God's soveraignty displayed from Job 9. 12. : Behold he taketh away, who can hinder him? &c., or, A discourse shewing, that God doth, and may take away from his creatures what hee pleaseth, as to the matter what, the place where, the time when, the means and manner how, and the reasons thereof : with an application of the whole, to the distressed citizens of London, whose houses and goods were lately consumed by the fire : an excitation of them to look to the procuring causes of this fiery tryal, the ends that God aims at in it, with directions how to behave themselves under their losses / by William Gearing ...

CHAP. VIII.

NOw this City hath a high privi∣ledge above all other Cities, it is a continuing City. The Apostle gives the reason why it is a continuing City, because it is a City which hath foundati∣ons, whose builder and maker is God, Heb. 11.10.

1. It hath foundations in the Plural number; it hath many foundations, firm and immoveable, foundations that cannot be shaken.

1. It is built upon the foundation of Gods eternal good will and pleasure to his people.

2. It is builded upon the foundati∣on of Gods Election to eternal glory.

3. It is built upon the foundation of Christs Eternal Merits and Purchase.

4. It is built upon the foundation of Gods everlasting Covenant of Grace.

5. It is built upon the foundation of Gods great and faithful promises: Oh what a continuing City is heaven, that is founded upon such strong immove∣able rocks and mountains of love.

II. It is said, Whose builder and maker is God.] All other Cities are builded by mortal, corruptible, dying men: but this City is made and build∣ed by the eternal and immortal God, who will uphold it by the word of his power for ever and ever; it is the place where he will dwell, where he will govern for ever. The Psalmist tells us, God by his excellent wisdome made the heavens, Psa. 136.5. There is no tongue able to express the workman∣ship of that curious building: for if that work that appeareth outwardly to our mortal eyes be so goodly and glori∣ous,

what is there to be supposed of all the rest, that is there reserved for the sight of immortal eyes? And if certain works of mortal men are made here so beautiful and sightly, that they do even amaze the Spectators; what a work then must that be, that hath been wrought by the immediate hand of God himself, in that Magnificent House, that Royal Palace, that City of joy and comfort, which he hath built for the glory of his chosen Ones? This City therefore shall continue for ever, and they that are once in possessi∣on thereof, shall never be cast out of those Mansions, which God hath ap∣pointed them in this heavenly City.

Notes

• Coeli con∣ditor est Deus, quo∣ad formam naturae, & Artifex e∣jus quoad formam gloria. Gorran in Heb. vid. Perrer. in Gene••in. & Polan. Syntagm. p. 274.