290 Water out ofthe Rock, a type fire out of a flinty rock it had not been fo unlikely ; but to dif}ill water out ofa flint or rockmuff be miraculous: Even fo Jefas Chrif} was ( for outward forme and ap- pearance in the world ) men unlikelyof all men to af- ford any fuck waters ofgrace and faivation. Ifai. S 3.2,3. he saeal Q dry root,roithout formeor beauty ; as an hard, barren, and defpifed rock, the molt abject ofmen, the refute of the world, a worme and no man ; of whom when the Prophets preached, they could findenone al- moff that would beleeve their report. 2. ARock for exaltationand advancement. ARock is a promontory lifted up above theearth : Such a Rock was Chrift advanced above the earth, yeaand thehea- vens ; advanced above all men and creatures : r. Inho- linefTe andpurity : z. inpower and authority : 3. In place and dignity. So I4.3.31, hee that comes from heaven is above all. His perfon is above all; for God bath exalted him,and given him a Name above al names, Phil. 2.9. His worme is above all that men and Angels can comprehend inpower and merit. His place is above all; the head ofthe Church, eminent above all men and Angels. 3. A Reck for firmneffe and (}ability: Hee is the f}rength ofIfrael ; on thrr Rock ( as ona fore and firme foundation) the whole Church it laid, and the gates of hell ¡hall not prevaile againfi it,Matt. a 6.18. Hence he is a Rockof defence and fafety to his chofen ; and every wile man builds his houfe on this Rock. 4. etí Rock of fcandJll and offence to wickedmen, Rom,9.3 z. Not in himfelfe and his nature ( forbee is a precious corner none) but accidentally andpaflìvely, be- caufe men dafh thecnfelves again(( him ; as many, at this day bark ( like Boggs) again`ff the wholefome dotrine of juffification by Chrif} without the works ofthe Law. Many loofe and formal]. Gofpellers fcorne the bafeneffe and meanneffe of Preachers and true profefioursof the Gofpel,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=