be as an incense in thy sight, and the lifting vp of my handes as the euening sacrifice. And they hauehave these swete odoures in golden no…els, that we may be admonished, that those praiers must proce…de out of a pure and sincere harte, which shalbe acceptable in the sight of Christ. Let vsus offer vp therefore the incense …f our prayers, out of golden viales, corrupted and defiled with no hypocrisie or wicked affection, so they shalbe for a sauour of swetenesse to the Lord and his Christ. But that, certayne do here contende yt the prayers of the sainctes liuing in earth are offered vp to God, either by the Aungels, or by other sainctes departed out of this life, it is more weake, then that it shold nede any long confutatiō. For here the. 24. elders which are interpreted, the sainctes, are sayed to offer to God not the prayers of others, but there owne, whereby is signified, that the intercessions of the whole Church are offered to God through our onelyonly mediatour Christ Iesus, for we saye… before that this felowship of the elders did signifye and represente the Church, partly warring in earth, and partly triumphing in heauen with Christ their Emperour.
Vers. 9.
And they sing a new song saying. &c.
BY singing they expresse there ioye and sinceritie of minde. Confessing that nothing can be more pleasaunt vntounto them, then for euer to magnifie & set forth the praises of Christ. And they sing a new song, the recording whereof continuallye, is neuer tediouse or ircksome vntounto them. Althoughe they shall sing it a thousand times, yet the newnes thereof doth alwaies please thē, because they do celebrate ye praises of Christ for euer wtout wearines. For as the benefite of Christ, is eternall, it so behoueth that his glorie shold also be eternall. And like as by no age or continaunce of time the excellencie of his goodnes is deminished, so the remēbraūce of his louelove ought neuer to waxe old in the mindes of the godly. But alwayes they may thinke they hauehave new matter offered vntounto them, to magnifie Christ, as ofte as they shall consider, that the profite and commoditie of his benefites shall neuer die. Which if it were taken of all men with that affection it ought: There shoulde not so manye be founde, which with full mouthes do boast them selues to be the disciples of Christ, to whom nothing is more tediouse, and fuller of wearinesse, then to leaue of from there trifels and vaine pleasures a verie small time, to the settinge forthe of the glorie of Christ.
Thou art worthy to take the booke and to open the seales thereof bycause thou wast killed. &c. This trulye is the song, which with hart, minde and tongue they sing to the praise and commendation of Christ. That the lambe of God is worthie alone among all creaturs, which should take ye booke and open the seales thereof, which hath deserued to open vntounto men the will of his heauenly father, which was seuen folde shut vp and hidde from the knowledge of mankinde. They shew why he is worthy, when they say he was slaine, for the obedience of Christ deserued so much, that it brought to vsus (god being reconciled) health and saluation, to him selfe the dignitie of incomparable glorie.
And thou hast redeamed vsus to God by thy bloud out of euerie kindered, and tongue, and nation, and people. &c. The effecte of his death is described, that we which were the seruauntes of sinne, guiltie of death, and bound slaues of the deuill, by his inestimable grace are deliuered from so great euils our price and raunsome beinge paied, not gould or siluer or any corruptible thinge, as Peter saiethe, but his owne precious bloud, which hath washed vsus from al vncleanes, and bringeth vsus forth into the presence of God clothed with new righteousnes, not only chosen out of the tribe of Iuda, or out of the tribes of Israell, but taken oute of eueryevery kindred, tongue, people … nation, whereby the callinge of the gentles is plainely declared.
Verse. 10.
And hast made vsus king and priest to our God. &c.
WE are made of seruauntes kinges, that is partakers of the heauenly kingdome by saieth, of prophane and vncleane despisers of God preistes, to offer vp spirituall sacrifices to God.
And we shall raigne vponupon the earth. &c. He signifieth that we shall not hauehave a bare & empty name of a kinge, as we know manye to chalenge to them selues the kingelye name, when as they hauehave no gouernment or kingedome at all, he saieth it shall come to pas that the faithfull shall in very deede raigne ouer the earth. Yet this semeth to be against reason, that they seme to say that the kingedome of CHRIST shalbe earthly whiche he flatlye denieth to be of this worlde, but we muste vnderstande that vnderunder the figure of an earthlye kingedome the heauenlye kingedome is described. And the faithfull are admonished, in the meane time to beare all greifes patiently whiche they susteyne for the professinge of the gospell, whereas shortlye after kinglye dignity shall follow there miseries and calamities, which ought to be vntounto them insteede of great consolation and comfort. Let vsus learne here when it commeth to pas that we be oppressed wc the cruell tyranny of sathan or his ministers, not to dispayre, but to lifte vp oure mindes to the moste blessed hope of the heauenly kingedome. He is faiethfull which hath promised, I euen now this in heritage is purchased, if that we patiently waite for the time apoincted of God, when we shall enter into the same.
Verse. 11.
And I saw and heard the voice of many aungels about the throne and about the beastes and the elders. and there were thousane thousandes. &c.
SAinct Iohn doth diligently set forth this vision, that of all creatures as many as are in heuē or in earth, Christ is acknowledged to be worthie alone, which should be the interpreter of his fathers will, and declare & open to his Churche, the misteries of things to come. But it is obscure & darcke which he saieth, that he saw and heard the voice, when a voice is onelye hearde and not seene, but we must remember, that sighte is not to be referred to the voice, but the infinite multitude of Aungelles which cōpassed about the throne of God. Like as the glory of a kinge standeth in the multitude of people, so the maiestie of God is here described compassed aboute with an innumerable armie of blessed spirits, which are all most redely prepared to obey him, these also do reioyce with the Church for the grace of Christ, whome they extoll with worthie praise.
Vers. 12.
Saying with a loude voice the lambe is worthie which was killed to receaue power and riches, and wisedome, and strength, and honour, and glorie, and praise &c.
THousand thousandes of blessed spirits do witnesse with a loude voice, that Christ which by his death redeamed mankinde from destructiō, is most worthie all the praise of power, riches, wisedome, strength, honour, glorie, & blessing. Woulde God all those which professe yt they seeke the glorie of Christ, would reteine this Aungelicall confession, to ascribe all laude, honour, dignitie and thankes geuing, to him alone, which by his death hath bewtified the power, riches, and wisedome of God aboue all the capacitie of men and Aungels. The Angels therefore coulde satisfie them selues withe no multitude or deaping together of wordes, that they might worthely extoll his glorie.
Vers. 13.
And all the creatures which are in heauen, and on the earthe, vnderunder the earth and in the sea, and all that are in them heard I saying, praise and honour and glorie and power be vntounto him that sitteth vponupon the throne & vntounto the lambe for euermor. &c.
THis may worthiely be called a catholike confession, which all the creatures which are within the compasse of heauen do make, that to God onelyonly and to Christ all blessing, honour, power, is dew for euer and euer. Moreouer when the same thinges are attributed to Christ together with him that sitteth on the throne, who seeth not yt they acknowledge Christ to be eternall god? that he nameth creatures vnderunder the earth, he meaneth not soules in Purgatorie, neither the deuill… of hell, but it is added for amplification and enlarging the matter, like as he numbreth all the creatures as it were by there kindes, as before in the thirde verse, likewise in these wordes (and all thinges which are in them) when as he had rehersed before all thinges in heauen and earth and in the sea. But in that the dumbe creatures do also sounde forthe the praises of God, with what ardent zeale ought men endued with reason apply them selues to set forth the glorie of God.
Vers. 14.
And the 4. beast sayed Amen, and the 24. elders fell downe and worshipped him that liueth for euermore. &c.
TO this godly and holy song, the 4. beastes which are Cherubine and Seraphin appointed of God for the preseruation of his creatures, do sing Amen. The 24. elders which are the companie of the faithfull, falling prostrate, do worship him which liueth for euer and euer, with all submission of minde geuing to God onelyonly by Christ all glorie, honour and thankesgeuing, for the health and saluation purchased vntounto them.