A90263:69
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.
4. In respect of every particular Assembly, and little Sanctuary of Mount Zion: If he be not first laid in the midst of such Assemblies, they will prove to be pinnacles of Babel, not Towers of Zion: This therefore was ⟨p. 14⟩the way of the Saints of old, first to give up themselves to the Lord Christ, and then to one another, by the will of God, 2. Cor. 8. 5.
4. In respect of every particular Assembly, and little Sanctuary of Mount Sion: If he be not first laid in the midst of such Assemblies, they will prove to be pi•acles of Babel, not Towres of Sion: This therefore was ⟨p. 14⟩the way of the Saints of old, first to give up themselves to the Lord Christ, and then to one another, by the will of God, 2. Cor. 8. 5.
In these Respects Christ the Foundation, is first laid in this spiritual building: which is the first property of a Foundation.
In these Respects Christ the Foundation, is first laid in this spirituall building: which is the first property of a Foundation.
2. A Foundation must be hidden, and out of sight unto all those that outwardly look upon the House: They cannot perceive it, though every part of the House doth rest upon it: And this hath occasioned many mistakes in the World. An unwise man coming to a great House, seeing the Antics and Pictures stand crouching under the Windows and sides of the House, may happily think, that they bear up the weight of the House, when indeed they are for the most part pargeted Posts; they bear not the House, the House bears them. By their bowing and outward Appearance, the Man thinks the Burden is on them, and supposes, that it would be an easy thing, at any time, by taking them away, to demolish the House it self; But, when he sets himself to work, he finds these things of no value, there is a Foundation in the Bottom, which bears up the whole, that he thought not of: against that, he may waste himself, until he be broken in pieces.