A commentary vpon the Epistles of Saint Paul to Philemon, and to the Hebrewes together with a compendious explication of the second and third Epistles of Saint Iohn. By VVilliam Iones of East Bergholt in Suffolke, Dr. in Divinity, and sometimes one of the fellowes of the foundation of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge.

VERSE 10.

WHat mooved him to content himselfe with so meane a dwelling? they made not so much reckoning of their ha∣bitation in this world, as of that in the world to come: therefore they did not greatly care how they dwelt here. As for the land of Canaan, though it were a pleasant Country flowing with milke and hony, yet they knew they were not to continue in it long: this made them to looke up to the heavenly Canaan, whereof the earthly was but a type and figure.

Erecto capite: his eye was also to that, quasi accepturus.

Here hee had a Tent, but there hee looked for a City: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for that City which alone deserves the name of a City: it excells all earthly Cities in two respects. In regard of the foundation, and the founder thereof.

The Tents wherein they dwelt, had no foundation, they were fastned with nayles to posts and stakes set in the ground: but this City hath a foundation: earthly houses have but one foundation, and subject to earth-quakes, stormes, tempests, inundations, and other casualities; this hath many foundations, Apoc. 21.14. and nothing can shake those foundations. The Tower of Siloam, it is like, had a good foundation, yet it fell: the Abbies and Monasteries had sure

foundations; yet they are fallen: the pallaces of Kings, Noblemen, and Gentlemen have strong foundations, yet they shall all fall; but the heavenly Hierusalem shall never fall.

Aholiab and Bezaleel made the Tabernacle, Hyram the Tem∣ple: Carpenters and Masons set up these Citties: but God Himselfe is the maker and builder of this City. These Cities may be overthrowne by waters: the Sea may come in tumbling and sweepe them away: these Townes and Citties may be consumed with fire, there bee bur∣nings almost every day: these may be sacked with the enemy, and made even with the ground, as Hierusalem and the Temple are, which were the wonder of the world: wee may bee driven by fa∣mine and pestilence out of those townes and Cities: howsoever they stand a while and we in them; the time shall come, when the earth with all the goodly buildings that be on it shall be burnt with fire. Therefore let us use these Citties as we used them not: let our hearts and affections bee in this City, whose maker and builder is God. We have not here an abiding City. London is no abiding City, Yorke, Norwich, no Towne is an abiding Towne: Death will give us a re∣move out of all Townes: but in this City wee shall abide for ever, and reigne with CHRIST for evermore: therefore let us all long for it.

He doth not say, that he believed there was such a City, but hee looked for it, Iud. 5.28. We looke out of our windowes on sights in the streets, Gardens, Orchards, &c. but not out of the windowes of our hearts for this City. Hee that lookes shortly for a new Coate, will not bee much in love with his old: for a faire house, will not care for a cottage. Wee looke after our wooll and cloath, houses and lands, &c. Let us looke dayly for CHRIST's comming, that will put us in possession of this City. As Saint Peter said un∣advisedly of the Mount, let us say likewise of this City, it is good for us to bee here.