Chapter 11: Rocks Stand Though Seas Rage — The Church Stands Against All Opposition

The Rocks abide, though Seas against them rage; So shall the Church, which is God's Heritage.

OBSERVATION.

OBTERVATION.

THE Rocks, though scituate in the boisterous and tempestuous Ocean, yet abide firm and immovable from Age to Age: The impetuous Waves dash against them with great violence, but cannot remove them out of their place. And although sometimes they wash over them, and make them to disappear, yet there they remain fixt and impregnable.

APPLICATION.

This is a lively Emblem of the condition of the Church, amidst all dangers and oppositions wherewith it is encountred and assaulted in this World. These Metaphorical Waves roar and beat with violence against it, but with as little success as the Sea against the Rocks, Matth. 16. 18. Vpon this Rock will I build my Church, and the [gates] of Hell shall not prevail against it. The Gates of Hell, are the power and policy of Hell; for it is conceived to be an allusive speech to the Gates of the Iews wherein their Ammunition for War was lodged, which also were the Seats of Judicature, there sate the Judges: but yet, these Gates of Hell shall not prevail. In fact, this Rock is not only invincible in the midst of their violence, but also breaks all that dash against it, Zech 12. 3. In that day I will make Jerusalem a burthensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it, shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the Earth be gathered together against it. An Allusion to one that assays to roul some great stone against the Hill, which at last returns upon him, and crushes him to pieces.

And the reason why it is thus firm and impregnable, is not from it self; for alas; so considered, it is weak, and obnoxious to ruine; but from the almighty Power of God, which guards and preserves it day and night, Psalm 46:5, 6. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. Vatab. Dum espieit mane. When the morning appears. Which notes (says Calvin) God's assiduous and constant help and succour, which is extended in all dangers, as constantly as the Sun arises. And this assiduous succour to his people, and their great security thereby, is set forth in the Scriptures by a pleasant variety of Metaphors and Emblems, Zechariah 2:5. I (says the Lord) will be a Vvall of Fire round about it. Some think this phrase alludes to the Cherubims, that kept the way of the Tree of Life with flaming swords: Others, to the fiery Chariots round about Datham, where Elisha was: but most think it to be an allusion to an ancient custom of Travellers in the Desarts; who to prevent the assaults of wilde Beasts in the night, made a Circular fire round about them, which was as a Wall to them. Thus will God be to his people, a wall of fire, which none can scale. So Exodus 3:3, 4, 5. We have an excellent Emblem of the Churches low and dangerous condition, and admirable preservation. You have here, both a Marvel and a Mystery: The Marvel was to see a bush all on fire, and yet not consumed. The Mystery is this: the Bush represented the sad condition of the Church in Egypt; the Fire flaming upon it, the grievous Afflictions, troubles, and bondage it was in there; the remaining of the Bush unconsumed, the strange and admirable preservation of the Church in those troubles. It lived there as the three noble Iews, untouched in the midst of a burning fiery Furnace: And the Angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in the midst of the Bush, was nothing else but the Lord Iesus Christ, powerfully and graciously present with his people, amidst all their dangers and sufferings. The Lord is exceeding tender over them, and jealous for them, as that Expression imports, Zechariah 2:8. He that touches you, toucheth the apple of mine eye. He that strikes at them, strikes at the Face of God; and at the most excellent part of the Face, the Eye; and at the most tender and precious part of the Eye, the Apple of the Eye. And yet (as a Learned Modern observes) this people of whom he uses this tender and dear expression, were none of the best of Israel neither; but the residue that staid behind in Babilon, when their Brethren were gone to reb[•]ild the Temple; and yet over these, is he as tender, as a man is over his eye.

REFLECTION.

And is the security of the Church so great! and its preservation [•]o admirable, amidst all Storms and Tempests! Then why are you so prone and subject to despond, O my Soul, in the day of Sions trouble? Sensible you were, and oughtest to be; but no reason to hang down the head through discouragement, much less to forsake Sion in her distress, for fear of being ruined with her.

What David spoke to Abiathar, 1 Samuel 22:23. that may Sion speak to all her Sons and Daughters in all their distresses: Though he that seeks your life, seeks mine also; yet with me shalt you be in safeguard. God has intail'd great Salvation and Deliverances upon Sion; and blessed are all her Friends and Favourers; the Rock of ages is its defense. Fear not therefore, O my Soul, though the Hills be removed out of their place, and cast into the midst of the Sea. O let my Faith triumph, and my Heart rejoyce upon this ground of comfort. I see the same Rocks now, and in the same place and condition they were many years ago. Though they have endured many storms, yet there they abide; and so shall Sion, when the proud waves have spent their fury and rage against it.

THE POEM.

Mesopotamia, s[••]tuate in the Seas,

May represent the Church, or if you please,

A Rock, o're which the Waves do wash and swill,

May figure it; chuse either, which you will.

Winds strive upon those Seas, and make a noise,

The lofty Waves sometimes lift up their voice,

And swelling high, successively do beat

Vvith violence against it, then retreat.

They break themselves, but it abides their shock;

And when their Rage is spent there stands the Rock.

Then they are out, that do affirm and vote,

Peace, Pomp, and Splendour is the Churches Note.

And they deserve no less reproof, that are

In Zion's Troubles ready to despair.

This Rock amidst far stronger Rocks does lie,

Vvhich are its fence, so deep, so thick, so high,

They cann't be batterr'd, scal'd, or undermin'd:

And these, environ'd by them, daily find

Their Bread ascertain'd; Vvaters too secur'd

Then shout and sing, you that are thus Immur'd.