v. 3. He speaks with some kind of astonishment of the glorious things spoken of her, or promised to her, and concludes it with a note of attention, or a mark of eminency, Selah*. No place enjoyed an equal happiness with Jerusalem, while it remained faithful to its Founder. It maintained its standing in the midst of its enemies; no weapon formed against it was able to prosper; Heaven planted it, and the dews of Heaven watered it; it had a continual succession of Prophets; the best Kings that ever were in the world, swayed the Sceptre in it; it was blessed with more miraculous deliverances than any part of the Universe; the Nations that loved it not, yet feared its power, and feared the displeasure of its Guardian. It was here the Son of God delivered the Messages of Heaven by the order of his father: It was here the spirit first filled the heads and hearts of the Apostles in order to the conversion of a world from Idolatry to the Sceptre of God; but more glorious things are spoken of the Spiritual Zion than of the material Jerusalem; that had Christ in the flesh, and the Gospel-Church hath Christ in the spirit, he went from thence to heaven, but he comes from heaven to visit them with his comforts; he hath left the walls of Jerusalem in its ruins, but he hath not, he will not leave his Spiritual Zion fatherless and comfortless; Joh. 14.18. his spirit abides for ever with his Church. Glorious things are spoken of it, when he pronounced it impregnable, and that the gates of Hell, the power and policy of all the Apostate Angels and their instruments should not prevail against her, when he assured her he would be present with her, not to the end of an age or two, but till the period of time, the consummation of the world; privileges that material Jerusalem could never boast of; whatsoever countries have been applauded for secular excellencies, or been famous for wisdom, none can claim such elogies as Gospel Zion, where God hath declared his will, published himself a God of salvation, placed the laws of heaven, and poured out that wisdom which comes from above: These are glorious things, above humane expectations, above humane desires.
v. 3. He speaks with some kind of astonishment of the glorious things spoken of her, or promised to her, and concludes it with a note of attention, or a mark of eminency, Selah*. No place enjoy'd an equal happiness with Jerusalem, while it remained faithful to its Founder. It maintain'd its standing in the midst of its enemies; no weapon formed against it was able to prosper; Heaven planted it, and the dews of Heaven watered it; it had a continual succession of Prophets; the best Kings that ever were in the world, swayed the Scepter in it; it was blessed with more miraculous deliverances than any part of the Universe; the Nations that loved it not, yet feared its power, and feared the displeasure of its Guardian. It was here the Son of God delivered the Messages of Heaven by the order of his father: It was here the spirit first filled the heads and hearts of the Apostles in order to the conversion of a world from Idolatry to the Scepter of God; but more glorious things are spoken of the Spiritual Sion than of the material Jerusalem; that had Christ in the flesh, and the Gospel-Church hath Christ in the spirit, he went from thence to heaven, but he comes from heaven to visit them with his comforts; he hath left the walls of Jerusalem in its ruins, but he hath not, he will not leave his Spiritual Sion fatherless and comfortless; Joh. 14.18. his spirit abides for ever with his Church. Glorious things are spoken of it, when he pronounced it impregnable, and that the gates of Hell, the power and policy of all the Apostate Angels and their instruments should not prevail against her, when he assured her he would be present with her, not to the end of an age or two, but till the period of time, the consummation of the world; priviledges that material Jerusalem could never boast of; whatsoever countries have been applauded for secular excellencies, or been famous for wisdom, none can claym such elogies as Gospel Sion, where God hath declared his will, publisht himself a God of salvation, placed the laws of heaven, and poured out that wisdom which comes from above: These are glorious things, above humane expectations, above humane desires.
- *v. 3. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O City of God.
