A. H. Leahy - "Heroic Romances of Ireland Volume 2"

Edgar Rice Burroughs - "People Out Of Time"

P. G. Wodehouse - "The Man Upstairs and Other Stories"

Algernon Charles Swinburne - "Locrine A Tragedy"

New Philadelphia Book Publisher Highlights Local Talent
Book and Publishing News from Publishers Newswire(tm)

Looking for Child to be on Cover of a New Book, 'The Model Child'
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Philadelphia literary world will celebrate the launch of two new players today, April 10th: Kay Square Press, a new publishing company focused on Philadelphia-area artists, their stories, and their art; and Kay Square's first release, 'With the Rich and Mighty: Emlen Etting of Philadelphia' (ISBN: 978-0-9815129-0-7), a critical biography by Kenneth C. Kaleta.

FlatSigned Press Alleges Don Imus Remarks Damage Legacy of President Gerald R. Ford
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Nathan Yungerberg, an accomplished model scout and professional child photographer is launching a nation-wide casting call to find the cover model for his highly anticipated book release, 'The Model Child: A Parents Guide to the Child Modeling Industry' (ISBN: 978-0-9817018-0-6).

Books: The Works of John Bunyan Volume 3

J >> John Bunyan >> The Works of John Bunyan Volume 3




Timothy must have his rule from Paul, and so must holy Titus. All
which, if we consider it, the Holy Ghost speaks to the purpose,
in saying that in the twelve foundations are found the names of
the twelve apostles of the Lamb. They are called the chief, and
such as have laid the foundation, and others build thereon, and
that as no men have laid the foundation but they, so none can lay
even that foundation otherwise than they afore have laid it (1 Cor
12:28; Eph 4:11,12; 1 Cor 3:6-11; Heb 6:1-3).[7]

[Consideration from these words.] 'And in them the names of the
twelve apostles of the Lamb.' These words, then, teach us two
things worthy of our Christian consideration.

First. That God hath given to every man a certain and visible mark
to aim at for his salvation, or to build his soul upon, namely,
the doctrine of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. For in that he
saith their names are in the foundations, it is better for us,
all things considered, than if he had said in them was the name
of God himself; that is, it is more easy to see this way, through
the mist of our carnality, what the mystery of his will should
be, which is, that we receive Christ according to their doctrine,
words, writings, epistles, letters, &c., their names, I say, being
there, God counts it as the broad seal of heaven, which giveth
authority to all that doctrine whereunto by themselves they are
prefixed and subscribed; not where they are writ by others, but
by themselves. I say, as the token of every epistle, and of their
doctrine for truth, the which Paul insinuates, when he saith that
his hand is the token of every epistle (2 Thess 3:17; Gal 6:11).
As he saith again, Am I not an apostle? (1 Cor 9:1). And again,
Behold, I Paul, have written unto you; I Paul (Gal 5:2), I, an
apostle, I, a wise master-builder, I, who am in my doctrine one
of the foundations of the wall of salvation, I have written unto
you (1 Cor 11:5). And, as I said before, there is reason it should
be thus: for as he who was the foundation of the Jewish church,
even Moses, received the pattern of all his order from the mouth
of the angel in Mount Sinai, so the twelve received their doctrine
of faith and manners, the doctrine of the New Testament, from the
mouth of the Son of God himself, as from the mouth of the angel
of the everlasting covenant, on the mountain of Zion (Acts 7:38;
1:3; Matt 28:19).

Second. In that he saith the names of the twelve are in the
foundations, this shows us the reason of the continual standing
of this Jerusalem; it is built upon the doctrine of the twelve
apostles of the Lamb, and standeth there. For, observe, so long as
he sees this holy city, he sees her standing upon these foundations;
but he saw the city till she was taken up, therefore she continued
as being settled for ever upon them. Indeed, the primitive city, or
first churches, was built upon these foundations, and had also,
so long as they there continued, sufficient supportation and
upholding by that means (Eph 2:20-22). But then, as I have showed
you, the wall of her salvation, and the wall of God's special
protection, stood at a distance each from other, and were not
so conjoined as now they will be. Wherefore they then, to answer
the type, did fall into the ditch that was between, and through
their foolishness provoked God to remove the wall of his outward
protection and safeguard from them, whereupon the wild beast,
Antichrist, got into his vineyard, making havoc of all their dainties.
But mark, this city is not so, the walls are now conjoined, and
for ever fastened upon the foundations,[8] therefore it abides for
ever, and ascends higher and higher; yet not from the foundations,
but by them into heaven: 'Behold,' saith God, 'I have graven thee
upon the palms of my hands, thy walls are continually before me'
(Isa 49:16).

[How we are to understand the word TWELVE.]

'And in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.' This
word twelve must be warily understood, or else the weak will be
ready to stumble and take offence; wherefore, to prevent this,
consider,

First. The twelve must be them twelve that were with the Lord Jesus
from the baptism of John until the day in which our Lord was taken
up (Acts 1:22).

Second. These twelve are not neither to be considered simply as twelve
Christians, or twelve disciples; but as their witness of the Lord
Jesus-they being with him from first to last-were a twelve-fold
witness of him in all his things; a twelve-fold seeing with their
eyes, a twelve-fold hearing with their ears, a twelve-fold handling
also with their hands, and feeling of the Son of God. As one of
them said, 'That which was from the beginning, which we have heard,
which we have seen with our eyes,--and our hands have handled of
the word of life:--that which we have seen and heard, declare we
unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us,' &c. (1 John
1:1,3). Now this being thus, it followeth that the doctrine of the
other apostles, as of Paul and Barnabas, was still but the doctrine
of the twelve; their doctrine, I say, and no other. Wherefore,
as Ephraim and Manasseh were dissolved into the twelve tribes, so
these two, with all other the apostles of Christ, are dissolved
into the number of the twelve, because their doctrine is only the
doctrine of the twelve; for they centre in their doctrine; their
length, and breadth, and depth, and height being the doctrine of
the twelve. So, then, the names of the twelve being found in the
foundations of this wall, it argueth that that doctrine is only
true that is the doctrine of the twelve eye-witnesses of the
Lord Jesus. And again, that at the day of Antichrist's fall, this
doctrine shall be in its former purity, and bear the sway, and
for ever hold up the wall of safety for the inhabitants of New
Jerusalem. And indeed this doctrine, that the doctrine of the twelve
is that upon which eternal safety is built and stands, is so true,
that it must not be varied from upon pain of eternal damnation.
Here centered Luke the Evangelist, here centered Jude, here centered
the author to the Hebrews, yea, here centered Paul himself, with
all the Old and New Testament. The doctrine of the twelve must be
the opener, expounder, and limiter of all doctrines; there also
must all men centre, and ground, and stay. A man may talk of, yea,
enjoy much of the Spirit of God, but yet the twelve will have the
start of him; for they both had the Spirit as he, and more than
he. Besides, they together with this, did feel, see, handle, and
receive conviction, even by their very carnal senses, which others
did not; besides, their names also are found in the foundations
of this saving wall, as being there engraved by God himself; which
putteth all out of doubt, and giveth us infallible ground that
their doctrine is only true, and all men's false that do not keep
within the bounds and limits of that (Luke 1:2; Jude 3,17; Heb
2:3,4; 1 Cor 15:1-9; 9:1; Gal 1:1,2; Eph 3:5; 1 Cor 4:9).

To conclude, here are yet two things worthy of noting-

The first consideration is, that by the names of the twelve
apostles being in the foundations of this wall, and the names of
the twelve tribes being upon the gates of this city, it giveth
us to consider, that at the time of the building of this city the
Jews and Gentiles shall be united together, and become one body;
which very consideration must needs be to the Jews a great encouragement
to have in mind at their conversion (Rom 11: 1 Peter 1:1). For it
plainly signifieth that our New Testament preachers shall carry
in their mouths salvation to the Jews, by which means they shall
be again reconciled and made one with the Lord Jesus (James 1:1;
Acts 13:16,26; Rom 1:16; 2:10).

The second consideration is, that at the day of New Jerusalem,
there shall be no doctrine accepted, nor no preachers regarded,
but the doctrine, and the preaching of the doctrine of the twelve;
for in that he saith that in them are found the names of the twelve
apostles of the Lamb, he doth implicitly exclude all other, of
whatever tribe they pretend themselves. It shall not be then as
now, a Popish doctrine, a Quaker's doctrine, a prelatical doctrine,
and the Presbyter, Independent, and Anabaptist,[9] thus distinguished,
and thus confounding and destroying. But the doctrine shall be one,
and that one the doctrine where you find the names of the twelve
apostles of the Lamb. 'If any man teach otherwise, and consent
not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the doctrine that is according to godliness, he is proud,
knowing nothing' (1 Tim 6:3,4).

Thus you see the doctrine of the twelve is that which letteth souls
into this city; and that the same doctrine is the doctrine that
keepeth up the wall of their salvation about them, when they are
entered in within the gates.

[The measuring line, or golden reed: what it is.]

Ver. 15. 'And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure
the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.'

Now, having passed the relation of the wall, gates, and foundations,
he comes to the measuring line, to see how all things lie and
agree with that. Under the law, I find that all things pertaining
to the worship of God were to be by number, rule, and measure,
even to the very tacks and loops of the curtains of the tabernacle.
Now the rule or lien by which all things were then squared, it
was the laws, statutes, and ordinances which were given to Moses
by the Lord in the Mount Sinai, for thither he went to receive
his orders; and according to the pattern there showed him, so he
committed all things by writing to them that were to be employed
in the workmanship of the holy things pertaining to the rise and
completing of the tabernacle, and all its instruments (Exo 20:21;
24:1; 25:40; Deu 30:10; 31:20-26).

Now, when this rule was thus received, then whosoever observed not
to do it, he was to fall under the penalty that by the same law
also was prescribed against the offenders and transgressors (Num
15:30,31). I find also, that when the temple was built in the days
of Solomon, all things were then done according to the writing
that David made, when the hand of God was upon him, when he made
him understand all the work of this pattern (2 Chron 3; 4; 1 Chron
29:3-7; 28:19).

Thus again, when Josiah went about to bring to pass the reformation
of the church of the Jews, and their instruments of worship,
after their revolting, he goeth to the law of God, and by that
understanding what was out of order, and how to put all things
into order, he so did reduce them to their former manner. The same
way also went Ezra and Nehemiah at the rebuilding of the temple
and city after the captivity (2 Kings 22:8-13; Ezra 7:14; 8:34).
From all which I conclude, that the reed, the golden reed, that
here you read of, it is nothing else but the pure and unspotted
Word of God; by which both the city, gates, and wall of this
Jerusalem are regulated. Which word, by the holy prophet, is also
compared to gold, and is said to be above 'much fine gold' (Psa
12:6; 19:10).

I find in the vision of the prophet Ezekiel, that the angel
that there is said to measure the city, which was a type of our
Jerusalem, he appeared with a line of flax in his hand, to measure
the pattern withal (Eze 40:3); which very phrase doth show us
that this was but the type, and an Old Testament business; but John
hath his in a New Testament style, and that in the most excellent
manner of language, to signify that his city, or the city that
he hath the vision of, is to be the end of all types and shadows,
and the very perfection of them all. Wherefore he tells us also,
that the line or reed by which this city is builded and squared,
it is not now a line of flax, but a reed of gold, a golden reed;
to signify not a word of the law and letter that had to do with
shadows, but the New Testament, and ministration of the Spirit,
which hath to do with substance, and the heavenly things themselves
(Heb 9:23).

[The city measured.]

'A golden reed to measure the city,' &c. I told you at the first
that this city was the church of God that should be in the latter
days; but yet not the church disorderly and confusedly scattered
here and there, without all visible order and discipline, but the
church brought into exact form and order, lying every way level
and square with the rule and golden reed of the New Testament of
Christ; wherefore he calleth it a city, a city under rule. Thus
it was in the type; for when Solomon's temple was to be builded,
and the city in after times, it was not enough that they had stones
and timber, but every one of them must be such stones, and such
timber, and must also come under the rule and square of the workman;
and so being fitted by hewers, saws, axes, and squares, they were
fitly put into the building (1 Kings 5:17,18; 7:9-12; 1 Chron
22:2). By this, then, we may see with what a holy, exact line,
rule, and order, this church and city, at this day, will be compact
and built; the members must be all such as shall be made fit for
the city of God by the hewing words of the prophets (Hosea 6:5).
They must join in Christian communion also according to the golden
reed of the New Testament, and ministration of the Spirit. Indeed,
all the time of the reign of Antichrist, the church, as she was
a holy temple in the Lord, so she was measured with reference to
the truth of her grace, and invisible condition (Rev 11:1,2); but
as she is to be a city, so she then is to be trodden down, and to
lie without all form and order; but when Antichrist is dead, she
shall again come into mind, be considered, reared, built by measure,
and inhabited. And observe it, as the rule of the carpenter is
of use in building, from the first appearance of the laying of a
stone in order, even till it be in every point and part complete,
so the golden reed with which the angel is here said to measure
the city, &c., is to be of use from the first foundation even to
the laying of the last stone thereof; as was also fore-showed by
the man that is said to measure the pattern of this, in Ezekiel
(Eze 30-48).

'And he measured the city.' That is, he measured the church in her
constitution and fellowship. Now when God is said to measure, he
is said to measure sometimes in judgment, and sometimes in mercy;
sometimes to throw down, and sometimes to build up and establish.
Sometimes, I say, he is said to measure in judgment, with intention
to throw down and destroy. Thus he measured the city before she
went into captivity, and the ten tribes before they were carried
away beyond Babylon, because they lay cross to his word, and had
perverted that which was right, &c. (Isa 28:17,18; Amos 7:7-9).
But when he is said to measure the city in this place, it is that
she might be built and set up. Wherefore, as I said, the line or
golden reed that is now stretched forth to measure this city, it is
to the end that all things may be in right form and order, 'fitly
joined' and knit 'together,--by that which every joint supplieth,
according to the effectual working in the measure of every part,
making increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love'
(Eph 4:16; Col 2:19).

Again, By measuring the city, he would have us to understand that
all her limits and bounds were now apparent, that all things, even
the church and all the world, were made to see their own compass.
For as God in the days when temple worship only was on foot, would
not lose a form or ordinance of all the forms and ordinances of
his temple; so when city-work comes up, he will not lose an inch
of the limits, and bounds, and compass of his city, she shall be
full as large, and of as great a compass every way, as is determined
of her; as he saith by the prophet, 'All the land, saith he, shall
be turned as a plain (this is that which a little before is called
the new heaven and a new earth); that is, there shall be a smooth
face upon the whole earth, all snugs, and hubs,[10] and hills, and
holes, shall now be taken away, even 'from Geba to Rimmon, south
of Jerusalem: and it [the city] shall be lifted up and inhabited
in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate,
unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananiel, unto the
king's wine presses' (Zech 14:10). The four places here mentioned
in this verse, they do seem to be the four corners of the city of
old; at which places the city bounds were set; and in which very
circle the prophet tells us, but with gospel language, she shall
be settled again.

[The gates measured.]

'And he measured the city,' and the gates thereof. This was figured
forth by the vision in Ezekiel, for in it he saw the angel go from
gate to gate, and saw him take the exact and distinct measure of
every one thereof; nay, not only of them in a general way, but
of the thresholds, the porch, the posts, and the faces of their
entrances; he measured also every little chamber that was above
upon the gates, with all the spaces that were between (Eze 40).

Now by gates, I told you, we are to understand the Son of God, as
he is the way to the Father, and to the privileges of this city.
Wherefore when he saith he measured the gates, it is as if he had
said, he measured the entrance, strength, and goodly countenance
of him, with the mansions of glory that are to be enjoyed by every
one that entereth in hereby; for the porch, posts, face, entrance,
and chambers of the gate in Ezekiel, they signify the entrance,
strength, shining countenance, and resting places that every one
shall find in the Lord Jesus that entereth in by him; and to measure
all these, it is in substance but this, to set them forth, and out,
in their full force, glory, largeness, beauty, and profitableness,
in the view of all; for I told you at the first, the golden reed
is the Word of God. Now the city and the gates thereof, are said
to be measured by this golden reed: which, I say, can be nothing
else but an opening of all the excellencies of Christ, as he is
the gate of the sheep, even by the full sway, power, majesty, and
clearness of the Word. The Lord help us! Christ, as he is the door
to God, and to all gospel-privileges, is now strangely handled, and
so hath been of a long time among the sons of men; some of them
making him the very in-let to all the vile and abominable crew in
the world, counting all that are pliant to their ungodly humours,
the saints of the Most High, and Christ the door and gate through
whom they have right to enter; and to whom belong the delicates of
the precious things of God, even those which he hath most choicely
laid up and reserveth for none but those that unfeignedly turn from
iniquity, and walk with him in the newness of the Spirit. Others
again do shut up the gates against the godly, labouring with might
and main to hinder those that labour to enter, that fain would do
it unfeignedly (Matt 23:14; 2 Chron 29:7).[11] Others again do
labour all that in them lies to deface the gates, to take away
their beauty: like him that took the gold from off the doors and
gates of the temple (2 Kings 18:16). Rendering Christ a low and
carnal business, &c. But at the measuring-day, at the day when
the golden reed shall be the alone rule: then you shall see this
city, and her gates discovered in their own glory, holiness, and
beauty. For though in our affliction under antichrist, our temple
and instruments of worship, with the city, wall, gates, and the like,
have been much defaced, even our doctrine of faith and worship,
and have been much trod and trampled under the foot of the
uncircumcised, yet all shall be recovered and brought into order
again by the golden reed of the word of God. Which thing was figured
forth to us by the good man Ezra the scribe, who at the restoring
of Jerusalem took review of all the things pertaining to the
city, both touching its branches and deformity, and also how to
set all things in order, and that by the law of God which was in
his hand, even according to the writing thereof (Ezra 7:14; 8:34;
Neh 8:9). And whosoever doth but read the history of Ezra and
Nehemiah throughout, they shall find that by the Word of God they
brought all things to pass; all the ordinances of the house and city
of God into their right and holy order. And indeed the measuring
of the city and of the gates thereof, which is Christ the way, it
can be nothing else but a bringing of them by the right understanding
and opening of the Word into their proper places and excellencies,
both for comers in, and goers out, according to the commandment
(Eze 40:4; 43:7-12). For, to speak properly, Christ in his love,
grace, merits, and largeness of heart, to let souls into communion
with God and all happiness, is in all these things unsearchable,
and passing knowledge, being filled with these things beyond
thought, and without measure (Eph 3:8,18,19; Col 1:9; John 3:34).

[The wall measured.]

And he measured the city, the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
In that he saith, he measured the wall also, it is to show us
that all things now are according to the rule of the Word: the
inhabitants are according to the Word, the entrance is according
to the Word, yea, and so is the safety of it also, even a fence
to fence them from their enemies; even a fence on every side, that
they may be at ease and rest, and be no more a tossing to and
fro. 'O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest,' saith he, 'and not
comforted, [I will do many good things for thee]--In righteousness
shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for
thou shalt not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near
thee' (Isa 44:11-14).

Touching the wall, what it is, I have spoken already; therefore
here I speak only to the measure of it, which measure is only the
fulfilling all those promises and engagements of God that are made
to New Jerusalem, for her safety and continual defence; and that
not only in her own eyes, but in the eyes of all her beholders.
Then shall that saying be with gladness in the mouths of all the
inhabitants of this Jerusalem, 'We were bondmen, yet our God hath
not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us
in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving to set
up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof,
and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem' (Ezra 9:9).
Which wall, I say, shall be so conspicuous to all the adversaries
of this holy and beloved city, that the greatest of them shall
not once dare to peep or mutter[12] against her any more. 'God is
known in her palaces for a refuge. For, lo, the kings were assembled,
they passed by together, they saw it, and so they marvelled; they
were troubled, and hasted away. Fear took hold upon them there,
and pain, as of a woman in travail' (Psa 48:1-6). As it is said
of the building of the wall after the captivity: when the enemies
and all the heathen saw it was finished, 'they were much cast down
in their own eyes' (Neh 6:15,16).

The regulating of this city by this golden reed, and the measuring
the gates and wall by this word, when finished, will then cause
all that have skill in singing the Lord's songs, and of lifting
up the praises of God in this city, to gather themselves together
to sing, and to praise, and to say, Bless ye the name of the Lord,
for his mercies endure for ever: for then will they purify the
people, this city, with the gates and wall thereof (Neh 12:27-47).

Wherefore in the mean time, between this and the building of this
city, let Jerusalem come into your mind, and walk about her, 'go
round about her,' inquire by the Word what God hath said of her
state, strength, safety, ease, peace, and blessed tranquillity
in the latter days, 'tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her
bulwarks, consider her palaces, that ye may tell it to the generations
following' (Psa 48:12,13).

[The form and measure of the city.]

Ver. 16. 'And the city lieth four square, and the length is as large
as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve
thousand furlongs, the length, and the breadth, and height of it
are equal.'

'And the city lieth four square.' These words do open unto you the
matter yet more, to wit, that now both the city, gates, and wall
were exactly in their visibility according to the Word, lying
even every way with that golden reed: for by four square you are
to understand perfection, or an answering the figures that of
old did figure to us the completeness and perfection of the New
Testament order.

For if you search the Scriptures, you will find that especially the
great and principal instruments of God's worship in and under the
law, their perfection was what here you read to be the perfection
of this city, even a four square. As for instance, The breastplate
of judgment, on which were engraved the names of the children of
Israel, its exact point of perfection was to be a right four square.
The ten bases also, that were to be for bearers to the lavers in the
temple, they were to be four square: the altar of burnt-offerings
likewise, with the altar of incense, their perfect pattern was that
they should be four square. The inward court, and outward court,
with the posts of the temple, and tables on which they were to
slay the sacrifices, they were all four square. Yea, the city in
the type, in the vision of Ezekiel, was seen to be of the same
frame and fashion every way, having just twelve gates, and on each
of the four sides three gates. Wherefore, when he saith the city
lieth four square, it is as if he had said she lieth even with
the pattern or golden reed of the Word; even, I say, both in her
members, doctrine, worship, and manners: for the things afore hinted
unto you do hold forth all these particulars (Exo 28:15,16; 39:8,9;
27:1; 38:1; 37:1; 1 Kings 7:27,28; Eze 43:1318; 40; 41:21; 48:30-34).