2. To those who are yet the bond-slaves of sin and Satan —
[This is the state of every man by nature. It is to little purpose to say, that we are not addicted to any gross iniquity; for '^ the whole world lieth in wickedness," or, " in the wicked one :" and if the Captain of our Salvation have not rescued us from the hands of " the strong man armed," our very peace is a sufficient evidence of our bondage. If you are yet strangers to the experience above described, you are yet in bondage to the
great enemy of Zion
But we are authorized to declare that this adversary is cast
down ;
down ; that our Cyrus has prevailed over him ; and that liberty is now given to every captive in Babylon to return to Zion. Be- hold, as an Herald of our adorable Saviour, I now announce to you these glad tidings. Oh ! be ye not like too many of that ill-fated nation, who preferred their ease to toils, their bondage to liberty, their dwellings in Babylon to their inheritance in Jeru- salem.
Put yourselves under the guidance of the true Zerubbabel, be- fore whom " the mountains shall become a plain." If you meet with difficulties, know that he has issued his proclamation to all his creatures, to afford you all necessary aid ; and if, instead of aiding, they endeavour to obstruct you, he has engaged that all things shall work together for your good. Come out then from Babylon, every one of you ; and let this be the one harmonious proposal of you all, " Come, let us go up to Zion, unto the Lord our God." Fear not but that the object, when attained, will richly recompense all the difficulties of your way. Even in this world your " joys shall be unspeakable and glorified :" but who can conceive the joy that awaits you in the Zion above ? How will your mouth then be filled with laughter, and your tongue with singing ! How will you then, in concert w^ith all the heavenly hosts, exclaim, " The Lord hath done great things for us, where- of we are glad !" Be content then to " go on your way weeping, bearing precious seed, knowing assuredly that at last you shall come again with rejoicing, bearing your sheaves with you."]