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except we read them, and study them? If therefore we mean to be partakers of this bleffedness, we must not only esteem this book to be very profitable, but abfolutely neceffary for all the fervants of God to be exercifed in. And if ever there were any time wherein it behoved to fet forth, to urge and to bear in this doctrine to all the people of God, then it is chiefly necessary to be done in this our time. For this age of ours hath in the Pope's kingdom many fharp and quick wits, which commend with marvellous praises both the Pope and the church of Rome, and buz into the ears of the common people, and unlearned fort, many things quite contrary to the doctrine of the fcripture. The Jefuites and priests are grown exceeding crafty and cunning. The Papists are rich, wealthy, and full of armour and ammunition, Popery feemeth to gain ground again, and the Papifts look for a day. It stands us then to love Chrift and his gofpel, that we fhould be well ap pointed, and thoroughly armed against them. And for this purpofe the Revelation of St. John is of great ufe and neceffity.

As I faid before, fo I fay again, that it is the prophecy of our time, written to this fpecial end, that by it we might be both fore-warned and fore-armed. If we do confider the whole matter of this book, we

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fhall eafily find out the use and end of it; for the excellent matter of it doth argue the excellent end and ufe of it.

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Now then, as concerning the general matter of this book, here are to be found very large and lively defcriptions of the moft glorious perfon of Chrift, and all his excellent offices, both of King, Priest, and Prophet; and alfo moft notable defcriptions of the church, and of the minifters of it; and of the perfecutions and afflictions, which it muft of neceflity pafs through in the world, Rev. chapters i. ii. iii. Also of God's merciful providence for his church, and most vigilant care over it in the midst of all extremities. Here are fet before our eyes very lively defcriptions of the churches deadly enemies; both of Satan himself, and his three great inftruments, the Roman emperor, the Pope, and the Turk.

Here are fet down all their cruel perfecutions of the church, and their utter overthrow in the end. Here are defcribed, hell, death, the refurrection, and the laft judg iment. Here alfo the very kingdom of heaven, is at large defcribed, with all thofe great rewards, infinite glory, and endlefs. felicity which remain for all the faithful worshippers of God.

I conclude therefore, that for as much as this prophecy is of fuch excellent con

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tents, therefore the ufe and neceffity of it must needs be very great. And for this cause John is willed and commanded by Alpha and Omega to write the things which he had feen, the things that were, and the things that fhall come hereafter: by the things which he had feen, is meant that glorious vifion mentioned in Rev. i. 13, 14, 15, 16. wherein Jefus Chrift did appear unto him in the midst of the feven golden candlesticks, in a most glorious manner, as is there defcribed. And all this was in the ifland of Patmos, where John was first called and authorized to this work, and therefore he is willed first of all, to record this vifion which he had already feen.

By the things that are, he meaneth the prefent ftate of the feven churches of Afia, which were then the most flourishing churches in the world, as they are defcribed in the fecond and third chapters; and in them the estate of all other churches.

By the things that fhall be, he meaneth all the prophecy of this book, which were to be fulfilled in their time, and all thofe ftrange accidents, which fhould come to pafs in procefs of time, and the feveral ages. of the church, even unto the end of the world. Thus we see how John received a precife commandment from the Son of God, to write things paft, prefent, and to come, that they might ftand in record un

to all pofterity, from generation to gene ration. Thus much touching the fifth cir cumstance, which is the end and use of this book.

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Now followeth to fpeak of the last cir cumftantial point, which is the authority of this prophecy, which is ftrongly con firmed from the author of it, which is Jefus Christ, and therefore it is called the revelation of Jefus Chrift, which God gave unto him. And again it is written, I Jefus • fent mine angel to testify these things in the churches," Rev. xxii. 16. Here we fee plainly, that Jefus Chrift the very Son of God, the Alpha and Omega, is the author of this book, for he fubfcribes his name unto it, and fets his hand and feal unto it. Needs therefore the authority of it be very great, which cometh from fo great a perfonage; for look what dignity and au thority he is of, from whom the book cometh, of the fame dignity and authority is the book itself.

Another ftrong argument to confirm the authority of this book, may be taken from the proteftation of. Jefus Chrift in thefe words; I proteft unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man fhall add unto these fayings, God fhall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book

And if any fhall diminish the words of the book of this prophecy, God fhall take away his part out of the book of life." Rev. xxii. 18.

Here we fee how Jefus Chrift maketh the authority to this book equal to all the other oracles of God, to the which it is not lawful for any man to add or detract under pain of condemnation. It maketh much alfo for the authority of this book, that St. John doth fo often repeat, reiterate, and inculcate his own name, I John, I John, I John; I John the apoftle; I John the evangelift; I John the divine, fhewing by all thefe repetitions, how needful a thing it was that the faithful fhould be thoroughly inftructed who he was, even one of the Lamb's twelve apoftles, and therefore to be void of all fufpicion and doubt concerning the authority of this book, and not once to imagine it to be any invention of man, or feigned device, fince it was penned by fo great an apostle.

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Moreover, the authority of this prophecy is confirmed by four reafons in the laft chapter. The first is the affirmation of the angel, who faith, the words are faithful and true,' Rev. xxii. 6, 7, 8. The fecond is the authority of the most high God himself in thefe words. The` Lord God of the holy prophets fent his

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