412 GOD S WORK IN FOUNDING ZION.
or other, may not see this with half an eye ? But such is our state and condition, such our frame and temper, so full arc we of our own desires, and so perplexed with our own disappointments, that we can see nothing, know nothing, nor are able to give any word of account that may tend to the glory of our God to them that inquire of us; but every one vents his own discontentments, his own fears, his o^vn perplexities. The Lord look down in mercy, and let us not be found despisers of the work of his power and goodness ! Ah ! how many glorious appearances have I seen, of which I said. Under the shadow hereof shall we live among the heathen ! but in a short space they have passed away. Shall we, therefore, choose us a captain, and go down again into Egypt ? The third proposition ensues.
III. The great design of God, in his mighty works and dispensa- tions, is the establishment of his people, and their proper interest, in their several generations.
To make this clear, some few things are previously to be con- sidered; as, —
1. The proper interest of the people of God is to glorify him in their several places, stations, and generations : none of us are to live unto ourselves. It is for this end that God hath taken a pecidiar people to himself in this world, that his name may be borne forth by them, — that he might be glorified by them and upon them. This is the gi-eat end whereunto they are designed, and that which they ought to aim at only, even to glorify God. If this be not done, they foil off from, and are beside their proper interest. Besides innume- rable testimonies to this purpose, I might give evidence to this assertion from God's eternal, electing love towards them, ^vith his intendment therein ; — from their redemption out of every kindred, tribe, and family under heaven, by the blood of Christ; — from their separation from the world, by their effectual calling, and the like con- siderations. But I have the consenting voice of them all in general, and of every individual in particular, ciying out. This is our, this is my proper interest, that we may glorify God ; fail we and come short in this, we come short and fail in the whole : so that I shall not need farther to confirm it.
2. God is the only proper and infallible judge, in what state and condition his people will best and most glorify his name in their several generations. I think I need not insist on the proof of this assertion. " Should it be according to thy mind," saith he, in Job xxxiv. 33 ; or according to the mind of God ? Should tlie disposal of things be according to his will, or ours ? Whose end is to be obtained in th1''"''t''Me of all ? is it not his glory ? Who hath the most wisdom to order'^^y ^^'f^ aright, — he or we? Who hath tlic chiefest interest in, and rigii''^l;into, the things contended about ? Who sees
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what will be the event of all things, — he or we ? Might men be judges, would they not universally practically conclude, that the condition wherein they might best glorify God would be, that they might have peace and rest from their enemies, union and a good understanding among themselves, — that they might dwell peaceably in the world, without control, and have the necks of their adversaries under their feet ? This in general : — in particular, that this or that persuasion, that they are peculiarly engaged in, might be always enthroned; that their proper sheaf might stand upright, and all others bow thereunto ; and that nothing is contrary to the glory of God but what disturbs this condition of affairs ? I know not what may be accom- plished before the end of the world ; from the beginning of it hitherto, for the most part, the thoughts of God have not been as these thoughts of ours. He hath judged othenvise as to the condition wherein his people should glorify him. God is judge himself; let us, I pray you, leave the determination of this difference to him. And if it be so as to our general condition, much more is it so as to our peculiar designs and aims, Avherein we are divided.
3. Providential dispensations, are discoveries of the wisdom of God in disposing of the condition of his people, so as they may best glorify him. To dispute against the condition wherein at any time we are cast by his providence, is to rise up against his wisdom in disposing of things to his own glory.
These things being premised, it is easy to give light and evidence to the assertion laid down.
I might go through the stories of God's dealings with the nations of the world, and his own people amongst them, and manifest in each particular that still his design was the establishment of his people's proper interest. But, instead of instances, take two or three testi- monies that occur. Deut. xxxii. 8, " When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the chil- dren of Israel." From the beginning, God hath so ordered all the nations of the world, that they may bear a pro2')ortion to what he hath to do with his people ; that he may so order and dispose of them, as that his desigai toAvards his own may be accomplished. Amos ix. 9, " For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as com is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth." All the stirs and commotions that are in the world, are but God's siftings of all the nations, that his chosen ones may be fitted for himself, and not lost in the chaff and rubbish. Heb. xii. 26, 27, " Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying. Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing