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Observation 1. Is this the house of Christ? Is he the owner of it? Let men take heed how they spoil it for them- selves. The psalmist makes this a great argument in his pleading against opposers, that they came 'into the Lord's inheritance;' Psal. Ixxix. 1. The title of Christ's purchase was not then so clearly known, as that of his inheritance ; and therefore they of old pleaded chiefly by that title. Now he hath proclaimed to all his other titles also, the whole right he has to this house, to his saints. Who then shall meddle with it, and go free? Amongst men every one with all his might will defend his own possession : and shall we think that the Lord Christ will suffer his to be spoiled at an easy rate ? Shall not men pay dear for their encroachment? How hath he in our days frustrated all attempts for the per- secution of his? 'Touch not,' saith he, 'mine anointed.' Men may upon various pretences claim this privilege to such a land, nation, or faction; it will in the end appear to be theirs, and only theirs, who are living stones of this house. Dogs may scramble for their bread, but shall not enjoy it. It is Christ in this house that will make every stone of it a burdensome stone. He hath done it, that men may learn }ii) ^eofiaxtlv. Do not think it will excuse thee to say, thou wast mistaken.
Observation 2. Is Christ the owner of this house ? Let the order and disposal of it be left to himself. Men are apt to be tampering with his house and household. They will be so kind and careful, as to lay out their wisdom and pru- dence about it; thus and thus shall it be, these are parts and members of it, Christ is exceeding jealous of his honour in this particular. He cannot bear it, that men pretending to his glory, should think him so wanting in love or wisdom towards his own, as not exactly to dispose of all things that concern the regimen thereof. Men would not be so dealt withal in their own houses, as they deal with Christ in his. We have all wisdom enough (as we suppose) to order our own houses ; only the wisdom and love of the Father leaves his to the discretion of others. These thoughts are not from above.
Observation 3. Hath Christ taken his own house to him- self upon so many titles? Let not men put those buildings on him, for his, which are not so, which he holds not by
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these titles. Go to a man that dwells in a stately palace of his own, shew him a hogsty, tell him. This is your house, here you dwell, this is yours : can you put a greater indignity on him? No, says the man, that is not mine, I dwell in yonder sumptuous palace. And shall we deal thus with the Lord Jesus ? He hath bought and adorned his own house : a glorious house it is. If now men shall hold out to him a sty of swine, a den of unclean beasts, a ruinous heap, whereof the far greatest part are dead stones, and tell him, this is his church, his house; will it not exceedingly provoke him? will he bear such a reproach ? Nay, he will reject such tenders to their ruin.
2dly. Jesus Christ is the builder of this house: 'This man is counted worthy of more honour than Moses, inas- much as he that buildeth the house hath more honour than the house ;' Heb. iii. 3. * I,' saith he, * will build my church ;' Matt. xvi. 18. This is not a fabric for any workman, but Christ. It is true, there are others employed under him ; and some so excellent, that they may be said to be ' wise master builders ;' 2 Cor. iii. 10. But yet all the efficacy of their labour in this building is not from themselves, but merely from him, by whom they are employed. Except the Lord build this house, they labour in vain, that go about to build it.
Now this house receives a twofold building. (1st.) Spi- ritual, of all the stones thereof into one mystical house. Of this I chiefly treat. (2dly.) Ecclesiastical, of some particular stones into several tabernacles, which are useful partitions in the great mystical house, called assemblies, and dwelling places of mount Zion. Both these it hath from Christ alone.
(1st.) For the first: If all the most skilful workmen in the world should go to the pit of nature, by their own strength, to hew out stones for this building, they will never with all their skill and diligence lay one stone upon it. There is life required to those stones, which none can give but Christ. The Father hath given into his hand alone ' to give give life eternal to whom he will;' John xvii. 2. He alone can turn stones into children of Abraham. To him is com- mitted all dispensation of quickening power. He brings us from the dust of death, and no man hath quickened his own soul. With spiritual power all spiritual life is vested in