A90263:51
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. 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 wind 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 abide all trials: The waves may make a noise and dash themselves against him, but it will be to their own ruin▪ ⟨p. 8⟩But you will say, may not weak and inconsistent materials be built upon a Rock, which yet may have never the more strength for their firm 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, unless the Rock it self be overthrown. 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 enabled to abide in him: I should proceed too for, should I go 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.
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▪