294 SEVENTH SERMON. privileges and immunities which belong unto him ; and every citizen would willingly know the privileges which he path a right in. l t is the testament and will of Christ, wherein are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises ; and what heir or child would be ignorant of the last will of his father ? Lastly, it is the law of Christ's kingdom, and it con- cerns every subject to know the duties, the rewards, the punishments that belong unto him in that relation. Again, in that he saith, that the transgressors shall fall therein, we learn, that the holy and right ways of the Lord in the ministry of his word set forth unto us, are unto wicked men turned into matter of falling ; and that two manner of ways. 1. By way of scandal they are offended at it : and, 2. By way of ruin, they are destroyed by it. 1. By way of scandal they are offended at it. So it is prophesied of Christ ; that as he should be for a sanctuary unto his people ; so to others who would not trust in him, but betake themselves to their own counsels, he should be for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offence, for a gin and for a snare, Isa. viii. 14. " for the fall and the rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign to be spoken against," Luke ii. 34, 35. So he saith of himself, " For judg- ment am I come into this world, that they which see not, might see ; and that they which see, might be made blind," John ix. 39. And this offence which wicked men take at Christ, is from the purity and holiness of his word which they cannot submit unto ; a stone of stumbling he is, and a rock of offence, to them wlio stumble at the word, being disobedient, 1 Pet. ii. 8. 2 Cor. ii. 14, 15. Thus Christ preached, was a sanctuary to Sergius Paulus the deputy, and a
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