The ruin of RomeThe ruine of Rome

As we have heard of the form of this goodly city: so now we are to hear of the matter of it, that is to say, of what stuff it is made. First, S. John telleth us, that the whole City is of most pure and glittering gold, like unto glass: and that the wall was of Jasper most green and flourishing, and also that the very foundation of the wall was beautified and adorned with twelve sundry kinds of precious stones, which he reckoneth up. We count it a great matter here below, to compass and close in our houses with a wall of brick, and none can do it but men of place: but alas, what is that to his wall? what is brick to precious stones: & pebbles, to pearl. But S. John addeth that the gates were of pearl, and the street of the city of pure gold! Oh how brave, how beautiful, how glorious, how glittering, how gorgeous, how admirable, a city is this: for if the gates be of pearl, & the streets of gold, then what are the inner rooms, what are the dining chambers, and what are the lodging rooms. But here we may not grossly imagine, that the kingdom of God is ⟨p. 294⟩of such metal and matter indeed, as is here described. But the holy ghost would give us some taste of it, and after a sort shadow out unto us under these things which are in most precious account amongst men, what the glory and excellency of the immortal kingdom is. For otherwise there is no comparison betwixt gold, pearl, and precious stones, and those heavenly, invisible, & immortal things which we look for, and hope for thorough Christ: which in very deed are so great, so glorious, and so unconceivable, that gold, pearl, & precious stones, are scant so much as any show, shadow, or resemblance thereof.

As we haue 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 vs, that the whole Citie is of most pure and glittering gold, like vnto 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