The ruin of Rome, or, An exposition upon the whole Revelation wherein is plainly…The ruine of Rome, or, An exposition upon the whole Revelation wherein is plainly…

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, Saint 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 & 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 this wall? What is brick to precious stones, and pebbles to pearl? But Saint John addeth, that the gates were of pearl, and the streets 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, and 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 of such metal and matter indeed, as is here described. But the holy Ghost would give us some taste of ⟨p. 391⟩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, and immortal things which we look for, and hope for through Christ: which in very deed are so great, so glorious, and so unconceivable, that gold, pearl, and precious stones are scant so much as any show, shadow, or resemblance thereof.

As wee have heard of the forme of this goodly city; so now we are to hear of the matter of it, that is to say, of what stuffe it is made. First, Saint John telleth us, that the whole city is of most pure and glittering gold, like unto glasse: and that the wall was of Jasper, most green and flourishing; and also, that the very foundation of the wall was beautified & adorned with twelve sundry kinds of precious stones, which hee reckoneth up. We count it a great matter here below, to compasse and close in our houses with a wall of brick, and none can doe it but men of place: but alas, what is that to this wall? What is brick to precious stones, and pibbles to pearl? But Saint John addeth, that the gates were of pearle, and the streets of the city of pure gold; Oh how brave, how beautifull, how glorious, how glittering, how gorgeous, how admirable a city is this! for if the gates be of pearl, and the streets of gold, then what are the inner rooms, what are the dining chambers, and what are the lodging roomes? But here we may not grossely imagine, that the kingdom of God is of such metall and matter indeed, as is here described. But the holy Ghost would give us some taste of