time past to exhort and encourage one another to stick fast to the Promise for they shall be swallowed up of Life and open Vision Here shall be no need either of Prayer of Repentance of Faith or of good Works as afore And the City had no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it Now I say the holy Ghost is pleased to bring in here the shining Vertues of the Church under the notion of a shining Moon because as the Church her self is compared to the Moon so her Vertues are as naturally compared to a shining Light as Christ saith Let your light so shine and again Let your loins be girded and your lights burning for indeed while we are here that Church and Congregation of the Lord doth most shine and most send forth the golden Rayes and pleasant Beams of Christianity that is most in the exercise of the afore-mentioned Vertues take away the Moon and the night is doubtful or though the Moon be in the Firmament if she hath lost her light the night is not thereby made more comfortable And thus I say it is first with the World where here there is no Church to shine or where there is a Church that doth not so shine that others may see and be lighted for while the day of time doth last even the World it self hath need of the shining of the Church but at this day this time will be no longer because the Day of Eternity will break and by that means cause the World that now is even the World of the Ungodly to cease to have a being here any longer Therefore now no need of the Moon or of the light thereof to shine before that which is not Secondly Again as the Church is in her light before men as the Moon is in her light in the night to the world so as I said before this City which is called also Heaven she even she shall have no need of these things for she shall be taken up in open Vision and shall be compleatly delivered from all imperfection she shall not need now the light of her Children to provoke her and to stir her up to this or the other act of holiness all shall be done all shall be compleat the Lord himself is come Indeed while Christ is absent as touching his Person and while the work of God is not yet compleatly done in the Church there will be need both of the light of Sun and Moon but when the work is done and he come then these things will be out of use Thus The 〈…〉 of the Just is as the shining light which shineth more and more unto perfect day For the Glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof This is rendered as the reason why at this day both the light of Sun and Moon are needless it is because the Glory of God did lighten it and because the Lamb is the light thereof Now the Glory of God must be understood in this place not of that Glory that doth attend the Church in this world for that Glory doth attend the Church upon the account of her Purity of Worship of Temple-Worship and doth either abide on her or withdraw it self according to her exact observing the Rule or declining from it as I have shewed you in the beginning of this discourse But the Glory that here you read of it is a Glory that supplieth this City without those Ordinances yea therefore those Ordinances as the Temple and the light of the Sun and Moon do cease because of the Glory of this Glory that now is come into this City The City had no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it mark for the Glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the Light thereof Wherefore I say this Glory that now he speaks of it is the Glory that shall possess this City at the end of her Glory in this world wherefore as saith the holy Ghost by Isaiah the Prophet from this day forward The Sun shall be no more thy light by day neither for brightness shall the Moon give light unto thee but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting Light and thy God thy Glory Isa. 60. 19. For the Glory of God did lighten it c. Thus it was at the finishing of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness and of the Temple at Jerusalem both which were figures in their finishing of the finishing of the state of the Church in this world and it is said of them that in the day when they in all things were accomplished according to the fashion that was revealed before concerning their Order and accomplishment that then the Glory of God so appeared upon them that neither Moses nor Aaron was able to enter in or to stand therein because of the Cloud and of the Glory of the Lord that at that time filled the House Thus you see this City descends in one measure of Glory and is consumate in another measure of Glory The Glory of the Lord was upon the Mount Sinai while the pattern of the Tabernacle was giving but it rested on the Tabernacle when the work thereof was finished to signify I say that the Glory of God will rest in his Ordinances and in his Church by them so long as Ordinances are in use but when they are needless then it will rest in the Church without them and that more gloriously than ever it therein did rest by them For the Glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof Mark Though now there shall be no need of Temple Sun or Moon yet Christ the Lamb or the Man who was offered in sacrifice for our Redemption shall be of use and benefit for the Glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof Wherefore all that we who are the saved shall enjoy of Glory and Sweetness in another world though we shall not enjoy it from God through Christ by and in the Ordinances yet we shall enjoy it through Christ the Lamb without them for the Lamb is the light of it By this word Lamb he would have us understand that when we are in Glory the blood death and bloody conquest that the man Christ did get over our infernal enemies will be of eternal use to us because that benefit of Christ shall not only for ever be the Foundation of our eternal felicity but the burden of our Song of Glory in all our raptures among the Angels It will be the Blood the Blood the redeeming Blood of the Lamb. Blessing glory honour and power be to him that sits upon the Throne and to the LAMB for ever and ever 'T is he in whom will be found the seven Eyes the seven Spirits of God in whose light we shall see the heights and depths of those Springs and everlasting Fountains and Depths of Glory for ever and indeed the conceit of
The HOLY CITIE OR The New-Jerusalem WHEREIN It s Goodly Light Walls Gates Angels and the manner of their standing are EXPOUNDED ALSO Her Length and Breadth together with the Golden Measuring Reed EXPLAINED AND The Glory of all Unfolded As also The Numerousness of its Inhabitants And what the Tree and Water of Life are by which they are sustained By John Bunyan a Servant of Christ. Glorious things are spoken of thee O City of God Ps. 87. 3. And the Name of the City from that day shall be called THE LORD IS THERE Ezek. 38. 35. London Printed for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle without Temple-Barr 1669. THE EPISTLE To Four Sorts of READERS I. To the Godly Reader Friend THough the Men of this World at the sight of this Book will not onely deride but laugh in conceit to consider that one so low contemptible and inconsiderable as I should busie my self in such sort as to meddle with the exposition of so hard and knotty a Scripture as here they find the subject matter of this little Book yet do thou remember that God hath chosen the foolish things of this World to confound the wise and things that are not to bring to nought things that are Consider also that even of old it hath been his pleasure to hide these things from the wise and prudent and to reveal them unto Babes I tell you that the operation of the Word and Spirit of God without depending upon that Idol so much adored is sufficient of it self to search out all things even the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2. 10. The occasion of my first medling with this matter was as followeth Upon a certain First day I being together with my Brethren in our Prison-Chamber they expected that according to our Custom something should be spoken out of the Word for our mutual Edification but at that time I felt my self it being my turn to speak so empty spiritless and barren that I thought I should not have been able to speak among them so much as five words of Truth with Life and Evidence but at last it so fell out that providentially I cast mine Eye upon the eleventh Verse of the one and twentieth Chapter of this Prophecie upon which when I had considered a while methought I perceived something of that JASPER in whose Light you there finde this HOLY CITY is said to come or descend wherefore having got in my Eye some dim glimmerings thereof and finding also in my heart a desire to see further thereinto I with a few groans did arry my Meditatious to the Lord JESUS for a Blessing which he 〈…〉 forthwith grant according to his Grace and helping me to set before my Brethren we did all eat and were well refreshed and behold also that while I was in the distributing of it it so encreased in my hand that of the Fragments that we left after we had well dined I gathered up this Basket-full Methought the more I cast mine Eye upon the whole Discourse the more I saw lie in it Wherefore setting my self to a more narrow search through frequent Prayer to God what first with doing and then with undoing and after that with doing again I thus did finish it But yet notwithstanding all my labour and travel in this matter I do not neither can I expect that every Godly Heart should in every thing see the Truth Excellencie of what is here discoursed neither would I have them imagine that I have so thorowly viewed this Holy City but that much more then I do here crush out is yet left in the Cluster Alas I shall onely say thus I have crush'd out a little Juyce to sweeten their Lips withal not doubting but in little time more large measures of the Excellencie of this City and of its sweetness and glory will by others be opened and unfolded yea if not by the Servants of the Lord JESUS yet by the Lord Himself who will have this City builded and set in its own place But I say for this DISCOURSE if any of the Saints that read herein think they find nought at all but words as many times it falleth out even in their reading the Scriptures of God themselves I beg I say of such that they reade charitably judge modestly and also that they would take heed of concluding that because they for the present see nothing in this or that passage that therefore there is nothing in it Possibly from that which thou mayest cast away as an empty Bone others may pick both good and wholsom Bits yea and also out of that suck much nourishing Marrow You find by experience that that very bit that will not down with One may yet not onely down but be healthful and nourishing to another Babes are more for Milk than strong Meat though Meat will well digest with those that are of riper Years 1 Cor. 2. 1 2 3. Heb. 5. 12 13 14. Wherefore that which thy weakness will not suffer thee to feed on leave and go to the Milk and Nourishment that in other places thou shalt find II. To the Learned Reader MY second Word is to my wise and learned Reader Sir I suppose in your reading of this DISCOURSE you will be apt to blame me for two things first because I have not so beautified my Matter with acuteness of Language as you could wish or desire Secondly Because also I have not given you either in the Line or in the Margent a Cloud of Sentences from the Learned FATHERS that have according to their Wisdom possibly handled these Matters long before me To the first I say The Matter indeed is excellent and high but for my part I am weak and low it also deserveth a more full and profound Discourse than my small parts will help me to make upon the matter But yet seeing the Lord looketh not at the outward appearance but on the Heart neither regardeth high swelling words of vanity but pure and naked Truth and seeing also that a Widows Mite being all even Heart as well as substance is counted more and better then to cast in little out of much and that little too perhaps the worst I hope my little being all my Farthing seeing I have no more may be accepted and counted for a great deal in the LORD'S Treasury Besides Sir Words easie to be understood do often hit the Mark when high and learned ones do only pierce the Air He also that speaks to the weakest may make the Learned understand him when he that striveth to be high is not onely for the most part understood but of a sort but also many times is neither understood by them nor by himself Secondly The Reason why you find me empty of the Language of the Learned I mean their Sentences and Words which others use is because I have them not nor have not read them had it not been for the BIBLE I had not onely not thus done it but not at
all Lastly I do find in most such a Spirit of Whoredom and Idolatry concerning the Learning of this World and Wisdom of the Flesh and GOD'S Glory so much stained and diminished thereby that had I all their aid and assistance at command I durst not make use of ought thereof and that for fear lest that Grace and those Gifts that the LORD hath given me should be atâ—ributed to their Wits rather then â—he Light of the Word and Spirit of GOD Wherefore I will not take of them from a thread to a shoo-latchet lest they should say We have made Abraham rich Gen. 14. 23. Sir What you find suiting with Scriptures take though it should not suit with Authors but that which you find against the Scriptures slight though it should be confirmed by Multitudes of them Yea further Where you find the Scriptures and your Authors jump yet believe it for the sake of Scriptures Authority I honour the Godly as Christians but I prefeâ— the BIBLE before them and having that still with me I count my self far better furnished than if I haâ— without it all the Libraries of the two Universities Besides I am foâ— drinking Water out of my own Câ—stern what GOD makes mine by the evidence of his Word and Spirit that I dare make bold with Wherefore seeing though I am without their Learned Lines yet well furnished with the Words of GOD I mean the BIBLE I have contented my self with what I there have found And having set it before your Eyes I pray read and take Sir what you like best And that wch you like not leave for the rest III. To the Captious Reader MY third word is to the Captious and wrangling Reader Friend However thou camest by this Book I will assure thee thou wast least in my thoughts when I writ it I tell thee I intended this Book as little for thee as the Goldsmith intendeth his Jewels and Rings for the Snowt of a Sow Wherefore put on Reason and lay aside thy Frenzie Be sober or lay by the Book Mat. 7. 6. IV. To the Mother of Harlots c. MY fourth word is to the Lady of Kingdoms the Well-favoured Harlot the Mistris of Witchcrafts and the Abominations of the Earth Mistris I suppose I have nothing here that will either please your wanton Eye or go down with your voluptuous Palate here is Bread indeed as also Milk and Meat but here is neither paint to adorn thy wrinkled face nor Crutch to uphold or undershore thy shaking tottering staggering Kingdom of ROME but rather a certain presage of thy sudden and fearful final downfall and of the Exaltation of that holy Matron whose Chastity thou dost abhor because by it she reproveth and condemneth thy leud and stubborn Life Wherefore Lady smell thou may'st of this but taste thou wilt not I know that both thy wanton Eye with all thy mincing Brats that are intoxicated with thy Cup and inchanted with thy Fornications vvill at the sight of so homely and plain a Dish as this cry Foh snuff put the Branch to the Nose and say Contemptible But Wisdom is justified of all her Children The Virgin Daughter of Zion hath despised thee and laughed thee to scorn Jerusalem hath shaken her Head at thee yea her GOD hath smitten his Hands at thy dishonest Gain and Freaks Rejoyce ye with Jerusalem and be glad for her all ye that love her rejoyce for Joy with her all ye that mourn for her that ye may suck and be satisfied with 〈◊〉 Brests of her Consolations that ye may milk out and be delighted with the abundance of her Glory JOHN BUNYAN Reader By reason of the Authors distance from the Press some Faults have escaped notwithstanding the Printers care which thou art desired to correct thus ERRATA Page 7. line 10 11. for deserve read discern Pag. 78. lin 12. for tother read together Pag. 186. lin 22. for by Laws read by-Lanes Pag. 217. lin 2. for contiaually r. continually P. 234. l 22. for Sanctuar y the r. Sanctuary the. P. 270. l. 12. for he read the. P. 271. l. 2. for iver read River P. 277. l. 28. for wandering by read wonderingly The Holy City Or The New Jerusalem Revelations XXI Vers. 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain and shewed me that great City the holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God Vers. 11 Having the glory of God and her Light was like unto a Stone most precious even like a Jasper Stone clear as Chrystal Vers. 12 And had a Wall great and high and had twelve Gates and at the Gates twelve Angels and names written thereon which are the names of the twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel Vers. 13 On the East three Gates on the North three Gates on the South three Gates and on the West three Gates Vers. 14 And the Wall of the City had twelve Foundations and in them the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. Vers. 15 And he that talked with me had a Golden Reed to measure the City and the Gates thereof and the Wall thereof Vers. 16 And the City lieth foursquare and the length is as large as the breadth and he measured the City with the Reed twelve thousand furlongs the length and the breadth and the heighth of it are equal Vers. 17 And he measured the Wall thereof an hundred and forty and four Cubits according to the measure of a man that is of the Angel Vers. 18 And the building of the Wall of it was of Jasper and the City was of pure Gold like unto clear Glass Vers. 19 And the Foundations of the Wall of the City were garnished with all manner of precious Stones The first Foundation was Jasper the second Saphire the third a Chalcedony the fourth an Emerald Vers. 20 The fifth Sardonyx the sixth Sardius the seventh Chrysolite the eighth Beryl the ninth a Topaz the tenth a Chrysoprasus the eleventh a Jacinct the twelfth an Amethyst Vers. 21 And the twelve Gates were twelve Pearls every several Gate was of one Pearl and the street of the City was pure Gold as it were transparent Glass Vers. 22 And I saw no Temple therein for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it Vers. 23 And the City had no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it for the Glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the Light thereof Vers. 24 And the Nations of them 〈◊〉 are saved shall walk in the Light of it and the Kings of the Earth do bring their Glory and Honour unto it Vers. 25 And the Gates of it shall not be shut at all by day for there shall be no night there Vers. 26 And they shall bring the Glory and Honour of the Nations into it Vers. 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie
and shewed me that great City the holy Jerusalem Having thus told us how and with what he was qualified he next makes relation of what he saw which was that great City the holy Jerusalem Jerusalem in the Language of the Scripture is to be acknowledged for the Church and Spouse of the Lord Jesus and is to be considered either generally or more particularly Now as she is to be taken generally so she is to be understood as being the whole Family in Heaven and Earth and as she is thus looked upon so she is not considered with respect to this or that state and condition of the Church here in the world but simply as she is the Church therefore it is said when at any time any are converted from Satan to God That they are come to Mount Sion the City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem to an innumerable Company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the first-born that are written in Heaven to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of Just men made perfect to Jesus and to the Blood of sprinkling Heb. 12. 22 23 24. But again As Jerusalem is thus generally to be understood so also she is to be considered more particularly 1. Either as she relates to her first and purest state or 2. As she relates to her declined and captivated state or 3. With reference to her being recovered again from her apostatized and captivated condition Thus it was with Jerusalem in the Letter which threefold state of this City shall be most exactly answered by our Gospel-Jerusalem by out New-Testament-Church Her first state was in the days of Christ and his Apostles and answered to Jerusalem in the days of Solomon her second state is in the days of Antichrist and answereth to the carrying away of the Jews from their City into Babylon and her third state is this in the Text and answereth to their return from Captivity and rebuilding their City and Walls again All which will be fully manifest in this Discourse following Besides That this holy City that here you read of is the Church the Gospel-Church returning out of her long and Antichristian Captivity consider First She is here called a City the very name that our Primitive Church went under which name she loseth all the while of her Apostatizing and Captivity under Antichrist for observe I say all the while she is under the scourge of the Dragon Beast and the Woman in Scarlet c. she goeth under the name of a Woman a Woman in travel a Woman flying before the Dragon a Woman flying into the Wilderness there to continue in an afflicted and tempted condition and to be glad of Wilderness-Nourishment until the time of her Enemies were come to an end Rev. 12. Now the reason why she lost the title of City at her going into Captivity is Because then she lost her situation and strength she followed others then Christ wherefore he suffered her Enemies to scale her Walls to break down her Battlements he suffered as you see here the great Red Dragon and Beast with seven Heads and ten Horns to get into her Vineyard who made most fearful work both with her and all her Friends her Gates also was now either broken down or shut up so that none could according to her Laws and Statutes enter into her her Charter also even the Bible it self was most grosly abused and corrupted yea sometimes burned and destroyed almost utterly wherefore the Spirit of God doth take away from her the title of City and leaveth her to be termed a wandring Woman as aforesaid The Court that is without the Temple saith the Angel leave out and measure it not for it is given to the Gentiles and the Holy City shall they tread under foot forty and two months Rev. 11. 2. The Holy City shall they tread under foot that is all the City-Constitutions her Forts and Strength her Laws and Priviledges for a long time shall be laid aside and slighted shall become a hissing a taunt and a by-word among the Nations And truly thus it was in the Letter in the destruction of Jerusalem by the King of Babylon and his wicked Instruments by whose hands the City was broken up the Walls pulled down the Gates burned the Houses riâ—â—ed the Virgins ravished and the Children laid dead in the top of every street 2 Chron. 36. 17 18 19 20 21. Jer. 52. Lam. Chap. 1 2 3 4. Now was Zion become a plowed Field and Jerusalem turned to heaps a place of Briers and Thorns and of wastness and desolation Mic. 3. 12. Isa. 7. 23 24. Secondly The phrase also that is joyned with this of City doth much concern the point she is here called The new and holy City which words are explained by these As a Bride adorned and prepared for her Husband the meaning is That she is now got into her Form Fashion Order and Priviledges again she is now ready adorned prepared and put into her Primitive state Mark though she was in her state of affliction called a Woman yet she was not then either called a City or a Woman ADORNED but rather a Woman robbed spoiled rent and torn among the briers and thorns of the Wilderness Isa. 5. 6. 42. 22. 32. 13 14. Wherefore this City is nothing else but the Church returned out of Captivity from under the reign of Antichrist As is yet further manifest because Thirdly We finde no City to answer that which was built after the Jews return from Captivity but this for this and onely this is the City that you finde in this Prophecie that is nominated as the Antitype of that Second of the Jews wherefore John hath no relation of her while towards the doom of Antichrist and no description of her in particular until Antichrist's utterly overthrown as all may see that wisely read the 17th 18th 19th 20th Chapters of this Prophecie And shewed me that great City The holy Ghost is pleased at this time to give the Church the name of a City rather than any other name rather than the name of Spouse Woman Temple and the like though he giveth us her under the name of a Woman also to help us to understand what he means but I say the name of a City is now the name in special under which the Church must go and that for special Reasons First To shew us how great and numerous a People will then be in the Church the Church may be a Woman a Temple a Spouse when she is but few but an handful but two or three but to be a City and that in her glory it bespeaks great store of Members Inhabitants and Citizens especially when she goeth under the name of a GREAT City as here she does He shewed me that GREAT City Secondly She goeth rather under the name of a City than Temple or Spouse to shew us also how plentifully the Nations and
them as at the first Ezek 4. 1 2 3 4. Neh. 2. 8. 3. 18. Ezr. 7. 27 Neh. 4. 15. 6. 15 16. Jer. 33. 7. 32. 44. Ezek. 36. 33 34 35 36. 37. 11 12 13 14. Amos 9. 11. Lastly When he saith he saw her decend from God out of Heaven he may refer to her Glory which at her declining departed from hâ—â— and ascended to God as the Sap returns into the Root at the Fall of the Leâ—â— which Glory doth again at her return descend or come into the Church and Branches of the same as the Sap doth arise at the Spring of the Year for indeed the Churches Beauty is from Heaven and it either goeth up thither from her or else comes from thence to her according to the natures of both Fall and Spring Cant. 2. Thus you see what this HEAVEN is and what it is for this City to DESCEND out of it also what it is for this City to descend out of it FROM GOD. Vers. 11. Having the Glory of God These last words do put the whole matter out of doubt and do most clearly shew unto us that the descending of this City is the perfect return of the Church out of Captivity The Church when she began at first to go into Captivity her Glory began to depart from her and now she is returning again she receiveth therewith her former Glory having the Glory of God Thus it was in the Type when Jerusalem went into Captivity under the King of Babylon which was a figure of the Captivity of our New-Testament-Church under Antichrist it is said that then the glory of God departed from them and went by degrees first out of the Temple to the Threshold of the House and from thence with the Cherubims of Glory for that time quite away from the City Ezek. 10. 4 18. 11. 22 23 c. Again As the Glory of God departed from this City at her going into Captivity so when she returned again she had also then returned to her the Glory of God whereupon this very Prophet that saw the Glory of God go from her at her going into Captivity did see it the very same and that according as it departed so return at her deliverance He brought me to the Gate saith he that is when by a Vision he saw all the Frame and Patterns of the City and Temple in the state in which it was to be after the Captivity he brought me to the Gate that looketh toward the East and behold the Glory of the God of Israel came from the way the East the very same way that it went when it departed from the City Ezek. 11. 23. his Voice was like the Voice of many Waters and the Earth shined with his Glory It was according to the appearance of the Vision which I saw even according to the Vision that I saw when I came to destroy the City and the Vision was like the Vision that I saw by the River Chebar and I fell on my face and the Glory of the Lord came into the House by the way of the Gate whose prospect is towards the East so the Spirit took me up and brought me into the inner Court and behold the Glory of the Lord filled the House Ezek. 43. 1 2 3 4 5 6. Thus you see it was in the Destruction and Restoration of the Jews Jerusalem by which God doth plainly shew us how things will be in our Gospel-Church she was to decline and lose her glory she was to be trampled as she was a City for a long time under the feet of the unconverted and wicked World Again She was after this to be builded and to be put into her former Glory at which time she was to have her Glory her former Glory even the Glory of God returned to her again He shewed me saith John that great City the holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God having 〈◊〉 Glory of God As he saith by the Prophet I am Returned to Jerusalem with Mercies and my House shall be built in it and again I am Returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem Zech. 1. 16. 8. 3. Having the Glory of God There is the Grace of God and the Glory of that Grace there is the Power of God and the Glory of that Power and there is the Majesty of God and the Glory of that Majesty Ephes. 1. 6. 2 Thess. 2. 9. Isa. 2. 19. 'T is true God doth not leave his People in some sence even in the worst of times and in their most forlorn condition as he sheweth by his being with them in their sad state in Egypt and Babylon and other of their states of calamity as he saith Though I cast them far off among the Heathen and although I have scattered them among the Countreys yet will I be to them a little Sanctuary in the Countreys where they shall come Ezek. 11 16. God is with his Church even iâ— her greatest adversity both to limit bound measure and appoint out to her her quantity and quality her beginning and duration of distress and temptation but yet I say the Glory of God in the notion of Ezekiel and John when they speak of the Restoration of this City that is not always upon his People though always they are beloved and counted for his peculiar Treasure She may then have his Grace but not at the same time the glory of his Grace his Power but not the glory of his Power she may also have his Majesty when not the glory thereof God may be with his Church even then when the Glory is departed from Israel The difference that is between her having his Grace Power and Majesty and the Glory of each is manifest in these following particulars Grace Power and Majesty when they are in the Church in their own proper Acts onely as we are considered Saints before God so they are invisible and that not onely altogether to the World but often to the very Children of God themselves but â—ow when the glory of these do rest upon â—he Church according to Ezekiel and John why then it will be visible and ap parant to all Beholders When the Lord shall build up Zion he shall APPEAR in his glory Psal. 102. 16. as he saith also in another place The Lord shall ARISE upon thee and his glory shall be SEEN upon thee Isa. 60. 1 2. Now then to speak a word or two in particular to the Glory of God that at this day will be found to settle upon this City First therefore at her returning she shall not onely have his Grace upon her but the very Glory of his Grace shall be seen upon her the glory of Pardoning Grace shall now shine in her own Soul and Grace in the glory of it shall appear in all her doings now shal both our inward and outward man be most famously adorned and beautified with Salvation the golden
Pipes that are on the Head of the golden Candlestick shall at this day convey with all freeness the golden Oyl thereout into our golden Hearts and Lamps Our Winâ— shall be mixt with Gall no longer we shall now drink the pure blood of the Grape the glory of pardoning and forgivinâ— Mercy shall so shew it self at this day in this City and shall so visibly abide theâ— in the Eyes of all Spectators that all shall be inflamed with it For Zions sake I will not hold my peace and for Jerusalems sake I will not rest untill the Righteousness thereoâ— go forth as brightness and the Salvation tâ—ereof as a Lamp that burneth and the Gentiles shall see thy Righteousness and all Kings thy Glory and thou shalt be called by a new Name which the mouth of the Lord shall name Isa. 62. 1 2. and again The Lord shall make bare his holy Name in the eyes of all the Nations and all the ends of the Earth shall see the Salvation of God Isa. 52. 9 10. Psal. 98. 2. At that day the Prophet tells us that there shall be HOLINESS upon the very Horses Bridles and that the Pots in the Lords House shall be like the Bowls before the Altar and every Pot in Jerusalem shall be Holiness unto the Lord Zech. 14. 20 21. The meaning of all these places is That in the day that the Lord doth turn his Church and People into the frame and fashion of a City and when he shall build them up to answer the first state of the Church there will such Grace and plenty of Mercy be extended unto her begetting such Faith and Holiness and Grace in her Soul and all her Actions that she shall convince all that are about her that she is the City the beloved City the City that the Lord hath chosen for after that he had said before He would return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem he saith moreover That Jerusalem shall be called A City of Truth and the Mountain of the Lord of Hosts the holy Mountain And all the People of the Earth shall see that thou art called by the Name of the Lord and they shall be afraid of thee Deut. 28. 10. Secondly As the Glory of the Grace of God will at his day be wonderful manifest in and over his City so also at that day will be seen the Glory of his Power O my People saith God that dwellest in Zion be not afraid of the Assyrian he shall smite thee with a Rod and shall lift up his Staff against thee after the manner of Egypt that is shall persecute and afflict thee as Pharaoh served thy Friends of old but be not afraid for yet a little while and the indignation shall cease and mine anger in their destruction and the Lord of Host shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the Rock Oreb and as his Rod was upon the Sea so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt the sum is God will at the day of his rebuilding the New Jerusalem so visibly make bare his Arm and be so exalted before all by his Power towards his People that no People shall dare to oppose or stand if they do make the least attempt to hinder the stability of this City Isa. 10. 24 25 26 27. I will surely gather or assemble O Jacob all of thee saith God I will surely gather the Remnant of Israel as the Sheep of Bozrah as the flocks in the midst of the fold they shall make a noise by reason of the multitude of men The breaker up is come up before them they have broken up the Antichristian siege that hath been laid against them they are gone thorow the gate they are gone out of it and their King shall pass before them and the Lord in the head of them Like as a Lion and a young Lion roaring on the prey when a multitude of Shepherds are called forth against him he will not be affraid of their Voice nor abase himself for the noise of them so shall the Lord come down to fight for Mount Zion and for the Hill thereof The Lord shall go forth like a mighty man and shall stir up Jealousie like a man of War he shall cry yea roar he shall prevail against his Enemies but not by Might nor yet by Power that is the Power and Arm of Flesh but by the power of the Word and Spirit of God which will prevail and must prevail to quash and over-turn all opposition Thirdly When God hath thus appeared in the Glory of his Grace and the Glory of his Power to deliver his Chosen then shall the implacable Enemies of God shrink and creep into holes like the Locusts and Frogs of the Hedges at the appearance of the Glory of the Majesty of God now the high ones lofty ones haughty ones and the proud shall see so evidently the hand of the Lord towards his Servants and his indignation towards his Enemies that they shall go into the Rocks and Holes of the Earth and into the tops of the ragged Rocks for the fear of the Lord and for the glory of his Majesty when he shall arise to shake terribly the Earth Isa. 2. Where the presence of the Lord doth so appear upon a People that those that are Spectators perceive and understand it it must needs work on those Spectators one of these two things either first a trembling and astonishment and quailing of Heart as it doth among the implacable Enemies or else a buckling and bending of Heart and submission to his People and Ways as saith the Prophet The Sons of them that afflicted thee shall come bending to thee all they that despised thee shall fall down at the soles of thy feet they shall call thee The City of the Lord The Zion of the Holy One of Israel as Moses said to the Children of Israel The Lord shall put the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the Land that you shall tread upon as he said unto you Isa. 60. 14. Deut. 11. 25. At this day the footsteps of the Lord will be so apparent and visible in all his actions and dispensations in and towards his People this holy City that all shall see as I have said how gratious loving kind and good the Lord is now towards his own Children Such glory I say will be over them and upon them that they all will shine before the World and such tender Bowels in GOD towards them that no sooner can an Adversary peep or lift up his Head against his Servants but his hand will be in the Neck of them so that in short time he will have brought his Church into that safety and her Neighbours into that fear and submission that they shall not again so much as dare to hold up a hand against her no not for a thousand Years Thus saith the
Lord Behold I will bring again the Captivity of Jacobs Tents and have mercy upon his dwelling Places and the City shall be builded upon her own heap and the Palace shall remain after the manner thereof and out of them shall proceed thanks-giving and the Voice of them that make merry and I will multiply them and they shall not be few and I will also glorifie them and they shall not be small Their Children also shall be as aforetime and their Congregation shall be established before me and I will punish all that oppress them Jer. 30. 18 19 20. Having the Glory of God And her Light was like unto a Stone most precious even like a Jasper Stone clear as Crystal Having thus told us of her Glory even of the Glory of God how it at this day will rest upon this City he now comes to touch a second thing to wit her Light and that in which she descends and by which as with the Light of the Sun she seeth before her and behind her and on every side This therefore is another Branch of her Beauty She in her descending hath the Glory of God and also the Light of a Stone most precious Ezekiel tells us That in the Vision that he saw when he came to destroy the City which Vision was the very same that he saw again at the restoring of it he saith I say that in this Vision among many other wonders he saw a Fire infolding it self and Brightness about it and that the Fire also was bright and that out of it went forth Lightning that the likeness of the Firmament upon the living Creatures was the colour of the terrible Crystal that the Throne also upon which was placed the likeness of a Man was like or as the appearance of a Saphir-Stone all which words with the nature of their Light and Colour the holy Ghost doth in the Vision of John comprize and placeth within the Colour of the Jasper and the Crystal-stone And indeed though the Vision of John and Ezekiel touching the end of the matter be but one and the same yet they do very much vary and differ in terms and manner of Language Ezekiel tells us That the man that he saw come to measure the City and Temple had in his hand a Line of Flax which Line John calls a Golden Reed Ezekiel tells us that the River came out of or from under the Threshold of the House but John saith it came out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb Ezekiel tells us that on either side of this River grew All Trees for food John calls these ALL Trees but ONE Tree and tells us that it stood on both sides of this River The like might also be shewed you in many other particulars as here you see they differ as touching the terms of the Light and Brightness that appears upon this City at her rebuilding which the holy Ghost represents to John under the Light and Glory of the Jasper and Crystal Stone for indeed the end of Ezekiel's Vision was to shew us That as when the Glory of God departed from the City it signified that he would take away from them the Light of his Word and their clearness of Worship suffering them to mourn for the loss of the one and to grope for the want of the other so at his return again he would give them both their former Light of Truth and also the clearness of Spirit to understand it which also John doth shew us shall last for ever And her Light was like unto a Stone most precious This Stone it is to represent unto us the Lord Jesus Christ in whose light and clearness this City comes out of Babylon for as he saith she hath the Glory of God that is his visible hand of Grace Power and Majesty to bring her forth so she comes in the light of this precious Stone which terms I say both the Prophet Isaiah and the Apostle Peter do apply to the Lord Jesus and none else the one calling him A precious Corner-Stone the other calling him The chief Corner-Stone elect and precious Isa. 28. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 6. Now then when he saith this City hath the light of this Stone to descend in he means That she comes in the shining Wisdom Knowledge Understanding and Influences of Christ out of her afflicted and captivated State and observe it she is rather said to descend in the Light of this Stone then in the Light of God though both be true because it is the Man Christ the Stone which the Builders rejected in whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge of whose fulness we do all receive and Grace for Grace for it hath pleased the Father that in him should all Fulness dwell Col. 2. 3. John 1. 16. Col. 1. 19. see also Act. 2. 33. and Ephes. 4. 10 11 12 13. This sheweth us then these two things first That the time of the return of the Saints to build the ruinous City is near yea very near when the Light of the Lord Jesus begins to shine unto perfect day in her God will not bring forth his People out of Babylon especially those that are to be the chief in the building of this City without their own Judgments They shall see Eye to Eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion as he saith also in another place The light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun and the light of the Sun sevenfold as the light of seven days in the day that the Lord bindeth up the Breach of his People and healeth the stroke of their Wound Now the Eyes of them that see shall not be dim the Ears of them that hear shall hearken The Heart also of the rash shall understand Knowledge and the Tongue of the Stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly The Lord shall be now exalted and be very high for he will fill Zion with Judgement and Righteousness and Wisdom and Knowledge shall be the stability of thy times When Israel went out of Egypt they wanted much of this they went out blindfolded as it were they went they knew not whither wherefore they went not in the glory of that which this City descendeth in as Moses said The Lord hath not given you an Heart to perceive nor Eyes to see nor Ears to hear unto this day Deut. 29. 4. But these shall see every step they take they shall be like the Beasts that had Eyes both before and behind they shall see how far they are come out of Antichrist and shall see also how far yet they have to go to the compleat rebuilding and finishing of this City Secondly This sheweth us how sweet and pleasant the way of this Church will be at this day before them Light Knowledge and Judgement in GOD's matters doth not onely give men to see and behold all the things with which they are concerned
relation of it first I say shewing us her descending then her building and afterward the Glory of that building at the end of which also he sheweth to us with what Glory he will crown this Glory even by swallowing of her up with a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory Secondly Because in these words he doth absolutely cut off all and every whi 〈…〉 of her outward and external Glory tha◠is as to outward Ordinances and Temple-Worship which yet was to be most famous for a long time in this new and goodly City which he verifies in the eleventh Chapter of this Prophecie◠which Chapter is a summary collectin◠of the Church in her Fall and Rise under Antichrist which Church there in he◠Rise is this City here in her Glory in th 〈…〉 World he tells us there I say that whe◠the Kingdoms of this World were become th◠Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Chris 〈…〉 that THEN THE TEMPLE OF GOD WAS OPENED IN HEAVEN tha◠is Temple-Worship under the Gosp 〈…〉 recovered into its former and Primitiv◠state and Purity in which it was before the coming in of the Man of Sin Rev. 11. 15 16 17 18 19. compared with Rev. 15. 8. which Temple he here utterly shutteth out saying I saw no Temple therein in the room of which he setteth the presence of the Lord Jesus and God his Father making them to stand and be in the room of Temple and Gospel-Worship in that manner as it is used while we here live in the Flesh For the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it 'T is true the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of this Church in her lowest condition therefore much more when she is brought into the condition that she is in at her rebuilding but yet neither in her low estate nor yet in her highest is it proper to say that so long as she is in this World God will be a Temple to her in opposition to her Temple and Gospel-Worship in outward and New-Testament-Administrations Wherefore when he saith He saw no Temple therein and that from this reason Because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it he must needs aim at a state to which the Church cannot attain until her Lord comes For then will that which is perfect be come and that which is in part be done away Now that the Temple in this place excluded can signifie nothing else but the outward orderly way of Gods Worship which the Saints ought with Conscience in Faith to be found in till their Lord comes Consider First That our New Testament doth use the word Temple three general ways 1. For the outward Order and Worship or Discipline of the Gospel 2. For the Body of Christ which is his Church c. 3. And lastly For the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb which here are said to be the Temple of this City Now then when he saith He saw NO Temple therein he cannot exclude the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb for they are here said to be the Temple of it Neither can he shut out the Church which is the Body of Christ for that is the City it self yea and the Church shall be Gods Temple and God and Christ the Temple of the Church for ever and ever He must therefore by this word no Temple exclude onely the outward Way of Gospel-Worship in which the Saints in the times of the New Testament both meet and edifie each other and also meet their God and are blessed and refreshed by him Again That this outward Gospel-Worship should be laid aside while the Church is in this World before her Lord doth come to be enjoyed by her as touching his Personal Presence it looks too like Ranting Opinions and contradiction to Scripture for me to believe 1 Cor. 11. 26. for when He comes but not till then shall these things be laid aside Besides That which yet confirms me more fully in this Opinion is Because herein this New Jerusalem doth most exactly answer the City and Temple which was builded after the Captivity which City and Temple being once built it stood till Christ our Lord did visit them in his own Personal coming the first time as the Prophets also said it should The Lord whom ye seek saith one shall suddenly come to his Temple even the Messenger of the Covenant whom ye delight in behold he shall come saith the Lord of Hosts And again I will shake all Nations and the Desire of all Nations shall come and I will fill this House with glory saith the Lord of Host Wherefore the glory of this latter House shall be greater than that of the former saith the Lord of Hosts And I will give Peace in this place saith the Lord of Hosts Mal. 3. 1. Hag. 2. 6 7 8 9. Now observe That from the time of the building of the second Temple to the coming of Christ the Worship of the Temple-Order was to be by all most devoutly and continually observed but when the Lord Jesus was come and had established his own more honourable and New-Testament-Dispensation then all the former Temple-Worship fell to the ground and became with all the Instruments of Worship that thereunto belonged null and void yea and it was a derogation to his Gospel to offer to uphold that former way of Worship after he had by his own Personal Presence and Spirit brought in that other Dispensation All which I say will be answered by our second and New-Testament New Jerusalem For as the old Jerusalem was builded after the Jews were come out of literal Babylon so is our New Jerusalem builded after our coming out of the Antichristian Oppression of spiritual Babylon again As that City did after she was builded continue and retain her Temple-Worship until the Personal appearing of Christ the first time so New Jerusalem shall retain and hold her outward New-Testament-Worship till He comes in Person the second time After all which as the second Temple was swallowed up of a more heavenly and spiritual Dispensation by the Personal Presence of Christ so shall also the New Jerusalem Temple-Worship be swallowed up by the glory of the appearing of the Person of Christ the second time as Paul saith for he speaks in the Person of Christ Till I come give attendance to reading to exhortation to Doctrine c. 1 Tim. 4. 13. Thus then when this holy City doth once again appear upon the stage and in her own situation and when she hath bin shewed in the Attire of a Queen before the face of all Nations and their Kings and when she hath by the Glory of the Light of her New-Testament-Temple gathered as with a Net the number of Gods Elect then she is taken into her Husbands Privy-Chamber where she and he alone shall be in that blessed Fellowship and Communion that shall not again be once eclipsed or in the least interrupted
of man trouble them any more nor the hoofs of Beasts trouble them Then will I make their Waters deep and cause their Rivers to run like Oyl saith the Lord God Ezek. 32. 13 14. And he shewed me a pure River of Water of Life clear as Crystal c. In that he saith he saw this River he giveth us in a Mystery also to understand how openly and plainly this River shall in all its Crystal Streams and Cur-rents be apprehended and seen by the Children of this City for in this Vision he doth as it were represent in his Person the Children of New Jerusalem as God said to Ezekiel in another case Thou shalt be their sign and they shall do as thou hast done So here I SAW saith John a pure River of Water of Life I am in this a signe to the House of the Israel of God and to the Inhabitants of this City they shall do as I have done and shall also see as I have seen As saith the Church and People of this City As we have heard so have we SEEN in the City of the Lord of Hosts And hence it is called an OPEN Fountain because it shall be no more shut up or kept close for ever And he shewed me a pure River of Water of Life clear as Crystal proceeding out of the Throne of God This word proceeding hath also in it two things First An implicit declaration whither it goes And Secondly A discovery of its gradual extention to those to whom it goes First Touching to whom or whither it goes it is let out both to the Jews and Gentiles indifferently and so it never yet was since the Foundations of the Jewish Church for in the time of the old Testament it did run to the Jews in special and in the times of the New-Testament hitherto unto us the Gentiles in special â— but now it shall in this manner be extended to sinners no longer not now to the Jews without the Gentiles nor again to them without the Jews but equally and alike to both and on them both it shall work alike effectually It shall be at that day saith the Prophet that Living Waters shall go out from Jersusalem half of them towards the former Sea and half of them towards the hinder Sea By Living Waters here you are to understand the same with this in the Text by the former Sea the People of the Jews for they were Gods former People and by hinder Sea the People of the Gentiles for they are the younger Son And because the whole World consisteth of these two People therefore Ezekiel in his Vision â—uts them both together calling them â—he Fish of one great Sea to which this Water of Life shall run and upon whose Fish it shall have alike operation even â—o heal them and make them live without respect either to this or that party It shall come to pass that the Fishers that â—s the Gospel Ministers shall stand upon â—he River from En-gedi even to Eneglaim they shall be a place to spread Nets their Fish shall be according to their kinds as the Fish of the great Sea Exceeding many as another Prophet saith The abundance of the Sea shall be converted to thee Thus much touching whither this Water goes And now to come to the manner of the extention of it in the way of its proceeding A thing that proceeds it doth what it doth gradually that is by degrees First it comes or goes so far and then further and afterwards further than that till at last it ascends to the height and uppermost degree that is alotted for its perfection All which the Holy Ghost would have us gather out of this word it proceedeth or that John saw this Holy-Water proceeding The which the Prophet Ezekiel in a mystery unfoldeth to us saying the first time he passed over this Water it was up but to his ancles the second time he passed through it proceeded to his knees the third time to his loyns and last of all became a River to swim in First It is but up to the ancles that is but shallow and signifies that first the soul is but a little child in Gods things such as the Apostle calls Babes Children little Children Secondly Then from the ancles it proceeds to the knees that is somewhat higher then the ancles and signifieth that the Christian groweth from a Child to a Young and Strong-man one that is now gotten deeper into the things of God and that is able to tug with and overcome the wicked ones Thirdly After this it proceeds higher even up to the loins this signifies that as Grace makes men Children of God and his Young-men so also it maketh them Fathers and Ancients in his Church it makes them grave knowing solid Guides and Unfolders of the Mysteries of the Kingdom these are such as are instructed into the Kingdom of God and that can bring out of their treasury things new and old Fourthly It yet proceeds higher even to be above the head a River to swim in and that such a River as can by no means be passed over This signifieth our launching into Eternity our being beyond all heights depths lengths and breadths in the open Visions and Enjoyments of Grace For there the Glorious Lord shall be unto us a place of BROAD Rivers and Streams wherein shall go no Gallie with Oars neither shall gallant Ships passe thereby Isa. 33. 21. Thus we begin Children and wade up to the ancles in the things of God and being once in it riseth and proceeds to come up to our knees then to our loins and last of all to be a River to swim in a River so wide so deep and every way so large that can in no wise be passed over And he shewed me a pure River of Water of Life clear as Crystal proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb. Having thus spoken to the Water what it is as also to whom it extends it self and how it proceeds He now comes to shew us from whence and from whom it doth come It proceeds saith he from the Throne of God and of the Lamb Out of the Throne of God this Throne of God it is in another place called the Mercy-Seat and Throne of Grace from which as always so now in a special manner he will issue forth of himself in the glory of the Gospel of the Grace of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to the Inhabitants of this City When he saith therefore that it doth proceed out of the Throne of God it is as if he had said I saw that from the yearning bowels of the great God did flow continually the Living Streams of the everlasting Fountains of Grace and that not only to but in the midst of this City wherewith her Inhabitants are continually watered and their Pastures kept always green and flourishing Ho every one that thirsteth Come ye to the Waters Proceeding
his People of old but here he will abide rest and dwell I will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem and my House shall be built in it saith the Lord and again I will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem for ever wherefore John considering this he saith there shall be here no more any Cnrse but the Throne of God God will now when he returneth to Jerusalem bring his Seat with him to signify his sitting down in the midst his People to be their company-keeper for ever But the Throne of God shall be in it By this word Throne we are to understand yet further these particular things First How blessed a state this City will be in at all times for the answer of of prayer the Throne of God will be in the midst of them the Throne of Grace the Mercy-Seat they will be open now to all the Inhabitants of this City yea the fame thereof shall so spread that it shall be rumored among all Nations that in Jerusalem God will be found speedily that in Jerusalem the God of Heaven and eternal Mercy is found at all times by them that seek his face My House saith he shall be called a House of Prayer for all Nations Yea many People and strong Nations shall at that day come to seek the Lord at Jerusalem and to pray before the Lord. And at that day the very Fasts of the House of God shall be to the House of Judah Joy and gladness and cheerful Feasts therefore Love Truth and Peace Secondly The Throne of God being now established in this City what a government what rule what a life of holiness godliness what dread and majesty will now be in the hearts of all the Sons oâ— this City How to an hairs breadth wil he command and guide them with his eye at all times when they should either turn to to the right hand or to the left What Wisdom I say what Holiness what Grace and Life will be found in all their words and actions The Throne of God is among them from which there will come continual influence light and splendor into all their hearts Hear the Word of the Lord O ye Nations and declare it in the Isles afar off He that scattered Jacob will gather him and keep him as a Shepherd doth his Sheep for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob and ransomed him from the hand of him that is stronger than he Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord for Wheat and for Wine and for Oyl and for the young of the Flock and of the Herd and their soul shall be as a watered Garden and they shall not sorrow any more at all Thirdly The Throne of God being in this City there is also thereby discovered what sway and commanding an Authority this City will have at this day as I have already shewed you over all the Earth The Lord shall roar out of Zion and shall utter his voice from Jerusalem and the Heavens and the Earth shall shake but the Lord shall be the Hope of his People and the Strength of the Children of Israel This was figured forth by the Throne of Solomon in the days when that City was in its prosperity which Throne to shew the majesty and commanding awe that then that City had over all both far and near it had for the bearers of the steps twelve Lions six on this side and six on that side of the Throne This City shall then be the Head and Chief but the Tail and Reproach no more Glorious things are spoken of thee O City of God And his Servants shall serve him That is him only Indeed his Servants serve him always but yet withal they do too too often serve with the wills and lusts of men even in their Service and worshipping God that is they serve him in much Affliction Temptation Fear and Persecution but then they shall serve him without any of these Yea they shall take them Captives whose Captives they were and they shall rule over their Oppressors And it shall come to pass in that day O City that the Lord shall give thee REST from thy Sorrow and from the hard Bondage wherein thou wast made to serve and thou shalt serve the Lord thy God without fear in Holiness and Righteousness before him all the days of thy life And they shall see his face This also argueth a very great dispensation of Grace and Mercy to this Jerusalem When God did deliver up his People into the hand of the King of Babylon he said it should be done in fury and in anger and that for their wickedness he would hide his face from his City Wherefore by the sight of his face here we are to understand that glorious visible appearance of God that then will be for this City and People in the face of all the world For by the Face of God we are to understand the discovery of his Severity Providences and wonderful Out-goings among the sons of men as also the glorions breaking forth of Grace Mercy and Forgiveness thorow Christ Jesus all which the People of God shall then most marvellously see and behold First They shall see his Severity and Judgments upon the Whore Secondly They shall see how God by his strange Judgments and works of Wonder hath brought this about Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorify thy Name for thou only art holy for all Nations shall come and worship before theeâ— for thy Judgments are made manifest They that are delivered from the noise of Archers in the places of drawing water there shall they rehearse the righteous Acts of the Lord even the righteous Acts towards the Inhabitants of his Villages in Israel Thirdly And as for his Mercy they shall see that their Horn is exalted and that they are neer to him Praise ye the Lord. And his Name shall be in their foreheads And his Name That is his Fear and Image it shall appear in all their doings Sometimes he saith he will write his Fear and Law in their hearts and minds Which Fear and Law is all one with that which in this place he calleth his Name in their foreheads The forehead of a man is the place above all parts of the body that is most naked and plain to be beheld of all that pasâ— by wherefore when he saith their Fathers Name shall be in their foreheads it is as if he had said The Profession of my People shall now be open and the beauty of it apparent to all beholders I will make them saith God a Name and a Praise among all the People of the Earth when I turn back your Captivity before your eyes Every Face shall then shine with Oyl as well as every heart be replenished with Milk and Wine This was held forth by the Memorial that the Israelites were to
Kingdoms of men shall at that day traffick with her and in her for her goodly Merchandize of Grace and Life to shew us I say what wonderful custom the Church of God at this day shall have among all sorts of People for her Heavenly Treasures It is said of Tyrus and Babylon That their Merchandize went into all the World and men from all quarters under Heaven came to trade and to deal with them for their Wares why thus it will be in the latter day with the Church of God the Nations shall come from far from Tarshish Pul Lud Tubal Javan and the Isles afar off They shall come saith God out of all Nations upon Horses and Mules and upon swift Beasts to my holy Mountain Jerusalem And it shall come to pass that from one new Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another shall all flesh come to worship before me saith the Lord Isa. 66. 19 20 21 22 23. Alas the Church at that day when she is a Woman onely or a Temple either may be without that Beauty Treasure Amiableness and affecting Glory that she will be endowed with when she is a prosperous City His marvelous kindness is seen in a strong City Psal. 31. 21. In Cities you know are the Treasures Beauty and Glory of Kingdoms and 't is thither men go that are desirous to solace themselves therewith Out of Zion the perfection of Beauty God hath shined Thirdly It is called a City rather than a Woman or Temple to shew us how strong and securely it will keep its Inhabitants at that day In that day shall this Song be sung We have a strong City Salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bulwarks And verily if the Cities of the Gentiles and the strength of their Bars and Gates and Walls did so shake thâ— Hearts yea the very Faith of the Children of God themselves how securâ— and safe will the Inhabitants of this Citâ— be even the Inhabitants of that City whicâ— GOD Himself will build c. But lastly and more especially The Church is called here a City chiefly to shew us that now she shall be undermost no longer Babylon reigned and so shall Jerusalem at this day And thou O Tower of the Flock the strong hold of the Daughter of Zion unto thee shall it come even the first Dominion the Kingdom shall come to the Daughter of Jerusalem Mic. 4. 8. Now shall she when she is built and compleat have a compleat Conquest and Victory over all her Enemies she shall reign over them the Law shall go forth of her that rules them and the Governours of all the World at that day shall be Jerusalem-Men And the Captivity of this Host of the Children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites even unto Zarephath and the captivity of Jerusalem which is in Sepharad shall possess the Cities of the South And Saviours shall come out of Mount Zion to judge the Mount of Esau and the Kingdom shall be the Lords Ob. 20 21. For the Law shall go forth of Zion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem And â—e shall judge among many People and rebuke strong Nations afar off and they shall beat their Swords into Plowshares and their Spears into Pruning-Hooks Nation shall not lift up a Sword against Nation neither shall they learn War any more Mic. 4. 1 2 3. There brake he the Ships of Tarshish with an East winde As we have heard so have we seen in the City of the Lord of Hosts in the City of our God God will establish it for ever Psal. 48. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. For observe it Christ hath not only obtained the Kingdom of Heaven for those that are his when this World is ended but hath also as a Reward for his Sufferings the whole World given into his hand wherefore as all the Kings and Princes and Powers of this World have had their time to reign and have Glory in this World in the Face of all so Christ will have his time at this day to shew who is the onely Potentate and Lord of Lords 1 Tim. 6. 15. At which day he will not onely set up his Kingdom in the midst of their Kingdoms as he doth now but will set it up even upon the top of their Kingdoms at which day there will not be a Nation in the World but must bend to Jerusalem or perish For the Kingdom and Dominion and greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the People of the Saints of the most High whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom and all Dominions shall serve and obey him Dan. 7. 27. And his Dominion shall be from Sea to Sea and from the River to the ends of the Earth Zech. 9. 10. O Holiness how shall it shine in Kings and Nations when God doth this He shewed me that great City the holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God In these words we are to enquire into three things First What he here should mean by Heaven Secondly What it is for this City to descend out of it Thirdly And why she is said to descend out of it from God First For the word Heaven in Scripture it is variously to be understood but generally either materially or metaphorically Now not materially here but metaphorically and so is generally if not always taken in this Book Now that it is not to be taken for the material Heavens where Christ in Person is Consider That the descending of this City â— not the coming of glorified Saints with their Lord because that even after the descending yea and building of this City there shall be Sinners converted to God but at the coming of the Lord Jesus from Heaven with his Saints the door shall be shut that is the door of Grace against all Unbelievers Luk. 13. 25. Matth. 25. 10. Therefore Heaven here is to be taken metaphorically for the Church which as I said before is frequently so taken in this Prophecie as also in many others of the holy Scriptures Rev. 11. 15. 12. 1 2 3 7 8 10 13. 13. 6. 19. 1 14. Jer. 51. 48. Matth. 25. 1. c. And observe it though the Church of Christ under the tyranny of Antichrist loseth the title of a standing City yet in the worst of times she loseth not the title of Heaven She is Heaven when the great Red Dragon is in her and Heaven when the third part of her Stars are cast unto the Earth she is Heaven also when the Beast doth open his Throat against her to blaspheme her God his Tabernacle and those that dwell in her Secondly Now then to shew you what are to understand by this that she is said to DESCEND out of Heaven for indeed to speak properly Jerusalem is always in the Scriptures set in the highest ground and men are said to descend when they go down from her but to ascend or go up when they are
but the things themselves being good they do also by this means convey very great sweetness and pleasantness into the Hearts of those that have the knowledge of them Every step I say that now they take it shall be as it were in Honey and Butter The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with Songs and everlasting Joy shall be upon their Heads they shall obtain Joy and Gladness and Sorrow and Sighing shall flee away Isa. 35. 10. as he saith Again I will build thee and thou shalt be built O Virgin of Israel thou shalt again be adorned with Tabrets and shalt go forth in the Dances of them that make merry For thus saith the Lord Sing with gladness for Jacob and shout among the chief of the Nations publish ye praise ye and say O Lord save thy People the Remnant of Israel Behold I will bring them from the North Country and gather them from the coasts of the Earth and with them the blind and the lame the woman with Child and her that travelleth with Child together a very great company shall return thither Jer. 31. 4 7 8. By these words the Blind and the Lame the Woman with Child and her that travelleth he would have us understand thus much First That the way of God shall by the illuminating Grace of Christ be made so pleasant so sweet and so beautiful in the Souls of all at that day that even the blindest shall not stumble thereâ—n neither shall the Lame refuse it for â—ear of hurt yea the Blind the Lame â—he Woman with Child and her that travelleth shall though they be of all in most evil case to travel and go the Journey yet at this day by reason of the glorious light and sweetness that now will possess them even forget their impediments and dance as after musical Taâ—rets Secondly This City upon the time of her rebuilding shall have her blind men see her halt and lame made strong she also that is with Child and her that travelleth shall joyntly see the City-work that at this day will be on foot and put into form and order yet before the end Behold at that time I will undo all that afflict thee saith the Lord to this People and I will save her that halteth and gather her that was driven out and I will get them praise and fame in every Land where they have been put to shame at that time I will bring you again even in the time that I gather you for I will make you a Name and a Praise among all People of the Earth when I turn back your Captivity before your EYES saith the Lord God Zeph. 3. 19 20. And her Light was like unto a Stone most precious In that he saith Her Light is like unto A STONE MOST PRECIOUS he sheweth us how welcome and with what eagerness of spirit this Light will at this day be imbraced by the Lords People Truly the Light is good saith Solomon and a pleasant thing it is for the Eyes to behold the Sun and if so then how beautiful desirable and precious will that Light be that is not onely heavenly and from Christ but that will be universal among all Saints to shew them the same thing and to direct them to and in the same Work The want of this hath to this day been one great reason of that crossness of Judgement and Perswasion that hath been found among the Saints and that hath caused that lingering and disputing about the glorious state of the Church in the latter days Some being for its excellency to consist chiefly in outward glory and others swerving on the other side conclude she shall not have any of this some conceiving that this City will not be built until the Lord comes from Heaven in Person others again concluding that when he comes then there shall be no longer tarrying here but that all shall forthwith even all the Godly be taken up into Heaven with divers other opinions in these matters And thus many run to and fro but yet God be thanked Knowledge does increase though the Vision will be sealed even to the time of the end But now I say at the time of the end the Spirit shall be poured down upon us from on high now also they that erred in Spirit shall come to understanding the City shall descend in the Light of a Stone most precious the Sun will be risen upon the Earth when Lot goeth from Sodom into Zoar Gen. 19. 23. Now there shall be an oneness of Judgment and Understanding in the Hearts of all Saints they shall be now no more two but one in the Lords hand Alas the Saints are yet but as an Army routed and are apt sometimes through fear and sometimes through forgetfulness to mistake the word of their Captain General the Son of God and are also too too prone to shoot and kill eveâ— their very right-hand man but at thâ— day all such doing shall be laid aside for the knowledge of the glory of the Lord shall cover the Earth as the Waters cover the Sea which Knowledge shall then strike thorow the Heart and Liver of all swerving and unsound Opinions in Christs matters for then shall every one of the Christians call upon the Name of the Lord and that with one pure Lip or Language to serve him with one consent 'T is Darkness and not Light that keepeth Gods People from knowing one another both in their Faith and Language and 't is Darkness that makes them stand at so great a distance both in Judgement and Affections as in these and other days they have done But then saith God I will plant in the Wilderness that is in the Church that is now bewildered the Cedar the Shittah Tree the Myrtlâ— Tree and the Oyl Tree I will set in the Desart the Fir-Tree the Pine and the Box-Tree together that they may see and know consider and understand together that the Hand of the Lord hath done this and the Holy One of Israel hath created it and again The glory of Lebanon shall comâ— unto thee the Fir-Tree and the Pine-Tree and the Box-Tree together to beautifie the House of my Glory and to make the place of my Feet glorious Isa. 41. 19 20. 60. 13. Never was fair weather after foul nor warm weather after cold nor a sweet and beautiful Spring after a heavy and niping and terrible Winter so comfortable sweet desirable and welcome to the poor Birds and Beasts of the field as this day will be to the Church of God Darkness it was the Plague of Egypt It is an empty forlorn desolate solitary and discomforting state wherefore Light even the illuminating Grace of God especially in the measure that it shall be communicated unto us at this day it must needs be precious In Light there is warmth and pleasure it is by the Light of the Sun that the whole Universe appears unto us
distinctly and it is by the heat thereof that every thing groweth and flourisheth all which will now be gloriously and spiritually answered in this Holy and New Jerusalem O how clearly will all the Spiders and Dragons and Owls and fowl Spirits of Antichrist at that day be discovered by the Light hereof Now also will all the prettâ— Robins and little Birds in the Lords Field most sweetly send forth their pleasant Notes and all the Flowers and Herbs of his Garden spring Then will it be said to the Church by her Husband and Saviour Arise my Love my fair One and come away for lâ— the Winter is past the Rain is over and gone the Flowers appear in the Earth and the time of the singing of Birds is come and the voice of the Turtle is heard in our Land the Fig-Tree putteth forth her green Figs and the Vine with her tender Grapes give a good smell Cant. 2. 10 11 12 13. You know how pleasant this is even to be fulfilled in the letter of it not onely to Birds and Beasts but men especially it is pleasant to such men that have for several years been held in the Chains of affliction it must needs therefore be most pleasant and desirable to the afflicted Church of Christ who hath lain now in the Dungeon of Antichrist for above a thousand years But Lord how will this Lady when she gets her liberty and when she is returned to her own City how will she then take pleasure in the warm spangling Beams of thy shining Grace and solace her self with Thee in the Garden among the Nuts and the Pomgranates among the Lilies and Flowers and all the chief Spices Cant. 7. 11 12 13. Even like a Jasper Stone clear as Crystal These words are the Metaphor by which the Holy Ghost is pleased to illustrate the whole business Indeed Similitudes if fitly spoke and applyed do much set off and out any point that either in the Doctrines of Faith or Manners is handled in the Churches Wherefore because he would illustrate as well as affirm the Glory of this Jerusalem to the life therefore he concludes his general Description of this City with these Comparisons I saw saith he the holy City the Lambs Wife I saw her in her Spangles and in all her Adorning but verily she was most excellent She was shining as the Jasper and as pure and clear as Crystal The Jasper it seems is a very beautiful and costly Stone in as much as that above all the precious Stones is made use of by the Holy Ghost to shew us the Glory and shining Vertues of the Lord Jesus in this New Jerusalem and yet behold the Jasper is too short and slender to do the business there must another Stone be added Even like a Jasper Stone clear as Crystal Yea saith the Lord Jesus Her Cheeks are like rows of Jewels and so are the Joynts of her Things even like the Jewels that are the work of the hands of a cunning Workman Cant. 1. 9 10. 7. 1. The Crystal is a Stone so clear and spotless that even her greatest Adversaries in the midst of all their rage are not able justly to charge her with the least mote or spot imaginable wherefore when he saith that this City in her descending is even like the Jasper for light and like the Crystal for clearness he would have us further learn that at the day of the descending of this Jerusalem she shall be every way so accomplished with innocency sincerity and clearness in all her Actions that none shall have from her or her ways any just occasion given unto them to slight contemn or oppose her For First as she descends she meddleth not with any mans matters but her own She comes all along by the Kings high-way that is alone by the Rules that her Lord hath prescribed for her in his Testament The Governours of this World need not at all to fear a disturbance from her or a diminishing of ought they have She will not meddle with their Fields nor Vineyards neither will she drink of the water of their Wells onely let her go by the Kings high-way and she will not turn to the right hand or to the left until she hath passed all their borders It is a false report then that the Governours of the Nations have received against the City this New Jerusalem if they believe that according to the Tale that is told them she is and hath been of old a Rebellious City and destructive to Kings and a Diminisher of their Revenues I say these things are lying words and forged even in the heart of Bishlam Mithredath Tabeel and the rest of their Companions For verily this City in her descending is clear from such things even as clear as Crystal She is not for meddling with any thing that is theirs from a Thread even to a Shooe-latchet Her Glory is spiritual and heavenly and she is satisfied with what is her own 'T is true the Kings and Nations of this world shall one day bring their Glory and Honour to this City but yet not by outward force or compulsion none shall constrain them but the love of Christ and the beauty of this City The Gentiles shall come to thy light and Kings to the brightness of thy rising The light and beauty of this City that only shall engage their hearts and overcome them Indeed if any shall out of mistrust or enmity against this City and her prosperity bend themselves to disappoint the designs of the Eternal God concerning her Building and Glory then they must take what followeth Her God in the midst of her is Mighty He will rest in his love and rejoyce over her with singing and will UNDO all that afflict her Wherefore Associate your selves O ye People and ye shall be broken to pieces and give ear all ye of far Countries Gird your selves and ye shall be broken to pieces gird your selves and ye shall be broken to pieces Take counsel together and it shall come to naught speak the word and it shall not stand for God is with us Isaiah 8. 9 10. What work did he make with Og the King of Bashan and with Sihon King of the Amorites for refusing to let his People go peaceably by them when they were going to their own Inheritance God is harmless gentle and pitiful but wo be to that people that shall oppose or gainsay him He is gentle yet a Lyon He is loath to hurt yet He will not be crossed Fury is not in me saith he yet if you set the Bryers and Thorns against him He will go thorow them and burn them together Jerusalem also this beloved City it will be beautiful and profitable to them that love her but a Cup of Trembling and a burdensome Stone to all that burden themselves with her all that burthen themselves with it shall be cut in pieces though all the people of
the earth be gathered together against her Zech. 12. 2 3. Again She will be clear as Crystal in the Observation of all her turns and stops in her journying from Egypt to Canaan from Babylon to this Jerusalem-state She will I say observe both time and order and will go onely as her God doth go before her now one step in this Truth and then another in that according to the dispensation of God and the light of the day she lives in As the Cloud goes so will she and when the Cloud stays so will she She comes in perfect rank and file terrible as an Army with Banners No Balaam can inchant her She comes out of the Wilderness like Pillars of Smoke perfumed with Myrrhe and Frankensence with all Spices of the Merchants still leaning upon her Beloved The return of Zion from under the Tyranny of her Afflictors and her recovery to her Primitive Purity is no head-strong brain-sick rashness of her own but the gracious and merciful hand and goodness of God unto her therefrom to give her deliverance For thus saith the Lord That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon that is the time of the Raign of Antichrist and his Tyranny over his Church I will visit you and perform my good word towards you in causing you to return to this place Therefore they shall come and sing in the heighth of Zion and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord for Spiritual Wheat and for Wine and for Oyl and for the Young of the Flock and of the Herd and their Soul shall be as a watered Garden and they shall sorrow no more at all Vers. 12. â—nd had a Wall great and high and had twelve Gates and at the Gates twelve Angels and Names written thereon which are the Names of the twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel These words do give us to understand that this holy City is now built and in all her parts compleat they give us also to understand the manner of her strength c. And had a Wall Having thus I say given us a description of this City in general he now descends to her Strength and Frame in particular her Frame and Strength I say as she is a City compact together as also of her Splendor and Beauty And observe it that of all the particulars that you read of touching the fence fashion or frame of this City and of all her glory the first thing that he presenteth to our view is her Safety and Security She had a Wall A Wall you know is for the Safety Security Defence and Preservation of a Place City or Town therefore it is much to the purpose that in the first place after this general description he should fall upon a discovery of her Security and Fortification for what of all this Glory and Goodness if there be no way to defend and preserve it in its high and glorious state If a man had in his possession even Mountains of Pearl and Golden Mines yet if he had not wherewith to secure and preserve them to himself from those that with all their might endeavour to get them from him he might not onely quickly lose his Treasure and become a Beggar but also through the very fear of losing them even lose the comfort of them while yet in his possession To speak nothing of the Angels that fell and of the glory that they then did lose I may instance to you the state of Adam in his Excellencie Adam you know was once so rich and wealthy that he had the Garden of Eden the Paradise of pleasure yea and also the whole World to booâ— for his inheritance but mark in all his Glory he was without a Wall wherefore presently even at the very first assault of the Adversary he was not onely worsted as touching his Person and standing but even stript of all his Treasure his Paradise taken from him and he in a manner left so poor that forthwith he was glad of an Apron of Fig-Leaves to cover his nakedness and to hide his shame from the face of the Sun Wherefore I say John speaks to the purpose in saying she had a Wall a Wall for Defence and Safety for Security and Preservation Now then she shall lie no longer like blasted Bones in an open field or valley that was her portion in the days of her affliction And had a Wall It is said of old Jerusalem that she had a Wall and a Wall two Walls for her Defence and Safety which two in my Judgement did hold forth these two things The one their eternal preservation and security from the wrath of God through the benefits of Christ and the other that special protection and safeguard that the Church hath always had from and by the special Providence of her God in the midst of her Enemies Wherefore one of these is called by the proper name of Salvation which Salvation I take in special to signifie our fortification and safety from the wrath of God and the Curse and Power of the Law and Sin The other is called A Wall of fire round about her and alludeth to the Vision that the Prophet's servant was made to see for his comfort when he was put in fear by reason of the great company of the Enemies that were bending their force against the life of his Master But now in those days though there was for the defence of the City those two Walls yet they stood a little distance each from other and had a ditch between them which was to signifie that though then they had the Wall of Salvation about them with reference to their eternal state yet the Wall of Gods Providence and special Protection was not yet so nearly joyned thereto but that they might for their foolishness have that broken down and they suffered to fall into the ditch that was between them both and so he saith by the Prophet I will tell you what I will do to my Vineyard that is to this City for the wickedness thereof I will take away the hedge thereof and it shall be eaten up and will break down the Wall thereof and it shall be trodden down Isa. 5. 5 6 7. Which Hedge and Wall could not be that of Eternal Salvation for that stood sure though they should be scattered among the Nations as Wheat is sifted in a Sieve it must therefore be the Wall of her special Preservation in her outward Peace and Happiness which Wall was often in those days broken down and they made havock of of all that dwelt about them But now touching the safety of New Jerusalem the City of which I here discourse she is seen in the Vision by John to have but one onely Wall to signifie That at this day the Wall of her Eternal Salvation and of Gods special Providence to protect and defend her in her present visible and Gospel-Glory
shall be so effectually joyned together that now they shall be no more two that is at a distance with a ditch between but one sound and inclosing-Wall to shew us That now the state of this Jerusalem even touching her outward Glory Peace and Tranquillity will be so stable invincible and lasting that unless that part of the Wall which is Eternal Salvation can be brokendown the Glory of this City shall never be vailed more Wherefore the Prophet when he speaks with reference to the happy state and condition of this City he saith Violence shall be heard no more within thy Land nor wasting and destruction within thy Borders but thou shalt call thy Walls Salvation and thy Gates Praise as he saith also in another place Thine Eye shall see Jerusalem a quiet Habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down nor one of the Stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall any of the Cords thereof be broken Isa. 60. 18. 33. 20. The Walls are now conjoyned both joyned into one the Father hath delivered up the great Red Dragon into the hand of Christ who hath shut him up and sealed him down even down for a thousand years Wherefore from the Lord shall there be upon every dwelling Place of Mount Zion and upon all her Assemblies a Cloud and Smoak by Day and the shining of a flaming Fire by Night for upon all her Glory shall be a Defence And in that day shall this Song be sung We have a strong City Salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bulwarks Isa. 4. 5. 26. 1 2. The same in effect hath our Prophet John saying I saw the Holy City the New Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband and I heard a great Voice out of Heaven saying The Tabernaele of God is with men and he shall dwell with them and God himself shall be with them and be their God and God shall wipe away all tears from their Eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed away Rev. 21. 2 3 4. And had a Wall great and high These words Great and High are added for illustration to set out the matter to the height and indeed the glory of a Wall lyeth in this that it is great and high the Walls of the Canaanites were terrible upon this account and did even sink the Hearts of those that beheld them wherefore this City shall be most certainly in safety she hath a Wall about her a great Wall a Wall about her an high Wall It is great for compass it incloseth every Saint it is great for thickness it is compacted of all the Grace and Goodness of God both â—â—ritual and temporal and for height if you count from the utmost side to the utmost then it is higher then Heaven who can storm it and for depth it is lower then Hell who can undermine it Great Mercies high Mercies great Preservation and a high Arm to defend shall continually at this day incamp this City God himself will be a continual Life-Guard to this City I will incamp saith he about mine House because of the Army because of him that passeth by anâ— because of him that returneth and no Oppressor shall pass thorow them any more for now have I seen with mine Eyes Zech. 9. 8. And had twelve Gates Having thus shewed us her Wall he now comes to her Gates it had Gates it had twelve Gates By Gates in this place we are to understand the way of Entrance Gates you know are for coming in and for going out and do in this place signifie two things First An Entrance into communion with the God and Saviour of this City Secondly Entrance into communion with the Inhabitants and Priviledges of this City in both which the Gates do signifie Christ for as no man can come to the knowledge and enjoyment of the God and glorious Saviour but by and thorow the Lord Christ so no man can come into true and spiritual communion with these Inhabitants but by him also I AM THE WAY saith he the Truth and the Life and no man comes to the Father but BY ME and again I am the DOOR BY ME if any man ENTER he shall be saved and shall go in and out and finde pasture Joh. 10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. 14. 6. And had twelve Gates In that he saith Twelve Gates he alludeth to the City Jerusalem that was of old which had just so many and are on purpose put into the number of Twelve â—o answer to the whole number of the Elect of God which are comprehended within the number of the Twelve Tribes whether they are natural Jews or Gentiles for as all the Godly Jews are the Seed of Abraham after the Flesh though â—ot Godly because they are the Children of the Flesh of Abraham so all the Godly Gentiles are the Children of Abraham after the Spirit though not by that means made the Children of the Flesh of Abraham they both meet then in the Spirit and Faith of the Gospel as God saith to the Jews When the Stranger shall sojourn with thee and will keep the Passover that is become godly and receive the Faith of Christ let all his Males be circumcised and then let them come near and keep it c. For they that are of Faith are the Children of faithful Abraham who is called The very Father of us all Thus you see all the godly come under the Title of the Children of Abraham and of the Jews and so under the denomination also of being Persons belonging to the Tribes the twelve Tribes who answer to those twelve Gates Wherefore the Psalmist minding this speaketh indifinitely of all the Godly under the name of The Tribes of Israel saying Our Feet shall stand within the Gates O Jerusalem Jerusalem is builded a City that is compact together whithâ— the Tribes go up the Tribes of the Lord unto the Testimony of Israel to give thaâ—â— to the Name of the Lord Psal. 122. 2 3 â— But again Though I am certain that all the Gentiles that are at any time converted are reckoned within the compass of some of the Tribes of Israel to which the Gates of this City may truly be said to answer Yet the Gates are here in a special manner called by the name of twelve to answer to the happy Return and Restoration of those poor distressed Creatures the twelve Tribes of the Jews that are scattered abroad that are and for a long time have been to our astonishment and their shame as Vagabonds and Straglers among the Nations there to continue many days without a King without a Prince and without a Sacrifice and without an Ephod that is without the true God the true Saviour and the true Word and Ordinances after which saith the same
and whose sins ye retain they are retained And hence it is that the true Ministers in their right administration are called Porters because as Porters stand at the Gate and there open to or shut upon those that make an attempt to enter in so the Ministers of Christ by the Doctrine of the Twelve do both open to and shut the Gates against the Persons that will be attempting to enter in at the Gates of this City Secondly But again They are said to stand at the Gates for the incouraging and perswading of the tempted and doubting Jews who at the beginning of their return will be much afflicted under the sight and sence of their own wretchedness Alas were it not for some to stand at the Gates of this City for instruction and the incouragement of those that will at that day in earnest be looking after life they might labour as in other things for very very Vanity and might also be so grievously beat out of Heart and Spirit that they might die in despair But now to prevent this for those that are in the way to Zion with watry Eyes and wetted Cheeks here stands the Angels continually sounding with their Golden-Gospel-Trumpets Enter ye into his Gates with â—hanksgiving and into his Courts with praise be thankful unto him and bless his Name for the Lord is good and his Mercy 〈◊〉 everlasting and his Truth indureth for ever even to all Generations as he saith again And it shall come to pass in that day that the great Trumpet shall be blown and they shall come which were ready to perish in the Land of Assyria and the out-casts of the Land of Egypt and shall worship the Lord in the holy Mount at Jerusalem And at the Gates twelve Angels and Names written thereon which are the Names of the twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel Thus it was in the Vision of the Prophet when he was taking a View of the Pattern of this City And the Gates of the City saith the Angel to him shall be after the Names of the Tribes of Israel which saying John doth here expound saying The Names of the twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel were writ or set upon them This being thus it cleareth to you what I said but now to wit That the Gates are called twelve to answer the twelve Tribes for their Names are written thereon This must therefore without all doubt be a very great incouragement to this despised People I say great incouragement that notwithstanding all their Rebellion Blasphemy and contempt of the glorious Gospel their Names should yet be found recorded and ingraved upon the very Gates of New Jerusalem Thus then shall the Jews be comforted in the latter days and truly they will have but need hereof for doubtless at their return when they are throughly sensible of the Murder they have committed not onely upon the Bodies of the Prophets and Apostles but of the Son of God himself I say this must needs tother with the remembrance of the rest of their villanous actions exceedingly afflict and distress their bleeding Souls for the Children of Israel shall come they and the Children of Judah together going and weeping they shall go and seek the Lord their God and shall ask the way to Zion with their Faces thitherward Jer. 50. 4 5. Mark going and weeping there will not be a step that these poor People will take in the day of their returning but will be watered with the Tears of Repentance and Contrition under the consideration of the wickedness that in the days of their Rebellion they have committed against the Lord of Glory as he saith also by another Prophet I will pour upon the House of David and upon the Inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of Grace and Supplication and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him as a Man mourns for his onely Son and they shall be in bitterness for him as him that is in bitterness for his first-born at that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the Valley of Megiddon and the Land shall mourn Zech. 12. 10 11 12. Wherefore I say they both have and also will have need of twelve Gates and on them the Names of their twelve Tribes with an Angel at each to incourage them to enter this holy and goodly City and to tell them that yet he counts them his Friends in whose House he received the wounds in his Hands But again As by the Names of the twelve Tribes written on the Gates we may see what incouragement the Jews will have at their Return to enter in at them so we may also understand that by the Names of the twelve Tribes here written God would have us to perceive how all must be qualified that from among the Gentiles at this day do enter in at these Gates namely Those and those onely that be cut out of their own wild Olive-Tree and transplanted among the Children of Israel into their good Olive-Tree Such as are Jews inwardly the Israel of God according to the New Creature they shall enter for the holy Gentiles also by vertue of their conversion are stiled the Children of Abraham Jews the Chosen Generation the Peculiar People the Holy Nation and so are spiritually though not naturally by carnal generation of the twelve Tribes whose Names are written upon the Gates of this City And it shall come to pass saith the Prophet that in what Tribe the Stranger that is the Gentile sojourneth there shall ye give him his Inheritance saith the Lord God Ezek. 47. 22 23. Thus the Jews and Gentiles shall meet together in the Spirit of the Gospel and so both become a righteous Nation to both which the Gates of this City shall stand continually open at which also they may with boldness demand by the Faith of the Lord JESUS their entrance both for Communion with the God Grace and Priviledges of this City according to that which is written Open ye the Gates that the righteous Nation which keepeth the Truth may enter in Isa. 26. 2. Thus much of the Number of the Gates and now to proceed to the Order of them Vers. 13. On the East three Gates on the North three Gates on South three Gates and on the West three Gates I shall not speak any thing to the manner of his repeating of the Quarters towards which the Gates do look why he should begin at the East then to the North afterwards crossing to the South and last to the West though I do verily think that the holy Ghost hath something to shew us wherefore he doth thus set them forth and possibly he may set them thus and the West last not onely because the West part of the World is that which always closeth the day but to signifie that the West when Jerusalem is rebuilded will be the last part of
in my Doctrine one of the Foundations of the Wall of Salvation I have written unto you And as I said before there is a reason it should be thus for as he who was the Foundation of the Jewish Church even Moses received the Pattern of all his Order from the Mouth of the Angel in Mount Sinai so the twelve received their Doctrine of Faith and Manners the Doctrine of the New Testament from the Mouth of the Son of God himself as from the Mouth of the Angel of the everlasting Covenant on the Mountain of Zion Act. 7. 38. 1. 3. Matth. 28. 19. Secondly In that he saith The Names of the Twelve are in the Foundations this shews us the reason of the continual standing of this Jerusalem it is builded upon the Doctrine of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb and standeth there for observe so long as he sees this holy City he sees her standing upon these Foundations but he saw the City till she was taken up therefore she continued as being settled for ever upon them Indeed the Primitive City or first Churches was built upon these Foundations and had also so long as they there continued sufficient supportation upholding by that means but then as I have shewed you the Wall of her Salvation and the Wall of Gods special Protection stood at a distance each from other and were not so conjoyned as now they will be wherefore they then to answer the Type did fall into the Ditch that was between and through their Foolishness provoked God to remove the Wall of his outward Protection and Safeguard from them whereupon the wild Beast Antichrist got into his Vineyard making havock of all their Dainties But mark this City is not so the Walls are now conjoyned and for ever fastened upon the Foundations therefore it abides for ever and ascends higher and higher yet not from the Foundations but by them into Heaven Behold saith God I have graven thee upon the Palms of my Hands thy Walls are continually before me And in them the Names of the twelve A. postles of the Lamb. This word twelve must be warily understood or else the weak will be ready to stumble and take offence wherefore to prevent this consider First The Twelve must be them Twelve that were with the Lord Jesus from the Baptism of John until the day in which our Lord was taken up Act. 1. 22. Secondly These Twelve are not neither to be considered simply as twelve Christians or twelve Disciples but as their Witness of the Lord Jesus they being with him from first to last was a Twelve-fold Witness of him in all his things a twelve-fold seeing with their Eyes a twelve-fold hearing with their Ears a twelve-fold handling also with their Hands and feeling of the Son of God As one of them said That which was from the beginning which we have seen with our Eyes and our Hands have handled of the Word of Life that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye might have fellowship with us c. 1 John 1. 1 2 3. Now this being thus it followeth that the Doctrine of the other Apostles as of Paul and Barnabas was still but the Doctrine of the Twelve their Doctrine I say and no other Wherefore as Ephraim and Manasseh were dissolved into the twelve Tribes so these two with all other the Apostles of Christ are dissolved into the Number of the Twelve because their Doctrine is onely the Doctrine of the twelve for they center in their Doctrine their length and breadth and depth and heighth being the Doctrine of the Twelve So then the names of the Twelve being found in the Foundations of this Wall it argueth that that Doctrine is onely true that is the Doctrine of the twelve Eye-Witnesses of the Lord Jesus And again That at the day of Antichrists fall this Doctrine shall be in its former purity and bear the sway and for ever hold up the Wall of safety for the Inhabitants of New Jerusalem And indeed this Doctrine That the Doctrine of the Twelve is that upon which Eternal Safety is built and stands is so true that it must not be varied from upon pain of Eternal Damnation Here centred Luke the Evangelist here centred Jude here centred the Author to the Hebrews yea here centred Paul himself with all the Old and New Testament The Doctrine of the Twelve must be the Opener Expounder and Limiter of all Doctrines there also must all men center and ground and stay A man may talk of yea enjoy much of the Spirit of God but yet the Twelve will have the start of him for they both had the Spirit as he and more then he besides they together with this did feel see handle and receive Conviction even by their very carnal Senses which others did not besides their Names also are found in the Foundations of this saving Wall as being there engraved by GOD himself which putteth all out of doubt and giveth us infallible ground that their Doctrine is onely true and all mens false that do not keep within the bounds and limits of that Luk. 1. 2. Jude 3. 17. Heb. 2. 3 4. 1 Cor. 15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. 9. 1. Gal. 1. 1 2. Ephes. 3. 5. 1 Cor. 4. 9. To conclude Here is yet two things worthy of noting The first is That by the Names of the twelve Apostles being in the Foundations of this Wall and the Names of the twelve Tribes being upon the Gates of this City it giveth us to consider that at the time of the building of this City the Jews and Gentiles shall be united together and become one Body which very Consideration must needs be to the Jews a great incouragement to have in mind at their Conversion for it plainly signifieth that our New-Testament-Preachers shall carry in their Mouths Salvation to the Jews by which means they shall be again reconciled and made one with the Lord Jesus The second Consideration is That at the day of New Jerusalem there shall be no Doctrine accepted nor no Preachers regarded but the Doctrine and the Preachers of the Doctrine of the Twelve for in that he saith That in them are found the Names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb he doth implicitely exclude all other of whatever Tribe they pretend themselves It shall not be then as now a Popish Doctrine a Quakers Doctrine a Prelatical Doctrine and the Presbyter Independant and Anabaptist thus distinguished and thus confounding and destroying but the Doctrine shall be one and that one the Doctrine where you finde the Names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb If any man teach otherwise and consenteth not to wholesome Words even the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Doctrine that is according to Godliness he is proud and knoweth nothing 1 Tim. 6. 3 4. Thus you see the Doctrine of the Twelve is that which letteth
Souls into this City and that the same Doctrine is the Doctrine that keepeth up the Wall of their Salvation about them when they are entred in within the Gates Vers. 15. And he that talked with me had a Golden Reed to measure the City and the Gates thereof and the Wall thereof Now having passed the relation of the Wall Gates and Foundations he comes to the Measuring-Line to see how all things lie and agree with that Under the Law I find that all things pertaining to the Worship of God were to be by Number Rule and Measure even to the very Tacks and Loops of the Curtains of the Tabernacle Now the Rule or Line by which all things were then squared it was the Laws Statutes and Ordinances which was given to Moses by the Lord in the Mount Sinai for thither he went to receive his Orders and according to the Pattern there shewed him so he committed all things by writing to them that were to be imployed in the workmanship of the holy things pertaining to the rise and compleating of the Tabernacle and all its Instruments Exod. 10. 11. 24. 1. 25. 40. Deut. 30. 10. 31. 24 25 26. Now when this Rule was thus received then whosoever observed not to do it he was to fall under the Penalty that by the same Law also was prescribed against the Offenders and Transgressors Num. 15. 30 31. I find also that when the Temple was builded in the days of Solomon all things were then done according to the writing that David made when the hand of God was upon him when he made him understand all the work of this Pattern 2 Chron. 3. 1 2 3. Chap. 4. 1 Chron. 19. 3 4 5 6 7. 28. 19. Thus again When Josiah went about to bring to pass the Reformation of the Church of the Jews and their Instruments of Worship after their revolting he goeth to the Law of God and by that understanding what was out of order and how to put all things into order he so did reduce them to their former manner The same way also went Ezra and Nehemiah at the rebuilding of the Temple and City after the Captivity 2 Kings 22. 8 9 10 11 12 13. Ezra 7. 14. Ezra 8. 3 4. From all which I conclude That the Reed the Golden Reed that here you read of it is nothing else but the pure and unspotted Word of God by which both the City Gates and Wall of this Jerusalem is regulated Which Word by the holy Prophet is also compared to Gold and is said to be above much fine Gold Psal. 12. 6. and 19. 9 10. I find in the Vision of the Prophet Ezekiel that the Angel that there is said to measure the City which was a Type of our Jerusalem he appeared with a line of Flax in his hand to measure the pattern withal which very phrase doth shew us that his was but the Type and an Old-Testament-business but John hath his in a New-Testament-stile and that in the most excellent manner of Language to signifie that his City or the City that he hath the Vision of is to be the end of all Types and Shadows and the very perfection of them all Wherefore he tells us also that the Line or Reed by which this City is builded and squared it is not now a Line of Flax but a Reed of Gold a Golden Reed to signifie not a Word of the Law and Letter that had to do with Shadows but the New Testament and ministration of the Spirit which hath to do with Substance and the heavenly things themselves Heb. 9. 23. A Golden Reed to measure the City c. I told you at the first that this City was the Church of God that should be in the latter dayes but yet not the Church disorderly and confusedly scattered here and there without all visible order and discipline but the Church brought into exact Form and Order lying every way level and square with the Rule and Golden Reed of the New Testament of Christ wherefore he calleth it a City a City under Rule Thus it was in the Type for when Solomons Temple was to be builded and the City in after-times it was not enough that they had Stones and Timber but every one of them must be such Stones and such Timber and must also come under the Rule and Square of the Workman and so being fitted by Hewers Sawes Axes and Squares they were fitly put into the building 1 Kings 5. 17 18. and 7. 9 10 11 12. 1 Chron. 22. 2. By this then we may see with what a holy exact Line Rule and Order this Church and City at this day will be compact and builded the Members must be all such as shall be made fit for the City of God by the hewing words of the Prophets they must joyn in Christian-Communion also according to the Golden Reed of the New Testament and ministration of the Spirit Indeed all the time of the reign of Antichrist the Church as she was a holy Temple in the Lord so she was measured with reference to the truth of her Grace and invisible condition but as she is to be a City so she then is to be troden down and to lie without all Form and Order but when Antichrist is dead she shall again come into mind be considered reared builded by measure and inhabited and observe it as the Rule of the Carpenter is of use in the building from the first appearance of the laying of a Stone in order even till it be in every point and part compleat so the Golden Reed with which the Angel is here said to measure the City c. is to be of use from the first Foundation even to the laying of the last Stone thereof As was also fore-shewed by the man that is said to measure the pattern of this in Ezekiel Ezek. 40. to chapter 48. And he measured the City That is he measured the Church in her Constitution and Fellowship Now when God is said to measure he is said to measure sometimes in Judgment and sometimes in Mercy sometimes to throw down and sometimes to build up and establish Sometimes I say he is said to measure in Judgment with intention to throw down and destroy Thus he measured the City before she went into Captivity and the ten Tribes before they were carried away beyond Babylon because they lay cross to his Word and had perverted that which was right c. but when he is said to measure the City in this place it is that she might be builded and set up wherefore as I said the Line or Golden Reed that is now stretched forth to measure this City it is to the end that all things may be in right Form and Order fitly joyned and knit together by that which every joynt supplyeth according to the effectual working of the measure of every part making increase of the Body to the
edifying of it self in love Ephes. 4. 16. Col. 2. 19. Again By measuring the City he would have us to understand that all her Limits and Bounds were now apparent that all things even the Church and all the World was made to see their own Compass for as God in the dayes when Temple-Worship only was on foot would not lose a Form or Ordinance of all the Forms and Ordinances of his Temple so when City-work comes up he will not lose an Inch of the Limits and Bounds and Compass of his City she shall be full as large and of as great a compass every way as is determined of her as he saith by the Prophet All the Land saith he shall be turned into a Plain that is there shall be a smooth Face upon the whole Earth all Snugs and Hubs and Hills and Holes shall now be took away even from Gebato Rimmon South of Jerusalem and it the City shall be lifted up and inhabited in her place from Benjamins Gate unto the place of the first Gate unto the Corner Gate and from the Tower of Hananiel unto the Kings Wine-Presses The four places here mentioned in this verse they do seem to be the four Corners of the City of old at which places the City bounds were set and in which very Circle the Prophet tells us but with Gospel Language she shall be setled again Zech. 14. 10. And he measured the City and the Gates thereof This was figured forth by the Vision in Ezekiel for in it he saw the Angel go from Gate to Gate and saw him take the exact and distinct measure of every one thereof nay not only of them in a general way but of the Thresholds the Porch the Posts and the Faces of their Enterances he measured also every little Chamber that was above upon the Gates with all the Spaces that were between Ezek. 40 chapter Now by Gates I told you we are to understand the Son of God as he is the Way to the Father and to the Priviledges of this City Wherefore when he saith He measured the Gates it is as if he had said he measured the Entrance Strength goodly Countenance of Him with the Mansions of Glory that are to be injoyed by every one that entereth in hereby for the Porch Posts Face Enterance and Chambers of the Gate in Ezekiel they signifie the Enterance Strength Shining Countenance and resting places that every one shall find in the Lord Jesus that entereth in by him and to measure all these it is in substance but this To set them forth and out in their full force glory largeness beauty profitableness in the view of all for I told you at the first the Golden Reed is the Word of God Now the City and the Gates thereof are said to be measured by this Golden Reed which I say can be nothing else but an opening of all the Excellencies of Christ as â—e is the Gate of the Sheep even by the â—ull Sway Power Majesty and Clearness of the Word The Lord help us Christ as he is the Door to God and to all Gospel-Priviledges is now strangely handled and so hath been of a long time among the Sons of men some of them making him the very In-let to all the vile and abominable crew in the world counting all that are pliant to their ungodly humours the Saints of the most high and Christ the Door and Gate through whom they have right to enter and to whom belongs the Delicates of the precious things of God even those which he hath most choicely layed up and reserveth for none but those that unfeignedly turn from iniquity and walk with him in the newness of the Spirit Others again do shut up the Gates against the Godly labouring with might main to hinder those that labour to enter that fain would do it unfeignedly Others again do labour all that in them lies to deface the Gates to take away their Beauty like him that took the Gold from off the Doors and Gates of the Temple rendering Christ a low and carnal business c. but at the measuring-day at the day when the Golden Reed shall be the alone Rule then you shall see this City and her Gates discovered in their own Glory Holiness and Beauty for though in our Affliction under Antichrist our Temple and Instruments of Worship with the City Wall Gates and the like have been much defaced even our Doctrine of Faith and Worship and have been much trod and trampled under the foot of the uncircumcised Yet all shall be recovered and brought into Order again by the Golden Reed of the Word of God which thing was figured forth to us by that good man Ezra the Scribe who at the restoring of Jerusalem took review of all the things pertaining to the City both touching its Breaches and Deformity and also how to set all things in Order and that by the Law of God which was in his Hand even according to the Writing thereof Ezra 7. 14. 8. 34. Neh. 8 9. And whosoever doth but read the History of Ezra and Nehemiah throughout they shall finde that by the Word of God they brought all things to pass all the Ordinances of the House and City of God into their right and holy Order And indeed the measuring of the City and of the Gates thereof which is Christ the Way it can be nothing else but a bringing of them by the right understanding and opening of the Word into their proper Places and Excellencies both for Comers in and Goers out according to the Commandment Ezek. 40. 4. 43. 7 8 9 10 11 12. for to speak properly Christ in his Love Grace Merits and Largeness of Heart to let Souls into Communion with God and all Happipiness is in all these things unsearchable and passing knowledge being filled with these things beyond thought and without measure Ephes. 3. 8. Col. 3. 9. Ephes. 3. 18. 19. Joh. 3. 34. And he measured the City the Gates thereof and the Wall thereof In that he saith he measured the Wall also it is to shew us that all things now are according to the Rule of the Word The Inhabitants are according to the Word the Entrance is according to the Word yea and so is the safety of it also even a Fence to fence them from their Enemies even a fence on every side that they may be at ease and rest and be no more a tossing to and fro O thou afflicted and â—ossed with Tempest saith he and not comforted I will do many good things for thee in righteousness shalt thou be established thou shalt be far from Oppression for thou shalt not fear and from Terror for it shall not come nigh unto thee Isa. 54. 11 14. Touching the Wall what it is I have spoken already therefore here I speak onely to the measure of it which measure is onely the fulfilling all those Promises and Engagements of God
that are made to New Jerusalem for her Safety and continual Defence and that not onely in her own Eyes but in the Eyes of all her Beholders Then shall that Saying be with gladness in the Mouths of all the Inhabitants of this Jerusalem We were bond-men and yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage but hath extended Mercy unto us in the sight of the Kings of Persia to give us a reviving to set up the House of our God to repair the desolations thereof and to give us a Wall in Judah and in Jerusalem Ezra 9. 9. Which Wall I say shall be so conspicuous to all the Adversaries of this holy and beloved City that the greatest of them shall not once dare to peep or mutter against her any more God is known in her Palaces for a Refuge for lo the Kings were assembled they passed by they saw it and so they marwelled they were troubled and hasted away fear took hold upon them and pain as of a Woman in travel As it is said of the building of the Wall after the Captivity when the Enemies and all the Heathen saw it was finished they were much cast down in their own Eyes Psal. 48. 1 2 3 4 5 6. Neh. 6. 15 16. The regulating of this City by this Golden Reed and the measuring the Gates and VVall by this VVord when finished will then cause all that have skill in singing the Lords Songs and of lifting up the Praises of God in this City to gather themselves together to sing and to praise and to say Bless ye the Name of the Lord for his Mercies endure for ever for then will they purifie the People this City with the Gates and Wall thereof Neh. 12 28 29 30. VVherefore in the mean time between this and the building of this City let Jerusalem come into your mind and walk about her go â—e round about her enquire by the VVord what God hath said of her State Strength Safety Ease Peace and blessed Tranquillity in the latter days tell the Towers thereof mark ye well her Bulwarks consider her Palaces that ye may tell it to the Generations following Psal. 48. 12 13. Vers. 16. And the City lieth four square and the length is as large as the breadth and he measured the City with the Reed twelve thousand furlongs the length and the breadth and height of it are equal And the City lieth four square These words do open unto you the matter yet more to wit That now both the City Gates and VVall were exactly in their Visibility according to the VVord lying even every way with that Golden Reed for by four square you are to understand Perfection or an answering the figures that of old did figure to us the compleatness and perfection of the New-Testament-Order For if you search the Scriptures you will finde that especially the great and principal Instruments of Gods Worship in and under the Law their Perfection was what here you read to be the Perfection of this City even a four square As for instance The Brest-plate of Judgment on which were engraved the Names of the Children of Israel its exact point of Perfection was to be a right four square The ten Bases also that were to be for Bearers to the Lavers in the Temple they were to be four square The Altar of Burnt-Offerings likewise with the Altar of Incense their perfect Pattern was that they should be four square The inward Court and outward Court with the Posts of the Temple and Tables on which they were to slay the Sacrifices they were all four square Yea the City in the Type in the Vision of Ezekiel was seen to be of the same frame and fashion every way having just twelve Gates and of each of the four sides three Gates Exod. 28. 15 16. 39. 8 9. 1 King 7. 27 28 29 30 31. Exod. 27. 1. 38. 1. Ezek. 43. 13 14 15 16 17 18. Exod. 37. 1. Ezek. 40. 41. 21. 40. 40 41 42. 48. 30 31 32 33 34. Wherefore when he saith The City lieth four square it is as if he had said She lieth even with the Pattern or Golden-Reed of the Word even I say both in her Members Doctrine VVorship and Manners For the things afore-hinted unto you do hold forth all these Particulars And the length is as large as the breadth This explaineth the matter yet more fully and distinctly for as to the things that I made mention of before though they were to be made four-square and that their Perfection lay exactly in that form yet these Squares did not lie in their height and depth but in their length and breadth just as you read here of the Square of this City As to instance The Altars though they were five Cubits long and five Cubits broad yet but three high so the Bases they were a Cubit and an half broad and a Cubit and an half long yet but half a Cubit high the Tables also on which they slew the Sacrifices they were a Cubit and a half long and a Cubit and a half broad yet but one Cubit high VVhich things being thus you see the reason of his saying the length is as large as the breadth Now by length and breadth here we may yet observe another Mystery held forth unto us for by the breadth is held forth the perfection of the Rule or Law to which all Christians ought to yeild their hearty Obedience His Commandment is exceeding broad The breadth of which is signified I say by the breadth of those things that before you see to be the Instruments of the Worship of God Now as by breadth we are to understand the perfect latitude and compass of the Commandment so by length we are to understand the answerableness of the obedience of the Inhabitants of this City for indeed the perfection of Christian Obedience lieth in an answerableness to the Will of God as it is said of the Father and Mother of John the Baptist they walked in all the Commandments of the Lord blameless and of Anna that she continued without ceasing in the service of God in the Temple day and night This is to be as long in our Obedience as the Law is broad in commanding the Law commands right Obedience and the Christian giveth it the Law commands continual Obedience and the Christian giveth it the Law commands universal Obedience and the Christian giveth it He giveth it all these sorts of Obedience 1. By the Person of Christ for he is his Righteousness he giveth it all these 2. With the consent of the mind and 3. He giveth it all these Obediences in the love of the Spirit which the Apostle calleth the fulfilling of the Law that is an answering the breadth of its Command by the length of Obedience wherefore when he saith The length is as large as the breadth he would have us understand how perfect in Holiness these blessed
Souls will be at this day and indeed this is it that is by God expected to be in this City at this day As the Angel with his Measuring-Line said to Zechariah I am going to measure Jerusalem and to see what is the breadth thereof and what is the length thereof To see whether their Doctrine be pure and whether their Obedience be answerable And he measured the City with the Reed twelve thousand furlongs These latter words do refer us to a distinct measure from that which went before the former measure pointing at the breadth of her Commandment and the length of her Obedience but this at the Glory and Fulness of her Mansions and Portions For after he had said The City lieth four square and that the length is as large as the breadth which is the full and compleat effect of that first measure he comes over again with an other measuring saying And he measured the City twelve thousand furlongs as who should say He measured the City Gates and Wall first and sound them all exact and according to the Golden Reed and after he had so done he measured the City with the Reed twelve thousand furlongs He measured the City with the Reed That is He measured out to the City he measured for the City for its Lot and Portion twelve thousand Furlongs Which very thing you find in the Vision of the Prophet Ezekiel for after he had measured the City the Vessels with the Instruments of Worship I say when he had done this he comes again with an afterwards to measure the City her Portions and Mansions Ezek. 47. 1 c. Wherefore I say these words do refer to her Portion that she is to enjoy of her God as the former referreth to her Duty and Obedience Now that which maketh me conclude that this latter measure is a measure distinct from the former and that it relateth neither to the exactness of Rule nor the compleatness of Obedience but only to the largeness of the Portions that God will allot for thy Sons and Daughters thou City of God it is First Because this is the biggest measure For I find by considering the Scripture that as the Persons and Things pertaining to the Worship of God were to go according to the Rule of this Golden Reed so also the Portions that pertained to the Persons worshiping was to go by Rule and Measure also as here he saith he measured also the City or to it with the Reed twelve thousand furlongs And hence it is that our Grace is called the measure of Grace and that our Glory is called a weight of Glory Now I say I find that our Portions do go always under the biggest measure the Spoons Cups Flaggons Snuffers Basons Candlesticks and Pans which were the Instruments of Worship were not so large as the Chambers in the Temple and the compass of the holy Land which were the Mansions and Portions of the Church Secondly I take the twelve thousand furlongs to signifie Portions rather than Worship or Worshippers because as to the nature of it it most exactly agrees with the Portions that are measured out to this City by the Angel before Ezekiel which is a measuring forth so much Land for the Portion of the Prince so much for the Portion of the Priest and so much for the Portion of the twelve Tribes Yea the very phrase twelve thousand furlongs also implieth such a compass of Ground by which we find the holy Land hath been measured Lastly I take it to be thus also because I find not in all this description of this holy City that any place doth give us that ground to speak to her measure of Portion as this and it would seem strange to me that the description of this City given by Ezekiel should be more compleat then this that is given by our Prophet John for Ezekiel doth most amply set forth her Portions even distinctly for Prince Priest and the Tribes in particular This therefore is to be understood of the Portions of the City which John did see was measured out unto her immediately after he saw the breadth of her Rule and the length of her Obedience Onely consider that Ezekiel measureth by Reeds not counting by Furlongs but John though he measureth by Reeds yet counteth by Furlongs But now though the holy Ghost is thus pleased to speak of the Portions of the Saints in the New Jerusalem as if he intended chiefly that their Portion should consist in outward Happiness and in the enjoyment of such and such a Portion or compass of ground Yet consider that these are but metaphorical and borrowed Expressions spoken to our Capacities under which is indeed included the nature of our blessed and spiritual Food and Nourishment You know it is usual for the holy Ghost in Scripture to call the Saints Sheep Lambs Heifers Cows Rams Doves Swallows Pâ—licans and the like and also to call their Food their spiritual and heavenly Food Grass Provender Wheat Wine Oyl Grapes Apples Figs Nuts and the like also all which are but shadowish and figurative expressions even as this of the measure of the twelve thousand furlongs and observe it that which John saith here is twelve thousand furlongs Ezekiel tells us it lieth on this side and on that side of the bank of the River of the Water of Life Now I think there is none so much void of understanding as to think this Water of Life is any thing else but the precious Grace of God in and thorow the Lord Jesus Wherefore the ground or measure for Portions it is nothing else but our spiritual and heavenly Food even spiritual Grace and Gifts and Comforts that the holy Ones of this City shall most plentifully partake of and enjoy And so indeed the Prophet also saith speaking of the Portions of the holy Land for this City The increase thereof saith he shall be for Food unto them that serve the City and they that serve it shall serve it out of the twelve Tribes of Israel Out of the twelve Tribes that is out of the twelve thousand Furlongs which is the the Portion of the Tribes This is according to the Saying of the Prophet David He maketh me to lie down in green Pastures he leadeth me besides the still Waters and again For the Lamb that is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them and shall lead them into living Fountains of Water for their shame they shall have double and for confusion they shall rejoyce in their Portion Therefore in their Land they shall possess the double Everlasting Joy shall be upon them Psal. 23. 2. Rev. 7. 17. Isa. 61. 7. Thus you see the measure of the City Gates and Wall and the effect of that and thus you see also the measure of the Portion for the City with what it is Wherefore it remaineth that we see what is to be the
effect of that also And he measured the City with the Reed twelve thousand furlongs and the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal Before he told us that the length was as large as the breadth which I then told you did signifie the nature of her Rule and the measure of her Obedience but now he adds and saith That both in length and breadth in height she is equal Wherefore in that he adds at last a squareness of height to her squareness of length and breadth and also in that he adds it not before he had told us of the measure of her Portions he would have us to understand that as the Rule in which this City shall walk shall be compleat and as her Obedience to that Rule shall be compleat so her enjoyment of God and his Grace at that day shall be proportionable also She is square in her Rule square in her Obedience and square in her Enjoyment of God and his Goodness the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal Indeed the Scripture saith That in keeping his Commandments there is great Reward and again This man shall be blessed in his Deed This sheweth unto us then what glorious days these will be to the House and City of God even days in which Saints shall see the Mind of God clearly have Hearts to do it compleatly and have continually the answerable Enjoyment of God and spiritual Happiness Now will his Paths drop Fatness with a witness and now will he meet him that rejoyceth and worketh Righteousness those that remember him in his Ways And the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal Wherefore the Prophet in the Vision of the measures of the Portions doth observe that there was a squareness in them as well as in their Ordinances and Obedience and hence it is that he tells us that every little Chamber was one Reed broad and one Reed long and again the Oblation that is the Portion for the Tribes shall be five twenty thousand By five and twenty thousand ye shall offer the holy Oblation FOUR SQUARE with the Portion of the City Ezek. 40. 7. and 48. 20. Again In that he saith The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal he sheweth us how fit this City at this day will be even for the Kingdom of Heaven and Glory for observe That as the Rule Obedience and Comforts of God do make this City a square City both in height and length and breadth so the Holiest of all which was a Type of Heaven was of the same fashion also It was twenty Cubits high and twenty Cubits long and twenty Cubits broad the length and the breadth and the height of it were equal 1 King 6. 20. 2 Chron. 3. 8. Ezek. 41. 4. Wherefore as now the Will of God will be done according to the Petition on Earth as it is in Heaven so will this City be at this day fit to enter into the Holiest Place even as fit as one four square is to shut into another Here is a four square City for a four square Heaven And the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal Wherefore it is upon this account that this City at her appearing is said to be adorned and prepared as a Bride is for her Husband which we all know is the most perfect and compleatest Attire that is possible to be got And therefore it is again that at the coming of the Lord those that go in with him to the Marriage are said to be ready beforehand Rev. 21. 2. Matth. 25. 10. Vers. 17. And he measured the Wall thereof an hundred and forty and four Cubits This measure of the Wall that here he maketh mention of is also distinct from the former measure where he is said to measure the City Gates and Wall and it refers to such a Wall or to such a part of the Wall in such a place for I find that though the Wall of this City in general is that which shall incompass the New Jerusalem round yet this Wall is in some place and for some reason of another manner and measure than the Wall is in general as it compasseth round the City which part of the Wall is called the broad Wall the Wall upon which even half of the People might walk compleat at once Neh. 3. 8. 12. 38. But to trace out the business in the Type and so to come to its answer in the Anti-Type I find that a little distance from Jerusalem there was a place called Tophet which place was counted prophane unholy or defiled I find also that this unclean unholy place was a figure of Hell it self Now mark I find by the Scripture that against this Tophet this unholy and prophane place was the broad Wall of the City for the defence of the Sanctuary erected and reared up He measured saith the Prophet by the four sides and it had a Wall rouud about five hundred Reeds long and five hundred Reeds broad TO MAKE A SEPARATION BETVVEEN THE SANCTUARY AND THE PROPHANE PLACE Ezek. 42. 20. Which VVall could not be that Wall which compassed the City because it was but five hundred Reeds long for take the measure of this Wall in its largest measure and it is if you count a Reed for that which we count a Pole but twelve Furlongs which compass will scarce go round many Market-Towns especially if together with this you consider the breadth of the Wall whose breadth is as large as its length wherefore now there is not room enough for a City so big as a Cotage to stand in the midst thereof I speak this to shew you that the Wall in this place is not the Wall that goeth round about the City but the Wall that is placed just between the Sanctuary and Tophet or Hell it self Now though Ezekiel and John do differ touching their count about the thickness of this Wall it is not so much to signifie the Walls are not one and the same as to shew us that the one to wit Ezekiel's Wall was to incompass a worldly Sanctuary but John's to incompass a spiritual and heavenly wherefore Ezekiel's must be of so many Reeds long to go round about the material Sanctuary as a Type but John comes more to the spirit of the matter and sheweth us what the Sanctuary Wall and the like should mean for by Sanctuary we are to understand even in the Old Testament a place of Safety and Security which was a Type of Christ Now in that Tophet did stand against the Sanctuary in the letter it signifies that Hell it self is bent against all those that take shelter in Christ but to no purpose for in the very face of Tophet even between it and our place of sanctuary is fixed an invincible and impregnable mighty Wall to keep in safety those that have fled to
City shall be left the Forts and Towers shall be for Dens for ever a Joy of wild Asses a Pasture of Flocks until the Spirit be poured on us from on high and the Wilderness be a fruitful Field c. And then the Lord shall defend the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David and the House of David shall be as God even as the Angel of the Lord before him The Inhabitants shall not say I am sick the People that dwell therein shall be forgiven their Iniquity And he measured the Wall thereof an hundred and forty and four Cubits according to the measure of a man that is of the Angel According to the measure of a Man The Man Christ Jesus For the measure of this City or the Golden Reed with which this City is thus measured it is His his Word and Law of the New-Testament All Judgment is committed into the hand of the Son and God hath given him authority to execute Judgment also because he is the Son of man According to the measure of a Man that is of the Angel This Angel is one of the Seven that had the seven last Plagues to execute upon the Man of Sin and yet he saith the measure is according to the measure of a man the meaning is That the City the New Jerusalem is to be builded according to the VVord of Christ but yet by his VVord as it is in the hand of his Angels that is his Messengers and Servants of which Servants the chief will be those that are his Instruments â—o pour forth the seven Vials full of 〈…〉 ven last Plagues upon the Antich 〈…〉 n Harlot For they with their Plagues will both destroy what standeth in impiacable opposition and will subject the rest and bring them into a correspondency with the Word and Will of God as I have shewed Whence note That they of his Servants that God shall use to pour forth his last and most dreadful Plagues upon the Whore they are they that God will use to shew us the Pattern of this holy City Or thus They that can tell how to plague the Whore they can tell how to measure this City The righteous men they shall judge them that is the Antichristian Harlot with her wicked and adulterous Daughters after the manner of Adulteresses and after the manner of Women that shed blood because they are adultrous and blood is in their hands Ezek. 23. 45. Thus much touching the frame of this City its Wall Gates and Foundations with the measure of each And now it remains that I speak of the Glory of them Vers. 18. And the building of the Wall of it was of Jasper and the City was pure Gold like unto clear Glass IN these words you have a discovery of the Glory both of the Wall and City it self and that as you see under the notion of two choice Metaphors the Wall is Jasper the chief of Stones and the City is Gold the chief of Metals And the building of the Wall of it was of Jasper and the City was pure Gold This Jasper is that Stone in the light of which this City is said to descend as in the light of a Stone most precious Now as there he saith she descended in the light of this Stone so here he saith this Stone is the Wall thereof And the building of the Wall of it was of Jasper This therefore confirmeth unto you what I said of the Wall before to wit That it was the Salvation of God through Christ Wherefore learn this by the way That this City shall not be at this day in her own keeping but in the keeping of Jesus Christ He with his Benefits doth compass her round and by him alone she lieth down in safety Wherefore it is from this Consideration that God doth say by the Mouth of the Prophet I will give them within my House and within my Walls a place and a name better then that of Sons and of Daughters I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off Isa. 56. 5. And the building of the Wall c. By this word building we are to understand both the Materials of the Wall the manner of their placing and the Instruments that God will use for the setting up thereof Now to speak properly this Wall being the Lord Jesus Christ Himself in his precious Merits Benefits and Offices the Builder hereof must needs be God Himself for he it is that hath made this Christ for us a Safeguard and Defence by making of him our Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption by which he doth incompass us round on every side and that at every moment to deliver us from the Power and Destruction both of Sin Death the Devil and Hell But again The building here spoken of is a building of this Wall after the destruction of Antichrist and so long after Christ was sent and made these things in his own Person to his beloved and blessed Church Wherefore the building of this Wall that is here spoken of it must be understood of the recovering again the purity of those Doctrines in which the Lord Jesus with all his Benefits is found and made ours for our everlasting Defence and Safety For we find that the King of Babylon who was a Type of our Antichrist when he came up against Jerusalem the Type of our Primitive Church he brake down their City destroyed their Walls rifled their Houses and killed their Children whose steps I say our Antichrist follows to a hair in treading down the Primitive Church corrupting her Doctrines which are her Safeguard and VVall also robbing and spoiling the Houses of God and killing his Children with a thousand Calamities turning all the heavenly Frame and Order of Church-Government into an heap of Rubbish and a confused Dunghil Wherefore the building again of this Wall is to be understood of the recovering and setling and fastening the Doctrines of Christ as afore in which Doctrines he in all his Benefits is wrapped and held fast forever I say a recovering of them and setting him up again in his primitive and pure Glory of being our Priest Prophet and King in his Church and a giving unto these Offices their own proper length breadth height and depth letting them rule in all their Force Glory and Majesty and Authority for then will be golden Days and not till then then I say when the several Offices of the Lord Jesus do rule in their own nature and largeness of Authority both in the Church and in the VVorld Alas This VVall is yet unbuilt the Offices of the Lord Jesus do not yet shine in that purity nor so stand in their proper places as they shall do at the coming in of New Jerusalem the VVall lies yet but as an heap of Rubbish the Offices of the Lord Christ are to this day by many
2. If Fruit here be taken with reference to men then it signifieth the Happiness and Glory that those for whom he dyed and rose again should receive by this means His Fruit I have shewed you is sweet to the taste of his Church which Fruit is the effect of his undertaking for Sinners and the comfortable savour of it in the soul. Which bare twelve manner of Fruits In that he saith the Fruits are twelve he herein alludeth to the twelve Tribes of the Israel of God for which twelve Tribes here will be found a suitable measure of Food healing Food I will multiply the Fruit of the Tree saith God and also the encrease of the Field that you may receive no more reproach of Famine among the Heathen Again These that John calleth twelve manner of Fruits the Prophet Ezekiel calleth all manner of Fruit for meat For indeed as I shewed before there is that to be found in Christ both for fulness and variety that is not to be found in Heaven and Earth beside Here is Fruit for Body Fruit for Soul Fruit for Babes Fruit for Strong-men Fruit for Fathers yea for glorified Saints and Angels Fruits variety of Fruits even twelve manner of Fruits 2. By twelve manner of Fruits he doth also allude to the Apostles who are called twelve and are those who have made provision for the House of God according to the twelvefold manner of the Dispensation of God unto them and of the twelve fold manner of Operation of that holy Spirit which wrought in every one of them severally as he pleased which twelve were before figured out unto us by the twelve Officers of King Solomon the Type of Christ which twelve were to make provision for the House of the King according to the season of the year and each man his month in the year Which very thing the holy Ghost also doth here cast his eye upon that makes him bring in the words of every month saying it yeeldâ— its Fruit every month For indeed what ever you reade of concerning this City in this description of John you find something or other in the Writings of the Prophets that giveth ground for such expressions Wherefore seeing the Officers of Solomon were twelve and the Apostles of Christ twelve also and seeing the Officers of Solomon made provision for his house each man his month in a year and the Fruits of this Tree of Life is called twelve manner of Fruits I do take the twelve manner of Fruits here to be signified by the provision of Solomon's Officers according to the twelve seasons of the year and they a Type of the twelvefold Doctrine of the twelve Apostles of the Lord Christ for it is their Doctrine that is the bread of the Church yea the milk for the Babe and the strong meat for men And yeelded her Fruit every month As this confirmeth what I have said before so it further sheweth us these three things First That the effectual Fruits of Christ for the saving of the world they are to be had especially at certain seasons It yeelded her Fruit every Month. Secondly It sheweth also that at the building of this Jerusalem these Seasons will be very thick and quick she yeelded her Fruit every month Thirdly It sheweth us also the abundance of provision that this holy City shall then enjoy from the Tree of Life even all manner of Fruit every Month. 1. For the first That the Gospel hath and will be especially effectual at certain Seasons for the saving of the sons of men it is shewed us by the descending of the Angel into the Pool of Bethesda to trouble the water which as it was at certain seasons so he that in those seasons first stepped in he only was made whole oâ— whatsoever disease he had It is shewed us also in that Parable of the Lord 's hiring men to work in his Vineyard which time of hiring though it lasteth in general from the first hour to the eleventh yet so as that there were vacant seasons between hiring-times and hiring-times quit thorow the whole day he went out at the first third sixth ninth and eleventh hour and not at every hour to hirâ— Labourers For as God hath appointed out before hand the number of his Elect so also he hath determined in his good pleasure the day of their bringing in and will then have them as certainly as the wild Ass is found in her month Of which times and seasons because men are ignorant therefore they should with all faithfulness wait upon God in all the seasons of his Grace for their souls even as he did for his body who because he would be there at all seasons brought thither his bed and couch to rest there Secondly As by the Fruit of this Tree being yeelded at certain seasons We may gather that there are certain seasons in which the Word in an especial manner shall be blessed and made successful to the salvation of many souls So again in that he saith This Fruit is yeelded every month it signifieth that in the days of the building of the City the New-Jerusalem these Seasons will be very thick and quick Lift up thine eyes saith God to this City all these gather themselves together to come unto thee thy sons shall come from far and thy daughters from the ends of the Earth All the Flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee so that thou wandering by shalt say Who are these that flie as a cloud and as Doves to the windows For I will make thy Mountain a way and my high ways shall be exalted Behold these shall come from far and lo these from the North and the West and those from the Land of Sinim Thirdly In that she is said to yeeld not only Fruit but all manner of Fruit and that not only one manner of Fruit now and another then but all manner of Fruit and that every month it argueth also that at this day Jerusalem shal have abundance of heavenly and spiritual provision and of variety of dainties for her solace and refreshment alwayes new I say and immediately from the Tree The Fruits of the Vine shall at that day be upon the Mountains of Samaria and shall be eaten as common things saith the Prophet Fear not O Land be glad and rejoyce for the Lord will do great things Be not afraid ye Beasts of the field for the Pastures of the Wilderness do spring for the Tree beareth her Fruit the Fig-Tree and the Vine do yeeld their Strength Be glad ye Children of Zion and rejoyce in the Lord your God for he hath given you the former and the latter rain moderatly and he will cause it to come down to you the rain the former and the latter rain in the first month and the Floors shall be full of Wheat and the Fat 's shall overflow with Wine and Oyl And I will restore unto you that which
twelve Apostles that holds up the Wall of New Jerusalem The Doctrine of the XII the purest of all other 2 Cor. 3. 13 14 15. Num. 12. 6 7. Mat. 11. 11. Luk. 24. 39 40. The XII went beyond all others in their Experience 1 Thess. 3. 8. Gal. 1. 8. The foundation may not be altered The Names of the XII as the Broad Seal of Heaven 2 Thess. 3. 17. Gal. 6. 11. 1 Cor. 9. 1 Gal. 5. 2. 2 Cor. 11. 5. Gal. 6. 11. Ephes. 2. Isa. 49. 16 How you are to understand the word Twelve Rom. 11. Jam. 1. 1. 1 Pet. 1. 1. Act. 13. 16 26. Rom. 1. 16 Rom. 2. 10 No Preacher now allowed but he that can preach the Doctrine of the XII A Golden Reed This Golden Reed is the Word of God Ezek. 40. 3. Why the measuring-Line of New Jerusalem in special is called a Golden Reed The City measured Hos. 6. 5. Rev. 11. 1. Isa. 28. 17 18. Amos 7 7 8 9. †This is that which a little before is called the new Heaven and a new Earth The Gates measured Mat. 23. 14. 2 Chron. 29. 7. 2 Kings 18. 16 The Wall measured Exod. 27. 1. 38. 1 1 King 7. Ezek 40. 42. Psal. 119 96. By breadth is to be understood the perfection of the Word and by length the compleatness of the Saints obedience Luk. 1. 6. 2. 37. 1 Cor. 1. 30 Rom. 7. 16 Rom. 13. 10. Zech. 2. 2 A second measure A portion measured out for the City Rom. 12. 3. Eph. 4. 7. 2 Cor. 4. 17 †See Josh. 15. to Chap. 19. * Joh. 14. 1 2 3. Ezek. 45 46 47. Luk. 24. 13. Joh. 11. 18 Joh. 20. 15 16. Amos 4. 3 Jer. 31. 18. Song 2. 5. Ezek. 34. 14. Zech. 10. 1 Isa 30. 24. Mic. 4. 4. Ezek. 47. 8 9 c. Ezek. 48. 18 19. Psal. 19. 11 Jam. 1. 25. Psal. 65. 11. Isa. 64. 5. †Heb. 9. 24. Mat. 6. 10 A third measure 2 Kin. 23. 10. Isa. 30. 33. A broad Wall against Tophet to keep the Sanctuary Ezek. 11. 16. Heb. 6. 18 Why this Wall is said to be 144 Cubits Rev 14. 1 2 3. Rev. 7. Heb. 7. 25 26. The profit of the broad Wall Satan bound as Deceiver Persecutor and a Temptor to blasphe my and unbelief Rev. 20. 1 2 3. Rom. 16. 20. Rev. 21. 4 Object Answ. The benefit of having Satan thus bound tied up Mark 1. 12 13. Col. 2. 14 15. Luk. 23. 44. Mark 14. 33 34. Corruptions shall now also be greatly weakened Numb 11 14 15. Isa. 32. 13 14 15. Zec. 12. 8. Isa. 33. 24 †Joh. 12. 48. Joh. 5. 27 Rev. 21. 9 The Glory of the Wall 1 Cor. 1. 30 Heb. 11. 10 Heb. 3. 4. The building of the Wall Psal. 74 4 5 6 7. Zec. 14. 9 Rev. 11. 15. Zech. 9. 7 8. Ezek. 28. 2 3. 2 Thes. 2. 4. The Names and Attributes of the Father and Son the Towers of this Wall Song 1. 10 1 Pet. 2. â— 1 2. Neh. 2. 8. The Saints shall set up their Banners on these Towers Psal. 20. 5. Song 6. 10 Altar-work Temple-work and City-work What Altar-work is Ezra 3. 1 2 3 4 5 6. What is Temple-work Act. 19. 9 Rom. 1. 7 2 Cor. 6. 14 15 16. 1 Cor. 12 13. Act. 2. 40 Eph. 2. 21 22. 1 Cor. 5 11 12 13 Isa. 65. 19 20 21. Isa. 60. 14 Rev. 11. 1 2 3. Isa. 4. 5. Josh. 9. Neh. 4. 1 2 7 8 9 10 11. 6. v. 1 to 13. Dan. 9. â—5 Isa. 53. 12 The Glory of the City Exod. 25. 31. to 36 Rev. 1. 2â— Isa. 34. 10 to 17. Rev. 22. 15. Zech. 14. 14. Rev. 18. 2 Chron. 9 12. Luk. 22. 44. Mat. 12. 40. Esth. 2. 12 The glory of the Foundations The Glory of the Foundations twofold The Gospel darkned by the smoak of Antichrist Amos 9. 10 11 12. 1 Sam. 2. 12 13 14 15. 3. 1. Psal. 82. 5. Ezek. 28. 14 16. Isa 54. â— 11. †If you compare the stones you will find them some of them to differ in name but know it is usual for one stone to go under 2 names and besides the Greek doth give many things other names than doth the Hebrew text Converts the garnishing of the foundations Lam. 4. 1 2 3. 1 Pet. 2. 5. 1 Chron. 29. 2. 1 Thess. 2. 19 20. Isa. 54. 11. Malac. 3. 14 15 16 17. Job 28. 3 1 Pet. 21 5. 1 Chron. 29. 2. Isa. 34. 11. 1 Cor. 14. 12. Prov. 31. 29. 1 Cor. 15 10. 41. The Jasper does represent the Lord Christ up on several accounts The first account 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. 1 Cor. 3. 11. The 2d account The third account The 4th account The fifth account 1 Kin. 7. 25. Exod. 28. 29. The sixth account The 7th account Rev. 4. 9 10 11. Rev. 5. 11 12 13 14. The 8th account * Exod. 28. 20. †Heb. 12. 12. * Heb. 2. 10. Isa. 52. 12 58. 8. Exod. 14. 19. Phil. 2. 6 7 8 9 10 11. Touching the rest of the Foundations Zech. 13. 3 4 5. †The differing nature and operations of these stones do hold forth the differences of administrations and operations that was and will ever be among the true and holy Ministers of the Lord Jesus The glory of the Gates Christ a rich Christ to all that enter here Christ is beautifull to al that here do enter Cant. 5. 10. 16. Rev. 18. 4 Ezek. 16 17. Nah. 3. 4. †Rev. 18. 12 22 23 Pro. 8. 35 3. 35. 1 Cor. 2. 8 Joh. 17. 24. Christ only can let in souls to the priviledges of his Church As none can enter in but by Christ so none can enter-in but by WHOLE CHRIST Of the Glory of the street Prov. 1. 20 21. What is meant by street Pro. 8. 1 23. and 9. 1 2 3. â— Neh. 8. The Gate Psal. 86. 11. 143. 8. Ezra 11. 20. Ezek. 37 24. Gal. 5. 25. Rom. 4. 12. Ephes. 5. 1 2. 2 Joh. 4. Rom. 6. 4. Why this street is called not many but one Dan. 9. 25. Eph. 4. 5 6. Act. 2. 24 32. 33. Philip. 1. 27. Rom. 15. 6. †2 Chro. 5. 13. 1 King 6. 30. Cant. 3. 10. Why the Street is called Gold Psal. 119. 130. 119. 9. Prov. 2. Isa. 64. 5. Prov. 3. 17. Cant. 7. 1 1 Pet. 1. 7. Rev. 3. 18 What is meant by Glass The first Reason why transparant Glass Isa. 24. 23. Rev. 8. 12. 9. 2. †Exod. 6. 3. Rev. 5th and 6th chapters Dan. 12 9 Jer. 30. 24. Jer. 23. 20. The second reason why Transparent Glass 1 Cor. 13. 13. 1 Cor. 12. 31. Rom. 13. 10. 1 Cor. 16. 14. Col. 3. 14 Rev. 15. 8 Ezek. 32. 18 c. The time when this City shal have no Temple Zech. 11. 16. 1 Cor. 13. 10. What this excluded Temple signifies Rev. 11. 1 2 3. Josh. 10. 12. Mat. 13. 10. Rev. 8. 12 Rev. 9. 2. 2 Cor. 4.