Behold, I come quickly
To bring on this hour of temptation on the reformed churches,
which will be at the beginning of this period; to help and
deliver, save and preserve the truly godly among them; to destroy
antichrist, and introduce the latter day glory:
hold that fast which thou hast;
either her grace in the exercise of it, as her faith, patience or
rather the doctrines of the Gospel, and the ordinances of it,
which she had received, as delivered by Christ and his apostles:
and which she had held in the truth and purity of them, and is
now exhorted to hold them fast, since this hour of temptation
would be a trying time to her faith, patience, integrity, and
constancy:
that no man take thy crown;
not eternal happiness, called a crown of life, glory, and
righteousness, and which was prepared for her, and promised to
her, and would be certainly given her; nor was there any danger
of another's taking it from her; not but that exhortations of
this kind to the saints are necessary, with respect to that, to
excite to diligence, care, and watchfulness; and are no ways
contrary to their final perseverance, and certain salvation, but
are means thereof: but either her honour for her faith and
faithfulness, for her integrity, sincerity, and purity, is here
meant; or the glorious things which were spoken of this church
state, and to be accomplished in it, ( Psalms 87:3 ) ; see (
Isaiah
60:1-22 ) .