1. The first thing in the answer to be given in is the work of God. " The Lord hath founded Zion;" — Zion, that is, his church, his people, his chosen ones, called Zion from the place of their solemn worship in the days of David, the figure and type of the gospel church, Heb. xii. 22, " Ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem." It is generally used, not for tlie whole body of that people, unless as they were typically considered, in which respect they were all holy ; but for the secret covenanted ones of that people, — as is evident from all the promises made thereunto, — yet with special regard to the ordinances of worship.
This God " hath. founded;" — founded, or established, streugihened, that it shall not be removed. Ps. Ixxxvii. is a comment on these words. He " hath founded" it; that is, in faithful promises and power- ful performances, sufficient for its preservation and establishment.
Now this expression, " The Lord hath founded Zion," as it is an answer to the inquiries of " the messengers of the nation," may be taken two ways.
(L) As giving an account of the luork itself done, or what it is that God hath done in and amongst his people. What is the work that is so famed abroad, and spoken of throughout the world, that, being attempted in niany places, and proving abortive, is here accom- plished ? This is it, shall one say: God hath established his people and their interest. It is no such thing as you suppose, — that some are
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set up, and some pulled down; — that new fabrics of government or ruling are erected for tlieii" own sakes, or tlieir sakes who are inter- ested in them. But this is the thing that God hath done, he " hath founded Zion;" — established his people and their interest, in despite of aU opposition.
(2.) As giving a reaso7i of the work done. Whence is it that the Lord hath wrought so mightily for you, amongst you, in your behalf,— preserved you, recovered you, supported you, given you success and victory, — when all nations conspired your ruin ? Why, this is the reason of it, " God hath founded Zion;" — he bore it good -will, hath taken care of the interest of his church and people.
The words may be taken in eifhei' sense ; the issue of their intend- ment, as to our mstruction, will be the same. This is the answer to be given to " the messengers of the nation," who perhaps expected to have heard of their strength and policy, of their counsellors and armies, of their wealth and their riches, of their triumphs and enjoy- ments. No : " God hath founded Zion." And weh had it been for Hezekiah had he given his answer, prepared for him so long before, to the messengers of Babylon.
III. The great design of God, in his mighty loorks, and dispen- sations in the world, is the establishment of his people, and their proper interest, in their several generations.
Give me leave to say, it is not for this or that /orwi of government, or civil administration of human affairs, — it is not for these or those governors, — much less for the advantage of one or other sort of men, for the enthroning of any one or other persuasion, gainful or help- ful to some, few or more, — that God hath \vrought his mighty works amongst us; but it is that Zion may he founded, and the general interest of all the sons and daughters of Zion be preserved ; — and so far as any thing lies in a subserviency thereunto, so far, and no farther, is it with him accepted. And whatever, on what account soever, sets up against it, shall be broken in pieces.
What answer, then, should we give to inquirers? " That the Lord hath founded Zion." This is that, and that alone, which we shoidd insist upon, and take notice of, as the p>ecidiar work of God amongst us. Let the reports of other nations be what they will, — let them acquaint the messengers of one another with their glory, triumphs, enlarging of their empires and dominions, — when it is inquired what he hath done in England, let us say, " He hath founded Zion." And he will not leave until every man concerned in the work shall be able to say, We have busied ourselves about things of no moment, and consumed our days and strength in setting up sheaves that must bow hereunto. This is the main of God's intendment ; and whilst it is safe, he hath the glory and end of his dispensations.
406 (;od's work in founding zion.
2. The other part of the answer relates to the people : " The poor of his people shall trust in it."
The words contain either their duty, — they ought to do so ; or the event, — they shall do so; or both jointly.
(1.) " The poor of his people/' verse 30, they are called, " The fii'st- born of the poor and needy ;" that is, those who are very poor. Now, this expression may denote either the people in general, who had been poor and afflicted, — and so " the poor of his people" is as much as " his poor people," — or some in particular, that, partly upon the account of their low outward condition, partly on the account of theu' lowliness of mind, are called "The poor of his people;" and so the words are excellently paraphrased, Zeph. iii. 12, 18, " I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies ; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth ; . . . . and none shall make them afraid." We may take the words in a sense comprising both these ; namely, for the poor preserved remnant, carried through the fiery trial, and pre- served to see some comfortable issue of God's dealing with them, though yet wrestling with difficulties and joerplexities.