elect to th' worlds last end Now then the totall body of this place Doth to vs represent the beautious grace The great felicitie admired ioy Which in this Citie we shall sure enioy In the vnited glorious Deitie Th'in comprehensible Trine-Vnitie The three distinct dimensions as foreshew'd Of Latitude Longitude Altitude Present the seuer all measures of delight Which in the Father Sonne and Holy-Sprite We shall possesse and this felicitie To be alike of equall Quantitie There shall we Three in One most cleerely see There also shall we worship One in Three And of this ioy we shall haue full fruition Alike of all without all intermission Euen as the Persons are One in the Deitie And one in substance in the Vnite Trinitie The premises thus re-obseru'd afford To vs a most harmonious sweete accord Twixt God and this his holy Habitacle The Lambes sweete Spouse celestiall Tabernacle God the Worlds most admired Artizan When first he fashion'd and created Man Like his owne perfect Image did him make God would Man should his Makers likenesse take Euen so this Cities specious Symmetrie Is shaped like heauens sacred Deitie As God himselfe in Trinitie is One So by this Citie his true Church is showne As of the God-head there be Persons Three And Father Sonne and Spirit co-equall bee So those dimensions Length Height Breadth are all By the Angell measur'd to be iust equall As neither Person in the Deitie Is separable from their Vnitie So none of these dimensions being Three May from a Citie separated bee Or other solid body otherwise It were not found but Line or superfice The Persons Three and their three Offices Are not confounded and no more are these For neither is the Length the Breadth and so The Height is neither breadth nor length we know And euen as Athanasius in his Creede As wittily as wisely doth proceede And sayes the Father Sonne and Holy-Sprite Though three in Persons are one God Vnite So Longitude Latitude Altitude Must One sole Citie euermore include The Doctrine also of the Deitie Is witnest in the Foure-fold Veritie Writ by the foure Euangelists so here This New-Ierusalem as doth appeare Is in a Quadrate or square forme set downe Most like a strong immoueable firme Towne The twelue Apostles were disperst and sent To euery quarter of Earths continent To preach to all our Sauiours doctrine found Whereby all Nations Heau'ns right rhode-way found On twelue Foundations so stands this great frame And by twelue Gates all goe into the same Lastly the God-head vniuersallis And infinite in glory and in blisse Infinitely extended ouer all So in Ierusalem coelestiall Is infinite tranquillitie and peace Aboundant roome for all the great encrease Of Gods deare Saints who were predestinate To this Ierusalems most happie state Thus hauing heard this sacred Symphonie Twixt God and 's church proceed we orderly The Angell now here measuring the Wall The mightie Bulwarke Apostolicall Of this Angelicke Seate of sanctitie Found it to be rais'd vp in Cubits high Euen by a twelue-fold high-ascending Course By th'twelue Apostles rais'd to mightie force But this though spoken in a humane sort Yet hath a heau'nly sence of great import Namely that though the Church here Militant Was euermore distrest with woe and want Being by worldly obstacles kept-low And neuer could to full perfection grow Yet now in her Tryumphant dignitie To plenarie perfection springs on high This being by twelue Courses signifi'd Which twelue times so much more being multipli'd T'an hundreth fortie foure Courses of hight Doe make the Wall to rise direct vpright By Iewes and Gentiles mightie multitude Whom Grace by Faith will in this frame include Thus now we hauing seene the stately Statute The spacious Compasâ—e of this Heau'n-built structure Let vs with our diuine Diuine behold The Matter substance and most precious Mould Whereof the Wall Citie and firme Foundation The twelue great Gates of this Heau'ns Habitation Were Form'd Adorn'd yea with what pauement rare The Streetes were pau'd all which is to declare The wonderful vnspeakable delight Which Gods deare Saints in presence of his sight Shall in that life to come to th' full possesse And thus the Prophet Esay did redresse And consolate the Iewes dis-consolation Declaring in his true Vaticination The gloâ—ie of this New-Ierusalem Which God would once re-build remake for them O happie are they which are interested And whose blest Soules are there into inuested Now then the building of this fenciuâ— Wall This sincere Doctrine Apostolicall Of precious Stones most gloriously did shine With bountie and with beautie most diuine Hauing a lustre like the Iasper greene Which euermore to flourish shall be seene Hence then this Note is set before our eyes That this raâ—e Fabrique pompous Edifice Is all most precious specious round about As Bright within as it is Light without But in this Wall this one thing is most rare Is most regardable beyond compare That though those twelue Foundations firme and strong Were so by Course set and laid along As that Course after Course th' are placed all And strangely ord'red cleane throughout the Wall Yet is the Wall as here we plainely see Thus wholly said of Iasper for to bee Which is indeed to shew and signifie That though those Ground-props of the Ministrie Whose rare and diuers gifts in euery one Are by rich Iewâ—lâ— afterwards here showne Yet that the Matter and the Lustre bright Of this great Wall are said and that most right T' arise from One which is the Lord alone Designed here by this rare Iasper stone He only is the Churches Bulwarke strong For though to these Apostles did belong Diuersitie of gifts of heau'nly grace Yet each of them in his peculiar place Did euer build one and the selfe same thing And not themselues did preach but Christ their King The Cities modell was of perfect Gold Most delectable glorious to behold Which Mettle for its ex'lent properties This Cities glorie rarely amplifies It being of all other chiefe and best For these fine reasons in pure gold exprest First that the burning fire consumes it not Next that it takes no canker stayne or spot Againe for vse it longest doth endure As also that the Fire makes it more pure Lastly nor Salt nor Vinegar can spoile Nor any such liquiditie defile The faire corruscant beautie of the same And therefore from the rest it beares the fame O! must not then this Citie needs be stable Is 't not most strong inuincible dureable Being so free from staynes of all corruption Being so farre from feare of Foes irruption Nay here 's not all there 's one more propertie Of rare respect of precious ex'lencie Namely that it like cleerest glasse doth glistre And thereby casts a more admired Lustre Whereby is thus much to vs intimated That 't is not with foule spots contaminated But doth with such a radiant splendor shine That
is all good no euill to abuse Where 's all thou wishest nought thou wouldst refuse Where 's life e're-liuing sweet and amiable Where is true fame and glorie memorable Where is I say certayne Securitie Securest Peace and peacefull Pleasancie Most pleasant Ioy and ioyfull Happinesse Happie Eternitie eternall Blessednesse The blessed Trinitie in Vaitic The Vnities Trine-One rare Deitie The Deities Three-One's most blessed Vision Which is our Masters ioy in full fruition O ioy of ioves O ioy beyond all pleasure Farre passing farre transcending terrene treasure O ioy without annoy O true content O soueraigne blisse and Soules sweet rauishment O euerlasting Kingdome supreme peace Where all the Saints enioy such ioyes encrease Where all the Saints are clothed with pure Light As with a Garment shining glorious bright Their Heads adorn'd with Crownes of purest gold And precious Stones most glorious to behold Whose onely exercise is to reioyce To triumph and to sing with sacred voyce Sweet Halleluiah to their Soueraigne King Which them to this felicitie did bring Oh! when shall my poore Soule be made partaker Of this great ioy O thou my Lord and Maker When shall I see Thee in it It in Thee And therein dwell I in Thee Thou in Mee Surely O Lord I will make haste and flie I 'le make no stay but poste most speedily I 'le neuer cease to Seeke till I haue found I 'le not leaue Knocking till my Soule be crown'd I 'le ne're leaue Asking till thou hast me giuen My Boone thy Bountie euen those ioyes of Heaâ—en Since then I say such is Heau'ns Maiestie And since this World is but meere Miserie What is 't can hinder this my speedie pace Which I must run till I haue run my race Can Worldly power or Principalitie Can Kingly fauours wealth or dignitie Can worldly pleasures pleasant vnto some Can height or depth things present things to come Oh no with Paul I 'le all abominate E're they shall me from Christs loue separate I 'le crie Auaunt you Soule-betraying ioyes Which Bee-like bring the Sting of dire annoyes Auaunt I say worlds momentarie pleasure Worlds transitorie toyes Earths trashâ—e treasure The loue of Christ hath so enflam'd my Heart That as I trust it ne're shall thence depart And Lord confirme strengthen this Faith of mine O let it neuer faint faâ—le or decline But wo to me poore wretch who still am faine Amongst the Tâ—nts of Meshech to remaine To haue my habitation 'mongst the rout Of Kedar most vngodly stubborne stout The time me thinks is much procrastinated O that the date thereof were terminated Ay me how long shall it be said to mee Wait wait expect and thou the time shalt see And shalt thou see my Soule thou art too blame I must accuse thee O my Soule for shame Thinke not the time too long count it not much That wâ—th these trials God thy Faith should touch For as a Gold-Smith waits most carefully Vpon his gold which he i' th' fire will trie That when 't is burn'd enough and purifide It may not in the fire to waste abide So God his Children deare attends vpon When in the fire of dire affliction He purposeth to purifie and trie them When thus enough refined he doâ—h spie them By no meanes will he suffer them to waste Bâ—â— for tâ—â—â—r comfort to them soone will haste As that most rare payre-Royall well did know Good Shedrach Meshach and Abednego Whom he i' th' Babylonian fire did proue Yet so respected in his sacred loue That not so much as one haire of their head Was burnt or sindg'd or once diminished O then my Soule if God haue such a care As from thy head not one small simple haire Can fall to th'ground without his prouidence O then haue thou assured confidence That he thy Soule will ne're peâ—mit to perish But in due time will thee refresh and cherish And say with Iob that man of God most iust Lord though thou kill mee I will in thee trust Yea then confesse as 't is that all the wo Which in this Life for Christ thou vnder goe That all Earâ—hâ— torments or affecting toyes Are most vnworthy Heau'ns most blissefull ioyes Heau'ns ioyes for waight and measure infinite Earths paynes to death but slender small and slight Heau'ns ioyes most perfect absolutely pure Earths choicest pleasures paine and griefe procure Heau'ns ioyes are sempiternall euer-lasting Earths ioyes meere toyes still fleeting euer-wasting O then my Soule haue patience doe not grudge Left so thou make thy Christ thine angrie Iudge Giue Patience Lord thy sacred Will to beare And then receiue my Soule How When or Where For as no gold nor siluer can be pure Vntill the fires burning it endure Nor Stones for Palace-worke can well be fit Till they with Hammers oft be cut and smitâ— No more I say is 't possible that wee Vessets of Honour in Gods house can bee Till we be fin'd and melted in the fire Of worldly crosses and afflictions dire Neither can we as liuing-stones haue place Ierusalems coelestiall Walls to grace Vnlesse the Hammers of Earths tribulation Oft bruise the Flesh to worke the Soules Saluation But though thy Seruants Lord may oft be tempted Yet can they neuer finally be tainted They ne're can be surpris'd though oft assailed For why Heau'ns safeguard hath them neuer failed Christians and Persecutions ioyne together Like Christ and 's Crosse few calmes much stormie weather E're th' Israelites to th' Land of Promise came Their temp'rall Canaan Canaan of such fame Th'endur'd much danger many Miseries And shall not I most patiently likewise Endure all dangers all anxietie Shall I not vnder-goe all miserie In this my iourney to Heau'ns holy Land O yes with constant courage to it stand For why I 'm sure the more I here endure My ioyes in Heau'n shall be more glorious pure And who would not to Heau'n goe ioyfully Though with Elias he in whirle-winds fly Grant therefore Lord I take Earths Nocuments As precious Balme as my Soules Documents Confirme my Faith with constant resolution To wait and fit me for my dissolution To wait for thee my Sauiour staffe and stay Till thou shalt change my Bodies house of Clay That like thy glorious Body it may bee That so thy power and glorie I may see That I may heare and see and beare a part In Heau'ns heart-charming Musike sacred Art In that rare Consort of Mel-Melodie At Christs rare Nuptials blest solemnitie Come then Lord Iesus oh I cannot cease To wish my Soule in thine eternall peace Giue me O Lord good Stephens Eagle-eye Through thickest Clouds Heau'ns glorie to espie Giue me O Lord a Voyce Angelicall With Heart vnfeyned on thee thus to call How long O Lord how long wilt thou delay Lord Iesus come come quickly doe not stay Make haste and tarrie not I thee intreat And draw
A PROSPECTIVE GLASSE TO LOOKE INTO HEAVEN OR The Coelestiall CANAAN described Together with the SOVLES sacred Soliloquie and most ardent desire to be inuested into the same Sung in a most heauenly Hymne to the great comfort of all good CHRISTIANS by the MVSES most vnworthy IOHN VICARS REVEL 21. 1. And I saw a new Heauen and a new Earth 1. COR. 13. 12. Here wee see as through a Glasse LONDON Printed by W. Stansby for Iohn Smethwicke and are to be sold at his Shop in Saint Dunstanes Church-yard in Fleet-street 1618. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL SOCIETIE OF THE GOVERNOVRS OF Christs Hospitall I. V. Dedicateth all his poore endeuours and wisheth the Kingdome of Grace heere and the Kingdome of Glorie hereafter YOur Worships fauours from my Birth still found Haue me in all my best Endeuours bound And since I Owe more then I Know to Pay I rest your Worships to my Dying-day Your Worships in All alwayes to be commanded IOHN VICARS To the Right Worshipfull Sir IOHN LEMAN Knight President of Christs Hospitall and Alderman of LONDON I.V. wisheth all earthly Prosperitie and the Reall fruition of this Ideall description REligions Rules and Natures Bonds bind All To keepe account and true memoriall Of fauours past or present lest with shame Ingratitude should Cracke their Credits fame Since then Right worshipful these Bonds All bind This Dutie needs to Mee must be assign'd Who from your VVorships vndeseruedly Haue found much fauour and great courtesie Whose sweete Effects haue my good so effected As Blacke Obliuion may not make neglected And since your VVorship worthily is made The President chiefe Pillar Prop and Aide Of Gouernment in that blest Hospitall Of Christs poore members Orphans poore and small I therefore ioy thus to Congratulate Your Worships hap their Helpe so fortunate As also that I may expresse in part Some sincere Fruites of my most gratefull Heart By Dedication of this my poore Mite To your good Worship due to you by right Which hoping you Right Worshipfull will take With kind acceptance Heau'ns great King you make A blest Partaker of that Maiestie Which my weake Pen can here but Typisie To your Worship in his Power and Prayers duely and dâ—tifully Deuoted IOHN VICARS To the Godly Reader SInce for the most part all men take delight Of nouelties to heare to write to tell Of treasures and of pleasures which excell Which best may please their itching eares and sight And for that cause haue many Captaines stout By Sea and Land to finde out and discouer The admirable workes of Heauens Arch-mouer Trauail'd the Globes-circumference about Yea many wise Cosmographers haue spent Much time and trauaile cost and care to write The Nature Manners Riches and Delight Of famous Kingdomes in Earths Continent But I the most vnworthie of the most Haue vnderta'ne by Heauens all-blest direction To contemplate th' vnspeakeable perfection Of New Ierusalems most sacred Coast In which Suruey lest I with Icarus Should soare too-high or lest with Vzzah I Should touch Gods Arke into Heauens-Secrets pry Or question what God doth inhibit vs Prophetick-Iohn I heere haue made my Guide And by his Plat-forme drawne this Map of mine And heereto Barnards Napiers help Diuine And Brightmans bright assistance haue applide Wherein good Christian Reader thou may'st finde Things admirable glorious sweet and rare Treasures and pleasures matchlesse past compare Such as transcend the reach of humane minde And such indeed as though I had the skill And Tongue of wisest men and Angels bright Yet were I most vnable to Indite The true perfection of this Sion-hill Wherefore as old Historians testifie A wise Geometrician once t' haue found The foote of Hercules cut in the ground Of high Olympus-hill apparently Did by the length of 's foote delineate The whole Proportion of Alcides great So though the Fabrique of Heau'ns supreme Seate In its perfection none can demonstrate Yet by some things exprest in sacred writ And circumstances suting to the same Wee may thereof in minde coniecture frame Although alas wee come farre short of it No mans Imagination can conceiue No Vnderstanding comprehend the same No Tongue can tell the maiesty and same But those as Christ sayth which doe it receiue And therefore Hee Hid-Manna doth it call Hidden because vnsearchable vnknowne Manna because more sweet than Hony-combe Manna delightfull meate Angelicall O then auaunt thou fond Poetick fiction Of Greekes suppos'd but false Elysean fields Which they doe dreame such soueraigne solace yeelds Which they to get haue suffered much affliction Why boast th' Aegyptians of their high-topt Spheares Cloud-kissing pinacled Pyramides Assuerus his pompous Palaces Of these and more than these what now appeares What talke wee of East Indian Marchandize What of West-Indies Mines of massie Gold What of the richest Iewels to behold What of most precious Pearles of rarest price Here 's worke of wonder worthie admiration Heere is a Structure which out-lasts Times date Heere is a Country rare faire fortunate Heere 's to be view'd the Land of sure-Saluation Wouldst thou be Rich ô here 's true Wealth indeed Wouldst thou Liue-euer here 's Eternity Wouldst thou Liue-merry here 's Festiuity And perfect Ioy which doth Earths ioy exceed Heere in this Heauenly Canaan thou mayst finde Riuers which flow with Milke and Heny sweet Heere as Companions Angels shall thee greet Here 's ioy to fill Soule Body Hart and Minde Since then the Subiect whereof now I treate So Holy is kind Reader me excuse That I prophane Poeticke Phrase refuse In this discourse of Heauens supernall Seate For t is not Fame nor hope of worldly wealth That I desire The Golden Age is past But that I wish Thine as mine owne Soules-Health For which I pray and shall while breath doth last For Loue I onely looke for Loue againe This if repayd repayes my greatest paine Thine in Christ Iesus IOHN VICARS To the Authour in praise of his Prospectiue Glasse THy Verse containes pure language in true measure Thy View descries the Best blest Syon-hill Thy vow discouereth thy religious Will Thy Drift is to disclose to all this treasure Thy Verse thy View thy Vow thy Drift declare Thy Wit thy Skill thy Will thy Zeale all rare Thine in the truth of a friends affection I.H. of Cambridge M. in Arts and Preacher of Gods Word A louing LOOKING GLASSE sent to his friend M. IOHN VICARS in returne for his Heauenly PROSPECTIVE GLASSE MY lookes can shew me Heauen through Thine My loue can shew thee but his Hart through Mine Loue lookes Heauen and my Hart best part of friends Thy Glasse Grace Friendship and thy Zeale commends NATHANIEL CHAMBER of Grayes-Inne Gent. ¶ A Prospectiue Glasse to looke into Heauen Or The coelestiall CANAAN described TH ' Armi-potent All-seeing All-Creater Th' All-mightie Artizan of Earths Theater Hauing inclosd in his vn-clasped Booke WheÌ„ Heauen Earth their first foundation tooke And therein registred this firme Conclusion An Vniuersall end and All-Confusion Of
Their way lying ope ' to them on euery side But here by th' Names of Israels twelue Tribes The sacred Spirit vnto vs describes They being once Gods sole peculiar Vine Till they did from his Loue and Lure decline That by a figure are in them included Th' Elected Gentiles once from Grace secluded Euen People of all Nations vnder Heauen To whom Saluation God in Christ hath giuen Are here all ta'ne for sp'rituall Israelites Whom Christ the Corner-stone to th' Iewes vnites At these twelue Gates twelue Angels there did stand But not like Edens-Angels in their hand Holding a sword a sword like fierie flame To daunt and driue what euer thither came But here these Angels stand like Porters kind That Abr'ams faithfull Sonnes accesse may find Vnto the Tree of Life and Sacred Spring Which growes and flowes from Christ this Edens King With most commodious decent Scituation Are these twelue Gates plac't 'bout this heau'nly Station And good Ezechiel doth them thus digest Three East three North three South and three by West These three Tribes names Dan Ioseph Beniamin Ore the three Easterne Gates were to be seene Ore the three Ports set on the Northerne side Iud ' Leui Reubens names might be descride Ore the three Southerne Gates th' inscription Of Simeon Isachar and Zabulon Also the three Gates on the West part had The names of Aser Napthalim and Gad. Of which most decent triple distribution Of these twelue Gates this is the resolution Namely that all the Saint-elected Soules Whose names are written Heau'ns eternall Rowles From what soeuer quarter of the Earth They had their first originall and birth Yet haue but one especiall meanes t' ascend Vnto this Citie their Hope 's happy end To wit the blest profession of the Trinitie Hereby to Christ th' are ioyn'd in neere Affinitie And that they thus professing Three in One Shall find the way wide ope ' to heau'ns high Throne Shall find the path most patent plaine and straight And at the Gates twelue Angels for them wait A twelfe-fold Ground-worke and Foundation strong Did also to this mightie-wall belong I meane not to the Citie but the Wall For of the Citie Christ is All in All. Vpon which twelue Foundations glorious rare Christs twelue Apostles names were grauen faire Who here are said to be this Walls foundation By their Apostolique Administration For hauing first by their blest Ministrie Christ Iesus Doctrine preached publikely Vnto the World As the first Instruments Are therefore thus the twelue strong Firmaments Not that they are the principall Foundation But hauing first place in this Fabrication Are as I so may say the first stones laide On which the building of this Wall was made For no man is so silly as to say That the Foundation doth it selfe downe lay But that 's the office of the Architector Which is Christ Iesus this great works Director This Cities Soueraigne whose vn-shrinking shoulders Are this most glorious Cities firme vpholders Who laid his twelue Disciples as Supporters Of this Quadrangled Walls most spacious Quarters As those in whom his Churches Doctrine pure Did most consist and constantly endure Thus are th' Apostles Grounds of Ministration But Christ the onely Basis of Saluation But what sayes Rome to this that Man of Sinne Who proudly raignes and rules as Lord and King Peters supremacie superiour State Is here me thinks quite torne worne out of date For though our Sauiour calld his Faith the Rocke Whereon hee 'd build his Church his Loue his Flocke And his and all th' Apostles Doctrine pure To be his Churches Ground-worke grounded sure Yet neither is St. Peter here exprest To be in dignitie aboue the rest Nor yet to be the principall Foundation But One with others haue their pointed Station Then surely hence 't is most apparant plaine That Anti-christ of Rome doth not maintaine His proud prioritie from Peters Faith But from his Person whom he falsly faith T' haue beene Romes Bishop which nor he nor 's crue Shall ere be able to approue as true His Person 't is I say not Doctrine pure Oh this it is the Pope can worst endure Therefore since he mis-deemes Christs blest Foundation He ne're shall haue least part in Christs Saluation But now returne wee whence we haue digrest The Light-bright Angell which did manifest Vnto S. Iohn this glorious sacred Sight Now like some noble Pers'nage Princely wight Like to another prudent Nehemie Or like good Ezra full of prudencie By th' Symbole of a Golden Reede in 's hand Did represent that hee with that Met-wand The Cities spacious round should measure out The height length breadth and compasse all about Entries and wall enuironing the same All vnder line and measure truely came All most exactly form'd with due respect By the Arch-Artist of this Architect Yea with a Golden Reede he meates the same Most fit to measure such a glorious frame By which externall gesture th' Angell heere As else-where in the Prophets may appeere In their Prophetick Visions vs'd to show The Lords intent by thus descending to Our weake capacity which ne're can keepe A verball document in mind so deepe As actuall gestures euermore we find Examples more than precepts teach the mind And heere by th' Angels meating with a Reede Wee are aduiz'd to take especiall heede And deepely to imprint in mind and heart The subsequent description and rare Art The stately Symmetry worth admiration Of this coelestiall sacred Habitation Contayning in 't an heau'nly harmony With the chiefe grounds of Christian verity This City lay in forme Quadrangulare By which firme Cubiq plat-forme heere we are To vnderstand and note the stable state Of this Mount-Sion free from Hostile hate Not to be stirr'd by tempests violent Immoueable most constant permanent Which being square the Gates are opposite To the foure Corners of Earths-Globe aright From euery part whereof to let in those Whom Christ the Lambe to raigne with him hath chose The foure Euangeâ—sts the patterne are By whom this edifice was fashion'd square By Matthew Marke Luke and Christ tend'red Iohn Was fram'd I say this Constitution And since the twelue Apostles as foresaid Were by then short and present doctrine made The strong Foundation of the holy Wall Is 't not a Concord most harmonicall That these Euangelists most excellent By their Long-lasting-written Testament Should the foure Corners of that square build out And it to full perfection bring about The Angell then with 's Reede the Citie meted Which by iust Measure was thus computated Twelue thousand Stades whereof eight makes a Mile Which fifteene hundreth Miles doe iust compile The Length Height Breadth being all of equall space Doe make almost infinite roome and place Within the Wall As Christ himselfe hath said In my deare heau'nly Fathers house are made Many faire Mansions fit to comprehend Th' increase of Gods
Church once Militant Now should they thus build vp his Church Triumphant And as they had conuerted Soules to Christ Their Soules should shine like Starres in glorie high'st Thus then the Citie Wall and Ground-worke past To th' Gates with ioy we now are come at last Twelue Gates most rich and precious did belong To th' Wall Apostolike most firme most strong Which Gates were all of Pearles most Orient Yet all were but One Pearle most excellent Euen Iesus Christ who is the only Port Through whom th' Elect must into blisse resort Through whom alone by Faith we here are fed Through whom at last we all shall taste that bread That Bread of Life neuer to hunger more Which for his Saints Christ hath laid vp in store He only is the Doore by which I say We shall goe in and our feed liue for ay And as on twelue Foundations did arise A Wall as we did formerly premise But One in Matter and in lustre bright Euen God the Father Father of all Light So these twelue Ports are all One Pearle most rare Euen God the Sonne whence they deriued are But here this one Obiection may accrew How it may come to passe a Pearle should shew And represent this Man-God Christ our King To which Obiection I this Answere bring That as the Shell wherein the Pearle doth grow Which Plinie plainely in his worke doth show Doth at a certayne â—eason gape and yawne And without any generating Spawne Drawes into it a Dew from forth the Aire Which by the Sea i' th' Shell growes Orient faire And of this Dew doth more coagulate Than 't is of earthly stuffe coaugmentate Euen so the Holy Ghost from Heau'ns high frame Vpon the blessed Virgin Marie came And Gods eternall power whose breath All made Did so Christs Virgin-Mother ouer-shade That without any Humane copulaâ—ion Christ in her Wombe tooke on him Incarnation Yet so as that his powerfull Diuinitie Was still assistant vnto his Humanitie Which subiect was to Mans Infirmitie But not to Sinnes euen least Impuritie Being thus most perfect God and Man indeed Knowing our wants to helpe vs at our need Thus then wee see that these twelue Pearly Gates Consisting of One Pearle this intimates That we in Heau'n or Earth none other haue To inuocate our sinfull Soules to saue But Iesus Christ true God and Man alone Who sits our Aduocate in Heau'ns high Throne Oh then the wilfull madnesse of our Foe That monstrous Beast of Rome who though he know This our Position most Authenticall Both he and hâ—s besotted Shauelings all Yet they vnto their Saints appropriate And vnto Angels dare accommodate The honour only due to Christ blest Name Angels themselues hauing refus'd the same And since nor Saints nor Angels know our state Nor haâ—e in them power vs to consolate But Christ hath will'd vâ— come to him alone Who can and will ease and appease our mone Therefore that they dare adde and thus diminish From Gods firme Truth they doe but striue to finish And measure vp to th' full their owne damnation Threatned to all such in the Reuelation The Gates thus entred now we may behold The Streets within all pau'd with purest gold Which gaue a lustre like the cleerest glasse Euen euery Street through which the Saints shall passe And customarily walke vp and downe Like glorious Kings in pompe and great renowne Which Streets and parent passages imply Amongst their other ioyes the Libertie And perfect Freedome which those sacred Saints Shall fully there possesse without restraints Of being vnto any one place ty'de For why wheres'ere they goe God is their Guide They walke in God and God in them alwayes Their beauteous paths shining with his bright rayes Thus haue we seene th' Essentiall Maiestie This Cities glorious frame and Symmetrie The most magnificent and blissefull State Of those which are in Christ incorporate But yet whiles here we see 't no otherwise Then as we had a Mist before our eyes Then as we were i th' bottome of a vaile Whence of a perfect sight we needs must faile By reason that cloud-kissing Mountaynes hie And lostâ—e Trees are interpos'd to th' eye And hereby hinder our more cleere aspect Of this most glorious heauenly Architect So that but Aenigmatically wee As through a Glasse this sacred Citie see Whiles in the Flesh we liue by liuely Faith As blessed Paul in his Epistle saith Yet let it ioy our hearts our Soules delight That though but thus we may admire this sight That though but with the Prophet Daniel wee May ope ' the window and looke toward thee O Date-lesse Fate-lesse Rest-full Blisse-full Citie Where Halleluiah is the Angels Dittie Now let it not be O! how can it bee Tedious to vs to contemplate and see What Maiestie and Dignitie compleat Is Accessarie to the glorie great Of that externall beautie of this place Fill'd with the glorie of the Lords bright face Making this Citie most magnificent An abstract Common-weale most permanent First there shall be no Temple in the same Wherein to worship Gods all-glorious Name No Sacrificing no peculiar place To worship in or be this Cities grace Nor no externall Paedagogie shall Be vsefull there no Seruice Rituall Like that vnder the Law amongst the Iewes When they did their old Sacrifices vse But God the Father and the Lamâ—e Christ Iesus Shall of such heauie yokes then cleerly ease vs. And be a Temple vnto his most faire To whose blest sight Saints with delight repaire His worship then shall be most plaine and pure And shall for euer constantly endure Without all Legall Rites or Ceremonie Adoring God in Christ in Sanctimonie Whose lookes to them aâ— Lessons shall appeare His only Name be'ng Musike in their eare And such indeed is this great Cities State So admirable so inexplicate That gold and precious stones being too too base T' expresse the glorie of that glorious place If Nature did more precious things bring forth More amply to describe this Cities worth I therefore know not what terrestriall thing We may with due proportion hereto bring To haue a fit and true Analogie Vnto this Temple of eternitie But God himselfe and Iesus Christ alone In whom it may most properly be showne Againe this Citie hath no need of Light Neither of Sunne or Moone or Starres most bright For as the Prophet saith When God againe Shall his deare Church restore and o're it raigne The glorious Light thereof so cleere shall shine By the blest presence of the Vnite-Trine That euen the Sunne and Moone shall seeme most darke And in comparison but like a sparke To that ineffable refulgent light Of Gods blest countenance and sacred sight Whereby alone the Saints shall all possesse Such perfect ioy and heartie cheerfulnesse As that all earthly comfort though it seem'd And were as bright as Sunne and
Moone esteem'd Shall be superfluous needlesse most neglected And vnto this compar'd not least respected Also the Heires and Sonnes of this Saluation Euen all th' Elected People of each Nation Kings of the Earth whom Euphrates did barre And once sequester from Christs Kingdome farre So many as are sau'd as many shall Shall in Ierusalem coelestiall With perfect ioy enioy the full fruition Of this mâ—st infinite and heau'nly Vision And thither shall their pompe and honour bring Euen vnto God and Christ their heau'nly King But here 's not meant their worldly wealth and state Their Gems and Iewells Gold or Siluer plate For since this sacred Citie needs no light Of Sunne or Moone which shine on Earth so bright Much lesse shall there be need of worldly pelfe In this most sacred sumptuous Common-wealth But this is hereby vnderstood and meant That those good Princes which were eminenâ— For vertuous gifts of Grace and Pietie Shall lift vp all their whole felicitie Their glorie and their Princely estimation From earthly vnto heau'nly contemplation And only fixe their ioy vpon the same And glorie thus to glorifie Gods Name The Gates moreouer of this Citie shall Be neuer shut but stand wide ope ' to all None shall from this felicitie be staid Nor be shut vp as frighted or afraid For there shall be no Enemy to feare them No doubt of danger then shall once come neere them All spight of former Aduersaries cease For there shall be perpetuall rest and peace And which is more there shall be here no Night For why an euerlasting splendour bright From Gods all-glorious presence shall proceed A Light more pure than Light it selfe indeed Shall so incessantly shine forth alway Making an endlesse euerlasting Day But here this Night may further intimate A two-fold meaning Lâ—â—'â—all Figurate The Literall sense that there no Night shall bee Is that indeed the Saints no Night shall see For why as hath beene said all Times distinctions Of Day and Night Summer and Winter seasons Shall then quite cease and be superfluous The Figuratiue sense and meaning thus May be explayn'd that no obscuritie Of Error or of slye Hypocrisie No vncleane thing foule or abominable No filthy Creature Lyer detestable No murthering Caines no Iudas impious No â—ham's nor Achams sacrilegious No cruell faithlesse friendlesse enuious Elfe That huâ—ts his Neighbour but much more Himselfe No Auaricious arm'd in hooking Tenters And clad in Bird-lime catching all aduenters Nor ought that may contagiously infect Or once eclipse the ioy of Christs Elect Or violate the glorious state and blisse Which Christ the Lambe hath purchased for His Nor in the least degree shall hurt or wrong The flourishing estate which doth belong To th' Saints rare dignitie and perfect Light Of sincere-worship of the Lord of Might Which is his Angels glorie and chiefe grace And shall for euer in them keepe firâ—e place But those shall hither come with ioyes most rise Whose Names are registred i' th' Booke of Life For whom the Lambe Christ Iesus did ordaine This glorious Kingdome with him thus to raigne Who were predestinate to this Saluation Before the Worlds originall Foundation To these alone the Gates stand open wide These shall for euer with the Lambe abide Lastly to make this Citie most compleat In euery part to be as good as great The Holy Ghost hauing at large declared The Churches glorie being thus compared Vnto a sumptuous Citie full of State Now finally proceedeth to relate That both this Citie and its Citizens Are furnisht and replenisht with all meanes For conseruation of their endlesie ioy Sufficient to protect them from annoy They haue I say spirituall liuely meate Diuine Angelike Mann ' to drinke to eate The soueraigne Balsum to conserue alway Their health in health from fall or least decay The holy Spirit as erst here vsing still These earthly termes t' expresie Heau'ns sacred Will And all to shew Heau'ns great benignitie Descendâ—ng thus to our capacitie This honour'd Citie hath in it also A sacred Riuer which doth ouer-flow With pure and precious Water of blest Life Whose stâ—eames doe issue from its Fount most rife A current Riuer not a Poole with soile Not â—oulâ— or troubled like Aegyptian Nile Or bill â—wing Euphrates but sweet and faire With delectable streames smooth cleere and rare A Riuer for its great aboundancie Pure in respect of its sweet Sanctitie Of Water of Gods Sp'rits rare gifts of Grace Of Life whose Tasters liue an endlesse space And â—leere as Crystall from all â—pisfitude From all vncleane corrupt amaritude This Riuer shall from Gods great Throne proceed And from the Lambs gliding with pleasant speed And thus this Riuer here may signifie The Holy Ghosts gifts third in Trinitie Which is not â—leâ—ghtly ratifi'd indeed In that 't is said here that it shall proceed From Gods and from the Lambs most sacred Throne Which Iohns shewne Prophecie hath cleerly showne Yea and i th' midst of this great Cities streete Pau'd all with goâ—d as mould vnder their feete Through all the pleasant passages most faire Wheâ—e to and â—ro the Saiated Soules repaire On either side this Riuer rare to see Doth fluorish fairely a Life-giuing Tree Which Tree of Life doth â—hus much to vs show That to those gracious Waters which doe flow To all the Graces of Gods sacred Spirit Christ Iesus is conioyn'd by whose iust Merit His Church hath Life true Peace and sure Saluation Thus hauing with the Sp'rite Co-operation And still residing with his Saints Elect Continually doth guide and them direct Exhibiting to all by his tuition Easie partaking and a full fruition Of all the Benefits and heau'nly Graces Which in and 'bout this Riuer he thus places Whereon they all shall spiritually feede Alwayes desiring yet ne're stand in neede Which Tree of life twelue sorts of fruite doth beare Whereby the Holy-Spirit doth declare First that the Lord who is the God of Order Doth much detest Confusion or Dis-order In still retayning as he first begun The number twelue which hitherto is done And also to expresse that there shal be In Numb'r and Measure full Sufficiencie To saturate the longing appetites Of all the twelue Spirituall Israelites Euen of all those that so haue run their race The twelue Apostles doctrine to imbrace T' obserue and keepe Maugre the rage and spite Of Pope or Pagan foes to Truths pure light Thus then we see the Angell here obseruing An exquisite Decorum thence not sweruing Who since the Citie Entries Roomes Foundations And Symmetrie of these blest Habitations To th' Number-twelue haue beene accommodated And orderly thus still continuated Therefore with decent correspondencie The Angell to this Number doth applie The spirituall Food and Furniture most meete Making a Consort most harmonious sweete Conformably agreeing thus in one With those whence they had
their comparison Now as twelue sorts of Fruite grow on this Tree The Saints to satisfie so shall they bee For Delicacie sweet Content and Pleasure As euery Saint shall haue aboundant measure So shall this pleasant Plenitude of Grace No Nauseous Surfet cause in any case For as Christ Iesus is that Drinke and Meate Whereof each Sainted-Soule shall taste and eate So is he Sweete Pleasant and Delicate Whereon they feede their fill yet moderate Taking sufficient for their Contentation And their beautitudes firme Conseruation Which Truth is farther illustrated heere In that t is said this Tree of life doth beare Doth euery Moneth beare fruit greene ripe and faire Which with delights their appetites repaire Not that the Times shall then altâ—â—ate bee By yeares moneths dayes as now-a-dayes we see For then the Seasons cease Time 's termined Sunne Moone and Starres are then quite vanished As formerly was toucht but here is meant That all things then shall giue such rare Content Shall be so full of rich Varietie Shall yeeld such Cordiall sweete Saâ—ietie And with such Fulnesse all the Saints shall feede As that to store and hoord-vp shall not neede In that the Haruest there shall euer last Their pleasant Spring-time then shall ne're be past Also the Leaues of this most blessed Tree Shall Salutiferous and most Soueraigne bee To helpe to heale to cure all Maladies Which 'mongst the Gentile Nations doe arise So that this Tree not onely makes them liue But to the Elect a healthfull Life doth giâ—e Yet heer 's not meant the Churches finall state But that when Anti-christ is ruinate When God shall th'vnbeleeuing Nations 〈◊〉 And faithlesse Iewes who once from Grace did fall But by these Leaues is chiefly intimated That all the smallest gifts accommodated By th' Lambe Christ Iesus to the Saints Elect Shall serue Someâ—way their Souleâ— with ioy t' affect T' exhâ—lerate and cheere their sacred mind In 's meanest blessings they shall comfort find But now behold now followeth indeede That which doth all the former ioyes exceede The absolute accomplishment of all The Accessarie blessings which befall The Citizens of this rare Domicill Th' Inhabitants of Gods great Sion-Hill Namely that in it there no Curse shall bee It shall be from destruction firmely free It shall be subiect to no execration But strongly stand fearelesse of alteration Which is a Symbole and a certaintie Of this blest Cities perpetuitie A most infallible strong argument That t is eternall and most permanent A three-fold reason hereof may be giuen First that as is foresaid this Seate of Heauen This holy Habitacle shall containe No vncleane thing which may its beautie staine Againe the glorious Throne and sacred seate Whereon Omni-potent Iohouah great Whereon the blessed Trinitie will raigne Shall here abide and euermore remaine Lastly in that all these his Seruants shall With sincere Loue and Zeale Angelicall For euer inuocate his sacred name And his due praises constantly proclaime Seruing the Lord in singlenesse of heart Not once to will from 's worship to depart But Curses are we know for grosse Transgressours For dis-obedient stubborne Male-factours Not for th' obedient faithfull and sincere Thus then is their perennitie most cleere More-ouer all the Saints of this blest race Shall see th' all-beautious Light-bright shining face Of that Arch-Essence of eternitie To walke and talke with him familiarly And with inexplicable sweet delight Haue full fruition of this sacred sight Not as he is Immense and infinite For so euen Angels see not his bright light Who are described couering their face With their Angellike wings in any case Not able to behold his glorious sight He Infinite they being Definite Is certain Yet that we shall haue his full contemplation Is certaine but with this iust limitation First in respect of vs we shall possesse A perfect sight of Gods great Holynesse The Lord in vs and we in him shall dwell In such full measure as no tongue can tell He will replenish euery facultie Of Soule and Body most aboundantly With his most precious presence by his sight Hee 'le fill our Minds from daâ—knesse freed quite Our Hearts hee 'le quicken there shall be no deadnesse Our whole Affections free from gloomie sadnesse What man is capable to comprehend Euen so great glorie God will then extend Againe of that blest sight which we shall haue No inter-mediums shall our sight depraue Here we as through a glasse or vaile him see By mediate Reuelations then shall wee Of him immediate perfect Sight possesse Which none but those that haue it can expresse A measure running ouer heapâ— and prest Will Christ bestow vpon his Saints most blest His Name shall also in their Fore-heads be That is they shall with such bold Constancie And vn-reuolting Zeale professe his Name That nothing shall obliterate the same Or cause them once neglect their pure profession By least relapse or vndiscreete transgression They shall be so conform'd confirm'd therein To perseuere as they did first begin Constant couragious euermore the same Professing still Iehouah's glorious Name Againe his Name is said as here we see Vpon their Fore-heads Caractred to bee Because the Lord will publikely agnize Them by this Cognizance and Patronize By his All-sauing and All-soueraigne power Them and their states as in a fenced Tower And in this Citie there shall be no Night No neede of Candle Sunne or Starres most bright That is there shall be no obscuritie Or darknesse of aduerse Calamitie No Night of obumbraticke cloudie Errour No frighting Feare nor no heart daunting Terrour No slie bi-fronted close Hypocrisie Shall vitiate their intact Integritie No neede of earthly comforts more or lesse No seeking suing there wrongs to redresse By Temp'rall Lawes or Ecclesiasticall For there the Trinitie is All in All And is this glorious Cities great Lord-Keeper Most vigilant and watchfull hee 's No-sleeper And which as was premis'd is the perfection And consummating of this benediction This glorious Kingdome where Gods Saints shall raigne Shall doubtlesse sempiternally remaine Like glorified Kings most gloriously Their blisse shall last past all eternitie Now as a bounteous hearted King doth vse When he a Fau'rite vnto him doth choose On whom he meaneth largely to bestow His golden gifts like Riuers to ore-flow What he doth promise or by words proclame By 's Letters-Patents ratifies the same Thus O euen thus our bounteous hearted King The Heart of Bountie Loue 's ore flowing Spring Hauing his Church his Fauorite elected And promis'd Shee shall be by him erected Richly endow'd gorgeously beautified Rarely be royalliz'd and sanctified Her head adorned with a Crowne of gold A fragrant Garland which shall ne're waxe old Triumphantly in endlesse ioy shall raigne And see her subiect abiect foes in paine The Lord I say this promise hauing giuen That all these ioyes they shall possesse in Heauen To
verifie his promise and confirme What he hath said beyond Times endlesse terme Hath giuen his Letters-Patents his Broad-Seale I' th' sacred Scriptures which hee 'le ne're repeale Seal'd by an Angels testimonie pure And as his Act and Deed giuen and made sure To blessed Iohn in the behalfe and right And to the vse of all the Saints of Light Which being done makes thereof Proclamation With most Emphaticall Asseueration That Hee the Lord of Lords and King of Kings Hath power to doe and will performe these things And surely Heau'n and Earth shall passe away Yea all things shall prepost'rously decay Ere his pure Word in one least jot or tittle Shall fade or faile or alter ne're so little Which though some Wretches Atheisticall Some Nauseous Neuter Satan's Tennis-Ball Some execrable Sadduces I say Which doe the Resurrection denay Though some vile Sectists Pythagoricall Or Infidells most Diabolicall Which haue suppos'd the Spirits Trans-migration From one t'another in Lifes consummation Which doe with deuillish dotage them perswade That there 's no God which e're the World hath made Nor that the World e're had a Prime beginning And thinke and hold that it shall ne're haue ending Although such Nullifidians past all grace May entertayne a thought with brazen face And heart of flintie Infidelitie To thinke or say that the rare Symmetrie Of this Ierusalem coelestiall Seemes as a thing meere Hyperbolicall Incredible to their besotted sense And past the reach of their intelligence Yet let the rabble of such Miscreants know That ther 's 'gainst them pronounc't a fearfull wo Their No-beliefe or wauering Vn-beliefe Shall fill their Soules with Neuer-ending griefe And what they erst would not conceiue in mind Their heart with smart shall then both feele and find Nor shall they haue least part or portion heere Of this great Cities pleasure ioy and cheere But from Gods presence shall be separated Which is the Second Death ne're terminated As for good Abrahams faithfull Generation Who wauer not in tottering haesitation Who haue a Heartie-thirst and thirsting-heart Of these rare pleasures once to haue their part Whose Hope past Hope doth cause their soules aspire By Faith in Christ this Kingdome to acquire Wherewith i' th' warfare of this Life they Fight Fenc't with the Bulwarke of a zeale vpright Arm'd at all points with Christs blest furniture Wherewith they may most constantly endure The Fight Spirituall their Loynes to tie With the strong Girdle of Christs Veritie Hauing the Brest-plate on of Righteousnesse To quench the Darts of Hells outragiousnesse And on their Head the Helmet of Saluation True Perill-Proofe 'gainst Hells most hot Temptation The Sword o' th' Spirit brandisht in their Hand Wherewith they may couragiously withstand That Broode of Hell Satan the World the Flesh Which euermore assault the Soule afresh With hot encounters hellish Stratagems To keepe them from this New-Ierusalems Eternall blisse In which most faithfull fight If they magnanimously stand vpright Assisted by that All-Proofe feruent Prayer The Godlies Guard Supporter and chiefe Stayer If thus they get as thus being arm'd they shall The Conquest o're those Foes fierce Capitall Euen from proud Satan their old Enemie When he shall Challenge them this fight to trie As oft he will they ne're by fraud or force By terrours or by torments leaue their course Of constant Perseuerance to the end But his Hopes frustrate and their soules defend Then shall they like braue Victors haue the Crowne Of immortalitie of blest renowne Triumphantly to raigne with Christ their King And all their Vertues as rich Trophies bring And lay before him for which he will giue A Crowne a Kingdome wherein they shall liue The Lord in them and they in him shall dwell As Christs Co-heires whom he loues passing well And shall sit downe with him as Children deare To Sup at 's Table with coelestiall Cheere And then their Thirst of this accomplishment Shall satisfied be with full content Then shall the Holy Happy Faithfull see The Structure of this sacred Frame to bee Farre more illustrious admirable rare Than earthly things could possibly declare And that those Stones and Gold were too too base To serue t'illustrate Heau'ns coelestiall place Whose boundlesse beautie all discourse transcendeth Whose infinite felicitie ne're endeth Yea that 't is such as that no mortall Eye Could but as through a Glasse the same descry Such as no Eare hath heard no Tongue e're told The Maiestie which there they shall behold Yea such I say as neuer humane Heart Could e're conceiue th' incogitable Part. O then my Soule thou hauing contemplated This Citie all with glorie decorated Thou hauing view'd with Heart-exulting pleasure The Maiestie vnparalleld the matchlesse treasure The most magnificent Maiesticke state Whereinto Christ will his incorporate What wilt thou thereof with thy selfe conclude What wilt thou say of this Beatitude Oh this euen this with Peter and with Iohn At Christs admir'd Transfiguration 'T is good to make thy Seate and Mansion there O there 't is best to dwell and dwell for e're Neuer did Noble Greece so much affect Their Poetiz'd Elysean fields aspect Neuer so much did wand'ring wise Vlysses Desire his chaste Penelopes kind kisses Or rather more diuinely for to raise My thoughts vnto a more religious phrase Neuer did Noah more desire to see Ararats Hills where he of 's Arke was free Nor Sheba's Queene to see wise Salomon Nor at Christs birth more glad was Simeon Then doth my Soule desire these heau'nly fields Which perfect pleasure ioy and comfort yeelds To see my Sauiour sweet on Sion Hill My sences with his sacred sight to fill To see him in his glorified state Therein to be with him associate Euen in these Mansions of eternitie To liue in sure in pure felicitie Which happinesse though yet I may not haue Vntill my Soule receiue my Corps from Graue Vntill I mortall be immortalized And with the sacred Angels Angelized Vntill i' th' clouds my Sauiour come againe To re-collect th' Elect with him to raigne O yet my Soule thy selfe delight and solace To ruminate the ioyes of that sweet Palace To recapitulate the sacred pleasure The Saints shall then possesse in plenteous measure Euen in th' eternall Palace Crystaline The sacred Seate of the Vnited Trine The glorious Court and heau'nly Presence-Chamber Of Heau'ns great Emp'rour wonderfull Commander That Alpha and Omega First and Last Who Was Is Shall bee when all Times are past That mightie powerfull One sole God most high Th' eternall King nay Selfe-Eternitie Infinite All in All yet out of All Of Ends the End of Firsts Originall The Life of Liues Bounties o're-flowing Flood Cause of all Causes Ocean of all Good Vn-Seene All-Seer Starres-Guide Sight of Seeing That One-None which to Nothing gaue a Being There also shall my Soule behold and see The most ineffable deepe Mysterie Of that incomprehensible
what thou maist thy selfe with ease procure Onely thy Heart 't is onely this he craues This giuen to God both Soule and Body saues Not that thy God is better by the same But thou maâ—e blest to magnifie his Name 'T is onely thine not his good he desires And for this good he onely thanks requires Oh therefore silly simple sinfull Man What greater madnesse tell me if thou can Than such a proffer fondly to refuse Than Death for Life for Treasure Straw to choose For precious Liquor Fountayne-water good To hoose foule puddles stinking full of mud Oh more then mad-men thus to take more paine Head-long to run to Hell with might and maine Then euen the holyest Saints to goe to Heauen Who oft with treates and threats are thereto driuen But O my Soule thy Sauiours counsell take O doe not thou his bountie so forsake Goe buy of him giue Body Heart and all To purchase this rare Gem Angelicall And with that Royall-Shepherd Dauid say O thou my Soule trust in the Lord alway Yea in his Awe and Law take thou delight O like loue looke on this both day and night Let it be thy Arithmetike alwayes To take account and number out thy dayes A Deaths-head let thy chiefe Companion bee An Houre-glasse Remembrancer to thee Let thy chiefe studie be continually How to liue well and blessedly to die So shalt thou O my Soule most happy bee When thou of that blest Citie art made free When thou amongst that sacred Hierarchie Shalt sing sweet tones and tunes melodiously With Heau'ns Psalmodicall harmonious Quire Of Saints and Angels zealous hot as fire The Diapason of whose heau'nly Laies Doth warble forth Heau'ns due deserued praise Where thou being grac't and plac't in heau'nly state In precious pleasure ne're to terminate Being sweetly rap't in heau'nly Extasie Christs and his Churches Epithalamie My Sainted-Soule with sugred voice shall sing To God in Christ my Three One heau'nly King O happie Citizens enfranchis'd there O ioyfull Quâ—risters singing so cleere Victorious Souldiers thus to be trans-planted Where Peace for Warre where Life for Death is granted Happie wert thou my Soule most truely blessed If thou wert once of this rare ioy possessed That then I might be fill'd but neuer sated With that rare sight which once initiated Shall last for aye without Times dissolution Shall be most specious without all pollution Therefore my Heart as Hart being chafte and chaced By furious Hounâ—s most nimbly tract and traced Desires the Water-Brooks his heate t' allay That so refresht he thence may scud away Euen so my Heart O Lord desires to see Those Crystall streames of Life which flow from thee Sighes sues pursues her Countrie to recouer Here abiect subiect too too triumpht ouer By my three fierce and furious Enemies Who seeke my Soule t' insnare and sin-suâ—prize Euen Satan that old Hunter and his Hounds The World the Flâ—sh which giue my Soule deepe wounds Who more like rauening Woluâ—s would faine deuoure And captiuate my Soule in hellish power But thy preuenting Grace O Spring of Grace Preseâ—â—eâ— my Soule dis-nerues their horrid chace And as a Bird out of the Fowlers Grin Or as Noes Doue looking to be let-in Into the Arke of thine eternall Rest My tyred Soule is vnto thee addrest My Soule with worlds encumbrances oppressed Desires O Lord to be by thee refreshed My Soule doth thirst and hasteth to draw neere And longs before thy presence to appeare O Tree of Life O euer-liuing Spring Whose laud and praise the heau'nly Hoast doe sing O when shall I come and appeare in sight Of thee the Sunne of righteousnesse most bright When shall my Soule by thine All-sauing hand Be led with ioy from forth this Desert Land When shall I leaue this Wildernesse of wo Wherein my Soule is tossed to and fro I sit alone as on a house the Sparrow Iâ—h ' Vale and Dale of Teares feares sighes and sorrow O leade deare Christ my Loue-sicke Soule by th' hand From this vast Wildernesse drie thirstie Land To thy â—â—ne-Câ—llers that I there may taste Of thâ— Wâ—nâ—-flâ—â—ons thou prepared hast Comfort me with the Apples of thy Grace Wâ—â—h thy Hiâ— Manna strengthen my weake case With heau'nly Milke and Honny Lord make glad My heart which worlds afflictions hath made sad O let me once from Wisedomes sacred Lip Coelestiall Nard and Rosean Liquor sip Yea lâ—â— me satiate mine in-satiate thirst With that sweet Milke wherewith thy Saints are nourc't I thirst O Lord I thirst thou art the Well O quench my thirst and let me with thee dwell I hunger Lord I hunger thou art Bread Euen Bread of Life O let my Soule be fed I seeke thee Lord yet still I goe astray Through High-wayes By-wayes yet I misse the way Thou art O Lord the perfect Way and Dore My Soule will follow if thou goe before Direct my feete to leaue the paths of Sin Ope glories Gate and let my Soule goe in Let it be Riches to me to possesse thee Let it be Glorie to me to confesse thee Let it be Clothes Christ Iesus to put on Let it be Food his Word to feed vpon Yea let it be my Life to liue and die For Christ my King and for his Verilie So shall my Riches be to me eternall So shall my Glorie be with Christ supernall So shall my Clothing still be faire and new So shall my Foode be Manna heau'nly Dew So shall my Life ne're fade but euer Spring Being still preseru'd by Christ my Lord and King But oh alas when shall I see that day That Day of gladnesse neuer to decay That Day of Iubile when all are glad That Day when all reioyce none can be sad Whose endlesse time and neuer fixed date Eternitie shall ne're exterminate That Saints blest Birth-Day which shal ne're haue Euening That Lasting Day to which no Night giues ending That rare Grand-Iubile that Feast of Feasts Sabbath of Sabbaths endlesie Rest or Rests To which least Care shall neuer dare come neere Wherein the Saints shall shake off palid feare O pure O pleasant most desired Day Of that eternall springing Moneth of May In which my Soule shall euermore reioyce In which my Soule shall heare that happy Voyce Enter blest Soule into thy Masters ioy Enter into sweet rest without annoy Enter into the House of Christ thy King Where Peace and Plâ—ntie Mirth and Ioy doe spring Where thou shalt find things most to be admired Where thou shalt haue what most thy Soule desired Ioyes infinitely numberlesse I say And various pleasures infinitely gay Vnspyable vnspeakable by Man Immutable inscrutable to scan Where I thy Soule will feed will feast will fill Feede with spiritual food of my blest Will Feast with the dainties of delight most pure And fill with glorie which shall e're endure Enter I say and heare that melodie Which comprehends datelesse festiuitie Where
by Longitude Latitude and Altitude Napier A most excellent obseruation of all the praemised forms of this Citie Napier The Wall measured This is spoken Allegorically hauing reference to humane building * Note Thus farre of the forme or constitution of this Citie Now of the Matter or Substance wherof t is made Esa. 54.11,12 The Wall The Matter wâ—erof this City is made and â—â—st of the Wall which hath a two-fold consideration Fiâ—st in the whâ—â—e t is Iasper Secondly in the twelue â—â—undations eâ—preâ—â— by twelue Iew â—â—â— like the twelue in â—â—arons bresâ—â—plate * A very excellent and â—emarkable obâ—eruation in the Wall The Citie of pure gold Fiue excellent properties in good goâ—â— Plin. de Metal Like cleere Glasse The Synagogue of Rome Psal. 45. The matter whereof the twelue foundations consisted Iasper Saphyre Chalcedonie Emeraude Sardonixe Sardius Chrysolite Beryll Topaze Chrysoprase Hyacinth Ametist An obseruation of the Premises Simile Simile King Hiram a true type of the Vocation of the Gentiles 1. King 5.2 Dan. 12.3 Twelue Gates of Peaâ—le All of them but One Pearle which is Christ Iesus Iohn 10.9 Simile Octiection Answere Simile Christ compared to a Pearle Non ignarus mali miseriâ— succurrere possâ—t Heb. 4.35 No saluation but by Christ onely Romes praying to Saints touched Esay 63. The Streets all paued with Gold Glistering like Glasse Thus farre concerning the Essential Maiestie and glorie of this Citie 1. Cor. 13.12 Rom. 1 17. Dan. 6.10 The Accessaâ—ie beautie of this Citie No Temple A simple sincere worship of God without Ceremonies Nothing fit to represent the heauenly Temple but God himself who is the Temple No need of Sun Moone or Starres Esay 24.23 ☜ MagnificeÌ„ce and Princely state * Gentilâ— Note Vertue and Pietie are the riches of the heauenly Ierusalem Securitie No Night An euerlasting Day A double meaning of this Night Literall Figuratiue ☜ Zachary 14.20 Esay 52.1 Coelestiall Aliment or Foode The same is the meate drinke in heauen euen Christ. * Cant. 1.14 A Riuer of Water of Life Iohn 4. 14. ☞ Iohn 7. The Tree of Life Christ is the Tree of life The Tree of life beares twelue sorts of fruites 1. God is the God of order 2. Sufficiencie * The twelue Apostles Delicacie This Tree beares fruit euery Moneth The monthly fruit argues not times alternation but Saints contentation The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The spirituall meaning of the leaues No curse or malediction Zac. 14.11 A three-fold cause of the Cities perpetuitie The Saints coelestiall contemplation How wee shall see God In respect of our selues we shâ—ll see God perfectly This our sight of God shall be immediate The Saints Coâ—nizance How the name of the Lord is written in the Saints fore-head ☞ Zach. 14.20 Their perpetuall light and glorie inculcated The plenary perfection of this Citie is Perennity The conclusion of All. Simile The assuraÌ„ce of these most rich promises Atheists * Reuel 3.16 Neuters Sadduces Pythagoreans Nullifidians The reward of vnbeleeuers The second Death The faithfull Belâ—euers A briefe description of their spirituall warfare and weapons Their spirituall Enemies They that wil be crowned in Heauen must winne the conquest on Earth The triumphant inauguration of the Godly into Heauen The vnspeakable Maiesty and Glorie they shall liue in The Soules most sacred Soliloquie and most ardent desire to be inuested into this Glorie 1. Cor. 15. * Not become an Angell but bee like an Angell A briefe description of God The Citizens of the heauenly Canaan The admirable Comforts and vnspeakable happinesse of the heauenly Ierusalem * Summum bonum A briefe recapitulation of the glorious structure of the new Iâ—rusalem Riuers of Honney Gardens Bowers Flowers Spices Plants All these in their Vertues Graces to Man not Reall existences * Enquiriâ— The incomprehensible Trinitie August de Trin. ☜ ☞ All the Sences delighted in Heauen ☞ ☞ Nabal the Flesh. Abigal the Spirit * Ismael the Flesh. Isaac the Spirit What this World is ☜ The World is a strong and subtill Wrastler Amor rerum terrenarum est viscus spiritualium pennarum The Loue of the World is the Soules Bird-lime A most holy expostulation of the Soule concerning the World and the Flesh. * The Body As holy detestation of them The resolution of a good Christian. What deaâ—â— is tâ—â—he Godly A most â—oly Meditation of a sanctified Soule ☜ Sweâ—tsolace of the soule Cleombrotus hâ—â—â—â—peâ—â—te râ—â—oâ—miâ—â— to enioâ—â—â—mortalitie * Imposed by others not exposed to by my selfe * To desire dissolution nâ—â— effect it my selfe Braue resolution of a Christian Souldier ☜ Christ encourageth the Christian Souldier in his spirituall warfare Christ is our Generall Christâ— duce non vinceris imo vinces S. Bernard Simile Vincenti dabitur Why the Godly doe die T is not Merit but Mercy which crownes vs. Death a welcome Guest to the Godly ☜ A most holy disdayning of worldly Greatnesse Rich Merchandise A cheape price The wicked takâ— more paines to go to hell then the righteous to goe to heauen ☞ * Marriage-Song * Satisfied Simile Satan a Hunter The World the Flesh his Hounds The Soules thirst Cant. 2.4 Cant. 5. ◠☞ ☞ * The Martyrs Passion-Day was called of old Natalitium salutis ☜ Our Soules with Christ shall be fed feasted filled The most absolute and perfect ioyes of heauen Visio Dei beatifica summum bonum nostrum August de Trin. cap. 13. August Solilo cap. 36. Seeke Knocke. Aske Heauenly resolution ☜ The Soule here checketh it selfe for being offended at Gods tryals Simile God compared to a Gold-Smith Gods great care of his Children Matth. 6. ☜ Heauens ioyes set against Earths ioyes by way of Antithesis Da sacere quod iubes iube quod vis Simile Vita sine malis est sicut auis sine alis No Crosse No Crowne ☜ Nocumentâ— sunt Documenta Stephens Eagle-eye The Soules Prayer The Soule bewayleth her miserie in the flesh ☞ The Soule oppressed with worldly miseries prayeth The Lord loueth a pure heart Ve semperveniunt ad candida tecta Columba ingreditur sanctus candida corda Deus The Soule desires to be clothed with the Robes of righteousnes Blessed are they that die in the Lord. The Sea of the World The soule ofttimes in danger of shipwracke through ignorance and infirmitie * Remora's Fishes that though little yet can stay a Ship Leuiathan the Deuill The Soules Prayer Abyssus abyssum inuocat ☜ Gods diâ—ection must be our Pilot Protection Rocks of Persecution Simile ☜ Perieram ni sic periisseâ—â— The bloud of Christ only can clense vs from all our sinnes The Soule prayeth that Christ would be propitious to it * Properly a salue for sore eyes The Soule by Faith is encouraged to escape all the dangers of the Sea of this world Dangers Scylla Charibdis Despaire Presumption The Pharise Cain Remedies Humilitie Poenitencie The Publican The Prodigall The Anchor of Hope fastned with the Rope of Faith Christ takes the Will for the Deed. Christ bids the Soule welcome into Heauen The Song of the Saints