(1.) It puts him upon earnest supplications for the accomplishment of their promised deliverance in the appointed season; — wide from that atheistical frame of spirit which Avould have a predetermination of events and successes to eradicate all care and endeavour to sci-\'e that Providence which Avill produce their accomplishment. A dis- covery of the approach of any pi'omised and before -fixed work of God should settle our minds to the utmost endeavour of helping the decree to bring forth.
(2.) He finds great accejitation in this his address to the Lord by sui)plications, for the establishing of that work which he liad dis- covered v/as nigh at hand.- For, —
[1.] An answer is returned him fully to his Avhole desire in the midst of his supplications, verse 21, " Whiles I was j^raying, the man Gabriel came," &c.
[2.] The work whicli he had discovered to be approaching was in- stantly liastened and gone in hand withal, verse 23, "At tlie begin- ning of thy supplications the commandment came forth." Oh, that God
> Kstlit-r i. i:).
or HEAVEN AND EARTH, 271
would stir up his saints, in tlie spirit of Daniel, to consider and un- derstand by books the time that he hath appointed for the deliver- ance of liis people, that, fixing their supplications for the speeding thereof, the commandment may come forth for its full accomplishment !
[3.] Having attained this, the Lord gives him fresh discoveries, — new light of the time for the birth of the Messiah, which he thought not of, prayed not for: " Seventy weeks are detenuined," &c., verse 24. So delighted is the Lord with his people's diligent inquuy into his Tvays and walkings towards them, that thereupon he appears unto them, in the revelation of his mind, beyond all that they did expect or desire.
Now, all this have I spoken to stir you up unto that whereunto at the entrance of tins use you were exhorted, — that you would labour for that spkitual wisdom and prudence which may acquaint your hearts, at least in some measure, with the mind and mil of God con- cerning his work in the generation wherein you live. And farther to provoke you hereunto, know that you cannot but wander, as in many other, so especially in four sinful things: — 1st, Sinful cares; 2f//j/, Sinful fears; Sdli/, Sinful follies; 4:thli/, Sinful negligence.
Is^. Sinful cares, — anxious and dubious thoughts aboiit such things as, perhaps, the Lord intends utterly to destroy, or, at least, render useless. Had it not been the greatest folly in the world for Noah and his sons, when the flood was approaching to sweep away the creatures from the face of the earth, to have been solicitous about flocks and herds that were speedily to be destroyed?^ Many men's thoughts at this day do even devour them about such things as, if they knew the season, would be contemptible unto them. Wouldst thou labour for honour, if thou knewest that God at this time v»-ere labouring to lay all the " honour of the earth in the dust?"^ Couldst thou set thy heart upon the increase of riches, wert thou acquainted that God intends instantly to make " silver as stones, and cedars as sycamores,"^ — though not for plenty, yet for value? Would men be so exceedingly solicitous about this or that form of religion, this or that power to suppress such or such a persuasion, if they knew that the Lord would suddenly fill the earth with his knovdedge, as the waters cover the sea?'* Should our spirits sink for fear of this or that persecutor or oppressor, were it discovei'ed unto us that in a short time nothing shall Imrt or destroy in the whole mountain of the Lord?' Should we treral)le at the force and power of this or that growing monarch}'' giving its power to the beast, liad God re- vealed unto us that he is going to shake it until it be translated? Certain it is, that the root of all the sinfid cares, which sometimes
' Gen. vi. 13. = I.^a. xxlii. 9. 3 i Kings x. 27.
* llab. ii. 14. ' Isa. Ixv. 25.
272 THE SHAKING AND TRANSLATING
are ready to devour the liearts of God's people, is this unaequainted- ness with the work and mind of the Lord.
2dhj. Sinful fears. Luke xxi. 28, our Saviour having told his disciples of wars, tumults, seditions, famines, earthquakes, &e., which were to come upon the earth, bids them, when they see these things, to "lift up their heads for joy." But how should this be? — rejoice in the midst of so many evils and troubles, in the most whereof they were to have a Benjamin's mess, — a double portion ! Yea, saith our Saviour, Rejoice; for I have told you before, that then it is that your deliverance and redemption draweth nigh. It is for them to shake and tremble who are in the dark, — Avho know not what the Lord is doing. They may be at their wits' end who know no other end of these things; but for you who know the mind of the Lord, what he intendeth and will effect by these things, cast off all sinful fears, and rejoice in him who cometh.
Amongst us in these days new troubles arise, — wars, and rumours of wars, appearances of famine, invasions, conspiracies, revolts, treach- eries, sword, blood. Oh, how do men's faces wax pale, and their hearts die within them! Sometimes, with David, they could fly to the Philistines, and wind up their interest with them whom God will destroy. Every new appearance of danger shuffles them off from all their comforts, all their confidence. Hence poor souls are put upon doubling an*l shifting in the ways of God, in such a frame as God exceedingly abhors. They know not why any mercy is given, nor to what end; and therefore are afraid to own it, lest some sudden alteration should follow, and make it too hot for them to hold it; and all this because they know not the mind of the Lord, nor the judgment of their God. Were they but acquainted with it, so far as it is evidently revealed, they would qviickly see all things working- together to the appointed end.