Oh how unspeakable is the glory of this city, that kings shall throw down their crowns and sceptres before it; accounting all their pomp and glory but as dust, in respect of it! For the magnificence and pomp of all the Potentates of the earth shall here be laid down. And albeit none of the Kings and Nobles of the Gentiles might be admitted into the old Jerusalem, yet all the Gentiles that believe shall be admitted into this new Jerusalem, and made free denizens thereof for ever. And although the gates of this city always stand open both night and day, as not fearing any danger of enemies: yet no unclean thing shall enter into it, but only they which are written in the Lambs book of life. Thus we see how gloriously the holy Ghost hath described unto us this city of the Saints, and habitation of the just for evermore. ⟨p. 394⟩He needs must be a very block, that is not moved with the consideration of this endless felicity: For this city is described unto us in so glorious and admirable a manner, to bring us into love with it, and to work in us an unquenchable thirst and desire after it. Oh therefore let us spend many thoughts upon it; let us enter into deep meditations of the inestimable glory of it; let us long till we come to the fingering and possession of it, even as the heir longeth till he come to the possession of his lands; let us think every day ten, and every year twenty, till we be in possession; let us with the Apostle,1 sigh and groan, desiring to be clothed with our house which is from heaven: Let us in the mean time cast away all things that may hinder us in our Christian course; let us shake off every burden, and run with patience the race that is set before us; let us, as they which prove masteries, abstain from all lets and hinderances: and sith we strive so exceedingly for a corruptible crown; how much more ought we for an uncorruptible? For what pains, what cost, what labour can be enough for a kingdom? Let us therefore strive and strain to get into this golden city, where ⟨p. 395⟩streets, walls, and gates, and all is gold, all is pearl; yea, where pearl is but as mire and dirt, and nothing worth. Oh what fools are they which deprive themselves willingly of this endless glory, for a few stinking lusts! Oh what mad men are they which bereave themselves of a room in this city of pearl, for a few carnal pleasures and delights!
Oh how unspeakable is the glory of this citie, that kings shall throw downe their crownes and scepters before it; accounting all their pomp and glory but as dust, in respect of it! For the magnificence and pomp of all the Potentates of the earth shall here be laid downe. And albeit none of the Kings and Nobles of the Gentiles might be admitted into the old Jerusalem, yet all the Gentiles that beleeve shall be admitted into this new Jerusalem, and made free denizens thereof for ever. And although the gates of this citie alwayes stand open both night and day, as not fearing any danger of enemies: yet no unclean thing shall enter into it, but onely they which are written in the Lambes book of life. Thus wee see how gloriously the holy Ghost hath described unto us this citie of the Saints, and habitation of the just for evermore. ⟨p. 394⟩He needs must be a very block, that is not moved with the consideration of this endlesse felicity: For this city is described unto us in so glorious and admirable a manner, to bring us into love with it, and to work in us an unquenchable thirst and desire after it. Oh therefore let us spend many thoughts upon it; let us enter into deep meditations of the inestimable glory of it; let us long till we come to the fingring and possession of it, even as the heire longeth till hee come to the possession of his lands; let us think every day ten, and every yeere twenty, till we be in possession; let us with the Apostle,1 sigh and groane, desiring to bee clothed with our house which is from heaven: Let us in the meane time cast away all things that may hinder us in our Christian course; let us shake off every burden, and runne with patience the race that is set before us; let us, as they which prove masteries, abstaine from all lets and hinderances: and sith we strive so exceedingly for a corruptible crowne; how much more ought wee for an uncorruptible? For what pains, what cost, what labour can be enough for a kingdome? Let us therefore strive and straine to get into this golden city, where ⟨p. 395⟩streets, walls, and gates, and all is gold, all is pearle; yea, where pearl is but as mire and dirt, and nothing worth. Oh what fooles are they which deprive themselves willingly of this endlesse glory, for a few stinking lusts! Oh what mad men are they which bereave themselves of a roome in this citie of pearle, for a few carnall pleasures and delights!
- 12 Cor. 5.2.
