Page:Bush burning, yet not consumed, or, The church in the furnace, yet still preserved (1).pdf/6

( 6 ) an emblematical representation of the outward condition of the Church of Christ in Egypt in a very and extraordinary manner namely a bush burning and yet not consumed. In this he g him represented the melancholy and deplorable situation of the children of Israel in Egypt, while they were grievously oppressed and born down by tyrannical task masters there Tho' they were, in a manner burnt in the fire, and all means were used to bear them down, and root them out yet they were not consumed; the more they were oppressed, the more they grew. Their sore affliction proved medicines unto them, and by the Messing of God, were means of their growth and improvement.

In the words read in your hearing we may very briefly notice these five things following.

1. We have an emblematical representation of the church of Christ Behold a Bush burning—Here the church of Christ is compared to a Bush As a Bush is a mean, low, silly, and insignificant thing

2. We have the ordinary state and circumstances of the church, and that is a Bush burnt with fire The church of Christ is, for most part in flames either an inward flame raised by the old Man that dwells in her members, or an outward flame raised by hell and earth. 'Tis somewhat strange that the Lot and condition of the Lords people, while their militant circumstances, ordered by their Lord and King, should be fiery tryals and a hot burning furnace. Whatever their state and condition be whatever sun-shine of prosperity they may be under, at times, yet, for most part, they are in the furnace Their Lot is chequered with troubles and trials; their circumstances are mixed with a fiery flame and furnace.

3. We have protecting mercy coming into the most of the Bush. No sooner is the fire kindled in the Bush, but mercy leaps out of the heart of God into the midst thereof, What the matter what thy