A90263:86
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. By way of Real Communication, He is the true light which lighteneth every man, Joh. 1. 9. Every one that hath any spiritual light really communicated to him, hath it from Christ. It is part of his work to recover sight to the blind, Luke 4. 18. And therefore he adviseth the Church of Laodicea to come to him for eye salve, that she might see, Revel. 3. 18. At his coming, Zion shines forth, Isa 60. 1. because his light ariseth upon her, v. 2. The former Doctrinal Teaching of it self w•ll not suffice. That light may shine in darkness, and the darkness not comprehend it, Joh. 1. 5. All the light: the Sun can give, will not make a blind man see. There must be a visive faculty within, as well as light without: The Stones of this building are by Nature all blind▪ yea darkened, yea darkness it self. If the Lord Christ do not by the mighty efficacy of his spirit create a visive Power within them, as well as reveal the will of his Father to them, they will never spiritually discern the things of God. The natural man discerneth not the things of God, nor indeed can do, 1. Cor. 2 14.
2. By way of Reall Communication, He is the true light which lightneth everyman, Joh. 1. 9. Every one that hath any spirituall light really communicated to him, hath it from Christ. It is part of his work to recover sight to the blind, Luke 4. 18. And therfore he adviseth the Church of Laodicea to come to him for eye salve, that she might see, Revel. 3. 18. At his coming, Sion shines forth, Isa 60. 1. because his light ariseth upon her, v. 2. The former Doctrinall Teaching of it self w•ll not suffice. That light may shine in darknes, and the darknes not comprehend it,