A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 102. Of the heavenly Jerusalem.

THe third Metaphor whereby 〈◊〉〈◊〉 place whereunto wee are brought, is the hea∣venly Ierusalem.

Of Jerusalem, see the Saints sacrifice, on Psal. 116. §. 115.

The speciall thing here to be noted is that epithite Heavenly, added to Ierusalem, which is so called,

• 1. For distinction sake, to distinguish it from earthly, and therefore, Gal. 4. 26. called Ierusalem which is from above.
• 2. For excellency sake.
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• 3. To manifest the end of it, which is, to bring us to heaven, Matth. 19. •…•…8. Rev. 19. 6.
• 4. To shew the nature and kind of it, it is an introduction to heaven, yea a part of heaven, the beginning thereof. See My guide to go to God, 2 Pet. §. 38.

Uses arising from this title heavenly, attributed to the place whither we come, may be these.

• 1. Incitation, to desire and endeavour to be of this City, Citizens of this Ierusa∣lem. It is an heavenly Ierusalem. Note Heb. 11. 16. This is a part of that heavenly City; Of this we must be, before we can be of that.
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  2. Admonition, not to envy the Glory, Pompe, Riches, &c. of this world: Nor the priviledges of any earthly City.

  Yee are come to an heavenly City. Yee that are Citizens hereof, have more cause to pitty them, yea to triumph over them. All theirs are but earthly, all ours heaven∣ly, and what comparison is there between earthly and heavenly?

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  3. Dehortation from setting our hearts upon this world, upon the promotions, profits, and pleasures thereof; they are all earthly, they become not such as are Ci∣tizens of this heavenly Ierusalem, no more then the habit or attire of Iewes, and▪ Truk•…•…, sworne en•…•…mies of Christ becomes a Christian.

  Doting and setting our hearts on them bewraies an earthly and worldly mind, and heart, which is no way suitable to this heavenly Ierusalem. Nay farther, there is a bewitching force in the things of this world to our corruptnature, whereby they are stollen and alienated from this heavenly Ierusalem, and from the heavenly thing▪ thereof.

  All the things of this heavenly Ierusalem, are things of God. But God and this present world are contrary each to other. Note Iames 4. 4. 1 Iohn. 2. 15.

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  4. Exhortation, to get an heavenly disposition, and to shew forth an heavenly conversation, for we are Citizens of the heavenly Ierusalem. This is the main scope of the third petition in the Lords prayer.

  The particulars implied under this generall exhortation, are three.

  • 1. Let us clense our selves from all filthinesse of the flesh, and of the spirit. As the Apostle expresseth, 2 Cor. 7. 1. In heaven there is nor can be, any unclean thing, Rev. 21. 27.
  • 2. Grow up unto full holinesse, as the Apostle implieth in these words, (2 Cor. 7. 1.) perfecting holinesse in the fear of God. In heaven all are holy. Heaven itself is the most holy place, Heb. 9. 8, 12. and 10. 19. The supream Soveraigne thereof is the holy God, holy in his nature, holy in each person: holy Father, Iohn 17. 11. holy Son, Act. 4. 27, 30. Holy Ghost, Matth. 28. 19. The inhabitants there are all holy: Holy Angels, Mark 8. 38. Holy Saints. When the Angels fell from their holinesse, they fell from that excellent habitation.
  • 3. In all things have an eye to Gods will. So it is in heaven; therefore in the third petition, our Saviour hath taught us to pray, That Gods will might be done by us on earth, as it is done by Angels in heaven. Matth. 6. 10.
  • 4. So far as Gods will is made known, do it. If yee know these things, happy are •…•…e if ye do them, saith our Saviour, Iohn 13. 17. To know, and not to do, aggra∣vates condemnation, Luk. 12. 47.
  • 5. Do Gods will after a right manner, as it is done in heaven by the Angels, sincerely, entirely, cheerfully, diligently, zealously, constantly. He that said our conversation is in heaven, Phil. 2. 20. shewed himself a Citizen of this heavenly Ie∣rusalem.