Christ The Corrinthians were called out of the world to be Saints 1 Cor. 1.2 And the Macedonian Churches gave up themselves to the Lord 2 Cor. 8.5 So that all the Churches of God are a chosen generation an holy nation 1 Pet. 2.9 Cant. 4.7 Unholy ones who are without in the profane world should not enter into the Church God hath set a wall of discipline to keep them out that the Church may not be defiled by them It 's said of the New Jerusalem That there shall in no wise any thing enter into it that defileth the Angels will keep them out for at the twelve Gates thereof will be twelve Angels Rev. 21.12 who will let none in but Saints so that all her people shall be righteous Isa 60.21 The EXPOSITION continued upon the Remaining Chapters of EZEKIEL CHAP. XLIII Vers 1 2 3 4 5 6. 1. Afterwards he brought me to the Gate even the Gate that looketh toward the East 2. And behold the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the East and his voice was like a noise of many waters and the earth shined with his glory 3. And 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 visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar and I fell upon my face 4. And the glory of the Lord came into the house by the way of the Gate whose prospect is towards the East 5. So the spirit took me up and brought me into the inner Court and behold the glory of the Lord filled the house 6. And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house and the man stood by me THIS Chapter and the next in general speaks of the Ministery and Sacred Worship of the new Temple more particularly in this 43. Chapter we have 1. A New Vision in the first 6. verses 2. The speech of the Lord unto the Prophet from the 7. vers to the end of the Chapter Concerning the New Vision things considerable are 1. The time when it was 2. The place where it was 3. The object of this Vision where we are to note 1. The place whence it came 2. The sign of it 3. The effects of it 4. The resemblance of it 5. The receptacle of it 4. The Consequents of it which are 1. The Spirit 's raising up the Prophet 2. His leading him into the inner Court 3. The filling of the Temple with glory 4. The Lord 's speaking to the Prophet 5. The presence of Christ with the Prophet For the 1. When it was that Ezekiel had this Vision Not at his first coming to the Temple but after he had been led from place to place seen the several Gates Courts Chambers Parts Appurtenances Ornaments of the Temple and all exactly measured within and without after those things he had this Vision Which insinuates thus much that after men have waited upon Christ followed him and learned the nature and condition of the Church invisible and visible then the Lord affords Visions of himself and his glory when men come first to Sion enter into Church-fellowship they must not think to see the glory of God till they are acquainted with the inward glory and outward beauty of the Church till they understand the measuring of Christ therein Those that are in the Church in due time see glory It 's good to be there and to wait being there 2. The place was at the East-gate He was brought from the West-side of the Temple to the East-gate where he had this Vision coming out of the East Christ is Sol justitiae the Sun of righteousness and the Sun's motion is from the East Westward So here this glorious Vision came out of the East and entred by the East-gate which led directly to the Sanctum Sanctorum It 's the Lord Christ brings us out of darkness to light and shews us the way into the Temple and Most Holy place 3. The object Glory Behold the glory of the God of Israel That was some figure image or manifestation representing the glory of God In Chap. 1.26 27. Ezek. saw the likeness of a Throne of a man of fire And Chap. 8.4 Chap. 10.18 There were visions where he beheld the glory of the God of Israel and the glory departing that is some representation of his glories which was leaving the Temple and them signifying that God was wroth with them and departing from them But here the glory was coming to them importing that God's wrath was laid down their sins pardoned and he gratiously reconciled unto them It was sin caus'd the glory to depart mans wickedness draws the glory away but nothing in or of man caus'd the glory to return It 's said the glory came it came freely un-deservedly un-expectedly there was cause of great mourning when it departed and there was as great cause of rejoycing when it returned Whence came it from the way of the East Christ's star was seen in the East Mat. 2.2 His coming was from thence Zechar. 3.8 Chap. 6.12 Christ is call'd Tzemach which the Septuag render 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Vulg. Oriens that is the East Because Christ should come from heaven and inlighten the dark world as the Sun doth when it riseth in the East Luke in his 1. Chap. vers 78. calls Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which we render the Day-spring and may be rendred the East for the day springs in the East first be it East or day-spring it 's from on High Christ came from heaven to bring light into the blind world Hence saith Christ Joh. 8.12 I am the light of the world the great light the Sun of it which râ—sing in the East shines into the utmost parts of the West The next thing it the sign of the glory And that was a voice such a voice as was like the noise of many waters in the 1 Chap. vers 24. When the Cherubims went the noise of their wings was like the noise of great waters As the voice of the almighty waters use to roar and make a great noise Jer. 31.35 and 51.55 Such waters are strong and there is no resistance of them men cannot row or sail against them This voice minds us of the voice of Christ in the Gospel The sound whereof went into all the earth Rom. 10.18 Rev. 1.18 Christ's voice is said to be as the sound of many waters it was strong and irresistible He taught them with Majesty and Authority Mat. 7.29 They were not able to answer him Mat. 22.46 Joh. 8.9 not to withstand the wisdome and truths he put into his disciples Luk. 21.15 Act. 6.10 Rev. 11.5 Christ's voice in the Gospel is an efficacious voice The Effects of it were two First The earth shined with his glory Before the coming of Christ the world was full of Heathenish and Hellish darkness and Canaan was full of Types Ceremonies and Shadows
there was little light or lustre There But when Christ came the Oracles of the Heathen ceas'd and the Jewish shadows vanished and the earth shined with the glory of the Gospel Mat. 4.16 The people which sate in darkness saw great light and to them which sate in the region and shadow of death light hath sprung up When the Jews were under clouds and darkness then Christ came and brought the glorious Gospel to them When Christ was born Luk. 2.9 there was glory shone round about the shephards signifying that the glory of the Lord would fill the earth yea all the world Or this may refer to the destruction of Mystical Babylon and coming down of the New Jerusalem from Heaven for of the one it 's said Rev. 18.1 2. An Angel came down from heaven having great power and the earth was lightened with his glory And he cryed mightily with a strong voice Babylon is fallen c. And Chap. 21. of New Jerusalem it 's said v. 23. The glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof When these things be the earth will be fill'd and shine with glory 2. Ezekiel fell upon his face The lustre of Divine glory sense of his own frailty and weakness caused him to fall upon his face here I might inlarge but of this falling on his face was spoken Chap. 1.28 and the Observations rising thence are there to be seen The 4. thing concerning this glory is the resemblance of it vers 3. And 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 c. The Prophet being sent of God to prophesie the destruction of Jerusalem saith here when I came to destroy the City The Chaldee is when I prophesied then had he such a vision as this was Chap. 1. That which he declared to be done he saith he dâ—d The Prophet was in Babylon when the City was destroyed he did not put forth a finger towards destruction of it he onely prophesied against it So Jeremie was set over Nations and Kingdomes to root out to pull down and to destroy this he did by prophesying against them not otherwise The same Vision which at first appeared to the Prophet in a way of judgment appears now to him in a way of merit before it prefigured the destruction here the restauration of the Temple City and Land The Vision for outward appearance was like what he saw in the 1 8 9 10. Chapters but in the end and use totally differing from yea contrary unto the same There he saw God angry the glory departing from the Temple and going out at the East-gate Here he sees God smiling and the glory returning the same way it went out Here he beholds sweet reconciliation between God and the Church made up by Christ The 5. thing is the Receptacle of this glory and that was the Temple or House which had been measured vers 4. And the glory of the Lord came into the House This House or Temple as hath been shew'd before signified both the Body and Church of Christ for his Body-natural that was the Receptacle of glory Col. 2.9 Joh. 1.14 1 Tim. 3.16 For the Church his Mystical body that is a Receptacle of Glory also Isa 60.1 The glory of the Lord is risen upon thee And vers 19. The Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light and thy God thy glory There is an estate of the Church to come wherein it shall be very glorious In Solomon's Temple there was glory but glory in a cloud 1 King 8.10 11. But in Ezekiel's Temple there was glory without a cloud a greater glory even such a glory as made the earth to shine This is the glory which the Saints look for and shall see in due time Rev. 21.3 Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God What is said of the Church is to be understood also of every believer who is a Receptacle of glory a Temple of the spirit of Christ and God 1 Cor. 6.19 1 Cor. 3.16 2 Cor. 13.5 Who ever Christ hath measured out to be a Temple shall receive glory 2 Cor. 4.6 God who commanded the light to shine â—ut of darkness hath shined in our hearts saith Paul to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is a Glass in it we see the face of Christ and in his face the glory of the Lord and are changed into the same image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.18 It 's observable here that when the glory of God departs from a Church or people it 's not for perpetuity but for a season The glory went out of the Temple and City at the beginning of Ezek. prophesie but he saw the same returning before the end of his prophesie The Arke when taken by the Philistines caused Phinehas wife to name her Son Ichabod saying The glory of departed from Israel 1 Sam. 4.21 But after seven Moneths the glory return'd again to Israel Chap. 6. The Arke was sent home God caus'd it to return again Long have the Jews now been without an Arke and without glory but in due time the glory of the God of Israel will return unto them for Rom. 11.26 There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. And when the scaling of the 144000. out of all the Tribes shall be Rev. 7. then shall they stand on Mount Sion with the Lamb and so the glory will be in the midst of them Rev. 14.1 The consequents of this Vision or Glory returning come next to be considered and the first is the Prophets raising vers 5. So the spirit took me up He was fallen upon his face as not able to behold the brightness of that glory appeared and being in that posture the spirit took him up In Chap 2.1 2. the Spirit spake to Ezekiel being down upon his face entred into him and set him upon his feet But here he took him up he dealt with him as a man doth with his friend fallen Hence springs this consideration that those are humbled and humble with sense of their own vileness and weakness through apprehension of glory and greatness shall soon be raised and comforted Sight of glory is an humbling thing Ezek. Chap. 1.28 And here again he was humbled upon that account he saw so much lustre in that glory so much greatness in the Lord that convinc'd of his own vileness and nothingness he falls down upon his face as being wholly unworthy to behold such a sight to partake of such mercy but presently the spirit being full of love bowels and compassion steps to him and takes him up He suffers him not to lye affrighted with glory or affected with misery but is a speedy comforter
other affections to accomplish its ends Jealousie kindles anger and casts forth hatred fear sets grief and despair on work The affections are seated so near one another in the heart that if one move sinfully the rest are ready to stir and accompany the same Let us look well to our affections for they are dangerous things Solomon knew it and therefore Prov 4.23 counsels us to keep our hearts with all diligence Secondly Observe God will deal with men not only according to their evill actions but according to their evill affections also I will even do according to thine anger and according to thine envy Men are convinced they must be responsive for evill actions but not so for evill affections The Lord puts it out of doubt here and swears to it As I live saith the Lord God I will even do according to thine anger c. Mat 5.22 He that is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of judgment Rev 21.8 The fearfull shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone Edoms rejoycing is mentioned Obad 12. among the sins caused God to cut her off John 3.19 This is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men love darknesse God will deal with men for their sinful fear sinful joy and sinful love for sinfull affections as well as sinfull actions Hence are we counselled to put away all bitternesse wrath and anger Ephes 4.31 To mortifie inordinate affection Coloss 3.5 Thirdly Observe After the insulting enemies of Sion are punished God will shew kindnesse unto Sion she shall have expressions of his love I will make my selfe known amongst them that is those of Sion after I have judged thee that is the Edomites they insulted over the Jews and added affliction to affliction which the Lord visited them for and then comforted his afflicted people The Babylonians were bitter enemies to the Jews they insulted over them and said Sing us one of the songs of Sion Psal 137.3 for which you may see how God would deal with them Isa 13. The Medes should destroy them and that without pitty and what then Chap 14.12 3. The Lord will have mercy on Jacob and will yet chuse Israel and set them in their own Land they shall rule over their oppressors and have rest from their sorrows After Sennacheribs Army was destroyed by the Angel of the Lord which insulted over the Jews and spake blasphemous things against God and Hezekiah did not God express love to Hezekiah and in him to all the Jews in granting him fifteen years more unto his dayes Isa 37. 38. When God had judged the Egyptians he brought forth the Jews seated them in Canaan and shewed them not a little kindnesse there Acts 7.7 Verses 12 13. And thou shalt know that I am the Lord and that I have heard all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel saying They are laid desolate they are given us to consume Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against me and have multiplied your words against me I have heard them THeir blasphemies against God and Israel are here set down and the notice God took of them Vers 12. Thou shalt know that I am the Lord and that I have heard all thy blasphemies The Hebrew is thus Thou shalt know that I the Lord have heard all thy blasphemies The Edomites spake freely against the Jews thinking God had cast them off and cared not for them but when he should judge and punish them then they should be convinced that he had heard their blasphemies The word for blasphemy is Neatzah from Naatz to despise contemptuously to provoke Kirker saith it s to provoke contumeliis convitiis verbis maledicis with reproachful and cursed speeches Junius hath it omnes irritationes tuas all thy provocations the Septuagint French and others have it blasphemies Which thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel By mountains of Israel the Land and people of Israel are intended that Land was full of mountains and among others there was the mountain of the Lord Psal 24.3 and they spake against that mountain with the rest Saying they are laid desolate Are these words so evill as that they should be judged blasphemy its not to be doubted but they said more though it be not here expressed Obad vers 12. Edom spake proudly in the day of Jerusalems distresse She insulted and gloryed in the sufferings and desolations of the people and Land Where is your Temple and City said they that stood on Mount Sion where are the Cattel that fed upon the Mountains and were for sacrifices They are laid desolate now where will you have sacrifices and whither will ye go to sacrifice Thus they spake blasphemously They are given us to consume The Jews are now destroyed and gone into captivity they shall never return to take possession of these mountains again they are now given to us to be a prey but who gave them they declare not God did not give them unto the Edomites and no other could for the Land was the Lords they took the Mountains of Israel their covetous hearts would have them vers 10. and what would they do with them Consume them saith our Translation but the Hebrew is Leaclah ad commedendum to eat that is to bring them under our power and to make use of for our good Vers 13. Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against me Ye have magnified against me saith the Hebrew you have spoken great words your mouth hath been wide open against me and hath lift you up above me or against me Obad 12. is thus Thou hast magnified thy mouth which is rendred Thou hast spoken proudly Qui impudenter obloquuntur alteri subsannant illum jactando seipsos dicuntur magnificare os suum Jer 48.26 Moab magnified against the Lord that is magnified his mouth against him by speaking arrogant words Ezek 25.8 Moab said Behold the house of Judah is like unto all the Heathen When men speak proudly insolently against God or his people they do magnifie with their mouths or magnifie their mouths And have multiplyed their words against me They spake much more then is expressed They multiply words The Hebrew word for multiply here is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Athar which signifies Verba fundere magna copia verba fortia as in prayer these Edomites did multiply words words against the Lord and their words were stout against him I have heard them Though you thought me shut up in the Heavens that I could not hear at so great a distance or that I minded not the affairs of the world especially what words one Nation speaks against another yet saith God I have heard them First Observe The Lord takes notice of all the bitter reproachfull and provoking speeches which wicked ones do utter against the Church and People of God I have heard all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the Mountains
upon me and brought me thither 2. In the Visions of God brought he me into the Land of Israel and set me upon a very high Mountain by which was as the frame of a City on the South 3. And he brought me thither and behold there was a Man whose appearance was like the appearance of Brass with a line of Flax in his hand and a measuring Reed and he stood in the Gate 4. And the Man said unto me Son of Man behold with thine eyes and hear with thine ears and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither declare all that thou seest to the House of Israel WE are come now to the last part of Ezekiel's Prophesie which is a Typical prophesie concerning Christ and his Church set forth under the Vision of the new Temple City and Kingdom comprehended in these nine last Chapters In which we have 1. The building of the new Temple with the several appurtenances thereof in the 40 41 and 42. Chapter 2. The Ministery Worship and Ordinances of this new Temple in the 43. 44. Chapters 3. The Restitution or Reformation of the whole Land the Common-wealth Kingdom and City with several Ordinances for the Prince and People in the 45 46 47 and 48. Chapters In describing of these the Prophet useth saith Huffâ—nrefferus words and phrases suitable to the state of the Jews he describes as it were the Temple Worship and Land of the Jews Whereas he aims at no such thing but intends the spiritual Kingdom of Christ and the Gospel The scope of this Vision was to comfort the afflicted Jews who being in captivity lamented the desolation of the Temple City and Common-wealth of Israel To the Prophet therefore the Lord shews in a Vision the restauration of them again and not only so but greater things are held out and promised under them as the greatness and glory of the Church under Christ in time of the Gospel of which John speaks Revel 21.22 It 's not an earthly City Temple Jerusalem we are to look at here but a spiritual City Temple Jerusalem viz. the Church of Chrâ—st whose Name is Jehovah-Shammah In this Chapter you have 1. A Preface or Introduction to the Vision 2. A Narrative of the Wall several Courts Gates the Porch of this new Temple and the measures of them In the Preface are five things The Time the Manner the Place the Author and End of the Vision Vers 1. In the five and twentieth year of our Captivity in the beginning of the year in the tenth day of the Moneth Here the time is pointed out when this Vision was presented to Ezekiel which was in the 25. year of his captivity so long it was since he with Jehoiakim was carryed into Babylon and kept there His first Vision was in the fift year of his captivity Ezek. 1.2 And this his last Vision was twenty years after in the beginning of the year the tenth day of the moneth which some make to be in the Autumn others in the Spring The fourteenth year after the City was smitten After Jehoiakim had been eleaven years in captivity the City was smitten and utterly laid waste which was in the eleventh year of Zedekiah 2 King 25.2 Jer. 39.2 52.5 From this period or Epoclea is the Vision reckoned fourteen years after the desolation of the City Ezekiel had it Some would prove this year to be the year of Jubilee because it was the 50. from the 18. of Josiahs reign when the Book of the Law was found But that year appears not to be a Jubilaean year Mestlinus makes the year of Jubilee to be in the 10. of Zedekiah's reign and if so this year of the Prophets Vâ—sion was but 16. years after the year of Jubilee and 34. years before the next Jubilee In the self same day The Hebrew is Beetzem haiom in the bone or essence of the day in the body of the day or in the strength of the day when the heat and light were greatest the same words are in Gen. 7.13 where the words are rendered the self same day being an Hebrew form of speech The hand of the Lord was upon me c. The Chaldee saith A Prophetical Spirit from the face of Lord resided upon me others The strength or divine virtue of the Lord was upon me These words we had in Chap. 1. v. 3. where they were opened Here the manner of the Vision is set forth it was by the Spirit of God upon the Prophet enlightning and informing his mind And brought me thither I was brought in mind not in body by the Spirit thither that is to the City that had been smitten but now seem'd to be re-built and so it follows Vers 2. In the Visions of God brought he me into the Land of Israel In those great glorious and wonderful Visions of God wrought in the Prophet by the Spirit of God he apprehended that he was in the Land of Israel beholding not only with the eyes of his mind the things presented unto him but also with the eyes of his body And set me upon a very high Mountain The place where the Prophet had this Vision was in the Land of Israel and upon Mount Sion or Mount Moriah where the Temple was built Moriah is from raah to see this Mount was the Mount of Vision and on it had Ezekiel this glorious Vision Kimohi saith This Mountain is the Mountain of the Temple and this City is Jerusalem on the South Lightfoot on the Temple ch 4. v. 13. The Rabbins conceive the Land of Israel to be the highest of all Lands and Mount Sion or Moriah the highest of all the Mountains in that Land It was a Type of the Church of Christ Heb. 12.22 and therefore it 's represented here to be a very high Mountain and so it was unto John also Rev. 21.10 which words allude to these of Ezekiel The Hebrew for set me is caused me to rest when the Prophet was brought to this Mountain he had rest there is no true rest but in the Church in the Mount of Vision By which was as the frame of a City on the South The Mount it self was South from Babylon and the Cities was on the Southside of the Mount which was smitten there now the Prophet sees in Vision as it were the model or frame of a City he had seen before the ruine of the City and now he sees the raising of it Vers 3. And he brought me thither That is the Spirit of God carryed him in Vision to that Mountain where he saw an Idaea of a City And behold there was a Man whose appearance was like the appearance of Brass Here the Author of the Vision is specified and described from his appearance the Instruments he had and the place where he stood This Man is made by some an Angel by others Christ It was the Son of God appeared in
Lord and it shall be a place for their houses and an holy place for the Sanctuary 5. And the five and twenty thousand of length and the ten thousand of breadth shall also the Levites the Ministers of the house have for themselves for a possession for twenty Chambers 6. And ye shall appoint the possession of the City five thousand broad and five and twenty thousand long over agatnst the oblation of the holy portion it shall be for the whole house of Israel HAving laid down the Platform and Measures of the Temple he comes now to the division and measureings of the Land Wherein things are dark difficult and deep not to be attempted by humane strength but by the help of Christ's Spirit which maketh dark things light difficult things easie and sounds the greatest depths In this Chapter are two principal parts 1. The Partition of the Land which is in the 8. first verses 2. Ordinances Political and Ecclesiastical to the end of the Chapt. from the 8. verse For the First the division of the Land is fourfold 1. A Portion for the Sanctuary and the Priests in the 4. first verses 2. A Portion for the Levites vers 5. 3. A Portion for the City or People vers 6. 4. A Portion for the Prince vers 7 8. For the Second The Political Ordinances which concern the Prince are from the 9. verse to the 13. The Ecclesiastical which concern the People the Prince and the Priests are from the 13. to the end of the Chapter There was a distinction of the Land of Canaan in Moses and Joshuah's days Num. 34. 35. Chap. Josh 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20. 21. Chap. But this division differs much from the same And when the Jews return'd from Babylon there was no such division made of the land Had it been Ezra or Nehemiah would have made mention thereof This division therefore is not to be understood litterally but spiritually and the compleating thereof to be look'd for in the Church of Christ not in the Jewish State or Temple Here then seems to be a spiritual lotting and bringing men out of Judaisme and Heathenisme into the Kingdome of Christ and fellowship of the Gospel These words When ye shall divide by lot the land for inheritance are thus in the Hebrew When ye shall make the land to fall into inheritance that is when ye shall make the lot to fall upon the land to divide it into inheritances He alludes herein to the antient division of the land by lot That which is by lot is free when the lot fell upon Matthias it was free and declared whom God had chosen Act. 1.24 26. The work of grace and bringing of men into the Church is free nothing in man or from man procures it 2 Pet. 1.1 To them who have obtained like precious faith with us The word for obtain is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which notes Aliquid sine debito cuipiam obveniens That which comes freely to a man that which being no debt nor desert is lotted out to a man as God gives faith to whom he pleases We have nothing disposes us for grace or intitles us to any heavenly inheritance Col. 1.12 It 's the Father who makes us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light He regenerates adopts and sanctifies and so makes us meet for spirtual enjoyments and priviledges and then lots them out for us and us for himself so that true believers are God's lot portion and inheritance Ye shall offer an oblation unto the Lord an holy portion of the land The Hebrew is Ye shall Elevate an Elevation unto the Lord that is consecrate or dedicate a portion of the land unto the Lord that it may be holy This portion of land was large five and twenty thousand reeds in length not so many Cubits as some would have it For the measuring was by a reed of six Cubits Chap. 40.5 And ten thousand reeds in breadth And of these five hundred in length and five hundred in breadth were for the Sanctuary with fifty Cubits round for the Suburbs thereof This holy portion of land as it was for the Sanctuary so for the Priests and their houses the Levites and their Chambers Here the first care is for the house-service and servants of the Lord. It 's the duty of Christians to promote the worship of God in the first place and to provide for those are officers in his house who are not to be non-resident but to live in the houses near to their charge Some Expositors as Junius and Polanus inform us that a new form and state of the Church is here represented unto us viz. the abrogation of the Jewish and bringing in of the Christian which was done by Christ and his Apostles By the portion of land the holiness and amplitude of it we may understand the Church under the Gospel with the holiness and largeness thereof 1. The Church is holy and an holy Offering unto God Ye shall offer an oblation unto the Lord. Sanctitatem de terra Holiness from the earth that it separate from the same or Holiness of earth that is holy earth Such is the Church holiness from the earth or holy earth Ephes 5.27 It 's the most glorious and pure part of the world it consists of those are virgins redeemed from the earth whose mouths are guileless and persons faultless before the Throne of God Rev. 14.4 5. 2. The largeness of it under Christ the Church is greatly inlarged and extends to all parts The Thessalonians faith spread far 1 Epist 1.8 And Paul saith That in every place they called upon the name of Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 1 2. Peter brings Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bythinia within the bounds of the Church 1 Pet. 1.1 Not onely Asia Europe and Africa but even America hath Sanctitatem de terra some holy ones to be an Offering to the Lord Rev. 7 9. there were some out of all Nations We may also here Observe That in the Church of Christ there is provision and protection for his There is a portion for the Priests possessions for the Levites and the whole house of Israel there be portions of land for them with Houses Chambers and a City Those who come to Sion shall not be destitute but meet with maintenance and safety Jer. 31.12 They shall come and sing in the height of Sion and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord. He will be their shepheard and provide for them wheat wine and oyle that is bread and water of life with the comforts of the Spirit and make their souls as a watered garden green and growing fat and flourishing fruitful and very fruiful and being in that condition he will defend them from wild beasts and spoyl of any they are his garden inclosed and fenced about with his power see Ezek. 34.26 27 28. Again Observe The true Church-state takes not away propriety neither consists of levelling principles
in Summer and heat of the body in hot weather Many bathe themselves in the water to cool them Dives begg'd a little water to cool his tongue Luke 16.24 The waters of the Gospel have a cooling vertue in them they cool the heat of persecution Mat. 5.11 12. they cool the heat of our passions James 3.20 Mat. 5.22 they cool the heat of temptations Rom. 16.20 1 Cor. 10.13 James 12.12 they cool the heat of our lusts 1 Pet. 2.11 Rom. 8.13 1 Tim. 6.9 10. they cool the scorchings of a guilty Conscience and fire of Hell Matth. 12.31 and 11.28 1 John 1.7 4. Water makes the earth fruitful When they wanted rain there was barrenness and famine Jer. 14. but when they had the former and latter rain all things flourished and abounded Ezek. 34.26 27. I will cause the shower to come down in his season there shall be showers of blessings and the tree of the field shall yield her fruit c. Litterally these words are true and spiritually also and set out the fruitfulness of those who were to live under the sweet showers of Gospel Doctrine They should be like a watered garden Jer. 31.12 The doctrine of the Lord is as the rain and dew which falling upon the tender herbs and grass causes them to grow Deut. 32.1 When Zacheus was watered with this water he became very fruitful and gave half of his goods to the poor Luke 19.8 others sold all and laid the money down at the Apostles feet Acts 4.35 They were abundant in love and in good works 5. Water quencheth thirst satisfies and revives the thirsty soul It was their drink in the infancy of the World and is still in some hot Countreys Sampson when like to perish for thirst having some water out of the jaw-bone of an Ass he revived and was satisfied Judg. 15.18 19. The waters of the Gospel have this property also when the soul is a thirst there is no water quenceth that thirst but the water of life which the Gospel sheweth and conveyeth unto us The Gospel hath this water of life in it Christ and the Spirit which it makes men partakers of The great and precious promises are satisfying things the righteousness and Spirit of Christ are satisfying and reviving things Peter found it so when he said to Christ Lord to whom should we go thou hast the words of eternal life Let others go to what Brooks Pits or Cisterns they will to quench their thirst we will never go from thee who hast the words of eternal life who art the Fountain of living Waters and canst satisfie us for ever John 6.68 This Water quencheth unlawful desires and satisfieth Spiritual desires 6. Some waters have a curing and healing vertue The Pool of Bethesdah healed all manner of diseases Joh. 5.4 There be waters in our Land which have healing vertue in them Such be the waters here mentioned for they healed other waters v. 8. Gospel waters will heal sick souls and bodies The Centurion said to Christ Lord speak thou but the wâ—rd onely and my servant shall be healed and it was so Mat. Mat. 8.8 13. Christ cast out Devils with his word and healed all that were sick ver 16. The Gospel is not onely a pattern of wholesome words but of healing words also there is no spiritual disease in the soul but the Gospel hath healing vertue to cure it therefore it is called the Gospel of Salvation Ephes 1.13 and the power of God unto Salvation Rom. 1.16 7. Some waters are very cordial and do greatly comfort the spirits of man None more then the waters of the Gospel by which the Spirit the true solid eternal Comforter flows into the heart The Gospel and good things of it are set out by Water Milk and Wine Isa 55.1 all which are comforting things The Gospel is glad-tidings and affords strong and everlasting consolation to the soul 2 Thess 2.16 2 Cor. 3.5 Jeremiah saith the Word of God was the joy and rejoycing of his soul chap. 15.16 David professes he had perished in his affliction had he not drunk of these Cordial Waters Psalm 119.92 To come to those Observations which we may pick out of these Verses Observ 1. That as it is Christ who makes known the things of the Temple so he doth the same not all at once but he makes known some at one time some at another Formerly Christ had revealed much to the Prophet and here he brings him again to the door of the House and shews him waters he had not seen before We are not capable of much at once like children we must have line upon line precept upon precept here a little and there a little Ezekiel is instructed a little in one place and a little in another place as he was capable So Christ the wise and chief Builder of the Temple deals with him and revealed one thing after another unto him and so he dealt with his Disciples John 16.12 Observ 2. The waters of the Gospel the gifts and graces of the Spirit do flâ—w from Sion from Jerusalem where Ezekiel had his vision Chap. 40.2 The bitter waters of the Law flowed from Mount Sinai but the sweet waters of the Gospel flowed from Mount Sion Isaiah long before prophesied whence these waters should come Isa 2.3 Out of Sion shall go forth the Law that is the Law of Faith not of Works and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem So in Zach. 14.8 And it shall be in that day that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem half of them towards the former sea that is East-ward and half of them towards the hinder sea that is West-ward In Summer and in Winter shall it be there shall be no time wherein these Jerusalem-waters shall cease flowing It is not Rome or any other City in the World which hath the honor to send out these waters but Jerusalem onely where was the true Church of God Observ 3. These spiritual waters although they flowed from Sion and Jerusalem yet Christ himself was the Fountain and Original of them they came from the door and threshold of the house Christ tells us He is the the door John 10.7 All spiritual water is in him all Heavenly Doctrine all gifts and graces When the Spirit moved holy men to speak as it is 2 Pet. 1.21 it received of Christ and shewed unto them John 16.14 and all the waters which flowed from the Apostles they received from Christ The Spirit was given them to fill their vessels and fitted them to carry these living waters from Jerusalem to all parts Acts 2.8 and Christ sent them forth to preach the Gospel all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in him Col. 2.3 and he that believes in him receives living waters from him all gifts graces and divine truths are from him The waters of the Sanctuary flow from the Lord of the Sanctuary Observ 4. God would not have his Worshippers to conform to and comply with the
him the ends of the Earth to possess Psal 2.8 Not only Canaan which typed out the Church was his Dominion bu even the Nations and whole earth Psal 82.8 Zach. 14.9 The Sanctuary the City the Priests and the Levites were in the midst the Princes portion was on both sides of them he was their security and defence Christ is the defence of his Church and people he is on both sides of them round about them he is a wall of fire round about Jerusalem Zech. 2.5 He is the Watchman thereof and keeps it night and day Isa 27.3 That is his glory and himself is the defence of his glory Isa 4.5 Verse 28. By the border of Gad at the Southside South-ward the border shall be c. When Jacob did prophetically bless the Tribes Dan and Gad went together Gen. 49.17 19. but here they are placed opposite Dan in the utmost part of the North ver 1. Gad in the utmost part of the South for Tamar which signifies a Palm Tree and after was called Palmira was the furthest Town South-ward in Judea near the Lake Asphaltites or the Dead Sea This portion of Gad reached unto Meribah Kadesh which was in the Wilderness of Zin Deut. 32.51 There was another Meribah in Rhephidim Exod. 17.7 where the Israelites did chide with Moses for want of wâ—ter after they came out of the Wilderness of Zin ver 1.2 The Lord may dispose of Tribes and Families and seat them in North or South or whereever he please in hot or cold Countries in Fruitful or baren Lands Verse 29. This is the Land which ye shall divide by lot unto the Tribes of Israel for inheritance The Hebrew is thus This is the Land which ye shall make or cause to fall from or for the inheritance to the Tribes of Israel That is by lot you shall make the inheritance fall unto every Tribe none were to choose what inheritance they would have but to take that where the lot fell This as Oecolampadius saith is the conclusion of the whole Chap. and that which follows is the Situation and measures the gates and Ministers of the City their maintenance and use These are their portions saith the Lord God the Hebr. is Adonai Jehovah the Lord Lord the Lord who is Soveraign of all the Lord who gives being to all things and to his word Verse 30 31 32 33 34 35. And these are the goings out of the City on the North side four thousand and five hundred measures And the gates of the City shall be after the names of the Tribes of Israel three Gates northward one Gate of Ruben one Gate of Judah and one gate of Levi. And at the East side four thousand and five hundred and three gates one gate of Joseph and one gate of Benjamin and one gate of Dan. And at the South-side four thousand and five hundred measures and three gates one gate of Simeon one gate of Issachar one gate of Zebulun At the West side four thousand and five hundred with their three gates one gate of Gad one gate of Asher one gate of Napthali It was round about eighteen thousand measures and the name of that City from that day shall be The Lord is there Verse 30. These are the goings out of the City Some understand by the goings out the gates but Jerom makes them to be the compass of the City a quatuor ejus lateribus from its four fides for not the gates but the sides had four thousand and five hundred measures at these goings out was the utmost term and extent of the City Verse 31. The gates of the City shall be after the names of the Tribes of Israel c. In the distribution of the portions of land Levi was left out he must not be troubled with the things of this world but in the assignment of the gates there is one of Levi or for Levi he had right to the City and all the priviledges of it as much as the other Tribes In the 45. chapter and several verses of this 48. mention is made of the City but in the sixteenth verse and these last six verses is the fullest description of the City and it s described 1. From the measures which were on each side for as the goings out of the City northward were four thousand and five hundred measures so were the goings out of the South East and West and that we may not question it the sixteenth verse asserts it in terminis These shall be the measures thereof the North side four thousand and five hundred and the South side four thousand and five hundred and on the East side four thousand and five hundred and on the West side four thousand and five hundred they were all alike in their measures What these measures were is of moment to enquire We have onely two mentioned in this vision Reeds and Cubits by these the Temple City and thingr pertaining unto them were measured chap. 40.5 The measuâ—ing reed in the mans hand was six cubits long and a handful breadth and if we take measures here for reeds viz. four thousand and five hundred reeds in all they come to eighteen thousand reeds which make one hundred and eight thousand cubits and eighteen thousand hands breadth and after this account every side of the City is eight miles and one hundred paces for eighteen thousand reeds make thirty two miles and four hundred paces as A Lapide observes So that this City was very large Others lessen the City greatly and make the measures to be onely cubits and so each side of the City comes to be a mile and almost a half long which was no great length nor breadth being both equal Naffenrefferus makes the measures to be cubits and insists upon it much but others are of a different judgement from him And seeing the City in the Revelations was measured by the reed it seems also more then probable that this also was measured by the same measure Rev. 21.15 16. he measured the City with a reed twelve thousand furlongs As Ezekiels City exceeded the former City much so Johns City exceeded Ezekiels far more for being square as the other was it had three thousand furlongs on each side which make three hundred seventy and fivemiles reckoning eight furlongs to a mile So that this City being three hundred seventy and five miles in length and as many in breadth was the best City that ever was 2. It s discribed from the gates of it This City had twelve gates three on every side and these gates were according to the names of the Tribes of Israel Ruben Judah Levi had the North-gates Joseph Benjamin Dan had the East gates Simeon Issachar Zebulon had the South gates Gad Asher Naptali had the west gates The several names of the Tribes were written upon the gates Herein Ezekiels and Johns City the new Jerusalem do fully agree for Johns had twelve gates three on each quarter and the names of the twelve
Tribes written upon them Rev. 21.12 3. It s discribed from the compass of it ver 35. It was round about eighteen thousand measures Take measures for Cubits and then it was not above six Miles in compass but if we take them for reeds as divers do then the compass of this City is thirty two miles and almost an half But far short of the compass of the new Jerulalem that great City which was fifteen th◠〈◊〉 miles about for so many miles do twelve thousand furlongs amount unto both the City which John saw measured and that Ezekiel saw measured were four square comely firm and durable the Court is four-square Ezek. 40.47 the holy oblation was so Ezek. 48.20 and so was the City 4. It s discribed from the name verse 35. The name of the City from that day shall be Jehovah Shammah The Lord is there From the day of its building and inhabitation it shall be called so Many Cities have had glorious and significant names as Nicopolis Tit. 3.12 which signifies the Victorious City Nazareth Luk. 4.16 notes sanctified or separated Bethsaida Mat. 11.21 the house of fruits or meats Bethlehem Luke 2.4 the house of bread Jerusalem the Vision of peace but they fall short of this name Jehovah Shammah Some make the meaning of these words the name of the City shall be The Lord is there to be this that God would be in the City not that the City was or shall be ever called so as it is said of Christ his name shall be called Wonderful Councellor the Mighty God the Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace he was so but not called by those names and so this City it shall have God in it there present yet not be so named but I see nothing hinders but it may both be so called and have God in it and because God is there therefore to be so called The name Jehovah is a glorious and fearful name Deut. 28.58 Junius hath the words thus nomen gloriosissimum summe reverendum istud that name most gloriously and highly to be reverenced Bernard calls it Nomen Majestatium a Majestical name Philo lib. 3. de vita Mosis saith quod si quis nomen Dei blasphemaverit hominum deorumque domino abusus fuerit vel nomen ejus intempestive protulerit noxam luat capite and presently after Quomodo meretur veniam qui 〈◊〉 abutitur sanctissimo dei nomine tantum ad explendum sermonem non aliter quam prophanis vocibus Some observe that the Jews after their return from Babylon had such high reverential thoughts of the Name Jehovah that they thought it not fit to be pronounced but used the name Adonai in the stead thereof least it should be prophaned This glorious majestical and most holy name is given to this City What is meant by this City is of concernment to know Some by it understand Jerusalem litterally as it was rebuilt by the Jews after their return together with the civil state in which the Prince governed by civil Laws just Weights and measures but such a City as is here described was never built by the Jews after their captivity To let that opinion pass some do make this City Ezekiel saw to be a moddle and platform of that City the Jews who should be called converted and brought to their own land again should build and inhabit but because the Jews return to their own land is denyed by some questioned by many and doubted by most whither ever a City as that here is held out viz. of thirty two miles compass shall be built by them it is safest to interpret this City typically and in this sense Interpreters are not all of a mind for some make it to be a representative of Heaven and the amplitude or graces thereof others make it to be a representation of the Church under the Gospel in the former times thereof especially yet short of that City the Heavenly Jerusalem which John saw Chap. 21. for though this City and that agree in some things yet they differ in many I shall shew you some difference between them 1. The gates of Ezekiels City had no Angels to keep it in but at the twelve gates of Johns City there were twelve Angels to keep them Rev. 21.12 2. In Ezekiels City there was a Temple but in Johns there is none Rev. 21.22 3. The materials of Ezekiels Cities were inferiour to those of Johns which were gold pearl and precious stones Rev. 21.18 to 22. 4. The Waters of this City came from under the Threshold of the Temple and from the Southside of the Altar but Johns City had a pure River of Water of life clear as chrystal which proceeded from the throne of God and of the lamb Rev. 22.1 5. Ezekiels City had all trees for meat and medicine on both sides of the banks of the River Johns had one by the tree of life which bears twelve manner of fruits Rev. 22.2 6. The light and glory of Ezekiels City fell short of that which Johns had Rev. 21.23 for it had no need of the Sun nor of the Moon to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof 7. Ezekiels City was not half so great as Johns the one being onely eighteen thousand measures in compass and the other twelve thousand furlongs in length breadth and height Rev. 21.16 8. Johns City had a Wall of twelve foundations and in them the names of the twelve Apostles Ezekiels City had a Wall Chap. 40.5 but no names in it of Prophets or Apostles Now notwithstanding this City John saw the new Jerusalem exceeded that our prophet saw very much yet they both represent the Church of Christ here on earth and it will not be denyed but that they may in part represent it in Heaven By this City of Ezekiel I conceive is pointed out into us the glorious state of the Christian Church in the latter days it hath been a long time said to war under Antichrist and his instruments the breaches and ruines of it at this day are great and the face of such a City hardly visible but when the times of Antichrists destruction and the Jews conversion do come then shall this City be built then shall Sion be in her glory the Christian Church shall be then in a greater glory then formerly If the coming in of the Gentiles at first began the foundation of this City what will the fulness of the Gentiles be when that is come Rom. 11.25 but a glorious addition to this City and then when the fulness of the Jews shall be added to the Christian Church to this City what will that be but life from the dead vers 15. The perfecting of this City wherein shall be a Temple suitable which John minds us of Rev. 11.1 Where the Temple Altar and Worshippers are measured and its observable where there is mention of measuring and so building a Temple respect is had
unto the Jews and the one thousand two hundred and sixty days put for years are drawing to an end and God is about some great things to be done in the world and will ere long break forth That by this City is represented the Church some Rabbins themselves do acknowledge for though they deny our Christ to be the Messiah because he never built them such a Temple and City as Ezekiel describes yet they acknowledge this City and Temple to be understood not corporally or literally but mystically and spiritually And the Talmudists affirm That by Jerusalem we are to understand the gathering of the Gentiles to Christ or the whole body of Christians There be several things observable concerning this City or Church of Christ 1. That it is well and strongly founded usually Cities are built upon hills and mountains which are the strongest parts of the earth and so was this City chap. 40.2 Ezekiel saw the frame of this City upon a very high mountain and on such a mountain is the Christian Cfiurch built on the mountain of Gods Decree and Power on the mountain of Righteousness and Truth it s built upon Christ the rock of ages such a rock as the gates of hell cannot shake or shatter John tells us of this City the new Jerusalem that it had twelve foundations three on every square which were sure firm and would never fail The Lord Christ the holy Scriptures and the Doctrine of the holy Prophets and Apostles must fall to the ground before the Church shall be ruined 2 Tim. 2.19 2. It is comely and beautiful Cities which are built four square especially are so and such was this City it had four thousand and five hundred measures on each quarter there was nothing unfightly on any of the four quarters they were all parallel and had gates alike in them which presented it very delightful to the eye the Church of Christ is comely and beautiful its built not of unhewen stones or timber but such as are well hewen and orderly laid together Hence the Church of Corinth is called Gods building 1 Cor. 3.9 and the Church in general the City of the living God Heb. 12.22 The Church is such a building such a City as is full uf comeliness and beauty it s a congregation of Saints Psal 149.1 It s the garden of Christ Cant. 4.12 his Kingdom Matth. 13.41 his Spouse whom himself saith is fair yea the fairest among women Cant. 1.8 pleasant verse 16. and beautiful 7.1 the Church is Christs body Eph. 1.23 the Spirits Temple 1 Cor. 3.16 and therefore hath curious work in it very glorious and beautiful What David said of Sion Psal 50.2 that it was the perfection of beauty is most true of the Church under Christ and in Christ it s the perfection of beauty Heb. 10.14 By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified 3. The greatness and amplitude of this City it had four thousand and five hundred measures Eastward West North and Southward it was eighteen thousand measures in compass which sets out the greatness and vast extent of the Church of Christ Zach. 10.10 God saith he will bring the Jews from Egypt and Assyria and so multiply them that place shall not be found for them Isa 49.20 The children shall say in thine ears that is in the ears of the Church the place is too strait for me give place that I may dwell The Christian Church is spoken of which should multiply so that their habitation must be enlarged as it is Isa 54.1 2 3. Now the tents and curtains of Sions habitation are stretched to the ends of the earth Psal 2.8 Mal. 1.11 From the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof 4. The City hath access unto it from all parts great Cities have many gates East gates West gates North gates and South gates so had this City twelve gates in every quarter three which signifies unto us the great access should be unto the Church of Christ from all parts not onely Jews should come out of the twelve Tribes to enter and dwell in this City and be under the Government of it but multitudes of Gentiles out of all nations and quarters of the world should do so Rev. 7. John saw not onely twelve thousand Jews enter in at each gate but a great multitude also which no man could number of all Nations kindreds peoples Tongues The Jews were numerable forty four thousand but the Gentiles were above so many millions the number of them which entered by the gates was innumerable 5. The happiness of this City which is from the Lords inhabiting there and giving it its denomination the name of it shall be Jehovah Shammah The Lord is there Alexandria was not so happy in Alexander nor Constantinople so happy in Constantine nor Jerusalem in Solomon as this City shall be in Jehovah We read in sacred Scripture of a golden City Isa 14.4 of a Royal City 1 Sam. 27.5 of a renowned City Ezek. 26.17 But their glory and happiness was a shadow to the glory and happiness of this City they were cities without God Jehovah was not there but here will the Lord himself be These words Jehovah Shammah import 1. The presence of God in the Church and that is a happiness to have his presence when God left the Temple and City of Jerusalem that was their great misery Hos 9.12 His presence in Heaven makes it Heaven and his presence in the Church makes it happy Thus saith the Lord I am returned unto Sion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem and Jerusalem shall be called a City of truth and the mountain of the Lord of Hosts the holy mountain Gods presence makes it a City of Truth and an holy mountain and that City is happy which hath truth and holiness in it Zech. 8.3 2. His continuance in it he will not be ut hospes in diversorio sed ut haeres in patrimonio he will dwell there he will not leave this city nor depart from it as he did from Jerusalem of old and as he did from the Jews after their captivity Jer. 32.40 I will not turn away from them to do them good Ezek. 37.26 I will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore Rev. 7.15 He that sitteth upon the throne shall dwell with them It is the happiness of a Saint to have the Comforter and his great happiness to have the same abide with him and that for ever Joh. 14.16 So it s the happiness of the Christian to have Christs presence and exceeding happiness to have it for ever 3. His upholding and preserving of it the Church is Gods building 1 Cor. 3.9 He said in Isaiahs days I will lay thy stones with fair colours and lay thy foundations with Saphires I will make thy windâ—ws of Agates and thy gates of Carbuncles and all thy border of pleasant stones Isa 54.11 12. and when the Lord shall do this he will
be Jehovah Shammah he will uphold and preserve that building Matth. 16.18 Vpon this rock will I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail In ecclesia est Deus qui est suum esse omnium rerum esse praeservare He is the keeper of Israel Ps 121.4 I will keep this city from being besieged stormed or plundered 4. His making himself and his mind known in an especial manner as he did to Moses Exod. 6.3 I appeared to Abraham unto Isaac and unto Jacob by the name of God Almighty but by my name Jehovah was I not known unto them but unto Moses he was known by that name and imparted his mind unto him above others So shall it be in this city Isa 11.9 The earth shall be full of the knowledge of Jehovah Isa 52.6 My people shall know my name Isa 60.16 Thou shalt know that is the Church that the Lord I Jehovah am thy Saviour They in Judah Israel Salem and Sion had other knowledge of God and his Name then the Nations had and they of this city shall have peculiar knowledge of God what others had in the ear they shall have in the eye what others had in the head they shall have in the heart Christ will make great and glorious discoveries of himself and of his mind unto the citizens of this city Rev. 11.19 The temple of God was opened in Heaven and there was seen in his Temple the Ark of the Testament Christ is the Temple of God and his Temple was opened in Heaven that is the Church frequently called Heaven in this Book of the Revelation The Ark in the Old Testament-Temple which had the Table of the Law and the pot of Manna in it typed out Christ the Gospel and mysteries thereof which held out that Christ the spiritual Ark shall not be hid Jehovah Shammah God is present in Christ and Christ will so open himself to this city that himself Father and mysteries of the Gospel will be more plain and manifest then ever 5. His ruling and governing of this City and it s a happy city which hath Jehovah Christ the King of Righteousness to govern it Zech. 14.9 Jehovah shall be King over all the earth and in that day there shall be one Lord not many Lords but one Lord even the Lord Jesus Christ Ezek. 37.22 One King shall be King to them all to all the converted Jews and Gentiles which make this city of God Zech. 6.13 it is said of Christ there that he shall build the Temple of the Lord and he shall hear the glory and shall sit and rule upon his Throne Christ shall bear the glory not onely for building the Temple and the city but also for ruling because he will rule righteously and faithfully to the satisfaction of all Isa 11.5 Righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins and faithfulness the girdle of his reins This girdle he never puts off but is girt therewith always shewing his readiness to be faithful and righteous in his government 6. The pouring out of his Spirit Jehovah is there to pour that out more fully what men had formerly was onely the first fruits of the Spirit Rom. 8.23 A few had it poured out upon them but then will be a more plentiful effusion all the Citizens of this City shall be filled with the Spirit Zech. 12.8 He that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David and the house of David shall be as God and the Angel of the Lord before them then shall the weakest by the Spirit of Christ abound in gifts and graces and be as David who excelled all in his days and his house shall be as God that is full of the Spirit or as the Angels that is having such grace qualities and estimation 7. The making the City and Citizens honorable and glorious then shall it be the renowned royal and golden City guilded with the beams of Christs glorious presence from the head commeth glory to the body A Wife shineth radiis mariti Christ gloria patris sui and this City with the glory and beauty of Christ His presence made the glory of the latter Temple and City greater then the glory of the former and this presence in this Temple and City will make the glory of it grrater then that of the larter Temple and City for then he was there in a state of humiliation but he shall not be so in this he will be in his reigning state and his citizens will be honorable Zech. 9.16 They shall be as the stones of a Crown lifted up not as common stones but as the stones of a Crown and not as stones of a Crown falling to the earth but as stones of a Crown lifted up to be put on the head of a King O quanta dignitas horum civium How great is the honour of these Citizens They are brought in Rev. 5.10 speaking of it themselves Thou hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign on the earth And this is not all the honour for besides this they shall have every one three honourable names for Christ Rev. 3.12 will write upon them the name of his God and the name of the City of God and his own new name 8. The keeping them in unity and love The Citizens shall then be of one minde Zech. 14.9 In that day there shall be one Lord and his name one the invocation and Worship of his Name shall be one then shall that be fulfilled Zeph. 3.9 Then will I turn to the people a pure language that they may all call upon the name of the Lord to serve him with one consent The Hebrew is with One shoulder A metaphor taken ftom Oxen in the Yoke which draw together as with one shoulder so these Citizens shall joyntly and unanimously knit together and worship the Lord Christ There shall be no Schisms names of distinction as now there are far if when Christ left the World the Saints were all of one heart Act. 2.32 Much more so shall it be in this City when Christ shall be in the midst thereof and guide them by his Spirit into all truth 9. These words Jehovah Shammah import the great delight the Lord will take in this City and the Citizens threof in the Church and members thereof Isa 60.4 She shall be called Hephzi-bah that is my delight is in her Then it will appear the Church is his pleasant portion Jer. 12.10 And the dearly beloved of his soul Verse 7. His glory Isa 46.13 The throne of his glory Jer. 14.21 Yea the crown of his glory Isa 62.3 He will delight in them to do them good to communicate himself unto them Revel 7.15 16 17. He that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell among them They shall hunger no more neither thirst any more neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat For the Lamb which it in the midst of the Throne shall feed them and shall