Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. (7) Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, (8) And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
I need not tell the Reader what scripture the Apostle hath gathered this beautiful passage from, Isaiah was directed, ages before, to proclaim Christ to the Church under this strong figure, Isaiah 28:16. But indeed, the whole book of God is full of the same glorious truth. See Deu 32:4; 2 Samuel 23:3; Psalms 118:22-23; Ephesians 2:20. But what I particularly beg the Reader to observe is the beauty and fulness of the similitude, and his Church, his Zion is founded by Jehovah. It is the Lord in his three-fold character of Person, which hath founded it, Isaiah 14:32. Hence, Christ in his union of God and Man in One Person, is the foundation, on which the whole building rests. He is also the whole strength which unites, and keeps the building together. Believers are said to be rooted and built up in him, Colossians 2:7. And he is also the finisher, in whom, and by whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth to an holy temple in the Lord, Ephesians 2:19 to the end. And, if the Reader will pause but for a moment, and consider how very fully this is proved, as it relates to all the points of the spiritual building in Christ, he will discover the blessedness of the whole.
First. In Christ's Person. All temporal, spiritual, eternal blessings are centered in Christ's Person. Hence his people, in him, are brought into a communion and fellowship by their union with him, into the enjoyment of those things; and, without which, there can be no blessing in either department, in the life that now is, or that which is to come.
Secondly. In Christ's offices. His obedience and death; his law fulfilling, and law-satisfying sacrifice; his surety-ship, engagements, and sin-atoning offering; his death, resurrection, ascension, and unceasing priesthood; all these, and every other which Christ wrought on earth, and is now carrying on in heaven, make him the whole foundation of his Church to rest upon, for all the purposes of time and eternity.
And, lastly, to mention no more: In Christ's relations to his people, he becomes the first and the last, to include all and everyone of the tenderest relationship, which constitute the Father, Husband, Brother, and the Friend; so as to fill all, and perform the part of all, yea, infinitely nearer than all, being the Head of his body the Church, the fulness that filleth all in all, to the members of his body, his flesh, and his bones.
Reader! pause over the view; and look one moment longer before you quit this beautiful portion of the Word of God, and consider the different reception this Holy One finds in God the Father's esteem, his people, and the world. In God the Father's esteem, he is declared to be the chief corner stone, elect, precious. Yea, God speaks of him as One in whom his soul delighteth! And so great, and holy, and gracious, that he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. In his people's esteem, he is so precious and se highly beloved, as to he the altogether lovely, and the fairest among ten thousand. But to the world, a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence. He is despised and rejected of men. His Person, his offices, his humble birth, his obscure life, his mean death; yea, all that relates to him as the Savior of sinners, renders him an object of scorn. Oh! thou precious Lord of thy people! how is it that I was made to believe in thee, while thousands reject the counsel of God against their own souls!