Metaphors, Allegories, Similes, Types, &c. R.ELATIN(; TO THE C ,H U R C H 0 F G 0 D. THE c H u R c H CALLED THE c I T y OF G 0 D. Glorious 'I'hings are fpoken of thee, 0 City of God, Selah, Pfal. lxxxvii. 3· '!'here is a River, the Streams whereof jha/1 make glad the City of God, the holy Plaa of the '1'-abemac!e of the M oft High, Pfal. xivi. 4· We have a ftrong City, &c. !fa. xxvi. 1. Look upon Zion, tbe City of our Solemnity, &c. !fa. xxxiii. 20. And they jhall call them the holy People, &c. And theu jhalt be called a City fought out, not forfaken, !fa. lxii. 12. re are a City Jet on a Hill, that cannot be hid, Matt. v. 14. JN thefe Places of the holy Scriptures, Sion, or the Church of God, is called a City. Sion was a Fort or Mount in Jerufalem, and the Temple was built upon it; hence the Church of the Jews was called, as fome conceive, by this Name Zion, becauf~ there they aJTembled: But after, it was a Name or Title given to the Church, whether Jews or Gentiles. re are come to Mount Sion, to the City of the living God, the hea· ven!y Jerufalem, Heb. xii. 22. God's People may be called by the Name of Sion, or Jerufalem. 1. Becaufe we were naturally like Jerufalem, the Forts of the Jebujites, viz. Sinners and Enemies to God. · 2. Becaufe by Grace we are overcome and conquered, like as Jerufalem was, by the true David. 3· Becaufe the Church is fortified by the Almighty for his own Ufe, and chiefPlace .and Reftdence in this nether Creation. 4· In refpeCl: of her Renown and Glory. As Jerufalcm was renowned above all Cities, fo God's Church is now above all People and Societies in the World. 5· Becaufe it is viewed and gazed upon by all Strangers; Jl1t may well be compared to a Looking-glafs, as Zion fignifies. 6. In refpeCl: of her Laws; for as the Law and public Wor!hip were atJerufa!em; fo Chrift's Laws and public Worlhip are maintained in the Church. Hence God is faid to love the Gates of Zion, more than all the Dwelling-Places of .Jacob, Pfal. lxxxvii. ~. Obferv. '!'he Saints, or Church of God, is the City of Gad, or may jitfJ' be compared to a c;ty. In opening of this Metaphor, we !hall !hew the Nature, Trade, Government, Privileges, and Glory of the City of God. METAPHOR. PARALLEL. THE Church is built by Chrift, for a Ha· . bitation for God: Up<tl tbis Rock will! :build my Churcb, &c. Nlatt. xvi. 1 8. In whom )'C are builded togetherfor an Habitation ofGod through ,;be Spirit, Eph. ii. 2 2. 'I. A City is a Place built by 'I. Men, for a People to in– ·habit, or dwell in. I!. The
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