The Holy City, Commentary · Chapter 21 · Verse 16
Vers. 16.
And the City lieth four square, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the City with the Reed, twelve thousand furlongs: the length, and the breadth, and height of it are equal.
And the City lieth four square] These words do open unto you the matter yet more, to wit, That now both the City, Gates and VVall, were exactly in their Visibility according to the VVord, lying even every way with that Golden Reed: for by four square, you are to understand Perfection, or an answering the figures that of old did figure to us the compleatness and perfection of the New-Testament-Order.
For if you search the Scriptures, you will finde that especially the great and principal Instruments of Gods Worship in and under the Law, their Perfection was what here you read to be the Perfection of this City, even a four square. As for instance: The Brest-plate of Judgment, on which were engraved the Names of the Children of Israel, its exact point of Perfection was, to be a right four square. The ten Bases also, that were to be for Bearers to the Lavers in the Temple, they were to be four square: The Altar of Burnt-Offerings likewise, with the Altar of Incense, their perfect Pattern was, that they should be four square: The inward Court and outward Court, with the Posts of the Temple, and Tables on which they were to slay the Sacrifices, they were all four square. Yea, the City in the Type, in the Vision of Ezekiel, was seen to be of the same frame and fashion every way, having just twelve Gates, and of each of the four sides three Gates. Exod. 28. 15, 16. & 39. 8, 9. 1 King. 7. 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. Exod. 27. 1. & 38. 1. Ezek. 43. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Exod. 37. 1. Ezek. 40. & 41. 21. & 40. 40, 41, 42. & 48. 30, 31, 32, 33, 34. Wherefore when he saith, The City lieth four square, it is as if he had said, She lieth even with the Pattern, or Golden-Reed of the Word; even, I say, both in her Members, Doctrine, VVorship, and Manners: For the things afore-hinted unto you do hold forth all these Particulars.
—And the length is as large as the breadth.—
This explaineth the matter yet more fully and distinctly; for as to the things that I made mention of before, though they were to be made four-square, and that their Perfection lay exactly in that form; yet these Squares did not lie inExod. 27. 1. & 38. 1 their height and depth, but in their length 1 King. 7.and breadth, just as you read here of theEzek 40. 42. Square of this City. As to instance: The Altars, though they were five Cubits long, and five Cubits broad, yet but three high; so the Bases, they were a Cubit and an half broad, and a Cubit and an half long, yet but half a Cubit high; the Tables also on which they slew the Sacrifices, they were a Cubit and a half long, and a Cubit and a half broad, yet but one Cubit high. VVhichWhich things being thus, you see the reason of his saying the length is as large as the breadth.
Now by length and breadth here, we may yet observe another Mystery held forth unto us; for by the breadth is held forth the perfection of the Rule, or Law to which all Christians ought to yeild their hearty Obedience: His Commandment is exceeding broad: The breadth ofPsal. 119 96. which, is signified, I say, by the breadth of those things that before you see to beBy breadth is to be understood the perfection of the Word, and by length the compleatness of the Saints obedience Luk. 1. 6. & 2. 37. the Instruments of the Worship of God: Now as by breadth, we are to understand the perfect latitude and compass of the Commandment; so by length, we are to understand the answerableness of the obedience of the Inhabitants of this City: for indeed the perfection of Christian Obedience lieth in an answerableness to the Will of God; as it is said of the Father and Mother of John the Baptist; they walked in all the Commandments of the Lord blameless; and of Anna, that she continued without ceasing in the service of God in the Temple, day and night: This is to be as long in our Obedience, as the Law is broad in commanding: the Law commands right Obedience, and the Christian giveth it; the Law commands continual Obedience, and the Christian giveth it; the Law commands universal Obedience, and the Christian giveth it: He giveth it all these sorts of Obedience, 1. By the Person of Christ, for1 Cor. 1. 30 he is his Righteousness; he giveth it all these, 2. With the consent of the mind: Rom. 7. 16and 3. He giveth it all these Obediences in the love of the Spirit, which the Apostle calleth the fulfilling of the Law, thatRom. 13. 10. is, an answering the breadth of its Command, by the length of Obedience: wherefore when he saith, The length is as large as the breadth, he would have us understand how perfect in Holiness these blessed Souls will be at this day: and indeed, this is it that is by God expected to be in this City at this day: As the Angel with his Measuring-Line said to Zechariah, I am going to measure Jerusalem, Zech. 2. 2and to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof: To see whether their Doctrine be pure, and whether their Obedience be answerable.
—And he measured the City with the Reed, twelve thousand furlongs.—
These latter words do refer us to a distinctA second measure. measure from that which went before; the former measure pointing at the breadth of her Commandment, and the length of her Obedience; but this at the Glory and Fulness of her Mansions and Portions: For after he had said, The City lieth four square, and that the length is as large as the breadth, (which is the full and compleat effect of that first measure) he comes over again with an other measuring, saying, And he measured the City twelve thousand furlongs; as who should say, He measured the City, Gates, and Wall first, and sound them all exact, and according to the Golden Reed; and after he had so done, he measured the City with the Reed twelve thousand furlongs.
He measured the City with the Reed A portion measured out for the City.That is, He measured out to the City, he measured for the City, for its Lot and Portion, twelve thousand Furlongs: Which very thing you find in the Vision of the Prophet Ezekiel: for after he had measured the City, the Vessels, with the Instruments of Worship; I say, when he had done this, he comes again with an afterwards, to measure the City her Portions and Mansions, Ezek. 47. 1, &c.
Wherefore, I say, these words do refer to her Portion that she is to enjoy of her God, as the former referreth to her Duty and Obedience.
Now that which maketh me conclude that this latter measure is a measure distinct from the former, and that it relateth neither to the exactness of Rule, nor the compleatness of Obedience, but only to the largeness of the Portions that God will allot for thy Sons and Daughters, thou City of God, it is,
First, Because this is the biggest measure: For I find, by considering the Scripture, that as the Persons and Things pertaining to the Worship of God, were to go according to the Rule of this Golden Reed; so also the Portions that pertained to the Persons worshiping, was to go by Rule and Measure also, (as here he saith he measured also the City, or to it, with the Reed, twelve thousand furlongs.) And hence it is that our Grace is called the measure of Grace, and that ourRom. 12. 3. Glory is called a weight of Glory.
Now I say, I find that our Portions doEph. 4. 7. 2 Cor. 4. 17 go always under the biggest measure; the Spoons, Cups, Flaggons, Snuffers, Basons, Candlesticks and Pans, which were the Instruments of Worship, were not so large as the Chambers in the Temple, and the compass of the holy Land, which were the †See Josh. 15. to Chap. 19.Mansions *Joh. 14. 1, 2, 3.and Portions of the Church.
Secondly, I take the twelve thousand furlongs to signifie Portions, rather than Worship or Worshippers; because, as to the nature of it, it most exactly agrees with the Portions that are measured out to this City by the Angel before Ezekiel, which is a measuring forth so much Land for the Portion of the Prince, so much for the Portion of the Priest, and so muchEzek. 45, 46, 47. for the Portion of the twelve Tribes: Yea, the very phrase, twelve thousand Luk. 24. 13.furlongs, also implieth such a compass of Ground, by which we find the holy LandJoh. 11. 18 hath been measured.
Lastly, I take it to be thus also; because I find not in all this description of this holy City, that any place doth give us that ground to speak to her measure of Portion, as this: and it would seem strange to me, that the description of this City given by Ezekiel, should be more compleat then this that is given by our Prophet John: for Ezekiel doth most amply set forth her Portions, even distinctly, for Prince, Priest, and the Tribes in particular. This therefore is to be understood of the Portions of the City, which John did see was measured out unto her, immediately after he saw the breadth of her Rule, and the length of her Obedience: OnelyOnly consider that Ezekiel measureth by Reeds, not counting by Furlongs; but John, though he measureth by Reeds, yet counteth by Furlongs.
But now, though the holy Ghost is thus pleased to speak of the Portions of the Saints in the New Jerusalem, as if he intended chiefly that their Portion should consist in outward Happiness, and in the enjoyment of such and such a Portion, or compass of ground: Yet consider that these are but metaphorical and borrowed Expressions, spoken to our Capacities, under which is indeed included the nature of our blessed and spiritual Food and Nourishment: You know it is usual for the holy Ghost in Scripture toJoh. 20. 15, 16. call the Saints Sheep, Lambs, Heifers, Cows, Rams, Doves, Swallows, P…licans,Amos 4. 3 Jer. 31. 18.and the like; and also to call their Food, their spiritual and heavenly Food,Song 2. 5. Grass, Provender, Wheat, Wine, Oyl,Ezek. 34. 14. Grapes, Apples, Figs, Nuts, and theZech. 10. 1 Isa 30. 24. Mic. 4. 4. like also; all which are but shadowish and figurative expressions, even as this of the measure of the twelve thousand furlongs: and observe it, that which John saith here is twelve thousand furlongs, Ezekiel tells us, it lieth on this Ezek. 47. 8, 9, &c.side and on that side of the bank of the River of the Water of Life: Now I think there is none so much void of understanding, as to think this Water of Life is any thing else but the precious Grace of God, in and thorow the Lord Jesus: Wherefore the ground or measure for Portions, it is nothing else but our spiritual and heavenly Food, even spiritual Grace, and Gifts, and Comforts, that the holy Ones of this City shall most plentifully partake of, and enjoy: And so indeed the Prophet also saith, speaking of the Portions of the holy Land for this City: The increase thereof, saith he,Ezek. 48. 18, 19. shall be for Food unto them that serve the City; and they that serve it shall serve it out of the twelve Tribes of Israel: Out of the twelve Tribes, that is, out of the twelve thousand Furlongs, which is the the Portion of the Tribes. This is according to the Saying of the Prophet David, He maketh me to lie down in green Pastures, he leadeth me besides the still Waters: and again, For the Lamb that is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them, and shall lead them into living Fountains of Water: for their shame, they shall have double; and for confusion, they shall rejoyce in their Portion: Therefore in their Land they shall possess the double; Everlasting Joy shall be upon them, Psal. 23. 2. Rev. 7. 17. Isa. 61. 7.
Thus you see the measure of the City, Gates, and Wall, and the effect of that; and thus you see also the measure of the Portion for the City, with what it is: Wherefore it remaineth that we see what is to be the effect of that also.
And he measured the City with the Reed twelve thousand furlongs, and the length, and the breadth, and the height of it are equal.
Before he told us, that the length was as large as the breadth; which I then told you, did signifie the nature of her Rule, and the measure of her Obedience: but now he adds, and saith, That both in length and breadth, & in height, she is equal: Wherefore in that he adds at last a squareness of height, to her squareness of length and breadth; and also in that he adds it not before he had told us of the measure of her Portions, he would have us to understand, that as the Rule in which this City shall walk, shall be compleat; and as her Obedience to that Rule shall be compleat; so her enjoyment of God and his Grace at that day shall be proportionable also: She is square in her Rule, square in her Obedience, and square in her Enjoyment of God, and his Goodness; the length, and the breadth, and the height of it are equal. Indeed the Scripture saith, That in keepingPsal. 19. 11 his Commandments there is great Reward: and again, This man shall be Jam. 1. 25.blessed in his Deed: This sheweth unto us then, what glorious days these will be, to the House and City of God; even days in which Saints shall see the Mind of God clearly, have Hearts to do it compleatly, and have continually the answerable Enjoyment of God, and spiritual Happiness: Now will his Paths Psal. 65. 11.drop Fatness, with a witness! and now will he meet him that rejoyceth and worketh Isa. 64. 5.Righteousness, those that remember him in his Ways: And the length, and the breadth, and the height of it, are equal. Wherefore the Prophet in the Vision of the measures of the Portions, doth observe that there was a squareness in them, as well as in their Ordinances and Obedience: and hence it is that he tells us that every little Chamber was one Reed broad, and one Reed long: and again, the Oblation, that is, the Portion for the Tribes, shall be five & twenty thousand: By five and twenty thousand ye shall offer the holy Oblation, FOUR SQUARE, with the Portion of the City, Ezek. 40. 7. and 48. 20.
Again, In that he saith, The length, and the breadth, and the height of it, are equal; he sheweth us how fit this City at this day will be, even for the Kingdom of Heaven and Glory: for observe, That as the Rule, Obedience, and Comforts of God, do make this City a square City, both in height, and length, and breadth; so the Holiest of all, which was a †Heb. 9. 24.Type of Heaven, was of the same fashion also; It was twenty Cubits high, and twenty Cubits long, and twenty Cubits broad; the length, and the breadth, and the height of it were equal, 1 King. 6. 20. 2 Chron. 3. 8. Ezek. 41. 4.
Wherefore as now the Will of God will be done (according to the Petition) on Earth as it is in Heaven; so will thisMat. 6. 10 City be at this day fit to enter into the Holiest Place; even as fit as one four square is to shut into another: Here is a four square City for a four square Heaven; And the length, and the breadth, and the height of it are equal: Wherefore it is upon this account that this City at her appearing is said to be adorned and prepared, as a Bride is for her Husband; which we all know is the most perfect and compleatest Attire that is possible to be got: And therefore it is again, that at the coming of the Lord, those that go in with him to the Marriage, are said to be ready beforehand, Rev. 21. 2. Matth. 25. 10.