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.
"The Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness
of thy rising." The light and beauty of this city, these only shall
engage their hearts and overcome them.
Indeed, if any shall, out of mistrust or enmity against this city
and her prosperity, bend themselves to disappoint the designs of the
eternal God concerning her building and glory, then they must take
what follows. Her God in the midst of her is mighty; he will rest in
his love, and rejoice over her with singing, and will UNDO all that
afflict her. Wherefore, associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye
shall he broken in pieces; for God is with us.