A30152:71
The holy city, or, The new-Jerusalem wherein its goodly light walls, gates, angels, and…The holy citie, or, The new-Jerusalem wherein its goodly light walls, gates, angels, and…
The holy city, or, The new-Jerusalem wherein its goodly light walls, gates, angels, and the manner of their standing, are expounded : also, her length and breadth, together with the golden measuring-reed, explained, and the glory of all unfolded : as also, the numerousness of its inhabitants, and what the tree and water of life are, by which they are sustained / by John Bunyan ...The holy citie, or, The new-Jerusalem wherein its goodly light walls, gates, angels, and the manner of their standing, are expounded : also, her length and breadth, together with the golden measuring-reed, explained, and the glory of all unfolded : as also, the numerousness of its inhabitants, and what the tree and water of life are, by which they are sustained / by John Bunyan ...
London: printed for Francis Smith, 1669
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The holy Ghost is pleased at this time1 to give the Church the name of a City, rather than any other name; rather than the name of Spouse, Woman, Temple, and the like: (though he giveth us her under the name of a Woman also, to help us to understand what he means) but I say, the name of a City is now the name in special, under which the Church must go, and that for special Reasons:
- 1Why the Church at this day is called by the name of a City, rather than a Woman, Temple, House, or the like.
First, To show us how great and numerous a People will then be in the Church; the Church may be a Woman, a ⟨p. 17⟩Temple, a Spouse, when she is but few, but an handful, but two or three; but to be a City, and that in her glory, it bespeaks great store of Members, Inhabitants, and Citizens; especially when she goeth under the name of a GREAT City, as here she does: He showed me that GREAT City.
First, To shew us how great and numerous a People will then be in the Church; the Church may be a Woman, a ⟨p. 17⟩Temple, a Spouse, when she is but few, but an handful, but two or three; but to be a City, and that in her glory, it bespeaks great store of Members, Inhabitants, and Citizens; especially when she goeth under the name of a GREAT City, as here she does: He shewed me that GREAT City.
Secondly, She goeth rather under the name of a City, than Temple or Spouse; to show us also how plentifully the Nations and Kingdoms of men shall at that day traffic with her, and in her, for her goodly Merchandise of Grace and Life: to show us, I say, what wonderful custom the Church of God at this day shall have among all sorts of People, for her Heavenly Treasures. It is said of Tyre