Preached Auguft 17. 1662. 3. Gods Monitory Precept, or Admonition which he afforded unto Mofes, when he was drawing near to fee this wonder, in which we have principally confidered two parts. i. This Precept propounded. I. Negatively, That he fhouldnot draw near.2.Affirmatively,Tbat hefhouldput offhisjhoos from offhisfeet. 2. You have eonfiderable the Keaton or Argument/ whereby Cod loth back this Precept or Admonition, i. e. Becaufe that place whereon he good, was holy ground. The time would fail me, if t fhould go over all thefe parts, we limn only touch on the two for- mer. The Apparition which Moles law, and Mofes's defire to"obferve it.: of the first I fbail only (peak tranfitorily, and infift. on the latter more fully, which I chiefly intend. z. For the Apparition, or Emblematical difcovery of the Fftate of the Church in the burning, and yet unconfumedBufh. And here- in take notice ofthree things. i.The loWnefs andweaknefs ofthe Church reprefented by a Bulb. 2. The cruelty of the Churches enemies, fignified and reprefent- ed by Fire. 3. The eminency of its prefervation, though in the fire, yet unconfurn'd. And in this onely take notice, that the Church is compared to a BHA for two reafons : i. In regard of its deformity and blackneffe, and uncomelineffe. 2. In regard of its weakneffe and brittleneffe. The Church is uncomely in regard of fin, and weak in regard of fuffei ing, and God fees it belt that it fhould be thus with them, to humble them, and to Phew his goodneife, to accept them, and to love them, and make them long for their future beauty : and here- byGod makes them more comformable to. their Head, hereby he makes them endeavour to look after inward beauty and glory : here- by he puts them on a life of faith, and takes them off from living by fenfe, and creature comforts, and from being entangled with creature-comforts. And hereby it (bows how little he regards the beauty and glory of this life, which he denies to the bell of his people : And hereby he fhows, that there is a better flute of appear- ance and glory approaching : and therefore the people of God are not to be cenfirred under their blacknefs and deformitie, either in regard of fin or fuffering.: their happinefs is not to be judged by its outward appearance, becaufe this life is but the obleuritie ofthe Church : we fee them like the Tents of Kedar, but we donot fee how like the Curtains of Solomon they pall be. 2. The people of God fhould take heed of expeiting that glory ofthis world, which is not promifed to them, and to fet their hearts on Heaven. Andyou may fee
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