THE FALLING STARS.
And his tayl drew down the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth.
THis book was the last breath, wherewith the Penmen of holy Writ were inspired, and the last love-token of a kind Husband to his Spouse; Christ handed it to us by John the beloved Disciple, he was a speciall favorite, one that did lean upon Christs breast; therefore he above the rest was [Page 2]honoured with speciall secrets, and bosom counsells; He was made one of heavens Privy-counsell, having the futurition of things presented to him; The matter here treated of is altogether propheticall, (viz.) concerning the Church, her persecutions by enemies. The mutations of the visible state thereof, defections of Apostates, & fearful cloudings and darknings of the light of the Gospel: In brief, we have here a generall view and project of all the conditions of Gods people, untill the second comming of Christ. Some have thought this Chapter to be the whole Apocalyps in a lesser volume. In it we have the preparations and skirmishes between the old Serpent and Michael, the two Generalls of the Armies, and the mutuall successe of both Parties; this was brought to John in two Visions, both which he gives an exact accompt of; the first vision he describes, 1. From the quantity, it was a great wonder, 2. From the place, in heaven, 3. From the form, a Woman, (i. e.) the Church militant, because she is chased and put to flight, which cannot be said of the estate triumphant, then the Saints are at rest; She is called a woman [Page 3]because of self-impotency and insufficiency, not being able to doe any thing without Christ, no more than the woman without her husband. This woman hath three Externall adjuncts, 1. Cloathed with the Sunne, that is Christ, so called in Scripture, Mal. 4.2. Secondly, the Moon under her feet, &c. that is, in her Affections, which are the feet to carry the soul, she tramples upon terrene things as inconstant as the Moon. Thirdly, a starry crown; and three Internall, ver. 2. She was with child she travelled in birth, and in pain to be delivered; not of Christ, as some think, for he is not the seed, but the father of the Church; but of some Magistrate or Ruler, who was to be instrumental for her preservation and deliverance. The second Vision is described, 1. From the place, in heaven, 2. From the quantity, great, 3. From the form, a Dragon, 4. From the colour, red, 5. From his monstrous shape and figure, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns on his heads, all which note the subtilty, cruelty, strength, and dominion of the Dragon, being the Prince of the power of the air, 6. From a double cruelty, [Page 4]the first in Execution, the words of my text, And his tayl drew, &c. the second in Intention, he had purposes of further mischief, the Dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, &c. Here we have news from the Camp, how this weak combatant the Woman comes off at the first onset, with losse, she hath a seeming rout, we have here,
1. The party prevailing, expressed in [his] shape before mentioned with seven heads and ten horns.
2. Against whom he prevails, the Stars.
3. How, with his Tayl.
4. In what he prevails, to draw them from heaven, and cast them to the earth. The words thus divided, afford this observation.
Obs. The Dragons tayl causeth the downfall of many heavenly lights, Or thus, A multitude of the Stars of heaven are by the Dragons tayl drawn to the Earth.
I shall clear the Proposition, by answering the following Quaeries.
Q. What we are to understand by the Stars of heaven.
A. First neg: not the laps'd Angels, as [Page 5]some fondly imagine: of whom Jude speakes, that they kept not their estate, that glorious condition in which they were first made, but did of themselves revolt from God and the truth. The reasons which move me against this opinion, are these.
1. Because this book is not a History rerum gerundarū, of things don, it relates not passages which were then accomplisht, but it is a draught and representation of things to be acted, and hereafter to be performed, as John himself tels us Rev. 1.1. the Visions contained in this book were given him by God, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to passe, now the Angels fell some thousands of years before John writ.
2. These Stars here spoken of fell upon the Dragons encounter with the Woman, they were the spoyl he took from her: but the wicked spirits apostatized from the begining, before ever God had a Church or people in being, the time his decree should bring forth was not yet come.
Secondly, not the promiscuous number of those who consent and joyn together [Page 6]in Apostolical doctrine, setting it up as a guide and rule of faith and manners; or the company of those who make an outward profession (i.e.) visible Saints, be they Pastors or People, not having reference at all to any orders constituted and appointed by Christ in the Church, for though the Godly, if we may speak at large, those that are really or seemingly so, taking a view of them in the lump, are Stars of Heaven, every one in their several orbs and stations shining in the rayes of Gospell glory, yet these are not the Stars here spoken of, but some who in gifts and place were more eminent and advanced.
Aff. By Stars therfore in this Prophetical naration, I conceive the Spirit chiefly intends, (yet not excluding others,) those who exercise ministerial office, the Pastors and Teachers of the Church of Christ. I take this to be the sense.
1. Because the Stars in this verse are the same with them in the first, which the Woman is crowned with, notwitstanding there is a definite number exprest twelve; in this we have the consent of the best Expositors, that by them are meant the doctrine by the Apostles themselves [Page 7]published, which they had from Christs own mouth, yet not to be lookt upon with a personall restriction or limitation to them, for then the Church ever since they were bydeath silenced, hath lost her ornament; wherefore it must necessarily be verified in all those who were their undoubted successors, preaching the same Christ with them, and administring the same Sacraments; in this number of universality and perfection, all that purely hold forth the rich grace of the Gospel are included and comprehended.
2 Because in most, if not all, places of this mysterious book, ministers are called Stars, as Rev. 1.20. The mystery of the seven Stars which thou sawest in my right hand, the seven Stars are the Angels of the seven Churches, [are,] doe signifie, as the bread is Christs body in the Sacrament.
By Angels in this Epistle, we are not to understand incorporeall substances with Origen, but Ministers, and the reason is obvious, because God in his ordinary dispensation doth not teach the Church by Angels, but by men; the Scripture elsewhere gives Ministers this honourable appellation, Hag. 1.13. and Malachy [Page 8]speaking of the Priests, Chap. 2.7. For he is the Angel of the Lord of hosts. They are called Angels, First, Propter vocationē & missionem, They are ministring spirits sent forth, Heb. 1.14. They act by divine Commission and Authority, so all Gospel Ministers can shew the broad seal of heaven. They are employed by the great God to carry on his designe of gathering the Elect; I look not upon him as a lawfull Pastor that hath not a lawfull call, or is not sent. Rom. 10.15. of such God complains, as who runne without any mission, Jer. 14.13. Secondly, Propter munus & officium quo funguntur, as the Angels are messengers to publish the mind of God, so are also Ministers, as the Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 4.1. To them are committed choice treasure for the enriching of souls. Thirdly, Propter eximiam scientiam quâ excellūt. They whose lips are to preserve knowledge must have more then an ordinary competency.
2. Q Wherein doth the resemblance hold, between Stars and Ministers?
1 Stars are the clearest and brightest part of Heaven: such are Pastors in the firmament of the Church, they should [Page 9]out-shine others in their knowledge of divine mysteries, and have a clearer insight in the hidden things of the Gospell; they should have a double portion of the Spirit, as was upon Elijah: and as they are to be more eminent in spirituall endowments and inward qualifications, so also in a close walking with God, and a Gospel conversation, they are to benefit others, both by soundnes of doctrine, and integrity of life; it is their duty to teach, both by precept, and example.
2. Stars shine not in their own, but a mutatitious light, all their Iustre and resplendency is borrowed from the Sun: so what ever gifts of wisdome and discerning, of utterance and opening the mind of Christ, are in dispensors of the word, it flowes from Iesus Christ, all the beauty, glory, and shining of Christs Embassadors is from him. In the 5 Mat. ver. 14. we read, that the Disciples are the lights of the world, but it is to be understood by way of participation, not originally, for Christ is called the true light, Joh. 1.8.9. he only properly deserves the name of light, being so by nature, not by dimanation from another, as the creatures have it; Christ is that eternall [Page 10]uncreated ray, which darts upon every one that is born, both naturall and heavenly light; he is the Sun of righteousnes, the great fountain of light, who sends forth and displays his beames for the illumination of all the elect; it is not the studying of Arts & Sciences, it is not skill in tongues and originall languages of Scripture, which can bring us to the knowledge of God; if Christ and his Spirit be abstracted and separated, our apprehensions will be but historicall, and notionall such as the Devill may have; when they are sanctified, and Iesus Christ hath shined in, they prove good helps and furtherances; therefore Ministers must look to Christ, from whose fulness all is imparted and communicated, not their own parts and industry, without Christ and the Spirit they can doe nothing see 1 Cor. 3.5, 6. what Gospell preachers declare is nothing else but that which Christ brought from the bosome of the Father, 1 Ioh. 1.3.
3. Stars are wonderfully communicative they affect these inferior bodies with influence, motion, and light, they keep not their light to themselves, but carry and transmit it to the world: so [Page 11]Ministers convey spirituall light to men on Earth, living in the dark night of ignorance, error and superstition; how should they pitty poor soules, who sit in the very shadow of death, whose eyes are so fast close, that they never saw Sun, Moon, or Stars, who never had any light risen upon them, as is upon us in the Preaching of the word? We are blessed that hear the joyfull sound, the Gospell trumpet blowing, proclaming liberty to the Captives, &c. But it is sad to think, the lights of divers places in this Nation are very darkness, many thousands of People are under a dark ministery, who are communicative of nothing but their corrupt opinions, and misunderstandings of the grace of God to sinners, of a loose Gospell unbecoming life. Blessed be God, the Churches hereabouts are better provided, having Ministers like fixed stars, who by the sweet distillation of their lips teach, by the orderly & regular motion of their lives confirm, and by both enlighten many, with such orient heavenly pearls, the Churches, in some places, like a bright sky in a clear evening, sparkle, and are bespangled.
3. Q. What Pastors are these here signified [Page 12]by the Stars of Heaven, who are pluckt from their orbs and stations, and drawn to the Earth?
A. Neg. Not fixed Stars. The Dragon cannot move any one faithfull Minister of Iesus Christ, he may as soon bring Heaven and Earth together, and turn all things into a confusion, as pluck them from Christ in whom they are imbodyed; the reason is, because Christ holds all those who aime at the glory and advancement of himself, in the nothingness of themselves, in his right hand, Rev. 2.1. Christ holds them, First, ratione operationis & efficaciae, in regard of efficacy and operation, it is he that works effectually by the outward administration of ordinances upon the hearts of men, which are naturally shut & baracadoed against God and Christ, Act. 16.14. & 1 Cor. 2.5. Secondly, ratione protectionis & custodiae, in regard of keeping and defence. The right hand in Scripture signifies the virtue and power of God, this streched-out arm is engaged in mantaining the Ministers of his Church; he is indeed a powerfull keeper, and a faithfull upholder of all the Saintes, yet somtimes he doth make his glory more evidently appear [Page 13]and shine forth in protecting the Ministers. This may bear up the spirits of them that are industrious in their callings, let them meet with never so many discouragements and reproaches; what though you are scorned by the head-long multitude? what though discountenanced by rulers, men in place and Authority? what though the great ones of the world frown upon you? yet let not your hearts fail, only be of a good courage, you are in the right hand of Iesus Christ, and what honour is this to poor Creatures, that he should have such a care of them and love to them? Princes either cannot, or will not vindicate those they imploy, from injuries and affronts, but the Lord Christ keeps his safe, and is a revenger of the wrongs of those he intrusts, he rebukes even Kings for their sakes, saying, Touch not mine anoynted, nor do my Prophets no harm.
A. Aff. Those Stars which consist of earthly matter, called up by the heat of the Sun, and enlightned by the same, (which are more properly called Meteors, than Stars,) they may, and doe fall: so those Pastors and Teachers, which are earthly and sensuall, flourisht or glided [Page 14]over only with the light of an outward profession, being exhaled or drawn up by common illuminations, tasts of the good word of God, and powers of the world to come, may be cast down, and drawn from all that lustre and glory, with which they did shine in the Churches of Christ. Now we are not to understand these Stars any otherwise thā in appearance & opinions of men, which may be discerned by their shooting from Earth to Heaven, and going out in obscurity and darkness when that matter which should feed them is spent, or when shaken with the boisterous winds of temptations and persecutions, as the Comets doe, which by no means can be said of the heavenly bodies, therefore to be drawn from Heaven to Earth is not to be understood literally, but mystically; it is to fall from a heavenly hope and comfort, from an imaginary enjoyment of, and living in God, to carnall and earthly practices, to hugging and tasting wordly pleasures, it is of inhabitants of Heaven to become inhabitants of the Earth, Rev. 13.6.8. we find the distinction of these 2 sorts of men; such are all those Pastors who forsake God & the Gospel, & busie [Page 15]themselves only about secular imployments.
4. Q. How may Ministers be said to fall?
An. They, with all visible Saints may fall, First in their own judgments, when the fire of heavenly truth, which did seemingly shine & burn in them, is quite extinquished, and covered over with the Ashes and Embers of Errors, Lyes Mens Fancies, Licentious Doctrins, which they hold forth as enjoyned by God, fathering their fond and gross conceits upon him; such men are never constant and setled, but like wandring stars, as Jude speaks, ver. 13. moving from one opinion to another; like blasing exhalations, however they may carry it out gloriously for a time, yet they soon vanish & faulter in their motions, whereby the People come to have false directions: such men are, in their doctrine, as unstable as reeds, because they follow the guidance of carnall and degenerated reason, which hurrieth them into destructive paths, and are not led by the Spirit into the wayes of truth. Secondly, in their affections and practices, when the seeming ravishings in the Spirit, and [Page 16]Soule-extasies are metamorphosed, and turned into a worldly greediness, when leaving the desires of Gods countenance, they gape only after such dignities, advancements and preferments, as the creatures store-house will afford; when the getting of riches, and applause to themselves, is preferr'd before gaining of Souls to Iesus Christ; instead of having their conversation in Heaven, by meditations and earnest longings, and breathings of heart, they altogether mind Earthly things, they set the Moon in the wrong place, above their heads, when it should be under their feet, so, as I may speak, glorying in their shame; such men are far from Moses temper and disposition, elevated and lifted up above the quintessence of Creature-glories, he undervalued and slighted the best of the world, in comparison of Christ, Heb. 11.24. by faith he refused to be called the Son of Pharaohs Daughter; he was adopted a Kings Son, he lived in all the delights & pomps of the Court, exempted from all trouble, he might have some hope in time to sway the Scepter, & succeed Pharaoh in the throne; yet despising all this dignity, he went to visit his brethren, [Page 17]& chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God; he set more by the reproach of Christ, than the treasures of Egypt.
5. Q. How doth the Dragon obtain such a victory over these glorious lights, which once sparkled in the eradiations of sound doctrine and holy conversation?
Ans. By his tayl; that was the means he used to give the defeat by, which we are to understand,
1. By his strength and tyrannical opposition. Writers say, that the Dragons main power lyeth in his tayl: we may credit it because the Scripture saith as much, Rev. 9.19. Their power is in their tayls, for they were like unto Serpents, a Dragon is a grown Serpent. Thus by persecution, slaughters, and all the cruelties which wicked men could act or invent, as who are the Dragons Agents, and carry on his designes, many Pastors and Teachers wanting that boldnesse and Courage which becomes the Souldiers of Christ, have fell from their brightnesse of doctrine, and exemplary walking, to loose tenets, and corrupt lives; for fear of fire and sword, they have fashioned their conversations [Page 18]according to their lusts in their ignorance, according to the Prince of the power of the Ayr.
Secondly, By daubing insinuations. Some creatures fawn with their tayls, so doth the Dragon; Yet intends neverthelesse mischief. Thus he comes with the promises of outward peace and quietnesse, with the enticing baits of pomp and greatnesse, and so in all ages he hath met with, and prevailed upon the ambitious and covetous humors of divers, who, like Judas, to fill the Bagge, have turned against their Master, or Esau, to satisfie their hungry appetites, have chosen the Pottage before the blessing.
Thirdly, By venome and poyson. The Dragons tayl is full of infection, and with it he destroyes and kills the souls of multitudes, I mean by false doctrines, and intoxicating opinions; to broach and vent these, he daily stirs up persons whom he furnisheth with the subtil guiles and sophistry of hell; by this means in all ages he hath corrupted and tainted divers, who have fallen from sound Principles, turned their backs, and stopt their ears to the charmings of heavenly truth, and wholly [Page 19]given themselves up to wicked tenets, contrary to Scripture: He is now gone out as a lying spirit in the mouthes of some, and hath prevailed; that which Christ predicted before his death, that many false Christs, and false Prophets should arise and deceive many, we see fulfilld in our days; We have many who take upon them a form of Godlinesse, and in their words and deportment are transformed into Angels of light, whereby they gain and win much upon men, who are led by these flourishings and varnishings to follow their pernicious wayes.
6. Q. What was there in the Stars, which hastned their fall, or further'd the Dragon in casting them down?
Ans. It's a truth, that Mans own corruption is his advantage: was it not for that enemy which every one harbors within himself, the enemies without him could have but little encouragement to make an Attempt; the best of us have Traytors in our bosom, which if God give us not grace to watch over, they will betray us into the hands of our Adversaries; such had these Stars, which did them more mischief than the Dragon: [Page 20]Three things especially did bring them down from the top and pinacle of their glory.
1. Lingring desires after Creature-vanities, they choak and stifle the most refined if common gifts of the Spirit; however men may seem to burn with zeal for Gods glory, and to be set on fire with ardent desires of fellowship with him, yet if they halt between two opinions, having their hearts distracted and divided, they will never be able to hold out, when profits and preferments are offered; the World is a subtil Enemy, most pleasing to the dispositions of all, and by reason of her vicinity and neighbourhood easily and unawares steals upon us, and hinders us from the seeking and pressing after better and more enduring Comfort, and contentments; how many of those that call themselves Ministers of Jesus Christ, who like Stars of the first magnitude had high places in the Churches, and affections of Gods People, preferring the sweetnesse of outward pomp and greatnesse, before the true honour of being Christs Embassadors, have with the Serpent crept upon their bellies, [Page 21]and eaten dust, given themselves wholly to heap up wealth, applause among men, and not to exhortation, instruction, exemplary walking? Christ saw cause to warn his Disciples, and in them all Christians of the cares of this life, Take heed lest your hearts be overcharged, &c. God and the World cannot dwell together, they are as contrary as light and darknesse, which expell one another from the same subject. God will have have all the room in our souls to himself, he must be loved with all the heart, and all the strength: Earthly things must have none o [...] our affections; for where they are entertained, they shut out God and Christ. Intus existens [...]rohibet alienum, is true in nature, When a Vessell is fild with one solid body, it cannot receive another; so also here. Well doth John caution beleevers, Love not the world, for if any love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. And David a Prophet prayes, Encline mine heart to thy testimonies, and not to covetousnesse. The Dragon did not leave Christ himself unassailed, when he shewed him all the Excellencies of terrene things, he knew it a most prevailing [Page 22]argument, and when this would not do, he fleeeth away, as despairing of Victory. The want of sobriety in pursute and use of outward blessings, stains and spots the glory of those who take upon them the Office of Stars, to shine in the darknesse of the world. The Apostle Paul very well compares them to weights, Heb. 12.1. Earthly things keep men down from aspiring Heavenward, and God-ward, from heaving their souls upward, and pluck from heaven when the feet of their souls carrie them thither. Men may get as it were into heaven by contemplations and longings, and obtain a place amongst the Stars in the view of others, yet, if they doe not sit loose from the World, and are not gathered up above the Moon, they will soon descend, like a heavy body, which so soon as the violence forcing it ceaseth, afterwards of its own accord tends to the Center. Ministers, above all, should have their hearts weaned, as Davids was, Psal. 13.1, 3. Hannah had devoted Samuel to God, to spend all his days in and about the Tabernacle in Shilo, however she brings him not thither as soon as he was [Page 23]born, but first Weans him, 1 Sam. 1.22.24. he could not have abode in the Tabernacle, had he not been Weaned; though a man be drawn up to Heaven, and numbred among the Coelestial bodies, yet if he be not Weaned from the Earth, he will not long continue there, he will be hankering after the worlds breasts, he will speedily come down to suck that Milk.
Secondly, Not placing their chief hapiness in things above; they did not make heavenly things their treasures, they hoarded not up there, how can they be in Heaven and stay there, when their affections are not there? and the only way to get their hearts into Heaven, is to get their treasures into Heaven. So saith Christ, Mat. 6.20, 21. The heart and the treasure are indivisible, not to be separated; where the Carcasse is, there will the Eagles be gathered together: Christs Eagles mount aloft, and sit with him in heavenly places. Christ among other beauties of the Church takes notice of this, as a speciall one, Cant. 7.4. her Nose is like the Tower of Lebanon, one would have lookt upon this, as a deformity and discommendation, [Page 24]but by it, is set forth, that spirituall sagacity and quicknes of smell, whereby the Saints resent and savour things above, being carried after Christ, the true Carcass, with unspeakable pleasure and delight: but some have their Senses and Noses in the earth, with the Swine, as themselves are of the earth; pofessions, inheritances, are the things alone sweet to them, therefore they cannot be long absent. Would we therfore like true Stars be immoveable & unshaken, let us make Christ our treasure, let our cry be, None but Christ, none but Christ, let him be precious to us as to all beleevers, the welbeloved of our Souls, the pearl of great price, let all things else be counted as lose and dung in comparison of him. The Sun extracts vapours, so doth the Son of righteousnes the affections of his people. When Christ is lifted up in the desires and esteem of men, he drawes to and keeps them with him. Where the loadstone is, that way it draws Iron, if beneath it brings it down, if above it brings it up: many descend, because their loadstone is in the Earth, but those that pitch their loadstone in heaven, make Christ their loadstone, need not fear [Page 25]their continuance in Heaven.
3dly, The want of an intrinsicall principle of grace. I grant they had an Extrinsicall flourish, but they were far from inward dispositions, else the Dragons tail had never prevailed. Hence is it that they could not make any long stay above. Stars which fall & go out are taken up by an outward agent as the Sun: so those Pastors w ch appear to converse and live in Heaven, and afterwards are precipitated to the earth, were never drawn up by their own proper inclinations, which did proceed from something within themselves, but by the outward workings of the Spirit. Heavy things we know go downward, because naturall propensity inclines them to descend; so light things go aloft, because they have an in nat principle carrying thē that way: so those teachers which continue in their orbs, & the Dragons tail cannot hurt [...], have such a frame of spirit, that is still lifting their hearts on high, such are in a sure and safe condition, the gates of hell cannot prevail against them. I deny not, but the best may have some diversions and clogs upon them, which may hinder and take them off for a time, from God and Christ, and heavenly things; however, [Page 26]they will never be at rest, untill they are set that way again. The needle of the Compass if once touched with the Loadstone, may by some violent motion be shaken from its rest, yet if it be let alone, it will not cease till it comes to the North point: so when a mans spirit is touched with Christ, he may notwithstanding be acquainted with distractions and worldy incumbrances, yet his heart will never give over working and moving till it is again center'd in him. There is a fire comming down from God of an active aspiring nature, that falls upon all faithfull Pastors of Christ, and burns and consumes all Earthlinesse and carnality, and causes them to ascend to God, it makes heavenly thoughts goe up like pillars of smoak; Fire doth not more naturally arise, than grace in a sanctified heart causes that soul to make ascensions into heaven.
Use. Let me tell you, who are glittering Lamps of heaven, moving in the sphere of Christs right hand, that you are exposed to the rage of the Dragon, you are not freed from his tayl, he will endeavor the casting of you down from your shining in the Church of [Page 27]Christ, he covets the Crown of Stars on the Womans head, which makes her so glorious to beholders, he knows very well that God hath appointed you to rule the night, that by you he disperses and scatters the light of heavenly truth to the dark erronious World, he understands how destructive and prejudiciall your influences are to his designes and purposes, who holds men and women in subjection to himself by ignorance, blindnesse and superstition; he is not ignorant wherefore God set up your function, to batter and weaken his Kingdom, and to advance the Scepter of his Sonne: We find therefore in all Ecclesiasticall Histories he hath most set himself against, and opposed the faithfull Ministers of Iesus Christ, and by Clouds and tempests endeavoured the eclipsing of their glorie, and depriving the Churches of the Stars lustre: so he dealt with those by whom the Gospel was first noysed and founded abroad, Rev. 8.7. By Angels there I doe not understand those, who are so ex naturâ, by nature, the immateriall beings, but ex officio, by office, an Angelical spirit in men concionally proclayming the glad tydings of peace, by [Page 28]the trumpets, I conceive there is an illusion to those spoken of Numb. 10.1, 2. &c. which God appointed the Israelites to use for gathering of Assemblies, and which were blown at the year of Iubilee, a type of a more joyful sound, which David calls them happy who hear, even that sung by the heavenly quire, On Earth peace, good will towards men, The meaning is, when the Apostles and Primitive Preachers first began to divulge the grace of God, the Dragon by slaughters, and massacres, did endeavour to hinder the Eccho of it to the world, and by these storms the third part of the trees, a great many excellent lights, faithful messengers of Christ, compared here to Trees, for their fruitfulnesse and shadow, were consumed, and others professing Christ, by the heat of those flames were scorcht and burnt to ashes, called grasse for their imbecillity, and subjection to casualities, and green, propter fidei & charitatis vigorem, this is an allusion to the 7th Egyptian Plague, Exod. 9.24. And I think it to be understood rather of the calamities that fell upon the godly, than the wicked, because they are compared to Trees in Scripture, Psal. 1.3. When the second Angel blew, [Page 29][A great Mountain] Empires, Kings, and Tyrants, who swell, and are big with pride and power, are so called, that expostulation we read of Zach. 4.7. Who art thou great Mountain? &c. is true in the Letter of the Persian Monarchy; by it therefore is meant some mighty Kingdom, whether Roman, or any other I shall not determine [burning with fire] that is, Anger and rage, against all those that had not the mark of the Beast; the fumes and vapors issuing out of it, were threatnings and revenge [cast into the Sea] the gatherng together of the waters God called Sea: such, such are men being unstable and violent, therefore compared to the breaking in of a Floud; the Sea here is the universality and multitude of Nations, People and Languages: This Mountain with fury and madnesse rusheth into the world, what then? the third part of the Sea became blood. The horse on which Christ rides, his Church, which bears his name, changeth colour from white to red, being all besmeared with the blood of Martyrs, divers were crushed with the weight of this Mountain, the third part of creatures died, that is those did professe Christ, and the third part of [Page 30]ships were destroyed, the Churches whose Pastors are their Pilots. Now if ever it concerns you, look to your selves, for the Dragon is come down in great wrath, though not in hail & blood mingled with fire, yet we may perceive the sad effects of his tayl in the putting out of some, owned for great lights. The third Angel is now sounding, Rev. 8.10. And there fell a great Star from heaven. I shall not so far impair the large extent of this Prophesie, to think Pelagius the Star here spoken of, or any other Haeresiarch, as many do, who was a stout champion of Free will, and an opposer of Original sin; he fell from heaven by his defection, from the Church of Christ on earth, great in regard of learning, not without a shew of religion, by which he deceived many; thus he burned like a lamp the name is called Wormwood, v. 11. he taught that which was contrary to the sweetnesse of the grace of Christ, (viz.) Man by pure naturals might convert and save himself, by this, and such like pestilent and bitter doctrines, Magnam partem Episcoporum amaricavit & perdidit, however this is a truth, though not with respect to the person of any, yet to the succession, and things themselves, our age [Page 31]bears sufficient witnesse, not only a Star, but Stars are fallen from heaven, called Wormwood, that is, some Pastors are fallen from purity of doctrine, which formerly they did maintain, and have taken up the bitter morsels of humane inventions, errors, ambition, covetousnesse, and this is cast into the rivers and fountains of water, that is, the same infection hath tainted & imbitter'd others, even a third part of those who pretend to be Ministers of Christ, by whom, as by fountains, the wholsom and sweet streams of sound and incorrupted doctrine should have flowed, for the refreshing of the People of God. However these flouds of errors and false doctrines rush in and threaten an inundation and overwhelming, yet the faithful Ministers of the Gospel need not fear, for it shall not reach them: let the waters roar and make a noise, they are kept safe, as Noah in the Ark, from perishing, let times and places be never so bad in which they live these considerations may comfort and support them.
1. Com.con. God will not suffer the Dragon to break asunder his order, whereby he hath appointed to teach and call men, the Ministry is Gods Ordinance, of his own establishing, and being [Page 32]of God it will stand, a number will be left, though the gates of Hell oppose, sufficient to serve his providence in the conversion of souls. Doe but meditate a little on the stability of Gods decrees, the Councell of the Lord shall stand. Wee vary in our opinions and apprehensions, not the same yesterday as to day, but Christ is the same, yesterday, and to day, and the same for ever; Nothing can subject him to a mutation; no power or policy can prevent his purposes, he hath committed the word of reconciliation to men: Therefore there must be a succession of men, to hold forth this word in severall ages to the worlds end. Its confest, the Lord, with whom is wisdom and strength can without and against means, immediately by himself save his people, but for his own greater glory he will rather doe it by weak instruments, carried on, and assisted with his own out-stretched arm, which all the Dragons cannot prevail against.
2. Com.con. The blessing of the Church belongs to Iesus Christ, who hath undertaken to furnish it with Pastors, till his appearing in glory, Eph. 4.11. Christ after his ascension and compleat inauguration, as the Fathers Plenipotentiary, [Page 33]or as it is the manner of Kings at their Coronations, gave gifts to men, some for Apostles, & some Teachers, for the edifying of his own body: the manifestation of the Spirit, is not bestowed for self-admiration, or to get esteem with men, but for the benefit & profit of Christs members. The office of the high Priest under the Law, did notably represent and typifie the Office of Christ in the Gospel, he had the care of the lights of the Sanctuary, and was to keep them from going out, therefore he did see to the supplying of them with oyl; the Dragon may strive to blow out all the lights God hath set up in the Church, but Christ who wakes in the middest of the seven golden Candlesticks, hath an eye always over them, & takes care that they never want the unction of the Spirit.
3. Com.con. Christ is always present with the Prophets of the New Testament; when he sent out his Disciples and charged them to teach all Nations, it is like their carnal hearts, which did dote much upon Christs fleshly presence, scrupled the success of their preaching; what we poor Fishermen set upon the world, and preach a Christ, every where spoken against, and hated? Its expedient indeed, [Page 34]saith Christ, that I goe away, and take this body from the Earth, yet you shall be no losers, I will be with you by my Spirit and gracious assistance to the end of the World. Sometime indeed Christ may seem to absent himself, and retire from his conflicting servants, he may pour out upon them hayl, and fire minggled with hail, and smite them; he may cast down fiery mountains and bruise them, yet Christ is in the fire, and in the hayl, although his people cannot see him; however the Dragon may so far prevail, as to overcome some in respect of their Person, yet he cannot in respect of their Faith; by this they overcome the world and hell.
4. Com.con. The remuneration or reward which through the merits of Christ shall be given those, whom God honors with gaining of People to Christ, and makes instrumental in opening their eys, he will crown with an exceeding weight of glory, such, as they are now hoasts of heaven or Saints of high-places, so hereafter they shall shine like the Sun in the Firmament, or Stars for evermore.