Revelation 2

Revelation 2:1

THe Angel] that is to say, The Pastor or Bishop, under whose person ought to be understood the whole Church That holdeth] who is the soveraign Lord and master of all the Pastors, who have no authority but from him, who onely doth establish them, and likewise can depose them according to their works Who walketh] that is alwayes present, and working in his Church in the power of his Spirit, to preserve the light of his power and the oil of his grace in it: as anciently the Priest had the charge of the great Candlestick, to make it clean, and keep the lamps lighted in it all the night, see Exod. 27. 20. and 30. 8 Levit. 24. 3.

Revelation 2:3

Hast born] the Italian, hast born the burden; namely, those sufferings, and that yoke which I have laid upon thee.

Revelation 2:5

Will reve] that is to say, I will deprive thee of every qualitie, title, and property of a Church, transporting my grace and truth elsewhere, Matth. 21. 21, 41, 43.

Revelation 2:6

Nicolaitans] most ancient hereticks, who permitted the community of women, and eating of idols sacrifices, it is thought the name came from Nicolas a Deacon, Acts 6. 5. and that the heresie was grounded upon an act and saying of his, misunderstood, if Histories be true.

Revelation 2:7

That overcommeth] that is to say, that perseveres unto the end against all assaules and temptations by a lively faith in me Will I give] that is to say, I will cause them to enjoy the everlasting goods of my glory. Figurative termes taken from the earthly Paradie, Genesis 2:8-9. see Revel. 22. 2, 14 Paradice] see Luke 23:43.

Revelation 2:9

Rich] namely, in spirituall goods, see Luke 12:21. James 2:5. The blasphemie] or sanders and calumies And are not] are not the true people of God in Spirit and faith, John 8. 39. 44. Rom. 2. 28. and 9. 6.

Revelation 2:10

Dayes] some take these dayes for yeers, as Daniel 9:24.

Revelation 2:11

Second death] which is the everlasting and totall separation of the whole man from God, and from his life, to be abyssed into everlasting torments after the corporall death.

Revelation 2:13

Where Satas] namely, where he reigns powerfully, be it by false religion, or by wickednesse of life, or by persecution of the Gospell My name] namely, the pure profession of my Gospel, in which I have fully manifested my self.

Revelation 2:15

Nicolaitans] who by such decits did lead Christians astray, 2 Peter 2:18.

Revelation 2:16

Will fight] that is to say, I will destroy them by my judgements pronounced by my mouth, and executed by my power, and withall imprinting the feeling of their condemnation in their hearts by my word.

Revelation 2:17

Will I give] that is to say, I will cause him to enjoy the everlasting goods of my heavenly kingdom; teams taken from the Manna which was kept in the Sanctuary, Exodus 16:32-33. Psal. 65. 4. see Iohn 6. 31, 35, 48, 51. A white stone] the sigure of the new heart puiied and made sound by faith, which God bestoweth upon those who are his, and whereon by his Spirit he engraves and seals the testimonie of their adoption, by which they obtain the new name and right of the children of God, Iohn 1. 12. Revel. 3. 12. the certain judgement and knowledge whereof lieth in the closet of the beleevers conscience, and is not manifested but onely by the effects, Romans 8:16.

Revelation 2:19

Service] the Italian, ministerie; namely, in alms, assistances, and other duties of charitie.

Revelation 2:20

Iez] whether this were that womans proper name; or that for the resemblance of the old Izebel, an impious, dishonest, and wicked Queene of Israel, here be meant some false Prophetese of the Nicolaitans, or some such like heretike sects.

Revelation 2:21

Fornication] namely, bodily fornication. and likewise the spirituall, of idolatry.

Revelation 2:22

That commit adultery] this may likewise bee understood spiritually of the communicating with that womans false doctrine.

Revelation 2:24

A have not] as have no way assented to that devillish doctrine which those hereticks did qualifie with the name of great and deep mysteries of Gods Spirit, 1 Corinthians 2:10. though indeed it was nothing but a gulph of abominations, and hollow illusions of the divell Burthen] or calamities, or threatnings.

Revelation 2:26

My workes] the faith, and obedience which I have commanded, and brought forth in them that are mine by my Spirit, John 6:29. 1 John 3:23. Will I give] I will make him partaker of my Kingdomes glory, and of the fruit of my victories over all mine enemies.

Revelation 2:28

I will give him] namely, when that great day of eternity shall appeare, 2 Peter 1:19. I will make him partaker of the light of glory, happinesse, and full knowledge which resides in me, and of which I am the distributer, Rev.2. 16.