Chap. 38. (Qn Et'polition. upon the Book, o fJos. Verf. 4. Fourthly , The foundation is the fupport of the whole build- ing ; that bears and upholds all the refl. But force may fay , What are the foundations of the Earth ? I anfwer , A foundation may be taken either properly , cr metaphorically ; formally , or allufively. The foundations of the Earth are not formal , but metaphori- cal foundations : ' f is a fpeech borrowed from men , who muff have a proper foundation for their buildings. TheEarth is not laid upon any formal , but it bath a vertual foundation. The Scripture faith fometimes , that the Earth is founded upon the feas, and eflablifhed upon thefloods (Ptah. 24. z.) yet in a proper fente , the Sea isnot the foundationof the Earth. It's Paid alto, (Jobz6.'i.) He hanged) the Earth upon nothing. The whole bulk of Sea and Earth together, are one Globe, one Building, formed and compa&ed together. But the Earth may be faid tohave foundations , and that God bath laid the foundations of it; for this reafon : Becaufe the Earth is let fart and firm , it is like a houle that bath foundations, not only a foundation , but foundations; it Bands moa firm. A houlebuilded upon a rock ( (Yvtatth. 7, 25.) Rands fall and immoveably in all weathers, becaufe built upon a fure foundati- on : A houle builded upon the lands, falls, it bath no lure foun- dation. The Earth is made firm, Rrong, and Pure , as thole houfes or buildings that are railedupon rocks ;` and is therefore faid to have foundations. Why is Heaven, or theRate of glo- ry , called a City having foundations ( Heb. a; i o.) but be- caufe the flare of glory, or that glorious City , is a firm fiate ; or (as it is called in another place ( Chap. 13. 14.) a continu- ing City : A City which (hall it.felf continue fo- ever, and whole Citizens ( without fuccefliion) continue for ever. Now though the Earth be but a moveable tent or weak cottage , in ó, companion of Heaven - our heavenly Rare; yet God in his in-, finite Wildom and Power, hath formed and efiabliflied it fo firmly for the habitation of man and all inferiour creatures , up-` on its own center ; that the Lord may truly be faid to have built it upon foundations , or to have appointed foundations for is : as 'tis often exp,effed elfewhere ( Pfal. 102. 25. Pfal. 104. 5. Prov, 8.29.) as well as here. wherewe those, When 47
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=