A90263:102
The branch of the Lord, the beauty of ZionThe branch of the Lord, the beauty of Sion
The branch of the Lord, the beauty of Zion: or, The glory of the Church, in it's relation unto Christ· Opened in two sermons; one preached at Berwick, the other at Edinburgh. By John Owen, minister of the Gospel.The branch of the Lord, the beauty of Sion: or, The glory of the Church, in it's relation unto Christ· Opened in two sermons; one preached at Berwick, the other at Edinburgh. By John Owen, minister of the Gospel.
Edinburgh: printed by Evan Tyler, 1650
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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 Zion, 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 Stars 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.
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 he 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 be 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 Solomons 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 quickening, life-giving power in it? Shall a Spirit of life be spun out of the Bowels of Nature? Is it the