THE Solace of ZION, and Joy of JERUSALEM. Or Consolation of God's Church in the latter age, redeemed by the preaching of the Gospel universally. Being a godly and learned exposition of the Lxxxvij. Psalm of the Princely Prophet DAVID: Written in Latin by the reverend Doctor VRBANUS REGIUS Pastor of Christ's Church at Zelle, in Saxony. 1536.  
Translated into english by R. Robinson Citizen of London, 1587.  joel 2. vers. 32. 
But whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount ZION and in jerusalem, shall be deliverance as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.   

Psal. 45. ●egina à dextris ●●i. etc.▪ vers. 9 Psal. 113. Qui facit mulierem orbam habitare cum familia sua, matrenque filiorum laetam fore. vers. 9 ●ex concupiscet ●ecorem tuum. ●. vers. 11.  


●●es 2. ●a. 2. heb. 9 ●ay. 49.  Qui Structor Ecclesiae suae est, Angul ●risque Lapis,  
Rex ZION & Salem, Leo judae, Flosque jessae.  
Nutritiosque creat Reges, Nutricesque Reginas,  
Ecclesiae suae, protegat (inquam) CHRISTUS:  
Reginam ELIZABETH, Scuta & Regalia sua.  

●●at▪ 3. ●eb. 13.  Liberae ut SARA●▪ filii multi fiant.  
Donec nos in ZION Dei, Civitateque Vivi,  
SALEM sic Caelesti coagaudea●nus omnes.   

CIVITAS LONDON. Ps. 101. Annuncictur in Zion nomen Domini & laus eius in jerusalem vers. 26.  
Ex omnibus Civitatibus edificatis (O Deus) san●…    

To the Right Honourable, Sir George Barn Knight Lord Mayor of the City of London, & to the Right worshipful his Brethren the Aldermen of the same, Grace, Mercy, Peace and plenitude of Temporal and eternal Beatitude in Christ jesus our Lord and Saviour Everlasting.  
KNOWLEDGE of GOD by his holy will, word, & works omnipotent conceived, Faith in his heavenly providence, presence and promises all sufficient perceived, and obedient thankfulness for his inestimable bounty, benefits & blessing permanent received (Right Honourable, Worshipful, and Reverend in the Lord) as they are three most excellent plants of divine virtue; of whose fruit if our first Parents in Paradise, had taken, tasted and digested aright, (as they did of a contrary) not only their solace there had been without Sorrow their joy without annoy, and their life without death, to the unspeakable solace and infinite joy of the eternal GOD their Creator: But also both they and all their posterity had been freed from the thraldom of Satan, sin, Death and Hell from time to time even for ever. For thereby in steed of knowledge, wilful boldness: for want of faith, incredulity: and for obedi●… i●●o pain, prosperity into adversity, health into sickness, life into death, and blessings into cursings: Albeit the same our omnipotent Creator, merciful Redeemer & gracious sanctifier, according to his holy will, word and work, by his heavenly providence, presence, and promises by hi● bounty benefits and blessings, afterwards (finding better fruits of knowledge, repentance, faith, and obedience in them) comforted and confirmed both the same, our first sinful parents & their seed after them▪ videlize● SETH, ENOS, KAINAN, MALALIEL, ●ARED & ENOCH with long and happy days upon earth. Of which seven ENOCH especially even alive (the rest of the father's beholding the same) was from thence translated into heaven, not only for a repentance unto the nations in this life but also to signify the immortality of the bodies▪ & souls of the Lord● elect after this life everlastingly: And hereupon the best approved Interpreters and writers gather that as the Lord in six days created the world, & ●ested the seventh day: so the same should endure six thousand years, & the seventh thousand should be the Sabath of eternal rest: and as the first six Fathers from ADAM to ENOCH died by course of nature, and the seventh was translated alive into Heaven, so during the first 6000. years death should rai●●●n the world but in the 7000 should begin th●●●●●●ednesse of life in the world everlasting.  
Here then conseque●●● (after ENOCH) we now 
●●● mundi 〈◊〉.  for our time have great cause of consolation, To remember how yet in the first age, God calling NOAH (a rest or ceasing) with his family into the Ark, and they obediently entering were saved when all the world besides were consumed. Gen. 6 And how in the second age of the word, SH●● (the renowned) of whom the first Jews came, & JAPHET (enlarged) of whom the first Gentiles came, both the sons of the same NOAH, should (being blessed) join hands together towards the building of the earthly ZION and heavenly JERUSALEM: when their brother CAM (crafty) for his disobedience was accursed Genes. 9 
Anno Mundi 2000  And his children the Canaanites an idolatrous and wicked people were confounded in their presumptuous building of the earthly BABEL. How also the second age expired, and in the 23. year of the third beginning▪ ABRAHAM (the father of a multitude) being called by God out of the City of HARAN in Mesopotomia, into Palestine even there amongst the infidels received the promise concerning Christ incarnate of his seed, that the world should by him recover the blessings that it lost through ADAM: Genes, 12. Which was by the will of God more amply performed in the Lord's covenant unto David (beloved) of the tribe of JUDA, the youngest son of ISHAY: Who from keeping of sheep being called to be a king ruled in ZION and in JERUSALEM with great solace and joy of his people: a Conqueror of their enemies, a comforter of their friends, and as a princely divine 〈…〉 Lords anointed, received the effectual promise concerning Christ● incarnate to come of his 〈…〉, and the sure & safe stability of his everlasting kingdom. 2 Sam. 7. and though he builded not the Lord a material Temple, yet he endeavoured most religiously to advance God's glory in his congregation with divine service and worship, according to the holy will of the Lord, solemnly celebrating the same with heavenvly harmony of sacred songs, and with Psalms of prayer and praise: appointing ASAPH, H●MAN, IDITHUM, and the sons of KORACH, most skilful Musicians, to play upon and sing to melodious instruments, with sweet solace & joy in the Lord. After whom SOLOMON (peaceable) his son succeeding being appointed of the Lord to build and beautify the Temple, for religion, wisdom, wealth, power, and prosperity, incomparably flourished at the first: But in his elder years forgetting God and falling unto Idolatry, he procured God's displeasure, the hatred of his enemies and decay of his kingdom. And in the third age the Lord thinking upon his promise made unto David aforesaid, by his providence ordained the most godly, wise, prosperous and victorious 
Anno mundi ●●oo. Regni Asa. 10  kings of JUDA, as Asa, josaphat, joathan, Ezechias, and josias, and after them, Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia: with Zerubbabel, Ne hemias, & Esdias, their helpers to build the Lords house, destroy all Idolatry, bring the people out of babylon thraldom, and set them forwards in the way of the promised heavenly ZION, and jerusalem In whose days also the Lord stirred up his holy Prophets Esay, jeremy, Ezechiel, Daniel and the rest to pronounce unto the Nations his holy will word & works, to preach unto all true believers his providence, presence, & promises in his church & kingdom by Christ, and his Gospel of everlasting salvation. In the fourth age of the 〈…〉 the Prophet's Christ jesus the son of God came into the world for the salvation of all true believers: whom 
anno Christi. 1. Anno mu● di, 3970.  the very Gentiles of the ●ast, at his first coming acknowledged & worshipped, the jews afterwards scattered here and there among the Gentiles, and many of their Rulers believed in him. Though the Pharisees, Scribes and Hypocrites with other wicked jews despised his doctrine and persecuted his person, and his Apostles also: of whom the denying Peter, a penitent Pastor among the jews; and the persecuting Saul a convert Paul among the Gentiles, were also mighty messengers & workmen of their master Christ, when with them the other Apostles and many christian Doctors, Martyrs and members of the Primitive Church, under 12. persecutions for the same causes and effects, lived and died the faithful servants of Christ, and Inheritors of the promised heavenly ZION and jerusalem. And as even in that age the Roman Antechriste began his kingdom to constitute man's traditions a 'bove Christ's institutions: whom Tyrants, Epicures, Sophisters, and manifold miscreants upheld & had 
Anno Christi. 1004, Mundi 5004.  in honour. So even then & in the fift age of the world the Lord God stirred up good and gracious Emperors and kings, godly spiritual persons, and religious members of his Church, to settle and defend his truth and advance the glory of his heavenly kingdom, to the subduing of the same Antichrist. And now are almost 600 years entered into the sixth age of the world, the Lordin his holy will, word and work performing his providence, presence, and promises in his church and kingdom everlasting (by gathering the same out of every Nation, the faithful of his flock) who shall partake with him of the celestial solace & infinite joy in the heavenly ZION and▪ jerusalem, in the Sabaoth of eternal rest. Towards the well wishing whereunto (Right honourable worshipful, & reverend in the Lord) like as the Apostle Paul writ his loving salutations unto the Romans, at that time the chosen church of Christ, and (amongst some of them engrafted in the true faith before himself was called) prayed them to salute VRBANUS his fellow helper in Christ: So do ● 
●om. 16.  most humbly, and heartily, reverently, & dutifully recommend unto your honour and worships godly & favourable acceptations of this short, but sweet Psalm, this little but learned labour, published by so faithful a fellow helpen of Paul, this VRBANUS REGIUS or kingly Citizen of Christ in our time. who as he being present in spirit, though absent in body for two years, sent the same in latin as a token of remembrance unto the worshipful Senators of Hamborow, his friends: So I a poor Citizen of LONDON, & well willer of your worships my good benefactors, do dedicated & consecrate this my translation of the same In perperuam Mnemosinā promptitudinis meae in praecatione & praxin pro pietatibus vestris. And so humbly beseeching your honour & worships to accept my great good will in so small a substance, though great in effect. I heartily pray for the happy & long increase of God's benefits and blessings upon this City terrestial & for the end les perfruition thereof with Christ the immaculate Lamb▪ 
●●●el. 5.  his Angels, elders, & thousands thousands of his elect unto whom with the father and the holy Ghost, they incessantly shall ascribe all power, & riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and praise. For ever, and ever. So be it.  
Your honours and worships humble Orator. Richard Robinson.   

The Lxxxvii Psal. according to the hebrews: Whereof the Title is attributed A Psalm or Song of the SONS of KORACH.  

Tom● 2. op● rum svorum interpretant● Psalmo●.  AUGUSTINE said well, that this Psalm was very brief in circumstance of words, but great in substance of all the sentences. For whereas it hath but seven verses only, yet notwithstanding it describeth profoundly the Church of Christ, the Heavenly jerusalem, the spiritual Zion, as the fruitful Mother both of the jews and Gentiles: what a one, & how large she shall be, when as she shall not only have Citizens from among the jews, but from among the Gentiles also, throughout the whole world. And out of this Psalm learn we that Article of our faith, I believe there is one Catholic holy Church, the Communion of saints: And I suppose this is even very specially necessary for this ou● age, that we may exactly learn, and daily handle this Article out of the holy Scriptures, least we be seduced either by the 
● certain sect which believed that Christ should reign 2●000. years only.  anabaptists and Chiliasts of our time, carnally understanding the predictions of Prophets concerning the Church: either else be carried away with admiration of their glorious and stately Titles, who at this day thrust forth into Christians the inventions of man's brain, for, and in steed of the true worshipping 
Chiliastae in ●gipto exorti anno mundi. 261.  of GOD, under pretence of the Church. As if the Church (of whom we daily make mention in the apostolic creed) were either a worldly policy, or the Author of infinite traditions, which at 
Anabaptist●, in Germania. anno Christi▪ ●534.  this day false and tyrannical teachers of this latter age do cast (as it were snares into the consciences of christian people, (like as the Prophet ezechiel in his 13. Chap. speaketh of those deceivers) That they might slay the Souls of them which die not, and give life to the souls that live not: in lying to my People which believe their lies▪ Verse▪ 19  The Lxxxvii Psal. vers. 1. 
Her foundations are upon the holy Hills. Pars 1.  
The Lord loveth the Gates of Zion more, than all the dwellings of jacob. Pars 2.  
PAUL the Apostle wrote in 1▪ Cor. 10. That all things happened to the jews in Type or figure (as it were) unto a People tipical or figurative: wherefore we will here-hence enter our purpose, from the Type unto the truth, and from the shadow unto the Light itself. What notable thing soever is any-wheare in the Scripture mentioned as touching Zion, jerusalem. 
The shadow● of the Law without saith cannot be understood  juda and Israel, what so divine promises of Christ and his everlasting Kingdom are any where set down) all this doth the carnal People of the jews refer unto themselves, and the earthly Zion & jerusalem. Wherefore in these and such like Prophecies, the jews notably flatter themselves, and most arrogantly despise the Gentiles in comparison of themselves. Because as S. Paul sayeth 2. Cor. ●. Those Gentiles have the ●o●e●i●● untaken from their hearts, as in the reading of the Old Testament, and the Kingdom of God is taken from them. They also err not knowing the Scriptures, neither shall the Veil or Covering of their ungodly ignorance be taken away, except they first be converted unto the Lord. verses 14. 15. 16. So ●as whiles they embrace not JESUS of Nazareth for their true Messiah or Saviour, fore promised in the Law and the Prophets, and sent unto us from God in the last w●ek of the years which Daniel declareth Cap 9 vers. 27.) but imagine themselves another Saviour or Sacrifice offered I know not whom) it is impossible for them to understand the sacred mysteries of the Gaspell in the Prophets, which are not understood but by the government and guide of the spirit of Christ, who speaketh in the Prophets. And none have the spirit of Christ, but they which believe in jesus Christ.  
Wherefore, also in this Psalm as yet still pleasantly dream they, of that same ancient City of Zion in time passed overthrown and laid waste by the 〈…〉▪ ● (as Daniel also witnesseth) never to be restored again. But the Church of Christ which hath the holy Ghost, and thereby also true understanding of the Scripture, knoweth indeed, that, jerusalem and Zion was in time past beloved of God: For, at jerusalem was the Priesthood of the Levites, the Sanctuary propitiatory, a place dedicated for religion or true worshipping of God, that same notable treasure of sacred Scriptures, the Law and the Prophets, wherein is the Gospel of eternal salvation. And in jerusalem was the King's royal Throne, upon the which should sit that same true King of Israel, the Messiah which was to be born of the seed of David: but, all this should come to pass in a certain other order, than other Kings had their government:  
In this Zion were glorious things begun: For the same Ruler over Israel (jesus Christ) came into this Zion, and into his holy Temple. Malachy. 3: Therein preached he the unsearchable Riches of his grace: Therein began he that mighty Kingdom of his, by the word of his Gospel and by his spirit, which was miraculously powered upon his Apostles in Zion. The Law and the Prophets were in that place accomplished: For, jesus of Nazareth the son of David after the flesh, the true Messiah came into Zion, riding uhon an Asses Colt, 
●at. 21. Mark. 11. ●●ke, 19 ●ohn 12.  the true and eternal King of Zion: and in the same City celebrated the true feast of Passover, and near unto the same offered up himself to GOD his Father, the full accomplishment of all figurative sacrifices: the sacrifice of true redemption, and the very immaculate Lamb died he at the feast of Easter for the sins of all the world: and all this did he the alone high Priest, who with one only oblation purchased everlasting redemption unto Israel.  
Out of Zion afterwards plentifully issued the Gospel of God's grace into 
●say. 2.  the world, by the Apostles: And the Primitive Church, which at the first was but very small in number, went 
Micheas. 4.  out of Zion, and dispersed herself into the four parts of the world, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled, Concerning the calling of the Gentiles unto the grace of the Gospel. The Church (I say) knew e●●n the earthly Zion to ●ee for a season beloved & preserved of God, until Siloh, (that is) the promised Saviour came into her: and out of her (by the remnants of israel saved:) should Zion the true Church of Christ come forth into all the world, as the mother of all true believers in Christ. And she also knew even that same Zion in Canaan to have been a figure of the true Zion, the Church of God dispersed throughout the world, which is the heavenly jerusalem: As it is also said by S. Paul 13. Hebr. Ye are come unto the hill of Zion, and to the City of the living God, the heavenly jerualem etc.  
Although therefore the Holy Ghost fore-prophested these things touching the earthly jerusalem, and the earthly Zion, as by a Type or Figure: yet he entitled this Psalm especially of the true Zion, the Church of Christ, which is to be gathered from among the jews, and Gentiles also: neither had he respect only unto the earthly City, & her walls of stone, but unto the spiritual City, and her spiritual Situations, and unto far greater matters, than the faithless Jews could conceive of. The holy Ghost chiefly recorded this, touching The holy City the new jerusalem, descended from Heaven, prepared as a Bride, trimmed for her Husband: Apoc. 21. vers. 2. And as S. Paul saith in the former Epistle and 11. Cap. Heb. Having the foundations of the City, whose Builder and maker is not man alone, but GOD himself made man, verse. 10,  
The holy Ghost premeditated this, as concerning the true foundation of Zion, The lively stone, of men indeed refused, but of God chosen, and had in reputation. Mat 21. He foresignified the 
Ephes. 2. The foundation of the Holy City.  lively stones also builded (upon the approved corner stone, chosen, precious, and lively.) as that spiritual house, the Tabernacle and Temple of the living God. Yea, he prefigureth The Mountain of the house of the Lord, prepared in the top of the Mountains, exalted above the Hills: whereunto the People shall run, and many nations shall make haste, as it were unto a Fort of refuge, to learn the ways of the Lord, and to walk in his paths. Micheas 4. verse. 1 and 2.  
He in whom and for whom God hath promised true and assured benefits unto his elect, is King not of this world, 
By Christ we are nombre● amongst the Citizens of th● heavenly jerusalem.  or an earthly person, but is spiritual, heavenly and eternal.  
Wherefore, the elect ones of GOD are not to look after the benefits of this world, for the which we neither were baptised, nor have believed. But we must seek for the assured good things uncorrupt and eternal.  
Undoubtedly Augustine saith very godlily, writing upon the 91. Psalm. We are not Christians, but for the world to come: Let no man hope for the good things in this life, let no man promise him 
Augustin' i● psal. 91.  self the prosperity of the world because be is a Christian. No City upon earth (which shall soon perish) must we look for, but the true City, whose wall and foundation God himself is: upon whom all the prayers of the godly ones do rest, of whom, (in the exilement of this life) they are continually mindful, as of the true Country: To the possession whereof they refer and wholly bend all the deteminations and deeds of their life. For they seek after true glory▪ honour▪ and blessed immortality, which they find not in Cities and transitory benefits of this Country, but in the heavenly Kingdom or City of God. here-hence hath this Psalm that same his abropt● beginning, for it saith. Her foundations when as not withstanding there is not any one word goeth ●efore in the verse, concerning the same City. Wherefore the Pronoune Relative (Her) is to be referred unto the Church of God: which he now not as a Guest or inhabitant 
David.  but as a fellow▪ Citizen of the Saints and household Servants of God, (by the spirit revealing) saw with the eyes of Faith, and sore sighed after with most servant prayers: as he which knew that there is no rest, peace, life, nor salvation without the Limits of this City of God.  
Such cogitations Christians have, (whose conversations are in heaven) as Paul saith, Philip. 3. Who when they are risen from the death of sin, seek for and are careful after heavenvly things and not earthly things. Colos. 3. Who also ●ay with S. Paul. Now live I not but Christ liveth in me. The world is to me crucified, through Christ and so am I to 
2▪ Gallat. 20. verse.  the world. Galat. 6  
Therefore this same Citizen of the 
What mane● Citizens they of the heavenly leruselen be  heavenly jerusalem, meditating many things with himself, of the blessed City of the holy ones (being full of the holy Ghost) bursteth out into the words of this Psalm: which Psalm is a continual testimony of the godly cogitations of that man, concerning the Article of the faith, I believe the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of saints: For, what thing we love from our heart, of this we think continually, and we keep it not in secret: but we af●ewards spare no speech even unto the full publishing thereof, according to that saying: Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh. Math. 12. vers. 34. David therefore saith. Her foundations (understand of the City) which I love with most earnest mind, wherein but (unknown to me) I am yet made safe or preserved by hope: wherein for ever (the Saviour of the world so vouchsafeing) I shall still remain, are in the hill of Holiness, for so saith the jew, we should say in the holy Hills.  
Cities of this mortal life, be they 
In worldly or human thing nothing perpetually firm.  fenced or defended with how strong so ever muniments or Bulwarks, are yet not withstanding builded upon the sand: For whatsoever man's hand buildeth, the same can it also cast down. Therefore, Citizens of earthly Cities cannot dwell in sufficient safety: all their riches, yea life, and finally whatsoever they have, are laid open to their enemies. Wherefore we rightly then say, that no earthly City hath her foundation in the 
The holy City hath all things perpetual, firm and ●ure in the Hills.  Hills: For although no enemies assault the same, yet time is the consumer of things, and corruption at length wasteth those things which have been in this world most strong: but the foundations of this City are sound, firm, and perpetual, because they are in the Hills.  
What then? are not earthly Cities also in the hills? is the City safe which is situate on the hills? Why then saith the Lord by his Prophet Abdias, To the 
Abdias. Cap. 1  Hills of Seyr, and the dwellers thereon▪ The pride of thy heart puffed thee up, because thou dwellest in the clefts of the Rocks, whose habitation is high, tho● sayest in thine heart, who shall bring me unto the ground? The Lord maketh answer to the bragging of the Edomites: If thou exalt thyself as the Eagle, and make thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down (saith the Lord) And surely though jerusalem were in the old time builded in the mount Zion and the little hills: yet notwithstanding it was easy to be assaulted and beaten down of their enemies▪ the Chaldeans and the Romans.  
All earthly buildings be they never so strong and established in the hills and Rocks, are yet builded upon the sand: Because they shall in time fall to the ground and perish. Wherefore the Prophet here speaketh of other hills, as the Hebrew 
Carass.  ●oun declareth, which signifieth holiness Therefore those foundations are in the 
Hills of holiness.  hills of holiness, that is, not in earthly hills, but in the Heavens. For the foundation which this city hath, Is that immovable 
Christ▪ is the foundation of the church  Rock (Mat. 16.) whereupon the Church is builded, and stands to the utmost against the gates of hell. Whereof the Apostle mentioneth. No man can lay any other foundation, then that which is laid even Christ jesus▪ 1 Cor 3. Wherefore the Apostle when he speaketh of that blessed City, showeth openly this foundation: and saith. Those Citizens (that is christians) 
Ephes 2 verse. 20. 21. & 22.  are builded upon that foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Christ jesus himself being the Head corner stone, in whom, what building soever is coupled together, groweth unto àn holy Temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are built together, to be the Habitation of God▪ by the Spirit.  
The City is holy, firm, and eternal, 
Why the City is called holy.  & it hath Citizens even the holy ones as the Apostle every where calleth them: For although they be sinners born, yet in that City they are regenerate of water & of the spirit: yea, They are justified by faith, and sanctified by the name of 
1 Cor. 6. vers. 11.  jesus, and by the spirit of our God. And all things which are without this City are profane and abominable before God. In this City only is true holiness, (as the Phophete Abdias saith vers. 17) But upon mount Zion shall be delierance, and it shall be holy. And the Prophet Esay declareth, Cap. 4, Then he that shall be left in ZION▪ ●nd he that shall be left in jerusalem shall be called holy, and every one shall be written among the living in jerusalem, when the LORD shall wash the filthiness of the daughters of Zion▪  verses 3. & 4. 
The Lordeloveth the Gates of Zion▪ etc. Pars. 2▪  
THis latter part of the first verse showeth how fatherly the Lord loveth us for Christ's sake, the foundation of this City▪ upon whom 
We are beloved of God▪ for Christ's sake.  we are builded, as a spiritual house.  
The Lord saith he loveth the Gates of Zion (that is) the Church of Christ. For, we are beloved of God, for his son's sake▪ Through whom we have obtained reconciliation: when as (before we were not yet reconciled through the death of his son) we were the enemies of God. Ephes. 1. Rom. 5. And he loveth us above all the Tabernacles of JACOB: So much as to the figure or outward show pertaineth, we know out of the Law of Moses▪ how the Gates of the earthly ZION or the City jerusalem was so ordained for the worshipping▪ of GOD 
●erusalem was ordained for ●euine service  in the old age, That it should not be lawful for any to offer sacrifice, but with in the sanctuary of the City▪ Deut. 12. 2. Par. 6.  
Wherefore, although there were many Synagogues in Canaan, and many places whereunto the people resorted by companies, yet not withstanding jerusalem alone had the Temple, and Palace royal of David, and was called the holy City, as the Prophet Esay showeth cap 52. Put on thy Garments of beauty O jerusalem, thou holy City: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean ver. 1 And in his 26. Cap. he saith, The Citizens of that City, are called an holy people, redeemed of the Lord. verse. 12. And this Prophet David in his 78. Psal singeth The LORD hath chosen the tribe of JUDA, the hill of ZION, whom he loved. vers. 69. All those things which are spoken of the earthly jerusalem, in figure, are to be referred unto Christ's Catholic Church: which spiritual City the Lord loveth above all the dwelling places of jacob, which long ●goe were shadows and figurers, things temporal, by which notwithstanding the heavenly City of Christians (ever during) was here shadowed.  verse. 2 
Very excellent things are spoken of thee thou City of God, always.  
IF we learn this verse aright, we shall moreover recite the Article of the Catholic Church in the Symbol of our creed, daily not vainly and without faith: For, the Church is in this place called the City of God. But some would say, is not God every where? yea even among the Turks, why then is the Church only (that is) the congregation of Christians, called the City of GOD? For, Esay the Prophet saith Cap. 66. Heaven is my seat and the earth is my footstool.  
I answer, God is every where by 
God though he be every where by power & eslence yet he is by grace present with the 〈…〉  power and essence, but not every where by grace, but in Christians only, who believe in Christ the Mediator: Thereis God said to dwell in his Church, because the Church is that peculiar people of God, sanctified in the blood of Christ▪ & consecrated to God in Baptism, by the holy Ghost: that it may be a lively Temple and Tabernacle of God, wherein he dwelleth, whereinto he poureth out his holy spirit with his guitts, & on which he bestoweth (through Christ) incorruptibility and eternity. For, as touching Christians, God specially faith in 26. Leuit. I will set my Tabernacle in the midst of you, and my soul shall not loathe you: I will walk amongst you, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. vers. 11 which place the holy Apostle S. Paul 2 cor 6. referreth unto all Christians which are the people of God & the true Church of Christ. ver. 19 And the holy Evangelist S. john. in revel. cap 11. writeth. Behold, the tabernacle of god is with men, & he willbe with them, & they shall be his people, and God himself shall be their god with them And the Prophet Ezechiel saith cap. 37. My tabernacle shall be in them, and I will be their God, & they shall be my people vers. 27. After this manner do the Prophets call Christians the City of God: As it is in the 46. Psalm, The riches of the flood shall make glad the city of god the most highest hath sanctified his Tabernacle God is in the midst of her therefore she shall not be removed, God will give help unto her and that right early.  
And hereupon Aurelius Augustinus that reverend and most exercised divine in Scriptures, when as he did confute the Romans blasphemies (by reason of the eruptions of the Goathes) slandering the way of truth, calleth the Church, that is the congregation of Christians (because she is predestinate to reign with God for ever) the city of God, as in his first book unto Marcellinus appeareth, for, he was persuaded by the sacred Scriptures, that there were two cities: One, the church of God which (here amongst the ungodly in this 
〈…〉  world) living by faith in Christ, hath her peregrination or sojourning from time to time & place to place: the other is of this world, or pertaineth to the Devil, which hath the ungodly ones, not believing in the gospel of christ, vessels of wrath, prepared for everlasting destruction with the devil & his angels. He deriveth the City of God as beginning at Abel, who was a sojourner in this world, by grace predestinate unto life, by grace a Stranger on 〈…〉  
The other he bringeth from Cain the murderer, which was first borne a Citizen of this world, of whom it is read, that he builded a City: But of Abel a Pilgrim in this world, we read not that he builded any City.  
This City then of the holy ones is from above, although it bringeth forth Citizens hear in this world, in whom it liveth Strangerlike, until the time of her Kingdom come: when as she shall gather together all her Citizens rising again to life even in their bodies, when the Kingdom promised shall be given them, where with their Prince the King of all holy ones they shall reign world without end, as the said Augustine diligently handleth in Lib 15. Cap. 2. De Civitate Dei.  
The Psalmograph therefore here saith▪ Very excellent things are spoken of thee, thou City of God: Now except we sleep all too sluggishly, and neglect our benefits to come, it shall well please us to search out and discern, what glorious things these may be, which are spoken off, touching, or in the Church of 〈…〉 spoken of v● which ●e leeve in Christ, and confess Christ.  
First and for most, who hath at any time explained this praiseworthy Title even by dignity, That Christians are called 
Christians are called the City of God  the City of God? For in this one Title all good things are understood, namely, that she enjoyeth very good Laws, 
Her Excellent Members.  a most wise Magistrate, faithful & mosts learned Teachers, invintible Warriors a quiet and most obedient People, true Peace, and Safety, true Holiness, Righteousness, true Joy, sure or certain knowledge of special things, and briefly true life and Salvation: for so is this City called, because God dwelleth in her, as in his own house, his beloved and holy Tabernacle. And where God after this manner dwelleth by grace, I pray ys, what good things may be wanting? doth not such a one dwell safely? And the City so safe insulteth with S. Paul against her enemies on this manner: If God be on our side, who can be against us. Rom 8.  
Wherefore, if God be King and Lord in her, there must veedes be in her absolute felicity by all means: that is to say, Righteousness and everlasting salvation. Christ the king of glory with all his good graces dwell in the Church: by good right than doth Paul, first a persecutor, and afterwards a builder and defender of the Church, call her glorious, as in Ephes 5.  
And what are these Glorious things which are spoken of in or touching this Church?  
The Church is called The holy and beloved spouse of Christ. Ephes 5. whom 
The glorious Titles of the holy Church.  (as Oseas saith) Christ the king of glory hath married unto himself for ever, in righteousness, in judgement, and in mercy and compassion & faith, that she may know how he is the Lord. cap 2. vers. 19 & 20. The Church is thus diversly also called. The City of the living God. Heb 13. Esa. 60. The city of the great king, a beautiful place, and the joy of all the whole earth. Psal. 47: vers. 2.  
The people that dwell therein shall have their iniquity forgiven. Esay. 33. vers. 24. The body of Christ. 1 cor. 12. Ephes cap 1. The pillar and ground of truth. 1 Tim. 3. Mount Zion, the heavenly jerusalem. Heb. 12. verse 22.  
The hill of the Lord, the holy hill. Esay. ●. & 63.  
The Temple of God. 1 Cor. 3. vers. 17.  
The Horn of salvation exalted in the house of David, the servant of God. Luk. 1 The house of God. Heb 3. 1 Tim. 3.  
The house of jacob, the seat of David. Esay. 9 Luk. 1. A City sought out, and not forsaken. Esay. 62. vers. 12.  
Of this jerusalem it is said Psal. 147 Thy God hath made the Bars of thy Gates strong: he hath blessed thy Children in thee: He setteth peace in thy borders, and satisfieth thee with the flower of wheat. verses. 13. and 14.  
The Queen on the right hand of God in a vesture of gold of Ophir, wrought with needle work: Psal 45.  
The King shall have pleasure in thy beauty. ibidem. verses 9 and 11,  
Of this City (saith the Lord) I will be a wall of fire round about her, and will be the Glory in the midst of her. Zach. 2. In Zion will I give salvation and my glory unto Israel. Esa. 46. vers. 13.  
The vineyard of the Lord. Esa 5. vers. 1  
The Sister of Christ, Canti●: 5. vers. 1.  
My Dove is alone, and my undefiled Cap, 6. vers. 8.  
The Garden enclosed, a Spring shutiup, and a Fountain sealed up. Cantic. 4. verse 12  
An Orchard of Poungranets, with sweet fruits. etc. Cantic. 4. vers. 14.  
The peculiar people of Cod, and followers of good works. 2. Titus. ve. 14.  
A Spiritual House. 1 Pet. 2. cap. vers. 9  
A holy Priesthood. 1 Pet. 2. cap. vers. 9  
A Chosen Generation. 1 Pet. 2. cap. vers. 9  
A Royal Priesthood. 1 Pet. 2. cap. vers. 9  
A Holy Nation. 1 Pet. 2. cap. vers. 9  
A People which have come out of darkness into light. 1 Pet. 2. cap. vers. 9  
The Heritage of God. Esay. cap. 19  
Of this City it is said. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of Daui●d my faith servant. Esay 60.  
The Nation and Kingdom which will not serve thee, shall perish from the earth Esay. 60.  
I will give my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. jeremy. 31. verse. 33. And they shall all know me from the least to the greatest, and I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sins no more verse 34.  
But to know GOD is eternal life. john 17.  
The Lord buildeth ZION. Psal 102 vers. 16.  
In ZION is the Lords name declared, and his praise in jerusalem▪ ibidem. verse 21.  
The blessed of my Father. Math. 25. For whom the kingdom of God is prepared from the beginning of the world. verse▪ 34.  
The Chlldrens of God. Hosea 1. john. 1 Galat 3. phil 2.  
The Heirs of Christ, and Coheirs with Christ. Rom. 8.  
The fellow-Citizens with the Saints, The household servants of God. Ephes 2 vers. 19  
The Vessels of glory. Rom 9 verse 23.  
As Lights shining in the world, 2 phi verse 25.  
juda and Israel. Hosea 1. Rom. 2. and 9 Which names are full of mysteries,  
The Children of promise. Gallat 3. verse 29. 4. and 28.  
The Children of SARA the free  
woman. Gal. 4 vers. 31.  
The Church builded upon the Rock, against which the Gates of Hell shall not prevail. Math. 16. ver. 18.  
Called Christians as of the Lord Christ.  
Act. 11. vers. 26.  
The seed of Abraham, Gal 3. vers. 29.  
The kingdom everlasting of the Messiah. Abdias. cap. 1. ver. 21. 2. Pet. 1.  
The brethren of Christ. Psal. are  
The holy ones. Rom. 1.  
The new man. Ephes. 2.  
New Creature in Christ. Gal. 6.  
A Garland of glory shalt thou be in the hand of the Lord, and a royal Diadem in the hands of thy God Esa. 62. vers. 3.  
And thou shalt be called Hiphzibah (that is) My delight is in thee. vers. 4.  
Of her it is said by the Prophet Esay cap 54, Fear not, for thou shalt not be a 
The favour of God towards his Church.  shamed, neither shalt thou be confounded. vers. 4. For a moment, in mine anger, I hide my face from thee for a little season, but with everlasting mercy have I had compassion on thee. saith the Lord thy Redeemer. vers. 8.  
My mercy shall not departed from thee neither shall the covenant of my peace, fall away (saith the Lord) that hath compassion on thee. vers. 10.  
Of her again, Esay. 60. I will make thee an eternal glory, and a ●●y from Generation to Generation, vers. 15. Thou shalt call Salvation thy Wa les, and Praise thy Gates. vers. 18. The Lord shall be thine everlasting light. vers. 20.  
juda shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely. jeremy. 23. verse, 6. And in Esay again cap 49. Though a woman for get her Child, yet will not I forget thee O ZION. vers. 15. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palm of mine hands thy walls are ever in my sight. vers. 16.  
Briefly, out of Zion was the true Messiah, and Saviour of Israel looked for, 
The Messiah promised ●●● of, ZION.  as David singeth in the 14. Psal. Who shall give salvation out of ZION unto Israel? vers. 7.  
And S. PAUL saith Rom. 11. Out of ZION shall he come which shall deliver. etc. vers. 29.  
And GOD by his servants the Prophets & Apostles throughout all the Scriptures hath spoken glorious things in figures, and evident promises: For she hath Promises of this present life, and of the life to come. 1. Tim, 4.  
After this manner hath the Greek text as in Latin (de te of thee) But the true meaning of the Hebrew hath (in te) in thee: 
●ar.  & this preiudiceth nothing to us, for both are true. Those excellent things which I have made mention off, are spoken of the Church, by the Prophets and Apostles, and in the Church: For, what other thing are they, but sacred holy mysteries of the Gospel, touching everlasting life & salvation, which surely are daily preached and sounded forth both of the Church, and in the Church, that by hearing of so great matters, faith might come unto us and by Faith, Justification and Salvation.  
The Hebrew text addeth Selah which 
Selah.  S. Jerome translateth Semper, always: For, the Church as a Bride glorious in her Husband, shall evermore be preached off: glorious things shall be spoken of her and in her shall be continually sung the ineffable glory of the everlasting grace of God in Christ our Lord.  
And so the jews for the most part interpret the word Selah for everlasting like as it is evident in their Epitaphs, as the jewish Epitaph is in Hebrew, at basil, His soul continue in Paradise, Amen, Amen, Amen For ever and ever. For it is understood by that verse in the 84. Psalm. They shall praise thee for ever and ever: And so likewise by Thargus the Hebrew writer upon this 87. Psalm.  
Rabbi, Aben Ezra expoundeth it for truth or truly. David Kimhi writeth, 
Ama.  that it is a token of lifting up the voice, in this Psalm from the root, to lift up. 
Salal.  So as indeed by this persuasion, the cogitation of the mind is moved earnestly to way & consider a great matter: for in this place it is a worthy little verse, to the meditation whereof, all the powers of the mind may be profoundly and earnestly moved. For our matter is now in making, we 
The Riches of the church  are that Church, the excellent City of God, concerning which so glorious things are spoked off: All which things are promised and surely given us from God in Christ: For so great and unspaakeable are they, that the Prophet Esay, and the Apostle Paul write of these. That for them which love God, such things are prepared, which neither eye hath seen nor ear hath hard, neither yet the heart of man conceived. Esa 64. 1 Cor. 2.  
Now let us join the Hebrew phrase 
In what points the Church of Christ is glorious.  unto the Greek te●t, and you shall see a goodly consonancy, Glorious sayings are there of thee, but, in thee, O City of God. For without thee, & of thee is all evil spoken. For those same glorious things which are spoken off touching the Church, are undoubtedly not spoken of her, but in the Church: for without the Church▪ the world, that is, the congregation of the ungodly, the spouse of the devil, the enemy of Christ, with her Ruler is not glorious but speak mere & extreme infamies or slanders of the Church. Without the Church (where the Gospel is scorned and hissed out of doors) so soundeth the verse, Reproachful things are spoken of thee O city of Satan? For so also the ungodly ones flatter themselves that they are the Catholic Children of God, the ancient Christians and the City of God: But others (not honouring the Pope) them do they call the children of Satan: yea, they condemn the Gospel of the grace of God, or as the damnable doctrine and error of Satan.  
At Augusta, one of those Papists a Doctor of the Pope's Divinity by suggestion, in presence of Duke▪ Maurice cried out upon them which believed in the Gospel of Christ, (which he called the new Doctrine) as persons infamous, and unworthily requested rightly to bear witness of the Truth before Judges or Magistrates as we say in Dutch, Sie sullen mir zukey ●er warheit odder zeugknus gut genug sein. So Paul that most excellent light of the Church, was contemptibly reckoned for a Sour of strange doctrine. Acts. 17.  
Paul and Silas were called Disturbers of the whole world. ibidem  
And●n times past as it appeareth in the apology of Tertullian against the Gentiles, the Christians were of Gentiles named 
The Church of God is railed on by the ungodly ones  murderers, Church-robbers, incestuous persons, public enemies, murderers of Infants, procurers of wicked lusts, Bawds, and Asseheades: in that they worshipped an Asses head as it were a God: which suspicion Cornelius Tacitus had stirred up.  
The assembly of Christians to the Supper of the Lord was counted of the ungodly ones, a Faction.  
Christians were named the cause of all public mischief, and of all inconvenience amongst the people of the world: If the river Tiber rose up to the walls: 
Christians bearing the blame of all evil haps.  If the river Nilus flowed not up over the fleldes, if the Skies stood still, if the earth quaked, if ever any Famine or pestilence were, by and by it was denounced, Cast those Christians to the Lions. Finally, 
Christianos ad Leonem.  they were reproachfully called unfruitful in their business, and not good for any thing. They were also called, Sarmentitij & Semitij because being bound to a block of great weight, standing upright and compassed about with fire would they were 
Not●.  brent to ashes: And for this cause also they were accounted desperate, and cast away.  
In Cyprian'S time there was among the enemies of the Christians one Demitrianus, a man of great name, which said, that all misschiefes whereby the world was tossed and turmoiled, was to be imputed unto the Christians, for that the Boddes of the Gentiles were not worshipped amongst them: And then it was an offence to be a Christian.  
julianus the Apostate in respect of reproach called the Christians Galileans, as Nazianzenus writeth.  
The jews at Rome called the Christian faith and that congregation, a Sett,  
Of this sect (say they unto Paul) it is known unto us, that in every place, men speak against it. Act. 28.  
Christ the head of the Church, the husband and foundation thereof, heard himself called of the jews,, a Samaritane, aSeducer and deceiver of the people, one having a Devil, and a seditious person. And in our time such as believe the Gospel and reject the doctrines of men disagreeable to the Gospel, (that I may omit infinite other slanders) are called of the ungodly ones Lutheran Heretics: But Christ the husband of the Church, in this world despised and abject, (such is his unsearchable wisdom) turneth even these slanders also into glory for the Christians. For who had not rather hear ten hundredth thousand reproaches of the unprais-worthy Gentiles and ungodly persons abominable before God (and that for the name of Christ) then to bear the state of a king, and enjoy at ease all the honours and benefits of this world ●  
This one blessing of Christ confoundeth all the cruel curses of this world. Blessed are you when men revile you and shall speak all evil against you for my name's sake falsely: Rejoice and be glad, because your reward is great in heaven. Math. 5. verses. 11. and. 14.  
Verse. 3 I will think upon Rahab and Babylon with them that know me.  
Verse. 4 Behold the Philistines also and they of tire, with the Morions, lo, there was he borne.  
FIrst of all, the names of the aforesaid Nations must be declared, and the meaning of the Prophet shall more easily appear: Rahab therefore is a Surname which Esay also in his 30 chap. giveth unto Egypt, because it was a proud People, in whom when the jews put their hope and confidence, they were deceived.  
Wherefore Esayas saith, For the Egiptiansare vanity, and they shall help in vain. Their (Rahab or) strength is to sit 
Cay  still.  
And in the 51 chap. Art not thou that same (Arm) that hath smitten the proud (Egypt?) Arnobius and Augustine understand by that same Strumpet in jericho, those that are wise in their own conceits:  
Unto the other Doctors Rahab seemeth to signify rashness and insolency or pride wherewith the Egyptians▪ are by good right entitled as the special Enemies of the the jews. And Thargus the Hebrew writer in this place hath Mitsarri that is to say Egypt for Rahab. 
Mitsarri. Raab.   
Those persons called Allophili (as it is in the Greek translation) are Philistines For the Hebrew text hath Phelesser, which 
Phelesser.  S. Jerome translateth▪ for Palestine.  
And the same Jerome upon the first Chapter of Amos, giveth to note that the 70 Interpreters called the Philistines always Strangers borne: For wheresoever (saith he) in the old Testament w●● read Strangers borne, they are to be understood not commonly, as touching all foreign Nations, but properly of Philistines which now are called 〈…〉  
These Nations, that is to say Egyptians, babylonians, Palestines, Tyrians and Ethiopians were well known to the jews for their neighbourhood and for their malignant minds towards them.  
Hereby therefore the Prophet teacheth in the person of God, that the before mentioned people, although hitherto they knew not God and were manifestly ungodly and accursed (as all other Nations being without hope, and wanting knowledge of God in the world) shall yet notwithstanding be received into the grace & favour of the Gospel. As if he said I will remember those Nations amongst them which will know me: that is, amongst my elect & true Christians, which know and worship me by Faith in Christ. Blessed is he which God so thinketh upon, that he is written in the book of life, & what manner of life soever he led before, he yet through grace by Christ may be reckoned amongst the people of GOD, that is, the Church of Christ,  
Our Schoolmaster D. Martin Luther, that he might also open the misterms of the calling of the Gentiles, in this place unto the ●ares of the Germans doth th●● translate it, Ich will predigen lassen Rahab vnd Babel, das sie mich kennen sullen: that is to say▪ I will let pr●●ch Rahab & Babylon that they may know me.  
And this rightly and perspicuously so he doth: For, that this is the rule of a good Interpreter, S. Jerome writing unto Summa and Fretela teacheth us: That he might express the phrase of an other language in the propriety of his own tongue, which thing also amongst the ancients that be slearned writers have done: as Tully in Protagora Platonis▪ & in Oeconomi●o Xenophontis▪ & in Demosthenes his oration against Aeschines, & many others. In which place hear that folly bragging of the outragions Synagogue is beaten back whereas it crieth, Abraham is our father, we are the heritage of GOD, the Gentiles are accursed. john. 8, vers. 39  
For it is a clear and evident Testimony of the calling of the Gentiles out of 
The Gospel pertaineth unto all nations.  the whole world, to the Gospel of Christ: For by the calling of the aforesaid Nations, in this place are all other Nations also to be understood wheresoever they be thronghout the world.  
And like as the Prophets do prophesy of the grace of Christ to be imparted unto the Nations that the kingdom of Christ may be Catholic or universal: Therefore not only shall God remember the posterity of ABRAHAM, after the flesh, but also the Gentiles in the whole world, out of whom by faith he maketh the sons of Abraham, that if not in consanguinity, yet in the same Faith they may resemble their true believing father Abraham: Therefore doth the Apostle call Abraham the Father of all the faithful by Circumsision, that unto them also Righteousness might be imputed, even as (unto him believing the promise concerning Christ) Faith is imputed unto righteousness. Rom. 4. 16. vers. 9 7. Gal. 3. vers. 7. 22.  
The Law worketh nothing there nor the generation as touching the flesh: For the promise happened not unto Abraham, by the Law, nor to his seed, That he should be the heir of the world, but by righteousness of faith. Like as in 3. cap. Gal. vers. 7. he saith, They which are of faith, are the Children of Abraham.  
We understand here, that the flesh hath no prerogative in respect of justification but faith in Christ: Wherefore we which were taken from among the Gentiles, and (which as the same Apostle saith) were once far off, are now made near by the blood of Christ. Ephes. 2. vers. 13.  
Who from out both jews and Gentiles hath made one, and hath broken the stop of the partition wall. vers. 14.  
Now we both through him have an Entrance unto the Father of mercies by one spirit. vers. 18.  
This doth the promise of God in this Psalm, I will think upon Rahab and Babylon. etc. that is to say, I will call and take unto me Children from out of all the Nations in the world, and not out of Canaan only: which surely ought to be reckoned by good right amongst the glorious things which are spoken off touching the Church of Christ.  
For the Apostle also in the third chapter to the Ephesians, fearmeth the calling of the Gentiles into the Church or Congregation of ISRAEL, a Mystery: which was not always known unto the Sons of men, but is revealed unto the Holy ones, the Apostles of Christ and his Prophets, by his holy spirit, namely that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs with the jews, members of one body, and Coopartners of the promise of life in Christ.  
And the Prophet David here addeth in the end of this verse Lo, there is he borne (that is to say▪) the people of the nations▪ before remembered:  
Where are they borne? I answer, whereas he reckoneth up by the name of those Nations▪ it is certain, that he speaketh of them which are now borne: but he affirmeth▪ the mystery of regeneration To be by water & the spirit, as in john 3. And he teacheth also that those Nations borne anew there, that is (within the gates of ZION, in the city of God) have given their name unto Christ, forsaking their Idols, and are to be converted from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto the true and living God that they may also receive forgiveness of Sins, and inheritance amongst them which are sanctified by faith in Christ.  Vers. 5 
And of ZION, it shall be reported, that many are borne in her: And he even the most high shall 'stablish her.  
IN this place the translation (as S. Jerome sayeth to Summa and Fretela) according to the places, times and pleasures of old writers, differeth from the Hebrew verity: For, that saith, Unto ZION it shall be reported, many are borne in her. But the Greek translation hath it thus, The Mother Zion shall say many persons are borne in her. Finally, the west church hath now for a long time read, Shall Zion say many are borne. & c? 
The notable negligence of the Popish Prelates for spiritual matters in this Author's time  In which place not without cause do we detest the negligence of the Prelates of the Church, in whose power at this day consisteth the chief regard of things who do surmount the Princes of the Empire both in wealth and revenues: much more are equal unto them, and yet in so many ages not even one hath been sound who at the charge of the Church goods, hath reform the exemplars of the Bible or at least wise the Psalter▪ within all the Churches is sung nights and days: such faithful Stewards of God are they for sooth? But let us suffer them to fill up the measure of their Fathers indeed, the Pharisees: who even themselves with like perjury governed their Synagogue in time passed so long, that whiles they would not repent them, they utterly perished from the face of the earth.  
first, we will show forth what meanings the Hebrew Text hath. Of ZION it shall be reported, that is, of the Church of Christ it shall be preached, Many are borne in her. That is every one that is regenerate by the Spirit, is borne in that ZION: For, in 
Without the Church of Christ is no salvation.  the Church are, the word of life, and the Sacraments of our salvation.  
Wherefore, they which remain out of the Church, are the Children of wrath, the Children of old ADAM, yea carnal 
The Sons of Adam.  Children dead in sins and subject unto eternal damnation.  
But they which in ZION address or reedifye the City of GOD, do find the Gospel of Salvation, and the Sacraments by the which they are borne anew and are made the Children of grace, the Sons of GOD, and new men, are raised up from the Death of 
We are regenerate, by th● Gospel and Sataments.  Sin, and made Spiritual heirs of eternal life.  
The Hebrew Phrase is, Virro & Vir, Homo & Homo, for the word unusquisque.  
Luther whom the Spirit of Christ taught, by most grievous tribulations not only to sing with the voice, but also with the spirit and truth, expressed this verse to the Germans, understanding on this manner: Man wirt von Zion sagen, das aller ley leut drinnen geboren werden. It shall be said of Zion, all Nations shall be borne therein: which we out of the Hebrew text do thus expound, Virro & Vir, that is, every one in whatsoever Nation he be borne, at length yet again he is borne anew in ZION. As Peter also in the Acts Cap. 10. sayeth, Of truth I perceive that GOD is no 〈…〉 of Persons, but in every 〈…〉 that feareth him and worketh Righteousness is accepted with him. vers. 34. and 35.  
According to the Greek edetion we read, The mother Zion, that is the church which is the spiritual mother (For within the ●hurch we were borne a new with w●ter and of the Spirit, and in the lap of the Church, as infants are in their mother's belly:) And first we are nourished with milk, & afterward with strong meat that is with the word of God preached unto us according to our capacity: until we all meet together in the unity of faith and knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man, and unto the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ▪ as the Apostle S. Paul saith Ephes. 4.  
Unto this spiritual birth by or from God, had Esay respect: with whom in his 49. they, The Church (marveling at the multitude of her Children) crieth thus: Who hath begotten these? Seing I am barren, and desolate, a Captive and a Wanderer to and fro, and who hath 〈…〉 them?  
And the Lord God answereth her, 〈…〉, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people, and they shall bring thy Sons in their arms, and they shall carry thy Daughters upon their shoulders, ibidem. vers. 22.  
And the Apostle S. Paul in the 4. Gal speaking of the Church saith, But jerusalem which is above is free, which is the Mother of us all: For it is written, Rejoice thou barren that bearest no Children: Break forth and cry thou that traveilest not: For the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Esay 54.  
Augustine in this place understandeth by the word Homo, Christ, by reason of the disposing of the nature human taken upon him: which though it have a godly ser●e or meaning, yet is it not spoken in place.  
Arnobius (not marking the Hebrew sense, Homo & Homo) understandeth Adam begetting sons which may possess the earth, & Christ begetting sons which may possess the Heavens: But these words make nothing for the purpose. For, he rehearseth before, divers nations▪ purposing to show that not only the jews but also the Gentiles (wheresoever in the world they be) shall fully attain to that City of God, and shall be borne anew in her, that this second and spiritual birth may not only pertain to Israel, after the flesh, but without respect of any person even unto all Nations: For, by the Commandment of Christ, The Gospel was to be preached unto all Creatures. Which thing sith it bringeth regeneration, all Nations are altogether to be admitted into this City, That they might be borne anew (as Peter sayeth) not of mortal seed, but of immortal seed, by the word of the living GOD, which abideth for ever. 1. Peter. 1. vers. 23. For so our Lord himself openeth openeth unto us all the Prophecies touching the salvation of the Gentiles in Math. 8. and Luke. 13. Many shall come from the east, and the West, from the North, and the South, and shall rest them with Abraham, Isaac, and jacob, in the Kingdom of God. Matthew. 8, verse. 11▪ Luck. 13. vers. 29.  
We have also in this place a most strong weapon against the arguments of the jews, and those which embrace judaisme: who do wrest and arrogate the promises (made unto this Spiritual ZION) to them and to their earthly JERUSALEM: as if these so great commendations were spoken of the earthly City. And in our age the new Donatists and sect of chiliasts, most foolishly also dream with the Uncircumcised, promising themselves earthily things: where the Spirit of Christ promiseth in the Prophets (with most sweet allegories) spiritual and celestial things. Unto which fanatical persons also the most delicate Table of the word of GOD is turned into a Snare and trap, yea into an offence and Retaliation: Their eyes are darkened that they see not, and their backs are always made crooked, that they see nothing but earthly things, whereas mere Celestial things are promised unto the elect ones of God. For those Nations whom the Prophet and Psalmograph here reckoneth up, and affirmeth to be borne in ZION for a truth are not borne in that earthly ZION and JERUSALEM: Wherefore we do most necessarily understand the verse to be set down as concerning the Spiritual ZION.  
For so the Apostles and Evangelists 
The kingdom of Christ is spiritual.  (as the Interpreters of the Prophets taught by GOD) have instructed us to understand and handle the Oracles of the Prophets on that manner. Christ the spiritual king, a high Priest of good things to come, promised in the Gospel unto a spiritual people, things spiritual and eternal and not mere temporal good things. wherefore, as Augustine writing upon the 39 Psal admonisheth us: Let no man promise himself that, which the Gospel promiseth him not: The scriptures promise us not in this world but tribulations, persecutions, Calamities, increase of sorrows, abundance of temptations: to these things let us specially prepare us, least unprepared we utterly fall. These saith he.  
That half verse, (The most High, even he shall 'stablish the same) hath in it more consolation, than our slender capacity can comprehend: It is a certain special thing of those glorious titles which are declared of the City of God. For, what can be spoken more glorious and more excellent of the Church of God then that the same is not founded and established by human hands, strengths or counsels, but of the self same GOD the workmaster and preserver of all things. For even he jesus Christ the son of the highest God, the power and wisdom of God the father was sent to be a Rock & foundation, a Wall and covering of this holy City. Here upon it followeth, that this City shall always be safe, from the tyranny of death and of the Devil, which hath dominion over Death: much more than shall she be safe from ●ickle fading and brittle power of this world. For, seeing that God himself is the founder, confirmer, and defender thereof, it cannot be destroyed nor subverted, yea, the foundation of this City shall stand unshaken or immovable, even to the utmost, and for ever. As it is in the 47. Psal. God hath founded the same City, (his Church) for ever. vers. 7. Therefore although it be oppugned or assaulted of most cruel and most mighty enemies without all t●uces, namely of Sin, fear of Death, the Devil, the World and the Flesh, yet it shall not be cast down at any time, but it shall stand firm and mighty through Christ. Who is a fiery Wall in the compass of his new jerusalem: And he that toucheth her, toucheth the apple of Christ's eye, as Zachary saith. Cap. 2. vers. 5.  
Hereupon learn we that the building of that City is not begotten, continued, 
God is the master builder of the Church.  & confirmed with any strength of men, but with the alone power of God: For he hath laid the first stone, & not only frameth in order all the building thereof, but also keepeth & preserveth the same: Altogether it dependeth of the same God, not of us, lest any man should boast thereof. For whiles the ungodly is converted unto Christ, he 
The Church of God is beautified by Christ.  is builded upon Christ, he is made a lively stone of that spiritual building, but he is converted by the alone power of Christ: whiles Christ sendeth his Gospel, giveth hearty sorrow or repentance, faith & his holy spirit. As without the Spirit of Christ we can do nothing joh. 15. And the Apostle Paul openly confesseth in 2. Tim. 2. 
The beginning of our justification is of God and not of ourselves.  That the beginning of repentance is not in our power, but is given from above: If at any time (saith he) God give them repentance to know the truth, & recover themselves from out of the snare of the devil, wherein they are held of him at his pleasure. ver. 26. If God then lay the foundation of this cito, that is, if he make them of the children of wrath, the children of grace, & not they themselves, If God draw sinners unto him & freely justify them for Christ's ●ake, that they may be converted from their ungodliness, & believe, & in believing may be made fit stones to the building of this spiritual Zion: If he (I say) ●ay the stones himself & polish 
free-will i● nothing in the c●s● of justification  them, & build & establish the whole City also, I pray you what glory hath free will ●● the case of justification? Hath not he which buildeth & confirmeth this City all the glory? whiles the holy Ghost beginneth in us justification, & conserveth the same, to the 
1. Cor. 1. verse.  end that he which glorifieth, should not glory in the Law, nor in Works, nor in Strength, but in the Lord? When as No man can come unto Christ the corner Stone of that building, except the heavenvly Father do draw him joh. 6. And no man can come unto 
john. 6.  the Father but by this corner Stone jesus Christ. joh. 14 Here are the new & old Pelagians 
New and old Pelagians confounded.  confounded and utterly fall down which go about to build & ground this city by their own works, merits & passions which blasphemously affirm that Grace is given according to our merits▪ & most arrogantly cast away the grace of Christ. 
The opinion of school Doctors in meriting 〈…〉  If a man shall ask of these how they are converted? They answer, they do the which is in their power to do, & endeavour toward well doing which natural strength or ability of understanding & will, & so they merit Priman gratiam de congruo: And when free will is helped of grace (by deed brought forth from free-will and grace) they affirm, 
Their opinion of meriting ex Condigno.  that they deserve everlasting life. de condigno. Now, some men are ashamed of such blasphemous doctrine, and deny that they ever taught so, to the end they might deceive simple souls. But I appeal unto 
So is that book of the master of the Sentences called.  the books of the Adversaries, I imagine no untruth: Let the school Doctors be perused over (in dist. 25 26. 27. 28.) of the second, touching theological Sentences & you shall there see that same where upon S. Paul speaketh in the 2. Coloss. verse 8. saying: They have spoiled us 
What it is to build the Church of God upon ●u nane er●●●●.  through Philosophy & vain deceiving. But, truly, so to extol the nature of man (not yet borne a new through the spirit of Christ,) what other thing else is this then to desire to build and ground the Church by their own powers & strengths without Christ the foundation? For, to build and ground the City of God, is no other thing, but, of ungodly ones, to make godly ones, to translate sinners from out of the kingdom of sin and death, into the kingdom of righteousness and salvation, to pardon sins & to implant members of the Church justified to build upon the Rock Christ, & in the faith of Christ & hope of the gospel so to preserve them, that they may not fall away, but continued still in the faith. And this work (as Augustin strongly proveth in his book de Bono perseverantiae) is the gift of God alone. Therefore y● alone most high buildeth, beautifieth, stablisheth, & preserveth this city, as all scriptures do bear witness. Not unto us Lord, not unto us (in 
Psal. 115. vers. 1.  the beginning, continuance & conservation of justification) but unto thy name, give the glory. We will gladly confess then, that all foundations of salvation, which hitherto evil bewitched persons have devised by man's wisdom, (to the end that we should be justified and saved by them) are not only ruinous, but also the very devouring gulf of hell: whereinto are over whelmed so many as embrace not Christ the head and foundation: so many as by the works and traditions of men go about to build and establish this City. For they are most pestilent builders, such as in times past the Pharisees and Scribes were: who when they ought to have been builders (most unfaithfully reitcted the corner stone, without the which the spiritual building cannot stand at all.  
Learn moreover, that the Church shall 
The Church of Christ is eternal.  still continue always, though infinite offences daily escape in her, which threaten destruction & downefal to the city of God. For, we which are citizens of so excellent a City do even yet make war (as it seemeth) in a doubtful battle, and more inffrmity ●●ē strength is seen in us. And that beautiful City is obscured with innumerable kinds of Cross & infirmity in this world. Satan assaults the same by a thousand sleights: The members & Apostles of Satan disturb the same with errors: Tyrants with open hostility invade & spoils the same. But this is our consolation, (what manner of form soever this City beareth in this world) god who hath founded & established the same is of more might than all the enemies which assault it.  
Wherefore she shall still continue invincible, and at length most gloriously (in the power of her chief founder, & King, Christ) she shall triumph over all her enemies, the world, the devil, & death▪ which thing David saw in the spirit▪ & singeth in the 62. Psal. He (even god) is my strength & my salvation, etc. vers. 7. And he exhorteth the Church that she would always with confidence flee for refuge unto her founder, saying. Put your trust in him always, etc. ver. 8.  Vers. 6. 
The Lord shall rehearse it when he writeth up the people, that he was borne there. Sela.  
NOw see in what estimation Christians are had, whether Jews or Gentiles, when they are borne a new in ZION: God himself hath registered them in the book of life and doth reckon them up name by name, as his peculiar people, as his inheritance purchased with the precious blood of Christ. The Lord (saith he) in writing the people born a new in Zion, shall reckon them up among the Catalogue of his saints or Children: Out of this book of life shall he number or name them, saying. There was he borne, namely in Zion. This is the Citizen prescribed & predestinate unto the number of the heavenvly citizens: him do I know, & acknowledge as a Citizen of my City▪  
Luther translateth it thus: Der herr writ predigen laslen in allerley sprachen, das cleretlich auch claselb, gebcren werden. which may thus be englished. The Lord will let preach in all manner of speeches, that some shallbe borne there.  
That was begun by the Apostles in the day of Pentecost, when being inspirtd 
Acts. ●.  by the power of the holy Ghost from above, they published forth the great works of God, in divers languages: & the same thing comes to pass at this day, and shall be accomplished in the world, even to the fullness of the Messiah his kingdom.  
O holy and most lovely Register: For 
Through faith in Christ we are enroled in the Book of life.  they that shallbe on this manner enroled by God in the Catalogue of his Saints (who are partakers of the Sacrament of regeneration in ZION, and are made already Citizens) ought not to doubt of God's grace towards them, and of their salvation: For the gifts and callings of God are such and in such manner. That he can never repent him of them. Rom. 11 If thou believest in Christ, thou findest thyself in the book of life, Thou art a Citizen of the heavenvly JERUSALEM thou art borne of God. Concerning such, Christ saith. Luke. 10. Rejoice that your names are written in the heavens. Them doth he acknowledge and reckon as his household: For although there is nothing 
Whom, God is said to know.  unknown to God, but all things are evident before the eyes of God, yet, he is said in the scriptures to know those persons, whom be loveth as his Sons, which do the will of their Father, and shall dwell in the house of their father for ever. 1. joh. 2. So. S. Paul. 2. Tim 2. saith, The foundation of God remaineth sure, and hath this Seal, the Lord knoweth who are his. And in john 10. Christ calleth his sheep by their names and bringeth them forth unto the Pastures of life. But as touching the ungodly he saith, I never knew you. Math 7.  
And in the end of this verse the word Sela is added: To the intent that not so much the word itself as the cogitations and meditation of so blessed a writing & mystery of our Regeneration might be understood: Lest so great matters should be negligently as it were overlooked.  
For if we be wise we will always 
The profi●● we have of our Baptis●  consider most earnestly the grace or benefit of our Baptism: That we are baptised unto the redeeming death of Christ jesus, whereas all our sins, and even death the reward of sins are utterly swallowed up. We ought never to forget, that in ZION we are well borne who were first evil borne in the Babylon of this world: Namely the children of wrath, enemies of God, accursed and the bondslaves of sathan. And will you hear that excellent Citizen of this blessed ZION, Paul, how much he esteemeth this his allotted happiness? how worthily he esteemeth the most ample gift of our regeneratiō● 3. Tit. But (saith he) when the bountifulness and love of God our Saviour, towards man appeared not by the works of righteousness which we had done, but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of the new birth & the renewing of the holy Ghost Which he shed on us abundantly, 
Tit. vers. 4. 6. 7.  through jesus Christ our saviour. That we being justified by his grace should be made heirs, according to the hope of eternal life. This is a true saying. And S. Peter 1. Pet. 3▪ saith. To the which 
Pet 3.  also the figure that now saveth us (even Baptism) agreeth, not the putting away 
●ers. 21. & 22.  of the filth of the flesh, but in that a good conscience maketh request to God by the resurrection of jesus Christ. Which is at the right hand of God gone into heaven, and swallowing up death that we might be made heirs of eternal life. Therefore our dullness is to be abhorred who (for so great a grace of the fountain of regeneration wherein we have put upon us Christ & God having now elected us for his children borne a new unto the life celestial, in the number of his Citizens) do not continually render him thanks: And finally who do not endeavour ourselves that being cleansed by the blood of Christ from our sins we might live, soberly, justly and godly in this present world.  
Glory be to God our most merciful father for the exceeding riches of his longanimity, whereby he inviteth us unto repentance and a life worthy of baptism, & continually beareth with sinners. The same God perform in us, so as with worthy thanksgiving we may always remember That, we are born there in Zion: That is in the Catholic Church by the spirit, & that there by faith we may fully continue in the same City, wherein both Prophets & all righteous souls even before the incarnation of the Son of God, are regenerate or borne a new by the Circumsition of the heart: which Consisteth in the Spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men but of God. Rom. 2. vers. 29.  Verse. 7 
The Singers also & Trompeters shall he rehearse: All my fresh springs shall be in thee.  
HEre again the Translations vary: The Hebrew text hath Kehillim, which some do translate as it were for shawms, others, like as they which dance for joy: H●lal in dad signifieth to lead the Dance, to rejoice. And where the Hebrew hath Migniny. (my fountains or wellsprings,) the Greek word signifieth (an habitation): although this variety doth nothing impugn the Catholic veri●y, for both of them are taught as true. Yet it is very good to discern the meaning of the Prophet in the sacred phrase: for, where as the Greek translation which is read in the Church at this day is not the pure or sincere translation of the 70. Interpreters, but is varying and corrupt, we do well by the counsel of S. Jerome, if in the reading of the Law and the Prophets we shall return unto the Original, That is, unto the Hebrew language: The meaning then of the Prophet David in this verse (according to the Hebrew phrase) is, And the singers are there (understand in that ZION) whereas people of all Nations are borne a new, and not the jews only. But what sing they? Undoubtedly these glorious & most magnificent works of God, which he as the most high founder and preserver of the Church worketh in the Church to the salvation of the Church.  
And seeing that those things which God promiseth and performeth in Christ to and for his church, are such and in such manner, that they exceed all human perseverance, and understanding of all creatures 
How other joys do begin in the Spirit.  in respect of their excellency, The Prophet saith here That those singers in ZION are like unto them which dance for joy, who for the immoderate joys that they have conceived by the preaching of the Gospel, do even leap & dance for joy. But he speaketh of a spiritual joy which issueth out of faith in Christ, (whiles we are persuaded of the holy Ghost that our sins are abolished by the death of Christ) that we are so reconciled unto God the Father by his son incarnate, suffering for us and risen from death to life, that he would vouchsafe to be our Father for ever and ever. This grace or benefit of adoption so cheerfully comforteth Christians, that they despise all worldly joys in respect of the sincere joy of the Spirit: And do est●eme them as no other thing else then lamentation and sorrow. Which thing itself Spiritual persons will testi●●e, who have felt sometimes in their consciences both the wrath of God, and also his mercy in Christ promised, and have fasted the sweet word of God, and the virtues and effects of the world to come. Wherefore he saith not only The singers, but he addeth there are also, Trompeters, that he may more clearly express the greatness of that spiritual Joy.  
And where as he addeth (All my fresh springs shallbe in thee) he speaketh of the manifold & diverse graces or gifts of the holy Ghost, which the father for his sons ●ake most abundantly poureth out upon 
The spirit o● God imparteth his gifts most ●ichlie unto his Church.  his Church: neither in deed do those wellsprings flow elsewhere, without his Church although the most gracious God, doth even power out also upon the Gentiles diverse gifts of body and soul, yet the wellspring of Christ's grace justifying, the Wellspring of grace, of knowledging our sins and of acknowledging gods goodness, The wellspring of spiritual peace and true Joy, The wellspring of thanks, of prayers & thanksgiving, the wellspring of the gift of daily praising the Lord that wellspring most largely opening to the ●●●te of charity, and the residue of the wellsprings of the gifts of the holy Ghost flow not nor gush not out in the wilderness of the ungodly ones, but in the enclosed and most pleasant garden of the Church: concerning which welspringes every where we read many things in the Scriptures as in the 68 Psal. He is gone up on high, he hath led captivity captive and given gifts unto men. vers. 18.  
In elder days before the fullness of time had appeared. when as yet the elect ones looked for the Messiah & saviour (and that which doubtful desires to come in the flesh, those wellsprings of Graces than flowed in ZION, and in the Synagogue of the people. For, In jury was God known, 
Psal. 76. ver. 1.  and his name was great in Israel.  
The Gentiles were an horrible and dry Desert, without knowledge, how to glorify God: as in Rom. 1. Concerning whom is said in the Psal. power out thy wrath upon the Gentiles which have not 
Psal. 68 & 〈◊〉. 10. ver. 25  known thee. In the Synagogue or Congregation was the sacred Scripture, therein was the true understanding of the Prophecies concerning Christ which should come, yea the Prophecies, Faith, Hope & other free gifts according to the reason of that time.  
Now when Christ the salvation of God was sent into the world, not a few little ●iding streams and small well-springs of the gifts of the Holy Ghost, but the wide windows of heaven being opened, great floods and seas of free gifts plentifully flowed forth in the Churches of Christ: And the predictions of the Prophets were in deed fulfilled, as touching the most ample effusion (of the spirit of the Messiah glorified) in and upon his Church: as in the foresaid 68 Psalm. He hath given gifts unto men. ver. 18. And as in Esay. 12. vers. 3. You shall draw out waters with joy out of the fountains of the Saviour, And as in the 32. Chap. vers. 15. Until the Spirit be powered upon us from above, and the wilderness become Carmel, or a fruitful field, and the plenteous field be counted as a Forest. ver. 17. And the work of justice shall be peace, even the work of justice and quietness and assurance for ever. vers. 18. And my people shall dwell in the tabernacle of peace, and in sure dwellings and in safe resting places. And as it is said in the 44. Cap. vers. 3. And I will power out water upon the thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will power out my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing on thy buds. And they shall grow as among the grass, and as the Willows by the rivers of water. vers. 4. And again in the 35. Chap. vers. 6. 7. thus. In the wilderness shall waters break out, and rivers in the Desert. And the dry ground shallbe as a Pool and the thirsty as Springs of water. Also as the Prophet Ezechiel in his 36. Chap. saith. vers. 25. Then will I power clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: yea from all your filthiness, & from all your Idols will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your body, & I will give you an heart of flesh. ver. 26. There speaketh h●e of Baptism and of the holy Ghost which in Baptism is bestowed upon us. Moreover in the Prophecy of joel Chap. 2. as it is said: And it shall come to pass that after this▪ I will power out my Spirit upon all flesh ver. 28 And in Acts▪ 2. appeareth. Finally as in the Prophecy of Zachary and 13. Chapter is written. And in that day there shallbe a fountain opened, to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of jerusalem, to wash away their sins & filthiness ver. 1.  
This Fountain is Baptism and the holy Spirit, with his gifts, whereby also cometh the washing away of spiritual uncleanness, and the knowledge of the Scriptures to the edifying of the Church. Unto this fountain of water of life, flowing out to life everlasting, are we called by Christ in the 7. of S. john's Gospel. If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink: Who so believeth in me (as the Scripture saith) out of his body shall flow even fountains of lively water: Which thing he spoke as concerning the Spirit, which true believers in him were to receive and enjoy,  
To be brief, in Zion, (that is) in the Church, God himself dwelleth as in his spiritual Temple: what marvel is it then, if in the Church only lively fountains or wellsprings of all gracesd● burst forth and water this Paradise unto fructifying in this Spiritual ZION? We do here find assuredly the word of God in a Catholic sense, the spirit of Christ faith, true righteousness, remission of sins, peace of Conscience, Joy of the Spirit, Love, and fulfilling of the law, and what soever spiritual benefits may be: Because we find the never failing fountain of all benefits God himself, who is the most lively blessedness. But the Grecians do read this verse, thus, The dwelling in thee is as it were of all them that do rejoice.  
The Prophet David here speaketh of a Spiritual Joy which true believers only in Christ, do possess: Concerning which S. Peter in 1. Epist. Chapt. 1 saith: Whom ye have not seen, and yet love him, in whom now though ye see him not, yet do you believe and rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorious. ver. 8 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. vers. 9 True joy cannot be but where the sorrowful person is delivered from all evils. The greatest mischiefs are, to be cast away from god, to remain in sin, to suffer the tyranny of death and to be reserved to eternal damnation. For all the evils of this world being compared to these horrible and eternal evils are even scracely shadows of Evils.  
But true deliverance from undoubted 
True joy is in the Church alone.  and greatest Evils may no where else be found, but in ZION, as it is said by the Prophet joel. 2. Chap. Every one which shall call upon the name of the Lord shall shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and jerusalem shallbe deliverance (as the Lord hath said) and in the remnant, whom the Lord shall call. vers. 32.  
No where else then but in the Church the true ZION can there be true joy: Wherefore the dwelling or habitation of all them (which truly rejoice by reason, their sins are forgiven them through Christ and salvation by him restored unto them) is in ZION alone: They that are with out Zion, are in their sins, therefore they are the bondslaves of death and the devil. When as therefore they lie in most grievous & eternal pains enthralled, what place of true joy may be there, yea, though they fully & wholly possess in the mean time even all the pleasures of this world?  
Mark also that he saith (Of all them 
The righteousness of Christ pertaineth not only unto the jew but also to the Gentile  that rejoice,) is to understand, not only that the jews, but also the Gentiles are to be admitted to the true Joy of ZION, by the promise of God: which thing the Scripture every where witnesseth. In the 46. Psal. The Gentiles are called by name unto this heavenly joy. O clap your hands together all ye people, O sing unto God with the voice of melody. He is the great King over all the earth. vers. 1. & 2. And Paul in 15. Rom. Praise the lord all ye Gentiles, and laud ye him all people together. vers. 11. And the Prophet Esay. Chap. 11. The Gentiles shall put their trust in him: according to the translation of the 70. Interpreters. And this Prophet David singeth in his 63. Psalm. The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord & put his trust in him, and all they that are true of heart shallbe glad. vers. 10. Behold he saith not, the Iewe only shall rejoice in the Lord but the just: is no man just then but the jew? Ask of Paul, who in Rom. 3. teacheth, That the jew is not justified by the works of the Law, but by faith in Christ the righteous and only justifier. And by and by he after that saith. Is he the God of the jews only? Is he not also the God of the Gentiles? verses. 29 30. Yes of the Gentiles is he also God, which justifieth Circumcision by faith and uncircumfition through faith. And in the 9 Rom. ver. 30. he saith: What shall we say then? That the Gentiles which followed not righteousness, have attained unto righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.  
here the Scripture openly teacheth (so far as unto justification pertaineth) that there is no difference between the jew and the Gentile: all have sinned, and have need of the glory of God, but by the alone grace of Christ they are justified. And as S. Peter in Acts 15. confesseth, god (so much as to justification belongeth) made no difference between the jews and the Gentiles. verse 9 If he made no difference between them, if he also justify the Gentiles by faith in Christ, even then again shall the Gentiles be found just by Christ: If they be just, then also do they rejoice in the Lord, they rejoice in ZION: They have aswell their dwelling place as the jews the flesh of Abraham have in ZION: out of which city no man is excluded but by that incredulity which with the unfaithful jews he rejecteth, because they embraced not jesus Christ the king of ZION, Whom the Father himself (as David saith) appointed 
Psal. 2.  ruler over Zion his holy hill: And placed him as the head of the Gentiles. 
Psal. 17.  Therefore the dwelling place of all which truly rejoice, (that is to say of Christians) is in ZION, namely the Church of Christ: concerning which joy of the Christians, the Prophet Esay thus prophesieth in the 51. Chapter. joy and gladness shall be found in ZION, thanksgiving & the voice of praise. ver. 3. And the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with joy unto Zion, and ●uerlasting joy shall be upon their heads they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. ver. 11. I even I am he that comfort you, Who art thou, that thou shouldest fear a mortal man, and the son of man which shall be as withered grass. ver. 12. Which true and perfit joy (never to be taken away from us. joh. 16.) Christ our Lord & God (who be blessed for ever) vouchsafe to give us hereby true faith in him, and in the world to come by the clear and manifest beholding of him. Amen.  
They that impugn our Catholic faith, which we have confessed six years agone, in a very great assembly before the 
he Church neither at Sevenhilled 〈…〉, nor, yet a 〈…〉 Monarchy.  Emperor & States of the Roman Empire at Augusta, & will have themselves accounted only Catholic, do tie the Church to the Sevenhilled Babylon, and so describe her, that she may be seen and perceived with our very eyes, as if indeed she were a worldly Monarchy, wherein a visible head and vicar general might bear rule: They (I say) with their finger point at that Spiritual ZION. But the Scripture both here in this place and elsewhere often enough teacheth, that the Head, the builder and King of that Zion is Spiritual, and the City Spiritual, not earthly, also the Citizens of that glorious City to be new creatures in Christ rejoicing, singing and leaping for joy, not openly riding on stately steeds, in king's Palaces, & all prodigality of this world, but in the Spirit: for, being saved through 
Titus. cap. 2.  hope (as S. Peter saith) with inward joy, they look for that blessed hope and appearance of the glory of the great God, and our Saviour jesus Christ in the day of our full redemption. But in the mean time, they weep & lament in this world: Contrariwise the world rejoiceth and is glad. And as Christ saith, in the world they Find affliction, but in themselves 
joh. 16. ver. 33  peace, through Christ the overcomer of the world. For, if a man behold the Church according to her outward show, she shall not beseem the dwelling place of them which rejoice, but a loathsome prison of sorrowful and afflicted persons. Therefore the blessings of that spiritual habitation do exceed all understandings, and are not perceived with fleshly eyes: And the ungodly ones in this world ac● not worthy to see no not even the least citizen of this holy City▪ ado●●●●●●●●●●●● her true blessings which we have in Christ. The World seeth the outward man which is corrupted, but he seeth not the heavenly jerusalem with her citizens borne a new of the Spirit.  
The rich glutton in Luke. 16. seethe, Lazarus a beggar, full of sores, and famished with hunger at his gate: but I pray you what carnal eye sight, yea, what human reason would know so wretched and abject a person in outward show to be the beloved child of God to reign with Christ, and whom the very Angelical 
Christians lie covered with figures of calamity.  Spirits did attend upon? with such figures of calamity lie Christians covered in this world. The Apostles those most excellent and noble Princes in Christ's kingdom, how afflicted were they in the kingdom of this world? They seemed outwardly the vilest persons of all men, they were buffited with blows, they wandered uncertain coasts, they were railed on & became as the most loathsome things of the world. Where (I pray you) were then the eyes which could perceive such & so great compéeres of the heavenly kingdom? finally how unknown was Christ 〈…〉 unto the children of this world, in the Synagogue of his people? For as it is said by Peter, if carnal eyes could have seen and known the Lord of glory, the jews would not have crucified him. And in the 32. Psal. he telleth us what manner of person he was reputed in the world. I am a 
Psal. 22. ver. ●  worm (saith he) and no man, a reproach of men, and the outcast of the people, all they which see me, have laughed me to scorn. vers. 6.  
This one thing therefore let us be care full of, That we may still continue in the City of God, (even by faith in Christ) let us readily embrace affliction, as the companion of the Gospel and for the name of Christ as the heavenly watchword and badge of his kingdom, let us not esteem or pass any thing, what blind judgements of this world are given upon us, but let the determination of the holy Ghost touching us in this Psalm be only set before our eyes. videliz. The Lord loveth the gates of ZION: what shall the most pestilent envy of the enemies than hurt us, which crieth that we are gone back from God, and from his Church? The Lord himself 〈…〉 wherein we are, although then in the sight of the Children of this world she seem outwardly vile and a dungeon, yet is she an excellent and impregnable city. The adversaries reproach us which errors, but hear, they that acknowledge Christ do well understand, that all fountains of God's graces do flow in this City of God Therefore even then also doth the sound doctrine of Christ, a right and true faith, yea good works indeed and study after godliness here hence flow forth likewise. yet doubtless faith is far more lukewarm in us than is expedient. But we must pray unto the Lord, & that instantly, that what he hath mercifully begun in us he would make perfect the same. That we seem not to have received in vain so great grace of God in our Zion, and that the most glorious name of Christ be not for our sakes blasphemed: According to Peter's admonition therefore. Let us abstain from fleshly 
1. Pet. 2. ver. 11.  lusts which strive against the Soul, and as strangers and Pilgrims in this world, (whose glory passeth away) let us seek which earnest desire after a future and permanent City. Wherein (as S. john saith) There shallbe no more death▪ nor mourning nor crying, nor sorrow, but God shall wipe away in her all tears from the eyes of his true believers. Apoc. 21. vers. 4.  
Let the Children of this world take 
The Author's comfortable Conclusion to the elect of God.  their delights in earthly Cities, and fill their minds with pleasures which shall soon have an end, for they shallbe consumed from of the earth▪ which now they unjustly occupy and enjoy: Let us (whom 
Ephe●. ver. 1●.  God hath called to the rich glory of heavenly inheritance) seek for things which are above. Where Christ our king and 
Colos. 3. ver. 1●.  high Priest sitteth at the right hand of God. Which the same King of glory vouchsafe to accomplish & perform: For into this City (concerning which so glorious things are spoken) except we beer in this life do enter by Faith, we shall not possess the same in Deed, when this world shall have an end: which without doubt shall not long endure.  
FINIS.  
Vrbanus Regius.  Psal. 135. Praised be the Lord out of ZION, which dwelleth in jerusalem: Praise ye the Lord. vers. 6. 
R. R.