XV. Of the Pomgranates adjoyned to these Nets on the Chapiters.
THere was also joyned to these Nets upon the top of these Pillars, Pom∣granates in abundance, four hundred for the Net-work: Pomgranates, you know are beautiful to look on, pleasant to the palate, comfortable to the stomack, and chearing by their Juice, 1 King. 7.42. Song 4.3. chap. 8.2. chap. 4.13. chap. 6.11. chap. 7.12. There was to be two rowes of these Pomgranates, for one Net-work, and so two rowes of them for the other.
And this was to shew that the Net of the Gospel is not an empty thing; but is sufficiently baited with such varieties, as are apt to allure the world to be catched by them. The Law is BVT a sound of words, but the Gospel is not so: that is baited with Pomgranates; with variety of excellent things. Hence 'tis called the Gospel of the Kingdom; and the Gospel of the Grace of God; because it is, as it Page 34 were, baited with Grace and Glory, that sinners may be allured, and may be taken with it to their Eternal Salvation, Matt. 24.14. Acts 20.24.
Grace and glory, grace and glory! these are the Pomgranates with which the word of the Gospel is baited, that sinners may be taken and saved thereby. The argu∣ment of old was, Milk and Hony, that was, I say, the alluring bait, with which Moses drew six hundred thousand out of Egypt, into the Wilderness of old, Exod. 3.8. But behold we have Pomgranates, two rowes of Pomgranates: grace and a kingdom, as the bait of the holy Gospel; no wonder then, if when Men of skill did cast this Net into the Sea, such numbers of Fish have been catcht, even by one Sermon, Acts 2. They baited their Nets with taking things, things taking to the eye and taste.
Nets are truly instruments of Death, but the Net of the Gospel doth catch to draw from Death, wherefore this Net is contrary, Life and Immortality is brought to light thorow this. No marvel then, if Men are so glad, and that for gladness they leap like Fishes in a Net, when they see themselves catcht in this Drag of the holy Gospel of the Son of God. They Page 35 are catcht from Death and Hell, catcht to live with God in Glory.
