Book II. c H R I s T THE ONLy F 0 u N D A T I 0 N. 433 move it out of its Place, Heb. xii. 28. Foundations of Kingdoms, Nations, Common– wealths and Confl:itutions of Antichrifl:ian Churches, may, and /hall be lhaken; but Chrift the Foundation of the true Church /hall abide for ever. M E T A P H 0 R. D I S P A R I T Y. VU!. Other Foundation cannot VIII. Chrift the fpiritual Foundation is able preferve the Houfe chat is built to uphold and preferve the Houfe or Soul that is upon it; that may be totally debuilt upon him ; I know whom I have believed, molifhed and deftroyed, and yet and am perfuaded that he is able to keep that which the Foundation may remain. I have committed to him, 2 'J"im. i. I2. Upon this Rock I will build my Church, and the Gates of Hell jhall not prevail qgainjl it, Matt. xvi. 18, N F E R E N C E ~ I. THIS informs us of the great Wifdom and Condefcenfion of God, in contriving fuch a blelfed Foundation for the Church and all true Believers eo build upon; it was the Purpofe of God to found his Temple upon a fure Baf1s, even the Rock Chrift Jefus. Il. It alfo fees forth the happy and glorious State of the Houfe of God; what can add greater Glory to it, than to have a Foundation fo precious, lafting, and per– manent! HI. It /hews the Honor and Excellency of Gofpel-Miniftration ; Minifters do not only propound Chrift, but in a fubordinate Senfe, in the Miniftry of the Word may be faid to lay Chrift as a Foundation; hence Paul faith, I have laid the Foundation, &c. for we are Labourers together with God, I Cor. iii. 9• 10. IV. It reproves thofe that lay afide and reject this Foundation, and build upon others; as, I. The Papijls, that build upon Peter, and on their own Merits; and what their Merits are, England and other Nations can foon refolve. 2. The ff<_uakers, who build upon the Light of natural Confcience; they refufe the Perfon of Chrift, and the valuable Price of his Blood, and introduce in his room an inward Q,Jality, viz. that Beam of Light that lhines in Men from Jefus Chrifr, con– fidered as Creator, John i. 9· 3· Such as build but in part on Chri!l:, comejuftly underthe Verge of thisUfe of Reprehenfion, becaufe they do not lay all the Screfs and Hope of their Salvation upon this Foundation. V. It ferves alfo to put Men and Women upon Trial, to fee whether the Lord Chrill be their only Foundation or not, I. Do you really remove yourfelves off all other Foundations? 2. Do you not build on, nor confide in Pharifaical Righteoufnefs, even Righteoufnefs of your own, Matt. v. 20 ? • 3· Do you not build upon federal Holinefs, and upon Birth-Privileges? 'I'hink not to fay within your[elves, fVe have Abraham to our Father, Matt. iii. 9· 4· Do you not build upon legal Conviction, or outward Reformation ? 5· Do you not build upon a bare believing the Hifl:ory of the Gofpel, upon the Faith of Credence ? 6. Do you not build upon a Confeflion of Sin ? 7· Do you not build upon outward Privileges, upon vifible Church-Member/hip, and external Ordinances? R~member the Foolijh Virgins, Matt. xxv. I, 2, 3, 4, 5· 8. Do you not build barely on the Mercy of God, not well confidering he is jufl: as well as gracious, and will not acquit the Guilty, notwirhfl:anding your Repentance and moral Righteoufnefs, without the Atonement made by the Blood of Chrifl:, Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7? 9· Do you not build upon prefent Purpofes and Refolucions to change your Ways and Courie of Life hereafter? Is not this that which fupporcs and fl:ays your Minds ? to. Do you not build upon Learning, Parts, and that Knowledge you have in Divine Things above others ? * . I 1. Do you not build upon Men, Minifl:ers, the Church; taking all upon Tru!l; that fuch and fuch Doctors and able Divines fay?. • See Mr. 7'illinghujf. 5 s VI. This
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