Chap, 26, An Expofition topm the Bookqf J0 B. Vert 9. 769 Greatnefs and beauty of heaven which our eye reacheth unto, and which appeares to us as a vaft Canopy fet with fpargles or flush ofGoldfuch are the Starres to our fight But I rather con- ceive, Theface of the throeof gd to be, the vifible and full de- rnonftrationof that infinite light andglory wherein God dwel - leth, and which appeareth or is given forth to the bleffed Saints and Angels, who are faid to be about his throne sccording to /their meafure & capability ofreceiving it.The face of his throne, taken thus, he hoideth backe from us alwayes in this life, and as the face of his throne is-taken in the other fence, he often holds it backe from us. About which it remains to be enquired. Thirdly, What is meant by holding backe the face ofhis throne. To Lldbacke, feemes to be the fame, as to hide, cover, or Eft Sol/ere ap conceale the face ofhis throne ; for when any thing is held back, Prentialn cceli it is concealed and hidden out of fight. Thus God doth often Cajet' hold backor cover the faceofhis throne (as the face of it notes the Appearances of heaven towards us) with clouds; as it is laid in the report nude ofthat terrible (tomewherein 'Paul had al- moft fuffered Puipwracke (Al's 27. 20 ) That neither Sun nor Tenere faciem Searrei in many days appeared; here was a holding backor cove- throni,e.ff ceelum ring of the face of the throne ofGod. And thus our experiences occultare et ob- have often found it held backe; the face of heaven, beingmasked ducerenubibur. or vayled over with natural clouds and vapors. Again,if we take the face ofthe throne ofGod, for that eminent manifetiation of himfelfe, as in heaven. Thus alto Godholdeth back the face of his throne, by covering it with a Metaphorical cloud; as it is ex- preffed (al. 97.1, z.) The Lord reigneth,&c.clotsds anddark- , nsfe are roundabout him; that is,we can fee no moreofhis glory in reigning then we canfee of a Kings throne which iscovered with a Canopy, and compaffed about with curtaines. 70h gives, this plainly for the interpretationof this former part of the verle in the latter part of it. fpreadetb bis cloudupon it. That is, upon theface ofhis throne. We may take this cloud, Eft properly,thus God covers the heavens from the fight ofour eyes. Secondly, improperly, asclouds note only fecrecy and pri- vacy; Thus God fpreadeth a cloud upon'his throne, to hide it F f ff f from/
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=