THE Solace of SION and Joy of IERVSALEM Or Consolation of Gods Church in the latter age redeemed by the preaching of the Gospell vniuersallye Beeing a godly and learned exposition of the Lxxxvij Psalme of the Princelye Prophet DAVID Written in Latine by the reuerend Doctor VRBANVS REGIVS Pastor of Christes Church at Zelle in Saxonie 1536. Translated into english by R. Robinson Citizen of London 1587. Ioel 2. vers 32. But whosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shall be saued For in Mount SION and in Ierusalem shall be deliuerance as the Lorde hath said and in the remnant whome the Lord shall call Psal 45. â—egina à dextris â—â—i c vers 9. Psal 113. Qui facit mulierem orbaÌ„ habitare cum familia sua matreÌ„que filiorum laetam fore vers 9. â—ex concupiscet â—ecorem tuum â— vers 11. Qui Structor Ecclesiae suae est Angul â—risque Lapis Rex SION Salem Leo Iudae Flosque Iessae Nutritiosque creat Reges Nutricesque Reginas Ecclesiae suae protegat inquam CHRISTVS Reginam ELIZABETH Scuta Regalia sua Liberae vt SARAâ— filij multi fiant Donec nos in SION Dei Ciuitateque Viui SALEM sic Caelesti coagaudeaâ—nus omnes CIVITAS LONDON Ps 101. AnnuÌ„cictur in Sion nomen Domini laus eiê° in Ierusalem vers 26. Ex omnibus Ciuitatibus edificatis O Deus sanâ—… To the Right Honorable Sir George Barne Knight Lord Maior of the City of London to the Right worshipful his Brethren the Aldermen of the same Grace Mercy Peace and plenitude of Temporal and eternal Beatitude in Christ Iesus our Lorde and Sauiour Euerlasting KNOVVLEDGE of GOD by his holy wil word works omnipotent conceiued Faith in his heauenly prouidence presence and promises al sufficient perceiued and obedient thankfulnesse for his inestimable bounty benefits blessing permanent receiued Right Honorable Worshipfull and Reuerend in the Lord as they are three most excellent plants of deuine vertue of whose fruite if our first Parents in Paradise had taken tasted and disgested aright as they did of a contrarie not onely their solace there had beene without Sorrowe their ioy without anoy and their life without death to the inspeakable solace and infinite ioy of the eternall GOD their Creator But also both they and all their posteritie had beene freed from the thraldome of Sathan sinne Death and Hell from time to time euen for euer For thereby in steede of knowledge wilful boldnes for want of faith incredulytie and for obediâ—… iâ—â—o paine prosperity into aduersitie health into sicknes life into death and blessings into cursings Albeit the same our omnipotent Creator mercifull Redeemer gratious sanctifier according to his holy will word and work by his heauenly prouidence presence and promises by hiâ— bountie benefites and blessings afterwardeâ— finding better fruites of knowledge repentance faith and obedience in theÌ„ comforted and confirmed both the same our first sinfull parentes their seede after them videlizeâ— SETH ENOS KAINAN MALALIEL â—ARED ENOCH with long and happie daies vpon earth Of which seauen ENOCH especially euen aliue the rest of the fathers beholding the same was from thence translated into heauen not onely for a repentance vnto the nations in this life but also to signify the immortalitie of the bodies soules of the Lordâ— elect after this life euerlastingly And hereupon the best approued Interpreters and writers gather that as the Lord in sixe daies created the world â—ested the seauenth day so the same shoulde endure six thousand yeares the seuenth thousand shold be the Sabath of eternal rest and as the first sixe Fathers from ADAM to ENOCH died by course of nature and the seauenth was translated aliue into Heauen so during the first 6000. yeares death should raiâ—â—â—n the world but in the 7000 should begin thâ—â—â—â—â—â—ednesse of life in the world euerlasting Here then consequeâ—â—â— after ENOCH we now for our time haue great cause of consolation To remember how yet in the first age God calling NOAH a rest or ceasing with his famelye into the Arke and they obediently entring were saued when al the world besides were consumed Gen. 6 And how in the second age of the worde SHâ—â— the renoumed of whome the first Iewes came IAPHETH enlarged of whome the first Gentiles came both the sonnes of the same NOAH should being blessed ioine handes together towards the building of the earthly SION and heauenly IERVSALEM when their brother CAM crafty for his disobedience was accursed Genes 9 And his children the Cananites an idolatrous and wicked people were confounded in their presumtuous building of the earthly BABEL How also the second age expired and in the 23. yeare of the third beginning ABRAHAM the father of a multitude being called by God out of the Citie of HARAN in Mesopotomia into Palestine eueÌ„ there amongst the infidels receiued the promise concerning Christ incarnate of his seed that the world shoulde by him recouer the blessings that it lost through ADAM Genes 12. Which was by the will of God more amply perfourmed in the Lords couenaÌ„t vnto Dauid beloued of the tribe of IVDA the yongest sonne of ISHAY Who from keeping of sheepe being called to be a king ruled in SION and in IERVSALEM with great solace and ioy of his people a Conqueror of their enemies a comforter of their friendes and as a princely deuine 〈…〉 Lords annointed receiued the effectual promise concerning Christâ— incarnate to come of his 〈…〉 and the sure safe stability of his euerlasting kingdome 2 Sam. 7. and though he builded not the Lord a materiall Temple yet hee endeuoured most religiously to aduance Gods glorie in his congregation with de uine seruice and worship according to the holie will of the Lord solemply celebrating the same with heaueÌ„ly harmony of sacred songes and with Psalmes of prayer and praise appointing ASAPH Hâ—MAN IDITHVM and the sonnes of KORACH most skilful Musitions to play vpon and sing to melodious instruments with sweet solace ioy in the Lord. After whom SOLOMON peaceable his sonn succeeding being appointed of the Lord to builde and beautify the Temple for religion wisedome wealth power and prosperitie incomparably florished at the first But in his elder years forgetting God and falling vnto Idolatrie he procured Gods displeasure the hatred of his enemies and decay of his kingdome And in the third age the Lorde thinking vpon his promise made vnto Dauid aforesaid by his prouidence ordained the most godly wise prosperous and victorious kinges of IVDA as Asa Iosaphat Ioathan Ezechias and Iosias and after them Cyrus Darius and Artaxerxes kings of Persia with Zerubbabel Ne hemias Esdias their helpers to build the Lords house destroy all Idolatry bring the people out of Babilonical thraldome and set them forwards in the way of the promised heauenly SION and IerusaleÌ„ In whose daies also the Lord stirred vp his holy Prophets Esay Ieremy Ezechiel Daniell
and the rest to pronounce vnto the Nations his holy wil word works to preach vnto al true beleeuers his prouideÌ„ce presence promises in his church kingdome by Christ and his Gospel of euerlasting saluation In the fourth age of the 〈…〉 the Prophets Christ Iesus the sonne of God came into the world for the saluation of al true beleeuers whoÌ„ the very Gentiles of the â—ast at his first comming acknowledged worshipped the Iewes afterwards scatered here and there among the Gentiles and many of their Rulers beleeued in him Though the Pharises Scribes and Hipocrites with other wicked Iewes despised his doctrine and persecuted his person and his Apostles also of whom the denying Peter a penitent Pastor among the Iewes and the persecuting Saule a conuert Paul among the Gentiles were also mightie messengers workmen of their maister Christ when with theÌ„ the other Appostles and many christian Doctors Martires and meÌ„bers of the Primitiue Church vnder 12. persecutions for the same causes and effectes liued and died the faithfull seruants of Christ and Inheritours of the promised heauenly SION and Ierusalem And as euen in that age the Romane Antechriste began his kingdome to constitute mans traditions a boue Christs institutions whome Tyrants Epicures Sophisters and manifolde miscreantes vpheld had in honor So euen then in the fift age of the world the Lord God stirred vp good and gratious Emperors and kinges godly spiritual persons and religious meÌ„bers of his Church to settle and defend his trueth and aduance the glory of his heauenly kingdome to the subduing of the same Antichrist And now are almost 600 yeares entred into the sixt age of the world the Lordin his holy wil word and work perfourming his prouidence presence and promises in his church and kingdome euerlasting by gathering the same out of euery Nation the faithful of his flock who shal partake with him of the celestial solace infinite ioy in the heauenly SION and Ierusalem in the Sabaoth of eternall rest Towardes the well wishing wherevnto Right honorable worshipful reuereÌ„d in the Lord like as the Apostle Paul writ his louing salutatioÌ„s vnto the Romanes at that time the chosen church of Christ and amongst some of them engrafted in the true faith before himselfe was called praied theÌ„ to salute VRBANVS his fellow helper in Christ So do â— most humbly and hartely reuerently dutifully recoÌ„mend vnto your honour and worships godly fauourable acceptations of this short but sweet Psalm this little but learned labour published by so faithful a fellow helpen of Paul this VRBANVS REGIVS or kingly Citizen of Christ in our time who as he being present in spirite though absent in body for two yeares sent the same in latine as a token of remeÌ„brance vnto the worshipful Senators of Hamborow his frieÌ„ds So I a poore Citizen of LONDON wel willer of your worships my good benefactors doe dedicate consecrate this my translation of the same In perperuam MnemosinaÌ„ proÌ„ptitudinis meae in praecatione praxin pro pietatibus vestris And so humbly beseeching your honour worships to accept my great good wil in so smal a substance though great in effect I hartely pray for the happy long encrease of Gods benefites and blessings vpon this City terrestiall for the end les perfruitioÌ„ therof with Christ the immaculate LaÌ„b his Angels elders thousandes thousandes of his elect vnto whome with the father and the holy Ghost they incessantly shal ascribe all power riches and wisedome and strength and honor and glory and praise For euer and euer So be it Your honors and worships humble Orator Richard Robinson The Lxxxvii Psal according to the Hebrues Whereof the Title is attributed A Psalme or Songe of the SONNES of KORACH AVGVSTINE saide well that this Psalme was verye briefe in circumstance of wordes but greate in substance of all the sentences For whereas it hath but seauen verses onely yet notwithstanding it describeth profoundlie the Churche of Christ the Heauenly Ierusalem the spirituall Sion as the fruitfull Mother both of the Iewes and Gentiles what a one how large she shall be when as she shal not only haue Citizens from among the Iewes but from among the Gentiles also throughout the whole worlde And out of this Psalme learne we that Article of our faith I beleeue there is one Catholike holy Church the CoÌ„munion of Saintes And I suppose this is euen very specially necessary for this ouâ— age that we may exactlye learne and daylie handle this Article out of the holy Scriptures leaste we be seduced either by the Anabaptistes and Chiliasts of our time carnally vnderstanding the predictions of Prophets concerning the Church either els be carried away with admiration of their glorious and stately Titles who at this day thruste foorth into Christians the inuentions of mans braine for and in steede of the true worshipping of GOD vnder preteÌ„ce of the Church As if the Church of whome we daylie make mention in the Apostolike Créede were either a worldlye pollicye or the Author of infinite tradicions which at this day false and tyranicall teachers of this latter age do cast as it were snares into the consciences of christian people like as the Prophet Ezechiell in his 13. Chap. speaketh of those deceiuers That they mighte slaye the Soules of them which die not and giue life to the soules that liue not in lying to my People which beleeue their lies Verse 19. The Lxxxvii Psal vers 1. Her foundations are vpon the holy Hilles Pars 1. The Lord loueth the Gates of Sion more theÌ„ al the dwellings of Iacob Pars 2. PAVLE the Apostle wrote in 1 Cor. 10. That all thinges happened to the Iewes in Type or figure as it were vnto a People Tipicall or figuratiue wherfore we will herehence enter our purpose from the Type vnto the trueth and from the shadowe vnto the Light it selfe What notable thing soeuer is any-wheare in the Scripture mentioned as touching Sion Ierusalem Iuda and Israel what so deuine promises of Christ and his euerlasting Kingdome are any wheare set downe all this doth the carnall People of the Iewes referre vnto themselues and the earthly Sion Ierusalem Wherefore in these and such like Prophesies the Iewes notably flatter themselues and most arrogantly despise the Gentiles in comparison of them selues Because as S. Paule sayeth 2. Cor. â— Those Gentiles haue the â—oâ—eâ—iâ—â— vntaken from their hearts as in the reading of the Olde Testament and the Kingdome of God is taken from them They also erre not knowing the Scriptures neither shall the Veile or Couering of their vngodly ignorance be taken away except they first be conuerted vnto the Lord. verses 14. 15. 16. So â—as whiles they imbrace not IESVS of Nazareth for theire true Messias or Sauiour fore promised in the Lawe and the Prophets and sente vnto vs from God in the last
in this place called the Citty of God But some would say is not God euery where yea euen among the Turks why theÌ„ is the Church onely that is the congregation of Christians called the Cittie of GOD For Esay the Prophet saieth Cap. 66. Heauen is my seat and the earth is my footstool I answere God is euery wheare by power and essence but not euery whear by grace but in Christians onely whoe beléeue in Christ the Mediator Thereis God saide to dwell in his Church because the Church is that peculier people of God sanctified in the blood of Christ consecrated to God in Baptisme by the holy Ghost that it may be a liuely Temple and Tabernacle of God wherin hée dwelleth whereinto he powreth out his holy spirit with his guitts on which he bestoweth through Christ incorruptibility and eternitie For as touching Christians God specially faith in 26. Leuit. I will set my Tabernacle in the middest of you and my soule shall not loath you I will walk amoÌ„gst you and I wil be your God and you shal be my people vers 11 which place y e holy Apostle S. Paul 2 cor 6. referreth vnto all ChristiaÌ„s which are the people of God the true Church of Christ ver 19 And y e holy Euangelist S. Iohn in reuel cap 11. writeth Behold the tabernacle of god is with meÌ„ he wilbe with theÌ„ they shall be his people and God himselfe shal be their god with theÌ„ And the Prophet Ezechiel saith cap. 37. My tabernacle shall be in theÌ„ and I will be their God they shal be my people vers 27. After this maner doe the Prophets cal Christians the Citty of God As it is in the 46. Psalme The riches of the flood shal make glad the city of god the most highest hath sanctified his Tabernacle God is in the midst of her ther fore she shal not be remooued God will giue help vnto her and that right early And herevpon Aurelius Augustinus that reuerend and most exercised deuine in Scriptures when as he did confute y e Romanes blasphemies by reason of the irruptions of y e Goathes slaundering the way of trueth calleth the Church that is the coÌ„gregation of ChristiaÌ„s because she is predestinate to raign w t God for euer the city of God as in his first booke vnto Marcellinus appeareth for he was persuaded by the sacred Scriptures y t there wer two cities One the church of God which here amongst the vngodly in this world liuing by faith in Christ hath her perigrination or soiourning froÌ„ time to time place to place the other is of this world or pertaineth to the Deuil which hath y â— vngodlie ones not beleeuing in y e gospel of christ vessels of wrath prepared for euerlasting destruction w t the deuill his angels He deriueth y â— City of God as beginning at Abell who was a Soiourner in this worlde by grace predestinate vnto life by grace a Straunger on 〈…〉 The other he bringeth from Cain the murtherer which was first borne a Cittizen of this world of whome it is read that he builded a Cittie But of Abell a Pilgrim in this world we read not that he builded any Cittie This Cittie then of the holie ones is from aboue although it bringeth foorth Cittizens heare in this worlde in whom it liueth Stranger-like vntill the time of her Kingdome come when as she shall gather together all her Cittizens rising againe to life euen in their bodies when the Kingdome promised shall be geuen them where with their Prince the King of all holie ones they shall raigne worlde without end as the saide Augustine diligentlie handleth in Lib 15. Cap. 2. De Ciuitate Dei The Psalmograph therefore here saieth Very excellent things are spoken of thee thou Cittie of God Nowe except wee sleepe all too sluggishly and neglect our benefites to come it shall wel please vs to search out and discerne what glorious thinges these may bee which are spoken off touching or in the Church of 〈…〉 spoken of vâ— which â—e leeue in Christ and confesse Christ First and for most who hath at any time explaned this praise-worthy Title euen by dignity That Christians are called the Cittye of God For in this one Tytle all good thinges are vnderstoode namely y â— she inioyeth very good Lawes a most wise Magistrate faithfull mosts learned Teachers inuintible Warriors a quiet and most obedient People true Peace and Safetie true Holinesse Righteousnes true Joy sure or certain knowledge of speciall things and brieflye true life and Saluation for so is this Citie called because God dwelleth in her as in his owne house his beloued and holye Tabernacle And where God after this manner dwelleth by grace I praye ys what good things may be wanting doth not such a one dwell safelie And the Cittie so safe insulteth with S. Paule against her enemies on this manner If God be on our side who can be against vs. Rom 8. Wherfore if God be King and Lord in her there must ueedes be in her absolute felicitie by al meanes that is to say Righteousnesse and euerlasting saluatioÌ„ Christ the king of glorie with al his good graces dwel in the Church by good right then doth Paul first a persecutor and afterwardes a builder and defender of the Church call her glorious as in Ephes 5. And what are these Glorious thinges which are spoken of in or touching this Church The Church is called The holy and beloued spouse of Christ Ephes 5. whom as Oseas saith Christ the king of glory hath maried vnto himselfe for euer in righteousnes in iudgemeÌ„t and in mercy and coÌ„passioÌ„ faith that she may know how he is the Lord. cap 2. vers 19 20. The Church is thus diuersly also called The City of the liuing God Heb 13. Esa 60. The city of the great king a beautifull place and the ioy of all the whole earth Psal 47 vers 2. The people that dwell therin shall haue their iniquity forgeuen Esay 33. vers 24. The body of Christ 1 cor 12. Ephes cap 1. The piller and grouÌ„d of truth 1 Tim. 3. Mount Sion the heauenlye Ierusalem Heb. 12. vers 22. The hill of the Lord the holy hill Esay â— 63. The Temple of God 1 Cor. 3. vers 17. The Horne of saluation exalted in the house of Dauid the seruaÌ„t of God Luk. 1 The house of God Heb 3. 1 Tim. 3. The house of Iacob the seat of Dauid Esay 9. Luk. 1. A City sought out and not forsaken Esay 62. vers 12. Of this Ierusalem it is said Psal 147 Thy God hath made the Barres of thy Gates strong he hath blessed thy Children in thee He setteth peace in thy borders and satisfieth thee with the flower of wheat verses 13. and 14. The Queene on the right hand of God in a vesture of golde of Ophyr wrought with needle worke Psal 45. The King shall
wâ—ek of the yeares which Daniell declareth Cap 9. vers 27. but imagine themselues another Sauiour or Sacrifice offered I know not whom it is impossible for them to vnderstande the sacred misteries of the Gaspell in the Prophets which are not vnderstoode but by the gouernment and guide of y e spirit of Christ who speaketh in the Prophets And none haue the spirit of Christ but they which beleeue in Iesus Christ Wherefore also in this Psalme as yet still pleasantly dreame they of that same auncient Cittye of Sion in time past ouerthrowne and laide waste by the 〈…〉 â— as Daniell also witnesseth neuer to be restoryd againe But the Church of Christe which hath the holye Ghost and thereby also true vnderstanding of the Scripture knoweth indeede that Ierusalem and Sion was in time past beloued of God For at Ierusalem was the Priesthoode of the Leuites the Sanctuarie propiciatorie a place dedicated for religion or true worshipping of God that same notable treasure of sacred Scriptures the Law and the Prophets wherein is the Gospell of eternall saluation And in Ierusalem was the Kings royall Throane vpon the which should sit that same true King of Israell the Messias which was to be born of the seede of Dauid but all this should come to passe in a certaine other order then other Kinges had their gouernment In this Sion were glorious thinges begun For the same Ruler ouer Israell Iesus Christ came into this Sion and into his holy Temple Malachy 3 Therin preached he the vnsearcheable Riches of his grace Therein beganne he that mighty Kingdome of his by the woorde of his Gospell and by his spirite which was miraculously powred vpon his Apostles in Sion The Law and the Prophets were in that place accomplished For Iesus of Nazareth the sonne of Dauid after the flesh the true Messias came into Sion riding vhon an Asses Colte the true and eternall King of Sion and in the same Cittie celebrated the true feast of Passouer and néer vnto the same offered vppe himselfe to GOD his Father the full accomplishment of all figuratiue sacrifices the sacrifice of true redemption and the verye immaculate Lambe died he at the feast of Easter for the sinnes of all the worlde and all this did he the alone high Prieste who with one onely oblation purchased euerlasting redemption vnto Israell Out of Sion afterwards plentifully issued the Gospell of Gods grace into the worlde by the Apostles And the Primitiue Church which at the firste was but very small in number wente out of Sion and disperst her selfe into the four partes of the world that the Scriptures might be fulfilled Concerning the calling of the Gentiles vnto the grace of the Gospell The Church I say knewe eâ—â—n the earthly Sion to â—ee for a season beloued preserued of God vntill Siloh that is the promised Sauiour came into her and out of her by the remnants of Israll saued should Sion the true Church of Christ come foorth into all the worlde as the mother of all true beléeuers in Christe And shee also knewe euen that same Sion in Canaan to haue ben a figure of the true Sion the Church of God dispearsed throughout the world which is the heauenly Ierusalem As it is also saide by S. Paule 13. Hebr. Ye are come vnto the hil of Sion and to the Cittye of the liuing God the heauenly Ierualem c. Although therefore the Holy Ghoste fore-prophested these things touching the earthly Ierusalem and the earthly Sion as by a Type or Figure yet he intituled this Psalme especiallye of the true Sion the Church of Christ which is to be gathered from among the Iewes and Gentiles also neither had he respect only vnto the earthly Cittie her walles of stone but vnto the spirituall Cittye and her spirituall Scituacions and vnto farre greater matters then the faithlesse Jewes could conceiue of The holye Ghost chieflye recorded this touching The holy Cittie the newe Ierusalem descended from Heauen prepared as a Bride trimmed for her Husbande Apoc. 21. vers 2. And as S. Paul saith in the former Epistle and 11. Cap. Heb. Hauing the foundations of the Cittie whose Builder and maker is not man alone but GOD himselfe made man verse 10 The holy Ghost premeditated this as concerning the true foundation of Sion The liuely stone of men indeed refused but of God chosen and had in reputation Mat 21. He foresignified the liuely stones also builded vpon the approoued corner stone chosen precious and liuely as that spirituall house the Tabernacle and Temple of the liuing God Yea he prefigureth The Mountaine of the house of the Lord prepared in the toppe of the Mountaines exalted aboue the Hilles wherunto the People shal ronne and many nations shal make haste as it were vnto a Fort of refuge to learne the waies of the Lorde and to walke in his pathes Micheas 4. vers 1 and 2. He in whome and for whome God hath promised true and assured benefites vnto his elect is King not of this world or an earthly person but is spirituall heauenly and eternall Wherefore the elect ones of GOD are not to looke after the benefites of this worlde for the which we neither were baptized nor haue beleeued But we must seeke for the assured good things vncorrupt and eternall Undoubtedly Augustine saieth verie godlily writing vpon the 91. Psalme We are not ChristiaÌ„s but for the world to come Let no man hope for the good things in this life let no maÌ„ promise him selfe the prosperity of the world because be is a Christian No Cittie vpon earth which shal soone perish must we look for but the true Cittie whose walle and fouÌ„dation God himselfe is vpon whom all the praiers of the godly ones do rest of whome in the exilement of this life they are continually mindfull as of the true Cuntrey To the possession wherof they refer and wholy bend all the deteminations and deedes of their life For they seeke after true glory honour and blessed immortalitie which they finde not in Citties and transitorie benefites of this Countrey but in the heauenlie Kingdome or Cittie of God Herehence hath this Psalme that same his abroptâ— beginning for it saieth Her foundations when as not withstanding there is not any one word goeth â—efore in the verse concerning the same Cittie Wherfore the Pronoune Relatiue Her is to bee referred vnto the Church of God which hee nowe not as a Guest or inhabitant but as a felow Citizen of the Saintes and housholde Seruants of God by the spirite reueiling sawe with the eyes of Faith and sore sighed after with moste seruent prayers as he which knew that there is no rest peace life nor saluation without the Limittes of this Cittie of God Such cogitations Christians haue whose conuersations are in heauen as Paule saieth Philip. 3. Who when they are risen from the death of sinne seeke for and are carefull after heaueÌ„ly things and
haue pleasure in thy beautie ibidem verses 9 and 11 Of this City saith the Lord I will be a wall of fire round about her and wil be the Glorie in the middest of her Zach. 2. In Sion wil I giue saluation and my glory vnto Israell Esa 46. vers 13. The vineyard of the Lord. Esa 5. vers 1 The Sister of Christ Cantiâ— 5. vers 1. My Doue is alone and my vndefiled Cap 6. vers 8. The Garden enclosed a Spring shutivp and a Fountaine sealed vp Cantic 4. verse 12 An Orcharde of Poungranets with sweet fruites c. Cantic 4. vers 14. The peculier people of Cod and folowers of good works 2. Titus ve 14. A Sprituall House 1 Pet. 2. cap. vers 9. A holy Priesthood 1 Pet. 2. cap. vers 9. A Chosen Generation 1 Pet. 2. cap. vers 9. A Royall Priesthood 1 Pet. 2. cap. vers 9. A Holy Nation 1 Pet. 2. cap. vers 9. A People which haue come out of darknesse into light 1 Pet. 2. cap. vers 9. The Heritage of God Esay cap. 19. Of this Cittie it is saide I will make an euerlasting couenant with you euen the sure mercies of Dauiâ—d my faith seruant Esay 60. The Nation and Kingdome which wil not serue thee shal perish from the earth Esay 60. I will giue my lawe in their inwarde partes and write it in their heartes and I will be their God and they shall be my people Ieremy 31. verse 33. And they shall all knowe me from the least to the greatest and I wil forgiue their iniquity and remember their sinnes no more verse 34. But to knowe GOD is eternall life Iohn 17. The Lord buildeth SION Psal 102 vers 16. In SION is the Lords name declared and his praise in Ierusalem ibidem vers 21. The blessed of my Father Math. 25. For whom the kingdome of God is prepared from the beginning of the world vers 34. The ChlldreÌ„ of God Hosea 1. Iohn 1 Galat 3. phil 2. The Heires nf Christ and Co-heires with Christ Rom. 8. The fellow-Citizens with the Saints The housholde seruants of God Ephes 2 vers 19. The Vessels of glorie Rom 9. vers 23. As Lights shining in the world 2 phi verse 25. Iuda and Israell Hosea 1. Rom. 2. and 9. Which names are full of misteries The Children of promise Gallat 3. vers 29. 4. and 28. The Children of SARA the free woman Gal. 4 vers 31. The Church builded vpon the Rock against which the Gates of Hell shall not preuaile Math. 16. ver 18. Called Christians as of the Lord Christ Act. 11. vers 26. The seed of Abraham Gal 3. vers 29. The kingdome euerlasting of the Messias Abdias cap. 1. ver 21. 2. Pet. 1. The brethren of Christ Psal ar The holy ones Rom. 1. The new man Ephes 2. New Creature in Christ Gal. 6. A Garland of glory shalt thou be in the hande of the Lord and a royal Diadem in the handes of thy God Esa 62. vers 3. And thou shalt be called Hiphzibah that is My delight is in thee vers 4. Of her it is said by the Prophet Esay cap 54 Feare not for thou shalt not be a shamed neither shalt thou be confounded vers 4. For a momeÌ„t in mine anger I hid my face from thee for a little season but with euerlasting mercie haue I had compassion on thee saith the Lorde thy Redeemer vers 8. My mercy shall not depart from thee neither shall the couenant of my peace fall away saith the Lord that hath compassion on thee vers 10. Of her againe Esay 60. I will make thee an eternall glorie and a â—â—y from Generation to Generation vers 15. Thou shalt call Saluation thy Wa les and Praise thy Gates vers 18. The Lord shal be thine euerlasting light vers 20. Iuda shall be saued and Israell shall dwell safely Ieremy 23. vers 6. And in Esay againe cap 49. Though a woman for get her Childe yet will not I forget thee O SION vers 15. Beholde I haue graueÌ„ thee vpon the palm of mine hands thy walles are euer in my sight vers 16. Briefly out of Sion was the true Messias and Sauiour of Israel looked for as Dauid singeth in the 14. Psal Who shal giue saluation out of SION vnto Israell vers 7. And S. PAVLE saieth Rom. 11. Out of SION shall hee come which shall deliuer c. vers 29. And GOD by his seruants the Prophets Apostles throughout al y â— Scriptures hath spoken glorious thinges in figures and euident promises For shee hath Promises of this present life and of the life to come 1. Tim 4. After this maner hath the gréeke text as in Latine de te of thée But the true meaniâ—â— of y e Hebrue hath in te in thée this preiudiceth nothing to vs for both are true Those excellent things which I haue made mencion off are spoken of the Church by the Prophets and Apostles and in the Church For what other thing are they but sacred holy misteries of the Gospell touching euerlasting life saluation which surely are dailie preached and sounded foorth both of the Church and in the Church that by hearing of so great matters faith might come vnto vs and by Faith Justification and Saluation The Hebrue text addeth Selah which S. Ierome translateth Semper alwaies For the Church as a Bride glorious in her Husband shal euermore be preached off glorious things shal be spoken of her and in her shall be continually sung the ineffable glorie of the euerlasting grace of God in Christ our Lord. And so the Iewes for the most parte interpret the word Selah for euerlasting like as it is euident in their Epitaphes as the Iewish Epitaph is in Hebrue at Basill His soule continue in Paradice Amen Amen Amen For euer and euer For it is vnderstood by that verse in the 84. Psalme They shall praise thee for euer and euer And so likewise by Thargus the Hebrue writer vpon this 87. Psalme Rabbi Aben Ezra expoundeth it for trueth or truelie Dauid Kimhi writeth that it is a token of lifting vp the voice in this Psalme from the roote to lift vp So as indéed by this persuasion the cogitacioÌ„ of y e mind is moued ernestly to way coÌ„sider a great matter for in this place it is a worthy little verse to the meditation wherof all the powers of the minde may be profouÌ„dly and earnestly moued For our matter is now in making wee are that Church the excellent Cittie of God coÌ„cerning which so glorious things are spoked off Al which things are promised and surelye giuen vs from God in Christ For so greate and vnspaakeable are they that the Prophet Esay and the Apostle Paule write of these That for them which loue God such thinges are prepared which neither eie hath seene nor eare hath hard neither yet the heart of man conceiued Esa 64. 1 Cor. 2. Now let vs
most liuely blessednesse But the Gretians doe reade this verse thus The dwelling in thee is as it were of all them that doe reioyce The Prophet Dauid héere speaketh of a Spirituall Joy which true beleeuers onely in Christe doe possesse Concerning which S. Peter in 1. Epist Chapt. 1 saith Whom yee haue not seene and yet loue him in whom nowe though yee see him not yet do you beleeue and reioyce with ioy vnspeakable and glorious ver 8 Receiuing the end of your faith euen the saluation of your soules vers 9. True ioy cannot be but where the sorowfull person is deliuered from all euils The greatest mischiefes are to be cast away from god to remaine in sinne to suffer the tyranny of death and to bee reserued to eternall damnation For al the euils of this world being compared to these horrible and eternall euils are euen scracely shadowes of Euils But true deliuerance from vndoubted and greatest Euils may no where else be found but in SION as it is said by the Prophet Ioel. 2. Chap. Euery one which shall call vpon the name of the Lord shal shall bee saued For in Mount Sion and Ierusalem shalbe deliuerance as the Lord hath said and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call vers 32. No where else then but in the Church the true SION can there bee true ioye Wherefore the dwelling or habitation of al them which truely reioyce by reason their sins are forgiuen theÌ„ through Christ and saluation by him restored vnto them is in SION alone They that are with out Sion are in their sinnes therfore they are the bondslaues of death and the deuil When as therefore they lye in most gréeuous eternall paines enthralled what place of true ioy may be ther yea though they fully wholly possesse in the meane time euen al the pleasures of this world Marke also that he saith Of all them that reioyce is to vnderstand not onelie that the Iewes but also the Gentiles are to bee admitted to the true Joy of SION by the promise of God which thing the Scripture euery where witnesseth In y e 46. Psal The Gentiles are called by name vnto this heauenly ioye O clappe your hands together all yee people O sing vnto God with the voyce of melody Hee is the great King ouer all the earth vers 1. 2. And Paul in 15. Rom. Praise the lord all ye Gentiles and laud yee him all people together vers 11. And the Prophet Esay Chap. 11. The Gentiles shall put their trust in him according to the translation of the 70. Interpreters And this Prophet Dauid singeth in his 63. Psalm The righteous shal reioyce in the Lord put his trust in him and all they that are true of heart shalbe glad vers 10. Beholde he saith not the lewe onely shall reioyce in the Lord but the iust is no man iust then but the Iew Aske of Paul who in Rom. 3. teacheth That the Iew is not iustified by the workes of the Lawe but by faith in Christ the righteous and onely iustifier And by and by hee after that saieth Is hee the God of the Iewes onely Is hee not also the God of the Gentiles verses 29 30. Yes of the Gentiles is he also God which iustifieth Circumcision by faith and vncircumfition through faith And in the 9. Rom. ver 30. he saith What shal wee say then That the Gentiles which followed not righteousnes haue attained vnto righteousnes euen the righteousnes which is of faith Heere the Scripture openly teacheth so farre as vnto iustification pertaineth that there is no difference betweene the Iew and the Gentile all haue sinned and haue neede of the glory of God but by the alone grace of Christ they are iustified And as S. Peter in Acts 15. confesseth god so much as to iustification belongeth made no difference betweene the Iewes and the Gentiles vers 9. If hee made no difference betwéene them if he also iustifie the Gentiles by faith in Christ euen then againe shall the Gentiles be founde iust by Christ If they be iust then also do they reioyce in the Lorde they reioyce in SION They haue aswel their dwelling place as the Iewes the flesh of Abraham haue in SION out of which citie no man is excluded but by that incredulitie which with the vnfaithfull Iewes he reiecteth because they embraced not Iesus Christ the king of SION Whome the Father himselfe as Dauid saith appointed ruler ouer Syon his holy hill And placed him as the head of the Gentiles Therefore the dwelling place of all which truely reioyce that is to say of Christians is in SION namely the Church of Christe concerning which ioy of y â— Christians the Prophet Esay thus Prophecyeth in the 51. Chapiter Ioye and gladnesse shal be founde in SION thanksgiuing the voice of praise ver 3. And the redeemed of the Lorde shall returne and come with ioy vnto Sion and â—uerlasting ioy shall be vpon their heades they shall obtaine ioy and gladnesse and sorrow and mourning shal flee away ver 11. I euen I am he that comfort you Who art thou that thou shouldest feare a mortall man and the son of man which shall be as withered grasse ver 12. Which true and perfite ioy neuer to bee taken away from vs. Ioh. 16. Christ our Lord God who be blessed for euer vouchsafe to giue vs heereby true faith in him and in the world to come by the cleare and manifest beholding of him Amen They that impugne our Catholique faith which we haue confessed sixe yéeres agone in a very great assembly before y â— Emperour States of the Romane Empyre at Augusta will haue themselues accounted onely Catholique doe tye the Church to the Seuenhilled Babilon and so describe her that she may be seene and pâ—rceiued with our very eyes as if indeede shée were a worldly Monarchy wherein a visible heade and Uicar generall might beare rule They I say with their finger point at that Spirituall SION But the Scripture both heere in this place and elsewhere often ynough teacheth that the Head the builder and King of that Sion is Spiritual and the City Spirituall not earthly also the Citizens of that glorious Citie to bée newe creatures in Christ reioysing singing and leaping for ioy not openly ryding on stately stéedes in kings Pallaces al prodigalitie of this world but in the Spirit for being saued through hope as S. Peter saith with inward ioy they looke for that blessed hope and appearance of the glorie of the great God and our Sauiour Iesus Christ in the day of our ful redemption But in the meane time they wéepe lament in this world Contrariwise the world reioyceth and is glad And as Christ saith in the worlde they Finde affliction but in themselues peace through Christ the ouercommer of the worlde For if a man beholde the Church according to her outward shewe shée shall not beséeme
the dwelling place of them which reioice but a lothsome prison of sorrowfull and afflicted persons Therefore the blessings of that spirituall habitation do excéede all vnderstandings and are not perceiued with fleshly eyes And the vngodly ones in this worlde acâ— not worthy to sée no not euen the least citizeÌ„ of this holy City adoâ—â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â— her true blessinges which wée haue in Christ The Worlde séeth the outwarde man which is corrupted but hée séeth not the heauenly Ierusalem with her citizens borne a newe of the Spirite The rich glutton in Luke 16. seeth Lazarus a begger full of sores and famished with hunger at his gate but I pray you what carnall eye sight yea what humane reason woulde knowe so wretched and abiect a person in outward shewe to be the beloued childe of God to raigne w t Christ and whom the verye Angelicall Spirits did attende vppon with such figures of calamity lye Christians couered in this worlde The Apostles those most excellent and noble Princes in Christes kingdome how afflicted were they in the kingdome of this worlde They séemed outwardly the vylest persons of all men they were buffited w t blowes they wandered vncertaine coasts they were railed on became as the most lothsome things of the worlde Where I pray you were then the eyes which could perceiue such so great compéeres of the heauenly kingdome finally how vnknown was Christ 〈…〉 vnto the children of this world in y â— Synagogue of his people For as it is saide by Peter if carnall eyes could haue seene and known the Lord of glorie the Iewes would not haue crucified him And in the 32. Psal he telleth vs what maner of person he was reputed in the worlde I am a worme saith hee and no man a reproch of men and the outcast of the people all they which see mee haue laughed mee to scorne vers 6. This one thing therfore let vs be care full of That we may still continue in the Citie of God euen by faith in Christ let vs redily embrace affliction as the companion of the Gospel and for the name of Christ as the heauenly watchword and badge of his kingdome let vs not estéeme or passe any thing what blinde iudgements of this worlde are giuen vpon vs but let the determination of y e holy Ghost touching vs in this Psalme be onely set before our eyes videliz The Lorde loueth the gates of SION what shal the most pestilent enuie of the enimies then hurt vs which cryeth that wee are gone backe from God and from his Church The Lorde himselfe 〈…〉 wherein wee are although then in the sight of the Children of this worlde shee séeme outwardly vile and a dongeon yet is she an excellent and impregnable city The Aduersaries reproch vs w t errors but heare they that acknowledge Christ doe wel vnderstand that all fountaines of Gods graces do flow in this City of God Therefore euen then also doth the sounde doctrine of Christ a right and true faith yea good workes indeede and studie after godlines here hence flowe forth likewise yet doubtles faith is far more lukewarm in vs theÌ„ is expedient But we must pray vnto the Lord that instantly that what he hath mercifully begun in vs he would make perfit the same That we séeme not to haue receiued in vain so great grace of God in our Sion and that the most glorious name of Christ be not for our sakes blasphemed According to Peters admonition therfore Let vs abstaine from fleshly lusts which striue against the Soule and as straungers and Pilgrims in this world whose glory passeth away let vs séeke w t earnest desire after a future and permanent City Wherein as S. Iohn saith There shalbe no more death nor mourning nor crying nor sorow but God shal wipe away in her all teares from the eyes of his true beleeuers Apoc. 21. vers 4. Let the Children of this worlde take their delightes in earthly Cities and fill their mindes with pleasures which shall soone haue an ende for they shalbe consumed from of y â— earth which now they vniustly occupie and enioy Let vs whom God hath called to the rich glory of heauenly inheritance seeke for things which are aboue Where Christ our king and high Prieste sitteth at the right hande of God Which the same King of glory vouchsafe to accomplish performe For into this City concerning which so glorious things are spoken except we beere in this life do enter by Faith we shal not possesse the same in Deede when this world shall haue an end which without doubt shall not long endure FINIS Vrbanus Regius Psal 135. Praised be the Lorde out of SION which dwelleth in Ierusalem Praise ye the Lord. vers 6. R. R. â—â—es 2. â—a 2. heb 9 â—ay 49. â—â—at 3. â—eb 13. â—â—â— mundi 〈◊〉 Anno MuÌ„di 2000. Anno mundi â—â—oo Regni Asa 10 anno Christi 1. Anno muâ— di 3970. Anno Christi 1004 Mundi 5004. â—om 16. â—â—â—el 5. Tomâ— 2. opâ— rum suoruÌ„ interpretantâ— Psalmoâ— â— certain sect which beleeued that Christ should raign 2â—000 yeares onely Chiliastae in â—gipto exorti anno mundi 261. Anabaptistâ— in Germania anno Christi â—534 The shadowâ— of the Lawe without saith cannot be vnderstoodâ— â—at 21. Mark 11. â—â—ke 19. â—ohn 12. â—say 2. Micheas 4 Ephes 2. The foundation of the Holy Cittie By Christ we are nombreâ— amoÌ„st the Citizens of thâ— heauenly Ierusalem Augustin ' iâ— psal 91. Dauid 2 Gallat 20. verse What maneâ— Citizens they of the heauenly leruseleÌ„ be In worldlye or humane thing nothing perpetually firme The holy Citty hath all things perpetual firm and â—ure in the Hilles Abdias Cap. 1 Carass Hilles of holines Christ is the foundation of the church Ephes 2 verse 20. 21. 22. Why the Citty is called holy 1 Cor. 6. vers 11. We are beloued of God for Christs sake â—erusaleÌ„ was â—rdained for â—euine seruice God though he be euerie wher by power eslence yet he is by grace present with the 〈…〉 〈…〉 Christians are called the City of God Her ExcelleÌ„t Members The glorious Titles of the holy Church The fauor of God towards his Church The Messias promised â—â—â— of SION â—ar Selah Ama. Salal The Riches of the church In what pointes the Church of Christ is glorious The Church of God is railed on by the vngodly ones Christians bearing the blame of all euill happes Christianos ad Leonem Notâ— Cay Mitsarri Raab Phelesser The Gospell pertaineth vn to al nations The notable negligence of the Popish Prelates for spirituall matters in this Authors time Without the Church of Christe is no saluation The Sonnes of Adam We are regenerate by thâ— Gospell and Sataments The kingdome of Christ is spirituall God is the master builder of the Church The Church of God is beutified by Christ The beginning of our iustification is of God and not of our selues Freewill iâ— nothing in the câ—sâ— of Iustification 1. Cor. 1. vers Iohn 6. New and old Pelagians confounded The opinion of â—choole Doctors in meriting 〈…〉 Their opinion of meriting ex Condigno So is that booke of the master of the Sentences called What it is to builde the Church of God vppon â—u nane erâ—â—â—â— Psal 115. vers 1. The Church of Christ is eternall Actes â— Through faith in Christ we are enrolled in the Booke of life Whom God is said to knowe The profiâ—â— we haue of our Baptisâ— Tit. vers 4. 6. 7. Pet 3. â—ers 21. 22. How other ioyes do begin in the Spirit The spirite oâ— God imparteth his gifts most â—ichlie vnto his Church Psal 76. ver 1. Psal 68. 〈◊〉 10. ver 25 True ioy is in the Church alone The righteousnesse of Christ pertaineth not onlâ— vnto the Iew but also to the Gentile Psal 2. Psal 17. he Church neither at Seuen-hilled 〈…〉 nor yet a 〈…〉 Moâ—â—rchy Titus cap. 2. Ioh. 16. ver 33 Christians lie couered with figures of calamitie Psal 22. ver â— 1. Pet. 2. ver 11. The Authors comfortable Conclusion to the elect of God Epheâ— ver 1â— Colos 3. ver 1â—