All they

temple therein for the whole is the temple of God, and of the Lamb. The glory of God and the Lamb,' ver. 23. shine in it' with a lustre superior to the sun and moon. 'who are saved,' ver. 24-27. 'walk continually in the light of it; for the gates are never shut, and no night is there.' It is the centre of 'glory and honour;' all the wicked are excluded, and only good Christians are admitted, they who are written in the Lamb's book of life.'

CHAPTER XXII.

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The first five verses of this chapter are a continuation of the description of the new Jerusalem. It is farther described with the river of life and the tree of life,' as if paradise was restored and improved.

A river flowing through the midst of the streets, and trees growing on either side of the river,' are wonderfully pleasing and agreeable objects, especially in the hot eastern countries. Of the fruits there is such plenty and abundance, that all may freely partake of them at all seasons; and the very leaves are for the healing of the nations' by all which is signified the blessedness of immortality without any infirmities. Then too there shall be no more curse,' as there is in this present world ever since the fall of man, but the blessed inhabitants shall enjoy the so much talked of beatific vision, shall live in the light of God's countenance, and serve him, and reign for ever and ever.

In the conclusion, the angel, ver. 6, 7. ratifies and confirms all these particulars by a repetition of the same solemn assurance which he had before given,

xix. 9. xx. 5. that these sayings are faithful and true; and he was commissioned by the same God, who had inspired the ancient prophets, to show the things which must shortly be done,' which would very soon begin in part to be fulfilled, and in process of time would be completed. Behold I come quickly,' saith he; for we may observe that the angel speaketh sometimes in his own person, and sometimes in the person and character of Christ, whose ambassador and representative he was. Christ is said to come upon any notable and illustrious manifestation of his providence and all these are but so many steps to prepare the way for his last coming to judgment. A blessing too is pronounced, as in the beginning, i. 3. upon those who keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book :' and as good Vitringa devoutly wisheth, May the Lord bestow this grace and favour on us, who have employed some time and pains in the study and explication of this book, that some part of this blessing also may descend to us!

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St. John, ver. 8, 9 testifieth himself to be the person who' saw and heard these things:' and in his extasy falling into the same mistake that he had committed before, xix. 10. he is gently corrected in the same manner by the angel: Who ordereth him, ver. 10. not to seal up this prophecy,' as Daniel's was, xii. 4. 9. for the time is at hand,' some of the particulars would very soon be accomplished, as indeed all would in their due season and order: Which he farther enforceth, ver. 11-15. with promises and threatenings, of rewards to the righteous, and of vengeance on the wicked. It was not thought sufficient to

represent the angel speaking in the person of Christ, but Christ himself also is introduced, ver. 16. speaking in his own person, and confirming the divine authority of this book, and attesting it to be properly his revelation. The spirit and the bride,' ver. 17. that is, 'the spiritual bride,' the true church of Christ, therefore receives it, and ardently wisheth and prayeth for its completion. The book being of this importance and authority, a solemn adjuration is added by Christ himself that no man presume to add anything to it, or take any thing away from it, ver. 18, 19. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book:' Which ought to be seriously considered by all visionaries and enthusiasts on the one hand, who boast their own inventions as divine revelations; and by all sceptics and infidels on the other, who depreciate the value and authority of these predictions. He who testifieth these things, saith, Surely I come quickly;' ver. 20. he not only attesteth them to be true, but will also come speedily to accomplish them to which St. John answers, and in him the whole church, Amen: Even so, Come, Lord Jesus.' He closeth all with the usual apostolical benediction, ver. 21. wishing the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ' to the churches of Asia in particular, and to all Christians in general. The conclusion is

truly excellent, as well as all other parts of this book: and nothing could be contrived to leave these things, with a stronger impression upon the mind of the readers.

In the whole from first to last, appears the majesty of the divine revealer. the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the author and finisher' of every good work, and of this more especially.

This, (as Sir Isaac Newton hath hinted; and as Dr. Warburton hath fully proved in some discourses which it is hoped will be printed one time or other for the benefit of the public,) is that sure word of prophecy, whereunto' Christians, as St. Peter saith, do well to take heed' and attend. St. Peter, 2 Pet. i. 16, &c. is asserting and establishing the truth of Christ's second coming in power and great glory.

For we have not followed cunningly-devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty.' One illustrious proof of his coming in power and glory was his appearing in glory and majesty at his transfiguration, ver. 17, 18. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.' His appearing once in power and great glory is a good argument that he may appear again in like manner : and that he not only may, but will, we have a farther assurance of prophecy, ver. 19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye

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take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts.' St. Peter might mean the prophecies in general which treat of the second coming of Christ, but it appears that the Revelation was principally in his thoughts and intentions. Christ's second coming in power and glory is one principal topic of the Revelation. With this it begins, i. 7. Behold, he cometh with clouds and every eye shall see him.' With this it also concludes, xxii. 20. He who testifieth these things, saith, Surely I come quickly.' Nothing can better answer the character of the Revelation, especially in St. Peter's time, when as yet scarce any part of it was fulfilled, than a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts.' It openeth more and more like the dawning of the day; and the more it is fulfilled, the better it is understood. Afterwards St. Peter proceeds, in the second chapter, to describe, out of this sure word of prophecy,' the false prophets and false teachers who should infest the church; and in the third chapter, the certainty of Christ's coming to judgment, the conflagration of the present heavens and earth, and the structure of the new heavens and earth; and all agreeably to the Revelation. Attention therefore to this book is recommended to us, upon the authority of St. Peter, as well as of the writer St. John and a double blessing, as we have seen in the book itself, is pronounced upon those who shall study and observe it first in the beginning, i. 3. 'Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things, which are written therein ;'