[Many are the enemies of the Church at this day, as well as in former times : nor were the Philistines half so envious at the prosperity of Zion, as millions of Christians, so called, are at this very hour. But when the Church was in its infancy, and had all the power and policy both of Jews and Gentiles combined against it, it stood as a rock, that defies all the efforts of the tempestuous ocean. The waves that menace its exist- ence are dashed in pieces at its feet. So shall it still be to the end of time : whatever confederacies are formed against the Church shall come to nought : for " it is founded on a rock ; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."]
2. In reference to the poorest and weakest of its members —
[The chief of its members are characterized as " a poor and afflicted people, who trust in the name of the Lord^: and their conscious weakness often proves to them a source of great discouragement. But how consoling is the truth, that the?/ are pre-eminently destined to receive the benefits of Christ's heavenly mission*, and to be the objects of his peculiar care"! It is under the very character of persons poor and weak and destitute, that they are designated as triumphing over all their enemies ; (" the foot shall tread them down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy'': ") and their weakness is described as carried to the utmost extent than can be imagined, even as resembling that of persons wounded, and captive, and dead : and yet in that very state is success insured to them ; for "though lame, they shall take the prey^;" " though cap- tives, they shall take those captive whose captives they were, and shall rule over their oppressors^ ;" and though slain, they shall rise and overcome, and " their enemies shall fall under the slain ^" Hence the weakest amongst them all, "knowing in whom he has believed," may adopt the triumphant language of the prophet, " The Lord God will help me ; therefore shall I not be confounded : therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. He is near that jus- tifiethme: who will contend with me? Let us stand together: who is mine adversary ? let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord God will help me : who is he that shall condemn me ? lo, they all shall wax old as doth a garment ; the moth shall eat them up^"]
Application —
[Look then, Brethren, to the Scriptures, to see what God has done in former ages See what instruction is to be
« Zeph. iii. 12. » Isai. Ixi. 1—3. " Isai. xl. 11.
" Isai. xxvi. 6. v Isai. xxxiii. 23. ^ Isai. xiv. 2.
^ Isai. x. -1. I' Isai. 1.7—9.