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26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

27 And there fhall in no wife enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatfoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

A more particular defcription is afterwards given of the new Jerufalem. One of the Seven angels who had the feven vials, (ver. 9.) and most probably the fame angel, who before had fhowed to St. John (XVII. 1, &c.) the mystic Babylon and her deftruction, now showeth by way of contraft the new Jerufalem and her glory. For this purpose (ver. 10.) he carrieth him away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain; in the fame manner as Ezekiel (XL. 2.) was brought in the vifions of God, and fet upon a very high mountain, to fee the frame of the city and temple: and this defcription of the new Jerufalem is an affemblage of the sublimest richest imagery of Ezekiel and other ancient prophets. The glory of God, or the divine Shechinah, (ver. 11.) illuminates the city. It hath (ver. 12, 13, 14.) a wall great and high, to show its ftrength and fecurity; and twelve gates with angels for guards, three on the east, three on

the

the north, three on the fouth, and three on the west, to show that people of all climates and nations may have access to it. On the twelve gates are written the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Ifrael, as on the twelve foundations are infcribed the names of the twelve apofiles of the Lamb, to fignify that the Jewish and the Christian church are now united, and (Eph. II. 20.) built upon the foundation of the apoftles and prophets, fefus Chrift himself being the chief cornerStone. The angel hath (ver. 15, 16, 17.) a measuring reed, as the angel had likewife in Ezekiel; (XL. 3.) and the measures of the city and of the walls are formed by the multiplication of twelve, the number of the apoftles. The city lieth four-fquare, the length as large as the breadth, according to the pattern of Jerufalem in Ezekiel ; (XLVIII. 16.) and the length and breadth and highth of the walls and buildings are every where of the fame beauty, ftrength, and proportion. It is built and garnished with gold and all manner of precious ftones, (ver. 18-21.) as the richest emblems of eaftern wealth and magnificence; the stones resembling those on Aaron's breaft-plate, to denote that the Urim and Thummim, the light and perfection of God's oracle are there. It hath one remarkable peculiarity (ver. 22.) that there is no temple therein; for the whole

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whole is the temple of God and of the Lamb. The glory of God and the Lamb (ver. 23.) shine in it with a luftre fuperior to the fun and moon. All they who are faved (ver. 24—27.) walk continually in the light of it; for the gates are never Shut, and no night is there. It is the center of glory and honor; all the wicked are excluded, and only good Chriftians are admitted, they who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

I

ANI

CHA P. XXII.

ND he fhewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as cryftal, proceeding out of the throne of God, and of the Lamb.

2 In the midst of the street of it, and of either fide of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3 And there fhall be no more curfe: but the throne of God and of the Lamb fhall be in it; and his fervants fhall ferve him.

4 And they shall fee his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

5 And there fhall be no night there,

and

and they need no candle, neither light of
the fun; for the Lord God giveth them
light: and they fhall reign for ever and ever.

The five firft verfes of this chapter are a continuation of the defcription of the new Jerufalem. It is farther defcribed with the river of life and the tree of life, as if paradife was restored and improved. A river flowing through the midst of the streets, and trees growing on either fide of the river are wonderfully pleafing and agreeable objects, especially in the hot eaftern' countries. Of the fruits there is fuch plenty and abundance, that all may freely partake of them at all seafons; and the very leaves are for the healing of the nations; by all which is fignified the bleffedness of immortality without any infirmities. Then too there shall be no more curfe, as there is in this prefent world ever fince the fall of man: but the bleffed inhabitants fhall enjoy the fo much talked of beatific vifion, fhall live in the light of God's countenance, and serve him, and reign for ever and ever.

6 And he said unto me, Thefe fayings are faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets fent his angel to fhew unto his fervants the things which muft fhortly be done.

7 Behold,

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7 Behold, I come quickly: bleffed is he that keepeth the fayings of the prophecy of this book.

In the conclufion the angel (ver. 6, 7.) ratifies and confirms all thefe particulars by a repetition of the fame folemn affurance which he had given before, (XIX. 9. XX. 5.) that these fayings are faithful and true: and he was commiffioned by the fame God, who had inspired the ancient prophets, to show the things which 'must shortly be done, which would very foon begin in part to be fulfilled, and in process of time would all be completed. Behold, I come quickly, faith he; for we may observe that the angel fpeaketh fometimes in his own perfon, and fometimes in the perfon and character of Chrift, whofe embaffador and representative he was. Chrift is faid to come upon any notable and illustrious manifeftation of his providence; and all these are but fo many steps to prepare the way for his laft coming to judgment. A bleffing too is pronounced, as in the beginning, (I. 3.) upon those who keep the Sayings of the prophecy of this book: and as good Vitringa (6) devoutly wifheth, May the Lord bestow this

grace

(6) Præftet nobis hanc gratiam in illius meditatione collocaDominus, qui operam aliquam vimus, ut aliqua etiam nobis

hujus

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