Zerubbabels encouragement to finish the temple. A sermon preached before the honourable House of…

A second Observation,¹ That in the greatest businesses which most concern the good of Gods Church, and his own glory, he oft-times suffers Mountains of opposition to lye in the way of them: So here, in the way to the building and perfecting his Church. To give another instance of it, and that the highest. The Salvation of the sons of men, whom he had chosen before all worlds, is a business which of all other he most mindeth and effectually intendeth, but doth he bring it about without rubs? Never such Mountains lay in the way of any business. Adam he sins, and in him, all those whom God meant to save, ⟨p. 20⟩whereby the way to their salvation was quite blocked up: Mountains of Sins make a Separation between him and them, Isai. 59. 2. and not all the power of men and Angels can any whit move, much less remove them, no more then straws can move a mountain. But then comes the Son of God, who throws and buries all these mountains in the bottom of the sea. And when Christ had thus removed the guilt of sin, and would come into mens hearts to apply his death, there lie as high mountains in his way to us, as before lay in ours unto him. Luke 3. 5. Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight; [every mountain shall be brought low.] There are high things, and strong holds, 2 Cor. 10. 4. that exalt themselves against the knowledge of Christ: but all these shall be brought low, and shall be made a plain. And as this is found true in the salvation of the Church by Christ, so in its preservation and growth. There is almost no mercy, but some mountain or other lies in the way of it.

A second Observation,¹ That in the greatest businesses which most concerne the good of Gods Church, and his own glory, he oft-times suffers Mountains of opposition to lye in the way of them: So here, in the way to the building and perfecting his Church. To give another instance of it, and that the highest. The Salvation of the sons of men, whom he had chosen before all worlds, is a businesse which of all other he most mindeth and effectually intendeth, but doth he bring it about without rubs? Never such Mountains lay in the way of any businesse. Adam he sins, and in him, all those whom God meant to save,