But you will say. What, then, is this great design of God among his people ? Let the Holy One of Israel bring nigh his work, that we may know it. What is that true and general interest of Zion that he hath founded ? Let us know it, that we may be able to give an answer to them that inquire after it. Ask themselves, — those who have 'prayed for it, waited for it, expected it, are made j^;a?'taA'er-.s of it, do enjoy it, live upon it, — jDrobably they will be able to give you an account what is their peculiar and only interest as to these providential dispensations; — surely they cannot but know that which they enjoy and live vipon.
But you will say. Of all others this is the most unlikely and iiTa- tional course, — a way to perplex and entangle, not to inform us at all. Is it not clear that they are divided among themselves ? Is not their language, is not their voice, like that of the Jews at the building of the second temple ? Some shouted for joy, and some wept at the
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418 god's work in founding zion.
remembrance of the fonner temple ? Are not their desires rather hke that, and those of theirs who built Babel, than of those who cry Grace, grace, whilst God is founding Zion ? Do not many of them utterly deny any work or design of God (I mean that is peculiar) in the affairs of this nation, and utterly fall away from the society of them who are otherwise persuaded ? And is it likely that we can gather any resolution from them ? Doth not the greatest danger of our own miscarriage lie in this, that we may be apt to attend to their peculiar desires, and so to divide amongst ourselves as they are di- vided ?
And is this the return that indeed is to be made ? Oh, that mine eyes might run down with water day and night on this account, — that my heart might be moved within me, for the folly of my people ! " 0 foolish people and unwise, do ye thus requite the Lord?" It is true, many at all times have desired the day of the Lord, who, when it hath come, have not been able to abide it; — it hath con- sumed them, and all the principles whereon they have acted, and upon which they did desire it. But that those who have their share in it indeed, should be thus broken among themselves, should bite one another, devour one another, and scarce allow one another to be sharers in the common interest of the saints in that day, — this is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation. But yet something may be farther pressed on them in this business. When one went to demand of the philosophers of the several sects which was the best of them, every one named his own sect and party in the first place ; but all of them, in the second place, gTanted that of Plato to be the most eminent. The inquirer knew quickly what to conclude : setting aside prejudicate affections, self-love, and by-interests, he saw that the judgment of all ran on that of Plato, as the best and most eminent sect ; and which thereupon he prefeiTed before the rest.
May not some inquiry of the like natiu'e be made of the people of God amongst us? Ask them, What is the common interest of Zion, that God takes care of, that he hath founded in the days wherem we live, in the great transactions of pro\'idence that have passed over us? Say some. That such a form of church worship and discipline be established, such a rule of doctrine confirmed, and all men whatever compelled to submit unto them ; herein lies that kingdom of Christ which he takes care of, — this is that which God will have founded and established: and what this /or???, what this mile is, we are to de- clare.— That that discipline be eradicated, the ministers' provision destroyed, and the men of such a persuasion enthroned, to rule all the rest at their pleasure; seeing that, notwithstanding all their pre- tended refonnation, they are yet antichristian, say others. — Say some. That a kingdom and rule bo set up in our hands, to be exercised in
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the name and authority of Jesus Christ, taking away all law and magistracy already established, to bring forth the law of righteousness conceived in our minds, and therein to be preserved ; — all uniting only in this, that a sovereignty as unto administration of the things of God is to be theirs. — Say others, lastly. That the people of God be delivered from the hands of theu' cruel enemies, that they may serve the Lord without fear all the days of their lives, in righteousness and holiness; — that, notwithstanding their present differences, they may live peaceably one with, or, at least, one by another, enjoying rule and promotion as they are fitted for employments, and as he gives promotion in whose hand it is ; — that godliness and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ be preserved, protected, and secured, from a return of the hand of violence upon it. Herein, say some, lies the common interest of the people of God ; this he hath wrought out for them, — herein he hath founded Zion. Ask, now, the people of God in this nation, I say, or any of them, one or more, at any time, what he or they look upon as the chief thing aimed at in the mighty dispensa- tions of God amongst us. Will they not every one answer, in the first place. That is aimed at, that is to be enthroned, that so doing is the will of God, the end of his works among them, wherein their or his particular engagement and interest lies? But ask them now again, in the second place. Which of the remaining persuasions, con- cerning the work of God and the common interest of his people, they would prefer next to their own? Will they not all unanimously fix on that mentioned in the last place, rather than any of the others? Is it not, then, evident, that, setting aside prejudicate affections, and such determinations as may reasonably be supposed to arise from them, — lajdng away all private animosities, and desire of rule and pre-eminence, with other worldly and selfish designs, — the universality of the people of God do answer to them that inquire, that in the last persuasion lies the aim and work of God in our generation ? For my own part, on this and other considerations hereafter to be men- tioned, I shall dare freely to give this answer to the messengers of this or any nation in the world who shall make inquisition after the work of God amongst us, and his design in reference to his people; and it is no other than my heart hath been fixed upon for many years, and which I have several times, on one account or other, intimated or pressed unto the parliament, which first undertook to manage, and successfully canied on, that cause in whose protection you are now engaged.