they were constructed: and tliey defy all the assaults, whether of traitorous friends, or open foes.
Then view her Liturgy. — Next to the Bible, it stands the wonder of the world. Never was there such a composition for the use of those who would worship God in spirit and in truth : and, whilst piety shall continue to characterize the Children of Zion, this will be their joy, their glory, their defence. They may be derided, as too holy, and too precise : but, whilst they can point to her expressions both of prayer and praise, they will feel that they are vindicated against the whole world, and are in a bulwark that is absolutely impregnable.]
The end of this survey is, " that we may tell it to the generation following :" which shews, that, both for their sakes and our own, we should contemplate,
II. The consolation arising from it —
What was written so many centuries ago, belongs no less to us than it did to those for whose instruc- tion it was originally composed. It calls our attention to the God of Zion, and reminds us of,
1. Our interest in him —
[*' This God is our God for ever and ever." He is the same in himself; and hears the same relation to us ; and feels the same concern for us as he did for his Church of old.
"He changeth not:" "he is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." " With him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." And is he not our Father, our Friend, our Re- deemer, our God ? When did he cease to sustain these relations to his Church and people ? Or when did he cease to be mindful of the offices which these relations imply ? If it be said, He has ceased to work miracles ; we grant it : but has he therefore withdrawn himself from the Church and from the world, so as to shut up his loving-kindness from us, and to be gracious to us no more ? Were we indeed to believe the infidel and un- godly world, we should say with them, that " God has forsaken the earth : " but we know the contrary : we know, that if God's presence and agency be less visible than formerly, they are not a whit less real ; and that he feels for his people at this hour, as much as ever he did at any period of the world. " He knows their sorrows'^," and " in all their afflictions is afflicted'^:" nor can an enemy touch so much as one of them, vdthout touching " the apple of his eye^"
Take this then into your consideration, in connexion with the foregoing survey. The same God as watched so tenderly
1 Exod. iii. 7. ■■ Isai. Ixiii. 9. « Zech. ii. 8.
581.] THE church's security IN GOD. 369
o >^er his people of old, is your God ; and watches over you, with the same care as he did over them. His purposes have as much respect to you as to them : his perfections are all engaged as much for you, as for them: his promises are made no less to you, than to them. For you the work of Christ, the office of the Spirit, and the whole economy of Redemption, have secured blessings, as well as for them. And the same Spirit who was poured forth in such abundant measure upon our Reformers, and endued them Avith such consummate wisdom and grace, is ready to " work upon your hearts," and to " fulfil in you also all the good pleasure of God's goodness, and the work of faith with power; so that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ*." I say then, Know from the records of the Church of old what a God you have to go to, and that " this God is your God for ever and ever."]