2. Of the Christian Church —
[Our Zion also has " her towers and her bulwarks," even ihe jinished work of Christ, and the office of the Holy Spirit, and the economy of Redemption from Jirst to last.
The Lord Jesus undertook to purchase unto himself a peculiar people, even with the inestimable price of his own blood : and never did he cease from his work, till he could say, ''It is finished''." Every thhig that was necessary to expiate our guilt, every thing that was necessary to work out a righteousness for his redeemed people, every thing that was necessary to satisfy the demands of law and justice, all he completed perfectly : and having fulfilled his covenant-engagements with the Father, it cannot be but that " he should see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied," even in the promised seed, who should prolong their days, whilst "the pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hands ^"
True it is, that in vain would Christ have died for his Church and people, if the Holy Spirit had not undertaken to apply to their souls the redemption which he has wrought out for them. But from the day of Pentecost to this very hour he has not failed *' to glorify Christ, by taking of the things that are his, and shew- ing them unto men"." He finds men dead indeed; but he quickens them to a new and heavenly life : he gives them eyes, to see ; and ears, to hear ; and hearts to feel- the truths which he has revealed to them : and " where he has begun a work of grace, he fails not to carry it on, and to perfect it until the day of Christ"." And hence it is that all the powers of hell have never been able to prevail against them.
Were the Church to be destroyed, the whole plan of Redemp- tion, as devised by the Father, executed by the Son, and applied by the Spirit, would fail ', and the Lord Jesus Christ himself be
robbed
' ^ Zech. ii. 5. *' Isai. xxvi. 20. " Josh, xxjii. 14.
•^■John xix. 30. ' Isai. liii. 10, 1 1 . " John xvi. 14. " Phil. i. 0'.
S67.] THE CPIURCh's SECURITY IN GOD. 165
robbed of all his recompence and all his glory. But, whoever surveys " these towers/' will know assuredly, that " Mount Zion cannot be moved, but abideth for ever"." Yes, " God's righteousness shall be for ever, and his salvation from generation to generation P."]
3. Of the Church of which we are members — [As against the ivorld, the Church of England has no other security than what is common to every true Church of Christ : but as against her professed members, who would despoil her of her glory and her excellency, and would sap her very foundations by the introduction of false doctrines into her community, we have towers, and bulwarks, in which we glory, and which we desire you all attentively to survey. " Come, and let us walk round our Zion, and mark well her defences !" See there her Articles; how plain, how strong, how Scriptural ! there is no truth that is not there established : and though she has many false sons who would surrender them up to the enemy, there is not one which they have ever been able to impair, nor one in which her faithful people do not feel complete security.
Next, behold her Homilies, formed by men of God who knew what assaults would be made against her. There are not wanting men who complain, that these are antiquated, and need repair. But they are as firm and immoveable as the first hour they were constructed : and they defy all the assaults, whether of traitorous friends, or open foes.
Then view her Liturgy. — Next to the Bible, it stands the wonder of the world. Never was there such a composition for the use of those who would worship God in Spirit and in truth ; and, whilst piety shall continue to characterize the Children of Zion, this will be their joy, their glory, their defence. They may be derided, as too holy, and too precise : but, whilst they can point to her expressions both of prayer and praise, they will feel that they are vindicated against the whole world, and are in a bulwark that is absolutely impregnable.]