41 6 god's work in founding zion.
temper, or rather distemper, of the people of God in this nation now for sundry years; and what it may yet produce I know not. Only, for the present, the work of God in founding Zion, in pursuing his people's common interest, is despised, thought light of, and all the pleasant things thereof trodden under foot. Unless God end this frame, my expectations, I confess, of a happy issue of the great work of God amongst us will wither day by day.
2. The suffering of our luills nxiA judgments, as to the products of providence, to iim before the wdll of God. This the experience of these days hath taught us. Those who have a forwardness in pre- scribing to God what he should do, as to the "modus" or manner of the work which at any time he hath to accomplish, are stubbornly backward in closing with what he doth actually produce. These, and the like things, which might be in large catalogues reckoned up, one after another, detain the minds of men from acquiescing in the common interest of Zion, whose preservation is the whole peculiar design of the great work of God in any place or season. — These foun- dations being laid in the words of the text, let us now see what infer- ences from them may be made for our advantage and instruction.
Use 1. Let us, then, consider diligently what we shall " answer the messengers of the nations." Some think that by the " nation" is peculiarly intended the nation of the Jews themselves, whose messen- gers from all parts came to Jerusalem to inquire of the work of God, and to advise about the affairs of the whole. In this sense you are the messengers of this nation, to whom an answer is to be returned. And because the text saith, one shall do it, — that is, any one, — I shaD make bold, before we close, to give an answer to your inquiries, and endeavour to satisfy your expectations. In the meantime, as the words seem more directly to respect the inquhies of other nations ; so it is in a special manner incumbent on you, who will be especially inquired of, to return an answer to them. Be provided, then, I pray, in your own hearts, to give an answer in this business. And, oh, that you could do it with one heai-t and lip, — with one consent and judg- ment! On whom are the eyes of this nation, and of those round about? from whom are the expectations of men? to whom should we go to inquire what God hath done in this nation, what he is doing, what are the effects of his power, if not of you? Some of you have been engaged in this work with the Lord from the beginning. And I hope none of you have been engaged in heart or hand against it ; and you speak still with living affections to the old and common cause. If you will be able to steer your course ariglit, if you would take one straight step, have in a readiness an acquaintance with the work of God, what it is that he aims at, by Avhich you may l)e guided in all your undertakings. Suppose, now, a man, or men, should come and
god's work in founding zion. 41 7
ask of you what God hath done in these nations, — what he hath wrought and effected, — what is brought forth? Have you an answer in readiness? Certainly God hath done so much, as that he expects you should be able to give an account of it. Take heed that every one of you be not ready to speak the disquietness of your own spirits, and so cast contempt on the work of God. Something else is required of you. I have sometimes, in darkness and under temptations, my- self begun to think, that what hath been, is the thing that is, and there is no new thing under the sun ; — as it hath been among the heathen of old, so it hath been amongst us ; or as it was with Israel, 1 Kings xvi. 21, 22, "Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath to make him king, and half followed Omri; but the people that fol- lowed Omri prevailed against the people that followed Tibni the son of Ginath : so Tibni died, and Omri reigned : " — that a common thinsf, and frequent in the world, had befallen us, wherein God had no hand but that of common providence, in dashing one sort of men against another. So foolish have I been, and as a beast, so ready to condemn the generation of the righteous, — so unbelieving and ready to cast away the faith and prayer of ten thousand saints, one of whose sighs shall not be lost. But such fearful effects, sometimes trouble, disquietment, disappointment, and carnal fear will produce. But certain it is, none of the many cries of the people of God shall be lost, nor their faith be disappointed. God hath a peculiar design in hand, and Ave are to find it out, that we may be able to answer them that make inquiries. If you lay not this foundation of your procedures, I shall not wonder if you err in your ways. It is your pole-star, and will be so, by which your Avhole course is to be steered ; — your shield, which whilst it is safe, though you die, your glory abides.