The Epistle to the

A. M. cir. 4100.
A. D. cir. 96.
Impp. Flavio
Domitiano Cæs.
Aug. et Nerva,

before God.

a

2 Be watchful, and strengthen | 4 Thou hast da few names
the things which remain, that even in Sardis which have not
are ready to die: for I have
not found thy works perfect

3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard; and hold fast, and repent. | If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

e

defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy.

1

A. M. cir. 4100.
A. D. cir. 96.
Impp. Flavio
Domitiano Caes.
Aug. et Nerva.

5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not h blot out his name out of the book of life, but k I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

xix. 8.

a1 Tim. vi. 20. 2 Tim. i. 13. Ver. 11.-b Ver. 19. Matt. xxiv. 42, 43. xxv. 13. Mark xiii. 33. Luke xii. 39, Ch. xiii. 8. xvii. 8. xx. 12. xxi. 27. Matt. x. 32. h Exod, xxxii. 32. Ps. lxix. 28. Phil. ir. 3. Luke 2 Pet. iii. 10. Ch. xvi. 15. f Ch. iv. 4. vi. 11. vii. 9, 13.- - Ch.

40. 1 Thess. v. 2, 6. i. 15.- ―e Jude 23.

d Acts

sistently and steadily before God, and his Spirit has been grieved with you, and he has withdrawn much of his light and power.

Verse 2. Be watchful] Ye have lost ground by carelessness and inattention. Awake, and keep awake!

Strengthen the things which remain] The convictions and good desires, with any measure of the fear of God and of a tender conscience, which, although still subsisting, are about to perish, because the Holy Spirit, who is the author of them, being repeatedly grieved, is about finally to depart.

Thy works perfect] Hemnpwueva Filled up. They performed duties of all kinds, but no duty completely. They were constantly beginning, but never brought any thing to a proper end. Their re

solutions were languid, their strength feeble, and their light dim. They probably maintained their reputation before men, but their works were not perfect before God.

Verse 3. Remember] sideration of your state.

Enter into a serious con

xii. 8.

and evil actions as stains or spots on this garb. So in Shabbath, fol. 152, 2: “A certain king gave royal garments to his servants: those who were prudent folded them up, and laid them by in a chest ; those who were foolish put them on, and performed their daily labour in them. After some time the king asked for those royal robes; the wise brought theirs white and clean, the foolish brought theirs spotted with dirt. With the former the king was well pleased; with the latter he was angry. Concerning the former he said: Let those garments be laid up in my wardrobe, and let the persons go home in peace. Of the latter he said : Let the garments be put into the hands of the fuller, and cast those who wore them into prison." This parable is spoken on these words of Ecclesiastes, chap. xii. 7: The spirit shall return to God who gave it.

They shall walk with me in white] They shall be ' raised to a state of eternal glory, and shall be for ever with their Lord.

Verse 5. I will not blot out his name] This may be an allusion to the custom of registering the names of those who were admitted into the church in a book kept for that purpose, from which custom our baptismal registers in churches are derived. These Hold fast] Those good desires and heavenly in- are properly books of life, as there those who were fluences which still remain.

How thou hast received] With what joy, zeal, and gladness ye heard the gospel of Christ when first preached to you.

And repent.] Be humbled before God, because ye have not been workers together with him, but have received much of his grace in vain.

If therefore thou shalt not watch] If you do not consider your ways, watching against sin, and for opportunities to receive and do good,

I will come on thee as a thief] As the thief comes when he is not expected, so will I come upon you if ye be not watchful, and cut you off from life and hope.

Verse 4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis] A few persons, names being put for those who bore them. And as the members of the church were all enrolled, or their names entered in a book, when admitted into the church or when baptized, names are here put for the people themselves. See ver. 5.

Have not defiled their garments] Their souls. The Hebrews considered holiness as the garb of the soul,

Or

born unto God were registered; as in the latter those
who were born in that parish were enrolled.
there may be allusions to the white raiment worn by
the priests, and the erasing of the name of any priest
out of the sacerdotal list who had either sinned, or
was found not to be of the seed of Aaron. In
Middoth, fol. 37, 2: "The great council of Israel sat
and judged the priests. If in a priest any vice was
found they stripped off his white garments and
clothed him in black, in which he wrapped himself,
went out, and departed. Him in whom no vice was
found they clothed in white, and he went and took
his part in the ministry among his brother priests.”

I will confess his name] I will acknowledge that this person is my true disciple, and a member of my mystical body. In all this there may also be an allusion to the custom of registering citizens. Their names were entered into books, according to their condition, tribes, family, &c.; and when they were dead, or had

The Epistle to the

A. M. cir. 4100.
A. D. cir. 96.
Impp. Flavio
Domit ano Cæs.
Aug. et Nerva.

REVELATION.

6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

S, I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my

name.

church at Philadelphia.

A. M. cir. 4100.

A. D. cir. 96. Impp. Flavio Domitiano Cas. Aug. et Nerva.

9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, 'I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth..

by unconstitutional acts forfeited their right of citizenship, the name was blotted out, or erased from the registers. See the note on Exod. xxxii. 32.

Verse 6. He that hath an ear] The usual caution and counsel carefully to attend to the things spoken to the members of that church, in which every reader is more or less interested.

Epistle to the Church at Philadelphia.

Verse 7. He that is holy] In whom holiness essentially dwells, and from whom all holiness is derived.

He that is true] He who is the fountain of truth; who cannot lie nor be imposed on; from whom all truth proceeds; and whose veracity in his Revelation is unimpeachable.

He that hath the key of David] See this metaphor explained, Matt. xvi. 19. Key is the emblem of authority and knowledge; the key of David is the regal right or authority of David. David could shut or open the kingdom of Israel to whom he pleased. He was not bound to leave the kingdom even to his eldest son. He could choose whom he pleased to succeed him. The kingdom of the gospel, and the kingdom of heaven, are at the disposal of Christ. He can shut against whom he will; he can open to whom he pleases. If he shuts, no man can open; if he opens, no man can shut. His determinations all stand fast, and none can reverse them. This expression is an allusion to Isai. xxii. 22, where the prophet promises to Eliakim, under the symbol of the key of the house of David, the government of the whole nation; i. e. all the power of the king, to be executed by him as his deputy; but the words, as here applied to Christ, show that He is absolute.

Verse 8. I have set before thee an open door] I have opened to thee a door to proclaim and diffuse my word; and, notwithstanding there are many adversaries to the spread of my gospel, yet none of them shall be able to prevent it.

authority or influence; yet thou hast kept my word— hast kept the true doctrine; and hast not denied my name, by taking shelter in heathenism when Christianity was persecuted. The little strength may refer either to the smallness of the numbers, or to the littleness of their grace.

Verse 9. I will make them] Show them to be, of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews, protending thereby to be of the synagogue of Gon, and consequently his true and peculiar children.

I will make them to come and worship] I will dispose of matters in the course of my provident, that the Jews shall be obliged to seek unto the Christians for toleration, support, and protection, which they shall be obliged to sue for in the most huk and abject manner.

To know that I have loved thee.] That the low which was formerly fixed on the Jews is now removed, and transferred to the Gentiles.

Verse 10. The word of my patience] The doctrine which has exposed you to so much trouble and per secution, and required so much patience and magnanimity to bear up under its attendant trials.

The hour of temptation] A time of sore and peca liar trial which might have proved too much for their strength. He who is faithful to the grace of God is often hidden from trials and difficulties which full without mitigation on those who have been unfaithful in his covenant. Many understand by the heur of temptation the persecution under Trajan, which was greater and more extensive than the preceding

ones under Nero and Domitian.

To try them] That is, such persecutions will be the means of trying and proving those who profess Christianity, and showing who were sound and thorough Christians and who were not.

Verse 11. Behold, I come quickly] These things will shortly take place; and I am coming with co solations and rewards to my faithful followers, and

Thou hast a little strength] Very little political with judgments to my adversaries.

13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of the Spirit saith unto the churches.

There is here an intimation that the Christian church is to endure for ever; and the Christian mi-church; and our Lord expresses here in this apparent nistry to last as long as time endures: He shall go no more out for ever.

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and 'white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.

C

church of Laodicea.

A. M. cir. 4100.

A. D. cir. 96. Impp. Flavio Domitiano Cæs. Aug. et Nerva.

be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the
door, and knock: if any man
hear my voice, and open the
door, 'I will come in to him, and will sup
with him, and he with me.

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

h

22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: the Spirit saith unto the churches.

cause thou hast begun well, and laid the right foundation. It was this most deceitful conviction that cut the nerves of their spiritual diligence; they rested in what they had already received, and seemed to think that once in grace must be still in grace.

Thou art wretched] Taλainwpoc Most wretched. "The word signifies," according to Mintert, "being worn out and fatigued with grievous labours, as they who labour in a stone quarry, or are condemned to the mines." So, instead of being children of God, as they supposed, and infallible heirs of the kingdom, they were, in the sight of God, in the condition of the most abject slaves.

And miserable] 'O EXɛɛvog' Most deplorable, to be pitied by all men.

And poor] Having no spiritual riches, no holiness of heart. Rich and poor are sometimes used by the rabbins to express the righteous and the wicked.

And blind] The eyes of thy understanding being darkened, so that thou dost not see thy state.

And naked] Without the image of God, not clothed with holiness and purity. A more deplorable state in spiritual things can scarcely be imagined than that of this church. And it is the true picture of many churches, and of innumerable individuals.

Verse 18. I counsel thee] O fallen and deceived soul, hear Jesus! Thy case is not hopeless. Buy of me.

Gold tried in the fire] Come and receive from me, without money and without price, faith that shall stand in every trial: so gold tried in the fire is here understood. But it may mean pure and undefiled religion, or that grace or divine influence which produces it, which is more valuable to the soul than the purest gold to the body. They had before imaginary riches; this alone can make them truly rich.

White raiment] Holiness of heart and life. Anoint thine eyes] Pray for, that ye may receive, the enlightening influences of my Spirit, that ye may be convinced of your true state, and see where your help lies.

Verse 19. As many as I love] So it was the love

f John xiv. 23.—g Matt. xix. 28. Luke xxii. 30. 1 Cor. vi. 2. 2 Tim. ii. 12. Ch. ii. 26, 27.—h Ch. ii. 7.

he still had to them that induced him thus to reprehend and thus to counsel them.

Be zealous] Be in earnest, to get your souls saved. They had no zeal; this was their bane. He now stirs them up to diligence in the use of the means of grace, and repentance for their past sins and remissness.

Verse 20. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock] There are many sayings of this kind among the ancient rabbins; thus in Shir Hashirim Rabba, fol 25,1: "God said to the Israelites, My children, open to me one door of repentance, even so wide as the eye of a needle, and I will open to you doors through which calves and horned cattle may pass."

In Sohar Levit., fol. 8, col. 32, it is said: "If a man conceal his sin, and do not open it before the holy King, although he ask mercy, yet the door of repentance shall not be opened to him. But if he open it before the holy blessed God, God spares him. and mercy prevails over wrath; and when he laments, although all the doors were shut, yet they shall be opened to him, and his prayer shall be heard."

Christ stands-waits long, at the door of the sinner's heart; he knocks-uses judgments, mercies, reproofs, exhortations, &c., to induce sinners to repent and turn to him; he lifts up his voice-calls loudly by his word, ministers, and Spirit.

sider his state, and attend to the voice of his Lord. If any man hear] If the sinner will seriously con

ceiving power for this purpose from his offended Lord. And open the door] This must be his own act, rewho will not break open the door; he will make no forcible entry.

him, heal all his backslidings, pardon all his iniquities, I will come in to him] I will manifest myself to and love him freely.

Will sup with him] Hold communion with him, feed him with the bread of life.

And he with me.] I will bring him at last to dwell with me in everlasting glory.

Verse 21. To sit with me in my throne] In every case it is to him that overcometh, to the conquerer, that the final promise is made. He that conquers not is not crowned, therefore every promise is here

Recent account of the

CHAP. III.

seven Asiatic churches.

made to him that is faithful unto death. Here is a | offer. From the conversations I had with the Greek

most remarkable expression: Jesus has conquered, and is set down with the FATHER upon the Father's throne; he who conquers through Christ sits down with Christ upon his throne: but Christ's throne and the throne of the Father is the same; and it is on this same throne that those who are faithful unto death are finally to sit! How astonishing is this state of exaltation! The dignity and grandeur of it who can conceive?

bishop and his clergy, as well as various well-informed individuals, I am led to suppose that, if the population of Smyrna be estimated at one hundred and forty thousand inhabitants, there are from fifteen to twenty thousand Greeks, six thousand Armenians, five thousand Catholics, one hundred and forty Protestants, and eleven thousand Jews.

"2. After Smyrna, the first place I visited was EPHESUS, or rather (as the site is not quite the same) Aiasalick, which consists of about fifteen poor cottages. I found there but three Christians, two brothers who keep a small shop, and a gardener. They are all three Greeks, and their ignorance is lamentable indeed. In that place, which was blessed so long with an apostle's labours, and those of his zealous assistants, are Christians who have not so much as heard of that apostle, or seem only to recognize the name of Paul as one in the calendar of their saints. One of them I found able to read a little, and left with him the New Testament, in ancient and modern Greek, which he expressed a strong desire to read, and promised me he would not only study it himself, but lend it to his friends in the neighbouring villages.

This is the worst of the seven churches, and yet the most eminent of all the promises are made to it, showing that the worst may repent, finally conquer, and attain even to the highest state of glory. Verse 22. He that hath an ear, let him hear] Mr. Wesley has a very judicious note on the conclusion of this chapter, and particularly on this last verse, Te that hath an ear, &c. "This (counsel) stands in hree former letters before the promise, in the four itter after it; clearly dividing the seven into two arts, the first containing three, the last four, letters. he titles given our Lord in the three former letters eculiarly respect his power after his resurrection id ascension, particularly over his church; those in e four latter, his divine glory and unity with the ather and the Holy Spirit. Again, this word being aced before the promises in the three former letters cludes the false apostles at Ephesus, the false Jews Smyrna, and the partakers with the heathens at rgamos, from having any share therein. In the four 'ter, being placed after them, it leaves the promises mediately joined with Christ's address to the angel the church, to show that the fulfilling of these was ar; whereas the others reach beyond the end of e world. It should be observed that the overming or victory (to which alone these peculiaris Denizli, which has been styled (but I am inclined omises are annexed) is not the ordinary victory tained by every believer, but a special victory obned over great and peculiar temptations, by those at are strong in faith.”

1. The regular intercourse of England with YRNA will enable you to procure as accurate inligence of its present state as any I can pretend to

"3. My next object was to see LAODICEA; in the road to this is Guzel-hisar, a large town, with one church, and about seven hundred Christians. In conversing with the priests here, I found them so little acquainted with the Bible, or even the New Testament in an entire form, that they had no distinct knowledge of the books it contained beyond the four gospels, but mentioned them indiscriminately with various idle legends and lives of saints. I have sent thither three copies of the modern Greek Testament since my return. About three miles from Laodicea

to think erroneously) the ancient Colosse; it is a considerable town, with about four hundred Christians, Greeks, and Armenians, each of whom has a church. I regret however to say that here also the most extravagant tales of miracles, and fabulous accounts of angels, saints, and relics, had so usurped the place of the scriptures as to render it very difficult to separate in their minds divine truths from human inventions. I felt that here that unhappy time was come when men should turn away their ears from the truth, and be turned unto fables.' I had with me some copies of the gospels in ancient Greek which I distributed here, as in some other places through which I had passed. Eski-hisar, close to which are the remains of ancient Laodicea, contains about fifty poor inhabitants, in which number are but two Christians, who live together in a small mill; unhappily neither could read at all; the copy therefore of the New Testament, which I intended for this church, I left with that of Denizli, the offspring and poor remains of Laodicea and Colosse. The prayers of the Mosque are the only prayers which are heard near the ruins of Laodicea, on which the threat seems to have been fully executed in its utter rejection as a church.

"4. I left it for PHILADELPHIA, now Alah-shehr. It was gratifying to find at last some surviving fruits of