There are two Epithets, by which the corner stone is commended, as meet to be the only head of the corner. The first is, that it is an Elect one, a choice one, that one of a thousand, there was not such another to be found in all the heap of the creatures to make a corner stone of. This is he that is separate from sinners, and acknowledged to be better and fitter for this work, then the Angels in heaven. There can be no other name, upon which we may be founded, but only the happy name of Jesus. And therefore for the use of it, let every knee bow at the name of Jesus, and let every tongue confess to the glory of God the Father, that he hath been wonderful in his choice. Let us adore him, whom God hath chosen, and given unto us as the foundation of all our happiness, especially let us learn of God to make our choice of him.1 Oh Infidelity, Infidelity, how just is thy woeful destruction for thy unbelief! Oh man, that mightest have been for ever happy in this choice! Oh let us be ⟨p. 198⟩warned, and save our selves from the common ruin of the world. Let all this be vile in respect of Christ. Let us choose him above all the world. He is worthy, upon whom all our souls, and all our mind, and all our joy should be set. God forbid we should rejoice in any thing, but in Christ, and him crucified. Let us be crucified to the world, so we be loved of Christ. Shall we wilfully make our selves like the miserable Jews? Shall we choose rather Barabbas then Jesus; and Belial, rather then Christ? If the daughter of a beggar should be offered in marriage, whether she would choose of a matchless Prince, or a base and servile peasant, would we not detest such folly, if she should neglect the Prince, and choose the peasant? And yet this is our case. God requires no more of us, but to choose his Son before the world, or Satan, or the flesh; and we are assured of eternal advancement: and yet behold, we choose not, we defer the time, we court the peasant, that will for ever undo us, and neglect the continual solicitations of the Heir of all things. Lord, put to our faith, and make us for ever resolute to cleave to the Lord Jesus, and him alone.
There are two Epithets, by which the corner stone is commended, as meet to bee the onely head of the corner. The first is, that it is an Elect one, a choise one, that one of a thousand, there was not such another to be found in all the heape of the creatures to make a corner stone of. This is hee that is separate from sinners, and acknowledged to be better and fitter for this worke, then the Angels in heauen. There can bee no other name, vpon which we may be founded, but onely the happy name of Iesus. And therefore for the vse of it, let euery knee bow at the name of Iesus, and let euery tongue confesse to the glory of God the Father, that he hath been wonderfull in his choise. Let vs adore him, whom God hath chosen, and giuen vnto vs as the foundation of all our happines, especially let vs learn of God to make our choise of him.1 Oh Infidelity, Infidelity, how iust is thy wofull destruction for thy vnbeliefe! Oh man, that mightest haue been for euer happy in this choise! Oh let vs bee ⟨p. 198⟩warned, and saue our selues from the common ruine of the world. Let all this be vile in respect of Christ. Let vs chuse him aboue all the world. Hee is worthy, vpon whom all our soules, and all our minde, and all our ioy should be set. God forbid wee should reioyce in any thing, but in Christ, and him crucified. Let vs bee crucified to the world, so we be loued of Christ. Shall wee wilfully make our selues like the miserable Iews? Shall we chuse rather Barabbas then Iesus; and Belial, rather then Christ? If the daughter of a begger should bee offred in marriage, whether she would chuse of a matchlesse Prince, or a base and seruile pesant, would we not detest such folly, if she should neglect the Prince, and choose the pesant? And yet this is our case. God requires no more of vs, but to choose his Sonne before the world, or Satan, or the flesh; and we are assured of eternall aduancement: and yet behold, we chuse not, wee deferre the time, wee court the pesant, that will for euer vndoe vs, and neglect the continual sollicitations of the Heir of all things. Lord, put to our faith, and make vs for euer resolute to cleaue to the Lord Iesus, and him alone.
- 1Note.
