1. The first expresseth perlucidam materiem, a bright and clear matter. Which sets a difference betwixt that legal, and this Evangelical Sea. That was ex aere constatum, which is densa et opaca materies: of molten brass, which was a thick, duskish, and shadowy matter; not penetrable to the sight. This is mare uttreum, a Sea of glass; more clear, perspicable, and transparent. That was a Sea of Brass, this of Glass. In which disparity this latter far transcends the former. So that if David said, Psal. 84. How amiable are thy Tabernacles, oh Lord of Hosts! My soul longeth, yea even fainteth for the 1Courts of the Lord: speaking but of that Legal Sanctuary; 2which was adorned with those Levitical Ordinances, and Typical Sacrifices: How much more cause have we to rejoice with Peter & those two brethren, Matthew 17. to see Jesus Christ transfigured in the Gospel: his face shining as the Sun, 3and his raiment white as the light? Being not come to the Mount of terror, full of blackness, and darkness, 4and tempest; whereat even Moses himself did exceedingly fear and quake. But unto Mount Zion, unto the City of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of Angels. 5To the general assembly and Church of the first borne, which are written in heaven, &c. The greater glory gives •s the greater joy. For, saith Saint Paul 6sweetly, If the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. They saw (Christum velatum, we revelatum) Christ shadowed in the law, we see him manifested in the Gospel. Great, without controversy, is the ⟨p. 6⟩7mystery of godliness: God manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, &c. They saw per fenestram, we sine medio: they darkly through the windows, we without interposition of any cloud. Great then is the difference between that figurative molten sea of brass, and this bright glassy sea of the Gospel.
1. The first expresseth perlucidam materiem, a bright and cleare matter. Which sets a difference betwixt that legall, and this Euangelicall Sea. That was ex aere constatum, which is densa et opaca materies: of molten brasse, which was a thicke, duskish, and shaddowy matter; not penetrable to the sight. This is mare vttreum, a Sea of glasse; more cleare, perspicable, and transparent. That was a Sea of Brasse, this of Glasse. In which disparity this latter farre transcends the former. So that if Dauid saide, Psal. 84. How amiable are thy Tabernacles, oh Lord of Hostes! My soule longeth, yea euen fainteth for the 1Courts of the Lord: speaking but of that Legal Sanctuary; 2which was adorned with those Leuiticall Ordinances, and Typicall Sacrifices: How much more cause haue we to reioyce with Peter & those two brethren, Mathew 17. to see Iesus Christ transfigured in the Gospell: his face shining as the Sunne, 3and his rayment white as the light? Being not come to the Mount of terror, full of blacknesse, and darknesse, 4and tempest; whereat euen Moses himselfe did exceedingly feare and quake. But vnto Mount Sion, vnto the City of the liuing God, the heauenly Ierusalem, and to an innumerable company of Angels. 5To the generall assembly and Church of the first borne, which are written in heauen, &c. The greater glory giues •s the greater ioy. For, saith Saint Paul 6sweetly, If the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousnesse exceed in glory. They saw (Christum velatum, we reuelatum) Christ shadowed in the law, we see him manifested in the Gospel. Great, without controuersie, is the ⟨p. 6⟩7mystery of godlines: God manifested in the flesh, iustified in the Spirit, &c. They saw per fenestram, wee sine medio: they darkely through the windowes, we without interposition of any cloud. Great then is the difference betweene that figuratiue molten sea of brasse, and this bright glassy sea of the Gospell.
- 1Psalm 84, 1.Psalme 84, 1.
- 2Heb. 9, 1.
- 3Matthew 17, 1Mathew 17, 1
- 4Heb. 1•, 18.
- 5ver. 22.
- 62 Cor. 3, 9.
- 71 Tim. 3, 16
