12 / 802
iv.
.
P
$
E
F
a
c
F.
be
fared in
the
Lord, with
an everlafting falvation,
they
fhall
not
be afhamed
nor
confounded world without end,
ver.
17.
On theft
and
the
like accounts,
the principal. deign
of
their
whole
lives
onto whom he
is thus
precious; is to accquaint
themf
lves
with
him,
the
myfltry
of
the
wfdom, grace
and
love
cf
Gad,
in his perfon
and
mediation
as
reveal-
cd
unto
us in the feriptere, which
is
life eternal,
John
xvii.
3.
to trufl in
him,
and
unto hint,
as
unto
all the
everlafting concernments
of
their
fools,. to
love
and
honour
him
with all
their hearts,
to endeavour
after
conformity
emtohim,
in
all
thole
charaílers
of
divine
goodnefs
and
holin
fs;
which
are
reprefented
onto them
in
him.
In
theft
things
confefl
the
fail,
life,
power,
beauty
and
efficacy
'of
chrfian
religion,
without which, whatever outward
ornaments
may
be
put
upon
its
exercii
,
it
is but
an
of
lefs, lifelefs carcafs.
The whole
of
this
defmn.
is expreffed
in
theft
heavenly
words
of
the apofle,
151ül,`iii.
8,
9, ro.
r
r,
i
z. Yea doubtiefs, and
I
count
all
things but
lofs,
for
the
excellency
of
the
knowledge
of
Chat
Jefus ray
Lord;
for
whom
I have fuffered
the
lofs
of
all things, and do
count them
but
dung, that
I
might win Chrilt
and be
found n hint,
not
having mine own rithtcoufnefs, which
is
of
the
law, but
that which
is
through
the
faith
of
Chrilt,
the
righteoufnefs
which
is
of
God
by
faith.
That
I
may
know him,
and
the
power
of
his xetrirreftion, and
the
fellowlhip
of
his fufferings, being made
conformable
unto
his
death
;
if
by
any means I
might
attain
unto the refurrcftion
of
the
dead
:
Not
as
though
F
had
already attained, either were already
petfeEt
;
but
I follow
after,
if
that
I
may apprehend
that
for which
I
alto am apprehended
of
Christ Jefus.
This
is
a divine
expreon of that
frame
of
heart,
of that
defign
which is predominant
and
efficacious
in
them
Unto
whom
Chef
is precious.
But
on
the
other hand, according unto
the forementioned
prediElion,
as
he
bath
bbeen'a
fore
foundation
unto
all that
believe ;
fo
he
bath
in
like
manner
been
a
fone of
fumbling, and
rock
of
offence
unto them
that
fumble
at
the
word,
being
difobedient,
whereunto
they alto were appointed.
There is
no-
thing in
him,
nothing
wherein he
is
concerned;
nothing
of
him,
his
perfori,
his
natures,
his
office,
his grace, his love,
his
pciver,
his authority, his re-
lation
unto
the
church, but
it
bath
been
unto many
a ¡lone
of
fumbling, and
rock
of
offence.
Concerning
th,
fe
things have
been
all
the
wefryl
coretefts,
which have
fallen
out
and
been
managed
among
thofe
that
outward-
ly.
have
made pro
feffon
of
the
chr
f
ian
religion.
And
the
contentions about
them
de
rather
increafe
than
abate, unto
this
very day ;
the
difmal
fruits
whereof
the,
worldgroaneth
under,
and
is
no
longer able to bear.
For as
the
oppofition
unto
the
Lord
Chri
/t
in theft things
by
men
of
perverfe
minds,
hach
ruined their own
fouls,
as having
deified"
themfelues
in
pieces
again_ this
everlafing
rock
; fa
in conjunilion
with
others lofts
and interefs
of
the
carnal
minds
of
men,
it
teach
flied
the
world'it
felf
with
blood
and
confu
/ron..
The re-
enthroning
of
the
perfora,
fpirit, grace
and
authority
of
Chrif.ire
the hearts
and
confciences
of
men,
is
the
only
way
whereby
an
end
may
be
put
unto
theft woful
confiils.
But this
is
not to
be
expelled in
any degree
of
per
-
fetlion
amongfi them
who
mble
at
this
fane of
offence,
whereunto they
are appointed, though
in
the
iffue
he
will
herein alto
fend forth
judgment un-
to vülory, and
all
the
meek
of
the
earth _hallfollow after it.
In
the
mean
time,
as
thofe unto whom
he
is
thus a
rock
of
offence,
in his
perfora,
his
fpi-
rit,
his grace,
his
office
and
authority, are diligent
and reflefs
in their
vari-
ous
ways
and
forms, in
l
fifer
br higher
degrees,
in fecret
artifices,
or open
contradiltions
unto any
or
all
of
them, under
various
pretences,
and
fór
divers
ends, even
fecular advantages
fame
of
them, which the
craft
if
fatan
bath
prepared
for
the
eoifnaring
of
them,
an
all
ways
of
oppofition
unto his
glory;
fo
it
is
the
highe/ftt
duty
of
them unto whomhe
if
precious,. whofe
principal
defign
w to
be
found
built
on him ae
the
lure
foundation
;
as
to hold
the
truth
ton-