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Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

7 Behold, I come quickly blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

10 And he saith unto me, Seal not

[the unjust.

the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still : and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have

EXPOSITION.

Adam in his state of innocence, but without" the tree of knowledge of good and evil." (Gen. ii. 9, 16, 17.) We are well aware, that evangelical expositors explain these fruits allegorically, for fruits of holy enjoyment; as well as the water of life, for the influences of divine grace and consolation. But if we are to have material bodies (though highly purified), and if we are to inhabit a material world, of which there seems no question; if our Lord himself ate with his disciples after his resurrection, we should be afraid to say that these promises in no degree admit of a literal interpretation; though some think that our Lord's hody did not fully attain its glorified state till the hour of his ascension.

There are some trees that, by engrafting, produce different fruits, and at different seasons, from the same stock; there seems no absurdity, therefore, in admitting a literal interpretation of what is said, that "they yield twelve manner of fruits," and one or other of them "monthly," though we would by no means contend for it. We have mentioned in our remarks upon the Paradise of Adam, Dr. Kennicott's hypothesis, that the tree of life was not an individual, but a species. Here we find it

on either or both sides of the river; as also in Ezek. xlvii. 7. Mr. Fuller remarks, "There is doubtless an allusion in these verses to Ezek. xlvii. 1-12. Both Ezekiel and John make mention of a city-of a river-of trees growing upon the banks of it-and of the fruit thereof being for meat, and the leaf for medicine. Ezekiel's waters flowed from the temple, near the altar; those of John, out of "the throne of God and the Lamb." The city is doubtless the same in both; but, I couceive, at different times. Ezekiel's city had a temple; but that of John, as we have seen, had no temple, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. The first, therefore, describes the church in her lat ter-day glory; the last, in a state of perfection; and which answers to the promise in chap. ii. 7: “ To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."

But the most important clause in this section of Scripture is the last" And they shall reign for ever and ever." This may be literally rendered, " for ages of ages;" and some have strenuously argued from hence, against the eternity of misery inflicted on the finally impenitent. For ages of ages," say they, means only for

66

NOTES.

Ver. 7. Behold, I come.-Perhaps the words, "He said," or "saying," should be supplied between the verses. Archb. Newcome supplies, "saith Jesus;" Behold [saith Jesus], I come quickly.

Ver. 8. I fell down.-It is difficult to account for the apostle attempting to worship the angel a second time; but Mr. Fuller thinks it was the same incident a second time related. The reproof is the same, and

does not charge him with a repetition of his fault. To this inclines also Archdeacon Woodhouse.

Ver. 10. Seal not the sayings.-The contrary of what was said to him, chap. x. 4. Comp. chap. i. 11. Ver. 12. Behold, I come quickly -Here again the angel speaks in the name of Christ. See also ver. 19. Ver. 13. I am Alpha, &c.-Compare chap. i. 8, 11; xxi. 6.

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right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosever will, let him take the water of life freely. 18 For I testify unto every man

[Spirit and the Bri

that heareth the words of the proper of this book, If any man shaa unto these things, God shall act him the plagues that are writ this book:

19. And if any man shall take a from the words of the book of t prophecy, God shall take away part out of the book of life, and of the holy city, and from the t which are written in this book.

20 He which testifieth these t saith, Surely I come quickly; A Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

21 The grace of our Lord Christ be with you all. Amen. (

EXPOSITION-Chap. XXII. Continued.

a long period. God forbid we should take pleasure in such a painful subject! But have those persons considered, that while they are endeavouring to comfort the wicked, they are distressing the pious and the just? If there may be an end to the punishment of sinners, why not to the happiness of good men? The duration of both is expressed in the same terms, and God forbid we should comfort the former to distress the latter!

(2) Ver. 6-21. Conclusion of this book, and of the New Testament.-The angel confirms his message by a solemn asseveration in the name of God; and the following words, " Behold, I come quickly," are evidently spoken in the name of Christ, and as from him. These expressions, "the time is at hand," and "behold, I come quickly," imply only, that their accomplishment was shortly to commence, and would rapidly proceed; but, certainly, not that their accomplishment would shortly be completed, for they contain the fate of many centuries.

Our Lord Christ, having, from the 10th to the 16th verse, addressed the apostle, now, in verse 17. and sequel, addresses himself to the churches of Asia, as in the beginning of the book; not separately, but

connectedly, and through them Christians in every age. ** Reader he should say), you have read of the c of life: you are invited to come an freely of it. You have heard or real Spirit that spake to the churche speaks also to you individually, sum of what he saith is, Come. Y heard of the bride, and of the glas pared for her: she does not covet these things by herself, but joins Spirit of inspiration in inviting | come. Nay, every one that hear believeth these things, is warranta. vite his neighbour. And let ev who has any regard for his own set the cup of the mother of harlots, to the living waters. There nees hesitation on the score of qualifiest it is free to all who are willing to

"Know, also, that the wordren phecy are sacred. If any man ad God will add to him its plagues any man take away from them, G take away from him whatever be expected to receive of its blessi who testifieth these things saith, i come quickly. To this solemn testin Christ, the apostle adds his solem?! Even so; come, Lord Jesus."-F

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CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX

TO THE

NEW TESTAMENT.

dged from the INDEX to our authorized Quarto Bibles (taken from the Chronology of
Archbishop USHER), with additions from the "Chronology of the Life of Christ,"
by the Rev. C. BENSON, M.A.; and other Authorities.

--The facts not in the Index above referred to, nor in the sacred text, are inserted in a smaller type,
or in brackets.

§ 1. THE EARLY LIFE OF CHRIST.

Six months after the birth of John the Baptist-Christ, | Luke ii. 6.
our Lord and Saviour (in the fulness of time), was born of
the Virgin Mary, at Bethlehem, and laid in a manger, and
on the 8th day circumcised, and named Jesus.

It has been long since ascertained, that the birth of Christ took
place four years before the vulgar era of the year of our Lord (or
Anno Domini); so that, in A. D. 1, our Lord was full four years old
-Herod the Great being King of the Jews, and Augustus Cesar
Emperor of Rome. The year of Christ's birth is commonly dated
A. M. (or Anno Mundi) 4000; by Mr. Benson, 4009; and by Dr.
Hales, 5406.

21.

The wise men (or Magi) of the East bring presents to the Mat. ii, 1.
new-born King of the Jews.

Mr. Benson arranges the arrival of these wise men in Jerusalem
a little before, and at Bethlehem a little after the presentation of
Jesus in the Temple; and that event, of course, between them.
Simeon and Anna, seeing Jesus in the temple, prophecy.
Joseph, being warned of God in a dream, flies into Egypt
with the child Jesus, and Mary his mother.

Herod, finding himself neglected by the wise men, com-
mands the infants in and about Bethlehem to be slain.-
[This was about a year after the birth of Jesus]

Almost immediately after this, Herod himself dies, and
his son Archelaus is made by Cesar Tetrarch of Judea :
other dominions, which belonged to Herod, are divided
among his sons.

Luke ii.
28, 36.

Mat. ii. 14.

16.

20.

Josephus
Antiq. lib.
xvii.cap. 8.

Mat. ii.

Herod died in the 37th year of his reign, aged about 70. Benson.
Christ, by God's appointment, is brought back out of 21-2

CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX.

A.D. | Egypt into Nazareth, in Galilee, where he resided till about
his 30th year.

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The first year of the Vulgar Christian æra (Ann. Dom.)
begins here, being, according to the common account, 4004
from the creation; according to Dr. Doddridge, 4710, and
according to Mr. Benson, 4713, Julian period; but according
to Dr. Hales, 5411.

By the reckoning of Doddridge, Benson, and the common ver-
sion, John is supposed to have been born about Midsummer; and
Jesus, in the beginning of the year following: but Dr. Hales
reckons John to have been born about the Spring quarter, and
Jesus at Michaelmas.

Archelaus, accused by the Jews, disgraced and banished. Mr.
Benson.

By occasion of the Passover, our Lord [at twelve years of Lake
age] goes up with his parents to Jerusalem, and there dis-
putes with the doctors in the temple.

Tiberius made equal with Augustus in the armies and pro-
vinces. Mr. Benson.

Augustus dies, and Tiberias succeeds him.

Josephus, called Caiaphas, is made High Priest of the
Jews, by favour of Valerius Gratus, the Roman governor.
Pontius Pilate is sent to be Procurator of Judea, in the da
place of Valerius Gratus.

§ II. CHRIST'S PUBLIC MINISTRY.

John the Baptist begins to preach and to baptize in the M
desert of Judea. At which time

Jesus entering upon the 30th year of his age, comes from
Galilee to Jordan, and is baptized of John; the Spirit of Le
God visibly descending on him, and a voice from heaven
is heard, saying, "This is my beloved Son."

Jesus returns from Jordan, and is led by the Spirit into M
the wilderness, where he fasteth 40 days and nights, and L
is tempted by the devil.

Christ, at a marriage in Cana of Galilee, turneth water a
into wine this was his first miracle.

John gives testimony to our Saviour, passing by him.
Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel, acknowledge him to f
be the Messiah, and become his disciples.

Jesus soon after cometh to Jerusalem, at the time of the
Passover, and entering into the temple, scourgeth out those
that bought and sold there.

The Jews requiring a sign or miracle, to prove his autho
rity thus to act, Christ bids them "Destroy this temple,
meaning the temple of his body, and in three days (said be
I will raise it up," alluding to his resurrection.

Nicodemus cometh to Jesus for instruction by night, for
fear of the Jews.

The same year, Herod the Tetrarch casts John the Bap
tist into prison, for reprehending his incest with his brother
Philip's wife, and other evils by him committed.

Soon after this, Christ discovers himself to the woman of t
Samaria, and holds an important conversation with her.

A.D.

31

32

33

CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX.

Jesus goes throughout all Galilee, teaching in the syna-
gogues, and working miracles, particularly in his own syna-
gogue at Nazareth.

Jesus calls Matthew (otherwise Levi) to be his disciple,
and is entertained in his house.

Jesus comes up to Jerusalem at the time of the feast of
Passover, and heals on the Sabbath day a man that had
an infirmity 38 years, lying at the pool of Bethesda.

Christ, out of the multitude of his disciples, chooseth
twelve apostles, whom he sends forth, two by two, to preach
and heal the sick throughout the land of Judea.

John the Baptist, by Herod's command, is beheaded in
prison to gratify the woman with whom he cohabited.

Jesus miraculously feeds 5000 men, besides women and
children, with five loaves and two fishes.

Jesus is transfigured on the Mount, where Moses and
Elias are seen with him, and a voice from heaven was
heard the second time, saying, "This is my beloved Son."

Christ payeth tribute to Cesar for himself and Peter.

A certain village of the Samaritans refuseth our Saviour
entertainment, in his way to Jerusalem, and the disciples
desiring to call for fire from heaven to consume them, are
severely reprehended.

Luke iv.

42-44.

Luke v.

27-32.
John v. 1.

Mat. x.

Mat. xiv.
1-12.
Luke ix.
12-17.

Mat. xvii.
1-9.

24-27.

Luke ix.

51-56.

The seventy disciples are sent out, by two and two, to Luke x. 1.
work miracles, and to preach.

Christ teacheth his disciples to pray.

Christ raiseth from the grave Lazarus, who had been Luke xi. 1.
dead four days.

Caiaphas, the High Priest of the Jews, prophecieth con-
cerning the death of Christ.

John xi.

1-45.

49-52.

Zaccheus, a publican, converted, and Christ carries salva-Luke xix.
tion to his house.

1-10.
Mark x.
46-52.
John xii.

Christ restoreth sight to blind Bartimeus.
Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anoints our Saviour's feet
with costly spikenard, and wipes them with her hair.
Christ rideth in triumph into Jerusalem upon an ass.-
The multitude spread their garments in the way, and cry,
Hosanna to the Son of David!-Coming near the city, he Luke xix.
weeps over it, and fortells its destruction.

He curses the fruitless fig tree, and the next morning it is
found dried up and withered. Thence he takes occasion to
show the power of faith.

Divines differ considerably as to the duration of our Lord's
ministry. Our translators, Abp. Usher, and the majority of divines,
suppose it to have been three years and a half, including four pass-
overs. Mr. Greathead includes but three passovers, and thinks
Christ was present at but two. Dr. Priestley, and the Unitarians,
confine our Lord's ministry to one year, or little more, which ap
pears to us to offer great violence to the sacred text.

§ III. THE DEATH, RESURRECTION, AND ASCENSION OF

CHRIST.

1-9.
Mat. xxi.
1-11.

28-40.
Mat. xxi.
17-22.

On the first day of unleavened bread, when the passover Mat. xxvi.
of the Jews was to be slain (April 2), in the evening, Jesus)

1-35.

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