The Wall and Glory of Jerusalem, Text
THE WALL and GLORY OF JERUSALEM, In a SERMON Preached in Pauls Church London.
Zach. 2. 5. For I, ſaith the Lord, will be unto her a Wall of Fire round about, and will be the Glory in the midſt of her.
TWo gracious Viſions the Lord giveth our Prophet in the former Chapter: One of a man riding amongst the Mirtile-trees in the bottom; Chriſt in his deſpiſed Church at Babylon: The other of Four Carpenters, ſent to fray and caſt out the Horns which had ſcattered the Church, by both giving an aſſurance, that he would diſappoint the Enemies of his afflicted people.
We have here in this Chapter another Viſion, of a man with a meaſuring Line in his hand, to ſhew that the Lord was now in a readineſs to build and reſtore the City & Temple, the former we find accordingly done by the care of Nehemiah, cap. 3, & cap. 6. 15. the latter by Joſhua and Zerubbabel. Ezra. 6: 14, 15.
Now whereas it is here ſaid, ver. 4. That Jeruſalem ſhould be inhabited as Towns without Walls, which may ſeem firſt to croſs the Hiſtory, Neh. 6. 15. where we find that the Wall was finiſhed. 2. To diſcourage the people, who having ſuch potent and malicious Adverſaries, round about as they had, ſhould by that means be expoſed to all the aſſaults and impreſſions which they ſhould make upon them: The meaning is, that though the city within the Walls were very ſpacious, yet the people ſhould return in ſo great abundance (as Joſephus reports they did) that multitudes ſhould be conſtrained to lie without the Walls, Antiq. l, 11. c. 4.unto whom the Lord promiſeth to be himſelf a Wall and Defence.Iſai. 60. 12.
Jer. 31. 27.They were now called to build the city and Temple: two great diſcouragements they … Scorn, Nehem. 4. 8. 1. 3. 7, 8, 9. Nehem. 6. 1. 10. Ezra. 4. 4, 5. The Lord here by a gracious promiſe fortifieth them againſt the fear of both; againſt the fear of Danger, by promiſing to be their Protection, and againſt the fear of Scorn, by promiſing to be their Glory. When they are without Walls, I will be their Wall; when they are without Gates, I will be their Gate, my Salvation ſhall be a Bulwark unto them, they ſhall call their Walls Salvation, and their Gates praiſe. Iſai. 26, 1. 60. 18.
The Words ſet forth the Lord oppoſing all the Enemies, removing all the fears of his people, by a double promiſe, of Protection, againſt all powerfull oppoſitions, of Honor againſt all reproachfull Inſultations.
In both is conſiderable; Firſt, The Author and Subſtance of it, I, ſaith the Lord. 2. The Subject of it, Jeruſalem, I will be unto her. 3. The Deſcription of it. 1. Of the Protection, by the Metaphors of a Wall and of Fire, and the place of that, in Circuitu, round about. 2. of the Honor, and the place of that, I will be for Glory, or the Glory in the midſt of her.
A weak people met together about an hated and invidious Enterprize, oppoſed by ſtrong, ſubtle, vigilant, active, malicious Adverſaries, had need have a help to defend them I ſaith the Lord will be an Help, a Wall unto them.
But potent Enemies can batter Walls and ſcale them: Ezek. 21. 22. Prov. 21. 22. nay ſaith the Lord, I will prevent that fear, I will be a Wall of Fire, which the Enemy ſhall not dare come near or touch.
But a Wall may have gaps and breaches in it, the Gates may be pulled down and conſumed, as we find they were, Nehem. 1. 3. 6. 1. and then whatever the Wall be, the breaches will let in the Enemy; the poor Church is never without ſome Breaches or other, called the Breaches of the City of David, Iſai. 22. 9. Some Gates pull'd down, to lay them open to danger. But every work of God is perfect. Deut. 32. 4. Where he is a Wall, he will be a Wall, in Circuitu, round about, no Breach, no Gap, no Gate or Portcullis pull'd down, by which danger may enter in.
But if the Wall be Fire, what will become of the Houſes of the City? I will, ſaith the Lord, be a Wall unto her, not a Wall againſt her. It is Dativus Commodi, a beneficial fire to the City, a conſuming fire to the Enemy that aſſaults her.Dan. 3. 25. 22. A fire for the three Children to walk in;Exod. 3. 2. A fire for their Enemies to periſh by; A fire in the buſh to Moſes; Gen. 19 24.A fire in Brimſtone to Sodom; 2 Reg. 1. 10. 12.A deſtroying fire to the Captains of Ahaziah, 2 Reg. 2. 11.and a Triumphal fire, a Chariot of fire to the Lords Prophet.
But a Wall may ſhut men and their miſery in together, the Wall of a Priſon or Dungeon is no great Comfort to thoſe that are ſhut within it. It may be ſad enough in medio, though there be a Wall in Circuitu.
We have a relief againſt that too; As the Lord is a Wall of Fire round about to keep out the Enemie, ſo he is The Glory in the midſt of Jeruſalem, to comfort his people. Providence is expreſſed by a Circumference with an Eye in the Center. God is here both in the Circumference, and in the Center of Jeruſalem; a ſevere Providence in circuitu to keep off the Enemie, a Gracious providence in medio, to Honor and Revive his people. Ignis & exitium hoſtibus, Gloria & ſubſidium Eccleſiae.
The poor Church was miſerably oppoſed & oppreſſed by the potency of their Enemies on every ſide. But againſt them All they have a God to put into the other part of the Ballance: God alone is eminently unto his people, whatever good thing elſe they want. In Widowhood he is an Husband; Thy Maker is thine Husband, Iſai. 54. 5. In Orphanſhip he is a Father; A Father of the Fatherleſs is God in his holy Habitation, Pſal. 88. 5. In darkneſs a Sun, in danger a Shield, Pſal. 84. 11. A Refuge in trouble, a River in drought: Pſal. 46. 1: 4. A ſafety where there is no Wall, a praiſe where there is no Gate, a Light where there is no Sun, Iſai. 60. 18, 19. A God of Salvation in whom his Servants can triumph where all other Comforts in the World are wanting. Habak. 3. 17, 18.
Let us hold faſt our God, and we need not fear our Enemie. If God be for us, who can be againſt us? Rom. 8. 31. If he juſtifie, who can condemn? If he love, who can ſeperate? Many will be againſt us to hate us, but none can be againſt us, to hurt us. Many will girde and girde again, many will take Counſel, and make a decree, many will raunt it with Pharaoh, I will purſue, I will overtake, I will divide the ſpoil, my Luſt ſhall be ſatisfied, I will draw my Sword, mine hand ſhall deſtroy. Exod. 15. 9. agam, ruam, rapiam, tundam, proſternam, as the proud Confident in the Comoedian: But if he be Immanuel, God with us, they ſhall be broken, their Counſels ſhall not ſtand, their Decrees ſhall come to naught, he will ſtrengthen, he will help, he will uphold with the right hand of his Righteouſneſs, Iſai. 8. 9, 10. Iſai. 41. 10. Let the name of your City be Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there, be zealous for his truth and worſhip, for his name and Glory, let him be in medio, in the midſt of your Hearts to fear him, of your Counſels to follow him, of your Houſes, your Trades, your Converſation to walk with him, provoke him not by your Impieties againſt him, by your unrighteouſneſs againſt men, and then, if there be any Help or Comfort againſt Danger in Heaven or Earth he can command it, if there be none he can create it,Pſal. 44. 4. whatever is wanting he can ſupply and make it good out of himſelf,Iſai. 4. 5. I will be a Wall.
1. A Wall of Partition to ſeparate the Church from the World, as the Land of Canaan was divided by the Mediterranean Sea Weſt ward, by the Inland Seas, and the River Jordan Eaſtward, and at each end North and South with Mountains: So the Church of God is ſevered and ſhut up from the reſt of the World.Aug. de Bap. l. 5. c. 27, 28. Iſrael dwelt alone, and was reckoned amongſt the Nations. Num. 23: 9. they are choſen out of the World, John 15: 19. A Garden incloſed, a Spring ſhut up, a Fountain Sealed. Cant. 4: 12. their Laws diverſe from all people, Eſter 3. 8. They are not to conform to the World, Rom. 12: 2. nor to walk foreign. Eph. 2. 2. the World knows them not. 1 Joh. 3. but looks on them as prodigies and men to be wondered at, Zach. 3: 8.
2. A Wall of Conjunction, uniting the parts together in one Common Intereſt, as the Brain is walled in by the skull, the vital parts by the Ribs and the Breaſt, to keep them firm and cloſe together, that they may not be ſcatered nor divided, though the Members of the Church are called out from the World, and are to ſeparate from that: Yet they are to be compacted and united within themſelves. Pſal. 122. 3. to be of one Heart, and of one Soul, Act. 4. 32. To hold the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of Peace: to have a coagmentation and joining together, Eph. 4. 16. Factions and Diviſions in the Church, are uſually the Fruits of the Fleſh; when one is of Paul, another of Apollo, are ye not Carnal? 1 Cor. 3. 4. The Apoſtle warns us to take heed of ſuch as cauſe Diviſions and Offences, contrary to the Doctrine received, as thoſe that ſerve not the Lord Jeſus, but their own Bellies: 1 Cor. 3. 3. Rom. 16. 17, 18. We have ſeen by very ſad experience, when there hath been no wall nor incloſure to bound and keep within ſome principles of unity, the wilde and exhorbitant ſpirits of men, who either acted by Intereſt, or driving on Deſigns, or poſſeſſed with prejudice againſt received Doctrines, have departed from ſound Truth and brotherly Love: what Flames and Confuſions have overſpread theſe Nations, once famous for Unity in orthodox Truth; what forſaking of Ordinances, what magnifying of deceitful Lights, what rage againſt Miniſtry, what violations of Magiſtracy, what bleeding of Princes, what breakings of Parliaments, what Phrenetick and furious Extravagances and Diſorders have ſtained the Glory of the Reformed Religion amongſt us. The evidence of theſe doleful effects ſhould now at laſt awaken the Spirits of all wiſe, godly and ſober perſons, to cloſe in ſome healing and uniting Counſels, not to foment animoſities, nor cheriſh jealouſies one againſt another, but ſtudying every man his own failings, to be the more remiſs in cenſuring, and the more inclinable unto cloſing with their Chriſtian Brethren; why ſhould we ſhut any out of our love here, whom we dare not exclude from the Common Salvation hereafter? And indeed when the Lord is pleaſed to ſend a Spirit of Unity and Agreement amongſt a people, to make them tender of each others ſafety, and to look on the welfare of the parts, as the common Intereſt of the whole, they are hereby a Wall unto one another, as Nabals Servants ſaid of David and his men, 1 Sam. 25. 16. Every thing is beſt preſerved when moſt united. It is eaſie to break the ſticks of a Fagot when the bond is looſed, and they ſever'd each from other, but while they are bound together, they mutually preſerve each other. Love is a Bond, Col. 3. 14. The Integrity of the Body is preſerved by the Love of the Members unto one another; therefore Nature hath taught weak Cattle to keep together in Flocks, and Fiſhes in ſholes, and Birds in flights, whereas Beaſts of Prey live commonly alone, as Lyons, Whales, Eagles, Kites. A Kingdom divided within it ſelf cannot ſtand: Therefore as Chriſt is not divided, 1 Cor. 1. 13. would not have his bones broken, nor his garment parted, ſo neither ſhould his Church. She is never ſo terrible, as when ſhe is an Army with Banners, united & compacted into one Body.
3. A Wall of Protection and Defence.Pſal. 18: 2. Pſal. 144: 2. Deut. 33: 29. Iſai. 26: 20. Iſai. 8: 14. Juſtin Inſtit. l. 2 Tit. 1. Sect. 10. Diodor. Sic. lib. 11. As the Lord promiſeth to encamp about his Houſe and to defend them, Zach. 9: 8. 15. He is a Rock, a Tower; a Shield, a Chamber, a Sanctuary, and here a Wall to preſerve and protect his people. Great hath ever been the care of States, to keep the Walls and Gates of Cities inviolable; in the Roman Law they are called Res Sanctae & divini Juris, ſacred things and in no caſe to be injured, and it was a capital crime, to climb over them. We read in Diod: Sic. what care Themiſtocles took to build a Wall about Athens, Bec. Walls are a great defence and protection to the Cities to which they belong.
The Lord doth thus as a Wall protect his Church. 1. In a way of Promiſe, I ſaith the Lord; his ſaying it, is doing it. His Word is Operative & Efficacious, Gods Promiſes are the Walls about his Church. Every thing is preſerved by the ſame word whereby it is created. He upholdeth all things by the word of his power Heb. 1. 3. His Servants count themſelves ſafe under his promiſe, they truſt in his Word. Pſal. 119. 81.
2. In a way of Power, making bare his Arm in their Cauſe, then when all ſecond Helps fail and are at a ſtand, ſuch a defence he was to Iſrael at the Red Sea, when Death was before and behind, and on every ſide of them, ſo that they were able to do nothing, but only to ſtand ſtill, and ſee the Salvation of God.
3. In a way of Providence. 1. By Creatures, with whom he maketh a Covenant in behalf of his people, that they ſhall not but in all his holy Mountain. Of this League we read, Job 5: 23. Hoſ. 2: 18. Ezek. 34. 25. 2. By Enemies, making Moab a Covert from his Out-caſts. Iſai. 16: 4. as dead Thorns are a fence about a Garden. He doth ſometimes not only restraine the wrath of Evil men, as he did Labans and Eſaus from hurting Jacob, but doth make them helpful and beneficial unto them, as the diſſention between the Phariſees and Saduces was to Paul, Act. 23. 6, 7. As the Egyptians lent their Jewels unto Iſrael to haſten them away, Exod. 12: 35, 36. 3. By Caſualties, ordering contingent Events, and various incoherent Emergencies to the protection of his people, as the noiſe in the Mulberry Trees, 2 Sam. 5: 24. The ſhining of the Sun on the Waters, 2 Reg. 3. 22. The ſuddain incurſion of the Philiſtines, 1 Sam. 23: 27, 28: The Chaine of fortuitous Events, which we may obſerve in the Hiſtory of Joſeph, and in the book of Eſther.
4. In a way of Grace, the Lord planting ſuch beauties and rayes of ſpiritual Majeſty upon his Servants, as cauſeth their very Adverſaries to reverence them, and fear to annoy them, as Herod did John, and Felix Paul, for wiſdom maketh a mans face to ſhine. Eccleſ. 8: 1. There are Flowers which they call Wall-Flowers, and there are Graces, which I may call Wall-Graces, which have a ſpecial protecting vertue in them. Innocency, whereby we put to ſilence the frowardneſs of fooliſh men. 1. Pet: 2: 15. Wiſdom, which God hath given for a Defence. Eccleſ. 7. 12. by this Abigal diverted the ruine intended againſt Nabal and his Family. Meekneſs and Humiliiy; for the loweſt things are ſafeſt. A Tempeſt breaks an Oake, but not the Ears of Corn which yield unto it. A Canon Bullet battereth a lofty Tower of Marble, which is deaded by a raw mud wall. A ſoft Spirit turneth away Wrath, Prov. 15: 1. Holy fortitude, which is a fence againſt Terror. Pro. 28. 1: Spiritual peace and joy which is a Gariſon to the Heart, Phil. 4. 7. The Joy of the Lord is the ſtrength of his Servants, Nehem. 8: 10. The invincible power of Faith, which is a Shield againſt Satan, and our Victory over the World, Epheſ. 6. 16. 1. Joh. 5: 4. Hope, the Anchor of the Soul, the Whetſtone of Chriſtian courage, the more we expect for the future, the ſecurer we are for the preſent againſt the fear of evil. Laſtly the Spirit of ſupplication, which flies to the name of the Lord as a ſtrong Tower, which wreſtles and prevailes with God, vincit invincibilem, ligat omnipotentem, and therefore is a principal part of the Chriſtian panoply. Eph. 6. 18. And thus is the Lord a Wall of protection to his Church. In a way of promiſe, in a way of power, in a way of providence, ordering Creatures, Enemies, Caſualties to the defence of his people, and in a way of Grace.
And his protection is like that of a Wall in theſe two reſpects. 1. He is a near, preſent, Ready Defence. Exempla divinae cuſtodiae in praeſentiſſimis periculis vide in Philippi Camerarii horis ſubciſivis part. 2. cap. 7.Evil may be at hand, when Help is too for off to come ſeaſonably in. But the Wall joyns, and is near unto the City: Such a Defence the Lord is, a preſent help in trouble, Pſal. 46. 1. A God near at hand, not in a journey, or a ſleep, or out of the way, when he ſhould help us, Jer. 23. 23. Nigh unto his people in all that they call upon him for, Deut. 4: 7. Pſal. 85: 9.
2. an Adequate and proportionable defence. A Wall defends a City on every ſide. As the Enemies compaſs the Church about with Danger, Pſal. 22: 12. 16. Pſal. 118: 10. 12. So doth the Lord compaſs it with mercy, Pſal. 32. 10.
But the ſtrongeſt Walls, though of Iron or Braſs (for ſuch we read of, Ezek. 4. 3. Jer. 15. 20.) may by Military Engines be ſcaled, battered or demoliſhed. Therefore the Lord, to ſhew that he is an impregnable protection, ſaith, that he will be a Wall of Fire, which cannot be ſcaled nor broken down, which conſumes all Engines that attempt any thing againſt it, as the Flaming Sword kept the way of the Tree of Life.Gen 3: 24. The Pillar of Fire ſecured Iſrael.Exod. 14. 19, 20. Fire in the Buſh kept any from coming near to cut off the boughs, and yet did not it ſelf conſume them. He is a fire in the Enemies Wall to overturn it, Jer. 49. 27. but to Jeruſalem, he is a Wall of Fire to defend it. He once defended the Church with a Wall of water, Exod. 14. 22. And ſtill defends it as a Wall of Fire. By himſelf, who is a conſuming Fire. foreign vocavit. Plato Diog. Laert: in Platone. vid. Raynold. Lect. Apocryp. Lect. 47.Heb. 12. 29. By his Angels, who are a flaming fire, Pſal. 104. 4. Therefore Solomon carved Cherubims on the Walls of the Temple, 2 Chron. 3. 7. to ſignifie that Angels are the Walls of the Church; the Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him to deliver them. Pſal. 34. 7.
And his protection is like Fire in theſe four reſpects.
1. It is Terrible and conſpicuous, which in a wonderful manner doth ſtrike fear into his Enemies, as he promiſed to go before his people as a conſuming fire, Deut. 9. 3. The Prophet deſcribes the terrible majeſty of the Lord by a Throne of Fire, Job 37. 22.Ezek. 1. 26, 27. And the glorious coming of Chriſt, by flames of fire, 2 Theſ. 1. 8, 9. We are bid to praiſe him in the fires, Iſai. 24. 15. For thoſe conſpicuous mercies whereby he hath ſhewed himſelf a conſuming fire in behalf of his people. He anſwereth his people by terrible things, Pſal. 65. 5. things which they looked not for, Iſai. 64. 3. To make his name known unto his adverſaries.
2. It is an impregnable and invincible defence. Other Walls, though high, though broad, by battering Rams have been demoliſhed, and by Mounts ſcaled. The Walls of Babylon were two hundred foot high, and fifty foot broad,Diod. Sicul. lib. 1. cap. 4. as Diodorus Siculus, Pliny, and Herodotus report,Plin. Hiſt. Nat. l. 6. cap. 26. yet even theſe were broken down, Jere. 51. 58. but no man dare climb,Herodot. lib. 1. pag. 74. Edit. Graeco-Lat. no Engines can be applied againſt a Wall of Fire, it will devour the batteries that are made againſt it.
3. It is a conſtant and perpetual defence, for this is not a waſting, but a ſixed fire, like that in the Buſh, which did not conſume it, but dwelt in it, Deut. 33. 16. He is a Sun and a ſhield, his protection is an enduring thing, as the fire of the Sun, Pſal. 84. 11. 89. 36. the defence which is over his Glory, upon the Aſſemblies of Sion, viz. The Pillar of the Cloud, and of fire is never taken away. Iſai. 4. 5. Exod. 13. 22.
4. It is an Active, an Offenſive, an Efficacious defence. Other Walls are defenſive only, to prohibit and hinder Aſſaults, but a Wall of Fire doth fight for thoſe whom it doth defend; it is not only a Wall, but a Magazine; not only a fence, but a Weapon; not only a muniment, but an Army. As Iſraels wall of water did drown Pharoah, ſo the three Childrens Wall of Fire, did devour thoſe that threw them into it. The protection of God about his Church, is a moſt operative, and a moſt efficacious protection.
We have taken a view of the Wall, Let us conſider the City thus walled, the Subject of this Defence; I will be unto Her, unto Jeruſalem, the City of the great God, where his dwelling is, there is his defence, as men uſe to mound the places of their Habitation. The more a people have of Gods preſence, the more they have of his protection. His Covering is upon his Glory. Iſai. 4. 5. His Angels guard us in viis, non in praecipitiis. Pſal. 91. 11. Aug. Quaeſt. Evang. lib. 2. qu. 19.When we go to appear before the Lord, the Enemie ſhall not deſire our Land, Exod. 34. 24. but if we have our back upon Jeruſalem we are out of his protection, as he that went from Jeruſalem to Jerico. Luke 10. 30.
Conſider in the Church property and preciouſneſs, Ennarat in Pſal. 60.they are Gods own.Hypognoſtice: lib. 3. c. 8. Judea was called Immanuels land, Zion his reſt, Pſal. 132: 14. They are in ſpecial manner his people, Iſai. 63: 19. 64: 9. Ezek. 16: 8. And they are his precious and peculiar Treaſure, Pſal. 135: 4.his Jewels, Mal. 3: 17. And property in precious things, will certainly procure protection. Conſider in the Lord his Love, and his Promiſe, his Grace, and his Fidelity. His Eyes and his Heart are perpetually upon his Church, 1 Reg. 9: 3. She is graven on the Palmes of his hands, Iſai. 49: 16. They that touch her, touch the apple of his Eye, Zach. 2. 8. He will never ſuffer his beloved to be unprotected, eſpecially having engaged his promiſe, that the gates of hell ſhall not prevaile against it. Mat. 16: 18.
And that they may not prevail againſt it, the Protection muſt be complete, a Wall muſt be round about it, the Defence muſt be anſwerable to the Aſſault. The Church in the Wilderneſs marched in a four ſquare body with the Tabernacle of the Congregation in the midſt of them,Exod. 17: 15. and their Standards one very ſide, as we find Num. 2. The Standards were as a Wall of Fire, Jehovah Niſſi, and the Tabernacle the Glory in the midſt of them. The Enemies of the Church are on every ſide. Impius in Circuitu, Pſal. 12: 8. Satan in Circuitu, Job. 1: 7. 1 Pet. 5: 8. To devour the Church, and therefore here ignis in circuitu, & Deus in circuitu, Pſal. 125: 2. To defend the Church Angels in circuitu, Zach. 1: 11. The Eyes of the Lord run to and fro, in every place, to behold the Evil and the Good. 2 Chron. 16: 9. Prov. 15: 3. When there are four Horns on the four ſides of the Church to ſcatter it, there are four Carpenters in a like proportion on every ſide, to fray them away and to reſcue it, Zach. 1: 18-21. Our protection is ever ſuitable to our danger, the ſtronger the aſſault, the greater the aſsiſtance. With every temptation the Lord opens an eſcape, that we may be able to bear it, 1 Cor. 10: 13.
We ſee all is well about the Church, a Wall of Fire round about it. If all be well within it too, it muſt needs be an happy body, and ſo certainly it is, for he who is murus in circuitu, is likewiſe Gloria in medio. I will be the Glory in the midſt of it.
Glory paſſively, in nothing is God glorified ſo much as in building, reſtoring, protecting his Church, glorified in all his Creatures, but admired in his Saints, 2 Theſ. 1. 10. No where is his name ſo great as in Iſrael, Pſal. 76: 1. When he buildeth up Sion, then it is, that he appears in his Glory. Pſal. 102: 16.
Glory Actively, by making his Church Honorable and Glorious, as he ſaith he will do. Iſai. 11: 10. 43: 4. 60: 13.
Every Nation hath ſome one or other good thing which rendereth them conſiderable in the Eyes of others, and is eſteemed their Glory. Some famous for Gold and Silver, as Ophir; ſome for Spices and precious Fruits of the earth, as India; ſome for Corn, as Egypt; ſome for Balſomes, as Paleſtine; ſome for Valor and Juſtice as the Romans; ſome for Arts and Learning as the Graecians; but the ſuperlative Glory of Jeruſalem is, that their God is their Glory. Iſai. 60: 19. Jer. 2: 11.
It is true, worldly Glory is in much more abundance amongſt other men. The great Monarchies of the World have been amongſt Aſſyrians, Chaldeans, Perſians, Graecians, Romans; and therefore Symmachus an Heathen, uſeth this as an Argument, why we ſhould adhere to the Old Roman Heathen Religion, becauſe that flouriſhed, but Chriſtianity was perſecuted.
But this External Glory, though it dazle the Eye, and tickle the Fancy, hath no ſolid and permanent Goodneſs, or proportion to immortal Souls. It cannot remove the guilt of one ſin, it cannot give one grain of quiet to a troubled Conſcience, much leſs repleniſh the Soul in the Latitude of its deſires. God alone brings fulneſs with him, Eph. 3. 19.
All other people of the World, have the Glory of his Works, and ſo he is not far from any of them, Act. 17: 27.
Praeſentemque refert quaelibet herba Deum.
And yet they are ſaid to be without God in the World, Eph. 2: 12. But the Lord is in the midſt of his Church. 1. By his Spiritual Reſidence, and gracious preſence with them. Moſes Prayers, I beſeech thee ſhew me thy Glory, Exod. 33: 18. and God anſwers, I will make all my goodneſs to paſs before thee, he ſhews his Glory when he proclaimes his Goodneſs. In Iſrael is the perfection of Glory, Pſal. 50: 2. to Iſrael pertains the Adoption, and therefore the Glory, Rom. 9: 4. Of the Church only are glorious things ſpoken, Pſal. 87: 3. The Church is his Throne, the World but his Footſtoole, Jer. 17: 12. In the Church is the ſplendor of his Royal Majeſty principally ſeen: Evidences whereof in the Tabernacle and Temple, were, the Cloud which filled the Houſe, 1 Reg. 8: 11. and the voice which ſpake from off the mercy ſeat, Num. 7: 89.
2. He is the Glory in the midſt of his Church by his Holy Ordinances, the means of Life and Salvation. The Apoſtle calleth it a Glorious Goſpel. 1 Tim. 1: 11. And frequently maketh mention of the Riches of the Glory thereof, Rom. 9: 23. Eph. 3: 8. Col. 1: 27. to take off the ſcandal and contempt which ignorant men might be apt to caſt upon it. Therein all Divine Excellencies are more radiant and reſplendent, then in all his other works, he hath magnified his word above all his name, Pſal. 138. 2. Therein is conſpicuous his manifold Wiſdom, in contriving a way to puniſh the ſin, and yet to ſave the ſinner, to reconcile the ſeeming Croſs demands both of Juſtice and Mercy, that the one may be ſatisfied, and the other magnified, Eph. 3:10. His free and glorious Grace, ſo ſuperabounding above all the abundance of our ſins, Eph. 1: 6. Rom. 5: 20, 21. His mighty power in reſcuing us out of the Kingdom of darkneſs, in changing our Wills, ſubduing our Luſts, captivating our Thoughts, cleanſing our Conſciences, pulling down Strongholds and imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth it ſelf againſt the Knowledge of God. 2. Cor. 10: 4, 5. Eph. 1: 19, 20. His glorious Holineſs, transforming us into the Image of his dear Son, 2 Cor. 3: 18. Luke 1: 74, 75. His Eternal Bleſſedneſs, who in the Goſpel is ſet forth, as the Hope and Treaſure, the Life and Salvation of thoſe that truſt in him. Col. 1. 27. 3: 3, 4. For Glory ariſing from a manifeſtation of Excellencies, all the Divine Vertues and Excellencies of God, are more conſpicuous in the Goſpel of Grace, then in all other his works or diſpenſations. The ſaving Light of ſupernatural Myſteries, the heavenly beauties of ſpiritual worſhip, the ſhining Luſtre of Evangelical Obedience, all ſet forth the Glory of thoſe Ordinances wherein they are diſcovered and preſcribed.
3. As by his gracious preſence, and his Divine Ordinances, ſo by the moſt Happy State whereinto we are tranſlated, is the Lord the Glory in the midſt of his Church. That State ſtandeth in glorious Relations, glorious Habits, and glorious Priviledges.
There are two Glorious Relations belonging to this Happy State. 1. A Relation of Righteouſneſs the Guilt of ſin being removed, and the ſinner by the Gift of the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt reconciled unto God, and ſo enabled to Glory, though not in himſelf, yet in the Lord, 1 Cor. 1: 31. 2. A Relation of Sonſhip, whereby we are eſtated by gracious Adoption, in an heavenly Nobility, and have right to a glorious Inheritance, 1 John 3: 1. are a kind of firſt fruits of the Creatures, Jam. 1: 18, Fellow Heirs with Chriſt, Rom. 8. 17. Princes of the people, Pſal. 47: 9. Nobles of men, Act. 17. 11. All the World is not able to heap ſo much Honor upon a man, as this one foreign or dignity, of being the Sons of God. 2. In Glorious Habits; whereby we are transformed into the Image of Chriſt, who is the glory of God, for God doth moſt notably expreſs his Glory in any Creature by faſhioning that Creature to the likeneſs of his Son. This Image ſtandeth in theſe three things.
1. In Holineſs, Eph. 4: 24. Holineſs ſets forth Gods own Glory, he is Glorious in Holineſs. Exod. 15. 11. The Angels are honored with the Title of Saints, Deut. 33. 2. and our primitive condition wherein we were created after the Image of God, is called a State of Honor, Pſal. 49: 20. 149: 9.
2. In Peace and ſpiritual Joy, for faith in the promiſes of Salvation, giving a kind of Pre-exiſtence unto the Glory to come, and cauſing a Beleever to waite with quiet aſſurance in the hope thereof, doth thereupon fill the Soul with the Peace of God, which paſſeth underſtanding, and cauſeth it to rejoyce with joy unſpeakable and full of Glory, 1 Pet. 1: 8.
3. In Bleſſedneſs, which is the conſummation of Holineſs and Peace in the preſence of God, which is, foreign called by the name of Glory, Eph. 2: 36.Col. 3: 4.John 8: 36.
3. In Glorious Priviledges and Immunities belonging to the Citizens of Jeruſalem. Liberty from the Tyranny of Satan, and powers of darkneſs. Communion in the Love and prayers of all Saints, 1. John 1: 7. Boldneſs to come unto the Throne of Grace, Eph. 3: 12. Heb. 4: 16. Victory over Enemies and Temptations, nothing being able to ſeparate us from the Love of God, the Spirit of Glory reſting upon us even in our ſufferings, & enabling us to glory in them. Rom. 5: 3. Act. 5: 41. As the Cloud in the Temple is called the Glory of the Lord, 1 Reg. 8: 10, 11. So the Lord is the Glory of his people, even when they are filled with Clouds of affliction. It is a great Glory to ſuffer Honorably as well as to do ſo, & facere & pati fortia Romanum eſt. The Lillie is as beautiful in the midſt of Thorns, as in a bed of Spices.
We have ſeen how the Lord is a Defence and protection to his people, a Wall of ſeparation from the World, of conjunction within themſelves, of protection from danger by his Promiſe, by his power, by his Providence, by his Grace, a preſent Defence, a proportionable Defence. A Wall of Fire, by a Terrible and conſpicuous, an impregnable, and invincible, a conſtant and perpetual, an active and efficacious Defence. A Wall of Fire to Jeruſalem, his moſt proper and moſt precious reſting place, unto which he is by choiceſt Love and Fidelity engaged. A Wall round about to prevent Enemies which are round about: The protection ſuitable to the danger.
The Glory in the midſt of it, by his gracious preſence, by his Holy Ordinances, by the happy State of the Church, in the glorious Relations of Juſtification and Adoption, in the glorious Habits of Holineſs, Peace, and Bleſſedneſs. In glorious Priviledges, of Chriſtian Liberty, communion of Saints, Boldneſs in prayer, Victory over Temptations and Afflictions, with many other the like. I ſhall add but a ſhort word of Application and ſuddenly have done.
1. We Learn hence what a folly as well as wickedneſs it is for Samaritans to oppoſe the building of Jeruſalem or the Temple, for any Enemies to ſet themſelves againſt the Church of God, as great a madneſs as for Briars to contend with Flames, for ſtubble to wage War with fire, for a Sheafe (as the Prophet makes the inſtance, Zach. 12: 6.) to enter into battail with a flaming Torch. Iſai. 27: 4, 5. The Whale may ſwallow Jonah, but it ſhall not digeſt him, The Grave may devour Chriſt,Act. 2: 24. but he will kill Death in its own dominion, 1 Cor. 15: 57.as Benaiah did the Lyon in his own Pit.2 Sam 23: 20. A man may drink down a Cup of Poyſon, but it will ſuddenly be revenged on him.Zach. 12: 2. It is madneſs to provoke the Lord, being weaker then he, 1 Cor. 10. 12. Wo unto him that ſtriveth with his Maker, Iſai. 45. 9.
2. We need not make uſe of carnal Wiſdom and ſinful means for protection againſt Danger, for God can be alone a Wall of Fire unto his people. Uſe not oppreſſion or violence to help your ſelves, for Power and Mercy belong unto God, Pſal. 62. 10. 12. David was adviſed by thoſe about him once and again, to kill Saul when he was in his power, and ſo to ſecure himſelf; but he anſwered, God forbid that I ſhould touch the Lords annointed, he truſted in God, and would not uſe Carnal Wiſdom for his own ſafety, 1 Sam. 24. 47. 26. 8. 11. This Wall of Fire can better protect us, then all the broad or high Walls of Jerico or Babylon: It is good keeping in Jeruſalem, in Gods preſence, in his way, ſo long we are within a Wall of Fire.
3. This is great Comfort unto Holy men, That the very Terrors of God are their protection. The Terrors of God at Sinai and in the Wilderneſs, were for the Salvation of Gods people. Habak. 3: 13. As the mercy of God will not ſave thoſe that deſpiſe it, ſo the fury of God will be a defence unto thoſe that tremble at it. No attribute of God, but faith can ſuck comfort from it.
4. Envie not the Glory of the World, nor the Pomps and Pleaſures thereof, to thoſe whoſe Portion is in this Life, but reſt abundantly ſatisfied with the Glory of Gods preſence ſhining in the face of Chriſt, and thoſe unmatchable Riches wherewith he endoweth the Church, in compariſon whereof, all the glories of the World, are but droſs and dung. If God would have the Honor of his Church to ſtand in outward things, The Silver is his, and the Gold is his, Hag. 2: 8. The Cattel on a Thouſand Mountains his, Pſal. 50: 10. But as Abraham gave portions to his other Children, but the Inheritance to Iſaac, even all that he had, Gen. 25: 5. As Princes at their Coronation give Wine and Monie to the Multitude, but Honors to their Favorites: So the Lord giveth Earthly things many times more liberally to the men of the World, but beſtoweth himſelf for a Portion and exceeding great reward unto his own people, and they eſteem him precious, 1 Pet. 2: 7. And his Promiſes precious, 2 Pet. 1: 4. and his Redemption precious, Pſal. 49: 8. And the very Afflictions which they ſuffer for his ſake precious, 1 Pet. 1: 7.
5. Above all things, hold faſt God and his preſence. A City is never without Walls or Gates, without glory and ſplendor, till they are without God. Your glory departs when his Ordinauces are removed: You may confidently promife your ſelf his protection, while you make his Habitation in the midſt of you your greateſt Glory. And therefore, as he hath a long time been a Wall of Fire about you; in all the confuſions of a bloody War, no alarm hath ſtartled or ſtormed you, though there were angry men, who ſhooke their Arm againſt London, as the Aſſyrian againſt Jeruſalem, Iſai. 10: 32. That ſaid it would never be well with England till London were in a flame, yet you have had no flame about you but a Wall of Fire, and Chariots of Fire, as the Prophet had, 2 Reg. 6: 17. As therefore the Lord hath protected you, and been the Glory in the midſt of London, (for I am perſwaded it is a ſober Truth, that no City in the Chriſtian World hath had a more glorious preſence of God by the Light of his Word, and the purity of his Worſhip and Ordinances then London hath had:) So make it your buſineſs in an anſwerable proportion to bring Glory to God, by zeal for the Truth, by Love to the Ordinances, by comforting the Miniſters, and encourageing them in the work of the Lord, by executeing Juſtice and Judgment, reforming all abuſes, ſetting up the Name of God in your Families, preſerving thoſe that belong unto you from the Contagion of dangerous and dividing Doctrines God will be with you while you are with him, he never breaks with a people firſt, do you give Glory to him, and he will be Glory to you.
Laſtly, If God be thus your Glory, let your glorying be in him alone, Glory not in your Strength or Wiſdom or Wealth, or Splendor in your Ships or Trade, or in the Harveſt of the River, glory only in your Wall of Fire, and in this that the Lord hath been hitherto ſo nigh unto you. And truly you have great Reaſon to bleſs the Lord, and to make your boaſt of him all the day long, as for Remoter mercies which you muſt not forget, though I cannot now recount them, ſo for thoſe ſignal Mercies for the celebration whereof you are met together at this time.
What a deluge of Confuſion theſe poor Nations were running into, how deep the diſcontents of the people, how ready the Tinder of unſatisfied Spirits in all parts of the Nation to take Fire and break out into a Flame, in what danger the Function of a Learned and Orthodox Miniſtry and the maintenance thereof was to be devoured, How deſperately the Ordiances were deſpiſed, the Truths of Religion rejected; what dangerous divulſions daily more and more made from the Unity of the Church of God amongſt us, How near we were brought unto the brow of the precipice, it is now our Comfort that we can with thankfulneſs, recount, as ſurviving ſo great dangers, as well as with ſorrow bewaile our expoſedneſs unto them.
How ſhould our Hearts be enlarged, and our Mouths filled, and our Lives acted with the Praiſes of the Lord, what Memorials, and Monuments, and Eben-Ezers, ſhould we every where erect of thoſe wonders, and terrible things which we looked not for, which the Lord hath wrought for us in a kind of Pararel and proportion to thoſe which he wrought for Iſrael at the Red Sea?
That then when force after force, and breach after breach, had been made upon the ſolemn Conventions of the Nations, and the Ancient Honor of the Engliſh Parliaments had been raviſhed and proſtitated to the Will and Paſſions of their own Servants; when the Licentiouſneſs of the times, made way for men of corrupt Principles and daring Confidence tantùm non, to ſpit in the Face of Magiſtracy and Miniſtry, and all ſobriety of Judgment amongſt us; then for the Lord to ſtir up the Spirits of all the people of the Land as one man, ſolemnly to own their Native Liberties, and with united Affections to implore the Vindication of them; then for the Lord to awaken an Honorable Inſtrument to aſſert the Priviledges and Dignities of conculcated Parliaments, and to reſtore the many grave and Eminent Members there of to their long interrupted right, and to the adminiſtration of their Truſt again; To ſtand by this Famous City who had chearfully with their Treaſures, their Swords, their Lives, their Counſels aided and aſſerted the publick Engagements; That then when your Hearts were ready to ſink at the demoliſhing of your City Gates, immediately they ſhould be revived with the opening of your Parliament gates, that thoſe worthy Patriots, Lovers of Truth and Righteouſneſs, might enter in; as we ought with great Love and Honor to reſpect the Inſtruments, ſo ought we to aſcribe the whole glory unto God alone, who only doth wondrous things, Pſal. 72: 18.at whoſe preſence the Mountains have flowed down and become a plain. Iſai. 64: 1.Who,Hoſ. 6: 3. if we follow on to know the Lord, if we provoke him not by murmuring againſt Inſtruments or by deifying of them, but ſecond their Endeavors with our prayers, and Gods Mercies with our Praiſes, will perfect what he hath begun; And as he hath laid the Foundation, will ſo conſummate the whole ſtructure of our Settlement,Zach. 4; 7. that we ſhall at laſt bring forth the Head-Stone thereof, with Shouting and Acclamations, Crying, Grace, Grace unto it!
FINIS.
End of the text · Edward Reynolds, The Wall and Glory of Jerusalem (1660)