Çevelationofthe Apócalypfe. C AP. 4. longer under a Sehoolemafer. But do enjoy a manlike libertie, that fo all the faithful! are now called moll fignificantly Eldcrs,Gala. 3. 25. and 4. r, 2, &c. The White clothing is the enfçnc to k;:: * the Friefhs by, which is the function that all beleevers in Chrift do frve in,prefenting their bodies, a lively, holy, and acceptable facraface unto God, l'hich is their reafonablefervice ofGod. Rom. i z. t. The Golden CroWnson their heads, do declare the folemne Majeftie ofthe king- dom. For Kings do not alwaies wear their Crownes, but one- ly in folemne meetings , and where they do as occafìon is offered, ftrive to make open (hew of their glory. But thefe here have al- waies the ornament of their Royal! Majeftie abiding in fë_ lecnnity , as where Crownes are never put off ; fave onely when they give honour to their higheff king; at which time their bare heads are more honourable then they are when they are befet with crowns. Complutenfs and the Kings Bible read not , and they had, neither 4ret,as. If thofe words be to be added,, the ufuall article which is here wantig is to be fupplyed, Who alfa bad. 5. eArnd out of the Throne proceeded li?hninge. Hitherto of the body. The gifts which accompany it,are firft ofprorcl-lion.For there proceeded out of the Throne lightnings, thunders and voices , be- caufe God doth puniflz the wicked horribly for the churches fake, fo that they pay dear for their contempt, tyranny and wrongs, which they offer to, and wherewith they afíflift the onely beloved Spoufe of Ch riff, and at the Tall they perceive that the flowneffe of their pu- nilhment is abundantly recompenced with the bitternesofit.\Witnef- fes hereofare the punifhments of the perfecutours,whofe rage by this means Goddid alwaies fromheaven repreffe and bridle. Otherwife how could the truth (info devili(h hatred of the world againfl it have been made to increafe and continue untili thefe times ? But he that fate on the Throne,fuffered not any man fcot-free to opreffe his Saints ; he even reproved Kings for theirfakes,faying time, Touch not swineanointed, anddo my Prophets no harm, Pfal. 105, t 4, 15. For the LordWill roar out ofSion, andWill putforth his voice out of Ierufalem, Amos r. z. Why then dath not the world waxe wife at lafl, when as it feeth that this is the head-fpring ofall the evils that light on it, be-. caufe ít doth focontemptuoufly, and with fuch indignities handle the Church ? Now the lightnings and thunders note our, the terrible pu- nifhments,and filch as can by no means be avoyded, as which rifh upon men from heaven. But why are voyces added ? Voices indeed do often
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