The branch of the Lord, the beauty of ZionThe branch of the Lord, the beauty of Sion

Let a man be hewed and squared by the Word and ⟨p. 16⟩ordinances into outward conformity, never so exactly, that he seems one of the most beautiful Saints in the World, yet if he be not laid rightly by Faith upon the Foundation, to derive from thence, strength, supportment, and vigour, he will quickly fall to the ground: What then will become of their building, who heap up all sorts of rubbish to make an House for the Lord.

Let a man be hewed and squared by the Word and ⟨p. 16⟩ordinances into outward conformity, never so exactly, that he seems one of the most beautifull Saints in the World, yet if he be not laid rightly by Faith upon the Foundation, to derive from thence, strength, supportment, and vigour, he will quickly fall to the ground: What then will become of their building, who heap up all sorts of rubbish to make an House for the Lord.

2. Christ is the Ark of this House: The Ark in the Tabernacle, and afterwards in the Temple, was the most holy thing, in the most holy Place. There was nothing in it but the two Tables of stone written with the Finger of God: before it was Aaron's Rod that budded, with a Pot full of Manna: over it was the Propitiatory or Mercy seat, being a plate of Gold, as long and as broad as the Ark, covering it, being shadowed with the Cherubims of Glory. Now all this glorious Fabric, did signify, that unless the Law with its condemning power were hid in the Ark, and covered with the Mercy seat, no person could stand before the Lord: Besides, the Law was the old Covenant of works, and being renewed unto them chiefly to be subservient to the Gospel, and partly with its Appurtenances and carnal Administration, to be the tenor of the Israelites holding the land of Canaan, and this being in the Ark, it was said to contain the Covenant, and is frequently called the Ark of the Covenant.

2. Christ is the Ark of this House: The Ark in the Tabernacle, and afterwards in the Temple, was the most holy thing, in the most holy Place. There was nothing in it but the two Tables of stone written with the Finger of God: before it was Aarons Rod that budded, with a Pot full of Manna: over it was the Propitiatory or Mercy seat, being a plate of Gold, as long and asbroad as the Ark, covering it, being shadowed with the Cherubims of Glory. Now all this glorious Fabrick, did signifie, that unlesse the Law with its condemning power were hid in the Ark, and covered with the Mercy seat, no person could stand before the Lord: Besides, the Law was the old Covenant of works, and being renewed unto them chiefly to be subservient to the Gospel, and partly with its Appurtenances and carnall Administration, to be the tenour of the Israelites holding the land of Canaan, and this being in the Ark, it was said to contain the Covenant, and is frequently called the Ark of the Covenant.