and suitable deliverance They may call every spring of their Refreshment Beer laâ—ai-roi 2. To see that the Son of Violence draw not nigh unto it and if he do to require it at his hands to make him eat his own flesh and drink his own blood that he may learn to devour no more Observe then 1. Whence it is that this House which seems so often to be nigh to destruction is yet preserved from ruine Ofttimes it is brought into a condition that all that look on say Now it is gone for ever but still it recovers and gets up again The Lord Christ he looks on all the while He knowes how far things may proceed for tryall When it comes to that passe that if pressures and troubles should continue the House would be over born indeed then he puts in rebukes the windes and waves and makes all things still again Like a Father who looks upon his Childe in a difficult and dangerous businesse knowes that he can relieve him when he pleases but would willingly see him try his strength and cunning lets him alone untill perhaps the Childe thinks himself quite lost and wonders his Father doth not help him but when the Condition comes to be such that without help he will be lost indeed instantly the Father puts in his hand and saves him So deales the Lord Iesus with his House lets it oftentimes strive and wrestle with great Oppositions to draw out and exercise all the Graces thereof but yet all this while He looketh on and when danger is nigh indeed He is not far off 2. Let all the Enemies of the Church know that there is one who hath an Eye overthem in all their Counsels and under-takings Whilst they are digging deep He looks on and laughs them to scorn How perplexed was the King of Syria when he found that the Prophet was acquainted with all his designes and made them known to the King of Israel It cannot but be a matter of perplexity to the Enemies of this House when they shall finde that the great Friend and Protector thereof is continually present in all their Advisoes Let them not wonder at their birthlesse under-takings the Eye of Christ is still uupon them 3. Let the Saints see their priviledge who ever they are in what condition soever the Eye of Christ is upon them He watches over them for good and knowes their soules in Adversity When no Eye sees them he looks on them they cannot be cast out of his care nor hid from his sight There are many poor souls who goe heavily all the day long that mourn in their spirits unknown unregarded unpitted The Eye of Christ is on them for good continually they cannot be thrown out of his watchfull care 4. Christ is the In dweller of this House He hath not built it and framed it for no use It is for an Habitation for himself He hath chosen Zion he hath desired it for â—â—s Habitation this is my rest saith he here will I dwell Psal. 132. 13 14. This House iâ—built up to be an Habitation unto him Ephes. 2. 22. He is the King of Saints and this House is his Court It is true for his human Nature the Hevens must receive him untill the time of the Restitution of all things Acts. 4. 27. but yet he dwelleth in this House three ways 1. By his Spirit Christ dwels in this House and every stone of it by his Spirit Know you not that Christ is in you except you be reprobates 2 Cor 13. 5 Christ in you that is the Spirit of Christ Christ by his Spirit So the Holy Ghost expounds it Rom. 8. 9. If the Spirit of God dwell in you which v 10. is if Christ be in you Christ and his Spirit as to Indwelling are all one for he dwels in us by his Spirit The love of God is shed in abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost that is given unto us Rom. 5. 5. There is not only the love of God a grace of the Spirit shed abroad in us but there is also the Holy Spirit giuen unto us This is fully asserted Rom. 8. 11. The Spirit of him that raysed up Jesus dwels in you as also 2 Tim. 1. 14. keep the good thing committed to thee by the Holy Ghost that dwelleth in us Hence the Saints are said to be Temples of the Holy Ghost Jesus Christ doth not build Temples merely for Graces created Graces He dwels in them himself He dwels in them by his Spirit And this is a glorious Priviledge of this House that Jesus Christ in a Misticall and wounderfull manner should dwell in it and every stone of it Hereby all beleivers become to be not one personall but one Misticall Christ 1 Câ—r 12. 6. However we are distanced in respect of his human Nature yet Mistically we are one one body one Mistical Christ because we have one Spirit dweling in us and him If a man were never so tall so that his Head should reach the sterres and his freet stand upon the Ground yet having but one soul he is but one man still Though Christ in his human Nature be exceedingly distanced from us yet there being one and the same Spirit in him and us wee are one Mysticall Christ Yet abserve 1. Though Christ be united unto the persons of the Saints by the Indwelling of the Spirit yet the Saints have not that which is called Personal Vnion with him nor with the Spirit Personal Vnion is by a person of the Deity assuming the nature of man into one personallty with it self that having of it sown no personall subsistance Things are here clean otherwise Christ doth not assume the Saints into a personall subsistance with himself but dwels in their persons by his Spirit 2. That the Operations of the Indwelling Spirit of Christ and all his manifestations are Voluntary He worketh as he will revealeth what he wil 〈◊〉 where he dwells He doth not work in us Naturally but Voluntarily unto what proportion he pleaseth therefore though he dwel equally in all Saints in respect of Truth and reality yet he doth not in respect of working and Eficacy 2. By his graces Christ dwelleth in this House and in all the stones thereof by his Graces He dwells in our hearts by faith Ephes. 3. 17. He dwells in us by his word in all wisdome Col. 3. 16. All the graces we are made partakers of we receive from his fulnesse and by them he Inhabits in us They are indeed the ornaments of the living stones of this House to make them meet and fit for such an Indweller as the Lord Christ Christ will not dwell in a soule whose mind is darknesse His will stubbornesse and His Affections carnall and sensuall He puts Light and life and love upon the soule that it may be meet for him to dwell in Christ dwels in all the world by his power and Presence but he dwels only in his Saints by his Spirit and
THE BRANCH OF THE LORD The Beauty of SION OR The Glory of the CHURCH in It's Relation unto CHRIST Opened in Two SERMONS one preached at Berwick the other at Edinburgh By John Owen Minister of the Gospel PSAL. 48. 12 13 14. Walk about sion and go round about her tell the Towres thereof Mark ye wel her Bulwarks consider her Palaces that you may tell it to the Generation following For this God is our God for ever and ever he will be our Guide unto death EDINBURGH Printed by Evan Tyler in the year 1650. To His EXCELLENCY the Lord General CROMWELL c. MY LORD IT was with Thoughts of Peace that I embraced my Call to this Place and Time of Warre As all Peace that is from God is precious to my spirit so incomparably that between the Father his Elect which is established and carried on in the Blood and Grace of Jesus Christ The Ministeriall dispensation of this Peace being through free Grace committed even unto me also I desire that in every place my whole may be to declare it to the men of Gods good pleasure That this was my chief design in answer to the Call of God upon me even to poure out a savour of the Gospel upon the Sons of Peace in this place I hope is manifest to the Consciences of all with whom since my coming hither in the Work of the Ministery I have had to do The Enmity between God and us began on our Part The Peace which he hath made begins and ends with himself This is the way of God with sinners when he might justly continue their Enemy and fight against them to their Eternal ruine he drawes forth Love and beseeches them to be reconciled who have done the wrong and them to accept of Peace who cannot abide the Battell Certainly the bearing forth of this Message which is so worthy of all Acceptation and ought to be so welcome cannot but have sweetnes enough to season all the Pressures and temptations wherewith it is somtimes attended This hath bin my desire to pursue and that with the weapons which are not carnal And though some may be so seasoned with the leaven of contention about carnal things or at best the tithing of Mint and Cummin as to disrelish the weightier things of the Gospel yet the great Owner of the Vineyard hath not left me without a comfortable assurance that even this labour in the Lord hath not been in vain The following Sermons which I desire to present unto your Excellency were preached one at Berwick upon your first advance into Scotland the other at Edinburgh My willingnes to serve the Inheritance of Christ here even in my Ablence caused me to close with the desires that wercheld out to this purpose And I do present them to your Excellency not only because the Rise of my Call to this service under God was from you but also because in the carrying of it on I have received from you in the weaknesses and temptations wherewith I am encompassed that dayly spirituall Refreshment and support by inquiry into and discovery of the deep and hidden dispensations of God towards his secret ones which my spirit is taught to value The carrying on of the Interest of the Lord Jesus amongst his Saints in all his wayes which are Truth and Righteousnesse the matter pointed at in this Discourse being the Ayme of your spirit in your great under-takings it bears another Respect unto you I am not unacquainted with it's meannesse yea it 's coming short in respect of use and fruit of what the Lord hath since and by others drawn forth but such as it is having by Providence stepped first into the world I wholly commend it to him for an Incense who graciously supplyed the seed to the sower beseeching him that we may have joy unspeakable and glorious in the Acceptance of that Peace which he gives us in the Son of his Love whilest the Peace whose desire in the midst of warre you continually bear forth to him and to others is by them rejected to their hurt Edinb. Nov. 26. 1650. Your Excellencies most humble servant in our dearest Lord John Owen ISAIAH 56. Chap. 7. verse For mine House shall be called an House of Prayer for all People FRom the 3d verse of this Chapter to the 8th you have Promises and Predictions of calling in Gentiles and Strangers to the Church of God notwithstanding any Objections or hinderances laid in their way By Ceremoniall and Typicall constitutions they being all to be removed in the Crosse of Christ Ephes. 2. 13 14 15 16 Colos. 2. 14. making way for the accomplishment of that signall Promise which is given in the 2 Chapt of this Prophesie 2 3. And it shall come to passe in the last dayes that the Mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountaines and shall be exalted above the hills and ALL NATIONS shall flow unto it And MANY PEOPLE shall go and say Come ye let us go up c. The words of the 7th verse are a RecapiTulation of the whole holding out summarily the calling of the Gentiles to the Holy Mount or spirituall Church of Christ Where also you have a description of the services performed by them upon their coming Their burnt offerings and sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine Altar Answerable to that eminent prediction of the solemne worship of the called Gentiles Mal. 1. 11. For from the rising of the Sun even to the going down of the same my Name shall be great among the Gentiles and in every place Incense shall be offered unto my Name and a peace offering for my Name shall be great among the Heathen saith the Lord of Hosts The Spirituall services of the Saints of the Gentiles are in each place set forth by those Ceremoniall Ordinances of Incense Altar and Sacrifice as were then most acceptable from the Lords own appointment Now this whole promise is once again straightned without losse of life or beauty and comprized in the words of the Text That which before he termed sacrifice and burnt-offerings here he calleth Prayer and those who before were the sons of the stranger are here all People some many of all sorts the whole world all men without distinction the Partition Wall being broken down My House shall be called c. The Thing here spoken of is Gods House described 1. By its Appropriation unto him it is his peculiar My House 2. By its extent of receipt in respect of others it is for all People 3. By the employment of its Inhabitants that is Prayer it shall be called an House of Prayer House here may be taken two wayes 1. Properly as it was in the Type for the Materiall Temple at Hierusalem whereunto these words are applyed by our Saviour Math. 21. but that is no farther concerned herein but as the spirituall Holinesse of the Antitype could not be represented without a Ceremoniall Holinesse
of the Type 2. Spiritually for the Church of Christ to be gathered to him out of all Nations the House wherein Juge sacrificium a continuall spirituall sacrifice is to be offered to him This is peculiarly intended so then observe 1. Christs Church of Saints of believers is God's House 2. The Church of Christ under the Gospel is to be gathered out of all Nations 3. There are established Ordinances and appointed Worship for the Church of Christ under the Gospell It is the first that I shall speak unto Christs Church of Saints of believers is God's House That his Church is of Saints and Believers will appear in the issue By the Church of Christ I understand trimarily the whole Multitude of them who antecedently are chosen of his Father and given unto him Consequently are redeemed called and justified in his blood The Church which he loved and gave himself for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word That he might present it unto himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Ephes. 5. 25 26. And secondarily also every holy Assembly of mount Sion whereunto the Lord Christ is made beauty and glory every particular Church of his Saints inasmuch as they partake the nature of the whole being redeemed by his blood Acts 20. 28. That this Church belongs unto God I shall onely leave evidenced under the claim whereby he here appropriates it to himself he calls it His My House That it is his House I shall further demonstrate Three things are required to making of a House 1. A Foundation 2. Materialls for a superstruction 3. An orderly framing of both into an usefull building And all these concurre to the Church of Christ 1. It hath a Foundation I have laid the Foundation faith Paul 1. Cor. 3. 10. and other Foundation can no man lay save that which is laid which is Jesus Christ V. II. That Which Paul laid ministerially God himself laid primarily and efficiently Thus saith the Lord God Behold I lay in Sion for a Foundation a stone a tried stone a precious Corner stone a sure Foundation Isa. 28. 16. Now this Foundation is no other but the Rock upon which the Church is built Math. 16. 18. which makes it impregnable to the Gates of hell communicating strength and permanency continually to every part of the building 2. A Foundation onely will not make a House there must also be Materials for a superstrustion Those you have 1. Pet. 2. 5. you are saith he lively stones All Gods Elect are stones in due time to be hewed and fitted for this building For 3. Materials themselves will not serve they must be fitly framed and wisely disposed or they will be an Heap not an House This then is not wanting Ye are built upon the Foundation of the Prophets and the Apostles Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone in whom the whole building fitly framed together groweth into an holy Temple in the Lord in whom also ye are builded together for an habitation to God by the spirit Ephes. 2. 20 21 22. There is much spirituall and heavenly Architecture in these 3. verses I shall onely touch on some particulars 1. The Foundation of this House this Temple is laid and that is Jesus Christ other Foundation can no man lay He is here called the chief corner stone and the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles It is not which they were but which they laid It is Genetivus efficiculis not materiae That expression holds out the persons working not the thing wrought 2. The Materials of this Building Elect believers said in the former verse to be fellow citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God they alone are built on Christ and thereby have union with him not one dead rotten stone in all this Building as shall be declared 3. The Architects or builders are of two sorts 1. Principall the Spirit we are framed to an habitation for God by the Spirit He is the principall Workman in this Fabrick without him is not one stone laid therein 2. Secundary and Instrumentall the Prophets and Apostles and this they were two wayes 1. Personally in their severall Generations this was their work their labour to lay the Foundation and carry on the building of this House 2. Doctrinally so they labour in it to this very day Their Doctrine in the Scripture holds out the onely Foundation and the onely way of building thereon 4. The manner of the building it is fitly framed together {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} closely joynted and knit in together sweetly closed together with Christ the head from which all the Body by joynts and hands having nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the increase of God Col 2. 19. 5. What kind a House it is It receiveth here a twofold Title 1. an holy Temple 2. an habitation or a Tabernacle because of it's allusion to both those holy places of the worship of God fulfilling the Types of them both Hence it is most evident that this Church of Christ is a House and being appropriated unto God God's House To make this the more evident I shall do these two things 1. Shew you what are the chief Properties of this House 2. Declare what is the Relation wherein Jesus Christ stands to this House having called it all along the Church of Christ 1. For the Properties or chief qualities of this House they are three 1. It is a living House 2. it is strong 3. it is glorious 1 It is a living House Unto whom coming as unto a living stone yee also as lively stones are built up a spirituall House 1 Pet 2 4 5. Christ the foundation is a living Stone and they that are built upon him are living stones Hence they are said to grow together into an House Growth is a signe of life Growing from an inward Principle such as the Growth of any thing is such is its life the Groweth of this House is spirituall so therefore also is its life it lives with a spirituall life a life whose fulnesse is in its foundation he hath life in himself Joh 5. 26 and from him in them I am crucified with Christ neverthelesse I live Gal 2 22 yea it is himself in them yet not I but Christ liveth in me It is true those stones are dead in the Rock as well as others by nature Children of wrath as well as they Ephes. 2 3 being dead in Trespasses and sins v 1. He who Hews them our gives them life He quickens them when dead in trespasses and sin There is not one rotten dead stone in all this building However some such may by the advantage of their outward appearance croud in yet they are not of the House it self 2. It is a strong House the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against it Mat. 1. 6 18. though the
the Ground Let a man be hewed and squared by the Word and ordinances into outward conformity never so exactly that he seems one of the most beautifull Saints in the World yet if he be not laid rightly by Faith upon the Foundation to derive from thence strength supportment and vigour he will quickly fall to the ground What then will become of their building who heap up all sorts of rubbish to make an House for the Lord 2. Christ is the Ark of this House The Ark in the Tabernacle and afterwards in the Temple was the most holy thing in the most holy Place There was nothing in it but the two Tables of stone written with the Finger of God before it was Aarons Rod that budded with a Pot full of Manna over it was the Propitiatory or Mercy seat being a plate of Gold as long and asbroad as the Ark covering it being shadowed with the Cherubims of Glory Now all this glorious Fabrick did signifie that unlesse the Law with its condemning power were hid in the Ark and covered with the Mercy seat no person could stand before the Lord Besides the Law was the old Covenant of works and being renewed unto them chiefly to be subservient to the Gospel and partly with its Appurtenances and carnall Administration to be the tenour of the Israelites holding the land of Canaan and this being in the Ark it was said to contain the Covenant and is frequently called the Ark of the Covenant Jesus Christ is the Ark of this spirituall House When the Temple was opened in Heaven there was seen in the Temple the Ark of Gods Testament Revel. 11. 10. Jesus Christ made conspicuous to all who lay much hid under the old Testament Rom. 3. 25. God is said to set forth Christ to be {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a Propitiation or Mercy seat for by that very term is the Mercy seat expressed Heb. 9. 5. He is then the Ark and the Mercy seat covering it He then doth those two things 1. In behalf of this House and every stone thereof he hides the Law with its condemning power that nothing from thence shal be laid to their charge If a man have a suit to be tryed in any Court and a powerful Friend engage himself that the only Evidence which is against him shall not be produced will it not give him encouragement to proceed In that great and tremendous tryal which is to be above there is but one principal Evidence against us which gives liâ—e to all others which if it be removed all the rest must fail This is the Law Christ as the Ark and Mercy seat hides this Law it shall not I speak in respect to this House be produced at the day of tryall will it not be a great encouragement to them to appear at the Throne of God Christ hides the Law as being the End of it Rom. 10. 4. that the Righteousnesse thereof might be fulfilled in us Rom 8. 4. He hath so far answered all that the Law required that none from thence can lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect Rom. 8. 33 34. Let not poor sinners fear it will not be with them as with Uzzah He touched the Ark and died Touch this Ark and live for ever And 2ly he is the Ark of this House as containing in himself the New Covenant it is made with him originally established in him irreversibly made out through him in all the grace of it faithfully 3. He is the Alâ—ar of this House There were two Altars in the old Tabernacle and Temple An Altar for Sacrifice and an Altar for Incense Exod. chap. 29. and 30. The first was the great Brazen Altar that stood without the Holy Place whereon the burnt offerings and all sacrifices of blood for Remission were offered The other lesse made of Shittim wood all overlaid with pure Gold and a Crown of beaten Gold upon it on which they were to burn pure Incense unto the Lord alwayes And they were both most holy sanctifying the Gifts with legall sanctification that were offered on them Math. 23. 19. Now both these doth our Saviour supply in this House 1. He is the gâ—eat great Altar of sacrifice the Altar of offerings for Expiation and Attonement We have an Altar whereof they have no Right to eat who serve at the Tabernacle Heb. 13 10. That seven he who sanctified the People with his own Blood and suffered without the gate v. 11. The good will and soul of Christ offering up himself through the eternall spirit a pure Oblation and sacrifice by one offering to perfect for ever them that are sanctified is all our Altar 2. He is the Golden Altar of Incense Incense is Prayer Psal. 141. 2. Let my Prayer come before thee as Incense Jesus Christ is the Golden Altar whereon that Incense is offered Revel. 8 3 4. even that Altar which is always before God Rev. 9. 13. as by being the former he makes our Persons accepted so by the latter he makes our duties accepted And all the living stones of this House are Priests to offer sacrifice on these Altars by him as Priests they have Approximation to the Holy Place there they have a share and participation in all the sacrifices that are offered upon or by him 4. He is the Candlestick of this House The making fashioning and use of the Candlestick in the holy place of the Tabernacle you have Exod. 25 31. c. It was one of the most glorious Utensils of that frame made of pure and beaten Gold with much variety of works knops flowres and lamps The Use of it was to bear out light for all the worship of God in that most Holy Place The Tabernacle was made close without any window It was not to receive light from without It had all its own light from within It is true this Candlestick with its 7. lamps did secundarily represent the Churches of Christ which hold out his light among themselves and unto others Revel. 1. last the seven Candlesticks thou sawest are the seven Churches Therefore Solomon made ten Candlesticks of pure Gold 1. Kings 7. 49. to set out yet further the Increase multiplying of the Churches of God Upon this account also the two witnesses are said to be two Candlesticks Rev. 11. 4. And the two anointed ones that stand before the God of the whole Earth Zech. 4. 3. Whence that in the Revelation is taken there is mention indeed of two Anointed ones but of one Candlestick the Holy Ghost plainly intimating that though the Churches and Witnesses of Christ are also Candlesticks in a second sense yet there is one Eminent Candlestick which hath light originally in it self which also it communicates unto all others And this is that which is mentioned in Zech. 4. which hath the two Olive Trees or the two Anointed Churches of Jews and Gentiles standing by it receiving light from it to communicate to others they empty the Golden oyle
out of themselves which they receive from the Candlestick For this Candlestick hath seven lamps v. 2. which lamps that burn before the throne are the seven spirits of God Rev. 4. 5. seven spirits that is the perfection and compleatnesse of the Spirit of God in all his Graces and Operations Now who hath these seven spirits Even he who received not the spirit by measure Joh. 3. 34. being the stone upon which are the seven Eyes Zech. 3. 9. He alone then is this Candlestick and all the light which this House hath it is from him There are two wayes whereby Jesus Christ makes out light to this House 1. By way of Doctrinall Revelation 2. Of Reall Communication 1. He alone discovers light to all the Stones of this Building No man hath seen God at any time the onely begotten Son which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him Joh 1. 10. No saving discovery of God of his Nature his Will his Love but what is by Christ The Moon and Starres give light but it is only what they receive from the Sun The Prophets and Apostles held out light but it was all received from him They spake by the spirit of Christ that was in them I have received of the Lord that which I have delivered unto you 1 Cor. 11. 23. The same Apostle curses every one that shall bring in any other light into this House be they Angels or Men Gal. 1. 8. 9 Christ alone fully knowes the minde of God as being alwayes in the bosome of his Father Joh 1. 18. Yea he knowes it to the uttermost being one with his Father Joh. 10 30. And he is willing to reveal it for even for this end came he into the world that he might bear witnesse to the truth And he had Ability enough to do it for in him were hid all Treasure of wisdome and knowledge Col. 2. 3. He alone is the Author of all light to this his holy Habitation Many Attempts have been to set up light in this House and not from Christ Some would kindle their Traditions or the Doctrine of this House Some their Prudentials for the Government of it Some their Ceremonials for the Worship of it All Candles in the Sun Shall men think to compasle themselves with sparks and walk in the light of the fire which themselves have kindled in the face of the Sun of Righteousnes shall not such men ly down in sorrow Beloved take heed of such ignes fatui foolish misguiding fires 2. By way of Reall Communication He is the true light which lightneth everyman Joh. 1. 9. Every one that hath any spirituall light really communicated to him hath it from Christ It is part of his work to recover sight to the blind Luke 4. 18. And therfore he adviseth the Church of Laodicea to come to him for eye salve that she might see Revel. 3. 18. At his coming Sion shines forth Isa 60. 1. because his light ariseth upon her v. 2. The former Doctrinall Teaching of it self wâ—ll not suffice That light may shine in darknes and the darknes not comprehend it Joh. 1. 5. All the light the Sun can give will not make a blind man see There must be a visive faculty within as well as light without The Stones of this building are by Nature all blind yea darkned yea darknesse it self If the Lord Christ do not by the mighty efficacy of his spirit create a visive Power within them as well as reveal the will of his Father to them they will never spiritually discern the things of God The naturall man discerneth not the things of God nor indeed can do 1. Cor. 2 14. It is true men by the help of Common Gifts with the use of the former Doctrinall Revelation may attain to such a knowledge of the mind of God as may in a sense be called Illumination Heb. 6. 4. Far may they go much may they do by this light They may teach others and be cast away themselves They may dispute for Truth yea dye for Truth and all this while have but the first common Anointing see nothing clearly but Menwalking like Trees A spiritual Insight into the mind of God is not to be obtained without an Almighty Act of the Spirit of Christ creating a new power of Life and Light upon the Soul Some indeed think that they have this seeing Power in themselves Do but shew them outwaraly what is to be seen and let them alone for the discerning of it Well then let them alone if ever they are stones of this living House I am deceived Thou that art so know whence is all thy light and if thou art any thing in the dark draw nigh to the Candlestick from whence all light is Thence must thy light come yea and thence it shall come the secrets of the Lord shall make their abode with thee And this is the fourfold Relation wherein the Lord Christ stands unto this House as it is a Spirituall building In Respect of State and Condition Jesus Christ stands in a fivefold Relation to this House which I shall unfold in order 1. He is the Owner of it He cals it HIS Upon this Rock will I build my Church Math. 16 18 Moses was faithfull in all c. but Christ as a son over his OWN House whose House are we Heb. 3. 4 5. And that you may see that he doth not owne it as His without good Right and Title know that in the great Oeconomie of Grace Jesus Christ hath a threefold Right and Title to this House 1. Of Inheritance He is by his Father appointed Heir of all things Heb. 1. 3. By Inheritance he obtains this excellent name to be Lord of this House God sends him to the Vineyard as the Heir after his servants were refused And he hath an Engagement from his Father that he shal injoy his whole Inheritance upon demand Psal. 2. 8. For the Father appointed in the fulnesse of time to gather together all these things in Christ both which are in Heaven and which are in Earth in him Eph. 1. 10. So that as Christ is the first begotten of the Father Heb. 1. 6. and the first born of every creature Col. 1. 15. the Right of Heirship is his But this will not do for 2. When He should come to take possession of this House He findes that it is morgaged and that a great Debt lyes upon it which he must pay to the uttermost farthing if ever He intend to have it To the former Title there must also be added a Right of Furchase He must Purchase this House and pay a great Price for it And what is this Price what is required of him No lesse then his dearest blood Acts 20. 28. Yea he must make his Soul an Offering for sin and charge himself with the whole Debt all the Curse and Punishment which this House had in part actually contracted upon it self and wholly deserved He must put his