Revelation 1

THE revelation of Jesus Christ The Apocalyps, (as this Book is sometimes called) that is, the discovering, or unveiling of some hidden things; (so the word Revelation signifieth. The Greek word is often used in the New-Testament, and is ordinarily translated so. It is called the Revelation of Iesus Christ, because Christ received it from his Father, as the next words show., which God gave unto him Which God gave unto him, as he was Mediator; By God, here is to be understood the Father, not exclusively to the Son, as if he were not God, but to show the order of working in the Holy Trinity, Iohn 7.16. and 14.10. Christ in his state of Humiliation is said to learn of the Father; in his state of Exaltation to receive from the Father?, to show unto his servants To Iohn, and by him to all Saints that will be studious of things revealed. things which must shortly come to pass. This Phrase puts us out of doubt, tha this Book is not a Relation, or Narrative of things pass, but a Revelation, or Prediction of things to come. See also chap. 22.6, 16. which makes me wonder at the Confidence of a learned Amotator of our own, That all things here relate, either to the Seige of Hierusalem, (which was past more than 20 years before this Revelation to St. Iohn) or to Pagan Rome, which, indeed, continued 200 and odd years after this. But his Notion is contrary to the general Sense of all Interpreters, whether the ancient Fathers, or modern Writers. The Phrase, indeed, signifies shortly, but never what was past, nor always, what shall in a few Days come to pass. See Luke 18.8. Rom. 16.20. tho indeed sometimes it signifies the time immediately following a Command, as Acts 12.7. and 22.18. and considering it is God's Phrase, to whom a thousand Years are but as yesterday, Psalm 90.4. and who cal the things that are not, as if they were; and who manifestly calls all those years betwixt Christ's coming, and the end of the World, (almost 1700 of which are past already) the last Days, we may allow him to say Those things should be shortly, which soon after should begin to be effected, tho no finished; till Christ's second coming; tho therefore we may allow this Verse the Key to open the whole Apocalyps, yet we must judge the learned Author has turned i the wrong way. Christ had fore-told the Ruine of Hierusalem, Matth. 24. nor was it now the matter of a Prophecy, but History. The six first Seals plainly show the state of the Christian Church under Rome-Pagan; what shall we say to all things represented under the seventh Seal, &c.; and he sent and signified it by his angel First by one Angel, then by another, or (possibly) constantly by the same. unto his servant John Who this Iohn was, we shall declare further, v. 2.4.:

Who bare record of the word of God This Phrase determines the Controversie about the Pen-man of this part of holy Writ, and puts it out of doubt, that it was Iohn the Apostle and Evangelist. The Phrase so agrees to Iohn 1.19, 32, 34. and 19.35. The word in the Greek signifies, bare Testimony to, or of the Word of God. Some understand Christ so called, 1 Iohn 1.2. Some would have the Gospel meant by it; and if any think this the more probable Sense, because, tho Christ be elsewhere called the Word, yet he is not called the Word of God; and it is not here in the Dative, but the Accusative Case; I see no reason to contradict them., and of the testimony of Jesus Christ By the Testimony of Christ, is to be understood the Doctrine of Christ, called so, because it is a Testimony concerning him: Or rather, that which he testified, who is elsewhere called the true and faithful Witness., and of all things that he saw This may be understood with reference to what went before; so it agreeth with 1 Iohn 1. or to what followeth in this Revelation, made to him in Visions, in a great measure..

Blessed is he that readeth From hence is well concluded, That this is a Portion of holy Writ, to be read publickly and privately, otherwise no Blessing would have been pronounced to the Readers, or the Hear rs of it., and they that hear the words of this prophecy l, and keep those things which are written therein That keeps it in Memory, and liveth in view of it, and as a Person that believes it; they are blessed, as they will from it be comforted; conce ing all the Sufferings of the Church, and People of: For the time is at hand The Season for the Accomplishment of th e things is nigh, not passed, but the time when they shall begin to happen, is not very far off.. It is also well from hence concluded, That this Book is no History of things done, but a Prediction of things to come to pass; for tho Prophecy in some Scriptures signifieth more largely the Revelation of the Divine Will, yet here it must signifie strictly.

JOHN Iohn the Apostle and Evangelist writes either to all the Churches of Asia under the Notion of seven, (which is the number of Perfection) or to those seven Churches mentioned, v. 11. Ephesus, Smy na, Pergamus, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, (seven famous Places in Asia the less, where the Gospel was planted) which being the most famous Churches in that part of the World, Iohn is commanded to deposite this Prophecy in their Hands, by them to be communicated unto other Churches. These Churches were in the most famous Cities of the lesser Asia: some think Iohn was the Apostle that preached most in Asia, and founded these Churches; others, that tho they were founded by Peter and Pa l yet after their Death Iohn took upon him the charge of them. It is the opinion of some learned Men, that the Apostle did not, in the Epistle to the Churches in Asia, design only to tell them of their Error, and prescribe to their Cure, but that in writing to them, he assigns both a Prophet cal Instruction of us all concerning the State of the Church in all Periods from that time to the Day of Judgment, and also to reprove and counsel all present and succeeding Churches; but of this we may possibly speak more afterward. to the seven churches which are in Asia, Grace be unto you, and peace Grace and Peace is the common Apostolical Salutation, as to the Sense of which, we have often spoke; the Apostle wisheth them the free Love of God that is, Grace, and the Seal of it, Rom. 5.1. Peace with God and their own Consciences, and each with other. from him which is, and which was These words are a Description of God, particularly of Jesus Christ in his Eternity and Immutability. He was from Eternity; he is now, and he shall be for ever. Or, (as some) he was in his Promises before his Incarnation; he is now God manifested in the Flesh, and he is to come as a Iudge to judge the quick and the dead. This was an ancient Name of God, Exod. 3.14. I am that I am.—I am has sent me unto you. These words interpret the Name Iehovah., and which is to come, and from the seven spirits which are before his throne It is very difficult to determine what is meant by the seven Spirits here before the Throne, we read of them also, chap. 3.1. & 4.5. & 5.6. Christ is described chap. 3.1. as having the seven Spirits of God. It is said, chap. 4.5. that the seven Lamps of Fire burning before the Throne, are the seven Spirits of God: and chap 5.6. That the Lamb's seven Eyes, were the seven Spirits of God. This is all the Light we have from Scripture: Some think they are from Angels that are here meant. We read chap. 8.2. of seven Angels that stood before God; and in ch. 15.16.17. there is a like Mention of seven Angels; and Zech. 4.2, 10. Zechariah had a Vision of seven Lamps, and seven Pipes, which v. 10. are said to be the Eyes of the Lord which run to and fro through the whole Earth. But Iohn saluting the Churches with Grace and Peace from these seven Spirits, and joining them with Christ, they do not seem to be Creatures, Angels, that are here meant, but such a Being from whom Grace and Peace cometh. Others therefore understand by them, the seven Workings of Divine Providence in his Managery of the Affairs of the World, with relation to the Church, of which we shall read after, but this also seems hard. The Sense seems to be, and from the Holy Ghost, who, tho but one spiritual Being, ye exer th his Influence many ways, and by various M nifestations, called here seven Spirits, because all flow from the same Spirit. They are therefore called, ch. 4.5. burning Lamps. The Holy Ghost descending in the appearance of Fire, Acts 2. and being compared to Fire, Matth. 3.11. they are called the Lambs seven Eyes, and seven Hor, chap. 5.6. Christ had the Spirit without measure; and the Holy Spirit is oft called the Spirit of Christ. This seemeth the best Sense; the Reader may find the Objections to it answered in Mr. Pool's Synopsis Criticorum upon this Verse.:

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness Here i, an express mention of Jesus Christ, because he was the Procurer of our Redemption, and our Mediator, to whom the Father committed all Power, as to the Church. He is called the faithful and true Witness, 1 Tim. 6.13. he witnessed a good Confession before Pontius Pilate; he bare record of himself, John 8.1 4. See also Isa. 43.10. & 53.4. Iohn 18.37., and the first-begotten of the dead Th t is, who f st rose from the dead, viz. by his own Power, Iohn 10.18. and to die no more. See Acts 13.34. 1 Cor. 15 20., and the Prince of the kings of the earth The King of Kings, chap. 17.14. & 19.16. 1 Tim. 6.15. The first Name here given to Christ speaketh his Prophetical Office, the second his Priestly Office, this last his Kingly Office.: Unto him that loved us; and washed us from our sins in his own blood Here begins a Doxology, or giving Glory to Christ, (such Forms are frequent in the Epistles) first, as he that washed us from our Sins, both from the Guilt, and from the Power and Dominion of our Sins, with his Blood, paying a Price, and satisfying God's Justice for, and meriting our Sanctification. See Heb. 9.14. 1 Iohn 1.7.,

And has made us kings and priests unto God and his Father Kings, to rule over our own Appetite, and govern our selves by the Law of his Word, to fight and conquer the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. Kings in a spiritual Sense, for our Kingdom is like his from whom we derive it, not of this World; therefore he adds, unto God, to the Honour and Glory of God, for his Service, who is the Father of Christ; Priests to offer up spiritual Sacrifices, acceptable to God, through the Beloved, 1 Pet. 2.5. our Bodies as a living Sacrifice, Rom. 12.1. part of our Estates, Phil. 4.18. The Sacrifices of Praise, the Fruit of our Lips, Heb. 13.15. So as all the Priviledges of the Iews, Exod. 19.16. belong to us, and that in a more eminent manner. Through Christ we also are a Royal Priesthood, a peculiar People.: To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen Let all Praise, and Honour, and Acknowledgments be paid, and all Power ascribed to him for ever..

Behold St. Iohn being to speak of the various Afflictions of the Church of God, which should immediately begin, and hold on during the whole time that Rome should continue heathen, and 1260 years after, during the whole reign of the Beast, prepareth Christians for it, by calling them by the Eye of Faith to see (tho at a great distance) Christ coming to Judgment, whom, he cometh with clouds he speaks of as already coming, (according to the usual stile of Prophets, who use to speak of those things that shall shortly be done, or certainly, as if they were already done) he describes the manner of Christ's coming to Judgment, and says, he cometh with Clouds, that is, in a glorious manner, in the Clouds with great Power and Glory, Matth. 24.30. and 25.31. in his Glory, and all the holy Angles with him, with ten thousands of his Saints, Jude 14. with a Shout, the Voice of the Archangel, and the Trump of God, 1 Thess. 4.16. here, with the Clouds, bright and glorious Clouds, not obscuring him, but making his Appearance more glorious and terrible., and every eye shall see him He shall come visibly; for, Acts 1.11. he shall so come, as he was seen going up to Heaven, Isa. 40.5., and they also which pierced him They also which pierced him shall look on him, Zech. 12.10. yea, not those only which pierced him with their Spears, but every Sinner who has pierced him with his Sins, Heb. 6.6. From whence we may observe, that the Resurrection will be general; and those in the great Mogul's Country are like to awake out of their Sleep in the Grave, as well as others. The last words are either a prophetical Assertion, confirming the Truth of what he had said, or a pious Prayer or Desire, or rather both together.: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him All the Nations of the Earth; Gr. the Tribes of the Earth, shall wail, not with a mourning of Repentance, the time for that will be past, but with a wailing of Despair and Horror.: Even so, Amen.

I am Alpha, and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the Lord Alpha and Omega are the first and last Letters in the Greek Alphabet, as Aleph and Tau are in the Hebrew Alphabet; the meaning of these is expounded, the Beginning, and the End. He who was before all, and shall continue to exist, when all Creatures shall cease to be; the first and the last, as the same terms are expounded, chap. 22.13. so Isa. 41.4. and 43.10., which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty See v. 4. He addeth the Almighty, to show that he was able to make his words good. Thus in this Verse, Omnipoteny, Eternity, and Immutability, are all applied to God, and particularly predicated of our Lord and Savio Jesus Christ..

I John who also am your brother f and companion in tribulation The same mentioned, v. 4. the Apostle of Jesus Christ, yet he disdaineth not to call those his Brethren, whom his Lord so called. The Pagan-Persecutions were now begun. Nero first began them about 23 years after Christ was ascended into Heaven, but he died within three years time after he had began that Course. Then the Christians had some rest for 12 years, by reason of the short reigns of Gal a, Ot, and Vitel us, and the Kindness of Flavius, and Titus espasianus, but about 82 years after Christ, began Domitian to reign, and to persecute the Christians about the year 9. He lived not long, for he was slain, Anno 97. but in those seven years he put to death, imprisoned, and banished many. Iohn is said to have been banished by him, Anno 91. and to have had this Revelation 94, and 95. Domitian lived but four or years after this. After his Death Iohn is said to have come back to Ephesus, and to have died there three years after, about the year 98. But for five years Iohn was the Christians Companion in Tribulation. and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ Either the Kingdom of Grace, a Member of the Christian Church, or the Kingdom of Glory, which is to be arrived at, both by patient waiting, and by patient Suffering for Jesus Christ, or waiting for the second Appearance of Christ, in order to his glorious Kingdom., was in the isle that is called Patmos This Island, Geographers tell us was an Island in the Icarian, or Aegean Sea, about 35 Miles in compass, (one of those 53 Islands called the Cyclades.), for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ He tells us how he came to be in Patmos, viz. for preaching the Word of God, and those Truths to which Christ had given Testimony: He did not voluntarily go thither to preach the Gospel (for those Isles have in them few Inhabitants) but he was banished thither by the Emperor Domitian's Officers. Banishment was a very ordinary Punishment amongst the Romans, in case of what they would call Sedition. Eusibius tells us, that one Flavia Do illa, tho she was Neece to the Consul, was banished upon the same account at this time..

I was in the Spirit Not only in spiritual imployment, suppose Meditation, and Prayer, but in an Extasie; my Soul was (as it were) separated from my Body, and under the more than ordinary Influence and Communications of the Spirit, as Acts 10.10. and 11.5. ad 16.9. and 18.9. on the Lords day Upon the Christian Sabbath, called the Lord's Day, (as the Eucharist, or breaking of Bread, is called the Lord's Suppers, 1 Cor. 11.20.) because Christ instituted it; or, because the end of its Institution was the Remembrance of Christ's Resurrection, (as the end of the Lord's Supper was the Commemoration of Christ's Death) or because it was instituted for the Honour of Christ., and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet Iohn in the Isle of Patmos was keeping the Christian Sabbath in Spiritual Services, Meditation and Prayer and fell into a Trance, wherein he had a more immediate Communion with the Holy Spirit, which begun with his hearing a loud Voice, as it were, behind him, as loud as the sound of a Trumpet.,

Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first, and the last I, who speak unto thee, am the Eternal, Immutable God.: and, What thou seest, write in a book What thou shalt presently see, write in a Book, not in loose Papers. Whence we may observe, that this Book is not only the Revelation of the Will of Christ, but written by his Direction., and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia Not to all that lived within the Jurisdiction, or Compass of these Cities, but only to those Christians who lived in or near these places, which are all Cities in the esser Asia.; unto Ephesus Ephesus was the most famous where Paul preached, Acts 19.10. &c. and stayed three years, chap. 20.31. It was a noble City in that part of Greece, which was called Ionia., and unto Smyrna Smyrna was a Sea-port City in the same Country., and unto Pergamos Pergamos was a City of Troas, or Phrygia., and unto Thyatira Thyatira was a City in Lydia, or Mysia., and unto Sardis Sardis also was a City in Lydia, near the Mountain Timolus., and unto Philadelphia Philadelphia was a City in Lydia, next Mysia., and unto Laodicea Laodicea was a City in Asia near the River Lycus. In all these Cities there were Congregations of Christians formed into Churches, to whom God here ordereth St. Iohn to send these Visions, when he had wrote them in a Book. Our Countryman, Mr. Bright asks Where Rome was all this while? and how it came to pass God directed not these Mysteries to be sent, and kept in their Archieves, especially if (as the Papists say) the Bishop there be Christ's successive Vicar? and considering too, how great Friends Peter and Iohn were wont to be? But the fore-mentioned Author tartly replies to his own Question, That that Church, it seems, could never err, and therefore needed not any Correptory, or monitory Epistle..

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me That is, to see the erson, whose Voice I heard speaking to me; or else by seeing, is meant Vnderstanding; (but that he might have done without turning) he therefore turned, hoping to see the Person that spake.. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks By these seven Candlesticks which he saw, are meant the seven Churches; so we find it infallibly expounded, v. 20. we shall find in this Allusio s to the Iewish Temple. Here they begin? In the Jewish Tabernacle there was one Golden-Candlestick, and seven Lamps, to give against it? so Num. 8.2. Zech. 4.2. Iohn here seeth seven. God had but one Church of the Iews, but many amongst the Gentiles. This Notion or Comparison of Churches to Golden-Candlesticks, both shows us the Nature, and Office of the Churches of Christ, they do not give Light of themselves, only hold Lights; and it is their Duty to keep in them the pure Word of God, which is a Light to our Feet, and a godly Ministry; and it also lets us know, that they ought to keep themselves pure (as beaten Gold) from all Corruption, as to Doctrine, and their Members from all scandalous Conversation..

And in the midst of the seven candlesticks That is, of the Churches, resembled by the Golden-Candlesticks., one like unto the Son of man One like to the Son of Man. We say, no like is the same; but Christ who was the Son of Man, and who ordinarily calls himself so throughout the Gospel, is undoubtedly here meant, as appeareth by v. 17, 18. which Description can agree to him alone. He is said to have come in the likeness of sinful Flesh, tho he came in true human Flesh; and Phil. 2.8. He was made in the likeness of Men. Iohn saw one who appeared to him, as a Man, in the midst of seven Golden Candlesticks, which was Christ in the midst of his Churches; placed in the midst, partly to let us know his Observation of them all, and partly to let us know his being at hand to them all, to help, protect, and defend them., clothed with a garment down to the foot, the word signifieth a long Garment reaching to the Feet, whether of Linen or Woollen, or what other material is not expressed; so as it seemeth to me hard to determine, Whether it was to signifie his Priestly, or Kingly office, or neither. It is an Habit of Gravity, and gi t about the paps with a golden girdle Nor dare I determine the Significancy of the Golden Girdle about his Loins. It was an Habit like that in Daniel's Vision, Dan. 10.5. They were both Symbols of Majesty, Authority, and Dignity, and the Appearance agreed very well to him, who was both an High-Priest, and a King..

His head and his hairs were white like wooll, as white as snow Whiteness signifies Purity; whiteness of Hair signifies Old Age ordinarily, which commonly is attended with more Prudence, as having most Experience: hence this Appearance of Christ may both denote his Purity, and Wisdom, and that he is the Ancient of Days; See Dan. 7.9, 13, 22. tho there the term of Ancient of Days belongs to God the Father, yet it also agreeth to Christ, who is equal with the Father, as to his Divine Nature.; and his eyes were as a flame of fire Such an Appearance is applied to God, Ezek. 1.27. Dan. 10.6. and to Christ, Rev. 19.12. to denote either Christ's Knowledge, Wisdom, and Omniscience; or his Grace in purifying Souls, as Fire does Metals; or his Wrath and Anger against his Enemies..

And his feet like unto fine brass There are nice Disquisitions what this Chalcolibanum (which we translate, fine Brass) was: vid. Poli Synopsin. I understand not of what Profit the Determination will be to us. By the Feet of Christ (probably) are signified his Ways, Counsels, and Methods in ordering, and governing his Church, which are compared to fine Brass, for the Beauty and Glory of them, and for their Firmitude, Strength, and Steadiness., as if they burned in a furnace They appeared like Brass filled with Fire, as if it were burning, and red-hot in a Furnace.; and his voice as the sound of many waters Loud, and terrible, like the noise of the Sea dashing upon a Rock, or the Shore..

And he had in his right hand seven stars The Right Hand is the Hand of Power, Psal. 21.8. and 44.3. and of Favour, Psal. 110.1. and of Honour and Dignity. The seven Stars are expounded, v. 20. to be the Ministers of the Gospel, his Messengers to his Churches, who having in all times been most exposed to the Malice and Rage of Enemies. Christ is said to hold them in his Right-Hand, as to signifie the Dignity he has put upon them, and the Favour he has showed them; so also to show his Resolution to protect them, according to his Promise, Mat. 28.20., and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword Either his Gospel and Word compared to a two-edged Sword, Heb. 4.12. or a Sword of Justice, which he will use till he has perfectly overcome, and vanquished his Enemies., and his countenance was as the sun shining in his strength That is, was very glorious, so as the Apostle was not able to behold him..

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead Astonished at the Majesty and Glory of the Appearance; see Iosh. 5.14. Dan. 8.17, 18. Matth. 17.6. Acts 9.4., And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not To comfort me, and let me know, that I had no reason to be afraid, he would do me no harm., I am the first, and the last See v. 8, 11..

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore The living God, who had Life in my self, and gave life to the World, but assumed the Human Nature, and was made Man, and in that Nature died, but I rose again from thedead, and shall die no more, but ever live to make Intercession for my People., Amen This is a great Truth.; and have the keys of hell and of death And have a Power to kill, and cast into Hell; or I have the Power over Death, and the state of the Dead, so as I can raise those that are dead, to life again; I have the command of Death, whether Temporal or Eternal; as he who has the Keys of an House can let in, and shut out of it whom he pleaseth, so I bring to Heaven, and throw to Hell whom I please..

Write the things which thou hast seen Either the things which thou hast seen from the beginning of the Gospel; for Iohn, Ma. 4.21. was a Companion of Christ from the time presently following his Baptism and Temptations: Or, the Vision of me, which thou hast now had; which I judge most probably the sense, not understanding why our Lord should set Iohn to write what (tho they were not yet written, yet) Christ knew, should be written in another Book by Iohn himself, viz. in his Gospel, and by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, in their Histories of the Gospel, and in the Acts of the Apostles, especially considering they were to be wrote plainly, so as he who runs may read them; and what Iohn was to write here, was to be written Enigmatically, and darkly represented in Visions: and it is against reason to think the same things should be first revealed plainly, and then more darkly, and both by Direction from God., and the things which are The present Affairs of the Church; we have the History till Paul was carried Prisoner to Rome, (which was about the 60th year after Christ) in the Acts of the Apostles; so that I conceive the furthest that Iohn lookt back, was but 35 years; for he was in Patmos about 93, and is conceived to have wrote this Book, 96. Hence the matter of the Revelation is easily concluded. 1. The things which were the present Affairs of the Church, Anno 96. or looking back only to 60, which Things are supposed to be written by Iohn in chap. 2.3., and the things which shall be hereafter And the Things which shall be hereafter, to the end of the World, under the reign of the Dragon [the Pagan Roman Empire] and the reign of Antichrist, or the Beast, for 1260 years, and from thence until Christ shall come to Judgment..

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks See v. 12, 16.. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches That is, they signifie the Angels of the seven Churches. By Angels, he means God's Messengers and Embassadors to the seven Churches, called Angels, both in respect of their Office, being the Embassadors of Christ, 2 Cor. 5. 20. and of that Holiness which they should show forth in their Doctrine and Life. To interpret the term of Angels by Nature, seems not agreeable to what we shall hereafter meet with, said to some of them, Christ would never have ordered Iohn to have charged them with a loss of their first love, or to admonish them to be faithful unto Death, or to repent. Whether the term, Angel, denoteth any particular superior Minister, or Bishop in those Churches, or is to be taken collectively for all the Ministers in those Churches, I shall not dispute. Certain it is, signifieth no more than is common to all Ministers, viz. to be God's Messengers, and move upon his Errand.; and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest, are the seven churches The seven Churches mentioned, v. 11. Or else, seven being the Number of Perfection, all the Churches, which are fitly represented by Candlesticks, in the same sense as they are called Pillars of Truth in Paul's Epistle to Timothy, because they have not the Light they show from themselves, only hold it forth from Christ. But it is the Opinion of very learned Writers upon this Book, That our Lord, by these seven Churches, signifies all the Churches of Christ to the end of the World; and by what he says to them, designs to show what shall be the state of the Churches in all Ages, and what their Duty is. That by the Church of Ephesus, was represented the purest state of all the Christian Churches, which determined 30 years before this Book was wrote. By the Church of Smyrna, the state of all Christian Churches till the year 300. By the Church of Pergamos, all the Christian Churches, till Antichrist got up into the Saddle, and the Albigenses, and Waldenses were so persecuted. 4. By the Church of Thy tira, the state of the Churches from that time, till our Reformation. 5. By the other three, the state of all Churches for 150 years last past, and which shall be to the end of the World. See Dr. More, Mr. Med, Cocceius, and Forbes, as learned and diligent Enquirers into the Sense of this Book, as any have been, give many reasons for this: 1. Because no reason else can be given, why Epistles should not be wrote to other Churches, as well as these. 2. He does not call them the seven Churches of Asia, but seven Churches. 3. The Number, seven, is a Number used to signifie Perfection. 4. What is said of Christ's walking in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks having the Stars in his Right Hand, &c. agreeth to him, with reference to all Churches, not to these seven only. 5. His calling Ministers, Angels, speaks this a Prophecy, for that is a Prophetical stile. 6. The mentioning the same Number of Churches and Ministers, as of the Seals, speaks this part of the Revelation as comprehensive, with respect to time, as the other. 7. It is not probable, that these Epistles would have been ushered in with such a Vision, if they had been merely Historical, and Didactick, not Prophetical also. 8. They argue from ch. 1.19. where Iohn is bid to write not only what is, but what shall come to pass. 9. They argue from the matter of the Epistles.—Let the curious Reader see more of this in the Authors themselves, as also in Mr. Brightman..