The place is the aHeaven of Heavens, or the bthird Heaven, called Paradise, whither Christ, (in his ⟨p. 182⟩humane nature,) ascended far above all visible heavens. The Bridegroom's chamber, 3which by the firmament, as by an azured curtain spangled with glittering stars and glorious planets, is hid: that we cannot behold it with these corruptible eyes of flesh. The holy Ghost (framing himself to our weakness) describes the glory of that place, which no man can estimate, by such things as are most precious in the estimation of man. And therefore likeneth it to a great and a holy City,4 named the heavenly Jerusalem. Where only God, 5and his people, who are saved, and written in the Lambs book do inhabit: all built of pure gold, 6like unto ⟨p. 183⟩clear glass, or Crystal: the walls of Jasper stone: the foundations of the walls, 7with twelve manner of precious stones: having twelve gates, each built of one pearl: 8three gates towards each of the four corner• of the world: and at each gate an Angel, 9(as so many Porters) that no unclean thing should enter into it. It is four square, therefore perfect, 10the length, the breadth, and height of it are equal, 12000. furlongs every way, therefore glorious and spacious. Through the middest of her streets ever runneth a pure River of the water of life, as clear as Crystal, therefore wholesome. And of either side of the river is the Tree of life, ever growing, which bears twelve manner ⟨p. 184⟩of fruits, and gives fruit every month, therefore fruitful: and the leaves of the tree is health to the Nations, therefore healthy. There is therefore no place so glorious by creation, 11so beautiful with delectation, so rich in possession, so comfortable for habitation. For there the King, is Christ: the law, is love: the honour, verity: the peace, felicity: the life, eternity. There is light without darkness; mirth without sadness; health without sickness; wealth without want; credit without disgrace; beauty without blemish; ease without labour; riches without rust; blessedness without misery; and consolation that never knoweth end. ⟨p. 185⟩How truly may we cry out (with David) of this City, Glorious things are spoken of thee, O thou City of God!12 and yet all these things are spoken, but according to the weakness of our capacity. For heaven exceedeth all this in glory, so far: as that no tongue is able to express:
THe place is the aHeauen of Heauens, or the bthird Heauen, called Paradise, whither Christ, (in his ⟨p. 182⟩humane nature,) ascended farre aboue all visible heauens. The Bridgroomes chamber, 3which by the firmament, as by an azured curtaine spangled with glittering starres and glorious planets, is hid: that wee cannot behold it with these corruptible eyes of flesh. The holy Ghost (framing himselfe to our weakenesse) describes the glory of that place, which no man can estimate, by such things as are most precious in the estimation of man. And therefore likeneth it to a great and a holy City,4 named the heauenly Ierusalem. Where onely God, 5and his people, who are saued, and written in the Lambes booke doe inhabite: all built of pure gold, 6like vnto ⟨p. 183⟩cleare glasse, or Chrystall: the walles of Iasper stone: the foundations of the wals, 7with twelue manner of precious stones: hauing twelue gates, each built of one pearle: 8three gates towards each of the foure corner• of the world: and at each gate an Angell, 9(as so many Porters) that no vncleane thing should enter into it. It is foure square, therefore perfect, 10the length, the breadth, and height of it are equall, 12000. furlongs euery way, therefore glorious and spacious. Through the middest of her streets euer runneth a pure Riuer of the water of life, as cleare as Christall, therefore wholesome. And of either side of the riuer is the Tree of life, euer growing, which beares twelue manner ⟨p. 184⟩
- a1 King. 8.
- b2 Cor. 12.2.•.
- 3Psal. 19.5. Mat. 25.10.
- 4Aoc. 21.2. &c.
- 5Verse 24. & 27.
- 6Ver. 18.
- 7Ver. 11. Ver. 19.20.
- 8Ver. 21. Ver. 13. Ver. 12.
- 9Ver. 27.
- 10Ver. 16.
- 11Apo. 22.1.2.
- 12Psal. 87.3.
