The Ruin of Rome, Commentary on Revelation · Chapter 21
Chap. 21.
AS wee hauehave heard before of the vtter ouerthrow of the beaſt, and the falſe prophet, and all their adherents, and alſo of the euerlaſting condemnation of the dragon, that old ſerpent, which ſet them all a worke. So now in this Chapter, wee are to heare of that moſt happy and bleſſed eſtate, which the faithfull ſhall dwell in for euermore: ſo that the maine drift of this Chapter is, moſt fully to deſcribe that infinit glory and endleſſe felicitie, to the which all the 144000, that is, all the elect of God, ſhalbe aduanced, when both the beaſt, and all that hauehave receiued his marke, ſhall be caſt downe into the infernall lake.
This Chapter may very fitly bee deuided into foure parts.
The firſt is, a deſcription of the renouation of the world, and the reſtauration of the creature. ver. 1
The ſecond is, ver. 2.3.4. a laying foorth of the moſt glorious eſtate of the Church, when it ſhall bee freed from all miſery.
The third is, a proteſtation of God himſelfe, ver. 5.6.7.8. concerning the renouation of all things, the felicitie of his elect, and the endleſſe torment of all reprobates.
The fourth is, ver. 9.10.11.12.13.14.15.16.17.18.19.20.21.22.23.24.25.26.27. a liuely deſcription of the very kingdome of God, and the vnſpeakeable ioyes of heauen, vnderunder the figure of a great citie called the holy Ieruſalem. Which citie is heere moſt gloriouſly deſcribed of his walles, gates, foundations, ſtreets, height, length, breadth, brightneſſe, matter, forme, perſons, and inhabitants.
The text.
ver. 1 AND I ſaw a new heauen, and a new earth, for the firſt heauen and the firſt earth were paſſed away, and there was no more ſea.
ver. 2 And I Iohn ſaw the holy city new Ieruſalem come downe from God out of heauen, prepared as a bride trimmed for hir husband.
ver. 3 And I heard a great voice of heauen, ſaying, behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and hee will dwell with them, and they ſhall bee his people, and God himſelfe ſhall bee their God.
ver. 4 And God ſhall wipe all teares from their eies, and there ſhall bee no more death, neither ſorrow, neither crying, neither ſhall there bee any more paine. For the firſt things are paſſed.
By a new heauen and a new earth, is meant the renued eſtate of heauen & earth, after this life in their qualitie, not in their ſubſtance. For wee doe beleeue according to the ſcripture, that this viſible heauen, and this viſible earth ſhall continue for euer, as touching their matter and ſubſtance. But ſhall bee greatly altered and changed in condition, and qualitie.2. Pet. 3. For S. Peter ſaith, wee looke for new heauens, and a new earth, according to his promiſe, wherein dwelleth righteouſneſſe, that is, ſuch heauens, and ſuch a earth, as is free from all corruption & ſinne. Which thing alſo the Apoſtle S. Paul doth plainely teach, ſaying, that the creature doth feruently expect, Rom. 8 19.when the ſonnes of God ſhall be reuealed, that is, when Gods children ſhall be made knowen to be as they are, the very heires of infinit glory, which in this life doth not appeare. And hee yeeldeth two reaſons of this deſire of the creature: one is, becauſe in the meane time it is ſubiect to vanitie and corruption: the other is, that then it ſhall bee free from both. And for this cauſe the Apoſtle ſaith, that the creature groneth with vsus, Rom. 8.and earneſtly deſireth, and longeth after that day, wherein it ſhall bee ſet free from the bondage of corruption, and redintigrated and reſtored to that priſtinate eſtate, wherein it was before the fall. But whether this is to be vnderſtood of heauen & earth onelyonly, or of heauen and earth with their adiuncts & particular creatures, I wil not heere goe about to diſcuſſe: howbeit I do greatly incline to their opinion, which hold, that heauen and earth, with all their furniture being redintigrated & reſtored to their firſt eſtate, ſhall remaine for euer, to ſet foorth the glorie of the creator, & for that vſe of glorified men, which now the Angels hauehave of them.
Now whereas Saint Iohn addeth, that there ſhall bee no more Sea. Hee meaneth that there ſhall bee no more any troubleſome and confuſed eſtate of this world, no moe broiles, waues, tempeſts,Chap. 4.6. Chap. 8.8. Chap. 13.…. and ſtormes, as it falleth out in this life. For the word Sea is ſo taken twiſe or thriſe before.
By the holy citie new Ieruſalem, hee meaneth the Church triumphant, which therefore is ſaid to come downe from God out of heauen, becauſe it hath all his newneſſe and holineſſe from God, and from heauen, whereby it is now prepared and made ready to bee maried vntounto Chriſt, ver. 3 euen as a bride tricked and trimmed vp for her husband. And for this cauſe S. Iohn heareth a voice from heauen, ſaying, the tabernacle of God is with men, and hee will dwell with them, and they ſhall bee his people, and hee will bee their God. Meaning therby that Ieſus Chriſt will keepe houſe with his glorified ſpouſe, and be at bed and bourd with hir for euer in the heauens, at what time ſhee ſhall bee freed from all teares woe and miſerie, ver. 4 as the next verſe declareth, yeelding alſo a reaſon heereof, which is, that the firſt things are paſſed, that is, the ſtate wherein the world is now, being ſubiect to many afflictions, temptations, vanities, and corruptions.
ver. 5 And hee that ſat vponupon the throne ſaid. Behold I make all things new, and he ſaid vntounto mee. Write: for theſe words are faithfull and true.
ver. 6 And hee ſaid vntounto mee, it is done, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will giuegive to him that is a thirſt, of the well of the water of life freely.
ver. 7 Hee that ouercommeth, ſhall inherit all things, and I will bee his God, and hee ſhall bee my ſonne.
ver. 8 But the fearefull and vnbeleeuing, and the abhominable, and murtherers, and whoremongers, and ſorcerers, and Idolaters, and all liers, ſhall hauehave their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimſtone which is the ſecond death.
Heere the omnipotent God, which ſitteth vponupon his moſt glorious throne, doth proteſt, that hee will make all things new, that is, reſtore the world to that execellent eſtate wherein it was before Adams fall, and his elect to a ſtate and condition farre more excellent in heauen, and for the greater certainely and aſſurance of it, willeth and commandeth Iohn to write it, ver. 5 and record it as a thing moſt certaine and infallible, and to ſet it downe as a thing already done. For things to come which are decreed in the counſell of God, are as certaine, as if they were paſt: for God cannot erre, alter, nor change, and therefore he ſaith, I am Alpha and Omega, the firſt and the laſt, the vnchangeable, and immutable God. And addeth, ver. 6 that hee will giuegive freely to eueryevery one that is a thirſt, of the well of the water of life, that is, without all regard of our deſarts, hee will giuegive to eueryevery one, that earneſtly ſeeketh after heauen and heauenly things, his full fill thereof. And moreouer, that whoſoeuer ouercommeth, in the ſpirituall battaile, ſhall hauehave the full fruition of all good things, both in this life, and the life to come, as hauing ſpeciall right and intereſt therein through Chriſt, God being his father, and hee his ſonne and heire. ver. 7 But on the contrary, hee willeth it to bee written, and recorded as a thing moſt certaine and ſure, that all reprobates, all Atheiſts, worldlings, ver. 8 and all vnbeleeuers ſhall hauehave their part an portion, in the lake which burneth with fire and brimſtone for euer.
And there came vntounto mee one of the ſeauen Angels, ver. 9 which had the ſeauen vials, full of the ſeauen plagues, and talked with mee, ſaying, I will ſhew thee the bride the Lambs wife.
ver. 10 And he carried mee away in the ſpirit to a great and an high mountaine, and ſhewed mee that great Citie, that holy Hieruſalem, diſcending out of Heauen from God.
ver. 11 Hauing the glory of God, and her ſhining was like vntounto a ſtone moſt pretious as a Iaſper ſtone, clere as Chriſt all.
Heere one of the Angels mentioned in the 16. Chapter, which had a Viall full of Gods vvrath: Talketh vvith Iohn, and telleth him that he will ſhew him the bride the Lambs wife: that is, the triumphant Church, or the Church in her glorified eſtate, beeing vnited, and married vntounto Chriſt, in the kingdome of glory. And therefore Saint Iohn ſaith, that this Angell carried him away in the ſpirit, to a great and high mountaine, and ſhewed him that great Citie holy Ieruſalem. &c.
chapter 17.1.2.3 Wee reade in the 17. Chapter, that when this Angell ſhewed Iohn the great whore of Babylon, he carried him away into the wilderneſſe in the ſpirit: becauſe the vvhore of Babylon ſhould make the Church barren and deſolate, as a vvilderneſſe. But now that he is to ſhew him the ſpouſe of Chriſt in her glory, and to deſcribe the euerlaſting Ieruſalem, he carrieth him in the ſpirit, vntounto a very high mountaine, that he might take a ſight of it, as Moiſes was carried vp to the top of mount Nebo, that from thence he might take a view of the holy Land. Which teacheth, that none can take a right view of Heauen and heauenly things, but onelyonly ſuch as fly an high pitch, and mount far aboue this earth in holy affections, and heauenly contemplation.
Moreouer, Saint Iohn telleth vsus, that aſſone as hee tooke a ſight of this new Ieruſalem, far paſsing all Sinai ſights: foorthwith he eſpied in it the very glory of God. If he had ſaid, he had eſpied the glory of a King, it had bene much. If he had ſaid, he eſpied the glory of an Angell, it had bene more. But that he eſpieth the very glory of God, it is moſt of all. For vvho can conceiue or expreſſe, vvhat the glory of God is, beeing infinit. The Apoſtle ſaith, that God dwelleth in vnacceſsible light, 1. Tim 6.or ſuch light as none can approch vntounto.
Then this is one vvord for all, touching the beautie and ſuperexcellencie of the new Ieruſalem, that it comprehendeth in it, the very glory of God: but yet for amplifications ſake, it is compared to a Iaſper ſtone, for neuer fading greenneſſe: and to a Chryſtall ſtone, for bright ſhining and glittering for euer.
And had a great wall and high, and had twelue gates, ver. 12 and at the gates twelue Angels, and the names written which are the twelue tribes of the children of Iſraell.
On the Eaſt part, there were three gates: and on the Northſide three gates: on the Southſide three gates: ver. 13 and on the Weſt ſide three gates.
And the wall of the citie had twelue foundations, ver. 14 and in them the names of the Lambs twelue Apoſtles.
Now Saint Iohn procedeth to the deſcription of the wall & gates of this great citie. This we all know, that a ſtrong wall ſerueth for the ſafety and defence of a citie, and for the ſecuritie of ſuch as dwell in it. For if it bee ſo high that none can it ſcale, & ſo thick that none can batter it, then is it indeed impregnable, and the Citizens in great ſecuritie. But the wall of heauen is ſo high, as none can ſcale it, as is ſet downe in this twelfe verſe, and ſo thicke, that no double Cannon can pierce it, as appeareth verſe 17. therefore all the inhabitants of this new Ieruſalem are out of all feare of dangers.
Moreouer this citie hath twelue gates, to ſignifie an hard acceſſe for enemies to breake in: and an eaſie paſſage, for the Citizens themſelues to goe in and out. And at thoſe twelue gates twelue Angels, at eueryevery gate an Angell, as it were a porter, to ſee that none bee let in, but the true Citizens, and free deniſons, and ſuch as hauehave to doe there, which are heere named to bee the twelue tribes of Iſraell, that is, all the elect of God, both of the iewes and gentiles.
Moreouer it is ſaid, that there were three gates on eueryevery ſide the citie, both Eaſt, Weſt, North, and South, to note that out of all quarters of the earth, the redeemed ſhould bee gathered, and as our ſauiour ſaith, many ſhall come from the Eaſt, and the Weſt, the North, and the South, Math. 8.and ſit downe with Abraham, Iſaac, and Iacob, in the kingdome of God. So that it is not materiall, what countrey or nation a man is of, whether Engliſh, Scottiſh, French, or Spaniſh, ſo hee bee a beleeuer, for then he ſhall be ſure to be let in, at one gate, or another, either at the Eaſtgate, or the Weſtgate, the Northgate, or the Southgate. Moreouer the wall of this citie, hath twelue foundations, that is to ſay, it is ſurely founded. And in eueryevery gate, the name of an Apoſtle, ſo that all the gates had the names of the Lambs twelue Apoſtles, to ſignifie, that the groundſell & foundation of this citie, is laid vponupon the doctrine of the Apoſtles and Prophets, Ephe. 2.Ieſus Chriſt himſelfe beeing the chiefe corner ſtone.
And he that talked with mee, had a golden reed, ver. 15 to meaſure the citie withall, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
And the citie lay foure ſquare, ver. 16 and the length is as large as the breadth of it, and hee meaſured the citie, with the reed twelue thouſand furlongs, and the length and the breadth, and the height of it are equall.
And hee meaſured the wall thereof, an hundred forty and foure cubits, by the meaſure of man, ver. 17 that is of the Angell.
Now S. Iohn telleth vsus, that the Angell which talked with him, had a golden reed to meaſure both the citie, and the gates and walls thereof. Meaſuring with reeds was a thing of great vſe in ancient times, as wee read in the propheſie of Ezechiell and Zachary, Ezechiel. 40. Zacharie. 2.and as wee heard before in the eleauenth Chapter. But becauſe all things belonging to this celeſtiall Ieruſalem, are ſuper excellent and glorious, therfore the very meaſuring rod and reed, is of pure gold. This great and glorious citie is ſaid to lye foure ſquare, to note vntounto vsus, that it ſtandeth faſt, and vnmoueable, for round things are eaſily rolled, & mooued this way or that way, hither and thither. But ſquare things are not apt to rolle or mooue. This euerlaſting Ieruſalem therfore lieth foure ſquare, becauſe it can neuer be moued, but ſtandeth faſt for euer. As the Apoſtle ſaith: Seeing we receiue a kingdome which cannot be ſhaken, Heb. 12. ve. 28let vsus hauehave grace whereby we may ſo ſerue God, that we may pleaſe him with reuerence and feare.
The Angell with his golden meaſuring rod, meaſureth the ſquare ſides of the citie, both the length, breadth, height and depth of it, and findeth each of them to bee 12000 furlongs, which after eight furlongs to the mile, maketh in our accompt 1500 miles, and ſo the whole ſquare of this great citie, commeth to ſixe thouſand miles, which is a goodly compaſſe, & noteth vntounto vsus the great largeneſſe of gods kingdome, & that there is romth inough for all the inhabitants thereof. Yea, moſt pleaſant & commodious roomes, as our Lord Ieſus ſaith: in my fathers houſe are many dwelling places. Iohn. 1.4.If it were not ſo I would hauehave tolde you: for I goe to prepare a place for you.
After this, hee meaſureth the thickneſſe of the wall, and findeth it to be an hundred forty and foure cubits, which after our common accompt of two cubits to a yard, amount to ſeauentie and two yardes, which is a iolly thickneſſe, euen ſo thick as no Cannon can pierce, and therefore altogether in expugnable, as hath beene ſaid before.
ver. 18 And the building of the wall of it, was of Iaſper, and the citie was pure gold, like vntounto cleere glaſſe.
ver. 19 And the foundations of the wall of the citie was garniſhed with all manner of pretious ſtones. The firſt foundation was Iaſper, the ſecond of Saphire, the third of a Chalcedonie, the fourth of an Emeraud, the fit of a Sardonix, ver. 20 the ſixt of a Sardius, the ſeauenth of a Chryſolite, the eight of a Beryll, the ninth of a Topaze, the tenth of a Chryſopraſus, the eleauenth of a Iacinth, the twelft of an Ametheiſt.
And the twelue gates were twelue pearles, ver. 21 and eueryevery gate is of one pearle, and the ſtreet of the citie is pure gold, as ſhining glaſſe.
As we hauehave heard of the forme of this goodly citie: ſo now wee are to heare of the matter of it, that is to ſay, of what ſtuffe it is made. Firſt, S. Iohn telleth vsus, that the whole Citie is of moſt pure and glittering gold, like vntounto glaſſe: and that the wall was of Iaſper moſt greene and flouriſhing, and alſo that the very foundation of the wall was beautified and adorned with twelue ſundry kindes of pretious ſtones, which hee reckoneth vp. We count it a great matter heere below, to compaſſe and cloſe in our houſes with a wall of bricke, and none can do it but men of place: but alas, what is that to his wall? what is bricke to precious ſtones: & pibbles, to pearle. But S. Iohn addeth that the gates were of pearle, and the ſtreete of the citie of pure gold! Oh how braue, how beautifull, how glorious, how glittering, how gorgeous, how admirable, a citie is this: for if the gates be of pearle, & the ſtreets of gold, then what are the inner roomes, what are the dining chambers, and what are the lodging roomes. But heere we may not groſſely imagine, that the kingdome of God is of ſuch mettall and matter inded, as is heere deſcribed. But the holy ghoſt would giuegive vsus ſome taſt of it, and after a ſort ſhadow out vntounto vsus vnderunder theſe things vvhichwhich are in moſt pretious accompt amongſt men, vvhat the glory and excellencie of the immortall kingdome is. For otherwiſe there is no compariſon betwixt gold, pearle, and pretious ſtones, and thoſe heauenly, inuiſible, & immortall things which vve looke for, and hope for thorough Chriſt: vvhichwhich in very deed are ſo great, ſo glorious, and ſo vnconceiuable, that gold, pearle, & pretious ſtones, are ſcant ſo much as any ſhew, ſhadow, or reſemblāce thereof.
ver. 22 And I ſaw no Temple therein, for the Lord God almightie, and the Lamb, are the Temple of it.
ver. 23 And this Citie hath no need of the Sunne, neither of the Moone to ſhine in it: for the glory of God did light it, and the Lamb is the light of it.
ver. 24 And the people which are, ſaued, ſhall walke in the light of it: and the kings of the earth ſhall bring their honor & glory vntounto it.
ver. 25 And the gates of it ſhall not be ſhut by day, for there ſhalbe no night there.
ver. 26 And the glory and honour of the Gentiles ſhalbe brought vntounto it.
ver. 27 And there ſhall into it no vncleane thing, neither whatſoeuer worketh abhomination or lies: But they which are written in the Lambs booke of life.
In this new Ieruſalem there is no Temple, as was in the olde Ieruſalem: For there ſhalbe no neede of any, no neede of doctrine, of Sacraments, of prayer, as in the olde Temple, wherein the law was taught, ſacraments adminiſtred, ſacrifices offered, and many other rites and ceremonies obſerued.
But Saint Iohn ſaith, that now God and Chriſt ſhalbe all in all. They ſhalbe the Temple of this moſt holy Citie. And all they elect ſhall fully know them, and dwell with them for euer.
And as this Citie hath no neede of any Temple, ſo hath it no neede of any light either of Sunne or Moone. For the glory of God and the brightneſſe of the Lamb doe light it for euer: vvhoſe incomprehenſible brightneſſe doth as far excell the brightneſſe of the Sunne and Moone, as they doe excell a little candle at noone day. But it may be demaunded vvho ſhall dwell in this ſo glorious a Citie, and in this ſo great a light. Saint Iohn anſwereth, that the people that are ſaued ſhall walke in it: that is, all the Iſraell of God, all true beleeuers, vvhichwhich are happy that euer they vvere borne, that they may come to the poſſeſsion of ſuch a kingdome, as is heere deſcribed. For Saint Iohn ſaith, that the reſplendent brightneſſe of this Citie is ſo great, that euen the kings of the earth ſhall bring their glory and honour vntounto it. And alſo, that the glory and honour of the Gentiles ſhalbe brought vntounto it.
Oh how vnſpeakeable is the glory of this citie, that Kings ſhall throw downe their Crownes and Scepters beefore it: counting all theyr pomp and glory but as duſt, in reſpect of it. And the magnificence and pomp of all the potentates of the earth ſhall heere bee laide downe. And albeit none of the kings, and nobles of the gentiles, might bee admitted into the old Ieruſalem, yet all of the gentiles that beleue, ſhall be admitted into this new Ieruſalem, & made free deniſons therof for euer. And although the gates of this citie alwaies ſtand open both night and day, as not fearing any danger of enemies: yet no vncleane thing ſhall enter into it, but onelyonly they which are written in the Lambs booke of life. Thus wee ſee how gloriouſly the holy ghoſt hath deſcribed vntounto vsus, this citie of the Saints, and habitation of the iuſt, for euermore. He muſt needes bee a very blocke, that is not moued with the conſideration of this endleſſe felicitie. For this citie is deſcribed vntounto vsus, in ſo glorious & admirable a manner, to bring vsus into louelove with it, and to worke in vsus an vnquencheable thirſt & deſire after it. Oh therefore let vsus ſpend many thoughts vponupon it: let vsus enter into deepe meditations, of the ineſtimable glory of it: let vsus long till wee come to the fingering and poſſeſſion of it, euen as the heire longeth till hee come to the poſſeſſion of his lands. Let vsus thinke eueryevery day tenne, and eueryevery yeere twenty, till wee bee in poſſeſſion: let vsus with the Apoſtle ſigh and grone, deſiring to be clothed with our houſe, 2. Cor. 52which is from heauen: let vsus in the meane time, caſt away all things, that may hinder vsus in our chriſtian courſe: let vsus ſhake off eueryevery burden, and run with patience, the race that is ſet before vsus: let vsus as they which prooue maſteries abſtaine from all lets and hinderances. And ſith wee ſtriue ſo exceedingly for a corruptible crowne: how much more ought wee for an vncorruptible. For what paines, what coſt, what labour, can bee inough for a kingdome: let vsus therefore ſtriue and ſtraine, to get into this golden citie, where ſtreets, walles, & gates, and all is gold, all is pearle: yea, where pearle is but as mire and durt, and nothing worth. Oh what fooles are they, which depriue themſelues willingly of this endleſſe glory, for a few ſtinking luſts Oh what mad men are they which bereaue themſelues of a roome in this citie of pearle, for a few carnall pleaſures and delights. Oh what bedlames and ſtraught beaſts are they, which ſhut themſelues out of theſe euerlaſting habitations, for a little tranſitorie pelfe. Oh what intollerable ſots and fops are all ſuch, as will willingly be barred out of this pallace of infinit pleaſure, for the ſhort fruition of worldly lucre and traſh. Let vsus therefore in all time to come, make more reckoning of heauen, and leſſe reckoning of the earth. Let vsus minde heauenly things, & deſpiſe earthly things, let vsus preaſe hard, vntounto the things that are before, and forget the things that are behind. Let vsus ſtriue hard for the price of the high calling of God, and contemne euen the glory of this world.