The Revelation Revealed, Chapter 3 · Verse 19
Verſ. 19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chaſten: be Zealous therefore, and Repent.
If it be demanded how this verſe coheres, or hath relation to the precedent diſcourſe?
I anſwer, Very much, it being added as a motive, reaſon, or argument to the church of Laodicea, to uſe the remedy which Chriſt counſels her unto: If Chriſt will not ſpare his own children when they refuſe his counſel, it is time for them to look about, to be more zealous, and repent. And ſecondly, To aſſure her, That though Chriſt comes with a moſt bitter chaſtiſement againſt her for her ſin, yet it is as a father, in love, with the rod of wholſome diſcipline, as admonition, reproof, correction, &c. That the man of God may be perfected, and prepared to every good work, 2 Tim. 3.16. and if all will not do, Chriſt hath another rod, a bitter rod, even for thoſe his profeſſed children too, a quite caſting off, and ſpewing them out of his mouth for ever.—
Queſt. But how can Chriſt be ſaid to love ſuch that he ſo bitterly chaſtiſeth?
I anſwer, Chriſt chaſtiſeth his children, not to deſtroy them, but to bring them to amendment, and to ſave them, if poſſibly he may: Chriſt's rod of Diſcipline is not a deſtructive rod, but according to that of David, With thy rod and ſtaff thou hast ſupported me; and therefore he tells Laodicea here, that ſhe ſhould not deſpair of his gracious acceptance, for the great puniſhment that was coming on her, for he tells her, that they are ſuch as he loves whom he rebukes and chaſtens; and therefore adds, Be Zealous, and repent, if ſhe expects his fatherly goodneſs to be continued towards her.
Here are two degrees of this chaſtiſement, Reproof, and a Smiting: Whence Note,
Obſerv. When the word of reproof will not ſerve turn to reclaim obſtinate ſinners, a ſmiting chaſtiſement muſt be added thereunto.
If the word of reproof will not faſten on a Delinquent, the ſtroke of Diſcipline muſt; but always in Chriſt's order and method, not preſently, paſſionately, and raſhly, but adviſedly, ſoberly, and in love, according to the advice of the Apoſtle, after the ſecond or third admonition, that is, after ſeveral ways taken for his recovery, and all in vain, then ſuch an obſtinate ſinner is to be rejected, and chaſtiſed with the ſharp rod of Diſcipline: What elſe is to be expected after Chriſt's long admonitions and reproofs towards us, but that he ſhould come with his ſharp rods and chaſtiſements towards us, when all his convincements will do us no good, nor his rebukes draw any profit or fruits of amendment from us. Surely if he do love us, he will chaſten us, which is another Note.
Obſerv. 2. That as many as Chriſt loves, them he chastens.
If we be children, and not baſtards, his rod ſhall walk among us, Heb. 12.7, 8. Think it not ſtrange when the Saints of God are afflicted chaſtiſed, and corrected, it is becauſe they are children, becauſe they are ſons, and beloved of God; if we were not of his family, he would leave us alone, to run on in our own perverſe ways, until deſtruction and hell overwhelmed us.
Be zealous therefore, and repent
What zeal is, ſee formerly on the fifteenth and ſixteenth verſes. Chriſt in the former verſe preſcribed the remedy to the church of Laodicea for her diſeaſe, and here he adviſeth to the application of it. Be zealous, be fervent, be hot: caſt away thy half mongrel Religion, which is neither hot nor cold. Purge out O England thy Romiſh leven, that makes thee hang even half way between heaven and hell, between Chriſt and Antichriſt: Be zealous and repent, O Laodicea! caſt out, O England! thy pretended riches, honours, and preferments, which works a conceit in thee that thou art rich, whiles thou art but beggarly, and naked, and buy gold tryed of the fire of Chriſt, and true honours from him; and that white rayment of his, righteouſneſs; and of his holy Spouſe in her external offices and ordinances, which will make thee truly honourable, beautiful, rich, and comly: Be zealous I ſay, and fervent hot after thoſe precious jewels, and ſpiritual riches, and repent of thy former follies and vain conceits, and then thou wilt be wiſe to purpoſe, and become as a Lilly among the Thorns, and the faireſt of all thy Siſters.