The Branch of the Lord the Beauty of Zion, Sermon

The Branch of the Lord the Beauty of Zion · Sermon

p. 1ISAIAH 56. Chap. 7. verſe.— For mine Houſe ſhall be called an Houſe of Prayer for all People.

FRom the 3^d verſe of this Chapter to the 8^th, you have Promiſes and Predictions of calling in Gentiles and Strangers to the Church of God, notwithſtanding any Objections, or hinderances laid in their way, By Ceremoniall and Typicall conſtitutions, they being all to be removed in the Croſſe of Chriſt, Epheſ. 2. 13, 14, 15, 16: Coloſ. 2. 14. making way for the accompliſhment of that ſignall Promiſe which is given in the 2: Chapt: of this Propheſie 2, 3. And it ſhall come to paſse in the laſt dayes, that the Mountain of the houſe of the Lord ſhall be eſtabliſhed in the top of the mountaines, and ſhall be exalted above the hills, and ALL NATIONS ſhall flow unto it: And MANY PEOPLE ſhall go, and ſay, Come ye, let us go up &c.

The words of the 7^th verſe, are a RecapiTulation of the whole, holding out ſummarily the calling of the Gentiles to the Holy Mount, or ſpirituall Church of p. 2Chriſt: Where alſo you have a deſcription of the ſervices performed by them upon their coming: Their burnt offerings and ſacrifices ſhall be accepted upon mine Altar: Anſwerable to that eminent prediction of the ſolemne worſhip of the called Gentiles, Mal. 1. 11.

For, from the riſing of the Sun, even to the going down of the ſame, my Name ſhall be great among the Gentiles, and in every place Incenſe ſhall be offered unto my Name, and a peace offering: for my Name ſhall be great among the Heathen ſaith the Lord of Hoſts.

The Spirituall ſervices of the Saints of the Gentiles, are in each place ſet forth by thoſe Ceremoniall Ordinances, of Incenſe, Altar and Sacrifice, as were then moſt acceptable from the Lords own appointment.

Now this whole promiſe is once again ſtraightned, without loſſe of life or beauty, and comprized in the words of the Text.

That which before he termed ſacrifice and burntofferings, here he calleth Prayer: and thoſe who before were, the ſons of the ſtranger, are here, all People: ſome, many of all ſorts, the whole world, all men, without diſtinction, the Partition. Wall being broken down. My Houſe ſhall be called, &c.

The Thing here ſpoken of is Gods Houſe, deſcribed

1. By its Appropriation unto him, it is his peculiar, My Houſe.

2. By its extent of receipt in reſpect of others, it is for all People.

3. By the employment of its Inhabitants, that is Prayer, it ſhall be called an Houſe of Prayer.

p. 3Houſe, here may be taken two wayes.

1. Properly, as it was in the Type for the Materiall Temple at Hieruſalem: whereunto theſe words are applyed by our Saviour, Math. 21. but that is no farther concerned herein, but as the ſpirituall Holineſſe of the Antitype, could not be repreſented without a Ceremoniall Holineſſe of the Type.

2. Spiritually, for the Church of Chriſt to be gathered to him out of all Nations: the Houſe wherein Juge ſacrificium, a continuall ſpirituall ſacrifice is to be offered to him: This is peculiarly intended: ſo then obſerve:

1. Chriſts Church of Saints, of believers, is God's Houſe.

2. The Church of Chriſt under the Goſpel, is to be gathered out of all Nations.

3. There are eſtabliſhed Ordinances, and appointed Worſhip for the Church of Christ under the Goſpell.

It is the firſt that I ſhall ſpeak unto.

Chriſts Church of Saints, of believers, is God's Houſe: That his Church, is of Saints, and Believers, will appear in the iſſue.

By the Church of Chriſt, I underſtand, trimarily the whole Multitude of them, who antecedently, are choſen of his Father, and given unto him: Conſequently, are redeemed, called, and juſtified in his blood: The Church which he loved, and gave himſelf for it, that he might ſanctifie and cleanſe it with the waſhing of water by the Word. That he might preſent it unto himſelf a glorious Church, not having ſpot or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing, but that it ſhould be holy and without blemiſh, Epheſ. 5. 25, 26.

p. 4And ſecondarily alſo, every holy Aſſembly of mount Sion, whereunto, the Lord Chriſt is made beauty and glory: every particular Church of his Saints, inaſmuch as they partake the nature of the whole, being redeemed by his blood, Acts 20. 28.

That this Church belongs unto God, I ſhall onelyonly leave evidenced under the claim whereby he here appropriates it to himſelf, he calls it His, My Houſe: That it is his Houſe, I ſhall further demonſtrate: Three things are required to making of a Houſe:

1. A Foundation.

2. Materialls for a ſuperſtruction.

3. An orderly framing of both into an uſefull building.

And all theſe concurre to the Church of Chriſt:

1. It hath a Foundation: I have laid the Foundation, faith Paul, 1. Cor. 3. 10. and, other Foundation can no man lay, ſave that which is laid, which is Jeſus Chriſt, V. II. That Which Paul laid miniſterially, God himſelf laid primarily and efficiently: Thus ſaith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Sion for a Foundation a ſtone, a tried ſtone, a precious Corner ſtone, a ſure Foundation, Iſa. 28. 16. Now this Foundation is no other but the Rock upon which the Church is built, Math. 16. 18. which makes it impregnable to the Gates of hell, communicating ſtrength, and permanency, continually to every part of the building.

2. A Foundation onelyonly will not make a Houſe, there muſt alſo be Materials for a ſuperstrustion: Thoſe you have, 1. Pet. 2. 5. you are (ſaith he) lively ſtones: All Gods Elect, are ſtones, in due time to be hewed, p. 5and fitted for this building. For

3. Materials themſelves will not ſerve: they muſt be fitly framed, and wiſely diſpoſed, or they will be an Heap, not an Houſe. This then is not wanting.

Ye are built upon the Foundation of the Prophets, and the Apoſtles, Jeſus Christ himſelf being the chief corner ſtone, in whom the whole building fitly framed together, groweth into an holy Temple in the Lord: in whom alſo ye are builded together, for an habitation to God by the ſpirit, Epheſ. 2. 20, 21, 22.

There is much ſpirituall and heavenly Architecture in theſe 3. verſes. I ſhall onelyonly touch on ſome particulars.

1. The Foundation of this Houſe, this Temple is laid, and that is Jeſus Chriſt, other Foundation can no man lay: He is here called, the chief corner ſtone: and, the Foundation of the Prophets and Apoſtles, It is not which they were, but which they laid: It is Genetivus efficiculis, not materiae: That expreſſion holds out, the perſons working, not the thing wrought.

2. The Materials of this Building, Elect, believers: ſaid in the former verſe, to be fellow citizens with the Saints, and of the houſhold of God: they alone are built on Chriſt, and thereby have union with him: not one dead rotten ſtone in all this Building, as ſhall be declared.

3. The Architects or builders are of two ſorts:

1. Principall, the Spirit, we are framed to an habitation for God by the Spirit: He is the principall Workman in this Fabrick: without him, is not one ſtone laid therein.

p. 62. Secundary and Inſtrumentall, the Prophets and Apoſtles, and this they were two wayes:

1. Perſonally, in their ſeverall Generations: this was their work, their labour, to lay the Foundation, and carry on the building of this Houſe.

2. Doctrinally: ſo they labour in it to this very day: Their Doctrine in the Scripture holds out the onelyonly Foundation, and the onelyonly way of building thereon.

4. The manner of the building, it is fitly framed together, foreign: cloſely joynted and knit in together: ſweetly cloſed together with Chriſt▪ the head, from which, all the Body by joynts and hands having nouriſhment miniſtred, and knit together, increaſeth with the increaſe of God. Col 2. 19.

5. What kind a Houſe it is: It receiveth here a twofold Title, 1. an holy Temple: 2. an habitation, or a Tabernacle, becauſe of it's alluſion to both thoſe holy places of the worſhip of God, fulfilling the Types of them both.

Hence it is moſt evident that this Church of Chriſt is a Houſe, and being appropriated unto God, God's Houſe.

To make this the more evident, I ſhall do theſe two things:

1. Shew you what are the chief Properties of this Houſe.

2. Declare what is the Relation, wherein Jeſus Chriſt ſtands to this Houſe, having called it all along the Church of Chriſt.

1. For the Properties or chief qualities of this Houſe, they are three: 1. It is a living Houſe: 2. it is ſtrong: 3. it is glorious.

p. 71 It is a living Houſe: Unto whom coming as unto a living ſtone, yee alſo as lively ſtones are built up a ſpirituall Houſe, 1 Pet: 2: 4: 5. Chriſt the foundation is a living Stone, and they that are built upon him, are living ſtones. Hence they are ſaid to grow together into an Houſe: Growth is a ſigne of life: Growing from an inward Principle: ſuch as the Growth of any thing is, ſuch is its life: the Groweth of this Houſe is ſpirituall, ſo therefore alſo is its life: it lives with a ſpirituall life: a life whoſe fulneſſe, is in its foundation, he hath life in himſelf: Joh: 5. 26▪ and from him, in them: I am crucified with Chriſt: nevertheleſſe I live, Gal: 2: 22: yea it is himſelf in them; yet not I, but Chriſt liveth in me. It is true thoſe ſtones are dead in the Rock as well as others: by nature Children of wrath as well as they, Epheſ. 2: 3: being dead in Treſpaſſes and ſins: v: 1. He who Hews them our, gives them life: He quickens them, when dead in treſpaſſes and ſin: There is not one rotten dead ſtone in all this building: However ſome ſuch may, by the advantage of their outward appearance, croud in, yet they are not of the Houſe it ſelf.

2. It is a ſtrong Houſe: the Gates of Hell cannot prevail againſt it, Mat. 1. 6: 18. though the Rain deſcend, and the floods come, and the winds blow, upon this Houſe, yet it will not fall, becauſe it is founded on a Rock, Matth. 7. 25. We were all once an houſe built upon Adam: and when the winde came, and beat upon us, we fell, and the fall of that houſe was very great: He in his beſt eſtate was found to be but ſand: now we are built upon a Rock that will abid all trialls: The waves may make a noiſe and daſh themſelves againſt him, but it will be to their own ruine▪ p. 8But you will ſay, may not weak and inconſiſtent materials be built upon a Rock, which yet may have never the more ſtrength for their firme foundation? Anſ 1: It is not ſo here, for the whole building is framed together in the foundation, Epheſ. 2. 22. not only on it, but alſo in it, and ſo not to be prevailed againſt, unleſſe the Rock it ſelf be orethrown. 2. It is a living Rock, that this houſe is built on: a Rock continually communicating ſtrength unto every ſtone in the building, that it may be inabled to abide in him: I ſhould proceed too for, ſhould I goe to declare the mighty defence and fortification of this Houſe: what hath been ſpoken from the foundation, is enough to demonſtrate it to be a ſtrong Houſe.

3. It is a Glorious Houſe, and that in a three-fold reſpect:

1. It is Glorious in reſpect of Inward Glory brought unto it of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt: being beautifull, through the comlineſſe that he puts upon it: Hence Chriſt ſpeaking of it, ſays, How faire art thou O love for delights, Canticles, 7: 6. and thou art all fair my love, there is no ſpot in thee, Chap. 4 7. and how I pray comes that about, why Chriſt waſheth it in his own blood, that it might be wholly a glorious Church, Epheſ. 5. 26 27. And further he being the branch of the Lord, and fruit of the earth is made beauty and Glory, Excellency and Comlineſſe thereunto. Pſal. 4. 2.

It hath the beauty and Glory of Juſtification, which doth not only take away all filthy Garments, cauſing Iniquity to paſſe away, but alſo gives fair change of Rayment, Zech. 3. 4, 5. even the Garments of Salvation, and the Robe of Righteouſneſſe, Iſa. 61. 10. And then p. 9it hath, the Glory, and beauty of ſanctification, whence the Kings daughter is all Glorious within, Pſal. 45. 13. The comlineſſe and beauty that is in a ſanctified ſoul, is above all the Glory of the world. This Houſe is all overlaid with gold within: Chriſt is unto it a Head of Gold, Cant. 5. 11. His houſe is not like Nebucadnezers Image, that the Head ſhould be of Gold, and the members ſome of them of Clay: they all partake of his Nature, and are very glorious therein:

2. In reſpect of its outward ſtructure; which it eminently hath in all the peculiar Aſſemblies thereof: O thou afflicted and toſſed with tempeſt and not comforted, behold I will lay thy ſtones with faire Colours, and thy foundations with ſaphires: I will make thy windowes of Agats and Carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleaſant ſtones, Iſa. 54, 11, 12. So alſo where it is called the new Hieruſalem, (a city from its laws and policie) this city is ſaid to be of pure Gold, (not droſſe and mire) the building of the wall of Iaſper, and the foundation of the wall garniſhed with all manner of precious ſtones, Revel. 21. 18. 19. This is that which the Pſalmiſt calls the beauties of Holineſſe, Pſal. 110.

3. The Glory of the Ordinances of the Goſpell in their vigour and puritie: There is nothing ſo glorious as our King on his throne: Chriſt in his Court; this Houſe, raigning in the Adminiſtration of his Ordinances: then al his Garments, ſmel of Mirrh, Aloes and Caſſia, out of the Ivory Pallaces whereby they have made him Glad, Kings daughters are among his honorable women, upon his right hand doth ſtand the Queen in Gold of Ophir, Pſal. 45. 8, 9. His goings are ſeene, the goings of our God and King in the ſanctuary, Pſal. 68. 24, 25. &c. The Apoſtle exalteth the Glory of Goſpel-Adminiſtrations p. 10exceeding above the old Tabernacle and Temple worſhip, which yet was excreeding pompous and glorious. If (ſaith he) the miniſt ation of death, written & engraven in ſtones was glorious, ſo that the Children of Iſrael could not ſtedfaſtly behold the face of Moſes, for the Glory of his countenance, which glory was to be done away, How ſhall not the the miniſtration of the ſpirit be rather glorious: For if the miniſtration of Condemnation be Glory, much more doth the miniſtration of Righteouſneſſe exceed in Glory: For even that which was made glorious, had no glory in this reſpect, by reaſon of the glory that excelleth, for if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious, 2 Cor. 3. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Let men think as meanly as they pleaſe of the ſpirituall ſervice of God amongſt his people: All Glory that ever yet appeared in the world, was but a buble to it: all that God ever Inſtituted before, came exceeding ſhort of it: He delights in it, who beholds the proud afar off.

3 It is glorious in reſpect of the Exaltation it hath above, and Triumph over all its oppoſers: To ſee a Houſe, a Pallace hanged round about with Enſignes, Spoyles, and banners taken from the Enemy that have come againſt it, is a Glorious thing: thus is this Houſe of God decked: Kings of Armyes did flee apace, and ſhee that caried at home, devided the ſpoyle, Pſal: 68. 12. ſhe that ta…ies at home, the mother of the family, the Church of God, ſhee hath all the ſpoyles. The Lord hath affirmed, that not onelyonly every one that oppoſeth, but all that do not ſerve this houſe, ſhall be utterly deſtroyed, Iſa. 60: 12. There you have the ſpoyle of Pharaoh, and all his Hoſt, gathered on the ſhore of the p. 11red ſea, and dedicated in this Houſe, Exod: 15. There you have the Robes of Nebuehadnezzar here referred when himſelf was turned into a Beaſt, Dan 34. There you have the imperiall Ornaments of Diocleſiar, and his companion caſting aſide their dominion for very madnes that they could not prevail againſt this houſe: There is the blood of Julian kept for a monument of Vengeance againſt Apoſtates: There you have the Rochets of the Prelates of this land, hung up of late with other Garments of their adherents rolled in blood: There is a place reſerved for the remaining ſpoyls of the great whore, when ſhee ſhall be burned and made naked, and deſolate Revel. 11. never any roſe, or ſhall ariſe againſt this houſe, and go forth unto finall proſperity: Let the men of the world take heed how they burthen themſelves with the foundation ſtone of this houſe, it will aſſuredly break them all in pieces.

Thus have I given you a Glimpſe of this houſe, with the chief properties of it, which as God aſſumes as his owne, ſo alſo peculiarly it belongs unto the Lord Chriſt; yea what Relation it ſtands in unto him, or rather he unto it, is the maine thing I intend.

Jeſus Chriſt ſtands in a two fold Relation unto this Houſe,

1 In reſpect of its fabrick and building.

2 In reſpect of its ſtate and Condition.

In the firſt regard Chriſt relates to this Houſe in afour fold Reſpect. As

1 Its foundation.

2 Its Arke.

3 Its Altar.

4 Its Candleſtick.

p. 12In Reſpect of ſtate and condition, Chriſt relates unto this houſe of God in a five-fold regard. As

1 The Owner

2 The Builder

3 The Inhabiter

4 The watchman or keeper

5 The Avenger

thereof:

I ſhall paſſe through theſe (God aſſiſting) in Order: & begin with what was firſt laid down, His Relation to this Houſe in reſpect of its fabrick and building; as 1 The foundation of it: This was in part declared befor: He is the ſtone which the builders rejected, but made of the Lord the head of the Corner, Pſal. 118. 22. He is the loweſt in the bottom to beare up the weight of the building, and the Higheſt in the Corner to Couple the whole together: other foundation can no man lay but that which is laid, which is Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Cor. 3. 10. He is the Rock, on which he builds his Church, Mat. 16. 18.

Now there be 3. things, required to a Foundation, all which are eminently ſeen in the Lord Chriſt, in Reference to this Houſe.

1. That it be firſt laid in the Building: It were a courſe exceeding prepoſterous, firſt to build a Houſe, and then to lay the Foundation. Jeſus Chriſt is the firſt that is laid in this holy fabrick: and that in a fourfold Reſpect.

1. He is the firſt, in reſpect of God's eternall purpoſe: The Lord purpoſed that he ſhould have the preheminence in this as well as in all other things, Col. 1. 15. He is in that Reſpect the firſt born among many Brethren p. 13Rom. 8. 29. the Reſidue of this Houſe, being predeſtinated to be made conformable unto him: He is before all things, by him all things, (that is all ſpirituall things, all the things of this Houſe) conſiſt, He is the Head of the Body the Church: this I mean, God purpoſed that Chriſt ſhould be the bottom and foundation of this whole building, that it ſhould be all laid on him: I do not mean, that God firſt intended Chriſt for a foundation, and then his Elect for a building. The order of Intention and Execution is as to firſt, and laſt, inverted by all Agents: but this I ſay, God purpoſing to build his Elect into an holy Temple, purpoſed that Jeſus Chriſt ſhould be the Foundation.

2. In Reſpect of outward manifestation: God firſt manifeſts and declares him, before he layd one ſtone in this building, Gen. 3. 15. The ſeed (ſaith he) of the woman ſhall break the ſerpents Head: in that was laid the firſt ſtone of this building: then was the Lamb ſlain, foreign, Revel. 13. 8. (preſently) after the foundation of the World: and thence, is Grace in him ſaid to he given to the Elect, foreign, Titus 1. 2. many Ages ago.

3. Becauſe in order of Nature, Chriſt muſt be firſt laid in the Heart of every Individuall ſtone, before they are laid up in this building. If Chriſt be not in men, they are foreign, 2. Cor. 15. 1. altogether uſeleſſe for this building; try them never ſo often, they muſt at laſt be rejected, and laid aſide.

4. In reſpect of every particular Aſſembly, and little Sanctuary of Mount Sion: If he be not firſt laid in the midſt of ſuch Aſſemblies, they will prove to be pi…acles of Babel, not Towres of Sion: This therefore was p. 14the way of the Saints of old, firſt to give up themſelves to the Lord Chriſt, and then to one another, by the will of God, 2. Cor. 8. 5.

In theſe Reſpects Chriſt the Foundation, is firſt laid in this ſpirituall building: which is the first property of a Foundation.

2. A Foundation muſt be hidden, and out of ſight unto all thoſe that outwardly look upon the Houſe: They cannot perceive it, though every part of the Houſe doth reſt upon it: And this hath occaſioned many miſtakes in the World. An unwiſe man coming to a great Houſe, ſeeing the Anticks and Pictures ſtand crouching under the Windows and ſides of the Houſe, may happily think, that they bear up the weight of the Houſe, when indeed they are for the moſt part pargetted Poſts; they bear not the Houſe, the Houſe bears them. By their bowing and outward Appearance, the Man thinks the Burden is on them, and ſuppoſes, that it would be an eaſie thing, at any time, by taking them away, to demoliſh the Houſe it ſelf; But, when hee ſets himſelf to work, hee findes theſe things of no value, there is a Foundation in the Bottome, which bears up the whole, that he thought not of: againſt that, hee may waſte himſelf, untill hee be broken in pieces.

Men looking upon the Church, do finde that it is a fair Fabrick indeed, but cannot imagine how it ſhould ſtand. A few ſupporters it ſeemeth to have in the world, like crouching Anticks under the Windowes, that make ſome ſhew of under-propping it: Here you have a Magiſtrate, there an Army, or ſo: think the men of the world, can we but remove theſe props, the p. 15whole would quickly topple to the ground: Yea, ſo fooliſh have I been my ſelf; and ſo void of underſtanding before the Lord, as to take a View of ſome goodly appearing Props of this building, and to think, how ſhall the Houſe be preſerved if theſe ſhould be removed: they looked unto me, like the Mariners in Pauls ſhip without whoſe abode therein, they could not be ſaved: when lo, ſuddainly ſome have been manifeſted to be pargetted Poſts, and the very beſt, to be held up by the Houſe, and not to hold it up.

On this Account, the men of the world, think it no great matter to demoliſh the ſpirituall Church of Chriſt to the Ground: they encourage one another to the work, never thinking of the Foundation that lyes hidden, againſt which they daſh themſelves all to pieces. I ſay then, Chriſt as the Foundation of this Houſe, is hidden to the men of the World, they ſee it not, they believe it not: there is nothing more remote from their Apprehenſion, then that Chriſt ſhould be at the bottom of them and their ways, whom they ſo much deſpiſe.

3. The Foundation is that which beares up the whole weight of the Building. What part of the Houſe ſoever, is not directly poyſed upon it, hath no ſtrength at all: take a goodly ſtone, hew it, ſquare it, make it every way fit for your Fabrick, ſo that it may ſeem to be the beſt of all your Materials; yet if you do not lay it upon the Foundation, anſwerable to that, which may give it a ſolid Baſis, and bear up the weight and poyſe thereof, it will be uſeleſſe, comberſome, and quickly fall to the Ground.

Let a man be hewed and ſquared by the Word and p. 16ordinances into outward conformity, never ſo exactly, that he ſeems one of the moſt beautifull Saints in the World, yet if he be not laid rightly by Faith upon the Foundation, to derive from thence, ſtrength, ſupportment, and vigour, he will quickly fall to the ground: What then will become of their building, who heap up all ſorts of rubbiſh to make an Houſe for the Lord.

2. Chriſt is the Ark of this Houſe: The Ark in the Tabernacle, and afterwards in the Temple, was the moſt holy thing, in the moſt holy Place. There was nothing in it but the two Tables of ſtone written with the Finger of God: before it was Aarons Rod that budded, with a Pot full of Manna: over it was the Propitiatory or Mercy ſeat, being a plate of Gold, as long and asbroad as the Ark, covering it, being ſhadowed with the Cherubims of Glory. Now all this glorious Fabrick, did ſignifie, that unleſſe the Law with its condemning power were hid in the Ark, and covered with the Mercy ſeat, no perſon could ſtand before the Lord: Beſides, the Law was the old Covenant of works, and being renewed unto them chiefly to be ſubſervient to the Goſpel, and partly with its Appurtenances and carnall Adminiſtration, to be the tenour of the Iſraelites holding the land of Canaan, and this being in the Ark, it was ſaid to contain the Covenant, and is frequently called the Ark of the Covenant.

Jeſus Chriſt is the Ark of this ſpirituall Houſe. When the Temple was opened in Heaven, there was ſeen in the Temple the Ark of Gods Teſtament, Revel. 11. 10. Jeſus Chriſt made conſpicuous to all, who lay much hid under the old Teſtament, Rom. 3. 25. God is ſaid to ſet forth Chriſt to be foreign, a Propitiation, or Mercy p. 17ſeat, for by that very term is the Mercy ſeat expreſſed, Heb. 9. 5. He is then the Ark, and the Mercy ſeat covering it. He then doth thoſe two things:

1. In behalf of this Houſe and every ſtone thereof, he hides the Law with its condemning power, that nothing from thence ſhal be laid to their charge. If a man have a ſuit to be tryed in any Court, and a powerful Friend engage himſelf, that the only Evidence which is againſt him, ſhall not be produced, will it not give him encouragement to proceed? In that great and tremendous tryal, which is to be above, there is but one principal Evidence againſt us, which gives li…e to all others, which if it be removed, all the reſt muſt fail. This is the Law: Chriſt as the Ark and Mercy ſeat hides this Law: it ſhall not (I ſpeak in reſpect to this Houſe) be produced at the day of tryall: will it not be a great encouragement to them to appear at the Throne of God? Chriſt hides the Law as being the End of it, Rom. 10. 4. that the Righteouſneſſe thereof might be fulfilled in us, Rom 8. 4. He hath ſo far anſwered all that the Law required, that none from thence can lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect, Rom. 8. 33, 34. Let not poor ſinners fear; it will not be with them as with Uzzah: He touched the Ark, and died: Touch this Ark, and live for ever.

And 2^ly, he is the Ark of this Houſe, as containing in himſelf the New Covenant; it is made with him, originally: eſtabliſhed in him, irreverſibly; made out through him in all the grace of it, faithfully.

3. He is the Al…ar of this Houſe: There were two Altars in the old Tabernacle, and Temple: An Altar for Sacrifice, and an Altar for Incenſe, Exod. chap. 29. p. 18and 30. The firſt was the great Brazen Altar, that ſtood without the Holy Place, whereon the burnt offerings, and all ſacrifices of blood, for Remiſſion, were offered. The other leſſe made of Shittim wood, all overlaid with pure Gold, and a Crown of beaten Gold upon it, on which they were to burn pure Incenſe unto the Lord alwayes: And they were both moſt holy, ſanctifying the Gifts with legall ſanctification, that were offered on them, Math. 23. 19. Now both theſe doth our Saviour ſupply in this Houſe: 1. He is the g…eat great Altar of ſacrifice, the Altar of offerings for Expiation and Attonement: We have an Altar whereof they have no Right to eat, who ſerve at the Tabernacle, Heb. 13 10.. That seven he who ſanctified the People with his own Blood, and ſuffered without the gate, v. 11. The good will and ſoul of Chriſt offering up himſelf, through the eternall ſpirit, a pure Oblation and ſacrifice, by one offering to perfect for ever them that are ſanctified, is all onr Altar: 2. He is the Golden Altar of Incenſe. Incenſe is Prayer, Pſal. 141. 2. Let my Prayer come before thee as Incenſe. Jeſus Chriſt is the Golden Altar, whereon that Incenſe is offered, Revel. 8 3, 4. even that Altar which is always before God, Rev. 9. 13. as by being the former, he makes our Perſons accepted; ſo by the latter he makes our duties accepted: And all the living ſtones of this Houſe, are Prieſts to offer ſacrifice on theſe Altars: by him as Prieſts, they have Approximation to the Holy Place: there they have a ſhare and participation in all the ſacrifices that are offered upon, or by him.

4. He is the Candleſtick of this Houſe. The making, faſhioning, and uſe of the Candleſtick, in the holy p. 19place of the Tabernacle, you have Exod. 25 31. &c. It was one of the moſt glorious Utenſils of that frame: made of pure and beaten Gold, with much variety of works, knops, flowres and lamps. The Uſe of it was to bear out light, for all the worſhip of God in that moſt Holy Place. The Tabernacle was made cloſe, without any window: It was not to receive light from without: It had all its own light from within. It is true, this Candleſtick with its 7. lamps, did ſecundarily repreſent the Churches of Chriſt, which hold out his light among themſelves, and unto others, Revel. 1. laſt: the ſeven Candleſticks thou ſaweſt are the ſeven Churches: Therefore Solomon made ten Candleſticks of pure Gold, 1. Kings 7. 49. to ſet out yet further the Increaſe & multiplying of the Churches of God. Upon this account alſo, the two witneſſes are ſaid to be two Candleſticks, Rev. 11. 4. And, the two anointed ones that ſtand before the God of the whole Earth, Zech. 4. 3. Whence that in the Revelation is taken, there is mention indeed of two Anointed ones, but of one Candleſtick: the Holy Ghoſt plainly intimating, that though the Churches and Witneſſes of Chriſt are alſo Candleſticks in a ſecond ſenſe, yet there is one Eminent Candleſtick which hath light originally in it ſelf, which alſo it communicates unto all others. And this is that which is mentioned in Zech. 4. which hath the two Olive Trees, or the two Anointed Churches of Jews and Gentiles, ſtanding by it, receiving light from it, to communicate to others: they empty the Golden oyle out of themſelves, which they receive from the Candleſtick. For this Candleſtick hath ſeven lamps, v. 2. which lamps that burn before the throne, are the ſeven ſpirits of God, Rev. 4. 5. ſeven ſpirits p. 20that is, the perfection and compleatneſſe of the Spirit of God, in all his Graces and Operations. Now who hath theſe ſeven ſpirits? Even he who received not the ſpirit by meaſure, Joh. 3. 34. being the ſtone upon which are the ſeven Eyes, Zech. 3. 9. He alone then is this Candleſtick, and all the light which this Houſe hath, it is from him.

There are two wayes whereby Jeſus Chriſt makes out light to this Houſe.

1. By way of Doctrinall Revelation: 2. Of Reall Communication.

1. He alone diſcovers light to all the Stones of this Building. No man hath ſeen God at any time: the onelyonly begotten Son which is in the boſome of the Father, he hath declared him Joh 1. 10. No ſaving diſcovery of God, of his Nature, his Will, his Love, but what is by Chriſt. The Moon and Starres give light, but it is only what they receive from the Sun. The Prophets and Apoſtles, held out light, but it was all received from him. They ſpake by the ſpirit of Chriſt that was in them I have received of the Lord that which I have delivered unto you, 1 Cor. 11. 23. The ſame Apoſtle curſes every one that ſhall bring in any other light into this Houſe, be they Angels or Men, Gal. 1. 8. 9▪ Chriſt alone fully knowes the minde of God, as being alwayes in the boſome of his Father, Joh: 1. 18. Yea he knowes it to the uttermoſt, being one with his Father, Joh. 10: 30. And he is willing to reveal it, for even for this end came he into the world, that he might bear witneſſe to the truth. And he had Ability enough to do it, for in him were hid all Treaſure of wiſdome and knowledge, Col. 2. 3. He alone is the Author of all light to this his holy Habitation.

p. 21Many Attempts have been to ſet up light in this Houſe, and not from Chriſt. Some would kindle their Traditions or the Doctrine of this Houſe: Some their Prudentials for the Government of it: Some their Ceremonials for the Worſhip of it: All Candles in the Sun. Shall men think to compaſle themſelves with ſparks, and walk in the light of the fire which themſelves have kindled, in the face of the Sun of Righteouſnes? ſhall not ſuch men ly down in ſorrow? Beloved, take heed of ſuch ignes fatui, fooliſh miſguiding fires.

2. By way of Reall Communication, He is the true light which lightneth everyman, Joh. 1. 9. Every one that hath any ſpirituall light really communicated to him, hath it from Chriſt. It is part of his work to recover ſight to the blind, Luke 4. 18. And therfore he adviſeth the Church of Laodicea to come to him for eye ſalve, that ſhe might ſee, Revel. 3. 18. At his coming, Sion ſhines forth, Iſa 60. 1. becauſe his light ariſeth upon her, v. 2. The former Doctrinall Teaching of it ſelf w…ll not ſuffice. That light may ſhine in darknes, and the darknes not comprehend it, Joh. 1. 5. All the light: the Sun can give, will not make a blind man ſee. There muſt be a viſive faculty within, as well as light without: The Stones of this building are by Nature all blind▪ yea darkned, yea darkneſſe it ſelf. If the Lord Chriſt do not by the mighty efficacy of his ſpirit create a viſive Power within them, as well as reveal the will of his Father to them, they will never ſpiritually diſcern the things of God. The naturall man diſcerneth not the things of God, nor indeed can do, 1. Cor. 2 14.

It is true, men by the help of Common Gifts, with p. 22the uſe of the former Doctrinall Revelation, may attain to ſuch a knowledge of the mind of God, as may in a ſenſe be called Illumination, Heb. 6. 4. Far may they go much may they do, by this light. They may teach others, and be caſt away themſelves: They may diſpute for Truth, yea dye for Truth, and all this while have but the firſt common Anointing, ſee nothing clearly, but, Menwalking like Trees. A ſpiritual Inſight into the mind of God, is not to be obtained, without an Almighty Act of the Spirit of Chriſt, creating a new power of Life, and Light upon the Soul.

Some indeed think that they have this ſeeing Power in themſelves. Do but ſhew them outwaraly what is to be ſeen, and let them alone for the diſcerning of it. Well then, let them alone, if ever they are ſtones of this living Houſe, I am deceived. Thou that art ſo, know whence is all thy light: and if thou art any thing in the dark, draw nigh to the Candlestick, from whence all light is: Thence muſt thy light come, yea and thence it ſhall come: the ſecrets of the Lord ſhall make their abode with thee.

And this is the fourfold Relation wherein the Lord Chriſt ſtands unto this Houſe, as it is a Spirituall building.

In Reſpect of State and Condition, Jeſus Chriſt ſtands in a fivefold Relation to this Houſe: which I ſhall unfold in order.

1. He is the Owner of it. He cals it HIS. Upon this Rock will I build my Church, Math. 16 18 Moſes was faithfull in all &c. but Chriſt as a ſon over his OWN Houſe, whoſe Houſe are we, Heb. 3. 4, 5. And that you may ſee that he doth not owne it as His, without good p. 23Right and Title, know that in the great Oeconomie of Grace, Jeſus Chriſt hath a threefold Right and Title to this Houſe.

1. Of Inheritance, He is by his Father appointed Heir of all things, Heb. 1. 3. By Inheritance he obtains this excellent name, to be Lord of this Houſe. God ſends him to the Vineyard as the Heir, after his ſervants were refuſed: And he hath an Engagement from his Father, that he ſhal injoy his whole Inheritance upon demand, Pſal. 2. 8. For the Father appointed, in the fulneſſe of time, to gather together all theſe things in Chriſt, both which are in Heaven, and which are in Earth in him, Eph. 1. 10. So that as Chriſt is the firſt begotten of the Father, Heb. 1. 6. and the firſt born of every creature, Col. 1. 15. the Right of Heirſhip is his. But this will not do: for

2. When He ſhould come to take poſſeſſion of this Houſe, He findes that it is morgaged, and that a great Debt lyes upon it, which he muſt pay to the uttermoſt farthing, if ever He intend to have it. To the former Title, there muſt alſo be added a Right of Furchaſe. He muſt Purchaſe this Houſe, and pay a great Price for it. And what is this Price? what is required of him? No leſſe then his deareſt blood, Acts 20. 28. Yea he muſt make his Soul an Offering for ſin; and charge himſelf with the whole Debt, all the Curſe and Puniſhment, which this Houſe had in part actually contracted upon it ſelf, and wholly deſerved. He muſt put his ſhoulders under the burden due to it, and his back to the ſtripes prepared for it. A hard Task. But Jeſus Chriſt being the Heir, the Right of Redemption belonged unto him. It was not for his Honour that it p. 24ſhould lye unredeemed. Full well he knew that if he did it not, the whole Creation was too beggarly to make this Purchaſe. 'Tis true, that Nature of ours, which He aſſumed to pay that by, which He never took, was ſtartled for a while, and would have deprecated this grievous price, crying out, If it be poſsible let this cup paſſe from me: but he recollects himſelf and ſayes, I am content to do thy will O God: and ſo, through the eternall ſpirit offered himſelf up into God for a Ranſome. He likes the Houſe, and will have it to dwel in what ever it coſt him. Here (ſaith he) ſhall be my Habitation and my dwelling for ever, Pſal. 133. Know you not (ſaith the Apoſtle) that you are the Temple of the Spirit of Chriſt? Well, and how come we ſo to be? you are bought with a price, 2. Cor 6. 19. They who affirm that he alſo thus purchaſed the unclean ſtyes of the Divel, wot not what they ſay.

3. Unto Purchaſe, He muſt alſo adde Conqueſt. An unjuſt Uſurper had taken poſſeſſion of this Houſe, and kept it in bondage: Sathan had ſeized on it, and brought it, through the wrath of God, under his power. He then muſt be conquered, that the Lord Chriſt may have compleat poſſeſſion of his own Houſe. For this purpoſe (then) was the Son of God made manifeſt, that he might deſtr…y the works of the Devil, 1. Joh. 38. And how doth he do it? 1. He overpowers him, and deſtroves him, in that, Through death he deſtroyed him that had the power of death, that is, the divel, Heb. 2. 14. 2. He ſpoyled him having overcome him, He bund the ſtrong man, and then ſpoyled his goods, Math 12. 27. All that darkneſſe, unbelief, ſin, and hardneſſe, that he had ſtuffed this Houſe withall, Chriſt ſpoyles them, and p. 25ſcatters them all away. 3. To make his Conqueſt compleat, He triumphs over his Enemy, and like a mighty Conquerour makes an open ſhew of him to his everlaſting ſhame, Col. 2. 15. Having ſpoyled Principalities and Powers, he made a ſhew of them openly, triumphing over them in his Croſse: And by this means ſtrengthens his Title to his Inheritance.

I m…ght alſo farther inſiſt on the Donation of his Father, and the actual poſſeſſion he takes of it by his Spirit, but theſe are ſufficient, to prove this Houſe to be Chriſts. I ſhall take ſome Obſervations hence.

1. Is this the Houſe of Chriſt? is he the Owner of it? let men take heed how they ſpoyl it for themſelves. The Pſalmiſt makes this a great Argument in his pleading againſt oppoſers, that they came into the Lords inheritance, Pſal. 79. 1. The Title of Chriſts purchaſe was not then ſo clearely known, as that of his Inheritance, and therefore they of old pleaded chiefly by that Title. Now he hath proclaimed to all, his other Titles alſo: the whole Right he has to this Houſe, to his Saints. Who then ſhall meddle with it and go free? Amongſt men, every one with all his might will defend his own poſſeſſion. And ſhall we think that the Lord Chriſt will ſuffer his to be ſpoiled at an eaſie rate? ſhall not men pay dear for their encroachment? How hath he in our dayes fruſtrated all attempts for the perſecution of his? Touch not (ſaith he) mine Anointed. Men may upon various pretences claim this priviledge, to ſuch a Land, Nation, or Faction; it will in the end appeare to be theirs and only theirs, who are living ſtones of this Houſe: doggs may ſcramble for their bread, but ſhall not injoy it: It is Chriſt in this Houſe that will make every ſtone of it a burdenſome ſtone: He p. 26hath done it, that men may learn foreign. do not think it will excuſe thee to ſay, thou waſt miſtaken.

2. Is Chriſt the Owner of this Houſe, let the Order and diſpoſall of it, be left to himſelf. Men are apt to be tampering with his Houſe and Houſhold. They will be ſo kind and carefull, as to ſay out their wiſedome and prudence about it: Thus and thus ſhall it be, theſe are parts and members of it. Chriſt is exceeding jealous of his Honour in this particular: He cannot bear it, that men pretending to his Glory, ſhould think him ſo wanting in Love, or Wiſedome, towards his own, as not exactly to diſpoſe of all things that concern the Reiglement thereof. Men would not be ſo dealt withall in their own Houſes, as they deal with Chriſt in his. We have all Wiſedome enough (as we ſuppoſe) to order our own houſes: Only, the Wiſedome and Love of the Father, leaves his to the diſcretion of others: theſe thoughts are not from above.

3. Hath Chriſt taken his own Houſe to himſelf upon ſo many Titles, let not men put thoſe buildings on him for his, which are not ſo, which he holds not by theſe Titles. Go to a man that dwells in a ſtately Palace of his own, ſhow him a hog ſty, tell him, this is your Houſe, here you dwell, this is yours; can you put a greate indignity on him? No, ſayes the man, that is not mine, I dwell in yonder ſumptuous Palace. And ſhal we deal thus with the Lord Jeſus? He hathbought & adorned his own Houſe: a glorious Houſe it is I …now men ſhall hold out to him, a ſty of ſwine, a den of unclean Beaſts, a ruinous Heap, whereof the far greateſt part are dead ſtones, and tell him, this is his Church, his Houſe, will it notexceedingly provoke him? will he bear ſuch a reproach? Nay, he will reject p. 27ſuch Tenders, to their Ruine.

2. Jeſus Chriſt is the Builder of this Houſe. This man is counted worthy of more Honour then Moſes, inaſmuch as he that buildeth the Houſe, hath more Honour then the Houſe▪ Heb. 3. 3. I (ſaith he) will build my Church, Math. 16. 18. This is not a Fabrick for any workman but Chriſt. It is true, there are others imployed under him: and ſome ſo excellent, that they may be ſaid to be w…ſe master-builders, 2. Cor. 3. 10. But yet all the Efficacy of their labour in this building is not from themſelves, but meerly from him, by whom they are imployed. Except the Lord build this houſe, they labour in vain that go about to build it.

Now this Houſe receives a two fold building. 1. Spirituall, of all the ſtones thereof into one myſticall Houſe: of this I chiefly treat. 2. Eccleſiaſticall, of ſome particular ſtones into ſeverall Tabernacles, which are uſefull Partitions in the great myſticall Houſe, called Aſſemblyes, and dwelling places of mount Sion: both theſe it hath from Chriſt alone.

1. For the firſt. If all the moſt skilfull Workmen in the world ſhould go to the pit of Nature, by their own ſtrength to hew out ſtones for this building, they will never with all their skill and diligence, lay one ſtone upon it. There is Life required to thoſe ſtones, which none can give but Chriſt▪ The Father hath given into his hand alone, to give life eternall to whom he will, Joh. 17. 2. He alone can turn ſtones into children of Abraham. To him is committed all diſpenſation of quickning power. He brings us from the duſt of death, and no man hath quickned his own ſoul. With ſpiritual power, all ſpirituall life is veſted in Chriſt. If dead ſtones live, it muſt be, by hearing the voyce of the Son of God. p. 28Chriſt's building of his myſticall Houſe, is his giving life unto dead ſtones, or rather, being life unto them. Of thoſe who will attempt to build themſelves, and draw a Principle of ſpirituall life, from the broken Ciſterns of Nature, I ſhall ſpeak afterwards.

For the ſecond, or the communion of living ſtones one with another, and all with Chriſt, in the Order and Worſhip appointed by the Goſpel, ſo becoming Aſſemblies, and dwelling places of Mount Sion, this alſo is of him. This is for his outward ſolemn Worſhip: and he would never allow, that the will of any creature, ſhould be the meaſure of his Honour. He ſets up the Candleſticks, and holds the Starres in his hand. Look to the Inſtitution of this building, it is from Chriſt: Look for Directions about this building, it is wholly from him. From him, his Word, his Spirit, is the Inſtitution, Direction, and Perfection of it: from hence now take ſome Obſervations.

1. Is Chriſt the Builder of this Houſe? Can hee alone …it us for this Building? Can he alone, and that by his Almighty Power put li…e into dead ſtones, that they may grow up to bee a holy and living Habitation unto him? what then becomes of that famous workman Freewill, and a power of believing in our ſelves, do not they work effectually in this Temple? As it was in Salomons Temple, there was neither Axe, nor Hammer, nor any Tool of Iron heard în it, all the while it was in building. 1. Kings 6. 7. So in this ſpi…ual Houſe, that Iron Tool of Freewill, is not once heard: It comes not nigh the work, Chriſt doth all alone. He gives life to whom he pleaſes. Shall a dead wil… be thought to have a quickning, life-giving power in it? Shall a Spirit of life be ſpun out of the Bowels of Nature? Is it the p. 29will of man, or the will of God that drawes men unto Chriſt? And is it Spirit or fleſh that unites us to him? Where then is this workman employed that makes all this noyſe in the world? Even there where men cry, Go to, let us build a City and a Tower whoſe top may reach to Heaven? Gen 11 4 amongſt thoſe who would build a Babel, a Tower of their own to get to Heaven by. The Lord comes down and ſcatters all their under-takings. This Workman never placed Stone in the Houſe of Chriſt. Nay, it is like the fooliſh woman, that pu…s down her houſe with both her hands. what Free grace ſets up, that Freewill ſtrives to demoliſh.

3. See hence a great miſtake of many poor Creatures, who would fain be ſtones in this Houſe: what courſe take they? They Hew and ſquare themſelves, ſtrive to cut off this and that rubbiſh, which (as they ſuppoſe) alone hinders them from being fitted to this building. They pare themſelves with vows, promiſes, reſolutions and engagements, beautifie themſelves with duties and ſervices: and then with many perplexing feares preſent themſelves to the building: never knowing whether they are admitted or no. All this while, the great Maſter Builder ſtands by, ſcarſely dealt withal. What now is the iſſue of ſuch Attempts? what they build one day, fals down in another. When they have oftentimes in their own thoughts, brought the Building to ſuch a paſſe, as that they are ready to think, it will be well with them, now ſurely they ſhal have a ſhare & Intereſt in this living & glorious Houſe, when all on the ſuddain they fal again to the ground: their Hopes wither, and they ſuppoſe themſelves in the worlds rubbiſh again. There is no end of this Alternation. Would now this poor ſoul ſee where its p. 30great defect lyes? It hath not applyed it ſelf aright to the only Builder. Wouldeſt thou be a ſtone in this Fabrick, lay thy ſelf before the Lord Jeſus: ſay to him, that thou art in thy ſelf altogether unfit for the great Building he hath in hand, tha thou haſt often attempted to put thy ſelf upon it, but all in vain: Now Lord Jeſus, do thou take me into thine own Hand: if thou caſteſt me away, I cannot complain: I muſt juſtifie thee in all thy ways: but thou calleſt things that are not, as though they were. Thou turneſt dead ſtones into Children of Abraham: Oh turn my dead, into a living ſtone. Fear not, He will in no wiſe caſt thee out.

The vanity of men attempting to mixe their Power and Wiſedome in the heaping up Tabernacles for Chriſt, might be hence diſcovered, but I forbear.

3. Jeſus Chriſt is the great Watchman or Keeper of this Houſe. There are indeed other Watchmen, and that of God's own appointment for the uſe of this Houſe. Son of man, I have ſet thee a Watchman, Ezek. 2. 11. I have ſet Watchmen upon thy walls, Iſa 61. 6, 7. which in a ſpeciall manner are the Paſtors of the Churches, they watch, Heb. 13. 17. As the Prieſts and Levits heretofore kept the watch of the Lord: It cannot be denyed, but that many who have taken upon them to be theſe Watchmen, have watched onelyonly for their own advantage, have been very dogs, yea dumb dogs, the very worſt of dogs, Iſa. 66. 10. yea they have been, and oftentimes are under various pretences, great ſmiters and wounders of the Spouſe of Chriſt, Cant 5. but yet were they never ſo good and true to their Truſts, they were never able all to watch and keep this Houſe, had it not another Watchman. Except the Lord keep the City, theſe Watchmen watch in vain, Pſal. 127. 1. He that keepeth p. 31Iſrael, who doth neither ſlumber nor ſleep, muſt keep this Houſe, or it will be deſtroyed. Chriſt then is that Holy One, and that WATCHER that came down from Heaven, and commanded to cut down the tree and the branches, Dan. 4. 13, 14. Nebuchadnezzar and his great power, for medling with this Houſe.

Now Chriſt watcheth this Houſe for two ends.

1. To ſee what it wants, 2. Cor. 16. 9. The eyes of the Lord run to and fro, throughout the whole earth, to ſhew himſelf ſtrong in its behalf. He looks down from heaven to behold them that fear him, Pſal. 14. He is that Stone upon which are ſeven Eyes Zech. 3. 9. A ſufficiency, in perfection of wiſedome, inſpection, and government for the good of his Houſe. And thoſe ſeven eyes of his run to and fro through the whole earth, for this very purpoſe, Zech. 4. 10. He takes notice of the ſtate and condition of his People, to eye them in all their diſtreſſes, and to give them timely and ſuitable deliverance. They may call every ſpring of their Refreſhment, Beer la…ai-roi.

2. To ſee that the Son of Violence draw not nigh unto it, and if he do, to require it at his hands, to make him eat his own fleſh, and drink his own blood, that he may learn to devour no more. Obſerve then,

1. Whence it is that this Houſe which ſeems ſo often to be nigh to deſtruction, is yet preſerved from ruine. Ofttimes it is brought into a condition, that all that look on ſay, Now it is gone for ever: but ſtill it recovers and gets up again. The Lord Chriſt he looks on all the while: He knowes how far things may proceed for tryall. When it comes to that paſſe, that if preſſures and troubles ſhould continue, the Houſe would be over born indeed, then he puts in, rebukes the windes and waves, and makes all things ſtill again. p. 32Like a Father who looks upon his Childe in a difficult and dangerous buſineſſe, knowes that he can relieve him when he pleaſes, but would willingly ſee him try his ſtrength and cunning, lets him alone, untill perhaps the Childe thinks himſelf quite loſt, and wonders his Father doth not help him: but when the Condition comes to be ſuch, that without help he will be loſt indeed, inſtantly the Father puts in his hand and ſaves him. So deales the Lord Ieſus with his Houſe, lets it oftentimes ſtrive and wreſtle with great Oppoſitions, to draw out and exerciſe all the Graces thereof: but yet all this while He looketh on, and when danger is nigh indeed, He is not far off.

2. Let all the Enemies of the Church know, that there is one, who hath an Eye overthem in all their Counſels and under-takings. Whilſt they are digging deep, He looks on, and laughs them to ſcorn. How perplexed was the King of Syria, when he found that the Prophet was acquainted with all his deſignes, and made them known to the King of Iſrael. It cannot but be a matter of perplexity to the Enemies of this Houſe, when they ſhall finde that the great Friend and Protector thereof, is continually preſent in all their Adviſoes. Let them not wonder at their birthleſſe under-takings, the Eye of Chriſt is ſtill uupon them.

3. Let the Saints ſee their priviledge, who ever they are, in what condition ſoever, the Eye of Chriſt is upon them. He watches over them for good, and knowes their ſoules in Adverſity. When no Eye ſees them, he looks on them, they cannot be caſt out of his care, nor hid from his ſight. There are many poor ſouls, who goe heavily all the day long; that mourn in their ſpirits p. 33unknown, unregarded, unpitted: The Eye of Chriſt is on them for good continually: they cannot be thrown out of his watchfull care.

4. Chriſt is the In dweller of this Houſe, He hath not built it, and framed it, for no uſe. It is for an Habitation for himſelf. He hath choſen Zion, he hath deſired it for …s Habitation this is my reſt (ſaith he) here will I dwell, Pſal. 132. 13, 14. This Houſe i… built up, to be an Habitation unto him, Epheſ. 2. 22. He is the King of Saints, and this Houſe is his Court. It is true for his human Nature, the Hevens muſt receive him untill the time of the Reſtitution of all things, Acts. 4. 27. but yet, he dwelleth in this Houſe three ways.

1. By his Spirit, Chriſt dwels in this Houſe, and every stone of it, by his Spirit Know you not that Chriſt is in you except you be reprobates. 2 Cor 13. 5 Chriſt in you that is, the Spirit of Chriſt; Chriſt by his Spirit. So the Holy Ghoſt expounds it, Rom. 8. 9. If the Spirit of God dwell in you, which: v 10. is if Chriſt be in you: Chriſt and his Spirit, as to Indwelling are all one: for he dwels in us by his Spirit. The love of God is ſhed in abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghoſt that is given unto us, Rom. 5. 5. There is not only the love of God, a grace of the Spirit ſhed abroad in us, but there is alſo the Holy Spirit giuen unto us. This is fully aſſerted, Rom. 8. 11. The Spirit of him that rayſed up Jeſus, dwels in you: as alſo, 2 Tim. 1. 14. keep the good thing committed to thee, by the Holy Ghoſt that dwelleth in us, Hence the Saints are ſaid to be Temples of the Holy Ghoſt. Jeſus Chriſt doth not build Temples, merely for Graces, created Graces, He dwels in them himſelf, He dwels in them by his Spirit. And this is a glorious Priviledge of this Houſe, that Jeſus Chriſt p. 34in a Miſticall and wounderfull manner ſhould dwell in it, and every ſtone of it. Hereby all beleivers become to be not one perſonall but) one Miſticall Chriſt. 1 C…r. 12. 6. However we are diſtanced, in reſpect of his human Nature, yet Miſtically we are one, one body, one Miſtical Chriſt, becauſe we have one Spirit, dweling in us and him. If a man were never ſo tall, ſo that his Head ſhould reach the ſterres, and his freet ſtand upon the Ground, yet having but one ſoul, he is but one man ſtill. Though Chriſt in his human Nature be exceedingly diſtanced from us, yet there being one and the ſame Spirit in him and us, wee are one Myſticall Chriſt. Yet abſerve,

1. Though Chriſt be united unto the perſons of the Saints, by the Indwelling of the Spirit, yet the Saints have not that which is called Perſonal Vnion, with him nor with the Spirit Perſonal Vnion is, by a perſon of the Deity, aſſuming the nature of man, into one perſonallty with it ſelf, that having of it sown no perſonall ſubſiſtance. Things are here clean otherwiſe: Chriſt doth not aſſume the Saints into a perſonall ſubſiſtance with himſelf, but dwels in their perſons by his Spirit.

2. That the Operations of the Indwelling Spirit of Chriſt, and all his manifeſtations are Voluntary. He worketh as he will, & revealeth what he wil: … where he dwells. He doth not work in us Naturally but Voluntarily, unto what proportion he pleaſeth: therefore though he dwel equally in all Saints, in reſpect of Truth and reality, yet he doth not in reſpect of working and Eficacy.

2. By his graces. Chriſt dwelleth in this Houſe and in all the ſtones thereof by his Graces. He dwells in our p. 35hearts by faith, Epheſ. 3. 17. He dwells in us by his word in all wiſdome, Col. 3. 16. All the graces we are made partakers of, we receive from his fulneſſe, and by them, he Inhabits, in us. They are indeed the ornaments of the living ſtones of this Houſe, to make them meet and fit for ſuch an Indweller as the Lord Chriſt. Chriſt will not dwell in a ſoule, whoſe mind is darkneſſe, His will ſtubborneſſe, and His Affections carnall and ſenſuall. He puts Light, and life, and love, upon the ſoule, that it may be meet for him to dwell in: Chriſt dwels in all the world by his power, and Preſence, but he dwels only in his Saints, by his Spirit, and Grace.

3. By his Ordinances. Where two or three of his are aſſembled together, there is he in the middeſt of them. The Ordinances of Chriſt, are the great Ornaments of his Kingly Court: by them he is glorious in all the Aſſemblies of mount Sion. Some would faine caſt out this Indwelling of Chriſt from among his Saints: In due time he will throughly rebuke them: Some againe would thruſt him out into the world: but he will make men know, that his Ordinances are given unto his: it is true the benefit of ſome of them, extends to the world, but the Right and enjoyment of them, that, is the priviledge of his Saints: Thus Chriſt dwels in his Houſe: Hence Obſerve,

1. The Intimacy of the Lord Jeſus with his Saint, and the delight he takes in them: Hedwelleth with them, he dwelleth in them. He takes them to the neareſt Vnion with himſelf poſsible. He in them, they in him, that they may be one. He hath made many an admirable change with us. He took our ſin, and p. 36gives us his Righteouſneſſe; He took our Nature, and gives us his Spirit. Neither is it a bare Indwelling, neither: He thereby holds with us all acts of the cho…ſeſt communion. if (ſaith he) any man haere my voice, and open to me, I will come to him: and what then? I will ſup with him, and he ſhall ſup with me, Revel. 3. 20.

1, I will ſup with him. I will delight and ſatisfie my ſelf with him. Jeſus Chriſt takes abundance of delight and contentment in the Hearts of his Saints. When they are faithfull, when they are fruitfull, He is marvellouſly refreſhed with it. Hence is that Prayer of the Spouſe, Awake O North winde and come thou South, blow upon my Garden, that the ſavour of my ſpices may flow out, let my boloved come and eat of his ſpices, Can. 4. 16. ſhe would have the Spices, the Graces ſhe hath received, breathed on by a freſh gale of the Spirit, that they might yeeld a ſweet ſavour. And why ſo? that her Beloved may have ſomething for his Entertainment, that hee may come and ſup, and eat of his pleaſant fruits. A poor Soul, that hath received Chriſt, hath not any deſire ſo fervent, as that it may have ſomething for the Entertainment of him: that He who filled it when it was hungry, may not (as it were) be ſent away empty. And the Lord Jeſus is exceedingly taken with thoſe Refreſhments. The King is held in his Galleries, Cant. 4. 5. Hee is detained, yea bound with delight, He knowes not how to paſſe away. Therefore He reſts in his love, Zeph. 3. 17. Hee is exceedingly ſatiated in the delight he takes in his Saints: Neither is this all, that when Chriſt comes he will ſup with us (though this we a great deal, o what are we that we ſhould entertain our Lord▪ but alſo,

p. 372 The ſaints ſup with him. He provides Choyce Refreſhments for them alſo. When Chriſt comes in unto us, he will entertaine a ſoul bounteouſly. He provides love for us. When the Spirit of Chriſt, is beſtowed on us, he ſheads abroad the love of God in our Hearts, Rom. 5. 5. He ſheeds it abroad, powers it out abundantly. Friends, love is a Choyce danty. He that knows it not is a ſtranger to all ſpirituall banquets: It is a choyce diſh in the feaſt of fatt things, that Chriſt prepareth: He povides Righteouſneſſe and Peace and joy in the holy Ghost for us. That his Kingdome, Rom. 14. 17 and, this Kingdome of his, is within us. Of ſuch precious things as theſe doth Chriſt provide a ſupper for them, with whomhe dwells. It Chriſt be in you, more or leſſe, you ſhall not want this entertainment. We are indeed ſometimes like made Gueſts, that when meat is ſet one the Table, caſt it all downe, without taſting a morſell. When Chriſt hath prepared ſweet and precious dantyes for us, we caſt them on the Ground. We throw away our peace, our joy, by folly and unbeli…fe; But this makes not the Truth of God of none effect.

2 Doth Chriſt Dwell in us by his Spirit, ſhould we not be carefull, leaſt we grieve that Spirit of his? The Spirit of Chriſt is very tender. Did the Saints continually conſider this, that Chriſt dwells in them, that he is grieved, and troubled, at all their unbeliefe, unruly paſſions, worldy deſires, fooliſh Imaginations, ſurely they could not but be much more watchfulover themſelves, then generally they are. He is refreſhed when we walk with him, and hold fellowſhip with him To turn aſide from him, to hold fellowſhip with world p. 38or fleſh, this grives him, and burdens him. Oh grive not the Spirit of God whereby you are ſealed to the day of Redemption. And let me tell you, if you doe, though he will not utterly depart from you, nor take his kindnes away for ever more▪ yet he will do that that ſhall make your heartake, your joynts tremble, and break all your bones in peices: For,

1 He will depart from you, as to all ſenſe of his preſence: that you ſhal have neither joy, nor comfort, nor peace. He will hide his face, and make you believe (as we ſay) that he is gone utterly from you. And this he will doe, not for a day or a night or ſo, but for a great while together. You ſhall goe to ſeeke him, and you ſhall not find him. Yea beg, and cry, and have no Anſwer: Now all the world for one ſmile from Chriſt, for one impreſſion of his preſence upon my Heart, and all in vain. When the Spirit of Chriſt was thus departed from David upon his miſcarriage, as to the ſenſe and joy of it: how doth he cry out, Make me to hear the voyce of joy and gladneſſe, that the bones which thou haſt broken may rejoyce, Pſal. 51. 8. If thou valueſt the preſence of Chriſt at no greater rate, but to jeopard it upon every Occaſion▪ thou mayſt haply go without the comfort of it all thy dayes. Examine your ſelves, is it not ſo with ſome of you? have you not loſt the ſenſe of the preſence of Chriſt by your folly and uneven walking? Perhaps you value it not much, but go on as Sampſon with his hair cut, and think to do as at other times: but if the Philiſtines ſet upon thee, it will be ſorrow and trouble. In every Aſſault thou wilt finde thy ſelf a loſt man. Sooner or later it p. 39will bee bitterneſſe to thee.

2. He will depart, as to the Efficacie of his working in thee, and leave thee ſo weak, that thou ſhalt not be able to walk with God. His Spirit is a Spirit of Grace and Supplications. He will ſo with-draw it, that thou ſhalt find thy Heart in a poor condition, as to thoſe things. To be cold in Prayer, dead in Hearing, enſtranged from Meditation, ſleight in all dutyes, this ſhall be thy portion. A frame that a tender Soul would tremble to think of. Ah! how many poor creatures are come to this ſtate in theſe dayes, by their neglect and contempt of Chriſt dwelling in them, they have loſt their ſirſt love, their firſt life, their Graces are ready to dy, and their whole ſoules aſleep, in a heartleſſe, lifeleſſe, zealeleſſe frame. They ſhall be ſaved, but yet as through fire.

3. He will depart as to Aſſurance of what is to come, as well as to a ſenſe of what is preſent. It is the Indwelling Spirit of Chriſt that gives Aſſurance: here by are we ſealed to the day of Redemption. He beareth witneſſe with our Spi…its, that we are the Children of God. Upon our grieving him, he will withdraw as to this alſo. We ſhall be beweldred, and in the dark, not knowing what will become of our Souls to Eternity. For it Chriſt by his Spirit do not ſpeak Peace, who ſhall?

2. Doth he dwell in us by his Grace?

1. Let us firſt know whence all Graces are, that in a want, or weakneſſe of them, we may know whither to go for a ſupply. Of his fulneſſe we receive, & Grace for Grace. All ſupplyes of Graces are from Chriſt. Lord, p. 40encreaſe our faith, ſay the Apoſtles: Not only Faith originally is from him, but all Increaſes of it alſo. I believe, help thou my unbelief, ſayes the poor man. We wreſtle and ſtruggle with a little Grace, a little Faith, a little Love, a little Joy, and are cont…nted if wee can keep our Heeds above water, that we be not quite ſunk and loſt. How ſweet would it be with us, if upon a ſerious conſideration from whence all theſe Graces flow, that we would apply our ſelves to draw out fafther degrees and heightenings of them, whereby he might dwell more plentifully in us, and wee might alwayes converſe with him in his Gracious Train of Attendants. How this may be done in particular, is not my buſineſſe now to ſhew.

2. Learn to tender the Graces of Chriſt, as thoſe which hold out his preſence to us. Let us tender them in our own Hearts, and prize them in whomſoever they are. They are pledges o… the Indwelling of Chriſt. Certainly if men valued Chriſt, they would more value his Graces. Many pretend to Love him, to Honour him, yea with Peter to be ready to dy with him, or for him: but what evil ſurmizes have they of the Graces of Chriſt appearing in others: How do they cal them, Hypocriſie, Humor, Folly, Pride, Singularity, with other terms of a later Invention. I cannot ſo eaſily believe, that any one can love the Lord Jeſus, and hate the Appearances of him in others. Where is any thing of Chriſt, there is alſo Chriſt.

5. Jeſus Chriſt is the great Avenger of this Houſe, and of all the Injuries or wrongs that are done unto it. All (ſaith he) that devour Iſrael ſhall offend, Jerem. 2. p. 413. He will not hold him guiltleſſe that riſes up againſt it▪ ſee Iſa. 59. 15, 16, 17; 18. he takes upon him the avenging of his Houſe, as his own proper work. Shall He not avenge his Elect? he will do it ſpeedily: See alſo Iſa. 63. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. How dreadfull is hee in the execution of his revenging judgements againſt the Enemies thereof. So alſo is he deſcribed Revel. 19. 13, 14, 15. He hath promiſed to make the Stones of this Houſe heavy ſtones, they ſhall burden all that touch them, Zech 12. 3. He comes forth of the Myrtle trees in the bottom (his lowly people, in a low condition) with the Red horſe following him, Zech. 1. 8. upon this account he …arfully b…oke the old Roman Pagan Empire, Revel. 6. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. and will as fearfully deſtroy the Antichriſtian Roman power, with all its adherents, Revel. 17. 18, 19. Sooner or later he will call to an account every Inſtrument of perſecution in the world. Hence he is ſaid to be a Lyon in the behalf of this Houſe, that treads down all before him, Mic. 5. 8. Jacob ſayes of him in Judah, He is a Lyon, as an old Lyon, who ſhall rouſe him up? Gen. 49. 9. Suppoſe-any do rouſe him up, how then? He will not ly down, untill he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the ſlain, Numb. 23. 24. Many poor Creatures have by their Oppoſition to his Houſe▪ rouſed up this Lyon, and what hath been the Iſſue? what attempts have been to cauſe him to ly down aga…n: all in vain: if he be once rouſed up, he will not couch down, until he eat and drink the blood of the ſlain. But ſuppoſe great Oppoſition be made unto him, will he not give over? not at all: As a Lyon that cometh upon his prey, if a multitude of ſhepheards be p. 42called forth againſt him, he will not be afraid at their voyce, nor abaſe himſelf at their noyſe, Iſa. 31. 4. In brief, ſooner or later, temporally or eternally, he will avenge all the Injuries, and deſtroy all, the Enemies of his holy dwelling, 1. Theſſ. 1. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

And theſe are ſome of the Relations wherein the Lord Chriſt ſtands unto this Houſe of God, being made thereby unto it, Beauty and Glory, Comelineſſe and Excellency. The carrying on of this Building by the union of all the ſtones thereof …o the Foundation, and their cementing one to another, by Faith, Love, and Order, I ſhall not now treat of: Nor of the following points of the Text. The Generall uſes of what hath bin ſaid, are three, the Heads whereof I ſhall name.

1. See the Eminent Priviledge of them which are indeed stones of this Houſe, which is living, ſtrong, and glorious, which is ſo neerly related to the Lord Chriſt: There is more of Duty, dignity, and ſafety in this thing, then can eaſily be expreſſed. To do ſervice unto Chriſt, as his, to have the Honor of being his, and to be ſafe guarded as his are great priviledges: let them who have any ſenſe of theſe things, further draw out theſe particulars, from what hath been ſpoken.

2. Learn hence the vanity of reſting upon outward Church priviledges, if we are not withall, intereſted in this ſpiritual eſtate where men are living ſtones indeed, they ly in beauty and order in the Aſſemblies: where they are otherwiſe, where Aſſemblyes are made up of dead rubbiſh, and yet cry, the Houſe of the Lord, the Houſe of the Lord, the Lord Jeſus abhorres thoſe Aſſemblies, He ſtands not in theſe Relations unto them.

p. 433. See hence the Ruine of Perſecution, that hath appeared in the world in various forms. It hath put on all manner of colours and pretences, and prevailed with all ſorts of perſons at one time or other to cloſe with it: what hath been the Iſſue? what is like to be? The Houſe indeed hath been battered ſometimes, but they who have come againſt it, have been broken all to pieces. Shall the Reſidue of men, who under new pretences, or old ones new painted, drive on the ſame deſigne, ſhall they proſper? Thou, O Lord Jeſus, in thine anger, wilt cut them off. The Lord open the Eyes o… the ſons of men, that they may not hope any more to ſeparate between Chriſt, and his Saints, between whom there are ſo many everlaſting Relations.

foreign.

FINIS:

End of the text · John Owen, The Branch of the Lord the Beauty of Zion (1650)