her Foundation is laid with precious Stones, yea, the choicest Sapphires; her Streets are paved with that which is more rare than the purest Gold.
XVIII. Some Citizens who are industrious, grow very rich, and attain to great Honour among their Neighbours; and those are quickly known, and taken notice of; they may be discovered in divers respects. | XVIII. So some of the Citizens of Zion, who are diligent and industrious in the Improvement of Grace, and the Means of Godliness, grow very rich in Faith and good Works, rich in spiritual and divine Knowledge, rich in heavenly Experience.1 The diligent Hand maketh rich, with the Blessing of God. And these rich Saints are also soon discovered, and taken notice of.
⟨p. 83⟩1. Rich Men, wealthy Merchants, can trust, or stay a great while for their own, when poor Men must have all presently paid down. The clearest Promise, or firmest Covenant, will not serve their Turn, without some considerable part presently paid. | 1. So those who are spiritually rich,2 rich in Faith, rich Merchants of Mount Zion, the City of God, can trust, they can stay patiently, in expectation of the Good of the Promise, (as Abraham, 3who was strong or rich in Faith) when others cannot rely upon a bare Promise, or take God's single Word for the accomplishment of this or that.
2. Rich Citizens have a great Stock lying by them. | 2. So those who are rich Citizens of Zion, rich in Grace, have a Stock of blessed Experience, (as David had.) They have a Stock of Faith, much Faith, when others have but a little; a Stock of good Works, having done much for God, and for his Church, &c.
3. Rich Citizens have abundance of precious Things, rare Merchandises to delight in, as Gold, Silver, and many other rich Commodities. | 3. So rich Citizens of Zion have abundance of rare and precious things in their Ware houses, (viz. their Hearts) as Love, Peace, and Joy in the Holy-Ghost.4
4. Rich Men do not live upon their Labour, as poor Men do. Some rich Men work, and take as much pains as the poorest Man in the City; but their Work is pleasant, and more delightful to them, than the Labour of one that is very poor. | 4. So rich Citizens of Zion, tho they work hard for God:5 I laboured more abundantly than they all. Yet their Work is sweet and pleasant to them, because they work not for Life, or for a Livelihood;6 they rest not upon doing, but live by Faith:
her Foundation is laid with precious Stones, yea, the choicest Saphires; her Streets are paved with that which is more rare than the purest Gold.
XVIII. Some Citizens who are industrious, grow very rich, and attain to great Honour among their Neighbours; and those are quickly known, and taken notice of; they may be discovered in divers respects. | XVIII. So some of the Citizens of Sion, who are diligent and industrious in the Improvement of Grace, and the Means of Godliness, grow very rich in Faith and good Works, rich in spiritual and divine Knowledg, rich in heavenly Experience.1 The diligent Hand maketh rich, with the Blessing of God. And these rich Saints are also soon discovered, and taken notice of.
⟨p. 83⟩1. Rich Men, wealthy Merchants, can trust, or stay a great while for their own, when poor Men must have all presently paid down. The clearest Promise, or firmest Covenant, will not serve their Turn, without some considerable part presently paid. | 1. So those who are spiritually rich,2 rich in Faith, rich Merchants of Mount Zion, the City of God, can trust, they cand stay patiently, in expectation of the Good of the Promise, (as Abraham, 3who was strong or rich in Faith) when others cannot rely upon a bare Promise, or take God's single Word for the accomplishment of this or that.
2. Rich Citizens have a great Stock lying by them. | 2. So those who are rich Citizens of Sion, rich in Grace, have a Stock of blessed Experience, (as David had.) They have a Stock of Faith, much Faith, when others have but a little; a Stock of good Works, having done much for God, and for his Church, &c.
3. Rich Citizens have abundance of precious Things, rare Merchandizes to delight in, as Gold, Silver, and many other rich Commodities. | 3. So rich Citizens of Sion have abundance of rare and precious things in their Ware houses, (viz. their Hearts) as Love, Peace, and Joy in the Holy-Ghost.4
4. Rich Men do not live upon their Labour, as poor Men do. Some rich Men work, and take as much pains as the poorest Man in the City; but their Work is pleasant, and more delightful to them, than the Labour of one that is very poor. | 4. So rich Citizens of Sion, tho they work hard for God:5 I laboured more abundantly than they all. Yet their Work is sweet and pleasant to them, because they work not for Life, or for a Livelihood;
- 1Prov. 10.22.
- 2Jam. 2 5.
- 3Rom. 4 20
- 4Gal. 5 22.
- 51 Co•. 15.10.
- 6Gal. 2.20.
