404 ARervelationofthe Apocalypfe. C A P.i2. of them, for fuch a time as feemed good unto him. In refpeft ofthe Devill, this benefit was the jufl: guerdonofhis impiety, which he principally (hewed in accufing the godly in the tight of God continually. Now we mull obferve, that the fervants are called by the fame names that the Prince himfelfis called by, be- caufe they had both of them alike will and delire todo mifchiefe, though the Princes power was greater. This accufing of the godly, we interpret to be thofe reproaches, Handers and railing fpeeches, wherewith the mifchievous enemies did overwhelm the Saints, ever and anon, objee}ing to them, that they had their Suppers like that ofOedipus, that they were incefluous perforas, and adulterers, that they fatisfied their lufls in a common and ronfufed manner, like Beafls, that they were man-flayers, andconyira- tors againft Princes, that they were the caufe of theplaowes, famine, ,fires, and all other publike calamities, with which, añd the like to 1hefe, the old ftories are full. Surely we fee the Sons learnd their leffon well of their Father the Devil', that old flanderer; fo that it is no marvell that wickedmen fhould thus be their crafts-Matters for lyingand flandering. z i. 73ut they overcame him. Who were they? The Angels of Michael; for now the proweffeof the Souldiers is extolled,as the praife ofthe Emperor wasfrog forth in the former verfe. Now the blood of theLamb is one of the principali caufes of this vi&ory ; the fncerity of theirfaith, and their exceedinggreat conflancy unto the death, is the inftrumentall caufe. Theblood of theLamb is the Fountainofall thofe benefits, which the elec`f do injoy either in this life, or in that that is to come. For this blood-/beds fake doth God deliver his children from all the miferies of this life, and will at length crown them with everlafting happineffe. The integrity of their faith, is declared in the next words, by the Word of his teftimony, that is, by the truth of the Gofpei, which they did profeffefreely, and undauntedly. It was ever before called, the Teflimony of God, or of Tefur : as, Chap. I.9, &c. But here it is called, their oWn teflimoray. Which kinde offpeaking yet cometh all ,to one : For it not confidered as the Objeft, whereto the teftimony is made, but as the Subjeetby whom it is made. In the 'aft place theirconflanc'ie is fet down, that they accounted the truth, and theirfaith in _term, dearer then their life. It feemeth to be a comparative fpeech ; as if he fhould fay,They lovednot their foulsuntathe deathmore then God ; but the laic mem- ber of the comparifon'is wanting?; unleffe, perhaps, the words (they loved
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