A90263:124
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.
2. He will depart, as to the Efficacy 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, estranged from Meditation, sleight in all duties, 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 days, by their neglect and contempt of Christ dwelling in them, they have lost their first love, their first life, their Graces are ready to die, and their whole souls asleep, in a heartless, lifeless, zealless frame. They shall be saved, but yet as through fire.
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 witness with our Spirits, that we are the Children of God. Upon our grieving him, he will withdraw as to this also. We shall be bewildered, 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?
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 Spiits, 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?