As this hath been the fate of other scriptures, so especially of this book of the Revelation, wherein there are as many mysteries as words ;
^ Observatum sapius a Wendilino in lib. de Ccclo.
2 'Lactantius quasi quidam fluvius Tullianse eloquentise, utinam tarn nostra potuisset confirmare qaam facile aliena destrusit.' — Hieron, * Tullius lib. de Kat. Deorum.
416 England's spiritual languishing. [Rev. III. 2.
and all matters, as is usual in prophecies, veiled under expressions which are of a mystic sense and interpretation.^ Above all other parts of the book, the three first chapters are most plain and easy to be understood, though here also difficulties want not. For my part, I shall not trouble you with the several thoughts of men about these chapters. The noise of axe and hammer should not be heard in the temple ; these discussions better become the study than the pulpit.
Let it suffice to note that the main contents of them are several epistles sent from Jesus Christ by John to the seven churches of Asia. But here a doubt ariseth, why a Catholic prophecy, such as is calcu- lated for the church in general, and all ages of it, should begin with epistles to these particular churches. What may be the reason of this ? Ans. It is so, partly because the gospel did here first eminently flourish, and the Spirit of God foresaw that the malice of Satan would also first powerfully invade and overrun these churches, and so engage them to the wrath of God ;2 partly because of John's par- ticular relation and apostolical presidency over these churches, wherein the Spirit of God condescendeth to that natural inquisitiveness and desire that we have to know what shall become of our own ; and therefore being about to reveal to him the state of all the churches, he beginneth with those to whom he stood in particular bond and relation. But why to the seven churches in Asia, since there were more planted in that tract and country ? 3 I answer again — It may be partly because of the prophetical perfection of this number, which is every- where in scripture solemn and sacred, and with which the Spirit of God seemeth most delighted in this prophecy ; and, therefore, we hear of seven stars, seven spirits, seven candlesticks, seven lamps, seven seals, seven angels, seven trumpets, seven vials, seven thunders of the dragon with seven heads, the city with seven hills, the beast with seven horns ; and, therefore, that the beginning of the prophecy might carry propoi'tion with the rest of it, wherein all things are set forth under the typical figure of this number, he writeth to the seven churches of Asia, And partly because in these seven churches, which were the most eminent, there was found enough to represent the state, graces, evils of all churches in all ages ; and indeed the pattern and type is so complete and perfect, that by an easy and fair accommodation it may be applied to all other churches that are not named here, for in them God was pleased to give the world a document and experience of all those judgments and dispensations which he would exercise towards other churches ofi'ending and declining in the same manner.
One question more, and we have done with this general view, and that is, Why all these epistles are directed to the several angels, or respective ministries of the churches, since the drift of them concerneth the whole body of the people ? I answer — Either because they were notoriously guilty of the offences charged, and so by example propa- gated their own taint and profaneness among the people ; cr through oscitancy and carelessness suffered corruptions to creep in upon others ; or else because all dispensations from Christ were to pass througli
^ ' Quot verba, tot sacramenta.' — Hieron. in Prcef. ad Bib.
' Foxius in Rom., pag. xxi. 14.
' See Aug. de Civic. Dei, lib. xi., cap. \i.
FvEV. III. 2.] England's spiritual languishing. 417
their hands to the church ; and so the regular way of transmitting these epistles was by means of the angel or eldership.
Other general observations there are, but I quit them, desiring to fall upon the epistle we have in hand. The text is a part of the epistle to the church of Sardis, which was a flourishing and rich city, the seat of the kings of Lydia. In it you have : —
1. An inscription : ' To the angel of the church of Scirdis 'lurite. You see it is inscribed, as all the rest are, ' to the angel of the church ; ' that is, to the ministry, who, because of their subserviency to the sal- vation of the elect, and that resemblance that is between their function and the angel's office, are expressed by that term, and though they were many, yet they are expressed in the singular number, angel, to note their union and combination in a body and society. To this angel write, in which word he produceth his warrant and authority. We cannot threaten churches in our own name ; Christ must first say, Write. The priests under the law were to have their ears tipped with blood, Exod. xxix. 20. Christ must command and inspire, as he doth John here, Write.^