The City of God, Exposition of Revelation · Chapter 21 · Part 10 – Part 12
Of the precious Materials.
And the building of the Wall of it was of Jaſper, and the City was pure gold, like unto clear glaſſe. And the foundations of the wall of the City were garniſhed with all manner of precious ſtones. The firſt foundation was Jaſper, the ſecond Saphire, the third a Calcedonie, the fourth an Emerald, the fifth Sardonyx, the ſixth Sardius, the ſeventh a Chryſolite, the eighth Beryl, the ninth a Topaz, the tenth a Chryſophraſus, the eleventh a Jacinct, the twelfth an Amethyſt. And the twelve Gates were twelve Pearls, every ſeveral gate was of one Pearl, and the ſtreet of the City was pure of Gold, as it were tranſparent glaſſe. Rev. 21.18, 19, 20, 21.
GReat was the ſplendid glory of the Tabernacle whereof we read, Exod. 25.26, 27. Chapters.
And greater that of the Temple and City in Solomons days, as 2 Chron. 1.2, 3, 4, 5.9. Chapter when it was ſuch a golden Age that ſilver was little regarded, but was as the ſtones in the ſtreet, 2 Chron 9 27. And both of them herein Types of this our City and Temple;
Great alſo was the riches of Tyre, as Ezek. 27.28. Chapters, eſpecially in thoſe remarkable precious ſtones, Ezek. 28.13. Like thoſe in the Breſt plate, Exod 25.15, 16, 17. And theſe mentioned here, who was a Type of the man of ſin, or myſtery Babylon.
And greater was the beauty and ſplendour of myſtery Babylon, its Antitype, whoſe City was clothed in fine Linnen, and Purple and Scarlet, and deckt with Gold and precious Stones, and Pearls, &c.
Yet all this put together falls unſpeakably ſhort, of the incomparable Riches, and Glory, of this famous City, here delivered;
Whoſe City it ſelf is pure Gold,
Whoſe Wall is built of the precious Jaſper ſtone.
Whoſe ſtreet is Paved with tranſparent Gold.
Whoſe twelve gates are each of them of one intire Pearl.
Whoſe foundations are garniſhed with all manner of precious ſtones, even with ſuch as the Breaſt-plate of judgemen… was ſet with.
The myſtery of which immenſe and tranſcendant glory doth even call for the Urim and Thummum to unfold; yet what we have reacht towards, an underſtanding hereof you have as followeth;
Firſt, Negatively that theſe precious materials are not to be taken in a natural and litteral ſence.
1. Becauſe the City and its Ornaments are no more to be taken properly then the Bride and her attire; nor neither of them more ſo, then their Antitheſis, the City Babylon, and the Whore.
But in as much as the Spirit is pleaſed to tell us that the Bride and her attire are myſtically to be underſtood, interpreting her fine white linnen, Rev. 19.8. To be the righteouſneſs of the Saints, and that the City Babylon and the Whore are allegorically to be taken calling them, Rev. 17.5. Mystery Babylon the great the Mother of Harlots, then are we inſtructed to judge no leſs of the new Ieruſalem that Mother of Saints.
Secondly, Becauſe as Iohn is ſaid to be taken away in the Spirit to ſee Myſtery Babylon, Rev 17.3. So alſo to ſee the new Ieruſalem, Rev. 21.10. Spiritual myſteries calling for ſpiritual minds to obſerve and underſtand them.
Thirdly, Becauſe the holy Spirit calls new Ieruſalem an Allegory, Gal. 4.24. &c. Old Ieruſalem outward and temporal glory, bleſſings, benefit, and priviledges, being Types of the new Ieruſalem ſpiritual and Heavenly glory, bleſſings, benefits and priviledges;
Fourthly, Becauſe theſe glorious Repreſentations, if taken in the Letter are but of Earthly, corruptible, periſhing, and fading things, as ſaith the Apoſtle, 1 Pet. 1.7.18. Therefore cannot be the glory that belongs to the new Ieruſalem which cometh from God out of Heaven.
Fifthly, Becauſe of the evil conſequences that may attend ſuch an interpretation.
1. It would divert men, whoſe minds are taken up in the letter from looking after a miſtical and ſpiritual meaning.
2. It would have an ill tendency to harden the poor Jew's, who have the vail yet before their eyes, looking onelyonly for an old Teſtament glory, according to the bare letter, and not into the new Teſtament glory, which is ſpiritual; It being only a temporary Meſſiah, and a City and Temple ſuitable to him (that may be richly adorned and beautified with the riches of the names) that they hope for, overlooking and diſpiſing Chriſt Jeſus and his ſpiritual grace, Salvation and glory held forth and promiſed in the Goſpel.
3. It would alſo have a ſad tendency to confirm the poor deluded Papiſts, who being intoxicated with the Whores Cup, and inchanted with her painted ſplendour and beauty, do (reſpecting only Moſes pattern) do place ſo much of their Religion and devotion, in outward ornament, and pomp, whoſe decking of Churches and beſpangling Prieſts, Veſtments and Alter cloathes, takes up ſo much of their Divine adoration, and reverence, as though gold and gain was grace and godlineſs, and as that which would recommend them to God in his worſhip and ſervice, though if that be grace the Magul, Tartarian, and Iapan Empires, exceed them far, and teſtifie much more grace in the Devils ſervice, then they in their pretended worſhip of Chriſt; their Prieſts, Temples, Altars and Idols, being more richly adorned with gold and precious ſtones, then thoſe in Europe, as Ogilbies Japan Hiſtorie informeth us: And which would alſo too much ſtrengthen them in that horrible and blaſphemous deluſion; that the Popedom is the new Jeruſalem ſtate, this glorious Kingdom of Chriſt upon the Earth, becauſe it is attended with ſo much outward pomp, luſter and glory, by ſo many Potentates bowing their knee thereto, and bringing ſo much of the glory and honour of the Nations unto it; and which is juſt as (true to follow the other Metaphor) as that the vileſt and moſt impudent Strumpet in the world, ought to be eſteemed a modeſt and chaſte Virgin.
2. But affirmatively, that theſe precious worldly tranſitory things, do figuratively repreſent here as elſe where in the Scripture Spiritual, and Heavenly things, viz. Chriſt Jeſus himſelf, his Saints and Members, the graces of his Spirit, here, and glory hereafter.
1. They are ſo repreſented in other Scripture, viz. Jeſus Chriſt himſelf is called the Elect precious, chief Corner, and Foundation ſtone in Zion, 1 Pet. 2.6, 7. A Pearl of Price, Matth. 13.46. Gold, Cant. 5.14.
2. His members are alſo called Jewels and Gold, Cant. 1.10, 11. Lam. 4.1.
3. And ſo are the graces of his Holy Scripture, Rev. 3.18. Where the Church is counſelled to buy of Chriſt gold tryed in the Fire, that ſhe may be rich, The Spouſe, Pſ. 45.13.14. Being richly adorned therewith, her clothing of wrought gold, &c.
4 Heavenly Glory is alſo repreſented by it, as our Saviour intimates Mat. 6.20. ſaying, lay up for your ſelves Treaſures in Heaven, where neither Moth nor Ruſt doth corrupt, and where Thieves do not break through nor ſteal, whereby it appears, that the excellency of Spiritual things are held forth by the excellency of natural, repreſenting them only in a figure; for though Chriſt and the Saints were ſo rich it ſeems in ſpiritual ſenſe, yet in a Natural ſenſe were poor and indigent enough, and beholding to others for ſupply of neceſſaries, as it was with Chriſt, Luke 8.3. 2 Cor. 8, 9 And the Saints, Acts 3.6. 2 Cor. 6.10. Paul being poor naturally, yet made many rich Spiritually, Laodocea was rich outwardly, but poor inwardly and Spiritually, Rev. 3.17. And on the contrary, Smyrna was poor as to man, but rich as towards God.
Therefore let it not be thought ſtrange that the riches here ſpoken of ſhould relate to Chriſt Jeſus, and his Saints and Members, and to hold forth his precious Doctrines, and the rich Graces of his Spirit; though conſidered in themſelves are infinitely of greater value than all the riches in the world, as Job 28.12. &c. to the end of the Chapter. Pſal. 119.72 Pro. 3, 15. the outward Glory of the old Teſtament, Houſe or Temple, chiefly Typing out the Spiritual Glory of the new Teſtament, Houſe, and Temple, which is made up of Chriſt, and his Members, and ſpeaks hereby; but the Language of the Prophet fulfilling, Iſa 54.11.
Now if Jeruſalem gets the Grace, the Spiritual Gold, the Pearl and precious Stones, which are the ſubſtance, the true and durable riches, the Jaſperlike-Glory, Wall of Salvation and precious Foundation ſtone, which through the pouring out of the ſpirit in the latter days ſhe is like ſo plentifully to enjoy, then it will appear that Babylon will not have ſuch cauſe to boaſt and triumph in that which is leſs than the ſhadow, viz. In that Varniſh and Traſh which ſhe hath ſo prided in, and which in the diſtreſs that's coming upon her, will be ſo little available to her, when the Idols of Gold muſt be flung to the Moles and to the Bats. Iſa. 2.20 and which will but then aggravate her torment, when it muſt be ſaid, by how much ſhe hath lived deliciouſly and glorified her ſelf, by ſo much torment give her.
Of the Citizens.
Rev. 18.7. And there ſhall in no wiſe enter into it any thing that defileth, but they who are written in the Lambs book of Life, 22.27.
The free Denizens of this Glorious Citie, are only ſuch that are of a noble Stock, of a heavenly Birth and deſcent, born from above the true Jſaacks, the ſons of Abraham by the free woman, who as they are Believers, are the only children of promiſe, Gal. 3.16.29. who as the called, choſen, and faithful, are ſaid to have laid Chriſt, and his Apoſtles and Prophets in the Foundation of their Faith, Hope, and Practice, Eph 2.19, 20. and characterized to be the Redeemed from the Earth, and amongſt men that are not defiled with women, in whoſe mouth there is no gui…e, that are the Marked, Sealed number, ſhall have their fathers name in their foreheads (viz. are in a viſible profeſſion and Practiſe of thoſe truths that have his name upon upon them) and therefore ſaid to be keepers of his Commandments to have the teſtimony of Jeſus, to be ſervants of the Lamb, and followers of him where ever he goes; and that are ſeparates and Non conformiſts to Babylon, refuſing the Mark, Name and Number of the Beaſts, though without it they can neither buy nor ſell, and that are overcomers by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their Teſtimony, not loving their Lives unto death.
There they are ſaid to be put into the City Records, even in the Lambs Book of Life, and the having right to the Tree of Life, do enter in through the Gate of the City.
Whereas contrarywiſe the Inhabitants of the other City are ſaid to have their deſcent from beneath, being of their Father the Devil, whoſe works they do, having their Fathers name in their foreheads and right hands, who are Earth-dwellers that worſhip, adore and admire the Beaſt, and are in Subjection to his falſe prophets and particularly are deciphered.
To be the Unbelievers, the Abominable, the Murderers, the Whoremongers, Idolaters, Lyers, whereby the City becomes (as before) the hold of every foul ſpirit, and Cage of every unclean and hateful Bird: Witneſſs their Theaters and houſes of debauchery, to provoke luſt and uncleanneſs, the innumerable company of Stews, and Brothel-houſes that bring ſo great a Revenue to the ſupport of the Catholick Sea, who are therefore ſaid as Dogs, Whoremongers and Sorcerers to be without the City, Rev. 22.15. And who muſt in no wiſe enter therein, Rev. 21.22.
Of the Tree and Water of Life.
And he ſhewed me a pure River of Water of Life, clear as Cryſtal, proceeding out of the Throne of God, and of the Lamb, and in the midſt of the ſtreet of it, and of either ſide of the River there was the Tree of Life, which bore twelve manner of Fruits, and yielded her Fruit every Month, and the Leaves of the Tree were for healing of the Nations, Rev. 22.1, 2.
HAving ſhewed us the City, her Faſhion, Glory, Inhabitants, comes in the next place to diſcover her Proviſion and Maintenance, whereby her Life, Comfort and Refreſhing is preſerved and mantained.
1. This water of Life ſo pure and clear, proceeding out of the Throne is no other than the Graces of the Spirit that floweth from the Throne of Mercy and Grace, as Zach. 13.1.14.8. Ezek. 16.9. John 3.5. Tit. 5.35. And which is freely tendred and held forth in the Goſpel, Rev. 22.19. Iſa. 55.1. and which the Church doth, ever had, but more plentifully ſhall enjoy in this latter day of Glory, Iſa. 44 3.35.7. Joel 2.8. John 7.38. with Iſa. 41.17, 18. Ezek. 36.25, 26.
Called the water of Life; becauſe it reviveth from the death of ſin, Ezek. 47.9.
2. Becauſe all ſpiritual quickning is in it, Pſal. 46.4. Iohn 7.37. It is the ſpirit that quickneth.
3. From the healing vertue that is in it. Ezek. 47.9.
4. Becauſe they dye no more that drink it, Iohn 4.10, 14.
The Tree of Life is no other than the Lord Jeſus with his Bleſſings and Benefits (wherein he alludes to the Tree of Life that was placed in the midſt of the Garden of God, Gen. 2.9) who is the Tree of Life as well as the Water and Fountain of Life, and the Bread of Life; which is for ſhade, Cant. 2.3. Hoſ. 14.5, 6, 7. for Food, Ezek. 47.12. Hoſ. 14.8. Cant. 2.13. Ezek. 36.30. for Phyſick and Medicine, the Leaves whereof having a healing property in them, as Ezek. 47.12.
But of that Food that Babylon affords her Inhabitants, may it not truly he ſaid of it, as Deut. 32.32, 33. That their Vine is as the Vine of Sodom and of the fields of Gomorah, their Grapes are the Grapes of Gall, their Cluſters are bitter, their Wine is the poiſon of Dragons, and the cruel Venom of Aſpes: And that they hatch Cockatrice Eggs, and weave the Spiders web, he that eateth of their Eggs dyeth, &c. Iſa. 59.5. of whoſe dainties eat you not; for poiſon is in their Cup and death in their pot.