296 VERSE 3. aMattlia.m. 10h..0.3. Cant. 1.16.7.10. bCol. T.I617. Rorn.9 7,8. d Efai.63 . 19. Ael.1.36. Eph. .21. Pfa 8. 18. Joh.' 7.6. Thefaithfulare'Chriftsomnpeople. weemesar..... I faidbefore,that I approve not theMincing andcrum- bling of HolyScriptures. Yet in thefe parts of them, which are written for models and luminariesof Chri- flianDoarine,I fuppofe there may bee weight in every word, as in a rich Jewell there isworth in every fparkle. Here then firfl wee may take notice ofChrifts Propriety to his people. [Thy people] All the Elea and Belee- vers doe a belong untoChrili.They are His Peeple.They are his Owssefbeepe. There is a mutual! and reciprocal' propriety betweenhim and them. I ammybeloveds,and my beloved is mine. His defire is towardsmee. Hie,Ifay, nor as bee is God onely, by a right ofinfeparable domi- nion as wee arehis creatures. For allthingswere b crea_ tedby him andfor him. And hee is over sill, . God bleffed for ever. Norhis onely as hee is the c &ft-borneand the heire ofall things. In which refpeoi bee is Lord of the Angels , and God bath set hiin over all the work!, ofhis hands. But as he is the mediator and head in hisChurch. In which refpe9 the faithful! arehis by a morepeculiar propriety. d Wee are thine thou never barefi rule over them , they were not called by thyname. TheDevilsare his raffals. Thewicked of the world his pripners. The faithful! onely arehisfisbjeas andfollowers. His Jewels, his Friends, his Brethren, his Sonnes, his Members, his Spoufe.. His,byall the relationsofintimatenefle that can bee named. Now this ProprietyChrill bath untousupon feverall grounds. Fith, by Conflitution and Donation from his Father. God bath made himLord and Chrifl. Hee hash put all things under his fcete , and hathgiven him to bee Headover all things to theChurch. Aske ofnice and I willgive thee theheathen for thine inheritance , and the uttermoa parts ofthe earth for thy poffeffion. Behold, I and the Children whom thou hall givenmee. Thine theywcre,aud thougaveft them tomee. For as in regard ofGods Iuflicewewere bought byCbrifi inour redemp- tion,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=