for the testimony of Jesus, to have white robes given them, as if the thing were already done; for when things are certain to be done, and nothing can prevent it, a man may say it is done.

So it is with faith, it knowing that nothing can prevent God's design and purpose, in that he hath determined to save and bless those the seed of Adam, and to destroy and curse those the seed of the Serpent, to eternity.

So that eternity is looked upon by the seed of faith to be in present being. And this was John's revelation in the vison which he saw in the opening of the fifth seal.

NOW

CHAP. XX.

in verse 12. John saw when he opened the sixth seal, He beheld, and lo there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as bloods

I have opened the meaning of the earthquake, and of the sun being as black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon like blood: these things I have opened already in the Interpretation of the eleventh chapter of the Revelation, so that I shall say no more of it here.

And as for the latter part of this chapter, it is only a prophecy of the end of the world. Only this, I shall give you a word or two, to shew what is meant by the heavens being departed as a scroll when it is rolled together, as it is said in verse 1a, and Isaiah xxxiv. 4.

The meaning is this, that the clouds of heaven, and the air, and the influence of the stars of heaven, shall be rolled up as a scroll; for the clouds and air have spread themselves over the face of the sky, so they may be called the heavens; for were it not for the clouds to scatter the rain on the earth, and the air to blow upon the creatures here on earth, all creatures would die. So that man and beasts, and all creatures do possess a heaven in themselves, even from the influence of the clouds and the air. So that the clouds and the air is that heaven that God will at the end of the world roll up like a scroll.

Also God will take away the sun, moon, and stars, so that they shall not penetrate their light and heat through the air and clouds of heaven, not to give any refreshment to the seed of the serpent, whoshal be left here in this earth in utter darkness. For this earth shall be the place of hell for the reprobate seed to be in to eternity; so that they shall cry unto the mountains and rocks to fall upon them, to hide them from the wrath of the Lamb. That is, they could wish that the mountains and rocks would crush them to pieces, so that they might be hid as to have no being at all; seeing the clouds and the air which overspread the heaven which did refresh our lives, which made our lives to live in heaven also; but now this is rolled up like a scroll, there is nothing but black darkness, without air or wind, which makes us burn like fire and brimstone, we having no refreshings from the heavens; so that it would be happy for us if the mountains and rocks would fall

upon

upon us, that we might be hid, or have no sensible being for ever.

And this will be the state of the reprobate seed at the end of the world: and this is the true meaning of the heaven being rolled up like a scroll, and not the fixed element; for the fixed element hath an earth standing upon it, which shall stand to eternity. Only this, the sun, moon and stars, that gave light on this side the sky, shall be taken from the heaven, so that nothing but darkness shall remain for ever and ever.

But the element which we called heaven, shall stand to eternity; but that heaven as must be rolled up like a scroll, it is the air and clouds of heaven, as aforesaid. So much concerning the interpretation of the chief things in chap. vi.

IN

CHAP. XXI.

N chap. vii. 1, it is said, And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

These four angels that John saw in the vision, which had power to hold the four winds, that the wind might not blow, they were four angels of pure reason, who had a commission from God to hold the four winds, that they should not blow upon the earth, nor upon the sea, nor upon any tree; For if God should but take away the four winds from blow

ing upon the earth, sea, and trees, all creatures would immediately perish and die. So that these four angels which John saw in the vision, who had such power over the four winds, it was only to signify what shall be at the end of the world. Then shall these four angels execute their office, so that the four winds shall not blow.

But there is something else to be done in the interim, for though the four angels have their commission from God to do that work, yet they must stay till such time as another work must be done; as you may see in verse 2. And John saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God, and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth, and the sea.

Now this angel that ascended from the east, it was Christ himself, he having the seal of the living God: he must needs have the seal of the living God, he being the living God himself. He gave order to the other four angels, that they should not put their commission in execution until he had sealed the servants of God in their foreheads. For it is Christ that sealed every servant of his in their foreheads, in that they do receive the holy spirit of promise, whereby they are sealed up unto the day of redemption. And when the soul is sealed, and can witness in his spirit the assurance of his salvation, he may be said to be sealed in his forehead.

And as for John's saying, this angel that had the seal of the living God, he ascended from the east,

it is spoken with relation of Christ's coming out of the east at his birth, to work the redemption for those that he now doth seal, with the seal of the living God. That is, with his own holy spirit, witnessing to their spirits the assurance of eternal life by his death; which they by faith do set to their seal, so that they by faith do seal to the truth of the thing, and he doth seal the assurance of everlasting life unto their consciences; and this is the seal of the living God in their foreheads.

And in verse 4. John heard the number of them which were sealed, and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand, of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Now it is not to be understood that John did mean exactly such a number and no more, that were sealed. But if the spirit of revelation will call a hundred hundred thousand, but a hundred and forty four thousand, who shall gainsay it? But in regard there is an equal number spoken of by John of every tribe, it is, according to reason's account, no more than one hundred and forty and four thousand, that were sealed of the twelve tribes of Israel. Therefore whether they were more or less sealed with the seal of the living God, I shall not dispute the thing; neither is it much material to know; so that I shall pass by the rehearsing of the tribes, and come to verse 9, where it is said, After this I beheld, and lo a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, cloathed in white robes, and palms in their hands.

This