Use 2. If this, then, be the work of God, let us repair to it. The poor of the people shall tiiist therein, or join themselves thereunto. That you may do this in judgment, be pleased to take these direc- tions, which, with all humility, I offer to you, and I hope from the Lord : —
(1.) Engage in no luay, no counsels, be the reasonings and pre- tences for them never so specious, which have an inconsistency with this common interest of Zion in this generation. If, instead of re- pairing to the work of God, you should be found contending against it, and setting up your own wisdom in the place of the -wisdom of God, it would not be to your advantage. I know mauy things will be suggested unto you ; — settling of religion, establishing a discij)line in the church, not to tolerate eiTors, and the like. From which dis- courses I know what conclusions some men are apt to draw, if no otherwise, yet fi-oni what they have been doing for many years. Do we, then, plead for errors and unsettlement? God forbid ! God hath undertaken to found and establish Zion, to settle it, and he will do
422 god's work in founding ziox.
it ; and I pray God you may be instrumental therein, accordiug to his mind. He will also give his people one heart and one way; and I pray that you, by your example of union in love, and by all other good means, may be instrumental towards the accomplishment of tliat promise amongst us. It is only the liberty and protection of the people of God as such that is pleaded for; and he that shall set up any thing inconsistent therewith, as so set up, will lay the foundation of ] lis building in the first-born of his peace, and set up the gate of it in the utmost and last of his welfare. In a word, the people of God may possibly, in this nation, devour one another, and wash their hands in the blood of one another, by widening the breaches that are among them, — and woe be to them that sliall be instrumental therein ' but if ever they come to a coalescency in love and truth, it must be by their mutual forbearance of one another, until the Spirit be poured down from on high, and the fruits of j^eace be brought forth thereby. And herein the Lord make you as the mountains that bring foi'th righteousness, and the little hills that bring forth peace unto his people !
There are some things that I am afraid of, that lie contrary to what I am exhorting you unto. I wish the event may manifest that I am afraid without cause. However, give me leave to caution you of them, because I cannot be faithful to my call if I do not.
[1.] Take heed lest that evil be still abiding upon any of our spi- rits, that we should he crying out and calling for 7'eformation with- out a due consideration of what it is, and how it is to be brought about I wish one of many of them who have prayed for it, and complained for want of it, had endeavoured to carry it on as they might. Would you have a refonnation ? Be you more humble, more holy, more zealous; delight more in the ways, worship, ordinances of God; reform your persons in your lives, relations, families, parishes, as to gospel obedience, and you will see a glorious reformation indeed. What mean you by a reformation? Is it the hurting of others, or doing good to ourselves? Is it a power over other men's persons, or our own lusts ? God hath now, for sundry years, tried us, whether indeed we love reformation or no. Have any provoked us or com- ])elled us to defile the worship of God with ceremonies or supersti- tions, and our own consciences therewithal? Have we been imposed on in the ways of God by men ignorant of them ? Hath not God said to us. You that have prayed under persecution for reformation, — you that have fought in the high places of the field for reformation, — you that have covenanted and sAvorn for refonnation, — go now, reform yourselves: — you ministers, preach as often as you will, as freely as you i)lease, no man shall control you ; live as holily as you can, — pray ao oiten, fast as often as you will, — be full of bounty and good works.
god's work in founding zion. 423
giving examples to your flock, none shall trouble you; be instant in season, out of season, preach the whole counsel of God without con- trol:— you people, be holy, serve God in holiness, — keep close to his worship and ordinances, love them, delight in them, brmg forth such fruits as men may glorify God on your account ; condemn the world, justify the cause of God by a gospel conversation, take seven years' peace and plenty, and see what you can do? — If, after all this, we still cry out, Give us a reformation, and complain not of our own negli- gence, folly, hatred of personal reformation, to be the only cause of that waut, it is easy to judge what we would have, had we our desires.