can fufficiently resemble the glory of God, being infinite; but these things being the moft precious under the fun, do in a manner fhadow it unto us.

There was a rainbow round about the throne, which fignify, that God's throne in glory and beauty doth far excel all other thrones of mortal princes; yea, even that of Solomon, which was of pure ivory, or rather it may fignify, that although God in himfelf is molt glorious and admirable, yet he keepeth promife and covenant with. the fons of men. For the rainbow was a fign of his covenant, as appeareth, Gen. ix. 13. and affuredly God will be mindful of his covenant to a thoufand generations.This rain-bow is faid to be like an emerald, which is always of a fresh green colour, fignifying that God's covenant of grace and mercy towards his church, is always fresh and green, and his goodness towards his people perpetual and unchangeable.

Moreover, God is defcribed of his glorious retinue, and heavenly company about him, for it is faid, Round about the throne were twenty-four feats, and upon the feats twenty-four elders:' Rev. iv 4. which fignify the whole church, both militant and triumphant, both Jews and Gentiles, and therefore called twenty-four, becaufe the church of the Jews grew out of

twelve patriarchs; and the church of the. Gentiles out of twelve apoftles. And as. the glory and pomp of mortal kings is fet forth by their troops and trains of nobles, and other excellent perfonages; fo the glory of God (which in itself can receive no increafe) is to our capacity commended and. fet forth by his goodly companies of faints and angels. Thefe twenty-four elders are cloathed in white raiment, which fignifieth. their righteousnefs, as it is expounded, Rev. xix. 8. not inherant, but imputative: for they having no righteoufnefs of their own. Chrift's righteoufnefs is imputed unto them through faith, and through faith is made theirs. For Abraham believed and it was imputed to him for righteousness.'

Thefe twenty-four elders had on their heads crowns of gold, which fignify their victories over the world, for all the elect overcome the world through faith, as St. John teacheth; and not the world only, but even the flesh and the devil alfo, and. therefore the crown and garland of victory belongeth unto them as moft valiant conquerors.

Moreover it is faid, that out of the throne proceed lightnings, and thundering, and voices,' Rev. iv. 5. which fignify his terror and fearful power in the preaching of the law, for the preaching of

the law, is as it were a voice of lightning and thundering. The powerful preaching. of the law, is the very thundering of hell, and lightning of the wrath of God upon all impenitent finners; and therefore at the delivery of the law, there were lightnings and thunderings, and mount Sinai itfelf did tremble and shake.

Further, it is faid, There were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the feven Spirits of God.'These feven lamps which are interpreted to be the feven Spirits of God, do fignify the preaching of the gofpel, and the manifold graces and gifts of the Spirit, which are given to the church by the means thereof. For the gofpel giveth a chearful and comfortable light, being the miniftry of the Spirit, as the apoftle faith, and therefore is resembled to feven lamps. So then from the throne, that is, from the prefence of God, proceedeth both law and gofpel, and the miniftry of them both for the faving of. fouls. And all this maketh much for the fetting forth of God's glory and majefty, being the mark here aimed at.

And before the throne there was a fea of glass like unto cryftal,' Rev. iv. 6. This fea of glafs is the world, which is fitly compared to a fea, because it is full of

ftorms, tempefts and waves, that are con tinually raised up in it.

It is full of rocks, upon which many dafh, and make fhipwreck.

It is compared to a fea of glass, for the brittleness, changes, and uncertainty of all things in the world.

It is faid to be before the throne like cry. ftal, because the all-feeing God doth as clearly behold from his throne all the thoughts, words, and works of the fons of men, and all other particular actions of all his creatures under the fun, as we behold our face in a glass. For all things are naked, and as it were laid out in anatomy unto his eyes, with whom we have to do.'

Moreover it is faid, that in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beafts full of eyes before and 'behind,' Rev. iv. 6. Thefe four beafts do fignify the angels of heaven, the invifible and elect angels, as it is expounded, Ezek. x. 20. where the prophet in a vifion feeth four beafts, as it were bearing up and drawing God's chariot of triumph. And at the twentieth verfe he faith exprefsly, that he at last understood they were the cherubims; the first and tenth chapters of Ezekiel being thoroughly examined, clear this point. The reafon why the angels are

called by the name of beafts, is, because in the next verfe they are compared to beafts for their qualities of certain beafts. They are named four in number, being otherwife innumerable, because they are likened to four different beats.

The angels are faid to have eyes before and behind, for their great vigilance over the church, and every member thereof, and because they are endued with knowledge of things paft and things to come, and laft of all, because they fee and difcern almost all actions under the fun, upward and downward, backward and forward.

And the first beaft was like a lion, the 'fecond like a calf,' &c. Rev. iv. 7.

Here the angels are compared to four feveral beafts; to a lion, for ftrength and courage; to a calf or an ox, for fervice and ufe; to a beaft, having the face of a man, for wisdom; to an eagle, for fwiftness and readiness to execute the will of God. And moreover, becaufe the eagles foar aloft, and fly to a great height, we are given to understand, that the heavenly fpirits are much in celeftial contemplation, and do receive the knowledge of hidden fecrets and councils, for they are much aloft about the throne of God, and many high and deep fecrets are opened unto them.