THE WESTMINSTER ANNOTATIONS · 1657

ANNOTATIONS ON THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN

THE ARGUMENT AND ANALYSIS, WITH ANNOTATIONS ON CHAPTERS 1–22

THE ARGUMENT AND ANALYSIS

This last book is of singular use for Christians to the end of the world. The division of it is to be found, Chapter 1. 19. The things that John had seen, contain the glorious vision of Christ among the golden candlesticks, Chap. 1. The things which are, are the Epistles to the seven churches then in being, Chap. 2. & 3. The things which shall be hereafter, are the prophecies following, wherein God frames himself a church to worship him to the world's end, and shows the pattern of it to John, Chap. 4. Preparation is made for the opening of the seals, Chap. 5. Six whereof are opened, Chap. 6. and the story brought down to Constantine's time. The heathen persecution being then ceased, and a more bitter to come under the popes; God prepares him a church, and seals such as should stand out this storm in a more private course of worship in the wilderness, Chap. 7. The seventh seal being opened, six angels blow their trumpets, and foretell the miseries that should fall on popish Rome, before the time of Reformation, Chap. 8, 9. The little book containing the residue of the Revelation, is brought forth, Chap. 10. The church in the wilderness persecuted, is set out; and the seventh angel blowing the trumpet, proclaims liberty of religion again, Chap. 11. The beginning of this troublesome time is set out to be a little before Constantine's time, when the church was in labor to bring forth a Christian emperor; and the end of it foretold to be after a thousand two hundred and threescore years, Chap. 12. which falls out to be the time of the establishing of the Protestant religion in the empire, as appears in the notes. The two great beasts that shall persecute the church all this while, are set out, Chap. 13. The restoration of religion, and ruin of popery, Chap. 14. God's people praising him for the same, Chap. 15. The seven vials containing the plagues of God, beginning from the time of Reformation, whereby God will by degrees destroy Babylon and Antichrist, are poured out, Chap. 16. The whore, the city of Rome, to be destroyed under the fifth vial, is described, Chap. 17. Her dissolution is set out, Chap. 18. The conversion of the Jews, and utter subversion of Antichrist, which come under the sixth vial, are set down, Chap. 19. The happy state of the church afterwards for a thousand years, with the overthrow of the Turks after it, and the day of judgment after that, which come under the seventh vial, are spoken of, Chap. 20. The everlasting happiness of God's saints in soul and body in heaven with God, and Christ, is set out, Chap. 21. and in the five first verses of Chap. 22. The conclusion consists of confirmations, exhortations, promises, threatenings, prayers, Chap. 22. Further satisfaction in particulars, the reader may find in the notes.

The great God and our Savior, who has revealed these excellent mysteries to us, give us grace to walk worthy of so great a favor in this world, and a portion in the eternal happiness herein foretold, in the world to come. Amen.

CHAPTER 1

Verse 1. {The Revelation} The former books, for the most part, are either historical, or doctrinal: this is, for the main matter of it, symbolical and prophetical; containing predictions of many things to come, both in the church, and without it, in the world, symbolically represented. It is called, a Revelation, because it was revealed by God; and the things therein contained are such, as no wisdom of man, without some such special revelation, could have manifested or foreseen: so 2 Cor. 12. 1, 7. Matth. 11. 25. and 16. 17. 1 Cor. 2. 9, 10.

{of Jesus Christ} Because John had it from him, as Paul his revelations, 2 Cor. 12. 1, 2. and his Gospel, Gal. 1. 1, 2.

{God gave unto him} That is, revealed, or committed unto him, by him to be revealed and communicated to others. God the Father reveals and commits these things to Christ, as man, (for he had them of himself, as God) that the great account God has of him may thereby appear. John 5. 20.

{to shew} Not to keep them to himself, but to acquaint his church and children, even in succeeding ages, with them; as 1 Pet. 1. 12.

{his servants} The faithful: not his servants at large, as all men, yea, all the creatures, are, Psalm 119. 91. and 148. 8. but his servants in special manner, his household-servants, Gal. 6. 10. Ephes. 2. 19. For their use and behoof it is, that these things are revealed by God to Christ, and by Christ to those that are yet in a more special manner, as John is hereafter styled, and Paul elsewhere. Rom. 1. 1. 1 Cor. 1. 1. God's servants, the apostles and the prophets, Amos 3. 7. see verse 4.

{must shortly come to pass} So that this book, for the main matter of it, is not any history or relation of things past, but a prediction of things to come: which were to commence shortly after, in regard of their first beginning, ver. 3. but to run on, after they were once begun, in a constant and continued course to the world's end.

{by his Angel} Christ employs an angel, called his angel, to show his power, as well in heaven as on earth, Matth. 28. 18. Ephes. 1. 21.

{unto his servant John} The angel is sent to John, for the credit of his ministry, Chap. 17. 1. & 21. 9. & 22. 8. So Dan. 8. 16. & 9. 21, 22. Zech. 1. 9, 14, 19. This John was the apostle; for no other would take that name in writing Scripture while he lived, without some note of distinction; neither do we know any other John infallible, beside the apostle: and it is recorded in the ecclesiastical history, that this John was banished into Patmos in the reign of Domitian. As he was the beloved apostle, so Christ honored him above others, in writing Scripture. He appears to be an evangelist, in his Gospel: an apostle, in his Epistles; a prophet, in this Revelation.

V. 2. {of the word of God} By the word of God, some understand here this book of the Revelation, and the things therein contained. Others, by the word of God, understand the Gospel of John: by the testimony of Christ, his Epistles, which begin therewith, 1 John 1. 1. by the things which he saw, his Revelation. In this sense, it shows the author of this book, and one ground to believe him, because of his former faithfulness. It may be understood of his preaching God's word; as verse 9.

V. 3. {and they} A change of the number, Psal. 127. 3.

{keep} Reserve, or observe; keep in heart and in life, as Luke 11. 28. James 1. 25. John 13. 12. That not only read or hear these things, but also remember them, believe them, observe how they are fulfilled, and live according to the directions given in this book, chap. 22. 14, 18, 19.

{the time} Gr. season, or set time: as Matth. 16. 3. & 21. 41. Luke 1. 20.

{at hand} When these things shall begin to be put in execution: for a great part of them is not yet fulfilled, verse 1.

V. 4. {John to the} This shows, that the whole Revelation was an Epistle to these churches. So does the conclusion, chap. 22. 21.

{seven Churches} Named, verse 11. and presented with several Epistles, chap. 2. & 3. trusted with this treasure of the prophecies following; but not made types of particular churches in after-times, though there may be some likeness between them, and the ensuing churches in divers things. The order of revelation is here observable: God reveals to Christ, Christ by his angel to John, John to those churches, but for the use of the whole church, verse 1.

{in Asia} The less: for Jerusalem in likelihood was now destroyed, and these were the most famous churches, fittest to keep these mysteries, and to communicate them to posterity.

{grace and peace} Rom. 1. 7.

{from him which is} Exod. 3. 14. From God the Father, who is eternal. That which is common to the three persons, is here attributed to the Father, who is the first in order, and from whom the other two persons have their personal existence.

{the seven Spirits} The Holy Ghost, who is so called in regard of his manifold graces, wrought in these seven churches as plentifully, as if a particular spirit had been in each church. Seven also being a note of perfection; as Chap. 5. 6. It cannot be understood of angels, because John prays for grace from him whom here he so describes.

{before his throne} Not to show an inequality, but because God the Father, in the works of illumination, sanctification, and comfort, works in his servants by his Spirit. See Chap. 4. 5.

V. 5. {the faithful witness} Who fully and truly revealed God's will to us, by himself and his apostles, Heb. 1. 2. and so showed himself to be the prophet foretold, Deut. 18. 15, 18. Acts 3. 21, 22.

{first begotten of the dead} Or, first brought forth, 1 Cor. 15. 20. Col. 1. 18. He that arose first from the dead to go to heaven: for Enoch and Elijah died not: others raised up, lived here, and died after; neither are their bodies yet in heaven. He says, Begotten, because resurrection restores that bodily life which we had by generation before. See Matth. 19. 28.

{Prince of the Kings of the earth} Who is above them all, and from whom they all hold, Chap. 17. 14. & 19. 16. 1 Tim. 6. 14, 15. Matth. 28. 18. Prov. 8. 15, 16. Rom. 9. 5.

{loved us} The sole ground of all the ensuing benefits. So Gal. 2. 20. Ephes. 2. 4, 5, 6. & 5. 2.

{and washed us} 1 Cor. 6. 11. Heb. 9. 14. 1 John 1. 7. This was the greatest demonstration of his love, the shedding of his blood for the cleansing of us from our sins, chap. 5. 9. and 7. 14.

V. 6. {and hath made us} As he redeemed us by his blood, so he has regenerated us by his Spirit, 1 Cor. 6. 11. 1 John 5. 6. and made us kings, to rule over the devil, the world, and the flesh, chap. 20. 6. and priests, to offer up to God the personal sacrifice of ourselves, Rom. 12. 1. the verbal sacrifice of praise, and real of alms, Heb. 13. 15, 16.

{kings and Priests} Chap. 5. 10. 1 Pet. 2. 5, 9.

{and his Father} Or, even his Father, 1 Cor. 15. 24. Gr. his own Father. Christ is the natural Son of God.

{dominion} Or, might, or strength; as 1 Cor. 15. 24. Give unto Christ the glory of his dominion, or power, Psal. 29. 1, 2, 3, &c.

V. 7. {Behold} As if he beheld him with the eye of faith already appearing. So of Abraham, John 8. 56. and of Moses, Heb. 11. 27.

{he cometh} He will ere long come: and though he may seem to stay long, yet will, in due time, as surely come, as if he were coming, or already come, Heb. 10. 37. 2 Pet. 3. 4, 9.

{with clouds} Dan. 7. 13. Matth. 24. 30.

{every eye} That is, all men: for the eye is the instrument of sight.

{and they also} Or, even they also, as verse 6.

{which pierced him} Zech. 12. 10. John 19. 34, 37. That had any hand in the crucifying of him, Psal. 22. 16.

{kindreds} Gr. tribes. Alluding to the division of the land of Canaan, Josh. 13. 7. Psal. 78. 55.

{because of him} Because they saw him, whom they crucified, to be their judge; or him whom they caused to be crucified. Or, before him; as 1 Cor. 6. 6. Some of all nations shall weep at his coming.

{even so, Amen} A double affirmation, for certainty; the one Greek, the other Hebrew, as chap. 22. 20.

V. 8. {I am Alpha} Chap. 21. 6. & 22. 13. Isa. 41. 4. & 44. 16. It seems here to be spoken of Christ. Compare it with vers. 11, 13. Chap. 11. 12, 13. The phrase is taken from the Greek letters, whereof Alpha is the first, and Omega the last. The sense is; I was before all creatures, and shall abide always, though all creatures should perish. Or, I am he from whom all creatures had their beginning, and to whom they are referred, as their uttermost end, Chap. 4. 11. Prov. 16. 4. Rom. 11. 36.

{which is} See verse 4. what was there ascribed to the Father, is here given to the Son, to show the coeternity of the Son with the Father.

{the Almighty} Able to do all things, Job 42. 2. or having power and authority over all. See vers. 5, 6. Psal. 103. 19.

V. 9. {brother and companion} He commends himself, and this his employment, to them, from that fellowship he had with them in troubles here, and was to have with them in glory hereafter, 1 Pet. 5. 1, 9. So Phil. 1. 5, 6, 7. Heb. 10. 34.

{kingdom} As well of grace here, as of glory hereafter, Rom. 5. 21.

{patience} Patient expectation of Christ's coming, 1 Thess. 1. 3. 2 Thess. 3. 5.

{was in the Isle} Some think he went thither voluntarily, to avoid persecution. Others, that he was banished by Domitian the emperor, Euseb. hist. Eccles. lib. 3. cap. 14.

{Patmos} In the Egean sea; or Archipelago, among the isles called Sporades: a desert place, Plin. lib. 4. cap. 12.

{for the word of God} Not to preach it there, but for preaching it before, in Ephesus, and other places. Or, as others, for Christ's sake, who is called The word, John 1. 1. 1 John 1. 1. See on verse 2.

V. 10. {in the Spirit} In a spiritual rapture and ecstasy, Ezek. 3. 12. Acts 10. 10. & 22. 17. 2 Cor. 12. 2, 3. By the Spirit of God taken off from the sense and regard of outward things, that I might wholly attend the visions ensuing.

{on the Lord's day} The day on which our Savior rose again, the first day of the week, on which the church constantly met for the public service of God. The time and place are mentioned, to confirm the truth of the history: and the day, to add more honor to that day, which is here called the Lord's day, as the Lord's table, 1 Cor. 10. 21. and the Lord's supper, 1 Cor. 11. 20.

{behind me a great voice} This great voice called John to attention; and the rather, because it came behind him, unexpected.

{of a trumpet} For sound, loud and shrill, Isaiah 58. 1. and of use, to summon men, by several tones or manner of sounding, to several employments, Exod. 19. 16, 19. Num. 10. 2, 10. 1 Cor. 14. 7, 8.

V. 11. {Alpha} See on vers. 8.

{What seest thou?} What you shall see forthwith, is to be revealed to others.

{Churches} See vers. 4.

{Ephesus} A city of Ionia, famous for the temple of Diana in it, Acts 19. 1, 27.

{Smyrna} A city of Ionia likewise, near which were the Olympian games celebrated.

{Pergamus} A city of Eolia, afterwards made a province of the Romans.

{Thyatira} A city of Lydia, not far from Ephesus.

{Sardis} A city of Lydia also, in Cyrus his time, next to Babylon for wealth, Xenoph. Cyrop. lib. 7. cap. 3.

{Philadelphia} A city of Lydia, as some think; or, as others, of Mysia, or Eolia, having the name from Ptolomeus Philadelphus.

{Laodicea} A city of Caria, near to the city of the Colossians, Col. 4. 16.

V. 12. {the voice} Him from whom the voice came; or, to take further notice of the voice itself, Exod. 20. 18. Deut. 4. 12.

{golden candlesticks} The churches, which are the light of the world, Matth. 5. 14, 16. Phil. 2. 15, 16. They are compared to gold, because they excel other societies, as much as gold does other metals.

V. 13. {in the midst, &c.} To teach, guide and protect them, Psal. 46. 5. Zech. 2. 5.

{like unto the Son of man} Or, a son of man, (as like a son of the gods, 3. 25.) that is, like a man, Dan. 7. 13. Whether it were Christ in his human nature, or the angel mentioned, vers. 1. representing Christ, or some other form, it is uncertain.

{with a garment down to the foot} Dan. 10. 5, 6. It was the custom of rulers to wear garments and girdles distinct from others, Isa. 22. 21. Exod. 28. 24. & 39. 5. The robes of such were usually large and long, for state, Eccl. 27. 8.

{girt about the paps} Or, about the middle: as their manner was, to keep their side-garments from sweeping the ground, and hindering them in going, Exod. 29. 9. Luke 12. 35.

{girdle} A symbol of power and might, Psal. 93. 1. Isa. 11. 5. & 23. 10. & 45. 1, 5.

V. 14. {white like wool} This signifies Christ's eternity, as it does God the Father's, Dan. 7. 9.

{as snow} Matth. 17. 2. & 28. 3.

{as a flame of fire} Bright, lightsome and piercing. See Dan. 10. 6. implying his omniscience, whereby he is able to disperse all darkness, and to pry into all the corners of men's hearts, and descry the privy plots and contrivances of the adversaries of the church, Prov. 15. 11. Psal. 139. 11, 12. Job 34. 21, 22. Heb. 4. 12, 13.

V. 15. {fine brass} A kind of bright and precious brass, of which, Plin. lib. 34. cap. 2. Or, amber, of the color of burnished brass. See Ezek. 1. 4, 7. Dan. 10. 6.

{as if they burned} Or, glowed with fire. Intimating, as some think, Christ's ability to destroy the enemies of his church, as Zech. 2. 5. Or, as others, so to terrify men, that they may thereby be converted, Psal. 83. 15, 16.

{as the sound, &c.} A mighty loud voice, as Cha. 14. 2. So Dan. 10. 6. Terrible to his enemies; or, powerful to raise men from the death of sin, John 5. 25.

V. 16. {in his right hand} To keep them safe; showing his great love to them, and care of them, Psal. 63. 8.

{seven stars} The ministers of the seven churches, vers. 20. Ministers give light to the world, having received it from Christ; as the stars from the sun.

{out of his mouth, &c.} This shows the power of Christ's word, cha. 2. 16. Heb. 4. 12.

{in his strength} At noonday, Judg. 5. 31. Psal. 37. 6. This sets out the greatness of Christ's glory and majesty, Matth. 17. 2.

V. 17. {as dead} He could not endure the sight of Christ in his glory. So Dan. 10. 8, 9.

{his right hand} He sent not an angel to raise me up, but did it himself. See Dan. 10. 10.

{I am the first} Isa. 41. 4. & 44. 6. See notes on vers. 8.

V. 18. {and was dead} Though I once died for your sins, yet I am now alive again to appear to you, and shall live forever, to protect my servants, Rom. 6. 9, 16.

{keys of hell, and of death} Power to deliver over, or to keep from hell, as well as from the grave. Or, of the grave, and death.

V. 19. {Write the things, &c.} John is commanded to write the vision which he saw before, vers. 12, &c. the Epistles to the seven churches, which were then in being, chap. 2. & 3. and the prophecies of the time to come, chap. 4, &c. to the end of the book: so that here is a perfect division of the book, and no need to make the churches types.

V. 20. {The seven stars are} That is, do signify; as the bread is Christ's body in the sacrament. So Gen. 41. 26, 27. Dan. 2. 38. & 7. 17. Matth. 13. 37, 38, 39. Luke 8. 11, 15. Chap. 17. 9, 10, 12, 15.

{the angels} The ministers: so here called, to show the honor due to that office. Or, messengers: for they are God's messengers to his people, Mal. 2. 7. & 3. 1.

CHAPTER 2

Verse 1. {Angel} See notes on chap. 1. 20.

{Ephesus} Look chap. 1. 7.

{that holdeth, &c.} See chap. 1. 16.

{who walketh, &c.} Look the notes on chap. 1. 12, 13.

V. 2. {I know thy works} I take notice of them, and approve them, Psal. 1. 6. & 101. 4. Matth. 7. 23. Though all power to do good comes from God, and the works of the best men have some imperfections; yet such is God's mercy, that he accepts of them.

{works} Course of life and practice, 1 Tim. 4. 6, 12. Tit. 2. 7.

{thy labour} In preaching the Gospel, 1 Thess. 5. 12. 1 Tim. 5. 17.

{patience} In bearing persecutions that followed his preaching and practice, 2 Tim. 3. 10, 11, 12.

{canst not bear} Endure them, or forbear reproving them. An argument of zeal, Joh. 2. 15, 17. 2 Pet. 2. 8.

{them that are evil} Such as are wicked in your flock.

{apostles} Such as feigned themselves to be sent immediately from Christ, but were not, 2 Cor. 11. 13.

V. 3. {hast borne} Have borne much from these, whom you could not bear with, vers. 2.

{hast patience} Continue constant in your sufferings, Heb. 10. 34, 36. & 12. 1.

{not fainted} Are not weary of your work, Gal. 6. 9. 2 Thess. 3. 13. 2 Cor. 4. 16.

V. 4. {hast left} Have abated somewhat of your former fervor and forwardness.

{first love} Or, former love; 1 Tim. 5. 12. showed in diligent teaching and ordering of his people, John 21. 16, 17. He was not, it may be, so careful in feeding and tending his flock, as when John was there to oversee him. Not only idolatry and false doctrine, but negligence, in a minister, is blameworthy.

V. 5. {Remember therefore} Three things required of a penitent sinner: a serious consideration of the heinousness of his sin; hearty remorse for it, and a renewed course of life.

{remove} Take it from that place, and settle it in some other, where it shall find a better acceptance, Matth. 21. 43.

{thy candlestick} My church from out of Ephesus, chap. 1. 20. and leave it in darkness. It seems, by the pastor's negligence, the people were grown remiss also: for a great judgment is threatened to them.

{except thou repent} God repeats it, to show how well pleased he would be with their returning, Ezek. 18. 31, 32. & 33. 11.

V. 6. {But} I will not yet remove the candlestick, for the reasons following.

{this thou hast} This goodness left in you.

{hatest} Do not only forbear, but inwardly hate and abhor, Psal. 94. 10. Amos 5. 15. Rom. 12. 9.

{the deeds} Not the persons, Psal. 101. 3.

{Nicolaitans} Who held wives to be common, as ecclesiastical histories affirm. Some think, they are so called from Nicolas the deacon, mentioned Acts 6. others, from some other of that name.

{I hate} Psal. 11. 5. Prov. 6. 16. & 18. 13.

V. 7. {He that hath an ear} Let not the pastor only, but every one of the church of Ephesus, lay this to heart. Or, let them hearken whose ears God has opened, Psal. 40. 6. Isai. 50. 5. or, that have a spiritual ear, as well as a natural, to hear what God says, Deut. 29. 4. Psal. 85. 8. Prov. 20. 12. See Matth. 13. 9.

{overcometh} His spiritual enemies, the devil, the world and the flesh, Rom. 8. 37. & 12. 21. & 16. 20. 1 Cor. 9. 27. 1 Joh. 4. 4. & 5. 4, 5. Chap. 12. 11. & 15. 2.

{of the tree of life} Perpetual happiness, figured by the tree of life, Gen. 2. 9. Rev. 22. 2.

{in the midst} Alluding to the situation of the tree of life in paradise.

{paradise} Heaven, Luk. 23. 43. 2 Cor. 12. 4.

V. 8. {Smyrna} See notes on Chap. 1. 11.

{first} Chap. 1. 8, 17.

{was dead} See chap. 1. 18.

V. 9. {I know} See vers. 2.

{and tribulation} Troubles, loss of goods, and reproaches, which you suffer for the truth, Heb. 10. 34. & 11. 36, 38.

{but thou art rich} Towards God, Luk. 12. 21. spiritually, Luk. 16. 11. 2 Cor. 8. 9. 1 Tim. 6. 6, 18. Jam. 2. 5.

{say they are Jews} Brag of the truth of their religion, when they want both the inward power, and outward evidences of it, Matth. 3. 9. John 8. 33, 39. Rom. 2. 28, 29. 2 Tim. 3. 5.

{synagogue of Satan} Not of God, as once they were, and pretend still to be, Phil. 3. 2, 3.

V. 10. {Fear none} So as out of fear to do anything unbeseeming a Christian, Matt. 10. 28. Luke 4. 4.

{thou shalt suffer} The storm is not yet past; imprisonment and straits will follow.

{devil} By wicked men his instruments, Ephes. 2. 2.

{be tried} The devil would destroy, but God will suffer you only to be tried, chap. 3. 10. Jam. 1. 12.

{ten days} A short time: or, as others interpret it, ten years: either in Diocletian's time, as some think, or in Trajan's, as others.

{faithful unto death} Constant in your Christian course and profession to the last, Heb. 3. 6, 14. Or, unto the shedding of your blood by death, for the testimony of my truth, Heb. 12. 6. chap. 12. 11. & 20. 4. Die, rather than deny your religion.

{crown of life} Either an everliving, everlasting, never-fading crown or garland, 1 Pet. 1. 4. & 5. 4. or, celestial glory, life eternal, as a crown, or for a crown, James 1. 12. as the sign of circumcision, that is, circumcision as or for a sign, Rom. 4. 11. An allusion to them that run or wrestle for a garland. 1 Cor. 9. 24, 25. 2 Tim. 2. 5. & 4. 7, 8.

V. 11. {He that hath an ear} See notes on vers. 7.

{of the second death} Consisting in the separation of soul and body from God, and sequestration of them both to eternal torments, Matth. 25. 46. 2 Thess. 1. 9. chap. 20. 14. & 21. 8. So called, in relation to the natural death foregoing it, whereby soul and body are only severed either from other. Though he may suffer this, yet shall he escape that. It shall not be able to seize upon him, cha. 20. 6.

V. 12. {Pergamus} See notes on Chap. 1. 11.

{the sharp sword} Look on Chap. 1. 16.

V. 13. {I know} Vers. 2.

{where} In how perilous a place, and among what manner of people your abode is; Psal. 57. 4. & 120. 5, 6. Ezek. 2. 6. Phil. 2. 15.

{seat} Or, throne. Where the Roman governor lives, who is Satan's chief instrument in persecuting the saints, vers. 10.

{holdest fast my Name, &c.} Do still maintain your Christian profession, Heb. 10. 23. So chap. 3. 3, 8, 10, 11.

{even in those days} As in a dangerous place, so in the times of greatest trial, Chap. 12. 12. & 13. 10. & 14. 12.

{Antipas} A name contracted of Antipater, as Artemas of Artemidorus, Tit. 3. 12. Epaphras of Epaphroditus, Col. 4. 12. Phil. 4. 18. Demas of Demetrius, 2 Tim. 4. 12. Silas of Silvanus, Acts 15. 40. 1 Thess. 1. 1. The name of some godly minister of Christ, in likelihood, who had suffered martyrdom there for the truth.

{martyr} Who gave his life for the testimony of the truth concerning me; Acts 22. 20.

V. 14. {hast there} Do not put them out of the church, that they may not hurt others, 1 Cor. 5. 2, 6.

{of Balaam} Who taught Balak to set fair women on work to tempt the Israelites to eat of the meat they had sacrificed to their idols, and to commit folly with them. Numb. 24. & 25. Chapters, and 31. 16.

V. 15. {Nicolaitans} See notes on vers. 6.

V. 16. {Repent} Look on vers. 5.

{sword} See Chap. 1. 16.

V. 17. {hidden manna} He shall both spiritually taste of me here, and feast also with me, and of me, enjoying me fully hereafter in heaven. He alludes to Psa. 105. 40. John 6. 27, 32, 49, 50. Luke 22. 30. and withal, to the golden pot of manna, placed in the holiest of all, Heb. 9. 3, 4. Exod. 16. 33, 34.

{a white stone} Assurance of the full discharge of all his sins, 1 John 1. 7. Or, perfect absolution at the day of judgment; John 5. 24. For the heathen absolved men by white stones, and condemned them by black ones. Or, a privy mark, whereby he may be known, and admitted to the heavenly banquet of the hidden manna, as a bidden guest thereunto, chap. 19. 9. alluding, as some think, to those shells, stones, or tokens, that were wont to be given as tickets, with their names on them, to such as were to be admitted to the solemn feasts, held in honor of those that were victorious in their sacred games.

{a new name} Add to his absolution such glory, as none can understand, but such as have it, 2 Cor. 2. 9. An inward assurance of his right and interest in these honors. He alludes to Isai. 65. 15. All these things follow the victory.

V. 18. {Thyatira} See notes on Chap. 1. 11.

{his eyes} See on Chap. 1. 14, 15.

V. 19. {I know} See v. 2.

{and thy charity} Or, even thy charity; as v. 13. for here he reckons up the works in particular.

{and service, &c.} Your ministering to the saints; as Rom. 16. 1. Heb. 6. 10. and faithfulness in your calling, and patient bearing of troubles ensuing it; as Chap. 2. 2.

{and thy works} The fruits of these particular graces. Or, and thy works, that the last are more than the first. So this conjunction is used, Luk. 3. 20. & 5. 1.

V. 20. {a few things} See notes on vers. 14, 15.

{Jezebel} 1 Kin. 16. 31. Some wicked woman like herself, or of the same name with her, or both.

V. 21. {of her fornication} She was not only naughty herself, but taught others also to be naughty like herself, vers. 22. False doctrine and bad life, idolatry and adultery go oft together, vers. 14, 15. Num. 25. 1, 2. Hos. 4. 11, 12, 13, 14.

{and she repented not} Or, but she repented not; Matth. 11. 19. She added impenitency to her incontinency and other sins, Rom. 2. 4, 5.

V. 22. {into a bed} As there is a bed of ease and pleasure, Amos 6. 4. so of languishing and disease, Psal. 41. 4. The latter is here intended, but with allusion to the former. Her punishment shall be like her sin. Adulterers often lie long sick of foul diseases, Job 20. 11. Prov. 5. 11.

V. 23. {And I will kill her children} Her bastards; as 2 Sam. 12. 14. Others understand it of spiritual adultery; and then her adulterers are her fellow-false-teachers, and her children they whom she had seduced.

{I am he which searcheth} Psal. 7. 9. Jer. 11. 20. & 17. 10. They shall know that I am the true God, by my punishing them for their secret sins, Psal. 90. 8. 2 Sam. 12. 12. Ezek. 8. 12.

V. 24. {unto you, &c.} Both ministers and people; or, unto you, even the rest; as vers. 13.

{not known, &c.} Are ignorant of those things they call the depths of God; as 1 Cor. 2. 10. but are indeed the depths of Satan. Or, not allowed; as Psal. 101. 4. Matth. 25. 12.

{none other burden} Denounce no further troubles against you, than what you suffer already. So prophecies of evils to come are called burdens, Isai. 13. 1. & 23. 1. Or, I will lay no other laws on you to live by, than what you have already received of the apostles, ver. 25. Acts 15. 28.

V. 25. {Hold fast} Chap. 3. 11.

{till I come} To the last, ver. 10. or, to the end, Matth. 24. 13. till my second coming, general or special, 1 Cor. 11. 26.

V. 26. {overcometh} See notes on ver. 7.

{my works} Enjoined to him by me. Or, such as I require, not as Jezebel teaches.

{power over the nations} To join with me in judging them at the last day, Psal. 149. 5, &c. 1 Cor. 6. 2. Jude vers. 14, 15.

V. 27. {And he shall rule them} Psal. 2. 9. Or, feed them; as Psal. 78. 71, 72. Mic. 5. 4. Mat. 2. 6. That is, rule them with a rod of iron, with a might and power irresistible, Psal. 110. 1. subduing and mauling to pieces all refractory and rebellious ones.

{as the vessels} Or, that as the vessels; as Psal. 2. 9.

{be broken to shivers} That is, utterly destroyed, without recovery, as earthen vessels broken are, Isa. 30. 14. Jer. 19. 11.

V. 28. {morning star} The full fruition of myself, cha. 22. 10. 2 Pet. 1. 19. Or, the next degree of glory to me, as the morning star is next the sun, Isa. 14. 12.

V. 29. See notes on vers. 7.

CHAPTER 3

Verse 1. {Angel} See notes on chap. 1. 20.

{Sardis} Look on chap. 1. 11.

{hath the seven Spirits} Chap. 4. 5. See notes on chap. 1. 4. He has the Spirit, either because the Spirit proceeds from Christ, and is therefore called his Spirit, Rom. 8. 9. or else because he sends the Spirit into the hearts of the elect, Joh. 15. 20. & 16. 14.

{hast a name, &c.} You are an hypocrite. You seem alive to the world, but are dead to God, 1 Tim. 5. 6. Or, you carry a show of some vigorousness and vivacity with you, but are indeed in a languishing condition, little better than dead, vers. 2. like that, 1 Cor. 3. 1. Or, you have a spiritual lethargy, or dead palsy, and are like a body some members whereof are dead, though not all, vers. 2.

V. 2. {Be watchful} Rouse up yourself, and shake off this lethargical disposition, Eph. 5. 14.

{the things which remain} Those graces which are not yet quite dead in you. Or, the rest: to wit, of your flock, that are in a languishing condition.

V. 3. {as a thief} Chap. 16. 15. Matth. 24. 43, 44. Luke 12. 39, 40. 1 Thess. 5. 2. 2 Pet. 3. 10. I will come upon you, who are secure, unexpectedly; as thieves come on men asleep.

V. 4. {a few names} A few men, Acts 1. 15. known to Christ by name.

{defiled their garments} Carried themselves wickedly in their lives, as the Balaamites have done, chap. 2. 14. Jude vers. 23.

{in white} In glory, as Matt. 17. 2. & 28. 3. In glorious raiment, such as great men in times of triumph and festivity used to wear, v. 5. Chap. 7. 14. Eccles. 9. 8.

{they are worthy} In my account; as Luke 20. 35. 2 Thess. 1. 5. and in comparison of the Nicolaitans, Chap. 2. 15. Or, meet and fit; as Mat. 3. 8. Eph. 4. 1.

V. 5. {in white} See v. 4.

{book of life} Chap. 20. 1. Phil. 2. 3. in which the names of the elect are written.

{I will confess} I will own and acknowledge him for such an one, as he has owned and acknowledged me, Matth. 10. 32. Mar. 7. 8. 38.

{angels} Matt. 16. 27. & 25. 31.

V. 6. {He that hath an ear} See notes on Chap. 2. 7.

V. 7. {Philadelphia} Look on Chap. 1. 11.

{key of David} Of the house of David, Isa. 22. 22. That is, of the church. A similitude borrowed from those that keep the keys of a city, castle or palace; the gates whereof therefore cannot be opened or shut, without their permission or direction, Neh. 7. 3. & 13. 19. So in the next verse he had opened a church door in Philadelphia, which none should be able to shut again, 1 Cor. 16. 9. 2 Cor. 2. 12.

V. 8. {I know} See notes on Chap. 2. 2.

{no man can shut it} You have adversaries, but none shall be able to take the Gospel from you. Or, none shall be able to stop or impeach the passage of it with you, 1 Cor. 16. 9.

V. 9. {synagogue of Satan} See notes on Chap. 2. 9. Worship before your feet: reverence you as one beloved of me, Isa. 60. 14. 1 Cor. 14. 24, 25.

V. 10. {thou hast kept} You have been patient, as my word commanded you, in troubles past. Or, have with much patience maintained and held fast the Christian profession.

{the word of my patience} Or, my word of patience. (As, My mountain of holiness, Isa. 56. 7. for, My holy mountain: his Son of love, Col. 1. 13. for his dearly beloved Son: his Word of power, Heb. 1. 3. for, his most powerful word.) The Gospel of Christ; so called, partly, because it teaches patience, (it is a doctrine of patience) and that in the highest degree: and partly, because the keeping of it requires patience; without which, and that in some good measure, the profession of it cannot be maintained so as it should, Luk. 21. 19. Heb. 10. 36.

{I will keep thee} Afford you immunity and freedom from those general persecutions and troubles which shall befall other churches.

{hour} It argues, both a set time, as John 7. 6. Mat. 27. 45. and a short time, as Mat. 27. 40.

{all the world} The most places of the known world, Luke 2. 1.

{to try} Who be sound, and who unsound; as 1 Cor. 11. 19. who will stick close to the truth, Chap. 2. 13. & 12. 11, 17. & 14. 12. Psal. 44. 17. and who flinch, and fall off, Matt. 13. 21. 2 Tim. 4. 12. Times of trouble, are times of trial, Psal. 66. 10. Rom. 5. 3, 4. Jam. 1. 2, 3, 12. 1 Pet. 1. 6, 7. & 4. 12.

V. 11. {I come quickly} Your troubles shall not last long. Or, it will not be long ere I come to call to account, Cha. 22. 12, 20. Heb. 10. 37. Jam. 5. 8, 9.

{which thou hast} The profession of the right religion.

{that no man take thy crown} That it be not taken away, Luke 12. 20.

{thy crown} The honor promised you, v. 9. Or, the heavenly glory promised to such as persevere, 1 Cor. 9. 24. Matth. 24. 13. See notes on Chap. 2. 10.

V. 12. {a pillar} He shall have an everlasting happiness in heaven. An allusion to 1 Kin. 7. 21.

{the Name of my God} He shall be openly acknowledged to be the child of God, Rom. 9. 26. 1 John 3. 1, 2. Mal. 3. 18. Heb. 11. 16.

{name of the city of my God} He shall be enrolled, as a free denizen and a citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem, Luke 10. 20. Eph. 2. 19. Phil. 3. 20. Heb. 12. 23.

{cometh down from heaven} Not of the earthly Jerusalem, but of that Jerusalem, the knowledge whereof is revealed to us from heaven: or, whose state is not from man, but from God in heaven; as Mat. 21. 25. Gal. 4. 26. Heb. 11. 10, 11. Chap. 21. 2.

{my new name} He shall be honored for a king and conqueror, like me; Phil. 2. 9. Or, he shall have a new name, of mine imposing or giving. See Isa. 65. 15.

V. 13. {He that hath an ear} See notes on Chap. 2. 7.

V. 14. {of the Laodiceans} Look on Chap. 1. 11. Or, in Laodicea.

{Amen} A name given to God, for his faithfulness and firmness, Isa. 65. 16.

{faithful and true witness} See on Chap. 1. 5.

{beginning of the creation} He that gave being to all creatures, Col. 1. 16, 17, 18. John 1. 3. or, he that has power over all creatures, Matth. 28. 18. Act. 10. 36. Rom. 9. 5. or, the author, founder and beginner of the new creation, Mat. 16. 18. 2 Cor. 5. 17. Eph. 2. 10. Ch. 21. 1, 5.

V. 15. {I know} See notes on Chap. 2. 2.

{neither cold nor hot} You stand indifferently affected; neither eager for the truth, nor an open adversary thereunto. Neither a zealous professor, nor a professed enemy to religion, but a neuter.

{I would thou wert} I would you would manifestly declare yourself, either for the one side or the other; as 1 Kings 18. 21. I should better brook you, if you did either: as the stomach can better brook meat either hot or cold, than lukewarm, between both.

V. 16. {I will spue} As the stomach casts up meat which it brooks not or abhors; so will I cast you off, as a loathsome thing, which my soul loathes and abhors. So Lev. 18. 27, 28. Isa. 1. 13, 14. Amos 6. 8. Zech. 11. 8.

V. 17. {Thou sayest} He taxes him for his pride and self-conceit, in bragging and vaunting himself, as if he had all manner of spiritual grace in abundance, and were not wanting in any kind of it; as Rom. 15. 14. Jam. 1. 4. Or, had made such a progress therein, that nothing needed to be added to that perfection that already he had attained: contrary to that, Phil. 3. 12, 15.

{knowest not} Are altogether ignorant of your own estate, as men naturally are wont to be, Rom. 7. 9.

{wretched} In a very lamentable plight, whatsoever you deem and dream of your happy condition; Jere. 4. 10. and 6. 14.

{poor} Or, beggarly. Like a beggar boasting of wealth, Prov. 13. 7.

{blind} Destitute of spiritual eyesight; Act. 26. 18. Eph. 1. 18. & 4. 18. 2 Pet. 1. 9. The reason why he is so mistaken in himself and his own estate.

{naked} Devested and stripped of all spiritual apparel and ornaments; Gen. 3. 7. Exod. 32. 25. Ezek. 23. 26.

V. 18. {I counsel} Christ's advice to him, to seek remedy against those spiritual evils, and supply of those spiritual wants, from himself, as the fountain whence all grace issues, Joh. 1. 16.

{gold} Spiritual grace, Jam. 2. 5. and true faith more precious than gold, 1 Pet. 1. 7.

{tried in the fire} Able to endure the trial of God's word and Spirit, Jer. 23. 29. 1 Cor. 3. 13. or, the fiery trial of affliction, Psa. 66. 10. 1 Pet. 4. 12.

{white raiment} Of which, Chap. 4. 4. & 19. 8. See vers. 4.

{shame of thy} That your defects and defaults be not discovered, and lie open to your disgrace; Exod. 32. 25. Ezek. 23. 29. Hos. 3. 9. Chap. 16. 15.

{eyesalve} Of the Spirit, or spiritual wisdom, Acts 26. 18. 2 Cor. 4. 6. Ephes. 1. 17, 18.

{see} And take notice of your own estate, how it fares with you; Jer. 3. 13.

V. 19. {As many as I love} Prov. 3. 12. Heb. 12. 6, 7.

{be zealous} And fervent, not lukewarm, as formerly, vers. 15, 16.

{and repent} See Chap. 2. 5.

V. 20. {I stand at the door} As attending and waiting, with much patience, Cant. 5. 2.

{and knock} At the door of men's consciences, both by outward means, and inward motions, Psal. 16. 7. as one desirous of admittance, Cant. 5. 2.

{hear my voice} Not give me bare hearing, but hearken to what I say, Joh. 5. 29. Heb. 3. 7. Psal. 97. 7.

{open} To receive and entertain me by faith; not in his house, but in his heart, Joh. 1. 11, 12.

{I will come in} I will unite myself to him, take up my lodging with him, and make mine abode in his soul, Isa. 57. 15. 2 Cor. 6. 16. 1 Joh. 4. 16.

{sup with him} Converse familiarly, cheerfully and comfortably with him, as friends use to feast and make merry one with another, Cant. 5. 1. John 14. 23. For their feasts were for the most part at supper-time, when their daily employments were over, Luke 24. 17. See Chap. 19. 9.

V. 21. {To him that overcometh} See Chap. 2. 7.

{to sit with me} To reign with me in grace here, in glory hereafter; Rom. 5. 21. & 8. 17. 2 Tim. 2. 12. Matth. 19. 28. Chap. 4. 4. & 5. 10. & 20. 4, 6. & 22. 5.

{I overcame} All difficulties that I was encountered with, in pursuit of the work by the Father assigned me, John 17. 4. Heb. 12. 2.

{in his throne} On the right hand of his Majesty, Mark 16. 19. Eph. 1. 20. Col. 3. 1. Heb. 1. 3. & 8. 1. & 10. 12. & 12. 2.

V. 22. {He that hath an ear} Look on Chap. 2. 7. Here is the conclusion of the first vision.

CHAPTER 4

Vers. 1. {After this} Immediately after the first vision: for all the Revelation was showed to him in one day, being the Lord's day, Chap. 1. 10.

{I looked} Desirous to see more of these glorious visions.

{a door opened} The heavens so opened, as if the door of some stately palace were set open, by which might be discovered such glorious sights as within it were to be seen. So Ezek. 1. 1. Mat. 3. 16. Act. 7. 56. & 10. 11.

{in heaven} Some take it for the church on earth, which is as heaven, in comparison of the rest of the world, and in, or for which, these things are to be fulfilled; as Chap. 12. 1. Others, for heaven itself, where God sits in majesty, and from whence these things were revealed to John, Psal. 115. 3.

{and the first voice, &c.} Or, and the former (as Cha. 2. 4.) voice which I heard as it were of a trumpet, talking with me, said, Come up, &c. See Chap. 1. 10.

{Come up hither} That he might see and hear the better, and not mistake by reason of distance. The same words, but for another end, are used, Chap. 11. 12.

{which must be hereafter} He comes to the third head mentioned, Chap. 1. 19. See notes there.

V. 2. {immediately I was in the Spirit} After some intermission, he was taken up into another spiritual rapture: or, spiritually carried up into heaven in a vision. See Chap. 1. 10.

{a throne was set in heaven} He sees God sitting on a throne above, that the things to come might be with the more solemnity revealed.

{one sat} God the Father appears to him in the form of a king on a throne, v. 8, 9, 10. chap. 5. 1. & 22. 1. It may be a representation of God's sitting in his church on earth, as King over it. Thus God appeared, Isa. 6. 1. Ezek. 1. 26. and 11. 22. Dan. 7. 9.

V. 3. {like a jasper, &c.} The church is compared to gold, Chap. 1. 20. God here, to some of the choicest gems in beauty and price, far beyond gold, Job 28. 15, 19. Jasper, A precious stone so termed, of its eminency in Hebrew. The last stone in the high-priest's breastplate, Exod. 28. 20. the first in the foundation of the heavenly Jerusalem, chap. 21. 19.

{sardine} Or, sardius. A precious stone so called, by the Greeks, from the city Sardis, about which plenty of them was: in Hebrew, Odam, of its deep red and bloody color: the first in the priest's breastplate, Exod. 28. 17. and the sixth in the foundation of the celestial city, chap. 21. 20.

{round about the throne} Over the top of it, Ezek. 1. 28.

{emerald} A precious stone of a deep green color: the fourth stone in the high-priest's breastplate, Exod. 28. 18. and in the foundation of the celestial Jerusalem, chap. 21. 19.

V. 4. {four and twenty seats} Twelve on the right hand, and twelve on the left.

{four and twenty elders} All God's saints of the Old and New Testament, comprehended under the twelve patriarchs and twelve apostles, Chap. 5. 8, 10.

{sitting} As reigning and judging together with Christ, Matt. 19. 28. 1 Cor. 6. 2, 3. chap. 2. 21.

{in white raiment} In token not of innocency only, but honor also and triumph; chap. 3. 4. & 7. 14.

{crowns} Tokens of royal state and glory; Psal. 21. 3. Cant. 3. 11. chap. 1. 6.

V. 5. {lightnings} Either to set out God's power in confounding the enemies of his church, Psal. 22. 12, 14. & 97. 3, 4. Or, his majesty in the revealing his will. Princes can do it but with trumpets on earth, God with thunder from heaven, Exod. 19. 16. So Ezek. 14. 13, 14. Psal. 51. 7.

{voices} An Hebraism, for loud sounds and cracks of thunder, Exo. 9. 23, 28. & 20. 18.

{lamps of fire} To show the illuminating works of the Spirit; Acts 2. 3. Eph. 1. 18. So Ezek. 1. 13.

{seven Spirits} See notes on chap. 1. 4.

V. 6. {a sea of glass} Whose water was clear, and transparent, as glass. This seems to have been as a stately footstool beneath the throne: a sea here, as the earth, Isai. 66. 1. Or, as a curious pavement both under and before the throne, like crystal, as that like sapphire, Exod. 24. 10. of which kind of stones some are blue or sky-colored, some are white as crystal. By it, some understand the Scriptures, or the word of God, as being full of perspicuous truths, guiding us to Godward, Psal. 19. 8. & 119. 105, 130.

{in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne} Two standing just against the midst of the throne, and one at each corner. Or else their bodies were underneath the throne, and their heads appeared without it, as some read it; Between the throne, and those things that were about the throne. And then the order is this: God the Father sitting on the throne: next, the Lamb, chap. 5. 6, 7. then, the Spirit of God, like lamps: then, the sea of the Scriptures: then, the four beasts or wights: after that, the four and twenty elders: lastly, the angels, compassing them in; chap. 5. 11. This was the majestical vision that John now saw.

{four beasts} Or, living wights. These represent the ministers of the Gospel, comprehended as it were in the four evangelists, chap. 5. 8, 10.

{full of eyes before and behind} To show the vigilant care of the pastor, Acts 20. 26, 28. Or, his looking forward to God sitting on the throne, and backward to his people, Heb. 2. 12.

V. 7. {And the first beast, &c.} Or, living wight. Under those representations, are set out the eminent gifts of the ministers of the New Testament. Some are like lions for courage, 2 Sam. 17. 20. Others, like oxen, for labor, Psal. 144. 14. Others, like men, for prudence in government, Job 35. 11. Prov. 30. 2. Others, like eagles, for deep insight into divine mysteries, Job 39. 28, 29.

V. 8. {six wings} To show how ready God's ministers ought to be to help every man committed to their charge: for the wings are just so many as the elders. See Isa. 6. 2.

{full of eyes within} As before, to look toward God, and behind toward their people; so within to look to themselves, Act. 20. 28. 1 Tim. 4. 16. Or, full of heavenly knowledge, and spiritual grace; Matth. 13. 52.

{rest not day and night, saying} Gr. have no rest, &c. They continually praise God, and set out the Trinity of Persons in the Godhead, and the supreme authority, unity of essence, omnipotency and eternity of God.

{Holy} Isa. 6. 3.

{which was} Chap. 1. 4.

V. 9. {give glory} Acknowledge that glory and honor that is in God, Psal. 29. 1, 2.

V. 10. {fall down before him} As unworthy to sit in his presence, Psa. 95. 6. & 99. 5.

{and worship him} Do as it were kiss his feet. The word originally is taken from dogs, that couch down when the master comes in, and lick his feet. They show the lowest signs of humility to God. See chap. 3. 9.

{cast their crowns} Not that they slight their glory conferred on them by God; but, whatsoever honor they have, they confess they had it from God, and are content to lay it down at his feet, and devest themselves of it, to do honor to him; John 3. 30. 2 Sam. 6. 11, 22. A real Amen to the words of the ministers, vers. 8. chap. 5. 13.

V. 11. {to receive glory, and honour, and power} Chap. 5. 12. To receive the praise of your power.

{for thou hast} The people must praise God understandingly, and give a reason why they do it.

{for thy pleasure} As they were made by you, so to do your will, and to bring glory to your Name, Prov. 16. 4. Rom. 11. 35. Or, by thy will they are; as chap. 12. 11. that is, by you alone all things are preserved, or kept in being, and were created; therefore all glory belongs to you, 1 Chron. 29. 11, 12, 14.

CHAPTER 5

Vers. 1. {In the right hand of him} Gr. at his right hand: Near unto him, so as none might lay hand on it, and meddle with it, without his leave. Here it is manifest, that God appeared unto John in the form of a man. Or, the book is in his right hand, to show, that none can know what is written in it, without his leave: Deut. 29. 29. Acts 1. 7.

{him that sat} Of whom, see cha. 4. 2.

{a book} An history of things concerning the church of God till Christ's second coming, as appears at the opening of the seals.

{written within and without} Gr. on the backside. The matter was so copious, that the inside of the book could not hold it; Ezek. 2. 10. A phrase taken from the manner of writing in rolls of parchment or paper; which, when the matter was so large as it could not be all written on the one side, they were fain sometime to write on the backside the residue. Some think, the things present were written on the one side, and the things to come on the other. Or, written within, and on the back side sealed, &c. So that the matter was written within, and the seals wherewith it was sealed up, affixed on the outside; to show, that none could look into it, or by human wisdom come to know what was contained in it: 1 Cor. 2. 9, 11. See Isa. 29. 11. Jer. 22. 11. Dan. 12. 2.

{with seven seals} It was divided into seven parts, and every part had a seal; as appears by the opening of each seal.

V. 2. {a strong angel} It may be the angel mentioned, Chap. 1. 1. whom Christ appointed to reveal these things to John. He is said to be strong, that he might speak so loud, that all men might hear him.

{Who is, &c.} This shows the great desire the angels have to search into those things which concern the church, 1 Peter 1. 12.

{Who is worthy} A free essay offered to all, but great worth required in him that should attempt it. The like speeches are used, Jer. 49. 19. Matt. 14. 45. 2 Cor. 2. 16.

V. 3. {no man in heaven, &c.} That is, no man at all; for all men are in one of these places, vers. 13. Phil. 2. 10. The angel takes their not answering, or not appearing, for an acknowledgment of their inability, or indignity, or both. So Isa. 41. 28, 29.

{to look thereon} Or, therein. For John looked on it, vers. 1. The sense is: No man was judged worthy to know or publish these great mysteries.

V. 4. {I wept much} John thought them to be weighty, and therefore grieves much that they may not be made known.

V. 5. {one of the elders} One of the elders is employed to comfort John. Mean persons sometimes are used for the benefit and support of greater, Act. 18. 26. So an angel is sent to strengthen Christ, Gen. 49. 9.

{the lion of the tribe of Judah} Christ, the Messias, the powerful King of the church, Luke 22. 43.

{the Root of David} One of the seed of David, Matt. 1. 1. Rom. 1. 3. Not the root from whence David sprang, but a branch that sprang from David, as from a root, Isa. 11. 1. Act. 13. 23. chap. 22. 16. and yet from whom, as from a root, or a branch that has still a principle of life in it, and a power to convey the same also to others, life and health spiritual accrue also to David; Matth. 22. 43.

{hath prevailed} Is able to do it; both to dive themselves into it, and the mysteries contained in it, and to make them known to others; John 5. 20. But spoken, as of one that has attained to do that which many have in vain strived to attain. Gr. overcome.

V. 6. {in the midst of the throne} Or, within the compass of it; between the throne and the four wights. See notes on chap. 4. 6. Christ stands between God and us, as a mediator, 1 Tim. 2. 5.

{a lamb} Willingly submitting himself to God the Father, to be a sacrifice for us, John 1. 29. 1 Pet. 1. 19.

{As it had been slain} By some resemblance of his wounds, or the scar of some deadly wound; as Joh. 20. 25, 27. This signifies his intercession for us, by the virtue of his death, Rom. 8. 34. Heb. 9. 12, 25. and 10. 24.

{having seven horns, and seven eyes} Protecting and guiding his church, by the power and wisdom of his Spirit, showed it in the gifts given to his servants on earth. Seven, a number of perfection. Horns signify power, Dan. 7. 24. eyes, knowledge or wisdom, Isa. 35. 5. Both joined together, argue a fullness and perfection of power, Matt. 28. 18. and wisdom in Christ, Col. 2. 3, 9. So that we have here a lively representation of the threefold office of Christ. His sacerdotal, or priestly, in the lamb as slain: his royal or princely, in the horns; his prophetical office, in the eyes.

{seven Spirits} See notes on chap. 1. 4.

{sent out} To descry what is done, enterprised, or intended in any part of the world, that is or may be advantageous for, or prejudicial to the good and safety of his church; Prov. 15. 3. 2 Chro. 16. 9. Zech. 4. 10.

V. 7. {took the book} To unseal it, and publish the contents of it; Chap. 6. 1.

V. 8. {when he had taken the book} The worthiness of the Lamb to take the book, and hope of publishing it, is the occasion of the following song.

{the four beasts} Or, living wights; as chap. 4. 6. First, the ministers and people of God, who have a share in the benefits following, praise Christ their Savior: then the angels, who shall enjoy their society forever, verse 11. lastly, all creatures, which shall be freed from vanity also, Rom. 8. 20, 21. vers. 13. In the end, the ministers, as beseems them, confirm the song of the angels and creatures with a verbal Amen, and the people with a real one, vers. 14.

{fell down before the Lamb} Worshipped him, as God. See vers. 10.

{harps} These instruments, and their song, show their cheerful thankfulness. So Chap. 15. 2, 3. An allusion to the solemn service of God in the ancient church; 1 Chron. 25. 3, 6, 7. Psal. 98. 5.

{golden vials} An allusion to the censers or perfuming pots used in the tabernacle and temple, Num. 4. 14. 1 Kings 7. 50. Said to be of gold, such as those were that belonged to the altar of incense; called the golden altar, chap. 8. 2. 1 King. 7. 50. Heb. 9. 4. for the other, belonging to the burnt-offerings, were of brass, Num. 16. 39. as the altar also itself was, Exo. 27. 2. 2 Chro. 4. 1.

{full of odours} Containing matter of atonement and gracious acceptance; as Exod. 30. 2–10. Num. 16. 46, 48. not of wrath and indignation, as those, chap. 8. 5. & 15. 7. See chap. 8. 4. Or, of incense: The prayers of God's people, which are sweet to him, as incense is to us, an allusion to the incense offered on the golden altar, Exod. 30. 13. Psal. 141. 2. Mal. 1. 11. Rev. 1. 3.

{of saints} This shows, that the living wights and elders represent the ministers and people worshipping God here on earth, their spiritual employment being to offer up unto God prayers, Heb. 13. 15.

V. 9. {A new song} Made on occasion of a new benefit; Psal. 33. 3. & 40. 3. & 96. 1. & 98. 1.

{for thou wast slain} We have reason to account you worthy to do it, because you have shed your blood to redeem us and prefer us; 1 Pet. 1. 18, 19.

{redeemed us} It appears that those four living wights do not represent the angels, as those, Ezek. 1. 5. but men redeemed by the blood of Christ, 2 Pet. 1. 18, 19. Act. 20. 28.

{out of every kindred} No nation, sex, sort of men, state or condition, being excluded from salvation purchased by Christ; 2 Cor. 12. 13. Gal. 3. 28. Col. 3. 11. chap. 7. 9.

V. 10. {kings and priests} 1 Pet. 2. 9. See notes on chap. 1. 6.

{we shall reign on earth} Over our spiritual enemies, Satan, the world, and our own lusts, even in this world, while we live here; cha. 12. 11. Rom. 16. 20. 1 John 5. 4. Tit. 2. 12. Or, it may signify the prosperous times of the church under Christian kings and emperors; Dan. 7. 27. Psal. 37. 11. Matt. 5. 5. Hence it appears also, that the living wights are ministers, and the elders of the people, in the visible church here on earth.

V. 11. {round about the throne} God is attended by millions of angels, as kings are by many nobles and attendants, Dan. 7. 10.

{and the beasts} Or, living wights; as before. The angels compass God's ministers about also, and his people, to protect them, Psal. 34. 7. & 91. 11, 12. chap. 4. 6.

{ten thousand times ten thousand} Dan. 7. 10.

V. 12. {to receive power} To have all honor and praise given to him, as to the mightiest, wisest, &c. as chap. 4. 11. & 7. 12.

V. 13. {And every creature} A catholic confession of Christ's divine nature and power. The unreasonable and senseless creatures are brought in as persons praising him; which they ought to do, if they could; as Psal. 148. 3. and in some sort do it, by their course constantly continued, wherein he has settled them, their serviceableness to himself, and to those that be his, Psal. 19. 1, 2, 3, 4. & 119. 90, 91. & 104. 2–18. & 148. 8. and withal rejoicing in their hopeful expectation of delivery from that vanity which they are now subject unto, Rom. 8. 21.

{and unto the Lamb} The saints speak unto Christ directly: Thou art worthy, vers. 9. for they had a part in redemption, and things revealed. But the angels and others speak of him, as of one worthy to be praised for doing this for others: Worthy is the Lamb, vers. 12. and, Unto the Lamb, vers. 13.

V. 14. {four beasts} Or, living wights. It became the ministers first, and in express words, to give consent to this heavenly and earthly music.

{fell down} Thus they really, by silent, but pregnant signs, show their consent. So Chap. 4. 10. They fell down once before, vers. 8. but it seems they rose again, when they had done and finished their song, vers. 9, 10.

CHAPTER 6

Vers. 1. {One of the seals} The first; as Matt. 28. 1. for the second seal is opened, vers. 3.

THE FIRST SEAL.

{as the noise of thunder} To strike with the greater admiration, and to procure attention. So Cha. 14. 2. & 19. 6.

{one of the four beasts} Or, living wights; as chap. 4. 6, 7. See vers. 3. To wit, that like a lion, chap. 4. 7.

V. 2. {a white horse} An horse, because the horse is a warlike creature, Prov. 21. 31. white, in sign of triumph: for the Romans, when they rode in triumph, had white horses to ride on, or to draw their chariots. So great ones also on white beasts, Judg. 5. 10.

{he that sat on him} Christ, of whom, Psal. 45. 4. Cha. 19. 11.

{had a bow} Christ had power to kill his enemies, as well afar off, as near at hand, either with the pestilence, or other ways, Psal. 91. 1, 5. Others understand it of the preaching of the Gospel, whereby Christ makes his enemies to stoop to him, Psal. 45. 5.

{a crown was given to him} In token of victory, 1 Cor. 9. 24. 2 Tim. 2. 5.

{conquering} He had begun to conquer already, and should conquer yet further. See the like phrase, Gen. 26. 13.

V. 3. {the second beast} Or, living wight, cha. 4. 7. That like an ox or a calf. The second minister. See chap. 4. 6.

THE SECOND SEAL.

{Come, and see} Though we may not dive into God's secret judgments without leave; yet may we freely so do, when we are called thereunto.

V. 4. {horse that was red} In token of war, which abounds commonly with fire and bloodshed, Isa. 9. 5. & 63. 1, 3.

{from the earth} From the Roman Empire, not from the church; for it is called heaven in this book. Or, from the whole inhabited and known world.

{kill one another} By wars; which the Roman emperors did, and the people under them. God sends this judgment on the world, for their refusing of the Gospel, and their abusing, and wronging of those that preached and professed it.

{a great sword} For the war was to be great, and stretched far. So Isa. 27. 1.

V. 5. {third beast} Or, living wight. That like a man, chap. 4. 7. See notes on vers. 3.

THE THIRD SEAL.

{a black horse} A note of famine, which makes men's faces black, Lam. 4. 7, 8.

{a pair of balances} Or, a beam; to wit, of a balance, with scales hanging at either end, to weigh corn in, like spices. This argues a great dearth; for corn should not then be measured out by the bushel, or like measure, as it used to be; but sold as by weight. So bread used to be weighed in times of scarcity, Levit. 26. 26. Ezek. 4. 16. Of such a famine, read Act. 11. 28. Howbeit, some make this an emblem of justice, which is wont to be so deciphered, as weighing out and disposing things according to due and exact proportion, and to intimate a severe execution of justice; the blackness of the horse being a sign of severity; which they suppose to have been fulfilled under Alexander Severus, a man in that kind exceeding strict. See Lampridius, in his life.

V. 6. {a voice in the midst of the four beasts} Christ's voice, chap. 5. 6.

{a measure} Gr. a choenix. The word signifies, a measure, containing one wine-quart, and the twelfth part of a quart. It was the usual allowance in bread of a slave for one day.

{for a penny} The Roman denarius, the same with the Greek drachma: the fourth part of the Hebrew shekel was about seven pence, or seven pence half-penny, of our money. And it seems to have been the wages of an hireling, or day-laborer; Matt. 20. 9. and a common soldier's daily pay. It must needs go hard with him, when all his wages must go for bread.

{and three measures of barley} Being the coarser grain. See 2 Kin. 7. 1.

{see that thou hurt not the oil and the wine} Or, in oil and wine see that thou deal not unjustly, or, do no wrong; vers. 5. Some think, Christ takes care here to have some provision left for his church. Others because there is a scarcity of things necessary, as corn, and some things left for comfort, as oil and wine; do conceive, that the poor were to perish now by the famine, and the rich reserved for the pestilence following, vers. 8. Or, the words may contain a warning to those that dealt in these commodities, to be exactly just.

V. 7. {fourth beast} Or, living wight. That like an eagle, Chap. 4. 7. See notes on vers. 3.

THE FOURTH SEAL.

V. 8. {a pale horse} Because death makes men pale.

{hell} Or, the grave. Though the bodies of these wicked men went to the grave, for contemning and abusing the Gospel; so it is not unlikely that their souls also went to hell.

{unto them} Or, to him: that is, death.

{fourth part of the earth} It went over all the earth, as the rest did; but killed only the fourth part of men, where it came.

{with sword, &c.} These often go together, Ezek. 14. 21. Jer. 14. 12. These all followed the invasion of the Roman Empire by the Goths, Huns and Vandals.

{with death} That is, with the pestilence, or mortality, as we term it, 1 Cor. 11. 30.

V. 9. {under the altar} As beasts newly slain for sacrifices, Exo. 29. 12. Or, in a sure place, free from danger, 1 Kin. 1. 50.

THE FIFTH SEAL.

{were slain} Under the Roman emperors.

{for the word of God} Which they preached and professed, even to death, Chap. 2. 10, 26.

V. 10. {they cried with a loud voice} Not that the martyrs themselves desired vengeance to be inflicted by God on their cruel persecutors, whom, after Christ their master's example, Luke 23. 24. they requested God rather to forgive, Acts 7. 60. but, that their blood cried aloud to God for speedy vengeance, together with the cruelty itself exercised upon them, Gen. 4. 10. Hab. 2. 11. Heb. 12. 24.

{holy and true} Who being holy and pure, can not endure to see such impiety and iniquity, Hab. 1. 13. being true of your word, can not but make it good, but by putting it in execution against such, Psal. 54. 5.

{judge and avenge} Hear our cause, and do us right, 2 Thess. 1. 11. Give sentence for us, and cause that sentence to be put into execution, Psal. 26. 1. & 7. 8, &c.

V. 11. {And white robes were given to every one of them} Their innocency was cleared, and they made perfectly happy. See notes on cha. 3. 4.

{rest for a little season} For a strange alteration was shortly after to ensue, as appeared on the opening of the next seal, vers. 12.

{as they were} Gr. even as they. Or, as themselves also were.

{should be fulfilled} Until the full sum and number of them should be complete, and the malice and cruelty of the adverse party come to his full height; that so the vengeance of God might in his appointed time also come upon their persecutors to the full. So Gen. 15. 16. Matt. 23. 32. 1 Thess. 2. 16.

V. 12. {a great earthquake, &c.} The troubles that were to befall the Roman Empire, and strange alterations therein, are set out figuratively, by the shaking of the earth, and confusion of the heavenly bodies; as often in the prophets such alterations are described, Isai. 13. 9, 10, 11. Jer. 4. 23. Ezek. 32. 7, 8. Joel 2. 10. Hagg. 2. 21, 22. This was fulfilled, when Dioclesian the great persecutor gave over his empire, Galerius was eaten with worms, Maximinus his flesh was rotted away, and his eyes fell out, Maxentius and Licinius fell both before Constantine, by whom God not only put an end to the persecutions of his people, but settled also the profession of Christianity in the empire: whereupon, the great princes, and idolatrous captains, seeing their idols contemned, their altars despised, their temples deserted, and the Christian religion prevailing, in spite of them, and all their designs and attempts to the contrary, grew desperate, and at their wits' end, and sought which way to shift for themselves. For of such persons it is interpreted, vers. 15.

THE SIXTH SEAL.

{the sun became black} Which is the brightest creature in the world. It argues a strange mutation in the Roman Empire, as the rest do also. So Joel 2. 31. Blackness is a symbol of mourning, great confusion and astonishment, Joel 2. 6.

{as sackcloth of hair} Their sackcloth was black, as appears by tents made of it, Cant. 1. 5. It was made of black goat hair.

{the moon became as blood} A strange sight and change, that the pale-faced moon should look red like blood; Joel 2. 31. Acts 2. 20.

V. 13. {fell} Seemed to fall out of heaven down to the ground in this vision; as Chap. 12. 4. which of stars themselves, being such vast bodies as they are, (though by reason of the distance it appear not) cannot be imagined. So Isa. 34. 4.

{untimely figs} Or, green figs: Which fall, before the other succeeding them shoot out.

V. 14. {heaven} No state so high or lofty, but was made to stoop and give way at Christ's presence and appearance in judgment, Chap. 20. 11. Isa. 34. 4.

{as a scroll} Gr. book.

{rolled together} An allusion to the manner or fashion of books then in use, which were wont to be rolled up, as our inventories, and were thence also called volumes, Isa. 8. 1. Jer. 36. 2. So Isai. 34. 4. Which also, being rolled up, were brought into a narrower compass; nor did the things written in them then appear.

{every mountain} Nothing so firm, or so surely grounded, but was shaken, and enforced to give ground, Psal. 18. 7. & 68. 8. & 114. 4. Isa. 64. 1, 3. Hab. 3. 6. Zech. 4. 7.

{island} Or, sea-coast: as Isai. 23. 2. Jer. 25. 22. Or, land, or, country: as Isa. 20. 6. & 41. 1. No land or region so remote, that the alteration and terror thence ensuing did not reach unto, Psal. 65. 8. Isa. 41. 5. & 49. 1.

V. 15. {hid themselves} Isa. 2. 10. The great men were as much troubled and dismayed, as if they had seen Christ visibly coming to judgment; and, seeking to hide themselves from him, should utter such words full of affrightment and despair, as are set down in the verses following. Fulfilled, as in others, so especially in Dioclesian, who, summoned to appear before Constantine, made himself away with poison; and Maximian his second in the empire, who did the like with an halter; both of them having before, from an imperial state, as running into some secret nook or corner, betaken themselves to a private and obscure course of life, wherein also they could not find shelter or security sufficient. Also in Maximinus, who, having his discomfiture by Licinius, escaped very narrowly, by hiding himself among the mixed and mean multitude, and after shut himself up in his house, while his forces reinforced were again in the field, was there smitten by the hand of God, and, notwithstanding his acknowledgment of his wrongs done unto, and cruelty exercised upon Christians, and revocation of his former bloody edicts against them, ended his days in such manner as is above mentioned. In Maxentius likewise, that for a time counterfeited himself a Christian; who, being overcome in fight of Constantine, and seeking, by flight from him, to save his life, was drowned in the river Tiber. And lastly, in Licinius, who having oft changed his copy, one while for Christians, another while against them; one while assisting Constantine against the other persecuting tyrants, another while conspiring with the like against him; and after feigned submission and reconciliation, falling off again from him, and making head against him, was at length slain in the field, and so came to his end.

V. 16. {and said} Hos. 10. 8. Luke 23. 30. The voices of men in a most desperate condition, as not caring what became of them, so they might avoid the sight of so dreadful a judge.

{of him that sitteth} God revealing himself as a judge on the bench, by those direful and dreadful judgments that befell either themselves, or others in their sight. See Chap. 4. 2.

{wrath of the lamb} Though a lamb sacrificed for sin, and in regard of mildness to them, Chap. 5. 6. yet as dreadful as a lion, to those that had wronged him in them, whose hearts began now to smite them for their wrongs done to them; and as powerful and wrathful, to take vengeance upon them for the same, chap. 5. 5. & 1. 7. Amos 1. 2. & 3. 8.

V. 17. {the great day} The day of vengeance, which the blood of martyrs called upon, and cried so loud for, vers. 10. So Isa. 34. 6, 8. Joel 2. 1, 2, 31.

{Who is} Psal. 76. 7. Num. 24. 23. Mal. 3. 2.

CHAPTER 7

Vers. 1. {After these things} After the former six seals opened, and the events thereof above specified, Chap. 6. and before the seventh seal opened, and the trumpets thereupon delivered and sounded, chap. 8. 1, 2, 6.

{four angels} Some understand it of bad angels, which restrained the gentle winds of God's word and Spirit from refreshing his servants. An allusion to Can. 4. 16. Joh. 3. 8. Act. 2. 2, 3. Others, of good angels, appointed by God, either to hold back or let loose the winds of wars and troubles, that from all parts of the world might fall in upon the Roman Empire, Jer. 18. 17. & 49. 36. & 51. 1, 2. Dan. 7. 2, 3.

{standing on the four corners of the earth} Ready to do what the trumpet, being sounded, should give warning to be done.

{holding the four winds} This shows the power given unto them.

{on the earth, on the sea, nor on any tree} These are the things that use to be hurt by winds: the earth, by earthquakes, 1 Kin. 19. 11. Amos 1. 1. Matth. 24. 7. or, overthrow of houses built on it, Job 4. 19. Mat. 7. 27. The sea, by storms, Jonah 1. 4. Matth. 8. 24. Act. 27. 14. The trees, by blasting, renting and extirpation, Gen. 41. 6. Ezek. 17. 10. & 19. 12. Others, understand men dwelling on the firm land, or in the islands and sea-coasts, or in the more woody and wilder parts. See Chap. 9. 4.

V. 2. {another angel} Most take it for Christ, who is the keeper of God's great seal; Some, for an inferior angel, appointed to set God's mark on his servants. Others interpret it of Constantine restraining, and inhibiting the former persecutions of God's people.

{ascending} Or, coming from; Matth. 24. 17. An Hebraism, as 2 King. 12. 18. Jerem. 34. 21. & 37. 5. Chap. 13. 1. and 20. 9. but alluding withal to the course of the sun, who rises higher and higher in his approach from the eastern parts to usward.

{from the east} Whence comfortable tidings are said usually to come, Isaiah 41. 2. because from thence arises light, Luke 1. 78.

{the seal of the living God} With God's name on it, to set on the foreheads of God's servants, Chap. 14. 1.

{with a loud voice} To show his power and authority, and withal, to manifest the danger that might ensue, if the thing enjoined were not instantly and suddenly done. So Gen. 22. 11.

{to hurt the earth} By letting forth the winds of war and troubles upon the world. See vers. 1.

V. 3. {Hurt not the earth} Let there be peace and quietness in the Roman Empire. This was fulfilled in Constantine's time, and after.

{the earth, &c.} See vers. 1.

{till we have sealed} He alludes to the sealing mentioned, Ezek. 9. 4. wherewith some were sealed, that they might be safe and secured, as having their lives given them for a prey in the time of destruction, that was then shortly to ensue, Jer. 15. 11. & 39. 17, 18. & 45. 5. Hereby showing, that God would take care for his, when wars and troubles should come, that they might be as safe as things sealed by a seal royal, which no subject dare meddle with, Dan. 6. 17. Matth. 27. 66. See Chap. 3. 10. And indeed, had not God strangely preserved them, when by the invasion of barbarous nations, the Roman Empire was so sorely shaken and shattered, the church of God had even utterly perished.

{we have sealed} To show the greatness of the work. One was not sufficient to mark so many thousands.

V. 4. {of all the tribes} Some understand this of all the faithful in general, the whole Israel of God, Gal. 6. 16. all that belong to salvation, Act. 13. 48. and that are to be delivered from eternal destruction, 1 Thess. 1. 10. as those in Egypt from the sword of the destroying angel, Exod. 12. 7, 13. Heb. 11. 20. and so these should be the same with those mentioned, vers. 9. Others, of such faithful only as were by a special providence to be preserved in those times of public concussion and calamity, said therefore, by a solemn sign, to be marked out and sealed, which the other multitude, living in other aftertimes, needed not, nor is affirmed of them, vers. 9. Again, others understand it of Jews or Israelites by natural descent; but some such as are hereafter to be converted, Rom. 11. 26. Others, of those of that nation, who retained the Christian profession (as many no doubt did) even in those times; Rom. 11. 1, 2. Act. 2. 41, 47. and 44. and 21. 20. who yet are here reckoned by a definite number, though put for an indefinite; as numerable, in comparison of the Gentile converts, which are said to be innumerable, vers. 9. and are sorted out according to the number of their tribes, to show, that no faithful, of what sort or rank soever, were excluded from having part in this privilege. Of such sure, whether Jews by birth, or others, it must be understood, as were to live in the times of the terrible trumpets ensuing, for whose security and indemnity, this stay was made of their sounding upon the seventh seal opened, Chap. 8. 1, 2, 6.

V. 5. {Of the tribe of Judah} The tribe of Dan is supposed to be omitted, because by idolatry they fell from the people of God, Judg. 18. 30. 1 Kin. 12. 28, 29.

V. 7. {Of the tribe of Levi} This tribe is added, to make good the place void by the defection of Dan: and to show, that God's ministers, though they had no part in the land of Canaan, yet have part in God's protection here, Chap. 3. 7, 10. and shall have a portion in heaven hereafter, Dan. 12. 3.

V. 8. {Of the tribe of Joseph} That is, Ephraim, who, though he were not the eldest son, yet he is preferred before Manasseh, Gen. 48. 13, 14, 19.

{of the tribe of Benjamin} The tribes are not here reckoned in that order they are in the Old Testament; but as it were promiscuously, to show, that in Christ there is no respect of persons, Acts 10. 34, 35. Gal. 3. 28. Col. 3. 11.

V. 9. {a great multitude} Some take this to be an exposition of what was said before, vers. 4. and those sealed ones to be here meant. Others take it to be meant of a multitude of Gentiles added to the Israelites. See the notes on vers. 4.

{no man could number} Innumerable, in comparison of the former, v. 4. So Gen. 15. 5. Heb. 11. 12.

{of all nations} Not sorted out by tribes, as those before, vers. 4. because of so many several nations, kindreds and countries out of which they were called and gathered into the church, Chap. 5. 9.

{stood} Sat not now, as the elders, Chap. 4. 4. but stood, as presenting themselves, after their conflicts and conquests, Chap. 15. 2. before God and Christ, Chap. 4. 2. by whose power and providence they had been preserved, and enabled to overcome and persevere, Chap. 12. 11. Rom. 8. 37.

{with white robes} See Chap. 3. 4. and 6. 11.

{palms in their hands} In token that they were sure of victory: for palm-branches did men use to bear in triumph, and at festivities, Joh. 12. 3.

V. 10. {with a loud voice} As desirous that all men might hear their thankfulness to God; 1 Chron. 15. 16. Psalm. 66. 8, 16. and shouting aloud for joy, Psalm. 140. 5.

{Salvation to our God} The praise of our deliverance belongs to our God; for we cannot deliver, nor could have delivered ourselves, v. 12. Psal. 3. 8. Joh. 2. 9.

{unto the Lamb} By whom God saved us, Chap. 12. 11.

V. 11. {angels} Ministering spirits, Heb. 1. 14.

{round about the throne} As attending on God; Dan. 7. 10. See notes on Chap. 5. 8, 11.

{and about the elders} About them, as a guard, Psal. 34. 7. 2 Kings 6. 16, 17.

{fell before the throne} See notes on Cha. 4. 10.

V. 12. {Amen} They confirm the praise given God by the saints, v. 10. and then explain and enlarge it further, concluding with Amen again.

{blessing, &c.} See Chap. 5. 12.

V. 13. {one of the elders} See Chap. 5. 5.

{answered} Spoke, as Matth. 11. 25. or, answered his doubt, though not his words.

V. 14. {thou knowest} I know not; but desire to know of you.

{came out of great tribulation} Have suffered much for the cause of Christ, Acts 14. 22.

{made them white} Are cleansed from the guilt of their sins, not by their sufferings, but by the blood of Christ, chap. 1. 5. by the virtue whereof also they obtained the victory, chap. 12. 11.

V. 15. {before the throne of God} Admitted to a near attendance upon God, Deut. 10. 8.

{day and night} Continually. An allusion to the Levites' service and watching, Psal. 134. 1.

{shall dwell among them} Or, overshadow them: or, spread a tent over them. For defense and protection. See Isai. 4. 5. Psal. 31. 20. chap. 21. 3.

V. 16. {they shall hunger no more} Isai. 49. 10. & 65. 13. They shall be brought to a condition free from all want, Psal. 34. 10. and 84. 11.

{the sun light on them} They shall then be free from all annoyances and distempers, Psal. 105. 39. & 121. 6. Isa. 49. 10.

V. 17. {in the midst} Chap. 5. 6.

{shall feed them} Shall provide for their souls, till he bring them to full happiness, Psal. 23. 1, 2.

{and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes} Chap. 21. 4. Isaiah 25. 8. He shall give them so much joy, that they shall forget all their troubles, and shall have no cause to grieve ever after. John 16. 20, 22.

CHAPTER 8

Vers. 1. {Silence in heaven, about the space of half an hour} Some interpret it of the small time of cessation and rest, which the church had in Constantine's time. Others, that John and the rest seeing nothing, as they did after the opening of the other seals, stood silent, admiring at it, and expecting greater matters to be revealed. Others, think it an allusion to the silence that used to be in the temple, while the incense was offering, Luke 1. 10. whereas they blew trumpets, and sung, while the sacrifice was offered, 2 Chro. 29. 27. And so this silence may seem to have lasted, till the incense and odors, hereafter mentioned, were all consumed, vers. 4.

THE SEVENTH SEAL.

V. 2. {seven angels, which stood before God} Attended upon him; as Dan. 7. 10. chap. 7. 11.

{to them were given} They were appointed by God to blow the trumpets, and stood ready so to do, whensoever he should bid them.

{seven trumpets} To blow God's alarm against the ungrateful world, and thereby to give warning of the vials of his wrath, to be poured forth on such as would not be amended by the judgments now denounced. They are seven blowing one after another, to show God's patience, who is unwilling to pour out his wrath all at once, Psal. 78. 38.

V. 3. {another angel} Some take it for Christ, who offers up the prayers of the saints to God, mixed with the precious odors of his merits, Ephes. 5. 2. Others, for Constantine, whom God honored so much, as to make him an instrument, as of giving liberty to the faithful for the public exercise of God's worship, and prayers, more acceptable to God, than any incense or offering, Psal. 69. 31. & 141. 2. Mal. 1. 11. so also of that peace and rest which they had formerly long prayed for, and of vengeance executed on their cruel persecutors and oppressors, which the souls under the altar had so earnestly cried for, Chap. 6. 10. See vers. 5. It may well seem to be some special minister of church or state (for it was none of those four living wights, Chap. 4.) rather than Christ himself, because the incense or odors are said to be given to him, not to be his own, or to have them of himself.

{having a golden censer} As the high priest had, to offer incense; Heb. 9. 4. see chap. 5. 8.

{there was given unto him much incense} That is, as some, he had power given him to preach to the people the merits of Christ's death, which should make their prayers pleasing to God. Or, he found that grace and favor with God, through Christ, to be a means of doing that which should manifest, that their prayers had prevailed, and found acceptance with God; as Acts 10. 4, 31.

{that he should offer it with the prayers} Or, add it to the prayers. That he should pray with and for the people in the name of Christ; or, procure a gracious answer to their prayers. An allusion to the people's continuing in prayer, while the priest offered incense, Luke 1. 10.

{upon the golden altar} Such as was the altar of incense; so called, Numb. 4. 11. because overlaid with gold, Exod. 30. 3.

{which was before the throne} As that in the temple stood before the ark, Exod. 30. 6. on which God is said to sit, as on a chair of estate, Psalm 80. 1.

V. 4. {ascended up before God} A sign that God did accept their service, Psalm 142. 2. Phil. 4. 18.

V. 5. {took the censer} The same in which he had offered up the incense with the prayers of the saints, ver. 4. whereby it appears, that the prayers by this angel presented, were as well for vengeance on the bloody persecutors of God's people, as for peace and rest to them: See ver. 3.

{filled it} To show the greatness of the judgments to come.

{with fire} Gr. of the fire; as chap. 2. 17. Or, out of the fire; Jude 23. For he took not away all the fire from the altar.

{of the altar} An allusion to Levit. 16. 12, 13. where the fire that the incense was to be kindled with, was commanded to be taken from the altar of burnt-offerings, where it was continually burning, Levit. 6. 12, 13. else were it strange fire, Levit. 10. 1. This altar of burnt-offerings is alluded to chap. 6. 9. and withal, here may well be an allusion to that handful of coals of fire taken from off the altar, and scattered, in token of God's wrath upon the city, Ezek. 10. 2, 6, 7.

{and cast it into the earth} Or, upon the earth; as ver. 7. chap. 9. 3. Matth. 26. 10. A sign of judgments to come on wicked men, Ezek. 10. 2, 7.

{and there were voices} Or, then; as Mat. 23. 32. Some take the voices and thunderings to be all one: see chap. 4. 5. and thereby to be signified, God's acceptance of the prayers of the saints mentioned, ver. 3. because God used to answer his people with thunders, Psalm 8. 1, 7. John 12. 28, 29. Others make a gradation: Thunders exceed men's voices, lightning destroys many creatures and buildings; but the earthquake threatens to rent the earth, as if hell opened her mouth to receive men: and they will have these terms to signify terrible judgments, and such as cannot be prevented, as punishments coming from heaven, and out of the earth, can by no skill or power of man be avoided. See Isa. 24. 18.

{and an earthquake} A forerunner of great troubles, chap. 6. 12.

V. 6. {And the seven Angels} They are all said to prepare themselves at once, though they sounded one after another, that there may not need a repetition of this preparation at every sounding. Or, to show they were all ready to sound, when God should command. Or, to declare the certainty of sounding the rest, as well as the first. Or, because in the vision they were all to sound suddenly one after another, though there were more distance of time in execution.

{prepared themselves to sound} Seeing by the signs, ver. 5. the time was nigh, they set the trumpets to their mouths. God gave some time for men to repent, between the denunciation and execution of the judgments.

V. 7. {hail and fire} Which in those hotter regions go usually together. So Exod. 9. 22, 23. Psalm 18. 12, 13. and 105. 22, 23. and 148. 8.

{mingled with blood} Both the hail and fire were mingled with blood; for the word is plural in the Greek. By fire is meant lightnings, Psalm 18. 12, 13. Blood is added, to show that this storm or tempest tended to slaughter. A terrible judgment. What the hail did not beat down, the fire burnt up; and what the fire left, the blood corrupted. See the like, Joel 1. 4. Some interpret it of the bitter contentions in the church after the Nicene Council. Others, of the Arian heresies, and persecution following it. Others, of the invasion of the Roman Empire, after it was turned Christian, by the Goths and Vandals: for by such signs war is signified, Isa. 28. 2. and 30. 30, 31, 32. It is conceived commonly, that the last interpretation is the truest, and that shall be proportionably pursued in the trumpets following.

THE FIRST TRUMPET.

{upon the earth} Upon the Roman Empire, so that they shook the foundation of it.

{the third part} That the rest might repent, before all were destroyed.

{of trees} Of the princes, and great men in the empire, a third part, or great number, was destroyed in those invasions. So trees are taken, Isa. 2. 13. and 14. 8. and 37. 24. Zech. 11. 2.

{all green grass} Most of the meaner sort of men, Isa. 37. 27.

V. 8. {as it were} This shows, that John did not see the things themselves here named, but resemblances of them.

THE SECOND TRUMPET.

{a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea} An allusion to the burning of Etna or Vesuvius, or the like hills, that, breaking out with flames, run down into the neighbor seas. So Isa. 64. 1, 3. Mountains, for cities, Jer. 51. 25. Isa. 13. 2. The sea for the large territories of an empire, Jer. 51. 36, 44. Ezek. 31. 4. After that the barbarous people had surprised and sacked the city of Rome, they wasted and spoiled the territories of it, destroying the people, without respect of sex or age.

{became blood} The waters were not only putrefied, and grew muddy, but also were turned into gore blood, which is the greatest corruption of water that can be. An allusion to Exod. 7. 20, 21. The territories did swim in blood, like a beast new slain, chap. 16. 3.

V. 9. {creatures which were in the sea} Fishes, or what else lives in the waters. The men seem to be here intended, that lived in the provinces: or, the soldiers who lay in garrison there.

{life} Gr. souls. Chap. 22. 11. Mat. 10. 39. Luke 14. 26.

{died} Were choked with the bloody waters, Exod. 7. 18, 21.

{of the ships were destroyed} Either by the fiery mountain falling on them, or corrupted by the bloody waters. Hereby is intended the decay of a great part of the means to defend those provinces; or, of the trading there.

V. 10. {A great star from heaven} Or, out of heaven. The Roman emperor of the West, who, like a blazing star, shined bright for a time, but was put down by the Goths; Isa. 14. 12. and 34. 4.

THE THIRD TRUMPET.

{burning as it were a lamp} It is compared to a lamp, then, not for greatness, but for light and heat.

{upon the third part} Belike it fell into pieces, and one part fell on one river, another on another, &c. not on some part of every river, but on so many rivers as made up a third part of the rivers.

{of the rivers, and upon the fountains} Of waters. On the fountains of those places where the third part of the rivers was. It is likely, then, that the rivers first grew bitter, and afterwards dried up. By rivers and fountains may be meant, the magistrates sent abroad into several provinces; and the cities and provinces unto which they were sent.

V. 11. {wormwood} A name given it from the effect of it. The Hebrew word to which this answers, signifies a poisonous herb that destroyed men, Deut. 29. 18. Amos 5. 7. By this bitter fall of that emperor, the magistrates and cities suffered much, and many men were destroyed.

V. 12. {the third part of the sun} The sun shined but eight hours, where it used to shine twelve. It was dark two hours longer in the morning, and sooner at night. Or, the third part of the body of the sun was darkened, so that it gave not so much light by a third part, at any time of the day, as it did before. So of the moon and stars in the night.

THE FOURTH TRUMPET.

{was smitten} The sun is compared to a living body that has one part of it dead with the palsy, or some other disease. The loss of part of the light, is as loss of part of the life, to a living creature. By the sun, seems to be meant the consular power at Rome, permitted by the ruling Goths for a time: by the moon the senate: by the stars, the other magistrates. By these, government, and glory of it, are set out, Isa. 13. 19. Jer. 15. 9. Ezek. 32. 7. These were eclipsed; when the viceroy lived not at Rome, but at Ravenna.

V. 13. {And I beheld} Chap. 4. 1. and 14. 1. To see if anything else would be offered to my sight. Or, it may be, there being some distance between, he looked when the fifth angel would sound; but sees somewhat foregoing it in this verse, to make him the more to attend to it when it comes.

{through the midst} Gr. in the midst. Chap. 14. 16. That is, as some, in the midst between heaven and earth, as the angel appeared to David, 1 Chron. 21. 16. Or, rather, in the midst of heaven, along the meridian-line, which is the greatest height of heaven, and from whence his voice might every way be most clearly heard.

{with a loud voice} That all men might hear, chap. 5. 12. or, to show the greatness of the plagues to come, chap. 14. 9.

{Woe, woe, woe} Signifying, by these three woes, that three greater judgments were yet to come, chap. 9. 12. and 11. 14.

{to the inhabiters of the earth} Wicked men and idolaters, chap. 11. 10. and 13. 12, 14. For these look after earthly things only, and have no other portion, Psalm 17. 14. Their conversation is not in heaven, like the saints, Phill. 3. 19, 20.

{by reason of} As chapter 10. 13. Or, from. The miseries following shall proceed, as it were, from the sounds of the following trumpets. The angels shall not only be heralds to denounce them, but instruments to inflict them, chap. 9. 1, 2.

{of the trumpet of the three angels} Of each of their trumpets, chap. 9. 19. Or, the trumpet, because they were all alike, in denouncing heavier judgments than the former.

CHAPTER 9

Ver. 1. {A star fall} See the like, chapter 8. 10. Gr. a fallen star. It fell so swiftly, that I could scarce descry it till it came to the ground, which it did, before the fifth angel had done blowing, and then it appeared to me to be a star.

THE FIFTH TRUMPET.

{to him was given} Or, to it: that is, to the star. Not to the angel; for the angel had his employment set down before, which was, To blow the trumpet: but no end of the falling of this star is mentioned, unless this be it, To receive the key of the bottomless pit. Yet some person must be intended by this star, for a star could not tell how to use the key of the bottomless pit. Some take it to be a good angel, that had power given him to hinder or let loose hellish operations, chap. 20. 1. Others take it for the devil, the angel of the bottomless pit, ver. 11. Others, for some minister (for such are compared to stars, chap. 1. 20.) who fell from the true religion, and turned apostate; such as Sergius of Constantinople, the Nestorian monk, and John of Antioch the Arian, who are said to assist Mahomet in the composing of his lying Alcoran.

{the key} For hell is a prison, and must be locked up, 1 Peter 3. 19.

{bottomless pit} Hell is compared to a dungeon, that has a narrow entrance, but a deep gulf within. Sometimes this word is used for the sea, whose bottom we know not; as Luke 8. 31.

V. 2. {And he opened the bottomless pit} Before, some errors broke forth, as it were by chinks and crannies; but now false doctrine came forth abundantly, as if hell had been let loose, or broken up, and the gates of it set wide open, to let it out at large. For now Mahomet sets forth his Alcoran for divine Scripture, the like whereof no heretic dared attempt before, or at least, could not prevail with multitudes of men to believe him, as Mahomet did. So that the opening of the bottomless pit, is the apostate's using their power to let in such gross errors into the world, as could come from none, as their author, but from the devil of hell.

{a smoke out of the pit} The great wrath of the devils in hell, like a great fire, brought forth Mahometanism in abundance, which like smoke, kept the light of God's truth, and favor of Christ and his Gospel, from a great part of the world.

{and the Sun and the air were darkened} It was not a small darkness, as when some high mountain hides the light from the valley near; but a very great one, as if all the air, nay, the sun itself, that gives light to the air, were darkened; as Mat. 27. 45.

V. 3. {out of the smoke} Out of this devilish plot of Mahometanism, or, out of Satan's hidden subtlety.

{locusts upon the earth} Vermin that use to feed on grass and fruit, ver. 4. whereby are meant men sprung out of Arabia, to afflict the world, as the locusts came thence into Egypt, Exod. 10. 13, 14. Gen. 25. 6, 12, 18. Locusts help to make up the great army, Joel 1. 4, 6.

{power as the scorpions} For they had tails, like them, ver. 18. and wounded men like them; ver. 5. with cruel and poisoned wounds, Jer. 8. 17. Strange monsters, that with locusts, could devour all, and with scorpions, sting and poison besides. So did the Mahometans devour with their armies, and poison with their errors, and that under a color of pulling down idols, and serving the only true God.

V. 4. {commanded them} God did not suffer them to hurt his true servants, though they wanted neither courage, nor endeavor to do it.

{the grass of the earth, &c.} Or, hay. Such as are cut off from the earth; that is, separated from ungodly men. Or, the grass may signify weak Christians; the green plants, growing ones: the trees, strong ones; as, little children, young men, fathers, 1 John 2. 13, 14. Or, neither mean men, nor great, of such as were marked, ch. 7. 3, 13, 16. The Saracens have done much hurt to ignorant Greeks, and idolatrous Papists; but not much to the Protestants persecuted then, and professing the true religion openly now.

{but only} As chap. 2. 25.

{in their foreheads} Gr. on their foreheads.

V. 5. {To them was given} They had no further power nor commission from God; as chap. 13. 7.

{not kill them} Not presently kill them; but torment them so as they die after it, as if they were stung with scorpions. Or, not kill them at all, but keep them for slaves. Both which agree with the Saracens, who have many oppressed by them, that wish rather to be dead; as ver. 6. Or, they did not take so much boldness on them, as to kill men at their first arising; but stayed till they had gotten greater strength, under the next seal, ver. 15, 18. At first, many Christians yielded to the Saracens, and took part with them: afterwards, when the Christians warred against them, they killed them cruelly. They that must not be killed, but tormented by these Saracens, were such as were not sealed, ver. 4. for the sealed ones they might not so much as torment.

{five months} A short time; as locusts are bred in April, and die in September. Or, an hundred and fifty years: for so many days are in five months; and the prophets reckon a day for a year, Dan. 9. 24. and the Saracens vexed Italy, from the year eight hundred and thirty, to nine hundred and eighty.

{as the torment of a scorpion} Painful till death, or cure by liberty, ver. 3. Or, if they did kill them, they kept them from freedom, and from their wives and children, and all worldly comforts, which is a living death.

V. 8. [Printed “8”; the annotation belongs to verse 6.] {And in} Or, therefore in; as 1 Cor. 5. 13.

{shall men seek death} Chap. 6. 16. Isa. 2. 19. Job 3. 20, 21. Though men naturally abhor death, yet they shall desire it, that they may be rid of their grievous torments; as esteeming death a lesser evil than those miseries they endure.

V. 7. {like unto horses, &c.} Joel 2. 4. They were not altogether like locusts, but in some part, resembled horses. The Saracens made sudden incursions into many countries, and were fierce warriors; as horses are swift and fierce in battle, Job 39. 22, 23, 24, 25.

{crowns like gold} That is, bright head-pieces shining like gold. This may signify, as their complete furniture for war, so their many victories, who within eighty years, overcame a multitude of nations.

{as the faces of men} Either in regard of some shows or pretenses of humanity; as Isa. 47. 3. or for stoutness, courage, and confidence; as Isa. 46. 8. 1 Cor. 16. 13. and as we use to say, A manly face.

V. 8. {as the hair of women} This may signify, that by flattery and fair shows, they used to persuade, like women, Prov. 6. 24. that they might make their foes secure, and destroy them the more easily.

{as the teeth of lions} Joel 1. 6. This sets out their cruelty, and tyrannical government. Notwithstanding their flattery, they destroyed men, as if they had had lions' teeth; Psalm 57. 4. and 58. 6.

V. 9. {As it were} It was not fit to clothe the locusts with iron breast-plates, but somewhat like them; although the Saracens, signified by them, might wear iron breast-plates indeed.

{breastplates of iron} They were strongly armed themselves and their kingdom, so that their foes could not hurt them.

{of chariots, &c.} Joel 2. 5. Swift and terrible were they in their invasions, 2 Kings 7. 6, 7. Isa. 5. 28. and 66. 15. Jer. 4. 13.

{horses running} See ver. 7.

V. 10. {stings in their tails} As they sought dominion over other people, so they poisoned them with false religion. Or, it may be understood of tormenting their captives, or putting them to miserable slavery by their inferior officers. See ver. 5. Or, of deceiving them in the end, who trust to them.

{five months} See verse 5.

V. 11. {a king over them} Herein they differ from common locusts, Prov. 30. 27.

{the angel of the bottomless pit} Some take it to be spoken of the devil: others of the commander of the Saracens, the devil's great agent.

{in the Hebrew, &c.} Either because the destroying angel was known to the Jews, as well as to the Christians: or else because the Saracens oppressed both.

{Apollyon} That is to say, A destroyer. Some say, Mahomet's name signifies so also; and the name Turk, in the eastern language. Sure it is, they have made havoc of men, churches and schools, where they have prevailed. Some take it to be spoken of the devil, who destroys others, and in the end, shall be destroyed himself, 1 Pet. 5. 8. chap. 20. 10.

V. 12. {One woe} Chap. 8. 13. and 6. 1.

{is past} Is fully revealed: or, is done, before the other two begin.

V. 13. {a voice} Gr. one voice. It was the voice of Christ, as some think.

THE SIXTH TRUMPET.

{from the four horns} Or, out of the four horns; (of which, Exod. 30. 10.) That is, out of the midst of the altar, where the incense, with the prayers of the saints, was offered up, chap. 8. 3. It seemed to be God's voice; answering, out of the same place, those prayers, and the complaints of the souls under the altar, chap. 6. 9, 10. by giving the Saracens a command to invade Europe, ver. 14. to revenge their cause on the Roman persecutors.

{of the golden altar} Whereon the incense was offered, chap. 8. 3. an allusion to Exod. 30. 1.

{before God} That is, before the ark, which was a visible sign of God's presence and residence among them, Exod. 30. 8. Psalm 81.

V. 14. {had the trumpet} Had newly sounded, and had not yet laid down the trumpet out of his hand.

{loose the four Angels} Four governors of the Mahometans; as chap. 16. 12. for they were now divided into a tetrarchy, under four sultans of Asia, Aleppo, Damascus, and Antioch.

{bound in the great river Euphrates} Had not yet set footing in Europe, but were kept back by their own dissensions, and the victories of the Christians; or, rather, by the overruling providence of God.

V. 15. {were loosed} Set at liberty by the angel that sounded this trumpet: see ver. 1.

{prepared for an hour} Or, at an hour, &c. It may signify their readiness to go at any time, when they should be loosed. Or, to follow the work from time to time. Or, at the time appointed by God. Or, a short time: see chap. 3. 10. Or, the time of their coming to take Constantinople, from the beginning of their empire, which is to be reckoned from the taking of Babylon, was three hundred ninety and six years, and some odd time: for days, in the prophets, are put for years, ver. 5.

{for to slay} See notes on ver. 5.

{third part of men} Of such as were not sealed, chap. 7. 3.

V. 16. {of the horsemen} The Turks' army consists most of such, for swiftness, Ezek. 38. 4, 15.

{two hundred thousand thousand} Such great armies they used, for terror to their enemies.

{and I heard} Or, for I heard; as Luke 6. 32. the number was so great, I could not reckon them: but I was told the number of them. This he adds, that no man might think he made the number greater than it was.

V. 17. {in the vision} Before, he was said to be in the Spirit, chap. 1. 10. and 4. 2. now, he sees these things in a vision. The former sets forth his preparation, the later, the manner of the revelation. His eyes were first taken off from gazing on worldly things, and then fastened on these heavenly apparitions.

{breastplates} Or, corslets. For matter of defense.

{of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone} Either their breast-plates were made each one of these materials, or of some common matter that had these several colors; unless, as some think, their army consisted of several nations, which had several colors in their habergeons, to distinguish the Saracens, Turks, and Tartars, by fiery, jacinth, and brimstone colors.

{of fire} Not of material fire, for there are no such breast-plates, neither can any bodily creatures wear such: but they appeared like fire to Saint John, in the vision. It signifies, that the sight of them should be so terrible to the enemies, that they should no more dare to come near them, or, be able to hurt them, than if they were compassed about with fire; Zech. 2. 5.

{of jacinth} It is a stone of a sky-color (of which, chap. 21. 20.) and may import, that these were invincible armies sent from above, from God, to punish the wicked Romans.

{of brimstone} This might also signify that God, who uses to punish great sinners with fire and brimstone from heaven, Gen. 19. 24. Psalm 11. 6. Job 18. 15. and sets out hell-pains thereby, chap. 14. 10. and 19. 20. did employ these to scourge the wicked world. It imports a great desolation; for brimstone feeds the fire, and keeps it burning, till it have destroyed all before it; Isa. 30. 33. and 34. 9, 20.

{the heads of the horses} Their defensive arms were set down before: now he describes their offensive ones. Soldiers use to take care for their own safety, before they set upon their enemies.

{as heads of lions} They were very stout, fierce and cruel.

{out of their mouths} This fire might seem, to those against whom they shot, at the first, to come out of their horses' mouths. For the new invention of guns, used by them at the taking of Constantinople, seems here to be foretold; out of which came fire, smoke, gunpowder, made of brimstone, with other materials. Or, it may import a great devastation of the countries they came in; as before in this verse, and the next, Joel 2. 3.

{smoke} The smoke is very great at the shooting of great ordnance, because the fire is soon kindled, and quickly dissolves into smoke. It may import the sad and dismal estate of those regions which are wasted by the Saracens. A thing worthy of great observation, that God should bring in Turks, that hate idols, to destroy Christian idolaters.

V. 18. {By these three} Working together, and at one time. For guns make a greater and speedier havoc of men, than swords did before.

{out of their mouths} These do not flatter, as the locusts did, ver. 8. but threaten fire and death wherever they come.

{third part of men} As ver. 15.

V. 19. {in their mouth, and in their tails} The power of other horses is in their body, and in their feet; but of these, in their head and tails. In their head, because thence comes fire, smoke and brimstone, out of their mouths, ver. 17, 18. In their tails, because when they have overcome men, and ruled them quietly a while, they will return to their former cruelty. Therefore their tails also are said to have heads, and to be like serpents, which come suddenly out of their holes, and sting men, before they see them. Or, they use power and subtlety. Or, they kill bodies by force, and sting souls to death, by Mahometan impostures.

V. 20. {the rest of the men} The other two third parts of the idolatrous Christians, which were not slain by the Mahometans.

{yet repented not of} Gr. from, or, out of. That is, so as to depart from, Heb. 6. 1. Repentance from dead works; that is, whereby men do so repent, as that they depart from dead works; or, come out of them; as Acts 8. 22, 23. Repenting of wickedness, and coming out of the gall of bitterness. Or, neither repented of. Though they were spared, yet they amended not at all, but remained obstinate in the practice of all their former sins hereafter mentioned.

{of the works of their hands} All actual sins are so called, because they are properly our works, Psalm 28. 4. and the hand is the ordinary instrument of acting. God has no hand in these, as he has in our good works. But here, making idols to worship, is signified; as Deut. 31. 29. Isa. 2. 8. Hos. 14. 3. Though the eastern churches were wasted by the Turks for their idolatry; yet the western ones repented not of their making images. The example of God's judgments on their fellow-idolaters, could do no good upon them. This must needs be meant of the Papists; for neither Protestants, Jews, nor Turks, nor any other in Europe, make images for worship.

{not worship devils} Saints, who are Δαίμονες. Or, images, as follows. See Lev. 17. 7. Deut. 32. 17. Psalm 106. 36, 37. 1 Cor. 10. 20. For, worshipping of images comes from the devil, being contrary to God's commandment: and the devil was worshipped in them.

{and idols} Or, even idols. So Tit. 2. 13. chap. 1. 6.

{of gold} Psalm 115. 4. and 135. 5.

{and silver, &c.} This shows they had a multitude of idols; as Dan. 5. 23. So, many vessels in a great house are set out, 2 Tim. 2. 20.

{and of stone, &c.} Such desperate idolaters were these Popish Christians, that they which wanted wealth to make golden, silver, or brazen images, made images of stone and wood, Isa. 40. 20.

{which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk} Psalm 115. 4, 5, 6, 7. O the folly of idolaters! which can do these things themselves, and yet worship them which can do none of these; much less can they help them in time of trouble, Isa. 46. 7. So that their madness is set out, first, from the author of their idols: they are the works of men's hands. Secondly, from the object of their worship; the devil, God's greatest enemy. Thirdly, from the multitude of their idols; which shows their strong affection to that sin, as multitude of adulterers shows the unsatiableness of a whore; Ezek. 16. 28, 29. Fourthly, from the blockishness of their idols: they could not see, nay, they could not hear, nay, they could not so much as move out of their places, Isa. 41. 7. How then could they do them any good at all? Isa. 41. 23. Jer. 10. 5.

V. 21. {murders} In killing God's saints.

{sorceries} A sin too rife in that church, reported to be practiced by divers of their popes.

{fornication} All manner of looseness and wantonness.

{thefts} In getting away the wealth of the simple people, by offerings, pilgrimages, &c. So that they broke not only the first table, but the second also. As they wronged God in his worship: so men also, in their bodies and estates.

CHAPTER 10

Ver. 1. {Another mighty Angel} Some take it of Christ, because of his glorious apparition. Others, of some angel employed by him, because he is commanded by another angel, chap. 14. 14, 15. He is called, Another mighty Angel, to distinguish him from that mighty one mentioned before, chap. 5. 2. His might is spoken of, to terrify those that would not repent, after so many plagues.

{come down from heaven} See chap. 3. 12. As sent from God, to do him some service here beneath.

{with a cloud} The cloud on him, and rainbow over him, are for glory, chap. 4. 3. or, to signify, that men will not take notice of him, to repent at his word, who is as it were hid from them, Lam. 3. 44. And the rainbow may signify God's willingness to spare them, and unwillingness to destroy them, if they will yet repent, Gen. 9. 11, &c. that none might perish by the flood of God's wrath hereafter.

{face as the Sun} Full of brightness. That all might clearly discern imminent destruction, if they repented not, ver. 6, 7.

{feet as pillars} That is, legs, by a synecdoche, taking the feet in with them, which are as a basis to the legs, being as pillars, supporters to the body, Cant. 5. 15. Here the rather so termed, to imply their strength and firmness, 1 Kings 7. 21.

{of fire} Either for the brightness of them, or having power to consume God's enemies, chap. 1. 15. Psalm 74. 3.

V. 2. {a little book} Containing in it the rest of this revelation of the state of the church, Christ's little flock, Luke 12. 32.

{open} Not sealed up, as the other was, chap. 5. 1.

{right foot on the sea, &c.} To show a power given him over sea and land, to punish the most remote in the furthest islands of the world. The right foot is said to be over the sea, because it is more unruly than the earth, Psalm 93. 1, 2, 3, 4.

V. 3. {a loud voice} See chap. 5. 2.

{as when a lion roareth} To show, that greater judgments were yet to come on the enemies of the church, Isa. 21. 8. Amos 3. 8. Thus he seeks to terrify men, that they may repent.

{when he had cried} The thunders were as an echo, answering to the angel's cry.

{seven thunders} Gr. the seven thunders. Perhaps an allusion to chap. 8. 5. where thunders are mentioned; but uttered no intelligible sound till now. These thundered heavy judgments, yet not here expressed.

V. 4. {I was about to write} It seems, seeing he was about to write what the thunders prophesied, that he heard their words.

{Seal up those things} Publish them not, Dan. 12. 4, 9. It may be, God would not have them known, till near the accomplishment, chap. 22. 10. as no man could read the sealed book, chap. 5. 2, 3. Or, lest men should think them feigned things, or despair, because of the extraordinary evils threatened by them. Things written, are often sealed, for surety, as bonds and deeds; as Jer. 32. 10. Dan. 12. 4. but here sealing is intended for secrecy, to conceal, and not to publish, as in letters, or to write so as may be published, as is in this verse expounded. It may be, it was reserved for a fitter time; and so some Greek copies read it; and hereafter write them: or, that hereafter you may write them. For, what God revealed to John, was to be showed to his servants, chap. 1. 1. unless Christ should honor his beloved apostle, here, with some heavenly secrets which should never be published, as he did the apostle of the Gentiles, 2 Cor. 12. 4.

{those things} It seems the thunders uttered divers matters.

V. 5. {stand} Gr. standing; ver. 2.

{lifted up his hand to heaven} Dan. 12. 7. This was their manner of swearing, Gen. 14. 22. Exo. 6. 8. Deu. 32. 40. Num. 14. 30. Ezek. 20. 15. whereby they signified, that they called God, who dwells in heaven, Matth. 6. 9. to witness the truth of what they swore, and to punish them, if they swore falsely, 2 Cor. 1. 23.

V. 6. {by him that liveth for ever and ever} By the living God, by whom alone men ought to swear, Jer. 4. 2. and 5. 2.

{who created} These tokens of God's omnipotency are brought, to show God's power in all these places, as being Creator of them; and consequently, both Lord over them, and able to do whatsoever he will with them, and in them, Psalm 146. 6. and 135. 6. Dan. 4. 35.

{time no longer} The time of the Roman Empire should last no longer. Or, there should be no longer delay, but those things ensuing should be forthwith put in execution, Ezek. 12. 27, 28.

V. 7. {when he shall begin to sound} Gr. when he shall sound; as 2 Kings 3. 1. he began to reign; Heb. he reigned. So 2 Kings 11. 1. and 15. 2. when he began to reign, Heb. when he reigned. But it may be as well understood, After he has sounded; as the particle is used, Mark 4. 32. John 8. 28.

{the mystery of God} Of calling the Jews; and making a glorious church of Jews and Gentiles, Rom. 11. 25. This shall be done, when Rome is destroyed, chap. 11. 15. and 16. 17.

{as he hath declared} He told the prophets the things, but not the time. The Greek word signifies, He told these joyful tidings. For the glory of the church, when the Jews come in, will be as another Gospel, or glad tidings, Luke 2. 10. to the world, Rom. 11. 15.

{to his servants} In a more special manner: of which, see chap. 1. 1.

{the Prophets} Dan. 2. 44. and 7. 26, 27. and 12. 7. Hos. 1. 11. and 3. 4, 5. They were first acquainted with it, and published it to the world, though not so plainly as the apostle has done, Rom. 11.

V. 8. {voice which I heard} Ver. 1, 3.

{from heaven} Chap. 4. 1.

{little book, &c.} See ver. 2.

{which standeth} Ver. 2.

V. 9. {Take it} Ezek. 2. 8. and 3. 13, 14.

{eat it up} Read it all over, and lay it up in your mind.

{belly bitter} You will be sad to find such heavy judgments there recorded, when you have well considered of them.

{but it shall be} Or, though it be. Or, yet it shall be. For it would come into the mouth, before it came into the belly; as ver. 10.

{in thy mouth sweet as honey} Psalm 19. 10. and 119. 103. The revelation of these mysteries will be very pleasing to you at first.

V. 10. {and ate it up} He did not eat part of it, but ate it all up, as he was bidden. He obeys, notwithstanding the discouragement, ver. 9. His love to God's oracles was so great, he feared no trouble ensuing, Jer. 15. 16.

V. 11. {thou must prophesy again} As you have had prophecies revealed to you before in the seals and trumpets, to communicate to men; so you shall have others communicated in the vials, to the same end, which things are contained in this little book which you have eaten up. So Ezekiel was to prophesy, after he had eaten the book, Ezek. 3. 1, 4.

{before many peoples} Or, against many peoples. So the word is taken, Luke 12. 52, 53. see Jer. 1. 10.

{and nations, &c.} This sets out multitudes, chap. 5. 9. and 7. 9.

{and Kings} You shall foretell their destruction, or such good or bad things as shall befall them, chap. 19. 18. and 20. 8.

CHAPTER 11

Ver. 1. {There was given me} From God, very likely, to show the work to be his: else John would have said the angel gave it him.

{a reed} Many nations used reeds or canes to measure with, because, being hollow, they were lighter, and fitter for that use. The intent here is, to measure out a church for God under the Antichristian persecution. For the reed, see Ezek. 40. 3.

{like unto a rod} Such a rod as was used also in measuring, and is to this day with us. Therefore Israel is called, The rod of God's inheritance, Psalm 74. 2. Jer. 10. 16. Scepters are also called rods in the original, Psalm 45. 6. and 110. 2. So that the church was to be upheld in those times by the favor of some prince; for such used rods or scepters to be carried before them, for honor. So were the Waldenses upheld by the counts of Toulouse, and others.

{the Angel stood} In likelihood, as before, chap. 10. 2, 5, 8. that nothing might be done but in his presence.

{Rise} This does not necessarily import that he was sitting before; but it is an usual phrase in Scripture, whereby men are called and incited to go instantly about some work wherein they were not formerly employed, Num. 23. 17, 18. Deut. 13. 24. John 1. 2.

{measure the temple of God} An allusion to Ezek. 40. 1, &c. where the temple, with all in it, was to be measured by God's appointment, to show, that that building was of God. So must the pattern of his church in the wilderness, to inform, that God would keep them safe, in despite of men.

{and the Altar} All that was in the inner court, or court of priests. To show, that they whom these typified, should remain hallowed and appropriated still to God.

{and them that worship therein} In the temple. For the court of the priests joined unto the temple, and was esteemed as a part of the temple; as Mat. 12. 5, 6. The priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, to wit, by killing beasts in the priests' court. And it is accounted as it were within the temple, Ezek. 44. 17, 19. for there were the sacrifices offered, and into it the people might not come, no more than into the temple itself. This signifies, that true Christians should then be as few, in comparison of idolatrous ones, as the priests and Levites, that worshipped in the inner court, were, in comparison of the people, that worshipped in the outward. True Christians are compared to priests, chap. 1. 6. By measuring these, he means, numbering them, to wit, for life; as 2 Sam. 8. 2. or salvation. See chap. 7. 4. By all this is signified, that God's people, while Antichrist raged, should have a place in the wilderness, where they might serve God according to his will, as the Jews offered sacrifices on the altar in the temple, and which should be for safety, as a sanctuary to them, Isa. 8. 14. Ezek. 11. 16. Therefore temple, and altar, and worshippers, and all are measured. So Jerusalem is measured after the captivity, that it may be inhabited again, Zech. 1. 2, 3, 4. God would own no more worship, nor worshippers than these. The rest he would refuse, though Christians by profession, ver. 2.

V. 2. {the court which is without the temple} An allusion to that which is called the outward court, Ezek. 40. 17. The great court, and distinct from the court of the priests, 2 Chron. 4. 9.

{leave out} Gr. cast out. To wit, as profane, and that which God will make no account of. So we cast things out of doors, that are of no price or use. Or, leave out; that is, count it not any part of the temple, though it be sometime so called. As Mat. 21. 12. the buyers and sellers are said to be in the temple, which were in this outward court of the temple. Or, leave it out, that is, measure it not, as chap. 10. 4. Seal up those things which the seven thunders have written; that is, write them not. Or, he puts the things signified first, and then the sign. Leave the places where the true religion was professed, to idolaters, while the church is serving God in the wilderness, as in the inner court of the temple; and let this be a sign of it, that you measure it not, as you did the temple, and inner court. This signifies, that in those times the visible church of such as bare the name of Christians, were to be cast out, as excommunicated of God, neither were the servants of God to account them as God's building, measured by his reed, or as God's approved church.

{given unto the Gentiles} The Papists, which are idolaters, like unto the Gentiles, shall possess the outward face of the visible church, for a time. For the outward court, here alluded to, was as it were the face of the temple. And they are called Gentiles, or heathen, by allusion to the church of the Old Testament, where all that were not God's people, or were enemies of them, were so called, Psal. 2. 1. and 79. 1. Luke 2. 32. Acts 4. 25. Gal. 2. 12, 15. Eph. 2. 11, 12, 14. 1 Cor. 10. 20.

{the holy city} He alludes to Jerusalem, called the holy city, Dan. 9. 24. Mat. 27. 53. So named, because in it was the temple, the priests, the sacrifices, and all the consecrated things.

{shall they tread under foot} See Dan. 9. 26. both temple and city possessed by the enemies. They shall banish religion out of those places where it was visibly professed before. Or, they shall exercise their false religion there. So treading God's courts is taken for public service, Isa. 1. 12. Or, the people of God, that worship God in the desert, shall be persecuted by them, and kept under, Isa. 14. 25. Dan. 7. 23. Amos 5. 12.

{forty and two months} That is, a thousand two hundred and threescore days, ver. 3. ch. 12. 6. allowing thirty days to each month. Hereby are meant so many years as prophets use to reckon. So weeks are put for weeks of years, or so many years as there be days in every one of those weeks, Dan. 9. 24, 25, 26. Or, a long time.

V. 3. {And} Or, But. So the particle is used, Mat. 11. 19. Mark 12. 12.

{I will give power} Notwithstanding Antichrist's persecuting of them, I will give power, &c. Or, I will give unto my two witnesses, that they may prophesy; Luke 3. 20. Or, I will give it; that is, I will give the temple to my two witnesses, to preach in the desert, while Antichrist and his followers exercise their idolatrous worship in the court, and holy city, or the places where I was truly worshipped before.

{two witnesses} So called, because they bear witness to truth and holiness, against all the errors and unholiness of Antichrist. In the number two, is an allusion to Moses and Aaron in the wilderness; Elijah and Elisha, when the Israelites worshipped the calves and Baal: Zerubbabel and Jehoshua, in Babylon; and after the return of the people: Or, two, because two witnesses were sufficient to confirm a thing, Deut. 17. 6. Mat. 18. 16. 2 Cor. 13. 1. Ministers are Christ's witnesses, Acts 1. 8.

{they shall prophesy} Instruct the people how to worship God according to his word, and foretell the ruin of Antichrist and his adherents, out of God's word.

{a thousand two hundred and threescore days} So long as Antichrist's reign and persecution lasts, some shall preach God's truth. See ver. 2. It seems to be so many years, because it is a broken number; for whole ones, as ten, twenty, an hundred, use to be put indefinitely. The profanation of their idolaters, is counted by months, v. 2. which are reckoned by the course of the moon, because their worship is a work of darkness, and of the night, wherein the moon rules, Gen. 1. 16. Whereas the prophesying of the two witnesses is reckoned by days; for true religion is compared to light, Acts 26. 18. 2 Cor. 6. 14. See the like in the times of the beast's blasphemy; and of the woman's being in the wilderness, chap. 13. 5. and 12. 6. Or, their prophesying is reckoned by days, not by years, because it is a work of every day, and of continual labor.

{clothed in sackcloth} Mourning for the idolatry of the Papists, spreading itself so fast and so far, and for the troubles of the true church. Sackcloth is worn in sad times, 2 Kin. 6. 30. Amos 8. 9, 10.

V. 4. {These are, &c.} In this verse, is set down their goodness extended to their friends, the people of God: in the next, their power to hurt or destroy their enemies, till the time of their prophesying should be done; for then must they be killed by their foes, ver. 7.

{the two olive trees} Zech. 4. 3, 11, 14. Ministering oil to the candlesticks abundantly: for they are not branches, as in Zechariah, but whole trees. These times of persecution here foretold, would require abundance of all graces in God's ministers, to hold up the hearts of his fainting people, by plentiful instruction and consolation. And such did God then send, furnished abundantly from heaven, (when means of instruction failed) as olive-trees are with oil.

{and the two Candlesticks} That is, they were with the two candlesticks or churches. So and, in the Hebrew, is taken and translated with, 1 Sam. 14. 18. with the children of Israel. There were seven golden candlesticks before, ch. 1. 20. but now, by persecution, they are brought to two; and two ministers must suffice them. They are said to be two, because these persecuted churches consist of Jews and Gentiles: or else, because they lived both in the eastern and western empire.

{standing before} By standing before God, some understand, that they were hidden from men in those times of trouble. Others, that they ministered to God, Deut. 10. 18. 1 Kings 17. 1. as great officers stand before kings, to minister to them, 1 Kings 10. 8. Prov. 22. 29. Jer. 22. 12. compared with 2 Kings 25. 8. chap. 8. 2.

{the God of the earth} Who owns and rules all the earth, Psal. 24. 1. and 93. 1, 2, 3. and 95. 3, 4. God is called, The God of heaven and earth, Gen. 24. 3. The God of heaven, Dan. 2. 18. but here he is called, The God of the earth, to show, for the comfort of the church, that howsoever Antichrist seemed to sway all on earth, and all the world went wondering after him, cha. 13. 3. yet God keeps the rule of the earth in his own hands still, and can protect his selected and marked ones, against the rage of Antichrist and his adherents.

V. 5. {if any man will hurt them} That is, any way wrong them, or attempt to hinder them in the course of their prophecy.

{fire proceedeth out of their mouth} Their revenge is spiritual. They can pray to God, and he will destroy their enemies. An allusion to 2 Kings 1. 10. Or, threatenings pronounced by them shall light upon their enemies, because they despised their testimony, Jer. 5. 13, 14.

{in this manner} It is repeated, to show the certainty of it. Or, it may have relation to the judgments following, ver. 6.

V. 6. {to shut heaven} An allusion to 1 Kings 17. 1. Luke 4. 25. Jam. 5. 17, 18. It may be understood of restraining the rain; or spiritually, of shutting men out of heaven, Matth. 16. 19. John 20. 23.

{in the days of their prophecy} See ver. 6. Three years and six months, in Elijah's time, answerable to the number of months here, ver. 2.

{to turn them to blood} See Exod. 7. 20. Either literally by their prayers; or mystically, to kill souls by their preaching, 2 Cor. 2. 15.

{with all plagues} What they threaten, God will send, on the contemners of his word in their mouths, Jer. 1. 10. Or, with other plagues, like those of Egypt, or worse, chap. 14. 9, 10.

{as often as they will} Whensoever, upon just occasion, they desire it of God, Mat. 18. 18, 19.

V. 7. {And when they shall have} An allusion to our Savior's preaching, death, resurrection. He preached about three years and an half, then was put to death, and about three days after, rose again with an earthquake, and ascended into heaven with a cloud. Thus these two witnesses resemble that faithful and true witness mentioned, chap. 3. 14.

{finished their testimony} When the years mentioned, ver. 3. are done: for before that time they could not be slain. See notes on ver. 5. So that the witnesses are suffered to be slain, because God had no more work for them to do. If God had given them a longer time to preach, they should have continued, in despite of their enemies. So our Savior could not be slain till his hour was come, John 8. 20. and then he was put to death, Luke 22. 53, &c.

{the beast that ascendeth, &c.} Chap. 13. 11. and 17. 8. Antichrist, or the pope, who is compared to a beast, because of his inhumanity, cruelty, and thirst after men's blood. And he is said to come out of the bottomless pit; that is, out of the sea; as ch. 13. 1. or out of the body of the earth, as chap. 13. 11. or out of hell, as chap. 9. 2. He ascends, that is, begins now to ascend, in his instruments or forerunners, 2 Thess. 2. 6. 1 John 2. 18.

{make war against them} Dan. 7. 21. Shall persecute them, and endeavor to destroy them. They were persecuted and fought against by Antichrist often before: but this was the last battle before their death, and rising again to begin the ruin of Antichrist's kingdom.

{shall overcome them} Who yet even then overcame him, chap. 12. 11.

{and kill them} When he cannot stop their mouths, he shall kill them, that they may preach no more.

V. 8. {And their dead bodies} See the cruelty of this ravening beast, that is not contented with the blood of God's saints, but must lay their carcasses forth in triumph, that all people may see the ensigns of her inhumanity, and will not afford them so much honor as to be buried, Psalm 79. 2, 3.

{in the street of the great city} Within the dominion of the Roman Empire. And it is called the great city, either in regard of the amplitude of power, and large territories; as ver. 13. and as the great King, Isa. 36. 4. that is, King of kings, Dan. 2. 37. see ch. 17. 18. and 18. 2. Or else in regard of the spaciousness of the city itself, being yet, now part of it is destroyed, fifteen miles compass within the walls, and forty two without, when this story was written, as some writers report.

{spiritually called Sodom} For uncleanness of all sorts, Gen. 19. 5. Ezek. 16. 50. It is not then Sodom literally taken. See ch. 17. 5. Besides the practice of whoredom in the stews, without control, at Rome, books have been written there in defense of sodomy, and allowed by some popes.

{and Egypt} For oppressing God's people, Exod. 1. 13, 14. and for idolatry, Exod. 12. 12. Jer. 12. 13. For they made gods of cats, crocodiles, and of divers beasts, Exod. 8. 26. Moses points at this, as a cause why they dared sacrifice no cattle in Egypt. And Rome has worshipped as many saints, as the heathen false gods; and had as many images to worship, as they idols.

{where also} Within whose dominions. Or, if it be meant of the city of Rome, Christ was there crucified in his members, Acts 9. 5. So Heb. 6. 6. may be understood of malicious persecuting of Christ in his saints. And he himself also was crucified by the authority of that empire, Mat. 20. 19. John 18. 31. and 19. 12, &c.

V. 9. {And they of the people, &c.} That is, in all places of the Roman Empire, dead carcasses of God's ministers shall be seen. Or, And some of the people; for all could not come to see them: See chap. 5. 9. and 7. 9. shall see their dead bodies. Shall look upon them in scorn and derision, Luke 23. 35. Isa. 14. 16. For these are the nations subject to the beast, ch. 13. 7, 8. and such as are afraid at the resurrection of these witnesses, v. 11. and as trod under foot the holy city, v. 2.

{three days and an half} Three years and an half. This must be understood of divers persons slain in this last war, in that space. Or, if it be taken of the same bodies, it must be understood literally, for three natural days and an half; for they would stink, or be rotted away, before three years and an half be ended.

{shall not suffer, &c.} They shall let them lie unburied so long, that they may glut their eyes with looking upon them; as if they could never have their fill of such a pleasing spectacle, as is that of the dead witnesses. Yet God's providence might be seen herein, in suffering them to lie so long unburied; that people might admire the more, seeing others like them arise up to vex them, when they verily persuaded themselves they had been all slain.

V. 10. {they that dwell on the earth} Out of the true church, in Antichrist's kingdom, ch. 12. 12. and 13. 8. As on the contrary, they that dwell in the church, are said to be in heaven, chap. 13. 6. and 18. 20.

{shall rejoice over them} Go daily to see their dead carcasses, with joy. Or, when they think of them.

{and make merry} Make feasts, in token of their joy; as Neh. 8. 10, 12. Luke 15. 23, 24. If they did not this literally here, yet were they as joyful as they that did so.

{send gifts} In token of joy, Esth. 9. 19, 22. For men in prosperity love to have others rejoice with them. So secure were they, now they thought these prophets quite gone, that they not only rejoice themselves, both inwardly and outwardly, but do what they can to make all others rejoice with them at the death of them.

{because these two Prophets} See ver. 3, 6.

{tormented them} Or, had tormented them. They did not joy that they were tormented, but that they were rid and avenged of these ministers, who troubled their consciences, by preaching against their idolatry, 1 Kings 18. 17. and 21. 20. Acts 16. 20. and threatening God's judgments against them for it; besides that, their witness itself was a great torment unto them.

V. 11. {after three days and an half} Or, after those three days and an half; to wit, of their bodies lying unburied, mentioned ver. 9.

{spirit of life from God} A living soul, or breath of life, put into them by God, Gen. 2. 7. Ezek. 37. 10. God inspired others with the same spiritual graces that he had given them, and stirred them up to preach against Popery, as they had done before. See ch. 20. 4.

{entered into them} That which should come to pass after, was showed to John in a vision, as if it were now done.

{they stood upon their feet} God raised ministers as powerful as they. So John Baptist is called Elias, Mat. 11. 14.

{which saw them} The persecutors were troubled, when God raised ministers to preach against their idolatry. They thought they had made sure work, and that they should never more have been troubled with prophets: and now they are afraid that these will trouble them more than ever the former did.

V. 12. {a great voice} A loud proclamation of some Christian prince, calling them to the settling of visible churches; or of the emperor himself, giving an open toleration of their religion.

{they ascended up to heaven in a cloud} Chap. 14. 14. They were settled strangely, and by divine authority, in the visible church, with liberty, honor, and support, to the admiration of their adversaries. Their sackcloth is now taken from them: they may prophesy cheerfully, without sorrow and danger. Others understand it of coming openly into the visible church with a cloud or multitude of witnesses, (as Heb. 12. 1.) rejoicing and congratulating with them, and encouraging them, and helping, like a cloud, to advance them. Others take it to be meant of a gentle way of reformation, by the word, not a violent one, by the sword, as it were by a whirlwind. Others, for their imperfect knowledge, at the first, of those things which concerned God's public worship.

{their enemies} The Antichristian faction, who put them to death.

{beheld them} As it was a great honor to these witnesses, that their enemies should see them thus advanced; so it was great terror to their foes: for as they could not hinder their preferment, so now they had no hope to slay them any more, although they preached publicly against their idolatry: for they were as safe now, by God's protection in his church, as if they were in heaven itself, Psalm 112. 10.

V. 13. {the same hour was there a great earthquake} Hereby is not meant the twenty fourth part of a natural day, but about that time, as ch. 14. 7. and 17. 12. As soon as the ministers of Christ began to preach, and were separated from the Papists, and settled in some places, great commotions arose in many cities. For, as the natural earthquake, such as is spoken of, Amos 1. 1. Mat. 28. 2. shakes the earth, by the force of the wind gotten into it: so mystical earthquakes make cities and kingdoms quake with wars and troubles, when the Gospel begins to be preached in them: and therefore such stirs are set out by earthquakes, ch. 6. 12. and 16. 18.

{the tenth part of the city fell} In their means; for the pope had tenths out of many kingdoms, in imitation of the Jewish priests, and of the Roman emperors who had it before. Also Germany fell from him, in a great part, which, joined with those that fell off from him in other countries, might make up a tenth part of the Romish Popish territory, compared to a city divided into ten parts, seven thousand dwelling in each part, and one part was now swallowed up by an earthquake.

{of men seven thousand} Gr. names of men; that is, men, ch. 3. 4. Acts 1. 15. Or, men of note, called in Hebrew, men of name; that is, of renown, Gen. 6. 4. for it is likely that more ordinary men died in these stirs. Unless it be put for a great number, as round whole sums often are, and this may be, 1 King. 19. 18. Rom. 11. 4. This sum is used in this book thirty seven times, as some commentators write. Sure it is, many that were of the Popish religion, have perished in the wars, since reformation begun. Or, many societies. Or, he adds names, to show, that so many were taken notice of. More might perish then. Which shows, that God does not destroy his foes at all adventure, but designs them by name, whom he intends to slay. See notes on ch. 3. 4.

{gave glory to the God of heaven} By confessing, that they who perished were justly punished for their sins, Jos. 7. 19. Or, by confessing his Name, and turning Protestants as many have done. Or, by praising God that they escaped, John 9. 24. This they did, being terrified by the earthquake or stirs.

V. 14. {The second woe is past} Of those three woes which the angel foretold, ch. 8. 13. the first and second are gone with the fifth and sixth trumpets, ch. 9. 12. (see notes there) and in this ver. The third follows, which begins when the seventh trumpet begins to blow. This, with the verses following, shows us whereabouts we are in the story; namely, about the time of the public profession of the true religion again in the empire by authority, after Popery began to fall. So that, it seems safest to go backward. The peace of religion was established in Germany, in the year one thousand five hundred fifty and nine, at Augsburg, in a Diet, under Ferdinand the emperor, who succeeded Charles the fifth. Now the ministers are placed in heaven, that is, in the church, by imperial authority. True it is, that religion was publicly allowed, before this time in Denmark and Sweden, about the year one thousand five hundred thirty and eight, as writers of that story record. But because the Revelation takes principal notice of the empire, it seems safest that the end of the treading down the beloved city, and the beginning of the ministers' liberty, should be there intended. So that the measuring of the temple, or appointing a church to continue, and endure persecution by Papists, is likely to begin in the year two hundred ninety and nine: as also the footsteps of persecution by the high-grown Roman bishops, who began dissensions in the church, before they grew to their full height. Or else the meaning of those words, v. 2. the holy City shall they tread under foot forty and two months, is, their treading of it under foot, shall end then, though it did not last all that time; as Israel is said to be afflicted in Egypt four hundred years, Gen. 15. 13. Acts 7. 6. though, to reconcile those places with Gal. 3. 17. many interpreters conceive that time to begin from the promise made to Abraham, Gen. 12. 3. or 22. 18. long after which time, they came into Egypt. Neither did they suffer any ill measure there at first, all the time Joseph lived, but their troubles ended at the time prescribed by God. And so did the public treading of religion under foot in the empire end at that decree, one thousand five hundred fifty and nine, as also the prophesying of the witnesses in sackcloth, v. 3. a little before. Then follows their death, v. 7. which is like to be in those German wars a while before the peace, wherein, as many ministers were banished and put out of all, by civil authority, which is a civil death; so, no doubt, many were cruelly slain, and were insulted over, as if their dead bodies had been exposed to public view, and feasts made for joy that they were dead, v. 8, 9, 10. Or, those witnesses seem to be a succession of true preachers, as before, so especially among the Waldenses. The cruelty showed on them of Merindol and Cabriers, very few years before the liberty of religion granted in the empire, may be the killing of the last of these ministers; and the leaving their bodies unburied followed. The free exercise of religion granted as before, seems to be their calling up, and the first settling of it, their ascending into heaven, v. 11, 12. The earthquake may signify the stirs in Germany about that time; and the things following it, the men and means falling from the pope, and Papists slain in the war, and others turning Protestants, v. 13. So the second and sixth trumpet is done, in this verse.

{the third woe cometh quickly} It begins soon after to be executed, ch. 22. 7. to wit, under the seventh trumpet, and holds on in the vials.

V. 15. {And the seventh angel sounded} As was foretold, ch. 10. 7. though for a time intermitted.

THE SEVENTH TRUMPET.

{great voices in heaven} Great praise given to God by his people, for this sudden alteration. See ch. 19. 1, 4.

{the Kingdoms of our Lord} Antichrist is weakened, and Christ has begun to take the kingdom out of his hand; and shall have a visible church like an empire, in all the known world, and that to the end. There was no such song in the sixth seal, when Constantine put down heathen idolatry, because then the church was to be polluted and persecuted again, for a long time after, by the Roman Antichrist.

V. 16. {And the four and twenty Elders} See chap. 4. 10. Public thanks is now given in the church. See chap. 19. 1, 4.

{fell upon their faces} They thought it not reverence enough to rise off their seats, but fell flat on their faces, worshipping God, and congratulating the setting up of religion publicly, so as it never shall be driven into corners again, as it was twice before, by Gentiles and Papists.

V. 17. {Almighty} See chap. 1. 8. They praise him, because he had showed his infinite power in freeing his church.

{which art, &c.} This sets out God's eternity. See notes on chap. 1. 4, 8. and 4. 8.

{taken to thee thy great power} Showed your great power, in weakening Antichrist. Or, have showed that you are King of the world; which many doubted of before, because of Antichrist's great power over your church.

V. 18. {the nations} Or Gentiles; as verse 2. The Popish idolaters. They showed their anger in persecuting before, which brought God's wrath upon them; or in fighting now, or in fretting then, when they were overcome, Psal. 2. 1, 2. Acts 4. 25, 26.

{thy wrath} The time to execute your wrath on such as repented not in time of your forbearance.

{the time of the dead, &c.} The time to punish bloody persecutors for killing your saints, Chap. 4. 10.

{judged} Or, avenged, Psal. 26. 1. Luke 18. 3.

{give reward to thy servants, &c.} Chap. 3. 1. Give prosperity to your ministers and people, which have suffered hard things. The ministers are put first, who, as they are principal in the victory, so must they have the first part in the spoils.

{and shouldest destroy them, &c.} Should destroy many bloody persecutors; for the destruction of Rome itself follows, Chap. 18. and of Antichrist, Chap. 19. yet now began the destruction of Popish persecutors; and many have perished in the wars, since the time of reformation.

{destroy} Or corrupt.

{the earth} The men of the earth, Gen. 6. 11.

V. 19. {the temple of God} The church now appearing again openly, is compared to the temple of Jerusalem, wherein the ark was. It was shut up before, as that of Jerusalem under Ahaz, 2 Chron. 28. 24. and this, when it was measured, ver. 1. and the court given to the Gentiles, ver. 2. Now it is set open, as that was by Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 29. 3. not to receive a few saints, as before, in times of persecution, but whole multitudes of believers. This notes the free exercise of religion which was established.

{the Ark of his Testament} Not the temple alone, but the ark also, which was shut up from the eyes of men, in the Old Testament, 1 Kings 6. 19. and seen seldom, and by the high priest alone, was now opened: that is, the mysteries of religion, formerly hidden, were now revealed. So that laymen know as much now, as some few ecclesiastical persons of great note knew before, of the hidden mysteries of salvation. And therefore the elders praise God for this, which represent the people, chap. 4. 10. and not the beasts or living wights, which signify the ministers, chap. 4. 6. not that the ministers had not more knowledge than the people; but because the people that were kept from all such knowledge before, now know more than many priests knew before. The Papists had possessed the court. The people of God had a small temple in the wilderness. Some of the clergymen God raised up, now and then, to teach the people. The hidden things of God, like the holy place, were seen of a few chosen instruments. Now the people of God have a temple open to worship God in, and a full sight of God's holy mysteries, hidden from them before.

{lightnings, &c.} See chap. 4. 5. Earthquake and hail set out God's terrible judgments irresistible, Isa. 26. 9. and 28. 2. and 30. 30. Hail is called a plague, chap. 16. 21. And it may allude either to the hailstones that destroyed the trees in Egypt, Exod. 9. 25. or those that destroyed the Amorites in Canaan, Josh. 10. 11. It may foretell the final destruction of Antichrist and his adherents, in a strange manner; which, though not presently, yet must come to pass under this trumpet: and his fall is now begun: and as he was long in rising, so may he be in falling. Or, it may signify the destruction of many persecutors by the sword, since the reforming of religion. Or, the impoverishing and fretting of the abbey-lubbers, for the loss of their means, and the happy progress of the Gospel.

CHAPTER 12

Ver. 1. {Wonder} Or, sign. A strange sight and apparition, as appears by that which follows.

{in heaven} This vision appeared to John in this visible heaven, where the sun, moon and stars are. It could not be seen in the third heaven, where saints and angels are; for there is no sun nor moon there, Isa. 60. 19. chap. 21. 23. and 22. 5. And it sets out the dignity and sanctity of the church, whose conversation is in heaven, Phil. 3. 20. remote from the dark mists of worldly errors, and lifting itself above worldly affairs and comforts.

{a woman} Representing the Christian church, compared to a virgin espoused to Christ, 2 Cor. 11. 2. to a bride, chap. 19. 7. and 21. 9. and 22. 17. to a wife, Eph. 5. 25, 26, 27, 32.

{clothed with the Sun} The church of God, the spouse of Christ, the brightest and most glorious creature in the world. She shines in the doctrine of her ministers, and lives of her members, Matth. 5. 14, 15, 19. or, as being clothed with Christ's righteousness, whom she has put on, Gal. 3. 27. In the former sense, she shines before the world: in this, before God. See chap. 19. 8.

{the Moon under her feet} Or, far beneath. Treading under foot the Jewish feasts, which depended, many of them, on the moon. Or, contemning worldly things, which are mutable, like the moon, as men do things which they tread under their feet.

{a crown of twelve stars} The stars stood not one above another, but round about the head, like twelve precious stones in the circumference of a crown. A glorious sight, no doubt. She had the stars about her head, the sun about her body, and the moon under her feet. So in the heavens, some stars are said to be above the sun, and the moon far below it. The thing intended seems to be, that the church is adorned with the doctrine of the twelve apostles, on which she is founded, chap. 21. 14. or, with excellent ministers, ch. 1. 20. as with a diadem. For the truth of the Gospel does not only make us free, John 8. 36. but kings also, chap. 1. 6. The church carries the stars on her head, as her ornament; Christ, in his hand, as his servants, chap. 1. 16. ready to do his will. Men use to have crowns of gold; the church treads such trash under her feet. Her glory is not worldly dignity, but her teachers' integrity.

V. 2. {And she being with child, &c.} Gr. having in her belly: to wit, a child; as Mat. 1. 18. As the ministers of God are compared to a woman in travail, when they seek to bring men to faith in Christ, Gal. 4. 19. so the whole church, in another respect, is here compared to such a woman. For as that woman is weary of her burden, cries out to be rid of it, and strives, and endures much pain; so the Christian church, being grown very populous, some few years before Constantine's time, cries unto God by daily prayers, to raise up a Christian emperor, that might give them the free profession of the Christian religion in the Roman Empire. For this end also they did strive, joining their forces with Constantine's, to subdue the heathen persecutors. This was a cause of many persecutions to her, and much bloodshed in the wars, for a time. Here it appears, that we must begin the time of treading the holy city under foot, and of the witnesses, before the open profession of Christianity granted by Constantine. See notes on chap. 11. 14. For here, the things foretold in the former chapter begin to be more particularly described, as appears, in that the same space of a thousand two hundred and threescore days which was given to the two witnesses, ch. 11. 3. is here given to the church in the wilderness, ver. 6. and as forty and two months were given to the Gentiles, to tread the holy city under foot, ch. 11. 2. so the same space is given to the beast, to tyrannize over those places where the true Christian religion had been professed, while the true church is hid in the wilderness, ch. 12. 5.

V. 3. {wonder} Or, sign; as ver. 1.

{in heaven} Either because the Roman emperors had power over the church, or because they thrust themselves into it by their deputies, to persecute it. As for the vision, it is likely John saw it in the visible heaven, as he did the woman. See ver. 1.

{a great red dragon} The heathen Roman emperors succeeding one another, who did the devil service, as in other things, so chiefly in persecuting the church, ver. 9. chap. 3. 10. So Pharaoh is called, Psalm 74. 13, 14. Isa. 27. 1. and 51. 9. Ezek. 29. 3. He is great, because of his large empire, ch. 17. 18. Red, that is, bedewed with the blood of the saints, as if he were dyed with it.

{seven heads} Sitting on seven hills, ch. 17. 9.

{ten horns} Ten kings which arose after, out of this empire, chap. 17. 12. Or, so many provinces, which were the strength of it, as horns are of beasts, Dan. 8. 3, 4, 5, 6.

{seven crowns} Seven kind of governors one after another, on her seven hills, ch. 17. 10.

{on his heads} Not on his horns; for the supreme authority was in Rome, on the seven hills, not in the provinces. And as in Rome they had many heads to invent mischief against the church, and as much power to execute it; so in the provinces they wanted not more instruments of execution.

V. 4. {his tail drew the third part} He subjected the third part of the provinces of the world to his empire, ch. 6. 13. or seduced many of the ministers, ch. 1. 20. Dan. 7. 10, 11, 12. and that by craft, ch. 9. 19. unless the force of the dragon be in his tail, as some write.

{did cast them to the earth} Put down those princes whom he had subdued, from their royal authority. Or, drew some doctors of the church to forsake the truth, and follow earthly pleasure or profit, Phil. 3. 18, 19. 2 Tim. 4. 10.

{to devour her child} To destroy Christ's mystical body, 1 Cor. 12. 12. and not to suffer it to live in the empire, or to hinder any Christian likely to rise to the empire. An allusion to Pharaoh's watching to destroy the firstborn of Israel, Exod. 1. 15, 16. and to Herod's endeavor to destroy Christ as soon as he was born, Matth. 2. 7, 8, 16. The like care did the Roman heathen emperors use, to suppress any that were of more than ordinary parts, or favor with the people, that were likely to set up the Christian religion. So Maximinus that dragon, devoured Alexander the son of Mammea, whom he saw to be favored of, and favorable to the Christians. Decius devoured the two Philips, the father and the son. Dioclesian and Galerius left no stone unrolled, that they might have Constantine away privily. They sent him to fight against the fierce northern nations, as Saul sent David against the Philistines, that he might be slain, 1 Sam. 18. 25. when he came home victorious, contrary to the expectation of Galerius, he persuaded Constantine to fight with a lion in the theater, to show his courage. Maximianus afterward laid snares for him, which yet through God's mercy he escaped. Last of all, they fought with him, to destroy him; but God delivered him, and destroyed them.

{was born} Or, should be born. He hoped, that, though he could not hinder the church's conceiving, travailing, and bringing forth, no more than Pharaoh could the Israelitish women's; yet he should destroy what she brought forth.

V. 5. {a man child, &c.} As Moses was born, in spite of Pharaoh, to deliver God's people out of Egypt; so now the Christian church got a deliverer, a man-child. The like phrase is, Isa. 66. 7. It cannot be understood of Christ; for it is a prophecy of things to come after John's time. But the church brought forth Christians professing the true religion openly, in the Roman Empire, or Constantine, who was afterwards to be emperor, to subdue the nations, and then rule strongly over them, Psa. 2. 9. ch. 2. 27. and 19. 5.

{to God, and to his throne} Meaning Constantine and his successors advanced to the Roman Empire, and made God's deputies, sitting as it were on his throne. So Solomon and David are said to sit on the Lord's throne, 1 Chron. 29. 23. For it cannot be understood of our Savior Christ's ascension, and sitting at God's right hand. This John knew before, as being written in the Gospel. And many things passed between Christ's death and his ascension. Neither was Christ caught up by another's power, as we, 1 Thess. 4. 17. but went up into heaven, or ascended thither, Psalm 47. 5. and 68. 18. Eph. 4. 8, 9, 10. to wit, by his own power. Neither can it be understood of Constantine's death; for the text would not join his death to his birth, seeing much concerned him in the battle following. He was caught up, for he got not the empire by his endeavors; but being a son of the church, professing the Christian religion, he was marvelously preserved by God from the rage of heathen tyrants; and seeking to avoid their snares, he came to his dying father, and by right of succession, and the earnest desires of the people of Rome, oppressed with the heavy yoke of Maxentius, obtained the Roman Empire, and so was set on God's throne, to be next to God. The witnesses are said to ascend up into heaven; but he has a throne in heaven, to rule next under God himself, over the nations, yea, even the enemies of the church, with a rod of iron. He would have been content with his honor in France and Britain, his native country, (as he was five years) had he not, by God's providence, been caught up to a greater empire than he expected.

V. 6. {fled into the wilderness} Not now, but after the great battle following, and under Antichrist. See ver. 14. For then she fled from the face of the angry dragon, who persecuted her by Antichrist, as before by the heathen emperors. An allusion to Christ's fleeing into Egypt, for succor from Herod's cruelty, Mat. 2. 13, 14. or to the Israelites fleeing into the wilderness from Pharaoh, that great dragon, Exod. 13. 17, 18.

{a place prepared of God} When men persecute her, God provides a place of safety for her.

{that they should feed her} Either it is to be taken impersonally, That she should be fed; as Luke 12. 20. or the two witnesses should feed her there: for this falls out in the same time, as appears by the number of days here, and chap. 11. 3. So Elias was fed in the wilderness, in a place prepared by God, 1 Kings 17. 3, 4.

V. 4. [Printed “4”; the annotation belongs to verse 7.] {war in heaven} A great battle in the church of God. For the dragon could not fight in the highest heaven: there is no war there.

{Michael and his Angels} Constantine and his soldiers, represented to the eyes of John in the form of Michael the archangel and his angels, mentioned, Dan. 10. 13, 21. and 12. 1. Jude ver. 9.

{the dragon} Maxentius, Maximinus, and Licinius, in whom the devil wrought, as his principal instruments to suppress the Christian religion.

V. 8. {and prevailed not} Or, But they prevailed not. So this particle is used, Mat. 11. 19. That is, they were overthrown; as Prov. 12. 3. and 17. 21. Maxentius was drowned in Tiber; Maximinus died, that should have been banished; Licinius lost his head. In memory of this victory, Constantine pictured over the gate of his palace, a dragon pierced through with a dart, lying under his and his soldiers' feet.

{neither was their place, &c.} Dan. 2. 35. Psalm 103. 16. They ruled no more in the Roman Empire, now converted to the Christian religion, and publicly professing it. The phrase here used, notes an utter extirpation, Dan. 2. 33, 35. chap. 20. 11.

V. 9. {the great dragon} The Roman heathen emperors, and the devil with them, who poisoned the earth with idolatry, was no more worshipped.

{old serpent} Who deceived our first parents at the beginning of the world, Gen. 3. 1. Rev. 20. 2. He is a dragon for cruelty, a serpent for subtlety.

{the devil} The accuser of the brethren, ver. 10.

{Satan} The adversary of God's church, Zech. 3. 1.

{deceiveth the whole world} Drew all the Roman Empire into idolatry.

{cast out into the earth} Had no more power over the church by public magistracy, as before.

{his angels} His soldiers and wicked instruments.

V. 10. {in heaven} In the church of God. In this song, they praise God for deliverance of the Christians from tyrants, the declaration of God's strength, and the kingdom of Christ, in putting down heathen emperors, and setting up Christian, and removing their accuser.

{now is come, &c.} Now is manifested, chap. 11. 15.

{accuser of our brethren} Called the devil; for he accuses us before God, Job 1. 9. and 2. 5. And in the time of the ten persecutions, when the Christians met by night, for fear of danger, the devil by his instruments accused them before men, as if they met in the night to practice all manner of looseness.

{day and night} Continually, Psalm 1. 2. Josh. 1. 8.

V. 11. {and they overcame him} In the former verse, the power of the captain was commended; now the prowess of the soldiers is set out.

{by the blood of the Lamb} Or, for; Rom. 8. 33, 34, 37. and 16. 20. By virtue of Christ's blood, they got power to overcome Satan, and all his wicked instruments; not by worldly power and strength.

{by the word of their testimony} Christ honored them with this victory, because they bare witness of his truth. It is called, The testimony of Jesus, ver. 17. chap. 19. 10. because he was the object of their confession. Here it is called the testimony, because they are the persons who confessed him.

{loved not their lives} Acts 20. 24. 2 Cor. 11. 23. and 4. 11. But exposed them to death. Or, despised them, and set them below, in comparison of the confession of God's truth. They made so little account of them, that they exposed them to all dangers for the cause of Christ, joining with Constantine in the war against the persecutors. Some understand this of the martyrs who died for religion before Constantine's time.

V. 12. {ye heavens} All you churches on earth. An allusion to Psalm 96. 11. Isa. 49. 13.

{ye that dwell} Gr. ye that dwell as in a tent. So John 1. 14. 2 Cor. 5. 1. You that abide safe here a while, as in a tent, under God's protection, till you be translated to glory; Psalm 31. 20. and 91. 1.

{woe} Great grief and sorrow will come on you.

{of the earth, and of the sea} Or, islands: Who live anywhere out of the church of God. For earth and sea are here opposed to heaven, which is the church. So that the fruit of this victory is the joy of the saints, and grief of ungodly men.

{having great wrath} Because he is cast out of God's church, that he can no longer tyrannize over it, he will empty his spleen upon his own servants. So he did after upon the Roman church by the Goths and Vandals.

{but a short time} Gr. but a short season. The end of the world was not yet here: but he could not have so fit occasion to put the saints to death, as before, now his viceroys the heathen emperors were deposed.

V. 13. {cast into the earth} See ver. 9.

{he persecuted} By the popes, when he could do it no longer by the heathen emperors. Or it may be understood of the Arian persecutions under Constantius and Valens; which came within this time, and was seconded by Popish persecution, till the time prefixed was finished.

{which brought forth the man child} Verse 5.

V. 14. {two wings of a great eagle} God gave her strength to flee into a safe place speedily, Exod. 19. 4. Deut. 22. 11, 12. and so wonderfully delivered and preserved her from Antichrist's rage.

{into the wilderness} Into a private place. So did the Waldenses for many years, in desert places, as those mentioned, Heb. 11. 38.

{into her place} Which God had provided for her safety, and where her wicked persecutors could not come at her to hurt her.

{where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time} These words should be in a parenthesis; for the words following depend on the former words, that she might flee into the wilderness from the face of the Serpent.

{for a time, &c.} For as many years, as there be days in three years and an half. See ver. 6. chap. 11. 2, 3. Dan. 7. 2, 5. and 12. 7. See times for years, Dan. 4. 16, 23, 32.

{from the face} For the red dragon, that sought to devour her showed his anger in his face. This phrase also shows that the church, for some time, was not visible to her enemies, Isa. 16. 4. Or, for fear of the serpent. So this phrase is used, 1 Sam. 17. 24. and 19. 10. Isa. 21. 14.

{of the serpent} Mentioned, ver. 9.

V. 15. {out of his mouth} Sent out bulls abroad from the popes.

{water as a flood} Or, river. By his bulls, he raised multitudes of soldiers to destroy the Waldenses, and other Protestants since. For the end of that chapter contains a general description of the state of the church all the reign of Antichrist, which is after limned out into particulars, in the chapters immediately following. So waters, for many people coming in hostile manner, Isa. 59. 19. Revel. 17. 15. and violently sweeping away all before them, like a river, Isa. 59. 19. Amos 8. 8.

{after the woman} If this be a second persecution by the popes, then the former may be by the Arians. See notes on ver. 13. Or, the popes did more closely persecute before, and now more openly send out crusades against the Waldenses and others in the wilderness.

{to be carried away of the flood} To be utterly destroyed out of those desert places, as he had driven her out of the inhabited world before.

V. 16. {And} Or, But; as ver. 8.

{the earth helped the woman} The Earl of Toulouse, and divers others, that were Papists, fought for their clients and subjects the Waldenses, seeing their faithfulness and painfulness, which brought profit to their lords by manuring desert places.

{swallowed up the flood} Destroyed many of the pope's soldiers sent against the Waldenses, so that they could never quite be rooted out. Or, the carcasses of such as went to fight against the Protestants, were scattered upon the earth, dying by famine or plague, or war, as the Israelites did in the wilderness, Numb. 14. 29. So the land is said to eat up her inhabitants, Numb. 13. 32. And divers of the pope's soldiers were so consumed. It may be an allusion to Numb. 16. 31, 32. where the earth swallowed up Dathan and Abiram, and so preserved Moses and Aaron from their insurrection. Or, the Roman Empire, which is the earth, in this book, when opposed to the church, was divided in itself, and so God's people escaped.

V. 17. {And} Or, Then. So this particle is used, Mat. 23. 32. and that translation is more elegant. As if it had been said, When the dragon could not keep the church out of the wilderness, nor destroy it there; then he persecuted all her favorers he could come at elsewhere.

{wroth with the woman, &c.} The war with the seed arises not from any hurt they had done the dragon, but out of an old quarrel against their mother, Gen. 3. 15.

{and went} The pope, being at Rome, stirred up the magistrates everywhere to persecute the poor Protestants.

{with the remnant of her seed} That could not get into the wilderness with the rest. Those few good Christians which lay hid among the Papists, were brought out and slain. Or, when he could not overcome the church of the Waldenses in the wilderness, he set Antichrist on work to destroy the Protestants that sprung up in Bohemia, France, England, and other parts, and served God privately, but had not yet meetings and ministers, as the Waldenses had.

CHAPTER 13

Verse 1. {And I stood upon the sand of the sea} Or, I was set. John was removed by the Spirit to a convenient place, where he might see the beast arise out of the sea. See the like removes, chap. 17. 3. and 21. 10. Ezek. 8. 3. Dan. 8. 2. Others read it, And he stood; that is, the dragon; and so annex it to the end of the former chapter. But that cannot be; for the dragon was gone away to fight with the rest of the saints, chap. 12. 17. Neither need he stand there to see the original of the beast, which he knew very well. Neither are these revelations showed to the dragon, but to John.

{a beast} A great empire, Dan. 7. 3. It is no news in Scripture, especially in Daniel, and in the Revelation, for such fierce and cruel empires to be compared to wild beasts; as leopards, and bears, &c. Some conceive this beast and the other, ver. 11. to be all one. Others interpret this of the Popish Roman Empire, and the other of the pope, who is the Antichrist.

{rise up} It is not said to be raised up, but to rise up, and to ascend; for this beast was very greedy of supremacy, and sought it by his own strength, as well as by his friends. He sees it ascend up by little and little, till it came quite out of the sea. So did the western emperor and the pope grow up by little and little, till they got free of, and power over many nations. He is properly said to ascend out of the sea, because the shore is higher than it, and keeps it in, Psalm 24. 2. Therefore mariners are said to go down into the sea in ships, Psalm 107. 23. Isa. 42. 10. Or, to ascend, by an usual Hebrew phrase, is to come from, or come forth of, Rev. 7. 2. and 10. 9. Jer. 34. 21. and 35. 7.

{out of the sea} Out of many nations, chap. 17. 15.

{seven heads, and ten horns} See chap. 12. 3.

{upon his horns ten crowns} For ten crowned kings were afterward subject unto the Popish Empire, or Antichrist, which had not yet received their crowns, chap. 17. 12.

{upon his heads the name of blasphemy} Or, names. Monuments of idolatry were on the seven hills of Rome: or, their several governors were idolaters.

V. 2. {like unto a leopard} A fierce beast, hating man so much, that he first feeds upon his eyes, to pull them out; and in his rage will tear the very picture of a man out of paper. Or, as a leopard which lies in wait for his prey, Jer. 5. 6. Hos. 13. 7. A note both of fierceness and subtlety. This empire was divided unto many kingdoms, like the Grecian, typified by a leopard, Dan. 7. 6. and 8. 8, 22.

{as the feet of a bear} Ravenous, like the Persian Empire, Dan. 7. 5.

{as the mouth of a lion} Made idolatrous and cruel decrees, as the Babylonian Empire did, Dan. 7. 4. and 3. 1, &c. Thus this representation is framed of divers beasts, because no one was bad enough to set out the evil qualities of this dominion.

{the dragon gave him his power} Gr. his own power. The devil gave him the power that he had given the heathen Roman emperors before, which they had lost in Constantine's time. The devil gave him strength to manage his dominion, set him in Rome, where Satan's throne was before, and gave him authority over many kings and kingdoms. All these are needful to uphold an empire. Authority must be backed with honor, and honor with strength; else an empire will not stand.

V. 3. {one of his heads} The western Roman emperor was grievously spoiled by the Goths and Vandals: or, the pope weakened, and brought very low, like one wounded in the head.

{wounded} Gr. slain.

{was healed} By raising up of the French and German Empire, under the title of the Roman. So that now it seemed like a body which had been mortally wounded, and yet flourishes again to admiration.

{wondered after the beast} Chap. 17. 8. Submitted themselves to the beast wholly, and wondered at his raising again, and followed him with great admiration.

V. 4. {worshipped the dragon} In obeying the emperors' or popes' idolatrous decrees, they not only worshipped them, but also the devil in them, chap. 9. 20. 1 Cor. 10. 20. For the dragon gave them that power, and his work they did. Therefore John sets them all out, as falling down on their knees before the dragon. Not that these emperors or popes would confess they had their power from the dragon, or that this people thought they had it from him, or worshipped the dragon visibly: but when they thought they worshipped God, who in their conceit had set up his dominion, they did closely worship Satan, who set it up indeed. Or, as the Roman eagle was carried before the army, whereby the beast was followed and worshipped, even with peril of life; so some write that they carried dragons before every troop, and they that carried them were called Dragons. Thus they followed the dragon.

{saying} Here they express their admiration, and their fear accompanying it, in the words following. They worshipped them in words, as well as gestures: as the elders worshipped God, chap. 4. 10, 11.

V. 5. {there was given unto him} By the devil, who gave him his power, ver. 2. Or, he was permitted by God to blaspheme.

{a mouth speaking} Dan. 7. 8, 11, 25. and 11. 6.

{great things and blasphemies} He boasted of his own greatness, and vilified all others, even God himself, ver. 6. Psalm 123. 4.

{to continue} Or, to make war; as ver. 7. Gr. to do great things. Or, to do what he list for a time, Dan. 8. 4, 12. Or, to abide, Luke 4. 13.

{forty and two months} See ch. 11. 2. The power of Antichrist, and the Papists, is reckoned by months, for they are works of the night, guided by the unconstant moon; but the course of God's people is guided by the sun, and set out by days, ch. 11. 3. and 12. 6.

V. 6. {he opened his mouth, &c.} At first he counterfeited himself holy, when the power was newly given him; but now by degrees he comes to blaspheme God himself, with full mouth, Psalm 73. 9. 2 Thess. 2. 4. Opening the mouth, is the beginning to speak, Mat. 5. 2.

{his Name} God himself, and his power, Acts 2. 25. and 3. 13, 16. and 4. 12. Rom. 10. 13. Psalm 74. 10, 16.

{his tabernacle} His church, Psalm 76. 2. and 87. [unclear]. and his ordinances.

{them that dwell in heaven} That serve God in his church, as fellow-citizens of heaven, and being of God's household, Eph. 2. 19. where God dwells as a master, Psalm 76. 2. and a father, Mat. 6. 9. These then, in regard of their simplicity and weakness, lie open to all reproaches and injuries from their powerful enemies.

V. 7. {to make war with the Saints} With God's servants, who are sanctified, Dan. 7. 21. ch. 11. 7.

{to overcome them} By subduing or slaying them, ver. 10.

{power} See ver. 5.

{all kindreds, &c.} See ch. 5. 9. and 7. 9. and 11. 9.

V. 8. {all that dwell} The greatest number; as Luke 2. 2. Rom. 11. 26. So that the rest were so few, in comparison of the idolatrous Christians, that they are of no reckoning.

{upon the earth} In the world, except such as are here excepted, ch. 3. 10.

{whose names} Whom God makes no account to save. Lest, because the followers of the beast are so many, therefore we might think, none should be saved; John assures us, that none of God's elect shall perish, Mat. 24. 24. They shall be kept from this idolatry, Rom. 11. 4, 5.

{in the book of life of the Lamb slain} Exod. 32. 32. Phil. 4. 3. ch. 3. 5. and 20. 12. and 21. 27.

{from the foundation of the world} By virtue of whose blood, they were saved who lived before his incarnation, as well as they who lived after it. Or, whose names are not written, from the foundation of the world, in the book of the Lamb slain: that is, who are not predestinated, from all eternity, to be saved by the death of Christ. See chap. 17. 8.

V. 9. {If any man have an ear, &c.} Let every man observe this beast, that he be not deceived by him; for he comes not now in the shape of the dragon, but is a Christian by profession. See cha. 2. 7. Mat. 13. 9. yet, by the former description, he may be known and avoided.

V. 10. {into captivity} The two things to be expected from this beast by the people of God, are slavery and death: which calamities, as they inflict upon others, so they shall by others be inflicted on them, Isa. 33. 1.

{he that killeth, &c.} Gen. 9. 6. Matt. 26. 52.

{here is the patience} Chap. 14. 12. Here is the main matter wherein the patience and faith of God's servants shall be exercised, 1 Pet. 1. 6, 7. Or, here is good ground for patience and faith in God's servants: to wit, that God will certainly destroy their persecutors, that make them slaves, and kill their brethren, and seek to destroy them daily. The certain hope of Antichrist's ruin, should uphold all God's people that are persecuted by him.

V. 11. {another beast} Either the same in another shape, if both be meant of the pope, as some think, because there is but one beast mentioned, 17. 8. but here represented by two beasts: the former, in regard of that temporal power, the later, in regard of that spiritual power, he challenges to himself. Or else the former is the French or German emperor ruling over many kings, and this is the pope or false prophet, cha. 19. 20. One the political beast, the other the ecclesiastical.

{coming up} See notes on vers. 1.

{out of the earth} From mean beginnings; and spreading far, Gen. 2. 9. Or, not coming from heaven, but from hell; as chap. 11. 7.

{two horns like a lamb} He seemed to be meek. Or, he was a Christian by profession, and called himself Christ's vicar.

{spake as a dragon} As he that was represented by the dragon; for dragons cannot speak. He set up idolatry by his command, as the heathen emperors had done.

V. 12. {all the power of the first beast} Took on him civil authority.

{before him} In the city of Rome, which was the seat of the emperor, where he was wont to keep his court.

{the earth, &c.} See chap. 12. 12. Unless it be taken for the generality, as the world is, vers. 3.

{to worship the first beast} To acknowledge a Roman Empire again, after the incursion of the Goths: and to make the Roman city to be accounted holy, that all might flock to it. He does not at first set up his power, but the emperor's again, which was a thing more feasible; and afterwards weakens him, to set up himself.

{whose deadly wound was healed} See notes on vers. 3.

V. 13. {great wonders} Mat. 24. 24. 2 Thess. 2. 9. Now he shows how this second beast worshipped the first; namely, by working miracles; which the first beast could not do, though he had much power given him, v. 2. Yet these were no true miracles, but juggling, whereby he deceived the people, v. 14. ch. 18. 23. Lying wonders, 2 Thess. 2. 12.

{so that he} That is, such great ones, that he may seem to be able to do the greatest of all. Like that phrase of removing mountains, Mat. 17. 20. Fire from heaven is named, because signs from heaven affect men most, Matt. 16. 1. and because the pope would endeavor to confirm his worship by fire from heaven, as God did his, Lev. 9. 24. 1 Kin. 18. 38. 2 Chro. 7. 1. and be in show as great a prophet as Elias, 2 Kin. 1. 10, 12.

{maketh fire come down from heaven} By sorcery; for some popes have been conjurers, and have made some such shows to the people: as Pope Zachary had fiery armies going before him to Ravenna, that he might be thought to be another Elisha, 2 Kin. 6. 17. When Pope Steven went into France, to get help of King Pipin, balls of fire were seen running up and down in the air. Such other stories the Popish writers have store of, to prove their pope to be Antichrist. Or, he excommunicates men, as if he did thunder and lighten on them.

{in the sight of men} Publicly, to seduce men the more.

V. 14. {deceiveth} All is set down in the present tense. He exercises, does wonders, deceives; either because John now saw some such thing in the vision, or else because it would be done as surely, as if the pope were then doing it.

{on the earth} See v. 8.

{miracles} Look on v. 13.

{in the sight of the beast} See on v. 12.

{make an image to the beast} Set up a Roman emperor, that should have nothing to do in Rome, and should be like the former emperors, in setting up idolatry again.

{by the sword} By warlike incursions of barbarous people invading the empire, v. 3.

{and did live} Or, recovered, Isai. 38. 21. & 39. 1. Though he were mortally wounded, v. 12. yet this beast makes him live still, that men might think he had life and death in his power.

V. 15. {to give life} Gr. breath. He saw, by the raising of the ruins of the Roman Empire, he had prevailed much; and now he makes these later emperors act according to his will, that he may raise himself.

{to the image of the beast} For the German Caesar was not Roman emperor, till he was confirmed by the pope.

{speak, &c.} Should make laws, and punish such as did not acknowledge him to be emperor, or himself to be Christ's vicar. Others think it is an allusion to their juggling tricks, making their images to speak, thereby to seduce the people to idolatry.

{image of the beast} Before, it was an image made to the beast, to uphold the state of Rome: now, it is the image of the beast. The pope will have it acknowledged to be so.

{should be killed} Now he adds cruelty to his subtlety, and deals by open force, having strengthened the Roman Empire again. So did Nebuchadnezzar rage, Dan. 3. 6, 20.

V. 16. {all} All sorts of men, small and great, &c. This shows the largeness of his dominion: and also his care, not only to oblige the great ones to him, that might be most useful to establish his kingdom; but also the meanest: for he knew that mean ones may raise great stirs in a state, as a little spark may set on fire an house; and cities are taken often, where men least suspect. So are states ruined.

{to receive} Gr. that he may give to them. And by consequence, that they may willingly take it at his hands.

{a mark in their right hand} Not that he stamped a visible mark upon them, but obliged them, by some external band, to serve and fight for the see and state of Rome. To fight for him, as soldiers were wont to do for their emperor or general, whose mark they had in their right hand, wherewith they used to fight.

{or in their foreheads} To serve him, as servants did their masters; whose they were known openly to be, by wearing their marks on their foreheads.

V. 17. {buy or sell} Either civilly, by way of trading; or spiritually, by buying and selling pardons. It had been too cruel to have killed all at first, who refused his authority: therefore he forbids them all trading, without which men cannot live; and so compels the multitudes to come in to him.

{mark} Except he be a sworn servant of the pope. See v. 16. This makes the full and proper subjects of that kingdom, and therefore caused all he could to receive this mark, v. 16. and they are threatened with damnation, who receive it, chap. 14. 9, 11. Neither of these is spoken of those who received the name, or the number.

{or the name of the beast} Or, were a Papist in religion. By the beast here is meant, the first beast. The Roman state or emperors, whom the pope made men to serve, and whose authority he used, till he could raise himself to his height, v. 1, 12. ch. 16. 2.

{or the number of his name} Or, were esteemed so to be, and numbered among such.

V. 18. {Here is wisdom} It is a hard thing to find out this mark or name.

{for it is the number of a man} It is not only known to me by revelation, but also may be found out by human wisdom. Let wise men therefore seek to find it out.

{and his number} It is to be found in the numbers of the Greek letters of his general name: for men's names in Greek, contained numbers in the letters. They had not other figures, as we have, but counted by letters.

{six hundred threescore and six} S. John would not plainly set down the name, lest he should make the Roman emperors offended with the Christians; as S. Paul does not name him that lets, 2 Thes. 2. 6, 7. yet such plain tokens are set down by both, that he, and Antichrist his upholder, might be known when he comes. The truth is, this is the name of the beast, not of Antichrist; and so a national name, describing that state where Antichrist should rise and reign: and therefore though it is like to be comprehended in Greek letters, in which language John wrote; yet it is not likely to be a Greek word originally. Ireneus, and the ancients, take it for the word Lateinos, which, in Greek letters, makes six hundred sixty and six: showing, that Antichrist should be a Roman, or one of the Latin church. Others suppose his power should begin in the year of Christ six hundred sixty and six. Others, that it should last so many years in the height of it.

CHAPTER 14

Vers. 1. {I looked} See chap. 8. 13.

{and lo} Or, behold. A note of some great matter ensuing, Matt. 1. 23. Isai. 7. 14.

{a Lamb} Christ, the true Lamb, ch. 13. 8. Joh. 1. 29. 1 Pet. 1. 19. the Son of God the Father, appears in this verse; opposes the counterfeit lamb, ch. 13. 11. See ch. 5. 6.

{stood} He himself appears to John now in a vision, on a mountain like mount Sion. But the thing intended is, that he appeared in his ministers publicly serving God.

{on mount Zion} A type of the church, Psal. 48. 2. Isa. 33. 20. wherein Christ in his ordinances appeared as in a city on an hill, Mat. 5. 14. more conspicuously than before, after the long hidden state of his church persecuted by the pope.

{an hundred forty and four thousand} See chap. 7. 4.

{having his Father's name written in their foreheads} The mark on their foreheads, the name of God, not mentioned Chap. 7. is here expressed: implying, that they did now in a more open and public manner profess themselves his true servants, and were as manifestly known so to be, as if it had been written on their foreheads; alluding withal to such marks as servants used to have. See chap. 13. 16, 17. It is called, The name of his God. See chap. 3. 12.

V. 2. {a voice from heaven} Out of the now visible church of God, chap. 4. 2, &c.

{as the voice of many waters} Of many people now acknowledging the true religion, chap. 1. 15. & 17. 15. & 19. 6.

{of a great thunder} Chap. 6. 1. A loud and open profession of the truth, that the world might take notice of it.

{of harpers} A sweet and pleasant thanksgiving, delightful to God and good men. An allusion to the sweet melody in the temple at Jerusalem, 1 Chr. 25. 1. Psal. 43. 3, 4.

V. 3. {as it were, &c.} Such an one as John had not heard before, among all the heavenly voices in this Revelation.

{a new song} They gave praise to God for their new deliverance from Popish persecution, and the freedom they had by the favor of Christian magistrates, to profess the Christian religion openly. This shows that this must not be understood of the persecuted church in the wilderness, as some would have it; for the state thereof affords no matter for this new song, Psa. 137. 3, 4. neither is the church in that state called heaven, but when it is visible, ch. 12. 7. It is meant then of the churches breaking out again, when the witnesses were taken up into heaven, that is, into a free visible church, ch. 11. 12. This then is another new song, different from that, ch. 5. 9. for that was in praise of Christ, for opening the seals, see notes there.

{before the throne, &c.} Before God, his ministers and people in the congregation, ch. 4. 2, 4, 6. Psal. 107. 32.

{no man could learn that song} Not that any else went about to learn it; but none of the idolatrous Papists had that cause, or could tell how to praise God for this favor: for they were left in darkness.

{redeemed from the earth} Bought by the blood of Christ, and brought out of Popery, 1 Cor. 6. 20. & 7. 23. 1 Pet. 1. 18. from Antichrist's earthly church, ch. 12. 12.

V. 4. {not defiled with women} Not polluted with Popish false doctrine and idolatry, which is spiritual fornication, 2 Cor. 12. 2. Eph. 5. 27. Ezek. 15. 16. ch. 18. 3. An allusion to the Israelites, of whom many were enticed to idolatry by the Midianitish women, but many were kept from it, Num. 25. Others understand all this of the Waldenses, and such as served God purely in all the time of Popery; because it is said, They were not defiled. These remainders are now found in the visible church.

{follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth} Seek Christ in his ordinances, though with peril and loss having forsaken communion with the Popish church. And not following Antichrist for their head and guide, as others still, but Christ only.

{redeemed} Gr. bought. See vers. 3.

{from among men} 1 Cor. 3. 3. This expounds the former verse. The earth, then signifies, there are men of an earthly state, out of whom Christ took his, and from whose society he yet calls them, chap. 18. 4.

{the firstfruits} First converted, or openly making the first profession of the reformed religion, ch. 5. 9. & 20. 5. An allusion to the first fruits in the law, Deut. 18. 4. Prov. 3. 9. Jam. 1. 18. They were paid to the priests, as God's due. All the world is the heap; the elect are God's and Christ's, in a peculiar manner.

{unto the Lamb} This is more than to follow the Lamb; for it shows a peculiar right he has in them.

V. 5. {no guile} Psal. 32. 2. Joh. 1. 47. They were true in all their sayings. Or, in word they professed the true religion, which they believed in their hearts.

{without fault} Because Christ has redeemed, and paid the price of their sins, with his blood, Ephe. 6. 26, 27. Or, free from Romish idolatry (to which they could not be drawn by all the pope's power and threatenings) and worshiping God aright, and obeying all his commandments, to the uttermost of their strength, Luke 1. 6.

{before the throne of God} Men may condemn them; but God, who knows their hearts, and accepts of them in Christ, will acquit them. Or, they are blameless, not only before men, whose judgment is subject to error; but even before God himself, as sincere, that is, true and faithful subjects to God, Gen. 17. 1. Isa. 38. 3.

V. 6. {another angel} Different from them that blew the trumpets, or from him who showed him these things, ch. 1. 1. or from him, ch. 8. 13. who threatened woes to the earth.

{fly} Making haste to publish his message through the world. A type of the ministry of those times. And indeed, it passed from place to place very swiftly at first. So that this intimates the free and speedy passage of the Gospel from place, by their ministry.

{in the midst of heaven} So that he could not be hindered from preaching, by any human opposition. Or from whence he might be more conspicuously seen, and his voice most clearly heard on either side; as the light of the sun does most brightly diffuse itself into all parts of the hemisphere, when it is about the meridian. See ch. 8. 13. This angel some take to be Wycliffe and his fellows: others, to be Luther and his assistants. Such are called angels, ch. 1. 20. & 2. 1.

{having the everlasting Gospel} For to the ministers is this word of reconciliation committed, 2 Cor. 5. 19. as to the faithful stewards, to dispense to others, 1 Cor. 4. 1, 2. And it is called eternal, first, Because it teaches men not to fear Antichrist's spoiling of goods or life, seeing it holds out eternal happiness unto them, Heb. 10. 14. Secondly, Because the sum of it was from the beginning (and therefore it is not a new doctrine, as the Papists call it) and it shall be preached openly to the end of the world, in despite of all opposition, ch. 11. 15. for the witnesses shall be no more slain. Thirdly, Because it shall not be disannulled as the legal covenant was.

{unto them that dwell on the earth} To earthly-minded men, to call them off from carnality, to seek heavenly things, Col. 3. 1. Such secure ones are thus described, Luke 21. 34, 35. Or, to all the inhabitants of the earth, so that every nation shall hear of it; as follows in this verse. So this phrase is used, ch. 5. 9. & 7. 9.

V. 7. {with a loud voice} To show the weight of the message, and that all might hear, Chap. 8. 13.

{Fear God} Worship the true God, and do not worship images any more, as you have done. Or, fear not Antichrist any more, who can but kill your bodies; but fear God, who can destroy your souls also, Luk. 12. 4, 5. He exhorts them to that which has been neglected, and the contrary done: For men had not feared God, but men; nor honored his grace, but men's merits; nor worshiped him, but stocks, stones, &c. ch. 9. 20. At first, the ministers spoke not so plainly and fully against Babylon, as after, vers. 8. but did undermine Antichrist's kingdom, by preaching the true knowledge and worship of God; too much before neglected and corrupted.

{the hour of his judgment} He will not bear with your idolatry now, as he did in the times of ignorance, Act. 17. 30.

{and worship him} Psal. 146. 5, 6. Act. 14. 15.

{heaven and earth, &c.} Which none else could make; much less your images. He names four principal works of God, to draw men to know and worship him aright: First, the heaven; famous for breadth, light, motion, influence. Secondly, the earth; unmovable since the beginning, and very profitable to men. Thirdly, the sea; of huge compass, and great use for fishing and navigation. Fourthly, the fountains; which run always for the use of the living creature, as types of God's eternity and bounty.

V. 8. {another angel} Other ministers. Some take it for the Bohemians: others, for such after Luther as more clearly spoke of Rome's destruction.

{Babylon is fallen} Isa. 21. 9. Jer. 51. 8. ch. 18. 2. These saw the pope's kingdom shaken, by the ministry of such as went before them, and now declare boldly, that God has laid the foundation of the destruction of it, and will as surely destroy it shortly, as if it were now down.

{wine of the wrath of her fornication} Or, of the poisoned wine of her fornication, ch. 17. 2. For the Hebrew word to the which the Greek here answers, signifies poison, as well as wrath. As whores give spiced or enchanted cups to their lovers, to make them commit fornication with them; so did Rome, by subtle enticements, draw a great part of the world to her idolatry, which is often in Scripture compared to fornication; as Jer. 3. Ezek. 16. divers times. Or, she made God angry with them, as well as with herself, by drawing them to the same idolatry. Or, because when God is angry, and goes to punish wicked men, he is said to have a cup in his hand of poisoned wine, to give every one his part according to his merit, that men might know these judgments came from him, and not by chance, Job 21. 20. Psal. 75. 8. Isa. 51. 17. Jer. 25. 15. & 49. 12, 13. & 51. 7, 8. So Babylon and her followers shall also drink their share, according to their deserts. See vers. 10. An allusion to such nations as used to kill malefactors with poisoned cups.

V. 9. {third angel} Other ministers after them. Martin Luther and his fellow laborers, as some think; or later preachers, as others.

{worship the beast} The pope, who is Antichrist. See ch. 13. 11.

{and his image} And follow the German emperors, or other princes, whom he made, as an image of the heathen empire of Rome, (ch. 13. 15.) to uphold his idolatries and superstitions.

{receive his mark, &c.} See notes on cha. 13. 16. The first angel did preach the true worship of God, well nigh lost: the second foretells the fall of Babylon: the third warns men to come out of her, before it come; seeking to draw men out of the fire, Jude vers. 23.

V. 10. {the same} Not only the pope himself, but all his obstinate followers also, and sworn servants. Or, as he has taken the beast's mark, so he shall perish with him for company.

{of the wine of the wrath of God} Of God's severe judgment in the destruction of Babylon. See vers. 8. Psal. 75. 8. Jer. 25. 15. Or, of God's poisoned wine; that is, of the wine that God gives them to make them mad; as Psal. 60. 3. which is poured by God into the cup of his wrath, for them to drink, whom God will be avenged on, as vers. 8.

{without mixture} Not allayed with the water of mercy at all, Jam. 2. 13.

{with fire and brimstone} In hellfire forever, besides the heavy judgments he may endure at the fall of Rome, ch. 9. 18. & 19. 20. An allusion to the destruction of Sodom, Gen. 19. 24.

{in the presence of the Angels, &c.} Publicly, before Christ and his angels. An allusion to Sodom's destruction again, wherein Christ and his angels were employed. They that bear Antichrist's mark before men, shall be forsaken of, and tormented before Christ and his angels, that their torment may be the greater, Mark 8. 38. Luke 9. 26.

V. 11. {the smoke of their torment} Of the fire tormenting them. Their torment shall have no end; as we know the fire goes not out while we see the smoke, Isa. 34. 10.

{no rest} No intermission, because of the greatness of their everlasting pains. Here are some intermissions in the sufferings of God's people, though they be heavy for the time: but there shall be none, in the sore pains of the idolaters.

{day nor night} Though they have a perpetual night in hell, as a perpetual day in heaven: yet he speaks after the manner of men here on earth, meaning, They never have one minute of rest. See ch. 7. 15. Here, the light of the day, and society of friends, may somewhat allay those pains that are terrible in the night; and sleep in the night may make us forget the labors of the day: but these torments nothing can assuage.

{who worship the beast, &c.} See vers. 9.

V. 12. {Here is the patience} See chap. 13. 10. Or, here is the vengeance that shall be executed on their enemies, who patiently endure death for obedience to God, and holding fast the true religion, against the Papists. Or, now shall the patience and obedience of God's servants be made known to the world. It shall appear who are true, and who are counterfeit Christians. By Antichrist's fierce persecution, the chaff shall be separated from the wheat, and the dross from the gold. Or, after the Gospel preached, and the pope declared to be Antichrist, there shall be greater persecutions than before, and the patience of God's servants more tried; as appears in the persecutions and wars since the Waldenses and Luther's time. The pope, like the devil, rages, because his time is short, ch. 12. 12.

V. 13. {And I heard, &c.} Because in the former verse he had spoken of many troubles yet to come, to try the patience of God's people; here he brings in a voice from heaven, and commanded to be written, to assure them, that the greatest evil Antichrist could bring on them, was a speedy way to happiness. And this consolation was needful, lest they should think the primitive martyrs happy, who were put to death by heathen persecutors: but themselves unhappy, who were to be condemned by Christians, for heretics.

{in the Lord} As members of Christ, or in the faith of Christ; as Rom. 16. 7, 11. 1 Cor. 15. 18. 1 Thes. 4. 16. Heb. 11. 13. Or, for the Lord. So some interpret this phrase, Rom. 16. 2, 8, 12. And the Hebrew particle answering to the Greek one here, is often so used.

{from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit} Or, from henceforth saith the Spirit, yea. Though Antichrist must down, yet it will cost so much blood ere it be done, that they are happy that died or shall die before, in the fear of God. Or, you may think that your persecutions are all past, because the Gospel is openly preached again: but Antichrist, being now revealed, is more mad than before, and you shall find more trouble than formerly; so that you shall count the dead happy, Eccles. 4. 2, 3.

{may rest from their labours} From the troubles that are to come, or by dying before. Or, from their labors endured here.

{their works follow them} The reward of their works, 1 Cor. 15. 58.

V. 14. {I looked} See chap. 8. 13.

{and behold, &c.} Before, God wrought by the word, sending forth his three angels to preach, v. 6, &c. Now, he takes the sword, and begins by deeds to pull down Antichrist's kingdom: Which action is set out by two similitudes; one, of an harvest, v. 15. the other, of a vintage, v. 18. for in these, men use to cut down all the fruits.

{a white cloud} A sign of great glory.

{like unto the Son of man} Or, like unto a Son of man, Ch. 1. 13. Some glorious angel, v. 15. like a man; for he is set on work by another angel, v. 15. and an angel gathers the grapes, v. 19. which is all one judgment with this. See notes on ch. 10. 1.

{a golden crown} For majesty. Such kings wear. It shows also that he should get a glorious victory over Antichrist.

{a sharp sickle} To do swift execution.

{in his hand} That is, in his right hand; for with it men use to reap. He was both able and ready to execute what should be committed to him, as harvestmen with their sickles in their hands, (which were the usual instruments of cutting down the corn, Deu. 16. 9. & 23. 25. and are still) are to cut down the corn. This angel may be a type of some great and glorious prince or princes that should begin to execute God's wrath on the pope. Many such were in Germany in Luther's time.

V. 15. {another angel} Differing from the three former, and from him that sat on the cloud.

{out of the temple} Out of the church of God now opened (ch. 11. 19.) as the other angel did, v. 17. Representing the ministers of those times, who should call on the princes to be God's executioners, as bailiffs, who summon the harvestmen to work, but reap not with their own hands.

{crying with a loud voice} Showing his great desire to have the thing done, and that all men might hear, and further the work, See vers. 7.

{Thrust in thy sickle} Joel 3. 13. Go about the work of destroying Antichrist and his upholders.

{for the time} Gr. the hour. The time appointed by God: and therefore the business will succeed well now, that would not before.

{is come} As might appear by signs, or by divine incitation to the work.

{for thee to reap} Wherein God calls you to do it, and therefore will prosper the work in your hands.

{the harvest} Antichrist's followers are fit for vengeance, Jer. 51. 33.

{of the earth} Of the false church, or Antichristian state, ch. 13. 12.

{is ripe} Or, dried. The idolaters' sins are full, and ready for judgment, Gen. 15. 16. Jer. 51. 33. Isa. 17. 5. Or, withered; as this word is used, Mar. 13. 6. An allusion to hay, which, when it is withered, is good for nothing, but must be cut down, else it will be spoiled itself, and hurt the ground. So would these wicked ones grow stark naught, and hurt others, if they were not quickly destroyed. See the like, Psal. 129. 6.

V. 16. {thrust in his sickle} He did as he was commanded, and God prospered it accordingly.

{the earth was reaped} Antichrist and his followers were destroyed.

V. 17. {another Angel} Now the vintage follows after the harvest, as it uses to do.

{out of the temple} Figuring some ministers of note, that shall assist the princes in destroying Antichrist, and reforming religion.

{a sharp sickle} For they used not then to gather grapes with the hand, as we do; but to cut them off with an hook or sickle, for expedition, Isa. 18. 5. And so did some of the heathen.

V. 18. {out from the altar, which had power over fire} It may be that angel spoken of, ch. 8. 5. who stood at the altar of incense, and took fire from the altar of burnt offering, and cast it on the earth, from whence followed the judgments there ensuing. And in that respect he might be said to have power over fire. Or at least, it may be an allusion to that story; and may represent such, as by their fervent prayers could prevail with God to bring his judgments on Antichrist and his followers, and as it were command ministers and rulers to go about it, stirring them up with the slaughter of those martyrs which lay under the altar, ch. 6. 9. Or, this angel is said to have power over fire; that is, to restrain the fire of contentions (Judg. 9. 20.) from among Protestant princes, that they might jointly fight against the pope.

{gather the clusters} The vine, is the Popish church: gathering, is taking away: the clusters of grapes, are the multitude of the members of that church. So destruction of the wicked is set out by a vintage, as well as by an harvest, ch. 19. 15. Isa. 63. 1, 2, 3.

{fully ripe} See notes on vers. 15.

V. 19. {gathered the vine} Destroyed the pope's dominions, and slew those that were guilty of the blood of God's saints. Some understand, by the harvest, the destruction of Rome; and by the vintage, the utter ruin of Popery afterwards; as the vintage follows the harvest.

{cast into} An allusion to the usual manner of vintages, where they had always a winepress ready to tread their grapes in, as soon as they were gathered, before the moisture was dried or dropped out of them, Isa. 5. 2.

{great winepress} This shows, that this was a greater judgment than the former; as great winepresses have more grapes trodden in them, than lesser ones. This appears also by many other circumstances. He that cut down in the harvest, came from the clouds, v. 14. He that cuts in the vintage, comes out from the temple in heaven, v. 17. The encourager of the former came out of the temple, v. 15. of the latter, out of the altar, v. 18. and is said to have power over fire. The former cries with a loud voice, v. 15. the latter, with a loud cry, v. 18. The former is bid to thrust in his sickle, v. 15. the latter, his sharp sickle, v. 18. The former, to reap, v. 15. the latter more fully, to gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, v. 18. The former is told, The harvest is ripe, v. 15. the latter, that the grapes are fully ripe, v. 18. The former reaps the earth, v. 16. and takes no care of threshing: the latter casts the grapes into the great winepress of God's wrath, vers. 19. So that the judgment here intended must needs be greater, unless it be the same set out by two similitudes, as the famine of Egypt was, Gen. 41. 1, &c. And then the latter is added here, to set out the judgment the more fully; or to show the certainty of it; as Gen. 41. 32.

V. 20. {And the winepress was trodden} The similitude is prosecuted. When grapes are gathered, they are cast into the winepress, and then trodden, Judg. 9. 27. and the juice of them runs out, Neh. 13. 15. Isa. 63. 3, 4. This sets out the fierce execution of God's wrath upon sinners, Lam. 1. 15. and upon Antichrist and his, ch. 19. 13, 15.

{without the city} They used to tread the winepresses out of the city, because it was a foul and troublesome work, and the grapes might be hurt, and time lost, in carrying them from the place they grew in. See notes on vers. 19. Without the church, the city of God, as some interpret it: so that God provides for the safety of his church, while her enemies are in destroying. But as others say, the great battle shall be, not in the city of Rome, but in the territory thereunto belonging.

{and blood came out of the winepress} It is true, that wine is called, The blood of the grape, Gen. 49. 11. Deut. 31. 14. But here the Holy Ghost seems rather to pass suddenly from the type, to the thing itself thereby typified; from the winepress to the war, where horses are used, though not used in the other; and so gives us light for exposition. So he does, Amos 9. 11, 12. from David's tabernacle that is fallen, to the remnant of Edom and the heathen: and Hab. 1. 17. from catching fish in their net, to slaying the nations.

{to the horse bridles} He alludes to those that in war pursue the enemies' flight, to do execution: or to conquerors, who use to go forth, after the battle, to see the dead carcasses of their enemies, Isa. 66. 24. and to take the spoil: which they do with much difficulty, when the field is covered with the blood of the slain, so that they are forced to ride, and the horses well-nigh to swim. The meaning is; the blood of slain men should be like a deep river running over the banks; so great shall the slaughter of the Antichristians be, ch. 16. 14. & 19. 13, 18.

{a thousand and six hundred furlongs} As the wine runs out of the winepress, so the blood of the slain shall now flow a great length, and breadth and depth. An allusion to the destruction of Jerusalem, wherein the blood is imagined to run over all the land of Canaan, supposed to be about that compass of ground: and signifying, that blood shall be found plentifully running in all the pope's territory, or patrimony of the church, which is esteemed by some to be about that proportion of ground.

CHAPTER 15

V. 1. {Another sign} Differing from that, chap. 12. 1. and foretelling different things; as appears, because it is called another, and a marvelous one. Therefore the former victory over Antichrist, Chap. 14. and this song, must either have respect to something done at the beginning of reformation, or be a general description of this last overthrow, by way of anticipation, which is more particularly described in the vials following. And it is called a sign, to show, that it came not accidentally, though it was a strange sight, but was sent of God, to signify things to come.

{in heaven} Ch. 12. 1. In the church, grown more visible and glorious. As God did roar from Sion, Amos 1. 2, 3. when he foretold the destruction of the nations: so here, out of the church, come the vials of God's wrath, to be poured forth on Antichrist.

{great and marvellous} In regard of the great changes and things it would bring to pass; or in comparison of the former. In these respects the whole church confesses it to be so, v. 3.

{seven angels} So are the publishers of God's will, representing the executioners thereof, called before, cha. 8. 7, 8, 10, 12. & 9. 1, 14. & 11. 15.

{the seven last plagues} Of whom they had these: and what they were; see v. 7. They are called, The last plagues, for the reason following; because God's wrath is filled up by them, and so the thing done, which God had decreed, on the Antichristian state, ch. 10. 7. & 16. 17. They are the last that God will pour on Antichrist: and the church and world shall have happier days after.

V. 2. {a sea of glass mingled with fire} Some take it for a type of their innumerable persecutions they had suffered. Others, for the crystalline and pure doctrine of God's word, ch. 4. 6. mingled with much zeal against Papists; or, many contentions among themselves, as appeared in the controversies about the sacrament; yet might the truth be seen still sufficiently to salvation, Luk. 12. 49. Others, for the signs of God's wrath, whereby their foes were destroyed.

{That had gotten the victory} Such as had escaped the pope's rage, and had helped to pull down his kingdom.

{over the beast} ch. 13. 11.

{over his image} ch. 13. 15.

{over his mark, &c.} ch. 13. 16, 17.

{stand} ch. 14. 1.

{on the sea of glass} Trampling under feet their former persecutions. Or, upheld by the doctrine of God's word, notwithstanding their differences among themselves, and quarrels with their adversaries. Or, treading on their wicked adversaries, who are compared to a sea, by reason of unquietness, Isa. 57. 20, 21. And that of glass, because God sees all their wickedness, Heb. 4. 13. And is said to be mingled with fire, because they shall be destroyed with fire, ch. 16. 8. Or, stand on the pavement before God's throne, ch. 4. 6. worshiping God openly in his visible church. Or, stand at the sea of glass. So the particle is used, Luk. 12. 6, 30, 40. As the Israelites stood at the Red Sea, and praised God for their deliverance, Exod. 14. 30. & 15. 1. So these at the glassy sea of fire.

{harps of God} Excellent ones; as Gen. 23. 6. Heb. a prince of God, Psal. 36. 6. Heb. mountains of God. Or, harps to praise God with, ch. 5. 8. & 14. 2. when they see their foes destroyed, Psal. 58. 10, 11. Or, harps given of God. Having their hearts cleared by God's Spirit, and well tuned to praise God for so great a victory; as appears by their sweet music of praise, v. 3, 4.

V. 3. {the song of Moses} Such an one as Moses sung to the praise of God, for delivering Israel, and destroying the Egyptians, Exo. 15. 1. For God shows his power now as much, in freeing his people from Antichrist's yoke.

{the servant of God} In a peculiar manner, by office, Deut. 34. 5. See Chap. 1. 1.

{And the song of the Lamb} Ch. 14. 1, 3. Or, taught them more fully by the Lamb; as they had the pattern from Moses in part. Some take this which follows, v. 3, 4. to be the song taught by the Lamb, and that Moses his song is not set down, because it was recorded before in Scripture.

{great and marvellous} Psa. 111. 2. & 139. 4. God's works are said to be so here, because he had so long suffered Antichrist's cruelty, and so strangely destroyed him at the last.

{Almighty} A fit title: for he had showed his almighty power, in overthrowing so great force, and punishing so many enemies, ch. 1. 4, 8.

{just and true are thy ways} Psal. 145. 17. Just, because you have punished Antichrist; and true, because you have performed your promise to your people. By God's ways, is meant his constant works. A similitude taken from a traveler.

{King of saints} As those over whom he rules in a more special and gracious manner, by his word and Spirit, Psal. 110. 2, 3.

V. 4. {who shall not fear thee?} Jer. 10. 7. Everyone shall do it. Or, who should not (or would not) fear thee? You have given cause to all men to do it. By fear, is meant fear of reverence, and religious worship; as it follows, and glorify thy Name; Chap. 14. 7.

{for} Or, saying, that. Thus they teach posterity, why, and how to praise God. See the like, Psal. 106. 1. & 107. 1. and 136. all over: 2 Chr. 5. 13. And so the Jews use it in their liturgy. See also, 1 Chr. 16. 41. Matt. 7. 23. In all these places it may fitly be translated; and so it is full in the Greek, Luk. 19. 42. Saying, that if, &c.

{thou only art holy} Of yourself, and infinitely, 1 Sam. 2. 2. and have showed yourself so to be, by destroying the unholy, and freeing the holy.

{all nations shall come} You are now sending forth your forces to destroy Antichrist, and then you shall be rightly worshiped in all the world, Isa. 66. 23, 24. Although, while Antichrist reigned, there was scarce any hope of any such thing left in the world: yet, when he is destroyed, all that are left of those that adhered to him, shall publicly worship you accordingly to your word, Chap. 11. 13. & 20. 5. None shall then refuse to fall down to you. They that knew you not before, shall be converted.

{before thee} In the places of your public worship, Psal. 42. 2.

{thy judgments are made manifest} There is no man but sees how justly you have proceeded, and that, though your judgments on them are great, yet are they no greater than they have deserved. This you have showed, in freeing us from the power of Antichrist already: and it shall be made more manifest, when you destroy him and his adherents. For your judgments past, are an argument to us, to look for a fuller declaration of your justice in time to come: and every man may see what you will do, by what you have done.

V. 5. {the temple of the tabernacle} That is, the innermost part of the tabernacle, called The holy of holiest, and The most holy place; which tabernacle is termed, The tabernacle of the testimony; Num. 1. 50. & 17. 7. in regard of the two tables of stone, so called, Exod. 25. 21. because in them was written the law of God, the testimony of his will, Exod. 34. 28. Psal. 19. 7. & 119. 14, 22. which tables were put in the ark, Deut. 10. 5. 1 Kin. 8. 5. and that ark placed in the innermost part of the tabernacle or temple, 1 Kin. 8. 6. Heb. 9. 3, 4. The temple was so open, that men might see into it out of the court now, which in the Old Testament they could not. See the meaning, ch. 11. 19.

V. 6. {seven angels, &c.} John saw them, vers. 1. but now he sees them coming out of the temple, to execute their charge.

{out of the temple} See Chap. 14. 15. Out of the Sanctum sanctorum, where the ark was, v. 5. It may import, that these were the last plagues, because they lay hid in the secretest closet of God's sanctuary, till the rest were finished. Here is still a gradation of judgments. The angels that blow the trumpets are in heaven, ch. 8. 1, 6. The reapers, and the encouragers, came out of the clouds, and the temple, and from the altar, ch. 14. 14, 15, 17, 18. But these with the vials come out of the most holy place, God's closet, and secret armory. They came also by command from God; for from the oracle did God use to answer Moses, Exo. 25. 22. Num. 7. 89. & 17. 4. So God stirred up men extraordinarily, to help pull down Antichrist's kingdom. See ch. 16. 1.

{having the seven plagues} See notes on v. 1.

{pure and white linen, &c.} Very glorious. An allusion to the high priest's garments (who only went into the most holy place) both for the linen and girdle. See Exo. 28. 6, 8. They are clad like conquerors. See ch. 19. 14.

{their breasts girded with golden girdles} They were ready girt, to go about their work, Exo. 12. 11. 1 King. 18. 46. Luk. 12. 35. And with golden girdles, to show their royal dignity, ch. 1. 13. Some great religious princes they seem to set out, who must successively weaken the pope's kingdom, till it be quite destroyed.

V. 7. {one of the four beasts} Or, living wights, ch. 4. 6. The ministers. See why, ch. 14. 15. It may be taken for the first, as chap. 6. 1. Or, any one of them, because the rest are not named after, as in chap. 6. The meaning is, that in every age after the Reformation, God will raise up, as some eminent princes to fight against Antichrist; so also some famous ministers to incite and encourage them thereunto.

{seven golden vials, &c.} Each of them one vial full of the liquor of God's wrath, to be poured on idolaters. Vials are cups wherein men used to drink, Psal. 76. 8. Jer. 25. 15. First were the seven seals, which were tokens of judgments to come on the world, if they repented not. Then the trumpets, thundering out greater troubles. Lastly, the vials, which come without noise, because they come not to warn, but to destroy the Antichristians, as fire and brimstone was poured down on Sodom and Gomorrah, Gen. 19. They are golden, in allusion to the vessels of the sanctuary, Exo. 25. 29. & 37. 16. Jer. 52. 19. Hereby is showed, that God's wrath is like gold, pure, and free from the dregs of passion; and also that God will get himself much glory by these judgments: For gold is the most pure and glittering metal.

{full of the wrath of God} Not that God is angry with them; but by that which is contained in them, executes his wrath on his foes: see how, ch. 14. 8, 10. They contained many and great punishments in them.

{who liveth for ever and ever} Ch. 5. 14. & 19. 6. And therefore can punish them, not here only, but also forever in hell.

V. 8. {the temple was filled with smoke, &c.} Smoke is used sometimes, to set out God's powerful and terrible presence; as Exo. 19. 18. especially when he comes in anger, to destroy the enemies of his church, that he may show mercy to his people, in delivering them, Psa. 18. 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 17. Isa. 6. 4, 11. So here, God would show his terrible and powerful presence in his temple, by manifest arguments of his wrath against the enemies of his church, in sending some thence continually to plague the Antichristian church, from the time of the church's reformation, till Antichrist's final destruction.

{no man was able, &c.} God was so angry with the Papists, that no man durst come to intercede for them; but he went on in wrath, till he had rooted that religion out of the earth.

CHAPTER 16

Vers. 1. {A great voice} Signifying the work to be important, and to be done with great care.

{out of the temple} Ch. 14. 15. It shows also the work to be holy and just. It seems to be God's voice. See ch. 15. 6, 7. and the rather, because the voice is said to be heard, but no visible form of the speaker is showed, Deut. 4. 12, 33.

{to the seven angels} Signifying the instruments ready to execute these judgments, as the angels were ready to pour out the vials, and waited only for a sign.

{Go your ways} It is time for you now to pour out those plagues upon the earth which are committed to you. They must go out of the church, into Antichrist's dominions, to afflict them.

{pour out the vials} To the bottom. Leave nothing in. Execute God's wrath to the full, as far as each of your commissions go.

{vials of the wrath} Ch. 15. 7. These vials were for the destruction of Popish Rome, as the seals were for the overthrow of the heathen Roman empire. There is a great agreement between the trumpets, that weakened the Christian Roman empire, and these vials, that shall ruin the Popish church. The evil of the first trumpet and vial lights on the earth; the second, on the sea, &c. The one shows, that the Popish church shall be destroyed, as sure as the heathen empire was: the other, that it shall be destroyed by such like judgments as the heathen empire was weakened.

{wrath of God} Yet God may be the speaker, though he speak of himself, in the third person; as he does, Exo. 20. 7.

{upon the earth} Upon the Antichristian church and state, as appears, v. 2. This is like to be the sense here, because some of the vials were poured on the sea, and on the sun, vers. 3, 8. not all on the earth literally taken.

THE FIRST VIAL.

V. 2. {the first went} Gr. went forth. They did not all pour out their vials at once, to show, that this desolation should come by degrees, not all at once. The angels that sounded the trumpets, stood before God and sounded, chap. 8. 2, 7. these go forth to do it: which shows, that these are types of those princes that must destroy Antichrist's kingdom by degrees.

{poured out his vial} Left nothing in it. This shows the greatness of the judgment, and his fidelity, in doing as he was commanded, vers. 1.

{upon the earth} Upon the common people, the pope's footstool. So it is to be taken here, because the other vials were to be poured on the earth also; if it be taken for Antichrist's whole kingdom, as it is, v. 1.

{noisome and grievous sore} Gr. evil and wicked. Evil is put for noisome, or offensive to others, 2 Sam. 11. 27. 1 Chron. 21. 7. Wicked, for troublesome to a man's self, Eccl. 1. 13. Sore travail: Heb. evil thing. So Eccl. 4. 8. And on the contrary, good is put for, pleasing to others, Gen. 1. 31. to ourselves, Psal. 4. 6, 7. & 34. 12. & 106. 5. Now because the place of the body is not noted, it may be supposed these sores in the type went all over the body, as Job's did, Job 2. 7. And the like is threatened, Deut. 28. 27, 35. This must needs be noisome to others, and troublesome to themselves. Some take it for the rage of the common people, who went to fight against the Waldenses; for they were the pope's marked soldiers. Others, for the Neapolitan disease that came upon his warriors, one thousand four hundred ninety and four. Others, for the envy of the idolaters against the Gospel, and the preachers and professors of it, when Luther first began to preach. It made them like the Egyptians, that not only could not abide to have their bodies touched, but also not to endure the company of others, Exod. 9. 10, 11.

{upon the men} Like boils; that as they afflict within, so they appear without, and stink when they break: so did their envy. Thus were the Papists vexed, when the Protestant religion was publicly professed. Men that knew no grounds of religion, nor knew no cause of quarrel against them, would bring fagots to burn them; as appears in the book of Martyrs.

{mark} Chap. 13. 16.

{which worshipped his image} Chap. 13. 15.

THE SECOND VIAL.

V. 3. {upon the sea} See chap. 8. 6. Hereby is meant the pope's jurisdiction which kept many provinces in subjection to him, as the sea does begirt the land.

{it became} A greater destruction than before. The third part only was blood, ch. 8. 8.

{as the blood of a dead man} Exod. 7. 17. As the putrefied blood of a dead carcass, which is so loathsome, that no man can drink it. Or, as if it were made all over red with the blood of many men slain.

{every living soul died in the sea} Whole provinces and kingdoms cast off the pope's jurisdiction, because it was so corrupt, they could not live any longer in it. So it came to pass in Luther's time, before his death.

THE THIRD VIAL.

V. 4. {rivers and fountains of waters} Popish magistrates, and ministers employed to uphold their church, who came to an ill end; as many did in England and France.

V. 5. {angel of the waters} That had power given him to turn the sea into blood, v. 3. Or, him on whose vial poured out, the rivers and fountains were turned into blood, v. 4. Like the angel of the fire, ch. 14. 18.

{which art, &c.} Ch. 1. 4.

{judged} Punished; as Gen. 15. 14.

V. 6. {And thou hast given them blood to drink} They were adjudged to death, as they had judged others. So the laws are against priests in England; and they have for their ill lives been put to death by the secular power, in some Popish countries.

V. 7. {another} Differing from him, ch. 9. 13. or from him, ch. 14. 18. or from him that spake out of the temple, v. 1. of this chapter. Or, one confirming the words of the angel, the incense at the golden altar, chap. 8. 3, 4.

{Even so} So it ought to be.

{true and righteous} Ch. 15. 3. You have judged incorruptibly, in giving blood for blood; and fulfilled your promise, in revenging the blood of your servants, ch. 6. 11.

THE FOURTH VIAL.

V. 8. {upon the sun} The pope's temporal power over kings. Or, the house of Austria, which shined brightest in the Popish heaven. They have begun to be eclipsed.

{unto him} Or, unto it. To the angel, or to the sun. See the like, ch. 9. 1.

{to scorch} Much fire and war have been in their territories of late: more may be.

V. 9. {scorched} Or, burned. They were enraged with rancor and malice, as with a burning fire.

{blasphemed the Name of God} As the beast does, ch. 13. 6. which has power over these plagues. Either he shows the cause why they blasphemed God, to wit, Because he did inflict these plagues on them; or, did not keep them off: Or else he shows their madness, that made their plagues greater, by resisting him that could have removed them, if they had submitted to him, and entreated his help, Isa. 8. 21.

{to give glory to God} See chap. 11. 13.

{repented not} See chap. 9. 20, 21.

THE FIFTH VIAL.

V. 10. {upon the seat of the beast} On the city of Rome, ch. 13. 2. which shall then be destroyed. And then we shall certainly know, which of the vials are past, and which to come.

{full of darkness, &c.} Though his city be destroyed, yet not his kingdom totally: that shall be much obscured, when his throne is gone. The pope then must live somewhere else, when Rome is destroyed, (as once he did at Avignon) before his kingdom be quite overthrown: and his followers shall be in great agony, like those that bite their tongues for grief and anger, ready, at the next increase of pain, to devour or destroy themselves. Or, it may be meant, They shall eat their words, and be ashamed of their railings upon God's saints, though they leave not their idolatry, v. 11.

V. 11. {blasphemed the God of heaven} Spake ill of him, because they conceived their plagues came from thence: for they thought no human power could have destroyed Rome.

{repented not} See v. 9. ch. 9. 20.

THE SIXTH VIAL.

V. 12. {upon the great river Euphrates} Ch. 9. 14.

{and the water thereof was dried up} With the heat of the plague; or by the Jews, turned Christians, diverted, that they may come to help ruin the beast, Isa. 11. 15, 16. An allusion to the taking of old Babylon, Jer. 50. 38. & 51. 32. and drying up the Red Sea, Exod. 14. and Jordan, Josh. 3. Or, the destroying of the Turkish empire, that hinders their coming, as of Assyria, Isa. 8. 7. These are not like to come to help destroy Rome; for that is to be done under the former vial. See notes on v. 10. But to help destroy Antichrist utterly, at the great battle of Armageddon, v. 16. ch. 19. 17, 18. For their conversion is likely to be before that, though after the fall of Rome. See notes on chap. 19. 1, &c.

{kings of the East} The Jews, who are like to reign in those parts again, Isa. 24. 41. Others understand it of the Turks, to be brought in by the pope's frogs to help him, v. 14.

V. 13. {three unclean spirits} Divers kinds of incendiaries sent abroad.

{like frogs} Unclean persons, and making a great noise, to draw men to fight for Antichrist, though Rome be down. They should be either the Jesuits, or some stirring sect worse than the Jesuits, arising after Rome's and before Antichrist's fall.

{out of the mouth} By the command; as chap. 12. 15. Or, sent to establish their doctrine or religion.

{of the dragon} Of the devil, chap. 13. 13. The Jesuits seem to be sent by him; for they keep a cabinet council at Rome, distinct from the pope's.

{of the beast} The emperor, ch. 13. 1. who sends ambassadors abroad, to uphold the Popish cause.

{of that false prophet} The pope, ch. 13. 21. who sends his legates. See ch. 19. 20. & 22. 10. All these stir up other princes to further the Catholic cause, as they call it. See the like, Gen. 14. 5. Josh. 9. 1, 2. & 10. 1, 2, 3.

V. 14. {spirits of devils} Not only unclean, as v. 13. but also devilish and malicious.

{working miracles} Chap. 15. 13. To persuade men to fight for Antichrist, who is now going down the wind.

{go forth} Are diligent and travel into all parts, to persuade princes to uphold the Popish cause.

{kings of the earth} Popish kings.

{of the great day of God Almighty} Wherein God shall show his almighty power, in destroying the Popish princes, ch. 19. 17.

V. 15. {Behold I come} This verse should be included in a parenthesis, because the verse following depends not on it, but on the former. It is put in, to comfort Christ's servants against these great preparations, by his promise of his speedy assistance.

{as a thief} Chap. 3. 3. Matt. 24. 43. Unexpectedly.

{watch} Takes heed of the plots of these frogs. Or, does expect my help continually.

{keepeth his garments} Does nothing unbeseeming the true religion; for he will get no help from them by dissembling, but will be exposed to shame, if he condescend to them.

V. 16. {He gathered them} God, v. 14. As he let Ahab be seduced by the false prophets, to his destruction, 1 Kin. 22. so he lets those foolish kings hearken to the frogs, to come into the pit of perdition. Or, They gathered: that is, the frogs. Or, the meaning is, they were gathered: as Luk. 12. 20.

{Armageddon} The place has this name given it from the future event; as Num. 11. 34. Ezek. 39. 21. Some take it for an allusion to Barak's victory over Sisera, by the waters of Megiddo, Judg. 4. 15. & 5. 19, 20. The word may signify, Devoted to destruction: or, Destroyed by craft: that is, subtly brought thither, to be suddenly destroyed.

THE SEVENTH VIAL.

V. 17. {the seventh angel} Under the fifth vial, was the destruction of the city of Rome: under the sixth, the overthrow of the kings that assist the pope in the great battle. Under this seventh, the remainder of the Papists are destroyed.

{into the air} Where Satan's throne is, Eph. 2. 2. who upheld the beast and false prophet all this while, and used his utmost endeavor to uphold them in the last great battle.

{a great voice} In the thunder, v. 18. See John 12. 28, 29.

{from the throne} From him that sits on the throne; that is, God the Father, ch. 1. 4. & 4. 2.

{It is done} It is certain, as if it were done, Hos. 10. 7. ch. 21. 6. Babylon is undone, v. 19. Or, It was. Or, It is done. That is, it once had a glorious being, now it has none at all.

V. 18. {voices and thunders, &c.} See ch. 4. 5. & 8. 5. & 11. 13, 15. As if heaven and earth were troubled, or conspired together, to destroy Antichrist. Or, it may signify a destruction, not by human help, but from heaven, as it seems, v. 21.

{such as was not, &c.} See Dan. 12. 1.

V. 19. {the great city} The place where the remainder of the senate and people of Rome abide: for it was destroyed under the fifth vial.

{divided} Gr. made. Or, became.

{into three parts} Pulled all to pieces, as a city torn into three pieces by an earthquake.

{cities of the nations} Other Popish cities were destroyed. See chap. 11. 2. Or, of Turks and Gentiles: for all Christ's enemies are to be deposed from public authority.

{came in remembrance before God} He showed, by destroying her utterly, that he remembered all her wickedness. So good works are remembered, when rewarded, Act. 10. 4, 31.

{cup of the wine, &c.} See ch. 14. 10. Jer. 25. 15, 16.

{of the fierceness of his wrath} This shows the greatness of God's anger, punishing them for their sins which they were so many years in committing.

V. 20. {every island} Or, place beyond the sea; as Psal. 72. 10. Or, every land or country; as Isa. 20. 6. & 41. 1. Jer. 47. 4. See chap. 6. 14. There, they were out of place; here, no more found, as if they had been removed or swallowed up by the earthquake. There should be no more footing for Popery in any remote place, or defensed cities. All of them should be either converted or confounded.

V. 21. {upon men} The judgment on the places was showed before: now follows the judgment on the men that escaped. God will destroy them strangely.

{a great hail} Great hailstones (as Josh. 10. 11.) signifying great judgments.

{weight of a talent} See Ezr. 8. 26. Very great hailstones big enough, not to kill men only, but also to dash them to pieces.

{blasphemed God} They were so obstinate in their idolatry that they stood out against all God's judgments; and blasphemed God to the very last hour, v. 9.

CHAPTER 17

V. 1. {One of the seven angels} It was fit that one of the executioners of God's wrath on Babylon should inform John what she was, ch. 16. 1. Or, the first of the seven angels; as ch. 6. 1.

{talked with me} See ch. 1. 12. & 4. 1.

{I will shew unto thee} As now the whore is showed to John, and the manner of her destruction; so she must be manifested to be a whore, to God's ministers and people, especially to such as shall be employed in destroying her; for that is a great encouragement to fight against her.

{the judgment} The utter destruction of Rome. But it is called judgment, that men may know it came not by chance, nor undeservedly, nor by man's power principally; but by a just sentence of Almighty God upon her for her sins, and that men are set on work by an higher power, to pull her down, and bring her low.

{great whore} She was once the faithful spouse of Christ; but now is turned harlot, Isa. 1. 21. She is called a great whore, because of the multitude of her spiritual fornications, Isa. 23. 15, 17. Nah. 3. 4. Or, the damnation (as Matt. 23. 14.) of the great whore, by an Hebraism, for, the great damnable whore. As Matt. 24. 15. abomination of desolation, for, abominable desolation.

{sitteth upon many waters} Situated on the great river Tiber, as old Babylon on Euphrates, Jer. 51. 13. See what is meant by waters spiritually, v. 15.

V. 2. {kings of the earth} Many great princes have been seduced to idolatry by her, and worshiped her idols; and she dispenses with adulteries and incests in them, to keep them at her beck. Before, the nations only are mentioned, ch. 14. 8. here, the kings also, to show, that this Romish idolatry should be countenanced by authority in many nations.

{inhabiters of the earth} Like a common strumpet, she prostitutes herself to base people also, for money, that she may put off her pardons and indulgences.

{drunk with the wine} Allured to idolatry by her, with hope of gain, honor, pleasure, so that they doted on it, and were mad against all that opposed them in that course; as wicked men do, who are enticed to whoredom by the flatteries of a strumpet, Prov. 7. 14. See vers. 4. ch. 14. 8. Jer. 51. 7.

V. 3. {in the Spirit} In a trance, his body abiding where it was, chap. 4. 2.

{into the wilderness} A fit place to be private, that he might the better view so great a mystery. Or, to show, that this great whore was not yet visible in the world. Or, that he might view the woman the better, being separated from others, and in an open waste, where nothing might hinder the sight of her. Or, to intimate, that Rome should be brought into a desolate state in the end; as ch. 18. 21, &c. Isa. 13. 19, 20, 21, 22. Jer. 50. 12.

{a woman} Popish Rome, v. 18.

{a scarlet coloured beast} The Roman, or French, or German emperor, set up by the pope. Or, as some, the pope, who upholds Popish Rome. And the beast is said to be scarlet-colored; first, to show the pride of these Romish idolaters, who would go like kings, and great commanders, and rich personages, Nah. 2. 3. 2 Sam. 1. 24. Matt. 27. 28, 29, 31. Secondly, to show their cruelty, that were as it were dyed with the blood of God's saints, vers. 6. ch. 18. 24.

{full of names of blasphemy} Usurping names that belong to God and Christ only, 2 Thess. 2. 4. and taking God's power, or a greater, unto themselves; as the pope and his adherents do at Rome, by dispensing with sins and oaths. Now their blasphemies are legible, to be seen with the eye, as spots on a beast; and they are all over bespotted with them.

{seven heads} See v. 9, 10, 11.

V. 4. {in purple and scarlet colour} So the pope and cardinals are attired at Rome. Thus like a strumpet they deck themselves, to allure lovers. And it may also set out their pride, in their kingly and triumphant attire, ch. 18. 7. Dan. 5. 29. and their luxury, whereof Rome is full.

{decked} Gr. gilded.

{with gold, &c.} It may set out the stately worship of the Papists, their costly images, altars, copes, palls, or stately palaces.

{cup of gold} The wine was mentioned, ch. 14. 8. Now the cup is set out, and it is a golden one, Jer. 51. 7. to allure men to drink of it, or to show, that golden means are used by the popes, to draw men to idolatry. Or, that Rome bears the title of the Catholic church; but gives the poisoned cup of idolatry to others to drink, ch. 14. 8.

{in her hand} Signifying, that Rome sends abroad legates, to allure all men, especially great ones, to her superstition.

{full of abominations} More abominable, for idolatry and wantonness, than any other place. Such cups of enticing wine, whores were wont to give to their lovers, to allure them to folly, v. 2. Or, alluding to such enchanted potions, as by lewd persons are given to work a strong and strange incitation of amorous affections towards them in others.

V. 5. {upon her forehead a name} As common strumpets anciently had their names written over their cells in the stews, and some on their foreheads; that all might plainly see, that she is such as she is hereafter described.

{written} By God's appointment it was made known; for she would never take such a title to herself; yet she did so openly carry herself, that men might see her faults in her forehead, Isa. 3. 9. Jer. 3. 3.

{Mystery} Deceiving others, under the color of divine mysteries, (whereas heathen Rome openly professed idolatry) their whole religion being a mystery of iniquity or wickedness, 2 Thess. 2. 7. as the Gospel of Christ is called, The mystery of piety, or godliness, Rom. 16. 25. 1 Tim. 3. 16.

{Babylon the great} An allusion to old Babylon, called Great Babylon, Dan. 4. 30. whom Rome imitates, in oppressing God's church, and challenging an universal empire.

{the mother of harlots} Or, fornications. A teacher and nourisher of bodily and spiritual whoredoms, Ezek. 16. Hos. first and second chapters. So that she not only was idolatrous herself, but brought forth, and brought up, children suitable to herself.

V. 6. {drunken with the blood, &c.} Not only outwardly sprinkled with it, but inwardly surfeited; such abundance of martyrs did she kill, and commanded everywhere to be killed, ch. 16. 6. & 18. 24. She made others drink with her idolatry, v. 2. and those against whom she could not prevail, she made herself drunk with their blood.

{of the saints, &c.} This increases her sin. It was a great transgression to kill men; greater, to kill holy men; greatest of all, to kill them for bearing witness to Christ.

{I wondered, &c.} John wondered not before, at the sight of the two beasts, ch. 13. But now he admires at the sight of the woman on the beast, whom he had not seen before. And he wondered indeed, that God would suffer so much blood of his servants to be shed by her. But he did not so admire at her great power, as to follow her. This, wicked men do, vers. 8. ch. 13. 3, 4.

V. 7. {And the angel said unto me} That angel that showed me this representation, v. 1, &c. now fulfills his word, and tells me the meaning of it.

{Why dost thou marvel?} John's admiration is the ground of the future revelation.

{I will tell thee} As John could not tell the meaning of this type, unless the angel had revealed it: so we could never have known Rome to be Babylon, unless God had made it known to us, v. 9.

{mystery} See v. 5.

{that carrieth her} The emperors uphold Rome, and Rome upholds the pope.

V. 8. {that thou sawest, &c.} This beast appeared to John before in another shape, not as an upholder of Popish Rome.

{out of the bottomless pit, &c.} Shall be set up by Satan to that end, and be destroyed with him, ch. 11. 7.

{shall wonder} See notes on v. 6.

{whose names are not written, &c.} ch. 13. 8. Though their impostures be very subtle, yet they cannot deceive God's elect, Matt. 24. 24.

{and yet is} Other copies read it, and yet shall be. This beast some take to be the pope; others, the emperor: which appeared to John in another form before, ch. 13. but now was vanished, in regard of that form, and appeared as one that should hereafter uphold Popish Rome. Others say, Which was in resemblance of power, but should not be for a time in that greatness; yet should afterwards get a renewed power, chap. 13. 4.

V. 9. {mind which hath wisdom} Here a wise heart may exercise itself, to find out this mystery, chap. 13. 18.

{seven mountains} Rome was built on seven hills, yet to be seen there, though some of them now be without the walls of the city.

V. 10. {There are} Or, They are.

{seven kings} The lasting heads, were hills; the fleeting ones, are kings, that is, several sorts of governments.

{five are fallen} Kings, consuls, tribunes, decemvirs, dictators.

{one is} Roman emperors.

{the other is not yet come} Popes: or, the Gothish kingdom of Italy; for it lasted but a while, in comparison of the emperors.

{a short space} It is literally true of the Gothish kingdom: but if it be meant of the pope, it intimates, that the pope's power shall not abide forever. It may seem long to those that suffer under it; but it is short, in God's sight, 2 Pet. 3. 8. and in respect of the eternal happiness of God's saints, Rom. 8. 18. 2 Cor. 4. 16, 17, 18. A longer time is said to be short, ch. 22. 6, 7, 10, 12, 20.

V. 11. {the beast} By a synecdoche. He means, one head of that beast which he saw. Or, he is not the eighth beast, nor head; for there were not so many in all: but the eighth king; for with that word it agrees in the Greek, and not with either of the other. He should be so altered, that he should seem rather to be a new beast, than an head of the old one, Dan. 7. 7.

{is one of the seven} There were emperors before; and after that they were depressed by the Goths, the western emperor was set up by the pope, c. 13. 13. Or, he may be one of the seven, if it be understood of the pope; because he attained to such power afterwards, as the emperors formerly had.

{and goeth into perdition} Vers. 8.

V. 12. {The ten horns} Hereby it appears, that this is the first beast, ch. 13. 1. for the second had but two horns, ch. 13. 11. The second beast, the pope upheld; the first, the emperor or empire; and the first upheld the woman, the city of Rome, v. 18.

{ten kings} The kingdoms of Europe rent from the Roman empire. See the like, Dan. 7. 24. In John's time, they had no kingdoms, but were subject to the Roman empire.

{as kings} For they had crowns, ch. 13. 1. whereas the ten horns of the dragon, ch. 12. 3. had no crowns: they were but lieutenants to the Roman empire. The crowns were then on the seven heads, not on the ten horns, as now.

{one hour} They shall reign a small time with the pope, v. 10. Matt. 20. 12. & 26. 40. Or, at one hour, ch. 3. 3. Joh. 4. 52. Act. 3. 30. For the pope soon labored to divide the kingdoms of Christendom, to uphold himself. And now there be divers kings, notwithstanding the emperor's remaining.

V. 13. {one mind, &c.} They shall labor with one consent, to uphold the pope, or the Roman empire. Before; nations submitted; now, kings. See on vers. 2.

{power and strength} Or, force and authority. They shall use all their personal and royal authority over their people, to uphold the beast, ch. 13. 2.

V. 14. {These} Some of these shall take part with Antichrist till the end, even after the fall of Rome, till they be destroyed at Armageddon, ch. 16. 14. & 18. 9. & 19. 18. So, the thieves mocked Christ, Matt. 27. 44. that is, One of them, Luk. 23. 39. Here the instruments of the pope's war are set down by a similitude taken from beasts which fight with their horns, Zech. 1. 18, 19, 21.

{with the Lamb} Ch. 5. 6. Before, the beast made war with the witnesses, Ch. 11. 7. and with all the saints, ch. 13. 7. but now, with Christ himself. This shows the cause of his quarrel against them; to wit, that they belong to Christ; and the growth and height of his malice against Christ.

{for he is Lord of lords, &c.} Ch. 19. 16. 1 Tim. 1. 16. God having given him supreme power over all, it is fit that all should be willingly subject to him, or subdued under him, Psal. 110. 1, 2, 3. Matt. 28. 18, 19, 20. 1 Cor. 15. 25.

{called and chosen} Of high account with God, though the world call them heretics. Or, such as are picked out by Christ himself, Jer. 49. 19. & 50. 44. and called to destroy Antichrist, and will faithfully do it.

V. 15. {The waters, &c.} Here he sets out the large territories of the beast, consisting of many people of sundry languages, by the similitude of many waters. So Isa. 8. 7, 8. Jer. 47. 2. for the people are movable and inconstant, like water. And Antichrist's kingdom is built on a fleeting foundation, like an house on the water.

{which thou sawest} The woman to sit on, v. 1.

{peoples and multitudes} See ch. 5. 9. & 7. 9. & 10. 11. & 11. 19. & 13. 7. & 14. 6.

V. 16. {These shall hate the whore} Or, are these kings which shall hate the whore. For the gender is changed in the Greek, from horns to men. That is, some of these: for others will take part with Antichrist to the end. See notes on v. 14. They shall, like raging enemies, out of hatred conspire against her, and lay waste her dwelling; as it were strip her of her state and pomp, use her most despitefully, and utterly destroy her.

{make her desolate} By leaving her communion.

{naked} They shall take away her garments, consisting of purple, and scarlet, and gold, and precious stones, and pearls, v. 4. and convert them to their own use. So they shall make her poor and naked. Or, they shall forbid their subjects to go thither to buy pardons. So whores are impoverished, when their lovers forsake them.

{eat her flesh} Spoil her, as a lion feeding on his prey. Or, shall feed themselves on her spoils, which were as dear to her as her flesh, Matt. 15. 29, 30. Or, members, Col. 3. 5. This shows their great rage against her; Psa. 27. 2. Job 31. 31. but it appears more in the clause following, in that they were not content with eating her flesh, Job 19. 22. but burnt the remainders of her.

{burn her with fire} Destroy her utterly, not leaving a bone of her. They shall burn the whole city, when they have rifled it, as the Babylonians did Jerusalem, Jer. 38. 23. & 52. 13. & 37. 10. and as harlots and strumpets sometimes were, Gen. 38. 24. Lev. 21. 9. Ezek. 23. 45, 47.

V. 17. {For God hath put into their hearts} A reason is here given of the altering of their affections toward the beast now, and their inclining so strongly to it before: to wit, God's will, who, as now in mercy he moved them to destroy the beast, so before, for their own sins, and cowardliness, v. 13, 14. and the sins of their subjects, in justice for a time gave them over to subject themselves to the beast. So Pharaoh is said to harden his own heart, Exod. 8. 15. and God is said to do it, Exod. 7. 13.

{to fulfil his will} To destroy the city of Rome.

{and to agree, &c.} Or, to do with one consent. Or, to act that one sentence, v. 13. that is, to submit themselves to the pope's tyranny no longer than for a time set by God. So the apostle thanks God, Rom. 6. 17. that they were no longer servants of sin, not for that they were so for a time. Or, God, for a just punishment of their sins, made them subject to Rome, as he did the nations to old Babylon, Jer. 27. 6. For it was not a sin in itself, to submit to the Roman empire, though by the popes this power were afterwards abused to persecution. No threats or allurements could have made them so servile to Popish Rome, if God in justice had not given them over to that slavery: nor none have raised up their spirits again to destroy Rome, if God had not done it, and so made her friends her foes. Thus whoremongers use to deal with strumpets, when they see what hurt they have got by them, Ezek. 16. 37, 39. Or, it may be read, And suffered them to agree. See the like addition of a fit word, 1 Tim. 4. 3.

{until the words of God shall be fulfilled} Till the city of Rome shall have exercised all those cruelties, and enjoyed her dominion so long, as God had appointed or foretold. We must not then accuse God of slackness, if Rome be not yet down; but with patience expect God's time, knowing, that as surely as he has put into the hearts of these kings to serve that empire; so surely he will, at his time determined, put it into their hearts to destroy that city.

V. 18. {And the woman} Before, he had expounded the beast; now, he tells what the whorish woman is that sat upon the beast.

{the great city} Rome, which then had the empire. Before, he concealed the full description of it: now, the time of destruction drawing near, he does as good as name her. We may hope then her end is not far off, now she is all over Europe proclaimed to be the whore of Babylon.

CHAPTER 18

Vers. 1. {After these things} The Holy Ghost having spoken of the destruction of the seat of the beast under the fifth vial, ch. 16. 10. shows what that seat is, ch. 17. 18. the city of Rome: now he goes on to the overthrow of it. So that it seems we are now under the fourth vial, and the fifth is not yet poured out, because Rome is not yet destroyed.

{another angel} Differing from him before, ch. 17. 1. Though God had given sundry warnings of the fall of Rome before, ch. 14. 8, 9. & 16. 10. yet he shows his longsuffering, and willingness to have men forsake her, that they may not perish, by sending three angels more, to signify that her destruction draws nigh: one here, foretelling her fall once more; another, vers. 4. calling men out of her, as out of an house on fire, lest they be destroyed with her; as Numb. 16. 26. a third, vers. 12. showing her utter desolation in express words, confirmed by a sign.

{from heaven} Or, out of heaven. Sent with a commission from God, to foretell the fall of Rome now at hand. It shows, then, that this was no dream of his own, but God's certain truth: and that this great judgment should not come by accident; but by the will and providence of God. It may signify some great man suddenly raised by God, and unexpectedly (as Psal. 26. 6. & 57. 3. & 102. 19.) to destroy Rome. Things that come out of the earth, must have time to grow: things from heaven come suddenly.

{great power} Furnished with power fit for such a service: So that none could resist him; but Rome must fall by his means. Others foretold the fall of it before; but this comes to execute it.

{the earth was lightened with his glory} That is, with his brightness, in the vision. So glory is used. Exod. 40. 34. Numb. 14. 10. 2 Cor. 3. 7. The thing signified may be, that, even earthly men, and Papists, shall admire at the piety of him whom God shall set up to destroy that city; or at his majestical power, made known by his victories.

V. 2. {mightily with a strong voice} That all men might hear this tidings of the fall of Rome: for she was so settled, that many believed she could not be overthrown. Or, to show the greatness of her fall, and of God's anger against her.

{Babylon the great is fallen} Chap. 14. 8. Isa. 21. 9. Jer. 51. 8.

{is fallen} It is doubled, to show the greatness, nearness, or certainty of the fall.

{habitation of devils} It was full of men, but now it is full of devils. Either because men esteem solitary places haunted with ghosts, or because the foul spirits do haunt such places for their pleasure, Isa. 34. 11. Jer. 51. 37. Matt. 12. 43. Mark 5. 3. Or, are confined thither by God, as to an hold or prison; or keep there, to terrify men that pass by such places.

{a cage of every unclean and hateful bird} Isa. 13. 21. Of such birds as were forbidden in the law, and hated by men, because they are not good for food or song, but feed on other birds, and make hideous and dismal noises. See a pattern of such desolation, in the ruins of monasteries: they once held unclean men; now nothing, except perhaps unclean spirits and birds.

V. 3. {all nations have drunk} Rome is compared to a famous strumpet, who permits ordinary people to drink of her cup, kings and great ones to have to do with her, merchants to gain by her. Before, ch. 14. 8. it was said, She made them drink: now the phrase is altered, They have drunk: to show, that some might come in of their own accord, as others did by her persuasion or compulsion. Both these ways, men come to taverns and stews.

{of the wine, &c.} See Chap. 14. 8.

{kings} Chap. 17. 2.

{merchants of the earth} Either worldly merchants, that sold her delicate things for her lust; or spiritual ones; as friars, monks, pardon-sellers, and such like, 2 Pet. 2. 3.

{abundance} Or, power.

{delicacies} Money, which they had of her for delicate things to serve her lusts.

V. 4. {another voice} A voice, without naming the author, brings some great matter worthy of attention, Isa. 40. 6. When Rome is to be destroyed, God will find a means to call out his elect from thence, as he did Lot out of Sodom.

{Come out of her} Jer. 51. 6, 45. & 50. 8. Isa. 52. 11. God is careful of his, that they may escape Babylon's sins and punishment; which they would not do, unless they come out before the burning of the city: for the people will still solicit them to idolatry; and the sword or fire cannot distinguish between friends and enemies.

{my people} This then was God's voice, or some angel's representing God.

V. 5. {reached unto heaven} Gr. followed. They were as it were one laid upon another, to make a mount to reach up to heaven, and cry for vengeance, Gen. 18. 20, 21. & 19. 13. Ezra 9. 6. Jon. 1. 2. Jerem. 51. 9. The least sins reach to heaven. God knows them all: but the phrase is commonly used of great sins, that will pull down sudden judgments. God is compared to a patient man, who passes by many smaller faults in his servants, without taking notice, as not being willing to punish them; which he should do, if he took notice of them: yet when some great fault is committed, then he calls his servant to account for it, and punishes him.

{remembered her iniquities} He seemed to forget her sins before, while he let her prosper; but now he shows that he remembers them, by punishing her for them, chap. 16. 19.

V. 6. {Reward her} Jer. 50. 15, 29. Some take it as spoken to all those that come to destroy Rome. Others, of those which came newly out upon his last summons, vers. 4. whose spirits were most likely to be set upon revenge, by the harsh impressions of the sins they lately saw there, and wrongs they newly received.

{double unto her double} Not the double of her deserts, but of those miseries she has brought on you before. And that is just, both because God forbids them to do it, and because she did wrongfully torture innocents; but they justly punish the whore.

{in the cup} Not of her fornication, but of punishment.

V. 7. {how much} Gr. in how many things. This shows, that she was very high before, and must be brought very low, now.

{glorified herself} Set up herself above others, and against God, Jer. 48. 26, 42. Jam. 1. 9.

{so much torment} Her punishment must be answerable to her pride and luxury. This is spoken of worldly punishments at the fall of Rome; for none can be so high on earth, as they are brought low in hell.

{she saith in her heart} She thinks so, Psal. 14. 1. She durst not say so, lest she should be esteemed proud, or be envied by others. Thus her pride foretells her fall, Prov. 16. 16.

{I sit a queen} Isa. 47. 7, 8. I have a great command.

{no widow} I am mighty, and full of people, and live happily. Cha. 12. 11. is the like phrase: Loved not their lives, that is, made no account of them. Cities deprived of their power and people, are accounted widows, Lam. 1. 1.

{see no sorrow} Feel none in myself.

V. 8. {in one day} In a short time, called one hour, vers. 10, 17, 19. Not that one day would end the business; but her enemies should not give over the siege, till they had taken it. Or, in one day; that is, suddenly, against her expectation, Isa. 47. 9, 11.

{death, and mourning, and famine, &c.} In the siege of Rome, many shall be slain, and their friends that live, shall mourn for them; and they in the city shall suffer famine; and when it is taken, it shall be burnt down to the ground, chap. 17. 16.

{for strong is the Lord, &c.} Lest any man should think the city too strong to be destroyed so quickly, he tells of God's power, who undertakes the work, Jer. 50. 34.

V. 9. {kings of the earth} Like adulterers that have lost their pleasures; so these kings shall make womanly lamentations for loss of their images and superstitions. This must be understood of such kings as shall stand to the pope, after Rome is down. See notes on ch. 16. 14. & 17. 16.

{who have committed fornication} No good men bewail her. Such only do it as have been naught with her, ch. 17. 2.

{shall bewail her} Ezek. 26. 17.

{when they shall see the smoke of her burning} Chap. 14. 11. and 19. 3. Gen. 19. 28. Either it must be taken literally of such kings as came to assist her, and fled away when they saw the city on fire: or figuratively, when they understood of her destruction.

V. 10. {standing afar off} Though they loved her, and could have wished her prosperity to continue: yet they durst not come near to help her, lest they should be destroyed with her, by them that besieged her, who would take such as came, for friends to the whore, and destroy them, as Jehu did Ahaziah's brethren, 2 Kin. 10. 13, 14. Or, They were afraid of being burned, as they were that cast the three Jews into the furnace, Dan. 3. 22. the flame was so great. Thus the Israelites fled, when the earth swallowed Dathan and Abiram, Num. 16. 34.

{that great city} Or, O great city!

{judgment} See chap. 17. 2.

V. 11. {The merchants} These weep not for love, as the kings did; but for loss of their gain, which they got by selling her dainty things, to satisfy the lust of her prelates. Or, fine things for their idolatrous worship; as, for altars, images, vestments. It may be meant spiritually, of those that made gain of her spiritual merchandise.

{mourn over her} As a father over a dead child.

{for no man buyeth their merchandise any more} Ezek. 27. 27. For there is no wonted trading there; all traffic, both spiritual and temporal, being there ceased.

V. 12. {gold, &c.} Things for fine apparel, and stately household stuff.

{all thyine wood} Or, sweet. Some kind of cedar: or, all kinds of sweet wood, as all manner of vessels. Or, this might be for use about buildings.

V. 13. {and cinnamon, &c.} For pleasing smell.

{and wine, &c.} For dainty fare.

{horses and chariots, &c.} For princely port.

{slaves} Gr. bodies. For service. Servants are like bodies, acted by others: free men, like souls, that guide themselves, and theirs.

{souls of men} Persons of men, Ezek. 27. 13. Gen. 12. 5. & 46. 25. Men, though not slaves, yet used for several employments. Or, souls of men literally taken, of which they made spiritual merchandise.

V. 14. {And the fruits that thy soul, &c.} Gr. the autumn, or autumn fruits of the desire of thy soul. That is, desired fruit; as, In fire of a flame; that is, Flaming fire, 2 Thess. 1. 8. This verse should be in a parenthesis. As if those merchants should like mourners speak to perishing Babylon. Or it may be the speech of the angel, the revealer; as vers. 14. or John the publisher, objecting gluttony to Babylon. Autumn fruits are most dainty and pleasant to the taste, and goodly to the eyes, like the fruits of paradise, Gen. 3. 6. Of such, Rome has store.

{dainty and goodly} Gr. fat and shining.

{no more at all} They are not only lost for the present, but forever. There is no hope of recovering them.

V. 15. {The merchants of these things} Or, the merchants, I say, of these things: Meaning those spoken of, vers. 11. He had before set down the causes of their mourning; now he sets down the manner of it.

{stand afar off} See vers. 10.

V. 16. {that great city} See vers. 10. That uttered much merchandise.

{in fine linen, &c.} This is suitable to the persons mourning. The kings that are mighty, mourn, because the power of the city is gone, v. 10. The merchants mourn, because the wealth of it is gone.

{decked with gold} Gr. golded with gold, ch. 17. 4. Not only wearing gold; but as it were covered with it from top to toe.

V. 17. {in one hour} Like a whirlwind. See vers. 10.

{every shipmaster, &c.} Ch. 8. 9. All that traded with her by sea, Ezek. 27. 29, &c. Or, such as were then bringing wares to her by sea, and saw the smoke of the burning of Rome afar off, as Abraham did, when Sodom was destroyed, Gen. 19. 28.

{as trade by sea} Psal. 107. 23. Or it may be spiritually understood of inferior officers, who carried their pardons to sell.

{stood afar off} See vers. 10.

V. 18. {and cried} Jer. 50. 46. Ezek. 37. 32.

{the smoke} Vers. 9. Isa. 34. 10. Her destruction will suddenly be known, both by sea and land.

{What city is like unto this great city?} What city once so strong and populous? See the like, Ch. 13. 4. Or, who would ever have thought this city should have been thus laid desolate.

V. 19. {And they} Or, Yea, they; as Matth. 26. 50.

{cast dust, &c.} It was the manner of mourners. See Josh. 7. 6. 1 Sam. 4. 12. Job 2. 12. Ezek. 27. 30. These mourned most, because they were least able to subsist, and therefore likely to perish sooner by want of trading, than the merchants that employed them. They cried, in the former verse: here weeping and wailing is added, to show the greatness of their sorrow, v. 9, 15.

{that great city, &c.} See vers. 10, 16.

{all that had ships} Not merchants alone, but shipmasters: inferior officers; as well as great ones.

{in one hour} Vers. 8, 10, 17.

V. 20. {thou heaven} O church. See chap. 11. 19. & 19. 1, 6. Psal. 58. 11.

{apostles and prophets} Ministers, their successors. God accounts these like those eminent persons. A great comfort to them.

{avenged you} Gr. judged your judgment; That is, considered the wrong done to you, and punished her for it, ch. 17. 1. Psa. 9. 4. Mic. 7. 9. He has avenged the death of your predecessors: or the wrongs done to you by her, Jer. 51. 35, 36. Or, it may be an apostrophe to those in heaven, showing what cause of joy they had, if they were here to see the fall of Rome.

V. 21. {a mighty angel} An allusion to Jer. 51. 63. Showing, by a sure token, that the fall of Rome should be greater than the fall of Babylon. There, a weak man; here, a mighty angel: there, takes an ordinary stone; here, a great millstone: there, casts it into Euphrates; here, into the sea: there, Babylon shall sink; here, it shall be thrown down with violence: there, it shall not rise; here, it shall be found no more at all, v. 14. c. 12. 8. Isa. 13. 20. Jer. 51. 63. A great millstone will fall apace with its own weight; faster, if it be cast down; fastest of all, if by a strong hand: neither can it then rise any more, or be raised out of the bottom of the sea. This shows the violent and everlasting destruction of Rome.

V. 22. {of harpers} Jer. 7. 34. & 25. 10, 11. All things that served for pleasure, shall cease.

{in thee} The angel now turns his speech to Babylon. Some have told her face to face of her destruction.

{no craftsman} All things tending to profit, shall be gone.

{sound of a millstone} Gr. voice. In the cities they used handmills, which made a great noise. All things necessary shall be taken away. Well may the mills cease, when none shall live there, for whom corn should be ground. The things abused shall be all taken away, Joel 1. 5. Jer. 25. 10.

V. 23. {light of a candle} The poorest men have candles in the night, that want many other comforts: but Rome shall have none, after this. Or, they shall not use candles in wedding and festival nights anymore, Matt. 25. 6, 7.

{voice of a bridegroom} There shall be no more marriage there to people the city anymore. Or, no merry meetings. These things argue an utter desolation, Jer. 7. 34. & 16. 9.

{thy merchants} Nah. 3. 16. Isa. 23. 8. You have made use of kings for your profit. Or, your cardinals were kings' fellows.

{by thy sorceries} Enchanted cups, ch. 14. 8. or, by Satan's help: for some popes have been sorcerers.

{deceived} Drawn to idolatry.

V. 24. {in her was found the blood} Though God defer, yet he will keep court at length, and find the blood of his servants in Rome, as if it stuck to the hands or clothes of the murderers, Isa. 63. 3. Jer. 2. 34.

{of Prophets} Faithful teachers slain, vers. 20.

{of Saints} Of private Christians put to death for religion.

{of all that were slain} To wit, for religion, as being slain by her authority, or incitation of the princes to do it. Or, as Matt. 23. 32, 35. because she succeeds the former persecutors, and finishes the work, and so is counted guilty of all the blood shed before also.

CHAPTER 19

V. 1. {After these things} After the fall of Rome. He proceeds to the things done under the sixth vial; for the beginning of this chapter answers to ch. 16. 12. The middle of it, to ch. 16. 13, &c.

{a great voice} To show their affection in themselves, and desire to stir up others to praise God for it.

{of much people in heaven} The saints of God in the church, upon the first news of Rome's fall, bless God for it. They all in general joy at this news. See the like, ch. 11. 15.

{Alleluia} Praise ye the Lord, Psal. 111. & 112. & 113. This is the first time that it is used in the New Testament; and it is found four times here. It seems the Christian Gentiles, after the fall of Rome, shall solicit the Jews to come in to Christ, and to join with them in praising him for Rome's fall.

{Salvation, &c.} All the praise of this great work belongs to God, ch. 5. 3. & 7. 10. 1 Tim. 1. 17. Glory is a great opinion of him: honor is the means whereby we express it, inwardly or outwardly.

{unto the Lord} Is unto him. He has given us cause to honor him, for destroying the beast, and putting us out of all fear of him. Or, be unto him. We praise him for it, and desire that others do it also.

{our God} He has showed himself our God, in destroying our enemies, and therefore we have especial cause to praise him, Psa. 147. 20.

V. 2. {true and righteous} See ch. 15. 3.

{for he hath judged} They show what cause they had to praise God for declaring his truth, in performing his threats against Rome, which many doubted would not be effected; and his justice, in destroying such as would not be drawn from their idolatry by his word. Or, he has not judged out of suspicions and report, but in truth and justice, Gen. 18. 21.

{the great whore} See chap. 17. 1. Great, because of her many fornications. Or, by allusion to the thing signified, The great city, cha. 18. 18.

{corrupt} The earth. See Gen. 6. 11.

{avenged} As was desired, Chap. 6. 10.

{his servants} He had reason to avenge their blood, because they were not slain for any wickedness they had done, but for serving him, Psal. 44. 22.

V. 3. {again} They double their thanks, because of the greatness of the benefit.

{and her smoke} This sentence should be in a parenthesis. The sense is; She is irrecoverably lost, Isa. 34. 10. Or, for her smoke; as Luk. 6. 32. and then there needs no parenthesis; but the meaning will be; The saints shall ever be mindful of the fall of Rome, to praise God for it, as if they saw the smoke of it always, to put them in mind of that fire that burned it down.

V. 4. {And the four and twenty Elders, &c.} Ch. 4. 4, 6. Before, v. 1. God's people blessed God suddenly, where they heard of it: now they do it publicly in the congregation, for destroying Rome. So ch. 11. 16. This better sets out the greatness of the benefit, with their deeper sense of it, and stirs up others the more to thankfulness, Psal. 5. 7. This is Rome's funeral.

{four beasts} Or, living wights. Through all this book, there are beasts or wights: and elders, and a throne, to show, that God's ordinances and right worship was still somewhere in the world in use, during the heathen Antichristian persecution: and so they will be to the end.

{on the throne} Chap. 4. 2. and 5. 1. God shall then take his throne to himself, when Rome, which is Satan's and Antichrist's throne, ch. 2. 13. is destroyed.

{Amen, Alleluia} They allow of the praise given to God before, v. 1. and persuade the people to praise him more.

V. 5. {a voice came out of the throne} Chap. 4. 5. The general applause of the Christian Gentiles, v. 1. and their solemn thanksgiving for the fall of Rome, v. 4. might come to the ears of the Jews; but God himself must speak to their hearts, before they will join with the Christians in this Alleluja. See the like method, Isa. 6. 66. This may be Christ's voice, because it comes from the throne; and yet he says, Our God; as John 20. 17.

{praise our God} He does not blame them, as if they had not done it well before; but gives a new cause of praising God, see v. 7.

{all ye his servants} You Jews, that once were his servants, join with the Gentiles in this Alleluja, Deut. 32. 43. Rom. 15. 10.

{both great and small} All sorts of men, Psalm 115. 13. See ch. 13. 16. & 20. 12.

V. 6. {And I heard} Or, Then I heard. So this particle is used, Mat. 23. 32. Here is the effect of the former exhortation.

{of many waters, &c.} See ch. 14. 2. and 17. 15. The Jews and Gentiles praising God together, for the fall of Rome, will make such a noise as will fill heaven and earth. Or, it may be understood of Gentiles converted from Popery by the sight of Rome's fall.

{reigneth} God is publicly worshiped everywhere, as king, now the whore is destroyed.

V. 7. {Let us be glad, &c.} Chap. 11. 10. Psalm 118. 24. Mat. 5. 12. Let us prepare for feasts and triumphs against the marriage of the Lamb.

{give honour to him} As we have cause to rejoice in it, so also to give God praise and thanks for it.

{for the marriage, &c.} Mat. 22. 2. The church is now called, as a bride, to dwell with her husband, after the whore is burned: before, she was but as it were espoused to him. Glorious times will follow Rome's fall. This cause was not mentioned, v. 1, 4. but these converts, as they looked forward to the destruction of Rome, so they look backward to the conversion of the Jews, and marriage of the Lamb.

{made herself ready} As virgins use to deck themselves when they are to be married, Ps. 45. 13, 14. Isa. 61. 10. so the church is now purged from all superstition, and ready to entertain Christ in the purity of his ordinances. Or, the Jews being now come in, with the fullness of the Gentiles, Rom. 11. 12, 25, 26. the church is ready to be married to Christ. It cannot but be great matter of joy, that two sisters, so long parted, should now be firmly knit together, Cant. 8. 8.

V. 8. {to her was granted} Sanctification, the church's ornament, Psa. 45. 13. & 93. 5. is a dowry given her by Christ her husband, ch. 3. 18. Eph. 5. 26, 27.

{righteousness} Gr. righteousnesses. That is, good works, which adorn God's servants, as much as fine linen or glittering garments do great men, Mat. 5. 16. and do as conspicuously appear in their lives, as gorgeous apparel on the back or body of those that wear it, Rom. 13. 12, 14. Col. 3. 12. 1 Pet. 3. 3, 4. & 5. 5. Phil. 4. 5, 8.

V. 9. {he saith} The angel, mentioned, ch. 18. Now he goes on with the story, which had been broken off in the beginning of this chapter, with relation of the great praise given to God for destroying Rome.

{write} The matter to come is weighty, and worthy to be conveyed to posterity. So ch. 14. 13.

{Blessed} Mat. 22. 2. They are happy times, and they are happy that are so called, that they come; that is, internally called. The things being strange, and very unlikely to come to pass; the angel takes a special care to confirm John in the truth of them, that he may the more confidently report them to others.

{marriage supper} It seems such feasts used to be then at night, v. 17. Luke 14. 16, 17. See notes on ch. 18. 22.

{these are the true sayings of God} They are not my words, but God's, and shall certainly be fulfilled in their time, Luke 1. 23.

V. 10. {to worship him} Having so good news from him, John, being overjoyed, falls down to worship him, as Cornelius, on somewhat the like occasion, did to Peter, Acts 10. 25.

{See thou do it not} Ch. 22. 9. Gr. See, not. The angel's concise speech, as if he had not time to say all, shows how evil John's act was, and how displeasing to him, and dangerous to John, if he should suffer him to do it. To that end also he says, See: that is, Beware you do it not.

{thy fellowservant} One whom Christ uses to declare his will to others, as he does you. Therefore, for brethren, is put prophets, ch. 22. 9. It may be the angel that revealed this revelation to John, ch. 1. 1. yet for all that, not to be worshiped by John, his fellow servant.

{worship God} To whom only religious worship is due, Mat. 4. 10.

{is the spirit of prophecy} Christ only can by his Spirit make us prophets to foretell things to come, from him. His revealing things to us, is the life of prophecy. He therefore must be worshiped for it, and not we.

V. 11. {heaven opened} Free access to God's public worship everywhere. Or, the church opened, that Christ may stir up his people, v. 14. to go fight against Antichrist, who after Rome's fall, will be for a time somewhere else, gathering new forces. Ver. 19. a door was opened in heaven, before the rising of Antichrist, ch. 4. 1. the temple was open in heaven, after the death of his witnesses, ch. 11. 19. Now heaven itself, that is, the church, is set wide open, that Christ's armies may go forth to destroy the beast and the false prophet, v. 20. So the great gates of a city are opened, when armies go forth to battle, 2 Sam. 18. 4.

{behold} This requires attention to the great battle yet to come.

{a white horse} Chap. 6. 2. a sign of Christ's just carriage in the war, and certain triumph after it.

{he that sat upon him} Christ, who appeared then to John, as ready to destroy Antichrist utterly, and will do it by the kings that hate the whore, ch. 17. 16.

{faithful and true} See ch. 1. 5. & 3. 7, 14.

{in righteousness, &c.} He condemns the enemies of his church justly, and then executes them accordingly. He will not abuse his power, to destroy any that have not deserved destruction.

V. 12. {as a flame of fire} Ch. 1. 14. & 2. 18. He can see his enemies' privy plots, and destroy them. His eyes do not sparkle, but flame out with anger. Woe be to his enemies.

{many crowns} All kingdoms are subject to him, v. 16. Ps. 2. 8, 9. & 72. 8, 9, 10. Mat. 28. 18, 19, 20. Or, for victories over many kings, v. 19. whose crowns he takes off their heads, and puts on his own, 2 Sam. 12. 30. The dragon and the beast never had above ten crowns; he has a multitude: his kingdom shall be larger than ever theirs was.

{a name written} Now to be made known: sure also, and permanent.

{no man knew} Ch. 2. 17. Judg. 13. 18. None knew the eternal generation of Christ, who is called, The Word of God, v. 13. Or, none knew it, till it was revealed in the word, v. 13. Or, by his victories, v. 16, 19. So God's name, Jehovah, was revealed, Exod. 6. 3.

V. 13. {dipped in blood} Isa. 63. 2. It shows the exceeding great slaughter of his foes formerly: for his garments are not sprinkled with blood, as Isa. 63. 2. but dipped or dyed in it, Isa. 9. 5. What could his enemies look for from him now; seeing the marks of his former victories, but destruction? Or, as if he should come to revenge the blood of his servants shed by Antichrist, and should wear one of their garments full of blood, to incite him to the greater revenge. Or, it might be to signify the event of this battle, that so much blood should be shed, that not the common soldiers only, whose hands are most employed in war; but the general himself, whose head uses to be more employed than his hands, shall have his garments dyed in blood.

{the Word of God} By eternal generation, John 1. 1, 14. Or, because he makes his Father's word good, by destroying the foes of his people. Or, because by destroying Antichrist, he causes God's word to be freely preached everywhere, and God is known thereby, as by a name.

V. 14. {the armies, &c.} God's people being fleshed with the fall of Rome, shall be in arms, ready to destroy Antichrist utterly, when Christ shall call them to that work.

{white horses, &c.} Fitter for triumph than for fight; for here are no bucklers nor swords mentioned, which are more fit for war than fine linen, a poor fence against blows; but here is the apparel of conquerors: so that they made themselves as sure of the victory, as if it were already gotten. Thus, though the battle may be sharp, God's people shall comfort themselves, by looking beforehand on the happy issue.

V. 15. {out of his mouth} See v. 21. ch. 1. 16. & 2. 16. He shall pass sentence of death upon them, and execute it, Isa. 11. 4. Or, he shall destroy them, according as he has foretold, 2 Thess. 2. 8. Arms are attributed only to the captain; for all is done by his power, though he use instruments.

{the nations} Or, Gentiles; ch. 11. 2. Popish enemies.

{rule them, &c.} See ch. 2. 27. & 12. 5.

{treadeth} Treads on God's enemies, gathered as it were into a winepress, at Armageddon, till their blood be all out of their bodies, ch. 14. 20. Isa. 63. 3. Thus he threatens his foes with his mouth, strikes them with his iron rod in his hand, tramples them under his feet.

V. 16. {on his vesture} That all men may see it, and fear him. Some footsteps of his power appeared before, in converting the Gentiles; but much obscured by the persecution under the heathen emperors, and afterwards under the popes: but when both these are destroyed, then all men may fully discern it.

{on his thigh} That men might submit to him, Gen. 24. 2, 9. & 47. 29. being subdued by his sword, which uses to be placed on the thigh, Psa. 45. 3. Cant. 3. 16.

{King of Kings} Chap. 17. 14. & 11. 15. Dan. 2. 44.

V. 17. {an Angel} Christ's herald, to bid all the fowls to a banquet.

{in the sun} That he might be heard all the world over, as the sun is seen. A clear token of the ensuing victory: and that the enemies should be destroyed in the sight of the sun, as surely as we see the sun.

{with a loud voice} Chap. 19. 2. That the most remote might hear, and come to take their share. It also shows the weight of the matter. Men speak loud, when they speak of great things.

{fowls} Warriors or soldiers mixing themselves with God's people, more for the love of the spoils, than of the cause. Or, it may be taken literally; for many dead carcasses will be left unburied, to fill the fowls, v. 21. 1 Sam. 17. 44. Jer. 7. 33. Ezek. 39. 4, 17, &c.

{in the midst} See ch. 8. 13. & 41. 6.

{of heaven} Of the air, Gen. 1. 20. Psa. 8. 8.

{gather yourselves} The fowls are called beforehand, to show the certainty of the victory.

V. 18. {that ye may eat} Christ will be married as a conqueror.

{the flesh of Captains, &c.} Feed on the revenues and spoil of all the Papists; for they shall all be destroyed, great and small. There shall be variety of prey, to fit everyone's appetite, as there is of dishes at a feast, ch. 17. 16. Or, it may be literally understood, of the carcasses of great men and small, left for the fowls to devour, v. 15. Ezek. 39. 4, 17, 20. Jer. 7. 12.

V. 19. {the beast, &c.} The Roman or German emperor, ch. 13. 1. with some kings, ch. 17. 16. after Rome's fall, v. 1. shall assist the pope, living elsewhere, in this last war against Christ and his church.

V. 20. {the beast} The emperor, v. 19.

{was taken} Like a beast in a snare. This seems to be at the conclusion of the sixth vial, or beginning of the seventh. See ch. 16. 16, 17.

{the false prophet} The pope, ch. 13. 13. & 16. 13. yet some take it for the pope's clergy, and the pope for the beast. This is that false prophet that wrought miracles, ch. 13. 13, 14, &c.

{alive} Put to horrible tortures, being taken alive; whereas the kings and their followers shall be slain in the battle, v. 21. An allusion to Num. 16. 31, 32. an extraordinary destruction is signified, to terrify others from misleading God's people, Psa. 55. 15.

{lake of fire, &c.} Chap. 20. 14. & 21. 8. & 14. 10. an exquisite torment, Ezek. 38. 22. Psa. 11. 6. Gen. 19. 24.

V. 21. {the remnant} The kings that fought for the pope, and their armies. As their sin was not so great as the emperor's and pope's, so neither shall their judgment.

{out of his mouth} Verse 15. God's word slays them, when he performs his threatenings, Jer. 5. 14. Thus the prophecy, v. 18. is fulfilled. None shall be ransomed for money, Isa. 13. 17, 18. A severe execution shall be on all that shall take part with Antichrist in this his last battle.

{were filled with their flesh} There were wealth enough for all comers, Jer. 50. 10. Or, carcasses enough lying unburied, to glut all the fowls. See v. 18.

CHAPTER 20

Ver. 1. {An Angel} He that did open the bottomless pit before, ch. 9. 1. now shuts it. Some take it of Constantine's keeping under the heathen emperors, and conceive this chapter to depend upon the twelfth chapter; and to show what became of the dragon, after he was cast into the earth. But it is likely that the prophecy goes on; and that the Holy Ghost, having described the whore of Babylon, Popish Rome, chap. 17. and showed the fall of it, chap. 18. and the calling of the Jews, and destruction of Antichrist and his followers, ch. 19. now declares the prosperous estate of the church for a long time after; and the destruction of the Turks, the day of judgment, and damnation of all wicked men, in this chapter: and then sets out the happy estate of all the godly in soul and body in heaven forever, ch. 21. and in the beginning of ch. 22. or else looks back there to the flourishing estate of the church on earth, when all her foes are destroyed; and so he concludes with confirmations, exhortations, promises and threatenings.

{a great chain in his hand} As going to apprehend some powerful person, that was to be attached, and bound, as a prisoner or captive, with a chain, Psa. 148. 8. 2 Chron. 36. 6.

V. 2. {dragon, &c.} See v. 10. ch. 12. 9. The pope being destroyed, the devil would bring in the Turk, who seems yet to stand, or some other enemy like the heathen emperor, called the dragon before, ch. 12. 3. to persecute and war against the Christians: but God will not permit it till the thousand years of the church's prosperity be done: and therefore he causes Satan to be bound with a great chain, that he might not loose another dragon before the time. Thus the church's peace for that time is secured.

{bound him a thousand years} Either for such a number of years, or for a long time indefinitely.

V. 3. {into the bottomless pit} Which he desired not to be shut into, Luke 8. 31. For the same Greek word is translated the deep, there. He was cast into the earth, before, ch. 12. 9. here, lower.

{set a seal upon him} This shows the devil's rage, who must not only be chained, but also shut up, and the door sealed by authority from heaven, that he may be kept from doing mischief, Mat. 27. 66.

{deceive the nations no more} Nor bring in heathenism or Popery anymore. Or, persuade them to fight against the church, by his wiles, v. 7, 8. or, wicked agents, ch. 16. 13, 14.

{a little season} After Satan's loosing, the day of judgment will soon come.

V. 4. {they sat upon them} Or, some sate upon them. Some understand this of Constantine's time, ch. 6. 16. Others, of Luther's. Others, of the church, after Antichrist's destruction. Others, of the day of judgment. In all which, the saints rule, and persecutors are brought to judgment.

{the souls, &c.} Coming to demand justice against those that had slain them, by the cry of their blood before kings here; or personally before God at the day of judgment, ch. 6. 9, 10.

{for the witness of Jesus, &c.} Ch. 6. 9. & 1. 9.

{nor worshipped the beast} See ch. 13. 15, 16, 17. & 14. 9.

{they lived and reigned} The Christian judges in the beginning of the verse, who were esteemed as dead men under the heathen emperors, or under Antichrist; now not only were seen to live, but reigned also, to do justice to God's people as Christ's deputies. Or, those beheaded ones lived in soul in heaven with Christ. Or, such as they that were persecuted before, shall live and reign after Antichrist's fall. So we say, The Romans ruled the world from Julius Caesar to Constantine, and after: yet we mean not the same persons. So John is called Elias, because he came in the spirit of Elias, Matth. 11. 14. Luke 1. 17. So the two witnesses are raised again. See ch. 11. 11.

{a thousand years} All the time Satan is chained like a mad dog, the church shall flourish.

V. 5. {the rest of the dead} Others did not openly profess religion in peace, till Luther's time. Or, some will not come in till after the thousand years. Peradventure some Turks, or others, may come in at the eleventh hour, Mat. 11. 6. for the Papists were either converted before, or destroyed at the fall of Antichrist, ch. 16. 20. & 19. 21. Or, they that will not come in when the Jews do, and Antichrist is destroyed, will never come into God's church: for, all Israel, and the fullness of the Gentiles, will be come in then, Rom. 11. 25, 26. See the like phrase, 2 Sam. 6. 23. Or, God will not right others oppressed, till the end of the world. Or, they lived not in any account, as before, Psa. 88. 5.

{This is the first resurrection} Either the former part of the verse must be read by a parenthesis, and the words depend on the fourth verse: or, it may be understood of the end of the thousand years in some of the former senses. At Luther's time, or after the coming in of the Jews, and Antichrist's destruction, there will be such a new face of the church, as if the saints were all raised up again, John 5. 25, 28.

V. 6. {Blessed and holy} As they are happy that suffer for Christ, v. 4. so they also whose eyes God does open to see their errors, and embrace God's truth.

{part in the first resurrection} This resurrection is not of particular persons, but of whole churches and nations; as Rom. 11. 15. alluded to, in the raising of dead bones, Ezek. 37. 1, &c. In which they are said to have part, who by the means then publicly and plentifully afforded, are spiritually quickened; that is, raised from the death of sin, to the life of grace, John 5. 24, 25. Acts 8. 21. Eph. 2. 1, 5.

{second death hath no power} They shall not go to hell, v. 14. chap. 2. 11. & 21. 8. by turning back to the world. Or, they shall no more be seduced by Antichrist. Or, not be destroyed by Turks, and other enemies described, v. 9.

{priests of God and of Christ} See ch. 1. 6. and 5. 10. Yet here seems somewhat more to be intended. For in those places we are said to be made priests to God; that is, to offer spiritual sacrifices to him: but here, to be Priests of God; that is, excellent priests, 2 Pet. 2. 9. See the like phrase, Gen. 23. 6. Ps. 36. 6.

{reign with him} Be free from their former persecutions, as living now under Christ, not any longer under Antichrist.

V. 7. {loosed} See v. 2.

V. 8. {to deceive the nations} To draw them to fight against the church, to their destruction. See v. 3.

{in the four quarters} In all parts, some shall be deceived.

{Gog and Magog} Ezek. 38. 2. and 39. 1. Either the Papists not destroyed in Armageddon, ch. 16. 16. and 19. 21. or rather the Turks, or other foes, assailing the church a little before the day of judgment, v. 11. For the rising of the Turkish empire is spoken of, ch. 9. 3, &c. but their fall nowhere, till now. It seems they shall be restrained for the thousand years of the church's prosperity after the fall of the pope, from fighting against it; but afterwards let loose and destroyed, as the Popish empire before.

{as the sand of the sea} See Jos. 11. 4. Judg. 7. 12. 1 Sam. 15. 5. 2 Sam. 17. 11. 1 Kings 4. 20.

V. 9. {they went up, &c.} Or, went forth. Chap. 13. 1. They seemed not to be in an army before; but suddenly arose to a great multitude, Jer. 46. 7, 8. & 47. 2.

{breadth of the earth} All over where the saints of God abide, Isa. 8. 8. Ezek. 38. 9, 16.

{compassed about} Endeavoring that none of the faithful might escape them. See the like, 2 Kings 6. 14, 15. & 25. 1.

{the camp of the Saints} The church militant, compared to Israel in their tents, Num. 2. and now being in tents, to fight against the Turks, or other unchristian enemies.

{the beloved city} The church of God, driven to some strong place for shelter.

{fire came down, &c.} God's wrath, showed in an extraordinary way, delivered his church, by destroying these enemies, Heb. 10. 27. & 12. 29. Job 20. 26. Psa. 21. 9. Gen. 19. 24. 2 Kings 1. 10, 12.

V. 10. {the devil} The Turk, the devil's new agent, another dragon, like the heathen emperor, v. 2. ch. 12. 3. Or, some other enemy, no Christian by profession, shall be sent to hell to keep the last pope and Popish emperor company. Here it may be noted, that the foes of the church, that profess not the name of Christ; as the heathen and Turkish emperors, are in this book compared to dragons and serpents, and to the devil himself: but the popes, and Popish emperors, who profess Christianity, are compared to wild beasts.

{where the beast, &c.} See ch. 19. 20.

{for ever and ever} Gr. to ages of ages. As one succeeding another, without any end.

V. 11. {And I saw} This may well be understood of the day of judgment; which was to come shortly after the loosing of Satan again, v. 3. It shows, that from the fall of the Turk, to the day of judgment, the church shall have peace. And also, that those enemies of the church that are left after that great battle, though they escaped the sword then, and dare not openly oppose the church anymore; yet God will call them to judgment.

{a great white throne} Fit for him that comes now to judge all the world, Luke 1. 32. Tit. 2. 12. Acts 17. 31. And white, to show the uprightness and glory of the judge, ch. 19. 11, 14. But some understand it of Constantine's judging heathen idolaters, and freeing Christians persecuted formerly by the heathen, chap. 6. 14, 15. Others, of the solemn destruction of Antichrist, and gathering of the Jews. Both which, are lively resemblances of the last day. Others, of the destruction of the Turks, newly spoken of.

{fled away} Or, vanished, chap. 16. 14. 2 Pet. 3. 7, 10, 11.

{found no place} Chap. 12. 8. They shall appear no more in that form they are now in, but changed, chap. 21. 1, &c.

V. 12. {great and small} All, without exception, chap. 13. 16. Or, as some think, each one in that proportion or stature in which he died.

{and the books} Dan. 7. 10. Christ, or their own consciences, shall charge with all their sins; as judges proceed with depositions upon record.

{another book, &c.} Chap. 3. 5. To exempt the godly from condemnation, chap. 21. 27. Phil. 4. 3. Men write in a book the names of those they intend to deliver, or to prefer.

{according to their works} The wicked must be judged according to their works written in the books. The just, written in the book of life, shall not come into judgment, John 5. 24. chap. 21. 27.

V. 13. {And the sea, &c.} All men must rise to judgment, whether drowned in the sea, or denied burial on earth, or buried in the grave. Or, death and sea gave up their bodies to be judged, and hell their souls.

{hell} Or, the grave, chap. 6. 8.

V. 14. {death and hell} Or, the grave. Men dead and buried before, were now sent to hell in soul and body both. Or, there shall be no more death nor grave for God's people to fear, nor any torment remaining, but for those that are in hell.

{lake of fire} Ver. 10. chap. 19. 20.

{second death} See ver. 6.

V. 15. {in the book of life} Ver. 12.

{lake of fire} Ver. 14.

CHAPTER 21

Ver. 1. {And I saw} As the church is altered, so must her dwelling. It may be spoken of a glorious church on earth: and then the day of judgment is set before it in the former chapter, that the downfall of the enemies of God's church might be set down altogether. And then the church's felicity, after the destruction of the whore, beast, dragon, and all covert and open enemies, which new estate will abide till glory come: security is like to be her only trouble, when Christ comes, 1 Thess. 5. 2, 3. 2 Pet. 3. 3, 4. Matth. 24. 37, &c. and 25. 1, 2, &c. Bringing in of eastern kingdoms to the faith, and destroying all the enemies of the church, may well be called, A new world. Or, it may be taken literally for the happy estate of God's saints in heaven, in soul and body, after the day of judgment.

{a new Heaven} Isa. 65. 17. and 66. 22. 2 Pet. 3. 13. For the old were gone, chap. 20. 11.

{no more sea} Either literally: for there will need none for trade; the fire perhaps at the world's end, may utterly dry up the sea. Or figuratively, no more war against, nor trouble in the church; but holiness in good men, security only, not enmity, in others; a firm peace all the world over, as at Christ's first coming. Then the church shall not be like the raging sea, but like the quiet earth.

V. 2. {the holy city} Matth. 27. 53. Jerusalem is so called. Either heaven, or the church formerly trodden under foot, chap. 11. 2. but now made glorious, Isa. 54. 11, 12. and 51. 23. and 52. 1, 2. and 60. 1.

{new Jerusalem} The church of God, whereof old Jerusalem was a type, Gal. 4. 26. The city wherein God's people dwell. And it is called The new Jerusalem, not in respect of the Old Testament only, but of the former estate of it in the New. It shall be free from all former troubles.

{coming down out of heaven from God} If it be understood of heavenly glory, the sense is; It will be more fully revealed by God's ministers inviting them to it then, than in former times. See chap. 3. 12. If of the church on earth, it shows, that it receives the glory and luster it has, not from men on earth, but from God in heaven, John 1. 17. 1 Cor. 15. 47, 48, 49. Because God is in the greatest height, all that comes from him, is said to come down, 2 Cor. 5. 1, 2. [unclear] 17.

{as a bride} Adorned as a bride, Isa. 61. 10. Heb. 11. 10. Therefore he saw the citizens, as well as the city. He saw many men, v. 3. He saw them adorned as a bride ready to be married; yet he saw not the glory of it so fully as v. 10.

V. 3. {a great voice} To publish the greatness of God's mercy, and the saints' glory, to all men, chap. 19. 1.

{Behold} A thing wonderful, Isa. 7. 14. and present to his view in the vision, John 1. 29.

{the tabernacle of God is with men} An allusion to the people of the Jews, which had the tabernacle; and an intimation, as some think, that these here meant, were not yet glorified in heaven. Therefore it is called, A tabernacle, not, An abiding city, Heb. 9. 10. and God said to be with them, and not they with him, 1 Thess. 4. 17. He will give them abundance of grace. And the tabernacle is mentioned, as some think, to show, that the Jews were come into the church. See on ch. 16. 12. and 19. 1. So the service of God under the New Testament is called Incense, and Offering, Mal. 1. 11. Or, heaven may be called so, in allusion to the tabernacle, Psalm 15. 1. Ezek. 37. 28. where God is present with his forever, as the ark was in the tabernacle, as long as it lasted.

{they shall be his people} So is his covenant, Gen. 17. 8, 9. Jer. 31. 33. Ezek. 37. 27. He will protect them from all foes.

V. 4. {And God shall, &c.} Chap. 7. 17. He sets down the fruit of God's dwelling with them.

{wipe away all tears} Their former persecutions which lay so heavy upon them before, and caused them to shed so many tears, shall cease, Isa. 54. 14, 15.

{no more death} An allusion to Isa. 25. 8. and 13. 14. applied by the apostle to the happiness of the saints after the resurrection, 1 Cor. 15. 54, 55. and so it may be understood here. Or else of the happy estate of the church on earth a little before, when pope, and Turk, and all enemies are destroyed. And as then they shall be free from persecution; so men shall not be slain with plague and famine so frequently as in former times. The happiness of the church is described negatively, by removal of evils: yet abundance of comforts, spiritual and corporal, is included also. So that the church then, shall be a lively type of the glorious church in heaven: and they shall not die by persecution, as before; but death shall be a quiet passage to heaven.

{neither sorrow, &c.} No inward grief, no outward expression of it, no heavy labor or pain to cause either. They shall not be, like the Israelites in Egypt, put to hard labor in slavery, and grieving at it, and crying for deliverance, Exod. 3. 7, 9. See the like phrase, Isa. 54. 14. and 60. 18. and 61. 3, 7.

{former things are passed away} All the miseries of this world. Or, the beast, false prophet, and all that did hurt the church.

V. 5. {he that sat upon the throne} Chap. 4. 2. Because it seemed incredible that all things should be made new, God himself confirms it, and says, I make all things new; taking the work upon himself, who was able to do it.

{Behold} See notes on v. 3.

{I make all things new} Isa. 43. 19. 2 Cor. 5. 17. When old things were, new must needs succeed. This may intend the glorious state of God's saints after the resurrection: or a more ample restauration of the true doctrine and sincere worship of God on earth, before the end.

{write} See chap. 14. 13. and 19. 8. Isa. 8. 1. and 30. 8. Job 19. 23. Hab. 2. 2.

{for these words are true} Or, that these words are true. They must be written as it were in table-books, to show that God will do it, and his people might expect it.

V. 6. {It is done} Chap. 16. 17. All that the prophets spake of the church's deliverance, and the destruction of her enemies, is accomplished, chap. 10. 6, 7. Her foes are all destroyed, and she shall have a quiet state to the end. Or, the world is at an end, and glory promised is come.

{I am Alpha and Omega} Chap. 1. 8. and 22. 13.

{the beginning and the end} I decreed and foretold all these things, and now have brought them all to pass.

{I will give, &c.} Isa. 55. 1. chap. 22. 17. Because good men cannot hear of these excellent things, but they will long for them; he adds, I will give, &c.

{fountain} Psa. 36. 8. Never any want of life there; it comes from a fountain.

V. 7. {He that overcometh} Chap. 2. 7. God will give heaven to those that heartily desire it: but yet they must fight for it, before they enjoy it. They must overcome the dragon, the beast, Gog and Magog.

{I will be his God, &c.} Psa. 89. 26, 27. 2 Sam. 7. 14. 2 Cor. 6. 18. I will tender him as a father does his son. This argues extraordinary comfort here, or in heaven.

V. 8. {But} Such sinners as follow, shall have no part in this new heaven and earth: and, lest they should slight this loss, he threatens them with hellfire besides.

{the fearful, &c.} If it be spoken of the day of judgment, it may be taken generally for all such sinners. If of the church before, it signifies, that though no persecutors remain, yet there will be many wicked men, who shall go to hell, when they die, although they lived to see this glorious estate of the church. The fearful then may accordingly be either such as at any time do evil, or omit good, against light of conscience, for fear of danger, Matth. 10. 28, 33. and 16. 15. That overcome not, but are overcome, v. 7. Or, such as were afraid of Gog and Magog, the last enemies, and durst not fight against them.

{unbelieving} That believe not in Christ. Or, that for all this, did not expect the promised felicity of the church, when they saw Gog's army, but despaired of victory.

{abominable} Given to sins against nature; as Sodomy, &c. See chap. 17. 4.

{murderers, &c.} See chap. 9. 20, 21.

{in the lake} Chap. 19. 20.

{second death} Chap. 20. 6, 14.

V. 9. {one of the seven angels} Very likely he that showed him the whore of Babylon, chap. 17. 1. showed him now the Lamb's wife. Of these angels see chap. 15. 1.

{I will shew thee the Bride} He saw her, v. 2. but not so distinctly as she is after described.

{the Lamb's wife} The riches of the heavenly city. So he that shows a man a king's palace and treasury, may be said to show him the king. She is now dressed like a bride, and shall be soon married to Christ, and made his wife, chap. 19. 7.

V. 10. {in the spirit} Chap. 1. 10. and 17. 3.

{great and high mountain} Christ's spouse comes now to be openly seen. John saw the whore in a wilderness, chap. 17. 3. he sees the church now on an hill, because the city was high. So Ezekiel was carried up into a mountain, to see the city and temple, Ezek. 40. 2. Moses, to see the pattern of the tabernacle, Exod. 25. 40. Heb. 8. 5. and the land of Canaan, Deut. 34. 1. The temple was built on an hill, 2 Chron. 3. 1. It was called a mount, chap. 14. 1. but here, a great and high one, so Isa. 2. 2. It may signify the glory of the last church on earth, or the height of glory in heaven.

{great city} Great for compass; for many must enter into it, v. 24.

{high} For buildings, or walls. See v. 12.

{holy} For no unclean person must come there, v. 27.

{Jerusalem} Because God, who dwelt once in Jerusalem, will dwell there more eminently, Ezek. 48. 35.

{descending, &c.} See v. 2.

V. 11. {having the glory of God} Exceeding great glory. So great things are set out, Gen. 23. 6. Psa. 36. 6. Or, glory given them of God, 1 Cor. 15. 40, 41.

{her light} He begins with light, as the principal grace of a city. That light is not meant, whereby she shined to others; but that which shined to her, and enlightened her. So the sun and moon are called, Two great lights, Gen. 1. 14, 15, 16. This light is God's glory, of Christ's, v. 23. This church shall see more of God and Christ, and of holy and heavenly things, by that light, than either the Jewish synagogue, or any Christian church saw before.

{like a Jasper stone} The last stone in Aaron's breastplate, Exod. 28. 20. and 39. 13. One of the king of Tyrus his gems, Ezek. 28. 13. used to set out God's glory shining in the church, ch. 4. 3. and so here also; unless it set out his majesty in heaven. The walls of his church are built of it, ver. 18. and it is the first in the foundation, v. 19. He compares not this light of that church to any light in heaven or earth: for the sun is sometimes darkened by clouds, and hurts our eyes, if we look too wistly on it: the moon and stars lose their light when the sun appears: and our made lights decay. But it is compared to a jasper, which is not darkened by clouds, neither does hurt our eyes; but the more we do look on it, the more it pleases us: neither does it leave shining, when the sun shines, nor does the brightness of it go out at any time.

{clear as crystal} Now he shows what kind of jasper it is like. Not the green, or yellow, or purple jasper; for that takes away the native color of other things, and makes them look like it: but the white, like crystal, which is most pure from spots, and most clear to look through. He does not say, It was like crystal; but like a jasper stone clear as crystal, because the jasper shines more than the crystal. So that it had the brightness of the jasper, and the purity of crystal, chap. 4. 6.

V. 12. {a wall great and high} That none might either pierce it, or scale it. The saints are safe there from all foes.

{twelve gates} Ways in, out of all parts of the world, Ezek. 48. 30, 31. If Jerusalem had but twelve gates, it may be an allusion thereunto.

{at the gates, twelve Angels} As porters, to receive men into heaven, Luke 16. 22. Not cherubims, to keep us out, Gen. 3. 24. Or, to guard us in the church on earth. Or, ministers, to teach us the way to heaven, ch. 1. 20.

{names written thereon} For direction, to guide men to it.

{of the twelve Tribes} Chap. 7. 4. Signifying, that the godly of the church of the Old Testament are gone thither, and we should endeavor to follow them. Or, if this verse be understood of the last church on earth, it signifies, that the saints shall be safe there, men shall have free access unto it, the minister shall receive them into the service and protection of the God of Israel.

V. 13. {on the East} Mat. 8. 11. Mar. 13. 27. To show, that some out of all parts of the world shall come in, and be received.

V. 14. {Twelve foundations} Made of twelve stones, or rows of stones, lying one by another. v. 19. or one upon another. However, surely founded it is, and will last.

{of the twelve Apostles} Their doctrine is a foundation of our salvation, and eternal happiness by Christ, Eph. 2. 20, 21.

V. 15. {He that talked with me} The angel, v. 9, 17. ch. 22. 6, 8.

{a golden reed} To measure the heavenly city. A plain one served to measure the earthly one, Ezek. 40. 3, 5. chap. 11. 1. There, the temple only; here, the gates, and city, and walls, are to be measured. The church will be now more exact than before.

V. 16. {four square} A firm and stable building; not a round and voluble one.

{twelve thousand furlongs} Some Greek copies are, Twelve times twelve thousand, one hundred forty and four thousand. A furlong for every member, chap. 7. 4. and 14. 1. John 14. 2. and in some proportion to be the breadth of the wall, one hundred forty and four cubits, v. 17. Or, each side in length, and the houses in height, and the city itself each way in breadth, was twelve thousand furlongs. Some think that every side, from corner to corner, contained but three thousand furlongs, and so the whole compass was twelve thousand. It is large enough to contain innumerable angels, and saints of all ages and places.

{the length and the breadth} From corner to corner, it is every way of equal measure. It is not properly called length and breadth, when it is no longer one way than another, as it is in a square.

V. 17. {the wall thereof} Perhaps the houses and towers were higher than the wall, as in many cities it is, that it might appear glorious to comers; and then the height of it may be set down in this verse. Or it may be understood of the breadth of the wall; and then the height of it might be equal to the city, v. 16.

{measure of a man, &c.} Cubit of a man in that shape the angel appeared.

V. 18. {of jasper} See v. 11. Cities are esteemed according to their matter: but there is none like this. It is not of wood, or stone; but of gold and gems, Isa. 54. 11.

{the city} The houses and palaces there. Or, the pavement of the streets; as v. 21.

{like unto clear glass} See v. 11. Gold is an excellent metal, but it is not transparent, like glass: yet the gold of this city has that property also.

V. 19. {the foundations of the wall} Nothing is more precious than Christ taught by the apostles, compared to twelve precious stones like Aaron's breastplate, Exod. 28. 27, &c.

{with all manner of precious stones} Isa. 54. 11, 12.

{jasper} See v. 11.

{a sapphire} A gem, of which, see chap. 4. 6. It was the fifth in Aaron's breastplate, Exod. 28. 18. See also, Isa. 54. 11. Ezek. 1. 26. and 10. 1. and 28. 13. Cant. 5. 14.

{a chalcedony} A precious stone, of one color, like fire, found about Chalcedon.

{an emerald} A stone so green, that other green things seem to have lost their color, when it is present. It is very pleasing to the eyes, and men may see their faces in it. It was the fourth in Aaron's breastplate, Exod. 28. 18. It is mentioned, Ezek. 28. 13. chap. 4. 3.

V. 20. {sardonyx} A precious stone looking white without, and red underneath, like the nail of a man. It has the name from a sardius and an onyx; it partakes of both their colors.

{sardius} A gem found about Sardis, of a bloody color. It is the first in Aaron's breastplate, Exod. 28. 17. called, A sardine, ch. 4. 1.

{a chrysolite} A stone in Ethiopia, of a such a golden color, that gold looks like silver to it, when they are together.

{a beryl} The tenth in Aaron's breastplate, Exod. 28. 20. an Indian stone, of a pale green color. See Cant. 5. 14. Ezek. 1. 16. and 10. 9. and 28. 13. Dan. 10. 6.

{a topaz} A green gem of Ethiopia. The second in Aaron's breastplate, Exod. 28. 17. Job 28. 19. Ezek. 28. 13.

{a chrysoprasus} A green Indian gem.

{a jacinth} A precious stone of a violet color.

{an amethyst} A stone for color much like a jacinth. The ninth in Aaron's breastplate, Exod. 28. 19. By these gems, is set out the glory of heaven, or, of the last church on earth.

V. 21. {twelve pearls} Of great price and esteem: a man may sell all, to get in at one of those gates, Mat. 13. 45, 46. The very entrance into heaven, or into the last church on earth, is of more worth than all worldly riches.

{of one pearl} It must needs be of great price, when a pearl was so big, it could make a gate. We read of none such in this world.

{the street} No dirty street, as in some great cities, nor stony, but clean and smooth to walk in. No uncleanness nor trouble there, v. 27.

{pure gold, &c.} Ver. 18.

V. 22. {I saw no temple therein, &c.} Fair temples are commendations of cities: but in heaven there shall need none; for there shall be no ritual worship there, but purely spiritual, John 4. 23. temples are to lift up men's minds to God: there needs none, where they see God. The earthly Jerusalem had a temple, and visible signs of God's presence in it; the heavenly needs not: God will show himself there forever. If it be understood of the last church on earth, then it signifies, that the worship of God shall be more pure and spiritual, and like to the heavenly, than ever before.

V. 23. {And the city, &c.} Chap. 22. 5. Isa. 11. 9. and 24. 23. and 60. 19. Jer. 31. 34.

{for the glory of God, &c.} See ver. 11. they need not worldly comforts in heaven, they have so much in God. So light is taken for joy, Psa. 97. 11.

{the Lamb is the light thereof} Even in heaven, all our communion with God is through Christ. If it be understood of the church on earth, the sense is; They shall have so much sweet communion with God in Christ, that they shall make little account of all worldly contentments.

V. 24. {And the nations, &c.} Isa. 60. 3.

{of them which are saved} Or, of them which are to be saved; as Acts 2. 47. The first way of reading respects the church in heaven; the second, that on earth.

{shall walk in the light of it} An allusion to men trading hereby the benefit of the light of the sun. The sense is, They shall enjoy the felicity of it. Light is often put for prosperity; and darkness for adversity, Isa. 60. 1, 2.

{the Kings of the earth, &c.} Isa. 45. 14. and 49. 23. Dan. 7. 14. as if seamen returned from a voyage, should bring their choicest things to dedicate in some temple. It shall be as glorious, as if all kings had brought all their glory thither. Or, good kings shall be glorious there, more than here. Rich and noble citizens, are a city's glory. Here, all citizens are kings, chap. 22. 5. Lu. 12. 32. Or, it may be understood of the flourishing state of the church on earth before the day of judgment, and the kings that shall join themselves to it, and uphold and enrich it.

V. 25. {And the gates} Isa. 60. 11. City gates are open in the day, for passage; shut in the night, for safety. Here it needs not, where no night nor danger is.

{for there shall be no night there} I need not say, Nor by night, as Isa. 60. 11. for there shall be no night there.

V. 26. {And they shall bring} The kings shall, v. 24. Or, it shall be brought, Luc. 12. 20.

{the glory and honour of the nations into it} Whatsoever is glorious among the nations, shall be brought thither. No want can be there, when all glory and wealth shall be brought thither. Or, a great number of the nations, which is a glorious sight. Or, the prime men of all nations, shall be converted and saved: which, in Saint Paul's time, was not so, 1 Cor. 1. 26, &c. It is no mean glory to the church, that so many kings and great men shall come into it.

V. 27. {there shall in no wise enter} Though the gates always stand open, yet no ungodly man can enter, there are twelve angels to keep them out, v. 12.

{that defileth} There shall be no soil nor contagion in this great city, such as crept in before, by Antichrist's subtlety: a neat city, that has no foul thing nor person in it, nor anything to offend eye, ear, or nose. So it will be in heaven, 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10. Eph. 5. 5. Psa. 15. 1, 2. and 24. 3, 4. Isa. 52. 1. and 60. 21. Joel 3. 17. Zech. 14. 21. Mat. 13. 41. In the last church on earth also, discipline in likelihood shall be so strictly executed, that no profane persons shall be found there. Only such are elect, as far as men can judge.

{abomination} Ver. 8.

{book of life} Chap. 3. 5. and 20. 12. Phil. 4. 3.

CHAPTER 22

Ver. 1. {And he shewed me} The description of the holy city is finished in the five first verses of this chapter; and the conclusion of the book follows.

{a pure river} A river is a great ornament to a city; it is pleasant and profitable, to convey persons and provisions to it. This is no pond, but a river: and not a troubled or muddy river, but a pure one.

{of water of life} So called, not only because it flows always, and puts forth new waters; in which respect, waters that come from a fountain are called Living waters, Gen. 26. 19. but also because it preserves life in those that drink of it, John 4. 41.

{clear as crystal} Transparent, and exceeding all fountains, in clearness. Most pleasant to the eye, as showing to it all that is therein to the very bottom: and most pleasing to the taste, as free from mud and filth.

{proceeding out of the throne} The river of paradise came out of the earth, Gen. 2. 10. That in Ezekiel, out of the temple, Ezek. 47. 1. This here, out of God's throne.

{of God, and of the Lamb} God and Christ sit on one throne. See ver. 3. This shows Christ to be God, equal to the Father. Some interpret this river of the Holy Ghost, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, as a river from a fountain, and satisfies all that thirst, with his spiritual gifts, John 7. 38, 39. Others apply it to the church on earth, thinking that it imports something to be fulfilled in the famous church, consisting of Jews and Gentiles, before the end of the world; and to be an allusion to Ezek. 47. 1. where the waters are said to come from the temple and altar, verse 1. But here being no temple nor altar, chap. 21. 22. it is said to come from the throne of God, and the Lamb. Therefore it is said to go toward the east, Ezek. 47. 1, 8. Zech. 14. 8. And it signifies the purest preaching of the Gospel through the world, which brings life and health to the soul, as living waters to plants, Ezek. 47. 9. and refreshes the church, Psal. 46. 4. Others understand it of heavenly glory, which is most pleasing and perspicuous, and comes from God's mercy, and the merits of Christ, Tit. 2. 11, 13. and 3. 4, 5, 6. and brings us to communion with them both, 1 Joh. 1. 3. Heb. 12. 22, 23, 24.

V. 2. {in the midst} An allusion to the earthly paradise, where the tree of life stood in the midst of the garden, Gen. 2. 9.

{of the street} An open river for all, not a sealed fountain.

{of it} Of the city, chap. 21. 21, 27.

{and of either side of the river} That is, many trees of this kind grew there, some on the one side of the river, some on the other, as Ezek. 47. 7, 12. that men on either side might have plenty of fruit, and come easily at it: Or, and of the river, which ran on each side of it; that is, one tree of life grew in the midst of the river, which compassed the earth whereon it grew, as it were with two arms; and this tree was so great, that it did stretch out boughs, with leaves and fruit on them, plentifully to both sides. So fruitful are trees that grow by rivers, Psa. 1. 3.

{the Tree of Life} Alluding to that tree in paradise, which should have been to Adam a seal of everlasting life, if he had continued in the estate of innocency, Gen. 3. 22. see chap. 2. 7. here is meat and drink, and that in great plenty, and for perpetuity, Psa. 36. 3. Fruitful trees planted by the waters, wither not, Psa. 1. 3.

{twelve manner of fruits} Twelve divers kinds of fruits, so that they need not be cloyed with one kind. It serves instead of all Ezekiel's trees, if it be but one. Or, twelve fruits of one kind, brought forth twelve times in a year. The former argues variety of comforts; the latter plenty. The former is an help against loathing; the latter, against lacking.

{every month} It is autumn here always. There is no need to lay up food against the winter.

{for the healing} Ezek. 47. 12. Mal. 4. 2. Not by feeding on the leaves, but by covering themselves with them, or laying them on their wounds. For although leaves of trees be not usually eaten, yet they are used many times physically, to heal wounds. So that they should not only live, but also live in health.

{of the nations} Or, of the Gentiles, chap. 11. 2. And then the fruit was to feed such as were in the church; the leaves, to heal others, that they might come in: as the bread is for children, the crumbs for dogs, Mat. 15. 27. Either it is to be understood of God's word, which is food and physic to us here; 1 Pet. 2. 2. Heb. 5. 12. Psa. 107. 20. which shall be more clearly and plentifully preached, before the end of the world, than yet it ever was: or else of Christ our Savior, who is All in all to us, and by whom we shall live forever in heaven.

V. 3. {no more curse} Evil thing, person, or action. Or, curse, that is, destruction. Gr. curse against anyone. Such shall be the force of discipline, and vigilance of pastors, and God's blessing on their labors, that God shall not need to destroy obstinate sinners from heaven, for contempt of his ordinances and ministers, Zech. 14. 11.

{the throne of God, &c.} See v. 1.

{shall be in it} God will settle his throne there. There shall be no rotten members, to make God to depart from it, as he did from Shiloh, Psa. 79. 58, 59, 60. and from Jerusalem, 2 Kin. 21. 14, 15. But this is that Sion where God will dwell forever, Ps. 132. 14.

{shall serve him} Though God's servants shall enjoy abundance of grace and comfort here on earth, before the end of the world, and perfection of glory in heaven; yet the relation of servants to God shall abide still.

V. 4. {they shall see his face} They shall converse familiarly with him, 2 Sam. 14. 32. Deu. 30. 10. 2 Joh. v. 12. They shall worship God so purely, that he shall seem to converse with them face to face. Or, it sets out their full happiness in heaven, which consists principally in seeing God's face, Mat. 5. 8. Joh. 19. 26. 1 Cor. 13. 12. 1 John 3. 2.

{his name shall be in their foreheads} God's name, ch. 3. 12. & 14. 1. his image shall be more fully imprinted on them, than on other Christians in former times. Or, he shall own them publicly, and all that they have, Zech. 14. 20, 21. Or, they shall glory most in this, that they are God's children. Or, they shall as children converse with him in heaven. For there it will appear who are God's children, though here it do not. The saints shall know one another, as the high priest was known, when Holiness to the Lord was written in the plate on his forehead, Exod. 25. 38.

V. 5. {And there shall be, &c.} Chap. 21. 23.

{no night there} No such darkness of ignorance, confusion, or affliction, as was before. Or, no darkness literally, or of affliction at all, if it be understood of heaven. In the day here, they feared night; in prosperity, adversity: there they shall not need to do it. To heal that fear, that which was said, chap. 21. 23. is here repeated.

{they need no candle, &c.} They need not light by day or night. They have so much knowledge of God, and comfort in him, that they seem to have no need of outward means and comforts, Isa. 19. 20. Or, in heaven they shall need no reading or preaching of the word, the light of the soul, Psa. 119. 105. 2 Pet. 1. 19. 1 Cor. 13. 8.

{for the Lord God giveth them light} Knowledge and comfort shall so abound in them, that all may see they come rather from God, than from the means, Isa. 54. 13. Jer. 31. 34. Or, they receive fullness of knowledge and comfort from God in heaven.

{shall reign} Lest men should think it an hard service spoken of, v. 3. he adds, They shall reign, to show, that their service shall be a most happy kingdom.

{for ever and ever} Their kingdom begun here, shall never end, but be translated to heaven. Or, they shall reign in heaven forever.

V. 6. {And he said unto me} The conclusion of the book. In Genesis, the first book, is set out the beginning of the world, and of the church. The history of both, is continued in other books for a long time; and it is carried on in this last book, by way of prophecy, to the end.

{and true} See ch. 19. 9. & 21. 5. The Spirit knew that this book would be more questioned than others, and therefore by his angel confirms the truth of all things written in it, in the conclusion, by many arguments; because the servants of God, hearing of them, would be very desirous to see the event of all these prophecies. As if he should say, All is now revealed, and all that is revealed, is true: nothing remains, but that you give credit to it, and patiently expect God's performance, which will undoubtedly follow in his time.

{God of the holy Prophets} See Luke 1. 70. God, who separated and inspired holy men to be prophets, that they might foretell things to come; has revealed these things also by his angel, chap. 1. 1. and therefore they shall certainly come to pass.

V. 7. {Behold} Chap. 21. 3. He brings in the Lord, God of the prophets, mentioned in the former verse, speaking in his own person in this verse. Or, Christ sending his angel to reveal these things, v. 16. may interpose, and speak himself, when he please. Or, the angel sent by him, speaks sometimes in his own person; sometimes in the person of Christ.

{I come quickly} See v. 12, 20. I begin soon to execute these things, and that shall be a pawn to you, that I will not give over the work, till I make an end of all. Therefore they must not be sealed, v. 10. that men seeing some things foretold soon performed, might with patience expect the performance of the rest.

{blessed is he, &c.} The conclusion is like the preface, ch. 1. 3.

V. 8. {I John} He shows, that this book was not written by any false prophet, but by himself, who was well known in the church.

{saw these things} He confirms the revelation here, as he did his Gospel before, John 19. 35. & 21. 24. and his epistle, 1 Joh. 1. 1.

{and heard them} I saw the visions, and heard the words. He was worthy to be believed; for he receives nothing at the second hand, but saw and heard himself, what he writes. All the churches knew, that he received what he wrote, from God's Spirit, and did faithfully dispense it.

{I fell down, &c.} Before, ch. 19. 20. Or, it may be, now toward the end, being more fully acquainted with the glory of the holy city than before, he forgot himself, and erred out of weakness the second time, as Abraham did about his wife, Gen. 12. 13, 18. & 20. 2. It seems John did it now again, because it is after he had seen all the visions: and other words are attributed to the angel here, than were ch. 19. 10.

V. 9. {See thou do it not} See on ch. 19. 10.

V. 10. {Seal not the sayings} Propound it openly; conceal no part of it: as sealing is concealing, ch. 10. 4. Isa. 8. 16. & 22. 11. Dan. 12. 4, 9. Lest John should think that he ought not to reveal so great mysteries to the people, he is bidden not to conceal them: and a reason is added, Because the time is nigh.

{of the prophecy of this book} Look on v. 7.

{for the time is at hand} Mysteries are often kept secret, till God see a fit time to reveal them, ch. 10. 4, 5. They are revealed when the church may get most good; as when the time of fulfilling draws nigh. The time, in the Greek, is the season; that is, the fit and appointed time.

V. 11. {He that is unjust} If it be objected, Some will abuse these things to hurt themselves and others; the answer is here included, They must not be concealed for all that. Others will make a better use of them. Good men must not be deprived of the knowledge of these comforts, because men to whom they belong not, will abuse them.

{unjust} Towards others. To this, righteous is opposed.

{filthy} In himself. To this, holy is opposed.

{let him be filthy still} Those that remain obstinate, shall be given over to their own lusts, and grow worse and worse, Ps. 81. 11, 12. Ezek. 3. 27. & 20. 39. Dan. 12. 10. Amos 4. 4. 2 Tim. 3. 13. Or, such as are obstinate, and incorrigibly wicked, let them be left, and given over to their own lewd and loose courses of life; as 1 Cor. 14. 38.

{holy still} Or, more holy. Either persist or increase in holiness. And so in the former.

V. 12. {And behold, I come quickly} As I said before, v. 7. Little time will pass, from the foretelling of these things, to the beginning of fulfilling them. Look therefore for my coming to execute them, as a servant forewarned does for his master's, Mat. 24. 44, 45.

{my reward is with me} Christ comes not empty-handed. His reward is ready, for good men and bad, Isa. 40. 10. & 62. 11.

{to give, &c.} Rom. 2. 6.

V. 13. {Alpha and Omega} Chap. 1. 8. & 21. 6.

{the first and the last} Isa. 41. 4. & 44. 6.

V. 14. {His commandments} Christ's, if the angel speak in his own person. Or God's, if Christ speak, or the angel in the person of Christ. See v. 7, 12.

{that they may have right} And so may inherit heaven, as God's children, Mat. 25. 34. and coheirs with Christ, Rom. 8. 17, 18.

{to the tree of life} See v. 2. ch. 2. 7.

{through the gates} Chap. 21. 12. For over the wall they could not go, it was so high, chap. 21. 12, 16, 17. An allusion to a guarded city, whose high walls keep out such as have no right to enter, and porters at the gates let in such as have.

V. 15. {For without} Gr. But without.

{dogs} Men that bark and snarl at all goodness, Phil. 3. 2. Mat. 7. 6. It is an happiness to be without the society of such. Or, filthy persons, such as are spoken of, v. 11. called dogs, Deut. 23. 18. 2 Pet. 2. 22.

{and murderers} Chap. 1. 1.

V. 16. {I Jesus, &c.} Now Christ confirms the truth of all these things, by his own voice, acknowledging that they came all from him.

{have sent mine Angel} Chap. 2. 8, 27.

{to you} In the seven churches, ch. 1. 4. Hereby he shows what great honor he did to those churches, to commit this treasure to their custody.

{I am the root, &c.} Chap. 5. 5. Isa. 11. 1. I can give you the promised happiness; for I am the Messias of David's seed, that must reign forever.

{the bright morning star} Ch. 2. 28. His birth was manifested to the wise men by a star, Mat. 2. 9, 10. to show, that he was the star foretold, Num. 24. 17. which brings the day of knowledge to the church, and glory, after the night of ignorance and misery, 2 Pet. 1. 19.

V. 17. {the Spirit} The Holy Ghost breeds desire of Christ's coming in the heart of the church, which is Christ's bride; who also freely, answers to his motions, v. 20. Rom. 8. 23, 26. 2 Cor. 5. 2, 4.

{the Bride} She desires to be married to Christ; for she had made herself ready, ch. 19. 7. God's children desire the fulfilling of these things, that they may be more nearly joined to Christ. See chap. 6. 10. & 19. 17. 2 Tim. 4. 8.

{Come} To fulfill these things. Or, to judgment, that we may be with you forever.

{him that heareth} Not only the church in general, and each Christian then alive; but also their posterity, when they shall hear of these glorious things, shall long for the performance of them.

{let him that is athirst come} Chap. 21. 6. Isa. 55. 1. The prophecy may kindle this thirst in good men; the performance will quench it: else were the expecters miserable, Prov. 13. 12. 1 Cor. 15. 19.

{the water of life} Of the river, v. 2. So here is water of life to drink, and a tree of life to give food.

{freely} Let them participate of grace or glory; as freely and plentifully, as if it were water, 1 Tim. 6. 19. Jam. 1. 5. Or, Though they shall have abundance of both, yet it is of God's free [grace]; for they deserve not one drop of this water; nor cannot procure it by any strength or wit they have of themselves, Rom. 6. 23.

V. 18. {For} It may be left out, as it is Acts 4. 34. & 8. 31. in the beginning of the verses: for it yields no reason of that which went before. Or, it may be read, And, as Acts 19. 33. in the end of the ver. Or, no doubt; as 1 Cor. 9. 10.

{I testify} Gr. I testify together: As Moses did of the law, Deut. 4. 2. & 12. 32. & 30. 6. so do I of this prophecy. It is therefore of divine authority, as that book is. Or, I sent my angel to testify these things, v. 16. now I confirm his testimony, by threatening all that add to, or take from it. Or, I confirm what John avers, v. 8.

{the words of the Prophecy of this book} Ver. 7, 10.

{shall add unto him} Or, shall lay upon him.

V. 19. {the words, &c.} See v. 18.

{out of the book of life} Chap. 21. 27.

{out of the holy city} Chap. 21. 2.

{the things which are written in this book} Chap. 1. 3.

V. 20. {He which testifieth these things} Christ, v. 16, 18. the faithful witness, chap. 1. 5. from whom, as the Gospel came, so likewise this revelation.

{I come quickly} He had said so before; v. 7, 12. Now he repeats it the third time, that we may not think he stays too long for us.

{Even so, Come Lord Jesus} John's voice, desiring it may be as Christ has said. He grew old, and desired to be with Christ quickly, as other of the saints do, v. 17. and Paul, Phil. 1. 23. Thus John, who received these mysteries from heaven, and wrote them in a book, concludes it with a double wish; one, of Christ's coming in this verse; the other, of the continuance of his favor to his church in the meanwhile, v. 21. teaching us to do the like. Or it may be the church's voice, desiring to be speedily joined to Christ; as ver. 17. according to his promise here and before.

V. 21. {The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c.} This shows the whole revelation to be an epistle sent to the seven churches. See more on ch. 1. 4. He begins with this request there; and ends with it here. Christ's favor is the first and last thing he wishes to the church. So does Paul, writing by the same Spirit, Rom. 1. 7. & 16. 24. 1 Cor. 1. 3. & 16. 23. 2 Cor. 1. 2. & 13. 14. Gal. 1. 3. & 6. 18. Eph. 1. 2. & 6. 24. Phil. 1. 2. & 4. 23. Col. 1. 2. & 4. 18. 1 Thess. 1. 1. & 5. 29. 2 Thess. 1. 2. & 3. 18. 1 Tim. 1. 2. & 6. 21. 2 Tim. 1. 2. & 4. 22. Tit. 1. 4. & 3. 15. Philem. v. 3, 25. This he wrote in the end of his epistles, with his own hand, 1 Cor. 16. 21, 22, 23. Col. 4. 18. It was the token of his genuine epistles. Though they were written fair by others, Rom. 16. 22. yet he wrote this salutation, or the like, in the end, with his own hand, 2 Thess. 3. 17, 18.

{Amen} So be it. This is also added in the end of Paul's epistles. See the places newly cited.

FINIS.