1. What God hath done.
2. What his people shall, or ought to do.
Wrap up at any time the work of God, and the duty of his people together, and they will be a suflScient answer to any man's inquiry after the state of things among them. As to our wisdom in reference unto providential dispensations, this is the whole of man.
1. The first thing in tiie answer to be given in, is the
520 god's work IK FOUNDING ZION.
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 the 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, strength- ened, that it shall not be removed. Psal. Ixxxvii. is a com- ment on these words, 'he hath founded' it, that is, in faithful promises, and powerful performances, sufficient for its pre- servation 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.
(1.) As giving an account of the work 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 many places, and proving abortive, is here accomplished? This is it, shall one say : God hath established his people and their interest. It is no such thing as you suppose, that seme are set up, and some pulled down; that new fabrics of government or ruling are erected for their own sakes, or their sakes who are in- terested in them; but this is the thing that God hath done, ' he hath founded Zion,' established his people and their interest in despite of all opposition.
(2.) As giving a reason 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 con- spired your ruin ? Why, this is the reason of it: ' God hath founded Zion,' he bore it good-will, halh taken care of the interest of his church and people.
The words may be taken in either sense; the issue of their intendment as to our instruction, will be the same. This is the answer to be given to ' the messengers of the na-
GODS WORK IN FOUNDING ZION. 521
tion/ 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 enjoyments. No: ' God hath founded Zion.' And well had it been for Heze- kiah, had he given his answer prepared for him so long be- fore, to the messengers of Babylon.
III. The great design of God in his mighty works, and dispensations 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 form of go- vernment, 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 helpful to some few or more, that God hath wrought his mighty w^orks amongst us : but it is that Zion may be 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 soevex', 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 should insist upon, and take notice of, as the pe- culiar work of God amongst us. Let the reports of other nations be what they will, let them acquaint the messengers of one another wath 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.
2. The other part of the answ^er 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.