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of life, which is in the midst of the paradife of God.

Smyrna is promifed in like cafe, that they fhould not be hurt of the fecond death.Pergamus likewife is promifed to eat of the manna that is hid, and to have the white ftone of victory given them. Thyatira is promised to have power given them to rule over nations and to be lightened with heavenly brightnefs, like the morning ftar.Sardis is promised to be cloathed with white array, that is, with heavenly glory, and to have their name continued in the book of life. Philadelphia is promised to have a pillar made in the temple of God; that is, a firm and unmoveable place of eternal glory. Laodicea is promised to sup with Chrift, and to fit with him upon his throne for evermore. Thus we fee what great and precious promifes are made to all churches that fight and overcome in this their fpiritual battle and conflict.

Concerning the conclufion, it is one and the fame to all the feven churches. Wherein they are exhorted, that fuch as have ears to hear, fhould hear, ponder, and confider all the aforefaid praifes and difpraifes, admonitions, reprehenfions, threats, and promifes. And it is therefore faid, fuch as have ears, because there are very few to be found that have circumcifed and fan&ti

fied ears, to hear and understand heavenly things. This is proper to the elect, this is but to whom it is given. And thus briefly and generally we see what was the present ftate of every one of the churches of Afia, unto which this prophecy was to be fent: so that by them we may fee in what state the univerfal church militant was at that time. For as fome of these seven as yet ftood firm, and others had much declined, fo was it with all other churches."

Hitherto concerning the first vision, containing generally the infcription of this book; John's falutation to the churches; John's new calling; the excellency of Chrift which called him; and the prefent state of the church. Now we proceed to the lecond vifion, contained in the next eight chapters to the twelfth, wherein is fhewed, what should be the future ftate of the church in all ages, even unto the end of the world.

THE

CHAP. IV.

HE principle thing contained in this fourth chapter, is a defcription of the perfon of God, the author of this book, who is moft gloriously defcribed of that

excellent glory that is in himself, and of his royal throne which he fitteth upon, and of his goodly retinue, and troops of faints and angels attending about his moft gloriour throne. Whereunto is added the diverfe qualities, both of angels and faints, both in themselves and their own natures:as alfo in their manner of praifing and worfhipping of God. This is the general fum and fenfe of this chapter.

But for the better clearing and more full opening of, I will come to the words of the text, and open them as they lie in order.

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After this I looked, and behold a door ' was open in heaven, and the first voice I heard, was as it were of a trumpet, talk-s ing with me, faying, come up hither, and I will fhew thee the things which must be done hereafter,' Rev. iv. 1.

Thefe words, after this, have relation to the firft vifion fpoken of before, as if he fhould fay, after I had received the former vifion, concerning the prefent ftate of the church, now I had another vifion concerning the future ftate thereof; and therefore he faith, a door was opened in heaven,' that he might come in and fee all these things which fhould be revealed to him. For the opening of the door in heaven doth here fignify the unlocking of heavenly

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things unto John, or his entrance into them: for fo the word door is taken, 2 Cor. iii. 12.-Rev. iii. 8. After the opening of the door, he is called up with a loud voice, like a trumpet, faying, Come up hither;' for although the door was opened, yet dare he not enter in till he was called and commanded to come in. For in thefe cafes he doth not prefume in any thing as of himself, without fpecial warrant and direction, as the fcripture faith, No man taketh this 'honour unto himself, but he that is called. ' of God, as Aaron was,' Heb. v. 4. The voice that calleth him, is like a trumpet that is loud and fhrill, that he might be ftirred up more diligently to attend unto the contemplation of thefe great fecrets which fhould be revealed unto him. This voice commandeth him to come up hither: which fheweth that John was wrapt up in the Spirit unto the heavens to fee this vi fion. This voice promifeth to fhew him things which mult be done hereafter," that is, that he fhould be made acquainted with the future ftate of the church, as already he was with the prefent ftate thereof. "And immediately I was ravished in the Spirit, and behold, a throne was fet in heaven, and one fat upon the throne,' Rev. iv. 2.

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Upon this fudden and extraordinary cal

ling by fo heavenly and loud a voice, John was forthwith ravifhed in Spirit. For as the prophet Ezekiel was by the Spirit in the vifions of God, carried from Chaldea to Jerufalem; fo this holy apoftle is carried by the Spirit in the vifions of God into heaven, and by the fame Spirit is made fit and capable of all thefe heavenly vifions which fhould be fhewed him. So that in all this we do plainly and clearly see, that John hath, as it were, a further calling and admittance from heaven to behold and fee thefe wonderful fecrets which now are to be imparted unto him.

Behold a throne, &c.' Here beginneth the defcription of the most high and glorious majesty of God, who is defcribed after the manner of earthly kings and judges fitting upon their thrones and judgment-feats. For he is King of Zion, and Judge of all the world.

And he that fat, was to look upon like unto a jafper ftone and a fardine, and there was a rainbow round about the ⚫ throne like an emerald,' Rev. iv. 3.

God, for his admirable glory and beauty, is here compared to two most precious ftones. The one, which is the jafper, being of a perfect green colour, as Philofophers write: the other, which is the Sardine, be ing of a moft bright red colour. Nothing

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