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worship. The two sins were nearly connected together in the heathen institutions, and introduced each other.

Ver. 22. Adultery.] In scriptural language, nations and cities, and communities are frequently expressed under the emblems of women, virgins, &c.; nor has this mode of representation been confined to the ancient or Eastern nations. In our times and country, Britannia is personified, and is seen, as a woman upon our coins; as are Judæa, Rome, &c. &c. on those of ancient days *. The nation of Israel, or the church of God under the Old Testament, is constantly represented under this symbol. In the times of her purity, she is a virgin; in her happy prospects, a bride; in her impure connections, a harlot. And, conformably to this figure, the great Being who especially protects her, was pleased to represent himself, as the husband who espouseth her, and who, for her wickedness, divorces her t. For, by a continuance of the metaphor, she is described as "treacherously departing from her husband," committing adultery with stocks, stones, and idols‡; but after chastisement and repentance, she is restored to favour and matrimonial distinction, and becomes fruitful in children, the multitudes of the Gentiles §. The reader may see this imagery produced into allegory, in the xvith chapter of Ezekiel. Agreeably to this, in the New Testament, our Lord, the head

See the plates in Montfaucon, or in Calmet's Dictionary.

† Jer. xxxi. 32. Is. xlix. 20, &c. liv. 5. lxii. 1, 5. Hos. ii. 2.

Is. liv. 7.

Jer. iii. 8, 9. 20. Ezek. xvi. 22. xxiii. 37.

§ Hos. ii. 7. 16. 19. Is. liv. 6.

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of the church, is represented as the bridegroom, and her apostacy from him is called adultery*.

Now, in the passage before us, adultery may be taken either in a literal, or in this its figurative sense; accordingly as we understand Jezebel to represent, either literally a woman, or figuratively a sect. If taken in the figurative meaning, (which seems most probable,) then her sons, to be slain, are the followers of her religious institutions; and they, who commit adultery with her, are the Christians, who are seduced to her doctrines and practices, from the duty they owe to their Lord.

Ver. 22. Bed.] The place which had been the scene of her transgression, is to be that of her punishment. Taken literally, it will imply the pains. of a sick-bed; and to be tormented in bed, where men seek rest, is peculiarly grievous †. Or, in a figurative sense, to adopt blasphemous and impure doctrines and practices, may, and probably will, occasion great tribulation to an apostatizing church.

Ver. 23. I will slay with death.] This is a Hebraism, denoting, by its repetition, the certainty of the event denounced. The equivalent expression in Genesis ii. 17, is translated, "thou shalt surely die." Sickness and death are represented by Saint Paul, as punishments inflicted on the perverters of holy ordinances in the apostolical times: or, avaros may here signify;" as it does evidently in ch. vi. 8, pestilence; and thus express the mode of death by which these rebellious servants of God were to be slain.

* Matt. xxv. 2 Cor. xi. 2. Rom. vii. 4. Eph. v. 23, &c. Gal. iv. 26, &c.

+ Daubuz. See Psalm vi. 3. xli. 3. Job xxxii. 19. Is. xxviii. 20.

1 Cor. xi. 30.

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Ver. 24. The depths of Satan.] Our interpretation of the word Jezebel in a figurative sense, seems to be confirmed. She had a doctrine, and taught deep mysterious knowledge, calling it perhaps with Saint Paul, Ta baby T8 088, the deep things of God, but it is declared to be τα βαθη το Σατανα, the depths of Satan. Traces of such philosophizing sects are to be seen in the writings of the apostles, and of the apostolical fathers. And the Gnostics, who dealt eminently in these can, thus afterwards entered and corrupted the church.

Ver, 25. Until I come.] See note, ch. i. 3.

Ver. 27. Power over the Nations.] The expressions in this passage have near resemblance to those of the second Psalm, which are undoubtedly prophetic of Christ †. He is there declared, "a king

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over the nations, even unto the ends of the earth." He shall "rule over the nations with an iron rod," or sceptre, "and break them to pieces, as a potter's vessel." But our Lord informed his disciples, that "he appoints unto them a kingdom, even as his Father had appointed unto him §;" and the promise is continued by them to their successors in the

* 1 Cor. ii. 10.

+ See Acts iv. 24.

In this passage in the Septuagint, the word woman is used, as well as in the Apocalypse. And the ancient Hebrew text probably agreed with it. (See Reeves's Collation of Hebrew and Greek texts, Ps. ii. 9.) This character, of shepherd of the people, was anciently attributed to good kings. Such was the woy haar of Homer. By such a character, did the great Cyrus desire to be distinguished. (Xenoph. Cyrop. lib. i.) It is frequently applied in Scripture to the Messiah, and occurs in that sense four times in the Apocalypse. So Pados is properly translated sceptre, as in Heb. i. 8. See Schleusner, in voc.

§ Luke xxii. 29. John xxi. 16. Acts xx. 8. 1 Pet. iii. 2.

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church. It is a kingdom of great power and glory, yet not after the fashion of this world; for it is neither acquired nor preserved by arms. It is not founded on worldly policy, over which it is destined to prevail. It is the ftone of Daniel's vision, which, cut out of the mountain without hands, breaks to pieces the kingdoms of the world, miraculously increasing till it fills the whole earth. "And the king"dom and dominion, and the greatness of the king"dom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the "people of the saints of the Most High, whose king"dom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions "shall serve and obey him."

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Ver. 28. The morning star.] A star is a teacher† ; our Lord is eminently such; and such he intitles himself in ch. xxii. 16. ὁ αστης ὁ λαμπρος και ορθρινος, “ the shining and morning star." As such he was foretold in Numbers, xxiv. 17; and a star, in the eastern and morning quarter of the hemisphere, preceded his birth. As this star, seen by the wise men, signified to them his first coming; so by the star, promised in this passage, we must probably understand the signs denoting his second coming; a knowledge of "the mysteries of the kingdom of hea"ven §," and of its approach in power. Saint Peter, speaking of prophecy, whose office it is in part to reveal these mysteries, recommends us to attend diligently to this "light shining in a dark place," until some clearer manifestation shall be revealed; έως 8 ήμερα διαυγασε και φωςφορος ανατελή εν ταις nagdrais vμwv, until the day shine forth, and the day

* Dan. vii. 27. See the note, ch. ii. 7. and the Scriptures there quoted. This reign of the saints is again described in ch. xix. 15. + See note, ch. i. 16.

↑ Matt. ii. 2.

§ Matt. xiii. 2.

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star (or morning star, for so it should be translated,) shall rise in your hearts: until that time, when the prophetical information, imperfect in its nature, being "done away," that perfect knowledge shall succeed, which is like knowing "face to face*." But beside this time of perfect consummation to which both these apostles may be thought principally to refer, there is a time promised when the Divine Power shall " remove the veil spread over all nations t," and the earth" be filled with the knowledge of the 'glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the seat.” This glorious and extensive reign of Christ and of his religion, is the subject of many sublime prophecies, and is copiously prefigured in the sequel of this book. To those, whether they be churches or individuals, who, in full assurance of faith, resist the temptations, and surmount the difficulties of their Christian warfare, looking forward to the accomplishment of the divine promises with spiritual discernment, to such shall be granted the dawnings and first light of these happy times; they shall see them, though afar off§; and seeing, they shall rejoice ||; and this joy no one shall take from them ¶.

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