William Perkins on Revelation 1:16

Verse 16. And he had in his right hand seuen starres: and out of his mouth went a sharpe two edged sword: And his face shone as the sunne shineth in his strength.

Here Iohn proceedeth further, to set out the parts of Christs body and the properties thereof. By seuen starres wee are to vnderstand seuen Angels: that is (as Christ expoundeth them verse. 20.) the seuen ministers of the seuen churches of Asia. And they are called starres for these causes. First, starres giue light to men on earth: And so the ministers ought to giue spirituall light to them that liue in the church, both by doctrine, and by an vnblameable conuersation. Secondly, starres haue their continuall abode in heauen and descend not vnto the earth: So ministers aboue all others ought to haue their conuersation in heauen. This indeed is the duty of euery christian; but especially of the minister, in regard of his calling. And this heauenly conuersation he must expresse: first, by seeking the conuersion of his owne soule: and then the conuersion of others, that they may haue an eternall mansion in heauen. Thirdly, they are called stars because (if they be faithfull) they shalbe honored of God, and made to shine a[illegible: 1 letter] the starres for euer and euer, Dan. 12.3.

It is added that they are in Christs right hand. Whereby is signified that to him belongeth the regiment, and gouernement, and the whole disposition of the ministerie for matters that concerne the church. From whence arise sundry instructions.

I. That it is Christ who giueth to his church ministers which preach the Gosspell. For he [illegible: 1 word] 4.11.12. ascendeth vp on high, and gaue gifts vnto men, some to be Apostles, some Prophets, and Evangelists, some Pastors and teachers for the gathering together of the saints, and for the worke of the ministerie, and for the edification of the body of Christ. And for this cause we ought to pray daily vnto Christ, Mat. 9.38. that he would thrust forth laborers into his haruest: that the remnant of Gods elect may bee gathered, and so we see an end of these miserable dayes wherein we liue.

Secondly, in that Christ holdeth them in his right hand, wee may gather that Christ giueth protection and defence vnto his ministers, when they are faithful and walke in their calling according to his will: which is a matter to bee considered of al that are called into this office: For they haue sundrie occasions of discouragement: as the negligence and backwardnesse of their people; the slanders and mockings of the enemies: But this protection of Christ must comfort them against them all; seeing they are in Christs right hand, they must go on with all godly boldnesse.

Thirdly, this sheweth the dignitie of this calling. Indeed it is despised and reputed base in the world; and hereby many are driuen from it. But let the wicked iudge what they will: Behold Christ honoureth it, for his faithfull ministers are not onely present before him which were no small thing: but hee holdeth them in his right hand; then which, what greater glorie can be done vnto them? This must bee an inducement vnto all those that are indued with gifts fit for this calling, to affect the same.

Lastly, euery minister of the gospell must hereby learne to bee faithfull in his calling, and holy in his conversation: for by vertue of his calling hee is placed in Christs right hand. Now shall we thinke that Christ wil long bear in his right hād any that are vnfaithfull, or prophane▪ Nay, he will take them out of his right hand and put them vnder his feete of brasse, and there grind them to powder: For as they are honoured aboue others by their place, so shall their confusion be the greater, vnlesse they be faithfull. This wee may see in Nadab and Abihu, Leuit. 10.1. and Hoph[illegible: 3 letters] and Phineas, 1. Sam. 3.13. And in the same respect ought all the people of God to be carefull to their wayes; for by their calling of christianitie they be members of Christ. Now if they be not faithfull and answerable to their profession, hee will surely deale with them, as with vnfaithfull ministers, put them vnder his feet of brasse & confound them for euer: They must therefore make conscience of all sin, and become not hearers onely, but doers of his will: so shall Christ protect them in this life, and saue them eternally.

And out of his mouth went a sharpe two edged sword. This sword that came out of his mouth is nothing else but the doctrine of the Law and the Gospell vttered and propounded in the writings and ministerie of the Prophets and Apostles, Heb. 4.12. The word of God is liuely, mightie in operation and sharper than any two edged sword. And it is thereto compared, because as a sword with a double edge entreth sharply into the flesh, and pierceth deeply into the bones, euen to the very marrow: So the doctrine of the Law and the Gospell entreth sharply and pierceth deepely into the very marrow of the heart of euery man, to the diuiding of the thought and the spirit. This two edged sword, the word of God hath a twofold operation. One vpon the wicked: Another in the elect. It woundeth the wicked at the very heart with a deadly wound, and thereby brings them to eternall death, Isay. 11.4. Christ shall slay the wicked with the breath of his lippes: that is, with his word which is this two edged sword. Herewith shall he consume Antichrist, 2. Thes. 2.8. visit Leuiathan and slay the dragon, that is, the greatest enemies of his church, Isay. 27. vers. 1.

Here consider how the word of God should kill an impenitent sinner. There be three degrees of spirituall death. First in this life, where an impenitent sinner receiueth his deadly wound: The second at the end of this life, when the bodie is laid in the graue, but the soule goeth to the torments of the damned: The third at the end of the world: when bodie and soule together go to hell eternally. Now a sinner receiueth in this life his deadly wound after this manner: Christ in the giuing thereof hath a threefold worke in his heart by the ministerie of his word, which is this two edged sword. First, hereby he reuealeth vnto him his sinnes, as hypocrisie, pride, and rebellion of heart, with all other his horrible and damnable transgressions against the first and second table, 1. Cor. 14.24.25. When all Prophesie, and there commeth in one vnlearned, he is reproued of all, the Prophets by the word iudge him, and thereby lay open vnto him the secret sinnes of his heart, with the sinnes of his life. Secondly, Christ hereby reue[illegible: 1 letter]leth vnto him his indignation and wrath, which is the curse of the law due vnto him: In which regard the law is called 2· Cor. 3.6 a killing letter, shewing no mercy, but onely thundreth out the fierce wrath of God vpon transgressors. Thirdly, hereby Christ awaketh his guiltie conscience, sharpneth the sting thereof, and terrifieth him at the hearing of his word. Thus wicked Felix trembled when hee heard Paul preach Act. 24.25 of temperance, righteousnesse, and the [illegible: 1 letter]udgement to come▪ So when king Dan. 4.6. Belshazzer, saw the palme of the hand▪ writing things against him vpon the [illegible: 1 letter]all, his countenance was changed, his thoughts troubled him, his ioynts were loosed, and his knees stood one against another. And al these are wrought in the wicked without apprehension of mercy, or reformation of life. It may please God to recouer one that [illegible: 1 letter]s [illegible: 1 word] wounded, but while he is [illegible: 1 word] this estate hee hath receiued a deadly wound, and without vnfamed repentance is alreadie in th[illegible: 1 letter] first step toward[illegible: 1 letter] eternal death: for these horror[illegible: 1 letter] o[illegible: 1 letter] conscience seuered from the apprehension of Gods mercie in Christ, are no grace but the flashes of hell fire, and the beginning of eternall woe. And thus we see how Christ by this sword woundeth his enemies.

Hence we are to learne sundry duties, First, how to earne our selues towards them that after they haue heard the word preached vnto them, will rage and storme against it, and the preachers therof, because it touched them. We must not despise or maligne them, but rather be mooued with compassion towards them. For this their behauiour is a token they are wounded with the sword of Christ at the verie heart, and these their ragings are nothing but struglings before death eternall: vnlesse the Lord in mercy recouer them of this deadly wound.

II. Hereby wee are let to see and know the lamentable state of the greatest number in those congregations where the word hath long bene preached; for we shall find by lamentable experience, that in those place[illegible: 1 letter] few come to true knowledge, repentance, and obedience; but most remaine ignorant and impenitent: now this their condition is most fearefull. A terrible iudgement of God is vpon them: for when men haue long heard Gods word and are not thereby bettered, for knowledge in mind, and obedience of life; they are thereby wounded vnto death.

This two edged sword hath alwayes his worke: it either cureth vnto life by working repentance and other graces of saluation; or woundeth vnto death them that receiue it not. We must therefore lament the case of such persons as remain[illegible: 1 letter] ignorant and impenitent vnder the ministerie of the word, for they are as yet dead men for ought wee know, how soeuer they may make a faire shew by their [illegible: 2 letters]ill honestie: If any man should come into a field, and there behold many thousands slaughtered, and [illegible: 1 word] ou[illegible: 1 letter] blo[illegible: 1 letter]d, some in the [illegible: 1 letter]ead, some in the side▪ &c. this sight would make his heart to bleed. Wel this [illegible: 1 span] Gods church, though it be not seene with bodily eyes: the most men are wounded with this sword of Gods word▪ and lye [illegible: 1 word] wallowing in the blo[illegible: 1 letter]d of their soules, [illegible: 1 word] they continue in ignorance, in se [illegible: 1 letter]uritie and want of repenta[illegible: 1 letter]ce.

III. This m[illegible: 1 letter]st admonish vs all to labour earnestly to haue further things wrought in vs, than a knowledge of our sinnes, an apprehension of wrath o[illegible: 1 letter] horrour of conscience▪ namely, [illegible: 1 word] faith and repentance, and sound reformation of life: for without this▪ wee haue nothing in vs but the deadly wounds of Christs enemies. And [illegible: 1 word] much for the worke of the Word vpon the wicked.

The second worke of this two edged sword is in Gods elect▪ in them it hath sundry workes▪ all which [illegible: 1 letter]end to their subiection▪ First, it woundeth to the quicke the corruption of their nature. This is one speciall cause why it is called a two edged sword, because it entereth deeply into the heart of Gods children, and giueth their corruption such a deadly blow, as it shall neuer recouer againe: It killeth not the person, as it doth in the wicked: but quic[illegible: 1 letter]ening the soule, it woundeth his corruption. Paule ministred the Gospell, Rom. 15 16 that the offering vp of the Gentiles might be acceptable. Where resēbling Gods church to a sacrifice, hee giueth vs to vnderstand, that euery true Christian must be slaine, though not in body and soule, yet in regard of sinfull motions, corrupt affections and rebellious actions, by this two edged sword of the spirit. And this is his conuersion whereby the roote of corruption is stocked vp.

Secondly, after conuersion▪ this two edged sword serueth to cut off and pare away the remnants of vnbeleefe, doubting, impietie, anger, and other sins that be in the elect:Iohn 15. Euery branch (saith Christ) that bringeth forth fruit in mee, my father the husbandman gruneth, to make it bring fo[illegible: 1 letter]rth more fruit.

Thirdly, it serueth to keepe Gods children in awe and subiection vnto him. In this vision, Christ standeth in his church, holding vp the scepter of his kingdome, which hee beareth in his mouth: for this end▪ that though his enemies will not bee brought in subiection vnto him, yet his owne children might hereby be kept in awe of him. He therefore that will not at the lifting vp of this two edged sword tremble and feare before Christ, is but a rebellious subiect: If there bee brawling in humane societies, let the magistrate but shew himselfe with the sword of iustice, and straightway euery one is quiet: if any resist, he is taken for a rebell. Now shall this be effected in ciuile policie, and not bee true in Christs spirituall gouernment▪ vnlesse therefore wee will shew our selues rebels against Christ, let vs cease from sinne and tremble before him, seeing hee holdeth out vnto vs the scepter of his word.

Fourthly, this sword serueth notably for our defence and victory in all temptations, Ephes▪ 6.[illegible: 2 letters]. This sword of the [illegible: 1 letter]pirit, the word of God, is one piece of the complete armour of a Christian. Herewith did Christ vanquish Sathan. Matth. 4▪ And thus wee see how the word of God is a two edged sword, in regard of the elect.

Hence we are taught, that when wee haue the doctrine of the Law and of the Gospell preached vnto vs, we must with all reuerence heare and receiue the same. Men will heare it while it is taught generally, but if it once touch their particular faults, then they cannot brooke it. But wee must suffer it to ransacke our hearts, and be glad thereof: for by this meanes our corruption is wounded, and sinne slaine in vs: our soules are conuerted vnto God, and shall bee saued. If any man were diseased with a fistula, or any other dangerous sore, he would willingly suffer the surgeon to search and pierce into the fame. Shall wee doe this for our bodily health, and shall wee not suffer the word of God to enter into our hearts to rip vp our sinnes, that they being wounded and subdued, wee may bee healed, and so our soules liue for euer? wee cannot liue vnto God, till wee die vnto sinne: and wee can neuer die vnto sinne, till the same bee wounded in vs by this two edged sword. Away therefore with all nicenesse in disliking the word, when it crosseth our humour▪ and if wee loue eternall life, Let vs then embrace it most willingly.

Saint Iohn sayth f[illegible: 2 letters]ther of this two edged sword; that it came out of Christs mouth. Other kings carry their swords and scepters in their hands; but Christ beareth his in his mouth, to teach vs this speciall point, That wee must receiue no doctrine from any man, which hee hath not receiued from th[illegible: 1 letter] mouth of Christ. For first, God reuealeth his will vnto his son, & Christ deliuereth it vnto his Prophet[illegible: 1 letter] and Apostles by the spirit, and to his ministers in their writings. They therefore must deliuer nothing vnto Gods people▪ but that which they haue from Christ: if they deliuer ought els, they hold no[illegible: 1 letter] forth Christs sword; neither can it haue that powerfull effect either in the godly, or in the wicked.

And his face [illegible: 1 span] the Sunne shineth i[illegible: 1 letter] his brightnesse. Here is the last braunch of this description of Christ▪ his face is compared to the shining of the Sunne, and that in his strength: because Christ is vnto his church[illegible: 1 letter] as the Sunne is to the world. And looke what duties the Sunne performeth vnto the world, the same duties Christ performes vnto his church, in a more excellent manner, as their resemblance will euidently declare.

First, the Sunne in the world dispelleth night and darkenesse, and maketh the day by bringing light: so Christ the sonne of righteousnesse, Malach. 4.2. sendeth downe the bright beames of knowledge and grace into his church, wherby blindnesse and ignorance is taken away, 2. Corinth. 4.6. And hereby euery one, of what sort or place soeuer, is taught: first, to labour for knowledge of the will of God. A great shame it is for any to bee ignorant her[illegible: 1 letter]in; when the day commeth, we set open our windowes to let in the light of the Sunne for our comfort: behold Christ Iesus is euer a shining light in his church: Why then should wee not open our hearts, that the beames of light and knowledge, which descend from him, may enter into vs, and giue vs light? Secondly, wee must hereby learne in our whole conuersation among men, to walke by this light. We are here but pilgrims trauelling towards heauen: and the way of this miserable word is full of darkenesse; yet Christ Iesus is in the middest of his church, shining as the Sunne in his strength to giue the light of knowledge▪ whereby wee may see the right way thither▪ Without him there is nothing but darkenesse and wandering▪ his word is the light, and himselfe the day starre. We therefore must attend vnto him in all our affaires of this life: and in the particular duties of our lawfull callings take direction from the light which shineth from his face.

Secondly, the Sunne serueth most excellently to comfort and reuiue cold and dead starued bodies; as experience in the spring time teacheth: So Christ Iesus by the worke of his spirit conueyeth spirituall life and heat [illegible: 1 letter]nto the dead and frozen heart of man: he is of power to comfort them that mourne, to giue life to the broken hearted▪ and to reuiue the spirit of the humble, Isay. 57.15. and for this most excellent worke may well bee called the Sunne of Righteousness[illegible: 1 letter]. In regard wherof wee must labour aboue all things to bee partakers of this life and ioy which commeth from Christ. In Winter time men vse to stand in the sunne to comfort and warme themselues with the heat thereof. Behold Christ Iesus is the sunne of righteousnesse to his church, which giueth heat and life to all the true members thereof. Wee therefore must seeke aboue all things to haue his blessed beames of grace to shine vpon our cold and frozen hearts, that by his spirituall heat we may be reuiued vnto euerlasting life. In this world nothing is so much regarded, as riches, honours, and pleasures: Who will shew vs any good, is the worldlings song. But with godly Dauid wee must say, Psal. 4.4. Lord lift thou vp the light of thy countenance vpon vs, quicken thou vs with thy spirituall life▪ and comfort vs with the beames of mercy. Quest. How may I get the gracious beames of grace and life, to come from this Sunne of righteousnesse into my heart? Answ. Before a man can liue by Christ, hee must bee killed in himselfe. Men doe not kill those whom they would restore to temporall life, but the Lord taketh that course. Thou therefore must suffer his two edged sword to enter into thee, yea to bee thrust vp to the hilts into thy heart, that so thy vile sinnes and corruptions may be ripped vp, and the wrath of God deserued thereby made knowne vnto thee, that in thy selfe thou mayest bee out of hope: and then and not before art thou fit to receiue comfort and life by Christ; as a man that is cold in bodie is most fit to receiue heat by cloathes and other meanes of warmenesse. Now being thus humbled in thy selfe, thou must vse the meanes which God hath ordained, to wit, the hearing, reading, and meditating in his word, with earnest prayer for grace and mercie: and th[illegible: 2 letters] shalt thou perceiue the ioyfull beames of life shining into thy soule. If a man had all the world, and wanted this grace of life and comfort by Christ, it were but a curse vnto him: but though a man want all things els, yet by this life of grace in Christ he is blessed for euer: and therefore aboue all other things men should labour for it.

Thirdly, the sunne serueth to discouer all things. In the night nothing is discerned, but al things appear in one form: but when the same commeth forth, all things are made manifest, euen the [illegible: 2 letters]all motes in the aire. Euen so Christ Iesus the sonne of righteousnesse▪ he seeth all things, and can discouer the most hidden secrets of men: nothing is hid from the light of his countenance, so infinit is his diuine wisdome and knowledge. In regard whereof we must bee moued to looke vnto all our wayes, both thoughts, words, and actions, that they bee such as Christ approueth: for though we may deceiue the world by a false glosse, yet all that wee do, speake, or thinke, is naked and bare before him, he knoweth the same, & can and will reueale it▪

If this were beleeued and remembred, it would be a meanes to suppresse much fraud and iniustice, and many grieuous sinnes which is rise in the world. Men thinke if they can bleare the eyes of the world, all is well, they may do what they will: but we must thinke vpon the shining face of Christ, which discerneth and discouereth all secrets; and labour thereupon to make conscience of all our wayes, yea of our secret thoughts, that God may approoue the same.