Prelections Upon Revelation, Chapter 21
¶ The twentye & one Chap.
NOW Followeth the last vision of this reuelation which is conteyned in the two chapters whiche remayne, in whiche is described the restoring of all things wt the happie estate & condition of the Church after ye resurrectiō.
Vers. 1.
And I saw a new heauen and a new earth. &c.
HE propheciethe that the happie renewinge of the whole world shalbe, when Christ the redeamer of the electe shall once appeare. And he alludeth to those thinges whiche Esaye prophecieth Chap 65.66. Concerninge the restauration of the new heauen and the new earthe. For as by the fall of man the whole world fell in to ruine and destruction, so also with the restoring of mankinde, the other creature shalbe repayred. Wherfore thē do we so much esteeme this world which waxeth old, & almost rottē for age, & not rather wt dayly praiers earnestly grone for yt new heauē & new earth, in which righteousnes doth dwell. For the first heauē and the first earth were passed away. &c. All thinges are so subiecte to vanitie & corruption, in this heauen & this earth, in which we nowe liue, that they must of necessitie be abolished, yt there may be place for the new heauē, & the new earth. Not yt the creature shalbe brought to nothing, but bycause yt glorious restoring into the liberty of the sonnes of God, for which the creature mourneth with vsus. Rom. 8. shalbe as it were a new creation of heauen & earth.
And there was no more sea. &c. Nothing yt is terrible, or deformed such as the sea seemeth to vsus, shalbe seene in that blessed renouatiō of the world. Nothing which shall seuer the electe dwelling as it were in one citie, nothing shalbe to them any stoppe of passage, or any dāger in there way. But it is impertinent to inquire here, what shalbe done with the elemente of water, whē it is not ye purpose of the holy ghost to describe the substance or matter whereon the world renewed shall consiste but the qualities.
Vers. 2.
And I Ihon sawe the holy Citie newe Ierusalem come downe from God oute of heauen. &c.
NOt onelyonly the reparatiō of the whole world shalbe happie, but principally ye state & conditiō of the Church shalbe the most blessed of all, as for whose cause the rest of the world shalbe made partaker of the blessednes. And hir state is cōpared to the most holy citie new Ierusalē, garnished wt a newe & wonderfull buylding, whose buylder is God him selfe, whose foundations are layd frō heauē, which doth so much exceade ye glory & beautie of that old Ierusalē, as it hath more noble beginnings. For yt Ierusalē was set in an vneuē place, of ye earth & not well watred with springes, first buylded of certen prophane Iebusites, so often vanquished & at length rased vp frō the foundatiōs & made euen with the groūd. But this most holy citie hath god for her buylder, & she came downe frō heauē, bringing all ye bewty of heauē wt hir. Let vsus reioice that we are citizens of ye citie, which s. Ihon so cōstantly affirmeth, that he saw, that we may vnderstande that it is now buylte alreadie least after the maner of the common sorte, which thinketh the ende of all thinges to come to be doubtfull and vncerten, bycause we see it not, we should lesse beleue that it is prepared.
Prepared as a bride trimed for hir husband. He exposideth in what the blessednesse of ye saincts doth chiefely cōsist, namely yt they may be perfectly ioyned to god, that the bride may come into the imbracinges of ye bridegrom, yt the mēbers may be ioyned to the head, yt his seruants may be receiued into the ioy of there Lord. But the Churche hath not this decking of a bride wherwith she cōmeth so beautifull into the presence of god, of her self, but she boroweth all her righteousnes, wisedome & holines of Christ▪ we which ornamentes being garnished, she excelleth all quenes in glorie & beautie. And vntill yt most renowned day of yt mariage shall come a great part of hir doth wander as a strāger here in earth, which notwithstanding doth possesse these dowries in the meane time by faith, but at length she shal perfectly obteyne thē for euer.
Vers. 3.
And I herd a great voice out of heauē, saying. &c.
AS ofte as it is said in yt scriptures yt a voice is heard wtout an aucthor, it is met as we hauehave noted oftē before, yt it proceaded immediately frō the maiestie of god it self, & is to be receyued of vsus wt great attention. And in this place, the great voice, that is, a loude sounding voice, sente from heauen ought to stricke all oure senses, and frame them to a diligent marking.
Beholde the tabernacle of God is with men. &c. Although the old tabernacle was but a shadow, yet it was sayd to be the greatest glorie of Israell, and it was reputed of all the godlye insteede of an incomparable treasure. Which not withstanding was scarcely his footestole as Ieremie calleth it lament 2. But Christ hath geuen much more excellente signes of his presence in the Church, euen as he promised that he would be with vsus euen to the end of the world, but then shalbe indeede the fruite of ioyning together when God, will pitche his eternall tabernacle with men.
And he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people. &c. Althoughe the tabernacle and arcke of the couenaunte were among the Israelites yet god dwelled not alwayes with them, for asmuche as hee was prouoked to anger with their heynouse sinnes, as the Psalmist doth singe, he often forsooke the habitatiō which he had chosen among men. But when these times shall come there shalbe no sinnes, nor any other thinge that shall seperate vsus from the eternall felowship and cohabitation of God, for we shalbe his peculier people, whome hee will alwayes acknowledge for his, & we likewise, shall cleaue wholly vntounto him.
And God him selfe shalbe with them, and bee there God. &c. There is a great Emphasis almost of euerie worde, God him selfe saieth he shalbe with men, and shalbe there most louing God. The thinges therefore whiche it is meere, for God to bestow vponupon those whome he holdeth most deare the same oughte the faythfull to looke for at his handes. Nowe great & how magnificall the thinges are whiche God will graunte to those men, whome he shall vouchsafe his presence, and whose god he shall not be ashamed to be counted, can not be comprehended in the thoughte of man, nor can not be expressed withe the tongue or speache of any man.
Vers. 4.
And God shall wipe awaye all teares from the eyes. &c.
THe feare of euils aproching whiche doth trouble men that are subiecte to death, euen in there greatest gladnesse, shalbe furthest from the most happie cōdition of the blessed ones. For no sorowe, no griefe shall come vppon there happinesse, by which they shold lesse hauehave the truitiō of sownd & perfecte ioy for euer. For god shall wipe away all teares from there eyes. For he shall fill them being deliuered out of the greatest miseries & calamities, with an inspeakable ioy of cōforte & cōsolation. And there shall be no more death. What soeuer euil sin brought in with it, all that same, when sinne is abolished shalbe taken awaye. Therefore when as death is the rewarde of sinne, it shall hauehave no place in those which by Christ hauehave ouer come sinne. For Christ triumphed ouer death not for him selfe but for his chosen, they therefore whiche shalbe partakers of the resurrection from death by Christ, death shall no more raigne ouer them. Therfore they shall inioye immortall glorie, & felicitie, whosoeuer they be which are called to the partakinge of his kingdome.
Neither sorowe. &c. The benefite of drawinge ou…e the life into eternitie should not be so great, if it should be often affected with mourning and the bitternesse of sorowe, as this oure fraile life is. Therefore the heauenlye voice dothe expresse by name, that all sorow and mourning are vtterly banished from that life, least there should be anye thing at all, whiche mighte spot or darcken the glorie of eternall felicitie.
Neither crying. &c. The bitternesse of sorowe doth often times wring out of vsus, beside teares, complaining voices also, and lamentable wepinges. Like as it is geuē of nature, to all liuing creatures at the least, which vtter any voice, yt whē they are grieuously hurt, or do fele peine: by & by they send forth miserable howlings, by which wt out doubt they lamētably craue ye helpe of god after their maner, for their sorows. But thē whē all cause which may bring sorow & griefe shalbe altogether taken away, there shall no where be heard weping, cries, and lamētable, howlinges, but of all creatures, that is of as many as shalbe receiued into the gloriouse libertie of the soones of God there shalbe one onelyonly voice of ioyfulnes praising god for his infinite benefits, & reioysing one with an other for thē selues.
Neither shall there be any more payne. We attaine nothing in this life that is preciouse, withoute labour and griefe and this is a parte of the punishment, in the sweate of thy browes thou shalte eate thy breade: but in that life there shalbe in a readinesse, whatsoeuer thinges they be that may adorne oure felicitie. Yea verelye the infinite liberalitie of God shall minister perpetually all thinges in flowing abundaunce to vsus resting in quiete. But it seemeth absurde, seeing God be fore mā fell, would hauehave him exercised in dressinge the garden that hee should not waxe slouthfull by idlenesse, that nowe when men are restored into a more higher degree of happinesse, all labour and care of worke is taken from them. But it is easy to aunswere, that all labour whiche shall bring ircksomnesse, wearinesse or griefe, shalbe vtterly abolished. But yet the blessed shal not liue in idlenesse or slepe. But to demaunde what shall remayne for them which they maye doe when they hauehave put on there bodies, is superfluouse, seeinge it is not defined in the scriptures.
For the first thinges are passed. &c. The reason why none of those euils which he hath reckened vp shall remayne, is, because the first thinges, that is all those olde thinges are abolished, & in the world renewed none of these shalbe founde. For like as with sinne and for sinne, all those plagues entred into the worlde, to reuenge the vngodlinesse of men, so when the corruptible figure of this worlde shall pas awaye, they also shalbe destroyed, and shall not find any place in the blessednesse to come.
Vers. 6.
And he that sate vponupon the throne sayde, beholde I make all thinges newe, &c.
THat there mighte be a full certentie of all these thinges to the faithfull God him selfe is brought in sittinge vponupon the throne of his maiestie, publishing a decree, concerning the renewinge of the world. Beholde sayeth he I make all thinges newe. That there should be no feare of those olde euils, which nowe couer the whole earthe, hee promisethe not onelye that those olde thinges to are passed away, but that he will create all thinges nowe.
And he sayed vntounto me write, for these woordes are faithfull and true. &c. Bycause this consolation which the remembrance of the happinesse to come doth bring forth, is especially necessarie to the Churche being miserablye afflicted with sharpe calamities, God doth not onelyonly establishe this decree concerning the restoring of the world, but cōmaundeth the same also to be committed to writing, that by readinge and hearinge the same the afflicted consciences of the Godly mighte drawe out comforte, and for the greatenesse of the rewardes mighte strongely beare all labours, for there is nothinge more certen then this decree concerninge the eternall blessednesse and triumphe of the godly, of which all those shalbe partakers after the resurrection, which now do fight valiantly vnderunder the banner of Christ.
Vers. 6.
And he sayde vntounto me it is done, I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ende. &c.
IT doth euen in this place sufficiently appeare, how sure and perfecte Christ would hauehave this consolation be to his, that by so manye constante affirmations, he establisheth this his fixed and vnmoueable decree. It is done sayeth hee, as if he should say, there is nowe no place lefte for doubting, for this felicitie is as suer, which ye now possesse by hope, as if ye held it in youre handes. For the vnchangeable and vnreuocable sentence of God, whiche can neuer bee broken, is passed vponupon it. It is also to bee referred to this that hee sayeth, that hee is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, that is, the eternall God, whose stable and throughe all ages immoueable will hath decreed this, which can neither deceyue nor be deceyued, whose worde, though heauen and earth should passe, doth neuer faile, but indureth for euer. Here therefore the faithefull, maye atteyne most plenteouse matter of consolation as oft as the deuill laboureth by his engins to ouerthrowe there faieth, that lokinge to the rewarde layed vp for them in heauen, they may valiantly contemne all the vayne pompes, of the world. And maye rather beare all labours, Crosses, reproches, withe a quiet minde, for which so vndoubted glorie, blessednesse and euerlasting felicitie is layed vp in heauen.
I will geue to him that is a thurst of the well of the water of life freely. &c. Bycause it is necessarie ye ye minds of the godlye should after a wōderfull maner be affected with the desire of this rewarde, neither can they read or heare these thinges, but that by & by they thirst after most earnestly, the most pleasant springes of eternall life. Beholde Christ him selfe meeteth them in the way that seeke him, whiche liberallye profferrethe drincke to euerie one that thirsteth out of the most cleare founteyne of eternall life. What wanteth therefore to the felicitie of the sainctes? Of which they shall freely be made obteyners if they be touched with a desire of the same, here is no reason, or respecte of merites, for eternall life is the gifte of God, not a rewarde due for workes, but proceading of the infinite liberalitie of him, which geueth it. In the meane time here is the slouthfullnesse and sluggishnesse of those condemned, whiche being wrapped in the filthinesse of this world, and more then droncken with worldly pleasures, doe neuer thirst after eternall lyfe, but carelesly set at naught whatsoeuer they heare out of the scriptures of paradise, of the new Ierusalē, of the founteyn of the water of life, and suche like rewardes. These bycause they do not thirst for the water of life, shall drincke of the pure vnmixed wine of Gods wrathe, and as the bound slaues of the worlde and the Deuill, they shalbe subiecte to eternall tormentes.
Vers. 7.
He that ouercommeth shall inherite all thinges, and I will be his God and he shalbe my so…ne. &c.
THat wee mighte not thinke that these ample rewardes of happinesse are set forth to the idle and sluggish, he sheweth that we must fighte and that manfully, so that we may become conquerers, and then the inheritance of all things, shalbe ours by the testamēt of Christ, which he hath sealed with his bloud. And if we be esteemed to be the soons of Abraham by faith, we shalbe appointed heyres of the newe world with him, but that whiche extolleth all thinges, we shall take possessetion of the inheritaunce of the sonnes of God. For we ought not to looke for a lesse ample and riche inheritaunce, then it pleaseth God to assigne to those, whom he hath adopted in his onelyonly begotten for we shall be the heyres of God and felowe heyres of Christ.
Vers. 8.
But the fearfull and vnbeleuinge, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers and idolators, and all liers, shall hauehave there parte in the lake whiche burneth with fier and brimstone, which is the seconde death. &c.
THat the wicked should not alwaies securely please them selues in their filthines and contēne all friendly admonitions he denounceth horrible & eternall paynes vntounto them who shall not onelyonly hauehave this intollerable punnishements to be shut out from this happines, but shall moreouer be caste into the moste greuous torments of hell. But he reckenenth vp onelyonly certeyne kindes of wicked mē, yet he cōprehendeth vnderunder these all kindes of iniquitie, he calleth those fearefull which feare mē more thē god, which are ashamed of ye name of Christ through ye feare of those euils which men can lay vponupon thē, whiche if they be ye greuosest they bringe but the death of the body onelyonly, in the meane time, they are not afraide to betray his cause, which can throwe both body and soule into hell fier. He calleth those vnbeleuinge whiche will not imbrace the doctrine of the gospell, neither wil they susteine to lose thinges present for thinges to come, they counte it for a fable whatsoeuer is spoken of eternall life or of Christ ye aucthor therof. Those may be called cursed or abominable, which hauing shaken of all ye yoke of ye fearee of god, do rūne headelonge into all wickednes, as thoughe they did all thinges in despite of God. They also whiche defile themselues withe Murders. Adultries, inchauntementes, and other wickednes, & do not in due time repent of there sinnes, are thrust downe into the same dungeon of tormentes. And idolaters also which worshippe the corruptible creature insteede of the vncorruptible creator, shall suffer the due punnishementes for their heynouse sinnes, vnlesse they spedely repente. Lastlye all kinde of lyers but chiefly h…pocrites, which wt the fained visor of holines thinke they can deceiue both god and men, shall hauehave ther portiō in the lake which burneth with fier and brimstone which is the seconde death, whiche eternall tormentes of body and soule doe accompanye.
Vers. 9.
A…d there came vntounto me one of the seuen Aungels. &c.
HEtherto he hath generally described the conditiō of the blessed after the resurrection nowe he sheweth perticulerlye by what visions he was taught these thinges.
Which had the seuen vials full of the seuē last plagues, and he talked with me sayinge. &c It is not absurd that the same Aungell is both a minister of Gods wrath vponupon the reprobate & also appointed a mesenger of consolation to the godly. One of these seuen Aungels also shewed the damnation of the greate whore Babylō in the 17. chap. one also of the number doth bring the description of the chast spouse of Christ new Ierusalem, but whether it be the same that the former was it nothinge perteyneth to vsus to knowe.
Come I will shew thee the bride the lambes wife. God in time past betrouthed the Church to his sonne Christ and nowe she being garnished with all her or nature she prepareth her selfe to the celebration of the mariage, that Christ may leade her beinge his wife into his fathers house, that is into the heauenlye glory that she may enioy all the goods of her husbande which as yet beinge but a spouse she possesseth onelyonly by faith,
Vers. 10.
And he caried me away in the spirite to a great and an highe mounteyne. &c.
THey must be caried in minde farre from the centre and lowest face of the earthe into an excedinge highe mounteyne, whiche shalbe beholders of this moste sweete vision, together there withe Iohn sheweth that he was taken vp into an highe place and set a lofte, that from thence as it were from a beholding place, he might in contemplation see the whole figure of newe Ierusalem her situation and placinge.
And he shewed me the greate city holy Ierusalem. &c. Although Babilon were the greatest of all cityes in earth that is the Churche of Antichrist, and was proude in her owne greatnesse: but Ierusalem was small and despised, as being a stranger in this worlde, yet after the renewing of the worlde, when all her members are gathered together in one, shee is an ample and a magnificall citie to beholde. This is the firste praise of the Citie taken of the greatnesse, that with her largenes shee sufficethe to conteyne all her Citizens, withe a commodiouse habitation for euerie one. Secondelye he calleth it holye, not onelyonly in respecte of the prophane Whore, and vnpu…e City Babylon, but also in respecte of her selfe whiles she was a Pilgrim in earthe. For then she shalbe altogether beautifull without anye spot or vncleanes from which perfection she is nowe farre and much distance. Shee is called Ierusalem, for the noble promisses sake, whiche remayne as concerninge her perpetuall induringe, the accomplishement of which perteyneth to these times.
Descending out of heauen from God. &c. God himselfe the maker of all thinges is the buylder of this citie, whiche he hath framed, & made not of some elimentall, or matter whiche is vnderunder the moone, but hath adorned her with heauenlye and externall glory. This seat is prepared a rest of all labourers to to the faithfull, and after long and hard pilgrimages, a firme and stable byding place is appointed.
Vers. 11.
Hauing the glorie of God. &c.
BY the shining and or nature it selfe this Citie doeth testifie her buylder for the wonderfull glorie of God shinethe in it. So in one woorde he vttered her glorie, which by it selfe to oure tongues is vnspeakeable. But bycause oure vnderstanding can not conteyne heauenlye thinges any otherwise then by the similitude of those thinges, whiche are set before our senses: he compareth her glorie to those thinges, whiche are most preciouse and beautifull among men, as to golde, preciouse stones and pearles.
And her shininge was like to a stone most preciouse, euen a Iasper cleare as Cristall. &c. Firste wee must note, that nothinge can be founde in this worlde of suche beautie and shining, that deserueth but euen to shadow the glorie of this citie. Wherefore he doth not simplie compare her shininge to a Iasper stone or a Cristall, but he feyneth a certyne stone conteyning the greatenesse and the most beautifull varietie, of the Iasper and most cleare throughe shininge of the Cristall, and that preciouse stone also which should be of great price, when among men the Iasper, and Cristall are of small valewe. The first sighte therefore of this citie, if we beholde it is all at once, is most acceptable with wonderfull shininge. In whiche that greenesse of the Emeraulde, distinguished withe the moste beautifull varietie of colours, wherewithe, the Iasper excellethe the Emerauld, doeth promise, a Citie alwaies florishinge and flowinge in the happie abundaunce of all thinges. But the clere and throughe brighte shininge of the Cristall, takethe awaye all corners, of obscuritie and darckenesse, finallye all thinges, euen at the firste syghte appeare beautifull and preciouse.
Vers. 12.
And had a great wall on hyghe. &c.
WAlles are not onelyonly fortresses, but also ornamentes to the famosest Cities. Well therefore is this Citie furnished, and beautifullye also adorned beinge inuironed with a great and exceadinge hyghe wall, which can both defend the Citizens and easely kepe of the enemies.
And had twelue gates, and at the gates twelue Aungels, and the names written, whiche are the names of the twelue Tribes of the children of Israell. &c. This is praised in the Sytuation of Cities, if they bee of harde entraunce to the eunemies, and easye passage in for the Citizens. Therefore as the wall restrayneth the enemies from entringe in, so the twelue gates doe receyue the Citizens and friendes comminge on euerie side. And that all feare shoulde bee absente, leaste anye iniurie mighte bruste open the gates, there are placed so manye Aungels, euerye one the keeper of a Seueralle gate, whiche as they knowe, all the Citizens, so they can espye and take all traiterouse aduersaries, & will let them from entring. VponUpon eueryevery gate also are grauen the names of the twelue tribes, as it were the ensignes, whereby is signified that all the number of the elect beinge graffed into the body of Israell hath the fredome of this citye, and oughte not to be shut out from the free passage into the same
Vers. 13.
On the east part there were three gates, and on the north side three gates, on the south side three gates, and on the west side three gaets.
LYke as Christ shall sende forth his Aungels which shall gather the elect from all the quarters of the worlde. Math. 24. So the gates of this heauenly city are open to receiue her inhabitants comminge from all partes. Therefore the banishments whiche are furthest of are not to be feared, whiche the citisins of the heauenly Ierusalem are often compelled to suffer in this earth. From all quarters of the world, the waie is open to those whiche retourne to there countrye, from whiche they nowe wander as strangers. Neither skilleth not in what corner of the worlde anye of the godlye doe dwell, for he maye prepare his iourney from eueryevery region of the worlde to this citye and be admitted into it.
Vers. 14.
And the wall of the city had twelue foundations and in them the names of the lambes twelue Apostles. &c.
THe wal which compasseth the whole circuite of the city, and fortifieth the city on euerye side from the aduersaries, that is that sacred bonde of vnitye, wherewith the whole Churche is bounde together, and is defended from the pernitious daunger, of errours and ignoraunce: it is builded vppon, the foundacion of the prophets and Apostles Iesus Christ beinge the head corner stone. For vnderunder the names of the Apostels, are comprehended also the names of Prophets in as muche as the doctrine of the prophets and of the apostels is the selfe same, but the apostolicall doctrine is muche more euident and cleare. Therefore if we imbrace the vnity of the Churche, it must be builded on these foundacions, if we seeke a defence or fortresse againste heresies, let this be a brasen wall neuer to departe so muche as an here bredeth from the foundacions of the Apostels.
Vers. 15.
And he that talked with me had a golden rede to measure the city with all, and the gates therof and the wall thereof. &c.
WE saw other where that is to say in the eleuenth Chapter, to what vse the Lorde is sayed to measure any cities, those verely whiche he will builde vp and not destroy. The Aungell therefore withe a goulden reede measured this Citye, that he mighte signifie that the Lorde will builde vp the same for euer and we muste note, that in the eleuenth Chapter Sainct Iohn is commaunded to measure the temple, and those that worship in it, because then the Lorde vsed the labour of men to builde vp his Church, but this heauenly city is builded onelyonly of heauenly workemanship. The instrument which the Aungell vseth is a goulden rede whereby the excellency of the worke and of the deuine workemanshippe is shadowed. And he repeateth all the seuerall partes, as the citye, the gates, the wall, that nothinge to her eternall continuance mighte seme to be neclected or omitted.
Vers. 16.
And the city lay foure square, and the length is as large as the breadeth of it, and he measured the city with the rede, twelue thousande furlonges: and ye length, the breadth and the heyght of it are equale. &c.
NOW followeth the forme and measure of the citye, and the forme therof is most fyrme and stable that is to say foure square and cubycall, of which forme some of the olde philosophers did thinke the earth to be, for the vnmoueablenes of the same. Moreouer we lea…ne by this forme to Imagen nothinge earthlye of this city, for the heyghte of no city is so large as the length and breadth thereof. The measure if we count the greatnes, which is of twelue thousande furlonges, that is 1500 miles commendeth the largenes and capacitye of the city, whiche is great inough to the commodiouse dwellinge of all the citizens. If we consider the proportion of the number, it clearely conteyneth that most bewtifull concorde in proportiō which we noted verye often to be expressed in the number of twelue.
Vers. 17.
And he measured the wals there of an hundreth forty and foure cubites, by the measure of man, that is of the aungell, &c.
THe measure also of the heighte of the wall is to be noted, both in the quantitie of the largenesse, and also of the number. For the grea… height thereof declareth, yt the defence thereof is safe enough against all the engins of the aduersaries. And the number 144. riseth of twelue multiplied in it selfe, of which what is to be gathered, wee hauehave expounded otherwhere, but in this measure, least wee should accordinge to the small proportion of our bodies, measure the cubites, Ihon sheweth that they were not the cubites of men, but of the Aungell, which appeared in shape of man, but hee exceaded in wonderfull greatnesse and farre aboue the stature of man.
Vers. 18.
And the buylding of the wall of it was o… Iasper. &c.
OF the twelue foundatiōs riseth the buyldinge of the wall, which is to be compared to the most beautifull shining and varietie of the Iasper. For as the Iasper cōteyneth in it selfe, the diuers coloures of all preciouse stones, so of those twelue most preciouse stones, whiche signifie the doctrine of all the Apostles is this wall buylded, and seemeth to be compacte of a most beautifull composition.
And the citie was pure golde like vntounto cleare glasse. &c. The buyldinge of the whole Citie is aunswerable to the beautie of the wall, whiche is all shininge and glitteringe of most pure golde, and that which is more beautifull shining through as moste cleare glasse. No earthelye glorie maye be compared to this. Let vsus therefore, neclectinge the colour of this grosse mettall, whiche among vsus is most preciouse feruently desyre this beautifull riches for the heauenlye golde is throughe shininge.
Vers. 19.
And the foundations of the wall of the citie were garnished, with all maner of preciouse stones, the first foundation was Iasper, the seconde of Saphire, the thirde of a Chalcedome, the fourthe of an Emerale. &c.
WE knowe that the twelue preciouse stones in ye brest place of Aaron signified so manye tribes, but here we are before admonished, that the 12. foundations hauehave the names of the 12. Apostles written in them, which are ye 12. Patriarches of the Church, collected as well of the Iewes as of the gentils. In these are ye sundry & preciouse giftes of God, but yet all applied to the buylding vp of one temple. If there be any thinge therefore in preciouse stones, that is shining and preciouse, if there be any beautie and vertue, they shall all be found abundantly in these foundations. Men do greatly esteme small peeces and sparcke of preciouse stones, therefore what glorie of riches is there where the greatest foundations of the walles, consist of whole preciouse stones? But to reason more subtilly concerninge the colours and properties of euerie of the preciouse stones, seemeth to me more curiouse then necessarie. I had rather therefore, briefely & with sobrietie dispute of them all, then subtilly and curiousely.
Vers. 21.
The twelue gates were twelue pearles, and euerie gate is of one pearle, & the streate of ye citie is pure gold as shining glasse.
THe wonderfull beautie of the gates is described which cō siste euerie of a whole pearle howe small a portion of these gates was that pearle of Cleopatra, which was so much magnified among writers, if it should be compared to this greatnesse. All these thinges perteyne to the describing of the magnificence and beautie of this citie, vnderunder the figure whereof is shadowed the most swete and blessed dwelling of the faithfull with God, which shalbe after the resurrection. And the streat of the citie is pure golde like shininge glasse. We may coniecture euen by this, howe great the beautie, and magnificence, how great the riches, and howe preciouse the furniture is of the other partes of the citie, that the verie streat also of this citie, is paued with that heauenlye and shining golde. He that shall conceyue these riches in his minde, shall easely contemne that small pompe of gold, preciouse stones and pearles, which euen the most mightie Emperours could euer shew. Neither can pouertie be burdenouse to him, which is perswaded that so great tresures of riches are layed vp for him in heauen.
Vers. 22.
And I sawe no temple in it, for the Lord God almightie and the lambe are the temple of it. &c.
THe temple of Salomō, was the chiefe ornament of the old Ierusalem, but of this heauenly Ierusalem, the temple is no parte, but the whole Citie is the temple of god and Christ. Yea verilye, God, & Christ are sayed to be the temple thereof, whose presence is spred ouer the whole bodie of ye Churche For the holye religion and worship of God, is not shut into one corner or streat, but ouer the whole citie, which is the seat of God, and of our sauiour Christ. Whome verely without the outward sacramentes of his presence, cleauinge vntounto him in verie deed, we shall know not in a glasse or a darcke speakinge but manifestly, and perfectlye. And this place fighteth against those prophane dogges, whiche denye the diuinitie of oure sauiour Christ. For he to whome equall glorie of the temple perteyneth, with God, can be none other but eternall God, but Christ, with god almightie is the temple of the blessed citie, & to bee worshipped with equall honour with the father, therefore he is god almightie. Which thing also he performeth euē now to his Churche, being a straūger as yet in earth, to which he hath promised his presence euē vntill the …nd of the world. For god dwelleth not in a temple made with handes, of which sorte was that temple of Salomō, but spreadeth forth him selfe by the presence of this goodnes euerie where through ye whole Churche. Althoughe nowe we see him vnperfectly, yet when these times shall come, all signes being taken awaye, and also all stoppes whatsoeuer, we shall see him as he is, and we shall knowe him euen as we are knowen of him.
Vers. 23.
And this citie hath no neede of the sunne, neither of thy moone to lighten it: for the glorie of God did light it: and the lambe is the light of it. &c.
WHat neede should there be of the Sunne, or the moone▪ where euerie one of the Iust shall shine as the sunne, where (as I saye) the glorie of God, and the brightenesse of Christ, shall shewe it selfe openlye. Verelye the sunne and the starres, as it were through certen riftes of heauen, do exhibite vntounto vsus scarcely the least sparkes of Gods glorie to be seene. And when as we shalbe partakers of Gods glorie, the shining of the sunne and the moone shall seeme darcke. And the holye ghost alludeth to those thinges which the prophete Esay in the 60. Chap. prophecieth cōcerning the renewing of the Church.
Vers. 24.
And the people which are saued shall walke in the lighte of it. &c.
THe earthly Ierusalem did abhorre and deteste all the gentiles as prophane, but the heauenlye Ierusalem doeth acknowledge them for the Citizens being purged and sanctified in Christ, & not vnwillinglye doth admitte them into the partaking of her happinesse.
And the kinges of the earthe shall bringe there glorie vntounto it. &c. Not only the cōmon people of the gentiles shabe receyued, but also kinges them selues shall laye downe their glorie in it, and shall liue in equall condition with the rest, not that they shall lose any parte of there glorie, for they shalbe all kinges, which shalbe partakers of the heauēly kingdome, but bycause, if there be any glory in kinges, the same shalbe cōmon to all the godly. Kinges and Magistrates therefore are not shut out of the heauenly citie as the Anabaptistes do dreame.
Vers. 25.
And the gates of it shall not be shut by daye: for there shalbe no nighte. &c.
THey liue safe and withoute care in that citie, for they feare no hurte of the aduersaries, which neuer shut the gates: & verely the cities in earthe excepte they be beseiged shut not the gates by day time, but in the nighte they are locked for sodaine assaults or inuasions. But where there is no nighte but continuall day, there the gates are alwaies open. For the Citizens beinge furnished with the safegarde of the moste mightie god feare not any beseiginge or sod…yne assaulte.
Vers. 26.
And the glorie & honour of ye Gentiles shalbe brought vntounto it.
THat we might want nothing which we desire, whiche seemeth pleasaunt or gloriouse vntounto vsus in this life, he sheweth that all the glorie of ye gentiles shalbe heaped vp into this Citie. Not that any thing can be added to set forthe the glorie of god which by it selfe is heighest and greatest, but bycause wee shalbe heyres of the world and of all good thinges.
Vers. 27.
And there shall enter into it none vncleane thing, neither whatsoeuer worketh abomination or lies: but they which are written in the Lambes booke of life. &c.
ALthoughe the gates are alwaies open, yet there shalbe no passage in for the reprobate, bycause they defile all thinges with there prophane touching, and they which committe detestable abominatiōs, and reioyce in lies and hypocrisie, but for the electe seruauntes of god onelyonly, and they which are sanctified in the bloude of Christ, we may note here that sanctificatiō can not bee separated from the eternall predestination of god. For they are not written in the booke of life, whiche alwayes geuinge ouer them selues to lies and wickednesse, doe neuer thinke of newnesse of life.