170 !1 velation oftheApocalypfe. C A P. 4 leffeperhaps the highett Throne, fhould be fet in the fame flat place, wherein the Thrones of the Elders are fet. For then theRainbow fhould not be fet in acontrary 'pofition unto it , but only fhould be compaffedabout with a larger circuit , as the circumferences that be nearer to the Center,are wont to be contained in thofe that are more remote. This common pofition is given to them, after the manner ofthe Saints , who are faid to be fuch as Rand round about him;as , VoW and render to the Lordyour God , all you that handround abut him, Pfal. 76. 12. Anti asChrifl promifeth , That he Will be in the rniddeJ/ or them, that agree together inhis name, Mat. 18. 20. Soof of d,the Tabernacle Was fet in the middeft ofthe 7tWes thatpitchedtheir Tents about it; Numb. 2. And this ferveth for the great folace of the godly, whom univerfally God taketh into his tuition , without re- fpelt ofperfons, being alike veer unto all that call upon him ; leaft per- haps any manfhould complainthat Godfhould deale fomwhat more unequally with him, as who is fet hindmoft, and hath no openpot- tage lying open unto God, but by meffengers and mediators. The proper place is the Throne of every one. For the efit upon thrones: whereby is fignified, that theyare all ofa Kingly dignity;of which there is another enfigne added in the endof the verfe, namely croWns. This honour do the Saints enjoy by Chrift, Who hath madeus Kings and Priefts unto God, even his Father, Chap. i. 6. Neither don i he grace force fewof the choife and excellent ones among the faithful! with this benefit private, but he calleth all the eleec unto the fellow- Chip ofthe fame honour. This certain number offour and twenty Thrones, andof fomany Elders, doth much perplex the Interpreters, as every one knoweth. Some there are, that do referre them to the twelve Patriarke,s, or twelve Prophets,and fo many eArpoftles : But that feemeth to be far wide from the truth. For here fpeech is made of companies that are to come, not fuch as are pall, as wehave feen on the firfl. As allo of thofe whofe office is difcharged onearth , not in the heavens foproperly called, as hereafter we (hall fee, chap. 14. 3. and 25. 7. That I may not fay that thefe mendo quite fträy from the (cope of thisvifion. Others apply it otherwife;but it were tedious to r.ehearfe all opinions,much more to confute them, It fhall fufftce barely to let downthatwhich feemeth tome to be molt like- ly to fubmit it to the judgment of the Godly.The Holy Ghoi al- ludeth'to that diflribution of the holy funelions, and ofthe Kings fervitours, into four and twenty rankes, that wasappointedby Da- vid through the infpirationofGod, I. Chron.Chap. 241, &c. For firft v
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