If it be in the infinite, wise counsel of God, to give his saints in this nation peace and tranquillity, they shall not
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have it precariously upon the wills of menj for he will not leave moulding and disposing of the affairs of the nation, until it find, that it is its proper interest to give, and measure out unto them, what is to the mind of God. All that hath been done amongst us, all that we are in expectation of, turns on this hinge alone. But lastly,
IV. It is the duty of God's preserved remnant, laying aside all other aims and contrivances, to betake themselves to the work of God, founding Zion, and preserving the com- mon interest of his people.
' God hath founded Zion, and the poor of the people shall trust therein/ or betake themselves unto it. We are apt to wander on hills and mountains, every one walking in the imagination of his own heart, forgetting our resting- place. When God was bringing the power of the Babylo- nian upon his people, the prophet Jeremiah could neither persuade the whole nation to submit to his government, nor many individuals among them to fall to him in particular. And when the time of their deliverance from that captivity was accomplished, how hardly were they persuaded to em- brace the liberty tendered ? Notwithstanding all encourage- ments and advantages, the greatest part of them abide in that place of their bondage to this day. So hardly are we brought to close with God's peculiar work, and our own proper interest, although his glory, and our own safety lie therein. The reasons of this frame I have in part touched before; I shall add but two more.
1. Discontentment with our peculiar lot and portion in the work of the Lord, and common interest of his people. It is with us in our civil affairs, as the apostle saith it is not in the natural body, nor ought to be in the spiritual or church body. The foot doth not say, because I am not the head, I am not of the body; no, it doth not, but is content with its own place and usefulness. It is so with the rest of the members that are more noble, and yet are not the head nei- ther. It is otherwise with us. I interpose not my thoughts, as to your present constitution, and the order of things amongst us. I speak no more than I have sundry years since, sundry times complained of to a parliament of this commonwealth. Every one, if not personally, yet in asso- ciation with them of some peculiar persuasion with himself,
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would be the head ; and because they are not, they conclude they are not of the body, nor will care for the body, but rather endeavour its ruin. Because their peculiar interest doth not reign, the common interest shall be despised. A.nd this hath been the 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 com- mon interest, is despised, thought light of, and all the plea- sant things thereof trodden under foot. Unless God end this frame, my expectations, I confess, of an happy issue of the great work of God amongst us will wither day by day.
2. The suffering of our wills and judgments, as to the pro- ducts of providence, to run before the will of God. This the experience of these days hath taught us. Those who have a forwardness in prescribing 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 clos- ing 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 foundations being laid in the words of the text, let us now see what inferences 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 messengers 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 messen- gers 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 shall make bold, before we close, to give an answer to your inquiries, and endeavour to satisfy your expectations. In the mean time, as the words seem more directly to respect the inquiries of other nations; so it is in a special manner in- cumbent on you, who will be especially inquired of, to re- turn an answer to them. Be provided then, I pray, in your own hearts, to give an answer in this business. And oh