Page:Bush burning, yet not consumed, or, The church in the furnace, yet still preserved (1).pdf/20

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the Church's back and drew long their furrows. Well what was the consequence? The Lord but asunder the cords of that ungodly and persecuting crew, verses 34 &c And did not a set of prelatic men kindle a fire of persecution against the Church of Christ, in the late persecuting times in this land but what made they of it? The Lord confounded their plots, and cut of many of the ringleaders in the height of their fury, and sent them to their place appointed like so many Magor Misiabibs. while they were a terror to themselves, and all around them: and sent deliverance to his Church and people. And tho' the same spirit seems to be reviving a' this day among a set of corrupt kirk men, yet let them take care, God will reach them with a blow, suddenly shall they be confounded.

9 The Church of Christ is a savoury Bush. Take this Bush out of the world, and it will smell like hell there would be nothing behind but the object of God's abhorence As long as the Church of Christ is in the world, that sun will shine in the Inhabitants there of. But when the Bush is away, you will not have the light of the glorious gospel, nor that of that Sun in the heavens O how foolish are they that grudge the Church a (illegible text)ence in this world! O blind world that will not allow Christ's Bush to abide among them while not considering that the holy seed of the Church is the substance thereof, and prevente(illegible text) judgments from pouring in like a deluge, upon it

10 And lastly, the Church of Christ is a cost Bush Tho’ she be but as a poor bramble-Bush yet she cost Christ dearer than the tallest Cedars in Lebanon They cost him but a creating Wo(illegible text) but she cost him redeeming blood The Church bought by the price of blood Before the Church could be redeemed, the son of God must die between two thieves; be persecuted, afflicted and at last crucified, like a malefactor on a cursed tree O cos(illegible text) Bush! Dear bought Church!