Broughton in the conclusion of his 'Consent of Scripture,' concerning the New Jerusalem, and the eve
of my fancy, but the breathings of my active hope and love: that if my heart were open to their view, they might there read the same most deeply engraven with a beam from the face of the Son of God; and not find vanity, or lust, or pride within, where the words of life appear without; that so these lines may not witness against me; but proceeding from the heart of the writer, may be effectual, through thy grace, upon the heart of the reader; and so be the savour of life to both. Amen.
Glory be to God in the highest; On earth peace:
Good-will towards men.
BROUGHTON IN THE CONCLUSION OF
HIS 'CONSENT OF SCRIPTURE'
Concerning the New Jerusalem, and the Everlasting Sabbatism, meant in my Text, as begun here, and perfected in Heaven THE company of faithful souls called to the blessed marriage of the Lamb, are a Jerusalem from heaven. (Apoc. 3 and 21, Heb. 12.)
Though such glorious things are spoken concerning this city of God, the perfection whereof cannot be seen in this vale of tears; yet here
God wipeth all tears from our eyes, and each blessing is here begun.
The name of this city much helpeth Jew and Gentile to see the state of peace, for this is called Jerusalem, and that in Canaan hath Christ destroyed: this name should clearly have taught both the Hebrews not to look and pray daily for to return to Canaan, and pseudo-
Catholics, not to fight for special holiness there. We live in this by faith, and not by eye-sight, and by hope we behold the perfection; of this city, salvation is a wall, goodly as jasper, clear as crystal: the foundations are in number twelve, of twelve precious stones, such as Aaron wore on his breast, all the work of the Lamb's twelve apostles: the gates are twelve, each of pearl, upon which are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, of whose faith all must be which enter in; twelve angels are conductors from east, west, north, and south, even the stars of the churches: the city is square: of burgesses settled for all turns. Here God sitteth upon a stone like jasper and ruby, comfortable and just: the Lamb is the temple, that a third temple should not be looked for to be built. Thrones twice twelve are for all the Christians born of Israel's twelve, or taught by the apostles, who for dignity are seniors, for infinity are termed but four-and-twenty, in regard of so many tribes and apostles. Here the majesty is honourable, as at the delivery of the law, from whose throne, thunder, voices, and lightnings, do proceed: here oil of grace is never wanting, but burning with seven lamps, the Spirits of Messias, of wit and wisdom, of counsel and courage, of knowledge and understanding, and of the fear due to the Eternal: here the valiant, patient, witty, and speedy, with sharp sight, are winged as those seraphims that waited on Christ, when ten calamities and utter destruction was told for the low Jerusalem: they of this city are not as Israel after the flesh, which would not see, for all the wonders that our Lord did; but these redeemed with his precious blood are full of eyes lightened by lamps, the glory of Jehovah, and behold Christ through all the prophets, a Performer of our faith, sealed of God,
Sealer of all visions, Opener of the seals or the stories of the church.
(John 6; Dan. 9:24; Apoc. 6.) Here is the true light, where the saved walk; (Isa. 60;) hither kingdoms bring their glory; hither the blessed nations carry their jewels. (Apoc. 21.) This is a kingdom uncorrupted, which shall not be given to a strange and unclean people: they must be written in the book of the Lamb, and chosen of eternity, sanctified of God, which here are citizens: (Ephes. 1:4; 2:19:) through this there gusheth a stream better than the four in Eden, a stream of lively waters by belief in Christ, as those waters flowing from Lebanon: