A Supplement to the Several Discourses Upon Various Divine Subjects, Discourse 2

A Supplement to the Several Discourses Upon Various Divine Subjects · Discourse 2

p. 20A DISCOURSE OF THE CHURCHES STABILITY.

Pſalm 87.5.

And of Sion it ſhall be ſaid, This and that man was born in her; and the Higheſt himſelf ſhall eſtabliſh her.

THE Author of this Pſalm, and the time when it was penn'd, are uncertain. Some think it was compos'd after the return of the Jews from Babylon, upon the Erection of the ſecond Temple, and deſigned to be ſung in their conſtant Publick Aſſemblies. Others think it was compos'd by David, when he brought the Ark to Sion, as the Repoſitory for it, till the Building of the Temple, wherein it might honourably reſt. It ſeems, whoever was the Author, to be Ecſtatical. The Penman breaks out into a holy rapture and admiration of the firmneſs and ſtability of the Church. 'Tis alſo Prophetical of the Chriſtian Church, of the glory of it, the largeneſs of its bounds, and perpetual duration. The Jews ridiculouſly interpret it of literal Jeruſalem in regard of the excellency of its Climate, the goodneſs of the air, being ſeated in the middle or navel of the earth, and the ſeat and ſpring of all the wiſe men, accounting all fools that were to be found in other parts; 'tis true, others were not wiſe with a wiſdom to Salvation; they were not inſtructed in the high Myſteries of Religion by God, as thoſe People were. But was there not Learning among the Greeks, & Wiſdom among the Chaldeans, and a ripeneſs in Mechanick Arts among the Tyrians which lived in the ſame Climate with the Jews? It can by no means be underſtood of the material Jeruſalem and Sion; that was ruin'd by the Babylonians, and tho re-edified, yet afterwards ſubverted by the Romans, and the remainders of it at this day become a Stable for Mahomet, and the bringing in thoſe Nations mention'd, v. 4. overthrows any ſuch interpretation, which never were inrol'd in the regiſters of Sion, nor became Votaries to the true Religion, while the walls of that place were ſtanding in their glory. Sion was the place whence the Law was to come, Mich. 4.2. a Law of another nature, than that which was uttered with Thunders from Mount Sinai. Sion was the place where the Throne of Chriſt was to be ſettled, where he was to be crowned King, Pſal. 2.6. and where he was to manage the Scepter and rule in the midſt of his enemies, Pſal. 110.2. and therefore 'tis here celebrated as the figure of the Chriſtian Church; of that City which Abraham expected, whoſe builder and maker is God, Heb. 11.10. And the Chriſtian Church is particularly called by this name of Mount Sion, Heb. 12.21. And Believers are called the Sons of Sion, Joel 2.23. The Pſalmiſt ſpeaks,

1. Of the great love the Lord bears to Sion, v. 2.

2. Of the glory of the Promiſes made to her, v. 3.

3. Of the confluence of new Inhabitants to her, v. 4.

4. Of the Duration and Eſtabliſhment of her, v. 5.

p. 21v. 1. His Foundation. The Foundation of God, i. e. That which God hath founded, that Jeruſalem which is of God's building, is ſeated in the holy Mountain; the City was built before Joſhuah conquered Canaan: But God is ſaid to be the Founder of it in regard of that peculiar glory to which it was deſigned, to be the reſt of his Ark, the place of his Worſhip, the Throne of the Types of the Meſſiah, the Seat whence the Evangelick Law was to be publiſht to all Nations, and the Meſſiah revealed as the Redeemer and Ruler of the World.

In the holy Mountains. Jeruſalem was ſeated upon high Mountains. The Palace of the Kings was built upon Sion, and the Temple, the Houſe of the Moſt High, was built upon Moriah, and encompaſt with Mountains round about, Pſal. 125.2. an emblem of the ſtrength and ſtability of the Church.**Daillé. Melange, part 2. page 354. Holy Mountains; not that there was any inherent holineſs in them more than in the other Mountains of the Earth; or that they were naturally more beautiful and ſtately than other Mountains; but becauſe they were ſeparated for the Worſhip and Service of God, and had been ennobled by the performance of a Worſhip there before the building of the Temple. It was upon Moriah that Iſaac was deſigned for a Sacrifice, and the moſt ſignal act of obedience performed to God by the Father of the Faithful. It was there alſo that David appeaſed the wrath of God, by Sacrifice, after it had iſſued out upon the People in a Plague, for the numbring of them: And the very name Moriah hath ſomething ſacred in it, it ſignifying either God teaching, or God manifeſted; which name might be given it by God, with reſpect to the manifeſtation of Chriſt who was to come, during the ſtanding of the ſecond Temple.

v. 2. The Lord loves the Gates of Sion.] By Gates in Scripture is meant the ſtrength, or wiſdom, or juſtice of a place. Gates were the Magazines of Arms, and the places of Judicature. He had manifeſted his love to her in chuſing that City before all the Cities of Iſrael and Judah, wherein to place his Name, and have his Worſhip celebrated; and that place in Jeruſalem particularly, where his Law ſhould be given by the Spirit to the Apoſtles upon the day of Pentecoſt; and to apply it to the Goſpel-Church, it ſignifies the ſpecial reſpect God bears to her, above all the Rites, Obſervancies and Ceremonies of the Judaick Inſtitution. It was in this Goſpel-Church, the true Sion, that he deſired to dwell, and will remain for ever, Pſal. 68.17. Which is a Prophetick Pſalm of the Goſpel-times, and the Aſcenſion of Chriſt.

1. The Stability of the Church is here aſſerted. **Geierus in loc.The Church is not built upon the Sand, which may fall with a Storm, nor upon the Waters, that may float with the waves; nor ſpread out as a Tent in the Deſert, that may be taken up, and carried away to another place; but upon a Mountain not to be removed **Pſal. 125.1. Mount Sion cannot be removed.Ps 125:1, 'tis built upon a Rock, the Rock of Ages; upon a Mountain which is not ſhatter'd by waves, or ſhaken by ſtorms, upon Chriſt, who hath the ſtrength of many Mountains in himſelf.

2. The neceſſity of holineſs in a Church. What though the Church be a Mountain for ſtrength and eminency, have the honour and priviledg of Sacraments, and be the Ark of the Oracles of God, 'tis not eſtabliſhed unleſs it be a holy Mountain: Holineſs is the only becoming thing in the Houſe of God; as it is conſecrated to the glory of God, ſo it muſt be exerciſ'd in things pertaining to the glory of God. As the Foundation is holy, ſo ought the Superſtructure to be. There was no filth in the framing it; there muſt be no filth in the continuance of it.

v. 3. He ſpeaks with ſome kind of aſtoniſhment of the glorious things ſpoken of her, or promiſed to her, and concludes it with a note of attention, or a mark of eminency, Selah **v. 3. Glorious things are ſpoken of thee, O City of God.. No place enjoy'd an equal happineſs with Jeruſalem, while it remained faithful to its Founder. It maintain'd its ſtanding in the midſt of its enemies; no weapon formed againſt it was able to proſper; Heaven planted it, and the dews of Heaven watered it; it had a continual ſucceſſion of Prophets; the beſt Kings that ever were in the world, ſwayed the Scepter in it; it was bleſſed with more miraculous deliverances than any part of the Univerſe; the Nations that loved it not, yet feared its power, and feared the diſpleaſure of its Guardian. It was here the Son of God delivered the Meſſages of Heaven by the order of his father: It was here the ſpirit firſt filled the heads and hearts of the Apoſtles in order to the converſion of a world from Idolatry to the Scepter of God; but more glorious things are ſpoken of the Spiritual Sion than of the material Jeruſalem; that had Chriſt in the fleſh, and the Goſpel-Church hath Chriſt in the ſpirit, he went from thence to heaven, but he comes from heaven to viſit them with his comforts; he hath left the walls of Jeruſalem in its ruins, but he hath not, he will not leave his Spiritual Sion fatherleſs and comfortleſs; Joh. 14.18. his ſpirit abides for ever with his Church. Glorious things are ſpoken of it, when he pronounced it impregnable, and that the gates of Hell, the power and policy of all the Apoſtate Angels and their inſtruments ſhould not prevail againſt her, when he aſſured her he would be preſent with her, not to the end of an age or two, but till the period of time, the conſummation of the world; priviledges that material Jeruſalem could never boaſt of; whatſoever countries have been applauded for ſecular excellencies, or been famous for wiſdom, none can claym ſuch elogies as Goſpel Sion, where God hath declared his will, publiſht himſelf a God of ſalvation, placed the laws of heaven, and poured out that wiſdom which comes from above: Theſe are glorious things, above humane expectations, above humane deſires.

The Glorious things mentioned of the Goſpel-Church are in v. 4. where he ſpeaks of p. 22the enlargement of her bounds, the increaſe of her inhabitants, and the numerous muſter-rolls of thoſe that ſhall liſt themſelves in her ſervice**I will make mention of Raha… and Babylon to them that know me. Behold Philiſtia and Tyre with Aethiop…: this man was born there..

The time ſhall come when thoſe nations that are moſt alienated from the profeſſion of truth, ſhall come under her wing, and pay allegiance to her empire; Strangers ſhall be brought into her boſom, not only Philiſtia and Tyre, nations upon her confines, but Aegypt and Aethiopia, nations more remote, nations born and bred at a diſtance ſhall be regiſtred as born from her womb, and nurſt in her lap; diſtance of place ſhall not hinder the relation of her children. And when God ſhall count the people of forraign nations, he ſhall ſet a mark upon every true believer, and reckon him as one born in Sion, a Denizen of Jeruſalem, though not a Jew in the fleſh.

De Dieu in loc.I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me; or rather among them that know me, or for them that know me**foreign, I will remember them as perſons inlightned by me, and acquainted with me.

The Pſalmiſt reckons up here nations that were greateſt enemies to the Church, Rahab or Aegypt **For ſo Aegypt is named, Iſa. 51.9.Isa 51:9her antient enemy; Philiſtia her perpetual invader: Rahab ſignifies pride or fierceneſs, the fierceſt people ſhall be ſubdued to Sion by the power of the Goſpel: Aegypt the wiſeſt and learnedſt nation, the moſt Idolatrous and Superſtitious, men that reſt in their own parts and ſtrength ſhall caſt away their Idols; Babylon the ſtrongeſt and moſt powerful Empire, the ſubjects of which the Scripture often deſcribes as luxurious, cruel, proud: Tyre the greateſt mart, whoſe Citizens were the greateſt merchants, The Aethiopians the poſterity of Curſed Cham, whoſe ſouls are blacker than their bodies: men buried in ſin, benighted with ignorance, poyſoned with pride, the moſt fierce and envenom'd enemies ſhall be brought in by an infinite grace, and make up one body with her, and ſhall be counted as related to her by a new birth, and be made members of her by regeneration; this is properly to be born in Sion **This man was born there.; as without regeneration we have not God for our father, ſo neither have we Sion or the Church for our mother: this is the great priviledg we ſhould inquire after, without which we are not in Gods regiſter; this 2d birth God only approves of, he enrolls no man in the number of the Citizens of Sion, nor indows them with the ſpecial priviledges of it upon the account of their firſt, wherein they lye buried in the corruption of Adam, and are Citizens of Hell, not of Jeruſalem. Again, this 2d birth is never without the knowledge of God.**Among thoſe that know me. Ignorance is a bar to this enrolment; he is no man that is not a rational creature, and he no regenerate man that hath not ſome knowledg in the great myſteries of God in Chriſt.

In v. 5. 1. The honour of Sion is deſcribed by her fruitfulneſs.

1. In regard of the eminency of her births, ſhe is not wholly barren, ſhe hath her births of men, and worthy men; the carnal world hath not exceeded the Church in men of raiſed intellectuals; Sion hath not been a City of fools. Dionyſius the Areopagite hath been her production as well as Damaris a woman. Kings alſo have been nurſt at her breaſts, that they might be nurſing fathers to her by their power; but the honour of Sion, conſiſts in the inward change it makes on men, diſpoſſeſſing them of the nature of wolves for that of lambs, rendring them the Loyal ſubjects of God inſtead of his active enemies. 'Tis the glory of Sion, that this or that man born in her, was changed to ſuch principles and ſuch affections, that all the education and politeneſs of the moſt accompliſht Cities in the world could not furniſh them with.

2. In regard of the multitude of them; this and that man, of all ſorts and conditions, and multitudes of them, ſo that more are the children of the deſolate than of the marryed wife. The tents were propheſied to be inlarged, the curtains of the habitations of Sion to be ſtretched out, and her cords to be lengthened to receive and entertain that multitude of children that ſhould be brought forth by her, after the Sacrifice of the Son of God, Iſa. 54.1, 2. For that exhortation follows upon the deſcription of the death and exaltation of Chriſt, Iſa. 53.

2. The happineſs of Sion. The higheſt himſelf ſhall eſtabliſh her.

1. Security in her glory. Eſtabliſh her.

2. The Author of that ſecurity and perpetuity. The Higheſt; and that excluſive of any other. The Higheſt himſelf **Coccei. in loc., all that are not the moſt high are excluded from having a ſhare in the eſtabliſhment of the Church.

'Tis a work peculiar to him. 'Tis not the excellent learning, ſtrength of the wiſe, or mighty men, that are born in her, that doth preſerve her, but God alone; he ſpirits and acts them; means God doth uſe in bringing in inward grace, means he doth uſe in ſetling the outward form. But ſuch means that have in reaſon, no ſtrength to effect ſo great a buſineſs, means different from thoſe which are uſed in the eſtabliſhment of other Kingdoms, whereby the hand that acts them is more viſible and plain than the means that are uſed.**Folang. 'Tis not the wit of man which is folly, nor the ſtrength of man which is weakneſs, nor the holineſs of man which is nothing, can claim the honour of this work: God himſelf picks ſtones out of the quarry, ſmooths them for the building, fixeth them in their places, he himſelf is the only architect, his wiſdom contrives it, his grace erects it, his power preſerves it, and accompliſheth his own work; 'tis the higheſt, none higher to over-power him, none ſo high as to check and mate him.

Shall eſtabliſh her.] This cannot be meant of the literal or local Sion (though that indeed p. 23was preſerved while the legal ſervice was to indure, (excepting that interruption by the Babyloniſh captivity, but now Mahomets horſe tramples upon it, and it retains none of the ancient inhabitants.) but of the true myſtical Sion, the Goſpel ſtate of the Church, which ſhall continue in being as Chriſt the head of it hath ſetled it, till time ſhall be no more. Other Kingdoms may crumble away, the foundations of them be diſſolved. But that God which laid the foundation of Sion and built her walls, will preſerve her palaces, that the gates of Hell, the ſubtilty of Hereticks, the fury of Tyrants, the Apoſtacy of ſome of her pretended Children, all the locuſts and ſpawn of the bottomleſs-pit ſhall not be able to root her up.

Shall eſtabliſh her.] The word ſignifies the affording all things neceſſary for defence,foreign increaſe of victory, preparations of it, the knitting of it.

Doct. The Goſpel-Church is a perpetual Society eſtabliſht by the higheſt Power in Heaven or Earth.

It ſhall continue as long as the World, and out-live the Diſſolution of Nature; ſhe ſhall bring forth her Man-child, maugre all the vigilancy of the Dragon, which ſhall be caught up to God and his Throne; and though ſhe be forced to flie into the wilderneſs, yet a place is prepared for her habitation, and food for her ſupport during that ſtate, no leſs than 1260 days, or years, and this by no weaker, no meaner a hand than that of God himſelf **Rev. 12.3, 4, 5, 6. where ſhe hath a place prepared of GodRev 12:3Rev 12:4Rev 12:5Rev 12:6; that hand that catches up Chriſt the Man-child into Heaven; that hand that ſets him upon the Throne of God; provides meat for the Woman in the wilderneſs. The head and the body have the ſame Defender, the ſame Protector, the ſame hand to ſecure them**Ribera. in loc.. Or by Man-child is meant, the whole number of the Believers which were more numerous before ſhe went into a wilderneſs-condition; the Scripture uſing often the ſingular for the plural; and the Holy Ghoſt expreſſing himſelf here according to the property of the Woman, which is to bring forth one at the ſame time. The Figure of the Church notes ſtability; 'tis fourſquare, and the length is as large as the breadth, Rev. 21.16. The length, breadth, and height of it are equal; the moſt perfect Figure, noting perfection and duration. So it was deſcribed in the Prophecy, Ezek. 48.16. exactly 4500 meaſures on each ſide. All belonging to this City or Church, is reckoned by the number twelve, a ſquare number, equal on all ſides; twelve Gates, twelve Foundations, twelve Tribes of Iſrael, twelve Apoſtles, twelve Stones to garniſh it, Revel. 21.12, 13, 14, &c. A fourſquare Figure is an emblem of unchangeable conſtancy. Things ſo framed remain alwaies in the ſame poſture, caſt them which way you will; and among ſome of the Heathens was reckoned as a divine figure**The Arcadians made Jovis ſignum quadrangulum. Pauſanias de Arcadicis., and the character of virtuous man in regard of his conſtancy was foreign.

The ſhutting of the gate of the new Temple, Ezek. 44.2. after the God of Iſrael had entred in by it, is interpreted by ſome of the everlaſting dwelling of the Lord in the Church of the Goſpel among his people, and never departing from it as he had done from the firſt Temple ††Lightfort Temple, cap. 38. p. 252.. None ſhall enter in to deface it, none ſhall preſcribe new laws to it, none ſhall trample upon it; when God enters into the Chriſtian Church, he ſhuts the door after him, his preſence never departs from it, his Goſpel ſhall never be rooted out of it, the Church hath a ſecurity in its foundation as being built upon a rock, Mat. 18.16. It hath an aſſurance of preſervation by the preſence of the God of Iſrael, of Chriſt in the midſt of her, Mat. 28.19, 20. The tabernacle of Sion ſhall not be taken down, not one of the ſtakes thereof ſhall be remov'd, neither ſhall any of the cords thereof be broken; And that becauſe the glorious Lord ſhall be a place of broad rivers and ſtreams to it, Iſa. 33.20, 21.

The enemies of the Church ſhall be conſum'd, that God may have his due praiſe. Hallelujahs are never ſung with the higheſt note, till the wicked & Idolatrous generation be rooted out of the earth. Hallelujahs were never uſed, as the Jews obſerve, till the conſummation of all things by the ſetting the Church above the toſſing of the waves, and the deſtruction of its troublers, when the glory of the Lord ſhould endure for ever, and God rejoyce in his works, Pſal. 104.31, 35. And therefore when the blood of his children is avenged by his Juſtice upon his enemies, and the ſmoke of Antichriſt riſeth up before him, and the Kingdom of God is for ever ſetled, Hallelujah is pronounced and repeated with a loud voice, Rev. 19.2, 3, 6. Such a time will be, and God will eſtabliſh and ſecure his Church till he hath perfected his own and her glory.

This ſtability the Church hath had experience of in all ages of the world, and it will always be ſaid in her, Pſal. 48.8. As we have heard, ſo have we ſeen in the City of the Lord of hoſts, in the City of our God; God will eſtabliſh it for ever.

In the handling this Doctrine, theſe four things are to be done.

1. The Explication. 2. The Proof, that it is ſo. 3. Why it muſt needs be ſo. 4. Ʋſe.

1. Explication.

1. This ſtability muſt not be meant of any particular Church in the world. Particular Churches have their beginnings, progreſſes, and periods; many Churches as well as many perſons have apoſtatized from the faith; many Candleſticks have been broken in pieces, and yet the candle not blown out, but remov'd and ſet in another ſocket; particular Churches have been corrupted by Superſtition and Idolatry, rent by Hereſies, and ſcattered by Perſecutions. What remains are there of thoſe ſeven Churches in Aſia which were the walk of Chriſt, Revel. 2.1. but deplorable ruines? There is no abſolute promiſe given to any particular Church, that p. 24it ſhall be free from defection. The Church of Rome ſo flouriſhing in the Apoſtles time, was warn'd to be humble, leſt it became as much Apoſtate as that of the Jews, Rom. 11.21, 22. Nay there are predictions of almoſt an univerſal apoſtacyAll the world wondred after the Beaſt, Rev. 13.3. and worſhiped him, v. 8.Rev 13:3. And juſt before the coming of Chriſt it will be difficult to find a grain of faith among the multitude of Chaff, Luk. 18.8. There is not one place which was in the primitive times dignified with truth, but is now deformed by error. Yea the univerſal Church hath been forced by the fury of the Dragon, though not to ſink yet to fly into the wilderneſs & obſcurity, yet hath been preſerv'd through all changes in the midſt of thoſe deſolations & deſerts. 'Tis not indeed ſo fixed in one place but the cords may be taken up, the ſtakes removed, and the tents pitched in another ground. 'Tis ſpread through the world wherever God will ſet up the light of his Goſpel. Sion hath ſtood, though ſome Synagogues of it have been pulled down; it hath like the Sun kept its ſtation in the Firmament, though not without eclipſes and clouds to muffle it. The Church is but one, though it be in divers Countries, and nam'd according to the places where it reſides, as the Church of Epheſus, the Church of Sardis, &c. which all are as the beams of the Sun darted from one body, branches growing from one root, ſtreams flowing from one fountain; if you obſtruct the light of one beam, or lop off one branch, or dam up the ſtream, yet the Sun, Root, Fountain remains the ſame: So though the light of particular Churches may be dim and extinguiſht, the beauty of them defaced, yet the univerſal Church, that which is properly Sion remains the ſame, it remains upon Chriſt the rock, and is ſtill upon the ba…s of the covenant, 'tis ſtill Gods Church, and God is her God. When a people have forfeited their Church priviledges by barrenneſs, and wantonneſs, and God in juſtice ſtrips them of their Ornaments, he will have another people which he will form for his glory, and fit for his reſidence; the Goſpel ſhall never want an hoſt to entertain it, nor a ground to be made fruitful by it**Mat. 21.43. The Kingdom of God ſhall be taken from you, and given to a Nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.Matt 21:43. The Kingdom of God is not deſtroyed when it is removed, but tranſplanted into a more fruitful Soil. While Chriſt hath a body in the world, he will find a Joſeph of Arimathea to embalm it, and preſerve it for a reſurrection. When the glory of the Lord goes off from one Cherub, it will find other Cherubims whereon to ſettle, Ezek. 10.4.18. That glory which had dwelt is the material ark of the Sanctuary, departs from thence to find a Throne in that Chariot which had been deſcribed, Ezek. 1. Nay the departure of God from one Church renders his name more glorious in another**Rivet. in Hoſ. 1.10. p. 518.Hos 1:10. The rejection of the carnal Iſrael was the Preamble to the appearance of the ſpiritual Iſrael, & the Kingdom of the Meſſiah was rendred more large and illuſtrious by the diſſolving of that Church that had confidence in the fleſh, truſted in their external rites and patcht the beauty and purity of divine Worſhip with their whoriſh additions; juſt as the mortification of the fleſh gives livelineſs to the ſpirit, and the pulling up noyſom weeds from a garden makes room for the ſetting and flouriſhing growth of good plants.

2. Though God unſtakes the Church in one place, yet he will not only have a Church, but a profeſſing Church in another. It ſhall be ſaid of Sion, This and that man was born there. It ſhall be ſaid of Sion by God; It ſhall be ſaid of Sion by men. If Chriſt confeſſeth none before his Father, but ſuch as confeſs him before men, Luk. 12.8. ſhall he ever want imployment? ſhall the world ever be at that paſs as to bear none that profeſs him? and ſo none to be owned by him at the right hand of his Father? Shall he by whom all things ſubſiſt, have none to acknowledg their ſubſiſtance by him? The world may be the Inheritance of Chriſt, but ſcarce counted his poſſeſſion, if there were not in ſome parts of it a body of ſubjects to juſtifie their Allegiance to him in the face of a perſecuting generation. Indeed when the Church was confined to the narrow limits of the carnal Iſrael, the profeſſion of the truth was contracted to a few, though the faith of it might be alive in others; only Caleb and Joſhua among the whole body of the murmuring Iſraelites in the wilderneſs aſſerted the honour of God, and maintained the truth of his promiſe, though the belief of it might ſparkle in the hearts of others under the aſhes of their fears, that hindered their diſcovery of it to others. It was another time reduced to one, and Elijah only had the boldneſs to make a declaration of the name of God, though there were 7000 who had retain'd their purity while they had loſt their courage to publiſh it, 1 Kings 19.18. But in the Chriſtian Church, ſince the number of elect are more, the profeſſion will be greater in the midſt of an univerſal Apoſtacy of pretenders, Rev. 13.8. All that dwell upon the earth ſhall Worſhip him, i. e. the Beaſt, whoſe names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb. If their election be a preſervative againſt an adoration of the Beaſt, it is alſo a ſecurity againſt the denial of any ſuch worſhip; and an encouragement to profeſs the name of Chriſt, when they ſhall be brought upon the ſtage.

This profeſſion may lye much in the dark, and not be ſo viſible as before; As a field of corn overtopt by weeds looks at a diſtance, as if there were nothing elſe but the blew and red cockle and darnel, but when we come near we ſee the good grain ſhews its head as well as the weeds; but a profeſſing people there will be one where or other. 'Tis a ſtanding law of Chriſtianity, that a belief in the heart ſhould be attended by confeſſion with the mouth, Rom. 10.9. And the Church is a congregation of people ſounding the voice of Chriſt, as he was preached and confeſt by the Apoſtles; while there are believers, there will be profeſſors in Society together; ſome Ordinances ſetled in being, during the continuance of the world; as the Supper, 1 Cor. 11.6. implies a Society, as the ſeat of the adminiſtration; Baptiſm is a Ceremony of admiſſion into a Society; the Supper a feaſting of ſeveral upon ſpiritual Viands. p. 25Officers appointed imply a body profeſſing ſome rules, Math. 28.20. To what purpoſe are all theſe ſetled during the continuance of the world, if they were not ſomewhere to be practiſed till that period of time; & how can they be practiſed without a Confederation and Society? Without ſuch a body all the Ordinances and Rules of Chriſt would be in vain, and imply as little wiſdom in enacting them, as a want of power in not keeping up a Society in ſome part of the world to obſerve them according to his own preſcriptions. There will therefore be in ſome part or other of the world a Church openly profeſſing the doctrine of truth.

3. This Church or Sion ſhall have a numerous progeny. The Spiritual Iſrael ſhall be as the Sand of the Sea, which cannot be meaſured or numbred, Hoſ. 1.10. which was the promiſe made to Abraham, Gen. 22.17. and renewed in the ſame terms to Jacob, Gen. 32.12. The Church is a little flock in compariſon of the carnal world, yet it is numerous in it ſelf, though not in every place; for ſometimes there may not be above three found to withſtand the worſhip of a Golden Image; yet in ſome one or other place of the world, and ſucceſſively it ſhall be numerous; he will not loſe the honour of the feaſt he hath prepared, though thoſe that are invited prefer their Farms and Oxen before it, but will find Gueſts in the high-ways; he will ſpread his wings from Eaſt to Weſt, and in every place Incenſe ſhall be offered to his Name, Mal. 1.11. The Church is compared to the morning, Cant. 6.10. which from ſmall beginnings in a ſhort time fills the whole Hemiſphere with light; and the promiſes concerning it run all that way. The Hills were to be covered with the ſhadow of it; her boughs are to be ſent out to the Sea, and her branches to the River, Pſal. 80.10, 11. It was to ſpread it ſelf like a goodly Cedar, and be a dwelling-place to the Fowl of every wing, Ezek. 17.23. Yea, a numberleſs multitude from all Nations, Kindreds, People and Tongues, are to ſtand before the Throne, and before the Lamb, Clothed with white Robes, and Palms in their hands, Rev. 7.9. adorned with innocency, and crowned with victory. No Monarchy ever did, ever can ſo far ſtretch her bounds; nor hath the Sun ſeen any place where it hath not ſeen ſome ſprinkling of a Church. Every Kingdom hath met with unpaſſable bounds; but the Enſigns of Chriſt have not been limited. The Church was once crowded up in a narrow compaſs of Judaea; but ſince that her Territories are enlarged, her Enſigns have flouriſhed over many Countries, Rahab, Tyre, Ethiopia, the vaſt circuit of Aſia, and the deſerts of Africa, have been added to her Empire; her Progeny ſhall be hereafter as numerous as it hath been; when the devices of Antichriſt ſhall be more ſeen and perceived, they will be more nauſeated, and many with Ephraim ſhall ſay, What have I to do any more with Idols?

IISecond thing; That God has hitherto eſtabliſht Sion.

1. 'Tis teſtified by its preſent ſtanding, when other Empires have ſunk by Age or violence.

God hath promiſed the ſtability and eminency of the Mountain of the Lord's houſe above all the Mountains, the ſtrongeſt Power, and moſt compacted Empires of the world, ſometimes ſignified to us by that title, Iſa. 2.2. And in the midſt of his deſtroying Plagues, and his milder Anger with the Church, ſhe hath a Charter of ſecurity, Jer. 30.11. Though I make a full end of all Nations, yet will I not make an end of thee. Further, the reaſons why Kingdoms and Nations are pull'd up by the roots, and utterly waſted, is not only becauſe they are inveterate enemies, but refuſe her eaſie chains, and decline her ſervice, Iſa. 60.12. The Nation and Kingdom that will not ſerve thee, ſhall periſh; yea thoſe Nations ſhall be utterly waſted. The warrant for the execution of ſuch is as firmly ſealed by Heaven, as the Patent for the Churches preſervation; 'tis repeated with an Emphaſis. The perſecuted Church hath ſtill been lifted up, when the Aſſyrian, Perſian, and Greek Monarchies have fallen in pieces, and left no footſteps of their Grandeur. The proſperity of worldly Kingdoms is no better than a fire of ſtraw that blazeth and vaniſheth, it hath but the brittle foundation of humane Policy, and an eſtabliſhment by a temporary Providence; the everlaſting Covenant, and the Baſis of Divine Truth and Love cannot be claimed by any but the Church; not a Kingdom can be pitched upon in all the Records of Hiſtory, that hath maintain'd its ſtanding, triumphed over its enemies, and ſubſiſted at ſuch a rate, and by unuſual and unheard of Methods, as the Church hath done. Thoſe that have been beſt guarded by Laws, hedg'd in with the beſt Methods of Government, and arm'd with a ſtrong power to protect them, have found ſomething or other riſing from their own bowels, or their enemies Power to procure their diſſolution. But the Church, though daſht againſt ſo many Rocks, has yet floated above the deluge of thoſe Commotions that have ſunk other Societies. The Kings of the world could never yet boaſt of a full Conqueſt of her, or brag that ſhe hath been ſubjected to the ſame condition with themſelves; ſhe hath born up her head in the midſt of earthly Revolutions, and met with her preſervation or reſurrection, where carnal Intereſts have found their Funeral. Thoſe that have ſet their feet upon the Churches breaſts, or ſpilt her blood, have found their poiſon where they imagin'd they ſhould find their ſafety. The Babyloniſh Empire, which was God's Rod for the correcting his People, ſaw her ſelf in the chains of her Enemies that night ſhe had been ſacrilegiouſly carouzing healths in the ſacred Veſſels of the Temple, Dan. 5.3, 30. And the Jews enjoy'd a Deliverer, where the Babylonians felt the force of a Conquerour. Many ſuch fatal Periods may be reckoned up both in ſacred and humane ſtory, either for not protecting, or perſecuting that which is ſo dear to the Higheſt who hath eſtabliſht her.

p. 262. No Society but the Church ever ſubſiſted in the midſt of a multitude of Enemies. Has ſhe not been like a little Flock in the midſt of many Wolves, which though they ſuckt the blood of ſome, yet could never reach the head or heart of the whole? The Devil hath a…tackt her, without vanquiſhing her; ſhaken her, without ruining her. The biting of the Serpent, according to the ancient promiſe, may bruiſe the heel, but not the head, and make an incurable wound in the Myſtical Body. She hath been preſerved in a hating world in ſpight of the enmity of it, by a Divine Wiſdom that hath not regulated it ſelf by the Methods of fleſh and blood. His feeding the Iſraelites in the wilderneſs was a figure of what he would do to his Church, and he hath accompliſht it to the Goſpel-Church, as really as he did to the ancient Iſrael. While ſhe hath been in a wilderneſs theſe 1200 years, and I hope ſomewhat upwards, ſhe hath not wanted her Manna, nor her Rock; ſhe hath been fed in her ſtraits, and preſerved in her combates; and as Chriſt reigns, ſo the Church lives, and hath her Table ſpread in the midſt of her Enemies. What is 1100 years continuance of the Venetian Government, to ſo many thouſand years preſervation of the Church in the midſt of Atheiſm, Paganiſm, Antichriſtianiſm, ever ſince it was firſt born and nurſt in Adam's Family; and this hath been, when her friends have forſaken her; when her enemies have been confident of her ruine; when her ſelf hath expected little elſe than deſtruction; when ſhe hath thought ſometimes in her ſtraits, her God ignorant of her; when Hell hath poured out a flood, the carnal Earth hath ſometimes found it their Intereſt to help her, though their enmity were irreconcileable againſt her, Rev. 12.16. The ſubtilty and power of her Enemies, that have found ſucceſs in their other projects, have met with an unforeſeen baffle, when they have armed againſt her. Men of the greateſt abilities have proved fools, when they have exerciſed their wit againſt her. Achitophel's wiſdom was great when on David's ſide, and changed to folly when he ſhifted ſides againſt him. A ſecret blaſt hath been upon the Projects of men, when they have turned againſt her upon ſecular Intereſts. In the greateſt Judgments which have come, and ſhall come upon the world, when wonders ſhall be ſhewn in the Heavens, and in the Earth, blood, fire, and pillars of ſmoke; when the Sun ſhall be turned into darkneſs, and the Moon into blood, Joel 2.30, 31. yet God will have a Mount Sion and Jeruſalem: Some that call upon his Name, v. 32. Not the malice of her enemies ſhall impair her, becauſe of God's Power, nor the common Judgments of the world, under which others ſink, ſhall extinguiſh her, becauſe of God's Truth, v. 32. As the Lord hath ſaid. Whence comes all this, but from God's having been her dwelling-place in all generations? Pſal. 90.1. He was ſo to her from the time of Abraham, to the introduction of his poſterity into Canaan; he hath ſheltred her as an houſe doth an Inhabitant, or the Ark did Noah in the midſt of many waters. In all generations Sion hath been impregnable; for he that is her dwelling-place, hath formed the Mountains, and from everlaſting to everlaſting is only God, v. 2. And though one generation paſs, and another comes, he is the ſame dwelling-place, and never out of repair, never will want repair; and therefore it is an aſtoniſhment, that the Devil after ſo long an experience ſhould be ſuch a fool as to engage in new attempts, when he hath found ſo little ſucceſs in his former, and hath had ſo many Ages to witneſs the baffles he hath received, what a fool is he to think that her Defender ſhould be conquered by a revolted Angel, that lies under an everlaſting curſe!

3. The violences againſt her, which have been fatal to other Societies, have been uſeful to her. This buſh hath burned without conſuming, and preſerved its verdure in the midſt of fire, not from the nature of the buſh, but the preſence of him that dwelt in it: It hath not only ſubſiſted in the bowels of her Enemies, but hath been eſtabliſhed by means of the violence of men, and grown greater in the midſt of torments and death; ſhe hath not only out-grown her afflictions, but grown greater and better by them. The laſt Monarchy compos'd of Clay and Iron, Clay for its earthly and miry deſigns, and Iron for its force and violence, is the immediate Uſher of the Kingdom of God, that ſhall never be deſtroyed, but ſtand for ever, Dan. 2.41, 44.

1. She hath been often encreaſed. Perſecution hath lopt off ſome branches of the Vine, but have been found more ſprouting up inſtead of them, that were cut off. Her blood hath been ſeed, and the pangs of her Martyrs have been fruitful in bringing forth new witneſſes. We have ſcarce read of more ſudden converſions to Chriſtianity, though indeed more numerous, by the Preaching of the Word, than by the ſhedding the blood of Chriſtians. Eminent Profeſſors have ſprung out of the Martyrs Aſhes. The ſtorms have been ſo far from deſtroying her, that it hath been the occaſion of ſpreading her Tents in a larger ground. Saul's winnowing the Church, blew away ſome of the Corn to take rooting in other places, Acts 8.3, 4. Like ſeeds of Plants blown away by the wind, which have riſen & brought forth their kind in another ſoil; and it is no more than hath been predicted, Dan. 12.1, 4. Such a time of trouble that never was ſince there was a Nation, ſhould be the time when many ſhould run to and fro, and knowledg ſhould be increaſed. While other Societies increaſe by perſecuting their Enemies, this increaſeth by being perſecuted her ſelf. It grows as a Vine, Hoſ. 14.7. Though it be cut, the cutting hath contributed to its thriving. This Roſe-buſh hath not only ſtood in the wind, which hath rooted up other Oaks, but the fragrancy of it hath been carried by that wind to places at a greater diſtance. When Antiochus commanded all p. 27the Books of the Scripture in the hands of any to be burned, they were not only preſerved, but preſently after appeared out of their hidden places, as they were tranſlated into the Greek Tongue, the Language then moſt known in the world, and made publick to other Nations. Truth hath been often rendred by ſuch proceedings more clear and glorious. The perſecution of Sion's Head, the Captain of our Salvation, to death, was the occaſion of the diſcovery of the Goſpel to the whole world; he was the great ſeed, that being caſt into the ground became ſo fruitful, as to ſpread his branches in all corners of the Earth, Joh. 12.24. And that perſecution which I ſuppoſe remains yet to be acted, and which will be the ſmarteſt, ſhall be ſucceeded by the cleareſt eruption of Goſpel-light, wherein the Goſpel ſhall recover its ancient and primitive glory. The ſlaying of the witneſſes ſhall end in an Evangelical ſucceſs, Rev. 11.9, 10, &c. The world ſhall give glory to the God of Heaven, v. 13. The Kingdoms of the world ſhall become the Kingdoms of Chriſt, v. 15. Chriſt ſhall more illuſtriouſly reign, v. 17. The Temple of God ſhall be opened in Heaven, v. 19. The ſpiritual Iſrael, as well as the national, the Antitype as well as the Type, have multiplied under oppreſſion**Decay of Chriſtian Piety, p. 23.; and, like an arched Building, ſtood firmer by all the weights that have been deſigned to cruſh her.

(2.) She has often been Refin'd by the moſt violent perſecutions of her Enemies.

She hath not only ſurviv'd the flames that have been kindled againſt her, but as refin'd Gold come out more beautiful from the furnace, left her droſs behind her, and hath been wrought into a more beautiful frame by the hand of her great Artificer; like the ſand upon the ſea ſhore, ſhe hath not only broke the force of the waves, but been aſſiſted by them to diſcharge her filth, and been waſhed more clean by thoſe waves that ruſht in to drown her. She hath been more conformed to the image of her head, and made fitter to glorify God here, and to enter into the glory of God hereafter. The Church is to caſt forth her roots like Lebanon, Hoſ. 14.5. The Cedar by its ſhakings grows up more in beauty as well as ſtrength, and the torch by its knocks burns the clearer. Though the number of her children might ſome times decreaſe through fear, yet her true Off-ſpring that have remained, have increaſed in their zeal, courage, and love to God. Apoſtates themſelves have proved refiners of them that they have deſerted**Dan. 11.35. And ſome of them of underſtanding ſhall fall to try them, and to purge and make them white.Dan 11:35. The Corn is the purer by the ſeparation of the chaff. Thus hath ſhe grown purer by flames, and ſounder by batteries.

4. When ſhe has ſeemed to be forlorn and dead, God has reſtored her. When Iſrael was at the loweſt, a decree iſſued out in Aegypt to deſtroy her males and root out her ſeed, deliverance began to dawn; and when a knife was at her throat at the red ſea, and ſcarce a valiant believer found among a multitude of deſpairers, God turned the back of the knife to his Iſrael, and the edge to the throat of the enemies. When the whole Church as well as the whole world ſeemed to be at its laſt gaſp, God preſerved a Noah as a ſpark to kindle a new world and a new Church by. When Jeruſalem was ſackt, the City deſtroyed, the people diſperſed into ſeveral parts of the Babyloniſh Empire without any humane probability of ever being gathered again into one body; yet ſhe was preſerved, reſtored, recollected, brought out of the ſepulchre, reſetled in her ancient ſoyl and recovered her beauty, which can be ſaid of no other ſociety in the world but this; whoſe deliverance and reſtauration hung not upon the will and policy of man, but upon the Word of God, who had limited their captivity to ſeventy years, and promiſed a reſtauration. The bleſſing of God to Abraham and Sarah is ſet out as a ground of faith and comfort for the Churches reſtauration and increaſe, Iſa. 51.1, 2, 3. He will comfort Sion and comfort all her waſt places and make her wilderneſs like Eden, and her deſert like the garden of God, that joy and gladneſs may be found therein; as well as he did enliven the dead body of Abraham and the barren womb of Sarah. When the Church hath been ſo low, that men have deſpaired of ſeeing any more of her than her aſhes, God hath produced, a new remnant, he hath reſerv'd a tenth to return, Iſ. 6.13. and fro… the hidden womb of the earth brought forth a new ſucceſſion by the vigorous influence of the Sun of righteouſneſs. And after the laſt attempt and ſucceſs of the antichriſtian ſtate, when they are jolly and merry at the Churches funeral, Revel. 11.10. they ſhall ſoon be amaz'd at her reſurrection, v. 11. as much as the high prieſts were at the reſurrection of Chriſt. For the Church can no more lye in the grave than her head, the Myſtical Body no more than the Natural; his reſurrection was an earneſt of this, and this the accompliſhment of that; little difference in the time of their grave-ſtate; three days the Natural Body lay, three days and an half only the Myſtical ſhall lye before a full revival.

5. God never wanted inſtruments for his Church in the due ſeaſon. If Abel be butcher'd by Cain, God will raiſe up Seth in his place, to bring men to a publick form of worſhip, Gen. 4.26. If Nebuchadnezzar be the ax to hew down Jeruſalem, Cyrus ſhall be the inſtrument to build her up; when his time is come he will not want an Ezra and Nehemiah to rear her walls, nor be wanting to them to inſpire them with courage, and aſſiſt their labour in ſpite of the adverſaries that would give check-mate to the work If Stephen be ſtoned by the Jews, he will cull out Paul an a better of that murder to be a preacher of the Goſpel, and he that was all fire againſt it, ſhall become as great a flame for the propagation of it; one Phenix ſhall ariſe out of the aſhes of another. When Arrianiſm, like a deluge overflowed the world, the Church wanted not an Athanaſius to ſtand in the gap, and be a Champion for the truth of the Deity of Chriſt. When enemies riſe up againſt the Church from all p. 28quarters to afflict it, God raiſed others from all quarters to defend it, Zach. 1.19, 20. Yea thoſe that have been the inſtruments to ſupport the Antichriſtian ſtate againſt her, by giving their power and ſtrength to the beaſt, ſhall turn their arms againſt that which they ſupported, to make her deſolate, eat her fleſh and burn her with fire, Rev. 17.12, 13, 16. 'Tis the ſame Chriſt that is King in his Church, and the Spirit is not diſpoſſeſſed of his office to furniſh men with gifts for the defence and encreaſe of it; he is ſtill a ſpirit of government in Magiſtrates, and the ſpirit of fire in Miniſters for the Churches intereſt. Now ſince the Church hath maintained its ſtanding longer than any other Empire, & that in the midſt of its enemies, and hath been both encreaſed and refin'd by the violences uſed againſt her, ſince ſhe hath been ſo often reſtor'd, and never wanted inſtruments for the rearing and protecting her, who can doubt whether the higheſt hath not, and whether the higheſt will not ſtill eſtabliſh her, and cover her with his mighty wings?

III3. The 3d thing. Why it muſt needs be ſo?

1. 'Tis neceſſary for the honour of God. Thoſe Societies may moulder away, and thoſe Religions grow feeble which have drawn their birth from the wiſdom of man, and been ſetled by the force of man; but a divine work muſt needs have a divine eſtabliſhment. Tis ſo,

(1.) If you regard it as his main deſign in the Creation of the world. Can we think God made the world for the worlds ſake, that he pitch'd tabernacles here for a few creatures, that could ſpell from all his works but a few and little letters of his name? Could the bare creation ſhew to man ſo much as his back parts? The moſt glorious perfections of his Nature could never be viſible in a handful of creatures, though never ſo glorious, no nor in multitudes of worlds of a more beautiful aſpect, without the diſcovery of the Goſpel, and the ſetling a Goſpel Church. How ſhould we have known his patience, been inſtructed in his mercy, have had any ſenſe of his grace, or underſtood the depths of his wiſdom or heard the voice of the bowels of his love, ſo as they are linkt together in his nature? If God created the world for his glory, he created it for his higheſt glory; a bare creation without a redeemed company of creatures, could never have given us a proſpect of the great glory of his Nature, nor have anſwered the end of God, which was the manifeſtation of his perfections. His wiſdom broke out in the frame of all creatures giving them life and motion; but his eye, when he made the world, was upon the manifeſtation of a greater wiſdom which then lay hid in his boſom, and was not to be diſcovered but in the publiſhing the Goſpel. Epheſ. 3.9.10. The wiſdom that broke out in the creation, was but a ſcaffold, whereon in time his wiſdom in the glory of a Church peculiar to himſelf ſhould appear. All things were created for Chriſt as well as by him, for him and his glory as Mediator and as Head of the Church, and therefore for the glory of his body. And his end in ſending Chriſt was to gather all things together in him; thoſe things which are in Heaven as well as thoſe which are on earth, Eph. 1.10. And in order to that end he works all things **v. 11. He works all things according to the counſel of his own will.. This counſel and will of appointing Chriſt was the ſpring and rule of all his works, and therefore of creation, as well as the reſt ſucceeding it. He that would upon occaſion give the richeſt parts of the world for the ranſom of Sion, as Aegypt Aethiopia Seba, Iſa. 23.43. may well be thought to create thoſe and other nations to lay a foundation for her. We know that ſoon after the Creation the reſt of God was diſturbed by the entrance of ſin, which could not come unexpected, unforeſeen and unpermitted. There had not then been any ground of rejoycing in the habitable parts of the earth, Prov. 8.31. if he had not deſigned ſomething elſe. But he provided in his counſel another reſt, and in order to that ſuffered this firſt reſt in the bare creation to be ſpoyl'd; Sion he choſe; and Sion he deſired as his reſt for ever wherein he would dwell, Pſa. 132.13, 14. The end of God in creation was not certainly only to make a Sun or Stars, an earth bedeckt with plants, and man a rational creature, only to contemplate theſe works, but to render him the acknowledgments of his power and wiſdom**Cha…. 3 Veri…. lib. 3. cap. 1. p. 16.: As a Limner lays his chief deſign in the midſt of the cloth, and fills the void places with many other fancies to beautify and ſet off his work, but thoſe were not in his firſt intention, but his main deſign was the draught, in the middle, ſurrounded with the reſt. Now when man by ſin had made himſelf uncapable of performing the work he had to do, God orders things ſo as to have a reſt, to have a people to acknowledge him. Hence perhaps the forming of ſuch a people is called by the term of a new creation, not only as it is an act of creative power, but as it was the chief deſign of the exerting his power in the creation of the world. And ſhall the chief of his counſel be the conqueſt & triumph of Satan? Shall he at the cloſing up of the world be defeated of his main contrivance? Surely if there were a greater oppoſition to Sion than ever there was, he would exert a greater ſtrength than ever he did, not to be croſt in his principal aim.

(2.) As he hath been the Author and Builder of Sion **His f…ndati… is in the … Mo…tain. Pſal. 85.1.Ps 85:1. Great Kings have a particular care of the Cities they have founded for the honour and preſervation of their Name, and a teſtimony of their Magnificence; with what choice Priviledges do they uſe to endow them? with what ſtrong Garriſons do they uſe to ſecure them in time of danger? And ſhall not the Great God perpetuate that which he hath form'd for his glory, to which he hath given a peculiar denomination of the City of God **Called by tha… this four times in …e 48 P…a 1, 2, 8, 14. whence the Pſalm…ſt concludes the eſtabliſhment of her.? Nebuchadnezzar cannot be more induſtrious to enrich Babylon, which he had built by the might of his Power, than God will be to perpetuate p. 29Sion, which he hath built for the honour of his Majeſty. God was the Architect of this City, and gave the Model. Chriſt was the Builder of this City, and rais'd the Structure**Heb. 3.3, 4. He, i. e. Chriſt, built the houſe, and he that built all things is God.Heb 3:3Heb 3:4. God laid the Platform of all things, much more of that which is dearer to him than all things: He laid the Foundation of it by his Son; whereas the Jewiſh Synagogue was form'd by the Miniſtry of Moſes; he hath poured upon her greater Treaſures of knowledg, a fuller meaſure of the Spirit than he did before, that the knowledg of precedent Ages was nothing in compariſon of that which he lighted in the Goſpel Sion, in the fulneſs of time. The Spirit hath form'd the Church in the womb of the world, as he form'd Chriſt in the womb of the Virgin. The natural and the myſtical Body of the Son of God have the ſame Author and Original; not a ſtone fitted to be a part in compoſing this Temple, but was culled out, and poliſht by God, 1 Pet. 3.5. He that laid the corner ſtone, fixeth the lively ſtones to become a ſpiritual houſe. Are built; not built themſelves; 'tis his houſe, becauſe he built it, as well as his houſe becauſe he dwells in it, and rules it as the Maſter of the Family. Though the whole Fabrick of Nature is God's work, yet the Church is peculiarly, and by way of diſtinction called his work **Hab. 3.2. Revive thy work.Hab 3:2; and every ſtone in it is called his Jewel **Mal. 3.17. My Jewels.Mal 3:17, made ſo by his Power, in working a real change; for by nature they were as unfit as the common Pebbles of the Earth. He is therefore peculiarly called the Creator of Iſrael, Iſa. 43.15. As he hath maintained a Creation revolted from him, notwithſtanding all the provoking ſins of men; ſo he will maintain a Creation dear to him, notwithſtanding all the bloody contrivances of men. Sion's Inheritance is ſecured, becauſe 'tis a branch of God's planting, Iſa. 60.21. Things are preſerv'd by the ſame means whereby they are firſt ſetled. Is it not then for the honour of God to be the Eſtabliſher of that by the Power of his might, whereof he hath been the Founder by the ſtrength of his Arm? He made not uſe of the Riches, Power and Wiſdom of the World, to lay the Foundation of Sion; but as the Jews, he wrought as it were with a Trowel in one hand, and a Sword in the other, and erected her Walls againſt the force and policy of Hell and Earth; and as he founded it without worldly advantages, and againſt the ſtream of corrupt Nature, he knows how to preſerve it when the wit and ſtrength of the World are contrary to it. It would be too low a conceit of the Wiſdom and Power of God, to imagine that he ſhould undertake ſo great a work, to be baffled in the end he deſigned to himſelf: His Wiſdom is as much concerned in honour to work wonders for the preſervation of Sion, as his Power was imployed at firſt miraculouſly, to lay the firſt corner ſtone of her.

(3.) As he hath been the preſerver and inlarger of her to this day. Men think themſelves concerned in honour to perfect thoſe which they call their creatures, and often regard one act of kindneſs as an engagement upon them to ſucceſſive acts of the like nature. 'Tis not for the honour of any man to ſtand by a friend a long time, and to enjoy the glory of aſſiſting him, and deſert him at the laſt pinch. God ſet up the Church after the fall in Adam's Family, rather than create a new world to create a new Church; he raiſed up Seth to propagate it, when Abel was taken off by the bloody hands of his Brother; he preſerv'd it in Noah's Family, in the midſt of a corrupted and degenerate world, and ſettled it upon the Foundation of the Goſpel in both; Upon the firſt promiſe in the Family of Adam, Gen. 3.15. Upon the ſweet-ſmelling Sacrifice offered by Noah, Gen. 8.20, 21, 2…. Not upon the Symbol or Type, the blood of the beaſts, but upon the thing ſignified by it; and the preſervation of the world promiſed after that Sacrifice, was chiefly in order to the preſervation of a Church in it, as the Creation of the world was in order to the erecting it; and therefore the Rain-bow ſettled then as a ſign of the Covenant, for the worlds preſervation from a Flood of Waters, is made the ſign of the Everlaſting Covenant of Peace, both in Ezekiel **Ezek. 1.28.Ezek 1:28, and in the Revelation **Rev. 4.3.Rev 4:3, as a ſign he would preſerve his Church from the multitude of Waters, from the Rage of the People, ſignified by Waters in the Prophetick part of Scripture, and from the Floods that the Devil ſhould caſt out againſt her. And thence it is that this Covenant of her Eſtabliſhment is compared with that Covenant God ſwore to Noah, and the Faith of the Church ſtrengthened by reflection upon that, Iſa. 54.9. After this ſettling it in Noah, he fixed it in Abraham, and cleared up the Promiſe of the Meſſiah, with a greater evidence than to the Ages before: He multiplied it in the fleſhly Iſrael, and enlarged the bounds of it to a whole Nation. After that, he takes away the partition wall, and ſpreads her Confines to the poſſeſſion of the Gentiles, that the Sons of Japhet might dwell in the Tents of Shem, according to his Promiſe, Gen. 9.27. out of the forelorn Gentiles, as ſtupid as ſtocks and ſtones, he raiſeth up Children, a great poſterity to Abraham. Thoſe that he imployed in the erecting Sion, and eſtabliſhing the Law that went out from her in the rubbiſh of the Gentiles, he ſtruck off from all humane aſſiſtances, all ſtrength and power in themſelves, when he commanded them not to depart from Jeruſalem, but to wait there for a power from on high, before they ventured to be Witneſſes to him, and publiſh his Name, not only in the uttermoſt parts of the Earth, but in Jeruſalem, the City where they were to abide, or in any part of Judaea, Acts 1.4, 8. They were not to ſpeak a word of him in their own ſtrength, or in any ſtrength leſs than a Power from Heaven, which was to be given them by the ſending the Spirit: and this he calls the promiſe of the Father; as ſignifying his purpoſe to enlarge his Church as well as build it at the firſt, by himſelf and his own power. 'Tis this the promiſe of the Father our Saviour there pitches their faith upon, and 'tis this our faith ſhould be eſtabliſhed in in all conditions of the Church.

p. 30Now hath God thus rear'd up a Church out of the aſhes of mans original Apoſtacy, ſetled it among the murmuring and ungrateful Iſraelites that induſtriouſly longed for the Garlick and Onions of Aegypt, as weary of the greatneſs of his mercy to them, and propagated it to the Idolatrous Gentiles fill'd with all unrighteouſneſs, as bad as bad could be, as is deſcribed, Rom. 1.29, 30, 31? To what purpoſe was the enlarging the Churches Patent, if he did intend the footſteps of her ſhould ever be rooted out of the world? He pickt out the weakeſt, pooreſt perſons as the matter of it, that he might ſhew his own honour in preſerving it: he hath yet ſupported her all the while ſhe hath carryed the croſs of her Lord: he hath ſent his ſpirit to frame a ſucceſſion of new materials for her: how fruitleſs would all this be, if he ſhould let Hell waſte the Temple erected for Heaven? What? did he gather and enlarge the Church only to make it a richer conqueſt, and a fatter morſel for the Devil? How vain would his former kindneſs appear, if he ſhould let it utterly ſink as long as the world endures? It cannot be imagin'd with any ſemblance of reaſon, that God hath taken all this care about the nurſing and growth of the Church from ſmall beginnings, to let his darling be a prey to the mouth of Lyons, and be of no other uſe than to fatten his enemies.

(4.) In regard of the coſt and pains he hath been at about Sion. Did the creation of the world ever coſt him ſo much? Was there one tear, one groan, one ſigh, much leſs the blood of the Son of God expended in laying the foundation of it? When the matter of it was without form and void, the beauty of it was not wrought with a waſhing with blood. When God eſtabliſhed the clouds above, and ſtrengthn'd the foundations of the deep, when he gave the ſea his decree, and appointed the foundations of the earth, the Son of God was by him rejoicing in the habitable parts of the earth and his delights were among the ſons of men, Prov. 8.28, 29, 31. Not bleeding and dying. But this he muſt do, he muſt take humane nature, be bruiſed in his heel by the ſerpent, and be a Sacrifice himſelf, make an atonement for ſin, before a ſtone for the building of ſpiritual Sion could be fram'd and laid.

What pains have been taken alſo in the effecting it? The birth of the Church was a work of greater power than the fabrick of the world; a few words went to the rearing of that; in the revolution of ſix days it was ſet upon its feet: but many a year was God in travel before Sion was brought forth; there was an enemy as potent as Hell to deal with in ſetting it in Adams family after mans Apoſtacy: The corrupt nature, that had then got the poſſeſſion of the world, to conteſt with. The world muſt be drowned to bring it to a ſecond nativity and eſtabliſhment in Noah. The forming the Church of the Jews was not without ſome pangs of nature; what ſigns and wonders, and great terrours were wrought in its bringing forth out of Aegypt, and ſtriking off the chains of her Captivity? Deut. 4.34. What fire, blackneſs, darkneſs, tempeſt, that made a convulſion in the Souls of thoſe that were to be her materials? Heb. 12.18, 19. And the bringing forth the Gentile Church, and enlarging the cords and ſtakes of Sion, was preceded by the darkening the Sun, the trembling of the Earth, the opening of the Graves, the ſuffering of that which was deareſt to God himſelf.

No Power was ever employed ſo ſignally in the Affairs of any worldly concern, as in the ſettlement of Sion. The devouring waves of the Red Sea have been made her Bulwarks, and the Sand, the Grave of her Enemies, hath been a path for her paſſage. The Sun hath forgotten his natural Race, to gaze upon her Victories, Joſh. 10.13. Angels have been commiſſioned to be her Champions, and fight her Battels, 2 King. 19.35. The whole Hoſt of Heaven have been arrayed to fight for Sion on Earth. The mercileſs nature of the fire hath been curb'd, to preſerve her children, when ſhe ſeemed to be reduced to a ſmall number; and the mouths of hunger-ſtarv'd Lions have been bridled for the ſame purpoſe, Dan. 6.22. The proudeſt Enemies to her have been vanquiſht by Frogs, and Lice; and Tyrants, that would lay their hands upon her, have been made to their diſgrace a living Banquet for Worms the vileſt creatures, Act. 12.23.

And indeed, after the malice of the Devil had uſurpt God's right in the Creation, and had drawn the chiefeſt of his ſublunary creatures into an Apoſtacy with himſelf, no leſs than an Infinite Power could be engaged againſt the greateſt of created Powers, if God would not forego his own honour in ſuffering himſelf to be deprived of the fruit of his works. No leſs than Infinite Power could erect a Church in the world; that God might have the fruit of his Creation, he ordered this Power to appear, ſtruck down the Gates of Hell, ſent his Son to reſcue his Honour, and his Spirit to poliſh ſtones for his Temple. Every one that is fitted for this Building, had Almightineſs at work with him before he was form'd, Eph. 1.19, 20. Every ſtone was hewed by the Spirit, and the Image of God was imprinted by a Divine Efficacy. Shall the fruit of ſo much Power, and the mark of his own Image, want an eſtabliſhment, God would ſeem to be careleſs of the Treaſures of his own Nature, wherewith he hath endow'd her. Shall all this coſt and pains be to no purpoſe? Were the Gates of Hell taken down to be ſet up again more ſtrongly? and the chargeable Counſels of God to be puft away by the breath of Satan? Doth it conſiſt with his Wiſdom to let Sion fall out of his hands into the power of her old Oppreſſor? Men are more deſirous to preſerve the Eſtate they have gotten by ſweat, than that which is left them by Inheritance; and are moſt careful in ſettling that which hath coſt them more Treaſure, and more Labour. Jacob ſets a value upon the Portion he got with his Sword and p. 31Bow, Gen. 48.22. No leſs will God upon that Sion he hath wreſted out of the world by the Might of his Arm.

(5.) In regard of Faithfulneſs: His Veracity is ingaged.

[1.] In regard of Faithfulneſs to Chriſt the Head. The Spirit was promiſed to Chriſt, Act. 2.33. Having received the promiſe of the Holy Ghoſt, i. e. the Holy Ghoſt promiſed to him by the Father: He received that which was promiſed; his receiving it from God implyed the Spirit's being promiſed to him by God. To what end was this Spirit given him, and ſent by him? To convince the world of righteouſneſs, John 16.10. an effect neceſſary to the building Sion. For this end he received it, for this end therefore it was promiſed to him. The promiſe would be vain, the performance of the promiſe, in the miſſion of the Holy Ghoſt, would be to no purpoſ… if the end for which he was promiſed, and for which he was ſent, were not perform'd, if there ſhould not be a perpetual number convinced of, and imbracing that righteouſneſs of Chriſt, which hath been manifeſted by his going to the Father.

God alſo promiſed him a great poſterity after his making his ſoul an offering for ſin, Iſa. 53.10.11. A ſeed that he ſhould ſee, therefore ſtable and perpetual‖‖A poſterity was to follow his Sacrifice, his Croſs was to give them being, and his Blood was to give them life., becauſe always viſible to him. God pawn'd his word upon the condition of his death; the condition was performed to the full ſatisfaction of God: his Truth therefore hath no evaſion, no plea to deny the performance of the promiſe in raiſing up a multitude of believers in the world, and ſuch a multitude as ſhall always be ſeen with pleaſure by him, as good, and ſound children and the travel of the mothers womb, are by the parents. The truth of God is oblig'd by Chriſt's exact performance of the condition, as well as by the particular reſpect he hath to the glory of it; it was for the Church Chriſt gave himſelf, Eph. 5.25. 'Tis neceſſary therefore that God ſhould preſerve and eſtabliſh a Church for him to the end of the world; that Chriſt might not by any default of his Father, loſe the end and deſign of his death, there ſhall be a generation of believers, a little ſeed lying in the midſt of all the chaff; ſo God promiſed**Pſal. 72.17. His name ſhall be continued as long as the world. foreignPs 72:17: His name ſhall be propagated in a perpetual birth of Children, it ſhall be ſound while the Sun in the Heaven keeps its ſtation.

(2.) In regard of faithfulneſs to the Church it ſelf. How doth the word ſparkle with promiſes to Sion in all her concerns? He hath promiſed an indiſſolvable marriage, the fixing a knot that ſhall never be untied**Hoſ. 2.19. I will betroth thee unto me for ever, and that in judgment, righteouſneſs, loving kindneſs, mercy; faithfulneſs.Hos 2:19. A marriage, that ſhall never end in widdow-hood, ſo that Judgment, righteouſneſs, loving kindneſs, mercy, faithfulneſs muſt firſt fail, before the Church meet with an entire diſſolution, i. e. God and the glorious perfections of his nature ſhall fail, before the Church be forſaken, and left to her enemies. She is no leſs aſſur'd of continual ſupplies and nouriſhment, and that by no meaner a hand than that of God himſelf, Iſa. 27.3. I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment, I will keep it night and day. (Nor a meaner dew than himſelf, Hoſ. 14.5.) Alſo without the failing her a minute; he would water her with doctrine to preſerve her verdure and increaſe her growth. He would be her Guardian night and day, in the darkneſs of adverſity, in the ſunſhine of proſperity; ſo that Satan ſhould not outwit, nor the craft and ſubtilty of hereticks waſte her; for it refers to v. 1. wherein God promiſeth her to puniſh the piercing Serpent, the crooked Serpent, that by various windings and turnings inſinuates himſelf to the deſtruction of men. And he adds v. 4. Fury is not in me, he lays by his anger againſt her, as conſidered in apoſtate nature; the fury of Hell ſhall not prevail where the anger of God is pacified, but her enemies ſhall be as bryars and thorns before him. He hath a conſuming fury for her enemies, though he hath none for his vineyard. Protection is in no leſs meaſure promiſed, and that not a temporary one, nor a bare defence, but with the ruin of her enemies, and treading them down, as ſtraw is trodden down for the Dunghil, Iſa. 25.10. In this mountain ſhall the hand of the Lord reſt. By hand is meant his power, and by reſt is meant the perpetual motion of it for her, and that againſt the moſt furious, malicious & powerful of her Enemies, Mat. 16.18. againſt the gates of hell: againſt the wiſdom of Hell, gates being the ſeat of councel, againſt the cenſures and ſentences of Hell, gates being the place of judicature, againſt the arms of Hell, gates being the place of ſtrength & guards. When Chriſt ſecures againſt Hell, he ſecures againſt all that receive their commiſſion from Hell; neither Hell it ſelf, nor the inſtruments edg'd and envenomed by Hell, ſhall prevail againſt her; ſhe is ſecur'd for her aſſemblies in one part or other, when they gather together to hear the Law, and to ſacrifice; And I that am the Lord thy God, from the Land of Aegypt, will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of Solemn feaſts, Hoſ. 12.9. 'tis a promiſe to the Church, it was never yet, nor appears like to be performed to the ten tribes as a Nation, but to their Poſterity as ſwallowed up in, & embodied with the Gentiles. The conqueſt of her enemies is ſecur'd to her, Pſ. 110.1. The promiſe is made to Chriſt of making his enemies his footſtool: But made to him as Davids Lord, and conſequently as the Lord of his people, as King in Sion: and therefore made to the whole body of his loyal ſubjects. And, all thoſe things are of little comfort without duration and ſtability, which is alſo ſecur'd to her, Hoſ. 6.3. His going forth, i. e. the going forth of God in the Church, is prepared as the morning. foreign Stable; His appearance for her, and in her, is as certain as the dawning of the morning light at the appointed hour. All the clouds which threaten a perpetual night, cannot hinder it, all the workers of darkneſs cannot prevent it; the morning will dawn whether they will or no. Her duration is compared to the moſt durable things, to that of the Cedar the moſt laſting of all plants. Three times it is compared to Lebanon in the promiſe, Hoſ. 14.5, 6, 7. The Cedar never rots, worms eat it not. 'Tis not p. 32only free from putrifaction it ſelf, but the juyce of it preſerves other things. Numa's Books**Sanct. in loc., though of paper, yet dipt in the juyce of Cedar, remained without corruption in the ground 500 years. How ſhall that God who always remembers every thing, yea the meaneſt of his creatures, forget his own variety of expreſſions and multiplyed promiſes concerning his Sion?

(6.) In regard, 'tis the ſeat of his glory. 'Tis the branch of his planting, the work of his hands, that he might be glorified, Iſa. 60.21. His glory would have a bruſh, if Sion ſhould ſink to ruin. He ſows her for himſelf, Hoſ. 2.23. ſpeaking of the Church in the time of the Goſpel, not to the Devil, to ſin, to the world, but to his own glory. As husbandmen ſow their Fields for their own uſe, to reap from them a fruitful crop; and therefore till the Harveſt be in, they take care to make up the breaches, and preſerve them from the Incurſions of beaſts. Though God hath an objective glory from all creatures, yet he hath an active glory only from the Church. 'Tis Iſrael, the houſe of Aaron, and thoſe that fear the Lord, that the Pſalmiſt calls upon to render God the praiſe of the eternity of his mercy, Pſal. 118.2, 3, 4. He forbids the prophane and diſobedient world to take his Covenant in their mouth, Pſal. 50.16. None do, none can truly honour and acknowledg him, but the Church; therefore the Apoſtle in his Doxology appropriates the glory that is to be given to God as the object, to the Church as the ſubject, Epheſ. 3.21. Ʋnto him be glory in the Church by Jeſus Chriſt throughout all Ages, world without end. So ſolemn a wiſh from ſo great an Apoſtle, that it ſhould be, amounts to a certainty that it will be. There cannot be a glory to God in the Church throughout all Ages, without the continuance of the Church in all Ages. God will have a revenue of glory paid him during the continuance of the world; there ſhall therefore be a ſtanding Church during the duration of the world; while he therefore expects a glory from the midſt of his People, he will be a wall of fire round about them, and keep Sion one where or other in a poſture to glorifie him. What is the Apoſtles motive to this glory? 'Tis not a remote power, ſuch as can act, but will not; but a power operative in the Church, in doing thoſe things for her, which ſhe could never ask, nor think for her ſelf**v. 20. Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundan ly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.. God hath a greater glory from the Church, than he can have from the world; he therefore gives her more ſignal experiments of his Power, Wiſdom and Love, than to the reſt of the world. He had a glory from Angels, but only as Creator, not as Redeemer, till they were acquainted with his deſign, and were ſpeculators of his actions in gathering a Church in the world. The Church therefore was the original of the new glory, and praiſe, the Angels preſented to God. Glory in the Church by Chriſt. Muſculus thinks that is added to diſtinguiſh it from the Jewiſh Church, which was ſettled by the Miniſtry of Moſes; as much as to ſay, God had not ſo much glory by the Tabernacles of Jacob, as he hath by the Church as ſettled by Chriſt. Or, by Chriſt notes the manner of the preſenting our praiſe, and the ground of the acceptance of our praiſe. God accepts no glory but what is offered to him by the hand of Chriſt; and Chriſt preſents no glory but what is paid him by the Church. 'Tis the Church then, and the Goſpel-Church that preſerves the glory of God in the world. If the Church therefore ceaſeth, the glory of God in the world ceaſeth. But ſince God hath created all for his own glory, ſeparated a Church out of the world for his glory, appointed his Son the Head of it, that he might be glorified, his Church therefore is as dear to him as his glory, and dear to him in order to his glory; in eſtabliſhing it therefore he eſtabliſhes his own honour and name. It ſhall therefore remain in this world to glorifie him, afterwards in another to glorifie him, and be glorified by him.

(7.) In regard that 'tis the object of his peculiar affection. Eſtabliſhment of a beloved object is inſeparable from a real affection. By this he ſecures the Spiritual Sion, or Goſpel-Church both from being forſaken by him, or made deſolate by her Enemies, becauſe ſhe was Hephzibah **Iſa. 62.4.Isa 62:4, my delight, or, my will is in her, as if he had no will to any thing but what concern'd her and her ſafety: As men ingrave upon their Rings the Image of thoſe friends that are deareſt to them, and as the Jews in their Captivity engraved the Effigies of their City upon their Rings, to keep her in perpetual remembrance, ſo doth God engrave Sion upon the palms of his hands, Iſa. 49.16. to which the Holy Ghoſt ſeems to allude. He ſo loves his Iſrael, that he who will be commanded by none, ſtoops to be commanded by them in things concerning his Sons, Iſa. 45.10. Not only ask of me what you want, but command me in the things that are to come; the pleas of my promiſes of things to come, and your deſires to bring them forth as the work of my hand, ſhall be as powerful a motive to me, as a command from a Superiour is to an obedient Inferiour; for it is to things to come, ſuch things that God hath predicted, that he limits their asking, which he calls alſo here a commanding of him. There was a real love in the firſt choice; there is an intenſeneſs of love in the firſt attraction, Jer. 31.3. I have loved thee with an everlaſting love, therefore with loving-kindneſs have I drawn thee. His love, which had a being from Eternity, is expreſt by words of more tenderneſs, when he comes to frame her; lovingkindneſs; as if his affection ſeemed to be increaſed, when he came to the execution of his Counſel. According to the vigour of his immutable Love will be the ſtrength of her immutable Eſtabliſhment. This promiſe is made, not to the Church in general, but to all the Families of the ſpiritual Iſrael, v. 1. Men are concern'd in honour for that upon which they have plac'd their affection. Shall there then be decays in the kindneſs of that God, whoſe glory it is to be immutable? Is it poſſible this Fountain ſhould be frozen in his breaſt? Was there not a love p. 33of good will to Sion to frame her, to pick out her materials when they lay like Swine in the confuſed maſs, and dirty mire of a corrupt world? Is there not alſo a love of delight, ſince he hath refined and beautified her by imparting to her of his own comlineſs, Ezek. 16.14. Is it likely this affection ſhould ſink into careleſneſs? And the fruit of ſo much love be daſht in peices? Can ſuch tenderneſs be ſo unconcerned, as to let the apple of his eye be pluckt out? To be a lazy ſpectator of the pillage of his Jewels by the powers of Hell? to have the Center of his delight toſt about at the pleaſure of men and Devils? Shall a Mother be careleſs of her ſucking Child? How then can that God, whoſe tenderneſs to the Church, cannot be equalled by the bowels of the moſt compaſſionate mother to her infants? Surely God is concerned in honour, to maintain againſt a feeble Devil, and a decrepit world, that which is the object of his almighty affection.

(8.) In regard of the natural weakneſs of the Church. No generous Prince but will think himſelf bound in honour to ſupport the weaker ſubject: no tender parent but will acknowledg himſelf obliged in affection to take a greater care of the weaker than the ſtronger Child; The Gardiner adds props to the feebleſt plants, that are moſt expoſed to the fury of the ſtorms, and have leaſt ſtrength to withſtand them. The powers of the world have always been the Churches enemies; the wiſe have ſet their reaſon, and the mighty their arms againſt her; the Devil, the God of this world, is ſo far from being her friend, that Sion hath been the only object of his ſpite. He contrives only floods to drown her, or mines to demoliſh her. Her own friends are often ſo darkened, or divided, that they cannot ſome times for Ignorance, and will not other times for peeviſhneſs hit upon, and uſe the right means for her preſervation. 'Tis an honourable thing then for that God, who entitles himſelf the Father of the fatherleſs, to ſhew his own power and grace in her eſtabliſhment. The fatherleſs condition of the Church is an argument ſhe hath ſometimes uſed to procure the aſſiſtance ſhe wanted**Hoſ. 14.3. With thee the fatherleſs finds mercy.Hos 14:3. And the weakneſs of Jacob urged by the Prophet excited repentance in God and averted two Judgments which were threatned againſt that people, Amos. 7.2, 3, 5, 6. 'Tis no mean motive to him to help the helpleſs, this opportunity he delights to take; when there was no man to help, no interceſſor to plead, then his own arm brought Salvation. When he ſaw no defenders, but all ravagers, no Phyſicians, but all wounders, then ſhould the Spirit of the Lord lift up a ſtandard, Iſa. 59.16.19.

To conclude, if Sion, the Goſpel Church, were not of as long a duration as the ſtanding of the world, God would loſe the honour of his creation, after the Devil by ſin had made the creatures unuſeful for thoſe ends to which God had appointed them by his firſt inſtitution. The wiſdom of God had been blurred, the ſerpent would have Triumphed, the Kingdom of God had been diſſolved, the enemy would have enjoy'd a remedileſs tyranny, had not God put his hand to the work, and erected a new Kingdom to himſelf out of the ruins of the fall. And ſince God was pleaſed to take this courſe rather than create a new world, and hath laid the foundation of a new Kingdom by drawing ſome out of that common rebellion, the humane nature was fallen into, and that he might do it with honour to himſelf, hath ſent his Son upon that errand, by his blood to bring back man to God, and his ſpirit to make men fit for a Communion with him, and hath backt his affection to the Church with ſo much coſt and pains for her welfare; If after all this God ſhould-deſert his Church, the diſhonour of Gods wiſdom, the loſs of the fruit of all his coſt and pains, the weakneſs of his affection, or of his power to perform his promiſe, and the ruin of his glory intended by thoſe methods, would be the iſſue, which would be attended with the triumph of his revolted creature, and greateſt enemy. This would be, if God ſhould ceaſe picking out ſome men for his praiſe, and keeping up his name and royalty in the earth.

2. 'Tis for the exerciſe of the Offices of Chriſt that Sion ſhould be eſtabliſht. He is Prophet, Prieſt, and King, which are all titles of relation. Prophet implies ſome to be inſtructed, a Prieſt ſome to offer for, and a King ſome to be ruled; put one relation, and you muſt neceſſarily put the other. If there were no Church preſerv'd in the world, he would be a nominal Prophet without any diſciples, a King without ſubjects, and a Prieſt without ſuppliants to be atoned by him, upon earth. Now Chriſt is the wonderfull Counſellour, the everlaſting Father, and the Government is laid upon his Shoulders; to what end? to order and eſtabliſh the Kingdom of God, Iſa. 9.6, 7. All the ſtrength and vigor he had, as it was from God, ſo it was intended for God **Thou madeſt the Son of man ſtrong for thy ſelf, Pſa. 80.17.Ps 80:17. And the reaſon is, becauſe, though God hath given up the adminiſtration of things to Chriſt, yet he hath not deveſted himſelf of his right, nor can; For God is the chief Lord, and the relation of creatures not ceaſing, the relation of Lord and Creator cannot ceaſe. And therefore ſince the right of God continues, the grant of the uttermoſt ends of the earth to be the inheritance & poſſeſſion of Chriſt, includes not only a gift but an Office, to preſerve, protect, eſtabliſh, and improve his poſſeſſion for thoſe ends for which he had the grant, and to prevent all that may impair it. As he had a right and ſtrength, by the order of God to rear it, ſo he hath an Office and Power to eſtabliſh it, as well as to erect it, and Chriſt is the ſame in all his offices yeſterday, to day and for ever, Heb. 13.8. The ſame in credit with God, in faithfulneſs to his Office, the vertue of his blood, the force of his arm, and compaſſions to bleeding Sion.

(1.) 'Tis his part, as a Prophet, to eſtabliſh it in Doctrine. 'Tis his part externally to raiſe his truth when it lyes gaſping in the rubbiſh of errour, and refine his worſhip when it is daub'd p. 34with Superſtition and Idolatry. Internally to clear the underſtanding to know his truth, quicken the will to imbrace it, rivet the word in the conſcience, and enflame the affections to love and delight in it. Certainly the promiſe of the abiding of his Spirit implies the efficacy of his operation while he abides. He is to provide againſt the ſubtilty and rapine of fox like Hereticks, that they ſpoil not the tender vine, Cant. 2.15. And to furniſh the Church with gifts for the preſerving and increaſing her. The perpetual exerciſe of this prophetical office he promiſed them, when he gave the Apoſtles a Charter for his preſence to the end of the world, Mat. 28.20. Which was in relation to their miniſtry and their office of teaching. Since he promiſed his preſence with his miniſtry to the end of the world, he will have a Church to the end of the world, to enjoy the benefit of that promiſe to be taught by them. It conſiſted not with the wiſdom or faithfulneſs of Chriſt to promiſe a perpetuity to that, if he knew it were to be cut ſhort before the end of the world. And this himſelf alſo aſſures the Church of in all its variety of ſtates, Revel 2.1. Theſe things ſaith he that holds the ſeven Stars in his right hand, who walks in the midſt of the ſeven Golden Candleſti…k. Not only ſeven Stars at one time, or ſeven Golden Candleſticks in being together, but in all the ſucceſſions of the Church to the conſummation of the world. And as he deſcribes himſelf by this title when he ſpeaks of the Church of Epheſus, which was the firſt ſtate of the Church, not only aſſuring her of his holding her Star; and walking by her Candleſtick, but all the reſt that were to follow, ſo he doth renew the ſame expreſſion in part when he ſpeaks of the Church of Sardis, which is the riſing of the Church from the Apoſtacy wherein it had been covered in the Thyatirian ſtate, Revel. 3.1. Theſe things ſaith he that hath the ſeven Spirits of God, and the ſeven Stars. The ſeven ſpirits of God ſignifies the gifts for the building and perfecting the Church ſtill in the hand of Chriſt, which ſhould be in a more plentiful way poured out than for ſome time before, as they were in the firſt reformation. He is ſtill therefore as a Prophet walking in the Church in all ages. Not only in the firſt Foundation of it by the Apoſtles, but in the reformation of it, after it had been buried in Superſtition and Idolatry. And at the reſtauration of the Church in the world, there ſhall be a pure river of water as clear as Chriſtal, proceeding from the Throne of God and the Lamb, Revel. 22.1. i. e. Pure doctrine without any mud and mixtures.

(2.) 'Tis his part as a Prieſt to eſtabliſh it in the favour of God, and look to the reparations of his Temple. The Church is his Temple. A Temple is the proper ſeat & the proper care of a Prieſt. He is a Prieſt ſtill upon his Throne, Zach. 6.13. and that for ever. As he hath therefore ſome thing to offer, ſo he hath always ſome for whom he offers; who are they but his Church? His prayer on earth, John 17. was but a model or draught of his interceſſion in Heaven; one part of it is for preſervation of them through the truth of God, John 17.17. The keeping up the Goſpel in the world in order to a ſanctification of ſome is the matter of his interceſſion, which is one part of his Prieſtly Office. And we cannot imagine his plea for his Church to be weaker on his throne, it being alſo a throne of grace, than it was for his enemies when he was upon a croſs of ſuffering. The compaſſions annext to his Prieſthood remain ſtill, Heb. 4.15. If his office, be perpetual, the qualifications neceſſary to that office are as durable as the office it ſelf, as long as there is any object for their exerciſe. To what purpoſe are his compaſſions, if he ſhould not pity her for whom they were deſigned, and for whoſe behoof he was furniſht with them? He cannot be faithful to God in his office, if he be not merciful and tender to Sion in her diſtreſſes. He certainly pities her as he would himſelf, were it poſſible he ſhould be in an infirm condition. He muſt loſe his Soul before he can loſe his pity, and the Church muſt ceaſe to be his body, before ſhe can ceaſe to be the object of his compaſſions He hath the ſame ſentiments now that he had when he called to Paul from Heaven, Act. 9.4. It was not then, Why perſecuteſt thou mine, but why perſecuteſt thou me? Nor is it ſo now; as the relation continues the ſame, ſo doth the compaſſion, ſo do his ſentiments, ſo do his cares. To what purpoſe doth he as a Prieſt ſit upon a Throne of grace, if he did not ſhew grace to his Sion againſt the cruel deſigns of her enemies? As God pities us when he remembers our frame, Pſal 103.13, 14. So no queſtion doth Chriſt, when he remembers Sions oppreſſions, as a diſtreſſed child is the object of the fathers pitty. Add to this, That ſince the death of Chriſt was one part of his Prieſtly performance, and that the virtue of his ſacrifice is as eternal as his Prieſt-hood, what a diſparagement would it …e to him, and the virtue of his death, if ever the world while it ſtood, ſhould be void of the fruits of it? There can be no moment wherein it is not valid to expiate the ſins of ſome men, and therefore not a moment wherein the world ſhall be without a Sion, whoſe ſins are expiated by it. Should the ſtandar'd of Sion be ſnatcht away and torn by the powers of darkneſs, what would become of the glory, what would become of the virtue of the Redeemers death? Would God conſecrate him ſo ſolemnly by an oath to be a Prieſt, to ſo little purpoſe? How could it be for ever, if the execution of that office ſhould be interrupted by the ceſſation of a Church as long as the world ſtands upon its pillars? Would it not be an empty title, if the end of it were not performed? We cannot imagine the falling of Sion, but we muſt queſtion the merit of his death, the truth of his exaltation, the ſtrength of his interceſſion, the faithfulneſs of his office, and the ſincerity and candor of his compaſſions.

(3.) 'Tis his part as a King to eſtabliſh Sion in being, and govern her. The Prophets always p. 35teſtified, that of his Government there ſhould be no end. If the Church ſhould ceaſe for one moment in the world, what ſubjects would he have to govern here? Can he be a King without a Kingdom, or a governour without ſubjects, to bear a voluntary and ſincere witneſs to his name? If he be King in Sion, he will alſo have a Sion to own him, and a Sion to rule in; not only a conqueſt of the Serpentine brood and infernal powers was promiſed, but the total and perpetual victory, Gen. 3.15. The ſted of the woman was to bruiſe the Serpents head. When the head is bruiſed, there is no more wiſdom to guide, or force to Spirit the arm and the other members of the body It was a promiſe made not only of Chriſt to man, but of a compleat victory to Chriſt, that he ſhould outwit the Serpents wiſdom and utterly diſcomfit the Serpents power. If the conqueſt were not perfect and perpetual, it could not be called a ſpoiling of principalities and powers, as it is, Col. 2.15. but an interruption or temporary check, whence they might reſcue themſelves. He is therefore ſaid to ſtill the enemy and the avenger **Pſal. 8.2. I make no ſcruple to underſtand the whole Pſalm of Chriſt, ſince the Apoſtle hath interpreted part of it of him, Heb. 2.Ps 8:2Heb 2. i. e. Make them utterly ſilent, not knowing what firm Counſels to take, or what ſucceſsful orders to give. And it being his end to deſtroy the works of the Devil, the deſtroying the works muſt be the root of the being and preſervation of the Church. Did Chriſt then riſe as a Conquerour out of the grave, and ſit down as King upon his throne, to let the Devil and the world run away with the fruits of his victory? Will he be ſo injurious to himſelf, as to let his Throne be overturned by his enemies? And to let the adverſary of Sion repoſſeſs himſelf of that, which he hath been ſo powerfully and ſucceſsfully ſtript of? Chriſt being King cannot be chaſed out of his Kingdom, nor wants power to keep it from being utterly waſted. To be the governour of Sion was as much in his firſt Commiſſion as to be her Redeemer**Iſa. 49.10. He was to fe…d & guide his flock, which is often in Scripture put for Ruling.Isa 49:10. Chriſt as King will never leave beating up the quarters of Hell, till he hath utterly routed their force, and made the partizans of it his footſtool, and thereby eſtabliſhed Sion beyond the fears of any tottering. Therefore when he ſpeaks of the Church of Smyrna, which was to have a ſore conflict with the Devil and feel the ſmart of him for 10 days, underſtanding thoſe 10 Ancient perſecutions of the Church, he aſſumes a new title for her encouragement, Revel. 2.8. Theſe things ſaith the firſt and the laſt, which was dead and is alive. I was the firſt that liſted you and embodied you for the war, and I will be the laſt to bring up the rear; I was firſt in raiſing you, and I will be the laſt in preſerving you. Fear not the terror of thoſe perſecutions though they be to blood and death; I was uſed ſo, I was dead, but I am now alive, and I live for my Church, to behold her battles, to procure her victory, and to Crown thoſe that ſhall fall in the fight againſt her enemies. Chriſt in encouraging them to ſuffer for him, aſſures them of the ſecurity of a Church; the Devil ſhould not waſt the whole, but caſt ſome of them into priſon, not all, and that for their refining, v. 10. The Devil ſhall caſt ſome of you into priſon that you may be tryed. Chriſt lives ſtill, and acts as King for the ſecurity of Sion, and preſerving a Generation to ſerve him, till the time comes that is promiſed, Rev. 22.3. that there ſhall be no more curſe, but the Throne of God and of the Lamb ſhall be in it, and then his Servants ſhall ſerve him with a full ſecurity from all trouble.

3. The Foundation of Sion is ſure. 'Tis founded upon Chriſt the corner ſtone. Chriſt is called the Foundation, 1 Cor. 3.11. The Apoſtles are the Foundation, Eph. 2.20 Chriſt is the Foundation perſonally, the Apoſtles doctrinally; Chriſt meritoriouſly, the Apoſtles miniſterially; the Apoſtles in regard of the publication of the Doctrine, Chriſt in regard of the efficacy of the Doctrine, whereby the Church is eſtabliſhed.

1. The Church is ingrafted in Chriſt, united to him, one with him; the parts of it are reckoned as his ſeed **Pſal. 22.30. A ſ ed ſhall ſerve him, it ſhall be counted to the Lord as a generation.Ps 22:30: As if they had ſprung out of his loins, as men naturally did from Adam's; that as Adam was the Foundation of their corruption, ſo ſhall Chriſt be the Foundation of their Reſtauration: They ſhall be looked upon as the Children of Chriſt, and Chriſt as their Father, and as Father and Children, legally counted one.

The Church is his own body, Eph. 5.29, 30. In loving and eſtabliſhing the Church, he loves & eſtabliſheth himſelf. Whatſoever is implanted in nature as a perfection, is eminently in God. Now, ſince he hath twiſted with our natures, a care of our own bodies, this care muſt be much more in the nature of Chriſt, becauſe his Church is as nearly united to him, as our members to the fleſh and the bones; and he hath an higher affection to his myſtical, than we can have to our natural bodies. Chriſt will no leſs ſecure and perfect his own body, than a man would improve the beauty and ſtrength of his natural body, to preſerve it from wounds, from being mangled or ſcarrified, unleſs it be for the ſecurity of the whole. If he did not do it, it would be a hatred of his own fleſh, which never any man in his right wits was ever guilty of. The Eternity of Chriſt is made the Foundation of the Churches Eſtabliſhment, Pſal. 102.27, 28. Thou art the Son, and thy years ſhall have no end. The Children of thy ſervants ſhall continue, and their ſeed ſhall be eſtabliſhed before thee. There could be no ſtrength in the Argument without union and communion with him: The Church is ſettled upon him as a Foundation, and therefore is of as long a duration as the Foundation upon which it ſtands; the conjunction is ſo ſtrait, that if one fails the other muſt; eſpecially ſince as Chriſt is the head, the Church is his fulneſs, Eph. 1.22, 23. Sion cannot be compleat but in him, and Chriſt cannot be compleat without her. A Foundation is of little uſe without a Superſtructure, a building falls not without a diſcredit to the Foundation upon which it ſtood. Sions compleatneſs depends upon the ſtrength of Chriſt, and Chriſts myſtical p. 36compleatneſs depends upon the ſtability of Sion, he will not leave himſelf an imperfect and empty head.

2. 'Tis founded upon the Covenant. Upon that which endures for ever, and ſhall ſurvive the Funeral of the whole world. Heaven and Earth ſhall paſs away, but the Church is founded upon that which ſhall not paſs away, 1 Pet. 1.23. the Word of God, &c. Not ſuch a word as that whereby he brought forth light in the world, and form'd the Stars at the Creation; a word that engaged him not to the perpetuating of it**Tarretin Sermons, p. 330.. This Covenant is more firm than the Pillars of Heaven, and the Foundations of the Earth. The Stars of Heaven ſhall diſſolve, the Sun ſhall be turned into darkneſs, the Elements ſhall change their order for confuſion: But the Church being founded upon an eternal and immutable Covenant, ſhall ſubſiſt in the midſt of the confuſions and flames of the world, Iſa. 54.10. The Mountains ſhall depart, and the Hills be removed, but my Covenant of Peace ſhall not be removed. 'Tis more eſtabliſh'd than the world. The Apoſtle clearly intimates it in his commendation of Abraham's Faith, when he tells us, He looked for a City which hath foundations, by virtue of the promiſe of a numerous ſeed, Heb. 11.9, 10. As if the world had no foundation in compariſon of the Church. 'Tis beyond the skill of Hell to raze up the foundation, and therefore impoſſible for it to beat down the ſuperſtructure. Adam fell under the ſtrength of the Serpents wit, but he could by no promiſe lay claim to ſtability, as the Church can by an immutable Covenant for her ſupport.

IV. The Ʋſe 1. Information.

1. If the Church hath a duration and ſtability, then Ordinances and Miniſtry are perpetual. Miniſters may be thruſt into corners, clapt up in priſon, hurried to their graves; but the Sepulchres of Miniſters are not the graves of the Miniſtry. A Miniſtry, and a Church, Ordinances and a Church, cannot be ſeparated; they run parallel together to the end of the world; for Sion cannot be ſuppoſed without Divine Officers, and Divine Inſtitutions; the one cannot be eſtabliſhed without the other. Chriſt walks in the midſt of the ſeven golden Candleſticks, Rev. 2.1. in the ſeven States of the Church, to the end of the world**I do not queſtion but that the whole is prophetical, it would not elſe be called Myſtery, as it is, Rev. 1.20. were it meant of thoſe particular Churches.Rev 1:20. As there are ſeven States of the Church, ſo there are ſeven Stars in the hand of Chriſt for all thoſe States; the Miniſtry have the ſame ſupport, the ſame Guardian as the Church her ſelf. What was in the Epheſian and Primitive State, is alſo in the Sardian State, the State of the Church riſing from corruption of Doctrine and Ordinances**Rev 3.1. Theſe things ſaith he that hath the ſeven ſpirits of God, and the ſeven Stars.Rev 3:1. Chriſt hath ſtill Stars to ſhine, and ſeven Spirits to gift them; hath at preſent, not had; hath in the State we are, which ſeems to be the end of that Sardian State. 'Tis true, the Church is in a wilderneſs condition, and hath been ſo for above 1200 years; but hath ſhe yet ſeen her Funeral? No, ſhe hath a place for her reſidence, and food for her nouriſhment, and both provided for her by that God that fram'd her, by that God that ſtood by her in the pangs of her travel, and ſhelter'd her Man-child from the fury of her enemies**Rev. 12.6. And the woman fled into the wilderneſs, where ſhe hath a place prepared of God that they ſhould feed her there 1260 days.Rev 12:6. They ſhould feed her; ſhe is not ſtarved in the deſert, ſhe hath Manna to comfort her, her Caterer to provide her food, and ſome to adminiſter the Banquet of the Word and Sacraments to her. For any Member of Sion to deny a Miniſtry, and deny Ordinances, and therefore to neglect them, is to conclude her dead in a grave, and not living, in a deſert, utterly famiſht, and not fed. Though there be a ſmoke in the Temple, a cloud and obſcurity, the Truths and Ordinances of God not ſo clear, ſo efficacious as they have been, as ſome underſtand, Rev. 15.8. or as they ſhall be; yet there is a Temple ſtill. A ſmoke in the Temple ſuppoſeth a Temple ſtanding, and Ordinances in it: The obſcurity of a thing nulls not the being of it, nor a cloud upon the Sun the ſtability and motion of it. He that denies a Church, a Miniſtry, and Divine Ordinances in it, muſt firſt charge Chriſt with falſhood, when he promiſed to be with them to the end of the world. Mat. 28.19, 20. Alway, even to the end of the world. Not to ſuſtain their particular perſons to the end of the world, but their Doctrine in a ſucceſſion of ſome, to teach and baptize by virtue of Authority from him; for to that doth the promiſe and command refer, and not unto the continuance of the Apoſtolical dignity, or of their extraordinary gifts of miracles, but the duration of their ſtanding work till the topſtone were laid, with the loud acclamations of grace, grace. The Church ſhall no more want a Miniſtry in the deſert, than ſhe wanted a Prophet in Babylon.

2. The Doctrine of the eſtabliſhment of every member of Sion is clearly confirmed. He that eſtabliſheth Sion, counts up every man that was born in her, every Child of Sion is in the ſame ſtate, and under the ſame promiſe as Sion her ſelf. The promiſe of ſtability to Sion, is not to be underſtood of the firmneſs of her palaces but the duration of her inhabitants; as when God is ſaid to build a houſe, 'tis not to be underſtood of the rearing the walls, but increaſing the family.**Exod. 2.21. God made them houſes, i. e. gave them children.Exod 2:21 Every renew'd man, every one truly born in Sion ſtands upon the ſame Foundation of the Covenant, hath the ſame Charter with Sion her ſelf, and therefore upon a ſurer ground than any particular ſociety of men in the world, Pſal. 125.1. They that truſt in the Lord ſhall be as mount Sion, which cannot be remov'd, but abides for ever. He is upon a better Foundation of ſecurity than the Church of Epheſus or Smyrna, Pergamus or Sardis, which have loſt their footing, and their places know them no more. A believer injoys other priviledges with Sion, but the patent runs here for his ſtability in the favour of God, and runs high by removing all fears in the negative, Cannot be removed, and confirming all confidence in the affirmative, Abides for ever. No name writ upon Gods hand, no name p. 37preſented on Chriſts breaſt ſhall be razed out, no fruit of his death ſhall be loſt, no Devil ſhall ſteal from him any part of his purchaſe. As he hath blood enough to redeem them, ſo he hath power enough to preſerve them; the ſame blood that is the cement of Sion, the ſame hand that built her, the ſame head that influenceth her, ſecures every one of her true born Children. They are all in the ſame poſture and upon the ſame Foundation with Sion her ſelf.

3. How great is the folly of Sions enemies! They Judg of her by the weakneſs of her worldly intereſt, and not by the Almightineſs of her Guardian. They ſtand againſt a God that in decreeing the ſtability of Sion decreed the ruine of her oppoſers, and can with as much eaſe effect it as reſolve it. The Stone, which is the Foundation of this Kingdom, ſhall break in pieces the Image of all worldly glory, the policy of all worldly wiſdom, and the force of all worldly power, Dan. 2.35, 44, 45. It ſhall make the Mountains of the world as a level, and duſt underneath it. Chaff may as well ſtop the wind, and force it to another quarter; Stubble may as well quench the fury of the flames, as the Enemies of Sion be victorious over the God of Sion. As he hath a Fire in Sion to warm her; ſo he hath a Furnace in Jeruſalem to conſume her Enemies, Iſa. 31.9. a Fire to burn his Peoples droſs, but a Furnace to diſſolve his Enemies force. Pharaoh is an Example to all Generations, to warn men not to ſtruggle with thoſe whom God reſolves to patronize; how did he further his own deſtruction by his hardneſs, and the deliverance of the oppreſſed by his fury? How often is the violence of her Enemies the occaſion of the manifeſtation of God's glory, and the ſetling Sion's ſecurity? Had not Pharaoh been ſo furious, God had not manifeſted the glory of his Power, nor his Iſrael enjoyed ſo miraculous a ſafety. 'Tis true, the Church is weak, but the Arm that holds her, is the ſtrongeſt in Heaven and Earth. Her outward Intereſt is ſmall, but her Intereſt is twiſted with that of her Lord. An Enemy ſhall find more miſchief from mud-walls, under the protection of a valiant Arm, than from ſtone-walls, under the guard of an Infant. How fooliſh is it for a man to think to break a Rock with his fiſt for hurting his ſhins, whereby he bruiſeth his hands, as well as his leggs? How fooliſh is it for men to beat the buſhes about a Lions Den, whereby they will be ſure to rouſe him? God dwells in Sion, from thence he roars, to the ſhaking of Heaven and Earth, the Powers of the world, when he will manifeſt himſelf to be the hope of his People, and the ſtrength of the Children of Iſrael, Joel 3.16.

4. What a ground is here for prayer! This ſets an edg upon prayer. No petition can more comfortably, no petition can more confidently be put up, than for Sions eſtabliſhment. Prayers for particular Perſons, or for our ſelves may want ſucceſs, but ſupplications for Sion never miſcarry, they have the ſame Foundation for an anſwer, that Sion hath for her ſtability, viz. The promiſe of God; they are agreeable to that affection which ſhall never be removed from her: How believingly may we cry out, Be it unto Sion according to thy word? There is no fear of a repulſe; whatſoever God denies, he will not deny that for which he hath ſo often ingaged himſelf. It may be for the good of the Church, that ſo great a perſon as Paul ſhould lye in Chains, and his Fetters conduce to the furtherance of the Goſpel, Phil. 1.12. But it can never be for the Intereſt of Sion, or for the Intereſt of Sion's God, that ſhe ſhould be cruſht between the teeth of the Lions, and that which he hath redeemed by the blood of his Son, be a prey to the Jaws of the Devil. God hath entitled Sion by the name of a City not forſaken, Iſa. 62.12. And as we have his promiſe for her ſettlement, ſo we have his command for our earneſtneſs; verſ. 7. And give him no reſt, till he doth eſtabliſh Jeruſalem a praiſe in the whole Earth. And he preſcribes us to back that by our prayers, which he had promis'd, v. 1. For Jeruſalem's ſake I will not reſt till the righteouſneſs thereof go forth as brightneſs. Our deſires in this caſe are ſuited to his reſolves, and run in the ſame line with his immutable Decree; he will have no reſt in himſelf, nor he would have no reſt from us, till this be accompliſht. We cannot call upon God with a greater confidence for any thing, than for that Church that ſhall out-live the Funeral of the world, and ſurvive the frame of Nature that ſhall lie in Aſhes.

5. What a ſtrong ground is here for truſt! Look not ſo much upon the condition of Sion's Walls, as upon her Foundation; not upon her preſent poſture, as upon her promiſe-Charter; not upon her as a weak Vine, but under the hand of the Higheſt, as the Vine-dreſſer; look not upon the feebleneſs of the Flock, but upon the care of the Shepherd; nor upon the fierceneſs of the Lions, but upon the ſtrength and affection of her Guardian.

(1.) Let not our Faith reſt upon appearances. Fleſh will then make a wrong Judgment of God. Providences are various, and ſhould our Faith be guided only by them, it would have a livelineſs one moment, and faint the next. As the Promiſe is the ſtability of the Church, ſo it is only the ſtability of our Faith. The Authority of the Word is the Life of our Faith, and not the ſenſe of any particular Providence in the world. A Faith built upon protecting Providences is a ſenſitive Faith, a Faith built upon the Promiſe, is a ſpiritual Faith.

(2.) Yet the Experiences God hath given us hitherto of the continuance of the Church, may be called in to bear witneſs to the Truth of the Promiſe. He hath before conducted his Iſrael into Canaan, when Pharaoh meditated their utter ruine, or their continuance under his Chains; he fed them with Manna, and watered them with a Rock in a deſert, that afforded no earthly aſſiſtance. The preſerving the Vine could never be aſcribed to the Vine it ſelf, in p. 38which there is no ſtrength; nor to the Foxes, in whom there is no pitty; but to the keeper of the vineyard. We have reaſon therefore to truſt God, but not at all to truſt man; Is it from man or from God that the Church hath ſubſiſted ſo long in the world, a little flock in the midſt of many Wolves, among enemies more numerous than her friends? What a ſmall number hath the Church had in any age to mate the multitude of her enemies, what wiſdom to countermine their policy, and what power to repel their force? The Church is not weaker now, than it hath been; the Sons of Sion were always Sheep; Sheep have not the ſtrength of Lyons to reſiſt, nor the ſwiftneſs of Eagles to fly away from danger; the danger cannot be greater than it hath been, there were always Dragons that ſpat out their venom, and Lyons that opened their mouths againſt her; the Devil never wanted diligence nor the world enmity to overturn her; could ſhe for one moment have ſubſiſted in the midſt of ſo many furies, had not God been her ſhield, and glory? Call to mind how often God hath healed her diſeaſes, and bound up her wounds. Let us reſt in that promiſe, which hath ſo often been made good by his power, which he hath in many ages diſplayed upon as great occaſions of danger as Sion can be in. Let us live believingly under his wings, and fear not our own weakneſs or our enemies ſtrength.

3. We have greater ground of confidence than the Church of Iſrael had. In the day of Iſraels trouble by Salmanaſſer, the Prophet comforts the Church in her anguiſh, by the conſideration of the Meſſiah who was to aſſume the Government, though many years after, Iſa. 8.22. Iſa. 9.1, 6. Shall a promiſe, that was to ſtay ſo many ages for performance, be a ground of truſt and confidence to a tottering Church then? And ſhall not the ſtaggering Church have more ground to reſt, ſince the Meſſiah is made the head of the Corner, and hath the Keys of Hell and death delivered to him? What a baſe thing is diſtruſt then againſt ſo many aſſurances of ſtability, and the experience of a multitude of ages? Graſp the promiſe, plead it earneſtly, ſhew God his written word which he hath ſent from Heaven, he never yet diſowned it, nor ever will. Methinks, the voice, God is able to deliver Sion, ſounds too much of diſtruſt. If we know no more than Gods power, we know not ſo much as the Devil doth; he knows his power, and he knows his promiſe. Let us therefore firſt eye the promiſe, which God loves, and the Devil fears, and then call in his power to back his word.

4. Regard not man. Too much eye upon him implies too little upon God, as if Gods Word were not enough to create and ſupport a confidence without the buttreſſes of ſecular ſtrength. All dependance on man is either upon a broken reed, that cannot ſupport it ſelf, or a piercing reed, that wounds inſtead of healing, Iſa. 36.6. 'Tis a diſhonour to God, and provokes him to lengthen a miſery and retard a deliverance. The nearer Sion comes to a final ſettlement, the more God will act by himſelf, either without inſtruments, or in a more ſignally ſpiriting Inſtruments, that himſelf ſhall be more viſible in them than themſelves. The Higheſt himſelf ſhall eſtabliſh her. If he be the Higheſt he is fit to be truſted by us, if he will do it himſelf, it is fit we ſhould couple none with him. The nearer the time comes wherein God will appear himſelf, the more we ſhould depend upon him himſelf; the exerciſe of faith ſhould be ſtrongeſt, when the promiſe, the object of faith, is neareſt its Meridian. Let us be more careful to keep our faith from ſinking, and let God alone to keep his Church from ſinking.

Uſe 2. of Comfort. The Churches Patent is ſingular, the greateſt worldly Society could never ſhew the fellow of it. The Higheſt himſelf ſhall eſtabliſh her. There is not ſuch a clauſe in the ſettlement of any nation. Why ſhould we be afraid then of the joynt conſpiracy of men or Devils? He that hath laid the Foundation, can, and will preſerve the Superſtructure, not only becauſe he formed it, but becauſe he hath promiſed it. When Chriſt would reveal to John the future condition, and conflicts of the Church to the end of the world, he appears like a conquerour with all the enſigns of authority and power about him, Revel. 1.13, 14, 15, 16. He hath eyes like a flame to pierce his enemies, Feet like braſs to cruſh them, a two edged Sword out of his mouth, to pierce them; and this, while he is in the midſt of the ſeven Candleſticks; The ſeveral alterations and periods of the Church to the end of the world, to preſerve and cleanſe them.

1. Here is comfort in the confuſions and troubles of the world. The ſhaking of Heaven and Earth were the harbingers of the appearance of Chriſt for Redemption, and laying the corner ſtone of Sion, Hag. 2.7. The ſame methods will be uſed when he ſhall come to lay the top-ſtone, and compleat all the fruits of Redemption, Luke 21.25, 26.28. The confuſion of the world is the reſtauration of Sion; a ſtorm or ruſhing mighty wind preceded the plentifull effuſion of the Spirit upon the Apoſtles, for the blowing the Goſpel into every corner, Act. 2.2. Never were the diſciples in ſo hopeleſs a condition as before the Reſurrection of Chriſt, the ground of the Churches ſtability; they then expected to ſee his face no more. What commotions and thunders are deſcribed in the Revelation before the new Jeruſalem comes down from Heaven, & God pitch his Tabernacle among men? But he ſuffers not thoſe commotions to be raiſed in the world by the miniſtring Angel, till the ſervants of God be ſealed in the forehead, for their preſervation in thoſe confuſions which ſhall be the ruin of their enemies, Revel. 7.2, 3. The ark may ſhake with the motion of the oxen, but it cannot fall. Noahs Ark may be toſt by the waves that drown the world, but not ſink, and at laſt reſt upon the mountains of Ararat. **Gen. 8.4. of foreignGen 8:4i. e. the curſe of terrors, the removal of fears. Chriſt p. 39came not to the Diſciples, but in the fourth Watch of the night, and that when the Ship was toſſed by the waves, and was tugging againſt a contrary wind, Mat. 14.24, 25. 'Tis no hardſhip for Sion to be in a Boat beaten by the Sea, when Chriſt walks upon the waters, and bids her be of good cheer, ſaying, 'Tis I, be not afraid. An Earthquake preceded the deliverance of Paul and Silas out of Priſon, Acts 16.26. And Lightnings, and Voices, and Thundrings, Earthquake, and great Hail, ſhall accompany the opening of the Temple of God in Heaven, and the manifeſtation of the Ark of the Teſtament in that Temple, Rev. 11.19.

2. Here is comfort in Perſecutions. Perſecution is yet for a while the Lot of the Church; a Sea and a Wilderneſs are yet the paſſage to Canaan. The firſt Promiſe to Abraham of a numerous Seed, was with the comparing it to the duſt of the Earth, Gen. 3.16. Duſt that is trampled upon, Duſt that is removed by a puff of wind. But the next was by comparing it to the Stars in Heaven, Gen. 15.5. that are bright, and fixed, and have their orderly motions. Before the Introduction of the Philadelphian State of the Church, or Brotherly State, (which it is likely we are not far from) the Promiſe of Glory to them that overcome, intimates a Combate, and the Promiſe of Chriſt's confeſſing the names of ſuch before his Father, implies a time before the Period of the Sardian State, wherein the Church is to bear a ſignal Teſtimony to the Truths of Chriſt in the way of a Conflict, Rev. 3.5. The glorious State of the Church at the Reſurrection of the Witneſſes, ſhall be preceded by ſuch a calamity as ſhall be the terrour of the godly, and the triumph of an Enemy devoted to a ſudden and unexpected deſtruction, Rev. 11.9, 10, 11, 12.

Perſecutions make way for Sion's ſtability. Never was ſhe firmer and purer than in the time of the Apoſtles, and thoſe immediately following them, when the Witneſſes for the Truth, to the loſs of their blood, were as numerous as the Survivors: ſhe was then, when the flood was caſt out againſt her, clothed with the Sun, and crowned with a Crown of twelve Stars, Rev. 12.1, 2. Such troubles now may dim the outward ſplendour, but increaſe her inward Spirit, and refine her to that temper ſhe was in in the Primitive Ages of Chriſtianity. Proſperity was never much the Churches Friend: Poyſon was flung in her diſh when ſhe gain'd an earthly felicity, and the fondneſs of great ones. Her ſtability conſiſts not in this, but in the graces and ſpirit of Chriſtianity: That which eſtabliſht her Head, eſtabliſheth the Body; her Captain aſcended not from Mount Oliver, till he had ſuffered on Mount Calvary. The Church was never deſcribed ſo glorious in her outward Attire, as her greateſt Enemy, that is clothed in Scarlet, and deckt with Gold, Rev. 17.4. Sion's glory is internal, Pſal. 45.13. The King's Daughter is all glorious within. All thoſe Perſecutions that are yet to come upon her, ſhall not demoliſh her Walls: The rigours of her Enemies, and the Treaſons of her pretended Friends, have not yet expelled her out of the Earth; ſhe hath not yet ſunk, though her Maſts have been ſometimes cut cloſe to the Deck, and her viſible Pilots flung over-board into the Sea; and ſhall ſhe ſink when ſhe is not far from an entrance into the Harbour? She hath been a Brand pluckt out of the fire, Zach. 3.2. She was pluckt out of the Furnace of Babylon, and ſhall be pluckt out of the Furnace of Myſtical Babylon. Though ſhe ſhould be mown down as Graſs by the Sythe of her Enemies, yet the preſence of Chriſt ſhall be as Rain upon her, to make her ſprout and ſpread after all her Afflictions, Pſal. 72.6. Though ſhe hath been in the midſt of the Fire, ſhe never yet was, nor ever will be conſumed: She hath had joy in her diſgraces, and greatneſs by her flames: She hath alwaies had a God to inſpire her with vigor, to ſuſtain her weakneſs, and prop her by his Arm, and hath often ſwam to a ſafe Harbour in a Tyde of her own Blood. Is not that God ſtill a ſufficient Defence, and the Promiſe a ſufficient Charter againſt the Violence of the world: The Higheſt himſelf ſhall eſtabliſh her; Himſelf by his own Arm, and Himſelf by his own Methods.

(3.) Here is Comfort in the deepeſt deſigns of her Enemies. The Higheſt himſelf ſhall eſtabliſh her.

If he be the Higheſt, and imploys himſelf as the Higheſt, there is none ſo high as to over-top him, none ſo high as to out-wit him. Though their Union be never ſo cloſe, and their Projects never ſo deep, yet God's being with the Church, is curb enough for them, and comfort enough for Sion, Iſa. 8.9. Aſſociate your ſelves together, O ye people, &c. Take counſel together, and it ſhall come to naught; ſpeak the word, and it ſhall not ſtand; for God is with us. God's preſence with Sion blows away all. God was with the Ark in its captivity, and made it victorious in its Chains. It cripled Dagon the Philiſtins Idol, 1 Sam. 5.4. and made them return it to their diſgrace, which they thought they had ſeiz'd upon to their honour. While God is a ſtrength to the poor, the branch of the terrible ſhall be brought low, and their blaſt be but as a ſtorm againſt a wall, Iſa. 25.4, 5. He can haſten their ruine by their own ſubtilty, and catch them in their own Net, Pſal. 35.8. Or, he can turn them to glorifie the Church, as much as they hindred her, Iſa. 25.3. They are ſometimes compared to Bees, Pſal. 118.12. Iſa. 7.18. and the can make them afford honey as well as a ſting. They are Bees for their wrath, and Bees for their weakneſs, and many times Bees for her profit. Sometimes he makes the Houſe of Jacob as fire, & the Houſe of Eſau as ſtubble before him, Obad. 18. 'Tis not more natural to the Serpents Seed to ſpite the Church, than it is natural to God to protect her; their malice cannot engage them ſo much in Attempts againſt her, as God's p. 40Promiſe engageth him in the defence of her. What can weakneſs do againſt ſtrength? folly againſt wiſdom? Hell againſt Heaven? and a fallen Lucifer againſt the higheſt God?

(4.) Here is comfort to expect the glory of the Church. The Higheſt himſelf ſhall eſtabliſh her.

The Mountain of the Lords Houſe ſhall be lifted up on the top of the Mountains, Iſa. 2.2. In the laſt days it ſhall be more glorious than any Mountain dignified by God: Above Mount Sinai, where the Law was given, the terreſtial Mount Sion, where the Temple was built, Mount Moriah, where Abraham had a type of the Death and Reſurrection of Chriſt, Mount Horeb, where Moſes by prayer diſcomfited Amalek, and Mount Piſgah, where Moſes had a proſpect of Canaan. Abraham's Conqueſt of the four Kings, Gen. 14. ſeems to be a figure of the Churches Victories, when the captive Lots ſhould be reſcued, and Sodom it ſelf be ſomething better for Sion. Then ſhall Chriſt meet her as King of Salem, King of Peace, with the bleſſings of the moſt High God. Then ſhall he, as he did at the Feaſt in Cana, turn the Churches Water into Wine. Idols ſhall be utterly aboliſht, Iſa. 2.18. Droſs and mixtures in Doctrine and Worſhip purged out, Rev. 22.1. The River of the water of life ſhall be as clear as Cryſtal, proceeding from the Throne of God, and of the Lamb. The everlaſting Goſpel preached, Rev. 14.6. called everlaſting, becauſe it ſhall never more be clouded and obſcured by the fooliſh Inventions of men; there ſhall be no more Sea, Rev. 21.1. The troubles of Sion, ſignified by a ſtormy Sea, ſhall ceaſe, and a new Heaven, and a new Earth be created; there ſhall be multitude of converſions, Rev. 11.15. The Kingdoms of the world ſhall become the Kingdoms of Chriſt. The breath of the Lord ſhall come into many, and make them ſtand upon their feet, Ezek. 37.9, 10. There ſhall be a greater preſence of God in Ordinances, for the Earth ſhall ſhine with his glory, Ezek. 43.2. Holineſs ſhall ſparkle in her, for the glory of the Lord ſhall be upon her, Rev. 21.11. His holineſs to purifie her, and his power to protect her. Perſecutions without, and diviſions within, ſhall ceaſe; Satan ſhall be bound, his force reſtrained; he ſhall not wander about with his cloven-foot, Rev. 20.3. The Sea of Glaſs, which was mingled with fire, with the fire of worldly Perſecutions, with the fire of inteſtine Animoſities, ſhall be as clear as Cryſtal, Rev. 15.2. Rev. 22.1. He will then have Magiſtrates no longer carrying on the Intereſt of the God of this world, but the Intereſt of the Church, whom he calls his Princes, Ezek. 45.8. His, becauſe ſet up by a more immediate Providence: His, becauſe acting deſignedly and intentionally for his glory; no more pinching his People, and making a prey of his Sion, but laying down their Crowns at the foot of his Throne. And to compleat all, there ſhall be a perpetuity in this ſpiritual proſperity; only between the beginning and compleating it Satan ſhall be let looſe: But for a little ſeaſon, Rev. 20.3. and after this it ſhall not have one blow more from Hell; but the Devil muſt for ever give over nibbling at her heel. Now the Church never yet found ſuch a ſtate ſuitable to thoſe promiſes and predictions; ſome great thing remains to be accompliſht, which the world hath not yet ſeen, nor the Church experienced. But that Truth that will not lye, that Truth which cannot lye, has aſſured it. The Myſtery of God ſhall be finiſhed, Rev. 10.7. The Church hath hitherto been gaſping in the fire, and in the water; ſhe has liv'd, but as wrapt in a winding-ſheet; the Saints under the Altar have cryed a long time for the vengeance of the Temple to recompence their blood. There is a time when this Lazarus, that hath lain begging at the door of the rich and mighty, ſhall be mounted up to a better ſtate. Sion ſhall enjoy a Reſurrection, and fling off all badges of a Funeral. For the Higheſt himſelf ſhall eſtabliſh her.

Third Ʋſe of Exhortation.

(1.) Take heed of Apoſtatizing from Sion; from the Doctrine and Worſhip of Sion.

If God ſhall eſtabliſh her, ſtability is not to be found out of her. To depart from her, is to leave a firm Rock to find ſecurity in a quick-ſand. To leap out of a ſtout Ship in a ſtorm, to expect a preſervation in the waves. To turn our backs upon Heaven, to ſeek eaſe in the bowels of Hell. The Altar at Damaſcus is caſt down, and Jeroboam's Altar is demoliſht when that at Jeruſalem ſtood. To ſtay in Sion, is to be expoſed to the gun-ſhot of men and Devils; to run from her, is to ſeek to the Devil for protection, and run into the mouth of all the Artillery of God, that is ſet for the eſtabliſhment of Sion. If we are Chriſtians, no force, nor violence ſhould ſeparate us from her.

2. Let us love Sion. There is nothing the Scripture uſes more as an argument to ſeparate our affections from the world than the uncertainty and fading nature of it. The perpetuity then of the Church ſhould be a motive to place our affections there, where they ſhall never want an object, and which we cannot love without loving her head and her eſtabliſher. The Jews in Babylon would rather forget themſelves than their City and Temple, Pſal. 137.5, 6. Our affections to Goſpel-Sion ſhould be more tender, ſince God hath poured out more of his Spirit upon her, and ſhe is more amiable in his eye. That which the Jews ſo much affected, is periſhed. But the true Sion is eternal and ſhall flouriſh for ever. The higheſt himſelf hath an eſtabliſhing affection to her. Let our affections to her equal the malice of the Enemies againſt her, ſince we have greater incentives to love her than they can have to hate her. While others cry, Raze, Raze it even to the ground, let us at leaſt teſtify our affections, and if we have not her ſtanding walls to love, let us not eſtrange our tenderneſs from her very duſt, Pſal. 102.14. There is a pleaſure to be taken in her ſtones, becauſe they ſhall be again p. 41ſet in their place, a favour to be ſhewn to her duſt, becauſe it ſhall be again compacted, and enjoy a reſurrection, For the higheſt that hath promiſed to eſtabliſh her, will not deſert her in her ruins, v. 16. When the Lord ſhall build up Sion he ſhall appear in glory; we have therefore more ground to favour her duſt than to admire the proudeſt palaces.

(3.) Let us deſire the Eſtabliſhment of Sion more than our own private Eſtabliſhment.

'Tis the Sign of a gracious Spirit to look not only on his own things but the things of others, Phil. 2.4. And what things of others ſhould be regarded, if the things of Chriſt and his Spouſe be over-looked. No private perſon hath any promiſe of eſtabliſhment but as he is a Deniſon of Sion, as one born in her. In deſiring therefore the welfare of Sion, we wiſh and make way for the eſtabliſhing of our ſelves; our intereſts are common with hers. Her proſperity therefore ſhould be the firſt and laſt of our wiſhes. When we wiſh the ſtability of Sion, we wiſh the honour of God, the continuance of his worſhip, the glorifying his name which is depoſited in that cabinet; The glory of God cannot flouriſh, if the Church periſh. How baſe then are thoſe, that if they can ſwim in a worldly proſperity, care not if the Church be drowned in tears and bloud; that cloth themſelves and regard not her nakedneſs; that provide an earthly Canaan for themſelves, and care not what deſolate deſert Sion ſits weeping in?

(4.) Let us endeavour the eſtabliſhment of Sion. 'Tis a grateful thing to a Prince to favour his favorite. Let us be as forward to enlarge her Territories, as the Devil and his inſtruments are to increaſe the Suburbs of hell. The Higheſt himſelf will eſtabliſh her by himſelf; we muſt therefore take thoſe methods which are agreeable to the chief preſerver. A complyance with the Enemies of God was never the way to ſecure the intereſt of Sion. A divine work in a divine way will meet with divine aſſiſtance. To contribute to the eſtabliſhment of Sion is a work honourable in it ſelf, ſince it is the work of God himſelf; 'Tis an imitation of the higheſt pattern. In this we are aſſociates, and coworkers, with God. For the Higheſt himſelf ſhall eſtabliſh Sion.