a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o his_o grace_n the_o king_n commissioner_n and_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o parliament_n may_v the_o 25_o 1690._o by_o gilbert_n rule_v minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n at_o edinburgh_n edinburgh_n print_v at_o the_o society_n of_o stationer_n printing-house_n in_o harts-close_a over-against_o the_o trone-church_n for_o george_n mosman_n bookseller_n at_o his_o shop_n on_o the_o southside_n of_o the_o parliament-close_a 1690._o reader_n it_o be_v not_o choice_n but_o the_o appointment_n of_o the_o general_n meet_v of_o the_o presbyterian_a minister_n which_o make_v i_o with_o much_o reluctancy_n to_o appear_v before_o so_o great_a and_o discern_v a_o auditory_a i_o be_v lead_v to_o the_o subject_a here_o treat_v of_o by_o observe_v that_o the_o affair_n of_o this_o church_n and_o its_o settlement_n after_o a_o long_a time_n wherein_o thing_n have_v be_v not_o of_o course_n in_o it_o be_v under_o the_o parliament_n consideration_n and_o i_o be_v move_v to_o allow_v the_o print_n of_o this_o discourse_n only_o by_o the_o command_n of_o authority_n without_o which_o nothing_o can_v have_v prevail_v with_o i_o to_o have_v make_v it_o so_o public_a wherein_o there_o be_v nothing_o to_o commend_v it_o save_o the_o divine_a truth_n that_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o it_o as_o the_o interest_n of_o religion_n be_v our_o solicitude_n when_o these_o thought_n be_v conceive_v and_o deliver_v so_o now_o we_o be_v fill_v with_o joy_n while_o we_o behold_v the_o religious_a regard_n that_o the_o high_a and_o honourable_a court_n of_o parliament_n have_v show_v to_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n above_o other_o mountain_n which_o they_o true_o be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v concern_v about_o in_o the_o great_a step_n towards_o the_o establish_n thereof_o that_o they_o make_v by_o their_o vote_n 28_o instant_a settle_v the_o protestant_a religion_n and_o the_o presbyterian_a church_n government_n and_o their_o proceed_n to_o consider_v the_o other_o thing_n needful_a for_o promote_a religion_n in_o this_o church_n and_o nation_n that_o the_o lord_n may_v help_v they_o to_o go_v on_o as_o they_o have_v begin_v and_o hitherto_o act_v and_o reward_v they_o for_o their_o good_a deed_n towards_o his_o house_n and_o that_o he_o may_v bless_v what_o here_o follow_v for_o soul_n advantage_n to_o they_o who_o read_v it_o be_v the_o earnest_a prayer_n of_o thou_o and_o the_o church_n servant_n g._n r._n edinburgh_n may_v 30_o 1690._o a_o sermon_n on_o isaiah_n 2._o chap._n 2_o ver_fw-la and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o last_o day_n that_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n shall_v establish_v in_o the_o top_n of_o the_o mountain_n and_o shall_v be_v exalt_v above_o the_o hill_n and_o all_o nation_n shall_v flow_v unto_o it_o religion_n and_o the_o church_n which_o be_v the_o chief_a mean_a of_o propogate_a it_o in_o the_o world_n be_v the_o most_o contemptible_a thing_n to_o many_o man_n â—hat_n can_v be_v and_o that_o which_o most_o man_n be_v least_o concern_v about_o but_o as_o it_o always_o aught_o to_o be_v otherways_o so_o the_o lord_n here_o promise_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o time_n when_o it_o shall_v be_v more_o regard_v this_o promise_n be_v make_v to_o the_o church_n before_o the_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o support_n to_o the_o faithful_a in_o that_o dark_a hour_n and_o it_o be_v repeat_v micha_n 4._o and_o 1._o as_o that_o which_o be_v needful_a and_o yet_o hard_a to_o be_v believe_v we_o be_v here_o to_o consider_v first_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o event_n it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v or_o be_v whatever_o unlikelyhood_n or_o let_n may_v be_v in_o the_o way_n god_n have_v say_v it_o second_o the_o time_n of_o it_o the_o last_o day_n the_o day_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o when_o god_n have_v exercise_v his_o people_n with_o trial_n he_o will_v at_o last_o put_v a_o end_n to_o their_o trouble_n and_o bring_v this_o about_o for_o their_o comfort_n three_o the_o subject_n speak_v of_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n by_o this_o no_o doubt_n be_v mean_v the_o church_n or_o the_o religious_a interest_n of_o man_n mount_v zion_n that_o be_v one_o of_o the_o two_o top_n of_o it_o call_v mount_n moriah_n where_o the_o temple_n be_v build_v be_v a_o name_n ordinarie_o give_v to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o from_o the_o dialect_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n it_o be_v transfer_v to_o the_o new_a testament_n wherefore_o by_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v mean_v the_o church_n it_o be_v she_o it_o be_v the_o religion_n own_a and_o profess_v in_o she_o and_o god_n ordinance_n whereby_o she_o be_v distinguish_v from_o other_o society_n that_o be_v here_o promise_a to_o be_v exalt_v so_o high_a the_o church_n or_o the_o concernment_n of_o religion_n may_v well_o be_v call_v a_o mountain_n both_o from_o her_o eminency_n and_o also_o from_o her_o stability_n four_o two_o thing_n be_v say_v of_o this_o mountain_n her_o preference_n to_o other_o thing_n and_o her_o increase_n be_v both_o assert_v for_o the_o former_a it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v first_o absolute_o that_o she_o shall_v be_v establish_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v both_o preparation_n and_o fixedness_n and_o indeed_o have_v a_o great_a emphasis_n in_o this_o place_n the_o church_n shall_v be_v prepare_v that_o be_v man_n shall_v use_v the_o great_a application_n the_o great_a care_n the_o great_a wariness_n consideration_n and_o zeal_n they_o shall_v employ_v all_o their_o wit._n all_o their_o activity_n and_o care_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o the_o lord_n will_v employ_v his_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n for_o her_o be_v settle_v on_o last_a foundation_n rashness_n headiness_n indifferency_n and_o worldly_a design_n be_v not_o like_a to_o make_v good_a work_n when_o man_n be_v about_o settle_v the_o church_n it_o will_v make_v a_o ill_a contrive_a building_n that_o will_v not_o stand_v long_o the_o church_n say_v the_o text_n also_o shall_v be_v establish_v that_o be_v fix_v make_v impregnable_a so_o as_o the_o malice_n and_o open_a enmity_n of_o enemy_n nor_o the_o treachery_n of_o false_a friend_n shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o brangle_v her_o constitution_n and_o the_o lord_n will_v make_v her_o firm_a on_o the_o rock_n that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o she_o it_o be_v also_o say_v that_o she_o shall_v be_v exalt_v or_o be_v make_v great_a and_o glorious_a god_n will_v put_v a_o lustre_n on_o she_o and_o man_n when_o the_o lord_n pour_v out_o the_o spirit_n on_o they_o that_o seem_v to_o be_v promise_v in_o the_o text_n will_v contribute_v what_o they_o can_v to_o promote_v her_o spiritual_a glory_n 2_o comparative_o the_o church_n must_v be_v fix_v and_o exalt_v above_o the_o mountain_n and_o hill_n that_o be_v prefer_v to_o all_o the_o other_o interest_n of_o man_n however_o great_a they_o he_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n the_o lord_n will_v make_v she_o more_o glorious_a than_o any_o other_o society_n or_o false_a church_n and_o man_n will_v when_o this_o promise_n be_v fullfile_v prefer_v her_o interest_n to_o all_o that_o can_v be_v dear_a to_o they_o or_o great_a in_o their_o eye_n the_o other_o thing_n that_o be_v say_v of_o the_o church_n be_v that_o all_o nation_n shall_v flow_v to_o she_o when_o god_n shall_v thus_o exalt_v she_o and_o when_o man_n shall_v thus_o show_v their_o zeal_n for_o she_o many_o will_v come_v to_o she_o join_v with_o she_o submit_v to_o she_o it_o will_v be_v a_o terror_n to_o enemy_n and_o a_o allurement_n to_o stranger_n diverse_a practical_a and_o important_a truth_n may_v be_v observe_v from_o this_o text_n but_o i_o pitch_v upon_o this_o one_o as_o of_o great_a use_n and_o necessity_n to_o be_v consider_v by_o this_o audience_n at_o this_o time_n to_o wit_n that_o god_n will_v and_o man_n ought_v to_o prefer_v the_o interest_n of_o the_o church_n and_o religion_n to_o all_o other_o concernment_n whatsoever_o let_v we_o for_o our_o more_o distinct_a procedure_n consider_v first_o what_o this_o religious_a interest_n be_v and_o what_o be_v the_o great_a thing_n to_o which_o it_o must_v be_v prefer_v second_o how_o god_n will_v prefer_v it_o three_o how_o man_n shall_v do_v it_o four_o why_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o for_o the_o first_o we_o must_v consider_v that_o christ_n be_v a_o king_n psal_n 2._o v._n 6._o and_o though_o his_o kingdom_n be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n jo._n 18._o 36._o yet_o it_o be_v in_o this_o world_n and_o his_o royal_a power_n be_v exercise_v visible_o among_o men._n math_n 28._o 19_o 20_o with_o the_o 18._o and_o that_o as_o distinguish_v from_o though_o no_o way_n opposite_a to_o and_o far_o less_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o kingdom_n
of_o man_n if_o it_o be_v manage_v according_a to_o his_o law_n it_o do_v not_o tend_v to_o depress_v but_o to_o exalt_v man_n greatness_n neither_o can_v it_o otherways_o curb_v their_o excess_n then_o by_o hold_v forth_o his_o law_n which_o set_v bound_n to_o all_o the_o action_n of_o man_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o moral_a good_a or_o evil_n that_o may_v be_v in_o they_o now_o this_o glorious_a king_n must_v have_v a_o people_n for_o here_o it_o must_v not_o be_v question_v that_o the_o people_n be_v for_o the_o king_n and_o not_o he_o for_o they_o isa_n 43._o 1._o 7_o 21_o there_o must_v be_v a_o seed_n to_o serve_v he_o psal_n 22._o 30._o psal_n 2._o 8._o that_o the_o doctrine_n that_o he_o have_v teach_v be_v own_a and_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v worship_v in_o the_o right_a management_n of_o his_o ordinance_n that_o his_o law_n be_v declare_v submit_v to_o and_o obey_v that_o the_o government_n and_o order_n of_o his_o house_n be_v observe_v as_o he_o have_v hold_v it_o forth_o and_o enjoin_v it_o and_o all_o this_o for_o the_o promote_a of_o holiness_n restrain_v of_o sin_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o men._n this_o i_o say_v be_v that_o mountain_n that_o great_a concernment_n that_o the_o lord_n do_v and_o man_n shall_v prefer_v before_o all_o thing_n else_o there_o be_v indeed_o other_o mountain_n thing_n that_o be_v great_a and_o momentous_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n which_o may_v and_o aught_o in_o their_o own_o place_n to_o have_v a_o due_a regard_n but_o must_v no_o way_n vie_v with_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n with_o the_o great_a thing_n that_o concern_v the_o church_n and_o religion_n the_o greatness_n and_o prerogative_n of_o king_n the_o establishment_n of_o earthly_a throns_n and_o the_o liberty_n and_o privilege_n of_o people_n the_o security_n and_o safety_n of_o the_o present_a government_n and_o constitution_n of_o a_o nation_n the_o advancement_n of_o trade_n and_o enrich_n of_o a_o nation_n these_o be_v great_a thing_n and_o by_o all_o good_a mean_n must_v be_v secure_v so_o far_o as_o man_n can_v do_v it_o yet_o none_o of_o these_o separately_z nor_o all_o of_o they_o in_o conjunction_n be_v of_o so_o much_o value_n as_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v prefer_v to_o this_o mountain_n that_o the_o text_n speak_v of_o but_o it_o must_v be_v set_v above_o they_o all_o it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v such_o a_o connection_n betwixt_o this_o mountain_n and_o some_o of_o these_o mountain_n that_o the_o one_o can_v be_v safe_a if_o the_o other_o be_v ruin_v and_o therefore_o even_o for_o its_o safety_n they_o be_v to_o be_v regard_v of_o which_o more_o after_o but_o when_o this_o spirit_n that_o be_v here_o promise_v be_v pour_v out_o on_o man_n these_o will_v be_v mind_v but_o in_o the_o second_o place_n 2_o i_o be_o to_o show_v how_o the_o lord_n do_v and_o will_v prefer_v the_o mountain_n of_o his_o house_n the_o interest_n of_o religion_n to_o all_o other_o mountain_n or_o interest_n that_o be_v great_a in_o the_o esteem_n of_o men._n this_o will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v first_o what_o be_v positive_o declare_v in_o the_o scripture_n of_o his_o special_a respect_n to_o his_o church_n and_o her_o religious_a concernment_n above_o all_o the_o other_o interest_n not_o only_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n but_o even_o of_o his_o own_o people_n a_o notable_a place_n to_o this_o purpose_n be_v psal_n 87._o where_o god_n esteem_v of_o his_o church_n be_v purposely_o insist_v on_o it_o be_v his_o foundation_n it_o be_v indeed_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o his_o dispensation_n to_o man_n with_o respect_n to_o it_o be_v all_o the_o conduct_n of_o providence_n and_o then_o he_o love_v it_o better_o than_o all_o the_o dwelling_n of_o jacob_n neither_o the_o king_n palace_n nor_o the_o stately_a building_n of_o the_o noble_n none_o of_o the_o civil_a public_a or_o private_a concernment_n of_o his_o people_n do_v bear_v so_o much_o bulk_n in_o his_o eye_n yea_o such_o glorious_a thing_n be_v speak_v by_o the_o lord_n in_o his_o word_n of_o the_o church_n as_o of_o no_o other_o thing_n on_o earth_n and_o the_o lord_n reckon_v the_o honour_n of_o man_n not_o by_o their_o noble_a blood_n but_o by_o their_o relation_n to_o his_o church_n and_o concern_v in_o religion_n verse_n four_o egypt_n under_o the_o name_n of_o rahab_n and_o babylon_n be_v then_o the_o most_o flourish_a kingdom_n in_o the_o world_n but_o it_o be_v a_o great_a honour_n to_o be_v of_o poor_a israel_n then_o of_o any_o of_o these_o a_o well_o reform_a church_n be_v a_o great_a glory_n with_o god_n than_o a_o flourish_a kingdom_n yea_o the_o warlike_a philistine_n the_o rich_a trade_v tyre_n the_o ancient_a aethiopia_n be_v nothing_o to_o he_o in_o comparison_n of_o poor_a judea_n because_o god_n ordinance_n be_v there_o you_o shall_v please_v god_n better_o and_o do_v he_o better_o service_n if_o you_o make_v poor_a scotland_n a_o well_o reform_a church_n than_o if_o you_o can_v make_v she_o rich_a more_o potent_a and_o splendid_a than_o any_o of_o her_o neighbour_n nation_n it_o be_v religion_n that_o make_v people_n true_o honourable_a for_o it_o be_v that_o which_o make_v they_o precious_a in_o god_n sight_n isaiah_n 43_o 4._o nothing_o do_v so_o true_o and_o in_o the_o esteem_n of_o god_n and_o good_a man_n so_o exalt_v a_o people_n as_o the_o truth_n the_o purity_n and_o the_o power_n of_o religion_n flourish_v among_o they_o 2_o the_o lord_n special_a respect_n to_o man_n religious_a above_o their_o other_o interest_n will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v what_o he_o have_v do_v for_o his_o cuhrch_n the_o great_a manifestation_n of_o god_n and_o of_o his_o attribute_n that_o ever_o the_o world_n be_v witness_v to_o the_o most_o glorious_a thing_n of_o his_o word_n and_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o his_o work_n have_v all_o have_v a_o special_a respect_n to_o the_o church_n and_o the_o true_a religion_n his_o choose_n and_o purchase_v a_o church_n to_o himself_o be_v a_o glorious_a passage_n and_o that_o both_o his_o set_n up_o the_o jewish_a church_n deut._n 4._o 34._o or_o have_v god_n assay_v to_o go_v and_o take_v he_o a_o nation_n from_o the_o midst_n of_o another_o nation_n by_o temptation_n by_o sign_n and_o by_o wonder_n and_o by_o war_n and_o by_o a_o mighty_a hand_n and_o by_o a_o stretch_a out_o arm_n and_o by_o great_a terror_n according_a to_o all_o that_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n do_v for_o you_o in_o egypt_n before_o your_o eye_n and_o yet_o more_o in_o erect_v the_o gospel_n church_n the_o eternal_a son_n of_o god_n become_v a_o man_n and_o lay_v down_o his_o life_n for_o this_o end_n tit._n 2_o 14._o his_o preserve_n and_o mantain_v his_o church_n be_v a_o tract_n of_o wonder_n interlace_v with_o miracle_n for_o the_o church_n emblem_n be_v a_o bush_n burn_v and_o yet_o not_o consume_v exod._n 3._o 2._o we_o may_v with_o good_a warrant_n say_v that_o the_o whole_a conduct_n of_o providence_n be_v manage_v with_o a_o eye_n to_o the_o church_n and_o religion_n which_o can_v be_v say_v of_o any_o other_o interest_n in_o the_o world_n hence_o christ_n be_v not_o only_a head_n of_o his_o church_n to_o rule_v she_o but_o head_n over_o all_o thing_n for_o she_o behoove_v eph._n 1_o 22_o he_o make_v the_o world_n that_o he_o may_v have_v a_o people_n to_o serve_v he_o on_o earth_n and_o to_o praise_v he_o for_o ever_o in_o heaven_n isaiah_n 45._o 18_o 19_o he_o make_v all_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o his_o settle_n of_o they_o subordinate_a to_o his_o design_n for_o his_o church_n deut._n 32._o 8_o 9_o when_o the_o most_o high_o divide_v to_o the_o nation_n their_o inheritance_n when_o he_o separate_v the_o son_n of_o adam_n he_o set_v the_o bound_n of_o the_o people_n according_a to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n for_o the_o lord_n portion_n be_v his_o people_n jacob_n be_v the_o lot_n of_o his_o inheritance_n so_o the_o best_a interpreter_n apply_v that_o text_n the_o great_a revolution_n that_o the_o world_n have_v see_v have_v have_v respect_n to_o this_o interest_n in_o the_o design_n of_o god_n a_o instance_n be_v in_o destroy_v the_o chaldean_a and_o set_n up_o the_o persian_a monarchy_n isaiah_n 43_o 14_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n your_o redeemer_n the_o holy_a one_o of_o israel_n for_o your_o sake_n i_o have_v send_v to_o babylon_n and_o have_v bring_v down_o all_o their_o noble_n and_o the_o chaldean_n who_o cry_n be_v in_o the_o ship_n the_o one_o persecute_a the_o people_n of_o god_n it_o be_v pull_v down_o and_o the_o other_o be_v set_v up_o to_o relieve_v they_o so_o cyrus_n get_v the_o crown_n on_o their_o account_n isaiah_n 45._o the_o 1_o
neglect_v she_o be_v not_o set_v on_o the_o top_n of_o the_o mountain_n but_o somewhat_o else_o prefer_v to_o she_o half_a reformation_n be_v often_o condemn_v when_o the_o high_a place_n be_v not_o remove_v though_o many_o thing_n be_v commendable_o reform_v there_o be_v always_o a_o mark_n set_v on_o that_o reformation_n as_o sinful_o defective_a 3_o the_o promote_a of_o holiness_n be_v one_o chief_a way_n of_o advance_v religion_n and_o make_v the_o church_n glorious_a holiness_n be_v her_o beauty_n and_o cognisance_n psal_n 93._o 5_o ezek._n 43._o 12._o let_v law_n be_v make_v and_o execute_v for_o restrain_v the_o horrid_a immorality_n that_o have_v deface_v the_o church_n and_o for_o encourage_v true_a piety_n 4_o let_v no_o interest_n be_v prefer_v to_o or_o come_v in_o competition_n with_o the_o concernment_n of_o religion_n as_o it_o can_v never_o clash_n with_o any_o of_o the_o true_a interest_n of_o man_n so_o where_o it_o be_v so_o apprehend_v that_o man_n think_v that_o 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this_o to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o such_o worthy_a patrior_n but_o we_o be_v confident_a that_o zeal_n for_o the_o church_n the_o consideration_n of_o her_o present_a confusion_n and_o regard_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n will_v suggest_v this_o to_o they_o if_o david_n be_v allow_v to_o plead_v with_o god_n as_o psal_n 70._o 1_o 5._o that_o the_o lord_n will_v make_v haste_n to_o deliver_v and_o help_v he_o and_o that_o he_o will_v make_v no_o tarry_n i_o hope_v we_o shall_v not_o be_v blame_v if_o we_o so_o plead_v with_o man_n 6thly_a they_o that_o be_v true_o zealous_a for_o advance_v the_o interest_n of_o the_o church_n and_o religion_n will_v also_o be_v careful_a that_o the_o state_n be_v well_o settle_v there_o be_v a_o connection_n betwixt_o these_o two_o as_o between_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n the_o illness_n of_o the_o one_o affect_v the_o other_o if_o the_o government_n be_v not_o support_v if_o that_o establishment_n of_o it_o that_o be_v friendly_a to_o religion_n be_v 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that_o tend_v to_o preserve_v the_o truth_n and_o ordinance_n of_o god_n to_o curb_v vice_n and_o to_o engage_v man_n in_o the_o way_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o they_o who_o desire_v to_o be_v holy_a or_o to_o see_v holiness_n promote_v among_o man_n can_v but_o think_v it_o of_o high_a concernment_n that_o the_o church_n be_v well_o settle_v if_o then_o you_o have_v any_o regard_n to_o your_o own_o immortal_a soul_n if_o you_o value_v the_o soul_n of_o people_n more_o than_o your_o worldly_a concernment_n make_v it_o your_o care_n to_o advance_v religion_n rather_o than_o any_o other_o interest_n 3_o true_a religion_n and_o the_o flourish_a of_o it_o among_o a_o people_n be_v the_o great_a glory_n of_o a_o nation_n the_o poor_a &_o most_o contemptible_a people_n may_v by_o this_o mean_n have_v their_o reputation_n advance_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n and_o in_o the_o esteem_n of_o all_o good_a man_n yea_o often_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o they_o that_o be_v but_o moral_a and_o 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