The Sealed Book Opened, Commentary · Chapter 19

The Sealed Book Opened · Commentary · Chapter 19

p. 285CHAP. XIX.

The Sense or Explication.

IN this Chapter we have, 1. What John heard to the tenth verse. 2. What he did, verse 10. And, 3. What he saw, from the eleventh verse, to the end.

Ver. 1. ANd after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluja: salvation, and glory, and honour, and power unto the Lord our God.

First then, John heard a threefold thanksgiving, 1. From much people in heaven. 2. From the twenty four Elders and four beasts, v. 4. And, 3. After a heavenly exhortation to praise God, v. 5. The thanksgiving of a great multitude of the godly on earth is set down, v. 6, 7, 8. whereunto is subjoyned, v. 9. the Angels command to John to write that, blessed are they who are called to the Marriage-Supper of the Lamb.

First then, according to the Exhortation, c. 18.20. the first who sing this song of thanksgiving, are the glorified Saints, who are called here, much people in heaven▪ which they performe with a great voice, expressing thereby their holy zeale and fervent affection.

Next they begin their song with a Hebrew word, used by David in many of his Psalmes, which is a word of excitation p. 286of themselves and others to praise the Lord, and is as much by interpretation as, Laud ye the Lord. The tenor of their song is, 1. The same with that of the Saints, c. 7.10, 12. whereof we have already spoken, ascribing salvation and the glory thereof, as also all religious honour or worship, and all power or omnipotency unto God allanerly, which words therefore are not optantium sed agnoscentium, and where also it is to be noted that the Romish vulgar translation has only these three, laus & gloria & virtus, but omits, honor domino nostro, and so incurs that curse, c. 22.19.

Ver. 2. For true and righteous are his judgements, for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

Here is set down the cause of this their doxology, which is twofold, 1. The truth. 2. The righteousnesse of Gods judgements, both which kythes, 1. In judging the great whore for her corrupting the earth with her fornication. And, 2. For avenging the blood of his servants at her hand.

First then, they praise him for the truth of his judgements in performing the threatnings thereof, which his enemies despised. 2. For the righteousnesse of them, being justly inflicted for two most hainous sinnes, idolatry and bloodshed, the one whereby like Jeroboam, she made others to sinne, the other whereby she cruelly murdered those who would not sinne.

Ver. 3. And again they said, Allelujah: and her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

The word Halelujah, as it begins the song, so does it here also close the same, thereby to shew the raising of their affection, and unwearisomnesse to praise the Lord, after which is down the irrecoverable, final and irreparable destruction of that Papal Sea, Rome, that her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

p. 287Ver. 4. And the foure and twenty Elders, and the foure beasts fell down and worshipped God that sate on the throne, saying, Amen, Alleluja.

Follows the antiphonie of the heavenly Choristers, spoken of, c. 4.9, 10. and 5.8. assenting to the former song sonh of thanksgiving, and joyning in singing a holy Halelujah.

Ver. 5. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him both small and great.

Here is the exhortation to praise the Lord which is prefixed before the third song of thansgiving, which is said to come out of the throne, to wit, from Christ, who c. 5.6. is said to stand in the midst of the throne, in which exhortation we have, 1. Who is to be praised, to wit, our God who is so to us in a peculiar manner in Christ, and to us also, by a comfortable communion with Christ, so that as God is his God and Father, so also is he ours. 2. Who should praise him. 1. All his servants: who 1. have this high dignity, and 2. Whom this title should remember of their duty. 2. All that fear him both small and great, to wit, with that filial feare whereby they testifie themselves not onelyonly to be servants but also sonnes.

Ver. 6. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thundrings, saying, Alleluja: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Follows the third song of thanskiving, in obedience as it were to the former exhortation, and performed by all Gods p. 288duplicate page p. 303duplicate page p. 288servants that fear him, who are called here a great multitude, and their voice like many waters for unity, and of mighty thundrings for the powerful motion of the spirit, saying in a holy harmony with all the former and singing Hallelujah, the reason whereof is subjoyned, to wit, that he hath delivered his Church from that Antichristian former usurpation spoken of, 2 Thes. 2.4. and that by his mighty power he only now reigneth therein.

Ver. 7. Let us be glad and rejoyce, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made her selfe ready.

8. And to her was granted, that she should be arayed in fine linnen, clean and white: for the fine linnen is the righteousnesse of Saints.

Whereunto here is joyned a new motive of rejoycing, to wit, not only for the work of Gods justice against his enemies, but also for the work of Gods mercy towards his Church, wherein we see as to this duty they were, v. 5. stirred up by Christ, so here, saying, let us rejoyce, &c. they stir up one another.

The reason of their gladnesse or rejoycing is the Churches good, to wit, that the marriage of the Lamb is come, &c. Where, 1. By the Lamb Christ is meant, as we shewed, c. 5.6. 2. There is a wife here spoken of to this Lamb, which is his Catholick holy Church, as we have it, 2 Cor. 11.2. and Eph. 5.16. This Church of his is espoused to him here by faith as a chaste virgin, of which dispensation the Prophets speaks, Hos. 2.19, 20. and the Apostle, 2 Cor. 11.2. but the marriage and solemnization thereof is to be at the day of judgement, when soul and body shall be glorified, and she enter with her husband into his heavenly house there to abide with him for ever, which marriage here upon Antichrists overthrow and Romes destruction, is said to be come, because then it shall be hard at hand. And it is said that his wife hath made her self ready, speaking so after the manner of nuptials which the Church doth. 1. By purifying and purging her self from all uncleannesse, 2 Cor. 7.1. 2. As we have the p. 289manner o… preparation of women, Esth. 2.12. by having her self perfumed and made odoriferous with the saving graces of Gods Spirit, as with sweet oyle and odours. 3. By putting on as a marriage garment the Lord Jesus Christ, as we have it▪ Gal. 3.27. inwardly by faith unto justification, and outwardly by a holy life or sanctification, faith justi…ying the man and holinesse justifying the faith, that he same is lively, both which is he…e called the fine linnen wherewith she is arayed, and which is expounded, the righteousnesse …f the Saints, and is said to be g…an…ed or given to her, of free favor and not of merit, as the Psalmist speaks both of grace and glory, Psal 84.…1.

Ver. 9. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are th…y which are called unto the marriage Supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Follows a command that John gets, as the penman of Gods Spirit, to write the very like …entence, as c. 14.13. he was commanded to write▪ saving here Blessed are they who are called to the Lambs Supper, the authority of which words to be divine is subjoyned, sayi…g, these are the true sayings of God, which calling to the Lamb Supper is, 1. That effectual c lling of grace here, to holinesse. And, 2. That calling by death at last to glo y and happinesse, and when the godly shall hear that joyful sentence, Come ye blessed of my Father and inherit that glory prepared for you before the beginning of the world.

Next this banquet here spoken of is called, the Lambs Supper, to shew, 1, That as the Supper is in the latter part of the day, so this is had after the l…t er part of our li…e, therefore sayes Beda, non ad prandium sed ad coenam vocatos narrat, quia nimirum in fine dici convivium. coena est. qui ergo finito praesentis vitae tempore, ad refectionem supernae contemplationis veniunt, profecto ad coenam agni vocantur. 2. As after supper there is rest, so after this supper of entry into glory, there shall be rest and an eternal Sabbath for ever, Rev 14.13. O plentiful Supper of the fatnesse of marrow, an… rivers of pleasures and O blessed society of guests, the glorified Saints from the worlds beginning!

p. 290Ver. 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him: And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus, worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesie.

After these things which John heard, follows what John did, with the Angels prohibition, and the reason thereof. First then, John fell at the Angels feet to worship him, which was not civil but religious, and as the Angel sayes, competent only to God, and whereas Bellarmine (l. 1. de Sanct. c. 14.) would collect from the Angels prohibition, and saying, worship God, that therefore it was cultus latriae, which John gave to the Angel, which is due to God only, and that therein John erred, Ribera controles him herein, saying, non ignorabat aut soli Deo dandam esse adorationem latriae, aut angelum eum esse, qui loquebatur, and therefore concludes that it was cultus douliae, which seeing the Angel did forbid, and ascribed that onelyonly to God, It follows necessarily, that cultus douliae is not to be given to Angels according to Popish doctrine, but to God only, as here with the Angel we constantly affirme; and as these places of Scripture cleerly evince, Deut. 10.20. 1 Sam. 7.3. Rom. 7.6. and Gal. 4.8. no more difference being between these words of latria and doulia in Greek, for signifying Gods wo…ship, then is between ensis and gladius in Latin, for s…g a sword; hence said Augustine of the Saints departe…, honoramus eos charitate, non servitute. (Aug. de vera relig. c. 55.)

The reason of …he Angels prohibition is twofold, the first taken from his person▪ that he is a fellow servant of Johns, and lest this shoul… …eem Johns prerogative beyond others, therefore he subjoyns, and of thy brethren who have the testimony of Jesus, and thereafter he shews what is this testimony of Jesus, to wit, the spirit of prophesie, or the gift of spiritual and powerful preaching, wherefore the force of the reason of his prohibition stands in this, that those who are fellow servants to one Master, should not give one to another that which by all is due only to their Master. But such is p. 291all religious worship, therefore due only to God, whence i… is, that this conclusion he summes up in these words, Worship God, which also may be the second reason of the prohibition, taken from Gods prerogative, to whom all religious worship is due, included in the word foreign, whether they call it latria or doulia.

Ver. 11. And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he that sate upon him was called faithful and true, and in righteousnesse he doth judge and make war.

Already it being set down, what John both heard and did, follows now what he saw by a new vision, as c. 9 17. to wit, Christ as a great and victorious general marching forth with a glorious army, for his enemies full and final destruction.

This great general who is the Lord of Hosts, is first described from the place from whence he comes, to wit, he…ven shewing thereby, that he is no earthly, but a heavenly Monarch. 2. That to him the heavens ob…y, and therefo…e are said to be cast wide open for his outmarching, and the everlasting gates thereof lift up, that the King of glory may march forth, even as when earthly P…inces enter into Cities, or go forth with their royal armies, the gates thereof are cast wide open.

N…xt, he is said to sit on a white horse, as he is described, c. 6.2. signifying thereby purity of truth, righteousness in judgement, equity of the cause, and triumphant victory, according to all which his attributes are, faith…ul in his promises, true in his threatnings, and righteous in all his wayes; whereas Antichrist against whom he marches, is the clean contrary, false in his dealing, a lyer in his doctrine, and unrighteous in his deeds, both by deceit and cruelty.

Then is subjoyned, that in righteousnesse he doth judge and make war, shewing thereby, 1. That he marches forth, not only as a Warrior, having righteousness…, or the good cause on his side, but also as a just Judge, managing affairs not by force or violence, but by right as well as might, and therefore he is said to judge, as well as to make war, that p. 292every one may receive according to their works. 2. This shews his supreme power and dominion over all his opposites, he being their Judge, and unto whose judgement all flesh are subject.

Ver. 12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns, and he had a name written, that no man knew but he himself.

Next, he is described from his eyes, crowns and name, 1. Then his eyes are as a flame of fire, as they are said to be, c. 1.14. signifying thereby, 1. The cleer and sharp-sightednesse of this Judge, as being omniscient 2 The terrour of this Judge, his eyes being in wrath as a fl…me of fire ready to consume his enemies.

Next, on his head are many crowns, shewing thereby, 1. His royal dignity. 2. His many crowns, his large dominion, being King of Heaven and King of the whole Earth, Mat. 28.18. Psal. 2.8. 3. His many victories over his many and mighty enemies, all which crowns are on his own head, to shew his power resides in himself, and that he is not like the Beast, whose power did consist not in himself, but in his crowned hornes. In apish imitation, of which many crownes, his pretended Vicar (forsooth) must weare a triple crown.

In like manner, it is said, that he had a name written which no m…n knew but himself, whereupon sayes Ribera, quodnam hoc nomen sit Paulo post docet, & vocatur nomen ejus verbum Dei, sed hoc nomen nemini notum esse, nisi ipsi hoc indicat, nullam creaturam plene atque integre cognoscere ac comprehendere divinam verbi generationem, or by his name which no man knows, may be understood his judgements and wayes, both of justice and mercy, whereof the Apostle speaks saying, How unsearchable are his judgements, and his wayes past finding out, the counsels thereof being of so high a pitch, and the waye… of their performance being without humane reach, by which judgements and wayes, (as one is by his name) he is made known and manifest.

p. 293Ver. 13. And he was cloathed with a vesture dipt in blood, and his name is called the word of God.

Here also he is described from his vesture dipt in blood, to note the huge overthrow of his enemies, the reason whereof is subjoyned, v. 15. for he treads the winepresse of the fiercenesse and wrath of Almighty God, as the same is said, in Isa. 63.3. where the Lord being to revenge upon the Edomites his Churches injuries, he is brought in under the similitude of a victor returning from the slaughter of his enemies all bloody in his vesture, this blood then is not his own which he shed in his passion, but of his enemies, wherewith his vesture is said to be dipt, for certainty of the victory they being made by him as grapes which in a wine-presse is trod upon, and whose liquor is crushed out by him who is the treader.

Next, his name is set down, that he is called the Word of God, to wit, that incarnate word spoken of by John in his Gospel, c. 1.1. called also, 1 John 1 1. the word of life, who was the wisdome of God to decree, the Word of God to declare, and the power of God to effectuate that great work of mans salvation.

Ver. 14. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, cloathed in fine linnen white and clean.

After the description of this great and glorious general, follows their description who follow him, 1. Who are called armies as the Church is compared, Cant. 6.10. and as her estate is militant, so long as she is here on earth. 2. They are said to be in heaven, 1. In respect of Johns vision, who saw them there represented to him. 2. In respect of their own disposition and affection, being heavenly and seeking after heavenly things. 3. They are said to ride on white horses, being herein sutable to their general, v. 11. And, 4. They are cloathed in fine linnen white and clean, which, v. 8. is expounded to be the righteousnesse of the Saints.

p. 294Ver. 15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of yron: and he treadeth the wine-presse of the fiercenesse and wrath of Almighty God.

After which is set down the weapon which this General uses for consuming Antichrist and his Churches enemies, to wit, a sword not material, but spiritual, such as is spoken of, Eph 6.17 which is said to be, 1. To come out of his mouth, and therefore is called the breath of his mouth. 2 Thes. 2.8. in opposition to those frogs, that, c. 16.13. to oppose him, come out of the mouth of the dragon. 2. It is called a sha p sword, as it is described, Heb. 4.12. 3. The use whereof is, that with it he might smite the Nations, by whom he understands Antichrist and his followers▪ so called, 1 Because no lesse grosse idolaters then the Nations were before their conversion. And 2. As great aliens from the true Church (though pretending the name thereof,) as the Na…ions were under the Law from the Common-wealth of Israel, as we see the word (Nations) taken in the same …en…e, c 11.2. Thereafter▪ what he said before v. 13. and sayes here of this sword, he illustrates from two borrowed speeches from Scripture the first from Psalme 2.9. the second from Isa. 63 3. whereby he shews th t he rules the wicked far otherwise then he doth the godly, to wit, with a harder and ha…sher sort of government, taming, or rather sub…uing them nill they, will they, with the hard and iron rod of his judgements, and tredding them down in his wrath, not to their conversion, but their utter eversion, and so crushing his enemies as it were both with hand and feet.

Ver. 16. And he hath on his vesture, and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Here he is further described from a new name of royal dignity and supreame power, being called, King of Kings, p. 295and Lord of Lords, which is said to be, 1. For permanency, written, 2. Next, for conspicuousnesse to be written on his vesture, therefore sayes Ribera, haec inscriptio nihil aliud indicat, quam omnibus hominibus manifestam tunc fore ejus potentiam ex iis quae faciet. 3. Moreover, it is said to be written on his thigh. 1. To shew that as long as himself lasts, which is for ever, so long shall his kingdom and dominion over all endure, therefore sayes, Isa. 9.7. that of the encrease of his govenment and peace there shall be no end. …. By the loynes or thigh, propagation of the same kinde is signified, as we see, Exod. 1.5. therefore sayes Ribera, jure nomen habet scriptum in femore, rex regum & dominus dominantium, quia & ipse rex est & dominus, & reges gignit ac dominos, qui etiam in die judicii, ut reges & domini judicabunt.

Ver. 17. And I saw an Angel standing in the Sun, and he cryed with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that flie in the middest of heaven, Come and gather your selves together unto the Supper of the great God.

Follows now after the description of the General and his armies, the battel it self and the event thereof, before which is set down the proclamation of a heavenly Herauld (in token of certain victory on Christs side) to all the fowles of the heaven to gather themselves together to the Supper of the great God, First then, this Angel is said to stand in the Sunne, as heraulds use to stand in some high and eminent place when they are to make proclamation, that from thence they may be both heard and seen by all. 2. As Heraulds at such times also put on their rich and glorious coat of Armes, so does this Herauld as it were vested with the Sun. 3. In sole… stat (sayes Ribera) ut indicetur id quod praedixit, faciendum esse inconspectu solis, id est, omnibus videntibus, & nemine rem tantam ignorante.

Next, this Herauld is said to cry with a loud voice, 1. As such usually do who make a proclamation that all men may hear them. 2. Because this proclamation is not to a few, or many in one place, but to all the whole fowles that flie in the midst of heaven. 3. As this Angel standing in the Sun signifies p. 296with what cleer light …he p…eache…s or proclaimers of the truth shall come▪ and of the ruine of Antichrist, so this crying a…oud signifies wi…h what boldnesse, freedome and courage they shall proclaime his ruine and his followers.

The words of the pro…lamation are borrowed from Ezekiel 39.17. where the Prophe… prophesies the ruine of the enemies of Gods people who should arise agai…st them after their return from Babylon, and that they should be food to the fowles of the heaven, who are here bidden assemble themselves to the Supper of the great God, the eby to shew 1. That this shall be the last great opposition that the Church shall have by th… enemies hereof befo…e the end of the world, as the Supper is the l…st m…al of the day. 2. How easily Gods enemies then shall …e overcome by him, to wit, as we usually say, they shall be but as a dinner or supper to him.

Ver. 18. That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captaines, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men both free and bond, both small and great.

Next, they are invited to eat the flesh of Kings, Captains and Mighty men, to wit, who shall be … st adherents to Antichrist, and who shall be gathered together by these three unclean spirits, the frogs, to the bat…el of that great day of God Almighty at Arm…geddon, therefore saves Ribera, Ut manducetis carnes regum, &c. illorum scilicet, qui Antichristo adhaerebunt.

Ver. 19. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and th…r armies gathered together to make war against him that sate on the horse, and against his army.

20. And the least was taken, and with him the false prophet, that wrought miracles before p. 297him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Follows here the successe of the battel, 1. That the beast and false prophet were taken, &c. by which beast Ribera says, Antichrist is understood, or rather (…s I understand) the body of the Antichristian Clergy, & the false prophet the Pope their head, whose final and dreadful destruction is set down by allusion to that of Corah, Dathan and Abiram, who were alive swallowed up, and went down to hell, therefore it is in like manner said of these, that they were cast alive into a l…ke of fire burning with brimstone, that is, they were alive as yet, when they began to be cast into that l…ke, therefore sayes Ribera, qui vivus mittitur in ignem, satis est si vivus sit, cum mitti incipit, etiamsi vivus non perveniat …d ignem, or else it may be said, that though they were t…ken and killed in their bodies, yet being alive in their souls they were cast into th…t lake of fire, there to be tormented, so that thereby is shewn that they were punished not only with a temporal, but an eternal punishment. As also the place is cal ed a lake of fire, the metaphor being taken from a pond or place where fishes live, being spacious for many▪ and having water above, under, and round ab…ut them, thereby to shew that even so they shall be compast on all sid…s with easelesse and endlesse torment. 2. Nec fluvium dixit (sayes Ribera) sed stagnum quoniam non fluit aut movetur ignis, ut aquae fluviorum, sed ita est in fovea illa sicut aqua in stagno.

Ver. 21. And the remnant were slaine with the sword of him that sate upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowles were filled with their flesh.

Follows last of all the lot of the remnant, of whom it is said, that they were slaine with the sword of him that sate on the white horse which proceeded out of his mouth, which is to be understood, that either they were thereby convinced, p. 298if not converted, or else by his judicial sentence they were righteously (as v. 11.) adjudged to be slaine, and when they were so, all the fowles were filled with their flesh.

The Lessons or Applications on the ninteenth Chapter.

Ver. 1, 2. WHat hereon may be observed has been spoken of already on c. 7.10. and 12. and what may be likewise observed on the second verse, has been also noted, on c, 16.5, 6, 7.

Ver. 3. A sinful smoak that was raised out of the bottomlesse pit, c. 9. makes here a smoak of torment to arise out of the same place, so that as sinne comes from hell, so it leads to hell, who therefore would escape the one, let them eschew the other.

2. Though sinne be a transient thing and of small continuance, yet the guilt thereof and the torment for the same abideth for ever.

Ver. 4. Of the twenty four Elders their worship and humble gesture is already spoken, c. 4.10.

Ver. 5. The godly are here called Gods servants, therefore they must not be slaves to sin, nor to Satan.

2. They are said also to fear God, none therefore can be Gods servants or obey him who want his feare, Gen. 20.11.

3. It is said, both small and great, therefore the greatest (with David) should think it their honour to serve God, and though they feare no man, yet they should feare him, for he has power both of soul and body to cast both into hell.

4. We see also that the Lord admits the smallest to this high dignity to be his servants, if they fear him, as well as the greatest.

5. By this distribution of all men into small and great, we see the Lords wise dispensation, who will not have all men to be of one condition.

6. We see that the smalest are willed to praise God, as having cause as well as the greatest, yea oft-times more cause, especially in their common interest in that which is greatest.

p. 299Ver. 6. By the praising of God here, which presently follows upon the exhortation, v. 5. to praise him, we see the ready and cheerful obedience of the godly to the Lords command and exhortations of his holy Word, which we should alwayes imitate.

2. Whereas this praising of God is by the voice of a great multitude, we see the mighty increase of Christs Church into a great multitude after the overthrow of that mystical Babylon, and that as Leah said of Gad when he was born, Gen. 30.11. a company cometh, so a great company shall come and be added to the Church, and as the waters o… Euphrates whereon Babylon stands drie up, as we see. c. 16 12. so on the other part the waters of Gods Temple, as Ezekiel saw, c. 47.5. shall flow the more and arise higher.

3. Their praising God is said to be here, as the voice of many waters, and of mighty thund…ings, which teaches us that holy harmony in Gods worship that is in Gods true Church, as also that fervency of zeal and mighty power which is in their devotion.

4. Where they say and now acknowledge, that the Almighty God reigneth, we see that the enemies of the truth shall not ever reign or prevail, but Christ at last shall overcome, and shall reign as King in his Church.

Ver. 7. As the godly were excited and exhorted to praise God, v. 5. so here they excite and exhort one another, a worthy example of holy zeal to be followed by all.

2. They say now, let us be glad and rejoyce, which shews us, that as the godly have a time of sorrowing, as we see, c. 11.3. so God shall give unto them a time of rejoycing, Psal. 106.5.

3. As they say, rejoyce, so they say, give honour to God, whereby we see the manner of right rejoycing is, whereby God gets honour, and is not dishonoured as he is in the rejoycing of many.

4. The matter of their rejoycing is not worldly causes, but heavenly and spiritual, to wit, the Lambs marriage, which should teach us in like manner what should be the matter of our greatest joy.

5. In particular, whereas the Lambs marriage is the cause, this should teach us, that if ever we would have true joy here, or fulnesse of joy hereafter, labour to have our souls espoused to Christ by a spiritual conjunction, and union by faith p. 300here, that so we may be made partakers of that heavenly union which is by sight hereafter.

6. The Church is called Christs wife, who is called, v. 16. King of Kings and Lord of Lords, which shews us her great dignity whereunto she and all her true members are advanced highly.

7. It is said, that his wife made her self ready, which shews what should be the dayly practise and task of every godly soule, this being that one thing that is necessary, like Maries choice.

8. Whereas by this marriage day, the day of general judgement is meant specially, we see what a joyful day that shall be to the godly, however it be dreadful to the wicked.

Ver. 8. It is said, that it was granted unto her to be arayed in white linnen, which imports, that she earnestly sought the same, wherein let us be careful in like manner to follow her example, for we have the promise, Seek and it shall be given to us.

2. Where the next words expounds what the white linnen means, we see what is obscurely set down in one place of Scripture is clearly expounded in another.

3. The fine linnen is the righteousnesse of the Saints, says the text, that is, signifies the righteousnesse of the Saints, so that we see, against the Papists, that it's not unusual to put the word, is, for signifies frequently in Scripture, as it is, Mat. 26.26, 27.

Ver. 9. John is commanded to write, so that we see that what is for our instruction or comfort the Lord will not leave it uncertain by verbal tradition, but will have it written, and Scripture to be the only rule both of our faith and manners.

2. They are pronounced blessed that are called to the Lambs Supper, so that we see that mans blessedness stands in our effectual calling here, and the joyful sound of, Come ye blessed of my Father, &c. hereafter.

3. We see the joyful estate of the Saints in heaven, that it shall be as a marriage Supper or banquet, where there is plenty of all delights, and rivers of pleasures, and where all our water of tears shall be turned into the wine of comfort, and we shall sit down at Table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to feast with them for ever.

p. 3014. What John is bidden to write, is here called the true sayings of God, which shews us the authority of Scripture, and that the same depends not on the Church, nor on any creature, but on God himself, whose true sayings the same is; and therefore to be beleeved for it self, as the Samaritans said, John 4.42.

Ver. 10. By Johns falling at the Angels feet to worship him, we see the infirmity that is in the best, as was in Abraham, David and Peter, &c.

2. In Johns recording this, we see the fidelity and humility of the Saints and pen-men of Scripture, not concealing their own slips and infirmities, ut majorum ruina sit minorum cautela.

3. By the Angels prohibition, we see how far Angels (with whom I may joyn glorified Saints,) are from being pleased with any religious worship whatsoever.

4. By the Angels calling himself John his f…llow servant, we see the dignity of faithful Pastors.

5. We see the Popes damnable pride and hypocrisie, who albeit he calls himself a servant of the servants of God, yet he suffers not only the greatest Princes of the world to fall at his feet, but to kisse them, yea with his feet to tread on Emperours necks, as Alexander the third did on the Emperors Fredrick, at St. Marks in Venice. Anno 1164.

6. We have here a mark of true religion, in the Angels direction, saying, worship God, for true religion is like the star that led the wise men only to Christ, and to worship him, as we see, Mat. 2.11.

Ver. 11. By Christs description here as a warrior, we see in all armies that goes out against Antichrist, who shall be their great general, Joshua 5.14. and ever in their Van.

2. As this great leader of the Lords army is called faithful and true, so let all those who follow him be so in like manner.

3. It is said, that in righteousnesse he maketh war, which teaches after his example, how all wars should be made in righteousnesse, which is, 1. When they who have authority of the sword undertake it. 2. When they have a good cause, as here, against Antichrist. And, 3. When it is for a good end, the glory of God especially, and the advancement of Christs Church and Kingdom.

p. 302Ver. 12. His eyes are for sharpnesse of sight said to be as flames of fire, therefore it is in vain to plot or practice never so secretly against him, or his Church, and to think (as in the late powder treason) that he cannot discover them.

2. Being as flames of fire, we see also how terrible he is and shall be against all his enemies.

3. He who wore a crown of thorns on earth, has here many crowns on his head, and wea…s the crown of glory, and so shall his Church and all the true members thereof, after the crosse here, enjoy the crown hereafter.

4. Where it is said, that he had a name written that none knew but himself, we see that there are some divine mysteries, whereinto we should not enquire but learn to be wise unto sobriety, as we see, Deut. 29.9.

Ver. 13. His vesture is said to be dipt in blood, therefore let his cruel and proudest enemies see here in the end what they may expect, to wit, deserved destruction.

2. His Name is called, the Word of God, then let that proud Antichrist that slanders, opposes, corrupts, suppresses and does all the indignity he can to the Word of God, and uses all cruelty against bo…h the preachers and professo…s thereof, let him (I say) know that it and he who is here so stiled, shall be his destruction.

Ver. 14. By this description of his armies sutable to his own, we see the comely conformity of holinesse, signified by the white colour, that is between Christ and all his true members, he and his membe s not being like that party-coloured coat of Josephs, or that image which Nebuchadnezzar saw in a vision, Dan. 2.

Ver. 15. The cause why the Pope and his Clergy have such indignation at the Word of God, which is the sharp sword of the spirit, is, b…cause it smites them for their idolatrous and gentilisme practic…s.

2. Those who will not be ruled by the Scepter of his Word, resolve as they list with those, Ps 2.3. he sh…ll rule them with a rod of iron, which shall break them if they will not bow.

3. What is already said of the winepresse of Gods wrath, see c. 14 19, …0.

Ver. 16. By the conspicuousnesse of his stile of King of Kings, written on his v…sture, we see, though the Lords Monarchyck power lurk for a time, yet it shall kythe at last manifestly to the comfort of his own, and the terror of his enemies.

p. 3032. Seeing he is called King of Kings, &c. let all Kings, as they have their power from him, so let them use it for him, and do as they are exhorted, Ps. 2.10.

3. We see the Churches high dignity that has to her husband, him who is King of all Kings, and Lord of Lords.

4. Seeing by the writing thereof on his thigh the eternal propagation thereof is meant, as he is eternal himself, in vain then do his enemies seek the overthrow of his Kingdom, whereof there shall be no end, Isa. 9.7.

Ver. 17. By the Angels standing in the Sun, and crying to the fowles of heaven; we see that Gods work of justice in his own time shall be most conspicuous, as Scriptural examples testifie, against all his enemies.

2. He who before, v. 13. is called the Word of God, is here called the great God, a cleer argument of the Deity of Christ.

Ver. 18. c. 11.9. We see that the cruelty of Antichrist and his followers was so great against the Lords witnesses, that when they were slain, they would not suffer their dead bodies to be put into graves, and here with what measure they mete, it is measured to them, and so let all wicked men constantly expect.

Ver. 19, 20, 21. The wicked unity of the Antichristian Church in an impious conspiracy against the truth and professors thereof, which has ever been evident, and as that late bloody league of Trent doth testifie.

2. We see that their hostility is said to be against Christ himself who sate on the white horse, so hard a prick is it against which they kick.

3. At last we see what fearful judgement and dreadful end abides them, which all such who persecute the truth may surely expect.