And thus, I say, it is first with the world, where there is no
church to shine, or where there is a church that doth not so shine
that others may see and be lighted.
SPIRITUAL CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH.
She meddleth not with any man's matters but her own; she comes all
along by the king's highway; that is, only by the rules that her
Lord hath prescribed for her in his testament. The governors of this
world need not at all fear a disturbance from her, or a diminution
of aught they have. She will not meddle with their fields nor
vineyards, neither will she drink of the water of their wells. Only
let her go by the king's highway, and she will not turn to the right
hand or to the left, until she has passed all their borders It is a
false report that the governors of the nations have received against
the city, this new Jerusalem, if they believe according to the tale
that is told of her, that she is and has been of old a rebellious
city, and destructive to kings, and a diminisher of their revenues.
She is not for meddling with any thing that is theirs, from a thread
even to a shoe-latchet. Her glory is spiritual and heavenly, and she
is satisfied with what is her own. 'Tis true, the kings and nations
of this world shall one day bring their glory and honor to this
city; but yet not by outward force or compulsion: none shall
constrain them but the love of Christ, and the beauty of this city.
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