An Exposition of Revelation, Title page – Dedication
AN EXPOSITION OR, A ſhort, but full, plaine, and perfect EPITOME of the moſt choice Commentaries Upon the REVELATION Of Saint JOHN.
Eſpecially of the moſt learned and judicious Authors, as Bullinger of Helvetia, Francis Iunius, Thomas Brightman, Aug. Marlorate, Aug. de Civitate dei, but eſpecially (among many) the excellent and learned David Pareus.
With ſeverall remarkable Notes, Obſervations, and Doctrines very profitable.
As it was for the moſt part delivered by way of Commentary in the Pariſh-Church of Sutton-Valence, Kanc.
By Hezekiah Holland Anglo-hibernus, Miniſter of the Goſpell at Sutton Valence.
If our Goſpel be hid, it is hid (foreign) to them that be loſt, foreign.
2 Cor. 4.3.
Bleſſed is he that readeth, and they that heare — the words of this Prophecy.
Rev. 1.3.
London, Printed by T. R. and E. M. for George Calvert and are to be ſold at the Sign of the Half-Moon in Watling-ſtreet neare Pauls ſtump. 1650.
The true effigies of Hezekiah Holland Miniſter of the Goſpell at Sutton Valence in Kent.
To my Noble and unparalleld friend the truly Worſhipfull Edward Futz Of Hill in Gloceſter-ſhire, Eſq
Much honoured Sir,
IT is recorded of Marcus Antonius the Philoſopher (and Emperour of Rome) that he choſe rather ſuch Senatours as were moſt apparreld with vertue, to be husbands for his Daughters, then who could produce a large ſcrowle of their Pedigree, or could boaſt of being rich Tenants to fortune, eſteeming vertue the beſt inheritance. foreign. Herodian lib. 1. cap. 1. Though providence hath given you a large portion: though your name pleads antiquity (they who ſeek the original of Printing are acquainted with it) yet I rather make choice of you for Marke's reaſons; eſpecially conſidering how your hands have been alwaies open to me a Pilgrim in England; and indeed, I even bluſh to think how long I have continued in your debt, like an ungratefull—And now have nothing with which to repay your noble courteſies; but ſome fewpoor ſheets of Paper. I know your gallant mind can as well forgive as give: but what acquittance is that to my conſcience? I was by you uſed more like a brother then a ſtranger, more like a Son than a baniſhed man, (for ſuch almoſt I was when I happily arrived at yours (as another Calanders houſe.) I was told before I had need to ſee England, That this was a Kingdom of Curteſies for ſtrangers: And truly Mr Futz (I feare God and flotter you not) had all Engliſh harts been loſt but your own, I might have found England epitomiſed in your moſt incomparable ſelf. Pray Sir take this mite in part of payment; as a (foreign) teſtimony of my thankfulneſſe: and the uſe of what is behind. It is a leane Commentary upon that excellent Book, which is the contents of all that was to happen from our Lords aſcenſion till (and after) the diſſolution of all things: And therefore moſt worthy reading by the moſt curious eye; herein (I hope) I have not raiſed the ſenſe of Scripture one note higher, then the Spirit firſt tun'd it to; doubtleſſe I come ſhort of many things: bonus Bernardus non vidit omnia; yet I hope many an honeſt Chriſtian ſhall by the means of my poore Torch receive ſome glimpſe of light to walk better and ſurer in the dark paths of theſe myſteries: wherein I have ſtrove more to ſpeak to capacity, and to edifie, by much plainneſſe, then by either affected expreſſions, much quotation of Authors, or many Languages to ſhew my ſelf to have been bred as a Son of the Muſes. Sir, I doubt not but theſe times have given you occaſion to examine (like the wiſe Bereans) many things, which all of us formerly took upon truſt. Among the reſt I recommend to your ſerious conſideration to weigh,
1. Whether the ſeven Angels of the ſeven Churches treated on in the three firſt chapters of this book were not ordinary Miniſters, ordained by the Apoſtles to ſucceed them as Miniſters (not Apoſtles, or comites Apoſtolorum.)
2. Whether theſe were not ſeven particular private Congregations (for ſo the Ancients ſeemed to eſteeme of them.)
3. Whether they were to give any account to any but Chriſt, (remember however John was then alive.)
4. Whether every true Church and Miniſter (without looking further then the word) have not a power to caſt out—as well as they: and will not be as liable to Chriſts cenſure in caſe of neglect (as well as they.)
Thou ſuffereſt that woman Jezabel Rev. 2.20.—though theſe were diſtinct Cities, of diſtinct Customes, Manners, and Laws: yet the Churches acknowledged but one head Chriſt, and each reſpective Church and Minister had a peculiar power under him, without dependency, to give account to no other perſon or Church, no though Romes Church had then a being; but Ile not make too great a doore to my little houſe. I leave you to read your Book, wherein (if as a dwarfe on a giants ſhoulder) I have ſeen more then ſome giants (pardon the expreſſion) let Chriſt Ieſus my Saviour have the glory; and his holy ones the comfort. The Lord encreaſe your ſpiritual and temporall bleſſings.
June 20. 1650. From my Vicaridge houſe in Sutton-Valence. Sir, I am your moſt humble and moſt obliged Servant HEZEKIAH HOLLAND.