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trade_n of_o the_o merchandise_n of_o soul_n which_o they_o must_v do_v if_o they_o make_v choice_n of_o our_o god_n and_o be_v reconcile_v to_o our_o religion_n great_a possession_n and_o honour_n do_v very_o often_o even_o in_o lesser_a case_n prejudice_n man_n against_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n four_o their_o conscience_n be_v judicial_o sear_v as_o the_o apostle_n paul_n foretell_v of_o these_o grand_a apostate_n in_o the_o latter_a time_n 2.11_o 1_o tim._n 4.2_o 2_o thess_n 2.11_o they_o be_v under_o strong_a delusion_n as_o the_o same_o person_n speak_v of_o they_o elsewhere_o by_o the_o righteous_a judgement_n of_o god_n who_o because_o they_o have_v leave_v the_o truth_n have_v leave_v they_o to_o themselves_o perhaps_o god_n may_v have_v a_o remnant_n of_o people_n that_o be_v yet_o in_o babylon_n who_o he_o will_v call_v out_o
supposition_n of_o their_o obedience_n and_o consequent_o when_o they_o sell_v themselves_o by_o their_o iniquity_n which_o be_v lay_v to_o their_o charge_n 50.1_o chap._n 50.1_o it_o may_v well_o be_v expect_v that_o their_o rock_n shall_v sell_v they_o in_o a_o way_n of_o judgement_n and_o when_o they_o withhold_v or_o imprison_v 1.18_o rom._n 1.18_o like_o the_o heathen_a the_o truth_n in_o vnrighteousness_n they_o may_v rational_o think_v that_o the_o lord_n will_v shut_v they_o up_o in_o a_o state_n of_o misery_n and_o thraldom_n now_o lest_o they_o or_o their_o adversary_n shall_v overlook_v the_o divine_a hand_n in_o so_o marvellous_a a_o change_n and_o more_o especial_o lest_o their_o adversary_n shall_v who_o be_v apt_a to_o say_v as_o we_o read_v in_o this_o very_a chapter_n our_o hand_n be_v high_a 27._o ver._n 27._o and_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o do_v all_o this_o moses_n add_v in_o these_o word_n for_o their_o rock_n be_v not_o etc._n etc._n q._n d._n though_o multitude_n of_o the_o heathen_n shall_v be_v defeat_v by_o a_o few_o of_o the_o israelite_n it_o will_v be_v no_o strange_a thing_n because_o their_o idol-god_n can_v do_v nothing_o at_o all_o for_o their_o protection_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o many_o of_o the_o israelite_n be_v vanquish_v by_o a_o small_a number_n of_o the_o heathen_a which_o carry_v a_o more_o astonish_a appearance_n it_o can_v be_v because_o those_o idol_n act_v for_o their_o assistance_n but_o because_o our_o god_n do_v withdraw_v that_o help_n from_o we_o which_o he_o be_v able_a to_o afford_v to_o we_o we_o have_v here_o in_o the_o text_n itself_o two_o particular_n considerable_a 1._o the_o preference_n of_o the_o true_a god_n unto_o all_o other_o their_o rock_n be_v not_o as_o our_o rock_n the_o rock_n be_v a_o title_n give_v to_o god_n not_o only_o in_o this_o and_o the_o precede_a verse_n but_o thrice_o before_o in_o this_o chapter_n and_o very_o often_o in_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n 18._o ver._n 4.15_o 18._o rock_n ancient_o be_v place_n of_o shelter_n which_o man_n use_v to_o fly_v unto_o in_o time_n of_o danger_n and_o distress_n 13.6_o 1_o sam._n 13.6_o and_o therefore_o holy_a david_n call_v god_n the_o rock_n of_o his_o refuge_n 94.22_o psal_n 94.22_o 2._o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o this_o by_o israel_n adversary_n even_o our_o enemy_n themselves_o be_v judge_n they_o that_o be_v so_o ready_a to_o reproach_n and_o blaspheme_v the_o name_n of_o god_n as_o well_o as_o to_o boast_v and_o magnify_v themselves_o yet_o can_v not_o deny_v this_o it_o be_v own_v not_o only_o by_o their_o friend_n and_o favourer_n 4.8_o exod._n 18.11_o josh_n 2.11_o exod._n 14.18_o 1_o sam._n 4.8_o such_o as_o jethro_n be_v and_o rahab_n but_o also_o by_o their_o worst_a and_o great_a opposer_n such_o as_o the_o egyptian_n and_o philistine_n too_o so_o that_o moses_n his_o appeal_n to_o the_o heathen_n here_o be_v much_o like_o that_o which_o god_n make_v to_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n 5.3_o isa_n 5.3_o and_o the_o man_n of_o judah_n in_o their_o own_o case_n 4.19_o act_n 4.19_o or_o like_o that_o which_o the_o apostle_n make_v to_o the_o jewish_a ruler_n whether_o it_o be_v right_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n to_o hearken_v unto_o you_o more_o than_o unto_o god_n judge_v you_o v._o 37_o two_o thing_n be_v evident_o presuppose_v 1._o that_o there_o be_v no_o person_n in_o the_o world_n but_o what_o have_v some_o rock_n or_o other_o to_o be_v the_o object_n of_o their_o confidence_n when_o israel_n cast_v off_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n the_o fear_n of_o isaac_n and_o the_o portion_n of_o jacob_n they_o choose_v new_a god_n they_o do_v not_o turn_v perfect_a atheist_n but_o they_o have_v their_o god_n still_o though_o poor_a counterfeit_a one_o as_o the_o rock_n in_o who_o they_o trust_v so_o the_o other_o barbarous_a nation_n have_v their_o several_a deity_n who_o they_o depend_v on_o for_o all_o necessary_a succour_n as_o well_o as_o pay_v a_o respect_n and_o veneration_n to_o this_o be_v include_v in_o what_o the_o prophet_n say_v 4.5_o micah_n 4.5_o all_o people_n will_v walk_v every_o one_o in_o the_o name_n of_o his_o god._n every_o man_n be_v natural_o sensible_a that_o he_o be_v not_o a_o selfsufficient_a be_v and_o therefore_o seek_v after_o something_o without_o himself_o to_o believe_v in_o man_n choose_v rather_o to_o exercise_v faith_n upon_o that_o which_o indeed_o be_v not_o god_n as_o moses_n speak_v in_o this_o same_o song_n because_o it_o have_v the_o name_n 21._o v._o 21._o than_o to_o live_v absolute_o without_o any_o god_n at_o all_o 2._o the_o church_n and_o the_o world_n do_v not_o repose_v their_o trust_n in_o the_o same_o god._n their_o rock_n and_o our_o rock_n be_v different_a the_o people_n of_o god_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n agree_v no_o better_o in_o their_o confidence_n than_o they_o do_v in_o their_o delight_n and_o many_o other_o thing_n as_o they_o do_v not_o love_v the_o same_o object_n so_o they_o do_v not_o lean_v upon_o the_o same_o some_o trust_n say_v the_o psalmist_n in_o chariot_n 20.7_o psal_n 20.7_o and_o some_o in_o horse_n but_o we_o will_v remember_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n our_o god._n many_o that_o pretend_v to_o believe_v and_o rest_v upon_o our_o rock_n will_v be_v sure_a first_o to_o hew_v he_o after_o their_o own_o fancy_n they_o shape_n and_o fashion_v a_o god_n according_a as_o may_v please_v themselves_o but_o than_o it_o must_v be_v consider_v that_o if_o man_n do_v not_o take_v he_o as_o the_o scripture_n represent_v he_o he_o be_v not_o the_o same_o but_o another_o god._n many_o pretend_v a_o reliance_n upon_o he_o but_o they_o make_v other_o thing_n their_o support_n in_o conjunction_n with_o he_o which_o be_v real_o the_o have_v of_o more_o god_n than_o one_o 6._o psal_n 52.2_o 6._o whereas_o we_o shall_v say_v with_o david_n he_o only_o be_v my_o rock_n and_o my_o salvation_n the_o principal_a thing_n to_o be_v observe_v from_o the_o word_n be_v doct._n doct._n that_o the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n be_v entitle_v to_o the_o best_a rock_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o her_o very_a enemy_n in_o the_o prosecute_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v i._o in_o what_o respect_v god_n may_v be_v style_v the_o church_n rock_n ii_o how_o it_o appear_v that_o this_o rock_n be_v better_a than_o that_o of_o her_o enemy_n iii_o whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o it_o be_v better_o even_o in_o their_o judgement_n who_o yet_o reject_v and_o oppose_v it_o iv_o conclude_v with_o some_o inference_n by_o way_n of_o application_n especial_o to_o this_o day_n first_o of_o all_o i_o be_o to_o show_v upon_o what_o account_v god_n may_v be_v style_v the_o church_n rock_n this_o shall_v be_v open_v distinct_o under_o these_o two_o head_n why_o be_v he_o call_v a_o rock_n in_o general_n and_o why_o our_o rock_n in_o particular_a first_o i_o shall_v inquire_v why_o god_n have_v this_o general_a name_n and_o character_n of_o a_o rock_n give_v to_o he_o here_o not_o to_o run_v into_o the_o imprudent_a extreme_a of_o allege_v those_o resemblance_n which_o be_v force_v or_o foreign_a to_o this_o matter_n i_o shall_v only_o insist_v upon_o three_o which_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n himself_o do_v express_o propound_v to_o we_o the_o infinite_a god_n may_v be_v very_o fit_o set_v forth_o by_o a_o rock_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o height_n fixedness_n and_o strength_n first_o god_n be_v just_o term_v a_o rock_n in_o respect_n of_o height_n rock_n be_v usual_o of_o a_o elevate_v situation_n above_o the_o other_o adjacent_a part_n as_o this_o be_v common_o know_v and_o need_v not_o be_v laborious_o prove_v so_o the_o holy_a ghost_n do_v particular_o refer_v to_o it_o in_o this_o case_n the_o promise_n to_o he_o 33.16_o isa_n 33.16_o that_o walk_v righteous_o and_o speak_v upright_o as_o distinguish_v from_o the_o sinner_n in_o zion_n be_v that_o he_o shall_v dwell_v on_o high_a his_o place_n of_o defence_n shall_v be_v the_o munition_n of_o rock_n 61.2_o psal_n 61.2_o according_o david_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o trouble_n when_o his_o heart_n be_v overwhelm_v cry_v out_o to_o god_n lead_v i_o to_o the_o rock_n which_o be_v high_o than_o i_o and_o elsewhere_o speak_v of_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o affliction_n 78.35_o psal_n 78.35_o he_o say_v that_o they_o remember_v that_o god_n be_v their_o rock_n and_o the_o high_a god_n their_o redeemer_n god_n be_v often_o describe_v as_o the_o lofty_a one_o and_o one_o that_o be_v high_a than_o the_o high_a and_o the_o most_o high_a god_n be_v the_o name_n whereby_o he_o be_v call_v no_o less_o than_o four_o time_n within_o the_o compass_n of_o five_o verse_n 22._o gen._n 14.18_o 19_o 20_o 22._o this_o may_v
not_o only_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o incomprehensibleness_n of_o god_n nature_n who_o be_v far_o above_o our_o sight_n and_o out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o our_o thought_n but_o also_o and_o as_o i_o conceive_v principal_o of_o his_o sovereignty_n and_o dominion_n for_o all_o creature_n as_o they_o be_v vast_o inferior_a so_o they_o be_v perfect_o subject_a to_o he_o this_o be_v a_o great_a security_n to_o the_o church_n that_o their_o god_n have_v every_o thing_n at_o his_o foot_n and_o under_o his_o absolute_a command_n his_o proceed_n be_v unaccountable_a and_o his_o purpose_n uncontrollable_a for_o he_o be_v the_o supreme_a and_o therefore_o as_o the_o prophet_n speak_v we_o may_v rejoice_v in_o his_o highness_n 13.3_o isa_n 13.3_o second_o god_n may_v be_v style_v a_o rock_n in_o respect_n of_o fixedness_n rock_n be_v count_v some_o of_o the_o most_o stable_a part_n of_o this_o low_a creation_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o holy_a ghost_n will_v represent_v a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a storm_n of_o divine_a displeasure_n he_o say_v that_o the_o rock_n be_v throw_v down_o by_o he_o 1.6_o nah._n 1.6_o which_o imply_v that_o they_o be_v not_o liable_a to_o common_a shake_n our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o of_o the_o wise_a man_n who_o build_v his_o house_n upon_o a_o rock_n 25._o matth._n 7.24_o 25._o and_o the_o rain_n descend_v and_o the_o flood_n come_v and_o the_o wind_n blue_a and_o beat_v upon_o that_o house_n but_o it_o fall_v not_o for_o it_o be_v found_v upon_o a_o rock_n this_o shadow_n out_o to_o we_o the_o firm_a unshaken_a counsel_n of_o the_o immutable_a god_n who_o from_o everlasting_a and_o to_o everlasting_a be_v free_a from_o the_o least_o alteration_n either_o in_o his_o be_v or_o will._n he_o do_v not_o turn_v and_o waver_v to_o and_o fro_o as_o the_o best_a and_o noble_a of_o his_o creature_n witness_n the_o fall_n of_o angel_n and_o man_n be_v prone_a of_o themselves_o to_o do_v but_o be_v always_o in_o one_o state_n and_o of_o one_o mind_n this_o be_v a_o mighty_a advantage_n to_o we_o also_o as_o himself_o say_v 3.6_o mal._n 3.6_o i_o be_o the_o lord_n i_o change_v not_o therefore_o you_o son_n of_o jacob_n be_v not_o consume_v a_o unchangeable_a god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o church_n stability_n or_o else_o she_o have_v be_v long_o ago_o toss_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o violence_n and_o kick_v by_o the_o foot_n of_o pride_n out_o of_o the_o world_n 46.5_o psa_fw-la 46.5_o but_o god_n be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o she_o and_o for_o that_o reason_n she_o shall_v not_o be_v move_v his_o eye_n and_o heart_n which_o at_o the_o first_o be_v chief_o place_v upon_o his_o people_n can_v never_o be_v take_v off_o from_o they_o there_o be_v no_o more_o variableness_n in_o his_o affection_n than_o uncertainty_n in_o his_o duration_n he_o may_v as_o soon_o be_v pluck_v out_o of_o his_o throne_n as_o the_o grave_v of_o zion_n be_v race_v out_o of_o the_o palm_n of_o his_o hand_n three_o god_n may_v be_v true_o set_v forth_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o rock_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o strength_n when_o balaam_n look_v upon_o the_o kenites_n a_o people_n very_o well_o fortify_v he_o take_v up_o this_o parable_n 24.21_o num._n 24.21_o strong_a be_v thy_o dwell_a place_n and_o thou_o put_v thy_o rest_n in_o a_o rock_n we_o know_v that_o one_o of_o the_o miracle_n at_o our_o saviour_n passion_n be_v the_o rend_n of_o the_o rock_n 27.51_o mat._n 27.51_o what_o instrument_n have_v force_n enough_o to_o enter_v into_o they_o they_o that_o split_v and_o break_v so_o many_o other_o thing_n still_o remain_v whole_a and_o entire_a themselves_o this_o plain_o hold_v forth_o to_o we_o the_o eternal_a power_n of_o god_n 17.10_o isa_n 17.10_o who_o be_v call_v the_o rock_n of_o our_o strength_n omnipotence_n be_v essential_a to_o he_o 21.13_o psal_n 21.13_o and_o therefore_o david_n mention_n his_o be_v exalt_v in_o his_o own_o strength_n to_o difference_n he_o from_o we_o and_o such_o as_o we_o be_v because_o all_o create_a strength_n be_v borrow_v and_o separable_a from_o the_o creature_n how_o secure_o therefore_o can_v god_n bid_v defiance_n to_o the_o poor_a feeble_a attempt_n of_o devil_n and_o man_n who_o receive_v that_o strength_n from_o he_o which_o they_o exert_v against_o he_o how_o apparent_o unavoidable_a be_v it_o that_o whosoever_o dash_v against_o this_o rock_n must_v be_v break_v as_o this_o shall_v put_v god_n enemy_n in_o fear_n who_o contend_v with_o one_o that_o be_v infinite_o mighty_a than_o themselves_o so_o it_o be_v a_o very_a encourage_v motive_n of_o his_o people_n trust_n the_o weakness_n of_o god_n may_v much_o better_o be_v rely_v on_o than_o humane_a power_n when_o it_o be_v at_o its_o utmost_a pitch_n what_o be_v a_o arm_n of_o flesh_n to_o the_o arm_n of_o the_o lord_n how_o invincible_a be_v he_o and_o they_o that_o confide_v in_o he_o nothing_o can_v make_v any_o opposition_n if_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o prevent_v it_o nothing_o can_v have_v any_o success_n if_o he_o resolve_v to_o blast_v it_o he_o be_v able_a to_o do_v all_o that_o he_o desire_v and_o to_o undo_v all_o that_o be_v endeavour_v by_o any_o of_o his_o adversary_n second_o i_o be_o to_o examine_v why_o god_n be_v call_v our_o rock_n how_o come_v the_o church_n to_o have_v this_o peculiar_a propriety_n in_o he_o as_o divide_v from_o the_o world._n there_o be_v a_o twofold_a right_n or_o foundation_n for_o this_o claim_n god_n covenant_n and_o our_o choice_n because_o he_o have_v free_o give_v himself_o to_o we_o and_o we_o if_o we_o be_v bear_v from_o above_o have_v unfeigned_o receive_v he_o first_o god_n be_v our_o rock_n by_o covenant_n as_o he_o have_v engage_v and_o betroth_v himself_o to_o we_o and_o we_o to_o himself_o for_o ever_o 2.19_o hos_fw-la 2.19_o in_o righteousness_n and_o in_o judgement_n in_o love_v kindness_n and_o in_o mercy_n none_o can_v doubt_v unless_o they_o assume_v more_o boldness_n to_o clip_v the_o divine_a prerogative_n than_o that_o of_o man_n but_o that_o god_n may_v communicate_v a_o distinct_a and_o separate_a interest_n in_o himself_o to_o whosoever_o he_o please_v and_o every_o one_o who_o know_v the_o scripture_n must_v know_v that_o god_n do_v not_o please_v to_o communicate_v any_o such_o interest_n but_o to_o his_o church_n only_o as_o a_o society_n call_v out_o of_o the_o world._n the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n as_o they_o have_v a_o root_a principle_n of_o atheism_n in_o their_o heart_n and_o say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n so_o they_o have_v indeed_o as_o little_a relation_n to_o he_o as_o if_o there_o be_v none_o there_o be_v no_o general_n covenant_n make_v since_o the_o fall_n with_o all_o the_o child_n of_o adam_n but_o a_o special_a covenant_n of_o grace_n with_o all_o the_o faithful_a which_o convey_v a_o new_a title_n to_o they_o instead_o of_o the_o old_a one_o lose_v by_o the_o first_o apostasy_n he_o that_o be_v a_o god_n to_o abraham_n 17.7_o gen._n 17.7_o and_o to_o his_o natural_a seed_n exclude_v all_o other_o nation_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v a_o god_n to_o his_o spiritual_a believe_a seed_n exclude_v all_o other_o person_n whatsoever_o now_o under_o the_o new_a testament_n god_n be_v not_o the_o same_o to_o common_a man_n as_o he_o be_v to_o his_o particular_a people_n though_o he_o be_v clothe_v with_o the_o same_o attribute_n yet_o he_o do_v not_o exercise_v they_o alike_o as_o for_o the_o man_n of_o the_o earth_n he_o be_v not_o bind_v by_o promise_n to_o be_v their_o rock_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_n he_o be_v oblige_v by_o his_o threaten_n to_o be_v their_o revenger_n his_o truth_n do_v not_o tie_v he_o to_o defond_a but_o to_o destroy_v they_o second_o god_n be_v our_o rock_n by_o choice_n and_o voluntary_a acceptance_n all_o that_o be_v israelites_n indeed_o have_v sincere_o take_v the_o lord_n to_o be_v their_o god_n and_o thankful_o rejoice_v in_o he_o as_o such_o 3.22_o jerem._n 3.22_o behold_v we_o come_v unto_o thou_o say_v the_o church_n for_o thou_o be_v the_o lord_n our_o god._n again_o in_o another_o place_n we_o find_v they_o make_v the_o like_a profession_n 14.3_o hos_fw-la 14.3_o we_o will_v not_o say_v any_o more_o to_o the_o work_n of_o our_o hand_n you_o be_v our_o gods._n this_o negative_a here_o imply_v a_o affirmative_a their_o renounce_n and_o abandon_v of_o false_a god_n do_v include_v their_o embrace_v of_o the_o true_a such_o text_n be_v so_o numerous_a that_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o cite_v they_o the_o take_n of_o god_n to_o be_v our_o ruler_n and_o our_o portion_n our_o sovereign_n and_o our_o shield_n be_v the_o very_a first_o thing_n which_o true_o add_v we_o to_o the_o church_n and_o manifest_v our_o save_a conversion_n till_o we_o place_v our_o happiness_n and_o