A73707:431
A plain explanation of the whole Revelation of Saint John Very necessary and comfortable…A plaine explanation of the vvhole Revelation of Saint John Very necessary and comfortable…
A plain explanation of the whole Revelation of Saint John Very necessary and comfortable in these days of trouble and affliction in the church. Penned by a faithful preacher, now with God, for more private use, and now published for the further benefit of the people of God.A plaine explanation of the vvhole Revelation of Saint John Very necessary and comfortable in these dayes of trouble and affliction in the church. Penned by a faithfull preacher, now with God, for more priuate vse, and now published for the further benefit of the people of God.
London: printed by T.S. for Nathaniel Newbery, 1622
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.
In general, he compares the Church to a brave Spouse, prepared and trimmed for a King; Christ being her Husband, signifying the glory and beauty of the Church of God: for as in the days of the solemnizing of marriage, Brides use to go beyond their ordinary custom and kind of apparel, so the Church is now decked and beautified with full and perfect glory.
In generall, hee compares the Church to a braue Spouse, prepared and trimmed for a King; Christ being her Husband, signifying the glory and beautie of the Church of God: for as in the dayes of the solemnizing of marriage, Brides vse to goe beyond their ordinary custome and kinde of apparell, so the Church is now decked and beautified with full and perfect glory.
Secondly, it is compared to a City coming down from heaven, that is, a beautiful City, having all her honour, glory, and good frame of building, not from her self, but from God: not as the Cities which are builded by men, but as one that is builded by God himself: for as earthly Cities builded by men, receive their title from them; so this City being built by God, hath her name also from God: Neither is here meant (in that it comes down from heaven) that it should be in earth, but only that it is altogether heavenly.
Secondly, it is compared to a City comming downe from heauen, that is, a beautifull City, hauing all her honour, glory, and good frame of building, not from her selfe, but from God: not as the Cities which are builded by men, but as one that is builded by God himselfe: for as earthly Cities builded by men, receiue their title from them; so this City being built by God, hath her name also from God: Neither is here meant (in that it comes downe from heauen) that it should be in earth, but onely that it is altogether heauenly.
Afterward, the state and blessedness of it is set forth, in that God shall dwell in it continually, as the Scripture testifieth, that he shall more fully remain and dwell with them then before: for as it is said in the Scripture, that in this life he will Dine and Sup with them, so now it is said, he shall abide with them for evermore.