(1.) This is an interest comprehensive of all the sons of Zion, whose founding God intends ; it excludes none that can claim a share in the city of the living God. God takes equal care of all the dwelling-places of Zion. Every dwelling- place of Zion hath its beauty, hath its glory; Isa. iv. 5. The glory of one may be as the glory of the sun, of another as the moon, of others as the stars, and those differing from one another in glory ; yet each hath its glory, * and upon it there shall be a defence,' a covering, a protection. This is the promise, this hath been the work of God.
(2.) This compriseth all them who have lived by faith, and abode in supplications in reference to God's late dis- pensations amongst us. Who dare despise any one of those little ones, and say, God hath heard me, not you ; regarded me, not you ; you have no share or portion in the returns of supplications, which we enjoy ?
(3.) This alone preserveth the dwellers of Zion from offering violence one to another, from taking the work of Babylon out of its hands, and devouring one another. Let any other apprehension whatever of the work of God be em- braced, and the first work that thereby men will be engaged in, is the oppressing, persecuting, ruining of their brethren; which whether it be the founding of Zion, or no, the day of judgment shall determine.
540 god's work in founding zion.
(4.) This is that, which the common enemy seeks to destroy. It is not this, or that party, that he would devour ; it is not this, or that persuasion, he would cast down ; his hatred is, irpoc to yivog, ' against the whole race' and kind. This is that which he would accomplish, that all the children of God, however differenced among themselves, might be ruined, destroyed, cast down, and rooted out for ever, that the name of Israel might no more be had in remembrance. This then is that which God, in their disappointment, aims to establish.
(5.) Because the founding of Zion doth not consist in this, or that form of the civil administration of human affairs ; there being nothing promised, nor designed concerning them, but that they be laid in an orderly subserviency to the common interest of the saints; which let men do what they will, yea, what they can, all government shall at last be brought unto. And who is there amongst us, that in single- ness of heart dares make such an ' answer to the messengers of the nations,' inquiring after the peculiar work of God amongst us, namely, that it consists in the establishment of this, or that form of civil administration, though much of the work of God lies therein, in relation to this general end? This then is the answer which I 'shall give to the mes- sengers of the nations,' and of it there are these three parts.
[1.] God hath broken, destroyed, ruined them and their contrivances, who made it their business to overthrow Zion, and to root out the generation of the righteous, not under this, or that way or form, whereby they are differenced among themselves, but as such, as the saints of the Holy One, and will continue so to do.
[2.] He hath given to them, to the poor of his people, peace, liberty, freedom from impositions on their consciences, with much glorious light in several degrees in his worship and service.
[3.] He hath cast (as he hath promised) the power of the nation into a subserviency to this common interest of Christ, and his people in this world ; and hath made, or will make them to understand, that as the peace of Zion lies in their peace, so their peace lies in the peace of Zion. And what to say more ' to the messengers of the nation,' I know not.
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Use 2. If this then be the work of God, let us repair to it. The poor of the people shall trust therein, or join themselves thereunto. That you may do this in judgment, be pleased to take these directions, which with all humility I offer to you, and I hope from the Lord.
(1.) Engage in no way, no counsels, be the reasonings and pretences for them never so specious, which have an inconsistency with this common interest of Zion in this ge- neration. If, instead of repairing 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 many things will be suggested unto you ; settling of religion, establishing a dis- cipline in the church, not to tolerate errors, and the like. From which discourse I know what conclusions some men are apt to draw, if no otherwise, yet from 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 it; and I pray God you may be instrumental therein according 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 that 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 in- consistent therewith, as so set up, will lay the foundation of his 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 shall be instrumental herein. 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 peace be brouoht forth thereby. And herein the Lord make you as the moun- tains that bring forth righteousness, and the little hills that bring forth peace unto his people.