To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Ver. 23. To the general assembly] Or public meeting of a whole country, as at a great assize, or some solemn celebrity. The Roman emperors raised up ample amphitheatres in a circular form, that the people sitting all around, might have a commodious sight of such pleasant spectacles as were set before them. That which Pompey erected was of such extent, that it was able to receive 40,000 men, as Pliny witnesseth. But, oh, what a glorious amphitheatre is that of heaven! What a stately congregation house! O praeclarum diem cum ad illud animorum concilium caetumque proficiscar, et cure ex hac turba et colluvione discedam! (Cie. de Sencetute.) Surely, if Cicero or some other heathen could say so, how much more may we exult and say, Oh, that dear day when we shall go out of this wretched world, and wicked company, to that general assembly of holy and happy souls! And how should we in the mean while turn every solemnity into a school of divinity; as when Fulgentius saw the nobility of Rome sit mounted in their bravery, it mounted his meditation to the heavenly Jerusalem. And another, when he sat and heard a sweet concert of music, seemed upon this occasion carried up for the time beforehand to the place of his rest, saying very passionately, What music may we think there is in heaven! (Mr Esty, Art of Meditat., by Dr Hall.)
Which are written in heaven] In Jerusalem records were kept of the names of all the citizens, Psalms 48:3; so in heaven. And as the citizens of Rome might not accept of freedom in any other city; so neither should we seek things on earth, as those whose names are written in the earth, Jeremiah 17:13 .