for God; ver. 9, "ye are God's building;" Christ is the foundation, according to the text: "Other foundation," &c.

A foundation may be considered, either in regard to a system of truth, or in reference to an institution for the welfare and improvement of man. In regard to a system, by the foundation we mean, those principles upon which the whole is raised. What then are those fundamental truths, upon which the system of evangelical truth and holiness is erected? are they not the doctrines of Christianity? Do not these relate to, and centre in the sufferings and glory of Christ? View the doctrines as the inspired statement of facts; these facts have respect to one chief object, the Lord Jesus, in his person and mediation hence preaching the gospel and preaching Christ are synonymous expressions; and the whole of doctrine, precept, promise, and institution, are so interwoven with him, that to get rid of the one, the other must be utterly destroyed.

A foundation may be considered in reference to an institution, and then, it signifies its support. Do you not often hear of institutions supported by charitable contributions? They originate in, and are maintained by benevolence; this principle, though invisible, is the foundation; the gifts or benefactions are its visible support: so is Christ the foundation of his Church and people. We begin with his love" Unto him who hath loved us ;"" You know the grace ofour Lord Jesus Christ;" "He hath

loved me and given himself for me." The visible support is the communication of himself, his power and grace; thus is Christ the foundation, the properties of which are most excellent, Isa. xxviii. 16. A stone, solid and firm, a tried stone, tried by his Father, by enemies, human and angelic; and by thousands and thousands of his people. What a recommendation! he is set before us as "tried, elect and precious," chosen and highly valued, and greatly endeared, a sure foundation, or, "foundation of foundations," no one like this; and he who believes shall not make haste, never have occasion to abandon it in disorder, or fly away in the wildness of fear and dismay, shall "never be ashamed," or left to confusion. He is called "the foundation of the prophets and apostles," because they laid it ministerially, agreeably to the context. Were you to search from Genesis to Revelations, you would not find any other proposed for the safety or hope of a sinner. This glorious Mediator is "God's foundation:" "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation;" it is the effect of infinite wisdom and immense goodness. Waiving further remarks of this nature, we are now to consider, the union which exists between a foundation and superstructure, as serving to illustrate the union between Christ and believers.

I. The superstructure depends on the foundation.

II. The foundation supports and bears up the edifice.

I. The first idea is, the dependence of the building; every part of it is more or less thus dependent for security; remove the foundation, and the fall is certain. Do not the Christian Church, and every member of it, rest upon the Saviour? Shall I ask the Christian, whether he can rest upon the orthodoxy of his creed, or the profession of his faith? Whether, upon any resolutions he has formed, any grace he hath received, or any attainments he has made? He renounces them all, and says, "God forbid I should place my hope any where but on him who died on the cross." Methinks on this subject, you are even forward to speak, and zealous to confirm this point of Christian doctrine and experience. Doubtless, you will say, "I rest upon his blood, as my atonement and ransom. I rest upon

his all perfect righteousness for my acceptance with God. I depend upon his wisdom to guide me, upon his power to defend and preserve me, till I am made completely victorious over foes and difficulties. I trust to his ability, grace, and faithfulness, for the full accomplishment of those precious promises which now strengthen my faith, enliven my hope, and excite a holy desire after heaven. I rest on his prevailing intercession, that I shall be preserved from evil, advance in sanctification, and at length be where he is, to behold his glory.' Yes, I see God in human flesh, I behold him incarnate, obeying, suffering, dying, rising, and governing, for all who believe, and not only love the incarnate mystery,' but there,

there I fix my trust;' were it possible to remove this, I should at once sink, sink into an abyss of despair, a region of woe too horrible to describe; a gulf of damnation from whence there can be no recovery; but, I know in whom I have believed,' and he is able to support and save me."

It is

II. The second idea, is that of support. Christ bears up his Church. No other can support this interest, or even the weighty concerns and interests of a single soul. If we suppose him deficient, either in ability or willingness, we reflect upon the wisdom and grace of the Father, and deny the glory and grace of the Mediator; this is to oppose the tendency of the Gospel, and militate against the security of all the saints. Blessed be God, here is no ground for fear, no cause of suspicion, nor any room to sow the seeds of distrust. true, the false foundations which error lays, shall pass away like a vision; it is true, the foundations of many buildings may be undermined, may be blown up, or the tooth of time shall consume them; the time is approaching when the very foundations of the earth shall not only shake, but be entirely removed-what then! Why should you care, O Christian? are you not founded upon a rock? are you not satisfied it is of God's providing? You may indeed expect it will be attacked; the power and policy of hell will unite to oppose, but "the gates of hell" shall not, cannot prevail ; let the storm arise, let the wind blow, and the tempest beat, it shall never give way; give way? no; not

even shake; opposition, like angry waves, shall dash itself in pieces; we, placed on the rock, shall see it die away, while our tranquil souls, preserved from fear and dread, shall sing, "He hath placed my feet on a rock, and put a new song into my mouth; salvation unto the Lord. He is my strength and song." This subject must not be dismissed, till we advert to the security of believers, and the importance of inquiring into our own personal interest herein.

The security of those who are built upon God's foundation is obvious. Such security have all the saints, every true believer. It was laid by Jehovah, infinite in wisdom, everlasting in his love, and inviolable in truth; his counsel and his oath confirm the hopes of those who rely on Christ; to imagine that such may perish, is a reflection upon divine wisdom, grace, and truth, and strikes a deadly blow at the Christian's comfort; rather may we say,

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Happy are the people who are in such a case!" their building will sustain every shock, and survive every trial, it shall not fall, being founded upon a rock. Matt. vii. 24-27.

Let us, however, be sure, that Christ is our foundation. Are we possessed with this divine, everlasting security? Is our best interest safe, for ever safe? for let me beg of you to observe, "other foundation can no man lay." In fact, many others are proposed, and built upon by the sons of men; some rely upon the mercy of God independent of redeeming blood; and while they neglect the ex